USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 36
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going. The canal is now in operation to this point and we are in hopes of getting some hay for our horses, at present they have it about a third of the time. Artillery horses have a pretty hard time of it these cold nights. They have to stand out doors without any shelter, have a scant supply of food, and when on the march a large supply of work. They thin out under the treatment amazingly.
I hear that General Burnside has crossed the river below. This afternoon I thought I would have a drill, instead of keeping my guns idly staring at the opposite bank, and the exercises were varied by capsizing a caisson. They were on a side hill when the whole concern, horses and all, went over. The wheel driver executed some airy manœuvres not laid down in the book, but got off without any serious damage. The caisson was somewhat broken but will be repaired by morning. ... Brig. Gen'l. Butterfield, it is said, has been appointed to the command of a Division under Burnside, and his Brigade is now commanded by Col. Stockton of the 16th Michigan."
Chase's Diary : "Oct. 30, 1862. The 2d Mass. Regiment with Gordon's Brigade, Gen. Banks's Corps, bivouacked near our camp last night, having marched from Maryland Heights. Met H. Longfellow of the 2d Mass. Regt. Usual drill on piece a. m. Hitched up and drilled about 15 min- utes. Indications of leaving here tomorrow. A liberal ra- tion of potatoes for dinner today. Detailed for guard p. m."
MARTIN'S ORDER.
CAMP NEAR HARPER'S FERRY, VA.
Oct. 30, 1862
LIEUT. C. A. PHILLIPS,
Com'd'g 5th Mass. Battery. Lieut.
You will please march at 6 o'clock tomorrow morn- ing and jom the Division, which is now in camp near Harper's Ferry. I neglected to notify you of the march this evening, as I was informed
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that you would be notified. The bearer of this will remain, and come with you as a guide.
Very Respfily. rour obt. serv't,
A. P. MARTIN, Capt. Com'd'g Div. Artillery.
On the 30th of October the Fifth Corps commenced its march from Sharpsburg to Harper's Ferry where it arrived on the 31st, and found there the supplies which were needed to render the campaign effective that MeClellan had planned to intercept Lee. The entire Army crossed the Potomac at points convenient for the several Corps. McClellan sought by moving South and occupying the Gaps of the Blue Ridge to force Lee to fight hiim where he chose to give battle.
Scott's Notes: "October 31st the Army moved to Har- per's Ferry and crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah Riv- ers and camped on Loudon Heights, Va."
Phillips' Diary: "Friday Oct. 31, 1862. The Division marched last night. General Griffin in command, General Morell having been relieved. Somehow no orders were sent to me. This morning received orders to join them. Started at 6 a. m. and after trying the shore road concluded to go round by Burkittsville to Berlin. Passed Brooks' Division, Franklin's Corps, and camped near Berlin. Sat. Nov. Ist. Marched to Harper's Ferry, crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah, and joined the Division about 4 miles from the river."
Chase's Diary: "Oct. 31, 1862. On guard last night 3d Relief. Drivers harnessed up about 9 o'clock last night, and awaited orders till If p. m., when they unharnessed and remained in camp all night. Reveille at 5 o'clock this morn- ing. Hitched up and broke camp and marched about 6 o'clock a. m. Marclied about a mile towards Harper's Ferry, then countermarched. halted. and watered the horses. The road ahead blocked up by baggage wagons. A bounti- ful breakfast of baked beans this morning. Delightful
.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
morning. Battery took another road and continued the march over the mountains. Marched through Burkittsville and Petersboro' and camped about a mile from the latter. The 5th New York marched ahead of us all day. Saw large numbers of troops moving today. Camped opposite Mary- land Heights and Harper's Ferry. Very pleasant march and the weather delightful."
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"Snickers Gap, Nov. 3. 1862. . . . Yesterday marched to this place and camped. Have not seen the rebels yet. Por- tor's Corps is all here. Breakfasted this morning on boiled . goose and beefsteak.
REVIEW OF THE WEEK.
Nov. 4. 1862. Last Friday afternoon we received orders to be ready to march at short notice. I made all my prep- arations and waited. About 9 o'clock in the evening I found that Stock ton's Brigade had left, and also that the rest of the Division was on the march down the river road. I sent Lull down to make observations, and he reported that the rear guard had just passed, going down to Harper's Ferry. So I went to bed. About midnight an orderly came back from Captain Martin, (see p. 475) stating they were in camp 136 miles from Harper's Ferry, and ordering me to rejoin them in the morning. It seems General Morel! had been relieved of his command and in the confusion they had forgotten to send me my orders. So the next morning I hitched up and started. About a mile down the road I ran into the tail end of the wagon train of the Division. They had been on the road all night with a prospect of waiting all day. Disgusted at this state of things I turned back and started on the river road. We passed through a
-
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Gap in South Mts. where we found a beautiful prospect. The woods were colored up magnificently, and presented d splendid sight. About noon the road turned into another where we ran into Slocum's Division on the march. We contrived to get in ahead of their wagon train and pushed on. They soon stopped for dinner, and we passed them and kept on for Berlin, where I understood the Division had been ordered. We crossed another range of hills, and passed through Burkittsville at the foot. Here we made a short halt to allow the column to close up. The village was full of wounded soldiers. About 4 p. m. we passed through Petersville and camped about a mile from Berlin. I have learnt that the Division had crossed at Harper's Ferry. Sunday morning I struck across country for Har- per's Ferry. Within a short distance of this place I ran into a wagon train which delayed us for some time. After a while we got by, crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah on pontoon bridges, passed around the base of Loudon Heights, and gradually getting up hill, pushed for the in- terior. About 4 miles from Harper's Ferry I found the Division and went into camp alongside Waterman. Rec'd an order from Gen. Butterfield assuming command of the Division. The next morning we marched in the following order :---
Ist Sykes's Div'n. 2d Humphreys' Div'n. 3d But- terfield's Div'n. 4th Sykes's wagons. 5th Humphreys" wagons. 6th Butterfield's wagons. 7th Rear Guard, 2d Maine and Lieut. Scott's Section.
The Division in this order :---
Ist Third Brigade. 2d Waterman's Battery. 3d First Brigade. 4th Martin's Battery. 5th U. S. Sharpshoot- ers. 6th Phillips' Battery. 7th 2d Brigade. 8th Haz- lett's Battery.
We marched off at a smart rate keeping the Blue Ridge on our right. By dusk we had made about 15 miles and
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camped near Snicker's Gap. The country is very good for foraging, and most of the men have had plenty of goose, mutton, pork and chicken. Last night we got orders to Irive three days' rations in our haversacks, but have not moved yet. Sykes is up in the Gap, and yesterday Pleas- anton drove the Rebs over the Shenandoah. A little can- nonading, but nothing important."
NOTES OF LIEUT. SCOTT. FROM HARPER'S FERRY TO WHITE PLAINS.
"On the 2d of November the 2d Maine Regt. acting as . rear guard with my section of the 5th Battery, I had an all night's march to Snicker's Gap of the Blue Ridge Moun- tains. The night was fearfully cold, and we moved rapidly. Nothing occurred on our march from Snicker's Gap to White Plains, where we camped for the night in a raging snow storm. During the day the Battery halted in front of a fine country residence. The men ransacked the place. They found sweet potatoes covered up in the garden, over- turned a bee-hive, and we saw the men with honey from the honey-comb running down their faces regardless of the stinging bees. A pig was chased and caught, but liad to be given up. Rights must be respected. It was amusing to say the least."
THE BEES' BUSY DAY.
NOTES OF SERGT. WM. H. BAXTER.
OCT. 15, 1900.
"Time and place have passed from memory, but the scene is vivid before me .--- A deserted farm house of the Old Vir- ginia type, pleasantly situated on a knoll, rising gradually from the road, and surrounded by stately trees, with old
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fashioned flowers growing along the path up to the front door.
The writer was not much interested in the surroundings, nor at that time much interested in the sentiment of the flowers. They looked pretty; still the attraction was at the rear of the house, where about 50 of the boys were assem- bled, all talking at once, trying to devise a plan to get the honey from 9 bee hives, which were ranged in a row across the front of the vegetable garden.
As the writer swung around the corner of the house, a shout went up,-'Here comes Baxter !'
After viewing the situation a moment, we took two clothes poles, fastening one across the end of the other at right angles, giving us a battering ram covering, say, four of the hives. It was arranged that the writer should push the hives over, while the boys should jump in and get the honey, but at the moment of applying the battering ram, it occurred to the writer 'where do I come in?' so instead of pushing the hives over and waiting for some one to get the honey, I just pushed and jumped at the same time, landing squarely in the mess, and it did not take many seconds to fill my haversack with honey, bees, dirt, and beeswax. But, suffering humanity ! I reached the conclusion as I crawled out of the mob, that what bees I did not sweep into my haversack with the honey, wax and dirt, had crawled into my hair and down my neck, and at every prod of a stinger I could see stars and black spots on the sun, and I ran up to Lieut. Spear, who came riding into the yard at that moment. He whacked me on the head, back, and everywhere I desig- nated that a bee was getting his work in. It was laugh- able, his following me around that yard, giving me a whack here and there, but I couldn't stand still, the bees were too busy. Upon getting shed of the bees and greasing the jabs with my pork ration, we started along for the Battery, but on approaching the gate at the head of the lane in rear of
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
the house, there was old General Griffin, sitting stolidly on his horse, with the Provost Marshal beside him scooping in as they passed through the gate all who had taken part in the raid on the potato mines and bee hives. The writer put on a sweet Sunday school face and like 'Mary's little lamb' passed through in safety. That evening in camp we had a feast. Fried pork spread over with a mixture of honey and dirt. with a bee or two for fresh meat, and a little beeswax to make a good chew to the whole, was a feast fit for any- body when one could not get any better, and fully repaid all the suffering caused by meddling with the business end of those Virginia bees."
Chase notes in his Diary Nov. 8, 1862, on the march they passed some of General Sigel's troops in camp. On the 9th Serg't. Morgridge and other convalescents returned to the Battery.
LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR WARRENTON, VA. Nov. 9, 1862.
Thursday morning Nov. 6th we left Snicker's Gap. In the order for marching it said no communication hereafter with Harper's Ferry. The Rebels followed our rear guard occupying the Gap after we left it. In the afternoon we passed through Middleburg and saw plenty of Secesh uni- forms, wounded and paroled, about the streets. That night we camped in the fields. The weather was quite cold and raw. The next morning we marched a few miles, to Rector- ville or White Plains, arriving about 9 o'clock. Before our tents were pitched it commenced to snow and continued through the day. It was quite warm and comfortable. The next morning we marched to New Baltimore. This
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morning we started at six and arrived here at about 8. We have not yet seen any Rebels."
THE COMMAND OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, WARRENTON, VA. Nov. 9, 1862.
General Orders
No. I. .
Extracts.
In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the Presi- dent of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac. . . . With diffidence for myself, but with a proud confi- dence in the unswervable loyalty and determination of the gallant Army now intrusted to my care. I accept its control with the steadfast assurance that the just cause must prevail.
A. E. BURNSIDE Major General Commanding.
Corporal Shackley in his Notes of the 9th observed that the removal of General Mcclellan "caused much dissatisfac- tion in men of Democratic sympathies."
(To be read to the Company before the Review.) MCCLELLAN'S FAREWELL TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, CAMP NEAR RECTORTOWN, VA. Nov. 7, 1862.
Officers and Soldiers
of the Army of the Potomac:
An Order of the President devolves upon Major General Burn- side the command of this Army.
In parting from you, I cannot express the love and gratitude I bear to you. As an army you have grown up under my care. In you I have never found doubt or coldness. The battles you have fought under my command will proudly live in our nation's history. The glory you have achieved, our mutual perils and fatigues the graves of our com- rades fallen in battle, and by disease, the broken forms of those whom wounds and sickness have disabled,-the strongest associations which
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can exist among men,-unite us still by an indissoluble tie. We shall ever be comrades in supporting the Constitution of our Country, and the nationality of its people.
Gro. B. MCCLELLAN, Maj. Gen'l. U. S. A.
Chase's Diary : "Nov. 10, 1862. Camp in the direction of Warrenton. Reveille at half past 5 o'clock this morning. Delightful morning. General McClellan's farewell address to the Army read to us in line this morning. Company called in line with the other troops to give our old General a parting cheer as he passed us. McClellan with other generals passed us about 9 o'clock. Martin's Battery fired a salute as they approached. General Burnside takes con- mand of the Army, and his address to the troops was read to us in line this p. m."
Nov. II, 1862, under the cartel a large number of pris- oners were exchanged, officers and privates : of the privates the balance due the United States was 6000.
Chase's Letter: "Camp near Warrenton, Va., Nov. II, 1862: Ere this reaches you, you will know that General McClellan has been called from the field, and that General Burnside now has command of the Army. We regret to lose the leader who has taken us into so much danger and taken us out safely, but if he is to take new and increased responsibilities upon himself, then we are satisfied. Mc- Clellan has the confidence of the whole Army, and I think, with few exceptions, the love of the people. He has been kicked about more than any other man in the Army, yet he has always been ready to extricate the Army from the traps and snarls in which the ambitious generals have placed it. He has cleaned up all their bad work, and the Army is again in the field with solid ranks.
Our march here was a very pleasant one. We came via Harper's Ferry, a place I have always wanted to see, not on
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account of its being the scene of John Brown's short cam- paign, but the sublimity of its natural scenery. It is an old proverb, 'Sce Naples, then die,' but I would say, see Har- per's Ferry, then be willing to die, and if you can live yet longer then all the better. It is worth a year's service to visit that place. We halted there about two hours, which gave me a fine chance to look around. There seems to be no regularity about the mails of late, and when a mail leaves we generally have about half an hour's notice. . .. Please ask Mrs. T. if she will send me a darning-needle next letter, as I am greatly in need of one."
"I parted from my brave old corps; 'twere matter, lad, for tears." JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY .- Uncle Ned's Tale.
PORTER'S FAREWELL ORDER.
HEAD QUARTERS 5TH ARMY CORPS. CAMP NEAR WARRENTON, VA. Nov. 12, IS62.
General Orders No. 25.
By direction of the President of the United States, Major General Ilooker has been assigned to the command of this Corps.
It has been my privilege to lead the little band of regulars, the per- manent Army of the United States, inheriting the names, the records, and the traditions of regiments that have borne the banner of our coun- try through all its wars.
It has been my privilege to lead noble regiments of volunteers. coming from different states, but becoming equally national through having the same purpose, the same dangers, and the same suffering.
Having shared their perils and privations in the camp, in the bivouac, on the march, and in half a score of bloody fields: to the of- ficers and men of both classes I address myself.
The confidence, which if I may judge by your acts, you have reposed in me, it has been my earnest effort to meet and requite. The per- sonal regard which I am proud to feel that you bear towards me, is reciprocated by an ardent affection and a deep respect, which time can- not efface. The personal good fortune of each of you will be always a matter of heartfelt interest to me. The professional successes you will attain will be doubly grateful to me, inasmuch as they will be identified with the success of our cause.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Among the most gratifying of my thoughts of you will be the as- surance that your subordination and loyalty will remain in the future as in the past, firm and steadfast to our country and its authorities.
F. J. PORTER, Major General.
General Fitz John Porter took leave of the Fifth Corps at 4 p. m. and the same evening left for Washington.
At each leavetaking Martin's 3d Mass. Battery fired the national salute of 13 guns, a salute of honor for the retiring commander, as he rode past.
Chase's Diary : "Nov. 11, 1862. Eight hard crackers for a day's ration today.
Nov. 12. In camp all day. Battery called in line to bid farewell to Major General Fitz John Porter this p. m. . . . Genera! Porter appeared to be much affected, and his fare- well address was read to us by Captain Martin.
Weather mild and cloudy. Beef steak for dinner !! No meat served out to us except salt pork for the last ten days, until today. Short rations of bread again today. Bought bread for 5 cts. per lb. from commissary. Entered upon my arduous and responsible duties as 2d Corporal of the 2d De- tachment this p. m. Nov. 13 : Posted guard last night, last half. Morning cold and windy. Drilled on manual of the piece."
LETTER OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR WARRENTON, VA. Nov. 13, 1862.
The events of the last few days have made quite an altera- tion in the appearance of things. On Monday we were astonished to hear that General McClellan had been re- lieved and General Burnside placed in command. At 9 o'clock in the forenoon Porter's Corps was drawn up on the castern side of the -Warrenton and Gainesville turnpike and Sumner's Corps on the other side, facing inward. Soon
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after, General McClellan rode through, accompanied by General Burnside, General Porter and brigadiers and of- ficers of lower grade innumerable. A major general's salute was fired, everybody cheered, and then we all went home. At II o'clock General McClellan held a levee at General Porter's Hd. Qrs., where the customary handshak- ing took place, and then he left.
So ended the second removal of General Mcclellan. Of course there is a diversity of opinion and feeling on the sub- ject. . .. The siege of Yorktown I pronounced a failure at the time. After the battle of Williamsburg I thought, and still think, that MeClellan could have followed the enemy into Richmond. . . . The Army was never in better health or condition than while we were lying idle on the Potomac; the roads were never better. Why we did not move I can- not say. . .. Following close, came the removal of General Porter. Everybody knew that he must follow General McClellan, but nobody knew exactly how it would be brought about. General Porter re-enacted General McClel- lan's departure in his own: the Corps was all drawn up, salute fired, and cheers given. As he passed the batteries he shook hands with Captain Martin and bade him good bye. General Hooker has assumed command. We now belong to Butterfield's Division, Hooker's 5th Army Corps."
GENERAL ORDER RESPECTING THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH DAY IN THE ARMY AND NAVY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, November 15. 1862.
The President. Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, desires and enjoins the orderly observance of the Sabbath, by the officers and men in the military and naval service. The importance for man and beast of the prescribed weekly rest, the sacred rights of Christian sol- diers and sailors, a becoming deference to the best sentiment of a Christian people, and a due regard for the Divine will, demand that Sunday labor in the Army and Navy be reduced to the measure of strict necessity.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
The discipline and character of the national forces should not suffer, nor the cause they defend be imperilled, by the profanation of the day or name of the Most Iligh.
"At this time of public distress" -- adopting the words of Washing- ton in 1776-"men may find enough to do in the service of God and their country without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality.' The first General Order issued by the Father of his Country after the Declaration of Independence, indicates the spirit in which our institu- tions were founded, and should ever be defended: "The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country."
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
FROM LETTERS OF LIEUT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP IN THE FIELDS, Nov. 20, 1862.
Last Saturday General Hooker reviewed the Division. After it was through he had a reception at General Butter- field's Hd. Qrs. While Butterfield was in command of the Division he introduced a change in marching orders. He published a circular containing six forms for marching as follows :--- "
COPIED FROM PHILLIPS DIARY.
Form I.
Ist First Brigade Battery. .25 minutes
2₫ Second Brigade Battery .25 minutes
3₫ Third Brigade Battery .25 minutes
4th Ist U. S. S. S. Battery.
5th Ambulances.
Form 2.
Ist Second Brigade Battery. .25 minutes
2d Third Brigade Battery. 25 minutes
3d Ist U. S. S. S. Battery 10 minutes
4th Ist Brigade Battery.
5th Ambulances.
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HISTORY OF THE
Form 3.
Ist Third Brigade Battery .25 minutes
2d First U. S. S. S. Battery .Jo minutes
3₫ First Brigade Battery.
25 minutes
4th Second Brigade Battery.
5th Ambulances.
Form 4.
Ist
Ist U. S. S. S. Battery
Io minutes
2d Ist Brigade Batterv .. .25 minutes
3d Second Brigade Battery
.25 minutes
4th Third Brigade Battery .25 minutes
5th Ambulances.
Form 5.
Ist First Brigade .20 minutes
2d Ist U. S. S. S. 5 minutes
3d All the Batteries 20 minutes
4th Second Brigade 20 minutes
5th Third Brigade
6th Ambulances. 20 minutes
Form 6.
Ist All the Batteries .20 minutes
2d Third Brigade .20 minutes
3d Second Brigade .20 minutes
4th First Brigade
5th Ist U. S. S. S. 20 minutes
6th Ambulances. 20 minutes
FROM LIEUT. PHILLIPS' LETTER.
"So now it is only necessary to send an order 'The Divi- sion will march tomorrow at 6 a. m. in Form I.' Then the First Brigade marches at 6 followed by a Battery, the Sec- ond Brigade at 6.25. Battery following. Third Brigade and a Battery at 6.50. Sharp Shooters at 7.15 &c &c. Captain Martin designates the batteries to follow the Bri- gades. Monday we marched at 6 in 'Form I,' following the Sharp Shooters, and camped about four miles beyond Warrenton Junction, having turned off the railroad to the left. Tuesday we marched in 'Form 2,' following the Sec- ond Brigade, and yesterday we marched in 'Form 3' follow-
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