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Allegheny County Civil War

Organization of the Military of Allegheny County


On the 11th of April, 1861, the Secession movements in the South—already endorsed by Legislative action in Several States—culminated in a demand by General Beauregard, commander of the rebel troops, for a surrender of Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston. The refusal of Major Anderson to surrender was followed, on the 12th inst., by an assault on the fort, which, after a two days' bombardment, was capitulated, and the United States garrison, comprising less than ninety men, left the fort on-the 14th inst. with the honors of war, saluting their flag. No loss of life had occured during the bombardment, but by the bursting of a gun in firing the salute two men were killed and four wounded.

The most intense excitement throughout the North followed the announcement of the attack on Fort Sumter, and on the 15th of April the President issued a proclamation calling upon the States to furnish 75,000 militia, to suppress the rebellion, and summoning an extra session of Congress on the 4th of July following. The quota of Pennsylvania, under this call for troops, was. fixed at sixteen regiments, and the command of the Western Division of the State assigned to Brigadier-General Negley, for the purpose of organizing the troops.

The call for volunteers found Allegheny County, like all other parts of the State, almost unprovided with military organizations. There were in the two cities ten volunteer companies-—the Jackson Independent Blues, Duquesne Greys, Washington Infantry, Allegheny Rifles, Pennsylvania Dragoons; Pittsburgh Turner Rifles, Lafayette Blues, Pennsylvania Zouaves, National. Guards and United States Zouave Cadets—several of which had been organized during the military furore following the visit of the Chicago Zouaves, in 1860. In the county there were also a few volunteer organizations—the Pennsylvania Infantry, at East Liberty, Alliquippa Guards, M'Keesport, Turtle Creek Guards, Turtle Creek, two companies in Birmingham, St. Clair Guards, Union Artillery, National Lancers, and one or two others.

The greatest enthusiasm followed the announcement of the call for volunteers. Scores of companies were set on foot and tendered their services to the Governor. On the 15th instant recruiting began throughout the county, and on the 17th, the first detachment of Turner Rifles, eighty men, under Captain Amlung, left for Harrisburg. The remainder of the company, which was organized from the German Turner Association, left on the following clay. On the same day, the Hannibal Guards, a company of colored men, also tendered their services. On the 18th, Trovillo's In-vincibles, Robinson' Light Guards, M'Dowell's State Guards, and Gerard's Pennsylvania Zouaves, left for Harrisburg, followed, on the 20th, by a "second detachment," and Rippey's Scott Legion, Gallagher's Shields Guards, and Alliquippa Guards, of M'Keesport. On the 22d, the first regiment was organized in Allegheny County by General Negley:

Twelfth Regiment, Penna. Volunteers.
Colonel—David Campbell, of Pittsburgh.
Lieutenant-Colonel—Norton M'Giffin, of Washington.
Major—Alexander Hays, of Pittsburgh.
Adjutant—G. L. Bonnafon.
Quartermaster—James A. Ekin
Quartermaster Sergeant—Samuel Walker
Surgeons—Drs. A. M. Speer, R. M. Tindle
Chaplain—Rev. J.J.Marks

Co. A--Jackson Independent Blues

Capt. Samuel M'Kee
"      B--Duquesne Greys "         John S. Kennedy
"      C--Firemen's Legion "         John H. Stewart
"      D--Union Guards "         William Tomlinson
"      E--Washington Invincibles* "         James Armstrong
"      F--Lawrence Guards+ "         Edward O'Brien
"      G--Monogahela Artillery* "         Robert F. Cooper
"      H--Lawrence Guards* "         Daniel Leasure
"      I--Zouave Cadets "         George W. Tanner
"      K--City Guards "         William H. Denny














* Washington, county +Lawrence county.

At the same time a battalion was organized of the companies in excess, some seven or eight, of which Captain T. A. Rowley, of the Washington Infantry, was elected Major. A regiment was subsequently organized at Harrisburg, the tenth company being formed of the men in excess in the other companies, and Joseph Browne elected captain. This was afterwards known as the

Thirteenth Regiment, Penna. Volunteers.
Colonel—T. A. Rowley, of Pittsburgh.
Lieutenant-Colonel—John N. Purviance, of Butler.
Major—W. S. Mellinger, of Washington.
Adjutant—J. M. Kinkead.
Quartermaster—M. K. Moorhead.
Quartermaster Sergeant—L. Sahl, Jr.
Sergeant Major—Alex. P. Callow.
Surgeons—Drs. James Robinson, Geo S. Foster
Chaplain—Rev. A. M. Stewart

Co. A--Washington Infantry

Capt. David B. Morris
"      B--Union Cadets "         John W. Patterson
"      C--Negley Cadets "         Joseph W. Browne
"      D--Washington Infantry "         William Mays
"      E--Fort Pitt Guards "         William A. Charleston*
"      F--Rowley Rifles "         John D. M'Farland
"      G--Taylor Guards+ "         John H. Filler
"      H--Butler Blues++ "         Alex Gillespie
"      J--Shields Guards "         William C. Gallagher
"      K--Duquesne Greys "         John Poland














* Resigned at York, succeeded by 1st Lieut. Hamlet Lowe.  +Bedford county.
++Butler county.

A number of the companies which had already been sent eastward were collected at Camp Slifer, Chambersburg, Franklin Co., and others forwarded directly to Washington City. Those who reached Washington were organized into the

Fifth Regiment, Penna. Vols.*
Colonel—R. P. M'Dowell, Allegheny City.
Lieutenant-Colonel—B. Christ.
Major—R. B. Petriken.
Adjutant—R. C. Parker.

Co. A--State Guards

Capt. G. W. Dawson
"      B--Turner Rifles "         H. Amlung
"      K--United States Zouaves "         George Segrist





*Seven companies were from Eastern counties.

In Camp Slifer from the troops sent forward from Allegheny and Berks counties, was organized the

Seventh Regiment, Penna. Vols.
Colonel—William H. Irwin
Lieutenant-Colonel—O. H. Rippey, of Allegheny.
Major—Frank Robinson, of Allegheny.

Co.  A--Scott Legion

Capt. Maurice Wallace.
"      B--Allegheny Rifles "         Casper Gang.
"      E--Allegheny Light Guards "         H. K. Tylor.
"      F--Pennsylvania Zouaves "         Joseph Girard.
"      K--Pittsburg Invincibles "         William H. Trovillo.








The Negley Zouaves, Capt. O. M. Irvine, were assigned to the 3d Regiment, of which Capt. Irvine was chosen Major; 1st Lieut. Lawson succeeding to the Captaincy.
                                                      
The Alliquippa Guards, Capt. Snider, were attached to the 14th Regiment, Col. John W. Johnston.
                      

While these companies were recruiting, the community was in a constant whirl of excitement. Public buildings, stores, and even private houses were profusely decorated with flags of all sizes and qualities. Private subscrptions for the benefit of individuals and companies were raised liberally--amounting in the aggregate to thousands of dollars. Revolvers, swords, bowie knives, sashes, and other weapons and military decorations were presented by hundreds, individuals, companies, and corporations vieing with each other in liberality. By the efforts of a few individuals, in some instances, whole companies were uniformed; but we regret to say, the materials and make, in some cases, soon proved to be of the shabbiest character. Thus several companies of the three months volunteers were twice supplied with clothing within a few weeks; once before leaving home, and again by the State, with "shoddy" suits, and both of such miserable materials as to fall to pieces before the campaign had fairly commenced, causing much needless suffering among the raw recruits.

During this period of excitement, the ladies took their full share of labor, sewing gratuitously for the soldiers, making lint and hospital supplies, and providing such delicacies as their means permitted. Hundreds of havelocks were made, but the discovery that the white colored stuff of which they were made had an injurious effect on the eyes of the rear rank men, put a sudden stop to the manufacture. Private subscriptions were raised to provide means both for the outfitting of the volunteers and for the defence of the city. Messrs. Knapp, Rudd & Co., of the Fort Pitt works, generously tendering the heavy ordnance for the purpose.

Departure of Allegheny County Troops.

On the 24th of April--eleven days after the President called for 75,000 men--the last detachment (excepting two companies) of the 12th and 13th Regiments, left for Harrisburg. At an early hour in the day the troops mustered and repaired to the East Common, Allegheny, where a grand review had been announced to come off. A slight rain had been falling, which increased to a heavy shower as the review was about commencing, and continued without intermission, interfering greatly with the Commanding General's arrangement for a grand demonstration. The review did not come off, the soldiers instead plodding their way through the muddy streets and torrents of rain, to the railroad depot, which they reached in dilapidated plight, the column marching through Western avenue, Ohio and Federal streets to the river, across the Suspension bridge, up St. Clair and Fifth streets to Smithfield, thenc to Sixth and down to Liberty, where three trains, consisting of thiry-three cars, were in waiting to transport them to the State Capital. On the route a beautiful silk flag was presented to the 12th Regiment by the ladies of Allegheny, and received by Capt. R. Biddle Roberts, of the U. S. Zouave Cadets. This demonstration took place at the house of Wm. Bagaley, Esq., on Western Avenue.

Before the troops reached the trains, the arrangements for supplying a comfortable lunch were perfected. A day's rations of bread and meat had been placed on each man's seat, and his tin cup filled with excellent coffee, most gladly welcomed by the soldiers after their trudge through mud and rain. In Kier's warehouse, near the depot, a table was bountifully supplied, and but few failed "to pay their respects" to it. Credit for this timely supply of comfort for the inner man is due mainly to the citizens who subsequently organized the Subsistence Committee, of which we will hereafter speak.

About twelve o'clock, m., the first (and largest) trian moved off amid the most enthusiastic demonstrations, waving of handkerchiefs from the windows and housetops, and deafening cheers from the spectators, all cheerfully responded to by the men in the cars. At least ten thousand people had collected to wave farewell to the "gallant three monthsters." The smaller trains followed the first at brief intervals, and the crowd was not cleared off until long after the first car was out of sight.

The first train arrived at Huntingdon at half-past six p. m., and simultaneous with its arrival the soldiers were besieged by citizens bearing baskets of boiled eggs, sandwiches, crackers, cheese, hot coffee, &c. The second and third trains stopped at Altoona, and the men were there fed at the expense of the Government.

The trains arrived at Harrisburg between one and two o'clock on the morning of the 25th, and the men were quartered in churches and in the capitol. On the afternoon of the same day the regiments were mustered into the service of the United States, on the square fronting the State Capitol on each side of which the 12th and 13th regiments were formed in line. After the ceremony, Gov. Curtin passed in review.

Col. Campbell's regiment, the 12th, left the same evening for "Camp Scott," at York, and Col. Rowley's left on the following day for the same destination.

At  Camp  Scott,

of which Brig. Gen. Wynkoop was in command, were the 1st, 2d, 3d, 12th, 13th and 16th Regiments, numbering in all about 5,000 men. Beside the Allegheny county companies in the 12th and 13th, another company, the Negley Zouaves, were, in the 3d. The men suffered much for the want of sufficient clothing, which was not furnished for some time after their arrival at York.

On the 29th of April Gen. Negley issued his first General Order, assuming command of the 12th and 13th regiments, Capt. Leasure, of Lawrence county, acting as Adjutant General.

Major General Keim, with his aid, Col. Schaffer, of Lancaster, arrived at York on May 6th, and assumed control of affairs. Two days after, Captain Ekin, quartermaster of the 12th, left Philadelphia, with requisitions for clothing and accoutrements for all the troops in camp Scott. He returned on the 12th, having been successful in his mission.

At this time, the bridges on the Northern Central Eailroad, (destroyed by the rebels,) had been rebuilt, and trains began running regularly from Harnsburg to Baltimore, a special train going through on the 9th.

Gen. Negley, by direction of Maj. Gen. Keim, had added to his brigade (the Fourth,) the 14th and 15th Regiments, in camp at Lancaster. The Alliquippa Guards, Capt. Snyder, of McKeesport, were Co. K, in the 14th. 

The subject of re-enlisting for three years or the war was now agitated, and excited considerable discussion. The question was not put to the men, and the reports that they refused to re-enlist are false. Being half a month in the service without equipments, when other regiments subsequently organized were already in the field, abundantly supplied with everything, the men of the 12th and 13th, were in no amiable mood. On the 3d of May, Governor Curtin was advised that there were three very fine regiments in Philadelphia ready to go into service, and was urged to accept them. They were accepted and at once equipped and sent off. When Capt. Ekin visited Philadelphia, he was informed that the 12th and 13th regiments were in excess, and that unless they enlisted for three years they would be sent home. The acceptance of the Philadelphia regiments had more than filled the State's quota of three months men, and hence the 12th and 13th, although fully organized in less than two weeks after the call for troops, were to be crowded out. But, through the active exertions of one of our Representatives in Congress, Hon. J. K. Moorhead, the Secretary of War set all things straight. Who was to blame for this trouble we cannot say, but it seems, through somebody's inadvertance or neglect, that the War Department had not been advised of the organization of the Allegheny county regiments.

On the 10th of May, (Sunday,) Gov; Curtin, with his Aid, Col. R. Biddle Roberts, reviewed the troops at York. Brig. Gens. Negley and Wynkoop appeared with their brigades.

The first instalment of overcoats and accoutrements reached York on the 19th, another on the, following day, and from day to day until all the troops in Camp Scott were fully clothed, equipped and furnished with Camp equipage. The inferiority and absolutely rottenness of the clothing excited much comment and not a little indignation.

About this time Gen. Negley left York for Lancaster, to see after the interests of the 14th and 15th Regiments. His separation from the 12th and 13th Regiments, it was at first supposed, would be but temporary, but turned out that they were taken out of his command entirely, as he exercised no control over them from the time of his leaving York, and during the remainder of the campaign he had but one company from Allegheny county under his command—the Alliquippa Guards. This was much against his wishes, as well as against the desire we believe, of a majority of the Allegheny volunteers.

On the 25th—having remained at Camp Scott exactly one month—the 12th Regiment received marching orders and was stationed along the Northern Central Railroad, guarding it from the destructive intentions of the rebels. The regiment remained there until the expiration of their term of service.

On the 3d of June, the 13th received marching orders, and on the following day left Camp Scott for Chambersburg, at which place it arrived on the morning of the 7th, and went into "Cantonment Rowley," west of the town, in the Fair Grounds, where it remained a few days, removing thence, on on the 12th, four miles South, to "Camp Brady." Here the regiment was placed in the brigade of Col. Dixon S. Miles, U. S. A., composed of the 9th and 16th P. V., and detachments of the 2d and 3d Infantry, (regulars.) The 15th found the regiment at "Camp Riley," in Md., a mile and a half from the Potomac, and on the following day it was at "Camp Hitchcock," in Berkeley County, Va., two miles South of the Potomac, which river it crossed, with Gen. Patterson's army, at Williamsport.

Before daylight on the 17th, the regiment, with the brigade to which it was attached, retreated across the Potomac to Williamsport, and took up quarters at " Camp Miles," adjoining the town. Here Col. Miles and his regulars were detached and left for Washington City. The regiment remained at this point, spending the time most agreeably, until the 4th of July.

At the Ledger office, in Williamsport, some of the 13th boys printed a newspaper, entitled, "The Pennsylvania Thirteenth," dated "Camp Miles, July 4th, 1861."
M. Swartzwelder, Esq., having paid the camp a visit, witnessed the spectacle of a company parading in drawers, a supply of which they had just received. He was convinced, after examining a few of the pantaloons worn by the soldiers, that it was not the warmth of the weather that induced them (the men) to come out in clean drawers in the presence of spectators, rather than in pants which would not cover their nakedness.

As an evidence of the feeling concerning the " shoddy" clothing, the "local" of the "Thirteen" thus dilated:

"We advertise for sale a choice lot of rags, (material unknown) formerly put together as soldiers' clothing. If Mr. Neil, of Philadelphia, wishes to assist in a speculation, he will find his services appreciated by applying to the 13th Regiment."

On the day of the publication of the paper, and while Sergt. Maj. Callow was working the press, without positive orders the 13th crossed the Potomac the third time. Being short of rations, and directed not to move until his commissary department had been replenished, Col. Rowley formed the regiment in line on the bank of the river, and put the question to the men whether they would be content to live for five days on three day's rations. An affirmative reply was given, and five minutes later the regiment filed into the Potomac, while Doubleday's guns were belching forth salutes in honor of the day. Arrived in Martinsburg on the same day, (the second after the fight at Falling Waters,) and remained there until the 15th, when Patterson's army moved to Bunker Hill, twelve miles distant from Winchester. Here it rested in quietude, barring the nightly alarms, (caused by timorous picket guards) until the 18th, when the army moved, not to Winchester, as was generally expected, but to Charleston, in the direction of Harper's Ferry. Remaining at Charleston for a few days, the line of march was taken up for the Ferry, where the Potomac was crossed a fourth time. Encamping for a night opposite Maryland Heights, the regiment headed for Hagerstown, marching some twenty-two miles in nine hours. The men knew they were going home, their term of service having expired. At Hagerstown they took the cars for Chambersburg, thence to Harrisburg, arriving in Pittsburg on the 29th of July. They were regularly mustered out and paid off a few days afterward. So ends a brief history of the bloodless campaign of the three months men.

The 13th regiment, together with the companies in the 3d, 7th and 14th, saw quite as much service as any of the three months troops attached to Gen. Patterson's division, while the 12th regiment did most efficient service in performing the duty to which it was assigned.

The companies in the 5th remained about Washington City, and were among the very first troops which arrived to defend the National Capital.

The 7th regiment went from Harrisburg to Camp Slifer, near Chambersburg, and was assigned to the Brigade of Gen. Williams. It crossed the Potomac with Patterson's army, and continued with it in the marches from Williamsport to Harper's Ferry, whence the three months men were all sent home.

While at Charleston, the battle of Bull Run took place, and on the day previous the 13th was ordered to proceed some twenty miles in the direction of Winchester to burn some bridges and tear up railroad tracks, and had started on their mission. The order, however, was countermanded, while Capt. M. K. Moorhead, the Quartermaster, was endeavoring to procure the necessary tools.

The Alliquippa Guards, of McKeesport, Capt. Christian Snyder and Lieut.'s F. Shaum and George Haast,—attached to the 14th Regiment, Col. J. W. Johnston, of Westmoreland, remained at Lancaster for a considerable time, going thence to Chambersburg and participating in the campaign through the Cumberland Valley and Virginia. On the 14th of July, at Camp Negley, near Hagerstown, Md., the officers of the Guards resigned, because, as they stated, no provisions were furnished their men. The resignations were accepted by Gen. Negley, who appointed other officers, viz: Capt. Jas. A. Lowrie, and 1st Lieut. Alexander Forsyth, both of whom were on the General's staff, and the latter afterwards assigned as Quartermaster of the 14th Regiment, with James H. Snodgrass, as assistant.

The Negley Zouaves, of East Liberty, Capt. Lawson, also actively participated in the three months campaign, doing, guard duty on the railroad at Hagerstown for a short time.


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Transcribed by C. Anthony from:
The Rebellion Record of Allegheny County, W. A. Lare and W. M. Hartzell, Publishers, 1862



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