Artillery Corps Washington Grays

Est. 1822

Two soldiers are standing next to each other in front of a picture

From Volunteer Corps to National Guard: The Washington Grays

The Washington Grays of Philadelphia, also known as Volunteer Corps of Light Infantry, Light Artillery Corps, Washington Grays, Artillery Corps, Washington Grays, was a volunteer regiment of the United States. Formed in 1822 in Philadelphia, the regiment became part of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1879.

Picture this: Bell Crown Shako, circa 1832

Early Leather Bell Crown Shako of the Artillery Corp Washington Grays circa 1832

Formation

Some members of the Second Company of Washington Guards who were veterans of the War of 1812, resolved on April 19, 1822, to form a Volunteer Corps of Light Infantry with gray uniforms of American cloth. "In whatever civic function, where there was the least degree of military flavor the Grays was always expected to perform its distinctive part, and for over fifty years it stood unrivalled in this respect."

The Corps made its first parade July 1, 1822, with four officers and forty-two men, under command of Captain John Swift.

Picture this: M1833 Short Artillery Sword and Baldric
Original Artillery Corp Washington Grays, Short Artillery Sword and Baldric. This short, Roman style sword was the Army standard in the 1830’s

Navy sword with white strap, black handle, and gold accents.

The Washington Grays in Civil Unrest and National Events

The Washington Grays served in the Philadelphia nativist riots of January 1844, and in the Kensington and Southwark riots in May and July of the same year. In 1846 the Corps tendered its services, through the Governor of Pennsylvania, to the President of the United States, as United States infantry during the Mexican–American War. The tender was not accepted, but five members of the Corps served as officers in the Regular and Volunteer Army.

The Corps acted as a guard of honor for the remains of ex-President John Quincy Adams, while lying in state in Independence Hall, March 7, 1848. The last and most important event in which the Corps participated, just before the breakout of hostilities in 1861, was the firing of the salute at the raising of the first thirty-four-star United States flag over Independence Hall, by President-elect Abraham Lincoln, on the morning of February 22, 1861.

A long, brown rifle with metal accents lies horizontally against a white backdrop.

Picture this: Model 1855 Rifle Musket that saluted President-Elect Lincoln

The Washington Grays were issued a stand of muskets in 1860, of which this is one of the two which is still in our possession. On his way to his inauguration on March 4th President Lincoln stopped in Philadelphia and gave a speech at Independence Hall in late April. The Washington Grays were the honor guard at this ceremony. There is a photograph of the unit in formation in during the ceremony. Lincoln was invited to raise the first 34-star flag as part of the proceedings. When he raised the flag, the Grays fired a 34-round volley. This weapon was one of those that fired the salute.

American Civil War

The American Civil War broke out when Fort Sumter was fired upon on Friday, April 12, 1861, and capitulated on Sunday the 14th with no lives lost. The President issued his proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand men to deny Southern independence and defend the Union. The Grays held a meeting and resolved to offer its services at once and recruit the unit to its full strength. It was determined to form two companies.

The two companies which were attached to the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Frank E. Patterson. There was delay in starting because the government insisted that no troops should be allowed to leave for Washington unless fully equipped and able to successfully repel an attack similar to that made upon the 6th Massachusetts Regiment while going through Baltimore in April, 1861.

Antique drum with eagle design and drumsticks, plus two framed historical documents.

Picture this: Regimental Drum, First Regiment Gray Reserves 1861

As the Gray Reserve Regiment was organized and staffed, the necessary military materials for a regiment were gathered.

We have a standard pattern, for this period, a military drum manufactured by one of the premier firms, Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia. Most likely one of several ordered for the formation of a regiment and based on information retained it was purchased and immediately given to a sign painter to add the unit designation to the regulation pattern eagle on the face. “First Regiment Gray Reserves”

Documented history indicates that the initial drum roll for “Assembly” was struck on the top head of this quality instrument. This would be followed by untold additional drum signals during the turbulent years of conflict.

The original receipt for payment to Allen and Wyand, House Painters and Sign Painters, who painted the words “1st Regiment – Gray Reserves” on this Army Drum and received $1.00 for their services.

Forming on the west side of Washington Square on May 8, 1861, the regiment marched to the railroad depot at Broad and Prime Streets and started for Washington. As soon as it became certain that the two companies A and F recruited as a part of the Seventeenth Regiment would be actively engaged in the field, a reserve corps was formed. The reserve was made up of the honorary and contributing members of the "Artillery Corps Washington Grays" over 45 years of age. The first Colonel was Peter Clarkson Ellmaker, and the name adopted was "Washington Gray Reserves," which the popular tongue soon corrupted into "Gray Reserves." The Grays formed the 118th and 119th from their ranks ("The Corn Exchange Regiment" and "The Gray Reserves," respectively).

Picture this: Colonel Herring photo and medals, 118th, Washington Grays
This Memorial display to Colonel Charles Herring includes his Washington Grays Belt Buckle, his 118th Kepi insignia, and his Old Guard Medal and cap patch. The Old Guard was composed of Civil War Veterans who were members of the Washington Grays.

Shadow box display of Civil War artifacts: photo of Col. Charles Boring flanked by military items.

The Corps, while being largely represented at the front during the war, still maintained its organization at home, and in the fall of 1862, during the incursion of Robert E. Lee's army into the north in the Antietam campaign, organized a company of one hundred and twenty-five men, which became Company "A" of the 21st Pennsylvania Militia, and during Lee's second incursion in 1863 in the Gettysburg campaign, on June 30, organized a full Company "A," and part of Company "B", for the 49th Pennsylvania Militia.

Picture this: Three presentation sabers are on display from leaders in the First Regiment and Washington Grays.

Naval officer's sword with ornate gold details and a black handle. A vintage photo of the officer is displayed alongside.

Colonel Peter C. Ellmaker:

Joined the Artillery Corps Washington Grays and became its 5th Commander. In 1861 he commanded the First Regiment Infantry – Gray Reserve, and in July 1862 help organize and commanded the 119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War. As part of the First Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps, the 119th earned 10 battle streamers, from Fredericksburg to Appomattox. He was a key figure in organizing the Veterans Corps- First Regiment in 1875. 

Display of a saber, portraits, and text panels. Saber has a gold hilt and black grip, flanking portraits and descriptive text.

Captain J. Ross Clark:

Commander Company D , 32nd Pennsylvania Militia. He would later become Lieutenant Colonel of the First Regiment and served during the Pennsylvania Labor riots of July-August 1877.

A sword with a gold handle and scabbard displayed with a portrait of Captain William C. Ward.

Captain William C. Ward:

An Honorary Member of the Artillery Gray Washington Grays, he served as its president for many years.  He was Lieutenant Colonel of the 115th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac, from November 1861 through April 1863.

Picture this: Examples of military epaulets worn, in all cases, by members of the ancestral soldiers of the Dandy First.

The earliest examples being the M1833 brass shoulder scales worn by enlisted personnel, in this case members of the Washington Grays. Both decorative and implemented as a means of protection from saber blows on the shoulders of enlisted ground troops. Very rare are these first pattern examples and these are also attributed to individuals in the Grays.

Display case with a sword and gold-trimmed epaulets and medallions, likely historical military artifacts.
Two gold brass Civil War-era shoulder scales on red cloth, with photo of August Rudolph.

In addition, we find examples of the recently designed, M1851 pattern, dress epaulets as worn by military officers in the Civil War and into the last decades of the 19th Century.



One pair shown, with original tinn carrying case, being those of the first Lieutenant Colonel of the First Regiment Gray Reserves Richard H Rush. He would leave the command to organize and command the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Rush’s Lancers.

Picture this: Etched Marble Plaque of Fallen WG Members

This marble plaque contains the names of 23 men who had been members of the Washington Grays before the Civil War and who subsequently gave their lives during the war. When the war broke out the 17,000-man Federal Army had to quickly grow to over 2,000,000. The old 80-man unit of privates and sergeants became cadre for many active-duty regiments in addition to the two units, the 118th and 119th Regiments, that the Grays initially expanded to. The fallen members listed on the plaque died while serving as officers or senior NCOs in 10 different units.

Marble memorial plaque with engraved names on a red brick wall background.

The Corps was incorporated April 15, 1867. The regiment served in the railroad riots at Pittsburgh and Scranton in 1877.

National Guard

In February 1878, when the National Guard of Pennsylvania was being organized, the Corps was increased to a battalion of four companies. Company "A," the original company, was divided, part of it forming the nucleus of Company "D." On July 31, 1879, the battalion was consolidated with the Weccacoe Legion Battalion and formed the Third Regiment N. G. of Pennsylvania. On December 11, 1879, the Governor issued an order consolidating companies "A" and "D" of the Third Regiment, and assigning the consolidated company to the First Regiment N. G. of Pa., as Company "G." At the same time, the "Artillery Corps, Washington Grays," disappeared from history as a separate and independent military organization. The First Regiment NG is perpetuated by the 103rd Engineer Battalion.

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A group of soldiers marching in a field with an american flag
A black and white photo of soldiers standing in a line
A group of soldiers are sitting in a muddy trench.
Soldier in WWII uniform looks determined, face dirty, in trench. Other soldiers, grassy field.
Three soldiers in tan camouflage gear with weapons, outside.
Soldiers in masks handing bags to a person outside, likely food assistance.