The 48th/150th: Bloodletting at 2nd Bull Run: Part 3/4

Captain Henry Pleasants, Company C

Describes the Battle of 2nd Bull Run
 

Henry Pleasants, who would garner much fame as the mastermind of the Petersburg Mine in June-July 1864, wrote the following account of the 48th's actions at 2nd Bull Run for the Miners' Journal, Pottsville's leading newspaper.

* * * * * * * * * *

Camp Near Alexandria {VA}
September 4, 1862

After leaving the left of Pope’s army, before the Rapidan, which position our Division (Reno’s) occupied, we marched to Kelly’s ford, across the Rappahannock. From this point we went to Rappahannock Station, thence along the northern side of the river to Sulphur Springs; thence to Warrenton and on to Warrenton Junction, where we rested for three-quarters of a day. From here we marched to Manassas Junction, and on to near Centreville, where we turned to the left and moved towards the Gap which leads to the Shenandoah Valley. This was on Friday morning. The action had already begun. We reached the battle-field at 1 P.M., and at 3 our Brigade, commanded by Colonel {James} Nagle, was ordered to attack the rebels in a thick woods. The 6th New Hampshire Regiment formed on the left, the 2nd Maryland on the right and the 48th Pennsylvania fifty paces in their rear. Hardly had the column entered the woods when the action began—brisk, fiery and bloody. Our regiment was marching on with the steadiness of regulars, when the battalions in front obliquing to the left and right, permitted us to advance quickly and occupy the intervening space, promptly opening a destructive fire on the rebels. We advanced firing for about a quarter of a mile, when Lieut. Col. {Joshua} Sigfried halted the regiment, and, after causing them to cease firing, ordered them to advance with the bayonet, which was done in gallant style—driving the enemy out of two ditches (one of them an old railroad cut,) and going on beyond them. We had, however, not gone far before we received a volley of musketry from behind. Thinking that we were fired on by some of our own troops, the regiment was ordered back to the nearest ditch, and our fire to the front resumed. From this time the fire poured on our and the New Hampshire regiment, was most terrific—from the front, left, and rear. The more our colors were raised and spread out to the view of our supposed friends behind, the hotter and bloodier were their discharges. At last the rebel regiments made their appearance on our rear, when Colonel Sigfried gave the order to retreat by the rightflank. The men stood this terrible fire without flinching, obeying the orders of their officers, and firing to the front where the enemy was supposed only to be. The regiments of the brigade were promptly reformed after leaving the woods, and soon after were relieved by the 2nd Brigade. The next day, Saturday, we were present at the battle, supporting batteries, and being continuously under artillery fire from 3 to 9 P.M. Our division was the last to leave the battlefield, which it did about ten o’clock that night. Next day, although without hardly any sleep, rest or food, we were drawn up in line of battle until night-time. On Monday, about 1 P.M., our division again marched from Centreville to Fairfax, protecting the train. When about three or four miles from where we started we met the rebels, in force, posted in the woods and corn-fields, and after fighting til dark, and being reinforced by General {Phil} Kearney, we gained a complete victory, driving them for nearly a mile. Our regiment was under heavy fire nearly the whole time, but supporting other troops in front, we could not return it. The loss of Saturday and Monday was very light, but that of Friday was terrible. The forest was converted into a slaughter-house. Some companies of the 6th New Hampshire were nearly exterminated. Some of ours lost about one-half their men. The regiment lost 152 men. The brigade, out of about 2,000, lost over 500.

{Henry Pleasants}

The 48th/150th: Bloodletting at 2nd Bull Run: Part 4/4

The Officers of Company G, 48th Pennsylvania

(Seated: Captain Oliver Bosbyshell; Standing Left: Lieutenant Curtis C. Pollock; Standing Right: Lieutenant Henry Clay Jackson, Captured at 2nd Bull Run)

 

Captain Oliver C. Bosbyshell Company G Describes the Battle of 2nd Bull Run Captain Oliver C. Bosbyshell wrote the following account of the 48th Pennsylvania's experience at 2nd Bull Run, August 29, 1862:

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Camp Forty-Eighth Regiment, P.V., Near Alexandria, Va., Sept. 3, 1862

 

A spare moment I devote to giving you a short account of the doings of the 48th in the late battles near Bull Run. I’ll not particularize about our long and tiresome march from Fredericksburg to Culpeper, &etc, but suffice it to say, that we arrived on the Bull Run battlefield last Friday morning. Preparations were being made on every side for a fight, and we expected of course, to have a hand in it. We were not disappointed. Three o’clock Friday afternoon, Nagle’s Brigade drew up in line of battle—the 2nd Maryland on the right, next the 6th New Hampshire, and the 48th covering the latter regiment. Off we moved, over a clear field, to quite a dense wood, out of which we were to drive the rebels. The wood was skirted by a fence, which we had scarcely crossed—in fact, our regiment was just getting over it—when bang! bang! whiz! whiz! and the battle commenced. There was no use talking, however. Our Brigade went right in; walked steadily on, driving the rebels quickly before them, but losing men fast. A ditch or embankment, in which the rebels had shielded themselves, and from out of which the Brigade which entered the woods before ours failed to drive them, our Brigade assailed so fiercely, that it was soon cleared. The 48th had bayonets fixed. Some of the prisoners wanted to know who they were with fixed bayonets, and what troops we were. When informed, they said they thought we must belong to “Burnside’s fighting devils.” The impetuosity of our men was great, and I believe we would have gone clear through the woods, without once halting, had not a strong flank movement been made by the rebels. They came around on our left, and opened a galling fire on our left flank and rear, which we did not return for some time, mistaking them for our own. When we discovered it, however, we answered lively, but they were too strong for us, with their raking cross-fire, and a retreat by the right flank was ordered. This we did in good order, returning fire for fire, and we got out in the clearing again, where the “rebs” dared not follow us. It is difficult to note all the incidents of personal bravery. Colonel Nagle was everywhere, cheering on the men, and barely escaped capture. He was ordered to halt several times by the rebels, pursued and fired at, but escaped. Lieutenant John D. Bertolette, his acting assistant Adjutant General, our late adjutant, was wounded in the thigh, while ably attending his duties. His aides, Lt. Blake and Hinkle, were actively engaged throughout the entire fight. Upon entering the woods, Colonel Nagle and his staff left their horses at the fence, the woods being entirely too thick to ride through, and, in the flanking by the rebels, the horses were captured. The Brigade lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, some 530 men. The 48th behaved exceedingly well, and did considerable damage to the “Louisiana Tigers.” Lt. Col. Sigfried was in the thickest on the fray, encouraging the men by actions as well as words. He was ably seconded by Major Kauffman and Acting Adjutant Gowen. But I cannot particularize; all behaved well; no one shirked, neither officers or men. Our loss is heavy, some 152 in killed, wounded and missing. Nearly all the missing have been ascertained to be prisoners, and will be paroled and released shortly. Reno’s Division—our Brigade included, of course—was also in the action of Saturday protecting batteries, &c. Towards evening we were ordered into the woods, where we went, but the darkness ended the fight before we exchanged shots with the enemy. Our Division was exposed to the shells and shots of the enemy nearly all day Saturday—(none in the 48th hurt, two of Company H, taken prisoners)—and was the last Division to leave the field. We retired from the ground at 9 o’clock, and by five next morning were in Centreville. On Sunday we were picketed about two miles out of Centreville, and we met the 96th on our way out. Monday afternoon our Division started for Fairfax, and was the first Division engaged at the fight at Chantilly, where the gallant Kearney and Stevens fell. The Brigade lost a number killed and wounded again, but the 48th escaped with two men slightly wounded, merely grazed. We were posted in a wood on the right, to prevent any flank movement the enemy might make. We remained on the battlefield until 3 o’clock Tuesday morning, when we made for Fairfax, reaching it by sunrise. By 6 o’clock last night we reached our present quarters, almost fagged our with excessive marching and fatigue. The 50th, 96th, and 129th, are all near at hand.

Soldiers of the 48th: Private Cyrus Haines, Company F

Private Cyrus Haines

Company F, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My thanks go out to Mr. Bert Crouthamel who, last week, sent me this great image of Private Cyrus Haines of the 48th Pennsylvania as well a scanned copy of Haines's obituary. As I have send many, many times before, it is always such a great thrill to be contacted by descendants of 48th PA soldiers and especially when they are so willing to share their photographs, stories, etc. This image of Haines, with the tinted pants, shirt and belt buckle, standing against the camp-scene backdrop is one of the best I have yet seen of a soldier who served in the 48th. His youth is readily apparent. The rifle Haines is holding remained in the family until a few years back when Mr. Crouthamel donated it to the Historical Society of Schuylkill County. So, when next in Pottsville, swing by the historical society and ask to see Haines's musket.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Cyrus Haines lied about his age. In the summer of 1861, Haines was not quite seventeen years of age, being born on October 14, 1844, in Minersville, PA, the son of Mr. & Mrs. William Haines, who were described as "pioneer residents of that town."  Cyrus's older brother Charles tried talking him out of volunteering but all to no avail; Cyrus threatened to run away if he did not secure the blessings of his family to fight. Not to be denied, Cyrus Haines, on August 19, 1861, enlisted in Company F, 48th Pennsylvania, a company recruited predominantly from Minersville under the direction of Captain Joseph Hoskings. When he signed up, Cyrus added a few years, claiming he was nineteen years of age, although he was just sixteen-and-a-half. His brother Charles, age twenty-three, also signed up to fight in Company F that August, 1861.

In height, Cyrus stood just 5'3" tall, had a "Dark" complexion, "Dark" hair, and "Dark" eyes. His occupation was listed as "Laborer." His brother Charles was a carpenter by trade.  Charles and Cyrus served alongside one another during the entirety of their three-year term of service. One can easily imagine the elder Haines keeping an eye on and looking out for his younger brother. Having emerged unscathed at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, Cyrus Haines fell wounded at Cold Harbor on June 4, 1864, shot in the left arm. He returned home to Minersville and, after a three-months' convalescence, returned to the army. . .but not to the 48th. Instead, Cyrus enlisted as a 'regular' in the 7th United States Infantry, and was discharged at war's end.

Returning to Schuylkill County, Haines moved from Minersville to Pottsville, which he made his home for the rest of his life. After following in the footsteps of his brother Charles by becoming a carpenter, Cyrus next found work as a "core maker" with the Pennsylvania and Reading shops in Pottsville, a position he held for thirty-five years. Cyrus's obituary stated that "while following his vocation as a carpenter," some fifty years before his death, he sustained an eye injury that caused a loss of vision to the eye. "About three years ago," his obituary continued, "the vision miraculously returned to the eye. However, its return caused the eventual loss of vision in the other eye and a general detrimental effect on his general health. Since this time he was a semi-invalid, although at times he was able to take short walks without assistance. Prior to this time he possessed a powerful physique that did not need or require the services of physicians or medicines. In addition to a strong body he possessed a strong and active mind. He was widely read and could always be depended upon for a sound opinion on current questions of local or national importance."

Cyrus Haines passed away at his home--152 West Railroad Street, Pottsville, PA--at 7:05 p.m. on May 27, 1937; his death "due to general debility and infirmities of old age." Haines was ninety-two years of age at the time of his death. Haines was one of the last surviving members of the 48th PA, and was among the last Civil War veterans in all of Schuylkill County. As his obituary stated: "The death of Comrade Haines came on the eve of Memorial Day when he and two other local surviving veterans of the War of '61 would be paid tribute as living representatives of the army of defenders who saved the country from being torn asunder in the dark days of 1861 to 1865. Haines's death decreased the number of Civil War veterans in Schuylkill County to four. They are: John J. Kohler and Henry Trough, [Pottsville]; Thomas Reed, Orwigsburg, and John H. Silliman, Tamaqua."

Haines did not want a full military funeral but a firing squad and bugler, composed of Spanish-American War veterans, did attend and "accorded their honors." Cyrus Haines was laid to rest in Pottsville's Odd Fellows Cemetery.



Help Restore the 50th Pennsylvania Monument at Antietam

The 50th PA Monument at Antietam

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am reposting this from last May when Lizzy Bianchi first embarked upon her effort to restore the 50th Pennsylvania Monument at Antietam by raising funds to have cast a replacement hilt from the sword of the Colonel Benjamin Christ statue. I am very, very pleased to report that through her own efforts and initiative, Lizzy, now a junior at Honesdale High School, has raised $1,700.00, which means we are halfway there. I am certain we can very quickly raise the rest. Donations of any amount are most welcome. Please make your check payable to:
The Western Maryland Interpretative Association
P.O. Box 692
Sharpsburg, MD 21782

In the subject line of your check, please write: "50th Pennsylvania Monument Fund."

Please continue to read to find out more about this dedicated young lady and her efforts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Lizzy Bianchi is a student at Honesdale High School in northeastern Pennsylvania with a great interest in the American Civil War. Last summer, while touring the Antietam Battlefield, Lizzy told her guide, Bill Sagle, that she would love to do something to help preserve the battlefield for her senior project. Bill directed her question to me, and I had just the project for her. Only a few days prior to Lizzy's visit, my colleague Brian Baracz showed me photographs of the unveiling/dedication of the 50th Pennsylvania Monument, featuring a bronze, 7'4" statue of Colonel Benjamin Christ who organized and first led the regiment and who, at Antietam, commanded the First Brigade in Orlando Willcox's Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. The photographs revealed that when first unveiled, there was a hilt (handle) on Colonel Christ's sword. That hilt is no longer there.

But Lizzy is now determined to replace it.

I suggested the idea to her and she hit the ground running. The 50th Pennsylvania was formed in the summer of 1861 with volunteers from several Pennsylvania counties. Two companies--A & C--came from Schuylkill County, as did Colonel Christ, a native of Minersville. Since other volunteers came from Lizzy's home area, she feels more of a special attachment to the regiment. . .and to this endeavor.

I placed Lizzy in touch with artist and Civil War historian Michael Kraus who last year did such excellent, excellent work in sculpting the replacement sword for the 48th Pennsylvania monument, and Mike has agreed to work on this project as well.

We are very fortunate to have someone like Lizzy undertake a project like this, especially in someone so young and so passionate about the study and preservation of history.

Reward her efforts and help her achieve her goal by donating today. Any amount, no matter how large or small, will help. Mike Kraus has estimated a total cost for this project of $3,400. Lizzy has another year to make this project a reality and I encourage all of you to show her how much her efforts are appreciated by donating today.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This Photograph Shows the Missing Hilt from the sheathed sword of Colonel Benjamin Christ. Let's return it!

April 2, 1865: The 48th's Last Battle. . . .

I first published this post five years ago in April 2007 (have I really been blogging that long???) But because today's date--April 2--is such a significant one in the annals of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, I thought it would be appropriate to re-post, to observe their actions, 147 years ago, in the final assaults on Petersburg and to help pay tribute to those who fell dead or wounded during this, their final battle of the American Civil War. Among the dead was the regiment's commander, Colonel George Washington Gowen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On this date, 147 years ago, the 48th Pennsylvania participated in its final battle. After a nine-month siege, beginning in late June 1864, General U.S. Grant ordered forward an all-out assault on the Confederate lines surrounding the city of Petersburg, Virginia. Throughout the pre-dawn hours of April 2, 1865, the soldiers of the 48th prepared themselves for the attack. At 4:00 a.m. an artillery barrage opened along the length of the Union line, as blue-clad skirmishers lurched their way forward. From their position behind Fort Sedgwick, dubbed "Fort Hell" by the troops, the 48th awaited the order to advance. Oliver Bosbyshell described the moments immediately before the attack:

"Only half-rationed, and with scalding coffee hastily swallowed, the Forty-Eighth moved toward the rear of 'Fort Hell,' through deep cuts made for the protection of wagons in going to and from the front--now filled with a slushy mud--and emerging near the Jerusalem Plank Road, crossed to the left rear of the Fort. The pioneers were cutting away the abatis in the narrow opening, [we] quickly formed line in front, and moved rapidly forward to the Union picket line."

Fort Sedgwick--or "Fort Hell"

Finally, sometime around 4:30 a.m., the order was given and with a rush, the 48th charged forward, directly toward the Confederate defenses known as Fort Mahone. The Confederate picket line was quickly overrun, and "eager to achieve greater results, away dashed the Forty-Eighth in the van of the brigade. . ." Leading the regiment was Colonel George Washington Gowen, who took command following the resignation of Henry Pleasants the previous Fall. Next to Gowen ran brigade commander John I. Curtin, and the 48th's regimental color-bearer, Samuel Beddall. The Confederate cannon by this point had begun "belching a very inferno of shot and shell into the ranks." Still, the regiment pushed forward. "On, on pushed the boys determined to capture the dire old tormentor who had troubled them so the winter long. The attack was most impetuous."

As the regiment neared the Confederate lines, Colonel Gowen and Colonel Curtin began removing the abatis when an artillery shell struck Gowen square in the face, killing him instantly. Beddall and the regimental flag was covered in Gowen's blood. Curtin, also wounded in the blast, leaned upon his sword and continued to urge the 48th forward, and "with the ferocity of madmen," the regiment "renewed the assualt, pushed through the obstructing abatis, over the moat, scaled the earthwork, securing a lodgement on the walls. . . .With one bound the men sprang forward, a hand-to-hand encounter ensued, which lasted but a moment, the rebels were overpowered, the fort was captured, and the enemy driven beyond it for a considerable distance."

The Capture of Petersburg, by Alfred Waud

"Petersburg," concluded Bosbyshell, "so long invested, so hotly contested, and so stubbornly defended," had finally fallen into Union hands.

Private Daniel Barnett, Co. E, was among the killed on 4/2/1865

The final assault on Petersburg was the last battle of the Civil War in which the 48th Pennsylvania participated. The regiment spent the next week guarding railroad cars near Farmville, where they received word of Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865. The casualties during the attack were severe. In addition to losing Colonel Gowen, the regiment lost 11 men killed, another 55 wounded (of which 3 proved to be mortal), and 22 missing. Most of the missing would rejoin the regiment in the ensuing days.

Colonel George Washington Gowen

In describing the death of Gowen, Bosbyshell wrote: "So fell one greatly beloved--gloriously at the moment of victory, honored as few have been, mourned sadly by his men; indeed, all who knew his splendid worth and promising future were grieved." And on April 15, one week after guns had fallen silent in Virginia, the 48th Pennsylvania passed the following resolutions:

"Resolved,That although we bow with submission to the Divine will, which has taken him from amongst us, yet we cannot restrain an expression of the feeling of deep regret entertained by this Regiment at his death," and

"Resolved, That in the death of Colonel Gowen, this Regiment has sustained a loss which can never be repaired, inasmuch, that he possessed the rare qualities of the perfect gentleman united with those of the brave and efficient officer. Ever attentive to the innumerable wants of his command, courteous to those with whom he had intercourse, and displaying to all a kindness of heart seldom to be met with in the army."

* * * * * * * * * *

Casualties: 4/2/1865

Killed: Colonel George W. Gowen; Sgt. John Homer (Company B); Daniel D. Barnett (Company E); David McCloir (Company F); James King, William Donnelly, George Uhl (Company H); Albert Mack, Albert Zimmerman, Wesley Boyer, Jacob Reichwine (Company I); Simon W. Hoffman (Company K)

Mortally Wounded: Nicholas Stephens (Company B); Corporal James Nicholas (Company C); Aaron Wagner (Company D)

Wounded: John Adams (Company A); 1st Sgt. John Watkins, Sgt. Robert Campbell, Sgt. William H. Ward, Robert Jones (Company B); George Seibert, Casper Groduvarant, Albert Kurtz, James T. Martin, Paul Dehne (Company C); Sgt. Henry Rothenberger, Cpl. Levi Derr, Jacob Schmidt, Edward McGuire, Joseph Buddinger, Chester Phillips, Thomas Whiscke (Company D); Cpl. William D. Morgan, William C. James, Robert Meredith, Frederick Godwin, Thomas Hayes (Comapny E); 2nd Lt. Henry "Snapper" Reese, Sgt. William J. Wells, Cpl. John Devlin, James Dempsey, John Crawford (Company F); Peter Bailey, John Droble, Patrick Daley, Nicholas Fers, Thomas Howell, Thomas Smith, John Wright, George Kane, 1st Lt. William Auman (Company G); Sgt. Peter Radelberger, Willoughby Lintz, George E. Lewis, Benjamin Koller, Cpl. Henry Matthews, 2nd Lt. Thomas Sillyman (Company H); Jonathan Mowery, Charles C. Wagner, Joseph Shoener, John Road, Henry Goodman (Company I); Benjamin Kline, Paul Snyder, Jacob Erbert, David Phillips, Jno. Williams, John Windenmuth (Company K)

Missing: Sgt. Isaac Fritz, William Reppert, Michael Kingsley, Lewis Kleckner, Henry Rinker, Daniel Hurley (Company B); Cpl. James Hanan (Company C); Cpl. Samuel Kessler (Company D); 1st Sgt. John McElrath, Cpl. George W. James, David McGeary, John O'Neil (Company E); Albert Fisher (Company F); Patrick Galligan (Company G); Sgt. James McReynolds, James Mullen, Theodore Rett, John Oats, Thomas J. Reed (Company I); William Pelton, John Marshall, George Showers (Company K)

The 48th/150th: Battle & Incidents of New Bern

Burnside's Troops Making Their Way To Shore

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Following his capture of Roanoke Island, Ambrose Burnside next set his sights on New Bern, an important rail hub and Confederate supply line situated along the Neuse River. The Confederate defenses there were woefully undermanned and, after landing his troops on March 13, Burnside ordered an attack the following morning. Through a dense fog, Burnside's men advanced, led by some soon-to-be familiar names in the Union's Ninth Army Corps: Reno, Parke, and Rodman. After a fierce fight, the Confederate line, commanded by Brigadier General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch was sent reeling and Burnside emerged victorious; the Union would hold New Bern for the rest of the war. The cost of the March 14, 1862, Battle at New Bern was high: Branch lost 64 killed, 101 wounded, and more than 400 missing/captured. Union losses amounted to 90 killed, 380 wounded, and one man captured.

In the annals of the 48th Pennsylvania, New Bern was important, for it was there that they would see their first significant action of the war. . . .although its men never fired a shot!

Scenes From Burnside's Victory At New Bern, From Harpers' Weekly

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On March 11, 1862, Colonel James Nagle received an order from Burnside for six of his ten companies of the 48th Pennsylvania to depart Hatteras and accompany his expedition against New Bern. The soldiers had been encamped at Hatteras for several months, but they were now moving on. Said Oliver Bosbyshell of their time at Hatteras: it was a "fortunate circumstance; it became its school-house. Little versed in war, here, under the able command of that veteran disciplinarian, General Thomas Williams, it became well drilled and well disciplined, fitted for the stern career it was destined to pursue."

The six companies chosen for the assignment were A, B, C, D, H, and I; the other four remained for the moment at Hatteras, under the command of Captain William Winlack of Company E, a coal mine superintendent from Silver Creek. "The feeling amongst the four companies left behind was one of chagrin," said Bosbyshell. "Knowing that an engagement was pending, they desired to take part in it with the rest of the regiment, but only six could go, so four had to remain."

The designated companies set sail on the steamer Peabody on March 13, but it did not sail all the way to New Bern. "Toward evening rain commenced falling and the fog thickened so rapidly that it was decided unsafe to proceed further, so the anchor was dropped in the Neuse River, some seventeen miles below Newbern, and half a mile in rear of the rest of the fleet." The soldiers in the transports nearer to New Bern had already splashed ashore, with a sergeant of the 51st Pennsylvania planting a flag on the river banks early that morning of March 13. Driving back the Confederate skirmishers, Burnside's men advanced to within four miles of Branch's main line by nightfall. It was on the following, foggy morning that Burnside struck. "His troops felt the enthusiasm of their leader," recorded Bosbyshell, "and never dreamed of anything but victory. None doubted the result. . . .The confidence of the troops never faltered. The impetuosity of the attack, and the dread of Burnside's prestige by the enemy, were also powerful adjuncts to success. The rain and the fog aided in making uncertain the numbers of the assaulting party. The fight became terrible along the whole line."

While all of this was unfolding, the 48th Pennsylvania was wading its way to shore. On the morning of March 14, the Peabody carried the regiment upriver and anchored four miles north of the mouth of Slocum's Creek. The six companies, eager to enter the fray, hopped into small boats which paddled the wet soldiers through the fog to within fifty yards of shore. As they arrived, a request from General John Foster arrived: his men needed ammunition. The 48th was assigned the task of bringing it to the front.

"The landing of the ammunition was a difficult task, occasioning great delay. It was accomplished with as much dispatch as possible," said Bosbyshell. Company B loaded forty-thousands rounds onto the only wagon available while the men of the other five companies had the unfortunate task to carrying another forty-thousand on their backs. "To accomplish this task, the men took off their musket straps, and with them tied, or rather swung, the boxes on fence-rails, two men to one box. This was no light load," explained Bosbyshell, "A heavy knapsack, old Harpers Ferry musket, cartridge box containing sixty rounds, and the box containing one thousand rounds of ball cartridges swung on the rail, made many of the fellows groan." It did not help matters one bit that much of the way, the regiment trodded through ankle-deep mud.

On their way to the front, the 48th encountered a steady stream of Burnside's wounded men making their way rearward, cheering them on and telling the Pennsylvanians that the Rebs were on the run. Then, the tired men received word that the Confederates were in full retreat. "Such news inspired all with renewed vigor. The heavy load was almost forgotten. On pressed the men, and just as the gathering shades of night were deepening in the darkness the battlefield was reached."

For the six companies of the 48th Pennsylvania detailed for this assignment, carrying tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition miles through the mud would be their first real action of the war. And although they never once pulled a trigger during the Battle of New Bern, General Ambrose Burnside was so appreciative of the men's efforts that he ordered "New Bern" to be inscribed on the regimental flag.

The 48th Pennsylvania had earned its first battle honor.