Franklin County: "Capt. Dahlgren's Daring Charge" by John W. P. Reid, April 18, 1919
Summary: Reid gives his account of his exploits conveying prisoners for a Colonel Dahlgren.
Through the Streets of Greencastle in Which He Captured the Famous Dispatch From Davis to Lee at Gettysburg
As Told by John W. P. Reid An Eye Witness Who Met Dahlgren at the Old Bull's Eye and at His Request Took Captured Prisoners to Mercersburg
Zanesville, Ohio
April 14, 1919
Editor:
Part 2 The night of July 3rd, 1863 I roomed at old Hollar hotel then run by McNulty who had placed me in charge, so far as protecting his family during his absence-said he was going away to save his horses-and wished me to room there, so his family would have some one to protect them-no charge for board and lodging pursuance of my promise I selected Pump room I turned in about 12 midnight- weather hot laid down on top of cover, with pants and stockings on, shortly after daylight, the waiter (Lewis) rapped at door, saying Lt. there is going to be a big fight. Where I asked "He replied out on Diamond: I pulled venetian blind and saw 9 U.S.Cav. drawn up in recess of diamond (Eachus corner). I hustled on my coat, vest and low shoes ran down stairs and just as I opened door on porch, the Nine Cav. charged down S. Carlisle St., when I got to Rowe's corner, the Cavalry and fleeing Rebels who had turned tail were mixed up with the ones going North. Rebs, coming would fire too high, balls striking the trees. I ran along pavement and followed as fast as I could to high ground at Negro church, whence I could see pike as far as Scott W. Fleming's. I saw no one when going up, but several were out along street as I returned. An hour or two thereafterwards Cavalry returned with 33 prisoners. The excitement having subsided I went elsewhere. Farmers coming into town for three days past had reported hearing cannon; in the evening persons living outside of Greencastle but near it, reported hearing rumbling of wagons. M. D. Reymer and myself concluded we would walk out to Ruthrauffs and verify report. We sat on the stones and talked for quite a while and could readily hear rumbling of wagons. The evening was cloudy. As we returned, Thomas Pawling came out of door on E. Baltimore St., said to me, "Capt. Dahlgren was in Dining room and wished to see me." I said I don't know Dahlgren-can't understand why he wishes to see me, Pawling insisted that I go in, he would introduce me, that he had piloted Dahlgreen from Meade's army at Gettysburg, Pa., that Meade had offered Dahlgreen a Brigade of Cavalry, but Dahlgreen had said a company would be sufficient for scouting as he could cover more ground rapidly. After much instance, I went in with Pawling and he introduced me to Dahlgreen who at that time was examining a map. Dahlgreen said he wished to get rid of prisoners as he purposed getting in front of Lee's retreating army and the prisoners would be in his way-that he could spare only 5 men and a Sergt. I told him I was not in service, that I risked my life if caught-hanging would be my lot. He then asked me if I would not risk my life for my country, etc., finally it was decided that I should enlist a sufficient number of my late company (K) I sent out word by several bystanders to different members-went to my boarding House (Hauses) donned my uniform, returned to Pawlings-none of my company put in an appearance. Five youths of about 16 years volunteered-the only surname of only one I remember, a brother of Michael Wagner, a member of Co. K. this young man enlisted afterward, if I remember correctly.
So much delay had occurred that it was 10 o'clock before we left Pawlings and raining a little, when we reached Stoner's school house on Mercersburg pike I concluded to stop, put Rebels in school house, guarded by the boys the pike to be picketed by two of the Cav. I had lost so much sleep that when I sat down to rest I fell asleep and the two pickets stayed on 2 hours instead of one hour, when relieved they grumbled some Pawling had thrown a canteen of Gin over my head in starting. I handed it to them, told them to take a big drink, they did so- when it got in its work, I was declared a "Foine Lt. At day-break I ordered Rebels to be brought out of school house, march to be resumed the Sergt. refused, saying there were no sense in moving so early. I called a couple of boys to come, when they arrived, I told the Segt You know Dahlgren had told you I had command. You will now either march or I will place you under arrest, take your horse and ride instead of walking. He obeyed. I then detailed two of the Cav. having best horses to act as rear guard, directing the one having swiftest horse to go farthest toward Greencastle, the other to keep in sight of him and if Rebels pursued us to at once notify me; the rest of us marched to Upon and there I called at the houses telling who I was, reason for being in Upton and asking for food. The citizens called on responded generously, I ordered Prisoners to sit on hotel porch fed them first then the Guard and was eating my lunch when down the Eastern hill as fast as his horse could run, came one of the rear guard detail, hat off, swinging it, yelling, Rebels are coming. When hastily formed prisoners in line, turned into road running to Conococheague Creek, mud and water ankle deep, when we arrived at by-road going to Mercersburg, took it and when in sight of Mercesburg, farmers told us "The Rebels were in Mercersburg. I then detailed 2 Cav. to ride to Mercersburg, they returned informing me the soldiers were Cavalry of Milroy's army who had retreated when Winchester was taken, crossing the Potomac river into Fulton County. We marched into town, I reported to commander, turned over prisoners and Dahlgren's Cavalry. The commander told me he intended attacking Rebel wagon train. This plan he carried out and the Rebel wounded, surrendered with captured wagons were placed in College Buildings at Mercersburg and remained for months a charge upon Mercersburg community. Several of the boys left for Greencastle as soon as prisoners were delivered, but I remained in Mercersburg a couple of hours. When I returned from Mercersburg, I left pike at 2nd, dam, then via 1st, dam, from spring to alley, past school houses, through Presbyterian church yard across street to Hauses, at once took off my uniform and donned my civilian dress. The Rebels had Cavalry pickets on Long's and adjacent hill, passed Hauses going on Picket and returning, sabres clicking and horses' hoofs sounded loud in the still night. I slept but little Sunday night, widow up, revolver cocked, by me. if Rebels came to arrest me, I intended to jump out on kitchen roof thence to ground and run, only use revolver as last resort.
About 1:30 p.m. Monday Greencastle saw the last of Lee's invasion: within an hour after Johnny's departure, a few Union Cav. came from Chambersburg and posted result of Gettysburg battle on Union pole standing on Diamond.
As to Dahlgreen, report said he arrived at Leitersburg, Md. just as the advance of Lee's retreating army arrived there, that he fought it as long as he could with the few men he had-fell back to Hagerstown. fought there until overpowered, report was that he was wounded in leg, that it was amputated, how much was amputated, I never heard-if true couldn't have been entire as he returned to Cav. service and was killed in engagement as narrated in Judge Wilhelm's oration at G. Home-coming of 1917. Capt Dahlgren never had any troops under his command in vicinity of Greencastle after Lee's Invasion. He may have visited G., if he did I think I would have known of it.
In all the addresses made at Home Comings my name has never been mentioned. In Sketch of 126 Reg., Page 30, my name is mentioned for the first and only time and without rank, as being for a while Ambulance Officer. I was detailed as commander of Brigade Ambulance for a purpose which did not materialize.
Who acted as Quartermaster at Washington when Q.M. supplies were drawn and who receipted for them? Who acted as Field Q. M. when Q. M. stayed on safe side of Rappahannock? (Chancellorsville battlefield). Page 6 of Sketch who swore in Co. K. 126 Reg. and who paid recruiting said Co!
I have had the Sketch at least 17 yrs. never read discriptive parts until I commenced my present contribution hence never noted omissions as to my name and rank. As very few remain alive of Co. K., I have no desire to renew former antagonisms. In preceding reminiscences I have used first person to indicate I personally know where of I write.
Of the names registered in 1917 Home-coming I recollect about a half dozen.
Respectfully,
John W. P. Reid
1107 Lexington Ave.
Zanesville, Ohio
P.S. I have heretofore stated I detailed two of Cav. to remain in rear where we marched toward Mercersburg. When acting as rear guard they were to follow, but concluded to ride into Greencastle, get a drink, in pursuance of that place, they road from G. while Rebel Cav. pickets stationed on Longs & adjacent hill saw that they started in pursuit of them captured one, and followed after the one who road down pike in Upton, as far as a house situated on East side of hill from the top of which you can look down upon Upton. The man occuping the house was cutting wood for breakfast. They asked him if any Yanks had passed, he rplied No. The squad then about faced and went back to picket host. Had they ridden to top of hill, they would have seen us and what there would have happened can easily be conjectured.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Kauffman's Progressive News, 4/18/19
