USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 17
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have been thrown up in the field, and the Left section (Lieut. Dillingham's) are now out. The rebels have got some field pieces in position, and are trying to shell him out. Quite a lot of regiments are up in line round our camp, and it is said they are going to capture something."
Phillips' Diary: "April 9, 1862. Dillingham's section went into the earthworks to dig, and the rebels tried to shell him out with a ten inch mortar in the hospital fort. One of the shells which blew out, was dug up 6 ft. deep, and car- ried to General Porter. The Division, except Butterfield's Brigade, Martin's and Allen's Batteries, have moved one mile to the rear and during the night we were alarmed sey- eral times, harnessed and unharnessed, but nothing came of it."
Chase's Diary: "April 9, 1862. The Left section ex- changed shots with the enemy today, and brought to camp an eleven inch shell, which 'blew' without exploding: weighing 86 lbs. and having 80 bullets in it. Infantry regiments taking new positions."
Grows' Journal : "Wednesday April 9, 1862. Our sec- tion, consisting of two pieces, was ordered out into the field to protect the encampment of the 9th Mass., 62d. Penn .. and our own camp. Soon after arriving on the field it began to rain like fury. The orders were for us to only answer the rebels' shot. They fired about ten heavy shell at us, four of which burst over our heads, but none of us got hurt. We fired in return at them, and by means of glasses saw several fall, but could not ascertain how many of them were killed. About 3 this afternoon the regiments near us were ordered to fall back about a mile, as they were in the direct range of the rebels' fire. At 6 this afternoon we were ordered back to camp. . . . Orders canie about midnight to be ready to fall back about one mile to the rear, so the mortar and siege guns can work without our being in the way."
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FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"Thursday Evening: (April 10, 1862.) It seems the rebels have been using a 10 inch mortar to silence our 3 in. guns. Several shells burst in the neighborhood of the Bat- tery, but no damage was done. . . . Today Lieut. Hyde and I have been in the field, but not a shot was fired on either side. The rebels have struck the camp that we shelled the other day. Last night we had several alarms and harnessed several times expecting an attack, but nothing came of it. Ii the rebels don't shoot better than they have done, they may fire at us as long as they like."
Chase's Diary: "April 10, 1862. Ordered out at 1I o'clock last night and hitched up 'double quick' both guns and caissons, and the infantry called in line : waited half an hour in line, then ordered to camp for the night without further excitement. Two sections of the Battery left camp and took position about a mile to the rear of the enemy, and joined the Division in a new position, leaving one section in front of the enemy."
Grows' Journal: "April 10. 1862, we took up our line of march, and very soon arrived at this place. It is a very pretty place. The river is near by. Pitched our tents in a corn field. There are plenty of troops around us, and lots of gunboats to be seen on the river. General Mcclellan's quarters are on this ground. April 1Ith. At 9 o'clock this morning our section ( Left, Dillingham's) were or- dered to go about { of a mile to protect the 'pioneers' of the 18th Mass. who are building a bridge across a creek. ( Over Wormley's Creek, between the camp and Yorktown ) for the purpose of conveying troops and field-pieces across for the intrenchments that are going to be built by our troops. Arrived at the spot and pitched a large tent for us to sleep in at night, after which we cruised around, dug
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some mussels and oysters ( The far famed York River oys- ters described by the historian Lossing in 1848) which are very plenty here. Had them for dinner. Had our supper sent to us of coffee and hard bread. I am detailed for-guard tonight from 8 till 9, one hour; after 'standing it' I sat down by the fire with Harry Simonds and some others, til! 12 o'clock. Turned in soon after."
FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS. "CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, VA. April 12, 1862.
You need not imagine there was anything very terrible in the fight; there was some little popping away of muskets and some banging of artillery, without amounting to much. Martin's Battery got into a pretty tight spot, hotter than anything at Bull Run, so said Griffin. The R. 1. battery got down in a field and blazed away at an earthwork mount- ing four 32 pers. at 2500 yards. Griffin was alongside vi them, but he did not silence their guns, or anything of the sort. Both sides might bang away till doomsday, at that distance, without doing any injury worth speaking of. We have been down on the same ground and fired at the enemy. and had them fire at us, till it has become rather ridiculous. One day we fired into a fort on the right to oblige General Porter, who was up in a balloon and wished to see what the effect would be. We blazed away with our 3 inch popguns till the rebels seemed to get a little excited, and bang went a big mortar, and a fo inch shell whistled several hundred yards over our heads. We rather enjoy this amusement as they cannot afford to waste much valuable ammunition of the sort by throwing it half a mile over our heads. Our sharpshooters appear to bother the rebels a great deal and yesterday they sallied out and drove them in, burning down a house elose by their lines which has given them a great deal of trouble. . . . We are now encamped within sight
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of York River, and of our gunboats lying in it, below York- town, in a corn field, by a house formerly owned by a Secesh doctor, now used as a General Hospital. Behind us is a large field in which General McClellan has his Head Quarters. For the last week there have been all sorts of rumors about a large siege train which was somewhere or other, and for which everything must wait. Today I hear they are landed somewhere or other, and will soon arrive. I hope so. At present we have nothing to do, and are afraid to stir out of camp lest the Battery should move while we are out. For the last 24 hours our Left section has been guarding a bridge which is building, and which is supposed to be absolutely necessary to the success of opera- tions. But at the present rate of construction the bridge will be finished in the course of 6 months. General Porter went up in a balloon alone yesterday morning and got adrift. After floating about a little while he came down in safety: the wind, fortunately for him, blowing from the north."
Phillips' Diary: "April 12, 1862. Yesterday Dilling- ham's section went into a inasked battery in our front to protect a bridge. . . . Weeden sent one section into the old earthwork and had quite hot work. The rebels rallied at 3000 strong: burnt the houses by the peach orchard and threatened Dillingham's section, but nothing came of it. This morning I relieved Dillingham. The rebels fired 3 shells at a tug which tried to come up the river. Griffin this morning concluded it was too dangerous to occupy the earthworks above."
NOTES OF CORPORAL J. E. SPEAR,
who. besides acting directly with the Fifth Mass. Battery as sergeant and lieutenant, was at one time assistant adju- tant general for Major Freeman McGilvery: at one time
.
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assistant adjutant general for General A. P. Martin: also ordnance officer for Artillery Brigade 5th Army Corps :---
"ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
NEAR YORKTOWN, VA. Sunday, April 13, 1862.
The stillness of the day has turned my thoughts towards home and the dear friends there. It is very quiet in the different camps. Nothing of importance save the arriving of more troops. Whilst I am writing I can hear the sounds of bugles from the newly arrived troops. I have just fin- ished my dinner, fresh meat and broth, no more 'salt junk' for a spell, as long as 'Secesh Cattle' hold out, which I think will be for some time, and I am glad that we have ad- vanced so that we can get fresh meat, for it has been nothing but salt junk and salt pork for some time past, and many of the boys were sick on rations of pork.
I will give you a description of our march from Hamp- ton to our present encampment :- One week ago last Fri- day. we left our pleasant little camp at Hampton, for Rich- mond, expecting, of course, to be brought to a standstill at Yorktown, and we are, and no mistake. The first day, Fri- day, we advanced about 3 miles beyond Big Bethel, coming to a rebel encampment of about 400 cavalry, the infantry and artillery having left the day before for Yorktown os hearing that Porter's Division was advancing towards them. (See p. 201 Howard's Mills. )
At 5 o'clock the next morning ( After the fight at How- ard's Mills) we were routed up and ordered to move on- ward, and after partaking of a good breakfast consisting vi salt junk, hard bread, and some good coffee, we hitched up OUF horses and were soon moving onward, but our day': march was not as pleasant as that of the day before. Fri- day the roads were in tip top condition and the day pleas- ant, but Saturday we had to pass through a swamp of 5
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miles length, and we hadn't gone more than a mile or so, before it commenced raining real old Virginia style, drops as large, nearly, as cherries, and it was not long before the mud was ankle deep. On this day we found that we could not advance as readily as on the day before, and on coming to the end of the swamp, we began to hear the booming of cannon. Saturday there were 2 batteries with us in the ad- vance, and leading uis, so that we didn't have a chance to commence the firing as we did the day before. We finally came in sight of Yorktown, and we saw before us, forts, entrenchments, rifle pits, strongly guarded. The Rhode Island and 5th Regular batteries were ordered out to com- mence firing upon the forts, but as they were of small calibre could not do much service, yet did considerable towards silencing the batteries.
Our sharpshooters did about as much as any towards si- lencing the Confederates, keeping the gunners from their guns. In the afternoon Martin's Battery was ordered out to endeavor the silencing of a battery on the left of the en- trenchments, and was successful, but with a loss of two men and 3 horses; they also had 3 men wounded. About 43 o'clock we were ordered into the field and remained until about 8 o'clock, when we were ordered back to camp. None of us were wounded, although the shell flew around us fast. On arriving at camp, the clerk of the company came to me with a piece of paper with names on it, and called it the guard detail. 1 felt very tired, don't know as I ever felt more so, but being detailed for guard I must attend to it. Was about 3 of an hour putting on the relief, the men being very tired and would not go on readily and I couldn't blame them, having marched for two days. About I o'clock I was relieved By Corporal Wilson, turned in, under my piece, and slept until morning. Sunday morning we were routed up very early. The Right and Centre sections were or- dered into the field to guard our pickets, so as not to allow
£
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the rebel cavalry to charge upon them as they had attempt- ed to on the day before. Bill Baxter is in the Centre sec- tion, and I am in the Left. so he went in, and I remained in camp. When they returned, about S in the evening, I found out that they had been exposed to a pretty hot fire from the rebel siege guns, but thanks to God, none were injured.
Captain Martin's Battery being encamped near us. I wit- nessed the burial of the two men killed in action, and it was a hard sight to see so many brave and courageous men clus- tered around their dead comrades. not, as on the day before. facing the din and smoke of battle, but bowed down in grief, the tears streaming down their manly cheeks.
Monday was a stormy day, and the Left section was or- dered out. As soon as we had reached our position at the entrenchments, which had been thrown up during the night, the cussed rebels commenced firing upon us, and our Cap- tain returned the compliment. They shelled us for about an hour, but as their fuzes were cut too long the shells went beyond us, and burst in the air. None of us were hurt. About 2 in the afternoon it commenced raining, not driz- zling rain, but a tough old Virginia rain storin. Tuesday returned to camp.
Wednesday we moved back about a mile, as Gen'l Mc- Clellan thought we occupied too conspicuous a position, into a cornfield, and the stalks and husks make a very good bed.
Friday the Left section was ordered to guard a party of men building a bridge across the river which separates the Right of the Army from Yorktown. We had only one alarm during the day: were relieved by the Centre section yesterday morning, and came back to camp.
Yesterday afternoon I received permission to go with a party of two for oysters, so last night had an oyster stew. All that was needed to make it rich was butter, milk, pepper, and a few little extras that we must not expect in the Army.
Sunday night, 6 o'clock : I have just finished my supper
3
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of 3 hard breads and a cup of coffee. Oh! I am getting used to High Living.
State musters are nothing to be compared with the en- campments here. General McClellan and his body guard are encamped about a quarter of a mile from ours. The guard consists of Duryea's Zouave Regiment, a Regiment of Regular Dragoons, and an infantry regiment.
Billy Baxter and Charlie Jameson have been over to see Major Wood. He is on Mcclellan's staff with the rank of major.
The gunboats that are going to do the mischief are in York River, four miles from us, and the Signal Corps have been signalling all day to them.
I believe the ball will roll pretty soon, and if nothing is wanting save the number of men, why the place is ours. Who knows but what there will be another surrender at Yorktown!"
Note: "At Yorktown on the first day, Corporal T. E. Chase was seen when under fire, studying the Manual of the Gun-'Serving with reduced numbers.'"
The Fifth Mass. Battery guarded the new bridge over Wormley Creek by sections on certain days, as follows :--
The Right section, Lieut. Hyde, April 13th, 15th, 18th, 2Ist, 2.4th, 27th, 30th, and May 3d.
Centre section, Lieut. Phillips, April 16th, 19th. 22d, 25th, 28th and May Ist.
Left section, Lieut. Dillingham, April 14th, 17th, 20th, 23d, 26th, 29th and May 2d.
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, Sunday morning April 13, 1862.
Yesterday morning I relieved Lieut. Dillingham. . . . As there were a lot of planks lying round intended for the bridge, we set to work and built a house, 12 ft. by IS ft.
.
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roofed with slabs which accommodated about 20 very com- fortably. General Mcclellan is encamped in the field be- hind us. and close to him is a regiment of some sort of Zouaves with red breeches and white turbans, altogether too conspicuous a uniform for comfort in war. . . . I am getting dreadfully tired of loafing around here doing nothing. No drill, no bugle calls, no stirring out of camp lest orders should come in our absence, and meanwhile we are waiting, waiting, doing nothing. ... Oysters are plenty. Our cook is opening about half a bushel now for our dinner."
Grows' Journal: "April 13. 1862. The view where we are encamped is splendid, the river is near nis. In front, in our rear. and either side, are woods and ravines, with nice, cool springs of water.
Monday April 14. This forenoon at 9 we got our ration of hard bread for one day. so as to be ready at 10 to go on picket and relieve the section which is guarding the bridge. Soon after, we fell in and went over and relieved them. after which I made me a little house of boards to sleep in. I then dug a hole in front of it to put wood in so I can have a fire. We only stand guard of one hour, and are off eight, so it comes very easy on us. The rest of the time we dig oysters and mussels, and go fishing, or lie down on the grass in the shade. At one o'clock the cooks came over with our dinner of stewed beans. About five o'clock the coffee was brought over to us. I built a fire in front of my tent and with Serg't. Harry Simonds, and a few others we sat down to chat and smoke. At & I went on guard for one hour, coming off at 9."
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP WINFIELD SCOTT NEAR YORKTOWN, April 14, 1862.
I give a short journal to show how much time I have to myself : Saty April 5th marched at daylight. Halted and kept in line till 4 p. m., then went into the field and stayed
£
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till S p. m. Sunday, April 6th, Right and Centre sections in the field from 3 a. m. till dark. Wednesday, April 9th, Left section in the field. Kept in continual alarm all day and routed out at midnight for fear of an attack. Thursday, April roth, Right section in the field .- Lieut. Phillips ac- companying. Moved camp in the afternoon. Friday, April LIth. Leit section guarding the bridge 24 hours. Sat'y, April 12th, Centre section guarding the bridge 24 hours. Sunday, April 13th, Right section at the bridge. Monday, April 14th, Left section at the bridge, Centre sec- tion on picket.
Last night Martin's and Weeden's batteries were turned out by a little skirmish in front. The rebels sallied out and cut down the peach orchard and burnt the houses on the left and front of the field in which our guns were placed Sun- day April 6th. . . . Today I marched my section at 7 a. m. into the field where we encamped for the first few days, came into Battery, unhitched the horses, watered them, picketed them, posted a guard and went to work to pass away the time. The picket reserve were close by. This con- sists of about 200 men . . . and is intended to support our pickets in case they are driven in. . . . Pretty soon up rode some officers curious to look at the enemy but there is no passing pickets. so back they go. Next come some officers of the Signal Corps and they keep on wherever they choose, and pretty soon we see the signal flag waving ahead where
(Red
White
Signal Flag.
it keeps going. all day, occasionally shifting its position. Then we see a section of artillery coming along the edge of
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the woods on our left, and pretty soon they come into bat- tery and shell away at a rebel earthwork. Towards after- noon we bear heavy reports on our right, and conclude that the gunboats are trying their hand in the rebel batteries.
So gradually the day wears on till sunset, when we limber up and go home. I shall probably go down to the bridge tomorrow. . . . Shipping Point is important as a place where we can load heavy stores instead of carting them over the roads between us and Fortress Monroe. Porter's Division is encamped well in sight of York River in one large field, i. e. it may have been several fields, but fences are among the things that were. In the same field is the Artillery Reserve, with guns too numerous to mention. . . . One side of our camp is sheltered by a fence, saved by our energetic efforts, which appertains to a large house distin- guished as 'the house with blinds on it.' This house is a large two story edifice . . . used as a General Hospital for our troops. In front of the house is a large peach orchard, and the hopes of a speedy reduction of Yorktown are sad- dened by. the thought that we must leave so many unripe peaches behind us. The siege guns have at last been heard from. Lieut. Dillingham rode down a couple of miles toward Shipping Point last night, and saw in a field several 30 pdrs. Rifled Guns, one 8 inch Columbiad, and several 8 or ro inch mortars. The engineers are at work prospecting all round, and I suppose we shall now start some trenches. The bridge over the creek which lies between Porter's Di- vision and Yorktown, progresses slowly, and I think the at- tack will be made in that direction. I just hear that Gen- eral Hooker is at Shipping Point, General Sumner in the neighborhood of the Severn."
Phillips' Diary: "April 14. Some of our heavy howitz- ers on our left trying to shell out a rebel battery. Small fight between the gunboats and rebel batteries."
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Grows' Journal : "Tuesday April 15, 1862. After break- fast we laid ourselves out on the grass to wait till we should be relieved at 10 o'clock this forenoon. There are about 300 men here at work building bridges. There are to be three of thern. There was a pontoon bridge of boats thrown across the creek last night. These bridges are fine looking ones. . . . About 10 a. m. were relieved, when we went to camp. All that I need the most is something to read, and that is almost impossible to get, for when a paper does get here it is spoken for by most every man that sees it."
Phillips' Diary: "April 15th, 1862. One bridge fin- ished, and a pontoon bridge put on the creek."
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP WINFIELD SCOTT, Wednesday, April 16, 1862.
The Centre section is guarding the bridge today, Lieut. Hlyde having had it yesterday. Nothing momentous has occurred. The gunboats have been throwing a few shells at the forts and the forts have been throwing a few shells at the gunboats. This morning there was a considerable heavy firing on the left.
Hooker's Division came up today, and have encamped somewhere in our neighborhood. They are now building four bridges here. The floating bridge is rather a failure, as the logs sink as fast as they are put in. 1 and 2 were built by General Morell, and are about finished; 3 and 4 by General Martindale. No. I was laid yesterday in 23 hours. No. 4 was commenced this morning, and is nearly finished. The width of the creek is about 60 yds. Across the river the banks risc up steep, and then there is a level plain to the enemy's lines. As soon as the bridges are finished the siege
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guns and mortars will probably be carried across, and put in position, and the Secesh will have an unpleasant tinie. Yesterday afternoon I rode about 1} iniles towards Ship Point, and found part of the siege train, twelve 43 inch Rifled Guns, eleven 8 inch mortars, nine 10 inch mortars."
Chase's Diary: "April 16, 1862. Centre section sent to guard bridge. Alarm at 7 p. m. when a shell struck in the camp of the 22d Mass. Reg't,-General Miles's old regi- ment, -- but doing no damage. Captain Griffin ordered 'every man to his post,' and to be ready to load with shrap- nell. Heavy cannonading and sharp musketry firing on the extreme left to-day, and occasional shots through the night."
Phillips' Diary :-- "April 16th. . .. Occasional shells from gunboats."
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
April 17, 1862.
"Thursday morning. The firing on the left was kept up all day, and at supper time the rumor was that we had dismounted several pieces of the enemy. Towards evening the reports became heavier and I thought I could distinguish the boom of a mortar, and the whistling of a heavy she !!. This morning the firing still continues, having been kept up all night. About five o'clock yesterday afternoon the enemy appeared to have become excited, and threw several shells in rapid succession, into the creek. just below us, rather disturbing one of my men who was fishing on the lower bridge. Some of their shells fell among the pickets across the creek and the officers of the Signal Corps who were over here were obliged to retreat double quick, with- out time to carry away all their things. In a few minutes up rode Griffin in a very excited state .--
- منف - مابض عبد ا
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'Every man to the guns. Load with shrapnell when you load, and fire right at them !- Two regiments of infantry and one of cavalry have just appeared outside of the Fort.'
So we got all ready, but nobody appeared. Pretty soon, however, two of our regiments crossed over and deployed in front of us, and just as I was thinking that the com- . inander of them had better keep me informed of their move .. ments if he did not wish a shell amongst them, General Mar- tindale rode up and suggested the necessity of my using some discretion in firing at the other bank. I have just re- turned from the bridge."
FROM LIFE AND LETTERS OF THE REV. WAR- REN H. CUDWORTH, CHAPLAIN IST MASS. INFANTRY. "CAMP WINFIELD SCOTT, April 18, 1862.
My DEAR PARISHIONERS.
Here, in 1781, before the United States became a nation, were encamped the regiments of our Revolutionary ancestors and their French allies, and on the very ground where now are quartered the soldiers of the loyal North, the British laid down their arms, and the independence of the United States was practically established. The very house where Lafayette had his headquarters is within a few steps of my tent, and the site formerly occupied by his seven thou- sand troops is freshly consecrated by the presence among the forces of two batteries from Massachusetts. The Ist Reg't. occupies an advanced position about a mile in front of General Mcclellan's headquarters, and only two from the strong earthworks which defend Yorktown."
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