USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 46
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. Point Lookout, Md., April 17, 1864. In my last letter I told you we were ordered for Point Lookout and such
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proved to be the case. We left Yorktown Sabbath morning and reached this place same night. It was raining when we arrived, so we remained on the boat all night-next morning we landed and the 12th N. H. Vols. immedi- ately took same boat for Yorktown; we took possession of the camp vacated by the 12th; they had been here about 8 months and had their quarters fixed up in good style; most of our officers bought the houses of the New Hamp. officers ; mine is 10 ft. by 20, and with bucket, basin, stove, desk, table, four nice chairs and feather tick, cost me $7.00; it cost the Adjutant of the 12th over $60. I am much more comfortably situated now than any other time since I left home. I hope Gen. Butler will let us remain here, this summer anyhow, and I can't help but think he will, for they will need some troops here and why not keep us?
Point Lookout is a low, sandy point, formed by the Potomac river and Chesapeake Bay ; it is nearly an island and I suppose that is the reason it was selected as a depot for prisoners. I understand there are about 7,000 of the "Johnnies" here to take care of them. We have three regiments-the 5th N. H. Vols. and 4th & 36th Col. Troops; the 36th was formerly the 2nd North Carolina and isn't of much force. Our turn for a guard comes every third day ; it requires 300 men and two officers. The rebs are confined in two large camps, surrounded by a strong board fence 20 feet high; they have good barracks and plenty to eat and don't seem to care whether they get back to the army or not. I haven't been inside of their camp yet, but I am going to see them this week. The officers of the 5th seem disposed to be quite friendly.
Among the conveniences we have is a dancing hall. Our officers had a big dance Friday night and the 8th officers turned out enmasse with their wives. Guess they had a big time-kept it up till two o'clock next morning. Dancing not being my forte, I wasn't present.
Camp 4th U. S. C. T., Point Lookout, Md., April 24, 1864.
We are again under marching orders-we are ordered to report at Camp Hamilton-near Fortress Monroe; a division of colored troops is be- ing formed there-and I suppose we go to join it. We were flattering our- selves that we would have an easy time this summer, but unfortunately for us, Col. Duncan is a great favorite with Butler and he is now in command of a brigade there, and wants us with him-it can't be helped, I suppose, so it's no use to fret. We expected to embark this afternoon, but it is now 9 p. m., so I guess we won't go before tomorrow-it is now raining most
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lustily and is as black as Egypt and quite a number of the officers have their wives here-they would be in a nice predicament if we were ordered out tonight.
I suppose you remember Rev. D. D. McKee, one of the Directors of Hanover College. I accidentally made his acquaintance a few days since- he remembers you well-says he corresponded with you-he was appointed Chaplain a short time since and ordered here-said I might tell you "he" would keep an eye on "me."
The "Galvanized Regiment"-as it is called here, left for Fort Monroe yesterday -- the regiment is composed entirely of rebel prisoners, who have taken the oath and enlisted. It is called the "Ist U. S. Vols."-the officers come from our side; they haven't been armed yet and I think had better not be; they will probably be used for fatigue purposes-unloading vessels, &c .- at Norfolk and Ft. Monroe. Guarding the prisoners pleases the darkies greatly-they get off some amusing expressions-"Well, Sam, you guarding Massa over dah, eh? Got him penned up like a drove o' pigs-dat's a h-1 of a note ain't it?" &c, and they make the Johnnies toe the mark, too. Sev- eral of them have been shot lately for being too saucy-they think the darkies are some. Gen. Hinks was relieved a few days since and ordered to Ft. Monroe-I understand quite a heavy force is gathering there-and at York- town-I suppose it is to co-operate with the army of the Potomac. Troops are arriving from Gilmore's Department. Seven barges, loaded with ar- tillery, passed down from Washington a day or so since. Grant is making a step in the right direction. We have 100,000 men scattered along the coast who are just so many deadheads-let them be brought here where they will be of some service.
Camp Hamilton, Near Fortress Monroe, Va., April 30, 1864.
We left Point Lookout last Monday and reached this place next day ; found a division of colored troops here under Hinks. Gen. Hinks was in command at Point Lookout and was ordered here two or three days before we were; he comes from Mass. and I guess is a good officer-at least I hear of no dissatisfaction. On landing here we were immediately put into our old brigade with the 5th & 6th. Col. Duncan commands our brigade; there are three brigades of infantry, two regiments of cavalry and two batteries of artillery in the division. Gen. Wild commands the Ist I think, and Col. Hohnan of the Ist U. S. C. T. the 2nd. I met Lieuts. Beaman and Thomp- son in the Ist; they helped organize the 4th at Baltimore and are fine fellows. We have had orders to turn over all surplus camp equipage and reduce our
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personal baggage to the minimum allowance. We are undoubtedly going into active service and I suppose will form part of Baldy Smith's peninsular force. One of our cavalry regiments left for Williamsburg last night. It is said Smith has a force of 50,000 at Yorktown, but it is probably nearer half that number.
Camp 4th U. S. C. T., City Point, Va., May 7, 1864.
We landed last Thursday, taking a Lieut. & 40 men prisoners. We commenced fortifying immediately, and have quite formidable works now. Our brigade (three regiments) is here alone. Yesterday my regt. made a reconnoisance within 6 miles of Petersburg-saw some scattering rebel cav- alry, nothing more. Beauregard is at Petersburg, with 10,000 men. Smith and Butler are farther up the river-heard cannonading yesterday; think we will remain here for the present if things work right.
Camp Hamilton, Va., May 3rd, 1864.
I write you just on the eve of our departure-we are ordered to be in line by 9 o'clock in the morning. Where we are going is a mystery to all, except the few "knowing ones." The general supposition is that our Fort Darling is our destination. We are going on transports somewhere and I think it must be up the James river ; perhaps we will land at City Point and make for Petersburg to cut the railroads south of Richmond. Of course this can't be done nor can Fort Darling be captured without hard fighting; blood must be shed, and perhaps my life may be required; my earnest hope is that I may be prepared and may be enabled to say cheerfully, "Thy will be done." I feel that I have the earnest prayers of my parents and friends, which is a very consoling thought.
Camp 4th U. S. C. Troops, City Point, Va., May 8, 1864.
We are still at City Point; heard quite heavy firing up the river today, towards Ft. Darling; also between the Appomatox and James. Smith is operating in there between the two rivers and it is said has cut the railroad between Richmond and Petersburg. Had quite a fight over there yesterday. I understand we held our position-nothing more.
Marching orders agin. An aid-de-camp just here brings us orders to move at three o'clock in the morning. He says Smith and Gilmore are to have a big fight tomorrow and it is the supposition that we make a diversion toward Petersburg; I think it highly probable we will have a fight. Must get ready to move immediately. I almost forgot to state that I rec'd "Spe-
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cial Order No. 123" from Dept. H'dq'r's, appointing me Captain. I am still Actg. Adjutant.
Spring Hill, Near Petersburg, Va., May 13, 1864.
I last wrote you from City Point and just on the eve of a reconnoisance; we marched up the Appomatox, accompanied by three or four gunboats, to this place. Near Fort Clifton, a rebel work on the other side of the river opened on the gunboats and prevented us going any farther; from a 'bluff on this side I had a magnificent view of the fight. The "Johnnies" blew one boat up and disabled another, by putting a hole through her boiler; the boats hauled off and we returned to City Point; the "Johnnies" tossed a couple of shells at us, but they fell wide of the mark. Yesterday our regi- ment and the 6th with four pieces of artillery, occupied this place again, and we are now fortifying-worked all last night like beavers and are getting up quite formidable works. We are on the bank of the river, four miles from Petersburg, and can see the city very plainly; gunboats are laying in the river to assist us in case of an attack, and Baldy Smith is just across the river; a wharf is being built and I understand a depot for supplies is to be established here. Smith's forces are still between the Appomatox and James rivers; he has succeeded in cutting the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond, and it is reported he has cut the Danville road also; our cavalry under Kautz cut the road between Welden and Petersburg, leaving most of Beauregard's army south. I do not know what Butler and Smith are doing or intend doing. Don't think any serious fighting has taken place for sev- eral days. This evening I hear one very heavy gun up the James occasional- ly; perhaps our monitors are waking them up. I saw a paper today of the IIth. Grant has had terrible fighting, and although Lee seems to be falling back, I can't think the news favorable. Grant, I fear, is crippled so badly that he can't pursue. Gen. Wadsworth, I see, was killed. I fear our boys have suffered severely; please write me the first intelligence received from them. As yet we have had no fighting, but our time will probably soon come. I hope to go through honorably and unscathed, but Providence rules and directs and my life may be required as others have; if so, I hope to meet you all in Heaven above. Nothing but a last desperate resort will, I think, induce the officers of this regiment to surrender-we will not, if possible to prevent it, give the rebels an opportunity to repeat Fort Pillow.
Spring Hill, Near City Point, Va., May 22, 1864. We are still at Spring Hill and engaged in making ourselves more se-
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cure. Our position is naturally strong and our fatigue parties working from four o'clock in morning till eight in the evening are daily making it more secure. Our force comprises two regiments of infantry, four pieces of ar- tillery and one company of cavalry; besides four gunboats are laying in the river near by, to assist us if necessary. On last Wednesday, just in the midst of a big rain storm, our pickets were attacked and driven in; the long roll was sounded and the men in line in remarkably short time ready to give the Johnnies the best we had, but the attack did not prove serious; it was a force of cavalry and artillery sent out, I suppose, to ascertain who we were and what we were doing. After driving our pickets back, they ran up two pieces of artillery and gave us a few shells; our artillery and a gunboat up the river opened on them an enfilading fire, which soon caused them to ske- daddle; since then we have not been disturbed. We had one man wounded, our pickets emptied three rebel saddles, and our artillery must have done some damage; citizens just outside the lines say the rebels had eight killed and wounded. Our position is an important one and I can't understand why we have not been attacked-unless they have all they can attend to in front of Butler; we are intrenched on a high bluff in a bend of the river, just the left flank of Smith's Corps-a rebel battery planted on this bluff would compel Smith to vacate his present lines and form new ones. Don't know much about how things progress over the river, only that there is more or less fighting daily and nightly. Gilmore has fallen back from Fort Dar- ling and our forces are now entrenched from the James to the Appomatox rivers; I am satisfied we will wait for the result of Grant's operations be- fore attempting to advance unless the rebel force in front is withdrawn or much diminished-Kautz and his cavalry are in again-you will see the re- sults of his raid ere you get this-he is a daring officer.
Camp 4th U. S. C. T., Point of Rocks, Va., May 30, 1864. I suppose you have seen an account of the fight at Wilson's wharf; the Ist & 10th colored troops whipped Fitzhugh Lee handsomely-the rebels made three charges on the works-after making the second charge, Lee sent in a flag of truce, saying if they would surrender they should be treated as prisoners of war-Wild refused and the rebels charged the third time; this time the repulse was more bloody than previously and they decamped, leaving twenty-five dead bodies on the field and some wounded and six pris- oners in our hands. Major Breckenridge-a Captain and Lieut. were left by them on the field. Last Thursday my regiment marched back to City Point; we remained there until yesterday, when we moved across the Ap-
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pomatox to take the place of troops sent from here to reinforce Gen. Grant -I think about 20,000 have gone to join the army of the Potomac-em- barked yesterday and will probably land at West Point or White House. I suppose Grant thought Butler had played out and his troops could be used to advantage in the A. P. against Lee-the first part of my supposition I know is correct-Butler's campaign is the biggest failure of the war-he is a good executive, can write famous orders, &c., but he is not a Grant. I have not heard an officer or man speak of him lately but in derision-General Gilmore remains here in command of our lines. Ferry's Division of the Ioth Corps holds the right and Kautz' cavalry (dismounted) the left. Our brigade forms Kautz' reserve-the invalid officers and soldiers of the 18th Corps are also under Kautz. I judge we will remain on the defensive and the rebels I suppose have sent most of their force to join Lee-so we prob- ably won't have much fighting at present.
Camp 4th U. S. C. T., Near Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 4, 1864.
Our forces occupy the same lines and everything remains as quiet now as when I last wrote; we have been attacked in small force several times, but bear the Johnnies back easily; in one of these attacks my regiment took quite a prominent part. On last Tuesday the Johnnies attacked Spring Hill. The 4th and 5th were sent over to reinforce the 6th, which was garrisoning the place; the 4th was sent out to "feel their force"; we marched out of the fort, deployed two companies as skirmishers and made at them; we soon ran against a heavy skirmishing line of cavalry, supported by a section of artillery, and a lively little fight took place. Our skirmishers advanced steadily and rapidly and we drove them nearly half a mile, and were pre- paring to charge their artillery, when we received orders to retire; we forced the rebels back so rapidly that they lost a carbine and half a dozen sabers, which we brought off with us. The Major had his horse shot and was him- self struck by a spent piece of shell, and three men were severely wounded -none killed; it was a small affair and I write so much about it because it was our first fair trial. Officers from old regiments (white) who were watching us say they never saw a skirmish line do better than ours. We are still the reserve for Kautz' line; heavy details, both white and black, are daily strengthening our lines; we have the most formidable line of works I ever saw. If we defend them with proper spirit we can beat back ten times our force. I don't think there is any danger of a serious attack here as long as Grant pushes them on the other side. We have heard Grant's guns for
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the last three days-gradually growing nearer; last evening about dusk there was terrific cannonading somewhere near Richmond.
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Hinks Div., June 10, 1864.
Nothing new transpiring here; we occupy the same camp as when I last wrote; they occasionally get up a brisk artillery duel along the line and sometimes picket skirmishing is quite spirited. Our pickets and the rebel pickets in some places are not more than 50 yards apart. Colored troops of course are not put on picket in such places. We have not been on picket since we came to this side the Appomatox. A brigade of Ferry's Div. and the 6th Colored Troops, on the right of the 4th, went over the Appomatox in the direction of Petersburg. I understand the object was to destroy the railroad south of Petersburg- don't know what success they are having. Grant has been very quiet for the last week-hear his guns occasionally. Our monitors on the James have been firing some this p. m .- suppose old Lee thought he saw something. Lee's reputation is about on a par with Butler's.
It is now 10 p. m., so please excuse my brevity and scrawling writing- I am now on Col. Duncan's Staff-have been detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant General. I have not yet been mustered in as Captain. I have the appointment, but not the commission-owing to the Active Service-I went to see Maj. Davis (Butler's A. A. G.) and he promised to send it in a very few days.
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Hinks Div., June 17, 1864. The Colored Div. has had a brisk fight and a kind and merciful Provi- dence has preserved me and permits me to write you once more.
On the 15th Brooks and Hinks Div. advanced on Petersburg. Of course we met the "Johnnies." My brigade ( four regiments) made two charges; in the first we took a line of rifle pits and one piece of artillery ; in the second we captured a strong Chain of Redans commanding each other and six pieces of artillery. My brigade took seven pieces altogether. The darkies behaved well. Baldy Smith witnessed the last charge and said to Col. Duncan, "This will make the old Army of the Potomac open their eyes-no nobler effort has been made and no greater success achieved than that gained by the Col- ored Troops today." The killed and wounded in my brigade will number about 600. We are still two and a half miles from Petersburg; the whole army of the Potomac with Grant is here and I doubt not we are confronted by most of Lee's army. I rode over to the 5th Corps this p. m. and saw
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what was left of our boys; saw Capt. Jeffery, Sam, Jno. H., John Hender- son, Uncle Orion and John Miller. They look a little rough but tough.
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Hinks Div., June 20, 1864, 9:00 p. m.
I wrote you a day or so ago, giving you a slight account of our opera- tions around Petersburg. The next day we were again near the front as a support to our first line. In this position we lost about 40 men, killed and wounded; our whole loss in the brigade is about 600. Our success has made quite a stir in the army here; it was providential I think; the works we car- ried were exceedingly strong and had the rebels held them with their usual obstinacy we might not have succeeded so well. I merely mention this that your expectations may not be raised too high. Yesterday we came front; we are now between the Appomatox and James near the former; we came here that we might assemble and reorganize the Division. The rebels held Petersburg at noon yesterday, but the town is completely commanded by our guns and can be destroyed at any time we choose to open on it; there has been but little firing since; I think it likely we have possession; I haven't had an opportunity of seeing our boys but once; don't know whether they have been engaged here or not, but judge they have. The entire Army of the Potomac is here with Grant. The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad is being repaired; this looks as though Grant expected Lee to blockade the James. I received my commission as Captain today from Butlen
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Hinks Div., Near Petersburg, Va., June 23, 1864.
We are again on the south side of the Appomatox and near Petersburg. Our troops seem to occupy about the same lines as when I last wrote you; the Johnnies still hold the town, but it is completely commanded by our guns and can be destroyed any time we choose to open on it. Grant is trying his favorite flanking process and the rebels must evacuate soon or run the risk of being gobbled. I understand Burnside's Corps and the others are crossing the Appomatox three miles above the city. If true, and I think it is, we will have something decisive in a day or so. We have not been on the front lines since returning to this side of the river-have been in reserve-conse- quently have not lost any.
Lincoln was on a visit to the army day before yesterday.
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, 3rd Div., 18th A. C., July 3, 1864.
Affairs have been very quiet for some days. On Thursday night an assault was ordered to be made by a Div. of the 10th Corps, which is at- tached to our Corps temporarily; the rebels soon discovered what was up
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and the attack was postponed. They are now busy mining and I judge expect to dig the Johnnies out. Picket firing and artillery duels continue. From our headquarters we have a splendid view of the rebel batteries on the heights over the river; our guns usually get the best of these duels; in one yesterday a rebel caisson was blown up. A large number of heavy guns and mortars are being brought up and mounted. It is the general impres- sion that we will celebrate tomorrow (the 4th) with one of the biggest ar- tillery fights on record; the country is very open and gives us a splendid chance for its use. Our artillery men have discovered the rebel magazine and are trying to blow it up. The R. R. bridge has been injured by our guns, so as to prevent trains crossing.
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, 3rd Div., 18th Army Corps, July 8, 1864.
Along most of the lines the troops have ceased skirmishing and our men and the rebs quietly watch each other; in other places skirmishing is lively, and particularly so in front of the position we now occupy. My bri- gade now forms part of the 2nd line of Turner's Div. of the 10th Corps. This Div. (temporarily attached to 18th Corps) lies in front of Reservoir's Hill, which is said to be the key to Petersburg. The rebs realize this fact as well as we do; consequently there is an incessant popping to prevent either party from strengthening their works. We are so well protected by bomb-proofs that we have but few casualties; this is our third day here. I presume we will be relieved in a day or so. Our Division it is thought will be broken up. Gen. Hinks had to relinquish the command on account of his old wounds and now commands at Point Lookout, Md. Col. Hohnan of the Ist is temporarily in command of the Div .; 4 regiments of the Ist Bri- gade have been sent over the Appomatox to a camp of instruction. Don't know what disposition will be made of our Brigade, which is the only one fit for active service, but I think it probable that we will be transferred to Ferry's Div. (colored) of the 9th Corps-all surmise as yet however. 5 p. m. -since writing the above we have had a big alarm all along the line. It originated on our front and in this wise: About 75 Johnnies crept up un- perceived near our skirmishers, and gave them a volley. The rebs then broke for cover, and our front line rose up and gave them a full volley. Everybody supposed the rebts were charging, and artillery and musketry opened along the whole line. Shell and shot whistled merrily for a half hour -not many hurt-all quiet now. Cap't Jeffery and Lieut. Adams from the 7th were to see me last night, they bringing the sad intelligence of Samuel's death. He saw the announcement of his death in the Chronicle. I pray it
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may not be so, but fear it is too true. Sam was one of our bravest soldiers, and a good Christian, and while we bitterly mourn his loss, let us remember our loss is his gain.
Headquarters 2nd Brig. 3d Div. 18th Army Corps, July 14, 1864.
"All quiet in the Army of the Potomac" can as truly be said of the army now, as when it rested on the banks of the Potomac in '61. Pickett's Div. of the 6th Corps has gone to Washington to look after the "raiders"-suppose they reached there as the papers speak of "the fighting 6th deploying." The 2d Corps were under orders to go, but the Rebs made a demonstration toward our left, and the order was countermanded. 'The raiders, I see, are within 5 miles of Washington, slashing around Baltimore, etc. Last evening we were relieved in the trenches, and ordered to the rear to "prepare for inspection." Had been in the trenches eight days. Some interpret the orders to prepare -
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