The National tribune., 1900-04-19
THE RECORD OF A LIVE REGIMENT.
Some Things the 54h Pa Saw and Did in The War of the
Rebellion.
By ]. R. HUMMEL.
Rebellion.

Northampton and Lehlgh, during the
months of August and September, 1851
1t rendezvoused at Camp Curtin. Pa, and
was organized by the selection of the efollow-
ing officers: J. M. Campbell, of Cambria
County, Colonel; Barnabas McDermlt, OF
Cambria County, Lieutenant-Colonei: ana
John p. Linton, of Cambria County, Major,
Campbell and many of his officers and men
had served during the three months, cam
paign, and McDermit possessed military
experience acquired in the Mexican war.
The men were drilled by squads and com
panies while in Camp Curtin. On Feb.
27, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Wash
ington, and upon its arrival went into camp
on the hill near BladenSburg Cemetery.
Company and regimental drill were prac-
ticed under the strictest discipline. On
March %, 1862, the regiment was ordered
TO Harper'S Ferry to report to Col Miles.
Col. Campbell was directed to make the
following disposition of his force along the
line of the B. & o. Railroad: Co. G, Capt.
F. B. Long, at Back Creek Bridge, eight
miles west of Martinsburg, Va; Co F,
Capt. G. w. P. Davis, at Sleepy Greek
Capt. Thomas ii. Lapsley, at Alpine Sta
ton, five miles beyond the Sleepy. Creek
Post; Co. /, Capt. VIM. b. Bonacker, at
Sir Johns Run, six miles farther west;
Co. c, Capt. E. d. Youtzy, at Great Ca
capon Bridge, five miles west of Sir Johns
Ilull, ". IL, NdDI- w. lDlllIItlIIcI, DIT
Rockwell Run, six miles beyond: Co. E,
Capt. 2. Graham, at No. II Water Station;
Co. b, Capt J. h. Hite, at Paw-Paw Sta
ton, about three miles farther on; Co. h,
Capt. E. r. Newhard, at Little Cacapon
Bridge, and Co. a. Capt. John p. Suter, at
South Branch Bridge. 10 miles east OF
Cumberland, Nd, and 81 miles west of
MartinSburg, Va.
The distance 10 be guarded was 56 miles.
Regimental headquarters We're established
at Sir Johns Run. The country through
which that portion of the road runs, which
the regiment was required to guard, was
considered by the rebels as their own terri
tory, and the majority of the population in
the vicinity were rebel at heart. Numerous
guerrilla bands led by daring and reckless
chieitainS roved the country, pillaging
and burning the property of Union in
habitants, and watchful for an opportunity
TO burn railroad bridges, cut the wires of the
telegraph and destroy the road.
To guard this great thOroughfara, of
vital importance to the Government, TO sup
press guerrilla warfare, TO afford protection
TO the haraSsed and helpless people. Col.
Campbell at once assumed that the true
way to deal with guerrillas was 10 assume
the offensive, and to hunt them instead of
letting them hunt him. Almost daily
from some parts of the line squads were sent
to engage rowing bands under Edwards,
White, imboden and Mcneil, and many
were brought in.
GUERRILLA HUNTING.
On Sunday, May %, 1862. Campbell was
ordered TO concentrate his regiment at
South Branch Bridge, Banks having been
driven to Martinsburg by jackson. and on
the first day of June, 1862, Jackson having
been driven from the Valley, Campbell
again took possession of the railroad and
from June / 10 Sept 1 Of that year the
regiment captured 213 prisoners, 73 horses,
together with muskets, sabers, reVolvers
and other military trappings.
About this time Mcclellan having been
defeated upon the Peninsula and Pope
at Bull Run, the rebel army was advancing
into Maryland on the Antietam campaign.
Harper'S Ferry was invested by jackson.
Miles advised Campbell to withdraw from
the railroad. This the Colonel refused 10
do, and held his position, the 54th being the
only Union troops i'll that part of Virginia,
&: that time, without artillery or cavalry.
Gsa- Campbell took portion of the regi-
RSt and made a bold attack upon the
rear-guard Of the rebel army at Hedgeville, |
near Back Creek, and captured one caiSson
and 30 stands of arms. The enemy lost
two killed, seven wounded, and 19 prison
ers. On Oct. 4. 1862, Imboden. with 700 II
men, captured Co. K at Little Cacapon. |
and then proceeded TO PaW-Paw, where he |
surrounded and captured Co. b, and in |
December, 1862, Cos. X and B, having been
exchanged, returned to the regiment.
The 54th now having been relieved from
the trying duty Of guarding the railroad
concentrated at North Mountain, and on
June 6, 1863, moved 10 ROmney, Va. II
was now attached 10 the Fourth Brigade.
First Division, Department of West Vir-
ginia, Col Campbell in command of the
brigade, and Lieut.-Col. Linton of the
regiment.
On April 3, 1863, the regiment had an
engagement with battalion of rebel cav
Try -.ata's. Il
branch OF the Potomac, and took a number
Of prisoners.
On June 30, in anticipation Of an attack
upon Grafton, the regiment moved to New
Creek and threw up breaStWOrkS, and on
July 10, following Gen Kelly had with
drawn his force into Maryland again. leav-
ing the 54th alone i'll that part OF Virginia
The enemy came up, threw a few shells into
camp and then retired, after which the rcgi-
ment returned to Romney, and on Nov 16
moved to Springfield, where reorganiza-
ton took place, the. 54th being assigned to
the First Brigade, Second Division. with
Col. Campbell i'll command.
REBEL BRUTALITY.
In February, 1864, Co. f, while guarding
bridge at Patterson's Creek, were cap
turcd, after the killing and Woundinp of
nine or 10 of their number After the com
pany had surrendered, Harry Gilmore. the
rebel commander, with lis own hands shot
and killed Corpl Gibbs, an act which
should stamp its perpetrator with infamy.
Here Col Campbell at his own re1uest
was relieved from the command of the brj-
gade and assumed charge of his regiment.
On May 10, 1864, Sigcl, having relieved
Kelly. proceeded up the Shenandoah Val
ley, cncountcring Gen. Breckinridge at
New Market. In this engagement the
regiment lost ia men; Co. f, owing to its
exposed position, alone lost - men. Can't.
. Geisinger and Lieut.. Colburn were among
the killed; Lieut.-Col. Linton, Capts Gra-
ham, BOhackcr, and Lieut. Anderson
among the wounded. Capts. Graham and
Bonacker were left on the field for dead.
On May 26, 1864, David Hunter. having
succeeded Sigcl, commenced his advance
up the Valley, cncountering the enemy
again above New Market; the rebels stub
bornly resisted his further progress, and on
Sunday morning, June ), the First Brigade.
under Col. Moore, which had the advance.
met the enemy in force at or near Piedmont.
sometimes called New Hope Church where |
he was well posted behind breastworks.
and was soon hotly engaged. Threes sue
ceSSive charges made by this gallant lri-
gade were repulsed by a murderous fire.
At p. n. the Second Brigade, composed of
the 54th Pa, the 34th Mass. and the 18th
Va, was ordered TO storm and carry the
works, which were substantially built upon
the brow of the hill. Quickly forming. the
line moved rapidly 10 the foot of the hill.
where it halted, while the artillery threw
wall. III s-l.gN LII