Franklin County: "Recollections of Lee's Invasion," by John W. P. Reid, April 11, 1919
Summary: Reid gives his account of life in Greencastle during Lee's invasion.
Mr. John W. P. Reid Gives an Interesting Account of the Trials and Troubles of the People of Greencastle June and July 1863
Rebel Commander Told William Allison He Would Shell Greencastle if Prisoner Was Not Returned in 24 Hours as Citizens Showed Little Sense.
Zanesville, Ohio
April 5, 1919
Mr. Editor:-Today I received your issue of yesterday and notice that you have promised your patrons my recollection of events transpiring at Greencastle, Pa., during Lee's Invasion-his advance and retreat. As you may have correspondence which should be given place, I will divide my reminiscence in two parts, viz, happenings up to July 4th, 1863, first part, 2nd, from 4th of July (morning 4:30 A. M.) to departure, in retreat of his forces which passed thru Greencastle, going towards Potomac river on Williamsport Pike.
Company K. 126 Pa.Vols. was discharged with Reg. at Harrisburg, Pa. May 20th, 1863. The two Juniata Companies (F & I) went to Mifflintown the remaining 8 companies came to Chambersburg, where we were received in grand style, plenty to eat, several placards bearing the words "Brave men of the 126. Lt. J. G. Rowe, disabled by wound received was unable to take part in Parade, therefore commanded of second platoon devolved on me. I pointed to placed, saying to Capt. A. R. Davison, none of Chancellorsville Skulkers shall march in my platoon," so his platoon numbered more than mine. This class of soldiers throughout the Regiment had declared that when mustered out they would attend" to me when detailed as Field Reg.Q. M. at Chancellorsville battlefield. I asked each company Commissary when he came to draw company rations, how many of your company were in the battle-draw (rations for them) those not in the fight will do without, no intention of starving them, but wishing to impress upon them the necessity of doing their duty; this class claimed that as May 2nd was 9 mos., it was not their duty, or rather they were not compelled to go into battle after 9 months, for which they had enlisted and expired (of course they received rations on the next draw) I claimed that until mustered out, we must fight. Readers of this communication can decide for themselves, whether I was just or not.
Milroy's army was driven out of Winchester, Va., June 15th 1863-part skeddling towards Washington, part to Hancock, the remaining part came through Greencastle, I boarded with James Hause, W. Baltimore St, as I had done for many years. Had no set time for retiring nor rising 11 o'clock P. M. to 12 M. would do-rise 7 A. M. to A. M.
When I came to Diamond, June 16, 1863 about 8 A. M, I saw a groupe of citizens on Newcomer's corner lot where bank now is was vacant. When I arrived within talking distance, I of course asked "what is up"-at this time several U. S. wagons were in sight coming down E. Baltimore, crossing from it to N. Carlisle St., diagonally, didn't come to Railroad-a box or two fell out-no stop to replace it in wagon-teamster dirving as if Rebels were right after him: now back to time I asked what was was up, I was told Rebels were coming. Jim Null had his shotgun, some others had guns and others were to take stock, horses, wagons, etc, to "Fulling Mill Hill," and there await Rebels if they came, defend property, etc., the several parties with horses, wagons, etc., departed for Rendevous. Army wagons had all passed out of sight on road to Harrisburg. All quiet for about 30 minutes then came in via Hagerstown road E. Baltimore St. and stopped, the advance down as far as alley. While Boyd's calvary were resting along street I was standing on porch at Hollar Hotel. Across Diamond at Irwin's store I saw a Copperhead (whose name I will not state it might insult his friend) stike a union man smaller than htmself, yelled wait till I get there, copperhead ran up to Dr. Hammils (a dentist) at corner of alley-he had time to tell the soldiers something derogatory of me, so when I reached the soldiers they barred my way, this lead to an altercation, down rode the Capt. with a squad of his command with drawn sabers, Boyd in commanding tone demanded to know what I was doing there raising a disturbance, I told him minding my own business as he should do. He ordered me to go back home, I replied I went home when I pleased not at the beck of any man, I was not now a soldier, he said I suppose you never were. I had been in bigger fights than he had, naming charge at Fredericksburg, V and stated I had been in the battle of Chancel-lorsvil'e, Va., we were probably engaged in altercation 15 minutes when brother William begged me to go away, that I might be hurt; looking at Boyd, I told him he would run as soon as he saw the rebels, as that was the way Cavalry fought, I said I go home for dinner and not because you ordered me to go. After dinner John Donaldson and I were at Zieglers store sitting on door-step facing N. Carlisle Street when Boyd came around corner, recognized me and said "I told you to go home and stay therere, yes, and I told you I would not obey; Donaldson got up and started away. I said I would go where and when I pleased, just then a squad of Cavalry from Chambersburg, alighted at hotel the Lt. in command I knew so I went up to the hotel shook hands with him, Boyd calling Lt. to him commenced taking with him, as it was not my business to hear conversation I went away-never saw Boyd afterwards but he sen) word to me to recruit a company or his Reg. (21st Pa.Cav. So ended our altercation-the soldier wounded in skirmish when Rheil was killed and was taken care of at Ilginfritz's wounded was to be 1st Lt. as he understood cavalry drill and was to bring back with him at least 15 recruits, he was so long returning that I became disgusted and took a trip to New Martinsville, W. Va., where my sister Margaret resided. After supper and before sun down, Boy'd pickets on Hrgerstown road came pell mell down E. Baltimore and made toward Chambersburg-I ran down S. Carlisle Street, reached the hill at Yous, near Negro Church, from there could see the dust rising on Hagerstown road and in a few minutes Imboden's rebel Mounted Inft. dashed thru the streets, taking Chambersburg roar, on which road near Fleming's the skirmish took place and Rhiel was killed, I was in Southern part of G. then went up to the Miss Eby's; nearly opposite where James Null lived. Soon after I arrived and was sitting on the porch a rebel came up to porch demanded an ax. I told him I did not reside at house, knew nothing about where ax was kept, axes were found and a few minutes telegraph poles were cut down and at Water Station set on fire, thus ended the day. Upon the third day thereafter about 2 p.m. rebels returned, rode down to Diamond, 30 or 40 countermarched and turned corner to left H Strickler where detail was going was a matter of conjecture to us in center of G.; but in about an hour rebs returned in possession some teams I remember Chas. Stines horse and butcher wagon was part of the loot, Rebs left town, going towards Hagerstown-for a couple of days no Rebs came into town. The C.V.R. sent a Hand Car with crew to repair Telegraph line were at work near Ziegler's store, many others with myself were looking on, when a boy said to me horses & rebels are up near Hartman's pump I hurried to look up street, by that time, horses at a walk were at alley, I ran to Hand Car jumped in yelled to hands rebels were just a little distance up E Baltimore Street, one of the hands who did not know me seized the piece of wood used to break the car, so I stepped out, track hands jumped in, moved slowly towards Chambersburg, Rebels stopped the car opposite Clippinger's. We couldn't hear what was said but the hands moved the car South and left it at the warehouse on the South Carlisle Street. When I came up street after dinner, four parties whose names I have forgotten asked me to go with them to Chambersburg in car and come back in it. I jumped in we started after a mile or two, we all wished we were back in G. When out near Hade's, we overtook one of the hands who was walking on Railroad, he asked to get in, we consented if he would help run car, he agreed. When we arrived in C. we left car on track at street crossing went down street to Diamond. In our absence car was taken by some one and delivered to railroad, then we could walk to G.Gov.Curtain was at Franklin hotel, I was introduced to him and told him what had occured in the forenoon at G. I decided to remain overnight in C.Col. Rowe was in Chambersburg. Sometime in afternoon, Courthouse bell was rung-town meeting called at which it was determined to ask the citizens to volunteer for defence of town- before night probably two hundred or three hundred had volunteered and uncommand of Col. Rowe marched out beyond suburbs, how far I do not know as I was not a volunteer. It rained that night, after daylight the command return to town and more bedraggled set of men I never saw-clothes hanging to their bodies-surely a nondescript aggregation - armed with shot guns, old muskets, etc.
The day after we run the hand car to G. after dinner I started afoot for G., arriving there about supper time, as I was passing the hotel where the Shirey hotel is now Daniel Hawbaker, town Constable, hailed me, wished me to help as guard of two parties arrested during my absence in C., I declined. He asserted they were rebels. The next afternoon I was in Rhoadarmer's barber shop, cry was shouted "Rebels in town" we rushed to the street and opposite Ziegler's store where bank now is we saw two men climb upon horse behind the rider, then start for hotel. When Hawbacker saw his prisoners mount behind the riders, he ran through hall of hotel out into alley, knowing the way he succeeded in crossing Chambersburg road, by keeping the fields, rebs, on horseback had to go by Shook's he reached Rankin's Mill in time to hide under water of waste-way the rebs, failed to find his place of refuge and when they returned to G, Hawbacker went toward Campbell's town and remained away during Invasion. When the Fulling Mill defenders saw the Rebels coming toward hill they never thought of fighting, the ones on horseback escaped, the horses hitched to vehicles were nearly all captured. The amusing incident was as follows, viz: James Null and Charles Stine made for the Conococheague, striking same near the dam 1 1/2 miles above bridge. Null on reaching creek sat down to take off his shoes so he could wade through and over the water on the riffles, called to Stine came below dam Stine replied by saving "No time for riffles now Jim" and plunged into the water, Charlie was over 6 ft. in height, so water did not reach his neck. For months after it Charlie was discussing some matter some one would yell "No time for Riffles now Jim." M. D Reymer wrote in rhyme these two incidents, as well as other events.
One afternoon M. D. Reymer and myself were on our way to first Dam where we bathed and swam, almost daily. Saw a confederate searching negro quarters for run-away slaves, could identify them by their talk. We stopped to see his luck, noticing our stopping he said for what are you looking? We replied, "to see your luck." He ordered us to move on. We replied, when satisfied.
One afternoon coming from Dam on arriving at Diamond, saw a crowd at Paulings hotel (called Bulls Eye from shape of sign) I hurried up to hotel, asked what was up. There was a one horse wagon and a Rebel under arrest. On hearing my inquiring one of the participants in the arrest said "It is none of your business," we are taxpayers. I replied 1 don't pay any taxes in G. if I did no arrest would be made. The Reb was sent to Waynesboro, the citizens of W. sent him up to hotel on mountain. A few days thereafter orders came from confiderate command to produce arrested man or G. would be shelled.
Council was hastily called together resolution passed to find and return prisoner. Only one blind horse and a one horse wagon without springs could be found and started for Waynesboro. On arriving at W. driver was told prisoner had been sent to mountain. Finally prisoner was found returned to G. and delivered to Rebel commander. The general made his headbuarters at my brother-in-law William Allison, who told me commander said G. was an abolition hole, if prisoner not returned in time even (24 hours) he would delight to shell G. as we the Taxpayers showed little sense for men of families.
On another occasion Rebels demanded powder, balls, etc., and vegetables or whatever an army could use. G. had no powder and balls in other words munition. The vegetables were delivered on pavement at Hollar hotel, As 1 was at Rowe's store corner, Mr. Miller whose son was struck by lightning spring of 1862, came alone carrying a fine saddle and bridle bought for his son deceased. I asked him where he was going with saddle and bridle, he said to Hollar hotel to deliver to Rebels requisition. I said, Mr. Miller have you got an ordinary saddle and bridle this one is too good to give to the Johnnies. He replied 1 have an old one, but if rebels made search and found this new saddle they might burn my property. He gave the new saddle and bridle, The Town Council owing to orders it had given was joculary named Onion Council, much to the disgust of several of the councilmen.
The foregoing about completes my remembrance of events of public interest up to July 4th 1863. The next communication will relate Capt. Dahlgreen's attack, capture, disposition of prisoners (33) captured by Milroy's Cavl. of Wagontrain at Cearfosses taverin of 7 miles from G. on Williamsport Pike.
John W. H. Reid
1107 Lexington Ave
Zanesville, Ohio
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Kauffman's Progressive News, 4/11/19
