“With Pockets Crammed”

Williamsport, Pa – Wonderful Break from Mush and Machine Made Hash

1840 Springfield musket - first weapons for the 19th

Since the end of April the 19th NY Volunteer Infantry has been organizing and drilling in Elmira, NY. There have been some challenges, but things are starting to look up. They are going to be moving more south soon, although there is confusion over whether they are going to Washington, D.C. or Chambersburg, Pa, where General Patterson was assembling a force.

On June 4th the “Seward Regiment” received its battle flags and on the 5th the “regiment drew muskets, old flint locks, model of 1840, altered and supplied with percussion locks. Also “A” tents, knapsacks, canteens and camp equipage”. The volunteers didn’t have much time to practice with their “new” weapons in Elmira – they took off the next day. From Cayuga in the Field by Henry Hall and James Hall:

The Cayuga volunteers left Elmira for Washington, Thursday, the 6th of June, 739 strong. A special train of twenty-one freight cars, drawn by two engines, was furnished them for transportation. Into four cars was loaded the baggage and camp equipage, which was bulky and weighed over 25,000 lbs. The regiment stowed itself away, on rough board seats, in the other cars. At 11 A.M., the train moved off with shriek of whistle and clang of bell, running as a special. Thousands of citizens and several companies of soldiers, gathered at the depot and at Barracks No. One, gave hearty hurrahs at parting.

Pennsylvanians in June 1861 sure are with her! (LOC - LC-USZC2-3768)

At Williamsport, Pa., which we reached at 2 P.M., patriotic citizens had spread a substantial dinner for the refreshment of the hungry men. On halting, the cars were emptied in a moment Speeches of welcome were made and the volunteers received an invitation to fall on and make a dinner, which they did. Hunger staying ham, biscuits, cheese and sandwiches of dainty preparation burdened long tables in profusion, and pretty maidens brought to all generous cups of the good cheer a soldier loves, rich, pure coffee. Cakes, pies, and fragrant Havana cigars also proved abundant. After a huge repast, the lads in gray grew surfeited and, with pockets crammed, they climbed back to their board benches, to resume the journey, smoke their cigars and bless with heartfelt unction the kindly ladies of Williamsport.

The whole ride through Pennsylvania was exceedingly gratfying to the feelings of the volunteers. Attentions were lavished upon them at every station. Crowds gathered everywhere to cheer them, while ploughmen in the fields and farmers on the cross roads paused to swing their hats as the train flew by. In the evening, bonfires blazed in their honor in the villages. These things and the enchanting scenery of the region through which the railroad ran made a deep impression on the minds of the volunteers, and their patriotism and enthusiasm in the cause of their country were deepened by it, and their rough jolting
and shaking up in the freight cars it made them forget.

The train thundered into Harrisburgh about midnight. Here
a dispatch was handed to Col. Clark, reading as follows :

“Chambersburgh, June 6, 1861.
To the officer commanding the troops from Elmira, N. Y.

By command of Lieut.-Gen. Scott, you have been placed under
my orders. Proceed at once to Chambersburgh.

R. Patterson, Major-General,
Commanding Department Pennsylvania.”

Col. Clark hesitated to obey this order. He had other plans.
Detaining the train, he telegraphed both to Gen. Patterson and
Gen. Scott for further information. Gen. Scott answered
quickly :

” Col. John S. Clark, 19th N. Y. Infantry :

Come to Washington. Winfield Scott.”

Gen. Patterson replied : —
“Col. John S. Clark :

Gen. Patterson was ordered to turn the first Elmira regiment
to this place. Has received no countermanding orders. If
you have been ordered to Washington, since you were first
ordered here, go there.

Fitz John Porter, A. A. G.
Chambersburg, June 6th, 1861.”

A council of officers assembled to consider the matter. It
was decided to go to Washington. After a two hours’ delay, the
complication being solved, the train was ordered on and sped out
of Harrisburgh for Baltimore. Patterson remembered Clark’s
reluctance on this occasion to join him. It was afterwards a
source of trouble.

General Robert Patterson wants 19th in Chambersburgh (LOC - LC-DIG-cwpb-07077)

General Winfield Scott wants 19th in D.C. (1861 LOC - LC-DIG-cwpb-04768)

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So the telegraph makes communication faster, but it doesn’t necessarily reduce confusion, mix-ups, and hurt feelings. The telegraph from Fitz John Porter sure would have made me scratch my head.

Wikipedia substantiates what Henry Hall is saying about the 1840 muskets.