USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 16
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195
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
BANKS' FIFTH CORPS.
April 4, 1862, the Corps designated as the "Fifth Corps," under General N. P. Banks, was discontinued by general orders from the War Department.
HOWARD'S MILLS .-- THE FIRST GUN FIRED.
The historian of Martin's Third Mass. Battery says of the incident at Howard's Mills :-
"Friday April 4, 1862, reached Big Bethel. At about twelve o'clock resumed our march. About three miles far- ther on we reached the Halfway House, once a hotel of some importance. Two companies of rebel cavalry had left there only an hour before. While we were at the Halfway House, cannonading was heard in advance, and a march of a inile brought us to two rebel intrenchments. Berdan's Sharpshooters, at the head of the column, had been fired on by the enemy, but one of our batteries, the Fifth Massachu- setts, coming up, the rebels were shelled out and our troops occupied the works when we reached them. . . . Our ad- vance secured two guns in the fort, and some commissary stores. Another fort near the first had been previously abandoned."
HYDE'S NOTES, NEW YORK, MAY 23, 1900. REVISED JUNE 26. 1901.
"We landed at Fortress Monroe, and, working our way with Butterfield's Brigade up the peninsula, through Hamp- ton which had recently been destroyed by the enemy, we encountered formidable earthworks thrown up by them.
Several batteries were ahead of us, but General Griffin sent back for the Fifth Mass. Battery. The troops opened to the right and left, and we passed through to the front.
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HISTORY OF THE
Captain Griffin, chief of artillery, ordered Captain Allen to send a seetion of his battery into the field to attack the eneiny behind the carthworks.
Accordingly my section [the Right] was ordered to take position in the field and open on the enemy. This order was immediately earried into effect by taking my section out of the road and aeross the field, and we commenced fir- ing into the fortifications, receiving the fire of the enemy in return.
During this engagement the first piece that was dis- charged was my right piece in charge of Serg't. O. B. Smith.
My second piece was in charge of Serg't. Wmn. H. Pea- cock.
We had only fired a few rounds when my second piece (Peacock's) became disabled by the trail being broken in two directly where the elevating screw goes through, and notwithstanding the shot and shell were flying about us promiscuously, the butt of the gun having gone down and the muzzle up in the air, Serg't. Peacock jumped up and down, and says-'For God's sake look at my piece!' A= we were thus disabled parts of other batteries were sent it to finish the work, the enemy was driven out, and our troops took possession, capturing several guns.
After we were all through, Captain Allen asked Captain Griffin if it would be best for us to sling our piece and take it into the fortification, as he thought we could make a neu trail during the night. His reply was that he did not think we could do it, and it would have to be sent back to Wash- ington. I then spoke to Captain Griffin, and said I enlisted those artificers, and I knew that I had men competent to do it. He said, -. Well, if you wish, you can try it.'
We accordingly slung the piece, took it into the fortifica- tion, and during the night made a new trail out of a tree which had been cut down: many of us taking part in the work, using the axe, hokling the light &c. &c.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
We completed it : and in the morning Captain Allen re- ported to Captain Griffin that we were ready for action with our six pieces, and were ready for his inspection. He came to look at it and laughed a little, saying it was not so cle- gant, or words to that effect, but it would do for service.
This was one of the pieces that was lost at Gaines Mills, and retaken by Union forces at Chancellorsville three years later."
FROM CAPT. GEO. D. ALLEN'S NOTES.
APRIL 19, 1900.
"When our forces halted within the fortification, Captain Allen, after consulting with the artificers, concluded to re- mount the gun that night, and directed the broken trail to be replaced.
The artificers found a tree of solid live oak, which had been cut down by the rebels, and made a new trail with the old one for a pattern. This was done in the darkness of the night, while Captain Allen and other officers held the tallow candles for them to see to work by.
Just after daylight next morning, when General Fitz John Porter sent his aide to see if they could get the gun along on the march that day to Yorktown, Captain Allen invited the aide to look at the gun which had been mounted the night before and was all ready. He seemed not a little surprised to find the gun mounted and ready for action, and Captain Allen remarked to him that he did not believe there was a better gun trail in the Army of the Potomac, and to give his compliments to General Porter, and invite him if he passed us that day to look particularly at the gun trail. He did pass us, and paid the Battery a high compliment for its Yankee ingenuity in cutting out a new gun trail from solid live oak wood, and mounting the gun in so short a time."
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HISTORY OF THE
D. Henry Grows who helped make the new trail, said Sept. 3, 1900, that in it "there were 27 pieces of iron, taken off the old one. It was broken off at the cap squares, just where you elevate the gun." See p. 204 "Grows' Journal."
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
APRIL 4, 1862.
"On this morning agreeably to orders 'reveille' was sounded at 2 o'clock, and the Battery marched between five and six, near the head of the column, preceded by Morell's Brigade. After a short halt at Big Bethel to build a bridge, we kept on and again halted about two. After stopping about 15 minutes the bugle sounded 'Forward.' and the regiment ahead opened to give us a passage.
Things began to look a little suspicious, and we soon came in sight of two regiments formed in line of battle in a field by the road side, head of column to the right.
'Forward into Line!' 'Left Oblique!' 'In Battery! came in quick succession, but soon our guns were in posi- tion pointing rebelwards.
One regiment deployed in front as skirmishers, and an- other on our right supported them. Slowly the skir- mishers advanced, and in five minutes we heard quite a lively fusillade. Then we advanced through the fence into the next field, and the Right section (Commanded by I.t. Hyde) went forward to shell out a rebel battery (2 guns) distance 2000 yards. Bang! went the first gun and a she !! burst directly over the fort. Half a dozen more times an.1 the rebels 'skedaddled' in a hurry, but one piece. just as the order was given 'Cease Firing,' tumbled over in the most extraordinary manner with a broken trail. So Grif- fin ( Battery D, 5th U. S. ) brought up his Right section and finished the job. In half an hour the stars and stripes waved in the fort at Howard's Mills. Then we advanced over a crooked road, across a swamp, up a hill, into these intrenchments. We quartered in a log house,-rebel's
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
guard house or something of the sort. A camp bedstead was in the room and a fire blazing. Dr. Rawlings corre- spondent of the New York Times, will quarter with us."
From Phillips' Letters: "The creek at Howard's Mills lies at the bottom of a deep ravine, and the rebel lines cx- tended along the brow of the hill on the North. The de- fences consisted of a parapet for infantry following the lay of the land with irregular projections on the spurs of the hill, pierced with embrasures for field pieces.
When we made the advance we expected a fight, and made our calculations accordingly. As soon as we came in sight the rebels opened with two field pieces from the fort, but our Right section soon shelled them out of that and we took up our quarters in the lines, the officers of the Fifth Mass. Battery occupying a log house."
NOTES OF LIEUT. HENRY D. SCOTT. . REVISED JAN'Y 24, 1901.
"As Junior Lieutenant, Chief of Caissons, I was not with the Sections much. The weather was intolerable. When we passed through Big Bethel the advance found a rebel battery at Howard's Mills, behind earthworks. The col- nmn came to a halt, and as the 5th Battery had the lead it was ordered up to brush them away. The Battery found the troops resting on the ground on each side of the road. They cheered us and sang out 'Go in, Boys. Give 'em fits!'
As Chief of Caissons I halted them short of the position of the Battery, which after a short duel the battery in front left, and the column went on its way. As I passed with the caissons after the 5th, I saw one of their Guns on the ground. After reaching the ground where the rebel bat- tery had been, the Army parked for the night, and I was sent back with men and horses, to sling the Gun and bring it to camp. It was dark when we returned. I said as the trail had been broken, we could make a new one. Finding
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HISTORY OF THE
a timber of suitable size, with the artificers we worked all night, and in the morning the Gun moved with the rest of the Battery. The same Gun was lost at Gaines Mills, June 27th, and was not seen after, until, the war over, it was found parked at Richmond, Va."
NOTES OF SERGT. WM. H. PEACOCK.
JULY 18, 1901.
"Before we came into Battery one of my men had taken a shell and cartridge out from the chest, getting ready for a quick shot. I recollect quite well that seventeen rounds were fired by the two guns, and none were fired by either after our trail broke, as the 400 or 500 Rebel Cavalry on the opposite bank from us, bad run before we quit firing. They fired some shell at us, but it seemed to go to the left of us, striking in the bank of the hill. I have always said that our Gun of the Second Detachment fired the first shot at Howard's Mills. Comrade Chase also wrote to this ef- fect in his Diary at the time it occurred. On firing the ninth round the trail of my gun broke at the elevating box, dropping to the ground, while the gun pointed skyward. We slung the gun under the limber with the prolonge rope, and hauled off the broken parts by hand that night. Our position was in a cornfield. The corn rows prevented our gun from getting the proper recoil, and this caused the trail to break at the elevating box. That night our artificers made a new trail for the gun, and had it completed before morning so it was as useful as ever, and I was with it until its capture at Gaines Mills fight. We used to frequently look up captured rebel artillery in hopes to find it again, but I never heard of its being recovered. I recollect as some of my Detachment at the time, John F. Mack, David Mc- Vey, Wm. B. Newhall, G. W. Poole, B. F. Story, C. M. Tripp,-I think,-P. Welch, Henry Fitzsimmons."
From Chase's Diary. "April 4, 1862. Two miles from
1
I
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Great Bethel. 'In Battery,' 'Action Front,' to be ready for the enemy!
The Right section advanced about 1000 feet, and com- inenced shelling a rebel battery.
Serg't William H. Peacock of the Second Detachment of the Right section of the Fifth Mass. Battery Light Ar- tillery fired the first gun, and it was the first gun of the Army of the Potomac to be fired. After a few rounds the left piece of the Right section had the trail of the gun broken off squarely."
FROM LETTER OF CORPORAL J. E. SPEAR.
APRIL 13, 1862.
"Came upon the rebels about 3 o'clock p. m. Our Bat- tery being in the advance, Gen. Porter sent out with a regi- ment of skirmishers a section of the Battery. When about half.a mile from the entrenchments a squadron of cavalry was seen to leave very hurriedly. Our skirmishiers fired upon them, but as they were some distance away the shots did not take effect. While our guns were being fired one carriage in recoiling was broken; the trail coming back upon a rock with such force as to break it. The rebels having left their encampment, and entrenchments, nothing re- inained for us to do but to march into them, which we did at a double quick. Remained all night. The place was called Howard's Mills."
NOTES OF CORPORAL WM. H. BAXTER.
REVISED OCT. 15, 1900.
BUILDING NEW TRAIL FOR GUN NO. 4.
"We went into Battery several times approaching York- town. I think it was the second day out from Fortress
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HISTORY OF THE
Monroe, that we were 'in Battery,' firing at the fast re- treating Johnnies, when the trail of the 4th Detachment Gun broke squarely in two pieces, causing the muzzle of the Gun to point skyward. The accident put the Gun out of action, and upon arriving at camp that evening. the writer was ordered to make a detail to build a new trail. The job scemed insurmountable, but a detail was finally made. which proved equal to the occasion. Being a non-com. my part in the building of that trail was to do the heavy standing around, and I did it to perfection. We started for the woods near camp, and cast about for a tree suitable for the purpose. The writer can recollect but two of the boys who were in this detail "Uncle Dudley' Blanchard. now passed away, and sterling Lem. Washburn. The tree was dropped, a length measured off suitable for the trail. and the boys went to work shaping it; nothing but axes being used. After getting it well roughed out, we haule 1 it to camp, and it was taken in band by that Knight of the Hammer, Mike Hewitt and his assistants, who proceeded to put the finishing touches to the wood and fitting the iron work. My recollection of the time taken to build it is that we had that tree felled at about 9 o'clock in the evening, and were ready to start with the trail completed at 8.30 next morning, overtaking the Battery, which had marched early in the morning, between II and 12 o'clock that noon.
That the work was well done no better evidence can be had, than that some of the Boys, after the surrender, saw the oldl Gun in park with the trail intact, just as we had 'donated' it to the Johnnies at Gaines Mills, with the excep- tion that the ground end of it had warped nearly one half way around, the effect of the sun upon the green wood of which it was made.
This is one of the many evidences which occurred dur- ing the war that the Boys of 'GI were always found equal to every occasion where necessity demanded brain or brawn."
203
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
FROM PRIVATE BENJAMIN F. STORY.
Ocr. 8, 1900.
"In regard to the first shot at Howard's Mills,-We were in the advance in that action, and were in the advance ordered by Captain Griffin of the 5th Regulars U. S. A., as he had charge of the 4 Batteries -- to place the guns and fire on the Rebels who occupied a hill to the front-which we did-and Capt. Griffin told Capt. Allen, that he had the honor of firing the first gun on the Peninsula, and I heard it distinctly."
My duty at the time was head driver on the Caisson 2d. Detachment, and I know whereof I speak."
After recalling the same circumstances of the broken trail he says :-
"That gun, with three others, was lost in action at Gaines Mills, and was recap tured by us at the Weldon R. R. fight, and turned in at the U. S. Arsenal at Washington D. C. when our Battery was mustered out. All of which I cau certify to having come under my own personal observation at the time."
Grows' Journal : "Friday April 4, 1862. Was called at half past two this morning by the Bugle. Packed all my things together. Lashed my knapsack and overcoat on the limber of the piece. At half past four we had breakfast of hot coffee and hard bread. At a quarter to six we took up our line of march with the Corps which numbered some 30,000 men. The morning was very warm and close. After marching a few miles I saw plenty of overcoats, blankets, and knapsacks by the roadside, which our troops had thrown away on account of the heat. Arrived at Great Bethel at half past io in the forenoon. Stopped long enough to feed and water the horses, then took up the line
204
HISTORY OF THE
of march for Bethel: arrived at one o'clock. Our scouts brought in word that the Rebels were in their entrench- ments, and that we would have to shell them out. At half past one the Right section opened fire upon their works, and the sharpshooters the same upon their cavalry, killing two. The enemy then left their works. We pushed on, but they were gone, so we began to pitch our tents here in their breastworks. If they had had more pieces they could have held it against our force, for some time.
There were about Soo rebels in the works when we first came upon them, but they retreated very lively."
Josiah W. Gardner, referring to his journal of April 4, 1862, says, "Archie Waugh (W. A. Waugh) drove the swing team of No. I gun, and fired the first shot. This was Peacock's gun which had the trail broken."
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YORKTOVIN
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1&2. Summer's Corps. 3 Porter's Division. 4 Hamilton's Division, of Heintzelmans Corps. 56-7 Keyes Corps 8 General Mcclellan's Headquarters. 9 Bridges over Wormley Cr. Guarded by the 5th Mass Battery. 10 Peach orchard. It. First position taken by the 5th. Moss. Battery on April 6" 1862. 12. Houses burned by Rebels 13 Moore's house. 14. Back River Landing 15 Redoubt. 16 Lunette. 17. House built by 5th Mass. Battery 18 Advanced line of Porters Division 19 = 100 pdr Parrots A. Mortar Battery.
Yorktown
Metal
CHAPTER VII.
YORKTOWN,
April 5 to May 3, 1862.
"Let others hew from marble the grand forms
Imprisoned there .
For thee the tragedy of daily things,
By firesides placed amid our work and books
How every group the war before us brings!"
THOMAS G. APPLETON .- Sonnet to Rogers.
THE ADVANCE. Bugle Call .- "In Battery."
Allegro
Porter's Division on the Right, led the advance of the Army of the Potomac.
FROM LETTERS OF LIEGT. PHILLIPS, OF APRIL 6, 1862.
"Sunday forenoon. Yesterday morning we left our com- fortable quarters, and started as we supposed on a recon- noissance, but we have not yet returned. After we had pro- ceeded a short distance on our way it commenced to rain, and poured down till noon. We marched on, and about twelve o'clock we heard firing ahcad, and marched into a field.
205
.
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HISTORY OF THE
The Rhode Island Battery and Griffin's were shelling the rebel intrenchments. Pretty soon Martin's Battery was sent off to the left, and commenced shelling. About 4 o'clock, Martin returned, having lost 2 killed and 3 wounded, and we were ordered to relieve Captain Weeden, who had lost one, killed. So our pieces started off and formed in battery in front of the rebels about 2000 yards distant.
Just as we were coming into battery, a little smoke puffed out from the fort, then the report, and a few seconds later, a 32 pdr. shell struck in the dirt 50 yards on our left. The fuze had not ignited, so we picked up the shell and carried it home.
We blazed away once or twice in return, and pretty soon we heard two reports from them to the right and left, and then bang, bang! two shells burst right in front of us 50 feet from the ground; one piece striking an infantry soldier in the woods to our right. We fired a little more, but, not accomplishing much, we soon stopped, and after dark re- turned to camp.
Early this morning, 3 o'clock, the Right and Centre sec- tions took position in the same place, and are at present, --- 12 m., -- there. The men are mostly asleep and I am lying on my overcoat writing this letter. The rebels have been making einbrasures in front of their guns, probably to keep off the bullets by our skirmishers, who are scattered round pretty thick. The enemy's gunners are quite good, and they have got our range very well."
Grows' Journal: "Saturday, April 5, 1862. We are about 9 miles from Yorktown, and there are about 30,000 rebels encamped there in strong breastworks. Owing to the bad state of the roads we did not arrive at Yorktown outside of the eneniy's works till half past one. The rebel works are in sight and about 13 miles to two miles off. About half an hour after we arrived the Rhode Island 4th Battery were ordered to open fire upon them. In a short
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... .
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
time one of the enemy's shells struck one of their men, and he died in half an hour. At & past 3 this afternoon Mar- tin's Battery was ordered to relieve the Rhode Island Bat- tery. As soon as they came in sight the enemy opened upon them a murderous fire killing Charles Lord and Ed- ward Lewis, both of Charlestown, wounding 3 men, and killing 6 horses. After firing about two hours they silenced one of the enemy's batteries. At 8 o'clock that evening we were ordered back to camp. Just as we were leaving they threw a shell which knocked down one of the infantry about 100 yards on my right. We came into camp feeling well, but tired.
Sunday April 6th. Was awakened at 4 o'clock this morning by the noise caused by the Right and Centre sec- tions going down into the field. About 3 this afternoon, went a short distance to Martin's Battery to witness the funeral ceremonies over the bodies of Lord and Lewis. It was a very affecting sight. The pictures of their wives, which they had with them were opened, and laid, open, upon their breasts, and in this way they were buried."
In the "History of Rhode Island in the Rebellion" may be found the following in relation to these first shots :----
"During the advance on Yorktown April, 1862, Battery C. R. I. Captain Weeden, went into battery in a cornfield on the right of the road leading to Yorktown. Griffin's Battery came up on our right and peppered away in fine style. Martin's did similar execution on our left. In ad- vance, and about 750 yards from the nearest rebel entrenchi- ment. Berdan's sharpshooters were posted. . At_3 o'clock p. m. Randolph's Battery was ordered to relieve Griffin's. He was engaged two hours. [This was Battery E, Ist R. I. Captain George E. Randolph afterwards chief of artillery-of Division and Corps, Third Corps.] The 3d and 5th Massachusetts batteries took an efficient part in the fight. Butterfield's and Martindale's Brigades reclined on their arms within range of the enemy's guns during the day.
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HISTORY OF THE
The roar of cannon shook the earth like a subterranean con- vulsion and the sharp crack of Berdan's rifles told how bus- ily they were employed. . . . Two men belonging to Mar- tin's Battery were killed and five reported wounded. Thus Rhode Island and Massachusetts share the honor of shed- ding the first blood in this preliminary engagement."
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"Monday morning. (April 7, 1862) We had a little target practice yesterday. We waited during the forenoon without firing, and while we were sleeping away as com- fortably as possible, bang, whiz, bang! came a shell from the Fort, bursting very near, and waking us all up. The enemy then hoisted a new and handsome flag on our left, and brought a field piece into position, out of sight from where I was, but visible from the Right section, and let us have a shell from it. It burst close to and the pieces flew all round us. . . . This fun did not particularly suit us, but soon we got orders from General Porter to reply, so the Right section blazed away at the field piece on our left, and soon silenced that, while my section went to work pitching shells into the Fort and camp. We fired two shots at the Fort, one of which struck the sandbags in the embrasure. and then we pitched into the camp. After a while down went one tent in a cloud of dust, and the shells began to fly pretty thick round the rest. Still the distance was too great, and we stopped after a while.
Monday afternoon. Captain (Ormand F.) Nims has just arrived, and is going to the Fort. We have been in camp all day, and it is raining hard. Griffin occupies our yesterday's position. intrenchments having been thrown up last night. Some 30 batteries of light artillery have ar- rived, and as soon as the siege guns arrive we shall be ready for a second siege of Yorktown, which will be pretty sure to result as the former siege. It is said that the Right of the
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
enemy's lines was carried last night. I don't know how true the report is."
Chase's Diary: "April 6, 1862. . . . Found fragments of a shell fired at us. But one good shot from the enemy today. Balloon reconnoissance by the generals today. None of the Battery injured today."
TO PREPARE FOR ACTION.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, VA. April 8, 62.
General Orders
No. 113
Extract.
VIII. "To the Color" sounded on the march, will be the signal to prepare for action.
TO THE COLOR
Andante.
At this call (80 steps to the minute) the trains will draw, as far as possible, to one side of the road and halt. The ambulances will be pre- pared for service: the men will close their ranks without further or- ders, and preserve perfect silence.
By command of Maj. Gen'l. McClellan.
S. WILLIAMS A. A. G.
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, VA. April 9, 1862.
For the last few days we have been exchanging shots at long range, but without accomplishing much. Earthworks
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