USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 5
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
It was during this period of reorganization that General Butterfield devised the system of corps badges to be fastened upon the centre of the top of the cap, sec p. 20.
On the IIth of April, 1863, General Hooker disclosed his plan of turning the enemy's left flank and severing his communication with Richmond by making use of the Car- alry Corps, the organization of which he had himself orig- inated. He designed that the cavalry should establish 54.1
1
1
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
RAPPAHANNOCK
ELY'S FORD
RAPIDAN
RIVER
10.
UNITED STATES FORD.
RUN
HUNTING
Cory.s.
ROAD
2ndFc
51
6
=
3rd Corps.
1
5º
Corps
PLANK 11th Corps Driven Back
ROAD.
CHANTELLORSVILLE.
IST POSITION May and.
S'A GOTTS.
OLD TURNFIXE
BROOK
FLANK
TO FREDERICKSBURG.
ROAD
a
1.
ROAD.
Drawn by
CG Bright man.
From Descriptions by.
Members of Ballery.
4-
JACKSON'S MARCH
May 2nd
1. Place where Syles & Griffin encountered the enemy April 30'n & May 1st. 2. First position of Cavalry & Artillery April 3015 3. Position of 5Th. Mass. Battery May 2nd. 4. Griffin's Division. 5. Humphreys' Division 6. 28 guns 7. 4 guns. 8.24 guns. Massed by Captain Weed May 3rx 4th. 9. Position of 5th Mass. May 3rd & 4th. 10. Place where port of Battery halted by mistake during the retreat of May 5Th.
RIVER
ELY'S FORD.
ROAD.
U. S.FORD
CTREAT OF STA MASS. P
ition May 372
TU Corps ~ Com
Il WATTS.
4-70 GERMANNA FORD
ROAD TO ORANGE COURT HOUSE.
12th Corps.
READ
×
515
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
themselves so securely that they would be able to check Lee's retreat, while the Army fell upon his rear, or, at least compel him to fall back by way of Culpeper and Gordons- ville with his supplies cut off. But the cavalry, under Gen- eral George Stoneman, on account of heavy storms and swollen rivers, were kept in and around Warrenton June- tion until April 29th, when it crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, about 20 miles northwest of Fredericksburg, where the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Fifth Corps had rendez- voused; other corps crossing at Banks's Ford and United States Ford, and all moving down the river towards Fred- ericksburg.
The Division of Griffin and Sykes of the Fifth Corps crossed the Rappahannock at It a. m. of the 29th and pre- cedled by cavalry, who encountered a small force of the enemy's cavalry. forded the Rapidan, in water 3 feet deep and a swift current, at Ely's Ford. After passing Hunting Run. Griffin's Division was halted to await developments at United States Ford, where it was erroneously reported the enemy had appeared in force and made trouble for the cavalry. It having developed that the enemy had not ob- structed the passage of troops at United States Ford, Grif- fin's Division proceeded to Chancellorsville, which it occu- pied at II a. m. of the 30th of April.
The post town of Chancellorsville 76 miles northwest of Richmond consisted of one house, the Chancellor House, a public house built of brick and occupied by the Chancellor family. It was in a very exposed position. It was at one time General Hooker's Head Quarters and while standing on the piazza he was wounded.
From this Hotel one road led to Fredericksburg, one to Gordonsville, one to Spottsylvania, and one to Ely's Ford. About 3 p. m. of the 30th. Griffin advanced a Brigade to support the cavalry at Banks's Ford, taking the Old Turn- pike in that direction about 2 miles from Chancellorsville,
-
1
546
HISTORY OF THE
where they found the enemy posted advantageously on a ridge of hills; their artillery commanding the road.
Roth Griffin and Sykes, the Ist and 2d Divisions of the Fifth Corps were bivouacked in line of battle, the right rest- ing on Chancellorsville, and the left extending in a north- east direction towards the river. The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, after overcoming comparatively slight opposition at Germanna Ford, arrived at Chancellorsville, 10 miles dis- tant from Fredericksburg, about 2 p. m. of the 30th. The Twelfth occupied a line nearly parallel to the Plank Road in the woods, its left resting near Chancellorsville, and the right near a church about 13 miles off. The Eleventh was on the right of the Twelfth, its right resting on Hunting Run. Where the Ely's Ford road crosses Hunting Run there was a force of cavalry and artillery.
General Hooker arrived at Chancellorsville from Fal- mouth, on the evening of the 30th. At II a. m. May Ist the Confederates moved forward on the Plank and Old Turn- pike roads, the advance accompanied by artillery. They struck our forces under Sykes, who was ordered to with- draw. The Union line was well protected by breastworks which had been constructed out of logs, but the rebels' artil- lery swept the roads by which our troops were to advance.
The left of Hooker's line extended from Chancellorsville to the Rappahannock; his right westward two miles, cover- ing the Germanna Ford road. He formed line of battle on the night of May ist in front of Chancellorsville at right angles to the Plank Road, with cavalry on his left flank.
At 4 p. m. of May Ist the Third Corps took position parallel to the Plank Road.
Near sunset of May 2d. the rebel general Jackson crossed the Orange Court House and the Culpeper roads, and mov- ing down the Germanna Ford road, made an assault on the Eleventh Corps and overwhelmed its right flank, and reach- ing a gap left between the Third and Eleventh Corps com-
547
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
pelled the left of the latter to fall back, but were met as they poured through the gap by the Twelfth Corps artillery, by whom, assisted by portions of the Twelfth Corps infan- try, whose absence from that part of the line had left the gap, recalled from the support of the Third Corps on a reconnoissance, the enemy's advance was checked, and the midnight battle of the Third Corps, which Walter F. Lansil has so thrillingly placed upon canvas, resulted in the restor- ation of the line of the Plank Road and the original breast- works; together with the recapture of the guns and caissons that were lost, and the capture of two of the enemy's guns and three caissons.
During the night of the 2d, by General Hooker's orders, the Fifth Corps moved out and occupied the road from Chandler's house to Ely's Ford. the left resting at Chand- ler's, the right connecting with the First Corps. Griffin's Division occupied the left of this line.
Sunday, May 3d, the day on which the main battle was fought, the enemy was engaged with the Third Corps, a portion of the Second Corps and part of Humphreys' Divi- sion of the Fifth Corps, though it was Hooker's intention to have the main battle fought along the Ely's Ford and Mineral Spring roads. These supports were to hold the enemy in check while the Third and Second Corps were moving to new positions, which they accomplished with a considerable loss.
By General Hooker's order the whole line withdrew to a new position north of the Chancellor House, covering the Ely's and United States Fords, the right of which was oc- cupied by the First and Fifth Corps, and at the junction of the Ely's Ford and Mineral Spring roads Captain Stephen H. Weed placed 56 guns : 28 on the right, 24 on the left and 4 at the junction.
The Chancellor House about 2 o'clock, soon after it was abandoned as Army Head Quarters, took fire from the
5-18
HISTORY OF THE
bursting of shells, and was destroyed. The woods also took fire, and there was a forced suspension of hostilities, Fut suffering indescribable of the wounded and dying left to the mercy of the flames. In the mean time General Sedg- wick had crossed the Rappahannock and occupied Freder- icksburg. He too was defeated and compelled to retire to the northern bank of the river.
In the afternoon of the 4th General Griffin with the Ist Division made a reconnoissance in the direction from which the attack had come the day before, ending with a sharp fight.
In the midst of a terrific storm, on the night of the 5tli, Hooker commenced the withdrawal of his troops across the river by way of the United States Ford, the Fifth Corps forming the rear guard. By 8 o'clock on the morning of the 6th the last of the Army had crossed, and by 4 p. m. all the bridges were safely withdrawn to the top of the hill, and the Army returned to the old camping ground across the river from Fredericksburg.
THE MEMBERS' STORY.
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. "CAME NEAR FALMOUTH, V.A. Jan'y 27, 1863.
I heard yesterday that Burnside, Sumner, and Franklin had been relieved, and Hooker appointed to command the Army of the Potomac. This has been so often foretold, that it will surprise nobody. We want a general who can devel- op the qualities of his subordinates, not one who cruslies every display of energy. Napoleon's secret of success was his marvellous power of making others work."
Dyer's Notes: "Jan'y 28. 1863. A snow storm com- menced last night. At dark tonight still snowing. Have got a good fire so I am all right."
5-19
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY
Chase's Diary : "28th : Very stormy in the evening-rain and snow-and 'a crowded house.' 29th. . . . Roll call cmitted this morning. . . . The weather grew very warm and pleasant as the sun rose, and the snow is fast melting away. The ground very muddy. Plastering tent tonight as usual."
LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK. "CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. lan'y 28, 1863.
. . Not a man in the Co. had on a dry thread. All . soaked through with rain, and we all suffered much from the cold and exposure. To make my situation more un- comfortable my horse fell with me in about two feet of mud, covering me from head to foot. Finally every Gun. caisson, and other carriage, settled in the mind up to the hubs, and there we left them and took to the woods upon a side hill, where we remained two days, when we made an attempt to get back to camp. After fifteen hours hard work, with the assistance of fifty mules and all our horses, we suc- ceeded in reaching our old quarters. We are very short of money in the Battery, not having been paid by the Gov't for nearly eight months."
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. "CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Jan'y 29, 1863.
It looks less like moving than ever. This morning the snow is 4 to 6 inches deep, and things look very winterish. Rather more cheerful than the snow storm was the arrival of the Paymaster with a trunk full of greenbacks and post- age currency. We received our pay for four months from July Ist to Oct. 31st inclusive, and consequently feel quite rich. You have no idea how pleasant the inside of a pay- master's trunk looks, all pigeonholed and stuffed with
·
550
HISTORY OF THE
greenbacks. I remember the time when paymasters carried round canvas bags full of gold and silver, but these have disappeared and the specie currency is represented by $5 worth of nickels. I received three of these, and intend to keep them as curiosities, it is so long since I have seen any- thing but paper. For convenience I took $io in postage currency, and I find it looks very pleasant, being new and clean; its appearance changes for the worse after 6 mos. use."
Dyer's Notes: "Jan'y 30, 1863. Pieces and caissons painted today. Mud ankle deep."
Chase's Diary : "Jan'y 31st, 1863. Posted the guard last night and today first half. Lieut. Scott returned from fur- lough."
Scoit's Notes : "Jan'y 31, 1863. Snow here in drifts some 2 ft. deep on a level. Eve pleasant. Commenced duties as Officer of the Day. The horses of the Battery were infected with glanders. and 18 were condemned to be shot."
February 2d Lieut. Scott rode through some of the camps towards Fredericksburg. He notes in his Diary of the 3d that Lieut. Dunn of Martin's Battery had resigned and gone home.
February 2d Corporal Chase cut his left foot instead of a stick of wood. Wound carefully dressed by Mr. Gale.
Chase's Diary : "Feb. 3d, 1863. My foot very painful all night and today. The men very busy building new houses and remodelling old ones. Cellars and basements strictly prohibited by the Doctors. Order to that effect read in line Feb. 2d. Feb. 5th. My foot convalescent. Helped to fell trees and draw up logs for fuel, and other light work p. m. Lieut. Blake left camp on furlough."
1
1
t ---
551
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Feb. 5. 1863.
I have painted all my carriages, but one, the paint having given out, and they now look quite fresh and clean. I have also floored the stables to keep the horses out of the mud, and am now keeping the men busy on their huts, having issued an order that all subterranean residences must be forthwith abolished. It is very desirable I find, to keep the men at work. General Hooker's General Order No. 3 orders that not more than 2 men in a hundred shall have furlonghs at the same time. Of course this is as much as saying that 2 can go, and the effect has been to set every man to applying for a furlough though he never thought of it before. I do not blame the men for wanting to go home, but I do not think the system adapted to strengthen the army."
Scott's Notes: "Feb. 5th. Order for two days' rations to be ready to support. Snow going fast."
Dver's Notes: "Feb. 6, 1863. Orders received at Head Quarters to be ready to move at an hour's notice. A loaf of bread served out to each man at supper time. Announce- ment read in line that General Burnside was relieved from command at his own request, General Hooker to be his successor."
Chase's Diary: "Fcb. 6. . . . Trains running all last night. Commissary stores going down the next day."
Phillips' Diary : "Feb. 7. Warm and pleasant . .. the 9th Corps is going off with Burnside. Dr. Schell called to bid good bye having been ordered to Washington."
Dyer's Notes: "Saturday, 7th Feb. 1863. Benj. F. Story left camp to go home on a furlough, today, of ten days, to visit his family in Charlestown, Mass., the first furlough for an able bodied private since we left the state, 13 months
-
552
HISTORY OF THE
and 13 days. Troops are being transported down the rail- road towards Acquia Creek. On guard tonight."
Scott's Notes: "Feb. 7, 1863. Had 18 horses condemned by Lieut. Carroll of the 5th Regt."
Dyer's Notes: "Sunday, Feb. 8, 1863. Battery and Quarters inspected by our officers this a. m."
Scott's Notes: "Feb. 8th. . . . Balloon up on a recon- noissance. General Hooker to reorganize the Army. . . . Reconnoissance returns from Rappahannock. They de- stroy a bridge. I suppose R. R. bridge at Rappahannock Station. Feb. 9th. Troops still passing down to the Creek."
FROM CAPT. PHILLIPS' LETTER FEB. STH.
"I think General Hooker is going to work very well, he is getting a very good staff. General Butterfield has great administrative abilities, and is thoroughly acquainted with the tactics and details of the service. General Warren, Chief of Engineers, is considered a very fine Topog. General S. Williams, McClellan's old A. A. G., is back, and has always been considered a very fine staff officer. The corps is an- nounced as the unit for Artillery, so that the post of Divi- sion Chief of Art'y will love its importance. .
Chase's Diary: "Fcb. 9. 1863. Spent the whole after- noon in getting half a load of wood to camp. Team got mired in the woods, and we were obliged to throw half of our cargo overboard. .. In order read in line at the after- noon Roll Call to 'respect and obey' in future Serg't O. B. Smith as Orderly Serg't., John W. Morrison as Serg't. and Wm. B. Pattison as Sergeant.
Feb. roth. Inspection of the Battery,-and 4th Rhode Island Battery,-by Captain Weed, 5th Regulars, at 12 m. today, after which our roll was called in his presence. Went with the Battery today, although my foot is still
1
:
553
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
quite sore. Lieut. Blake returned from furlough and Sergt. Page left camp for furlough. Wm. Barry returned from convalescent camp at Alexandria."
Scott's Notes: "Feb. toth. . .. Battery inspected by Captains Weed. Martin and Waterman."
From Captain Phillips' Letter of the 11th :- "Yesterday in pursuance of the plan ordered from Hd. Ors. Army of the Potomac, Captain Weed inspected the batteries of this Division, the inspection occupying most of the forenoon. I was able to make a very respectable appearance; my car- riages, having been painted, looked quite neat. Captain Weed made no remarks, so that I cannot say how well he was pleased. Captain Martin has sent in his resignation . twice, and both times he has been refused. General Hooker has just issued an order that resignations may be accepted when accompanied by a surgeon's certificate of disability, or when it is evident that the officer can be replaced by a better man. Captain Martin says he thinks that he shall call for a Board of Examiners, and if they do not concluide that he is entirely unfit and ignorant, it will not be his fault .. . . . Last night, soon after dark, a belated traveller called on me for hospitality. It turned out to be a correspondent of the New York Times' named Judd, a graduate of Williams College of the class of '60. Of course I was glad to furnish him with food and shelter. . . . "
Phillips' Diary: "Tuesday, Feb. 10. 1863. Blake got back from Washington. He brought . . . Casey's Tac- tics. Anderson's Evolutions of Field Artillery, cards, paper. etc. . .. A party of recruits left Massachusetts to- day. Wednesday. 11th. . . . Spent the day in camp read- ing tactics etc."
Scott's Notes: "Feb. 12. 1863. Battery D, 5th U. S. Artillery entered in hurdle race, best jumper to have 15 days furlough."
Dyer's Notes: "Feb. 13, 1863. Camp policed today in
554
HISTORY OF THE
good shape. Sounds of revelry heard tonight at Head Quarters."
From Letter of Captain Phillips: "Feb. 14, 1863. Yes- terday forenoon, tempted by the bright sun and the dry ground, I started out for a ride. After calling on Lieut. Col. Sherwin (Thomas Sherwin Jr.) of the 22d, Scott and I started off on a round-a-bout trip. Striking the main road we crossed Potomac Creek about a mile below the bridge. and then followed up the stream and recrossed the creek just above the bridge. All expectation of an early movement vanished as soon as we struck the main road. The mud was intolerable, and the deep ruts brought back the Peninsula campaign to our ininds. Assuredly no move yet. So great is the confidence felt in the immobility of the Army, that Captain Martin and Lieut. Walcott have sent on for their wives to come out. The introduction of ladies into our society will create quite an excitement, and I shall impress upon Henry the importance of keeping my boots well blacked.
Log houses are almost universal out here, and we have just laid the foundation of one calculated to surpass any- thing now in existence. Its dimensions are 9 by IS, and it is to be divided into two rooms, one for a bedroom and the other for a dining room. When this is finished we con- template another of the same size as mine, and then we are going to cut doors and build entries, so as to connect them into one house, the dining and sitting room in the centre and the bedrooms opening into it. Whether we shall re- main long enough to finish our grand architectural design is more than I can say."
Phillips' Diary: "14th. Lieut. Spear left on a ten days' leave. Scott commenced a new house 9x18, close to mine."
Scott's Notes: "15th. Many ladies are visiting their friends in camp."
Corporal Chase's Diary: "Feb. 16th, 1863. Company
555
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
drilled on the manual of the piece a. m., and a Battery drill at 2 o'clock p. m. Acted as sergeant vice Peacock at Acquia Creek."
Phillips' Diary: "Feb. 16. A large force of men were busy today throwing up earthworks on the hills this side of Potomac Creek. (In a letter Captain Phillips calls their number 2000 or 3000. ) It is rumored that our Corps is to be left here to hold the Rappahannock, and the rest of the Army to go somewhere else. Nous verrons."
The 17th it snowed all day, and on the 18th it changed to rain and was the severest storm of the season. B. F. Story returned to camp from furlough on the ISth. Cor- poral Chase posted the guard and the countersign was "Chicago."
Scott's Notes: "19th. Brigade at work on fortifications part of the day. Lieut. Lull returned from a furlough of eighty-six days. Two recruits came on that day, George Macomber and O'Hara."
Dyer's Notes: "Friday Feb. 20. Delightful day. A moderate wind that has dried up all the mud, and we have a dry, hard park again."
Serg't. Page returned on this day. On the 21st Lieut. Scott finished up his house and occupied it with Lieut. Lull. Edward E. Rice returned from the hospital at Alexandria, and 2 new recruits Purbeck and Trumbull arrived.
LETTER OF CAPT. PHILLIPS. "CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. Feb. 22, 1863.
. . . I enlisted a man the other day, and a recruit turned up day before yesterday, having spent two or three months in travelling from Massachusetts to this place, in charge of different Provost Marshals as a deserter. So, on the whole, we are gaining a little. My men are in excellent health and spirits, and I consider the Battery now quite efficient.
556
HISTORY OF THE
. . . When I awoke this morning a snow drift lay in the middle of the room, extending from the bottom of the door, and sundry leaks at the caves had allowed a feathery spray to cover my coats, pants, &c. Outside everything reminded me of New England; the air was filled with driving snow flakes, and the drifted snow lay a foot or two deep. Blake was even worse off than I. for, inside of his tent the snow lay, as he said, about 7 inches on a level. Scott and Lull in their new palace got along quite comfortably. This won- derful mansion, of which I wrote in my last, was finished yesterday, and is now the wonder of the place. The dimen- sions are 9x18, the door is in one end. The rear serves as a sleeping apartment, and is ornamented by crossed sabres and other warlike instruments. Drapery curtains, looped up at pleasure. separate this from the front room, which serves as a sitting and dining room. A Sibley stove keeps up a summer temperature, and elegant paper hangings of grain bags create a comfortable appearance and look quite neat and gorgeous. Our dining table stands in the centre. with a rubber table cloth .- we have ordered damask,-and we cluster around the stove to cogitate, converse, &c. &c. At present (Sunday forenoon) we are disposed as follows :--. Scott is sitting on his bed reckoning up accounts, today having been a settling day. Lull is lying on his bed read- ing. Blake is sitting by the door reading 'Yankee No- tions,' and I am sitting at the table writing."
Phillips' Diary : "Feb. 22. A heavy snow storm all last night and today. drifting all around. A parade was or- dered at 12 m., weather permitting, to listen to Washing- ton's Farewell Address, but did not come off. Salutes were fired in the different corps."
Scott's Notes: "Feb. 22. . . . No movement outside for two days. . . . Snow nearly 12 inches deep."
Guard mounting was omitted in the morning. The weather was too stormy for the cooks to make coffee in the
--
1
537
FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
morning. Feb. 23d was clear and cold. Lieut. Spear re- turned from leave.
Dyer's Notes : 24th. Drill this forenoon as usual on manual of the piece."
On the 24th men were observed at work where a new bridge is to be built across Potomac Creek.
Chase's Diary : "Feb. 25th. Usual drill a. m. Weather pleasant and a lazy day. Nothing to do but chop double- and-twisted logs for exercise."
Phillips' Diary: "Feb. 25th. The rebels drove in our pickets at Hartwood Church, capturing some of our cav- alry. Rec'd orders to be ready to march at a moment's. notice but not to start."
Scott's Notes: "25th. Took a ride among the camps. Found the going very bad. Snow melting fast. Troops at work on the work at the creek today. . . . 300 of our cavalry captured. (At Hartwood Church. ) Feb. 27th. Cavalry return from the front. Rebs retire across the river, taking some prisoners and horses. Balloon up on a long reconnaissance. The Rebs intended to destroy Poto- mac Creek bridge. 28th. . . . Afternoon took a ride to the Lacey house opposite Fredericksburg, with Lieuts. Lull and Spear. Saw the Rebels at work on rifle pits : also their cavalry pickets. Found going very bad."
Dyer's Notes: "Feb. 26th. Another recruit today."
Phillips' Diary : "Feb. 27th, 1863. . .. Applied for 10 days' leave."
Chase's Diary: "Feb. 28th. Company drilled on the picce a. m. Went to provost marshal's to see about the boxes, instead of drilling. My weight today is 168 lbs .; eighteen lbs. 'premium.' March Ist. Inspected the bridge over Potomac Creek, and the fortifications to defend the same, this p. m. with Serg't. Page."
Phillips' Diary : "March 2d. . . Capt. Martin went to
55S
HISTORY OF THE
Washington to meet Mrs. Martin. Rode down towards the Phillips house to get ambrotypes taken."
Scott's Notes: "March 2d. Drill on pieces. Other bat- teries of Division out on drill. Mud drying up. Com- menced to build another house, for Spear."
Dyer's Notes: "March 3d. Another recruit came today. 22 new horses."
BREVET RANK.
An Act to Authorize the brevetting of Volunteer and other officers in the United States service.
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.