The National tribune., 1886-07-08
THE 2o8th PA.
A Brief sketch Of 1t. History.


rendezyoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pa
The regimental organization was completed on
the 10Th of September, 1864, with the following
field officers: Alfred b. McCalmOnt Colonel;
VI. Il. Heintzelman Licutenant-C Colonel; Alex
ander Bobb, Major.
On the day after its organization the 20Sth
started for the front, and upon its arrival was
assigned to duty in a provisional brigade COM
manded by Col j. n. Potter, of the 18th n. H.,
on the Bermuda Hundred front. Ii was here
engaged in picket duty and drill until the 9th
OF November, when it was ordered TO report to
the Army Of the Potomac. Soon after reaching
the right of the AppomattOx it was put upon
the march for the Weldon Railroad, bat re-
turned without meeting the enemy.
IL was then assigned to the Ninth Corps,
where it became part of the First Brigade,
Third Division. The division was posted in
rear Of the Ninth Corps line as a reserve and
was commanded by Gen. Hartranft. The regi-
ment was encamped TO the right Of the Avery
house, the headquarters of Gen. Hsrtranft, and
nearly in the center of the division.
During the Winter comparativeq quiet reigned,
with the exception of a eannoHade OF an every
day occurance from Confederate 6I-pounder,
which was directed on the Avery house. The
accuracy of the aim was so poor il soon came TO
be regarded as harmless. Upon the grand
movement to HGtcher's Run, in February, 1865,
by the Second and Fifth Corps, the regiment
ton on the line where the Union forces had
been repulsed in a similar attempt to extend
the line TO the left ia the August previous.
The ground was fortified, bat the enemy did
not make the attack and after an absence of
nearly week we returned to camp.
Upon the first signal of alarm early on the
morning of the 18th of March, 1865, when the
Union lines were broken at Fort Steadman and
the fort and several batteries were captured,
Gen. Hartranft, who was quickly aroused and
ready for action, sent the 205th, which was
nearest to his headquarters, under Lieut.-Col.
Heintzelman, and accompanied by Col. DiyeR,
in command of the brigade, to report TO Gen.
Mclaughlin, having command of brigade OF
the First Division, moving hastily toward the
scene of disaster, the regiment was brought
into position on the right of Fort Haskell and
facing northward
Upon coming into position the enemy was
discovered, having advanced upon the rear of
| the Union lines, when two or three well di-
rected volleys were poured in upon him with
good effect, causing him to fall back in confu-
sion to the cover of the rayine. Encouraged by
the advantage gained a charge was immedi-
ately ordered, and he was driven from the
ravine to the cover of Battery II and line of
works connecting the battery with Fort Has
kell. The position thus gained the regiment
held without wavering, although the enemy
| kept up steady fire from sheltered position.
At this juncture Gen. Hartranft received
| orders from Gen. Pazke in command of the
Ninth Corps to retake the lost lines, and his
| troops being in readiness he gave the order TO
| assault. Before Col. Diven could reach Lieut.
| Col. Heintzelm2n with the order TO advance
the regiment was moving on the assault, eager
| 20 be with the foremost. Without waiting orders
| HeintZelman gave the signal TO advance and in
the most gallant manner Battery II and the lines
to the right and left Of il were carried. In the
battery 100 prisoners were taken, and along the
line $50 more including Colonel, Adjutant,
and several line officers, making total OF $50
prisoners taken by the regiment.
The men of the 20Sth were Of hardy habits,
well skilled in the use Of the rife, and when
ordered TO fire took deadly aim, sweeping all
before them. Among rebel prisoners they had
| the reputation of ngsharpshooters. The loss
| Of the regiment in this engagement was four
killed and 80 wounded. Capt. Prosper Dalien,
OF Co. c, and Lieut. F. w. Keller, of Co. ID,
were among the MORALLY wounded. Capt.
Dalien was an officer of great merit, and was
| acting engineer on the staff of Con. Hantrauft.
| He was a native of France and educated at
Nancy and at the Military School at st. Cyr.
He had served through the italian wars of
1853 as Lieutenant of Cavalry, and was
brevetted Captain, with two medals for gallant
conduct at SOlferino, by Napoleon the III.
After the retaking Of the main line the
lar, of Co. 3, was detailed as brigade officer in
charge The enemy's dead were delivered
under a flag Of truce, many of whom were
| found to have been shot in the head, and a
large portion were lying in front of the position
occupied by the 20sth Pa.
A rebel officer remarked to Capt Shollar
when you were about making your final
charge our Generals were holding a council OF
/ war, but II was the shortest council OF war you
ever saw; for when they saw such magnificent
lines advancing, they adjourned, by each taking
| to his heels without ceremony"
When affairs had become settled upon the
lately broken and disordered front, the regi-
ment was relieved from duty and returned to
its quarters. The night of the 26th was the
last night spent in camp. After that the regi-
| ment was kept in motion until daylight of the
morning Of April 2, when it Joined in the
attack upon the rebel works in front Of Fort
Sedgwick (later known as Fort He'll. IL wa:
part OF the aSsgulting column, and with un.
finching determination moved over the ground
where the enemy's missiles, from small-arm:
and powerful batteries dealt death and destruc
tion on every hand. His strong works were
carried, and his guns which had for many
months belched forth their fiery fame upon
the Union lines were, turned upon his retreatini
troOps At an inner line he made a stand and
during the long day he kept up desperate fire
making determined struggle to regain his lost
ground. In one of these assaults he succeeded
in carrying a portion of the line held by de
tachments sent 70 help the division and posted
on the left Of the giment. With great bravery
il resisted the attack, though suffering from al
enfilading FIRE. and held its position until relic
came and the abandoned ground was retaken
At night the FIRE began TO slacken, aud pick
Its were thrown upon the front. At littl,
before daylight Gen. Hartranft ordered Lieut.
Heintzelman to advance and feel for the enemy
Cautiously the piceets moved forward, but they
found the works abandoned. The troops wer,
speedily put in notion and on entering Peters
burg IL was found that the enemy had ESCAPED
across the Appoinattox and was flying south
ward. After remaining until noon, the regi
ment returned 10 camp and made preparation
to Join in the pursuit. The loss of the regi
ment in this engagement was nine killed anS
80 wounded. The regiment moved with TN
division up the line Of the SOuthside Railroad
TO Nottoway Courthouse, which place il reache,
on the 9th of April. Here it remained unit
the 20th when, returning via Petersburg +
City Point, ii proceeded to Alexandria and en-
camped near the Seminary. Thence il marches
10 Washington, and participated in the CRANE
review. On the 1st Of June the recruits wer
transferred 10 the 5ist Pa, and the balance o
the regiment started en- route for Harrisburg
az which place il was paid OFF and started HON
rejoicing.-J. J. BILLow, Sergeant, Co. G, cost
Pa, Remove, Pa.
Vented.
Grand Army Of the Republic Beneficial Asso
citation Of the United States wishes to secure
local agent in every Post Of the Order in tn
| United States. Special inducements are oifere