Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 24, 2015

The 151st Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg is located west of the town of Gettysburg on Reynolds Avenue.  It was dedicated in 1888 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A picture of the monument can be seen on Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg Web Site which has more information about the monument and the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry.

A full description of the monument, its GPS Coordinates, additional photographs, and some of the history of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry, can be found on the Stone Sentinels Web Site.

———————————

A brief history of the regiment at Gettysburg was presented in the Philadelphia Inquirer article of 11 September 1889:

The 151st and McFarland’s Genius.

The 151st regiment’s part in the Battle of Gettysburg, under brave George F. McFarland, is unsurpassed.  It went into the fight with 21 officers and 466 men; of these 2 officers and 66 men were killed, 12 officers and 87 men wounded and 100 men missing.  They defended the left centre of the 1st Corps against vastly superior numbers, covered its retreat against the overwhelming masses of the enemy in the Seminary, and enable General Doubleday to withdraw his corps in comparative safety.  In the crowning charge of the 3rd the shattered remnants of the 151st flung themselves in front of the rebel column and drove it from its shelter.  General Doubleday credited this regiment, under the genius of McFarland, with being one of the chief instruments in saving the Army of the Potomac and the country from unimaginable disaster.  Colonel McFarland was wounded and submitted to the amputation of his leg.  For want of medical attention the operation had to be repeated and for a long time his life was despaired of.

——————————–

George F. McFarland

Lieutenant Colonel George F. McFarland was the commander of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg.

He was born in Dauphin County on 28 April 1834 and was a boat pilot on the old Susquehanna Canal before becoming a teacher. Just prior to the Civil War he became Principal of the Freeburg Academy.

When the Civil War began, he formed a company of men from Juniata County, of which he became the Captain, and upon muster into the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry, he was promoted to headquarters as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment.  On 1 July 1863, McFarland was seriously wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, resulting in the loss of a leg and damage to the other.

After the Civil War, he continued his career in education at the McAllisterville Academy in Juniata County, which he purchased and operated.  Later in his life he traveled to Tallapoosa, Georgia, seeking a cure for an infection in his war-damaged leg.  Unfortunately, he died there on 18 December 1891, and his remains were returned to Harrisburg for burial in the Harrisburg Cemetery.

More information about him can be found at his Findagrave Memorial.

Walter L. Owens

Captain Walter L. Owens of Company D of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry took over regimental command upon the wounding of Lieutenant Colonel George F. McFarland on 1 July 1863 at Gettysburg.  The photograph (above) was taken on a visit with his family to Little Round Top in 1910, about a year an a half before his death which occurred on 10 April 1912.  He is buried First Methodist Cemetery, Lewistown, Mifflin County, according to information obtained from his Findagrave Memorial.

——————————–

Around the base of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg are a series of plaques which, by regiment and company, note the names of every soldier who was present at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The plaque for the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry is pictured below.  By clicking on the plaque it should enlarge so the names can be more clearly read.  If a name does not appear, it could be that the soldier did serve in the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry, but was not part of the regiment during its days at Gettysburg.  There could also be errors on the plaque.

Note:  There is an additional panel to the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry on the inside of the monument – with “Staff Officers” (not pictured here).

Category: Memorials | Comments Off on Monuments at Gettysburg – 151st Pennsylvania Infantry
Tags: Monument

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 23, 2015

The 150th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg is located west of the town of Gettysburg on Stone Avenue.  It was dedicated in 1889 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is the second monument to this regiment at Gettysburg;  the first monument is located on Hancock Avenue and was dedicated in 1888 by the regiment’s survivors.

The drawing of the monument pictured above is from a Philadelphia Inquirer article of 11 September 1889.

A picture of the monument can be seen on Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg Web Site which has more information about the monument and the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry.

A full description of the 1889 monument, its GPS Coordinates, additional photographs, and some of the history of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry, can be found on the Stone Sentinels Web Site.  There is also a picture and information about the first monument.  In addition, there is information about Medal of Honor recipients Lieutenant Colonel Henry S. Huidekoper and Corporal J. Monroe Reisinger from this regiment

———————————

The article appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer on 11 September 1889 told some history of the regiment and gave the names of those on the podium and the subjects of their speeches at the commemoration exercises:

The 150th Imperishable Fame.

The 150th Bucktail Regiment was recruited in Philadelphia, Crawford, Union and McKean counties.  After crossing the Rappahanock the 150th remained at White Oak Church until the middle of June, and in its really first battle at Gettysburg won fame imperishable.  Reaching the seminary on the night of the 1st, the 150th moved forward half a mile to the crest of the hill, where its only protection from the frightful shelling that followed was a light fence.  Colonel Wistar took wounded Colonel Stone’s place in command of the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Huidekoper then commanded the 150th.  The enemy advanced within fifty years, when he stopped and continued firing.  Then a new line was seen approaching from the west.  A charge was necessary to free the brigade from the first column and prepare for the second.  The first line was driven off in confusion and the colors of the 149th were recaptured.  Colonel Wister was wounded in the face, Colonel Huidekoper losing his arm, Adjutant Ashhurst in the shoulder, Lieutenant Perkins in the thigh and Lieutenant Chancellor had his leg torn off.  The retreat began soon after and in Gettysburg the colors of the 150th, afterward found in Jeff Davis’s baggage, were captured, Corporal Gutelius being shot down with them in his arms.

The dedication ceremonies of the 150th, at 10 o’clock, will consist of prayer, Rev. H. M. Kieffer, D. D.; preliminary address, Brevet Brigadier General Langhorne Wister; “The 150th in the Battle of Gettysburg,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Chamberlain,“Organization of the Bucktail Brigade,” Sergeant William R. Ramsey, Company F; Benediction, Rev. J. A. Humes, Company H.

———————————

Henry S. Huidekoper

The commander of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg was Lieutenant Colonel Henry S. Huidekoper, who took over for Colonel Langhorn Wister as he moved to command the brigade on 1 July 1863.

Huidekoper began service in the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry on 30 August 1862 as Captain of Company K, which actually never went into the field and was detailed as a bodyguard to President Abraham Lincoln.  But instead of commanding this bodyguard detachment through his service, Captain Huidekoper was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment on 5 September 1862 and sent into the field.  On the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was wounded which took him out of action and resulted in the loss of an arm.  A more detailed blog post on Lieutenant Colonel Huidekoper was presented here on 26 September 2012.  See:  Henry S. Huidekoper – Medal of Honor Recipient and Advocate of Veterans.

Additional information can also be found about him at his Findagrave Memorial.

George W. Jones

The Captain of Company B of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry, George W. Jones, took over for Huidekoper when he was wounded.  A brief biography of him can be found at his Findagrave Memorial.

Jones died on 26 November 1913 and is buried at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Cheltenham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

——————————–

Around the base of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg are a series of plaques which, by regiment and company, note the names of every soldier who was present at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The plaque for the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry is pictured below.  By clicking on the plaque it should enlarge so the names can be more clearly read.  If a name does not appear, it could be that the soldier did serve in the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry, but was not part of the regiment during its days at Gettysburg.  There could also be errors on the plaque.

Category: Memorials | 1 Comment »
Tags: Monument

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 22, 2015

The 149th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg is located on Chambersburg Road near the McPherson barn.  It was dedicated in 1888 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The picture of the monument (above) is from Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg Web Site which has more information about the monument and the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry.

A full description of the monument, its GPS Coordinates, additional photographs, and some of the history of the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry, can be found on the Stone Sentinels Web Site.

——————————–

The history and monument dedication program of the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 September 1889:

The Bucktail Regiment.

The 149th, the Bucktail Regiment, was recruited from the counties of Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, Clearfield, Clarion, Lebanon, Allegheny, Luzerne, Mifflin, and Huntingdon.  It was organized by Major Stone under special orders from the War Department for the purpose of increasing the valuable services of skirmishers and sharpshooters.  The men were of hardy habits, skilled in the use of the rifle and wore the bucktail.  Its Colonels were Roy Stone and John Irwin; Lieutenant Colonels, Walton Dwight and James Glenn; Major, George W. Speer.  Stone and Dwight were wounded at Gettysburg, 1 July 1863.

The programme of exercises at the monument will consist of prayer by the chaplain, an address by Captain J. C. Johnson, an original poem by David Allen, an historical address by General E. S. Osborne, “America” sung by the regiment, the dedication of the monument by Judge J. F. Slagle, followed by the Doxology and Benediction.

——————————-

Walton Dwight

Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight was the commander of the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry at the beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg.  He was wounded in the leg on the first day of the battle but continued in command until the regiment fully retreated through the town of Gettysburg.

Dwight died on 15 November 1878 and is buried at Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, Broome County, New York.   Further information about him can be found at his Findagrave Memorial.

James Glenn

Captain James Glenn of Company D of the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry took command on 1 July 1863 because Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight was wounded.  He was later promoted to headquarters as Major on 22 April 1864 and to Lieutenant Colonel 8 January 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel James Glenn died on 23 August 1901 in Pittsburgh where he had a feed and grain business.  He is buried in Saint Clair Cemetery, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

For more information about Lieutenant Colonel James Glenn, see his Findagrave Memorial which references a web site with other biographical material on him.

——————————-

Around the base of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg are a series of plaques which, by regiment and company, note the names of every soldier who was present at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The plaque for the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry is pictured below.  By clicking on the plaque it should enlarge so the names can be more clearly read.  If a name does not appear, it could be that the soldier did serve in the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry, but was not part of the regiment during its days at Gettysburg.  There could also be errors on the plaque.

Category: Memorials | 1 Comment »
Tags: Monument

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 21, 2015

The 148th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg is located in the Wheat Field along Ayers Avenue.  It was dedicated in 1889 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is the first monument to this regiment at Gettysburg;  the second monument is located on Hancock Avenue and was dedicated in 1901.

The drawing of the 1889 monument pictured above is from a Philadelphia Inquirer article of 11 September 1889.

A picture of the monument can be seen on Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg Web Site which has more information about the monument and the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry.

A full description of the 1889 monument, its GPS Coordinates, additional photographs, and some of the history of the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, can be found on the Stone Sentinels Web Site.  There is also a picture and information about the 1901 monument.

———————————-

For the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, the Philadelphia Inquirer of 1 September 1889 gave slightly more regimental history than for most of the other regiments and also included the program of events for monument dedication day:

Governor Beaver’s Regiment.

The 148th was organized at Camp Curtin September 1862, with James A. Beaver as Colonel; Robert McFarlane, Lieutenant Colonel; George A. Fairlamb, Major.  Colonel Beaver had served as a militiaman under Captain Curtin, then Governor, as lieutenant in the three months service, and as Lieutenant Colonel in the 45th [45th Pennsylvania Infantry], which position he resigned to accept the new command.  On 3 May 1863, the 148th was engaged in the woods in front of White House Hospital, west of Chancellorsville, and until 11 o’clock the lines swayed back and forth in the terrific storm of battle, but held substantially its original position.  Twenty-five men were killed and seven officers, including Colonel Beaver, and ninety-three men were wounded.

On 2 July the regiment took position at Gettysburg on the left of Cemetery Hill, on the farm of Mr. Hummelbaugh.  At 4 o’clock they advanced through a wheat field in front of Round Top.  The firing in the wood around the wheat field commenced at close range and was kept up for an hour, when the regiment was relieved and retired in good order.  Captain R. M. Foerster and Lieutenant John A. Bayard were mortally wounded.

The 148th will assemble at the monument in the Wheat Field at 1 o’clock P.M.  The order of exercises will be:  Prayer, Chaplain William H. Stevens; historical address, Major R. H. Forster; presentation of monument, committee; short addresses by survivors of regiment; and prayer and benediction, Rev. William Gemmill.

——————————

There were four commanders associated with the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg:  (1) Colonel James Beaver; (2) Colonel Henry B. McKeen; (3) Colonel Edward Cross; and (4) Lieutenant Colonel Robert McFarlane.

James A. Beaver

Col. James A. Beaver, who was from Millerstown, Perry County, Pennsylvania, was the commander of the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, but was on sick leave during the battle and therefore played no role in the regiment’s actions there.  He lost a leg in the war and later became Governor of Pennsylvania.  He died on 31 January 1914 and is buried at Union Cemetery, Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania.  See:  Findagrave Memorial.

Henry B. McKeen

Colonel Henry B. McKeen, who was actually the commander of the 81st Pennsylvania Infantry, for a short time commanded the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg.  Later in the war, he was killed in action while leading his men at Cold Harbor, Virginia, 3 June 1864.  He is buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia.  See:  Findagrave Memorial.

Edward Cross

Colonel Edward Cross, of the 5th New Hampshire Infantry, was brigade commander when he was mortally wounded on 2 July 1863.  He died the next day and his remains were returned to his hometown of Lancaster, Coos County, New Hampshire for burial at the Wilder Cemetery.  See:  Findagrave Memorial.

Robert McFarlane

When Colonel Edward Cross was mortally wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Robert McFarlane of the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry took over command of the brigade. It is McFarlane who is given credit for the command of the 148th on the Pennsylvania Memorial tablet (shown below).  See:  Findagrave Memorial.

——————————

Around the base of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg are a series of plaques which, by regiment and company, note the names of every soldier who was present at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The plaque for the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry is pictured below.  By clicking on the plaque it should enlarge so the names can be more clearly read.  If a name does not appear, it could be that the soldier did serve in the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, but was not part of the regiment during its days at Gettysburg.  There could also be errors on the plaque.

Category: Memorials | Comments Off on Monuments at Gettysburg – 148th Pennsylvania Infantry
Tags: Monument

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 20, 2015

The 147th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument at Gettysburg is located southeast of the town of Gettysburg on Geary Avenue.  It was dedicated in 1885 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The picture of the monument (above) is from Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg Web Site which has more information about the monument and the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry.

A full description of the monument, its GPS Coordinates, additional photographs, and some of the history of the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry, can be found on the Stone Sentinels Web Site.

——————————

The Philadelphia Inquirer article of 11 September 1889 provided no history of the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry nor did it tell of any planned activities for monument dedication day.

——————————-

Ario Pardee

The commander of the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg was Ario Pardee.

Ario Pardee, whose full name was Ariovistus Pardee Jr., was born in Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 28 October 1839.  He trained as a civil engineer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and before the Civil War ran his father’s coal mines.  His first service was as Captain of Company A of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry beginning on 28 June 1861, but by 1 November 1861, he was promoted to headquarters as Major of the regiment.  Upon the organization of the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry, he transferred to become Lieutenant Colonel of that regiment.  On 19 March 1864, he was promoted to Colonel and on 12 January 1865, he was breveted Brigadier General.  He was discharged with his regiment on 13 June 1865.

After the Civil War he returned to coal mining, but then was involved for a time in railroads.  He died on 16 March 1901 and is buried in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard, Elkins Park.

Additional information about him can be found at his Wikipedia page.

——————————-

Around the base of the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg are a series of plaques which, by regiment and company, note the names of every soldier who was present at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The plaque for the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry is pictured below.  By clicking on the plaque it should enlarge so the names can be more clearly read.  If a name does not appear, it could be that the soldier did serve in the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry, but was not part of the regiment during its days at Gettysburg.  There could also be errors on the plaque.

Category: Memorials | Comments Off on Monuments at Gettysburg – 147th Pennsylvania Infantry
Tags: Monument