USA > Massachusetts > Clippings pertaining to the history and reminiscences of the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry > Part 2
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Our regiment being at the head of the column on our return, reached Shepherds- town just before dark, and we were con- gratulating ourselves on our good luck in being able to ford the Potomac by daylight, when (just as we reached the river) we were ordered to countermarch to the top of the bluff, where we deployed as skirmishiers and remained till our column had safely crossed, when we withdrew and waded the river in the dark, which was no desirable undertaking, as the water was more than waist deep, and the bottom stony.
About 10 P. M. we arrived in camp, wet, cold, tired and hungry. In half an hour- each company had large camp fires burning (having gathered fuel from the woods near by) and each man was seated around it, coffee-pot or frying-pan in hand, cooking his supper, drying his clothes, and reliears - ing the incidents and accidents of our expe. dition. About midnight, having partially
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dried my clothes, I turned into my tent for the remainder of the night, while many of my comrades rolled themselves in their blankets and slept around the fires.
From the 22d of September to the 30th of October, nothing worthy of special note oc- curred in our regiment. We were occasion- ally on picket along the bank of the Poto- mac, while the enemy picketed the opposite bank. As (by mutual agreement) there was to be no firing without notice, we had a good time watching and joking each other.
While there in camp two of our number died, namely : Joseph R. Pratt, Oct. 12th, and Charles H. Leavitt, Oct. 21st, and our company was visited by one of Newton's citizens, who came to look after the interests of those of our company who were sick.
On the morning of the 30th of October we received orders to be ready to march at 12, M. Unfortunately for us, our company was detailed to guard the supply train, which was the last to move, and so slow that we arrived at daylight where our regi- inent bivonacked about 10 o'clock the night before. We found the regiment packing up to march, and immediately set to work to prepare our breakfast,-cooking our coffee upon their camp fires. Before we had time to finish our breakfast the bugle sounded " forward," and we took our places in line and marched with the regiment.
Our column marched along the north bank of the Potomac to Harper's Ferry, where we crossed the river on a pontoon bridge, and halted for an hour or two in that once thriving and prosperous town, now made desolate by the ruthless hand of war. From there we marched into Pleasant Valley, a distance of about five miles, en- camping near Hillsboro'.
Never was the bugle call to halt more welcome to any poor mortal, than it was to those of our company who were permitted to hear it that night after a twenty-four hours' tramp.
We remained there two days, and during that time I was detailed as orderly for Gen. Griffin. My duties were varied,-some- times I was carrying orders to the different regiments, and some of the time I was in command of a squad of men who had been picked up by the provost guard while for- aging for beeves, pigs, turkeys, chickens, &c., and turned over to the General with their game. They had to march back and forth single file, in front of the General's quarters several hours, when they were sent under guard to their several regiments, (but not till they had turned over their game to the General's Commissary.)
November 2d our corps made a forced march to Snickersville, arriving just in time to save the " Gap " in the Blue Ridge from Jackson's force, which approached it from the opposite side of the mountain.
November 6th we inarched through Mid- dleburg to White Plains. There we en- countered the first snow storm of the season, and saw the appropriateness of the name. The next day we marched to New Balti- more, thence to Warrenton, where we en- camped two weeks,-during which time
of b ri General Burnside superseded General Mc- Clellan in command of the Army of the Potomac.
On the 23d of Nov., 1862, we reached Falmouth, Va., where we went into winter quarters. The weather was very cold, and the roads were bad and growing worse every day. It was with difficulty that our supply. trains kept pace with the army.
The next day after our arrival in camp we were called into line to listen to the reading of the President's Proclamation for Thanksgiving.
I remember feeling that I had much to be thankful for, but how to spend the day in conformity with the Old New England mode was not an easy question to solve,-for our commissary was we knew not where,-our rations were two days overdue, and we had on an average less than a hard-tack apiece, no meat, and but a small quantity of cof- fee,-a poor show for a Thanksgiving din- ner. Fortunately however, we had a good supper, for we had good neighbors, who were more fortunate than we, from whom we borrowed rations until ours could arrive.
In our first winter quarters as on our first march we had something to learn by experi- ence. Instead of proceeding at once to col- lect material from which to build our quar- ters, we waited for orders (red tape) and allowed our neighbors who had not only summered but wintered in Virginia, the chance to select the best and most conven- ient timber from the woods near our camp.
We profited by our first lesson in camp building,-never after waiting for orders to build winter quarters when there was a rea- sonable prospect that we should require them.
After a little delay we proceeded to erect log quarters somewhat after this plan, al- though no two were exactly alike. They were from seven to ten feet square, accord- ing to the size of the family, and built of logs notched at the ends and matched close- ly together to the height of from three to six feet, and covered with ponchos extend- ing from the top of the wall on two sides
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to a ridgepole in the centre, forming a pitched roof ; and usually the gables were of the same material as the roof.
Across the back side of our quarters was our bed made of spring poles raised suffic- iently higlf from the ground to forin a seat, the whole covered with cedar bouglis and kept in place by our blankets.
In the front we had our fireplace, built of stone with a chimney of sticks, (cob- house fashion) extending a little above the ridgepole, and the whole thoroughly plas- tered with Virginia mud, inside and out, which, when dried became as hard as mor- tar. We also used the same material for plastering the walls of our quarters,-thor- oughly filling the cracks between the logs.
Our door (usually made of a rubber blan- ket) was lung in front, beside the chimney. Windows were not necessary as our canvas (or poncho) roofs admitted a sufficient amount of light for reading, writing. cook- ing, eating, or any household duties we had to perform.
The foregoing is a fair description of my first winter quarters. As I had but one tent-mate a seven foot square house was sufficiently large for our accommodation. It contained a kitclien, sleeping-room, sit- ting-room and reception room, (10 cham- bers, )-all in one.
Having made ourselves quite comfortable in our winter quarters we hoped to be per- initted to rest for awhile, for our hard marches and exposure had begun to tell upon many of our number,-some of whom were sick, and one more of our company, namely,-Reuben L. Butler, had died Dec. S, 1862, and was buried near our camp with military honors.
Fredericksburg.
On the 11th of December we heard heavy cannonading in the direction of the river.
Early on the morning of the 12th, the order, " strike tents " resounded through our camp. In less than an hour we were in line ready to march, having " broke camp" and partaken of a hasty breakfast, and without delay moved rapidly in the direction of Fredericksburg, where we ar- rived abont 10 A. M., halting on the plain opposite the city. There we waited hour after hour in suspense, for our troops had succeeded in laying the pontoon bridges over which we were to cross, and had occu- pied the city. The morning was dark and misty. The day was cold and cheerless, and we were as cheerless as the day, for there we were compelled to stay (in the mud) from morning till night anxiously awaiting orders to cross the river, but no such orders came. When the shades of night (scarcely mesegloomy than the fog of the day) had gathered over the field the fighting ceased, and we were ordered into the woods near by to bivouac for the night.
Early the next morning we were awakened by the sound of reveille to find it still dark and gloomy. After breakfast we " packed up," ready to move at a inoment's notice.
There was on ominous and almost pain- ful silence during the early morning, which bespoke the gathering storm.
Towards mid-day we advanced to higher ground directly opposite the bridge, where our division (Griffiin's) was massed ready to cross the river.
As the sun arose so did the dense fog that had hung over the river like a curtain, un- veiling to our view the city of Fredericks- burg and the heights beyond-the theater of a fearful drama, yea, terrible confliet,- the first scenes of which had already been enacted. Our troops which had crossed the day before were tlien engaged. Lines of battle could be distinctly seen moving steadily across the open field and up the slope beyond the city in the face of a storm of slot and shell from the rebel batteries on the hights above. Here and there a com- rade fell as solid shot or fragment of a shell ploughed through their ranks, but the breach thus made was closed at once, while on and up the column moved towards the rebel works. Now coming within range of their infantry fire a cloud (of smoke) appeared along their front, from which there gleamed a flash like lightning, and was poured a ter- rific storm of leaden rain into our advanc- ing line. They wavered for an instant, but recovering from the shock, closed up their
broken ranks and onward pressed into the very jaws of death. Volley after volley were exchanged,until alike, both friend and foe were hid from view in smoke of battle.
Just then the scene changed. We were no longer to be spectators of the conflict, but participators in it, on the same field on which we had with bated breath watched our comrades as they marched (not to vic- tory but) to death.
In a moment the order "fall in 'passed along the line, and we took our places in the ranks, and when the order, forward was given, we marched down the steep and slip- pery way that led to the pontoon bridge over which we were to cross.
I am sure you will not wonder when I say that scarce a sound was heard within onr ranks save that caused by the steady tramp, tramp, tramp of our men, as we marched towards the place since known as " Burnside's Slaughter Pen."
Although few words were spoken who will say Our minds were free from anxious thought or care,
As towards that bloody field we wend our way
To meet the foe in deadly conflict there. No so, a prayer unuttered, (none the less A prayer, ) was breathed by every loyal man, That God would crown our army with suc- cess,
And give us peace again throughout our land.
For some reason (I know not what) we halted on the bridge, "about faced," and returned to the bluff from whence we came. But we were not permitted long to remain in our safe retreat, for the bugle sounded the advance and we again marched towards the bridge, over which we crossed, coming under fire of grape and canister from the rebel batteries as soon as we reached the opposite shore, which quickened our step to the " double quick " as we marched throngh the lower part of the city. When we filed from a, street that ran parallel with the hights into one that led directly towards them, and into the open field where we had no shelter, then the rebel batteries opened on us with shot and shell, but with little effect save the hastening our march to the shelter of a large building near the base of the hights. There we halted for a few mo- ments, -long enough to obey an order which we understood to mean fight, namely-"un- sling knapsacks." Having quickly placed them in piles by companies, and detailed two men from each to guard the same, we fell into line again and advanced into the open field, passing around the right of the
building to the rear, then obliquely to the left in double quick time, and along the slope of the hill under heavy fire of artillery and infantry until we reached a deep cut where we halted under cover of the bank which sheltered us from the fire of the enemy in our immediate front. Although for the moment we felt that in that position we were in little danger from the enemy's fire, we very soon had reason not only to change our minds but our position from that of standing in mud and water several inches deep (slightly frozen) to a more humble posture, namely,-that of hugging the muddy bank, for a battery on our left soon opened ou us with a flank fire, send- ing solid shot whistling and screaming length wise the cut,-most of which, fortu- nately for us, went over our heads or plung- ed into the opposite bank from where we lay.
Our stay there although short, was long enongh, -for our position was anything but pleasant, or comfortable. Our Genera (Griffin ) when he gave the order to advance reined his borse towards the bank, and put ting spurs to him, dashed into the opel field, followed by our regiment. Having scrambled out of the ditch to the open plain we halted long enough to re-forin our line then, under a terrible fire from the rebe works on the hights above, we charge across the field to, and over a board fence where we met a shower of rebel bullets which not only went over and through th fence, but also through some of our compar ions, who, with ns were facing the fearft storm of leaden rain.
Passing the fence we pushed on across cabbage field and up the slope to the cre! of the ridge, then occupied by a part of ou brigade.
Although by right our position was o the left of the brigade that day, we foun ourselves on the right, having advance through the ranks of our comrades to tl extreme front, where we halted and r ceived orders to lay down that we might 1 protected from the galling fire of the enem The position was not only one of hond bnt one of danger, for we could not lay low but that the rebel sharp-shooters co fire into our ranks.
From that time (4 P. M.) till darkn covered the field, we kept up a contin skirmish fire,-sometimes firing by fil sometimes by platoons, but generally will,-each selecting his man.
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As night came on and the darkness hid us from the enemy's view, the firing ceased. It was a great relief to be permitted to stand upon our feet and move abont without being a target for the enemy, for the night was chilly and the muddy ground on which we lay had already begun to stiffen with the cold. Having left onr blankets with our knapsacks, our prospect for a comfortable night was anything but pleasing to contem- plate.
It was near midnight, when,having made a bed of guns, knapsacks, haversacks, call- teens, and such other articles as we could collect on the field about us, (left there by our dead and wounded) we laid down to rest and sleep.
At 3 o'clock in the morning, I, with a comrade of my company was sent to the picket line, midway between our line of battle and the rebel works to relieve our picket (two from each company having been sent ont every two hours during the night.) Our orders were to report at once to our Colonel any movement we might discover in the enemy's lines.
About 5 o'clock I heard the sound of voices behind the rebel works just in our front, and as I glanced my eye along the hights I could see distinctly (with the sky for a back-ground) officers inounted who were evidently taking an early view of the situation. I immediately reported to the Colonel what I had heard and seen, when he ordered me to return at once to the picket line and call in the men. I did as commanded, but our withdrawal from the board fence along which our picket line ex. tended, was none too soon for onr safe re- turn to the regiment, for it was light enough for the enemy to see us, and they sent their bullets singing by our heads just as we reached the brow of the hill where our regi- ment lay, causing us to fall into line in double quick time.
X During that day (Sunday) we held our position, keeping up a continual fight with the enemy's sharp-shooters who were in houses and barns, behind rocks and trees, in tree-tops and on house-tops, behind chimneys, and wherever they could get an elevated position to pick off our men.
We found it necessary to lay very low and watch close the movements of the foe- firing whenever and wherever we saw the head of " Johnnie reb."
The casualties were few that day on either side, but now and then a ball sent with un- erring aim, found its victim.
It was impossible for the men in our brig- ade to obtain water without crossing the plain below us, which was a hazardous thing to attempt to do, as he who ventured was sure to draw the enemy's fire,-never- i theless it was not an uncommon thing to see a comrade take a lot of canteens and run the gauntlet ; seldom were they hit,but in a few instances we saw them fall, pierced by the rebel bullet.
I remember seeing a soldier approaching us from the city, with knapsack on his back and gun on his shoulder. I watched him with special interest as he advanced, know- ing that he was liable to be fired upon as soon as he came within range of the ene- iny's rifles. He came deliberately along, climbed over the fence, and was coming di- rectly towards where we lay, when crack went a rifle and down went the man,-killed as we supposed, for he lay perfectly still. But not so, he was only playing possum. Doubtless he thought that by feigning to be dead for a few moments he would escape the notice of the enemy. So it proved, for unexpectedly to us, and I doubt not to the man who shot him, (as he supposed) he sprang to his feet and reached the cover of the hill before another shot was fired.
I will relate another instance of narrow escape that day, which came under my ob- servation : I had lain a long time on my left side and thought I would change my position, so I raised up on my elbow, when a minnie ball whistled over my head. My comrade next on my right cautioned me to lay down. I thought perhaps the bullet was a stray one and not intended for me, so I did not heed advice until reminded by a second bullet, which was sent as much too low as the other was too high, striking the ridge in front of me which checked the force of the ball, but did not stop in its course, for it came in a direct line towards me, striking a quart dipper about three feet from where I lay, with much force. Upon examining the dipper I found the ball lodged in the side of it. I made haste to heed that warning for I was convinced that the bullet was sent to me, although the sender did not intend that I should receive it in a tin dipper, but rather in my person, as doubtless I should had it been aimed six inches higher.
Thus we spent that Sabbath day. There was no general engagement; but a constant crack, crack, cracking of rifles all along the line on both sides, from early dawn till the shades of evening caused a cessation of the firing.
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I remember that a Sergeant of our com- pany and two men besides myself went over the field in search of one of our comrades whom we knew to have been hit the day before in our charge across the cabbage patch, and not having seen or heard from him up to that time, supposed that he was killed. Although we searched carefully among the dead we could not find the man for whom we were looking, but our search was not in vain, for just as we were about to return to our regiment the Sergeant dis- covered close under the fence a comrade who was alive but terribly wounded, whom we took on his blanket and carried to a house then used as a hospital, and filled with our wounded. He belonged to a Rhode Island regiment, and had lain on the field nearly two days. Our comrade whom we supposed killed, escaped minus a finger,and soon after obtained what he had sought for, but sought in vain, namely,-his discharge from the service on the ground of physical disability. Having now paid the penalty previously pronounced upon him by our Surgeon, who, when examining him for his discharge, "said that he ought to be shot for enlisting with such disability and ac- cepting a bounty,-(to which he replied, that he would die first.") He rejoiced in having been shot before he died, and with- out any probability of dying in consequence of having been shot, and thus receiving the coveted prize, namely a discharge.
Shortly after dark we were relieved by other troops, when we fell back to the city, where we bivouacked in the street, and had a dry, if not a soft bed, on the brick side- walk, where we slept soundly through the night.
The following day (Monday the 15th) we remained in the city where we had a good opportunity to see the effects of the bom- bardment by our seige guns on the 11th.
During that day there was but little fight- ing, and the wonder to mne is that the ene- my did not pounce upon our army instead of allowing us to remain forty-eight hours unattacked, and finally to withdraw our en- tire army to the opposite side of the river on the night of the 15th, without the slight- est molestation.
. It was 4 A. M., the 16th, when we left the city, and the rain literally poured down upon us as we were crossing the pontoon bridge. and plodded through mud and wa- ter to our old quarters at Camp Falmouth.
According to the Adjutant General's Re- port the loss in our regiment in the battle of Fredericksburg, was twenty-eight killed and wounded and six missing.
On returning to our old camp we imme- diately set to work to rebuild our quarters, expecting to settle down there for the win- ter. "Vain delusion," as you will see by the record.
December 17th our regiment broke camp and marched several miles to the picket line near one of the fords, where we re- mained several days doing picket duty, after which we returned to camp.
December 30th our company was called to pay our last tribute of respect to one of our comrades, Lucius F. Trowbridge, whom we buried near our camp with military honors. Before we had time to return from the grave to our quarters the order was given for our regiment to "strike tents" and " pack up." Each man received three days rations and sixty rounds ammunition.
At 1 P. M. we marched (with our division) on a reconnoissance. It was 10 P. M. be- fore we halted for the night, and as we were in the vicinity of the enemy it was ad- visable for us to keep dark, (as to our exact position and strength) therefore we received strict orders to build no fires, which deprived us of our usual pot of hot coffee that we very much needed, not only to refresh us after our long march, but especially to pre- pare us for the cold bath we were to experi- ence that night, for we pitched no tents, and had scarcely time to wrap ourselves in our blankets on the ground in the open ffield before a terrific thunder storm burst upon our camp.
The next morning before it was fairly light we were quietly aroused without the sound of drum or bugle, rolled up our wet blankets, ate our breakfast of salt pork and hard-tack, (no coffee, as no fires were al- lowed to be built) and pushed on in search of the enemy.
About 12 M., we discovered them in force at Morrisville, and our artillery opened a brisk fire on the town, after which we re tired rapidly towards Falmouth, which was distant twenty-two miles, and where we ar- rived at 7.30 P. M., making three miles an hour, which was unmerciful hard marching considering that the mud was over shoe deep much of the way, and furthermore that there was (I think) no good reason for such a forced march back to our camp. I think that was the severest marching I ever did. Not one in twenty of our number came in with the regiment (or Colonel) that night, and many of the men came strag- gling into camp the next day. I remember iny tent-mate did not put in an appearance
The Following day till 4.30 P. M., and for his tardiness was put on extra duty. I find in one of my old letters a schedule of my baggage on that tramp, namely: two wool blankets, two rubber blankets, knapsack, containing a change of clothing, haversack with three days rations, canteen of water, gun, equip- ments, and sixty rounds of ammunition,- weight forty to fifty pounds.
January 3d, 1863, we were happily sur- prised by seeing two of our Newton friends who visited us in our winter quarters, - friends indeed.
I cannot refrain from saying a word in honor of one of the friends above referred to, namely : Dr. Robinson of the Centre, who, during the war generously and kindly professionally volunteered to help , those who, having served their country, returned to their homes sick or disabled.
January 5th, comrade Ferdinand Cham- pion died in the Hospital, and January 11th another of company K was mustered out, namely : comrade William Fell,-both of whom we buried with military honors near our camp, where we were frequently called during our encampment there to pay our last sad tribute of respect to a comrade.
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