USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 7
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Dyer's Notes : "April 11th, 1863. Saturday. Base ball this afternoon."
From Letter of Captain Phillips, April 12th :---- "The past week has been noted for reviews. On Thursday, hearing that the President would review the Ist Corps, I started off with Lieuts. Follett and Osgood of Martin's Battery, to see it. Our jaunt proved a long one, and the review seemed ever receding, but after travelling 10 or 12 miles, we found the Corps drawn up on a level plain on the shore of the Potomac River. They had just begun to pass in review when we arrived so that we saw the principal part of the show. The review, on the whole, was quite successful; the field was very smooth and level. the day was beautiful, and the troops marched well. We arrived at home about sup- per time, tired and hungry.
Friday was very warm and pleasant, and the President reviewed the rith and 12th Corps. I concluded, however, that I had had enough of reviews and stayed at home.
In obedience to orders I mustered the Battery and for- warded the rolls to the Adjutant General's, for the use of the Provost Marshal General in enforcing the draft. I hope they will fill up the old regiments and batteries at once. I find I have 117 enlisted men on the roll, needing 34 recruits.
This forenoon was warm and a little muggy, and we had the novelty of being reviewed by a foreign officer : Major
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
General Fogliardi of the Swiss army. I received the infor- mation just as I was hitching up for my usual inspection. The batteries were drawn up in a hollow square for review, and the General rode round the square. He did not seem inclined to spend much time in looking round, but rode round as if he was used to reviews. . . . I have read Gen- eral Butler's speech, and consider it the finest oration deliv- ered for a long time."
General Fogliardi had been chief of staff of Emperor Napoleon III. At this review he wore a cocked hat adorned with cock's feathers. He appeared to be about 30 years of age, and wore glasses. He was accompanied by Colonel Repetti and Lieut. Lubin, the latter acting as interpreter.
Chase's Diary : "Sunday, April 12, 1863. Corporal Gibbs returned from his furlough. . . . April 13th. On guard. Countersign .Brighton.' . Unpacked all the ammunition in the caissons."
Scott's Notes: "April 13th. . . . A general movement of cavalry. Heard of Lieut. Lull's receiving a commission in the 14th Battery."
Phillips' Diary : "Monday, April 13th. ... Lieut. Spear and I took a ride down to the Lacey house. . . . About 10 p. m. received orders to have 5 days' hard bread packed in knapsacks and 3 days' ready to issue."
Dyer's Notes: "April 14th. This morning we had or- ders to prepare for a march. Grain bags were made &c. . . . Went to Falmouth and changed ammunition."
Scott: "April 144th. . .. 2d and 3d Army Corps send sick to the rear. Balloons up reconnoitering." (At Fal- mouth. )
Chase: "April 14th. Usual drill a. m. Went with part of the company to Falmouth Station p. m. to change a part of the ammunition. Took all the caissons and limbers and exchanged the shrapnell for new ammunition of the same pattern. Had another view of the battle ground at Fred-
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
General Fogliardi of the Swiss army. I received the infor- mation just as I was hitching up for my usual inspection. The batteries were drawn up in a hollow square for review, and the General rode round the square. He did not seem inclined to spend much time in looking round, but rode round as if he was used to reviews. . . . I have read Gen- eral Butler's speech, and consider it the finest oration deliv- ered for a long time."
General Fogliardi had been chief of staff of Emperor Napoleon III. At this review he wore a cocked hat adorned with cock's feathers. He appeared to be about 30 years of age, and wore glasses. He was accompanied by Colonel Repetti and Lient. Lubin, the latter acting as interpreter.
Chase's Diary : "Sunday, April 12, 1863. Corporal Gibbs returned from his furlough. . . . April 13th. On guard. Countersign .Brighton.' . . . Unpacked all the ammunition in the caissons."
Scott's Notes: "April 13th. . . . A general movement of cavalry. Heard of Lieut. Lull's receiving a commission in the 14th Battery."
Phillips' Diary : "Monday, April 13th. . . . Lieut. Spear and I took a ride down to the Lacey house. . . . About 10 p. m. received orders to have 5 days' hard bread packed in knapsack's and 3 days' ready to issuc."
Dyer's Notes: "April 14th. This morning we had or- ders to prepare for a march. Grain bags were made &c. . . . Went to Falmouth and changed ammunition."
Scott: "April 14th. . . . 2d and 3d Army Corps send sick to the rear. Balloons up reconnoitering." (At Fal- mouth.)
Chase: "April 14th. Usual drill a. m. Went with part oi the company to Falmouth Station p. m. to change a part of the ammunition. Took all the caissons and limbers and exchanged the shrapnell for new ammunition of the same pattern. Had another view of the battle ground at Fred-
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ericksburg; drank from Washington's favorite spring, and the afternoon passed away very pleasantly. Weather fine. Indications of a movement of the Army."
Phillips' Diary : "14th. Changed Schenkle shrapnell for a newer pattern without the metallic covering. Lieut. Col. Webb inspected horses."
GENERAL MEADE IN COMMAND.
April 15th, 1863, Major General G. G. Meade was as- signed to the command of the Fifth Corps.
Scott's Notes: "April 15th. Turned in at station 4 horses. Rainy. Country flooded. Movement of cavalry stopped by Reb. cavalry; found enemy at the Ford. Some firing. Lieut. Lull returns from Mass. Went to Falmouth to purchase a horse. None there."
Dyer's Notes: ... "Troops moved to the front in the hardest of the rain, but had to return, as the roads were too bad to advance."
Chase's Diary : "April 15th. . . . The tent flooded with water. No roll call this morning. . . . Orderly Serg't. Smith left camp on furlough."
Scott's Notes : "April 16th, 1863. . . . Went to the Sta- tion. Drew for the Battery 9 horses. Got an order from Chief O. M. to purchase horse of Gov. : while at Falmouth saw the rebel camp and guns."
Phillips' Diary: "April 16th. . . . Went to see Weston, who has just joined the ISth Regiment with a 2d Lieut.'s commission. April 18th I paid $120 to Capt. Pierce for my horse."
Dyer's Notes: "Sunday, April 19, 1863. Carloads of sick soldiers passed here going towards Acquia Creek to- day."
Clase : "April totli. . . . Trains of cars very busy to- day, some run with great speed and others, up trains, are heavily loaded."
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Phillips' Diary : "19th. Inspection at 1 p. m .; then rode down to the Phillips house with Spear and took a look through the telescope at the Signal Station."
Scott's Notes: "April 20th. The President with Secre- tary Stanton visits the Army again."
Phillips' Diary: "22d. Received orders to be in readi- ness to move. At 10 p. m. began to rain."
From Phillips' Letter of the 23d :- "There are several regiments in our Division of two years' troops whose time of service is almost up, and who are making arrangements for going home. I do not imagine any of the men will re- enlist until they have been at home two or three weeks, and spent all their money. However much a soldier may rail at the discomforts of his life. he is as certain to return to it as a sailor is to go to sea again."
Dyer's Notes: "April 23d. . .. Post rations again or- dered for the Battery."
Scott's Notes : "April 24th. . . . Our pieces still in posi- tion. One piece of artillery put in fortifications at the Creek bridge. Communication open to Rappahannock Sta- tion from Alexandria by R. R."
Phillips' Diary: "April 26th. ... Scott and I took a ride round by Falmouth &c."
Scott: "26th. Saw the Rebels on picket : their horses can be seen feeding.
Chase's Diary: "April 25th. Serg't. Smith and Gard- ner Groves returned to camp."
Phillips' Diary: "April 27. Pleasant. The Fifth Corps marched this forenoon. Sykes's Division at 10, Griffin's at 1!, Humphreys' at 12. One battery with each Division. Waterman's accompanying our Division."
Scott's Notes: "April 27th. One regiment, 13th New York, refuse to march, their time being up. They remain in camp. Seward (W. H. Seward Secretary of State) re-
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views one of the Corps. Salute fired. Troops moving up the river. One Brooklyn regiment leaves for home."
Dyer's Notes: "April 27th. . . . The 5th Regulars (Art'y) did not go."
Chase's Diary: "27th. The moth New York Reg't. of Infantry-Zouaves-passed our camp this a. m. on their way home, free from service. . . . Warm bread' for supper per Gov't. Bakers; selling out cheap as the troops are mov- ing. Weather delightful."
AN INVALID CORPS.
On the 28th of April the campaign opened, and an Invalid Corps was authorized.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, April 23, 1863.
General Orders No. 105
The organization of an Invalid Corps is hereby authorized.
The Corps shall consist of Companies, and if it shall hereafter be thought best, of Battalions.
The Companies shall be made up from the following sources, viz. : First, By taking those officers and enlisted men of commands now in the field,-whether actually present, or temporarily absent,-who, from wounds received in action or disease contracted in the line of duty. are unfit for field service, but are still capable of effective gar- rison duty, or such other light duty as may be required of an Invalid Corps.
Regimental Commanders shall at once make out, from information received from their medical and company officers, and from their own knowledge, rolls,-according to the Form furnished .-- of the names of all the officers and enlisted men, under their commands, who fulfill the following conditions, viz. :
I, That they are unfit for active field service on account of wounds or disease contracted in the line of duty, this fact being certified by a fied by the medical officer. as above, after personal cxamination.
2, That they are fit for garrison duty : this fact being likewise certi- medical officer in the service, after personal examination.
3. That they are. in the opinion of their commanding officers, meri- torious and deserving.
By order of the Secretary of War. E. D. TOWNSEND, "Assistant Adjutant General.
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FIFTH! MASS. BATTERY.
Phillips' Diary: "April 28. The Corps has marched sev- eral miles beyond Hartwood Church. The 5th and 11th Corps are the only ones that have marched." Hartwood Church was a few miles north of Falmouth.
Scott's Notes: "April 28th. Pieces in position. Drill on pieces. 13th N. Y. Regiment leaves for home. 29th. Our forces begin to cross the river above and below."
Scott's Notes : "April 30th. . Battery ordered to report at United States Ford to cross the ( Rappahannock) river. Hitched up, broke camp and marched at 1 p. m. At 7 p. m. camped for the night at Hartwood Church (8 miles) near the Chancellor House. Eve, in camp. Travelling today bad. Forge not in camp."
Chase's Diary: "April 30th. Quite rainy. Drivers or- dered to fill bags with grain. .. . An order read to us this morning that the recent movements of the Army have been successful &c. . . . Rather hard marching. The trail of the forge was broken, and men were at work all night re- pairing it. Some of the caissons had inuch difficulty in marching, and were delayed on the road an hour or more. Teams were sent back to help pull up the delinquents. Na- tional Fast by proclamation of President Lincoln."
Phillips' Diary: "April 30th. . . . The 5th, 11th and 12th Corps are across the river. Camped at dark at Hart- wood Church, within roo yards of our camping ground last November. . . . Broke Forge stock."
Dyer's Notes : "May 1, 1863. Reveille at 3 o'clock this morning. Boots and saddles about 5. Hitched up and left camp. We crossed U. S. Ford at II a. m. Heard firing ahead all day. Wheeling very bad. Reached the scene of action about 5 p. m., and drove into line at 10 yds. intervals. Fed horses, made and drank coffee, then turned in. Firing ceased about 6 o'clock. On guard."
Chase's Account : "May Ist. . . . A fine May morning. Passed through the village of Eagle Gold Mine, and
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HISTORY OF THE
halted about 3 of an hour, halted again for about an hour, and then resumed our march and crossed a pontoon bridge over the Rappahannock, near United States Ford, about 3 past one p. m. A heavy firing of both artillery and mus- ketry commenced in front about 3 p. m. and lasted until night. A very heavy cannonading commenced about sunset. A hard march today, roads very rough and muddy. Troops in large bodies moving to the front all day. Weather fine, but rather warm marching."
Scott's Notes: "May ist. . . . Pressed on to join Divi- sion. Went into park at 6 p. m. near the Chancellor House. Skirmishing going on with enemy. Horses stood in har- ness all night. Division tried to obtain Banks's Ford, but were not successful. . . . Waterman's Battery in position last night. At dark quite a heavy skirmish."
Phillips' Diary : "May Ist. . .. The 3d Corps passed us, leaving their knapsacks in the woods.
May 2, 1863, formed line of battle, our left resting on the river. Barnes's Battery on our right (Ist N. Y. Light Battery C, Capt. Almont Barnes), Randol ( Ist U. S. Batteries E and G, Captain A. M. Randol), Hazlett, and Martin on our left, Humphreys' Division supporting us. Heavy firing on our right and centre. All quiet in our front. The Ist Corps came over today. Our position in a beautiful oak grove, strengthened by a hedge abattis ( Felled trees, with their sharp branches placed outward, and so interlaced as to present an irregular and thick row of pointed stakes towards the enemy. ) rifle pits, &c."
Dyer's Notes: "Saturday, May 2, 1863. Our Battery with Martin's and the 5th Regulars still in park. Bee.1 hitched up all night. The 4th R. I. Battery came into park in our rear about 5. . . . We left here about S and went into position on the left in a wood on a high hill, command- ing a front of 600 acres. Quiet in our post all day. About 5 p. m. heavy firing commenced on our right, and was kept
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY. 579
up at intervals until midnight. A picket by discharging his musket created quite a stir-about on the line about 10."
Chase's Account: "May 2d. Teams remained hitched up all night last night. Removed nothing from the pieces or caissons but our blankets. Cannonading last night kept up until about 8 p. m. Rested very well last night. Battery leit the ground occupied last night at 7.30, and marched about } a mile easterly, and placed the guns 'in Battery' in a piece of woods on the brow of a hill where they command a good sweep in front. The infantry are engaged in cutting down the trees and piling up wooden defenses. The posi- tion is a good one, well elevated, and the ground hard and dry. Weather delightful. The 4th Rhode Island Battery joined us this morning, having been engaged in a slight engagement last evening. But little fighting up to about 4 of 5 p. m., when it commenced in earnest on the Right, a sharp firing of musketry and some artillery. The impending storm has probably gathered all its fury and is ready to burst upon us. Everything is all ready for the enemy's reception, and the men are in good spirits. Weather warm. The firing slackened somewhat, but opened more furiously about 3 past 6 p. m. apparently on the extreme right, and gradually approached our front. Shovels and picks sent for, probably to throw up earthworks. The teams have re- mained hitched up all day, but were ordered to unharness about } past 7 p. m. The firing approaches nearer and nearer the front. Steady fighting until about 8 p. m. Furi- ous fight commenced again about 3 past If p. m. and lasted about half an hour; night mild and very pleasant.
SEDGWICK AT FREDERICKSBURG.
Notes of Lieut. Scott: "May 3, 1863. Fighting com- menced on our right at sunrise. Heavy and one continued crash. Still in line of battle. Hard fighting till Ir a. m.
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HISTORY OF THE
Our troops hold their own. Lost one piece of artillery on the Right where the fight was. 12 and 2 p. m. cannonad- ing heard at Fredericksburg. All quiet here. Very warm. Expect an attack on our front. Pickets driven in. . . . "
Dyer's Notes : ". . . 3 stands of colors passed here that were captured. The enemy came in on our front: a very few shots were exchanged by infantry. . . . "
Phillips' Diary: "May 3d. . . . The 5th Corps went to the right and the IIth Corps took their places. A house standing within musket range of Lient. Lull's section was burnt down to prevent sheltering rebel skirmishers. A barn followed suit early in the morning."
Chase's Diary: "May 3, 1863. Sunday. The sun rese red and clear. Not a cloud to be seen. Hard fighting con- menced again this morning about half-past five. A good night's rest last night. Routed out at 3 a. m. Watered the horses and hitched up. . . . Half past 6 a. m. An incessant roar of artillery and musketry since the battle commenced. About a dozen prisoners of the 33d North Carolina regi- ment passed by us to the rear. A few wounded men are being brought to the rear. All quiet on the Left. A small squad. probably a General and staff, went out on the road on our left front at 20 minutes past 10 a. m., when picket firing commenced. Men were ordered to posts, but the reconnoitring force came back immediately and the firing ceased. . . . Troops who have been engaged and relieved are coming to the rear with their wounded, in perfect order. Not a minute's cessation of firing since the battle com- menced. at half past five this morning, up to half past ten a. m., and the firing continues. . . . The firing began to slacken a few minutes after half past ten a. m., and gradu- ally ceased. Had the luxury of a bath in a clear running brook this morning.
Ordered to go back to the caisson and remain there p. m. Another luxury, p. m., a change of clean clothing. Skir-
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
mishers went out on our left front at a quarter to 4 p. mn. Weather warm but a good breeze p. m. Some skirmishing towards night.
May 4. 1863. On guard last night, last half, with Cor- poral Proctor at the caissons. Very mild and pleasant. Picket firing commenced at 4 o'clock this morning. Morn- ing very foggy. Major --- of the 60th N. Y. regiment accepted our hospitalities of hard bread and meat, this morning. His regiment was badly cut up in yesterday's fight and himself wounded in the left hand.
A little rain fell in the morning, very warm p. m. All very quiet a. m. Ordered to unhitch and unharness a. m. Ordered to pack up and hitch up about I p. in. Drew the caissons in line, and unhitched and unharnessed again. All very quiet along the line today up to 5 p. m. when a sharp engagement commenced in the centre, which lasted about 1 quarter of an hour. Weather warm. Troops commenced on a new line of intrenchiments this evening."
Dyer's Notes : "Monday, May 4th. The morning opened foggy but the sun cleared it off as it rose. The 12th Army Corps came in our front as our support in case of action. All quiet along the lines at 12 m. Sharp firing at 5 p. m. occurred on the right, lasting about 15 minutes. Wrote a letter home from the Field. On guard."
Scott's Notes: "May 4th. Enemy open at daylight on the river at our baggage train across the river. The battery is taken with an Alabama regiment : so report. Enemy keep quiet today. Afternoon a reconnoissance is made on our right. The enemy found in force. Some cannonading on the right. Our Battery still in line. Our rifle pits extend the whole length of the line. Heavy cannonading heard at Fredericksburg, which is kept up late at night. An attack expected."
Phillips' Diary: "May 4th. ... Kane's Brigade, Geary's Div. supporting us. General Kane in a state of perpetual
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HISTORY OF THE
excitement. Major (Charles R.) Mudge and Lieut. Fox of the 2d ( Mass. Infantry ) came round."
FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. "May 5, 1863, 8 a. m.
We have been in our present position since Saturday morning in line of battle, but the Rebels have not con- descended to attack at this point. We were supported by the 5th Corps when we first came in here, but on Sunday morning they marched off to the right, and the 11th Corps took their place. The fighting on Saturday and Sunday was quite heavy. We could hear the fighting, but of course knew nothing definite. Sunday forenoon was very noisy. In the afternoon we sent out a few skirmishers in our front. Heavy firing is going on occasionally in the direction of Fredericksburg where Sedgwick has crossed. During Sun- day night the Ith Corps marched out and the 12th Corps marched in. . . . The 2d Mass. is half a mile to our left supporting Martin. ... Captain Scott and Lieut. Perkins of my class are wounded. The 2d Mass. has lost 120 men. One regiment near us have the colors of the 4th Alabama, one of the regiments which took our guns at Gaines Mills. The 7th New Jersey took 500 prisoners and 3 colors belong- ing to the 2d North Carolina. I saw the flags as they went by here : 2 battle flags and one Confederate flag. Our artil- lery cut the Rebels up awfully. Captain Weed has got 80 guns in position at Chancellorsville, and we have five bat - teries right along here. Our position is very strong. The line of battle extends along the crest of a hill strengthened by a rifle pit. In front is a road and a ravine, and beyond. this an open field, the Rebel pickets being in the edge of the wood beyond, about Soo yards distant. . . . Cannonad- ing has just commenced on the right.
Only a few rounds fired.
All still again."
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Phillips' Diary : "May 5th. Nothing new in our front In the evening marched to U. S. Ford, and crossed about 3 in the morning. The infantry crossed soon after day- break and thus ended Hooker's attempt to cross the Rappa- hannock."
Chase's Diary : "May 5th, 1863. A good night's rest last night. Troops at work all last night putting up defenses near us. Some fighting last night. Went across the river with Serg't. Smith twice for grain this morning. Troops cutting down the woods for defenses a. m. . . . Ordered to take 3 caissons and the Battery wagon to the rear about 3 p. m. Took the caissons of the Ist. 2d and 5th Detach- ments to the rear, and parked them near the river on the south side. A thunder shower came up about 4 p. m., the rain fell in torrents for about an hour, but rained some all night. Serg't. Smith came to us about 10 p. m. with orders for us to hitch up."
Dyer's Notes: ". . . Marched all night and recrossed the ford and camped about a mile beyond, raining all the time."
Scott's Notes: "May 5th. . . . Very dark. Arrived at. the Ford and stayed all night. All the artillery crossing- Infantry and cavalry this side of the River. Very wet and cold. May 6th. 4 a. m. crossed the Ford and on the north heights parked the Battery and fed; the enemy following up the retreat to the River. The whole Army moving back. At 2 p. m. arrived at old camp completely used up. Battery all back in good condition. No loss."
Chase's Diary : "May 6, 1863. . . . Marched all the way but did not keep up with the Battery. Reached camp about ! past 4 p. m., about an hour after the Battery came in. A long. tiresome march. Never so much fatigued before. Troops came back today, regardless of order as soon as they recrossed the river. Some cannonading heard in our rear this morning. Found our houses nearly all as we left them on the 30th ult."
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In a letter of August 6, 1899, Mr. Chase speaking of the material furnished for the History of the Battery. makes the following allusion to this march :-
"I suppose others, like mine, were written under all the various vicissitudes of a soldier's life in camp and in battle, so that allowance must be made for imperfections. Some of mine was written while the enemy's bullets were whis- tling over us in line of battle ---- June 27, 1862-and the one written at the battle of Chancellorsville was wet through by a blinding rainstorm. The horse I was riding missed the trail and I came near being mired in a soldier's grave."
LETTER OF SERG'T. W. H. PEACOCK. "CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. May 6, 1863.
We arrived here from the Battle yesterday afternoon, all safe but awfully muddy and tired. Some men had been all under in mud. We had only a few hours' sleep in five days, and when we arrived here we were so much exhausted that some had not strength to unharness their horses. Every man dropped where they were halted, and fell asleep. Our Battery was stationed on the Left, but it was a strong posi- tion, and we could not coax the Rebels to attack us. We did no firing. No papers are allowed here yet. I should like to see one, to hear if the battle was a victory or a de- feat. I think we killed the most men, yet our loss was very heavy. They took our line of rifle pits on the Right. and it cost us some Sooo men to retake them. Each of our gun> was behind a breastwork, and they were built in all forms. I engineered our Section. We first cut down large trees, two feet through, leaving four feet of the butts above ground, then we cut up the trees in lengths of some 18 feet. piling them up in front of the stumps four foot high, the Aank ends were put on of the same heiglith and eight feet
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