USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 19
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 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
"Nov. 16. (Appleton.) We put on our pretty clothes and were inspected and drilled at 3 p. m. by Captain Martin and staff. First time since Culpeper."
The inspection consumed one hour and a half, and the Battery went through manœuvres on changing front. The cars were running to Culpeper on the 17th, and the men. began building houses for the officers.
Corporal Shackley remarks Nov. 18th : "The winter cloth- ing which was sent to the storehouse about June 10, 1863, was returned today."
Acting Adjutant Holman S. Melcher of the 20th Maine Regiment, remembers the Battery during the winter of '63- '64 "from their very nice cantonment, and the sound of their bugle calls."
From a letter addressed to the Hon. Henry K. Oliver, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by Cap- tain Angustus P. Martin, commanding the Artillery Bri- gade, dated at the Head Quarters of the Artillery Brigade,
*
738
1
HISTORY OF THE
Fifth Army Corps, Camp near Kelly's Ford, Va., Nov. 18. 1863, in relation to the services of the Fifth Mass. Battery and its captain on several battlefields : ---
"He" (Captain Phillips) "has proved himself to be one of the bravest, coolest and most reliable officers on the field, and one of the most prompt, energetic, faithful and competent officers in camp, within my knowledge. His services and that of his battery at Fredericksburg and Rappahannock Station were of the most valuable character, and have received the highest commendation and praise of his superior officers. He was not under my command at Gettysburg, but I have read the portions of the official report of his commanding officer relat- ing to the services of himself and battery, which was commendable in the highest degree (see p. 667. McGilvery's Report) and was not sur- passed by any battery upon that field."
FROM LIEUT. APPLETON'S DIARY.
"The Ist Division of the Fifth Corps came up from the Rappahannock, where they had been on picket between Kelly's Ford and Bealton. Two splendid boxes bearing the express marks of Boston filled with jolly grub from home arrived safely, and is being appreciated by the mess. We had singing and a serenade in the evening. Nov. 19, super- intended the working on the houses. 20th, we are still ensconced on our 'Georgia Plantation.' My log house has a tent fly for a roof, chimney at the end."
The contents of the boxes were intended for Thanksgiving dinner but were devoured on arrival from fear they would have orders to niove as proved to be the case.
LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON.
"Nov. 20, 1863. Rode over to the camp of the 20th Mass. Regiment Infantry, and dined with John Perry (John Gar- diner Perry, assistant surgeon of the 20th), and Rittenhouse supped with me in my shanty. One pleasant feature of our life in Virginia is its delicious uncertainty. You sit wearily in your camp doing nothing one day, and the next morning
1
-----
739
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
son are whistled up at two to start on a big march and werhaps fight. You know that you may any day be detailed ; go to Washington on some court martial, or to Boston on recruiting service, and exchange the toils of camp for the gayeties of a metropolis. The prospect of some possible change for the better or for worse is always before you."
LETTER FROM HON. HENRY K. OLIVER, TREASURER OF THE STATE OF MASSACIJUSETTS, TO CAPTAIN
AUGUSTUS P. MARTIN.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE, BOSTON Nov. 23, 1863. CAPTAIN A. P. MARTIN, Commander of Artillery Brigade, 5th Army Corps. CAMP NEAR KELLY'S FORD, V.A.
Captain.
Perinit me to thank you in the most earnest manner for your very acceptable letter respecting my friend Captain C. A. Phillips. Your thorough commendation of him has afforded me the highest gratifica- fin. and will deeply affect his family and many friends in Massachu- setts. I have taken the liberty of showing your letter to Gov. Andrew, who was highly gratified at the good name acquired by an officer of his appointing. With your leave I will also send the letter to Hon. M: Phillips ( Stephen H.) and the Capt.'s family at Salem.
With many thanks I am truly yours.
H. K. OLIVER.
Can a copy be had of that part of the Official Report of Captain Hiillips' commanding officer. relating to the service of himself and Putery at Gettysburg. Gov. Andrew would like to see it.
Thee p. 67.)
H. K. O.
---
CHAPTER XIX.
THE ARTILLERY FIRE AT MINE RUN.
NOVEMBER 27-30, 1863.
"We must forget all feelings save the one; We must resign all passions save our purpose ; We must behold no object save our country, And only look on death as beautiful. So that the sacrifice ascend to Heaven And draw down freedom on her evermore."
(Quoted by His Excellency John A. Andrew, at the close of his address to the two branches of the Legislature of Massachusetts in extra session, November II, 1863.)
The campaign of Mine Run though planned by General Meade for an offensive movement to surprise Lee in winter quarters, and turn his flank by making a rapid advance to Orange Court House, seizing by the way the Plank Road and the turnpike, actually resulted in two fights; one in which cavalry under Gregg was engaged and was delivered by the Fifth Corps on November 27. 1863, and an assault by the artillery, which was to have been supported by infantry, had the plans of the leader been carried out. The infantry, however, failed to bear its part in the attack, General Gouverneur K. Warren by later and closer observation of the strength and position of the rebels having formed the opinion, which was approved, on investigation. by General Meade, that there was no possibility of a successful result. General Warren's command at that time was composed of portions of the Second and Third Corps and comprised nearly one half of the infantry of the Army.
740
1
741
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
The crossing of the Rapidan was made in three columns. It was to be done so quickly as to compel the enemy to Bre battle on a ground and at a time of our own choosing, and to be so suddenly called upon to defend themselves as !, leave them no time to concentrate their forces. But it would seem, in the light of subsequent developments, that in the nature of the case we had to be too long about it to make this undertaking much of a surprise.
It was on the 26th that the Third Corps followed by the Sixth Corps crossed the Rapidan at Jacob's Mills, and the Second Corps at Germanna Ford, both aiming for Robert- son's Tavern to effect a junction of their forces. The Fifth Corps, followed by two Divisions of the First Corps, crossed at Culpeper Ford, its objective point being Parker's Store on the way to Robertson's Tavern and, if possible, to make that point, where it was proposed to concentrate the Army.
The Second Corps, commanded by General G. K. War- ren, reached the Tavern about ro a. m. of the 27th and halted, waiting for the Third Corps under command of General Thomas French.
The Fifth Corps under General George Sykes, after wait- ing for the Second and Third Corps to cross the river, arrived at Parker's Store at 9 a. m. of the 27th and found the cavalry under General John I. Gregg, who had been in- structed to cover the Left flank of the Army, engaged with the Confederate cavalry, and obliged to fight dismounted on account of the dense woods.
The Fifth Corps took position at New Ilope Church, and relieved the cavalry, driving away, and completely quieting the rebel cavalry and their infantry skirmishers. Thus far the programme had been carried out according to instruc- tions, but the Fifth Corps was not permitted to advance farther than the intersection of the road from Raccoon Ford with the Orange and Alexandria Plank Road, as the Third Corps had not made its connection with the Second Corps.
MF + + +
742
HISTORY OF THE
The Third Corps had been having its own little encounter with the enemy at Raccoon Ford.
When the pursuit was at last organized and under way, the Second Corps was ahead, and on November 28th found the rebels securely established on the west bank of Mine Run. In the evening of that day the Second, Sixth, First, and Third Corps formed in line of battle in front of the enemy, and at 4 o'clock of the morning of the 29th the Fifth Corps came into line, relieving the Second Corps.
The bank along which for miles the Confederate army was massed and where they had erected strong earthworks, was 100 feet high at this point sloping about 1000 yards, cleared ground to the creek or run. At other points the bank was steep, rocky, and covered with wood. The stream itself was narrow, but the approach to it was swampy and in places an impassable bog. The attempt to attack by assault at this point under these disadvantages, was not given serious thought, and the Fifth Corps having taken the place of the Second, the latter was sent off to try to turn the encmy's Right flank, while the Sixth and Fifth Corps at- tempted to turn his Left. Warren's two Divisions of the Third Corps were taken from the Centre when the contem- plated attack was abandoned in favor of Warren's venture, which it was determined should be the main attack. The batteries of the Centre and Right were ordered to open fire at S a. m. of November 30th, and at 9 o'clock the Sixth Corps under General John Sedgwick was to assault with his columns, on the cxtreme Right of the Union lines.
With its usual precision the artillery opened promptly at S o'clock on the morning of the 30th as ordered, but Warren had seen reason, as stated. to abandon his attack and General Meade coinciding with General Warren in his views, the waiting Sixth Corps was thus informed at 8.50, and the suspension of Sedgwick's assault was made permanent. Also as a consequence General Warren relinquished the two
743
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Divisions of the Third Corps which returned to the Centre, and the Fifth and Sixth Corps resumed their former posi- tions. The situation now resolved itself back into its origi- nal proportions and relations, except that the artillery fire had let the proverbial cat "out of the bag" by exposing our position and plans, and tlie Confederates commenced in earnest to reinforce and strengthen their fortifications, per- ceiving which General Meade withdrew his army and dis- posed his troops in various well chosen positions, to guard the railroads, as if anything so manifestly injudicious as a Mine Run campaign was farthest from his thoughts. In a note on a fly leaf of "The Officers' Companion," Lieut. Nathan Appleton says "the Mine Run campaign showed the disadvantage of having so many corps commanders."
AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY.
Nov. 23, 1863. Brigade drill of 4 batteries by Captain Martin from 10 a. m. to & past 2 p. m. Quite an event for the Artillery Brigade, the first one and very well done. Captains Phillips and Barnes acted as majors. Lieut. Scott in command of Fifth Mass. Battery. Lieut. Appleton acted as adjutant.
Orders to pack ready for a march. Twenty-five men came to the Battery this morning, detached from the in- fantry. The whole army set out to move under an order which said they were to cross the Rapidan, have a long march, and be ready for anything.
Nov. 24th. Hitched up at 5 a. m., moved out on the road at 3 past 6, in the midst of a big rain storm, and marched about four miles towards the Rapidan-the going was very heavy-then turned round and came back again to camp; arriving at 9 a. m., feeling wet and cross. Ordered to move on the 26th, Thanksgiving Day. Lieut. Appleton in a letter observes that they were unwilling to repeat the experience of
744
HISTORY OF THE
Burnside's celebrated "mud march," and so turned back. His letter proceeds as follows :- "However we were 'under orders,' implying that we shall start tomorrow or next day, if the weather permits. I hope it will keep dry, as I want to advance and let those poor starving fellows out of Libby Prison. Why we have wasted the last fortnight I don't see. Cutting across Virginia fields is different from driving a buggy over macadamized streets."
Referring to the Brigade drill he says : "You can imagine that it was quite a sight to see 24 pieces of artillery, 24 caissons, over 300 horses, and their complement of men. dashing over a field, rattling through ditches, and going through lots of complicated evolutions. Such a sight on Boston Common would draw quite a crowd. I took the part of an assistant adjutant. We. are now much better prepared (by the addition of the 25 men) to haul our guns out of mud holes.
I read Mr. Everett's speech at Gettysburg ( see p. 673). It was very good, and the ceremonies must have been very impressive."
Nov. 25, 1863. Drill on pieces. Orders came at night to be ready to move the next morning. Extra rations were drawn. It was a splendid, moonlight night, clear and frosty. Reveille at 33 o'clock, and leaving their pleasant quarters, which they were to see no more, they marched at daybreak of the 26th with the Fifth Corps to Culpeper or Ely's Ford, on the Rapidan River, which they reached at eleven o'clock. At the Ford there was some firing by Battery C, Ist N. Y., Captain Almont Barnes, and Battery L. Ist Ohio, Captain Frank C. Gibbs; also at the Right. At I p. m. the Battery crossed the river, marched across country and at 4 struck what Dyer calls "the renowned Fredericks- burg Plank Road," marched to Wilderness. not far from Chancellorsville, and bivouacked at the side of the road, leaving the carriages in the road, and hitching their horses
منتدى مية
745
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
to the trees. This was about 8 p. m. Got supper and turned in about 9 o'clock. During this day's march General Mende ordered a despatch to be read to the troops, announc- ing the great victories of the Union armis at Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, under General Ulysses S. Grant.
THE CROSSING OF THE RAPIDAN.
From Lieut. Appleton's Notes: "After finding that we could cross the river with no opposition, we did so at Ely's Ford, and soon the artillery was climbing the opposite bank, some of the carriages being drawn by ten or more horses, and lagging behind at that. I lunched with the officers of the 9th Mass. Infantry when we stopped for a noonday halt.
And now General Sykes was in a dilemma to find the road and follow the tracks of the infantry. Here I began to act as Aide to Captain Augustus P. Martin, who had only one staff officer with him, and the business of looking after six batteries is extended and responsible.
We cut through the woods, and soon struck the celebrated Germanna Plank Road (a part of the plank road leads from Germanna to Wilderness) which leads to Chancellorsville, and for the possession of which there was at that battle con- siderable contest. We went on slowly, as many little bridges had to be built, and at dusk the Corps bivouacked where they were, on each side of the road, the troops coming up by degrees, and so falling asleep by the roadside."
Nov. 27, 1863. At 6 a. m. the Battery hitched up and soon moved by a cross road to the Plank Road leading to Orange Court House. The advance skirmished most of the way. The roads were so muddy and rough, and frozen so hard, that many wheels on the gun carriages and other vehicles were broken, but they arrived after marching 8 or 10 miles near New Verdiersville and relieved Gregg's Divi- sion of cavalry. Skirmished with the enemy all day. At 3 o'clock p. m. came up with their main body. and were
746
HISTORY OF THE
ordered into action at New Hope Church. Lieut. Scott was wounded in the hand by a piece of shell. Fired until dark. Got supper and turned in for the night on the field. Battery still in position. Heard chopping all night. Some Corps ammunition wagons in the rear had been cut out by the Rebs and William Greeley of the Fifth Mass. Battery was cap- tured with Lieut. William H. Follett who had been commis- sioned to the Third Mass. Battery, but had never joined. Captain A. P. Martin's mess wagon was captured.
"The Fifth Army Corps" ( Scott's Notes) "found the enemy strongly intrenched beyond Mine Run, a treacherous stream. The Fifth Corps occupied the Left of the line of battle, the Right reaching away to Robertson's Tavern. The whole country was almost a wilderness. All the Army was up at this point. On November 27th, 1863, the Fifth Mass. Battery stood in line of battle on a rise of ground in a lane, scrub and brush wood on either side, and a dense forest of pines but a short distance across an open swale. Nothing to be seen in front. On our right we could see a battery engaged, and shell were exploding all about us. A lead horse of the Battery was struck by a piece of shell and dropped on his knees, but was not killed. An officer rode up to Captain Phillips and asked why he was not engaged. Phillips replied that he had no orders, nor could he see any- thing to fire at. The officer said: "Use your judgment as an officer. Fire over the woods in your front.'
The Battery filed into the brush on the left of the lane, and opened fire through the woods. No enemy was to be seen, and our troops on the left as far as could be seen were lying on the ground face down, knapsacks on their backs. A lull came in the firing, and the men of the Battery set to work cutting down trees and brush, to enable the cannoneers to get the limber about in case we had to move out. While we were about this duty, a sharp fragment of a shell struck
1
747
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
the forefinger of my left hand, and I rode to a hospital in the rear and had it dressed.
Returning to the Battery. I found it had been decided that the Left was unassailable, and the artillery was ordered to Robertson's Tavern, but remained in position during the night."
FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON.
"On the 27th off at daybreak, struck a dirt road, which soon led to another plank road parallel to the first, and also in the direction of Orange Court House. On, on, we trudged. and soon we heard heavy cannonading, which every minute grew nearer, mixed now and then with the sharp cracks of the carbine. We soon came to the little village of Mt. Hope Church, where the Corps rushed on at 'double quick' to relieve the shattered squadrons of Gregg, and a splendid sight it was. The cavalry formed in squares by the road side, right glad to be relieved, by the 'Dough- boys,' and our artillery rushing on to the front. Captain Martin soon got the batteries in posish, and in fact the only figliting our Corps did was done by the artillery. I soon heard that Charlie Longfellow had been wounded. and stole the first minute I could get to run off to the hospital, Mt. Hope Church, where I saw the dear boy, lying on the pulpit. and surrounded by the officers of the regiment ( First Mass. Cavalry). He looked and talked well, but I did not have but a minute to stay with him, as my biz. then was on the field.
Well, the Rebs retired. Sykes was perplexed. The in- iantry in the woods, and the sun set.
That night I passed with Captain Martin at Walcott's camp. One man in the Ohio battery was killed, two wounded; also Lieut. Scott of our Battery, wounded in the hand.
;
748
HISTORY OF THE
I went again to the hospital in the evening, but Charlie had gone, as they had taken off all except the worst cases. I assure you it was not a pleasant sight. Charlie and Bow- ditch (Captain Henry Pickering Bowditch shot in the right forearm) went off together. Charlie was wounded by a ball just under the shoulder blade, injuring the spine, but missing the vital parts."
Of Lieut. William H. Follett. the ordnance officer who was captured by rebel cavalry between Parker's Store and Mt. Hope Church, Lieut. Appleton says: "He is a jolly fellow, a regular character, whose jokes are well known and laughed at all through the Corps. One of his expressions for the delights of campaigning, taking off the Irish brogue, was: 'Oh, that ever I should lave me nice dacent, clane, fither bed, and come out here and slape in a bag, and be whistled out like a dog in the morning about two o'clock in the night.' "
OBSERVATIONS OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
On the expedition across the Rapidan in a letter of Dec. 14, 1863:
"I do not consider the movement a great military success on our part, though I do not know where the trouble lies. I think it was about the coldest excursion I was ever on. The nights were very cold while we were in position on Mine Run. and I do not wonder that some of the skirmishers froze to death."
Of the Fifth Corps Ammunition train he says: "The Corps had started from Wilderness. The Ammu- nition Train was immediately in rear of the Corps and the Ist Corps immediately in rear of the Train. While the Train was passing along the Dirt Road to cross from one Plank Road to the other, they were attacked by about 100 rebel cavalry. 'Some of the teams were driven across the
749
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Orange C. H. road into the Cart Path, but the greater num- ber were set on fire in the road and blown up. The whole thing was conducted very quietly, and they might have carried off the whole train if the advance of the Ist Corps had not driven them off. As it was they carried off Lieut. Pond. Ordn. Off. 2d Division, and Lieut. Follett of Martin's Battery, Ordnance Officer of the Artillery Brigade. The wagons carried off and destroyed were, the Artillery Am- munition Train, the Ammunition Train of the Ist and 2d Divisions, and several Head Quarters and Hospital Wagons. It was a very cool operation."
On November 28, 1863, they got hitched up by daylight in a heavy rain storm, and the Battery was taken out of line, and marched by the right flank to Robertson's Tavern and parked for the night. The rebels were in position on the west bank of Mine Rut, and could be distinctly seen from where they were. They joined the rest of the Army which was massed here and from which they had been cut off the previous day. They went into camp at the Tavern at 7 p. m. Order came to unhitch and unharness at 9 p. m.
THE INVALID CORPS. (War Department.) Nov. 28, 1863.
Under General Orders No. 381, to take effect December 1, 1863, transferred,
Corporal John Egan. Co. E. 5th Massachusetts Artillery.
VIEWS OF LIEUT. APPLETON.
"The next morning" (Nov. 28th) "saw a fatal mistake. Our Corps paeked up and went-cut through the woods- to Robertson's Tavern, and joined the rest of the Army. We should have stayed where we were, and pitched into the Rebs. A pouring rainy morn and every one feeling
750
HISTORY OF THE
that a big battle was imminent. We frittered away the day, and the next morning, Sunday, the 29th, we went out a mile to the front, and took our place in the line of battle behind some hastily thrown up earthworks. The Second Corps spent the day in marching round to exactly the place we left yesterday, viz., the Left wing. Thus a whole day was wasted.
The two armies were now face to face, battery opposite battery, but still not a gun was fired. The sun set. The night was bitter cold. I slept cuddled up under a tarpaulin in range of the enemy's batteries, with the strange feeling in me, that probably by tomorrow one of the biggest battles this continent had ever seen would be fought, and, God grant, the rebellion finished; that of the splendid army around me by tomorrow night thousands would be killed or wounded."
"Sunday. Nov. 29, 1863." (Dyer's Notes.) "Reveille at 3} a. m. No bugles blown. Started at daybreak to relieve the Sixth Corps. Marched about a mile. Went into position about 1500 yards from the enemy. In about an hour the Right and Left sections were withdrawn to make room for some 32 pounders. No firing occurred to- day except by our skirmishers. Signs of a big fight to- morrow. Rebs showed a big front today. Very cold."
The line of battle was across the turnpike near Old Ver- diersville. On the opposite side of the Run were the enemy's works. The guns which took the place of the Right and Left sections. belonged to Battery M, Ist Conn. Artillery.
Lieut. Scott went into the hospital tent. His hand was very painful, and the night was extremely cold. The men slept on the ground without tents. The water in the Run was icy, and the approach to the precipitous banks whereon
751
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
the enemy was intrenched was a treacherous swamp to eross which it was said it would take eight minutes, exposed to a terrible fire.
THE PROMPTNESS OF THE BATTERIES.
"Nov. 30, 1863" (Dyer's Notes), "opened cold and blus- tering after a very cold night. Got up at 3 o'clock. No bugles allowed to be blown. Hitched up and moved a little to the rear out of sight of the enemy. The ball opened on our side at 8 o'clock a. m. and continued 13 hours-Lieut. Scott took his section into position-but the enemy would not respond. During the day two sections went to relieve the heavy guns of Sergt. Sims, but General Meade ordered us back again. Sonie ladies passed us going to the rear this morning. Orders came to be ready to move any time during the night."
At 4 p. m. of Nov. 30th parked in the woods and kept up a big fire. At Head Quarters a council of war was held and a backward movement was ordered.
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.