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151st PVI State Color, July 1863

Alfred Moll
151st PA Regiment Infantry, Company "H".

Private Alfred Moll (b: 7 July 1843, d: 25 June 1916, 5th Gen) served in the 151st PA Regiment Infantry, Company H. This unit was recruited in Berks County. He enlisted 18 Oct 1862 in Harrisburg, PA, at age 18. He was mustered out 27 Jul 1863 also in Harrisburg, PA. Alfred Moll lived in the northwestern part of Berks County, in Straustown, PA.

Alfred Moll was born was born 7 July 1843 in Maiden Creek, PA. He was the oldest son of George (b: 5 Aug 1816, d: 1 Mar 1876, 4th Gen) and Susanna (Unger) Moll (b: 28 Jan 1843, d: 27 Dec 1861). George Moll was a miller.

He was the older brother of Private Richard W. Moll (b: 1845 d: 16 November 1864, 5th Gen) of the 17th PA Cavalry. Private Richard W. Moll was killed in action at Stevenson's Depot, Va. on 16 November 1864.


The 151st PA initally rendezvoused at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg where it was organized. The government issued the 151st smooth-bore muskets, not as accurate as the newer rifled muskets carried by the veteran troops. The reasoning was that the scatter-shot loads - "buck and ball" - though not accurate, were bound to hit something in heated close combat. On Thanksgiving Day, 1862, the 151st was assigned to Bull Run Creek at Union Mills at Fairfax Station, Va.


Union Mills, Virginia, 1863. Encampment of the 151st PA

By mid-February the regiment was transferred to Belle Plain, Virginia. "We left Camp Casey," Bernville farmer Alfred D. Staudt wrote in his diary, "at about ten o'clock marchtd [marched] out to the railroad and then we went on the cars. When we were about 2 miles the cars ran of [off] the track the horse cars fell upside down and we get the horses all safe out when we came to Alexandra [Alexandria] it was six o'clock." A day after they arrived at Belle Plain - and found only pine brush for beds and ponchos for tents - it started to snow. "It is snowing all day and we have know [no] stove in our tand [tent] we were near frozen it is so cold."

Other soldiers described long, cold, snowy days and nights on the picket lines. Many were sick; some died. The 151st had well over 100 men on sick-call at any given time. "Lying out in the snow and rain without shelter and being wet to the skin not having a dry thread to my body, I have been afflicted ever since with rheumatism."

From a hospital in Union Mills, Va., one soldier wrote: "My disease is typhoid fever but am doing well as could be. Tell Mother not to fret about me for I think I shall be around in a few days. Accommodations are comfortable. I am in a large barn about forty feet square, well white-washed with lime. The Sanitary Commission furnished us with a complete outfit of flannel shirts and drawers."'

Most of that winter they drilled. New Springfield rifles were issued to replace their smooth-bore Harper's Ferry muskets. Much later, Lt. Col. McFarland wrote of the significance of that equipment change: "New Springfield rifles were issued, and almost by accident I learned that men who could knock the eye out of a squirrel or take off a bird in the woods at home with old smooth-bored rifles were uncertain of hitting a five-foot target with their Springfield rifles. I saw at once they were unfit to meet in deadly battle the well-drilled enemy, until they were entirely familiar with their weapons and confident of their power to use them efficiently. I therefore took every occasion . . . to secure target practice, being once summoned to General Reynolds' headquarters to answer for firing permitted near my picket line out of hours. But the result justified the means, and my men entered the Battle of Gettysburg good marksmen, pleased with their guns and conscious of the power to hold their own with any enemy they might meet. "

Chancellorsville
May, 1863

In Feburary 1863, the regiment was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, which was stationed near Fredicksburg, Virginia, as part of an exchange for battle depleted units of the Pennsylvania reserves. As a large portion of the Federal army maneuvered above and around the Confederate army around Fredricksburg in late April 1863, the men of the 151st recieved their first taste of combat during a servere artillery bombardment at Franklin's Crossing, near Chancellorsville on April 30th. The 151st was not heavily engaged at the battle of Chancellorsville, but lost 16 men, killed, wounded and missing when artillery bombarded their position. The men were "very much confused and startled .. at the shells coming so unexpectedly and rapidly". Many of the Confederate shells passed overhead, but several men were injured by the frantic horses which stampeded during the attack. Several men were struck by shells.

On May 2nd, the regiment marched to the United State's Ford, and crossed the Rappahannock. It was stationed to the right of the Federal line but saw no action during the battle. During May 3 & 4, the regiment occupied a position on the picket line between Ely's and Germania Ford roads, where it engaged in several sharp skirmishes with Louisiana troops. The 151st then withdrew to White Oak Church, VA where it encamped.

Gettysburg
July, 1863

Few regiments in the Union army displayed more intrepidity, coolness and heroism than the 151st PA during the three days' battle at Gettyburg, Pennsylvania. During the battle, the regiment suffered 337 casulaties from an engaged strength of 467 officers and men, which ranked as the second highest total regimental loss within the entire Federal army during the battle. The vast majority of those losses were incurred in less than an hour on July 1st.

July 1st, 1863


July 1863 photo near Herbst's woods, where General Reynolds was killed on July 1st. The men in the photo are looking southeast from the swale near the McPherson farm. The right flank of the 151st PA was located approximatley where they are standing in the photo.
The march to Gettysburg commenced on the June 12th, the right wing of the Federal army composed the First and Eleventh Corps, under General Reynolds, made a forced march of one hundred and five miles in three days. As the Confederates pushed into Pennsylvania, Reynolds followed, and on the 1st of July, his cavalry under Gen. Buford, met the head of the enemy's columns and commenced the battle. The First Federal Brigade, now commanded by Colonel Chapman Biddle, arrived upon the field at at about 10:30 A.M. and took position on the extreme left flank of the corps.

The 151st PA, under command of Lt. Col. McFarland held the left of the brigade line. About noon, the Confederate fire started. The 151st was ordered back to a hollow to support Cooper's Battery, which was subject to constant fire. As it moved into position, it was informed of the fall of Gen. Reynolds. With Gen. Rowley in command, the regiment moved forward to the top of a ridge to the west of the Luthern Theological Seminary, where it remained for some time in reserve. As the battle increased in size and fury, the 151st was called upon to slow the advance of General Pettigrew's 26th North Carolina brigade.


Woodcut of the 151st's fierce encounter with the 14th South Carolina near the Luthern Theologial Seminary, July 1st, 1863
At about 2:30pm the 151st advanced into the grove west of the Seminary and moved into a breastworks. The situation was becoming desperate for the Federal army, as only about 800 men were available to repel Pettigrew's 2,500 men advancing from the west. The 151st, with their strength of 467 represented the last of the Federal reserve. By this time the Confederates were moving in force against the Federals, who were facing thrice their number. A gap was soon opened between the brigades of Col. Biddle of the 121st PA and Col. Meredith of the 20th New York, which was threatening the entire left wing.

In perfect order, the Regiment moved forward and closed up the broken line. Not yet gaining position, men began to fall. "That was the first sight I had of the Rebel Stars and Bars. There was a full regiment from 50 to 100 yards in front." The 151st was ordered to fire by regiment, then load and fire, fire at will." The situation heated up as the enemy came within 50 feet of the 151st. "Every man stood up to the work and fought like a tiger without a single exception. Our poor boys fell around me like ripe apples in a storm. God bless them. They were heroes - everyone of them."

In a few minutes the Union's 24th Michigan Iron Brigade fell back, uncovering the right of the 151st. The enemy line extended far beyond to the left, thus exposing the left of the Regiment as well. Lt. Col. McFarland explained: "I felt we were holding the lines in front in check handsomely. I could not close my eyes to the galling fire on both flanks, which was doing far more execution than from the front. Receiving no orders to retire, I held my Regiment in position until nearly every third man had fallen. I gave the order to retire, firing.". I shot five times," Bernville's Alfred Staudt would write in his diary, "then I were shot threw (sic) my left arm and in my left leg." The color bearer for the 151st, Sgt. Adam Heilman, a clerk from Reading, was badly wounded while carrying the state colors. A bullet struck his arm, another hit him in the chest, while yet another passed through his cap. "Just as we were ordered to fall back," one 151st veteran remembered later, "there came an old man wearing citizen clothes. He said to me 'For God sake, don't let them devils in the town tonight.' My answer was "Old man, we must obey orders." "As we slowly retreated the enemy did not immediately follow us. After we reached the Theological Seminary Grove, we halted and took position behind the rail entrenchment."


The monument, west of the Seminary, marks the engagement of the 151st against the 26th North Carolina.
The 26th North Carolina suffered losses of 584 men of the 800 who marched upon the field. Their 73% casualties was the greatest loss of any regiment during the three days battle. The 151st loss was 69% casualties, the third greatest loss during the battle. A distance of only 20 yards separated the regiments during their engagement.

The position of the 151st in front of the Seminary today is the site of the seminary tennis court and is not owned by the National Park Service. At this position the reminants of the 151st faced a fresh Confederate brigade of five South Carolina regiments. They attacked the 151st position fiercely with the 14th South Carolina in their immediate front. "Then the Rebs outflanked us and got a cross-fire, and we had to git. Lt. Col. McFarland had his horse shot and he was standing within three feet of me. He said: 'Retreat men, fall back in good order.' Just then, he fell shot through both legs. I stopped to help him but he said: 'Never mind me but run.' As I always obeyed orders, I did run so fast the Rebs could not catch me."

"I know not," said Col. McFarland in his official report, "how men could have fought more desperately, exhibited more coolness, or contested the field with more determined courage." But the battle was too unequal to continue long. During the battle at Seminary Ridge, the 151st' commander, Lt. Col. McFarland was shot down, receiving severe wounds in both legs. Col McFarland lost his right leg to amputation, and the use of his left leg. Although confined to a wheelchair or bed for the rest of his life, McFarland was a teacher and principal of the McAlisterville Academy in McAlisterville, PA. The Academy later became the McAlisterville Orphan’s School. In 1870, McFarland became superintendent of Pennsylvania’s Orphan’s School system and served a three year term, having urged for many years that a state wide system of schools be established for children of soldiers and sailors who died during the Civil War.

Retreating for the second time, the 151st made directly for the town, thinking they would be able to make another stand, but to their surprise, the Confederate Cavalry cut off their retreat through Gettysburg. Some did get through the town and reformed to the south on Cemetery Ridge. A roll-call that night for the 151st had only 90 men answering to their names. By the next morning, more stragglers came into camp. That put the total remaining of the 151st at 119. Many of the 151st found themselves behind enemy lines and were taken prisoner, 75 in all. Capt. Owens assumed command and took position in support of a battery in rear of the cemetery.

July 2nd and 3rd, 1863


Location of the 151st PA on July 2nd and 3rd, 1863
July 2nd was a typical summertime day in Southern Pennsylvania. The temperature had climbed into the mid-80's by the afternoon and there was only a slight wind. With the wounding of Col. McFarland, and the depletion of the ranks due to the fierce battles on July 1st, the 151st was combined with the 20th New York State Militia and Colonel Theodore Gates took temporary command of the combined two regiments.

The men of both regiments were resting quietly near Cemetary Hill, with fresh supplies of ammunition being distributed to the troops. By noon, the entire Federal Army of the Potomac, had reached Gettysburg. The opposing armies were about a mile apart. About 4pm, the Confederates attacked both to the south and north of the regiments, and their officers watched tensley for signs of a rebel assult. However the serious action was occouring to the south where after furious fighting, the Confederates broke through and were advancing towards the Little Round Top hill. To the north, a brigade of Georgians attacked Cemetary Ridge but were driven back with heavy losses. At about 5pm, the Confederate attacks spread south towards the center of the Union line. The 151st PA and the 20th NY militia were dispached to the crest of Cemetary Ridge, but were not engaged in combat. Indeed, the battle-weary units were probably greatly relieved to see the Confederates retiring westward back to Seminary Ridge. About 10:30pm the fighting died away after about six hours.


Looking to the west towards Seminary Ridge, the field on which Pickett's charge occoured, July 3rd, 1863.


Pickett's Charge towards the Federal lines, July 3rd, 1863.


The fighting at "The Angle"


Hand-to-hand fighting at the stone wall.


The fighting at the "Clump Of Trees"


The "Clump Of Trees" on Cemetary Ridge, Gettysburg. The 151st PA, along with the 20th New York was on the Federal line at about this position during the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, July 3rd, 1863. This location later became famous as the "High Water Mark" of the Rebellion.

July 3rd started with a strange quiet at Gettysburg. As noon approached, the heat and humidity lulled many to sleep. The skirmishing between the two armies had subsided. The peaceful interlude was shattered about 1pm when the vast array of Confederate artillery thundered. Captain Cook of the 151st later wrote: "... a continuous stream of missles of every kind poured in upon and over our heads... we hugged the ground behind the low pile of rails which partly concealed us and awaited our destiny with such composure as we could muster. Again and again a shot struck one of these rails and knocked it around to kill or cripple men lying behind it. Again and again pieces of exploding shells would hit some one in the line with disabling or fatal effect. There was no getting away".

After the bombardment ceased and the smoke lifted, the men of the 151st looked out to the west at the open fields and saw the Confederates marching towards them. "... every eye could see his legions, an overwhelming restless tide of an ocean of armed men sweeping towards us." wrote Lieutenant Haskell. As the rebel forces approached the valley between the Emmitsburg Road and Cemetary Ridge, Col. Gates ordered the men to their feet and they instantly "opened a warm fire" into the attackers. The entire Federal line seemed to come alive as thousands of rifles fired nearly at once. However, the Confederates kept coming.

The line of Confederates attacking towards the 151st PA and 20th NY were the Virginia brigades of Generals Garnett and Kemper. Despite being exposed to heavy cannon and canister fire, the rebels pushed relentlessy towards their objective. General Armistead's troops joined the other two brigades, which concentrated a deep mass of troops directly opposite the Federal troops just north of the 151st PA. The sheer weight of their attacking momentum lunged the Confederates forward and they gained a toehold along the wall, just north of the trees near "the angle". Other pockets of Confederates breached the Federal line further south. In the words of Lieutenant Haskell ".. the fate of Gettysburg hung upon a spider's single thread!".

A number of Federal troops rushed towards the Confederates, including Col. Gates combined 151st PA and 20th NY brigade. As they scrambled, they loaded and fired into the mass of Virginians. At the time none of them could have realized that they would be participating in the climax of the battle, at a place we now know as the "High Water Mark" of the rebellion. The fighting was building to a climax, the outcome was uncertain. "... the contest for the posession of the hillside and fence was especially obstinate, and for a considerable time the chances of success appeared to favor first one side, then the other", wrote Col. Gates. "Each seemed to appreciate the fact that the posession of the heights was all-important, and each fought with the utmost desperation.".

For those involved in the battle at the Clump Of Trees, time seemed to stand still as it had on July 1st. "Our regiment was in again in the very heart of it" wrote Lieutenant Blodget. Sensing his troops could not remain long in this exposed position, Col. Gates wrote that he screamed out that the enemy was running and promptly ordered a charge. "The order was promptly obeyed and with a deafening shout and a galland clash, the combined regiment were in the breastworks and the boasted chivalry threw down their arms". The 20th NY and 151st PA advanced to the fence and poured a volley into the Confederates at very short range. They had gained a measure of revenge for the rough handling the Confederates had given them during the first day's battle.

The Confederate charge had started and ended in the space of about one hour. Out of the roughly 12,000 Southerners who stepped off from Seminary Ridge, about half were killed. In contast, the Federal forces lost about 3,300 men. Lieutenant Blodget was leaning on his elbow after the charge watching the retreating Rebels, when a miniball struck him in the hand, covering him with dirt and debrits. Blodget was proud of his depleted 151st and relieved by their survival. At dusk the 20th and 151st were relieved and withdrawn to a point near General Meade's headquarters.

Col. Gates was proud of his combined brigage and pointed out the fact that the two regiments were either engaged with the enemy or occupied a position in the front line, from the beginning of the battle on the morning of July 1st until it's close on the evening of July 3rd.

Lieutenant Blodget reported to his hometown newspaper: "Gen. Reynolds was killed, but for our boys - the tears start at the thought of them and blot the page. Most of them said not a word, using only some exclamation when hit. I hardly heard a groan. (Pvt. Wilbur) Kimbell fell within three feet of me. I spoke to him but he never groaned. He was shot through the heart. Marcus Jaquary was shot through the temple. I did not know that (Sgt. James) Lott was hit until after the battle. He fought on, though how I do not know. He was wounded early but kept his place and fought until the last battle was done."

Mustering Out

The heroism displayed by the 151st Pennsylvania in this battle is unsurpassed. It went into the fight with twenty-one officers and four hundred and sixty-six men. Of these, two officers and sixty-six men were killed. Twelve officers and one hundred eighty-seven men were wounded. There were one hundred missing, leaving an aggregate loss of three hundred and sixty-seven.

"At Gettysburg," said Gen. Doubleday, who commanded the First Corps, "they won, under brave McFarland, an imperishable fame. They defended the left front of the First Corps against vastly superior numbers; covered its retreat against the overwhelming masses of the enemy at the Seminary, west of town, and enabled me, by their determined resistance, to withdraw the corps in comparative safety. This was on the first day. In the crowning charge of the third day of the battle, the shattered remnants of the One Hundred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania, with the Twentieth New York State Militia, flung themselves upon the front of the rebel column, and drove it from the shelter of a slashing in which it had taken shelter from a flank attack of the Vermont troops. I can never forget the services rendered me by this regiment, directed by the gallant and genius of McFarland. I believe they saved the First Corps, and were among the chief instruments to save the Army of the Potomac, and the country from unimaginable disaster."

At six o'clock on the morning of the 6th, the regiment moved with the army in pursuit of Lee, coming up with his rear guard at Funkstown on the 12th, and his main body near Williamsport on the 14th. That night the enemy escaped. Its term of service had now expired. It was, accordingly relieved from duty on the 19th and returned to Harrisburg and was mustered out on the 27th.

'History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861-65' by Samuel P. Bates


September 12th, 1889. Veterans of the 151st PA gathered around their monument at Gettysburg.


** Alfred Moll (1843 - 5 July 1888, 5th Gen) married Emma Boltz on 16 Sep 1865. She was the daughter of Issac Boltz. They settled in Jefferson TWP, Berks County and had at least two sons: Charles Lloyd (b: 6 Apr 1866, d: 19 Jan 1936, 6th Gen) and Lehman H. (b: cir 1871 d: 14 Apr 1952). Charles Lloyd was born in Tulpehocken Pa.

Charles Lloyd Moll married Catherine Filbert Obold in Dec 1886. They had 5 sons and one daughter:

Charles Lloyd Moll attended Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was as controller for city of Reading for 3 terms; a teacher at Penn Township School; a Grocery Store Owner, and between 1917-1926 was Chief Clerk for American Express. He died of a stroke on 19 Janurary, 1936, and is buried at St. Thomas Cemetary, Bernville, PA.

** Information about Alfred Moll and his desendents kindly provided by Rick Moll, Grassy Creek, NC. Rick Moll is a grandson of Abner Moll; a great grandson of Charles Lloyd Moll, and a great great grandson of Alfred Moll.

There is a book available about the 151st PA.

Dreese, Michael,THE 151ST PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS AT GETTYSBURG

Jefferson, 2000. 200 pp.; M, maps; illus; photo; This unit, near the end of its 9-month term, served bravely in actions against Pettigrew's North Carolinians on July 1 and in repulsing the Charge on July 3. The 151st PA lost 72% of its men, 2nd highest percentage loss of Federal units at the battle. $45.00

Butternut & Blue
3411 Northwind Rd
Baltimore, Maryland 21234
Phone: 410-256-9220


Engagements

Fought on 13 January 1863 at Union Mills, VA.
Fought on 1 & 2 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 1 & 3 July 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.

Alfred Moll
614 State Filed: Pennsylvania
Widow: Emma E. M. Moll

July 28,1890 filed for disability
July 6, 1918 filed for widow's pension