USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 22
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On each side the contestants were completely concealed by the peculiar nature of the ground and the growth of wood. The Sixth Corps was unable to get in position on the right of Ayres' Brigade, and he was completely outflanked.
While Ayres was fighting on the right of the turnpike. General Joseph J. Bartlett of the 3d Brigade of Griffin's Division was moving forward on the left, and reaching the confederate line compelled the enemy to fall back, until re- inforced by fresh troops, who after taking the ground from Ayres, moved down on Bartlett's flank.
Wadsworth on his diagonal road, which led through a thick forest. was outflanked on both sides, and, cut off from the rest of the Army in the rear, had to fight his way back to it. At 6 p. m. supported by General Henry Baxter's Brigade of General John C. Robinson's Division, Wads-
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HISTORY OF THE
worth's Division occupied the woods south of the Lacey house, from which they drove out the rebels; pursuing them until dark, when they bivouacked with both flanks exposed.
When the Fifth Corps became engaged the Second Corps with Hancock in command, which had crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford and moved to Chancellorsville, was recalled while en route to Spottsylvania, and marched across coun- try to the junction of the Brock and Plank roads where they were engaged with the Confederate Divisions of Heth and Wilcox.
The night of May 5th Griffin's Division constructed breastworks and occupied them.
General Burnside with the Ninth Corps, by a forced march, came up on the 6th early in the morning, and two Divisions under Generals Potter and Wilcox, took their position on the road to Parker's Store, between those held by the Fifth and Second Corps; other Divisions being as- signed elsewhere, and were ordered to move to the left, and attack the enemy on the right of the Second Corps.
By this time many Divisions had been detached from their own corps and placed in others according to orders latest received, or ordered to positions distant from their own headquarters. Then followed more or less successful attempts to outflank our troops; including the attack on the left flank of the Second Corps, Hancock's famous charge on Hill, and the unsuccessful attempt on the Right of the Army at 6 p. m. of the 6th when General Samuel W. Craw- ford's Division of the Fifth Corps came promptly to its support.
AS TOLD BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY.
March Ist, 1864, the entire Army being under marching orders, all the cavalry and one army corps having gone out to the front for the purpose of taking Richmond, which was thought to be an easy thing, the Confederates having
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
made Braxton Bragg commander-in-chief under their President, "We expected," wrote Serg't. Peacock, "to move, for a certainty," but the orders were countermanded on the 2d and the report came to camp, that Kilpatrick and Custer were "slashing around Richmond."
On the 3d the following General Order was issued from the War Department :-
THE REVIVAL OF THE GRADE OF LIEUT. GEN'L.
WAR DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, March 3, 1864.
General Orders. No. 87.
The following Act of Congress is published for the informa- tion of all concerned :
Public .--- No. 12.
An Act reviving the grade of Lieutenant General in the United States Army.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the grade of Lieutenant General be, and the same is hereby, revived in the Army of the United States; and the President is hereby authorized, whenever he shall deem it expedient, to appoint by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Lieutenant General, to be selected from among those officers in the military service of the United States not below the grade of Major General. most distinguished for courage, skill, and ability. who, being commis- sioned as Lieutenant General, may be authorized, under the direc- tion and during the pleasure of the President, to command the Armies of the United States.
Section 2. And be it further enacted: That the Lieutenant General appointed as hereinbefore provided, shall be entitled to the pay, allowances, and staff, specified in the fifth section of the Act. approved May twenty-eight, seventeen hundred and ninety-eight; and also the allowances described in the sixth section of the Act approved August twenty-three, eighteen hundred and forty-two, granting addi- tional rations to certain officers, Provided, That nothing in this Act
1
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HISTORY OF THE
contained shall be construed in any way to affect the rank, pay. or allowances of Winfield Scott, Lieutenant General by brevet, now on the retired list of the Army.
Approved February 29. 186.1.
By Order of the Secretary of War,
W. A. NICHOLS, Asst. Adjt. Gen'l.
March 4th a Brigade drill was held near the Head Quarters of General Sykes. Lieut. Appleton rode over to Captain Martin's Head Quarters on the 5th, where two West Virginia young ladies relatives of the commissary of the Artillery Brigade, on Captain Martin's staff, a loyal West Virginian, were visiting. The next day was Sunday, and many attended the church of the 22d Mass. Regiment at Beverly Ford. Divine service was held there in a chapel erected by the soldiers. Private Benjamin West went over in the afternoon to the hospital to see Private Dyer.
March 7th the following General Order was issued rela- tive to the Invalid Corps.
THE INVALID CORPS. WAR DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, March 7, 1864.
General Orders,
No. 93.
The following named . . . privates. having been duly examined and declared unfit for further field service, but fit for duty in the Invalid Corps, are hereby transferred .... to the Invalid Corps, to take effect March 15. 1864, and from and after that date will be dropped from their Regimental Rolls. .
Bliss, Cornelius E., Private, 5th Mass. Battery.
Sanford, John G., Private, 5th Mass. Battery.
On the 7th Lieut. Appleton pulled down his house and Lieut. Blake began his -- one for his wife. Private Dyer
785
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
was advised by the Doctor to go to Washington, but he preferred to go to the Battery.
March 9th Captain Phillips went home on a 15 days' leave. Serg't Ephraim B. Nye also left for home. Lieut. Appleton rode to Meade's Head Quarters at Brandy Sta- tion and visited Phil. Mason's and Bigelow's Batteries.
March roth there was a heavy rain storm, the second within a week. General Grant paid General Meade a visit at the latter's Head Quarters. Corporal Proctor and Private Dyer asked the Doctor for the 20th time to let them go back to the Battery. He let them go. The ambulance took them back with their things. The Doctor excused Dyer from duty for a week.
The next day it was drizzly, with thunder in the evening. An order had been issued for all ladies then in the Army to go home.
NOTES OF CAPTAIN HENRY D. SCOTT. FEB. 22, 1901.
"On the Sth of March, 1864, I received an order to re- port to Massachusetts to command a new Battery, the 16th just recruited, and as soon as Captain Phillips returned, I bade farewell to the Fifth Battery, and saw them only after the war was over and they were camped near Washington on their way home. I took great interest in their move- ments, as I read them after I left, from time to time, and I shall never forget the part I took with the Fifth Battery, and the good feeling and courtesy always shown by both officers and men, and I esteem it a high privilege, the oppor- tunity to meet and shake them sincerely by the hand."
In relation to the Notes contributed to this history which had been made from time to time, delivered to assemblies of his comrades and since revised, he says :-
"I started out with the writing of my experience with the Battery to leave with my children something they might
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HISTORY OF THE
peruse, as I question none of them will ever have to expe- rience what I have, at most I hope not, but I have never regretted this experience, however much it has cost me.
On account of my wound at Gettysburg I was out two months, and Mine Run one month. I have often wished I could have remained with the Battery to the end, but I hope the reader will be able to find some points in connec- tion with other writers to make all complete."
COPY OF AN ORDER .- SCOTT'S PROMOTION.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
BOSTON, March 8, 1864.
LIEUT. HENRY D. SCOTT.
5th Battery Mass. Vol. Lt. Art'v. Sir:
His Excellency the Governor, has requested your discharge from the 5th Battery, in order that you may immediately report at Head Quarters at Boston, to receive a commission as captain of the 16th Battery Mass. Vol. Lt. Art'y., now in camp at Readville, Mass. As the 16th Battery is full, all its officers are needed for duty at once. Will you please make every exertion on your own part to arrive at Boston at the earliest moment possible?
By Order of His Excellency the Governor. A. G. BROWNE, JR., Lt. Col. Mil. Sec'y. WANTED .- RECRUITS.
One Sunday in March Lieut. Appleton wrote home an acknowledgment of the receipt of some of the posters, which on a recent leave of absence he had had struck off and displayed in several conspicuous places in Boston, and of which the following is a copy :---
1 ..
----
787
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
JOIN THE LIGHT ARTILLERY.
VOLUNTEERS ATTENTION.
A few more Recruits wanted for the Fifth Mass. Battery, CAPT. CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, of Salem.
YORKTOWN, HANOVER COURT HOUSE, GAINES MILLS, MALVERN HILL, FREDERICKSBURG, CHAN- CELLORSVILLE, GETTYSBURG, RAPPAHANNOCK AND MINE RUN.
0G The Battery is now with the Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The RED, WHITE, AND BLUE Maltese Cross.
It has six three-inch rifled guns. Fall in, and help fire them off again.
W. H. Keenan, Printer, No. 104, Washington St. Boston.
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HISTORY OF THE
:
March 12, 1864. the Left section oiled harnesses. Drill on the manual of the piece. Licut. General Grant arrived at Culpeper Court House, 69 miles southwest of Washing- ton, and established his Head Quarters. This point was about the same distance northwest of Richmond, and 12 miles north of the Rapidan River. Six recruits from Mar- blehead came to the Battery.
EXIT HALLECK.
WAR DEPARTMENT ADJ'T GEN'L'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, March 12, 1864.
General Orders, No. 98.
The President of the United States orders as follows:
I. Major General H. W. Halleck is. at his own request, relieved from duty as General-in-Chief of the Army, and Lieutenant General U. S. Grant is assigned to the command of the Armies of the United States. The Head Quarters of the Army will be in Washington, and also with Lieutenant General Grant in the field.
II. Major General H. W. Halleck is assigned to duty in Washing- ton, as Chief of Staff of the Army, under the direction of the Secre- tary of War and the Lieutenant General commanding. His orders will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
V. In relieving Major General Halleck from duty as General-in- Chief, the President desires to express his approbation and thanks for the able and zealous manner in which the arduous and responsible duties of that position have been performed.
By Order of the Secretary of War, E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt. Gen'l.
March 13, 1864. Inspection and drill of the Battery by Lieut. Scott. Private Philo Braley died at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, which made us feel "blueish" (Appleton's ex- pression), and the next day the Battery escorted him to the station with funeral honors. It was a cloudy and windy day. Private Lemuel Washburn received a furlough of 10
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
days to go home with the body.
On the 15th there was a Brigade drill. Out after a snow storm. Private Dyer went into the woods and cut a load of wood for his tent.
On the 16th Licut. Appleton went over to a ball given by Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Bartlett and staff at his Head Quar- ters. A dancing hall was built for the purpose, adjoining the housc. and decorated with flags. The invitations were adorned with the Ist Division Corps Badge, which was a Greek cross in red. The cvcning was quite cold, and the rooms were rather chilly, but the ball was well attended by beauty and chivalry. It was called a good specimen of army balls. A number of handsomely dressed ladies came from Philadelphia and Washington,-among them a daugh- tcr of Judge Loring, and the wife of the portrait painter Ames. The day before the ball, the 2d and 5th Detach- ment guns of the Third Mass. Battery were polished up and sent to Division Head Quarters and put in the Ball Room. The wood work was oiled with sweet oil, the guns were dismounted and carried into the hall and placed "in Battery" on each side of the door.
Dyer mentions Lt. Appleton's going to the ball which he calls "a big time at General Bartlett's Head Quarters." On the 17th Dr. Fairchild was staying with them. St. Patrick's Day was appropriately celebrated by the Mass. 9th Regt. Infantry, at Bealton, and Licut. Appleton went down to see them. There was a mock parade, foot ball, races, ctc. "These," writes Appleton, "formed the fcatures of a bully old jink for the fighting sons of Erin."
Of Grant he says, "Isn't it splendid that we are actually to have him out here? You can't play any bureau work in Washington on old Ulysses. I saw a most refreshing sight the other afternoon. The 15th Regt. N. Y. Heavy Artil- lery, who for two years have done duty in the fortifications around Washington, and arc 2000 strong, passed by our
1 790
HISTORY OF THE
camp on the cars, going out to the front. They will have an opportunity now to get their pants muddy for once. This I take to be some of Grant's doings, and I think he means to do more of the same style. Altogether I feel very hopeful for the spring work, and I think the Rebs will soon find some column jabbing at their flanks where neither they nor you now expect. Just get us out of this camp and give us something to see. I think the changes all around are beneficial, as they shake up men and things, give us new acquaintances, instil new life, and weed out some of the old deadheads. Corps. Divisions, and Brigades, are slapped around right and left."
March 18, 1864. Drill on the inanual of the piece in the forenoon. There was talk of a cavalry raid, and they after. wards heard that there was a skirmish at Morton's Ford on the Rapidan. News arrived that General Grant was to take command of the Army of the Potomac. "How jolly it is," wrote Appleton, "that we have old Grant now at the head of the Army. We have our most successful general at the top of the ladder, and the Rebs have one of theit most unsuccessful ones at the same place. Let us hope that this is a good omen. Scott leaves our Battery to take com- mand of the 16th. as soon as he can get his discharge Kilpatrick's cavalry. in detachments, keeps passing our camp every day, going out to the front from Washington and they will soon be ready for some more fun.
We had the hedge fixed on the 18th and there was a little dance at General A. P. Martin's Head Quarters."
VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
WAR DEPARTMENT ADJ'T GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, March 18, 1864,
General Orders,
No. III.
The name of the organization authorized by General Orders No.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
791
105, War Dept. 1863, as an "Invalid Corps," is hereby changed to that of "Veteran Reserve Corps." All orders relating to the Invalid Corps will remain in force as at present, with respect to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
By Order of the Secretary of War. E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adj't Gen'l.
March 19, 186.4. Excitement about the Rebs. Report that Grant was coming out to the Army.
LETTER OF SERGT. W. H. PEACOCK.
"CAMP NEAR RAPPAHANNOCK STATION, March 19, 1864.
We are expecting an attack at this station every hour. Stuart (Confederate cavalry general) is on a raid, and he will probably try and give us a call. as there are a good lot of stores in this vicinity. We can see his camp fires in the distance. It is reported he has Sooo cavalry and two or three batteries with him. General Sykes of our Corps is making big preparations to receive them. Last night our horses were harnessed and remained so all night. Rumor says this is the night for the attack.
The 18th Mass. Infantry came up from Beverly Ford, about two miles from here, and remained near our camp all night. All of the other infantry were out under arms, as they are also tonight. We have orders to sleep with our clothes on. I suppose Stuart wants to make up for Kil- patrick's raid, but no go this time, as we are so well pre- pared for him."
"At dusk" (Dyer's Notes 19th) "an Order came to put our guns in position in the forts, as they expected a cavalry raid. The 18th Mass. Regt. laid out in a field below us all night with their guns stacked."
March 20, 1864. Sunday. Inspection of the Battery
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HISTORY OF THE
today by Lieut. Scott. Drilled some and went into camp. Dyer got excused from fatigue duty for being the cleanest man at guard mounting.
March 21st. Lieut. Appleton went over to General Mar- tin's as a member of a Board. Lieut. Scott received his discharge. Dyer passed the evening at the camp of the 20th Maine.
March 22, 1864. Lieut. Scott left in the morning for Boston and his new battery. Very cold day. Snow in the afternoon and all night. 23d. Snow on the ground, six inches deep on a level, but the morning was clear. Camp awakened by the "merry sound of the bugle." Captain Phillips had got as far as Washington on his way back to camp, and called upon Hon. John B. Alley a member of Congress from Massachusetts, about regimental organiza- tion of Massachusetts Artillery. (See p. 52.)
ARMY CORPS.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJ'T GEN'L'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, March 23. 1864.
General Orders.
No. 115.
I. By direction of the President of the United States, the number of Army Corps comprising the Army of the Potomac, will be reduced to three viz., the Second, Fifth, and Sixth Corps. The troops of the other two Corps. viz., the First and Third, will be temporarily reor- ganized, and distributed among the Second. Fifth, and Sixth, by the Commanding General, who will determine what existing organizations will retain their Corps Badges and other distinctive marks. The Staff Officers of the two Corps which are temporarily broken up, will be assigned to vacancies in the other Corps, so far as such vacancies may exist. Those for whom there are no vacancies, will cease to be con- sidered as officers of the General Staff of Army Corps.
II. Major General G. K. Warren is assigned by the President to the command of the Fifth Army Corps.
By Order of the Secretary of War,
E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adj't General.
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·
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
March 24, 1864. Captain Phillips returned from his "leave," about 2 p. m. Lieut. Gen'l Grant came down on a special train just ahead of the one Captain Phillips was in. Maj. General Sykes was relieved of his command, and Major General Warren was put in his place. Troops were constantly arriving in the cars.
March 25, 1864. In the reorganization Colonel Charles S. Wainwright of the Ist New York Artillery was to be Chief of Artillery of the 5th Corps. Captain Phillips passed the night at Captain Martin's Head Quarters. Private Dyer went into the woods and cut a load of wood for his tent and brought it to camp with Wm. Pinder's team towards night.
Of the change in the commanders of the Artillery, Cap tain Phillips in a letter of March 27th, 1864, says : "Colonel Charles S. Wainwright of the Ist N. Y. Artillery, who has been Chief of Artillery in the First Corps, will probably be chief of artillery for the 5th Corps, and Captain Martin will be obliged to return to his battery. It is hard, after being Chief of Artillery, to be only captain once more."
But this was what Appleton indicated as likely to happen, in his Artillery paper. see p. 52.
March 27th. 1864. Sunday. Lieut. Appleton went to the chapel at Beverly Ford, and heard an excellent sermon. In the evening there was singing in the camp.
March 28th was a beautiful spring day. The mud was drying up very fast. Lots of troops going out on the cars to the front. Dyer mentions a visit from Andrew Almy and Fred Alden, and says Almy "discoursed some fine music on the accordeon." The Battery was photographed: two views were taken of the Battery, and one of the camp.
March 29th Lieut. Blake started on a leave of ten days. Captain Martin on a leave of five days, leaving Captain Phillips in command of the Artillery Brigade. It com-
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HISTORY OF THE
menced raining about one o'clock p. m. and at Taps it poured down in torrents.
March 30th it was still raining. The Rappahannock River rose eleven feet, the pontoons were strung up, and water everywhere. The bridge across the Rappahannock was washed off its foundations by trees falling against it that floated down the river, so the cars could not run.
LETTER OF LIEUT. APPLETON.
"March 31, 1864. Since I have written our stupid old army has actually been reorganized, as you see by the papers. The First Corps comes into the gallant Fifth, and we keep our name, our honor, and our Maltese cross. __ The Artillery Brigade falls to the command of our friend Colonel Wainwright, though Martin has not as yet been actually relieved. Our Corps (Fifth ) now extends from Bristoe to the Rapidan, with General Warren's Head Quarters at Culpeper Court House. But best of all the immortal Grant is our own. It so happens that I am the only officer at present with the Battery, and I am therefore in command. Captain Phillips commands one part of the Brigade, that is, the Fifth Corps Batteries, as Captain Martin is in Washington. Scott has gone, Blake absent on leave, Spear ordnance officer, and the new lieutenant has not as yet received his commission in his hands, although it has been gazetted-thus I am commander, perpetual officer of the day, &c., &c. The whole country around looks like a big lake. The pontoon bridge was all knocked to pieces."
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
795
Detail
Countersign
Guard
Parole
Lieutenants
Sergeants
Corporals
Musicians
12
Privates
14
Total
14- 109: 4 18
Aggregate
Horses Public
Horses Officers
Mules
3
Wagons
I
Ambulances
6
Pieces
0
Caissons
-
Battery Wagon
-
Forge
(Received the Foregoing Articles)
Mason W. Page Sergt. Com'd'g Guard
the 3ist of March 1864:
(When Appleton was alone with the Battery)
Report of a Guard Mounted at Rappahannock Station, Va. on the 30th and relieved on
LIST OF GUARD.
796
RELIEFS AND WHEN POSTED.
FIRST RELIEF SECOND RELIEF From 6 to S and 12 to 2 || From Sto 10 and 2 to 4
THIRD RELIEF From 10 to 12 and 4 to 6
WHERE POSTED.
No.
Name
Name
Name
I
Skillin
Moudorf
Gwinn
Hd. Qrs.
2
Shaw
Dunham
Blanchard
Fort
3
Morse
Dyer
Carsley
Park
4
Olin
Dudley
Brown W. W.
Stable
HISTORY OF THE
Sergeant Mason W. Page.
Commanding Guard
Corporal Charles F. Stiles.
GUARD RAP. STATION THIRTIETH - THIRTY-FIRST
.
March 1864.
.3
شر
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FIFTHI MASS. BATTERY.
April 1, 1864, Serg't Harrison O. Simonds' commis- sion as 2d Lieutenant, was received. Serg't. E. J. Gibbs was promoted to Ist Sergeant.
ORDERS FOR THE COUNTERSIGN.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. April 2d, 1864.
Orders.
COUNTERSIGN.
April 3d, Boston.
.. 4th. Albany. .. 5th, Newport.
6th, Baltimore.
.. 7th, Chicago.
.. 8th, Saint Louis.
.. gtlı, Lexington. By command of Maj. Gen'l Meade, (Signed) S. WILLIAMS, A. A. G. Official. FRED T. LOCKE, Asst. Adj't Gen'l.
April 2, 1864, Captain A. P. Martin and Captain Charles A. Phillips returned to their commands, and Lieut. Simonds joined the mess.
April 4th, Lieut. Appleton went over to Captain Mar- tin's Head Quarters where were Colonel Wainwright and his staff. It snowed and rained. Colonel Wainwright assumed command of the Artillery Brigade 5th Corps.
April 6th, Corporal Newhall was promoted to Sergeant George L. Newton and Andrew W. Almy were promote 1 to corporals.
April 8, 1864. Orders came for the sutlers to leave by the 16th of the month. Corporal Stiles was promoted to sergeant. Lieut. Appleton rode over to the Reserve Artil- lery.
April 9. 1864. Lieut. Blake returned from leave. The Rappahannock had risen 17 feet, it being the highest it had
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HISTORY OF THE
١
ever been. The pontoon house and bridge were washed down stream in the morning.
April 10, 1864, a minute inspection of the Battery and quarters took place by Captain Phillips. Big freshet 0: the river and all around. The bridges were all down be- tween the camp and Washington, including the bridge at Cedar Run. No trains had come through since the previous night. All leaves of absence and furloughs had ceased.
Captain Phillips wrote on April roth in relation to the artillery :
"The reorganization has left us in a rather unsettled state. Captain Martin has ceased to be Chief of Corps Artillery. but for the present the batteries belonging to the old Fifth Corps form a demi-brigade, under his command. Some of our batteries will go into the Artillery, but we shall remain in the new Fifth Corps. It is so muddy as to render any- thing like drill out of the question."
Again on the 16th he wrote: "For the present, and until the Corps is assembled at Culpeper, the batteries north of the river are organized in a half-brigade, commanded by Captain Martin. For four days, while Captain Martin was in Washington, and before Colonel Wainwright was appointed, I was acting Chief of Artillery, while Lieut. Appleton had the satisfaction of signing himself 2d Lieut. commanding the Battery."
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