The National tribune., 1889-05-16
cRTTrcrzrNG cAPEHART.
The Troops that Captured the Stone Wall Al
kernsfOwu

AaAANs We 8GaN NluCEtSbcI Ol4 AllG "a
March 10, 1862. on the turnpike, by way of
hernstown, as far as Strasburg, and there we
camped for the night; (but we were not en-
gagged with the rebels that day. The next
day-March Cove advanced to Woodstock,
where we camped until next morning-the
2lst, then proceeded up to the top of the hill
aud exchanged few shots with the rebel pick
cts, who soon withdrew from our front. We
were then ordered to retreat back to Winehes-
ter Oar regiment was the rear guard, and we
all got back to our old quarters during the
night Of the 2lst.
On March % about p. M, the rebels at
tackled our pickets and drove them in, and
opened with their artillery; then we had or
ders to fall in in heavy marching order. with
40 rounds Of cartridge in 10 minutes We then
passed through the town and marched about
one and half miles from Winchester to the
right Of the turnpike, aud supported Daums
battery all night in the rain and mud. Sun
day morning-March 23-at daylight we were
relieved and were marched back perhaps half
mile, and pitched our tents on the opposite
side OF the turnpike.
At about $50 o'clock a. m the firing COM
meneed at Kernstown with musketry and ar
tlllery, and our regiment was ordered to fall
IN IN light marching order, and we remained
there as q reserve until further orders. 1T
was but a short time that we had TO
wait until the order came, and very soon we
marched across the pike to the right, and on
the hilI into a cornfeld where we could see
the mannyers Of the rebel troops beyond Kerns-
town. We lay there until about 2:30 or p. M,
when we were ordered by our Colonel (Wm. G.
Murray, commanding the bTigade) to again
come to the support of Daum's battery that was
in position the hill just TO the right of Kerns-
town. The rebels were massing their troops,
and made a charge on the battery, but were
repulsed and fell back to the woods beyond
kprnEtNVn hnt fhn rahal nj Inv rnl-
lied his troops and came up en- masse four or
five columns deep to make the second charge on
the battery, and when they got fairly under
Roadway, Daum men got scared and left their
guns; bat Col. Daum saw the movement, aud,
drawing his sword, ordered every man back to
his place, saying he would cut every mans
head OF who deserted his piece. He then
ordered bis men to fire two rounds of chain
shot from each gun, and TO reserve the fire
until he gave the order which was promptly
obeycd. Col. Murray said 10 Col. Ddum that
he should not fire the chan-shot, as it was
against Army regulations; but Daum Ito use
his own words said to Col. Murray, lie didn't
care tam, as the Government didn't furnish
dem, and before his battery should be taken he
you'd fire dem. Aud fire them he did, and
they cut road as they went and saved the
battery. They were lS-inch chain, and the
two black balls flying through the air looked to
be about four inches IN diameter. Immediately
atterward the rebels over on the hill our right
flank fred a shell and it lit about 10 or 20 feet
IN front OF my company ID, and all the execu-
ton 1t dad was that piece of it struck Corpl
James Price Un the ankle and disabled him.
Soon after Col. Murray came riding up and
gave the command Attention !" and every
man IA our regiment sprang to his feet, and
the Colonel said . We have orders to charge
that battery on the top of the hill to our
right, and, boys, / want every man of
-. rsor d., Lis e
harrisburg who presented to us our beautiful
flag, and DO not disgrace it. If you die you
die in a good cause, aud on the Sabbath and
am not going to say go, boys, but come, boysi
And, boys, / never expect TO come out alive;
but here goes, for God and our country" He
then gave the command: Right face-right
shoulder shift arms-file left-double. quick
march! And we went down the raviue into
a meadow, and while passing through this
meadow the rebel battery on the hill gave us
a charge OF grape and canister, which wounded
some OF the regiment.
When We got to the base of the hill and
formed in line of battle we received orders to
charge bayonet, right oblique. and hold our
fire until we got orders. Passing up the brow of
the hill through a slip Of woods, we struck a
corHfeld, which was about 40 or 80 yards wide,
tie johnny rebs being at the other side, IN the
woods. When we got from one half TO two
thirds of the way across the field the Colonel
gave the command Firei" wiien the rebels
called out to rs not to fire, as we were firing on
our own troops. But the gray uniform told
us better, and we let them have the lead
pills" ss fast as we could work our Belgian
rifles. We had fred but three or four
rounds when l was wounded in the left
shoulder and then l turned my head to the
flag and at that moment | saw Col Murray fall
from his horse. He sprang to his feet and said,
" My regiment IS all cut TO pieces" and gave
the order three different times to fall back. At
the last yell he stepped behind the colors aud
a ball drove the figures 81" right through
his head. Capt. Gallager, of Co. q, and Adi't
Craig drew their swords, in the absence Of the
Lieutenant-Colonel and Major, and gave the
command for the S4th to hold their ground
until the 14th Ind. could come TO our support
as their heads could just be seen coming up
When the 14th arrived within hearing distance
of the rebels they shouted again, Don't fire
boys called for the 14th Ind. to come on; that
the Saith was right there, and TO let the rebels
have it over our heads
The 14th Ind. then poured in the lead at a
lively rate, and was helped by the 84th Pa. or
what was left of them. The 18th Ind then
charged upon the battery on the hill and took
two pieces The 10th Pa. was also engaged
The S4th Pa. was not city regiment. Tt
had no companies from city, but was COM
posed entirely Of men from the different towns
and Counties of the State Nor did it fall
back at any time in battle as Dr. Henry
Capehart states / talk now from experience.
our regiment was not made out of that kind of
material. With our gallant COL Murray to lead
us TO victory or death, his noble example
gave US nerve and courage to go forward in the
thiekest of any engagement.
If this meets the eye of any of Co. D. let
them speak and let our dead Colonel Murray
have his due with all the rest of the com
manders. Further, I want to state that our
brigade commander on that day, up to the
time of his death, was Col William q
Murray, old soldier of the 4th Pa. who
had fought in Mexico After Col MURRAY fell
Col. Kimball took command Our brigade con-
sisted of the following regiments: 84th Pa.
14th aud 18th Ind. and 10th Pa The placn
or ridge DR.. Capehart speaks of may be a diff
ferent place, for ] know that our regiment and
the 18th Ind. were engaged on our extreme
left which was the rebels extreme right. and
the stone fence was on our right flank the
woods and piles of cord-wood with a heavy
force of rebels in our front Our company lost
one man killed on the field (Wm T. Fowlerl.
and John l.. Prosser died the ninth day after
the battle from the effects of his wounds: the
rest Of US were ready for duty again As to
our flags, the Stars and Stripes got 90 bullet
holes through them, and not one star was
touched while our State banner had % bullet
holes and the staff shot off Let the s4th Pa.
boys speak up if / am not correct in nv state
ment.-THoMAs G. FOWLER, Corporal. Co. d.
s4th Pa, 2227 Cleveland avenue n. W., Wash
ington, d. G.
Consumption Surely Cured