John Mason

[dylan.56th]

John Mason was born in 1831 and died in 1897. He was in the 56th PA infantry and was wounded at Gettysburg, I was wondering if there was any info on him?

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

John Mason was born in 1831 and died in 1897. He was in the 56th PA infantry and was wounded at Gettysburg, I was wondering if there was any info on him?

On 5/1/1864 he transferred into the Veteran Reserve Corps
- History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865

VETERAN RESERVE CORPS
(Originally the Invalid Corps.)

The Invalid Corps, which was the forerunner of the Veteran Reserve Corps, was organized under authority of General Order No. 105, War Department, dated April 28, 1863.
A similar corps had existed in Revolutionary times as is shown by a Resolve of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, adopted June 4, 1781, and concurred in by the Senate, July 6, 1781, providing that there be furnished to Captain Moses McFarland, commanding the Invalids doing duty in and about Boston, 146 pairs of overalls, 146 hunting frocks, 146 hats, 146 knapsacks, and 146 pairs of stockings, and that the same be charged to the United States.

The Invalid Corps of the Civil War period was created to make suitable use in a military or semi-military capacity of soldiers who had been rendered unfit for active field service on account of wounds or disease contracted in line of duty, but who were still fit for garrison or other light duty, and were, in the opinion of their commanding officers, meritorious and deserving.

Those serving in the Invalid Corps were divided into two classes: Class 1, partially disabled soldiers whose periods of service had not yet expired, and who were transferred directly to the Corps there to complete their terms of enlistment; Class 2, soldiers who had been discharged from the service on account of wounds, disease, or other disabilities, but who were yet able to perform light military duty and desired to do so. Such men were allowed, under General Order No. 105 above referred to, to enlist in the Invalid Corps. As the war went on it proved that the additions to the Corps hardly equaled the losses by discharge or otherwise, so it was finally ordered that men who had had two years of honorable service in the Army or Marine Corps might enlist in the Invalid Corps without regard to disability.

By General Order No. 111, dated March 18, 1864, the title Veteran Reserve Corps was substituted for that of Invalid Corps, and this title is used in almost every case in the present work, whether the reference is to transfers and enlistments prior to March 18, 1864, or to those made subsequent to that date.

The men serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps were organized into two battalions, the First Battalion including those whose disabilities were comparatively slight and who were still able to handle a musket and do some marching, also to perform guard or provost duty; the Second Battalion being made up of men whose disabilities were more serious, who had perhaps lost limbs or suffered some other grave injury. These latter were commonly employed as cooks, orderlies, nurses, or guards in public buildings. There were from first to last from two to three times as many men in the First Battalion as in the Second, and the soldiers in the First Battalion performed a wide variety of duties. They furnished guards for the Confederate prison camps at Johnson's Island, Ohio, Elmira, N. Y., Point Lookout, Md., and elsewhere. They furnished details to the provost marshals to arrest bounty jumpers and to enforce the draft. They escorted substitutes, recruits, and prisoners to and from the front. They guarded railroads, did patrol duty in Washington City, and even manned the defenses of the city during Early's raid in July, 1864.

An excellent sketch of the history of the Veteran Reserve Corps may be found in Volume V, Series III, of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, pages 543 to 568.

There were first and last twenty-four regiments in the Corps. In the beginning each regiment was made up of six companies of the First Battalion and four of the Second Battalion, but in the latter part of the war this method of organization was not strictly adhered to. The 18th Regiment, for example, which rendered exceptionally good service at Belle Plain, Port Royal, and White House Landing, Va., in the spring and early summer of 1864, and in or near Washington City in the latter part of the summer and through the fall of that year, was made up of only six Second Battalion companies.
***************************************************************************

Antietam after battle report:

Report of Lieut. Col. J. William Hofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania
Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain.

HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,
Camp at Hunter's Gap, September 15, 1862.
CAPT.: I have the honor to report the operations of the Fifty-sixth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers since the morning of the 14th instant:

The regiment left camp on the left bank of the Monocacy Creek, near the
National road, on the morning of the 14th instant, at 6 a. m. Present for
duty: One field officer, 1 captain, 6 lieutenants, 239 enlisted men. The
regiment passed over the National road toward the South Mountain. At
Middletown our regiment, in common with the brigade under command of
Gen. Doubleday, verged to the right, marching in a north westerly
direction for about 2 miles, when we formed in line of battle and marched
up the mountain. At the crest of it we found Gen. Hatch's brigade warmly
engaged with the enemy. Gen. Hatch's troops forming the extreme right
of our line, we formed in rear of them, and as soon as we had relieved them
we opened fire on the enemy, posted some 40 yards in front of us, in a
corn-field. It was now quite
dark, and the position of the enemy could be ascertained only from the
flashes of his fire. Our men fired continually for about one hour and a half,
when our ammunition gave out. We were at this moment relieved by the
arrival of Gen. Ricketts' division, and, by order of Gen. Doubleday,
we retired 10 paces to the rear, where the men slept on their arms, the
enemy having retired shortly after the arrival of Gen. Ricketts' troops.
The conduct of the officers and men was all that could have been asked of
them. There is every reason to believe that the fire of our regiment was very
destructive to the enemy. This was made manifest by the number of dead
that lay in the morning in front of the position that our regiment had
occupied. The following is a list of casualties occurred during the action:

Killed, 1; wounded, 11; missing, 3 (all enlisted men). I am under obligations
to Lieut. Healy, my acting adjutant, for valuable assistance rendered by
him during the action. At 2 o'clock this morning, by direction of Gen.
Doubleday, I assumed, as senior officer, the command of the brigade,
Capt. Williams, of Company D, succeeding to the command of the
regiment.

Respectfully, yours,

J. W. HOFMANN,
Lieut.-Col., Commanding.

Capt. HALSTEAD,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Doubleday's Brigade.

-----------


Reports of Capt. Frederick Williams, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of
the battles of South Mountain and Antietam.

HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 22, 1862.
LIEUT.: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 15th
instant, while we still remained on the battle-field of the previous evening,
I was placed in command of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers, in consequence of Lieut. Col. J. W. Hofmann, of this regiment,
being in command of the brigade. About 8 o'clock a. m. we left the
battle-field with the brigade, taking a southeasterly course. We soon struck
the pike road to Hagerstown. Following the road for 1 1/2 miles, we
encamped in a field to the right. Here we cooked coffee, and rested about
two hours. We then took up our line of march for Sharpsburg, via
Boonsborough. Arriving at Boonsborough, we took the pike road for
Sharpsburg, which runs a little to the south of west from Boonsborough. We
followed this road to within about 3 miles of Sharpsburg, when we were
drawn up in line of battle to the right of the road, where we remained until
dark, when we changed our position to the ridge on the left bank of the
Antietam Creek. Here we bivouacked for the night. About 10 a. m.
Tuesday, after receiving rations, we changed our position some half a mile
nearer the road. Here we rested until about 5 p. m., when we forded the
creek. After crossing, we were halted some fifteen or twenty minutes, when
we were marched in a northerly direction, and shortly after dark took our
position on Gen. Meade's right. We were here drawn up in line close to the
fence which borders the road. We lay on our arms all night, the line of
pickets being about 40 yards in our front. Just at daylight a rebel battery
planted in the woods on ridge a little to the left of our front opened fire on
us.

Our batteries to the right, and those on the ridge almost directly behind us,
returned the fire almost instantly. This was the opening of Wednesday's
fight. The men lay flat on the found close to the fence from this time (as
both the rebel and our batteries were playing directly over our heads) until
about 10 a. m., when we were marched out to support a battery of two
pieces. We remained but a few moments, the battery being withdrawn, and
we, receiving orders to fall back, moved to the rear in good order, and
formed line of battle some 500 yards in rear of our former position. After
remaining here about half an hour, we were marched off by the left flank,
and, after some little maneuvering, finally took our post on the left of
Gibbon's brigade, forming, with this brigade and Gorman's on its right, and
the Seventy-second Pennsylvania Volunteers on our left, a front line in
support of some thirty-odd pieces of artillery. Here we bivouacked.
Thursday, September 18, we remained in our position in support of the
battery during the day and night. About 8 o'clock a. m. Friday we took up
our line of march for this place, and finally encamped about 2 p. m.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. WILLIAMS,
Capt., Comdg. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Lieut. S. HEALY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Hofmann's Brigade.

-----

HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,
Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 28, 1862.
GEN.: I have the honor to report that our regiment has, since the
report made to you by Lieut.-Col. Hofmann (September 5), been
engaged in two actions, one at South Mountain, Sunday, 14th instant, and
that of Antietam, on the 16th and 17th instant. The conduct of officers and
men was all that could have been asked. In the action at South Mountain the
men stood under a galling fire from the enemy for an hour and a half, until
their ammunition was exhausted. They were at this moment relieved by the
arrival of Gen. Ricketts' division. Having been ordered to retire 10 paces
to make room for the formation of troops under Gen. Ricketts, the
regiment retained that position. The troops of Gen. Ricketts had been
engaged about thirty minutes, when the enemy retired. Our regiment was
then ordered to lie down upon their arms, where they remained during the
night.

The regiment sustained comparatively few casualties in this action, having
1 killed, 11 wounded, and 3 missing. The next morning the regiment was
moved near and toward Sharpsburg, where they lay under the fire of the
enemy's battery for several hours without sustaining any loss.

On the following afternoon the regiment forded the Antietam Creek, where
they were fired upon by the skirmishers of the enemy, not, however,
sustaining any loss; marched in a northeasterly direction about 3 miles,
where they were placed in position, facing the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown
pike. It was now quite dark, and the men were directed to rest upon their
arms; when, on the 17th, at 5.30 a. m., the enemy opened upon us from a
battery about 800 yards to our front and left. The brigade of which our
regiment formed a part had since the afternoon of the 14th been commanded
by Lieut.-Col. Hofmann, of
this regiment, and on this occasion formed the extreme right of our lines.
This position was held until after 12 o'clock, when they were relieved by
fresh troops under Gen. Franklin, and the regiment, in common with
other regiments of the brigade, was moved to the left and rear a distance of
about a quarter of a mile, where it rested for several hours. Between 4 and
5 o'clock p. m. the regiment, in common with other regiments of the
brigade, was placed in the front line of battle, being one of the three lines
formed by command of Gen. Sumner in read of a long line of artillery.
The line had scarcely been formed when the enemy opened fire upon us,
throwing shot and shell, several of the shells exploding over our lines, but
caused no loss in this regiment. The battery of the enemy was soon silenced
by our artillery. This finished the battle so far as this regiment was
concerned. The men were ordered to sleep on their arms-to be prepared for
action at a moment's notice. The conduct of officers and men on this
occasion was such as to merit my approbation. The general commanding the
division has expressed his approbation of the conduct of the officers and men
in the various battles enumerated below, and recommends that application be
made to the Governor of our State for permission to inscribe upon our flag
the names of the following battles: Rappahannock, Sulphur Springs,
Gainesville, Manassas, South Mountain, and Antietam.

Trusting this may meet the approbation of the Governor, I am, sir, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. WILLIAMS,
Capt., Comdg. Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

A. L. RUSSELL,
Adjutant-Gen., Pennsylvania Volunteers, Harrisburg, Pa.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27



Gettysburg after battle report:

Report of Col. J. William Hofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry.

In the Field, July 11, 1863.
Capt.: I have the honor to report the operations of my regiment
from the morning of the 1st instant to date.

On the morning of the 1st instant, the regiment, under my command,
left camp on the Emmitsburg and Gettysburg road, near
Marsh Creek. We numbered 17 officers and 235 enlisted men for
duty.

We marched to Gettysburg, and engaged the enemy at 11 a. m.
We suffered severely. In twenty minutes our loss in killed and
wounded was over 70.

On the 2d instant, we engaged the enemy on the ridge in rear of
the town. Our loss here was 2 enlisted men killed and 3 wounded.
Total loss: Killed, enlisted men, 10; wounded, 6 officers and 64 enlisted
men; prisoners, 2 officers, enlisted men unknown; missing, 38
enlisted men.

My officers and men did all that could be asked of brave men. Of
the enlisted men it is but just to mention Corporal [Patrick] Burns. of
Company D, acting color-bearer, who was wounded while gallantly
waving the flag in the face of the enemy on the evening of the 2d
instant. Private [George] Nolter, of Company D, was successful in
capturing a major of the rebel army on the morning of the 4th instant.

Of the officers wounded, Lieut. Gordon, Company B, has
since died. A list of names of the killed and wounded is herewith
submitted.*

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. W. HOFMANN,
Col., Comdg. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Capt. Kellogg,
A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 1st Div., 1st Army Corps.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

****************************************************************************************

Report of Maj. John T. Jack, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry.

Report in pursuance of Special Orders, No. 209, from headquarters
Army of the Potomac, dated August 5, 1864.

FIRST EPOCH.

May 4.--1 a. m. left Culpeper, Va., and marched until morning and
halted; at 8.30 a. m. took up the line of march and marched until 3.30
p. m.
May 5.--Engaged with enemy and we were repulsed. In the afternoon
marched on the enemy from another direction, but not engaged.

May 6.--At 5.30 a. m. fight opened. Fifty-sixth, in connection with
Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, charged the enemy's battery, and
for want of re-enforcements were repulsed. Afternoon Fifty-sixth, in
connection with 400 men, representatives of all regiments in the
division, took the works abandoned by the Second Corps and which
were hotly contested for by the enemy, who lost heavily in attempting
to hold them.

May 7.--In line of battle at the cross-roads until evening and then
marched to near the Wilderness Tavern. 10 p. m. took up the line of
march and marched all night and halted at 8 a. m. on the 8th of May,
at which time the Fifty-sixth, in connection with Fourteenth New York
State Militia, were advanced in line of battle, supported by the
remainder of the division.
May 9.--Occasional firing between the skirmishers during the afternoon.

May 10.--Charged the enemy's works twice and were repulsed both
times.

May 11.--Same as on the previous day.

May 12.--Charged the enemy's works again, and were repulsed.
Marched about 2 miles to the left, and during the whole night kept up
a continual musketry fire upon the enemy's works.

SECOND EPOCH.

May 13.--The regiment, in connection with remainder of the brigade,
was relieved at 2.30 a. m. and rested until 7 a. m., and then joined the
remainder of the division near Laurel Hill. At 10 p. m. the regiment
took up the line of march to the support of Burnside, arriving within 2
miles of Spotsylvania Court-House at 6 a. m. of May 14, and then
strengthened the works.

May 15 and 16.--In line of battle.

May 17.--In line of battle; slight change of position, and threw up new
works.

May 18.--In line of battle.

May 19.--The enemy attacked and were repulsed.

THIRD EPOCH.

May 21.--Marched from near Spotsylvania Court-House to near Guiney's
Station, on the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad.

May 22.--Left Guiney's Station and marched until 5 p. m.

May 23.--At 5 a. m. in line and marched to North Anna River.
Afternoon forded the river and engaged the enemy.

May 24.--Regt. mostly all on picket, and captured some prisoners.
About 10 a. m. the remainder of the regiment, excepting color guard,
go on picket on the Gordonsville railroad above Noel's Station. Relieved
at 11 p. m.

May 25.--At daybreak the regiment moved to near Hanover. At 9 a. m.
regiment deployed as skirmishers and actively engaged the enemy.

May 26.--In line, but not engaged. At 9 p. m. took up the line of march
and recrossed the North Anna River at 3 a. m. of the 27th of May, after
which marched until 6 p. m.

FOURTH EPOCH.

May 28.--At 5.30 a. m. left Mangohick and took up the line of march
and marched until 4 p. m., crossing the Pamunkey River.

May 29.--Marched 3 miles and formed in line upon the plantation of
Patrick Henry.

May 31.--Changed position to works deserted by the enemy on the
Mechanicsville road.

June 1.--5 a. m. commenced building new works.

June 2.--Skirmishing all day. Burnside having been taken from our right,
the enemy turned our flank, and the line was obliged to fall back and
take up a new line across the Mechanicsville road.
June 3.--Changed position and build new works.

June 4.--In line of battle and skirmishers sharply engaged. The skirmish
line advanced about 75 yards, driving the enemy before them, and held
the ground, the enemy trying in several attempts to retake it, but failed.

June 5.--Some skirmishing. The enemy tried to regain the ground lost the
day previous, but were repulsed.

June 6.--In the rear reorganizing the corps.

June 7.--Moved to the Chickahominy near the Richmond and
Fredericksburg Railroad.

June 8.--3 a. m. regiment went on picket near the Chickahominy.

June 9 and 10.--Position unchanged.

June 11.--In the evening withdrew the pickets and marched all night.
Rested at 7 a. m. on June 12.*

JOHN T. JACK,
Maj., Cmdg. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Vet. Vols.


Source: Official Records
PAGE 636-67 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. [CHAP. XLVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 36. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 67.]

*************************************************************************************


Report of Maj. John T. Jack, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry.+

FIFTH EPOCH.

June 13, at 3 p.m. took up the line of march, and marched until 1 a.m.
on the 14th of June, halting near Wilcox's Landing, on the James River.

June 15, remained in camp.

June 16, crossed the James River, and at 3 p.m. took up the line of
march and marched until 3 a.m. on the 17th of June, and camped within
about five miles of Petersburg; 6 a.m. moved to near Petersburg and on
the road leading to that place and put up works.

June 18, advanced on the works deserted by the enemy and crossed the
Suffolk railroad; p.m. charged the enemy's works and were repulsed.
Many of the men advanced so far that they were unable to return until
after dark. At night threw up works.

June 19 to 30, a continual musketry fire was kept up by both sides on
account of the close proximity of the works to each other.

July 1 to 30, an unceasing musketry fire kept up during the whole
month.

JOHN T. JACK,
Maj., Cmdg. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. LII.] THE RICHMOND CAMPAIGN. PAGE 480-80
[Series I. Vol. 40. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 80.]