USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 2
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FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. JANUARY 5, 1863.
"One thing I will say, I don't have any skulkers when I go into a fight, but every man was at his post when we came into battery, and only two men went to the rear without orders: one to help Platts off the field: the other, a raw re- cruit, was holding two horses by the bridle, when a shell took off both animals' heads, and he got knocked down somehow. Startled at such an unaccustomed event he fan- cied he was wounded. he did get struck on the shoulder by the horses or a piece of shell."
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ORDER FROM CAPTAIN PHILLIPS TO SERGT. PEACOCK AT THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
WRITTEN IN PENCIL.
SERGT. PEACOCK.
When an empty limber comes back to you, send one of the caisson limbers to the front, and fill up the empty limber from the middle and rear chests. When one of the two caissons is empty, have another full one sent up to you. Send the empty caisson to the Division Ordnance Train, probably across the river near our old camp. It is denoted by an American Flag marked Ist Division, 5th Army Corps, and Capt. Batchelder has charge of it. Put the caisson in . charge of the most intelligent driver, and tell him to fill it up and keep account of the ammunition he gets and return without delay.
CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, Capt.
Phillips' Diary: "Dec. 15, 1862. Remained all day in position. At dark marched to Princess Anne street. Halted and bivouacked in the building of the Young Men's Christian Association."
NOTES OF LIEUT. H. D. SCOTT.
"'Yet we faced the gay battalions All undaunted. to the death.'
About 3 p. m. of the 13th of December, 1862, after the Battery had been standing in harness nearly two days. we were ordered to cross the river. After crossing the Rap- pabannock on a pontoon bridge, at the lower part of the city of Fredericksburg, laid near a railroad bridge which had been destroyed, we filed into Water street, which runs parallel with the river. We halted and stripping for the fight, the caissons were parked in the garden of a house near. Edwards' [Captain John Edwards, 3d U. S. ] Regular
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Battery with guns stood in the street, having been in posi- tion in front of the Heights occupied by the rebels in rear of the city, when they had been driven out by the enemy's fire in 15 minutes. We thought if that Battery could not stay longer, how long would we be likely to stay? But we were in for it. Passing up a near by strect at right angles with the river, we went into position on sloping ground where we were covered from the enemy's fire on Marye's Heights, the left of the Battery resting close to a two story brick building which had been the city's asylum for the poor. Our right rested on a bank where the clay had been dug out for brick-making, and near the railroad, which passed near, curving past our front. The ground was cramped, and tlie guns were in reduced intervals, close to one another. We could see the figlit going on to our right over the plain, where Edwards' Battery had been. The brick house stood on the side of the hill, the ground receding rapidly to its north front facing the city, tlius forming a basement. A well not far from the basement, could not be reaclicd, as the rebel sharpshooters on the left of the house had it in full view. Several dead men lay around it and during daylight any one going to the well had a bullet about his ears. While going into position we had not been molested. We com- menced firing at the rebel batterics with our rifled guns. After loading them, we would run them up the slope by hand, so the muzzles would clear the bank, take aim and fire, the guns running back to be reloaded. The enemy 1000 to 1200 yards away caught on to us, and opened their fire which was kept up till darkness closed the scene. For- tunately we were well protected, but they did not spare us. Most of their shot passed over our heads, into the town behind us. and the noise, as the shot raked through the city, was terrific and very demoralizing. Some of their shots striking the higher ground in our front, would ricochet, passing clear of our heads, but we worked with a will, men
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and all. As the ground grew soft we had hard work to run the guns up, and at last had to take men from another gun to accomplish it. I remember of being so thirsty, that cotton wool soaked in water would have been refreshing.
All this time a disastrous fight was going on. for the 5th Corps on cur right, the plain being fairly covered with the blue coats which we could see in part. Still we kept up our fire. As one of my drivers dismounted to arrange his harness, not far from where I was standing, on higher ground, a solid shot passed my left elbow, causing it to be black and blue, struck the vacant saddle of the driver, and passed through two horses, killing them instantly. The horses were at once turned into the pit, and 4 horses of the teain remained. A shot took the head off the Bugler's horse, and Corporal Platts was killed by a bullet from an explod- ing shel !. Two men were slightly wounded, but there was no other loss.
As niglit shut in we returned to Water street, where we had left the caissons, and occupied a room in the second story of a house. We made a fire from such wood or furni- turc as we could find, spread our blankets on a slatted bed- stead and Phillips and I passed a miserable night, trying to adjust ourselves to the ever widening space between the slats.
Sunday, December 14th, 1862, opened clcar and quite warm. We hardly knew what would be our fate this day. Everything was as still and solemn as a New England Sab- bath. We took the sliutters off one of the houses and made a box in which the body of Corporal Platts was placed. A grave was dug in an adjoining garden, a chaplain of the Brigade read the service, and after the body was covered a board was placed at its head, giving his name and Battery. It was a solemn time as Platts was a great favorite. At 10 a. m. we were ordered into the position occupied the day before, and in this movement we were not molested. Not a
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gun did we hear during the day. Here the horses stood in harness two days, and the weather was favorable. The briek basement of the house on our left was occupied. Find- ing a barrel of flour and a colored slave, who had been stowed away, we set him to work making pancakes, and we fared high. A feather bed was found which we made up on the floor, and that made up for the uncomfortable night previous. Mahogany chairs upholstered in haircloth, were used by the men to sit upon, among the horses and guns.
Monday the 15th Dec. 1862, we remained all day in the same position. Some picket firing was heard during the day, but it quieted down to a gloomy silence. From the second story of the brick house spoken of, we could see the field covered with the blue coats of the dead which they en- closed. The rebels in their fire of the 13th on us had bored the brick house through and through. Looking through an opening about the size of a peck measure, we could see the rebel line of sharpshooters. Holding my head elose to one of these openings I was a mark for one of them. A bullet struck the brick alongside my face. I was more careful after that. However we were not molested except by an alarm in the night by picket firing near us. We turned out in haste but soon quieted down again.
Monday night, after dark, we were ordered to retire into the city with as little noise as possible. Getting the Battery together on Water street we moved up the street to near the centre of the city. We halted, and the Battery stood until near daylight. The street was full of artillery and soldiers. Going into a large building on the street, which had been used as a hospital during the day of the battle, we found it lighted. Evidently it had been a public library as it was surrounded by shelves containing books of all kinds. In one corner were the legs and arms of the soldiers that had been amputated. Piling books on the floor for a pillow, we lay down and tried to sleep, but it was of no use. The sit-
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uation was not pleasant; we did not know but what the enemy would be down on us before morning."
LETTER OF LIEUT. SPEAR. "CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1862.
Two weeks ago tomorrow night, we received orders to pack up and be ready to move on the following morning. At 3 o'clock we were routed up and commenced the striking of tents, and at daybreak moved towards Fredericksburg, but on account of the rebels in the city, our forces were unable to lay a pontoon bridge across the river until Friday night, and we remained encamped this side of the river until Saturday, when the battle commenced and we were ordered across the river to join in the fight. We lost 8 horses and had 2 men wounded; one slightly, one dangerously. About 9 o'clock we received orders to vacate our position in the field, and move down into the city, and so down into the city we go, and after unhitching the horses and feeding them, we all went into a large house, built up fires in the fireplaces, and then turned in for sleep. At 3 o'clock the next morning we were up again, and all went to work feed- ing horses and cooking breakfast. This was Sunday morn- ing. At 7 o'clock we were ready for the fight, with the exception of one thing. While all were eating breakfast one of the Boys came along and told us that Corp'l E. M. Platts, who was dangerously wounded the day before, had died. So I went to work, got out a fatigue party, had a grave dug, and a rough coffin made, and we buried him. He was beloved and respected by all, and one that always did his duty, both in camp and on the field of action. He was called by the company 'Corporal Eddie.' After bury- ing Corp'l Platts, we received orders to move up on to the field. and occupy the same ground that we did the night before. So up we go again in the face and eyes of the
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enemy, only 1300 yards from their artillery, and 700 from their infantry.
As there was not much firing that day, except now and then a volley of musketry, we of course did not have much to do. On the left of where the Battery was stationed was a large two story house, and we commenced ransacking it to see what we could find. I was among the first to enter. The first thing I came across was a closet full of glass and crockery ware. and some of the best that I ever saw, but as I had no chance to carry any, I only took a couple of gob- lets, and gave them to Captain Phillips. The next things found were 8 barrels of flour, any quantity of potatoes, onions, &c., and in double quick time the Boys had fires built in the stoves and were frying fritters, boiling pota- toes, &c. We lived in gay style during Sunday and Mon- day, for we remained in this position until Monday night at dusk, when we received orders to go to the upper part of the city. So we packed up our things and left the field. and remained in the city until 4 o'clock Tuesday morning. when we received orders to cross the bridge, for our forces were evacuating the place. Tuesday night we arrived back in the same camp which we left the Thursday before, and which camp we now occupy. I brought back from across the river about a 1/2 bbl. of flour, besides potatoes &c. So have had good food."
SPEAR'S NOTES OF JULY 24. 1901.
"Our position at Fredericksburg. Va. on the right of the Poor House, and directly in front of Marye's Heights, was occupied by a battery of regular artillery, but the fire from the Confederates being so concentrated. it was obliged to retire. and Captain Phillips was ordered by General Weed to cross the river with the 5th Battery and endeavor to hold the position, which we did, owing in part to the lateness of the day.
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During this fight tobacco was selling at ten dollars a pound, and the last night of our being in Fredericksburg the men of the Battery had broken into a warehouse and found all kinds of the weed, and carried back across the river enough to sell to the sutler, and the proceeds of the sale, one hundred dollars, was the starting of a Company Fund. (See p. 865 Peacock.) Of course some, if not nearly all, needed a drink, and so hunted for whiskey. One crowd with candles was in a drug shop, when the welcome cry from upstairs was heard, -. We have found some,' and it started to ascend when the eandles were blown out, and a terrible rattling noise on the stairs was heard, and all rushed to the street inore frightened than when in battle. After gathering courage we examined the situation, and ascer- tained that some grave joker had found a skeleton, and thrown same down the stairs."
LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK .-- PLATTS' AVENGING SHOT. "CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Dee. 30, 1862.
Our Battery was engaged at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and a warm time we had of it. We were in elose action for nearly two hours, and the way shell and balls flew around us was a caution. On my Gun two horses were l:illed, but none of my men hurt. The shell that killed the horses passed through one of them, striking near me as I was getting the time on a patent shell. I had it between my knees, when-bim! something hit me, knocking myself and shell over in the mud. Picked myself up, felt of my head, found that all right, then my breast and legs, and they were whole, but at the moment it seemed as if I could feel some- thing go into me. It proved to be nothing more than stones and mud, which the shell had kicked up when it struck the ground. One of our men was killed: Eddie Platts of Bos-
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ton, a pretty little boy, only 16 years old. He was a great pet with the boys, by his being so young, and always having such a pleasant smile on his face -- even in death. He was under me over a year, and a short time ago was promoted to Gunner in another Detachment. He had just given the order to fire, when a Schrapnel ball passed through his body. We carried liim to the rear, and he died in about 12 hours. He was buried in a garden, on one of the principal streets of the city, amidst a terrible shelling of the place by the Rebels. I think the last gun he fired fully avenged his death, as it was a splendid shot amidst the rebel infantry. How we escaped with so little loss I am unable to tell, for a Regular battery was driven from the same position only a short time before we went in, with the captain and twenty men killed. Four of our Guns took the same position next day, and remained for two days, but did no firing. My piece being disabled recrossed the river, and I was put in charge of the caissons on a street in the city. I took posses- sion of a nice house, all furnished, and took comfort for two days. Fresh pork, flour, meal, etc. in abundance. At night of the third day, the Guns were ordered to move to another part of the city. We halted on a street for a short time, when some of the boys discovered a large store filled with flour, tobacco, beans, meal, preserves, etc. of all of which we got a good supply. I took all my used up horse was able to carry, about 25 lbs. After leaving this street we moved on to another, and halted in front of a large building, which we were ordered to occupy for the night. . .. Since writ- ing the previous page a sudden order came for us to hitch up immediately. So I threw this letter into my knapsack, packed up, and took, as I supposed, farewell of my log house, but as we were about driving out of park, the order was countermanded, so we had to unharness and fix up our quarters again. It is generally the time when we consider ourselves less liable to move, that these sudden orders come.
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It is reported that our Army expects an attack from the Rebels. As I have my house arranged I will proceed from where I left off :---
All of the night we were in the city it was still as death, yet both sidewalk and street were full of soldiers, most of them asleep, under arms, previous to an evacuation in the morning. In the building I mentioned was a large room, which we were ordered to sleep in, but some of the boys. myself among the rest, wished to examine the rest of the house, so we started off in the dark in pursuit of plunder. Almost the first thing we fell over was a pile of legs, arms, feet, etc., that our Doctors had amputated the day before. We left that room satisfied. lit a candle, and went into an- other room, and there it was filled full of dead men, mostly rebels. We had seen enough at 12 o'clock at night in what seemed to us a haunted house, so we returned to the room assigned to us, turned in and slept sweetly for about four hours.
At daybreak next morning, we all recrossed the river, and returned to this camp. So ends our pleasant visit to Fred- ericksburg."
NOTES OF CORP'L W. H. BAXTER. OCT. 15, 1900.
"We were in camp between Acquia Creek and Falmouth. about I mile from Stoneman's Switch. Tobacco was scarce among the boys, not so much from the scarcity of the article at the sutler's as from the scarcity of money to buy it with, and it was a most amusing sight to see some generous, whole-souled fellow possessed of a piece of the weed, sneak from camp to some lonely spot, where he could fill up the old dudeen and enjoy a smoke all by his lonesome, congratulating himself that no one knew he had any. Oak leaves were plentiful, but there was not much virtue in them.
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Orders came to march, which finally ended in the Battle of Fredericksburg under Burnside. We were assigned to the Centre Grand Division, and directly under command of Captain A. P. Martin, who commanded the Brigade Bat- teries in this battle.
We were stationed on a knoll just outside of the city, with the Poor House on our left and a Brick Yard on rear right. Some of the boys cut quite a figure when arrayed in the dresses and bonnets we found in the house. It seems to us now that nothing under heaven could keep the mischief-lov- ing boys of the old Fifth under control, except a shot in the wind.
After exercising a few hours at the Guns with the John- nies for targets, night came on, when we were ordered out of the line into the streets of the city, we supposed to pre- vent the possibility of being rushed by the Rebs during the night.
The Young Men's Christian Association Rooms were allotted to us for a sleeping place. They had been used for a hospital during the day and the pile of legs, arms, hands, and feet with the shoes on, piled up in one corner, was not calculated to give that peace of mind conducive to a healthy night's rest. The writer was Corporal of the Guard that night, and while walking along the street occupied by the Battery heard a commotion at the door of a large store- house, and upon arriving there, what a sight for a hungry man! Tobacco scattered all around and every few mo- ments would be launched into the street a case of it, which opened upon contact, scattering its contents broadcast. This avalanche of the precious weed was caused by some of our boys on the top floor of the warehouse, rolling the cases to the chute, which ran from the rear of the top floor to the sidewalk at the front door, which accounted for their quick exit from the building after gliding down the chute.
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But, hark! 'Provo, Provo,' echoes on the night air. Tramp, tramp, down the street they come!
Those of us on the outside were not in it, but stood around to see the outcome of the connection between the boys on the inside and the 'Provo' on the outside.
The 'Provo' did not venture to go up the chute, as they were afraid of being swept out of sight by one of the cases on its way down, so they sought entrance at the rear door, and when they had gained it the fun commenced. The slide down that chute the boys took that night could never be forgotten. Some came down on their feet; others in a stooping position; others on a board. but one, Billy Lap- ham. afterwards killed at Bethesda Church (see p. 858) took the slide sitting in the chute with nothing under hin but one thickness of trousers and 'shoddy' at that. Splin- ters and blisters were as thick as feathers. We hustled him across the street, and after a time we got him picked. While the operation was being performed, his remarks were varied and to the point, and the writer has always thought that they were exceptionally appropriate to the occasion.
We were happy. Tobacco in plenty. Smoke, smoke, smoke, the soldier's solace.
The next morning at 3.30 we received orders to cross the river and move back to our old camp, where we enjoyed the results of the raid on the tobacco warehouse for many a day."
Chase's Final Notes on Fredericksburg : "Dec. 15, 1862. Guns still in position. All quiet up to about 12 m., when a vigorous artillery and infantry firing commenced on the Right front. An occasional Minie ball whizzes over our heads from the enemy's sharpshooters. Rations brought to us today. Spend my time reading history and Byron's poems from the Alms House library. Weather very fine. Remained in position until after dark, when we left the field
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and halted in the main street of the city. Left the place, where we first halted, to make room for the infantry, but finally came back to the same place, halted, and occupied the building used as a library for the Young Men's Christian Association of Fredericksburg. Amputated limbs in the library room, and an adjoining room filled with the dead. slain in battle. Shovels and picks sent for this evening, and we expect to go behind breastworks in the morning. Whiskey served to us this night. Laid down for a short rest, and after about an hour's noise and confusion, all was still, and 'nature's sweet restorer' came to our relief. Stores and dwellings ransacked and robbed during the night by the troops. Tobacco very cheap and plenty. The streets and houses lined with sleeping and carousing soldiers.
Dec. 16th. Routed out about half past four this morn- ing, and at once recrossed the river and after many delays reached the ground we left on the 13th instant. The 4th Detachment capsized their caisson into a ravine on the road- side, killing three horses, but doing no other damage. The 6th Detachment broke the pole of their caisson while com- ing into park. A heavy rainstorm commenced about six o'clock a. m., but the weather cleared up fine about 9 a. in. Hitched up, and left for our old camp ground which we left on the LIth inst., about 9 o'clock. The road very muddy. The 3d Detachment broke down their caisson and left it on the road, but returned for it with another limber p. m. Reached our old camp ground, near Falmouth, Va., about 2 p. m. and pitched our tents in the same old spots as before. Made comfortable quarters and quietness reigned again."
LETTER OF THOMAS E. CHASE.
"CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Dec. 31, 1862.
. I do not know as I can interest you by any new . . ideas about the late battle, unless I tell you my experience.
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To tell you that it was a wholesale butchery would only be to tell you what you already know. The city was shelled and millions of property destroyed to keep a few sharp- shooters at bay. The city was evacuated by the enemy and could have been held by our artillery from this side, but to take the Heights, in the rear of the city, by storm, was like a corps of newsboys armed with Colt's revolvers trying to. take Gibraltar. But the people wanted something desperate done. They could not wait for the slow but sure process of sieging. Shovels and picks are played out. Storm them out! That's the way! Make a dash!
Well, they were desperate, they made a dash and what followed? A useless waste of blood, and regiments of mutilated humanity to attest the folly of such a movement.
We crossed the river about 4 p. m. Saturday the 13th instant. We passed through the city and took position in front of the enemy's fortifications. Before we had run our guns into position the enemy commenced shelling us with well directed fire. We commenced firing with our full battery but being short handed and the ground soft, we could not work six guns, so we blazed away with four. . . . We held our position until it was so dark that we could not see what to fire at, when the firing slackened on both sides and we left the field. We resumed our position again Sun- day morning, but for some reason we did not discharge a shot all day. On Sunday we found the body of a man belonging to the 2d Maine Regt. who was probably killed by a shot directed at us the night before. He had been to the front and fought, and in his lifeless hand was a 'pass' from the surgeon to go to the rear. When almost to the rear, and in a place of comparative safety, he was struck down. His coat was literally torn from his body and one arm nearly severed. Fredericksburg is one vast scene of destruction. . . . If the papers and 'our specials' tell you that the troops are hopeful, cheerful, &c., I will say that
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