160th Anniversary of the Battle of the Crater: Henry Clay Pleasants

 

Today on the 160^th anniversary of the Battle of the Crater, July 30th 1864. I remember Brevet Brigadier General Henry Pleasants. Henry Clay Pleasants was born on February 16, 1833, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pleasants moved to the United States at the age of 13. He later became a mining and civil engineer in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, a profession that would significantly influence his military career.

When the Civil War broke out, Pleasants enlisted as a second lieutenant in the 3-month 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

By July 1861, he had joined the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. Pleasants quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a captain and later a lieutenant colonel. He along with the 48^th fought in most of the significant battles of the eastern theatre.

Pleasants’ most notable contribution came during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864. Leveraging his engineering expertise, he proposed and executed a daring plan to dig a tunnel beneath the Confederate lines and fill it with explosives.

With no help from other federal forces, he and the other men from the 48^th dug a 500 foot tunnel with makeshift and hand made tools. A feat that many (including the head of Engineering for the US forces) said couldn’t be done.

One of the original cracker boxes used to haul dirt

This ambitious project culminated in the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864. Although the explosion created a massive breach in the Confederate defenses, poor coordination led to a failed Union assault and heavy casualties.

Despite the setback, Pleasants’ ingenuity and leadership left a lasting legacy. His efforts demonstrated the critical role of engineering and innovation in warfare, highlighting the unique contributions of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry under his command.

He is buried in Charles Baber Cemetery in Pottsville Schuylkill County. His tombstone is very humble and carries the words “UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY”

Soldier Story: Captain Graeff gets in trouble.

Jacob moved to Leesport at 16 with his family and worked as a clerk at A.D. Himmelreich who ran a successful grain business in the basement of the Schuylkill Valley House in Leesport. Jacob also worked for a time worked at the hotel at 5th and Penn in Reading,
 

At 28 Jacob was commissioned in  Company E 151st Pennsylvania Infantry on September 25th 1863 in Reading as Captain. The 151st was mustered in as a 9 month term unit on October 29th 1863.

On November 26th the 151st moved to Washington DC and was attached to the 3rd Brigade Casey's Division as part of the defensive line around Washington DC

In February they moved to Belle Plains VA and were attached to the 1st Army Corp.

At the end of February they were on picket duty along Bull run when Captain Jacob got himself into a little trouble by leaving the picket line.

He would later be Court Martialed for this..

The following is a report from that Court Martial

Before a General Court Martial which convened at Centerville, Virginia, April 11, 1863, pursuant to General Orders, No. 38, dated March 31, 1863, and Special Orders, No. 36, dated April 3, 1863, Headquarters Casey’s Division, Washington, and of which Colonel George L. Willard, 125th New York Volunteers, is President, was arraigned and tried —

Captain Jacob S. Graeff, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Charge I. — “ Quitting his guard.”

Specification — “In this; that, Captain Jacob S. Graeff, Company ‘E,’ 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, having been regularly detailed as officer of the picket guard for the right wing of the picket line extending from Union Mills to Blackburn’s Ford, along the general course of Bull Run stream, did, after having been duly placed in command of such guard, and after said guard had been posted, quit his said guard and leave the said picket line and go to the camp of his said regiment. This at or near Union Mills, Virginia, on or about the 9th day of February, 1863.”

Charge II. — “Conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.”

Specification — “In this; that he, Captain Jacob S. Graeff, Company ‘E,’ 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, while regularly in command of the picket guard of said Regiment — which guard was posted along the picket line from Union Mills to Blackburn’s Ford, along the general course of Bull Run stream, and while stationed at post number seven of said picket line, to wit, at McLean’s Ford, with a reserve of said guard— did, before he was regularly relieved, quit said post number seven, and go away from the said picket line to the camp of his said Regiment, and did so remain away for a long time This at or near Union Mills, Virginia, on or about the 9th day of February, 1863.”

To which charges and specifications the accused, Captain Jacob S. Gratff, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, pleaded “ Not Guilty.”

Finding.

The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds the accused, Captain Jacob S. Graeff, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, as follows:

Charge I.

Of the Specification, “Guilty.”

Of the Charge, “ Guilty.”

Charge II.

Of the Specification, “Guilty, except the words, ‘and did so remain away for a long time.’ ”

Of the Charge, “Guilty.”

Sentence.

And the Court does therefore sentence him, Captain Jacob S. Graeff, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, “To be dismissed the service of the United States.

The proceedings of the Court in the case of Captain Jacob S. Graeff, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, have been forwarded to the President of the United States, who approves the sentence, but directs that it be mitigated to a forfeiture of pay for the period of three months.

After the Civil War Captain Graeff came home and became a proprietor of the Leesport hotel and also for a time was the postmaster of Leesport. 

He is buried at the Leesport Cemetery in Leesport PA

 

Soldier Story: Lieutenant Harry Hudson 88th Pennsylvania Infantry

 

A story I learned about while reading up on the 88^th Pennsylvania Infantry

23-year-old Harry Hudson from Roxborough Philadelphia joined the 88^th Pennsylvania Infantry on September 13^th 1861.

At the beginning of their service the 88^th would move to Washington and act as provost guard for Alexandria Virginia.

By August of 1862 he had worked his way up to 1^st Lieutenant. The 88^th had worked their way to Culpeper Virginia with General Popes Army of Virginia as he pursued General Jackson near the Shenandoah.

On August 9^th they stood in battle line two miles outside of Culpeper as General Banks moved to check the Confederate advancement which would eventually be called the Battle of Cedar Mountain.

The 88^th would stand in line until nightfall listening to the sounds of battle in the distance

After both armies pulled away from battle they would move to the Rapidan within cannon shot distance of the Confederates

On the 18^th of August reports were that the enemy was massing on the other side of the river and in the middle of the night the 88^th and the rest of General Towers brigade pulled away from the Rapidan.

Lieutenant Hudson and Company C were ordered to an Orange and Alexandria railroad bridge that crossed near Raccoon Ford to destroy it. When they reached the bridge pioneers had already cut the deck loose and unfortunately when Lieutenant Hudson stepped on it, it collapsed and crashed on top of him crushing him.

He would be rendered unconscious and would die the next day.

The 88^th would then pull back to near Kelly's Ford that crossed the Rappahannock River

He would be buried in an unmarked grave next to the river on the 20^th of August, just another of the thousands of men without a stone to remember him by, but whose story should not be forgotten

Soldier Highlight- "Blind" Mike

Michael Link was born in Wurtemburg Germany on September 7^th 1839. At a young age his family would move to Berks County Pennsylvania. At 21 Michael Link who worked as a Blacksmith in Reading PA,  joined Company E of the 151^st Pennsylvania as a bugler..

The 151^st was a 9 month unit that first saw slight action at the battle of Chancellorsville, but its main fight was at Gettysburg.

On July 1^st 1863 when the 1^st Corp under General John Reynolds arrived on the field, the 151^st was put in reserve at the Lutheran Theological Seminary.

As the battle swelled before them portions of the 1^st Corps were battered and began falling back. The 151^st was sent in as reserve. As they got into position the regiments that flanked them fell back or were shattered leaving the 151^st alone to stem the Confederate tide.

Michael struck in the eye. The bullet entered his left eye and emerged through his right destroying his sight.

He would survive and after a lengthy term in the hospital in Philadelphia, he returned to Reading. He would receive one of the highest pensions in Berks County (72$ a month) and with that he he would build two three story homes on Penn Street (114 Penn Street Reading) and opened a shop where he would cane chairs.

“Blind Mike” as he was now known, would give small concerts on the street to the delight of the Reading citizens and teach music lessons at his home.

Private Michael Link is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading Pennsylvania.

 

 

Soldier Highlight: John Varner 49th Pennsylvania Infantry

 

John Varner was born on July 6th 1836 in Fayette Township Juniata County. John is my third Great Granduncle.  And since today is his birthday and he is the ember that sparked my project I wanted to tell his story today.

 In December of 1863 John was living in Cocalamus Pennsylvania outside of McCallisterville with his Wife Elizabeth and three children, Barbara (5), William (2) and Levi (2 months) when he recieved his draft notice. 

From Cocalamus he travelled to Harrisburg where he was mustered in an attached to the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry "New" Company G

The 49th was much decimated from the battles they had been in over the first few years of the Civil War. By December of 1863 its numbers were so low that they had to consolidate their companies, giving them the moniker of "New" (ie New Company G etc)

On December 31st 1863 on a rainy, cold and muddy day, John and 55 other recruits arrived at the 49ths camp at Brandy Station Virginia. He would spend the next few months learning how to be a soldier, building winter quarters and enduring the snowy, rainy cold weather of upper Virginia winter.

In March of 1864 General Grant took over the Union Army and set forth on the 1864 campaign (The Overland Campaign) and the 49th was sent South on the quest to attack the Confederate Capitol of Richmond and end the war. 

On May 4th the men crossed the Germania ford on a pontoon bridge and entered the area known as the "Wilderness". This area was logged heavily for nearby Iron production leaving a labyrinth of gnarled trees, thick underbrush, and shadowed ravines near Locust Grove, about 20 miles west of Fredericksburg.

On May 5th as they continued south ont he plank road they heard firing in the distance. They turned right and faced the green wall of dense underbrush, on the order they moved in. 

(from the Regimental History of the 49th)

"Thursday, May 5, '1864. — We resumed our march on the plank road this morning, and Company C was deployed as flankers. Soon our skirmishers came in contact with the enemy, and about 9 A. M. the flankers were withdrawn and joined the regiment. We advanced about one mile through the forest in line of battle, or most of this time it was a charge. We drove the rebels in our front like a lot of sheep. On account of the woods and underbrush the four old companies and colors of our regiment was cut loose from our new companies, and are still going ahead. Colonel Hulings rode out and ordered us back. We must get reformed. Some of Company B starts to run down on an old road to the left. After running about 50 yards we capture a rebel Major and his horse. We came on him very unexpectedly, and in an instant the bayonets of the guns of William Blatt, Billy White, John Ginethan and R. S. Westbrook were not a foot from his head. It is a wonder that one of us did not shoot. The major threw up his left hand and surrendered. Ed. Miller and Peter McGonigal, of Company B, join us; they are wounded. They take charge of the major and his horse, and go back fast as they can. We now run back up the road about fifty yards, and with some others form. Now the 119th Pennsylvania Volunteers are coming up, and they fire into us. We drop to the ground, and are very angry. We say some bad words and fire a few shots at them and hollow that they are firing into the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Soon we get straightened out arid move back to the new companies and form. While going back we find James McCord, of Company B. He is standing up, holding his entrails in; a ball has cut him across the stomach. Our loss in the regiment is about thirty-four killed and wounded. We remained in the line during the night and had several more wounded."

They enguaged for a few days in the Wilderness then pulled out and moved South. For the next few months they would be enguaged in battle almost every day.

On May 9th they arrived at Spottsylvania Courthouse. It began to rain turning the area into a muddy mess. The Confederates had dug in pretty heavily creating well emplaced fortifications.

On May 10th Colonel Emory Upton led an attack with 12 hand-picked regiments (including the 49th). After 30 minutes of bombardment the regiments would rush across 200 yards of open ground and attack the Conffederate works. 

(from the Regimental History of the 49th)

"We are laying low, and not a word is spoken above a whisper in our ranks. We see the duty we are expected to perform, and orders are quietly passed along the line in a whisper. Soon as the order is given every man is to move forward on the charge, hollow and take the works. We are ready, and when we got the order, "Forward, charge!" every man in the twelve regiments is on his feet. Up we go, and no rebel army could have stopped us, and in less than ten minutes we have their works, artillery and about 1,000 prisoners. We have taken everything in our immediate front, but we had a hand to hand fight. No time now to load our pieces, and many of our boys are using bayonets, butts of guns and fists — anything to ,get the rebels back out of our way. Color Corporal Riden hit a big rebel with his fist because he forgot to drop his gun, and five minutes later the former was wounded. Color Corporal T. H. McFarland was wounded in the arm, and the boys told him to get back, but he said, "No, damned if I do," and over the works he goes. Lieutenant Howell is in a tight place, three rebels being at him. He cuts one over the head with his cavalry saber, he knocks the second over with his left hand, and Miles Wakefield put the bayonet into the third just in time to save the lieutenant, as the rebel's bayonet was within one foot of the lieutenant's stomach.

Lieutenant G. E. Hackenberg, of Company I, grabs a stand of rebel colors from a big rebel, tears them from the staff and sticks them in his bosom. Bob Davison, on the left of the regiment, runs in the advance and captures a piece of artillery. All the rebels had left it but a boy, who sat on the gun until Davison laid hold of it and made him get down. On account of his grit Davison would not shoot him, but sent him to the rear. We are now to the second line of the works, or near it. It has taken several minutes to get the rebels out of our way. Here a rebel lieutenant, after passing to the rear, orders his men to pick up the guns that our dead and wounded have left on the field and fire on us from the rear. Sergeant Sam Steiner, of Company F, now a resident of Gallitzin, Pa., hears this order, and quick as lightning he puts a ball into the rebel's back, who threw his' hands up and dropped to the ground. This stopped the picking up of guns. God only knows what they would have done had Steiner not acted promptly. Some of our boys have reached the third line of works, and about twenty-five of us runs to the right about sixty yards for three pieces of artillery that have been giving us grape and cannister."

The battle over the next few days would be a back and forth wet slog of hand to hand combat

The 49th would continue to fight on, through the battles at Anna River, Cold Harbor and finally in the outer limits of the Dimmock line at Petersburg. 

Hearing that Jubal Early was on his way to attack Washington, regiments, including the 49th were sent north to reinforce Washington.

On July 10th the 49th left the trenchworks at Petersburg and headed to City Point where they boarded a ship and headed north.

After three months of almost daily constant fighting the men were grateful for a reprieve. All were battered and beaten and exausted.

When they reached Washington a good number of them (including John) were sent to the Hospital. 

On Friday July 15th 1864 while at camp at Poolville Maryland Troutman Burkhammer of the 67th New York was hung for desertion and acting as a spy. His body was left to hang in camp for most of the day and evening. After this act some of the men had enough...

The next day at roll call a few of the men including John deserted. 

I cant imagine what it was like to fight in some of the most horrific battles of the Civil War. With what we know of PTSD today you have to imagine the physical and mental toll fights like had on these men.

John probably was never the same as he returned to his wife and young family in Juniata County. Not only did he have to live with the horrors that he witnessed and no doubt committed but now he also had to live with the stigma of being a "deserter"

It is this story that inspired me to create this project. Stories like Johns should not be forgotten. Men like John should not be forgotten. All around the commonwealth stories like this are hidden underneath the silent stones of these soldiers final resting place.

I hope that through this project the stories of these brave men who fought to keep our nation whole is not forgotten.

You can find the route John took while in service on the map page of this site

Men of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry in Northern Berks at Gettysburg 161st Anniversary

 The 151st Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as “The Schoolteachers’ Regiment” played a crucial role in the Battle of Gettysburg. Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George F. McFarland from McCalisterville Juniata County, the regiment brought 467 men to the field on July 1, 1863. 

The Majority of the companies were from Berks County. 

Companies A and C, Susquehanna County

Company B, Pike County

Company F, Warren County

Company D, Juniata County

Companies E, G, H, K, and part of I, Berks County

Remainder of Company I, was from Schuylkill County

On July 1st ...the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 151st Pennsylvania was positioned near the Lutheran Theological Seminary. At around 3pm the regiment was the last reserve of 1st Corp who had been diligently fighting the Confederates most of the day, and was ordered forward to fill a gap between the famed Iron Brigade and other regiments of Rowley's Brigade. 

Unfortunately for the 151st the Iron Brigade mistakenly pulled back thinking the 151st was there to relive them. On their left the other regiments were smashed leaving the 151st alone to face the Confederate tide. They were surrounded and decimated.

The regiment’s steadfast defense helped delay the Confederate advance, allowing Union forces to regroup on Cemetery Hill. Over the next two days, the 151st Pennsylvania continued to fight valiantly, participating in the defense of Cemetery Hill and repelling Pickett’s Charge on July 3

By the end of the battle, the 151st Pennsylvania had suffered devastating losses, with 51 killed, 211 wounded, and 75 missing. Their sacrifice was among the highest of any Union regiment at Gettysburg, with a casualty rate of 75%. Despite these losses, their actions were instrumental in the Union’s eventual victory at Gettysburg.

Today 161 years later I wanted to remember those men and mention the ones buried in our little corner of Northern Berks.

Buried at Zions Blue Mountain Cemetery Strausstown (all company H)

Private Daniel  L Bagenstose    (34)       

Private Elias M Boltz     (20)       

Private Joseph S Boltz (21)       

Private Joseph M Goodman (44) Wounded

Corporal Percival R Goodman  (31)       

Corporal Jonathan G Haag (29) Wounded: Lost Right arm

Private Levi B Kobel (18)             

Private John W Lengel  (23)       

Corporal Levi R Manbeck (33) Wounded

Private Andrew B Miller (38) Wounded: Lost Left Leg

Corporal Joseph N Moyer (29) Wounded: Lost Right Arm

Private Jeremiah M Reichert (20)           

Private Solomon Strauss (41) Wounded: Lost Left Arm

 

Buried at Ebenezer Cemetery Shoemakersville

Private Samuel Schlear (34)  Company E Wounded

 

Buried at Friedens Union Shartlesville

Private Benjamin Pearson (21) Company E wounded: fingers shot off

 

Buried at Jacob Haag Cemetery Bernville

Corporal George D Farhrenbach (18) Company G

Corporal Lewis P Kershner (20) Company G

Private Monroe K Manback (18) Company H

 

Buried at St. Thomas Bernville

Private Daniel  Blatt (21) Company E   

Corporal Christian R Koenig (26) Company G   Wounded lost right arm

Private Daniel  Livers (18) Company G Wounded both thighs

Private Henry R Lutz     (19) Company H             

Private Alfred U Moll     (19) Company  H           

Sergeant Jonathan L.B. Reber  (22) Company G             

Private Alfred D Stoudt (18) Company G Wounded: Shot through left wrist and thigh

Private Frederick H Werner (41) Company G   

 

Buried at Greenwood Cemetery Hamburg

Corporal Benjamin Egolf (23) Company E Wounded: Shot Through right calf and just below the knee

Private Benjamin Ketterer (34) Company G

 

Buried at Bern Church Leesport

Private Ephriam Bingaman (21) Company K      Wounded

Private Erasmus H Gruber (24) Company G      Wounded Shot in left arm 6 inches below shoulder, lost arm

Private Joseph Hartline (42) Company G           

Private Israel D Heffner (29) Company G           

4th Sergeant Washington K Hiester (25) Company G   

Private William R Stamm (22) Company G        

Private Adam G Strause (23) Company G Wounded above right knee

Private Daniel  L Zechman (40) Company G     

Private William H Zechman (18) Company G Sent to hospital sick

 

Buried at Eplers Church Leesport

Private Ruben  Beecher (22) Company E Wounded, sent to hospital in Philadelphia where he died on 7/3

Corporal Peter K Harbach (21) Company K      

Sergeant Benneville F  Kramer (21) Company  G  Wounded

 

Buried at Gernants Cemetery Leesport

Private Isaac Hinkel      (21) Company E

Private Edwin Mogle     (30) Company G

Private George Rapp     (21) Company K

Private John Rothermel (36) Company H

 

Buried at Leesport Cemetery Leesport

Private Nelson Bodey   (18) Company  E Wounded

Captain Jacob  S Graeff (28) Company E            

Private Aaron   D Hains (32) Company E            

Private Israel  Marks (27) Company E  

Private Valentine Painter (29) Company G Wounded shot in head (survived)

 

Buried at Bellemans Church Mohrsville

Private Adam Greim (29) Company E   Missing at Gettysburg

Corporal Edmund Kauffman (23) Company E   Wounded

Private Paul Lengel (22) Company G    

Private Aaron Snyder (22) Company G