james hemphill maclay civil war letters

A PussyCat ProductionCompiled by Richard Rogers

53650 Avenida Ramirez

La Quinta, California [email protected]

2011

Posted by DEM

James Hemphill MaclayHis Civil War Letters

James Hemphill Maclay

His dedication to his country is inspirational.

He fought to preserve the Union.

.

C O N T E N T S

Dedication iii

James in Uniform vii

James and Anna with Daughters ix

Soldiers' Monument at Middle Spring Church xi

Maclay.s Roller Mills Flour Bag xii

Maclay’s Mill c. 1896 xiii

James and Anna in Wagon xiv

James Hemphill Maclay 1

James' Obituary 22

Tribute to James 23

Anna's Obituary 24

Battery B Engagements 25

Speech at the Dedication of the Monument at Gettysburg in 1889 26

Dates and Places of the Letters 38

James' Letters 40

Re-enlistment Papers 105

Battery Muster Rolls 107

Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and Graveyard 115

Places To Visit 116

James and Anna’s Family 118

History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers ~ Battery B 120

Photograph of Battery B in Front of Petersburg 127

Battery B Monument at Gettysburg 128

Battery B Monument at Mount Jackson 129

Photograph of Captain Cooper 130

James H. Cooper Obituary 131

Battle Report of Captain Cooper, December 1862 134

Itinerary of the 1st Corps during the Gettysburg Campaign 135

Battle Reports of Col. Wainwright, Artillery Brigade 137

Eulogy for Marjorie Maclay Heckler 149


vii

James H. and Anna Fickes Maclay

And their daughters (c. 1895)

Front row l. to r. : Ollie, James, Anna, Mary

Back row l. to r. : Nellie(?), Bessie, Maggie (?), Rene

ix

The Soldiers’ Monument at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church was unveiled and dedicated on Thursday, June 1, 1905. The Shippensburg Chronicle reported the event in their June 8 edition. Dr. Paul Gill, Professor of History and Philosophy at Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania wrote about it in his book, “Ye People of Hopewell, a Two-Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary History of the Middle Spring Church, Middle Spring, Pennsylvania, 1738-1988.” In it he stated:

On Thursday, 1 June 1905, the Soldiers’ Monument for which the Pennsylvania Legislature had appropriated $4,000, was unveiled and dedicated at Middle Spring. This monument, ten feet by ten feet at the base, standing twenty-three feet and two inches tall, and weighing twenty-five tons, commemorates the men of Middle Spring who served in the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War. The monument is surmounted by a life-size stature of Lieutenant William Maclay, a son of Middle Spring, a student of Reverend John Blair, a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the first two men from Pennsylvania to sit in the United States Senate.

The parade and dedication ceremonies were witnessed by more than 5,000. Ceremonies began at the Lower Cemetery where members of the Grand Army of the Republic decorated the graves of veterans. The parade started at the Normal School at 1:00 P.M., and headed by Governor Pennypacker and other dignitaries, wound its way to Middle Spring. The parade was comprised of two divisions, and included the Carlisle Indian School Band dressed in red, the Scotland School Band dressed in blue, twelve men dressed in full Continental uniform, and thirteen young ladies, representing the original colonies, dressed in white and carrying American flags. The unveiling of the monument took place at 2:30 P.M., performed by Mary Maclay and Eva M. Wylie of Middle Spring, and David C. Maclay and John N. Pomeroy of Chambersburg. Reverend Wylie formally transferred the monument to the governor and the people of Pennsylvania, and, in so doing, noted that “More men went to the defense of their country from Middle Spring than from any other area in the Cumberland Valley.” In his acceptance speech Governor Pennypacker recalled that the last time he had been to Shippensburg had been forty-two years before when as a Union soldier, he was marching towards Gettysburg and the great battle that would ensue. On that occasion a woman in the crowd watching his unit march by handed him a piece of buttered bread, a gesture, he believed, symbolic of the patriotism of the people of this area, a patriotism now honored in this monument. After several other speeches the ceremonies were ended by Reverend George Henry’s rendition of “The Sword of Bunker Hill.”

In the photograph at the right, James Hemphill Maclay is shown dressed in a Continental uniform. His son, David Jack Maclay (my grandfather), is standing to his left (right in the picture). The names of the two men on the left are unknown.

x

James Hemphill Maclay : His Civil War Letters

James Hemphill Maclay, the only son of John Herron Maclay and Margaret Hemphill Maclay, was born in Lurgan Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania on June 12, 1839. His only sister, Jane Ellen, had been born in 1837. James’ great-great- grandfather, Charles Maclay, was born in Ireland in 1703 and had emigrated with his wife, Eleanor Query, and their infant son, John, to Pennsylvania in 1734. He and his family finally settled (about 1742) in what was to become Lurgan Township. Charles built a grist mill on a site on the west side of the Conodoquinet Creek and the area came to be known as Maclay’s Mill. The mill continued in operation throughout the years and was taken over by James’ father when his father died in 1839.

Certainly James had some farming and mill chores to do in his youth. The countryside was rural and quaint with winding dirt roads, and James had a horse and must have enjoyed riding to visit his aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Most Americans in 1860 felt they were the luckiest and happiest people anywhere. Poet Walt Whitman wrote in I Hear America Singing in 1860:

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong...

Each singing what belongs to him or her to none else,

The day what belongs to the day - at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

This idyllic world came to an end on April 13, 1861 when a Rebel flag flew over Fort Sumter after a thirty-four hour, 4000 shell bombardment caused the Union forces to surrender. Fort Sumter was Federal property, a brick fort on an island near the mouth of Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. When Fort Sumter fell, the country’s army had only about 16,000 men. Volunteer state militias would have to be organized and a call to arms brought vigorous recruiting throughout the North. A huge wave of patriotism in support of the Union and the constitution spread as appeals were made (this one on a poster) to “all patriots and lovers of their country to step forward at this most important crisis, in aid of their beloved country, in her efforts to preserve the Union and protect her constitution,”

At twenty-two years of age, James answered the call “to share in the heroic sentiment of the time” by enlisting in the Union Army, serving in Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, 43rd Regiment, 14th Reserve Union Army. The command was formally mustered into service on June 28, 1861, attached to General John F. Reynold’s First Brigade of General George A. McCall’s Division of Pennsylvania Reserves. James was mustered in at Harrisburg on August 5, 1861. This battery came to be known as Cooper’s Battery B, after Captain James H. Cooper, who commanded it more than three years. It was part of the Army of the Potomac that saw action in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania and whose main goals were to defend Washington and capture Richmond. James’ original enlistment was for three years and when it

expired in early 1864 he still believed so strongly in preserving the Union that he reenlisted for the duration of the war, attaining the rank of sergeant.

James Hemphill Maclay ~ 1

James came from a very close-knit, religious family and when he found himself away from home he carried on a letter-writing correspondence with his family. The letters he wrote home have been preserved over the years by family members. It was mainly his sister, Jane Ellen, whom he called Jennie, who took on the responsibility of receiving and answering James’ letters.

James could have waited to be drafted as others did that he knew, but he would have none of that. He had strong opinions of those who chose to be drafted rather than enlisted. In an October 29, 1862 letter to Jennie he stated:

So Hugh Fraser is drafted. Good for him. No man but a coward would permit his self to be driven into the service but such men. I think such men ought to be in the Rebel Army where all the conscripts are.

And on November 10th:

So Ditzler says he is not hired to Uncle Sam. I think he has done worse for Conscripts are Uncle Sam Slaves, The old Reserves don’t like the idea of filling up thare Regt. with drafted men. Thay say thay want men that will fight & not these Baby Conscripts.

Those acquaintances who were in for a short time received James’ criticism also:

Well. Sister. I must tell you what I have been doing to day. This morn. I left Camp about 7 o’clock & went to visit the 126 Regt. which is 7 miles from me. I saw most of the Lurgan Township Boys. They are looking well and harty. They are making great calculations on going home soon. You ladies must not pet these worn & mangled veterans whose time of 9 months is about to expire. Some of the Patriotic boys of Franklin Co. is greatly discouraged. Thay think playing soldier is not what is cracked to be.

As the war lengthened, volunteerism began to fall off so new recruiting methods had to be devised. The Congress passed a conscription act in March of 1863. It required all men from the age of twenty to forty-five to be liable to military service. However, it exempted anyone who paid $300 or provided a substitute. It was a terrible loophole and James didn’t like it at all. In August, 1863 he wrote:

I am glad to hear of Hugh Frazer being drafted. I hope he & all the rest of drafted men may turn out in the field. This thing of drafting men & let them pay thare 3 dollars is not much of a benefit to our Army. We will never fill up the ranks in this way of doing things. Every man thats drafted should feel it his duty to respond to his countrys call. The way it sees best to call upon him. If the people of


the North wants peace, why dont thay come themselfs & not send thare 3 dollars. It is men we want not money. But I suppose thay think if thay pay us soldiers we will fight it out for them. (Stay at Home cowards & traitors). A man that buys his independence in the field should never call U. States his Home. or at least he should never be treated as an American citizen.

James enjoyed his military life at first. He wrote on August 12 and September 3, 1861:

I am enjoying my self finely. Better by far than I expected. I keep good health and take the living first rate ... I like Soldiers life verry well far Better than I expected. We get plenty to eat & drink. And for sleeping we are furnished with Uncle Sam Bed that nathure gave him witch is verry pleasant only in rainy weather.

James was very interested in the social goings-on at home and regularly asked for news about his friends:

How is Carrie getting allong. Does she have as many boys as usual. Who pays the most attention to her.

And:

What has become of Ras. Frazer. Is she going to return to the West. Have you any quire meeting this Fall. What has become of Walt. Means, Is he gallanting any of the ladies. & Martha Hays Wherys & McCunes, Are thare any gents paying attention to them. ( I want you to answer all these questions,) You must keep me better posted in the young peoples affairs in the Neighbor hood.

In a letter to his parents early on, he kidded Jennie about one of his friends who continued his social visits even though James wasn’t now at home:

Papa I think you must let Billy Linn’s horse loose when he comes to our house. I allways thought he came to see me but I must have been mistaken by what I hear.

He was always interested in the ladies and who might get married:

Sister how are all the Newbury ladies getting allong. Who pays attention to Mary Smith or Shumaker. Is Dr. Lam married to Miss Green. I wonder who might be married next. I know (perhaps your-self)


Jennie must have written and told James that she wasn’t enjoying her social life as much now that he was away:

Sister. I think you should of attended the pic-nick. You must not stop attending parties & so on in account of my being away. You should attend when ever you can.

James engaged in some gossip of his own:

So Brose Nesbit has been paying Cumbld Valley a visit. Do you think Miss Brown will marry a batch as old as him. Thare is a mistake to his riches somewhare. I can pretty nearly give you amt. of his wealth. He made 3000 doll. in Cal. and that is all he is worth at this time. He will become heir to his fathers estate when he dies so the Line may be worth 10,000 doll.

It wasn’t long before they saw action. James was at Big Falls, Potomac River, Maryland. He wrote to Jennie on September 12, 1861:

I suppose you have heard of the skirmish we had here. We were fired at by Six cannon on Last Wensday morning from the other side of the River. There was no person killed or hurt. Except W. Harper from Shippensburg. He was slightly wounded in the arm he is allmost well. Thay fired at our guns for 1/2 hour. The Col. would not let us fire our guns at them till we were reinforced for we could not tell the number of Rebbels thare was. So we went back out of reach of thare guns. When thay were firing at us Before we left we laid flat on the ground & let the balls pass over us. Some of them pased prety close to us. You can see rockets allmost every night flying up from the other side of the River.

He told his parents on September 26:

How are you all getting allong by this time? If you are getting allong as well as I then it will be pleasantly. I could not wish for Better times than I have. I am in a tent with five fellows. We came back to camp Tennaly last Monday one week ago. I do not know how long we will remain here. I hope not long. I would like to get over to Virginia soon. We have receaved our new U. States uniforms wich are verry nice. If you were to meet me you would barly know me to see me in a new bright uniform & high hat.


In a letter dated November 16, James was in Camp Pierpont, Virginia. He wrote to one of his friends:

What kind of weather have you in Newburg. we have the most disagreeable weather here I ever saw. This evening it is blowing a perfect hurricane. About every ten minutes you can hear some one hollering Ketch that tent. It is blowing over. We have roll call at 8 o’clock at night and at sunrise in the morning. We drill allmost every day. We drill 4 hours a day & the rest of the time we have not anything to do. We get plenty of hard bread, not verry good at that. I get allong about as well as any of the boys & I think a little better for I have not been unwell an hour since I came into the Army. We have some ten or twelve sick at the present time. We receaved our pay today. We were paid of in silver and gold. Just fresh from the mint. Some of the boys said it had hardly got cold yet.

He had been promoted to corporal on October 10, 1861 and wrote on December 4:

I am on guard to night. I have got above standing sentry. I have been promoted to a high Corpl. Birth, but as I said I am on guard. I am Sargt of the guard. All I have to do is to releive the guards every two hours.

The soldier got a lot to eat, but some of it was not very good. The basic ration, especially while on the march, consisted of salt pork and hardtack. Hardtack was a large, thick, tough soda cracker. It could be good when fresh, but unfortunately it sat around in warehouses for quite a time until it was finally used. They also had coffee and sugar. The average northern soldier had an average height of five feet eight and a quarter inches and weighed 143 pounds. James was five feet ten and a half inches tall. There were times when he ate very well. He wrote:

If I keep on getting fatter I’ll weigh 200 lbs by Spring. I weigh 175 lbs at the present time.(Dont say soldiers dont live well).

And later:

Mother, if you were to see your Big Son you would hardly know him. for he has got to be quite a big punchy fellow. I weigh 180 lbs. Some of the boys says I look more like a alderman or a lager beer man than a soldier. to tell the truth I never felt better than I do at the present time.

Sometimes they had to buy their food and sometimes they foraged for it:


We recvd our pay last sabbath. We have to pay 20 cts for a loaf of bread & then it ways only 20 oz. And potatos sells for 5 cts per pound. We had a big reconnoissens the other day. In the direction Leesburg. We all came back safe. Without seeing any of the Rebels. I cant say without seeing any for we took 3 or 4 prisoners. We had some wagons allong for forage. Wich we filled with Rebel grain & hay & whatever we could find. We took some 50 fat hogs.

They had not been paid for awhile in November of 1862, so food was hard to get:

We have not yet been paid & its hard to tell when we will. We are rather hard up at the present time. We hardly can get as much as we can eat. Some days we only get 10 crackers and other days we dont get anything to eat. We get plenty of fresh beefs.

No cooks were enlisted in the Union Army throughout the entire war. Each soldier was expected to cook for himself. James and five fellow soldiers were living together in January of 1863. They worked out a plan for sharing food costs:

We have what is called a mess fund. We all pay so much & then buy whatever we want. So we generally have something good to eat. We buy such things we cant draw from the comesary. We buy such things as potatoes.

James took his turn at cooking for his group and told Jennie he’d like to cook her one of his meals:

This is my week for cooking. We all take turns at it. So I come on cooking every six weeks. Well I must tell you what we had for dinner. Coffee pork & soft bread. We generally have better dinners but just at present we are somewhat short of rations. We get soft Bread four days in a week. Sister I am getting to be a splendid cook. If I was at Home I’d get you up a regular Army meal just to show you how I cook.

Sutlers were civilians who had stores or followed the army with their wagons full of provisions such as wines, brandies, Bourbon, cakes, canned fruits, cheese and other delicacies, which they sold to the soldiers. They usually charged exorbitant prices. On February 14, 1863, James wrote to Jennie:

We have been living verry high on good things for the last few days. In the shape of jellys can fruit pickels candies & I must tell you how we got them. We looted them from a Sutler. The Sutlers gets to asking to much for thare goods. So we get two or three together and


take thare goods from them. Thats what we call hooting them. Our mess got a box of jelly and dozen herring.

In a letter dated December 31, 1862, he described a great meal they had on Christmas Day:

I had a splendid Christmas dinner. I must tell you what we had. We had rather a costly meal. We bought two cans of tomatos, which we had to pay 2 and one half dollars for .25 cts of shugar cakes & aples. We had to pay 5 cts a peace for them. So you may judge we lived richly. To Morrow is New Years. I do not know how Il spend it. If I was at Home I think I know how I would spend it. I would be shure of a good dinner. I think you would get up something extra for me.

However, the next day’s meals weren’t all that great:

This is a cold frosty morn. I wonder what you are doing to day. I had a cup of frozen potatoes for breakfast this morn. I expect to have some sweet potatoes for diner. We have to pay 10 cts. per pound for them.

James was determined to maintain his up-bringing and abide by what his parents had taught him:

If it was not for the bad company I could allways be a soldier. Nothing I hate more than swearing & bad company. We have some hard cores in our company. But I hope I’ll never be one of them.

In a letter to his mother he wrote:

We have not had much preaching in our camp till lately. Mr. Furguson has preached to us several times. I allways attend services whenever I get an opportunity. Thare is a great deal of wickedness in The Army. I have allways tryed and lived up to the rules that you taught me. And I hope that I may never be led astray from them. I think if my life is spared to get through this War, it will be a benefit to me in after years.

James was very pleased to report in March of 1863:

We had preaching in our camp by a young Rev. Mr. Furguson of Lawrence Co. He is a brother of Mrs. Sharp Fullerton. He is a splendid


speaker. He is not yet licensed to preach. But was appointed by some Communion Society for to preach in the Army whare thare are no chaplins. He was a classmate of Ralph Maclays at Canonsburg & also of Tom Orrs at Allegheny. He is making his Home in our tent for the present. Quite highly honored are we not. Its not every soldier that can say thay have a minister in thare tent.

James was always looking for letters from home and from friends:

I want you to send me all the news you have when you write. Tell Uncle Jack I have not got any Letters from him yet. I waunt you all to write Soon: Good bye from one that will allways remember friends.

He would occasionally scold Jennie or complain about not getting enough information in the letter from home:

Sister why cant you send me the names of who was drafted & who went to the Army. You never mention the name of any one that goes. If I had the convenience of writting you have I think I could do it more justice than you do, But sitting here in the cold one cant do much at writting.

In another letter he answered his mother’s concerns for his health and then complained to her about Jennie’s lack of the kind of news he would like to receive:

Mother you need not trouble your self for I am injoying good health. The reason why I do not write oftener is the weather has been so cold I can scarcely can write. Do you & father keep good health this winter. Sister hardly ever tells me how you all are. She has so much to tell me about her preachers friends & so on that I dont care any thing about. I think she might give me more news than what she does. Why dont Father sit down & write me a good long letter. I think he might. dont you.

In a January 1, 1863 letter to his mother, he asked her help again in getting his father to write more often:

Why dont Father write to me more frequently. I think he has plenty of time to write once a week to me. So I would allways get two letters from Home a week. I am looking every day for a letter from home.


He was really disgusted in August 1864 when he wrote:

I had thought of not writing for two or three weeks, for I had not recvd. any from you since the 1oth of this month. So hearafter if you dont write more regular you cant expect me to be regular. You plead not time. I have to incounter more difficulties for between fighting, marching, digging breastworks & many other things I can hardly write. If we had a shingled roof & a table to write on I think I would write more frequently. But as I have neather claim table or covered roof, you must pardon me for not writing oftener.

Many people in the North were opposed to the war. Members of an anti-war group that was very active and especially vocal were called Copperheads - they wore lapel pins that were cut from Indian head copper pennies. They were pictured in an 1863 cartoon as snakes who would strike the Union without warning. On June 7, 1863 James wrote:

All we soldiers want is the friendly feelings & sympathy of people of the North. While we have so many traitors at Home. This war will never prosper. I would give my next years pay to lead a Regt. of our troops in the field up North to muster up some of the copperheads. I would eather make them come up to the mark or strech necks.

He asked on January 6, 1864:

How does the people like the way thay are drafting this time. How is the Genl. on War matters at this time. Are thay as many Copperheads arround in the country as thare was some time ago.

Secesh were those who believed in secession for the South. James heard about some of them back home:

And E. Ditzler he is turning Secesh is he. Tell him if is Secesh that it would not be good for him if I was at Home for I have of taken revenge on Seceshs. I never want it to be said after the war is over that thare were trators living near Maclay Mill. If I were at home and I heard any person speaking in favor of the South I would help to have him tieded up to a tree for I dont believe it is right for them that wont come and fight for thare country to say any thing abbout it. for them that can come and dont come when this War is over. They will barly have the life of a dog. Thay will be like the three Hunters one of them shot a large bear. And the other two came up to whare it was lying & sayed “Wasant that a fine bear we shot.” So it will be


with some of the boys that stayed at home. When this War is over thay will say “wasnt that a big battle we had “ or so on. When thay had no part in it.

And he didn’t want Jennie to socialize with any of them. He asked about the choir leader in her church:

Who are you going to have for a leader in your quire meeting. I hope you will not have such a Secesh as Billy Means. Will you take my advise & stay at home with Father & Mother. It will do you more good than attending such meetings.

James stated in a letter dated September 6, 1862 the trouble he had in returning to his outfit after a furlough home:

I must try & give you an account of my many travels since I left Home. I did not leave Harrisburg till on Thursday. I could not get transportation till then. That’s why I did not get off sooner. There were some 100 of us left together for Fortress Monroe. We were under charge of a Col. So he had to turn us over to our Regements. As I was the only Corpl. I had to stay & take charge of some men. I stayed at Fortress Monroe two weeks. I heard our Div. had shipped for Acqui Creek. So I started for to gain my company. Two other men of our Div. came allong with me. Arrived at Falmouth on the 22nd. Our Battery had left three days before I got thare. Our troops were fighting some at the Rappahanock Station. So I with some other boys of our Div. started on foot for to overtake them. We encamped out all night. The next morn. we started bright & early. We traveled some 15 miles & we came up with our waggons witch had been left behind. I was quite glad to see some of our boys. That day we reached Warrentown Junction. We had to stay hear for two days till we could find out whare our Battery was. We heard it was at Warrentown. So off we started. We reached the Battery that eve. I found the boys all in good spirits.

James was among the many enlisted men in the Army of the Potomac who greatly admired General George McClellan. McClellan was a graduate of West Point’s class of 1846 and was a veteran of the Mexican War. His first assignment was to command an army that was being formed in Ohio. He led it to western Virginia and easily defeated a small Confederate force there and continued on and handily defeated a larger Confederate army of 4,500 men. His activities were somewhat exaggerated in the press. After a fiasco with green troops at Bull Run, it was determined that a real army would have to be put


together. .McClellan was put in command of the Army of the Potomac on July 27, 1861. McClellan was very adept at organizing his army and made his men feel like soldiers. They in turn gave him their confidence and deep affection.

Throughout the winter of 1861-1862, McClellan was pressured to take the offensive, but he wrote “the necessity for delay is not my fault.” He began to be distrusted by the radical Republican politicians in Washington, including Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. They questioned his will to fight and some even claimed he was willing to let the enemy win the war.

McClellan lost the Peninsular Campaign and Lincoln shuffled generals around. He made General John Pope head of a new Army of Virginia in northern Virginia. It included about 50,000 men. At Second Bull Run, on August 30, 1862, some of McClellan’s divisions had joined Pope and had joined in the battle. McClellan was off someplace else and was not at Second Bull Run. But Pope’s army was badly defeated and driven north in disarray. A few days after the battle, on September 6, James was near Munson Hill and wrote to Jennie:

Well Sister we were in the 4 days fight at Bull Run & it was a perfect run for some of the troops. Fridays fight was the hottest fight our Battery was ever in. We lossed 4 men killed & 15 wounded. ...Several of our boys had thare limbs shot of. Some of them were cut in two. That day the Rebels fired at our Battery with 3 Batteryes of Artillery. Our Infintry would not stand thar ground. On Saturdays fight we lossed 1 man killed & 7 wounded. In all we lossed 5 killed & 22 or 23 wounded. Saturdays fight was a hot time. We fired out of our own gun 700 rounds. The Infintry gave way & run. We lossed our Caissons & some 24 horses. The Rebels made a charge to take our Battery. But we made out to get our guns off. I was helping to limber up & thar was a Rebel struck at me with his musket but did not hurt me any. Thay drove us for some distance. We fell back to Centerville on Sunday Morning. Monday we went to Fairfax Court House. Tuesday we went to Arlington Heights. Wednesday we went to the Arlington House. Thursday we came here & are here yet. Do not know how long we will remain here ... if we had Gen McClellan on the field in plase of Pope & McDowell we would have captured the whole Rebel force. McDowell is a perfect traitor & a Rebel. Our troops says thay will never fight under him again. Thay will fight for no Gen, but McClellan. How does Gen. McClellan stand in old Penna. Has he still as many enemy as when I left. If you hear any person speaking against him tell them thay had better fight under him first before thay say anything against him for thay know nothing abbout him. I know one thing if we would have had him at Bull Run we would have fought better. Our troops have no dependence on Pope or McDowell ... The Rebels the first days fight fired so fast with skill that we scarsely fired our


guns for as fast as we would go up thay would drive us back. I cant see how we gott off so safe.

The following passage is from the book, Return To Bull Run, The Campaign and

Battle of Second Manassas, by John Hennessy:

When the Federal columns neared Groveton, they came under

intensifying artillery fire from Shumaker’s battalion of guns northeast of

the Brawner house. Soon Reynolds received from Schenck a request for a

battery to move north across the turnpike to flank those Confederate guns

and drive them away. Reynolds was a man who generally responded

favorably when given a fair opportunity, and he lost no time now in

sending forward Captain James Cooper’s Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania

Light Artillery. To support the battery, Reynolds ordered forward the

brigade commanded by Brigadier General George Gordon Meade, an

officer who would yet do much to distinguish himself in this war. Meade

deployed several companies of his crack Pennsylvania Bucktails (officially

known as the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves) as skirmishers, sent two

regiments with Cooper’s guns and held two regiments back along the

turnpike.

As Meade’s men swept across the Cundiffe farm toward the

Warrenton Turnpike, they found wounded by the dozens from the previous

night’s fight. Many of the Pennsylvanians dropped out of ranks to offer a

drink or a cracker from their haversacks. Officers called forward

ambulances which, under an occasional bursting shell, evacuated as many

of the wounded as possible.

The nearby Confederates of Early’s brigade, who had charge of

protecting Jackson’s right, gave little consideration to the humanitarian

efforts of Reynold’s men. When Meade’s soldiers came into range, Early’s

Virginians opened on them. A sharp little fight ensued, the Federals

fighting as much to buy time to remove their wounded brethren as

anything else.

Meanwhile, Cooper’s battery galloped across the turnpike and up

the slope near the Brawner house, the drivers carefully picking their way

through dead left from the previous night’s fight. Cooper unlimbered his

four cannon several hundred yards south of Shumaker’s line of guns -

indeed directly on the Confederate’s flank. Cooper’s first blasts thoroughly

surprised Shumaker’s men, whose attention was fixed squarely in front, on

the Union batteries around Groveton. The volley, wrote one of Shumaker’s

cannoneers, “coming from such an unexpected quarter, created a great

commotion.” Captain William Poague quickly ordered his Rockbridge

Artillery - from Jackson’s home town of Lexington - out of the main line to

confront the brazen Pennsylvanians. The Virginians galloped close,

probably to within six hundred yards, unlimbered and engaged Cooper in

an intense duel. The battle continued for an hour, and despite taking a

bloody beating, Poague’s men finally drove Cooper away.


McClellan didn’t accomplish much for six weeks after the Battle of Antietam and then when he began a new offensive he moved slowly with much deliberation. President Lincoln lost confidence and gave the Army of the Potomac to Major General Ambrose E. Burnside. McClellan was out of the picture. General John Reynolds led the First Army Corps to which Battery B was attached. On December 18, 1862, a few days after the Battle of Fredericksburg, James wrote to his father:

I suppose you have heard of the late battle having been fought near here. No dought you have got news of it thar. I can give you but I’ll try to give you some news. We crossed the River on Friday a mile below Fredericksburg on a pontoon bridge. That day we marched to the front of the lines. All was quiet except a few guns that kept up a firing at our troops crossing. Satterday morn. we took our position on the left. We advanced one mile when we were fired upon by the Rebel Batteries. Thay opened fire on our front & right flank. We were soon engaged in hot contest. The Rebel Sharp Shooters were only 50 yds from our Battery. All the men we had wounded were hurt by them. We had five men wounded by then ... Abbout 1 o’clock that day our Div. made a charge on the enemy under the cover of our Battery. Thay drove the enemy before them for some time before the enemy was reinforced & drove our men back. Our Infintry broke & fled in a hurry. The Rebels still following them till thay up to within 75 yds of our Battery. When they halted & drawed up in line to take our Battery. By this time thare was a Regt of Infintry had come up to support us. The Rebels advanced in near mass to capture our guns. When to thar sorrow we let loose with double charge of canister & the Infintry raised up and poured in volley after volley. Thay did not stand it long but fled. Gen. Reynolds stood by our battery & cheered the boys on. After the enemy had fled he came up to Capt. Cooper & put his hand on his shoulder & said if it had not been for him our left would have been turned. That he had senced a regular stampede. We had a hotter fight this time than we ever had before. The Reserved losses in killed wounded & missing 2100 men with the loss of one Brig. Gen. Jackson Comd. 1st Brigade ... Our guns blew up several of the enemy caissons. Sabbath night at 8 o’clock we began to recross the river by day light. All our troops have crossed safely. I forgot to tell you I escaped safely & dont feel any the worse of the fight. I think if we would of had Killer Mac [McClellan] to lead us we would not have been whipped.

The Army of the Potomac had a new leader by the early months of 1863 - Major General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker. James answered Jennie’s question about Hooker


on February 7, 1863 and continued to praise McClellan:

You inquired (what) I thought of Hooker or Fighting Joe. think he will soon be like all the rest - Soon play out I think if we want to bring this War to a close soon we will have to get a new sett of men at Washington & Gen. McClelland to take command of the Army.

Hooker mishandled the army at Chancellorsville during the first week of May and the Army of the Potomac suffered another defeat. James wrote on June 7, 1863:

Thare was heavy canonading up the River. Have not heard the result of it yet. I dont think it is the intention of Gen. Hooker for to cross all his force near this plase. If Hooker gets defeated this time I think he had give this rout up. For every time the Army of the Potomac have been whipped. I hope that we may be successful this time for it will soon be time we are doing something in this department.

In July, Gettysburg was a turning point for the Union. Still, James was praising McClellan in August of 1863:

I suppose the people of the North say put in that Gen. and this Gen. to command the Army & then we will soon whip the Rebels. I would like to know how the People of the North knows when we have a good or bad general when thay never worked under him. When the soldiers had a man that thay would fight to the last for we could not keep him. Give us back Gen. G. E. McClelland & we will protect U. States right. But must quit talking such language or you will take me as one out of his wits.

The president’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863. It broadened the war by declaring that the northern government was against slavery. James was critical and becoming disillusioned with the war in a letter dated March 6:

But I hope this War will soon terminate. So that we soldiers may return to our peacefull vocation & think no more of armed rebellions & bloody battlefields. But we will have many hard battles to fight yet before we close this War. I am afraid we will have bigger fight than we have had yet. Since the Prest. Proclamation I am nothing but a 13 dollar Target for Uncle Sam. What does he care for a white soldier. Nothing. Thay have done nothing in Washington this winter but talk on the Niger question. I think if the North ever wants peace thay will


all every man shoulder his rifle or musket & march down through Dixie & back to Washington and burn it. Then we may talk peace.

And on March 17:

For Old Honest Abe I have not much to say. But I am beginning to think he has lost the first part of his title or at least Honest. I think we had better leave the Niger question alone for the present & try & have peace restored once more. Fight will never end this Rebellion. It will have to be done by peace parties and that by people out of office. Or at least from Washington. the office holders of Washington & the peopple are trying to have this War go on as long as possible for thay are reaping heavy proffits by the War. Thay are getting the most parts of the Soldiers pay in one way & another. The way things are going it sometimes gets me a little angry. I think if I were clear of this you would not ketch me in such a War as this is soon again. Not that I am tired of soldiering. But it is the way it is carried on. When I enlisted it was for this Constitution & the Union. But now it has changed its title; now it is who takes command & the Niger. As the saying is: Now let the War go allong as it will. Il be gay & happy still.

When the Proclamation went into effect, it followed that if the Negroes were free and if the Union Army was in the south to free them, then they were eligible to join the army and fight for their freedom. It was an idea that took getting used to since not many of the rank and file wanted the Negro to participate as a soldier. James wrote in early 1863:

What do you think of raising Negro Regt for our Army. I think it is a perfect shame & a disgrace to the people of the North. If we cant raise white men anoff in the North to put down this rebellion we had better stop fighting.

On April 7, 1863, Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont sent eight ironclad ships into Charleston Harbor in an attempt to blockade the Confederate port. The guns of Fort Sumter blasted them. James read about in the newspaper and wrote home on April 17:

What do you think of our repulse at Charlestown. I think it was a perfect peace of nonsense of our boats trying to pass these forts. They might of known that the Rebs would batter thare ships to peaces.


James was pleased in January of 1863 when Battery B was inspected:

Yesterday we were inspected by Col. Wainright., Chief of Artil. on Gen. Reynolds staff. Our Battery took the praise of being the Best in the Corps.

And again in April:

Last Thursday we or our Corps was review by Maj. Gen Joe Hooker. He complimented us to Gen. Reynolds very highly. Gen. Reynolds has given our Battery a new name. When Gen. Hooker asked Reynolds what Battery we were he told him it was his fighting Battery. Yesterday our Battery was inspected by it self by Gen. Reynolds. He examined the Non. Commissioned officers very closely. He gave us great credit for being so well drilled.

Throughout the early months of 1863, James had been requesting and looking for a box from home. It finally arrived and he wrote on April 10:

Well Sister your gift in the shape of a box with something good to eat came safely to hand last Sabbath morn. Every thing kept safe & were all good. Tell Becky & Aunt Mary I am under a thousand obligations to them for sending me those pickled eggs. For thay were splendid. Thay were the first pickled eggs I ever eat. And also the cake. Yesterday our Corps were reviewed by the President & severale Major Gen. All the troops in the corps were all out. Sister you may consider your self very highly favored for having one of Major Gen Reynolds Staff officers with the rank of Col. eat part of your cake. When we were out in the picket yesterday the Col came to our Battery just as I was giving Liut Nisbet a slice of cake. So of course I handed the Col. a slice. He thanked me very kindly.

Major General John Reynolds was killed by a sharpshooter’s bullet on the morning of July 1 at the Battle of Gettysburg. Several months later James wrote to his uncle:

The Infintry of our Corps is guarding the Railroad from this place to Manassas Junction. So we have pretty good prospects of remaining here for some lenth of time. This thing of being so far in rear of the front I don’t like verry well. For thare has never been a fight in the Army of Potomac but what the First Corps opened the Battle. And generally Battery B shot the first shell. We have a verry good Genl.


but far from what Genl. J. P. Reynolds was. Thare is not the get up in Genl. Newton as was in Reynolds. We have eight Batterys in the first Corps all comd. by Col. Wainwright. All the arty. forms a brigade. Sometimes our Capt. has command of the Arty. He being the ranking officer. Capt. Cooper is oldest ranking Capt. of Arty in the Army of Potomac. He has been offered a Major-ship two or three times but he says if he could get a Brig. Genl.-ship he would not except it.

In September of 1863, Jennie had asked him if a furlough was possible:

Sister. you said you wanted me to come Home in Oct. I am sorry to tell you it is out of the question to get a furlough. Then if thay were granting furloughs. I dont think I could get one. Not till some of the boys that were not at Home last winter. Thare are a great many of them that has not been at Home for more than two years. You need not look for me till May, ‘64. Then our term of enlistment will expire. We have only eight month to serve in the U. States service.

But by December of the year, James wrote to his father about his plans to reenlist:

Father, I am not going reinlist at the present time. I’ll first serve out my first enlistment than It will be plenty time if I wish to enter the servise again. I think thare will be as much honor if I should return home and spend a few months then reinlist as if I should do it now. I cant say I like soldering so well that I intend making it my occupation. But I fully believe it is my duty to serve through this wicked Rebellion for I am young and strong. By my serving it might be the means of keeping some married poor man at home. Then again I may be filling some of the Copperhead tribes place.

The Union army depended mainly on volunteers right up to the end. The original enlistment term of service was three years for most of the soldiers. By late 1863 and early 1864, many of those terms were expiring and the army was faced with finding many more recruits. Those veterans who had been through the horrible battles of Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and all the rest had done their duty and certainly deserved to go home. They had survived and knew all too well what war was like. Amazingly, in spite of all the hardship, many of them voluntarily reenlisted - some 30,000 in the Army of the Potomac. If a certain percentage in a unit reenlisted, it was entitled to refer to itself as a Veteran Volunteer Regiment, something to take a great deal of pride in. Quite a few of the veterans in Battery B were reenlisting. In December James wrote:

I will not be Home on furlough till my time expires, for it is very


difficult to get leave of absence just now. Thare are so many going reinlisting and going Home on thirty day furloughs.

A letter in January of 1864 stated:

Thare is nothing new in the First Corps. Thare has been quite a number reinlisted in the veteran corps. Thare was some twenty reenlisted in our Battery. Thay are going Home on thiry-days furlough tomorrow.

James also decided to reenlist and did so on January 1, 1864 at Culpepper, Virginia. He had a furlough starting on February 10 and waited until September to be promoted to sergeant. By mid June, General Grant’s plan was to capture Petersburg, some twenty miles south of Richmond. All but one of the rail lines to the Confederate capital passed through there so if Petersburg were taken, Richmond and Lee’s army would not get food and other supplies. Then it would just be a matter of time until the end came. Unfortunately, the chance to capture was badly bungled and the option that remained was a siege. It would take almost ten months to finish the job. James’ outfit was digging in and he wrote from the front of Petersburg on July 25, 1864:

Thare is nothing of interest transpiring in our Corps. Except the Infintry are building a fort just along side of us. We expect to move our Battery in it soon. We are now on the extreme left of the Army. We have not changed position for three weeks.I think our corps dont intend seiging much. It will be down in front of the 9th & 18th corps. Our lines are verry strongly fortified. The most of the breast works are covered to protect then from mortar shells. Every day our men throws mortar shell. The enemy throws mortar shells regular every day. We have not done some firing for some time. It will not be long till we pay them our compliments in the shape of a ten pound shell.

He wrote on August 7:

All has been verry quiet allong the lines for the past few days. Two days ago the Rebels attemted to drive our lines but we’ve handsomely repulsed with heavy loss. We had a covered rifle pit witch thay took for a fort. They underminded it and blew it up. But did no harm.

He wrote to his father concerning his health on September 21:

I have had a very severe tooth ache the past week. And I have had it taken out. But I still am suffering from the effects of another tooth. I have had the verry best of health this fall. I think I am a great deal


fatter than I was when at home.

The presidential election was going to take place in the fall. Lincoln was unanimously renominated on the first ballot in June. In August, none other than James’ favorite general, the retired George B. McClellan, was nominated by the Democrats. But the Copperhead wing of the party was very vocal and dictated a platform which stated that “justice, humanity, liberty and the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities.” Elect Lincoln and the war would be continued to a winning conclusion at any cost. Elect McClellan and the war would be declared a failure. The nation would be re-established as before. He may have been James’ favorite general, but McClellan didn’t rate as a politician. James got on the Lincoln bandwagon. He wrote to his uncle in October:

Yesterday thay had it reported that Petersburg was being evacuated but it is not altogether credited. It cant hold out much longer the way things looks. The “Jonny” are sertinly seeing some dark times. I cant see what holds the Rebels together so long. For thay shurely cant stick it out much longer. If Lincoln is elected, the Rebels will kick the bucket three months or less time. Uncle, you men of the North must all work together and vote in Mr. Lincoln. For the Democrats are using every means in thare power to defeat our good old Prest. and it will never do to have Sheep & Wolfs in the same pen. or thay will destroy what we have been getting together for the past three years.

Grant ordered a major assault on Petersburg at dawn on April 2, 1865, and the siege was over. That evening the Confederates evacuated Petersburg and Richmond. Lee tried to take his army south but instead was forced west and the end came on April 9, Palm Sunday, at the McLean House in the little village of Appomattox Court House. James wrote to Jennie on April 6:

Our Battery men was amongst the first to enter Petersburg. Some of the boys went along with the skirmishers. Petersburg is quite a large city. Thare are some real splendid houses. The marjority of the inhabitants are good loyal people. I am on guard to night or rather it is morning for it is three o’clock. Last evening we recvd word that thar was guirrillas arround and not far off. At 12 o’clock thare was some 40 or 50 mounted arty men sent out to reconnoiter the country. Thay have not yet returned. Nearly all the troops arround City Point have left. I would not be surprised if some of the night the guirrillas were to capture some of us. For thare is no infintry near us. Yesterday we sent 30 head of horses to the front. I am of the opinion thay will have us discharged or else turn in for Cavelry. I


would like to play as cavelry for awhile.

Lincoln was shot on Good Friday evening, April 14, and died the next morning. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was still in North Carolina with his army. General William T. Sherman met him there and offered him a surrender proposal. James’ unit was still at City Point near Petersburg and he was not very optimistic about his immediate future. He wrote to Jennie on April 20, 1865:

Sometimes you hear we are going to return to our states, then again we are going to Washington. Charleston or somewhere else. For my part I dont believe we will go any-place soon, and as for returning to the state I dont expect to get thare in the inside of six months. For if Johnson [Johnston] has surrendered as it is reported it will be some time to we get the small squads of Traitors dispersed. And it would be policy to discharge the troops for some time after the War has really closed. It will take a large Army to garrison these Southern forts and we cant have sutch a large Army and by next month the one and three years men thare term of service will expire. So that thare will not be so many left in the field. Some people think as Lees Army and Richmon is taken the War is at an end. But it is not the case. Thare will never be any great Battles to be fought, but thare will I am afraid a guirilla Warfare for some time. The Army has not recovered from the assassin of Pres. Lincoln. Thare is not a Soldier but mourns his loss as the dearest friend. The death of so eminent man at this time is fully felt.

That was the final letter in the collection of war letters. Just nine days later, however, on April 29, James began a twenty days furlough. Finally, turning in their guns and munitions of war, they were mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1865, after full four years’ service.

Cooper’s Battery B was involved in twenty-five engagements over the four year period; among them were Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg. James was there for all of them except when he was on furlough. He had three furloughs home during the war. One in the summer of 1862, thereby missing the Seven Days’ Battle on the Peninsula; a second furlough after the battle of Gettysburg; and a third in February of 1864 when he reenlisted. His father visited him in northern Virginia shortly after he entered the Army, and Jennie visited him at Sharpsburg, Maryland in September of 1862, after the battle of Antietam. It is also said that he was thought to be dead at the Battle of Gettysburg and that his father went there to find him.

James operated the family mill after he returned from the Civil War in 1865. He met the woman he would marry and in a letter dated June, 1867, he wrote to her:

Annie, it seems that I cant content my self for an hour at a time. My


thoughts are allways on you. I feel as if I was not worthy half the love and interest you take in me. Would that I were a Christian that I might pray to God more sincerely and with a better heart to guard and protect us from all sin. That we might walk through this world unspoted by sin, and when death lays his cold hand upon us that our souls will go to the one who died for us. Oh, how pleasant would it be. Had we the right hearts to ask God’s blessing for every thing we do. I feel my heart is a little changed to what it used to be. But I am far, far from being a Christian. It seems that God is trying me or else I do not pray in the right way. Annie, write to me when you receive this for you know your absence casts a sort of melancholy gloom over me. But I must go to bed. So Good Night and a kiss on this paper for you.

James married Anna Margaret Fickes on September 19, 1867 in the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church. Anna was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania on June 6, 1844 .She was the daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Fickes, later of Roxbury, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. They had eleven children, six girls and five boys, over a period of nineteen years. James ran the mill until his eldest son, Ralph Fickes Maclay (b. February 4, 1868, d. November 20, 1957) was able to take it over. He managed it from about 1888 until it was no longer feasible because the competition used improved methods of grinding grain.

Over his years James enjoyed reunions with Civil War friends who were frequent visitors and who sometimes camped at the Maclay homestead at Maclay’s Mill. It seems that his Civil War experiences may have remained the high point of his life. Perhaps James and members of his family were in attendance at a dedicatory event at Gettysburg in 1889 when a monument was placed to honor Battery B. The address, given by a member of the battery, included a brief description of the actions of Battery B throughout the war.

James and Anna celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in September 1917. They moved from Maclay’s Mill to Shippensburg, a distance of about six miles, in 1918. Anna died at their home there on Sunday evening, November 3, 1918, after seven months of illness from a complication of diseases. She was 74 years old. James died at his home in Shippensburg on Saturday evening, August 20, 1921, aged 82 years. Interment was made in the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church cemetery.

Jennie had vowed not to marry as long as James was in the army. Her marriage to Thomas Sharp occurred in August of 1876. She tragically died without children on April 23, 1876.

(See Note, page 22)


James Hemphill Maclay departed this life Saturday evening, August 29, at 8:30 o’clock, at his home on North Washington street, Shippensburg, aged 82 years. Mr. Maclay was born June 12, 1839, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Herron Maclay, and was reared on the old Maclay homestead at Maclay’s Mill, in Lurgan Township, Franklin County.

At the beginning of the Civil War Mr. Maclay enlisted as a private in Battery B,


1st Penn’a Light Artillery, later known throughout the entire army of the Potomac as “Cooper’s Battery,” and served in all the engagements, including the Battle of Gettysburg in which this battery participated. He was discharged as a sergeant at the termination of the war in 1865.

In 1867 he married Miss Anna Margaret Fickes, a daughter of the late Josiah and Elizabeth Fickes of near Roxbury, Franklin county. Their family consisted of the following children: Ralph Maclay of Shippensburg; Mrs. Margaret Maclay, deceased of Shippensburg; Mrs. Geo. E. Hykes of Shippensburg; Mrs. John Kelly of Newville, R.R. 5; Mrs. Richard Woods of Oakville; John Maclay of Hagerstown; Mrs. Richard Cramer of Atlantic City, N.J.; Mrs. Arthur S. Gregory of Willow Grove; David Maclay of Harrisburg, and C. F. Maclay of Willow Grove. Aside from nine children who survive him, are twenty-nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

From the end of the Civil War until a few years ago, Mr. Maclay was engaged in farming and in milling, later assisted in the milling business by his oldest son Ralph. In 1917 Mr. and Mrs. Maclay celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. In 1918 they moved to Shippensburg where Mrs. Maclay died in the fall of that year.

Mr. Maclay was Scotch-Irish in descent, a Presbyterian in faith and a life long member of the Middle Spring congregation. Mr. Maclay was of the same family of Maclays who played such a large part in the early history of our country, among whom were soldiers of the Colonial and Revolutionary wars, United States and State Senators, members of the General Assembly, ministers, doctors and lawyers.

The funeral services were held from his late home Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. Crawford assisted by Rev. Dr. Wylie, both of Middle Spring, officiated. Interment was made in the Middle Spring cemetery.

The Chronicle

Shippensburg, Pa.Thursday, August 25, 1921

Note: The idea for this format came from a book, The Shippensburg Historical Society, A Fifty Year Retrospective 1945

- 1995. It was printed by The News-Chronicle Company, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1996. In it appears an article by Paul Gill, then the president of the Society, titled The Civil War Letters of James Hemphill Maclay and History of

Maclay’s Mill. I expanded upon his idea and used historical facts combined with portions of James’ letters to help explain what James was writing home about. (Richard Rogers - great-grandson of James and Anna Maclay.)

A Tribute To The Late James Maclay

The oldest member of Middle Spring Church and the last member of the old Scotch Irish family of Maclays, passed away in the person of Mr. James Maclay on last Saturday night at 8:30 P.M.

Mr. Maclay was the only son of John and Margaret Hemphill Maclay of Lurgan Township. He had one sister, Mrs. Jane Ellen Sharpe, who died many years ago. Mr. Maclay was born at the Maclay Mill and


lived there practically all his life, with the exception of several years in the lumber region of Va. After his father’s death he followed him in the milling business. In connection with the flour mill he also had a saw mill.

When the Civil War broke out Mr. Maclay joined a Western Pa. regiment from Lawrence Co. and for 4 years fought for the preservation of the Union. He took part in the battle of Gettysburg when his company on the 1st day was surrouned while trying to guard the R.R. and was almost cut to pieces. His regiment also had hard fighting in the seven days fight in the Wilderness campaign before Richmond, Va. Few soldiers in the valley have a 4 years Civil War record and few men kept up their interest in military affairs as did Mr. Maclay.

Inheriting a phenomenal memory from his mother, who died at the age of 90 and could converse of Revolutionary days in the valley with authority, Mr. Maclay was an authority on the old settlers, their family history, their traits of character, etc. No man will be more missed by people hunting their “family trees” than the old Colonel. He was a gentleman of the old school and the afternoon or evening caller always found a hearty welcome, a pleasant smile and a good story from the host of the house on top of Maclay’s Hill.

“Soldier rest, thy warfare o’er,

Dream of fighting fields no more.”

Contributor Unknown

Anna Margaret Maclay

Mrs. Anna Margaret Maclay, wife of James H. Maclay, died at her home, 233 East Orange street, Sunday evening at 8 o’clock, after 7 months illness from a complication of diseases, aged 74 years, 4 months and 27 days.

Mrs. Maclay was born at Petersburg, Adams county, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Fickes, but came with her parents during early girlhood to reside in Lurgan township.


In 1867 she married James H. Maclay and had since resided at Maclay’s Mill until about a month ago when the family moved to Shippensburg.

She was a member of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and a woman of refined character, much loved and revered by a wide circle of friends.

She is survived by her husband and these children: Ralph F. Maclay and Mrs. Geo. E. Hykes of Shippensburg; Mrs. John Kelly and Mrs. Richard Woods of Oakville; John Maclay of Hagerstown; Mrs. H. L. Creamer of Atlantic City; David Maclay of Harrisburg; C. F. Maclay of Willow Grove, and Mrs. A. S. Gregory at home.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The services were conducted by the Revs. J. B. Crawford and S. S. Wylie of Middle Spring. Interment was made at Middle Spring.

The Shippensburg ChronicleThursday, November 7, 1918

Note: The information on page 25 is what is inscribed on the monument that was dedicated on September 11, 1889 at Gettysburg on Cemetery Hill .

Battery BCooper

First Pennsylvania Light Artillery(Penna. Reserve Vol. Corps)

1861 Engagements 1865


Dranesville ~ December 20, 1861Mechanicsville ~ June 26, 1862

Gaines’ Mill ~ June 27, 1862New Market Cross Roads ~ June 30, 1862

Malvern Hill ~ July 1, 1862Gainesville ~ August 28, 1862Groveton ~ August 29, 1862

Second Bull Run ~ August 30, 1862South Mountain ~ September 14, 1862

Antietam ~ September 16, 1862Fredericksburg ~ December 13, 1862Fitzhugh’s Crossing ~ April 30, 1863

Chancellorsville ~ May 2, 1863Gettysburg ~ July 1, 1863

Mine Run ~ November 27, 1863Wilderness ~ May 5, 1864

Spotsylvania ~ May 12, 1864North Anna River

Totopotomoy CreekBethesda Church

Cold Harbor ~ June 3, 1864Petersburg ~ June 17, 1864

Weldon RailroadPetersburg (capture) ~ April 2, 1865

Appomattox ~ April 9, 1865

Mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1865, after four years’ service.

Dedication of the Monument at Gettysburg

This address of First Lieutenant James A. Gardner was given on September 11, 1889 at

the dedication of the monument on Cemetery Hill which commemorates the positions and

deeds at the Battle of Gettysburg of the First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Cooper’s

Battery B, of which James Hemphill Maclay was a member.*

Comrades: By invitation of the Pennsylvania State Commission on Gettysburg Monuments, we have come from our distant homes to this, the Nation’s shrine, to unite in the services dedicatory of the memorials erected here by our grand old Commonwealth to mark the positions of her patriotic sons upon this historic battlefield, where armed rebellion received the crushing blow.

Standing upon this sacred place (which marks our position in the second day’s


engagement), surrounded by innumerable blessings and a universal prosperity on every side, and looking back and over these twenty-six years since last here met, we are able to determine with satisfaction and accuracy the value of our work.

To you, who left your homes and stood up as a mighty wall of defense between the misguided South and the loyal North, who so nobly fought upon the many bloody fields in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, for the preservation of the Union, the Constitution and the Laws, come this day the fruits of victories dearly won, and the proud recollections, the honors and the glories of duties well and faithfully performed.

This monument before you, was erected out of an appropriation made by this state, supplemented by some few individual contributions almost wholly given by members of our association. It marks one of the five positions occupied by this battery at the battle of Gettysburg, and testifies not only to your valor, courage and heroism upon this memorable field, but by its approved inscriptions, will show something of the services of this organization during the war, to those who shall visit this historic spot in the years to come. And it is fitting that this memorial should be erected here in Pennsylvania, at Gettysburg, the high-water mark of the rebellion, upon this position where you were subjected to a most trying fire from the enemy, remained the longest, and had your greatest casualties; here where the Union troops fought with a supreme courage, and a determination to stay upon these lines and defeat the enemy.

On such an occasion as this, I can but briefly speak of the services of our organization: and following the recommendation of those who directed this memorial service, shall principally address you upon the work done by this battery at the battle of Gettysburg.

Battery B, First Light Artillery, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, was organized at Mount Jackson, Lawrence county, April 26, 1861, composed mainly of farmers’ sons, business men and school teachers, all in the prime and vigor of manhood, from a locality unexcelled in thrift and in the intelligence and religious culture of its inhabitants. Henry T. Danforth, who served in Bragg’s regular battery in the Mexican war, was its first

* Organized at Philadelphia August 5, 1861, to serve three years. The original members (except veterans) were

mustered out of service June 28, 1864, and the Battery composed of veterans and recruits retained in service and mustered out June 9, 1865.

captain, from which he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. He was killed in action at Charles City Cross Roads, Virginia. Our next captain was James H. Cooper, who commanded more than three years, till August 8, 1864, refusing all promotions. It was the judgment of this organization , and of those in high place in the army, that for bravery, coolness, deliberation and ability to command upon the battlefield, Captain Cooper had no superior, if indeed, he had an equal.

June 8, 1861, this command entered the State service, was formally mustered June 28, and was early in front of Washington, attached to General John F. Reynold’s First Brigade, of General George A. McCall’s Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, with which it was at the battle of Dranesville (December 20, 1861) where was achieved the first victory for the Army of the Potomac. As part of General Irvin McDowell’s First Corps we advanced to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and from there were taken to the Peninsula and united to General Fitz John Porter’s Fifth Provisional Corps. With the Pennsylvania Reserves, we opened the seven Days’ Battles at Mechanicsville (June 26, 1862), by firing


the first artillery shot from the Union lines, with four guns to the right of the Bethesda Church road, and two at Ellerson’s Mill, we successfully contested with McIntosh’s, Johnson’s and Braxton’s batteries, and repelled charge after charge made by the brigades of Archer, Anderson, Pender, Field and Ripley. Our firing was fast, accurate and fatal; by it the enemy were terribly slaughtered - the greatest comparative loss to the enemy, during the war; the Union loss, three hundred and sixty-one; the Confederates between three and four thousand!

Next day at Gaines’ Mill, “the Valley of the Shadow of Death”, one of the best fought battles of the war, this battery to the right of the Watts house, beat and kept back the pressing lines of the enemy till darkness threw shades around us, when we withdrew from the last line of battle, section by section.

At Charles City Cross Roads, or Glendale (June 30, 1862), on the left of the L. Bridge (or New Market) road, being that part of McCall’s line where occurred Longstreet’s terrific onslaught, we repelled charge after charge, exhausting all our canisters, and met the last fatal crash with shells only, fixed with short cut fuses - standing, finally alone, without artillery or infantry supports. At Malvern Hill, we lay under the fire of the enemy, in full view of the disastrous repulse of Lee’s army.

Abandoning the Peninsula, with the Pennsylvania Reserves under General Reynolds, we were the first of the Army of the Potomac that came to the assistance of General John Pope.

At Gainesville (August 28, 1862), we engaged the right of Jackson’s Corps. Next day at Groveton, our battery advanced to the attack of Jackson’s right, and when coming into action we were met at grapeshot range, by two batteries of the enemy in front, and one upon our left flank. There poured upon us the hottest and most disastrous fire ever received by us during our entire term of service - four men killed and fifteen wounded, in about twenty minutes.

At Second Bull Run (August 30, 1862), by the Chinn house on the extreme left, we received the fatal stroke of Longstreet’s Corps, meeting it with shell and canister, and repelling the charges until the infantry supports (Milroy’s) on our left were flanked and driven. This compelled our withdrawal, wherein we narrowly escaped capture. At Chantilly we were in the line of battle, but of this there is no official report.

At South Mountain (September 14, 1862), with General Joseph Hooker’s First Corps, we ascended the mountain slope, took position on a knoll, shelled and engaged the enemy until they were driven from our front. At Antietam, on the evening of September 16, we advanced with the skirmish line, and with the brave “Bucktails” opened the battle near the “East Wood.”

Next morning and day we were in position on Poffenberger’s ridge whereon were thirty guns. Here we shelled and engaged the enemy south of us, towards the Dunker Church, protected the Union right, and repulsed an effort made by the enemy during the afternoon.

At Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), we were at the angle of the Union left, from which General Meade successfully made his charge, under cover of our guns. Our accurate fire here blew up several limber chests of Jackson’s artillery stationed on the ridge west of Hamilton’s Crossing. When the enemy had repulsed our attacking division and were exultingly following in force, the guns of this battery stood fast when others left, and belching forth most furiously double charges of canister, with the support of


Thirty-seventh New York, we repulsed the enemy, maintained the integrity of the Union left, when to be driven at that time would have brought disaster to our army. It was a moment of great danger, a most critical moment; this battery proved itself equal to and worthy of the occasion, and General Reynolds, who was with us at the time, complimented our commander for the noble defense he had made, saying “Captain Cooper, you are the bravest man in the army.”

At Fitzhugh’s Crossing (April 30, 1863), below Fredericksburg, we covered the advance of our First Corps; but the disaster at Chancellorville took us there, where we moved to the front, and upon the reluctant retreat, we covered the withdrawal across United States Ford, shelling the enemy.

We now come to the march for Gettysburg. The First Corps arrived at Emmitsburg, Maryland, June 29, 1863, and we were placed in battery on the Fairfield road. The next day we advanced three or four miles north to the vicinity of Marsh creek, and were again placed in battery on the Fairfield road, supported by General Abner Doubleday’s division of our Corps.

On the morning of July 1, with Doubleday’s Division (then under General Thomas A. Rowley), we moved on the extreme left toward Fairfield, with videttes thrown out, while the other divisions of our corps marched directly for Gettysburg. With Colonel Chapman Biddle’s Brigade of Doubleday’s Division, we crossed Marsh creek at the White Bridge, which point afterward became the rear of Longstreet’s line. Here we first heard the sound of artillery. Passing up the west of Willoughby run, we entered the Hagerstown (Fairfield) road, turned to the right and came to near the Seminary ridge. Leaving the road, we moved to the left and forward, and came into battery on a crest, the east bank of Willoughby run, south of the McPherson wood (Reynold’s Grove) supported by Biddle’s Brigade. This was 12 m., and the situation at that time was: General Lysander Cutler’s Brigade of General James S. Wadsworth’s Division of our corps, north of Chambersburg (Cashtown) pike, and General Solomon Meredith’s “Iron Brigade” of the same division, in the McPherson wood, south of the pike. These brigades had been successfully engaged with Archer’s and Davis’ brigades, Heth’s Division, A.P. Hill’s Corps, capturing General Archer and several hundred prisoners. General John F. Reynolds, our able corps commander, had been killed; but knowledge of this fact was withheld from his troops.

As Doubleday’s Division arrived, Colonel Roy Stone’s Pennsylvania Brigade, being slightly in the advance of Biddle’s, was sent to fill a gap between Cutler and Meredith, while Biddle’s Brigade was placed, under cover, at the crest, to Meredith’s left. In our first position, we engaged Pegram’s artillery, then on Herr’s ridge, firing upon the infantry and artillery on our right. Pegram’s batteries immediately engaged us, but soon ceased firing. About 1 or 1:30 p.m., the enemy opened an enfilading fire upon our lines from batteries posted on Oak Hill near our extreme right.

By direction of Colonel Charles S. Wainwright, our chief of artillery, we were withdrawn from the crest, moved back into the meadow between the crest and the Seminary, at a point south of the (now) Springs Hotel road, and changed front to right so as to face the enemy and sweep Oak Hill with our fire. The enemy’s reinforcement was Rodes’ Division of Ewell’s Corps, then forming across Oak Ridge at right angles with our line. The enemy’s artillery which enfiladed us, were the batteries of Carter and Fry, and their fire caused Cutler to withdraw his brigade back to the Seminary Ridge, Biddle to


change front to right, and Stone to place two of his regiments along the Chambersburg pike facing northward. These changes of Cutler and Stone, made an angle through which this battery could fire with effect from its position in the meadow, and we immediately opened upon Carter’s guns, keeping up a warm contest and an accurate fire until Rodes’ infantry came in sight. Iverson’s North Carolina Brigade was in the lead, and as it moved in our front and was wheeled to the left to strike General Henry Baxter’s Brigade of General John C. Robinson’s Division of our corps, and the brigade of Cutler, we poured into it a most galling and destructive front and flank fire of case shot. This was about 2:30 p.m. Iverson was repulsed, his brigade was nearly annihilated and much of it captured. Following Iverson was Daniel’s North Carolina Brigade of the same division, which passed Iverson’s right and coming toward our front, upon Stone’s troops, but the fire of our guns and the musketry from Stone’s regiments, checked the enemy just north of the railroad cut.

While these conflicts were taking place, Hill’s Corps was forming on the west side for an attack, and as such a movement would render our situation untenable, Colonel Wainwright ordered Captain Cooper, about 3 p.m., to take a good position at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, in front of the professor’s house. Leaving the meadow we took position to the front and right of the Seminary, in rear of a barricade of rails thrown up earlier in the day.

For a short time we were not engaged, the enemy having ceased his attacks. After the repulse of Daniel’s Brigade heretofore mentioned, the enemy stationed Brander’s (Virginia) battery on a hill to the north of the railroad cut, on the east side of Willoughby run. When it opened, its shots came directly into our front, and to this fire of the enemy we very effectively replied. During this artillery contest, Davis’ Brigade, from the north side of the railroad cut, made another attack upon Stone’s position.

We again assisted Stone, and the attempt of the enemy at this time to dislodge our Pennsylvania troops utterly failed. While thus engaged with Brander’s Battery and the enemy’s infantry we were subjected to a cross fire from Fry’s Battery on Oak Hill, Carter’s Battery having gone to the east side of Oak Ridge to engage the troops of the Eleventh Corps.

This over, Heth’s Division pressed our front and left. Brockenbrough’s Virginia Brigade engaged the “Iron Brigade,” and Pettigrew’s Brigade of North Carolinians swept across Willoughlby Run south of the McPherson wood and struck Biddle’s Brigade, lapping its left a considerable distance. Biddle, after a sharp contest, was outflanked and his small brigade driven from the crest to the seminary. The One Hundred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania, however, under Lieutenant-Colonel George F. McFarland, which was on Biddle’s right near the edge of the wood, remained until pressed back by the next line. Pettigrew’s Brigade in attempting further advance was met by fire from our guns and from those on our right, causing it to hastily fall back, excepting the Twenty-sixth North Carolina, which halted in the woods. Heth’s Division had thus far failed to drive our lines; but Pender’s Division of the same corps advanced and passing over Heth’s, attacked us, Scales’ Brigade of North Carolinians on the left, and McGowan’s Brigade of South Carolinians under Colonel Perrin on the right, the former reaching the Chambersburg pike south into the McPherson wood and the latter being to the south of Scales’ right. These fresh troops pressed forward and our lines at the woods and crest were compelled to give way. Scales’ Brigade as a first line coming over the crest and in descending the slope


encountered a most terribly destructive and withering fire from our guns and from those of Captain G. T. Stevens, Fifth Maine, Lieutenant Wilbur’s section, L, First New York, and part of Lieutenant James Stewart’s battery, Fourth United States - in all fourteen pieces that poured out case shot, shell and canister, by which Scales was halted with heavy loss, his brigade thrown into confusion and broken up, and himself and every regimental officer of his command either killed or wounded.

By reason of its condition and confusion, Scales’ Brigade advanced no further, but McGowan’s Brigade on its right escaped much of the artillery fire and was consequently more fortunate. This brigade in its advance was supported by the Twenty-sixth North Carolina of Pettigrew’s Brigade, and as they came a galling case shot fire was thrown upon them from our guns. Captain Cooper caused our immediate front at the barricade to be cleared of our infantry, and then bearing the guns slightly to the left, poured into Perrin’s troops a most disastrous fire of double charges of canister. Our immediate supports and the infantry to our left in the grove, consisting of Meredith’s brigades (Second and Seventh Wisconsin, Nineteenth Indiana, One hundred and fifty-first, One hundred and forty-second and One hundred and twenty-first Pennsylvania and Twentieth New York State Militia), at the same time fired deadly volleys of musketry. The severity of this fire staggered and checked Perrin and almost annihilated the left of this brigade, his troops being wholly swept away from the front of our guns. Of all these attacking forces a single color-bearer only, with a bravery to be admired, reached the rail barricade in front of us. Finding that he could not cross our works, Perrin by a movement placed one of his regiments on the left of our barricade, and turned our position after 4 p.m. At a most opportune time Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred B. McCalmont, of the One hundred and forty-second Pennsylvania, came to Captain Cooper and informed him that the infantry on the left had gone, and unless he immediately withdrew he would be captured. We were then still engaging the enemy; but upon this information we limbered to the rear, passed out on the north side of the seminary, narrowly escaping capture, the enemy being around both flanks. Passing through Gettysburg the battery came to Cemetery Hill. Just prior to the driving of our lines Captain Cooper had ordered full limbers to the guns and had sent the caisson line to Cemetery Hill. The caissons crossed south of the town, and when first within view of the Taneytown road observed the retreat of the corps which had been on our right. The road was full of artillery and infantry, but the First Corps lines were yet on Seminary Ridge.

When this battery arrived on East Cemetery Hill, it was placed in position where we now stand, on the left of the First Corps artillery, after which, at the request of General Doubleday, then commanding our corps, Captain Cooper performed staff duty in assisting to establish and strengthen the Union lines, and when General Winfield S. Hancock first arrived, he came to this spot and consulted with General Adelbert Ames and Captain Cooper. During the first day’s fight we expended four hundred rounds of ammunition; Private Alexander P. Alcorn was killed, Lieutenant William C. Miller and Privates John W. Philips, John Pauly and Asabel Shafer were wounded. One gun was disabled by recoil, but was repaired that evening.

The losses in this day’s fight were heavy on both sides. The First Corps were over six thousand men - two-thirds of its fighting force; but of these about two thousand were missing or taken prisoners. The losses of the enemy in killed and wounded were fully as severe. Heth says he lost two thousand and seven hundred in about twenty-five minutes.


Scales’ and McGowan’s Brigades each lost about five hundred. The Twenty-sixth North Carolina of Pettigrew’s Brigade went in with “over eight hundred strong,” and came out with but two hundred and sixteen for duty; its entire loss at Gettysburg was eighty-six killed and five hundred and two wounded, total five hundred and eighty-eight, most of which loss was sustained during the first day’s fight. Carter’s Battery lost four killed and seven wounded before it left Oak Hill. The enemy had been so badly punished that he could not follow up his success. A much greater loss, however, had fallen upon the Union army by the death of General Reynolds, our beloved corps commander, who was without doubt the ablest officer then with the Army of the Potomac, and greater by far than any place he had ever filled, the finest of gentlemen, and in all the army, without a peer. He had been our commander when we were in his brigade, in his division, and in his corps; we were always with him up to his dying hour, the only part of the Pennsylvania Reserves that remained under his command, and the only Pennsylvania battery with him in the first day’s fight. To us he was greatly endeared; his death caused deep gloom in this organization, and strong men shed tears. But his spirit fought with the First Corps on yonder side of town that day: Cutler’s, Meredith’s, Stone’s, Biddle’s and Paul’s brigades, against Archer’s, Davis’, Brockenbrough’s, Pettigrew’s, McGowan’s, Scales’, Lane’s, Thomas’, Iverson’s, Daniel’s, Ramseur’s, and O’Neal’s brigades - six Union brigades against twelve of the enemy!

On the morning of July 2, the men of this battery finished the construction of these four lunettes, here on East Cemetery Hill. During the day, previous to 4 p.m., we fired occasional shots (scarcely exceeding twenty-five in all) at small bodies of the enemy’s infantry and cavalry, which were maneuvering in the skirting of some timber about one mile distant. The enemy during the same time threw occasional shots into our left flank from his batteries on Seminary Ridge, killing and disabling some of our horses. The enemy’s fire was no doubt for the purpose of securing the range of this hill; for we now know that it was part of Lee’s plan of battle that Ewell should attack these high grounds if opportunity were afforded. At 4 p.m. the terrible crash of the enemy’s artillery came. Opposite this part of the Union line was Ewell’s Corps, and in our immediate front was the division of General Edward Johnson. On Benner’s hill, directly opposite to us, were placed the batteries of Andrews’ battalion under Major Latimer, consisting of the following in order from their right to their left: Brown’s Maryland Battery of four 10-pounder Parrotts; Carpenter’s Virginia Battery of two 3-inch rifle and two light 12-pounders; Dement’s First Maryland of four light 12-pounders; two guns of Raine’s Virginia Battery, one 10-pounder Parrott and one 3-inch rifle - in all eight rifle 10-pounders and six light 10-pounders - fourteen guns in all on Benner’s hill, about twelve to fourteen hundred yards distant. To the right of these batteries (our left) on the same ridge, beyond the Hanover road, about eighteen hundred yards distant, were posted Graham’s Virginia Battery of four 20-pounder Parrotts, and two guns of Raine’s Virginia Battery, two 20-pounder Parrotts, the latter being between Graham and the guns of Latimer, in all six 20-pounder Parrotts. To meet this fire we had from right to left Captain G. T. Steven’s Fifth Maine, six light 12-pounders (on the left slope of Culp’s Hill); and Captain G. H. Reynolds’ “L” First New York, five 3-inch rifle, Captain J. H. Cooper’s “B” First Pennsylvania (this battery in this position) four 3-inch rifle; and Captain M. Wiedrich’s “I” First New York, four 3-inch rifle (on East Cemetery Hill) - in all thirteen 3-inch rifle 10-pounders and six light 12-pounders. At the hour named, 4 p.m., all these guns of the


enemy opened upon us a most accurate fire. But this was not all. Ewell’s chief of artillery had placed on Seminary Ridge, Dance’s, Watson’s and Smith’s Virginia batteries, consisting of twelve 10-pounder rifled guns, which with other batteries on that ridge at the same time opened a flank fire upon this part of Cemetery Hill. The enemy’s fire upon this position where we now stand was very severe. One of their shells struck and exploded at our No. 3 gun, killing and wounding every man at that place, but before the wounded were removed No. 3 gun was again at work, mention of which is made in Colonel Wainwright’s official report. The axle of our No. 2 gun was struck by a shell and broken; but the fire from this piece was also continued until the gun carriage broke down - this shortly before the contest closed. The shots of the enemy came thick and fast, bursting, crushing and ploughing , a mighty storm of iron hail, as most determined and terrible effort of the enemy to cripple and destroy the guns upon the hill. Situated as we were in the center of this artillery fire, our battery received the full force of the enemy’s front, oblique and flank fire. Against the batteries on Seminary Ridge we were powerless; but upon the batteries of Latimer on Benner’s Hill, and upon Graham and Raine to our left, an accurate and most telling fire was opened from the batteries on this hill and continued for about two hours. During about one-half hour of this time a part of Knap’s Pennsylvania Battery, under Lieutenant Edward R. Geary, and a section of Battery K, Fifth United States Artillery, assisted us by flank fire from Culp’s Hill. At last the batteries on Benner’s Hill were forced to withdraw under our destructive fire, as their official report says, “by reason of the unequal contest, the overpowering of their artillery and the untenableness of the position.” Brown was so badly used up that at the last he was able to use but two of his guns; and when he withdrew, his two right pieces were hauled off by hand. Shortly after Latimer’s batteries had been withdrawn, one of them was brought back and posted to the left (our right); but upon it we brought additional guns and a concentrated fire, which very soon drove it away. The losses of Andrews’ Battalion on Brenner’s Hill were ten killed and forty wounded; among the latter was Major Latimer, the commander, who shortly afterward died of his wounds. Twenty-eight dead horses were left on the field, and the material of their batteries was very badly injured. The losses in our battery were: Privates James H. McCleary and Peter G. Hongland killed; Corporal Joseph Reed and Privates Jesse Temple, James C. Cornelius and Daniel W. Taylor wounded. Soon after this artillery contest had ended, all our ammunition being exhausted, by order of Colonel Wainwright, we were relieved by Captain R. Bruce Ricketts’ batteries “F” and “G” of the First Pennsylvania Artillery, but at what precise hour we will not determine. That the enemy opened at 4 p.m., is agreed to by all. Colonel Wainwright says the contest with the enemy’s batteries on Brenner’s Hill lasted one and one-half hours; that the battery which afterward came out to our right was soon silenced, and that “soon after, Captain Cooper’s Battery, which had suffered considerably, was relieved.” Captain Cooper’s official report says we were relieved about 7 p.m. Of the enemy’s reports, that of General Johnson says the contest lasted two hours, and that of Colonel Andrews (of Andrews’ Battalion) says “till near night.” But the best evidence is our expenditure of ammunition. On that second day we fired about five hundred rounds, all we had, and more, for, at the last, we received a few rounds from an adjoining battery. About twenty-five rounds were used prior to 4 p.m., and about four hundred and seventy-five rounds after that hour, from four guns, three only at the last. The length of time required to expend such an amount of ammunition, will fix the time of our relief with


reasonable accuracy. Retiring from this position we passed down the Baltimore pike, and turned to the right, by a barn. The enemy’s bullets came whistling in among us at that place, but the Twelfth Corps troops returning from the left, drove back the enemy. By order of Colonel Wainwright we proceeded to the camp of the Artillery Reserve, to refit, and refill with ammunition. By 11 a.m. of the next day our disabled gun was repaired and we were again ready for duty.

On July 3, at 1 p.m., when the enemy’s one hundred and thirty-eight guns opened their great fire upon the eighty guns of the Union line between the Baltimore pike and Little Round Top, we were at the rear of our center, but shortly after the first burst of the enemy’s artillery, General Henry J. Hunt, chief of artillery of the Army of the Potomac, ordered us to the front, to take position, and relieve a battery in Lieutenant Colonel Freeman McGilvery’s line of Reserve Artillery, on the left center, the point reached being about one-half mile south of the clump of trees, and north of where the present railroad crosses Hancock avenue. In coming to this position, we passed through a terrible fire at its height, cutting and slashing, and crashing against the rocks; the troops were hugging the ground, and sheltering behind earth, stone and everything and anything which would seem to give protection. The Union artillery, at this time, were replying to the enemy’s fire. We opened upon the enemy’s line of batteries along the Emmitsburg pike, firing but few shots until Captain Cooper received the order to cease firing. The entire Union line about the same time slackened and almost ceased its fire, for what purpose was, at the time, readily understood. When Pickett’s Division of Longstreet’s Corps advanced under cover of artillery, in its now celebrated charge, its right flank received the destructive fire of our guns, until a battery of the Washington Artillery (Eshelman’s) moved out some four hundred yards and opened upon the batteries and troops upon our right. Upon that battery our guns were immediately concentrated, completely shattering it and compelling its hasty withdrawal. For about twenty to thirty minutes we ceased firing, but were soon confronted by Wilcox’s Alabama Brigade, which was coming over the crest about 1,000 yards distant, moving directly toward us. Upon Wilcox’s lines as they came, this battery in connection with adjacent batteries poured forth case shot until the enemy reached canister range, when double-charges were thrown into them with such telling effect they were staggered, checked, routed and repulsed, without infantry assistance, leaving many dead and wounded in our battery front. Of the enemy’s wounded and surrendering troops, many were brought within the Union lines at our guns, and this virtually closed the battle of Gettysburg. We expended this third day one hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition, and strangely escaped with but one casualty, Private Frederick Workman, wounded. At the beginning of this battle we had one hundred and fourteen officers and men “present for duty,’ of whom not over seventy-five to eighty were under fire at any one time. We expended in all 1050 rounds of ammunition, about five tons. We had three killed and nine wounded; others were slightly injured, but Captain Cooper never reported any one as wounded who was able for duty. In commemoration of this the greatest battle of the war, fought under the command of that accomplished soldier, the gallant and able General George G. Meade, a Pennsylvanian, and upon Pennsylvania soil, we have come to and do now dedicate this monument to the memory of our comrades who gave up their lives upon this hill, at the Seminary beyond and upon other fields; and as a testimonial to your valor in the dark days of this great Republic. Our other positions upon this field should yet be marked, especially the one at the Theological Seminary, and the one occupied in


the third day’s fight, at which it is hoped this association will yet erect suitable memorials.

Leaving victorious Gettysburg, we are next in line at Williamsport, Maryland, but not engaged, then in the game of “strategy” between Meade and Lee, along the Orange and Alexandria railway, then at Mine Run (November 27, 1863), where we warmly engaged the enemy on the Union left.

While the Army of the Potomac was in winter quarters near Culpepper, Virginia, the First Corps was consolidated with the Fifth Corps, under command of General G. K. Warren, a most excellent and worthy officer, with whom we ever afterward served.

On May 5, 1864, coming to the Wilderness with the Pennsylvania Reserves, we advanced to the Chewning farm near Parker’s Store, then withdrew, narrowly escaping capture. Were next engaged at the Lacy house, and finally at the front line, on the Orange turnpike. At Laurel Hill or Alsop’s farm, we were hotly engaged, and being withdrawn, were hastily sent to the right and assisted the Second Corps in the repulse of the enemy at Po river. Returning from the Po, we were again placed close up to the enemy’s line, where we treated the enemy to novel mortal practice from our guns. By another left flank movement, we were in front of Spotsylvania Court House (May 12 to 18), where, in two positions, we engaged the enemy, in one of which they had upon us an accurate range and a raking fire. These three battles of Laurel Hill, Po river and Spotsylvania Court House, are designated by the War Department as “Spotsylvania,” and as such is thus inscribed upon our monument. At Jericho Ford, North Anna river, we next advanced with the front inflicting severe injury upon batteries on his right; after which we advanced with the front line. Moving forward we engaged the enemy at the Totopotomoy, at Bethseda Church, at bloody Cold Harbor, where we assisted in repulsing an attack upon the Fifth Corps lines; and finally we were in front of Petersburg (June 17, 1864), engaged in the assault of the outer lines, which were carried. From the lines in front of Petersburg, where we had been constantly in action, we were next at the capture and defense of the Weldon railroad, at which, on both occasions, we were heavily and closely engaged with the enemy.

Having participated in the siege of Petersburg until the final attack came, early in the morning of April 2, 1865, we opened from our four guns in Fort Davis and from our two guns in Battery 22, a most accurate, vigorous and constant fire upon Fort Mahone (“Damnation”) and the enemy’s lines to right (Rive’s salient), until the works on the right were captured; after which we directed our fire on Fort Mahone and the works immediately adjacent. During the forenoon of that day, Captain William McClelland, who was in command (Captain Cooper having been previously mustered out), with Lieutenant Thomas C. Rice and two detachments from the guns in Fort Davis, went to the recently captured part of the enemy’s line, crossed over into their battery No. 27, and under a hot fire, turned upon the enemy their own guns of Captain Patterson’s Georgia battery of the Sumter artillery, and fired, of their own ammunition, six hundred rounds. The remaining available section in Fort Davis was taken during the day to Fort Sedgwick (“Hell”), where it continued its fire. This was the last great battle in which we participated, and Captain McClelland, by his bravery, courage and ability, proved himself a most worthy and fitting successor to his illustrious predecessor in command. Our last loss was here - two killed, one mortally wounded and one officer and one non-commissioned officer slightly wounded, and with the race to Appomattox the record is closed. Turning in our guns and munitions of war, we were mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1865, after


full four years’ service.During our term, this battery fought in twenty-seven of the principal engagements

of the Army of the Potomac (including Chantilly, Laurel Hill and Po river), and of twelve of the greatest battles of the war, wherein the Union losses in each were from eleven to twenty-three thousand, we were actively engaged in nine of them.

As a part of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, we were with the division longer than any other battery of our regiment, having served and fought with that organization during its entire existence, excepting however, in the battles of Gettysburg and Mine Run, in which we were with the First Corps. And as an original command, we were the only part of the Reserves that served in the Army of the Potomac throughout till the close of the war.

The strength of the battery was one hundred to one hundred and fifty-two, a four gun or six gun battery, according as we had men. Our total enrollment shows three hundred and thirty-two officers and men; but this includes two different details from the infantry, and a temporary transfer of some recruits, many of whom were finally sent to another battery of our regiment.

Our total expenditure of ammunition was over 11,200 rounds, or about fifty-six tons. We were always at the front, never in the rear; long range or short range, it made no difference, for we excelled in the accuracy of our fire and our shots counted, mention of which is made in the official reports.

Our total casualties were: Twenty-one (21) killed and died of wounds (two officers and nineteen men), seventeen (17) died of disease, etc.; and fifty-two (52) wounded (the latter not including our mortally nor those slightly injured). Our percentage of loss is smaller than that of many infantry companies; but this difference in percentage is not so much because of our less exposure to the enemy, but more by reason of a difference in methods of work on the field, and of our having had in action, at any one time, but two-thirds to three-fourths of those “present for duty.” Our loss in killed and died of wounds as it is, stands the greatest loss sustained by any volunteer battery of light artillery in the Union army, which is readily accounted for by our participation in the many principal engagements.

This hour and occasion permits only this brief reference to the service of our organization. I have aimed at accuracy, have given no glowing account, nor have I unduly magnified our work upon the field of battle. The official record will speak for us, and will furnish to faithful historians that which, when examined, will show that for length of term and active service in the field, principal engagements, ammunition expended and losses, we stand among the first, if not the very first, of all the batteries that fought in the Union cause.

And now, comrades, a word in conclusion. Having returned to our peaceful pursuits of life, we look back to the time when, upon this field and elsewhere, you were among the foremost men of this Nation; and right glad the people were then to have you foremost and front. You deserve and ought yet to be among the first in the hearts of this mighty and armed rebellion. Without the full measure of devotion which your blood and your valor won. You are the men who, when treason sped her poisoned arrows at the heart of the great Republic, left your homes and dear ones and stood up as a mighty barrier between the government and armed rebellion. Without the full measure of devotion which you unselfishly gave at the proper time and place, in the great extremity, we would not


have this grand and glorious country of ours, of which we are this day so justly proud. In those eventful days we stood hand to hand, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, and fought upon many fields of bloody strife. Ties of friendship and association were then formed which nothing but the icy hand of death can destroy or tear asunder. Our patriotic devotion to our country’s flag has also been increased by the mighty sacrifices we have made - by the times we have followed that starry banner through the iron storms and leaden hail. Its stripes remind us of that great price with which our noble ancestors purchased our precious liberties; its beautiful blue galaxy tells us that by the bravery, courage and heroism of our comrades in arms, not one single star fell from that glorious constellation of States.

Almost a quarter of a century has rolled around since the war closed, and you are all growing old. Soon the cold hand of the destroyer will lay hold of you; and though your locks are becoming gray with fast declining years, though your steps are unsteady and your bodily infirmities are fast increasing, all caused by the hardships and privations of a cruel war, yet this we know - the fires of your lofty patriotism will continue to burn brightly to the end. You have fought a good fight, you have run the course. May the glory of your mighty deeds, and the cloudy pillar which hovered over all of us upon many a well-fought field, ever keep us in the way of truth and righteousness, and direct us onward and upward to the Promised Land, where we shall enroll ourselves anew in the armies of the Great Ruler who hath given all the victories.


Dates and Places of the Letters

1. August 12, 1861 - Washington Arsenal

2. September 3, 1861 - Big Falls, Potomac, Md.

3. September 12, 1861 - Big Falls

4. September 26, 1861

5. November 7, 1861 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax, Va.

6. November 12, 1861 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

7. November 16, 1861 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

8. December 4, 1861 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

9. January 19, 1862 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

10. February 3, 1862 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

11. March 2, 1862 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

12. March 8, 1862 - Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., Va.

13. March 17, 1862 - Near Alexandria, Va.

14. April 14, 1862 - Manassas Junction, Va.

15. April 21 1862 - Near Oatletts Station

First Furlough - Summer of 1862

16. September 6, 1862 - Near Munson Hill

17. October 17, 1862 - Near Sharpsburg, Md.

18. October 29, 1862 - Near Berlin, Md.

19. November 28, 1862 - Brooks Station, Va.

20. December 18, 1862 - Near Fallmouth, Va.

21. December 31, 1862 - Belle Plains, Va.

22 January 1, 1863 - Belle Plain, Va.

23. January 5, 1863 - Near Belle Plain, Va.

24. January 8, 1863

25. January 17, 1863 - Belle Plain, Va.

26. February 7, 1863 - Belle Plain, Va.

27. February 14, 1863 - Belle Plain, Va.

28. March 6, 1863 - Camp Near Belle Plain

29. March 17, 1863 - Near Belle Plain, Va.



32. April 4, 1863 - Near Belle Plain, Va.



35.

36. May 15, 1863 - Near White Oak Church, Va.

37. June 3, 1863 - Near White Oak Church, Va.

38. June 7, 1863 - Near White Oak Church, Va.

39. June 11, 1863 - White Oak Church, Va.

40. June 22, 1863 - Gilford Station

Dates and Places of the Letters

The Letters ~ 38

Second Furlough - After the Battle of Gettysburg

41. August 10, 1863 - Rappahannock Station, Va.

42. August 26, 1863 - Rappahannock Station, Va.

43. September 10, 1863 - Rappahannock Station

44. September 14, 1863 - Rappahannock Station

45. September 21, 1863 - Near Stevensonville

46. October 28, 1863 - Bristow Station, Va.

47. November 10, 1863 - Rappahannock Station

48. November 14, 1863 - Rappahannock Station

49. December 11, 1863 - Near Kellys Ford, Va.

50. December 23, 1863 - Near Kellys Ford, Va.

51. December 31, 1863 - Near Culpepper, Va.

52. January 6, 1864 - Culpepper, Va.

53. February 4, 1864 - Culpepper, Va.

Third Furlough - Reenlistment Leave

54. July 17, 1864 - Near Petersburg, Va.

55. July 25, 1864 - Front of Petersburg, Va.

56. August 7, 1864 - Front of Petersburg, Va.

57. August 28, 1864 - Six Mile House, Va.

58. September 8, 1864 - Six Mile House, Va.

59. September 21, 1864 - Weldon Rail Road, Va.

60. October 6, 1864 - Near Weldon Rail Road, Va.

61. November 20, 1864 - Fort Howard, Va.

62. February 1, 1865

63. April 1, 1865 - Front of Petersburg, Va.

64. April 16, 1865 - City Point, Va.

65. April 20, 1865 - City Point, Va.

66. June 1867 - Home

67. August 29 - Home

68. Undated - summer of a war year --------- #15A

69. Undated - summer of a war year --------- #12A

70. Undated - winter of a war year ---------- # 18B

71. November 10, 1862? ---------------------- # 18A

The Letters ~ 39

Letter 1 Washington ArsenalAug the 12, 1861

Dear Kind Father,I wrote to Sister last week but have not I supose time to receave it yet. I

concluded to write again. Well how are you all getting allong by this time. I hope you are all well. I am enjoying my self finely. Better by far than I expected. I keep good health and take the living first rate. We have no excitement arround Washington of any acount. All is quiet. Yesterday the Capt. came to my tent & asked me to go allong to preaching. Of course I excepted the invitation. But when the time came it commenced raining verry heavy so I had to stay at Home. But it was against my will to stay. We have some hard cases in our Regt But I awlways try and stay with the best I can. I tent with John Runshaw from our plase and a man that is verry religous. I like him verry much. J. Runshaw is a nefew of the Squires. Col. Camble is quite a difernd kind of a man than when he left Home. He has quit drinking & swearing. Company left for Georgetown & do not know when we leafe but I hope soon. How is Ditzler Paxton & Gamber getting allong. Is Ditzler farming or what is he doing. Tell him to write this week to me & tell G. Irwin to write. I wrote a letter to Uncle Jack yesterday. When you write to me tell me all the news. Cant you send me the Shippensburg News. Tell what became of the Adamantines guards. I have not seen any thing of Olay McCune yet. They are incamped on the other side of the River some 9 miles from our plase. We have a beautiful site from our camp. It is a splendid site to see the camp fires all arround us. You must write as soon as you receave this not put it off an hour. For I may not receave it.

Adress Washington D.C.1 Regt. ArtileryCompany B

Your truly & ever loving sonJ. H. Maclay

Letter 2 Big Falls, Potomac RiverMaryland

The Letters ~ 40

September 3, 1861

Dear Friends Eaken High & McCleafThis is reather odd way of heading A Letter. But I wanted to write to you

all. So I thought I would write to you all in one letter for the present time. Are thay any of them gone of to the War. I have only seen Capt. Woodburn Leut. Baughman & George Haugy of the Adamanttines. I beleive thay are in Washington City: part of our company is at Camp Tennally 7 miles from Washington on Georgetown Heights and we have two guns at this place 22 miles up the River from Washington. We are here for to keep the Rebels from crossing the River. This is one of the hillyoust country I ever saw there is nothing but woods for miles arround. On last Sunday Severall of us went over the Canall to see the falls. And while we were looking at them we saw some of the rebels picket across the river about 300 yards from us. George May from Shippensbourg and severall of the Carlisle Boys commenced shooting at them. Fry shot one of them. I got a Rifle from one of the Boys and took good aim at a cavelry man. But the gun did not go off. It only bursted the cap and by the time I could get another thay had all gone of behind the bushes. I think before long we will get a chanse of trying our guns at them. I like Soldiers life verry well far Better than I expected. We get plenty to eat & drink. And for sleeping we are furnished with Uncle Sam Bed that nathure gave him witch is verry pleasant only in rainy weather. How is Gen. Murry getting allong. Give him my Best respects. Tell him I think he might write to me: We are going to Leave this plase soon and are going back to Camp Tennally; the 7 Pa. regit allong with us. I would sooner be in Artilery than any other kind of a company. I like the Drill verry well. Has Sunny side commenced School yet and are they many Ladies there. I want you to send me all the news that you have when you write. Tell Uncle Jack I have not got any Letters from him yet. I waunt you all to write Soon: Good bye from one that will allways rememer friends.

J. H. Maclay

P.S. Adress Cambells 1 Pa Reg ArtileryCompany B care of Cap CooperWashington D C

P.S. Tell Uncle Jack I receaved his letter this evening just as I finished this epistle.

J. H. Maclay

Letter 3 Big FallsSept the 12th 1861

The Letters ~ 41

Dear SisterI have receaved four of your Letters since I left Home. I receaved Cosen

John E. Maclays also from Uncle Jack. How are you all getting allong & what are you doing & how are all the friends. For my part I am getting allong verry pleasantry. We are still at the same old plase as when I last wrote. But we have all our company here together. I suppose you have heard of the skirmish we had here. We were fired at by Six cannon on Last Wensday morning from the other side of the River. There was no person killed or hurt. Except W. Harper from Shippensburg. He was slightly wounded in the arm he is allmost well. Thay fired at our guns for 1/2 hour. The Col. would not let us fire our guns at them till we were reinforced for we could not tell the number of Rebbels thare was. So we went back out of reach of there guns. When thay were firing at us Before we left we laid flat on the ground & let the balls pass over us. Some of them pased prety close to us. You can see rockets allmost every night flying up from the other side of the River. The 7 reg has left us & went back to Tenally Town & the 9 Pa. Reg is here. The Capt. says we will go next week. I like this plase verry well. We have plenty of Liberty. We go out in the woods and get as many grapes as we can carry. Yesterday I done the first washing since I came from Home. We have two Black men to do our cooking. Thare are Six of us in a tent. I have in with Wm. McCormick, John Miner, Sam Hanna, Sgts. Dinnox and Road. I like them all verry. Thay are all members of the Prasbiterian Church. We read a Chapter in our tent every night. I receaved a letter from Bob Hemphill last week. Tell him if he has any nothion of joining any company he can join ours. I would not belong to cavelry of Infintry for any thing. for thay have the verry hardest time of it. We have hardly any guard duty to do except to watch our guns and horses. I think thare must be a skirmish near the Chain Brige 10 miles below us for I can hear the firing of heavy guns. We have been living on hard bread for the 7 or 8 days. I am getting pretty used to eating hard crackers. We get plenty of fresh beef & tea & coffee. I would like verry much to have your likeness on a small plate. Cant you get a small picture taken of the likeness I gave to Aunt Caroline abbout the sum of a 25cts piece. & sent it to me soon. How is Emauel Ditxler getting allong. Tell G. Gamber that I think he might write to me. How are Smiths Boys getting allong. If you see John Brackenrige tell him I think he had better join our company if he has any notion of going to War. How is my horse getting allong & who tends to him. How is Sunny Side getting allong. How many shollers have thay & who are tha all. Give them I know my best resp. Tell Carry Hemphill to write to me soon. Tell Father & Mother that thay might write to me soon. I do not want anything at the present time. If you would send me a few letter stamps I would be mutch obliged to you for thay are pretty hard to get in camp. Leut. Nisbit sends his best respt to you all. Tell G. Irwin I never receaved his letter. Tell Father I think he had better not come to Washington for a while yet. for persons are not permitted to walk arroun

The Letters ~ 42

much. Give my love to all & write soon.

Your brother Jim

Adress as you did in your last. If you have a chance of sending anything you might make me a vest & send it by some person. Make it to button up the whole front & a shirt of the same kind you made me last.

J. H. M.

Tell E.F. Ditzler to write soon. I will try & write after this that you may get the letter by Saturday or Thursday. We have no regular way of getting or sending our letters from here. But I think after whil we will get them more regular. Give my love to Papa & Mother. Tell them I think I'll make a good soldier.

Letter 4

Sept the 26th 1861

Dear Father and MotherI receaved Jennies and E.F. Ditzlers letters on the 19 of this month & also

one from Calvin McCleaff. My last I wrote Home was on the 12th. How are you all getting allong by this time? If you are getting allong as well as I then it will be pleasantly. I could not wish for Better times than I have. I am in a tent with five fellows. We came back to camp Tenally last Monday one week ago. I do not know how long we will remain here. I hope not long. I would like to get over to Virginia soon. We were paid off today. I got 12 dollars. We were paid for one month. I was at the 7 Reg to see Clay McCune on last Sabbath. He is looking fat & harty. Ed Hays I think is getting pretty tired of soldiers life. By the way he talks. I think Ed is not calculated for a soldier. John Fulliton sends his love to you all. He is a verry clever fellow. Tell Bob Hemphill if he has any notion of joining our company he had better do it soon. We got 26 new recruits this week. We have now 125 men in our company. We yesterday was under marching orders. But were countermanded. While I am writing I can Hear 3 or 4 different bands playing. We have some splendid music. Thare is not much sickness in the camp. I saw Leut. Baughman yesterday. He is on the other side of the River. Hugh Coover I believe is sick. He is in the Georgetown Hospital. I am going to see him to morrow. I can get a pass whenever I want one.

The Letters ~ 43

We have our tents pitched in the woods it is a verry pleasant plase to be. How is Carry Hemphill getting allong. Tell her I think she might write to me. Papa I think you must let Billy Linn's horse loose when he comes to our house. I allways thought he came to see me but I must have been mistaken by what I hear. We are getting six new rifle canon. We have receaved our new U. States uniforms wich are verry nice. If you were to meet me you would barly know me to see me in a new bright uniform & high hat. How is Uncle Jack & Aunt Caroline getting allong. How are Uncle Frances folks getting allong. Tell Martha to write & I will answer her letter. What kind of business is G. Gamber doing? How has Mr. Brechenrige got. What is John Paxton doing? Have you had any frost yet? We have not had any hare yet. We have verry pleasent weather hear at present. Tell E. Fitzler I will write to him some time soon. When I get a lettle more to write about. How is the bay horse getting allong. What do you do with him? You must see that thar is good care taken of him. How is John Smith? What is he doing? I saw Robert Gairman. He is in a Pittsburg company. He is looking verry well. I knew him when I saw him. He did not know me at first. Give my love to all.

Your son Jim.(Adress as before, Write soon.)

Letter 5 Camp PierpontFairfax Co. Va.Nov the 7th 1861

To my Dear SisterI recieved your kind & welcome letter on the 4th. I am glad to hear you are

all well. I also receaved Martha Ellons. You asked me who was killed: His name was Fred Sifert & the one wounded was Phillip. Mr Taylor the one that was hurt. When Father was here he has got well. He is with us at the present time & the other has gone home on furlough. The likeness you spoke about the one I have & the other I gave to my friend John M. Fulliton. I saw a Mr. Gotten from Shippensburg on last Sabbath. We had preaching last Sabbath. We have had prayer meeting in our company for the last week or so. So Aunt Jane Uncle David & John McGinley has come on a visit to see you. Why did not Uncle Pomeroy come allong. How long are thay going to remain with you. What have thay to say of the times. How is Uncle Jack and Aunt Caroline getting allong. I've not heard from them for some time. When you see Lizzie Wallace tell her not to forgett her friend Jim of last winter. I think she and Mary Smith might write to me. Has Uncle Jack comenced his school

The Letters ~ 44

yet. How is George Gamber getting allong does he get plenty of work to do? And E. Ditzler he is turning Secesh is he. Tell him if is Secesh that it would not be good for him if I was at Home for I have of taken revenge on Seceshs. I never want it to be said after the war is over that thare were trators living near Maclay Mill. If I were at home and I heard any person speaking in favor of the South I would help to have him tieded up to a tree for I dont beleve it is right for them that wont come and fight for thare country to say any thing abbout it, for them that can come and dont come when this War is over. They will barly have the life of a dog. Thay will be like the three Hunters one of them shot a large bear. And the other two came up to whare it was lying & sayed "Wasant that a fine bear we shot." So it will be with some of the boys that stayed at home. When this War is over thay will say "wasnt that a big battle we had" or so on. When thay had no part in it. It has been rainy nearly all day. I supose Father can give you an account of how we live when it rains. Did he get his bullets save home. Then big ball make verry pretty music when they fly. Thay hardly give you time to see them coming. I saw Mr. Fairman from Allegeny last Sab. He was on a visit to see Albert. Thare was a young Mr. Morehead here from Beaver. Thare is a young man by the name of McCleary from Beaver. I think he said his Mothers mother was a Hemphill & then is a nephu of Miss McClellan who was at Quigley two winters ago. He also claims relatives with me. So I have more relitives than I knew I had. Enening.

This is a verry cold and stormy night. I am Sargt. of the guard to night. I have to releive the guard every two hours. So I must be up half of night and then the other sargt takes my place. It is not near as hard as the guard that has to stand two hours and off 4 hours. I bought a pair of long boots for $3.50cts. Thay are the right sort for winter. The legs of them comes up to my knees. You need not look for any letters for two weeks from now, Give my best respt to all and remember me to Father and Mother.

Your Brother Jim

We are incamped on the farm of Comodors Jones. Write soon.J.H. Maclay

Letter 6 Fairfax Co. Va.Camp PierpontNov the 12th 1861

Father Mother & Sister

I told you in my last letter of the 8 or 9th that I would not write to you for

The Letters ~ 45

some time. But here I am sitting in my Pallese made of muslin writting to the ones at home. Well how are you all getting allong. And what are you doing. Has Uncle & Aunt Jane left? What have thay to say abbout the War. Walter Fulliton and I yesterday Sunday went out on a Reternoossanse. We were on the hunt of the Newville Cavelry: But we did not find them. We took the wrong direction and so we concluded to take a look at the country & see some of the troops. We were at Balle Cross Roads & Masons Hill. And several other places whare we had little fights with the Rebels. We were some 12 or 15 miles from our camp. On our way back we stopped at the 49th Pa. Reg. Col. Irwins. I saw the Col. He was verry glad to see me. He took me arround his camp and interduced me to Capt. Ralph Maclay Sargt Maclay Capt. DeWitt and Mitchell and several others of his friends. Robt. McClellan and Tom from Juiata is in his Regt. Robert is Leut in one of his compines. The Col. said he was coming over to see me some day: We also stoped to see Adg. Brady Sharp and the rest of the 7 Regt. Clay McCune is getting allong very pleasantly. The Adg. sends his best respts to you all. Col Irvin Capt. Maclay and the rest of the 49 wish to be remembered to you all. We have been getting allong verry pleasantly since we came into Virginia. Thare is some talk of taking us reserves back to Penna. How is the Middle Spring folks all getting along. Tell Uncle Jack I have been looking for a letter from him for some time. How is Sunny Side & the rest of the Newburg Ladies getting along. How is Miss Wallace. Give her my best respt when you see her. Tell her I would like to hear from her. Do you have any parties this fall. I wrote to Carry Hemphill some time ago. How does Amy Sterrett look? How does she intend remaining at Middle Spring and vicinity? What is James Hemphill doing or is he not doing anything. Tell times. And give them a description of camp life. We drill now almost every day. We are getting pretty well drilled. But some of us is spoiling for the want of a brush with the Rebels. If Fhim I think he had better come and join our company for he never cant do any better. If he has any nothion of joining the Army. How is the bay horse getting allong. You must keep him fat. What is the doctor going to do with his farm. How is D. Graxler getting allong with his new house. I think I must write to Danl & Robt. Smith some of the ather was here he would see five times the number of troops here that he saw at Tenally Town. You can see nothing but tents for miles arround me. We are in front of all the infintry; so we can get doing pretty much as we please. But it is now roll call & I must stop writing.

My love to allJ.H. Maclay

Letter 7 Camp Pierpont, Va.Nov the 16th 1861

The Letters ~ 46

Friend Calvin,

As this is a cold & stormy day, & I am not doing anything, I thought I could not put in my time better than by writting to some of my friends in Newburg. How is your health getting by this time. What is Andy High doing. I wrote to him & Jas. Eakins but have never receaved any anser yet. How is the General getting allong. I suppose he is still talking of joining the Army. He has no nothion of coming to Washington to see the troops here, has he. What kind of a business is Martin Kunkill doing. Has Uncle Jack Hemphill commenced his School. Who is teaching the Haron Schools. How is the Rev. Mr. Williams getting allong with the young ladies under his charge. I see Harry Montier & Jas. Shiply allmost every week. What kind of weather have you in Newburg. we have the most disagreeable weather here I ever saw. This evening it is blowing a perfect hurricane. About every ten minutes you can hear some one hollering Ketck that tent. It is blowing over. We have roll call at 8 o'clock at night and at sunrise in the morning. We drill allmost every day. We drill 4 hours a day & the rest of the time we have not anything to do. We get plenty of hard bread, not verry good at that. I get allong about as well as any of the boys & I think a little better for I have not been unwell an hour since I came into the Army. We have some ten or twelve sick at the present time. We receaved our pay today. We were paid of in silver and gold. Just fresh from the mint. Some of the boys said it had hardly got cold yet. I think there is some prospects of us going to South Carolina with the next fleet that goes. I would as soon fight there as in Virginia and a little sooner for thare is whare the War began. Last Sabbath some of our boys took a skout arround to see the country. We went 20 miles from camp. We were at Balls Cross Road Munson Hill and near Alexandria. We were nearly all allong the lines of our troops. We went through some pretty hard kind of a country. We did not come in contack with any Rebels. We went through plases whare thare was seen some Rebels the day before. I would have liked to have seen one or two of thare Pickets. We could have given them a shot or two for we both were armed with two six shooters a piece. We hardly ever leave camp without taking a pistol allong. What is Sheriff White doing this fall. I suppose he & John Harris is still trading horses. How is friend Postmaster getting allong. Jas. Green I suppos is kicking around as usually. What has John Ray to say of the times. Does he still go in for Sicesshion. Give him my best respt and tell him I wish him well. Give my best respts to all my friends of Newburg.

Your friend J.H. Maclay

Address the same as before only put Pierpont in place of Tenally.

The Letters ~ 47

J.H.M.

Letter 8 Camp PierpontDec the 4th 1861

Dear Sister

I receaved your letter yesterday. I am glad to hear you are all well for it has been some time since Ive heard from you. I am still blessed with good health. I think I am getting fatter every day. I weigh 25 lbs heavier than when I left Home. So you may judge fat pork & beans aggrees with me. I was over to see Col. Irwins Reg. to day. I saw the Col. & Capt. Maclay DeWitt McClellans & George Reynolds & the Rev. Ernshaw. I was to see the Adamantines two weeks ago. Hugh Coover & all the rest of them are all well. We had a big Reconnoissens the other day. In the direction Leesburg. We all came back safe. Without seeing any of the Rebels. I cant say without seeing any for we took 3 or 4 prisoners. We had some wagons allong for forage. Wich we filled with Rebel grain & hay & whatever we could find. We took some 50 fat hogs. I hear we are going on another expedition on Monday if the weather permits. I had a letter from John Smith last week. I also one from D. McCrimy. Who are you going to have for a leader in your quire meeting. I hope you will not have such a Secesh as Billy Means. Will you take my advise & stay at home with Father & Mother. It will do you more good than attending such meetings. How is Ed Hays by this time. I expect he is gallanting the Ladies around. What lady is Jas. Keys attending to. And how is Robt. Hemphill getting allong. Do you often visit Newburg. How are all the ladies thare getting allong. I expect I'll hear of you & some of the young clergy runing of some of these times. This thing of so many young ministers coming arround and putting up at Mr. John Maclay's house. I cant quite understand. What will become of poor Billy Minns. I heard he was quite struck with my sister. But I must stop this kind of writting, or you will think I have not much else to write. And you will think right for we have no news here of any account. I am on guard to night. I have got above standing sentry. I have been promoted to a high Corpl. Birth, but as I said I am on guard. I am Sargt of the guard. All I have to do is to releive the guards every two hours. We have verry little sickness in our company. I bought my self a woolen cap. It is a gray affair with red strips running down the sides. (A regular grandmothers cap)

Sabbath Day

We have no preaching to day. I suppose at this hour you are listening to a sermon in the Middle Spring Church from Mr. Hays. I have just come in from

The Letters ~ 48

witnising the inspection of the 5 reg. We have inspection every Sabbath. Thare is a neph of Dick McClellan here. He claims some relationship with me. Thare is also a young man by the name of Duff. He is a neph of hers. So you may juge I have plenty of friends in this company. McClellan is a verry pious young man. How is the bay horse getting allong. Do you drive him any.

Letter 9 Camp Pierpont, Va.Jan the 19th 1862

Dear Sister

As I am not doing any thing this morn, I concluded to drop you a few lines. This has been a verry disagreeably week. It snowed allmost every day this week & last night it commenced raining. The ground is verry mudy. We have at last got ourselfes log huts built. I think we will not move verry often till Spring comes. Our company is all together for once. The first time we have been together since we left Tenally Town. I have been looking for a letter from home for the last few days. We have not receaved our last weeks mail. I expect when it comes Ill get some letters. I heard Tom Pomeroy was dead & Tom Himes was killed by acident. How did Himes get killed. What Rev. Mr. Magell is going to see Mary Smith. I had a letter from Uncle Jack & John A. Maclay. I believe you have Communion at Middle Spring. What minister is preaching for Mr. Hays. Why dont Ed Hays come & goin his Regement, or is he afraid of the Rebbs bullets. Do you ever hear from Hugh Coover or the rest of the Adaments. I have not seen or heard from them for some time. Where is James Hemphill is he still in Chambersburg or have they left thare. How is George Gambers getting allong has he plenty of work in the mill. We drew new blankets this last week. We live as warm as a mouse. Have you been attending any singing this winter. I am glad you took my advise for once. And stay at home with Father and Mother. Tell Father that I think he might write to me sometimes. We have not yet receaved our last pay. We are looking for it every day. When we get it I want to go to Washington for to buy some shirts. I can get them cheaper thare than from the Sutlers. Next Spring Walt Fullerton & I are going to get a furlough and pay you a visit. That is if we can get one. It is pretty hard to get a pass for it has to be signed by Gen McClellan & not every one can get a pass.

Give my best respt to all & write soon.Your brother

Jim

Letter 10 Camp Pierpont, Va.Feb the 3rd 1862

The Letters ~ 49

Sister JennieI receaved yours & Fathers letters last eve. I expect by this time you have

receaved my last letter. Clay McCune came to see me this morning before I was out of bed. He had been on guard at the butchers shop a short distance from our plase & he thought he would come up and take breakfast with us. I was quite surprised to see Jas. A McGinty here as Chaplain. He has the apointment of Chaplin in the first Regt of Infintry. I was to see him this morning. He is staying at the present with Leut. Graham from Caralisle. Leut. Graham is not doing verry well. I think he likes his Whiskey to well. John gave me a short history of his visits to your plase. Did not Father get the letter from one of my messmates. Tell him for to write to him soon. I also sent a paper to you last week. Tell Father he had better come allong with A. Shumaker. We had some snow yesterday. But it has all disapeared to day. The mud is still knee deep & good prospects of it getting deeper. We get allong verry well. We are not in the want of anything. We live here as comfortable as if we were at Home only in the eating line. We have plenty of clothers to keep us warm. To day it is as warm as Spring. I'll get my picture taken as soon as I get an oppertunity. The Capt. says that he will get me a pass to go to Washington soon. What Ladies & Gents attends the quire meeting. What has become of Billy Means & his sister Agnes. Sister tell Father he had better get Emanul Ditzler to do the farming in the spring. He could do the farming with the bay & pony. And he would safe money by the operation. Tell Mr. Staver that Jacob Myers is well & harty. If I keep on getting fatter I'll weight 200 lbs by Spring. I weigh 175 lbs at the present time. (Dont say soldiers dont live well.) If it was not for the bad company I could allways be a soldier. Nothing I hate more than swearing & bad company. We have some hard cores in our company. But I hope I'll never be one of them. Jennie I wish you would send me the Shippensburg News as often as you can. How did D. Quigley's party come off. Who all were thare & what kind of a time had you. I must bring this to a close for the bugle is sounding for roll call. Give my love to all & write soon.

Your BrotherJim

Letter 11 Camp PierpontFairfax Co. Va.March the 2nd 1862

To all at Home,I suppose you are all injoying a quiet Sabbath to day. I reced the Shipburg

News yesterday wich you sent me. I am always verry glad to get the News. I suppose you have heard that thay had given orders for no more papers for to cross

The Letters ~ 50

Rivers. Thay will not pass any citizen to this side of the potomac from Washington any more. Thare is not much use of citizens coming to visit the Army for thay cant get to see it. We were ordered for not to stay here much longer. I think we will soon make a move over Centreville or somewhere else. I think it will be on Leesburg. We have every thing to believe that we will soon make a grand move. I had a letter from David McKinney last week. I have not seen J. McGinly for the last few days. I have not been verry well for a few days. But I am as well now as ever. Leut. Fullitons wife is still here in camp. I think she must be a going to stay with us. I know William Sharp is going to move to Newburg. Whose house is he going to move in & what is he going to do. Walter Fulliton gets letters from William Sharp. Since I commenced this letter I hear the boys say that Gen. Banks has crossed & has taken Leesburg. I cant say how true it is. But I hope it may be so. Yesterday we captured two or three Rebels. Thay were pretty hard looking cores. How have you been injoying yourself for the last few days. Have you had any parties lately. Have you been attending any singing lately or quire meetings. How is the quire meeting getting allong. I suppose John Paxton is somewhat angry for not getting to stay on Uncle Charles plase. So Sam Hoffman is getting back to his old neighborhood. How are Smith Boys getting allong. John I expect is still teaching school. Have any of you been in Newburg lately. How is Aunt & Uncle Jack getting allong. Is Uncle Jack doing pretty well this winter. I suppose he is still teaching. How is it about Mr. & Mrs. Williams going to leave Newburg. Is it true or not. When you see them give them my best respts. Give my love to all & write soon.

Your BoyJames

Letter 12 Camp PierpontMarch the 8th 1862

Dear SisterI read your kind letter on the 5th & I am verry much obliged to you for

sending those cuffs or whatever you might call them. I had a letter from Ana Maclay this week. I had a visit from McClelans Boys yesterday. Thay are looking fat & hearty. Thay inquired preticulary for you. If I had heard from Home lately. Thay have Col Irwin of the 2 Reg. under arrest for getting drunk & disobaying orders. I do not know how he will make out. I have not heard John McGinly preach yet. I intend to go to hear him on Sabbath. Col. Joseph Willsons Regiment is in Washington. Do you know whare James Hemphill is. Sister you spoke about my likeness. I would like to send you it. But I cannot get it taken here. If I was in Washington I would get one taken for you. But I cant get to the city without a pass

The Letters ~ 51

from Gen. McCalls and thare are so many wanting passes that it is pretty hard getting a pass. We have orders to have 2 days rations ahead. So if we were to make a quick move we would be prepared. Sister I hear you got some letters from Kentucky. I would like to know who thay are from. Wont you tell me who thay are from. I have not seen Clay McCune for some time. I have not been away any distance from camp for some time. I had not been well for two or three days. I had a bad cold. But I have got over it now. Do you ever see or hear any thing from John Runshaw, I have never heard from him since he left for Home. I do not know why it is he cant write to me. Leut. Fulletons wife left for home this week.Sabbath day: We had preaching to day for the first time for some time. The Rev. Mr. Vincon from Mercer Co. preached for us. He preached more than lectured. This afternoon I went to hear Cousin John. He made a very good sermon. I saw Col. Sam Swansey & John Wyncoop. J. Wyncoop brought John McGinley a horse. We are looking for a movement every day. We recd news this morning that our troop have taken Leesburg. Good by for the present time.

Give my love to all & write soon.Your Brother

Jim

Letter 12A (summer, undated)Sabbath Day

Yesterday I commenced on a slip of paper to write you a few lines. Well it is still raining. I have just finished eating dinner. Well I must tell you what I had for dinner. We had Pork & Bread. We dont have much of variety. This has been a hard time for some of the boys. We have had no tents since we left Pierpont till last Friday. I saw John McGinley yesterday. He had a letter from Uncle David. What has Father been doing this spring. Who is farming for Father this summer. Is Ditzler with Newcommer yet. Is he going to stay with him all summer. How is Uncle & Aunt Caroline getting allong. What is Uncle Jack going to do this summer. Are they going to remain in the same house thay are living in now. How is Mrs. Williams getting allong. Is she going to remain in Newburg. How are all the ladies in Newburg getting allong. None of them getting married are thay. When you see any of them give them my best respt. Tell Uncle Jack for to write me soon. I expect we will leave this place soon. I think we will march by land to Richmon. We have fallen in rear of the Army. We ought to have been in front I think, for we had the front all winter. But I must bring this to a close for the present.

The Letters ~ 52

If we leave this place our letters will follow after us whare ever we go. Give my love to all. Write often.

Jim

Letter 13 Near Alexandria, Va.March the 17th

Dear Sister,I suppose you are aware of us leaving Pierpont. We left one week ago today

that was on last Monday. We went as far as Hunters Mill 15 miles from Pierpont. We arrived at Hunters Mill at 9 o'clock at night. The next day Tuesday we went 3 miles further on and stayed thare till Friday eve. When we receaved orders to pack up & leave ameaditly. So we took up our line of march at 7 o'clock at night & came back & stayed all night on the Leesburg & Alexandria Pike some 3 miles from Drainsville. So the next morn we were on the road again for march. We had to go back towards Pierpont. We could not take the pike to this plase for the Bridge on the pike was burnt the night before. Satterday it rained verry heavy all day. We had to travel some 15 miles when we got on the same pike we had been on in the morn. So we took up our line yesterday morn for this plase. We arrived last Eve at 4 o'clock. We came through Falls Church. We had some of worst weather since we left Pierpont I ever saw. We have not had our tents allong for the last week. We are waiting near for vessels for to take us somewhare I do not know whare we will go. I think it will be James River & Richmon. I suppose you have heard all about Manases. The Rebels all left the Potomac. We are encamped one mile from Washington. I had a letter from Anson Smith last week. We had no mail last week. We are going to get our mail this eve. I must bring this to a close. You must not look for a letter for two or three weeks. Thay are 3 Div going on Watter.

Good ByeAddress the same.

Jim

Letter 14 Manassas JunctionApril the 14th

Dear SisterI suppose you have heard by this time of us leaving Alexandria. We left or

The Letters ~ 53

rather began putting down our tent at 7 o'clock in the morn. & at 8 we took up our line of march. 4 Batterys in all. We came through Fairfax Court House. We arrived at Centreville abbout 4 o clock. Here we put up for the night. We quartered in the Rebbels Barracks. I think we could have taken it long before this time for thare work were not verry strong. It is in a splendid country. I saw whare thay had burried thare dead. Thare must have been several thousand burried here. The next day we left thare and came to this plase. The roads were verry bad. The Rebels had made curderoy roads & it was nearly wore out. Thare is a long plain arround this plase. You can see in every direction as far as the eye can carry. Gen. McCalls Div is all here. Some of the Infintry are guarding the railroad. Yesterday thare was some 3 or 4 cars ran off the track. I do not know how long we will remain here. I was out to see the battle field of Bulls Run this morning.

April the 15thAs I commenced on a half sheet of paper I thought I would finish on a full

one. This is a beautifull warm day. Allmost to warm for this time of the year. You can still see some snow on the mountains. We have a splendid view of them from our plase. As I & Lent Fulliton was taking a walk up to the junction we met John McGinley. He had been up. He turned arround & went allong with us. I saw Clay McCune yesterday. He & all the rest of the boys are well. We have not recd any letters since we left Alexandria. I think we will get a mail to morrow. To day thare was some 40 Negros came down the Railroad from toward Richmon. I think we will remain here for some time. Thare is not much prospects of us getting in a fight soon unless thay take us to Yorktown or some whare else. For I think than any Rebel Troops within 50 miles of here. I expect when we get mail I will get 3 or 4 letters from Home. There has been a great many Rebels died arround here this Winter. There has been some 400 burried arround here within the last few months. I suppose the singings are all done by this time. How is Sunny Side getting allong. Have thay many students this session. I have not heard from the 117 Regt since we left. We recvd our pay last sabbath. We have to pay 20 cts for a loaf of bread & then it ways only 20 oz. And potatos sells for 5 cts per pound. How are Uncle Pranses getting allong. Tell Martha to write to me.

It is getting to dark to write & must stop. Give my love to all & write soon.

Your Brother

Letter 15 Near Oatletts StationApril the 21st

Sister Jennie & all,We broke up camp at Manasses & arrived at this plase on Friday. We are six

miles from Warenton Junction & some 15 miles from Manassas. We are incamped The Letters ~ 54

near the Railroad. This is a splendid looking country. The most of the Farms are in a good condition. The Rebels have torn up the Railroad from here to Fredericksberg. But we are fixing it up as fast as we take posession of it. The day we came here some of Gen. Kings Div had a small brush with the Rebels some 4 miles from here. Thare is no Rebel troops on this side of the Rapahanock River.

The roads here are verry muddy. We have pretty hard work getting our canon allong. I think we will not stay here long. I recvd your two papers that you sent me & also the letter of the 14th. We have not recvd uor mail since we left Manassas. I saw John McGinty since we came here. But I have not seen Clay yet. But i expect to see him today. The most of the citizens arround here are Secesh. Some say thay are Unions. We are incamped in a large field on top of a hill. We have our tents allong with us. We have been living on hard bread ever since we left Camp Pierpont. We have to pay from 10 to 15 cts for a loaf of bread. Butter sells for 50 cts per pound. Yesterday we had a verry heavy rain. It rained nearly all day. But today it is pleasant. Have you heard from Uncle Dunlap lately. How are Hemphills boys getting allong.How is Carrie prospering. Has she any gallants this winter. Have you heard from the third Cavelry since thay been at Fortress Moncey. I suppos thay are at the fight at Yorktown. Do you ever hear of Leut. Baughman. Whar he is & what he is doing. I must bring this to a close for the present. With my love to all.

Your Brother Jim

Letter 15A (summer, undated)

Dear Mother,Having this slip of paper before me, I thought I would drop a few lines

separate from the one to sister. But you know when I write to sister, I am writing to you all. Mother, if you were to see your Big Son you would hardly know him, for he has got to be quite a big punchy fellow. I weigh 180 lbs. Some of the boys says I look more like a alderman or a lager beer man than a soldier. to tell the truth I never felt better than I do at the present time. Mother you and Father must take good care of your health this summer, for thare nothing better than to have good health.

We have not had much preaching in our camp till lately. Mr. Furguson has preached to us several times. I allways attend services whenever I get an oppertunity. Thare is a great deal of wickedness in the Army. I have allways tryed and lived up to the rules that you taught me. And I hope that I may never be led astray from them. I think if my life is spared to get through this War, it will be a

The Letters ~ 55

benefit to me in after years. But I must close.

Your Affect. SonJames

Letter 16 Camp Near Munson Hill September the 6th 1862

Dear SisterI recvd your letter of August the 26th 3 days ago. I must try & give you an

account of my many travels since I left Home. I did not leave Harrisburg till on Thursday. I could not get transportation till then. That's why I did not get off sooner. There were some 100 of us left together for Fortress Monroe. We were under charge of a Col. So he had to turn us over to our Regements. As I was the only Corpl. I had to stay & take charge of some men. I stayed at Fortress Monroe two weeks. I heard our Div. had shipped for Acqui Creck. So I started for to gain my company. Two other men of our Div. came allong with me. Arrived at Falmouth on the 22nd. Our Battery had left three days before I got thare. Our troops were fighting some at the Rappahanock Station. So I with some other boys of our Div. started on foot for to overtake them. We encamped out all night. The next morn. we started bright & early. We traveled some 15 miles & we came up with our waggons witch had been left behind. I was quite glad to see some of our boys. That day we reached Warrentown Junction. We had to stay hear for two days till we could find out whare our Battery was. We heard it was at Warrentown. So off we started. We reached the Battery that eve. I found the boys all in good spirits. Jas. Mener & Wm McCormic are sick & at the hospital at Washington. Leut. Nisbit is with the company as harty as ever. Capt. & Leut Fullinton Taylor and the rest of our friends are well. Walt Fullerton is well only he has a sore arm. Well Sister we were in the 4 days fight at Bull Run & it was a perfect run for some of the troops. Fricroys fight was the hottest fight our Battery was ever in. We lossed 4 men killed & 15 wounded. Amongst the wounded was Gen. McClelland. He was shot in the leg. It has since been amputated. Several of our boys had thare limbs shot of. Some of them were cut in two. That day the Rebels fired at our Battery with 3 Batteryes of Artillery. Our Infintry would not stand thar ground. On Saturdays fight we lossed 1 man killed & 7 wounded. In all we lossed 5 killed & 22 or 23 wounded. Satterdays fight was a hot time. We fired out of our gun 700 rounds. The Infintry gave way & run. We lossed our Caissons & some 24 horses. The Rebels made a charge to take our Battery. But we made out to get our guns off. I was helping to limber up & thar was a Rebel struck at me with his musket but did not hurt me any. Thay drove us for some distance. We fell back to Centerville on

The Letters ~ 56

Sunday Morning. Monday we went to Fairfax Court House. Tuesday we went to Arlington Heights. Wednesday we went to the Arlington House. Thursday we came here & are here yet. Do not know how long we will remain here. The Capt. sayed I was all right abbout my staying at Home so long. He sayed I might have stayed longer. I feel as harty as ever. I stand it very well. We dont have much to do when we are in camp. The capt. never recvd Dr. Rankins extenshion of my furlough. He said he knew I was not fit for duty & he made it all right. He is a brave little man. All the time of the fighting he rode up & down the lines as cool as a cucumber & told the boys as he went allong to give them fits. We are going to be mustered for pay to day. I do not know when we will be paid off but I think soon. Clay McCune he got off safe. If we had Gen McClellan on the field in plase of Pope & McDowell we would have captured the whole Rebel force. McDowell is a perfect traitor & a Rebel. Our troops sayes thay will never fight under him again. Thay will fight for no Gen. but McClellan. How does Gen. McClellan stand in old Penna. Has he still as many enemy as when I left. If you hear any person speaking against him tell them thay had better fight under him first before thay say anything against him for thay know nothing abbout him. I know one thing if we would have had him at Bull Run we would have fought better. Our troops have no dependence on Pope or McDowell. I saw Jim Hemphill last Sabbath. He was well. He was in Satterdays fight. Tell Father he must not think of coming to War for he would not stand it two weeks. We were three day without any thing to eat. Some of the boys were nearly starved. We have not had the harness off our horses for four weeks. Do you know the number of the Regt. Dick Lauglin Company is in. I saw David Frew. He is a Infintry Reg. Do you know whare Anson Smith is & R. Hemphill. I have not seen John McGinley yet. I heard he was in Washington. You can tell Mr. Staver Jacob Myers is well. He was not in the last fight. The Rebels the first days fight fired so fast with skill that we scarsely fired our guns for as fast as we would go up thay would drive us back. I cant see how we gott off so safe, but I must bring this to a close for the present time. You must not look for a letter from me perhaps for some two weeks for we have no chance of sending away letters. Give my love to all & write often. Have you got that photograph yet.

Your Brother Jim

Letter 17 Camp near Sharpsburg October the 17th 1862

The Letters ~ 57

Dear SisterWe are still at the same plase as when you left us. We were under marching

orders yesterday but thay did not amount to much. We heard verry heavy canonding in the direction of Harppers ferry. We have not learnt to what affect it was. I think it was nothing more than a recoinaisance. We heard this morn our troops had captured a large lot of thare heavy guns. I suppose you thought of packing up & leaving when you heard of the Rebels being in Chambersburg. You had not more than time be at Home when thay entered the town. I think the people of Chambersburg did not show verry good pluck or thay never would have let them leave the town alive. I think if I had of been some of them I would have poisened Gen. Steward or some of there leaders. It would cause no little excitement in the town when thay sent in for its surender. I think I see some of the people look. How did Uncle Charles behave. I suppose he left the village. We have not yet been paid. We are looking for it soon. When is Ditzler coming up. Try & send me a shirt and some sock with him. I am as well as ever again. I saw Clay. He was going to see his mother. She is at Sharpsburg. She is tomorrow going to Harppersferry. I would like to have seen her but I can hardly get to see her. If you could send me some tobaco with some one it would please me verry much.

How is Aunt Caroline & Uncle Jack. What is Uncle doing. I wrote a letter to Uncle William Dunlap a few days ago. We had a very heavy rain last night. We have had several heavy rains since you were with us. I was to see the 126 Regt. yesterday. The boys are all well except Andy Pomeroy. He was not very well. I have not heard any thing from you since you left us. But I must bring this to a close for the present time. Give my best respt. to all & write soon.

Your Brother

Letter 18 Camp near Berlin, Md. October the 29th 1862

Dear Sister

This is the first time I have written to you since you left our camp. I feel ashamed of it. But I have not recevd any from Home since you were here. Then Sharp Fullerton going down I knew he could tell you more than I could write. I have had verry good health since you were to see me. I suppose you are aware of our leaving Sharpsburg. We left that plase on last Sabbath morn when it was raining its

The Letters ~ 58

heaviest. It rained all day very heavy wich made it very unpleasant. We crossed the mountains that day. Reached what is called Pleasant Valley. But found it rather unpleasant after so much rain. The distance we traveled that day was 15 miles. Monday took up our line of march for this plase. Very cold & stormy. But it has ceased raining. Reached this plase in the afternoon. Is Sharp & Jas. Fullerton still with you. Gen. Burnsides troops has crossed the river at this plase. The last of his troops crossed yesterday. I do not know how long it will be till we cross. We are six miles below Harpers Ferry on the Potomac River. Sister I want you to send me some postage stamps when you answer this letter & tell me who is drafted in Lurgan & Southampton Townships. I have heard who is drafted in Cumberland Co. But not Franklin. So Hugh Fraser is drafted. Good for him. No man but a coward would permit him self to be driven into the service but such men. I think such men ought to be in the Rebel Army where all the conscripts are. How is Aunt Caroline & Uncle Jack getting allong. Is Hugh Fraser getting a Substitute for the Army or is any of our men of Franklin. But I must bring this to a close for the present. Give my love to all & write often & give me all the news you know. I would like to get the Chambersburg paper.

Good Bye Your Brother

Letter 18A Warrenton, Va. Nov. the 10th

Dear Sister,I receaved your letters mailed from Newburg the 30th Oct. yesterday. I

was verry anxious to hear all the news & how you are all. I was sorry that Sharp & John Fullerton did not get to see you before thay left.

Sister, we have done some pretty hard marching since I last wrote to you. Some days we marched twenty-five miles. We marched through what is called Louden Valley. It is a verry pretty valley. Had some verry stormy weather on our way. We arrived at Warrenton on last Thursday noon. Our Div. was the first troops

The Letters ~ 59

except some cavelry to enter the town. We expected to have a fight but the Rebels left the town some two hours before we arrived at it. So we took peacable possession of it. We are encamped near the same plases whare we were last August. It snowed nearly all day last Friday & some on Satterday. But yesterday & to-day are pleasant days. I am enjoying good health. I feel as strong as before I had the fever. I see Clay McCune allmost every day. He is well. So Ditzler says he is not hired to Uncle Sam. I think he has done worse for Conscripts are Uncle Sam Slaves. The old Reserves don't like the idea of filling up thare Regt. with drafted men. Thay say thay want men that will fight & not these Baby Conscripts.

Whare are Gamber Ditzler & the rest of the Drafted men of our place. So Billy Linz is married. I wonder who next will be married. What has Martha Hays to say for her-self. I think Lurgan Township must be pretty scarce for men. What did Margaret Paxton think of John going to war, for she used to have tereble fear of War. I suppose you have heard of our Gen, Reynolds being made a Major General. Thay could not have appointed one more worthy of the rank than him. I think if any one deserved promotion to that tittle he did. He commands the 1st Army Corps. Our Div. is the first in his command. Tell Martha Maclay she might write oftener to me than I to her for I have not the chance of writting as she has. Or if I had I would think nothing of writing every week to her for I love to get letters from her, for she tells me all the news that are afloat. tell Carrie Hemphill she might devote a few in writting to me. We have not yet been paid off. I wish thay would pay us soon for then we could get allong much better. When we are marching we often could get some good bread & butter.

I saw Col. Irvin the other day as his Regt. was passing us. I had quite a chat with him. He sayed he felt rejoiced to hear he had so many relitives in the army for he sayed he believed the Maclay Stock were Patriotic to the back bone. Quite a compliment, wasent it. You ought to tell Hugh Frazer that you were verry sorry that ever thare blood was mixed with the Maclays & Uncle Charles to, for it is a perfect disgrace to his family. The way John has acted.

Give my best respt to all & write often. Send me a Newspaper when ever you can.

Good Bye Your Brother

Jim

Letter 18B (winter, undated)

How is Rbt. Hemphill getting & when is he going to join his Regt. How is Uncle Jack getting. Tell Martha Maclay I would like to hear from her. What has

The Letters ~ 60

become of Uncle Charles & John. Tell Lydia & Annie that thay might write to me. I have never receaved any letters from them since I was at home. How is Mrs. Fullerton getting allong. Leut. Nesbit has returned from Home. He had been sent to Harrisburg for recruits but not getting any of the drafted men he went home to spend a few days. What is Ditzler going to do this winter. What kind of a day have today. It looks like it was going to snow. Did the men that whare drafted of Newburg all go to Army except Hugh Frazer. Do you think Boyd Frazer will take Anna Sterrett allong with him. Whats the talk of it at home. Do thay think she will marry him. I'll tell you in my next letter what I think of it. I expect to hear from her soon. You know I could allways tell you more about her than any one else. You will I expect wonder how I know so much abbout her, but you know she was allways a friend of mine.

You need not look for my letters verry regular, for it is verry hard work for me to set down and write. I'll try & write once every week if I can. Write soon & give my best respt to Father, Mother, & all.

Your Brother

Tell Ditzler to write to me as often as he can & also Jas. GamberJ. H. Maclay

Letter 19 Brooks Station, Va. Nov the 28, 1862

Dear SisterIt having been some time since I last wrote to you I thought I would devote

a few minutes in wrighting. I rec'd your last letter written the 18th on the 24th. I am sorry to hear of the deaths of Mary Crum & Mr. Coover. I saw Hugh Coover yesterday. He took his Fathers death very hard. So Daenual Ditzler has allready gotten his discharge. I thought he had better pluck than what he has. Sister why cant you send me the names of who was drafted & who went to the Army. You never mention the name of any one that goes. If I had the convenience of writting you have I think I could do it more justice than you do. But sitting here in the cold one cant do much at writting. We have had some very cold weather within the last few weeks. We have not yet been paid & its hard to tell when we will. We are rather hard up at the present time. We hardly can get as much as we can eat. Some days we only get 10 crackers and other days we dont get anything to eat. We get plenty of fresh beefs. So you can judge how we fare. We are six miles from Acqui Creek

The Letters ~ 61

Landing & some to Fallmouth.I suppose thare no use of telling you the War news for we dont know as

much of what going as you do. We hardly ever buy any pappers for thay are so high in price we cant raise the mony to pay for them. I recvd the Shippbg News you sent me. Sister if you please you may send me some postage stamps for thay are not to be had here. You mentioned about ristcuffs. I have the pair you sent me last winter. Thar are nothing that I want at the present time. I have not seen John Pomeroy yet. I heard he was chaplain of the 3rd Regt. But knows whare I am & if he thinks worthwhile he can call to see me but I'll not go to see him till he calls on me. I see John McFinley & Clay every now and then. Thare is some talk today of an armistice between the two armyes. I do not know how true it is but I think thare had better something be done soon for since the removal of Gen McClellan thare is great disatisfaction in the army. So it seems at Home be war or not the young peopple will get married.

Mother you need not trouble your self for I am injoying good health. The reason why I do not write oftener is the weather has been so cold I can scarcely can write. Do you & Father keep good health this winter. Sister hardly ever tells me how you are all. She has so much to tell me about her preachers friends & so on that I dont care any thing about. I think she might give me more news than what she does. Why dont Father sit down & write me a good long letter. I think he might, dont you. So Danl Trexler has gone as a substitute. What prise does he get. How is Joseph Gamber getting allon in the mill. I must tell you how much clothing I have. 2 pr. pants 2 drawers 4 pr. socks & 3 shirts, & two blankets. Pretty good H'it aint.

Good Bye Your Son James

Letter 20 Near Fallmouth, Va. Dec the 18th, 1862

Dear FatherI suppose you have heard of the late battle having been fought near here.

No dought you have got news from it thar. I can give you but I'll try to give you some news. We crossed the River on Friday a mile below Fredericksburg on a pontoon bridge. That day we marched to the front of the lines. All was quiet except a few guns that kept up a firing at our troops crossing. Satterday morn. we took our position on the left. We advanced one mile when we were fired upon by the Rebel Batteries. Thay opened fire on our front & right flank. We were soon engaged in hot contest. The Rebel Sharp Shooters were only 50 yds from our Battery. All the men we had wounded were hurt by them. We had five men wounded

The Letters ~ 62

by then. Thare names are as follows: Wm. Wise Sam Duff Sargt. Nesbit M Hover & Ed Thorps. Sam Duff has since died. Wise had his leg taken off. Sargt. Nesbit shot in the knee. The rest of them slightly wounded. Abbout 1 o'clock that day our Div. made a charge on the enemy under the cover of our Battery. Thay drove the enemy before them for some time when the enemy was reinforced & drove our men back. Our Infintry broke & fled in a hurry. The Rebels still following them till thay up to within 75 yds of our Battery. When they halted & drawed up in line to take our Battery. By this time thare was a Regt of Infintry had come up to support us. The Rebels advanced in near mass to capture our guns. When to thare sorrow we let loose with double charge of canister & the Infintry raised up and poured in volley after volley. Thay did not stand it long but fled. Gen. Reynolds stood by our battery & cheered the boys on. After the enemy had fled he came up to Capt. Cooper & put his hand on his shoulder & said if it had not been for him our left would have been turned. That he had senced a regular stampede. We had a hotter fight this time than we ever had before. The Reserved losses in killed wounded & missing 2100 men with the loss of one Brig. Gen. Gen. Jackson Comd. 1st Brigade. Clay McCune was not in the fight. Sabbath all was quiet on the left except pickets firing at one & another. Battery A had one gun dismounted. Battery G had a gun dismounted. Our guns blew up several of the enemy caissons. Sabbath night at 8 o'clock we began to recross the river by day light. All our troops have crossed safely. I forgot to tell you I escaped safely & dont feel any the worse of the fight. I think if we would of had Killer Mac to lead up we would not have been whipped. I suppos Leut. Fullerton is with you by this time. I sent 30 dollars for you allong with him. Take & use it as you see fit. But I must stop for the present. Good bye & remember me to all.

Your Son Jim

Letter 21 Bell Plains, Va. Dec. the 31st, 1862

Dear SisterI receaved Father's letter of the 18th on the 25th. No doubt you have

receaved my begging letter I sent you some time ago. I am looking for a letter from you every day. I have nothing to communicate in this letter for we have no news of any kind going on. I had a splendid Christmas dinner. I must tell you what we had. We had rather a costly meal. We bought two cans of tomatos, which we had to pay 2 and one half dollars for. 25 cts of shugar cakes & aples. We had to pay 5 cts a peace for them. So you may judge we lived richly. To Morrow is New Years. I do not know how Il spend it. If I was at Home I think I know how I would spend it. I would be shure of a good dinner. I think you would get up something extra for me. Well Sister how are you making out with the box. I hope it may soon come for I am very

The Letters ~ 63

hungry for something good to eat. We have built comfortable quarters for our selfes. It is hard to say how long we will remain here. It seems no one can tell. How did you spend your Christmas. Had you any parties arround Middle Spring. Have you any singing in the neiberhood. I receaved all the postage stamps you sent. I would not care if you would send me more for we can never get to buy any here. This has been a splendid winter for us so far. The clouds today looks like we might have snow or rain. I am enjoying good health. I have most to good an apatite. I saw John Pomeroy to day. He & I are very intemite. He calls to see me every few days. Clay McCune is well & all the rest you know in his Regt. We have lossed our Gen. Gen. Mead. He has taken Command of a corps. We have no regular Generals for our Div at the present time. One of our Col. has command of the Div. So you know who was killed & wounded in Cap. Laughlins Company & Kelsos. I have not heard yet. You have a better oppertunity of knowing then I.

Newyears Morning

This is a cold frosty morn. I wonder what you are doing to day. I had a cup of frozen potatoes for breakfast this morn. I expect to have some sweet potatoes for diner. We have to pay 10 cts. pr. pound for them. Thare is some talk of the P.R. Corps going to be releaved & go to Washington or Penna. But I don't think thare is such good news for us. I wish it might be true. How is Carrie getting allong. Does she have as many boys as usual. Who pays the most attention to her. I have not seen Jim Hemphill since the last fight. I heard he was well and safe. Tell Martha Maclay I have been looking for a letter from her for a long time. But I must close. A happy Newyear to you all.

Your Brother Jim.

Letter 22 Bell Plains, Va. Jan the 1st, 1863

Dear MotherA happy Newyear to you. As I was trying to write to Sister I thought I

would pen a few lines to you. You appear to be verry uneasy abbout my health. You must not be so uneasy abbout me for I get allong verry comfortable. I am enjoying verry good health. Better than I had when Leut. Fullerton left us. I have every thing a soldier needs to make me feel at Home. To be sure, we have to have things not to suit us so we allways look on the bright side and hope for the best. I am pretty well fixed for cold weather. I have plenty of warm clothing to protect me from the cold stormy nights. I must give you the discriptions of our House. It is 14 feet square with a large chimney in one end & the door in the other. We have built it up with logs 5 feet high & covered with tarpolins. It is very warm & nice. There

The Letters ~ 64

are six of us in it. Thare names are as follows. John Cramer, Jas. Covert, John Furguson, Clarkson Rise, John Alloway & my self. We have what is called a mess fund. We all pay so much & then buy whatever we want. So we generally have something good to eat. We buy such things we cant draw from the comesary. We buy such things as potatoes. Why dont Father write to me more frequently. I think he has plenty of time to write once a week to me. So I would allways get two letters from Home a week. I am looking every day for a letter from home. I expect to get one by tomorrows mail. How is Aunt Carolines health this winter & how is Aunt Peggy's & Ellen McClays health. Have you heard or seen any thing of John McGinley since he left the Army. John did not treat me very well when he went home. He never told me he was going or did not come to see me. When he was only a short distance from our camp. I did not know he was going till he had left. Jas. Pomeroy is more friendly than Jas. McGinley. I see Pomeroy every day. I have not heard him preach yet. Mother you must take good care of your self this winter. Let Sister do all the house work. How is Uncle Billy Dunlop & Hemphills all. I must bring this to a close for the present. Give my love to all.

Your Affe. Son J. H. Maclay

Letter 23 Near Bell Plains, Va. Jan. the 5th, 1863

Dear SisterI have not recd any word from you since I last wrote. But I am expecting a

letter from you every day. I have forgotten what time it was when I last wrote to you but I think it since newyears. I recd a Presbyterian paper from Aunt Pomeroy last evening & also one from you. (Your own dear self). The Shippensburg News. It has been the first I have had for some time. You asked me weather I had receaved the wristletts you sent me. I recvd them safely & very glad was I to get such a nice present from you.

Yesterday I was to hear a sermon from John Pomeroy. He preached a very good sermon. In the eve I was at Prayer meeting also led by him. John I think is or will make a splendid preacher. Better than J. Hays. Pomeroy is a very good Chaplin far better than John McGinley. He was a poor excuse for a preacher. There is great deal of talk here of the reserves going to Penna. to recruit up. But I think it will all end in talk. If the Infintry do go I dont think the Artillery will go. Sister, I

The Letters ~ 65

am looking very ansius for that box. Perhaps I am to fast. You might not send it. Thare are not much prospect of us leaving this place soon. Thare is nothing new in the Army of the Rappahanok. Sister, you must try to give me more news of whats going on than you do. You might take time & write oftener. What has become of John Smith. Is he drafted & George Gamber what Regt is he in. I see by the papers Rbt. Hemphills Regt. is on the Potomac River. Have you heard from any of them of late. I wonder what they will think of camping out. How is John & Charles Maclay getting allong or was Charles drafted. I think some of them might write to me. Sister how are all the Newburg ladies getting allong. Who pays attention to Mary Smith or Shumaker. Is Dr. Lam married to Miss Green. I wonder who might be married next. I know (perhaps your-self)

Tuesday morn the 6thI did not get a letter from you yesterday as I had expected. I was at prayer

meeting last eve held by Chaplin Pomeroy. He is holding a series of meetings this week. He expects to have prayer meetings all week. Last eve his prayers was ofered up for the conversion & sucess of the Federal Army. To night it is for the souls of the Rebels. But I must close for the mail is nearly ready to start. Give my love to all & write often. Good bye

Your Brother

Letter 24 Jan. the 8th, 1863Dear Sister

As I was writting to Emanuel I thought I'd have to drop you a few lines. Nothing new of any kind since I last wrote to you. Nor I have not receaved any from you. Jacob Myers receaved a letter from his Uncle Grand father yesterday. He spoke of the box being started. We may then expect to hear or get it sometime next week. I think it a little strange that I have not gotten any letters from you since Christmas. I have 3 or 4 since receaving your last. But I suppose you were bussy attending weddings. What kind of a time had you at the Col. wedding. I suppos grand.

I have not seen or heard of James Hemphill for some time. I must close this for the mail is going out soon.

Give my love to all & write often.Your Brother

Letter 25 Belle Plain, Va.

The Letters ~ 66

Jan. the 17, 1863Dear Father

In reply to your of the 9th I reced safly. wrote to Sister a few days ago. No doubt she has receaved it by this time. I have not yet receaved my box yet. But I know it is at the Landing. I expect to go down to the Landing on Monday. We have had very rough weather for the last few days. Yesterday it rained very heavy all day & night & all apearance of bad weather. I see by the Engineers of the 14th that Gov. A.G. Curtin is trying his best to get the Penna. R.V. Corps home to recruit up to thar old number. He seems to take great interest in our welfare. I see he has several letters from our head Generals published in the papers. I think through the course of time he will get them back to the State. For my part I'm not very ansious of returning to the War is over. But it still I would like very well to return. I see you also. What do you think of raising Negro Regt for our Army. I think it is a perfect shame & a disgrace to the people of the North. If we cant raise white men anoff in the North to put down this rebellion we had better stop fighting. Yesterday we were inspected by Col. Wainright, Chief of Artil. on Gen. Reynolds staff. Our Battery took the praise of being the Best in the Corps. Father has George Gamber gotten his discharge.

How did meeting in Newburg come off. Who assisted Mr. Hays. Did Mr. Williams preach any for him. What kink of terms are Mr. Hays & Mr. Williams on. Is Charley Stirgler with Koonzs and Stevick or what did thay do with him. How is Uncle Jack Hemphill getting allong. Is he teaching school or what is he doing.

I have just finished eatting dinner. I must tell you what I had. Bean soup & hard tack. That is all. Rather slim. Some of the boys says we have marching orders but for my part I dont know how true it is. But I dont think we will remain here much longer. The roads are in a very bad condiction for marching but if we would have to do it I expect we could.

How is the Bay Horse & pony getting allong. Is Hoffman going to remain on the Dr. farm. Are there going to be many changes this spring in moving. Is Aunt Caroline going to remain on in Miss Bare House another year. I see by the Shipp News that she has her store room for rent. Do you think she can rent it to some merchant for a store. Is Joseph Gamber moveing to the Mill or how have thay it arrainged. Father you need not send me any more postage stamps for awhile. I bought a 1.00 worth the other day, so that I am pretty well supplied for the present. I must bring this to a close. Give my love to all & write often.

Your affec. Son J.H. Maclay

Letter 26 Belle Plain, Va.

The Letters ~ 67

Feb the 7th, 1863Dear Sister,

I recvd your kind & always welcome letter a few days ago (of the 27th). I also receaved one from Martha Maclay & one from John Smith. I no news of any kind to tell of my account. Except that part of the Reserves have gone to Washington. The first Brigade has gone & the rest will follow as soon as thay can get transportation. The Artillery are not going. But remain whare thay are for the present. It is likely we will follow them or Ship South. Part of this Army is embarking on board of transports at the present time. I expect before long we will also embark for some point south.

You inquired I thought of Hooker or Fighting Joe. think he will soon be like all the rest. (Soon play out) I think if we want to bring this War to a close soon we will have to get a new sett of men at Washington & Gen. McClelland to take command of the Army. Honest Old Abe & his last Proclamation is nearly played. At least it is in the Army. Thay think him to much of an Abolitionist. This Army will never prosper the way it is carried on I say. If we have not anouff of men in the field bring out more! & fight them whare-ever we meet them as in times of old.

Show them no mercy but hunt them down like foxes. Let them know what War is. Give it to them in all the Horrows of War.

We have not yet been paid Sister. You spoke about sending a pr. gloves with Andy Pomeroy. You need not send them. I have a pair of buck skin gloves & them & the pair you sent will do me. I am on guard to day. I am Sergt. of the Guard and my duty is not much. Captin Cooper left for Home yesterday. He has absence of leave for 10 days. Some of the boys are going Home on furloughs. Thay can only five go at a time & then only for 10 days. But I must close. Give my love to all.

Your Brother Jim

Letter 27 Belle Plain, Va. Feb the 14th

SisterWe have not left our camp as I had expected yet. The Reserve Infintry

have all left. Perhaps we yet may follow them. But I rather think we will remain whare we are for the present time. I would like verry much to have gone to Washington & spent a few months. Sister in reply to about McCormic I have only receaved one letter from him since he left camp & it I answered shortly after receaving his. I also wrote one to Uncle David. But have never recvd any from him.

This is a hot summer day. The warmest day we have had for some time.

The Letters ~ 68

Sister did you say Anna Sterret sent me her photograph. I receaved Anna Maclay's a few days ago. I wrote to Cousin Hemphill & told her to send me hers. We have been living verry high on good things for the last few days. In the shape of jellys can fruit pickels candies & I must tell you how we got them. We looted them from a Sutler. The Sutlers gets to asking to much for thare goods. So we get two or three together and take thare goods from them. Thats what we call hooting them. Our mess got a box of jelly and dozen herring.

Did you have much sleighing the last snow that fell. I do not know wether I mentioned in my last letter that Capt. Cooper had gone home on leave of absence for 10 days. We expect him back in a few days. Yesterday we had inspection by Chief of Arty on Gen. Reynolds staff. Sister, tell Uncle Jack I would like to hear from him. I think he has forgotten me or he would write to me.

Do you know whare George Irwing is. Let me know what Regt. Dr. Henderson & the Capt. & John is in.

Sister tell Uncle Jack I'd like for him to send me the Valley Star sometimes. But I must close for the want of time to finish this. Il try & do better the next time. My love to all & write often.

Your BrotherJim

Letter 28 Camp near Belle Plain March the 6th, 1863

Sister Jennie

Your kind letter of the 24th reached me on the 2nd. I was varry glad to hear from you. For Father in his letter spoke of you haveing the toothake very badly. But I am glad to hear of you being better. So you have been having some sleighing in the Cumberland Valley. I am sorry I was not with you to give you a sleigh ride. We could have had a good time going to see our friends. But Il look on the bright side these dark times & hope for the best. But I hope this War will soon terminate. So that we soldiers may return to our peacefull vocation & think no more of armed rebellions & bloody battlefields. But we will have many hard battles to fight yet before we close this War. I am afraid we will have some bigger fight than we have had yet. Since the Prest. Proclamation I am nothing but a 13 dollar target for Uncle Sam. What does he care for a white soldier. Nothing. Thay have done nothing in Washington this winter but talk on the Niger question. I think if the North ever wants peace thay will all every man shoulder his rifle or musket & march

The Letters ~ 69

down through Dixie & back to Washington and burn it. Then we may talk peace. Sister, you asked me if I correspond with Lilah. To tell the truth I hardly

know what to say. But I suppose I do. I get a letter from her occasionally. Why whats the reason for asking. Do you think I am doing wrong in writing to her. (If so tell me). Did Carrie get my letter I wrote to her.

When you see Mary Smith give her my compliments and tell her I like her to send me a copy of the Valley Star. Give my love to all.

Your BrotherJim

Tell G.A. Gamber I would like to hear from him.

Letter 29 Near Belle Plain, Va March the 17th, 1863

SisterYour letter of the 10th reached me a few days ago & also one from my

friend. No, not mine (But our friend, Lilah). I think I mentioned in my last letter to you that I had receaved Carries letter & photograph. Nothing new in camp except snow. I commenced sleeting & snowing last night & this morn. is cloudy & looks like we might have some kind of bad weather. I had a short letter from Walt Fullerton through some of the boys that were at Home. Every ten days we send two of our company Home on furlough. Liut. Nesbit is at Home at the present time. This morn. Bugler P. Morrismith & George Garber left for Home on ten days leave of absence. I have not spoken for a furlough yet nor I dont think I will not to have. All of them have been at Home. But the most of our Boys have been longer from Home than I. So I think thay have a better right to have a furlough than I. Sister I think you judge Gen. McClellan wrong. He is the man that should be at the head of our Army. In place of Halleck. It was Halleck & Sec. Stanton that had him releaved from his comd. He was to smart & sharp & would not be led by his little finger arround like some of his fellow soldiers by no such a man as Stanton. So he thought it best to have him releaved & Gen. Halleck he wanted to have some one of his favorites to take command. So that he would have some of the Glory himself. It shows plainly that Stanton & Halleck are affraid of Little Mac. He sometime ago asked for a court of Inquiry but thay would not grant him one. Why was it? Just because thay thought he might bring some things to light that would not fit them & another thing was thay couldn't get men that served under him for to condemn him. For Old Honest Abe I have not much to say. But I am beginning to think he has lost the first part of his title or at least Honest. I think we had better leave the Niger question alone for the present & try & have peace restored once more. Fight will never end this Rebellion. It will have to be done by peace parties and that by people out of office. Or at least from Washington. the office holders of Washington & the peopple are trying to have this War go on as long as possible for thay are reaping

The Letters ~ 70

heavy proffits by the War. Thay are getting the most parts of the Soldiers pay in one way & another. The way things are going it sometimes gets me a little angry. I think if I were clear of this you would not ketck me in such a War as this is soon again. Not that I am tired of soldiering. But it is the way it is carried on. When I enlisted it was for this Constitution & the Union. But now it has changed its title; now it is who takes command & the Niger. As the saying is: Now let the War go allong as it will. Il be gay & happy still. You need not be much surprised if you hear of the Rebel Gen. Jackson's Army having crossed over to Penna. some of the times for I sometimes think he will make an effort to pay it a vissit. So E.F. Ditzler has moved. I feel sorry to have him leave after him living so long with us. But I suppose he will do better whare he is going. I suppose Uncle Charles is not married. Is he paying attention to any one. Have you told Rose Frazer yet what I told you to tell her.

Whare is Belle Ervin Is she at her Aunts. What young gent takes you to quire meeting (rather bold but not for a soldier). But I want to know. (Afternoon) This is my week for cooking. We all take our turn at it. So I come on cooking every six weeks. Well I must tell you what we had for dinner. Coffee pork & soft bread. We generally have better dinners but just at present we are somewhat short of rations. We get soft Bread four days in a week. Sister I am getting to be a splendid cook. If I was at Home I'd get you up a regular Army meal just to show you how I cook. To morrow we are going to have review of our new division. Our Div. is commanded by Gen. Doubleday or 48 hours as we call him. Do you ever hear from Saml. Maclay. How is the Squire and Charles getting allong?

We have a meeting 3 times a week of the non commissioned officers of our Battery to recite milatary tacticks. This just suits me for a study.

Sister, I must bring this to a close. I expect by the time you finish reading the first 3 or 4 pages you will be tired. Good bye. Give my love to Father and Mother & every body thats a friend to soldiers.

Your BrotherJim

Letter 30 Near Belle Plains, Va March the 27th, 1863

Dear Father,I receaved your kind & welcome letter yesterday. This is a dull drizzly day.

It has been trying to snow all day. One day it will snow then the next it will be real warm & pleasant. I recvd a letter from George Irvin. So George thinks the Army of the Potomac never has seen as deep mud as the Western Army has. I think if he was here he would see as deep mud as ever he saw. So Ditzler has left the creek at last. We have not any news of any importantcs here at present except Genl. Hooker

The Letters ~ 71

is getting every thing ready for a forward move. I think we will be on the move before 20 days. The different Regt. are getting pack mules for transportation. We have orders at the present time to have two days rations on hand. I sometimes think we will be taken to the Sourthwest. I would like verry much to go to the West. It is reported that the 9th Army Corps have went West. Battery A Eastons Battery went allong. We receaved 40 new horses some few days ago.

Liut. Nesbit has command of Battery G. at the present time. I think he will be Capt. of it yet. Four officers have all been dis-missed from the servis for being away from thare Regt. or Battery. So Clay McCune has been at Home.

How many horsses does G. Gamber keep. Has he any person to help him farm. Who is putting in our grain this coming summer. How is Aunt and Uncle Jack getting allong. Do you know how Uncle Billy Dunlap is. I've not heard any thing from them for a long time. I wonder what his sentiments are on the Presidents Proclamation. How are the Orrs these times. Hard down on the President I suppose. Do you ever hear grom the 3rd P. Cavelry. I have not heard from them for some time. We have now new Buck. tail Brigade in our Division. Our Division is commanded by Major Gen. Doubleday. He is one of the Fort Sumter fame. We are in 3rd Div. 1st Army Corps. Our Corps is still comd by Gen. Reynolds. But must cloase for the present for the mail is soon going out. My love to all. Write often.

Your Son Jas.

We have not been paid for nearly five months. We are looking for to be paid soon.

J.H.M.

Letter 31 Near Belle Plain March the 31st

Dear Sister,Having nothing to do this afternoon I thout I would drop you a few lines. We

are having very warm & pleasant weather here for the last few days. But its hard to tell how long it will remain. I hardly know what to writ that will interest you for we have nothing new in camp. This eve. I heard a report that our Division was going to remain here part of this summer. But its hard to say what we will do. It is so often we get such news that we hardly know when to believe it. I see by to days paper that we have quite exciting times in the South and Southwest. How it will all turn out is hard to tell. I don't think that there are many Rebels on the Rappahanock. I think it will not be many days till you hear of the Army of the Potomac be on the move once more for Richmon. We are only fifty miles from it. But thay say it is a hard road to travel. I expect by the time we have to travel the

The Letters ~ 72

last 4 miles of it we will think it a hard road to go. I receaved the Shippensburg paper you sent. I see it has changed firm.

Has Carrie Hemphill recvd my letter I wrote to her some time ago.Sabbath day. We had preaching in our camp by a young Rev. Mr. Furgason of Lawrence Co. He is a brother of Mrs. Sharp Fullerton. He is a splendid speaker. He is not yet licensed to preach. But was appointed by some Communion Society for to preach in the Army whare thare are no chaplins. He was a classmate of Ralph Maclays. at Canonsburg & also of Tom Orrs at Alegheny. He is making his Home in our tent for the present. Quite highly honored are we not. Its not every soldier that can say thay have a minister in thare tent. Sister I am sending you a photograph of a Brother Soldier. He don't look much like a soldier in citizens dress. It is Sart. Jas. Alcorn. He had it taken when at Home on furlough. He is one of my best friends. He is going to keep tavern in Newburg in place of Jas. Eakens.Give my love to all & write often.

Your Brother Jim

Letter 32 Camp Near Belle PlainApril the 4th, 1863

Dear Sister,Your two letters reached me a few days ago. One from Father and yours. I

have not yet recvd the box yet. It may be at the landing for what I know. It was not thare yesterday for I were there. I see by the recipt it is marked to the wrong landing. It is marked to Acqui Creek. We are not near that place. We are 17 or 20 miles below it. It should have been marked Belle Plain Landing. But I still think it reach me safely. Well, Sister. I must tell you what I have been doing to day. This morn. I left Camp about 7 o,clock & went to visit the 126 Regt. which is 7 miles from me. I saw most of the Lurgan Township Boys. They are looking well and harty. Thay are making great calculations on going home soon. You ladies must not pet these worn & mangled veterans whose time of 9 months is about to expire. Some of the Patriotic boys of Franklin Co. is greatly discouraged. Thay think playing soldier is not what is cracked to be. Some of the 127th were out on picket & I did not get to see them all. I saw Steve Pomeroy Fickes Tom Sharp & Thad Mahon. Them are all the boys of the 126th I saw. Then I went to see the 130 Regt. I saw the Dis John Hays & all the boy I knew. John Hays is looking fat & harty. I had my dinner with Steve Pomeroy & supper with John Hays. Thay dont live quite as well as we Artillery men do. Thay dont have as much pride in keeping themselfs clean as we do. Last Thursday we or our Corps was review by Maj. Gen Joe Hooker. He

The Letters ~ 73

complimented us to Gen. Reynolds very highly. Gen. Reynolds has given our Battery a new name. When Gen. Hooker asked Reynolds what Battery we were he told him it was his fighting Battery. Yesterday our Battery was inspected by it self by Gen. Reynolds. He examind the Non. Commissioned officers very closely. He gave us great credit for being so well drilled. I recd a letter from George Irwin this week. To night it is snowing very fast. But it is not very cold. My candle is nearly burnt out so I must close.

Give my love to all, Your Brother

Jim

Letter 33 Near Belle Plains, Va.April the 10

Sister,As I have a chance of sending a letter by one of our boys that is going Home

to day, I thought I would drop a few lines to you. Well Sister your gift in the shape of a box with something good to eat came safely to hand on last Sabbath morn. Every thing kept safe & were all good. Tell Becky & Aunt Mary I am under a thousand obligations to them for sending me those pickled eggs. For thay were splendid. Thay were the first pickled eggs I ever eat. And also the cake. Yesterday our Corps were reviewed by the President & severale Major Gen. All the troops in the corps were all out. Sister you may consider your self very highly favored for having one of Major Gen Reynolds Staff officers with the rank of Col. eat part of your cake. When we were out in the picket yesterday the Col came to our Battery just as I was giving Liut Nisbet a slice of cake. So of course I handed the Col. a slice. He thanked me very kindly. I saw Capt. J. Gish yesterday but had not any time to talk to him. He told me Jim Hemphill had gone Home.

Thare are two men going on furlough this week. Thare names is Tom Swisher from Phia. & the other is John Flanagan from Lurzern Co. But I must close hoping I may soon get a longer letter from you. For the few hardly comes under the name of letters. Nothing but notes & short ones at that. Give my love to all and write soon.

The Letters ~ 74

Your Brother James Maclay

Letter 34 Near Belle PlainApril the 17th

Dear Sister,Your letter of the 11th I receaved a few days ago. I have written to you

since I recvd the box. But it had not reached you I see by your letter. I have no news of any interest to write you. I was to see the 107th Regt. a few days ago.& James Hemphill was not thare. I made my visit short. We are at the present time under marching orders. We have orders to have 8 days rations with us allways on hand. This looks a little like a forward movement. Three days ago nearly all the Cavelry went out on a reconnoitering expedition. We have not yet heard how thay have succeded. Thare was a rumor in camp this morn that thay met with some resistance on crossing the River. But I think it hardly creditable. Thay crossed some 8 or ten miles above Fredericksburg. I see by the late paper that Gen Foster & part of his command is in a rather critical position. What do you think of our repulse at Charlestown. I think it was a perfect peace of nonsence of our boats trying to pass these forts. Thay might of known that the Rebs would batter thare ships to peaces. We have had very bad weather for the last few days. Yesterday it rained very heavy all day & to day it still looks like we might have more rain. I suppose Jas. Hemphill spent a pleasant time when at Home. Leut. Nisbet is with the Battery. Dr. Price is with us yet. Dr. Patterson left us before the Fredericksburg Battle with the fever and died shortly afterwards. He died at the Hospital in Washington. Aert. Nesbit is in the Hospital in Washington. He expects soon to get his discharge. He will never be fit for service on acount of wounds. Sam Hanna he has never recovered from his sickness. He has not been with us since we left Sharpsburg. He is getting his discharge. Our company is verry healthy at the present. The most that are sick are of the new men. The next that are going Home on furlough is Ordly John Fullerton & Jas. McClary. The Rev. Mr. Furguson is a guest at our tent tonight. He is a very pleasant man. I like very much. But I would like him better if he would offer his services to the U.S. I dont like to see so many

The Letters ~ 75

of these young men away from thare homes at the time when the draft is about coming off. I think thay are rather coming in out of the draft, dont you. But I must stop. Good night.

My love to all, Your Brother Jim

Letter 36 Camp Near White Oak Church, VA. May the 15th, 1863

Dear Sister,Your kind letter of the sixth was receaved a few days ago. I was to see the

126 & 130 Regts a few days ago. I expect by this time thay are on thare way to Harrisburg. Sister I sent my watch home with Jas. Hays one that I had bought from Sam McGinis of our company last winter. It is a splendid time keeper but it is somewhat out of repair. So that I concluded I would send it Home. If Father dont want to carry it you might give it to Uncle Jack to keep till I return Home. Yesterday we changed our camp. We are now near to Gen. Reynolds Headquts. The Artillery in our Corps was reorganized. We had 9 Battery of Arty in our corps before. But Gen. Reynolds took five of the best Batterys out of the 9 and kept them in the corps & the other 4 Battery forms part of a reserve Artillery. Our Battery still remains with the 1st Corps. We are filling up our Battery to its full maximum. 3 days ago we recvd 21 new men. Saml. Hanna has returned to the company. He has recovered perfectly well. I saw James Hemphill yesterday. He is well. Sister, I sent five dollars (Newburg Lodge) with Jacob Miller. I would have sent some money Home, but one of my tent mates is going home on furlough. John Cramer so I lent him what I had to spare. John Cramer & James McCleary is going on the next furlough if thare are any more granted. I think we will remain in this camp for some time for thare is no prospect of a move soon. It would not surprise me if we were to remain here nearly all summer.

But I must close.

My love to all. James

The Letters ~ 76

Letter 37 Near White Oak ChurchJune the 3rd, 1863

Sister,Your last letter of the 28th I receaved a few days ago. & I expect to

receave one from you in a few days from now. I also recvd the Shippensburg News on last Sabbath. I was to see the 49th Regt. I saw Proff. George Reynolds. He was the only person I saw in that regt. Sargt. McClelland has not returned yet. Col. Irwin is at Home. He expects to return to his command soon. It is a great pitty that the Col. drink so hard. For he is called on of the bravest Col. in his Division. He would have been promoted to a Brig. Gen ship long ago if it had not of been for his drinking. I was told he was one of the first men to storm the hights of Fredericksburg. I was going yesterday to see the 3rd Cavelry but I heard thay had left thare camping ground & had gone up the Rappahanock River. I see Jim Hemphill every few days. He is well & harty. Bill Sturgis has returned to his company. Sister, I think you should of attended the pic-nick. You must not stop attending parties & so on in account of my being away. You should attend when ever you van.

I expect the returned soldiers is having a merry time at Home. Are they any of them going to reinlist. We drill allmost every day. We have verry warm weather. It is very dusty. The dust is three inches deep & is very disagreeable. I have not had a letter from Uncle Jack for some time. I dont know why it is he dont write me frequent. Has Boyd Frazer & his wife left Cumbland Co for the West yet. Thare are no furloughs granted at the present. I believe thay are granting furloughs in all the rest of the corps except our corps. I dont know why it is Gen. Reynolds wont grant furloughs. Nearly all the 9 months men have left this corps.

Sister I want you to send me the particulars of the Pic-nick. What has become of the Rev. Williams. I have not heard any-thing of him for a long time. Sister, that watch I sent you. You may lend it to Uncle Jack if he wants to carry it or you may keep it. Do with it as you want. So its only kept till I return. But I must close. Give my best respt. to all & write soon.

Your Brother Jim

The Letters ~ 77

Letter 38 Near White Oak ChurchJune the 7th, 1863

Dear Sister,Since your last letter was recvd I think I have written to you. But as thare

is some fighting going on, I know you will be glad to hear from me. Yesterday hostilities commenced once more allong the Rappahannock River. We have (or our Corps) left camp yet. We are expecting to move every hour. We have had our horses harnessed up for five days. Yesterday part of the 6th Corps crossed the River two miles below Fredericksburg. Thay captured 100 Rebs in the rifle pits. We took possession on the other side without much trouble. The batterys from this side of the River shelled thare works. But did not get any reply. This eve. all is quiet allong the River. Thare was heavy canonading up the River. Have not heard the result of it yet. I dont think it is the intention of Gen. Hooker for to cross all his force near this plase. If Hooker gets defeated this time I think he had give this rout up. For every time the Army of the Potomac have been in a fight we have been whipped. I hope that we may be successful this time for it will soon be time we are doing something in this department. But I am willing to stay my three years. Or if it is not closed by that time three years more. I never wish to settle down till this Rebelion is closed. My Motto is (Death or Victory) Never surender to traitors as long as we have a man to carry a musket. All we soldiers want is the friendly feelings & sympathy of people of the North. While we have so many traitors at Home. This war will never prosper. I would give my next years pay to lead a Regt. of our troops in the field up North to muster up some of the copperheads. I would eather make them come up to the mark or strech necks. I had a letter from Robert Hemphill a few days ago & also one from Ditzler. But I must close. Give my love to all.

Your Brother James H. Maclay

Letter 39 White Oak Church, Va.June the 11th, 1863

The Letters ~ 78

Sister Jennie,

You last of June 6th was recvd in due time. We have not moved from camp yet. We are under marching orders all the time. The troops on the opisite side of the River are all quiet. Thare has been no firing on eather side for the past few days. I think we will not remain in this place more than two days at the longest. It would not surprise me if we would march tonight or on tomorrow. I expect you will hear of us being in the fight before long. It is hard to tell whare it will take place. Perhaps at Bull Run. I somehow think it will not be allong the Rappahannock.

Sister, I am sending you a picture. I do not know weather you will reconize them or not. The one on the right hand corner I expect you will know. The one next standing is M. Pile. Two sitting is G.C. Rise & D.W. Taylor. Thay were taken in a hurry.

My love to all, Your Brother

It is so dark I must close for this time.

Jim

Letter 40 Gilford StationJune 22nd, 1863

Sister,I have not wrote to you since we left Camp at White Oak Church. For I have

not had any opertunity. So that is a good reason why I did not write sooner. We left White Oak Church two weeks ago last Satterday. Have been on the march more or less every day. The first five days we marched very hard. I will try and give you the rout we traveled. When we left camp we went to Hartwood Church. Then to grove Church. Then on to Rappahannock Station. Then towards Warrentown. Then we countermarched and came to Bealton Station. From thare we took the road to Bull Run by the way of Warrentown Junction Cattlets Station reached Manassas Junction one morning at 8 o'clock after marching all day & night. The next day we passed on by the way of Bull Run and encamped two days at Centerville. Then we came on through or near Fairfax Court House. Encamped two days at Herington Station on the Alexandria & Leesburg Railroad. 4 miles West of Drainsville & now we are at Gilford Station 10 miles from Leesburg on the road leading to that place. We have been here for two days. I expect we will soon march on to that place. Today we can hear heavy canonading towards the mountains. I

The Letters ~ 79

expect our Cavelry is having a skirmish with the enemy. I have only seen one paper since we left our old camp. So I am not verry well posted in what going on in Penna. since the Rebs crossed the Potomac. It is reported here that the force is only 3000. If that is all the force thay have I think thay will not trouble you much. It was reported here that the enemy had taken Carlisle But I can hardly credit it. I think if the people of Penna. lets them come as far as Shippensburg that might capture all of them or at least the greater part. I would give any price if I was only at Home now. Since the Rebels have been so bold as to come again in our state. I feel as if I could fight a dozen of them my self. I think if we would have had our Battery with a few men to suport us at Chambersburg thay would have some fun getting into the town. I cant see how it is thay took Chambersburg without having a fight. I recvd Uncle Jacks letter & one from Annie Maclay.

Give my best respects to all if my presence is not with you in the trying time, my thoughts are.

Your Brother James

Letter 41 Rappahannock Station, Va. August the 10th, 1863

Sister,Your long looked for letter I recvd. yesterday eve. I had began to think

thare was something wrong for it has never been so long since I've heard from you before. I ll try and answer some of your questions. Walter Fullerton is married to a Miss Reed of Lawrence Co. Thay say she is a verry pretty lady. Her family is in moderate circumstances. The people wonders at him for married her. But I suppose he loved her, as the saying is.

I did not know that D. Sailhamer had been drafted. Nor that Sam Deal was Capt. Thay must have been in the 158 Regt. If I had of knowed thay were in that Regt. I could have went to see them. For I was withing 1/2 mile of that Regt. when we were in Maryland. I saw James Hemphill yesterday. Sabbath He is well. The Penna. R. V. Corps is encamped near us. Only part of them are here. I saw one of the Brandons Boys. I have not seen Capt. J. Graham. Capt. Dixon is at Home I hear. I yesterday saw the Comd of the Army of the Potomac. He stopped to see our Capt. He said he could not passed him without stopping to see Coopers Battery. I think he is the man for this Army.

I think that it will be some time till this Army moves on towards Richmon if it ever does. I am begining to think we will never try to take that place for we cant gain much by taking it. It will take the 1/2 of our troops to guard it once it is taken. If the people of the North only does thare duty by responding to the call by sending more troops we will soon fight it out. If thare is not soon more troops sent

The Letters ~ 80

here Gen Lee will verry likely try to take Washington. We need about 100,000 more men in this Army before we march on the enemy. But our Regt. are filling up slowly with Conscripts. Most of them are New Yorkers.

Sister I wish you would send me a few postage stamps for here we cant get them for love nor money.

Give my love to all & write often.Your Brother James

P.S. Tell those ladys if thay want my photo thay must send me thares first.

Letter 42 Rappahannock Station, Va. Aug. the 26th, 1863

Jennie,I have intended writing to you several days ago but I still kept putting it

off. Yesterday we had an artillery review. The five Batterys were out in full trim. Last eve. we had a very heavy rain. This morning it is real cold, cold as the month of December. I see by the Shippensburg News thare are quite a number of the returned soldiers drafted. I am glad to hear of Hugh Frazer being drafted. I hope he & all the rest of drafted men may turn out in the field. This thing of drafting men & let them pay thare 3 dollars is not much of a benefit to our Army. We will never fill up the ranks in this way of doing things. Every man thats drafted should feel it his duty to respond to his countrys call. The way it sees best to call upon him. If the people of the North wants peace, why dont thay come themselfs & not send thare 3 dollars. It is men we want not money. But I suppose thay think if thay pay us soldiers we will fight it out for them. (Stay at Home cowards & traitors) A man that buys his independence in the field should never call U. States his Home, or at least he should never be treated as an American citizen. When a person wont protect his country in the hour of danger, it should never protect him. I suppose the people of the North say put in that Gen. & this Gen. to command the Army & then we will soon whip the Rebels. I would like to know how the People of the North knows when we have a good or bad general when thay never worked under him. When the soldiers had a man that thay would fight to the last for we could not keep him. Give us back Gen. G. B. McClelland & we will protect U. States right. But must quit talking such language or you will take me as one out of his wits.

Tell Father I am sending for the Reposerty Transcript. I see thay send it to the soldiers for one dollar a year. I always like to hear what going on the county. I saw Adam Lord a few days ago. He sayes D. Traxler had his arm shot off. Is thare any thing of it. You never mentioned any thing of it. But I must close.

Give my love to all, The Letters ~ 81

Your Brother James

Letter 43 Rappahannock StationSept. the 10th, 1863

Sister Jennie,Your kind letter of the 6th came to hand last eve. It was read with a great

deal of interest for it was mostly written by Father. It has been a long time since I've seen any of his writing. I mentioned in my last letter to you of Dr. Fullerton calling to see us on his way to see his son Harvey which was laying very ill. I am sorry to say Harvey was taken Home a corpse by his Father a few days ago. His life as a soldier for his country was short. He came willingly to fight for his country. His friends did not want him to come but I expect he felt it his duty to come as a soldier. So Frank Irwin is drafted. I have not seen the list of drafted men in Franklin Co. I expect thay will be in some of the Regt. in the Army of the Potomac. I saw James Hemphill yesterday. He is well. Sister, you said you wanted me to come Home in Oct. I am sorry to tell you it is out of the question to get a furlough. Then if thay were granting furloughs, I dont think I could get one. Not till some of the boys that were not at Home last winter. Thare are a great many of them that has not been at Home for more than two years. You need not look for me till May, '64. Then our term of enlistment will expire. We have only eight month to serve in the U. States service. I do not know whare Sargt. Alcorn is at present. He was at Home some time ago. We are looking for him & James Nesbit back every day. Lent Nesbit has not been very well for the last few days. I feel fat and harty. I feel like I could stand allmost any thing.

What has become of George Irwin. Is he still at Home. So you have a horse of your own. You must keep it fat so that when I come Home you can drive me arround with it. Have you had any camp meeting this summer.

We expect to get paid soon. Sister, you never mentioned if you recvd that watch that I sent with John Hays, or what you done with it. Have you seen any of Uncle Dunlaps lately. I sent Aunt my picture some time ago. It was I think a very good one. Tell Lydia she might spend an hour in writing to me. So you said you were going to see my S. H. I'll not mention what you said. How did you find her. I suppose all right. But I'll have to stop for this time.

With my love to you all.Jim

Letter 44 Rappahannock Station

The Letters ~ 82

September the 14th, 1863

Dear Father,As I have nothing to occupy my time this evening I thought I'd write you a

few lines. I think I have wrote once Home since I've had any word from Sister. I will try & tell you what we are doing. I was to-day at Head Quarters of the Army of the Potomac (Gen. Meade) I took up a requisition for Ordnance Stores to get signed by Gen. Hunt Chief of Artillery. His Head Qrts are 10 miles from here. I had quite a pleasant ride.

I suppose in yesterdays papers you would see that the Army of the Potomac was moving, or at least part of it. Yesterday the second Corps crossed the River at this place & one Brigade of Cavelry. Thay came in contack with the enemy at Brandy Station five miles from here. The Rebels made a hastty retreat for Culpepper, our force following & skirmishing with them all the way to that place. Our forces are at or near the Rappahadon by this time. Our forces captured three peaces of Artillery & some say 500 prisoners. Our loss was not very heavy. We had orders to be ready to march in short notise. But it is the opinion we will not march for some time yet. Thare are two Corps across the River the 12 & 2nd. The 12th crossed at Kelleys ford. This so far is only a reconnoiter to see whether the enemy are leaving our front or not. It may yet bring on a foreward movement. It is hard to tell. I think just now would be a very good time for advancing.

The weather is not to warm, for the last few days we have had plenty of rain.

Father, you must do all you can for the reelection of A. G. Curtin. I wish the soldiers could all vote. We would elect him easily. You must do your best to have him elected. But I must close for this time. Hoping I will soon hear from you. Good Bye. With my love to all.

Your Son James H. M.

Letter 45 Camp Near Stevensonville Sept. the 21st, 1863

Dear Sister,Since my last letter to you we have moved to this place. We left

Rappahannock Station last Wednesday & marched to this place. We are now 4 miles The Letters ~ 83

South of Cullpepper & four miles from the Rapadan River. Thare has been some fighting between pickets more or less every day. The 2nd Corps is in advance of us. We dont look for a fight on this side of Gordonsville soon. We have made a regular camp here. It looks like if we might remain here some time. We have orders to commence drilling. That looks like we might stay for some time. This is a beautiful country. It looks something like Penna. only thare are no fences of any concequences & the people mostly being Secesh have left every thing in the hands of thare Negroes. This is a very cold day for this time of the year, rather cold comfort. After haveing such warm days as we had three or four days ago. I had a letter from Robert Hemphill a few days ago. He spoke of having a good time at Home. I believe him for I know if I could spend 3 months at Home I know how I could pass the time. I have not recvd any Chambersburg paper yet. I think thay have not receaved the money I sent for to get it. So I want you to send me a paper with all the drafted in it. Sister, you never mentioned whether you have the watch I sent with John Hays.

Yesterday one of our Sergt. met with a serious injury. Sergt. Sam Dimmon was carrion a board on his horse when his horse fell & threw the Sergt. & broke his collar bone. He is since gone to Washington in some Hospital. We have no sickness in our Company at the present. But I must close.

Give my love to all Your Brother

James H. Maclay

Letter 46 Bristow Station, Va. Oct. the 28th, 1863

Dear Sister,Your kind letter written from Greenvillage I receaved a few days ago. Since

my last letter to you we have moved. If I mistake not I wrote from Thoroughfare Gap. Now we are once more on the same camp we occupied one year ago. I hope we may not have to camp here next year. Since we came to this place we have had verry cold weather. This morning is so frosty I can scarcely write. Two days ago thare was quite a cavelry fight at Rappahannock Station. I've not yet learned the results but I expect as the papers say. The Enemy badly whipped. I have not seen James Hemphill for some time. Sister, I want you to make me one or two shirts & socks so that when we go into winter qrts. I can send for them. For here I cant buy a shirt worth wareing unless I pay from 4 to 8 doll. Every thing is verry high with the Suttlers. We have to pay 2 & 3 dolls. a pound for gr. Backs.

Sister, I am sending you another picture. Perhaps you will remember the

The Letters ~ 84

face. It is one of my messmates John T. Cramer. He is a resident of Youngstown, Ohio. It is not a verry good picture of him. Why dont Mattie Maclay write to me. I've not had any word from her since I wrote to her. Do you know whare John McGinley is. I recvd. the Shipp & Presbyterian Papers. Tell Uncle Jack I would like to hear from him. I cant see that thare will be any fight this side of the Rapadan River this fall. If thare should be much bad weather soon I think we will winter this side of Rappahannock. But I must close for this time. Give my love to all.

Your affec. Brother James Maclay

Letter 47 Rappahannock Station Nov. the 10th, 1863

Sister,Since my last letter to you we have been marching nearly every day. We left

Bristow Station on Friday nearly two weeks ago. Since that time we have treaveled nearly 60 miles in one direction and another backwards and forwards. And now we are only twenty miles from Bristow. When we left Bristow we marched to Kellys Ford on the Rappahannock River six miles below this place. Then we marched from thare to Brandy Station. Then to near Culpepper. Then we fell back to Brandy Station. Staid thare one night. Then returned back to this side of Rappahannock River, whare we arrived night before last at 12 o'clock. We had the good luck not to have had any fighting. We saw a good many Jonnys but did not have to kill any of them. The Corps are all on the south side of the river except the first corps. When we were at Brandy Station, we had quite a snow storm. Today is verry cold & stormy. I think we will remain here for some time.

Thare are no Rebels this side of Culpepper. Sister, besure & send me one of Ella Pomeroy's canti-du Virsities. And, also Mattie Maclay's. Tell Martha I've been looking for a letter from her for some time. And also one from Carrie Hemphill. What has become of Ras. Frazer. Is she going to return to the West. Have you any quire meeting this Fall. What has become of Walt. Means. Is he gallanting any of the ladies. & Martha Hays Wherys & McCunes. Are thare any gents paying attention to them. (I want you to answer all these questions.) You must keep me better posted in the young peoples affairs in the Neighbor hood. (Remember this. Give me more of the News.)

Luit. Nesbit left for Home one week ago. Leave of absence twenty days. James P. Alcorn returned to the Battery this morning. He has been absent from the battery since the Gettysburg Battle. Our missing men have nearly all returned. Did you receave John Cramers photo.

Give my love to all. I expect to get a letter from you this eve.

The Letters ~ 85

James H. Mac

Letter 48 Rappahannock Station Nov. the 14th, 1863

Dear Uncle,It has been a long long time since I have had any letters from you, so I concluded as I had not much to do this evening, I would keep you in remembrance of one of you nephews who is trying to do his duty for Uncle Sam. I suppose you have by this time heard more of the doings of the Army of the Potomac than we do hear. Thare are no news of any importance at the present time. We hardly know what is transpiring except in our Corps. We did not have the pleasure of meeting the enemy this last time at this place, as we did the first time we crossed the River. When we left Bristow Station we marched to Kellys Ford then from thare to Brandy Station then to near Culpepper. When our Corps was ordered back to Rappahannock Station. The Infintry of our Corps is guarding the Railroad from this place to Manassas Junction. So we have pretty good prospects of remaining here for some lenth of time. This thing of being so far in rear of the front I don't like verry well. For thare has never been a fight in the Army of Potomac but what the First Corps opened the Battle. And generally Battery B shot the first shell. We have a verry good Genl. but far from what Genl. J. P. Reynolds was. Thare is not the get up in Genl. Newton as was in Reynolds. We have eight Batterys in the first Corps all comd. by Col. Wainwright. All the arty. forms a brigade. Sometimes our Capt. has command of the Arty. He being the ranking officer. Capt. Cooper is oldest ranking Capt. of Arty in the Army of Potomac. He has been offered a Major-ship two or three times but he says if he could get a Brig. Genl.-ship he would not except it. Uncle, if we go into winter qrts. you must come to see us. How is James Henderson. Does he still live at the old farm. But I must bring this to a close. Excuse this hasty writting for I've been doing it in a hurry. Give my best respt. to Aunt.

Your Affectionate NephewJames H. Maclay

The Letters ~ 86

Letter 49 Camp Near Kellys Ford, Va. Dec. the 11th, 1863

To Home,I expect you have been looking verry anxious for a letter from me long

before this time. I hope you will forgive me when you hear the reason why I did not write sooner. It is this. We were the last to recross the Rapidan River. Then we went (that is our Battery) to Brandy Station. Had to stay thare for a few days before we could join our Corps at this place. We are one mile S. west of Kellysford & four miles from Brandy Station. Since we have been at this place, we have been bussy every day building winter qrts. We have them nearly finished. we have verry comfortable houses. We will have the prettyest camp in the Corps when we get it finished. I allmost forgot to tell you of our move across the Rapidan and the fight for our Battery gave the Jonny & hearing from our black guns. We fired upwards of 300 shells. we had a splendid position and I am affraid our shells sent many of the poor rebels to thare long home. (But such is war)

We done some big marching & through some of the most dismal places I ever saw. I saw the house Gen. Jackson had his arm amputated. We passed by several of the Lacey Farms. Thay were the F.F. of Virginia. Thare property is all in ruins. I was in one of the houses. It had been furnished in the best

(Incomplete letter)

Letter 50 Near Kellys Ford, Va. Dec. the 23rd, 1863

Dear Father,As it has been some lenths of time since I have addressed you, I thought I

should feel it my duty to write to you oftener than I do. But you know when I write to Jennie I intend it for you and Mother also. So that is why I dont write more to you & Mother. But somehow of late Sister dont quite do her duty. That is dont write very puntual. I has been some time since I've heard from Home. I am expecting a letter by every mail. Thare is nothing new at present except to-day we receaved orders to be ready to move in short notice. I have not heard what up. But I expect the Jonnys are makeing some show of fight on the other side of Rapidan. May be Genl. Mead intends giving them some more of his stragagy. And means to let Mr. Lee know he is not afraid of him. Since the Armies of the SouthWest have been gaining them selfes a name I expect it has made Genl. Mead think he had better have some fighting and raise his name higher. But I dont know what the

The Letters ~ 87

programe is for this Winter. Thare are a great many rumors arround camp in regard to this move. I am allmost shure we will move from here soon. Some think we will recross the Rappahanock and others say we are going to Culpeper. It is a little hard to leave our comfortable quarters for I dont expect to get as good qrts again as the ones we occupy. But if we should be called upon to leave I can leave it chearfuly.

In reading a copy from one of the Richmon papers, I saw a namesake of ours. A Rebel Genl. Maclay. I thing he comes from Texas. Do you know any-thing of him. Can he be any relative of ours. Father, I am not going reinlist at the present time. I'll first serve out my first enlistment than It will be plenty time if I wish to enter the servise again. I think thare will be as much honor if I should return home and spend a few months then reinlist as if I should do it know. I cant say I like soldering so well that I intend making it my occupation. But I fully believe it is my duty to serve through this wicked Rebellion for I am young and strong. By my serving it might be the means of keeping some married poor man at home. The again I may be filling some of the Copperhead tribes place.

But I must close with my love to Mother and Sister.

Your Affect. Son J. H. Mac

Letter 51 Near Culpepper Dec. the 31st, 1863

Dear Mother,It has been a long long time since I have written to you. But you know every

letter I write to Sister is intended for you all. So I hope you will forgive me in not writing to you oftener. If I dont quite do my duty in writting to you it is not that I dont often think of you. But you know I am not much of a at writing. So I hope you will look over my faults & forgive me.

Since my last to Father we have made a short march. We are once more in front of the enemy. Our corps is in advance of all other Troops except some few cavelry whith is acting as Scouts. We came to this place one week ago. We are one mile from the town of Culpepper. It is a very pretty town. It is near the size of Newville. The buildings are mostly bricks and very costly. Thare are a great many citizens still residing in it, mostly strong Secesh. I was through the town a few days ago. I saw some very pretty Ladies. Passing one of the houses I heard some

The Letters ~ 88

splendid music from a piano. It was quite cheering & reviving to my ears. It seemed like I had got in a civilized country. I will not be Home on furlough till my time expires, for it is very difficult to get leave of absence just now. Thare are so many going reinlisting and going Home on thirty day furloughs.

You may send me a box as soon as convenient. You may send me what ever you see best. Thare is boxes coming to this Battery every day. I had a letter from George Irwin a few days ago. Let him know when you purpose sending the box. Perhaps he may put one of his plug tobaco in it. But I must close. We have had very heavy rain for the last two days. Good bye for the present from your

Affect. Son J. H. Mac

Address for Box in full.James H. MaclayCoopers Pa. BatteryCare of Provost Marshall1st CorpsCulpeppervia Washington D. C.

Letter 52 Culpepper, Va. Jan. the 6th, 1864

More time has elapsed than I was aware of since receaving your kind letter. Since my last to you we have changed our place of location. It was then near Kelly ford. Now it is near Culpepper. We are encamped just one mile from town near to what called Pony Mountain. We have a verry pretty camping place near to water & woods. We have just finished building our houses. We are now putting up stabeling for the horses. We will finish to morrow. We do things in the Army up in short time. One day build houses & the next a barn. Thare is nothing new in the First Corps. Thare has been quite a number reinlisted in the veteran corps. Thare was some twenty re-enlisted in our Battery. Thay are going Home on thirty-days furlough tomorrow. Yesterday we had quite a snow. It fell to the depth of six inches. We had a gay time this morning catching rabbits. Thay are verry plenty. But the boys will soon catch them all. Is the draft coming of this week. Will it catch many of the Newburg-ites. How does the people like the way thay are drafting this time. How is the Genl. on War matters at this time. Are thay as many Copperheads

The Letters ~ 89

arround in the country as thare was some time ago. I hear that Billy Means has taken to himself a wife. But I must close for want of more time. Give my kindness regard to Aunt & friends. Excuse this for it was wrote in a hury.

Ever your affect. NephuJ. H. Maclay

Letter 53 Culpepper, Va. Feb. the 4th, 1864

Dear Father,Your kind and welcome letter reached me safely. I was begining to get verry

uneasey about you. For I had been nearly three weeks since I had recvd any word from Home. I am happy to hear you are all enjoying your selfs well. I will try and awnser your request in how I live. And how I pass my time. I have plenty to eat such as it is. Our rations consists mostly of soft bread & pork, beef every other day. Than we get twice a week potatoes dried apples, beans. Sometimes onions. We are allowed twenty onzes of soft bread a day. We get plenty to eat. I have very comfortable qrts. Plenty of blankets, and plenty of clothings, which is warm. Thare are three of us tents together. Thare names are Terry Lysheion & James Covert. James Covert has went Home on furlough of 30 days. So thare are but two of us together now. Jerry Lysheon is verry pleasant mess mate. We dont have much to do. We are commencing to have drill every day. We expect thirty new men in the Battery soon. Thay are on the way at pressent time. Liut. Brose Nesbit has not yet returned to the Battery. We have 15 men that reinlisted and are at home. I recvd the Shippensburg papers. Please send them whenever you can.

J. H. M.

Letter 54 Near Petersburg July the 17th, 1864

Sister,Your kind letter of the 8th only reached me a few days ago. I have delayed

writing longer than I entended. The weather has been verry warm I am getting to The Letters ~ 90

lazy to write. But I will try and be more puntual hearafter. Thare is nothing of interest transpiring in our Corps, Except the Infintry are building a fort just along side of us. We expect to move our Battery in it soon. We are now on the extreme left of the Army. We have not changed position for three weeks. I think our corps dont intend seiging much. It will be down in front of the 9th & 18th corps.

Our lines are verry strongly fortified. The most of the breast works are covered to protect them from mortar shells. Every day our men throws mortar shell. The enemy throws mortar shells regular every day. We have not done any firing for some time. It will not be long till we pay them our compliments in the shape of a ten pound shell. I see James Hemphill allmost every day. It is reported Liut. Wm. Sturgis was captured a few days ago. I have not learned the particulars of it yet.

Tell Mattie Maclay I receaved her letter some time ago. I am expecting another from her soon. You might write oftener I think for times like this I like to hear from Home often. I wrote some time ago to George Gamber. I suppose you are through harvesting by this time.

But I must close for this time. My love to all Your Affetly Brother,

James

Letter 55 Front of Petersburg, Va. July 25th, 1864

Sister,Your kind letter of the 21st was received on the 24th. It gives me great

pleasure to hear you are all well. For I had began to think thare was some thing wrong or you might be unwell. For by what I have learned you must have been having a good time while Liut Nesbit & John McGinley were at Home. (The Liut is quite a ladys man, is he not) It seems to me I can hear him get off some of his dry jokes. I suppose he could tell you some of his yarns.

Since last writing thare has been no change with us. Every thing remains quiet in the Fifth Corps, except we are shelled every day by a Rebel Battery in our front. But how ever it dont do us mucth injury. Except every now & then thay throw a shell through one of our tents. But we are getting used to them we dont mind them mutch. Yesterday the Jonnys were shooting target at our breast works. But did poor work. I saw James Hemphill this morning. He & I are going to see Rhobet some of these days. How is Aunt and Uncle Jack. Is Aunt still with you. Tell her she might spend the summer with you in place of me.

The Letters ~ 91

Is Will Smith still at his Fathers & farming for him. And Frank Irwin is he at the creek.

I had a visit from Major Will Mitchell & a ex general on Gen. Hancock's staff. Perhaps you may not know who he is. He is a neph of Col. Irwins. Father perhaps will remember him. He was with the Col. when he was at Chambersburg. But I must close with my love to all

Your Aff. Brother J. H. Macl

Letter 56 Front of Petersburg, Va. Aug. 7th, 1864

Dear Sister,Your kind letter of the 1st I receaved on the morning of the fifth. I had

allmost gave up looking for a letter from you. It was nearly three weeks since I recvd your last. So if my next dont arrive in due time you need not think hard of it. Now I will endevor to awnser your inquirys. First, we have excelent water plenty of it & near. Secondly, I am enjoying the verry best of health. The boys all say I am a great deal fatter than I was when I came from Home. I think I am for I take size larger pants.

Thirdly? For eating I will list what we get, and you can amagine how we live. Soft bread nearly all the time. Potatoes Beans Dried Apples Onions Beets Pork & Beef. Then we draw from the Sanatary Commission can tomatoes can milk can chicken & quite a number of other things. Capt. Cooper will leave for Home in a few days. Then Liut Miller will fill the Capt. place. Thare will be no new officers ellected. Jacob Myers time will expire the 21st of Sept. All has been verry quiet allong the lines for the past few days. Two days ago the Rebels attemted to drive our lines but we've handsomely repulsed with heavy loss. We had a covered rifle pit witch thay took for a fort. Thay underminded it and blew it up. But did no harm. How is Uncle Jack & Aunt. Do you ever hear from Sam Maclay or Anson Smith. I saw Col. Brady Sharp. He is Maj. Gen. Ords Assistant Adj. Gen. He commands the 18th Corps. But I must close. My love to all.

Your Brother J. H. Mac

P.S. Acknowledge the rect. of this photograph

Letter 57 Six Mile House, Va. Aug. 28th, 1864

Sister,

The Letters ~ 92

Your kind letter of 23rd I receaved this morning. I had thought of not writing for two or three weeks, for I had not recvd. any from you since the 10th of this month. So hearafter if you dont write more regular you cant expect me to be regular. You plead not time. I have to incounter more difficulties for between fighting, marching, digging breastworks & many other things I can hardly write. If we had a shingled roof & a table to write on I think I would write more frequently. But as I have neather claim table or covered roof, you must pardon me for not writing oftener.

Since my last of the 23rd thare has been no fighting in front of our corps. On the evening of the 25 Gen. Hancock corps had a hard fight on our left near Keams Station some five miles below us. It is reported the 2nd corps lossd 6 guns. How true it is I dont know. We are strongly entrenched at this place.

If the enemy makes a charge on us they will find some fun driving us from our positions. Have you heard that Saml. Lutzs of the 187 Regt. was killed. I saw James Hemphill the other day he is well. You remember young Kenedy from Newville that visited our place with Dick Laughlin when I was home 2 yrs ago. I see him nearly every day. Ask Bele McConnell if she has not a photograph to exchange with a soldier or Bele Irvin.

Yesterday we had a very heavy rain & today it must be near 100 degrees hot. We have verry good water whare we are at the present. Today I had a splendid dinner. Corn Soup. good. But I must close with my love to all & dont forget to write.

Your Brother J. H. Mac

P.S. Put Bat. B. 1st Pa. 5th Corps

Letter 58 Six Mile House, Va. Sept. 8th, 1864

Sister,Your kind and interesting letter of Sept. 3rd I receaved on the 7th

yesterday. And also a verry kind letter from Mr. George Harlan of Newburg. I had sent to him for postage stamps. His letter was full of interest to me. I think I shall send it to you to show what a friend of soldiers he is. And the interest he mentions for thare welfare. Thare is several of our boys going home this last of this week. We are still getting more new men so thay will hardly be missed. So Brose Nesbit has been paying Cumbld Valley a visit. Do you think Miss Brown will marry a batch so old as him. Thare is a mistake to his riches somewhare. I can pretty nearly give you amt. of his wealth. He made 3000 doll. in Cal. and that is all he is worth at this time. He will become heir to his fathers estate when he dies so the Line may be worth 10,000 doll. How is the Dr. Maclay getting allong. Has he given up the notion of getting married. And Uncle Jack. Has he returned from Carlisle and how is he

The Letters ~ 93

doing. Ask Mattie MaClay why she dont answer my last letter. Yesterday and today it has been raining and not mucth prospects of ceasing.

The weather is beginning to be quite cool. But I will stop with my love to all.Your Brother J. H. Mac

Please send me a Shippburg paper.

Letter 59 Weldon R. Road, Va. Sept. 21st, 1864

Dear Father,Your kind and welcome letter of the 16th I recvd. yesterday. I am glad to

hear you are all in good health. I have had a very servere tooth ache the past week. And I have had it taken out. But I still am suffering from the effects of another tooth. I have had the verry best of health this fall. I think I am a great deal fatter than I was when at home.

Jacob Myers left for home yesterday. Thare has been in all some 18 of our men gone home. Thare time having expired. Clark Rice has been promoted to Luit. in the Battery. We have now a number of new men. Every thing is remarkable quiet allong the lines to day. A few days ago things looked like we might have a fight, but now every-thing has the appearance of quietness for some lenth of time.

Several days ago it was reported that the enemy were moveing to our left. So we were kept ready to meet them at short notice. To day we recvd a report that Sheridan had whiped Early with heavy loss and was persuing. I hope it may prove correct. If Sheridan has compeld Early to leave the Valley and follow him closely, Richmon will soon have to fall. From all accounts the Rebels have all the men thay can get. And I believe it, for the other day I saw a man that came in our lines. He must have been at least sixty years old.

Mother, are you aware you are some relitive of our great Commander in chief Gen. Grant. He and Dr. or one of the Sharps are married to Sisters.

I had a visit from Liut. Joshua Sharp of Newville. He holds a comishion in the Invalid Corps at Washington and he had been down on a visit to Gen. Grants Hd Qrts. and he came to see the 181 Reg. so he called to see me. But I must close with my love to all.

Your Affectly J. H. Maclay

The Letters ~ 94

Letter 60 Near Weldon R. Road, Va. Oct. 6th, 1864

Dear Uncle,Your kind letter of Sept. 26th I recvd in due time. I would have answered it

sooner but we have been under marching orders and doing some fighting. and to-day we have been bussy fixing up camp. It is hardly necessary for me to give you a full detail of the movement of Gen. Meades Army. Our Corps, the fifth, led the advance and were hotly engaged for at least two hours or more. The 198th Pa. Regt. the one Andy Pomeroy is in, did excedenly well. Our Battery was not in the mess but we had to be harnessed up all the time.

Yesterday thay had it reported that Petersburg was being evacuated but it not altogether credited. It cant hold out much longer the way things looks. The "Jonny" are sertinly seeing some dark times. I cant see what holds the Rebels together so long. For thay shurely cant stick it out much longer. If Lincoln is elected, the Rebels will kick the bucket three months or less time.

Uncle, you men of the North must all work together and vote in Mr. Lincoln. For the Democrats are using every means in thare power to defeat our good old Prest. and it will never do to have Sheep & Wolfs in the same pen, or thay will destroy what we have been getting together for the past three years. But I must close as I hear some one calling my name. Remember me kindly to all my friends.

Your Affectly, J. H. Maclay

P.S. Enclosed is one doll. Please give it to some member of Lodge for dues & let me know how I stand.

Letter 61 Fort Howard, Va. The Letters ~ 95

Nov. 20th, 1864

Dear Sister,Your kind letter dated from Alleghany I recvd a few days ago. The same

evening I received your I recv one from Uncle David & Lydie Maclay. It has been nearly two weeks since I've had any word from Home. But I am looking earnstily for one this evening. I am happy to hear you and Cousin Carrie are enjoying yourselfs. I hope you may still continue to have a merry time. And may be lucky and entrap some young gent who has plenty of that shining mettal that will make life happy and easey. But you must be on the alert for thare is plenty of young gentlemen in Beaver & Lawrence Co. has only for themselfs a name, and hardly that. You know I have had some experience in knowing nearly all the Gentlemen eather personally or by hear them talked of. And so I am lead to believe thare is quite an number of them that mixes in the society of the best in thare own Co. who I would not be seen in company in Cumberland Co.

Well, Sister, I suppose you would like to know how I am prospering. Liut Miller has resigned & also Liut. Alcorn. Thay both leave for Home soon. You will I expect get to see them both. Liut. McClellan will have comd. of the Battery. Then we still will have two Liut. Liut. Rice is going to remain with us. He is a good an noble fellow.

Yesterday it rained all day. We have verry little cold of any act. Sister, give my compliments to some of the pretty ladies, and get me some of thare photos. You may exchange mine for some of thares. But I must close. Excuse this misserable scribbling.

Your Brother Jas. H. Maclay

Letter 62 February the 1st 9 o'clock 1865

This morning thare is a great stur in the diferant corps it is reported that Stephens and several other men came through our lines yesterday and took the cars at Meade Station close to whare we lay for City Point on their way to Washington. This is correct. I think you will see it in the paper shortly. A lot of our officers and reb officers met on the picket line yesterday and the interview lasted

The Letters ~ 96

about an hour or more. This could be seen from whare we are. I did not see it but have it from good athority. Thare was no picket firing last night. The pickets are in friendly terms with one o nother now you may look for good news shortly. The rebel pickets told our boys yesterday that thay would soon be to gether a gain. Thay two partys devided some trees yesterday that stood between the two lines. Thay went to work to gether and cut it and divided it for picket fires. This is true. This ocurd close to us in sight of whare we lay.

Yours respectful J. H.

Excuse my scribling on so many pieces of paper but had to let you know how things is moving. Excuse bad riting.

Letter 63 Camp Front of Petersburg April 1st 1865

Dear Sister,

It has been quite a time since I've heard from you. But I am living in hope I will hear something from you soon. My last letter was wrote just the day before we left our Winter Qrts.

Our Battery is now attached to the 9th Corps. We are encamped near to what used to be the Norfolk R. Road near 9th Corps Hd. Qrts. Our guns are still in Fort Davis. Our caissons are one mile from fort Davis. Gen. Sheridans Cavelry passed by us to the left some 3 days ago and also part of the 24 corps from the Army of the James. Also part of the cavelry of that army. Gen. Sheridens Cavelry numbers some 20,000 men. The whole of the Army of Potomac has gone to the left except the 9 corps. Thare has been heavy canonading going on for the past two days. It is pretty sertain our troops have taken possession of the South Side R. Road.

We have had rain for the past five days. I think it will clear off. I was to see the 207 Regt. I saw quite a number of Franklin & Cumb. Co. boys. Amongst was David Crider. He is a very enteligent young man. Thay are all well. But I must close with my love to all.

From your Affect. BrotherJ. H. Maclay

The Letters ~ 97

P.S. Address9th CorpsCare of Capt. McClelland

Letter 64 City Point, Va. April 16th, 1865

Dear Sister,Your kind letter of the 11th I recvd. a few days ago. It was the first I've

had for some time. We have 6 or 8 bags of mail at 5th Corps Hd. Qrts. whitch we have not recvd. I am on guard to night or rather it is morning for it is three o'clock. Last evening we recvd word that thare was guirrillas arround and not far off. At 12 o'clock thare was some 40 or 50 mounted arty men sent out to reconnoiter the country. Thay have not yet returned. Nearly all the troops arround City Point have left. I would not be surprised if some of the night the guirrillas were to capture some of us. For thare is no infintry near us. Yesterday we sent 30 head of horses to the front. I am of the opinion thay will have us discharged or else turn in for Cavelry. I would like to play as cavelry for awhile.

Our Battery men was amongst the first to enter Petersburg. Some of the boys went along with the skirmishers. Petersburg is quite a large city. Thare are some real splendid houses. The majority of the inhabitants are good loyal people.

Jennie, I had a letter from Anna Dunlap a few days ago. She sends her love to you. Jennie why dont you get your picture in that case I sent and send it to me. Cant you manage and send me a Shippensburg paper. You never mentioned if you got them photos I sent. My love to all.

Your Affect. BrotherJ. H. Maclay

The Letters ~ 98

Letter 65 City Point, Va. April 20, 1865

Dear Sister,

Your kind and welcome letter mailed the 15th I recvd yesterday. I was indeed glad to hear you are all prospering and well. We still remain quiet at this place, and not any prospects of our getting away soon. We have sent nearly all our horses to the front, and if we were called on to move we wouldnt be able to get our guns away from camp. Thare are a great many reports afloat of what is going to be done with us. Sometimes you hear we are going to return to our states, then again we are going to Washington Charleston or somewhere else. For my part I dont believe we will go any-place soon, and as for returning to the state I dont expect to get thare in the inside of six months. For if Johnson has surrendered as it is reported it will be some time to we get the small squads of Traitors dispersed. And it would be policy to discharge the troops for some time after the War has really closed. It will take a large Army to garrison these Southern forts and we cant have sutch a large Army and by next month the one and three years men thare term of service will expire. So that thare will not be so many left in the field. Some people think as Lees Army and Richmon is taken the War is at an end. But it is not the case. Thare will never be any great Battles to be fought, but thare will I am afraid a guirilla Warfare for some time. The Army has not recovered from the assassin of Pres. Lincoln. Thare is not a Soldier but mourns his loss as the dearest friend. The death of so eminent man at this time is fully felt. But perhaps the new president will be more severe on the Johny Rebs. But I must close with my love to you all.

Your Affect. BrotherJ. H. Maclay

The Letters ~ 99

Letter 66 Home June 1867

My Dear Friend,Clara and I arrived safe at home to day. (Tuesday) After leaving your place

Newport we passed through Bloomfield. Stopd at Loyesville for dinner. Left thare at two o'clock and went to Blain. Stayd all night at Mr. Stokes. Had quite a pleasant evening. We both enjoyed our-selfs verry well. Left thare this morning and pased over the mts. at Three Square Hollow. Had a verry pleasant time crossing. Clara would walk up the mts. all I could say wouldnt keep her from it. I took supper at your Fathers and left for Home. I didnot have any chance of seeing him. What do you think. Las Tues. Eve. Clara & I had hardly been out of sight when Charly came for to take Clara to Adams Co. Of course she didnt go. Will went along with him. Thay returned home on Satterday.

Annie, when you write to me be a little more carefull and address Jas. H. than instead of J. H. M. for that is Fathers name also. When the letter came it was handed to Father and of course he opened it. And Mother read it. She said it was a first-rate letter and that she would be happy were I to follow your advice. She says she thinks a great deal more of you for taking sutch a warm feeling for me. Pappa says he supposes I'll be going over again next week for you.

Annie, it seems that I cant content my self for an hour at a time. My thoughts are allways on you. I feel as if I was not worthy half the love and interest you take in me. Would that I were a Christian that I might pray to God more sincerely and with a better heart to guard and protect us from all sin. That we might walk through this world unspoted by sin, and when death lays his cold hand upon us that our souls will go to the one who died for us. Oh, how pleasant would it be. Had we the right hearts to ask God's blessing for every thing we do. I feel my heart is a little changed to what it used to be. But I am far, far from being a Christian. It seems that God is trying me or else I do not pray in the right way.

Annie, write to me when you receive this for you know your absence casts a sort of melancholy gloom over me. But I must go to bed. So Good Night and a kiss on this paper for you.

Your Jim

The Letters ~ 100

Letter 67 Home August 29th

Dear Mother & Sister,Your letter we received last evening. We had been looking for a letter from

you for some time.We are all well and hearty. I have not been feeling as well for the last few

days as I might be. The warm weather is so hard on me. Geo. Sanders has been plowing for me and I have been fixing the porch and working arround the house. Mr. Jacob Rebok up at the mountains was burried last week. Mrs. Eva Snoke died verry suddenly last week, was burried on Sunday. Thare has been a great deal of sickness arround in the County. The Neibours are all well. Camp Meeting commences to-day. Thay have a bad day for the begining. It has been raining all day, and prospects for rain for two or three days. Thay have some 40 Bourds Tents. Orrstown Camp closed yesterday. I did not attend it though I believe it was largely attended. Uncle David has not come over yet. Annie the children and I spent the evening at Uncle Francis and Kay last week. Thay are all well.Friday morning.

This is a beautiful morning. It will be a fine day for Camp. I think Ralph Maggie and I will drive up to Camp. Annie says she is expecting Mattie Maclay this eve. Ralph says he would like to see you and Maggie says me too.

B.F. Irwin talks of going to Louisville, Keyt. to the Democrat Convention next week. The Democrats are not satisfied with Horrace Greely for President.

The children all sends a kiss for you all.

Your Brother, Jim

The Letters ~ 101

Reenlistment Paper ~ 105

Middle Spring Church and Graveyard ~ 115

The Gettysburg National Military Park at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,

has several monuments, markers and tablets commemorating the positions of

Battery B during the three-day battle. The main one is on Cemetery Hill and

is the location where the speech (see page 26) was given in 1889. Check at

park headquarters for a map showing the locations. The Pennsylvania State

Monument has plaques listing every Pennsylvanian who served at

Gettysburg.

The Petersburg National Battlefield in Petersburg, Virginia, may have

a picture of the battery (see page 127) on the wall at the visitors center.

The Middle Spring Presbyterian Church at Middle Spring, not far

from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, is the burial site for most of the Maclays

who lived at Maclay’s Mill. Look for a stained glass window in the church

that was provided by the Maclays. Its address is 135 Middle Spring Road,

Shippensburg, PA 17257.

Visit the site of the old Maclay homestead at Maclay’s Mill above the

Conodoguinet Creek. From the church at Middle Spring continue out Middle

Spring Road to Maclay’s Mill. The flour mill was on the creek and operated

until 1915. Remnants of the foundations are still nearby. Jake Crider, the

current owner of the property, has established a marker near the road at the

bridge.

The Shippensburg Historical Society has information about Maclay’s

Mill and the Maclays. It is located at 52 West King Street, Shippensburg, PA

17257.

Visit the Lawrence County Historical Society at 408 N. Jefferson St.,

New Castle, PA 16101 (www.lawrencehs.com). Captain Cooper was from

New Castle and there is interesting information about him there.

Visit the monument markers commemorating Cooper’s Battery B at

Mount Jackson, PA, which is a short drive from New Castle.

Places To Visit ~ 116

Places To Visit ~ 117

James H. Maclay and Anna M. Fickes Family

A. Ralph Fickes [b. November 8, 1868 at Maclay’s Mill, PA; d. November 20, 1957 at

Chambersburg, PA. Buried at Middle Spring, PA]. Married Anna Mary Warren

[b. February 4, 1870; d. August 15, 1939, at Shippensburg.] in February 1895.

B. Margaret Hemphill, Maggie [b. January 26, 1870 at Maclay’s Mill;

d. September 12, 1912 at Nyesville, PA. Buried at Spring Hill Cemetery,

Shippensburg, PA]. Married John Thompson White [b. April 30, 1863 near

Shippensburg; d. February 14, 1928 at Shippensburg] on January 11, 1900 at Maclay’s

Mill.

C. Elizabeth Demaree, Bessie [b. April 26, 1871 at Maclay’s Mill; d. April 19, 1948 at

Shippensburg. Buried at Spring Hill Cemetery, Shippensburg]. Married George E.

Hykes [b. June 19, 1866; d. March 21, 1923 at Shippensburg] on February 15, 1893 at

Maclay’s Mill.

D. Jane Ellen, Nellie [b. September 29, 1872 at Maclay’s Mill; d. January 3, 1944 at

Shippensburg. Buried at Newville, PA]. Married John T. Kelley [b. April 9, 1867 at

Querry Hill, Penn Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; d. April 4, 1958 at Shippensburg] on

December 22, 1898 at Maclay’s Mill.

E. Clara Victorene, Rene [b. June 1, 1874 at Maclay’s Mill; d. February 3, 1962 at State

College, PA. Buried at Newville, PA]. Married Richard Edmund Woods [b. April 1,

1868; d. July 7, 1945 at Shippensburg] on February 7, 1895 at Maclay’s Mill.

F. John Herron [b. June 22, 18__ at Maclay’s Mill; d. February 23, 1952. Buried at

Smithsburg, MD]. Married Sue Katherine Stache [b. November 25, 1872; d. March 3,

1961 at Hagerstown, MD].

James and Anna’s Family ~ 118

G. Anna Mary [b. September 19, 18__ at Maclay’s Mill; d. March 16, 1922 at Atlantic

City, NJ. Buried at Middle Spring]. Married Herbert L. Creamer [b. September 7,

1881 at Hopewell Twp., near Middle Spring; d. September 16, 1954 at Haddonfield,

NJ] on June 21, 1906 at Maclay’s Mill.

H. Martha Olive, Ollie [b. June 15, 18__ at Maclay’s Mill; d. April 24, 1966 at Orlando

FL. Buried at Orlando]. Married Albert Arthur Scott Gregory [b. July 8, 1892 at

Liverpool, England; d. August 25, 1974 at Orlando] on March 15, 1917 at Maclay’s

Mill.

I. David Jack [b. August 12, 1882 at Maclay’s Mill; d. September 19, 1941 at

Harrisburg, PA. Buried at Middle Spring, PA]. Married Isabel Catherine Shank [b.

May 27, 1891 at Middle Spring; d. August 26, 1979 at Harrisburg, PA. Buried at

Middle Spring] on October 13, 1908 at Middle Spring.

J. Charles Francis, Frank [b. May 7, 1885 at Maclay’s Mill; d. January 15, 1950 at

Willow Grove, PA. Buried at Hatboro, PA]. Married Blanche Rutherford

[b. November 22, 1890 at Willow Grove; d. June 20, 1969 at Willow Grove] on

September 21, 1910.

K. James Hemphill [b. 1887; d. 1888. Buried at Middle Spring, PA].

James and Anna’s Family ~ 119

1st Light Artillery43rd Regiment

Pennsylvania Volunteers_______________________________________________________________________

_

On the 13th of April, James Brady, a citizen of Philadelphia, issued a call for

volunteers for a Light Artillery Regiment. In three days thirteen hundred men were

enrolled, and their services were immediately tendered to the Secretary of War. By him

the tender was referred to Governor Curtin. Governor Curtin referred it to General

Patterson, who, after considerable delay, objected to its acceptance on the ground that it

was not a militia organization. In the meantime the men, eager to be in the service,

enlisted in New Jersey and New York regiments. About five hundred men still remained

and were maintained at the expense of the officers, and their friends, until the law

authorizing the organization of the Reserve Corps was passed, when four companies,

commanded by Captains Brady, Simpson, Flood and West, were accepted and ordered to

the camp at Harrisburg. These were here joined by four other companies recruited in the

counties of Franklin, Potter, York, Lawrence and Luzerne, and an organization was

effected by the choice of Captain Richard H. Rush of the regular army, Colonel; Charles

T. Campbell, from Captain of company A; Lieutenant Colonel; A.E. Lewis, Senior Major,

and H.T. Danforth, of company B, Junior Major. Colonel Rush declined to accept the

command, and soon after became Colonel of the Sixth Cavalry. The regiment,

consequently, remained under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell. It was

clothed and equipped by the State, and received arms from the State and from the city of

Philadelphia. Battery E, Captain Barr, accompanied the expedition sent, on the 21st of

June, to the relief of Colonel Lew Wallace, in West Virginia, consisting of the Battery and

the Fifth and Bucktail regiments of infantry, all under command of Colonel Biddle, and

returned to Harrisburg late in July.

Early in August, the regiment was ordered to Washington, and upon its arrival

encamped near the Arsenal, where it was more completely armed and equipped, receiving

horses for the batteries, and a full supply of ammunition. As fast as mounted, the batteries

removed to a camp east of the Capitol, which was called Camp Barry, in honor of Major

Barry, at that time Chief of Artillery of the Department, who had manifested much

interest and zeal in furnishing their outfit. From Camp Barry the several batteries were

separated and assigned to different divisions and corps of the army, and were never again

united as a regiment. Batteries A, B, E and G were assigned to M’Call’s division, in camp

at Tenallytown, and with these Lieutenant Colonel Campbell established his

headquarters. Battery C was assigned to Smith’s Division, in camp near Chain Bridge;

Battery F to Bank’s Division, at Poolesville; and Batteries D and H to Beull’s Division, in

camp north of the city, and engaged in building forts, among which at a later day served a

most important purpose in checking the enemy’s advance upon the Capital. Soon after the

distribution of the batteries an election was ordered to fill the vacancy occasioned by the

declination of Colonel Rush, which resulted in the choice of Charles T. Campbell,

Colonel; H.T. Danforth, Lieutenant Colonel; A.E. Lewis, Senior Major, and R.M. West,

Pennsylvania Volunteers ~120

from Captain of Transferred to 91st Company G, Junior Major. Subsequently Colonel

Campbell resigned and was commissioned Colonel of the Fifty-seventh Regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Danforth was ordered to duty with batteries D and H, under General

Buell. He was an experienced artillery officer, having served in Bragg’s celebrated

battery in the Mexican war. Here his services were of the greatest value, and under his

drill and instruction these batteries soon came to be regarded as equals of regular artillery.

Desirous of active duty, he made repeated applications to be assigned to service with the

battery which he had recruited. This request being denied him, he resigned his

commission as Lieutenant Colonel, and enlisted as a private in the ranks with his old

companions, but was immediately elected a Second Lieutenant. In this capacity he served

until killed in action at Charles City Cross Roads on the 30th of June, 1862.

By order of General M’Cllellan the field and line officers were cited to appear

before an examining board for certificates of competency. Failing in these examinations,

in many cases of little practical account, a considerable number was forced to resign,

many of them valuable officers, and their places were supplied by regular army sergeants.

These changes were not received with favor by the men, and, with two exceptions, none

of those thus appointed served to the end of their terms, or died in the service.

Battery B

Battery B joined the Division of Pennsylvania Reserves on the 14th of August,

1861, at Tenallytown, and was assigned to the First Brigade, General Reynolds

commanding. Lieutenant Cadwalader was on picket with his section at Great Falls, in

September, when the rebels fired on the troops guarding that point. The first death in the

battery, that of private James M. M’Clurg, occurred on the 29th of September. Until the

11th of October, it was armed with four six-pounder James guns, when two of these were

exchanged for four ten-pounder Parrots. That night it crossed the Potomac and joined the

division at Camp Pierpont. On the 14th of October, private Frederick B. Leifet was killed,

and private Alfred Phillips severely wounded, by the accidental discharge of the musket

of a member of company E, Third Reserves, while on dress parade. On the 19th, the

battery accompanied the first Brigade on reconnaissance beyond Dranesville. The First

Brigade was lying at Difficult Creek when the battle of Dranesville, December 20th,

commenced, and was immediately ordered to General Ord’s assistance, but did not arrive

until after the enemy had been repulsed.

On the 25th of December, General M’Cllellan , in compliance with the request of

General Banks for a “good battery,” directed General M’Call to send Battery B. This was

protested against by General’s M’Call and Reynolds, and caused much dissatisfaction

throughout the division. The battery was on duty at Seneca Falls and Edward’s Ferry until

January 9th, 1862, when, at General M’Call’s request, it was ordered to return to the

division. After the return of the army to Alexandria, it was placed in the First Army

Corps, General M’Dowell commanding. When the First Brigade crossed the

Rappahannock, at Fredericksburg, May 26th, Battery B accompanied it. After its return

twenty men were detached from the infantry of the Reserves to fill the company to the

number required for a six-gun battery.


On the 13th of June, it embarked for the Peninsula, and arrived at White House, on

the Pamunky, on the 17th, joining the division at Mechanicsville, on the 20th. Here the

battery was placed on picket in front of the town, and on the extreme right of the army.

For several days the gunners practiced firing at the enemy and his works, but received no

response. On the 26th, when Jackson’s army was reported to be advancing, Battery B was

withdrawn to Beaver Dam Creek, where earthworks had been constructed and rifle-pits

dug. The right and centre sections took position behind the works in front of the camp of

the Bucktails, and the left section, commanded by Lieutenant Fullerton, near Ellerson’s

Mill with the Third Brigaade in support. After the withdrawal of the Union pickets, two

divisions of the rebel army, under the command of General Hill, crossed the

Chickaahominy and formed in line of battle, to await the coming of Branche’s Division

down the left bank of the river.

The advance of the enemy was accompanied by a battery of horse artillery, which

came forward on a gallop and attempted to come into position, but the fire of the guns of

Battery B was so well directed that it left without unlimbering. Rebel batteries placed

behind the brow of a hill on the right, where they were under shelter, were more

successful and soon opened a well directed fire. Several attempts of the rebels to form a

line of battle in front of these batteries, with the manifest intention of capturing Battery

B, were unsuccessful, a concentrated fire of artillery, assisted by the infantry, cutting

them down as fast as they could form. The slaughter of the enemy here was terrible. The

gaps made in his lines by the shots from the guns of Battery B, firing by battery, were

distinctly visible. Another attempt to break the line at this point was made on its right, but

the timely presence of Colonel M’Candless, of the Second, compelled the enemy to again

fall back. An attempt to cross the creek at Ellerson’s Mill was prevented by the Third

Brigade, with the aid of Lieutenant Fullerton’s section. The firing did not cease until nine

o’clock. The loss was five wounded. During the night the infantry, except the picket line,

together with the left section, were withdrawn. The right and centre sections commenced

firing at daybreak on the following morning, and continued it for over an hour. They were

withdrawn a few minutes before the rebel cavalry, coming in from the right, captured a

part of the Bucktails in the rifle-pits, in front of where the guns were, and thence rejoined

the division on Gaines’ farm. After resting an hour, the battery was ordered into position

on the right of the second line. The guns remained silent until the first line gave way,

when a concentrated fire upon the point from whence the rebels were said to be

advancing, caused them, as the pickets afterwards reported, to halt, and thus gave the

shattered remains of General Porter’s Corps an opportunity to fall back. The rebel

advance was but a short distance away when the left gun of Battery B was limbered up.

The battery remained parked during the following day on Trent’s Hill, on the south bank

of the Chickahominy. That night the march was continued in the direction of the James

River. At dark of the 29th, the division moved out on the road beyond the junction of the

New Market and Charles City Roads, but returned at daylight the next morning and

formed in line of battle near the junction.


Owing to the excessive heat of the guns, produced by rapid and long continued

firing on the 26th and 27th, the vent-pieces had so melted that some of the vents were

twice the original size. General Barry, Chief of Artillery, inspected the guns and decided

them unserviceable, and directed General M’Call not to use them if he could avoid it, as

it was dangerous to work them. But when the rebels began their attack, Battery B was

ordered into position immediately in front of the cross roads, having the Ninth Regiment

for support. The guns were worked as rapidly as possible, but the size of the vents

compelled the gunners to insert two primers in some of the guns, along with the one to

which the lanyard hook was attached, to discharge the piece. After the Ninth Regiment

went to the left, the enemy came out of the woods in front, formed in line and advanced

on the battery as regularly as if on drill, utterly regardless of the double charges of

canister and case shot that were fired into his ranks, and drove the cannoneers from the

guns. Never did the rebels exhibit more desperate valor. During all this time the battery

was subjected to fire in the rear from a New York Dutch Battery, which had deserted its

position on the left. The Ninth Regiment returning from the left, joined the First, and

drove the rebels back, but assistance coming to them they captured it a second time, but a

second time were driven back. Its loss was three killed and eight wounded; among the

former were Lieutenants Danforth and Caldwalader.

Malvern Hill was reached at sunrise the next morning, and Harrison’s Landing the

following day. Four guns, in place of those lost, were received on the 11th of July. On the

6th of August, Captain Cooper received orders to report with his battery to General

Butterfield, in command at Coggin’s Point, across the river, where it remained until the

15th, when it embarked for Acquia Creek, arriving there on the 20th. Warrenton was

reached on the 24th, when the division was again placed under the command of General

M’Dowell. Here the battery occupied several positions during the next two days, when

the army commenced falling back in the direction of Washington. On the 28 th, as the

advance of the Reserves was emerging from a piece of woods near Gainesville, it was

fired upon by a section of the rebel Stuart’s horse artillery. Battery B was ordered up to

take the place of Ransom’s Regular Battery, whose short range guns would not reach the

enemy. At the battle of Bull Run, the next day, it moved forward with the division, and

occupied a position on the extreme left, from which an Ohio Battery had been driven half

an hour previously. Three rebel batteries opened fire on it immediately. General Reynolds

ordered it withdrawn. The reapportion of one of the caissons was disabled and left on the

field. The battery was engaged all the next day. At one time the enemy was so close as to

capture all the caissons. The battery lost three killed and sixteen wounded. On the 1st day

of September, while the battle of Chantilly was in progress, it was placed in position on

the right of the road leading to Washington, ready to be called into action. On the 7th,

Captain Cooper received orders to exchange his guns and horses at the arsenal at

Washington. The battery rejoined the division, now attached to General Hooker’s First

Corps, at Monocracy, on the morning of the 14th. That afternoon the battle of South

Mountain was fought. It was the only battery of the First Corps engaged. The position

occupied was on the extreme right. The woods on the side of the mountain was shelled,

and the infantry were thereby assisted in driving the enemy before them. When the First

Corps crossed Antietam Creek, on the afternoon of the 16th, Battery B was placed on the

front line and advanced immediately in rear of the skirmishers. When the infantry came


upon the entrenched line of the enemy it took position in the edge of the cornfield over

which there was such fierce fighting on the following day. Early the next morning it was

ordered to the right. While changing position private Jacob N. Weekly was severely

wounded by a grape shot. The right section, commanded by Lieutenant Fullerton, during

the forenoon occupied several positions across the pike, on and in advance of the

skirmish line. That evening the gunners performed some excellent practice. Captain

Cooper had a very narrow escape. While directing the fire of the guns a solid shot struck

his horse and tore it in pieces.

After the army crossed the Potomac at Berlin, Battery B moved in the advance,

with the division, through London Valley. At Fredericksburg it crossed the Rappahannock

on the 12th, and early the next morning was placed in position, by General Meade, in

advance of the skirmish line on the left, and compelled a section of Stuart’s artillery,

which had been firing along the flank of the division, to seek the cover of the woods in

front. When the Reserves penetrated the enemy’s lines the guns engaged the attention of

the rebel artillery, blowing up two limber chests. When they were forced back the battery

retained its position, and but for the support of the Thirty-seventh New York infantry,

Colonel Hayman, it would have been captured. Two men were killed and two wounded.

During the winter the battery was encamped near Belle Plain Landing. On the 20th

of January, 1863, it accompanied the division up the Rappahannock on what was known

as the “Mud March.” On the 23rd of February the detached men from the Reserve

regiments returned to their places, and twenty-seven men of the One Hundred and Forty-

third and One Hundred and Fiftieth regiments were detailed in their stead.

On the 29th of April, the battery covered the crossing of the troops below

Fredericksburg. On the 2nd of May, it was ordered up the Rappahannock and crossed the

river at United States Ford, and the next day went into position near the brick house used

as a hospital. It re-crossed the river on the 5th and covered the withdrawal of the army. On

the 12th of June, the battery left White Oak Church, where it had been encamped, for

Pennsylvania, whither Lee was supposed to be directing his steps.

At the battle of Gettysburg Battery B was in position, on the first of July, near the

Seminary, but was driven back through the town. On the 2d a shot from a rebel twenty-

pounder gun, immediately in front, exploded under one of the guns, killing privates Peter

G. Hoagland and James H. M’Clleary and wounding Corporal Joseph Reed, and privates

Jesse Temple and Daniel W Taylor. On the 3d, it took the place of one of the Reserve

Artillery Batteries, where it did good service. The next day it was ordered to

Emmittsburg, where it was in position twenty-four hours. It then accompanied the army

to the Rappahannock, where it remained on picket until the 10th of September. On the 11th

and 12th of October, it covered the re-crossing of the army at Kelly’s Ford, and then

marched to Centreville, and from thence, by way of Haymarket, Thoroughfare Gap and

Kelly’s Ford, back to Brandy Station. On the 27th of November, it crossed the Rapidan at

Culpepper Mine Ford, and the next morning was in position on the left of the pike, in full

view of the enemy’s entrenched line beyond Mine Run, and compelled a rebel battery in

advance of his works to withdraw. At eight’ clock on the morning of the 30 th, all the


batteries along the line opened to attract the attention of the enemy from General Warren,

who was to attack his right wing.

Winter quarters were constructed at Paoli Mills, near Kelly’s Ford, and near

Culpepper Court House. At the latter place a number of the men re-enlisted and received

the thirty days’ furlough allowed veterans. About forty recruits were received and two

more guns. Early on the morning of the 4th of May, 1864, Battery B left camp, and

crossing the Rapidan at Germanna Ford, joined the Reserves the next day in an advance

to the road leading to Orange Court House; but was compelled to fall back to the Lacy

House, where it went into position, and fired for some time at a column of the enemy

passing along the road, near the point advanced to in the morning. It was withdrawn on

the evening of the 7th, and accompanied Cutler’s Division around the left of the army, and

the next day took position, in rear of the Fifth Corps, at Laurel Hill. The next evening it

was ordered to the extreme right, where General Hancock’s Corps was advancing, and

fired about forty rounds at the enemy beyond the Po River. Several other positions were

occupied until the afternoon of the 13th, when Captain Cooper received orders to place his

battery in position on the picket line. The two lines were very close, the men having little

shelter, and it was only by working on their knees that the guns could be loaded. Private

George C. Garber was severely wounded by a sharp-shooter. The battery was withdrawn

and marched all night, rejoining the Corps, near Spotsylvania Court House, on the next

morning. It was immediately placed in position and fired on a body of the enemy in front.

On the 18th it was sent to the left and front, and placed in position in sight of the town.

Here it was under the hottest artillery fire that it encountered during the war. Several

shells struck the carriages. Private William Chambers received a slight wound in the

head. Here the rebels were treated to a little mortar practice by the gunners of Battery B.

On the 21st this position was abandoned, and the march continued in the direction of the

North Anna River. After the Fifth Corps had crossed the river on the 23rd, at Jericho Ford,

and the rebels had attacked it, Lieutenant Miller placed the battery in position on the left

bank, opposite the Reserves, and completely demolished a rebel battery that was

annoying them. It was afterwards ascertained that Captain Fontaigute, General

Longstreet’s Chief of Artillery was killed by the explosion of one of the shells. Captain

Cooper was, at the time, in command of a brigade of short range guns across the river. On

the 31st of May, forty-one men, who were entitled to discharge, left for Harrisburg. They

were mustered out at Pittsburg on the 9th of June. There were sufficient men remaining to

man the guns and on the 2d of June Lieutenant Miller was ordered to go into position on

the left at Cold Harbor. The new gunners did good execution, firing a greater number of

rounds on the 2d and 3d than had been fired by the battery previously in that campaign.

The battery arrived at Wilcox’s Landing on the James, on the 15th, and in front of

Petersburg at daylight of the 17th. Several positions were occupied during the day, and the

next morning when the line was advanced, it occupied a position in front of the Avery

House, and fired a number of rounds. On the 24th, it moved to the left, near the Jerusalem

Plank Road. On the morning of the 30th of July, when the fort in front of the Ninth Corps

was blown up, it fired a number of rounds. Captain Cooper having remained two months

beyond his term of service, was mustered out on the 8th of August, at his own request, and

Lieutenant Miller took command. Captain Cooper took with him a petition to Governor


Curtin, signed by a majority of the officers of the regiment, for his appointment as

Colonel of the regiment; but he never presented it. He was a gallant officer. On the 18th of

August, it accompanied General Warren’s advance upon the Weldon Railroad, and was

engaged that day and the 19th and 21st. In the meantime the members of the battery, whose

term of service had expired, returned home, and a number of one-year recruits were

added to it. On the 22nd of November, Lieutenant Miller was honorably discharged,

leaving Lieutenant William M’Clelland in command. The battery was relieved from duty

on the front line on the 21st of December, and went into winter quarters about a mile in

the rear. At different times during the winter it was on duty on the front line. On the 23rd

of February, 1865, Lieutenant M’Clelland was commissioned Captain.

On the 15th of March, eighteen men, the number in excess of the maximum

allowed a six-gun battery, were transferred to Battery I, a new battery then forming at

Washington. When the enemy captured Forts Stedman and Haskell, the left section kept

up a sharp fire on the forts in front. On the 28th, the caisson camp was moved up near the

front line. About midnight of the 1st of April, all batteries received orders to open fire.

After daylight the next morning, the firing was renewed, the gunners doing good

execution. At the request of General Tidball, Captain M’Clelland, with Lieutenant Rice,

took two detachments and worked the guns in one of the enemy’s batteries which had

been captured. About six-hundred rounds, left by the rebels, were fired, besides a large

number brought from the other line by the infantry. During the afternoon, the rebels made

an attempt to re-capture the forts they had lost. The infantry disappeared, leaving

Lieutenant Rice and his handful of men; but nothing daunted, they worked their guns

with telling effect. Many of the men had never been under fire before, yet they all

behaved well. Lieutenant Gardner, a very brave officer, was in command of the battery

during the absence of Captain M’Clelland. Sergeant Issac J. Grubb and Corporal Andrew

J. Gilkey were killed in the rebel fort, and subsequently when one of the sections in Fort

Davis was ordered forward to Fort Wright, Corporal John W. Summers was mortally

wounded. The next day the battery was ordered to City Point. On the 3rd of May, it left for

Washington, passing through Richmond. On the 3rd of June, in obedience to orders,

Captain M’Clelland turned the battery in at Washington, and proceeded to Harrisburg,

where it was mustered out on the 9th.

Three hundred and thirty-four men were connected with the battery. The number

of rounds of ammunition, of all kinds, expended during its four years of service, was over

eleven thousand two hundred.

Bates, Samuel P. , History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1864


Pictures of Battery B at Petersburg ~ 127

This monument at Gettysburg was dedicated on September 11, 1889.

Battery B Monument at Gettysburg ~128

Battery B Monument at Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania

Battery B Monument ~ 129

��

Captain James H. Cooper1840 ~ 1908

James H. Cooper ~130

Captain James Harvey Cooper1840 ~ 1908

Captain J.H. Cooper Answered The Last Call This Morning

Gallant Soldier Succumbs After A Long Struggle Against Dread Disease“Bravest Man In Army” Passed To Long Rest

Captain J. Harvey Cooper “The Bravest Man in The Army of The Potomac”

according to the exclamation of admiration by General John F. Reynolds at the second

battle of Fredericksburg, passed away at his home on North Jefferson Street about 2:30

o’clock Wednesday morning.

With his passing from life one of the most honored and respected citizens of the

county is lost to the community he had so long graced, and in tense regret is felt and

expressed upon all sides that he has received and answered the long last roll call. No man

was held higher esteem than Captain Cooper and every person who knew him justly

considered the gallant veteran a friend.

His career as a defender of the Stars & Stripes, his conduct as a man, a citizen and

a friend all endeared him to the hearts of the people and his death will long be regretted.

The end was not unexpected for he had been in failing health for some months,

suffering from heart weakness. This first became manifest when he was stricken while

attending the recent National Encampment of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) at

Denver last summer. After returning home he recovered to a great extent and was able to

be at his place of business as usual, although his strength was not restored.

For some weeks past he had been confined to his home and it was for several days

realized that all hope of recovery had passed and the family and friends awaited the end

with what resignation they could. The gallant Captain himself also realized this and

looked for the peace and hope to rejoining upon the shore the loved ones who had

preceded him there.

The record of Captain Cooper in the dark days of the civil war was one that

reflects honor upon himself and his gallant men and the entire community that sent them

forth.

He was born March 6th 1840 in Allegany County and celebrated the 68th

anniversary of his birth the first part of this month. His father was the late George

Cooper, one of men of the affairs in western Pennsylvania during early days, who later

settled near Mt. Jackson.

Captain Cooper enlisted with the Mt. Jackson Guards on April 26th 1861, rushing

to arms shortly after Fort Sumter had been fired upon. He was immediately elected First

Sergeant; Captain Henry T. Danforth became Captain. The company was mustered into

the state service June 8th 1861 and at Camp Wright, Pittsburgh, was accepted as part of

the Light Artillery forces of the commonwealth and became “Battery B” of the first

regiment of Pennsylvania Light Artillery.

Captain Cooper was then elected second lieutenant. When the Battery was moved

to Harrisburg July 22nd Captain Danforth was promoted to Majorship and lieutenant

Cooper was then elected Captain of the Battery showing his popularity even as a young

man.

James H. Cooper ~ 131

The Battery was sworn into the United States service August 5th of that year and

was immediately sent to Washington and joined the Army of the Potomac, becoming part

of the first brigade of General McCall’s division of Pennsylvania reserves, commanded

by General John F. Reynolds, who met his death on the battlefield at Gettysburg. During

the entire civil war Cooper’s Battery was first and fifth army corps and constituted a part

of the Pennsylvania reserves during its service.

Cooper’s Battery participated in more than 27 engagements that find rank as

battles in the pages of history and was fiercely engaged in nine of the twelve great battles

of the war, in which the losses reached more than 12,000 men, which shows its service.

Among the greater battles in which it took part were the Second Bull Run, Peninsula

Campaign, Antietam, the First and Second battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the

three-day desperate fighting at Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor,

North Anna River and Petersburg. In addition to many others of minor importance.

Captain Cooper was mustered out of the service August 8th 1864 when his term of

enlistment expired.

During his service he had several horses shot under him in battle and the service

he saw was of the most desperate character. During the second battle of Fredericksburg

Cooper’s Battery alone and single-handed repulsed the confederate counter advance after

the union forces had been repulsed.

Standing at the “Angle” and firing grape and canister at the advancing horses until

they broke and fled after coming within 50 yards of Cooper and his intrepid men. It was

one of the most gallant acts of the entire war and the men of Battery B decided to face

capture and death rather than retreat for that would have meant the entire left wing of the

Union Army which was then in a desperate plight. General Reynolds realized the gravity

of the occasion and the full impact of the Mt. Jackson men’s heroism and it was then he

galloped up to the Bloody Angle and made the famous exclamation quoted above, which

is found in histories of the great conflict.

The Battery lost 21 men in action during the war and had 52 men wounded,

although the records show over 100 wounds inflicted upon them. This is because many of

the wounded recovered and returned to the service, to be wounded again. The ratio of loss

was greater than that of any other volunteer Battery during the entire civil war. Over

11,300 rounds of ammunition were used by the battery which was always in front, owing

to the well known coolness and daring of the gallant Captain. He was a personal friend of

General Meade and General Reynolds as well as General Hunt, the Chief of Artillery for

the Army of the Potomac and was frequently recommended for advancement but refused

in order to remain with the Battery and the men he began service.

He was once commissioned a Major of the first Pennsylvania Light Artillery

regiment but declined. Later he was recommended by General Meade for the Colonelcy

of the same regiment, but never presented it to the war department and so lost the honor.

General Meade’s recommendation is now among the Captain’s private papers.

In his private life he was modest and retiring to such a degree that any honors he

received had to be forced upon him against his inclination. He was a member of the First

Presbyterian Church and of the patriotic orders of the men who fought in the conflict that

almost tore the nation asunder.


He is survived by one daughter, Miss Mary, who resides at home. His wife died

many years ago and the gallant captain was the last of his immediate family. His sister

Mrs. McElwee of New Wilmington passed away last week, but his condition was then so

low that his family feared to inform him of it would be when he met her upon the other

shore.

Truly, with the death of Captain James Harvey Cooper this city has lost a citizen

of whom the community might well be proud and would have loved to honor more than it

did, had he not declined all matter of the nature.

Funeral services, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Cooper residence, at

173 North Jefferson Street. Interment at Greenwood.

New Castle News

March 21, 1908

Submitted by S. Debo


Report of Capt. James H. Cooper, Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light

Artillery.

DECEMBER ___, 1862.Sir: On the morning of the 13th, the battery advanced with Meade’s division to an elevated

piece of ground in the front of the enemy’s right wing. Here it came into action and

engaged one of the enemy’s batteries, which was enfilading the line of infantry advancing

on our right. After about one hour’s slow firing, aided by Battery A, First Pennsylvania

Artillery, we succeeded in compelling this battery to retire, when, by order of General

Reynolds, the battery’s front was changed to fire across the railroad into the woods,

distant about 1,000 yards. This woods we shelled at intervals for about one hour, when

the Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps deployed as skirmishers on

the left of the battery and advanced a few rods, which drew the fire of four or five of the

enemy’s guns, posted in the edge of the woods in our front. We immediately opened fire

upon them, and after forty minutes’ engagement the enemy’s guns ceased firing, we

evidently doing them some injury, one of their caissons or limbers having exploded

during the engagement. We continued to shell the woods at intervals until about 1 p. m.,

when an advance of the infantry being ordered, the battery, by order of Colonel

Wainwright, shelled the woods with as much rapidity as possible, until the line of infantry

had advanced about 150 yards, when the enemy opened upon them from the woods with

ten or twelve guns. The fire of the battery was now opened upon these guns, and, with the

aid of Battery G, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and Battery C, Fifth U. S. Artillery, they

were all silenced but two in a few minutes. We continued to shell the woods until about 3

o’clock, when our ammunition, with the exception of canister, was exhausted. In a few

minutes the infantry retreated from our front, followed by the enemy. I then requested the

colonel of the Thirty-seventh New York Regiment to move forward and to support the

battery, which he did. At this time the enemy had come within canister range. At this

juncture Captain Ransom’s battery came into action immediately on our right, and with

his aid the enemy in our front were compelled to retire to the woods from which they had

charged. About sunset we received 200 rounds of case shot and shell from the

ammunition train. Soon after, the enemy’s guns again opened upon us from the woods,

and after an hour’s engagement they ceased firing, and the engagement ended for the day,

the battery having expended 980 rounds of ammunition. The battery retained its position

until about midnight, when we were relieved by Captain Thompson’s battery, when we

withdrew to a position near the Bernard house.

The following is the list of casualties in this day’s engagement:*

` J. H. COOPER,Captain First Pennsylvania Artillery, Commanding Battery B

*List, omitted, shows 5 enlisted men wounded and 2 horses killed.

Report of Captain Cooper ~ 134

Itinerary of the Union Army First Corps in the Gettysburg Campaign

June 5: the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major-General Joseph Hooker, with

headquarters near Falmouth, was posted on the north bank of the Rappahannock

River, confronting the Confederate Army of North Virginia under Robert E. Lee,

mainly concentrated about the town of Fredericksburg on the south bank of the

river. The First Corps (Reynolds’) was in the vicinity of White Oak church.

June 12: the First Corps marched from Fitzhugh’s plantation and White Oak

church to Deep Run.

June 13: The First Corps marched from Deep Run to Bealston.

June 14: Marched from Bealston to Manasses Junction.

June 17: Marched from Manasses Junction to Herndon Station.

June 19: Marched from Herndon Station to Guilford Station.

June 25: Marched from Guilford Station , Va., to Barnesville, Md.

June 26: Marched from Barnesville to Jefferson, Md.

June 27: Marched from Jefferson to Middletown, Md.

June 28: Marched from Middletown to Frederick.

June 29: Marched from Frederick to Emmitsburg.

June 30: Marched from Emmitsburg to Marsh Run.

July 1: The First Corps moved from Marsh Run to Gettysburg and went into

combat.

July 6: The First Corps marched from Gettysburg to Emmitsburg.

July 7: Moved from Emmitsburg to Hamburg.

July 8: moved from Hamburg to Turner’s Gap in South Mountain.

July 10: from Turner’s Gap to Beaver Creek, where it was joined by Kenly’s

Brigade of French’s Division from Maryland Heights.

July 12: the 1st, 6th and 11th Corps moved from Beaver Creek to Funkstown.

July 14: from Funkstown to Williamsport.

Itinerary of the 1st Corps during the Gettysburg Campaign ~ 135

July 15: from Williamsport to Rohrersville.

July 16: from Rohrersville to near Berlin.

July 18: from near Berlin to Waterford, crossing the Potomac at Berlin.

July 19: from Waterford to Hamilton.

July 20: from Hamilton to Middleburg.

July 22: from Middleburg to White Plains.

July 23: from White Plains to Warrenton.

July 25: from Warrenton to Warrenton Junction.

Source: Pennsylvania At Gettysburg, Vol 1, Gettysburg Battlefield

Commission, Harrisburg, E.K. Myers - State Printer 1893.

Itinerary of the 1st Corps during the Gettysburg Campaign ~ 136

Reports of Col. Charles S. Wainwright, First New York Light Artillery, commanding

Artillery Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY BRIGADE, FIFTH CORPSSeptember 1, 1864

June 12, marched by cross-roads to Long Bridge; crossed the Chickahominy

about midnight. June 13, remained near the crossing all day.

Barnes’ and Hart’s batteries accompanied Third Division on reconnaissance to near White

Oak Swamp; Barnes only slightly engaged. During the night marched by Saint Mary’s

Church to near Charles City Court House, arriving on the morning of June 14, and 15 th

remained in camp. June 16, crossed the James by pontoon bridge and marched all day

and night, arriving at break of day. June 17, in the afternoon, when the Fourth Division

formed on the left of the Ninth Corps, Major Fitzhugh accompanied it with Mink’s and

Breck’s batteries, placing them in position left of the Norfolk road and in front of the

deserted House, between this road and the Norfolk railroad, where they engaged the guns

on the enemy’s right. About dusk, Cooper’s battery (Captain Cooper resumed command

this day) was also brought up and posted south of the Avery house, opening on the

enemy’s works around that house at 500 yards. The other batteries not engaged. June 18,

at sunrise Cutler’s division advanced to the Avery house and the edge of the woods

beyond. Breck’s, Mink’s, and Cooper’s batteries were pushed forward with them and

took position to the right of the woods along a ridge opening on the enemy’s batteries and

troops beyond the railroad. Soon after, Barnes’, Bigelow’s, and Hart’s batteries were

brought up on the right of these and also opened. Meanwhile Ayres’ division, with

Rittenhouse’s, Rogers’, and Walcott’s batteries had passed around to the left of Cutler and

crossed the railroad. The three batteries went into position 900 yards in front of the great

salient of the enemy’s works and opened fire. Phillips’, Stewart’s, and Richardson’s were

engaged in line with the First Division on the right of the road which crosses the railroad

near the Taylor house, advancing as the infantry did until about 10 o’clock, when they

had reached within 200 yards of the railroad and took a good position parallel to it, the

right close to the above-mentioned dirt road, where they remained the remainder of the

day, warmly engaged most of the time and doing good service. So soon as the enemy’s

skirmishers were driven out of the woods on the far side of the railroad Mink’s battery

was thrown forward and formed at right angles to and about 500 yards from the railroad,

firing up the track and driving the enemy out of the clump of woods at the ice house.

Barnes was removed to within 100 yards of Mink’s right, and Cooper was also brought

forward. Having gained the railroad along the whole front of this corps, about noon the

Second and Fourth Divisions, with a portion of the First, being established beyond it,

Mink’s battery was moved to the edge of this cut, to the right of the Taylor house;

engaged two of the enemy’s guns immediately in his front at 500 yards, and kept them

silent nearly all the time. Bigelow’s and Hart’s batteries were taken across the railroad

and halted behind the crest with Chamberlain’s brigade, First Division, while slight

lunettes were being thrown up on the crest held by our skirmish line. At 3 p.m., when the

general attack was made, these batteries were shoved up on the crest and opened on the

enemy’s works as our troops passed down into the intervening ravine. Barnes’ battery

was soon after brought over and posted about seventy-five yards to the left of the others.

Reports of Col. Wainwright ~ 137

The attack failing, the batteries covered the withdrawal of our troops. He position held by

Mink’s, Bigelow’s, and Hart’s batteries was within easy canister and musketry range of

the enemy’s works, and all suffered severely. Their practice, nevertheless, was excellent

and reflected great credit on officers and men. After dark, Barnes, Bigelow, and Hart

were withdrawn.

June 19 to July 30. Captain Mink’s battery remained in position near the Taylor

house until the morning of June 24, firing occasional shots during the time, when it was

relieved by a battery of the Ninth Corps, and camped in reserve. Bigelow’s battery

returned to its position beyond the railroad on the 19th and 20th. On the 21st this battery

was assigned to Crawford’s (Third) division and took position to the left of the Jerusalem

plank road in front of the Gregory house, where it remained until July 12, when it was

removed into the large redoubt. Hart’s battery relieved Bigelow’s in its position of the

18th beyond the railroad on the morning of the 21st, where it remained until the 28th, on

which day it went into reserve until July 13, when it occupied the smaller redoubt back of

the Chieves house. Cooper’s and Breck’s batteries held their positions near the front of

the woods, in front of the Avery house, until the 20th, when they were assigned to

Crawford’s division, and on the 26th relieved two batteries of the Second Corps in the

small works west of the plank road. Cooper remained here until the end of the period

covered by this report. Breck was moved into the large redoubt on the 12th of July.

Rittenhouse, Rogers, and Walcott remained in their positions of the 18th until our line was

advanced on the 13th of July, when these batteries also moved forward into works

constructed for them at a distance of 600 yards from the great salient of the enemy’s

works. They fired at times during the whole of this time, doing neither good nor harm.

Barnes, Stewart, Phillips, and Richardson remained in reserve until the morning of the

19th.

Excepting in the engagements on the North Anna, May 23, and in front of

Petersburg, June 18, the campaign covered by this report afforded but little opportunity

for the legitimate and successful use of artillery. There were but few days, to be sure, in

which some of the batteries were not engaged with the enemy’s artillery, but as they were

always well protected the most accomplished was a temporary quieting of their fire.

Hardly a charge was made, either by or upon our lines, which was not made through the

woods, where artillery could do almost nothing. In the few opportunities that there were

of bringing a single section or battery into play (as near Bethesda Church on the 30th of

May by Lieutenant Richardson, and again on the 2d of June by Lieutenant Stewart) it was

quickly and well done. At the North Anna the prompt movement of Mink’s, Walcott’s,

and Matthewson’s batteries of light 12-pounders undoubtedly relieved the corps from

great danger, if they did not save it from defeat.

The ground moved over by the corps in its advance on the 18th of June was mostly

open and intersected by gentle slopes, affording the very best chance for the maneuvering

of light batteries, which I believe I may say was taken full advantage of.

The losses of the brigade in material have not been heavy, but in officers and men

it has suffered materially, especially in the former.

Capt. H.W. Davis and Second Lieutenant De Mott, First New York Artillery, First

Lieut. Peleg W. Blake, of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery, and First Lieut. Thomas

Goodman, serving with B, Fourth U.S. Artillery, were either killed in action or died of

wounds received shortly after. All of them were officers of great promise, and who stood


high in the estimation of those who knew them.

To Maj. R.H. Fitzhugh, First New York Artillery, Capt. J.H. Cooper, First

Pennsylvania Artillery, and Capt. A. P. Martin, Massachusetts Artillery, the senior officers

of the brigade, and who frequently held detached commands of two or more batteries, I

have been indebted for most valuable services. I regret to say that both the last-named

officers since left the service after having for three years held the position of captains of

artillery and participated in al the actions of this army. The false organization of the

artillery arm in our service provides no way of rewarding such officers by deserved

promotion.

In every case during the campaign I have found all the battery commanders

prompt to perform the duties required of them, and fully seconded by their subordinates

and men.

Where all have done so well I can have no particular individual to bring to the

notice of the commanding general.

I remain, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C.S. WAINWRIGHT,Colonel First New York Artillery, Commanding Brigade.

Lieut. Col. Fred T. Locke,Assistant Adjutant General

HDQRS. ARTILLERY BRIGADE, FIFTH ARMY CORPSAugust 3, 1864

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the major-general

commanding the corps, the following statement of the part taken by my command in the

affair of the 30th ultimo:

The following disposition of batteries was made on the night of the 29th: Mink’s

(H, First New York, four light 12-pounders) was posted in the first battery on the right of

the line occupied by this corps, his guns covering the enemy’s battery next the one over

the mine. In Batteries 2 and 3, immediately on the left of Mink’s, two batteries of the

Sixth Corps, Harn’s (Third New York, light 12-pounders) and White’s (Fourth Main, 3-

inch) were posted, bearing on the enemy’s guns directly in front and on those to the north

of the small brown house. Immediately in the rear of these batteries were eleven Coehorn

mortars, under Lieutenants Hazelton and McPherson, the whole of the above-named guns

being under the immediate command of Maj. R.H. Fitzhugh until he was wounded, and

then under Capt. C.E. Mink, as ranking officer. Near the center of our line, and

immediately opposite the great salient, were four batteries under the command of Lieut.

G. W. Dresser, Fourth Artillery, and brigade inspector. Of these, Van Reed’s (D, Fifth

United States) and a section of Rogers’ (B, First New York), both 3-inch Parrotts, bore

upon all the enemy’s batteries to our right of the salient, and together with Major

Fitzhugh’s batteries swept all the hill that rises in rear of the enemy’s works, while the

remaining section of Rogers’ battery and the light 12-pounders of Walcott’s (C,

Massachusetts) and Stewart’s (B, Fourth United States) bore upon the salient itself.


Immediately in rear of these batteries Colonel Abbot had established his large battery of

ten 10-inch mortars and another of six 8-inch mortars about 300 yards to the right of this.

These mortar batteries were not under my control. Some 300 yards to the left of

Lieutenant Dresser’s position Phillips’ (E, Massachusetts) battery, four 3-inch guns, also

bore upon the great salient, and about 200 yards from there Winslow’s battery (D, First

New York, light 12-pounders) occupied the little redan, with one section bearing on the

enemy’s salient and the other on his batteries beyond the Burnt Chimneys. In the work on

the right of the plank road Captain Hexamer, of the First New Jersey Artillery, had two

batteries of his brigade (Sixth Corps), H, First Ohio, 3-inch, and E, Fifth United states,

light 12-pounders, and six 4½-inch siege guns, under charge of Captain Brown, of the

Fourth New York Artillery. The ten rifled guns bore upon the great salient and the redoubt

behind it, while the 12-pounder battery was directed upon the enemy’s batteries beyond

our left. Cooper’s (B, First Pennsylvania Artillery) and Barnes’ (C, First New York), both

3-inch batteries, also bore upon these extreme batteries of the enemy from the works

outside the large redoubt. There were, therefore, twenty-eight rifled and twenty-four 12-

pounder field pieces, six 4½-inch siege guns, and eleven Coeborn mortars in position

along the line and in rear of this corps, besides the sixteen mortars and six siege guns,

under Colonel Abbot, making a total of ninety-one pieces of ordinance which took part in

the bombardment.

It was very near sunrise when the mine was exploded; and this being the signal

ordered for the opening of the artillery, not more than one minute had elapsed before all

the batteries were in active operation. The most stringent orders and directions had been

given to avoid firing into the advancing columns of our own troops, and I have not been

able to learn of a single case of any of them being injured by shot or shell from the

batteries of the command. The range was short; the fire of our guns exact and crushing;

so that the enemy were unable to reply, to any extent, from their guns on their front line,

of which, however, I believe they had very few in position. Not a shot was fired by them

from any of their batteries to the right of their great salient; consequently our guns

bearing in that direction soon slackened their fire, and only renewed it when there

appeared to be any movement of their troops at those points. To our batteries the affair

was one almost of target practice. Not more than thirty or forty shell were fired at them

by the enemy during the whole day, and their musketry was confined to a few very weak

spurts. Their artillery fire was almost exclusively from the large redoubt back of the

salient, the battery near the Clark house, and one gun in the ravine leading to general

Burnside’s salient. These batteries were all more or less hid from us, and the last

mentioned was completely covered in a re-entering angle of their line. Every gun,

however, which could be brought to bear upon these batteries was turned upon them, and

they were kept comparatively quiet. With regard to the damage inflicted by our artillery

practice, I can only state that the face of their works was much injured, several of the

embrasures destroyed, and at least three chests of ammunition exploded in the great

salient. We were also able to prevent their advancing any troops whatever over the open

ground below the Clark house. So long as General Burnside’s troops held their most

advanced position our batteries were unable to reach the attacking columns of the enemy,

as their advance was made from the opposite side. When, however, they had fallen back

to the work destroyed by the explosion, and an attack was made upon that point between

1 and 2 o’clock, some twenty guns were able to open on them with shrapnel, and did their


part toward the repulse of the enemy. The casualties in the command were confined to 1

officer (Maj. R.H. Fitzhugh) slightly wounded and 1 man in Battery E, Massachusetts

Artillery; 2 men were killed and 1 wounded by a premature explosion of a gun in Battery

D, Fifth U.S. Artillery. As a display of accurate firing, the affair reflected great credit on

all the batteries engaged.

I remain, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

C.S. WAINWRIGHTColonel First New York Artillery, Commanding Brigade.

Lieut. Col. F. T. Locke,Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS

Special Orders, No. 148, June 21, 1864

The following batteries of the Artillery Brigade of this corps are hereby assigned

for duty to the Third Division, and the commanding officers will report to Brigadier-

General Crawford. They will be attached to this division in the same way as they were

with the First and Second Divisions: Ninth Massachusetts Battery, Capt. John Bigelow;

First Pennsylvania, Battery B, Capt. James H. Cooper.

By command of Major-General Warren:

A. S. MARVIN, Jr.,Assistant Adjutant General

Report of Col. Charles S. Wainwright, First New York Light Artillery, commanding

Artillery Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY BRIGADE, FIFTH CORPSSeptember 1, 1864

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the major-general

commanding the corps, the following report of the part taken by this command in the

campaign from Culpeper Court-House to this place:

At the time we left our winter camp the brigade was composed of the following

batteries: B, Fourth United States, Lieutenant Stewart commanding, six light 12-

pounders; D, First New York, Captain Winslow commanding, six light 12-pounders; H,

First New York, Captain Mink commanding, six light 12-pounders; C, Massachusetts,

Captain Martin commanding, six light 12-pounders; D, Fifth United States, Lieutenant

Rittenhouse commanding, six 10-pounder Parrotts; B, First Pennsylvania, Captain

Cooper commanding, six 3-inch regulation; L, First New York, Captain Breck

commanding, six 3-inch regulation; E, Massachusetts, Captain Phillips commanding, six


3-inch regulation; making a total of eight batteries and forty-eight guns. The brigade

moved out of camp at 2 o’clock on the morning of the 4th day of May, and marched in a

body along with the infantry of the corps through Stevensburg to the Rapidan at

Germannna Ford. After crossing the ford the different batteries were assigned to march

with the divisions, for their better protection through the Wilderness as follows: B, First

Pennsylvania, with Crawford’s (Third) division; C, Massachusetts, and E, Massachusetts,

and D, First New York, with Griffin’s (First) division; H, First New York, and D, Fifth

United States, with Robinson’s(Second) division; L, First New York, and B, Fourth

United States, with Wadsworth’s (Fourth) division. On reaching the Old Wilderness

Tavern the first four batteries went into position on the high ground immediately around

the Lacy house. The others were camped for the night on the east side of the Germanna

plank road, about three-fourths of a mile north of the tavern.

May 5. - The batteries remained with the divisions for this day’s march the same

as yesterday. Crawford’s division leading on the road to Parker’s Store, and at 5 a.m.

reached a large opening within about half a mile of that place, when our cavalry, which

had previously held the Store, were driven back by a body of the enemy passing along the

Orange Court-House plank road, stopping our farther advance. Cooper’s battery went

into position at this point, but did not open fire. Meanwhile Breck’s and Stewart’s

batteries, with Wadsworth’s division, followed the same road and reached another open

space, about half a mile to the rear of that occupied by Crawford’s division. These

batteries did not get into position at this place, and along with Cooper’s, were withdrawn

to the neighborhood of the Lacy house about noon, when the divisions they were with fell

back to that point. It having been ascertained that the enemy were in full force and would

resist our further progress, four batteries were posted on the crest to the right of the Lacy

house, commanding the valley and the road to Parker’s Store, in the following order,

from left to right: E, Massachusetts; D, Fifth United States; H, First New York, and B,

First Pennsylvania. At times during the afternoon the rifles batteries opened fire on

bodies of the enemy seen passing the open ground to which Crawford at first advanced.

The distance was about 2,700 yards; practice good. I had here an opportunity of judging

of the relative merits of the Parrotts and 3-inch guns at this range. The elevation required

was the same for each, nor could I see any difference in the accuracy of the fire. I should

judge the proportion of shells which burst about as 5 to 4 in favor of the 3-inch

(Hotchkiss), while five Parrotts and three 3-inch burst within a few yards of the muzzle.

Meanwhile Winslow’s battery (D), First New York, advanced up the Chancellorsville

pike, with Griffin’s division, about a mile beyond its junction with the Germanna plank

road. One section was taken from the battery (which was left at this point) and pushed up

the road, along the advance of the infantry, about a mile farther to an opening in the

Wilderness, across which the road passes diagonally to the right. The section crossed this

opening and went into position part way up the rise beyond, firing solid shot up the road.

Finding that the infantry line of battle on his right had not advanced with him, Captain

Winslow withdrew his section to the bottom of the hill, nearly across to the hither side of

the open space, and again went into position. But at the same moment Ayres’ brigade,

which supported them on the right, gave way and fell back across the road. A few shot

were fired by the section even after the infantry had left them, but nearly all the horses

were shot, Captain Winslow severely wounded, Lieutenant Shelton wounded and a

prisoner, and the enemy actually between the guns before they were abandoned. No


blame whatever can be attached to either the battery officers or men, nor to Captain

Martin, acting at the time as division chief of artillery. They all acted under orders from

General Griffin. The guns were fought to the last, and lost as honorably as guns could be

lost. I may as well mention in this place that the guns were not removed by the enemy

that night, as I found on visiting the picket-line the next morning. Had I known it, I

believe they might have been drawn within our lines that night. The next day

arrangements were made to do so immediately after dark, but just at that time Ricketts’

division, holding the right of the road on which they lay, was driven in, and although

General Griffin offered to give me a brigade to try to recover them if I would ask for it, I

did not feel willing to incur the responsibility myself of bringing on an engagement and

the consequent loss of life. Immediately on the infantry falling back to near their old

position, the remaining four guns of Winslow’s battery were got into position on the right

of the road, on a crest where a little of the timber had been felled. A section of Phillips’

battery was at the same time brought up and posted on the pike, where it replied to, and

several times silenced, the enemy’s guns, similarly posted at a distance of about 1,400

yards.

May 6. - During the day the following batteries were moved up into position, on a

prolongation to the left of the line occupied by E, Massachusetts, and D, First New York,

which was the main line held by the Fifth Corps: D, First New York, now commanded by

Lieutenant Richardson, on the right of the pike; E, Massachusetts, across the pike; C,

Massachusetts, H, First New York, L, First New York, B, First Pennsylvania. The fighting

during the day was confined to the infantry. When Ricketts’ division, of the Sixth Corps,

gave way, by General griffin’s request I tried to get three batteries into position on a knoll

to the rear of the line above mentioned, so as to command a knoll and ravine on his right

flank. Rittenhouse’s and Stewart’s, the only remaining batteries of the brigade, were at

once brought up, and as the position was represented to me as very important and the

emergency most pressing, I also ordered up the Seventh Main Battery, Captain Twitchell

commanding, belonging to the Ninth Corps. On arriving at the position, however, it was

found that one battery could be placed so as to be of service, so Stewart and Twitchell

were ordered back to their former position, and Rittenhouse was also withdrawn early the

following morning.

May 7. - The batteries remained in their positions of the day before, except that Stewart

was moved across the opening in front of the Lacy house so as to command the valley of

a small stream coming in at that point. At 9 p.m. the corps moved out on the Brock road

under orders to proceed to Spotsylvania Court-House by the way of Todd’s Tavern. The

batter ies marched with the divisions. The night was very dark and the infantry straggled

across a few little wet spots on the road to such an extent that it was 1 o’clock of May 8

before the last battery (Rittenhouse’s) left the Lacy house. From that time until daylight

the rear of the column did not make more than half a mile an hour. I had been directed by

General Warren to remain at the Lacy house until all the batteries were off. And again on

reaching corps headquarters, where the head of the column had halted, about 1½ miles

beyond the tavern, I was ordered to remain with the reserve batteries. About 6:30 a.m.,

our cavalry being held in check by the enemy, Robinson’s division, with Martin’s and

Breck’s batteries, followed by Griffin, with Mink’s, Phillips’ and Richardson’s batteries,

moved past the cavalry and pushed on about three-fourths of a mile beyond the Alsop

house. Breck’s battery was left in position on the high ground close to this house, while


Captain Martin moved to the front with his and went in to position on the right of the

Maryland brigade, near the point of woods where General Sedgwick fell a few days after,

and where the two branches of the road, which separate in the rear of the Alsop house,

again come together. Captain Martin here brought his battery into position and fired solid

shot into the woods on the opposite rise, to enable our infantry to gain possession of it,

but failing in this and being driven back in confusion, the battery fell back with them by

the right-hand road about half a mile to a small knoll, which commanded the valley of a

little stream running from our right into the Po. In the withdrawal of this battery, Captain

Martin received a severe wound in the back of his neck, just grazing the spine, and the

command of the battery devolved upon Lieutenant Walcott. The other divisions, as they

came up, were formed on the right and left of the Alsop house, about a quarter of a mile

to its front, and Mink and Richardson took position around the house. The farther

advance on the enemy was checked at this point. With the aid of the fire of these

batteries, and on the arrival of the rest of the corps, and a portion of the Sixth, our line

was again pushed forward to the point first gained, which continued to be the salient of

our line through the remainder of the engagement at this place. The batteries were now

disposed as follows: Breck’s, Mink’s, and Winslow’s in position on the right of the road,

commanding the valley above referred to, the latter having relieved Walcott’s, which

battery, together with Stewart’s, again advanced to near its first position at the corner of

the woods near the salient, and at once became engaged in severe contest with a similar

number of the enemy’s guns. At about 600 yards’ distance a slight rise of ground hid the

contending batteries from each other, and it was some time before the exact range could

be got. When, however, the gunners were brought to fire low enough so as just to graze

the ridge and burst their spherical case on the graze, the enemy’s batteries were soon

silenced and their guns probably withdrawn. Shrapnel was almost exclusively used by

both sides in this engagement, which lasted about half an hour. Our loss was 10 killed and

some 10 wounded, among whom was First Lieut. Thomas Goodman, temporarily serving

with Stewart’s battery. Though his wound was considered slight at the time, Lieutenant

Goodman died in a hospital at Alexandria twelve days afterward. Soon after dark all the

batteries were withdrawn to the neighborhood of the Alsop house and parked for the

night.

May 9. - The corps now occupied an irregular curved line, with its left near the road to

Spotsylvania Court-House, at the salient above mentioned, its right in the woods to the

rear of the Pritchett house. At daybreak Mink’s (H), First New York, and Richardson’s

(D) First New York, were sent to the front and posted, under General Griffin’s orders, a

short distance to the right of where Stewart’s battery was the day before. An orchard, with

ruins of a house, was immediately in front of them, and a heavy wooded knoll beyond at

a distance of 500 yards. The fire of the enemy’s sharpshotters was exceedingly annoying

from these points. At 6:30 p.m. the eemy opened from a battery to the left, and advanced

their skirmish lines, but were driven back into the woods and their battery silenced. These

batteries were again withdrawn after dark. Cooper’s battery occupied its position of the

afternoon before, on a knoll to the right of the Court-House road, and commanding the

valley toward the Pritchett house. Rittenhouse’s batter was also placed on the same knoll

to the right of Cooper’s and in the afternoon Phillips’ battery was posted about 400 yards

in their rear, on commanding ground. The two first were engaged at different times

during the day against batteries of the enemy, which opened on the right of our line.


Phillips, though not engaged, suffered somewhat from the random fire of a bettery

beyond the woods on his left flank.The other batteries remained in reserve near the Alsop

house until late in the p.m., when Walcott relieved Cooper’s battery. The latter moved off

to the right about half a mile and fired some 40 rounds at the enemy across the Po.

Breck’s battery had been sent also to somewhat the same position in the afternoon, and

was engaged under fire of the enemy’s sharpshooters. Both these batteries were

withdrawn after dark.

May 10. - Mink and Richardson again in their position of the previous day, slightly

advanced and well protected by works thrown up during the night. The latter battery had

but three guns in position, having badly cracked thje trail of one of their pieces the day

before. Both batteries fired a good part of the day, by General Griffin’s orders, at the

enemy’s skirmish line and to encourage our own infantry. The enemy also occasionally

opened from a battery on their front, but was soon silenced. Rittenhouse’s and Breck’s

batteries were posted during the morning on the right of the corps to fire on the enemy’s

line across the Po, which was being attacked by the Second Corps. They were engaged a

good part of the day, but when the corps fell back were much exposed, and were

withdrawn before night. At the time the Second Corps fell back, at Colonel Tidball’s

request, Cooper’s and Walcott’s batteries were ordered to report to him, but were not

used. They reported back the next morning. Phillip’s battery remained in its position of

the previous day, and Stewart’s was posted to its right and rear, close to the Alsop house.

May 11. - Mink and Richardson, in the same position, kept up a fire throughout the day at

interval, as ordered by the division commander. Cooper occupied his old works,

commanding the valley. Breck, Phillips, Stewart, in position as before around the Alsop

house, with Rittenhouse and Walcott in reserve until the afternoon, when Stewart’s

battery was moved to the left and the front of Cooper, and Walcott was ordered to report

to Brigadier-General Ayres, now in command of the Second Division. None of the

batteries were engaged during the day.

May 12. - This morning Phillips’ and Breck’s batteries were moved to the extreme left of

the corps, and took position to the left of the road which crosses the Po, now at Corbin’s

Bridge. During the forenoon they shelled the woods across the river, and replied to a few

guns which opened on our skirmish lines, but they were either so far off or so much

concealed by the woods that the effect of our fire could not be seen. At 2 p.m. they had a

brisk engagement for twenty-five minutes with a rebel battery in their front at 1,200

yards, and silenced it. The fire of the enemy was very accurate, wounding several of the

men and exploding one of Captain Phillips’ limbers. Mink’s and Richardson’s batteries

shelled the woods opposite them at the time of the attack made by the Second Corps, and

at intervals during the day. Walcott’s battery was also engaged on General Ayres’ front for

a short time. The other batteries were in their previous positions, but not engaged. At

night all the batteries were withdrawn and camped near the Sixth Corps hospitals, in rear

of that corps.

May 13. - The command remained in camp all day. At night all moved by by-roads in rear

of the army to the Beverly house, on the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Court-House

road, reaching that point at sunrise of May 14. On arriving at the Beverly house,

Rittenhouse’s battery was posted across the pike about half a mile beyond the bridge over

the Ny, bearing upon the Court-House; distance 2,200 yards. Cooper’s and Breck’s

batteries were posted close to the Beverly house, firing to the left flank, and aiding in


both the attacks on the Myers house made on the afternoon of this day. The remainder of

the batteries remained in reserve.

May 15. - The batteries not engaged. Cooper and Rittenhouse remained in their former

positions. The horses are suffering greatly from being kept continually in harness, and, at

the same time, the forage allowance has been but 5 pounds a day.

May 16 and 17. - None of the batteries engaged. By orders of Major-General Meade, the

batteries were this day all reduced to four guns, one section being turned in at Belle Plain.

The six caissons were, however, kept and the surplus horses, so far as they were

serviceable. Maj. R. H. Fitzhugh, First New York Artillery, reported from the Reserve

with four batteries, viz. Sheldon’s batter (B), First New York, four 10-pounder Parrotts;

Barnes’ battery ©, First New York, four 3-inch regulation; Bigelow’s battery, Ninth

Massachusetts, four light 12-pounders; Hart’s battery, Fifteenth New York Independent,

four light 12-pounders. So the number and caliber of the guns in the brigade remain the

same as it was on leaving Culpeper.

May 18. - The Second and Sixth Corps having returned to the right of the general line,

and so uncovered the left, Hart’s, Bigelow’s, and Walcott’s batteries of light 12-pounders

were posted in the neighborhood of the Anderson house to protect that flank, should the

enemy attack there. Before daylight Rittenhouse’s battery was pushed forward on the

pike to our advanced works, about 1,400 yards from the Court-House, and was joined by

Taft’s (Fifth New York Independent) battery of six 20-pounder Parrotts, which had

temporily joined the brigade the night before, and Sheldon’s battery, making fourteen

guns, under command of Major Fitzhugh. At the same time Captain Cooper, with his

own, Breck’s, and Phillips’ batteries, making twelve 3-inch guns, was posted on a sharp

knoll to the front, and some 400 yards to the left, of Major Fitzhugh’s line, making an

angle of about 60 degrees with it. The position of all these batteries was excellent. The

first was protected by fair works, and the rapid descent of the knoll from the rear to

Cooper’s afforded excellent shelter for the limbers. The enemy had twenty pieces behind

their lines, in front and to their right of the Court-House. At the time the Second Corps

advanced on the right the batteries on both sides opened. The engagement was brisk for

near three-quarters of an hour, and the practice on both sides was very accurate. Fire was

kept up at intervals during the day without any express object, and with no perceptible

result, except the silencing of the enemy’s guns. At night, the Sixth Corps having returned

to its former position at the Anderson house, the batteries then were withdrawn. Taft’s

battery also left for Washington.

May 19. Fitzhugh’s and Cooper’s batteries remained in the same position. Taft being

replaced by Bigelow. They fired but little during the day. The Fifth Corps now being the

right of the army, Mink’s and Stewart’s batteries were posted with the Fourth Division,

near the deserted house, on the right of the pike, and commanding the valley of the Ny

for a short distance. During the enemy’s nattack tha p.m. on the Fredericksburg pike, the

former was slightly engaged and helped to repel a demonstration on the point he

occupied. Barnes’ battery had been posted in the morning near to where army

headquarters had been, and Hart was sent up there as soon as the attack commenced.

Major Fitzhugh, who took charge of the two batteries, reported that they contributed

materially in aiding the heavy artillery to repulse the attack.

May 20. - During the night all the batteries in position were withdrawn preparatory to

moving next morning.


May 21. - Left Beverly house at 10 a.m. and moved to Guiney’s Station, crossed the

Mattapony at bridge near that place, and bivouacked for the night on the south side of the

river.

May 22. - Started at noon and marched by the old Telegraph road to Bull’s (or Bullock’s)

Church, and camped for the night.

May 23. - Moved at daylight. Head of column arrived near North Anna by railroad bridge

11 a.m. This being the position which the Second Corps was to occupy, we returned to

Mount Carmel Church and passed to the right, striking the river again at Jerico Mills.

Rittenhouse’s battery was then placed in position on the north bank, immediately on the

left of the road leading to the ford, and soon after Breck’s battery took position about

one-third of a mile farther down below the bend. The First Division was at once pushed

across the ford, meeting with no opposition, followed by the Third and Fourth Divisions.

So soon as the pontoon bridge was laid the six 12-pounder batteries crossed. Meanwhile

the First Division had advanced into a piece of woods about 1,200 yards from, and

immediately in front of, the ford, and had slightly intrenched. The Third and Fourth

Divisions were now (5 p.m.) pushed forward on the left and right of the First, to complete

the chord across the bend of the river. On the left the Third Division succeeded in

reaching its position near a house, and Hart’s and Stewart’s batteries were posted by

Captain Cooper in rear of its right, on good ground. In the attack which was made on

both flanks near dusk, the enemy brought eight guns to bear on this point, which were

soon silenced by the fire of Stewart’s and Hart’s, assisted by Rittenhouse’s, Breck’s, and

Cooper’s batteries on the north side of the river. Meanwhile, Cutler’s (Fourth) division

was going into position on the right of the First. The column moved by the flank and

formed into echelon of regiments as it neared the corner of the woods. One brigade had

joined on to the right of the First Division and extended to the edge of the woods. The

First Brigade was advancing toward an open ridge on the right of the woods, when the

enemy’s line of battle arose from behind the ridge, fired a volley, and at once charged

upon their flank. The brigade gave way. Mink’s battery (H, First New York) was moving

up behind the column to take position on the ridge so soon as gained by the division.

Being present at this time, I at once desired Captain Davis, brigade inspector, to direct

him to cover our right flank. Captain Mink advanced in line and came into position at

canister range and soon checked the enemy’s advance. Matthewson’s batter (F, First New

York) and Walcott’s (C, Massachusetts) were also brought up at a trot and formed on the

right of Mink’s, so as to cover all our flanks to the river. The behavior of all these

batteries was admirable and their firing excellent. By it the attack of the enemy was

repulsed and our infantry enabled to reform. Their losses were severe. Captain Davis was

mortally wounded in endeavoring to rally the broken infantry in rear of Mink’s battery.

Lieutenant Matthewson, and Lieutenant Cargill, of C, Massachusetts, were hit soon after

their batteries went into position. In Captain Davis I lost one of the most promising young

officers in the service. Modest, gentlemanly, hardworking, and every inch a soldier, he

had won the highest commendations from all he had served with. Bigelow’s battery, in

rear of our lines, and Sheldon’s, on the north bank, also fired a few rounds. The

engagement lasted till after dark, when our lines were well established.

May 24. - Mink’s, Walcott’s, Richardson’s (D, New York) batteries remained in position

on right of line. Stewart and Hart were advanced to the left about 600 yards, and posted

near the Fontaine house. At dusk Major Fitzhugh with the two last-named batteries and


Phillips reported to General Griffin, commanding First Division; no engagement.

May 25. - The line was extended to the left to join the Ninth Corps. The three batteries

with Major Fitzhugh were engaged at times during the day on the skirmish line of

General Griffin’s front, but could elicit no reply from the enemy’s artillery, although we

suffered considerably from the enemy’s sharpshooters. Our object of posting the batteries,

however, was gained in partially silencing the enemy’s skimishers in front of the Fourth

Division. Cooper’s, Breck’s, and Walcott’s batteries were also in position on the front of

Crawford’s division, the left of the corps, but not engaged.


EULOGY for MARJORIE MACLAY HECKLER

My grandmother was born just four years into the 20th century and died just eight

months prior to the 21st century and only ten days before her 95th birthday.

The world Margie Maclay entered in 1904 was a much simpler place than the one

she left in 1999. Orville Wright proved man could indeed fly only one year prior to her

birth. Think of the history of air travel from then until now and Margie saw it all. In 1904,

Henry Ford was still four years away from producing his Model T. Roosevelt was in the

White House - Teddy Roosevelt. She was born into an era of the horse and buggy, dirt

roads, no radio, no telephone, no TV, no computers, no fax machines. You went outside

the house to use the bathroom!

Two Springs ago, I got a call from my grandmother on a day much like today. She

asked me if I would like to go see where she was born and grew up as a child. I said

“yes” and within a few hours we were off. We began by driving through Shippensburg

where she pointed out all the large homes downtown and told me who lived in them in

the early 1900s. We then went only two miles outside of town to a fork in the road called

Middle Spring. There we stopped to visit the historic Presbyterian Church where she and

her family worshipped. I got the guided tour of three graveyards. I was treated to a who’s

who in the Maclay clan. She was having a ball pointing with her cane to the grave of her

grandfather, James Hemphill Maclay, and the small American flag and the marker

signifying his service in the Union Army. She had me running from one Maclay to

another for more than thirty minutes. I could see the pride in her eyes as just before we

left she asked me to read the names on the largest, granite monument close by the church.

It was the memorial to the men of the Middle Spring congregation who fought in our

country’s War Of Independence, the Revolutionary War, 1776. And near the top was the

name: William Maclay of Scotland. And I don’t mean Scotland Village just down the

road. I mean you only had to close your eyes and you could almost hear Scottish

bagpipes.

We continued another few miles on an old country road, over the stream and small

bridge to Maclay’s Mill. There she told me of swimming with her five brothers and of

fond childhood memories. She explained the mill operation of her father, Ralph, and how

the wagons would bring the grain to be milled into flour. She pointed to the house on the

hill behind their home site. It was where her grandparents (James and Anna) lived and

who, every Sunday, would come down for the evening meal with Margie and her family.

She explained how the children would see them coming and would run the other way to

play. It seems they did not relish listening to the “old folks” telling their old stories.

However, in later years, she wished she had listened to the stories of her grandfather.

How he served in General McClelland’s Union Army outside Washington, D.C. with

Battery B of the First Pennsylvania Light Artillery and later at the terrible battle in nearby

Gettysburg. She did remember one story, however. It seems that for years following the

Battle of Gettysburg, her grandfather would take the entire family over to the battlefield

for Saturday picnics where he would cheerfully point out the grave and marker with his

name on it: James Hemphill Maclay. It seems that some poor soul in his company was

misidentified and buried as Margie’s grandfather. Years later, the officials corrected the

error, much to her grandfather’s dismay!

As we retraced our route home, she told me of her parents. How every Sunday her

Eulogy for Marjorie Maclay Heckler ~ 149

father would hitch up the horse and buggy for the ride over to the Middle Spring Church.

Little Margie would ride with her mother and father and the five boys would walk

behind, rain or shine, summer heat or winter snow. Every Sunday. How easy we have it

today. By the way, one of those brothers walking behind the buggy would grow up and

return home to serve as minister in that very same Middle Spring Church.

Her father, Ralph, was a strict Presbyterian. No swimming or playing games on

Sunday. He would read the Bible all afternoon until supper. But there was a great balance

in her family because she always added that her mother would read them the classics. I

believe this family environment at an early age had very tangible results. These parents of

humble means produced six children who would live into adulthood and five of them

went to Shippensburg College and graduated; one brother was president of his class. I

want to pause here and have you do some simple math. Margie was born in 1904 and

graduated from college in 1922. When I first learned that she was only 18 when she

graduated from college, I was struck by the fact how she would have been so much

younger than her classmates yet she still performed well. For females in those early years,

it was rare to go on past high school. But we all know Margie was, indeed, a rare soul.

My grandmother was a true friend to many of you here today. Let me tell you

about one of Margie’s best friends. Her name was Margaret Johnston of Shippensburg.

For you local history buffs, you may want to check this one out. It seems Margaret

Johnston was the very first female owner and driver of an automobile in the town of

Shippensburg. And her best friend was Marjorie Maclay. They would put on their very

best floppy hats, tied down with big ribbons and off they would go over the dirt roads of

Shippensburg. I would have loved to see that just once! Maybe that is why my

grandmother never learned to drive!

This friendship would lead to Margaret Johnston marrying one of Margie’s

brothers (Charles Wylie Maclay). Now they were sisters-in-law. Later, Margie’s friend

would have seven children. When Margaret was very ill with phlebitis in both legs,

Margie and Cap would take her two youngest boys into their own home, with Jack

staying nine months. Remember, Margie had three little ones of her own to raise by this

time.

By 1922 and graduation, Margie needed to find an elementary teaching job. In

those days it was no different than today’s worn out phrase, “It helps to be in the right

place at the right time” and “It helps to know someone.” It turns out Margie’s older

brother had a teaching job at Scotland School for Veterans Children and was in search of

a first grade teacher. You guessed it; Margie got her first job. She rode the train to and

from Shippensburg and Scotland five days a week. Of course, this is where the biggest

event in her life would take place. For at Scotland School was a just recently graduated,

young and strapping young man by the name of Maurice Heckler who likewise had just

taken his first job at the school. The year was 1923. Two years later, a union joined that

would last for the next 75 years.

She did reveal one story of her dating days with my grandfather. Remember that I

mentioned her father was the strict Presbyterian. Well, it seems he caught them playing

cards on Sunday. I asked her about that and she replied, “I didn’t think we were doing

anything wrong.” Boy, does that sound familiar to millions of parents. By the way,

Margie never did tell me what the name of the card game was.

My grandmother told me, over and over, during these last few weeks, that she had


a wonderful life, full of blessings. Some ups and downs, but an overall feeling of being

blessed in a long and healthy life surrounded by friends and family. She pointed out three

examples:

The 1930s and the depression that gripped the entire country. She and Cap were

raising three young children but they had a job, food on the table and a roof over their

heads when so many did not.

The 1940s, World War II, millions of mothers were sending off their sons to war

and an uncertain fate. Margie told me her feelings and what she was doing on Sunday,

December 7, 1941. Her thoughts were about her oldest son, James, and all the young

boys in America. She told me of her thoughts as she saw him join the Marine Corps, ship

off to the Pacific and make an amphibious landing on Iwo Jima. She reminded me again

how fortunate and blessed she felt upon his safe return home.

And third, she noted their long retirement years together, 34 years to be exact.

Almost equal to as many years at work. I hope we all are as lucky on that point.

Margie had a strong, personal faith in God. It was also noted earlier that she was

proud of her profession of teaching. Marjorie’s life was lived in a manor that served to

teach us. All we had to do was watch her, listen to her and take her hand. I believe

Marjorie was a teacher every day of her life.

We are the beneficiaries of that life -- and we all thank her for making us better

for the experience of knowing her.

As she lay in bed and she knew the end was near, I sat beside her and held her

hand and patted her on the head. She looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and

said, “You know, I used to sit by your crib and hold your hand and pat you on the head.”

We both realized that it had come full circle.

I am going to miss you, Margie.


Many thanks and appreciation for Lucy Maclay Koser for having duplicated the letters

many years ago and who donated them to the Shippensburg Historical Society where I

discovered them in 1996. Thanks also for preserving the original letters and making them

available to me for inspection and scanning.

james hemphill maclay civil war letters

Documents