148th PVI Company C
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Copyright Info
    • About Us
  • Blog
  • Schedule
  • History
  • Links
  • Photos
  • 148th Trail

Volume 5-260th Edition 11-27-12

3/11/2013

0 Comments

 
                 Volume 5-260th Edition 11-27-12

                                                          Remembrance Day 2012

One Hundred Forty Nine years ago, November 19th 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was invited to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to dedicate the National Cemetery honoring the men who died during that fateful battle. He was asked to make a few appropriate remarks, and that is just what he did. The speech was short, only 270 words, but they were the some of the most remembered words ever spoken by any president in the history of our country and especially up to that date. His words captured the spirit of our national conscience and set the standard that has continued to this day. All the words from this document are of great importance; but there in the last portion of the speech are these words.

Quote; “But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate- we can not consecrate- we can not hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.” Lincoln further said another very important line. Quote; “That government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”His words are as profound now as the were then. I've heard them many times and each time I do, they still send a chill down my back and evoke a tear as well.

The weekend of November 17th, for serious re-enactors is one of those times that means so much to many of us. Most of us are able to shut the present out and only think of what it means to us to represent and remember the sacrifice and struggle these men all faced. The struggle at Gettysburg was one of countless battlefields where the blood of our own country men was spilled. It is up to us the living to remember what they did there regardless of which side of the struggle we each would have been. Lincoln always considered our nation to be one nation. He expected that our National flag would still have a star for each state that existed within that nation. So our flag during the rebellion always had 34 stars; the 34th star, because West Virginia entered the union as a free state.

I've told you about Remembrance Day weekend before and will probably do so at least a couple time more. Next year I plan to do the parade for the last time. The nearly four miles of marching on asphalt are gruelingly cruel on my legs.  It will be the 150th anniversary event and these always have a special meaning and will be a great memory.

I still plan to meet and socialize with friends that have I have grown to consider as the closest of personal friends. They are men and women I have shared many wonderful experiences and memories, and I'm not planning on give that up easily. Their is something very special about friends who shared the same passion and love for historic remembrance for men who suffered so greatly. For several years, I have celebrated the lives and the deaths of the men and boys who died at Gettysburg, PA. Each regimental group of men and women celebrate those who died on these fields in their very own special way. Special readings are read out for the assembly to understand why are we here this day. On many occasions we have the privilege of folks other than our group who have stopped by to witness and begin to understand just exactly why we are so solemn in our remembrance.

In past years, I have served with the 69th Pennsylvania Irish, The Philadelphia Brigade. Each year the names of the 21 men buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery are read aloud for all within ear shot can share in our remembrance. We exchange a brass medallion with the name of the man, and company in which he served till death. A short biography is read and we are reminded who he was and what he did before the war. From the cemetery we march over to the “Angle”, “The Highwater Mark” where most of them died on July 3rd 1863. Here at the “Angle” we are reminded of the lads once again, placing a flag at each of the company flank markers. Each year, we pick a different company to remember with a file card with name and how and where the died. Each man then passes by the monument and lays their boxwood sprig near its base to say we haven't forgotten. It a very solemn occasion.

This year I fell in with the 148th Pennsylvania, The Centre County Regiment. On those days in July 1863, they had nearly 468 men present. When the “Wheatfield” action was completed 27 men were Killed in Action and another 100 men wounded or missing or captured. Eleven men are buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Poems or special reading are presented.. Captain Felice reads the account of what happened that July 2nd 1863 for those around us who have never heard their story. This year for the second time ever the names of those who were killed are read aloud, their names spoken into the air as we have called it. Our ladies provided us with a sprig of “Rosemary.”  This frosted sprig of green was used in remembrance of those who have passed from this life.

This day November 17th  as I always do I walked from left to right flank, 118 steps. I ponder what the men of the 148th PA. Volunteer Infantry did on July 2nd 1863. This was not a small act of valor. It was much more than that. I found a few quotes that would have crossed their minds.

Quote; “The man who does not dread to die or be mutilated is a lunatic. The man who, dreading these things, still faces them for the sake of duty and honor is a hero.” Union Captain John DeForest

Quote; You ask me if the thought of death does not alarm me. I will say that I do not wish to die... I myself am as big a coward as any could be, but give me the bullet before the coward when all my friends and companions are going forward. Confederate soldier.

Quote; “In great deeds, something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but the spirit lingers, to consecrate the ground for the vision-place of souls... Generations that know us not and that we know not of, are heart drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them.”    Lt. Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

This is why we do Remembrance Day. So we don't forget...                                                          

                                                                 150 Years Ago

Pvt. John Bentley; 126th PVI,  Fayette Township, Died of Disease 11-28-1862, Unknown

Donald E. Husler Jr. 
0 Comments

Volume 5-257th Edition 11-06-12

3/11/2013

0 Comments

 
                                                   Volume 5-257th Edition 11-06-12

                                                                2nd Winchester

Although the Battle of Second Winchester occurred on June 15th  1862; the battlefield at Middletown, Virginia served as the near perfect site to reenact the battle that was very close to this site. As reenactors we really like the Cedar Creek site. It's usually the last battle event of the year and it's very close to most rebellion historians hearts. We also like it here partly because the weather is mixed; mild to warm days and cool to freezing nights. We just have to throw another blanket between the ground and your body and another over top to ward off the chilly temperatures.

When we use another location to reenact a particular battle we have to adjust many details. The area around Winchester was exchanged several times. The Shenandoah Valley was very important to the war effort of the Army of Northern Virginia and in general the Confederacy; because and it was a major bread basket for the south. This area became a center piece for control with both armies.

We did the “Second Battle of Winchester” on Saturday coming in from the northeast as much as possible and both armies were concentrated. The fighting again was as intense as possible with musket firing both hot and heavy. Support artillery occupied the high ground as both sides advanced toward each other. Casualties were high, sometimes with many men going down by the handful. The air was filled with the sight and smell of cannon and rifle smoke. After about an hour of fighting, the sound of “TAPS” fills the air and the battle is done. The men who have fallen-rise and give greetings to each other for a battle well fought. We have again honored those who actually fought and died during this battle. We have kept their memory alive. They wanted to be remembered for the bravery and sacrifice they have given; not so much on the battlefield. This field is owned by a private foundation and is mainly kept alive because of the efforts of “Living Historians” and those visitors who donate time and monies to keep this National Treasure open to the public. Cedar Creek Battlefield has only a few plaques describing what happened on this field. The preserved ground appears much as it did during the actual battle at Cedar Creek, Middletown, Virginia. The fields lay open with outcroppings of limestone sticking through the surface here and there; but nothing big enough for cover. It remains to this day pasture for livestock when we aren't present. If you're ever in the Middletown Virginia area, I recommend a visit. Belle Grove mansion is a beautiful cut limestone home designed by Thomas Jefferson. Belle Grove and the Henry House are still the only buildings existing on the field. It is a rare experience to reenact on an historic field. I can tell you it's one of my favorite historic site's.

Lt. General Richard Ewell's Second Corp. Army of Northern Virginia, 12,500 men strong suffered 47 Killed, 219 wounded and 3 missing. Major General Robert Milroy's Second Division, 7th Corp, Army of the Shenandoah 7,000 men suffered 97 Killed, 348 wounded and nearly 4,000 missing or captured. This meant Second Winchester was an astounding defeat for the Union Army. This victory emboldened the confederacy with great hope for their case.

                                                                     Cedar Creek

With the first part of the weekend completed, we settled into the other reason we were on this hallowed ground. The Battle of Cedar Creek was on the 19th of October 1864. It started at about 4:30 am when the rebels routed the Union troops from their night sleep. Carrying their clothes and equipment they ran, fought and eventually were rallied, but were seriously pressed for several hours of hard fighting. By late morning and afternoon General Philip Sheridan”s Army of the Shenandoah with his 31,610 men turned the tide of battle and began pushing  General Jubal Early's 21,102 troops back to where they came from. Both sides suffered severely in this action. Sheridan lost 569 Killed, 3,425 Wounded and 1,770 missing or captured. Early lost 320 Killed, 1,540 Wounded and 1,050 missing or captured. October 19th 1864 marked the near end for the Confederates foraging in the Shenandoah Valley.

 One can only imagine the real impact of such an attack. We were up at 5:00AM and the fight started shortly thereafter. Even with the light number of troops the fighting was surreal. The muzzle flashes in the darkness reveals much. Where just moments before we saw shadowy figures, now it is realized whether they are blue or gray. This was probably the case then as well... The ground is covered with a touch of frost and could be seen as daylight approached. Before we saw it though we could feel it's effect... The afternoon rally and fight was equally impressive as the day before. Literally tens of thousands of rounds were fired. Again “TAPS” is play and echoed several times and the battle is over.

                                                                       Battlefield Tour

Two years ago; two of my closest friends formed a group called “Civil War Riders.” Our goal was to ride motorcycle to as many battlefields as the men of the 148th PA Volunteer Infantry fought on. Our next goal was to place our foot or touch the water of the fords these men walked through, visit these sites and walk the fields where the blood of the heroes we represent fought and died on. For two fall rides we did this. Then this spring we did our first nice weather ride. We logged nearly a thousand miles in the saddle over three days. Late summer we learned that, Lee's Lost Order # 191 was going to be on display at the Monocacy Battlefield Visitors Center just south of Frederick, Maryland. Not really needing an excuse to go on a ride, we planned on this 270 mile round trip... You can look at a copy all you want, but nothing can replace the real thing. It was on loan from the Library of Congress, and would be returned to that depositor on October 31st. We didn't get to ride as originally planned, because of Hurricane Sandy and the potential for hard rain fall we were forced to drive instead. Whatever the means of transportation the trip was rewarding and the conversation was as well. Thanks Guys.

                                                                      150 Years Ago

Pvt. Issac Fry; 53rd Company “I” township unknown; Killed in Action, Fredericksburg, VA. 11-07-1862 Antietam National Cemetery, Section 26, Lot E, Grave #466

 Donald E. Husler Jr. 
0 Comments

    Contributor

    Don "Red" Husler (dehirishATcenturylink.net) is a veteran reenactor and journalist from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.  

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2019
    May 2019
    October 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    October 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.