Category: Historical Text

Period Newspaper Articles

RGoldie

Philadelphia Inquirer

May 10, 1862
Headline: Killed and Wounded at the Battle at Williamsburg

Ninety-Eighth 98th Pennsylvania Volunteers
Seargeant G. M Biderman, Company F, killed
Private Adam Wagner, Co. F wounded seriously
Private Leopold Wetzel, Company K, wounded in the abdomen.
Private Albert Lamb, Company F, both legs off.
Seageant Edward French, Company K, wounded seriously.
Private Fred Derringer, Company K, wounded in the face.
Private John Huttman, Company B, wouded in the neck.
Corporal Frederick Dettro, Company I, rifle ball in the thigh.

*Note: I am still trying to verify this article, as I am having trouble finding these soldiers names in the 98th PA.

Miners Journal

May 30, 1863
Written by: H.K. Seddinger
(R.G. NOTE: Howe K. Seddinger is listed as a Hospital Steward at Gettysburg and was possibly injured there; look into this – “Vet 1864” is after his name.)

During the battle at Salem Heights, the 98th P.V.I. and the 62d N.Y.V., were necessarily left on the south side of the main road where they performed gallant service under the officer in charge of that portion of the line. They lost heavily and held their position to the last. Col. John J. Ballier, of the 98th received a serious wound in the foot and was taken from the field. At 5 P.M.

(Thank you to Stu Richards for his full post.)

Richmond Examiner

July 8, 1864
(p. 2 col. 4)
Headline: Latest from the North, July 2

Colonel John F. Ballier, of the Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania cavalry, was killed in a fight near Reams’ station on the 29th.

*Note: This article mis-labeled the 98th as cavalry, and of course… Ballier was not killed.

Dedication of Gettysburg Monument

RGoldie

The following text is an account of the dedication speeches given by two officers of the 98th at the dedication of the Monument in Gettysburg. The monument at this dedication (shown above) has since been removed to the Little Round Top location, and the one on Crawford Ave./Weickert Farmhouse, has been replaced with a larger monument, shown at right. (Visiting Gettysburg? Learn more about locating the monuments here.)

Dedication of Gettysburg Monument 98th Regiment Infantry

September 11, 1889
Address of Captain Jacob A. Schmide

Comrades and friends—through the kind favor of Providence and the patriotic liberality of the government of our noble old Keystone State we are permitted to be assembled here to-day, on this historic field, to dedicate this monument as a memorial to the action of the Ninety-eighth, Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry in the great battle fought on these fields in July, 1863, for the preservation of our country, for the continuation of our government, for the defense of our homes and our firesides, for the defense, especially as Pennsylvanians of all and everything near and dear to us, against the invading hosts of the enemy, who, fresh from one victory, advanced boldly upon our own State capital, threatening our own towns, our own cities, our very existence.

On behalf of the survivors of the Ninety-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry it behooves me now, I believe, in connection with this occasion, to state to you, that this monument is erected here by the authority of our State government, to mark a position held by the regiment during the battle, and to commemorate the regiment’s action in the great battle fought on these fields during those memorable days of July, 1863.

My friends, we are glad to be enabled to inform you here, that this monument does indicate a position, as the inscription thereon truthfully states. The regiment held this position from about dusk of the evening of July 2, to the end of the battle. Actually it was in line along the road in front, the right wing somewhat refused to face the woods, but, to conform to the wishes of the Commissioners appointed by the Governor to superintend the erection of these monuments, and the various good and sufficient reasons advanced by them therefore, our committee willingly accepted this location, although it is somewhat in rear of the line which the regiment actually occupied.

We regret that we cannot so heartily approve of the inscriptions thereon alluding to the regiment’s action in this memorable battle, or, rather, we mast regret the omission of any statement alluding to the action of the regiment on another part of the field, although in close vicinity.

The inscriptions are as decided for us by the State Commissioners, and state truthfully, that the regiment led the Sixth Corps on its march from Manchester, Maryland, to the battlefield and held this line from evening of July 2 to the end of the battle, but make no allusion to what else it did.

Our lamented General Sedgwick, in his report on this battle, states that he arrived, in fact reported his corps present, at Rock creek at 2 o’clock p.m., and the Ninety-eighth was the leading regiment of it.

Well, did we stay at Rock creek, a full mile or more in the rear?

Was the leading regiment of the corps left at Rock creek to rest itself, while others following, yes, while the other following regiments of our own brigade were hurried forward as fast as possible and led into action, into the fight on this identical ground?

No, my friends, the Ninety-eighth was not the kind of a regiment to be left in the rear under anything like such circumstances as took place here on that afternoon.

Although the Commissioners did not allow us a mention in the inscription of the action of the regiment between the time of its arrival at Rock creek and the time, as stated, when it was placed in position on this line, we were not lying idle at Rock creek, or anywhere else, listening to the battle from afar, yes, to the roar of battle being fought that afternoon on these identical fields, in this immediate vicinity, those very hours, my friends, were, and are today, and will continue to be, as long as we live, the hours most memorable to us the survivors of the Ninety-eighth in regard to our action In the battle of Gettysburg. The hours between 4 o’clock and sundown of that afternoon of July 2, 1863, were full of trying moments on this part of the field, and the Ninety-eighth got here in good time and did its duty, yes fully did its duty, and perhaps some of the work of others, and as the State Commissioners request, that in the exercises connected with the dedication of these monuments the survivors include a true, and as near as possible complete statement of the actions of their respective regiments in this battle, we cheerfully comply with that request, to the best of our ability; although in the main part it will only be a reiteration of a statement of our action as a regiment, in the battle these monuments are to commemorate as we have some time ago transmitted to them.

Yes, transmitted to them for the very purpose of having the truth of our action recognized by suitable mention thereof in the inscription on this monument, and made over the solemn affidavit of a large number of our comrades who participated with us in this eventful battle. Over the solemn affidavit of comrades who lost limbs, who became crippled for life in that action of the regiment, a solemn statement made under oath and transmitted to them, setting forth our action, especially for the purpose of inducing the Commissioners to include a mention thereof in the inscriptions, and without a mention of which we can never look upon or consider this monument as giving to posterity a truthful history of the part the Ninety-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry took in the battle this monument is intended to commemorate.

On the evening of July 1, 1965, the Ninety-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, four hundred strong, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel John B. Kohler and Major J. W. Beamish, was in bivouac near Manchester, Maryland, thirty-eight miles from here, with the rest of the Sixth Army Corps, and shortly after dark was ordered on the march towards Gettysburg, where heavy fighting had already been going on during the day; the regiment was fortunate enough to bare the leading position of the corps assigned to it for that march, a position which, in a column on a march, and especially on a march as that one was, is very advantageous, as it enabled us to reach the battlefield here in very good order and form, after marching all night and day without intermission, until we arrived at Rock creek, at a point about a mile south of where the Baltimore pike crosses said stream, and may fairly be included in the area of this battle-field.

We arrived there shortly after 2 o’clock and were halted and allowed to rest for probably fully an hour, when we were advanced, with our brigade, to the bridge on the Baltimore pike over Rock creek, being placed in line on the south bank, on the left of the pike, facing the stream. Hardly had the brigade got in line in that position when we were again ordered forward, and crossed the creek partly by way of the bridge and partly by fording the stream, doing so under our lamented General Sedgwick’s personal supervision. We were at once urged forward as fast as possible and soon lost sight of and became detached from our brigade, being directed by a staff officer who accompanied us towards the left, we making a good part of the distance on the double-quick, and were brought onto Little Round Top, and by the direction of a staff officer formed in line of battle; being right to front necessitated our forming on the right by files into line.

Our right resting at a point about four hundred feet south of the road that crosses Round Top ridge, our left extending well up to what may be called the rockier part of the western slope of the hill, facing the wheat-field, with the intervening ridge and marsh directly in line of our front. This line of our regiment was formed immediately in rear of a line of others of our troops, whom we soon found were some of the Pennsylvania Reserves, and whose left was somewhat overlapped by our formation. Our other troops appeared at that time as being apparently driven from or leaving the field in our front pretty well broken up and the enemy in what seemed to us to be also rather disorganized parties, following closely after them, however, placing a couple of guns that our men were trying to save, in apparent jeopardy of being captured, from I may say almost under our eyes. Therefore, before the regiment was hardly formed in line we were ordered to fix bayonets followed immediately by the commend “forward Ninety-eighth, charge,” and forward we did go, advancing through the line of troops mentioned as lying directly in front of us while we formed, they apparently willingly opening their ranks to let us through; we charged through the marsh of Plum run, advancing to the foot of the ridge on the west side of the swamp; whatever there was in our immediate sight of the enemy, in our direct front, retreating before us with little firing; we however received a livelier fire from the left (Devil’s Den) while crossing the swamp, which, together with the difficulty of crossing through the soft slough, had the effect to break our line up somewhat, so that the halt at the foot of the ridge, though for a few moments only, allowed those who became delayed (stuck in the mire) in crossing, to catch up.

The troops through whom we had passed, as before mentioned, also started to advance while we lay at the foot of the ridge, and on their left adjoining our right they also halted a few moments when the whole extended line again advanced, we up the ridge to and over the stone wall skirting the wheatfield, our left well into the woods on the left, driving back some and making prisoners of a number of what looked to us like disorganized straggling parties of the enemy, with little extra effort on our part. We were, however, soon recalled to the stone wall on the ridge and held that position until near dusk, when we were ordered to the right and rejoined our brigade taking position on the right of it, which brought us on this line, having sustained in the charge and the other movements just described the comparatively light loss of only one man killed and ten wounded. And in this line and position we were kept to the end of the battle without actually any further losses or becoming further engaged.

Those Wounded:
Louis E. Frank, Co B
William Baker, Co B
Charles Leisegang, Co C
Louis Manthe, Co G
Wm. Blechinger, Co H
Jacob Kohler, Co H
Henry Schramm, Co H
George Walter, Co H
John Heppler, Co K
George Stiles, Co K

September 11, 1889
Address of Sergeant F. J. Loeble

Mr. President and comrades of the Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Regimental Association, ladies, gentlemen and friends:—Assembled here today, taking the allotted and average time of the life of mankind to be thirty-three years, a generation of the human family has almost passed away since first the cause made its appearance, which has led thousands to assemble to-day, on this glorious and renowned field of Gettysburg. It would take entirely too much of your valuable time, and would, I am afraid, severely tax your powers of endurance, were I to undertake to fully discuss the cause, the political intrigues and machinations of the leading politicians and statesmen, which eventually led to the secession of the Southern States from the Union.

More eligible tongues and abler pens have discussed those questions time and again, and I am confident, that the greater majority of those assembled here to-day, are quite familiar with that subject, and it will, therefore, be sufficient for me to say that after a most exciting political campaign for the election of a President of these United States, in the fall of 1860, in which that noble and never-to-be-forgotten man and martyr, Abraham Lincoln, was chosen as the executive officer of this federation of states, the country was embroiled, and stood face-to-face with the most wicked, uncalled for and unscrupulous attempt of traitors and rebels, to overthrow the government and establish slavery on a firm and everlasting foundation. Although in his inaugural address, on the 9th of March, 1881, the President had promised not to interfere with slavery in the States where it then existed, and assurances were given by all the leading statesmen of the then dominant party to the same effect, the political leaders of the South had so worked upon the minds of their constituents the idea of establishing a separate government, with slavery for its corner-stone, that State after State recalled their senators and representatives front Congress and passed acts of secession in their different legislatures.

Could they have foreseen the unity and devotion to the flag, as exhibited by the inhabitants of the Northern States when they were once fairly aroused, I feel warranted in saying, that they would have considered and deliberated considerably longer before striking the blow against the flag of our country, by firing on Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston on the morning of April 12, 1861; but whom the gods wish to destroy they first strike with blindness, and as the Almighty Providence and father of us all, had determined to strike the curse of slavery from this fair land of ours, he let them go on in their mad career and permitted them to still farther blacken their treacherous souls in the blood of their brothers.

The war of the rebellion was now fairly opened, a war which in its accursed course of four years cost the country hundreds of thousands of lives, millions upon millions of money, breaking down the health of thousands of men, and filling the land with widows and orphans; at the same time, however, bringing forth to full development the noblest traits of human character, unbounded charity, heavenly love and unsurpassed devotion. On April 14, 1861, the stars and stripes, that beloved symbol of our country and human liberty, ceased to float over Fort Sumter, and the President issued his first call for 73,000 volunteers to serve for the period of three months. The shots on Fort Sumter roused the slumbering fire of patriotism in the hearts of the Nation: stunned by this blow the country reeled like a man in his cups, but almost immediately recovered and exhibited such an intensity of feeling and readiness for sacrifices of all kind as astonished the people themselves and the world at large. Work of all kind seemed entirely suspended, the professional man suspended his calling, the artisan and mechanic stopped his machinery, the merchant laid aside his ledger, the laborer his pick and shovel, the farmer stopped his team in the field, even some of the boys flung their books in the corner, all vieing with each other which one would first reach the recruiting station, to inscribe his name on the roll of his country’s defenders.

The quotas of the different States were filled almost as soon as the call had been issued, and you, my comrades, well remember how eager you were to go forth, and to do and die, so that our nation might live.

If I am allowed to do so, I would here relate to you as an illustration of the eagerness of the people to enlist, and of the surplus of men offering their services to the government, a circumstance which happened to me personally. On offering my services, the recruiting officer told me emphatically, and I thought at the time, not very politely, that he could get by far more men than he wanted, and did not propose to enlist boys.

It was at this time that our fellow townsman, John F. Ballier, a tried soldier of the Mexican war, a man of sterling qualities (who has been prevented by sickness from being with us on this memorable day) considered it to be his duty toward the land of his adoption, to again unsheath his sword in defense of the flag under whose folds millions of people have found freedom from tyranny and oppression. His services being accepted, he took the field in a very short time at the head of a regiment of volunteers known as the Twenty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. The term of enlistment of this organization expired on July 29, the final discharge being August 8. The brave and loyal commander had, however, taken time by the forelock, and secured the issue of an order from the War Department, authorizing him to recruit a regiment of Infantry for the term of three years or sooner shot, as the boys used to say, the sentence, however, reading or sooner discharged; this again shows to you that even at that time, no one had any idea of the gigantic proportions this unholy war was going to assume.

Many of the discharged officers and men of the now extinct Twenty-first Regiment rallied around their beloved commander, and at once commenced active recruiting, so that by the 17th of August, the first company was mustered into the service, and was thereafter known as Company I, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. By the 20th September, seven more companies had been mustered in the following order; D, C, F. A, D. K and B, and encamped at Camp Ballier, near Girard College, in Philadelphia. With the exception of Company A, ninety-five percent of the enlisted men were of German birth or parentage; Company A, or as more familiarly known the Irish wing of the German Regiment, is however fully entitled to and proud of the name of German Regulars, by which one of the generals on the field designated them after the gallant and victorious battle of Williamsburg, Virginia, as well as those others who expressed their thoughts in the tongue of the Fatherland.

On September 30, the eight companies left Philadelphia for Washington, District of Columbia, where they were attached to the Fourth Army Corps under General Keyes. During the month of December, Companies G and H joined the regiment in its camp near Tennallytown, thereby completing the full regimental organization of ten companies.

On arrival at this camp, early in October, the colonel at once commenced a rigid course of instruction in the duties of a soldier, such as company and battalion drills, guard mount, picket duty, manual of arms, etc., as well as establishing a school for officers, and with pride every member of the regiment may say to-day, that when in the spring of 1862, it broke its camp, he belonged to a well-drilled and thoroughly organized body of volunteer soldiers, destined to make their mark in the hot work before them. In the beginning of March, the regiment hailed with joy the order to march on the enemy, ready to do battle in a righteous cause; it was, however, sorely disappointed, when, after a few days, the army was ordered to return across the Potomac and encamp again on its old ground. Meanwhile the plan of operations against the capital of the Confederacy, Richmond, was changed, and in the later days of March the army was embarked and transported to Fortress Monroe, to begin the memorable campaign on the Peninsula. The regiment bore its share of hardships in the investment of Yorktown, holding a position near Warwick Court House, doing picket duty, building entrenchments and corduroy roads during all of April, and until the evacuation and abandonment of the rebel works.

Following up the enemy closely on the 5th of May, the long-looked for moment arrived, when the regiment was destined to receive its baptism of fire, in front of the rebel Fort Magruder near Williamsburg, Virginia. The prospect of our valor and courage must have been rather a discouraging one to our commander, after the severe march over almost impassable roads, and in a drenching rain storm, and the speaker often recalls him to his mind’s eye marching down the line, uttering words of encouragement and appealing to our sense of honor and duty, to show ourselves as men who could be depended upon in the hour of trial and danger. Bravely it followed its leader, and nobly did it do its duty, so well, that after the battle was over, it was taken from the brigade, and assigned to the special, hazardous and honorable duty of following up the retreating enemy, as one of the organizations composing the advance guard under General Stoneman until we reached the vicinity of Richmond. It would take me too long, and would perhaps become too tiresome to you, were I to give a detailed account of its marches and engagements, through that terrible campaign in the summer of 1862, when, in August, this noble Army of the Potomac, found itself at Harrison’s Landing on the James river, a shattered, bleeding and almost discouraged remnant of its former self, neither will I discuss the reasons for the disastrous ending of this campaign, but will simply say, that under the severest trials and experience, the Ninety-eighth was always found ready and willing to do its duty without murmuring or fault finding.

Shortly, however, the line of march was taken up again, as the rebel forces had turned their attention to the army of General Pope, who stood between Washington and Richmond. The division to which the regiment was attached was ordered to Alexandria, and, after disembarking, immediately advanced to Centerville, where it was assigned to the not very pleasant but important duty of covering the retreat of Pope’s army which had been defeated in the second battle of Bull Run; this was successfully accomplished, and well may the members of the regiment feel proud of having had part in insuring the safety of the Capital of the Nation at that particular time. Then followed Lee’s invasion of the north, the battle of South Mountain and Antietam, the capture of Miles at Harper’s Ferry, whom the division was sent to reinforce, but who had capitulated before it reached him, the chase after a foraging detachment of rebels, and the return to the Army of the Potomac near New Baltimore, Virginia.

Here the division was attached to the famous Sixth Corps, whose fortune became hereafter its own until the close of the war. General Burnside having assumed command of the army about this time the order was given to advance by way of Fredericksburg, where, on the 13th of December, 1862, a terrific battle was fought with disastrous results to the Union arms. The army then went into winter quarters on the north side of the Rappahannock, and, with the exception of the Burnside stuck In the mad march, remained quiet until the spring of 1863.

Meanwhile the command of the army had been transferred to fighting Joe Hooker, who, on the lst of May, crossed the river a few miles above the city with the bulk of the army, leaving the Sixth Corps under command of (that famous soldier and fatherly commander) John Sedgwick, in front of Fredericksburg, with instructions to take the rebel intrenchments In the rear of the city. This task was nobly accomplished by the corps on the 3rd of May, the regiment as usual taking a conspicuous part in this action. The line of march was almost immediately taken up again towards Chancelorsville, but General Hooker having meanwhile been defeated at this point, General Lee sent heavy reinforcements against the gallant Sixth, checking our advance at Salem Church. Stubbornly fighting against superior numbers the corps steadily retraced its steps, and reached the north side of the river on the 5th sustaining a very heavy loss in its numbers. This ended the Hooker campaign and brought the regiment back to its former quarters until June 20, when it became apparent that the wily rebel leader, Lee, was planning another advance into the loyal States, but shrouded his movements in such impenetrable darkness, that his army was well on its way before the Union commander had any idea of his intentions.

July 1 found the regiment at Manchester. Maryland, while other corps had already opened the ball at this renowned field of Gettysburg where we have assembled to-day, and where the greatest struggle for mastery took place between the old, well-tried opponents, the armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia.

In the evening the corps was ordered to Gettysburg, the Ninety-eighth having the right of the line. No one of the participants will ever forget that march of thirty-eight miles with but little rest. Weary and footsore it arrived on the afternoon of July 2, and immediately went into action from the position yonder where we have just rededicated one of the monuments. Nothing daunted by their weariness, or even the retreat of their comrades of other corps, who were closely followed by the enemy, they went forward at the word of command, and, after having fixed bayonets, with a Union hurrah.

Here, again, at a critical moment, the regiment fully proved that it was composed of no mean material, for had it not stemmed the current of the rebel advance God knows what would have been the result if the rebels had captured yonder heights, but the timely arrival of the regiment proved to be the turning tide of the fortunes of war in two distinct results. The retreating Union soldiers, amazed by this outburst of confidence and devotion to duty, and seeing the line steadily advancing, halted, faced about and joined in the forwardmovement of their brethren of the Ninety-eighth, while, on the other hand, the rebels received a check to their onward march, wheeled about and exchanged the role of pursuers to the one of pursued. The regiment drove the retreating foe beyond this stone wall into the wheatfield, and was, later in the day, withdrawn to this position, which it held successfully until the close of the battle.

I have shown you with pardonable pride that in several important actions the regiment fulfilled its duty to the best of its ability, and would but casually mention here, that about one year later, it was again its good fortune to save the capital of the Nation, being the first regiment of the corps to drive the rebels from in front of Fort Stevens, under the eyes of the late lamented Lincoln, who personally tendered his thanks to the commander for the part taken in defeating the rebel designs, and assuring him that his services at that particular critical time should never be forgotten. For three long days the fate of the Union hung in the balance on this Pennsylvania field, thousands of her sons were engaged in this conflict, on her own dear soil, whilst thousands, aye millions, were praying for the success of our arms. At last the decision was rendered, the God of battles crowned with victory the Union army, and the highest tide of treason and rebellion had been reached on this very field. Hence-forth the unholy cause entered upon its decline, which, while not as rapid as we all could have wished, at least showed itself in their efforts becoming weaker, for no offensive movement in force towards the northern states was again attempted.

Well do you remember, however, how stubbornly almost every inch of ground was contested, and thousands upon thousands of lives had yet to be sacrificed before the death blow to treason was struck at Appomattox in ’65, the Ninety-eighth being no mean factor In the struggle to the end.

But let us now look to the immediate cause of our assemblage here to-day. Shortly after peace was restored to our bleeding country, a spontaneous movement started up to preserve to posterity the outlines of the field of Gettysburg, proclaiming as it does to-day the valor of the citizen soldiery of the American Republic.

A commission was formed, subscriptions solicited, and section after section acquired by purchase and donation until today nearly the whole field of carnage is owned by the Gettysburg Battlefield Association. Regimental associations showed a tendency to commemorate the position held by each of them during the terrific struggle, in marking the spots by the erection of monuments.

One after another was raised upon the field by the survivors, and well may you feel proud, my comrades, that a few years ago you put your shoulders to the wheel, and by a united effort, and with the assistance of your friends, you placed yonder memento upon this field in memory of our fallen comrades. The efforts of the survivors of the war induced the representatives of our beloved State of Pennsylvania to give them a helping hand in this noble undertaking by appropriating a certain sum of money for a monument, to be erected upon the spot where each Pennsylvania regiment and battery fought and bled in those memorable days. Today we have assembled to dedicate these monuments in the presence of our wives and children, our uncles and aunts and our friends in general, many a hand has again clasped the hand of comrades after an interval of years, friendships have been renewed, past hardships and privations have been brought vividly to our mind, let us also drop a silent tear for those near and dear ones who freely gave their lives for the land they loved, as we look upon this beautiful tribute of love to them which but a few moments ago, has been stripped of the flag that hid its beauties.

May you, my comrades, remember, that the visitors to this spot, in the years when we too shall have joined the great army above, amy drop a grateful tear to our memory, and thank the Lord, that, in the hour of danger to our beloved land, there were freemen enough to stand between their loved homes and those whose aim it was to destroy the liberties of a free people. But above all else may it continue to preach to posterity for years to come, that loyalty to our country should ever be second only to loyalty to our creator, the heavenly Father of us all.

May it serve as a warning to future generations that the American citizen will allow no one, no matter who he may be, to insult his flag or attempt to wrest one single star from its place. While we welcome under its folds the oppressed of all the world, let it be decidedly understood that those who bared their breast to the murderous bullet in defense of it, are jealously guarding its interests, and will not allow it to be lowered, dragged into the dust, or used for any other but the noblest purposes of mankind.

May we so direct the education of our children, and through them again our children’s children, that when they look upon these monuments, they may imbibe that spirit of devotion to country and flag which made their ancestors ready and willing to offer their lives in the defense of the Star Spangled Banner, the emblem of liberty, equal rights and national unity. O Lord, grant that it may wave until the end of time, over a nation of freemen enjoying happiness, prosperity and unity.

Regimental Losses

RGoldie

Regimental Losses*

9 Officers and 112 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded.

1 Officer and 72 Enlisted men by disease.

Total 194.

*Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion Compiled and Arranged from Official Records of the Federal and Confederate Armies, Reports of he Adjutant Generals of the Several States, the Army Registers, and Other Reliable Documents and Sources. Des Moines, Iowa: The Dyer Publishing Company, 1908.

†Special thanks to the following website for extended information: www.civilwarintheeast.com

Company Service

RGoldie

Company Service*

Duty in the Defences of Washington, DC, till March, 1862.

Advance on Manassas, VA (March 10-15)
†Advance on Manassas, VA Regiment crossed the Chain Bridge to Prospect Hill before returning to camp in Washington

Moved to the Virginia Peninsula March 25, embarking from Alexandria.

Siege of Yorktown (April 5-May 4)
†Regiment encamped near Warwick Court House, constructing field works and coruroying roads.

Battle of Williamsburg (May 5)
†Regimental loss in its first action: four dead (Sergeant George Bordermaun, Privates Adam Wagner, Albert Lamp and Leopold Wetzel)
and four wounded (Sergeant Edward Friend, Privates Theodore Deringer and John Ualtman)

Slatersville, New Kent C. H., and Sister’s Mills (May 9)

Advance from Williamsburg to Mechanicsville detached to General Stoneman’s command, May 7-26

Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines (May 31-June 1)
†Regiment made a forced march to Hanover Junction, destroying railroad track and rolling stock. Returning, it crossed the Chickahominy and rejoined the brigade near White Oak Swamp.

Seven days before Richmond (June 25-July 1)

Fair Oaks (June 26-29)
†Regimental loss: one man killed and nine wounded

Malvern Hill (July 1)
†Captain William Sehr and Lieutenant Christian A. Gallas were killed during a day-long battle in which the regiment’s ammunition was exhausted. Among the wounded was Captain Jospeh Lautenbacher.

At Harrison’s Landing to (August 16)
†Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. Many men became sick and a number died in camp during this time.

Movement to Alexandria, thence to Centreville (August 16-30)
†The regiment’s papers and baggage were lost in a separate transport, which was sunk. After the regiment landed it rested for two hours, then marched inland to Centreville, passing many units retreating from the retreat at Bull Run.

Cover Pope’s retreat to Fairfax C. H. (August 30-September 1)
†Slowly withdrawing and reforming until reaching Faifax Court House.

Chantilly (Reserve) (September 1)

Maryland Campaign (September 6-24)
†Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army Potomac

†Crossed to the north bank of the Potomac at Edward’s Ferry and then to Rohrersville. (September 12)

Battle of Antietam September 16-17 (Reserve).

†Advanced to reconnoiter Maryland Heights, then to Sharpsburg. (September 18)

†To Williamsport in an unsuccesful attempt to intercept a raiding party. Recrossed the Potomac at Berlin, then proceded to New Baltimore. (September 20)

At Downsville, MD (September 23-October 20)

Movement to Stafford C. H. (October 20-November 18), and to Belle Plains (December 5)

Battle of Fredericksburg, VA (December 12-15)
†Crossed the Rappahannock via the lower bridges and was in reserve. Colonel Ballier was wounded.

Burnside’s 2nd Campaign, “Mud March,” (January 20-24, 1863)

At Falmouth till April.

Chancellorsville Campaign (April 27-May 6)

Operations at Franklin’s Crossing (April 29-May 2)

Crossed the Rappahannock at Franklin’s Crossing and camped that night in the streets of Fredericksburg. (May 2)

Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg (May 3)
†Under artillery fire at dawn, the regiment formed and occuoied Marye’s Heights, losing one man killed and one wounded, then pursued the withdrawing Confederates to Salem heights.

Salem Heights (May 3-4)
†The regiment lost heavily in fighting on the south side of the road, including Colonel Ballier, who was badly wounded (a gunshot wound of the right ankle) and had to leave the field. Lieutenant Colonel Wynkoop took command.

Banks’ Ford (May 4)
†Sedgwick’s Corps is almost surrounded and overpowered. The regiment is sent to reinforce the left flank, successfully driving back a Confederate attack. Sedgwick, with the regiment, retired across the Rappahannock at Banks Ford and returned to its old camp. Lieutenant George Busch was mortally wounded, four men were killed, and three officers and 17 men wounded.

†The regiment crossed Kelly’s Ford and began building entrenchments, but was withdrawn to follow Lee’s Army on its invasion of the north. (June 20)

Gettysburg (PA) Campaign (June 13-July 24)

†The regiment arrives at Manchester, Maryland. That evening it begins a forced march to Gettysburg in response to urgent calls to reinforce Union forces fighting there. July 1

Battle of Gettysburg July 2-4
†The regiment was commanded by Major John B. Kohler. It brought 406 men to the field. On arriving on the field on the afternoon of July 2 it occupied the low hill north of Little Round Top. The next day the regiment advanced a short distance. It suffered little from the artillery barrage that preceeded Pickett’s Charge, losing most of its 11 men wounded during the battle to sharpshooters.
From the Sykes Avenue monument at Gettysburg: Leading the march from Manchester Md. Arrived here July 2d about 5 p.m. Immediately charged to the Wheatfield and woods to the left. About dark re-joined the brigade north of the road where other monument stands.
From the Wheatfield Road monument at Gettysburg: The regiment was the advance of the Sixth Corps in its march from Manchester, MD to the battlefield and occupied this position from the evening of July 2d until the close of battle.

†Day spent in removing the wounded and burying the dead. (July 4)

Pursuit of Lee (July 5-24)

Duty on line of the Rappahannock till October.

Bristoe Campaign (October 9-22)

Advance to line of the Rappahannock (November 7-8)

Rappahannock Station November 7.

Mine Run Campaign (November 26-December 2)

†Out of 329 survivors, 229 men reenlisted, receiving the promise of a furlough as inducement. December 23

†Attached to Wheaton’s Brigade, Dept. West Virginia and ordered to Harpers Ferry. The regiment was transported by rail in unheated box cars and open flat cars, causing great suffering among the men. The regiment then continued on foot to Halltown and Charlestown. Colonel Ballier was given command of Charlestown. (January 1864)

†The 229 reenlisted men depart on their promised furlough. The 100 men who did not reenlist performed guard duty at Harpers Ferry, Halltoen, and Snickers Gap. (February 1, 1864)

†The Veterans return from furlought and rejoin the remaider of the regiment at Brandy Station attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. (March 1864)

Duty at Brandy Station till May, 1864.

Rapidan Campaign (May 4-June 12)

Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-7)
†The regiment stood for two hours in a desperate battle until it was out of ammunition and was relieved. Lieutenant Charles Wiedman and eight enlisted men were killed and four officers and 52 men wounded. The next day the regiment took part in an unsuccessful attack and was forced to fall back in confusion. Colonel Ballier took over brigade command as General Wheaton took over from the wounded General Getty at Division, with Lieutenant Colonel Kohler taking over command of the regiment.

Battle of Spottsylvania Court House (May 8-21)
†Eight companies of the regiment performed picket duty, losing two killed and four wounded. The other two companies lost one killed and six wounded fighting with the rest of the brigade. Five more men were wounded crawling across an open field under heavy fire on the 18th.

Assault on the Salient (May 12)

North Anna River (May 23-26)

On line of the Pamunkey (May 26-28)
†Crossed the Pamunkey and moved to Hanover Court House

Totopotomoy (May 28-31)

Cold Harbor (June 1-12)
†Major John Beamish was killed on the picket line (June 1)
†Attacking unsuccessfully on the right of the line, Adjutant Edward Schwatlo and 13 men were killed and two officers and 39 men wounded.

†Crossed the James River (June 16)

First Assault on Petersburg (June 17-18)
†An unsuccessful charge cost two killed and 11 wounded.

†Raided and damaged the Weldon Railroad (June 21)

Jerusalem Plank Road (June 22-23)

Siege of Petersburg till July 9.
This is a link to an excellent resource on the 98th at the Siege of Petersburg.

Moved to Washington DC (July 9-11)

Defence of Washington against Early’s attack (July 11-12)
†The regiment formed a picket line in front of Fort Stevens, losing five men wounded on July 11. Eight men were killed and 28 wounded the following day. Colonel Ballier, commanding the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Kohler were both wounded. Colonel Ballier’s wound was serious (a gunshot wound of the right thigh).

Pursuit to Snicker’s Ferry (July 14-18)

Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign August to December.

Charlestown (August 21-22)

Demonstration on Gilbert’s Ford, Opequan Creek (September 13).

Third Battle of (Opequan), Winchester (September 19)
†Lieutenant John Heppler and five enlisted men were killed and three officers and 19 men wounded.

Strasburg (September 21)

Fisher’s Hill (September 22)
†The regiment made a successful charge against a steep hill, with its colors being first to be planted on the works and losing only three men wounded.

Battle of Cedar Creek (October 19)
†In severe fighting the regiment lost 14 men killed and 34 wounded and was forced to fall back from several positions. With the mid-day arrival of General Sheridan on the field, the Union took the offensive, and Confederate forces collapsed. At the end of the day Lietenant Colonel Kohler was killed inspecting picketts as officer of the day.

Duty in the Shenandoah Valley till December.

Ordered to Petersburg (December 9-12)

Siege of Petersburg (December 1864-April 1865)

Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run (February 5-7, 1865)

Fort Fisher, Petersburg (March 25)

Appomattox Campaign (March 28-April 9)

Assault on and fall of Petersburg (April 2)
†Lieutenant Colonel Charles Reen is badly wounded, losing his leg, Lieutenant Herman Solbrig is killed, and two officers and eleven me are wounded.

Pursuit of Lee (April 3-9)

Appomattox Court House Surrender of Lee and his army (April 9)

†Seven hundred unarmed drafted men and substitutes are assigned to the regiment. (April 10)

Surrender of Lee and his army.

Forced march to Danville (April 23-27), and duty there till May 23.

Moved to Richmond, thence to Washington (May 23-June 3)

Corps Review (June 8)

Mustered out (June 29, 1865)

Text from Bates, in case I missed adding a link.

Company Organization

RGoldie

Company Organization*

• Organized at Philadelphia August 23 to November 6, 1861.
†The regiment was organized at Camp Ballier, Philadelphia, under the command of Colonel John F. Ballier, Lieutenant Colonel Adolph Mehler and Major George Wynkoop. Colonel Ballier had commanded the 21st Pennsylvania Infantry, a three months service regiment, and many men from the 21st reenlisted in the 98th. Many of the regiment were German immigrants and had military experience in Europe.

• Regiment moved to Washington, DC, September 30, 1861.
†Eight companies moved to Washington, D.C. Attached to Peck’s Brigade, Couch’s Division, Army of the Potomac for duty in the Defenses of Washington, DC

• Companies “G” and “H” joined in December, 1861.

• Attached to Peck’s Brigade, Couch’s Division, Army Potomac, to March, 1862.

• 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to July, 1862.

• 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to September, 1862.

• 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to October, 1862.

• 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, to January, 1864.

• Wheaton’s Brigade, Dept. West Virginia, to March, 1864.

• 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and Army of the Shenandoah, to June, 1865.

History of the 98th P.V.I. (Bates)

RGoldie

History of the 98th P.V.I.

History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861-5
Samuel P. Bates

NINETY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. By order of the War Department, of August 1st, 1861, Colonel John F. Ballierwas authorized to raise a regiment of infantry to serve for three years, in place of the Twenty-first Regiment of the three months’ service, which he had commanded, the term of which had expired on the 29th of July, though not mustered out till the 8th of August.

Recruiting was immediately commanded, and on the 17th the first company, I, was mustered in. Companies D, C, F, A, E, K and B were mustered at intervals between that date and the 26th of September, and as mustered were sent to Camp Ballier, within the limits of the city of Philadelphia, where the regiment was exclusively recruited.

The majority of men and officers were of German origin, had served in the Twenty-first Regiment, and many of them in the armies of their native land. They received clothing immediately on entering camp, but arms and accoutrements were not delivered until two months later. The arms were the Belgian rifled musket, an excellent piece for distance and accuracy, much prized by the men, which in 1863 were exchanged for the much lighter Springfield rifle. A regimental organization was was effected by the selection of the following field officers: John F. Ballier, Colonel; Adolph Mehler, Lieutenant Colonel; George Wynkoop, Major.

The first eight companies left Philadelphia on the 30th of September, for Washington, and upon their arival encamped at Kalorama Heights for nine days, when they were ordered to join General Peck’s Brigade,* stationed at Tenallytown. (*Organization of Peck’s Brigade, Couch’s division, Keyes’ Corps: Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel James M. M’Carter; Ninety-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel John F. Ballier; One-Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, colonel Thomas A. Rowley; Sixty-second Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel John L. Riker; Fifty-fifth Regiment New York volunteers, Colonel Regis De Trobriland. At the conclusion of the Peninsula Campaign, the Fifty-fifth New York was detached and the One-Hundred and Thirty-ninth pensylania, Colonel Frederick H. Collier, was added to it.) During the months of December the two remaining comapnies, G and H, joined the regiment, bringing the number up to the full standard. Evolutions of the line, which had been commenced while in camp at Philadelphia, were continued at Tenallytown, and a thorough drill with the use of arms was instituted. A school for officers was established, which was in session one hour nightly, and the non-commissioned officers recieved instruction in artillery drill at Fort Pennsylvania, later Fort Reno. The monotony of the camp was not disturbed until the 10th of March, 1862, when the brigade was ordered acrss the Chain Bridge to Prospect Hill, where it lay under arms for nearly a week, exposed to severe rain storm, when it returned again to its old quarters.

On the 26th of March it embarked from Alexandria for the Peninsula, where, upon its arival, it encamped near the ruins of the little village of Hampton.

After ten days it proceeded to Warwick Court House, where it was principally employed in building corduroy roads, bastions and breastworks. On the 4th of May, the enemy having retreated, the works constructed with so great care were abandoned, and after a weary march, it arrived in front of Williamsburg, where it fought its first battle. The Ninety-third was in the advance and was first engaged. THe Ninety-eigth followed, or rather relieved it. The conflict was severe but more keenly felt than subsequent contests of greater magnitude, because here the men looked upon their first dead and wounde. The loss was four killled and four wounded.

On the 7th of May the Ninely-eighth was ordered to General Stoneman’s command, and moved with the advance guard, comprising in addition Robert’s Battery of Sixth United States, the Eight Illinois Cavalry, and the Second Rhode Island Cavalry. The three weeks spent on the march from Williamsburg to Mechanicsville, for ease and comfort, were not excelled during the campaign.

Starting on the march at the precise hour of morning appointed, and bivouacking at an early hour in the evening, with plentious food at regular hours, travelling through a beautifu lcountry, with just enough of skirmishing to give a pleasant excitement, the command was brought to its destination near Mechanicsville on the 29th of May.

Being thus detached from the brigade it was prevented from participating in the battle of Fair Oaks. It made a forced march to Hanover Junction, where it intercepted a train of cars, which was destroyed with a portion of the track.Upon its return to camp it was ordered to re-join its brigade, advance guards being now no longer needed. Crossing the Chickahominy it proceeded to the neighborhood of White Oak Swamp, where it was put upon picket, in line facing Richmond.

From the morning of the 27th to the morning of the 28th, it was engaged near Fair Oaks in holding the enemy in check, having one killed and nine wounded. Skirmishing its way back to Malvern Hill, it was there engaged on the 1st of July, during the entire day, and until its ammnunition was exhausted, of which it had been very saving, only using it when brought into actual conflict with the foe missing, supposed to be killed. Captain William Sehr and Lieutenant Christian A. Gallas were killed.

Worn and fatigued to the last degree, the regiment got into camp on the 3d; but it proved an unhealthy locality and many sickened and died, their constitutions probably weakened by previous hardships and exposure. The order, which came on the 11th, to break camp and move, was not unwelcome.

Proceeding to Yorktown, it encamped in a peach orchard, a most agreeable spot, until the 30th, when it was taken by transport to Alexandria. The baggage was sent by separate transport, which was sunk on its way, and all the property, books, and papers of the regiment were lost.

After its arrival it lay along the streets of the town for two hours, and then was ordered to go forward; “and forward we did go,” says Colonel Ballier; “but soon it became evident that something must be wrong, for ambulances, army wagons, ammunition trains, artillery, and straggling cavalry and infantry came hurrying towards us in the most complete confusion, faster than we could hurry onward. Besides it appeared that ours was the only brigade out of our division, Couch’s, that had been sent on. This division had, at Yorktown, been taken out of the Fourth Corps, and had not been assigned to any other command. Still onward we hurried, without rest, all night, until we reached the neighborhood of Centreville, where the brigade halted at last. As the hours wore on, the confusion increased. Soon after daylight one regiment of infantry after another, mixed up with artillery and vehicles of all description, came hurrying down the road, and the firing came nearer and nearer. It was the route from Bull Run! We rested on our arms until morning, and then, too, began to fall back gradually, about one hundred paces at a time, and always coming to a front again, until we reached Fairfax Court House.”

After a few days rest the regiment took up the line of march, crossing the Potomac on the 12th of September, into Maryland, at Edwards’ Ferry, and proceeded to Rohrersville, where it was kindly received. Here it remained until the morning of the 18th, when it proceeded on a reconnoitring expedition to Maryland Heights, overlooking Harper’s Ferry, the battle of Antietam having been fought on the previous day. It returned at night to the neighborhood of Sharpsburg, and rested upon the ground where the battle had been raging.

On the 20th it marched to Williamsport, to intercept a raiding party of the enemy, but arrived too late to effect anything. Re-crossing the Potomac at Berlin, the regiment marched to New Baltimore, where M’Clellan surrendered the command of the army to Burnside.

At White Oak Church, near Falmouth, it went into camp apparently for the winter; but on the 12th of December was called out, and crossing the river at the lower bridges, was held in reserve near the river, during the battle of Fredericksburg, retiring with the army from the fruitless struggle on the 15th, and returning to its old camp. It spent four days, from the 20th to the 24th of January, marching and counter-marching in Burnside’s Mud Campaign, and again returned to its camp.

Under General Hooker’s organization of the army, the brigade, now commanded by General Wheaton, was attached to the Sixth Corps. In the Chancellorsville Campaign, this corps was left to operate upon the flank and rear of the enemy. It crossed the Rappahannock at the lower, or Franklin’s crossing. The Ninety-eighth passed over on Saturday evening, the 2d of May, and moved up to the city of Fredericksburg, the enemy who had been left to guard the town being easily routed, and rested at night upon the streets. At dawn, on Sunday morning, it was saluted with rapid rounds of grape and canister, and was soon in position, pressing forward upon Maryes’ Heights, which were carried and occupied, the Ninety-eighth losing one killed and one wounded.

Without pausing longer than to re-form the columns, Sedgwick pressed on in pursuit of the flying enemy, and came up with him intrenched near a crossroads, known as Salem Heights.

“During the battle at Salem Heights,” says General Wheaton, in his official report, “the Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania and the Sixty-second New York were necessarily left on the south side of the mainroad, where they performed gallant service, under the officer in charge of that part of the line. They lost heavily, and held their positions to the last. Colonel Ballier, of the Ninety-eighth, at that time received a severe wound in the foot, and was taken from the field. During Sunday night the brigade, except the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania, which could not be relieved from its important position in front, was assembled in a field near the junction of the main and Banks’ Ford Road; here we bivouacked, filled our ammunition boxes, received our knapsacks, sent by train from Fredericksburg, and rested after having fought two battles in twelve hours, and skirmished all day.

“At three and a half P. M. on the 4th, the left of the Third Division was attacked by a strong column of the enemy, but our batteries soon drove them back. At five P. M. our extreme left, held by the Second Division, was hard pressed, and I was ordered to send a regiment to Howe’s right. The Ninety-eighth, under Lieutenant Colonel Wynkoop, was immediately dispatched, with a staff officer, and almost immediately after, I was ordered to the same point with the whole brigade. We moved down the Plank Road at a double quick and turned into a field on our left, and formed line of battle advancing. The most advanced rebel battalions of the attacking column were within fifty yards of a low furze fence, just as the Ninety-eighth was at an equal distance from this side. Shouting and firing as he advanced, Lieutenant Colonel Wynkoop reached the fence first, and checked the rebels, who found an unexpected line to meet them. Seeing it well supported, and my other three regiments advancing, they fell back and were easily captured.”

Sedgwick’s Corps being over powered and nearly surrounded, was obliged to retire, and crossing the river at Banks’ Ford, returned to its former camp. The loss in the regiment was one officer and four men killed, and three officers and seventeen men wounded. Lieutenant George Busch was mortally wounded.

Until the 20th of June the regiment remained in camp, when with the division it proceeded to Kelly’s Ford, and crossing the river was engaged in building a line of entrenchments. When completed, they were abandoned, it having been ascertained that the enemy had determined to invade the north, and was already far on his way. The march north was accordingly commenced, and on the 1st of July it arrived at Manchester, Maryland. On the evening of that day, in response to urgent calls, it commenced a forced march to Gettysburg. Soon after its arrival on the field, on the afternoon of the 2d, Wheaton’s Brigade was ordered into action on the left, and took position on the low wooded hillock to the right and front of Little Round Top, the Ninety-eighth occupying the right of the brigade.

When the troops of Sickles’ Corps, which had been posted on a more advanced line, were driven back, this brigade held its position unmoved, and on the following day advanced a little, and though exposed to a terrible artillery fire, had few casualties, except from sharpshooters. Two officers and ten men wounded, was the extent of its losses in the entire battle.The 4th was given to burying the dead and removing the wounded, and on the morning of the 5th the corps started in pursuit.

Beyond slight skirmishing with his rear guard, no serious collision took place, until in the neighborhood of the Antietam battle-field, where he was overtaken and preparations were made for a battle; but before it was delivered, he escaped. And now ensued a campaign over the old ground in Virginia, reaching from the Blue Ridge to the Potomac and the Rapidan, in which were frequent minor collisions of parts of the army with the enemy, but no general engagement, and at its close at Mine Run, on the 2d of December, where great suffering and hardship were endured, it returned to camp at Brandy Station, and went into winter-quarters.

At its entrance into service, the regiment numbered one thousand and ten men; in the summer of 1862, and subsequently, bodies of recruits were added to it; it was now reduced to three hundred and twenty-nine. Of this number two hundred and twenty-nine re-enlisted for a second term,and were mustered on the 23d. The promised furlough, which had operated as a strong inducement to re-enlist, was long delayed.

At the close of December, the brigade was ordered to Harper’s Ferry. The weather was intensely cold, and the movement, by rail, in box cars, and in open trucks without fire, was attended with great suffering. From Harper’s Ferry the brigade marched to Halltown, where the Ninety-eighth was detached and sent forward to Charlestown. Colonel Ballier was made commander of the post at Charlestown, and the companies were comfortably quartered in unoccupied buildings about the town.

On the 1st of February the long promised furlough was granted, and leaving the one hundred, who had not re-enlisted, at Harper’s Ferry, the veterans departed for home. On the 18th of March, the furlough being ended, they assembled at Chester, where they remained until the 26th. They then returned to their old camp at Brandy Station.

Meanwhile the men left at Harper’s Ferry had performed guard duty at the Harper’s Ferry prison,and subsequently had been ordered to Halltown, whence they had been sent at intervals on picket to Snicker’s Gap. Towards the close of March they joined the veterans at Brandy Station.

With the corps, the regiment moved on the 3d of May on the WildernessCampaign, and on the morning of the 5th, while on the march, was suddenly attacked, before the line of battle could be formed. The One Hundred andThirty-ninth was in advance, and received the first shock. The enemy, who at first seemed to be retreating, was followed up; but he soon made a determined stand, and fought desperately, the Ninety-eighth holding its ground for two hours under a furious musketry fire, and until its ammunition was all spent, when it was relieved. The loss in this day’s fight was one officer, Lieutenant Charles H. Wiedman, and eight men killed, and four officers and fifty-two men wounded.

The men slept in the rifle pits at night, and in the morning went forward, past their dead comrades, still lying where they fell, and followed the enemy up for nearly two miles, when he was found behind breastworks, and was attacked. By a movement in concentrated force upon the flank, he compelled the Union line to fall back in some confusion. General Getty was here wounded, General Wheaton succeeding to the command of the division, Colonel Ballier to that of the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Kohler of the regiment.

On the evening of the 7th the regiment moved away towards Spottsylvania. At four o’clock on the morning of the 11th, eight companies, under Lieutenant Colonel Kohler, were ordered to picket duty near Spottsylvania Court House. The firing upon the picket line was incessant, and these companies lost two killed and four wounded. The remaining two companies were engaged with the brigade, and had one killed and six wounded. The picket was relieved on the 13th, and on the 14th the regiment moved to Anderson’s Farm. At evening of the 17th it was summoned back, and marched or rather crept all night, and crossed the breastworks at daylight of the 18th. It was saluted by a shower of shot and shell as it passed the open field, having five men wounded, without an opportunity of returning the fire. At eleven o’clock it was relieved, and marching, crossed the North Anna, but soon re-crossed,and on the 28th crossed the Pamunky, and moved to Hanover Court House.

On the 1st of June it was ordered to Cold Harbor. After being exposed to the hot sun all day, it was obliged to work all night on the rifle-pits. Here, while out upon the picket line, Major John W. Beamish was killed. On the following day it was called away from the works, and ordered to attack farther to the right. The fighting lasted the entire day, in which Adjutant Edward Schwatlo and thirteen men were killed, and two officers and thirty-nine men wounded.

Marching and fighting, it finally reached the James River, and crossed on the 16th of June. In the operations in front of Petersburg, the regiment was engaged on the 18th in an unsuccessful charge, in which it had two killed and eleven wounded, and on the evening of the 21st, with the corps, moved upon a raid to the Weldon Railroad, which it partially destroyed.

The enemy having made his appearance in force in front of Washington, on the 9th of July the Sixth Corps started for the Capital, where upon its arrival, the brigade, now under command of Colonel Ballier, marched to Fort Stevens, and the Ninety-eighth was ordered to establish a picket line in front of the fort. The enemy kept up a rapid fire, and before the line could be formed the regiment had five wounded. On the following morning the enemy made a serious attempt to force the line, which was defeated, and the regiment held its ground during all that day and the following night, with a loss of eight killed and twenty-eight wounded. Colonel Ballier and Lieutenant Colonel Kohler were wounded, the former seriously. He was soon after promoted to Brigadier General.

The campaign of the Shenandoah now opened, but for over two months was carried on without advantage, though marching and counter-marching made the duty unusually severe. Finally, General Sheridan was sent to take command of the army, and on the 19th of September attacked the enemy in his chosen position upon the Opequan. The ground was stubbornly contested,and the Ninety-eighth was hotly engaged. At length the enemy was driven, and retreated rapidly up the valley. The Ninety-eighth lost one officer, Lieutenant John Heppler, and five men killed, and three officers and nineteen men wounded. Among the killed were some whose term of service had expired.

Sheridan followed up rapidly, and at Fisher’s Hill found his adversary disposed again to fight. In the engagement which followed, the brigade was selected to charge up a steep hill in face of infantry and artillery fire, and triumphantly carried the difficult position, the colors of the Ninety-eighth being the first planted upon the works. The loss was only three men wounded.

The Union army now fell back behind Cedar Creek, where early on the morning of the 19th of October, just one month from the battle of Winchester, the rebel army attacked, and were successful in driving a part of the army and making extensive captures. The Sixth Corps stood firm for a time,and in the desperate struggle which it made to hold its ground, the Ninety-eighth was frequently shifted, according to the emergencies of the battle, from point to point, all the while under a most destructive fire, and losing, at one time, within a few minutes, fourteen men killed and thirty-four wounded. The enemy finally succeeded in outflanking this corps, and in forcing it back.

At noon General Sheridan, who was at Winchester when the battle opened, arrived on the field. After a brief respite the army was put upon the offensive, and after severe fighting, the enemy was driven with heavy loss in men and material. Lieutenant Colonel John B. Kohler, while inspecting the pickets as officer of the day, was killed. The army now marched back and went into camp four miles above Winchester.

In January the corps was ordered to return to the lines in front of Petersburg. Here the regiment for two months was employed in building forts and breastworks, performing picket duty, and preparing for the spring campaign.On the morning of the 2d of April, the regiment was formed in line in front of the enemy’s works, and with the brigade was ordered to attack. His first line was easily carried, and after a brief struggle his main works were taken.

Following up the advantage, he was driven some three miles beyond Hatcher’s Run. The brigade then returned and joined the division, and was led towards Petersburg. The enemy opened fire upon it from all sides. A battery posted near the house, where, in the morning, General Lee had had his headquarters, was captured by the brigade, and the enemy was again driven. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Reen, commanding the regiment, was severely wounded, losing a leg. The regiment had besides, one officer, Lieutenant Herman Solbrig, and two men killed, and two officers and eleven men wounded.

On the 6th the corps attacked the enemy at Sailor’s Creek, and captured General Ewell and staff, and a large body of his men. Three days later the entire rebel army surrendered. On the 10th the regiment returned to Burkesville,where seven hundred drafted men and substitutes, without arms, were assigned to the regiment, and on the following day started on a forced march to Danville, on the borders of North Carolina.

Upon its arrival it went into camp. The necessity for further service in the field having ended, shortly after, it returned by easy stages to Washington, where on the 29th of June it was mustered out of service.

Upon its return to Philadelphia, it was received with the warmest manifestations of rejoicing. The colors, which had been presented by the State in the summer of 1863, and had been inscribed, during the time of the veteran furlough, with the battles in which the regiment up to that time had fought, were, on the 4th of July, 1866, returned to the Governor of the State, at Independence Hall, amidst the imposing ceremonies of that occasion.

* Organization of Peck’s Brigade, Couch’s Division, Keyes’ Corps: Ninety-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel James M. M’Carter; Ninety-eighth Regiment PennsylvaniaVolunteers, Colonel John F. Ballier; One Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Thomas A. Rowley; Sixty-second Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel John L. Riker; Fifty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Regis De Trobriand. At the conclusion of the Peninsula Campaign, the Fifty-fifth New York was detached and the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania, Colonel Frederick H. Collier, was added to it.