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The Centre Guards, organized in Bellefonte on May 13th, 1861, enlisted for three years of service. They selected as their temporary officers: J. Irvin Gregg, Captain; H. P. Petrikin, 1st Lieut.; Richard Dinsmore, 2nd Lieut. They left Bellefonte on June 6th and mustered into service as Company E of the 34th Regiment, or Fifth Reserves of June 21st.
Samuel Bates, Vol. 1, p665-672
THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT - FIFTH RESERVE
"The companies comprising the Fifth Regiment were recruited in the counties of Centre, Lancaster, Huntingdon, Lycoming, Northumberland, Clear held, Union and Bradford. They were ordered to report at Camp Curtin, where on the 20th of June the regiment was organized by the choice of the following field officers: John I. Gregg, from Captain of company E, Colonel, Joseph W. Fisher, from Captain of company K, Lieutenant Colonel, and George Dare, from Captain of company I, Major. On the following day, Colonel Gregg was appointed a Captain in the Sixth United States Cavalry, when he resigned his commission in this regiment, and Captain Seneca G Simmons, of the Seventh United States Infantry, a soldier of long experience and great merit, was chosen to succeed him.
On the same day, Governor Curtin received a telegram from Lieutenant General Scott, requesting him to send a force immediately to the relief of Colonel Lewis Wallace, commanding the Eleventh Indiana, at Cumberland, Maryland. The Fifth, together with the Bucktail rifle regiment, and Captain Easton's battery of the First Artillery, was at once dispatched, the whole under command of Colonel Biddle, of the Bucktails. Proceeding by rail to Hopewell, it marched to the neighborhood of Bedford. Springs, where it was halted for a few days, whence it again marched to the State line, where it encamped, remaining until the 8th of July, when it proceeded to Cumberland, six miles distant, and relieved Colonel Wallace.
On the morning of the 13th, the Fifth was ordered to move on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to bridge Number 21, about twenty miles above Cumberland, which had been burned a short time previous by the rebels. After a short delay here, the regiment moved on to New Creek, to the support of a detachment of the Bucktails which had been attacked. Lieutenant Colonel Kane, in command of this detachment, dispersed the forces of the enemy before his supports could arrive, and pursued them in the direction of Romney; but on arriving at Ridgeville, finding himself threatened by a superior force, he sent back for reinforcements, when the Fifth and the main body of the Bucktails proceeded to his relief, marching the whole distance on the double quick. . On the following morning, the Fifth returned to New Creek, where the troops were quartered in deserted houses about the town. On the 22d, the regiment proceeded to Piedmont, where it was stationed to afford protection to Union people, and to foster the sentiment of patriotism.
Soon after the Bull Run disaster, fears being entertained of an attack by the enemy on Washington, the Fifth was ordered to proceed thither via Harrisburg. Bivouacking for a few days in the neighborhood of Camp Curtin, it was. hurriedly recruited and equipped, and on the 8th of August, taking up the line of march, nine hundred and eighty-four strong, proceeded to Washington, and thence to the camp established for the Reserves at Tenallytown. Here the drill which had been constantly practised since its organization was resumed, and every effort was made by the accomplished soldier who commanded it, to bring it to the highest state of efficiency. On the 14th of September, it was detailed to proceed to Washington and escort Governor Curtin to camp, where in company with President Lincoln, General M'C1ellann and other distinguished civilians and soldiers, he reviewed the division and presented each regiment With a State flag.
In the organization of the Reserves which ensued, the Fifth was assigned to the First Brigade,* commanded by Brigadier General John F. Reynolds. On the 10th of October, the whole division was ordered across the Potomac, and encamped near Langley. Schools were here opened for the instruction of commissioned officers, which were in session on two days in each week at regimental head-quarters, where they were examined and instructed in tactics, army regulations, and camp and picket duty. Company commanders were also required to hold similar schools for the instruction and discipline of non-commissioned officers.
On the 19th of October, the First Brigade made a reconnoissance to the neighborhood of Dranesville, where it bivouacked for forty-eight hours, returning on the 21st with teams laden with forage. On the 20th of December, the brigade again marched to Dranesville, but did not reach the field in time, to participate in the handsome victory which the Third Brigade there achieved.
On the 10th of March, 1862, the regiment broke camp, with a force of nine hundred and eleven strong, and joining in the general forward movement of the army, marched to Hunter's Mills, where it bivouacked until the 14th, when it was ordered to Alexandria. Here it remained until the 9th of April, when it moved to Manassas and occupied the deserted quarters of the rebels. A few days later it was detailed to guard the Orange and Alexandria railroad, from Alexandria to Catlett's Station. On the 7th of May, Colonel Simmons was ordered to report with his regiment to Falmouth, where it encamped and remained till the 25th, when the First Brigade was ordered across the Rappahannock, and occupied Fredericksburg, picketing the country in the rear of the town and along the river.
General M'Clellan, with the grand army, had advanced up the Peninsula, and was confronting the rebels near Richmond. He was now calling for reinforcements, and the Reserves were ordered to his support. Embarking on 'the 9th of June, it moved by transport to White House, on the Pamunky, and thence marched along the Richmond and West Point railroad to Dispatch Station, and a few days later moved to Mechanicsville, bivouacking in sight of the enemy's lines. On the morning of June 26th, the Fifth was ordered to cross Beaver Dam Creek, and to picket the line along the left bank of the Chickahominy. At one o'clock P. M. the enemy crossed the river in large numbers, when the pickets retired across the creek and took up a position which had been selected for the battle, along its left bank. The First Brigade was posted on the right of the line, the Fifth occupying the left centre. Four companies, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, were thrown forward as skirmishers. Scarcely had the regiment gained its position, when the enemy opened with his artillery, which was vigorously replied to by our batteries; soon after his infantry came on in force, and the battle opened in earnest. The skirmishers fell back on the line of battle in excellent order, when a terrific fire was opened on the approaching foe, which never ceased nor slackened until he withdrew from the conflict, leaving the field strewn with his dead and wounded. The Fifth lost in this engagement fifty killed and wounded.
Organization of the First Brigade, Brigadier General John F. Reynolds ; Pennsylvania Reserves, Major General George A. M'Call. First (30th) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts ; . Second (31st) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel William B. Mann; Fifth (34th) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons;. Eighth (37th) Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel George S. Hays.
Early on the following morning the regiment was ordered to fall back and take position on Gaines' Hill, the position at Beaver Dam Creek being outflanked by the enemy. This order was executed with eminent skill and success. It was the intention of the commanding general to have held this division in reserve in the ensuing battle, on account of the severe fighting in which it was engaged (on the previous day; but at two o'clock P. M. of the 27th, our line was so hard pressed by the enemy that he was obliged to order in all his available force, and the Fifth advancing to the front was soon hotly engaged, maintaining its position under a most withering fire until sundown, and until its ammunition was completely exhausted and the pieces of the men had become unserviceable. *General M'Call and General Reynolds both made ineffectual efforts to get troops to relieve them, but the men nobly held their ground until ordered back to prevent capture.t General Reynolds was captured towards the close ,of the day, and the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Simmons, that of the regiment upon Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. Retiring a short distance, the men slept on their arms for a few hours, when they where aroused and taken across the Chickahominy. Here the regiment lay under arms until the evening of the 28th of June, when it marched via Savage Station, and crossing the White Oak Swamp, arrived on the evening of the 29th at Charles City Cross Roads. The Fifth and a battalion of the Bucktails were thrown forward close up to the enemy's line. Lest in the darkness friend should be mistaken for foe, the men were directed to bare the right arm to the shoulder. The pass word was "Bucktail," and the answer "five."
* Previous to the arrival of Slocum's brigade, Reynolds having repulsed the enemy in his front, and hearing the tremendous contest on his left, had, acting under a true maxim, and with the generous spirit of a soldier, moved to the sound of cannon, and led his men, regiment after regiment, where our hard pressed forces required most assistance. As each regiment entered the woods to the relief of their exhausted companions, the effect was immediately .shown by the enemy being driven before them, as evidenced by the sound of musketry growing more and more distant. Some regiments which had been withdrawn, after having exhausted their ammunition, reformed, replenished their boxes, and returned, in one case even for the third time, to this -unequal contest. For each regiment thrown into action, there seemed to be two or three fresh regiments brought up by the enemy; but our men maintained their own and successively repulsed them, until the last regiment had been advanced; as if for a final effort, just as .darkness was covering everything from view, the enemy massed his fresh regiments on the right and left, and threw them with overpowering force against our thinned and wearied battalions.-General Porter's Official Report.
t EXTRACT FROM GENERAL M'CALLS OFFICIAL REPORT.-Here I found General Reynolds coming from the woods with the First and Eighth regiments of his brigade, he having relieved them and brought them out -of action, in consequence of their ammunition being exhausted. He reported to me that the Fifth regiment had likewise nearly expended all its ammunition and ought to be relieved. On- hearing this I at once directed my Assistant Adjutant General, Captain H. J. Biddle, to ride down the line and, if possible, to bring up a regiment (of Morell's division, I think) that I had seen in reserve as I rode along the line. - Moore's Rebellion Record, Comp. Vol., p.666
On the following morning, the brigade was, withdrawn, and dispositions were made for repelling an attack from the direction of Richmond, and to protect the junction of the New Market and the Quaker or Turkey Bridge road. By half-past three in the afternoon the battle had fairly begun, the rebels attack tug with. great fury. Soon after the contest opened, the enemy moved a heavy column to the right and came down with great impetuosity upon Seymour's brigade. Colonel Simmons was immediately ordered to move with the Fifth and the Eighth regiments to its support, the Fifth gallantly led by Lieutenant Colonel Fisher. This order was promptly obeyed,, the men moving forward at a double quick and charge bayonet, but not a moment too soon f for a furious attack with infantry and artillery was met just in time to stay and repel it. In this charge the Seventh and Seventeenth Virginia regiments were nearly annihilated, the greater portion being either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Shortly afterwards the enemy issued from the woods in front in great force, and for nearly two hours the battle raged fiercely, the enemy making desperate efforts to break our lines and gain the road,: on which were passing the immense supply trains of our army; but without success. In the heat of the struggle, Colonel Simmons, leading his men with determined bravery and unequalled skill, fell mortally wounded and died in the hands of the enemy. A soldier by profession and a man of the strictest honor, a patriot from principle and brave to a fault, the Reserve Corps lost no more trusted leader, nor loved companion in arms. Here fell, too, Captain Taggart, of company B, an excellent soldier, whose loss was severely felt. In the three battles,, at Mechanics ville on the 26th, Gaines' Mill on the 27th, and Charles City Cross Roads on the 30th of June, the regiment lost eighteen killed, one hundred and fifteen wounded, and one hundred and three taken prisoners.
Resting upon the field until two A. M. of the 1st of July, the regiment proceeded to Malvern Hill, where was fought the last grand battle before Richmond, in the Peninsula campaign. The Fifth was under fire, but not actively engaged, and on the morning of July 2d, moved with the army to Harrison's Landing, where it went into camp. The vacancy occasioned by the death of Colonel Simmons, was filled by the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Fisher; Major George Dare was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Frank Zentmyer, Major.
General M'Clellan's. Peninsula campaign was now at an end, and General Pope, in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, wag beginning to feel the weight of the enemy's force concentrating on his front. The troops under M'Clellan were accordingly ordered forward to his support. Pope finding the line of the Rapidan untenable with his meagre force, withdrew to the Rappahannock, where, upon his arrival, he was joined by Reynolds with the Reserve Corps. Finding Jackson in his rear, Pope hastened with his little army to meet, and if possible overpower him before he could be reinforced. The Reserves moved via Warrenton and Gainesville to the First Bull Run battleground, arriving on Thursday, the 28th. On the following day, the Fifth was deployed as skirmishers and was under a heavy fire of artillery during the entire day. On Saturday, August 30th, it engaged the enemy at four o'clock P. M., and the fight was maintained until six with unabated fury, when it was relieved. In this engagement the regiment,, being reduced by excessive fatigue and heavy details, numbered but two hundred men. The loss was one killed and twelve wounded. During this campaign it was under the command of Major Zentmyer, Colonel Fisher being absent in consequence of a severe injury occasioned by the fall of his horse.
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