Part 7

27. Owen McElfish was not a very robust fellow, but wiry and well-disposed. He was in hospital during the engagement at Chancellorsville; after that, with the Regiment about all the time. Never had a furlough. Received a flesh wound in leg April 5, '65, but kept with the Company and shared in the capture of Lee's headquarter train (or part of it) with flags, money and apple-jack. Of the latter, he says two wagon loads, and "we had a good time that night and next morning. Adjutant Ray said the 140th could lick the rebel army." Since the war closed Owen has managed to take good care of himself; but, in impaired health and strength, he feels the sacrifice he has made in the nation's defence. His address is Rainsburg, Bedford county, Pa.

28. 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. In '93 went to the health resort, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he now resides.

29. Enoch Mounts was with the Company, sharing in all its requirements, up to April, '63, but was in the hospital during the movements about Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On opening of Gettysburg campaign he was with the guards of the hospital train. Discharged Aug. 22, '63. He re-enlisted Feb. 14, '64 in Co. A, 100th Regiment P.V. Wounded in Wilderness May 6, '64, in arm and breast. Final discharge on May 15, '65. He is in the firm of Enoch Mounts & Son, painters and paper hangers; residence 63, Sumner Ave., Washington, Pa.

30. 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. 17, '63, when he was transferred to Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, 2nd Corps Artillery Brigade. In spring of '64 he was transferred to Battery C, 1st Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery, holding the rank of Sergeant. Discharged at Washington, D.C., June 8, '65. In July, same year, he went with Jim Cochran to Rock Island, Ill. Was in west till '93, holding while there several positions of trust, but losing his wife by death in '91. Is at present in the employ of the Pittsburg Coal Co. He wrote us, "I hold all comrades of Co. K more dear to my heart than all the rest of humanity." Address, Box 93, Sturgeon, Pa.

32. Robert A. Pry was practically on duty throughout term of enlistment, an evenly tempered soldier, and contributing his full share of the good humor of the Company. After battle of Gettysburg he was detained for service at field hospital and other places for some little time, and then he rejoined us. At Todd's Tavern the Johnnies gave it to him in the left foot, causing his absence from the ranks about two months. Then he favored the Company with his presence to the end, and says he can never forget the day when old K stood on the skirmish line at Appomattox as the flag of truce came out in its front from Lee, seeking terms of surrender. He has in his riper years been sitting to dispense the laws of his preserved country as Justice of the Peace. And he avails himself of every opportunity to keep in touch with his old comrades. His address is Lazearville, W. Va. (Brooke Co.)

33. William M. Rea was among the many noble-hearted farmer boys in K who at their country's call "hastened to the field of battle," "Clif" Hayes, his neighbor, being the first to fall. Will Rea bore full his share in sacrifice for the country we saved. At Todd's Tavern, May 8, '64, he was shot through the ankle with a musket ball, and at field hospital had his foot amputated that night. After he was struck he crawled back quite a distance till his knees were all sore, and, the line falling back past him, two of Co. B carried him till they were ordered by Gen. Miles to leave him and to go into a ravine nearby and carry off one of the General's wounded aids, and in a short time Gen. Miles dispatched a stretcher and had Rea conveyed to hospital. After ten days at Fredericksburg he was taken to a hospital in Washington City, where he remained for fully a year, and therefrom was discharged May 19, '65. He suffered ever after, the stump never healing over, until in June, 1904, 40 years afterward, when in the Mercy Hospital, Pittsburg, he had a reamputation, the stump this time healing nicely. He enjoys good health and is a good, practical farmer, enjoying neighborship with that ever reliable comrade Johnnie McCalmont. His address is Bulger, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 50.

34. William Scott was with the Company nearly all the time, having on two occasions been on detached duty a short time. He evinced commendable pluck on marches, for though he suffered much from sore (tender) feet, he was determined to keep up. His fidelity to the company in its strenuous service made strong the tie which binds him still to its members. He in days of peace has lived to enjoy the fruits of victories won. In June, 1904, the writer, with Comrade Wheeler, visited his lovely home and enjoyed a royal dinner with him and wife. His address is Avella, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 2.

35. Nathaniel Seese served mostly as Company cook, or in some way in the commissary department. He was with us in the battle of Chancellorsville, and took part in the Company's last battle at Farmville. Was mustered out with the Company. We were unable to gather any satisfactory information concerning him since the muster out, and could not hear from him, having written often. To best of word obtained his address is 118 Allen St., 31st Ward, Pittsburg, Pa.

36. Oliver Staley, with one exception, was practically with the Company through all its service. During the Wilderness campaign in '64 he was in the hospital and rejoined the Company before Petersburg in time for the Second Deep Bottom engagement in Aug. '64. With Comrade Johnson the writer enjoyed a pleasant visit with him in his home in West Washington, his address being 67 Canton avenue, Washington, Pa.

37. William Stollar was another member of K generally found on hand ready for any duty. He was wounded at Spottsylvania, May 12, '64, but had his consolation in the fact of having taken part in one of the most successful charges of the war, which won for Gen. Hancock the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army. He, too, very highly prizes his membership in K of the 140th P.V., and availed himself of every opportunity to assist in the gathering of data for this history. He has ever enjoyed the farm life in the community from which he enlisted. His address is Claysville, Pa., R.F.D. No. 63.

38. Thomas Wilkin was only away from the Company from Dec. '63 to April, '64, when he was detached as teamster in the 2nd Corps Artillery Brigade. He was one of the lucky ones whom the rebels could not hit, though often they came "mighty close" to it. Some say he did get a buckshot in the hand at Todd's Tavern battle. He seems to have forgotten it. He lives happily on his farm "near the church and the school house," in his adopted state--Missouri, having raised a good-sized family. His love for his comrades never wavers. His address is Kingston, Mo., R.F.D. No. 1.

39. James Worstell never failed to answer to duty's call in K's varied experiences so far as the Orderly Sergeant remembers, until in that fatal charge under Col. Brody at Todd's Tavern the rebels "spotted him," giving him a severe wound in the left knee, and he was thereby unfitted for K's further marches and fights. But after a nine months' siege in hospitals he did service in the Veteran Reserve Corps three months in Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, guarding rebel prisoners, and then in Cincinnati, receiving his discharge there July 5, '65. He has enjoyed a good degree of success in life, and can boast of having raised a goodly number of stalwart sons of the veteran, and of having constant touch with members of old K. He can speak for himself at 209 Jefferson avenue, Canonsburg, Pa.

40. William A. Jackson, of Florence, Pa., was not with the Company much, coming in as a recruit just on the eve of the "on to Richmond" campaign in '64, and not being able to endure the severities of the service was absent considerably, and was discharged on the 2nd day of November that year. No answer was received from him. His address was given by his sister as Lincoln Place, Allegheny Co., Pa.

41. Frank Stiver, of West Virginia, did not enter the Company till late in September, '64, and was not known by the writer. He was a good soldier, remaining with the Company till its muster out, May 31, '65. No reply came from him to letters addressed him. His address was given as Harmony, Butler county, Pa.

42. George A. Reed, of Cross Creek Township, was a recruit, but did not enter the Company till Feb. 27, '65, and consequently received his initiation in the final campaign of the war. On May 30, '65, by Special Order 136 of Army of the Potomac, he was transferred to the 53rd Regiment of Pa. Vols. When finally mustered out he settled down on a farm near Eldersville. No reply to communications sent him as to date. His address is Hanlin Station, Washington Co., Pa., R.D. No. 54.

Recapitulation of Battles, Casualties, Etc.

1.--Battles, Skirmishes, Reconnaissances-in-Force.

1. May 1-5, 1863 Chancellorsville, Va. 2. July 1-4, 1863 Gettysburg, Pa. 3. July 14, 1863 Falling Water, Md. 4. July 22, 1863 Ashby's Gap, Va. 5. {Aug. 31, } {Sept. 4, 1863 } U.S. Ford, Rappahannock River 6. Sept. 12, 1863 Culpepper C.H., Va. 7. Sept. 17-30, 1863 Rapidan, s.w. Culpepper C.H. 8. Oct. 14, 1863 Auburn Mill, Va. 9. Oct. 14, 1863 Bristoe Station, Va. 10. Nov. 29-30, 1863 Mine Run, Va. 11. Feb. 6, 1864 Morton's Ford, Rapidan River 12. May 3, 1864 Ely's Ford, Rapidan River 13. May 5-6, 1864 Wilderness, Va. 14. May 8, 1864 Todd's Tavern, Va. 15. May 10-11, 1864 West of Spottsylvania C.H., Va. 16. May 12, 1864 Spottsylvania C.H., Va. 17. May 21, 1864 Guinea Station, Va. 18. May 23-26, 1864 Hanover Junction, Va. 19. May 29-31, 1864 Totopotomy Creek, Va. 20. June 2-12, 1864 Cold Harbor, Va. 21. June 13, 1864 Charles City, Va. 22. June 15, 1864 Petersburg, Va. 23. July 27, 1864 Deep Bottom, Va. 24. Aug. 14-16, 1864 Deep Bottom, or White'sTavern, Va. 25. Aug. 28, 1864 Ream's Station, Va. 26. Oct. 30, 1864 On Hatcher's Run, Va. 27. Dec. 10, 1864 Hatcher's Run, Va. 28. Feb. 6, 1865 Dabney's Mill, Va. 29. April 2, 1865 Sutherland Station, Va. 30. April 5, 1865 Jetersville, Va. 31. April 6, 1865 Sailor's Creek, Va. 32. April 7, 1865 Farmville, Va. 33. April 9, 1865 Appomattox, Va.

2.--(a) Casualties.--Killed in Action.

1. Thomas C. Hayes Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 2. Thomas J. Carter Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 3. Robert W. Hull Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 4. William H. Miller Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 5. Jesse M. Sprowls Gettysburg, July 2, 1863 6. John Maloy Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864 7. John W. Tucker Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864 8. Benjamin H. Cummins Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864 9. James A. Cummins Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864 10. Joseph Guess Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864 11. John Makeown Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864 12. Joseph Smith Graham Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865

(b) Died in Service.

1. John Marshall, Nov. 17, 1862, in Regimental Hospital, Parkton, Md. 2. John Henderson, Dec. 7, 1862, in Regimental Hospital, Parkton, Md. 3. Andrew B. Davis, Dec. 9, 1862, in Regimental Hospital, Parkton, Md. 4. Isaac Donaldson, Feb. 14, 1863, in Reg. Hosp. Camp, near Falmouth, Va. 5. Isaac Golden, April 15, 1863, in Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, D.C. 6. David W. Corbin, April 21, 1863, Stanton Hospital, Washington, D.C. 7. William L. Pry, from wound, May 21, 1863, in Camp Hospital, near Falmouth, Va. 8. George Morrow, May 25, 1863, in Hospital, Washington, D.C. 9. Robert Virtue, from wound, Sept. 9, in Hospital, Baltimore, Md. 10. Benjamin F. Earnest, Dec. 14, 1863, in Camp, near Stevensburg, Va. 11. Samuel K. Shindle, March 17, 1864, in Andersonville Prison, Georgia. 12. Michael Daugherty, March 18, 1864, from kick of a mule, Brandy Station, Va. 13. Norris Metcalf, March 18, 1865, at home, near Eldersville, Pa. 14. George Sprowls, May, 1865, drowned in Chesapeake Bay.

(c) Wounded.

1. Edward S. Alexander, in hand and arm, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 2. Samuel K. Shindle, and taken prisoner, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 3. Silas Cooke, in right side, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 4. William R. H. Powelson, in both hips, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 5. William Hanlin, in hand and leg, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 6. Abram Andrews, slightly in side, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 7. Lazarus Briggs, slightly in back, Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 8. George Carter, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 9. Jesse M. Carter, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 10. Andrew Chester, slightly in right ankle, Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Severe gunshot in leg, Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864. 11. Isaac Chisholm, in thigh, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 12. Joseph Corbin, in leg, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 13. Henry Dickson, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 14. Benjamin F. Earnest, in face badly, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 15. James H. Fordyce, thumb shot off, Deep Bottom, July 27, 1864. 16. George A. Hanlin, in ear, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 17. Benjamin F. Hawthorn, through right shoulder, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 18. George W. Johnson, Petersburg, June 15, 1864. 19. John A. McCalmont, slight in foot, Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 20. Owen McElfish, flesh wound in leg, Sailor's Run, April 6, 1865. 21. Robert Meldoon, in face and leg, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 22. Isaac Miller, totally disabled, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 23. Enoch Mounts, in arm and breast, Wilderness, May 6, 1864. 24. Colin Nickeson, in breast, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 25. John W. Nickeson, thumb shot off, Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 26. Robert A. Pry, left foot, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 27. Wm. L. Pry, finger shot off accidentally, Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 28. David McC. Pry, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 29. William M. Rea, in ankle severely, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 30. George Sprowls, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 31. William Stollar, through both thighs, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 32. Johnson Toppin, in shoulder, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 33. Robert Virtue, severely in breast, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 34. Ulysses S. Wheeler, slightly at Chancellorsville, and again more severely, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 35. Thomas Wilkin, in hand, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 36. James Worstell, in left knee, Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 37. Marshall Wright, in Adam's apple, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.

(d) Prisoners.

1. 2nd Lieut. Wm. B. Cook, July 2, 1863. Held to close of War. 2. Sergeant Samuel K. Shindle, July 2, 1863. Held till death in Andersonville. 3. Isaac Miller, May 8, 1864, Todd's Tavern. Held over a month and paroled. 4. George Sprowls, May 12, 1864, Spottsylvania. Held till close of War. 5. 1st Serg't. George Ralston, April 1, 1865, Farmville. Held till Lee's surrender, April 9, 1865. 6. Corpl. John McCalmont, April 7, 1865. Held till Lee's surrender, April 9, 1865. 7. Corpl. Abram Andrews, April 7, 1865. Held till Lee's surrender, April 9, 1865.

3.--Promotions.

Capt. Wm. A. F. Stockton, Brevet Major, April 9, 1865. First Lieut. Alexander Sweeney, Brevet Captain, March 13, 1865. First Serg't. Benjamin F. Powelson, First Lieutenant Co. G. 31st U.S.C.T., Sept. 27, 1864. Thomas L. Noble, Quartermaster Sergeant of the Regiment, Nov. 28, 1862. John A. McCalmont, 3rd Corporal, vacancy caused by death of Donaldson, Feb. 14, 1863. Joseph Smith Graham, 2nd Corporal, vacancy caused by discharge of McCabe, Feb. 23, 1863. David McC. Pry, 6th Corporal, vacancy caused by death of Wm. L. Pry, May 12, 1863. Corporal Wm. R. H. Powelson, 4th Sergeant, vacancy caused by death of T. C. Hayes, July 2, 1863. James K. P. Magill, 4th Corporal, vacancy caused by promotion of Will Powelson, July 2, 1863. William Porter, 7th Corporal, vacancy caused by transfer of John F. Gardner, Dec. 17, 1863. James K. McCurdy, Assistant Surgeon, 153rd Regt., P.V., Feb. 26, 1864. Corporal Joseph S. Graham, 5th Serg't., vacancy caused by death of Shindle, March 1864. James C. Lyle, 2nd Corporal; vacancy caused by promotion of Graham, March 17, 1864. James L. Noah, Sergeant in Battery Independent Pa. Artillery, Spring of 1864. Corporal George Ralston, First Sergeant, vacancy caused by promotion of B. F. Powelson, Sept. 27, 1864. George A. Hanlin, 5th Corporal, vacancy caused by promotion of Ralston, Sept. 27, 1864. Ezra Conway, Wagonmaster Wagon Train, latter part of 1864. Musician Jesse J. Morris, Drum Major and on Regimental non-commissioned staff, Dec. 22, 1864. Marshall Wright, 6th Corporal, vacancy caused by transfer of Dave Pry, Feb. 6, 1865. Corporal John A. McCalmont, 5th Sergeant, vacancy caused by death of Graham, March 25, 1865. Abram Andrews, 3rd Corporal, vacancy caused by promotion of McCalmont, March 25, 1865.

This made the officers at close of war to be:

Stockton, Captain; Sweeney, First Lieutenant; Cook, Second Lieutenant; Ralston, First Sergeant; Boyd, Second Sergeant; Alexander, Third Sergeant; Will Powelson, Fourth Sergeant; McCalmont, Fifth Sergeant; and the eight Corporals in their order: 1, Cooke; 2, J. C. Lyle; 3, Abram Andrews; 4, Magill; 5, George Hanlin; 6, Wright; 7, Porter; 8, Wm. Hanlin.

NOTE.--So far as my memory serves me and the information given me goes, Comrades Berryhill, Geary, Magill, Porter and Wm. Scott were practically with the Company in all the leading battles and were never wounded. Comrades Johnson and Wilkin can have about the same said of them, save that they received slight wounds. And Comrades Allison and McCalmont missed the Deep Bottom and Ream's Station engagements.

NOTE.--Mr. Amos Sprowls, of Liberty, Neb., a brother of Comrade Geo. Sprowls, wrote in answer to inquiry concerning George that he was wounded and made prisoner at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, kept in hospital at Richmond two months; thence sent to Andersonville prison; thence, owing to Sherman's march to the sea, sent to North Carolina; thence, at close of war, sent to Fortress Monroe to be conveyed by ship to Annapolis, Md. Three transports were loaded; and one of these, the "Governor," encountered a storm on Chesapeake Bay and sank with 1,600 souls. Sprowls was among them, as he was never heard of afterwards. A Mr. W. S. Crafto, living near Washington, Pa., reported seeing him on his way to Fortress Monroe.

Supplementary Statement.

Since forwarding the manuscript for publication, one of our number has been summoned from service on earth. He has gone to rest. The taps have been sounded. George A. Hanlin died suddenly from heart disease, Jan. 27, 1906, 2:45 p.m., in his place of business, Clifton street and West 38th avenue, Denver, Colo. He lacked 27 days of being 62 years of age. The funeral services were largely attended, being conducted Jan. 30th, 10:30 a.m., in the undertaker's parlors and at the grave. The Crocker G.A.R. Post, Denver, of which he was a member, and the Camp of the Sons of Veterans, to which his sons belonged, were in attendance; and he was buried in the full honors of these orders in Fairmount cemetery. The writer delivered a short address, a tribute to the memory of a faithful soldier, an upright citizen, a true husband and father, an industrious and successful business man, and one beloved by all.

Conclusion.

Comrades of Company K, a feeling of sadness steals over me, as now I am about to lay down my pen. About two years ago, upon your urgent request, yet with great reluctance, I undertook this work. During these two years four of our number have fallen out of ranks, never more to answer to roll call here. 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. Possibly I have been too plain, conservative and modest in the language used. But my heart's desire in it all has been to be faithful and true to you--to each and all of you. If I had not been one of you, I might have indulged in superlatives often. Of one thing rest assured, the verdict of the reader will be, "Nothing is overstated."

I feel that I have imperfectly sketched your part in the saving of the nation. Your children and theirs to the remotest time will ever be proud of it. We can ever emphasize one battle, in which as a Company we had our largest experience; and in which we registered our first and greatest loss in "killed in action." It was the decisive battle of that greatest of civil conflicts--"rebellion rising to its supremest effort and falling fatally wounded." Yes, we can ever point with pride to our "trial in the fire" at Gettysburg. And we can glory, too, in the magnificent victory won by the 2nd Corps at Spottsylvania. Certainly we cannot be charged with undue boasting if we do glory in such expressions as "brave old Co. K!" "The fighting 140th Regiment P.V.!" "The old reliable 2nd Corps!"