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Company C, Cole’s
Cavalry
Letters of Charles
Currens
Submitted By:
Gary Fisher and Patty Squires
Thurmont Maryland, February 1st
1911
Wednesday, Cloudy and Cold
I Charles Clifford Currens, 6th child of Elijah and
Amelia Jean Currens (Nee Snider) was born in Taneytown Carroll
County, Maryland on October 21st, 1843 being Wednesday,
in the house owned by Captain Nicolas Snider and Deeded to my
mother being the 2nd house built in Taneytown.
The first school was in front room of this house taught by my
sister Emma Currens at the age of 13. I went to work for my board
and clothes for two years to Mrs. Nancy Rudisel.
In the spring of 1859, I was hired for eight months for $44.00
to one Albert Valatine. She was a clutz on the farm owned by
William Haugh, a blacksmith of Taneytown. The farm was situated on
the road from Taneytown to Union Bridge and joined the farm of
Abram Null and others. It was upon this farm that we received the
news of John Browns Raid on Harper’s Ferry from one John William Angell.
After my eights months was up, I went Hanover, Pa. to live with
my sister Emma Forrest. I went to school at Pleasant Hill on
Baltimore Street. Taught by Professor Essick, Wife Mary Howard
taught French. I attended book store for my board. Left Hanover,
fall of 1860, went to public school that winter. April 15, 1861 went to
Littlestown, Pa. to learn the Saddle Trade, with Wm. Yount to
receive $15.00 for first year, $20.00 for second year, $25.00 for
three years. On Friday 19th, day of April 1861, the
Riot in Baltimore 6th Massachusetts Regiment attacked
by foot on it’s way to Washington. This attack fired the hearts of
the North for "Old Glory" as Fort Sumter, South Carolina had been
taken on April 12th or 14th by Rebel forces.
On April 21st, walked from Littlestown to Hanover to
see the first Union soldiers leave Hanover for York, Pa. This was
in the afternoon of the 21st, Harvested for Judge John
Thomson this year.
August 1861, left my trade for the war. Went on Monday from
Hanover with others under command of one Captain G. Giller of
Hanover. To Harrisburg Pa, near the old depot before the Justice
of the Peace we were sworn in as U.S. soldiers and taken to old
Camp Curtain. From there east of town to new camp this was to be
an infantry regiment the first of September, I concluded to leave
this camp as we had not received any U.S. Clothes.
Asked William Diller in command of (Bridge Keeper) to pass me out the
gate, He did so and had thirty seven cents paid of it to walk
across the old covered wagon bridge.
Editors note: Charles not yet received his uniform, left the
camp and was walking back home. Charles came in contact with
William who was the tollman at a covered bridge.
Intended to walk to York (28 miles). A brakeman persuaded me to stay and take a nights
freight. I did so, landed in York at 1 P.M. Went to Motter’s Hotel
and could not get a bed, slept on a table until 4 A.M. Started for
Taneytown 34 miles and walked nine miles bought a pack of crackers
on the road between Littlestown and Hanover.
I met Thomas Reindollar walking to Hanover. He had a telegraph
for me to come home that my brother had died (Thomson Currens). He
went on to Hanover. I went to Littlestown until he returned. This
was the eve of Saturday morning. Brother was buried the next week.
I went back to my trade to one Thadeus Blocker, he had bought out
William Yount. I remained there
with him until August 12th, 1862. I walked to
Taneytown, stayed all night. 13th 4 a.m. left old
Taneytown door of home to the call of our father Abraham for 300,000
more men.
Walk to Frederick missed train. Walk to Junction 3 miles.
Stayed there with Captain Echs company until 9 p.m. Had paid for
car fare one dollar to Harper’s Ferry. Remained standing in bay
window of an old store to keep warm. At eight o’clock I received a
pass to Cole’s command. This was the 14th day of August
1862 being Thursday. Fair and warm. For duty I went on picket the
river Potomac 6 miles stood all night. Left the other two sleep.
Bud (Elias) O. Reck and I Isaac Richards both of Company C. On
Sunday morning started for Smithfield Virginia. Our pickets had
been captured Saturday by the rebels who had destroyed the
railroad train and robbed the passengers of all on the Winchester
rail road. It was in a meadow close by a farmhouse. Our command
took possession, ate all of the dinner they had. I did not take any.
We then went to the next outpost of pickets at a railroad station.
We fired on them, they proved to be our own men.
Then commenced the march northward out of Rebel army.
Impossible to remember all the marches and countermarches until
the second day of September 1862. Our command was ordered to
Leesburg Virginia. They went into town then started home about 1 mile
north of town. They were surrounded by the advance of the Rebel
army. I was not permitted to go with them, and no clothes but what I
left home in.
General Miles had command at Harpers Ferry. We were soon
surrounded by cannonading. Soon commenced from the Loudon Heights
on Saturday, September 14. General Miles withdrew all his troops
from Maryland Heights over to Harpers Ferry having destroyed all
his guns and stores.
Sunday 15th, the cannon commenced to boom. Counter
fired all day until dark. Orders came to camp that all who could
get a horse. Should assemble at headquarters at 9 p.m.. Cole’s
Maryland Calvary should take the advance, some 2200 horsemen
assembled. I was number five head of column. General Miles stood
on the end of the pontoon bridge with head reinforced biding us
adue as we passed him crossing over the bridge to the Maryland
side. We took the road leading to Sharpsburg reaching there at 1
PM 16th. While we halted their at the edge of town, on
the road that leads to the Dunkard Church, the rebs fired a volley
at us. This created a tangle for some. Then started a run to make
for Cearsfoss Crossroads, in crossing the Pike between Hagerstown
and Williamsport. We passed between the main army of 40,000 rebs
and stragglers. A few we compelled to go with us.
About this time, we discovered the reb wagon trains and turned
it our way. 87 seven wagons loaded with General Longstreet's
ammunition, and we reached the state line stopped the rest. The reb
commenced to shell us as we went on to Greencastle, Pa. where they
gave us bread and apple butter. To the cellars was full of it. We
reached Chambersburg about sunset. Slept on the sod in front of
church. General Miles surrendered all his forces at Harper's Ferry
on this day at ten a. m. He was killed about the same hour. From
Chambersburg we were ordered to Frederick, Maryland.
After the battle of Antietam, the Reb
General Stuart made a
raid into Maryland crossing the river at Williamsport. Northward
going to Emmitsburg, Woodsboro, Liberty, New Market, and to Hyattstown. Then to the Potomac and crossed. We expected them into
Frederick, Saturday night. The streets were blocked. I stood picket on the pike, north end
of Frederick on Pike.
On Sunday morning, Colonel Vernon formed a squad and started to
find the rebs. We went on the Hyattestown Road. When nearing
Hyattestown, to our left we saw, the stragglers of Stuart's
cavalry coming. We blocked the lane compelled them to surrender.
There were seven of them. Among them a Dane from Emmitsburg.
Oliver A. Horner knew him. This was on Sunday October 10th, 1862.
Moved camp to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Bolivar Heights
was orderly for General James R. Kenley of 3rd Maryland Infantry.
During part of the winter of 1863.The balance of the time was on
scouting duty and picketing duty until camp was moved to Kearneysville, Virginia, eight miles east of Martinsburg on the
B&O Railroad. Remained there until the rebs caused us to leave for
Harper's Ferry about June 28th. Burnt tents and foraged.
Next we were ordered to Knoxville, Maryland. We scouted and
picket duty until ordered to Gettysburg, Pa. July 2nd, 1863. The
cavalry taking the lead, I was in the advanced guard. We searched
Frederick City at dark at the north end of Main Street, where we
were halted. The order being countermanded (We would have
reached Gettysburg, by daylight July 4th, 1863.)
Went into camp, did duty at headquarters for some months.
Brother William and myself with some others were detailed to go to
Westminster and to collect Government Property. We boarded at the
hotel, near the courthouse, kept by M. Allen. Had quite a good
time with the ladies.
George Gelwicks, Henry Smelcer, (Sponceller?) and myself was
detailed to go to Union Bridge as body guard to one Jonathan P.
Creager. Called Colonel Creagar who was ordered to recruit colored
men for the U.S. Army. Bordered at hotel, the only one at town
then. Kept by William Englas, long beard. Shipped a carload to
Baltimore, the first that was sent from Carroll County.
Note: No further recordings of this transcript.
Old Virginia reader of the Sun
finds it interesting and fine.
(Originally Published in the Baltimore Sun
January of 1911)
Some days ago I read in your most interesting
paper that Coles Calvary held a reunion in your city. I am an old
Confederate just about as old as your paper 73 years old and I
have been reading your fine paper ever since I was a child, and I
can recall the time before the war when we waited for the old
Stagecoach to come with the mail and bring us are best paper. The
Sun of Baltimore.
I started to write you about one other member of
Cole's Calvary and here I am writing you of the sun. All old
people grow re-undiscent.
A few days before the battle of New Market May
13, 1864, a regiment of Yankee Calvary was coming down the
Mannaputton Mountain, about 2 miles from New Market. General
Imboden was in command here with his Calvary and McClaunlans
battery of artillery. The Yankee's were caught in a trap that day.
They though General Sigel was here and came on to meet him. In
ignorance of the mistake they were making it would surely have run
into our camp of Confederates but for the information they
received at the foot of the Mountain. Someone from new market sent
word the Confederates were here in camp. We had some good Union
people here in the war, but the majority of our citizens were
loyal and true to the south.
Now I want to tell you of a member of Coles
Calvary, Augustus McFarland was his name. I have often wondered if
the boy soldier by that name met home. I saw the cavalry charge as
they started in a fast gallop down the mountain road with their
swords drawn. Oh, my how the horses did run, and the mud flew.
They pitched right at the Yankee's, they wheeled about and struck
pell-mell everyone for himself in the mountain road. We got more
horse than men for the mountain shrubbery hid most of the men. A
fine old lady Mrs. Hollie Holtsnon, lived right on top of the
mountain in the gaps. She was good and kind to everyone and when
young McFarland ran to hide. She took him in and hid him in the
garret for some time. My brother, Captain William Rive, paroled
him and sent him down the mountain. I hope he reached his home. An
old neighbor of my T. Combs, was working in the mountain some time
ago and found a lot of Yankee buttons down in a secluded place,
also some bones. We think many of the men hid in the mountain and
starved to death.
I read the Sun every night, but the print is
most to small for old eyes. I wish you much success in your grand
paper.
Mrs. E. C. Crim New Market, Virginia, January
20.
This is Charles Currens reply to the letter
from
Mrs. E. C. Crim as published in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper
Charles Currens, Thurmont Maryland, January
31, 1911
Mrs. E. C. Crim New Market, Virginia
I have read your letter to the Baltimore Sun of
January 20, I know certainly pleased to find out after 47 years
that someone saw the charge made by Coles Maryland Cavalry,
remembers the spot. Augustus McFarland was in the same company
with me, Company C. I also was taken prisoner the same day May 13,
1864. We were taken to New Market that evening and camped on a
hill south of town and right of the pike are going south. We were
taken Andersonville Georgia then to Florence South Carolina.
Release the Charleston harbor December 6, 1864 he lived until
sometime ago. His remains was brought to us over Pennsylvania and
is buried. He has a sister living there by the name of Mrs.
William Welsh of York County, Pennsylvania. Some 25 years I
started to drive to the spot you describe to look after a young
man by the name of George Witmore who was killed close by me. I
found him in a treetop in a lovely spot close by where I was
taken. He called me by name asking for some water. I am certain he
died at that spot. We found the buttons and bones as I feel
certain they are those of George Witmore.
This is the actual letter Charles Currens wrote replying to the letter
from
Mrs. E. C. Crim
Thurmont, MD, June 31st 1911
Mrs. E. C. Crim
I read your letter to Baltimore Sun concerning
one Gustavus Adolphus McFarland who was taken prisoner at the spot
you describe. He died some years ago. His remains was brought to
Hanover, Pa for burial. He has a sister still living there by the
name of Mrs. William Welsh. He belonged to Co. C Cole's Calvary, I
(also belonged) to the same company. I also was taken that same
day near dark after we were driven back to the mountain. We were
taken to Andersonville, Georgia then to Florence, South Carolina,
paroled at Charleston Harbor at Fort Sumter December 6th 1864.
Some 22 years ago I started to drive to the spot
you saw the charge made. Went as far as Winchester (and) by
accident I met the Captain who captured me. He told me it was not
possible for me to find the spot or any clue to the body of George
Whitmore who was killed close by one. After I was taken and on my
way down the mountain I saw him under a tree face downward. I
turned him over, found the bullet had gone clear through the body.
He called me by name, asked me for water. That was not so far from
a small house at the foot of the mountain. There was an old man in
the yard. I asked (him) to go up and see Whitmore and give (him)
water but I am convinced that he died soon after I left him. He
may have crawled away from the spot to get water. I hope Mr. Combs
still remembers the spot where he found the buttons and bones. It
may be that some one may come there to see the spot and place a
marker or stone on the spot. As soon as spring comes and (it
becomes) warm we may find still further evidence of the body.
Whitmore wore a U. States jacket with U.S. buttons on. Will you
please say to Mr. Combs that if he will send me one of the buttons
by mail I will repay him for all cost he may be at.
I am certainly glad for the information your
letter has given me, who commanded the Confederate forces and
Battery and the name of the road we passed over from Luray in the
Page Valley. 47 years have past almost since that day, seems but
yesterday.
There was 97 of us taken that day. My only
brother made his escape and saved 13 others from capture by rowing
them across the river in a boat, some kind soul told him where to
find it up the river.
Respectfully,
Charles C. Currens, Thurmont, Frederick Co. Md. |
