USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 3
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these encouraging words do not apply to any troops I have seen. They are disheartened, and nothing but the restora- tion of our old Corps will relieve that despondency."
INDEX TO CAMPS.
On a fly leaf of the Diary of Corporal Thomas E. Chase is the following useful index to camps :--
"Oct. 2, 1862. In Camp at Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Va. Oct. 8th at Rockville, Md.
Oct. 9th & roth Frederick City, Boonsboro' and Sharpsburg.
Oct. 21st Antietam Iron Works.
Oct. 31st Burkittsville and Petersboro', Md.
Nov. Ist Berlin, Knoxville. and Harper's Ferry.
Nov. 2d Snicker's Gap, Va.
Nov. 7th White Plains.
Nov. gth Near Warrenton, Va.
Nov. 23d Near Falmouth, Va.
Dec. 16th Near Falmouth, Va.
.Notes of Corporal Jonas Shackley: "The horse of James Winters, the Bugler, was killed in one of the streets of the city. . .. In the march back to camp one of the caissons was thrown into a ravine, turning over two or three times."
NOTES OF LIEUT. SCOTT.
"About daylight the 16th Dec. 1862, we crossed the Rap- pahannock on an upper pontoon bridge, following the river bank down stream until the road following the bank of a ravine led up to the plateau above. The rain had begun to pour, and the ground getting soft in passing up the ravine one of the caissons slid off the bank to the bottom below, but an infantry regiment coming along, by the use of ropes it was soon placed upon a firm foundation. One of the drivers was quite badly hurt.
Soon the last of the Army was across, and the enemy were on the banks of the river again. Moving back about
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half a mile from the river, we pitched our tent, and with the water running down the hill under us, we found rest for the remainder of the night, glad we were so well out of the fight.
While in the fight at Fredericksburg, General Griffin had instructed Captain Phillips to confine the most of his fire to the Telegraph Road, coming past the centre of the rebel lines, to prevent reinforcements from their flank on their Right. The rebel lines were not assailable at any point. General Griffin was pleased with the part the Battery took on that day.
The fight at Fredericksburg was most cruel. Changing commanders almost in the face of an enemy will not always be successful, and the Army, for the most part, were so bound up in Mcclellan! No time was given the men to understand the new Commander. In fact they foretold his defeat in advance. Jealousy and politics had taken pos- session of the Army of the Potomac."
Chase's Diary: Dec. 17. 1862. Back from Fredericks- burg to the camp near Falmouth, Va .: "Refreshing sleep last night. In camp all day. Filled the chests with new ammunition. Weather fine but rather cold."
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
After one more reference to the last night in Fredericks- burg on Princess Anne street, where they "pillowed their heads on dictionaries" and tried to sleep, Captain Phillips proceeds as follows, in a letter dated Camp near Falmouth. Va. Dec. 17th 1862 :--
"Every effort is being made to prepare for another brush, and I have reported my Battery ready for service. My car- riages and harnesses are pretty well cut up. One saddle was knocked all to pieces by a shell, and two horses had their heads shot off rather injuring their bridles. After I had recrossed the river one caisson tumbled off a bank Io
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of 15 feet high owing to the road giving way, and killed two horses, broke the caisson-stock and smashed things generally. The traces were all cut up in clearing the horses. How the drivers escaped death is a wonder to me. However, our damages are now about all repaired, and I am ready to try our luck again on the other side as soon as the order is given. Captain Martin says that General Wilcox complimented us very highly. We had 5 men who have only been with us a week, and they thought they had a pretty good breaking in. Fredericksburg is pretty well sacked, and the men had a good chance to get the great de- sideratum of a soldier, tobacco. From the quantity I have seen I should judge that we brought off about a ton of it; every man having 15 or 20 pounds. We found 5 barrels of flour (see p. 508) in the Poor House, and a barrel of salt, another article that the Rebels are popularly supposed not to have. Furniture and dishes ad libitum were brought off, and our table is now ornamented with an elegant glass sugar bowl and salt cellar, while we all have china cups to drink from. We were not in season, however, to make the most of our opportunities, and we unfortunately crossed into the lower and unfashionable portion of the city.
Dec. 18. P. S. I enclose a proclamation of Governor Letcher which I found kicking around in Fredericksburg. Lieut. Blake's brother is among the missing. He was in the 18th Mass. Regt. and fell in a charge on the Rebel lines. The last seen of him he put his hand to his head exclaiming 'I am shot.'"
Chase's Diary: "Dec. 21, 1862. Promotion of Lieut. Phillips as our future Captain received in line this a. m."
Lieut. Phillips' promotion is dated Oct. 18, 1862. It took all that time to get round.
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GENERAL BUTTERFIELD'S FAREWELL ORDER.
HEAD QUARTERS 5TH ARMY CORPS, Dec. 24, 1862.
By the orders of the Major Gen'l commanding the Army of the Potomac, Maj. General Meade is placed in command of the 5th Army Corps. Duty not less than inclination prompts the sincere and heart- felt acknowledgment of the devotion to duty, the cheerful obedience to orders, and the kindly spirit which has been evinced by the subordinate commanders of this Corps during the time it has been under my com- mand.
Words fail to express my proper appreciation of the unparalleled bravery and soldierly qualities, exhibited by its officers and members during the late battle of Fredericksburg, and the operations connected therewith. On duty with and of the Corps since its organization, I may be permitted with pride to say that neither remarks from me or the gallant record of mv senior and successor, will be necessary to insure to him the reception and support due his rank and position.
(Signed) DANIEL BUTTERFIELD Brig. Gen'l.
Dec. 26, 1862, Maj. Gen'l George G. Meade assumed command of the 5th Army Corps.
Chase's Diary : "Dec. 25th, 1862. On Board Steamer 'Commonwealth' of the New York and Stonington line one year ago tonight en route for Washington, D. C .! Fin- ished our tent and dedicated the fireplace."
. FROM LETTER OF LIEUT. SPEAR.
"Friday morning: (Dec. 26, 1862.) Yesterday was Christmas, and now one year has passed away since I left my native state. What scenes and changes have taken place during the past year! but I hope before the end of another year comes creeping along that this cursed rebel- lion will be at an end, and all persons now engaged in this civil war at home with their friends and families. For breakfast yesterday had baked beans and soft bread, for dinner baked beans and pudding, and for supper boiled rice."
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Chase's Diary : "Dec. 29, 1862. Battery drilled half an hour on the manual this morning. The promotion of Ist Serg't. J. E. Spear to Jr. 2d Lieut. read in line by Serg't. Smith, acting Orderly."
Lieut. Spear's commission is dated Oct. 18, 1862.
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. "CAMP NEAR POTOMAC CREEK, Dec. 29, 1862.
I sent a man to Washington a few days ago after ord- nance stores, and this gave us an opportunity to replenish our mess stores. We got half a barrel of flour, and calculate to have soft bread now right along. Among other things which Serg't. Nye brought back from Washington was a barrel of brown bread. We took what we wanted and he disposed of the rest to the men. By the way they rushed for it I thought they appreciated it. We are now in winter quarters, i. e. the men are all comfortably disposed of in such huts as they can construct. Of course they do not know how soon they may have to leave them. I have built unto myself a log house 9 ft. by 10, covered over with a tent fly. and have a good solid floor, a capital bedstead, a door with hinges and a latch, and a fireplace which smokes. This last, however, is owing to the fact that it is not quite finished. Tomorrow will complete the job. As it is I manage to have a great deal of comfort, and think I have rather the best quarters in this vicinity. I have not carpeted the floor or papered the walls, but probably shall if we remain here long enough. It is quite a luxury to have a place where I can walk round, hang up things, and where the wind does not blow. I shall be quite busy for the next 3 weeks with Rolls. Quarterly Returns &c.
Dec. 31, 1862.
My log house, chimney and all, is finished, at last, and I manage to enjoy it very much. Such luxuries as solid
1
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walls and floors are only appreciated in camp. As it is, when I come in evenings, hang up my cap, put on my slip- pers and sit down in my easy chair in front of a big, blazing fire. I am nearly as comfortable as in a parlor at home. I only want a few books to make the evenings pass quite cheerfully. Newspapers are quite a treat, when they come; but they are hardly numerous enough to occupy my spare time. We thought yesterday that we were going to be routed out of all these comforts. About 111/2 a. m. Cap- tain Waterman, acting Chief of Artillery in Captain Mar- tin's absence, came by and said that he had just received a . note from Division Head Quarters that the Division would march at 12. We got all ready for a start, but in half an hour Captain Waterman sent over that he had received an order to detail Lieut. Hazlett's Battery to accompany the Division, so we subsided into our statu quo ante, and went on with our dinner. Meanwhile I believe the Division marched off.
Lieut. Spear's commission has arrived, so that we have four in our mess now. A glass sugar bowl ( see p. 508) that I obtained in Fredericksburg figures conspicuously on the table, also, two glass sauce dishes. If Burnside intends to get to Richmond before summer he must be moving soon. Last winter the rainy season commenced January roth and it did not stop raining till the Ist of July. So we must expect some rain soon.
In my opinion Fredericksburg could and should be taken in a week. We could have routed the Rebels when we were over there before, had our artillery been properly handled. but we cannot do anything until our generals learn to use this arm. . . . I do not understand what he ( Burnside ) is waiting for. We have men enough, and the rebels must be driven out of the works towards Richmond, and the sooner we are at it the better. The roads are good, weather
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good, health of the Army good, -- in a month all these will be bad."
LETTER OF LIEUT. P. W. BLAKE.
"CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG.
Jany. 1, 1863.
Our Division went on a reconnoissance day before yester- day up the Rappahannock River some 15 miles, as far as Burnett's Ford. They crossed the river and took some prisoners, and destroyed a bridge, and were ordered back by some authority at Washington.
The Division got back today. We hitched up our Bat- tery to go, but the order was countermanded, and only took the regular Battery D. U. S. Army.
We are encamped alongside of the railroad that runs from Acquia Creek to Fredericksburg, near Potomac Creek that runs across the railroad. You can see by referring to the map. I made a dot where we lay at the present time. I have dotted the course we came last summer from Acquia Creek to Manassas Junction, the last Bull Run battle, to Hall's Hill where we started from last spring. From Sharpsburg, Maryland, I have dotted the course we came this fall to where we are now. I must close now. I will tell you the fighting part when I get home."
Scott's Notes: "The first of January, 1863, the Battery was camped at Stoneman's Switch on the Fredericksburg and Acquia Creek Rail Road, where it had been previous to the battle of Fredericksburg. as winter quarters. The winter was unusually severe, there being no less than 20 snow storms."
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LETTER OF CAPT. PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR POTOMAC CREEK, Jan'y 4, 1863.
Although newsboys come rather irregularly, and the Post Office Department does not take great pains to for- ward papers regularly, still we manage to get an occasional .N. Y. Herald' or 'Philadelphia Inquirer' or 'National Re- publican,' while the Boston Journals' sent from home all arrive, though sometimes sadly behind the times. The high price of paper and consequent rise in the 'dailies' does not affect us out here where the standard price of a N. Y. paper has always been 10 cents with an occasional rise to 15. .
My log house is better built than the average; the logs being fitted snugly together so as to dispense with mud as much as possible. The dimensions of the edifice are 9 ft. by 10. It is six feet high at the eaves so that I can stand up anywhere, a great comfort, I assure you. The gable ends are built up with logs, and the roof is composed of a tent fly which admits the light. In one end of my room is my fireplace, quite capacious and comfortable if not clegant. two bricks and two stones form the andirons. From the fireplace rises a chimney of stone and mud, which answers all the objects of a chimney, and draws beautifully. Oppo- site the fireplace is the door, a good, substantial door of pine boards, with a latch and 'fixins.' The apartment is floored with boards which were once parts of packing boxes to convey Ordnance Stores to the Battery. On the left hand as you enter is my bedstead built up substantially of frag- ments of hard-bread boxes, where I stretch my weary limbs on a mattress stuffed with husks. I have also a feather pillow, trophy from Fredericksburg, which adds materially to my comfort. This side of the room is wainscoted with pieces of hard-bread boxes, which keep me from contact with the pitch pine logs, and give an elegant appearance.
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The remainder of the room is 'papered' with empty grain bags which look more cheerful than bare logs. On the side opposite to my bed, in the corner next the door is my wash- stand holding my wash bowl, soap, and all the luxuries of the toilet. Pendant over this is my looking-glass. . . . In the middle of this side is my writing desk, an elegant struc- ture of planed boards. In the corner by the fireplace is my wood box filled with wood. My trunk stands between my desk and washstand. Sabre, haversack, canteen, fiekl glass, overcoat. caps &c. hanging round the walls complete the picture, which in my eyes is a very comfortable one. In the course of iny travels I have not seen any more comfort- able quarters. I have an casy chair, and in the evening's I can draw it up to the fire. and put my feet, not on the man- tel-piece, for there isn't any, but over the fireplace, in the most civilized way imaginable. My quarters have excited
the admiration of all my visitors, and on the whole I con- sider myself a lucky man. I have a fire-shovel, from Fred- ericksburg, and only need a pair of tongs to make the set complete. Then we are living like princes. We have a Dutch oven and plenty of flour and have fresh bread and cakes every day; roast beef or beef steak for dinner regu- larly, pickles, apple sauce, for side dishes, and regular pota- tocs and onions. Some officers of the 330 were over here yesterday, and were quite taken down by the style in which we did things.
The fact is, a man has to have experience to know how to live in the army, and we do not calculate to live on hard tack; and salt junk as long as we have any money. Artillery officers have an advantage over infantry officers in the fact that we can carry round about as large a mess kit as we choose, and however large a stock of eatables we have on hand, we can get it along on the march.
January 5th. All quiet on the Rappahannock! I am! afraid this phrase will become as stereotyped as the similar
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 525
one in regard to the Potomac, and that Burnside, if not careful, will become as sluggish as his predecessor. Now is the time for Burnside. If he remains still, Lee's army will be off to reinforce the Western Rebels, while we shall be held at bay by empty entrenchments and visionary hosts. If Burnside strikes now, we shall attack the foe at every point, and he cannot hold them all. If our generals expect to do anything, why don't they give our artillery a chance to operate, and not send infantry to dive into ditches, or run their heads against a stone wall? . . . I have made an addi- tion to my articles of comfort and luxury, in the shape of a boot-jack. After mature deliberation I came to the con- clusion that I needed a boot-jack out here, as much as I did at home. I cannot pull my boots off a bit easier than I could two years ago, so why should not I have a boot-jack ? The argument seemed to me perfectly logical and the conse- quence thereof was a boot-jack as aforesaid.
.
The Army is getting quite discontented on the subject of pay. We have not been paid since the Ist of July. The recruits who come out start with a couple of hundred of dollars in their pockets and do not care much about pay for some time; consequently they are not very popular with the Army and the '200 dollar men' stand a chance to do the hardest work. They are very apt to be detailed on fatigue parties &c.
There is a great rush for furloughs just now. All our generals are gone off, and a colonel commands the Di- vision. (Col. Barnes of the 18th Mass. ) I expect soon to hear of colonels commanding army corps in the great scarcity of brig. generals. It seems as if Congress had made enough to furnish at least one to a Division. .
One of my new men that Lull sent out. after a short career, tumbled off his horse and laid himself up for a couple of months, and in consequence of such accidents as these, my numbers just about hold their own. "
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Chase's Diary : "Jan'y 7, 1863. Posted the guard las: night and today, Ist half. Morning drill as usual. Hitched up and drilled by sections p. m. A good, lively drill. Weather very fine, but rather cold p. m. Counter- sign 'Buffalo.'" (See p. 797.)
Diary of Private John E. Dyer: "Thursday, Jan'y 8. 1863. 'Boots and saddles' sounded at 9 a. m. Hitched up and marched about 11/2 iniles towards Falmouth, to be re- viewed by Generals Burnside, Hooker, and staffs. Arrived back at camp about 3 o'clock p. m. Captain Phillips acting commander of Division Artillery today, vice Martin absent. Saw two ladies at the Review."
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Jan'y 9, 1863.
I am glad the Ist of January is past and freedom an es- tablished fact at last, and I think we can now see the begin- ning of the end. Everything, in my mind, points to the exhaustion of the South and in the tone of their papers and speeches and above all in Jeff Davis's proclamation, I can see indications which show that they are conscious of their inability to carry on the struggle, when the issue is once fairly made between freedom and slavery.
I have read Butler's farewell address, and like it much. Like all his other actions it is characteristic of the man. I think that however much fault we may find with the small details of his conduct, there is no man who has stamped his mark and his own characteristics so strongly on the present age as Benj. F. Butler; no man who has done so much to bend public opinion, or has seen more clearly the proper issue of this struggle.
We had a Review yesterday . . . in all say 15,000 men. About half an hour before we started Captain Waterman
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sent over that he was too sick to go out, and as Captain Martin was off on a furlough, I would have to act as Chief of Artillery. Now I am able and willing to handle my own battery, but I did not relish the idea of having the care of four batteries stuck on my shoulders. (Martin's, Water- man's, Phillips', Hazlett's. ) However I made the best of it and started the batteries out. Arrived on the ground we formed on the designated ground, and waited. Pretty soon things looked as if the show was about to commence. So I stationed myself in front of my battalion and prepared to roar myself hoarse. Inflating my lungs to their full ca- pacity I bellowed forth :-- 'Atteuch ho-o-o-o-o-n'-short stop to rest and puff up .- 'Draw-Sabre!'-another inter- val, during which General Burnside with 100 officers more or less after him, rode down to the right of the line: then after due preparation,-'Present-Sabre!' and the four bat- teries presented sabre.
General Burnside then rode down our front, and, as he passed, bowed, and appeared to recognize me in my new dignity. When he had reached the left flank, more puffing up preparatory to,-'Carry-Sabre!' Then we waited while he reviewed the infantry, when they broke into col- umn and passed in review, we following the whole Corps. The passing in review was well executed, not a single halt being made. This through with, we all went home as fast as we could, cold and hungry, to pitch into a late dinner.
So ended my first public appearance as 'Chief of Artil- lery.' . .
As far as practical efficiency in action is concerned the 5th Battery is equal to any in the Division, and my men will stand to their work in as hot a fire as anybody. There are some indications of an advance before long. The sooner we move the better.
Jan'y LIth. I don't want you to think I did anything remarkable at Fredericksburg. I put my guns just where
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I was ordered to put them, and kept them there till I was ordered to leave, blazing away at the enemy meanwhile, and I suppose anybody else would have done the same thing. Still as praise of me benefits the Battery I am willing to take it all, though whatever is due, is due to the men of the Battery. I will not deny that the fire was rather hot, and that we replied quite energetically and accurately, but this was owing to the coolness with which the men stood to the guns, and the sergeants aimed the pieces, and to no particu- lar merit of mine. However, as everywhere else, the men do all the work, the commander gets all the praise.
My new officer Spear is quite an acquisition, just what I expected of him, well fitted for the post. He is a very smart fellow, and has a wonderful capacity of adapting him- self to his position. When he was a corporal he was that and no more, promoted Orderly Sergeant he became at once an Orderly all over. As soon as he received his commis- sion he slid at once out of the enlisted men, and became an officer as gracefully as if he had been an officer all his life. . . . Deaths and discharges have cleared off nearly all the old non-commissioned officers, and most of the sergeants and corporals now are of my appointing and I think I may say are good ones. After the battle of Fredericksburg I issued a new batch of warrants in which I took occasion to reward some who had done well there."
Non-commissioned officers are sergeants, of various grades, and corporals. They are appointed by authorities lower than the President. Commissions are issued by the President. The papers issued to non-commissioned officers are called warrants.
Chase's Diary : "Jan'y 12, 1863. Lieut. Scott left camp for home on furlough. Jan'y 13th. Posted the guard last night, and today-last half,-Countersign 'Rhode Island.'"
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BATTERY HEAD QUARTERS. -
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
"CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Jan'y 14th, 1863.
I envy Mr. Bouncer in 'Verdant Green,' who, in his regu- lar letters to the Mum,' used to insert a couple of pages from the Oxford Guide Book. I do not know whether such a practice would be universally agreeable, but I can, if desired, send home a weekly sheet of Artillery Tactics.
At 6 a. m. or thereabouts,-Scott's watch and mine are the only ones in camp, and we are not exact in our calls, -- reveille sounds. I wake up and find the air chilly: I roll over. In a few minutes enter Henry with an armful of kindling wood, who forthwith proceeds to make a fire. I watch the process with interest. The fire started, exit Henry with my boots. An interval of time elapses, at the end of which Henry again makes his appearance on the scene with my boots all blacked, fills up my washbowl, puts more wood on the fire and disappears. I meditate, I look at my watch, I conclude to get up. Since we have got civilized habitations, we have adopted the civilized habit of lying abed, and we breakfast at 8.
By the time my toilet is completed, there comes a knock at the door .---
'Captain, breakfast ready.'
'All right,' I reply, and grab my stool and travel to the next tent, where I find the table set with all the luxuries of the season : liot bread, cakes or toast, cold ham, or cold roast beef, apple sauce, and coffee,-no milk. So, we sit down and 'pitch in,' which expression aptly describes the process of eating in camp. After breakfast, I return home, where I find my bed made up, floor swept, furniture dusted &c. So I take my seat at my desk and prepare for business. Some days I have numerous callers. Serg't Nye with some
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