Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 14, 2011

This is a continuation of the history of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County as originally given in the newspapers of the time and later by Joseph H. Zerbey in the History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County Pennsylvania.

In order to give Gen. Horace Porter, a brilliant commander of the Civil War, opportunity to attend the ceremonial and deliver the oration, unveiling… was fixed for not later than October 1….

Immediately after the parade, the unveiling ceremonies were conducted at the site of the monument.  The program opened with a prayer, after a selection by the Third Brigade.  The Rev. Dr. Jacob Belville, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, made a fervent invocation.  Then the veil was pulled aside, disclosing the imposing pile of granite, the cords being placed in the hands of four wounded veterans of the Civil War, viz. William McElreath, William Burns, George Rose, and Caleb Kinzl.  Then Hon. James B. Reilly proposed three cheers, which were given with a will.

After the Ringgold Band, of Reading, played an appropriate selection, the orator of the day, Gen. Horace Porter, made a ringing speech of patriotic eloquence, in which he referred to the great service which Schuylkill County soldiery had given the Union cause during the War of the Rebellion; the signal part the citizenship played in that long internecine strife, not only associated with furnishing men, but in looking after their families and relatives who were left at home.  He especially praised the stupendous task entailed, involving finances, time and labor, in successfully procuring and placing the monument.

The Third Brigade Band rendered a medley of war melodies, and then Gov. Robert E. Pattison, Pennsylvania, formally presented medals to the First Defenders present, on behalf of the Commonwealth, in recognition of their timely service at Washington, D.C., their prompt arrival in saving the nation’s valuable archives from pillage by the Rebel hordes assembled on the other side of the Potomac, waiting to being northern invasion.

Gen. David McMurtie Gregg (1833-1916)

Gen. David McM. Gregg, soldier hero of the famous “Peninsular Campaign” of the Civil War, made an able and pertinent response on behalf of the Firsts Defenders.  The Ringgold Band played again, and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. William A. Duffy, rector of St. Ratrick’s Catholic Church.  Accompanied by the Third Brigade Band, the program was brought to a close with community singing of the national anthem, “America.”  Later the Ringgold Band serenaded Father Duffy at the parochial residence.

From the Harrisburg Patriot, 6 October 1891:

WILLIAMSTOWN, Oct 5 – A large number of people from this town attended the unveiling of the soldiers’ monument at Pottsville on the 1st, some of them remaining there until Saturday.

On 18 June 1892, through Congressman James B. Reilly, two 12 pound howitzers with field carriages were loaned from the United States League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, to the Monument Park Association.  These pointed one to the east and the other to the west.  The cannon were placed in the park on 30 November 1893.

Drawings of the medals were published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 October 1891, and were found in the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.  The portrait of Gen. Gregg is from Wikipedia.

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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 13, 2011

This is a continuation of the history of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County as given by Joseph H. Zerbey in his History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County Pennsylvania.

Parade of Nine Divisions

Associated with the dedicatory ceremonies was a parade which moved, promptly, at noon, over the following route. Up Centre Street to Minersville Street, to Second, to Market, to 14th, to Mahantongo, to Centre, passing the reviewing stand, at Norwegian Street, where the Chief Marshal and distinguished visitors were stationed.

Gen. J. K. Sigfried was chief marshal, and Capt. D. C. Henning, chief-of-staff-with aides:  Maj. S. A. Losch, Capt. Frank Barnhart, Capt. W. Harry Boyd, Capt. Clay W. Evans, Capt. Richard Budd, Capt. P. D. Helms, Maj. James May, Hanson Atkins, Harry Halberstadt, William Madison, Marmaduke P. Fowler, William Buechley, Capt. William E. Jones, William Yeungling, George C. Clausen, Maj. Frank Day, George W. Kennedy, Richard E. Bergeman, Col. Thomas H. Rickert and Bugler Morgey.

First Division – Gen. J. P. S. Gobin, head of the Third Brigade of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, marshal, with aides, Maj. William H. Egle, brigade surgeon; Maj. H. P. Moyer, quartermaster; Maj. W. A. Coolbaugh, commissary; Capt. Seidel, commissary sergeant; Myer Strouse.  The Eighth Infantry was represented by ten companies, the Schuylkill County commands beind B, of Tamaqua, Capt. G. Warrington; E, of Mahanoy City, Capt. Andrew Comrey; F, of Girardville, Capt. E. C. Wagner; H, of Pottsville, Capt. George A. Harris; K, of St. Clair, Capt. W. H. Holmes; Third Brigade Band.

Among the regimental staff officers were:  Lt. Col. T. F. Hoffman, of Shamokin, father of H. C. Hofman of the “republican”; Maj. Wallace Guss, of Tamaqua; Surgeon Dr. James S. Carpenter, of Pottsville; Quartermaster, W. T. Richardson, of Mahanoy City; Commissary Sergeant L. V. RAusch of Mahanoy City; Hospital Steward, F. R. Pershing, of Schuylkill Haven.

In the Fourth Infantry were eight companies, among whom were:  E, of Hamburg, Capt. Charles F. Seaman; F, of Pottsville, Capt. E. D. Smith; G, of Pine Grove, Capt. J. W. Umbenhauer.  The Pottsville Cadets, Capt. James S. Carpenter, 3rd, also marched with this regiment.  Among the Fourth Infantry staff officers represented were:  Maj. John P. Earnest, of Pine Grove; Surgeon, Maj. J. H. Potteiger, of Hamburg; Asst. Surgeon, Lt. G. H. Halberstadt, of Pottsville.

Col. O. C. Bosbyshell, a First Defender, was marshal of the second division which comprised all of the First Defender Commands, including Pottsville’s National Light Infantry and the Washington Artilleriss.

John W. Conrad was marshal of the Third Division heading the Tremont and Pottsville Commanderies of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

The Sixth Division, comprising Schuylkill County Tribes of Red Men, was marshalled by John R. Saylor.

H. H. Seltzer was marshal of the Seventy Division, in which were the P.O.S.A. camps of the county, S. H. Zimmerman and G. H. Eckenrode rode officiating as aides. The county Sons of Veterans and members of the Bovine Association brought up the rear of the patriotic contingent.

John F. Bushar was marshal of the Eighth Division.  His aides were:  Walter Reinhart, Joseph Davis, John Alles, William Pyle, Larry Rosenberger, Joseph Hartzell, and Matthew Fox.  The fire companies, of Pottsville and the county, were assigned to this division.

The Ninth Division, the last of the big parade, comprised G.A.R. Posts.  It was marshalled by George L. Brown.

Some of the guests, in carriages in the parade, were:  Gov. Robert E. Pattison and staff;  Gen. M. McGregg, of Reading; Col. Benson, of Philadelphia; Gen. Rusling, of New Jersey; Maj. James Ellis, of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry; Maj. Grant Weidman, of the 173rd [173rd Pennsylvania Infantry]; Gen. Horace Porter, Col. Henry Royer, Capt. John A. SChweers, Hon. Levi Maisch, Hon. C. L. Pershing, Hon. O. P. Bechtel, George G. Boyer, G.A.R. Department Commander; Thomas J. Stewart, Adjutant; Gen. Cowan, Capt. Caldwell, Hon. J. H. McClintock, Mifflin County; Capt. J. M. Cooper, Michael Fritz, 95 years old, of Friedensburg, veteran of the War of 1812; James C. Niece; 16 First Defenders in carriages; Judge D. B. Green, Col. Jacob G. Frick, A. W. Schalck, Dr. D. W. Bland, Hon. J. B. Reilly and S. B. Briscoe.

From the Harrisburg Patriot, 2 October 1891:

The Gathering of People at Pottsville Yesterday to Witness the Ceremonies was Unprecedented

POTTSVILLE, Oct. 1 – Never before in the history of Schuylkill county was there such a large number of people gathered together upon one occasion as the multitude who to-day witnessed the unveiling of the soldiers’ monument to the memory of the volunteers from Schuylkill county, who perished on the battlefield.  Special trains from all sections of the state arrived during the morning, and when the parade moved at twelve o’clock there was seven thousand men in line and thrice that number blockaded every street and avenue.

It was a grand outpouring of people upon an auspicious occasion and demonstration was participated in by Governor Pattison and his staff, the Fourth and Eighth regiments of the National Guard, Grand Army men and all the civic and military organizations of this section of the state. The unveiling of the monument took place in the afternoon.  General Horace Porter, of New York, delivered the oration.  The “First Defenders,” which include companies from Lewistown, Allentown, New Ringgold and Pottsville, were presented with badges by Governor Pattison, which were the gift of the state.

Parade cut from Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 October 1891 and on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.  Article from Harrisburg Patriot, 2 October 1891 also from the on-line resource of the  Free Library of Philadelphia.

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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 12, 2011

Today’s post continues the history of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County as told by Joseph H. Zerber in his History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County.

On the four polished sides of the second die are inscribed:  “Fort Sumter,” “Emancipation,” “Gettysburg,” “Appomattox,” in raised letters.

Fort Sumter

Emancipation

Gettysburg

Appomattox

On the four corners of the third base are life-size bronze statues of the four armies of the service at parade rest.  The infantry is represented on the southeast corner; the navy on the northeast; artillery on the southwest; and the cavalry on the northwest.

Infantry

Navy

Artillery

Cavalry

The inscriptions on the monument are:  East side: “Erected A.D. 1891.  This memorial is the tribute of Schuylkill County to her brave sons who served in defense of the Union, 1861-1865”;

East Side

North side: “from a population of 90,00, Schuylkill County, during the War of Secession, gave the army and navy of the Union 13,000 volunteers”;

North Side

West side: “Love, Honor, Renown and lasing remembrance for those who fought for freedom and in imperiled country. May posterity profit by their example.  Dulce et decorum est pro patri mori”;

West Side

South side: “The Washington Artillery and National Light Artillery, of Pottsville, 246 men, were a part  of the 530 Pennsylvanians who first arrived for the defense of the national capital, April 18, 1861.”

South Side

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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 11, 2011

The story of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County continues today.  From Joseph H. Zerber’s History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County:

The monumental pile begins about eight feet beneath the surface.  The foundation is of heavy mountain stone laid in cement.  Underneath is left an aqueduct which will admit of sewer or water pipes that may be required at any time, so that its broad and deep foundation may not be disturbed on that account.

The monument, as the base, is 18 feet square of Quincy granite. It is finished, rock-faced, with margin drafts.  All above is of Barre, Vermont, granite.

There are 33 pieces in the massive structure weighing over 100 tons.  The different parts are known as first, second and third bases, plinth for the first die, plinth for the second die, and polished columns to rest on.

The cap on the second die base receives the fluted column which is surmounted by a Corinthian cap elaborately carved.  This piece, alone, required six months to finish and the whole is surmounted by a size-an-a-half bronze statue of the Goddess of Liberty, with extended right hand bearing the votive laurel wreath of fame, facing the east.

The drawing of the monument is from the Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 October 1891 and can be found in the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

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Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 10, 2011

This post is a continuation of the story of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County.  From the History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County by Joseph H. Zerber:

Upon resolution… a committee… was named to consult with artists and report on a design for the monument and the material to be used for its construction.  It was named the “Monumental Committee.”

On 23 September 1887, Major Levi Huber, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, reported a list of committees to work in various parts of the county to solicit funds to cover the expense of providing for the monument, a number of people subscribing for life memberships, receiving engraved certificates.

Decision was made at a meeting, held on 26 December 1887, to have Artist August Zellers submit the design and Richard C. Collins to erect the granite work.  The figures for the monument, chosen were:  An infantry soldier, in full dress uniform, at parade rest; A cavalryman and an artillery man with ramrod at rest, and a sailor in full uniform, also at rest, the whole to be surmounted by the figure of the Goddess of Liberty….

It was decided that the stone work of the monument be entirely of granite and the figures of bronze.

August Zellers

The monument was constructed by Contractor Richard C. Collins; August Zellers was the architect and artistic designer; John Rehnert, of Yorkville superintended the mountain foundation stone that was used.

August Zellers was a Bordentown, New Jersey, artist and sculptor.  He was a student of the sculptor Rodin.  The Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County is considered by many to be his best work.

News clippings are from the digital resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.  The story continues tomorrow.

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