USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 35
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
461
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, and Geil- eral Joseph Hooker of the Fifth Corps.
General Burnside, on assuming the command substituted for the plan of campaign originated by Mcclellan a new one, whichi involved the seizure of the heights south of Fred- cricksburg after fording the Upper Rappahannock River; the railroad to Fredericksburg being reopened by sending a small force north of the Rappahannock for that purpose.
Previous to this movement Burnside reorganized the Army, by forming Three Grand Divisions, the Right, Centre, and Left. The Right was composed of the Second and Ninth Army Corps Major Gen. Edwin V. Sumner in command, the Centre consisted of the Third and Fifth Army . Corps Major Gen. Joseph Hooker in command, and the Left, of the First and Sixth Army Corps, Major Gen. Wil- liam B. Franklin, commanding.
The Fifth Corps was commanded by Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, and the Ist Division to which the Artillery Brigade in which was the Fifth Mass. Battery was attached, was commanded by Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin.
General Burnside commenced his movement on the 15th of November, 1862, and instead of crossing the Rappahan- nock River, marched the entire Army down its north bank, the advance of the Right Grand Division arriving in the vi- cinity of Falmouth, Va. on the 17th but was unable to cross to Fredericksburg, on account of a rebel force on the other side of the river, sent for the purpose of obstructing the passage at this point. The bridge across the river to Fred- ericksburg had been destroyed.
A corps of the Confederate Army was awaiting develop- ments in the vicinity of Orange Court House. In anticipa- tion of our attempting to gain the heights near that city Longstreet was ordered to proceed to Fredericksburg. On the 19th the Fifth Corps was at Hartwood a few miles above Falmouth. On the 21st at 5 p. m. in the midst of a rain
1
462
HISTORY OF THE
storm, the Right Grand Division having arrived at a point where the Potomac Creek crossed the Acquia Creek and Fredericksburg railroad, General Sumner summoned the anthorities of the city of Fredericksburg to surrender. In the event of their refusal, he threatened to bombard the place at 9 a. m. the next morning. The city then under the control of the confederate general Lee did not surrender, and was not bombarded. Longstreet established his com- mand on Marye's Heights in the rear of Fredericksburg, and a part of Jackson's Corps was near Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, when on Nov. 26th our gunboats had arrived.
General Burnside ordered the construction of five bridges from the upper part of the town to the lower, within a dis- tance of about two miles, and the artillery were employed not only to protect the building of the bridges, but to protect the Left flank of the Army from attack in the direction of the Massaponas River, and to control the enemy's move- ments on the plain between the ridges of hills on both sides of the river. To supply this unusual demand some of the artillery was withdrawn from the Grand Divisions, and tem porarily added to the Artillery Reserve. The Reserve was then formed into four Divisions viz., the Right, the Right Centre, and the Left Centre, and the Left, numbering in all 147 Guns, and disposed along the north bank of the Rappa- hannock River. Battery C, Ist Rhode Island, and Battery D. 5th U. S. were detached from the Fifth Corps and placed in position to join in the general fire directed upon the town and hills beyond, but the Third and Fifth Massa- chusetts Batteries crossed the river and entered the city.
The Right Grand Division of the Army was concentrated near the upper and middle bridges: the Left Grand Division near the bridge below the town; and the Centre Grand Divi- sion near to and in the rear of the Right.
On December rith the Fifth Corps marched three miles
1
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 463
to the bank of the Rappahannock, the artillery moving in the rear of the Division, and was massed on a level tract of land in the rear of the batteries on the ridge.
The pontoons for the bridges had to be taken down the Potomac and up the Rappahannock, and Burnside waited for them 12 days on the Stafford Hills all ready to cross. In the early morning of Dec. rith the teams carried them down to the river banks.
Edwin Forbes in his description of "The Pontoon Train" attached to liis picture, thus describes the train and the method of building a pontoon bridge :-
"One of the finest sights during the march of the great army was the pontoon train. The huge scows resting on their heavy wagons, went tossing over the rough roads pulled by six mule teams. . . . On nearing a stream, a road was chosen where the approach to cross would not be too steep. The wagons were drawn near the bank, and the pontoon boats were slid off from the rear of them into the water. This work was often accomplished under the enemy's fue from an op- posite bank of the river; but our men worked with a will, loading the boats and pushing them off with a dash and a cheer to clear the enemy away. Then the real work of building a bridge would begin. Boats would be pushed out, turned lengthwise with the current, and placed at regular intervals across the stream, anchored at both ends. Then a set of mnen would quickly attach stringers from boat to boat, and an- other set would hurry forward with planks to place over them, thus forming a floor. In an incredibly short time the bridge would be com- pleted. and the main body of the army would march across amid great cheers.'
The engineers while laying the pontoon bridges on the IIth December, 1862, being continually harassed by the rebel sharpshooters, our batteries on the Heights com- ienced a terrific cannonading which was continued two hours, in order to drive them out of the house which con- . cealed them; setting fire to the city in several places, and under cover of a movement of the Massachusetts and Michi- gan troops the pontoon bridges were completed. Three regiments of infantry crossed in boats, under fire, drove the enemy from their entrenchments and took possession of the town, fighting their way through. These were the Mass.
.
46-1
HISTORY OF THE
19th and 20th and the 7th Michigan. When these men of Massachusetts and Michigan crossed, in the words of the poet Baker :-----
"Cheer after cheer we sent them As only armies can- Cheers for old Massachusetts, Cheers for young Michigan."
Two distinct combats made up the Battle of Fredericks- burg on the 13th. One the fight on the Federal Left wing with Jackson and Stuart's cavalry and horse artillery on the cast, and the assault of the Federal Right and Centre direct- ly upon the Heights, when our artillery from the Falmouth bank of the river, from 40 to 50 feet high and sloping, fired over the heads of our troops on the banks and in the city. when the shells did not fall short on account of defective ammunition, and the Confederate artillery from Marye's Heights fired over them and into then.
During the action the headquarters of Generals Burnside and Hooker were at the Phillips house, and of Sumner at the Lacey house. The latter stood on the north bank of the Rappahannock, directly opposite Fredericksburg.
They met the enemy first on the plain, then he withdrew to the Heights after the rifle pits had been taken by the regi- ments who volunteered to cross over in boats, while the bridge was being built. The turnpike to Fredericksburg crosses the plain half a mile from the river, and between it and the Heights extends the railroad. There was a canal in the rear of the town, which the troops must cross before making the attack on Marye's Heights, which conducted the waters of the Rappahannock River at Falmouth to the lower end of Fredericksburg for manufacturing purposes. At the base of the bluff was a sunken road which sheltered numbers of Confederates. Half way up the ridge they hid behind a trench, and on the crest were the breastworks and artillery. There was not the least chance of an attacking column car-
465
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
rying the position. . While other attacks were in progress General Butterfield was ordered to attack and break the enemy's line and carry the Heights on his front.
The crowded streets of the city proved a great impedi- ment to the passage of the artillery. Batteries were placed in position on the left side of Hanover Street on the right and left of the point of attack.
The historian of the Fifth Corps says of the Battery :-
"The 5th Mass, crossed the river at 4 p. m. on the 13th and was placed in an advanced position near the centre of the corps line between the poor house and some brick yards, and opened fire at about six hun- dred yards from the stone wall. After dark. having fired 107 rounds of shrapnell and shell, the Battery was withdrawn, under orders. to the city, but returned to the same position on the 14th, remaining until after dark on the 15th, when it was withdrawn, and early on the 16th recrossed the river and returned to its camp."
At the time of this attack at the stone wall. General Andrew A. Humphreys commanding the 3d Division Fifth Corps, describes its appearance as "a sheet of flame that enveloped the head and flanks of the column."
On the 15th the enemy still holding the Heights held the town. General Butterfield held the portion of Fredericks- burg extending from the Rappahannock River on the right to Hanover Street, and was ordered to put it into a state of defense.
In the disposition of the troops General Griffin held the left to Fauquier Street. Captain Stephen H. Weed, Chief of Artillery of the Fifth Corps, was charged with the dis- tribution of the batteries.
After dark of the 15th earthworks were constructed be- tween the streets which were barricaded for artillery, but at 4 a. m. of the 16th General Burnside ordered the withdrawal of the Army from Fredericksburg. This was accomplished at & o'clock a. m., in a storm of hail and rain but in perfect order. When they removed the pontoons they did so as noiselessly as possible, and the enemy was surprised the next morning to find they had all crossed and the bridges were gone.
.
-
466
HISTORY OF THE
THE MONUMENT.
At the Thirty-First Annual Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. held at Fredericksburg, Va. May 25th and 26th, 1900, General Daniel Butterfield announced his intention to erect in the National Cemetery on the field of Fredericksburg, a monument to the honor of the Fifth Army Corps, and in memory of the honored dead of that Corps.
In the afternoon of the 26th the corner-stone was laid by the Masonic Lodge of Fredericksburg in which George Washington was made a Mason. The act was performed with a silver trowel on which was engraved a representation of the proposed monument. Brevet Colonel Horatio C. King presided.
These ceremonies took place on Marye's Heights, in the presence of the Society, the President of the United States, his Cabinet, members of congress, heads of Departments and other guests.
The number of Union men engaged was 30,000. Of these over 16,000 are buried there, 14,000 in unknown graves, in the words of General Edward Hill who made the address, "buried where they fell. In time their honored bones found sepulture on these terraced heights." He quotes General Butterfield in his presence as saying :--
"I have always felt that the magnificent services of the Fifth Corps. on the occasion of the battle of Fredericksburg, as well as on other fields, deserve a lasting memorial. As I read the order issued by me after the battle, (sce p. 519) I feel today the same heartfelt appreciation that it expresses, and it gives me great pleasure to place a lasting memo- rial of enduring granite, to record my feeling toward the Fifth Corps,- whom I had the great honor to command in that battle,-over the graves, not only of the many brave men of the corps who are buried there, but also in honor of all the gallant and splendid soldiers in that famous battle."
General Hill was an officer of the Fifth Corps who par-
467
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
ticipated in the battle. He closed his address with the fol- lowing words :-
"This column of imperishable granite, bearing the insignia of the Fifth Army Corps, the Maltese Cross, garlanded with laurel and oaken wreaths. emblematic of fame and victory. crowned with the ball of in- folding fire. will carry down the ages the story of Fredericksburg, and forever stand a monument to the lofty patriotism and military ardor of the founder. an incentive to noble deeds, a glorious tribute to the brave men of the Fifth Corps who fell in defense of the flag that from reveille to retreat bends above this consecrated ground."
The Monument was dedicated May 30, 1901, with ap- propriate ceremonies in which the Society of the Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac, as a body, participated.
THE MEMBERS' STORY.
AFTER REPORTING TO GENERAL MORELL.
Notes of Lieut. Scott: "Reaching Sharpsburg on the 11th of October, 1862, we took our place with the Artillery Brigade of Morell's Divison 5th Corps."
FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD. Oct. 1I, 1862.
He (Gen. Morell) seemed glad we had got up, and told us to go into camp where we were, which we did. Last night it rained, and tomorrow when the ground gets dried I shall move ahead a mile, near the rest of the Division. Everything is very quiet, and no enemy around."
Phillips' Diary: "Sunday Oct. 12, 1862. Moved camp a mile to the front near Gen. Morell's Head Quarters."
Chase's Diary : "Oct. II. . . . Detailed for guard 3d re- lief p. m. Oct. 12. . . . Camped about a mile and a half from Sharpsburg, Md."
Phillips' Diary : "Tuesday, Oct. 14th. Sent Scott to Har-
£
46S
HISTORY OF THE
per's Ferry after horses. Oct. 15: Scott returned with II horscs. All quiet."
FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD. Thursday Evening, Oct. 16, 1862.
Griffin's Brigade, four of Hazlett's guns, and two of Martin's with considerable cavalry, went over the river to- day on a reconnoissance. We have heard more or less firing all day. The long expected event, the rising of the river, seems close at hand. We have got an oven built and had some baked beans this morning. We can get soft bread at Sharpsburg, but the meanest bread I ever tasted, dry and tasteless as sawdust."
On Friday the Reconnaissance, which was sent across the river the day before returned with no news of importance, and the commanding officer of the Battery received the fol- lowing circular :--
FROM CHIEF QUARTERMASTER CHARLES B. NORTON. Circular.
HEAD QUARTERS 5TH ARMY CORPS. NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD. Oct. 17, 1862.
It having been ascertained that Trains have gone to the various depots for supplies without a commissioned officer in charge, notice is again given that it is absolutely necessary that such an officer should accompany all Trains.
On the first day of each month Division Quartermasters will send to these Head Quarters a consolidated report of all Quartermasters' Stores and estimates of funds. in detail, required in their Divisions for the month then current. This report is necessary in order that the wants of the Corps may be known in sufficient time to be ordered to the nearest depot. Regimental and Brigade Head Quarters will inform the Division Quartermaster of their wants in season, so that the Di- vision Quartermaster can send in his report on the day mentioned. Brigade Quartermasters wll make requisitions on Capt. Alex. Bliss A. Q. M. at Harper's Ferry, Va., for one wagon in addition to the pres-
£
469
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
ent allowance, which will be used exclusively for the transportation of medical stores of the Brigade.
Hereafter supplies of all kinds can be obtained at Harper's Ferry. on requisitions properly approved. Brigade Quartermasters can inform themselves by telegraph as to what there is on hand at the Depot. But few stores will be sent to Frederick and Hagerstown. Transportation will be always kept in condition for an immediate move.
Division Quartermasters will send copies of this circular to Quar- termasters of Brigades who will furnish each Regimental Quartermas- ter with a copy of the saine.
By command of Major General Fitz John Porter. (Signed ) CHARLES B. NORTON, Lt. Col. Chief Quartermaster, 5th Army Corps.
Chase's Diary: "Oct. 19, the Battery was inspected by Captain Martin."
SPECIAL ORDERS. HEAD QUARTERS MORRELL'S DIVISION, CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD. Oct. 20, 1862.
Special Orders No. 257.
In accordance with instructions from Head Quarters, Battery E, Mass. Artillery, Lieut. Phillips commanding, is hereby detailed to re- lieve Captain Diedrichs' Battery now on duty with 3d. Brigadc.
Relief will be made by 9 a. m. tomorrow.
By command of Brig. General Griffin FRANCIS S. EARLE. Ass't. Adit. Gen'l. Capt. Martin. Lieut. Phillips.
PHILLIPS' COMPANY ORDER.
Lieut. Phillips, when he issued the following order must have been of the same mind as General, then Major, Thomas W. Hyde of the 7th Maine Infantry, who said that "the clean and careful soldier is also pretty sure to make a good officer."
470
HISTORY OF THE
CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD. October 20, 1862.
Company Orders. No. 7.
The Battery will be formed in line for inspection tomorrow morn- ing at 8 o'clock.
The drivers' valises will be strapped on the saddles. After the Bat- tery is dismissed the men will remain in uniform, and keep round the quarters until the camp and quarters have been inspected. Everything is expected to remain neat and clean during the day. The men are expected to have as much anxiety as the commander that the Battery should obtain a good name.
CHARLES A. PHILLIPS Ist Lieut. Com'd'g Battery E. Mass. Artillery.
LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD. Evening Oct. 20, 1862. I have received a copy of a Special Order from McClel- lan's Hd. Ors. honorably discharging Captain Allen from the service, dated Oct. 17th. . . . The programme for to- morrow was an inspection of the Division Batteries, camps, company books, &c., &c., by Lieut Col. (Alex. S.) Webb to commence at 8 o'clock. I have just received orders, how- ever, to relieve Captain Diedrichs' Battery ( Otto Diedrichs. A, Ist Battalion N. Y.) Dutch, 20 pdr. Parrotts, now with the Third Brigade-Butterfield's-at the mouth of Antie- tam. Relief to be made at 9 o'clock. I shall start at 8. 1 am rather sorry to miss the inspection, as I can show the cleanest battery and the neatest camp, except, perhaps. Hazlett's, of all the Batteries.
I would recommend for Junior 2d Lieut. Ist Sergt. Joseph E. Spear of Quincy. He started as Corporal but his Serg't being sick, took entire charge of his piece at Gaines Mills and brought it off safely, entirely by his own efforts. Upou the reorganization of the Battery I made him ist Sergt. He is only 19 years old, but I am not likely to blame any one for their youth."
.
471
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Chase's Diary : "Oct. 20, 1862. Usual drill a. m. and drilled by sections : hitched up p. m. Broke the pole of our caisson 4th Detachment. A good, lively, drill. Official notice of the acceptance of Captain Allen's resignation read in line at Roll Call p. m."
Shackley's Notes: "On the 21st of October the Battery was ordered to Antietam, and placed in position to defend the neighborhood where the battle took place."
ACCOUNT OF OCT. 21ST IN LETTER OF
LIEUT. PHILLIPS OCT. 26TH.
"CAMP NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE ANTIETAM, Oct. 26, 1862.
On Tuesday morning agreeably to orders from General Griffin, commanding Division, General Morell being absent, we marched at S o'clock. We returned back to the centre of Sharpsburg and then turned to the right. At 9 we crossed the Antietam, near the mouth, on a stone bridge, and turned to the left. Just above the bridge there is a damn across the Antietam, making quite an extensive mill pond. Close by, on the left bank, are the ruins of the Antietam Iron Works. Some 8 or 10 houses are scattered round in the vicinity. Proceeding a short distance along the ereek we found Cap- tain Diedrichs' Battery on top of a bill on the right. 1 waited till he had hauled his guns down, and then put mine in their place, and pitched my camp. . . . The roads have so far been excellent, but let the mud once prevail, and then farewell to all hopes of an 'onward movement.' There are no signs of moving round here, everything is very quiet and has been so for the last month."
The same date account of Oet. 23d &c. : "Thursday after- noon, Capt. (Elijah D.) Taft of the 5th N. Y. Battery, ar- rived with four 20 pdr. Parrotts, which he placed on the hill with mine. On Friday forenoon we were inspected by
472
HISTORY OF THE
Lieut. Col. Webb, and after inspection I moved my guns farther down river, where I had a better command of the ford."
LETTER OF SERG'T. PEACOCK.
"CAMP NEAR ANTIETAM, MD. Oct. 23, '62.
We are on top of Antietam Hill, almost a mountain, our Guns in position all ready for action. The hill commands the Ford at this point of the river. We were up all last night by our Guns, but the Rebs gave up the attempt they made to cross. The weather is very cool up here, particu- larly when we have no regular tents to sleep under. There are only a few shanties and one large Iron Works in this place, and but few traces of the late battle to be seen. We are so short of men that it keeps us at work all the time running the machine. I have made up my mind to stop the remainder of my three years, for the War will not end sooner than that time."
Chase's Diary : "Oct. 23, 1862. Routed out with the 4th Detachment at 1 o'clock this morning to man the guns. Each Detachment stood guard an hour in turn through the night. Indications of the approach of the enemy caused the alarm. All quiet through the night. Oct. 24th. . . . Can- noneers removed their quarters nearer the guns in the p. m. Detailed for guard 2d Relief p. m."
Phillips' Letter of Oct. 26 continued: "Taft's guns are placed on a very high hill commanding a view for miles. The sides of the hill are as steep as the roof of a house. My tent is placed on a sort of terrace which runs round the hill, while Captain Taft had to dig out a place for liis. My guns
473
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
are in a little hollow between two hills. In front of them the ground slopes gently for 100 yards, then tumbles into a stone quarry, and then comes a level meadow to the river. . . . No enemy in sight, not even any picket firing. One of the Batteries of the Divison has been firing a few shots this afternoon, but after looking on, I have come to the con- clusion that they were firing at the other side of the river and succeeded in hitting it."
Chase's Diary : "Oct. 26. 1862. Sunday. No inspection today and guard mounting and roll call omitted this p. m. Orders to cook two days' rations late p. m. On fatigue duty about an hour bringing water, and hanging the baggage- wagon in the evening. Thoroughly drenched with rain."
LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE ANTIETAM, Oct. 26, 1862.
Altogether the situation is a very pleasant one, and I am not sorry for the change. We have got a good oven, and have our baked beans regularly. As cold weather is coming on we have been trying various contrivances for warming up, but cannot get rid entirely of the smoke. At present we have a fireplace resembling very much a hole in the ground, from which the smoke is conducted by an underground rail- road to a chimney outside. The chimney being as yet in an unfinished state, it does not draw to complete satisfaction but tomorrow we shall raise the chimney a few feet. when we expect the apparatus to be entirely successful."
Chase's Diary: "Oct. 26, 1862, night cold and rainy and the tent leaky. Oct. 27th. Pleasant about IT o'clock a. m. No drill today. Built a fireplace for my tent this p. m. Works to a charm. Oct. 29: Usual drill a. m. and a drill hitched up p. m. The 5th Detachment upset their caisson
kg: -
474
HISTORY OF THE
while drilling, and practised dismounting the spare wheel. Righted the caisson and came to camp."
Phillips' Diary has it "At section drill the side of the caisson was broken and middle rails."
LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR ANTIETAM IRON WORKS, Oct. 29, 1862.
Our stove has at last been completed to our satisfaction. I deployed the contrabands on it and built a chimney 7 or 8 feet high, and it now draws hugely : in fact I do not think the contrabands appreciate it as much as we do, considering the amount of wood it consumes. The men are all pretty well supplied with fireplaces and chimneys of unique if not elegant pattern; chimneys of stones, bricks, mud, and iron pipes, one of them finished off with the bellows nozzle from the blast furnace near by; stoves of mud and sheet iron; stoves above ground and stoves below ground; stoves within doors, and stoves without doors; stoves that heat and stoves that don't; stoves that smoke and stoves that don't; and in short every variety of stoves. . . . Thinking that things looked like a permanent stay, I have had a chair made of a different pattern from the famous chair of Yorktown (see p. 228) but about as comfortable. The frame is of chest- nut, the bottom and back of grain bags, and the whole ar- rangement is very luxurious. I have only one fault to find. When I put it in my tent there is no room for anything else. In the middle of the day it is quite warm and comfortable out of doors, but evenings I prefer to sit inside. Niglit before last it was quite cold, the water freezing in our wash bowls. We always have our tent pretty warm when we turn in, but it gets quite cold before morning. However, I take advantage of my position, and instead of turning out at reveille I lie abed till the contrabands have got the fire
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.