Franklin County: A.H. Baum to the Pennsylvania Daily
Telegraph, September 7, 1864
Summary:
Baum, a member of the 201st Pa., tells about two sword
presentations at Camp Couch. He also talks about a trip to Chambersburg and the
conversations he had with merchants about that city's burning.
Editor, Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph
September 7, 1864
CAMP COUCH, NEAR CHAMBERSBURG
EDITOR TELEGRAPH:--
This has been indeed a gala day in Camp Couch -- a lovely morning, after a succession of rainy days and nights since Friday evening -- a cool delightful autumn afternoon, that brought many visitors to camp from our native city -- a splendid "dress parade," and no less than two sword presentations by our worthy, patriotic and gifted Chaplain -- rendered this one of the most important days that an all-wise Providence has permitted us to enjoy since our departure from Camp Curtin.
Among the Harrisburgers in camp to-day who came here to visit their friends, I noticed Messrs. Chambers Dubbs, Wm. Bostick, Jr., G.W. Basbore, Mr. May, Mr. Nunemaker, (father of our typo-sergeant Samuel, Quartermaster-Seargent of Company I(saac,) as they dub our lively crowd,) besides a number of Harrisburg ladies.
This afternoon, before conclusion of "dress parade," the regiment was drawn up in proper position to witness the interesting ceremony of a sword presentation. Major John T. Morgan, a gentlemanly and corteous officer of this regiment, was the recipient of a magnificent sword, belt and sash, from his numerous friends and admirers, of West Fairview, Cumberland county.
The sword was placed in charge of Rev. Mr. Rakestraw, our obliging and worthy Chaplain, and presented to MAJOR MORGAN by his Reverence, in the following words:
"MAJOR MORGAN -- I am happy to be the medium through which your personal friends of West Fairview have been pleased to present to you this token of their esteem and love for you as a man and a soldier, coming as it does from your personal friends, who are represented here by you townsman, Mr. May. It should give to you the assurance that those whom you love and have left behind, will be protected and cared for in your absence. It was remarked to me on receiving this sword and sash, "That thy had bought you this sword for service!" We believe that their confidence in you will not be misplaced, and to their prayers and good wishes I ask our own.
May God bless the hand that wields this sword, not only in preservation of your own life, but in the preservation of this the greatest country which God ever gave to any people. Take it, and may God bless the donors!"
Major Morgan replied: REVEREND SIR -- "I am not accustomed to public speaking; yet I cannot refain from expressing my sincere thanks to my friends of West Fairview, for this token of their esteem and good will. I pledge them my word and sacred honor, that I will wield it with a firm hand and strong arm, should occasion require it."
Three cheers and a "tiger" were then given by the whole regiment, for Major John T. Morgan; after which the most interesting dress parades we have had since our acquaintance with Camp Couch was dismissed.
After supper, another pleasant affair came off in the shape of a sword presentation. The members of company K, Captain Landis, presented to Second Lieutenant J.H. Snow, of that fine looking company, a beautiful sword and fixtures, through our obliging Chaplain, Rev. Rakestraw. Captain L. drew his company up in line, when Chaplain R. said:
"LIEUT. SNOW: -- In times of peace the presentation of a sword simply meant something to hang up as a memorial of holiday soldiers; but in times like this it means something more -- it means war! Coming as it did, from the men of company K, it is a memorial of great respect; and should your gallant captain fall on the battle-field, it would become your duty to take his place; and, should occasion require it, we feel confident that you will not disgrace this offering at their hands."
Second Lieutenant John H. Snow replied: "That he hoped he might never disgrace the sword his comrades in arms presented to him -- that he should ever be willing and ready to raise it in defence of his country and his country's noble flag. He thanked them for their kind offering, and said he was unable to command language to express his heartfelt gratitude."
Three cheers were then proposed, and rang out upon the evening air, from a hundred patriotic hearts!
During the afternoon, a beautiful flag staff was raised in front of Colonel Awl's quarters, and by to-morrow, I presume the
"--Star spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er this land of the free and the home of the brave!"
when, doubtless, we shall have another pleasant little episode of military life in Camp Couch to record.
It was remarked by strangers and others visiting here yesterday, that the regiment was under splendid discipline; and there cerainly is great credit due the officers of the regiment for their untiring efforts to instruct the men under their charge; for be it understood, that a large proportion of the soldiers never had the least knowledge of even the rudiments of military tactics.
The health of the regiment is, thank Providence, remarkably good. Only a few more additional cases of sickness of a slight nature, have been reported -- and others, since I last wrote you, have again reported for duty. -- Thanks to the prompt treatment and skill of Dr. Wagonseller and his assistants.
I took a trip, a few days ago, to Chambersburg; and while there making a variety of purchases for my fellow-soldiers of company I(saac,) I was enabled to learn from prominent business men much of the doings of M'Causland's "Virginia Robbers" (as the Chambersburgers term them) during their twenty-four hours operations in July last.
Three hundred and sixty odd dwelling houses, stores and public buildings were destroyed by the "chivalry," (nay, fiends of hell is a better term!) and their blackened walls stand there, like so many skeletons, demanding the vengeance of a just and righteous God upon the heads of the drunken, piratical, infidel horde that wrought this uncalled for, unchristian and diabolical piece of mischief.
A respectable and intelligent shoe dealer informed me: "I had a large store - - employed fifteen to twenty journeymen, made a good living and accumulated a snug little amount. In three hours after the rebels came here I had not even a table-knife and fork to call my own." Now he occupied a little basement store, with a few boxes of shoes, bought on time, to commence life anew. This is one instance only. Hundreds of others shared the same fate. The loss, Mr. Hutton informed me, will reach four millions of dollars! In many instances the property of the citizens was destroyed after the "chivalry" had extorted all the ready money that the citizens, so basely outraged afterwards, could command.
There are also many instances of heroism recorded. Mr. Wm. Burgess, formerly Captain of an ambulance corps, had a fight with a "reb" near Chambersburg somewhere, and placed him hors du combat. On examination Mr. B. found some $2,000 in U.S. money, and quite a large amount of rebel trash (grey-backs included!) on his defunct carcass!
The statement about Dr. Miller burning two Johnnies, in the office of his drug store, is correct. He floored them in some way, then locked them in, when they met the fate they so richly deserved!
Among the ruins of one particular house, we noticed a cooking stove that had dropped down in the cellar, with all the cooking apparatus yet setting upon it, as if in preparation for breakfast, coffee pots, pans, kettles, &c., still in proper place.
The citizens say that if they had made any respectable show of defence, or had had any authority to do so, they could have protected the place, and they attribute their sad misfortune, alone, to red tape- ism.
I have much more to communicate, but must "halt" for a future letter.
More anon,
A.H.B.
Corporal Company I.
