USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 15
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Cowan's, Fitzhugh's, Parson's, Wheeler's, Thomas', Daniels' and Sterling's Batteries and McGilvery's Artillery Brigade, consisting of Thompson's, Phillips', Hart's, Cooper's, Dow's and Ames' Batteries, and by Hazlett's Bat- tery on Little Round Top and supported by Doubleday's Division of the First Army Corps, which was in position on the immediate left of the troops assaulted.
The Third Army Corps moved up to within supporting distance on the left. and Robinson's Division of the First Army Corps moved into position to support the right."
INSCRIPTION ON HIGH-WATER MARK TABLET. Left Hand Page :-- 1
"HIGH-WATER MARK OF THE REBELLION.
This copse of trees was the Landmark toward which Longstreet's Assault was Directed July 3, 1863."
Then follow the names of the organizations composing the assaulting column in which were portions of 4 Divisions of Infantry, and 43 batteries of Artillery.
IMPRESSIONS AFTER MANY YEARS.
Captain Nathan Appleton, in a note dated Boston, Janu- ary 29. 1901, observes in relation to the monuments :--
"After the G. A. R. encampment at Philadelphia in Sep- tember, 1899, I made the trip to Gettysburg. I had but very little time; enough to see the monument of the Fifth
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HISTORY OF THE
Mass. Battery, which was not far from that of the Ninth Mass. Before going to them I stopped at the High-Water Mark Tablet, and saw the name of our Battery on one page of the bronze book. It was, of course. to me a very interest- ing occasion. I ordered of the photographer of the battle- field some photographs which were sent me, one of which is now with the other illustrations of the history of the Battery. I was sorry I had so little time to visit the historic field."
Of the Cemetery at Gettysburg Corporal Thomas E. Chase writes under date of September 24, 1900, soon after his visit :---
"I visited the Cemetery at Gettysburg alone at five a. m .. and stood by the graves of two of our Battery who fell there. and my thoughts went back to the day I saw them fall. There they sleep, in those acres of graves and monu- ments,
'Nor couldst thou wish couch more inagnificent.' 'No rumor of the foe's advance, Now sweeps upon the wind. No troubled thought at midnight haunts, Of loved ones left behind.' "
FROM GETTYSBURG TO THIE RAPPAHANNOCK.
On the Fourth of July, it was ascertained by a reconnois- sance that the confederate general Lee was still holding a strong position in the Centre of the line, behind his fortifi- cations on Seminary Ridge, and had wholly withdrawn from the front of the Right of the Army of the Potomac. He was slowly withdrawing his Left wing which menaced our Right. On the morning of July 5th our forces became aware that the rebels were in full retreat by the Fairfield and Chambersburg roads, and the Sixth Corps was ordered
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
down the Fairfield road in pursuit of them while those mak- ing their way south by the Cashtown road and the mountain passes, were looked after by the Union cavalry.
The Right flank of the Army of the Potomac crossed the Antietam on July 12th. The rebels abandoned Hagers- town as Meade came up, but were reported to be standing at bay, being strongly posted on the Hagerstown and Wil- liamsport road. That evening General Meade held a coun- cil of war on the subject of attack and decided in the negative, calling forth that shrewd remark, by telegraph, of General Halleck after having been informed of the pro- cedure.
"It is proverbial that Councils of War never fight . .. Do not let the enemy escape."
July 13th in the night the enemy silently stole away across the Potomac River on their way back to Virginia and during the progress south of both armies they maintained an atti- tude of watchfulness towards and close proximity to our troops; an attitude which was preserved after each had reached the southernmost point for quite ten months with never a pitched battle, nor an encounter of more importance than the slight trouble at Manassas Gap where Lee's trains claimed for the moment the right of way and then once more stole away in the gloaming.
When the Army of the Potomac moved across country In Williamsport, said to be in pursuit of the enemy, but acknowledged by all to be too far in the rear to be able to make up the time lost, overtake them and prevent their going wherever they felt inclined, Meade had no troops at hie command which he could use to head them off; Wash- ington still requiring the same number for protection. Yet, although the army lacked the stimulus of a sure prospect vi soon overtaking the flying foe, the future with its hope deferred cast no shadows before, and it is said that between the Antietam and Williamsport crossing the open country
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its columns produced one of those magnificent scenic effects so often described but so rarely seen, of a triumphant army moving in "battle array," cach Corps, Division, Brigade and battery in line with colors flying and bayonets gleaming in the sun; in the centre moving on two parallel roads, the red artillery ready for instant action.
The Army, like an immense glacier, swept everything before it, leaving nothing standing that it could conveniently convert into use for inan or beast, tearing away every fence and wall, every stalk of ripe grain growing in the great fields. Desolation they left behind them, and in their hearts as they approached once more the great river, the painful realization that there was nothing to which to look forward in the way of that decisive action, which was so earnestly desired to end the war, nothing but to march on.
They crossed the Potomac at Berlin, taking the course down the east side of the Blue Ridge to Manassas Gap, and after a short stop and fight there pushed on by way of Warrenton to the Rappahannock River, having the rebel army abreast of them most of the time, till they all settled down on the banks of the rivers in the vicinity of Fredericks- burg.
In the mean time the fires of southern invasion having been stamped out in Pennsylvania broke out more fiercely farther north. There was actual riot and the presence of concealed arms in the city of New York, and sufficient cause for anxiety in Boston to warrant the taking of pre- cautionary measures by the Governor of the Common- wealth. On July 14th, three days after the triumphant march across country, bound south, the New York Seventh Regiment then at Frederick City Md., was ordered to New York to report to Major-General Wool at the St. Nicholas Hotel, for the purpose of suppressing the riot. The situa- tion was so critical that the regiment was transported via Amboy, an intimation having been received that the rails
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
would be taken up at or near Newark. There was a grow- ing discontent in the North with the methods of the leaders at Washington and at the headquarters of the Army, and this feeling was reflected in the rank and file of the Army to an alarming extent. It was reported that 5000 men deserted the Army of the Potomac between May and August, 1863. Other offenses, such as insubordination, sleeping on post, robberies and murders of comrades, officers, and civil- ians were tried before courts-martial, which were ordered to convene in every Division. The sentences for desertion. when reviewed by the President were in most cases con- muted from orders for execution to hard labor for six months or two years, forfeiture of three months' pay, or making good the time lost by desertion. On July 16th the War Department issued the following order :--
WAR DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, July 16, 1863.
General Orders No. 222
The reward of five dollars, with transportation and reasonable ex- penses, for the arrest and delivery at the nearest military post or depot, of any officer or private soldier, fit for duty, who may be found absent from his command without just cause is hereby increased to ten dol- lars.
By Order of the Secretary of War.
E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General.
Now let the officers and men resume the story of the Battery :---
THE MARCH BACK.
July 4, 1863: Rainy. The Battery was ordered to the rear to unhitch and rest. Marched about 4 p. m. July 5th across the river to Littlestown having drawn 12 new horses. Abandoned two horses. Arrived about ten o'clock. Still
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" raining. Serg't Peacock wrote home :--- "The mud is awful; everything wet through and no dry clothing. I hope the next fight will end the war."
When the men hitched up on the 5th, it was supposed that the object was to find a better camp. but we found a worse one. Remained in camp at Littlestown all day and night. On the morning of the 7th we were turned out at 3 o'clock and left at 5 a. m. Marched toward Frederick, Md., by way of Taneytown, and camped for the night about 3 miles south of Woodboro. Passed through Littlestown, Taneytown, Woodboro, etc., and about ten o'clock turned off the road into a field and went into park at five yards intervals. Unhitched and unharnessed and fed with hay, watered, made coffee, and turned in for the night. Raining hard.
July 8, 1863. Morning. Raining tremendously. We had roll and water call, then looked out for ourselves. At 10 a. in. orders came to hitch up, which after some growling we did in all the rain, and left for Frederick City, reaching our old camping ground of June 27th about noon. Pitched our tents and intended stopping there for some time.
ONE OF THE WOUNDED.
From Corporal Chase's Diary :- "July 8, 1863. My arm doing very well. Boiled meat and broth for dinner; beef tea instead of coffee or tea for supper. Weather cool and comfortable.
July 9. Packed up, and all those who were able walked to Gettysburg to await transportation. Arrived at Get- tysburg about 10 a. m. Saw about 100 rebel prison- ers. Received refreshments from the Christian Commis- sion. The people are all very kind, and welcomed us heartily. Left Gettysburg at 5 p. m. A very long train of cars loaded to their utmost with every form of mutilated humanity. Left on the Hanover Branch of the Northern
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Central R. R., passed through Little Oxford, Hanover, and Rock Glen. . Weather very warm p. m. About thirteen car loads of wounded soldiers in the train. Many citizens aboard who had been up to see the ficld!
July 10, 1863. On the railroad all last night, no sleep. Arrived in Baltimore just at sunrise. Cars halted in the street for about three hours, and were pulled by horses through Central Avenue. We finally halted and had a plentiful supply of refreshments,-bread, meat, coffee, lemonade, etc., and then proceeded to the Vol. Citizens Hos- pital, near Union dock, West's building, where we had our wounds dressed. Left the hospital about I p. m., and took cars for Philadelphia. Left Baltimore about 3 p. m. Fell in with the 5th Del. Reg't. at Havre de Grace. Heartily wel- comed and very kindly treated by the people on the route. Refreshments quite abundant, and even the little boys as busy as beavers filling our canteens. The people of Wilmington Del., gave us a very enthusiastic welcome; coming out liber- ally with refreshments and kind words and deeds. Train drove at a furious rate, and reached Philadelphia at half- past ten p. m. Went into the Citizens Vol. Hospital just in front of the depot. and were provided with a good supper and a comfortable bed. Quite a pleasant ride today. Weather warm but not uncomfortable.
July 11. 1863. A comfortable night's rest last night, a good breakfast of soup, flour bread, butter, and coffee this morning. Left the Citizens Volunteer Hospital about i p. m., and went to the U. S. A. General Hospital, -- Sum- mit' house,-on the Darby road. Took bed 14 in the Ist Ward. Took a bath, changed all my 'sojer' clothes for the. ghostly garb of an invalid. "Ward One' intended for S7 beds, but 'business' is so 'driving' that about 100 were crowded in. The whole number of patients in the entire hospital 650 tonight, one hundred more than the hospital is intended to accommodate. Weather very warm.
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July 12, 1863. Sunday. "Brushed up,' and obtained a 'pass' until 9 p. m. Left after dinner and took a walk around 'the suburbs,' and returned just at tea time. A comfortable night's rest on a comfortable bed last night. Weather to- day warm. My wound doing very well.
July 13. In quarters all day. Wrote three letters. Weather cool, cloudy, and comfortable.
July 14. Obtained a 'pass' aud went to the city a. m. with W. H. Shrove of the 12th U. S. I. and Morris Clarl: 40th New York. Went through the city from the Schuyl- kill to the Delaware, and passed through some of the prin- cipal streets. The people treated us like heroes, and our trip was a pleasant one. Returned to Summit House about 5 p. m.
News of a great riot in New York City.
July 15, 1863. News this morning of the fall of Port Hudson. Remained in quarters all day.
July 16. Took a walk about two miles on the Darby road p. m. All the patients allowed a 'pass' until 5 p. m. same as yesterday.
July 20, 1863. Obtained a 'pass' and went to the city about 10 a. m., returned about half past 5 p. m. Visited Independence Hall, and was very much interested in the antiquities there. Bought a blouse for $3.25 and a cap for $1.12. Weather very fine.
July 21st. In quarters all day. Sent a recommendation for a furlough. 22d. Received a furlough for 15 days.
July 23. Went to the New England Association Rooms and obtained transportation to New York. Left Phila- delphia at II a. m. and arrived in New York at 2 p. m. Procured transportation to Boston by the Stonington line from U. S. Quartermaster. Left New York in the steamer 'Commonwealth' at 5 p. m. A very smooth passage through the sound. Berth 164.
July 24, 1863. Arrived in Roxbury at 6 a. m."
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Corporal Chase was sent from Philadelphia to the con- alercent camp near Alexandria, Va., and later was placed en detached duty there when it was made a camp of distri- bution, and remained on duty there until discharged at the expiration of his term of service, December 14, 1864.
THE CAMP AT FREDERICK CITY.
July 9, 1863. Ordered to hitch up this morning at 7 a. m. Got into column. Marched at 12 o'clock through Frederick City on to Boonsboro' and a mile beyond where we found ourselves outside the picket lines; came back and went into park half a mile this side, at the foot of South Mountain Pass. It being 7 o'clock in the evening we watered, fed with hay and turned in. Most of the Army was in our vicinity.
On the roth the Battery was ordered to join the Artillery Brigade of the Fifth Corps, commanded by Captain Augus- tus P. Martin.
Turned out at daylight, fed the horses and hitched up. Marched at 8 a. m. and overtook the Corps at Delaware Mills on the Williamsport road. Came up and went into line at 2 p. m. Parked just across Antietam Creek. Third Mass. Battery in position 58 yards in our front. No firing occurred here during the day, but firing was heard about il on our right. Marched to Roxbury Mills at 4 p. m.
July 11, 1863, the Fifth Corps formed line of battle and advanced in line across the fields about a mile ( see p. 682 "In Battle Array"), and threw out skirmishers, but finding 16, Rebs made short advances and long halts during the day. When the Fifth Corps formed in line and we left park at 8 a. m., we took position on the right of our old position, about one mile, on a line with the Third Mass. Battery. Not having fired a gun we left here about 3 p. m., and advanced with the Corps 33 miles. We then took another position, unharnessed, fed with clover and turned in. The morning of July 12th" was misty. We left park
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about II o'clock a. m., advanced about a mile, were then moved by the left flank a mile or two, and halted in a large field. It rained in torrents for an hour while we stopped. While in the field we took on some grain. Soon after started again, and went into park for the night. Unharnessed, then went foraging for the horses. We are all badly fatigued, with our marches and battles. Since the 13th of June, ( 1863) we had marched two hundred miles, much of the way over bad mountain roads, and have had rainy weather nearly one-third of the time.
July 13, 1863. The Rebs are reported to be evacnating, but we are not doing anything to find out. Turned out this morning at 2 o'clock. No breakfast for the men. Captain awfully angry. Left and took position at day- light a little farther to the right in an open lot, rather ex- posed. Hon. Henry Wilson came along. No firing oc- curred during the day. One wounded horse abandoned. At night we unharnessed, watered, cleaned and fed; thea turned in. Commenced raining about 8} p. m .; continued to do so at intervals through the night. The next day at noon we advanced to near Falling Water, 13 miles of Downsville within the enemy's lines and drew up into line. Finding no enemy went into park and made ourselves com- fortable for the night. General Lee had crossed the river early that morning.
July 15th we turned out at half past three a. m. and left at 4. Marched all day, through Keedysville, crossed South Mountain by the Middletown pike, returning over the same road we travelled the day before. Passed through Deacons- ville and over the mountains into Middletown valley, and about 5 o'clock went into park near Burkittsville. Watered and went after hay, then fed and cleaned off. After a while we cat supper and turned in for the night. A very hard day's work. Abandoned six horses.
July 16. Aroused about half past three and got started
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about five, then marched about 53 miles through Middle- town and Burkittsville to one mile from Berlin, Md., and within about four miles of Harper's Ferry. Here we made camp, pitched tents, etc. Horses pretty well played out. Officers and men pretty tired.
Harnessed up about 4 o'clock p. in. on Friday, July 17th. Left park, crossed the Potomac with the Fifth Corps, and encamped a mile or so from the river at Lovettsville. River high. Seventy-three pontoons in the bridge. The entire Army crossed in three columns, which from the high ground on either side presented an imposing array. Halted for the night at Lovettsville.
July 18th we turned out at 23 a. m. and left soon after. Marched about 9 miles, through Bowlersville, and went into camp at II a. m. near Wheatland, and pitched our tents. Twenty-five horses were brought up by a squad of men left behind at Berlin, which made a welcome addition to our number. Some of the teams had to be cut down to four horses at this time, and the sergeants were dismounted. We were marching very rapidly. Fifteen miles a day was called good marching, but during this campaign we had marched fifty miles in forty-three hours.
REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
HD. QRS. BATTERY E. MASS. ART'Y, July 18, 1863.
In compliance with circular of July 16th from Inspector Gen'T's Office A. P .. I respectfully report :--
Present July 16th, 4 officers. 99 men.
Lost, Battle of Gettysburg, I officer wounded, 4 men killed, 16 wounded, horses killed 40, wounded and since died and abandoned 9.
My Ordnance requisition in possession of Lieut. Follett
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Ord. Off. gives all the ordnance required absolutely neces- sary, 4 sets Lead Harness.
On hand, IO1 serviceable art'y horses, 12 quartermaster horses, 3 four horse wagons, 13 unserviceable art'y horses, mostly wounded.
CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, Capt. Battery E. Mass. Art'y.
REPORT OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
HD. QUARTERS BATTERY E, MASS. ART'Y., July 18, 1863. LIEUT. P. F. NASON, A. A. A. G.
Lieutenant.
In compliance with circular of July 17th Hd. Ors. A. P., I respectfully report my men in good physical condition, there being only one case of sickness, and that slight.
I have 101 good serviceable artillery horses, and am in good condition for a march.
I am very Respectfully Your ob't. serv't, CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, Ca.pt., Battery E, Mass. Art'y.
Sunday, July 19, 1863. Turned out at 3 o'clock a. m., hitched up and started about 6. Marched with the Fifth Corps through and 4 miles beyond Unionville. and went into camp at ten o'clock near Purcellsville. Turned in about 8 p. m. Corporal Shackley recorded his opinion on this day that-"It was a great mistake that we did not attack the Rebs on Monday (July 6), for I believe we
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should have destroyed Lee's army. But perhaps it is all for the best, though it is hard to think so."
. July 20. Marched at sunrise, passed Watson's Mills, Valley Mills, Uniontown, Greenville Mills, and parked near Rectortown on a hill.
July 21. Received 10 men from Battery D, 5th U. S .. Artillery. The next day inspection was ordered for 2.30 p. m., and harnesses and carriages were washed; but at 12 m. we had orders to pack up, and in 50 minutes we were on the road. Marched to near Rectortown over good roads. Blackberries very thick. Went into camp for the night. Some of the men had fried confiscated sheep for supper.
RETURNS OF BATTERY E, MASS. ART'Y, JULY
22, 1863.
Number of men on the rolls II7
present 86
required to fill the Battery 30
Number of men temporarily attached from 10th
N. Y. Ind'p't Battery 17
. 2 present 14
Number of men temporarily attached from vari- ous regiments IO
present IO
CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, Capt. Battery E, Mass. Art'y.
THE FIGHT AT MANASSAS GAP.
July 23, 1863. we left Rectortown with the Fifth Corps af 5 a. m., passed through Piedmont and by a station on the Manassas railroad and went into camp at 3 o'clock in Manassas Gap for the night. The roads were rocky and very bad. Wagons were left behind. The Third Corps
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was ahead of us. There was some fighting in the distance, and we stood watching the infantry manœuvre with the enemy. In about an hour we moved ahead about 200 yards, unharnessed and lay down under the open canopy of heaven and went to sleep. Two horses were abandoned.
The next day we advanced about one mile into the Gap, and went into line with the expectation of fighting, but after some hours' delay, returned to our last halting place for the night. Saw seven dead of the enemy.
On the 25th we left the Gap at 4 a. m., turned to the right, passed over the mountains and went back to a place called Orleans, on the way to Warrenton via Farrelsville and Barbour's Cross Roads. Here we encamped again for the night having made about 15 miles. A caisson in Lieut. Rittenhouse's Battery blew up ahead of us. (This was Bat- tery D, 5th U. S.)
July 26th. Marched through Orleans to within three iniles of Warrenton, and went into camp to stop all night. During the week we had passed over many miles of road bordered by blackberry bushes, loaded with most delicious berries, which were better than medicine for the men. Abandoned two horses.
July 27. Called up at 3.30 a. m. The men made coffee. fried steak, eat breakfast and then marched about 5 miles through Warrenton to about three miles beyond, and camped. Abandoned 2 horses, turned in eight. Here we received many supplies which we much needed. ( In July. 1863. Monocacy Junction, Md. was made the grand depot for the Army of the Potomac. )
July 28th. Routed out again about the usual hour. Had fried fresh pork for breakfast and went blackberrying. Re- mained in camp in a large field surrounded .by the 5 bat- teries of the Art'y Brigade until Aug. 3d. Weather very hot. Received 25 horses July 30. The men had stewed beans for dinner. About this time a subscription was made
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 693
and some brass musical instruments were procured, and a few of the men practised under the leadership of Bugler James Winters. Lack of facilities, however, prevented the attainment of any important results. It was on July 31st that the brass instruments for the Band came to the Battery. On that day Lieut. Scott, absent on leave at Newport, R. I., made the following entry in his diary :----
"Friday, July 31, 1863. Lieut. Lull discharged to receive
a captain's commission in Heavy Artillery. Officers of Battery ( Fifth Mass.)
Phillips, Captain.
Scott Lieut. Ist Senior.
Blake
" Junior.
Spear .. 2d 'Senior.
Appleton " Junior."
LIEUT. FREDERICK A. LULL.
Lieut. Frederick A. Lull became captain of Company K, Second Mass. Heavy Artillery, which had just been re- crnited, July 31, 1863. and on December 15, 1863, Serg't. Otis B. Smith, having been discharged for promotion, was commissioned First Lieutenant in the same company, serv- ing at various points in Virginia and North Carolina.
Captain Lull died in Cambridge, Mass. March 22, 1893, and is buried in the Cambridge Cemetery.
There was a Battery inspection August 2, 1863, in the forenoon. On Sunday the 3d. we, with the Artillery Brigade hitched up and moved camp a little to the left of our old position. Weather very hot. All busy fitting up camp. building arbors and stables, preparing for a long stay. but at night marching order's came, and we marched till one o'clock the next morning, and went into camp, but moved it later in the day to a place selected for us by
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