USA > Connecticut > The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865 > Part 75
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June 6. Occupation of Staunton by Gen. Ilunter and the destruction of the railroad commeneed. Gen. A. J. Smith defeats Gen. Marmaduke at Columbia, Ark. Union loss one hundred and twenty-five killed and wounded.
June 7. Truce of two hours. Dead and wonnded lying between the lines of Lee and Mende brought off.
June 8. Morgan enters Kentucky. Gen. Sheridan sets ont on his raid. Junction of May his mantle fall on many a inan, who Gen. Hunter with the forces of Gens. Crook shall emulate his virtues and dare to do lis deeds !
and Averill.
June 9. Advance of Gen. Gillmore and Gen. Kautz on Petersburg. Return of Gill- -ion, but in practice. It was his solace in more without loss. Kautz dashes into the camp, and it was felt in his regiment and by others around him.
town but retires ; losses not more than twenty. June 10. Deteat and eapture of Gen. Hobson and 1500 men at Cynthiana, Ky., by John Morgan. Surrender of Frankfort demanded by Morgan. Gov. Bramlette re- refuses. Defeat of Gen. Sturgis by Gen. Forrest at Guntown, Miss. Gen. Sturgis
Ilis record is a record of love, a record of honor, a King might well envy. llis brave deeds and noble sacrifice will live on snulit pages, and in warm hearts, when time shall have stretched its wings over new genera- tions, who shall read the imperishable record loses his entire wagon train, a large amount
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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.
EJULY,
of artillery and ammunition, and probably 1000 men.
June 12. Gen. Durbridge defeats John Morgan near Cynthiana, killing 300, cap- turing 400, and dispersing the remainder of the force. Brilliant cavalry fight at Trevilan Station. Gen. Sheridan victorious, with a loss of 575 killed, wounded and prisoners. Rebel loss much heavier. Prisoners taken 370.
June 14. Gradual advance of Sherman's lines on the rebel position at Kenesaw mountain. Rebel Gen. Polk killed.
June 15th to 18tb. Constant fighting, and steady advance of the lines at Kenesaw mountain.
June 15. Advance of the 18th Corps on Petersburg. Charge of Brooks' Division, led by the Eighth Counecticut Infantry. Capture of sixteen cannon, several colors and between three and four hundred prisoners.
June 16. Gallant and successful advance of Terry's Division, 10th Army Corps, on the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad- Several miles of track destroyed. Whole rebel army delayed for a day.
June 16 to 19. Repeated and vigorous but unsuccessful assaults on the rebel works at Petersburg. Union losses above 10,000.
June 18. Gen. Ilunter makes reconnois- sance toward Lynebburg and retires. Loss small.
June 19. The Alabama sunk by the Kearsarge.
June 20. Rebel cavalry attack on White House repulsed with small loss.
June 21. Foster's Division, 10th Corps. crosses to the north side of the James, and entrenehes at Deep Bottom, ten miles from Richmond. Union forces advance on the Petersburg and Weldlon Railroad.
June 22. Union forces meet with severe repulse at the railroad, 500 killed and into position on the extreme left. In the wounded, 1800 taken prisoners. P. & W. R. R. cut by cavalry force of Gens. Wilson and Kautz, ten miles south of Peter burg.
morning the fifth (Warren's) and the ninth (Burnside's) are ordered to retire from the plies, and on which ;to fall back.in case of left, and pass to the rear of the line, to com. temporary repulse. Men often ask why the army was not trans- June 23. Gens. Wilson and Kautz ad- vance on Petersburg and Lynchburg Rail- road, destroying large quantities of stores and fifty miles of the track. ported directly to Bermuda Hundreds, so as to precipitate fresh and full ranks against the rebel capital. We should remember that the June 24. Sheridan's cavalry attacked main purpose is to eripple and scatter Lee's army-and subordinate and accessory to this, to capture Richmond. To this end Lee's James river. IIe suffers severely, but at length repulses the enemy and intliets heavy loss on them. army was to be weakened before it entered its strong entreneliments around Richmond. Besides, a return to Washington would have been in the nature of a retreat, relinquishing the results of dear bought advances, uneover- ing Maryland to the incursions of Lee, while the army was being transported from Wa-h- pact and strengthen the whole. But the vigilant enemy comprehends the movement and makes a fieree attack on the fifth and ninth, just as they are leaving their entreneh- ments. The fight becomes general along while on the way from White House to the | the line. The movement is delayed through the day. In the night the enemy moved down the river and entrenched. At dawn of June 3d, a tremendous assault was made by the second corps, (Hancock's.) The sixth ( Wright's) and the eighteenth (Smith's) fol- lowed swiftly and gallantly into the fight. They hurled baek the enemy from their breastworks. But the foe massed his whole available foree against onr foremost divisions. ington and brought into position with Ber-
June 27. Vigorous assault ordered by Gen. Sherman, on the position of the enemy at Kenesaw mountain. Union forces re- pulsed with a loss of 2500. Gens. Wilson and Kautz surrounded on their return, and compelled to abandon wagon trains and prisoners, and a large portion of their artillery. They could uot retain the most advanced muda Hundreds.
June 29. Capt. Whittaker of First Con- necticut Cavalry and aid to Gen. Wilson, with forty men, cuts his way through to Gen. Meade's Headquarters, bringing intelli- gence of Wilson's situation. Gen. Sheridan, and also the 6th Corps, sent to the relief of Wilson.
June 30. Main portion of Kautz eavalry reached their old eamp.
July 1. Main portion of Wilson's eay- alry arrived safely.
For the Connecticut War Record. Review of Events.
NO. TWELVE.
The month opens with the sanguinary op. erations at and near Cold IIarbor. The general and now familiar movement of the army was toward its own left, so as to turn the right flank of the enemy.
The immediate design was to force the enemy's right from Cold Harbor, a point where a road nearly parallel to the enemy's lines meets several roads leading to White Honse, the new base, and a position very advantageous for an advance to the Cbieka- hominy. The stubborn and bloody fight of June Ist, gave us, in spite of the desperate opposition of the rebels, this position.
Ilaving gained Cold Harbor, the design was to foree baek the enemy's right across the Chickabominy and effeet a passage of the stream between the main body of the ene- my and the impenetrable swamps which line the banks of the river a few miles below. This was to be accomplished by continuing the movement to the enemy's right with such celerity as to anticipate the heavy col- minns of Gen. Lee. The movement was be- grun on Wednesday night, by the Second Corps, (Haneock's.) This corps marehed quickly along the rear of our line and came
positions they had so splendidly carried. They fell baek sullenly, with heavy loss, but entrenehed themselves far in advance of the line they held in the morning. Yet the main positions were still held by the enemy. The matchiless valor and persistency of our troops were unavailing. Our losses since June 1st, had been not less than 8,000.
The Union forces held their advaneed po- sitions, and both armies entrenched them- selves strongly. Picket firing and shirmish- ng with frequent assaults and repulses oc- cupied the armies for more than a week.
It beeame evident that Grant would not again attempt to eross the Chickahominy above the swamps, but would devise a new movement.
The new movement commenced at night- fall of June 12th. It was bold in concep- tion, unparalleled in execution. The ene- my, either surprised by the suddenness and eelerity of the movement, or too much weakened to attempt an open field fight, made no attaek. The entire army, except the Eighteenth Corps, was deliberately marcbed across the right flank of a powerful opposing army, without the loss of a wagon or a gun, and with a trifling loss of men in some petty skirmishes.
The wisdom of the movement across the James is obvious, whether for immediate attack or for steady advanee by siege opera- tions, on the doomed capital of rebellom. The Union forces now have bases of supplies at hand with water communications which cannot be interrupted. The rebels have distant bases with land communications which can be constantly and seriously inter- fered with. The gunboats can afford material assistance. The country south of the James is less favorable for defense and probably less fortified than on the north side. We have positions of great natural strength and now well fortified, by which to protect sup-
I864.1
THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.
229
Gen. Grant advanced, continually pressing on the right flank of the enemy. Ile thus co:npelled Gen. Lee to keep his whole foree at [rest of the line the enemy held their ground. hand to be able to withstand him. He com- The renewal of the conflict was fixed at 4 A. Gillmore, and consisting of Hawley's Brig- M. of the 18th. The skirmishers promptly jade of Infantry. a Brigade of colored troops advanced, but soon reported that the enemy under General Hincks, and the Cavalry had retired to a new line of works. The Brigade of Kantz, advanced on Petersburg. Union lines were immediately advanced, and Meanwhile a diversion was made by batte- several desperate charges were made against ; ries and gunboats against "Fort Clifton." the new line of works, but all were unsuccess. ; Our forces easily drove in the pickets and reconnoitered the enemy's works with tri- fling loss. General Gillmore believed them too strong to be carried by his force and leisurely retired. Meanwhile General Kautz thade a detour of the town, forced the en-
pelled Lee repeatedly to ehange front so as to face him and prevent the cutting off of the rebel communications, and as he ad- vanced compelled Lec to fight to defend the rebel line or to abandon it. Every fight weakened Lee's Army in numbers and in prestige. Meanwhile, Grant moving to his own ful. left, had no long lines of communication, but threw away his old base and took a new one with water communication, first at Aquia Creek, then at White House, and now at
For several days both armies were ocen- piel in entrenching themselves, and in fre- quent skirmishes.
On the 21st, the second Corps, (now un-
tin's Division of the Fifth, under comm .nd of gaged the enemy briskly. But General Gillmore had retired and the rebels concen- trated their forces against General Kantz, burg and Weldlon Railroad. They found j and compelled him to retire, with a loss of the enemy in force along the road. Early twenty-five men.
would seem as if he ought at least to have kept the enemy engaged while Kautz was operating in the rear, so as to have taken advantage of any favorable turn of affairs. his opportunity, and thrust a division of Yet rebel re-enforcements might have been rebels through the gap, quickly followed not far distant, while he could expect none. with his entire corp- and rushed fiercely on Besides, we do not know the nature of his the flank and rear of the Second Corps, orders. It is difficult to criticise until we are in possession of all the facts.
On the 16th the enemy in his haste to were captured, with hardly opportunity to re-enforce Petersburg greatly weakened his fire a shot. The rout was speedily stayed, line infront of General Butler. The General and the enemy handsomely repulsed. But immediately dispatched General Terry, with vance the day was spent. Early on the | rebel lines and tear up the Richmond and 23d further reconnaissance showed the en- emy to be very strongly posted, and our forces retired, having lost five hundred in killed and wounded, and seventeen buundred in prisoners.
Petersburg Raihond. The task was gallant- fly and skillfully performed, the track torn up for several miles and the whole rebel army delayed for a day by the saucy daring and cool persistence a of single Division of
The several disasters near Petersburg are troops.
On the 21st of June, Foster's Division of disappointments alike to the people and to General Grant. . The Union losses from ; the Tenth Corps, very presumptuously cross- June 15th to the 23d inclusive were not less than ten thousand.
el the James and entrenched themselves at Deep Buttom, ten miles from Richmond, in a very strong position, protected on both flanks by gunboats. A considerable force of rebels are posted at a distance and have made slight but entirely ineffectual attempts to dislodge our men. We still quietly remain threaten- ing the approaches to Riclunond from the North side of the James.
OPERATIONS OF THE CAVALRY.
On the 18th of June General Sheridan set out from the Army of the Potomac to ad- vance on the Virginia Central Railroad, with OPERATIONS OF GEN. BUTLER. The vigorous assaults of the enemy on the the purpose, it is supposed, of destroying the left the fight was short, but desperate, the | works at Bermuda Hundred, during June | Railroad beyond repair, and co-operating
Thus handsomely were the outworks won ; but the Eighteenth Corps were not strong The Second Corps (Hancock's) was hourly expected, and had they arrived before dark, the second line might have been carried without serious loss. They arrived too late to make the attack. During the night the rebels were heavily reinforced, and the skill and celerity of movement proved almost un- availing.
General Grant, however, decided on a vig- orous assault at 6 P. MI, of June 16th. The line was formed of the Eighteenth Corps (Smith's) on the right, the Second (now under Birney) in the centre, and the Ninth (Burn- side's) on the left. The advance was prompt- ly in vle ; severe figliting ensued, continuing until 9 P. M. and renewed with great vehemence at 4 A. M. of the 17th. On the
enemy were driven back with heavy loss, Ist, 24 and 3d, were casily repulsed, and the position carried and firmly held. On the ; heavy loss inflicted.
On the 9th, a force commanded by Gen.
Bermuda Hundred. The wi-dom of lis der Birney,) the Sixth ( Wright's) and Grif- trenchments, galloped into the streets and en- plan is demonstrated in its execution.
The Eighteenth Corps (Smith's) marched General Meade, moved across the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad, against the Peters- to White House and were sent on transports to Bermuda Hundred, and, on landing, im. mediately crossed the Appomatox by pon- toons at Point of Rocks, and pushed on to on the 221 the Union troops moved up to the ! Petersburg. An hour before sunset of the 15th the whole corps were in position before the enemy's works. Brooks' division holding the center, Martindale's the right, and Hincks'
General Gillmore has been severely cen- attack. By some misapprehension of orders sured for his conduct in this affair, and it the Second Corps, in pushing through the woods advanced more rapidly than the Sixth and became separated from them. The keen the left. The order was issued to storm the | eyed rebel, General Hill, perceived at once works. The whole line advanced in splendid style, the charge being led in the center by the heroic fragment called the Eighth Conn. regiment. The assault was a complete suc- cess. The enemy fled in confusion, leaving as trophies in our hands 16 guns, several flags, and over three hundred prisoners.
The sudden onset threw even the veterans into confusion. Several emire regiments
enough alone to attempt the second line. before the Union forces were ready to ad- a portion of the 10th Corps, to penetrate the
It is said that the Second Corps were de- layed three hours at the James river, by in- correct information concerning the rations, and thus lost the auspicious moment. How These failures will protraet the campaign often a single, apparently insignificant, cir- and summon us to continued anxiety and euinstance, may thwart important and other- wise well executed plans.
sacrifice, but let us be patient and hopeful. On the 3d of July, 1863, nearly everybody at the North had abandoned the hope of capturing Vicksburg. The forces of Gene- ral Grant win when we least expect success.
The subsequent days of June were spent in the u-unl entrenching, manoeuvering and skirmishing.
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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.
[Jen.
with Gen. Hunter in the capture of Char- for many miles, and arrived before Lynch- | Kenesaw Mountain, June 27tb, caused tem- lottsville and Gordonsville, perhaps to push : burg on the 1Sth. Upon reconnaissance he porary apprehension lest the army of the found it too strong to be captured by his foree and retired with small loss, marching Cumberland might fail, but even that hervie assault, at first apparently so fruitless, was westward, destroying the railroad as he speedily. followed by the evacuation and moved. on to Lynchburg. He proceeded without serious opposition until he neared Trevilan Station, wben he was eonfronted by the reb- el cavalry. A brilliant engagement follow- precipitate flight of the enemy. Our weary but invincible troops are pressing on close to their heels. Good reports come of great sueeess. ed, (on the 12th,) in which the rebels were handsomely beaten with heavy loss of killed and wounded, and three hundred and ninety prisoners. General Sheridan on the next When the full history of this campaign is written it will be a record of heroic forti- tude, invincible courage, and chivalrous indi- vidual daring, unsurpassed by any army of any nation, in any age of the world. day proceeded to tear up the railroad and commeneed the advanee on Gordonsville. But learning that a large force of infantry were concentrating to meet him, he with- drew without accomplishing the main object of his expedition.
Gen. Hunter has been eensured for failing to capture Lynchburg. He doubtless in- tended to take the city and failed aceom- pli-hing his design. But it should be re- membered that he was disappointed of coop- eration by the cavalry of Gen. Sheridan and that the serious check of our forces at Peters- burg may have enabled Lee to send forces to strengthen for a short time that important point. Gen. Hunter's forees returned by the way of Canby's Bridge to Charleston, West Virginia, thenee to Parkersburg, and from Parkersburg by rail to Martinsburg.
On the 21st of June, the Third Division of Cavalry Corps (Wilson's) with Kautz's Division (of Butler's foree) set out with the Union Infantry forces under General Meade. The disastrous repulse of the infantry ha> AFFAIRS AT THE WEST. been already related. The movement of the cavalry was a decided success. They struck the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad ten miles below Petersburg, then advanced to! the Petersburg and Lyneliburg, and Richmond and Danville roads. Fifty miles of road were utterly destroyed, with repair shops, locomotives, trains and immense quan- tities of supplies. General Wilson reports! hard pursued by our victorions cavalry. that the Riebmond and Danville road cannot; be repaired within forty days, if all the ma- terial were at hand. The vast injury done roused the enemy to frantie exertions for the total destruction of the whole force. They were surrounded while returning by vastly su- perior numbers, instrueted to butcher every man. But our forces resolutely eut their way though, coming in at last, worn and haggard, with the loss of wagon trains and consid- erable artillery, and not a few gallant men. It was, on the wbole, a telling movement, thoroughily and splendidly executed.
On the 8th of June, John Morgan entered Kentucky by way of Pound Gap, boasting great things. On the 11th he defeated and exptured Gen. Ilobson and 1500 men-on the 12th was terribly whipped by Gen. Bur- bridge, and his whole force scattered and demoralized. His forees made expeditious retreat. in small squads, by various roads,
Affairs on the Mississippi are in a very confused and unsatisfactory condition. Guer- rillas seem almost unchecked to overrun Mississippi, Arkansas and Southern Mis- souri.
The defeat of Gen. Sturgis with 5000 infantry and 3000 cavalry, at Guntown, Miss., was a serious disaster, resulting in the loss of a large wagon train, mueh artillery and at least 1000 men.
This unwelcome appearance is relieved by a single small but brilliant victory at Colum- bia, Miss., by Gen. A. J. Smith, over the rebel Gen. Marmaduke.
OPERATIONS OF GEN. HUNTER.
On the 5th of June Gen. Hunter achieved exciting. Gen. Canby is busily engaged in a complete vietory at Piedmont, killing the reorganization and preparation for active work. rebel Gen. W. F. Jones and dispersing his forces, capturing 1500 prisoners, 3 guns, AT CHARLESTON. and 3000 stands of small arms. The next Gen. Foster is feeling the force and trying day he occupied Staunton, destroying | the positions of the enemy. We may hope foundries, factories, and railroads, and | to hear a good report from this able and capturing a large quantity of stores. On energetic commander. the 8th he effected a junction with the forces of Gens. Crook and Averill. Ile OPERATIONS OF GEN. SHERMAN. doubtless expected also to be here joined by Gen. Sherman persists in his steady vic- torious advance on Atlanta. His army is worn by fatigue, decimated by disease and battle, yet onward, with sublime endurance and heroism they advance, driving all before them. Gen. Sheridan with his cavalry, and to move on to Charlottsville and Lynchburg But he moved, without Gen. Sheridan, directly down the valley, inflicting at every step im- mense damage on the rebels. IIe struck the Lynchburg road at Liberty, destroyed it !
The rebel cavalry occasionally ride across General Sherman's communications, disturb- ing him however but little. Ile aims to keep on hand close to his army a large quantity of supplies, and tbus can readily endure brief interruptions, and the rebels ean make only sueli.
THE KEARSARGE AND THIE ALABAMA.
Rarely has news more gratifying come to incredulous ears than that the Kearsarge had sunk the Alabama. The first real fight of the boastful pirate was her last. The Ala- bama was the heavier vessel, carrying one more gun than the Kearsarge, and using in the action two more. The erew of the Kear- sarge was larger by twelve or thirteen men. The Kearsarge protected her wheel houses by hanging chains, but it was in no sense an iron clad. It was a fair, open contest be- tween well matehed opponents, and was de- eisive of the relative merits of Yankee and British ships and crews. It proves, and the spiteful anger of John Bull shows that he feels it, to prove, the decided superiority of vessels built, armed and equipped in the Yan- kee style over the vaunted British style, and the vast superiority of the Yankee erew in coolness and skill, over the crew trained on a British man of war, but serving on a pirati- Affairs in the Gulf department are not cal deck. The thrilling ineidents of heroism and devotion to Semmes, which crowd the columns of the English papers, are gross fa- brieations to tickle the cars of English sym- pathizers, and console the desolate hearts of exiled traitors. The fact is, the crew had not heroism enough to make a good fight. When confronted by a ship and crew that could fight and would fight, when the stern business was to sink or be sunk, then they had not self-possession enough or skill enough to de first rate execution. Nor does the "for God's sake help me, I'm the Captain," nor the piteous beseeching to keep him cat of the hands of the commander to whom he had formally surrendered, convey to us a high opinion either of the chivalry or hover Que serious repulse, with heavy loss, at |of Captain Semmes. The truth is, that they
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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.
1831.]
were soundly whipped, and escaped from their conquerors by the mean connivance of a base neutral, representing a nation whose history is steadily disgraced by uniform dis- regard of justice and honor towards the United States. The last fact detracts much from the glory and satisfaction of the triumph. Yet let us remember, that for the welfare of commerce, for the reputation of our navy
Redoubt No. 2, was originally under the command of Captain Gillette, Co. A, the redoubt and parapet on each side being manned by Companys A and L, (Captain and the terror of pirates, this splended Pride.) Companys C and E were sent out achievement is both timely and serviceable.
On the whole, the events of the month, while they assure us of final triumph, are such as admonishi us to continued patience, diligenee and energy.
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
For the Connecticut War Record.
From the First Artillery.
HEADQUARTERS SIEGE ARTILLERY, IN THE FIELD, NEAR BERMUDA HUNDRED, June 23, 1864.
This Regiment (the Ist Conn. Artillery) left the defenses of Washington on the 11th of May, and embarked that night, in a dreneliing rain, on board transports at Alex- andria. On the morning of the 14th, we disembarked at Bermuda Hundred, on the James, from which place we marched through the mud and rain, about six miles, to the line of intrenehments. The daily papers have given you details, not always eorrect, however, of what has been going on here since that time.
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