|
Thomas
Allibone was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1841 to Thomas
and Ellen Alibone. The 1850 Census shows the family living in the
Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. When the Census was taken in
1860 he was living with and working for Thomas Butler as an apprentice
tinsmith in Philadelphia.
Thomas
Allibone enlisted in Company
G, Pennsylvania 23rd Infantry Regiment on
September 1, 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He saw extensive action
over the next three years, and particpated in the battles at Fair Oaks,
Malvern Hill, Marye's Heights, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run,
Cold Harbor, and Petersburg.
The
23rd Regiment had been in service as a three-month enlistment unit at
the begining of the war and engaged in the Shenandoah Valley. The
campaign in the Shenandoah Valley had scarcely
terminated, when the Twenty-third Regiment was re-organized for three
years or the war. In the three months' service it formed part of
the Brigade commanded by Colonel Thomas, and was a well drilled and
efficient body. Lieutenant Colonel David B. Birney, with the
approval of Colonel Dare, then suffering from a disease from which
he soon after died, had received authority from the Secretary of
War to recruit its ranks, and the Governor had given permission to
retain its former number. The old regiment was mustered out on the 31st
of July, and two days thereafter three Companies were mustered in
for three years.
By
the 14th of August it as filled to the maximum number, and went
into camp near the Falls of Schuylkill. David B. Birney was
commissioned Colonel, Charles Wilhelm, Lieutenant Colonel,
George C. Spear, Major, and John Ely, Junior Major; James E. Collins was
made Adjutant. Remaining but a few days in camp, it was ordered to
Washington, and reported to General Burnside, in command of troops
stationed in the neighorhood of the Capital not brigaded.
On
the 8th of September the regiment was transferred to Camp Graham,
on Queen's farm, four miles north of Washington. Here, by authority
of the War Department, it was recruited to fifteen companies, twelve of
which were from Philadelphia, one from Pittsburg, one from
Wilkesbarre and one from Columbia.
Its
first colors were presented by friends in Philadelphia, before
proceeding to the field in the three months' service. The State flag was
presented on the 14th of December, on behalf of Gov. Curtin, by Hon.
Galusha A. Grow, Speaker of the Lower House of Congress, and was
responded to by Hon. Wm. D. Kelley, of the same body, from
Philadelphia, and by Col. Birney. Extensive preparations had been made
for this ceremony, the camp having been elaborately decorated with
evergreens, an elegant dinner provided, and the occasion was
honored by the presence of the Secretary of War, distinguished
members of Congress, and influentia1 citizens of Philadelphia.
The
Twenty-third was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division,
Fourth Corps, and received careful instruction and discipline from
Colonel Birney. The Division was drilled in evolutions of the line
once a week by Gen. Buell, while he remained in command. In these
exercises the regiment always paraded as two battalions, each
battalion numbering as many men as any other single regiment in the
Brigade. In addition to regular drill, the men were employed in
building fortifications, cutting timber, and doing picket and guard
duty. Forts Lincoln, Totten, Stevens and Cedar Hill, are witnesses
of their industry. About the middle of December typhoid fever prevailed,
and one officer and fifty men died. Subsequently the camp was moved
to high and airy ground, near Bladensburg, and the disease
disappeared. A large number of blankets and stockings, and fifteen
hundred pairs of woolen mittens were presented to the men by their
friends in Philadelphia.
On
the 17th of February, 1862, Colonel Birney was appointed a
Brigadier General, and Captain Thomas H. Neill, of the Fifth
Infantry, succeeded him as Colonel. He assumed command on the 20th, and
almost immediately after, was ordered to detach five companies, and
to transfer four of them, L, O, P and R, with Major Spear as
Lieutenant Colonel, to the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Rippey, and
to disband company M, distributing the men among the remaining ten
companies, and mustering the officers out of service. This order
was obeyed with much reluctance and under protest.
On
the 10th of March the regiment made its first march, in the
direction of Vienna, with the intention of turning the enemy's left
flank at Manassas; but after proceeding as far as Lewensville, it
was ascertained that he had fallen back, and the command returned
to camp. On the 26th it marched to Alexandria, where it embarked on the
steamer Vanderbilt for Fortress Monroe. In the advance of the army
on the Peninsula, the enemy were first encountered at Warwick
river, where the Twenty-third had one man shot - its first loss.
The command was engaged until the 4th of May, on picket, and
fatigue duty on rifle pits and roads, when orders were received to
storm a rebel fort on the south side of the river. The charge was made,
but the line after floundering a while in the mud, ascertained that
the enemy had retreated. The loss during the operations before Yorktown
was eight wounded.
The
Division made a forced march to Williamsburg, on the 5th of May,
and arrived upon the battle ground late in the afternoon. The
Twenty-third did not become engaged, but was under a heavy
artillery fire, in which it had five men wounded.
On
the following day the enemy retreated, and the regiment skirmished
with his rear guard and formed in line of battle on the south side
of the town. On the 10th it advanced and was engaged with the
enemy, losing five men wounded. Proceeding through New Kent Court
House and New Baltimore to Bottom's bridge, the enemy were found in
form on the south side of the Chickahomony, with artillery so posted
that the column was obliged to fall back about two miles, the
Twenty-third losing four men, and encamped on the farm of the rebel
General Garnett. On the 23d, a detachment consisting of the 7th
Massachusetts, Twenty-third Pennsylvania, and the Eighth
Pennsylvania cavalry, was ordered to proceed on a reconnaissance
towards Richmond. Four miles out, the enemy were met and driven,
and the position thus gained was held during the night. On the following
day the detachment had heavy skirmishing to the left of the
Richmond road, which was
continued till late at night. The object of the reconnaissance having
been attained, the command retired to Seven Pines, and threw up
breast-works. On the 28th it moved with the brigade, now under command
of Brigadier General Abercrombie, to the Richmond and York River
railroad. The battle of Fair Oaks commenced on the 31st of May, the
enemy attacking General Casey's Division holding the advance of the
Union army, in overpowering force. Unable to withstand the storm,
it broke, and Couch's Division, which was sent to its relief, soon
became engaged. The Twenty-third was separated from the rest of the Brigade,
and directed to take position on the Nine Mile road,
west of the railroad. At two o'clock in the afternoon it met the enemy,
and drove him back to, and quite through a piece of wood in front. The
ground was difficult, the woods swarmed with the enemy, and this
the first engagement in which it was under heavy infantry fire; but
several charges were successfully made, in which three color
bearers were shot and many brave men lost. Late in the afternoon it was
hotly attacked, in position beyond the road, and barely escaped capture
by a column of the enemy which swept down in the rear. Colonel
Neill had his horse shot under him, but fortunately succeeded in
retiring to the line of the First Long Island, Colonel Adams, and formed
on his right. In this engagement, the loss in killed and wounded
was seven officers and one
hundred and thirty-six men.
On
the 1st of June the battle was renewed, but the regiment was
ordered to march with General Palmer's command, on a reconnaissance
to White Oak Swamp. On the following day it returned to find its
camp destroyed and all articles of value lost. The picket line was
re-established, and for severa1 days the men were under arms,
exposed to the bullets of the enemy's sharp-shooters by day and his
shells by night, surrounded by a battle-field where the dead,
exposed to the intense heat of the season, still lay unburied, and
greatly harassed by the incessant rains and constant watching. On the
16th it was relieved by fresh troops, and was ordered to camp at
Seven Pines. The severity of the duty to which it had been
subjected produced considerable sickness, and so many officers,
sick and wounded, were sent to hospitals, as to leave the regiment
in a crippled condition. On the 25th it was detached, and sent by itself
on a reconnaissance towards White Oak Swamp.
At
the commencement of the seven days' battle, one wing of the Twenty
third, consisting of five companies, A, C, H, I and K, under
command of Colonel Neill, was posted on the eastern
edge of the White Oak Swamp, to prevent the enemy from crossing and
turning the left flank of the retreating army. The duty was
successfully accomplished, with a loss of nine men. The other wing,
under Captain John F. Glenn, was ordered to support a battery
during the night, and on the following morning participated in the
battle of Charles City Cross Roads, losing five men. Marching all
night through the dismal shades of the swamp, it arrived on the
morning of the 30th, at Haxall's Plantation, on the James river,
where the two wings united and marched to Turkey Bridge. From day break,
until two o'clock in the afternoon, it was exposed to heavy
artillery fire, when
Colonel Neill was detached and ordered to support a battery, and
report to General Howe. Colonel Neill at once sent out a party of
skirmishers to the front, to drive away the enemy's sharp-shooters,
who had been engaged in picking off the cannoneers and battery
horses; but was soon after recalled, reporting again to General
Abercrombie, and immediately went into action, relieving two
regiments in line of battle and opening fire at five o'clock, P.M.
With great coolness the men held their position, rapidly loading
and firing with fearful effect. Instead of returning their rammers
to the pipes, they stuck them in the ground by their sides. The
left of the regiment was here in a trying position; it overlapped a
battery which was obliged to fire over the heads of the men, and
severa1 were lost by the premature explosion of our own shells; but
the position was a vital one and the exposure was necessary to its
retention. After being under fire for thirteen hours, its
ammunition spent, it was relieved by the Excelsior Brigade. The
importance of the service rendered was officially acknowledged by
General Couch. The loss in this engagement owing to the sheltered
position which it occupied, considering the heat of the action and
the loss inflicted on the enemy, was slight, being only two killed
and thirty wounded.
Taking
up the line of march on the following morning, it moved, in the
midst of a pelting rain, to Harrison's Landing, and to add to the
discomfort of the men, they were, at the end of the march, halted
in a ploughed field. Moving to better ground the regiment encamped
and commenced fortifying. It was rumored that the enemy had
returned to Malvern Hill, and a part of the army under General
Hooker, was sent to drive them back. The Twenty-third under Major
Glenn, Colonel Neill being in command of a brigade, formed part of
the expedition, and on the return was with the rear guard.
The
Peninsula campaign ended, the army of the Potomac was ordered to
the support of Pope on the Rappahannock. The Twenty-third left
Harrison's Landing on the morning of the 16th
of July, and, passing through Charles City, crossed the Chickahomony
on a pontoon bridge, and, after a fatiguing march of seventy miles,
in clouds of dust, and beneath a burning sun, arrived at Yorktown.
Resting until the 28th, amusing themselves in fishing, bathing, and
destroying fortifications, the regiment embarked on the City of
Richmond, with a transport containing the Sixty-first Pennsylvania
in tow, and arrived at Alexandria, on the 31st. On the following
day it made a hurried march to Chantilly, and arrived in time to
participate in the action, losing five men. On the 2d of September
it was posted in support of a battery until three o'clock P.M.,
when the Division was detailed under Genera1 Hooker, to cover the retreat
on the main road, the enemy following as far as Fairfax.
At
Alexandria the Division rested but a few hours, and then started on
the Maryland campaign. Crossing the Potomac on the chain bridge, it
proceeded by the river road towards Harper's Ferry. At Poolsville, on
the 11th, the Twenty-third and the Thirty-sixth New York were detached,
temporarily, forming an independent brigade, under the command of
Colonel Neill, and ordered to guard the Potomac from White's to Nolen's ferry.
Hence, it formed the extreme left of the army in the battles at
South Mountain and Antietam, and was, in consequence, prevented from
taking an active part, though it had the misfortune to lose one
officer and twenty-four men captured by the enemy. Information had
been received that a quantity of arms was secreted in a barn across
the Potomac, and Lieutenant Garsed, of company B, with twenty-four
men, and nine of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, crossed for the
purpose of bringing them in; but a band of the enemy, divining the
purpose, laid in wait for them and captured the entire party.
On
the 20th General Stoneman, with one brigade of the Third Corps,
arrived and assumed command. Two companies of the Twenty-third, A
and E, Captains Wood and Wallace, were detailed to proceed to
Harper's Ferry on a reconnaissance. Fording the river, they soon
ascertained that the enemy had left, and having obtained other
valuable information, returned the same night, bringing in a few
prisoners.
On
the 24th the regiment marched to Downsville, where it rejoined the
brigade, now in command of General Cochrane, which was transferred
to the Third Division, Brigadier General John Newton, Sixth Corps,
Major General William B. Franklin. On the 22d, Lieutenant Colonel John
Ely returned, having been absent since the battle of Fair Oaks,
where he was severely wounded. A new stand of colors, including
guidons, was received, the gift of ladies of Philadelphia.
After
the battle of Antietam the regiment remained on picket duty on the
Potomac, near Hancock, until the 1st of November, when, with the
Sixth Corps, it re-crossed the river at Sandy Run Ford, near Harper's
Ferry, and proceeded to Stafford Court House, skirmishing daily
with the enemy.
Remaining
until the 5th of December, its camp was removed to a point within
three miles of Belle Plains, as uncomfortable a location for
mid-winter as the country afforded. On the night
of the 10th, it was ordered forward to take part in the impending battle
of Fredericksburg. Under cover of the artillery, the pontoons were
successfully laid, in the face of the rebel sharp-shooters, and a
crossing effected by the left Grand Division, composed of the First,
Sixth, and a part of Fifth Corps.
The
Twenty-third was placed in the advance, under the immediate command of
Major Glenn, who was ordered to seize the Stone House at Franklin's
Ford, and feel the enemy, which was
adroitly executed. The enemy fell back as the line advanced, and the
pickets were established without loss. On the morning of the 13th,
the Third Division was massed for a charge; but at
twelve o'clock, P.M., the order was countermanded and the Twenty-third
was placed in support of a battery, remaining till evening, with
the loss of but two men. Early in the day, General Vinton, of the Second
Brigade, Second Division, was shot, and Colonel Neill, who had some
days previously received the commission of a Brigadier General, was
ordered to its command. On the night of the 13th, the regiment
removed to the extreme right of the left Grand Division, holding
this position until the night of the 15th, when it re-crossed the
river. Lieutenant Colonel Ely, who had been temporarily absent, here
assumed command and was subsequently commissioned Colonel, to date
from December 13th. The regiment went into winter quarters at a
point about three miles south of Falmouth, near the Headquarters of the
Sixth Army Corps, where it remained until the 18th of January,
1863, when it moved to United States Ford, in the expectation of a
bloody campaign, on the right bank of the Rappahannock; but, owing
to the inclemency of the weather and state of the roads, ended in a
"mud march." The regiment returned to its camp on the 22d,
more fortunate than many others that were employed nearly a week in
escaping from the mud. So long were the troops in counter-marching,
that the rebel pickets, in derision, offered to cross and lend a helping
hand.
Upon the initiation of the Chancellorsville campaign, the brigade
was detailed to assist in carrying the pontoon boats down the
river. The boats were carried nearly two miles on the backs of the
men, lest the rumbling of the pontoon trucks, along the river bank,
would give the enemy notice of the intended movement. It was
accomplished with great fatigue; but the precaution was wisely
planned, the enemy being taken by surprise, and a landing effected
with but small loss. The army
did not cross until the morning of the 2d of May, when the brigade was
ordered to take the advance. Moving by the river road it passed
through the enemy's lines at midnight, and under
cover of darkness arrived without opposition in front of the stone
wall in the rear of Fredericksburg. At daylight of the 3d, the regiment,
under command of Colonel Ely, was detached
from the brigade and ordered to make a feint towards the enemy's
entrenched position, on Marye's Heights. The right wing, consisting
of five companies, was deployed under Lieutenant Colonel Glenn - the
left wing being held in reserve - and advanced to within ten yards
of the stone wall, the enemy opening with musketry and artillery
from the sides and summits of the hills along his whole line, and thus
developing his position. The purpose of the maneuver having been
attained, the command returned under cover, in good order, with a
loss of sixteen men, and held the ground, with the aid of the
batteries, until the final charge. The Sixty-first and Eighty-second
Pennnsylvania, and Forty-third and Sixty-seventh New York, were formed
in column of companies to charge over the bridge and up the hill,
on the left of the town, while the Sixth Marine, Fifth Wisconsin
and Thirty-first New York were to charge over the stone wall in
front. At eleven o'clock, A.M., the movement commenced. The
Twenty-third Regiment was not of the storming
party, having already done its work; but seeing a regiment, whose
term of service had expired, break at the moment of extreme peril, the
men of the Twenty-third, without orders, giving one grand huzza,
started upon the run for the opening in the broken line, and
entered the works with the triumphant column. Its loss in this charge
was six killed and twenty-seven wounded.
At
half-past two, P. M., orders were received to advance in the
direction of Chancellorsville, and occupy the plank road; but
before reaching it, the enemy were encountered at Salem Church,
where a severe engagement ensued, in which the regiment supported
Maxhammer's Battery, sustaining but small loss. On the night of the
3d it was ordered to the front, where it remained until near the
close of the day, when the enemy attacked in strong force and the
corps was forced to
retire towards Bank's Ford, leaving most of the pickets to be taken
prisoners. The ford was reached at dark; but the enemy made so hot
a pursuit that another line of battle had to be formed to check his
advance, and the regiment finally recrossed the river at about two
o'clock on the morning of the 5th, proceeding to its old camp near
Falmouth. The loss in this campaign was seventy-one killed and
wounded, and two taken prisoners.
Remaining
in camp, engaged in drill and picket duty until the 6th of June,
the Sixth Corps for the third time, crossed to the south side of
the river at Deep Run, and the Twenty-third was at once placed on
the skirmish line, close up to the enemy's front. Until the 13th, heavy
skirmishing, with considerable loss, was kept up from behind
breast-works and rifle pits, shot and shell being freely used and
the sharp-shooters on both sides unusually active. Re-crossing the
river, the regiment
started on the Gettysburg campaign, and was repeatedly engaged in
picket duty while on the march. The weather intensely hot, and the
movements at times forced, told heavily upon the
endurance of the men, and in a march of eighteen miles on the 16th,
twenty-two of the division suffered sunstroke, from the effects of
which six died. Crossing the Potomac at Edwards'
Ferry, Sedgwick's Corps marched via Poolesville, New Market and Manchester
to Westminster, where it arrived on the 30th of June. Here it
remained in camp until the evening of the 1st of
July, when, at eight o'clock, orders to march were received, with
intelligence that a battle was in progress at Gettysburg, thirty
miles away, and that Reynolds had fallen. The corps was
at once put in motion, the men in high spirits, cheering and singing
as they went. Without pausing for a moment's rest, the column
hastened on over the weary miles, and arriving on the battlefield
at four o'clock on the evening of the 2d, was immediately ordered
to the support of the Fifth Corps, which had been desperately
engaged during the day. Forming in mass it started at a double quick,
every man cheering to the full capacity of his lungs. The enemy
dispirited by the appearance of fresh troops soon fell back, and
only one brigade of the Sixth became engaged. On the morning of the
3d, the Twenty-third was ordered to reinforce General Geary's Division
of the Twelfth Corps, at Culp's Hill, on the extreme right. At ten o'clock,
A.M., Lieutenant Colonel Glenn, commanding in the absence of Colonel
Ely, was ordered to detail two hundred men and eight officers to
advance as skirmishers and test the significance of the lull in the
enemy's fire. Colonel Glenn, detaching the right wing, companies A, D,
G, H and F, leaving the left under command of Major Wallace,
advanced about fifteen paces beyond the breastworks, when they were
met by so terrific a fire that they were compelled to lie down under protection
of the line occupying the works. Soon afterwards, an order was
received from General Geary to return, which was executed in good order
and with small loss. The regiment remained in line, firing at short
range, until relieved by an Ohio regiment, when it retired about
one hundred yards under shelter of a small ravine. Soon after, the
enemy opened with all his artillery - prelude to his last grand
charge - when it was ordered to reinforce the left center, upon
which the whole rebel fire was concentrated. In executing this
order, it was compelled to cross an open plain, under as heavy a
fire of artillery as ever rocked a battle field. The Twenty-third
suffered little, though the balance of the brigade lost heavily. After
marching from point to point during the day, it finally rested for
the night on the line where the First Division of the Second Corps
grappled with the foe in his last desperate struggle. The 4th was
spent in skirmishing with the enemy, bringing in the wounded, and
burying the dead. The loss during the battle was two officers and
twenty-nine men, killed and wounded.
Discovering
on the morning of the 5th, that the enemy were retreating, the
Sixth Corps was ordered in pursuit, and coming up with his rear
guard on the Chambersburg pike, five miles from Gettysburg,
commenced skirmishing. The corps encamped near the town of Fairfield,
and the Twenty-third was detailed for picket duty during the night,
capturing and bringing in eighty-three prisoners. Abandoning the
direct line of pursuit, the corps moved to the left, through
Emmittsburg, and attempted to cross the mountains with artillery to
Middletown; but the road being a difficult one, the night very dark and
the rain descending in torrents, the heavy pieces were soon fast in
the
mud, and had to be taken apart before they could be turned about,
and got back upon the main road through Frederick. A fragment of
the corps reached the summit at midnight, while the greater portion were
resting on the road, or were lost on their march up. At daylight on
the morning of the 5th, the regiment moved to the support of the
cavalry, and was at once placed on the skirmish line. On the 10th it
fell in with the enemy near Funkstown, where a spirited engagement
ensued, It remained in line during the entire day of the 11th, and in
attempting to push forward, the skirmishers lost heavily. On the 12th,
it was ascertained that the enemy had fallen back during the
previous night to a strong position, and was entrenched. The Union
lines were at once formed in front of it, and orders were issued to
build breastworks, and be in readiness to attack at daylight. Morning
found the works completed, and the army in line ready for the
onset, but at eight o'clock the order to attack was countermanded,
and the troops remained inactive during the entire day. On the following
night the enemy escaped across the river, and further pursuit was
abandoned. An examination of his position, showed it to have been
another Malvern Hill, and had the Union army attacked, it would
doubtless have shared the fate of the rebels on that memorable field.
Marching
back to Berlin, the regiment halted for rest, and was there
inspected and supplied with clothing. On the 19th, the corps
crossed the Potomac, and proceeding to Manassas Gap, supported the
Third and Fifth Corps in their passage, and moved on to Chester
Gap, and thence to Warrenton, where it went into Camp, laying out
and decorating the grounds in an elaborate and
tasteful manner in the hope of permanent occupation. But on the
15th of August, the regiment was ordered to the mouth of the north
fork of the Rappahannock. Leaving five companies at the cross roads of
the Orleans and Waterloo pike, the remaining five were placed to guard
the bridges and fords of the river.
On
the 17th of August it was relieved from picket duty, and ordered
back to its old camp, where it was reinforced by one hundred and
forty-six drafted men, and the brigade was detached from the Third
Division, and joined to the Second under Genera1 Howell. Division
drill was ordered for every day in the week, and inspection and
review on Sunday, a severe ordea1 for dog-days. Sunstroke was not
uncommon, making it necessary for the officers to establish
hospitals on the drill ground, the same as if going into action.
Colonel
Ely re-joined the regiment on the second of September, and assumed
command, and on the 16th it broke camp and moved to the
neighborhood of Culpepper. Remaining till the 1st of October, it again
struck tents and made a forced march, in a furious rain-storm, to
Catlett's station, and, with the corps, was posted as guard to the
Orange and Alexandria railroad, the army still at Culpepper. Here
the regiment remained doing fatigue duty upon breast-works, and
picketing the lines, till the 12th, when all the rolling stock of
the road, filled with government property, arrived at Warrenton Junction,
and four companies under command of Captain Rees, were sent to guard
them. Late in the evening a report was received that the enemy was
advancing, when the balance of the regiment, and one company of the
Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, were ordered to reinforce the guard,
and during the night the rest of the brigade, under General Shaler,
was sent to its succor. At daylight, the army began to arrive and
the stores were safe.
On
the morning of the 15th the brigade marched to Centreville, and formed
in line of battle, at the same time that the Second Corps was
engaged at Bristoe Station. Remaining until three o'clock on the
following morning, it moved to Chantilly and again formed in line.
The rebel army refusing to accept the wager of battle offered, and,
beginning to retire, the Union army was ordered forward, the Sixth
Corps reaching Warrenton on the 21st, after considerable
skirmishing, the
regiment going into camp in its old quarters. On the morning of
November 7th it again struck tents, and marching to Rappahannock
station, was in line during the brilliant engagement of the Sixth
Corps at that place, resulting in the capture of two thousand
prisoners with all their small arms, severa1 colors and four pieces
of artillery. On the 8th it moved to Kelly's ford, and crossing the
river on the following day, was detailed to destroy rebel
fortifications. One of these forts had a
checkered history. It was first built by General Pope and faced to
the south. When Lee approached the right bank of the river, he
changed it to face to the north. Upon the advance of
Meade to Culpepper, "about face", was the order, and it again looked
to the south. As Lee advanced on the retreat of the Union army to
Centreville it was elaborately reconstructed and
made to frown upon the north; and now, for the fifth time, spade
and pick are busy on its surface, and it again faces with the
advancing column.
Proceeding
to Brandy station on the 13th , it remained in camp till the 27th,
when it started on the Mine Run expedition, crossing the Rapidan at
Germania ford. At half a mile from the river it formed in line,
where French's troops had already engaged the enemy. On the following
day it marched to Robinson's tavern and took position on the right
of the line, and Sunday morning, 29th, was ordered to support
General Gregg's Cavalry.
On
the 30th it was assigned to the extreme left of the army, with
orders to prepare for a charge, which was to be made at eight
o'clock. The charge was never made, and lying exposed to intense cold
without fire until the night of December 1st, the whole army fell
back, the regiment re-crossing the river at Ely's ford, and
proceeding to its old camp. The loss in the campaign was one killed
and seven wounded. On the 6th of December Colonel Ely resigned, on
account of wounds and sickness contracted in the line of duty, and
was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel John F. Glenn, who was commissioned
Colonel. Major William Wallace received the commission of
Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Henry Rees that of Major. Brigadier
General. Alexander Shaler commanded the brigade.
The
friends of the regiment in Philadelphia gave a ball for its
benefit, and with the proceeds, six hundred pairs of woolen gloves
and a beautiful stand of colors, bearing the names of the battles in
which the regiment had been engaged were procured. A short time
previous ear-comforters for the
men had been provided by patriotic ladies in Bucks county. As an
incentive to heroism, Colonel Ely had distributed in September previous,
one hundred silver medals for that number of enlisted men who were
designated by their company officers as most deserving of merit in
the bayonet charge at Marye's Heights, May 3d, 1863.
On
the 30th of December, in compliance with the proposition of the
government, two hundred of the regiment re-enlisted as veteran
volunteers, and proceeded under command of Colonel
Glenn, to Philadelphia, on a veteran furlough. The balance of the
regiment, under Major Wallace, remained in camp at Brandy Station until
the 6th of January, when, with the brigade, it was ordered to Johnson's
island, Lake Erie, and proceeded thither via Wheeling and Sandusky.
From the latter place, the troops marched across the lake to the
island on the ice. Here they remained guarding prisoners consisting of
four thousand two hundred rebel officers and enjoyed a period of
repose,
having comfortable quarters, and abundant rations. On he 11th of
February they were joined by the veterans under Colonel Glenn.
On
the 9th of May, the Twenty-third and Eighty-second Pennsylvania
regiments were ordered to the front, and arriving at Washington on
the 13th, proceeded on the following day to Belle Plain. The
campaign in the Wilderness had already opened, and, as the first
fruits of the desperate encounters, seven thousand rebel prisoners
were gathered in at this point.The newly arrived regiments were ordered
to report to General Abercrombie, in command of prisoners, and were
assigned to guard them. Colonel Isaac C. Bassett of the
Eighty-second, was placed in command of both regiments, and Colonel
Glenn was made commissary of prisoners. The prisoners were formed
into companies. Of one hundred each, men from the same State being kept
together and separate from the others. Rolls were made and the
companies were sent to Point Lookout, Fort Delaware and other
depots. After completing this work, the regiment was ordered to
join the brigade, which, since the breaking up of the Third
Division, had become the Fourth Brigade, First Division of the Sixth
Corps. It marched to Fredericksburg, and was detailed to guard a
supply train of five hundred wagons on the way to the front.
Delivering the train near Bowling Green, it crossed the North Anna
river and joined the brigade. Moving with the division for the
destruction of the Virginia Central railroad, it reached its
destination after a hard march, and the work of burning ties,
heating and twisting rails, and demolishing bridges, was commenced.
In the midst of a heavy
storm, the division bivouacked, but at ten o'clock was ordered out to
throw up breast-works, toiling nearly the entire night.
On
the morning of the 26th, the division returned, and recrossing the North
Anna, after a march of forty miles, reached the Pamunky, and on the
29th proceeded to Hanover Court House, where the Twenty-third was
immediately placed. On the skirmish line, remaining out all night
and losing two men wounded.
Marching
and entrenching by the way, it arrived on the 1st of June at Cold
Harbor, a name suggestive at this season of agreeable sensations, but
one ever to be associated with bitter
memories in the history of this regiment.
Upon
its arrival, it was at once formed in line of battle on the left of
the Richmond and Gaines' Mills cross-roads, and was selected to
storm the enemy's works in its front. The Eighty-second was ordered
to its support. At four o'clock, P.M., the advance was begun, the
enemy's skirmishers falling back, and firing the woods as they did
so, the charging column passing, through the flame. The wood was
about one hundred and fifty yards in width, and on arriving at the
skirt, a full view
was presented of the desperate work before it. In front was an open
field, and about five hundred yards away on a little hill, were the
enemy's works. The open space between must be crossed
without shelter, except an old brick house situated mid-way. Preparations
were made for the final charge; the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania being
posted on the right, but the left unprotected by either infantry or
artillery. At five o'clock orders were given to advance, and at the
word " forward," the men brought their muskets to a
charge, and moved on the double quick, until the enemy opened a
heavy fire, when they dashed away upon the run, and gained the
hill. A part leaped the breastworks and held possession, but the
right of the line had become separated, and the left was exposed to
a flanking fire of grape and canister from the enemy's artillery.
The Eighty-second came up nobly to their support, but after fighting, twenty-five
minutes without reinforcements, they were obliged
to retire about fifty yards, when the balance of the Sixth Corps
coming up on the right, and the Second Corps on the left, by hard
fighting the position was held and entrenched. But the charge
across that open field, and the twenty-five minutes, of hand-to-hand
fighting in the enemy's works, left few of the Twenty-third to
return to their places in the line. Nine officers and one hundred
and eighty-eight men were, killed and wounded, and three men not
wounded taken prisoners. Of these,
Captain Henry Marchant, Lieutenant James Johnson, John D. Boyd and James
G. Williamson, among the officers and seventy-one men, nearly
one-half of the entire loss, were killed.
On
the morning of the 2d, the lines of the two armies hugged closely
their breast-works, the sharpshooters being in close proximity and
very active. A heavy rain set in during the afternoon, which lasted
the entire night. On the 3d, a hot fire was opened early, and
continued all day, in which Major Wallace and six men were wounded
and three killed. In the evening one company was deployed to advance
about ten yards and dig rifle pits. The night was very dark, and
unperceived by the enemy, the men crawled cautiously out, and by
daylight of the 4th, they had thrown up a safe cover, where they
remained during the day, under a terrific fire. At three o'clock on
the
morning of the 5th, they were relieved from the first, and ordered to
the second line, remaining under a brisk fire until eight o'clock,
P.M., when the regiment was ordered back to the third line, where
the men, after cooking a supper, for the first time for five days,
laid down and had a good night's sleep. Heavy firing was continued,
and on the 7th, the Twenty-third was detailed to dig and construct a
covered way to the front. On the evening of the 8th, it was again
ordered to the front line and remained there, under a heavy fire,
until the following evening, when it returned to the second line,
and, on the night of the 12th, the attempt to break through the
enemy's works having been abandoned, a movement towards the left
was again resumed.
Marching
and counter-marching, held in line of battle, and laboring day and
night on entrenchments while on the way, the regiment finally
arrived on the 16th at the James river, and
halted on the farm of ex-President Tyler. Here it was embarked on
the steamer Cauliflower for Bermuda Hundred where it landed, marched
to the right of General Butler's head-quarters, and was
immediately ordered into line of battle. Crossing the Appomattox on the
morning of the 19th, it marched and formed in front of Petersburg
under a heavy artillery fire. In the afternoon an attempt was made
to push the line forward in the face of a murderous fire of
infantry, the Twenty-third losing ten men wounded. The regiment was
afterwards ordered on the skirmish line with its right resting on the
Appomattox, where it remained until the evening of the 20th, losing one
man killed and three wounded.
On
the 21st the Sixth Corps being relieved by the Eighteenth Corps, was
ordered to the extreme left of the line, about four miles
south-east of Petersburg, where it formed on the left of the Second
Corps. Advancing about four hundred yards in the face of very hard
skirmishing, the line halted and threw up entrenchments. On the
following day the line again advanced, and now through a wood with thick
underbrush where it met strong resistance and again threw up
breast-works. Subsequently the rear was fortified and the position made
secure. At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 29th, orders were received
to move at once, and, taking the Jerusalem plank road, the
Twenty-third marched to Ream's station on the Weldon railroad, where it
was immediately placed on the picket line, and on the 30th
skirmished with the enemy, driving them through the wood. Returning
to its place in the brigade, it was, on the 1st of July, employed
in destroying the railroad and in throwing up fortifications. On the 2d
it returned with the Brigade to its old position in front of
Petersburg.
These
advances by the left were beginning to be very troublesome to the
rebel leader. To divert attention from that direction, and, if
possible, to change the theatre of war to the old battle ground, in
front of Washington, he had dispatched Genera1 Early, with a heavy
column to meet Hunter,
now threatening Lynchburg and the James River Cana1, and eventually
to menace Washington. Hunter was quickly sent flying across the
mountains into West Virginia, and Early, advancing into Maryland,
replenished his failing commissary and began demonstrations in the
direction of Baltimore and Washington.
To
meet the threatened danger, Genera1 Grant sent the Sixth Corps from
his own army, and the Nineteenth Corps, just arrived from New
Orleans, the whole under command of Glenera1 Wright, to Washington.
The Twenty-third leaving the trenches on the evening of the 9th,
and marching to City Point, embarked on the Steamer Eastern States,
and arrived at Arsena1 wharf, Washington, at twelve o'clock on the
11th. Marching immediately to Fort Stevens it was ordered to the front
in support of the skirmish line now confronting Early's advance.
Early had succeeded in creating much consternation and had pushed
up within a few miles of the Capital, but, finding the battle
begrimed veterans from Petersburg across his path, decided to withdraw
into Virginia.
Wright
followed up the retreat, but without decided results. Marching via
Poolesville, the Twenty-third crossed the Potomac at White's ford,
and after a heavy skirmish, was thrown
upon the picket line four miles south of Leesburg, where it remained
until the morning of the 18th, and then started forward to rejoin the
division, which had preceded it. Passing through Snicker's Gap, it
went into line of battle on the mountains near the Shenandoah river, but
it being an exposed position and having several wounded by the enemy's
shells, it moved to the right, and fording the river marched out on
the Winchester pike.
At
this juncture, Wright was ordered to return to Washington, and thence
proceed to join the army before Petersburg, under the supposition that
Early was on his way to join Lee. The
retrograde commenced on the 20th, the army passing through Leesburg
and re-crossing the Potomac at Chain bridge. But Early remained in
the Shenandoah valley, and soon after turned
upon Crook, who had been left in command of a small force, and drove
him precipitately into Maryland. Wright was accordingly ordered
again to turn his face towards Harper's Ferry. Starting on the 26th, the
Twenty-third proceeded via Rockville, Centreville, Knoxville and Sandy
Hook, and arrived at Harper's Ferry on the 29th, the same day that,
the rebel cavalry under M'Causland wantonly fired and destroyed
Chambersburg. Here the forces of Crook, and a part of Hunter's -
arrived from their long detour - were met. The Twenty-third crossed
the Potomac on the 29th, at the Ferry, and marched to Halltown; but
on the following day returned to the Maryland shore and proceeded
to Frederick. The heat was intense, and the men were worn out with
marching and counter-marching, large numbers suffering from
sunstroke.
On
the 7th of August, the regiment with the division, again crossed
the Potomac, and marched through Halltown, Berryville and Winchester to
Cedar Creek, where it remained until the 17th, occasionally indulging in
a skirmish and in throwing up breastworks, when another retrograde
movement commenced which continued to Charlestown. Here the picket
line was surprised on the 21st, and driven in, and only after much
trouble and considerable loss, was the ground regained. A short time
previous, Major Gen. Philip H. Sheridan had been placed in command of
this Department, and a brighter day was about to dawn for the Union
arms in the Shenandoah valley. But the term of service of the
Twenty-third had now expired, and bidding adieu to their companions
in arms, and transferring the veterans to the Eighty-second
Pennsylvania, it proceeded to Philadelphia, where, on the 8th of
September, it was mustered out.
Private
Allibone wasamong those who mustered out with the regiment on September
8, 1864 at Philadelphia. He subsequently came to Camden, New Jersey
where he settled in the South Ward and became involved as volunteer fire
fighter with the Independence Fire Company, which was quartered at 409
Pine Street.
About
5 P.M. on Saturday, July 18, 1868 flames were discovered coming
from the engine room of Goldey & Cohn's large box factory on Taylor
Avenue. Flames spread through the building, feeding on the highly
combustible stock. The entire building was soon engulfed in fire as was
the late R.H. Middleton's brick stable. A brisk southwest wind carried
the flames across Taylor
Avenue to the company's lumber pile and onward to Middleton's
warerooms at #7 South Second Street and also his two and one-half story
frame dwelling at #5 South Second Street.
Chief
Engineer Ayers realized that additional help was needed and
telegraphed Chief McClusker of Philadelphia for assistance. The blaze
was already threatening to consume the most densely populated and most
valuable section of the City. Chief McClusker responded with steamers
from the Vigilant and Hibernia Fire Companies, the Fairmount, Lafayette,
Neptune, America and Diligent Hose Companies and the Empire Hook &
Ladder Company.
As
the firemen placed the steamers along the Delaware River and laid their
hose lines, the fire spread to the Ware & Marshall meat and
provision store, a two story brick property at #3 South Second Street
and to a two and one-half story brick dwelling at #1 South Second Street
(owned by Joab Scull and occupied by Charles Armstrong). These buildings
were destroyed as was Joab Scull's wood frame grocery store on the
southwest corner of Second and Federal
Streets and an adjacent three story brick dwelling (also owned by
Scull but occupied by Mr. Goldey).
The
fire continued to spread destroying Mr. Test's frame drugstore and
extending to the home of James M.
Cassady, Esquire's house at 128 Federal
Street. Firemen were successful in saving Cassady's residence from
complete destruction. Although the property sustained heavy water
damage, only the rear of the building was destroyed. The fire fighters
continued their determined stand against the oncoming flames and were
able to save the property of the late Samuel McLain which adjoined
Cassady's residence.
Conrad
Hoell's saloon at the corner of Second and Federal
Streets and the adjoining building occupied by L.G. Peterson ignited
several times, but the flames were quenched by what the West Jersey
Press called the "superhuman exertions" of the fire fighters.
Several
firemen were overcome by the intense heat, including Captain Wesley P.
Murray and Joseph Flanigan of the Weccacoe Hose and Robert
S. Bender, Thomas
McCowan and Thomas
Allibone of the Independence Steam Engine. These men had to be
removed from the scene.
Combined
losses exceeding $54,000 were reported as a result of this devastating
conflagration. Chief Engineer Ayers praised the efforts of his men and
the good work done by Chief McClusker and his forces from Philadelphia.
The grateful citizens joined in this praise.
On September 2, 1869 City Council enacted a municipal
ordinance creating a paid fire department. It provided for the annual
appointment of five Fire Commissioners, one Chief Marshal (Chief of
Department)
and two Assistant Marshals. The City was also divided into two fire
districts. The boundary line ran east and west, starting at Bridge
Avenue and following the tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad to
the city limits. District 1 was south of this line and District 2 was
north. The commissioners also appointed the firemen who were
scheduled to work six 24 hour tours per week. William
Abels, from the
Weccacoe Hose Company No. 2 was appointed Chief Marshal with William
J. Mines, from the Independence Fire Company No. 3 as Assistant Marshal
for the 1st District, and William H. Shearman as the Assistant Marshal
for the 2nd District. Abels
had served with the volunteer fire
departments of Philadelphia, Mobile, Alabama and Camden for sixteen
years prior to his appointment as Chief of the paid force.
On
November 10, 1869 City Council purchased the Independence Firehouse,
the three-story brick building at 409 Pine
Street, for $4500. The
building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1
and
the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized
construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth and
Arch
Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November
25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the
amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share
these quarters with
Engine Company 2 and the Hook
& Ladder Company
and the facility would also serve as department headquarters
for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the
Camden County Historical Society collection.
|
|
|
Engine Company 2 with 1869 Silsby Hose Cart. Photo Circa 1890. Note badges
upon derby hats worn by Fire Fighters.
|
Two
Amoskeag second class, double pump, straight frame steam engines were
purchased at a cost of $4250 each. Two Silsby two wheel hose carts,
each of which carried 1000 feet of hose, were another $550 each and
the hook & ladder, built by Schanz and Brother of Philadelphia was
$900. Each engine company received a steam engine and hose cart.
Amoskeag serial #318 went to Engine Company 1, and serial #319 to
Engine Company 2. The Fire Commission also secured the services of the
Weccacoe and Independence steamers in case of fire prior to delivery
of the new apparatus. Alfred McCully of Camden made the harnesses for
the horses. Camden's Twoes & Jones made the overcoats for the new
firemen and a Mr. Morley, also of Camden, supplied the caps and belts
which were manufactured by the Migeod Company of Philadelphia. The new
members were also issued badges.
|
This
is the earliest known photo of fire headquarters on the northwest
corner of Fifth and
Arch
Streets. Originally built in 1869, the
building shows signs of wear some twenty years later. Note the
weathervane shaped like a fireman's speaking trumpet atop the tower.
Also, the fire alarm bell is pictured to the left of the telegraph
pole above the rooftop. The bell was removed from the building once
the fire alarm telegraph system was expanded and in good working
order.
|
|
This
maker's plate once was attached to a harness made by A. McCully &
Sons, 22 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey. This firm provided the
first harnesses for the paid fire department in 1869.
|
Badges
worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the
initial letter of their respective positions and their district
number. The tillerman and his driver used the number "3" to
accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District
were assigned badges 1-10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11-20 and
the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21-30.
Although
the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department
on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service
until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings
were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until
December
9th.
The
new members of the paid force were:
|
|
The
first style of breast badge worn by members of the career department
in the City of Camden. 1869. (Courtesy of the C.C.H.S. Collection).
|
Fire
Department records from December of 1869 and the Census of 1870 reveals
that Thomas Allibone lived at 250 Pine Street, next door to Christopher
J. Mines Jr. and across the street from Assistant Fire Marshal William
W. Mines at 259 Pine Street Thomas Allibone's volunteer service with
Robert S. Bender. and his proximity to the Mines brothers most likely
played a great role in his appointment to the Fire Department. Thomas
Allibone was removed from service with the Camden Fire
Department on September 5, 1871, and in time went back to work
as a tinsmith. He married Julia A. O'Neill and by 1880 had moved back to
Philadelphia. He and Julia and two boarders were living at 2 Fayette
Street in Philadelphia at the time of the Census. The 1881 Philadelphia
City Directory indicates that Julia Allibone operated a grocery at that
address as well. Thomas
Allibone began collecting his Civil War Pension as an invalid in the
1880s. Thomas
Allibone passed away on April 8, 1898. He was survived by his widow, who
joined him in 1930. |
