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Stevens. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Three Years in the Sixth Corps, by George T. Stevens + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Years in the Sixth Corps + A Concise Narrative of Events in the Army of the Potomac, + from 1861 to the Close of the Rebellion, April, 1865 + +Author: George T. Stevens + +Release Date: June 30, 2007 [EBook #21976] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE YEARS IN THE SIXTH CORPS *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David King, and the Online +Distributed Proofreaders Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h1>THREE YEARS IN THE SIXTH CORPS.</h1> + +<h3>A CONCISE NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, +FROM 1861 TO THE CLOSE OF THE REBELLION, APRIL, 1865.</h3> + +<h2>By GEORGE T. STEVENS,</h2> +<h3>SURGEON OF THE 77TH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.</h3> + +<h3>ALBANY: S. R. GRAY, PUBLISHER.</h3> + +<h3>1866.</h3> + +<p class="center">Entered according to act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-six, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center">By GEORGE T. STEVENS,</p> + +<p class="center">in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern +District of New York.</p> + +<p class="center"> +WEED, PARSONS AND COMPANY,<br /> +PRINTERS, STEREOTYPERS AND BOOKBINDERS,<br /> +ALBANY, N. Y. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/gen-sedgwick.png"> +<img src="images/gen-sedgwick-small.png" width="400" height="560" alt="Maj.-Gen. John Sedgwick" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">MAJ.-GEN. JOHN SEDGWICK</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<a href="images/cover.png"> +<img src="images/cover-small.png" width="300" height="468" alt="Cover Illustration" title=""/> +</a> +</div> + + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>The following pages are offered to my old comrades of +the Sixth Corps, with the hope that they may pleasantly +recall the many varied experiences of that unparalleled +body of men. If much has been omitted which should +have been written, or if anything has been said which +should have been left out, I rely upon the generosity of +brave men to treat with leniency the failings they may +detect.</p> + +<p>I have endeavored to present without exaggeration or +embellishment of imagination, a truthful picture of army +life in all its vicissitudes; its marches, its battles, its camps, +and the sad scenes when the victims of war languish in +hospitals. The story is written mostly from extensive +notes taken by myself amid the scenes described; but official +reports and letters from officers have been used freely +in correcting these notes, and gathering fresh material. +The narrative commences with the experiences of my own +regiment; then when that regiment became a part of +Smith's division, its incidents and history includes the +whole. From the organization of the Sixth Corps to +the close of the rebellion, I have endeavored without partiality +to give the story of the Corps. If I have failed to do +justice to any of the noble troops of the Corps, it has been +from no want of desire to give to each regiment the praise +due to it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> + +<p>I cannot close without acknowledging my many obligations +to the numerous friends, officers and soldiers of +the Corps, and others who have favored me with their +assistance. I take especial pleasure in acknowledging the +kindness of Miss Emily Sedgwick, sister of our lamented +commander; Vermont's honored son, Major-General L. A. +Grant, Major-General Thomas H. Neill, Colonel James B. +McKean, Colonel W. B. French, Chaplain Norman Fox, +and Mr. Henry M. Myers. I am also indebted to the friends +of Samuel S. Craig for the use of his diary, extending from +the early history of the Army of the Potomac, to the death +of the talented young soldier in the Wilderness.</p> + +<p>The engravings are nearly all from sketches taken by +myself on the ground, the others are from the pencil of the +well known artist, Captain J. Hope, and all have been submitted +to his finishing touch. Mr. Ferguson has executed +the wood cuts in a style creditable to his art.</p> + +<p>The typographical portion of the work has been done in a +style of beauty and finish for which the work of Weed, +Parsons and Company is so well known.</p> + +<p>18 North Pearl Street, Albany, N. Y.</p> + +<p><i>September 5, 1866</i>.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<p> + 1. Portrait of General Sedgwick.<br/> + 2. Illustrated Title Page.<br/> + 3. The Old Church at Hampton.<br/> + 4. The Quaker at Newport News.<br/> + 5. Charge of the Vermonters at Lee's Mills.<br/> + 6. Charge of Hancock's Brigade at Williamsburgh.<br/> + 7. Charge of the Seventy-seventh New York at Mechanicsville.<br/> + 8. Portrait of Colonel James B. McKean.<br/> + 9. Charge of the Sixth Corps at Burkettsville.<br/> +10. White Oak Church, Va.<br/> +11. Storming Fredericksburgh Heights by Howe's Division.<br/> +12. "What'll Ole Missus do Now?"<br/> +13. Church Call.<br/> +14. Battle of Fort Stevens.<br/> +15. "Why Don't he Come?"<br/> +16. "Going Norf."<br/> +17. Diagram of the Charge of the Sixth Corps, April 2, 1865 +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p><a href="#chapter_i">Chapter I.</a></p> + +<p>A New Regiment goes to the War.</p> + +<p>Organization of the Seventy-seventh N. Y. V.—Departure from Saratoga—Greetings +by the way—New emotions—The noble dead—On board the Knickerbocker—At +New York—Presentation of flags—Beauties of monopoly—Hospitality +of Philadelphia—Incidents on the route—Arrival at Washington—In camp.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_ii">Chapter II.</a></p> + +<p>Army Life at Washington.</p> + +<p>Meridian Hill—Neighboring scenery—First Sunday in camp—Drills—Sickness—The +Hospital—General Casey—"Why don't the army move?"—Washington +blockaded—Burnside's heroes—Orders to move—Something of a train—Smith's +division—Our first reconnoissance.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_iii">Chapter III.</a></p> + +<p>The Manassas Campaign.</p> + +<p>Orders to march—A grand spectacle—Bivouac near Fairfax Court House—The +camps at night—Visits to Manassas and Centreville—Dissatisfaction in the +army—A deserted country—Lawless soldiers—Fairfax Court House—A representative +Southerner—Review by Gen. McClellan—March to Alexandria—"Camp +Misery."</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_iv">Chapter IV.</a></p> + +<p>The Army Transferred to the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>The advance to Yorktown—A thunder storm—"Reliable contrabands"—Facing +the enemy—A strong position—The Union line—A rebel welcome—Digging—On +picket—A dreary country—An enterprising planter—Active work—Battle +of Lee's Mills—Charge of the Vermont brigade—Progress of the siege—Ravages +of disease—A front seat—Short supplies—The rebels withdraw—Entering the +strongholds—Infernal machines—March to Williamsburgh—Victims of disease.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_v">Chapter V.</a></p> + +<p>Yorktown.</p> + +<p>The advance to Yorktown—A thunder storm—"Reliable contrabands"—Facing +the enemy—A strong position—The Union line—A +rebel welcome—Digging—On picket—A dreary country—An enterprising +planter—Active work—Battle of Lee's Mills—Charge of the +Vermont brigade—Progress of the siege—Ravages of disease—A +front seat—Short supplies—The rebels withdraw—Entering the +strongholds—Infernal machines—March to Williamsburgh—Victims +of disease.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_vi">Chapter VI.</a></p> + +<p>Williamsburgh.</p> + +<p>Battle of Williamsburgh—The army not organized—The medical department—Hooker's +gallant fight—Hancock's charge—McClellan at Yorktown—Night on +the battle-field.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_vii">Chapter VII.</a></p> + +<p>The March up the Peninsula and the Organization of the +Sixth Corps.</p> + +<p>March up the Peninsula—Joy of the contrabands—Cumberland Landing—The +Sixth Corps organized—At White House—On the Chickahominy—Fight at +Mechanicsville—Battle of Hanover Court House.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_viii">Chapter VIII.</a></p> + +<p>On the Chickahominy.</p> + +<p>Gaines' Farm—The line of battle—Battle of Seven Pines—Sedgwick and Kearney +to the rescue—Hooker's charge—A lost opportunity—Golden's +Farm—Ditching—Malaria—Chickahominy +fevers—A German regiment—Stuart's raid.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_ix">Chapter IX.</a></p> + +<p>The Seven Days' Battles.</p> + +<p>The army united—Plans and counter plans—Battle of Fair Oaks—Lee's plan—The +situation—Stonewall Jackson on the flank—Battle of Mechanicsville—Joy +in camp—Porter's corps retreats—An astonished army—Battle of Gaines' Farm—Slocum's +division at Games' Farm—Retreat to the river—Battle of Golden's +Farm—A young hero—A Union victory—Our right exposed—The sick abandoned—A +night of sorrow—The grand retreat commenced—Sad scenes at +Savage's Station—A meteor railroad train.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_x">Chapter X.</a></p> + +<p>The Grand Retreat.</p> + +<p>Lee's army in pursuit—Sumner and Smith at Bay—Battle of Savage's Station—The +Vermont Brigade—Sick and wounded abandoned—Retreat to White Oak +Swamp—Battle of White Oak Swamp—An astonished division—A night march—A +mystery—In sight of the James—Battle of Malvern Hill—Departure of the +princes—Gloom and anxiety—Lee's attack—The rebels demoralized.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xi">Chapter XI.</a></p> + +<p>Harrison's Landing.</p> + +<p>March to Harrison's Bar—A scene of confusion—A beautiful landscape—Fourth +of July in camp—Gloom at the north—Cause of the +disasters—Prevalence of +disease—Review by the President—A night demonstration by the +enemy—Reconnoissance +to Malvern Hill—Departure of General Davidson—A retrospect.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xii">Chapter XII.</a></p> + +<p>Retreat from the Peninsula, and General Pope's Bull +Run Campaign.</p> + +<p>Premonitions of a change of base—The transfer commenced—Marching down the +Peninsula—On board transports—A contrast—Arrival at Alexandria—Unaccountable +delays—General Pope's campaign—An obstinate general—Causes of +Pope's failure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span></p> + + +<p><a href="#chapter_xiii">Chapter XIII.</a></p> + +<p>The Maryland Campaign.</p> + +<p>General McClellan restored to command—March through Washington—Leisurely +campaigning—Battle of Crampton Pass—Death of Mathison—Battle of South +Mountain Pass—Death of Reno—Surrender of Harper's Ferry—March to +Antietam.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xiv">Chapter XIV.</a></p> + +<p>The Battle of Antietam.</p> + +<p>The Valley of the Antietam—Gathering of the hosts—The battle-field—The battle +commenced—Splendid fighting of Hooker's forces—Successes and reverses of +Sumner's troops—Timely arrival of the Sixth corps—A gallant charge—Losses +of the corps—Burnside's attack—Hours of suspense—The enemy defeated at all +points—Retreat of the rebels—Scenes on the battle-field—At the hospitals—At +Sharpsburgh—A division of militia—Couch's division joins the Sixth corps—Visit +of the President—Recruits—Energy at the north—At rest—Want of +clothing—Stuart's raid—Delays—Clear Spring—General Brooks.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xv">Chapter XV.</a></p> + +<p>The Second Advance into Virginia, and the Battle of +Fredericksburgh.</p> + +<p>Marching in Maryland—Arrival at New Baltimore—General McClellan superseded +by General Burnside—Thanksgiving in camp—The grand divisions organized—The +march resumed—Fatal delays—In order of battle—The crossing—Fredericksburgh +bombarded—Situation of Fredericksburgh—Scenes of activity—The +Bernard house—Scenes at the hospital—The battle on the right—Charges +of the Pennsylvania reserves—The river recrossed—Reflections.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xvi">Chapter XVI.</a></p> + +<p>The Winter at Falmouth.</p> + +<p>Camp at White Oak Church—"The mud march"—Return to camp—General +Neill—General Hooker supersedes General Burnside—Burnside's magnanimity—General +Hooker as a soldier—Reconstruction—The cavalry organized—Business +departments renovated—The medical department—Ambulance system—Quartermasters' +and commissary departments—Life in camp—Snowball battles—In +the Seventy-seventh—The Light division—Review by General Hooker—General +John Sedgwick—Scene at head-quarters—Review of the army by the +President—Preparing for the campaign.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xvii">Chapter XVII.</a></p> + +<p>The Chancellorsville Campaign.</p> + +<p>Orders to move—The river crossed—Sedgwick's command—The First corps withdrawn—Gallant +conduct of the Light division—Advancing to the heights—The +line of battle—The columns of attack—Attack of Howe's columns—Of Newton's +column—Of Burnham's—Misfortune following victory—Fight of Bartlett's +brigade—The First division at work—A critical position—The Sixth corps +surrounded—Savage fight of Neill's brigade—The corps withdraws to Banks' +Ford—Recrosses the river—Hooker's operations on the right—Position of the +corps—Rout of the Eleventh corps—The rebels repulsed—Jackson renews +the attack—The rebels again repulsed—Hooker recrosses the river.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xviii">Chapter XVIII.</a></p> + +<p>Second Encampment at White Oak Church and the Pennsylvania +Campaign.</p> + +<p>The army in its old position—A trip to Dixie—The wounded at the hospitals—Introduction +of army badges—Adornments of the camps—The "Third crossing"—The +Barnard mansion—Exchanging papers—A broken lieutenant—The +Pennsylvania campaign commenced—Restriction of baggage—A severe march—An +army bathing—At Centreville—Bristow Station—March to Maryland—General +Hooker succeeded by General Meade—Position of the army.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xix">Chapter XIX.</a></p> + +<p>The Gettysburgh Campaign.</p> + +<p>The rebels in Pennsylvania—Panic at Harrisburgh—Alarm at Baltimore and +Washington—Sixth corps leaves Bristow Station—A surprise—General Meade +takes command—Position of the army—Marching through Pennsylvania—An +unprecedented march—Exciting news—Battle of Gettysburgh—Death of Reynolds—First +and Eleventh corps fall back —Second day's battle—The battle-field—Fighting +at Round Top—On the right—The grand onset—The battle +decided—Rebel and Union wounded.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xx">Chapter XX.</a></p> + +<p>Pursuit of Lee's Army.</p> + +<p>Scenes of the field of Gettysburgh—The rebel hospitals—The sightless rebel soldier +boy—The Sixth corps at Fairfield—"Hurrah for the Union"—Kilpatrick's +handiwork—At Waynesboro'—On picket—A division of militia—The Vermonters +at Funkstown—The army at Funkstown—Meade's failure to attack—New +York riots—Return to Virginia.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxi">Chapter XXI.</a></p> + +<p>Camps at Warrenton, the Centreville Campaign and the +Battle of Rappahannock Station.</p> + +<p>Camp at Hart's Mills—A ride to the Sulphur Springs—Contrabands going north—The +Vermonters go to New York—Jersey Brigade at Warrenton—The Sixth +corps at Cedar Mountain—Retreat to Centreville—Battle of Bristoe Station—Advance +to Warrenton—Battle of Rappahannock Station—Flight of Lee's army.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxii">Chapter XXII.</a></p> + +<p>The Army at Brandy Station.</p> + +<p>Encampment at Brandy Station—The Mine Run campaign—Crossing the Rapidan—Battle +of Locust Grove—The army on Mine Run—The order of battle—The +army withdraws—Back at Brandy Station—Reconnoissance to Madison Court +House—Ladies in camp—Chapel tents.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxiii">Chapter XXIII.</a></p> + +<p>The Wilderness Campaign.</p> + +<p>Preparing to leave camp—General Grant in command—The last advance across +the Rapidan—The battle-ground—Battle of the Wilderness—Noble fight of +Getty's division—Hancock's fight on the left—Rickett's division driven back—The +ground retaken—The wounded—Duties of the surgeons—The noble dead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxiv">Chapter XXIV.</a></p> + +<p>Spottsylvania.</p> + +<p>Moving by the flank—The wounded abandoned—The Fifth Corps at Spottsylvania—Arrival +of the Sixth Corps—Getting into line—Death of Sedgwick—General +Wright in command—Battle of the 10th of May—Upton's splendid charge—Battle +at "the angle"—Another flank movement.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxv">Chapter XXV.</a></p> + +<p>The Hospitals at Fredericksburgh.</p> + +<p>The journey from the battle-field—Sufferings of the wounded—A surgeon's letters—Rebel +hatred—Assistance from the north—A father in search of his boy—The +wounded sent to Washington.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxvi">Chapter XXVI.</a></p> + +<p>Coal Harbor.</p> + +<p>At Hanover Court House—The Eighteenth corps joins the Army of the Potomac—The +armies meet at Coal Harbor—Battle of June 1st—Battle of June 3d—Terrible +exposure—The army strikes for Petersburgh—Charles City Court House—A +centenarian—Review of the overland campaign.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxvii">Chapter XXVII.</a></p> + +<p>Petersburgh.</p> + +<p>The march to Petersburgh—Smith's successes—The battle of June 18th—The +Sixth and Second corps sent to the left—Rebels penetrate the line—Progress of +the siege—Sixth corps proceeds to Reams' Station—Kautz's and Wilson's raids.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxviii">Chapter XXVIII.</a></p> + +<p>Sixth Corps Transferred To Washington—Battle of Fort Stevens.</p> + +<p>The Shenandoah Valley—Hunter's advance to Lynchburgh—The retreat—Rebels +advance into Maryland—Battle of Monocacy—Sixth corps goes to Washington—Battle +of Fort Stevens.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxix">Chapter XXIX.</a></p> + +<p>The Shenandoah Valley.</p> + +<p>The Sixth and Nineteenth corps follow the enemy—Crossing the Potomac—Averill's +fight at Snicker's Gap—Return of the Sixth corps to Washington—March +back to Harper's Ferry—Return to Maryland—Death of Major +Ellis—General Sheridan assigned to command—Back in the Valley—Charlestown—John +Mosher—March to Fisher Hill—Return to Charlestown—Fight at +Charlestown.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxx">Chapter XXX.</a></p> + +<p>Battle of Winchester.</p> + +<p>Encampment at Berryville—Leaving camp—The advance—Taking position—Advance +and retreat—Death of Russell—"I know they'll run"—Reminiscences—At +the hospitals—A regiment going home—"Why don't he come."</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxxi">Chapter XXXI.</a></p> + +<p>Fisher Hill.</p> + +<p>March up the valley—Strasburgh—The army confronting Fisher Hill—The +flank movement—Flight of Early—The pursuit—Guerrilla warfare—Southern +refugees—Starting for Washington—Return to Cedar creek.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span></p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxxii">Chapter XXXII.</a></p> + +<p>Battle of Cedar Creek.</p> + +<p>Position of the Union forces on Cedar creek—Demonstrations by Early—The +morning of October 19th—Eighth corps straggling—Nineteenth corps routed—The +Sixth corps to the rescue—Death of General Bidwell—The Sixth corps holds +the enemy—General Wright prepares for another attack—Arrival of Sheridan—The +charge—The rout—Guns, wagons and prisoners—The victors in camp.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter_xxxiii">Chapter XXXIII.</a></p> + +<p>The Final Campaign.</p> + +<p>Sixth corps returns to Petersburgh—Condition of the corps—Sheridan joins the +grand army—Capture of Fort Steadman—The last grand charge—The pursuit +of Lee's army—Tributes to the Sixth corps—Disbanding. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>THREE YEARS IN THE SIXTH CORPS.</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_i" id="chapter_i"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>A NEW REGIMENT GOES TO THE WAR.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Organization of the Seventy-seventh N. Y. V.—Departure from Saratoga—Greetings +by the way—New emotions—The noble dead—On board the Knickerbocker—At +New York—Presentation of flags—Beauties of monopoly—Hospitality +of Philadelphia—Incidents on the route—Arrival at Washington—In camp.</p></div> + + +<p>Our regiment was organized at Saratoga Springs, the +historic scene of the battle of Bemis Heights and the surrender +of Burgoyne—hence its name, "The Bemis Heights +Battalion." Hon. Jas. B. McKean, then member of congress, +a gentleman of well known patriotism, was made our +Colonel. We left our rendezvous on the 26th of November, +1861, Thanksgiving day, having been mustered into +the United States service three days before.</p> + +<p>As the long train of cars bore us from the station at +Saratoga Springs, the thousands who had gathered to witness +our departure united in cheer after cheer until all +the groves and vales of that charming resort rang with the +echoes of the tumultuous shouting.</p> + +<p>The thousand brave fellows, who were about to try the +stern realities of war, were by no means backward in +replying to these hearty expressions of good wishes. +Long after we had lost sight of the lovely village, the +shouts of the multitude could be heard and the hills rang<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +again with the responding cheers of those in the cars. +At each station, as we passed, crowds of people pressed +to greet us, and loud and long were the cheers that bade +us "God speed."</p> + +<p>We were now fairly off for the war. We who had +followed the various peaceful avocations of life, in the +professions or in the workshops, in trade or in husbandry, +had now turned away from the office, the desk, the shop +and the plough, to join the Grand Army upon which the +hopes of the nation were staked, and which we confidently +believed was soon to sweep the rebellion to destruction.</p> + +<p>Emotions hitherto unknown to us filled our hearts. We +were soldiers, wearing for the first time the army blue, and +perhaps soon to be called out to meet in deadly strife an +enemy whose prestige for valor was already too well +established.</p> + +<p>Were we to return to the friends from whom we had +just parted, bearing the chaplet of victory, or were we to +find a last resting place on some field of the south, never +again to meet with wife or sister, father or mother? Four +years have passed and those doubts have been solved. +Many of those brave men have gone to their long rest.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Their graves are severed far and wide."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Some sleep beneath the tall pines of Yorktown; and the +bright azalia casts its purple blossoms over the graves of +many who lie in the swamps of the Chickahominy. The +Antietam murmurs a requiem to those who rest on its +banks, and green is the turf above the noble ones who fell +gloriously at Fredericksburgh. Some rest amid the wild +tangles of the Wilderness, and upon the arid plain of Coal +Harbor. Many of their graves are upon the banks of the +Ny and the Po. The marble monument at Fort Stevens +tells the names of some who gave their lives in the defense +of the Capital, while the simple headboards of pine tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +where repose many in the valley of the Shenandoah, and +before Petersburgh. The remains of some have been +brought back to the peaceful cemetery at home to rest +beside the dust of loved ones.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Tis little; but it looks in truth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As if the quiet bones were blest<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among familiar names to rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And in the places of their youth."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Must it be said, many of the strongest yielded to the +grim monster starvation in the rebel prison pens, and +found relief from their tortures in lowly graves at Andersonville +and Salisbury.</p> + +<p>A little band, with bronzed faces and manly hearts, +returned home. Their glorious and unspotted record had +preceded them. They needed no song of victory, and +they desired no greater marks of honor than their simple +silver crosses, the badge of their corps.</p> + +<p>No incident worthy of note occurred until we reached +Albany, where we left the cars and embarked upon the +steamer Knickerbocker, an old dismantled craft, unfit for +any purpose but the transportation of soldiers; whose +decks were covered with mud an inch in depth, and +whose doors having been thrown overboard, a free circulation +of the rough November air was allowed in every part. +The men had no rations, and some of them became clamorous; +but order was soon restored, and rations of bread and +ham with coffee were distributed. They could not, however, +all be brought to a perfect state of quietude. Some +were determined not to submit, and passed the night in +carousal, while those soberly inclined tried in vain to sleep. +The officers found lodging in the after cabin, where some +in berths and some on the floor, we passed a restless night.</p> + +<p>As we approached New York in the morning, the sky +was hung with heavy clouds, and as we left our rickety +old craft for <i>terra firma</i>, the rain poured in fresh torrents<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +upon us. We marched through 14th street and Broadway +to the Park. We were to remain in New York until six +o'clock in the evening, and the Sons of Saratoga were to +present us with a stand of colors and guidons. They commenced +by presenting us with an excellent dinner, at which +speeches were made by the committee, and responded to +by Colonel McKean and others on our part.</p> + +<p>Dinner over, the regiment was drawn up in front of the +City Hall, where the ceremony of presenting the flags +took place. The banner was an exquisite piece of work, +of the richest fabric; a blue ground with elegant designs +in oil. On one side was represented an engagement in +which the American soldiers, led by Washington, were +fighting under the old flag—thirteen stripes and the +union jack. On the reverse was pictured the surrender +of Burgoyne, at Saratoga, under the new flag—the stars +and stripes—first unfurled in the goodly city of Albany, +and first baptized in blood at the decisive battle of Bemis +Heights, which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne and +the virtual success of the Revolution.</p> + +<p>We had already a beautiful national flag, the gift of the +patriotic young ladies of Mr. Beecher's seminary, at Saratoga.</p> + +<p>The hour for departure arrived, and we crossed to +Amboy by ferry. We were in New Jersey. We had +heard disparaging things of the railroad management of +this State, but we were now to realize the beauties +of monopoly. We learned afterwards to respect New +Jersey's soldiers, many of whom fought shoulder to +shoulder with us, and were among the bravest of the +brave, but we never forgave her railroads. The men were +crowded into a number of shaky old cars, reeking with +filth, and redolent of most noisome odors. It was in vain +that we protested that these vehicles were unfit for transporting +men; we were offered by the agent of the road<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +the alternative to take these cars or remain where we +were. We concluded to go on.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock we had passed over the whole of the +Camden and Amboy road. Another ferry crossed, and +we were in Philadelphia. Glorious, generous, enlightened +Philadelphia! Many of our men were sick when we left +Saratoga, and the unaccustomed hardships, with the cold +and rain thus far on the route, had greatly prostrated +them. Many others had also been seized with violent +illness, so that our single medical officer had been taxed +beyond his strength in looking after the wants of the sick, +while the little case of medicines with which we started +from Saratoga was exhausted. Among the first acts of +kindness of these excellent people was the care of our sick. +A gentleman, with countenance beaming with benevolence, +said to the doctor, "If you will get your sick together, we +will conduct them to comfortable quarters, and see that +they are well cared for." The heart of the surgeon leaped +with joy at finding some one who could and would help +to care for the poor fellows.</p> + +<p>The sick being collected, our friend mounted a barrel +and called to the soldiers to hear him a moment. "You +are welcome," said he, "to Philadelphia, and to show you +that we are glad to see you, it gives us pleasure to invite +every man of you to partake of a warm breakfast which +will be ready for you in a few minutes." This speech was +greeted by three hearty cheers for Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>The doctor soon had his sick removed to the Soldiers' +Retreat, a place fitted up by the noble-hearted people of +Philadelphia for the entertainment of soldiers passing +through their city. The upper part of the building was +arranged with exquisite taste and order for a hospital. +Here were many sick men left by the various regiments +which had passed through the city. Our sick boys were +placed in beds, with expressions of gratitude that, notwithstanding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +their illness, their lot had fallen in pleasant +places.</p> + +<p>Presently the men were marched into the long saloon, +where all took their places at the well spread tables. +The repast being over, Colonel McKean called upon the +men for three cheers for the Philadelphians; remarking +that there need be no fear of raising the roof, for even +should such an accident occur he doubted not these generous +people would willingly replace it. Then came +the cheers; and such cheers! only to be surpassed by the +three more and then three more that followed.</p> + +<p>The long years of our campaignings never diminished the +lively feelings of gratitude we experienced that morning, +and to this day our veterans never speak of Philadelphia +but with pleasing recollections of the friendly reception +given them by the goodly inhabitants of the Quaker city.</p> + +<p>The sun was up when we resumed our journey, and +again we were met with surprises. All along the track +of the railroad, men, women and children, filling the windows +of the houses and thronging the wayside, cheered us +on our way, shouting and waving flags and handkerchiefs. +Children in the arms of their nurses waved little flags from +the windows in great glee, while gray haired old men +in piping tones cried "God bless our soldiers." This +unlooked for, and to us surprising ovation continued until +we had passed the limits of the city, and indeed did not +cease till we had left the station many miles behind. In +the train, the men kept up a continuous cheering; tears +stood in the eyes of many, and the most enthusiastic +expressions passed from lip to lip.</p> + +<p>The experience of our regiment was only that of others +who passed through this noble city, and often during our +long campaigns, the soldiers of different regiments would +gather round their camp fires, and relate to each other the +kindnesses received by them in the City of Brotherly Love.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<p>We were cordially welcomed in Delaware, the people +waving banners and handkerchiefs, and when those were +not at hand, newspapers or even articles from the clothes +lines answered to show their good will; and the negroes in +the fields swung their hats and their hoes with great spirit.</p> + +<p>We reached Baltimore in the evening, where we were +kindly received, furnished with supper and sent on our +way. After many delays we reached Washington at four +o'clock Sunday morning, and were assigned to temporary +quarters near the station. Who would have suspected +that it was the Sabbath? Now we began to see something +of the circumstance of war. Horsemen were galloping +in every direction; long trains of army wagons rattled +over the pavements at every turn of the eye; squads of +soldiers marched here and there; all was hurry, bustle and +confusion.</p> + +<p>It was night when we reached the ground for our +encampment on Meridian Hill. The men had suffered +much from cold, and what at that time was hardship. +Not less than a hundred of them were sick. It was not +long before tents were up, and for the first time the regiment +was under canvas.</p> + +<p>Our camp was pleasantly located, commanding a fine +view of Washington, the Potomac, Alexandria and other +points of interest. We were surrounded by the camps of +other regiments, some arriving and some departing almost +daily. We had not been two days here when we began +to get a taste of camp rumors. One rumor declared that +we were to have barracks erected, and we were to go into +winter quarters, while another assured us that we were to +have an immediate taste of actual warfare. These proved +quite as reliable as the thousands of rumors which during +all our years of service were afloat throughout the army, +and acquired the expressive appellation of "Camp Yarns."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_ii" id="chapter_ii"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>ARMY LIFE AT WASHINGTON.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Meridian Hill—Neighboring scenery—First Sunday in camp—Drills—Sickness—The +Hospital—General Casey—"Why don't the army move?"—Washington +blockaded—Burnside's heroes—Orders to move—Something of a train—Smith's +division—Our first reconnoissance.</p></div> + + +<p>We encamped on Meridian Hill December 1st, 1861, +with 960 men.</p> + +<p>Meridian Hill is the most delightful locality in the +vicinity of Washington. The plain on which the city +stands, extends northward from the Potomac about two +miles where it is abruptly terminated by a line of hills. +From the summit of these hills stretches back another +plain, at an elevation of one or two hundred feet above the +first. Along the margin of these eminences were some +fine old suburban mansions. On our right towards +Georgetown, was Kalorama, a charming spot, once the +residence of Joel Barlow, the author of the famous poems +"Hasty Pudding" and "The Columbiad." Now the building +was converted by the government into a hospital. In +close neighborhood to us was Columbia College, also used +as a hospital, and to the east was the fine mansion of +Colonel Stone, and other superb places, all of which, like +Kalorama and the college, were full of sick men.</p> + +<p>Meridian Hill was in the center of this line of once +beautiful country residences, directly north of the President's +house. It had been the residence of Commodore +Porter, and the house still bore the name of "the Porter +Mansion." The grounds had been elegantly laid out with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +box and juniper, while the rich groves of oak and chestnut +surrounding lent additional charms to the locality. The +hill was dotted with the white tents of a dozen regiments, +but none were so pleasantly located as our own, under the +shadow of those grand old trees.</p> + +<p>The mansion itself became our hospital, and for a time +also served as our head-quarters. From its broad piazza +we could look upon the busy scenes of the city, and watch +the vessels passing up and down upon the river. A week +had passed before we were fairly established in our +quarters, but we rapidly learned the mysteries of the +soldier's life.</p> + +<p>The weather was delightful; more like September than +what we were accustomed to experience in December. +Although heavy mists hung over us until nine or ten +o'clock in the morning, they were dispelled by the warm +sunshine, and then all was bright as midsummer. This +lovely weather continued until about the first of January.</p> + +<p>The country in rear of our encampment was charming. +Fine groves, traversed by streams of pure, sweet water, +and fields surrounded by hedges, stretched far to the +northward. The dark green leaves of the magnolia were +to be seen here and there among trees of larger growth, +and the shining, ever-green laurel forming a dense undergrowth, +gave the woods a lively and spring-like appearance. +On the open plain might any day be seen a regiment of +Lancers, wheeling and charging in their brilliant evolutions, +their long lances with bright red pennons adding +greatly to the beauty of the display, and, as we at that +time vainly believed, to the efficacy of the troop.</p> + +<p>The first Sunday came, and we had religious services. +The regiment was formed in front of the mansion, every +man being called out, unless on duty or excused on account +of illness. This became an established rule with us for +all time; every man was required to attend divine service<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +unless especially excused. Chaplain Tully and the members +of the staff occupied the piazza. The chaplain offered +a prayer for the loved ones at home, and then we all sung +"Coronation," and after the sermon, we sung "Cambridge" +and "Old Hundred." The men seemed deeply affected by +the simple service, and many a quivering lip betrayed the +emotions of the heart.</p> + +<p>Drills became the order of the day. Every morning +the hill rang from one end to the other with the sharp +commands of the company officers to "Order arms!" +"Shoulder arms!" as the men exercised by squads. +Besides the regular drill in the manual of arms, some of +the companies delighted in that system of military gymnastics +called the bayonet exercise. In the afternoon +Colonel McKean usually trained the regiment in the more +difficult exercises of the battalion drill.</p> + +<p>But we began to feel the scourge of new regiments. +Disease became almost universal. We had but a single +medical officer and he was tasked beyond his strength. +One hundred and fifty or two hundred men were prescribed +for every morning, aside from those so ill as to be +in the hospital.</p> + +<p>The large parlors of the old mansion were neatly fitted +up for our hospital, for which they were admirably adapted. +The two principal wards were the large front parlors, +which communicated by folding doors; the ceilings were +high, and the large open fire places in either apartment +served the double purpose of supplying heat and ventilation, +so that while about fifty beds were always occupied, +the air was kept fresh and pure. Typhoid fevers, typhoid +pneumonias, diphtheria, and remittent fevers were prevalent, +while now and then the malaria manifested itself in +the form of the terrible spotted fever. Besides, as usually +occurs when the last named disease prevails in camps, +some died suddenly from unknown causes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<p>By the tenth of the month the majority of the men +were unfit for duty. In one company the three commissioned +officers were in the hospital, and but twelve men +could be mustered for evening parade. The labors of the +medical officer who undertakes single-handed to minister +to the wants of a regiment of recruits can only be known +to those who have tried it. Our doctor was as much worn +out by the perplexities of organizing his department as by +the actual attendance on the sick. New demands came +almost every hour of the day and night, and it was only +when the violence of disease had subsided, and another +officer was added to the medical staff, that our weary son +of Galen found a degree of respite.</p> + +<p>We were in the command of General Silas Casey, a +noble specimen of a man and a soldier. His manly +dignity and kindly bearing impressed all with profound +respect for him, and although we were but a few weeks in +his command we never ceased to remember him with +pleasure. The provisional brigade and division to which +we were attached was frequently reviewed and drilled by +the general, and made a fine appearance.</p> + +<p>Thus the time passed until the opening of the New Year. +Our men, like most fresh soldiers, were anxious for a fight, +and were heartily tired of what they considered inglorious +inactivity. Many of them expressed great fears that they +would be obliged to return home without ever hearing the +sound of battle. How greatly they were mistaken we +shall see as we trace the bloody campaigns of more than +three years of hard fighting.</p> + +<p>Our friends at home were not unmindful of us. Boxes +of clothing and other comforts for the sick were sent in +goodly numbers; so our sick were well supplied with +bedding and changes of clothing, as well as jellies and +other luxuries. Our friend, McMicheal, of Congress Hall, +Saratoga, thinking we could better celebrate the New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +Year with a good dinner, sent us one worthy of his fame +as a landlord. Could Mack have heard the cheers of the +boys that made the ground tremble as the four hundred +pounds of cooked chickens and turkeys were distributed +among them, his glory as a caterer would have been complete. +With the New Year came stormy weather; rain +was the rule, sunshine the exception. The mud became +almost unfathomable and it was not uncommon to see the +six mules attached to an army wagon tugging and striving +with all their power to drag the empty wagon out of a +mud hole. Boys who had plied the trade of bootblack +gave up their profession and with pail and sponge in hand +called to the passer by, "Wash your boots, sir?" During +the lovely month of December we had been impatient for +action; but now the oft repeated question, "Why don't the +Army of the Potomac move?" became ludicrous to our ears.</p> + +<p>Thus passed another month in drills and camp duties. +Some recruits came to us, while many of the men who +came out at first were found unfit for field duty and were +discharged.</p> + +<p>Distrust arose among officers and enlisted men of our +army about the capital, in regard to the manner in which +the army was managed. A wilderness of men surrounded +Washington, and yet we were blockaded by the rebels on +all sides except one.</p> + +<p>Government was paying enormous prices for fuel consumed +by the army, because the Potomac was closed, and +all wood had to be brought by rail from the sparsely +wooded districts of Maryland. Provisions sold at fabulous +prices, and Washington was in fact a beleaguered city. +Some rays of light from the west penetrated the thick +darkness; but it cannot be concealed that while the Grand +Army stationed about the capital panted for action and +longed for the glory of the battle-field, a gloom possessed +the spirits of the men, and a feeling, that all this splendid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +material was destined to a "masterly inactivity," prevailed. +Our hopes were newly kindled when the affairs of the +War Department passed into the hands of a live man, +and when Mr. Stanton's practical energy began to be +manifested both in the department and in the field. We +heard from Burnside; first sad news, and then of success; +and our hearts burned to be with him. Fort Donelson followed +Roanoke; and Price's army was routed in Missouri. +We envied the men who had been our nearest neighbors, +but who had followed Burnside to the South. Glorious +fellows! What cared they now for the fury of the waves +or the hardships of short rations? We were afraid of +being left as idle spectators of great things in which we +should not be allowed to participate.</p> + +<p>On the 15th of February came an order for us to move +in a few days, and join Smith's division. This division +lay upon the other side of the river, and although we had +been anxious to move we did not wish to get permanently +fixed in the mud by moving there. We knew little of +General Smith or his division, only that the general had +been trying very hard for some time past to get the regiment, +and we had little hopes of good from the new +arrangement. How little did we then suppose that the +cross of that old division would be one of the proudest +badges of honor that men could wear!</p> + +<p>Sunday night came, and the order to move at once, +came also. What a scene of confusion! We had never +broken up camp before, and the excitement ran high. The +pounding and tearing of boards, the shouting of men and +braying of mules, combined in a grand uproar. Bonfires +blazed from every part of the camp, and the whole night +was spent in tearing down quarters and loading the stuff +into army wagons as they presented themselves in great +numbers. It was a rare sight. The camp glowing with a +hundred fires, and the men and teams moving about among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +them like spectres. Morning came, and the teams were +loaded, and the men ready to march. The teams drove +out and formed a line reaching down 14th street from our +camp nearly to the White House! One hundred and five +six-mule teams constituted the train for our regimental +baggage; and so much dissatisfaction prevailed among +certain company officers that we were allowed twenty-five +more teams next day! Rain had fallen nearly all night, +and the prospect looked dreary. As the day advanced +the rain came faster and faster, until it fairly poured. The +men waded through mortar nearly to their knees.</p> + +<p>It was three o'clock in the afternoon when we reached +Smith's division and the ground on which we were to make +our camp. The prospect was not cheering, and as two or +three of our staff officers rode upon the ground, the place +seemed forbidding enough. It had been recently the location +of a thicket of scrub pines, but the trees had been +cut down for fuel, and the stumps and brush remained, so +that the mounted officers found much difficulty in reining +their horses into the midst. Snow covered the ground to +the depth of several inches. Here our men, tired and +wet, cold and hungry, were to pitch their tents, cook their +suppers, and make their beds.</p> + +<p>The men fell to work heartily, and by dark they had +cleared off the snow and brush enough to make room for +their tents, and many cook fires blazed over the camp.</p> + +<p>The regiments of the division showed us much hospitality, +and a very pleasant acquaintance commenced on +that day, which was destined to become earnest friendship. +The next day was spent in putting the camp in order. As +rain continued to fall, the mud in the company streets +became knee-deep. Our sick, those unable to walk, had +been left in our old hospital with a sufficient number of +faithful nurses, under charge of the surgeon of one of the +regiments that remained.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>Let us for a moment glance at the composition of the +division of which we now formed a part. We were +assigned to the Third brigade. It comprised, beside our +own, the Thirty-third New York, Colonel Taylor, a regiment +whose gallantry at Yorktown, Williamsburgh and Fredericksburgh +fully established its reputation as one of the +best fighting regiments in the army. The Forty-ninth +New York, Colonel Bidwell, a noble regiment with a +noble commander, a regiment which could always be +counted on to do all that men could do; the Seventh +Maine, Colonel Mason, whose men were patterned after +the pines of their own forests, tall, straight and powerful +fellows, who never forgot their proclivities for hunting, +and who were never so happy as when they could pick off +a few rebel pickets with their rifles. The brigade was +commanded by General Davidson, who afterwards made +himself exceedingly disagreeable to the rebels, and famous +at the north by his daring cavalry raids in the west. The +first brigade included the Forty-third New York, Colonel +Vinton; the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, Colonel Irwin; the +Sixth Maine, Colonel Knowles; and the Fifth Wisconsin, +Colonel Cobb; all of them excellent regiments, under command +of General Hancock, who has since placed his name +high on the roll of fame as the commander of the old +Second corps.</p> + +<p>The Second brigade was composed entirely of Vermont +troops, including the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and +Sixth Vermont regiments, commanded respectively by +Colonels Henry Whiting, B. N. Hyde, E. H. Stoughton, L. +A. Grant and N. M. Lord, and known as the "Vermont +Brigade," and nobly did they sustain the traditional reputation +of the Green Mountain Boys, as stern patriots and +hard fighters. They were commanded by General Brooks, +who afterward commanded the Tenth corps.</p> + +<p>General William F. Smith, or, as he was familiarly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +known, "Baldy Smith," commanded the division. He is +too well known to all who admire a true soldier to require +more than a mention here, and his great fame has been +well and faithfully earned.</p> + +<p>No more splendid material, either for officers or men, +ever entered into the composition of a division, and how +nobly it played its part in the great drama of the war, it +shall be part of our duty to record. Drills, regimental, +brigade and division, were again in order, and picket duty +now became a part of our routine.</p> + +<p>This would not be a faithful chronicle of the doings of +the new regiment, were we to forget to relate the history +of our first expedition into the enemy's country.</p> + +<p>An order came one evening in February for Colonel +McKean to take his regiment and make a reconnoissance +towards Vienna. His instructions were to pass the picket +line, advance towards Vienna, make a thorough reconnoissance +and return.</p> + +<p>The news spread through the camp, and the regiment +was ablaze with excitement. Some who had been on the +sick list, and were excused from camp duty, sought from +the surgeon permission to accompany the expedition, +while a few who had been, up to this time, well, were +earnest in their applications to be excused from the march.</p> + +<p>The regiment was formed at ten o'clock at night; thick +darkness, darkness of the blackest and most intense +degree, prevailed. One could scarcely see his neighbor +whose shoulder touched his own. We were miles away +from the enemy, but the men were to be instructed in +performing their movements in secrecy; so the commands +were passed along the line, as the companies were forming, +in whisper. No lights were allowed, and we left our +camp a column of blackness. We were presently joined +by a guide who carried a lantern. We passed a great +many regiments, all the while observing strict silence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>The mud was deep, very deep; some of the men lost their +shoes in the depths of the mire, and some even lost themselves, +and were only discovered when they arrived in +camp some hours earlier than the regiment. Through the +darkness we plodded until we reached our destination, at +daylight on the following morning. Here we found bough +houses which had been used by rebel cavalry; and the +tracks of many horses imprinted only a little while before, +whether by the horses of our own cavalry, or by those of +the enemy, we never knew. The battalion was halted +and scouts were sent to the front and on the flanks. Some +of the boys who had lost their shoes in the mud before +we had advanced the first mile, had made the whole march +in their stockings; while others, who had been sick, looked +as though they could never get back to camp. The companies +deployed and marched through the woods, but as +the enemy was on the other side of Vienna we saw no +rebels. It was noon when we reached our camp, tired +and covered with mud. Those who went laughed at those +who remained behind, and called them "dead beats!" +The "beats" tauntingly demanded of the others what all +their demonstration had amounted to.</p> + +<p>The New York papers heralded the exploit as a grand +advance on the enemy, and we said little about it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_iii" id="chapter_iii"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>THE MANASSAS CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Orders to march—A grand spectacle—Bivouac near Fairfax Court House—The +camps at night—Visits to Manassas and Centreville—Dissatisfaction in the +army—A deserted country—Lawless soldiers—Fairfax Court House—A representative +Southerner—Review by Gen. McClellan—March to Alexandria—"Camp +Misery."</p></div> + + +<p>The first week in March brought lovely weather: birds +sang more sweetly, the sun shone more brightly, and +bands played more merrily than usual, and friends passed +from regiment to regiment seeking social pastime with +friends.</p> + +<p>We had known no such pleasant times in camp; still we +were waiting for orders to advance. During the night of +Sunday, the 8th of March, the order came: "This division +will move at four o'clock in the morning with two days' +rations in haversacks." Little rest we got that night; the +hammer and the axe were plied vigorously in tearing +down quarters and packing stores, and as the sun rose in +the morning the whole army was in motion. It was a +sublime spectacle: that immense line of troops pouring +along hour after hour, stretching over the hills as far as +the eye could reach; a hundred and twenty thousand +troops on the move! Just beyond and above them, in the +gray sky of the morning, hung a beautiful rainbow. At +six our division commenced to march. Rain soon began to +fall, and continued all day. We passed through Vienna +and Lewinsville, each a hamlet of a dozen houses, and +reached our camping ground at five o'clock in the afternoon, +tired, and drenched, and hungry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<p>Great numbers of troops had already occupied the fields, +and the whole country seemed alive with men and horses, +artillery and wagons. We were in the vicinity of Fairfax +Court House, about a mile to the northward, on what was +called Flint Hill.</p> + +<p>The army, for the first time, was under "<i>tentes d'abri</i>," +or, as they are now called, shelter tents. Until now +the enlisted men had occupied the spacious Sibley, or +the comfortable wedge tents, and all officers were quartered +in wall tents; now, line officers and enlisted men +were to occupy shelter tents, which they were to carry +on their shoulders; and although a small number of +wall tents could be carried in the wagons for field and +staff officers, yet so imperfect was the understanding, +in or out of the quartermaster's department, of what +could or ought to be done, that most regimental field +and staff officers were left without any shelter at all.</p> + +<p>The men proceeded to make themselves as comfortable +as possible under their novel coverings, and as evening +approached, the hills were magnificently illuminated with +thousands of camp fires. Very few men occupied their +new tents that night. They had not been accustomed to +lie upon wet ground, with only a single blanket wrapped +about them, so during all the night groups of soldiers +stood about the camp fires, talking in low tones and wondering +what was to happen in the morning. The sky was +clear and bright when the sun rose, and as we looked out +upon the hill tops, dotted with clean white tents, and +bristling with stacks of shining muskets, we exulted in +the thought that we were part of the Grand Army that +was now at work. Soon we knew that we were not to +fight here. The cavalry, and some of Porter's division, +were returning from Manassas and Centreville, both places +burned and deserted. Were we to pursue the retreating +army, or were we to return to Washington to take a new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +start? Parties from the division rode to Centreville and +Manassas. The works were indeed formidable and the +barracks extensive; and the old chestnut logs with blackened +ends, that were mounted in some of the embrasures, +had, at a distance, grim visages. The smoking ruins +betokened the destructiveness of war. On the old battle-field +lay bleaching the bones of horses and men, and here +and there might be seen portions of human skeletons protruding +from the shallow graves where some pretense had +been made at burial. Fragments of shells, broken muskets +and solid shot strewed the ground.</p> + +<p>Head-quarters of the army were established at Fairfax +Court House, and thither repaired the corps commanders +to hold a council in regard to our future movements. The +country about our camp was rolling and sparsely settled. +Nearly all the houses were deserted, and most of them +destroyed so far as any future usefulness was concerned. +One house, the ruins of which stood not far from our +camp, and which had been the most comfortable place in +the whole section of country, had been the residence of a +northern farmer. Although the house was completely +stripped, and nothing of the barns and outhouses remained +but the frames, yet there were many evidences of the thrift +and comfort of the former occupant. A northern reaper, +several horse rakes, ploughs of improved patterns, and +other modern implements of agriculture, betokened a +genuine farmer. We were told that he was driven from +his home early in the war, and had now found refuge +among his friends in New Hampshire. But the houses of +the southerners had not been exempt from the general +devastation, and some who had sought refuge in Richmond +had left their homes to ruin. The people were +evidently strongly "secesh," although some of them professed +to be glad to see us.</p> + +<p>It cannot be said that the presence of our army afforded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +them great protection, for the men, unused to the strict +discipline which afterward prevailed, coolly appropriated +whatever articles seemed to them to be of use either for +the present or the future. It was amusing to see the soldiers +of some of the divisions in which less than the usual +discipline prevailed, peering and creeping about wherever +there seemed a prospect of plunder. Now one would pass +with a pair of chickens; next, one bringing a clothes line; +then one with part of an old table, and still another with +half a dozen eggs. This system of plunder was at length +checked, in a measure at least. Fowls, eggs and potatoes +could be purchased of the people at fair rates, while rebel +currency could be bought for silver at a very considerable +discount. Twenty-five cent and one cent shinplasters were +brought into camp and laughed at by men who were afterward +glad to get shinplasters from another manufactory.</p> + +<p>To Fairfax Court House was but a short distance; and a +ride to the village afforded a pleasant gallop of a morning. +The place, and the country half a mile on each side, was +occupied by McCall's division. The village was pleasantly +located on high ground, surrounded by fine groves. +It contained some pretty residences, which were occupied +by officers as head-quarters: their horses, in some instances, +being picketed on the porticos, and in others in the +kitchens. The village was nearly deserted by its own +people, not more than fifty of the original inhabitants +being left, though the population of the town before the +war was nearly six hundred. Houses which were deserted +were generally stripped of everything. The court house +was a solid old brick building of very limited dimensions, +with a little bell swinging in a comical looking steeple. +The court house was by no means an exception to the +general rule of destruction; the seats were torn out, and +the judge's bench had been split in pieces, and nearly all +carried away by pockets full, as relics. At one of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +houses where the family still remained, a party reined up +and made some inquiries of the <i>pater familias</i>, a hangdog +looking specimen, with an old slouched hat covered +to the crown with rusty crape, a mark of second-hand +gentility in these parts. He said that "this yer war" +had caused such a famine among the people, that nearly +all of them had been obliged to leave; some had gone to +Washington and some to Richmond, "a right smart lot +of them had gone to Richmond." He had "reckoned +onct or twict" that he would have to go too, but he +"had succeeded in hanging on so long."</p> + +<p>Our division was reviewed by General McClellan, who +was received with enthusiasm. Although many of us +were familiar with the appearance of the Commander-in-Chief, +this was his first appearance to us as a division. +The General appeared a man below the medium height, +with broad shoulders, full chest and a round pleasing face +relieved by a heavy moustache. He sat his horse well +and rode with great speed. While his appearance and +address were pleasing, there seemed in his smooth face +and mild eye nothing to indicate a man of brilliant genius +or great purpose.</p> + +<p>At length the council of corps commanders had rendered +its decision, and the grand campaign of the Virginian +Peninsula was planned. On the morning of the fourteenth +of March, with buoyant hopes and exulting anticipations +of a "quick, sharp and decisive," and as we +devoutly believed, a successful campaign, we left our camp +at Flint Hill. It had few charms for us, and we were glad +to leave it. How little we yet knew of real campaigning. +Although we had notice several hours beforehand that +we were to move by daylight, yet many, indeed, the +majority of us, marched that morning without breakfast.</p> + +<p>No morning sun cheered us as the day began, but the +sky was hung with heavy clouds. A drizzling rain, now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +diminishing almost to a heavy mist, and now coming in +fresh showers, made the marching heavy and unpleasant. +Grandly appeared that majestic army as it filed down the +turnpike to Alexandria. At times the elevation of the road +afforded a view of the mighty column for miles to the front, +and at other times we could see it pouring onward an +endless stream of cavalry, infantry, artillery and wagons, +far from the rear.</p> + +<p>So grand a spectacle had never been witnessed on this +continent before. Our march was rapid and we made no +halt for dinner: those who went without breakfast had +poor chance for coffee that day.</p> + +<p>Towards evening the rain increased, and as we drew off +into a piece of woods five miles out from Alexandria, the +rain came down in sheets. Near our halting place were +some deserted houses. No sooner had we stopped than +began the work of destruction, afterward so familiar to +us, and in less than an hour there was not a board or +timber left of either building. The ground, although +quite uneven and sloping, soon became so flooded that +tents, even when they could be pitched, were untenable. +The men attempted to build fires, but in most instances +the floods of water quenched the flames. Some, however, +succeeded in starting huge fires, and around these stood +the men during the whole night, while the tempest poured +in torrents upon them. A few of the officers of the division, +among whom was one who afterward became noted +for looking out for and providing good things for his regiment +as quartermaster, sought refuge in a house not far +off, where, for the moderate sum of twenty-five cents +each, they were allowed by the people sleeping room upon +the floor. Never since the times of Pharaoh was an army +so thoroughly drenched. During more than three years +campaigning in the field our boys never forgot that night; +and to this day they frequently refer to the disagreeable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +experience in what they not inappropriately term "Camp +Misery." Here, in "Camp Misery," we remained several +days, waiting to embark for Fortress Monroe.</p> + +<p>Without doubt, the rebels all this time knew of our destination; +for the people among whom we were encamped +were by no means our friends or indifferent to the success +of the rebels, and the point of our destination was well +known and freely spoken of among them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_iv" id="chapter_iv"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>THE ARMY TRANSFERRED TO THE PENINSULA.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Embarking for the Peninsula—Mount Vernon—On the Potomac—Hampton—In +camp—Orders to march—A night visit to Fortress Monroe—The advance—A +sifting—A Quaker battery—At Newport News—Compliments of the Teaser.</p></div> + +<p>On Sunday morning, March 23d, we marched to Alexandria. +The whole of our division, and of the other +divisions of Keyes' corps, were there, besides part of +Heintzelman's corps and other troops. In the course +of the afternoon, this great body of men was embarked +upon the transports. The vessels having received their +lading, swung out upon the river and laid at anchor during +the night. Early in the morning the whole fleet was +under way, steaming down the river. We passed Mount +Vernon—the bells of the fleet tolling. The tomb lies in +the midst of a clump of firs just south and a little below +the house; the mansion and the grounds are nearly as +they were left by Washington, and the whole looks down +upon the river, calling upon the passer-by for a thought +upon the great man whose dust lies beneath the fir trees. +After passing Mount Vernon, nothing of special interest +was seen except the broad expanse of waters of this magnificent +stream. A few large mansions, a few inferior +houses, and now and then a little hamlet, appeared on the +banks; and at Aquia creek could be seen the insignificant +earthworks that had covered the few field pieces which +for so many months had kept up an efficient blockade of +the Potomac.</p> + +<p>How different was all this from our Hudson! The +country bordering on the river is beautiful; nature has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +done everything for it, but a cursed institution has blighted +it. There is not a country in the world where nature has +been more lavish with its blessings, and yet it is forsaken, +worn out, almost a wilderness. The magnificent rivers +and unsurpassed harbors of Virginia, its natural fertility +and the mildness of its climate, present natural advantages +scarcely equaled by any country. As we stood upon the +deck of the steamer, watching and admiring the ever-varying +beauties of the noble stream, some one repeated these +lines from Barlow's <i>Columbiad</i>:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Thy capes, Virginia, towering from the tide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Raise their blue banks, and slope thy barriers wide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To future sails unfold a fluvian way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And guard secure thy multifluvian bay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That drains uncounted realms and here unites<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The liquid mass from Alleganian hights.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">York leads his way embanked in flowery pride,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And noble James falls winding by his side;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Back to the hills, through many a silent vale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wild Rappahannock seems to lure the sail;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Patapsco's bosom courts the hand of toil;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dull Susquehanna laves a length of soil;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But mightier far, in sea-like azure spread,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Potowmac sweeps his earth disparting bed."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At night we were on the broad Chesapeake. A stiff +breeze set our fleet rocking, but we slept quietly, leaving +the waves to take care of themselves and the pilots to +take care of the boats. Reveille awoke us in the morning +to discover on the one side of us the world-renowned +Fortress Monroe and on the other the equally famous +Monitor. At our bow lay the village of Hampton—or +rather the chimneys and trees of what had been Hampton. +Orders came for us to disembark here, and we were soon +among the debris of the town. A sadder commentary on +war could hardly be found than the ruins of this beautiful +village. A forest of shade trees and chimneys marked the +place where a few months before had stood one of the most +ancient villages in America. Hyacinths and daffodils,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +peach trees and roses, were in bloom in the deserted and +fenceless gardens; and the dark green leaves of the +japonica and laurel covered many a heap of unsightly +rubbish.</p> + +<p>The walls of the old church, the most ancient in the +State, stood like silent witnesses against the reckless +spirit of destruction of the rebels. Although not large, the +church had evidently been a fine old structure, having +the form of a Greek cross. About it were the graves of the +forefathers of the village, reposing under the shadow of +those old trees. Many of the tablets were ancient, dating +back as far as 1706.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/hampton-church.png"> +<img src="images/hampton-church-small.png" width="400" height="297" alt="The Old Church at Hampton" title=""/> +</a> +</div> + +<p>The whole army was pouring out upon this shore, and +at Fortress Monroe. Dense masses of infantry, long +trains of artillery and thousands of cavalry, with unnumbered +army wagons and mules, were mingled in grand +confusion along the shore; the neighing of horses, the +braying of mules, the rattle of wagons and artillery, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +the sound of many voices, mingled in one grand inharmonious +concert.</p> + +<p>Our division marched along a pleasant route to a field +about midway between Fortress Monroe and Newport +News. We rested until March 26th, when an order came +at midnight for the army to march very early in the morning. +We were short of some medical stores and quartermasters' +supplies, and officers at once mounted their horses +to ride through the thick darkness to Fortress Monroe, to +procure the needed articles. Along the road men were +already cooking their breakfasts, and artillery was hurrying +towards Newport News. At short intervals along +the road, sentinels were posted; and as the sounds of the +horses' hoofs were heard, the sharp command rung out +through the darkness, "Halt! who comes there?" and the +galloping horses would suddenly halt at long distance from +the sentry.</p> + +<p>"Friends with the countersign."</p> + +<p>"Dismount and advance one; and give the countersign."</p> + +<p>One of the parties, leaving his horse with the other, +would advance and give the required word, and on we +rode again until suddenly halted by a similar warning. +As we approached the fortress, the sentinels were more +frequent, until, as we came within half a mile of our destination, +the guards were posted so frequently that we had +hardly passed one, before the sharp command to "Halt!" +was heard again. We crossed the drawbridge, and at +length found ourselves in the little village in rear of the +fort. Passing here many sentinels who examined us very +carefully, we reached the door of the citadel. Here we +were halted by a sentinel, and each examined for the +countersign. The sentinel called the corporal of the guard; +who after satisfying himself that we were Union officers +shouted to the sergeant. The great iron door ground<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +upon its massive hinges as it swung open just far enough +to permit the sergeant to squeeze through, and again it +was closed, and the heavy bolts rung as they flew back to +their places. The sergeant, after asking a few questions, +went back into the fort, and soon returned with the officer +of the guard, who, after receiving the countersign, questioned +us closely as to our business, and who we were. +Satisfied, at length he ordered a soldier to take our horses, +the heavy door slowly opened, and we were admitted +within the walls. Such were the precautions in admitting +strangers to the stronghold.</p> + +<p>At six o'clock the division was in line and on the road. +The morning was indescribably beautiful. The vapors +that rose from the broad expanse of waters were tinged +with a thousand gorgeous hues as they rolled away, dispersed +by the morning sun; and the tall yellow pines +were crowned with rich golden coronals of light. The +road was perfectly level and dry, and the country delightful. +Long rows of locusts and pines lined the sides of the +road, and the rich groves of oak just sending forth their +foliage, were beautifully interspersed with the holly, with +its bright red berries and rich evergreen leaves. Peach +orchards in full bloom added to the beauty of the scene, +and when at times we could see the lines of troops, two and +three miles in extent, their muskets glittering in the bright +sunlight, the enthusiasm of the men was unbounded.</p> + +<p>All the bridges over the route had been destroyed by +the enemy, but pioneers advanced at the head of the +column, and as the bridges were all small they were +quickly repaired. A march of a few miles brought us in +sight of the James river; a noble stream, at least five +miles wide at this point. Not far from the shore appeared +the masts of the U. S. frigate Cumberland, sunk in the +memorable fight with the Merrimac. As our march led +us along the banks, the views were charming. On one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +hand was the noble river, and on the other the orchards +and groves. Deserted houses, and gardens blooming with +hyacinths and other blossoms of early spring, were passed. +On the opposite side of the river lay a rebel gunboat, +watching our movements.</p> + +<p>Our division, Smith's, had taken the lead on the James +river road, while Porter's division had marched upon Great +Bethel. After a march of fifteen miles, our division was +drawn up in line of battle near Warwick. Porter's division +had already reached Great Bethel, on our right, and we +could see huge columns of smoke rising in that direction, +and hear the roar of artillery. An aide dashed up and +informed General Davidson that the enemy were in line of +battle ready to receive us. Soon the order came to advance; +the line swept onward through the woods and over a +cleared field, but found no foe. A few cavalry pickets +only were seen, and a shell from one of our Parrott guns set +them flying towards Yorktown. We passed through the +confederate encampments where their fires were still blazing, +but soon turned round and bivouacked on ground last +night occupied by rebels.</p> + +<p>In this advance or reconnoissance of the whole army, +the qualities of the individual soldiers composing it +were brought out in bold relief. The effect on our own +division was marked. During the months we had been +in winter quarters, many officers and men had established +marvelous reputations for bravery and hardihood, merely +by constantly heralding their own heroism. But from +this time these doughty heroes went back. Officers suddenly +found cause for resigning; and enlisted men managed +to get sent to the rear, and never showed their faces at the +front again. On the contrary, some who were really +invalids insisted on dragging themselves along with the +column, fearful that an engagement might take place in +which they would not participate. A sifting process was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +thus commenced throughout the whole division, and to +its honor the poltroons were very soon sifted out, and from +that time forth, Smith's division never afforded a comfortable +resting place for men of doubtful courage. "They +went out from us, because they were not of us."</p> + +<p>Next morning we retired over the road upon which we +had advanced, and encamped near Newport News. As +we passed this place on our outward march, we saw at a +distance what appeared to be a heavy gun, but as we +approached it proved to be a large cart, on which was +mounted a great wooden mortar, which had, perhaps, +been used by negroes for cracking corn. When we returned +a hog's head was fixed in the mouth of the mortar. +"There," remarked an officer, "is the first Quaker we have +seen on the Peninsula." "You must sketch it," said the +colonel of the Seventy-seventh, and the officer obeyed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/quaker.png"> +<img src="images/quaker-small.png" width="400" height="297" alt="The Quaker at Newport News" title=""/> +</a> +</div> + +<p>The division encamped upon a low plain covered with +sedges and reeds, a good enough encampment while the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +dry weather lasted, but when the rain came in floods two +nights after we pitched our tents here, the whole division +was inundated, and we moved to higher and better +ground.</p> + +<p>The masts of the Cumberland greeted our eyes whenever +we turned toward the river, and the rebel gunboats made +short excursions toward our side of the stream. One day +large numbers of men, mostly from the Vermont brigade, +were on the shoals of the river bathing and gathering +oysters. The gunboat Teazer discovering them, steamed +down toward them, and threw some heavy shells, shrieking +and cracking among them, causing great consternation +among the bathers, and some confusion and much amusement +on shore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_v" id="chapter_v"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>YORKTOWN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The advance to Yorktown—A thunder storm—"Reliable contrabands"—Facing +the enemy—A strong position—The Union line—A rebel welcome—Digging—On +picket—A dreary country—An enterprising planter—Active work—Battle +of Lee's Mills—Charge of the Vermont brigade—Progress of the siege—Ravages +of disease—A front seat—Short supplies—The rebels withdraw—Entering the +strongholds—Infernal machines—March to Williamsburgh—Victims of disease.</p></div> + + +<p>At length, on the 4th of April, the army was put in +motion for Yorktown. The General-in-Chief had arrived +at Fortress Monroe the evening before, and at once the +army became the scene of prodigious activity. Keyes' +corps, our own division in advance, took the road along +the banks of the James river. The rest of the army, +headed by Porter's division, advanced on the more direct +road to Yorktown, through Great Bethel, accompanied by +General McClellan.</p> + +<p>The day being clear and warm, the men soon began to +realize the difficulty of transporting large amounts of +clothing and camp equipage on their shoulders, and the +roadsides were strewn with blankets and overcoats, dress +coats and pants. The bushes and trees for miles along the +route were thickly hung with articles of clothing, mostly +new, and all good. Soldiers who had put on their marching +suit would fall out of the ranks, the knapsack would +quickly disgorge a new coat and pants, the wearers +would as quickly divest themselves of the soiled garments +and replace them with the new ones, the others being left +on the ground. Whenever a halt was ordered this shifting +process became general.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> + +<p>The roads, which at first were dry and firm, were as we +advanced badly cut up, and great difficulty was experienced +in getting the trains along.</p> + +<p>An advance of ten miles brought us in front of Young's +Mills, a strongly fortified position five or six miles from +Yorktown. The corps was drawn up in line of battle +and cavalry sent to reconnoiter the position. The works +were deserted, but camp fires still blazed in them. Here +we rested for the night. At daylight next morning the +advance was renewed. The roads were even worse than +the day before. Infantry could get along well enough, +but artillery and army wagons had a hard time of it. +Each piece of artillery made the road worse, until the +axles dragged in a river of mud. We passed the little +village of Warwick Court House. There were here a +little brick court house, a jail and a clerk's office seven +feet by ten, a store and a tavern. There were also two +small dwelling houses.</p> + +<p>After a march of three miles the division was drawn +up in line of battle. We had reached the hostile works +before the rest of the army. Skirmishers were sent to the +front and we advanced slowly and cautiously through +the woods. A terrific thunder storm burst upon us and the +roar of the heavenly artillery seemed to mock any efforts +at martial grandeur. Seldom, if ever, had we of the +northern states witnessed such an exhibition of sublimity +and terrible magnificence of the workings of the elements. +The vivid lightning and terrific peals of thunder seemed +to the men the presage of deadly work to come. The +advance was very difficult, the woods being marshy and +filled with tangles and briars. The men were scratched +and bleeding. The long line of battle presently emerged +from the woods and occupied a clearing, in the center of +which was a mansion, the late residence of a rebel officer. +Some scouts brought from the house a couple of negresses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +whom they led to General Keyes. They communicated +their information with an earnestness that proved their +sympathies were not with their late master. It was a +picturesque scene; those tall negresses with their bright +red turbans and long white woolen gowns, telling with +earnest gestures what they knew of the position of the +enemy, while the generals and their staffs listened eagerly +to their words. They said that when we passed over the +little hill just in front, we should be under fire from +the batteries of the rebels, who were in large force; "but +laws a massa, noting like all dese yer," said they, pointing +to the troops of our division.</p> + +<p>Cautiously the clearing was crossed, the long line of +battle moving in beautiful order—Kennedy's, Ayres' and +Wheeler's batteries each accompanying a brigade.</p> + +<p>Again we entered a heavy pine wood in which the +swamp was deeper than ever, and advancing through it +we came face to face with the enemy. Warwick creek, a +marshy stream which had been dammed by the rebels, +raising its waters into ponds and deep morasses, was between +us and their works, and the accessible points were +guarded by artillery. Two regiments were at once +deployed as skirmishers and sent in advance, and our +batteries were planted along the edge of the wood with +the line of the infantry. Only Smith's division was in +line, the others were waiting on the road for orders to +come up.</p> + +<p>Along the road, for more than half the distance back to +Young's Mills, the brigades of Couch's and Kearney's +divisions were resting on their arms, while cannon by +scores waited to be called into action.</p> + +<p>The enemy was not slow to acknowledge our presence, +and as a token of greeting sent some twelve-pound shells +crashing among the trees about us. The firing now became +brisk on our side, and the rebels replied spiritedly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +with their twelve-pounders. Hundreds of men were now +called up from the rear brigades and detailed to build +corduroy roads. Trees were cut down and trimmed of +their branches, and laid side by side so as to form a kind +of bridge over the swamp to enable more artillery to come +up. The rapidity with which such roads were built was +marvelous.</p> + +<p>By this time the column on the right had reached the +works in front of the town. The position here was also +strong. Although the Warwick did not interpose, yet +high bluffs, crowned with redoubts in which were mounted +heavy guns, frowned upon the assailants. Thus far it +appears that the leaders of our army had been totally +ignorant of the position and strength of the enemy, and +had led it up to the works, blindly feeling the way without +maps or guides. (McClellan's Report.) The defensive works were now +found to consist of a series of redoubts and rifle pits +stretching across the Peninsula, seven miles in extent, +with high bluffs on the right and Warwick creek in their +front on the left.</p> + +<p>The position occupied by our division was known as +Lee's Mills, and to our right, nearly three miles, was the +village of Yorktown. The line of battle was now arranged +in the following order from right to left: Heintzelman's +corps, consisting of Porter's, Hooker's and Hamilton's +divisions, were in front of the town; Sedgwick's division +of Sumner's corps on the left of them, and Keyes' corps, +comprising Smith's and Couch's division (Casey's division +arrived in a few days), held the position on the Warwick +at Lee's Mills.</p> + +<p>The position of the enemy was, without doubt, one of +great strength, and everything had been done to render +it more formidable. Yet they were by no means too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +strong or sufficiently well garrisoned to resist an assault +from such a body of men as now appeared in their front. +That there were weak points in this line of defenses, +stretching seven miles, was afterwards demonstrated; and +that the forces behind the works were by no means sufficiently +numerous, at the time of our approach, to afford +formidable resistance at all points in their extensive line, +is now well known.</p> + +<p>It appears from the official report of the rebel General +Johnston, who then commanded all the rebel forces in Virginia, +that at the time of the appearance of our army +before Yorktown the works were defended by only about +eleven thousand men, and that even after he had reinforced +the garrisons by the troops which he was hurrying from +Manassas, his army amounted to only fifty thousand +men.</p> + +<p>The artillery duel was kept up until night. We had lost +some men during the day, but not so many as we had +feared. First a poor fellow from the Seventh Maine, his +heart and left lung torn out by a shell; then one from the +Forty-ninth New York, shot in the head; the next was +from our own regiment, Frank Jeffords, who had to suffer +amputation of a leg; then a man from the Forty-ninth +was sent to the rear with his heel crushed. In all, our loss +did not exceed twenty men. The casualties in the other +brigades were less than in our own.</p> + +<p>As night approached, the firing gradually ceased, and +nothing but the scattering shots of the skirmishers was +heard. We lay down in the swamp with no tents, and +many of us without food. Officers and men built platforms +of logs and bark to keep out of the water where +they were not fortunate enough to find a dry place. +General Smith bivouacked near the line of battle, making +his bed at the foot of a pine tree, with nothing but his +overcoat for shelter. It may not be amiss to say here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +that General Smith, unlike most gentlemen with stars on +their shoulders, was always in the habit of sleeping at the +very front.</p> + +<p>All the following day, and the next, the firing was kept +up steadily on both sides. At night showers of cannister +and grape would fall in our camp, and fortunate was he +who had a good tree or stump between him and the rebel +works against which to lay his head while he slept.</p> + +<p>We at length became so accustomed to the continual +skirmishing, that unless the firing was in fierce volleys we +took no notice of it. The boys of the Thirty-third New +York being on the skirmish line on the 8th, charged a rifle +pit with shouts and hurrahs, and drove the rebels from it. +An attempt was made to retake it, but the boys held their +ground.</p> + +<p>The men performed herculean labors on the roads, +and in throwing up earthworks. No rest was allowed. +When not on picket they were cutting down trees or +throwing up earthworks or building bridges. Such constant +labor soon began to exhaust the strength of the +stoutest, and hundreds of them yielded to disease who +supposed themselves capable of enduring any amount of +hardships. Yet there was now and then a grimly gay +episode in this hard routine. Here is an incident that +occurred two or three days after we approached the works, +and affords a good sample of picketing between us and +the forts. Our pickets were within speaking distance of +those of the enemy; each party kept, if possible, snugly +behind some big stump or tree, out of the reach of his disagreeable +neighbors. A good deal of hard talk had passed +between one of our pickets and one of the "Johnnies." +Finally the rebel thrust his hand beyond his tree holding +in it a bottle, and shaking it, challenged the Yankee to +come and take it—"<i>crack</i>" went the Yankee's rifle at the +hand. "Ha, ha! why don't you hit it? What do you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +think of Bull Run?" "How do you like Fort Donelson?" +responded the Yankee.</p> + +<p>While this colloquy was going on, Yankee number two +crept round behind a log, and drawing on the southerner, +blazed away at him. The son of chivalry clapped his +hand to his shoulder and ran off howling. "There, you +fool," shouted Yankee number one, "I told you that blind +man would be shooting you pretty soon."</p> + +<p>The country about us was uncultivated and unhealthy. +The lands were low and swampy, and mostly covered with +a heavy growth of yellow pines. The few remaining +inhabitants were mostly women, negresses and children; +now and then a disabled specimen of poor white trash, or +a farmer too infirm to be of service in the rebel army, was +to be met with. All were alike destitute of enterprise, +and the houses upon the "plantations" were of the meanest +order, raised three or four feet above the ground upon +posts without the usual foundation of stone. The "plantations" +consisted usually of about ten or twenty acres +of cleared land in the midst of the forest, with narrow +roads among the pines leading to neighboring plantations.</p> + +<p>The writer inquired of the proprietor of one of these +isolated spots, who also had some forty negro women and +children, how he managed to support so large a family +from the proceeds of so little land. "Well," said he, "I +could not support them from the proceeds of the land +alone, but you see I sell a few negroes every year and buy +corn with the money; so with what we raise and what we +get for the sale of the negroes, we get along very well."</p> + +<p>"But why do you not cut down some of this forest and +till more land? You own a large tract of land which is +entirely worthless as it now is."</p> + +<p>"There is where you are greatly mistaken, said the +enterprising southerner, my timber land is my best property."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +But of what use do you make it? "Oh, I sell a great +deal of wood. I take it to Fortress Monroe and Hampton +and get two dollars and a half a cord for it!"</p> + +<p>The reader will perhaps understand the profits drawn +from the wood lands, when it is remembered that Fortress +Monroe was twenty miles distant.</p> + +<p>Night attacks by the enemy became common; and it +was not an unfrequent occurrence for the whole division +to be called suddenly to arms at midnight and stand in +line until morning. Skirmishes and sharpshooting continued +with little intermission; bullets of rebel riflemen +whizzing through our camps or unceremoniously entering +our tents at all times. Rebel gunboats approached the +mouth of the Warwick and by their assistance the rebel +infantry attempted to turn our left flank, but the troops +of our division gallantly met their attack and drove them +back.</p> + +<p>This state of affairs continued until the 16th of April. +That morning, word passed through the division that +we were to make an assault. Orders came to move, and +the division was massed near some ruins, known as "The +Chimneys," in front of one of the rebel forts; the Second +brigade holding the front line, supported by the First and +Third brigades. As we moved round to take our positions, +an American eagle whirled above our heads in +elegant circles and at length floated away toward the +south, the boys swinging their hats and cheering the bird +with loud huzzahs.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/vermonters-charge.png"> +<img src="images/vermonters-charge-small.png" width="400" height="263" alt="The Vermonters Charge at Lee's Mills" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">The Charge of the Vermonters at Lee's Mills</p> + +<p>The fort in our front covered the road from Newport +News to Williamsburgh, and could we get possession +of it we could turn the flanks of the enemy, obliging +him to abandon his position and enabling us either to +prevent his escape or to harass him in his flight. In +front of the fort the creek had been dammed and a deep +morass interposed between us and the works. General<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +McClellan and his immense suite rode to the point from +which the attack was to be made, and communicating a +few minutes with Generals Keyes and Smith, left the field. +Mott's battery was now brought into position on the open +plateau and opened a fierce cannonade, to which the rebels +replied with spirit, dismounting one of our guns and killing +several of the gunners at the very start. Mott was reinforced +by Kennedy's and Wheeler's batteries, and the +hostile guns were soon silenced. Our batteries then +advanced within five hundred yards of the fort, and the +gray-coated rebels who were seen to fill the woods, were +soon dispersed. Two companies of troops, from the Third +Vermont, were now ordered forward. Down from the +woods they came, rushed into the water to their waists, +and gallantly made for the rebel rifle pits. The first line +of the works was gained and then the second. The fort +was empty, but a ditch to their left was filled with men. +They poured a volley among them and the gray coats fled. +Thus the fort was actually in their possession, and was +held for some minutes by the noble fellows, but when they +looked for support, none came. The three brigades stood +upon the opposite bank, ready to plunge through the +stream, and waiting with intense anxiety for the order, +"forward;" but no order came, and the brave Green Mountain +boys who had so nobly performed their part of the +work, were forced to fall back under a galling fire from +the rebels, who rushed back to their pits as soon the Vermonters +had left them, pouring volley after volley into the +retreating forces, who, their ammunition spent, could not +reply to the rebel fire. Before they were able to reach the +shelter of the woods, sad havoc was made in their ranks. +Skirmishing was kept up for some hours, by other regiments, +but with no result except the loss of men.</p> + +<p>The following list of killed and wounded was obtained +the next day after the battle:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p> +2d Vermont—1 killed.<br /> +<br /> +3d Vermont—24 killed, 7 mortally wounded, 56 wounded,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">1 missing.</span><br /> +4th Vermont—3 killed, 30 wounded.<br /> +5th Vermont—2 killed, 6 wounded.<br /> +6th Vermont—11 killed, 77 wounded.<br /> +<br /> +Total loss to the brigade, 218.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Thus ended the fight known as the "Battle of Lee's +Mills," a battle in which two hundred men gallantly captured +an important work of the enemy, and thousands of +their companions burning with desire to share in their +glory stood by and saw them abandon it! Why the +other brigades were not ordered forward has never been +explained satisfactorily. That General Smith would gladly +have sent them forward we earnestly believe; but we now +know that General McClellan desired that a general +engagement should not be brought on at that time.</p> + +<p>The wounded men exhibited the same bravery, while their +wounds were being cared for, that characterized their brilliant +charge. Men badly mutilated, with bullets in their +heads, or breasts, or limbs, refused to receive attention +from the surgeon who dressed their wounds, until their +more unfortunate companions were cared for. "Don't +mind me, doctor, there are others hurt worse than I am," +said many a brave fellow, as he lay upon the ground +bleeding from his wounds.</p> + +<p>The following incident connected with this noble charge +will be remembered by all who were at that time members +of Smith's division, and by hundreds who saw accounts +of it in the newspapers of the day:</p> + +<p>Private William Scott, of Company K, Third Vermont, +was, in the autumn of 1861, found asleep at his post on +the picket line. It was a grave fault; but the weary +soldier, inexperienced in the service, and unaccustomed to +such night vigils, in an evil hour yielded to the demands<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +of tired nature, little thinking that the lives of hundreds +of his comrades were periled by his unfaithfulness. He +was tried by a court-martial and sentenced to be shot. +The sentence was approved, and at the appointed time he +was brought forth to execution. General Smith, desiring +to impress upon the minds of his men the terrible consequences +of such an offense, formed his troops in line. +The culprit was brought out before them, and led to the +place of execution. The guard, with loaded muskets, +stood ready to execute the dreadful sentence, which was +read before all the troops. All waited in breathless +expectation for the order to fire; but instead another +paper was read. It was a pardon from the President! +Then the wildest shouts of joy ran along the line. Shout +after shout arose from the division, and hundreds blessed +the name of President Lincoln.</p> + +<p>There were many circumstances to render this a case +of peculiar interest. It was the first sentence of the kind; +it was at the beginning of the war, when a soldier's life +was regarded of value, and when all eyes were riveted +upon the army, and every incident was of interest. It was +also the first instance of the kind in which the executive +clemency had been exercised. So near had the hour of +execution arrived when the President signed the pardon, +that, fearing it might not be received in season, he took +his carriage and drove to camp, to assure himself that +the man's life should be spared.</p> + +<p>"I will show President Lincoln that I am not afraid to +die for my country," said the grateful soldier; and well +did he fulfill his promise. Among the bravest of those +two hundred heroes who crossed the swamp at Lee's Mills, +was William Scott, of Company K, Third Vermont. But +he was brought back a corpse. He had shown the President +that he was not afraid to die for his country. He +was one of the foremost in the charge, and one of the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +to fall. His comrades made his grave under the shadow +of the tall pines, and as they folded his blanket around +him, and lowered him to his resting place, tears stood +upon those brown cheeks; but the tears of sorrow were +mingled with tears of joy, when they thought of his +glorious death, and his narrow escape from an ignominious +fate, and again, in their hearts, they blessed the man who +was always the soldier's friend.</p> + +<p>We resumed our place the next day after the battle, on +the front line, and commenced digging.</p> + +<p>Fierce night sorties were again made by the enemy +and bravely resisted by our boys, who continued the work +regardless of these annoyances. Only one fight occurred +on our part of the line after the 16th, in which we lost +any number of men. On the 28th the First brigade had +a skirmish in which we lost one killed and half a dozen +wounded. Among the latter was Lieutenant, afterward +Colonel Milliken, of the Forty-third New York. A reconnoissance +on the left about the same time, resulted in finding +the rebels in considerable force, and a loss of two +good soldiers to the Seventy-seventh New York. In the +meantime earthworks of great strength were being thrown +up on the right of the line before Yorktown, and everything +was being put in a complete state of preparation +for the grand bombardment. Enormous siege guns of +one hundred and even two hundred pound calibre, and +immense mortars were brought up and mounted in the +earthworks, and it was thought that with the powerful +means we were using the fall of Yorktown was only a +question of time.</p> + +<p>Our losses by the rebels before Yorktown were not great, +but the ravages by disease were fearful. Many thousands +of noble fellows who would gladly have braved the +dangers of the battle-field, were carried to the rear with +fevers engendered by the deadly malaria of the swamps,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +from which few ever recovered sufficiently to rejoin the +ranks; and thousands of others were laid in humble graves +along the marshy borders of the Warwick or about the +hospitals at Young's Mills. For a month the men were +almost continually under arms; often called in the middle +of the night to resist the attempts of the enemy to force +our line under cover of the thick darkness, standing in +line of battle day after day and digging at earthworks +night after night.</p> + +<p>During the thirty days of the siege we had twenty days +of rain. Thunder storms followed each other in quick +succession, with lightnings more vivid than we had ever +seen at the north. Men lay down to rest at night with +their equipments buckled about them and wet to their +skins. Men unaccustomed to the hardships of campaigning +could not endure such exposure.</p> + +<p>A few divisions of the army performed by far the greater +part of the labor, either because they had at first reached +positions which imposed greater toil, or because greater +confidence was reposed in them. Our own division was +one of those upon which the duties imposed were too +great for men to perform; yet the men would have +resented being sent to the rear, and it was said that +General Smith remarked that "he had spoken for a front +seat for his boys and he intended to keep it."</p> + +<p>Added to all the exposures and hardships of the siege, +there was a deplorable want of proper commissary and +medical supplies. While the men were supplied with fair +rations of hard bread, vegetables were unknown among us, +and the supply of fresh meat wholly inadequate. In the +Medical Department the greatest difficulty was experienced +in obtaining supplies, and indeed it was impossible to get +them. Not that regimental surgeons did not use their +utmost endeavor to procure them, but as brigade and regimental +commissaries could not obtain supplies of food<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +which were not furnished to the army at all, so surgeons +could not procure medicines and other necessaries which +were locked in the storehouses in Washington. This subject +will be more fully alluded to in another place, and it +is to be hoped that the responsibility of this criminal negligence +to supply the army with medical and hospital +stores may fall where it belongs.</p> + +<p>Thus, with their minds wrought up to a continual state +of excitement, with constant exposure to tempests and +malaria, with excessive and exhausting labors, and with +improper food and scarcity of medicine, sickness and death +swept over us like a pestilence.</p> + +<p>At length, after a month of toil and exposure almost +unprecedented, after losing nearly one-fifth of our magnificent +army by disease and death, our batteries were +finished, the enormous siege guns were mounted, and the +thirteen inch mortars in position. The army looked +anxiously for the grand <i>finale</i> of all these extensive preparations. +Men had lost the enthusiasm which prevailed +when we landed upon the Peninsula, and a smile was seldom +seen; but a fixed and determined purpose to succeed +still appeared in their faces. Now at length we were +ready; and the countenances of the soldiers began to +lighten up a little. But as the sun rose on the morning +of the 4th of May, behold, the rebels had vanished, and +with them our hopes of a brilliant victory! Unfortunately +for our hopes of a great success at Yorktown, the +rebel generals had shown themselves unwilling to afford +us such an opportunity by waiting for us longer; and +during the night of the 3d and 4th they had evacuated +the place.</p> + +<p>They had gained a month of time for strengthening the +defenses about Richmond, and for concentrating their +forces there. Now they were ready to fall back without +testing our magnificent works and huge guns, and lead us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +into the swamps of Chickahominy; where they hoped that +the fever would complete the ghastly work already commenced +at Yorktown.</p> + +<p>During the night of the evacuation, the roar of artillery +exceeded anything that had been heard before. From one +end of the line to the other the shells and shot poured into +our camps, and the arches of fire that marked the courses +of the shells, with flame spouting from the mouths of the +guns, created a magnificent pyrotechnic display. But at +daylight, orderlies flew from regiment to regiment with +the startling intelligence that the beleaguered works were +deserted, and with orders to occupy them at once. Smith's +division hastened to cross over the dam, and we found +ourselves in the strongholds that we had so long invested. +As the Seventy-seventh regiment passed along one of the +roads leading among the intrenchments, a sharp report +like that of a pistol was heard at the feet of those in the +center of the column, and directly under the colors. The +men scattered, and a piece of old cloth was seen lying on +the ground at the point from which the report emanated. +Colonel McKean, who was very near, lifted the cloth with +the point of his sword, and discovered a torpedo carefully +buried in the ground, except a nipple which had been +filled with fulminating powder, which was covered by the +old cloth. The fuse only had exploded. Had the machine +itself exploded, it must have destroyed many of our men, +our colonel among them. Other regiments were not so +fortunate as we were. Very many men were killed in the +streets and intrenchments by these torpedoes, which +the enemy had planted in the street at either end of the +bridges, about springs, and near the deserted guns. They +were concealed beneath the ground with great care, the +capped nipple only rising above the surface, and this, +covered by an old rag or piece of bark thrown over it, +exploded at the slightest touch. These infernal machines<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +were only one feature of the general plan of our enemies +to carry on a war by brutal, savage and cowardly means. +The starving of prisoners at Andersonville and Salisbury, +and the wholesale butchery at Fort Pillow, were other +parts of the same savage plan which was crowned by the +fearful tragedy at Ford's Theatre.</p> + +<p>We made little delay among the rebel intrenchments; +only long enough to glance over the formidable works, +where the enemy had abandoned seventy-two pieces of +artillery, mostly of heavy caliber, with immense numbers +of shovels, picks, wheelbarrows and other paraphernalia of +an army.</p> + +<p>The division was at nine o'clock sent forward on the +road toward Williamsburgh; encountering, before it had +proceeded far, a portion of the rear-guard of the confederate +army, which hastily fell back before our advance. +General Smith informed the Commander-in-Chief of the +encounter, who ordered Stoneman, with a regiment of +cavalry, to give chase to the retiring body, and, if possible, +cut it off; but, unfortunately, either from want of +proper information in regard to the roads, or from other +hindrances, this was not effected. The division pushed on +over the road lately traversed by the rebels, the men +overcoming all obstacles that had been thrown in their +way, in their anxiety to overtake the foe.</p> + +<p>The scenery, as the troops passed, was indeed charming +beyond description. Magnificent forests of oak and pine, +interspersed with clearings, the residences of farmers, +with fine fields, covered with the green blades of the +newly springing wheat, met the view along the road; +while the woods were adorned with innumerable flowers. +The tall dogwood, with its clusters of large flowers like +swarms of white butterflies, mingled with the Judas tree, +whose leafless boughs were densely covered with racemes +of purple blossoms. The azalia and the honeysuckle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +beneath formed a delightful contrast with the gorgeous +floral display above.</p> + +<p>Thus the division was hurried on, until at evening it +came upon the rebel works at Williamsburgh. As our +forces approached Williamsburgh, the cavalry came upon +the enemy, and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which we lost +about fifty in killed and wounded, and the rebels left as +many on the field. The charge was made by the Sixth +cavalry and Gibbon's battery, driving the rebels back. +They, in their turn, being reinforced, forced our troops +back; one of our guns, from which all the horses were +shot, being abandoned. Each party strove hard for the +possession of the gun, but night closed upon the contest, +leaving it in possession of neither. In the meantime, the +men of our division too sick to march were being cared +for by our medical officers. Hundreds of the men of our +division lay sick with typhoid fever and other equally +dangerous maladies. These were all taken to the hospital +which had been commenced a day or two previous, about +a mile and a half from our camp. The whole day was +occupied in removing these men. Of those sent to this +hospital, as of the many previously sent to the hospital at +Young's Mills and Fortress Monroe, few ever returned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_vi" id="chapter_vi"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>WILLIAMSBURGH.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Battle of Williamsburgh—The army not organized—The medical department—Hooker's +gallant fight—Hancock's charge—McClellan at Yorktown—Night on +the battle-field.</p></div> + + +<p>Early on the morning of the 5th skirmishing commenced. +The division of Hooker was posted on the left of +the road from Lee's Mills to Williamsburgh, and our own +division held the road, stretching mostly to the right of it. +Fort Magruder was directly in front of us, commanding +the road. All that part of the army which had advanced +on the right, that is, on the road from Yorktown, were +massed as fast as they arrived, awaiting orders. Great +delay was experienced in getting the troops in position, +as there seemed to be no harmony of action. Every +general of a division seemed to do what pleased him, without +orders from higher authority.</p> + +<p>General Sumner was in command of the troops on the +field, but from some cause seemed not to be able to combine +his forces in such a manner as to bear effectually +upon the lines of the enemy. One of the serious difficulties +was getting artillery to the front. The roads had +become very muddy from the rain during the night, and +were blocked up with the immense multitude of wagons, +so that artillery could not pass. Here was sadly exemplified +the grand defect of our army—the want of organization.</p> + +<p>Our army was an enormous heterogeneous mass, without +any pretense of a system to centralize and harmonize its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +movements. An army is not organized by throwing it +into brigades and divisions; this is but the first and easiest +step. The <i>departments</i> must be so organized that each +performs well its part, without interference with another. +In this case the quartermaster's department sadly interfered +with the others. Every regimental quartermaster +was for himself, and, as a natural result, the immense +trains were thrown into great disorder, impeding the +movements of all the other branches of the service. No +one seemed at liberty to bring order out of this confusion; +and thus artillery and wagons remained stuck in the mud. +This same confusion prevailed in all the departments. +We shall take the liberty here to quote at some length +from the remarks of the Prince De Joinville, who was at +that time a member of General McClellan's staff, an able +soldier and an ardent friend of the Commander-in-Chief. +Says the Prince:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The American system of 'every man for himself,' individually +applied by officers and soldiers of each corps to +one another, is also applied by the corps themselves +to their reciprocal relations. There is no special branch +of the service whose duty it is to regulate, centralize and +direct the movements of the army. In such a case as this +of which we are speaking, we should have seen the general +staff of a French army taking care that nothing should +impede the advance of the troops; stopping a file of +wagons here and ordering it out of the road to clear +the way; sending on a detail of men there to repair the roadway, +or draw a cannon out of the mud in order to communicate +to every corps commander the orders of the +general-in-chief. Here nothing of the sort is done.</p> + +<p>"The want of a general staff was not less severely felt +in obtaining and transmitting the information necessary, +at the moment of an impending action. No one knew the +country; the maps were so defective that they were useless.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +Little was known about the fortified battle-field on +which the army was about to be engaged. Yet this +battle-field had been seen and reconnoitered by the troops +which had taken part in Stoneman's skirmish. Enough +was surely known of it for us to combine a plan of attack, +and assign to every commander his own part of the work. +No, this was not so. Every one kept his observations to +himself; not from any ill-will, but because it was nobody's +special duty to do this general work. It was a defect in +the organization, and with the best elements in the world, +an army that is not organized cannot expect great success. +It is fortunate if it escapes disaster."</p></div> + +<p>We may be pardoned for continuing this digression +from the narrative, to speak particularly of the disorder +in the medical department. The surgeons of regiments +were, as a general rule, men of ability, and who were +earnestly devoted to the duties of their position. Of +course, in so large an army, there were some who were +not fitted for their position, either by ability or moral +worth; these were exceptions. Yet, while there was a +general disposition prevailing in the department to make +any sacrifice or submit to any amount of fatigue, in order +to relieve the sufferings of those committed to their charge, +they labored under the greatest disadvantage from want +of proper combination and coöperation in the staff. Every +man was for himself. Each regimental surgeon was +expected to look out for the wants of his own men; to +erect his hospital tents; to see that the wounded of his +regiment were carried off the field; to administer food, +dress wounds, and attend to the operative surgery. With +all these divers cares, he could hardly be expected to perform +any duties well. When any combination of action +was effected, the organization was voluntary and temporary, +and, of course, wanting in order and efficiency. +Added to these difficulties, the medical officer found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +himself destitute of supplies, and seemingly without any +prospect of obtaining them.</p> + +<p>It is true that the officers of the medical staff were generally +inexperienced in the duties of military surgery, so +different from the labors of the physician in civil life; yet, +the great trouble was without doubt at head-quarters. +The department was directed by an officer who had done +good service in the Mexican war, but who by long connection +with the regular army, seemed to have become so +wedded to the formal precision of military routine, that +no contingency was sufficient to move him from his established +habits. Here was occasion for dispensing with +formalities. Responsibilities should have been assumed, +and, if necessary, supplies should have been thrown into +the army broadcast, without thought of requisition or +receipts. Under the direction of the efficient and gentlemanly +surgeon of volunteers, Dr. Letterman, order was at +length brought out of the confusion which existed until +the battle of Antietam; from which time the medical +staff became the most efficient ever known in any army.</p> + +<p>To return to our narrative. By noon the battle raged +furiously; Hooker's division contesting the field nobly +against superior numbers, while our own division held +the position on his right, but without coming to any +direct engagement aside from being subjected to the fire +of artillery. Hooker brought his men gallantly up to the +work and at first forced the enemy back, but in turn was +driven from the ground he had taken, and only by the +most valorous fighting, prevented a rout.</p> + +<p>The gallant general and his noble men held the ground +alone until the division was fearfully cut up. At length +General Kearney, at the head of his division, approached +on the Lee's Mills road. General Sumner rode up to him +and said quietly, "General, do you know that Hooker is +badly cut up?" "No." "He is, and is falling back. Hurry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +on your division as fast as possible." "How shall I reach +him?" said Kearney. "Through yonder strip of woods." +Kearney now led his men forward at a rapid pace and +very soon came to the relief of the exhausted division. +The troops of Hooker were holding their ground against +the enemy twenty thousand strong. They had fought for +hours with only nine thousand men.</p> + +<p>General Hancock of our First brigade, at his own and +General Smith's request, was, at three o'clock, allowed to +take his own and a part of our Third brigade to the right +of the line, where the position of the enemy was very +strong by nature, and which was on that account secured +with less care than the rest of the line.</p> + +<p>A steep wooded bluff rose to a great height in our front, +and a mill pond lying at the foot of the bluff and newly +dammed by the rebels, served as a moat. Spanning the +pond near the dam, was a bridge of logs which they had +neglected to destroy. Across this bridge and up a road +winding along the side of the bluff, the general led his +troops, finding the enemy upon the plateau above, occupying +strong redoubts. Artillery was brought to bear upon +them and the rebels fled; our forces advancing and occupying +the works. The enemy was now reinforced by a +brigade of North Carolina troops and charged upon the +federals. The Union troops allowed them to approach +very near, when they opened a tremendous fire of musketry +and artillery upon them. Still the rebels came on +until they were within thirty yards of our men. "Now, +gentlemen, the bayonet!" cried Hancock, as he rode along +the line of battle close to the troops. The men charged +upon the rebels, who fell back before the shock, broke and +fled, leaving the broad, green wheat field strewed with their +dead and wounded.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/hancocks-charge.png"> +<img src="images/hancocks-charge-small.png" width="400" height="257" alt="Charge of Hancock's Brigade at Williamsburgh" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Charge of Hancock's Brigade at Williamsburgh</p> + +<p>While the fighting was going on, General Hancock had +sent for the remainder of our Third brigade. The order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +"forward, double quick" was received by the men with +one of those wild exulting shouts, such as is only heard +on the field of battle; and they rushed forward through +the liquid mud, each regiment striving which should first +reach the field. But as we reached the scene of conflict, +the rebels had fled; leaving the victory with the men in +blue.</p> + +<p>The regiments engaged in this brilliant affair were, the +Forty-third New York, the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, +the Sixth Maine and Fifth Wisconsin, of the First brigade, +and the Thirty-third New York and Seventh Maine of the +Third brigade.</p> + +<p>The rebels, outflanked by the gallant movement of +Smith's division, were glad to fall back from before Hooker +and Kearney, and seek refuge behind their works. Meanwhile +the great body of the army had remained entirely +passive; not even having been brought into line of battle. +Why some of these troops were not called to the assistance +of Hooker, or to render the victory of Hancock more +complete, we do not know.</p> + +<p>Thus closed the battle of Williamsburgh; a battle +fought by two divisions and a part of a third, while the +mass of the army remained as idle spectators of the terrible +scene. If less than twenty thousand men could +drive the rebels from their strong works, what could not +that grand army have done had it been brought into +action!</p> + +<p>General McClellan arrived on the field at five o'clock in +the afternoon, and was received with shouts of applause; +but the fighting was then over. The general had +remained at Yorktown since the morning of the 4th, to +superintend personally the shipment of Franklin's division +of twelve thousand men; one-half of whom, in order that +they might be in readiness at any moment to proceed up +the river and head off the enemy, had never been allowed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +to disembark from the transports which brought them to +Yorktown. General McClellan's conduct in spending +nearly two days in overseeing personally the embarkation +of half or even the whole of a division of men, while one +of the most important battles of the war was in progress, +leaving it to others to take care of the "little affair at the +front," has, by some, been severely censured; while others +have as earnestly claimed that the Commander-in-Chief +had his own views of the necessity of getting those troops +off at once, and the necessity of seeing that supplies of +rations, ammunition and war material, were forwarded, +was imperative; and that we are to remember that the +advance was intrusted to General Sumner; a man in +whose ability both he and the army confided. The +general telegraphed that night to the Secretary of War: +"After arranging for movements up the York river, I was +sent for here. I find General Joe Johnston in front of me +in strong force, probably greater a good deal than my +own.... My entire force is <i>undoubtedly considerably +inferior to that of the rebels</i>, who will fight well; +but I will do all I can with the force at my disposal."</p> + +<p>It was not known that night that we had won such a victory; +but when, in the morning, we found the rebels all +gone, he telegraphed: "Every hour proves our victory +more complete."</p> + +<p>In the light of this testimony of the Commander-in-Chief, +what a noble record had those three divisions that day +made for themselves! They had, according to these dispatches, +fought with a force "greater a good deal" than +our entire army, and had won a complete victory!</p> + +<p>Night closed upon the battle-field. Our division +bivouacked around one of the rebel redoubts. It was +filled with rebel wounded, whose groans and cries made +the night hideous. The ground was a bed of liquid mud, +and the rain still poured. No fires were allowed, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +men stood shivering all night rather than lie down in the +mud.</p> + +<p>The sun rose clear and bright next morning, and the +whole army filed into the works deserted by the enemy +during the night, and occupied the town of Williamsburgh, +a mile or more from the battle-field. All the public +buildings in town were filled with the rebel wounded; +and the inhabitants were actively engaged in ministering +to their wants. Here the army remained three days, +waiting for provisions to come up from Yorktown, a distance +of fifteen miles. It is a question, why troops, who +were afterward accustomed to carry four or even six days' +rations, were sent away from Yorktown with one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_vii" id="chapter_vii"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MARCH UP THE PENINSULA AND THE ORGANIZATION +OF THE SIXTH CORPS.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>March up the Peninsula—Joy of the contrabands—Cumberland Landing—The +Sixth Corps organized—At White House—On the Chickahominy—Fight at +Mechanicsville—Battle of Hanover Court House.</p></div> + + +<p>On the ninth of May, after a delay of three days, the +Army of the Potomac resumed the pursuit of Johnston's +army. The day was fair and bright, and the journey of +fifteen miles, to troops as yet little inured to the fatigues +of long marches, bore severely upon them. We rested +till three o'clock next morning; when orders came to fall +into line, and at five we were again toiling over the road. +After a hard day's march we halted near New Kent Court +House; where General Stoneman, with his cavalry, had a +day or two before overtaken the rear-guard of the enemy, +who gave him battle. Evidences of the engagement were +to be seen all about us, and many wounded cavalrymen +were found in the neighboring farm houses. We remained +here over the Sabbath and the next day; glad of rest, +though anxious to be on the trail of the enemy.</p> + +<p>General Franklin's division had already landed, and +beaten the rebels at West Point; and the flotilla laden +with supplies had also ascended the river thus far.</p> + +<p>It was at New Kent Court House that the news of the +destruction of the Merrimac, and the possession of Norfolk +by General Wool's forces, first reached us, and our hearts +swelled with joy at our successes. On the 13th we +resumed the march; winding along the banks of the tortuous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +Pamunkey, enchanted by the lovely scenery which +constantly met our gaze. The profusion of flowers in the +forests, the bright green meadows, and the broad fields of +newly springing wheat, offered a perpetual charm; and as +we passed along, the women and negroes watched us with +conflicting sentiments of interest. All the white men +capable of bearing arms, and every able-bodied negro, +had been swept along by the rebel army in its retreat, and +none but women and children and aged negroes were now +left along the route. At every house the alarmed white +people threw out the white flag in token of submission, as +though their protection from injury depended upon this +symbol of peace.</p> + +<p>Great numbers of negroes flocked to the roadside, to +welcome the Union army. Their expressions of joy at +seeing us were wild and amusing. All hoped we would +shortly overtake and destroy the rebel army, their own +masters included. Those who had hitherto regarded the +relation of master and slave as one of mutual affection, had +only to witness these unique demonstrations of rejoicing +at our approach, and the seemingly certain destruction of +the slave owners, to be convinced that the happiness and +contentment claimed for those in servitude was but a +worthless fiction. The negroes, gathering in crowds along +the wayside, would grasp the hands of the Union soldiers, +calling down all manner of blessings upon them, and leaping +and dancing in their frantic delight.</p> + +<p>One gray-haired old patriarch, surrounded by a numerous +group of younger chattels, who were leaping and +shouting, exclaimed, in a loud voice, "Bress de Lord! +I'se been praying for yous all to come all dis time; and +now I'se glad yous got so fur; and I pray de Lord dat +yous may keep on, and conquer def and hell and de +grabe!" All the others, joining in the chorus, cried, +"Bress de Lord!" The master of the old man sat quietly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +watching the scene, offering no hindrance to these expressions +of sympathy; but it is doubtful whether this conduct +on the part of his servants was forgotten after the departure +of our army. Whatever information the slaves could +give concerning the movements, numbers, or probable +intentions of the enemy, was communicated gladly, and +although this information was not always reliable for +accuracy, it was always given in sincerity, and was very +often of great service.</p> + +<p>Our march on the 13th, was an easy one of six +miles. As we reached the brow of a hill overlooking the +plain of Cumberland Landing, a scene of imposing beauty +was spread out before us. Between us and the broad +river, were thousands of troops, parks of artillery, squadrons +of cavalry, divisions of infantry; some already in +camp, others moving about in order, but seeming, from +the distance, to be intermingled in most perfect confusion.</p> + +<p>A broad plain stretched far away to the left, beautifully +variegated with green pastures, rich groves and fields of +grain. Beyond was the Pamunkey; here spreading out +into a broad expanse of water, on which was riding the +Union flotilla of gunboats and the transport fleet.</p> + +<p>Upon this broad plain the whole army assembled. At +no other time in the history of the Army of the Potomac, +were all its forces gathered within a compass that the eye +could take in at a single glance.</p> + +<p>Early on the morning of the 14th, the cry, "Fall in!" +resounded through the camps, and we proceeded up the +river about four miles, and again encamped on its banks. +A field of fresh clover served for our bivouac. In this +pleasant spot we remained for several days; and while +here, an event occurred of no less interest than <span class="smcap">the organization +of the Sixth corps</span>.</p> + +<p>Just before the Army of the Potomac embarked for the +Peninsula, it was divided, by order of President Lincoln,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +into five corps of three divisions each. These corps were +placed under command, respectively, of Generals McDowell, +Sumner, Heintzelman, Keyes and Banks. On leaving for the +Peninsula, the First and Fifth corps had been left behind. +Now two new corps were to be organized; the Fifth provisional, +consisting of the divisions of Porter and Sykes, and +the reserve artillery, under command of General Porter; +and the <span class="smcap">Sixth</span> provisional corps, consisting of Franklin's +division of the First and Smith's of the Fourth corps. +General W. B. Franklin was assigned to the command of +the corps.</p> + +<p>Franklin's division, now the First division, Sixth corps, +under command of H. W. Slocum, had been ordered away +from the First corps, to join the army of the Potomac, +while we were at Yorktown; and its recent exhibition of +gallantry at West Point, had already established for it a +reputation for valor. The regiments composing this division +were, the First, Second, Third and Fourth New Jersey; +regiments trained to the service by the knightly soldier +and ardent patriot, Philip S. Kearney, now under command +of Colonel Taylor, and afterwards so long and so ably led +by General Torbert; the Sixteenth and Twenty-seventh +New York, Fifth Maine and Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania; +General Slocum's own brigade, now commanded by +Colonel Bartlett; and Newton's brigade: the Eighteenth, +Thirty-first and Thirty-second New York, and Ninety-fifth +Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>The history of the Second division, General Smith's, we +have already traced. The bravery and extraordinary +endurance of each of its brigades had been exhibited too +often to be questioned.</p> + +<p>With such splendid materials for a corps, a brilliant +history of great achievements was to be anticipated, and +nobly has it wrought out for itself such a history.</p> + +<p>No other body of troops has ever made for itself so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +proud a record. No corps, either in our own army or any +other, ever met the enemy so frequently in general battle, +and never were more glorious deeds accomplished by +troops than were done by these. Never in the course of +all their campaigns were either of these two divisions put +to rout, and in almost all its encounters the corps held the +field as victors.</p> + +<p>We were now encamped on the old Custis place; at +present owned by General Fitzhugh Lee, of the rebel +cavalry service. On every side of us were immense fields +of wheat, which, but for the presence of armies, promised +an abundant harvest. Day after day passed, in quiet +repose, and the Sabbath found us still waiting on the +banks of the Pamunkey. It was marvelous that such +silence could exist where a hundred thousand men were +crowded together, yet almost absolute stillness reigned +throughout the vast camp during the whole of this pleasant +Sabbath. Save that here and there the notes of Old +Hundred or some sacred air was heard from the band +of some regiment whose chaplain had gathered his men +for religious services, no sound disturbed the universal +quiet.</p> + +<p>Not far from us was the White House, at the head of +navigation, on the Pamunkey. The house was a fine building, +once the property of Washington, now in possession +of the Lee family. Here the Richmond and York River +railroad crossed the Pamunkey, and this was made the base +of operations for the army. Here the transports poured +out a vast amount of supplies, and under the protection +of the flotilla of gunboats, the quartermasters and commissaries +commenced their active operations.</p> + +<p>Except that a few rails had been torn up, the railroad +was in excellent order, and engines and cars were at once +placed on the track ready to follow the army on its +advance to Richmond.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Sixth corps proceeded toward the Chickahominy, +which it reached at a point several miles above the railroad +crossing at Bottom's Bridge, occupying the extreme +right of the Union line of battle as formed along that +river. The position of the Union army was now as follows: +Keyes' corps had crossed the Chickahominy at +Bottom's Bridge, and Heintzelman had followed, taking +a position between Keyes and the bridge. Sumner was on +the railroad, and Franklin on the right near New Bridge; +Stoneman's cavalry was on the right of the Sixth corps, +and Porter's divisions were in the rear, within supporting +distance.</p> + +<p>On the 23d, General Stoneman with his cavalry pushed +forward toward Mechanicsville, supported by Davidson's +brigade. The brigade halted for the night near Beaver +Dam creek, a marshy stream pouring into the Chickahominy. +On the following morning the brigade again +pushed forward, the men making their way with great +difficulty through a swamp, then plunging through the +stream, then forcing their way through brambles and +briars, and again wading through the water; until the men +seemed to have become amphibious. They at length +found the enemy near the little village of Mechanicsville.</p> + +<p>The brigade, with Wheeler's battery, formed in line of +battle on some commanding grounds, and quietly rested +for the night. On the morning of the 24th, the Seventy-seventh +and part of the Thirty-third were ordered to +advance toward the village and reconnoiter the position. +Hardly had the advance commenced before the rebels +opened upon the two commands a fierce cannonade, which +forced our men to lie down, that the shells might pass over +them. Wheeler's battery responded nobly to the rebel +artillery, and presently General Davidson ordered Colonel +McKean to charge the village with his regiment. The +men rose to their feet and started forward with a yell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +Down the hill they rushed impetuously, cheering and +yelling; but the two rebel regiments, the Seventh and +Eighth Georgia, startled by the shouts, seized their +muskets and ran; firing but one parting salute. Their +battery also limbered up and beat a hasty retreat; and as +our men reached the village they were seen lashing their +horses into a run, and in a moment they disappeared +altogether down the road.</p> + +<p>In their haste the rebels forgot to carry off their knapsacks, +canteens and haversacks; and our boys gathered +them up to be kept till called for. They had also left a +great many guns and cartridge boxes; and a flag, which +the Seventy-seventh bore away in triumph.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of May, the enemy was discovered in considerable +force at Hanover Court House, to the right and +rear of our army. A part of Porter's corps was sent to +meet this rebel force, and if possible drive it from its +position. After a fatiguing march through mud and rain, +General Emory, with his own brigade, and other troops +of the corps, came up with the enemy near Hanover Court +House, and at once commenced advancing slowly against +the line of the enemy, when, being reinforced by part of +Martindale's brigade, a charge was ordered and the rebels +were routed. They fled precipitately, leaving one of their +guns in the hands of our troops.</p> + +<p>Being reinforced, the rebels turned upon our troops, but +were gallantly held by Martindale's brigade until General +Porter brought a large force to the field. The rebels were +again attacked and completely routed. They left about +two hundred of their dead on the field to be buried by +our men. Seven hundred prisoners were captured, beside +two railroad trains, a twelve pound gun and many small +arms. Our own loss amounted to about fifty killed and +more than three hundred wounded and missing.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/mechanicsville-charge.png"> +<img src="images/mechanicsville-charge-small.png" width="400" height="257" alt="Charge of the 77th New York at Mechanicsville" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Charge of the 77th New York at Mechanicsville</p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_viii" id="chapter_viii"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE CHICKAHOMINY.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Gaines' Farm—The line of battle—Battle of Seven Pines—Sedgwick and Kearney +to the rescue—Hooker's charge—A lost opportunity—Golden's +Farm—Ditching—Malaria—Chickahominy +fevers—A German regiment—Stuart's raid.</p></div> + + +<p>Davidson's command was withdrawn from its position +on Beaver Dam creek on the 26th of May. Moving down +the river about five miles, it encamped with the rest of the +Sixth corps on the farm of Dr. Gaines, a noted rebel, +where it remained until June 5th. The camps were within +easy range of the enemy's guns, which were planted on +the opposite side of the river, and our pickets could +observe those of the rebels as they walked their beats.</p> + +<p>Few more charming places than Gaines' Farm could be +found on the Peninsula. The broad wheat fields, alternating +with wooded hills, afforded a scene of enchantment +to the weary soldiers. A single wheat field contained +four hundred and fifty acres, and a delightful grove in +rear of the superb old mansion, furnished a cool retreat +during the intense heat of the day. The extensive gardens +were filled with rare exotics and most beautiful +native plants and trees, and birds of varied and brilliant +plumage sported among the flowering shrubs and charmed +the air with their lively notes. Near the river side stood +a large barn well filled with tobacco, from which the boys +of the corps did not hesitate to lay in a full supply.</p> + +<p>In the rear of the corps was Liberty Hall, the birthplace +of Patrick Henry. Now it was used as a hospital, and +hundreds of soldiers, worn out with fatigue or burning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +with fevers, occupied the house and hospital tents surrounding +it.</p> + +<p>Our men were employed in doing picket duty, and in +building corduroy roads and bridges. The river, scarcely +restrained by banks, was rising rapidly from the continued +fall of rain, and at one time the pickets of our division, +including the Thirty-third New York, were found in the +morning surrounded by water; the rain having within +three hours risen so rapidly that many were standing in +water above their waists, while others were clinging +to bushes for support. Boats were procured, and the +drenched pickets were removed from their disagreeable +positions.</p> + +<p>The army was divided into two wings, one on the south +and one on the north side of the Chickahominy. The line +of battle was in the form of a V: Keyes' and Heintzelman's +corps on a line from Bottom's Bridge to Seven +Pines, forming the left arm of the V, and Franklin's, +Sumner's and Porter's on the north bank of the Chickahominy, +from Bottom's Bridge to Gaines' Farm, the right +arm.</p> + +<p>Keyes' corps, now composed of Casey's and Couch's +divisions, had crossed the river at Bottom's Bridge on the +24th, and after considerable skirmishing with the enemy, +had established itself on the road from Richmond to +Williamsburgh, about six miles from Richmond, and as +far from the Chickahominy, at a fork in the road called +Seven Pines. Heintzelman's corps had followed, and +occupied a position in the rear near the river. Casey's +division occupied an advance position, and Couch the +second line. One of the roads from this point, called +the nine-mile road to Richmond, crossed the Richmond +and York River railroad north of Seven Pines, at a place +called Fair Oaks. The country was wooded and marshy, +and General Casey was not able to throw his pickets out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +more than a thousand yards in advance of his line of +battle. Both divisions at once intrenched themselves, and +slashed the forests, that any approach of the enemy might +be discovered, and to widen the sweep of their guns. +Here the two divisions remained, having occasional skirmishes +with the enemy, until the morning of the 31st of +May.</p> + +<p>During the night before, the rain had fallen in torrents. +Thunders rolled along the sky, and the heavens blazed +with perpetual flashes of lightning. The morning found +the earth drenched by the floods, and the men of Casey's +division rose from their beds of mud to fight the battle of +Seven Pines.</p> + +<p>It became evident to General Casey early in the day +that the enemy designed to attack him in force. He +accordingly ordered his division under arms, and made +such dispositions of his forces as seemed best calculated +to resist the onset.</p> + +<p>At half-past twelve the attack was commenced. Large +bodies of rebels emerged from the cover of the woods, +and at once commenced a brisk fire of musketry and +artillery, driving in the picket line, and pressing forward +against the Union line of intrenchments. The numbers +of the enemy were now seen to be greatly disproportionate +to those of the single division opposed to them, and +General Casey called for help. Couch's division was +under arms, acting as support, but not yet engaged. +Some of the new troops, thus pressed by overwhelming +numbers broke and retreated in disorder; but the division +at large nobly withstood the mighty host which assailed +it in front, flank and rear. The forces of the enemy +constantly increased; and the single division was now +fairly invested by the exultant foe, who pressed forward, +unmindful of the losses inflicted by Casey's troops. +Again and again the enemy came on in masses, receiving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +the shot and shells, which tore open their ranks, +closing up the gaps, and pushing steadily on to the +assault. Against these repeated attacks of superior numbers +of confident troops, who constantly arrived in fresh +numbers, and, forming under cover of the woods, rushed +against our lines, Casey's division held its ground three +hours, until almost half its number were destroyed. The +execution done on the rebels was great. All means of +transportation at their command, were brought into requisition +to carry off the wounded to Richmond; and their +dead lay piled upon the bloody field. The white-haired +veteran, General Casey, was present wherever the danger +seemed greatest. Riding along his lines, encouraging his +troops, and making his dispositions for repelling the overwhelming +assaults, his heroism inspired bravery in the +hearts of the men, and prevented defeat from becoming a +rout. General Keyes was directing the movements of the +second line, held by General Couch. Portions of the division +were rallied, and with the aid of Couch's troops and +a brigade of Kearney's division, which that never tiring +general had just led on to the scene of conflict, the +attempt was made to retake the line of works just lost, +but without success.</p> + +<p>By this time General Heintzelman had arrived with his +corps; and orders were given to fall back to a third line. +The enemy made one more desperate attempt to crush the +retreating division, but they were repulsed with fearful +loss, and here commenced the turning of the tide in the +conflict.</p> + +<p>The line of battle as now formed was nearly two miles +in the rear of the position of the morning, at Fair Oaks.</p> + +<p>Heintzelman's and Keyes' corps at once proceeded to +strengthen this position, and before dark the brave fellows +of Sedgwick's division, of Sumner's corps, were on +the ground, ready to assist in repelling the progress of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +enemy. Richardson's division, not far behind, arrived at +sunset; and now the Union army was prepared for any +attempt which the rebels might see fit to make. The efforts +which the enemy were now making to break through our +flank on the left at White Oak Swamp, were, by this +timely arrival of Sedgwick, thwarted. Had the confederates +succeeded in this, the retreat of Keyes' corps and that +part of Heintzelman's on the ground must have been cut +off, and our army destroyed. The rebels, not satisfied +with a partial victory, and determined to destroy the left +wing of our army, then thrust beyond the river, renewed +their assaults, and again and again pushed forward. +Gathering in masses under cover of the forest, they would +dash upon our lines with impetuous fury; only to be sent +reeling back by a hurricane of leaden and iron hail. +Sedgwick and the intrepid Kearney fought their divisions +with greatest skill; and by their own example animated +and encouraged their men. Night closed upon the scene; +and at eight o'clock the fighting had ceased. The rebels, +so exultant at their success in the early part of the day, +were now hopeless of turning their victory to any good +account; for their last assaults had met with such terrible +repulses, that to renew the attack in force in the morning, +would be but a useless waste of life to them. Still, they +held their ground, and on the morning of June 1st, made +some demonstrations against parts of our line, which were +gallantly met.</p> + +<p>Finally, General Hooker, who here sustained the enviable +reputation he had so nobly earned at Williamsburgh, led +his command across the open space in front of our line, a +space not more than one-fourth of a mile wide, beyond +which the ground was interrupted by forests, to attack +the enemy.</p> + +<p>With quick and steady step, the well trained division +advanced across the field, deploying to the right and left;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +and before half crossing the open space their pace was +quickened to a run; constantly firing as they dashed forward +on the enemy.</p> + +<p>Presently the edge of the forest was reached; and here +considerable opposition was met with; yet, after a moment's +halt, the division again pushed forward into the +woods. The din of arms was heard for a few moments, +then the firing ceased, and our troops were in possession +of the ground.</p> + +<p>The rebels were, in their turn, now panic-stricken; and +hundreds of them rushed back to the confederate capital, +spreading the alarm, and declaring that the Yankees were +about to walk into the city.</p> + +<p>It was doubtless a sad mistake that this victory was not +followed up. The rebels, who had greatly outnumbered +us in the fight of the day before, were now themselves +outnumbered. They had suffered severe repulses on the +evening before, and on this day their rear-guard had been +whipped by General Hooker.</p> + +<p>A renewal of the attack in force on the part of the +Union army would have probably resulted in the capture +of the beleaguered city. As it was, the commander of +the Union army was on the north side of the Chickahominy, +many miles from the scene of action, and no order for +a forward movement was given.</p> + +<p>Such was the battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks. +Fought for the most part, by a single division of less than +six thousand men, against the combined forces of Longstreet, +Hill, Smith and Huger; all under the immediate +command of the Commander-in-Chief of the rebel army, +General Johnston.</p> + +<p>General Johnston had become satisfied, from the reports +of his scouts, that only Keyes' corps, of two divisions, was +across the Chickahominy. Believing that the bad state +of the roads and the swollen condition of the Chickahominy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +would effectually prevent reinforcements reaching +this corps before he could fall upon it and crush it, he +had determined to bring an overwhelming force against +it. Accordingly, the divisions of Longstreet, Hill, Smith +and Huger, were placed in position to make a sudden and +destructive assault upon the front and flanks of Casey's +exposed division, in the confident expectation of annihilating +it. But, instead of giving way before this avalanche, +as Johnston had contemplated, the regiments of the division, +with few exceptions, manfully held their ground for +three hours.</p> + +<p>The Commander-in-Chief reported to the Secretary of +War that Casey's division "gave way unaccountably and +discreditably." Five days later he promised to modify +his charge, if he found occasion; but it was only in his final +report, made many months after leaving the army, he was +constrained to acknowledge the good conduct of the division—an +act of tardy justice to deserving men.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the great disparity in the numbers of +those engaged on the rebel and Union sides, the losses +were nearly equal. The Union army lost four thousand +five hundred and seventeen in killed and wounded, and +one thousand two hundred and twenty-two missing. +Nearly one-half of all these losses were from Casey's and +Couch's divisions. General Johnston reported the rebel +loss in Longstreet's and Hill's commands at four thousand +two hundred and thirty-six.</p> + +<p>Among the trophies of the enemy, were ten pieces of +artillery and four stands of colors.</p> + +<p>With these trophies, they were satisfied to boast their +victory; regardless of the fact that they had been the +assailants in superior numbers, and had been repulsed with +fearful slaughter, and that the only fruit of their boasted +victory was a few guns and colors, as an offset for the loss +of thousands of their soldiers. General Johnston himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +was among the rebel wounded, and was forced to give +over the command to another.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the Union army might, had the +corps on the north bank of the Chickahominy promptly +followed that of General Sumner across the river, have +easily entered Richmond. But the hesitancy which characterized +the movements of the army lost to us all the +advantages of success. Early next day the treacherous +river had risen to such an extent as to render crossing +almost impossible; so the army remained as the battle of +Fair Oaks had left it; three corps on the south, and two +on the north side of the Chickahominy, separated by an +almost unsurmountable obstacle.</p> + +<p>From our camp at Gaines' Farm, the men of the Sixth +corps could see the smoke of battle and hear the roar of +artillery and musketry; but were not able to go to the +assistance of their fellows.</p> + +<p>The distance from Gaines' Farm to Fair Oaks was, in a +direct line, scarcely more than four miles, but as all communications +with the opposite side of the river were by +way of Bottom's Bridge, the distance was about fifteen +miles. The Vermont brigade essayed a crossing in our +own front on the afternoon of the second day of the fight, +with the view of rendering assistance on the other side, +but the attempt was abandoned.</p> + +<p>General McClellan, with General Hancock and other +officers, took a position in the line of our Third brigade, +on Sunday, where they remained watching the progress +of the battle from afar until darkness shut out the view.</p> + +<p>On the day after the battle, rain poured in a continuous +storm; deluging the roads and swelling what had been +but rivulets the day before, into rivers. In the midst of +this tempest of rain, Casey's division, destitute of tents +and blankets, weary from fighting and disheartened by +injustice, marched six miles to the rear to find a new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +encampment. On the 5th of June, Smith's division, of +the Sixth corps, was ordered to cross the Chickahominy, +and encamp on "Golden's Farm," nearly opposite. The +Third brigade took the advance, followed by the rest of +the division. Owing to the swollen state of the river, +and the impossibility of bridging it, the division was +forced to march to Dispatch Station before effecting a +crossing. The march was a long and weary one to gain a +distance less than three miles.</p> + +<p>Some of our troops were found skirmishing with the +enemy, and our batteries opened upon the gray coats, who +quickly surrendered the ground and took to flight. Our +Second division encamped in a pleasant locality, yet in +close proximity to the swamp.</p> + +<p>The Chickahominy wound its doubtful course among +multitudes of islands scarcely raised above the surface, +yet covered with trees, shrubs and vines in profusion, +within a few rods of our camp. Beyond us, in our front, +were forests of luxuriant growths of trees and climbing +shrubs, and the country all about us was interrupted with +rank growth of timber. The division at once proceeded, +as did all the other divisions in the army, to throw up +earthworks; making slow advances at certain points by +pushing these works further toward the front. On the +18th, we were joined by the other division, Slocum's. +The Sixth corps now formed the right of the new line of +battle on the south of the river. The line reached from +Golden's Farm to Fair Oaks. Day and night the men +worked at the breastworks and bridges. One-third of +the army was employed constantly at these works, and the +immense lines of intrenchments were marvels of achievements +in engineering. These were all constructed under +the fire of the enemy; no day passing without its skirmish. +Soldiers were daily brought to the hospitals with wounds, +even in the most quiet times.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<p>Everything combined to exhaust the energies of the +men and produce fevers, diarrheas and scurvy. Day after +day the men worked under a burning sun, throwing up +the immense walls of earth, or toiled standing to their +waists in water, building bridges. Night after night they +were called to arms, to resist some threatened attack of +the enemy. Their clothing and tents were drenched with +frequent rains, and they often slept in beds of mud. +With the hot weather, the malaria became more and more +deadly. The whole country was alternately overflowed +and drained; and the swamps were reeking with the +poisoned air. The hospitals became daily more crowded. +The strongest were constantly falling. Diarrhea, typhoid +fever, and other miasmatic maladies, became almost universal. +Men who worked at the breastworks one day +would be found in the hospitals on the next, burning with +fever, tormented with insatiable thirst, racked with pains, +or wild with delirium; their parched lips, and teeth blackened +with sordes, the hot breath and sunken eyes, the +sallow skin and trembling pulse, all telling of the violent +workings of these diseases.</p> + +<p>Day after day, scores of brave men, who had left their +northern homes to aid in the hour of their country's need, +were borne to lowly graves along the banks of that fatal +river; and at times one might sit in the door of his tent +and see as many as six or seven funeral parties bearing +comrades to their humble resting places.</p> + +<p>Hospital steamers plied constantly from the White +House to Washington, Alexandria and Philadelphia, bearing +thousands of these victims of disease; and many, with +stoic indifference, lay down in their shelter tents and +gave themselves over to death, without even applying to +comrades or surgeons for assistance.</p> + +<p>Everywhere at the north, men were seen on cars and +steamers, on the streets and in the houses, whose sallow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +countenances, emaciated appearance, and tottering steps, +marked them as the victims of "Chickahominy fever." +Express cars groaned with the weight of coffins containing +the remains of youths who but a few months before +had gone to the war in the pride of their strength, and had +now yielded, not to the bullets of the enemy, but to the +grim spirit which hovered over that river of death.</p> + +<p>Our army seemed on the point of annihilation from +disease; and matters were constantly growing worse. At +White House landing, great temporary hospitals were +established, where hundreds languished, and waited their +turn to be sent north.</p> + +<p>Thus, for nearly a month, the two armies looked each +other in the face, each engaged in throwing up defenses +against the approach of the other, but neither attempting +to bring on any general engagement. The pickets of the +two opposing forces were within speaking distance, but +they contented themselves with watching each other, and, +as a general rule, amicable relations existed between them. +But occasionally, when a belligerent regiment would be +on picket on one or the other side, some fellow, who +imagined he had a capital chance to pick off an opposing +picket, would blaze away; when in a moment the whole +line on either side would flash with the discharge of musketry. +Night demonstrations on the part of the enemy +were so common, that it was a rare thing for our troops +not to turn out at midnight, or at two or three o'clock in +the morning, and stand under arms until after daylight.</p> + +<p>The men of our Third brigade were a part of the time +engaged in building a strong fort, near the river bank, +which, in honor of our dashing brigadier, was named Fort +Davidson.</p> + +<p>A new regiment was added to Davidson's brigade +during the month of June, the Twentieth New York. +The regiment was composed entirely of German Turners.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +Nearly every man had served his three years in the Prussian +service.</p> + +<p>They had been stationed in the works at Newport +News, and their drill excelled anything in the army, +either in the regular or volunteer branch of service. +Their full ranks, and their unsoiled uniforms, were in +striking contrast with the shattered and worn-out regiments +forming the rest of the brigade.</p> + +<p>Among the causes of discouragement and anxiety for +the safety of our army, was the notorious raid of General +Stuart in our rear. This energetic officer, with a body of +about two thousand rebel cavalry, had swept round our +entire rear, causing something of a panic, not only at +White House, where all the shipping dropped down the +river, but in the ranks of the army, where it was feared +that our communications were destroyed, and we were +liable to be hemmed in and overthrown at any time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_ix" id="chapter_ix"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The army united—Plans and counter plans—Battle of Fair Oaks—Lee's plan—The +situation—Stonewall Jackson on the flank—Battle of Mechanicsville—Joy +in camp—Porter's corps retreats—An astonished army—Battle of Gaines' Farm—Slocum's +division at Games' Farm—Retreat to the river—Battle of Golden's +Farm—A young hero—A Union victory—Our right exposed—The sick abandoned—A +night of sorrow—The grand retreat commenced—Sad scenes at +Savage's Station—A meteor railroad train.</p></div> + + +<p>At length, after great labor, the bridge across the river, +near our own camps, was finished. It was an immense +structure, spanning not only the river, but the swampy +banks on either side to a great distance. Sumner's forces +had also rebuilt and enlarged the bridge below, and now +the two wings of the army, after weeks of separation, +were united by means of these bridges. Communications +were now rapid and easy, and there was no difficulty in +reinforcing one wing with troops from the other.</p> + +<p>General McClellan now determined to act; and an +advance of our picket line was ordered on the 25th of +June, preparatory to a general forward movement.</p> + +<p>But General McClellan was not alone in deciding upon +this particular time for commencing offensive operations.</p> + +<p>General Lee, who had succeeded to the command of +the rebel army when Johnston was wounded, aware of +McClellan's intentions of approaching the city by regular +approaches, and aware that it was in no condition long to +withstand a siege, determined to act on the offensive.</p> + +<p>The two armies were now about equal in numbers, each +consisting of a little more than one hundred thousand men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +for duty. (Our army had 115,000 men for duty.) +Our own army had recently been reinforced +by McCall's division, and five or six thousand troops from +Fortress Monroe; and the rebel army had been strengthened +by the accession of Jackson's force, of nearly twenty +thousand, from the valley.</p> + +<p>McClellan's first move was to advance the left wing, +under Heintzelman, who occupied the ground on which +had been fought the battle of Fair Oaks. General Hooker +was ordered to advance his division about a mile across a +clearing in his front. This the gallant general essayed to do.</p> + +<p>In front of his camp, before reaching the clearing, was +a thick entanglement of low pines and bushes, filled with +swamps and ponds. This chaparral was about five hundred +yards wide. Beyond was the clearing, in which were +the rifle pits and strong redoubts of the enemy, and still +farther on a forest. Hooker's brigades, commanded by +Sickles, Grover and Robinson, protected on the left flank +by Kearney's division, and on the right by a Massachusetts +regiment, moved into the tangled forest, about eight +o'clock on the morning of the 25th. Grover's pickets +soon fell in with those of the enemy, and sharp skirmishing +commenced; but the rebel picket line was steadily +driven back into the clearing, where it was strengthened +by their reserve. The fighting now became general. The +woods rang with the sharp sounds of musketry and +the deep tones of the artillery, and clouds of smoke +obscured the scene from view. Ambulances were emerging +from the woods bearing the wounded; and bloody +forms on stretchers, and the less seriously wounded leaning +on the shoulders of comrades, made up a melancholy +procession.</p> + +<p>The fire in the edge of the woods and in the open fields +increased in intensity, until all of Hooker's and part of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +Kearney's forces were brought into action. The rebels +finally retreated across the field to the cover of their rifle +pits. The retreat was slow and orderly, every foot of the +way being disputed.</p> + +<p>Our men were exultingly pushing forward, determined +to drive them from their pits also, when an order from +General McClellan directed General Hooker to retire with +his division to the original position. Here was evidently +a sad misconception of the state of affairs, for, when the +Commander-in-Chief, an hour later, arrived on the field +and consulted with General Hooker, the men were ordered +forward once more to occupy the ground they had once +taken and surrendered.</p> + +<p>This time there was less resistance. The rebels steadily +gave way, giving up their rifle pits and yielding the whole +of the open field. Under cover of the forest beyond the +field they made another stand, and late in the afternoon a +brigade charged upon our lines; but they were bravely +met by men of Grover's brigade, and driven back, leaving +three hundred of their dead on the field.</p> + +<p>By the action of this day, our line was advanced on the +left nearly a mile. The victory, such as it was, cost us six +hundred and forty men in killed and wounded. The men +remained under arms all night, in readiness to meet the +frequent sorties of the enemy, who intended nothing more +serious than preventing reinforcements from being sent to +the right of our line.</p> + +<p>Little did General Lee heed these operations on our left. +It was all the better for his plan that the attention of our +army should be engaged in this direction. He was ready +now to execute his plan of raising the siege of Richmond; +and a tremendous force had been massed against our right, +ready to advance upon it and our rear, with the hope of +cutting the Union army off from its supplies, and placing +it in the greatest jeopardy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>Let us, for a moment, recall the position of our army, +which, since the first battle of Fair Oaks, has been somewhat +changed. Porter's corps, consisting of McCall's, +Morrell's and Sykes' divisions, still held the right, on the +north bank of the Chickahominy, at Gaines' Farm and +Mechanicsville. The several bridges which had been +constructed since the 1st of June, formed avenues of +communication between the two portions of the army +separated by the river. Next, near the river, and opposite +Porter's corps, was our own Sixth corps, Slocum's and +Smith's divisions, Smith's nearest the stream. Then, on +our left was Sumner's corps, Sedgwick's and Richardson's +divisions; and finally, on the left of all, was Heintzelman, +with his divisions under Hooker and Kearney, and Couch's +division, of Keyes' corps. Casey's shattered division was +in the rear, guarding Bottom's Bridge and the road to the +White House.</p> + +<p>The line stretched from Mechanicsville across the river +to Golden's Farm, and thence to Fair Oaks.</p> + +<p>The whole of this extensive line was protected by +earthworks of marvelous magnitude, and whole forests of +timber slashed in front of some parts of the line formed +almost impenetrable abattis.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, Lee's army had been as actively +engaged in ditching and throwing up redoubts, and Richmond +was surrounded by a cordon of most powerful +works. Stonewall Jackson had been recalled from the +Shenandoah Valley; and now, with an army of thirty +thousand men, a very large proportion of them being men +of his original army, he hung upon our right and rear, +ready to come down upon our communications and flank +like an avalanche.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had General McClellan finished his dispatch to +the Secretary of War, in which he announced the glad +tidings that he had got his pickets in the right place,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +preparatory to a general advance, before he was aroused +from his illusion by the intelligence that the pickets on the +right were being driven in. He had already, during +the day, learned something of Jackson's position, and it +was now easy to divine the intention of that energetic chief.</p> + +<p>During the night, Hill and Longstreet crossed the +upper Chickahominy; and, by rapid marches, confronted +the pickets of McCall's division at Mechanicsville before +daylight on the morning of the 26th. Jackson, delayed +by our skirmishers, was still behind. Without waiting for +Jackson, Hill ordered an attack by daylight. Our pickets +were forced back upon the main line, and the battle of +Mechanicsville commenced. McCall's division, consisting +of Reynolds', Meade's and Seymour's brigades, was +strongly posted behind Beaver Dam creek; a stream about +twelve feet wide, wooded on either side, with water waist +deep, and a steep bank on the side held by the Union +forces. Along this bank, timber had been felled, rifle pits +dug, and other careful preparations made for meeting an +attack. The only accessible places for artillery were the +two roads which crossed the stream, one at Ellison's Mills, +and the other a mile above. Against these two points +the rebels directed their principal efforts. Hill's division +made the first assault. Clearing their rifle pits, his men +rushed forward with a yell, gaining the creek, within a +hundred yards of our line. Here the creek and the +almost impenetrable abattis checked their progress, and a +murderous fire of shot, shells, cannister and musketry was +opened upon them, which threw them into confusion, and +repulsed them with fearful loss. Again and again the +charge was renewed; each time with equal want of success. +More and more grand and terrible the battle +became, as the combatants struggled with each other at +close range. Thus far there had been no such terrific +artillery firing during the war. The uproar was incessant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +and sublime beyond description. Finding the position +too strong to be carried by direct assault, the confederates +fell back to their rifle pits; leaving their many dead and +wounded on the ground. The men of McCall's division, +securely posted behind their breastworks, had suffered +comparatively little; our loss not exceeding three hundred +in killed and wounded, out of the six thousand belonging +to the brigades engaged.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the rebels had lost heavily. From +their own official reports, it is known that of the twelve +thousand engaged, the loss in killed and wounded was +fifteen hundred; Ripley's single brigade losing five hundred +and seventy-four men.</p> + +<p>Both Davis and Lee were present on the field, directing +in person the movements, and exposed to the fire where +the battle was fiercest. General McClellan was at the +head-quarters of General Porter, where he remained until +the close of the battle, when he rode over the field.</p> + +<p>From the camp of the Sixth corps, the battle-field was +not more than four or five miles distant in a direct line, +though by way of the bridge it was much farther.</p> + +<p>We could watch the columns of smoke as they rolled +up from the scene of carnage, and see the flashes of bursting +shells, like sheets of lightning in dark thunder-clouds, +and hear the tremendous roar of arms. In the afternoon, +as the rebels charged upon a certain part of our lines, we +could watch the movements of both armies. Our only +part in the engagement was to stand to arms, ready to +rush to the assistance of those on the other side of the +river, at a moment's notice. In the evening, the news of +our success spread through the army, creating the wildest +joy. Men who had, by constant hardships, and by continually +looking on death, almost forgotten the feelings +of joy, now broke out in loud shouts of gladness; and for +the first time in many weeks the bands played those heart-stirring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +national airs, which in times past had been wont +to fill the hearts of the soldiers with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>The night passed in constant watchfulness, the men +resting upon their arms; for a renewal of the attack +might be expected at any moment. Still, the men of the +whole of the left wing of the army were exulting in +the glad hope that in the morning we were to march into +Richmond, almost without opposition; and that their high +hopes of success were to be speedily realized. The prize +which they had so often been promised, seemed almost +within their grasp. Men shook hands with each other, +sung patriotic songs, and shouted in greatest glee.</p> + +<p>Bands continued to ring out their notes of gladness +until long after nightfall; general officers rode about +announcing a grand victory; all was the most intense +excitement; and the men lay down upon their arms to +dream of reveling in the streets of Richmond before +another night. For weeks, even the drum calls and the +bugle notes had not been heard in our camps. Now, as +if suddenly waked from a long slumber, the strains of the +bugle and the roll of the drum were added to the general +rejoicing.</p> + +<p>It was known that the rebel troops engaged were not +those of Jackson. He then must be working around to our +rear. He was known to have a very large force; not less +than thirty thousand. It was evident that our communications +were in great danger, and that unless the main force +of our army, now on the right bank of the Chickahominy, +were hastily concentrated on the left bank, we could not +expect to hold the line to the Pamunkey another day. If +this were done, the rebels could easily prevent our retreat to +the James river, and leave us on the banks of the Pamunkey. +Accordingly, General McClellan gave up all hope of being +able to maintain the position of that portion of the army +on the north side of the Chickahominy, and at once issued<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +orders with a view of preparing for a change of base. +The quartermaster at White House was directed to "send +cars to the last moment, and load them with provisions +and ammunition." "Load every wagon you have," said +the dispatch, "with subsistence, and send them to Savage's +Station. If you are obliged to abandon White House, +burn everything you cannot get off."</p> + +<p>The quartermaster was directed, also, to throw all his +supplies, not burned or sent to the army, up the James +river, and there establish depots of supplies. General +Casey, who was now in command of the guard at White +House, was instructed to see these orders carried out. He +burned immense quantities of stores, consisting of clothing, +subsistence, and other war material, and then hastily +marched his force to rejoin the army.</p> + +<p>The evening of the 26th was passed in gladness over +our victory; but while the army was rejoicing at this +temporary success, it was losing one of the grandest +opportunities ever presented it for entering the rebel +capital. The whole plan of Lee had been based upon a +false calculation; and had this mistake been improved by +our commanders, the history of the war would have been +entirely changed. Both Lee and Davis believed that +the main body of our army was on the north side of the +Chickahominy; whereas, of the five corps constituting +our army, only one, that of Porter, remained on that side. +Under this erroneous impression, Lee had brought nearly +the whole of his army across the river to assail the Union +army on its right. This was known to our generals, for +while positive information had been received that Jackson, +with his large army, was making for our rear, the prisoners +taken during the day were from Hill's command, and from +them it was known that the troops of A. P. Hill, Longstreet +and D. H. Hill, were confronting us on the right. +Thus, between our main force, of over seventy-six thousand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +men, and Richmond, less than twenty-five thousand +rebels guarded their extensive line of works. A concentrated +assault of the four corps on the south side of the +river must have resulted in the utter rout of the force +opposed to them, and the road to Richmond would have +been opened.</p> + +<p>But the error of General Lee was never suspected, and +this grand opportunity was lost.</p> + +<p>During the night of the 26th, the heavy artillery and +baggage of Porter's corps was all sent across the river. +McCall's whole division, except a line of pickets left as a +blind, also fell back five miles below, to the vicinity of the +bridge at Gaines' Farm, where the three divisions of +the corps united.</p> + +<p>The astonishment of the men on the south side of the +river on discovering, in the morning, that Porter's corps +had fallen back, was only equaled by their mortification +and disappointment, as they saw the long lines of rebels +advancing in the gray of the morning against our retreating +column.</p> + +<p>They had believed, when night came on, that our arms +had achieved the first of a series of victories which was +to give us the rebel capital. Now they saw that our army +was already in retreat, and they gazed at the long train +of artillery and wagons, which had parked near us, with +downcast faces. From our camp, Porter's division could +be distinctly seen, and we could watch the movements of +the rebels as they arrived upon the highlands, formed +their line on the range of hills opposite Porter, and +planted their guns near the large barn on Dr. Gaines' farm.</p> + +<p>The position of Porter's corps was a strong one; and +he was ordered to hold it till night, and then to cross the +bridge and burn it after him; the upper bridge having +been burned during the night. The country between the +two lines was rolling, somewhat wooded, but in parts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +cleared. Both parties went to work to cut down trees in +their front.</p> + +<p>The rebel forces, who supposed on the 26th that they +were fighting our main army, were surprised, on the morning +of the 27th, to find that only a picket line opposed +them. They were early astir; and advancing against the +slender line, drove it back. The whole rebel force +advanced cautiously; A. P. Hill and Longstreet bearing +to the right, while D. H. Hill turned to the left, to unite +with Jackson, who was supposed to be coming in from the +rear. Owing to the uneven country over which they were +advancing, their march was slow; for they might fall +upon a Union line of battle behind any rounding swell of +land.</p> + +<p>It was afternoon before the rebel army had fully formed +its line on Gaines' Farm. The position of that army was +nearly that of the same army when Grant attacked it at +Coal Harbor two years later, only it was faced about. +The battle opened about one o'clock, by skirmishing on +both sides; but it was not till an hour later that Hill's +division dashed across the open space, rushing through +the swamp, and under a severe fire from our batteries and +musketry, pushed up the slope on which was posted our +line. The confederate troops advanced almost up to +Sykes' line of battle on the right, and in other parts of +the line actually forced back the Union troops; but they +were able to hold their position only a short time, when +they were forced back with great loss.</p> + +<p>Longstreet now advanced against the left of our line, +but he too met with a stern reception, and he withdrew to +rearrange his plan of attack.</p> + +<p>By this time Jackson was approaching, and now the +overwhelming forces of the enemy promised to crush +the single corps; but Slocum's division of our Sixth corps +was ordered to the relief of the Fifth corps, and arrived<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +at four o'clock. The division was sent into the fight at +once, each brigade being ordered separately to strengthen +the weak points of the line. Thus, while the division +fought bravely, and suffered equally in proportion with the +Fifth corps, its incorporation with that corps for the time +deprived it of the honors to which it was justly entitled.</p> + +<p>Bartlett, with his brigade, went to the aid of Sykes, who +was doubtfully struggling to hold his line; but who now, +by the aid of the gallant brigade, was able to hurl the +assailants back from his front.</p> + +<p>The rebel line being completed, Longstreet, A. P. Hill, +and Jackson all up with their troops, a general advance +was made.</p> + +<p>The charge was made with great spirit, the rebels +rushing over the open ground and floundering through +the swamp under a most writhing fire, but the position of +our forces was still too strong for them. At all points +they were repulsed with terrible slaughter. First on the +right, where Sykes' regulars, supported by Bartlett's brigade, +withstood the onset of Hill, the disordered and +disheartened confederates began to scatter in all directions.</p> + +<p>One of the confederate generals reported that had not +his men fallen back themselves he would have ordered it. +"Men were leaving the field," says another general, "in +every direction; two regiments ... were actually +marching back under fire. Men were skulking from the +woods in a shameful manner. The woods on our left and +rear were full of troops in safe cover, from which they +never stirred." Such was the effect of the reception given +by the regulars. On our left they met with no better +success. These, too, fell back in disorder. Now a desperate +attempt was made against our center. The tactics +with which we afterwards became so familiar on the part +of the rebels were brought to bear. This was in massing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +troops against certain parts of our line and making +desperate onslaughts with a view of breaking the line. +The forces of Jackson, Hill and Longstreet threw themselves +fiercely against our works, but without being able to +drive our men back. Here it was that the First and Third +brigades of Slocum's division saved the wavering line, and +all the fury of the rebels was spent in vain. General Porter +directed Newton's brigade to its position in the center; +Newton leading the Thirty-first New York and Ninety-fifth +Pennsylvania into the woods on one side, and the +gallant Colonel Matheson with the Eighteenth and Thirty-second +entering on the other, both in the face of a +destructive fire. The rebels charged upon the brigade +and gallantly the charge was met. Newton, seeing the +rebel line waver before the fire of his men, shouted "Forward!" +and the impetuous regiments cleared the woods +and drove the rebels more than seven hundred yards. +But the confederates, reinforced, pressed hard upon them +with overwhelming numbers, and Newton demanded aid. +Regiments from the New Jersey brigade rushed to the +assistance of their brothers of the Third brigade, cheering +as they advanced, and the position was held until the left +wing of Porter's corps gave way. For two hours the conflict +on this part of the line raged with terrible violence; +the columns surging backward and forward, neither party +being able to gain any permanent advantage. Never had +we heard such volleys of musketry as now rolled along the +borders of the swampy Chickahominy. Artillery was less +used; a strip of pine woods intervening between the position +occupied by some of our batteries and the rebel line +preventing an accurate range. The attempt to break our +center was abandoned, and now immense forces were +brought against the left. The roar of battle became more +loud than before. The thousand continuous volleys of musketry +mingled in one grand tumultuous concert of death;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +while the booming of artillery, which was now brought +more into action, shook the earth for miles around. Under +the pressure of overwhelming numbers, one brigade gave +way; and another on the extreme left, finding itself outflanked, +fought its way back to the upper bridge, which +had been partially destroyed during the night, and, crossing +to the south side of the river, gathered its shattered +regiments behind the breastworks of our Second division.</p> + +<p>For two hours and a half the battle had raged fiercely +on this part of the line, and as these brigades on the +right gave way, the confusion spread all along. The +rebels, seeing the disorder, and encouraged by their success +on the left, came on with redoubled fury; and the +whole line gave way, and fell back to some high grounds +near the bridge. Here two brigades from the Third corps +appeared as reinforcements, and the retreat was checked. +The Fifth corps, with Slocum's division and the two +brigades from the Third corps, were able to hold their +position on the north side of the river till after dark.</p> + +<p>But we had been beaten, and our losses were very +great. Twenty-two pieces of artillery fell into the hands +of the enemy. We lost two thousand prisoners, among +whom was General Reynolds, commanding one of McCall's +brigades; and our killed and wounded numbered about +four thousand. The rebels had suffered greater losses in +men, nine thousand five hundred having been killed or +wounded. The action, on the part of the rebels, had been +directed by General Lee in person, who was on the field +during the whole action, controlling the movements of his +troops, and attending to the details of the fight. On our +part, the battle had been fought entirely under the direction +of General Porter. General McClellan, believing he +could best watch the movements at all parts of his line +from a central position, had remained during the day at +the Trent House, five miles from the scene of action,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +without deeming it necessary even to ride down to the +river by the Woodbury bridge. (McClellan's Report.)</p> + +<p>Meantime, while the battle raged with fury on the north +side of the Chickahominy, there was active work in our +own front. Our Second division, at Golden's Farm, was +joined on the left by Sedgwick's division, of the Third +corps. The two divisions held the key to Richmond; for, +had the brave men composing them, under the leadership +of such men as Smith and Sedgwick, been ordered to +break through the rebel line, there was no power in their +front to restrain them. The rebels, aware of this, and +designing to prevent reinforcements from going to Porter, +made frequent feints all along our line. Now with pickets, +and anon, gathering a considerable force, they would +advance upon some part of our works. From the nature +of the ground, they could appear in large force at one +point, then withdrawing, pass under cover of the woods +and reappear at another point; thus keeping up the idea +of a large force.</p> + +<p>These skirmishes and the artillery duels had been kept +up all day, to the annoyance of all.</p> + +<p>Just at sunset, Davidson's brigade was ordered to cross +the river, by the Woodbury bridge, to reinforce the Fifth +corps. Preparations for moving were not complete, when +the enemy opened a fierce fire of artillery and musketry. +The idea of reinforcing the Fifth corps was at once abandoned, +and we hastily took refuge from the howling +missiles behind our breastworks. The artillery firing +increased, until the scene became in the highest degree +exciting.</p> + +<p>Our guns were answering the rebels with great spirit, +hurling shells fast and furiously, and clouds of smoke +rolled up from both the opposing lines. At length the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +rebel infantry was brought forward to charge our line. +Hancock's brigade of our Second division, and Burns' of +Sedgwick's division, were farthest in advance. Hancock +had taken up a critical position in front of the line of +works, where his brigade was supporting a strong battery. +Against these two advance brigades the enemy pounced +with the hope of routing them by this sudden onset. +Against Hancock they made the most desperate attempt, +but with no success further than driving in the picket line. +In return, the rebels were hurried back to the cover of the +woods from whence they came, leaving many dead and +wounded on the field. While the First brigade was thus +bravely withstanding the assault of the rebels, the Third +brigade and the Second occupied a second line, acting as +support, but neither were actively engaged; yet several +of the regiments in the second line lost men by the shells.</p> + +<p>During the night our Third brigade relieved Hancock's +regiments and remained in possession of the advanced +position until afternoon next day. We had moved from +our old position while the fight was in progress, and had +left everything except arms and ammunition.</p> + +<p>We could hear the sound of ambulances in the front +where the rebels were gathering up their wounded, till +after midnight; and toward morning they made a sally +upon a part of the line, but were quickly repulsed.</p> + +<p>June 28th, the men of Davidson's brigade who had been +ordered the day before to leave haversacks, canteens, +blankets and tents, found in the morning that their camp +was occupied by another division, tired and hungry, who +had lost their blankets in the fights of the two days +before, and who had now appropriated the haversacks +and blankets of our boys to their own use. Some confusion +occurred upon making this discovery, but our boys +soon helped themselves to substitutes and bore their loss +on the whole very patiently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our picket line was relieved at 9 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, but before the +whole line was changed the rebel batteries opened upon +the moving companies a concentrated fire from twenty +pieces of artillery, putting a stop to the process. Shot +and shell came tearing through our camps in every direction, +crashing through trees, throwing up great clouds of +dust, riddling tents and alarming the cooks and contraband +servants who remained in camp.</p> + +<p>This artillery practice continued for an hour without +eliciting much reply from our side, as our guns had been +nearly all withdrawn from the front to join the train +preparatory to the retreat.</p> + +<p>The rebels ceased their fire and we inferred that they +had withdrawn to some other point; but at two o'clock +the mistake was discovered. A brigade of rebels was +seen to leap over their breastworks and rush toward our +line with yells and shouts like so many madmen. Our +picket line was forced back before this impetuous charge, +the pickets retreating to the main line.</p> + +<p>The Thirty-third New York held the principal part of +the picket line, but two companies from the Forty-ninth +Pennsylvania of Hancock's brigade, and a detachment +from the Seventy-seventh New York also guarded a part +of the line in front of the Second division.</p> + +<p>A part of the detachment from the Seventy-seventh +held a small advance redoubt or lunette which had been +thrown up by Hancock's men. Over this work the rebels +rushed, unmindful of the bullets sent by the skirmishers, +and the guard was compelled to retreat in haste.</p> + +<p>But all did not leave that picket line.</p> + +<p>One youth, as brave a boy as ever shouldered a musket, +John Ham, of the Seventy-seventh regiment, had sworn +never to retreat before the enemy. Faithful to his word, +when the handful of pickets were compelled to retreat +(and this was the first time that any part of his regiment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +had ever fallen back before the enemy), he stood his +ground, loading and firing as rapidly as possible, alone +defending the redoubt!</p> + +<p>The rebels pressed upon him, and he fell riddled with +bullets. When, later in the day, we had driven the confederates +back to their works, we recovered his body, +pierced by bullets and bayonets.</p> + +<p>As the rebels neared our main line of battle, they were +met by a withering fire from our men, and, after maintaining +the contest for a few moments, they broke and fled in +confusion, leaving the ground thickly strewed with dead +and wounded. Not satisfied with this repulse, they +reformed and came on again; this time with less audacity +than at first. Again a murderous fire compelled them to +fall back, leaving more of their number on the field. +Among their wounded was Colonel Lamar, who was in +command of the charging regiments.</p> + +<p>He was brought into our lines by Sergeant Bemis and +another soldier of the Seventy-seventh. He had been +formerly a mischievous member of congress from Georgia.</p> + +<p>The final repulse of the rebels was made more complete +and more fatal to them by the timely aid of a section of +Mott's battery, which had come up and opened an enfilading +fire upon them from the left. Joyous cheers went up from +our men as they saw the rebels fleeing in all directions, +and it was only by the peremptory orders of their commanders +that they were restrained from following the +flying enemy.</p> + +<p>A company of about fifteen rebels threw out a white flag +and voluntarily surrendered themselves. Fifty dead rebels +and one hundred wounded remained in our front, whom +their comrades were allowed to remove, under flag of truce.</p> + +<p>The Thirty-third New York had, during this engagement, +sustained the principal shock of the enemy's charge; +and with that gallantry for which they bore during their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +two years of service an enviable reputation, they met the +charge and repulsed the enemy.</p> + +<p>By the retreat of the Fifth corps to the south side of +the Chickahominy, which was accomplished during the +night of the 27th and 28th, the rebel army was allowed +to approach the river at Gaines' Farm. By this movement +the camps of Davidson's brigade, which were upon the +extreme right of our line, near the river, and the two forts +we had erected, were rendered untenable; for the rebel +guns shelled the whole position with ease. Our men +went in squads and brought away the most valuable property, +including regimental papers and the knapsacks and +blankets. A few days before this, our whole corps, as +well as the other corps of the army, had been supplied +with an abundance of new tents. Staff and company +officers had their wall tents, and the private soldiers their +shelters. All these were destroyed by cutting them with +knives; as it was known that any attempt to remove +them would be discovered by the rebels, who would at +once open all their batteries upon us.</p> + +<p>Now, the feelings of the men underwent a terrible +revolution. It was, for the first time, told them that the +army must <i>retreat</i> in all haste to the James river! Our +brave fellows had looked with sad faces at Porter's +retreating column; but that was felicity compared with +what they now experienced. Even when the right wing +was forced across the river, they still had faith that their +bravery was to be rewarded with victory.</p> + +<p>Now, they felt that all was lost. General Davidson +rode through the camps, and announced to the commanding +officers of his regiments the mysterious information, +with directions to get off a few valuable articles and +abandon all else.</p> + +<p>Already, by Porter's retreat, the brave fellows in Liberty +Hall Hospital, mangled and sick, groaning with wounds,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +and delirious with fevers, were abandoned, <i>deserted</i>, to fall +into the hands of an enemy known to be merciless.</p> + +<p>And now the siege of Richmond was to be abandoned, +and the men who but two days before had exulted in the +glad hope of a speedy entrance into the city, which even +now lay just within our grasp, were to turn their backs as +<i>fugitives</i> before their enemies! It was a time of humiliation +and sorrow. Every man was weighed down with a +terrible anxiety. Officers hurried to and fro, silently and +hastily forwarding the preparations for the retreat. The +great caravan of army trains was on its way under the +direction of scores of officers, and with it were escorts of +cavalry and infantry.</p> + +<p>At three o'clock Sunday morning the 29th, the Sixth +corps quietly evacuated its works and proceeded in the +direction of Savage's Station. The men slung their knapsacks +and quietly moved off. A scene of desolation met +their view as they passed along. Tents cut to pieces, +commissary stores thrown upon the ground or burning in +heaps, blankets and clothing piled promiscuously about, +not considered worth carrying away; all indicating a +retreat under most disastrous circumstances.</p> + +<p>We had been preceded by Keyes' corps, which had +started at noon the day before, crossed White Oak creek +and occupied the opposite side, acting as advance guard +for our long trains which were now making all haste +toward the James river.</p> + +<p>The endless streams of army wagons, artillery trains +and ambulances were all pouring down the roads from +the various camps, and crowding into the narrow paths +that led to the opposite side of the Peninsula. Porter's +infantry mingled with the trains, and thousands of cattle +driven along through the woods by the roadside made a +strange scene. Franklin's, Sumner's and Heintzelman's +corps were to guard the rear, and it was with secrecy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +that we had left the rifle pits; for the enemy was close +upon us ready to take advantage of every movement. A +picket guard was left to deceive the rebels, while regiment +after regiment silently disappeared, leaving only the +pickets to hold the long line of earthworks. These brave +men waited hour after hour for the signal to retire. The +gray lights of the morning broke upon them, yet there was +no sign for them to join their commands. At length, +when they had given up all hope of being relieved, they +were signaled to leave the breastworks, and under cover +of the morning mists, they quickly joined their comrades.</p> + +<p>The Second division moved in the direction of Savage's +Station, while the First kept on to the crossing of White +Oak Swamp, acting as rear-guard to Porter's corps. We +of the Second division kept along the high lands which +skirt the Chickahominy, when, after marching about two +miles, the division was brought to bay by the pursuing +enemy. Facing about we waited in line of battle for our +trains to get out of the way; when we again resumed +the retreat. While here, General McClellan, with his +immense staff, rode by us on his way toward Harrison's +Landing. He passed White Oak Swamp the same day, +and waited the arrival of the army; which, hindered by +battles and innumerable difficulties, did not come up with +its commander again till the 1st of July.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Savage's Station at 4 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> Here trains +and troops were crowded together in wonderful confusion. +Immense heaps of commissary stores, arms and ammunition +were waiting destruction lest they should fall into the +hands of the enemy, and hundreds of sick and wounded +men were taking sad leave of their friends; for it had +been determined that these brave unfortunate men must +be left to the tender mercies of the rebels. Again the +division was formed in line of battle to protect our +pioneers and the regiments which were engaged in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +destruction of the stores. The long railroad bridge +across the river at this point had been burned. The +work of destruction went on at a marvelous rate. Boxes +of hard bread, hundreds of barrels of flour, rice, sugar, +coffee, salt and pork were thrown upon the burning piles +and consigned to the flames. One heap of boxes of hard +bread as large as a good sized dwelling made a part of +the sacrifice. Boxes of clothing and shoes were opened +and every man as he passed helped himself to whatever +he thought worth carrying away. Notwithstanding thousands +helped themselves, and huge boxes of clothing were +cast into the flames, we found on our return to the Peninsula +two years afterwards, that the inhabitants for a long +distance around were clothed and shod with articles left +by us at Savage's Station on the grand retreat. The people +had also made large gains by gathering up the coats, +pants, shirts and shoes left on the ground and selling them +in Richmond and elsewhere.</p> + +<p>It was easy thus to dispose of commissary and quartermaster's +stores, but to destroy the immense magazines of +cartridges, kegs of powder, and shells, required more care. +These were loaded into cars; a long train was filled with +these materials, and then, after setting fire to each car, the +train was set in motion down the steep grade. With +wildest fury the blazing train rushed; each revolution of +the wheels adding new impetus to the flying monster, and +new volumes to the flames. The distance to the bridge +was two miles. On and on the burning train thundered +like a frightful meteor. Now, the flames being communicated +to the contents of the cars, terrific explosions of +shells and kegs of powder lent new excitement to the +scene. The air was full of shrieking, howling shells, +the fragments of which tore through the trees and +branches of the forest; and huge fragments of cars were +seen whirling high in the air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> + +<p>At length the train reached the river; and such was its +momentum, that, notwithstanding the bridge was burned, +the engine and the first car leaped over the first pier +in the stream, and the cars hung suspended. While this +destruction was going on, Smith's division moved back +beyond Savage's Station, toward White Oak Swamp, +marching, with frequent halts, three or four miles, when +we were ordered to retrace our steps with all speed, to +reinforce Sumner's corps, which was engaging the enemy. +The heat of the day was most oppressive. Many of our +men fell with sunstroke. Among those who thus suffered +was General Davidson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_x" id="chapter_x"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE GRAND RETREAT.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Lee's army in pursuit—Sumner and Smith at Bay—Battle of Savage's Station—The +Vermont Brigade—Sick and wounded abandoned—Retreat to White Oak +Swamp—Battle of White Oak Swamp—An astonished division—A night march—A +mystery—In sight of the James—Battle of Malvern Hill—Departure of the +princes—Gloom and anxiety—Lee's attack—The rebels demoralized.</p></div> + + +<p>Meanwhile the rebel army, finding no force in front of +them, were at first at a loss to determine what course we +had taken; but when it was discovered that we had withdrawn +from before both wings of their army and that our +base of supplies at White House had been abandoned, it +was quickly divined that the Union army was retreating +to the James river. Stuart, with his cavalry, had dashed +down to White House and found only heaps of smoldering +ruins; and from the absence of all motion in front of +the right of their line, it was clear that no attempt was to +be made on Richmond. Finding himself thus unexpectedly +victorious, Lee at once ordered his forces, now on the +north bank of the Chickahominy, to cross over and pursue +the retreating army.</p> + +<p>During the night of the 28th, they had been actively +engaged in rebuilding the bridge destroyed by General +Porter, and early on the morning of the 29th, the main +body of Lee's army was pouring across the river. Hill +and Longstreet moved rapidly so as to interpose between +our army and Richmond, and to be able to strike us on the +flank; two other divisions followed on the Charles City +road, and Jackson, with his corps, moved down the bank +of the Chickahominy, threatening our rear.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<p>To resist any attack from these approaching columns, +Sumner's and Heintzelman's corps, and our Second division +of the Sixth corps, were formed in line of battle before +Savage's Station.</p> + +<p>For hours our division, with Sumner's corps, stood in +the open field watching the enemy. Heintzelman withdrew +his corps and left Sumner and Smith to stem the +tide that was destined to pour upon us. It seems to have +been the impression of General Heintzelman, who had +listened with credulity to the stories of the immense superiority +of the enemy in numbers, that all hope of resisting +the power of Lee's army was gone, and that there remained +nothing for us but to make the best of our way to the +James river without stopping to give the enemy battle.</p> + +<p>In the view that there was no safety but in retreat, he +was guided by the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief, +who had no thought of any further resistance than should +suffice to bring the men and as much of the material of +the army as could be brought by the teams across the +Peninsula. Not so the old war horse Sumner. He would +gladly have attempted, a few hours later, to have "pushed +the rebels into the Chickahominy," had not his application +for help been answered from beyond White Oak Swamp, +"The rear-guard will follow the retreat of the main body of +the army." If there was no hope for the army but rapid +retreat, then it was right for Heintzelman to leave the +road clear; for as it was, with only Sumner's corps and +our own division, the road was packed so full that the +men could scarcely march. But if there was an opportunity +of inflicting great injury upon the rebels, as Sumner +believed there was, then we are not surprised at the amazement +of the veteran when he discovered, the battle having +commenced, that one corps had left the line altogether. +We were now as near our new base of supplies as the rebels +were to theirs, and here we had enough to last the army<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +many days. We were, as they had been, on the defensive; +and we had the advantage in position. But there was +nothing left for those now on the line but to make the +best resistance possible under the circumstances, and then +fall back to the banks of the James.</p> + +<p>About five o'clock the huge cloud of dust in the direction +of the camps we had deserted, gave warning of the +approach of that part of the rebel army which was marching +by the Charles City road; and at sunset the thunders +of their artillery burst upon us. For an hour, only the +heavy roar of artillery was heard from both sides. Shells +screamed from one side to the other, and the bright flashes +and sharp reports, as they burst in the air, mingled with +the noise and smoke of the battle, as battery responded +to battery. Thus far no discharge of musketry was heard; +but suddenly Magruder's men, with yells and shouts, rushed +to the charge. Streams of fire flashed along the two lines, +and the rattle of innumerable muskets told of closer work +than artillery duels. The brave fellows of Sumner, and +of our Vermont brigade, met the assailants with defiant +shouts that rang out above the roar of muskets and +cannon.</p> + +<p>Leaving Sumner's heroes to contend the ground on their +part of the line, let us glance more in detail at the part +borne by our own division in this battle of Savage's +Station.</p> + +<p>The Vermont brigade having the advance of the division, +General Brooks at once threw his regiments to the front. +The Fifth and Sixth as skirmishers, supported by the +Third and Second in line of battle, the Fourth being +thrown upon the flank, the brigade advanced rapidly +through a wide strip of woods. Suddenly, as the line of +skirmishers emerged from the woods they received the fire +of a battery and of a strong line of battle. The Fifth at +once charged upon the force in front, which scattered in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +all directions. The rebels were beaten back both from +our own and from Sumner's front; but only to reform and +press forward again from the cover of the woods to which +they had retreated, to give battle with new vigor. Again +the flash and roar of musketry mingled with the wild yells +of the rebels and the manly shouts of the Unionists, and +again nothing could be seen but the clouds of smoke, out +of which sprung the vivid blaze of the cannon, and the +quick flash of the rifles. Every now and then, fresh +troops arriving upon the field would send up the shout +above all the other noise of battle, and then nothing but +the continuous din of arms could be heard. Three rebel +regiments now advanced against the Fifth Vermont; but +the brave fellows secured a good position and held it, +in spite of every effort of the rebels to dislodge them. +The other regiments were not so hotly engaged as the +Fifth. Two hundred of the men of that regiment were +killed, wounded or missing. Fifty of their dead bodies +were left on the field. Davidson's and Hancock's brigades +guarded important positions, but were not actively +engaged.</p> + +<p>The conflict raged till eight o'clock, when the confederates, +repulsed at every point, beaten and discouraged, +left the field, and no more was seen of them. The whole +loss to the confederates in this engagement was about four +hundred.</p> + +<p>Before midnight, the rear-guard had turned toward +White Oak Swamp, leaving many hundreds of our brave +wounded and sick men lying upon the green sward, or +collected under rude shelters. Here, large groups were +gathered under the shade of some large tree; and there, +long lines of staggering invalids, leaning upon their guns +or staffs for support, tottered after the retreating column, +in the hope of being able to reach with it a place of +safety.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<p>Surgeons were left to care for these unfortunate ones +who could not get off; and a small amount out of the +abundance of provisions that was condemned to destruction +was saved for them. Of all the sad scenes which +had made the Peninsula swarm with melancholy memories, +nothing we had seen could compare with this most +sorrowful of all. Twenty-five hundred of our sick and +wounded were left to fall into the hands of the enemy.</p> + +<p>At nine or ten in the evening, we withdrew from our +position before Savage's Station, and marched rapidly +toward White Oak Swamp. The road was completely +filled with wagons, ambulances and artillery, mingled +with horsemen and infantry, all crowding forward with +utmost speed. Never had our men experienced so severe +a march. They were obliged to pick their way among +the teams, losing all organization, each man bent upon +making his way forward regardless of others.</p> + +<p>At length, toward morning, we crossed White Oak +creek, ascended a little elevation on the further side, and +lay down upon the grass completely exhausted and worn +out.</p> + +<p>The sun was shining brightly when we were roused +from our heavy slumbers. The morning passed in perfect +quiet except the rattle of the trains which had parked +here over night, and now were hurrying along the narrow +road, wagons and artillery rushing by with all speed to +allow room for the immense collection to file out. This +process continued till afternoon, and was the only source +of excitement to us except the distant roar of battle on +the left, where McCall and Hooker were hotly engaged. +Thus matters continued until about two o'clock; the men +seeking shelter among the pines or resting quietly after +their weary night's march. A picket line composed of +men from the various regiments of our Third brigade, +Second division, guarding our extreme right flank. All<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +were listless and little dreaming of the tremendous storm +of iron hail which was gathering to break upon us in a +moment.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, like a thunderbolt, seventy-five pieces of +artillery belched forth their sheets of flame and howling +shells; and in an instant, our whole division was thrown +into the most perfect confusion by the deadly missiles +which flew among us in every direction. Such cannonading +had never before been heard by our army, and before +our batteries could reply with any effect, the horses were +killed, the gunners dispersed and the pieces disabled. It +was a most perfect surprise; no one was prepared; men +ran hither and thither seeking shelter behind any object +which seemed even sufficient to conceal them from the +view of the enemy.</p> + +<p>It appeared that Jackson had effected a crossing of the +river, and with great secrecy made his way to the border +of White Oak creek, where, concealed by trees and underbrush, +he had massed his batteries, and when all was in +perfect readiness had opened upon us this storm of death. +Unutterable confusion prevailed for a time; riderless horses +galloped madly to the rear; men rushed here and there; +officers wandered about without commands, and men were +left without directions how to act. Generals Smith and +Davidson occupied an old fashioned wooden house which +stood upon the brow of the elevation above and facing +the bridge. About it were many orderlies, holding their +horses, or lounging carelessly, or chatting with each other. +The very first volley riddled the house with shells; orderlies +rushed from the place in consternation and the inmates +quickly appeared without, gazing in amazement toward +the source of this unexpected cause of the tumult. The +gray-haired owner of the house was cut in two as he stood +in the door, and several other persons were more or less +injured. General Smith, at the moment the cannonade<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +opened, was engaged at his rude toilette; his departure +from the house was so hasty that he left his watch, which +he did not recover. He coolly walked off to a less exposed +position and devoted himself to restoring order. One +regiment, as soon as the shells began to fly, rushed pell-mell +to the rear, none of the men standing upon the order of +their going.</p> + +<p>During all this time a few of the regiments held their +ground without moving. By active exertions, on the part +of officers, order was restored and the whole division fell +back a short distance, taking up a position at the edge of +a strip of woods, which commanded an open field. General +Smith, with his accustomed fearlessness, was to be seen +riding along his lines exhorting his men to coolness, and +by his own composure restoring confidence to them. The +design of Jackson, to cross the stream, was frustrated. +The firing soon ceased, and, as darkness came on, quiet +again reigned, except now and then a little skirmishing.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock in the evening, under cover of the darkness, +we silently and hastily withdrew. All orders were +given in whispers; men refrained from conversation; and +everything indicated the most intense anxiety on the part +of our generals for the safety of the army. Thus, in silence, +we hastened on our way; the weary and exhausted +troops scarcely able to keep awake while they marched. +No better illustration can be given of the intense state of +anxiety, excitement and doubt which prevailed, than +the following little incident, which occurred during this +night march. Our Third brigade, leading the Second +division, had halted where the narrow road passed +through a piece of woods, waiting a moment for the road +to clear, or for the guides to report the direction for the +march. Generals Franklin and Davidson, with officers of +Davidson's brigade, were grouped together near the head +of the column, sitting upon their horses. The weary men,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +almost overcome by sleep, were leaning upon their muskets +or lying in the road half asleep. Officers nodded and +swung this way and that in their saddles. The stillness of +death prevailed. In an instant, without any perceptible +cause, as though a breath from some evil genius had swept +the narrow track, every man was gone from the road. +They stood in the woods looking with breathless wonder +into the road for the unseen danger. After the first +moment of surprise, the word passed along, in low tones, +"Attention!" Not a living being could be seen in the +road, and all was silence. Recovering from the first surprise, +General Davidson looked for General Franklin, who, +but a moment before, was dozing by his side. "General +Franklin! General Franklin!" called the general in a loud +whisper, but nothing could be found of him, and we saw +no more of him that night. What was the cause of this +sudden alarm we never knew. Possibly, a riderless horse +might have suddenly startled those in front, or, quite as +likely, there was no cause whatever; but the incident +illustrates the state of feeling in the army that night.</p> + +<p>At length, just as the gray light of the morning was +streaking the skies, we came in sight of the majestic +James river. Every man took a long breath, as though +relieved of a heavy load of anxiety. Officers clasped +their hands and exclaimed, "Thank God." The worn out +men stepped lighter, for they had arrived at the haven +of their hopes. Again they experienced a feeling of +safety. We filed into a beautiful clover field, and there the +exhausted columns sunk down for a brief rest. Brief it +was to be, for scarcely had two hours passed when we +were ordered into line of battle. We moved back +through the woods, crossing a little stream, and formed in +a wheat field, where the grain stood in shocks. Here we +remained, watching the enemy, who stood in our front, +contenting themselves with occasional sallies of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +skirmishers, while the great battle of Malvern Hill was in +progress on our left, where the booming of our field pieces +and the dull roar of the heavy guns from the gunboats +was heard for many hours. At length, as night came on, +the sound of battle died away, and all was again quiet. +Now we heard cheers on the left, and, looking in that +direction, we saw, approaching at great speed, the commander +of the Union army. Cheers greeted him as he +rode along the line, and hats were thrown high in the air +in honor of the chief.</p> + +<p>As the leading corps of the army had fallen back from +White Oak Swamp, they had occupied a superb position +on the James river, called Malvern Hill. The wagons +and other impedimentia of the army had also arrived +there, and were secured behind the southern slope of the +hill. The place was admirably adapted for a defensive +battle. It was a lofty plateau, rising not less than one +hundred and fifty feet above the plain, sloping gently +toward the north and east, down to the border of the +forest. The approach to this sloping field was rendered +difficult by ravines, which ran along the front; and the +enemy, if he approached, must do so by way of the roads +which crossed them.</p> + +<p>Upon the crest was posted the battery of siege guns +which had escaped the hands of the enemy; and nearly +three hundred field pieces were arranged along the heights, +so that the fire might pass over the heads of the infantry, +who were arranged upon the glacis, up which the enemy +must charge, hidden, for the most part, by the tall wheat +and corn. Here the main body of the army was posted. +First, nearest the James, was Porter's corps; then Heintzelman's, +Keyes', Sumner's and our Sixth corps, occupying +the right flank, two or three miles from the position where +the rebels must advance with their main force. The fleet +of gunboats floated upon the river, on our left flank,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +ready to send their screaming monster shells into the +ranks of the advancing enemy.</p> + +<p>Against this position, naturally almost impregnable, Lee +hurled his hosts, with the design of giving the final blow +to the Union army, which should insure its destruction +and capture. The rebel army confidently believed that +the army of the north must now be compelled to surrender +or be driven into the James.</p> + +<p>If the rebels were confident and exultant, our own men +were filled with the deepest despondency.</p> + +<p>Exhausted by a month of constant labor and watchfulness, +with fighting and marching and digging, now, as +they believed, fleeing from the face of an enemy immensely +superior to them in numbers, it is not to be wondered at +that they were apprehensive of the worst results.</p> + +<p>Paymasters sought refuge with their treasures in the +gunboats on the river. The Prince De Joinville and his +nephews, the Count De Paris and Count De Chartes, who +had acted as aides de camp to General McClellan, who had +been with us from the beginning, active, brave men, who +were frequently where the danger was greatest, and +who had entered our service with the determination of +seeing it to the end, now departed; they, too, finding a +respite from their toils upon one of the gunboats. The +young men were accompanied on board by the staff and by +the Commander-in-Chief himself. From the deck of the +vessel he communicated his orders by the signal flags, to +those left in command on shore. Here, with his young +friends, and in consultation with the commander of the +fleet, he remained until about five o'clock, when he rode +down the lines to the rear of our corps, where he spent +the time till darkness put an end to the fight.</p> + +<p>Such was the sad state of feeling in our army. Yet, +exhausted and depressed as they were, our men were as +brave and determined as ever. They had yet a country;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +and they knew that the fate of that country depended +upon the result of this encounter, and they resolved to +acquit themselves with heroism and even desperation.</p> + +<p>Lee had marshaled his whole force in front of our +strong position. He wrote to each of his division commanders +ordering an assault, and directing, when they +heard the yell of Armistead's troops, to charge also with +yells.</p> + +<p>The yell was heard, and some of the divisions, but not +all, pressed forward to a wild charge.</p> + +<p>The rebels came on heroically, but were sent reeling +back down the slope in confusion and disorder. Again +and again they renewed the charge from under cover of +the woods which skirted the base of the slope. They +would start across the open space, charging our batteries +with wild yells, but the heavy fire of our guns and the +steady volleys of our infantry sent them back as often to +the shelter of the woods. At times our infantry would +reserve their fire till the rebel columns had run the gauntlet +of shot and shell from our batteries, almost reaching +our lines, when with exultant cheers they would bound +forward to seize the prize now almost within their grasp, +when our men would open upon them a single volley, and, +leaping over the breastworks, pursue the panic-stricken +assailants, capturing prisoners and colors, and driving the +rebels in confusion down the slope. Thus the battle raged +with terrible fury; every attempt on the part of the enemy +failing, until darkness set in, and the rebel chiefs were +glad to let the battle subside; though it was not till nine +o'clock the artillery firing ceased.</p> + +<p>The weight of the attacks had been upon our center. +Here Couch, Sumner and Heintzelman withstood the shock +of battle for hours, only a part of Porter's corps being +engaged, and neither our Sixth corps nor Casey's division +of Keyes' corps being actively in the fight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rebel General Trimble thus describes the condition +of their army on the morning after the battle:</p> + +<p>"The next morning by dawn I went off to ask for orders, +when I found the whole army in the utmost disorder. +Thousands of straggling men were asking every passer-by +for their regiments; ambulances, wagons and artillery +obstructing every road; and altogether in a drenching rain +presenting a scene of the most woful and heart-rending +confusion."</p> + +<p>Had but a show of an attack upon such an army been +made, it must have resulted in defeat and utter rout to +the rebels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xi" id="chapter_xi"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>HARRISON'S LANDING.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>March to Harrison's Bar—A scene of confusion—A beautiful landscape—Fourth +of July in camp—Gloom at the north—Cause of the +disasters—Prevalence of +disease—Review by the President—A night demonstration by the +enemy—Reconnoissance +to Malvern Hill—Departure of General Davidson—A retrospect.</p></div> + + +<p>Our corps remained in line of battle in the wheat field +till early next morning; changing position during the +night just often enough to deprive us of rest. As we +started out toward Harrison's Landing the rain was pouring +in sheets; and throughout the day it continued to +deluge the country. The roads were rivers of almost +fathomless mud; and our tired men could scarcely drag +themselves along. But at four in the afternoon we halted +under cover of our gunboats, and bivouacked for the +night. Such a deplorable scene as was here, was enough +to melt the heart of the stoutest. As we debouched from +a piece of woods skirting the plateau at Harrison's Landing, +officers stood like hotel porters at a steamboat landing, +calling out "This way for the Third corps;" "This way +for the Fifth corps;" "This way for Slocum's division." +All was confusion. The whole army seemed to be made +of stragglers. Our little Brigadier Davidson rose in his +saddle to an unusual height, as he looked back and saw +with undisguised pride, his brigade marching in, almost +unbroken.</p> + +<p>The landscape before us was indescribably beautiful. +There lay the James river, and spreading out between us +and the river were the broad fields of wheat; the fine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +country houses; the long avenues and roads lined with +rows of cedar trees; which last were almost in a moment +stripped of their branches to make beds for the soldiers.</p> + +<p>There, crowded together, were the immense caravans +of wagons, ambulances, guns and pontoons, hugging the +river, and the multitude of men swarming over the plain. +Long processions of sick and wounded men, leaning on +canes and crutches, their heavy steps and sunken faces +now for a moment lighted up at the thought that their +melancholy pilgrimage was nearly ended, filed by us; and +battalions of cooks and special duty men were wandering +about in search of their commands.</p> + +<p>The river was full of transports and gunboats, giving it +the appearance of the harbor of some commercial metropolis. +Many of the hungry men, without waiting for +their rations to be brought by the commissary, plunged +into the stream, swam to the boats and there procured the +coveted food. But the greater number of our men, their +powers completely exhausted, without waiting for food, +or to provide comfortable quarters, lay down in the bed +of mud and were soon in heavy slumbers.</p> + +<p>Again, after a poor night's rest, the corps was marched +to a new position on the front line, where we remained to +celebrate the anniversary of the nation's birthday. A +gloomy "Fourth of July" was this to us, though every +effort was made to keep up the spirits of the men. +Early in the morning the enemy opened a fire upon +parts of our line, to which our guns responded. A +national salute had been ordered, and precisely at the +hour appointed, while the fighting was in progress, +the heavy guns were heard booming the salute. Our +boys listened for a moment, and then, as if all inspired +with new life, they made the welkin ring with their cheers. +The bands, roused from their long inactivity, pealed forth +stirring national airs, and the Commander-in-Chief issued<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +an address to his array, in which he praised its gallantry +and firmness, declared that he himself had established the +new line, and that if the enemy would come upon us now +we would convert his repulse into a final defeat.</p> + +<p>At home, a heavy gloom hung over the nation. The +news of our retreat and of the terrible battles, had been +carried by the magic wires to the remotest parts of the +north; but few yet knew the fate of their friends who +were in the great army. It was enough that the siege of +Richmond, which had cost so much time and money, and, +above all, so many thousands of brave men, was abandoned, +and the grand army, on which the hopes of the nation +hung, was now beleaguered, defending itself in an unhealthy +position, which offered little advantage for anything but +defense. Sympathizers with the rebellion secretly rejoiced +and openly prophesied the speedy destruction of our army +by the scorching sun and poisoned air, even if left to itself +by the rebels.</p> + +<p>The cause of all these disastrous circumstances was by +some attributed to unwise interference, on the part of the +authorities in Washington, with the plans of the chief of +our army. They claimed that the President, Secretary of +War and the Major General commanding all the armies +of the Union, had, in the words of General McClellan, "done +what they could to defeat this army." They complained +loudly that reinforcements had been withheld, and that +McDowell, with a large force, had been kept unemployed +in the vicinity of Fredericksburgh, when his corps would +have thrown the balance of strength upon our side. Others +claimed that the whole campaign had been sadly mismanaged +by a commander who had, as they insisted, never seen +his army fight; who had invariably found employment +elsewhere than on the field of battle when fighting was +to be done, and whose character as a soldier was made up +of doubts and hesitancies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Six weeks of camp life, dreary, sickly and monotonous, +succeeded our arrival at Harrison's Bar.</p> + +<p>Our corps proceeded to the work of throwing up strong +intrenchments and mounting guns. Our Third brigade, +Second division, constructed an extensive fort, in which +several very heavy guns were mounted; each of the regiments +taking their turn at the labor. In our front the +forests were slashed for a great distance, and thousands of +sturdy wood-cutters plied their heavy blows, sweltering +under the burning rays of the sun.</p> + +<p>Sickness became almost universal. The men were worn +out with the tremendous labors which they had performed +since their arrival on the Peninsula; they were burned by +almost unendurable heat; they were nearly devoured by +the countless myriads of flies and other annoying insects; +and they were forced to drink impure and unwholesome +water. It was not strange that hundreds died in camp, +and that hundreds more, with the seeds of death implanted +in their constitutions, went to their homes in the north to +breathe out their lives in the midst of their friends, or +languished in the large government hospitals at Washington, +and other cities.</p> + +<p>Leaves of absence were given freely, and thousands +availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting their +homes and recruiting their health. The men, with the +patience which none but soldiers ever exhibit, went +quietly to work to render their situation as tolerable as +possible. Wells were dug in the camps, from which they +procured better water than they were able to get at first, +and small pines were brought and set among the tents, by +which some degree of protection was afforded against the +burning sun. On the morning of the 8th of July, the +monotony was broken by the arrival of President Lincoln. +The booming of artillery announced his coming, and the +heartfelt cheers of the soldiers assured him of a welcome.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>The President, after spending a few hours at the head-quarters +of the army, proceeded to review the various +corps. He was accompanied by General McClellan, and +many officers of note. Everywhere he received an enthusiastic +welcome from the men, who regarded him as their +warm friend. He manifested great emotion as he rode +along the lines and saw that the regiments, which but a +few weeks before had left Washington with full ranks, +were now mere skeletons of regiments. Evening drew its +mantle over the scene, and the review was closed by +moonlight.</p> + +<p>Little occurred to relieve the monotony of the six weeks +of camp life at Harrison's Bar, except the events of which +we have spoken; a demonstration by the enemy during +the night of the 31st, and an advance to Malvern Hill by +General Hooker's division. On the former occasion, the +troops were startled from their slumbers about midnight, +by the sudden discharge of a battery of artillery from the +south side of the James. The rebels had succeeded in +getting a force in position there, and they now opened a +vigorous fire upon our shipping and our camps. Their +shells flew among us in disagreeable proximity, and the +long lines of fire traced upon the midnight sky lent a certain +charm to the dangerous business. Our gunboats +answered the fire; and after two hours of exciting work +drove the rebels from their position. Some infantry was +taken across the river, who hastened the retreat of the +enemy, burned the buildings near the shore, and cut down +the trees, that they might not in future afford concealment +for the rebels.</p> + +<p>General Hooker's reconnoissance resulted in his occupying +Malvern Hill for a day or two, having a brisk skirmish +with the enemy and returning to camp.</p> + +<p>Our active and gallant Brigadier-General Davidson +was, early in August, relieved from the command of our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +Third brigade, and ordered to the department of Missouri. +Notwithstanding the severity of his discipline, and his occasional +forgetfulness that men could not accomplish as much +physical labor as horses—for the general had always been +a cavalry officer—his never-tiring energy, his undoubted +bravery, and his interest and pride in his brigade, had +endeared him to the men. During the severe trials on the +Chickahominy, and on the retreat, the general had taken +an unusual interest in the brigade, and had made himself +personally acquainted with nearly all the members of his +command.</p> + +<p>The general took command of a cavalry division in +Missouri; where his name became a terror to all secessionists +in that part of the country. The command devolved +upon Lieutenant-Colonel Corning of the Thirty-third New +York, then senior officer of the brigade, who was soon +succeeded by Colonel W. H. Irwin, of the Forty-ninth +Pennsylvania Volunteers.</p> + +<p>Reinforcements began to arrive from Washington, and +our army, in August, numbered one hundred and twenty +thousand men. With these, and a few thousand more, +General McClellan declared his belief that he could repel +the enemy and advance into Richmond.</p> + +<p>Let us for a moment turn to the fortunes of the regiment +with which we left Saratoga, and whose early history +we have traced. In all the stirring events which have +transpired in the division and corps, the Seventy-seventh +has acted an important and honorable part. Always +ready to perform the duties demanded of it; always in +its place when danger was greatest; ever cheerfully obeying +the commands of superiors, it has assumed no honor +above its fellows, but proudly claimed to be the peer of +such noble regiments as the Sixth Maine, the Fifth Wisconsin, +the Thirty-third New York, and other bright +stars in the galaxy of the Sixth corps; ornaments to it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +and the army. "It is a little regiment," said General +Davidson to a member of Governor Morgan's staff, who +came to look after the interests of the New York troops, +"but it is always in the right place." The general regarded +the regiment with especial favor, and was accustomed to +call it "my little Seventy-seventh." Since the arrival of +the army on the Peninsula the experiences of the regiment +have been varied. With the other regiments of Smith's +division, it has spent a month at Yorktown, within musket +shot of the enemy. At Williamsburgh it, with other +regiments of its brigade, supported batteries in front of +Fort Magruder, and when, in the afternoon, it received +the order to go with the Forty-ninth to the assistance of +Hancock, it started forward with cheers; the men going +through the mud at double quick. But when the two +regiments arrived on the field, their gallant brothers of +Hancock's and of their own brigade, had nobly accomplished +the work in which they would gladly have assisted. +We have seen how gallantly the regiment routed the +rebels at Mechanicsville; capturing a flag and other trophies; +and when on the Chickahominy Smith's division +held the line closest upon the enemy, it bravely assumed +its part of the labor and danger. A portion of the regiment +on picket on the 28th of June, exhibited sterling +heroism, and we need hardly refer to the noble sacrifice +of the brave young soldier John Ham.</p> + +<p>Disease and exhaustion had made terrible inroads upon +the Seventy-seventh. Instead of nearly a thousand men +with which we came to the Peninsula, inspection in the +middle of June showed only about two hundred and fifty +men present for duty. Although this regiment had from +the very beginning occupied an exposed position in the +very front line; although it composed a part of Smith's +division, which has already become famous both in the +Union and rebel armies for being always in closest proximity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +to the enemy, yet it had thus far lost very few men +in battle. All the rest of those now absent had been +stricken down by fevers, or worn out by the exhausting +labors and exposures of the campaign.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/mckean.png" width="500" height="667" alt="James B. McKean" title=""/> +</div> +<p class="center">James B. McKean—Col. 77th Regt. NYSV.</p> + +<p>Among those attacked by typhoid fever was Colonel +McKean. After suffering a few days in the vain hope of +soon being able to place himself again at the head of his +regiment, he was removed from the poisonous atmosphere +of the swamps to Washington, and thence to his home in +Saratoga. The men looked upon his departure with sincere +regret, for they not only respected him as an able +commander, but loved him for his never failing interest in +their welfare. He had been to the regiment in the capacity +of commander and father. His leave of the regiment +was destined to be final; for except as an occasional visitor +he never returned to it; and after many months of suffering, +his constitution undermined, and his health permanently +destroyed, he was forced to relinquish the command. +But though forced to leave the field, the men of his +regiment never ceased to cherish feelings of love and +respect for their first commander. They had witnessed +his bravery on the field, and they now knew that he +was contending with disease with the same fortitude +that had marked his course in the army. The departure +of Colonel McKean from the service was not only a great +loss to his regiment but to the whole corps; for he was +not only a brave officer, but a gentleman of superior +intellectual endowments. Another of the sufferers from +typhoid fever was Lieutenant Bowe, a young man of fine +abilities and greatly beloved by his regiment. After +several weeks of absence, he returned to camp on the 18th +of July restored to health. On the very next day, while +standing with several officers in a tent, he was fatally +wounded by an accidental shot from a pistol. His father, +hearing of the sad occurrence, came for him and removed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +him from camp; but only to see him expire in a few +days.</p> + +<p>Changes occurred among the officers. The lieutenant-colonel +and major left the service, the first by resignation, +the other by dismissal. Adjutant French was made +major, and afterwards lieutenant-colonel, which office he +held during the remainder of the term of the regiment. +He assumed command of the regiment on his return to it +after the battle of Antietam, and continued in command +while it was a regiment. Captains and lieutenants also +resigned. Chaplain Tully and Quartermaster Shurtliff +departed for their homes, having left the service. Lieutenant +Hayward was made quartermaster, a position for +which he was eminently qualified, and which he thenceforward +held to the great satisfaction of the entire regiment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xii" id="chapter_xii"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>RETREAT FROM THE PENINSULA, AND GENERAL +POPE'S BULL RUN CAMPAIGN.</h3> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Premonitions of a change of base—The transfer commenced—Marching down the +Peninsula—On board transports—A contrast—Arrival at Alexandria—Unaccountable +delays—General Pope's campaign—An obstinate general—Causes of +Pope's failure.</p></div> + + +<p>Early in August, rumors were floating about the army, +that General McClellan had received positive orders to +transfer the Army of the Potomac to the front of Washington, +there to unite the forces of the two armies; and +that this plan was strongly opposed by General McClellan, +who insisted that he wanted only a few thousand more +men to march into Richmond.</p> + +<p>The army had received large reinforcements since arriving +at Harrison's Landing, and now numbered more than +one hundred thousand men; not by any means an inconsiderable +force, yet too small, in General McClellan's +opinion, to warrant another advance.</p> + +<p>But, owing to the movements of the enemy in front of +General Pope, the supposed impracticability of the route, +and to some distrust as to the abilities of General McClellan +by the authorities at Washington, peremptory orders had +been sent to him to remove his army as quickly as possible +from the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>What the merits of the dispute in high places might be, +the army at large was not able to decide; but the rumors +gave rise to many spirited debates, in which the authorities +at Washington and the authority at Harrison's Bar had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +each earnest advocates. At length it became known that +the army was to leave the Peninsula, and preparations for +this important movement commenced. The work of shipping +the sick and wounded, numbering twelve thousand +five hundred, began; but it was not carried on with a +degree of alacrity satisfactory to the War Department or +the President.</p> + +<p>The wharves along the river side became the scene of +immense activity. Ambulances crowded along the banks +of the river, laden with sick and wounded, while those +from the hospitals able to walk, tottered along with +trembling steps, their wan faces and sunken eyes telling +their story of suffering. Transports were in waiting for +these, and were rapidly filled with their freight of suffering +humanity. Everything not movable was ordered to +be destroyed. Tents were struck and taken to the pickets +who had left them behind, and everything betokened an +important movement. Three or four days were spent in +momentary expectation of the order to "fall in," but still +the situation remained unchanged.</p> + +<p>At length, on the 16th of August, all was ready and +the men were ordered to pack their knapsacks; but the +men of the Sixth corps remained in camp until the sun's +rays became scorching; then the column moved rapidly +eastward. A hard day's march on the 16th and another +on the 17th, brought the corps in sight of the Chickahominy. +It crossed a pontoon bridge of enormous extent, +in the construction of which ninety boats were used, +and the length of which was over two thousand feet. +Thoroughly exhausted the men bivouacked on the eastern +bank of the Chickahominy.</p> + +<p>The rebels, now aware of the retreat, were following +close at the heels of the Union army, but declined to +make any offensive demonstrations, further than picking +up stragglers and those that fell out by the way from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +weakness and fatigue. The main portion of the rebel +army was now occupied in important movements in +another direction.</p> + +<p>Another rapid march, under a burning sun, brought our +corps to the ancient capital of the Old Dominion—Williamsburgh. +Passing through its streets without halting, +taking only time to glance at its now dilapidated buildings, +we reached the familiar scenes of the old battle-field, +which, three months before, we little expected to recross +before the downfall of the rebellion. Here was the plain +where a portion of our Second division had, by its gallantry, +decided the fate of the battle; the scene of our +bivouac in the rain and mud, and the redoubts where +lay the wounded rebels, whose groans had rendered the +night hideous. In the midst of these scenes we bivouacked +again for the night.</p> + +<p>At dawn the column moved again, and after a fatiguing +march reached Yorktown; our Second division encamping +in the works erected by Porter's division during our +famous thirty days' siege of that place.</p> + +<p>Many of the men had by this time become exhausted; +and a long train of ambulances was filled with these and +sent ahead on the morning of the 20th. The well ones +soon followed toward Fortress Monroe, halting on the +field of Big Bethel. This was the first visit of our corps +to this disastrous field, and the men rambled about manifesting +great interest in the spot rendered sacred by the +blood of Winthrop and Greble.</p> + +<p>Plums, peaches and sweet potatoes constituted novel +additions to the diet of the men, and although the two +former were unripe, their good effects were manifested in +arresting multitudes of those troublesome cases of diarrhea +which had resisted all treatment so long as the men were +deprived of acid fruits. Another hard march on the 21st +brought the corps again, after five months' absence, to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +vicinity of the desolated village of Hampton, and the end +of our march for the present. The whole army was +crowded along the shores, waiting to embark for Aquia. +Transports of every size and description were riding upon +the bay or lashed to the wharves, and infantry, cavalry +and artillery were crowding toward the beach ready to +take their turn to embark. The scene was one of unusual +activity, resembling only the one we had witnessed on +embarking for the Peninsula months ago.</p> + +<p>At length all were on board, and the transports swung +out upon the bay and steamed up the Potomac. One of +the transports on which a portion of the Second division +was embarked, the "Vanderbilt," had been, in other days, +an old friend, as she ploughed up and down the Hudson; +now her magnificent saloons, which had been of dazzling +beauty, were dismantled and disfigured. No gorgeous +drapery or gilded mirrors adorned them, but desolation +and filth prevailed.</p> + +<p>The weather was charming, and, except for the crowded +condition of the transports, the trip would have been a +delightful one. What a contrast was there in the appearance +of those same men now, and when they came down the +river in April! Then our ranks were full; the men were +healthy and in fresh vigor; their uniforms were new and +clean, and their muskets and equipments were polished +and glistening. Now, we looked about with sadness when +we remembered how many of our former companions were +absent, and how few present. We could bring to mind +many who went to the Peninsula, full of hope, who had sunk +as victims of the malarial poisons, and now rested in humble +graves at Yorktown or along the Chickahominy; and +many others who had nobly fallen upon the field of strife; +and yet others who now were wearing out tedious days +of sickness in hospitals or at home.</p> + +<p>The little band that remained could hardly be recognized<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +as the same men who left the defenses of Washington +but a few months since; their faces were now bronzed +from constant exposure to the scorching rays of the sun, +and their clothing was worn and soiled. Hats and caps +of every description: hats of straw and of palm leaf, of +brown wool, black wool, and what had been white wool. +Caps military and caps not military, all alike in only one +respect, that all were much the worse for wear. It would +have puzzled a stranger to have determined from this +diversity of apparel, what was the regular uniform of our +troops.</p> + +<p>We came up the river with feelings far less exultant +and confident than those experienced in our downward +trip. Indeed a gloom hung over the minds of all. The +army was satisfied that General McClellan would be removed +from command, and it was said that General Pope +or General Burnside would be his successor. Though they +remembered the brilliant successes of the one in the west +and of the other in the south, many expressed fears that +the command of a large army might be as fatal to either +of these as it had been to General McClellan.</p> + +<p>At sunset of the 23d, the transports bearing the two +divisions of the Sixth corps, were anchored just off Alexandria; +but none of the men were allowed to go ashore. +Spending another night in the crowded vessels, where the +foul air prevailing between decks rendered breathing anything +but a luxury, the men hailed the appearance of +daylight as the time for their liberation from this close +and unpleasant confinement.</p> + +<p>The process of disembarking progressed rapidly, and +the divisions were marched through the city to a field +about a mile beyond its limits, where we encamped near +Fort Ellsworth.</p> + +<p>Although this was on Sunday morning, and it was known +that Pope's army was fighting the enemy even before we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +left the Peninsula, and was in need of reinforcements; yet +no signs of marching occurred until Thursday.</p> + +<p>Let us now turn back for a moment and hastily glance +at the movements of General Pope and his army, which +had now for several days been actively engaged. The +battle of Cedar Mountain was fought on Saturday, August +9th. General Banks, pushing his corps toward Cedar +Mountain, and, finding the enemy in his front, had boldly +attacked him. The confederate forces were led by General +Jackson, and outnumbered the forces under General Banks. +The field was hotly contested for an hour and a half, when +our forces were obliged to fall back; but being reinforced +by Rickett's division, they were able to prevent the enemy +from occupying the field. During the night, Jackson withdrew +his forces, leaving the ground in our hands, which +was at once occupied by the Union forces.</p> + +<p>The whole of Sunday was occupied in burying the dead +and bringing off the wounded of both armies. Our men +had behaved with great bravery, and the gallantry and +zeal of General Banks was what might have been expected +from that general. The field was yet in our hands; yet +the battle could hardly be called a decided victory for our +arms. Jackson retreated rapidly across the Rapidan, in +the direction of Gordonsville, leaving many dead and +wounded along the road from Cedar Mountain to Orange +Court House. Except to follow up the enemy with cavalry +as far as Orange Court House, no important move was +made for several days by the forces under General Pope.</p> + +<p>Reinforcements were constantly arriving for Jackson, +and it became evident, by the 18th, that nearly the whole +of Lee's army was assembling in front of General Pope, +along the south side of the Rapidan. Among papers +captured from the enemy at this time, was an autograph +letter from General Robert Lee to General Stuart, stating +his determination to overwhelm General Pope's army<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +before it could be reinforced by any portion of the +army of the Potomac.</p> + +<p>The whole army was now ordered to fall back and +occupy a stronger position behind the Rappahannock. +The movement was executed on the 18th and 19th of +August, without loss; the new line extending from +Kelley's Ford to a point three miles above Rappahannock +Station. The enemy appeared next day at the +various fords, but, finding them strongly guarded, waited +for all their forces to arrive from the Rapidan.</p> + +<p>The whole of the 21st and 22d were spent by the enemy +in efforts to cross the river, and a fierce artillery duel prevailed +along the line for more than seven miles in extent, +but the rebels were repulsed at every point, and withdrew +with the intention of moving up the river and turning the +flank of the Union army.</p> + +<p>General Pope, appreciating the danger of this movement +on the part of the rebels, telegraphed to Washington, and, +in reply, was assured that, if he could hold out two days +longer, he should be so strongly reinforced as to enable +him, not only to hold his position, but to take the offensive.</p> + +<p>It is needless to say that, with the exception of one or +two small divisions, no reinforcements reached him within +that time; and although General Porter reported to him +by letter from Bealton on the 25th, it had been better for +General Pope had he not come at all. On the night of +the 26th, Jackson, coming through Thoroughfare Gap, got +in the rear of Pope's army and cut the railroad at Kettle +Run, near Warrenton Junction. Lee was still in front, in +the vicinity of Sulphur Springs. General Pope, desiring +at the same time to fall back toward Centreville and interpose +his army between Jackson's and Lee's forces, ordered +a retrograde movement. His troops were by this time +fairly exhausted. In his report to the Secretary of War, +he says: "From the 18th of August, until the morning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +of the 27th, the troops under my command had been continually +marching and fighting night and day; and during +the whole of that time there was scarcely an interval of +an hour without the roar of artillery. The men had had +little sleep, and were greatly worn down with fatigue; +had had little time to get proper food or to eat it; had +been engaged in constant battles and skirmishes, and had +performed services, laborious, dangerous and excessive, +beyond any previous experience in this country." Jackson +had succeeded in burning fifty cars at Bristow Station, +and a hundred more at Manassas Junction, heavily laden +with ammunition and supplies. On the afternoon of +the 27th, a severe engagement occurred between Hooker's +division of Heintzelman's corps, which had arrived +the evening before, and Ewell's division of Longstreet's +corps, near Bristow Station. Ewell was driven back; +the loss on each side being about three hundred. During +the night, General McDowell with his corps, and +Generals Reno and Kearney with their divisions, took such +positions as effectually to interpose between Jackson's +forces and Lee's, and no alternative was left Jackson but +to turn upon Hooker and rout him, or to retreat by way +of Centreville. Hooker's men had exhausted their ammunition, +so that there were but five rounds per man left. +General Pope, fearing that Hooker would be attacked, dispatched +an aide to General Porter with orders to join +Hooker at once. The aide was instructed to inform General +Porter of the immediate necessity of moving at once, +and to remain and guide him to the place. But Porter +utterly refused to obey the order. Most fortunately for +our army, Jackson, ignorant of Hooker's weakness, determined +to retreat by way of Centreville; a mistake which +prevented most serious consequences to us. Jackson in +his retreat was hotly pursued, and on the 28th a severe +battle took place between McDowell's corps and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +retreating column, in which our forces gained decided +advantages. On the 29th, Jackson was again near the +old Bull Run battle-ground, and a terrific battle ensued, +which lasted with great fury from daylight until dark. +The rebels were driven from the field, which was occupied +by our men. General Pope sent peremptory orders to +Fitz John Porter to move at once upon Centreville; which +would have cut off Jackson's retreat; but again this commander +refused to obey orders, and Jackson was enabled +to unite with Lee, who had by this time reached Thoroughfare +Gap, and was pushing on toward him. Had the +orders of General Pope been carried out, Jackson must +without doubt have been crushed before Lee's forces could +by any possibility have reached the field of action.</p> + +<p>On the following day the whole of both armies were +brought face to face with each other. General Pope, by +this time hopeless of any aid from the fresh troops he had +expected long before this from Washington, and aware of +the disaffection of the largest and freshest corps in his +command, although nearly discouraged, determined to +give battle and inflict as much damage as possible upon the +enemy. His force now, including Porter's corps, was +about forty thousand. The whole of Lee's and Jackson's +forces now pressed upon our lines with terrible effect.</p> + +<p>The action raged with great fury for several hours; the +rebels constantly massing heavy columns against our lines, +especially upon the left, where McDowell's and Sigel's +corps resisted the onset with great bravery, but were at +length forced to yield, when an utter rout took place; the +whole army falling back upon Centreville in great disorder. +On this day, for the first time in all these long series +of battles, Porter's corps was brought into action. The +conduct of the corps, in the early part of the day, showed +a determination on the part of its leaders not to fight, and +the men fell back in disorder; but being rallied later in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +the day, the pride of the men overcame the obstinacy of +their commanders and the corps did good service. Hooker's +and Kearney's divisions, and Reynolds' Pennsylvania +reserves had rendered most gallant services from the time +they reached General Pope's army.</p> + +<p>Returning now to our Sixth corps under General Franklin. +The corps remained quietly at Alexandria, from the +morning of the 24th until the afternoon of the 29th. +Rations and ammunition were as well supplied when we +reached Alexandria as when we left. The booming of +cannon was heard on the 26th and 27th, and contrabands +and white refugees informed us that terrible fighting was +in progress beyond Manassas. We wondered that we were +not ordered to go to the relief of the little army which +we knew was resisting the whole of Lee's and Jackson's +forces.</p> + +<p>On Thursday afternoon, August 28th, the corps received +marching orders. Tents were struck, knapsacks packed, +rations provided, and many regiments, shouldering their +knapsacks, stood in line ready to move. But sunset came +and no further orders. The men waited impatiently, only +a few venturing to unpack their knapsacks or pitch their +tents, until long after dark.</p> + +<p>Friday morning brought few indications of an advance. +Head-quarter tents remained standing, artillery horses stood +unharnessed, and everything showed an intentional delay. +At length the corps moved. Marching quietly and easily, +the old ground of Camp Misery was passed, and the corps +reached Annandale, where it halted and encamped after an +easy march of six miles. Saturday morning the corps +again moved leisurely along, making very frequent halts. +The firing in front indicated a hardly contested battle, +and our men, knowing that Pope must be in need of +reinforcements, were anxious to push forward rapidly. +Every hour the corps halted for at least twenty minutes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +and sometimes even longer. At this snail pace we passed +Fairfax Court House, the roar of musketry and artillery +becoming constantly louder in front, and arrived at +Centreville. Orders immediately came for the corps to +proceed to Cub Run, about two miles beyond Centreville. +Here, wounded men by hundreds and stragglers in greater +numbers passed across the little bridge over the run, a +dismal crowd, hastening toward Centreville.</p> + +<p>As usual at such times, scores of cowardly villains were +attempting to pass to the rear as wounded men.</p> + +<p>An amusing encounter occurred between one of this +class, a coward in captain's uniform, and one of our own +officers, Captain Deyoe, as brave a fellow as ever drew a +sword. The demoralized captain, his sword thrown away +and its sheath after it, came hurriedly upon the bridge, +where Deyoe was sitting, coolly filling his pipe. The +fugitive captain turned his face, pale with fright, to the +imperturbable Deyoe, and, striking him on the shoulder, +said with as much composure as he could muster, "Captain, +we have had hard times of it out there, but <i>don't be +afraid, don't be afraid</i>." Deyoe, turning his face toward +that of the straggler with a look of unruffled coolness and +unmitigated contempt, replied, "Well, who the d—is +afraid? Oh, yes, I see, <i>you are</i>. Well, you had better +get away from here then!"</p> + +<p>The corps remained at Cub Run until nightfall, when it +was ordered to return to Centreville, where it encamped. +Regiments from our Third brigade were sent to the rear +of Centreville to arrest stragglers, who were hurrying +toward Alexandria in great numbers.</p> + +<p>The regiments were drawn up in line across the turnpike, +where they remained all night, turning back hundreds +of stragglers at the point of the bayonet.</p> + +<p>The scene at Centreville on the next day was one of +the utmost confusion. Thousands of stragglers wandered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +about without knowing or caring what had become of +their commands; long columns of shattered regiments and +batteries filed past to take up new positions, either within +the intrenchments or on the flanks. The appearance of +these skeletons of regiments and batteries gave evidence +of the terrible experiences of this long series of engagements. +Their ranks, thinned by the fortunes of battle, +and still more by the disgraceful skulking which had +become so universal, the worn and weary appearance of +the men, their flags, each surrounded by only enough men +to constitute a respectable color-guard, all showed that +even the hard experiences of the Army of the Potomac +had never had so demoralizing an effect as this.</p> + +<p>The skulkers were loud-mouthed in their denunciations +of General McDowell. Hundreds of them, who had in all +probability not been near enough to the front during the +whole retreat to know anything that was going on there, +declared that they had seen him waving that mystic white +hat as a signal to the rebels; and all knew that it was +through his treachery that the army had been destroyed. +Others declared positively that they had seen, with their +own eyes, General McClellan, with a small body of faithful +followers, dash against the advancing foe, and arrest +the pursuit! Such wild and improbable stories filled the +whole atmosphere, and, strangest of all, were believed by +thousands, not only in the army, but throughout the whole +north.</p> + +<p>Long trains of ambulances were bringing from the +battle-field wounded men, who had been, since Saturday, +exposed to the burning sun and the storm which had prevailed +during Sunday night.</p> + +<p>Temporary hospitals were established, and surgeons +were actively employed in ministering to the relief of the +unfortunate. Monday evening the battle of Glendale or +Chantilly was fought, in the midst of a terrific thunder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +storm. The enemy, in attempting to turn our right, had +been met by Hooker, Reno, McDowell and Kearney, and +repulsed with heavy loss, from our entire front. But the +victory was a costly one for us. The brave, earnest and +accomplished soldier, Major-General Kearney, and the +gallant Stevens, were both killed while leading their commands +against the enemy.</p> + +<p>The Sixth corps, on Monday evening, was marched back +to Fairfax Court House; but early next morning returned +within a mile of Centreville, when it took possession of +the heights, and lay in line of battle until three o'clock +<span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, when orders were received to march back to our old +camp at Alexandria, which we reached at ten o'clock the +same night; thus making in a single evening, a distance +that had required two full days and a part of another, to +march, in going out.</p> + +<p>Thus ended General Pope's campaign in Virginia. +Never was a campaign so misrepresented or so little +understood; and never were the motives of men so falsely +judged as were those of the generals connected with this +campaign.</p> + +<p>General Pope had fallen a victim to the foulest treachery +of ambitious rivals, rather than to the strength of his +open foes. Any one who will in candor trace the movements +and the handling of that little army, when beset +by an enemy now known to have been double its own +strength, must concede that his plans were well conceived, +and his generalship in this campaign fully equaled that +which had won him so great renown in the west.</p> + +<p>That the defeat of General Pope was brought about by +the rivalry and jealousy of generals of the Union army +cannot now be doubted. We know why Porter withheld +the largest and freshest corps in the command from the +fights, while its eleven thousand men were within sight of +the battles; but why was the Sixth corps delayed? Some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +one was equally culpable with Porter. Was it worse +to keep a corps out of the fight, when on the field, than to +keep another corps off from the field altogether without +any good reason? There can be but one question—who +was responsible for the criminal neglect to send the Sixth +corps to the assistance of Pope's army?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xiii" id="chapter_xiii"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>General McClellan restored to command—March through Washington—Leisurely +campaigning—Battle of Crampton Pass—Death of Mathison—Battle of South +Mountain Pass—Death of Reno—Surrender of Harper's Ferry—March to +Antietam.</p></div> + + +<p>General Pope, at his own request, was relieved from +the command of the army, and General McClellan resumed +the direction. Whatever might have been the real fitness +of General Pope to command, his usefulness with the +army just driven back upon the defenses of Washington, +had departed. The return of General McClellan was +hailed with joy by a large portion of the army.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of September, Lee crossed the Potomac into +Maryland, and occupied Frederick City. General McClellan +was ordered to push forward at once and meet him. +It was on the evening of the 6th that orders were issued +to move. It was but short work to pack up our limited +supply of clothing, cooking utensils and the few other +articles which constituted our store of worldly goods, and +prepare to march. We left Alexandria, and proceeding +toward Washington, passed Fort Albany and crossed the +Long Bridge, the moon and stars shining with a brilliancy +seldom equaled, rendering the night march a pleasant one. +As the steady tramp of the soldiers upon the pavements +was heard by the citizens of Washington, they crowded +upon the walks, eager to get a glance, even by moonlight, +of the veterans who had passed through such untold hardships. +Many were the questions regarding our destination,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +but we could only answer, "We are going to meet the +rebels." Passing through Georgetown, we reached the +little village of Tanleytown, where, weary from the short +but rapid march, we spent the remainder of the night in +sleep. The morning passed without orders to move, and +it was not until five o'clock in the afternoon that we again +commenced the march, when, having proceeded six miles, +we halted. At daybreak on the morning of the 8th, the +corps was moving again, and passing through Rockville +we halted, after an easy stage of six miles.</p> + +<p>On the 9th we marched three miles, making our camp at +Johnstown. On the following morning, at 9 o'clock, we +were again on the move, driving before us small bodies of +rebel cavalry, and reaching Barnesville, a small village, +ten miles from our encampment of the night before. Our +Third brigade, of the Second division, was quartered on the +plantation of a noted secessionist, who, on our approach, +had suddenly decamped, leaving at our disposal a very +large orchard, whose trees were loaded with delicious +fruit, and his poultry yard well stocked with choice fowls. +Our boys were not slow to appropriate to their own use +these luxuries, which, they declared, were great improvements +on pork and hard tack. In the enjoyment of ease +and abundance, we remained here until the morning of the +12th, when we resumed the march, proceeding ten miles +farther, halting near Urbana, at Monocacy bridge, which +had been destroyed by the rebels, but was now rebuilt. +On the same day General Burnside, having the advance, +entered Frederick, encountering a few skirmishers of the +enemy, which he drove. On the 13th, we arrived at +the lovely village of Jefferson, having made ten miles +more, and having driven a detachment of rebels through +Jefferson Pass.</p> + +<p>The advance was sounded at ten o'clock on the morning +of the 14th, and at three we found ourselves near the foot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +of the South Mountain range, having marched about fifty +miles in eight days. Upon the advance of Burnside into +Frederick, the rebel force had fallen back, taking the two +roads which led through Middletown and Burkettsville, +and which crossed the South Mountains through deep +gorges, the northern called South Mountain or Turner's +Pass, and the other, six miles south of it, Crampton Pass.</p> + +<p>These passes the rebels had strongly fortified, and had +arranged their batteries on the crests of neighboring hills. +The Sixth corps came to a halt when within about a mile +and a half of Crampton Pass, and a reconnoissance was +ordered.</p> + +<p>General Franklin was now directed to force the pass +with the Sixth corps, while the remaining corps should +push on to the South Mountain Pass and drive the enemy +through it. We formed in line of battle and advanced. +Before us lay the little village of Burkettsville, nestling +under the shadow of those rugged mountains, its white +houses gleaming out of the dark green foliage. Beyond +were the South Mountains; their summits crowned with batteries +of artillery and gray lines of rebels, while the heavily +wooded sides concealed great numbers of the enemy.</p> + +<p>A winding road, leading up the mountain side and +through a narrow defile, known as Crampton's Gap, constituted +one of the two passages to the other side of the +range; South Mountain Gap being the other. The enemy +had planted batteries and posted troops behind barricades, +and in such positions as most effectually to dispute our +passage.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the mountain, was a stone wall, behind +which was the first rebel line of battle, while their skirmishers +held the ground for some distance in front. The +position was a strong one; admirably calculated for +defense, and could be held by a small force against a much +larger one.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/burkettsville-charge.png"> +<img src="images/burkettsville-charge-small.png" width="400" height="254" alt="Charge of the Sixth Corps at Burkettsville" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Charge of the Sixth Corps at Burkettsville +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + +<p>The day was far advanced when the attack was ordered. +No sooner had the lines of blue uniforms emerged from the +cover of the woods, than the batteries on the hill tops opened +upon them. The mountains, like huge volcanoes, belched +forth fire and smoke. The earth trembled beneath us, and +the air was filled with the howling of shells which flew over +our heads, and ploughed the earth at our feet. At the +same time, the line of battle behind the stone wall opened +upon us a fierce fire of musketry. In the face of this storm +of shells and bullets, the corps pressed forward at double +quick, over the ploughed grounds and through the corn +fields, halting for a few moments at the village. The citizens, +regardless of the shells which were crashing through +their houses, welcomed us heartily, bringing water to fill +the canteens, and supplying us liberally from the scanty +store left them by the marauding rebels.</p> + +<p>Patriotic ladies cheered the Union boys and brought them +food; and well might they rejoice at the approach of the +Union army, after their recent experience with the rebels, +who had robbed them of almost everything they possessed +in the way of movable property.</p> + +<p>After a few minutes, in which our soldiers took breath, +the advance was once more sounded, and again we pushed +on in face of a murderous fire, at the same time pouring +into the face of the foe a storm of leaden hail. Slocum's +division, of the Sixth corps, advanced on the right of the +turnpike, while Smith's division pushed directly forward +on the road and on the left of it. After severe fighting +by both divisions, having driven the enemy from point to +point, Slocum's troops, about three o'clock, succeeded in +seizing the pass, while our Second division pressed up +the wooded sides of the mountain, charging a battery +at the left of the pass and capturing two of its guns. +The confederates fled precipitately down the west side +of the mountain, and our flags were waved in triumph<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +from the heights which had so lately thundered destruction +upon us. As we advanced, we wondered, not that +the foe had offered such stubborn resistance, but that the +position had been yielded at all. Their dead strewed our +path, and great care was required, as we passed along the +road, to avoid treading upon the lifeless remains which +lay thickly upon the ground. On every side the evidences +of the fearful conflict multiplied. Trees were +literally cut to pieces by shells and bullets; a continual +procession of rebel wounded and prisoners lined the roadsides, +while knapsacks, guns, canteens and haversacks +were scattered in great confusion. The rebel force made +its way into Pleasant Valley, leaving in our hands their +dead and wounded, three stand of colors, two pieces of +artillery and many prisoners. Our troops scoured the +woods until midnight, bringing in large numbers of +stragglers.</p> + +<p>We had lost quite heavily; some of our best men had +fallen. Colonel Mathison, who commanded the Third brigade +of Slocum's division, whose heroism at Gaines' Farm, +and bravery in all our campaign on the Peninsula, had +endeared him to his division, was among the killed.</p> + +<p>The corps moved down the road to the western side of +the mountains, our men resting on their arms for the night, +expecting that the battle would be renewed at dawn. But +the morning revealed no enemy in our front; we were in +quiet possession of the valley.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile on the right, at South Mountain Pass, a still +more sanguinary battle had been in progress.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 14th, the Ninth corps, Burnside's +veterans, the heroes of Roanoke and Newbern, under the +command of the gallant Reno, advanced from Middletown; +and coming near the base of the mountains, found the +enemy strongly posted on the crests of the hills, thronging +the thickly wooded sides, and crowding in the gap. No<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +matter what position the brave boys occupied, they were +submitted to a murderous fire from the crests and sides +of the mountains. Under this galling fire, the First division +of the corps formed in line of battle, and advanced toward +the frowning heights. It was an undertaking requiring +more than ordinary valor, to attempt to wrest from an +enemy strong in numbers, a position so formidable for +defense; but the men approaching those rugged mountain +sides had become accustomed to overcome obstacles, and +to regard all things as possible which they were commanded +to do. Under cover of a storm of shells, thrown +upward to the heights, the line of battle advanced, with +courage and firmness, in face of terrible resistance, gaining +much ground and driving the rebels from their first line +of defenses. Now, the corps of Hooker rushed to the +assistance of the Ninth. As the gallant general and his +staff rode along the lines, enthusiastic cheers for "Fighting +Joe Hooker," greeted him everywhere. Forming his +divisions hastily, he pushed them on the enemy's lines at +once.</p> + +<p>Thus far, the battle had been principally maintained by +artillery; the rattle of musketry coming occasionally from +one or another part of Reno's line. But now, the whole +line was pushing against the rebel line, and the continued +roll of musketry told of close work for the infantry. +Reno's troops on the left and Hooker's on the right, were +doing noble fighting. The advancing line never wavered; +but pressing steadily forward, pouring volley after volley +into the enemy's ranks, it at last forced the rebels to +break and fly precipitately to the crests, and, leaving their +splendid position on the summit to retreat in great haste +down the other slope of the mountain. The engagement +had been of three hours duration; and the bravery of +the Union troops was rewarded by the possession of the +mountain tops. Darkness put an end to the pursuit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +Thus the two chief passes through the mountains were in +the possession of the Union army.</p> + +<p>While his corps was striving to dislodge the enemy from +the stronghold, the gallant Reno was struck by a minie +ball, and expired. The loss of this hero threw a gloom not +only over his own corps, but throughout the army.</p> + +<p>In the many battles in which he had taken a brilliant +part, he had won an enviable fame, and his private virtues +and kindly qualities of heart added lustre to the brilliancy +of his military record.</p> + +<p>While the fight was in progress in Crampton Pass, the +booming of guns at Harper's Ferry, only seven miles +distant, told us of an attempt, on the part of the rebels, +to capture that important point; and while we lay upon +our arms on the morning of the 15th, two miles nearer +than we were on the day before, the firing was heard to +be still more fierce. Our Sixth corps was ordered to press +forward to the relief of the beleaguered place; but before +we had started the firing suddenly died away. General +Franklin concluded that the place had been surrendered; +and his conclusion was verified by reconnoissances. So +the corps remained in Pleasant Valley, at rest, all of the +15th and 16th.</p> + +<p>The surrender of Harper's Ferry was a terrible blow to +our cause. Had it continued in our possession it must +have insured, with any respectable energy on the part of +our commanders, the destruction of the rebel army in +its retreat. As it was, our loss was over eleven thousand +men, and a vast amount of war material.</p> + +<p>Of course, the surrender of Harper's Ferry, at this +critical period, was owing directly to the imbecility and +cowardice, not to say treachery, of the officers in command +at Harper's Ferry and on Maryland Heights. But, +while we condemn the weakness and cowardice of these +commanders, can we relieve from a share in the responsibility,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +the general who marched his army in pursuit of the +enemy at a snail pace, traveling but six miles a day upon +an average, when by a few brisk marches this important +point might have been reinforced?</p> + +<p>Early on the morning of the 17th, the Sixth corps was +on its way, hastening to the scene of conflict which had +commenced on the banks of Antietam creek. A part +of the Seventy-seventh had constituted one-third of the +picket line which had extended across the valley between +the corps and Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>These companies, by a hard march, much of it at double +quick, succeeded in overtaking the division just as the +Third brigade was making a charge over ground already +thrice won and lost by Sumner's troops. Without waiting +to form the companies, the detachment joined the command, +and, all out of breath and faint from their forced +march, rushed with their companies against the foe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xiv" id="chapter_xiv"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Valley of the Antietam—Gathering of the hosts—The battle-field—The battle +commenced—Splendid fighting of Hooker's forces—Successes and reverses of +Sumner's troops—Timely arrival of the Sixth corps—A gallant charge—Losses +of the corps—Burnside's attack—Hours of suspense—The enemy defeated at all +points—Retreat of the rebels—Scenes on the battle-field—At the hospitals—At +Sharpsburgh—A division of militia—Couch's division joins the Sixth corps—Visit +of the President—Recruits—Energy at the north—At rest—Want of +clothing—Stuart's raid—Delays—Clear Spring—General Brooks.</p></div> + + +<p>Among the delightful and fertile valleys which beautify +the State of Maryland, none is more charming than the +one through which the Antietam winds its tortuous course. +Looking from some elevation down upon its green fields, +where herds of sleek cattle graze, its yellow harvests +glowing and ripening in the September sun; its undulating +meadows and richly laden orchards; its comfortable +farm houses, some standing out boldly upon eminences, +which rise here and there, others half hidden by vines or +fruit trees; the ranges of hills, rising on either side of the +stream, diversified by charming vales or deep gullies; +the turnpikes winding along the sides of the hills and +through the valleys; the lovely stream itself, now flowing +smoothly over its dark bed and anon tumbling noisily in +rapids over a stony bottom, winding here far up to one +range of hills and then turning back to kiss the base of the +other; the whole scene is one of surpassing beauty, upon +which the eye rests with untiring delight. Who would +have selected this lovely valley as the scene of one of the +most bloody struggles ever recorded? Who, looking +down from some height of land on the morning of the 13th<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +of September, would have dreamed that those stacks of +grain, which dotted the fields here and there, would soon +become the only protection from the heat of the sun and +the storm of battle, to thousands of wounded, bleeding +men? or, that from those lovely groves of oak and maple, +now reposing like spots of beauty upon the landscape, +were to belch forth fire and smoke, carrying destruction to +thousands? Yet, here on these smiling fields, and among +these delightful groves, one of the grand battles which +should decide the march of events in the history, not only +of our own country but of the world, was to be fought. +These green pastures were to be stained with blood, and +these peaceful groves marred and torn by shot and shell.</p> + +<p>Driven from the towns along the Potomac, from +Frederick, from Hagerstown, and from Boonsboro; and +forced from the strong passes in the South Mountains, the +detached portions of the rebel army were concentrated +along the banks of the Antietam creek, in the vicinity of +the little town of Sharpsburgh. Hither Jackson and Longstreet, +Hill and Stuart, with their hosts, had gathered to +offer combined resistance to the Union army; boastfully +proclaiming that now, upon northern soil, they would +hurl our army to final destruction. One hundred thousand +men, flushed with recent victories, and eager for one grand +crowning success, proudly defied the Union army.</p> + +<p>Their position was well chosen. A line of steep hills, +forming a half circle, with the convexity in front, rising at +some distance back from the creek, and nearly parallel with +it, afforded admirable advantages for posting batteries, in +such a manner as to sweep the plain below, from right to +left. Upon their left, wooded fields afforded protection +to their infantry; while upon their right, the undulating +nature of the grounds near the base of the hills, covered +them from the fire of our guns. In their rear was Sharpsburgh; +and two fine roads leading to the Potomac, afforded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +safe lines of retreat in case of disaster. From the crest +of the hills, on which Lee had thus posted his army, the +ground sloped gently back; concealing the movements of +his forces from the view of the army in their front, allowing +them to maneuver unobserved by their opponents. Owing +also to the form of their line of battle, it was an easy matter +to throw troops from one part to another. Thus, strongly +posted and confidently anticipating victory, they waited +the approach of the Union army.</p> + +<p>Our own forces were also gathering toward this point. +Richardson's division of the Second corps, pressing closely +upon the heels of the retreating rebels, had passed +through Boonsboro and Keedeysville, and had overtaken +them here.</p> + +<p>Porter, with his regulars, was close at hand, and took +position. Then came Burnside, with his favorite Ninth +corps; and the white-haired veteran, Sumner, with troops +worthy of their leader; fighting Joe Hooker and his +gallant men; and Mansfield, with Banks' corps. The +afternoon and most of the night was spent in getting into +position. Brisk skirmishes were occurring with sufficient +frequency to excite the men on both sides; but no general +engagement took place. The morning of the 16th +found our army ready to give battle. On our right was +Hooker; then Sumner with his own and the Twelfth, +Mansfield's corps; and far to the left was Burnside. +Porter's corps, secure behind an elevation in the rear, was +held in reserve.</p> + +<p>The night had passed with but now and then a little +picket firing; but all felt that, before many hours, must +commence a battle, which must determine the fate at least +of that campaign.</p> + +<p>Crossing the Antietam, in front of the line of our army, +were three bridges. The first, on the Hagerstown road; +the next on the road to Sharpsburgh; and the third on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +the left, three miles below, on the road from Harper's +Ferry to Sharpsburgh.</p> + +<p>This last bridge, crossed the stream at a point where +steep and high hills crowded closely on every side; the +summits of those on the western side of the stream, +crowned with rebel batteries, and their steeply falling +sides covered with infantry. Over the first of these +bridges, on the right, Hooker was to cross his forces; +while on the left, Burnside was to attempt to dislodge the +enemy from his commanding position. Far in the rear, a +prominent hill rose above the surrounding country; here +was a signal station, and here the commander of the army +established his quarters. Hour after hour of the 16th +passed away, the two armies facing each other, watching +and waiting; troops moving this way and that, maneuvering +like two giant wrestlers, each willing to try the movements +and feel the gripe of the other before coming to the +sharp grapple. At four o'clock, Hooker crossed his corps +and occupied a position on the west side of the creek, and +Mansfield soon followed; a little fighting, but not severe, +and then darkness closed over the scene again. The skirmishes +and artillery practice here, developed, to the quick +eye of General Hooker, the position of the enemy in his +front, and their plan of defense. Satisfied with this knowledge, +he was willing to allow his corps to rest until +morning. Our lines were now very near those of the +rebels; so near that the pickets of the opposing forces +could hear conversation from one line to the other.</p> + +<p>At an early hour on the morning of the 17th, the great +battle commenced in earnest. Hooker formed his line +with Doubleday on the right, Meade in the center, and +Ricketts on the left. Opposed to him was Stonewall +Jackson's corps. First, Meade's Pennsylvania reserves, +of Hooker's corps, opened upon the enemy, and in a +few moments the firing became rapid and general along<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +the line of both Meade's and Rickett's divisions. The +rebel line of battle was just beyond the woods, in a cornfield. +The hostile lines poured into each other more +and more deadly volleys; batteries were brought up on +each side which did terrible execution. Each line stood +firm and immovable. Although great gaps were made in +them, they were closed up, and the opposing forces continued +to pour fearful destruction into each other's ranks. +General Hooker, riding everywhere along the front line, +knew exactly the position and the work of every regiment +in his command. Cheer after cheer greeted him as he +passed along the line, inspiring the men by his presence. +Thus for half an hour the two lines stood face to face in +deadly conflict; at length the general directed a battery +to be placed in a commanding position, and the shells and +shrapnel were seen to work fearful havoc in the rebel ranks. +The gray line wavered; then back through the cornfield +and over the fences the confederates rushed, seeking shelter +from the terrible storm, under cover of the woods, on +the other side of the field. "Forward!" shouted General +Hooker, and his divisions pressed rapidly through the +cornfield, up to the very edge of the wood, while the +welkin rang with their cheers. Here, the fleeing foe, +reinforced by fresh troops, made a determined stand. +Terrific volleys poured from the woods, thinning out the +Union ranks at a fearful rate. Unable to sustain the +deadly fire, they fell back—this time the rebels following +with yells and shouts; but before the cornfield was +crossed, our troops made another stand, and the swarthy +foe was brought to bay; yet the thinned line seemed +hardly able to sustain the fearful shock much longer. +Hooker, fearing that his center was doomed to destruction, +sent to his right for a brigade, although his right +was hard pressed and in danger of being flanked.</p> + +<p>The fresh brigade pressed steadily to the front, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +rebel line again fell back to the woods. Mansfield's corps +now came to the support of the right wing, and well did +those troops, so lately demoralized at Bull Run, stand their +ground. General Mansfield received here his mortal wound.</p> + +<p>It was at this time, when Hooker saw his forces gaining +a decided advantage and felt that their part of the work +was well done, that a rifle ball passed through his foot +inflicting a painful wound. Lamenting that he could not +remain to see the end of what he hoped would prove a +great victory, he left the field. The battle lulled at this +point; but in the center it raged with terrible energy. +There, Sumner the white-haired veteran, led his corps into +the very jaws of death. If he seemed reckless of the +lives of his men, he had no more care of his own. Across +the ploughed ground, over ditches and fences, with unsurpassed +ardor, sweeping over all obstacles, the corps pushed +forward, driving the enemy before it; but the right became +hard pressed, and a terrible fire on that part of the +line and on the center, forced the corps back. Again +the ground was taken; and again the enemy, with wild +yells of triumph, drove our men back. Still determined +to win, the veteran hero ordered a third charge; and the +third time the field was ours, but only to be lost again. +The brave General Sedgwick, who then led one division +of Sumner's corps, whom we were afterward proud to call +the commander of the Sixth corps, thrice wounded, was +at length obliged to leave the field. Richardson and +Crawford were carried wounded to the hospitals.</p> + +<p>It was at this critical moment, when Sumner's troops, +weary and almost out of ammunition, were for the third +time repulsed; the remnants of the shattered regiments no +longer able to resist the overwhelming forces opposed to +them; the artillery alone, unsupported, holding the enemy +for a moment in check; that the Sixth corps, our second +division in advance, arrived upon the field.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<p>The scene before us was awful. On the left, as far as +the eye could reach, the lines of the contending forces, +stretching over hills and through valleys, stood face to face; +in places, not more than thirty yards apart. The roar of +musketry rolled along the whole extent of the battle-field. +The field upon which we had now entered, thrice hotly +contested, was strewed with the bodies of friend and foe.</p> + +<p>Without waiting to take breath, each regiment as soon +as it arrives on the field, is ordered to charge independently +of the others. The third brigade is first; and first +of its regiments, the Twentieth New York, with their sabre +bayonets, are ready; and the shout, "Forward, double +quick!" rings along the line. The Germans waver for a +moment; but presently with a yell they rush down the +hill, suddenly receiving a volley from a rebel line concealed +behind a fence; but the Germans, regardless of the storm +of bullets, rush forward; the rebels breaking and flying to +the rear in confusion, while the Germans hotly pursue them. +Next, on the left of the Twentieth, the gallant Seventh +Maine charges; rushing forward into the midst of the +cornfield, they, too, are met by concealed foes. Although +they are concealed from our view, the crashing of musketry +tells us of the struggle which they maintain.</p> + +<p>The gallant regiment makes its way down the slope, +almost to the earthworks of the enemy, when the men +throw themselves upon the ground behind a rail fence. +Here, subjected to the shells from the Union and rebel +batteries, the regiment can neither advance or retreat; +but our batteries, finding that their shots are as fatal to +our men as to the rebels, allow the remaining fragments +of the regiment to retire from the perilous position.</p> + +<p>On the right of the Seventh Maine comes the glorious +Forty-ninth and our own Seventy-seventh, Captain Babcock +in command. On the right of all is the old Thirty-third, +within supporting distance. The men of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +Seventy-seventh rush forward over their fallen comrades, +making toward a small school house which stands upon +the Sharpsburgh and Hagerstown turnpike, behind which +is a grove swarming with rebel troops. Our boys are +almost on the road, when, at a distance of less than +thirty yards, they find themselves confronted by overwhelming +numbers, who pour a withering fire into their +ranks. The Seventy-seventh receives the fire nobly, and, +although far ahead of all the other regiments, stands its +ground and returns the fire with spirit, although it is +but death to remain thus in the advance. The brave +color-bearer, Joseph Murer, falls, shot through the head; +but the colors scarcely touch the ground when they +are seized and again flaunted in the face of the enemy. +Volley after volley crashes through our ranks; our comrades +fall on every side; yet the little band stands firm +as a rock, refusing to yield an inch. At this juncture, +General Smith, riding along the line and discovering +the advanced and unprotected position of the regiment, +exclaims, "There's a regiment gone," and sends an aide +to order it to retire. The order was timely, for the +rebels were planting a battery within twenty yards of +the left of the regiment, which would, in a moment +longer, have swept it to destruction.</p> + +<p>The regiment reformed behind the crest, in line with +the other regiments of the brigade, all of which had been +forced to fall back; but the line held was far in advance +of that held by Sumner's troops when the division +arrived. Thirty-three of the little band had fallen; they +were less than two hundred men when they came upon +the field. In the Seventh Maine the loss was still greater; +of the one hundred and seventy men who went into the +fight, one-half were killed or wounded; more than eighty +of those noble forms were prostrated like the slashings in +their own forests. The Thirty-third lost fifty in killed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +and wounded. The total loss to our Third brigade was +three hundred and forty-three; of the Second division, three +hundred and seventy-three; of the corps, four hundred and +thirty-eight.</p> + +<p>Our men lay down behind the ridge to protect themselves +from the rebel batteries; yet even here the shells +came, carrying death to many of our number. The Vermont +brigade was sent to the assistance of French's +division, who, having expended their ammunition, were +making feeble resistance to the enemy. The Vermonters +behaved with their usual gallantry, resisting the advance of +the enemy; and although frequently subjected to the fire +of artillery, they held their ground bravely. The brigade +was composed of men who could always be depended on +to do what they were ordered to do.</p> + +<p>The advent of the Sixth corps upon the field had decided +the contest upon the right of the line, and after the first +charge by the Third brigade the battle lulled. Of all the +brilliant charges made in the army on that memorable day, +none was more gallant or more important in its results +than this noble charge of the Third brigade of Smith's +division. Although the infantry on both sides became +comparatively quiet, artillery thundered from every eminence +in possession of our own or the enemy's batteries. +Shells and cannister tore through the Union ranks, making +in parts of the line fearful havoc. Thus, for nine long +hours, our Sixth corps endured this fiery ordeal, when +darkness closed over the field of strife.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, on the left, Burnside became hotly engaged. +At nine o'clock in the morning, his troops moved down +toward the stone bridge, over which they hoped to cross. +The hills on either side slope down almost to the water's +edge; the road leading to the bridge winding through a +ravine, and then on the other side ascending through +another ravine to the highlands. No sooner had the head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +of the column descended into this amphitheater of hills, +than the rebels opened a destructive fire from behind +defenses which they had thrown up along the hillsides. +Rifle pits, and breastworks of rails and stones, concealed +thousands of infantry, who, from their secure position, +poured volley after volley into the advancing column; +while batteries, placed upon the heights, brought an enfilading +fire upon the bridge and its approaches. In the face +of this reception, the Ninth corps formed in line of battle. +One brigade with fixed bayonets charged upon the bridge; +but the concentrated fire of the enemy forced it back. +Charge after charge was ordered and executed by different +portions of the command with like success. At length a +battery was brought to bear directly upon the enemy's +position at the farthest end of the bridge, and, aided by +these guns, fresh troops charged with great enthusiasm, +carrying the bridge and planting their colors on the opposite +side of the stream. Sturgis' division immediately +advanced up the slope, driving the enemy before it. +Meanwhile Rodman's division had succeeded, after a desperate +fight, in crossing the stream below, and had also gained +a position along the crest of the hills. The enemy having +the range perfectly, made the position along the crest of +the hills untenable, and the men were forced to fall back +a little; lying close upon the ground to avoid the shells +that burst about them.</p> + +<p>At length, at three o'clock, General Burnside ordered a +general advance. The divisions moved in fine order, but +were soon met by the enemy in overpowering numbers. +The whole line became hotly engaged. All the reserves +were brought into action, and still the rebels poured upon +the Union men in increasing numbers; pressing their flank +and turning the attack into a doubtful defense. It seemed +impossible for the corps to hold its position against the +overwhelming force opposed to it. At this juncture General<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +Burnside sent to General McClellan for aid. Porter's +troops were still in reserve; but McClellan refused to +relieve the hardly pressed corps. Again Burnside sends +word, "I cannot hold my position half an hour longer, +unless I am reinforced;" and again the appeal is met with +refusal. Contrary to his own expectations, Burnside's +forces held their ground until darkness put an end to the +strife.</p> + +<p>Thus our own Sixth corps, and Burnside's corps, held +the ground they had each by most desperate fighting +wrested from the hands of the enemy; and in spite of the +peril which had threatened the right, when Hooker's braves +were forced back, the center, where Sumner's brave men +fell back for the third time with empty cartridge boxes, +and the left, where Burnside was so hardly pressed, the +advantage remained with our army; and the weary soldiers +lay down in the expectation of renewing the battle +in the morning.</p> + +<p>Their valor had saved them from defeat; they hoped to +make the battle that should come, a complete victory.</p> + +<p>But the battle was ended. Toward morning, it was +known to officers of our corps that the rebels were moving +back, and the fact was reported; but no attention was paid +to it. A truce, under pretense of burying the dead, gave +the rebels a quiet day, in which to prepare for their escape, +by sending their trains and much of their artillery to the +rear; and on the night of the 18th, the whole rebel army +disappeared. So this memorable and sanguinary battle +ended. A defeat for the rebels, but not the decided victory +to our arms that could have been hoped for.</p> + +<p>The Second division of the Sixth corps was relieved soon +after noon of the 18th by Couch's division, which was soon +afterward joined to the Sixth corps. Until now our corps +had consisted of but two divisions, the First and Second. +Our men were glad to fall back enough to allow them to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +cook their coffee once more, and they proceeded to the +work of preparing a good meal with great spirit.</p> + +<p>The scene on the battle-field was past description. The +mangled forms of our own comrades lay stretched upon +the ground, side by side with those of the rebels. On +almost every rod of ground over one hundred acres, the +dead and wounded, some clad in the Union blue and some +in confederate gray, were lying. A ghastly sight, presenting +all the horrible features of death which are to be seen +on such a field. At one point in our own front, for more +than half a mile, the rebels lay so thickly as almost to +touch each other. On the field where Hooker's men had +won and lost the field, the dead and dying were scattered +thickly among the broken cornstalks, their eyes protruding +and their faces blackened by the sun. Wherever the +lines of battle had surged to and fro, these vestiges of +the terrible work were left. In the edge of the wood, +where the rebels had made a stand against Hooker's +advancing divisions, the bodies lay in perfect line, as +though they had fallen while on dress parade. Further to +the left there was a narrow road, not more than fifteen +feet wide, with high fences on either side. Here a regiment +of rebels was posted; when our batteries getting an +enfilading fire upon them, and the infantry at the same +time opening a murderous fire, the regiment was literally +destroyed; not more than twenty of their number escaping. +Their bodies filled the narrow road. Some were +shot while attempting to get over the fence; and their +remains hung upon the boards. A more fearful picture +than we saw here, could not be conceived.</p> + +<p>Broken caissons, wheels, dismounted guns, thousands of +muskets, blankets, haversacks and canteens, were scattered +thickly over the field; and hundreds of slain horses, bloated +and with feet turned toward the sky, added to the horror +of the scene.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<p>While the excitement of battle lasts, and we hear the +roar of artillery, and the shock of contending armies, +the terrible reality of the occasion hardly presents itself +to our minds, and it is only when we survey the bloody +field, strewed with the mangled, lifeless remains of friend +and foe, or walk through the hospitals, where the unfortunate +victims of battle writhe in the agony of their wounds, +that we realize the terrible nature of a great battle.</p> + +<p>Sickening as is the sight of the battle-field, the scenes +about the hospitals are worse, except to those who are +actually engaged in ministering to the relief of the +wounded. To these the excitement and labor incident to +their duties, crowd out the thoughts of the ghastly surroundings. +They see only so many demands upon them +for assistance, and have no time to indulge in sentimental +emotions.</p> + +<p>Here in the rear of the army for miles, was a succession +of hospitals. Every house, and barn, and haystack, formed +the nucleus of a hospital, where men, shot through the +head, through the limbs, through the body; with every +conceivable variety of wounds, lay groaning in anguish. +Surgeons toiled day and night with never lagging zeal to +relieve these sufferings, but all their labor could only +afford slight relief. The labors of medical officers after a +great battle are immense, and there is no respite from +their toils so long as a wounded man remains uncared +for. While others find repose from the fatigues of +battle in sleep, the surgeons are still at work; there is no +sleep for them so long as work remains to be done.</p> + +<p>The rebel army had fallen back; yet a skirmish line had +been left to cover the movement. At length even this +suddenly disappeared, and, firing a few solid shots, as a +parting salute, the enemy took a final leave of the field. +Our forces were ordered on. We passed over the scene of +carnage, where hundreds of dead lay still unburied; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +pioneers were on every part of the field throwing the +mangled, disfigured forms into shallow graves. Along +the roadsides, under the fences, and where the confederate +hospitals had been, still these gory objects met our view. +We reached Sharpsburgh, and here the evidences of the +terrible conflict were to be seen everywhere. Houses riddled +by shells and bullets; some of them destroyed by fire, +and some battered into shapeless masses; the streets filled +with disabled wagons; horses galloping about without +riders; knapsacks, guns and equipments cast away in the +hasty flight; churches filled with rebel wounded; all +helped to make up a scene of destruction such as has +been rarely witnessed. The people of the village welcomed +us as their deliverers, and brought water, and such +other refreshments as they had been able to conceal from +the rebels. We passed the village and bivouacked for the +night.</p> + +<p>On the 20th, we, of the Sixth corps, retraced our steps, +passing again over the battle-field, where the stench was +now unendurable. We reached Williamsport at daylight, +where Couch's division was face to face with the enemy, +who were said to be recrossing the river, and who had +last night forced back part of the division.</p> + +<p>The rebel force had, however, consisted of about four +thousand cavalry, who, finding the Unionists in force, +quickly returned to the south side of the Potomac. Here +we found an immense division of Pennsylvania militia +drawn up in line of battle. Its regiments were larger +than our brigades. They were armed with every variety +of fire-arms, from light sporting shot-guns to Sharpe's +rifles. Their uniforms had quite as little uniformity as +their arms. Some were dressed in gray pants and jackets, +others in light blue; and still others in the various fashions +which constituted the wearing apparel at home. +Grave gentleman in spectacles, studious young men in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +green glasses, pale young men who were evidently more +at home behind the counter than in line of battle, roughs +who had not been tamed by the discipline of military +life, and boys who, for the first time, had left the paternal +mansion, made up the heterogeneous division.</p> + +<p>Remaining at Williamsport until the morning of the +23d, we marched on the Hagerstown turnpike to Bakersville, +where we remained about three weeks. Here it was +that Couch's division was joined to the Sixth corps. +(The regiments of this division were, the 36th, 55th, 62d, 65th, 67th and +122d New +York; the 23d, 82d, 93d, 98th and 102d Pennsylvania; the 7th, 10th and 37th +Massachusetts, +and the 2d Rhode Island.) On +the 3d of October the corps was ordered out for review +by President Lincoln. The line was formed on a fine +plain, and the booming of cannon announced the approach +of the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United +States. The illustrious visitor was accompanied by Generals +McClellan, Franklin, Smith and other notable men, +with an immense retinue. Conscious of the fatigues +already endured by these veterans, the President simply +passed along the line of the divisions, acknowledging +the salutations which greeted him, without requiring the +columns to march in review. The soldiers manifested +their appreciation of the interest taken by the Chief +Magistrate in their welfare, by loud and repeated cheers. +Sumner's, Burnside's and Porter's corps had already been +reviewed by the President.</p> + +<p>While at this camp, large accessions were made to our +thinned ranks. Before the army left Harrison's Landing, +efforts had been set on foot for filling up the skeleton regiments +of our army. Recruiting officers had been detailed +from every regiment, to go to the localities from which +their respective regiments had been raised, and bring in +recruits, to fill the places made vacant by death and +disease. The critical condition of affairs when the army<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +was withdrawn from the Peninsula, and, afterward, when +Pope was so disastrously forced back upon the defenses +of Washington, had roused to most earnest action, many +patriots, who hoped to avert further disaster by forwarding +men to the field. Under these influences, and as the +result of these patriotic efforts, many recruits offered +themselves; but after the battle of Antietam, new life was +added to the recruiting service. Many who then supposed +that the war was nearly ended, gladly accepted the large +bounties, and in the hope of soon being "in at the death" +of the rebellion, enrolled themselves among the soldiers of +the Union. War meetings were held in every town, and +the utmost enthusiasm was created. In Saratoga, a large +concourse of people, among whom were many of the visitors +at the Springs, gathered for a war meeting. Stirring +speeches were made. Ladies offered their diamond rings, +their watch chains, their watches and other valuables to +those who should come forward and enter the service. +Under the influence of such enthusiasm, many came forward +and enrolled their names, and received the jewels +from the fair hands of the patriotic donors. By such +efforts as these, all over the country, from two to three +hundred recruits were raised for each regiment in our +corps, and large accessions were made to the ranks of the +whole army.</p> + +<p>The advent of the new comers was hailed with joy by +the veterans, who had become sadly discouraged by their +small and constantly decreasing numbers.</p> + +<p>Our men were enjoying the welcome rest and the abundant +supply of food obtained in this delightful country, +and many varieties of diet, well remembered as familiar in +former years, but unknown to them since their campaigns +commenced, adorned their humble mess tables. Among +other luxuries, "hasty pudding" and johnny cake became +common articles of diet. The process of producing these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +articles, was after the rude manner of men who must invent +the working materials as they are needed. One-half of +an unserviceable canteen, or a tin plate perforated by +means of a nail or the sharp point of a bayonet, served +the purpose of a grater or mill for grinding the corn. The +neighboring cornfields, although guarded, yielded abundance +of rich yellow ears; which, without passing through +the process of "shelling," were rubbed across the grater, +yielding a finer meal than is usually ground at the grist +mills. The meal being obtained, it was mixed with a +large or small quantity of water, as mush or cake was +desired, and cooked.</p> + +<p>The men complained of want of proper and sufficient +clothing, and many of them were absolutely barefooted. +On whom the blame for the long delay in furnishing these +necessary articles should rest, we can only refer to the controversy +between the Major-General commanding the +armies of the United States and the Major-General commanding +the Army of the Potomac.</p> + +<p>Soon after midnight, October 11th, the corps was +ordered to move to Hagerstown. In the midst of a +heavy shower the march was made, and Hagerstown +was reached soon after daylight. Here a new cause of +excitement occurred. Stuart, with his cavalry, was in +our rear; Chambersburgh was burned, and other towns +sacked. The Vermont brigade was hastily loaded into +cars and sent to Chambersburgh in pursuit of the cavalry, +which was already far on its way to the Potomac. Of +course they could only return, having had an excursion +through the country at government expense. The Third +brigade of Smith's division marched hastily to the Maryland +and Pennsylvania line, to where a stone bridge +crossed the Antietam; a battery of artillery was also +here, and the brigades and battery prepared to defend the +crossing. But no enemy appeared, and the two brigades<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +returned to Hagerstown; the Vermonters to occupy the +town as provost guard, the other to encamp in a delightful +grove a mile beyond.</p> + +<p>Thus ended the famous campaign of Antietam; which +had humbled the pride of the boastful confederates, and +had turned back their hordes to their mountain fastnesses +in Virginia for safety. A campaign which, while conducted +with great hesitancy and a total want of that +celerity of movement usually considered absolutely necessary +to brilliant success in military operations, yet had +preserved the north from imminent and immediate danger +which threatened it. Our losses in killed, wounded and +missing, in this campaign, amounted to fifteen thousand +two hundred and twenty.</p> + +<p>The army was posted, two corps, the Second and +Twelfth, at Harper's Ferry; the remaining corps along +the Potomac, above and below that point, for twenty +miles. Here, six weeks were spent in getting ready for +another campaign; the President, meanwhile, constantly +ordering an advance across the river; General McClellan, +constantly offering excuses for delay. It is not our purpose +to discuss the merits of these excuses, but it may not +be out of place to mention, that although the Sixth corps +was represented as being in worse condition, in regard to +clothing and shoes, than any other corps, that corps finally +crossed the river before it received its clothing, showing +that even the corps least supplied with these important +articles could undertake the campaign even after another +month's wear of the old clothes and the advent of the +cold weather. On the 18th of October, that portion of +the Third brigade able to perform duty, was marched to +Clear Spring to perform picket duty, leaving in camp the +recruits, who were unarmed, and the invalids. Thus +the brigade occupied two distinct camps several miles +apart. The duty on picket was by no means severe, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +the country was delightful. The boys found little difficulty +in procuring abundant supplies of luxuries, such as +soft bread, hoe cakes and other articles, from the farmers; +and as the enemy was at Winchester, they were not in +great alarm from rebel raids.</p> + +<p>The Hagerstown camp was indeed a pleasant one. The +people were generally loyal, and seemed glad to furnish the +soldiers with all the comforts possible. There was little +duty, and the invalids had time for recovering their +exhausted strength, while the recruits were afforded an +opportunity for drill.</p> + +<p>General Slocum, who had commanded the First division +of our corps since the corps was organized, was assigned +to the command of the Twelfth corps, in place of General +Mansfield, who lost his life at Antietam.</p> + +<p>In the Vermont brigade an important change occurred, +General Brooks, the old and tried commander of the +brigade, was assigned to the command of the first division +of the corps, succeeding General Slocum, who took +command of the Twelfth corps. General Brooks was +one of the most energetic and brave brigade commanders +in our army, and notwithstanding his abrupt and sometimes +very stern manners, had endeared himself by his +excellent discipline and fighting qualities, not only to +his brigade, but to the whole division.</p> + +<p>An amusing incident, well calculated to illustrate the +mingled sentiments of love and fear entertained for the +general by even those in his own command, occurred +at a meeting of the officers of the brigade, immediately +after the order for the transfer. The object of the meeting, +was to make arrangements for presenting the general +with a suitable testimonial of their regard. Some discussion +occurred in regard to the character of the gift. +Some proposed a silver service, some a sword. At length +it was proposed, that a fine horse and equipments be purchased.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +An officer rose and said that it was all very well +to talk about buying a horse for General Brooks, but he +would like to know who would be so bold as to undertake +to present it to him! Another officer suggested that the +horse might be saddled and bridled and hitched in front +of the general's quarters during the night, with a note +tied to the bridle stating for whom it was designed, and +by whom presented.</p> + +<p>A magnificent silver service was finally presented to the +general, who, forgetting his rough manners, received +the beautiful gift of his loved brigade with tears standing +on his brown cheeks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xv" id="chapter_xv"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE SECOND ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA, AND THE +BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURGH.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Marching in Maryland—Arrival at New Baltimore—General McClellan superseded +by General Burnside—Thanksgiving in camp—The grand divisions organized—The +march resumed—Fatal delays—In order of battle—The crossing—Fredericksburgh +bombarded—Situation of Fredericksburgh—Scenes of activity—The +Bernard house—Scenes at the hospital—The battle on the right—Charges +of the Pennsylvania reserves—The river recrossed—Reflections.</p></div> + + +<p>Thus, for nearly six weeks, the army remained at Hagerstown, +and on the line of the Potomac, resting and waiting +for clothing. On the 28th of October, orders came to clear +all the camps of sick; and all from our Sixth corps were +sent to hospitals in Hagerstown. At dark, we set out, and +making a night march of a few miles, reached Williamsport, +where we bivouacked and remained two days, and +thence went to Boonsboro.</p> + +<p>The march from Williamsport to Boonsboro led us +through a magnificent country. On either side of the +road, the long lines of corn shocks and the vine-clad houses, +formed a picture of wealth and comfort. We halted at +Boonsboro in sight of the field of Antietam, and passed +our bi-monthly muster. At daybreak in the morning we +were again on the road. The first part of our way led +through a beautiful open country, but we were soon winding +among the hills that form the slopes of "Pleasant +Valley."</p> + +<p>The forests on the hillsides, glowing with the brilliant +colors of autumn, the fine old residences, appearing here +and there among the trees, and the plethoric stacks of hay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +and grain, combined, indeed, to make it a "pleasant valley," +and, as the lines of troops filed along the roads, the +spectacle was beautifully picturesque. We passed South +Mountain, where the rebels had met with such a bloody +reception from our forces, and not long after we were on +the ground of the battle of Burkettsville, where our Sixth +corps had charged up the hill and had driven the enemy +in confusion. Every tree bore lasting marks of a terrible +fight. For more than a mile, the forest was completely +scarred by bullets and shells; not a tree had escaped, and +many of them were pierced like the cover of a pepper-box. +We halted near Berlin, in a charming valley, where we +staid over Sunday. Monday morning, we crossed the +Potomac to Virginia, on pontoon bridges, passed through +the little towns of Lovettsville and Purcellville, Union +Town and Upperville, then crossing the valley almost +from west to east, from the Blue Ridge to the Kittoctan +mountains, at length, on Thursday, reached White Plains, +a station on the Front Royal and Manassas railroad, not +far from Thoroughfare Gap. Here we were overtaken by +a cold storm of rain, sleet and snow, gloomy enough, but +not so gloomy as was the news that here reached us of +the elections in New York. Whatever the attitude of the +political parties may have been before or since that time +in reference to the war, in our army the result of the New +York elections was regarded, at that time, as a repudiation +of the war.</p> + +<p>We reached New Baltimore on the 9th, and the next +morning we were notified that, by order of the President, +General McClellan was relieved from the command of the +army of the Potomac, to be superseded by Major-General +Burnside.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the farewell order of General McClellan +been read to the troops, than the whole army was ordered +into line for review by corps. The retiring and the incoming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +generals, each with his long train of followers, galloped +along the whole of the line of the army, while batteries +fired salutes and bands played "The Star Spangled Banner" +and "Hail to the Chief." Many of the regiments +cheered the departing general with great enthusiasm, +while others observed a studied silence.</p> + +<p>A week was spent at New Baltimore, and then another +week on the banks of Aquia creek, not far from Stafford +Court House.</p> + +<p>The 27th of November was Thanksgiving day, in nearly +all the loyal States, and doubtless our friends at home, as +they gathered in many a family circle that day, to partake +bounteous Thanksgiving dinners, spoke of those who were +away at the war, and thought, that with them, Thanksgiving +could only be a hard day's march in the rain or mud, +with rations of hard bread and pork; and so, many kind +hearts pitied the soldiers as they thought that we were +deprived of the luxuries which they were enjoying.</p> + +<p>But we, too, enjoyed a pleasant Thanksgiving. In the +morning, throughout the corps, there was brigade inspection; +we put on our good clothes and presented ourselves +to our generals, looking our best; then as we marched +back into the various camps, we found dinner smoking in +many a cook-tent, and the odor of roast meats rising +throughout the whole corps like an odor of sweet incense. +Fresh sheep pelts hanging here and there in considerable +profusion, told of good cheer among all the men.</p> + +<p>As evening approached, the voice of singing was heard +from all the camps, and groups were gathered under the +shadow of the chestnut trees, where many pairs of government +shoes were shuffling to the music of violins. +Throughout the limits of the corps, good humor and +mirth prevailed; the sick forgot their pains, and the homesick +ones, for the time, looked bright, as they yielded to +the general feeling of happiness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Burnside, immediately upon taking command, +consolidated the army into three grand divisions, of two +corps each. The Right, to consist of the Second corps, +General Couch, and the Ninth, General Wilcox; General +Sumner to command the grand division. General Hooker +was placed in command of the Center division, which consisted +of the Third corps, General Stoneman, and the Fifth, +General Butterfield. The Left grand division consisted of +the Sixth corps, under General Smith, and the First corps, +under General Reynolds; General Franklin was assigned +to the command.</p> + +<p>The command of the Second division, Sixth corps, was +given to Brigadier-General A. P. Howe.</p> + +<p>At length, we resumed our march, reaching Brooks' +Station the first night; then, after a day's delay, we +started again. The weather was intensely cold, and the +mud almost unfathomable. The troops, with much difficulty, +moved about six miles, reaching the rear of Falmouth +Station, opposite Fredericksburgh; but the trains, +at midnight, had only proceeded two miles. In the ambulances, +the sick suffered beyond description. Six soldiers +from the Third brigade, Second division, died in the ambulances +that night. Even the well men in camp could +hardly manage to keep warm. Few persons in that vast +army slept, and the ring of hundreds of axes and the falling +of trees, which were to be piled on the fires, were +heard all night.</p> + +<p>The Right and Center grand divisions, had arrived in the +vicinity of Falmouth several days before; and it had been +the design of General Burnside to cross his army over the +Rappahannock, seize the heights of Fredericksburgh, and +push on toward Richmond, before the enemy could throw +a sufficiently strong force in his front, to offer serious +resistance. In this, doubtless, he would have been +successful, but "some one had blundered," and the Commander-in-Chief<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +suffered the mortification of seeing his +plans foiled, and his series of forced marches a failure, +because the pontoons which were to meet him on his +arrival before Fredericksburgh were still at Washington; +and this through the criminal neglect of some one. This +campaign, which promised more than any previous campaign +of the Army of the Potomac, was now destined to +prove a failure.</p> + +<p>From the time that the first troops appeared in front of +Fredericksburgh, nearly three weeks were spent in waiting +for pontoons; while General Lee had abundant time to +bring together all his forces and post them in such positions, +as to dispute our passage at any point, for twenty miles up +and down the river. In guarding this extensive front, +General Lee had stretched out his army to such an extent, +that Burnside hoped, by throwing his whole army across +at one point, to pierce the weak line before his enemy +could concentrate his forces.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 11th of December, we marched +to a point about two miles below Fredericksburgh. The +whole army was in motion. The ground had become +hardened by frost, and a light coating of snow lay upon +it. The wheels no longer sunk in the mire; but artillery +rolled easily over the frozen ground.</p> + +<p>The Right grand division, Sumner's, had already taken +its position immediately in front and above the city of +Fredericksburgh; the Center, Hooker's, and the Left division, +Franklin's, now took position below the town.</p> + +<p>As we descended from the heights of Stafford, into the +valley of the Rappahannock, dense clouds of fog obscured +the view of the opposite bank, and it was only at noon +that we could distinguish objects on the farther side of the +river. Engineers were hard at work laying pontoon +bridges, being submitted to a brisk musketry fire from the +rebel skirmishers, who at times charged upon them, killing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +and wounding several of the workmen, and greatly hindering +the work. A few volleys from our batteries, which +were brought forward presently, put these troublesome +parties to flight, and the work went on. Still, during all +the day, the enemy strove with artillery and infantry to +prevent the laying of the bridge, but to no avail.</p> + +<p>On the right, where the veteran Sumner commanded, +the task of throwing the bridges across, was far more difficult +than at the lower crossing. In the storehouses and +dwellings along the banks of the river, swarms of rebel +soldiers were concealed; and these, by pouring murderous +volleys into the midst of the pontoniers, compelled them to +desist from the attempt to finish their bridge. Determined +no longer to be thwarted by these concealed foes, General +Burnside, having previously notified the civil authorities +of the town, that if the houses were used as covers for men +who were shooting our soldiers, the town must suffer the +consequences, ordered our batteries to concentrate their +fire upon it and batter down the walls. Soon after noon, +the bombardment commenced. One hundred and seventy +cannon belched forth the huge iron missiles upon the +devoted city. The roar of the artillery was terrific, and as +the winds rolled away the huge columns of smoke, we saw +that the city was on fire, the flames leaping to the skies. +The spectacle was one of awful grandeur. The bursting +bombs, shooting forth their flashing coruscations from the +columns of smoke, the great tongues of flame from the +burning buildings, leaping to the heavens, the clamor of +the bursting shells and the shock of the artillery which +shook the earth, made up one of the most terribly magnificent +of scenes.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all this direful tumult, and while the +conflagration of the city drove the confederates out of +their places of concealment, Sumner's forces succeeded in +laying their bridge and crossing troops; not, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +until two brave regiments had crossed in boats and captured +or dispersed the rebel sharpshooters, who had given +so much trouble. Hooker also effected a crossing at the +same time. We had now bridges across at three points; +"Franklin's Crossing" being nearly two miles below the +town.</p> + +<p>The city of Fredericksburgh is upon the south bank of +the Rappahannock river. Fronting the city, on the north +side of the stream, rises a steep bluff—Stafford Heights—which +approaches near the river above and opposite the +town, and gradually recedes from it below. This was the +side held by our army. Behind the town, on the south, +the ground rises in several successive terraces until it +reaches an elevation called "the mountain." Each terrace +commands all below it, and the whole forms a position +of unsurpassed advantages for defense. Here, between +these high grounds, and stretching on either side of the +river, is the valley of the Rappahannock—almost a level +plain of six miles in length, and averaging two and a half +miles in breadth, narrowing in front of the town to less +than a mile, and spreading out, at the point where our +lower bridges were thrown across, to at least three miles. +On the crest of the heights, north of the river, were posted +our batteries in great numbers. On the plain and on each +of the terraces south of the river, the enemy was intrenched +in most formidable positions.</p> + +<p>The advance of the enemy fell back, as our forces crossed +the river, leaving us in possession of the plain on both +sides, and of the town. Night came on, and the spectacle +was unutterably grand, as the sheets of fire burst from the +mouths of the opposing batteries; but at length the roar +of battle subsided, and except the firing of pickets, all +was quiet. Franklin threw but a small force across the +river; a strong picket line, well supported, holding a +semi-circular tract of the plain. The Eighteenth and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +Thirty-first New York were the first of the Sixth corps to +cross the bridge.</p> + +<p>The Sixth corps returned to the heights and bivouacked +for the night, leaving a few regiments to hold the plain in +front of the bridge. It was the intention of the commanding +general to press the enemy closely in front with the +Right and Center grand divisions, while the Left division +was to make a flank movement on the right of the enemy's +line, seizing the road to Bowling Green, and rendering the +rebel position untenable.</p> + +<p>Before dawn on the following morning, we made our way +again to the river. Thousands crowded upon the banks, +or hurriedly dashed across the bridge. The rumble of +wheels upon the frozen ground, the tramp of thousands +of men, the neighing of innumerable horses, mingled with +the roar of musketry. The sun rose in splendor, and the +spires of the city, two miles to our right, shone brightly, +for only the lower part of the town had been destroyed +by the conflagration of the day before, and tens of thousands +of muskets gleamed in the morning light. The +broad plain, on the south bank, swarmed with the hosts +of Franklin and Hooker. Musketry fire became more and +more brisk, as our forces moved into position, but no general +engagement came on. Shells from the rebel batteries +came bursting in our midst, and in reply, our own guns +on Stafford Heights sent their shells screaming over our +heads, to burst in the midst of the rebel artillerists.</p> + +<p>A fine stone mansion of large dimensions, situated on +the south bank of the river, and a little below the bridge, +was taken by the surgeons of our Second division, for a +hospital. The position was exposed to the rebel fire, but +it was the best that could be found. Just in front of it +the gallant General Bayard, of the cavalry, was struck by +a shell, and killed instantly. Others, some of whom had +been previously been wounded, received fatal shots at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +very doors of the house. The owner of this magnificent +mansion still remained in it. He was an old secesh +bachelor, very aristocratic in his notions, and highly +incensed at the use his house was put to by the "hireling +Yankees." But he was taken care of by a guard. His +servants cooked for the wounded and our surgeons; his +fine larder furnished us delicacies and his cellar rich old +wines.</p> + +<p>Doubtless his feelings on delivering to us the keys of +his wine cellar were not unlike those of Sir Hugh Berkley +in "The Wagoner;" who</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"—only knew they drank his wine;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Would they might hang, a scarecrow line,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the next lightning blasted tree."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Saturday, the sun appeared, bright and warm as on a +spring morning. The battle now commenced in terrible +earnest. First, on the left, the booming of heavy guns and +the rattle of musketry told of hot work in our own front. +Then gradually the battle rolled on to the right; and +while it thundered there, our forces on the left remained +comparatively quiet. Then, back again came the roar of +cannon, the shrieking and cracking of shells and the din +of musketry.</p> + +<p>The hills in our front were thickly wooded, and in these +woods "Stonewall" Jackson had concealed his forces. +General Meade, with his division of Pennsylvania reserves, +and Gibbons, with his division, both of Reynolds' First +corps, were sent to take and hold the Bowling Green road, +which lay in the edge of the wood. Gallantly and in +splendid order, the two divisions moved up toward the +edge of the wood. Gibbons' division halted at the railroad, +near the wood, Meade's pressed forward, and presently +disappeared among the trees. Although considerable resistance +was met with, the gallant division continued to press<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +forward, the rebels steadily giving way. Suddenly, the +roar of cannon became awful, and the fire of musketry +almost deafening. The rebels had opened an enfilading fire +upon the division, which made fearful havoc. The men who +had so gallantly marched into the woods, came hurrying +back in disorder; not, however, until they had succeeded +in capturing several hundred prisoners from the enemy. A +flag, one or two mounted officers, and a squad of a dozen +or twenty men were all that could be recognized as a regimental +organization; all others had fallen before the deadly +fire that met them, or had lost their commands. The men +quickly rallied about their flags and again charged into the +woods, and again they were sent back in disorder. They +were now withdrawn, and the rebels charged upon the line +of the Sixth corps. The troops of our Second division +were lying down behind a slight elevation of ground, +and, as the rebels charged down furiously upon us, our +men suddenly rose and poured a deadly volley into them. +At the same time the troops of the First division met +their attack with spirit, and sent them reeling back +to their cover in the forest.</p> + +<p>The wounded poured into our hospitals, and well did +those surgeons, who had seized the stone mansion, earn +that day, lasting gratitude from their division.</p> + +<p>Never had wounded men been so quickly or so well +cared for. It was the beginning of an era of <i>organized</i> +labor in that department. Among the earliest of the +wounded was General Vinton, commanding the Third +brigade, Second division. A ball had passed into the +abdomen, and was cut out from his back. The unfortunate +men were stowed in every part of the great house, +and in the smaller buildings surrounding it, and tents +furnished shelter for those unable to find room in the +buildings. After General Vinton was wounded, Brigadier-General +Thomas H. Neill was ordered to assume the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +command of our brigade, which he did on the battle-field.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, on the right, Sumner's and Hooker's forces +were striving, with herculean efforts, to dislodge the +enemy from his strongholds, but to no avail. His position +was impregnable, and the Union forces only advanced +against the works to meet with deadly repulse from the +savage fire of the concealed foe, and to fall back with +fearful losses. Thus the struggle lasted until evening, +when the roar of battle was hushed, and our tired troops +slumbered upon their arms.</p> + +<p>On Sunday morning the rattle of musketry and the +thunder of artillery commenced again, but, as little reply +was made by the enemy, the demonstration on our part +soon ceased, and the day was spent in comparative quiet. +It was said that General Burnside, unwilling to give up +the struggle, had ordered an advance of the Ninth corps, +which he was personally to lead, against one of the rebel +strongholds, but that he had yielded to the advice of the +grand division commanders to refrain from the attempt.</p> + +<p>Monday still found us on the battle-field. The thumping +of artillery was renewed, but not fiercely. Our wounded +were removed to the other side of the river. A kind +providence had favored them, for the weather had been +delightful. Had such weather prevailed as we experienced +a few days before, many of the wounded, faint and +exhausted from the loss of blood, must have perished with +the cold. During the night the whole army was withdrawn, +with as much secrecy as possible, across the pontoon +bridges. No sooner had the troops crossed to the +north side of the river than the bridges were taken up, and +the two armies were again separated by the Rappahannock. +As the bridges were being taken up, the rebels rushed to +the bank and fired into the pontoniers, but were repelled +by the men of the Seventy-seventh New York. That regiment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +formed a picket line along the bank of the river, but +were ordered not to fire unless the enemy did. "A pretty +order," said Terry Gray, of Company B, "to wait till a man +is killed before he can fire his gun!" The army went into +camp on a line from Falmouth to Belle Plain; the Sixth +corps occupying nearly the center of the line, at a place +called White Oak Church, from a little whitewashed meeting +house, without bell or steeple, in the midst of a clump +of white oak trees.</p> + +<p>The attempt to capture the heights of Fredericksburgh +by a direct assault was indeed a daring undertaking, and +one involving a fearful risk. The only hope of success lay +in the active and hearty coöperation of all the commands +of the army. Such coöperation was not to be had. To +the Left grand division was assigned an important work +which it failed to accomplish; not because it was defeated +in the attempt, but because the attempt was not made in +earnest. The troops were brave and eager to meet the +enemy. None were ever more brave or more desirous to +test their valor. The heroic deeds of those who did +advance against the enemy will ever redound to the glory +of our arms; and had all the forces of the Left grand division +been brought fairly into action, the result might have +been different. Surely such troops as composed the grand +old Sixth corps were fitted for a nobler work than standing +upon an open plain, exposed to fierce artillery fire, without +ever being allowed to turn upon the enemy. Our defeat +had cost us more than twelve thousand men, in killed, +wounded and missing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xvi" id="chapter_xvi"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE WINTER AT FALMOUTH.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Camp at White Oak Church—"The mud march"—Return to camp—General +Neill—General Hooker supersedes General Burnside—Burnside's magnanimity—General +Hooker as a soldier—Reconstruction—The cavalry organized—Business +departments renovated—The medical department—Ambulance system—Quartermasters' +and commissary departments—Life in camp—Snowball battles—In +the Seventy-seventh—The Light division—Review by General Hooker—General +John Sedgwick—Scene at head-quarters—Review of the army by the +President—Preparing for the campaign.</p></div> + +<p>The men built huts, +and made themselves +as comfortable as they +could, in their camp at +White Oak Church, but +disease spread rapidly, +especially among the recruits. +The regiments +were crowded closely +together on ground too low and wet for +good camping ground, and the men, +having never before erected winter quarters +from shelter tents, were not so +expert as they became in the succeeding +winters; so they suffered from inconvenient +quarters, as well as from the low +ground and crowded camps.</p> + +<p>Our army was now composed in large part, of the recruits +sent from the north during the preceding summer and +autumn, and thousands of these had never had any idea +of fighting or of suffering the privations of army life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +They had enlisted for the large bounties which were paid +at that time, with the determination to leave the service as +soon as their bounties were paid, and a favorable opportunity +offered itself for escape. Desertions became alarmingly +frequent; indeed, when a few weeks later General +Hooker assumed command, there were more than eighty-four +thousand absentees, with and without authority. The +great number of desertions, we think, should be attributed +to the fact that so large a proportion of the new recruits +had enlisted for money, rather than to the demoralization +of the army.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the inconveniences to which the men +were subjected, and the advance to midwinter, the weather +was in our favor. The sun shone brightly, the days were +warm and the roads dry. It became evident that General +Burnside was determined not to allow the delightful +weather and the excellent roads to pass unimproved. +Indications of a general movement crowded upon us, and +on the 20th of January came the order to march.</p> + +<p>The whole army broke camp and moved toward Banks' +Ford, two miles up the river from White Oak Church. +On the march, an order from the commanding general +was read to the troops, announcing to them that the auspicious +moment had at length arrived when we were to +reap the glorious fruits of our long toils. At five o'clock +we halted in the thick woods at Banks' Ford, the point +selected for crossing the river, and in a few minutes were +quietly and comfortably bivouacked out of sight of rebels +on the opposite side. Scarcely had we settled ourselves +for a comfortable night's rest, when the clouds, which +had been gathering since morning, broke in rain, and the +delightful Indian summer gave way to the rainy winter +of the south. All night long the rain poured, and all the +next day. It was evident we had waited too long. But +the commander was determined not to abandon his effort<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +to outflank the enemy. By morning, the roads were so +softened by the rain, that horses could not haul artillery +or pontoons into position. Men took the place of horses. +The whole Vermont brigade was detailed to drag the pontoons +and guns to the river. All day long, working and +tugging with the mud above their knees; here a hundred +men pulling at a pontoon boat, there a party prying a +cannon out of the mire with long levers, and still other +parties laying strips of corduroy road. The Vermonters +passed a disagreeable day.</p> + +<p>General Burnside was not idle all this while. Riding +from one point to another, now personally superintending +the placing of a battery in position on the bank of the +river, now encouraging the men who lugged at the boats +and guns, and now selecting places to cut new roads, he +passed the night and the day in fatiguing and anxious +labor. As he rode through the camp of our division in +the afternoon, with only two staff officers, himself and his +horse completely covered with mud, the rim of his hat +turned down to shed the rain, his face careworn with this +unexpected disarrangement of his plans, we could but +think that the soldier on foot, arm oppressed with the +weight of knapsack, haversack and gun, bore an easy load +compared with that of the commander of the army, who +now saw departing his hopes of redeeming the prestige +he had lost at Fredericksburgh.</p> + +<p>Men were detailed from each of the regiments of the +corps to return to Falmouth, a distance of five miles, to +bring on their backs two days' rations; those brought by +the men being nearly exhausted. But during the night it +was determined to abandon the attempt to cross the river. +The enemy, by this time fully aware of our intention, +was prepared for us, and a crossing could only be made at +great sacrifice, perhaps with defeat. So at sunrise in the +morning we were on the road back to our old camp; this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +time for permanent winter quarters. All along the road +lay a multitude of dead horses and mules, which had fallen +in the tremendous but unavailing efforts of the day before. +Artillery and wagons still stuck fast in the mud, and +cannoniers and teamsters lifted and tugged with rails +and with poles to raise the piece or the wagon from the +mire.</p> + +<p>The mud was deep, the day was gloomy and the men +were discouraged. They straggled badly. Regiments +were not to be distinguished. The whole column became +an unorganized crowd, pressing toward the old camps. +Tired and discouraged as were the men, they kept up their +lively sallies and jokes, as though all was smooth work. +Toward evening the troops of our corps arrived on their +old ground, now to be our home until the opening of +spring, and at once fell to work to restore to some degree +of comfort that most desolate of scenes, an abandoned +camp. Unfortunately, on leaving the place, little thinking +that they were so soon to return, they had burned +everything combustible, and thus a strip of board or a +piece of timber could hardly be found within the limits of +the corps. Nevertheless, comfortable quarters were soon +erected, and the routine of drills and picket was resumed.</p> + +<p>Brigadier-General Neill, who was assigned to the command +of the Third brigade, was active in encouraging his +men to provide good quarters, and in furnishing every +facility in his power to make them comfortable. The +general was a portly gentleman, with light red hair and +whiskers, and a small blue eye, ceremonious in his style, +and a perfect pattern of courtliness. He had, at West +Point, won the appellation of "Beau Neill," a title which +never left him. He was a good commander in camp. He +originated the brigade dress parade that winter, often calling +out the brigade on fine evenings, and substituting the +brigade for the regimental parade. The custom was at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +length adopted in many brigades in the army of the Potomac; +but few gave credit for the improved parade to the +originator of it.</p> + +<p>The second failure of General Burnside rendered his +removal from the command of the army a thing to be +expected; and no one was surprised when the order came +relieving him, and assigning General Hooker to the command. +It must be confessed that our failure at Bank's +Ford had done much to demoralize the army and destroy +the confidence in the commanding general so absolutely +necessary to success. On our way back from Bank's Ford, +as we passed Fredericksburgh, we saw huge placards posted +up by the rebels with taunting inscriptions, such as "Burnside +stuck in the mud," printed in conspicuous letters. +The men caught up the words, and "Burnside stuck in the +mud" passed from one end of the disordered column to +the other. When we had failed at Fredericksburgh, the +men were as willing as ever to try again under the same +commander. They believed him to be at least earnest and +brave. They knew that he was noble and self-sacrificing. +In the noble letter to General Halleck, in which he assumed +all the responsibility for the failure at Fredericksburgh, +they found renewed assurance that he had all the qualities +of a true soldier—bravery, integrity and true manhood; +but an army must have success, or it cannot long repose +confidence in the general. So, while the Army of the +Potomac regarded General Burnside with great respect, it +gladly welcomed the advent of "Fighting Joe Hooker" +to the command.</p> + +<p>General Hooker had fairly won the title of "Fighting +Joe" at the slaughter of Williamsburgh, where, almost +single-handed with his division, he had stemmed the tide +of battle for hours, until reinforced by Kearney, and then, +with the help of that hero, had held the whole rebel army +until it was outflanked by our Second division.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + +<p>In all the battles of the Peninsula he had been conspicuous, +and at South Mountain and Antietam his fighting +propensities were exhibited in more than their wonted +splendor. In person he was of large stature, with fine +features, brilliant eye, his side whiskers and ruddy countenance +giving a more youthful appearance than his light +gray hair would indicate. His gleaming eye told of the +spirit which animated the man, and his determined air +betokened the persistent and fearless soldier. In battle +or on review he rode a magnificent milk white steed, a +powerful animal and of extraordinary fleetness. Mounted +on this superb war horse, he was the most conspicuous, as +he was always one of the handsomest men in the army.</p> + +<p>The energy of the new commander soon began to be +manifested in the reconstruction and reorganization of +the whole army. The first step in the progress of reconstruction, +was the revocation of the order making three +grand divisions of the army. By the abolition of the grand +divisions, Generals Sumner and Franklin were relieved +from their commands; and the corps commanders, no +longer subject to intermediate commanders, were again +directly responsible to the general-in-chief of the army. +Doubtless General Hooker had seen that the creation of +these grand divisions had much to do with the failures +of General Burnside.</p> + +<p>The cavalry next engaged the attention of the general. +The whole force was thoroughly reorganized and put in +an efficient condition, under command of Major-General +Stoneman. Hereafter, men were not to ask, "Who ever +saw a dead cavalryman?" To General Hooker, the cavalry +of the Army of the Potomac owes its efficiency and +the glorious record it from that time made for itself.</p> + +<p>The superiority of the rebel cavalry, in the early part +of the war, was generally attributed to the supposed fact +that the young men of the south were so much better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +horsemen than those of the north. In reality, this had +little, if anything, to do with it. It is even very doubtful +if there was any difference in favor of the superior horsemanship +of the southern cavalry. Their strength lay in +their union. The rebel cavalry was organized from the +beginning; ours was an incoherent mass of men, having +no proper relations or dependencies within itself. From +the day that it became organized, the superiority of the +rebel cavalry passed away forever. We had always better +horses, and our men were certainly never inferior to the +rebels. All that was needed was the proper combination +of action; and, as soon as this was secured, our cavalry +became the finest in the world.</p> + +<p>The business departments were also thoroughly renovated. +The changes in the medical, quartermasters' and +commissary departments were such as to bring each to a +standard of perfection, which had never before been +reached by those departments of any army in the field. +No army had ever been provisioned as was ours that +winter. Soft bread, potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, fresh +beef, flour, sugar and coffee, constituted the regular rations +of the men, and facilities were afforded for procuring +luxuries not in the regular supply.</p> + +<p>The medical department became so thoroughly systematized, +that wounded and sick men were cared for better +than they had ever been in an army before. This radical +change had commenced under General Burnside; but was +perfected under General Hooker, by the efficient and +earnest medical director of the army, Dr. Letterman; to +whom belongs the honor of bringing about this most +desirable change.</p> + +<p>By the new system, the surgeons were enabled to accomplish +a far greater amount of work, and in much better +order than under the old; and the wounded were better +and more quickly cared for. By this system the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +hospital of the division was the unit. From the division, +a medical officer of good executive ability was selected, to +whom was assigned the general oversight of the hospital. +One or more surgeons of well known skill and experience +were detailed from the medical force of the division, who +were known as "operating surgeons;" to each of whom +was assigned three assistants, also known to be skillful +men, who were either surgeons or assistant surgeons. To +the operating surgeons all cases requiring surgical operations +were brought, and thus the wounded men had the +benefit of the very best talent and experience in the division, +in the decision of the question whether he should be +submitted to the use of the knife, and in the performance of +the operation in case one was required. It was a mistaken +impression among those at home, that each medical officer +was the operating surgeon for his own men. Only about +one in fifteen of the medical officers was intrusted with +operations.</p> + +<p>From each brigade an assistant surgeon was detailed to +provide food and shelter for the wounded. His duty was +to superintend the erection of hospital tents as soon as +there was a prospect of an engagement, and to have hot +coffee and rations of food ready for the wounded as soon as +they came to the hospital; he was to attend to their clothing, +bedding and rations as long as they remained in the +hospital.</p> + +<p>Another assistant surgeon from each brigade was selected +to keep the records; to take the name and character of +wound of every one who was brought to the hospital, with +the operation, if any; and the list of deaths, the place of +burial, and all other matters necessary to record. An +assistant surgeon was to remain with each regiment, +and attend to getting the wounded from the field into +the ambulances, and to arrest hemorrhage in case of +necessity.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus, all labor was systematized. Every officer and +nurse knew exactly what to do: each had his own part of +the work assigned to him, and there was no conflicting +of orders or clashing of opinions.</p> + +<p>Our ambulance system was also very perfect—so complete, +indeed, that, after a year of trial in the Army of the +Potomac, congress adopted it as the ambulance system of +the United States. To Doctor Letterman, also, belongs +the honor of originating this system.</p> + +<p>The ambulances of each corps were under command of a +captain, who acted under directions from the medical +director of the corps. A lieutenant commanded the ambulances +of a division, and a second lieutenant those of a +brigade. To each ambulance was assigned a driver, and +two stretcher-bearers; and to three ambulances a sergeant, +mounted. The ambulances of a division always went +together, behind the division, and on the march were +attended by a surgeon, an assistant surgeon, a hospital +steward, a cook, and three or more nurses, who were to +attend to the wants of the sick in the ambulances, and at +night, if any were unable to return to their regiments, to +erect tents for them, and supply them with food and bedding. +In an engagement, the stretcher-bearers of each +regiment, with the sergeant, reported to the assistant surgeon +in attendance with the regiment. As soon as a man +was wounded, he was brought to the medical officer, put +into an ambulance, and taken to the division hospital. By +this means, ordinarily, every man was carried to the hospital +of his own division.</p> + +<p>The improvements in the quartermasters' department +were nearly as great; and we have already alluded to the +abundant supplies furnished by the commissary department.</p> + +<p>Great difficulty was experienced by the troops of our +corps in getting wood. The men of our Second division<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +lugged wood on their backs a mile and a half, with which +to do their cooking and warm their tents. But notwithstanding +the hardships they endured, the inclemency of +the winter, and their severe picket duty, the men were +gay. In many of the regiments, the sounds of the guitar +and accordion could be heard every evening; and on +pleasant afternoons and evenings, parties assembled in the +company streets and danced cotillions, and polkas, and jigs, +to the music of violins. When snow covered the ground, +mimic battles with snowballs were a frequent amusement. +At times, one regiment would challenge another, and a +general melee would follow. Snowballing was, particularly, +a favorite amusement with our friends of the Twenty-first +New Jersey, who never let an opportunity pass for +indulging in their favorite sport. Each party carried its +flags and was led by officers chosen for the occasion. The +capture of a flag, or of a number of prisoners, from an +opposite party, caused great glee among the victors. A +good deal of interest was excited throughout the Second +division by a snowball battle between one of the Vermont +regiments and the Twenty-sixth New Jersey. Both regiments +formed in line of battle, each officered by its line +and field officers, the latter mounted. At the signal, the +battle commenced; charges and counter-charges were +made, prisoners were taken on either side, the air was +filled with the white missiles, and stentorian cheers went +up as one or other party gained an advantage. At length +victory rested with the Vermonters, and the Jersey boys +surrendered the field, defeated.</p> + +<p>Another favorite amusement in the corps was the game +of base ball. There were many excellent players in the +different regiments, and it was common for the ball-players +of one regiment or brigade to challenge another +regiment or brigade. These matches were watched by +great crowds of soldiers with intense interest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> + +<p>In our Seventy-seventh regiment, matters went on much +the same as in other regiments of the corps. We had our +share of disease and desertions. We had our ball-players +and our violinists; our singers and our story-tellers, as +every regiment had. At regimental head-quarters, matters +went on gaily. It was the custom of the officers of the +field and staff to collect in one of the tents as evening +came on, and, in company with friends from other regiments, +pass the hours in lively converse, in singing and +relating amusing stories.</p> + +<p>We had a glee book and an old copy of the "Carmina +Sacra," and then our friend, Colonel, now Major-General, +Connor, was never at a loss for a song, and Colonel French +often displayed his genius with the violin, and our friend, +the chaplain, could always tell a good story or perpetrate +a joke. Chaplain Norman Fox was an accession to our +staff, who joined us when we first encamped at White +Oak Church. He was a gentleman of enterprise and +talent, who, soon after his arrival in camp, instituted a +series of religious meetings on week days, in addition to +the regular services of the Sabbath, and a good deal of +religious interest was awakened among the men.</p> + +<p>Among other changes, we lost one of our most valuable +and beloved officers. Dr. Campbell, who had for weeks +been declining in health, was obliged to resign. The +doctor was a most genial and companionable man, and an +excellent officer. We greatly missed his hearty laugh, +his fund of stories and ready wit in our social gatherings. +The doctor was afterward appointed surgeon of the Fortieth +New York, but was attacked with spotted fever, +from which he recovered only after a long illness, during +which he again resigned.</p> + +<p>The First brigade, Second division, which for some time +past had been under command of General Calvin A. Pratt, +was broken up, and a new brigade, called the "Light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +division," was formed from the regiments of the First +brigade, and one regiment from each the First and Third +divisions. The regiments were, the Fifth Wisconsin, the +Sixth Maine, the Thirty-first and Forty-third New York, +and the Sixty-first Pennsylvania. Colonel Burnham, of +the Sixth Maine, was placed in command.</p> + +<p>Among other reviews in the Sixth corps during the +winter, was one by General Hooker, of our Second division +and the Light division. The troops were formed in +line, and the general and staff were escorted to the ground +by the Twentieth New York, of Neill's brigade, in splendid +style. The regiment was composed entirely of German +Turners. Their drill surpassed that of any regiment of +regulars, and the exquisite neatness they displayed in their +dress and in the care of their equipments, together with +the perfection of their movements, made them the finest +appearing regiment in the service, when on parade. It is +to be regretted that the prestige of the regiment was not +always sustained on the battle-field. As the regiment and +cavalcade appeared on the field, it was a brilliant pageant; +first came our brigade band, one of the finest in the army, +then the pioneers of the Twentieth, their axes, shovels +and picks polished so that they glistened in the sunlight +like burnished silver; then the Twentieth regiment, in +column by company, marching with step as perfect as +though all were directed by a single will; following the +regiment, rode General Hooker on his superb white horse, +a head and shoulders above all his cavalcade. The +immense suite, consisting of General Hooker's own staff, +and a large number of major-generals and their staffs, +completed the brilliant column. The division was drawn +up in a line, stretching a half a mile across the field, +straight as the flight of an arrow, with artillery on either +flank. The general and his brilliant retinue, rode to the +right of the line, and advanced slowly along the front of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +the whole division, inspecting closely each regiment as he +passed, the bands playing "Hail to the Chief," the colors +dipping, and the bugles pealing notes of welcome. +Having passed the entire front of the line, the chief now +rode at a rapid pace along its rear to the point of beginning. +He then, with his attendants, took a position on a +slight elevation of ground at a distance from the line, +when the whole division, in column, marching to the +place, passed in review before him, and the pageant was +ended.</p> + +<p>An important change in the command of our corps +occurred about this time. General Smith, who had so long +commanded our division, and for some time past our Sixth +corps, was relieved of his command, and ordered to the +department of North Carolina. His successor was General +John Sedgwick, then well known as one of our best division +commanders, and one of the sternest soldiers in the +Army of the Potomac. Bred as a soldier, he had served +with great distinction in Mexico, and at the breaking out +of the rebellion he had joined the Union army, and was +soon placed in command of a division in Sumner's corps, +which, under his command, became the best division of +the corps, as the Sixth corps became the best in the army. +Modest and retiring in his ordinary intercourse with his +fellows, he exhibited the most brilliant qualities in time of +battle. The dignity of his bearing fitted him to command, +and he needed not the insignia of rank to command the +deference of those about him.</p> + +<p>None who witnessed the farewell reception of General +Smith, will forget the scene at corps head-quarters. The +two generals, the old and loved leader of the Second division +and of the corps, and the new commander, stood side +by side. General Smith, tall, well dressed, his regulation +coat buttoned closely about him, his easy and graceful +manner and conversation; General Sedgwick, of stouter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +build, wearing a loose blouse and coarse blue pants, such +as are furnished the private soldier, strong and manly in +his appearance, and somewhat abrupt in his manner. +Officers returned to their camps satisfied that although +the corps had lost a favorite commander, it had also +gained a brave leader.</p> + +<p>One of the grand events of the winter was the review +of the whole army by President Lincoln. The review continued +two days. The first was occupied in reviewing +the Second, Fifth, Sixth and Third corps; the second of the +remaining corps. It was a most imposing spectacle, never +to be forgotten by those who were actors or spectators. +The President, in his civilian's dress and tall hat, accompanied +by General Hooker, and followed by an immense +suite, was welcomed by the thundering of artillery as it +fired the national salute. The different corps were drawn +up in line, each occupying a plain within sight of the +others. Riding in front of the corps, the President and +the immense cavalcade passed along the whole line, +inspecting carefully each regiment, then returned in the +rear. This inspection over, the President and staff stationed +themselves in some favorable position, and the +whole corps passed in review before him. The same process +was repeated with each corps.</p> + +<p>How one unaccustomed to such physical fatigues could +endure such labor, commencing early in the morning and +only resting at dark, was a wonder. It seemed as if the +President's physical, like his mental constitution, could +bear up under the most trying and continued labors. As +the warm weather of spring appeared, the men adorned +their camps with evergreen trees and beautiful arches, so +that the camps presented a pleasant appearance; but we +had little time to enjoy these, for as soon as the roads +began to be passable, preparations were pushed forward +for the spring campaign.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xvii" id="chapter_xvii"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Orders to move—The river crossed—Sedgwick's command—The First corps withdrawn—Gallant +conduct of the Light division—Advancing to the heights—The +line of battle—The columns of attack—Attack of Howe's columns—Of Newton's +column—Of Burnham's—Misfortune following victory—Fight of Bartlett's +brigade—The First division at work—A critical position—The Sixth corps +surrounded—Savage fight of Neill's brigade—The corps withdraws to Banks' +Ford—Recrosses the river—Hooker's operations on the right—Position of the +corps—Rout of the Eleventh corps—The rebels repulsed—Jackson renews +the attack—The rebels again repulsed—Hooker recrosses the river.</p></div> + + +<p>On Tuesday, the 28th of April, the Sixth corps received +orders to break up its camp and be ready to march at a +moment's notice. Eight days' rations had been issued to the +men, who were in the highest spirits, having forgotten all +their former discouragements, and were now only anxious +for an encounter with the enemy. A storm of rain of some +violence set in on the morning of the 28th, which rendered +marching difficult. At twelve o'clock we received the order +to "fall in," and in five minutes we were on our way to +take our place in the line of battle. A march of six miles +through thickets and bogs, brought us to the rear of Falmouth +Station, at a short distance from the river. Here we +bivouacked for the night, and were awakened before daylight +in the morning by the sound of artillery and +musketry at the river, where Russell's brigade, of the First +division, was forcing a passage across the stream. The +Second division only had been allowed to rest quietly +during the night. The men of the Light brigade had +toiled from dark until nearly dawn, carrying the pontoon +boats on their shoulders to the river side, and launching +them in the stream. So noiselessly had they conducted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +their operations, that the pickets of the enemy took no +alarm until they suddenly saw the braves of Russell's +brigade approaching in the boats, just as dawn was breaking. +The astonished confederates fired a few volleys of +musketry, and our guns threw among them a few charges +of cannister, and the rebels fled precipitately. A number of +prisoners were captured, among them the officer of the +picket-guard. Colonel Irwin, of the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, +who had, at Antietam, commanded the Third +brigade of the Second division, was among the wounded +on our side.</p> + +<p>At sunrise the Second division filed down to the river side, +and took position in line of battle. Our horses cropped +the green blades which had sprung from the grain scattered +for their food nearly five months before. The division +was upon the very spot where it lay before, at the first +battle of Fredericksburgh. The bridge also was in the +same place that Franklin's bridge had been. The point +was known as Franklin's Crossing.</p> + +<p>The First division of our corps (Brook's) was on the +other side of the river, holding the plain for some distance. +The pickets of that division formed the half of a circle of +about three-fourths of a mile in diameter, the center being +at the pontoon bridge, where some earthworks were thrown +up. At our left, about a mile down the river, the First +corps had also effected a crossing. The rebels had offered +strong resistance, but the crossing was gallantly accomplished +by Wadsworth's division in boats. Like the First +division of our own corps, Wadsworth's division was +holding a semi-circular portion of the plateau; but being +able to maintain the position by some fighting.</p> + +<p>Sickles' Third corps was upon the high ground in the rear, +ready to come to the assistance of the corps at the river. +The three corps, First, Third and Sixth, were under command +of General Sedgwick.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rebels spent the day in throwing up intrenchments +and shelling Reynolds' position. Toward night the artillery +practice ceased, and the First and Sixth corps +bivouacked where they had stood during the day, but +Sickles and his corps were ordered to the assistance of +Hooker, on the right.</p> + +<p>The morning of the 30th was lowery, but the clouds +dispersed as the day advanced. About noon the troops +were massed by brigades, and a congratulatory order from +General Hooker was read to them, amid great cheering. +"The enemy," said the order, "must now come out and +fight us on our ground, or retreat ingloriously." Nothing +more of interest occurred that day; but, in the afternoon +of the following day, the First corps became engaged in a +fierce artillery duel with the enemy, in which the corps +lost a large number of its men in killed and wounded. At +sunset an order came from General Hooker, at Chancellorsville, +for General Sedgwick to assume a threatening attitude—to +make a severe demonstration—but to make no +attack. There was much marching and getting into +position, and regiments and divisions were marched and +countermarched in such a manner as to convey to the +rebels the impression that a grand attack was to be made +at that point. The enemy was evidently deceived by these +maneuvers, and heavy columns of rebel infantry commenced +to form upon the old battle-field. While we stood +in line of battle, one of our bands near the skirmish line +struck up the air, "Dixie." The rebels, hearing the strains, +set up defiant cheers, which were answered by our army in +the most tremendous shouts imaginable. The contest +seemed for the time to depend on strength of lung, and +our boys certainly beat them at shouting.</p> + +<p>As the sun disappeared behind the hills, when Hooker's +guns were thundering, we retired to our tents. All day +long the earth had been shaken by tremendous firing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +of artillery on the right; and now, as darkness gathered +over the scenes of conflict, the thundering of the guns +and the trembling of the earth seemed like a succession of +earthquakes. The spirit of our boys rose, as the battle on +the right progressed, and there seemed to be indications +of work for them. Groups might be seen at any time, +when we were not standing in line of battle, telling yarns, +singing songs, playing ball and pitching quoits, while they +momentarily looked for the order to advance upon the +heights, into the very jaws of death.</p> + +<p>Saturday morning, May 2d, the First corps was withdrawn +from its position; its bridges were taken up, and +the corps moved past us up the river to join the main body +of the army under Hooker, on the right. The Seventy-seventh +was sent to do picket duty on the ground occupied +by the First corps the night before. Our reserve was +posted a little way from the river, in a pleasant field, where +the fresh clover furnished a soft bed for the men, and a +dainty bite for our horses. Just in front of us was a lovely +spot—the residence of Doctor Morson, for fifteen years a +surgeon in the United States navy. The place was in +remarkable order; the gardens in full bloom, the mocking +birds building their nests, and the greenlets warbling +sweetly among the flowering shrubs.</p> + +<p>We strolled along the banks of the beautiful river, +gathering flowers and glancing at our "secesh" neighbors +on the opposite bank, only a few yards distant; +or we lounged in the shade of our tents, enjoying the +charms of a lovely May day, while the terrible din of +battle on the right, where Hooker's forces were contending, +shook the ground beneath us, and we knew that ere +the sun set, thousands of our brave comrades must be +sacrificed.</p> + +<p>As the evening drew near, we who were on the north +side of the river saw our skirmishers, of the "Light division",<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +drive back the skirmish line of the enemy. It was +a gallant feat, and finely executed. Our hearts leaped +for joy as we watched our brave fellows, their line as perfect +as though on drill, advance, firing rapidly, and pressing +the enemy at "double-quick." They made no halt until +they had crossed the whole breadth of the plain and +reached the base of the hills.</p> + +<p>Few who were then in the Sixth corps will ever forget +that scene. The sun, just sinking behind the hills where +Hooker was at work, threw a beautiful golden light over +the plain, and crowned the heights with brilliant hues. It +was one of those evenings of surpassing loveliness, such as +gladdened our hearts only at long intervals. Prominent in +the foreground of the beautiful scene was a noble white +steed, with its gallant rider, dashing from one end of the +skirmish line to the other. None who witnessed the spectacle +will forget the white horse and the fearless rider; and +few of the Second or Light divisions need be reminded that +the horseman was Colonel Baker, of the Forty-third New +York, who was then in charge of the skirmish line.</p> + +<p>The "Light division" was, as we have before stated, +the First brigade of our Second division, with regiments +from the First and Third divisions which had been, a short +time before leaving camp, detached to form an independent +organization. The arrangement was broken up immediately +after this battle, and the regiments put in the First +and Second divisions again.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the brilliant advance of the "Light +division," the Seventy-seventh regiment was ordered to +leave the picket line and join its brigade. The Second +division crossed the river and took position, the Third brigade +in front, the Vermont brigade in rear. The Thirty-third +and Forty-ninth New York, of the Third brigade, +went forward as pickets in front of the hills, relieving +pickets of the "Light division," which moved to the right.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +We remained in line all night, sometimes throwing ourselves +upon the ground to catch a moment's sleep, then +roused in expectancy of an advance.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock in the morning we did advance. Straight +across the plain we went, until we came nearly to the base +of the heights, where the hosts of the enemy awaited us, +then taking the Bowling Green road, filed to the right and +proceeded to the rear of Fredericksburgh; the Seventy-seventh +in front, the Twenty-first New Jersey, the Forty-ninth +New York, Twentieth New York, Seventh Maine +and Thirty-third New York, constituting the Third brigade, +under command of General Neill, following in +the order mentioned. Then came the Vermont brigade, +Colonel L. A. Grant commanding; these two brigades +forming the whole of Howe's (Second) division of the +Sixth corps since the First brigade was detached.</p> + +<p>As we gained the rear of the eastern part of the town, +the batteries of the enemy opened upon us, and swarms +of infantry rose up in our front and poured volleys of +bullets into our ranks. The "Light division" and Newton's +Third division of our corps had passed through the +streets of the town, and were now on our right. The +skirmishers from Wheaton's and Shaler's brigades had +struck those of the enemy near a large mansion, where, +each party dodging behind the garden fence, the cherry +trees and the outhouses, they kept up a lively engagement +for several minutes, but Newton's advance was +forced to yield the ground.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the long line of rifled cannon which +surmounted Stafford Heights, on the north side of the +river, as at the first battle of Fredericksburgh, were throwing +huge shells across the wide valley and stream into the +works of the enemy. One or two field batteries near the +head of our own column, and some attached to the other +divisions, got into position and opened a fierce cannonade.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Howe quickly formed his troops in line, as did +the other division commanders.</p> + +<p>The line of battle of the corps extended from the pontoon +bridge at Franklin's Crossing to the right of the +town of Fredericksburgh. First, on the left, Brooks' +division held the plain in front of the crossing. Next, on +the right, in front of Marye's Heights, was Howe's Second +division; then the "Light division," Colonel Burnham; +and on the extreme right was Newton's Third division. +Gibbon's division of the Second corps, which, because its +encampment was in plain view of the enemy, had been +left behind, also crossed into the town by a bridge which +it threw over, and took position on the right of the corps.</p> + +<p>General Sedgwick, finding that the heights could only +be carried by direct assault, directed storming columns to +be formed in the Second and Third divisions and the Light +division, which order was at once carried into execution.</p> + +<p>In the Second division, General Howe directed General +Neill to lead the advance. The plan of attack of the +division was in two lines of battle of three regiments each.</p> + +<p>The first line consisted of the Thirty-third New York, +Colonel Taylor, the Seventh Maine, Colonel Connor, and +the Twenty-first New Jersey, Colonel Van Houten, preceded +by the Seventy-seventh New York, Colonel French, +as skirmishers. The line was commanded by General +Neill<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>. The second line consisted of the Sixth Vermont, +Colonel Barney, the Twenty-sixth New Jersey, Colonel +Morrison, and the Second Vermont, Colonel Walbridge, +and was under command of Colonel L. A. Grant. Both +lines were arranged from right to left, in the order above +mentioned.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> +"I was ordered to form three regiments as the <i>advance of a column of assault</i> +against the heights of Marye's Hill, back of Fredericksburgh. I led the Thirty-third +New York, Twenty-first New Jersey and Seventh Maine Volunteers, preceded +by the Seventy-seventh New York, who were acting as skirmishers, under +a heavy fire of shot and shell."—<i>Neill's Report.</i></p></div> + +<p>The Forty-ninth and Twentieth New York formed the +right reserve, and the Third, Fourth and Fifth Vermont, +under Colonel Seavor, the left reserve.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next column was composed of the Seventh Massachusetts, +Colonel Jones, and the Thirty-sixth New York, +Colonel Walsh; both under the command of Colonel +Jones—the Fifth Wisconsin, Colonel Allen, acting as +skirmishers. Supporting the column, in line of battle, +were the Sixth Maine, Colonel Harris, Thirty-first New +York, Colonel Jones, and the Twenty-third Pennsylvania, +Colonel Ely.</p> + +<p>The right column of all consisted of the Forty-third New +York, Colonel Baker, and the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, +Colonel Spear—the two regiments under command of +the latter officer, who fell, mortally wounded, while leading +the charge. The Sixty-seventh New York, Colonel +Cross, and the Eighty-second Pennsylvania, Major Bassett, +under command of Colonel Shaler, supported this right +column.</p> + +<p>At half-past ten, the arrangements for storming the +heights were completed, and Newton's batteries opened +upon the enemy. At the sound of Newton's first gun, +General Howe ordered his batteries to direct their fire +upon the heights, and then ordered the storming column +forward.</p> + +<p>The division advanced toward the bold bluffs, which, +bare of trees as well as the plain below, allowed the +enemy an excellent view of all our movements. A railroad +traversed the plain near the bluffs, and in a deep cut +through which the road passed, were rebels. They rose +up as we advanced, and poured showers of leaden hail into +our line; but one of our batteries, getting an enfilading +fire on the road, sent the gray-coated occupants hurriedly +to the rear. For a moment we halted, the batteries on +either side playing into each other with spirit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a moment of contending emotions of pride, hope +and sadness, as our gallant boys stood face to face with +those heights, ready to charge upon them. At double-quick, +and in splendid style, they crossed the plain. Our line was +perfect. The men could not have made a more orderly +appearance had they been on drill. Proud of their commands, +Generals Howe and Neill, and Colonel Grant, +cheered the men onward, while Lieutenant-Colonel French, +in charge of the skirmish line, inspired, by his own intrepid +behavior, the utmost confidence and bravery in his men. +They took the matter as coolly as though on parade.</p> + +<p>Just in rear of the division, three batteries of Parrott guns +were playing into the works of the enemy, while from the +heights above, all the opposing batteries poured a terrible +and destructive fire upon the advancing lines. Having +gained the rifle pits at the base of the hills, they pushed +forward to capture the heights.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/maryes-heights.png"> +<img src="images/maryes-heights-small.png" width="400" height="258" alt="Storming of Marye's Heights by Howe's Division" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Storming of Marye's Heights by Howe's Division.</p> + +<p>A more grand spectacle cannot be imagined. There +were the hills, enough to fatigue any man to climb them +without a load and with no one to oppose. At the foot +of the hills were thousands of the enemy, pouring into them +volleys of musketry, and on the heights were their lines +of earthworks, with their artillery, from which poured +grape and cannister in a frightful storm. But the boys +pushed nobly, steadily on, the rebels steadily retreating, +the division coming up in splendid style. Generals Howe +and Neill and Colonel Grant directing the movements and +cheering on the men, as they pressed undauntedly against +the murderous storm of iron and lead that met them from +above. Our men were falling in every direction, but the +lines were immediately closed, and on they passed. With +shouts and cheers that drowned the roar of artillery, the +noble division, with bayonets fixed, mounted the heights, +the rebels retreating in confusion. Of that noble column +the skirmishers of the Seventy-seventh first reached the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +heights of Marye's Hill, the Thirty-third New York, in line +of battle, followed, and then the Sixth Vermont,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> the +other regiments of the two brigades being but a moment +behind. But the work was not all done yet. On our left +was an earthwork of strong profile, from which now the +rebels turned their guns upon us. Against this the column +turned, and soon gained possession of it also. A third +stronghold then fell into our hands, and we were in undisputed +possession of the heights. While the troops under +Neill and Grant had thus nobly stormed the works in +front, Colonel Seaver, with his three regiments, had scaled +the heights further to the left.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> +General L. A. Grant, in his report, does unintentional injustice to a brave regiment. +He says: "The Sixth Vermont followed the Thirty-third New York, <i>and +was the second</i> to gain the heights of Fredericksburgh." The Thirty-third was not +the first to gain the heights on that part of the line. The testimony of General Neill, +as well as of the members of the regiment, and the many trophies it captured, fully +establish the claim of the Seventy-seventh to the honor.</p></div> + +<p>With one or two exceptions, every regiment in the division +had behaved with great gallantry.</p> + +<p>The Seventy-seventh New York captured a stand of +colors belonging to the Eighteenth Mississippi regiment, +two heavy guns, a large number of prisoners, among +whom was Colonel Luce of the Eighteenth Mississippi, +and great numbers of small arms.</p> + +<p>As the regiment reached the heights, and took possession +of the guns, General Howe rode up, and, taking off +his hat, exclaimed: "Noble Seventy-seventh! you have +covered yourselves with glory!" The general's words +were greeted with tumultuous cheers.</p> + +<p>In the second work, the Thirty-third New York captured +a piece of heavy ordnance and a number of prisoners. +The regiment had exhibited great spirit and bravery. Six +color-bearers had been shot down successively.</p> + +<p>It was at the signal of the first gun in Newton's front that +General Howe had ordered the charge of the Second division.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +The Third division and the Light division had not +been idle while the events we have described were going +on. It will be remembered that the column on the right +consisted of the Forty-third New York and the Sixty-first +Pennsylvania, supported by a line of battle; and that the +other column consisted of the Seventh Massachusetts and +Thirty-sixth New York, also supported by other regiments.</p> + +<p>The ascent in front of the Third and Light divisions, +though steep, was less precipitous than in front of Howe's +column, and a good road led to the heights. But a stone +wall skirted the base of the hills, behind which the rebels +swarmed in great numbers.</p> + +<p>Under the fire of the rebel batteries, Newton's and Burnham's +regiments lay, some in the outskirts of the town, +some in the cemetery, until General Sedgwick gave the +order for the advance. Then, almost at the same time, +both commands moved up the glacis towards the heights. +Colonel Jones, with his two regiments, the Seventh Massachusetts +and Thirty-sixth New York, pushed forward up +the telegraph road, against the stone wall, bearing to the +right of the road; their knapsacks and haversacks were +left behind that they might be unencumbered with needless +burdens. As they approached within three hundred +yards of the wall, a murderous volley checked the advance, +and threw the head of the column into disorder. In two +minutes the men were rallied, and again they approached +the wall, this time nearer than before; but again they were +broken. A third time they were rallied; this time they +pushed straight forward to the works.</p> + +<p>The column under Colonel Spear started briskly forward, +divested, like the others, of knapsacks and haversacks. +Sallying from the town at double quick, in column of four +ranks, they crossed the bridge just outside the city, when +the gallant Colonel Spear received his mortal wound, and +fell at the head of his men. The Sixty-first, which led the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +column, shocked at the death of their beloved leader, broke, +and in confusion turned toward the town. This unfortunate +confusion spread to the men of the Forty-third, who, +checked by the disordered mass in front, and submitted to +a galling fire, also commenced falling back. Finding any +attempt to get the men through the disordered mass in +front, the gallant Wilson drew his colors to the right and +rallied his regiment around them. Then, bounding forward, +the regiment reached the heights scarcely behind +any of the regiments on the left, capturing a gun and +many prisoners.</p> + +<p>The line of battle under Colonel Burnham advanced on +the left of the road; the Fifth Wisconsin on the skirmish +line, the Sixth Maine, the Thirty-first New York, and the +Twenty-third Pennsylvania in line. Four more gallant +regiments could not be found in the service. Leaving +everything but guns and ammunition, they started forward, +encountering a shower of bullets, grape and canister, +as soon as they rose above the slight knoll which had +concealed them. We of the Second division looked with +admiration upon the advancing line; our flag—it was the +flag of the Sixth Maine—in advance of the others, its +brave color-guard bounding forward, then halting a moment +while the men came up, then dashing forward again, and +finally gaining the heights before us all! It was a noble +spectacle, and filled our hearts with pride for our brave +comrades of the Light division. The Light division secured +as trophies about seven hundred prisoners and five cannon.</p> + +<p>Thus the heights were won. It was a glorious day for +the Sixth corps. Never was a charge more gallantly +made. But it was a sad day, for many scores of our +brave comrades lay stretched in death, along the glacis, +and on the steep ascent, in the ravines and along the road.</p> + +<p>The Seventh Massachusetts, the Sixth Maine, the Fifth +Wisconsin, the Second Vermont, and the Seventy-seventh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +Thirty-third and Forty-third New York, were among the +greatest losers. The Sixth Maine reached the rebel works +with the loss of six captains and the major, and a proportional +number of enlisted men. Two color-bearers and +Lieutenant-Colonel Newman were shot in the Thirty-first, +and Colonel Jones, of the Seventh Massachusetts, was +seriously wounded, while one hundred and twelve of his +brave men were either killed or wounded.</p> + +<p>The wounded had been taken to the city, where they +were kindly cared for by the surgeons of the corps, who +had seized the town for hospital purposes. Churches and +private dwellings swarmed with the unfortunate men, +whose mangled forms told of the fearful work of the day. +Surgeons were hard at work ministering relief to the suffering, +binding up the wounds or removing the mangled +limbs which offered no hope of recovery; while nurses +administered food and coffee, and prepared beds, such as +could be extemporized from blankets spread upon the floors. +More than three thousand wounded were brought into the +city before nightfall.</p> + +<p>Upon the very heels of the brilliant success of the corps +commenced disaster. An order from General Hooker had +directed General Sedgwick to advance toward Chancellorsville, +and form a junction with the main army. So +the corps which had so nobly won the heights pressed on +for further achievements. The heights were left behind. +Brooks' division, which now took the lead, had advanced +as far as Salem Church, on the Chancellorsville pike, when, +instead of meeting any portion of Hooker's army, a few +shells from rebel guns warned the division of the presence +of the enemy.</p> + +<p>A dense thicket was in front, and Bartlett's brigade, +which had the advance, was deployed to skirmish and +ascertain the position of the concealed foe. Presently, +having fallen upon a strong line of skirmishers, the brigade<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +was formed in line of battle; the Twenty-seventh +New York on the right, then the Fifth Maine, then the +One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, and on the +left the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania; the Sixteenth New +York holding the skirmish line in front. General Bartlett +advanced his line to the thicket, the Sixteenth driving the +rebel skirmishers, the brigade following closely. At +the edge of the thicket General Bartlett halted the line, +but being ordered by General Brooks to advance rapidly, +he pushed on again.</p> + +<p>Advancing through the thicket about thirty rods, the +brigade suddenly found itself face to face with a rebel +line. The confederates were lying down in a road which +traversed the thicket; and, when the Union line was within +twenty yards, they suddenly discharged a volley, which, +had it been well aimed, must have almost annihilated the +brigade; but the fire was returned with effect, and presently, +the confederates were glad to leave the road, which +was almost filled with their dead and wounded, and seek +shelter behind rifle pits. The rifle pits were but a few +yards in rear of the road, and here a very strong force +was posted. The Union forces occupied the road, and +directed their fire against the works; but the rebel fire +cut down their unprotected ranks like grass before the +scythe. For fifteen minutes the gallant regiments endured +this murderous fire, and then fell back in good order, having +lost, within twenty minutes, nearly seven hundred +men; of whom two hundred and seventy-three were from +the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York.</p> + +<p>The New Jersey brigade, and the whole division, had +by this time been brought into action, and great slaughter +was made in almost every regiment. Newton's division +was also fiercely engaged on the right, Wheaton's brigade +holding its position only by the most stubborn fighting. +The enemy having forced the First division to retire,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +advanced against our line; but the batteries under Williston, +Rigby and Parsons, by splendid practice, repulsed the +onset. The Second division, forming the rear of the column, +had not been brought into the engagement.</p> + +<p>Darkness came to the relief of the corps, and the men +slept soundly on their arms after the arduous duties of the +day; but there were many misgivings among officers in +regard to what to-morrow might bring forth.</p> + +<p>While we rested, the enemy was bringing up reinforcements +from the direction of Richmond. Very early in the +morning the siege guns on Stafford Heights, opposite the +town, sent some shells screaming across the valley to +the heights of Marye's Hill, giving the alarm to those in the +town and to those who had so recently left it. Lines of +rebels were seen all along the outskirts of the town and on +the crests above. Fifteen thousand confederate troops +were between the Sixth corps and Fredericksburgh Heights. +The surgeons immediately prepared to send the wounded +across the river, but, supposing that to accomplish the +whole before the rebels should take possession of the town +would be impossible, made every preparation for being +themselves taken prisoners. A small detachment of Gibbon's +division still guarded the town, but nearly all his +troops had recrossed the river and were on Stafford Heights. +But the small force in the town seemed sufficient to convey +to the rebels the impression that it was well guarded, for +they made no attempt to seize the immense amount of +hospital stores which was at their mercy, or to molest the +wounded or the surgeons.</p> + +<p>The Sixth corps was now in a critical position; its communications +entirely cut off, and surrounded by hosts of +the enemy. The corps was sandwiched between the rebels +on the heights and Lee's whole army; while on its left was +a strong force, and on its right an impassable river. Dispositions +were at once made to meet the emergency.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> + +<p>Brooks' division was drawn back, and Howe's, still in the +rear, changed front and quickly extended the line of battle +to the river, so as to include Banks' Ford, six miles above +the city, over which communications were at once established.</p> + +<p>The whole of Early's rebel division occupied the crest +of Marye's and Cemetery Hills; the divisions of Anderson +and McLaws were on our flank; and the brigades of Hays, +Hoke and Lawton, supported by Lee's whole army, were +in our rear. We were in the vicinity of Salem Church, +and our only line of retreat was upon the road leading to +Banks' Ford.</p> + +<p>The first demonstration of the rebels, on the morning of +the 4th, was against the position held by Neill's brigade. +A company from the Seventh Maine, and two companies +from the Forty-ninth New York, in conjunction with a +part of Martin's battery, and supported by the remaining +companies of the Forty-ninth, gallantly repulsed and +routed a whole brigade of rebels, capturing two hundred +prisoners, and the colors of the Fifty-eighth Virginia +regiment; which last trophy was borne off by the men of +the Forty-ninth, and was the second stand of colors taken +by that gallant brigade in this engagement, the Seventy-seventh +having captured the other.</p> + +<p>The day wore away with little fighting till five o'clock. +General Howe had so disposed his troops as to occupy two +positions.</p> + +<p>In front was the Third brigade, holding a crest which +overlooked a ravine through which the rebels must pass. +Behind the brigade was another ravine, in which was a +thin skirt of woods. In rear of this second ravine, and +behind a swell of ground, the Vermont brigade was +strongly posted, forming the second line of battle. There +were in each of these two brigades about three thousand +men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now came the most fearful struggle of the campaign. +At five o'clock the rebel hordes came, with deafening yells, +upon the division. The divisions of Early, Anderson and +McLaws rushed upon the single brigade of less than three +thousand men, massing their troops in the ravine, and +charging with impetuous fury. But the noble regiments +heroically withstood the shock, the Germans of the Twentieth +only going to the rear in confusion. The stubborn +resistance of the brigade prevented the rebels from piercing +our lines, and cutting off our retreat, and thus, by its gallantry, +enabled the corps to cross at Banks' Ford. But +one thousand men—more than one-third of the brigade—fell +on that crest. Colonel Van Houghton, of the Twenty-first +New Jersey, was mortally wounded, and many other +choice spirits were among the fallen. General Neill was +injured by the fall of his horse, which was shot. General +Howe now ordered the brigade to fall back, and the decimated +regiments left the front line, and fell behind the +strong position held by the Vermonters. The rebels, +thinking this a retreat, followed with yells of exultation, +but were met by the second line of battle, which, from its +position behind the swell of ground, was concealed, with +a murderous fire, which sent them reeling back to the +cover of the first ravine. Their charge had inflicted little +damage upon the Union line. It was now nearly dark, and +the reception which the rebels had received had so completely +routed and broken them, that they made no further +attempt upon our lines.</p> + +<p>About nine o'clock, the division was ordered to fall back +to Banks' Ford, now two miles distant from us. We fell +back quietly, and found that the other divisions had preceded +us, and were snugly behind rifle pits. They had +fallen back as soon as it was dark, leaving the Second +division to cover the retreat.</p> + +<p>Meantime, comparatively little fighting had been done<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +by the other divisions, though a constant skirmish was +kept up, and in the evening the confederates managed to +get in the rear of a part of the picket of the Light division, +capturing a large number of prisoners from the +Forty-third and Thirty-first New York, and Sixty-first +Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>The position at Banks' Ford might have been held until +reinforcements could have reached the corps from Hooker; +but, unfortunately, that general, receiving from General +Sedgwick first, intelligence that he could not safely hold +the position, then that he could, ordered the corps to be +withdrawn, and afterward countermanded the order; but +the last order was only received when the movement had +been accomplished.</p> + +<p>Toward morning the corps recrossed the Rappahannock +on pontoon bridges; not without the utmost difficulty; +one bridge being destroyed by rebel artillery, and the +other barely saved from destruction long enough to allow +the troops hurriedly to pass over.</p> + +<p>The corps had passed through a fearful ordeal, and had +shown itself to be made of heroic material. No two more +brilliant feats had been performed during the war, than +the storming of the heights of Fredericksburgh, and the +splendid resistance when surrounded and attacked by +overwhelming forces. The men came out of the fight, not +demoralized, but as ready to scale those terrible heights +again, if called upon, as they had been on the 3d of May.</p> + +<p>General Sedgwick had manifested during the fights, +those masterly qualities which made him one of the +greatest soldiers of the age. His conduct on the retreat +was cool and unimpassioned. Personally examining every +part of the ground in front and rear, riding from one end +of the line to the other, now ordering a battery placed at +some commanding point, and now looking out a new +position to which his troops might fall back in case of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +necessity, he was everywhere present, full of energy, as +determined to save as he had been to win.</p> + +<p>Throughout the land the glorious deeds of the Sixth +corps became household words; but its glory had been +dearly purchased. Five thousand of the heroes who +crossed the Rappahannock on the 2d of May, were either +dead or wounded. Colonel Van Houghton, one of New +Jersey's bravest sons, had received a mortal wound, from +which he died in the hands of the enemy. Captain Luther +M. Wheeler, of the Seventy-seventh, was shot while we +halted at the foot of Marye's Hill. It was a sad loss to his +regiment, and the corps. Few more gifted young men +could be found in the army. He was one of our bravest +and most efficient officers. Gentle in his relations with his +fellows, cool and daring in battle; his youthful face +beaming with fortitude, was a continual joy to his men in +time of danger. He died as he had lived, a hero.</p> + +<p>The Forty-third had lost Captain Knickerbocker and +Lieutenant Koonz. Two young men of brilliant promise, +greatly loved and respected in their regiment and in their +native city, Albany.</p> + +<p>The wounded men in the hospitals exhibited the same +heroic fortitude in their sufferings that they had manifested +in the charge and in the retreat. A few instances +are given as illustrations of many: Erskine Branch of +Company D, Seventy-seventh New York, when his leg was +torn to shreds by a shell, hobbled off on the sound one and +his gun, singing "The Star Spangled Banner." Corporal +Henry West was shot through the thigh, and he was +brought to the rear. "I guess," said he "that old Joe +West's son has lost a leg." The corporal died soon after. +While in the hospital, suffering from extreme anguish, a +wounded man at his side lamented that he had come to the +war. "I am not sorry that I came," instantly responded +the brave corporal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>Let us now turn back and glance hastily at the maneuvers +of the main army at Chancellorsville. We, of the +Sixth corps, could only see by the balloon which, like +some huge bird, hovered over the army, where it held its +position, and the unceasing roar of artillery told us of a +severe struggle with its foe; while rumor brought, now +reports of brilliant success, and anon tales of sad defeat. +We knew little of the true state of affairs at the right, +and it was only when we mingled with our comrades of +the other corps that we learned the details of the battle +of Chancellorsville. We now repeat it as it was given to +us. On the day that the army broke up its winter camp, +General Hooker led the Fifth, Eleventh, Twelfth and +Second corps, except Gibbon's division of the latter, up +the river, until he reached Kelley's Ford, about twenty +miles above Fredericksburgh. Here he crossed his whole +force, and pushing southward and eastward, uncovered +the United States Ford eight miles below, which was +guarded by a brigade of rebels, and struck the intersection +of the Gordonsville plank road with the Orange +county turnpike, about five miles from United States +Ford; having by great exertions crossed two rivers and +marched twenty miles. At the crossing of the two roads, +west of the turnpike, and south of the plank road, stood +a single large mansion, the Chancellor house. Here General +Hooker made his head-quarters, and from this point +he disposed the corps of the army so as to form a line of +battle, which should face south and east, with a single +corps to guard against an advance from the west. The +Third and First corps soon joined Hooker's forces, and +the corps were posted as follows: The Eleventh corps, +under General Howard, was on the right of the line, three +miles southwest of Chancellorsville, facing westward; +next, to the left of Howard, but far to the south, and holding +the turnpike five miles in front of Chancellorsville, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +Sickles with his Third corps; back almost to the plank +road, and left of the turnpike, was Slocum with the +Twelfth corps; and still to the right, and behind the plank +road, the Fifth corps, under General Meade, faced toward +the southwest; behind Meade and Slocum, the Second +corps was posted, one division guarding the approach to +the bridge. The country was densely wooded. Except an +open space about the house, it was a tangled wilderness. +The ground was low and marshy, and nearly level. Earthworks +were thrown up in front of all the corps, and +everything seemed in readiness for the enemy, for whom +General Hooker now waited, hoping, that by fruitless +assaults upon what seemed an impregnable position, the +enemy would be so exhausted that he might turn upon +him with fresh divisions, and rout the retreating forces. +His programme was to secure a position in the rear of the +rebel positions at the fords, while that portion of the army +left at Fredericksburgh was to divert attention from the +principal movement. Stoneman, with the cavalry, was to +make a grand raid on the communications of the rebel +army, burning the bridges and tearing up railroads. The +main body of the army having secured its position, and +accomplished its work, the Sixth corps was to press +forward and harass them in their retreat toward Richmond.</p> + +<p>Saturday afternoon, almost at dark, the First corps, +Reynolds', which had that morning parted company with +the Sixth corps, crossed the river and took position +near the ford, four miles in rear of Howard.</p> + +<p>The rebel army had been on the southeast of ours. +Sickles, on the afternoon of Saturday, discovered a train of +wagons and ambulances moving across the pike far in his +front. He sent a force to cut it in two, and was successful +in taking a large number of prisoners and in creating +a panic in the train. He advanced, and was met by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +strong force of the enemy. He now sent to General +Howard for reinforcements. General Howard led a brigade +to his assistance in person, and then at full speed +galloped back to his corps. He was just in time. Bursting +shells on the right of his line told of the presence of +the enemy. "Stonewall" Jackson, with an immense force, +had passed round our army, and now came like an avalanche +upon the right division of the Eleventh corps, +General Devins. The men were cooking their coffee, +when suddenly the whizzing of innumerable bullets aroused +them from their culinary engagements. The hosts of +Jackson, with yells and shouts, fell like a thunderbolt upon +the astonished division, and it melted away like a snowflake +in summer. The next division, Shurz, tried to +maintain the ground, and did what men could do, but +could not withstand the shock of fifty thousand men. +General Hooker, fearing that the flying Germans would +stampede the whole army, directed the cavalry which was +with him, to charge upon the fugitives and arrest their +flight; but no power could halt them. The commanding +general at once directed General Sickles to attack the +enemy on the flank, and, if possible, check his farther +advance.</p> + +<p>General Howard, with great presence of mind and perseverance, +succeeded in stopping the rout at a stone wall, +behind which he posted his line. Forty pieces of artillery +were also, by General Hooker's order, concentrated +to oppose the confederates, who again rushed forward with +mad desperation, and were met with terrific fire from this +long line of guns. They staggered back, but soon rallied, +and again charged, and again met with a terrible repulse. +The conflict now ceased for the night. Hooker drew in +his lines, making them more compact, changed the disposition +of some of the corps: throwing the Eleventh corps +from the right to the left of the line, and bringing Meade,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +with the Fifth corps, to the right. Sickles and Slocum, with +the Third and Twelfth corps, were near the Chancellor +house. Artillery was massed to command the approaches +to the turnpike, and earthworks went up in the night as if +by magic. At daylight, Sunday morning, Jackson, with +all his forces, advanced on the turnpike, against the Chancellor +place, not with the thin line of battle, but in solid +mass. His men poured from the woods like a torrent, +their shouts and yells making a pandemonium of the wilderness. +Suddenly, from the mouths of forty cannon was +hurled against them a cruel storm of grape and canister, +which ploughed through the advancing column, carrying +death and destruction in its course, while the infantry +from the Third corps poured into the faces of the desperate +foe a terrible hail storm of bullets which almost +decimated the heavy column. With the desperation of +madness, the rebels rushed against this terrible fire, almost +reaching the muzzles of the guns, only to be hurled back +again by the fearful tornado in front. The Third corps +seemed hardly able to hold its position, but now General +Hooker sent two divisions of the Second corps to attack +the enemy in the flank. These, with the Fifth corps, came +with great force upon the left of the column. It reeled, +the huge mass wavered to and fro, and then fell back in +flight. The troops at the house, however, had been forced +back, and General Hooker again shortened his lines, +making his forces still more compact.</p> + +<p>Again, in the afternoon, the rebels came on exultingly, +but not with the desperation that marked the attack of +the morning. Hour after hour they strove to drive back +or break in two the Union line, but it was immovable. +Artillery poured into the ranks of the assailants the most +deadly fire, until they fell back, long before nightfall, +disheartened and defeated. Hooker had at length succeeded +in accomplishing a part of his object. He had allowed his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +enemy to fight him until his army was exhausted and dispirited, +while he himself had half his army fresh and ready +to charge upon the weakened foe. Now came the time +for action. If he now succeeded in putting the enemy to +flight, the rebel cause was destroyed; if, on the contrary, +he suffered a repulse, what would be the result? The +river was swelling rapidly; the pontoons could even now +with difficulty be held together. If, haply, they were to +be swept away, all means of retreat would be cut off, and +a repulse would amount to annihilation. Sedgwick and the +Sixth corps were driven back, and Stoneman, who had gone +with his cavalry toward Richmond, was not heard from. +In the midst of these doubts, he called a council of corps +commanders, who agreed, not unanimously, that it was +advisable to recross the river. So the army, on Wednesday, +was withdrawn across the river, when victory +seemed ready to rest on our banners.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Without doubt, +had the general known of the panic created by the cavalry +in the rear, or had he been sure that his communications +would remain intact, the result would have been far different.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The author makes no attempt to discuss the merits of the controversy, which +grew out of this battle, between two of the best soldiers of our army. The reader +will find, in the Report on the Conduct of the War, 1865, all the facts and arguments +on both sides, by those most competent to give them—Generals Hooker and +Sedgwick.</p></div> + +<p>The loss to the whole army, in this campaign, was over +seventeen thousand in killed and wounded.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> Very many +of these were left in the hands of the enemy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The following statement exhibits the loss to the various corps in killed, wounded +and missing: +</p> +<p><br /> +1st, 292<br /> +2d, 2,025<br /> +3d, 4,039<br /> +5th, 699<br /> +6th, 4,925<br /> +11th, 2,508<br /> +12th, 2,883<br /> +Cavalry, 145<br /> +</p></div> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xviii" id="chapter_xviii"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>SECOND ENCAMPMENT AT WHITE OAK CHURCH AND +THE PENNSYLVANIA CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The army in its old position—A trip to Dixie—The wounded at the hospitals—Introduction +of army badges—Adornments of the camps—The "Third crossing"—The +Barnard mansion—Exchanging papers—A broken lieutenant—The +Pennsylvania campaign commenced—Restriction of baggage—A severe march—An +army bathing—At Centreville—Bristow Station—March to Maryland—General +Hooker succeeded by General Meade—Position of the army.</p></div> + + +<p>The army now turned back to its old position, encamping +in line nearly as before, only all the troops which had +encamped on our left, between the Sixth corps and Belle +Plain, were placed far to the right, leaving the Sixth corps +on the left of the army, instead of being nearly in its +center. The corps occupied a line nearly a mile in rear of +the old camp, where the ground had been unoccupied, and +where a growth of young pines, and, in places, considerable +groves of oak timber, afforded far more attractive +surroundings than the old quarters.</p> + +<p>The wounded were taken to an immense field hospital at +Potomac creek, where hospital tents sufficient to accommodate +eight thousand wounded men were erected in a locality +where cool breezes could play freely among the encampments, +and where pure water could be obtained. On the +9th, many of our wounded were brought to the side +of the river at Fredericksburgh and sent over to us by +the enemy, in pontoon boats, under flags of truce. On the +morning of the 10th, the surgeon of the Seventy-seventh +was ordered to proceed at once to Banks' Ford to receive +wounded officers who were to be removed from the enemy's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +lines. The doctor was soon at the ford, where he found +a boat and a flag of truce at his disposal. He crossed the +river and met the officer in command, who received him +courteously, but declared that he knew nothing of any +officers to come there. The surgeon addressed a note to +General Wilcox, commanding the brigade at Banks' Ford, +but he knew as little about it as the officer at the river. +"There are plenty of federal officers here," said he, "and +we shall be glad to send them across to your lines at any +time when General Hooker shall apply to General Lee for +them; but I know of no arrangement of the kind now." +Believing that some arrangements had been made for the +transfer of the wounded officers, but that the order had +not yet reached General Wilcox, the surgeon spent the day +among the rebels, conversing with their officers, while his +boatmen, having with them a canteen of brandy, soon +made themselves very popular with the crowd of rebel +soldiers who gathered about, dressed in motley colors, buff, +blue, gray, butternut, and colors indescribable. They were +all in good humor and lively, and the hours passed pleasantly, +as the men from the two opposing armies chatted in +the shade of some oak trees. Finding little prospect of +executing his peaceful mission, the surgeon obtained permission +from General Wilcox to get the remains of Colonel +Van Houghten, of the Twenty-first New Jersey regiment, +who was shot at Salem Church, and died from his wound +next day. Doctor McNiel, of the Twenty-first, with a +party of men, proceeded to the place where the colonel +was buried, a mile and a half from the ford, and brought +the remains to the river and across to our own lines. On +reporting at General Hooker's head-quarters, the surgeon +found that no agreement had been concluded until late in +the day for the delivery of the wounded officers; so he had +spent the day in rebeldom to little effect, except the restoration +of the body of the colonel to his friends, and leaving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +a company of nurses to assist our surgeons who were +already in attendance upon our prisoners.</p> + +<p>Nearly all our wounded were at length returned to us, +and were sent to Potomac Creek, or to Washington. At +Potomac Creek, the coöperation of the Sanitary Commission +was of great assistance to the surgeons; and many +comforts and luxuries, the gifts of our friends at home, +cheered the hearts of the wounded and suffering heroes. +Sheets, pillow cases, handkerchiefs, with jellies and canned +fruits, were distributed in profusion. Here was the place +for manifesting the overflowing interest and noble generosity +of the people of the north, and thousands blessed +them for their munificence.</p> + +<p>A mistaken idea prevailed among friends at home, that +the agents of the Sanitary Commission resorted to the +battle-field, ministering to the wants of the wounded, +dressing the wounds, bringing the crippled from the field, +and feeding the hungry. Our illustrated papers were +filled with fine engravings, representing these acts of +mercy on the battle-field. These were pictures of the +imagination. Nothing of the sort was done. No Sanitary +or Christian Commission agents frequented the battle-field. +All wounded were brought from the field by +soldiers, placed in ambulances of the government and +taken to the field hospitals, where all the wounds were +dressed by surgeons or their nurses, and where all were +fed by officers selected for this special duty. The Sanitary +and Christian Commissions had a great mission. They +were the representatives of the lively interest felt by the +people of the north, for the army it had sent forth to +maintain the institutions of their country. They found +abundant opportunity for accomplishing their mission at +the large hospitals after the roar of battles had passed +away; but they had nothing to do with the care of the +wounded on the battle-field.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just before leaving camp for the campaign just closed, +General Hooker had issued an order assigning to each +corps and division its badge, which was to be worn by +every officer and soldier connected with either of the corps. +The men of the Sixth corps now regarded their cross with +greater pride than had ever ancient knight looked upon +the heraldry which emblazoned his arms. It had been +baptized in blood, and amid wonderful achievements of +heroism. Every member of the noble corps felt an exulting +pride in his relation to it, and regarded his badge +as a mark of great honor.</p> + +<p>The introduction of these badges became of great service +to the army. Every man could easily recognize the +corps and division of any other one in the army; and +each corps learned to feel a pride in its own badge.</p> + +<p>We had seven corps in the army; First, Second, Third, +Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh and Twelfth. The badge of the +First corps was a lozenge, that of the Second a shamrock, +of the Third a diamond, of the Fifth a Maltese cross, of +the Sixth a Greek cross, the Eleventh a lunette, and of the +Twelfth a star. The badge of the First division of each +corps was red, that of the Second white, and of the Third +blue. All wagons and ambulances were marked with their +appropriate badge, and the sick soldier who fell to the rear +with a pass to the ambulances, had no difficulty in finding +his own train; and quartermasters and others connected +with the trains were greatly assisted in their duties by this +ingenious device.</p> + +<p>The camps of all the regiments of our divisions were +pleasantly located, and great pains were taken in laying +them out and in decorating them. When regiments were +not sheltered in groves, pines were transplanted in the +company streets in great profusion; and arches and bowers +of the most elaborate and elegant designs, formed of the +boughs of the red cedar and pine, exquisitely entwined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +with the bright green holly, formed a most attractive and +beautiful feature of our second camp at White Oak Church. +At division head-quarters, General Howe had caused to be +erected a most elegant hall of these rural materials, which +was a wonder of architectural beauty as well as exquisite +taste and ingenuity. Its alcoves, its vestibules and its +arches, were marvels of elegance. Here came officers, +high in command, and brilliant dames, and passed a night +in the service of Terpsichore, while bands discoursed stirring +music.</p> + +<p>In the camp of the Seventy-seventh, the adornments +were profuse and beautiful. At head-quarters, a palace of +green arose among the trees near our tents. For days, +mule teams hauled huge loads of cedar boughs, which +were woven into massive pillars or elegantly turned +arches, and the structure rose like one of those fair bowers +we read of in fairy tales. Our surgeon and quartermaster +were preparing the elegant structure for the reception of +their wives. It was almost complete, needing only a few +finishing touches, and the anxiously awaited guests were +expected on the following day; when, alas for the expectations +of men, an order came to be ready to march at +daylight next morning! The ladies, although too late to +enjoy this rustic palace, arrived in time to find the corps +in line of battle, and witness fierce artillery duels between +the opposing armies. In their eagerness to watch the flight +of the shells, they sometimes manifested greater bravery +than their companions, whose experience had taught them +to regard with suspicion the shrieking missiles.</p> + +<p>We had passed a pleasant month at this camp, and the +men were eager, notwithstanding their comfortable quarters, +for active campaigning. The health and spirits of +the soldiers of the corps had never been better, and in spite +of the failure at Chancellorsville, they felt a great deal of +confidence. So the order to move was received with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +pleasure, and we turned away from our pleasant camps +willingly.</p> + +<p>We left camp on the morning of June 5th, one of the +loveliest of days, and, taking the road we had already trod +on two occasions, halted in the valley of the Rappahannock, +on the very spot where we had rested at the first +and second battles of Fredericksburgh, and prepared, for +a third time within six months, to cross the river. A +correspondent of one of the daily journals, writing from +head-quarters of the army, says: "Howe's splendid division +of the fighting Sixth corps was selected for the work of +crossing, and the point for laying the bridges was just +below the mouth of Deep Run, at the identical spot where +we had crossed twice before."</p> + +<p>Pontoons and batteries of artillery formed long lines +behind the little ridge which runs parallel with the river, +and the infantry marched and countermarched to get in +right positions. Here, behind the little ridge, we rested, +until about five o'clock in the afternoon, our men mounting +the ridge, and gazing across the river, where the enemy +had turned the rifle pits thrown up by our First division, +to their own use; and, in return, the rebels raised their +heads above the breastworks, or ventured to the river side, +wondering what could be the intention of the army, so +recently driven from these grounds, in making such preparations +for another crossing. There seemed but a small +force opposed to us; a strong picket on the bank, and the +reserve posted behind the breastworks, were all that could +be seen, though we well knew that the heights beyond +swarmed with opposing hosts, as they had twice before. +At length the engineers drew the pontoons to the edge of +the river, the Seventy-seventh being detailed to assist in +unloading. The rebels betook themselves to the rifle pits, +and opened a brisk fire; but presently they were glad to +draw their heads behind the earthworks, for five of our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +batteries, Williston's, McCartney's, Cowen's, Haines' and +McCarthey's, were run out upon the plain, and opened a +fierce fire, whole batteries firing by volleys, until the whole +plain, on the further side, was a sheet of flame from the +bursting shells, and huge clouds of dust, plowed up by +the shrieking missiles, rose so as to obscure the heights. +The rebels could only load, and thrust their guns above +the earthworks, firing at random, for no man could raise +his head without coming in the way of the fiery messengers +of death, which filled the air. Still their fire, +although at random, was annoying, and it was evident +that the safest method was to cross men in boats, enough +to drive the rebels from their pits, or capture them, and +then build the bridge without opposition.</p> + +<p>The Twenty-sixth New Jersey and Fifth Vermont regiments +leaped into the boats, quickly crossed, and, rushing +from the bank, charged upon the pits. The rebels were +now, for the first time offered an opportunity for flight; +for while the artillery was filling the whole plain with +bursting shells, there remained no alternative but to hug +the earth behind the rifle pits; now that the artillery +ceased, they scattered across the plain in hot haste, before +the rapid charge of our boys. The two regiments pursued +the fugitives, and many of them threw down their +arms; we captured about seventy-five prisoners; of these, +thirty-six were captured by Captain Davenport, who, with +eighteen of his men, was marching up the ravine through +which passes the Deep Run, when they came upon the +rebels, whom they obliged to surrender, their captain +delivering his sword to Captain Davenport. Five or six +men of the engineers were killed, and some wounded. +The Vermonters and New Jerseymen, also, had a few men +wounded.</p> + +<p>The Seventy-seventh had one man killed. Sergeant +Rex Haines was shot through the head. He was a brave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +man, and one of the best soldiers in the regiment. He +had, until that very day, been confined to the hospital +with severe illness. A few of our men, also, received +slight wounds.</p> + +<p>The engineers proceeded at once to lay the bridges, and +on the following morning the whole division crossed. Our +picket reserve made their rendezvous at the ruins of the fine +mansion which we had used for our Second division hospital +at the first battle. Now nothing but the bare walls and +heaps of rubbish marked the place where the beautiful +residence had stood. A regiment of Mississippians had +occupied the place, and had ruthlessly and willfully burned +it. Yet the fine chestnuts and broad-spreading oaks +afforded as luxurious a shade as in the palmy days when +the old bachelor proprietor lounged beneath their shadow.</p> + +<p>The picket line extended nearly to the railroad, and, as +before, formed a semi-circle, radiating from the pontoon +bridge. The enemy had also formed a strong picket to +oppose us, and the two lines of skirmishers were within a +few yards of each other.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful Sabbath, and all day long the troops +lay upon the plain, wondering what was to be done. +There were the frowning batteries of the enemy on the +hills in front, apparently able to blow the whole division +into the air, and we could, with our glasses, discover +great numbers of infantry at the base of the hills, half +hidden by the low growth of pines. The main body of +our army still remained in camp; only our Sixth corps had +moved. Evidently the enemy concluded that the advance +was rather one of observation than attack, and quietly +awaited our movements. Some firing was for a time kept +up on the skirmish line, and now and then a shell would +come crashing through some of the houses at the right, +where our pickets were concealed; but at length, by +mutual consent, the pickets of each army watched the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +movements of their opponents without molesting them. +During this quasi-truce, a spirit of sociability manifested +itself, and our boys soon struck up an acquaintance with +their dangerous neighbors. At length an exchange of +papers was proposed, and upon mutual agreement of temporary +amity, a Yankee and a Johnnie would step into +the open space between the two lines, shake hands, inquire +each other's regiment, trade papers and retire.</p> + +<p>There came at this time, to each company of one regiment, +a copy of the New York Observer, Independent, +Christian Examiner, Evangelist and other papers, and Mr. +Alvord, the agent of the Tract Society, had just been +among the men, distributing copies of the American Messenger. +These were soon collected and carried over to be +exchanged for copies of the Richmond Enquirer, Sentinel, +and Examiner. The trade was not kept wholly within the +limits of literary exchange, but sugar and coffee passed +into the rebels' hands in return for plugs of tobacco. At +length an order came from division head-quarters, stopping +this illicit practice. Our boys declared that they were +acting the part of colporteurs to the barbarian rebels, and, +if they had been allowed to continue the distribution of +religious papers among them, they would soon be convinced +of the error of their ways, and desist from further +fighting.</p> + +<p>During the night of the 8th, our division was withdrawn +to the north side of the river, our place being taken by +the Third division. We retired to Stafford Heights and +bivouacked. Our bivouac became our encampment for a +week. There we lay, wondering what was next to be +done, while the artillery on either side exchanged shots. +The 32-pounders on our hills sending their huge shot +across to the opposite heights, and the rebel guns replying, +sometimes with shells of most improved pattern, and +at other times throwing over huge pieces of railroad iron.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>An incident of much interest to Neill's brigade occurred +while we were here. A lieutenant, belonging to the +Twenty-first New Jersey regiment, had been tried by a +court-martial, and convicted of cowardice at the battle on +May 3d. The whole brigade was brought out at the hour +for evening parade, and formed in a hollow square. To +the center of the inclosure the culprit was brought. His +sentence was then read to him, which was that he be dismissed +the service in disgrace. The adjutant-general of +the brigade then proceeded to execute the details of the +sentence. The sword of the cowardly officer was taken +from him and broken over his head; his shoulder-straps +and buttons were then cut off, and his pistol broken and +thrown away. The sentence, and the manner of its execution, +were ordered to be published in the newspapers of the +county where the regiment was raised. A similar sentence +was executed in the Seventy-seventh regiment on the same +evening. Lewis Burke, of Company F, was convicted of +cowardice at the same battle. He was brought before the +regiment, which stood in line; his sentence read, his buttons +and the blue cord on his coat cut off, and a placard +marked "<span class="smcap">Coward</span>" hung to his back. A guard, with fixed +bayonets pointing at his back, then marched him off, the +band playing "The Rogues' March." Burke went to +serve out his time at the Dry Tortugas at hard labor, +without pay or allowance.</p> + +<p>As we looked upon the execution of these humiliating +sentences, we could not help feeling how much better it +would have been to have fallen nobly on that field of +battle, honored and lamented, than to live to be thus +degraded and despised. It had never been so forcibly +impressed upon our minds, how much better it was to die +nobly than to live in disgrace. When we thought of the +noble Wheeler and his brave companions, who had given +their lives for their country on yonder heights, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +turned to the sickening scene before us, we could but +exclaim, "How are the dead to be envied!"</p> + +<p>At length, on Saturday night, June 13th, we withdrew +from Fredericksburgh, and commenced the memorable +Pennsylvania campaign. There had been, for several +days, indications that General Lee was throwing his army +to our right, and was crossing the Rappahannock in the +vicinity of Culpepper. At length this had become a certainty; +and the whole army was quickly moved to come +up with him. All day long the hurrying of trains, the +movements of troops, the intense activity at the railroad +station, where everything was being hastily thrown into +cars, had indicated a sudden leave-taking.</p> + +<p>At length the trains were off, and the whole army in +motion. Our own corps being rear-guard, started at ten +o'clock at night. The darkness was intense, and a thunder +shower prevailed. Our route for a long time lay through a +thick woods, where the branches of the trees, meeting over +our heads, shut out the little light that might have penetrated +the thunder clouds, and the column was shut in +perfect darkness. The road was terribly muddy, and the +batteries which were trying to pass over the same route, +were frequently stuck in the mire. Our men stumbled +over stones and fallen trees, often falling beneath the feet +of the horses. Men fell over logs and stones, breaking +their legs and arms. Thus we continued the hasty +and difficult march, while the rain poured in torrents +upon us. Later in the night the road became more open, +and the rain ceased. The darkness was not so black, still +it was difficult to see the road. We were passing over +corduroy; some of the logs were a foot, and others a +foot and a half through. They were slippery from the +rain, and the men, heavily laden with knapsacks, guns and +cartridges, tumbled headlong, many of them going off +at the side, and rolling far down the steep embankments.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +A laugh from the comrades of the luckless ones, while +some one would call out, "Have you a pass to go down +there?" was the only notice taken of such accidents; and +the dark column hurried on, until at three o'clock in the +morning, we halted at Potomac creek, where we slept +soundly upon the ground until morning.</p> + +<p>The following day was Sunday. Our corps did not +march until evening; we lay resting from the fatigues of +the night before, and watching the immense army trains +hurrying by, the horses and mules lashed to their full +speed, or viewing the destruction of the great hospitals +which had been established here.</p> + +<p>There were here immense quantities of stores; bedding, +glass and earthenware, instruments and medicines, with +cooking and other utensils which could not, in the haste +of breaking up, be transported; so they were thrown in +great heaps and burned.</p> + +<p>All day long the trains crowded by, four and five wagons +abreast; the drivers shouting and lashing their beasts to +their greatest speed. No one who has not seen the train +of an army in motion, can form any just conception of its +magnitude, and of the difficulties attending its movements. +It was said that the train of the Army of the Potomac, +including artillery, at the time of which we speak, if +placed in a single line, the teams at the distance necessary +for the march, would extend over seventy miles.</p> + +<p>At Fairfax Court House, soon after this, the trains were +greatly reduced, and again at Fairfax Station; and after +General Meade took command of the army they were still +further reduced. Yet, notwithstanding all these curtailments, +our trains were said to be between thirty and forty +miles long.</p> + +<p>How little did the impatient people, who clamored at +all times, in winter as well as summer, for an immediate +"advance" of the army, consider that this immense body<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +must always advance with the army; that it must always +be protected; that the army on every march and at every +halt must be so disposed as to prevent the enemy from +reaching it from front, flank or rear; and that when an +advance was commenced, if the trains were to become +blocked up, or stuck fast in mud, the whole army must +wait for them, no matter whether it had reached a favorable +position for a halt or not. It was no small undertaking +to move an army with such a train; yet there were many +at home who thought the army could move from one place +to another with the greatest ease.</p> + +<p>It is true that the enemy got along with smaller trains +than ours, and it is true that the rebel army on that +account was more easily moved than our own. It was +one of the disadvantages of too liberal a government that +our movements for two years were weighed down with +these cumbersome trains; and even after so long an experience +of their evil it was with strong feelings of opposition +that the reduction was acquiesced in.</p> + +<p>A captain or lieutenant of the line was allowed a small +valise, in which to carry his company books and his clothing; +and a staff officer was but little better off. Must this +little be reduced? Surely the ammunition and the commissary +trains could suffer no diminution. The amount +of hospital supplies carried in the wagons was already +limited; could it be reduced? The people were clamoring +to have wagons of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions +admitted to the hospital trains, to carry articles which, +although they were gratefully received by the soldiers, +yet were not absolutely necessary. The ambulance +train was surely not too large, and we could spare no +artillery.</p> + +<p>Yet the train was reduced. Small as was the valise of +the line officers, it must be still smaller; little as was the +baggage of the staff officer, it must be less; and inconveniently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +contracted as was the size of the mess chests, they +must be still further reduced.</p> + +<p>Thus, through the day, we watched the hurrying trains +as they swept by with immense clatter and tumult; and +the files of troops, guards to the trains, pressing forward, +amid the clouds of dust and the rattle and noise of the +wagons. As the sun sunk in the west, we gathered about +a green knoll, in the shade of a pine grove, and sung old +familiar hymns; then the chaplain made a prayer; thus +was offered the evening sacrifice for the Sabbath. Few +who gathered—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Where through the long drawn aisle or fretted vault,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The pealing anthem swells the note of praise,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>offered more heartfelt thanksgiving, or more earnest supplications +for future protection, than the band of veterans +seated on that mossy bank, while about them was the confusion +of a great army, pressing to meet its foe.</p> + +<p>At length, at nine o'clock at night, we took the road, +and, joining the mighty column, marched rapidly forward. +The night was dark, and the roads uneven, yet the men +pressed forward with wonderful spirit. They had heard +during the day that Lee with his army, avoiding us on the +right, and moving with secrecy, had already eluded us, +and was rapidly making his way into Maryland, taking +his route through the Shenandoah Valley. This was +enough to stimulate men whose greatest desire was to +meet their opponents in open fight, even on rebel ground. +But now the rebels were invading northern soil; Maryland, +Pennsylvania, and even New York, were threatened, +and the men knew no limit to their enthusiasm. "We +can whip them on our own soil," said they. "There is no +man who cannot fight the better when it is for his own +home." Such expressions passed from lip to lip as the +dark column pushed on during the whole night. At times<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +there would be a halt; not for rest, for the men, expecting +momentarily to move on, would stand in the ranks; +then, on again. Here and there were the camps of troops +who had occupied the extreme right of the army. Fine +arbors and avenues had been erected from the cedar +boughs; these were set on fire, and the whole heavens +were aglow with the flames. Morning dawned, the +march was becoming tedious. The men were faint, and +wanted rest and coffee; but there was no halt.</p> + +<p>Faint and weary, yet with determination, the masses of +men toiled along. At length, as the morning advanced, +the heat of the sun was almost intolerable, and the dust +suffocating. Not a leaf stirred on the trees. Vegetation +drooped under the scorching rays, and the clouds of dust +was so dense, that one could not see half the length of +a regiment.</p> + +<p>The men at length began to fall from exhaustion. One +after another, with faces burning with a glow of crimson, +and panting for breath, would turn to the surgeons of +their regiments, and receive passes to the ambulances and +a draught from the surgeon's flask; but at length no more +passes could be given; the ambulances were crowded, +and so many were falling on every side, that it became +useless to require or attempt to give passes, or even for +the surgeons to attempt to relieve the sufferers.</p> + +<p>In every corner of the rail fences, and under every tree +and bush, groups of men, with faces glowing with redness, +some with streams of perspiration rolling down their +cheeks, and others with their red faces dry and feverish, +strewed the wayside and lined the hedges. Here the +color-bearer of a regiment, his color lying beside him, lay +gasping for breath; there a colonel, his horse tied to the +fence, strove to fan the air into a little life with his broad-brimmed +hat. Under one little clump of cedars might +be seen an exhausted group of line officers, captains and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +lieutenants, and under the next, a number of enlisted men +who could no longer keep the road. The spectacle along +the roadside became appalling. Regiments became like +companies, and companies lost their identity; men were +dying with sunstroke; and still the march was continued. +This could not last much longer, for the brave men +who still held out were fast losing strength, and soon +there would be no troops able to move. At length, at +nearly three o'clock, we came in sight of the little, old, +depopulated town of Dumfries. Here, to the joy of all, +we saw men filing into the fields for a halt. There was +no cheer, no expression of gladness; for the tired men, +with feet blistered and raw, worn out by seventeen hours' +constant march, almost melted and smothered, cared +little for demonstrations. Throwing themselves upon the +ground, they rested for half an hour, and then, rousing +long enough to cook their coffee, they refreshed themselves +with their hard tack, pork and coffee, and were ready to +sleep. Here the Vermont brigade was drawn up in line, +and some half a dozen men, skulkers, principally from the +Twenty-sixth New Jersey, were drummed out of camp, +the bands of the brigade playing "The Rogues' March." +All who were participants of that day's work, remember it +as the most trying march of the Army of the Potomac. +Very grateful to the weary army was sleep that night, +but, at two o'clock in the morning, the shout passed along +the line, "fall in! fall in!" And so, without coffee, we +rolled our blankets and fell into line. But, as often happens, +when the whole army is to move, some parts must +wait long before the others are out of the way. So we of +the Sixth corps waited until four o'clock, and got our +coffee finally before the rest of the column had made way +for us. It was another hot, dusty day, but not so intolerable +as the day before, and about two or three o'clock we +arrived at Occoquan creek, crossing at Wolf Run Shoals.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +Here we had two or three hours' rest. The men had no +sooner halted than they plunged into the stream, and the +wide creek was soon alive with swarms of men splashing +and diving in the cooling element.</p> + +<p>It was a novel sight. An army bathing. A brigade of +nine months Vermont troops, had been stationed here during +the winter. They were full regiments, never thinned +by exhausting labors, hard campaigns or the trying ordeal +of battle. They now bade farewell to their comfortable +quarters and picket duty, and joined the Grand Army on +a real campaign. Although we had already made a long +march, at four o'clock we were again on the road, and +before dark we reached Fairfax Station, six miles from +Wolf Run Shoals. This was a more cheerful march than +the others. The men, refreshed by their bath, and strengthened +by a good dinner and two hours' rest, now went +shouting, singing and laughing, as though marching was +but play.</p> + +<p>This day we heard that some part of Lee's army was in +Pennsylvania! The men were as anxious to go forward as +were their commanders. The corps bivouacked in groves +on the turnpike, which led from Fairfax to Manassas, resting +for the night and the following day. Here our train +underwent a process of purging. Needless articles, and +many useful ones, which could be disposed of, were sent to +the rear. The trains were to go with smaller loads, and +many teams were to be taken from them.</p> + +<p>We had marched, since setting out from before Fredericksburgh, +through a country, well enough by nature, but +neglected, barren and depopulated. How large a portion +of this great State was in this sad condition? Its naturally +rich fields were grown up to scrub pines, mugworts +and wormwood. Its fair valleys desolate of inhabitants, +or inhabited by low white trash, as idle as ignorant. The +groves and fields where we now rested were pleasant for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +bivouac, but the fields were waste land, and the oak timber +was all that seemed of any value, as far as we could see. +Yet we were now within a few miles of Washington, where +articles of food brought fabulous prices, and wood could +scarcely be procured. Why were these fine lands desolate? +Was it because agriculture was unprofitable? Surely, with +Washington and Alexandria so near, and Baltimore at a +short distance farther, there should be a good market for +produce. Was it because the war had put a stop to agricultural +pursuits? The scrub pines and dwarf oaks +growing upon deserted tobacco fields, where the ridges +were still plainly visible, showed that before the war +indolence prevailed.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock on the morning of June 19th, we were +again on the march, reaching Fairfax Court House before +noon. Again our train was overhauled, baggage reduced, +and teams sent to the rear. By this time the train began to +assume more reasonable dimensions. General officers were +strictly forbidden the use of ambulances, henceforth all +ambulances were to be used for their legitimate purposes, +and general officers and their staffs were to get along with +a more reasonable amount of baggage, while regimental +officers were to be allowed only the most limited amount of +transportation. A single small valise only was the extent +of baggage for each regimental officer, and a mess chest of +the size of a cracker box, was to be the allowance for all +officers of a single company.</p> + +<p>About Fairfax Court House was stationed a division of +cavalry and some infantry, under the command of General +Stahl. These troops, like the brigade of Vermont troops, +had been employed in guarding the country against the +inroads of guerilla bands. These were now also to join +the Army of the Potomac, and their gallant conduct at +Falling Waters, a few days after, showed them to be +composed of the best material.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Hooker, unwilling to favor General Lee, by +uncovering the capital, and wisely judging of his wary +enemy's motives, instead of pushing rapidly forward to +Maryland, as Lee desired, threw the different corps into +positions, which should at once be favorable for watching +his movements, and resisting any attack. Accordingly, +our own corps, turning partly back from our line of +march, on the 20th, marched towards Bristow Station.</p> + +<p>We passed through Centreville, its powerful forts and +redoubts garrisoned by large regiments of men, who wore +bright new uniforms, and whose officers had red tufts +upon their caps. These new uniforms were soon to be as +grimy and dusty as those of the veterans, at whom they +now gazed with so much interest, and the full regiments +were soon to find their ranks thinned by the same terrible +process which had made those passing by them only +fragments of regiments.</p> + +<p>The works about Centreville were of most powerful +character, having been made even stronger than at the +last battle of Bull Run. In the forts and redoubts upon +the commanding positions, was mounted heavy artillery, +and the long lines of trenches and breastworks, stretching +far to the flanks, and commanding declivities where +musketry and artillery could sweep an advancing force +with terrible effect, rendered the position impregnable +from any direct assault. The few dilapidated houses +still remaining to mark the site of the village, presented a +forlorn and pitiful appearance. Deserted by their owners, +occupied as stables and storehouses some of them falling +in ruins, and all dirty and dilapidated, they were +a mournful commentary on the ruthless destruction which +follows in the footsteps of war. Still further on, our +route led us along the Manassas Gap railroad. Here were +more sad pictures of the havoc of war. The track was +torn up, the ties burnt. Every now and then, numbers of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +car wheels and axles, iron bands and braces, couplings +and reaches, showed where whole trains had been burned.</p> + +<p>Here and there, the incombustible materials among the +debris showed the lading of particular cars. The remains +of fruit cans, tin plates, blacking boxes and glassware, +told of sutlers who had disposed of their wares at less than +the usual exorbitant prices. Heaps of spikes and handleless +hammers, and iron bars, reminded us of disconcerted +plans in railroad extension, while numberless solid shot, +bullets and fragments of shells, showed where car loads +of ammunition had been consumed in harmless explosions.</p> + +<p>At length, after a hard day's march, we arrived at Bristow +Station, where the corps turned into the fields and +bivouacked.</p> + +<p>The tower and wind-mill which had been used for raising +water to the tank, remained alone to show where the +station had been; all the other buildings being destroyed, +except where still remained the dismantled ruins of what +had once been a hotel.</p> + +<p>Here, as for miles back on the road, were the remains +of ruined cars and their contents.</p> + +<p>The surrounding country was delightful. A mile or +two south of us was a little church in the midst of an oak +grove. It is an agreeable peculiarity with the southern +people, that they are accustomed to locate their country +churches in the midst of pleasant groves, sometimes at a +distance from any residence. In this respect, they certainly +exhibit better taste than the people of most of our +northern States, who have such a propensity for setting +the church on the summit of some high hill where not a +tree or shrub adorns the grounds, and the aspiring steeple +seems, like Babel, to be striving vainly to reach the +heavens.</p> + +<p>On the morning after our arrival here, we heard the +sounds of cannonading not far off, and learned that the cavalry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +under General Pleasanton were hotly engaged at +Aldee and Upperville, with Stuart's rebel cavalry, and +that our forces were getting the best of the desperate +encounter, winning laurels for themselves and gaining +another of that series of victories which was destined to +remove the derision in which that arm of the service had +been held, not from any previous want of good fighting +qualities on the part of our cavalry. General Pleasanton +had attacked Stuart's forces near Middleburgh, driving +the rebels in confusion through Upperville to Ashby's +Gap, taking some pieces of artillery and a large number +of prisoners. General Kilpatrick, in this engagement, had +exhibited fighting qualities of the first order, riding in +front of the men and leading the way when they hesitated. +His gallant conduct inspired for him the confidence and +admiration of his men. It was the commencement of a +brilliant career which made him one of the first cavalry +commanders in the army. His dashing ride from the Peninsula +to Fredericksburgh, with but a handful of men, +eluding the watchfulness of the wily Stuart, had already +established his talent for bold adventure, and his conduct +on this occasion proved his personal bravery. These are +the two great qualities needed for a cavalry officer, and +Kilpatrick's name at once became a tower of strength +among his men.</p> + +<p>In this pleasant locality the corps remained, an outpost +for the army, guarding the passes from the Shenandoah, for +five days. The weather was delightful, and the men +enjoyed, to the utmost, the needed rest. They lounged in +the shade of their tents or in the neighboring groves, or +strolled along the railroad track, examining curiously the +ruined remains of the trains. In a delightful spot at a +distance from the camps, almost surrounded by a grove of +oak trees, the hospital tents of our Second division were +erected. To this quiet and lovely spot, where cool breezes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +always played, were brought the sick and weary, and +carefully nursed.</p> + +<p>But General Lee despaired of inducing General Hooker +to uncover the capital, so, leaving Virginia with his whole +army, he pushed toward Pennsylvania, determined at least +to draw our army as far away from Washington as possible, +and to reap rich harvests of spoils among the overflowing +granaries of the Keystone State. No sooner had the +movement of the main body of Lee's army into Maryland +commenced, than General Hooker, with his forces, commenced +the pursuit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xix" id="chapter_xix"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>THE GETTYSBURGH CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The rebels in Pennsylvania—Panic at Harrisburgh—Alarm at Baltimore and +Washington—Sixth corps leaves Bristow Station—A surprise—General Meade +takes command—Position of the army—Marching through Pennsylvania—An +unprecedented march—Exciting news—Battle of Gettysburgh—Death of Reynolds—First +and Eleventh corps fall back—Second day's battle—The battle-field—Fighting +at Round Top—On the right—The grand onset—The battle +decided—Rebel and Union wounded.</p></div> + + +<p>Meanwhile, great excitement prevailed at the north, +especially in Maryland and Pennsylvania, on account of +the invasion of the rebel army. As early as the 15th +of the month, more than a thousand rebel cavalry had +reached Chambersburgh, which they had sacked. Two +days before, the battle of Winchester was closed. Ewell, +with overwhelming numbers had fallen upon General Milroy's +force, which had unwisely been, by order of somebody, +thrust far away from its base, and out of the reach +of reinforcements, routing the division, and in its flight +capturing its artillery and a large portion of the infantry.</p> + +<p>Nothing now opposed the march of the invaders through +the Shenandoah Valley. In Harrisburgh, the excitement +rose almost to a panic. All the paintings, books, papers, +and other valuable articles, were removed from the capitol, +packed in boxes and loaded into cars, ready to be sent +off at the first sign of immediate danger. The citizens +formed themselves into military companies, and worked +day and night throwing up redoubts and rifle pits about +the city. Men unaccustomed to manual labor vigorously +plied the pick and the spade, and kept up their unwonted +toil with an earnestness worthy of veteran soldiers. To<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +add to this confusion and alarm, the trains of Milroy's +division that had escaped capture were rattling through +the streets in search of a resting place. Throughout the +State of Pennsylvania business was suspended. The governor +was calling loudly for men to rush to arms in defense +of their homes; and General Couch was striving to organize +the militia which presented itself.</p> + +<p>Baltimore and Washington were like besieged cities. +Stuart was threatening the Baltimore and Ohio road, and +bodies of rebel cavalry had penetrated within half a dozen +miles of Washington. Bells rung out the alarm, and the +affrighted citizens rushed to arms. Loyal leagues were +now of service, forming the nucleus of many an improvised +company of defenders. All these facts we learned +from the newspapers, a few stray copies of which fell +within the path of the army, and from the highly +colored accounts of citizens, who, with expressions of the +utmost alarm and anxiety, related what they had heard +or seen.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 26th of June, the Sixth corps left +Bristow Station. The darkness was intense, and a drizzling +rain rendered marching disagreeable. The march was +rapid, and some of the men fell behind, and were next day +collected and marched off to Richmond, by the guerilla +parties that constantly hung upon our flanks and rear. +Before daylight we halted at Centreville. The men threw +themselves upon the wet ground, and slept for two hours, +while the rain beat upon them. Then, at six o'clock, they +were again roused, by the order to be ready to move at +once. While taking our coffee, and waiting for the final +order to march, some villain, belonging to the troops +stationed at Centreville, set fire to the little Episcopal +chapel that stood not far from us, and was the only building +remaining in the little village which pretended to any +appearance of modern architecture. Those vandals who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +follow an army, bent on nothing but destruction, are +among the unavoidable evils of war, and even the most +severe discipline is insufficient to effectually arrest all mischief +of the kind.</p> + +<p>Our march was a severe one for men who had been +on the road all night, and the men were glad when we +bivouacked a little before dark, in a beautiful oak grove +near Drainsville. Very early next morning, descending +into the lovely valley of the Potomac, we reached Edwards' +Ferry, where troops were crossing; after a delay of one +or two hours, waiting for troops of another corps to cross +the pontoon bridge, we followed, and were in Maryland +again. All day long troops were passing over the bridges +and taking their positions upon the neighboring hills, +ready for starting anew in the morning; for nearly the +whole army was crossing at this point, and as the process +was necessarily slow, those who went over first waited for +those behind.</p> + +<p>On Sunday, we left Edwards' Ferry; marched through +Poolesville and Barnstown to Hyattstown. A halt was +made at Barnstown for dinner, and the Sixth corps left +the road and occupied a pleasant valley, where the chestnut +trees afforded a grateful shade for the men. They had +just unslung knapsacks, when we were all startled by +the sound of a church bell, which seemed in our midst. +The boys gazed for a moment in mute astonishment in the +direction from which the sound came, when they discovered +at a short distance from them, a little church half +hidden among the trees, and the parishioners gathering +for service. When the first surprise was over, the word +passed from one to another, "It is Sunday!" "It is Sunday!" +and they set up a shout that demonstrated that +they had not forgotten to love the institutions of civilization, +even after so long an absence from a civilized +country. Few who were present at this time, will ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +forget the thrill of pleasurable surprise which we all +experienced at hearing once more the sounds which so +forcibly reminded us of home.</p> + +<p>Some of the men attended the service. It was a Catholic +church, a small edifice which had once been white, +but, by the action of the weather for many years, it had +now become brown. The seats and altar had never +been painted, and the plaster of the inner wall had, in +places, fallen from the lath. The parishioners seemed +quite devout people, and the pastor a sincere man. In +his prayers he remembered the President and the government, +and he supplicated for peace. The reverend father +said that, owing to the confusion in town, there would be +no sermon, but he wished the good people to pray for +sister A., who was at the point of death, and for the +repose of the soul of brother B., who was already dead. +Some of our officers engaged in a pleasant conversation +with the pastor after service. He was an agreeable, shrewd +man, and professed to be a good Unionist.</p> + +<p>It was at Hyattstown that we first learned that General +Hooker had been superseded, in the command of the +army, by General George B. Meade. The announcement +of this unexpected change at such a time, was received +with astonishment, and by many with indignation. To +deprive the leader of a great army of his command just +upon the eve of a great battle, when, by the most brilliant +marches and masterly strategy, he had thrown this army +face to face with his enemy, thwarting his designs of +moving upon the capital, without some offense of a grave +character, was an act unheard of before in the history of +warfare. It seemed, from later information regarding this +extraordinary measure, that a difference had arisen between +General Hooker and his superior at Washington in regard +to the disposition of troops at Harper's Ferry, and that, +each refusing to surrender his opinion, General Hooker<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +was relieved. His successor demanded the same disposition +on the very next day, and it was granted!</p> + +<p>The army was not dissatisfied with the appointment of +General Meade; the soldiers would as readily fight under +Meade as under Hooker. They were anxious to retrieve +what had been lost at Chancellorsville, and would have +been glad could General Hooker have shared in the victory +which they believed they were about to achieve; but the +men of the Union army fought for their country and not +for their leaders. So they at once transferred their hopes +and their obedience to the new commander. General +Meade was well known to the army as a good soldier, the +brave general who had, with his single division, dashed +upon the rebels at the first Fredericksburgh, and as the +leader of a corps which behaved gallantly at Chancellorsville. +All were willing to try him, and hoped for the best.</p> + +<p>The movement from Fredericksburgh had been conducted +with consummate skill and energy, and now the army was +moving in several columns by roads nearly parallel, with +the twofold object of greater rapidity of movement, and +of sweeping a greater extent of country.</p> + +<p>The Sixth corps was now upon the extreme right, marching +toward Manchester; next, on our left, was the Twelfth +corps, at Taneytown, a little hamlet named in honor of the +chief justice of the United States, whose residence was +there. At a point a dozen miles north and west of us, +was the head-quarters of the army, and the Second and +Third Corps. Further to the left, at Emmitsburgh, were +the First, Fifth and Eleventh corps. Upon either flank +of this line, extending twenty miles, was cavalry. Thus +the army was guarding a great extent of country, at the +same time that the different corps were within supporting +distance of each other.</p> + +<p>The rebel army under General Lee, one hundred thousand +strong, occupied an equally extended line to the north<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +and west of us, stretching from Harrisburgh through +Chambersburgh and Cashtown.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock, Monday morning, 28th, the corps +marched again, passing through Monroville, New Market, +Ridgeville and Mount Airy Station, halting for the night +at Sam's creek. As the corps passed through Westminster +on the following day, the people welcomed us with demonstrations +of joy, which were all the more earnest, as the +rebel cavalry had, but two hours before, taken a hasty +leave of them. At night we were at Manchester, at least +twenty miles from the left of the army, and between the +line of march of the enemy and Baltimore. We rested +here until evening of the next day. The plot was thickening, +and the hostile forces were moving cautiously, each +watching the movements of the other, and each ready to +seize any opportunity for rushing upon its enemy to destroy +it. Thus far our marches had been of most fatiguing +character. We had, in the last four days, passed over one +hundred miles of road. It is to be remembered that these +marches were made under burning suns, and that each +soldier carried with him his gun, knapsack, haversack, +containing five days' provisions, and forty rounds of cartridges. +The men had kept up wonderfully during this +trying campaign, but the great march of all, in which this +magnificent corps was to outdo all that was ever recorded +of wonderful marches, was yet in store for it.</p> + +<p>We waited at Manchester until evening. The inhabitants +were well supplied with rye whisky, and it must be +confessed that soldiers have a way of finding out the +existence of that luxury, and of supplying themselves +with it; and as the men of the old Sixth corps were in no +respect behind their comrades of the other corps, many +of our brave fellows became, long before dark, considerably +inebriated.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock in the evening of the 1st of July, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +were on the road, but it was eleven before we were fairly +under headway. Those who during the day had indulged +so freely in the rye whisky of the farmers, as to disable +them from marching or even standing in line, were quietly +thrown into the clumps of bushes by the roadside, and left +to be gathered up by cavalry squads that were scouring +the country for stragglers. Those that were left by our +own provost-guards were picked up by rebel scouts.</p> + +<p>The column now pushed rapidly on; all night the +weary march was kept up. A halt of ten minutes for +breakfast, and then on again. Now we heard that a part +of the army, the First corps, had already engaged the +enemy at Gettysburgh, with doubtful issue, and that its +commander, General Reynolds, was killed.</p> + +<p>New ardor was now kindled in the breasts of the men +of the Sixth corps at these tidings, and they pressed +forward at a pace unusual, even for them. The day was +bright, the sun pouring scalding rays from a cloudless sky. +The men strove hard to keep in the ranks, for few in +that corps were willing to be left behind in a fight.</p> + +<p>Yet some gave out from exhaustion, but even these, at a +slower pace, followed the rapidly moving column.</p> + +<p>At the houses on the roadsides, the citizens, their wives +and daughters, were bringing water, from which the +soldiers filled their canteens as they passed. At Littletown +we saw citizens bringing the wounded from the +field in their carriages, and many wounded soldiers who +could walk were making their way to the village. The +marching was more rapid. Our friends were waiting for +us. Soon we saw above the valley that lay before us, +clouds of smoke and the white puffs of bursting shells. +As yet we could distinguish little of the sound of battle, +but those small fleecy clouds which appeared so suddenly, +flashing forked lightning, told us of work ahead. It +was five o'clock when the Sixth corps arrived on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +battle-field, having made an unprecedented march of +thirty-four miles! We halted in reserve, not to rest, but +to wait a few moments until our place should be assigned +us in front. We had more marching to do! Four miles +more of marching and countermarching that night, made +thirty-eight miles in a single day. Such marching as had +been done by the Sixth corps since leaving Bristow +Station, is unparalleled in the history of armies.</p> + +<p>The roar of battle was terrific. On our left, where +rose a hill covered with timber on the top and side, +a fearful struggle seemed in progress, and the roll of +musketry and the rapid discharge of artillery was almost +deafening.</p> + +<p>Let us now turn back and review the operations of the +First and the Eleventh corps since yesterday morning. +We give it as it was related to us by members of the First +and Eleventh corps. General Buford, commanding the +cavalry on the left flank of the army, had advanced north +of the town of Gettysburgh, and had fallen in with large +bodies of cavalry, supported by infantry. He became +hotly engaged with this force, and at once reported the +information to General Meade that he had found the enemy +in large force. General Reynolds, who, with the First +corps had by this time reached Marsh creek, within easy +striking distance of Gettysburgh, was directed to urge his +troops forward to Gettysburgh as rapidly as possible. +The corps pushed on, and reaching Gettysburgh, filed +through the town, leaving it to the rear. General Buford +was found fiercely struggling to maintain his position +against the infantry of the enemy. At once, General +Reynolds proceeded to select a position for his line of +battle. Without a moment's hesitation, the corps was +deployed; the division of Wadsworth, leading the van, +was in position; a battery which had been brought to the +front was slowly forced back, but the gallant Wadsworth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +bringing more infantry into line, arrested the retreat, and +in turn forced back the hostile forces, who were now found +to be in large numbers. It was at this time that General +Reynolds, riding forward with a few members of his staff, +to inspect the field with the view of bringing the rest of +his troops into favorable position, was shot through the +neck, the enemy having, at the moment, opened a full +volley of musketry. The noble commander, feeling the +wound, turned to his soldiers and shouted, "Forward +men! for God's sake, forward!" and fell, dying, into the +arms of one of his companions.</p> + +<p>This sad loss only fired the hearts of the soldiers to +more desperate determination, and they rushed into line +upon the run, burning to avenge their beloved leader. +General Doubleday, of the Second division of the corps, +was next in rank, and took command. The encounter was +sharp, and the rebels were giving way. Three hundred +prisoners were brought in, and the corps was put into +position to hold its ground. The force of the enemy now +engaged, proved to be the corps of General A. P. Hill, +and the prisoners declared that the rest of the confederate +army was close at hand. A column of the enemy now +moved toward the left of our line, debouching from a +piece of woods, and occupying a close proximity to our +forces. Volley after volley was poured into the advancing +column, without avail, except to stretch many of its men +upon the ground, wounded and dying.</p> + +<p>At length the brigades of Doubleday's own division +were ordered to charge upon the obstinate line. They +obeyed with alacrity, their cheers and shouts ringing +above the roar of musketry. The rebels gave way before +this impetuous charge, and several hundred more prisoners +were brought in.</p> + +<p>Thus far the First corps was victorious, but its ranks +were becoming terribly thinned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the meantime, General Howard, with the Eleventh +corps, was hastening to the assistance of the First. Just +before receiving his fatal wound, General Reynolds had +sent a messenger to Howard, who, with his corps, was ten +miles behind, to hasten forward as rapidly as possible.</p> + +<p>The men of that corps were burning to wipe out the +unfortunate record of Chancellorsville, and the roar of +artillery before them, inspired vigor in their movements +and urged them forward; but the noise of the battle was +heard by others.</p> + +<p>Ewell, with his confederates, was but three miles off; and +while the Unionists looked for the coming of help, a fresh +corps reinforced the rebels. But the opposing forces were, +for the time, willing to allow a lull in the battle. So, from +ten o'clock until half-past two the First corps held the +enemy at bay. By this time a division of the Eleventh +corps was on the ground and another on the other side of +Gettysburgh. General Howard took command. The +Union reinforcements were just arriving; those of the +rebels had already taken their position, and were ready for +a desperate charge.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, rushing from the cover of the woods in which +they had debouched from the York road, the old corps of +Stonewall Jackson, now under Ewell, charged, with yells, +down upon the Eleventh. The Germans, this time stood +their ground, returning with spirit, the volleys of their old +antagonists.</p> + +<p>On the left, Hill was also charging fiercely upon the First +corps, and the sturdy divisions of Wadsworth and Cutler +were almost destroyed.</p> + +<p>The rebel line now overlapped that of the Union forces +on either flank, and the two corps under Howard were in +danger of being surrounded by the greater numbers of +their adversaries. The lines began to waver under the +fearful storm of lead and iron, and the order was given to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +fall back. The lines retired in good order until they +reached the town. There, in passing through the streets, +the Germans became confused and alarmed, and the retreat +of the corps became a rout. Twelve hundred were taken +prisoners in the streets. The First corps maintained its +line of battle and held its foe at a distance in spite of the +deadly fire which was decimating its ranks. The heroic +Wadsworth cheered and encouraged his men by his own +noble example, while the messengers of death shrieked +thickly about him. On the right of the corps, Hill had +already forced back the line, and now the Eleventh corps +having left him, both flanks of his division were exposed. +It was useless to protract the hopeless struggle, and these +sturdy troops also fell back, retiring slowly and firmly, +while the rebels, flushed with victory, were pouring into +front and flank the most deadly fire. It was a moment of +vital importance to our army and our cause. A rout +of these two corps, while the remaining two-thirds of the +army was separated in columns far distant from each other, +must insure the destruction of each column in detail, and +give to the rebels undisputed sway throughout the north. +But the christian hero, whose empty sleeve testified +of hard fought fields before, was still sufficient for the +crisis. Halting the retreating divisions as they reached +the line of hills upon the south side of the town, and +selecting a ridge called Cemetery Hill for his second line +of battle, he reformed his disordered ranks, and planting +batteries so as to sweep the declivity in front and on right +and left, awaited the onset of the victorious hosts. On +they came, until half through the town, when, from the +whole line of guns on the crest, burst a murderous fire, +from which the assailants staggered in consternation.</p> + +<p>The tide was turned; for now a part of Hancock's Second +corps was coming up, and in half an hour the rebels retired, +and the one-armed general was master of the situation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +But the day had been a fearful one for the two corps.</p> + +<p>The First corps had lost its general, loved and admired +for his bravery. Hundreds from the ranks of the corps, +lay beyond the village stretched in death. Of those who +went into the fight in the morning, but one-half remained.</p> + +<p>The havoc was almost as fearful in the Eleventh corps. +Hundreds had been killed and a greater number captured. +Yet there was no faltering among those veterans, and when, +toward evening, the Third and Twelfth corps arrived upon +the field, their confidence and hope rose, and all now +believed that our army was yet destined to achieve a +grand victory.</p> + +<p>No further demonstrations were made on either side +that night. Each party was gathering its strength for +the grand conflict. Late in the evening General Meade +arrived on the field, and with General Howard proceeded +to inspect the ground, and make arrangements for posting +the troops of the army.</p> + +<p>The Eleventh corps was still to occupy Cemetery Hill, +just opposite the town. Upon a knoll to the right of +the Eleventh corps was the First corps, and still farther, +and forming the extreme right of the army, was the +Twelfth corps, General Slocum. On the left of Cemetery +Hill, occupying the extension of the ridge and a prominent +hill, Round Top, the Third corps, General Sickles, +was posted, and the Second corps, General Hancock. +The Fifth corps was to be held in reserve until the arrival +of the Sixth corps. Thus through the night, the two +armies lay upon their arms, each watching the other, to +wake to a contest more fearful than the last.</p> + +<p>At daylight Thursday morning, July 2d, the rebel skirmishers +opened fire upon parts of our lines of pickets, +but there was little betokening any general engagement. +Occasionally a few of the skirmishers of the enemy, would +make a charge upon parts of our line forcing back the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +pickets, but a gun from some one of our batteries would +hastily send them to the rear again. Doubtless it was for +the purpose of disclosing the positions of our batteries, +that their dashes were made. Thus the day wore on until +four o'clock.</p> + +<p>General Sickles, with the Third corps, had moved out +beyond the general line of battle nearly a mile, and had +come upon the advance of the enemy, where Longstreet, +with one-third of the rebel army, was concentrating his +forces against the left flank, with the hope of turning it +and seizing the ridge.</p> + +<p>The battle opened at once. Seven batteries of artillery +opened upon front and flank of the exposed corps, and +large bodies of infantry in column by division. The corps +withstood the shock heroically, and was soon strengthened +by troops from the Second corps. Our artillery now +opened upon the rebels from the ridge, and hurled destruction +upon them. The valley was filled with bursting +missiles, and the smoke rolled up in huge columns. It +was at this stage of the great battle that the Sixth corps +arrived on the ground, after its unparalleled march, and +the Fifth corps was at once ordered into the fight. For an +hour the Sixth corps was the reserve of the army, but even +this reserve was soon called into action.</p> + +<p>The writer, while our corps waited for orders, rode along +the front, from where the Second and Third corps were +engaged in their deadly struggle with the enemy, across +Cemetery Ridge and to the hill where, on the right of the +line, Slocum had established his head-quarters, and he will +attempt to describe the field as he saw it.</p> + +<p>To form a correct idea of the position of the armies, one +should imagine two ranges of hills, between which was the +valley and the village of Gettysburgh.</p> + +<p>These ridges are nearly parallel, and are from a mile to +a mile and a half asunder. Their course is not a direct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +line but curving. The ridge on which our forces are +posted, bend outward and backward, so that the line is in +the form of a half circle, fronting from the center, while +the rebels were forced to occupy an exterior line facing +towards the center.</p> + +<p>At Gettysburgh several roads converge, first, on the +right is the Baltimore turnpike, next is the road to Taneytown, +and further to the left is the Emmitsburgh road. +These all meet at Cemetery Hill, which is the key to the +whole situation.</p> + +<p>Cemetery Hill is in the center of a range of hills running +south and west from Gettysburgh, and considerably +in front of the others. Standing upon its summit, the spectator +looks down upon the village, a little to his right and +upon the long declivity stretching between the crest +and the town.</p> + +<p>The crest of this ridge is bristling with batteries, which +are so arranged as to sweep the declivity, the valley below, +and the opposite range of hills. Here, by the side of the +Baltimore pike, General Howard has his head-quarters, +and just in front lie long lines of infantry, who wear the +crescent badge, which distinguishes the Eleventh corps.</p> + +<p>Stretching to the left and rear, Cemetery Ridge gradually +diminishes in elevation, until it reaches an abrupt +peak which rises considerably above the other hills of the +range. This is Round Top. It is covered with timber at +its summit, its sides are rugged, and, toward the enemy, +quite steep. On the north slope of Round Top, the +Second and Third corps are maintaining the unequal +struggle with one-third of the rebel army. The roar of +musketry is awful beyond description, and the whole valley +trembles with the thunder of the artillery. On the +right of Cemetery Ridge is another elevation, Slocum's +Hill, where the commander of the Twelfth corps sits +among the huge fragments of rock, watching his own and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +the enemy's line in his front, and where is another battery, +which from time to time is sending its screaming messengers +to the hills beyond or across a little stream which +winds along the right of his position.</p> + +<p>In rear of Slocum's Hill is a little whitewashed cottage, +surrounded by a picket fence. There are two or three +wall tents in the yard, and many horses are tied to the +fence. This is the head-quarters of the army. From this +point General Meade is directing all the movements of the +Union forces.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that our troops could be sent from one +point to another of the line, easily and quickly, while the +rebels, who occupied the exterior of the circle, must make +long circuits in order to reinforce one part of the field with +troops from another. For the first time since Malvern +Hill, our forces had the advantage of position.</p> + +<p>The rebel lines which had so fiercely attacked the Third +corps, steadily advanced, pouring destruction before them, +while the two corps, unable to resist the weight of the +advancing columns, steadily fell back. At the moment +that the Sixth corps reached the field, the Fifth were rushing +to the assistance of the wavering lines on Round Top.</p> + +<p>It was a glorious spectacle, as the veteran wearers of the +St. Andrew's cross rushed along the rear of the peak and +among the rocks, at double-quick, and then suddenly moving +by the flank, formed in line of battle. Through the +woods and down the slope they rush, fall upon the advancing +columns, and check their progress. The Union line +now advance upon the rebels, who fall back more. Shot +and shells pour in a fearful storm from the rebel batteries, +sweeping the slope of Round Top and the crest of Cemetery +Hill. Here, near Howard's quarters, a train of +ambulances and army wagons attract the fire of the +enemy, and the bursting shells soon send them hurrying +through the narrow defile in the rocks through which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +road passes, panic stricken. For more than two hours +the desperate battle rages on the left, while the right, +except that on either side artillery belches forth its thunders, +is quiet. The Sixth corps, the only reserve of the +army, is also put into the line on the left; only one brigade, +Neill's, is sent to the right to reinforce Slocum, who has +also sent a great portion of his corps to the left, and +against whom the rebels are now charging. The doubtful +contest ceases as darkness gathers over the battle-field, +leaving the rebels still in possession of some of the ground +occupied by Sickles' corps at four o'clock.</p> + +<p>Both armies again lay upon their arms, waiting for daylight, +by which to renew the contest. The losses in the +Second and Third corps had been fearful, and scarcely +less were those of the Fifth. From our own Sixth corps, +there were many killed and wounded, but compared with +these others, the loss was slight. General Sickles had +been wounded early in the fight, and suffered amputation +of a leg. The morning of July 3d dawned brightly, and +at once the rattle of musketry told of the renewal of +strife. On the right, where Slocum with a single division +of his own troops and our Third brigade of Howe's division, +Sixth corps, held the long line, an attempt was made +to retake the rifle pits which the rebels had captured yesterday. +The rebels in turn charged furiously. They had +possession of some of our pits, and now they hoped to turn +our flank and rout the army; but the small force replied +to the desperate charge of the whole of Ewell's corps with +the most stubborn resistance. Charge after charge was +made, but to no avail. At length Neill's brigade passed +far to the right of the rebel line, and poured an enfilading +volley into the gray-coats. They, supposing that a heavy +force had got on their flank withdrew, when our forces +charging in turn, drove them with great loss from the rifle +pits, which were held during the remainder of the engagement<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +in spite of repeated efforts to dislodge our forces. +By noon quiet prevailed along the whole line, except that +now and then a shot from some of our batteries screamed +across the valley, but eliciting no reply. The rebel lines +could be seen moving here and there as if preparing for a +desperate struggle. The men at our batteries declared +that so completely had they got the range of the other +crests that the rebels dare not open a piece. Little did +they imagine that more than a hundred guns were concentrating +just behind the little strip of woods below them.</p> + +<p>This unwonted silence continued until about one o'clock, +when suddenly, as though pandemonium had broken loose, +the air was filled with the shrieks, screams, howls and +clangor of bursting shells. The sky was filled with smoke, +amid which flames darted in every direction, and the valley +and hills quaked with the thunders of artillery. Never +on this continent had been heard such cannonading as this. +For two hours this storm of shell and shot raged in all its +fury. At the first opening of the storm, parts of our line +were forced back, but they quickly advanced again. Horses +and men fell together, mangled and torn by the screaming +missiles. In some of our batteries every horse was destroyed, +and the men drew back the pieces by hand to save +them from capture. One hundred and twenty-five guns +were concentrated against our left center, which continued +for two hours to belch forth death and destruction. At +length, when it was supposed that our guns were silenced, +and our infantry confused by the fearful cannonade, came +the expected charge of infantry. Longstreet's corps, +massed, with Picket's division in front, rushed forward with +the well known yells, which rang above the clangor of musketry +and artillery, and threw themselves with utmost fury +upon the Union lines. Our men had waited the onset with +unflinching courage, and now poured into the assailants a +most murderous fire, which hurled them back and strewed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +the ground with their dead and dying. Again, with the +fierceness of desperation, they rush forward, and again are +met with the same deadly reception. Hundreds from the +attacking columns, in order to escape the certain doom, +threw down their arms and came in as prisoners. The +tide of battle lulled for a time.</p> + +<p>Again artillery did its work alone, until about four +o'clock, when the last desperate charge was made, the +grand effort which was to sweep the Union lines in confusion, +or result in the total defeat of the rebel army.</p> + +<p>The heavy masses swept up as before, with the desperation +of madness. They advanced until they were fairly +on our lines, and, at some points, actually pushed them +back. Then they were met with enfilading fires, from +which the carnage exceeded all that had been before. +Nearly the whole of Picket's division, finding itself unable +to retreat through the fiery storm, was captured, and the +remaining divisions reeled back in confusion, leaving +the ground literally covered with dead.</p> + +<p>This decided the fate of the battle. The enemy had +staked all upon this last desperate charge, and had been +hurled back in confusion and with enormous losses.</p> + +<p>No pursuit was attempted, but, although the rebels +were not at once driven from their position, they had +suffered a terrible defeat, and they must retreat with all +speed to their defenses in Virginia, or submit to the +destruction of their army. Our wounded were collected +in great numbers in and about the field hospitals, which +were composed chiefly of hospital tents, some farm house +with its large barns, serving as a nucleus for each. To +these, thousands of our brave comrades were brought +with mangled limbs, torn bodies or bleeding heads, yet, +notwithstanding their terrible wounds, exhibiting their +accustomed heroism. Long trains of ambulances were +bringing in crowds of poor fellows with arms or legs torn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +to shreds, yet who never uttered a word of complaint, and +who, indeed, appeared cheerful, and some even gay.</p> + +<p>In this respect there was the greatest contrast between +the wounded of the Union and the rebel armies. A Union +soldier, if so severely wounded that he could by no possibility +assume a cheerful countenance, would shut his teeth +close together and say nothing. While a rebel, if he +could boast of only a flesh wound, would whine and cry +like a sick child. One unaccustomed to such scenes as +can only be witnessed about a field hospital in time of +battle, would be filled with astonishment at the stoical +bravery manifested by the northern troops. If one had +passed along where our men were lying in rows, he would +only now and then have heard a groan escape from some +poor fellow who had received a bullet through the abdomen +or some such fatal and painful wound. But let a group of +wounded rebels be placed in some part of the hospital, and +their groans were heart-rending. This contrast is not overdrawn. +Every surgeon who has had opportunities to +observe the difference in the bearing of wounded men of +the two armies, can testify to the greater heroism of the +northern soldier at such times.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xx" id="chapter_xx"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>PURSUIT OF LEE'S ARMY.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Scenes of the field of Gettysburgh—The rebel hospitals—The sightless rebel soldier +boy—The Sixth corps at Fairfield—"Hurrah for the Union"—Kilpatrick's +handiwork—At Waynesboro'—On picket—A division of militia—The Vermonters +at Funkstown—The army at Funkstown—Meade's failure to attack—New +York riots—Return to Virginia.</p></div> + + +<p>The battle was over and the invading army which had +suffered such a crushing defeat, had only to gather up +its shattered remnants and hastily retrace its steps southward. +We were in no condition to renew immediate +hostilities. Every man and every gun had been brought +into service. Never before had all of our army been +fought at once. At Gettysburgh, every man of the infantry +reserve, and every gun of the reserve artillery had been +brought into action. The men were exhausted by their +tedious marches and hard fighting, while our ammunition +was well nigh spent.</p> + +<p>During the night of the 4th of July, Lee's army +retreated, and on the morning of the 5th, our Sixth corps, +Sedgwick's cavalry as the corps was called, was sent in +pursuit on the Fairfield road. The battle-field was horrible. +Dead men were thickly strewed over the fields +with their faces blackened, and eyes starting from their +sockets; and upturned, swollen horses lay, sometimes in +groups of six or eight, showing where some battery had +suffered fearfully. As we passed the scene of the conflict +on the left, at the foot of Round Top, was a scene more than +usually hideous. Blackened ruins marked the spot where, +on the morning of the third, stood a large barn. It had +been used as a hospital. It had taken fire from the shells<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +of the hostile batteries, and had quickly burned to the +ground. Those of the wounded not able to help themselves +were destroyed by the flames, which in a moment +spread through the straw and dry material of the building. +The crisped and blackened limbs, heads and other portions +of bodies lying half consumed among the heaps of ruins +and ashes, made up one of the most ghastly pictures ever +witnessed, even on the field of battle. But we passed these +direful scenes to meet with others of less shocking but +still sad character. Every house and barn from Gettysburgh +to Fairfield was a hospital; and about most of the +large barns, numbers of dilapidated hospital tents served +to increase the accommodations for the wounded.</p> + +<p>All of the worst cases were left in these hospitals, the +number being estimated, by the rebel surgeons in charge, +at no less than fifteen thousand. Never had we witnessed +such sad scenes as we were passing through to-day. The +confederate surgeons were doing what they could for their +wounded, but they were destitute of medicines and surgical +appliances, and even food sufficient to supply those in +their charge. At one of these barns some of our officers +stopped, and as they passed among the gray-clad sufferers +who were lying in rows upon the barn floors, one, a boy +apparently not more than sixteen years of age, attracted +the notice of one of the company, a surgeon. The lad +looked more like a delicate girl than a soldier; his hair +fell from his fair forehead in long flaxen curls upon his +pillow of straw, some of them matted with blood; his cheek +was rosy, and his soft white hand told of a youth spent +amid more tender scenes than those of the camp. A piece +of linen laid across his face covered a ghastly wound +where a ball had passed through his face, and had torn +both his eyes from their sockets.</p> + +<p>The surgeon spoke a kind word to the youth, who +stretched out his hand, saying, "Come near me, I want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +to touch you." The doctor stooped over him, and the boy, +pressing his hand in his own, said, "You are a friend, are +you not?" "Yes, I am a friend to all the unfortunate." +"But are you not a confederate?" "No." The boy +clung to the hand of the surgeon in silence for a moment, +and then said slowly, "I did not think a federal would +speak so kindly to me; your voice sounds like that of a +friend, and your hand feels like one; will you not stay +with me?" When the other told him that he must follow +his command, he replied: "Oh! I shall never hear any one +speak so kindly to me again; my mother lives in North +Carolina, but she will not see me. Can you not stay?" +The doctor was far from being a rebel sympathizer, yet he +turned away from the poor boy, with a sad face and a +deep drawn sigh, to join the moving column.</p> + +<p>Early next morning we passed through the somewhat +dilapidated village of Fairfield. Our advance threw a few +shells down the street, scattering a body of cavalry, which +had been left in town, and killing some of the horses +attached to their battery. A mile beyond the town the +South Mountain range rose in our front, the road running +through a narrow pass. Here the rear guard of the rebel +army was strongly posted. Neill's and the Jersey brigade +advanced against the rebel skirmishers, but after losing +some six or eight men they were ordered to halt. General +Sedgwick deeming the position too strong to assault with +his corps from the front, reported to General Meade that the +pass was very strong, and one in which a small force of +the enemy could hold in check for a considerable time, a +force much larger than its own. The main body of the +army, therefore, was moved around their flank by way of +Frederick; while Neill's brigade, with Colonel McIntosh's +brigade of cavalry and two light batteries, all under command +of General Neill, were made to form a flying division +to harass the enemy in the rear.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our march over the mountain that day was by a wild, +romantic route, than which none more charming could be +asked by tourist in search of nature's wildest moods. +Before each little log house by the roadside would stand a +wondering group, astonished at seeing such multitudes of +men in those secluded regions, where scarcely a dozen travelers +usually passed in a week. At one place, as the column +was passing a cottage half hidden by sunflowers and flowering +beans, those at the head of the column were heard +cheering heartily; and, as we advanced, other voices took +up the cheer, exciting the curiosity of those behind. In +the midst of the noise, sounded a shrill voice; and as we +approached, we saw, sitting upon the fence in front of the +cottage, a little boy, about four years old, his face flushed +with excitement, his flaxen hair flying in the wind, as he +was waving his little hat, and with childlike indistinctness +shouting in his shrill tones, "Hurrah for 'e Union! Hurrah +for 'e Union!"</p> + +<p>Soon those in the rear of the line heard those ahead +shouting again, and another shrill voice was heard between +the cheers of the men. There by the roadside stood an old +man, over whom more than eighty years had passed, with +voice indistinct with the tremor of age, all excited as the +little boy had been, his hair tossed about by the breeze, as +with hat swinging he too was shouting, "Hurrah for the +Union! Hurrah for the Union!" And the cheers of +the multitude again rang in response to the old man's shout. +We could but note the similarity and the disparity. One +vaguely dreamed of those blessings which the other had +fully realized, and for which he had struggled; and the +same shout was lifted up by those two children—the one +of four, and the other of fourscore—the one with the flaxen +curls of childhood, and the other with the white locks of +age—the one voice with the shrill treble of infancy, and +the other with the high-keyed tones of decrepitude. Those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +people, who had seen the rebel army pass a few hours +before, now felt the value of the Union.</p> + +<p>On the summit of the mountain we passed Monterey +Springs, a charming summer retreat, where the Pennsylvanians +resort to indulge in the sports of trout-fishing and +deer-hunting. Passing down the western slope of the +mountain, the handiwork of Kilpatrick was strewed along +the roadside for miles. As the battle of Gettysburgh drew +to a close, and General Meade knew that Lee must retreat +toward Virginia, he had sent the dashing Kilpatrick with +his brigade of cavalry to harass the rebels in their flight. +Reaching these mountains, the cavalry had come upon a +long rebel train of wagons and ambulances, hastening with +all speed, with their lading of stolen goods and provisions +and their wounded men, towards the Potomac. With shouts +and cheers the horsemen dashed from the cover of the woods, +upon the flying train, shot the leading horses and mules, +captured the drivers and remaining animals, appropriated +the stolen goods to their own use, and burned the wagons. +Now, as we marched down the forest road, the wildness +of the scene was heightened by the remains of the ruined +wagons which lined the wayside, some burned, some with +the wheels disabled by cutting the spokes, others tumbled +off the steep embankment. For more than three miles, +these remnants of the rebel trains met our view.</p> + +<p>It was near the middle of the afternoon when the +column, the army under General Neill, descended into +the beautiful Cumberland valley, and arrived at the village +of Waynesboro. The people gave our little army a +joyous reception, and we encamped at a little distance +from the village. One regiment, the Seventy-seventh, was +sent on picket on the banks of the Antietam creek, and so +pleasant was the duty that the regiment petitioned to be +allowed to remain until the army moved, to which request +General Neill very graciously assented. Our picketing on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> +the Antietam became one of the bright sports in the +history of our campaigning. We were a mile in advance +of the other troops, and the picket line was two miles long, +so that we were not at all crowded. The weather was fine, +the country delightful, and the people kind and hospitable. +The most friendly relations sprang up at once between +the people and the soldiers, the inhabitants supplying the +boys with luxuries, and taking them into their houses as +welcome guests, the soldiers on their part guarding the +people against the depredations of stragglers and militia.</p> + +<p>The grain was ripe for the harvest, and the farmers +were short of help; but the boys laid aside their guns, +and swung the cradle and the scythe with a zest that +showed that they worked with a good will. Day after +day the boys of the Seventy-seventh reaped and bound in +the fields, while the good ladies worked day and night to +make bread and cakes for the veterans, who had so long +been accustomed to diet on pork and hard tack. Soft +bread, milk, poultry and the staple luxury of Pennsylvania, +apple butter, was a glorious improvement on the +usual bill of camp fare, and kind sympathizing Union +people were much better calculated to render our stay +among them agreeable, than the bitter rebels among whom +we had so long been.</p> + +<p>The left wing of our extended picket line was under +command of Major Babcock, who, with the line officers +of his part of the picket, established head-quarters at the +house of a miller, whose comfortable rooms and well filled +larder afforded substantial inducements to our friends; +but the great attractions at the miller's house were doubtless +the three charming daughters, whose merry faces and +bewitching eyes rejoiced the hearts of our gay major +and his associates. Word came to the right of the line +that our friends on the left were in the enjoyment of far +more than the usual allowance of pleasure for men on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +picket, and thither started the colonel and the doctor, and +our friend, Colonel Connor, of the Seventh Maine, to +investigate the matter. Riding through a lovely region, +now rising to the summit of some gentle eminence, from +whence they could look away upon the surrounding +country, its rich fields of grain ready for the harvest, its +charming groves of oak, and its neat farm houses, making +up a most delightful landscape, now descending into +some green valley where babbling brooks danced over +pebbly beds, and now reining up to listen to the complaint +of some cottagers, who said that "the militia were robbing +them of their pigs and their poultry, and but for the +old soldiers, who were perfect gentlemen, they would be +stripped of everything they had;" now fording the bright +waters of the Antietam, and anon halting to converse +with some group of men who were reclining beneath the +shadow of some clump of chestnuts or oaks, doing picket +duty as amateurs, the party at length arrived at the +miller's house, nestled in a pleasant grove by the side +of the beautiful river. Here was the major, and here were +the happy line officers, and here was the main reserve +of the left wing of the picket, all exhibiting the most +abundant good humor. Here, also, they found our chaplain, +and Chaplain Osborn, of the Forty-third New York. +It was evident, at a glance, that the reports of gay soldiering +which had reached the right of the line were in no +way exaggerated. The miller took the horses, and the +party was ushered into the house, when the good lady and +her merry daughters welcomed them heartily. The miller +brought out his best wines and his biggest apples. The +ladies were smiling, the wines were good, and the apples +delicious, and the hearts of the soldiers were gladdened. +The ladies retired, leaving the gentlemen in possession of +the airy sitting-room. They sung Old Hundred, and Coronation, +and Lenox, and Cambridge. Now our friend,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +Colonel Connor, would lead off in a rollicking soldiers' +song; then our chaplain would follow with "Benny +Havens, Oh!" and all would join in the chorus. Chaplain +Osborn, of the Forty-third, could tell a good story, +and relish a glass of wine; and so they passed a happy +hour, singing and chatting, till called to dinner, where +the long table was loaded from the abundance of the +miller's stores. Dinner over, the company strolled among +the fruit trees and along the banks of the river; but +at length, as an end must come to all pleasures, our +party, who had left the right of the line in the morning, +galloped back to their quarters, satisfied that picket duty +was not necessarily the most vexatious in the service.</p> + +<p>The Forty-ninth was provost guard for the town, and a +merry time the men had of it. Here in the principal +hotel, General Neill established his head-quarters, and in +regal style amid flowers and fruits he received the homage +of the citizens and soldiers. The remaining regiments of +the brigade were stationed in a lovely grove half way +between the town and the picket line. They lounged in +the shade of their beautiful camp, or strolled to the village +or to the picket line on the Antietam. They purchased +from the people fruit and bread, apple butter and other +luxuries, enjoying a pleasant respite from labors, while the +Forty-ninth guarded the town and the Seventy-seventh +the river. But notwithstanding all the pleasures of this +bright episode in our campaign, the boys were not without +a source of annoyance.</p> + +<p>Soon after our arrival at Waynesboro, we were joined by +a large division of New York and Pennsylvania militia, +under our old commander General W. F. Smith, who still +held a prominent place in the affections of the boys. The +militia was composed mostly of young gentlemen who had +left their places behind the counter or at the desk, for the +double purpose of lending their aid to their country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +in its hour of need, and of enjoying a month of what +they hoped would be amateur soldiering.</p> + +<p>On the evening of their arrival, they were all complaining +bitterly of the terrible marches they had endured, and +swore they would shoot the general if they ever got into +a fight. They had marched all the way from Harrisburgh, +to which point they had been brought in cars, at the rate +of from eight to fifteen miles a day! In addition to the +severe marches, they had been subjected to great privations; +many of them had not tasted any <i>butter</i> for more +than a week, and nearly all declared that they had absolutely +nothing to eat for several days. The writer, who +listened to these grievous complaints from some who had +been his friends in civil life, pointed to their trains of +wagons loaded with boxes of hard bread. "What," +replied the militia-men, "You don't expect us to eat that +hard tack do you?"</p> + +<p>These regiments of militia were undisciplined and unaccustomed +to the hard fare of the soldier's life, and the +majority of the men took to plundering the inhabitants +of the neighboring country, and perpetrating other depredations +equally dishonorable in the eyes of the old soldiers. +As the veterans constituted the picket and the guard of +the town, and were intrusted to guard many of the houses +of the citizens outside of the village, they found great +annoyance in attempting to resist the incursions of the +militia, and rather frequent collisions resulted, in which +the old soldiers usually got the best of the encounter.</p> + +<p>The citizens very soon learned to look upon the veterans +as their friends and their protectors, while they regarded +with dread any squad of soldiers that might approach, if +they were clad in new uniforms.</p> + +<p>But, on the 11th of July, we drew in our picket line, +the brigade assembled, and at dark the troops, veterans +and militia, were fording the Antietam, the water nearly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +to their waists. We marched rapidly all night, halting at +a place called Leytirsburgh. At daylight next morning, +we were again marching. The day was extremely hot, +and large numbers of the men fell by the wayside from +sun-stroke. At Smithville we fell in with the First corps, +which was moving towards Hagerstown, and the hearts of +the men were gladdened by the sight of the old familiar +flags of the Army of the Potomac. We had been absent +from the main body of the army for a week, and it seemed +now as though we had fallen in with old friends from whom +we had been long separated. Falling in the rear of the +First corps, we marched toward Hagerstown. At 2 o'clock +a most terrific thunder-storm arose, such as had never overtaken +our army, even in Virginia. Huge black clouds rose +from the north and from the west and south, and meeting +overhead poured down great volumes of water, until the +road through which we were marching, and which was +bordered by high banks on either side, was filled with a +mad torrent which reached to the knees, and in places to +the waists of the men. At sunset we reached Funkstown, +where the main body of our corps was in line of battle, +having yesterday met the rebels and driven them more +than a mile. Our friends of the Vermont brigade had, +as usual, given a good account of themselves; and the +head-boards of pine, here and there among the trees, +showed that the victory had not been gained without a +struggle.</p> + +<p>In marching from Boonsboro towards Funkstown, the +Vermont brigade in advance of the corps, the little stream, +Beaver Creek, was passed, and General Howe found +Buford's cavalry in his advance holding a strong position +against the skirmishers of the rebel infantry. At General +Buford's request, General Howe sought and obtained permission +to send the Vermont brigade to relieve the cavalry. +Colonel Lewis with his Fifth Vermont and part of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +Second, and Colonel Barney with the Sixth regiment, at +once deployed as skirmishers, forming their line two miles +long. The Third and Fourth regiments were supporting +a battery, and the balance of the Second was held in +reserve. They saw the rebel infantry approach a strip of +woods in front, and at once advanced and occupied it +themselves. Against this long thin line of skirmishers, +the rebels opened a severe fire of artillery and musketry, +and advanced to drive the skirmishers from their position; +but the brave mountaineers never dreaming that a Sixth +corps skirmish line could not hold a rebel line of battle, resolutely +refused to leave and sent the presumptious rebel line +of battle to the rear in confusion; not, however, until Colonel +Stoughton with the Fourth and Colonel Seaver with the +Third, came forward to the support of the Fifth and Sixth. +Again, the rebels, disgusted at being repulsed by a skirmish +line, came up in several lines of battle and charged +upon the Vermonters and they again went to the rear in +confusion. A third charge was made against the obstinate +skirmish line, and a third time the attack was broken. +Meanwhile a strong force attempting to cross the Antietam +and come in on the flank, was repelled by the Second +Vermont.</p> + +<p>The gallant brigade had repelled Anderson's brigade, of +seven large regiments, from its front, and another from its +flank.</p> + +<p>An instance of a skirmish line, a mile and a half from +any support, resisting repeated attacks of troops in line +of battle, is rarely found in the history of armies.</p> + +<p>The men used from sixty to eighty rounds of cartridge, +and when the first supply was exhausted, a fresh one was +brought to the front on stretchers.</p> + +<p>The victory cost the brigade a loss of nine men killed +and fifty-nine wounded, while the enemy lost more than +two hundred men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p>The men of Neill's brigade were rejoiced to find themselves +once more with the glorious old corps, and when their +brigade flag, bearing the insignia of the Greek cross, was +once more thrown to the breeze, it was greeted with vociferous +cheers. Brisk skirmishing was going on along the line, +and frequent charges were made by our Union pickets +upon the rebel line, which usually resulted in the capture +of a greater or less number of the enemy's pickets. All +things indicated a great battle on the morrow. The two +armies were facing each other in a line in front of Hagerstown, +near a hamlet called Funkstown, the line of battle +extending several miles. The rebels had occupied the +higher grounds, and had thrown up strong earthworks to +dispute our progress. Night came on with rain, and all +expected to be roused early by the sound of battle. But +morning came and passed, and the day wore on with little +activity on our part. Here and there skirmishers kept up +a rattle of musketry, but no general engagement came on. +Much as the veterans, who knew too well the risks of +battle, usually dreaded a general engagement, this time +there seemed a universal desire, on the part of the men, +now to strike a blow which should destroy their adversaries +before they should be able to cross the river again.</p> + +<p>Deserters and prisoners from the rebel army represented +it in a deplorable condition; and the men of the ranks in +our army believed that this was the grand opportunity for +striking a final blow. And notwithstanding the assertion +of general officers that the Potomac was so swollen as to +prevent the crossing of the rebel army, there were few +privates in our ranks who were not ready to declare that, +unless we gave battle at once, the prey would surely escape. +Thus, as the day wore on, great dissatisfaction was expressed +all along the ranks—men openly and freely cursing the +hesitancy which held them back, as they believed, from a +certain victory. So, when they arose on the morning of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +the 14th, to find that there was no enemy in our front, +they were more incensed than surprised. There was certainly +a very general ill-feeling pervading our army at this +easy escape of the rebel army, which even the glorious +news of Vicksburg and Port Hudson failed to pacify.</p> + +<p>Brisk firing in the vicinity of the Potomac, however, +warned us that there were still rebels enough left on the +north side of the river to offer some resistance. We learned, +late in the day, that the firing was caused by a brilliant +charge of Kilpatrick's cavalry upon the rear guard of the +rebels at Falling Waters, where they captured several +hundreds of prisoners; thus adding one more brilliant +success to their many daring achievements during this +campaign. Marching until nightfall, we reached Williamsport, +and encamped very near the spot that had been our +resting-place on a former occasion, nearly a year before.</p> + +<p>Why General Lee and his army were allowed to cross +the Potomac unmolested, we do not attempt to explain; +nor do we condemn the determination of General Meade +not to give battle. When men of such well-known military +ability and bravery as General Sedgwick advise against +a movement, it may be well to hesitate; yet it will doubtless +be the verdict of history, that the hesitancy of General +Meade at this time was his great mistake.</p> + +<p>A hard march on the 15th brought the Sixth corps to +Boonsboro, where our Second division encamped on precisely +the same ground that we had occupied on the 31st +of October last. Neill's brigade made the march at a +breakneck pace, leaving the Vermonters far to the rear, +who declared that the recent associations of the former with +the cavalry had transformed them into a flying brigade. +While resting here, a large body of rebel prisoners was +marched past. They were mostly those who had been +captured by Kilpatrick's men at Falling Waters. The +rebels were hungry and destitute of rations. Our men at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +once divided their rations of hard bread and coffee with +them, who, officers and all, declared that it was the best +meal they had enjoyed for several days, and expressed +themselves greatly pleased with the generosity of their +guardians.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding our glorious success at Gettysburgh, +and the good news from the west, we were now hearing +news that made our hearts sick, and caused the cheeks of +the New York soldiers to burn for the disgrace of their +native State. It was a source of the deepest mortification +to the brave New Yorkers, to feel that their own State +and the great metropolis had been outraged by the most +disgraceful riot that had ever stained the annals of any +State or city in the Union, all for the purpose of overawing +the government in its efforts to subdue the rebellion. +Our companions from other States, with the generosity +that characterizes soldiers, never derided us with this disgrace, +but alluded to the riot as an uprising of foreigners, +who had for the moment overpowered the native element. +Even the fact that the governor of that great State had, +in the midst of these terrible scenes, addressed the miscreants +as his "friends," was alluded to with a delicacy +that won our hearts.</p> + +<p>It was one of the pleasant indications of a union of +hearts as well as of States, that the soldiers of our sister +States looked upon these riots in the light of a general +calamity, rather than a disgrace to a particular State.</p> + +<p>Crossing the South Mountain range, from Boonsboro to +Middletown, the Sixth corps reached Petersville, three or +four miles north of Berlin, where the army was to cross +the Potomac. Here, nearly the whole army was crowded +into a space of not more than three miles, all waiting for +the orders to cross. The men were universally eager to +push forward, and the necessary delay caused by crossing +the men and material of so large an army seemed to them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +a wearisome expenditure of time. While waiting here, +the Second division was honored by the presence of several +ladies, wives of officers of different regiments, who +had been waiting in Washington an opportunity of +visiting their husbands, and had met them here. As a +memento of this brief visit, the Seventy-seventh New York +received from the wife of the surgeon the gift of a pair +of beautiful guidons, which the regiment boasted were +unequaled in the army. The design was a white cross, +the badge of our division, upon a ground of deep blue +silk. In the center of the cross were wrought the figures +"77." These beautiful guidons were carried by the regiment +until its final discharge from the service, when, with +the old banner, the tattered national flag, and the magnificent +new flag which was presented afterward by the +ladies of Saratoga, they were presented to the State of +New York, on the Fourth of July, 1865, in the presence +of General Grant and a great concourse of illustrious +men.</p> + +<p>On Sunday, the 19th, the Sixth corps crossed the pontoon +bridge to Virginia, the bands playing "O carry me +back." As usual, while the corps was crossing a bridge +or passing a difficult place, General Sedgwick stood at the +farther end of the bridge preventing confusion and hurrying +up teams which might obstruct the way. We climbed +the rocky defile, and, at four o'clock, found ourselves well +on the Virginia side of the Potomac. On our march we +passed through the little village of Lovettsville, and, much +to the surprise of all, the doors and windows of the dwellings +were filled with ladies, whose hair and dresses were +decked with ribbons of red, white and blue, and scores of +Union flags waved a welcome to our soldiers. Such a +sight had not greeted us before in Dixie, and it was most +refreshing to witness such a demonstration of loyalty in +Virginia.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> + +<p>The corps encamped about ten miles from the river, near +a beautiful clear stream of water, which was very soon +filled with bathers. Here orders came for each regiment +in the army to send, to the State in which the regiment +was raised, a certain number of commissioned +officers and enlisted men for recruiting duty.</p> + +<p>The march on the 20th was slow and through groves +and pleasant meadows. Twelve miles were made, and +we halted for the night and the next day. Wednesday we +passed through Union town and Snickersville, reaching the +base of Cobbler's mountain, a high spur from the Blue +Ridge, not far from Ashby's Gap. Thursday the Sixth +corps proceeded to Ashby's Gap, and, halting there for +a few hours in a most delightful valley, again started +southward. Vines of the trailing blackberry covered the +ground, and the delicious fruit grew in such profusion that +the men enjoyed a continual feast. Never had we, in our +wanderings in the south, found such an abundance of fruit, +and the effect upon the health of the men was marvelous. +By the time that we reached Warrenton the occupation +of the surgeons was almost gone. At no time, perhaps, +in the history of the Army of the Potomac, did the medical +reports exhibit a more general state of health than during +our stay in the vicinity of Warrenton.</p> + +<p>Thus, marching along at the foot of Blue Ridge, now +turning aside to enter some mountain pass, and again proceeding +on the general course, the army, on the 25th of +July, reached the vicinity of Warrenton, our Sixth corps +occupying a line from Warrenton to Waterloo, the scene +of some of the early engagements of General Pope's army +at the first rebel invasion. The First division was stationed +in and about Warrenton; the Jersey brigade being provost +guard of the town, where the gentlemanly conduct of +the men, and the strict order preserved in the town, won +for them the good opinions of the town's people, as well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +as of army officers. The Third division was in the rear +of the other two divisions, and guarding the flank. The +Second division encamped about an old Baptist church, +which, inclosed by a thick growth of trees, large and small, +had been, before the war, the only house of worship for +miles around. No paint had ever stained its seats or +casings, and no steeple from its roof had ever pointed +toward heaven. The pulpit, the white folks' seats and the +black folks' seats, were all in ruins now. The Rappahannock +river was but a half a mile distant, and the Seventy-seventh +and Fifth Vermont were sent to perform picket +duty along its banks. On the following day the camps of +the two regiments were moved to the vicinity of the river, +in front of the remainder of the division, and we were +ordered to perform picket duty while the division remained +in its present camp. The camp of the Fifth Vermont was +established a fourth of a mile from that of the Seventy-seventh, +its lines joining ours on the left. On the bank of +the river just below our camp, was the residence of Mr. +Hart and a grist-mill; hence the place was called "Hart's +Mills."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxi" id="chapter_xxi"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>CAMPS AT WARRENTON, THE CENTREVILLE CAMPAIGN +AND THE BATTLE OF RAPPAHANNOCK +STATION.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Camp at Hart's Mills—A ride to the Sulphur Springs—Contrabands going north—The +Vermonters go to New York—Jersey Brigade at Warrenton—The Sixth +corps at Cedar Mountain—Retreat to Centreville—Battle of Bristoe Station—Advance +to Warrenton—Battle of Rappahannock Station—Flight of Lee's army.</p></div> + + +<p>The camp at Hart's Mills was truly a pleasant one. It +was situated in the midst of a most delightful oak grove, +on a projecting hill, around whose base the Rappahannock +coursed in a beautiful curve. Along its banks was our +picket line. Westward the view extended over a charming +valley to the Blue Ridge, some ten miles away; and +at evening, when the sun sank behind those fine hills, +tinging them and the clouds with gorgeous colors, the +prospect was truly delightful. The village of Warrenton +was some four miles distant, and the celebrated Warrenton +Sulphur Springs about three miles down the river.</p> + +<p>Under the direction of Chaplain Fox, a place in the +grove was selected, a speaker's stand was erected, surrounded +by rows of log seats, and here services were held +on the Sabbath; and on other days of the week there were +other regimental gatherings, which the men greatly enjoyed. +At evening, the place would be lighted by Chinese lanterns +of various colors, hung among the boughs of the oak trees, +giving to the grove a most romantic appearance.</p> + +<p>On one evening the regiment, with many invited guests +from the division, assembled in this lovely spot and listened +to speeches from several gentlemen of eloquence, the brigade<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +band lending the aid of fine music to the evening's +entertainment.</p> + +<p>Thus pleasantly passed the time of the two regiments—the +Seventy-seventh and Fifth Vermont—in doing picket +duty for the Second division, along the banks of the Rappahannock. +Our friends of the Fifth Vermont were, in +addition to the pleasant location of their camp and their +easy picket duty, favored with the presence of the wives +of some of their officers. A ride to the Sulphur Springs +was always a pleasant pastime; and we recall with pleasure +one of these excursions. A small party, including one +of these ladies, enjoying a morning's drive, turned their +horses' heads towards the Springs. A merry gallop across +three miles of delightful country, through pleasant groves +and over rolling meadows, fording clear sparkling streams +and leaping fences, brought the party to the former Saratoga +of the south.</p> + +<p>The morning had been cool and cloudy, but as our +friends reached the little settlement the clouds were breaking +away, and the sun began to pour blazing rays upon +them. They secured their horses and walked into the +grounds, in the midst of which General Birney, commanding +a division of the Third corps, had established his +head-quarters; and as it was then the dinner hour, the +general and his staff were gathered around the board +under the shade of the chestnut trees, while a band discoursed +sweet music for the benefit of those at table.</p> + +<p>Oak, chestnut and ailanthus trees form a rich and grateful +shade for the grounds, which dip so as to form a kind of +basin, in the center of which rises the cupola which covers +the spring. As we step down into the inclosure of the +cupola, indeed as we approach it at a distance, a strong +sulphurous odor is perceived; but there is a delightful +coolness as we sit down upon the benches which are placed +around the area of the cupola. Several Vermont officers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +greeted our friends as they approached, offering the odorous +drink to the lady. There are two springs or vats within +the cupola, each inclosed by marble sides; and the water +stands so high that we may dip it ourselves, thus dispensing +with the necessity of the "dippers," such as take our +dimes at Saratoga.</p> + +<p>A glass of the sparkling fluid was presented to our lady +friend, who raised it to her lips, and then turning her face +away, with an expression of infinite disgust, and saying, +with a good deal of energy, "I don't want any," handed +back the glass. The gentlemen endeavored to convince +her that the water was good; but even after adding a little +fine brandy, she could not be induced to quaff the liquid, +which she declared carried with it such powerful suggestions +of unserviceable eggs.</p> + +<p>Our friends lingered about the grounds for some hours, +enjoying the cool shade and examining the old buildings, +the principal one of which was originally a fine structure, +but it had been burned the year before by our soldiers. +The massive columns and high walls were still suggestive +of the hilarious old times when the chivalry used to congregate +here in all its glory. Encircling the grounds was a +row of long one and two story buildings, most of them +painted yellow. These were divided into small apartments +which had been used as lodging rooms. There were +a dozen or more of these buildings, all dilapidated by age +rather than suffering from the ruthless usage of war. +They inclosed the grove which occupied ten or twelve +acres of land.</p> + +<p>Except the circle of buildings immediately surrounding +the grove and springs, there were but very few dwellings +in the neighborhood, those evidently intended for the +purpose of receiving summer boarders. It was said that +about five hundred boarders used to spend the summer +here every year, and double that number of visitors took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +rooms at Warrenton, a mile and a half distant, from which +place they rode to the springs morning and evening to +quaff the odorous fluid, or to stroll about the groves. The +new White Sulphur Springs in the Shenandoah Valley +had, for some years past, diverted the patronage from the +Warrenton springs, and thither, at the foot of the Blue +Ridge mountains, great numbers of fashionable southerners +had resorted.</p> + +<p>It was evidently a blessing that this resort had been +despoiled by war. It sadly needed renovating and modernizing, +and so long as the old buildings stood, no southerner +had the enterprise to pull them down and replace them +with better ones. A few thousands of dollars in the hands +of an enterprising Yankee would soon make this one of +the most delightful resorts in the southern states.</p> + +<p>One of the characteristic features of our picket duty on +the Rappahannock, was the great number of contrabands +who came through our lines.</p> + +<p>Squads of gray-headed old negroes, young negro women +and children, carrying in bundles all their worldly store, +constantly applied for permission to enter the lines on +their way to the north. The cavalry who scouted in front +on the south side of the river, returned with wagons +loaded with little darkies, whose mothers and elder sisters +and grandsires trudged along on foot. All wagons going +to Warrenton without other lading were filled with these +refugees from slavery, old and young, some black, some +olive and some white; some with black curly wool, +some with wavy black hair, and some with brown ringlets.</p> + +<p>Our northern soldiers had, by this time, begun to look +upon slavery in its true light. They had also learned that +the negroes were their friends. It required a long schooling +to teach them this lesson, but it was thoroughly +learned at last. We heard now no jeering and hooting +when a negro or wagon load of negroes went by. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +soldiers treated them with the greatest kindness, and aided +them in every way to get off to the north.</p> + +<p>While our boys did not hesitate long to take from the +white inhabitants any articles that they thought they were +in need of, it was considered an act of outrageous meanness +to take a chicken or any other property from the negro +people.</p> + +<p>While passing through Orleans, on our way to the present +camp, a great many slave children were standing +along the streets watching us. Many of these children +were nearly white. The attention of one our captains, +who was one of the last relics among us of that class +of men who were loyal to their country but despised +the negro, was fixed upon a beautiful child of olive complexion +and wavy hair, who stood gazing in innocent +wonder at the passing column. The child was indeed a +picture of unadorned beauty, in her long coarse garment +of "negro cloth." The captain turned to a staff officer +and as a tear stole down his rough cheek at the thought +of the degradation of the beautiful child, he exclaimed, +"Isn't it horrible."</p> + +<p>It is hardly necessary to say that the captain's sentiments +from that moment underwent a radical change, and +ever after there were none more ready to afford assistance +to the needy refugees, than our generous but hitherto prejudiced +captain.</p> + +<p>Many of these colored refugees had the greatest faith in +what they deemed the promises of the Bible. There was +an almost universal faith in the ultimate overthrow of +the south by the north, and this belief was founded in +most cases upon their supposed Bible promises.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/ole-missus.png"> +<img src="images/ole-missus-small.png" width="400" height="258" alt="What'll Ole Missus Do Now?" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">"What'll Ole Missus Do Now?"</p> + +<p>One of these people, a gray-haired negro, bent with age +and leaning heavily upon his staff, who hoped to spend +the evening of his life in freedom, said to the writer: +"Our massas tell us dat dey goin to whip de Yankees and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +dat Jeff. Davis will rule de norf. But we knowd it warnt +so cause de Bible don't say so. De Bible says that de +souf shall prevail for a time and den de norf shall rise +up and obertrow dem."</p> + +<p>Where the old man found this strange prophecy he did +not say, but many of the slaves declared this to be Bible +truth and all asserted it in the same way.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> +Since the above paragraph was in print, a friend has called my attention to the +passage in Daniel, chap. xi, verses 13-15, as the probable origin of this belief among +the negroes. He further assures me that he is informed that the negroes in North +Carolina entertained the same belief.</p></div> + +<p>Among those who were thus fleeing from bondage, were +two fine boys, each about twelve years of age and from +the same plantation. Each gave his name as John, and +as they were both remarkably bright little fellows, they +were at once adopted into our head-quarters family. +Their sprightly manners, their ready wit and their +kindly good nature soon brought them into general favor. +We were very early one morning startled by an extraordinary +commotion in front of head-quarters, where +the two Johns stood swinging their hats, leaping and +dancing in most fantastic manner, and screaming at the +top of their voices the wildest exclamations of delight. +Looking in the direction to which their attention was +turned, we saw a group of eight or ten negro women and +small children accompanied by an aged colored patriarch. +One of the Johns suddenly forgetting his ecstacy of delight, +rolling up the whites of his eyes and holding his hands +above his head, exclaimed with impressive gravity, "Oh +my Lor a massa! What'l ole missus do now?"</p> + +<p>The party consisted of the mothers and younger brothers +and sisters of the two boys with their grandfather. Forgetting +for a moment their joy at the escape of their +friends from slavery, the boys were overpowered with the +vision of "ole missus" left desolate, without a slave to +minister to her many wants.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the morning of the 6th of August, we were astonished +to find the camp of our neighbors of the Fifth +Vermont deserted, and their picket line occupied by a +regiment from the Third division. The surprise was still +greater when we learned that the whole of the Second +brigade had been ordered to New York city to guard +against any resistance which might be offered to the +enforcement of the draft. The order had reached the +brigade after midnight, and at three o'clock it was on its +way to the north. Thus the Third brigade was now all +that was left of the Second division of the Sixth corps. +Up to this time General Howe had kept the division, +except the two regiments on picket, hard at work at division +drills. It is safe to say that no division in the army +performed more labor in drills than Howe's during the time +that it was under command of that officer. The whole +division was encamped in one of those charming localities +which make this part of Virginia more beautiful than +almost any other, and aside from the continual round of +drills, the time passed most agreeably. The Jersey boys +here spent the time in pleasant alternation of guard duties +and social enjoyments; a part of the time being devoted to +military affairs, and a much greater part spent in agreeable +attentions to the winning young ladies of Warrenton.</p> + +<p>But, like every other brief respite for the army of the +Potomac, this was destined to come to an end. On the +15th of September the army moved toward Culpepper, +which was reached on the 16th; the Sixth corps taking +position at a place called Stonehouse Mountain, three miles +west of Culpepper.</p> + +<p>Here we remained three weeks; the camps were by no +means so delightful as those about Warrenton and Waterloo, +and the weather was becoming quite cold, so that our +three weeks stay at Stonehouse Mountain had little about +it to make us desire to make it longer. Some pleasing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +incidents, however, relieved the monotony of our stay at +this place, the presentation of an elegant sword to Colonel +French, by the line officers of the Seventy-seventh, was +the first. The presentation was followed by festivity and +merriment, and in the evening our friends of the Seventh +Maine, forming a torchlight procession, marched to the +camp of the Seventy-seventh to congratulate the colonel +and line officers upon the mutual trust and confidence +existing between them. The next was the return of the +Vermont brigade from New York. The Third brigade +was drawn up in line to receive our returning comrades, +and with much ceremony welcomed them back to the +division. It must be acknowledged that both brigades +would have been better pleased with the unrestrained +welcome which would have been expressed in cheers than +by the formal military salute.</p> + +<p>On Monday, October 5th, the Sixth corps marched to +Cedar Mountain on the Rapidan, the scene of General +Banks' conflict with Jackson. The First corps was already +stationed in the vicinity of Raccoon Ford, and the two +corps now occupied a line of five or six miles along the +bend of the river, holding the roads to Culpepper and +Stevensburgh. The two corps were thus thrown out ten +miles in front of the main army, having little communication +with the rear. Few wagons were allowed to follow +us, and those were ordered to the rear under a strong +escort. On Friday, the 11th, the signal officers stationed +on the summit of Cedar Mountain, while watching the +rebel signals, read the message sent by their flags: "I am +at James City. J. E. B. S." Thus it was known that +Stuart was making for our rear, and as long trains of +wagons had also been discovered moving in the direction +of James City, it became evident that Lee was endeavoring +to throw his whole army in the rear of our own. +General Meade determined to draw the rebel army back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +if possible; accordingly the Sixth and First corps were +ordered to build extensive fires and be in readiness to +march at a moment's notice. On the following morning, +Buford, with a division of cavalry, appeared at Germania +Ford, some twelve miles below us, while our infantry +advanced as though about to cross at Raccoon Ford and +the fords in front of the Sixth corps. The ruse of threatening +to cross the river by the two corps, succeeded in +calling the rebel infantry back to check our advance; and +at night, after building large fires, the two corps hastily +withdrew toward Culpepper, which we reached at daylight, +after a severe march. After a brief halt for breakfast, +the corps, with the whole of the infantry, was on its +way toward Brandy Station, leaving the cavalry force +under Pleasanton to cover the retreat. A rapid march, +in which the army moved in several parallel columns, +brought the infantry all safe across the Rappahannock +at Rappahannock Station. But the cavalry were not +allowed to retreat without some hard fighting. Their +guns could be heard by us during the afternoon, and +toward evening the firing became more rapid and nearer. +Indeed, the rebels advanced almost to the banks of the river.</p> + +<p>Gregg, with a brigade of cavalry, was overtaken by a +considerable force of the enemy, near Jefferson, early in +the day, and after a severe engagement of two hours, fell +back, crossing the river at Sulphur Springs.</p> + +<p>Kilpatrick with his brigade, following the trail of the +infantry, and designing to form a union with Gregg, +found, on passing Brandy Station, that his way was +blocked by a whole division of rebel cavalry, which had +slipped in between him and the rear of the infantry. +Halting for a moment to take a single glance at the +situation of affairs, the dashing general shouted to his +men, "Boys, there are the cusses!" Then, springing +to the head of the column, he led his men to such a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +charge as has rarely been witnessed even in our cavalry +service.</p> + +<p>The road was strongly guarded by three regiments of +cavalry in solid column, flanked on either side by a regiment +in line. Directly upon this strongly posted force, +the gallant general and his brave fellows rushed with +shouts and oaths, and sabre thrusts, trampling down +everything in their way. Unable to withstand this impetuous +and unexpected onset, the rebels gave way, allowing +the Union brigade to pass between their broken ranks. +Dead men and horses lay thickly scattered upon the ground +when the victorious brigade left the field to join the +infantry at the river.</p> + +<p>Thus, hotly pursued, General Meade determined to offer +battle to the pursuing army, making the Rappahannock his +immediate base of operations. Accordingly, early the following +morning, a large portion of the infantry and artillery +was countermarched across the river, where, within a mile +of the stream, the line of battle was formed, and we waited +the onset of the enemy until past noon. Then, Buford's +cavalry having engaged the enemy in front, three corps, +the Second, Fifth and Sixth, commenced to advance in +line of battle. It was a grand spectacle. During two +years of service we had not seen its like. Our line of +battle stretched across the vast plain, nearly three miles +in length, straight as the flight of an arrow. At each +flank were several battalions <i>in echelon</i>. In the rear of +the center of each wing of the line, was a heavy reserve +in solid square, and, following in the rear of each square, +a large column, stretching back to the river and across the +pontoon bridges to the farther side of the stream.</p> + +<p>Thus the line of battle moved forward across the plain, +never for a moment losing its perfect form. Brisk cannonading +and musketry were kept up by the cavalry in +front, and the army earnestly hoped that General Lee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +might accept our challenge to an open field fight, but the +rebel general was too wary to accept battle on such equal +terms, and pushed on toward Sulphur Springs, hoping to +reach Centreville before us.</p> + +<p>Our line of battle halted at dark, at Brandy Station. +But there was no time to be lost; resting there until +eleven o'clock, we were ordered to retrace our steps to +the river; this time not in line of battle, but in all haste. +The night was dark, and the troops had already made long +marches; so when they reached and crossed the river at +daylight, they were fairly worn out. An hour for sleep +and breakfast was allowed, the railroad bridge was blown +up, and again we were on a grand race northward.</p> + +<p>It was a great medley; baggage wagons, pontoons, +ambulances, artillery and troops, all thrown together in +splendid confusion. Drivers cursing, cannon rattling, soldiers +singing and shouting, horses racing, and all that +sublime confusion which can never be seen except in a +hasty but well directed retreat of a vast army.</p> + +<p>We passed Warrenton Junction and Bealton Station, +and at eight o'clock halted near Kettle Run, having +marched more than thirty miles within twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p>We had not long to rest, for at daylight, October 14th, +we were again on the road, making quick time. We +passed our old camp at Bristoe, and the familiar scenes at +Manassas Junction, and crossed Bull Run at Blackman's +Ford. We reached Centreville at three <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> The booming +of cannon in the rear, the huge clouds of smoke, and +the heavy rattle of musketry, told us there was hot work +on the ground we had lately passed over; and as we +formed in line of battle in front of Centreville, the soldiers +said, "Here is the third Bull Run, but this time the run +will be on the other side."</p> + +<p>To the Second corps had been assigned the duty of +guarding the rear of the army. About twelve o'clock, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +the rear of that corps was crossing Broad Run, a wide +and muddy stream at Bristoe Station, the rebel corps of +A. P. Hill suddenly appeared from the cover of the woods +in the vicinity, and, running out a battery, opened a severe +fire of artillery and musketry upon the column, which was +in a degree of confusion, owing to the difficult crossing of +the stream.</p> + +<p>In a moment order was restored, and the troops so +placed as to defy the advance of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The rebels, finding that their attack upon the advance +was fruitless, now turned their attention to the rear division, +which was advancing toward the run. Opening +upon the column a fierce cannonade and a storm of +bullets, they hoped to throw the division into confusion, +but again they were disappointed. After a severe fight, +the rebels were forced to flee across the run in great disorder, +leaving in the hands of the Second corps five pieces +of artillery, two stands of colors, and four hundred and +fifty prisoners. Such was the battle of Bristoe Station.</p> + +<p>At dark that evening the Sixth corps moved to Chantilly, +where we rested for the night. Next morning we took a +new and stronger position, where we waited, listening to +the roar of cannon where the cavalry was contending +with the advance of the enemy, and wondering how soon +our own turn would come. Suddenly, at three o'clock, the +doubts seemed to be removed. An officer came dashing +along the line, with the order to "Strip for the fray! the +enemy are coming down upon us!" The men stood to +arms, and again we waited for the attack, but none was +made: our cavalry had arrested the advance of the enemy. +At night the firing died away, and we pitched our tents +and slept undisturbed.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon of the 16th, the Seventy-seventh being +on picket, a horseman suddenly rushed in front of the +head-quarter tents, saying that the left of our picket line<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> +was attacked. It proved that a body of rebel cavalry +had discovered some wagons outside the picket line, and had +made a dash upon them. Our boys drove them back in +haste, but the line was strengthened in the expectation of +a more important demonstration. This, however, was the +last we saw of the rebels on our part of the line.</p> + +<p>Lee, finding himself too late to occupy the works around +Centreville before us, and hopeless of the success of any +flank movement, turned his army again towards the Rappahannock.</p> + +<p>On the following morning, October 17th, our army started +in pursuit, the rain falling upon us in torrents, rendering +the mud deep and the marching hard. We halted that +night at Gainesville, marched the next day through New +Baltimore, and reached Warrenton at night. On our +march we had passed the bodies of many of our cavalrymen, +who had been killed in the constant skirmishes which +had been going on since our advance. Near New Baltimore, +where Kilpatrick's brigade had been forced back, the +bodies of his men lay scattered along the roadside, nearly +all of them stripped of their clothing by the rebels.</p> + +<p>The army encamped in the vicinity of Warrenton; the +Sixth corps occupying a pleasant ridge just in front of +the town. Here we remained a fortnight.</p> + +<p>Our first week at Warrenton was anything but agreeable. +The cold northwest winds swept through our camps, +carrying chilly discomfort everywhere. The men shivered +over their log fires; but while the fitful wind drove the +smoke and fire into their faces, it froze their backs. At +our head-quarters, as we drew closely about our fire, dreading +equally the chilly winds and the provoking clouds of +smoke, one of the party, perhaps reading for the amusement +of the others from a volume of Saxe's poems, a stranger, +had one chanced to drop in among us, would have imagined +that Saxe must have written most grievous tales of woe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +and that our hearts and eyes were all melted by the sad +stories. At length, having suffered these disagreeable +exposures for a week, the men of the corps fell to work +to erect comfortable quarters, and thinking that the present +camp might possibly become winter quarters, they +made for themselves much more comfortable huts than +had served them in their winter's camp at White Oak +Church. Generals Neill and Grant reviewed their brigades, +and then Generals Howe and Wright reviewed +their divisions, and last of all, General Sedgwick had a +grand review of the whole corps, which was a very splendid +affair.</p> + +<p>The weather became again mild and agreeable. Pontoons +were arriving and there were many indications that +we must soon leave our comfortable quarters. At length, +at ten o'clock at night, November 6th, came the order, +"Reveille at half-past four; move at daylight." So good-bye, +fine quarters and comfortable fire-places, we must +be off.</p> + +<p>We were in line and commenced moving from camp at +daylight, November 7th. We marched rapidly, taking +the road to Rappahannock Station. The Sixth and Fifth +corps only had taken this road, the remaining corps were, +however, either on the move or under orders to move, the +Third corps having taken the road to Ely's Ford, and +the others following. General Sedgwick was placed in +command of the Fifth and Sixth corps, while General +Meade accompanied the left wing.</p> + +<p>At noon we halted within a mile of the Station, and the +corps was immediately thrown into line of battle. The +men were allowed to rest on their arms for an hour or +two, wondering what was to come.</p> + +<p>In front of us was a line of low hills, stretching parallel +with our line of battle, and on the slope toward us, and +within pistol shot of us, were rebel cavalry pickets, sitting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> +upon their horses and facing us with the coolest impudence; +but not a shot was fired at them. We had not +rested here long before we heard the booming of cannon +on our left, where, three miles down the river, the Third +corps had already engaged the enemy. At length the +order came to move forward. The Second division, under +General Howe, held the right, the Third brigade constituting +its front line, the Vermont brigade its second, the +Forty-third New York as skirmishers. On the left, was +the First division, the Sixth Maine on the skirmish line, +the Second and Third brigades in the advance, the New +Jersey brigade in the reserve; and in the center the Third +division, under General Terry.</p> + +<p>In this order the corps pushed forward up the hills, the +rebel horsemen whirling and flying before our advance. +As our skirmishers gained the summit of the hills, the +rebel infantry delivered their fire upon them, but the brave +boys of the Forty-third and of the Sixth Maine pushed +on, never halting or wavering for a moment, driving the +enemy before them until they had pushed the rebel skirmishers +close upon their line of battle.</p> + +<p>The First division at once became hotly engaged, the +rebels disputing the advance with unavailing obstinacy. +That noble division bore the brunt of the battle. While +the Second and Third divisions behaved with great gallantry, +doing all that was required of them, and doing it +with that fighting joy so characteristic of the whole corps, +the First division, from its position, was called upon to +perform unusual feats of valor. As General Sedgwick was +that day in command of the right wing of the army, General +Wright, of the First division, commanded the corps, and +General Russell, the brave, unassuming and beloved commander +of the Third brigade, commanded the division.</p> + +<p>The skirmishers of our Second division, the Forty-third +New York, pushed gallantly forward, their brave Colonel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +Baker riding rapidly from one end of the line to the other, +his white horse making a prominent mark for the rebels. +The line of battle of the whole corps followed closely +upon the skirmishers. As we reached the summit of the +hills, a grand panorama of the battle opened before us. +The whole battle-field could be seen at a single glance; a +rare occurrence. On one side were the eminences occupied +by our own line of battle, and on the other, a line of +hills of equal elevation, covered with swarms of rebels. +Between the two ranges of hills, stretched a plain one-fourth +of a mile wide and from one to two miles long, +which was occupied by the skirmishers of the opposing +forces.</p> + +<p>The rebels were posted in strong positions behind extensive +earthworks, forts, redoubts and rifle pits; and their +artillery was posted so as to sweep the plain and the +sloping grounds confronting them. Their gray lines of +infantry were pouring out from behind the earthworks to +meet us at the edge of the plain.</p> + +<p>As our line of battle appeared on the crest of the hills, +the rebel batteries opened a terrific fire upon us. The air +was filled with the shriekings of these fearful projectiles, +which exploded with startling frequency above our heads +and just behind us; but, fortunately, the rebels aimed +high, and many of the shells ploughed the ground in our +rear or burst about our hospitals. The First division was +pressing toward the rebel works at double quick, under a +terrible fire of musketry and artillery, the boys with the +red crosses pushing everything before them. They neared +the rebel works, and the skirmishers along the whole line +threw themselves upon the ground waiting for the line of +battle to come up. The rebel skirmishers did the same. +Each moment the scene became more exciting. Rebel +infantry crowded the opposite side of the plain, the slopes +of the hills and the rifle pits. The whole line was ablaze<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +with the fire of musketry, and the roar of battle constantly +increased.</p> + +<p>At length, toward evening, the rebels having been +driven back to the cover of their rifle pits, the Third +brigade of the First division, consisting of the Sixth +Maine, the Fifth Wisconsin, the Forty-ninth and One +Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania, regiments whose +fame already stood high in the army, was ordered forward.</p> + +<p>First the Maine and Wisconsin regiments rushed forward, +the intrepid Russell riding at the very front. At his +order to "charge," the two regiments quickened their pace +to a run, and, with bayonets fixed, without ever stopping to +fire a gun, the gallant fellows ran forward. They seized +the fort, but the rebels rallied and drove them out. Again +they charged; a hand to hand encounter followed. The +boys leaped over into the fort, using their muskets for +clubs, and, when the work was too close for that, dropping +their guns and pommeling their adversaries with their +fists. The general had sent back for the remaining regiments +of the brigade, but, in the ten minutes that elapsed +before the Pennsylvanians could come up on a run, half +the men of the Sixth Maine, and nearly as many of the +Wisconsin regiment, had fallen. The whole brigade leaped +over the embankments, capturing hundreds of the rebels.</p> + +<p>Not less gallant was the charge of the Second brigade, +led by the young, ambitious Colonel Upton. His regiments +were the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, +his own, the Fifth Maine, and the Ninety-fifth and Ninety-sixth +Pennsylvania. The brigade occupied the left of the +Sixth corps, joining the Fifth corps. Under cover of +the growing darkness, the courageous Upton led the One +Hundred and Twenty-first New York and Fifth Maine +within a few yards of the rebel rifle pits, when the order +to charge was given. Instantly the rifle pits were ablaze, +and a destructive volley was poured into the two regiments.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +Another moment and the Union boys were leaping into the +rifle pits, sweeping everything before them. All this while +not a shot had been fired by Upton's men, but, charging +with the bayonet, they carried all before them.</p> + +<p>The confederates took to their heels, and attempted to +flee to the other side of the river, but their pontoon bridge +was in possession of our troops, and hundreds of panic-stricken +rebels leaped into the rapid stream and attempted +to swim across. Some succeeded, but many were drowned +in the attempt. Sixteen hundred prisoners, eight pieces of +artillery, four battle-flags, and more than two thousand +stand of small arms, were the trophies of this splendid +victory.</p> + +<p>The credit of this brilliant success belongs mainly to +the First division; yet the Second and Third divisions, +while less actively engaged, performed their part with +alacrity and bravery, and the many dead and wounded +from these two divisions attested the severity of the fight +along their portions of the line. The loss to the corps, in +killed and wounded, was about three hundred, among +whom were many choice spirits. The commander of the +Fifth Wisconsin, Captain Walker, was killed. Captain +Ordway succeeded to the command. He leaped upon the +parapet, and fell dead inside the rebel fort.</p> + +<p>All this time the Third corps was actively engaged +at Kelly's Ford, three miles to our left. It had found +the rebels strongly posted on the opposite side of the +river, well protected by forts and rifle pits. The artillery +of the corps was taken to the river side and brought to +bear upon the rebel works. At length a storming party +was selected and massed on the banks. At the word, the +brave fellows plunged into the stream, and rushing across, +charged the strong works of the rebels with great fury. +The occupants were obliged to flee, but five hundred of +them were left as prisoners.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + +<p>Owing to the depth and force of the stream between +the works the Sixth corps had taken, and those still occupied +by the rebels on the other side, it was impossible to +push our victory further that night. The confederates, +finding our troops in possession of their pontoon bridge, +had set it on fire at the end still held by them; thus all +pursuit was for the time cut off. But on the following +morning the rebels had retreated, leaving us to rebuild the +bridge and cross at our leisure.</p> + +<p>Without further delay we pushed on toward Brandy +Station, which we reached toward evening, the cavalry +having preceded us.</p> + +<p>The whole of Lee's army, except the forces stationed +at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford, had been +encamped in the vicinity of Brandy Station, and their +recently deserted camps, where they had erected comfortable +huts and made many other preparations for a winter's +stay, showed that their hasty leave was entirely unexpected +to them. In many instances officers had forgotten to take +their valises and trunks with them, and Union soldiers +strutted about in the garb of rebel brigadiers and colonels.</p> + +<p>It was said, by the rebel prisoners taken by the cavalry, +that while the fights were in progress on the Rappahannock, +General Lee was holding a grand review of his +army, when suddenly the information reached him that the +Yankees were coming. The review was broken off, and +there was hurrying of regiments to their respective camps, +each regiment, independently of its division or brigade, +making hot haste for its own quarters. Baggage was +quickly thrown into wagons, and a general stampede +toward the Rapidan commenced at once.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxii" id="chapter_xxii"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ARMY AT BRANDY STATION.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Encampment at Brandy Station—The Mine Run campaign—Crossing the Rapidan—Battle +of Locust Grove—The army on Mine Run—The order of battle—The +army withdraws—Back at Brandy Station—Reconnoissance to Madison Court +House—Ladies in camp—Chapel tents.</p></div> + + +<p>The Sixth corps went into camp on the right of the +army, two miles from Brandy Station. We occupied land +belonging to John Minor Botts. Mr. Botts boasted that +he owned six hundred miles of fence when we came upon +his possessions. He could not say that when we had been +there a week! His fences were burned, and his forests +cut down; and it was generally known that our chief +quarter-master was paying him immense sums of money +for the wood used by our army.</p> + +<p>At the end of a week it became pretty evident that our +stay at Brandy Station might be of considerable duration, +possibly for the winter. Accordingly, the men proceeded +once more to build houses for the winter; and never, since +we had been in service, had they constructed so comfortable +quarters as they now built. All about us were the +rebel camps, in which they had vainly hoped to spend +the winter; and these furnished timbers already hewn, +fine stones ready for use in making chimneys, and hewn +saplings ready prepared for bunks. The Sixth corps was +encamped in a fine forest, which should have furnished not +only great abundance of timber for use about the quarters, +but for fuel for the winter; but owing to the wasteful manner +in which the wood was at first used in building log fires +in the open air, the forest melted away before the men had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +fairly concluded that there was any necessity for using it +economically.</p> + +<p>Preparations were hurried forward for another advance. +The railroad, which had been destroyed by the rebels at +the time of the raid to Centreville, from the Rappahannock +to Bristoe Station, was to be rebuilt, and the bridge across +the Rappahannock, which we had ourselves destroyed, +was to be replaced, before the army could safely undertake +another advance. It is one of the mysteries which +people who have never been connected with a great army +have greatest difficulty in comprehending, that an army +advancing into such a country as we were now threatening, +must have ample and easy communications with its +base of supplies. Could such people for a moment realize +the vast amount of material consumed by such an army as +ours, the mystery might be solved. To attempt to advance +into a desert country without first either providing a supply +for many days, or opening ready communications with +our base of supplies, would have been suicidal. General +Sherman might lead his army through a fertile country, +where the ravages of war had not appeared, and, by +sweeping across a territory forty miles wide, collect +abundant supplies for his men; but our army was now to +march into a wilderness where even a regiment could not +find subsistence. The newspapers at the north that condemned +the delay at Brandy Station, and sneered at the +idea that the army needed a base of supplies, simply +exhibited their profound ignorance of the first principles +of campaigning.</p> + +<p>By the 25th the road was completed as far as Brandy +Station, the bridge rebuilt, and a large amount of supplies +brought up; and the army was ordered to move at an +early hour on the 26th.</p> + +<p>The hour for moving was assigned each corps, and the +order in which it was to march, that no delay or confusion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +might occur. The Third corps was to start as soon as +daylight, and the Sixth was to follow it.</p> + +<p>Our Sixth corps was moving at sunrise, the hour designated, +toward Brandy Station. Presently the head of the +column halted in the midst of the camps of the Third +corps, which were yet undisturbed. According to the +order for marching, the Third corps was to precede +the Sixth, and should have been out of camp before we +arrived, but as yet not a tent was struck nor a wagon +loaded, and most of the men were asleep in their quarters. +The Sixth corps was obliged to halt and stand in the mud +for hours, waiting for the delinquent corps to get out of +the way. Here was the first blunder of the new campaign.</p> + +<p>At length at eleven o'clock we moved again, taking the +road to the Rapidan. Our march was slow and tedious, +and instead of reaching the river at noon as was expected, +and as General Meade's orders contemplated, the head of +the Third corps only reached the river at Jacobs' Ford +long after dark, and here again a delay was occasioned by +a mistake of the engineers, who had not brought a sufficient +number of boats to this point to complete the pontoon +bridge; a part of the bridge had therefore to be +extemporized out of poles.</p> + +<p>The road for several miles was merely a narrow passage +cut through the forest; a dense growth of stunted pines +and tangled bushes, filling up the space between the trees +of larger growth. Our corps moved along very slowly, +halting for a moment, then advancing one or two rods, +then standing still again for perhaps several minutes, and +again moving forward for a few steps. This became very +tedious. The men were faint and weary, and withal discouraged. +They were neither advancing nor resting.</p> + +<p>From one end of the column of the Sixth corps to the +other, through the miles of forest the shout, coffee! coffee! +passed from one regiment to another, until there could be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> +heard nothing but the vociferous demand for coffee. At +eleven o'clock at night the order "ten minutes rest for +coffee," passed down the line and was received with shouts +of approval. Instantly the roadside was illuminated with +thousands of little fires, over which the soldiers were cooking +their favorite beverage.</p> + +<p>We crossed the Rapidan at Jacobs' Ford at midnight, +leaving Upton's brigade on the north side as rear-guard, +and in another hour the men had thrown themselves upon +the ground without waiting to erect shelter tents, and +were sleeping soundly notwithstanding the severity of the +cold. The Fifth and First corps had crossed at Culpepper +Ford and the Second corps at Germania Ford about noon, +and were in the positions assigned them.</p> + +<p>The position assigned to the Third and Sixth corps was +not reached. These corps were ordered to proceed to +Robertson's Tavern, a point some seven miles beyond the +ford, but the night was far advanced, the men exhausted +and the country little known, so these two corps did not +seize this very important point as directed. Of course +the responsibility for this delay was not with the Sixth +corps or its commander, who was directed to follow the +Third.</p> + +<p>Next morning the Third corps commenced the advance, +and we of the Sixth were drawn out in line of march to +follow; but it became evident that the advance was not +unobstructed. Sharp picket firing and the occasional +booming of cannon revealed to us the fact that that corps +had fallen in with the enemy. Thus the day passed; the +Sixth corps resting quietly, while the Third was skirmishing +with the enemy in front, until about three o'clock, +when the firing increased and there was evidently a severe +engagement in front.</p> + +<p>The First and Second divisions of the Sixth corps were +now hurried along the narrow and winding path to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +support of the Third corps—our Third division being left +near the river to cover the bridges and trains. That corps +was now fiercely engaged. The sulphurous smoke filled +the woods, and the roar of musketry became so general, +and the forest echoed and reëchoed the sound, so that it +lost the rattling usually heard, and became a smooth, uniform +roll. Our corps at once took its position in line of +battle, so as to support the Third corps and protect the +interval between the Third and Second corps, with Ellmaker's +brigade on the right, and Neill's and Upton's on the +left, while the Vermonters and Torbert's Jersey brigade +were held in reserve; but the corps was not called into +action. The dense growth of young timber completely +obscured all view of the operations at a little distance, +and, indeed, rebel scouting parties were able to hang close +upon our flanks, and even penetrate our lines, protected +from view and from pursuit by the tangled forest.</p> + +<p>On our right, the Second corps also encountered a force +of the enemy, and became engaged in the vicinity of Robertson's +Tavern. They succeeded in driving the rebel force, +which was small, back to the cover of the wilderness. +Gregg, also, with his cavalry, became engaged, but drove +the rebels back.</p> + +<p>It now appeared that the fight of the Third corps was +brought on by a blunder. General French, in attempting +to lead his corps to Robertson's Tavern, had mistaken the +road, and, by bearing too far to the west, had encountered +Ewell's corps, which was hastening to intercept our progress. +The rebels made repeated charges upon the corps, +but were each time repulsed, and under cover of the night +they fell back, leaving their dead on the ground. The loss +to the Third corps was between three and four hundred; +that of the rebels, judging from the dead left upon the +ground, must have been greater.</p> + +<p>While the fight was in progress, General Sedgwick and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> +his staff dismounted and were reclining about a large tree, +when the attention of all was directed to two soldiers who +were approaching, bearing between them a stretcher on +which lay a wounded man. As the men approached within +a few rods of the place where the general and his staff +were, a solid cannon shot came shrieking along, striking +both of the stretcher bearers. Both fell to the ground—the +one behind fatally wounded, the other dead. But the +man upon the stretcher leaped up and ran away as fast as +his legs could carry him, never stopping to look behind at +his unfortunate companions. Shocking as was the occurrence, +neither the general nor the members of his staff +could suppress a laugh at the speedy restoration of the man +who was being borne disabled from the field.</p> + +<p>The two corps moved during the night to Robertson's +Tavern, the destination which they should have reached +twenty-four hours before.</p> + +<p>The unexpected encounter with the rebels in the Wilderness +had hindered the two corps thus long, and as might +have been expected the time was not left unimproved by +General Lee. On moving in the morning on the road to +Orange Court House, Lee's whole army was found strongly +posted along the banks of a muddy stream called Mine +Run. Our army was brought into position on the north +side of the stream, and arrangements commenced for a +general assault. Sharp picket firing and the occasional +roar of artillery, warned us that we were on the eve of a +great battle. A cold storm of rain rendered the situation +cheerless and uncomfortable, but the excitement of getting +into position, regiments and brigades marching from one +part of the line to another, now approaching where the +bullets of the rebel skirmishers whistled about them, and +then withdrawing a little to the rear, kept up the spirits +of the men notwithstanding the tedious storm.</p> + +<p>The greater part of the lines of both armies were in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +midst of forests. Between the two lines and in the midst +of a deep valley, was the little stream Mine Run, bordered +on each side by marshes in which were luxuriant growths +of reed grasses. The marshes and slopes on either side +were thickly set with low pines and scrub oaks, offering +concealment to both parties.</p> + +<p>Darkness closed over the two armies, neither of which +was yet prepared for battle. The night was spent by both +parties in throwing up earthworks, and the morning +revealed several strong lines of rifle pits on the rebel side +of the stream, one commanding another so that in case +they should be driven from one the next would afford an +equally strong or even stronger position.</p> + +<p>Thus the two armies remained during Sunday. General +Meade still waiting to perfect his arrangements.</p> + +<p>During the day the disposition of the line was completed. +General Warren with his Second corps occupied +the extreme left of the line. His position fronted a very +strong position of the enemy, where the hills rose abruptly +to the rear. This being considered by far the strongest +portion of the enemy's line. Warren was supported by +the Fifth corps, two divisions of the Third corps, and the +Third division of the Sixth corps, under General Terry. +In the center was the First and Fifth corps, and, forming +the right, were the two remaining divisions of the Sixth +corps and what was left of the Third. Our Second division +constituted the extreme right of the line; the Third brigade +the right of the division; and the Seventy-seventh New +York the right of the brigade.</p> + +<p>At two <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, the Sixth corps and the division of the +Third, covered by the woods, moved about two miles to a +position on the left flank of the enemy. The dense thicket +and a gentle eminence concealed the corps from the view +of the rebels, who were but a few yards distant; and in +order to insure secresy, orders were issued that the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +should avoid all noise, as far as possible, and refrain from +lighting fires.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that the grand attack should be made +on Monday; and early in the evening the commanders of +corps were summoned to General Meade's head-quarters, +where the plan of the battle was laid before them.</p> + +<p>At a given signal, very early in the morning, General +Warren with his strong force was to press forward on the +right of the rebel line. At the same time forces in the +center were to open a fierce fire upon the enemy, while +the Sixth corps, at the same moment, was to rush from +its concealed position and turn the left flank of Lee's army.</p> + +<p>The commanders of the divisions of the Sixth corps +summoned the commanders of brigades and regiments, +and communicated to them also the plan of the battle, and +assigned to each his part.</p> + +<p>The night was bitter cold, and the men of our corps +were without fires. It was vain to attempt to sleep, and +the men spent the night in leaping and running in efforts +to keep warm.</p> + +<p>No one doubted that the morning was to bring on one of +the most terrific struggles in the history of warfare. No +man knew what was to be his own fate, but each seemed +braced for the conflict. It was a glorious moonlight, and +the stars looked down in beauty from the cold skies upon +the strange scene. Thus all waited for the day.</p> + +<p>The morning dawned; and soon after daylight the signal +gun for the grand attack was heard near the center of the +line, and an active cannonade commenced there.</p> + +<p>In a short time the order came for the commencement +of the movement on the right. The men were ordered to +fall in; they were faced to the right, to move a little farther +in that direction before making the direct assault; +they stood, with their muskets on their shoulders, their +hearts beating violently in anticipation of the onset to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +made in another moment, when an aide rode hastily to +General Howe with directions to suspend the movement!</p> + +<p>Warren, on advancing his line of skirmishers, and viewing +the strong works thrown up by the enemy during the +night, had sent word that he could not carry the position +before him. And General Meade had ordered the whole +movement to be discontinued for the time.</p> + +<p>Never before, in the history of our army, had such +elaborate preparations been made for an attack. Every +commander and every man knew exactly the part he was +expected to take in the great encounter, and each had prepared +himself for it. At the hospitals everything was in +a state of perfect readiness. Hospital tents were all up, +beds for the wounded prepared, operating tables were in +readiness, basins and pails stood filled with water, lint +and dressings were laid out upon the tables, and surgical +instruments spread out ready for the grasp of the surgeon.</p> + +<p>All day the men remained suffering with cold, their +hunger but partially satisfied with hard bread without +coffee. It was a day of discomfort and suffering long to +be remembered. It chanced that the hard bread issued +to our division was old and very wormy. It was, in some +cases, difficult for a man to know whether his diet was to +be considered principally animal or vegetable. Our General, +Neill, sat with his staff munching some of these +crackers of doubtful character, when he was handed one +unusually animated. The general broke the cracker, +examined it for a moment, and, handing it back to the +servant, said, "Jim, give us one that hasn't so many worms +in it." Many of the men who were on the picket line that +day and the night before, were found, when the relief came +around, dead at their posts, frozen.</p> + +<p>During the night of December 1st and 2d, the army +withdrew from Mine Run. The pickets were directed to +build fires and keep up a show of force. Our Seventy-seventh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +being that night on the picket line, formed the +rear of the rear-guard of the army on its retreat. It was +three o'clock in the morning of December 2d when the +picket line was silently withdrawn. After a rapid march, +it crossed the pontoon bridge at Germania Ford at ten +o'clock. Scarcely had the troops crossed the bridge, when +the cavalry of the enemy made its appearance on the +south side of the river. The Seventy-seventh New York, +the Third Vermont and a battery of artillery were directed +to remain and guard the ford, while the remainder of the +army continued the march to the old camps. Next morning +the two regiments and the battery started for Brandy +Station, and that night slept in their old quarters.</p> + +<p>It was now evident that we were in permanent winter +quarters. It is not our purpose to discuss the merits of +this fruitless campaign, but it may not be out of place to +recall some of the facts relating to it. The orders for +marching on the 26th, were issued to all the corps commanders +on the evening previous, indicating the time for +leaving camp. The Sixth corps was to follow the Third, +yet when the Sixth corps reached the camp of that corps, +there were no signs of moving. Several hours were thus +lost on the start. General French declared that the order +to move did not reach him on the previous evening, yet +he knew that the movement was expected that day. As +the result of this and other delays, two corps did not +reach the position assigned them on the 26th.</p> + +<p>When, on the morning of the 27th, General French moved +his corps again, he took the wrong road, and thus brought +on a premature engagement, which caused another delay of +twenty-four hours. By this time Lee had ample opportunity +to concentrate his whole army in a strong position on Mine +Run. Had General Meade's orders been promptly obeyed, +Lee could have offered no opposition to us at that point, +and must have accepted battle much nearer Richmond.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our campaigns for 1863 were now finished; the last two +of these had certainly been remarkable episodes in the fortunes +of our stout-hearted army. In October, the rebel +army had followed us from the Rapidan to the defenses of +Washington, and in turn we had pursued the confederates +back to the Rapidan, all without a battle of any magnitude. +Now, in November, our whole army had crossed +the river and confronted the rebel army face to face for +days, and again we were back in our old camps without +an engagement, except the fight of the Third corps, and +some skirmishing on the part of others.</p> + +<p>During the month of December, general orders were +issued from the war department offering to soldiers of the +army, who had already served two years, and who had +still a year or less to serve, large bounties, a release from +the term of their former enlistment and thirty-five days' +furlough, as inducements for them to reënlist for three +years from that time. Much excitement was created by +the order throughout the army, and thousands accepted it, +nearly all claiming that they cared little for the large +bounties, but that the thirty-five days' furlough was the +great inducement.</p> + +<p>The only military movement of the winter was Kilpatrick's +great raid upon Richmond, in which the lamented +Dahlgren lost his life.</p> + +<p>Simultaneous with this great raid, General Custer, with +a division of cavalry, made a movement on Charlottesville, +and the Sixth corps was ordered to move in that direction +as support to the cavalry. On Saturday, February 27th, +the corps, leaving its camp and sick in charge of a small +guard, marched through Culpepper and proceeded to +James City, a Virginia city of two or three houses, where +the bivouac for the night was made. Next morning the +corps marched slowly to Robertson's River, within three +miles of Madison Court House, the New Jersey brigade<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +alone crossing the river and proceeding as far as the latter +village. Here the corps lay all the following day, and as +the weather was pleasant, the men passed the time in +sports and games, but at evening a cold storm of rain set +in, continuing all night and the next day, to the great discomfort +of all. Custer's cavalry returned at evening of +the 1st of March, looking in a sorry plight from their long +ride in the mud. Reveille sounded at five o'clock on the +morning of March 2d, and at seven the corps turned +toward the old camp, at which it arrived, after a severe +march through the mud, at sunset the same day.</p> + +<p>There were, connected with our camp near Brandy Station, +many pleasant remembrances; and notwithstanding +a few severe experiences, this was the most cheerful winter +we had passed in camp. One agreeable feature of this +encampment was the great number of ladies, wives of +officers, who spent the winter with their husbands. On +every fine day great numbers of ladies might be seen riding +about the camps and over the desolate fields, and their presence +added greatly to the brilliancy of the frequent reviews.</p> + +<p>Great taste was displayed by many officers in fitting up +their tents and quarters for the reception of their wives. +The tents were usually inclosed by high walls of evergreens, +woven with much skill, and fine arches and +exquisite designs beautified the entrances to these happy +retreats. The Christian Commission, among other good +things which it did for the soldiers, and, indeed, this was +among the best, made arrangements by which it loaned to +nearly every brigade in the army, a large canvas, to be used +as a roof for a brigade chapel. These chapels were built of +logs and covered with the canvas, and were in many cases +large enough to hold three hundred people. Here religious +services were held, not only on Sunday, but also on week +day evenings. A deep religious interest prevailed in many +of the brigades, and great numbers of soldiers professed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +have met with a change of heart. In our Third brigade, +this religious interest was unusually great; a religious +organization was formed within the Seventy-seventh, and +Chaplain Fox baptized eleven members of the regiment in +Hazel river. A course of literary lectures was also delivered +in the chapel of our Third brigade, and Washington's +birthday was celebrated in it with appropriate ceremonies +and addresses. The chapel tent was also a reading room, +where, owing to the energy of Chaplain Fox, all the principal +papers, secular and religious, literary, military, pictorial, +agricultural and scientific, were furnished; and these were +a great source both of pleasure and profit to the men.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/church-call.png"> +<img src="images/church-call-small.png" width="400" height="302" alt="Church Call" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Church Call.</p> + +<p>Our corps was reviewed by General Grant; by the +Russian admiral and suite, who for the amusement of the +soldiers, performed some most ludicrous feats in horsemanship; +and by a body of English officers. Never had such +general good health prevailed among our camps, and never +were the men so well contented or in so good spirits.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxiii" id="chapter_xxiii"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Preparing to leave camp—General Grant in command—The last advance across +the Rapidan—The battle-ground—Battle of the Wilderness—Noble fight of +Getty's division—Hancock's fight on the left—Rickett's division driven back—The +ground retaken—The wounded—Duties of the surgeons—The noble dead.</p></div> + + +<p>Many pleasant recollections cluster around the old camp +at Brandy Station, which will never be effaced from the +memory of the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac.</p> + +<p>But at length preparations were commenced for opening +the spring campaign, and one of the first orders, looking +toward the breaking up of our camps, was one directing +that our lady friends should take their departure, then +another to send all superfluous camp equipage to the rear.</p> + +<p>Our army had been reorganized, its five corps being +consolidated into three. The three divisions of the First +corps were transferred to the Fifth, retaining their corps +badges. Two divisions of the Third were assigned to the +Second, preserving their badges, while the Third division, +Third corps, was transferred permanently to the Sixth +corps, and became the Third division of that corps. Our +old Third division was broken up, the brigades of Wheaton +and Eustis being transferred to the Second division, and +Shaler's brigade to the First. Our corps, as reorganized, +consisted of three divisions, comprising eleven brigades.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The corps, as reorganized, was commanded as follows: +</p><p> +Major-General John Sedgwick commanding the corps. +</p><p> +First division, Brigadier-General H. G. Wright, commanding. First brigade, +Colonel W. H. Penrose; Second brigade, Colonel E. Upton; Third brigade, Brigadier-General +D. A. Russell; Fourth brigade, Brigadier-General A. Shaler. +</p><p> +Second division, Brigadier-General George W. Getty, commanding. First brigade, +Brigadier-General Frank Wheaton; Second brigade, Colonel L. A. Grant; Third +brigade, Brigadier-General Thomas H. Neill; Fourth brigade, Brigadier-General +L. A. Eustis. +</p><p> +Third division, Brigadier-General James B. Ricketts, commanding. First brigade, +Brigadier-General W. H. Morris; Second brigade, Brigadier-General Truman +Seymour; Third brigade, Colonel Keiffer.</p></div> + +<p>During the winter, congress, recognizing the great +ability of General Grant, had conferred upon that officer +the rank of Lieutenant-General, giving him, under the +President, command of all the armies of the United +States. General Grant at once proceeded to adopt a plan +for harmonious movements of all the armies. General +Sherman, in the west, was directed to push vigorously +southward, penetrating the enemy's country as far as possible, +and prevent reinforcements being sent to Lee's army +in the east. General Butler, on the Peninsula, was to +advance on Richmond, taking Petersburgh, and, if possible, +Richmond itself, while the Army of the Potomac +was to attack Lee's army in the front, and force it back +upon Richmond or destroy it.</p> + +<p>These coöperative movements having been all arranged, +each commander of an army or department informed not +only of the part which he was expected to perform himself, +but what all were expected to do, the Army of the +Potomac was ready to move. General Grant had established +his head-quarters with that army.</p> + +<p>At length the order for moving came. On the morning +of the 4th of May, reveille was sounded at half-past two +o'clock, and at half-past four the Sixth corps moved, taking +the road to Germania Ford.</p> + +<p>It was a lovely day, and all nature seemed rejoicing +at the advent of spring. Flowers strewed the wayside, +and the warble of the blue bird, and the lively song of the +sparrow, were heard in the groves and hedges.</p> + +<p>The distance from our camps to Germania Ford was +sixteen miles. This distance we marched rapidly, and +long before sunset we had crossed the ford on pontoon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> +bridges and marched to a point three miles south of the +river, where we bivouacked for the night.</p> + +<p>The Second corps, at an earlier hour, had crossed at +Ely's Ford, and had reached a position near the old Chancellorsville +battle-field, and the Fifth corps had led the way +across Germania Ford.</p> + +<p>The infantry had been preceded by the cavalry divisions +of Gregg and Wilson, under Sheridan. They had fallen +in with a small picket force which, after exchanging a few +shots, had beat a hasty retreat.</p> + +<p>Before night the army and the greater part of our trains +had effected a crossing without opposition; and, doubtless, +much to the surprise and chagrin of General Lee, we +were holding strong positions, from which it would hardly +be possible to force us.</p> + +<p>Except slight skirmishes in front of Hancock's Second +corps, there was no fighting on the fourth of May. At +seven o'clock on the morning of the fifth, the Sixth corps +moved southward about two miles on the Wilderness plank +road. Here the corps rested until eleven o'clock, while +artillery and cavalry passed along the road in a continuous +column. At eleven o'clock the corps faced to the front, +and advanced into the woods which skirted the road.</p> + +<p>The Sixth corps now occupied the extreme right of the +line, General Warren's Fifth corps the center, and Hancock's +Second corps was on the left, near Chancellorsville. +Between Warren and Hancock was an unoccupied space—a +point of vital importance to our line. Thither General +Getty, with the First, Second and Fourth brigades of our +Second division, was sent to hold the ground till Hancock, +who was ordered to come up, should arrive. Our Third +brigade being all that was left of the Second division, it +was assigned to the First division. General Meade's head-quarters +were just in rear of the Fifth corps. The wood +through which our line was now moving was a thick growth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> +of oak and walnut, densely filled with a smaller growth of +pines and other brushwood; and in many places so thickly +was this undergrowth interwoven among the large trees, +that one could not see five yards in front of the line. Yet, +as we pushed on, with as good a line as possible, the thick +tangle in a measure disappeared, and the woods were more +open. Still, in the most favorable places, the thicket was +so close as to make it impossible to manage artillery or +cavalry, and, indeed, infantry found great difficulty in +advancing, and at length we were again in the midst of +the thick undergrowth.</p> + +<p>Warren's corps, on our left, was already fighting, and +forcing the enemy to retire from his front, when our own +corps struck the rebel skirmishers, who steadily fell back, +disputing the ground. As our line advanced, it would +suddenly come upon a line of gray-coated rebels, lying +upon the ground, covered with dried leaves, and concealed +by the chapparal, when the rebels would rise, deliver a +murderous fire, and retire.</p> + +<p>We thus advanced through this interminable forest more +than a mile and a half, driving the rebel skirmishers before +us, when we came upon their line of battle, which refused +to retire.</p> + +<p>Neill's brigade and the New Jersey brigade were in the +first line of battle, at the foot of a slope, and in the rear +of these two brigades were Russell's, Upton's and Shaler's. +On the left of the First division were Seymour's and +Keiffer's brigades, General Morris with his brigade remaining +on the right.</p> + +<p>The enemy now charged upon our lines, making a desperate +effort to turn our right flank, but without avail. Again +and again the rebels in columns rushed with the greatest +fury upon the two brigades in front, without being able to +move them from their position. At half-past three o'clock +our sufferings had been so great that General Sedgwick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +sent a messenger to General Burnside, who had now +crossed his corps at Germania Ford, with a request that +he would send a division to our assistance.</p> + +<p>The assistance was promised, but an order from General +Grant made other disposition of the division, and what +remained of the noble old Sixth corps was left to hold its +position alone. At four, or a little later, the rebels retired, +leaving many of their dead upon the ground, whom they +were unable to remove. In these encounters the Seventh +Maine and Sixty-first Pennsylvania regiments of Neill's +brigade, who were on the right flank, received the heaviest +onsets, and suffered most severely. At one time the +Maine regiment found itself flanked by a brigade of rebels. +Changing front the gallant regiment charged to the rear +and scattered its opponents in confusion. The opposing +lines were upon the two slopes of a ravine, through which +ran a strip of level marshy ground, densely wooded like the +rest of the wilderness. The confederates now commenced +to strengthen the position on their side of the ravine, felling +timber and covering it with earth. The woods +resounded with the strokes of their axes, as the busy +workmen plied their labor within three hundred yards, +and in some places less than one hundred yards of our +line, yet so dense was the thicket that they were entirely +concealed from our view.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the battle had raged furiously along the +whole line. The rattle of musketry would swell into a +full continuous roar as the simultaneous discharge of ten +thousand guns mingled in one grand concert, and then +after a few minutes, become more interrupted, resembling +the crash of some huge king of the forest when felled +by the stroke of the woodman's axe. Then would be +heard the wild yells which always told of a rebel charge, +and again the volleys would become more terrible and the +broken, crashing tones would swell into one continuous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +roll of sound, which presently would be interrupted by the +vigorous manly cheers of the northern soldiers, so different +from the shrill yell of the rebels, and which indicated a +repulse of their enemies. Now and then the monotony of +the muskets was broken by a few discharges of artillery, +which seemed to come in as a double bass in this concert +of death, but so impenetrable was the forest that little +use was made of artillery, and the work of destruction +was carried on with the rifles.</p> + +<p>Warren's corps, first engaged, had nobly withstood the +fierce assaults upon the center of the line, and had even +advanced considerably. Hancock's command was also +hotly engaged. In the commencement of the battle, three +brigades of the Second division, the First, Second and +Fourth, with our commander, General Getty, were taken +from the Sixth corps and sent to the right of Warren's +corps, to seize and hold the intersection of the Brock road +and the Orange county turnpike, a point of vital importance, +and which, as Hancock's corps was still far to the left +near Chancellorsville, was entirely exposed. Toward this +point Hill was hastening his rebel corps down the turnpike, +with the design of interposing between Hancock and the +main army. No sooner had the division reached the crossing +of the two roads than the First brigade, General +Wheaton's, became hotly engaged with Hill's corps, which +was coming down the road driving some of our cavalry +before it. The Vermont brigade quickly formed on the +left of the plank road, and the Fourth brigade on the right +of the First. The engagement became general at once, and +each brigade was suffering heavy losses. The men hugged +the ground closely, firing as rapidly as possible.</p> + +<p>Hancock's corps was advancing from the left, but thus +far the division was holding the ground alone. An attack +by the three brigades was ordered, and the line was considerably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +advanced. Again the men hugged the ground, +the rebels doing the same.</p> + +<p>Thus, holding the ground against vastly superior numbers, +the division sustained the weight of the rebel attacks +until long after noon, when some of Hancock's regiments +came to its support. With the heroic valor for which the +division was so well known throughout the army, it withstood +the force of the rebels until its lines were terribly +thinned. The First brigade had held the ground with +desperate valor, and our friends, the Vermonters, fought +with that gallantry which always characterized the sons +of the Green Mountain State. Their noblest men were +falling thickly, yet they held the road.</p> + +<p>As Hancock joined his corps on the left of Getty's division, +he ordered a charge along the whole line, and again +the carnage became fearful. For two hours the struggle +continued, and when the sounds of battle became less, and +as darkness finally came over the wilderness, it brought a +season of respite to the hard fought divisions.</p> + +<p>A thousand brave men of the Vermont brigade, and +nearly as many of Wheaton's brigade, with hundreds from +the Fourth brigade, had fallen upon that bloody field.</p> + +<p>In the evening the contest was renewed, especially +along the line of the Sixth corps, and the dark woods +were lighted with the flame from the mouths of tens of +thousands of muskets.</p> + +<p>Charges and counter-charges followed each other in +quick succession, and the rebel yell and northern cheer +were heard alternately, but no decided advantage was +gained by either party. At two o'clock at night the battle +died away, but there was no rest for the weary soldiers +after the fatiguing duties of the day. Each man sat with +musket in hand during the wearisome hours of the night, +prepared for an onset of the enemy. Skirmishing was +kept up during the entire night, and at times the musketry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +would break out in full volleys, which rolled along the +opposing lines until they seemed vast sheets of flame.</p> + +<p>The position of the two armies on the morning of the +6th was substantially that of the day before; the Sixth +corps on the right, its rear on Wilderness Run near the +old Wilderness Tavern, the Fifth corps next on its left, +and the Second corps with three brigades of the Second +division Sixth corps, on the left; the line extending about +five miles. Besides these corps, General Burnside was +bringing his troops into the line.</p> + +<p>Between the two armies lay hundreds of dead and dying +men whom neither army could remove, and over whose +bodies the fight must be renewed.</p> + +<p>The battle was opened at daylight by a fierce charge +of the enemy on the Sixth corps, and soon it raged along +the whole line. The volleys of musketry echoed and +reëchoed through the forests like peals of thunder, and the +battle surged to and fro, now one party charging, and +now the other, the interval between the two armies being +fought over in many places as many as five times, leaving +the ground covered with dead and wounded. Those of the +wounded able to crawl, reached one or the other line, but the +groans of others, who could not move, lent an additional +horror to the terrible scene whenever there was a lull in +the battle. At ten o'clock the roar of battle ceased, and +from that time until five <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, it was comparatively quiet +in front of the Sixth corps, but from the left where Hancock's +corps and Getty's braves were nobly battling, the +war of musketry was incessant. There, Hancock had +formed his troops in several lines of battle, and advanced +them upon the plank road. Getty's troops, their ranks +having been so terribly shattered the day before, were +allowed to form in the rear. The attack was commenced, +but presently the enemy came down in terrible fury upon +Hancock's lines. One after another was swept away,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +leaving no Union troops in front of Getty. Now the +exulting rebels came with stunning force against the Sixth +corps men. They had prepared breastworks of logs and +decayed wood, and against these light defenses the rebels +charged, but only to meet with a deadly repulse. Again and +again the charge was renewed, and as often the brave men +who had seen nearly three thousand of their comrades fall +on the day before, sent the confederates back from the +road. At length, the divisions on the right and left of +Getty having fallen back to the Brock road, the division +was forced to fall back to the road also, but only after +exhibiting a steadiness and valor rarely equaled by any +troops.</p> + +<p>The road was held, in spite of every effort of the enemy +to take it; but the noble soldier and patriotic gentleman, +General Wadsworth, lost his life while striving to rally +his division to hold the ground against the confederates.</p> + +<p>Although the storm of battle had abated in our front, the +rebels had stationed sharpshooters in the trees and other +advantageous positions, who kept up an incessant and +annoying fire, and now and then a shell from a rebel battery +would drop into our ranks. By these, the corps lost +many men.</p> + +<p>Until the evening of the 6th, our Third brigade of the +Second division, and the New Jersey brigade of the First +division of the Sixth corps, had occupied the right of the line +of battle along the base of our slope of the ravine. Other +portions of the First division, and the Third division, occupying +a position in our rear, on the summit of the slope, +had been engaged during the day in throwing up earthworks. +At 5 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, the two advance brigades received +orders to fall back to the cover of these breastworks.</p> + +<p>For thirty hours the Sixth corps, stripped of three brigades +of its veteran troops, weary from fighting and fasting, +had been patiently waiting for the relief promised it long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +ago, and steadily holding its ground until half of the +advance brigades and almost half of the corps was +destroyed.</p> + +<p>Thirty hours before, General Sedgwick had sent word +that the rebels were trying to turn our flank, and begged +that support might be sent; but no support had come. +These breastworks had been prepared to give the exhausted +corps a little protection, that they might, by falling back +to their cover, occupy a stronger and less exposed position.</p> + +<p>Soon after five o'clock, the brigades commenced falling +back to these works. The rebels discovered the movement, +and thought it was a retreat. They were evidently +already prepared for a desperate assault upon our flank; and +now that there seemed a retreat, there was no longer any +hesitation. Cheer after cheer arose from the rebel ranks, +and, in fifteen minutes after, their yells were mingled +with terrific volleys of musketry, as they poured in overwhelming +numbers upon our flanks.</p> + +<p>A brief description of the position will explain the +nature of the movement, which lost to the Sixth corps +the position it had held for a day and a half.</p> + +<p>When the brigades which had occupied the base of the +slope fell back to the breastworks, the line of battle was +arranged thus: on the extreme right was the Third division—a +division but a few days before joined to the corps—a +division composed mostly of new troops who had never +before faced an enemy, and none of them had ever had +any connection with the already historic fame of that +glorious corps. Next on the left was the First division, +and joining this division on the left was our own Third +brigade of the Second division.</p> + +<p>The assault of the rebels fell upon the green troops of +the Third division, who, seized with consternation, fled in +confusion without attempting resistance. General Seymour +whose gallant conduct up to this time had won for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +him the admiration of all, made desperate attempts to +rally his panic-stricken brigade and refused to go to the +rear with them. While thus striving vainly to restore +order to his shattered command, rushing to the front and +attempting by his own manner to inspire courage in his +men, he was surrounded by the enemy and captured. He +had but just returned from the rebel prisons where he had +been since the unfortunate battle of Olustee.</p> + +<p>The hasty flight of the Third division opened the flank +and rear of the First division to the charge of the rebels, +who now rushed on with redoubled fury and with demoniac +yells, carrying everything before them. The First +division fell back, but not in the disorder and confusion of +the other. General Shaler, with a large part of his brigade, +which held that part of the line joining the Third +division, was captured while vainly striving to resist the +onset of the rebel forces.</p> + +<p>The regiments of our Third brigade were forced from +the rifle pits, leaving the Seventy-seventh regiment and a +part of the Forty-third alone contending the ground, +exposed to a galling fire on front, flank and rear. The +gallant regiments remained in the breastworks, pouring +their fire into the enemy's ranks until ordered to withdraw, +to save themselves from capture.</p> + +<p>The right wing, if not the whole army, was now in danger. +It was at such times that the great spirit of the +noble Sedgwick rose to the control of events. It seemed +to require adversity to bring out all the grand qualities +of his nature. We had witnessed his imperturbable +bravery and determination on the retreat to Banks' Ford, +his unsurpassed heroism at Antietam, when he kept the +field after he was thrice wounded, was familiar to the +nation, and now we were to see another manifestation of +his indomitable courage.</p> + +<p>Rushing here and there, regardless of personal safety,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +he faced the disordered mass of fugitives of the Third +division, and with threats and entreaties prevailed upon +them to halt; then turning to the veterans of the First +division, he shouted to them to remember the honor of the +old Sixth corps. That was an irresistible appeal, and +the ranks of the First division and of our Third brigade +were formed along the turnpike, which was at right angles +to our former position. The corps now charged upon +the exultant foe, and forced them back until our breastworks +were recaptured; but our flank was too much +exposed, and again the enemy charged upon our front and +flank, forcing the corps to wheel back to the turnpike, +where it had first rallied.</p> + +<p>General Sedgwick now ordered another charge, and +bravely the men rushed forward, ready to obey any order +from the revered lips of "<i>Uncle John</i>." The enemy was +again forced back, and again the corps occupied the +breastworks. It was now dark, but the roar of musketry +mingled with the deep toned artillery shook the +ground, and the dense forest was lighted by the scores of +thousands of flashing rifles which sent death to unseen +foes.</p> + +<p>The corps had not recovered its line of works without +sacrifice, for the ground in our rear was covered with our +fallen comrades, while many more had been captured by +the enemy. But we were now able to hold the ground. +The temporary disorder had arisen, and had been mostly +confined to the new troops, and even these, when rallied +from their momentary confusion, had fought with heroic +valor. Although, for a time, forced back by the surprise +of the rebel onset, the old troops of the corps had shown +no want of courage. <i>The Sixth corps proper had not lost +its pristine glory.</i> Something of a panic had been created +among the teamsters in the rear, and before dark the trains +were hurrying toward Chancellorsville.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p> + +<p>Leaving the excitement of the battle, let us now turn +where the results of this carnage are seen in their sober +reality. While we stand in line of battle we see little of +the frightful havoc of war. The wounded drop about +us, but, except those left on disputed ground and unable +to crawl away, they are carried instantly to the rear. The +groans and cries of the wounded and dying, of which we +so often read as filling up the grand discord of sounds on +the battle-field, are things scarcely known in actual war. +Rarely, as in the present battles, wounded men, unable to +get away, are left between the lines in such numbers that, +when the musketry dies away, their groans become heart-rending. +But this is not usual.</p> + +<p>But at the field hospitals, the work of destruction +is seen in all its horrors. There, wounded men by thousands +are brought together, filling the tents and stretched +upon every available spot of ground for many rods around. +Surgeons, with never tiring energy, are ministering to their +wants, giving them food, dressing their wounds or standing +at the operating table removing the shattered fragments +of limbs. Men wounded in every conceivable way, men +with mutilated bodies, with shattered limbs and broken +heads, men enduring their injuries with heroic patience, +and men giving way to violent grief, men stoically indifferent, +and men bravely rejoicing that it is <i>only a leg</i>. To +all these the surgeons are to give such relief as lies in their +power, a task the very thoughts of which would overcome +physicians at home, but upon which the army surgeon +enters with as much coolness and confidence as though he +could do it all at once. He has learned to do what he can. +Contenting himself with working day and night without +respite, and often without food, until, by unremitting but +quiet toil, the wants of all are relieved. No class of men +in the army perform so great labors with so little credit as +the surgeons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lest the author should be accused of undue partiality +for his own staff, he will quote the words of an unprejudiced +witness, who, in speaking of the labor, the anxiety +and the responsibility imposed upon the surgeons after a +great battle, says:</p> + +<p>"The devotion, the solicitude, the unceasing efforts to +remedy the defects of the situation, the untiring attentions +to the wounded, upon their part, were so marked as to +be apparent to all who visited the hospitals. It must be +remembered that these same officers had endured the privations +and fatigues of the long forced marches with the +rest of the army; they had shared its dangers, for one +medical officer from each regiment follows it into battle, +and is liable to the accidents of war, as has been repeatedly +and fatally the case; that its field hospitals are often, +from the changes of the line of battle, brought under fire +of the enemy, and that while in this situation these surgeons +are called upon to exercise the calmest judgment, +to perform the most critical and serious operations, and +this quickly and continuously. The battle ceasing, their +labors continue. While other officers are sleeping, renewing +their strength for further efforts, the medical are still +toiling. They have to improvise hospitals from the rudest +materials, are obliged to 'make bricks without straw,' to +surmount seeming impossibilities. The work is unending +both by day and night, the anxiety is constant, and the +strain upon both the physical and mental faculties unceasing. +Thus, after this battle, operators had to be held up +while performing the operations, and fainted from exhaustion +the operation finished. One completed his labors to +be seized with partial paralysis, the penalty of his over +exertion.</p> + +<p>"While his duties are as arduous, his exposure as great, +and the mortality from disease and injury as large as +among other staff officers of similar rank, the surgeon has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +no prospect of promotion, of a brevet or an honorable +mention, to stimulate him. His duties are performed +quietly, unostentatiously. He does his duty for his country's +sake, for the sake of humanity."<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> J. H. Douglass, Assistant Secretary Sanitary Commission.</p></div> + +<p>The labors of the medical officers had never been so +great as at these battles. Thousands of wounded men +were stretched in and about the several field hospitals, +and long trains of ambulances, loaded with more bleeding +victims, were constantly bringing in new subjects of care.</p> + +<p>The hospitals of the Sixth corps were located, that of +the First division about a large house near the turnpike, +in rear of the position of the division; that of the Third +division was near by, and the hospital of our Second division +was placed on the banks of Wilderness Run, near the +old gold mine, and within a few rods of General Meade's +head-quarters. The hospitals of the Fifth corps were also +within a short distance, on the left.</p> + +<p>At the hospital of our Second division, the scene was +one of activity and sadness. Never had so many of our +choice spirits been brought to the rear, and never had +the division been bereft of so many of its brightest ornaments +by death.</p> + +<p>All the hospital tents belonging to the division were +filled to overflowing with the unfortunate victims of the +battle. There, all the space between the different rows of +tents, and for many yards in front and rear, was covered +with others, for whom there was no room under the canvas, +and, finally, long rows of them were laid upon the ground +at a little distance from the hospitals as close as they could +lie, covering many rods of ground.</p> + +<p>In the operating tents, the surgeons assigned to the duty +of performing operations plied their work without rest +from the time the battle commenced until its close, day<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +and night, while dressers, and those whose duty it was +to supply the wounded with food, were untiring in their +zeal.</p> + +<p>At midnight of the 6th, the operators were directed to +cease their work. Ambulances and army wagons in great +numbers were loaded with the wounded, and the whole +train, accompanied by the surgeons, moved toward Chancellorsville, +taking the turnpike along the rear of the army. +But, with all the ambulances and army wagons at command, +hundreds of these unfortunate heroes were left behind; and +as it was known that our line of battle was to fall back +within a few hours, preparations were made for their care +when they should fall into the hands of the enemy. Four +assistant surgeons from each division, a number of hospital +tents, a supply of hard bread and beef, with dressings and +instruments, were left behind; and with sad hearts, their +companions bade them farewell. Like preparations were +made by the other corps, for those of the wounded who +must be left to their fate. The long train bearing the +wounded reached the left of the old battle-field of Chancellorsville +toward morning, and at once the labor of +reëstablishing the hospitals commenced. Tents were +erected, the ambulances unloaded, and the surgeons, +already worn out by forty hours of incessant toil, resumed +their work.</p> + +<p>When the Sixth corps reoccupied the breastworks at +dark on the 6th, it was desirable that the right flank +should be protected by old and reliable troops. Neill's +Third brigade was assigned to that position, the Seventy-seventh +being upon the extreme right, the Sixty-first Pennsylvania +thrown out at right angles to protect the rear. +On the left of the Seventy-seventh was the Forty-ninth +New York, the Seventh Maine was next, then the One +Hundred and Twenty-second, and the Forty-third New +York was on the left of the brigade.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> + +<p>All was now quiet. No sound was heard except now +and then the suppressed tones of officers in command. +The stars shone through the openings among the trees +upon a long line of dusky forms lying close behind the +sheltering breastworks, as silent as death but ready at an +instant to pour out a storm of destruction. A row of +bayonets projected over the breastworks; an abattis +of steel awaiting the momentarily expected onset of the +enemy.</p> + +<p>At ten o'clock the low tones of command of the rebel +officers were heard as they urged their men against our +rear and flank. Colonel Smith of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, +ordered his men to lie down, for they had no +breastworks, and to reserve their fire. Nearer and nearer +came the dark line, until within twenty feet of the recumbent +Pennsylvanians, but not a sound from them. Still +nearer the rebel line approached, to within a distance of +ten feet, when the sharp command rang out, "<i>Fire</i>;" and +rising the Pennsylvanians delivered a withering fire into +the rebel ranks that sent them reeling back into the darkness +from whence they came; but a line of prostrate forms +where the fire from our line had met the advancing column, +told of its terrible execution. Twenty minutes after +this repulse they advanced silently but in stronger force, +directly in front of our breastworks. They advanced +slowly and in silence until within a few feet of the Union +line, when with wild yells they leaped forward, some even +mounting the breastworks. But a sheet of flame instantly +flashed along the whole line of our works; the astonished +rebels wavered for a moment and then beat a hasty retreat, +relinquishing with this last desperate effort the attempt to +drive back the old Sixth corps.</p> + +<p>Scarcely a man of the Union force was injured by +this charge, but the dead and wounded from the rebel +ranks literally covered the ground. There was no help for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +them. Our men were unable even to take care of their +own wounded which lay scattered through the woods in +the rear. So the rebel wounded lay between the two +armies, making the night hideous with their groans.</p> + +<p>The battle of the 6th was now at an end, neither party +having gained any decided advantage.</p> + +<p>At midnight the Sixth corps fell back upon the plank +road to the vicinity of the old gold mine mill, where our +hospitals had been. Intrenchments were thrown up and the +position was held without much annoyance from the rebels +all the next day. The whole line of the army remained +quiet on the 7th, only a few skirmishes along different parts +of the line, relieving the monotony of the day.</p> + +<p>The two days of fighting had told fearfully upon our +ranks. Our regiments which a few hours before were +well filled, were now but fragments of regiments; and our +hearts were weighed down with heavy grief when we +thought of the many grand spirits who had left us forever +since we crossed the Rapidan.</p> + +<p>We thought of the young colonel of the Forty-third, +Wilson, beloved and admired throughout the corps. His +death was a heavy blow to us all. We should miss his +soldierly presence on the parade; his winning pleasantry in +our social circles; we were no longer to enjoy his beautiful +example of unswerving christian morality. His manly +form was no longer to be our pride, and his heroic valor +would never again be manifest on the field of battle.</p> + +<p>Major Fryer had received his mortal hurt. Fryer was +young and gallant; his handsome form and brilliant eye +were in fine harmony with those of his friend and superior. +"In their lives they were beautiful, and in their death they +were not divided."</p> + +<p>Captain Hickmot, too, of the Forty-ninth was among +the slain. Surely death loves a shining mark, and with +what terrible precision had he chosen his victims. Hickmot's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +bright eye was glazed in death. His gayety was +hushed forever. We remembered now his hearty laugh, +his friendly words and his purity of character, and knew +that they were ours only in memory.</p> + +<p>Wallace of the Forty-third and Terry of the Forty-ninth, +too, were gone. Colonel Ryerson, the gallant commander +of the Tenth New Jersey, was mortally wounded.</p> + +<p>In the Seventy-seventh we had lost Craig; a youth of +rare qualities and of stern patriotism.</p> + +<p>The Vermont brigade had lost many of its brightest +ornaments. Colonel Barney of the Sixth was one of Vermont's +best men. A kind yet faithful commander in camp, +gallant and fearless on the field. He was the highest type +of a man; a christian gentleman. Colonel Stone had been +killed instantly on the 5th. His urbane manners were +remembered by all who frequented our division head-quarters, +and his bravery had endeared him to his men. +Colonel Tyler, too, of the Second was among the mortally +wounded, and all felt his loss deeply.</p> + +<p>Captains Bixby, of the Second, Bartlett and Buck, of +the Third, Carpenter and Farr, of the Fourth, Ormsbee +and Hurlburt, of the Fifth, and Bird and Randall, of the +Sixth—all men of bravery and patriotism, all beloved as +companions and valued as officers—were among the dead +or dying. But among Vermont's fallen sons was no more +ardent patriot or gallant soldier than Captain George D. +Davenport, of the Fifth. His manly bearing, his brilliant +intellect, his ready wit, his social virtues and his well +known bravery, combined to render him a favorite officer +in his brigade, while to those who were bound to him by +the ties of fellowship, his disinterested love and noble +generosity rendered his friendship of inestimable value.</p> + +<p>These were a few among the many noble names of fallen +heroes. Never were grander men sacrificed for a noble +cause than they.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Getty and General Morris and Colonel Keiffer +were among the wounded, and we had lost General Shaler +and General Seymour, captured by the enemy.</p> + +<p>General Neill succeeded to the command of the Second +division, and Colonel Bidwell assumed the command +vacated by General Neill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxiv" id="chapter_xxiv"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>SPOTTSYLVANIA.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Moving by the flank—The wounded abandoned—The Fifth Corps at Spottsylvania—Arrival +of the Sixth Corps—Getting into line—Death of Sedgwick—General +Wright in command—Battle of the 10th of May—Upton's splendid charge—Battle +at "the angle"—Another flank movement.</p></div> + + +<p>By this time General Grant, finding the rebel position +too strong to force in front, and finding, by reconnoissance, +that the enemy had fallen back to strong works where he +awaited attack, determined to throw the army between +Lee's army and Richmond, and accordingly ordered the +first of that wonderful series of flank movements that have +become the admiration of the world. The Fifth and Sixth +corps withdrew with secrecy from the line held by them, +and falling into the rear of the rest of the army, marched +rapidly from the right to the left flank toward Spottsylvania. +The Sixth corps, taking the Chancellorsville road, +reached the old battle-field at daylight, and halted for +breakfast near the ruins of the historic Chancellor House. +The Fifth corps taking a more direct road to Spottsylvania, +and being unencumbered with the train, marched rapidly +and reached Piney Branch Church, a little hamlet in the +midst of the woods, about five miles north of Spottsylvania +Court House, at nine o'clock in the morning. These +two corps were quickly followed by the Ninth and Second +corps, leaving the old wilderness field entirely in the hands +of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Another of those distressful necessities of war occurred +on withdrawing from the Wilderness. Wounded men of +the Fifth and Sixth corps had already been left on the site<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> +of the hospitals near the old gold mine mills, and now hundreds +more from every corps were abandoned for want of +sufficient transportation. Let it not be thought that the +Army of the Potomac was deficient in ambulances. Our +hospital train was immense, yet insufficient for such an +emergency as the present. To have provided a train sufficient +for such a time, would have been to incumber the +army with an enormous establishment, which would so +interfere with its movements as to defeat the very object +in view. The present was one of those terrible but +unavoidable contingencies which must sometimes occur +in war.</p> + +<p>Trains had returned and brought away some of the +wounded left at the old gold mine, but many were still +there; and now, again, as we loaded ambulances and army +wagons to their utmost capacity, making a train of many +miles in extent, some two hundred of the wounded of our +Sixth corps were left upon the ground. It was, indeed, a +sickening thought that these noble fellows, who had nobly +fallen in their country's cause, must be abandoned to the +enemy, many of them, perhaps the majority of them, to +die in their hands. All communication with their friends +at home hopelessly cut off, and with no expectation of any +but the roughest treatment from their enemies, it was a sad +prospect for the unfortunate ones. Medical officers from +each corps were directed to remain and care for those thus +left behind, and a limited supply of rations and medicines +were also left. Surgeon Phillips, of the Third Vermont, +and Assistant Surgeon Thompson, of the Seventy-seventh +New York, were the detail to remain behind from the +Second division. They stayed with our wounded among +the rebels for several weeks, faithfully ministering to their +wants, until nearly all had been removed to Richmond, +when, one day, learning that those remaining were to be +sent south on the following day, they made their escape by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> +night. By traveling throughout the night and hiding in +the woods by day, they made their way across the Rapidan, +and finally reached Washington in safety.</p> + +<p>The Fifth corps, having taken the most direct road to +Spottsylvania, arrived at Piney Branch Church at nine +o'clock on the morning of the 8th, where the infantry skirmishers +of the enemy were encountered. Gregg's division +of cavalry had been for some time engaged with the rebel +cavalry; but the cavalry had not discovered the infantry +of the enemy before the approach of the Fifth corps. Two +divisions of the Fifth corps were at once formed in line of +battle, Bartlett's brigade of Griffin's division being sent +ahead as skirmishers. As the corps advanced, the skirmishers +of the enemy steadily withdrew, until they reached +a large clearing, called Alsop's Farm, along the rear of +which ran a small stream, the river Ny, about three miles +north of Spottsylvania. Here the enemy was formed in +force, with a line of strong earthworks. An attack was +ordered, and bravely Warren's men advanced against +the breastworks of the enemy; but their efforts to drive the +rebels were unavailing. The field was composed of a succession +of ridges, dotted here and there with clumps of +pines and oaks, while the country in rear, through which +the corps had already pressed the opposing skirmishers, +was a wilderness of trees. The rebels had their artillery +well posted, and they hurled a fierce storm of shells among +the advancing lines, arresting their advance. The enemy +in turn charged upon the Fifth corps, but the Union boys +fought with desperation, repelling every charge and holding +their ground. Our troops behaved magnificently, yet +they were unable to push their advance further.</p> + +<p>It was now evident that Lee, anticipating Grant's +strategy, had set about thwarting it. As soon as our +troops were withdrawn from Wilderness Run, Lee had +hastened Ewell's corps and a part of Longstreet's on an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +inner road to Spottsylvania, and these troops now confronted +us and disputed our advance.</p> + +<p>Such was the situation when the Sixth corps arrived on +the field at two o'clock in the afternoon. The day had +been the most sultry of the season, and many of the men, +overcome by the intensity of the heat, and exhausted by +the constant fighting and marching since the morning +of the 4th, had fallen by the wayside. The corps halted +for about two hours, and was then ordered to the front to +the assistance of Warren's corps, which was again hotly +engaged with the enemy. We pressed forward along a +narrow road leading through a thick growth of timber, +until we came where the Fifth corps was contending the +ground. The corps was drawn up in line of battle, but +did not at once commence an attack.</p> + +<p>Before us the ground was rolling and partially wooded, +admirably adapted for defensive warfare. A wooded +ravine, at a little distance from our front, concealed a +rebel line of battle, and in our rear, were dense woods +extending to the road along which our line was formed. +These woods were on fire, and the hot blasts of air which +swept over us, together with the burning heat of the sun, +rendered our position a very uncomfortable one. Before +long, however, the corps was ordered to the left, and took +its position in the woods on the left of Warren's corps. +Our Second division was formed in three lines with the +view of attacking the enemy.</p> + +<p>Soon after dark all things being ready, the division +moved forward to the attack, but after some desperate +fighting on the part of both the Fifth corps and our own +division, finding the enemy too strongly posted, the attack +was relinquished.</p> + +<p>Toward midnight some changes of position were ordered, +but, in the darkness, regiments lost their brigades, and wandered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +about in the woods until daylight, some narrowly +escaping capture within the lines of the enemy.</p> + +<p>There was little hard fighting on Monday the 9th, +though skirmishing was briskly kept up along the whole +line throughout the day. Our line of battle was now +extended from northwest to southeast with Hancock's +Second corps on the right, Warren's Fifth corps on the +right center, Sedgwick's Sixth corps on the left center, and +Burnside's Ninth corps on the extreme left. Our Second +division was formed in a clearing on the side of a hill +which sloped gradually until it reached a swamp, which, +however, turned and passed through our line at our left. +About three hundred yards in front of us was a strip of +woods one-fourth of a mile wide, and beyond the woods +an open field where the rebel forces were posted behind +formidable earthworks. Just in our rear and on the crest +of the hill, our batteries were posted so as to fire over our +heads. On our right was a dense forest where the Fifth +corps were posted, and on our left Burnside's troops occupied +a more open country.</p> + +<p>The whole line of the army was strengthened with +breastworks of rails and logs, which the men procured in +many cases from almost under the rebel guns, while the +heavy mist of the morning concealed them from the view +of their enemies. Over the logs and rails earth was thrown +in quantity sufficient to protect the men from the shot and +shell of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Although there was little fighting on the 9th, it was a +sad day for the Sixth corps and for the army; for on that +day our corps lost its beloved commander, and the army a +most distinguished soldier.</p> + +<p>General Sedgwick, while standing behind an outer line +of works, personally superintending and directing, as was +his custom, the posting of a battery of artillery at an +angle which he regarded as of great importance, was shot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> +through the head by a rebel sharpshooter, and died +instantly. The ball had entered his head just below the +left eye, and passed out at the back of the head.</p> + +<p>Never had such a gloom rested upon the whole army on +account of the death of one man as came over it when the +heavy tidings passed along the lines that General Sedgwick +was killed.</p> + +<p>Major-General John Sedgwick, who had so long been +identified with the Sixth corps, was a native of Connecticut. +He graduated at West Point on the 30th of June, +1837, and was at once assigned to the Second artillery, +as second-lieutenant. In 1839, he was promoted to first-lieutenant. +He served in Mexico, and was brevetted captain +for gallant and meritorious conduct, in the battles +of Contreras and Cherubusco. He was soon afterward +brevetted major for gallant conduct, and greatly distinguished +himself in the attack on Cosino gate, Mexico city. +In 1845 he was made major of the First United States +Cavalry, and served in Texas until the breaking out of the +rebellion. In March, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, +Second United States Cavalry; and in April +promoted to the colonelcy of the Fourth Cavalry. He +was made a brigadier-general of volunteers in August, +1861, and assigned to the command of a brigade in the +Army of the Potomac.</p> + +<p>He was afterward assigned to the command of the Third +division, Second corps, then under General Sumner. He +participated in the siege of Yorktown, and greatly distinguished +himself in many battles on the Peninsula. He +was particularly noted at the battle of Fair Oaks, Savage's +Station, and Glendale. His division was one of the few +divisions of the Army of the Potomac that rendered any +assistance to General Pope in his unfortunate campaign.</p> + +<p>At Antietam he led his men repeatedly against the +rebels, and was as often forced back, until the ground over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> +which his division had fought was covered with dead. He +was thrice wounded, but refused to be carried from the +field until faintness from loss of blood obliged him to +relinquish his command.</p> + +<p>In December, 1862, he was nominated by the President +a major-general of volunteers, and was confirmed in March, +1863, with rank from the 31st of May, 1862.</p> + +<p>In January following his promotion, he was assigned to +the command of the Ninth corps, and, on the 5th of February, +was transferred to the command of the Sixth corps, +relieving General Smith, who was assigned to the Ninth +corps.</p> + +<p>Soon after taking command of our corps, the famous +charge upon Fredericksburgh Heights was made, in which +both the corps and its commander acquired lasting renown. +General Sedgwick was especially commended by General +Meade for the manner in which he handled his corps at +Rappahannock Station, and, in General Meade's absence, +he was several times in command of the army. He was, +on several occasions, offered the supreme command of the +army, but his excessive modesty forbade him to accept so +important a command.</p> + +<p>No soldier was more beloved by the army or honored +by the country than this noble general. His corps +regarded him as a father, and his great military abilities +made his judgment, in all critical emergencies, sought +after by his superior as well as his fellows. The command +of the Sixth corps now devolved upon General +Wright, who had long been well known in the corps as +the commander of our First division, and who held the +command of the corps from this time until it was disbanded +in the autumn of 1865.</p> + +<p>Monday night passed quietly. An occasional volley on +the picket line would rouse us to arms, but there was no +general assault, and the tired soldiers would throw themselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +again upon the ground to catch a few moments +more of rest.</p> + +<p>Our position on Tuesday morning, May 10th, was the +same as it had been the day previous. During the lull of +battle on the 9th, both armies had gathered their strength +and perfected their plans for a renewal of the contest, on +a scale of magnificence seldom if ever witnessed by any +army before. This was destined to be a day of most fearful +carnage, and desperate attempts on the part of each +antagonist to crush the other by the weight of its terrible +charges.</p> + +<p>Active skirmishing commenced along different portions of +the line early in the morning, and continued to grow more +and more general until the rattle of the skirmishers' rifles +grew into the reverberating roll of battle. From one end +of the long line to the other the tide of battle surged, the +musketry continually increasing in volume, until it seemed +one continuous peal of thunder. During all the battles in +the Wilderness, artillery had been useless, except when +here and there a section could be brought in to command +the roadway; but now all the artillery on both sides was +brought into the work. It was the terrible cannonading +of Malvern Hill with the fierce musketry of Gaines' Mills +combined, that seemed fairly to shake the earth and skies. +Never during the war had the two armies made such +gigantic struggles for the destruction of each other.</p> + +<p>At first the heavy assaults were made against the right +wing—Hancock's and Warren's corps sustaining the principal +shock of the enemy's repeated charges. Massing +their forces against particular points of the line held by +these two corps, the rebel generals would hurl their gray +legions like an avalanche against our breastworks, hoping +by the very momentum of the charge to break through our +lines; but a most withering storm of leaden and iron hail +would set the mass wavering, and finally send it back to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +the cover of the woods and earthworks in confusion, leaving +the ground covered at each time with an additional +layer of their dead. In turn, the men of the Fifth and +Second corps would charge upon their adversaries, and in +turn they too would be forced to seek shelter behind their +rifle pits. Thus the tide of battle along the right of the +line rolled to and fro, while the horrid din of musketry +and artillery rose and swelled as the storm grew fiercer.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Sixth and Ninth corps were quietly +awaiting events, and it was not until six o'clock in the +afternoon that the Sixth corps was called into action. +Then it was to make one of the most notable charges on +record.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock the men of the corps were ordered to +unsling knapsacks and divest themselves of every incumbrance +preparatory to a charge. Colonel Upton commanding +the Second brigade of the First division, was directed +to take twelve picked regiments from the corps and lead +them in a charge against the right center of the rebel line. +The regiments which shared the dearly purchased honor +of this magnificent charge were, in the first line, the One +Hundred and Twenty-first New York, the Fifth Maine, the +Ninety-sixth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania; +in the second line the Seventy-seventh and Forty-third +New York, the Fifth Wisconsin, Sixth Maine and +Forty-ninth Pennsylvania; and in the third line, the Second, +Fifth and Sixth Vermont. It was indeed an honor to +be selected for this duty, but it was an honor to be paid +for at the cost of fearful peril.</p> + +<p>The twelve regiments assembled on the open space in +front of our works, then silently entered the strip of +woods which was between our line and that of the rebels. +Passing through to the further edge of the woods, the +twelve regiments were formed in columns of three lines, +each line consisting of four regiments.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> + +<p>The regiments of the Second division, not included in +the charging column, formed in the rear, to act as support, +but did not advance to the charge.</p> + +<p>As the regiments took their places, they threw themselves +upon the ground, and all orders were given in +suppressed tones, for the rebels were but a hundred yards +distant, in the open field, and the minies of their skirmishers +were whistling among the trees and brushwood.</p> + +<p>The other corps of the army were prepared, in case this +charging party succeeded in breaking the enemy's line, to +rush in and turn the success into a rout of the rebels. +Generals Meade, Hancock, Warren and Burnside stationed +themselves on eminences, from which they could watch +the success of the perilous enterprise.</p> + +<p>At six o'clock all things were ready, and the artillery +from the eminences in our rear opened a terrific fire, sending +the shells howling and shrieking over the heads of +the charging column, and plunging into the works of the +enemy. This was the signal for the attack, and Colonel +Upton's clear voice rang out, "<i>Attention, battalions! +Forward, double-quick!</i> <span class="smcap">Charge!</span>" and in an instant +every man was on his feet, and, with tremendous cheers, +which were answered by the wild yells of the rebels, the +column rushed from the cover of the woods. Quick as +lightning, a sheet of flame burst from the rebel line, and +the leaden hail swept the ground over which the column +was advancing, while the canister from the artillery came +crashing through our ranks at every step, and scores and +hundreds of our brave fellows fell, literally covering the +ground. But, nothing daunted, the noble fellows rushed +upon the defenses, leaping over the ditch in front, and +mounting the breastworks. The rebels made a determined +resistance, and a hand to hand fight ensued, until, with +their bayonets, our men had filled the rifle pits with bleeding +rebels. About two thousand of the survivors of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +struggle surrendered, and were immediately marched to +the rear, under guard.</p> + +<p>Without halting for breath, the impetuous column rushed +toward the second line of works, which was equally as +strong as the first. The resistance here was less stubborn +than at the first line, yet the gray occupants of the rifle pits +refused to fly, until forced back at the point of the bayonet.</p> + +<p>Our ranks were now fearfully thinned, yet the brave +fellows passed on to the third line of defenses which was +also captured.</p> + +<p>It was but a shattered remnant of that noble column +that rushed from the woods against the hostile works, that +reached this advanced point, and now, finding that reënforcements +were reaching the enemy, while our column +was every moment melting away, a retreat was ordered.</p> + +<p>There was not even time to bring away the six pieces +of artillery which we had captured; they were filled with +sods and abandoned.</p> + +<p>What remained of the twelve regiments retreated to +the cover of our rifle pits, leaving the dead and most +of the wounded in the enemy's hands.</p> + +<p>The corps lost, in this charge, some of its ablest men. +In the First brigade of the Second division Lieutenant-Colonel +Hamilton, of the Sixty-second New York, was +killed. Captain Carpenter, of the Seventy-seventh, one of +its first and best officers, and Lieutenant Lyon, a young +officer of great bravery, were killed in the interior line of +works, and many other noble fellows of that regiment +were left on that fatal field. The regiment crossed the +Rapidan six days before with over five hundred men, and +now, after this charge, less than ninety men were left, +and this is but an example of the losses to most of the +regiments in that division.</p> + +<p>The noise of the battle gradually died away as night +threw her mantle over the fearful scene of carnage, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +both armies were glad of a respite from their severe +labors.</p> + +<p>The 11th of May passed in making new arrangements +and in sending the thousands of wounded to Fredericksburgh. +Immense trains of ambulances and army wagons +freighted with the mangled forms of wounded men were +running day and night to Fredericksburgh, and returning +with supplies.</p> + +<p>Skirmishing was kept up along the line, but no general +engagement was brought on. During the night the Second +corps, General Hancock, silently withdrew from the position +it had occupied on the right of the line, and marching +along in the rear of the army occupied a position between +the Sixth and Ninth corps, which was not before occupied. +With great caution and silence preparations were made +for a desperate attack upon that part of the enemy's line +fronting this position. This line made here a sharp angle +and by seizing this angle, it was hoped to turn the right +flank of Lee's army. Between the position of the Second +corps and the rebel works, the ground was covered with +pines and underbrush, and as it neared the defenses +ascended abruptly to a considerable height.</p> + +<p>As soon as the gray light of the morning began to +streak through the mists, all was in readiness for the +charge, and with strictest orders of silence the corps in +mass advanced rapidly across the field, the thick fog concealing +the movement. As the column neared the rifle +pits a storm of bullets met it; but charging impetuously up +the hill and over the works, the rebels, surprised and overpowered, +gave way; those who could escaping to the +second line in the rear, though thousands were obliged to +surrender on the spot, so complete had been the surprise. +The victorious column now pushed on toward the second +line of works, but here, the enemy by this time fully prepared +for the attack, the resistance became more stubborn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +The battle now raged with greatest fury. The Sixth +corps was withdrawn from its position, leaving a strong +picket line to guard its front, and marching along the +rear of its works joined in the attack with the Second +corps. The works taken by Hancock's corps, were occupied +by the men of the Sixth corps, and the enemy +commenced the most desperate efforts to retake them. +Forming their troops in heavy columns they hurled +them against our line with tremendous force. Russell's +division held the center of the line of the corps at a point +known as "the angle." This was the key to the whole +position. Our forces held the rebel works from the left as +far as this "angle," and the rebels still held the rest of +the line. Whoever could hold "the angle" would be the +victors; for with the angle, either party could possess +themselves of the whole line of works. Hence the +desperate efforts to drive us from this position. The +First division being unable to maintain the position alone, +the Second division was sent to its aid. And now, as the +boys of the Second division took their places in the front, +the battle became a hand to hand combat. A breastwork +of logs separated the combatants. Our men would reach +over this partition and discharge their muskets in the face +of the enemy, and in return would receive the fire of the +rebels at the same close range. Finally, the men began +to use their muskets as clubs and then rails were used. +The men were willing thus to fight from behind the +breastworks, but to rise up and attempt a charge in +the face of an enemy so near at hand and so strong in numbers +required unusual bravery. Yet they did charge and +they drove the rebels back and held the angle themselves. +It was in one of these charges that the gallant Major Ellis +of the Forty-ninth New York, was shot with a ramrod +through the arm and in the side, from the effects of which +he afterwards died. The trees in front of the position<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +held by the Sixth corps during this remarkable struggle, +were literally cut to pieces by bullets. Even trees more +than a foot in diameter, were cut off by the constant action +of bullets. A section of one of these was, and doubtless +still is, in Washington, with a card attached stating that +the tree was cut down in front of the position of the +Second corps. Our gallant brothers of that corps won +undying honors on that glorious day, but it was the long-continued, +fearful musketry battle between the Sixth corps +and the enemy which cut down those trees. We have no +desire to detract from the well-deserved honors of the +brave men of the Second corps, but this is a simple matter +of justice. The conflict became more and more bloody, +and soon the Fifth corps was also engaged, and at ten +o'clock the battle rolled along the whole line. The terrible +fighting continued till eleven o'clock, when there +was a lull in the musketry, but the artillery continued +its work of destruction. Thus the second line of works +was taken, but not without fearful loss to both armies. +Our corps had fought at close range for eight hours. +Behind the works the rebel dead were lying literally piled +one upon another, and wounded men were groaning under +the weight of bodies of their dead companions. The loss +to the rebels in prisoners and guns was also great.</p> + +<p>Major-General Edward Johnson with his whole division, +General Stewart, a brigade from Early's division and a +whole regiment, including in all between three and four +thousand prisoners and between thirty and forty guns, +were the trophies of this glorious but bloody morning's +work. These captures were nearly all made by the Second +corps in the first assault in the morning.</p> + +<p>The losses to the Sixth corps were great, but far less than +on the 12th. The Seventy-seventh lost one of its finest +officers. Captain O. P. Rugg was shot in the breast and +died while being carried to the hospital. The captain was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +a young man of great promise, of genial and lively temperament +and greatly beloved by his regiment. He had been +married but a few months before his death, and had +parted from his bride at Elmira just before the spring campaign +opened.</p> + +<p>The corps remained near the scene of action during +the next day. Reconnoissances were made, and another +attempt was made on the 14th to turn the right flank +of the enemy. The Sixth corps, at three o'clock on +the morning of that day, moved off to the left of our +line about two miles and encamped about the Anderson +House, but our pickets soon found the enemy in force in +our front, and no attempt was made to bring on an +engagement. The time passed quietly along the line, only +occasionally the roar of artillery kept up something of +excitement of battle. On the night of the 17th, the Sixth +corps moved back to the scene of the battle of the 12th. +At daylight three corps moved forward to attack the +enemy's line. The Second corps forming the center of +the line, the Sixth corps the right, and the Ninth corps the +left. The first line of rifle pits were those which had +been abandoned by us on the 12th. These were filled with +rebel skirmishers, who readily gave way, leaving the works +in our hands.</p> + +<p>Our line of battle advanced till it confronted the second +line of the rebel works. This was a strong line behind a +thick impenetrable abattis and held by a powerful force. +The three corps pressed this formidable line, and a sharp +engagement ensued, but without advantage to our forces, +and it was concluded that an attempt to dislodge the +enemy could only result in a fearful waste of life. Accordingly +the troops were quietly withdrawn, though submitted +to a galling fire, having lost in the morning's work about +eight hundred men.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon the enemy attacked the Fifth corps on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> +the left, but was driven back. The same afternoon the +Sixth corps returned to the vicinity of the Anderson +House, from which it had started on the evening previous; +and orders were issued to be ready to march toward the +North Anna.</p> + +<p>General Grant, deeming it impracticable to make any +further attempt to carry the rebel position at Spottsylvania +by direct assault, had determined upon another flank movement; +and his preparations were made for moving around +the left flank of the enemy during the night of the 19th, +and seizing a position on the North Anna. But late in the +afternoon of the 19th, Ewell's rebel corps made a fierce +assault upon the right of our line. Our forces gave the +rebels a warm reception, and forced them back to the cover +of their earthworks.</p> + +<p>On the 20th, Aaron B. Quincy, a young soldier, beloved +by all who knew him, was shot through the breast, and +died in a few minutes. His faithful Christian character, +his undoubted bravery, and his ardent patriotism, had +endeared him to all.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 21st, the flank movement was commenced. +Withdrawing in silence, and first throwing the +right corps in rear of the rest of the army and to its left, +as at the Wilderness, the troops marched rapidly all night, +halting for a few moments for breath once or twice, and +then pressing forward again. During the next forenoon a +halt of some hours occurred at Quincy Station, near the +house where Stonewall Jackson died the year before. Then +the march was renewed and continued till dark.</p> + +<p>The Fifth and Sixth corps reached the banks of the +North Anna on the evening of the 23d, and was soon followed +by the Second and Ninth corps. Again the enemy, +aware of our intentions, and having the shortest line, +confronted us, and disputed the crossing; but, after considerable +artillery practice, the Fifth corps succeeded in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> +throwing their pontoon bridges and obtaining a position +on the south bank. The enemy now attacked the corps +with great vigor, but were repulsed with equal slaughter. +The Sixth corps followed at four o'clock in the morning, +and a little later the Second and Ninth corps also joined +us. Strong breastworks were thrown up, and parties were +sent to the front to reconnoiter the position.</p> + +<p>A further advance of a few miles was made on the 25th, +but finding the enemy in a stronger position than he had +occupied either in the Wilderness or at Spottsylvania, +General Grant determined again to withdraw and try his +favorite flank movement. Accordingly, on the night of +the 26th, the army was withdrawn to the north bank of the +river. The night was very dark, and the mud deep. Several +days' rain had rendered the roads, proverbial for their +mud, almost impassable; but heeding no difficulties, the +army followed without hesitation wherever our great +leader directed. The Sixth corps, with two divisions of +cavalry under Sheridan, who had now rejoined the army +from his great raid on which he had started from Spottsylvania, +took the advance. On Saturday, the 28th, the corps +and the cavalry divisions, after a good deal of hard fighting, +crossed the Pamunkey river, at Hanovertown. The +cavalry, at once advancing several miles beyond the river, +encountered a large force of rebel cavalry, which was +driven back. The army encamped at Hanovertown, stretching +from the river several miles southward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxv" id="chapter_xxv"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE HOSPITALS AT FREDERICKSBURGH.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The journey from the battle-field—Sufferings of the wounded—A surgeon's letters—Rebel +hatred—Assistance from the north—A father in search of his boy—The +wounded sent to Washington.</p></div> + + +<p>Let us turn now from the field of battle to Fredericksburgh, +that great depot for wounded men.</p> + +<p>It will be recollected that, from Piney Branch church, +the trains, with the wounded from the Wilderness, were +sent to Fredericksburgh. Over a rough road, nearly fifteen +miles, these unfortunate men, with shattered or amputated +limbs, with shots through the lungs or head or abdomen, +suffering the most excruciating pain from every jar +or jolt of the ambulance or wagon, crowded as closely +as they could be packed, were to be transported. Already +they had been carted about over many miles of hard road, +most of them having been carried from the old gold mine +to Chancellorsville, and now again loaded and brought to +Spottsylvania. They were worn out with fatigue and suffering, +and yet there was much misery in store for them. +Slowly the immense train labored over the rough road, +now corduroy, now the remains of a worn out plank road, +and anon a series of ruts and mud holes, until, at three +o'clock on the morning of the 9th of May, the head of the +train arrived in Fredericksburgh.</p> + +<p>The train had been preceded by some three hundred +men who were wounded but able to walk. Mayor Slaughter +and other rebel citizens surrounded these unarmed men, +made them prisoners and delivered them to some rebel +cavalry, who took them to Richmond.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></p> + +<p>The process of unloading the wounded at once commenced; +all the churches and other public buildings were +first seized and filled. Negroes who could be found in +town were pressed into the work, yet, with all the help +that could be obtained, it was a slow process. All night +and all the next day the work went on. The churches +were filled first, then warehouses and stores, and then +private houses, until the town was literally one immense +hospital.</p> + +<p>The surgeons were too much engaged in transferring +the men from the wagons to the houses to find time that +day to dress many wounds, and many an unfortunate +soldier whose stump of an arm or leg had not been dressed +since the first day of the fighting, became the victim of +gangrene, which set in as the result of this unavoidable want +of care. No sooner were the men removed from the ambulances +than surgeons and nurses addressed themselves with +all the strength that remained to them to relieve the +immediate wants of the sufferers. Never before had such +herculean labors been thrown upon so small a body of +men, yet nobly did they accomplish the task. All the +buildings in town were full of wounded men, the walks +were covered with them, and long trains of ambulances were +filling the streets with more. Yet to relieve the wants +of all these thousands of suffering men not more than +forty surgeons had been sent from the field.</p> + +<p>It was one grand funeral; men were dropping away on +every side. Large numbers of nurses were detailed as +burial parties, and these plied their work day after day +with hardly time for their needed rest.</p> + +<p>Surgeons were completely worn out, and many of them, +had to be sent to Washington, fairly broken down with +their labors.</p> + +<p>The following extract from a letter of a surgeon at +Fredericksburgh to his wife, written on the 11th, may convey<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> +something of an idea of the experience of the medical +officers during those terrible days. He says: "We are +almost worked to death; my feet are terribly swollen; +yet we cannot rest for there are so many poor fellows who +are suffering. All day yesterday I worked at the operating +table. That was the fourth day that I had worked at +those terrible operations since the battle commenced, and +I have also worked at the tables two whole nights and part +of another. Oh! it is awful. It does not seem as though +I could take a knife in my hand to-day, yet there are a +hundred cases of amputations waiting for me. Poor fellows +come and beg almost on their knees for the first +chance to have an arm taken off. It is a scene of horror +such as I never saw. God forbid that I should ever see +another."</p> + +<p>Again, the same officer writing a day or two later, says, +"It is fearful. I see so many grand men dropping one +by one. They are my acquaintances and my friends. +They look to me for help, and I have to turn away heartsick +at my want of ability to relieve their sufferings. Captain +Walker of the Seventh Maine is dying to-night. He +is a noble good man, and he looks in my face and pleads +for help. Adjutant Hessy and Lieutenant Hooper of the +same regiment died last night. All were my friends, and +all thought that I could save them. General Sedgwick is +dead, and General Getty and General Torbert are my +patients.... Mrs. Lewis has just come; what a +blessing her presence will be to the colonel, who bears +the loss of his arm so bravely. Colonel Barney of the +Sixth Vermont died yesterday, and Major Fryer of the +Forty-third is dying. The major says, 'Doctor, can nothing +be done?' Major Dudley lies in the room where I am +writing, seriously wounded.... I have to-day sent +sixty officers of the Sixth corps to Washington.... +Oh! can I ever write anything beside these mournful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +details? Hundreds of ambulances are coming into town +now, and it is almost midnight. So they come every +night."</p> + +<p>For a time it was almost impossible to obtain sufficient +supplies either of food or dressings. Everything that +could be spared from the field had been sent, but in the +field they were still fighting terrible battles, and there was +little to spare. Food was obtained in very limited quantities +in town, and men went to the houses of citizens and +demanded sheets, which were torn into bandages.</p> + +<p>But large supplies were sent from Washington by the +government in a few days, so that all necessary articles +were furnished in abundance, with a profusion of lemons, +oranges and canned fruit. The Sanitary Commission was +also on hand with large supplies of delicacies, which were +joyfully received by the wounded heroes, who not only +relished the luxuries, but remembered that they were the +gifts of friends at home, who had not forgotten the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Many of the people of Fredericksburgh exhibited the +most malignant spite against the "Yankee wounded;" but +others, while they claimed no sympathy with our cause, +showed themselves friends of humanity, and rendered us all +the assistance in their power. No men, except negroes and +white men unfit for military duty, were left in town, but +the women were bitter rebels. Some of them made fierce +opposition to the use of their houses as hospitals, but they +were occupied notwithstanding their remonstrances.</p> + +<p>At one fine mansion a surgeon rang the door bell, and +in a moment saw the door open just enough to show the +nose and a pair of small twinkling eyes of what was evidently +a portly women. "What do you want?" snarled +out the female defender of the premises. "We want to +come and see if we can place a few wounded officers in +this house." "You can't come in here!" shouted the +woman slamming the door together. A few knocks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +induced her again to open the door two or three inches. +"Madam, we must come in here; we shall do you no +harm." "You can't come here; I am a lone widow." +"But I assure you no harm is intended you." Again the +door was closed, and again at the summons was opened. +"Madam, it will be much better for you to allow us to +enter than for me to direct these men to force the door; +but we must enter." The woman now threw the door wide +open and rushing into the yard with as much alacrity as +her enormous proportions would admit, threw her arms +out and whirled about like a reversed spinning top shouting +for help. She was again assured that no harm was +intended her, but that unless she chose to show us the +house we should be obliged to go alone. Concluding that +wisdom was the better part of valor, she proceeded to +show us the rooms.</p> + +<p>At another mansion, one of the finest in Fredericksburgh, +a red-haired woman thrust her head out of the side +window, in answer to the ring of the door bell:</p> + +<p>"What do you want here?"</p> + +<p>"We wish to place some wounded officers in this house."</p> + +<p>"You can't bring any officers nor anybody else to this +house. I'm all alone. I hope you have more honor than +to come and disturb defenseless, unprotected women."</p> + +<p>"Have you no husband?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, thank God, he's a colonel in the confederate +service."</p> + +<p>"Well, if your husband was at home, where he ought +to be, you would not be a defenseless woman."</p> + +<p>The woman refused to unbolt the door, in spite of all +persuasion, but while she railed at the "detestable Yankees," +a soldier climbed in at a window in the rear, and +unbolted the door. Her splendid rooms and fine mattresses +furnished lodgings for twenty wounded officers. +Day after day, the gloom of death hung over the town.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +Hundreds of our brave fellows were dying. Some of +the finest officers of our army were daily yielding to the +destroyer.</p> + +<p>Among the severe losses to the Sixth corps were, +Colonel Barney, of the Sixth Vermont, who had been +shot through the head. He died on the 10th. He was +one of the noblest of the sons of Vermont, a pattern of a +brave soldier and Christian gentleman, respected for his +ability as a commander, and loved for his social virtues; +he was lamented by the whole corps. Major Fryer, of +the Forty-third New York, one of the most promising +young officers in the corps, died on the 12th, from wounds +through the left arm and lungs. Captain Walker and +Adjutant Hesse, of the Seventh Maine, and Lieutenants +Hooper and Vining, of the same regiment, all died within +a few hours of each other. Lieutenants Follensbee and +Cook, of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, and Captain +Kirkbride, of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania, +were also among those who died. Major Dudley, +of the Fifth Vermont, after suffering untold agony for +many days, finally yielded, and died in the embraces of his +youthful wife, who had arrived in Fredericksburgh just in +time to be present during his last hours. The major had +gone into the fight sick with a fever, but his determined +bravery forbade him to remain quiet. Receiving a severe +wound while thus depressed by disease, he gradually +sunk, until his brave spirit took its departure.</p> + +<p>These were a few of the sad, sad scenes, which brought +sorrow to our hearts day after day, of the hospitals at +Fredericksburgh.</p> + +<p>Physicians and nurses from civil life came to our assistance +in large numbers. Some were earnest men, wholly +devoted to the object of relieving the distress which +they saw on every side. Others had come for selfish +purposes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> + +<p>Physicians who had never performed an important surgical +operation came armed with amputating cases, and +seemed to think that there was but one thing to be done, +<i>to operate</i> as they said.</p> + +<p>Distressed fathers and brothers wandered about the +town, in search of information regarding some son or +friend who had been wounded, or perhaps, as they feared, +killed.</p> + +<p>The following is but an example of many sad incidents +of this kind: H. A. Bowers, of the Seventy-seventh New +York, a young man much beloved and respected in his +regiment, was wounded through the chest on the 5th of +May, and with the other wounded brought to Fredericksburgh. +His father, who resided in Albany, received the +intelligence that his son was dangerously wounded, and +hastened to Fredericksburgh in search of him. He arrived +at that immense hospital, and at once commenced his +inquiries after his soldier boy. Failing to learn anything +of him, except the assurance that he had been placed in +the ambulances, he sought out the quartermaster of the +Seventy-seventh, who was with the army train just out +of town. The quartermaster readily lent his aid in the +search, and both at once sought the surgeon of that +regiment for information, but he, having the care of a +multitude, could tell them nothing of the object of their +search. Thousands of wounded men were here, filling +the city, but, thus far, the important duties of relieving +their immediate necessities had occupied the attention of +surgeons and attendants to the exclusion of everything +else; and no record or register had been made by which +a particular wounded man might be found. Unless some +friend or acquaintance could direct to his place, the search +was often long. The nurses were instructed to afford the +anxious father every assistance in finding his son. Two +more long weary days were spent in the fruitless search,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> +when word was sent to the father that his boy might be +found in a certain church. Overjoyed at the thought +that at last his search was to be crowned with success, +he hastened to the place. Who shall attempt to tell the +anguish of that father, when, on reaching the hospital, he +found that his son had expired half an hour before!</p> + +<p>At length, by the 26th of May, all the wounded men +were sent by transports to Washington, and the hospitals +broken up. The surgeons, escorted by a squadron of cavalry, +crossed the country by way of Bowling Green, and, +after a three days' journey, rejoined the army at Hanover.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxvi" id="chapter_xxvi"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>COAL HARBOR.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>At Hanover Court House—The Eighteenth corps joins the Army of the Potomac—The +armies meet at Coal Harbor—Battle of June 1st—Battle of June 3d—Terrible +exposure—The army strikes for Petersburgh—Charles City Court House—A +centenarian—Review of the overland campaign.</p></div> + + +<p>Early on the morning of the 30th, the army was again +moving, advancing with heavy skirmishing toward Hanover +Court House. Remaining here some hours the column +retraced its steps a short distance, the rebels meanwhile +opening a severe artillery fire upon our hospital trains.</p> + +<p>Toward evening the enemy attacked our left vigorously +but were repulsed, and an attack was in turn made by our +own troops which resulted in forcing the rebels from a +part of their intrenchments. Except some changes of +position and ascertaining that of the enemy, our army +lay quietly confronting the rebels during the 31st, but on +the 1st of June we were again on the road marching +toward Coal Harbor. The march was a hard one. The +day was sultry, and the dust, ankle deep, raised in clouds +by the column, was almost suffocating. It filled the air +and hung upon the leaves of the trees like snow. Seldom +had our men experienced so severe a march. As we +neared Coal Harbor our Sixth corps in advance, we fell in +with the column of General Smith's command, the Eighteenth +and Tenth corps. It was a relief to the old soldiers +of the Army of the Potomac to see these full regiments, +and they felt that with such large reinforcements our +success must now be insured. It was also a source of +much gratification to the old Second division to meet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> +again our friends Generals Smith and Brooks, whose +names were so intimately connected with the division, and +who still held a large place in the affections of the men.</p> + +<p>These two corps were a part of General Butler's command, +which had advanced up the Peninsula as far as +Bermuda Hundreds, but were unable to make further progress. +General Grant had, therefore, directed General +Butler to send them forward by way of transports to +White House Landing, to join the Army of the Potomac. +They reached us tired and almost discouraged by their +unusual march of nearly sixteen miles, their trains and +baggage being left behind.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon we had fallen in with ambulances +returning with wounded cavalrymen, and learned from +them that Sheridan had engaged the rebel cavalry at Coal +Harbor early in the morning, and that he was now fighting +both infantry and cavalry. Toward that point the troops +pushed on rapidly, reaching the cavalry line at about four +o'clock. The men halted a few moments, and then were +ordered to fall in and advance against the enemy. Skirmishers, +as usual, had advanced and prepared the way for +the lines of infantry and the artillery. The shots of the +skirmishers had become more and more frequent, till +the sharp rattle of musketry told of the actual presence +of the enemy. The artillery of the Sixth corps was at once +run out, and a brisk fire opened upon the rebels, who replied +with their guns, but with less vigor than that exhibited by +our own. The commands of Wright and Smith were at +once formed in line of battle, our Sixth corps on the left in +line, Rickett's Third division holding the right of the line, +Russell's the center, and Neill's Second division the extreme +left of the whole line. On our right was Smith's command +in single line.</p> + +<p>In front of our line was an open space two-thirds of a +mile in width, beyond which was a strip of pine woods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +In these woods the enemy had intrenched, and was holding +the position in strong force. Lee, again anticipating +the design of Grant, had sent Longstreet's corps and other +troops to occupy Coal Harbor, and now, with their rear +resting upon the Chickahominy, at this point a shallow +and easily forded stream, the rebels occupied a strong +position between our advance and Richmond.</p> + +<p>The order for the charge was given, and these two commands, +weary and exhausted, the veterans of the Sixth +corps from many days and nights of most severe labor, +and both corps by the tedious march of the day, dashed +impetuously across the ploughed field with shouts and +cheers, making for the rebel works.</p> + +<p>The storm of battle seemed suddenly to have broken +without the usual warning. It was less than an hour +since the Union troops had arrived on the field, and +already a most bloody struggle was in progress. Volleys +rang out upon the evening air, crashing louder and still +louder. The First and Third divisions of the Sixth corps, +in heavy columns, rushed across the field, cleared the abattis, +and seized the rebel works, while the Second division, +on the left, discovering a strong force of the enemy planting +a battery on our flank, engaged them and forced them +back. Smith's command, also, by a desperate charge, +seized nearly the whole line in the front, that on the +extreme right, in front of Brooks' command, alone remaining +in the hands of the rebels. The whole line thundered +with the incessant volleys of musketry, and the shot and +shell of the artillery shrieked and howled like spirits of +evil. The sun was sinking, red, in the west, and the +clouds of dust and smoke almost obscured the terrible +scene. Hundreds of our brave fellows were falling on +every side, and stretcher bearers were actively engaged in +removing the wounded from the field. The First division, +after a stubborn resistance of a few minutes, was forced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> +to give up the line of works it had captured and fall back; +only the Third division held its ground. The others had +advanced as far, but the ground was unfavorable, and in +spite of most determined efforts to hold the line, they were +forced to swing back.</p> + +<p>This was the first experience of Smith's command in a +great battle, and well did his men earn the confidence of +the veterans who fought by their side. Their courage +and impetuosity were the subjects of admiration of the +boys of the old Sixth corps, who declared that Baldy Smith +could make any troops fight like veterans.</p> + +<p>The gallantry shown by our Third division in taking +and holding the enemy's works, was acknowledged with +true soldierly generosity by the other divisions of our +corps, who thus far had not regarded the new division as +their peer.</p> + +<p>As darkness came on, the conflict still raged, and sheets +of flame rolled from one end of the line to the other as +the discomfited rebels strove desperately to regain their +lost ground. But as the sound of battle died away at +nine o'clock, the advantages gained by us were still held, +and our men set to work to strengthen the works they +had captured from the enemy and to throw up new ones. +Again and again the rebels rushed against the Union line +hoping to regain their lost ground, but without success. +The battle, although of brief duration, had been a most +sanguinary one. The loss to the Sixth corps was about +two hundred killed and nine hundred and sixty wounded, +while the Eighteenth corps lost one hundred and twenty-five +killed and six hundred and fifty wounded.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Second, Fifth and Ninth corps were holding +the position occupied by them the day before, and +against these corps most desperate assaults were repeatedly +made by the enemy, but they were as often repulsed with +great slaughter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p> + +<p>The movement at Coal Harbor, while it had not succeeded +in forcing the enemy across the Chickahominy, +had secured our communications with White House Landing, +which now became, after two years, for the second +time, the base of supplies for the Army of the Potomac. +General Grant now determined to renew the attempt to +dislodge the rebels on the following day.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, after the fashion of all the movements of +the army, the Second corps, which now occupied the +extreme right of the line, withdrew during the night, and +falling behind the other corps, marched rapidly to the left +and took position in that flank on the road leading from +Dispatch Station to Coal Harbor. The corps did not +secure this position without considerable fighting, and it +was not in condition to take part in the expected advance +until the afternoon. Then a most violent thunder shower +set in, putting a stop to all movements for the remainder +of the day.</p> + +<p>The men of the Sixth and Eighteenth corps, tired and +worn out from marching, fighting, and the hard night's +work in throwing up intrenchments, had spent the early +part of the day in quietly watching the enemy, or lounging +behind the breastworks, glad of an opportunity for rest.</p> + +<p>Orders were now given for a simultaneous attack along +the whole line, to take place at half-past four on the morning +of the 3d. Our line of battle extended from Coal +Harbor to Tolopotamy creek, in the following order, from +left to right: Second, Sixth, Eighteenth, Fifth, and Ninth. +This line was nearly parallel with the Chickahominy, and +from a mile and a half to two miles north of it.</p> + +<p>The rebels had not left the day unimproved, in concentrating +their troops and strengthening their works. They +now held three lines of breastworks, all of great strength; +the first occupied by their skirmish lines, the others by +strong lines of battle. Between the two armies the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> +ground was low and swampy, while the positions occupied +by both were sandy plains.</p> + +<p>At half-past six on the morning of the 3d, our army was +astir; and the skirmishers, leaving the cover of the rifle +pits, were advancing. Presently they fell in with the +skirmishers of the enemy, and the sharp cracking of rifles +betokened the storm of battle.</p> + +<p>As soon as the skirmishers were engaged, our artillery +opened upon the rebel works, and the conflict now +commenced in earnest. Amid the deafening volleys of +musketry, the thunders of the artillery, and the wild yells +of battle, our brave fellows pressed rapidly across the +space between the hostile lines of works, and the whole +Union force was thrown against the rebel breastworks +almost simultaneously. But the works were too strong, +the abattis too troublesome, and the rebel forces too +numerous. Their line could not be taken.</p> + +<p>The vigorous and gallant assault made by the Sixth +corps, resulted in carrying the first line, where the rebel +skirmishers had been posted, and our troops got within +two hundred and fifty yards of the main works, but Martindale's +division of Smith's corps, which advanced with +the Sixth corps, and on our right, found the task before it +too great; the troops of that division became disarranged +and were repulsed. Although General Smith, who was +always up to the front, made several attempts to relieve +Martindale's division, it failed to take the rifle pits.</p> + +<p>The right flank of the Sixth corps, thus exposed, the +whole corps was forced to fall back.</p> + +<p>Thus this grand assault, in which General Grant hoped +to force his enemy across the Chickahominy, failed with +immense loss to us and comparatively little to the confederate +army, which as usual was defended by earthworks, +while our men advancing to the charge were unprotected. +But our brave fellows were to have their revenge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> + +<p>The battle was over, and again the occupants of the +opposing lines of defenses watched each other, the quiet +being only disturbed by the occasional shots of sharpshooters. +Darkness closed over the plains of Coal Harbor, +and even the sharpshooters desisted from their work. +The stars shed a mild light upon the two armies which +had so lately been engaged in fierce conflict, each now +securely resting behind its line of earthworks, and the +plain which lay between them, which the hurricane of +battle had so lately swept, was as still as though the noise +of war had never been heard there.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, at eight o'clock, the rebels in front of our +Sixth corps and of the Second corps, leaped over their +works and rushed with a yell toward our lines. At the +same time their artillery opened upon us. The course of +their shells was marked by long curves of fire upon the +dark sky, while the flashes of the guns and bursting missiles +made a sublime display of pyrotechnics.</p> + +<p>On came the charging column, against the left of the +Sixth and the right of the Second corps; but nothing +pleased our brave boys more than to see their enemies +come out from the cover of their works to fight.</p> + +<p>It had, during all these long days of battles, been ours +to charge well defended earthworks almost invariably; +and whenever the rebels chose to assume the offensive, +our men were glad to show them the difference between +being the assailants and the assailed.</p> + +<p>Now the rebels came on with determination, but their +attack was met by volley after volley of musketry aimed +for effect; and our well directed fire of artillery made +great gaps in the advancing lines. The attack was nobly +repulsed, and many grey-coated soldiers who advanced to +the charge, were left by their retreating comrades, dead +between the two lines, while others were ordered in as +prisoners. The rebels returned to their place, and again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> +all was still. From this time we had no more battles at +Coal Harbor, yet we daily lost many men by the shots of +the sharpshooters who were perched in trees, and who +kept up a fire at every moving thing which showed itself +within our lines.</p> + +<p>Never before had our army been in a position where +there was such constant danger as at Coal Harbor. Men +in the front line dared not leave the cover of the breastworks +except in the darkness of night, and even then the +movement of a company to the rear might bring on a +storm of shells. High breastworks were thrown up at all +angles with the main line, and deep trenches were dug, in +which the men might pass to and from the front without +being observed. Even with all these extraordinary precautions, +no man was safe in venturing to go to the rear +by daylight. If a soldier collected the canteens of his +companions and started to the rear for water, he was +obliged to crawl along the trenches with the utmost +secrecy, and even then he was liable to be shot. Not a +day passed, even when there was no battle, in which +scores of men were not killed or brought to the hospitals +with severe wounds.</p> + +<p>The whole plain occupied by our army was dug over. +Far to the rear the men had intrenched themselves. General +officers had their tents erected in deep excavations +surrounded by embankments of earth, and special duty +men had each prepared for themselves burrows in the +ground, many of which were creditable specimens of +engineering. One was reminded, in riding over the plain, +of the colonies of prairie dogs with their burrows and +mounds. Although we had but two days' actual fighting +at Coal Harbor, our losses were more than thirteen thousand +men, while the rebels suffered comparatively small losses.</p> + +<p>Thus the army lay upon the burning sands of that +arid plain, the greater part of the line without the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +friendly shelter of a tree, weary, yet not discouraged; +grimy and dirty, and choked with dust, yet uttering no +words of complaint, for twelve days.</p> + +<p>Troops commenced moving toward the rear on the +morning of the 11th of July, and it became known that +we were to make no more attempts to force the formidable +position. General Grant had ordered another flank movement, +this time to the James river. Preparations for +withdrawing went on actively on the 10th and 11th; all +the wounded were sent to the White House, and the long +trains of forage, ammunition and commissary supplies +which had been allowed to come far toward the front, +began to pass to the rear. On the 12th, Smith's corps +was ordered to the White House, thence to embark to City +Point, while the remainder of the army was to cross the +Chickahominy far to the right of the rebel position, and +march to the James river.</p> + +<p>At three o'clock in the afternoon, the long hospital train +of the Sixth corps moved out toward the left a few miles +and halted for the corps, which withdrew from the works +after dark, and marched with great rapidity toward the +left. The other corps also withdrew from their positions, +and the whole army moved off down the Chickahominy, +the Second corps in advance. The march was kept up all +night, a short halt only being allowed in the morning near +Dispatch Station. Then the column pressed on again, the +men almost suffocated with the dust, which hung over +the column like a huge cloud; no halt was made at noon, +and the men, deprived of their coffee, choked with dust, +and burned with heat, marched wearily toward night. +The sun was sinking in the west, tinging the clouds with +purple, and crowning the distant hills with gold, when we +crossed the historic Chickahominy. Two years before +we had crossed the same stream not far from this very +spot. Through how many vicissitudes of army life had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> +we passed since that time. The stream was not wide, and +its banks were well defined where we crossed. Indeed, at +this point, there was nothing in the appearance of the +stream that would convey any idea of the difficulties +which it had once presented to the Union army. The +corps bivouacked on high grounds a mile from the river, +glad to rest from the toiling march.</p> + +<p>We were early astir on the morning of the 14th; taking +our line of march through a delightful section of country +where the comfortable farm houses and fine residences +presented a striking contrast with the desolations to which +we had become accustomed. As we began to descend +from the high lands toward the plain, on which stands the +little cluster of houses called, in southern fashion, Charles +City, we beheld, in the distance, the James river, lying in +all its loveliness, spreading widely between its banks. A +magnificent prospect opened before us. The river in the +distance bordered by green fields, one undulating slope +four or five miles wide, and twice as long, presenting a +scene of surpassing beauty. There were large fields of +grain already yellow and nearly ripe for the harvest, green +meadows lay in the beautiful valleys, the gentle breeze +dallied with the tassels of the long rows of corn, which +gave rich promise of an abundant harvest; fine groves +upon the hillside, in the valleys and on the plain, gave a +charming diversity to the scene, and the old mansions, +embosomed in vines and trees, and surrounded by colonies +of outhouses, reminded us of the ease and comfort which +had reigned here before the ravages of war had desolated +Virginia. To the right was Charles City, almost hidden +by trees, a little town, in prosperous days, the home of a +few hundred people, now almost deserted.</p> + +<p>In the vicinity of Charles City we halted a little before +noon. The Second corps, which was in the advance, had +already reached the James at Wilcox's Landing, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +preparing to cross. The men of our corps were delighted +with the opportunity of once more spreading their tents +over clean grassy turf, and each quickly pitched his shelter +tent preparatory to a refreshing rest.</p> + +<p>Within two miles of our camp was the residence of the +late ex-president, John Tyler, which was visited by many +of our officers. It was a charming spot, with everything +about it to please the eye of a lover of the beautiful. But +except the grounds immediately surrounding the house, +everything was in the wildness of nature.</p> + +<p>The house was stripped of almost everything. The cabinet +was carried off. The large library had lost many of its +choicest volumes, while the remainder, with heaps of letters, +lay thrown in wild confusion about the floor. The +pile of sheet music which had been left on the piano by +the family, had been culled over and nearly all taken away. +In fact such a sad scene of destruction was rare, even in +the track of a great army.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 15th, the corps moved to the +river side, where it remained while other troops were +crossing by ferry and on an immensely long pontoon +bridge. The river was full of shipping, the forests of +masts making strange contrasts with the native forests on +the river banks.</p> + +<p>Near the crossing was a superb old mansion, the residence +of a rebel general, surrounded by its little village +of negro cabins. Here many officers of the corps resorted, +to spend the time in walking among the grand old trees, +or to stroll through the garden, admiring the elegant and +rare exotics which adorned the grounds. Here was the +magnolia grandiflora in full bloom, its immense cup-like +flowers filling the whole place with delightful fragrance, +and the American agave, also loaded with a profusion of +elegant flowers; roses of the most rare and superb varieties, +jasmines, honeysuckles, clematis, spice woods, and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> +great variety of other choice plants, were also in lavish +abundance. There were locust trees of enormous size, and +everything that was inanimate filled us with surprise and +delight. But, within the mansion, we were met with the +accustomed bitterness and want of civility. Among +the slaves on the premises was a white-haired negro, who +was one hundred and eight years old. His wife, who lived +upon a neighboring plantation, was one hundred and four +years of age. When asked his age by the boys, he was +accustomed to answer, "Well, massa, I'se going on <i>two +hundred</i> now." The old fellow manifested no sympathy +for the cause of his master, and even he sighed for freedom. +When asked of what value freedom could be to him now, +he answered, impatiently, "Well, massa, isn't a hundred +and eight years long enough to be a slave?"</p> + +<p>The army, which had thus fought its way at fearful cost +from the Rapidan to the James, was now to change +its base, and threaten the rebel capital from the south. +Petersburgh was now the objective point, and this was +regarded as the door to Richmond.</p> + +<p>Our army had, during the period of a little more than +a month, fought the most extraordinary series of battles, +and executed some of the most remarkable movements on +record. Never was heroic valor exhibited on a grander +scale than had been manifested by the Army of the Potomac +throughout this long struggle, in which every man's +life seemed doomed. The stubborn perseverance of the +general was equaled by the persistent determination of +his soldiers. Day after day they had been called upon to +assault earthworks of formidable character, defended by +veteran troops; and it was usually the case that they had +seen, as the only fruits of their daring, almost reckless, +charges, the ground in front of the hostile intrenchments +strewed with the lifeless bodies of their comrades, while +the enemy still held the coveted line of works.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> + +<p>The battle of the Wilderness was a strange, deadly +struggle, which no man could see. A battle in which +both armies were hidden in thickets and forests, impenetrable +to vision, each making gigantic efforts for the +overthrow and destruction of the other. It had resulted +in no decisive advantage to either party. Lee was as +ready to meet us at Spottsylvania as he had been in the +Wilderness, and Grant was determined in his attack along +the Ny, as though he had met with no repulse on Wilderness +Run. The soldiers, too, of each army were as ready +at Spottsylvania to test their relative valor as they had +been in the Wilderness.</p> + +<p>At Spottsylvania we had lost thousands of our best men, +and hundreds of our ablest officers in futile attempts to +drive our enemy from impregnable positions; yet, notwithstanding +all our losses, and our hitherto unsuccessful +assaults, our men rushed against the strong defenses at +Coal Harbor with as much resolution and fortitude as +though they had met with no reverses.</p> + +<p>From the Rapidan to the Chickahominy the advance +had been almost a continuous battle, in which our army +fought at a disadvantage. The men had for more than a +month engaged the enemy in mortal combat by day and +made fatiguing marches by night only to find themselves +again face to face with the enemy in the morning. Sixty +thousand of our comrades were either killed, wounded or +missing. Of these more than thirteen thousand had been +lost at Coal Harbor, about thirty-two thousand in the +Wilderness, and nearly fifteen thousand at Spottsylvania +and on the North Anna.</p> + +<p>It is true that our enemy had suffered great losses, yet +not half as many rebels as Union men had fallen. At +Coal Harbor the disproportion was much greater than +elsewhere. There the rebel loss had not been one-tenth +as great as our own. Notwithstanding our frequent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> +repulses, and despite the fact that our road was continually +blocked by an army behind powerful defenses, our +march had been straight on toward the goal of our ambition, +the rebel capital.</p> + +<p>From the crossing of the Rapidan to the halt at Coal +Harbor, in all our battles and all our flank movements, we +had not swerved from the direct line to Richmond; and +now, with unimpaired vigor and still relentless determination, +the Army of the Potomac, and the imperturbable +leader of the Union armies, were ready to undertake the +capture of Richmond, by way of Petersburgh, fully +assured that their illustrious valor and never failing courage +must sooner or later meet with their award.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxvii" id="chapter_xxvii"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>PETERSBURGH.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The march to Petersburgh—Smith's successes—The battle of June 18th—The +Sixth and Second corps sent to the left—Rebels penetrate the line—Progress of +the siege—Sixth corps proceeds to Reams' Station—Kautz's and Wilson's raids.</p></div> + + +<p>At sunset on the 16th, the Sixth corps gathered upon +the banks of the James river, and while the First and +Third divisions embarked on steamers for City Point, the +Second division crossed on the pontoon bridge. The +division marched all night toward Petersburgh, from +which direction we had heard cannonading all day. The +column moved rapidly, leaving scores of stragglers, who +quietly rolled themselves in their blankets and lay down +behind the hedges to sleep till morning. The following +day was sultry, and the dust was very annoying. The +men were weary from want of sleep, and the march was +a severe one; but at sunset the division arrived at our +lines before Petersburgh. Smith's corps had preceded us, +and by assaulting the rebel position on the evening of the +16th, had carried the lines northeast of the town for a +distance of over two and a half miles, capturing fifteen +pieces of artillery and three hundred prisoners. General +Smith was then reinforced by Hancock's corps, which had +just arrived by land, but no further advance was made +that night. This neglect to take advantage of the absence +of any large force of rebels in the works about Petersburgh +was severely censured by General Grant, who could +not understand why General Smith, now reinforced by a +large corps, had not at once taken possession of the town. +The day that the Second division, Sixth corps, arrived in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> +front of Petersburgh, the two divisions of that corps +which had taken transports up the river, were ordered to +reinforce General Butler at Bermuda Hundreds, where his +command had gained some advantages, which were, however, +lost before night. All the corps having got up, +attacks upon the rebel positions were renewed on the 17th +and 18th. The attack on the 17th was made by Smith's +command, and resulted in the loss of a few men, when the +lines were withdrawn.</p> + +<p>Our Second division now relieved Brooks' division of +the Eighteenth corps on the front line, the Seventy-seventh +taking possession of a powerful redoubt, the other regiments +taking their places in close proximity. The Vermont +brigade was placed in rifle pits, as was also the First +brigade. In order to secure unity of action, General Neill, +commanding the division, was directed to receive orders +from General Martindale of the Eighteenth corps.</p> + +<p>Standing in the redoubt occupied by the Seventy-seventh, +which was upon a high bluff, and commanded a +fine prospect of the surrounding country, we could trace +the line of defenses which had already been captured, and +those yet in the hands of the enemy. The defenses of +Petersburgh consisted of a line of strong earthworks, in +the form of a semicircle. Immense redoubts, like the one +we now occupied, were placed at frequent intervals, upon +commanding positions, and these were connected by a line +of rifle pits and high breastworks. At all advantageous +points, also, were well constructed rifle pits, in front (now +in rear) of the main works. Smith's corps had captured +eleven of these forts and redoubts in the first assault, and +they were now occupied by our forces, and the strong +works which were intended for the defense of the town +now bristled with cannon pointing toward it.</p> + +<p>The line of powerful forts and breastworks commenced +about two and a half miles below Petersburgh, on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> +Appomattox, and, circling the city, terminated two or +three miles above.</p> + +<p>Before us stretched the valley of the Appomattox in all +its beauty, the level plain between us and the river clothed +in the verdure of summer, the green fields of corn yet +untrodden by the troops of either side. Below the +heights, stretching far to the right and left, was the line +of rifle pits now occupied by our men, and beyond these +could be traced the outlines of the new works which +the rebels were throwing up. Still beyond all these, the +spires of Petersburgh towered grandly, and by the help +of a glass the streets and houses were distinctly visible.</p> + +<p>On the 18th, another advance was made by the divisions +of Smith's corps, a part of the Second corps, and our +own Second division. Smith's troops advanced spiritedly +across the plain, facing a withering fire of grape and canister, +but were unable to come up to the rebel works.</p> + +<p>They were ordered to lie down, and at once every man +commenced to throw up a little mound of earth in front +of him, using his cup or plate, or even his hands or jack-knife, +in place of a spade.</p> + +<p>Under this destructive fire the troops were forced to +remain for some time, but they at length retired, having +lost several hundred of their number. Neill's division +was on the left of Smith's troops, and did not advance as +far. Our losses were therefore slight.</p> + +<p>Owing to some unfortunate misunderstanding, the surgeons +of the Eighteenth corps were ordered to the right +of the line to establish field hospitals; consequently, when +the wounded of that corps began to come in, there were +none of their surgeons at hand. The surgeons of our own +division, however, quickly proceeded to establish a hospital +for them, in which they were all received and cared for, +their wounds dressed, the shattered limbs removed, and all +their wants attended to. The medical officers of the Eighteenth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> +corps expressed their warmest gratitude for this act +of kindness on the part of the Sixth corps surgeons, this +being the second time that we had found an opportunity +of assisting them in an emergency.</p> + +<p>Our lines were daily drawn more closely around Petersburgh, +but no other general action was brought on for +some time. There was constant firing of artillery from +both sides, and now and then the rattle of musketry would +pass along the lines.</p> + +<p>On the 22d, Colonel Bidwell's brigade occupied the front +line of rifle pits. The sun was shining brightly, and our +men, unprotected by shelter, were striving to pass the time +with as little discomfort as possible. A group of men of +the Seventy-seventh were behind the breastwork, stretched +out upon the sand, resting upon their elbows and amusing +each other with jokes, when a shell came shrieking into +their midst. Its explosion threw them in every direction. +One went high in the air and fell twenty feet from the spot +where he was lying when the shell exploded. Strange to +tell, not a man was killed, yet three had each a leg crushed +to jelly, and two others were seriously wounded. The +three whose legs were crushed were Sergeant James Barnes, +James Lawrence, and James Allen, all of company A. +The poor fellows were taken to the field hospital completely +prostrated from the shock, cold sweat stood upon their +pallid brows, and life seemed but to flicker before going +out. The surgeons were making haste to load the wounded +and sick into ambulances to send to City Point, for we were +ordered to march at a moment's notice. "You can do +nothing for those men," said the wide awake, enterprising +Doctor Hall, who was superintending the loading of the +ambulances, as he saw the surgeon who had charge of +the operations prepare to remove the mangled members. +"Better put them into ambulances and let them have a +chance for their lives! There is no time now to wait for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> +operations." "How long will it take you to load your +ambulances, doctor?" "Twenty minutes, at least." "Then +I will have the men ready for you." The surgeon gave to +each of the unfortunate ones a glass of brandy, then administered +his chloroform, and in less than thirty minutes had +amputated the limbs, dressed the stumps, and placed the +men in ambulances. They were taken at once to City +Point, where they were placed together. Their cases +excited great interest among the attendants in the hospital +and the visitors, for each had lost a leg just above the knee, +the name of each was James, they were all from one company, +all wounded by a single shell, and all as cheerful as +were ever wounded men. They were afterward removed +to Washington and again placed side by side, and here, +also, they were subjects of great interest to visitors. The +writer has frequently heard the case of the three Jameses +related by persons in different States, who never mistrusted +that they were men of his own regiment. The boys are +each well now, each walks with his artificial limb, and each +is a worthy member of society.</p> + +<p>General Grant, finding that his expectation of taking +Petersburgh by surprise had failed, prepared for a systematic +investment of the town. Accordingly, the Sixth and +Second corps were directed to proceed to the left of the +present line, so as to envelop the town, and also with +the view of striking the Weldon railroad, and thus cutting +off an important source of supplies for the rebel army.</p> + +<p>On the 21st of May, the two corps marching in the rear +of the rest of the army went into position on the left flank, +the Second corps on the west of the Jerusalem plank road, +and the Sixth to the left and rear of that corps, its line +nearly at right angles with that of the Second corps. +The cavalry divisions of Wilson and Kautz were, at the +same time, ordered to proceed still farther to the left, and, +cutting the Weldon road, continue the march across the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> +country, until they should strike the Southside railroad, +which they were directed to destroy.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 22d, General Birney, who, during +the temporary absence of General Hancock, was in command +of the Second corps, was directed to move his corps +forward, so as to press upon the left flank of the enemy. +This he proceeded to do, without giving notice of his +intention to General Wright. The result of the movement +was to leave a wide gap between the Second and +Sixth corps.</p> + +<p>To the great surprise of the Third division of our corps, +which was just getting into position, the rebels advanced +in strong force upon the flank and rear. A sharp skirmish +occurred, in which that division and a part of the Second +division lost some prisoners; but the principal loss fell +upon the Second corps, for that corps, having thrown its +left far in advance, was greatly exposed. The principal +attack fell upon Barlow's division, which occupied the left. +That division was driven in confusion upon the other divisions +of the corps. The whole corps was forced back, but +after some spirited fighting the rebels were forced back, +carrying with them a battery belonging to the Second +corps, and more than two thousand prisoners. From our +own corps they had captured about six hundred men and +a stand of colors.</p> + +<p>The responsibility for this unfortunate surprise rests +with the commander of the Second corps; for General +Wright, being entirely ignorant of any design to advance +that corps, had, of course, made no disposition to keep the +line intact. The men of the Third division did all that +men could do under the circumstances, and are entitled to +much credit for the repulse which they gave the enemy.</p> + +<p>From that day, except that at times the roar of artillery +shook the earth for miles about, we remained quiet until +the 29th of June. The light sandy soil soon became<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> +reduced to powder, and the continual passing of mules and +army wagons raised huge clouds of dust, which completely +enveloped the army. At sunset this cloud would settle +down and become so dense that one could not see objects +twenty yards from him. The heat was almost intolerable, +yet the health of the men was better than usual for the +summer months.</p> + +<p>The surgeons had their hospitals neatly fitted up, and +nurses and attendants took great pride in adorning the +hospital tents with the boughs of the magnolia and other +beautiful shrubs and flowers. The government and the +agents of the Sanitary Commission supplied us liberally +with lemons and vegetables, so, notwithstanding the +intense heat, and the constant watchfulness of the men +behind the earthworks, there was comparatively little +illness.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon of the 29th of June orders came for +the Sixth corps to march at once to Reams' Station, far to +the left, where the cavalry of Kautz and Wilson, which +had been on an extensive raid, was expected to arrive. +At four o'clock we left camp, marched all the remainder +of the day and all night. We found ourselves in the +morning at Reams' Station, on the Weldon Railroad. The +men at once commenced tearing up the track and burning +the ties. Thus they toiled all the morning, but no cavalry +made its appearance. Late in the day the corps retraced +their steps, and arrived that night within two and a half +miles of the position we had left the day before. We +made our bivouac on the Jerusalem plank road, and in the +morning rejoined the main army before Petersburgh and +resumed our old position.</p> + +<p>The story of the great raid of Kautz and Wilson, which +we now learned in detail, was one of thrilling interest, full +of wild adventure, untold hardship and great peril. The +two divisions had penetrated far to the rear of Lee's army,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> +had destroyed miles of the Weldon railroad, and then, +reaching the Southside road, the great artery for the supply +of the rebel army, had torn up the track and burned +the ties for dozens of miles. In their return they had +fallen in with the cavalry of the enemy, and, when near +Reams' Station, had come upon a strong force of cavalry +and infantry. An engagement ensued, which resulted in +the Union cavalry being driven, and hundreds from the +immense throng of colored refugees, which was following +the cavalry towards the Union lines, were ridden down +by the rebel cavalry and killed. The cavalry at length +succeeded in reaching our lines by making a circuit farther +south, and many of the negroes also succeeded in escaping +from rebeldom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxviii" id="chapter_xxviii"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>SIXTH CORPS TRANSFERRED TO WASHINGTON—BATTLE +OF FORT STEVENS.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Shenandoah Valley—Hunter's advance to Lynchburgh—The retreat—Rebels +advance into Maryland—Battle of Monocacy—Sixth corps goes to Washington—Battle +of Fort Stevens.</p></div> + + +<p>The Shenandoah Valley, which had been the scene of +such varied fortunes to our army during the war, again +became a field of great interest.</p> + +<p>Simultaneous with the opening of the spring campaign +by the army of the Potomac, General Sigel, who then commanded +in the valley, commenced to move his army. On +the 15th of May he met the enemy at New Market, and +was defeated. He withdrew his army to Harper's Ferry, +where, by order of General Grant, who was dissatisfied with +his management, he was relieved of his command by General +Hunter.</p> + +<p>General Hunter at once resumed offensive operations, +moved up the valley and encountered the enemy at Piedmont +and routed him, capturing fifteen hundred prisoners, +three pieces of artillery and three thousand stand of small +arms. He then pursued the routed army to Lynchburgh, +which place he invested. To meet this movement of +Hunter, Lee had sent General Early with his corps to the +assistance of the rebel garrison. This force arrived just +before the Union army came up. General Hunter, finding +that he was confronted by a large force, his ammunition +being nearly exhausted, the difficulties of transporting +over so long a march sufficient ordnance stores being very +great, he determined to withdraw without risking a battle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> +His want of ammunition forced him to make his +retreat by that route which would afford most natural +obstacles to pursuit and attack of the enemy. Accordingly, +instead of retiring directly down the Shenandoah, he +drew his forces off through the Kanawha Valley, leaving +the Shenandoah open to the rebel army. The march of +Hunter's men through the Kanawha, harassed by the +enemy and destitute of food, was one of great severity. +The rebels finding the Shenandoah open to them, at once +pushed northward with a view of ravaging Maryland and +Pennsylvania, and, if possible, entering Washington.</p> + +<p>Owing to the great difficulties encountered by General +Hunter's army, in reaching Harper's Ferry in time to +oppose Early, it became necessary to send other troops to +meet the invading force. Accordingly, about the 1st of +July, the Third division of our Sixth corps, under command +of General Ricketts, was sent to Baltimore, and +from thence marched toward Frederick, Maryland, where, +on the banks of the Monocacy near the railroad bridge, +the enemy was encountered. The Union forces consisted +of the division from the Sixth corps, and a few thousand +green troops collected about Baltimore, all under command +of General Wallace. The force of Early greatly outnumbered +those of the Union general, and after a hard +fought battle our men were driven back. Although General +Wallace had met with defeat, he had succeeded in +arresting the progress of the invasion for a time, and +enabled the remainder of our corps and a division of the +Nineteenth corps to reach Washington in advance of +the rebels.</p> + +<p>Such was the state of affairs in Maryland, when, on the +evening of the 9th July, the First and Second divisions of +the Sixth corps were ordered to march to City Point at +once. The order came at nine o'clock, and without delay +the troops were in motion. We had become too much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> +accustomed to sudden movements, to require long preparations +for breaking up camp. The march of fourteen miles +to City Point made during the night, was far more tolerable +than it could have been by day. For although the +roads were composed of dry beds of dust, in which +the men sank almost ankle deep at every step, and the +cloud which rose as the column moved along filled their +throats and eyes and nostrils, yet they were not forced to +endure the misery of a long march under a burning sun, +such as for many days past had scorched these sandy +plains.</p> + +<p>It was daylight when the Sixth corps reached the James +river at City Point, and the process of embarking commenced +at once. Before noon the two divisions, with the +horses and baggage, were on board transports, which were +in readiness when we arrived. The staff of Bidwell's +brigade, with the Seventy-seventh and part of the Forty-ninth +New York, with the brigade band, where on board +the steamer Escort. We had also on board a hundred +horses.</p> + +<p>Great satisfaction was felt by all at the prospect of +leaving the region whose natural desolation was heightened +by the devastation of war, and going to a country +of plenty, with which so many pleasant remembrances +were associated. Each man breathed more freely as the +steamer swung out upon the river, and our brigade band +sounded a good-bye to the scenes of our recent labors and +privations.</p> + +<p>Our fleet was soon steaming down the river, passing +scenes of interest, many of which were intimately connected +with the memories of other campaigns. There was +Harrison's Landing, the camping ground of two years +ago, the last one on the Peninsula, where our Union army +crowded together on the banks of the James, sweltering +beneath the oppressive heat of a southern sun; Fort Powhattan,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +where we had crossed the river on pontoons a +month ago; the iron-clad Atlanta, once a rebel ram, now +doing service in the Union cause; the ancient settlement +of Jamestown; the three-turreted monitor Roanoke; Sewell's +Point; Hampton, the scene of our earliest Peninsula +experience; the bay at Newport News, made famous by +the conflict of the Monitor and Merrimac, the masts of the +Cumberland still towering above the waters of the bay as +monuments of the wonderful contest; the old haunts of +the Teaser, which had so unceremoniously introduced herself +to our division; and, as evening came on, we passed +Fortress Monroe, where the many lights of the fleet gave +the harbor the appearance of a city in the waves.</p> + +<p>The wind was blowing freshly when we rounded Old +Point Comfort, and our little steamer ploughed the white +caps bravely. We made good time, and found ourselves +the next morning steaming up the Potomac. Aquia creek +was passed, recalling to mind the encampment at White +Oak Church; Mount Vernon claimed its tribute of thought, +and at two o'clock we touched the wharf at the foot of +Sixth street, Washington. The rest of the two divisions +had already reached the wharves, and there, too, were +some immense sea steamers, crowded with troops of the +Nineteenth corps, fortunately just arrived from New +Orleans.</p> + +<p>The process of disembarking occupied but little time. +President Lincoln stood upon the wharf chatting familiarly +with the veterans, and now and then, as if in compliment +to them, biting at a piece of hard tack which he held in +his hand.</p> + +<p>The column was formed and we marched up Seventh +street, past the Smithsonian Institute, the Patent Office +and the Post Office, meeting on our way many old friends, +and hearing the people who crowded upon the sidewalks +exclaiming, "It is the old Sixth corps!" "Those are the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +men who took Marye's Heights!" "The danger is over +now!" We had never before realized the hold which the +corps had upon the affection of the people. Washington, +an hour before was in a panic; now as the people saw the +veterans wearing the badge of the Greek cross marching +through their streets, the excitement subsided and confidence +prevailed.</p> + +<p>Thus we made our way to the north of the city, the +sound of cannonading in our front stimulating and hastening +the steps of the men. Families, with a few of their +choicest articles of household furniture loaded into wagons, +were hastening to the city, reporting that their houses +were burned, or that they had made their escape leaving +the greater part of their goods to the mercy of the rebels.</p> + +<p>We reached a fine grove in rear of Fort De Russey and +made our bivouac for the night.</p> + +<p>Now we learned the true position of affairs. Early, +having defeated the small force under General Wallace, +pushed on toward Washington, carrying destruction in +the path of his army. His cavalry reached Rockville, a +little town twelve miles north of Washington, on the +10th, detachments having destroyed portions of the Baltimore +and Ohio railroad, seized trains of cars, in one of +which was General Franklin, formerly commander of the +Sixth corps, who was made a prisoner, but who managed +to escape, and now, as we reached Washington, his advance +was knocking at the defenses of that city. The forts were +manned by a small force of heavy artillery, hundred days' +men, and detachments of the Invalid corps; and, as we +reached the rear of the defenses, regiments composed of +clerks and employees of the quartermaster's department, +with convalescents from the hospitals, marched past us to +take their places on the front. These hasty levies were +placed in the forts for the night, to be replaced by veteran +troops in the morning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span></p> + +<p>July 12th came bright and glorious. The First brigade +of our Second division, and our sharpshooters, were on +picket in front of Fort Stevens; the Second and Third +brigades still enjoying the delightful shade of the groves +in rear of Fort De Russey. From the parapets of Fort +Stevens could be seen the lines of rebel skirmishers, from +whose rifles the white puffs of smoke rose as they discharged +their pieces at our pickets. The valley beyond +the fort presented a scene of surpassing loveliness, with its +rich green meadows, its fields of waving corn, its orchards +and its groves. To the right was Fort Slocum, and on +the left Fort De Russey.</p> + +<p>The residence of Hon. Montgomery Blair was within +the line occupied by the confederates, and we heard that the +fine mansion had been the scene of plunder and destruction, +in revenge, as the rebels declared, for havoc wrought +by our troops in Virginia.</p> + +<p>The principal force of the enemy seemed to be in front +of Fort Stevens, and here it was determined to give them +battle. The barracks just in rear of the fort were converted +into a hospital for our Second division, and all +preparations were made for receiving our wounded men.</p> + +<p>Four o'clock came, but, except that the rebel skirmishers +were sending their bullets whizzing over the fort, all +was quiet. President Lincoln and his wife drove up to +the barracks, unattended, except by their coachman, the +superbly mounted squadron of cavalry, whose duty it was +to attend upon his excellency, being left far behind. The +carriage stopped at the door of the hospital, and the President +and his affable lady entered into familiar conversation +with the surgeon in charge, praising the deeds of the +old Sixth corps, complimenting the appearance of its veterans, +and declaring that they, as well as the people of the +country, appreciated the achievements of the wearers of +the Greek cross.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus, for nearly an hour, they chatted of various things, +when General Wright and his staff arrived on the ground, +accompanied by several ladies and gentlemen from the city.</p> + +<p>All now repaired to the fort, and presently the portly +form of Colonel Bidwell, followed by his Third brigade, +was seen approaching. The brave colonel and his brave +brigade marched past the fort into the valley beyond, the +President, the members of his cabinet and the ladies praising +the hardy, soldierly bearing of the men as they passed. +They formed in two lines of battle, in rear of the skirmish +line of the first brigade, the Seventy-seventh on the right +of the line, then the Seventh Maine, and then the Forty-ninth. +The Forty-third New York, Sixty-first Pennsylvania, +and One Hundred and Twenty-second New York +forming the second line. The advance line was in charge +of Colonel French.</p> + +<p>According to preconcerted arrangements, Colonel Bidwell +was to signify to General Wright, who remained in +the fort, his readiness for the attack by a signal from the +new flag of the Seventy-seventh, which had not yet been +baptized in battle; then the great guns in the fort were to +open a storm of shells upon the rebel position, especially +upon a house behind which and in which numbers of +rebels had all day found refuge; then General Wright +was to signal from the fort the command to advance and +the brigade was to rush to the charge.</p> + +<p>Thus, with a perfect understanding on the part of all +concerned, the brigade took its place.</p> + +<p>The flag of the Seventy-seventh waved the signal of +readiness, the heavy ordnance in the fort sent volley after +volley of thirty-two pound shells howling over the heads +of our men into the midst of the rebels, and through the +house where so many of them had found shelter, and then +at the command of Sedgwick's "man of iron," the brave +fellows started eagerly forward. They reached and passed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> +the skirmishers, and the white puffs of smoke and the +sharp crack from their rifles became more and more +frequent, first the rattle of an active skirmish, and then +the continuous roar of a musketry battle.</p> + +<p>In magnificent order and with light steps they ran +forward, up the ascent, through the orchard, through the +little grove on the right, over the rail fence, up to the road, +making straight for the first objective point, the frame +house in front. The rebels at first stood their ground, +then gave way before the impetuous charge.</p> + +<p>The President, the members of his cabinet and the +ladies, as well as the military officers in the fort, and +the crowd of soldiers and citizens, who had gathered +about it to witness the fight, watched with breathless +interest the gallant advance as our boys pushed +forward, keeping their line of battle perfect, except +when now and then some regiment having the advantage +of ground, in its eagerness got a little in advance +of others, until they saw the rebels take to flight. +Then the crowd at the fort rent the air with exultant +cheers, and as the boys reached the house, the people +were wild with excitement, shouting and clapping their +hands, leaping and dancing with joy.</p> + +<p>But the rebels did not yield without resistance. They +met our men bravely, and though forced to seek safety in +flight, turned and poured their volleys into the ranks of +the pursuers.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/fort-stevens.png"> +<img src="images/fort-stevens-small.png" width="400" height="261" alt="Battle of Fort Stevens" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Battle of Fort Stevens.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, commanding the Forty-ninth, +a brave man, who had never shrunk from danger, +and who had shared all the varied fortunes of the brigade +since its organization, fell mortally wounded. Colonel +Visscher, of the Forty-third, who had but lately succeeded +the beloved Wilson, was killed. Major Jones, commanding +the Seventh Maine, was also among the slain; and +Major Crosby, commanding the Sixty-first Pennsylvania,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +who had but just recovered from the bad wound he +received in the Wilderness, was taken to the hospital, +where the surgeon removed his left arm from the shoulder. +Colonel French, of the Seventy-seventh, was injured, but +not seriously. The commanding officer of every regiment +in the brigade was either killed or wounded.</p> + +<p>The fight had lasted but a few minutes, when the stream +of bleeding, mangled ones, began to come to the rear. +Men, leaning upon the shoulders of comrades, or borne +painfully on stretchers, the pallor of their countenances +rendered more ghastly by the thick dust which had settled +upon them, were brought into the hospitals by scores, +where the medical officers, ever active in administering +relief to their companions, were hard at work binding up +ghastly wounds, administering stimulants, coffee and food, +or resorting to the hard necessity of amputation.</p> + +<p>At the summit of the ascent, the confederates were +strengthened by their second line of battle, and here they +made a stout resistance; but even this position they were +forced to abandon in haste, and as darkness closed in upon +the scene, our men were left as victors in possession of the +ground lately occupied by the rebels, having driven their +adversaries more than a mile.</p> + +<p>The Vermont brigade now came to the relief of the boys +who had so gallantly won the field, and the Third brigade +returned at midnight to the bivouac it had left in the +morning. But not all returned. Many of those brave +fellows who went with such alacrity into the battle, had +fallen to rise no more. In the orchard, in the road, about +the frame house and upon the summit, where the rebels had +made so determined a resistance, their forms were stretched +upon the green sward and in the dusty road, stiff and cold. +Many more had come to the hospital severely injured, +maimed for life or mortally wounded.</p> + +<p>The little brigade, numbering only a thousand men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> +when it went into action, had lost two hundred and fifty +of its number.</p> + +<p>During the night the raiders made their escape toward +Rockville. The prisoners left in our hands told us that +they had anticipated an easy victory in front of Washington, +believing that the forts were defended only by convalescents +and quartermaster's men, and, when they saw +the white crosses of the old Sixth corps, they were seized +with consternation. They now understood that the city +was guarded by veterans who had acquired, in the rebel +army, a disagreeable reputation.</p> + +<p>While the battle was in progress, President Lincoln +stood upon the parapet of the fort watching, with eager +interest, the scene before him. Bullets came whistling +around, and one severely wounded a surgeon who stood +within three feet of the President. Mrs. Lincoln entreated +him to leave the fort, but he refused; he, however, accepted +the advice of General Wright to descend from the parapet +and watch the battle from a less exposed position.</p> + +<p>Cavalry was sent in the morning to ascertain the direction +of the flight of the enemy, but the infantry remained +quietly awaiting events.</p> + +<p>We gathered our dead comrades from the field where +they had fallen, and gave them the rude burial of soldiers +on the common near Fort Stevens. None of those high +in authority, who had come out to see them give up their +lives for their country, were present to pay the last honors +to the dead heroes. No officer of state, no lady of wealth, +no citizen of Washington was there; but we laid them in +their graves within sight of the capital, without coffins, +with only their gory garments and their blankets around +them. With the rude tenderness of soldiers, we covered +them in the earth; we marked their names with our pencils +on the little head-boards of pine, and turned sadly away to +other scenes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span></p> + +<p>But though no concourse of citizens followed the patriots +to their humble resting place, though no bands wailed the +solemn dirge, and no casket but the earth inclosed their +remains, their deeds were not forgotten. Their memory +was enshrined in the hearts of the people; and after a few +weeks their remains were exhumed from their scattered +graves, they were placed together in a little inclosure on +the sunny slope in front of the fort, and a beautiful monument +tells the story of their noble sacrifice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxix" id="chapter_xxix"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Sixth and Nineteenth corps follow the enemy—Crossing the Potomac—Averill's +fight at Snicker's Gap—Return of the Sixth corps to Washington—March +back to Harper's Ferry—Return to Maryland—Death of Major +Ellis—General Sheridan assigned to command—Back in the Valley—Charlestown—John +Mosher—March to Fisher Hill—Return to Charlestown—Fight at +Charlestown.</p></div> + + +<p>At one o'clock the column of the Sixth corps moved +away from Fort Stevens, marching through the little village +of Tanleytown, following in pursuit of the rebels. +We moved rapidly till ten o'clock, then halted, much +fatigued, at Potomac Cross Roads. At five o'clock, next +morning, we were once more on our way, and after a march +of twelve hours through a pleasant country, we made our +bivouac at Poolsville, having marched thirty-six miles +since leaving Fort Stevens. Our Sixth corps, with the +two divisions of the Nineteenth corps, now constituted a +new army, under command of General Wright, General +Getty having command of the Sixth corps. At Poolsville +we lay all day, waiting for our small cavalry force to find +out the course which Early's army had taken, but on Saturday +morning, the 16th, we were moving at daylight. +We marched toward the Potomac, which we forded near +the scene of Ball's Bluff slaughter. The spectacle at the +ford was novel and exciting. The stream was wide, but +not more than two or three feet deep. The bottom was +rough and stony, and the current was strong. For nearly +a mile up and down the river the brigades were crossing; +the stream filled with infantry wading with difficult steps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> +over the uneven bottom, mounted officers carefully guiding +their horses lest they should stumble, trains of artillery +and wagons slowly toiling through, and groups of pack +animals scarcely able to keep their footing under their +huge burdens. The laugh of hundreds sounded up and +down the river, as some unfortunate footman, slipping +from a smooth stone, would, for a moment, disappear +beneath the surface of the river, or as some overloaded +mule or pack horse, losing his footing, would precipitate +his load, and peradventure the small negro boy, who, in +order to secure a dry passage across the ford, had perched +himself on the top of the bags and bundles, into the rushing +waters.</p> + +<p>The troops gathered upon the southern bank of the +river, and the infantry proceeded to empty the water from +their boots and shoes, and to wring it from their stockings. +This short task over, the march was resumed.</p> + +<p>Passing through a section where some very interesting +conglomerate rocks attracted the attention of those scientifically +inclined, we left the little town of Leesburgh +behind, and at eight o'clock in the morning encamped in a +ploughed field, tired and hungry, and, it must be confessed, +a little dissatisfied at the idea of sleeping on ploughed +ground while fresh meadows were on every side of us. +In this bivouac we spent the Sabbath, and services were +held by the chaplains in the various brigades.</p> + +<p>Early Monday morning the march was resumed, our +little army passing through the delightful hill scenery +of Loudon county, and through the diminutive villages of +Hamilton and Purcellville. As the afternoon advanced, +we found ourselves toiling up the ascent of the Blue +Ridge, pleasant farm houses and fine orchards greeting +our sight on either side of the road. Darkness was upon +us before we passed through Snicker's Gap, a deep gorge +in the mountains, through which winds a rough, unkept<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> +road; and by the moonlight we spread our blankets for +another night's rest.</p> + +<p>The morning revealed the lovely Shenandoah Valley +spread out before us, its river lying at our feet.</p> + +<p>The troops of the "Army of Virginia," under Averill, +had engaged the enemy with doubtful success before our +arrival. Indeed, the troops on both sides seemed to have +become demoralized. The rebels were retreating, and +Averill's men had made their way back to the east side of +the river in such hot haste as to leave some of their flags +floating in the stream.</p> + +<p>We remained during the 19th in apparent uncertainty as +to what course to pursue, whether to give chase to the +enemy, who it was now supposed had made good his retreat +up the valley, or to return to Washington. But an order +from General Grant, directing General Wright to get back +to Washington at once with the Sixth corps, that the +troops might be at once returned to the Army of the Potomac +before Early could reinforce Lee, determined our +course, and at night we were again passing through +Snicker's Gap, the infantry and teams crowded together in +the narrow defile to the great inconvenience of the footmen +and annoyance of the artillerymen and teamsters. +Marching rapidly all night and the next day, halting +only a short time for coffee in the morning and at noon, +we retraced our steps to Leesburgh, then following the +turnpike we reached and passed Drainsville, and halted +near Difficult creek. July 23d, the corps marched through +Lewinsville and Langley, passed Camp Griffin, the memory +of which was indissolubly connected with our first winter +in the service, crossed Chain bridge and went in camp near +Tanleytown, five miles out from Washington.</p> + +<p>Transports were waiting on the Potomac to convey us +to City Point, but as matters in the valley still seemed +unsettled, the corps remained at Tanleytown, and on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> +25th, it became certain that Early with his army was again +moving down the valley, threatening Maryland and Pennsylvania. +The Sixth corps received orders to move at +once toward Harper's Ferry, but by some delay it was +noon of the 26th when it turned back from Tanleytown +toward the scene of our future brilliant operations.</p> + +<p>The day on which the corps moved had been hot, and +many of the men, weary with long marches, had been +forced to fall out, but, most of all, bad whisky from +Washington had demoralized great numbers, and these, +with the sick and weary, made up a great crowd of +stragglers. The task, which was assigned to the rear-guard, +the Seventy-seventh New York, of urging these +inebriated and discouraged ones toward their commands, +was not an easy or agreeable one. The corps made all +haste in the direction of Frederick, which city it reached +on the 28th, crossing the field of General Wallace's battle +with Early.</p> + +<p>Without halting at Frederick, except to get our coffee +near Monocacy creek, we pushed on to Jefferson, getting +into camp at midnight. The next day we marched through +Knoxville, Newton and Sandy Hook, through that wonderful +gorge in the mountains at Harper's Ferry, and arrived +at evening footsore and weary at Halltown, four miles +south of Harper's Ferry. Then, next day we were ordered +back again. The whole command poured into the deep +valley at Harper's Ferry, the day was sultry even for that +locality, not a breath of air seemed to be stirring, and the +high mountains on every side reflected the heat and kept +off the breeze. Into this hot, dusty inclosure among the +hills, the whole army poured, and as there was only a +single pontoon bridge to serve as an outlet, there was of +course great delay. Horses stood harnessed to the cannon +or under the saddle, the sweat literally pouring off their +sides like rain, while men panted for breath and seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> +almost on the point of suffocation. It was late in the +night when our corps was all over the bridge, and the march +was continued without rest during the whole night and all +next day till we arrived again near Frederick City, where +we had a night and a day of rest. We now learned that +the cause of our sudden countermarch was the raid of +Early's cavalry, who had burned the city of Chambersburgh, +and caused much destruction of property elsewhere.</p> + +<p>By this time the Sixth corps was, in army parlance, +"about played out." Even our famous marches on the +Gettysburgh campaign were eclipsed by this perpetual +series of forced marches for nearly a month. The men +were very much worn from their campaigns before leaving +Petersburgh, but now we had had a month of traveling, +night and day.</p> + +<p>Hardly were the troops settled in camp for a night of +rest, before the bugle called them to go again. Now +when we marched, horses would drop down by dozens +along the road, unable to rise again. Their riders would +strip them of their saddles, and leave the worn out steeds +to their fate. If, by chance, one of these deserted horses, +after a few hours of rest, could muster strength to rise to +his feet, he was doomed to be seized by some drummer +boy, or other wight of the "bummer" tribe, mounted and +rode till his strength again failed. Then the dismounted +bummer would coolly remove his hempen bridle, shoulder +his drum, and seek for another steed. For two or three +days past the weather had been excessively hot, and men +could be seen lying all along the roadside, as we marched, +suffering from sunstroke.</p> + +<p>Wednesday, August 3d, the Sixth corps marched to +Buckeystown, a little village on the Monocacy, about five +miles south of Frederick.</p> + +<p>The different brigades of the corps were scattered about +on the hillsides which bounded the pleasant valley of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> +Monocacy, where pure fresh air was in abundance, and +the men gladly availed themselves of the privilege of +bathing in the delightfully clear waters of the river. For +a distance of nearly two miles the river was filled with +bathers at all hours, except in the hottest part of the day +and in the night, and even then some might be seen enjoying +the luxury of the bath.</p> + +<p>At Buckeystown we remained two days, in the enjoyment +of a pleasant bivouac; yet, as though no place was +free from evil, an event occurred here afflictive to our +brigade and to the corps.</p> + +<p>Among the most energetic and brave officers of our +Third brigade, was Major Ellis, of the Forty-ninth New +York. He had been wounded at Spottsylvania while leading +a charge against the enemy at the terrible "angle." +A ramrod had passed through his left arm, and bruised the +chest near the heart. He was taken to Fredericksburgh, +from whence he went to Washington, and thence home. +Returning to his command before he had fully recovered, +he was advised by medical officers not to attempt any severe +duty. But being detailed to the staff of General Russell, +commanding the First division, he at once resumed active +military duties. On these recent marches, the major, weary +of inaction, had taken command of a body of men who +acted as additional provost-guard to the division.</p> + +<p>In this position he had exhibited his usual energy, +though it was thought by some he executed his duties +with too great severity. Ever since receiving his wound, +he had complained of severe neuralgic pains in the region +of the heart. Except that this pain was slightly more +acute than usual, the major retired to his tent on the night +of the 3d, in his accustomed health.</p> + +<p>In the morning he sent his servant from the tent for a +moment, and when the man returned the major was dead. +An autopsy was made by the writer of these pages, in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> +presence of about twenty of his professional brethren. A +sharp splinter of bone from one of the ribs was found with +its acute point piercing vital organs.</p> + +<p>The funeral display was the most imposing ever witnessed +in any corps of the Army of the Potomac. We +had seen military pageants on a large scale, but nothing +to compare with this in its solemn sublimity.</p> + +<p>The remains were laid in state in a large tent near +General Russell's head-quarters, wrapped in a silken flag, +and the tent itself was draped with the Stars and Stripes. +Presently the major's regiment, the Forty-ninth New +York, came as mourners, unarmed, and formed in two +ranks facing each other near the tent. Then the chaplain +of the Forty-ninth, led in a short religious service, very +appropriate and very impressive, while the whole of the +First division was being formed in two parallel lines +facing each other, and about eighty paces apart. The +service over, a regiment of heavy artillery came to act as +escort. The remains, inclosed in a rude coffin, wrapped +in the flag under which he had so often fought, were +placed in an ambulance, and the funeral cortege began its +slow march through the long lines of sunbrowned veterans +who stood on either side. First in the procession was the +escort, the muskets of the men reversed, preceded by a +band playing a solemn dirge. Then the ambulance with +the remains, the major's hat, coat and sword lying upon the +coffin; then his riderless horse, saddled and bridled, and +led by a servant; then the regiment as mourners; +and finally General Russell and the staff of the First +division with the division flag, and the staffs of the three +brigades of the division, and our Third brigade, Second division, +each with its flag, with a large concourse of officers, +personal friends of him whose remains were thus honored.</p> + +<p>As the cortege proceeded with slow steps between the +lines of soldiers, they stood with arms presented, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> +the colors of the regiments drooped as the procession +passed. Thus attended the remains were conveyed to the +railroad station, three miles distant, where they were +placed on board a train for Washington.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant-General Grant visited our army on the 5th +of August, and, in consultation with General Hunter, +determined upon a course for our future operations. So +quietly was this visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the +armies made, that very few in our little army knew of +the presence of General Grant.</p> + +<p>Among other things determined upon at this time was +a change of commanders. General Hunter, who had +commanded the "Army of the Shenandoah," with credit +to himself and honor to our arms, was to be relieved, and +General Philip S. Sheridan, who had, since the commencement +of the spring campaign, commanded the cavalry +corps of the Army of the Potomac, was to take command +of all the forces operating against Early. The department +of West Virginia, Washington, Susquehanna and +the Middle Department, were to constitute the "Middle +Military Division," to be under the command of General +Sheridan. To this middle military division the Sixth +corps was temporarily assigned. This was a new era in +the history of that corps. Hitherto it had been, from the +beginning, connected with the noble Army of the Potomac. +Its history and its fame were inseparably connected with +the history of that army, and when the corps had come to the +rescue of the capital, it came as a detachment of the Army +of the Potomac. Now, for the first time, the corps was to +be identified with another army. But great as was the +fame and honor which the corps had, by noble deeds, won +for itself, it was now, by heroic achievements in the new +field, to crown itself with glories even more dazzling than +those in its proudest days in the old army.</p> + +<p>We were ordered, on the evening of the 5th, to march<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> +immediately. The troops of the Sixth corps proceeded at +once to Monocacy Junction, where they took cars for +Harper's Ferry. The quartermasters, and hospital trains +followed rapidly by the wagon roads.</p> + +<p>Troops and trains reached the heights beyond Harper's +Ferry at night, and on the following morning the line of +battle was established at Halltown.</p> + +<p>General Sheridan now assumed command. We knew +little of him except that he had very successfully commanded +the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac for the +last three months, but we were satisfied that General Grant +trusted to his generalship, and we had already learned +enough of General Grant's knowledge of human nature to +place confidence in the general of his choice.</p> + +<p>One thing pleased us at the start. Our new general +was visible to the soldiers of his command; wherever we +went he was with the column, inhaling the dust, leaving +the road for the teams, never a day or two days behind the +rest of the army, but always riding by the side of the men. +His watchful care of the details of the march, his interest +in the progress of the trains, and the ready faculty with +which he brought order out of confusion when the roads +became blockaded, reminded us of our lamented Sedgwick. +Another feature of the new administration pleased us. +When the head-quarter tents of the commander of the +Middle Military Division were pitched, there was one +wall tent, one wedge tent and two flies. This modest +array of shelter for the general and his staff was in happy +contrast with the good old times in the Army of the +Potomac, when more than eighty six-mule teams were +required to haul the baggage for head-quarters of the army.</p> + +<p>At Halltown we remained for a few days, gaining what +we so much needed, rest. The air was delightfully cool +and refreshing, and it seemed as though each particular +breath was laden with health and strength.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span></p> + +<p>We were rejoiced to see some of our Army of the +Potomac cavalry joining us, and our army began to assume +dimensions which filled us with confidence. We had now +the Sixth corps, General Wright, two divisions of the +Nineteenth corps under General Emory, and Hunter's +"Army of Virginia," usually called the Eighth corps, +under command of General Crook. Our cavalry consisted +of Averill's force which had been in the valley, +and we were now receiving two divisions from the Army +of the Potomac, one in command of General Torbert, the +other of General Wilson. The cavalry force was soon +afterward organized, with General Torbert in command +of the whole force, and Generals Custer, Averill and Merritt, +each in command of a division.</p> + +<p>On the tenth of the month we commenced our march up +the Shenandoah Valley. No sooner had the sun made its +appearance above the Blue Ridge than we found the day +to be most intensely hot. Soldiers were falling along the +roadside in great numbers overcome with the heat, and +what added to the hardships of the day's journey was the +want of water. The turnpike along which we marched +was parallel with a fine stream of water on either side, +but the water was so far distant as to be useless to the +soldiers. Yet there were a few springs and wells at some +distance from the road which supplied those who could +leave the column.</p> + +<p>We passed through Charlestown, the scene of the trial +and execution of John Brown. There was the court +house to which he was brought on his couch to receive his +trial for treason, and there the jail in which he spent +his last days, and from which he was led to execution. +How had all things changed! The people who stood +about the gallows of John Brown, and gnashed their +teeth in their bitter hatred, were now themselves guilty +of treason. The court house was in ruins, and the jail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> +was but a shell of tottering walls. The town also had +suffered fearful ravages from war, and now a Union army +was marching through its streets, every band and every +drum corps playing the stirring but to southern ears hateful +air, "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave," +and we may anticipate our narrative to say that whenever +our army or any part of it had occasion to pass through +this town, the bands always struck up this air, as if to +taunt the inhabitants with the memory of their victim, +and played it from one limit of the town to the other. +So John Brown was revenged!</p> + +<p>The Shenandoah Valley has been often called the +"Garden of Virginia," and truly it is a lovely valley, yet +as we marched along we could see but little cultivation. +The groves of oak were delightful. Teams with wagons +might be driven anywhere among them. But the fields +were mostly desolate. Here and there a field of corn promised +a medium crop if left to ripen untrodden by our +army, but there was no luxuriance of vegetation. The +mountains, the Blue Ridge on one side and the North +mountains on the other, rose abruptly from the valley in +parallel lines, and looked as though a race of Titans had +been at war, and had thrown up these long ridges as +breastworks for opposing forces.</p> + +<p>A little beyond Charlestown was a lovely meadow, +lying between two groves of oak. At the further end of +the meadow was a neat white cottage, where there seemed +more comfort than we had seen elsewhere in the valley. +The place was away from the direct line of march, and +partly concealed by the groves.</p> + +<p>Those who left the column were furnished by the family +with pure sweet water from a well, which the family +asserted was sunk by order of General Braddock. Such +places were so rare that our men and animals suffered +from thirst. Few who were on that march will forget a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> +spring which we passed near the close of that day's march. +A large white frame house stood upon an elevation, surrounded +by trees, and at foot of the elevation, a large +spring, under the shade of a huge willow, and surrounded +by other trees. The water gushed out from a fissure in the +rock, clear as crystal, and in such volume that a large +brook was formed at once. Over the spring was the usual +"spring house." Soldiers filled this building, covered the +great rocks, crowded the grove, and for many yards around +a dense mass of men pressed to get near the tempting +fountain, all eager to fill their cups and canteens, and hasten +on with the column. No one can know with what +delight the soldiers quaffed the sparkling fluid from their +sooty coffee pots, who has not suffered the torture of +extreme thirst.</p> + +<p>We halted near Clifton, and resumed our march on the +following morning, to suffer, if possible, more from heat +and thirst than ever. At night we bivouacked near +Opequan creek. We threw ourselves upon the grassy +sward, with the beautiful canopy of heaven with its mottled +clouds and twinkling stars and flying meteors, for our +tent. For many of us, this was the only tent we had slept +under since leaving Petersburgh, and we were satisfied +with it. The air was purer and the breeze fresher than +when we were inclosed by canvas.</p> + +<p>Again, on the morning of the 12th, we were marching. +We passed through the villages of Newtown and Middletown, +and halted at night on the banks of Cedar creek.</p> + +<p>We were startled in the morning by the announcement +of the death of a good soldier. John Mosher had +marched with the column the day before, but owing +to the overpowering heat was obliged to fall a little +behind. Toward evening, finding himself too much +exhausted to walk further, he applied for and obtained +permission to ride in an ambulance of the First division.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> +During the night he was found to be dying. The kind +hearted surgeon in charge of the hospital of the First +division, Dr. Crehore, and one of his assistants, spent some +hours with him, using every means to restore him, but +without avail. He died before morning. A letter in his +pocket told his name and regiment. We made a grave +near Cedar creek, and a few of his comrades stood around +it while he was lowered to his bed of earth, wrapped in +his blanket. The chaplain offered a brief prayer; his fellows +in arms fired a parting salute, and we left him to +sleep in the valley where, a few weeks later, some of his +companions were to rest by his side.</p> + +<p>On the 13th all the troops were across on the south side +of Cedar creek. The pickets of our Second division occupied +one end of the village of Strasburgh, while those of +the enemy held the other. We were sure that we must +fight here, and we were not unwilling. Our cavalry was +scouting on the flanks, skirmishing with rebel cavalry and +searching for a way to outflank Early's army. The rebels +held a position of great strength, and to make a direct +assault would be to run a great risk of a repulse. The +walls of the valley, the Blue Ridge and the North Mountains, +came close together here, and, to render the position +stronger, Fisher Hill, a commanding eminence, a prominent +object in the landscape, to be seen from one end of +the valley to the other, rose directly in our front and +obstructed our passage. Upon the declivities of this hill +the enemy had planted batteries so as to command our +approach from any direction.</p> + +<p>We remained gazing at this strong position till nightfall, +and then recrossed the river, and made our position +strong for defense. General Sheridan had been instructed +by General Grant not to bring on a general engagement +unless it was forced upon him. General Grant regarded +our army rather as one of defense than for offensive operations.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> +Should we suffer defeat, the capital and the rich +fields of Pennsylvania and Maryland would again be open +to the rebels. So we were to watch their movements and +hold them in check, but we were not to risk a battle with +them.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the ubiquitous Mosby was at work in our +rear, at Berryville, with a band of guerrillas. He had +made a bold dash upon a long train, belonging principally +to the cavalry, and guarded by almost a brigade of hundred +days' men; had dispersed the inexperienced guard, +which was scattered along the road for miles; had captured +the mules, and burned the wagons and supplies. +Seventy-five wagons had fallen a prey to the adventurous +bandit, while the hundred days' men had made good their +escape. Old men, women and children, joined in the work +of destruction, setting fire to the wagons, and carrying off +whatever articles they could easily remove from them. +Prisoners whom they captured were murdered, either by +Mosby's band, or by the more merciless citizens, and left +unburied.</p> + +<p>This raid upon our communications led General Sheridan +to fear a more general advance of the rebels beyond the +mountains, with a view of coming with force upon our rear.</p> + +<p>So, on the evening of Tuesday, the 16th, the army +marched northward down the valley again. All night +and all the next day the weary march was kept up. We +went through Winchester, where the rebel women came +out by hundreds to rejoice at our retreat, and halted on +the banks of the Opequan for the night. Then, when the +morning came, we were off again, and, after a severe +march, formed in line of battle a mile south of Charlestown.</p> + +<p>The Jersey brigade, under Colonel Penrose, was left as +rear-guard and support to the cavalry on the retreat. +At Winchester the brigade, flanked by cavalry, made a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> +stand. The enemy came down upon the brigade in large +force, handled it roughly, and sent the Jersey boys +through the town in confusion. Their resistance had been +all that could have been asked; but the brigade, staunch as +it was, was not enough for the force that came against it.</p> + +<p>Our Sixth corps guarded the turnpike leading from +Harper's Ferry to Winchester. On the left of the pike, +facing southward, was our Second division, and on the +right our First division.</p> + +<p>The Eighth corps held the center of the line, and the +Nineteenth corps the left, its flank resting on Berryville.</p> + +<p>On Sunday morning, the 21st of August, our cavalry +was driven back upon the infantry, and we suddenly discovered +the enemy coming down upon the Sixth corps in +three heavy columns. With scarcely any warning we +found shells pitching into our camp among the standing +tents, and bullets whistling among the trees that afforded +us shelter from the sun.</p> + +<p>The corps was quickly in line, the tents struck and everything +in fighting trim. Our boys received the onset of the +rebels with cool bravery, giving them back volley for +volley. The fight was kept up for several hours, the +Eighth corps being but slightly engaged, and the Nineteenth +corps not at all. Our Second division, Sixth corps, +receiving the weight of the attack. Our men threw up +breastworks along the front, and at length the Vermont +brigade was ordered to charge upon the enemy. The +charge was executed with the usual brilliancy and fighting +joy of that brigade and the confederates were glad to +leave us in undisputed possession of the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxx" id="chapter_xxx"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>BATTLE OF WINCHESTER.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Encampment at Berryville—Leaving camp—The advance—Taking position—Advance +and retreat—Death of Russell—"I know they'll run"—Reminiscences—At +the hospitals—A regiment going home—"Why don't he come."</p></div> + + +<p>The rebels were repulsed; but as our position at Charlestown +was one that might easily be flanked, our army fell +back during the night to the strong position at Halltown, +where defensive works were thrown up, and again we +awaited the advance of the enemy; but except some +skirmishing on the left of the line, no attack was ventured +by Early; and after two or three days he withdrew to +the vicinity of Winchester, and established his line along +the west bank of Opequan creek, so as to cover the three +roads leading from Martinsburgh, from Harper's Ferry +and from Berryville to Winchester. We followed and +established our line on the east side of the creek, and some +miles from it, at Berryville.</p> + +<p>Our encampment at Berryville was one of the most +delightful of our resting places, even in the Shenandoah +Valley. We passed the days pleasantly, strolling or riding +among the groves of black walnut, visiting among the various +regiments, amusing ourselves with chess and books. +Nothing occurred to interrupt these pleasant pastimes and +the monotony of picket duty until the 13th of September, +when the Second division was directed to make a reconnoissance +to the Opequan. We marched to the creek very +early in the morning, found the enemy in force, lost a few +men by the shells from the rebel batteries, and returned to +camp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the 15th our army was visited by Lieutenant-General +Grant. The story of his visit we give in his own words:</p> + +<p>"I left City Point on the 15th to visit him (General +Sheridan), at his head-quarters, to decide, after conference +with him, what should be done. I met him at Charlestown, +and he pointed out so distinctly how each army lay; +what he could do the moment he was authorized, and +expressed such confidence of success, that I saw there +were but two words of instruction necessary—<i>Go in!</i> ... +I may here add that the result was such that I +have never since deemed it necessary to visit General +Sheridan before giving him orders."</p> + +<p>Thus the two armies lay face to face, with the stream +and a narrow strip of country between them, either able +to bring on an engagement at any time. The quiet was +broken on the morning of the 19th, when we advanced to +win the first of that series of brilliant victories which +startled Europe and America; which gave to our little +army an enviable renown among the armies of the Union, +and established the reputation of our chief as one of the +foremost generals of the age.</p> + +<p>Early had taken the initiative. On Sunday the 18th, he +had sent General Gordon's division toward Martinsburgh, +with orders to drive out the Union forces, and destroy +the government property. Gordon was met by Averill's +cavalry and driven back to Drakesville. Sheridan, discovering +the mistake made by Early in separating his +forces, was quick to avail himself of the advantage of +his enemy's blunder. Orders were issued to move at once, +but, for some reason, several hours elapsed before the army +was ready.</p> + +<p>We left our pleasant camps at Berryville, at two o'clock +Monday morning, the Sixth corps in advance, moving in +two columns, one on either side of the road, the ammunition +wagons, artillery and ambulances taking the pike.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> +The Third brigade, Second division, led the infantry. The +Nineteenth corps followed the Sixth, marching in similar +order, its infantry in the fields and its artillery and wagons +on the pike, while Crook's Kanawha corps moved further +to the south, with orders to connect with the Sixth corps +at Opequan creek. Two divisions of cavalry, under Merritt +and Averill, were directed to amuse the enemy near +Bunker's Hill, and draw the attention of the rebel generals +in that direction as much as possible. It was the +design of General Sheridan thus to amuse the enemy on +the left while he should march his army up the Berryville +and Winchester pike, strike the right flank of Early's +army, and by a sudden and unexpected attack, to get in +the rear and cut off the retreat of the rebel forces. By +one of those inexplicable mistakes, which sometimes upset +the plans of our generals, this design was not fully realized, +and had General Sheridan been less determined and +less dashing, he might have abandoned the idea of attacking +Early at all.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock Wilson's cavalry had crossed the creek +before us, having dispersed the pickets of the enemy, +driving them back to their line of field works, and then, +by a dashing charge, had leaped their horses over the +breastworks of the first line of defenses, and routed +the rebels, capturing about fifty of their number.</p> + +<p>Immediately after this gallant exploit of the cavalry, the +Sixth corps crossed the creek and advanced on the turnpike +about a mile, where the enemy was found in force. As we +moved along, through the deep ravine, following the pike, +we were warned of the active work we might expect in +front, as we saw cavalrymen coming to the rear, some +leading their wounded horses, others with their heads +bound in bloody handkerchiefs, some with arms hanging +in slings, others borne on litters. Here by the roadside +might be seen the prostrate, lifeless form of some soldier<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> +of the Union; there, where a silvery brook babbled along +across the pike, on its grassy banks, and beneath the +shadow of a large tree, was gathered a little group of +boys in blue, performing the last acts of kindness to a +comrade in whom the vital spark was almost extinguished, +and a surgeon bending over the dying soldier striving to +render less painful the few lingering moments of life.</p> + +<p>We moved up a steep ascent and formed in line of battle +in a cornfield; the Third brigade on the left, the First in +the center, and the Vermonters on the right; then on the +left of the Second division the Third division got into position, +and the First division came up in the rear as reserve. +Our artillery was brought into position and a vigorous +shelling commenced on both sides.</p> + +<p>The Sixth corps was now ready for a charge upon the +enemy, but it was discovered that, by some misconception +of orders, the Nineteenth corps, which should have been on +the ground, was left far behind. Orders were dispatched +to hasten it to the field of action, but two hours, precious +hours to that army, elapsed before it was in position.</p> + +<p>Those two hours of delay enabled Early to strengthen +his right; to throw up strong earthworks, and bring Gordon's +division on the run, to his assistance. We had been +fortunate only in seizing the position on the west side of +the stream, or the battle would, from this delay, have been +worse for us.</p> + +<p>Merritt and Averill, by skillfully maneuvering their +troops in front of Bunker's Hill, had enabled us to seize +this advantage.</p> + +<p>The Nineteenth corps was formed on the right of the +Sixth, in four lines of battle; Wilson's cavalry was on our +left. It was eleven o'clock when the advance was sounded. +In our front were undulating fields, traversed by deep +ravines, almost stripped of timber, except where the rebels +had formed their line of battle in a belt of woods that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> +skirted the turnpike. It was an imposing spectacle to +watch that line of battle, stretching three miles across the +fields, as it moved toward the rebel lines, the men as composed +as though on parade, the line straight and compact, +the various division, brigade and regimental flags floating +gaily in the sunlight. Away in our front we could see +Winchester; its gleaming spires and shining roofs, bright +with the warm glow of mid-day, and we proudly felt that +before night it would be ours. Onward, through the cornfields +and over the grassy knolls, now descending into a +ravine and now rising upon the open plain, where the +rebel artillery swept with terrible effect, the long line +pressed forward, regardless of the destructive fire that +constantly thinned our ranks. At every step forward, +men were dropping, dropping; some dead, some mortally +hurt, and some with slight wounds. Now on this side, +now on that they fell; still the line swept forward, leaving +the ground behind it covered with the victims.</p> + +<p>Thus we pushed onward, the rebels falling back, desperately +disputing every step, when a murderous fire, from +batteries which the enemy had skillfully placed, suddenly +swept our right with fearful slaughter.</p> + +<p>Thus far all had gone well. Now our hearts were sick +as we looked far to the right and saw the Nineteenth +corps and our Third division falling back, back, back, the +grape and canister of the hostile cannon crashing through +the now disordered ranks, and the exulting rebels following +with wild yells of victory.</p> + +<p>The retreat of the troops on the right of the Second +division left its flank, held by the Vermonters, exposed, +and they, too, were forced to fall behind the Third brigade, +which still held its ground, the fire in its front being at +the moment less severe. Our batteries were rushed forward, +and the gallant First division, the noble Russell at +its head, came bravely up to the rescue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the noble soldier brought his division into position a +cannon ball swept him from his horse—dead. A great +spirit had fallen, and in a moment we were made an army +of mourners. "I have lost my captain," said Sheridan, as +the work of the day closed.</p> + +<p>We all remembered the modest, almost bashful, demeanor +of the fallen general among his friends, and his glorious +heroism in the presence of his enemies, and many tears +moistened the brown cheeks of rough soldiers as they +thought of the loss of one of our best beloved leaders.</p> + +<p>But, notwithstanding the loss of their hero, the brave +division pushed straight on. Nothing could withstand +them; and now, joined by the other troops of the corps, +the boys with the red crosses press on, and as the peals of +musketry and artillery roll through those valleys, it tells +of victory for the Union. The lost ground is regained, +and now the fire in front of the Sixth corps slackens.</p> + +<p>We rested, throwing ourselves on the ground, waiting +for orders. Some of the men, fatigued from the early +march and severe morning's work, slept; while others +regaled themselves from their well filled haversacks; and +many gathered in groups to talk over the doings of the +morning, and to speak of those who had been stretched +upon the sod, who had fallen with their faces to the foe.</p> + +<p>We were waiting for Crook's corps. It had halted on +the eastern bank of the river as reserve for the army. +Now it was brought forward at quick pace and placed, a +part on the right of the Nineteenth corps, where the rebels +could be seen massing troops on their left, with a view of +turning our right flank, the other part in rear of the Nineteenth +corps. Averill and Merritt, too, were with the +army, and our whole force was together. It was nearly +three o'clock when Crook's forces were brought into position. +His right was in a thick forest, and against him +were heavy columns of rebels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span></p> + +<p>At length we, of the Sixth corps, heard rapid firing away +on the right of the forest. All was attention. Every man +stood to his arms ready to advance. Sheridan came to our +part of the line. His face all aglow with excitement, the +perspiration rolling down his forehead, his famous black +steed spotted with white foam, a single orderly at his back. +He rode straight to General Getty, exclaiming, "General, +I have put Torbert on the right, and told him to give 'em +h—l, and he is doing it. Crook, too, is on the right and +giving it to them. Press them, General, they'll run!" +and then, using one of those phrases sometimes employed in +the army to give additional force to language, he shouted +again, "<i>Press them, General, I know they'll run!</i>" And +then the shout that went up from the men drowned all the +other noise of the battle.</p> + +<p>We did press them, and they did run. Over the long +stretch of open plain, down into the deep hollow, up again +and over the rolling ground, past the white farm house, +on we went. The rebels would run, then reaching a commanding +position, they would turn their artillery upon us +and sweep our line with iron hail. On our left was Wilson, +with the cavalry charging through the growing corn, +the sabres gleaming in the sunlight, the iron scabbards +clanging against iron spurs, the horses dashing madly +forward in seeming disorder, but all rushing, like an avalanche, +against the right wing of the enemy. Now the +retreat became a rout. The cheers of the Union boys rose +strong and clear above the roar of artillery and the harsh +rattle of musketry, and Early's scattered and demoralized +divisions were rushing through Winchester in consternation +and unutterable confusion. Frightened teamsters were +lashing their animals through the streets in greatest alarm; +riderless horses were galloping here and there, and pack +mules were on a general stampede. Some streets became +entirely blocked up by the disordered mass, and even footmen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> +could not press through; a squad of cavalry coming +to one of these obstructions leaped from their horses and +made their escape on foot. Our cavalry, taking advantage +of the confusion, rushed among the panic stricken fugitives +and gathered hundreds of them; captured fifteen battle-flags +and five guns.</p> + +<p>The remnants of the rebel army collected some miles +beyond the town, and reformed; but after a short rest +made haste to get farther up the valley. As we advanced +we found the mountains full of fugitives, and in the town +were thousands of their wounded.</p> + +<p>The infantry halted upon the high grounds at the +borders of the town, leaving the cavalry to follow up +the pursuit of the flying foe; and as Generals Sheridan, +Wright, Emory and Crook rode along our front, we made +the welkin ring with lusty cheers. Glorious leaders of a +victorious army!</p> + +<p>At our feet was Winchester, the scene of Washington's +early military experience. Here he was stationed during +the French war, and shared in the perilous sentinelship +of the frontier. For then the valley was ravaged by +French and Indians, and fearful massacres were of frequent +occurrence; and when Washington demanded of +Governor Dinwiddie reinforcements, and was refused, he +offered to resign; and when the governor could not allow +him to resign he sent him men.</p> + +<p>Here, on the ground occupied by the Seventy-seventh +New York regiment, near the ruins of an old church, was +the grave of General Daniel Morgan, the hero of Quebec +and Saratoga, the friend of Washington. A plain marble +tablet, broken across, now covered the grave, with a simple +inscription, his name and the date of his death, 1802.</p> + +<p>In the cemetery, still north, we saw, as we passed, the +resting place of Thomas, Earl of Fairfax; a great tory in +his day, and the owner of immense tracts of land in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> +part of Virginia, and from whom Fairfax county took its +name.</p> + +<p>The sun had sunk to his golden rest behind the wall +of hills on our left when we arrived at the outskirts of +Winchester; and, as darkness set in, the infantry of our +victorious army stretched themselves upon the ground to +sleep. It had been a hard day's work, and the men were +faint. It required no unusual inducements to woo the angel +of sleep.</p> + +<p>If the day had been an active one on the field, it had been +no less so in the hospitals. First, early in the morning, came +ambulance loads of men with white crosses; they were from +the Third brigade, Second division, all from the Seventy-seventh +New York. Then came others from the Forty-ninth +New York, from the Seventh Maine, and from the One +Hundred and Twenty-second and Forty-third New York. +Then came men from the Vermont brigade, and from our +First brigade, and soon the hospitals of the Third division +began to be filled. Then, last of all, came the men of the +red crosses, bleeding and mangled. Surgeons worked all +day and all night. There was no rest as long as a wounded +man was uncared for. Yet, when morning came, and the +medical officers were ordered forward with the army, there +was much to do, and faithful men were left to finish the +needful task. Next morning Winchester was full of rebel +wounded and rebel prisoners. Five thousand men in gray +were under guard in the court house yard and other public +places, and Colonel Edwards' brigade of the First division +was left to take care of the prisoners and the town. Many +brave men had fallen. Russell was gone; the gallant Upton +was wounded; Colonel Elright, of the Third division, was +dead, and many, many brave boys were lying with their +blackened faces to the sun, a slip of paper or a letter +envelope pinned to the breast of each to tell the buriers +his name and regiment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/why-dont-he.png"> +<img src="images/why-dont-he-small.png" width="400" height="302" alt="Why Don't He Come?" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">"Why Don't He Come?"</p> + +<p>The term of service of one of our regiments, the Fourth +Vermont, had expired, and on the day after the battle the +small remnant of the regiment, a company of about forty +men, under command of Colonel Foster, started for Harper's +Ferry, on their return home. They had suffered +heavily, and they left many of their brave comrades dead +upon the battle-field, or suffering in the hospitals. How +had those noble boys, whose lives had, at the very expiration +of their three years of toil, danger and privations, been +given for their country, rejoiced at the prospect of a speedy +reunion with the loved ones at home. How had they +written, even the day before the battle, "we are going +home!" and then how had the loving ones, away among +the beautiful green hills of Vermont, exulted at the thought +that now, after three long years of suspense and anxiety, +the danger and toil were over. And we can picture to +our thoughts the mother who watches with eager interest +the smoking train as it dashes along at the base of the old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> +hills, wondering if her patriot son will not come to-day; +but instead, a letter comes with the heavy news, a great +battle has been fought and her son lies in the Valley; or, +on the banks of the sunny Champlain, some young sister +or lover gazes from the window of the cottage among the +trees, at the steamer as it glides over the surface of the beautiful +lake and touches at the wharf near by. But her soldier +boy is not on board, and she watches in vain to see his +familiar form coming toward the cottage. She sadly leans +her head upon her hand and sighs, "Why don't he come?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxxi" id="chapter_xxxi"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>FISHER HILL.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>March up the valley—Strasburgh—The army confronting Fisher Hill—The +flank movement—Flight of Early—The pursuit—Guerrilla warfare—Southern +refugees—Starting for Washington—Return to Cedar creek.</p></div> + + +<p>We started very early in the morning in pursuit of +Early's defeated army, which it was supposed would halt +at the strong position at Strasburgh. On the battle-field +which we left, the lifeless bodies of many of our men +were awaiting the office of the burial parties. They lay, +not in thick clusters, but here and there over a great +extent of ground, showing that they had fallen while the +lines were in motion; but in places, six or eight mangled +bodies would lie in close proximity, showing the fatal +effects of some well directed shell.</p> + +<p>In Winchester were nearly five thousand prisoners, and +more were constantly coming in, and hundreds of rebel +wounded were being cared for by sympathizing friends +and confederate surgeons.</p> + +<p>We reached the vicinity of Strasburgh, the Sixth +corps in advance, at three o'clock on the 20th, and, as we +expected, found the rebels awaiting us in a position, which +the citizens of the valley assured us could be held by +Early's army against one hundred thousand men. The +position was indeed a formidable one, but nothing daunted +our spirited leader set about devising a way of taking it.</p> + +<p>At Strasburgh the two chains of mountains, the Blue +Ridge and the Alleghanies, approach each other, making +the valley quite narrow. As if to interpose an impassable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> +barrier to the advance of an army, a mountain, Fisher +Hill, stretches across from the Blue Ridge to the branch +of the Alleghanies called the North Mountains. At the +foot of this mountain, on the north, is the village of +Strasburgh, and still north of Strasburgh Cedar creek +runs almost directly across the valley. We took possession +of the northern part of the village of Strasburgh, +the Union pickets occupying one part of the town, and the +rebels the other. The night passed with little of interest.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 21st squads of rebel prisoners +were coming in to army head-quarters, and as brigade +after brigade of cavalry passed, each carrying a large +number of confederate flags at the head of the column, it +looked as though our cavalry had adopted the confederate +banner and had paraded in gala day splendor.</p> + +<p>The mists and fogs melted away, and we discovered +that our enemy, lately routed and disorganized, now with +confidence confronted us and awaited our advance. During +the night the mountain had been the scene of busy +labors, and now, breastworks of earth and stones, and +lines of troublesome abattis, rendered the position, so +strong by nature, apparently too formidable for any army +to attempt to force. But, notwithstanding the brilliant +success at Winchester, neither the rebel army nor our own +fully appreciated the fertile resources of our gallant leader. +Starting with his staff early in the day, he rode from one +end of the picket line to the other, carefully noting the +character of the ground.</p> + +<p>To attempt to storm those heights, now strengthened +with earthworks and bristling with cannon, would be presumptuous; +but away on the right seemed the vulnerable +point of the enemy's line. Returning to his quarters, +Sheridan determined at once upon his plan of attack. The +Nineteenth corps was thrown farther to the left, and our +Sixth corps occupied the position in the center, facing now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> +to the south. Crook's corps was thrown well to the right, +where the North Mountain formed a precipitous wall for +the valley. All day the sharp crack of the skirmishers' +rifles, and the ring of the pioneers' axes were heard as the +two lines faced each other, each watching the movements +of the other, and each actively engaged in felling trees +from which breastworks were made.</p> + +<p>During the night Crook's corps and our Third division +were toiling along the side of the mountain unseen +and unexpected by the rebels. All night and the following +morning these two commands labored to drag artillery +along the precipitous mountain side, executing every +movement in silence and with utmost secrecy. The Nineteenth +corps and the First and Second divisions of the Sixth +were all this time keeping up a show of determination +to attack in front.</p> + +<p>At length, just as the sun was sinking behind the +mountain barrier, a wild shout was heard from the hillside +where Crook's corps and our Third division were +rushing down from the cover of the forest, upon the +flank and rear of the astonished confederates. The shout +was taken up by the troops in front, and at the same +time the two remaining divisions of the Sixth corps and +the Nineteenth corps advanced against the rebel front. +Completely surprised by the movement on the flank, the +rear of the rebel army was quickly thrown into a panic. +Still resistance was kept up along the front. Steadily the +troops of Wright and Emory pressed forward, the rebel +gunners firing their shells over the heads of our men, our +line advancing over ditches and fences, over fallen trees +and stone walls, each man his own commander and each +pressing eagerly forward. In the foremost line rode Phil +Sheridan, the men cheering him lustily as they pressed +hastily forward. "Let us take the guns," shouted the +men; and forward at double-quick they rushed. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span> +panic in the rear had by this time reached the front, and +the whole rebel army was rushing in unutterable confusion +and rout, up the valley. They left with us sixteen guns, +of which Bidwell's brigade captured six. We gathered +up the prisoners, and they numbered eleven hundred.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> +The hill was strewed with small arms, and cannon and +caissons met our view wherever we passed.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> The prisoners taken thus far, at Winchester and Fisher Hill, including the +wounded, numbered more than seven thousand. The absurdity and falsity of +Early's statement, that his effective force at Winchester amounted to only eight +thousand five hundred men, is readily seen. The rebel surgeons at Mount Jackson, +and the citizens, while claiming that we outnumbered Early's forces, acknowledged +that he retreated from Winchester with more than twenty thousand men.</p></div> + +<p>We had lost, as the cost of this brilliant victory, less +than forty men in the army; and the confederate loss in +killed and wounded was scarcely greater.</p> + +<p>We followed the routed army through Mount Jackson, +where were large hospitals, occupied by wounded confederates, +and attended by confederate surgeons; then pressed +on to New Market, keeping up a running fight with the +rear-guard of the rebel army.</p> + +<p>On the 25th we reached Harrisonburgh, a village more +than sixty miles above Winchester.</p> + +<p>Our march had been a grand triumphal pursuit of a +routed enemy. Never had we marched with such light +hearts; and, though each day had found us pursuing +rapidly from dawn till dark, the men seemed to endure +the fatigue with wonderful patience. Our column, as it +swept up the valley, was a spectacle of rare beauty. +Never had we, in all our campaigns, seen anything to +compare with the appearance of this victorious little army. +The smooth, wide turnpike was occupied by the artillery, +ambulances and baggage wagons moving in double file. +The infantry marched in several parallel columns on either +side of the pike, and a line of cavalry, followed by a skirmish +line of infantry, led the way. Cavalry, too, hung on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span> +either flank, and scouted the country. It was intensely +exciting to watch the steady progress of the advancing +skirmishers. Now, as they reached the base of some sloping +eminence, the rebel skirmishers would confront them; +then, as they advanced, never halting nor slackening their +pace, the confederates would surrender the ground, to +appear in our front on the next commanding ground. So +we marched up the valley—a grand excursion—skirmishing +only enough to maintain a constant state of pleasant +excitement.</p> + +<p>At Harrisonburgh we remained until the 29th, then +marched farther up the valley to Mount Crawford, while +the cavalry penetrated as far as Staunton. The rebel +army was broken up and demoralized, yet considerable +force was in the vicinity of Lynchburgh, and Early +devoted himself to reorganizing it.</p> + +<p>Guerrilla warfare was a favorite resort of the rebels in +the Shenandoah Valley, and many of our men were murdered +in cold blood by the cowardly villains who lurked +about our camps by day as harmless farmers, and murdered +our men at night dressed in confederate uniform. +Among those who lost their lives by this cowardly species +of warfare, were Surgeon Ochenslayer, Medical Inspector of +our army; Colonel Tolles, Chief Quartermaster, and Captain +Meigs, son of the Quartermaster-General, U. S. A.</p> + +<p>We fell back from Mount Crawford to Harrisonburgh, +burning barns, mills and granaries, driving before us cattle +and sheep, and bringing white and black refugees +without number. From Harrisonburgh we again fell +back, retracing our steps through New Market, Mount +Jackson and Woodstock, and encamped on the evening of +the 8th of October on the north bank of Cedar creek. +Each day as we marched, dark columns of smoke rose +from numberless conflagrations in our rear and on either +flank, where the cavalry was at work carrying out the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> +edict of destruction of the valley. A certain number +of mills with the grain contained, a specified number of +wheat-stacks and granaries, and cattle and sheep sufficient +for the wants of the people of the valley were saved; all +other mills, barns, stacks and granaries were burned, +and all other cattle and sheep driven away. Seventy +mills, with the flour and grain, and over two thousand +barns filled with wheat, hay and farming implements +were thus committed to the flames, and seven thousand +cattle and sheep were either driven off or killed and issued +to the men. This destruction, cruel as it seemed, was +fully justified as a matter of military necessity. For so +long as a rebel army could subsist in the valley, so long +a large force must remain to guard the frontier of +Maryland.</p> + +<p>Hundreds of refugees accompanied us from Staunton, +Mount Crawford and Harrisonburgh: Unionists who had +endured persecution until it was no longer endurable, and +who now left houses and farms to find relief in the north +from their sufferings for loyalty; and negroes who sought +freedom from their ancient bondage.</p> + +<p>Among the latter class was a group which had followed +the cavalry from Staunton, and which now took a place in +our Sixth corps hospital train, which attracted universal +attention. The party rode in one of the huge Virginia +wagons, so familiar to those who have spent much time +in those parts, and consisted of an aged colored woman, +probably more than ninety years old, one or two younger +women, a black man of fifty, who was a cripple, a boy of +twelve or fifteen years, and a very large number of small +children, varying in hue from jet black to dark brunette. +The load was drawn by four broken down, spavined +animals, the crippled man riding one of the horses of the +rear span, the boy one of the leaders. The soldiers manifested +great interest in this curious load of refugees, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span> +freely divided with them their hard tack and coffee. The +writer of these pages, reining his horse to the side of the +vehicle, addressed the aged negress, "Well, aunty, are all +those your children?" "Lor, no massa, dey's only eighteen +ob 'em." Doubtless she designed to say that there +were only eighteen of the children, not that "only +eighteen" were her own.</p> + +<p>As our army neared Fisher Hill the cavalry of the +enemy became annoying to our rear-guard. General Sheridan +said to General Torbert, that the annoyance must be +stopped at once. Accordingly Custer and his horsemen +lay in wait for the rebel cavalry, attacked them, drove +them away beyond Mount Jackson, and took eleven pieces +of artillery and three hundred prisoners from them. They +gave us no more trouble at that time.</p> + +<p>Monday, October 10th, the Sixth corps, leaving the +Eighth and Nineteenth guarding the line of Cedar creek, +turned toward the left and proceeded to Front Royal. +The Seventy-seventh was made provost guard of the town, +and the brigades were stationed along the mountain passes. +Here, in the enjoyment of lovely weather, pleasant associations, +a bountiful supply of lamb and honey, and untold +quantities of grapes of delicious flavor, the corps remained +several days, and the men even flattered themselves that in +the enjoyment of these luxuries they were to pass the winter. +But, as usual with bright anticipations, these were suddenly +dispelled by the order to march, on the morning of +the 13th, toward Ashby's Gap.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/going-norf.png"> +<img src="images/going-norf-small.png" width="400" height="261" alt="Going Norf" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">"Going Norf."</p> + +<p>From the direction of our march it was evident that +we were on the road to Washington, and rumor had it +that we were to be shipped at once for Petersburgh. We +reached the bank of the Shenandoah, where we expected +to cross to the gap; the corps was massed by the river +side, and the men looked dismally into the cold, dark +waters, and shivered at the thought of wading through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> +the stream whose waters would reach nearly to their +necks. But while we waited to get ready for crossing, a +courier came to General Wright with a message from +Sheridan to return to his army in haste. We heard that +Longstreet's corps had reinforced Early, and that an +attack had been made, but with no important result. We +turned about, encamped for the night among the hills, +started again at three o'clock in the morning, and joined +the army again on Cedar creek, in the afternoon of the +14th, where we remained in the enjoyment of undisturbed +quiet for several days.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxxii" id="chapter_xxxii"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Position of the Union forces on Cedar creek—Demonstrations by Early—The +morning of October 19th—Eighth corps straggling—Nineteenth corps routed—The +Sixth corps to the rescue—Death of General Bidwell—The Sixth corps holds +the enemy—General Wright prepares for another attack—Arrival of Sheridan—The +charge—The rout—Guns, wagons and prisoners—The victors in camp.</p></div> + + +<p>Our army was thus resting in apparent security along +the banks of Cedar creek. The men were amusing themselves +in visiting the numerous caverns in the vicinity, +strolling among the pleasant groves or wandering by the +shady borders of the stream. Sheridan had left the army +and returned to Washington for a day or two, to make +arrangements for his future movements, and General +Wright had temporary command of the army.</p> + +<p>Our infantry force was arranged from left to right along +the creek, first, on the left of the turnpike, General Crook's +"Army of Virginia," or as it was more generally known, the +Eighth corps, holding the left flank, facing eastward and +southward; then, the Nineteenth corps, holding the pike +and facing toward the south, its line occupying high bluffs +which overhung the creek. On the right of the Nineteenth +corps, and almost at right angles with it, was +the Sixth corps, its line extending far toward the north. +The corps faced the stream, looking directly west. The +divisions of the corps were posted, on the right the Second, +in the center the First, and on the left the Third division.</p> + +<p>On the flanks of the infantry, cavalry was posted; +Custer on the right of the Sixth corps, and Averill's division, +now under Colonel Powell, on the left of the infantry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> +line, near Front Royal. Our line thus extended from +North Mountain, on the right, almost to Front Royal, on +the left, following nearly the course of Cedar creek, and +that part of the north branch of the Shenandoah which +crosses the valley at right angles.</p> + +<p>The enemy had been trying our line at various points, +during the last two or three days, and in one instance had +captured or dispersed a small squad of cavalry on the +right, and captured some signaling instruments. These +demonstrations were little heeded; our line had been +posted by General Sheridan, and these slight attacks +seemed of little account. In Early's army, however, they +were considered of more weighty import. That army had +recently been reinforced by Longstreet's corps of sixteen +thousand men, and the immediate defeat, and, if possible, +destruction, of Sheridan's army was regarded, by both +General Lee and the authorities at Richmond, as absolutely +necessary to the safety of Lee's army. Hence every preparation +had been made for a most determined attack, and +these lighter demonstrations had been made to ascertain +the exact position of our troops.</p> + +<p>When, at two o'clock, on the morning of the nineteenth +of October, we heard rapid firing where Custer, with his +horsemen, held the right, and on the left, where Averill's +cavalry was posted, we turned over in our blankets and +said, "The cavalry is having a brush," and went to sleep +again. And then, at a later hour, at four o'clock in the +morning, when we of the Sixth corps heard brisk picket +firing in front of the Eighth and Nineteenth corps, we +were scarcely aroused from our slumbers, for we thought +it to be a mere picket skirmish, in which none but those +directly engaged had any particular interest. But when +the firing became general along the whole line of these +two corps, and we saw hundreds of men going with +hasty steps and lengthy strides to the rear, we were at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> +length aroused to the truth that a battle was really in +progress.</p> + +<p>From a Sixth corps point of view, the scene was at first +extremely ludicrous, we did not know and could not have +believed at that time that the flank of our army was +turned, and that the enemy was actually in possession +of the camps of one whole corps; and when +we saw stragglers filling the fields, taking rapid strides +toward the rear, scarce any two of them going +together, some without hats, others destitute of coats or +boots, a few with guns, many wearing the shoulder straps +of officers, all bent on getting a good way to the rear, +never stopping to answer a question or explain what was +going on at the front, the spectacle was to us of the Sixth +corps one of infinite amusement. None of these hundreds +and thousands of stragglers were so undignified as to run, +but such walking was never seen before. None of them +deigned to look to the right or left, they were bent only +upon getting as far on the road to Winchester as possible.</p> + +<p>At length the truth flashed upon us. More than half of +our army was already beaten and routed, while the +remainder had been in ignorance of the fact that anything +serious was transpiring. Now the rebels were pouring +down toward the Winchester and Strasburgh turnpike, +sending a perfect shower of bullets whistling about the +vicinity of the head-quarters of the army, into the Sixth +corps hospital camp and into the trains, which were by this +time joining in the stampede.</p> + +<p>Staff officers now came riding furiously through the +camps of the Sixth corps, with orders to fall in at once, +and proceed at double-quick to the left.</p> + +<p>We may now turn back and trace the cause of this +unexpected state of affairs. Early had, without doubt, +assured himself of the exact position of our army through +information conveyed by spies, who were able to comprehend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span> +the whole situation. He then prepared for a bold +and sudden movement, which should take by surprise one +flank of our army. Kershaw's rebel division advanced +along the sides of the mountains, and, at midnight, crossed +the north branch of the Shenandoah, still observing the +most complete silence. Even the canteens of the soldiers +had been left behind lest the sound of them should betray +the movement.</p> + +<p>The whole division over, it was massed on the left of +General Crook's command. A dense fog enveloped the +whole surrounding country, and so thick was it that no +man could see an object a few feet from him. Under the +cover of this fog, the rebels succeeded in quietly capturing +a large part of the picket force and nothing now interposed +between the rebels and General Crook's camps. +Toward these they hastened, and so complete was the +surprise, that the men of the Eighth corps were, for +the most part, quietly sleeping in their tents. The few +who had got into the breastworks were subjected to a +fierce fire in the flank, and were soon forced to abandon +the line. The rebels seized the Union batteries along that +part of the line, and turned them upon the camps of the +Nineteenth corps, and at the same time a rebel line of +battle advanced against that corps from the front. The +confusion became every moment greater. Daylight was +just merging from night, the thick mists hung like an +impenetrable veil over the field, and the men of the Nineteenth +corps were unable to tell whence came all this +storm of missiles; but, trailing their guns in the direction +from which the shells seemed to come, the gunners worked +their pieces at random. A general stampede was commenced. +The men of the Eighth corps were mostly +fugitives; and those who strove to keep in line were forced +back. Both the fugitives and the disordered line of +battle, were rushing through the camps of the Nineteenth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> +corps. The officers of that corps were, with shouts and +wild gesticulations, striving to collect their disordered +commands, but with little success. Riderless horses were +galloping here and there, cows, with which the army was +well supplied, were bellowing, mules were braying, bullets +whistling and shells howling. The Eighth corps having +left the way clear, the rebels came down upon the Nineteenth, +which gave way and was doubled upon the Sixth +corps, but although thrown into confusion it was not in +the panic with which the Eighth corps yielded the ground.</p> + +<p>It was at this critical moment that the warning was +given to the Sixth corps. General Wright being in command +of the army, the corps was in charge of General +Ricketts. He at once faced the corps to the rear, and +moved it over the plain in face of the advancing hosts of +the enemy. General Ricketts was wounded very early +in the engagement of the corps, and the command fell +upon General Getty.</p> + +<p>The Second division held the left of the new line, the +First the center, and the Third the right. Bidwell's +brigade was the left brigade of the Second division, the +Vermonters held the center, and Warner's First brigade +the right. The Second division was posted in the edge +of an open oak grove. General Grant, of the Vermont +brigade, was in charge.</p> + +<p>We now awaited the onset of the victorious columns, +which were driving the shattered and disorganized fragments +of the Eighth and Nineteenth corps, beaten and +discouraged, wildly through our well formed ranks to the +rear.</p> + +<p>The hope of the nation now rested with those heroes of +many bloody fields. Now that peerless band of veterans, +the wearers of the Greek cross, whose fame was already +among the choicest treasures of American history, was to +show to the country and the world, an exhibition of valor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> +which should tower above all the grand achievements of +the war.</p> + +<p>The corps, numbering less than twelve thousand men, +now confronted Early's whole army of more than thirty +thousand men, who, flushed with victory, already bringing +to bear against us the twenty-one guns which they had +just captured from the two broken corps, rushed upon our +lines with those wild, exultant yells, the terror of which +can never be conceived by those who have not heard them +on the field.</p> + +<p>With fearless impetuosity the rebel army moved up the +gentle rise of ground in front of the Sixth corps, and +the attack, from one end of the line to the other, was +simultaneous. It was like the clash of steel to steel. +The astonished columns were checked. They had found +an immovable obstacle to their march of victory.</p> + +<p>The Second division, on the left, nearest the pike, had +received the most severe shock of the attack, while Bidwell's +brigade, which held the extreme left, and the key to +the pike, had sustained the attack of the whole of Kershaw's +rebel division, which came up in compact order to +within very close range. The gallant brigade received +the onset with full volleys, which caused the right of the +rebel line to stagger back, and the whole line was, almost +at the same moment, repulsed by the corps. The cavalry +on our flank—and never braver men than the cavalry of +our little army mounted saddles—were doing their +best to protect the pike leading to Winchester, and it was +the great aim of both the cavalry and the single organized +corps of infantry to hold this pike; for on this +depended the safety of the whole army, and more, of our +cause.</p> + +<p>The rebels checked, General Bidwell ordered his brigade +to charge. Rising from their places in the little graveyard +and the grove, the brigade rushed forward, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> +rebels breaking and running in confusion down the +declivity which they had but just ascended with such +confidence, and across the little stream. But the rebel +artillery sent our men back to their places, to the shelter +of the roll of ground. The charge cost us dearly. Major +Brower, of the One hundred and twenty-second New York, +lost his life. Captain Lennon, of the Seventy-seventh, +was mortally wounded, Lieutenant Tabor was killed. +Captain Taylor, commanding the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, +was also killed, and many other valuable lives were lost, +but the most severe blow to the brigade and the corps, +was the loss of our gallant General Bidwell. He fell, +while bravely directing the charge, with a frightful shell +wound. He was at once borne to an ambulance. The +general sent one of his staff for the writer of these pages. +When he reached the general's ambulance, the wounded +man said: "Doctor, I suppose there is no hope of recovery." +When told that there was none he exclaimed, "Oh, +my poor wife!" Then after a moment he said, "Doctor, +see that my record is right at home. Tell them I died at +my post doing my duty." A few hours of intense suffering +and the brave man was relieved by death.</p> + +<p>The fall of General Bidwell left Colonel French, of the +Seventy-seventh, in command of the brigade. The line +was quickly reformed in the position from which the +charge was made, and again the rebels came on with +cheers and yells. They were as bravely met as before, +and a second counter-charge sent them again in disorder +across the creek, leaving the ground covered with their +dead and wounded. The greatest shock of the second +charge of the rebels had fallen upon our Third brigade, +and nobly had it been met. A third time Early's forces +came on; this time with less spirit. His men now knew +the troops they had to contend with. They had been +informed that the Sixth corps had been sent to Washington,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> +on its way to Petersburgh. Now they discovered +the mistake, and all of Early's authority was insufficient +to bring them up to a spirited charge. We had repulsed +them three times with terrible damage to their ranks, as +well as sad loss to our own. But now we looked toward +the right, and we saw rebels passing around our flank, +and the Third and First divisions falling back. We were +but twelve thousand. They were thirty thousand, and +their line far overlapped ours. When Early could not +drive us he went round us. And now it was necessary +to take another position, which should protect the road to +Winchester, and General Wright directed General Getty +to fall back, with his corps, to a more commanding position, +unless he saw good reason for desiring to hold his +present position. So the order was given to take the new +position.</p> + +<p><i>The Sixth corps was not driven back.</i> It had thrice +repulsed the most desperate charges of the whole rebel +army, and now that the rebels were turning our flank, it +was necessary to interpose an organized force, and +there was no organized troops except the cavalry.</p> + +<p>Certain erudite historians, who have sent broadcast over +our land, compilations of newspaper paragraphs under the +sounding titles of historians of the rebellion, powerful gentlemen, +who, from their comfortable quarters in northern +homes, watched our battles from afar, quiet citizens whose +sensibilities were never shocked by the sight of a battle-field, +and whose nerves can hardly withstand the shock of fire +crackers on the morning of a Fourth of July, have gravely +informed their readers that our whole army, including the +Sixth corps, was driven pell-mell six miles to the rear; and +one of these grave historians very quietly assures those +who have leisure to peruse his queer accumulations of +absurdities, that we were driven all the way to Winchester, +a distance of more than twenty miles. For the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> +comfort and encouragement of these historians, so prolific +of martial literature, and so barren of any ideas of military +movements, it is conceded that their accounts of this battle +are quite as correct as any which they are accustomed +to give to the public.</p> + +<p>We took position just north of Middletown, which was +about two miles in the rear of the position held by the +Second division of our corps early in the morning. We +went back quietly and in good order, a single regiment, +the Second Vermont, holding without difficulty the position +we abandoned. We carried with us all our wounded, all +our shelter tents and all our personal property of every +description, and the rebels did not dare to attack us. +When we had taken our new position in the same order +that we had formed in the morning, the Second division +on the left, the First in the center, and the Third on the +right, other troops also took position in the line. The cavalry, +which had never for a moment faltered, took position, +Custer on the right, Merritt on the left and the Nineteenth +corps, which had now succeeded in restoring order to its +broken ranks, was massed on the right and rear of the +Sixth.</p> + +<p>With this new line of battle in the strong position we +now held, General Wright determined that not only +should the retreat stop here, but that the rebels should be +driven back across Cedar creek. Their career of victory +was ended. The grand old Sixth corps, directed by our +own loved General Getty, had turned the fortunes of the +day. It was now ten o'clock; far away in the rear was +heard cheer after cheer. What was the cause? Were +reinforcements coming? Yes, Phil Sheridan was coming, +and he was a host. He had ridden from Winchester at +amazing speed, and now, as he passed the long trains of +ambulances in which were the hundreds of bleeding victims +of the morning's work, the wounded men whose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span> +shattered limbs or mangled bodies attested that they had +not run away, raised themselves and cheered with wild +enthusiasm the hero of the valley. On he rode; most of +his staff left far to the rear, his famous war-horse covered +with foam and dirt, cheered at every step by hundreds of +men in whom new courage was now kindled. Dashing +along the pike, he came upon the line of battle. "What +troops are those?" shouted Sheridan. "The Sixth corps," +was the response from a hundred voices. "We are all +right," said Sheridan, as he swung his old hat and dashed +along the line toward the right. "Never mind, boys, +we'll whip them yet; we'll whip them yet! We shall +sleep in our old quarters to-night!" were the encouraging +words of the chief as he rode along, while the men threw +their hats high in air, leaped and danced and cheered in +wildest joy.</p> + +<p>Sheridan at once completed the arrangements already +commenced and nearly finished by General Wright. The +men of the Sixth corps meanwhile busied themselves in +cooking their morning meal.</p> + +<p>None but soldiers can realize the contending emotions +we experienced as we waited for the development of the +new arrangements. We had, with the pride which none +but soldiers can feel, regained for northern troops the +prestige for brilliant achievements and open field fighting +in this valley, so often, in times past, the scene of humiliation +to our arms. Were we now, notwithstanding all our +brilliant successes and our proud consciousness of superiority, +to see our prestige fade in an hour? Sheridan said, +"No;" and we trusted him. Had Sheridan never reached +the field, General Wright would have led us against the +foe, whose ardor was already lost after the repeated +repulses from the single corps. But there was a charm +about the real commander of the army, and his opportune +arrival inspired fresh hope and zeal in the breasts of all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> +Even a considerable portion of the Eighth corps was collected +and placed on the left of the Sixth, and then, with +cavalry on either flank, Custer on the right and Merritt on +the left, we were ready to assume the offensive.</p> + +<p>Thus, all things being arranged, we were prepared to +test the question whether our army was to fall back +to Winchester beaten and humiliated or return to our +old camps.</p> + +<p>At one o'clock, the rebels advanced against the right of +our line, but were repulsed. A brisk fire of artillery was +for a time kept up, but even this died away and nothing +but the scattering fire of skirmishers was heard.</p> + +<p>Early had, without doubt, now relinquished the idea of +any further offensive operations, and he as little thought +that any were designed on our part. The rebels quietly +proceed to bring their baggage wagons and ambulances +across the river, and they set themselves about fitting up +our camps for their own use.</p> + +<p>At three o'clock, Sheridan gave the order to move; +wheeling from right to left, as a gate swings upon its +hinges. The Third division on the right of our corps +became for a moment embarrassed in passing through a +strip of woods, the First division moved slowly but firmly, +gaining a strong position. The Second division also +advanced, but it was ordered to go very slowly, and this +was far more difficult than to rush quickly over the +ground. Yet the division obeyed the order and forced +the rebels to fall back. In front of the First and Second +brigades was a stone wall. This they seized and were at +once partially sheltered; but there was no such protection +for the Third brigade. In its front was a meadow and a +gradually inclined plane, and behind a wall which skirted +the crest, was the rebel line. Between that line and ours, +in a hollow, stood a brick mill, from the windows of which +the enemy's sharpshooters picked off our men. The galling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> +fire from the line of battle, and the fatal shots of the +sharpshooters in the mill, made it impossible to advance +slowly, and the line fell back. Our best men were falling +fast. The color-sergeant of the Seventy-seventh fell dead; +another sergeant seized the flag and fell. Adjutant Gilbert +Thomas, a youth of rare beauty and surpassing +bravery, seized the fallen flag; he cried, "forward, men!" +and fell dead with the staff grasped in his hand.</p> + +<p>"I cannot take my brigade over that field, slowly," said +Colonel French; "then go quickly," responded General +Getty. The word was given, and with a bound and a +shout the noble brigade went across the field, quickly +driving the confederates from their strong position.</p> + +<p>By this time the right of the army had started the +rebels, and their whole line was giving way. The three +divisions of the Sixth corps bounded forward, and commenced +the wildest race that had ever been witnessed +even in that valley so famous for the flight of beaten +armies. The rebel lines were completely broken, and now +in utmost confusion, every man was going in greatest +haste toward Cedar creek. Our men, with wild enthusiasm, +with shouts and cheers, regardless of order or +formation, joined in the hot pursuit. There was our mortal +enemy, who had but a few hours since driven us +unceremoniously from our camps, now beaten, routed, +broken, bent on nothing but the most rapid flight. We +had not forgotten our humiliation of the morning, and +the thought of it gave fleetness to the feet of our pursuers.</p> + +<p>From the point where we broke the rebel ranks to the +crossing of Cedar creek, was three miles, an open plain. +Over this plain and down the pike the panic-stricken +army was flying, while our soldiers, without ever stopping +to load their pieces, were charging tardy batteries with +empty muskets, seizing prisoners by scores and hundreds,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span> +every Union soldier his own commander, bent on nothing +but the destruction of the flying foe. As we reached +Cedar creek, the pursuit was given over to the cavalry. +The gallant Custer, now in his wild joy, could be heard +shouting to his impetuous men, "Charge them! Charge +them!" and then we could hear words, hard to print, but +which added startling emphasis to the commands.</p> + +<p>Crossing the river, he came upon the pike, crowded +with men and cannon, caissons and ambulances, wagons +and pack animals. With one mighty sweep, forty-five +pieces of artillery, many wagons and ambulances, and +hundreds of prisoners, were taken. Merritt, too, captured +seven guns, many battle-flags, and prisoners without number. +Indeed, the prisoners could not be numbered, for +there were not enough of the cavalry to guard them, and +as soon as they had thrown down their arms they were +passed to the rear, and in the darkness hundreds of them +escaped to the mountains. Through the darkness the +cavalry kept up the pursuit until Mount Jackson was +passed.</p> + +<p>The infantry returned to the camps, and as we took our +old places, cheers made the welkin ring; and then as we +heard constantly of new trophies, the wild huzzahs rang +from one end of our army to the other. Such wild joy +has rarely been felt by an army. What cared the men of +the Nineteenth corps that they were forced to lie upon the +ground without tents or blankets? Our army was victorious +and our honor saved.</p> + +<p>The moon shining brightly over the battle-field revealed +the camps of the living side by side with the resting places +of the dead. All the way from Middletown to Cedar +creek the debris of battle was scattered over the fields. +Here and there were seen the remains of our comrades of +the morning, their lifeless bodies stripped by vandal rebels +of almost every garment. They lay like specters in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> +pale moonlight; here, still in death, under a cluster of +bushes, was stretched a group; there, by the side of a +wall, a row of inanimate bodies marked a spot where +brave men had fallen at their posts; in the ravine where the +little creek wound its way, and beneath the boughs of +the chestnut trees of the grove, many slept their last +sleep. Among our camps, the spades of the pioneers +were heard as they hollowed out the shallow graves; +and as we threw ourselves upon the ground to rest, we +mourned for our comrades, and we rejoiced for our +victory.</p> + +<p>Sad, sad it was to think of the noble ones who had left +us. Never again were we to see the form of the great-hearted +Bidwell at the head of his brigade. We +remembered his heroic bravery in all the terrible fights of +those bloody days, from the Rapidan to Petersburgh; we +thought of him when, at Winchester and Fisher Hill, he +directed the movements of his brigade with such consummate +coolness and skill; we remembered his cordial smile +and friendly words, and then we thought of his heroism in +the morning, and our hearts were heavy to think that he +was gone.</p> + +<p>Adjutant Thomas, too, had left us; our noble, beautiful +boy. Could he have died a grander death had he been +spared longer? Could his last words have been better +chosen had he expired in the embrace of loved ones at +home? "Forward, men; forward!" Were they not +grand dying words? Rest, brother; thy death was as +grand as thy life was lovely.</p> + +<p>Lennon's bright eye must soon close forever. We +should never again hear his hearty laugh or listen to his +sparkling wit. He had fallen as a hero falls, and his life +had been the life of a hero and patriot. Belding and +Tabor, too, brave captains of brave men, each had fallen +in advance of his friends.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span></p> + +<p>Major Brower of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, +Captain Taylor, commanding the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, +Lieutenant-Colonel Kohler of the Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania +and Major Borman of the Fifteenth New Jersey, all +brave and competent officers, were lost to our corps; while +among the wounded were General Ricketts, Colonel Penrose, +commander of the New Jersey brigade, Colonel +Dwight of the One Hundred and Twenty-second, Captain +Orr of Bidwell's staff, and Lieutenant Mitchell of the +Seventh Maine.</p> + +<p>Our army remained along Cedar creek for several days, +the cavalry only scouting up the valley in search of remnants +of Early's shattered army. Then, we fell back to +the vicinity of Winchester, where our men built comfortable +quarters, and here we remained until General Grant +called us back to Petersburgh. Many of the regiments in +the meantime were mustered out of the service as regiments, +the recruits and reënlisted men remaining as +battalions with the name of the original regiments, except +the substitution of the battalion for the regiment. Among +other regiments whose time expired was the one whose +early career formed the subject of the first chapters of this +narrative, and whose honorable and indeed brilliant course +we have never lost sight of. The returning veterans left +camp on the 19th of November, leaving two hundred and +fifty men still to represent the organization. We will not +pause to speak of the parting of those so long companions +in arms, of the trip homeward or of the brilliant reception +and magnificent entertainment extended by the patriotic +citizens of Saratoga to the veterans of a hundred battles. +These were fitting testimonials of appreciation of the service +of patriot soldiers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="chapter_xxxiii" id="chapter_xxxiii"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE FINAL CAMPAIGN.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Sixth corps returns to Petersburgh—Condition of the corps—Sheridan joins the +grand army—Capture of Fort Steadman—The last grand charge—The pursuit +of Lee's army—Tributes to the Sixth corps—Disbanding.</p></div> + + +<p>On the 9th of December, the Sixth corps was recalled +to Petersburgh. We need not describe the journey to +Washington, nor the steamboat ride to City Point; the +scenes along this route have already been described.</p> + +<p>We took our position on the Weldon railroad, erected +more comfortable huts than we had ever built before, our +sick were placed in hospitals fitted up with great taste, +and everything which the government or our friends at +home, through the agencies of Sanitary and Christian +Commissions, could do for their comfort was gladly done.</p> + +<p>During our absence in the Shenandoah Valley, the army +under General Grant had been making steady progress +in the siege of Petersburgh, and our war-worn brothers +of the other corps showed upon their faces the marks of +overwork. We were in fresh vigor. We had marched +through a blooming valley literally abounding in milk and +honey. The fruits of the vine, the orchard and the fold +had been ours, and our camps had been in green fields +and pleasant groves, we had marched over wide roads, and +through rolling meadows, and we had fought in the +open field. We returned to our old comrades, proud of +our own achievements, and of the praise we had won from +the nation. We could point to the valley, and to the +memory of Early's army, now no more; and we proudly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> +claimed that it had been ours to rid the country of one of +the most troublesome of the rebel columns.</p> + +<p>Now that we were again in the trenches, we felt a confidence +in our own valor which made our corps eminently +fitted for the last grand duty, the crowning act in the +glorious history of this superb corps, the breaking asunder +of Lee's lines at Petersburgh, and as the result, the overthrow +of the rebellion.</p> + +<p>Grant's army had, during our absence, extended the line +much farther to the west and south. When we left for +Washington, our line extended only a little beyond the +Jerusalem plank road. Now, it crossed the Weldon railroad, +and reached Hatcher's Run, nearly eight miles from +the position occupied by us when we left the lines. The +military railroad, too, had been constructed, and now all +supplies were brought from City Point to the rear of our +camps by rail cars.</p> + +<p>The famous mine had exploded, and with it the project +of taking Petersburgh by surprise. Events of importance +had transpired on the north of the James, and the Dutch +Gap canal was in progress. Yet, Lee's army held us at +arm's length, and Petersburgh was still to be taken.</p> + +<p>In the latter part of February, our friend, Sheridan, was +ordered to leave the valley with his superb body of horsemen, +and cross the country through Lynchburgh, destroy +Lee's communications with the west, pass through Danville +and join Sherman in his grand march to the sea. +But the James river, swollen by heavy rains, forbade a +crossing, and Sheridan, nowise disconcerted, turned the +heads of his horses toward the White House, and after +many adventures, having wrought much mischief in the +rear of the rebel army, he joined Grant's army before +Petersburgh, on the 26th of March. The result was better +than though he had been able to accomplish the +original design.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now, the Army of the Potomac was one again. The +Sixth corps, and Sheridan with his cavalry, were important +elements in that grand army; and now, as the glorious +spring-time was drying the depths of the mud, and opening +the way for a fresh campaign, we were in most superb +condition to administer the last blows to the already tottering +fabric of the rebellion.</p> + +<p>We need not dwell long upon the particulars of this +final campaign.</p> + +<p>Lee took the initiative. Knowing that it would be +impossible to hold his present line much longer, he +determined to retreat to Danville; but wishing to cover +his retreat by a bold movement in front, he sent a +strong column to attack Fort Steadman, a point toward +the right of the line where the two opposing lines were +very close. The fort was guarded by troops of the +Ninth corps. The attack was made very early on +the morning of the 25th of March, and resulted in the +complete surprise and capture of the fort and of many of +the men of the Ninth corps. It was a short-lived triumph; +the work taken was commanded by the guns of +other forts on either flank, and the enfilading guns with +strong bodies of infantry soon compelled a retreat of the +enemy.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the opportunity had not been lost by General +Meade for advancing his line on the left. The Sixth +corps was to do the work. The Third brigade, Second +division was sent forward to take and hold the rebel +picket line near the Squirrel Level road, for the double +purpose of withdrawing the attention of the enemy, and +of advancing our line for future operations. The brigade +gallantly executed the order, and, notwithstanding the +rebels brought nine pieces of artillery to bear upon it, and +sent reinforcements to the point, the ground was held. +Colonel Dwight of the One Hundred and Twenty-second<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span> +was killed; Captain Oakley and Lieutenant Pierce lost +their lives, and many others of the brigade were killed or +wounded.</p> + +<p>The 29th of March was the day fixed for the opening +of the grand final campaign. The Twenty-fourth corps +relieved the Second and Fifth corps from the intrenchments +in front of Petersburgh, and these two corps were loose +to join Sheridan in an expedition on our left with the view +of turning the enemy's right flank.</p> + +<p>Leaving camp early on the morning of the 29th, the +two corps and the cavalry proceeded to the southwest, +crossed Hatcher's Run, and marched toward Dinwiddie +Court House, the infantry reaching the Quaker road, +the cavalry continuing the march to Dinwiddie. We had +now an unbroken line from the Appomattox to Dinwiddie +Court House. The corps were posted from right to +left, as follows: Ninth, Sixth, Twenty-fourth, Second, +Fifth, and on the left of all, Sheridan with the cavalry.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 30th, the infantry and cavalry +on the left were ready for the grand blow upon the flank +and rear of the enemy, but a heavy rain storm set in, +rendering the roads impracticable, and except some maneuvering +to get nearer the enemy's position, no +movements were made. On the following day, the +rebels made a fierce onset upon the corps of Warren, but +failed to dislodge him. April 1st, Sheridan, with infantry +and cavalry, engaged the rebels at a place called Five +Forks, a position of vital importance to the enemy.</p> + +<p>While Sheridan was thus dealing heavy blows upon +the flank, we in front were preparing for a general +advance.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/sixth-corps-charge.png"> +<img src="images/sixth-corps-charge-small.png" width="600" height="996" alt="Charge of the Sixth Corps, Which Broke the Rebel Lines" title=""/> +</a> +</div> +<p class="center">Charge of the Sixth Corps, Which Broke the Rebel Lines, +April 2, 1865.</p> + +<p>The position occupied by the Sixth corps formed a salient, +the angle approaching very near the rebel line. +Here, in front of Fort Welch and Fort Fisher, the corps +was massed in columns of brigades in <i>echelon</i>, forming a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span> +mighty wedge, which should rive the frame-work of the +confederacy.</p> + +<p>The corps was formed in the rear of the picket line; +the Third brigade, Second division, being the point of the +wedge. On the right of that brigade was the First brigade +of the same division, and on the left, the Vermont brigade. +The First division of three brigades was in <i>echelon</i> by +brigades on the right of the Second, and the Third of +two large brigades also in <i>echelon</i>. Each brigade was +in column of battalions. Axemen were ready to be sent +forward to remove abattis, and Captain Adams had +twenty cannoneers ready to man captured guns. Every +commanding officer of battalions was informed what he +was expected to do, and thus all was in readiness.</p> + +<p>At half-past four in the morning of April 2d, the signal +gun from Fort Fisher sounded the advance. Without +wavering, through the darkness, the wedge which was to +split the confederacy was driven home.</p> + +<p>The abattis was past, the breastworks mounted, the +works were our own. Thousands of prisoners, many +stands of colors and many guns were our trophies, while +many of our friends, dead or wounded, was the price of +our glory. The rebel line was broken, and now the troops +of Ord, and those of the Ninth corps pressed on after us. +Humphries, too, of the Second corps, hearing of our splendid +success, stormed the works in his front away on the +left and carried them. The confederate army gathered +close around Petersburgh, but we followed closely. We +will not stop to tell all the splendid achievements of that +glorious day.</p> + +<p>That night our corps rested on the Appomattox, just +above Petersburgh, and General Grant, of the Vermont +brigade, had his head-quarters in the house which General +Lee had occupied all winter, and had left only a few hours +before. During the night Lee made his escape with his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span> +army. He had already sent word to Richmond that he +was to retreat, and the fatal message reached Davis while +in church.</p> + +<p>We all joined in the pursuit next morning. The Second +and Sixth corps hastening to the help of Sheridan, who +was following hard after the flying army. We confronted +Lee at Jetersville, and on the morning of the 6th we +moved up to attack, but there was no army to attack. +Why need we tell of the forced march that followed; of +the gallant fight at Sailor's creek, where we whipped Lee's +army; of the wild joy of the surrender? These are all too +well known to repeat, and the details would be tiresome.</p> + +<p>The grand old Sixth corps, the pride of the army and +the delight of the nation, had crowned all its former +record of glory by breaking the famous "backbone" of +the rebellion, and all that follows is tame.</p> + +<p>General Grant did us the credit to say, "General +Wright penetrated the lines with his whole corps, sweeping +everything before him, and to his left, toward +Hatcher's run, capturing many guns and several thousand +prisoners."</p> + +<p>General Meade, too, says: "Major-General Wright +attacked at four <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, carrying everything before him, +taking possession of the enemy's strong line of works, +and capturing many guns and prisoners. After carrying +the enemy's lines in his front, and reaching the Boydtown +plank road, Major-General Wright turned to his left and +swept down the enemy's line of intrenchments till near +Hatcher's run, where, meeting the head of the Twenty-fourth +corps, General Wright retraced his steps and +advanced on the Boydtown plank road toward Petersburgh, +encountering the enemy in an inner line of works +immediately around the city."</p> + +<p>The march and halt at Danville, the rapid journey +through Fredericksburgh to Alexandria, the separate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> +review of the corps under the scorching rays of one of +the hottest days ever known even in Washington, when +hundreds of our men fell down from sunstroke and +exhaustion, the return to camp and the disbanding, finish +the story of the grandest corps that ever faced a foe.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Years in the Sixth Corps, by +George T. 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