WELCOME TO THE
The Washington Infantry is often mentioned in the 102nd Regiment pages. While the 102nd owes it origin to the Washington Infantry. The Washington Infantry in fact contributed members to many of Pennsylvania Regiments. Some of them also served in Ohio and Maryland Units and one member ended up as a Captain in the Navy.
Many of the members rose to Staff Ranks. So with that in mind we present selected bits of its History and a small selection of photos of it members.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS 1855-1891
CAPTAINS
Theodore F. Wright, January 16, 1855 John D. McFarland Company C, (Co. F, 13th
Thomas A. Rowley, August 2, 1858 P. V.) April,1861
David B. Morris, Company A, (Co. A, 13th Thomas A. Rowley, February 18, 1870
P. V.) April, 1861 James Littell, Company A, Feb. 13, 1871
Wm. Mays, Company B, (Co. D, 13th P. V.) George W. Fox, Company B, Feb. 13,1871
April, 1861 John D. McFarland, Co. A, Nov. 21, 1871
Jacob A. A. Brown, November 16, 1883
Alex Park Shannon, November 16, 1888
FIRST LIEUTENANTS SECOND LIEUTENANTS
Thomas A. Rowley, June, 1855 W. A. Young, January 19, 1855
John H. Stewart, August 23, 1858 J. Heron, Foster, January 19, 1855
David B. Morris, June 6, 1859 Wm. Evans, August 23, 1858
J. Heron Foster, Company A, (Co. A, Wm. McIlwaine, Co. A, (Co. A, 13th
P. V. April, 1861 P. V.) April, 1861
Luke Loomis, Jr., Company B, (Co. D, 13th Albert Fabnestock, Company B, (Co. D, 13th
P. V.) April, 1861 P. V.) April, 1861
Jas. H. Coleman, Company C, (Co. F. 13th George W. Bowers, Company C, (Co. F. 13th
P. V.) April, 1861 P. V.) April, 1861
David B. Morris, February 18, 1870 William Culp February 14, 1870
James Littell, September 2,1870 John D. McFarland, December 5,1870
John D. McFarland, February 13,1871 James D. Kirk, Co. A, February 13, 1871
Hugh Y. Boyce, Company A, Nov. 21, 187l David T. Kimball, Co. B, February 13, 1871
David T. Kimball, Co. B, Feb. 13, 1871 J. A. A. Brown, November 21,1871
R. M. Evans, April 5, 1872 John D. Hughes, February, 11. 1876
Jacob A. A. Brown, February 11, 1876 Harry T. Rowley, May 7, 1878
Alex Park Shannon, November, 16, 1883 J. H. Meyer, November 16, 1883
John H. Niebaum, November 16, 1883 David Leech, April, 25 1884
Geilfuss, November 18, 1888
''War is an occurrence to which all nations are subject, democratic nation as well all others, Whatever taste they may have for peace, they must hold themselves in readiness to repel aggression.
--De Tocqueville.
THE WASHINGTON INFANTRY of, PITTSBURGH, PA., was organized January 16, 1858. The prime movers in organizing the company were Theo, F. Wright, Wm. Culp, J. Heron Foster and James D. Owens. These gentlemen were in Harrisburg attending. the inauguration of Governor-elect Pollock, in Company with a number of other Pittsburghers, and it was at this time that the formation of a military company under the above tide was decided upon. The motive at the out start was purely patriotic, and the requirements for Membership were Very exacting. Drilling commenced once, and a uniform was ordered. The following civil officers were elected: President, J. Hilton Foster; Vice-President, W. B. Schaffer; Secretary Thomas W. Wright; Treasurer B. T. C. Morgan.
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Military officer were also elected, the names and rank of which are given in the roster, viz.
ROSTER OF THE WASHINGTON INFANTRY OF PITTSBURGH, PA.--1855
Captain, Theo F. WRIGHT
First Lieutenant, THOS. A. ROWLEY, Second Lieutenant, W. A. YOUNG Junior Second Lieutenant, J. Heron FOSTER, Orderly Sergeant, Dan'l ARMSTRONG Ensign, Dan's MITCHELL
Alward Foster Fahnestock Albert Mcllwaine Wm
Allison Wm P Fish Zenas McClintock Alex
Armstrong Andrew Fehl Tobias McLaughlin J Y
Alderson John Furman Chas M McCourtney W G
Adlington Jno B Foreman Sam'l P Neeper Wm B
Adlington Wm Y Greenawalt Wm G Owens Jas D
Adlington D B Gross David W Paul Robt A
Brauff Sydney J Graham Thos Perkins Geo W
Bowers Geo W Grant Wm Parsons Addison
Barry I J Gibson Thos Printer Isaac
Burker Sam'l Hartzell Wm M Perkins Thos S
Bateman A Hill Phil R Rodgers Jos
Brown Isaac Henry Robert. F Rodgers F
Boyce Matthew W Hanna Wm Reamer J S
Brozine Sam'l Jr Hunzeker Rudolph Ruth Jno B
Bird Wm Hunzeker Wm T Robert, David
Black T. J. J Higgins B Reddick Geo
Culp Wm Hart Jno T Stewart Jno H
Coleman Jas H Irwin Guyan M Shannon Jas T
Creighton Wm R Irwin Geo W Smythe Thos G
Cooper St. Clair Kirk Jas D Shaffer W B
Chapman C Wes Keifer Geo W Sarber Jno B
Caskey Alex Keifer ------ Sheridan A
Carpenter Chas Keifer ------ Shidle G C
Cromer W H Loomis Luke Thompson Moses
Cooper Sam'l B Long Sam'l Thompson Geo F
Cooper Jas B Linn Thos S Truby Sam'l
Crisswell Wm Loomis C O Turner Wm F
Cunningham T Morris David B Wright Robt
Cooper D H Morgan B T C Wright Thos
Devore W H Marthens Edwin P Woods Geo S Wood Chris
Duncan Jos D Maxwell Thos Wayt Andrew
Day Allen C Mays Wm Williams Jno W
Evans Wm Marthens Chas Wilson Alex
Elliott Jno R Morrow Jno Woods Thos S
Evans Reese M Mickey R B Whitfield W
Ewing Jas Meyers C Wilson T K
Faith Anderson McFarland Jno D Young R B
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December 13, 1860--The company paraded accompanied by their band--the "Washington Cornet Band." in the evening the company was tendered a benefit at the Pittsburg Theatre. Ettie Henderson appeared in two plays, viz: "The Daughter of the Regiment," and the "Wept-of-the-Wishton-Wish." They were greeted by a crowded house. The company and band appeared on the stage. The drill of the company under Lieut. Morris was warmly encored as was also the music of the band.
February 14, 1861--The Washington Infantry, Jackson Blues and Pennsylvania Dragoons participated in the reception of President-elect Abraham Lincoln and escorted him from the depot to the Monongahela House.
February 15, 1861--President Lincoln addressed the citizens, of Pittsburgh in the forenoon from the balcony of the Monongahela House, after which the Washington Infantry escorted him to the depot in Allegheny. The weather was disagreeable, raining during the early part of the day and the streets were very muddy, After returning to the city, General Negley addressed the company on behalf of the committee of arrangements thanking them for their services. The General concluded as follows. "While the storms of disunion clouded our happiness it came as a fitting tribute of patriotism for you to disregard the stormy elements. The name you bear is sacred on the pages of history, you will honor it if found ever in the path of duty. Washington Infantry! cherish your title; 'He was first in war, and first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.' Mr. Lincoln desired me to express to you his personal regard, I assured him that you considered no fatigue or danger too great when devotion to your country was your reward." The company was then dismissed.
February 22, 1861-- Washington's Birthday was celebrated more generally than for years past. The 18th Division of Pennsylvania Militia paraded, besides the Washington Infantry eleven companies participated. Houses were decorated and business generally suspended, and the streets on the route of march crowded with people. In the evening a grand banquet came off at City Hall which was handsomely decorated for the occasion and was the last public military affair previous to the breaking out of the war. On the wall back of the stage was suspended a portrait of Washington and on either side of it pictures of battles. On the left side of the stage a marquee tent was set up, with the American flag at the entrance, while along the front were piles of all sizes of cannon balls with two miniature field pieces; the arms of Washington Infantry and Jackson Blues were stacked on either side of the hall. The side walls were decorated with flags, wreaths and portraits and paintings. Three tables were placed in the hall with provision for 500 persons. Colonel Fricker was caterer. Music was furnished by the Washington Cornet Band. The guests were seated after the grand march at 10:30 o'clock. After justice had been done to the good things, toasts were announced and responded to by Hon, Chas. Shaler, General Negley, J. M. Kirkpatrick, Thos. J. Bigham and others. The entertainment continued until a late hour.
During the past few years the company was called out several times by threatened riots in the mining districts but their presence was all that was necessary to secure peace.
In the month of February at a company drill conducted by Sergeant McFarland, (the officers in the company room holding a meetings) a full attendance was present. The question of a possibility of war breaking out was discussed after drill, and by a unanimous vote it was decided to tender the services of the company to the governor. A roll was made out an signed by all present. The formal tender was made to the governor, but not accepted at that time.
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At the time of the order of Secretary of War Floyd, was issued, ordering the guns from the arsenal sent South the members of the Washington Infantry had a piece of artillery planted and entrenched down on the north side of the Ohio River at Glass House Riffle, and for nearly a week men were on guard ready to blow holes into any boat that would attempt to get out of this port with ammunition for the South. It was a member of the Washington Infantry that one nights spiked the Guns on the wharf and also some that were already loaded on the boats. This was a Dangerous Undertaking. He was assisted by other members of the company, who attracted the attention of the guards while the work was being done.
April 14, 1861 Sumter was fired upon and that same night. Captain Rowley of the Washington Infantry in company with several other officers left for Harrisburg and tendered the services of their several commands to the governor. The governor a once accepted the services of the Washington Infantry, Duquesne Greys, Jackson Blues and the U.S. Zouave cadets (all of Pittsburgh), they assembled at once at their several armories The citizens subscribed $4000.00 to equip these four companies. The Washington Infantry was presented with a flag by the teachers of the 6th ward school (now the Franklin). The Washington Infantry having been recruited to 232 men was divided into three companies. These three companies were formed into a battalion and Captain Rowley was elected major, Other companies were organized and all sharing in the same local pride and wanting to serve with the Washington Infantry the battalion was increased to a ten company regiment and numbered the Thirteen with Thos. A. Rowley as Colonel.
A number of the officers were the recipients of presents of swords from friends, and many of the men received colts revolvers, bibles, etc. The ladies of the 4th ward and others sent a liberal supply of needles thread and many other useful articles for soldiers' use. The regiment departed for the front April 24, 1861. Previous to their departure they were reviewed on the Allegheny Commons. After getting on the cars a days' ration was found on each man's seat, consisting of bread and meat, and each man's tin cup was filled with coffee. Kiers' warehouse on Liberty street had also been opened and spread with in abundant supply of edibles The crowd assembled at the depot to see the boys off was estimated at 10,000. Pittsburgh councils held a meeting April 29th, and on motion of Mr. John Irwin of the second ward it was Resolved: That the Washington Infantry be relieved from the rent of their armory during their service in defense of their country. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
The regiment arrived at Harrisburg and was mustered into the United States service April 25th, and on the following morning moved to Camp Scott near the town of York, While encamped at this place John H. Hinnau of D Company died; this was the first death in the regiment. His body was sent home under escort.
The Roster of this this group can be found at this place on the site;
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With the end of the war, the regiments were mustered out of service and they returned to their home towns. On their arrival in Pittsburgh the regiment was warmly received, and in a very short time the members soon settled down to useful avocations and to enjoy some of the fruits of their hard earned and costly service.
Thus ended the first ten years of the existence of the Washington Infantry-nearly one-half of the time in active warfare. Frequently men are heard to scoff and speak disparagingly and even scornfully of the so-called "Sunday Soldiers," but the history of this one single organization proves the advantage of all American citizens having at least some knowledge and experience in the military art, and even in times of peace there are times when it is a positive advantage to have an organized and disciplined body in each community. The Washington Infantry furnished from its ranks--of such men who had been connected with the company prior to the war, and had received their military training in its armory--fifty-eight commissioned officers, viz: Two (2) Generals, nine (9) Colonels, four (4) Majors, twenty (20) Captains, twenty-three (23) Lieutenants.
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Note that all information and data are from:
"History of the Washington Infantry of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Thirty-sixth anniversary, 1855-1891." It also contain additional information on the Washington Infantry.
If you would like more information check out the following book.
"History of the Pittsburgh Washington Infantry 102nd (Old 13th) Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers and its Forebears, 1792 to 1930" By John H. Niebaum
Links - Niebaum book on this site: Niebaum History 1 and Niebaum History 2
On June 26, 1930 the last entry was made in the Washington Infantry Meeting Log, for the last three members still living: Wm. W. Hunnewell, Co. E, 102nd Regt., President. Capt. Wm. T. Easton, Co. A, Old 13th Regt. Sergeant John Renton, Co. K, 102nd Regt., Ex-Treasurer. With that, the unit faded into history.