The 15th of June found K with the Regiment, after a forced march, fighting for the possession of Petersburg. But that was too important a place for the rebels, a key to Richmond, and, having the inside way, they were there in force to resist.
In the campaign from the Wilderness to the James, K had 6 killed and 17 wounded, or more than half the number actually in line of battle. But the Company was good for service yet, and formed an integral part of the hosts that fastened themselves about Petersburg. About this time Capt. Stockton returned, and the orderly sergeant came back on the 30th day of June, having passed an examination as First Class Lieutenant.
At 3 o'clock, morning of July 25th, we are on the march, crossing the Appomattox on pontoons, two miles above City Point, and, guided by fires, we push on and cross the James at Curles Neck on muffled pontoons. Find ourselves in support of the 26th Michigan and 2nd Heavy Artillery in a charge on the enemy's works, which are captured with a battery of four heavy guns. James H. Fordyce was wounded, having a thumb shot off. Well we remember our sylvan camp retreat that night—the sound sleep, for oh, how tired we were. In line by 3 o'clock in the morning—later move to right and entrenching for security, a general line being formed. In the afternoon of the 27th it was noticed that the rebels were striking tents and moving to their right. Gen. Miles called upon Capt. Stockton to send some men out to scout for an hour to ascertain the purport or extent of this movement. Serg't B. F. Powelson with three other men responded, who went some distance to the right, making the discovery that the rebels were aiming to turn our flank. From a tree the sergeant could see a distance into the enemy's country, but no very large amount of troops. The attack made by the rebels in about an hour was successfully checked, and, at 2 o'clock next morning our part of the Brigade, serving as rear guard, quietly stole away and followed our troops, who had recrossed the river during the night, returning by night to our old quarters back of Petersburg. The object of this movement by our Corps was a ruse to draw and hold the enemy's forces north of river, while, in the blowing up of a fort, entrance to Petersburg might be made.
The heat becoming intense in camp, we indulged ourselves in building arbors for protection, each Company by turns using the Regimental baggage wagon. On this occasion Co. K was officially complimented as having the best shade and cleanest quarters.
Then came heavy fatigue work in trenches and parallels. Six hours on and six hours off, day and night. K's sober boys will remember the deep study as to what use to make of some hot whiskey issued for stimulants. Some tried stewing their hard tack in it. It did not prove of much value.
In some of the fighting about Petersburg George Johnson was wounded, but not seriously. Ofttimes the cannonading was terrific, and we were maneuvering much and there was constant activity.
When the Second Corps, on Aug. 12, '64, dropped out of their places about Petersburg, K withstood well that fearful jaunt to City Point, though the writer must confess that, owing to the extreme heat and dust it was "nip and tuck" with many of us. While awaiting transports here, on the morning of the 13th, the writer and Sergeant Graham visited the 1st Division hospital to see Miss Mary Vance, a lady from Cross Creek, Pa., whom Co. K claimed, and who all through the war gave her means, time and strength in unceasing, disinterested ministrations to the sick and wounded soldiers. We were also favored with meeting Miss Hancock, of New York, well known as a lady of unceasing patriotic zeal.
Co. K shared in surprise, when, on the morning of the 14th, we disembarked and found ourselves in the locality we occupied on the 26th of July, in Deep Bottom. And now for the first time for many of us we have opportunity of seeing that plain, quiet leader, Gen. Grant, Hancock's headquarters being near where K was left with the colors, while the Regiment was on the skirmish line. For a good part of the time in this second Deep Bottom expedition, Capt. Stockton had command of the Regiment. Co. K and part of Co. D were out on picket the second night, out on the Division's advanced position to the right, and to those who still survive there come vivid recollections of how we made the most and best of our situation, there being a home in the vicinity, with its fruit trees, a corn field and a sweet potato patch. Only things were appropriated as seemed necessary. Magill can tell you what a good supper he and the "Orderly" had together. Lieut. Burns, in charge, and myself are known to have had a dry place on which to sleep a while—a stable door, only borrowed. It was on the next day we shared in that two miles charge, the Confederate Gen. Chambliss' corpse being passed over by K in its advance, and we reached a point about six miles from Richmond. The rebels became alarmed and are heavily reinforced. This was the object of this movement—to divert attention and hold the rebel troops, while the 5th Corps secures a foothold on the Weldon railroad south of Petersburg. Protecting ourselves from being flanked, and the purpose of our maneuvers having been accomplished, on the night of the 20th the James was recrossed. During 18th, Capt. Stockton being in hospital sick, Capt. Pipes assumed command of the Regiment, and on the 20th Capt. Henry took command. We, of K, well remember that never-to-be-forgotten tramp, tramp all the night of the 20th, through darkness, rain and mud; awful and yet laughable, when men get lost, when hats, shoes, caps, etc., disappeared, as the boys stumbled on in brush and darkness. But we reach our old camping ground at Petersburg, only to find things torn up. But what matters! for Uncle Sam has other work for the valiant 2nd Corps, and off we set for the flank movement on the Weldon railroad, the seizing of this road being the main purpose in the movements. Co. K well remembers, too, the part it took in the tearing up of the railroad and its corn roasts over the fires of burning ties; and in the Ream Station engagement on Aug. 25th, in the opening of which the 140th had special work assigned it in the rear and on right, and our experience that night in falling back to a point south of Petersburg near the Weldon railroad, where substantial works were constructed.
At this point, Sept. 27, '64, K lost the First Sergeant, B. F. Powelson, who was discharged to accept a First Lieutenancy in Co. G, 41st U.S.C.T. It was a struggle to break away from comrades who had become so dear through so many days of true soldier life. And I well remember that I almost gave up to my feelings. Corporal George Ralston was promoted First Sergeant, and George A. Hanlin, corporal in Ralston's place.
In the subsequent operations of the Regiment, during the remainder of 1864, Co. K bore well its part in the general movement of the left of the Union army the 27th of October, flanking the rebel works at Armstrong's Mill, on Hatcher's Run, and in the fighting, amid the rigors of winter, on Hatcher's Run Dec. 8th to 19th, Companies D and K, under Capt. Linton, doing special guard duty before and about Ft. Fisher. Again in the early days of February, '65, in repelling the enemy in an attack on our position about Dabney's Mill, Hatcher's Run. And K shared in the marked vigilance of camp life in close proximity to a strong and alert enemy through the winter, and also in the expectancy of an early spring campaign. The Company had lost others from her roll as follows: William A. Jackson, discharged Nov. 2, '64; Jesse J. Morris, transferred to principal musician in the Regiment, Dec. 22, '64; Henry Dickson, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; David McC. Pry, transferred Feb. 6, '65, to Veteran Reserve Corps; Johnson Toppin, Feb. 6, '65, transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps; Norris Metcalf, died March 17, '65, chronic diarrhoea, at home near Eldersville, Pa., and buried in Bethel church cemetery. Two names of persons coming in as recruits had been added to the roll: Frank Stiver, from West Virginia, enrolled as private Sept. 22, '64, and George A. Reed, Cross Creek, Pa., enrolled as private Feb. 27, '65. The number on the roll March 20, 1865, was 53. Of this number Lieut. Cook, Isaac Miller and George Sprowls were in rebel prisons; Wm. Rea, Wm. Hanlin, Jos. Corbin, Serg't Boyd, Robert Dungan, D. J. Butterfoss, Silas Cooke, Andrew Chester, B. F. Hawthorn, George Reed, James Worstell and Robert Meldoon were in hospitals or serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps. This would leave 38 on the front. Lieut. Sweeney was on Division headquarters staff duty, and several were on detached or special duty. So that only about 30 were present in line of battle.