USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 12
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During the time the men were out on practice two of the shells went into a house of a Union man and one exploded in the yard. The house was over 172 miles from where the firing was. The poor man thought the rebels were coming. and taking his wife and six children he came into our camp almost frightened to death. They were informed that it was an accident, and they went to their home, happy enough. It was a great wonder that some of them were not killed.
A Minie ball passed through our cook house close to the head of one of our men. Some of the infantry were firing at a target, when, it is supposed, some one carelessly pointed his gun in the direction of our camp. They are bad things to trifle with.
Sunday Feb. 23d. At 4 this afternoon, we were all called into line, to have the Articles of War read to us, it being the duty of the commander of any Reg't. or Battery in the service of the United States to read them to the men under
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their command once in three months. We were dismissed to our quarters at 1/2 past 4."
THE ARTICLES OF WAR.
The Articles of War were rules and articles by which the Armies of the United States were governed. They were established by Act of Congress, and were one hundred in number. They embraced every department of the service in every part of the country, and provided for the regulation of the conduct of officers and soldiers in every contingency and capacity, from the rulings of courts martial to the de- struction of private property.
THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
In Article 10 is the Oath of Allegiance :-
"I, A. B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and ob- serve and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles for the government of the armies of the United States."
The words "So help ine God" are not added to the oath of the non-commissioned officer or soldier as given in this Article, but they appear in the Articles devoted to the mem- bers of the courts martial, as part of the oath. The Act which contained these Articles of War was approved April 10, 1806.
Grows' Journal: "Feb. 24, 1862, (About 9 a. m.) it began to blow a gale. In a short time the next tent to ours was blown down, then the one opposite. We jumped up
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and hung on to our tent pole. In a short time our stove pipe was blown down, and the lashings of our doors were torn off, but we made out to save our tent. Trees were torn up, and chimneys blown down and there is considerable damage done. After considerable work we got our tent secured, our stove up again, and a fire going. It is an awful cold evening and I expect it will be a howling night. The mud has dried up considerably in consequence of the wind blowing so hard all day. It is now freezing quite hard."
Chase's Diary : "Feb. 25, 1862, the Third and Fourth Detachments went to the Washington Arsenal, and ex- changed the two Howitzers for two 3 inch ten pounder Rodman guns."
Grows' Journal : "Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1862, 1/2 past 8, went out to drill for one hour. After drill got permission to go over to the 4th Michigan Regt. to change some bread for tobacco, for I was getting short of the weed. All the bread we have left over we sell to them for five cents a loaf, and get sugar, molasses, cheese, butter, and other articles. I had twelve spare loaves, so I got twelve heads of tobacco, which will Jast me some time. At jo o'clock the drivers were called out to drill on the pieces, and it was amusing to see how awkward they were, for they never handled a sponge staff: before. and we could see by their actions how green wec looked the first time we began to drill. They will have to drill, as well as the cannoneers, so that in case of action men should be killed on the gun, they will be able to fill their places.
At 1 o'clock I went out to work on the pickets, and worked till 5. At 3 in the afternoon the Battery was called out for drill, and stayed out till 32 past 4, when they re- turned to camp; the 18th Mass. and 44th New York were also out on drill. They made a splendid sight. A sergeant from Captain Griffin's battery has come over to drill the drivers in regard to harnessing and hitching out horses. He will probably remain with us for a week or ten days."
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Letter of Licut. Phillips, Feb. 27, 1862 :- "This after- noon the Left section went off target shooting, and did rather better than the last time we went. The Right and Centre sections went out in Battery drill under Captain Martin, and had a first rate drill. The 18th Regiment and Captain Martin's Battery are expecting marching orders tonight to go up the river to reinforce General Banks. Tattoo has just sounded, and we can hear a great cheering from their camp, so I suppose the orders have come. They leave their tents and carry 7 days' rations. I hear postal communication is stopped."
Grows' Journal : "Feb. 27. 1862. After dinner was called out to go with a piece and act No 6 to cut the fuze. Took out two pieces with ten rounds of fuze shell and ten rounds of percussion shell in each limber box. Went out under the charge of Lieut. Kingsbury of Captain Griffin's regular battery, to Martin's Battery formerly Follett's (Third Mass. ) and fired at a tree one and a half miles off. It being the first time I ever had an opportunity of seeing the effect of shell I took great interest in watching it. When they struck the ground they tore up large furrows in the dirt. The tree was struck two or three times, which stove it up considerable. After firing all our ammunition we started for home. most of us feeling rather tired, for the cannoneers had to walk both ways. It was some six miles to and from our camp. Got back to our quarters about 1/4 to 5. After supper sent five spare loaves of bread over to the sutlers (He was eating rice instead of bread. ) and got sugar for it. They charge 15 cts. a lb. for it so we got almost two lbs. of sugar.
Friday Feb. 28. After breakfast an order was given to be ready at 8 o'clock to go, all hands, with the horses har- nessed in, the guns all ready, to Captain Griffin's Battery, to see if our names on the Pay Roll were all right, so we can be paid off.
We left camp at 12 past 8, cannoneers dismounted, and
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we had to walk all the way, about six miles. On our way we passed Martin's Battery. It is a splendid battery. They have a new battery of six heavy guns of brass. Also passed through the 18th Mass., the 44th New York. 22d Mass., and the 9th Mass., Col. Cass's. After we arrived on the ground we were drawn up in line, and our names called off, upon which each man stepped three paces to the front. After the Roll was through we formed columns and, thank heaven, the order was given soon, 'Cannoneers Mount! but those six miles were rough riding. I shall remember it for some time. At 3 in the afternoon went out for a mounted drill, stayed out one hour, then came in feeling awfully cold. It blows a perfect gale, and has for two days. A report in the camp that Gen. McClellan has the telegraph under his control so no news from the North can reach the South. (It had been the report until corrected, that letters could not go or come from the North for a week.) The mud is now most all dried up so in all probability there will be an advance made soon.
Saturday March I. After breakfast went into the woods and cut some poles for a cook house, was called in at 9, and got ready for drill. After getting in the ranks I was in- formed that I'must not turn out for I had been to work. This pleased me very much. It is quite cozey inside, but outside it blows a gale.
A news boy has just passed through the camp crying out : 'Another Fight! General Banks' Division Cut to Pieces!' -- It went through me like a shudder, but I hope it is not true. . . . Now see how we are deceived. One of our men bought a paper, and in it was stated that the rebels were not within twenty-five miles of General Banks's pickets. So the boy made a good thing out of his papers, sold them for five cents a piece, and then left the camp.
I saw for the first time since we have been on this side, a white woman. Lieut. Kingsbury with his wife and two
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other ladies. passed through our camp. They were all on horseback and looked splendid.
Got through working on the pickets about 4 in the after- noon. The men came in from drill about half an hour after. They were drilled by Captain Martin. We have lost an- other horse this day by lung fever."
Diary of Licut. Phillips: "March 2, 1862. Orderly G. H. Johnson resigned. . . . Sergt. F. A. Lull promoted Orderly vice Johnson. W. H. Peacock promoted Chief of Piece vice Lull., Geo. H. Johnson appointed wagoner vice Peacock. Corp. M. W. Page promoted Sergt. vice Patti- son. Corp. J. E. Spear promoted Gunner vice Pagc. Pri- vate C. C. Allen promoted Chief of Caissons vice Spear."
The Battery had four sergeants capable of handling it, viz., Johnson, Lull, Wm. B. Pattison, and O. B. Smith; they having served in the First Mass. Battery see p. 56 with the three months' men, and when the Battery commenced drilling under the tutelage of Lieut. Kingsbury and Sergt. Thomas Broderick, there was naturally a good deal of ad- verse criticisin among the non-commissioned officers and pany officers, see p.528 where Captain Phillips appoints new privates. Non-commissioned officers are appointed by com- sergeants and corporals, and as a punishment they may be reduced to the ranks. In this case. for criticising the ap- pointment of drill officers, Sergt. Win. B. Pattison and Orderly Serg't. Geo. H. Johnson were reduced to the ranks.
February oth, 1863. Win. B. Pattison was again made sergeant in the place of Serg't O. B. Smith, promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and at Gettysburg, see p. 639. was in charge of No. I. gun of the Right section commanded by Lieut. Scott.
Grows' Journal : "March 2, 1862, at 10 o'clock turned out for inspection of clothing. After the drivers' articles were examined viz. two red blankets. one curry comb, brush, sponge, watering bucket. bridle and halter, next came the cannoneers' turn.
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After waiting an hour General Porter passed through the camp. Then we were dismissed to our quarters, and we were glad, for it had commenced to snow. After dinner orders came to clean up our tents, for they will be inspected tomorrow forenoon by the Captain. I expect it will be rough on account of the mud. We could not very well go out on account of the storm, so we all sat down around the fire, smoking and talking about different things, home, etc.
Monday March 3d. It is raining and hailing at times, making the travelling bad. Our wood being out we started for the woods and took some rails from a fence, broke them up, and they make a very hot fire. For the first time for a great while sat down to a game of euchre; played about an hour then went to work darning stockings. It was the first time I ever attempted it and I did make a dreadful job, but there is the first time for everything, so I took courage and on the second pair I did better than on the first; still they were sorrowful looking stockings, but we must put up with anything in war times!
After supper a box came for one of the men in the tent. In it were pies, cake, meats, &c., and, my goodness, how we put into them, and had a most glorious time. The pies were immense, and the cakes huge.
It is raining outside in torrents and it will be an awful night.
At Roll Call this afternoon at 5 o'clock, we were in- formed that our gunner Mason W. Page is appointed ser- geant of the 3d. Detachment, Corporal Spear will take the place of Page, and C. C. Allen standard bearer of the 6th, will take the place of Spear. On account of its being so stormy there was no S o'clock Roll Call, and we were glad enough, for our tent began to leak awfully : so we pinned up our rubber blankets over our heads to keep from getting wet. and then we turned in. There is about an inch of water in our tent, but as most of our beds are built up from the ground we shall get along very well. Those who lie on
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the ground will have rather wet quarters. There is a great difference between having a good roof over our heads as we have at home, and the thin covering of canvas which we have here. After all there is no place like home, no matter how humble."
Letter of Lieut. Phillips, March 4. 1862: "My section went out target shooting today. The guns were placed on the top of Hall's Hill, right in front of Captain Martin's camp, and we shot a little to the right of Falls Church.
This village consists of 8 or ten houses, and a little white meeting-house. We fired 77 shots at trees and stuinps, at distances of 500, 700, 1700, and 2000 yards. Most of the shots were very good."
Grows' Journal : "Tuesday March 4th. Splendid morn- ing. Ground frozen solid. Nice travelling. Called out at 1/2 past 9 for drill on gun. Stayed out one hour. Orders came after dinner for the drivers and cannoneers to turn out for a mounted drill. Went out and drilled one hour, and came in. The sun is out quite powerful and has started the mud so the travelling is quite bad, as the mud is about three inches deep and in some places it is a great deal worse.
We received orders this afternoon to prepare ourselves for a start inside of five days.
Wednesday March 5th. After breakfast I got a box and packed all my loose things that I did not need, and gave the box to the teamster to carry into the city, to be sent by Harnden's Express. We have had orders to have all the stuff that we cannot carry in our knapsacks sent home. We expect to make an advance to Budd's ferry to shell out two rebel batteries that are there.
A portion of the cannoneers were detailed to pack their ammunition chests, to be prepared so to turn out for drill. Was visited by John Mann the Hospital Warden of the Mass. 9th Regt. Had a pleasant time talking over our school-boy days. He stopped and took dinner with us of fresh beef and soup.
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We were ordered out for drill at 3 past 3, with 10 rounds of blank cartridges in our chests. After we were mounted it began to blow and snow like fury and continued for about half an hour, then the clouds broke away, and the air began to be quite sharp. Went out on to the field and began to fire. Had considerable trouble with the horses on account of most of them never having been under fire before, but be- fore we had fired all our rounds they began to cool down to their work considerable.
Came in at 4 o'clock. Helped the drivers unhitch, and then went to quarters. Sent ten loaves of spare bread over to the sutler, and received one pound of butter and five heads of tobacco. Had a good supper of bread and butter and coffee.
Two of the Detachments will go on to Vienna tomorrow or next day, for the purpose of protecting the Rail Road, which is. being built. The rebels ripped up the track and built a large fire, and then heated the rails and bent them out of shape. The 9th Mass. Reg't. are out there on the same errand."
Letter of Lieut. Phillips, March 6, 1862 :-
"We had a drill with the horses in the forenoon and after- noon, making considerable progress in artillery tactics. This afternoon while we were out drilling, General (John H.) Martindale's Brigade were drilling in the next field, making quite a show. They finally formed each regiment in a square with two guns, -- Captain Martin's 12 pdrs .- in the intervals, and began shooting with blank cartridges in our direction. It struck me at the time that they looked very much as the enemy will when they begin shooting at that distance-1200 yards.
We fire with blank cartridges nearly every day, and the horses are getting used to the sound, though they jumped and kicked a great deal, when they first had to face the music. We have a few balky horses, that give us a little trouble once in a while, but they are gradually breaking in,
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as they have to go along with four horses ahead of them, and it is of no use trying to break an artillery harness by kicking round. We get the news here in a very irregular manner. Some days we buy the New York papers at 5 ets. of some persevering newsman who makes a tour through the eamp, but most of the time we have to trust to what is sent to us."
Grows' Journal: "Thursday March 6, 1862. Went to Roll Call at the usual hour. Am detailed for Rider on the Caissons, the swing team. Fed and watered the horses soon after. Went out to drill at 9, on the gun. After drilling one hour we were ordered to grease up and be ready for a start out. At 12 past To we were all harnessed. the cannoneers mounted, and the drivers standing 'To horse." The order was given 'Mount'! and I did, and out we went for drill. As it has been some time since I was in a saddle, it seemed quite odd. Came in at 12. After dinner order was turn out for drill at 2 o'clock, so I got ready to turn out again. At 2 we started, and instead of being the swing team I was put on the lead of the caisson.
The off horse being a dangerous one I had to look out for him. After drilling about an hour, we began to fire blank cartridges. My team stood well. We limbered up, and in a short time the off horse began his airs, which means rear- ing up and throwing himself on the rear horse and by this means he can throw the Rider out of the saddle. On ac- count of his actions I changed then into the swing team, in which he worked a great deal better. We then stayed out till 4, when we came in. On carrying our horses into the quarters. we found one of our horses dead. Had him opened, and found it was disease of the heart.
Harry Simonds was detailed to take some men and bury him.
Went to supper, and found that I was detailed for guard on the first relief, to go on immediately after the 5 o'clock
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Roll. Went on my post, came off at 7, and turned in to sleep till II when I shall be called again.
Friday March 7th. Was called this morning at 5 to go on guard. At 6 the bugle sounded for the men to dress and come out for Roll. The time slipped away quite rapidly till 7 when I was relieved. By the new order that has been made, those that are detailed for guard are clear from all drill or other duty. So I pulled down my bed and turned in.
Saturday March Sth. The Battery went out for drill this forenoon, and came in at half past eleven. The men are rapidly improving in drill and the horses are becoming more used to the firing: Our pickets were driven in last night, and the 18th Mass. have gone out today. They ex- pect to have a brush. We have heard today that we will have to move from here in a few days, but we cannot put much dependence on what we hear in camp."
Letter of Lieut. Phillips :---
"March 9, 1862: This has been the pleasantest day we have seen so far, warm and bright like a May day in Mas- sachusetts. Under foot there is a little mud, though this is slowly drying up. In the forenoon we had an inspection of the Battery teams hitched, knapsacks packed, &c. The whole of General Martindale's Brigade are encamped on the top of Hall's Hill, in the following order :--
22d Mass. on the right, 2d Maine in the centre, 18th Mass. on the left, 3d Mass. Battery on the left of the 18th."
A RIDE TO FALLS CHURCH.
"After this visit [a call on Captain Lewis E. Wentworth of the Sharpshooters attached to the 22d Reg't. ] Hyde, Dillingham, and I started off on a ride to Falls Church, striking into a cart path in front of Captain Martin's Bat- tery. After a long and crooked journey we struck into the Alexandria and Leesburg turnpike, just beyond the village
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of Falls Church. This road we found in excellent condi- tion, so we indulged our horses with a gallop through the village.
Falls Church, on our right, is a large square brick church, without steeple or anything to denote its character. There is also a little white church built just as they build them in New England. The village itself is quite a pleasant little place, particularly from its contrast with the fenceless, tree- less, desolate region round our camp, and is the nearest , approach to civilization we have seen for some time. After leaving the village we kept on over Upton's Hill, passing Mr. Upton's house ou our left : on our right was a redoubt armed with some heavy siege guns, and some field pieces.
The 20th N. Y. S. M. are encamped around Mr. Upton's house.
From here we struck across country and soon came to what had once been a house but now nothing was left but the cellar. From appearances there must have been quite a place liere once. We could still trace the bounds of the orchard and garden with walks and borders, flowers still growing, but all tangled and overgrown with weeds.
The well was choked with stumps as if somebody had played the part of the dog in the manger. After moralizing a little while on this, we kept on our way towards Hall's Hill, where we arrived in time to witness the Dress Parade of the 18th Mass."
Grows' Journal: "March 9th. \ glorious morning. After breakfast took a walk around the stables. Found one of the horses dead, this inaking six we have lost since we have been here. Had 'inspection drill' with our knap- sacks, canteens, and haversacks, and we got enough of it for about two hours. When we went into park we were dismissed for service. Had some singing and reading from the Sth chapter of Matthew.
When we were dismissed I immediately got a 'pass' to leave camp, and went to the ISth Mass., the 22d Mass ..
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and the Irish Reg't. the 9th. Visited the spot where some soldiers were buried, took portions of the head stones and brought them along with me to camp.
Turned in at the usual hour, was called at 10 o'clock, and we were informed that we must get ready to make an ad- vance in the morning. So we began to pack our knapsacks, fill our canteens, and clean up our 'boarding knives.' The cooks began to cook our rations for three days. The men all seemed anxious to go."
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CHAPTER VI.
THE ADVANCE UPON RICHMOND.
"The despatches of a general . . . the safest sources from which the historian of a campaign can draw."
-- GEORGE MEREDITH.
"Military despatches are often excellent reading-their very dry- ness and literalness in dealing with life and death, give them a special place in our literature."
-- Illustrated London News.
It was expected that when the Division made a forward movement the Battery would go with it, but instead of that, Captain Allen received the following order :---
HEAD QUARTERS PORTER'S DIVISION HALL'S HILL VA. March 10, 1862.
CAPT. ALLEN Comd'g Battery E. Mass. Artillery.
Captain.
The commanding General directs me to inform you that your Bat- tery will not move with the Division, but will be held in readiness to move at a moment's notice.
Very respectfully Yr Obt. Serv't FRED T. LOCKE ass't adj. Gen'l.
Notes of Lieut. Scott :- "About the 9th of March the Army moved on to Manassas. The Fifth Mass. Battery was not ordered out on this movement. The men of the Battery were in an excited condition. The Battery was of no account, would never see any fighting, might as well go
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home. The commander, Captain Geo. D. Allen called the men into line, and said he would show them what to do, and they would get all the fighting they wanted before they were out of it."
Grows' Journal :- "Monday morning March 10, 1862, a report came into camp for us to unpack our things, for we would not go with this advance. Oh how mad the men were! There were our horses all ready, bedding done up, and tents ready to strike the first thing in the morning. So, we unpacked our things and made up our beds again. I laid down, but could not sleep on account of the passing of baggage teams, cavalry, and regiments of infantry by our camp; gathering together so as to start carly in the morning. There will be a smart fight when they mect the rebels. After breakfast went on to the hill to see the regiments and batterics start. It soon began to rain like fury, but the brave men did not heed it and cheer after cheer went up, as they passed.
Poor fellows! all of them will not return.
In a short time John Mann of the 9th came on horseback through our camp, on his way to Arlington for some ambu- lances for the wounded and sick. It now rains in torrents, the boys will have a hard day to march in, and when they get to their destination, which is supposed to be Manassas, if the rebels stand they will have a hard time there.
After dinner took rations in our haversacks, packed our knapsacks with one shirt, I pair drawers, I pair socks, a blanket-on the outside my rubber and other woolen blanket.
At precisely 2 o'clock the 'Assembly' sounded, and we turned out with knapsacks and equipments. marched to our pieces and lashed them on. The drivers hitched in and we stood 'cannoneers to posts,' and the drivers 'to horse,' and in this way we waited for three long hours for the order
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