As his face brightened I recognized him. It was Wm. Kenedy, of the old company. He was made prisoner May 5th, in the Wilderness. He had escaped from prison, and made his way through the country to our lines, traveling by night, hiding by day, fed by the slaves, nursed by them through a fever contracted in the swamps. Rest, food, and clean clothes soon made him look like himself again.
But my narrative must hasten to a close. We resumed the march, passed through Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and camped at last on Arlington Heights. We participated in the grand review. It was something of more than ordinary interest, to see and compare the two great armies. Most of Sherman's army had but just arrived, and were dusty and travel-worn; while the army of the Potomac had been resting for some time, and looked fresher and more sprightly. The latter wore caps, and the former hats, which gave them a more somber appearance. I was also of the impression that there were more young men in our army than in Sherman's.
June 28th we were mustered out, and started the next day for Harrisburg, where we were discharged, July 2d.
The report of the Adjutant-general of Pennsylvania gives these two regiments, the One Hundred and Ninetieth and One Hundred and Ninety-first, no credit for active service subsequent to the battle of Welden Railroad, August, 1864. At this time, Colonel Carle, of the One Hundred and Ninety-first, and Colonel Hartshorn, of the One Hundred and Ninetieth, were made prisoners, with the greater part of their respective commands, and remained in captivity till after the cessation of hostilities. The remainder of the two regiments acted together as one organization, under command of Colonel Pattee, as mentioned on page 118, until the close of the war. This was by far the longest and most brilliant period of their history; but of this, the public records of the State make no mention. At the time of the muster out, Colonel Pattee was absent, and the report of the One Hundred and Ninetieth was made out by, or under the supervision of, Colonel Hartshorn; that of the One Hundred and Ninety-first by Colonel Carle. We suppose that these officers neglected to insert the names of the engagements which occurred while Colonel Pattee was in command.
The following is a list of the battles in which the regiment took part:
| White Oak Swamp, | 190th | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| June 13, 1864, | 191st, | |
| Petersburg, | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| June 17,1864, | 191st | |
| Weldon Railroad, | 190th, | Col. W. R. Hartshorn. |
| August 19, 1864, | 191st, | Col. — Carle* |
| 2D Weldon Railroad, | 190th, | Captain Birkman.(?) |
| August 21, 1864, | 191st, | |
| Poplar Grove, | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| September 29, 1864, | 191st, | |
| Hatcher's Run, | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| October 27, 1864, | 191st, | |
| Rowanty Creek | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| February 5, 1865, | 191st, | |
| Hatcher's Run | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| February 6, 1865, | 191st, | |
| Gravelly Run, | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| March 31, 1865, | 191st, | |
| Five Forks, | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| April 1, 1865, | 191st, | |
| Appomattox Court-house | 190th, | Col. J. B. Pattee. |
| April 9, 1865, | 191st, | |
| * The two colonels in command, with the greater part of their men, were made prisoners in this battle, after a heavy loss of killed and wounded. | ||
Major R. M. Birkman was born in St. Louis in April, 1837, and spent his childhood and early life in Harrisburg, Penn. He was in Philadelphia when the war was inaugurated by the firing on Fort Sumter, and at once enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves. He was made first sergeant, then commissioned second lieutenant, then promoted to first lieutenant, and after the reorganization, to captain of Company A, One Hundred and Ninetieth Pennsylvania.
At the close of the war he received the rank of brevet major for meritorious service. The following extract shows the esteem in which he was held by the officers with whom he was associated. It is from a letter of Brevet Brigadier-general Gwyn, who commanded the brigade in which he served during the latter part of the war:
"Captain, it affords me pleasure to testify to your bravery, ability, and universal good conduct in the several bloody fights in which your regiment was engaged during the late campaign. In the camp, no less than in the field, your conduct bore testimony to your worth. Sober, steady, and industrious, you set an example worth following."