Party time.

Across the North, citizens came together to mark the birthday of a beloved American statesman. The nation’s first president was born on February 22, 1732. Nearly a century and half later, as the country was mired in bloody civil war, people looked for a unifying figure. Who’s more unifying than George Washington? That being said, celebrating Washington’s birthday was not a new phenomenon.

In the Union Army encampments across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., it seemed the perfect time for a party with strong sentiments and stronger drink. They were merely acting as President Abraham Lincoln had ordered:

“It is recommended to the people of the United States that they assemble in their customary places of meeting for public solemnities on the 22d day of February instant and celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Father of his Country by causing to be read to them his immortal Farewell Address.”

We’ve been examining the Civil War escapades of the 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry here at Wynning History. How did they mark the occasion?

Luckily, a correspondent submitted a letter to the Pottsville Miners’ Journal and published in early March that describes how the regiment’s officers observed “public solemnities” on February 22, 1862.

Headquarters 96^th Regt. Penna. Vols.

Camp Northumberland, Fairfax Co., Va., February 24, 1862

Dear Journal –

The old, familiar, and truly acceptable Journal, arrives at Camp Northumberland regularly every week, and it is always welcomed by our boys, and its contents eagerly devoured. We are, indeed, much indebted to you for the kindness you exhibit in sending us several copies, gratis, every week.

Thinking that a few lines, regarding the manner in which the 22^nd passed way in camp, may prove somewhat interesting to your many readers, and also to our many friends. I will endeavor to inform them.

The day was ushered in by the booming of cannon in all directions. Company C’s battery was brought out, and a national salute fired. The Band played all the national airs. It was the intention of Lieut. Col. Frick, (Col. Cake being absent) to read Washington’s Farewell Address to the regiment, but owing to the inclemency of the weather, this important part of the programme had to be dispensed with. A sumptuous dinner was prepared and served up in excellent style by the cook, Louis Bocam (who has been dubbed “Honest Lou”) for the officer’s mess.

In the evening, a majority of the officers assembled at the hotel; Lieut. Col. Frick being among the party, acted as chairman.

After stating the object of the meeting, the chairman proposed “the memory of the immortal Washington.

Toast – The ladies, not of Alexandria, but the Ladies – Lieut. Col. Frick.

Capt. Boyle responded in his usual happy manner.

Song – “Donald Blue” – Lieut. Coyle

Song – Lieut. Charles Dougherty

Toast – The Schuylkill County Volunteers – Capt. Boyle

Lieut. Royer responded, paying a high tribute to the gallant sons of old Schuylkill.

Toast – Lieut. Col. Frick, may he be in heaven in three days before the devil knows he is dead – Lieut. Boyer, Company K.

Lieut. Col. Frick responded.

Toast – The charge of the 96^th – Captain Boyle.

Lieut. Boyer, Company D responded.

Toast – The memory of the gallant sons who fell defending the flag of our country at the taking of Fort Donelson – Capt. Anthony

Song – “Hurry up the Cakes” – Lieut. Byrnes

Toast – Arlington Heights – Capt. Boyle.

Lieut. Boyer, Company E, responded.

Anecdote by Lieut. Royer.

Music – “Washington’s March” by the Band

Toast – “Washington’s March” – Lieut. Col. Frick

Music – “Red, White, and Blue” – Band.

Song – “Drink it Down” – Lieut. Chas. Dougherty

Song – “Halla-loo-ja-rum” – Lieut. Royer.

Music – “Yankee Doodle” – Band.

Anecdotes related by Lieut. Col. Frick, Capt. Anthony, Capt. Budd, Lieut. Royer, and Lieut. Boyer of Company D, caused much merriment.

Music – “Pivot Waltz” – Band

Toast – Major Martin of the 96^th – Capt. Boyle

Major Martin responded.

Music – “Comin’ Through the Rye” – Band

Toast – Old Rye – Lieut. Col. Frick

Anecdote by Capt. Anthony.

Song – “Bonaparte on the Isle of St. Helena” – Lieut. Charles Dougherty.

Toast – The memory of Napoleon – Lieut. Col. Frick.

Music – “I’ll think of thee, Maggie” – Band

Toast – The Band, may the devil and poverty always be a day’s journey behind them – Lieut. Boyer, Company K.

Music – “Gay and Happy” – Band

Toast – The storming of Arlington Heights – Captain Boyle.

Capt. Hay responded.

Music – “Pop goes the Weasel.”

Patriotic Toast by Lieut. Chas. Dougherty.

Music – “Plain Waltz” – Band

Patriotic Toast by Lieut. John Dougherty

Song – The Pilsen Serpent” – Louis Bocam

Toast – The Health of Honest Lou – Lieut. Col. Frick.

Dance – Sailor’s Hornpipe” – Honest Lou

Toast – Old Schuylkill County – Capt. Hay

Captain Boyle responded

Toast – Our worthy commander, Colonel H.L. Cake – Lieut. Col. Frick

After a few remarks, Capt. Boyle proposed a toast – Dublin.

Music – “Bold Sojer Boy” – Band

Toast – The President of the United States – Major Martin

Comic Song – “Why didn’t you get Married while you were Young?” Lieut. C. Dougherty.

Music – Medley by the Band.

Song – “Landlord, Fill the Flowing Bowl” – Lieut. Royer.

Music – “Pivot Waltz” – Band

Song – “Katy Dear” – Lieut. Charles Dougherty

Music – “Dixie Land” – Band

Song – “Shells of the Ocean” – Lieut. Boyer, Company D.

Scotch song by Capt. Anthony.
Music – “Hail Columbia” – Band

Song – “The Star Spangled Banner,” by the party

Music – “St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning – Band

The hour for closing having arrived the party adjourned, and all declared themselves exceedingly gratified at the pleasant manner in which they had passed the evening.

I must not close without saying a few words in regard to the Band. Few are there who reside in Schuylkill County, that have not often listened to the sweet and soul-stirring music of the Pottsville Cornet Band, and since their departure from Pottsville, they have improved so rapidly, under the excellent leadership of N.J. Kehr, that it compares favorably with the best in the service; in fact. I feel justified in saying that few bands can equal, and none excel the Regimental Band of “ye gallant 96^th.”

Fearing of trespassing too much upon your precious time, I’ll conclude. If acceptable, more anon.

LeRoy. R.

I imagine that “exceedingly gratified” points to the buzz brought on by sixteen toasts over the course of only a few hours.

But…

This may not be all as the writer made it out to be.

His story was refuted by the regiment’s executive officer, Jacob Frick in a subsequent issue of the Miners’ Journal. 

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Featured Image: A Civil War party!