Benjamin F. Powelson

“ The reflections of the writer, as found in his memoranda book, express well the sentiments prevailing that Saturday night: "It seems refreshing to look out over our Company as the boys, with tents pitched, rest and commune in a spirit of contentment and good will. They sit beside blazing fires, pressed closer and closer to them by the cold wintry air. Some are crawling into their nests early—and gladly do they lay themselves down to rest, to dream of the dear ones left at home and of future happy days. ”

“ Then the all night march through the rain and mud to Spottsylvania—the massing of troops, and, at early dawn, the famous charge of the 2nd Corps, through the open fields upon the rebel breast-works, over them and along them to the right, capturing two batteries, three Generals, with Johnson's whole Division as prisoners; on down works to right, then out towards enemy's second line. Murky, foggy, no rebels to be seen, but balls flying thick as evidence of their presence ”

“ And, surviving comrades, in loving remembrances of our dead, with our hearts full of gratitude and praise, we do feel proud of what we did, inasmuch, while the years have come and gone since we laid down our arms and again took our places as citizens, we have seen our beloved country, more precious in the immense cost of its preservation, rise to an unparalleled degree of success and prosperity. ”

“ Poor soldiers, rest in peace, with the consciousness that you are endeavoring to do your duty as God gives you opportunity. Remember, too, that while you are pilgrim soldiers here in this strange land, amid danger, sin and death, the prayers and good wishes of thousands follow you. Think of those loved ones in the pleasant home circle, encircled by all that makes life happy—think of your cherished institutions and sanctuary privileges ”

“ The songs of farewell are hastily sung, and Co. K becomes a thing of the past, each going his own way, some never again to look into each other's faces, but a tie of comradeship binding all hearts together that no period of time can break. ”

“ The soldiers of our defeated army, returning to their former camping grounds, blackened with the smoke of battle, make an impression on the mind and heart of each of us as we march by them into a place designated for our camping ground. ”

“ K participated with the Regiment in all the five days of action, being more or less under fire the entire time. Our first experience in line of battle was on a by-road leading out from Plank Road, about a mile east of Chancellorsville. Thick woods in our rear. Dense pine thickets in front. Fences were leveled. Shells crushing in tops of trees behind us. Balls occasionally zipping nearby, and enemy coming nearer, but could not be seen. In those moments of trial, what a study in human nature! The rebels came on in heavy columns. Our skirmishers are driven in. ”

“ How forcibly this reminds us that we are all hastening to the last earthly roll call! By and by, and "soon 'twill be," the last one of us must fail to answer. It behooves us to be true and faithful to the end—to ever live and act that in the Grand Army above, through Jesus Christ our victorious leader, we may have comradeship unbroken and of ever increasing delight.
And now, Comrades, I have exhausted my resources in endeavor to serve you in this work of placing in historic record your deeds of heroism and works of patriotic sacrifice in the War of the Rebellion. ”

“ Several of us, too, remember very gratefully the little church up in the woods, and that one east of Monkton, whereto occasionally we turned our footsteps. Those days of soldiering had much of sunshine in them, which lightened materially the burden of a rigorous but useful military discipline. While here the Company was directed by special order to serve as guard of honor in the burial of Gen. Dixon S. Miles, mortally wounded at the surrender of Harper's Ferry, Sept. 15, 1862, whose body was laid to rest in the church cemetery a few miles east of Monkton. ”

“ Among the many organizations in Pennsylvania volunteer soldiery during the Civil War, none stood higher in efficiency in service or brilliancy in record than the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, five companies of which were recruited in Washington county, three in Beaver, one in Mercer and one in Greene. Col. R. P. Roberts, of Beaver, killed at Gettysburg, was its first Colonel. W. S. Shallenberger, now Second Assistant Postmaster General, was its efficient Adjutant. This Regiment is accredited with the highest per cent of casualties in action of all the regiments enlisted in Pennsylvania. ”

“ In the months in camp near Falmouth, Co. K endured hardships, severities, exposures and privations that tested physical endurance to the utmost, and in them had a schooling that was to tell in the future good record of the Regiment. But there were always a sufficiency of spice and source of merriment and good cheer among the boys. ”

“ And now in the busy life he is leading, as his impaired health and strength will permit, he is eager to embrace every opportunity to touch elbows with his comrades, and thinks, as he revels in the memories of our many well-fought battles that nothing too good can be said in praise of "Old Co. K." His address is Eighty-four, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 84.
22. Ezra Conaway shared in the duties of the soldier as required of the members of this Company up to the time when the arrangements were being consummated for the Chancellorsville engagement. ”

“ George Morrow, in the hospital at Washington, D.C., was reported as discharged on May 23rd, '63, on surgeon's certificate of disability. But a few days afterward there came the sad news of his death in the hospital. Thus seven of our number had already succumbed to death through sickness, and one from a wound.
To relieve the severities of soldier life friends at home had sent many extras in food and delicacies to the members of the Company and Regiment in camp. ”

“ Ulysses S. Wheeler, Eldersville, was a noble-hearted fellow and a worthy soldier. He was closely connected with the fortunes of K throughout, was slightly wounded at Chancellorsville, May, '63, and was wounded in the battle of Todd's Tavern, May 8, '64. After the war was over he was delighted in exchanging the weapons of strife for the implements of industry; and he ever lived the life of a worthy citizen on his farm near Eldersville. It was the privilege and great pleasure of the writer in June, '04, to visit him there and enjoy a few hours with him and wife. ”

“ So many years have passed with their burden of business, domestic and other duties and of engrossing anxieties; so much have memory's faculties yielded to the demands made upon them as that it has become difficult to recall details in experience in those crowded years of service, that the task of gathering data for presenting to the public a just and impartial record of each one of K's members has been found a very difficult one ”

“ Silas Cooke, 1st Corporal, proved himself a true soldier, and, though not of a strong or robust constitution, yet he stood bravely the soldier requirements, voluntarily on duty sometimes when he ought not to have been. He was practically disabled by a wound at Spottsylvania and was in hospital until Jan. 24, '65, when from the hospital in Pittsburg, Pa., he was transferred for service in the 6th Regiment of the Veteran Reserve Corps, Johnson's Island, Ohio. ”

“ At 3 o'clock, morning of July 25th, we are on the march, crossing the Appomattox on pontoons, two miles above City Point, and, guided by fires, we push on and cross the James at Curles Neck on muffled pontoons. Find ourselves in support of the 26th Michigan and 2nd Heavy Artillery in a charge on the enemy's works, which are captured with a battery of four heavy guns. James H. Fordyce was wounded, having a thumb shot off. Well we remember our sylvan camp retreat that night—the sound sleep, for oh, how tired we were. ”

“ As the writer was not with the Company when the Army of the Potomac began its famous on to Richmond under Grant in May, and until the latter part of June, when the 140th was before Petersburg, he depends mostly upon what the comrades who were present can furnish for K. And he congratulates his comrades in having Corporal Cooke to aid in the matter. He speaks for K up to May 12th, when a wound laid him aside and he was no more with us. He tells us that in passing over the Chancellorsville battleground he gathered some flowers, which he sent home, and they are preserved unto this day. ”

“ He was promoted Corporal when Graham was made 5th Sergeant, March 17, '64. As he was a true soldier, he has ever been a true and worthy citizen, successful in farming and happy in home life. His address now is East Liverpool, Ohio.
10. George A. Hanlin was found to be of good material for a soldier, and the hospital never got him but for a while in the middle part of '63. He had the aptitude of getting his full share of the sunshine of army life, and therefore was a valuable member of K. He was advanced to rank of Corporal in the promotion of Ralston to be First Sergeant. ”

“ Grant, Hancock's headquarters being near where K was left with the colors, while the Regiment was on the skirmish line. For a good part of the time in this second Deep Bottom expedition, Capt. Stockton had command of the Regiment. Co. K and part of Co. D were out on picket the second night, out on the Division's advanced position to the right, and to those who still survive there come vivid recollections of how we made the most and best of our situation, there being a home in the vicinity, with its fruit trees, a corn field and a sweet potato patch. ”

“ It is almost six o'clock when we are in line of battle, facing south and west—Col. Roberts killed in front of Regiment—right wing in open field under severe enfilading fire, suffer terrible losses—Lt. Col. Frazier, as soon as he realizes situation changes front of right wing to face Peach Orchard—our Company on left. We fire continuously. Serg't Boyd and I pass to left of Company as all are doing well their duty. We fire from big rock into bit of timber dark with smoke. ”

“ John W. Nickeson was a very quiet but ever trustworthy soldier. He was wounded at Chancellorsville, having a thumb shot off, and was unfitted for field service. When wound healed he did duty to close of war in the Veteran Reserve Corps. The war ended, he returned to the farm, where ever since he has lived a good upright citizen, though of late years in broken health. His address is Claysville, Pa., R.F.D. No. 63.
31. James L. Noah met faithfully all the requirements of the service in the Company until Dec. ”

“ K shared in enough of the spices of soldier life to keep the boys in good humor and give them a zest for the hardships endured. Will Powelson and others of the Candor mess got off easily, when mustered up to headquarters by the provo-guard, having in their possession a good-sized pig, by a caution from Gen. Miles not to ever be caught again. ”

“ Robert Lyle, Cross Creek, was among the older ones forming the membership of K. He had the true spirit of service, but it soon became manifest that he had not the physical strength and endurance essential to active warfare; so that after the testing in the march to the front and the severities of duties in the winter season at Falmouth, Va., with Lee's army across the river, on certificate of the Surgeon he was discharged from service. He died July 1, 1894, and was buried in the cemetery at Cross Creek Village, Pa.
18. James A. Fordyce, Claysville, too, was a man somewhat advanced in years. ”

“ Isaac Miller proved to be a good and most reliable soldier. At Todd's Tavern, May 8, '64, as stated heretofore, he was wounded severely in leg and was left on field; taken prisoner; kept a month or more, but fractured bone never set; paroled and sent back through lines; at Annapolis in hospital a while, then sent home to vote, and at Pittsburg, Pa., on June 15, '65 received his discharge papers. After discharge had the ball taken out, it having lodged in back part of limb and had been there for over a year. He is badly crippled, not able to do any work. In '84 went with family to Kansas. ”

“ K was tested in nearly all phases of engagement, its chief work being constructing entrenchments and abatis; and in the hottest conflict on the third day, in support of Knapp's battery. In this particular service K had some protection in an embankment of a cross road, while shot and shell passed over in dreadful profusion. Capt. Stockton had shelter only by a little sapling, which was cut off a few feet above him, Lieut. Col. Frazier remarking, "rather a close call, Captain."
To a soldier in his first battle there are strange feelings and peculiar experiences. ”

“ Each one participating in the fighting at Gettysburg is able to tell his story of that wonderful conflict. It was fought for the most part on open ground and much could be seen. But the average soldier's vision was confined largely to his immediate surroundings. ”

“ From individual to individual the word was to be quietly passed—"fall back to rear." All went well till it came to George Johnson, who was hard of hearing and did not catch the command, nor was he in a position to notice the withdrawing. So he and all those in the Company that were to his right were left. Having no orders to retire, they staid at their posts. So, near sunset, being assured by two negroes, who had crossed the river, that the Johnnies "had sure done gone," they got together, Ralston taking command. All were at sea, not knowing where the Regiment had gone. ”