USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 24
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
For the last few days they have been firing away at the battery at New Bridge. They have made good shots, struck the parapet almost every time, and half stiffed the men inside with smoke, but what damage have they done us? Broken a sponge staff and a few spokes to a wheel. and at any time we choose, we can put a battery in there again. If they intend to demolish the battery why don't they go to work in a business like way and hammer away for eight or ten hours without stopping, and finish up the job? Instead of this they fire forty or fifty shots and then stop, leaving our men at liberty to repair damages."
Of the firing of the 20th Lieut. Phillips wrote at another time :-- "For half an hour this battery was the hottest place . I ever saw! Our men kept well under cover, and though the rebels hit the parapet almost every time, I have not heard of anybody's being hurt."
In Chase's Diary it is stated that the enemy used all sorts of shot and shell, both round and conical: twenty. thirty-two and forty pounders.
Grows' Journal: "June 20, 1862. Friday. About 8 this morning the rebels opened upon us with 3 in. 10 lb. shell and 5 in. 32 lb. shell, but they did not hurt us any for our little tents were in the woods out of the way, and were well protected by large oak trees. The second shot they fired went over our heads and struck one of the 2d Maine, killing him instantly. The poor fellow was asleep in his tent at the time, and he never awoke again in this world.
We soon opened upon them and in a short time they stopped firing. We could hear their drums beat, and see them at work. They are about 14 miles from us. The infantry throw up works most every night. Our Battery is held back to protect the rear; a good position. but we have to keep in the woods, out of sight. We have been ordered to move to the splendid lawn in front of Dr. Gaines's house. It is well shaded with large oak trees. After supper moved our quarters to the Gaines house."
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HISTORY OF THE
On this ground there was a well which gave the only good water they had had for some time.
Grows' Journal: "Saturday, June 21, 1862. On the farm are some thirty slaves: all the rest have run away. They are a smart looking set. After supper I met, and talked a little with Dr. Gaines. He is quite an old man. His wife is a strong Union woman. He has two daughters who are 'secesh' to the backbone.
Sunday, June 22d. About 7 the balloon went up and the rebels began shelling it, but could not hit it. Then they commenced firing where we were stationed on picket. After throwing five or six shells they stopped. It is a beau- tiful morning and everything around looks nice. Took all the things out of my tent and laid them on the grass to air."
This lawn did not hold the Battery but a very short time. for the enemy constructed a battery of six 30 pdr. Parrotts in such close proximity as to make their position untenable, and they moved nearer to the river. The same day Dr. Gaines's wife and one of his daughters with what few slaves they had left, moved to Gaines Mills.
Grows' Journal. "Monday, June 23, 1862. Was called at 4 this morning and went on post. At 5 I called the Bugler to sound the Reveille. Soon after heard the rebels beating their drums to call the men. The air is very clear this morning. Got orders to pack up immediately after breakfast, so as to move our camp out of the range of shells; two others with myself were left behind to guard camp-to look after the stores till the teams came to carry them to our new camp. Soon after dinner the ambulance came over and began taking things over to camp. as the teams will not be up before night. . . . After supper I went to see the new intrenchments the infantry are throw- ing up. They are splendid works.
A short distance from here and almost back of D .. Gaines's house, are eleven fresh rebel graves, mostly North
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Carolina men who were wounded at Hanover Court House. About 6 feet from our cook house are five graves of our men of the 22d. Mass. One died of fever, the others of wounds.
About half past 6, I went over to our new camp, about 10 minutes' walk, in a delightful place,-a cleared space surrounded by thick and tall woods. There is a spring near by of beautiful water. Found my tent all ready. It had been pitched by Joe Knox out in the Park. All the rest of the tents are in the edge of the woods, and the little road they have cut leading to them is beautiful."
The Battery was alone in the new camp, and had all the room that could be desired. Chase makes the note in his Diary :-- "Changed camp to a delightful grove of young trees, and begin to be happy." But the very first night there was a gale and heavy rain.
The officers' tents were on top of a hill where they could get the benefit of whatever breeze was blowing, and the first evening there was a terrific thunder storm. At mid- night the tents blew over. The next day they were obliged to build a bridge "to connect the camp with civilization," which they accomplished, having the usual thunder storm in the afternoon.
THE SITUATION.
General Porter's command had been distributed as fol- lows :- Meade's Brigade at the Gaines house near a siege battery; Sykes' and Morell's and McCall's Divisions with a part of the Cavalry Reserve camped on the Gaines Farm conveniently located for a movement in any direction their presence was required.
Opposed to these Union forces were the Divisions of Jackson, Ewell and Whiting, at least double their number.
Information was received that our connection withi
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White House Landing was threatened by the rebel general Jackson, and the commander of the Army of the Potomac began planning for a new base of operations on the James River to which he had secured a safe passage over White Oak Swanip, and commissary, quartermaster, and ordnance supplies had been sent to the new base. [Sce p. 253 Mcclellan's choice. ] It will be remembered that on a previous occasion McClellan's judgment as to the base had been overruled.
The Centre and Left of the Army were now instructed to move to the relief of the Right wing in case of attack.
There were ten heavy guns in battery on the banks of the Chickahominy; five 30 pdr. Parrotts on Gaines Hill and five 43 inch Rodmans in the hill battery in the rear of the New Bridge battery.
"June 25, 1862, (Chase's Diary) the whole Battery went on a junket in the morning near New Bridge with pieces only. Left camp about 2 a. m. Dedicated the second fortification by shelling the enemy early a. m. The enemy replied to our fire with well directed shots, throwing 6 and Io pounder shots and shells at us, but as we had good forti- fications they did us no injury. Heavy cannonading all day; two batteries of 32 pounders and two batteries of IO pounders shelling the enemy with short intervals of cessa- tion, all day. Fired 97 rounds from the whole Battery today, elevation 43º and 74 second fuze; best shot 43º 63 second fuze. Picked up five conical shells and two solid shot fired at us, and started a bowling alley with them in the afternoon. Left for camp at eight p. m. The 7th Georgia Reg't was on rebel picket line today."
Of "Battery No. 4" Lieut. Scott has written :- "Lieut. Hyde was in command of the Fifth Mass. Battery, Lieut. Dillingham had been transferred from the Left Section to the Right Section; Lieut. Phillips commanded the Centre Sec- tion; it devolved on myself to take the Left Section. The
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
rebels had their earthworks opposite New Bridge, which had been rebuilt, to oppose any crossing by our forces. Our pickets held the Bridge and earthworks were thrown up to shield our batteries which also did picket duty. The Fifth Battery was placed behind these works at different times, and had duelled with the enemy. We took good care to go into these works before daylight and leave them after dark, when relieved. We remained there the entire day, subject to an incessant fire from the rebel guns opposite. We only fired our guns occasionally, to let them know we were still there. Of course horses were kept at a safe distance in the rear."
Lieut. Phillips wrote of the same date, June 25, 1862: "The weather had become settled and we passed into the earthworks covering New Bridge, a new 6 gun battery No. 4. The work is quite strong, with embrasures and traverses to protect us from the flanking fire from the big gun battery. Four pieces from some battery are down in the old carthwork at New Bridge which has been strength- ened and made quite secure; the parapet having been raised and embrasures cut. All our batteries have been blazing away, more or less. One gun is reported burst near Mrs. Price's house, and the hill battery think they have dis- mounted one of the rebel big guns. They put quite a num- ber of shot into the embrasure. The rebels have answered rather feebly, making a few good shots in our vicinity. They have fired 3 inch shot. . . .
Kearney's Division I hear attacked the rebels today, driv- ing them a mile.
At night we arrived safely in camp and went to bed. We have received 200 rds. Schenkle 3 inch shell, which we are now packing. . .
Our pickets report that we made excellent shooting, and that after a few shots the rebels skedaddled out of the bat- tery into Mrs. Price's house. We struck the house twice."
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HISTORY OF THE
THE ARMY OF VIRGINIA.
The Army of Virginia was inaugurated June 26, 1862, and placed under command of General John Pope, for the protection of Washington, and for aggressive movements in the direction of Charlottesville, and the relief of Mcclellan.
This army was composed of three corps under Sigel, Banks, and McDowell.
McClellan wished to allow Porter, who was to give bat- tle to the enemy and enable McClellan to hold his own for a few hours, and insure the safety of his trains during the change of base to the James River, all the reinforcements which could be spared from the south side of the river, and asked each commander of a corps for all he could spare and sufficiently protect his own position for twenty-four hours, but they believed the enemy still to be in force and threat- ening their positions on the south side and held on to them, so Porter fought it out alone.
Thursday. June 26. 1862, in the afternoon, the enemy crossed the Chickahominy in several columns in the vicinity of Mechanicsville and Meadow Bridge, flanked the Right wing of the Army of the Potomac. and attacked McCall's Division at Beaver Dam Creek just north of the Mechanics- ville turnpike. The expected had happened and supplies were cut off in that direction.
The morning was passed in quiet, but about half past 4 p. m. the Fifth Mass. Battery broke camp. They sent their baggage across the river at a bridge lower down held by our forces. With the wagons went Lieut. Dillingham, a sick man and unfit for duty. They marched with full battery in support of Cooke's cavalry and General Butterfield's Bri- gade, according to the orders, to repel attack at Cold Har- bor.
This was the first intimation they had of an impending
--
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battle, though they had been expecting an attack at Mechan- icsville for some time. They had heard firing all day but had taken no notice of it, as it was nothing unusual.
After marching two miles in the direction of Cold Har- hor. they turned and marched towards Mechanicsville to the assistance of McCall and Sykes. In their march they had made the complete circuit of their camp and bivouacked with Butterfield's Brigade in a large field 23 miles short of Mechanicsville, and & of a mile in front of the Gaines house. They could see the shells bursting over the tops of the trees, and from 5 p. m. until dark they could hear heavy cannonading and sharp musketry firing towards Mechanics- ville where McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves were closely engaged.
Grows' Journal: "June 26. .. . We were thus moved about till dark when we were sent near to our old camp, but did not unhitch till about II o'clock at night. Had some supper and got ready to lay down, but was told I would have to go on guard at 2 in the morning. Laid down but could not sleep.'
Perfect silence was ordered, and officers and men lay down on the ground, every man spreading his blanket alongside his piece to be ready at a moment's notice.
They had three days' rations in their haversacks. Gen- eral McClellan was with General Fitz Jolin Porter at the front until the contest at Beaver Dam Creek ceased at 9 p. m. with our troops in possession of the field, returning to his headquarters at one o'clock in the morning.
At 3 a. m. of June 27th, orders came to Porter to with- draw the Fifth Corps to the vicinity of Gaines Mills, with both flanks resting on the Chickahominy covering the bridges.
CHAPTER X.
THE BATTLE OF GAINES MILLS, JUNE 27, 1862.
"And now I come to speak of the real fighting of the Peninsula. To my mind, nothing that came after exceeded it in the valor and tactical merit displayed, or in reckless charges or losses in a given time."
-BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL THOMAS W. HYDE.
Longstreet, commanding the rebel forces, was at Mechan- icsville on the 27th of June, 1862, all ready to move down upon either side of the Chickahominy. He was then close upon Porter's Fifth Corps. It was thought by McClellan to be necessary to fight the enemy where he stood, and hold the position till night, his mind being still bent upon per- fecting his arrangements for the change of base to the James River, and at 3 a. m., General Porter received orders directing him to withdraw his command to a semicircular line east of Gaines Mills, and behind Boatswain's creek, the 3 flanks resting on the Chickahominy, and including in its sweep the high grounds east of the creek.
In front were the ravines of the creek, on the east woods and underbrush, on the north and west swamps and wood land, while on the hills to the north was cleared ground crossed by fences and ditches. The bridge approaches could be covered by the positions on these hills.
No fault could be found with the choice of this line but , the time for making the defenses was limited, and the men and means were inadequate, to carry out these well laid plans for a line two miles in length. The action at Gaines Mills commenced about 2 p. m. During the afternoon
314
GAINES MILLS.
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1. General Porter's First Head Quarters. 2 His Second Head Quarters. 3. Martindale 4. Section of Weeden's Battery. 5. Butterfield. 6. Griffin. 7. Martin's Battery 8.x8. Ravines. 9 & 9. 5th Mass. Battery. 10.
Thickly wooded, low, swampy ground through which the Rebels charged. Il. First attack of Rebels on Union lines. 12. Other Union Batteries. 13. Rebel Batteries, 14. Position of Batteries when the repulsed Cavalry rode through them and put them in disorder, and caused the loss of many guns. 15. First bridge destroyed. 16. Second bridge destroyed. 17. Gun aimed at Gaines House during the morning.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
McClellan ordered up Slocum's Division to the support of Porter; also the brigades of French and Meagher of Rich- ardson's Division: also two brigades of Peck's Division, but inasmuch as none of them but Slocum's came within reliey- ing distance, their support of Fitz John Porter at the battle of Gaines Mills is lost to history.
At first the 3d Brigade held the position on the extreme Left of the line, with the Fifth Mass. Battery, Lieut. Hyde in command, on the right and rear of the brigade, then Gen- eral Morell coming up with the remainder of his Division, Martindale's Brigade was placed on the right of Butterfield, and Griffin's Brigade on the right of Martindale's.
Sykes held the Right of the line, and McCall was in reserve. Martin's Battery was on the right of Morell, com- manding the road.
The Left extended into the meadow about half a mile from Woodbury's Bridge.
Porter's Right was first engaged.
The forces immediately opposed to the Fifth Mass. Bat- tery are believed to have been a brigade of five Alabama regiments.
General Porter's headquarters first at the Adams house, were later at the Watts house on a hill near the front. Among his volunteer aides were the Prince de Joinville, Captain Louis Philippe ( Comte de Paris ) and Captain Rob- ert d'Orleans (Duc de Chartres). The new line had been safely reached and occupied, defenses and barriers were erected of whatever material was available, and Porter ex- pected to hold it. Most of the artillery was formed in line about a quarter of a mile in the rear of the infantry. For an hour the firing had continued; at 3 o'clock the enemy had charged and been repulsed, but not until four o'clock, when the battle had been raging two hours, was Porter's appeal for more troops answered by the arrival of Newton's Brigade oi Slocum's Division, which moved to the right of Griffin. Still the line remained unbroken, but at last, massing their
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HISTORY OF THE
superior numbers, from 60,000 to 70,000 supported by So pieces of artillery to our 25,000 at most fighting men, on the Left, the rebels bore down the broken regiments of Butter- field's Brigade.
Captain William B. Weeden, on duty as chief of artillery, Ist Division, promoted from the command of Battery C, Ist Reg't. R. I. Light Artillery, reports :-- . "The smoke had filled the whole field to the woods and it was impossible to direct the fire. The batteries were limbering to the rear in good order, to retire and renew the fire from the brow of the hill, when the cavalry, repulsed, retired in disorder, through and in front of the batteries. The caissons were ex- changing limbers with the pieces and it was impossible to limber up and withdraw them. Men were ridden down and the horses stampeded by the rush of the cavalry. The whole line of artillery was thrown into confusion. Commands could be neither heard nor executed, and different batteries were mingled in disorder. One piece of my battery mired in the woods. Other caissons in front and rear of the same. having been abandoned by the drivers, it was impossible to rescue the piece. The remainder of the battery crossed Woodbury's Bridge at dark, and encamped on Trent's farm."
REPORT OF GEN. GEO. W. MORELL.
(June 27th.) "The Third and First Brigades were each in two lines, with small intervals; the Second in one line, with one regiment in reserve. Martin's Battery was in the open field between my Division and General Sykes's on my right, mine being on the extreme left.
. A section of Weeden's ( Fourth R. I.) under Lt. Buckley. was placed at an opening through the timber in General Martindale's line, and a section of Allen's ( Fifth Mass. ) in a like position in General Butterfield's. The rest could not
---
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
be brought into action. . . . The enemy approached through the woods from the direction of New Cold Harbor, and made their first serious attack about 12 o'clock upon the Right, which was handsomely repulsed by Griffin's Brigade.
The second attack was made about 2.30, and the third about 5.30 o'clock, each extending along my entire front, and both, like the first, were gallantly repulsed. At the fourth and last about 6.30 o'clock, they came in irresistible force, and throwing themselves chiefly against the Centre and Left, swept us from the ground by overwhelming num- bers, and compelled us to retire. Lt. Buckley lost his two guns yet without discredit, for he fought them to the last moment, having but three men, including non-commissioned officers, left to each piece when the infantry gave way.
As we retired the artillery opened fire from the Left and Rear, but the pressure was so great that the troops could not be rallied, except in small bodies, to support it. Besides, General (Philip St. George) Cooke's cavalry, having been repulsed in a charge upon the enemy's Right, rode at full speed obliquely through a large portion of the artillery, car- rying men and horses along with them. The cavalry re- formed under the hill beyond the reach of musketry, and advancing to the neighborhood of the Adams house im- parted some steadiness to the infantry near them."
REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. DANIEL BUTTERFIELD.
(June 27.) "The following was the disposition of my brigade: Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers on the creek, with its right connecting with General Martindale's leit ( First Michigan Regiment). Forty-fourth New York to the left, and on the same line of Eighty-third: Twelfth New York on the crest of the hill in rear of and supporting the Eighty-third: Sixteenth Michigan back of crest of hill,
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HISTORY OF THE
in rear of and supporting the Forty-fourth: Allen's Fifth Massachusetts Battery to the right and rear of my position, so situated as to be used at any point of the line I might wish. Skirmishers from the Eighty-third and Forty-fourth Regiments, together with the sharpshooters of the Six- teenth Michigan, were thrown well forward on the brow of the hill, commanding our entire lines. . . . The first at- tack of the enemy in force on my brigade, took place at about 2.30 o'clock p. in., it having been preceded by a like attack on the Right and Centre of the general line. So soon as it began I ordered a section of Allen's Battery to take a position opposite to and fire through an interval in the woods commanding the hill in front of my centre. Their fire proved very destructive to the assaulting column. . . .
. . . The second attack of the enemy, preceded as in the first one by an attack on the Right and Centre, took place at about 5.30 o'clock p. m., and was more severe, but so far as the result is concerned met with a like reception and repulse. I brought forward my two reserves and had all my force engaged."
Of the third and last assault which took place shortly after 6 p. m. he says :-- "So emboldened were the enemy by their success in getting on all sides of my command, that a regiment sent a flag of truce to the Eighty-third, demanding their surrender. This was indignantly refused, and the regiment expended its last round of ammunition in fighting its way out. A large portion of these succeeded in formning in good order on the liill in rear of the batteries, and with other fragments of commands, aided by the Prince de Join- ville, Captain Hoyt and Major Webb of the regular artillery. and Colonel Roberts, Second Maine, two good lines of troops were formed with some degree of precision. The firing of the artillery closed the scene and saved us all from destruction."
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF LT. JOHN B. HYDE.
ORIGINAL COPY.
CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S LANDING,
July 5. 1862.
CAPT. WEEDEN,
Chief of Artillery Gen. Morell's Division.
I have the honor to make the following report as regards the Battery under my command.
June 26th was ordered to report to General Butterfield, and proceeded with his Brigade in direction of Coal Har- bor, and was subsequently ordered back to a field near Gen. Morell's Head Quarters, took position near the woods; afterwards was ordered to the field formerly occupied by the Reserve Artillery, remained there until 3 a. m. of the 27th, was then ordered to take position "in Battery" to the Left and near Dr. Gaines's House to command the bridge in front [see notes of Captain Hyde May 22, 1900 p. 320] and to cover the retreat of our troops, and then to retire after all were over and the bridge destroyed; this being accomplished took position again on the other side of a bridge, on a hill about 100 yards from the woods, and was again ordered to take positon at the edge of the woods by General Butter- field [ see notes p. 321 ] and with the assistance of his Brigade. drove the enemy back several times in great disorder, after which we resumed our position on the hill, and remained in readiness for the enemy to come out of the woods, then to give them double canister, which we did with great effect until our support gave way and we were obliged to limber up and retire, which we did in good order, with all the pieces except one, the horses of which having been previ- ously killed, I was obliged to leave. We had proceeded but a short distance, when the fire of the enemy became so in-
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HISTORY OF THE
tense, that the horses on three of the pieces were killed, thereby preventing their removal from the field.
Our loss was four pieces, twenty-two horses and har- nesses.
Corp'l A. F. Milliken shot through the head.
Private Chas. D. Barnard shot through the breast.
E. F. Gustine shot in the breast.
Wm. H. Ray wounded in the breast.
66
John Agen wounded in the side.
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