USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 25
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L. D. Brownell wounded in ankle.
Richard Heyes missing, prisoner.
.. E. F. Smith missing, prisoner.
After having retired from the field, crossed the Chicka- hominy River and encamped near General Mcclellan's Head Quarters for the night. Amount of ammunition expended was one hundred shell and twenty-five canister.
NOTES OF LT. HYDE MAY 22, 1900.
"We were retreating towards the James River. We-our Battery-were the last to cross the bridge below Dr. Gaines's house on the way to cross the Chickahominy. This bridge was built of logs and planks and was about twenty feet wide and about thirty feet long. After we had passed over that bridge our guns were placed 'in Battery,' facing towards the enemy who were coming that way in pursuit of our army, to hold them in check if necessary. After all the troops had passed over, the colonel of the infantry regiment was ordered to destroy the bridge.
During the work of destruction I discerned coming down the hill at great speed several mounted men, whom by my glass I made out to be members of the Signal Corps. I at once told the Colonel in charge to have the planks of the bridge replaced as members of the Signal Corps were con- ing down the hill like lightning. He at first doubted it and
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said they were rebels. I insisted, handing him my glasses, and having looked he said sure enough it was the Signal Corps, and ordered the planks to be put down over which they passed and went to the rear. . I afterwards received a complimentary letter from Lieut. Tompkins who was one of the number.
After this bridge had been removed we proceeded to the next bridge which was wider and much longer, reaching from the bottom of a ravine to the top of a cliff or plateau, and after our Battery had passed over it this bridge was destroyed by being blown up. We were the last to go over. This took place in the afternoon.
It was the last stand taken, and it was there we lost our guns.
General Butterfield's order was to place two of my guns in the edge of the woods, and fire in the direction of the enemy.
Our position was on the plateau about 200 feet from the edge of the woods where our guns again faced the enemy -- the forces of Stonewall Jackson who were directly in our front across the ravine-without support, which it was im- possible to obtain, all the infantry being engaged as I was informed by General Butterfield when I asked for it. All the batteries were formed in a semi-circle the Fifth Mass. Battery being on the extreme left. Directly in front of the batteries was the ravine 20 feet in depth. The firing all the afternoon and until dark was terrific, and the engagement is said by General Butterfield to have been one of the severest battles of the war.
Toward the latter part of the afternoon in a cross fire from the opposite bank of the Chickahominy where the rebels had placed their guns, with the swamp in between us. one of the shells passing under my horse-not 'Black Char- ley,' one of "Uncle Sam's' horses,-and tearing up the ground for quite a distance, exploded without injury to any one, but the shock made my hair stand on end."
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GRIFFIN TO HYDE.
HARRISON'S LANDING, V.A. July 17, 1862.
LT. J. B. HYDE.
Dear Sir,
It gives me great pleasure to testify to your good conduct whilst under my command; always showing a desire to exe- cute all orders with alacrity, and in a cheerful manner.
Very Respectfully, CHAS. GRIFFIN, Brig .- Gen'l. HOYT TO HYDE.
HD. ORS. 3D. BRIGADE. MORELL'S DIVISION 5TH PROV. CORPS. HARRISON'S LANDING, VA. July 17, 1862.
LT. J. B. HYDE,
5th Mass. Batt.
Lieutenant.
In the absence of General Butterfield it affords me great pleasure,-having witnessed your conduct at the Battle of Chickahominy .- to give my testimony to the sollier like, brave, and efficient manner in which throughout the day you managed your battery. The effect of the fire of half of it on three occasions on that day, proved of the greatest as- sistance to our Brigade, and when later in the day all seemed lost, you willingly reported for duty with your last pieces, you gave evidence by the act, that you had done all any one could for the preservation of those lost.
Please accept my best wishes for your success,
and Believe me sincerely &c.
WM. J. HOYT, Asst. Adj't Gen'l.
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FROM PHILLIPS' LETTERS.
"Before daylight on Friday June 27, 1862, we were round and prepared to move.
Then to our surprise we commenced a retrograde move- ment : backward went the whole Division, and as we came into the road we found our heavy siege guns moving along with us.
Then the fact that we were retreating became apparent to us, and all the time we could hear the enemy thundering on our rear.
At 6 o'clock we passed the Gaines house, and, crossing a little brook, came into battery on the hill beyond. Here we were ordered to wait till all our troops had crossed, and the bridge cut away. So we waited for two or three hours. Finally, the last of our column passed, and the ruins of the bridge soon fell into the stream, and no enemy had appeared.
I had one of my pieces aimed at Dr. Gaines's house, all ready to knock it down at the slightest demonstration. As soon as the bridge was down we limbered up and retired across the field. over a bridge in the middle of a piece of woods traversed by a deep ravine and brook, and into the field beyond, where we came into battery for the second time.
Three hundred yards in front of us stretched the woods that were to witness a terrible conflict. Right behind us the ground sloped down into the level meadows that border the Chickahominy.
Butterfield's Brigade and our Battery were on the extreme Left, the enemy being prevented from flanking us on that side by the fire of Smith's heavy guns across the Chicka- hominy.
Then came Weeden's Battery, then Martin's. There we stood, waiting an attack.
About noon the enemy attacked our right, but only to be driven back.
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Again he attacked and this time our Left, and the bullets whistled round our heads pretty lively, but the result was the same. A third time he tried to get through the woods, and a third time our troops drove him back; but their ranks were thinned as they came out of the woods, and it was evi- dent that unless reinforcements arrived our wearied men could not stand another attaek from the fresh troops the rebels were constantly receiving.
But on they came for the fourth time, and with a more determined elarge than before.
Lieut. Hyde sent my section down into the edge of the woods . . . and I blazed away.
But this time the thundering volleys of musketry told us that the hottest work of the day was before us.
All along the line it was one continuous roar, while mixed with it came the heavy reports of artillery, as Weeden and Martin thundered away on our Right. But it was of no use : advancing at trail arms in one unbroken mass, they rushed through the woods over the brook, now filled with dead bodies, closing their ranks as fast as our fire mowed them down.
The woods were full of smoke, and the bullets buzzed round our heads like a swarm of angry bumble bees : still our 'artillery thundered away.
My horse had a bullet in his flank and one sergeant's house lay dead on the ground. As yet no men were hit, but louder and louder roared the musketry, and thieker and thicker buzzed the bullets, and suddenly, out poured our infantry in disorder, frightened and reckless,-they made an attempt to rally, rushing out right in front of the muzzles of our guns, which were not ten feet from the trees, but broke and .retreated.
Still, as long as there was any hope I blazed away till ail our mien had retreated beyond me. Then I limbered up and carried my section into the field alongside of our other pieces.
As far as I could see the hill was covered with our men.
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running in groups of two or three or alone, each one looking out for himself, while 200 yards in front stretched the long line of rebel infantry, which had formed between us and the woods, their red flags flying, and their muskets sending the bullets flying round our heads after all the infantry had left.
I unlimbered and fired one round of canister at a regiment with a red flag within less than three hundred yards. We could see the gaps made at each discharge instantly filled up by fresh troops, and still on they came.
Reluctantly. we limbered up and commenced our retreat. I got both my pieces off the field down to the bottom of the hill (and all the caissons got off safely. ) and none too soon, for at the right piece. more exposed than the others, down went all the horses ( four ) and Corporal Albert F. Milliken fell. shot through the head, then Private Edward F. Gustine, at Peacock's piecc, shot in the neck and breast, Private Charles D. Barnard shot in the side, then Wm. H. Ray fell at Smith's piece with a bullet through his shoulder, but man- aged to get off the fieldl.
So down the hill we went at full gallop, but before we reached the bottom Peacock's and Simonds's pieces were left, with the horses dead in the traces. George F. Manchester one of the drivers on Sergt. Peacock's piece had his off horse shot but cut his nigh one loose and escaped. When he got to the bottom of the hill he took up a wounded officer in front of him, but in passing under the fire of our Reserve Artillery, one of their shells blew the officer's head off, and Manchester said he felt frightened for the first time. So far both of my guns were safe, but at the bottom of the hill, a fence stopped us a little, and while passing through the gap we experienced the hottest fire of all.
The rebels by this time lined the top of the hill. and poured a murderous fire into our retreating soldiers. As Blake's picce went through the gap, down went one horse with a bullet in his jaw, throwing his rider, but the other horses julled him through and saved the gun. As Page's piece.
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passed through down went four horses at one volley, and I told the men to leave the piece. The rebels were following at double quick, and there was nobody to support us.
I had hardly gone a hundred yards when with the next volley my horse fell, shot through the leg, and as I tumbled off I saw the rebel flag planted on my gun!
I was compelled reluctantly to abandon iny saddle and bridle, blankets, pocket testament, brushes &c. to the rebels, and taking my overcoat, revolver and brandy flask, trav- elled along on foot.
By this time all was confusion, the road was full of fugi- tives, the officers in vain trying to rally their men, and the thunder of artillery and musketry incessant.
The bullets buzzed around our heads thicker than ever, but I trudged on with a sullen desperation.
Our Reserve Artillery was blazing away over our heads, the shells coming in dangerous proximity to our caps, keep- ing the rebels back somewhat, and soon our reinforcements, the Irish Brigade, came up, too late, alas, for us.
Still we pressed on until we had crossed the Chicka- hominy, and reposed once more in safety.
Blake's piece got off. Corporal Spear's got stuck in a ditch, but they hauled it through. Simonds's piece was lost : Sergi. Smith got a bullet through his cap, taking off some of his hair, and raising a little swelling on the top of his head : John Agen had his jacket torn and his side bruised by a piece of shell. while spent bullets struck around very thick. Strange as it may seem, although my horse was struck three times; once in the edge of the woods, once in the leg as we were retreating, and a third time as he fell, throwing me off, I cannot find any bullet marks on me or my clothes.
I have seen enough of retreats, and my only consolation is that no efforts of mine could have altered the result. We did not leave the field till the whole of Butterfield's Brigade had broken; and after our horses were shot we could not save our pieces. Had the infantry rallied I would have
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stayed as long as any of them, but, as it was, 15 seconds' delay would have lost everything, guns, men and horses.
We were the last battery on the field.
Our men fought well against superior numbers, and did not retreat till they had lost half their men, used up their ammunition, and were wearied out, and when the rebels came on the last time it was useless to fire at them. We could not kill them as fast as they came up. Had we had a battery of 12 pdrs. a regiment of dead men would have cov- cred the field before they could have got our guns, but our little pieces do not throw canister much larger than a mus- tard box, and were never meant for that kind of work. As it was, however, we could see the gaps made in their ranks, as we threw in double charges of canister, but they filled them up as fast as they were made.
No description can convey an accurate idea of the peculiar sound the bullets make as they buzz around one's head. You must hear it to appreciate it. It approaches nearly the buzzing of a swarm of bees, intermingled with a few sharper notes. First it is buz-z-z-, then te-oou, very sharp. Inter- mingled with these is the sharp click when a bullet strikes a tree. Of course there is nothing very pleasant in the sound. but after a man gets used to it, he can listen to it with great composure, and I troubled myself as little as possible about the 'humming birds' as the men call them.
We kept on the retreat as fast as possible, the road being filled with artillery and infantry, wounded men on litters, and wounded men supported by their comrades. I do not want to see such a sight again.
That night we got over the Chickahominy and by mid- night we went into park somewhere [Trent's Farm] near Weeden's remaining three pieces and three caissons. Scott and I lay down side by side, on a pile of hay, and I slept sweetly till long after daylight.
The next day, June 2Sth, with the remains of our Battery, we commenced our march, with the retiring army, towards
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James River; other Divisions eovering our retreat and fight- ing all the way.
I hear that the Irish Brigade drove the rebels baek into the woods, spiked, buried, and otherwise disabled our guns (left on the field) and held the ground till everything had erossed. when they came over and blew up the bridge. About noon that day (28th) we heard an explosion, and an immense cloud of smoke announced the destruction of our bridges over the Chiekahominy. A large house near us was used as a hospital, and the grounds all round were covered with wounded men. Lt. Mortimer, a fine fellow, Ist Lt. of Mar- tin's Battery was in the house dying from a bullet wound. [Caleb C. E. Mortimer see p. 56 "In Sixty-One."]
In the afternoon we started and marched to Savage's Sta- tion on towards the James River. Troops, baggage teams &e. crowded the roads.
At sunset we eamped in a very pleasant spot on top of a hill. Close by was a beautiful house and grounds but as usual orders eame not to touch the fences. I am happy to state, however, that by the next morning all the rails in our vicinity had disappeared, earried off probably by some of the infantry regiments, as it would have been my duty to stop any of our men. Here we found our wagons again and slept under a tent, and washed our faces.
& The next morning (29th) we again took up our line of mareh. As yet we knew nothing of our destination. The country was new, and had evidently not been traversed much by troops. The roads were excellent and we kept right on.
Still in our rear, though intermittently, the firing went on. but we cared nothing for that. At 9 in the evening we reaelied our camp. pitch dark, so I cannot describe the lo- cality. Our wagons had now fallen to the rear, so we spread our blankets and turned in. The next morning. June 30, 1862, we started before daylight and with frequent halts kept on our way. About noon we erossed a large wheat field, and then erossed a still larger field on a high table land, and came in sight of the James River."
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THE LAST STAND. FROM SCOTT'S NOTES.
"The morning of the 27th of June ( 1862) opened beauti- fully. Brightly the warm sun began its course, to go down scarcely seen through the smoke and dust of the battle that would be raging.
The Divisions and Brigades of General Porter's Corps were moving past to the last stand and line of battle down the river.
All the other Corps of the Army had crossed the river to the south side. The 5th only remained on the north side for it could not cross in the face of the enemy. Back of the river flats the country was rolling, with more or less woods; the depressions between the hills were favorable for the enemy to form their lines out of sight.
The Left of our line of battle was less than 3 a mile from the river, at the thin edge of a skirting line of woods that bordered a small stream running east and west to the river, in a depression which would be a rushing torrent after an hour's rain. but now nearly dry. A temporary log bridge crossed near this point where most of the Corps had passed.
The line of battle following the Creek a short distance east. curved to the south. passing swampy ground at the centre, then curving west to the river where the Right of the line rested, thus forming a semi-circle. Behind the line of battle formed, was an undulating open country to the river, which was crossed by three narow bridges, one of them, called the Grape Vine bridge, being held in place by ropes made fast to trees up stream. The approaches to one of these bridges was nearly 1400 yards long.
The Battery took up its line of march about 9 o'clock from near the Gaines house, moving down the river, and going into battery covering the rear guard.
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Once on its way all was silence, except the firing of the rebel skirmishers driving in our Pickets.
Limbering up our guns we crossed the log bridge, the last battery to cross, and soon the bridge was taken up and de- stroyed. Going into battery on low ground near a peach orchard in rear of the line of battle, we could not see the movement of troops on our Right, nor the brigades on our Left Front, as Butterfield's and Martindale's brigades were beyond the wood, the extreme Left of the line on lower ground. Following the creek they had felled trees, and formed what protection they could to shield themselves from the eneiny's fire.
The line of battle formed extended a mile and a half or more, held by Fitz John Porter's Corps of 30,000 men. Early in the fight he called for reinforcements which were not promptly sent.
The rebels proved to have had more than double that number.
At this point we waited.
Being on the Left of the Battery I hardly knew what was going on at the Right. The sun poured down upon us in force, and while here the U. S. mails were distributed, and many read letters from home and friends for the last time.
Meantime the enemy were forming their lines around the 5th Corps. They thought they had us in a trap. Spent bullets came dropping on the sand, raising a puff of dust. the patient horses pricking up their ears and shaking their heads.
Still we ate our hard-bread and drank our hot water. Not a breath of air was stirring, and two miles away, across the river, the smoke and dust of the fierce battle raging could be seen during that afternoon, but not a gun was heard by the rest of the army at that distance.
About 12 o'clock General Daniel Butterfield of the brigade came down the slope to my section, and wanted me to train one of my guns to fire over the skirting of woods before
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which his brigade was located. I said that the ground rose so rapidly that in firing it at so high an elevation we might find it on the ground.
He wanted to sight the gun himself, and the gun being trained to suit him, he commenced its elevation. At that moment 'the ball opened,' and he left suddenly, as the rebels were charging his brigade. The rebel batteries opened on the Right, throwing a raking fire through the woods, in front of which his brigade was located with the infantry which had commenced firing. We could hear the quick popping of a rapid firing gun. We had seen this gun before. It was fixed on a tripod, and by turning a crank it spit out bullets, and was supposed to annihilate anything in its front. The rebels captured it before the fight was over.
An order came to Lt. Hyde to send up one gun. Why the whole battery was not sent up I never knew. The Lieuten- ant ordered me up with the left gun of my section. Away we went and took our position at the edge of the wood. We could not see the brigade below us. but could see the rebels through the woods and brush, moving for a charge. We opened fire and plied them well with our one gun.
No artillery was to the left of us nor could we see the army to our right : the peach orchard seemed to cover us. The noise from the rebel batteries raking the woods, to- gether with the fire of musketry, was terrific.
A second charge by the rebels on Butterfield's and Mar- tindale's brigades, was repelled, then came a lull in front, the firing had swept to the Right of the line of battle.
I was ordered back to the rest of the Battery down the slope. We had taken our place with the Battery but a short time, when Longstreet, who had reformed his lines with fresh troops came on again.
Four guns were ordered up. We limbered up the Left Section, and away we went to the woods, followed by the Centre Section, Lt. Phillips, who took position on our right. These four guns were not idle. It would be hard to explain
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one's feelings at such a moment, but we felt that as long as we were not hit we were not hurt, and every one worked to do his best now we had the chance.
Through the woods we could see only parts of the rebel lines. If we did not cut some of them down we did the small trees in our front, as they fell as if cut with a scythe.
Charge after charge was repelled by the brigade in front of us, but human endurance could not withstand the more than double force pitted against us. Our brigades were exhausted, ammunition gone, and all the Reserves had been thrown into the fight.
The left of Martindale's Brigade had been turned and the rebels were flanking us.
We kept up our fire with the guns unaware of what had happened. Enveloped with smoke we could not tell what was going on far from us.
At this point the infantry of our brigade came struggling up between our guns.
Anxious to know how the fight was going on I said to a soldier :
'What's the trouble below ?'
'Trouble enough,' he said. 'The rebels are crossing the ditch on our right.'
Looking to our left we saw an officer mounted on a stone heap waving a flag. He cried out: 'For God's sake, men, stand by your colors!'
It was of no use, men were moving stubbornly off to the rear, and soon after as we moved down the slope, the bri- gade, what was left of them, had melted away, and I do not remember to have seen a Union soldier.
We received orders to retire in haste. which we did. Lim- bering up our guns with Phillips leading, we moved quickly down the slope to where we had left the Right section of the Battery, unaware that the guns were in the hands of the enemy.
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To my surprise, Lt. Phillips as he came up with the Right section continued on at a trot. He had taken in the situa- tion. As my section came on, I saw something was wrong with the guns, but I passed quickly by. Phillips still leading passed to the right of a foot hill which formed the last stand of the Corps at night, thus exposing our flank to the enemy. who were now near the bridge we had crossed in the morning.
Moving in this line, I was amazed to see the right piece of my section going pell mell past the left of the hill into a hollow below. Leaving my left piece to follow Phillips I turned about to look it up, passing near the guns already captured. Then I saw our plight. Overtaking the gun,. which was but a short distance ahead, I saw it was fast stuck in a ditch. The situation looked anything but pleasant. In front of us, on the last rise of ground before reaching the river, was posted a line of artillery, throwing their united fire into the rebel lines. Their shot were flying in range of my head. I dismounted, choosing a lower elevation. Looking back to where the Right section had stood, we saw the guns had been turned towards us, the rebel colors flying over them, and their lines forming away to their Left. Not far from us in front of their lines was a piece of rebel artil- lery, which the drivers had driven over a bluff, and which seemed to be thrown into a confused heap. I thought their condition was even worse than ours. Why we were not molested while in the ditch I do not know, but suppose with their success so far, they felt sure of our capture. They could easily have shot the horses, but so sure were they that we were fast, doubtless they preferred live horses to dead ones. It was death or capture to us if we remained, but with a final effort, the gun came out of its bed, and we lost no time in moving but a short distance up between the guns of the posted artillery, where we again went into action. [ See P. 340 Serg't Wilson. ] If any one wants to live a lifetime in
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