USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 17
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The banks of the river where we are, are very prettily overhung with trees. The line of pickets extends along this side." Of his duties he writes, "I am learning things very fast. A week of practice is worth ten years of theory."
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
THE INVALID CORPS.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 1863.
General Orders
No. 307
The following named non-commissioned officers and privates, hav- ing been duly examined and declared unfit for further field service, but fit for duty in the Invalid Corps, are hereby transferred from their respective regiments, and companies, to the Invalid Corps, to take ef -. fect September 1, 1863. and from and after that date will be dropped from their regimental rolls. Commanding officers of companies to which these men have heretofore belonged, will at once furnish the Provost Marshal General at Washington a descriptive list, clothing account. and complete military history in each case. ..
Drew John J. Private Company E, 5th Mass. Battery. .
LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK.
"CAMP NFAR BEVERLY FORD, VA. Sept. 13, 1863.
A Division or more of our troops are over the river today on a reconnoissance, and we are under orders to be ready to move at any moment. Firing is going on only about three miles off as I write this. It may not amount to anything, however. We see Rebels over the river every day. One, a few days ago, drove his horse down to the river, and came over the ford by our picket line as cool as could be. Some of our Battery boys were in swimming at the time, when he drove up to a lieutenant of the picket, and says :- How are you, Lieutenant? Want to exchange papers? Got a cup of coffee for a fellow?'
They gave him all he wanted, and he put spurs to his horse, and rode back to the rebel camp about four miles away. He said they would fight if only two men were left to do so.
We have considerable trouble with some of the conscripts,
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but we can soon govern them. Many of them are hard cases, and do not take kindly to army discipline. An infan- try camp near us, lias a long pole put up about seven feet or more high, that is kept full of conseripts from morning to night, tied up by their thumbs for punishment."
DIARY OF CORPORAL SHACKLEY.
"The reconnaissance of Sooo cavalry went on to Culpeper, the First Corps being with them to support. Heavy firing was heard on the 13th and 14th. On the 15th orders came at 4 p. m., to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a mo- ment's notice, and news came later that the advance had captured three cannon.
September 16, 1863, we turned out at 3 a. m., fed, cleaned, watered, ate breakfast. 'Boots and Saddles' was then sounded. Marched at 5 a. m., crossed on a pontoon bridge just below Beverly Ford, and marched through Brandy Station towards Culpeper Court House, the road running parallel to the railroad, and close to it most of the way. We camped for the night within a mile of Culpeper at 3 p. m. in sight of the town. Turned in at 8 p. m. The Artillery Reserve camp was within a mile of us. Major Freeman McGilvery had been made a full colonel .. Marched at day- light the morning of the 17th, passing through the town, and came into position 22 miles south of Culpeper. Anni- versary of the Battle of Antietam."
FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER HOME.
Written at the camping ground "Somewhere between Cul- peper and Cedar Mountain, Va.
It was a hot and dusty march, and I was very glad to roll myself up in my blanket and turn in for the night (of the 16th, the first day's march) under a good tent, however. You have no idea of the way the infantry straggle on a
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march. All along the road you could see them in all stages of exhaustion, but they almost always manage to crawl up to their camps by night. We would keep falling in with dead horses, which had been killed in the cavalry skirmish of last Sunday. The next morning we started off again early to march farther on, first going right through Culpeper. It was fun going through a Virginia town, and seeing the people, and the deserted or closely shut up houses. There was a real southern Hotel there, Court House, etc., and everything was crowded with our soldiers, now and then carrying off with them some rebel prisoners. As we were going by a large house I saw a figure standing there who I thought must be Theodore Lyman, but when I was going by him he looked so strange that I did not know him, nor he me. When I had passed we halted and he came up and asked me if I was not myself, and I told him I were, whereupon we conversed. On the 17th I also mnet Colonel (Francis A.) Walker. A little before noon we formed 'in Battery,' and the other troops in line of battle quite near, and in plain view of Cedar Mountain on one of the 2d Mass. Regt's old battlegrounds, to await the coming of the enemy, who I guess are nowhere near us, as some of our troops were then encamped on the mountain itself. We have not a very pleasant location for a camp: muddy ground, tall grass, weeds &c. &c."
On the 18th September still in position, the men went after hay outside the pickets. Raced horses all the way.
From Appleton's Letter: Saturday. the 19th :- "Alas, you should see my pretty boots now, after two weeks' ser- vice !- muddy, disfigured and scratched with brambles : how changed from those boots with which, elate with hope, and radiant with expectation, I left my home! Last night was cold, and today is bleak : my hand being numbed accounts for my scrubions chirography. I am going to try a gallop over the country. Yesterday we went foraging to the barn
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attached to the house of a Mr. Strother, some prominent rebel character. The house had been ransacked. I went through it and grabbed up a handful of papers to see what they might be. One was a leaf from a manuscript book called 'Commonplace Book,' which had remarks on all sub- jects, theology, geography, &c."
Later :- "Went out on a ride today to get warm and found I was near the camp of the Ist Mass. Cavalry. Saw all the fellows. Charles A. Longfellow (Son of the poet Longfellow who married Lieut. Nathan Appleton's half- sister. He was thus his half-nephew, a year and some months younger than he) came over and dined with us. They were in a big scrimmage the other day when they were driving off the Rebs. They had then, when I found them, just come in from the front, having been relieved by others."
September 19, 1863, still holding the same position, the men went after cornstalks in the afternoon. The cavalry all came in. Wagoner G. H. Johnson in the Hospital and George. Shaw.
"Sept. 20. (Appleton's Diary.) Borrowed 'Modern Painters' of Dr. Howard. Tried to find Sunday service but didn't. (Dr. Howard was an Englishman by birth, at that time surgeon of the Artillery Brigade, afterwards famous for inventing a system for restoring life from drowning.) A great deal of clearing up to be overseered by me. Inspection on the 21st by Captain A. P. Martin.
September 22d. Boxing gloves arrived and there was sparring in camp. Nine spare wheels arrived. Visit from Colonel McGilvery, who accompanied by Captain Phillips rode over to the battlefield of Cedar Mountain, where the 2d Mass. Infantry lost so heavily. The Colonel was in the fight. They rode all over the battlefield, but the traces of fighting were about all gone except the marks of shot on the houses and trees.
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The regulars came back from New York on the 22d. The Army was now reinforced by conscripts."
LETTER OF LT. APPLETON.
"September 24, 1863. The camp is being changed into a gymnasium. We got orders this afternoon to get eleven days' rations ready. If we are going to do anything, now is the time, when the Confeds are perhaps somewhat weak- ened. having sent away some to oppose Rosecranz and Burnside. Our army is in splendid shape. We must num- ber now nearly one hundred thousand men. The weather is fine and the roads in bully condition. The cavalry are all round making reconnoissances. The arrival of the mail is a great event in camp, and it is truly terrible to find nothing for yourself. It is quite extraordinary that the mails arrive as regularly as they do. We get one every day. I had occasion to do some sewing the other day, and I found that it would be almost as easy for a camel, as for the thread. so kindly presented to me, to go through the eyes of the needles also given to me. Please send me some larger needles and some smaller thread, and then I shall be sure to be all right. Send some red thread or silk. Put their in a letter. You ask me about the bed tick, &c. It works to a charm. I sleep on, first, a stretcher from an ambulance, which has four legs. and makes a splendid bed. On this I put my rubber blanket, then the tick, filled by Joe with- I don't know what; then my uncut grey blankets, into which I crawl; then my overcoat; and then a red artillery blanket. We have got the bottom of our tent filled with hemlock boughs, which are clean, smell nice, and remind me that Christmas is coming.
We make tables out of barrel heads and boxes. The washstand is outside! Sabres, boots, spurs, glasses, liats, brushes, &c. &c. are hanging up or lying around in endless confusion.
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You would be amused at the attachment my two horses have for each other. The little feller follows Folko all over the country, and they are eternally neighing when they are separated. They begin to think it is getting cold and I shall soon have to blanket them. The 'little un' (afterwards called 'Klein' German for 'little') is the prettier, but Folko is pleasanter to ride with others, as he is not so hard- mouthed. They both look very sleek. The Captain has me recite lessons to him in artillery tactics, which is a good thing, as you have to know a good deal to go through a battery drill without any mistakes."
By the return of Lieut. Scott on the 25th. Lieut. Apple- ton was relieved of the command of the Centre section. and returned to his regular place as chief of the line of caissons, and when in line he was just four yards in rear of the centre of the Battery. In battle he would be in charge of the caissons, ammunition, horses, etc.
Sept. 26th. Washburn and Fitzsimmons arrived at the Battery from the Hospital.
By General Orders No. 320, Sept. 26, 1863. John Pilling was transferred to the Invalid Corps, the order to take effect September 30, 1863.
"September 27th. (Appleton Notes. ) We still remain encamped in the same place. Two Corps have left to assist Rosecranz, some have gone down the Rappahannock: one. the Second, is in advance of us, and what the rest are to do I don't know. Our food is very light and irregular, though in the main healthful. We generally have fresh meat. Canned food can be always bought of the sutler. We eat in camp off crockery. We carry a stove. mess kit, &c., in a battery cart, a vehicle which only two batteries in the service pos- sess, and which always travels with the Battery, not in the rear with the baggage wagons. In this the officers manage to stow away a good many miscellaneous articles handy on a march. I find my knit jacket of very great use. My
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little artillery jacket, also, is just what I wanted. You need to have been in service yourself before you can tell all the trifling accessories to comfort.
September 28, 1863, at 10 a. m. 'Boots and saddles' was sounded for review. The Brigade was reviewed by General Meade with his staff, a surgeon of the British army sent here by the Queen, and General Cortes of Spain. The sutler Harvey arrived at the Battery. Lieutenants Spear and Appleton took a ride through and beyond Culpeper to the Artillery Reserve. Dined with Captain Bigelow, saw Phil Mason and Lieut. George F. Barstow.
Sept. 29, 1863. Battery drill on bad ground. Lieut. Appleton took the line of caissons.
Oct. ist. Lt. Appleton had the fatigue party put up an evergreen chebang in front of the tents, and make two corduroy bridges."
Dyer with Alpheus Haskins for a partner played cuchre in the afternoon and came off victorious. His diary does not state who the vanquished parties were.
The three officers' tents faced each other forming three sides of a square, and they messed three times a day together. Lieut. Appleton wrote Oct. 1, 1863: "I have charge of the officers' mess this month, which is pretty good fun, as I have to travel around the country to get grub, visiting sut- lers, commissaries, &c. I generally try to do some studying tactics, riding or writing letters in the morning. We dine between 12 and I. At four the horses are watered, fed, and groomed. About 5 or 5.30 roll call and guard mounting : then tea, after which we sit around the fire and smoke. "Tattoo' about 7.45, and 'Taps' half an hour later. I retire about eight."
October 4th. Sunday there was Battery inspection by Captain Phillips. Lieuts. Scott and Appleton went to hear Chaplain Clark .of the 83d Pennsylvania Reg't. preach.
October 5th they pitched camp over again, reversed tents
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and laid out a street. Sixth Corps passing towards the Rapidan.
"There is a short description of the guns which our Bat- tery uses," writes Appleton, "on the 124th page of Gib- bon's Artillerist's Manual. We use the Schenkle projectile almost entirely."
October 7th the army trains were moving to the rear.
October 8th the sick were ordered to the rear, which looked like a move. Lieut. Scott in his notes of the day says :- "Battery drill was kept up every day until the 9th of October, when the Battery was ordered to be ready to move at short notice. I had not met Licut. Appleton pre- vious to joining the Battery, but he was received by the men of the Battery cordially."
Lieut. Scott was pleased to be once more with his old comrades. The entries in his diary of the 10th and 11th of October are as follows :---
"October 10, 1863. At 2 a. m received orders to march. Hitched up at 3, and moved out on the road to Raccoon Ford 9 a. m. Halted near the Rapidan 12 m. Stood in harness all day. At 6 p. m. back to camp. Orders to move in the morning towards the Rappahannock, the enemy was making a flank movement towards Washington to get in the rear of the Army of the Potomac.
THE FIGHT AT BRISTOE.
October 11, 1863. Broke camp and marched for Beverly Ford. Passed through Culpeper and Brandy Station, and crossed the Rappahannock River, and camped at the Ford, old camp, at 7 p. m. Enemy's cavalry engaging our cavalry at every point."
Lieut. Appleton tells the story of the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th in the following words; commencing under date of the 11th :- "I am sitting, doing nothing, on the
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ground, waiting for the enemy to approach if they wish to give us battle. On Saturday at quarter past two in the morning an order came for us to move at two. This being impossible we did the best we could and got off at about four or five a. m. The Corps went off on a little picnic. We marchedl about four miles towards Raccoon Ford, halted, passed the day, and returned to our camp at evening. It was very strategic. Sunday morning ( IIth Oct. yesterday) we started off at daylight on the skedaddle to the rear. Went through Culpeper, and then on about six or seven miles and halted. A lot of cavalry passed by, some wounded, riderless horses, &c., they were Buford's men, and had been skirmish- ing with the Rebs all day, and I guess had rather a hard time of it. They said the Rebs were beyond Culpeper and on the march after us. We soon proceeded, crossed the Rappahannock, and went into our old camping ground at Beverly Ford. Got up this morning at four, marched at daylight again over the river, and formed in position where We now are, half past eleven. It looks as if we wanted to have a battle, but whether the Rebs will come out or not is doubtful. General Sykes and staff are now a little ways off in front of us. We have got a very good position and a large force, and ought to make some show. Our troops are concealed in woods. We see the Reb cavalry in squads three iniles off or so, but not a gun do we hear. . . . Tuesday Afternoon (Oct. 13) camp near Bristoe. The only fight we had yesterday was a very pretty cavalry engagement which began late in the afternoon and which we saw perfectly well. We drove the Rebs away, and then the whole force, infantry and artillery, followed up to a short distance of Culpeper, got there at dusk and retired. We left Culpeper this morn- ing at two and marched until five this afternoon, and we are now near Bristoe. I enclose you a specimen of the counter- sign as we get it. The whole army is supposed to have the same one. and it is sent round to the different Divisions.
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Brigades, &c., always done up in triangular form and sealed. (See p. 797.) Our supper will soon be ready. 1g > to look at the horses. Oct. 14th. Off again at daylight. Took posish near Manassas. The Second Corps licked the Rebs. Barnes' Battery engaged. We went after them and then made an about, and marched until two towards Centre- ville. Slept out in the air. Occasional falls of rain. Hard day and very tired."
Captain Phillips says of the 14th, letter dated Camp near Fairfax. Thursday Oct. 15. 1863 :-
"Just as we were starting out after crossing Broad Run on Wednesday, the Rebels commenced to shell our rear. One Division and one battery remained behind, and the rest of the Corps pushed on to Manassas Junction, where we formed line of battle fronting the Bull Run mountains. I was sent into a redoubt where I felt quite secure. The firing in our rear was quite steady, the Second Corps being engaged."
From Corporal Shackley's Diary. "Oct. 10th. Broke camp and marched to Mitchell's station and at 4 p. m. re- turned to camp. . . . Oct. 12th. Recrossed the River and took position on a hill to watch the enemy. About noon took position in a valley out of sight of the Rebs. Firing began about 4 p. m., and we advanced to Brandy Station, the Rebs retiring as we advanced. A smart cavalry fight took place on the plains towards Culpeper which being in plain sight was quite exciting.
Oct. 13th. At 2.30 a. m. marched to and recrossed the river, and fed our horses. At 7 a. m. marched by way of Warrenton Junction, and camped near Catlett's Station.
Oct. 14th. Marched towards Centreville. About noon the enemy attacked our rear guard,-Second Corps,-and were repulsed with the loss of 4 guns and 450 men. The Battery countermarched to near Bristoe station, about 5 miles, then countermarched again, and marched to near Cen-
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treville, where we arrived about 2 a. m. of Oct. 15th, having made full sixty miles, fought a small battle, and crossed a large river within two days.
October 15, 1863. Marched through Centreville and went into park near Fairfax C. H., and fed our horses for the first time since Tuesday the 13th."
LIEUT. SCOTT'S ACCOUNT.
"Oct. 12, 1863, crossed the River to its South bank and took a high position overlooking the plain south. Remained in position on the heights until 4 p. m. After a severe cavalry charge the Battery with the Fifth Corps in line of battle, moved south to Brandy Station and balted at 9 p. in.
Oct. 13. Moved out at 2 a. m midnight darkness, chilled through to suffering in the frosty air: crossed the Rappa- hannock on pontoons at the Ford and camped for the night at Bristoe's at 5 p. m. The railroad bridge at Rappahannock was blown up.
Hill's Rebel Corps passing our Right and rebel cavalry following our Rear.
Oct. 14th. Moved out on the road towards Manassas Junction, and crossed Broad Run at 12 noon. The enemy came on our flank shelling our Rear. Attacking the Second Corps they were repulsed with some loss of guns and prison- ers captured by the Second Corps. The Fifth Battery was not engaged, but after being tangled up in the dense growth vi woods, retired in the darkness of the night with the loss of a pole to a caisson, and one lorse. Night pitchy dark. Passed through Manassas, crossed Blackburn's Ford,- Bull Run,-and camped at 2 a. m.
Oct. 15th. 9 a. m moved through Centreville, camping near Fairfax Court House at 2 p. m. Raining. Every one cold and wet. Enemy moving rapidly for our flank and rear. Fifth Corps at Germantown. Sutlers ordered to the
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rear-to Alexandria. News of Curtin's election in Pennsyl- vama, 30.000 majority. Vallandingham in Ohio defeated."
Private John E. Dyer's Notes of Oct. 10th : "The enemy made a feint on our Left and attacked our Right.
Oct. 13th. . . . After a march of 25 miles we went into camp at 5 p. m pretty tired.
Oct. 15th. . .. Half a ration of whiskey and 2 days' ra- tions of hard tack issued tonight."
BY WAY OF THE FIGHT AT BRISTOE.
General Meade issued an order at 11.25 p. m. Sept. 15, 1863, for a forward movement of the Army of the Poto- mac, to commence at 5 a. m. of the 16th. The cavalry were to picket the front and guard the flank of the Army. The Fiith Corps was directed to occupy the ridge in front of the village of Culpeper, and there it remained till the 13th of October. On the 24th of September the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were detached from the Army of the Po- tomac and sent west, and the enemy becoming aware of the fact immediately threw a heavy force upon the Union cavalry, in order to turn its flank and get in the rear of the Army, which design we frustrated by the retrograde move- ment of General Meade, made with such celerity as to reach Centreville in advance of the enemy but not without serious trouble through a determined attack of the Confederates at Bristoe, and the most severe hardships endured by the troops.
October 16, 1863, reveille was sounded at 7 o'clock. At 5 p. m. "Boots and Saddles." At 6 p. m. the Battery moved out into the road and waited for the Division to march past, then it took its place in the column and marched back to within two miles of Centreville. Rain until 9 p. m. The Battery went into park at ten. Two more batteries were attached to the Corps. The night was very dark. One of the officers' tents blew over. On the 17th the Battery
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changed camp to a more suitable one a mile nearer Centre- :The in a beautiful glade. The pontoon train moved through Centreville. Camped with the Brigade.
NOTES OF LIEUT. APPLETON.
"The enemy was manoeuvring for position and covering their movements. On the 18th Reveille at 3 a. m. Two batteries moved out with the infantry at sunrise waiting orders. Marched at 10 a. m. to near Fairfax Court House close by our former camp. Awful mud hole on the march. Camped, in the fork between the Warrenton turnpike and the Chantilly road, at 2 p. m. Some cannonading heard . towards Bull Run.
On the 19th of October we were ordered to march for Centreville at 6 a. m. with the Fifth Corps. Passed through Centreville at 9 a. m. Raining hard. Marched towards Manassas 2 miles, then towards Bull Run. All the army on the move. Crossed Bull Run on pontoons at noon and bivouacked on Bull Run battlefield of 1862 at 3 p. m. The rebels were said to be moving south having failed to get between us and Washington. The Sixth Corps and train was moving towards Gainesville where we found them at daybreak of the 20th." Scott calls it "a race for position, but they could not be brought to a decisive Tuttle." Appleton says it was moonlight that night-"an impressive evening. Passed by old Reb. huts of 1861."
LIEUT. APPLETON'S LETTER.
"HALT NEAR GAINESVILLE, Oct. 19, 1863.
For the last ten days we have been marching and counter- marching, skirmishing, bivouacking, knocking about by lay and night, in fact, I have not slept twice in the same place. Truly the tactics of the Army of the Potomac are extraordinary. Last night we encamped on the battlefield
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of Bull Run No. 2, and there were plenty of skeletons and skulls around. Our men buried many of them yesterday afternoon. This morning we started off at three. (Orders were that the Corps should be at Gainesville by daylight.) I have had a taste of real military life lately, and it cer- tainly has its discomforts. My idea of our last week's manœuvre is this :- The Rebs tried to get into Centreville heights before us, but we were just too quick for them. It would be folly to attack us there and that Lee knew, and so they are skedaddling, with us after them. We pass a big part of every day in the saddle. Perhaps we shall push after them well over the Rappahannock. General Meade and staff passed by us an hour ago, and General Pleasanton a little later, with an immense force of cavalry. I have looked in vain for the Ist Mass. cavalry. I tell you, I have seen some splendid sights lately. Forty thousand men marching in solid columns! Our approach to Culpeper after the cavalry skirmish, was magnificent. The poor infantry had a terrible time on the night marches, plodding through the deep mud, crossing streams, &c. I have not got a letter for ten days, as the mails are very irregular on occasions when the army is in motion. I want more money, as I am running the mess, and have to get grub when and wherever I can. It is hard to keep well supplied on the march, as our family consists of five officers, five darkies, and one or two cooks detailed from the Battery. I have only slept out in the air with no covering once, that was when we marched solid, with an occasional halt, from day- light one morning until two or three the next, and then we were off again by ten. It is almost impossible to keep the calendar straight, as all the days are just alike. We have come off decidedly best in the late manoeuvring, and taken many prisoners. If the Rebs stand this side of the Rappahannock we shall have a fight in which we ought certainly to whip them.
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