USA > Delaware > Four years in the war. The history of the First Regiment of Delaware Veteran Volunteers, (Infantry,) containing an account of marches, battles, incidents, promotions. The names of all the officers and men who have been connected with the regiment from its organization in 1861, to the close of the war in 1865 > Part 5
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. will have mercy upon him, and to our God who will abundantly pardon.
Before noon we halted a mile and a half from the river. The ravines were full of troops, and the ad- vance reached to the heights before the city on the north side of the river. But the pontoons were not laid, and the rebel sharpshooters disputed the right to float them to the opposite shore. They were shielded in houses along the river bank, and picked off our men attempting to cross, and it was almost certain death for any one to attempt to do so. At length the commanding General, impatient of delay, said the bridge must be made, and ordered our batteries to open on the city. The firing was rapid, continuous, and terrific. The hills smoked and the earth trembled beneath the fire of the heavy guns. Soon flames were seen bursting out in dif- ferent parts of the city, and raged with wild, un- quenched fury till the burning buildings were con- sumed. The day being calm, the fire did not spread, and only a few houses were burned. The guns were trained principally upon the buildings along the shore where the sharp-shooters concealed themselves. They were soon driven from their covert places, and a call was made for volunteers to cross over and dislodge them. More offered than were needed.
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Among them was Chaplain A. B. Fuller, of the Six- teenth Massachusetts Regiment, who upon reaching the shore stepped out in front with others with a loaded musket, and whilst aiming at an enemy of his Government, was himself killed. The enemy was driven from his hiding place, and a portion of our troops crossed over that evening, and occupied the city.
Our Third Division was marched to the heights in the rear of the Lacy House at the close of the day, but remained only long enough to made a demon- stration, and draw the fire of the Rebel batteries, when we retired behind the hills, and bivouacked for the night. At sunrise, on the 12th, we were again marching in columns to cross the river. Not a gun was fired from either side while the troops were crossing, and we halted in the street parallel with the river. The roll was called every hour with a view of keeping the men together. We were care- ful not to expose ourselves in the streets, which extend from the river to the heights, for the enemy had guns trained to rake those streets.
During the day the men, who had been without tobacco for a long time, supplied themselves most profusely with the best the city afforded. If their ' pillaging had been confined to taking such things as
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they needed, and in such quantities as they could use, we should have had nothing to say in condem- nation, as this is the usage of war. But they de- stroyed an hundred fold more than they used.
The contents of a book-store were thrown into the street. Marble-top tables were taken out, and the frame work was split up for kindling, to cook coffee. A rough fellow stood before an elegant mirror, in which he could see his full length; he swore that he did not look like that image before he came into the war, cursed the Rebels for making it, and then, with the breach of his musket, shivered it to pieces. Another, after amusing himself drum- ming upon an elegant piano, jumped upon it with his heavy boots and utterly ruined it.
Surgeon Maull tells of a fellow who was seen carrying a grindstone on his shoulder, and being asked what he was going to do with it, replied, that he could find nothing else to take, and he was deter- mined to have something.
These things were done when the troops first entered the city, but after the provost guard came they stopped the wanton destruction of property.
On the 13th, very early in the morning, the Regiment was under arms, and marched to the third street from the river, and remained in line
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till nearly noon. Then came the order for the First Delaware, leaving their knapsacks, to advance and deploy as skirmishers to find the enemy, and open the battle. Whilst the men were under arms, and waiting orders, the chaplain passed along the line, exhorting the men to put their trust in God, and to do their duty to their country ; "to be strong;" and to "quit themselves like men." It was a solemn hour, not only to him, but to them, and never before had they listened to him with more respectful attention, or earnest looks; never had they seemed more pleased to have him with them. One after another came to him to say some "last words," it might be, and some seemed to cling to him as if he was now their best. friend. At length, when the fog which hung over the city rolled away, the order came to advance. Led by Major Thomas A. Smyth, every man stepped forward as firmly and promptly as if they were going on a dress parade. As they were to be deployed as skirmishers, the colors were not carried upon the field, and the surgeons, chaplain, and hospital attendants waited. in the suburbs of the city for the fruits of the battle. Not long did they wait. The troops had not aulvanced beyond the limits of the city, when a shell-the first that was fired- burst in their midst,
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and wounded several of our men. The first one, holding his hand over the wound, came to me inquiring for the hospital. The wound was not severe, but if it had been, I doubt whether I could have kept my face straight, for he came crying like a child, because the Rebels shot first, and wounded him before he had time to fire a gun. Never mind, said I to him, this wound will soon be well and you may have another opportunity. He was fol- lowed by one and another in rapid succession, for in a few minutes, the solid shot came plunging into the city, the shells were bursting over it, and the musketry fire was continuous. Rapidly the demon of war laid his victims on the field in the agonies of death, or sent them bleeding to the rear.
Very many perished on the field. One of our Regiment was brought to the hospital with both his legs shot off below the knees by a solid cannon ball * He sent for me to pray for him, and to receive some last messages for his friends at home. He lay with the quietness of a child and the patience of a Christian, listening earnestly as I pointed him to the "Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," and told him of Christ the sure refuge of the sinner, Having, in prayer, in the.
* George Snyder, of Company I, from New Castle, Del.
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midst of that bleeding multitude and the hurrying footsteps of surgeons and attendants, commended his spirit to God, I left him, to minister to others whose wounds were less severe, and for whom some- thing could be done with better hope of success. There being no hope of his recovery, we made him as comfortable as we could, and left him undis- turbed. Without a murmur or a groan he lay waiting his time to die. It soon came.
Our Second Division hospital was in a beautiful house, and large yard which extended to the river bank. Long before dark the house was crowded to its utmost, and the yard filled with the wounded. One of our officers, Captain Harris, wounded in the shoulder, came to the hospital and, with tears in his eyes, said, " They are slaughtering our men on the . hill." They stood up to their posts manfully, and General French sceing them, commended them highly and called upon other regiments to go to their sup- port. The Rebel batteries fired rapidly, and the ex- plosion of the shells quickly following the report, told, only too truly, how short and sure was their range. All day long the battle raged, and when we were apprised that the day was over only by the thicken- ing shades of night, we had scarcely room to lay the
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wounded of the division who were still coming in. At the close of the day the cannonading ceased, but not the musket-firing. This became more rapid or was more distinctly heard. Its roll was incessant. Sometimes it seemed to be drawing nearer, as if our men were falling back, and then it receded. Thus, into the night, the battle raged, like the waves of the sea as it rolls in upon the shore, and then retires only to come again with unexhausted strength. Our hospital was not struck during the day, though the houses on both sides and the one immediately in front were, and shells howled over it and plunged into the river at the rear. By midnight, all was quiet in front, but at the hospital, the heavy moans of the suffering ones wrung our hearts with sym- pathy. Long will the 15th of December, 1862, be remembered. Sad memories are associated with that day. Many a family circle was broken. Pa- rents and children all over the land weep for the slain on that bloody field. Heavy as our losse's were in the centre, on the left many prisoners were taken, and as the eagle of victory was about to perch on the standard of our armies, the day was lost.
On the 14th, which was the Sabbath, the battle was not renewed. We had, however, an intimation
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that the city would be shelled, and a few hours were allowed us for the removal of the wounded. Our hospital was cleared, and the wounded were removed during the day to a ravine, one mile to the rear of the Lacy House, on the north side of the river. There was no such shelling as we were led to expect, though a few shells were thrown into the city, one of which cut off the top of a tree near the pontoon, as we were passing over with the last of the wounded. In the night the troops were withdrawn, and on Monday morning they were seen marching over the hills to their former position as if going on a review.
The total loss to the Federal army, in killed, wounded, and missing, was twelve thousand three hundred and twenty-one. The Confederates, having been sheltered by their works, lost less heavily.
Lieutenant Darlington, who had recently been commissioned, was killed on the field. He was a young officer of much promise. Lieutenant Philips was wounded, and afterwards died of his wounds at his home in Sussex County.
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OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. JOHN W. ANDREWS, COMMANDING THIRD BRIGADE.
WILMINGTON, DEL., December 27th, 1862. Captain Joseph W. Plume, A. A. A. G., French's Division.
Captain :- I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by the Third Brigade, under my command, in the attack on the enemy's works near Fredericksburg.
On the morning of the 12th of December, at 7:30, the com- mand following General Kimball's Brigade, and advancing by the left flank, crossed the pontoon bridge, and formed line of battle in the main street of Fredericksburg, the men keeping near their arms, and the roll being called every hour. This evening the Fourth New York Volunteers performed picket duty. On the morning of the 13th I received marching orders from division headquarters, and formed the Brigade in rear of Kimball, in the following order, in a street running parallel with Main street, Tenth New York Volunteers, Colonel Benedix ; One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Albright ; Fourth New York Volunteers, Colonel McGregor. The First Delaware Regiment being now detailed as skirmishers in ad- vance of Kimball's Brigade, and the column formed right in front. I reported to Brigadier-General French as being ready to move, and received my final instructions. The men seemed full of enthusiasm, and eager to meet the enemy. At this time Colonel Benedix received a shell wound, and Captain Salmon Winchester assumed command of the Tenth New York Volun- teers.
At 12 A.M. the command " Forward !" was given. My in- structions were to move by flank to the position indicated, face
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to the front, thus forming the Brigade in line of battle, and keeping one hundred and fifty paces in the rear of Kimball to support him. We accordingly advanced briskly under a heavy artillery fire, until we reached the position indicated, then, facing to the front, marched steadily up the slope, and took a position in Kimball's rear. We remained here a short time, until finding that his ranks had become reduced, and that, although he held his ground nobly, he was unable to improve his position, I ordered my men forward to support him. The commanders of regiments led on their men in a manner worthy of all praise, and remained engaged until relieved in turn by the next advancing Brigade. They then retired, and were re- formed in the second street from the river under their regi- mental commanders. Having, myself, become disabled during the action, I did not leave the field; and finding myself on my return unable to perform duty, I turned over the command to Lieutenant-Colonel Marshal, Tenth New York Volunteers, who had been detailed on special duty on the other side of the river with the pioneers, and was not present in the action.
In conclusion, I beg leave to state that the officers behaved with exemplary coolness, and the men with the steadiness and courage of veterans. I wish also particularly to mention the efficient services of Colonel John D. McGregor, Fourth New York Volunteers, wounded in the arm; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Albright, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volun- teers; Lieutenant-Colonel Win. Jamison, Fourth New York Vol- unteers; Major Thomas A. Smyth, First Delaware Volunteers; Major Charles Kruger, Fourth New York Volunteers; and Cap- tain Salmon Winchester, an accomplished gentleman and a true soldier, who fell mortally wounded while commanding and lead-
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ing on his regiment, the Tenth New York Volunteers. Also, to the valuable aid afforded me by the gentlemen of my staff, Lieutenant W. P. Saville, A. A. G .; Lieutenant Theodore Rogers, A. D., severely wounded by my side, while the com- mand was under a heavy fire of musketry, and Lieutenant W. C. Inhoff, Aid.
Having already testified to the good conduct of those under my immediate command, it becomes my duty also to state that the First Delaware Regiment, detached as skirmishers, were reported as having behaved with great courage and endurance. That, after driving the enemy's skirmishers, they sustained alone their fire for a considerable time, before the support- ing column arrived, and, after spending all their ammunition, they retired in good order. Major T. A. Smyth, in command, is represented as having displayed much coolness and ability. The list of casualties will be reported by Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall, now in command.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOHN W. ANDREWS, Colonel commanding Third Brigade.
Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Marshall in his re- port, says :
"The several regiments of the brigade stood up to their work nobly. The First Delaware Volunteers deserves particular mention for the manner in which, as skirmishers, it opened the engagement and re-
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mained on the field until every cartridge was ex- pended."
The casualties in the First Delaware were, killed ten, wounded seventy-four, and missing nine.
When the excitement was over, and we were again in our camp, and began to look at the results of the battle, there was a depression of spirits such as I had not before witnessed. Officers and men ardently wished for their former and beloved General, McClellan. There was no want of respect for Gen- eral Burnside, but Mcclellan commanded, not only their respect and confidence, but their hearts. It was said Mcclellan must be restored. His restora- tion to the command of the army would be worth a reinforcement of fifty thousand men. Soldiers were sick of the war, and declared they would leave the army if they could, and never wanted to hear another gun, and if they lived to get home would never take a gun into their hands.
During the march from Harper's Ferry, and up to the battle of Fredericksburg, there had been a limited supply of rations on account of the difficulty of transportation. But few of the soldiers had seen their friends at home since they entered the service. Some had lost friends, whom they could never see again till the great day when all will meet. It was
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not surprising, therefore, that they were anxious on account of their families. The troops were kept under marching orders and in constant expectation of moving. In January, General Burnside attempted to surprise the enemy by a flank movement on their left. Having been supplied with eight days' rations, a portion of the army from our left began to move. The same day a heavy rain began to fall, and before night the artillery was "stuck in the mud." The First Delaware being on the right, did not break camp, for, before it came their time to fall in, the order was countermanded. When the soldiers saw the wagons and carriages of the cannon buried to their axle-trees, they called out and repeated from one to the other, in the impatient language of northern editors and citizens, " Why don't the Army of the Potomac move?" Nothing could have been more satirical. To illustrate the depth of the mud, and the nature of the soil, an artillerist returning without his piece was asked where it was? He re- plied that the last time he saw it, it was out of sight in the mud. The plan of General Burnside was well conceived but the elements were against him. The Rebels knew almost as soon as the order was issued that our men were furnished with eight days' rations,
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and their pickets called to ours to know what they were going to do next.
General Burnside, at his own request, having been relieved, General Hooker succeeded him in com- mand of the army. The winter was spent in reor- ganizing, and before spring opened it was in excellent condition. Dissatisfaction and gambling had ceased, and officers and men were ready for orders. The change was surprising. General Hooker hit upon the happy plan of giving "furloughs" to the men, and "leaves" to the officers, and had full and various supplies furnished. Our Quartermaster told me he had issued nineteen different articles of food. The troops were paid. These things acted like a charm. There was but little sickness, and the men came through the winter in fine health and spirits.
During the winter and spring, Governor Cannon, Judge Houston, N. B. Smithers, Professor Porter, Mr. Curtis, and others, visited us and cheered the men by their commendations and manifested interest.
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHANCELLORVILLE.
ON the 28th of April, we again broke camp and moved to the right.
On the 30th we crossed the Rappahannock at the United States ford about sundown. During the day, while waiting for the pontoons to be laid, General Hooker issued a congratulatory address, announcing the successful crossing of two other corps at the fords above, and saying that we now had the enemy where he must come out and fight, or ingloriously fly before us. Two or three miles from the river, the General overtook the troops and rode in the rear of our Regiment for a little way. I remarked to him, that this being the day of the national fast, it had, no doubt, been generally observed at the North. " Ah," said he, "is this the 30th? well we shall not have much to do to-morrow-not more than ten or twelve miles to march, and, perhaps, un. cover Fredricksburg. We shall soon come to better roads." Thus saying he dashed into the woods at
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the side of the road, and pressed on to the head of the column.
That night we halted about ten o'clock, and he established his headquarters at the Chancellorville House. The next morning we found the Rebels in our front. Instead of marching, we were soon hotly engaged with the enemy. Fredericksburg was
already uncovered. Batteries were replying to batteries, and the infantry of the two armies were opposing each other in deadly strife. Our Brigade about noon was ordered to advance to Todd's Tav- ern and hold the position. But, having marched about a mile beyond army headquarters, the order was countermanded and we returned to our former position near General French's headquarters, one mile in the rear of General Hooker's. It had been discovered that we were marching in a trap. If we had gone a little further, we should have been cut off, with a rebel force on our right and left. Before night, the beef cattle which were grazing in front of army headquarters, were driven back to save them from falling into the hands of the Rebels. A house near General French's headquarters was se- lected for our hospital, but on the next day, which was the 2nd of May, it was found to bo too near, and we removed it to a ravine a few hundred yards
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in the rear. The Fourth Regiment New York, whose time had expired, was detailed to police the ground, and prepare it for a large number of wounded. . We had scarcely completed the bowers and the bunks when we were ordered to remove it still further to the rear. About this time the yell of the Rebels charging upon our batteries was heard. They were repulsed and our band struck up Yankee Doodle. It seemed like "whistling to keep the courage up;" and so it proved. Another charge was made, yet we held the ground, but our hospital was too near the field. A shell fell amongst the teams and camp followers, and produced a panic amongst them. About the same time the Eleventh Corps broke and came pouring through the woods. Teams, cattle, and men, pushing to the rear, choked up the road. The tide was almost irresistible. Officers, with drawn swords, called to the men to halt, but on the stream flowed, till it met another corps coming up, when the current was arrested.
That night our Regiment lay upon their arms in line of battle, within supporting distance of the pickets. Some of them who called out "good- night," as they lay down to take their rest, never spoke to me afterwards. Samuel McElwee, who thus called to me as cheerfully as he had ever done,
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on the next day slept the sleep of death, on the field of battle.
On Sunday (Sd) the fighting was renewed with terrific fury. General (Stonewall) Jackson was wounded and subsequently died. General Hayes and a part of his staff, including Lieutenant Eccles of the First Delaware, were taken prisoners, who afterwards reported that the Rebels had no reserves but a thin line, and were themselves falling back ; yet we were ordered to retire to the north side of the river. Our men could not understand the reason for the order. If we had not beaten the Rebels, we were not ourselves whipped.' General Hooker being indisposed, the command of the army deyolved on General Couch, who, it was reported, was making arrangements to attack the enemy when General Hooker reassumed the command. The soldiers were sorely disappointed, and some of them shed tears when they were ordered to recross the river.
The troops had received four months' pay a few days before leaving camp, and I had expressed for them about ten thousand dollars. Many of them, however, had sent none by me, or only a part, and when about to go into battle they came to me to take their money, and keep it for them till the battle should be over. Though some of them were wounded
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none were killed. Others who took their money with them never returned, and their persons and money thus fell into the hands of the enemy.
One of our men came to me from the line of battle, whilst waiting orders to march, in great concern for his soul apparently, and wanted me to go off with him to the woods to pray for him. He wanted to "get religion." He knew he was not prepared to die, &c. I did not think he cared more for his soul than he did for his body, and told him that God was as near to him there, at the post of duty, as he would be in the bushes; that he could there, where he stood, give his heart to God, and that he ought not to be ashamed to acknowledge Christ before men ; but commit himself into the hands of the Saviour, and do his duty like a man. That dying even in the performance of his duty was safer than shirking it. He promised to give himself to God, and, if he survived the battle, to be a Christian in after life. The concern depicted on his countenance was sufficient to indicate a great mental struggle. He came unhurt to the close of the war, and was as careless and unconcerned about his soul when the danger was over as he had been anxious when the battle was pending.
On the 6th of May the various commands of the
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army had returned to the north side of the river. All the troops had not returned. Many were left in "the Wilderness," if not in solitary, in unmarked graves. The various hospitals were enlarged, and filled with the wounded. No one riding through the camps to which the troops returned could fail to ob- serve that the battles of the first four days of May at Chancellorville had cost us the lives of many men, and that the army was greatly weakened. Yet they were not demoralized. They had confidence in them- selves, and knew to whom and what to attribute their failure.
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