USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 27
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
85:
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Early attacked the Right flank of our army and the other divisions of their army moved forward, attacking ours at various unprotected points, ending with a desperate charge along the whole line, but were forced back to the road by our infantry. A part of the Ninth Corps was driven in and the enemy got in the rear of the Fifth Corps skirmish line, but at dark their advance was checked, and the enemy re- mained where they were at nightfall and intrenched. Gen- eral Grant says of the action of our troops that "the at- tacks were repulsed but not followed up as they should have been,"-the old complaint, but General Grant went farther. He says : "I was so annoyed at this that I directed Meade to give orders to his corps commanders that they should seize all such opportunities, when they occurred, and not wait for orders, all of our movements being made for the very purpose of getting the enemy out of his cover."
On the 3d the enemy's lines extended from the Totopot- omoy to New Cold Harbor: the Union lines from Bethesda Church by Old Cold Harbor to the Chickahominy. That day the troops under Generals Hancock, Wright and Smith assaulted the enemy's works at Cold Harbor and captured some rifle pits. while the Ninth Corps under Burnside and part of the Fifth Corps attacked the Confederate position near Bethesda Church in order to clear the Mechanicsville turnpike, and carried an advanced line under a galling fire of artillery and musketry, the enemy's batteries being securely posted under cover. This closed the offensive oper- ations of our forces at that point.
The rebels left our front in the night June 4th.
On June 7th our lines were extended from the Chicka- hominy River to which the Second Corps line reached. to Despatch Station on the York River railroad, and the cav- alry were sent to Charlottesville and Gordonsville to destroy the Virginia Central railroad and its connections; Grant's plan being, after having the Army' supplied with rations
834
HISTORY OF THE
to once more move the Army to the south side of the James River. This movement commenced after dark on the 12th of June. Griffin's Ist Division with 4th U. S. Battery B, Ist N. Y. Battery D, and the Fifth Mass. Battery, led the column.
The Fifth Corps followed by the Second Corps withdrew from Cold Harbor, crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, passed through Charles City county and reached the James River on the evening of the 13th; the cavalry protecting the movement over the White Oak Swamp. The Sixth and Ninth Corps crossed the Chickahominy at Jones Bridge and General W. F. Smith took his troops of the Eighteenthi Corps back to the White House and thence to City Point. The enemy were in possession of the ground from Malvern Hill to White Oak Swamp. In the wake of our Army moved 3000 head of beef cattle and 50 miles of wagon trains.
Looking back along the track over which they had fought their way from the banks of the Rapidan, they could count forty-three days of almost continuous fighting. with the loss of fifty- four thousand nine hundred and twenty-six men. The list of casualties in the Artillery Brigade of the Fifthi Corps in the operations about Cold Harbor and Bethesda Church numbered 35. Of this loss 25 was suf- fered by the Fifth Mass. Battery, Ist N. Y. Battery D. and 4th U. S. Battery B. As to the effect on the enemy Gen- cral Grant says in his report :---
"The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our side. were even more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled him as to make him wary ever after of taking the offensive."
On June rath General Grant had determined to transfer the Army south of the James River, and the Eighteenthi Corps under General Smith having arrived back at Bermuda Hundred, 50 miles south of Cold Harbor, General Grant personally visited that point and gave orders for General
1
855
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Smith with all available troops, to move directly upon Petersburg where at that time the intrenchments were held by only a few troops, and General Smith moved as ordered and reached Petersburg before daylight of the 15th of June, 1804
AS RELATED BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY.
At daylight of the 26th of May, returned to our position. During the day fired 4 percussion shell. Marched all that night with Griffin's Division, recrossing the North Anna River at Quarle's Mills : then marched south along the river. The object of this movement was by flanking him again to turn the position from which Lee could not be forced. The whole Fifth Corps crossed the North Anna River having accomplished destroying the railroad.
May 27, 1864. Passed Carmel Church on the way down the Pamunkey River, halting for an hour at noon. Plenty vi forage through the country, pigs in droves and flocks of turkeys and poultry. Marched all the night of the 26th, and all day of the 27th. The infantry were pretty well used up, having very sore feet. At 4 o'clock halted for a short time. Passed a plantation owned by a widow Carle- ton, containing 34 buildings and 50 slaves.
May 28, 1864. Reveille at 3 a. m., started at 5, marched about 12 miles. Passed Ilebron Church, Corinth Church, Enfield, and having crossed the Painunkey River, went into line and remained for the night. Beautiful spring weather. The Battery marched ahead of the Artillery Brigade at- tached to the Fifth Corps, and crossed the Pamnunkey at Hanover Town about noon.
Found the cavalry engaged with the enemy, and were placed in position in a road on the left flank of the Fifth Corps, which formed line of battle at 3 p. m., and built breastworks with the batteries in position behind them, the
856
HISTORY OF THE
enemy having been found entrenched in our front. The left of the Fifth Corps rested on Totopotomoy Creek, and the right crossed the main road to what was called "Hawes's Store." The positions of the batteries from right to leit. were Battery B, Ist Penn., 4th U. S. Battery B, Ninth Mass. Battery, Battery C, Ist N. Y., Batteries E and L, ist N. Y., Fifth Mass. Battery.
May 29th, came out of position and advanced about 2 miles by way of "Hawes's Store," on a very dusty road, to the left of our line which reached across and a short distance beyond Totopotomoy Creek: the same ground from which the enemy was driven.
"At dark (Dyer's Notes) unhitched and unharnessed, got supper and turned in for the night. It is six months since the horse fell upon me, and I think I shall always remember him, also James Kay, who did all he could for me."
Our fortifications were being strengthened. The men caught a calf and killed it. They found it, they said, very nice veal.
May 30th, 1864, advanced about a mile and a half over ground which the enemy had just left. They attacked our forces in the afternoon, and were driven back. The men made a stew of veal and went to bed at II p. m.
May 31st the Battery was roused at daylight. Oppor- tunity was given during the day for a change of clothes. Very hot day. The horses remained in harness all day, from 6 a. m. Heavy firing came up from our forces a long distance to the left. This was the attack made upon the Fifth Corps, General G. K. Warren commanding, by the rebel general Early who was attempting to turn Warren's left. To relieve this pressure General Meade ordered an attack along the whole line.
June Ist. Boots and saddles were sounded at 8 o'clock. Moved to the front. Stopped in the woods till 3 p. m., then
1
857
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
went into position on the left of the 5th Corps, on the Mechaniesville road. Dyer wrote, "The heaviest fighting there has been, both of artillery and infantry. occurred from 4 p. m. till 9 p. m. At 10 turned in, with orders to get up at 2."
Halted for the night at Barnett's Tavern.
June 2d. General Meade ordered the Ninth Corps to re- lieve the Fifth Corps, but the Ninth Corps under the com- mand of Major-General A. E. Burnside, was attacked while moving to the rear of Warren's right to protect that flank, and the Fifth Corps was involved in the battle that followed.
June 2d, 1864, a new arrangement, believed to be perma- nent, was made with the artillery. The Fifth Mass. Bat- tery. Battery B, 4th U. S., Lieut. James Stewart, and Bat- tery D. Ist N. Y., Lieut. L. I. Richardson, were assigned to the First Division, Fifth Corps. commanded by General Charles Griffin then massed at Bethesda Church, and dur- ing the night orders were received by Captain Charles A. Phillips of the Fifth Mass. Battery, placing him in command as chief of the Division Artillery. Senior First Lieutenant Peleg W. Blake was left in command of the Fifth Mass. Battery.
Captain Phillips reported at Division Head Quarters at daylight of the 2d. and in the afternoon he placed Lieut. Stewart's Battery in position on the Mechanicsville road, and at dark changed his position, and brought up Lient. Richardson's. At daylight of the 3d he placed Lieut. Blake's with the others.
"June 2d. (Shackley's Notes) Captain Phillips com- mands the artillery of the Ist Division, 5th Corps. Fred D. Alden was wounded through the lower part of the body. Died. William Reynolds had thigh broken near the hip."
858
HISTORY OF THE
DEATH OF F. D. ALDEN. NOTES OF CORPORAL SHACKLEY.
"While the Battery was in close order awaiting Orders, William Reynolds was inside the left wheel of the Gun, liis back against the wheel. F. D. Alden, with his elbows on the Gun, was facing Reynolds. Alden's back towards the enemy. Corporal Shackley was sitting on the caisson eating hard tack, when a rebel shell struck the ground some 50 yards away, ricocheted, and struck Alden at the base of his spinal column, going completely through, and smashing the pelvis bone, making the most terrible wound. Alden lived nearly two hours after being wounded. Reynolds had one of his legs broken near the hip, but recovered from hus hurt. Both the sponge staves were broken, and the muzzle- sight was knocked off the piece. Corporal Shackley saw the shell strike the ground and watched its course until it stopped. It did not explode.".
Dyer says on June 2d :- "Hitched up at 24 o'clock, got breakfast and left park at daybreak. Went off to the right, stopped till ro, went back to our old position, unhitched and unharnessed. At 2 p. m. hitched up, formed line of battle. Fighting commenced at 3, and continued with a continual roll till 9 p. m. Fred D. Alden mortally wounded. and Win. Reynolds badly wounded. Allen Almy came to see me."
From Shackley's of June 3d :-- "W. H. H. Lapham was killed and buried in a box near a small tree, and his name marked on a piece of board nailed to the tree. The Battery took position and fired about 400 rounds. The Battery charged half way across the field and drove a rebel battery from their position."
Bethesda Church is about five miles from Mechanicsville. Va .. by the Old Church Road, and about three miles from
S59
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Gaines Mills, the scene of the battle of June 27, 1862. There was a belt of woods in front of the church, which at the narrowest was about three-eighths of a mile, but broad- ened out to the width of half a mile at the widest part. The advanced position of the rebel intrenchments faced this widest portion of the woods a few hundred yards away, and were built on a line parallel to and a little in advance of an- other road southeast of Bethesda Church, which was at right angles with Old Church Road.
REPORT OF LIEUT. L. I. RICHARDSON.
"June 2 .- Marched out at IT a. m. to near the position of the 30th: went in park near Bethesda Church. While here I received orders to put my battery in position, faced to the rear. Moved out of position about 5 p. m., and went into park. where I remained until dark. I then received orders to move my battery out to the front,-our rear,- where I was assigned my position by Captain Phillips. I then went in camp for the night.
Junc 3d: The enemy opened upon us this morning to which we rc- plicd .- my position was the left of the three batteries B. Fourth United States on my right, and E, Fifth Massachusetts on the right of that,- and silencing them, they soon moved to another position. and again we silenced them. but this time it cost me dearly. It was here I lost the brave and efficient officer Lieutenant (Charles) de Mott, he being struck with a piece of case-shot, which passed through him, killing him instantly ; I also lost I man killed and 4 wounded. at this place.
At this time the enemy had an enfilading fire upon us, as well as the fire in our front: we could do nothing with them only in our front.
Our line of battle soon advanced. and I was ordered,-with the other batteries, --- to advance on the open plain in my front. As I moved up, the enemy opened on us with canister, but with little effect. I soon got my position, and we silenced the enemy's battery, so much so that one hour after getting this position. not a shot was fired from them. In this position I lost I man killed and 2 wounded."
ACTION OF STEWART'S FOURTH U. S.
Augustus Buell of this battery says of its action at Bethesda Church, in his book entitled "The Cannoncer," "Story of a Private Soldier" :-
"In our front, where the Mechanicsville Pike entered the grove or
860
HISTORY OF THE
woods west of the Bethesda Church. there was a clearing which ex- tended some distance into the woods, forming a sort of pocket or recess. This clearing may have been ro or 15 acres in extent, and was of a tri- angular shape. so that it was commanded by the woods on both flank .. It was in this clearing, about at the base of the triangle, that thic enemy came in battery. Between us and the enemy there was a stretch of low ground, somewhat grown up with small brush, and the old pike was graded up to some extent through this low ground. . . . When the Rebel battery came into position. we were 'standing at case' in column just back of Bethesda Church. The battery was halted in column of pieces, left in front. The Old Man (Stewart) was lounging on his saddle, near the right gun, with his elbow on the pommel and his chin resting on his hand. . . . Suddenly Gen. Griffin beckoned to Stewart, who left us and rode over toward the General. . . . A few words passed between the General and Stewart, which I did not hear. of course, being at that moment in the act of mounting the limber-chest. but afterward learned that Gen. Griffin said: "James' -- he usually called Stewart by his first name in that way-'can you go in battery under that fire?'
'Yes, sir ; where shall I unlimber?'
'Suit yourself about that, but keep an eye to your supports. I would like to see that battery silenced.'
'I will shut it up, sir.'"
Of the appearance of the battery in the charge, he says :-
"Every Driver lying forward on his horse, whipping and yelling : every Gunner and Cannoneer hanging on for life to the guard-rods of the limber-chests. and bounding six inches high from the springless seats as the huge wheels flew over the ruts ; a long trail of dust stream- ing behind, and the very earth made to smoke and tremble under the fierce tramp of the flying steeds! Speed was everything here, because it was necessary to get there quick and get to work, before the enemy could get many rounds into us. . . We had 13 or 14 men hit altogether in this affair. of whom to or It went down in the single minute that i! took us to unlimber and get in the first load. . . . The day being het and sultry, with no air stirring. the smoke hung right in front of us. so that after the second or third round we could not see the enemy at all, but we could hear his canister rattling among our guns and wheels like big hail-stones, or whizzing past our heads, or whirring through the grass and bushes. But we had the exact direction by the well. defined tracks of the wheels in the first recoil, so there was no difficulty in pointing. and all we had to do was 'keep her muzzle down.' In three minutes we could feel the enemy's fire slacken. In seven or eight min- utcs more he ceased entirely, and then, as the smoke lifted, we saw his deserted guns standing silent in the field!"
861
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
FROM THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASS. BATTERY.
In his account of the part taken in the Battle of Bethesda Church by the Third Mass. Battery, the historian says :--
"The three batteries of Griffin's Division were placed in an open field just across the road from Bethesda Church the enemy being strongly intrenched in front. Early in the morning the Ninth Corps advanced on our right, and soon after an advance was made by the Second Brigade of Griffin's Division. This brigade was annoyed in its advance by the fire of a rebel battery, and our artillery was ordered to follow it up to silence the enemy's guns.
The three batteries,-the 3d. 5th, and oth Mass .- then advanced 'by battery,' the Fifth Massachusetts leading, across the open field inter- vening, until within canister range, where we were obliged to halt by the enemy's sharpshooters. A heavy fire was poured into the rebel battery, which effectually silenced it, and the next morning, when the enemy abandoned their works twenty-two dead horses were found where their battery had stood."
MAJ. GEN. BURNSIDE TO MAJ. GEN. WARREN.
"12.30 p. m. June 3, 1864: General Griffin is ready to do what he can with Sweitzer's brigade and his batteries. Colonel Sweitzer reports the enemy moving to our left."
Post Script to letter of Brig. Gen. Robert B. Potter, com- inanding the 2d Division Ninth Army Corps, 2.25 p. m. June 3, 1864 :---
"Griffin I fear will make nothing. The enemy's works are across an open field and extend beyond his right. He does not think he can carry them."
Gen. Jacob B. Sweitzer, colonel commanding Brigade, to General C. Griffin June 4, 1864. 5 a. m. :--
"General: I have the honor to report that my pickets have advanced, and are now in the rebel carthworks in my front. The enemy have left."
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS' REPORT.
Captain Phillips in his Report to Lieut. Fordham Morris. acting assistant adjutant general of the Artillery Brigade
S62
HISTORY OF THE
of the Fifth Army Corps, dated Aug. 6, 1864, and embrac- ing the period between May 4. 1864, and that date, contains the following reference to the Battle of Bethesda Church :--
"After crossing the Pamunkey we were not engaged until the 3d of June. On the ist of June, Stewart's (B, 4th U. S.) Winslow's (D, ist N. Y.) and my own Battery were assigned to Griffin's Division and remained with it during the rest of the campaign. Ou the 3d of June, my Battery was placed in line with Sweitzer's Brigade and on the right of Lieut. Stewart on the right of the Mechanics- ville pike opposite Bethesda Church.
Early in the morning the three batteries of the Division engaged a rebel battery in our front, and silenced it. In the - forenoon Sweitzer's Brigade advanced across the open field in our front, whereupon the rebel battery reopened, annoy- ing them very much, as its fire nearly enfiladed the brigade. The three batteries at once advanced, firing by battery, until within 600 yards of the rebel battery, which was soon silenced. The next morning we discovered about 20 dead horses in the position occupied by the rebel battery, showing the accuracy of our fire: casualties one killed.
Casualties during the epoch 2 killed, one wounded."
At the close of this Report Captain Phillips again refers to this action as follows :---
"I desire to bear testimony to the ability and uniform good conduct of the officers and men of my command. While attached to General Griffin's Division I was in com- mand of the Division Artillery, leaving the Battery under the immediate command of my senior officer. Lieut. Blake was in command at Bethesda Church and until his death on the 18th of June at Petersburg, and handled the battery with marked ability and bravery."
NOTES OF LIEUT. T. E. SPEAR, JULY 24. 1901. "The killing of one man and the wounding of Reynek'-
1
-
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 863
by a ricochet shot, the terrible enfilading fire we were under, and the charge made by the Battery from the rifle pits across an open field to a position not over five hundred yards from the enemy's position or earthworks, is my re- membrance of this fight."
NOTES OF PRIVATE WM. H. DUNHAM, MARCH 29, 1901.
"On June 3d, 1864, occurred one of the most daring things of the war, the charge of the 5th Mass. Battery. This was the first instance ever known of any battery mak- ing a charge unprotected by infantry. The position of the rebel battery was such that it was able to annoy our infan- try, without receiving any check. General Griffin saw that if a battery could advance to a knoll within 400 yards of them, the advantage would then be ours. He came to Captain Phillips and said, 'Dare you take your battery to yonder knoll?'
Captain Phillips answered, ----
'I dare take my men anywhere.'
General Griffin then said: 'I want a battery on that knoll, but I do not order you there.'
However, orders were immediately given by Captain Phillips.
I, as No. I, took my sponge staff and bucket, William Carsley as No. 2. a round of ammunition, and so on. The order was then given .--
'Limber to the front. double quick. March!'
We started in on the yell under a heavy fire. The Lati New York were in our rear, they told us they did not ex- pect to see a man or horse standing.
As soon as we came in battery, there was rapid work until the rebels were silenced. Our only casualty was the loss of Comrade W. H. H. Lapham, who was killed during the charge in the open field.
864
HISTORY OF THE
The next day, on the spot which the rebels had occupied, were found ro new graves marked 4th Georgia Battery; also, 22 dead horses, showing the effect of our guns."
From John E. Dyer's Notes of June 3d, 1864 :---
"Hitched up at daylight and went in position. Soon the ball opened, and continued without intermission till 11 a. m., when General Griffin ordered the Battery to charge with the infantry. We went in with a yell, driving the Rebs, and came in position a 4 of a mile in advance of our breast- works. One of our comrades, W. H. H. Lapham, was killed. Kept firing at intervals. The sharpshooters kept pegging all day."
The mention in Appleton's Diary is :- "At Bethesda Church, Lapham (of Quincy) our best dressed man, one of the service of the piece, was killed."
Fired 172 case shot, 224 Percussion.
Quarter Master . Sergeant Peacock's memoranda for June 2d shows, "2 sponge staffs broken by a shell."
June 4, 1864, the supplies came up. The Battery rc- mained all day in position, and withdrew at night. The Rebs. attacked our Right Centre to gain the road, but were repulsed. The Ninth Corps moved to the left at dark, and Griffin's Division of the Fifth Corps formed the extreme Right of the line crossing the Mechanicsville road in front of Bethesda Church, and extending about three-quarters of a mile from the road. At 9 o'clock p. m. turned in. The morning of Sunday the 5th hitched up at daylight. fed, watered, and then unharnessed. All that day remained in position near Bethesda Church.
Corporal Shackley notes on June 5th, 1864 :- "A part of our company fund was used to buy some cheese."
THE COMPANY FUND.
In a letter written to Captain Henry D. Scott by Serg't. William H. Peacock in Chicago, Sept. 7, 1900, he says :-
865
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
"In my old book you will notice some sums collected for Company Fund. I think I was the only Quarter Master in the Battery that ever got pay for the rations we saved on, or did not draw. From my recollection now we were unable to make a fund after leaving Winter Quarters, but we had this winter saved money to use during the summer.
COMPANY SAVINGS, 1864.
January
$76.05
February
167.30
March
125.87
April
99.68
$168.90
I think this was the only "savings' by us made during the war. It was used mostly while in camp at Rappahannock Station, yet a portion was kept for the Grant campaign."
Shackley's Notes of June 5, 1864. resumed :- "About sunset had orders to move. Just then the Rebs made a vio- lent attack on our Left which soon extended along the whole line. We got on the road about 10 p. m. and halted a little after sunrise, having moved about four miles during the night."
At 5 p. m. hitched up, and at dark received orders to fall in behind the Ist Division. The Fifth Corps started to go to the left. Marched all night. At daylight of the 6th passed Allen's Mills and camped a mile beyond. about two miles from Cold Harbor.
In camp made coffee and then lay down to rest. At II a. m. unharnessed. Remained in park all day. The Second Corps did some shelling.
Among Dyer's memoranda for this day. is a mention of Lute Shaw's coming up: "Got some butter and pickles of Stephen Townsend. Went to bed at 9 p. m. The bands all playing in big style. June 7th packed up and hitched
1
866
HISTORY OF THE
up at 2 a. m. At daylight started with the Ist Division, and after marching 5 miles went into camp. The infantry went into position, there being no place for artillery. Our skir- mishers were put along the Chickahominy by Sumner's Bridge. The Rebs shelled us at intervals all day. At dark they threw a few 64 pounders."
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.