USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
David Henry Grows was discharged for disability Sept. IO, 1862.
LETTER OF SERG'T. PEACOCK.
"HALL'S HILL, VA. Sept. 6, 1862.
Here I am in the old camp we left last spring. Every- thing looks about as we left it. We have had a hard time of it since leaving James River -- constant marching and fighting for over three weeks. I was all through the Bull Run fight with Lieut. (Thomas M.) Cargill and the Third Mass. Battery caissons. These were upon the battle field while the guns went to Centreville.
It is a sad sight to see Porter's Division at the present time, worn out and ragged. Camps that held one Reg't. six months ago, now accommodate two Brigades! The 83d Penn: that left in March with 11co men, now numbers 90, and no one Regt. over 200 men.
Our Battery is 75 men short by sickness and death. We expect to leave here in the morning to be recruited up and reorganized. Our knapsacks were sent off at Harrison's Landing over a month ago, so about all we have is what we stand in.
P. S. We go from here to Fort Corcoran."
"In the afternoon of September 6, 1862, the 5th and 3d Batteries [Corporal Chase still keeping the distinctive titles ] were mustered for pay by Lt. C. A. Phillips, commanding. Received orders after supper to strike tents. The 3d Mass. Battery was to go to Alexandria to refit. Hitched up at 8 p. m. Marched towards Alexandria about 12 p. m. (a
434
HISTORY OF THE
silent, rapid march through the darkness) and halted near Alexandria at sunrise on the morning of the 7th, Sunday. Arrived about noon at Fairfax Seminary [A theological in- stitution occupied as a hospital for the sick and wounded of our Army] and went into camp. All the Army except Morell's Division seemed to have disappeared."
From a Letter of Lieut. Phillips: "Sunday Evening Sept. 7, 1862. Fairfax Seminary :- I was not very well at Harrison's Landing, but a march always cures me. . ... When we left Hall's Hill for the Peninsula, I left my bed- stead with Mr. Osborn, not expecting to see it again. Our unexpected return to this locality prompted me to look after it, and I found it all right, and I intend to stick by it here- after."
On Monday the Sth they marched to Upton's Hill near Washington, and camped with Griffin's Brigade.
LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE. "UPTON'S HILL, VA. Sept. 10, 1862.
Well, here we are again, just where we started from last spring. We have been within 4 miles of Richmond and now we are in sight of the National Capital. Little did we think, last spring, that the Army of the Potomac were to drive the enemy to the wall and after a tedious campaign and hard fighting, we would return to our old camping ground and the enemy still unconquered. We left Harri- son's Landing on the night of the 14th ult. and marched to Hampton where we took a steamer to Acquia Creek, on the Potomac, and from there we have marched here by way of Fredericksburg and Manassas. .. . We have had no change of clothing since the 7th ult. and until our arrival here-Sept. 3d-we did not have time to wash our clothing and sufficiently dry it. We washed it and put it on wet
435
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
and thanks to the hot sun it was soon dry. This is what old braggadocio Pope calls 'light marching order.' We have marched over many miles of the road between Fred- ericksburg and here three times. We would advance eight or ten miles in the morning, then halt for two or three hours, then countermarch, and in the night of the same day advance again, and take position in line of battle with other troops and expect an engagement every minute. Some days we would go ahead all the way from six to twenty- five miles a day. We have escaped all the fights by mere luck or accident, but we have seen all their horrors. At the battle of Manassas we were ordered to the front about 5 p. m., and after we had advanced about a mile, we met large numbers of the wounded coming to the rear. Soon they came in crowds, and finally the whole Army. The road iras blocked up with troops, and we were obliged to coun- termarch. The wounded passed us in every stage of muti- lation, some of them on horseback with their legs and arms amputated, and the naked stumps exposed to the view of those just ordered to the front. We are here to rest and recruit, and if old Jackson will be civil for a few days our Battery will in all probability be recruited, for we have had new officers lately commissioned for our old Battery. Twenty-eight new recruits have arrived. some for the 3d Battery; among them is one D. C. Chase of Charlestown, Mass.
Thursday morning. Sept. 11. 1862: We have our guns 'in battery' at the outposts at Upton's Hill with Griffin's Brigade. We are under the same restrictions here that we were on the Peninsula, although within two miles of the National Capital. We have a good place to camp and have plenty of soft bread served out to us. We are having a goud rest and fast recruiting."
On Thursday the 11th Lt. Phillips went to Washington
436
HISTORY OF THE
and had a short interview with General Fitz John Porter, who requested him to address a paper to him in relation to the reorganization of the Fifth Mass. Battery. Lt. Phil- lips accordingly drew up a short memorial, concluding with a request for the members of the Fifth Battery to be placed in camp by themselves and supplied with guns. In Lt. Phillips' own words :- "I did not expect an immediate com- pliance with this request, but I had it forwarded so as to reach him that afternoon. I then went into the city and returned about dark. As it had commenced to rain I con- cluded to stop over night with Blake who was camped with the wagons near Fort Corcoran. The next morning, Sep- tember 12th, Scott rode down before I was up, and gave me a telegraphic order, which Captain Martin had received Thursday evening, as follows :-
UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH. Received Sept. II, 1862.
From Fort Corcoran
To Capt. A. P. Martin Chief of Art'y.
Direct Lt. Phillips to make requisitions for a new battery without delay.
GEO. W. MORELL M. G.
At the same time, Scott told me, the whole Division had got marching orders and were probably on the road then. I saw at once that to get my guns I must stop behind, but this order gave no directions whatever.
I immediately rode up the road till I met Captain Mar- tin, and we went to General Morell's Hd. Ors. and suc- ceeded in getting a verbal order to keep my men here in camp till I was supplied.
Captain Waterman was not over much pleased at losing the men [ from the Fourth R. I. Battery] but I thought I had recruited his battery long enough."
George L. Newton of Weymouth. Mass. secretary of the Fifth Mass. Battery Association, was one of the number of those who were transferred to the Fourth R. I. Battery.
437
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
When asked to furnish the names of the others which were subsequently supplied by Gideon Spencer First Lieutenant Ist Rhode Island Light Artillery, he replied under date August 15, 1899 :- "While I was one of that number I can- not recall the names of the others. If I remember cor- rectly there were about 30 of us, and Captain Waterman was very sorry to lose us when we were ordered to report to Captain (then Lt.) Phillips at Arlington Heights after the Second Battle of Bull Run."
LETTER OF DR. GIDEON SPENCER, SECRETARY STATE BOARD OF SOLDIERS' RELIEF OF RHODE ISLAND, PROVIDENCE, OCT. 18, 1899 :--
"I enclose list of 5th Mass. Battery men who were attached to Bat- tery 'C' Ist R. I. Lt. Art'y. This was the 4th R. I. Battery. but 'C' in the regiment of batteries. The enclosed record was taken from the Adjutant General's Report of R. I. 1861 to 1865. This report was re- vised and compared with the War Department records within the past five or six years, and must be nearly perfect. It will give you at least the date of their transfer. I hope this may be of some service, as I know from experience, at this late day, the writing of history of the War of the Rebellion is a severe task."
Agen John, Priv t. Batt'y C: July 4, 1862, detached from the 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery.
Alden F. D. Priv't. Battery C; July, 1862, detached from the 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12. 1862, returned to Battery.
Almy A. W. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4. 1862, detached from the 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery.
Alton J. H. Priv't Batt'y C; July, 1862, attached to this Battery. Sept., 1862, transferred to 5th Mass. Battery.
Champlin E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Cooper H. D. Priv't. Battery C; July 4, 1862. temporarily detached from 5th Mass. Battery.
Crapo H. D. Priv't. Battery C; temporarily detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12. 1862, returned to 5th Mass. Battery.
Dunham W. H. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12. 1862, returned to Battery.
Flynn Michael, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4. 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery.
-
438
HISTORY OF THE
Freeborn G. H. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th " Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery.
Gilbert J. A. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4. 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Graham B. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Gunning William, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Hathaway J. F. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Jordan S. R. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Kay J. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4. 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Kiel E. E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, temporarily detached from 5th Mass. Battery.
Mc Vey D. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Munroe J. Priv't. Batt'y C: July 4. 1862, temporarily detached form 5th Mass. Battery.
Murray J. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Newton G. L. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862. returned to regiment.
Oldis F. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4. 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to Battery.
Pattison L. E. Priv't. Batt'y C: July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment
Pattison W. B. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Rice E. E. Priv't. Batt'y C; July, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Tucker J. C. Bugler. Batt'y C; July 4. 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862. returned to regiment.
Waddington J. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Welsh Patrick, Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 1862, returned to regiment.
West Benjamin, Priv't. Batt'y C: July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery, and borne on extra duty as teamster until Sept. 1862. Sept. 12, 1862, returned to regiment.
Wilcox W. S. Priv't. Batt'y C; July 4, 1862, detached from 5th Mass. Battery. Sept. 12. 1862, returned to regiment.
To proceed with Lieut. Phillips' Letter :-- "Luckily our
439
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
three wagons [see p. 410 Captain Martin] were still with the Batteries, having been turned over to the Battery quar- termaster (Scott), each battery having the use of one. So Scott started off and emptied the stuff out of them while I got the men together.
As soon as we got straightened out, I marched them to a spot a short distance from Fort Corcoran, and pitched our camp. Scott and I have a brand new wall tent, which I foraged at Upton's Hill, Blake and Lull a small wedge tent. while the men have a most motley assortment of poncho tents &c. Our camp is in a very pleasant spot, in good order, and altogether looks quite well.
Having pitched our camp and sent after forage and rations I felt that I was fairly started as an independent corps."
Sept. 12, 1862. (Chase's Diary.) "Reveille at 3 a. m. Hitched up and marched to Fort Corcoran, Va., and halted near Georgetown. Soon after halting we were agreeably surprised by seeing the remains of the old 5th Battery again assembled to be reorganized.
Went into camp on a hill near Fort Corcoran, and the Third Battery left us and continued the march to Antietam, NId.
Received knapsack well stocked with clean clothing, the first change of clothing since. we were stripped to light marching order August roth ( 1862), and with soft bread and rest. happiness reigns supreme."
The next thing for Lieut. Phillips to do was to get his ordnance requisitions approved.
"I had some doubts" he wrote, "whether I could find anybody to do it, but having found out from the command- ing officer at Fort Corcoran that General Heintzelman was in command, I started off the first thing in the morning of the 13th for his headquarters at Arlington House. I got his signature without any difficulty, and started for the city.
440
HISTORY OF THE
Having put the requisitions through the usual routine of the 'circumlocution office' I got my orders for the various articles, and shall get them as soon as they are on hand. At the corral I found about 200 horses and orders for about 600 ahead of me.
They had plenty of guns at the Arsenal,-no carriages, but were expecting a supply every day. Harnesses are plenty, the only trouble is the horses. I have required for 3 inch guns, the same that we had before. Meantime the Division has gone."
Morell's Division 6000 strong, which had camped one brigade on Upton's Hill, one at Hunter's Chapel, and the other at Fort Corcoran, had crossed the river and marched to Antietam.
The Fifth Corps had here been joined by the 20th Maine Infantry Lt. Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain [see p. 835 "Battle of the North Anna"] assigned to the 3d Brigade, Ist Di- vision (Morell's) Fifth Corps, which it joined Sept. 12, 1862, and the 118th Pennsylvania,-commercial exchange of Philadelphia,-commanded by Colonel Charles M. Pre- vost.
As organized for the Maryland campaign from Septem- ber IIth to 30th. 1862, the Artillery attached to the 3d Brigade, Ist Division, Fifth Army Corps, consisted of the Third Mass. Battery Captain A. P. Martin, Fourth Rhode Island, Captain Richard Waterman, 5th U. S. Battery D, Lt. Charles E. Hazlett.
The Fifth Mass. Battery remained in camp opposite Georgetown. After reuniting the men belonging to the Battery who were serving in the Third Mass. and Fourth R. I., Phillips needed 20 men. This he stated in a note to Governor Andrew. He could take 25, and he could not give the exact number of the men on the rolls, as men were sent to the hospitals and then discharged for disability and no notice given to their captains. In a letter he states that
شرون
441
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
he met Lieut. Batchelder, Division Ordnance officer, on the 13th. and asked him to tell General Morell that he should · like a written order to remain till he got his guns, and then to rejoin the Division. "I have found" he wrote, "a com- missary who will issue rations and a quartermaster who will supply forage, and am sure of getting my guns, so I am all right. Captain Waterman left a section here with his bat- tery wagon and forge in charge of Lt. Buckley to obtain new gun carriages. Buckley (Willam W.) was in at the Arsenal changing his carriages on the 13th. He told Scott he was going to get some horses, and I do not think he has got his order filed, so I shouldn't wonder if he had to wait longer than we do. I expect an order to report to General (Amiel W.) Whipple. Lull got his commission the other day at the War Department, where it had been laying a month or more, so he is all right. though I do not under- stand why it is dated Aug. ist and all the rest July 13th. In regard to recruits I cannot send for any definite number. I can only inuster and draw pay for 151 enlisted men. On the muster roll of August 3Ist there are 134 enlisted men. This includes a large number who have been sent to hos- pitals at various times, but whether they are alive or dead, in the service or discharged from it, I do not know and can- not find out. I shall take all recruits that come, to the number of 30, say."
The picture here given of the Army Desk. was photo- graphed November 4, 1899, by E. G. Merrill at Salem, Mass., as it now appears in the home of Captain Phillips. It is one of those furnished by Government for the use of Army officers, and was in use by Captain Phillips two years and a half. Its dimensions are, outside, breadth 24 in .: height 20 in. : depth 12 inches.
When opened after many years for the purpose of exam- ining the papers relating to the history of the Battery, it
442
HISTORY OF THE
was found to contain records from 1861 to 1865, and the settlement of accounts.
After the papers were examined and extracts made, all the diaries, official papers and books, which had been taken out were carefully returned to their places, so that when the photograph was taken the desk held everything exactly as when first opened.
COMPANY ORDER NO. I. FORT CORCORAN, Sept. 13. 1862.
Company Orders. No. I.
The following appointments are announced :--
Charles A. Phillips Senior Ist Lieut.
Henry D. Scott Junior Ist Lieut.
Peleg W. Blake Senior 2d Lieut.
Frederick A. Lull Junior 2d Lieut.
Joseph E. Spear Ist Sergeant to date from August Ist.
Ephraim B. Nye Serg't., to date from July 13th.
William B. Pattison Corporal, to date from July Ist.
William G. Warren Corporal, to date from July 13th. John W. Morrison Corporal, to date from August Ist.
(Signed) CHARLES A. PHILLIPS Lieut. Com'd'g Battery E. Mass. Art'y.
From Lieut. Phillips under date Sept. 14, 1862 :- "I re- . ceived two letters today directed to men whom I never heard of, members of Mass. 5th Battery, Camp Day, Cam- bridge, and forwarded on here. I should judge by this that my recruits had started.
I am afraid, in that case, they will be forwarded to Morell's Division. The shoulder-straps have arrived. and have given universal satisfaction. I have the most cordial co-operation of all my officers and men. . . Four recruits have arrived from Massachusetts named Bliss, Brand, D. Shackley, J. Shackley. They went up to Rock- ville hunting after Morell's Division. Two of my sick men have returned from hospital and I expect more every day. We live very independently. The men feel much
143
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
more cheerful than they have for some time, and so far all goes well. I am afraid at the present rate our Division will travel out of our reach. When last heard from they were en route for Harper's Ferry. Our return to Hall's Hill enabled me to regain possession of my old eamp stools which I had at Lynnfield and Readville, so that [with the bedstead] our tent is about as comfortable as it was in those days. We have manufactured a dining-table out of harness boxes, and live in style. Some of us go into the city every day so that we have an opportunity to do our marketing. Things around here remain very quiet; once in a while we can hear a little firing up river, and a green regiment camped close by salutes us occasionally; today sending a whole vol- ley of bullets into our eamp under the impression that they were discharging their muskets into the side of the hill. Washington is quiet. Massachusetts must be getting very warlike. I see by an advertisement in the Transcript every citizen of Boston is called upon to keep a uniform and mus- ket on hand to guard against contingencies."
With regard to General Burnside's influence in favor of the Battery, Lieut. Phillips wrote home from camp near Fort Corcoran, Sept. 14, 1862 :-
Thanks, however, to my friends at home and out here, -- among the latter particularly Gen. Burnside, --- I have at last got an order to draw a new supply of guns, horses, &c., and have gone into eamp here for that pur- pose. . . . Gen. Burnside whom 1 saw at Falmouth, wished to be remembered to you. After I saw him he had an interview with Gen. Porter, which probably helped me as much as anything. . . . We are eamped just beyond Fort Corcoran, on the right hand side of the road going from Washington, in a very pleasant spot. On the whole our camp looks well. Horses and guns only are needed to complete the picture.
I met the 40th Mass. under Lt. Col. Dalton on the Avenue
144
HISTORY OF THE
the other day. They looked very well. I find my hands full of business just now, but I never felt better."
CORPORAL SHACKLEY'S NOTES.
"I enlisted as a recruit to the Battery after Mcclellan's campaign on the Peninsula, and went to Camp Day at Cam- bridge, Mass.
Daniel K. Shackley, Robert Brand, and Cornelius E. Bliss, also enlisted as recruits to the Battery, and early in September (1862) we four, with others, were ordered to join our respective commands. We were transported to Washington, D. C., and quartered in a barrack known as 'Soldiers' Retreat.' We were there while the Fifth or Porter's Corps were marching through Washington to South Mountain and Antietam. The next day, when a call was made for recruits for Porter's Corps to fall in, we were glad of the opportunity to get away from the 'Retreat,' and falling into line we marched just outside the District of Columbia and bivouacked for the night.
The next morning we proceeded on our march and passed through Rockville, where we found some men of the Third Mass. Battery, who told us the Fifth had been detached and left at Fort Corcoran to recruit and receive new guns and horses.
We four recruits for the Fifth Battery went to the Pro- vost-guard of Rockville, and received some rations and a permit to return to Georgetown. We went towards George- town about three miles, and turning into a field spread our blankets under the branches of a large oak tree, and after eating some of our army rations, we lay down for our night's rest with the clouds for our canopy.
With our heads on the ground we could hear heavy can- nonading. which we afterwards learned was the battle of South Mountain. Sept. 14, 1862.
445
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Next morning we proceeded on our way, and were soon overtaken by an empty wagon train, and by the courtesy of the train master we put our knapsacks in the wagons and went over the rough macadamized road to Georgetown.
We reported to the Provost-guard, who after two or three hours, detailed a sergeant, a corporal and six men with the following prisoners, [the four recruits] who marched us over Aqueduct bridge and then told us to go where we pleased.
We climbed up the hill to Fort Corcoran, where we found the Battery and felt quite at home."
On Sept. 16, 1862, all the harnesses had been obtained. and on the 17th procured a little more ordnance.
BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.
This day, Wednesday the 17th, has been called the blood- iest day that America had ever known. When nearly two hundred thousand men for fourteen hours were engaged in mortal combat, witnessed by an army of spectators who observed the conflict from the surrounding hills.
Thursday the ISth the battery wagon and forge were hauled out, and it was ordered that the morning report should be made to Brigadier General Whipple commanding defences of Washington Southwest of the Potomac. which the enemy crossed that night, holding the right bank and defending the ford with his artillery. Portions of Morell's and Sykes' Divisions with a portion of the Divisional artil- lery were ordered to occupy the banks of the river. clear the fords. and capture if possible the enemy's guns, during which movement the enemy fell back in confusion, and two guns and several caissons were secured.
Lieut. Phillips wrote on this date :- "] have got under General Whipple's orders at last.
He rode into camp today, and after a few inquiries about
446
HISTORY OF THE
my guns, said that as his orders were to take command of all within his limits, he supposed I came under his com- mand, and wished me to send my morning reports to him. I told him that this relieved me of some responsibility. as I was sometimes at a loss to get my requisitions approved, &c. &c. He said he would approve my requisitions if I would send them up to Head Quarters. I told him what my instructions were, and that I thought it exceedingly doubtful if I ever caught up with Morell's Division at the rate things were moving. He seemed to think so too, and said that he should like very much to have me in his Divi- sion but, of course, he should not like to interfere with Gen- eral Morell in any way. I said it made very little difference to me what Division I was in &c. &c. So on the whole, it will not be the most surprising thing in the world if we end by being transferred to Whipple's Division. . . . What sort of red tape has prevented Terry [Serg't Terry desired the commission of quartermaster of the batteries] from be- ing commissioned ? As near as I can get at it, the Governor would not commission him till he was discharged, and the Department would not discharge him till he was commis- sioned, and there they stuck!
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.