The Yankee Informer. This Issue: But First Other News... Swine and Dash. What Really Happened in 1862? Chambersburg Did Not Burn

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1 This Issue: Swine and Dash What Really Happened in 1862? Chambersburg Did Not Burn Armed Forces Day with the Army 142nd PVI at Carlisle, May Ferrotype: John Bernaski The Yankee Informer June 2012 Volume 15 Issue 2 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company F Sesquicentennial of the Civil War But First Other News... The 150th Fredericksburg event has been pulled from our schedule. The organizers filled the available slots for participation and did not accept our application. The event was very limited. We will hold a special service on Remembrance Day to remember the fallen at Fredericksburg. Welcome new members to the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry: Stan Zellers and Brian Petkash. They were unanimously accepted as full voting members by the Executive Committee at Army Heritage Center event in May. Both have proven excellent soldiers and look forward to many adventures ahead with Pvt. Zellers and Pvt. Petkash in the ranks. The 150th Antietam event is shaping up to be an extraordinary event. We have over 40 registered from the 142nd and still time to register. Don t miss the opportunity to charge the Sunken Road, or advance through the Cornfield, or participate at Burnside s Bridge. Get your name in the commemorative program and receive a special participation medallion. All within shouting distance of the original battlefield. No walk-on s will be permitted, so get your registration in now. The 142nd will be making its annual return to Harper s Ferry in August. Although the original 142nd was not at Antietam, they did camp very close to Harper s Ferry right after the battle. We hope you will support the unit as this is a maximum effort event hosted by the National Park Service. August 25th marks the 150th Anniversary that the 142nd was sworn into service at Camp Curtain, Harrisburg, PA. This issue will begin a series of articles commemorating the service of the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. It is a storied Regiment who saw much action with the 1st Corps and later 5th Corps through to April 1865.

2 April Chambersburg, PA 1st Battalion Drill May Army Heritage Center, Carlisle, PA, all military weekend. June Old Bedford Village, Bedford, PA July th Gettysburg, Gettysburg PA Walkon-on s accepted at $ day event in Gettysburg, well run. IF YOU ATTEND THIS YEAR YOU WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER FOR THE 150th EVENT ON SITE. Be sure to attend and get yourself registered for next year. It will be capped in 2013, and we can be assured a spot. August Harpers Ferry National Park, WV Our weekend- FREE Let Keith know you are coming, maximum effort event. Also 142nd Unit meal possible brunch on Sunday, more to come. Arguably one of the most historic and beautiful locations we attend. Scenario will be A unit favorite. Sept 14,15,16 150th Antietam - Sharpsburg, MD $15.00 until till July 15, after that register self before Aug 1 for $25. This will be a big one and you will not want to miss. This will be a 3 day event and it is capped, so make sure you get your registration in early. Walk-ons not available. Unit registration is closed, but you can register online at: Oct th Cedar Creek, Middletown, VA One of our favorites. $15.00 until July 27. This event you need to register self online, or print out the waiver and mail in. Forms can be downloaded at or for online registration contact Keith if you have any questions. or need the forms sent to you. Nov 17 - Remembrance Day, Gettysburg No registration fees, let us know your coming. Dinner to be established as a group, more details as season moves forward. Dec 1,2 Harpers Ferry Christmas Program, Harpers Ferry, WV No registration fee. Let Keith know if you are coming. Great Christmas event. HF National Park. Isaac, Miles, & Zach Stevens at OBV -June 2012 Photo: K MacGregor John Lambert & Brian Petkash, assisted with a battery at Carlisle -May 2012 Photo: K Macgregor

3 Chambersburg, PA - April - The 142nd arrived North of Chambersburg for the 1st Battalion Drill weekend at the Steam Engine Fairgrounds. It was good high ground with many picnic groves and wooded areas. A very agreeable place to camp. 1st Sgt Bingaman organized the men in quick order, and the 1st campfire of the Spring campaign was lit. The morning brought drill, drill and more drill. It took awhile to shake off the winter quarters dust, but we soon resembled the Company F we knew at Cedar Creek. Saturday afternoon we discovered several companies of rebel soldiers near-by and the long roll was called. We assembled and Col. Denny led us over the hill to chase away the errant rebels. Good volleys were the order of the day, until we were flanked on our right. We were ordered to refuse the line, but the rebels were too many, and we withdrew to fight another day. The local residents taking pity on us, slaughtered a few prime cattle to provide us the best rations we had in months. Sunday, with our bellies full, decided to take another try at dispatching the rebs to the infernal regions. We were deployed as skirmishers, and we worked our way through the woods, pushing back the reb skirmishers in a slow deliberate order. The Col. advanced the main body, and we pushed the rebs out into the open, were we would rule the day. The local citizens greeted us with flowers and mighty huzzahs and Chambersburg did not burn. Carlisle, PA - May - Orders had us dispatched to the Army War College in Carlisle for garrison duty. An odd collection of military specimens, along with some native Indians were camped about us. Pay call would finally arrive much to the relief of the 142nd. Unfortunately the long list of infractions incurred with months of idle camping yielded very little results in good favor. A donation was made to the Sanitary Commission on behalf of the 142nd, and the Chaplain said a prayer on our behalf, although I fear it may be too late for some to expect satisfaction. Hats off to Pvt. Scott and Jake Panko for falling in with us on Saturday. Drill, drill and more drill was complemented by General Winfield Scott. who despite his portly and aged condition took notice to our military bearing. The campgrounds were pleasant along with the weather, and we broke camp of Sunday, having been drilled by the newly promoted 2nd Lt. James Bowling. Old Bedford Village, PA - June - Unexpected orders had us move to Bedford to protect the Bedford Valley, near our homes. This was found to be most agreeable, except for one Lt. James Bowling. Having discovered the return of her beau, a female pig farmer, known as the Pig Lady quickly descended on the village square. Having lodged a complaint with the Col, along with an irate Father, Miss Swine, (her true name unknown) asked for her honor to be restored and to make an honest man out of a rather shamed and humbled Lt. Bowling. Placed under arrest, and having the option of marriage to the sturdy woman, or taking a bullet as a father s revenge...surprisingly he opted for the bullet...a sad affair that also involved a handsome pig. Saturday also found us assaulting a fortified position just North of town. There was cavalry, a few battery, and some infantry well entrenched. A frontal assault was ordered. We made it to the battery and up on the ramparts, as the rest of the army flanked the position and swept the rebels from the field. Sunday, the Chaplain had a service by the water, under a willow tree. It was a glorious morning until we discovered the rebs had re-deployed in the same fortifications we chased them out of the day before. The long roll was called and we marched off. This time the outcome was drawn out, and the result was dreadful. Many a good man in blue littered the field, and I fear the good citizens of Old Bedford will be left to the devices of the rebel hoard. Hats off to Pvt. Colt Diehl who fell in with us for the first time this weekend and proved a good soldier. Your humble servant, Captain Keith S. MacGregor 142 Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company F

4 Snapshots from the Spring Campaign Photos: David Cook & Keith MacGregor

5 Monumental Journey The 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Three Years with the Army of the Potomac Monuments commemorate a deed or service to a grateful nation. Monuments are earned. The 142nd Monument on Reynolds Avenue in Gettysburg, an unassuming granite cross is one such monument. Erected to honor the service and dedication of one Pennsylvania regiment. It all began at Camp Curtain in Harrisburg, PA. On August 25th, 1862 the men of the 142nd PVI Company F were sworn in. They remained only a few days, but didn t enjoy their stay. The men did not like the conditions. Captain Albert Heffley would write Camp Curtain is a very dirty place. Ordered to Washington, DC, the 142nd made its way to Ft. Massachusetts by way of Baltimore. Contributing to fortifying the city, the Regiment assisted in felling trees, digging rifle pits, and the obligatory drill. They would watch General Burnside and his Corps march off to Antietam and South Mountain. Col. H.N. Warren would write, They presented anything but an inspiring appearance, their clothes old and dirty and their general make-up tired and careworn from their long marches an recent defeats. The men remained there until September 29, well past the Battle of Antietam. Their first stop Frederick City, (Frederick, MD). Marching two miles North of Frederick, they established Camp Allen, which was servicing the wounded from the Battle of Antietam. On Oct. 11 they received orders to advance to Sharpsburg, MD. Arriving on the 13th, made camp along the Potomac. On Oct 14, the men of the 142nd cast ballots for state offices. On Thursday, Oct 16 they were presented with their State Colors. With reports of activity in the region, the Regiment was ordered to proceed towards Harper s Ferry on Sunday, Oct 26, the march proceeded at evening through the rain, and into the next day when they arrived just below Harpers Ferry at Berlin and remained there until the 30th. Ordered to cross the Potomac, they marched 7 miles beyond Berlin, MD. Continued marching making 16 miles on Nov 1, arriving at Hamilton on the Winchester Pike. Reported hearing cannonade on Nov 2 in the direction of Winchester. Camped at Union VA on Nov 3rd. Marching continued everyday, passing through Warrenton on November 6. Rations were scarce, and they expected a fight but the rebs fled before the army arrived. The 142nd was making their march towards a fateful encounter in what would be Fredericksburg, their first engagement. According to Col. Warren, the march was fraught with much that was trying to our experience, for, as yet, our men knew nothing about foraging, little about cooking and less about taking care of and dispensing their rations, so as to spin them out and make them last until another issue. Half the time we were nearly starved. Up to this point they marched about and bivouacked in unfriendly territory. The only rebel soldiers they encountered were prisoners or wounded. They would witness first hand the daily rigors of an infantry unit in the Army of the Potomac. As a fresh unit the time between mustering in and what would be their first engagement would provide much needed drill, and practice at becoming an disciplined outfit. Experience they would need in the trials to come. Source: War History, Col. H. N. Warren, The Courier Company, Printers, 1890 Civil War Diaries of Capt. Albert Heffley and Lt. Cyrus P. Heffley, , Editor: Earl E. Boyer, Closson Press, 2000, Berlin Area Historical Society

6 149th Battle of Gettysburg July 6-8 Gettysburg, PA Address for GPS: 1085 Table Rock Road, Gettysburg, PA (This is North of town, a change from last year) FROM THE EAST: Route 30 West to US Route 15 North, to Hunterstown Exit, Route 394, (Shrivers Corner Road). Left on Shrivers Corner Road to left on Table Rock Road to parking lots. FROM THE NORTH: Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) to exit 236 (US Route 15 South). Follow US Route 15 South to Hunterstown Exit, Route 394, (Shrivers Corner Road). Right on Shrivers Corner Road to left on Table Rock Road to parking lots. FROM THE SOUTH: Follow US Route 15 North to Hunterstown Exit, Route 394, (Shrivers Corner Road). Left on Shrivers Corner Road to left on Table Rock Road to parking lots. FROM THE WEST: US Route 30 East to left on Herr s Ridge Road, left on Biglerville Road (Pa Rte 34), right on Goldenville Road, right on Table Rock Road to parking lots. FROM GETTYSBURG: Route 34 North (Carlisle Street) to right on Table Rock Road to parking lots. Harper s Ferry National Park August Harper s Ferry, WV Address for GPS: Visitor s Center (Overnight Parking): 171 Shoreline Drive, Harper s Ferry, WV Campsite: Shenandoah Street, Harper s Ferry, WV Harpers Ferry is located along U.S. Route 340 approximately 65 miles west of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. Map below is of downtown Harpers Ferry. From Frederick, Md, follow 15 S to 340 W for 18.9 miles, turn R on Union Street, then Turn Right on Washington Street. Washington Street becomes High Street. Follow all the way down to the bottom, turn right on Shenandoah Street, go two blocks on left where the busses load and unload. Look for direction from Park Ranger or 142nd member. Pull into the bus stop and under the train trestle. Park in the unloading area. Ask for help if you need it. Once unloaded, park your vehicle at the Visitors Center, along 340 W, and ride the bus back. 150th Battle of Antietam September Sharpsburg, MD Address for GPS: Bakersville Road, Boonesboro, MD Event to take place on the 400 acre Legacy Manor Farm located off Sharpsburg Pike (Route 65) just North of the Antietam National Military Park. From the North: take I-81 South into Maryland, take I-70 East, take Route 65 South towards Sharpsburg. Turn right on Bakersville Road, follow signs. From the South: take I-81 North, I-70 East, Route 65 South, turn Right on Bakersville Road, follow signs. From the East or West: I-70 to Hagerstown, Route 65 South, turn Right on Bakersville Road, follow signs Unit Dues are now being accepted. Dues are $20.00 per family at one address. Checks are made out to 142nd PVI Co F. Mailed to Stacey Black, 4325 Valley View Rd, Middletown MD

7 Photo: K. MacGregor, 135th Antietam, Hagerstown, MD 1997 Sunken Road - 17,000 participants. Congratulations: Zach Spangler - Graduated from Spring Grove Area High School Zach Stevens - Graduated from the Pennsylvania State University Brad Keefer - Accepted into the Masters Program at Boston University also Married: Best wishes to Brad & Sara Keefer For Sale: 1 6 tent, with poles and stakes, $100. Contact: Louis Welsh welsh59@comcast.net Various infantry equipment, including an Enfield Rifle. Contact: Brad Keefer bkeefer@susumc.org Hope to see you out in the field soon. We have had a great Spring campaign, with good weather, and good participation. All the events have been enjoyable. We have an outstanding line-up for the next 3 events. A reminder for Cedar Creek, you must register yourself this year, so don t forget to do so. Hope to have information on the long awaited T-Shirts for next newsletter. We continue to raise money to replace the blue Federal Infantry flag. Donations gladly accepted at the address of our Secretary-Treasurer. Just mark for flag fund. Have an article or artwork for the newsletter? Send it in, will make you famous.

8 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Executive Committee President - Will Guilliams (717) cplwill@comcast.net Vice-President Tony Miller (717) tm43951@yahoo.com Civilian Coordinator Kathy Bingaman (301) Bingy1863@verizon.net Field Commander/Editor Keith MacGregor (717) macsuv@comcast.net Secretary-Treasurer Stacey Black (301) Black1988@comcast.net 4325 Valley View Rd, Middletown MD Next Newsletter: October 2012 Keith S. MacGregor/ Editor 5 Ronald Road Mechanicsburg. PA Mail To: