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 8
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When at Culpeper, in October, the offer was first made to pay a bounty and give a furlough of at least thirty days to those who would re-enlist for three years. The veterans were to be discharged and receive their bounty and back pay. They would thus have nearly a year of their original three years credited to them, and there was a general disposition to re-enlist. Two months afterwards, when the pro- position was again made, there was but few at first who would consent to engage for another term of three years' service.
We had marched in the meantime to Centreville,
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and thence back to Brandy Station, nearly to Cul- peper, and thence to Mine Run, and back to Ste- vensburg, which is within four miles of Culpeper. They Lad fought at Auburn, Bristoe's Station, Rob- inson's Town, and Mine Run. They had only nine months more to serve, when, should they live, they would be honorably discharged. There were many at their homes who had done no service in the army, and it was urged that they should be brought out, and themselves relieved. But the exigencies of the service still required men, and they were experi- enced. Every day, we urged, the enemy was grow- ing weaker, and the hard fighting would probably be over before the expiration of their term, and in the meantime they would have thirty days at home with their friends. This last consideration had more weight in deciding them to re-enlist than any other, and, accordingly, on the 18th of December, 1863, three-fourths of the Regiment were discharged, and on the following day were remustered for three years., For many of them this was the third enlist- - ment, and we claim the honor of being the first regiment in the Army of the Potomac which re- enlisted as veterans.
The march from Falmouth, on the Rappahan- nock, to Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, was long and
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difficult. One day we marched over thirty miles. The next morning the Commanding General com- mended the troops for it, and said he would not have required it, if it had not been necessary. Many of the soldiers were well nigh exhausted. For several hours before we halted for the night they hoped the next would be the last, but found it only to rest to go further. Wearied with marching and halting they became impatient and profane. When there was a temporary halt made, they called out from the head to the rear of the column, "Don't stop!" "Get fresh horses and go on !" " We are not tired ?"
On one occasion when resting they cursed all who were supposed to be the cause of their hardships. Brigadiers, Major-Generals, General-in-Chief, the President, Jeff. Davis, the Abolitionists, the Seces- sionists, &c., each came in for his share of maledic- tions. A wag lying amongst them, and evidently tired of their profanity, called out: "Why don't you curso Christopher Columbus for discovering America and be done with it." The hit was a good one, and had more effect than would a long lecture on the third commandment in restoring good humor and arresting the profanity.
Profane swearing was probably the most common
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and flagrant sin of the army. Many were so ad- dicted to the habit that they were unconscious of it when they used such language; and deluded them- selves in supposing that, as they did it without thought or design, it was not sinful. If this were so, then, that which is sinful-taking the name of God in vain-ceases to be so, when it becomes as easy and common as to breathe. The Law reads, " Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Judgment may be slow, but it is sure to follow the guilty. It is sometimes swift. A soldier of Company - -- Regiment, New York, being behind the trenches in front of Petersburg one day, impiously remarked to his comrades, as a Rebel's bullet whizzed past his head, "I out-flanked Christ that time." The same day, and near the same spot, another bullet from a sharp-shooter's musket struck him in the head and he fell-dead,- without a word or sign. This I had well authen- ticated from an officer of the regiment to which the soldier belonged. After the surrender of General Lee, and the return of our army to the vicinity of Washington, a man of - Regiment, State of was on picket and being provoked about something that was proposed to be done, said, "If God should
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call, or Jesus Christ should come down, he would not answer." That same day, and not long afterwards, he was standing under a tree which was struck by lightning and he was so severely injured that he was carried to our hospital and in a few days died. I had this account from his own lips on his death- bed.
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CHAPTER XII.
VETERANS.
ON the 1st of January, 1864, we arrived at Wil- mington as veterans, and were met and cordially welcomed by the mayor, the city council, and other distinguished gentlemen of the State. The streets through which we marched were filled with the citizens and friends who came out to receive us. The bells were rung, and every demonstration of grati- tude and commendation was made that could be for the services which the Regiment had rendered. It was a day of gladness and sorrow. Many an one looked in vain through our ranks for some who had gone out with us in the fall of '61. Tears, unbidden, flowed at the remembrance of the fallen ones. But they died bravely in a noble cause, and in all the years of their after life the bereaved can say, I gave a son or a brother to my country. The sacrifice should never be forgotten, for the gift can never be repaid.
During our veteran furlough, that portion of the
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Regiment which did not re-enlist were engaged on the 6th of February, 1864, in the battle at Morton's Ford, and lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, about one-third of those who were in action. They were reported as fighting most bravely.
On the 12th of February, 1864, we returned to the front and joined the brigade at Stony Mountain, Culpeper County. Our camping ground was as- signed us in a woods filled with low bushes and un- dergrowth, which it was necessary to clear off before a tent could be pitched. Thousands of acres in Virginia have thus been cleared, policed, and ditched by our soldiers. As soon as the quarters for the officers and men were completed, a detail of soldiers was made to build a log chapel, the canvas covering for which was furnished by the United States Chris- tian Commission. With a saw, axe, and hammer they soon built a church in the woods which would have compared favorably with many a country church we have seen in States north of the Potomac. The canvas covering served the double purpose of a roof and windows. The floor was covered with pine boughs, neatly spread, and our seats were made of split logs smoothly hewn. We had not lime and sand for plastering, but the sticky clay of Virginia served as a good substitute.
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Having been completed it was dedicated to the worship of God, by the chaplain of the Regiment, assisted by Rev. Mr. Grasse, chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighth Regiment, New York. And then, if ever, I preached, many nights in succession the glorious gospel of the blessed God, and there some heard, for the last time, the gracious invitation of the Divine Saviour. I have good reasons to be- lieve that the preaching was not in vain. Earnest appeals were made in view of the approaching cam- paign. Some of those who there enlisted as "soldiers of the Cross," died in the battles of the Wilderness. Of this number was Sergeant James M. Crossley, of Company K. The night he joined our "Soldiers' Christian Association," he said to me,
" Chaplain, I don't know whether I ought to do this, lest I may not prove myself worthy. I know it is right, but am I fit ?"
I told him he had voluntarily enlisted in his country's service, and proved himself a good soldier; that Jesus "the captain of our salvation " is not a hard master, and if he would put his trust in him and follow him, he would shield him from spiritual foes, and lead him on to victory, and that being in Christ he was safe whatever might befall him.
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Whilst he lived I had no reason to doubt his sin- cerity, or question his Christian character.
His diary, which I have been permitted to consult for dates, is very brief, but minute. He not only kept the day of the month, but noted the hours of the day and places where events transpired. He was killed on the 12th of May near Spottsylvania Court House. The record he makes in his diary, which was con- tinued by a friend, on that day is a remarkable one. It reads in his own hand-writing thus: "12th. Second Corps charged on the works of the Rebels, and took possession of them. Afterwards we moved to the left of the line and built breastworks. While so doing" -- here the hand-writing changes, and his friend finished the sentence thus, "Sergeant Crossley was killed by a sharp-shooter." It appears that he was writing at the time he was shot. How sudden! How sad and how solemn the manner of his death ! Though in the front and near the enemy he wrote like a soldier without a thought of danger. He had passed untouched through all the battles from An- tietam to that day, when, apparently, without a pang he yielded up his life. *
Another was a young German, who, being mor- tally wounded in the Wilderness, was brought to the hospital at Fredericksburg and there died. I have
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seldom witnessed a more child-like spirit than he exhibited, or more simple piety. He called me to him, and asked me to talk to him and pray for him. Having done so, he laid his hand on his heart, and, with tears and a smile as sweet as an infant's, said "Oh! that makes me feel so good." Another, the subject of that winter's revival, bade me tell his companions how happy he was in dying.
All who enrolled their names as soldiers of Christ did not prove themselves good soldiers in his service. They seemed to desire to leave a good record behind them if they should die, but living, when the dangers of the battles were over, forgot their solemn vows. Alas! for such, if they return not to the standard of the cross. They have deserted a holy cause, the best of masters, and cannot escape.
One evening of the week our chapel was given up to debates, and the reading of essays. In these exercises any one could participate, and they proved both interesting and profitable. I have found it far better that innocent amusements should be allowed and even furnished to those who will seek amuse- ment of some kind, than that they should spend their time in idleness, or indulge in sports of an evil tendency. Recreation and amusement soldiers need, and will have. Give them such as are harmless,
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and they may be lured from the pernicious games of chance to which so many resort for a pastime, and are thus beguiled into dangerous snares.
The One Hundred and Eighth Regiment, New York, of which Rev. Mr. Grasse was chaplain, built a very neat church whilst the First- Delaware was at home on their veteran furlough. One of the first uses to which it was applied was to receive and shelter the wounded in the battle at Morton's Ford; but for it our wounded would have suffered greatly, for there was no other place large enough to receive all that bled in that useless battle. Until our house was completed it was used as a brigade church, and such of all the regiments as chose to do so assembled there for religious worship. Very many there found peace in believing in Jesus. The Sabbath before it was taken down, and the canvas covering turned over to the Christian Commission, from whom it had been received, I administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in it to a most solemn and interesting congregation ; many of whom for the first time, and some probably for the last time on earth, com- memorated the Lord's death. Of the latter was one of Colonel T. A. Smyth's aids-Captain Hawley -- who was one of the most exemplary Christian officers I met in the army. He was subsequently killed in battle at Ream's Station, on the Weldon Railroad,
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below Petersburg, Va., on the 25th of August, 1864. An incident occurred in connection with one of the young men who was a subject of the revival, which I will relate as illustrating, among other things, the nature of true religion. It was common in the army when a soldier had lost any part of his military equipments to draw or flank, that is, to steal another from some one. This soldier had lost his bayonet, and his commanding officer having heard of it told him to draw another. This the young man declined to do, preferring to draw one through the regular way, and have it charged to him.
A few days afterwards the officer met him, and asked him if he had a bayonet yet. He told him he had not. He said to him again "why don't you draw one?" The soldier told him he did not like to do that. The officer turned away, and after- wards said that Corporal had become so d --- d pious lately that he wouldn't steal a bayonet. Perhaps he had never read the injunction of the Apostle, "Let him that stole, steal no more." and certainly knew little of the nature of religion.
Many a soldier, I have no doubt, became a "new creature" in those canvas covered churches which the Christian Commission provided for us, and they who contributed to that noble association, in so doing, helped the cause of Christ and their country.
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CHAPTER XIII.
THE GREAT CAMPAIGN.
BEFORE the middle of April, we had clear indi- cations that the summer's campaign was soon to open. Every man was thoroughly equipped and clothed. Inspections and reviews were of daily oc- currence. Officers were directed to send off all superfluous baggage. Sutlers and citizens were notified to leave the army, and finally orders were read to the various commands announcing that they were about to move against the enemy and exhorting them to duty.
On May 3d the whole army of the Potomac was astir. About nine o'clock P. M. the Second Corps, under Major-General Hancock, began to stretch itself on the road leading through Stevensburg and Richardsville, to Ely's Ford. The entire corps were on the march before 3 o'clock A. M., and crossed the Rapidan soon after daylight. The Fifth Corps, under Major-General Warren, started about the same time and crossed at Germania Ford, and
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was followed by the Sixth Corps, under Major- General Sedgwick.
The enemy did not dispute our right of way, and the three corps crossed without opposition. . Our corps encamped at night on the old battle- field at Chancellorville, and saw enough to remind them that they had been there before. The Fifth encamped at the old Wilderness Tavern, and the Sixth at the tavern and at Germania Ford. General Lee, as usual, seemed to know of our movement almost as soon as it commenced, and unwilling to be outflanked, or to endanger his railroad com- munication with Richmond, began to move about the same time.
On the 5th the two hostile armies met, and then commenced that series of battles which will ever be memorable in the history of nations. The face of the country in that neighborhood is thickly covered with an undergrowth of pine, cedar, and scrub oak, and is therefore utterly unfit for the use of artillery or cavalry. The fighting was chiefly with muskets. For eight consecutive days the armies fought face to face. Some portions of the ground between the lines were fought over four or five times. In one place a tree as large round as a man's body was literally cut off by musket
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as THOUGH
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balls. Secretary Stanton says of the fighting on the 6th, that "it was the most desperate known in modern times."
In these engagements our (Third) brigade com- manded by Colonel Carroll, took a conspicuous part. That gallant officer was twice wounded before he would leave the field. When leaving it he sent a request that Colonel Smyth, who was then commanding another brigade, should command the Third. The rolls will show that our loss in officers and men, killed and wounded, was severe.
At Fredericksburg, in the hospital, I saw General Carroll, who, I believe, was promoted on the field for gallant conduct. He was suffering terribly from an ex-section of the arm, but was full of life and enthusiasm, and praised the First Delaware, officers and men, in the highest terms. Of Colonel Wood- all and Major William F. Smith he spoke par- ticularly, complimenting them in the most flattering . manner. Our brigade was a very large one when the campaign opened. During the winter it had been thoroughly drilled and in these terrific battles in the Wilderness none did better service, and no regiment in the brigade had a better reputation among others for their fighting qualities than our own First Delaware. I had good opportunities
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of hearing the opinion of officers and men of other regiments, and they always spoke of them as good fighters. They were often selected as skirmishers, and were more than once relied on in emergencies.
On one occasion five color bearers were shot in succession. As quickly as one was killed or wounded, another sprang forward and raised the flag. When General Hancock was proposing to charge the Rebel works, on the 12th, the time he " finished up Johnson," the Color-Sergeant David Riggs, of Company D, shook the flag staff, and said, " I'll plant this on the breastworks or die in the attempt." Brave fellow! He reached the works, but did not Jive to accomplish his purpose.
On May 12th Lieutenant-General Grant, in a despatch to the War Department, said: "The eighth day of the battle closes, leaving between three and four thousand prisoners in our hands for the day's work, including two general officers, and over thirty pieces of artillery. The enemy are obstinate, and seem to have found the last ditch. We have lost no organization, not even a company, while we have destroyed and captured one division (Johnson's,) one brigade, (Dobb's,) and one regiment entire of the enemy."
General Meado on the 15th issued a congratula-
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tory address to his soldiers, in which he said: " The moment has arrived when your commanding officer feels authorized to address you in terms of congratulation. For eight days and nights, without almost any intermission, through rain and sunshine you have been fighting a desperate foe in positions naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by entrenchments. You have compelled him to abandon his positions on the Rapidan, to retire and to attempt to stop your progress, and now he has abandoned the last entrenched position, so tenaciously held, suffering in all a loss of eigh- teen guns, twenty-two colors, eight thousand pris- oners, including two general officers. Your heroic deeds, noble endurance of fatigue and privation, will ever be memorable. Let us return our thanks to God for the mercy thus shown us, and ask earnestly for its continuance. Soldiers ! your work is not over; the enemy must be pursued and if possible overcome," etc.
On the 14th General Lee issued an order to his soldiers in which he announced "with great plea- sure" the series of successes that, by the favor of God, had been achieved by their arms. Of the army of Northern Virginia he thus speaks :--
" The heroic valor of this army, with the blessing
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of Almighty God, has thus far checked the principal army of the enemy, and inflicted upon it heavy losses. The eyes and hearts of your countrymen are turned to you in confidence, and their prayers attend you in . your gallant struggle. Encouraged by the success that has been vouchsafed to us, and stimulated by the great interests that depend upon the issue, let every man resolve to endorse all, and brave all, until by the assistance of a just and merciful God, the enemy shall be driven back, and peace secured to our country. Continue to emulate the valor of your comrades who have fallen, and remember that it de- pends upon you whether they shall have died in vain. It is in your power to dafeat the last grand effort of the enemy, establish the independence of your native land, and earn the lasting love and gratitude of your countrymen, and the admiration of mankind."
Our losses in the battles of the first eight days, not including those of the Ninth Corps, were in the
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Total.
Second Corps,
1100
7000
1400
9500
Fifth Corps,
1200
7500
1800
10,000
Sixth Corps,
1000
6000
1200
8000
3300
20,500
3900
27,700 .
. If the losses in the Ninth Corps were in the same
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proportion, the entire loss was probably thirty-five thousand men.
The Second Corps, under Gen. Hancock, achieved, on the 12th, the first decided success of the cam- paign. The Confederates were strongly entrenched at that time near Spottsylvania Court House. The Second Corps was selected to make an assault upon them.
The Annual Cyclopedia thus describes the charge. " At the dawn of day, veiled by the twilight and by a dense fog, the corps moved up to the enemy's lines. General Barlow's First Division, and General Birney's Third Division formed the first line; Gene- ral Gibbon's Second Division, and General Mott's Fourth Division formed the second line. The ad- vance of General Barlow marched in column of bet- talions, doubled on the centre. As the corps moved over the rugged and woody space intervening, the excitement increased, till it burst out in a rush at the hostile entrenchments. Then the corps leaped with loud cheers, and dashed among the astonished enemy, compelling them to surrender in mass. An entire division was surrounded, and officers and men captured. Three thousand prisoners and two gene- rals,-Major-General Edward Johnson, and Briga- dier-General G. H. Stewart-were taken. So com-
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plete was the surprise that the hostile officers were taken at their breakfast, and within an hour after the start of the corps General Hancock reported as follows :
"' I have captured from thirty to forty guns. I have finished up Johnson, and am now going into Early.'"
The second line of rifle-pits were immediately stormed, and, after a stubborn resistance, wrested from the enemy. The further advance of General Hancock was successfully checked. Most of the captured guns were covered by the guns of the sharpshooters, and neither party was able to bring them off. General Meade next attempted to turn the. enemy's right, and a battle of fourteen hours ensued. At nightfall the dead and wounded lay thickly strewn along the ground, and heaped up where the battle was hottest.
On the 13th the enemy appeared to have fallen back a little, yet held the Court House tenaciously on the 14th. At this time General Meade's line stretched nearly at right angles across the Freder- icksburg and Spottsylvania road.
On the 16th the onemy were threatening our hospital, and the troops were sent to drive them back and remove the wounded. There was but
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little fighting comparatively on the 16th, 17th, and 18th.
On the night of the 20th the troops were moving all night to new positions, and on the next morning the whole army was moving to the left. The Second Corps moved from its position on the Nye, near Spottsylvania Court House on the 20th, and halted at Milford Station at 3 o'clock P. M. the next day, having marched twenty-four miles.
On the 23d General Hancock crossed the Metta- pony at Milford bridge, and halted his corps about a mile from the river, and formed a line of battle in a commanding position on the crest of a range of hills.
On the 24th our corps crossed the North Anna, and on the 28th recrossed and marched to Hanover- town on the Pamunkey, fifteen miles from Richmond, and sixteen miles from the White House on the same river. Thirteen miles east of the White House is West Point, where the Pattapony and Pamunkey join and form the York River. The White House became at this time our base of supplies.
On the 30th (May) General Warren was attacked on the Mechanicsville road by General Ewell's troops, and his flank seriously threatened. General Meade being informed of his situation ordered an
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attack upon the whole line. General Hancock alone received the order in time to attack before dark, and immediately advanced upon the enemy's skirmish line, captured their rifle-pits, and held them all night. An effort was made to dislodge General Hancock at midnight, but without success.
On the 31st there was desultory firing along the whole line through the day. General Grant intend- ing a movement still further to the left, General Torbert, in obedience to orders from Sheridan, with his cavalry opened the way for his troops to Coal Harbor. A fight ensued, but General Torbert held the ground. On the next day the enemy, with re- inforcements, attempted to get possession of Coal Harbor, but Sheridan's cavalry held the position though he could not advance. The Sixth Corps came up soon after the cavalry fight, and formed a line which was held till the arrival of other corps. Both armies concentrated around Coal Harbor, and their lines were in some places not more than fifty yards apart. Both armies were entrenched, and no man of either army dared to show his head above the breastworks. Many officers and men were wounded in the rear of the works. These could be approached only along covered ways. The firing over the breast- works was continuous.
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