History of Company K. 1st (Inft,) Penn'a Reserves

If my supposition is correct, then, who received the monies and as the expressage is charged, where was it sent, and where is it now? The paper has no signature.

It seems to have been a settlement made after September 1. 1863, as it is written on the back of another document dated at that time.

"DOC" ELDEN and THE "BLACK-LEG."

experienced Gambler came to the front at a certain pay-day, put up his Tent without opposition from the authorities, and opened a "gambling hell," and a number of the boys were beaten out of their hard earnd money by the wily rascal. Doc was lured into the den, and lost every cent he had in a very few games. He then took a favorable position and watched the gambler closely, and soon discovered the secret of his success, and concluded to beat him at his own game. But how? his money was gone. He approached one of his most intimate friends, (every member of of the company was his friend,) and solicited the loan of $10, candidly revealing the facts, as stated above, asserting in addition, the positive assurance of retrieving his former losses.

At this moment another comrade came in and heard the concluding words, and at his suggestion, each gave Doc $5.00, and having received the cash, he seemed very grateful, then turning to go he said, "I'll pay you back your money to-night."

In about two hours, he returned to camp, paid back the borrowed money, promptly, and held in his hand quite a roll of green-backs besides. When asked the question, "How did you do it?" he answered with a single word, "Bluffing."

"RED TAPE."

his was a Term applied to the lengthy routine, through which all business had to pass, even the minutest affair, went from Company to Regimental, thence to Brigade and Division Head-qrs, for approval, after which it was returned to the place of starting, through the same channel, thus taking much time, which often, under certain circumstances, made applications or petitions, a mere farce.

On one occasion, a comrade received a dispatch informing him of the death of his wife. Having applied for leave to go home, it took two days to get it, and when he got home the wife was already buried.

We insert a boda-fide copy of a paper in our possession, (we have many such papers,) that proves our assertion, concerning the "Red-tape" business. Beyond the above, the document has no significance here.

Camp near Auburn, Va.
October 29., 1863.

Captain:—

I have the honor to request, that the Charges preferred by me against Privates H. H. Jones and H. W. C. Elden, members of Co. K, 1st Reg't, (Inf't) P. R. V. C., and now on file at Head-quarters Division Penn'a Reserves, be withdrawn. These men have been (for the last 20 days) doing duty with their company. Their conduct has always, previous to this offence, been such as becomes good soldiers.

Very Respectfully,
Your Obed't Serv't.
H. N. Minnigh.
To Capt. Auchmuty.Capt. 1st P. R. V. C.
A. Adj't Gen'l. 3 Div. 5th Corps.Com'd'g Co, K.

On the back of this neatly folded paper, are recorded the following endorsements, in the order given.

Camp near Auburn, Va.
October 29th, 1863.

A request that the charges against Private Jones and Elden of 1st Inft. P. R. V. C. be withdrawn.

Hd-Qrs, 1st Reg't
Oct. 29th 1863.

Approved and respectfully forwarded,

W. W. Stewart.
Lt-col, Comd'g.

Hd-qrs, 1st Brig, Pa. Res.
3d Div. 5th corps.
Oct. 31, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded with the request that the charges against these men be withdrawn—a sufficient punishment can be had by trial before Regt'l commander.

Wm. Cooper Talley.
Col. comd'g Brig.

Head Quarters Div.
Nov. 2, 1863.

Respectfully returned—The charges against Private Elden will be withdrawn. Private Jones will be tried for the charges preferred.

By command of
Brig. Gen'l Crawford.
Comd'g Div.

J. S. Marquis.
A. A. A. G.

Head Qrs. 1st Brigade.
Nov. 2, 1863.

Respectfully returned—attention called to above.

By command of Col. McCandless.
Wm A. Hoyt.
A. A. A. G.

Meeting friends, amid Scenes of strife.

the advance toward Gettysburg, (our home,) many incidents worthy of note took place, but we will only give, in this connection, portions of a letter, sent us by I. N. Durboraw, Esq., who tells his experience among the friends and relatives that surrounded him.

Many of Company K. had like experiences, if they cared to relate them.

"I was with the company on the march to Gettysburg," says comrade Durboraw, "and it was amusing as familliar scenes, persons and faces were presented to our view. Some young ladies whom I recognized, as we passed along, not far from my home, and who were waving their handkerchiefs at the soldiers passing by, gazed at me in amazement as I named them, and as they did not recognize me, inquired, one of another, who that could be that knew them. When we arrived at the home of Serg't Young his own brother Robert came to us, but the Sergeant did not leave the ranks.

While in bivouac, in J. M. Diehl's field, where we halted just before noon on July 2, to get a little rest, and wait for orders, Robison came to me when cooking my coffee, and told me that Peter Baker, living near by, wished to see me, so I went to his house, and after getting something to eat, returned promptly to the company. Just when I reached the command the orders were given to fall-in double-quick, and hurriedly we advanced to the Round-tops, obliquing into position left in front, ... fired two rounds, when the order 'Forward!' was given, and every man had to hunt his way as best he could, over, round and through the bushes, rocks, stones and Plum-run swamp in the flat below. How the rebels, who were in numbers right in our front as the order to charge was given, it is hard to tell, but most of them did; when we got to the wheat-field the line was halted, and finaly established at the stone fence, which is in place today.

I now told Capt. Minnigh I was going home, and that he should neither say, Yes or No! I went back to the place where we had piled our knapsacks, the day before, but could find neither knapsack nor Creamer the guard, but looking round I eventually found it in a quarry on the banks of Rock-creek. I had only three miles home and soon reached it, only to find it filled with wounded soldiers, Gen'l Meredith being one of the number. I slept on the floor that night, and the next morning, with a knapsack well filled, I returned to the company. I did not find many of the people in the neighborhood at their homes, and their houses were occupied by skulkers and shuysters absent from their commands. When I got back to the company I shared out the contents of my haversack, and when we marched that night it was empty.

On the march that night I passed through a house by the road-side, and met a number of my relatives, but only said, How d'ye do, and Good bye, and was off again."

"Green Persimmon Pies."

heated, by gosh! was the exclamation of a certain comrade in an undertone, as he spat out a huge mouthful of fresh baked pie.

Well! the explanation is just as follows; two pies had been secured on the march that day from a colored woman, at twenty five cents each, but when the soldier came to sample the pies, he found they were made of green persimmons, and the lower crust was corn-meal. No wonder he tried to use "cuss words," his mouth being ready either to swear or to whistle.

Thirty-two rebels Captured on the Picket-line.

incident at Spottsylvania may be related here. The Picket line had been driven in, and a detail of forty men, was placed in charge of Captain Minnigh who was merely instructed to re-establish that line, which he was told curved in, bringing the rebel pickets near to our Division Head-quarters. The only portion of our line visible was on the extreme right, at a white house on an elevation of ground. He at once proceeded a short distance to the left, and soon reached Burnside's unbroken line, on its extreme right and at the point where that line was broken off abruptly. From this point to the house referred to, was a distance of half a mile, and this space was to be occupied by the new line. "That woods is full of rebels, and you and your men will be captured if you go in there," was an officers greeting when told of the work assigned to the detail, "It will take a brigade to re-establish the line."

Not the least dismayed, the word of command was given and the advance into the woods was started, in a bee-line for the white house, a glimpse of which was occasionally seen through the trees.

By stationing a picket every twenty five yards, the space could be covered, and this was done, without the least molestation on the part of the enemy, not a rebel being visible. Scarcely was the line re-established, when one of the movements peculiar to this campaign commenced, and an order came instructing the picket line to fall back, preserving an unbroken line. This was done, and when the movement was completed we counted thirty-two rebel pickets captured on the line.

This question remains to be answered. How did the new line of union pickets cut the rebel line in two places, as evidently it did, without seeing an enemy or firing a shot?

A REBEL GIRL "SPIT IN HIS FACE."

ly for the Soldiers, none for officers," were the words that met Sergeant M——as he took a cup of water out of a bucket, at a yard-gate, in the neat village of Drainsville while the Pa. Reserves were passing through on a reconnoisance.

An aged lady and two young girls stood by the vessel of water, and one of the girls had spoken the words quoted above. The Sergeant was about to drink from the well filled cup, when Gen'l Reynolds riding up to the gate, said to him, "Sergeant! get me a cup of that water." He promptly handed the cup, still untouched, to the General, who drank the water, expressed his thanks and rode away. Deprived of his drink he now turned to get another cup for himself, but was met by a blunt refusal from one of the girls, who said, "You gave your cup of water to that officer, and you cannot have any more." His reply to this was, "I'll give my Brigade commander a cup of water every time, even if it deprives me of a drink, at the hands of a she rebel."

As he finished this direct language she turned quickly and 'spit' in his face, not once but twice. M—— turned and walked away, but took along the bucket of water.

Who were the boys, that took a Piano from the mansion near Camp Pierpont, and hid it in the barn among the fodder, previous to its shipment north, at the close of the war? As the war unexpectedly continued for four years afterward it must have been considerably out of tune.

"THAT'S THE VERY FELLOW!"

he Army of the Potomac, in one of the advances southward, crossed the Potomac at the Berlin ferry, and pushed down through Loudoun valley. The Captain was sick during part of this advance, and we give a strange coincidence which then had its origin, in his own words.

After crossing on the Pontoon bridge I was put into an ambulance, and after proceeding a mile or two, I gave my place in the ambulance to a poor fellow who had sun-stroke, and who seemed more dead than alive. I plodded on as best I could, being some distance in the rear of my command, when Gen'l——followed by his staff came riding along. He addressed me sharply, inquiring why I was away from my command. I told him of my illness and how I had given my place in the ambulance to the soldier, then, with a contemptible toss of the head he muttered, "A likely story," and rode on. In the evening I caught up, at the camping ground, sick, tired and hungry; but soldiers fare was entirely unpalatable, and I could not eat it, so I went to the village close by, (Lovettsville,) determined to secure something tasteful. I approached a house at the outskirts of the town, for the flavor of newly baked pies had been wafted toward me by the evening breeze and I decided that a pie, a fresh blackberry-pie, was just what would suit my case. Knocking at a side entrance I was admitted by a young lady, who moved a convenient rocker and bade me be seated. Presently a middle-aged lady entered the room, bearing two pies, which were added to a number already on the large dining table opened to its full capacity. Taking courage I told the woman of my illness and my craving for home-fare, and that in her motherly goodness would she sell me two of those pies? She replied, that she would like to do so, but that General—— (the same officer I had met on the march that day,) had ordered the pies, for himself and his staff officers.

With this she left the room, and then I appealed to the young lady who seemed to be on my side, but she stated her inability to reverse the decision made by her aunt, but added these words as she pointed to the table, "If I want a pie I take it." That settled the matter, and I went to the table, put two pies together, and with an ordinary stride started for camp, convinced that the two pies were not baked for Gen'l——.

I got to camp all right, and enjoyed the pies exceedingly, and the whole circumstance was soon forgotten, and perhaps never would have been recalled had not the following incident occurred.

When Company K, had been mustered out at the expiration of the full three years term of service, we returned home, and having closed up all the company affairs, I finally turned toward the residence of my father on the corner of Middle and Washington streets, and entered the door as the bell called to supper, I was ushered into the dining-room, and introduced by my mother as the returned soldier boy, and was shown to a seat at the board, where a number of persons, of both sexes were already seated. Suddenly a young lady, a perfect stranger to me, after staring me full in the face for a moment, with a hearty laugh and a gleeful clapping of her hands, addressing my mother exclaimed, "Oh, Mrs. M., do you remember I told you about a sick officer taking two pies from aunties dining table, down at Lovettsville, Va?" and without waiting for a reply, pointing her finger in my direction she added "That's the very fellow!" This proved to be the same young lady teaching in Gettysburg, and boarding at my mother's table. We enjoyed that supper, after rehearsing the story of the stolen pies, and when supper was about finished, I got an extra piece of pie.

interesting story! is the general verdict rendered, where ever I have related the incidents connected with my visit home, on the evening of July 3rd, when the command was relieved from the front, at the Round-tops.

As the Story may be interesting to others, I will relate it for the benefit of all.

When we went into bivouac, on the spot where the Round-top Park dancing-floor now stands, many of the company whose homes were in Gettysburg or the immediate vicinity, quietly slipped away, and believing that our work, for a while at least, was ended, I also went, saying to the boys when I started, "Boys if you go home, don't fail to get back to-morrow morning." I am proud of the conduct of company K, at, as well as after the battle of Gettysburg, and why should I not be? These brave fellows could easily imagine the dangerous surroundings of loved ones, during the terrible conflict, in their homes within the bounds of the battle-field, yet, not a man left the ranks or fled from duty, and while most of them got home after the battle, by a peculiar device, only one failed to return.

But to my story; I passed northward just in the rear of the line of battle, and through the Citizens cemetery, thence up Baltimore street to the Court-house on the corner of Middle street, which was a dangerous performance, as the whole route was exposed to rebel sharp-shooters, making it necessary to cross all streets and alleys at a bound. Having reached the point indicated, I found the residence of my father, on west Middle street one square from the Court-house, so completely covered by rebel sharp-shooters, that it was an impossible measure to go there.

I observed things closely, and saw a certain officer who was apparetly not acquainted with the dangerous surroundings, turn the corner where I was standing, and walk deliberately down in the middle of the street, without being molested, but, Alas! the poor fellow when he got below Washington street, was taken prisoner. So I took advantage of what I had seen, and walked down the street, with misgivings I confess, for doubtless many rifles were aimed at me, with a rebel finger on each trigger, ready to send as many messengers of death, if I should turn either to the right or to the left. It was an awful moment, but I determined to carry out my plan, which was to spring into a flower garden on the east side of the house, when I would reach that point, for I would then be in a safe place.

On! on, to hesitate would be fatal; and how terrible it would be to die so near to the loved ones; still on I went, not hurriedly, for the enemy must not even think that I have a purpose in view; Oh! If only the yard-gate were open! Ah, it is open! A spring, and I am through it, and behind the cover of the house; I am safe, but what a shower of minnie balls strike the pavement over which I came, and how they tear through the palings of the fence on both sides of the open gate, terrible messengers they are, but harmless now as far they concerned me.

None of the family were visible, so I entered the unlocked door of a back kitchen, which was empty, then into the main building I went and all through it from main floor to attic, and found no one; disappointed I turned to the cellar and was met on the stair-way by a sister, who failed to recognize me in the semi-darkness, who said, "Here! what do you want?" On the spur of the moment I said, "Can you supply me with just a bite to eat?" With this she retired below and I followed to the foot of the stairs, and took a seat near the lower step, and this is what I then saw: father and mother, four sisters and a brother, two or three improvised beds, an almost consumed tallow dip on the end of a barrel in a far off corner, and each person being a perfect image of dejection and despondency.

Sister Lucy whispered something to mother, who then entered an adjoining pantry, doubtless to get the "bite to eat," while a younger sister approached me inquiring, "I wonder how much longer we will have to remain in this cellar?" I merely answered, "Not long," but I discovered that they were entirely ignorant of the state affairs without. She looked at me closely, and then followed mother into the pantry.

Presently, mother approached me, bearing a huge piece of bread in her hand, and peering very closely into my face, then as if in glad surprise, she ejaculated, "Oh, you bad fellow, I know you now! Here's your supper."

I will not attempt a portrayal of the scene that followed, but in a few words I revealed the state of affairs without, and brought them from that lower world, in which they had dwelt several days, into the light and comfort of the upper world once more.

Soon an ample supper spread the board, and then all retired to the comfortable beds, of which they had been deprived for two nights, and I had not enjoyed for two years. That night the confederate army began the evacuation of Gettysburg.

Lieut. Sadler, buried at home.

the 14th of September 1862, at South Mountain, in the charge up the last acclivity, and just when the victory was won, Lieut. J. D. Sadler fell in death, and Lieut. Minnigh was wounded.

As I wish to relate the circumstances connected with the removal of Sadler's body from the field where he fell, to his home fifty-two miles away, for burial, and as I in my wounded state, in the face of many difficulties in the way, undertook the work of removal, I will tell the story, in my own words.

I was wounded by a minnie ball, through the left arm near the shoulder, when in the act of crossing the stone fence at the foot of the hill, and as my arm dropped to my side being completely paralyzed, I believed the injury was greater than it afterward proved to be, hence, I did not proceed any further. Having retired to the field hospital, a surgeon grasped my wounded arm and after a cursory examination, said, "Your arm must be taken off," but I did not see things just in that light, and slipped away.

At Middletown, four miles away, dwelt a relative of my wife's family, Appelman by name, and Mrs. A., was at the same time Lieut. Sadler's aunt, so I determined to go there. Upon reaching the village I was informed, that Dr. Reed our Regimental surgeon, was in charge of the Gen'l Hospital in a Church, so I went there. He told me my arm was all right after removing quite large piece of the bone.

After mid-night, I found the home above indicated, but as no response came to my timid rapping, I waited for the morning. At the early dawn I was admitted to the house, got a good breakfast, had my arm dressed and was put to bed. Presently voices were heard below stairs, and I recognized that of Roades of our company. Hastening below I heard the sad news of Lieut. Sadler's death, as well as the other losses that befel the company. We at once planned the removal of his body by private conveyance, to York Springs, Pa., a distance of fifty-two miles.

Mr. Appelman had two horses in his stable, and we concluded to use them in the furtherance of our plans. A hearse and driver were secured, and Sadler's body was brought from the battle-field, en-coffined, and all things got ready for an early start on the morning of the Sixteenth; I determined to accompany the body incognito, and borrowed a citizens suit accordingly.

On the morning of the 17th at 2 o'clock, we started with the hearse drawn by one horse, and I mounted on the other horse, apparently the most unsophistocated countryman you ever saw. Let me say here, that I had determined to accompany the body, and as it would have been impossible to have secured a leave of absence, the above measure was adopted, so as not to be annoyed by the Provost guard.

We soon reached Frederick city and passed through unmolested, but at a toll-gate a mile out on the Emmittsburg pike we found the out-posts, who refused to let us pass, but after giving satisfactory answers to all questions, we finally were permitted to pass on. At Creagerstown we fed our horses and took breakfast, I also resumed the military uniform, as there was now no necessity of a disguise. Near the town of Emmittsburg I stopped at a residence, in the front yard of which there was a well of water, for the purpose of bathing my wounded arm, when a woman came rushing out and said, no Union soldier could have any water from that well; I answered in laughing good humor, that I thought I knew one who would, when she took hold of the pump handle, and tried to prevent my pumping the water. I gently pushed her away, when she called a dog to her assistance, and a large bloodhound rushed around the house, and sprung at me.

But I was ready, and a single shot laid him low. At this, the woman commenced to cry bitterly, and said she would call the men; my reply was, that the men would be dealt with in the same way. No men appeared fortunately, and I mounted my horse and rode off.

At Emmittsburg we fed our horses and took dinner, and then we were on the road again. A few miles out on the Gettysburg road we were met by my father and brother, who came with a conveyance to aid me on my way. We reached Gettysburg about 4 o'clock, and rested until after supper, and then were off again, having still 14 miles to the end of our journey. But I was entirely worn out, when I reached Heidlersburg. I went into the hotel, kept by a relation of Sadler, threw myself on a bar-room bench, and——slept, slept so soundly that I could not be awakened, so they carried me to bed, and I was surprised next morning, to find myself there and still seven miles to the journey's end.

After breakfast, I quickly covered this distance, and found all arrangements made, for the funeral that day in the afternoon. A squad of raw material, was briefly drilled, in the manual of arms, and at 4 o'clock, we buried "our fallen comrade" with the honors of war, in the family burial ground, at Hampton, to await the reveille on the morning of the resurrection day.

In Memoriam.
OUR FALLEN COMRADES!

would be in vain for me to attempt a proper Eulogium, of the character of these fallen heroes.

They gave up the fair promise of a useful life, gave up chances of fame, aye! gave up life for the Salvation of the common country.

In what light can I set the high mark of their patriotism? What words can tell the story of their courage, with what language can I adorn their lofty heroism?

How valiently they fought, how serenely and sublimely they died.

They fell in the fierce conflict, amid the cheers, the fire, the smoke, the flame, soothed in the dying hour by the consciousness that victory came to side of right and truth and liberty, and that "Old Glory" still waved triumphantly. They have pitched their tents, in the eternal bivouac beyond the stars, and are camped in the mysterious and unknown silence of the life immortal.

Oh, unconquerable heroes! Let it never be said that the great republic is forgetful of your deeds, or unmindful of those whom you most loved.

Finally, my Comrades, let us fight valiently, on all the stern battle-fields of this life, so that, when the last tattoo is beaten, and 'lights out' forever, we shall be worthy to join the immortal ranks of the comrades on the other side, and march before the Great Reviewing officer, when time and earth and hostile armies are no more forever.

Transcriber's Note:

Apparent printer errors have been retained.