John M. Gosline: Mustered into service on October 12, 1861 for three years service. Colonel Gosline was seriously wounded in action at Gaines’ Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862, and died on June 29 of his wounds. Gosline was born on February 7, 1826, in Medford, New Jersey, the son of John Gosline, a native of Pennsylvania and successful businessman. The younger Gosline’s experience in military service began long before the war when he entered “the National Guards when nineteen years of age,” an organization with which he served for sixteen years. In his professional life he was a successful merchant and managed a lucrative tailoring business in Philadelphia. Fraternally, Gosline was a Mason and member of the Rising Star Lodge 126 in the city. By 1860, Gosline had been elected captain of the company, known as “The Washington Blues”, which was stationed in Philadelphia and based in a building at the corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets. Gosline, “was disciplinarian. He entered the service of the United States as a Captain in the Eighteenth regiment of the three months’ campaign, and at its conclusion reentered, as Colonel of the Ninety-fifth, on the 12th of October, 1861. He marched with his regiment to the Peninsula in time to join McClellan’s army, as it moved up the Chickahominy, being attached to Franklin’s division. On the 27th of May, 1862, the rebel army, having come out from Richmond in strong force, attacked the isolated corps of Fitz John Porter at Gaines’ Mill, the larger portion of the army being on the opposite side of the Chickahominy. Franklin’s division was hurried across to the support of Porter, and in the desperate struggle which ensued Colonel Gosline was killed, and nearly a hundred of his men were lost.”
Colonel Gosline is buried with his loving wife who died in 1890, in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg. (from Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, p. 547 and John T. Scharf, History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, p. 1018. Photo courtesy MOLLUS- PA Museum, Philadelphia)
G.W. TownGustavus Washington Town– Town was mustered into service on September 17, 1861 for three years service and promoted from Lt. Colonel to Colonel on June 28, 1862, after the death of Colonel Gosline. Colonel Town was killed in action at Salem Church, Virginia on May 3, 1863. “Born at Philadelphia on the 28th of August, 1839, (Colonel Town) was descended from a family who had been printers and publishers of that city through three generations. He was himself bred to that business, and was actively engaged in it up to the time of entering the military service. He was educated in the public schools, and graduated at the High School. Fondness for military life was early developed, and at the age of sixteen he joined the Washington Blues, a volunteer organization. When this regiment was recruited for the field, he was made First Lieutenant of Company A, this organization being known as the Eighteenth Pennsylvania. At the expiration of the term of service, he returned and assisted in recruiting the Ninety-fifth (Zouave) regiment for the war, and was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. In the midst of the fierce fighting in the bloody battle of Gaines’ Mill, the commander of the regiment, Colonel Gosline, was killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Town was promoted to succeed him. Being the senior Colonel of the brigade to which his regiment was attached, he acted as Brigadier-General, and for nearly a year, ably and efficiently commanded it; the officers of the brigade, to a man, asking for his promotion to the rank in which he was acting. In the second battle of Fredericksburg, which was coincident with that of Chancellorsville, his brigade formed part of the Sixth corps, General Sedgwick. At Salem Church, where the advance of the corps was met by the enemy, and where the fighting was of unusual severity, he was shot through the heart and instantly killed, while heroically leading on his men, and encouraging them to stand firm, though pressed by superior numbers.
“In these brave ranks I only see the gaps,
Thinking of dear ones whom the dark turf wraps”
“He had participated in every battle in which the Army of the Potomac had been engaged, and was esteemed a gallant and reliable officer. In person he was six feet and three inches in height. He was married but a short time before his death, but left no issue.”(Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, pp. 491-492; photo courtesy MOLLUS- PA Museum, Philadelphia)
Edward Carroll– Mustered into service on September 27, 1861 for three years service, Carroll was promoted on May 10, 1863 from captain of Company F to lt. colonel after the death of Lt. Colonel Hall at Salem Church. Carroll was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. “Lieutenant-Colonel (Carroll) was commissioned Captain of Company F on the 27th of September, 1861, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on the 10th of May, 1863. At Gaines’ Mill, where the regiment suffered severe loss, Captain Carroll was badly wounded. The remaining battles of the Peninsula, the Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Crampton’s Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg, and Mine Run, followed in rapid succession. The spring of 1864 opened tardily, but early in May the (Army of the) Potomac… moved on its campaign under Grant. An officer’s diary contains the following entry: ‘Marched on the 5th, at six A.M., and advancing in line of battle through the Wilderness, effected a junction with the Fifth corps on the right, and encountered the enemy. Became immediately engaged, and drove him steadily back, the two right companies attaining a strong position in the advance, which they maintained during the day and until relieved. In the early part of the day, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Carroll was killed.’ Colonel Carroll was a valuable officer, and fell sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends.”(Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania p. 505; photo courtesy MOLLUS- PA Museum, Philadelphia)
Thomas Jefferson Town– Mustered into service on September 4, 1861 and subsequently promoted from Captain of Company A to major on November 14, 1862. Major Town was seriously wounded at Salem Church on May 3, 1863 and though commissioned as colonel on May 3, 1863, he was not mustered. Unable to rejoin the regiment, Town resigned from service on August 6, 1863 due to disability. “(The) brother of Gustavus W. Town, (he) was born on the 9th of October, 1841. Their tastes were not unlike, and their education was substantially the same. He entered the three months’ service as Second Lieutenant of the company of which his brother was First Lieutenant, and in the Ninety-fifth he was Captain of Company A, from which he was subsequently promoted to Major. In the battle at Salem Church, on the 3d of May 1863, when his brother fell dead upon the field, he made strenuous efforts to bring off his body; but while thus engaged, received a severe and painful wound in the hip, compelling him to abandon the purpose. The field remained in the enemy’s hands, and the body was never recovered. Major Town was commissioned Colonel; but his wound was of so serious a character that in the August following he was mustered out of service ‘for physical disability arising from wounds.’ In stature he is six feet and nearly three inches in height, and well proportioned.” (Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, p. 724)
Elisha Hall– Mustered into service on September 17, 1861 for three years service. Hall was promoted from captain of Co. C to lt. colonel on June 28, 1862. He was killed in action at Salem Church on May 3, 1863. “Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninety-fifth regiment, (Hall) was commissioned Captain of Company C on the 17th of September, 1861, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on the 28th of June, 1862. In the disastrous battle of Gaines’ Mill, where Colonel Gosline, and Major Hubbs were killed, and many brave men lost, the regiment did eminent service. At Crampton’s Gap, in the Antietam campaign, it captured a piece of artillery complete with limber, caisson, and horses, from the noted Cobb Legion of Georgia. Upon the limber of the piece captured was painted: ‘Jenny – presented by the patriot ladies of Georgia to the State Artillery.’ In the campaign of Chancellorsville, to which the Sixth Corps was assigned the duty of carrying Marye’s Heights and moving on the flank of the rebel army. At Salem Church, on the 3d of May, 1863, it was met by superior numbers. The Ninety-fifth was at the fore-front, and, while battling with great constancy and courage, Lieutenant-Colonel Hall was killed. Colonel Town was killed at the same point, and large numbers of his men. Few regiments suffered so great loss in any battle – the record ‘Killed at Salem Church’ being profusely scattered through all its rolls.” (Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, pp. 504-505; photo courtesy MOLLUS- PA Museum, Philadelphia)
John Harper– Bvt. Colonel. Mustered into service on September 17, 1861 for three years service. Promoted from captain of Company I to major on November 30, 1864. Harper was again promoted on February 7, 1865 to lt. colonel. Though commissioned colonel on April 3, 1865, Harper was not mustered into the rank. He was given a brevet rank of colonel on April 6, 1865, and mustered out with the regiment on July 17, 1865.
William B. Hubbs– Major. Mustered into service on August 23, 1861 for three years service. Hubbs had previous military experience with militia organizations prior to the war. He volunteered and served as captain of Company F, 22nd Pennsylvania Infantry from April 23 to August 7, 1861. After being mustering out of service in August, the charismatic Hubbs quickly recruited a company for Gosline’s regiment including a number of men who had served with him in the three months regiment. Hubbs entered service with the 95th Pennsylvania as captain of Company I and was promoted to major on October 1, 1861.
Major Hubbs was seriously wounded at Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862, while leading his wing of the regiment in a charge to drive back a Confederate attack. The wound proved mortal and Major Hubbs died on June 29, 1862, the day that Gosline died. Hubbs’ body was taken home for burial.
David F. Foley- Major. Promoted from captain of Company I to major on June 28, 1862 vice William B. Hubbs, mortally wounded at Gaines’ Mill. Discharged from service on November 13, 1862.
Theodore H. McCalla– Mustered into service on October 5, 1861 for three years service. Promoted from captain of Company E to major on August 6, 1863; to brevet lt. colonel on March 13, 1864. Resigned from service on April 14, 1864. Veteran.
John A. Ward– Major. Mustered into service on September 4, 1861 for three years service, he was promoted from captain of Company D on Feb. 12, 1865 to the rank of major. Commissioned lt. colonel on April 3, 1865, but not mustered into that rank, Ward mustered out with the regiment on July 17, 1865. Veteran
Eugene D. Dunston– Adjutant. Mustered into service on October 12, 1861 for three years service. Later promoted to rank of major, Dunston was killed in action at Salem Heights, Virginia on May 3, 1863.
H.E. Hindmarsh– Adjutant, 1st lt. Major. Mustered into service on October 1, 1861 for three years service as a corporal in Company G. Promoted to 1st lieutenant on September 8, 1863 and appointed adjutant. Hindmarsh received additional promotions to brevet captain on August 1, 1864 and brevet major on April 6, 1865. Not present with the regiment when it was mustered out, he was discharged by General Order on July 17, 1865. Veteran.
Edward B.P. Kelly– Surgeon. Mustered into service on October 19, 1861 for three years service. Discharged on November 2, 1864 by expiration of term of service.
C.C. McGlaughlin– Surgeon. Mustered into service on October 15, 1861 for three years service as assistant surgeon, he was discharged on November 2, 1864 by expiration of term of service. He reenlisted upon appointment to regimental surgeon on December 1, 1864. Mustered out with the regiment on July 17, 1865. Veteran.
Sources:
- Samuel Bates, Martial Deeds of Pennsylvania, T. H. Davis & Co., Philadelphia, 1876
- Samuel Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861 to 1865, B. Singerly State Printer, Harrisburg, 1870; reprint by Broadfoot Publishing, Wilmington, NC, 1993, Volume 5, p. 340.
