USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 30
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July 21st the air was cool and bracing after the shower. and the men cleaned up the park and stable, and went after a load of rails for the cook-house. There was pretty lively shelling and mortar firing.
22d. Dyer wrote "Everything remained quiet until 1 little before dark, when several volleys of musketry were exchanged between the darkies and Rebs. This brought on lively shelling, which continued all the evening. 23d. Hitched up horses and had a drill today. After we came in cleaned harnesses and carriages for inspection tomorrow. Sunday 24th. Inspection this morning at 9 o'clock by Lieut. Spear. The 2d caisson had considerable trouble in getting out of park with their horses, and broke some of their harnesses. At 6 p. m. it commenced raining. 25th. Considerable shelling occurred towards night, the shell striking mostly about 300 yards from our camp. 26th. Corporal Wilson woke us up rather early, it being but ;
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o'clock. Some growling about it but it soon ceased. Drill on manual of the piece this forenoon, but as I was on fatigue I did not drill. 27th. Drill on the manual of the piece at 9 a. m. The Sanitary Commissioner brought us up some potatoes, beets, turnips, milk, pickles, and under- clothing. 28th. Battery drill at 9 a. m. In the evening having nothing to do I took a stroll along the picket line. The infantry advanced their line today; the lines of battle now being but 500 yards apart."
THE MINE.
In his report to Lieut. Morris of August 6, 1864, Cap- tain Phillips states that on the 29th of July the Battery "was placed in a 4 gun battery in the line of the 3d Brigade Ist Division, and took part in the bombardment of the 30th. making some accurate shooting."
July 29, 1864. Corporal Shackley has thus recorded :-- "Worked on magazine till past midnight, and deposited S chests of ammunition in anticipation of the explosion of General Burnside's mine."
Captain Phillips in his Diary of the 29th observes :--. "All the batteries placed under Colonel Wainwright. Went into position about sunset on General Bartlett's front in Battery No. 8-No. 9 Winslow's D. Ist N. Y., No. 10, Fort Tilton-18 guns; viz., 6, 4% in. Rifled, 4, 12 pdr., and 8, 3 inch or Parrotts."
Battery No. S was on the front line.
"July 30, 1864. (Corporal Shackley.) Packed up ready to move, then. all but the guards went to the front. At about 5 a. in. the mine was exploded, and we commenced firing all along our lines. The Rebel fort was destroyed, and the position was taken and occupied by our troops, but about 2 p. m. the Rebels attacked and recaptured the posi - tion, and a large number of our Army. The Battery fired 2446 rounds, but sustained no loss by the enemy's fire.
.
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Serg't. Stiles (Charles F. Stiles of Charlestown) was in jured by concussion of the gun. July 31, 1864, withdrew from the line of battle and returned to camp."
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. "CAMP BEFORE PETERSBURG,
Aug. 1, 1864.
On Friday I was ordered into position with Griffin's Division, and from the signs I judged that the ball might open. The batteries took position at dark, and by mid- night there were 16 mortars and 60 or 70 guns, 12 of them 43 siege, along the front of the 5th Corps. I kept the men at work till midnight, building a magazine, and then turned in. The orders received before we went to bed, were to be at our posts before daylight.
About daylight the mine in Burnside's front was to ex- plode, and this was to be the signal for us to open, so di daylight we were all ready and were waiting.
All was still and quiet, our men were all waiting, behind the parapets, while on the Rebel side a few men were seen along the works.
About 4 o'clock, while I was looking, the mine went up: an immense column of dust and smoke, rising slowly and majestically into the air!
The artillery opened at once, and the simultaneousness of the discharges, and the contrast with the stillness which had prevailed, had a grand effect.
The Rebel artillery hardly fired a shot, and after an hour of steady fire, we slacked up a little. The mine was a com- plete success, but the charge would be a ridiculous farce were it not for the unpleasant results.
I do most sincerely hope that somebody will be court martialed for the failure, which can only be attributed to the utter carelessness and incompetence of somebody in charge of the affair. We probably shall not have such a
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good chance again. We might have taken the place as well as not."
SECRETARY STANTON TO MAJOR PHILLIPS.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, December 2. 1864.
Sir :- You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed you for gallant services at the battle of Bethesda Church and during the present campaign before Richmond Va., a Major of volunteers by brevet in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the First day of August one thousand eight hun- dred and sixty-four.
Should the Senate at their next session advisc and consent thercto. you will be commissioned accordingly. Immediately on receipt herc- of please to communicate to this Department, through the Adjutant General of the Army, your acceptance or non-acceptance. and. with your letter of acceptance return the oath herewith enclosed, properly fillcd up, 'subscribed and attested, and report your age, birthplace, and the state of which you were a permanent resident.
You will report for duty to
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. (152)
BVT. MAJOR CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, U. S. Volunteers Thro. Comdg Genl Army Potomac.
GENERAL CHALFIN TO MAJOR PHILLIPS.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, June 12, 1865.
Sir:
I have the honor to enclose to you herewith your commis. sion of Major by Brevet, the receipt of which please acknowledge.
I am sir
Very respectfully Your obedient servant S. F. CHALFIN. Assistant Adjutant General. . (158)
BVT. MAJOR CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, U. S. Volunteers, Capt. sth Mass. Batt'y. 5th Corps Wash., D. C.
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MAJOR C. A. PHILLIPS BY BREVET.
THE COMMISSION.
Across the upper corner at the left, written in red ink these words :- "Recorded Volume 4. page 26. Adjutant General's Office April 20, 1865.
E. D. TOWNSEND, Ass't Adj't. Gen'l.
The American Eagle at the top resting on heavy clouds streaked with lightning. Over it "THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and set in the midst of stars the motto "E Pluribus Unum." At the left the blue seal of the United States. Under the Eagle :--
"To all who shall see these presents greeting :
Know ye, That I do hereby confer on Charles A. Phillips of the U. S. Volunteers in the service of the United States by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the rank of Major By Brevet in said service, to rank as such from the First day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, for gallant ser- vices at the battle of Bethesda Church, and during the present cam- paign before Richmond, Virginia. And I do strictly charge and re- quire all officers and soldiers under his command. to obey and respect him accordingly, and he is to observe and follow such orders and di- rections from time to time as he shall receive from me, or the future President of the United States of America and other officers set over him according to law, and the rules and discipline of war. This conunission to continue in force, during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.
Given under my hand at the City of Washington this Twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and in the eighty-ninth year of the Independence of the United States.
By the President, ANDREW JOHNSON.
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
At the bottom an elaborate drawing in which the colors, the implements of the service, arms and munitions of war are represented.
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It was rumored on August ist that the enemy was under- mining Fort Tilton, and on August 3d that a mine under the ISth Corps was suspected, and the Army was under arms before daylight.
Q. M. Serg't. Peacock on August 3d. "Received of Cap- tain Phillips $20.00 from Company Fund to be used in the purchase of vegetables." [See p. 865 Company Fund. ]
Aug. 6, 1864, by order of Colonel Wainwright the guns of the Fifth Mass. Battery were placed in position on the second line i a entrenchment in rear of Fort Tilton on the left of Colonel Nathan T. Dushane's Maryland Brigade.
On this day Lieut. Samuel H. Hamblet reported for duty.
Aug. 7. 1864, Lieut. Hamblet joined the Battery and in the evening the guns were moved to the right of the Mary- land Brigade.
With reference to the possible undermining of Fort Til- ton Major Phillips says in a letter dated Aug. 9. 1864 :-
"The hot weather is causing a great deal of sickness among the men. Last Sunday we put our guns in position in a second line which has been formed in rear of Fort Til- ton to guard against the contingency of the rebels blowing it up, and I live partly in camp and partly with the guns in front. The weather is very hot and I long for a breath of fresh air. The Sanitary Commission reaches us here."
He sent home for a pair of shoulder straps with the fol- lowing directions, and received them all right by mail as he ordered them :--
"Send ine a pair of shoulder straps .- Captain of Arti !- lery .- Let the straps be gold embroidered, not stamped sheet brass. Let the embroidery be only one row, so that the straps will not be too large and showy, as I only want them for fatigue uniform. Let the cloth of the straps be broadcloth and not red velvet."
August 10th, 1864, Private John S. Doane was appointed
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acting corporal. A few shots from the Rebs about 10.30 p. m.
Aug. 12, 1864, the Battery was inspected by Lieut. G. W. Dresser Acting Ass't Inspector General Art'y Brigade. Eight men from the Third Mass. Battery joined the Fifth. They were J. R. Robinson, Geo. Brown, J. Waterson. T. Flanagan. J. Hayes, W. G. Boutwell, G. S. Hunt, 1. J. Hunt.
The names are from Peacock's Account Book which has also under date of Aug. 12, the following :-
"Provision return for LI men from August 12 to 20 in- clusive, 9 days, 99 rations. Same time Return from Aug. 21 to 31 inclusive HI days, for Ho men. Rations for 100 horses."
Note by Serg't Peacock, Sept. 7, 1900 :- "We had dui ing the Grant campaign two extra caissons, that were kept at the rear most of the time, and I think rations were drawn separate for the men with them, as my book shows rations drawn for iro men & II men."
August 13th three more men joined the Battery. August 14, 1864. Faunce (Alvin Faunce of Boston) sent to hos- pital. Orders were received to withdraw the guns as soon as relieved by a battery of the Ninth Corps, and about day- light of the 15th, the Fifth Corps having been relieved by the Ninth about daylight, their place was taken at 4 a. m. by the IIth Mass. Battery, Captain Edward J. Jones.
All day, and the next day, and the next, they remained in readiness to move, and marched on the 18th to the Wei- don Railroad.
On the red field in conflict meet the ranks, With mingled shout and groan ; And hearts at home are swayed by hope and fear. Intent on war alone. The eyes of all the world are turned to us, To learn the lesson taught. And Europe's kings now totter on their thrones, Until the battle 's fought : --- ED. LIEUT. MORTON D. MITCH! LI. MASS. ESTH REGEL. INE
مابرس علانات + أرجاء دة
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CHAPTER XXV.
THE BATTLE OF THE WELDON RAILROAD.
AUGUST IS-30, 1864.
"For tho' I fought, and overcame, And Quarter gave, 'twas in your Name, For great Commanders always own What's prosperous by the Soldier done." Hudibras, SAMUEL BUTLER. On the 14th of August, 1864. the Fifth Corps intrench- ments were occupied by the Ninth Corps, and General War- ren was ordered to make use of the Fifth Corps in the work of acquiring and holding the Weldon Railroad.
It rained, and the roads and fields were in bad condition, the atmosphere was sultry, but Griffin's Division led the advance out of these impregnable lines of entrenchments which they had fortified with so much labor, in order to cover our communications as well as to facilitate our ap- proach to the beleaguered city of Petersburg.
On the morning of August 18th they marched, and met the rebel cavalry at Dr. Gurley's house. The Ist Division having been formed in line by brigades and skirmishers deployed, the line advanced, and the rebel pickets were cap- tured or fell back, and the Division pushed on to Globe Tav- ern, three miles from the Jerusalem Plank Road, which they reached at 9 a. m. The Division was disposed to cover the position toward the south and west. northward dense woods filled the distance from the railroad to the Plank Road ..
North and south, parallel to the railroad runs the road to Halifax, and a mile west of that the Vaughan road, which
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joins the Halifax road about a mile and a half from Globe Tavern towards Petersburg.
From the Gurley house to the railroad there was consid- erable open country.
Griffin's front faced west and began to intrench. The 2d Division, General Ayres, had reached the same southern point on the railroad and then moved up alongside it to- wards Petersburg. At the point where the Vaughan and Halifax roads joined, they found the rebels in line of battle, ready to contest the passage of the roads.
Crawford's 3d Division of the Fifth Corps came to the support of Ayres with the design of outflanking the enemy. Ayres formed his line of battle and advanced into the edge of the woods about 100 yards, and soon found himself out- flanked by a Division of the enemy coming from the direc- tion of the Vaughan road. The Union brigades fell back 100 yards, and formed on a line with the 15th New York Heavy Artillery, which had accompanied Ayres, and a part of Cutler's 4th Division was sent to reinforce the Second. The Confederates were driven back. Rifle pits were then constructed on the right and left of the railroad.
Previous to August 18th our lines of intrenchments were built on the east and southeast of Petersburg, but after the possession of the Weldon Railroad was secured, new lines were built. not of regular siege works like the others. but.of earthworks to cover our movements against the enemy's right flank. These works not being strongholds did not consume so much time in building as the old lines, and the distance was so much greater that the labor on them was much less dangerous.
But it is not all of war to fight or to build breastworks. The integrant portions of the great Army were ever shift- ing from trench, to field, to hospital, and back again to picket, tent, and trench, and while these stirring scenes of busy preparation which embraced the soldier as an essential
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element. reckoned mostly in the abstract, were being en- acted, there had been a steadily increasing proportion of men who had never been drilled in the manual of arms, never had fired a gun, and who were rather better fitted for this sort of thing than for the battle field.
The men of responsibility, absorbed in their schemes and plans, suddenly awakened to the flight of time, and became aware that into the common conversation of the well-dis- ciplined and thoroughly accomplished army of veterans of three years' service, never so well equipped as now, never with so much at hand to make the soldier comfortable and contented, in this year of 1864 there had crept a new sub- ject of much too general interest, that of speedy "expiration of term of service." The terms of the "three mouths' men," and the "nine months' men." and terms for special service had expired like all other episodes of the War, as of no more special purport, it was good and we wanted more of it, but to the officers and men whose military career of three years. 1861-1864, was now drawing to a close the phrase had an extraordinary meaning. They had come to. the ex- piration of a period in the threatened life of the nation which formed a novitiate through which no other genera- tion of men had ever been or ever could be called upon to pass. They had been, as we know who have followed them day by day, the right hand of the Government. the main stay, the nucleus of this mighty military growth, the men at the front who inspired confidence by their example and stimulated progress in all directions: but their time had ex- pired, and written against every name on the mustering out rolls, these words "at expiration of term of service" would forever bear a certifying value of their own, subject to no one's estimate or opinion. The men who answered to these names had survived a long and familiar intimacy with the art and the practice of War, and the experience had become a part of their natures and moulded their characters
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on a new model of a man. They would in time crystallize into a new class in society who would inaugurate in Amer- ica the wearing of a distinctive military badge, to stand as a memorial of individual sacrifice, and as security for the fu- ture safety of the nation.
But there were other members of these retiring organiza- tions who had re-enlisted or who were new recruits, and provision was made for these among the regiments and bat- teries whose terms had not expired. In this way a large number of men came to the Fifth Mass. from the Third Mass. Battery.
CIRCULAR. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, August 18, 1864.
Circular No. 64
When it becomes necessary, under the orders from this Depart- ment, to make transfers of enlisted men from one regiment or com- pany to another, as in the case of consolidation of two or more com- panies or regiments, or when the transfer of men may be authorized from this office, except to the Veteran Reserve Corps, the following papers should be made out, that the officers and soldiers may not sufier by such transfer.
Quadruplicate muster and descriptive rolls of the men, with a copy of the order transferring them attached to each roll, one copy to be forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army; one copy to the Pay- master General of the Army: one copy to the Adjutant General of the state to which the men belong, -- the roll to be divided for this purpose if men from more than one state appear on it, -- and one copy to be sent with the men to the respective regiments to which they are trans- ferred. These rolls will contain all the information indicated by the blanks for muster and descriptive rolls, including date, place and by whom mustered into service. Each copy will be examined, verified and countersigned by the Commissary or Assistant Commissary of Musters for the command, and will be when completed, evidence of muster-in and proper transfer.
E. D. TOWNSEND. Ass't Ajt. General.
1
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In the meantime the right cf Crawford's 3d Division was moving up through the thick woods, and at 4 p. m. ot August 19, 1864, the rear of Crawford's skirmish fine was attacked by the enemy and were compelled to fail back to. gether with the right of Ayres' Division, but subsequently Ayres moved forward, recovered his old line, and repulsed a second attack of the enemy. In these movements he was assisted by the 187th Pennsylvania Infantry of Griffin's Division. A part of the Ninth Corps on the right of the Fifth had faced to the right to prevent another attack on his flank, and in doing so had driven the enemy back to their intrenchments.
General Warren then in order to preserve his lines, took means to post them in places favorable for the artillery, and on the 20th awaited an attack, which came the following day. Ilis pickets were driven in by Lee's cavalry after a fierce struggle, carly in the forenoon of August 21st and a cross fire was opened through the woods by the rebel artil- lery of about 30 pieces over the position occupied by the Fifth Corps. Later in the forenoon an assault was made on Warren's north and west which was repulsed, and he was left in possession of the railroad. In this the Corps artil- lery did the most execution in places beyond the range of the musketry, breaking the enemy's line. Then Warren advanced his skirmish line, the enemy were routed and many prisoners and flags were taken. General Nathan T. Dushane was killed commanding the ad Brigade, 2d Divi- sion 5th A. C.
General Warren in his report states in a general way with regard to the artillery that "the service of all our batteries was most efficient," and that is all the credit there is given to the arm of the service which rendered the victory pos- sible.
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AS TOLD BY MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY.
Corporal Jonas Shackley has recorded the following on Thursday, August 18th, 1864. the day they left the rear of Fort Tilton :-- "Marched at 6 a. m. by the left flank. Reached the Weldon Railroad about 9 a. m. and broke it up and cut the telegraph. The Rebs attacked us, but were re- pulsed."
The importance of this day's work is emphasized by Gen- eral Grant in his Memoirs where he says :---
"The Weldon Railroad never went out of our possession from the 18th of August to the close of the war."
The 19th was a rainy day. In the afternoon the enenty made a desperate attack but were driven back with heavy loss. Brig. Gen'l Joseph Hayes was captured. There was no engagement on the 20th.
LETTER OF MAJOR PHILLIPS.
"IN POSITION ON TUE WELDON R. R. Sunday Morning, Aug. 21, 1864.
We started for this place on Thursday morning, the weather being pleasant. In the forenoon we reached the Weldon R. R. and took possession of it. Griffin's Division led the Corps and was deployed about a mile from the R. R. and then advanced towards it. As we found only about 50 Rebel cavalry guarding it, no opposition was met with. The Rebels must be short of men to let us get this R. R. so important to them, with so little opposition. As the other Divisions came up they were deployed on the right of the Ist. In the afternoon the 2d Division were quite heavily engaged. . . The night and all Friday were spent in shovelling dirt, so that we have now a very formidable line of works. Friday afternoon the enemy attacked our right and drove it in, but we finally repulsed them. At one time it looked a little doubtful. The 39th Mass. was badly cut
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up. The Rebels got in their rear and they jumped over to the outside of their breastworks and fought that way. General Hayes formerly colonel of the 18th Mass. taken prisoner."
Phillips' Diary. "Aug. 21, 1864: A little foggy in the forenoon, clearing off in the afternoon. During the fore- noon the rebels attacked. A Brigade containing 7th, 21st. 23d. 25th So. C., 27th No. C., 12th, 22d Miss .--- Hayward's Br. Hoke's Div .- came out in our front. We shelled them and broke them. Most of the men and flags were taken. Our loss very slight. Right wheel of the ad picce smashed by a round shot, the felly striking Serg't. Stiles in the head, injuring him slightly."
In a letter dated August 30, 1864, Major Phillips again refers to this engagement :- "The rebel troops in front of our Battery were Hayward's So. Ca. and Saunders' Miss. Brigades. We did not fire at them till they came in sight to the left of Cutler. They were then distant from us about 600 yards."
Shackley's Notes: "Aug. 2Ist. the enemy made another desperate effort to drive us back, but were forced to retire, leaving their dead in our hands."
FROM THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD MASSACHUSETTS
BATTERY.
"Sunday morning. Aug. 21. 1864. the battle opened about eight o'clock. The ground in this locality was very marshy. It was Vir- ginia land without any bortom, and it was very difficult to move bat. teries. Our whole battery was sunk to the hubs in the road near the line of battle. It could neither move forward nor back. Orders were given to commanders if obliged to fall back to spike their guns, as it would be impossible to move as from every discharge they sank deeper in the soil. The Rebels met with the same difficulties. the recent heavy rains making it the same for them. Very few of their guns were got up near enough to do much damage.
General Griffin sent out a line of skirmishers to meet the Rebels' heavy force of infantry, supposed to be forty thousand. After a few shots were exchanged his skirmishers fell back pell-mell. that being
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the plan, drawing the enemy into the centre of the circle of General Warren's curved line,-a strong earthwork thrown up in the form of half a quadrangle extending half a mile south, and across the rail- road on his left .- When near enough for execution, the flank hat- teries opened first, our infantry hugging the ground closely, the ar- tillery shots passing over their heads, the Rebels all the while pressing up nearer as our advanced line fell back on their supports. The ruse worked well. At a given signal the whole line of artillery opened, using up the enemy fearfully. After one hour's brisk cannonade, at a given signal, the artillery ceased firing, when Gen. Griffin charged on them with his Division, capturing over two thousand prisoners. It was Warren's best planned battle, and a great success, as the Rebels never after attempted to retake the road."
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