Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part III

Chance Harris Returns From The Civil War

We left Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris at Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co., Virginia as he Mustered Out of Union service with his regiment on 28 May 1865 after nearly 3 years as a soldier and prisoner of war. The troops of the 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers, returned to Rochester, Monroe Co., New York on the evening of 31 May 1865 and were met by a large crowd at the train station and thence escorted to Court House Square. The troops were formed, and the Rochester City Mayor gave a welcome speech to the 108th. Afterwards, the soldiers were escorted to the Brackett House for a meal described as "excellent." The soldiers reported to the Fair Grounds the following day where they awaited their final pay and discharge. Thus, the Civil War was finally at an end for Chance Harris.

The 1865 New York State Census shows Chance as 24-years old in his father's household at Rochester. For the next 10 years, however, not much can be found about Chance's life. An obituary in a Detroit newspaper indicates that Chance spent three years there after the Civil War, probably from 1866-1868, moving to the West in 1869. The same source states that Chance was a Civil Engineer participating in survey work for the Northern Pacific Railroad. This was probably the work that took Chance to the West; however, the Northern Pacific's construction proceeded very slowly and had come to a multi-year halt by 1876. Chance's involvement with the railroad may not have lasted nearly that long. Chance also was intimated to have been a Scout during the Indian Wars in northern and eastern Montana in the early 1870s, and an account exists of Chance passing through Fergus Co., Montana Territory in company with a detachment of soldiers seeking a party of Indians who were on the war path. An obituary of Chance's father, Daniel Harris, locates Chance at Camp Baker (later Fort Logan), an Army post 18 miles northwest of White Sulphur Springs, Meagher Co., Montana Territory in 1875. While not definitive, Chance's presence at Camp Baker indicates some affiliation with the U.S. Army.

Newspaperman at Butte, Deer Lodge Co., Montana Territory 

Chance Harris became a resident of Butte, Silver Bow Co. (then Deer Lodge Co.), Montana Territory about 1876 after removing from Alder Gulch, Madison Co., Montana Territory. Butte was a mining camp where gold, silver, and later copper were to spur rapid growth into a major city during its heyday. What brought Chance to Butte is not known, but he was reputed to have written for newspapers in the East and elsewhere, perhaps as a Correspondent, and exhibited a great talent for writing as shown by his Civil War letters. Chance became known as a newspaper man over about 4 years in Butte. Several sources state that Chance was the first City Editor of The Butte Miner ca. 1876-1878. Chance later would be noted for his ability to "sniff out" stories and chase down leads.

In August 1878, Chance was at Smith River, Meagher Co., Montana Territory, apparently the guest of Mr. Ford of the Ford & Patterson Ranch (also identified as the Potter & Ford Ranch in one account). Mr. Ford returned from an antelope hunt on 20 August, and the men engaged in dressing the antelope in or near the same room where a herder, George Meadows, lay sick. Mr. Ford remarked that the trigger of his rifle seemed to pull hard whereupon Chance examined the gun and began tinkering with the lock mechanism. Unfortunately, the rifle was loaded and discharged, the bullet striking George Meadows, resulting his death several days later. The death was viewed as accidental as no further record of the incident is found in newspapers of the day.

The Frontier Index was established at Butte in September 1878, this being the earliest date that Chance Harris could have become City Editor although his actual starting date is not known. One story relating Chance's zeal as a newspaperman occurred on 14 September 1879. A well-known and liked man named Carver stepped into the street after spending some time in the Centennial Saloon and declared himself to be "the best man in the West," presumably an invitation to take on all comers. What Mr. Carver and other residents of Butte didn't understand was that a newly passed ordinance against disturbing the peace had taken effect. Mr. Carver began to fight when Policeman Giles Brownell asked him to quiet down. Soon Policeman Joe Campbell and the Marshall became involved as a mob gathered in support of Mr. Carver. At this point, Chance Harris pushed his way into the mob, asking questions for a newspaper story in the making. He was taking notes when one member of the mob struck him a tremendous blow that knocked him off his feet. In response, Chance published a headline that evening that read "Blood!" in large black letters, which one commentator said may have been "more personally suggestive than many of the readers imagined."

Chance Harris was very supportive of the local schools while a newspaperman in Butte. He facilitated a benefit performance by the Le Petre-Hudson Company, a minstrel show, in November 1879, for which he was mentioned in a Card of Thanks by R. B. Hassel, Superintendent of Schools. Chance also signed a petition to the School Trustees ca. June 1880, requesting that an act of the Territorial Legislature "to enable the people of Butte to erect a school house" be resubmitted to the voters of  Deer Lodge County School District No. 3.

The 1880 federal census lists Chance Harris as an Editor living in the household of R. F. Wilkinson, publisher. Somewhat typically, Chance gave his age as 52, an inflation of 14 years. This practice continued for the rest of life because at the time of his death at age 56, Chance was claiming to be 69 years old. Perhaps Chance maintained his inflated age to enhance his self-description as "the old slouch of the mountains." Chance left his employment with the Frontier Index on or before 14 September 1880 to engage in prospecting and mining.

Conflict Between Woodchoppers of European and Chinese Origins

The whereabouts of Chance Harris and his exact activities during most of 1881 are not clear but he seems to have been based in Butte because he was called as a witness to the shooting of  Jesse B. "Tex" Sanders by Samuel A. Kennicott (who claimed self-defense) in that city. Chance testified that he had left before the killing occurred but had overheard words between the two parties before he left. Chance's testimony for the prosecution showed that Kennicott was trying to avoid a conflict, which probably did not help the prosecution's case!

During 1881 and subsequent years, the burgeoning number of mines and smelters in the vicinity of Butte drove demand for timber and fuelwood, respectively. By June 1881, a Jos. Broughton & Co. was advertising for 500 woodchoppers and haulers. Appropriate forests for wood harvest were found in the mountains some distance from Butte. One such location known as Highland Park or simply Highland was in the headwaters of Basin and Blacktail creeks south of Butte. Chinese laborers were reported to be working as woodchoppers for half the wages expected by woodchoppers of European origin. At the time, anti-Chinese sentiment was rife in the West and seems to have infected non-Chinese woodchoppers as well, although there seemed to be no shortage of jobs as evidenced by the Jos. Broughton & Co. advertisement for woodchoppers.

One report in early 1882 described Chance Harris as leader of the Woodchopper's Union although this may have been figurative, not literal. What is known is that Chance, with James Matingly, unfortunately led an armed group of 213 armed men on 18 December 1881 to scatter and disperse a group of about 40 Chinese contract woodchoppers working in Highland Park for a man who had a wood contract with the Colorado and Montana Smelter. Constable "Cap" Owen had ridden out to prevent the attack, which fortunately was bloodless, but could not control the armed woodchoppers who determined to scatter the Chinese woodchoppers before Chance Harris and several others submitted to arrest as the ringleaders. Chance was said to have been released on $2,500 bail.

Constable Owen returned to Butte to organize a posse of about 20 men who went back to Highland Park on 20 December 1881 and made seven arrests although one unnamed ringleader was said to have escaped during their return to Butte. On 24 December, Chance appeared before Justice Wilcox, waived preliminary examination, and was released on $500 bond to await Grand Jury proceedings on a charge of  "unlawful assemblage and interference with private rights." While out on bail, Chance was involved in arranging and promoting a Wrestling Match held in Renshaw's Hall. One can guess that Chance got some share of the proceeds of the Match, which he may have needed as he was delinquent $19.04 on his 1881 tax bill and did not own any real estate.

Butte held a Washington's Birthday Carnival on 22 February 1882. The parade, which was roundly mocked by a Letter to the Editor of the Independent-Record newspaper of Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., Montana, featured a parade wagon, among others, with a banner motto, "an ax is great[er] than a Chinese pipe." The author of the letter claimed that Chance Harris had said the motto was intended to keep the question of excluding Chinese woodchoppers from Highland Park in the minds of jurors currently in session. Less than a week after the Carnival, the men holding Chance's $500 bond asked to be released from their obligation, which was granted, leaving Chance no choice but to await trial in jail. Of the 6 men taken before the Grand Jury, only Chance Harris and James Matingly were indicted. Chance sought a separate trial, which occurred on 4 March 1882. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty. Chance was fined $100 plus $58 costs and remanded to jail until paid. Chance either would not or could not pay the fine and thus remained in jail until the amount of the fine was considered redeemed at $5 per day served. His release came on 11 April 1882.

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part II

Chance Harris After the Battle of Gettysburg

Chance Harris survived the bloody Battle of Gettysburg during the first week of July 1863, as recounted in the previous post, but more battles were ahead. The Battle of Bristoe Station was next on 14 October 1863 at Bristow, Prince William Co., Virginia, followed by the Battle of Mine Run in Orange Co., Virginia, which lasted from 26 November until 2 December. The 108th Regiment was not involved in further major action until the following spring. In the interim, General Ulysses S. Grant had assumed his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States in March 1864 and placed his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac.

The 108th Regiment's first major engagement of 1864 was the Battle of the Wilderness in Orange and Spotsylvania counties on 5-7 May, immediately followed by the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Spotsylvania County that extended until 21 May. Chance Harris then was engaged in three battles in quick succession in Caroline and Hanover counties between late May and the second week of June 1864:  the Battle of North Anna, the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, and the Battle of Cold Harbor. Between 15 and 18 June, the 108th was in the Second Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Assault on Petersburg. This was followed in a few days by the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, also known as the First Battle of the Weldon Railroad, still in the vicinity of Petersburg, Virginia. The First Battle of Deep Bottom in Henrico Co., Virginia came, after a month's respite, on 27-29 July 1864. The Battle of the Crater occurred near Petersburg the following day; however, the 108th occupied a flanking position, and the men were spared the debacle that cost many Union troops' lives in the Crater.

Captured by Confederate Troops

The Second Battle of Deep Bottom took place on 14-20 August in Henrico Co., Virginia with the 108th engaged in three days of heavy fighting followed by several marches and river crossings. On 25 August 1864, during the Second Battle of Ream's Station (part of the Siege of Petersburg) in Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, Chance Harris was captured by Confederate troops on the Weldon Road and taken to Petersburg. As a prisoner of war, Chance apparently was incarcerated at three Petersburg prisons:  Libby Prison, Belle Isle Prison, and the Pemberton Buildings. It appears he subsequently was held at Danville Prison in Danville, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; at least passed through an unknown facility at Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina; and was held at Salisbury Prison in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina. Chance eventually was moved back to Petersburg, Virginia to Castle Thunder (there was another Castle Thunder in Richmond, Virginia) and Libby Prison before being paroled on 22 February 1865.

Confederate Prisons

The timing of Chance Harris's movement between these Confederate prisons is somewhat uncertain, and several references to captivity in his obituaries give sometimes contradictory information. A common thread, however, is that Chance participated in several prison escapes or attempted escapes, including by tunneling. In the absence of these details, Chance's own writings at least mention the places in which he was held while a prisoner.

"THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH REGIMENT. Members of the 108th Regiment and all veterans of the Civil War will read with interest the following extract from a letter received by George H. Washburn, Secretary of the 108th New York Volunteers from Chance L. Harris of Company F, of the same regiment, now [1893]  residing at Butte, Montana. . . . 'Your letter of August 29th and the valuable Gettysburg medal are before me. . . . I feel that I owe an apology for not writing you something concerning my remembrance of the dark days when we soldiered together in the South. Of myself I had and have nothing to say but what is well known, at least to those who wore the blue with us. I do not know that I ever "straggled," and do not call to mind a single instance when I failed to draw my full allowance of "rations." True, I was privileged in witnessing a trifle more of the "internal workings" of the Rebellion than the majority of the boys who fought under the 108th banners, and was more favored by the hospitality received at the hands of the enemy at Petersburg, Libby, Belle Isle, Pemberton Buildings, Danville, Greensborough, Salisbury, Castle Thunder, and Libby again, but I doubt if the boys manifest jealousy on that account. I thought you had sufficient for your history, and recognize, even at this date, that I only filled my place as a member of Company F of the old regiment.'. . ."
-- George H. Washburn, A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894. (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, Press of E. R. Andrews, 1894), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, Fifteenth Annual Reunion; pp. 432-433

Following his parole and arrival on Union soil, Chance was first assigned to Camp Parole in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. He subsequently was granted a 20-day leave and traveled to Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, the place where he had enlisted in the 108th Infantry Regiment nearly three years before, to visit his family. Chance was assigned to Camp Distribution in Alexandria, Fairfax Co., Virginia on 9 May 1865 under the assumed name of "Henry L. Harris," presumably because of his parole status. He Mustered Out as Sergeant (some records show Corporal) with his regiment at Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co., Virginia on 28 May 1865.

Shortly after being paroled, Chance penned a letter to his hometown newspaper describing some of the horrors he encountered as a Confederate prisoner of war. In later years, Chance said little of his Civil War experience, and never formally joined the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic), so we are fortunate that he related his observations before the end of the War.

"LETTER FROM A RETURNED PRISONER. . . . The following letter from Chauncey L. Harris, is full of interesting information respecting the fate of many of the 108th, and is graphically written: U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION, ANNAPOLIS, MD., Feb. 29.} DEAR EXPRESS:-Once again we-of course we do! Its rather hard work to get the old machine started after six months of inactivity.-However, we overhaul the working parts, lubricate them thoroughly, raise the steam, and away she goes, reeling off a few miserable thoughts and non-brilliant ideas, which we jot down regardless of expense and consequences.

On the morning of the 21st of February, we issued forth from the old prison, whose name has become as familiar as household words, to soldiers particularly, and all Yankeedom generally, and whose walls, had they but the power, 'could a tale unfold' of misery, suffering most wretched, and even death; a tale that make 'the blood of the uninitiated run cold.' Aye, even a worse tale than the poor, emaciated, ghost-like, skeleton wretches, late prisoners of the place, with eyes deep 'sunck in the socket,' flagging steps and listless air could speak. but to resume Casting one glance at the barred and boarded windows of the old brick front, we hastened toward the wharf at Rocket's where lay the steamer Wm. Allison. Once on board and steaming down the James, the unspeakable joy which filled our hearts, and was so plainly depicted on the countenances of all, burst forth in songs; and we noticed, too, that phizogs, whereon a smile had not been even for months, lit up once more, and perhaps a sly joke would escape from their usual[l]y close[ly] pressed lips.

Nine o'clock A. M. brought us to the landing at Varina, where were some twenty-five hundred paroled rebs awaiting the boat. Crossing the bend in the river we found the steamers New York, Geo. Washington, Winonah and George Weems in readiness to take us aboard.

Down the river through Hampton Roads, up the Chesapeake Bay, and eleven o'clock A. M., Feb. 22, (to-day) finds us landing from the Winonah at Annapolis. A brass band stands on the wharf welcoming us by playing the Star Spanged Banner. That we should remove chapeau and swing her once, was but natural, and we did it. And there, too, we beheld once again the smiling countenance of Dr. Ely, of 108th N. Y., as he hurried to and fro attending to the sick, providing those unable to walk with an additional blanket and a 'stretcher.'

Soon in line, we started for the camp, through Maryland mud, knee-deep in some places, over your shoes in many, and most decidedly nasty in all. Just as soon as circumstances would permit, we invest a small amount in stationary, wind up the 'old box,' throw ourselves horizontally on a bunk and indite a few lines to the Express, for the express purpose of giving expression to our ideas in regard to the Southern Confederacy, as well as some little information in regard to a few members of our regiment, which will be of vast importance to all their friends, news most cheering to some, while to others the tale I have to tell is sorrowful indeed.

Those captured at Reams Station, on the Weldon road, the 25th of last August are as follows: Orderly Serg't F M Thrasher, Co F; Sergeant Finch, C; Serg't. G. Henry Downing, B; Serg't. Chillson, B; Serg't. Provost, C; Corp. Fassett, C; Lyman, C; Card, A; Billings, A; McDonald, E; Fred. Frey, F; Geo Van Chyver, G, Corp'l. Ed Ambrose, G; Hines and Boughton, H; Neon, J; Buffton, J; Thoraton and Wilson, K. The latter named person, who is known in the regiment as 'Billy Wilson,' I am sorry to say, has forever disgraced himself and company, as well as broken his oath, by taking the oath of allegiance to the S. C. After lying on Belle Island for nine months [NOTE:  Probably should be nine weeks - R. A. Post], we were all sent to Salisbury, N. C., the worst prison the Confederacy contains. For the first few days after our arrival there, we fared very well. Those provisions, however soon run short, as more prisoners came in, and we often went a week and ten or twelve days at a time without a particle of meat. Nothing but bread with occasionally a little sour molasses. For twenty days we lay outside with no shelter, not even blankets. Then two small tents were issued to every 100 men. There were in all ten buildings in camp. One large three story brick, (an old cotton factory,) and the other little small buildings one story high. The prisoners however were not allowed to enter these, they being at first used for work shops, &c, but subsequently all converted into hospitals for the sick. If our rations were poor, those issued in these rude hospitals were worse. If in any respect the sick were better off than those who remained outside, it was only in that they were sheltered from the cold and rain, for they had no blankets nor even straw to lie on.

Every morning the dead were stripped of their poor ragged clothes, and carried to a small house reserved for those that died. Toward noon a negro came into camp with his lumber wagon drawn by two black mules, and attended by a guard. Then 'twas a sight most horrible and discouraging to the living met the eye.-Those cold inanimate forms of those once brave soldiers were brought out and thrown roughly into the cart, piled up like cordwood, a leg often hanging over the side and severed by the wheels in their evolutions, and then, the load complete, the driver mounts, and the heap of clay is taken outside and dumped into a hole two or three feet deep, unworthy the name of grave only that it contains the remains of good Union soldiers. From twenty to forty die every twenty-four hours, and I have known as many as seventy to carried out in one day. Every morning more or less were picked up through the camp, who had died from cold and exposure.

But it is useless for me to attempt a description, or relate the horrible suffering, our rough treatment, etc-it requires an abler pen; mine is inadequate to the task. Volumes could be filled with truthful facts of our experience.-Death stalked through that camp, slaying his victims with an unrelenting, cruel hand. The brave and timid, the weak and strong, the gay and sober, all whom he touched with his cold, clammy finger, went down.

It was awful to see with what tenacity some hung on to life, as if they could not die in that miserable hole, so far from home and friends. Ah, life, is dear to all, but Grim Death spares none. Father and son-the aged and young-often both were taken together.

Sergt. Henry Corning, Co. B, one who was strong and healthy, never having seen a sick day in the regiment, was one of the first who fell beneath the blighting, withering hand of disease at Salisbury. As I visited him day after day in the hospital, he seemed to think that he would recover, and only three or four hours before his death he told me smilingly and confidently that it would be so; that he would be up and out again. I sat by his side for an hour or more, talking over past times, and planning for the future, and he entered into the spirit of the conversation as of old. But alas, when I called the following morning he was not more. His spirit had fled, and I found but a cold corpse. Peace to his ashes! In battle he was brave, and knew no fear. On the march, always with his company, never known to straggle, nor grumble at the hard fare and long toilsome marches. In camp, ever ready for duty, always cheerful, never refusing a favor to a comrade, loved and respected by the men and esteemed by his officers. But he is no more. His faults were few, his virtues many. God rest his soul.

Hines of Co. H. and McDonald of Co. E. were also victims to the disease so prevalent at the time; the former was sick for some time, while the latter died in two or three days after he was taken. Both were good soldiers, but my acquaintance with them was very limited. The remainder of our Regt. were sick at different time, but were still alive when I last saw them some two months ago. Orderly Thrasher and Frederick Fray, Co. F. are here at Annapolis and well.

Adversity, has indeed worked wondrous changes in that people, formerly known as the Southern Chivalry. Our sojourn of six months duration, has finally convinced us of this fact; true, our visit was involuntary, and caused by unforseen as well as unavoidable circumstances, 'yet we were thar.' In the days of their posperity, a guest from the north was treated with some respect, but now, because miserable themselves, they seem to take delight in making every one about them so too. Visiting the South in other days, you were shown the best room, a sable individual awaited your orders, and the best was set before you. But in these days 'tis different, at least I found it so, at the Hotel I put up at; viz: the Hotel de Libby. There we will confess we lived high, on the third and fourth floor; but at meal time instead of a hatless 'dark,' informing you that your repast awaited you in the adjoining room, an uncouth looking individual, attired in ragged grey and wearing an old slouched hat, ascends to our room, sings out in a drawling tone peculiar to the lower class, south; fall in you old Yanks! Woe be unto him who is slow, for the 'kicking Sergeant' is ever on hand, and with the toe of his boot, gives the tardy a forcible remainder, that they are still prisoners in the hands of rebs. Let the sufferer, five minutes after, hand him a $20 in confederate 'deeds' to bring in a few loaves of bread, and you find him as accommodating as can be, for well he knows, that at least two-thirds of the 'scabs' goes into his pocket.

Breakfast is served at the same hour as formerly, namely, 10 a. m., and dinner at 3 1/2 or 5 p. m, and supper at-well you can suit your self as to the hour, for Johnny Reb has not the honor of serving that, consequently the meal is taken imaginatively. The bedding of those lucky enough to possess such a commodity, is usually 'hung upon the floor,' and as the shade of night comes down, all generally retire; some to sleep, and perhaps to dream of home and loved ones. Again he is seated in the family circle, or at the festive board, surrounded by friends; but again the pleasant dream is rudely dispatched, by the groans of a sick companion at his side, who courts the god of sleep in vain. But our letter grows lengthy, hence we 'close,' only staying long enough to add, that you will again hear from. 'ORPHANT.'"
-- Thomas Tryniski (scan), Roger Post (transcriber), Letter From A Returned Prisoner (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, The Evening Express, Thursday, 2 March 1865), Old Fulton New York Post Cards <http://www.fultonhistory.com>

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part I

Scipio Roots of Chance Harris

Gideon Allen, husband of Phebe Beardsley, was among the earliest settlers of the Town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York, removing from the Town of Granville, Washington Co., New York where he was censused in 1790. Storke (1879) places Gideon's Scipio settlement in 1790.

"Gideon Allen, and possibly Ebenezer Witter, the latter of whom accompanied Roswell Franklin in his settlement at Aurora, came in the same year [1790]. Gideon Allen was a cousin of Ethan Allen, and came from Washington county. He settled a little south-west of Scipioville, where his grandson, Lemuel Allen, now lives. He afterwards bought the farm in Springport now occupied by Ethan Allen, another grandson, where he died, aged 97."-- Elliot G. Storke, History of Cayuga County, New York 1789 - 1879 (Syracuse, Onondaga Co., NY, D. Mason & Co., 1879), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, p. 418

Although Gideon and Phebe had many descendants and some remained within Southern Cayuga Co., most continued to move west with advancing settlement. Sally Allen, a daughter, married Samuel Millard Strickland, and removed to the Town of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York. Sally's daughter, Fidelia Strickland, married Daniel Ely Harris and resided at various places in western New York, including Brighton, before settling in Rochester, Monroe Co., New York. Among Fidelia and Daniel Harris's three sons was Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris, the subject of this sketch.

Chance Harris's Youth

Chance Harris was born 4 July 1841 in the western part of the Town of Greece, Monroe Co., New York according to an obituary from a Rochester paper; however, several Allen genealogies give Chance's birth as 3 July 1841 so some uncertainty exists as to the exact date. Daniel Harris moved several times during Chance's youth. Census data place the family in the Town of Rushford, Allegany Co., New York in 1850; Buffalo, Erie Co., New York in 1855; and Rochester in 1860. By this time, Chance was employed as a Clerk and living in his father's household.

Chance Harris's Civil War Through the Battle of Gettysburg

Chance enrolled as a Private in Captain Francis E. Pierce's Company F, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers on 31 July 1862, for which he received a Bounty payment of $25.00 with a Premium of $2.00. Two weeks later, on 15 August, he was ordered to report to Camp Fitz John Porter at Rochester for assembly of the troops. Chance was formally Mustered In to the 108th Regiment on 18 August, and they departed the following day by train for Washington, D.C. via Albany, New York and New York City.

The 108th Regiment was thrown into the Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg, Washington Co., Maryland on 18 September 1862, just one month after mustering in at Rochester. Chance did not face another major action until the Battle of Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia on 13 December 1863. Thereafter, the 108th went into winter quarters at Falmouth, Stafford Co., Virginia where Chance was promoted to Corporal on 28 February 1863. Fighting resumed for the 108th Regiment with the Battle of Chancellorsville in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia from 30 April until 6 May 1864. The Battle of Gettysburg in Adams Co., Pennsylvania followed on 1-5 July.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, Chance penned a letter to his father. This letter was published well after the Civil War in at least one newspaper and in a regimental history and is instructive on the nature of Civil War battles.

"BATTLEFIELD AT GETTYSBURG, July 4, 1863. Dear Father--Another great battle has been fought and now, Wednesday night, we arrived here from Taneytown, and Thursday morning our regiment was ordered to the front, to support the First Regular Battery. During the day we were shelled occasionally and a few of our men wounded. Yesterday forenoon they opened on us again, but were soon silenced by our brass 12-pounders. The enemy could be seen building breastworks for protection from our shot and shells. In the forenoon companies A and C were sent out as skirmishers and had three killed and four wounded. At noon, or near that hour, they were relieved and came in. About 2 o'clock the enemy opened fire from their batteries, thus getting a partial cross fire on us. Our guns replied in good time and order. Our regiment was immediately in their rear and laid down, but many of them suffered severely indeed. It was the hardest fire the 108th ever experienced--perfectly awful--murderous. Not a second but a shell-shot or ball flew over or by us. Large limbs were torn from the trunks of the oak trees under which we lay, and precipitated down upon our heads. One shell came shrieking and tearing through the trees with the velocity of lightning, striking a caisson, causing it to explode, wounding several. Three or four men started to their feet to leave the spot, but Lieutenant Card drew his sword and commanded them to go back and lay down in their places, which they did. Small trees were cut down, and large ones shattered almost to pieces. Five different cannon balls struck a large oak three feet in diameter which stood not five feet from where I lay, and one of them passed entirely through it. A shell struck right at my feet killing Sergeant Maurice Welch and Private John Fitzner. This destructive and murderous fire continued to pour in upon us for more than an hour--in fact until they silenced our batteries, or rather until we had exhausted our ammunition. Very many of our cannoniers were killed or wounded and the most of the horses. Some of our regiment had to help them run their pieces back by hand; General French having taken command of the Third Corps. Brigadier-General Hays (a brother of the Hays of our brigade, who was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville), had command of our division, and I must say I think he is the bravest division general I ever saw in the saddle. Most of the time he was riding up and down the lines in front of us, exhorting the 'boys' to stand fast and fight like men. Shell, shot nor the bullets of the rebel sharpshooters seemed to intimidate him in the least, in fact he paid not the least attention to them nor did his staff officers. Once he rode by and said, 'Boys, don't let 'em touch these pieces,' and in a few moments he rode back again, laughing, and sung out 'Hurrah, boys, we're giving them h-ll,' and he dashed up to the brow of the hill and cheered our skirmishers, who were driving the rebels before them. Soon after our pieces ceased firing the rebels slackened theirs also, and then advanced in three lines of infantry from the woods and across the fields. I never saw troops march out with more military precision. Their lines were unbroken and they looked in the distance like statues. On they came, steady, firm, moving like so many automatons; our brigade now formed in line to receive them, the skirmishers coming in at the same time. The 108th was taken out of the grove, drawn up in line of battle, and then told to kneel down until the word 'fire.' 
The Twelfth New Jersey was on our left, and the 126th New York on our right. Two pieces of the First battery were brought up by hand. When the rebels had advanced about half-way across the field a deadly fire of grape and canister was thrown into them mowing them down like chaff, but still on they came. When within musket range the infantry rose and poured such a shower of leaden hail into them that their lines broke and they fell back in great disorder. They formed again, however, with part of the second line and came on once more, their officers waving swords and telling them to stand fast and not to break or run. Already they had wounded many of our men, who had gone to the rear. We looked about for reinforcements but they were not to be seen. Our ranks were closed again and we prepared to meet them once more. Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce who had command (Col. Powers being sick), was back and forth along the line encouraging the boys and cheering them up by his cool example. All remembered the fair name the Third Division had previously won in battle, and the encomiums bestowed upon us, and every man stood ready to do his duty and preserve that name or die then and there, and indeed many did fall there, but in the front rank facing the enemy. The second time as we poured volley after volley into them their ranks broke, and all was confusion for a time, but their officers rallied them again soon, and they marched forward in a body, but our fire was too tremendously hot for them, and the third and last time they were repulsed and completely routed. Many of our troops rushed down into the field, and hundreds of prisoners, many stands of colors, and any quantity of arms were taken, and here also did General Hayes again show his courage and bravery. Striking his high-spirited steed on the flank with his sabre, he dashed down among the rebels, seized a stand of colors, and carrying them back he rode at a gallop along the front of our lines, laughing and trailing the rebel flag in the dust, and then it was that cheer after cheer went up for him, entirely drowning the sound of the shells that were passing over us.
No other attempt was made by them to advance to our lines. I hear that General Longstreet was taken prisoner by some of our troops and Captain Ellerbeck of the Sixth New York cavalry, just here, says, he thinks we took about 10,000 rebels in all and thirty-five stands of colors. The 108th has suffered seriously. Company F lost 19 men, three of whom are killed. I think the total number killed and wounded is eighty-nine. We have driven the enemy from our right. Last evening two divisions passed through the town of Gettysburg, and are now following them up. Cannonading is heard in the distance and no doubt it is our troops engaging them or else shelling them as they retreat. As it is raining hard I will finish this to-morrow.
SUNDAY, July 5.--11 A. M.--It rained hard all yesterday afternoon and all last night. Many of the enemy lay on the field wounded. They would have been brought in but the sharpshooters picked off our men whenever they showed themselves. How much the poor fellows suffer can only be imagined. One of our skirmishers coming in said a Mississippi captain offered him $100 in gold to bring him in, but when he would raise, a shower of bullets whistled around him. So he left the poor captain to his fate. Our men are now roaming over the field to see what they can find and the prisoners are burying the dead. I have just learned from good authority that our division, the Third, captured sixteen stands of colors, and our brigade, the Second, took 1,800 prisoners. The casualties of the 108th are more severe than was at first supposed. The report this morning shows ninety-four killed and wounded, so we have but one hundred and twenty men left now. There but few regiments in the field that have been cut down to so few in number in so short a space, though we have won a name that every member is proud of, and that other regiments might envy us for. Since the first day we were in the front, and are still here. I have had more narrow escapes than ever before. Men fell by my side, before, and behind me, and several bullets passed through my clothes. I was also struck by a piece of shell on the calf of my leg. A kind Providence seemed to watch over me, however, and I escaped unharmed, for which I am truly thankful.CHAUNCEY L. HARRIS, Co. F, 108th N. Y. V."-- George H. Washburn, A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894. (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, Press of E. R. Andrews, 1894), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, On To Gettysburg; pp. 52-53