USA > Delaware > A brief account of the services rendered by the Second Regiment Delaware Volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 2
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I cannot agree with Comrade Stevens (of course, he was only using a little justifiable sarcasm) when he says: "But we were not a fighting regiment." The evidence he pro- duced proved the contrary. I hope this is a sufficient apol- ogy for what follows :
EARLY ENROLLMENT.
The Second Delaware was enrolled on the 22nd day of May, 1861, to serve for three years, unless sooner dis- charged. Capt. H. W. Wharton, of the Regular Army, was commissioned Colonel, and the regiment was put in camp at Camp Brandywine, near Wilmington, Del. After some time devoted to "licking us into the shape of soldiers," the regiment was assigned to General H. H. Lockwood's Bri- gade, and started on its way to the Eastern Shore of Mary- land and Virginia to drive out or suppress the Confeder- ates, who were forming companies, and drilling them all down the Peninsula, and were making brave threats of what they were going to do with any Yankee army that had the temerity to pollute the "sacred soil" of Virginia. It was estimated that their forces mustered from 3,000 to 3,500 men, and our boys thought they might have a little "scrap" with the Johnnies down in that benighted region; but when
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their pickets discovered that our brigade was advancing on their works-they had thrown up quite a number of them- they did not stand on the order of their going, but "ske- daddled" toward Drummondtown, the county seat of Ac- comac County, and the home of Governor Wise. When we reached that point, we found them not-for they had kept on going, and quite a number succeeded in crossing the bay, and joining the Confederates at Richmond, while not a few surrendered their arms and took the oath of allegi- ance to the United States Government. Many of them took the first opportunity to go South. We captured eight cannon, and secured a number of small arms, and a lot of ammunition. We didn't do much fighting in that cam- paign, but it was not our fault; we were hunting for it.
WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
After wintering in that section we were sent to Balti- more, and from there, May 31st, 1862, were sent to join the Army of the Potomac, and assigned to the Second Corps, General Richardson's First Division. At this time, the strength of the regiment was 763 enlisted men and officers. Now we were in the company of "Fighting Regiments," and we had our share of it. We were in General French's Brigade. It was three days after the battle of Fair Oaks that we joined the Army of the Potomac.
During the retreat (Seven Days) from before Richmond, when General McClellan changed his base to Harrison's Landing, the regiment was engaged several times and lost two enlisted men killed, two enlisted men wounded and 32 captured or missing. Quite a number of those reported as missing, landed in Southern prisons and died there; others
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so reported, were never with the regiment again, and the presumption is, they were killed.
AT ANTIETAM.
At the battle of Antietam, September 17th, 1862, the regiment was in Colonel Brooke's Brigade, Fourth, First Division, Second Corps. (We were still among the "Fight- ing Regiments.") The brigade consisted of the 52nd and 57th N. Y., 53rd Pa., (Colonel Brooke's regiment), and the Second Delaware. General Richardson commanded the di- vision. General McClellan, in his report of the battle (I quote from official records), says: "The ground over which General Richardson and French were fighting was very irregular, intersected by numerous ravines, hills cov- ered with growing corn, enclosed by stone walls, behind which the enemy could advance, unobserved, upon any exposed point of our lines. Taking advantage of this, the enemy attempted to gain the right of Richardson's position in a cornfield near Roulett's house, where the division had become separated from that of General French's. A change of front by the 52nd N. Y. and the Second Delaware, of Colonel Brooke's Brigade, under Colonel Frank (52nd N. Y.), and the attack by the 53rd Pa., sent further to the right to close this gap in the line, and the movement of the 132nd Pa. and the 7th Va., of French's division, before re- ferred to, drove the enemy from the cornfield and restored the lines."
The Second Delaware lost twelve enlisted men killed, two officers, and 42 men wounded, and two captured or missing; total, 58 men. The brigade lost in the aggregate, 305 men; total loss of the division, 1,165, of the Second
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Corps, 5,138. There is no doubt but that we were with the "Fighting Regiments" then.
At the battle of Fredericksburg, December 1Ith to 15th, 1862, the regiment was in the Third Brigade, General (then Colonel) Samuel K. Zook, commanding; General Han- cock's First Division; General E. V. Sumner, commanding Second Corps.
General Hancock, in his report of the battle, had this to say of the Second Delaware: "Colonel Wm. P. Bailey, commanding the Second Delaware, was wounded. The strength of this regiment when it went into action was 19 commissioned officers and 225 enlisted men. The loss was seven officers wounded and 47 enlisted men killed, wounded and missing. The Second Delaware had three commanders during the battle, the first two having been wounded." Yes, we did a little fighting there!
Of course, anyone who has read the history of the "Slaughter Pen" at Fredericksburg, December IIth to 15th, 1862, is posted in relation thereto and all the com- rades who participated in that bloody battle, need not be told of the details. Our regiment had four enlisted men killed, seven officers and 34 men wounded, and nine en- listed men captured or missing. Totals, 54. The loss of the brigade was 527; the division loss, 2,032, and the corps (Second) loss aggregated 4,114.
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
At the battle of Chancellorsville, May Ist to 3rd, 1863, the regiment was in the Fourth Brigade, Colonel John R. Brooke, commanding; First Division, General W. S. Han-
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cock, commanding; General Darius M. Couch, command- ing the Second Corps.
I make the following extract from the official report of Colonel Brooke about the movements of his brigade on May 3rd, 1863: "At about 9.00 a. m. our right was evi- dently beaten back. I received the order of the General commanding to move directly to my rear and meet the enemy. When I arrived on the ground, General Caldwell's Brigade was interposed and I was ordered to occupy his old place in the rifle pits. I remained there until I p. m. During this time the whole or a large part of Twelfth Corps passed to the rear, when by direction of the General commanding, I moved to the plain, near the Chancellor House, and formed line between two batteries-Pettit's on my left and a brass battery on my right. Here we experi- enced a most destructive fire of artillery, many officers be- ing killed and wounded, but the presence of Generals Couch and Hancock seemed to add to the veteran bravery of the troops-none wavered. While lying in this position, Chancellor House took fire. It was filled with wounded, and after strenuous exertions, the wounded were removed by a company of the Second Delaware, Lieutenant Wilson of General Hancock's staff, having charge of the party. It was in the execution of this duty that the veteran Captain McCullough was dangerously, and the gallant Lieutenant Jordan (both of the Second Delaware) mortally wounded. Major Patton, of the 145th Pa., was also dangerously wounded while occupying this position." Lieutenant Colo- nel David L. Stricker commanded the regiment at this time. The loss of the regiment at this point was one officer and one enlisted man killed; three officers and 16 enlisted
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men wounded, and two officers and 38 enlisted men cap- tured or missing. Total, 61.
AN APPALLING SCENE.
General St. Clair A. Mulholland, Major commanding the 116th Pa. (battalion), Irish Brigade, now pension agent at Philadelphia, in an article published in "The Phila- delphia Inquirer," October 7th, 1894, writes as follows : "The burning of the Chancellor House, during the battle, was one of the most appalling scenes of the war. The house stood between the lines, and on Sunday morning, May 3rd, five guns of Lepin's 5th Maine Battery took up a position in the orchard to the right of the house, and opened fire. General Lee happened to be in the woods, op- posite, and he directed 24 guns to open on Lepine-in a moment, the plateau was a perfect hell-the Confederate shells tore up the ground around the guns, killing the men and horses. Captain Lepine and Lieutenant Kirby were both killed, and the men were blown up and torn to pieces by the exploding caissons, and bleeding limbs fell to the ground with the apple blossoms. During this awful scene, the Chancellor House caught fire, and the flames and smoke were soon pouring out of the doors and windows; some brave boys of the Second Delaware dashed into the burning buildings and began dragging out the wounded, the house was full of them, and lay the bleeding forms on the grass. The rescuers stuck to the work until the house was a mass of flames. The family, that had been sheltered in the cellar, ran out on the porch. Mrs. Fannie L. Chan- cellor, with her two daughters, a son, and several servants, stood there for a moment, stunned and bewildered. Colo-
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nel Joseph Dickson, of Hooker's staff, and Captain William P. Wilson, of General Hancock's staff, ran forward, and with a courteous bow, took a lady on each arm, the others following, and escorted them into our lines.
"One old mammy, colored, refused to come into the Union lines, ran across the field, and got safely over to the Confederates. The burning of the house, roaring of the flames, crash of the musketry and thunder of the artillery, mingled with the cheers and yells of the combatants, the helpless women and children fleeing from death, made a scene of barbaric grandeur that the world seldom sees, and the like of which, let us hope, our country will never wit- ness again."
I was an actor in this scene, and it is not overdrawn. Yes, I have a right to think that the Second Delaware was a "fighting regiment."
The regimental loss in this battle was one officer and one enlisted man killed; three officers and 16 enlisted men wounded; two officers and 38 enlisted men captured or missing. Total, 61.
AT GETTYSBURG.
In the battle of Gettysburg, on July 2nd, 1863, the regi- ment was in the same brigade as at Chancellorsville. Be- tween 3.30 and 4.00 o'clock in the afternoon, a desperate as- sault was made on the left of the line, near the Wheatfield (now historic), and the Devil's Den, and General Hancock double-quicked the First Division to that point to repulse the enemy. Our brigade (the Fourth), charged through the Wheatfield, and the woods beyond, now known as "Rose Grove," and drove the Confederates before them, and
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reached the farthest point gained. by any. of the Union troops during the day, capturing many prisoners, and it held that advanced position until the enemy were discovered flanking us (in fact, were in our rear), and the brigade was success- ful in retiring and carrying off many of our wounded and a number of prisoners. In this charge, we lost nearly half of our brigade. It was a desperate effort by the enemy to break through our lines and get possession of Little Round Top, the key to the position, but they did not wholly suc- ceed, although we were compelled to fall back a little be- yond the Wheatfield. The regiment lost in this charge, two officers and nine enlisted men killed; seven officers and 54 enlisted men wounded; 12 enlisted men captured or miss- ing, making a total of 84.
The writer of this sketch was wounded in this engage- ment, and lay on the battlefield until nine or ten o'clock of the morning of the 3rd. It was a night that will be im- pressed on my mind while I live. I was from this time in- capacitated from taking any further part in the war.
BRISTOE STATION.
At the battle of Auburn and Bristoe Station, October 14th, 1863, the regiment was commanded by Captain Peter H. Mccullough, and the loss sustained was one enlisted man wounded, and one officer and 25 enlisted men missing or captured. The brigade comprised the following regi- ments : Second Delaware, 64th N. Y., 53rd and 145th Pa., Colonel John R. Brooke, of the 53rd Pa., commanding; the total loss of the brigade was 115 men; total loss of the division, 154 men.
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Captain Peter H. Mccullough, in his report of the part taken by the regiment in this affair says: "The enemy's batteries were briskly engaged in shelling our batteries and the woods, when orders came for us to march to the left, double-quick, deploy as skirmishers, and follow the col- umn, which was far in advance. The rebels firing solid shot and shells at us, with precision, at the turn of the road, we fear that many were killed and wounded, as many were there missing." The Fourth Brigade was the rear guard of the corps on this occasion.
MINE RUN.
In the Mine Run (Va.) campaign, November 26th to December 2nd, 1863, two enlisted men were wounded. The brigade had only three regiments in this affair: Second Delaware, 64th N. Y., and 53rd Pa., and the aggregate loss of the brigade was 13; the corps, 282.
Extract from the report of Colonel W. P. Bailey, com- manding Second Delaware: "The regiment broke camp at daylight on the 25th (November) and marched with the brigade across the Rapidan, at Germanna Ford, and the same night encamped at Flat Run. 27th, moved to Robertson's Tavern, where it encamped until the 28th instant, when it moved toward the enemy, taking posi- tion on the right of the brigade, where it remained until the morning of the 29th instant, and moved on the morning of the 30th. The same afternoon, received orders from Colo- nel Brooke, commanding brigade, to deploy as skirmishers and move toward the enemy, my right resting on the rail- road, which I did, under a brisk fire from the rebel battery and sharp shooters."
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SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE.
At Spotsylvania Court House, May 8th to 21st, 1864, the regimental loss was as follows: Two officers and four en- listed men killed; one officer and 23 enlisted men wounded; II enlisted men captured or missing. Total, 41.
Brevet Major-General John R. Brooke, commanding the brigade, in his report of the action, says: "Lieutenant Colonel Stricker, Second Delaware (in command of the 53rd Pa. to which regiment I had assigned him, on the night of the 9th), deserves great credit for the gallant and soldierly manner in which he fought his regiment. To Colonel Beaver, Lieuetnant Colonel Stricker, and Lieuten- ant Colonel Hammell, I am desirous of calling the attention of the General commanding."
General Hancock in his official report of the engagement said : "I feel that I cannot speak too highly of the soldierly conduct and discipline displayed by Brooke's and Brown's Brigades on this occasion. Attacked by an entire division of the enemy (Heth's), they repeatedly beat him back, holding their ground with unyielding courage, until they were ordered to withdraw, when they retired with such order and steadiness as to merit the highest praise. Colonel James A. Beaver, 148th Pa., and Lieutenant Colonel David L. Stricker, Second Delaware, are particularly mentioned by Colonel Brooke, for marked services, and conspicuous courage." He further says: "Colonel Coon's 14th Ind., Lieutenant Colonel Stricker, Second Delaware, and Lieu- tenant Colonel Merriam, 16th Mass., three brave and able officers, were killed while leading their men into action dur- ing the storming of the enemy's works at Spotsylvania on the morning of the 12th of May."
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In the operations embracing June 15th to 30th, the regi- ment lost three enlisted men killed; two officers and 12 en- listed men wounded; and one officer and 28 men captured or missing.
LIEUT. WILLIAM H. BRADY.
Lieutenant William H. Brady, after serving with the First Delaware Regiment, three months' men, enlisted in the Second Delaware Regiment on August 12th, 1861, and was appointed sergeant major and served in that capacity until April Ist, 1862, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Co. I, serving as second lieuten- ant until October 2d, 1862, when he was promoted to the first lieutenancy of the same company. Vice Lieutenant Gideon B. Todd, deceased. He served with the regiment until May Ist, 1864, when he was appointed an A. D. C. to General F. A. Barlow, commanding the first division, Han- cock's Second Corps, serving as an aid on that general's staff until June 22d, 1864, when he was taken prisoner, on that date, in a disastrous engagement which nearly anni- hilated the first division. He was kept as a prisoner of war until March Ist, 1865, when he was paroled and discharged as a paroled prisoner, and was unable to enter the service again (as no official exchange had been declared) on ac- count of the term of the Second Delaware Regiment hav- ing expired, and was not exchanged until after the sur- render of Lee at Appomattox Court House, which ended the war.
Lieutenant Brady was a brave and efficient officer, and was always ready for duty. He served continuously from the 18th day of May, 1861, until the 13th day of March,
CAPT. WM. B. SMITH LIEUT. WM. H. BRADY
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.
1865, being present at and participating in every engage- ment of the first division, Second Corps, from Fair Oaks to the 22d day of June, 1864. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on the 2d day of July, 1863, but soon re- turned to his duties at the front.
REAM'S STATION.
At Ream's Station, August 25th, 1864, the regiment (re- duced to two companies), had one enlisted man wounded and six captured or missing.
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CASUALTIES.
Following is a recapitulation of the casualties of the regi- ment, which I have gleaned from the official records :
Officers killed 5
Enlisted men killed 40
Officers died of wounds I
Enlisted men died of wounds 53
Officers wounded
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Enlisted men wounded 204
Officers captured or missing 4
Enlisted men captured or missing. . . 165 Died from disease, in prison, etc., officers I
Died from disease, in prison, etc.,
enlisted men
IOI
Total 597
Note .- By deducting 54 men who died from their wounds, from the list of wounded, as reported above, the total loss of the regiment was 543.
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SECOND DELAW ARE VOLUNTEERS.
The remnant of the regiment was brought to Wilming- ton, Del., after the expiration of their term of service, in charge of First Lieutenant James W. Leatherbury, Co. A, and mustered out of the service. I think the number was about 75. A few had joined Hancock's Veteran Corps, and continued in the service; how many of them, I am unable accurately to say.
In conclusion, I will say, that although the regiment was not rated among Colonel Fox's "300 Fighting Regiments," I feel very proud of having belonged to the Second Regi- ment, Delaware Volunteer Infantry!
According to "Scharf's History of Delaware," the roster of the regiment comprised the following :
Field and Staff
8
Non-Commissioned Staff
4
Enlisted
Enlisted
Officers. Men.
Officers. Men.
Co. A .. 5
82
Co. F .. 4 85
" B .. 5
89
" G .. 5
90
" C .. 6
97
" H .. 5
86
" D .. 5
89
" I .. 5 86
" E .. 5
74
" K .. 5
86
26 43I 24
433
Totals of A, B, C, D, E ... .26
43I
-
50
864
Field and Staff.
8
Non-Com. Staff
4
Totals
.58
868
Grand total officers and en- listed men
926
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SECOND DELAWARE VOLUNTEERS.
LIEUT. COL. STRICKER'S SWORD.
At the close of Mr. Smith's paper he presented to the Historical Society the sword of Lieutenant Colonel David L. Stricker, in the following address :
"Mr. President and Members of the Society :
"At the request of my sister, Mrs. Sarah M. Stricker, widow of Lieutenant Colonel David L. Stricker, (Second Delaware Volunteers), I present to you the sword that was worn by him, and was presented by his fellow officers of the regiment, May 18th, 1863, at Falmouth, Va., as a slight token of their appreciation of him as an officer and com- rade; and the official records attest that no braver officer ever drew a sword in any cause.
"He was brave almost to rashness; he knew what danger was, but feared it not; he was an ideal soldier; generous to a fault, and endeared himself to the rank and file, as well as to the officers of the regiment, and to all who knew him. When danger was ahead, he did not say: 'Go, boys!' but 'Come, boys, follow me!' and he led the regiment where it was ordered to go.
"At the battle of Antietam, his horse was shot from un- der him during the charge of the regiment across the 'Bloody Lane' and 'Cornfield,' and out to the 'Roulette House,' on the Sharpsburg Pike. At the battle of Gettys- burg, he was wounded in the charge of the regiment through the 'Wheatfield,' and up to the 'Rose House,' and he gave up his life (could any man give anything more dear?) in a charge on the enemy's batteries at Spotsylvania Court House. His record is full of glory, and his name is
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an honor to the State of Delaware. I feel sure that his sword is in safe custody."
The sword was received on the part of the Society by President Conrad, who assured the donor that the sword would be safely kept by the Society, and cherished among its most valued possessions.
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