USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Regiment, M. V. M > Part 13
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" Many of the inhabitants on the line of march aban. doned their houses and fled in terror at the approach of the troops. Some of these houses were entered and plun- dered by the National soldiers, and some barns and out- houses in the outskirts of the villages were burnt, one of the troops, it was said, having been shot by a man con- cealed in one of them. Some of the soldiers appeared in the streets in the evening, dressed in woman's apparel, which they had found in the houses ; and one man in the gown and bands of a clergyman, which he found, went through the streets with an open book, reading the funeral service of the " President of the Southern Confederacy."#
A portion of the first division, General Tyler, was en- gaged with the enemy on the 18th in a reconnoissance at Blackburn's Ford, and finding them in strong force, they were obliged to retreat after an hour's struggle, with a loss of about sixty killed and wounded.
General MeDowell felt the necessity of making a dem- onstration on the enemy before his army was weakened by the loss of the three months' troops, many of the regi- ment's time of enlistment expiring on the 21st, and he accordingly ordered a reconnaissance to be made, and arranged his plans to attack the Confederates the next day.
This reconnaissance proved that a direct attack on the * Lossing.
186
HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
enemy's front would be disastrous, and he concluded to turn their left by driving them from Stone Bridge, where they were strongly fortified, and breaking their line there, fotce them from the Warrenton Turnpike, and sever this portion of their army from their main force.
"General McDowell issued specific orders on the 20th for an advance and method of attack by three divisions chosen for the work. The troops were supplied with three days' rations. The columns were to move at about two o'clock on the morning of Sunday, the 21st. General Ty- ler was to be in position at four o'clock, or day-break, to menace the Confederates' left at the Stone Bridge, while the rear attack was to be made by Generals Hunter and Heintzelman about two hours later. Everything was in readiness by midnight. The camp-fires of forty regiments were burning dimly around Centreville, and the full moon was shining brightly, while the air was fresh and still.
"Never was there a midnight so calm and beautiful ; never did a Sabbath morning approach with a more gentle aspect on the face of nature." *
It was difficult to surmount unforseen obstacles, hence the many serious results to our best generals during the war, and General McDowell was no exception. AAt two o'clock in the morning, the long roll sounded, and there was now no doubt of a march in the minds of any of the troops, and it was long before sunrise that our forces had passed with steady tread through Centreville.
The second division, Col. David Hunter, and the third division, Col. Heintzelman, crossed Cub Run, turned to the right through the " big woods," and General Tyler with the first division, went by the Warrenton road. Hun- ter and Heintzelman were to drive the enemy from the
* Lossing.
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 187
right and rear upon General Tyler's forces, so that by sur- rounding them, a more speedy victory would be assured.
"Our troops went into the field tired and weary from long marching, and lack of rest, and the foe were fresh and well-fed, and intrenched behind rifle pits, and breastworks, and masked batteries and in forest groves, from which they were enabled to pour a murderous fire upon our ad- vancing force, while our guns though replying vigorously, could have had but slight effect. The rebels under har- rangues and exordiums fought with wild yells and demon- strations. General McDowell and Staff accompanied the central attacking column, under Tyler. The field of bat- tle extended over a large area of country. The sun shone in all its magnificence and splendor. The battle was opened at half-past five in the morning, and our wearied troops began the conflict with resolution and courage. General Tyler's division made the first onslaught. The noise of the cannon was heard distinctly in Alexandria, and even Washington. Great was the suspense and anxi- ety. The smoke of the conflict darkened the air for a long distance. It was a heavy artillery duel at first." *
Gen Burnside was being heavily engaged with the Con- federate General Evans' brigade, and called for help. This part of the conflict had been going on for about an hour, and the result was doubtful, when Porter's brigade was ordered to his relief. This re-enforcement caused Evans' line to gradually give way, although the enemy held man- fully to their position. At the critical moment a body of troops were seen coming over the ridge, in direction of Bull Run, to the assistance of the Nationals, and the head of Heintzelman's Division, which had not reached the ford above. when the battle commenced, was coming upon the field. " The column on the left was Sherman's * Jerome B. Lucke, L. L. F.
1
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
Brigade, from Tyler's right wing, led by Colonel Corcoran. with his New York Sixty-Ninth, sixteen hundred strong. Using a high tree for an observatory, an officer of Tyler's Staff had watched the movements of the columns of Hun- ter and Heintzelman, from the moment when they crossed Bull Run; and when there seemed danger that the tide of battle might be turned against the attacking force of his Division, Tyler promptly ordered Sherman to cross just above the Stone Bridge, to their assistance. He did so without much molestation, when the advance (Sixty- Ninth), soon encountered some of the Confederates flying before Hunter's force." *
Sherman's approach was timely, his troops being fresh. they pressed the enemy, who finally fled in confusion up the slopes of the plateau, and across it.
The conflict was fearful, and our forces were successful. Hunter and Heintzelman were in'strong position. "At half-past twelve, an essential triumph had been gained by our army. Beauregard, himself, could hardly keep his forces up to their work. That at this point the Confeder- ates were virtually defeated, was admitted by rebel jour- nals: 'Some of our best officers,' said the Louisville Courier, ' were slain, and the flower of the army lay strewn upon the field. McDowell was in the act of pos- sessing himself of the railway to Richmond. Then all would have been lost. But at this critical moment, Gen. Johnston, with the remnant of his Division. re-appeared.' The Richmond Dispatch, and the Charleston MMercury, confessed, with like testimony, to the narrow escape. Johnston's troops who had escaped from Winchester, had reached the battle-fieldl by railroad. Our men heroically renewed the attack." i
* Lussing.
: J. B. Lucke. L .. L. B.
189
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITLI.
The Union Reserves, consisting of the Fourth and Fifth Divisions, were then ordered forward, and if this force could have confronted the rebel re-enforcement, at once, the result of the conflict might have been far different.
"By three o'clock, there were no impediments in the way of the advance of re-enforcements from Centreville ; for at one o'clock, the National forces had possession of the Warrenton Turnpike, from near the bridge westward, which was one of the grand objectives of the movement against the Confederate left.
"The Confederates were in commanding position, on the plateau, and to drive them from it, was the task imme- diately in hand. To accomplish this, five brigades, includ- ing Colonel Franklin's, the Fifth Massachusetts forming the right, were sent along the Sudley's Spring Road, to turn the Confederates' left.
"Up the slope, south of the Warrenton Turnpike, these brigades moved, accompanied by McDowell, with ITeintzelman (whose division commenced the action here) as chief lieutenant, on the field. They were severely galled by the batteries of the enemy, yet they pressed for- ward and were soon in possession of the western portion of the plateau. There was a swell of ground westward a short distance, occupied by the Confederates, the posses- sion of which was important, as it commanded the whole plateau. Two batteries were ordered to seize it, and plant their guns there, and the Fifth and Eleventh Mas- sachusetts regiments, with others, were ordered to the left of the batteries." *
.
Here the Fifth did noble duty, receiving their orders from Colonel Lawrence, they coolly fired upon the enemy, and not a man gave evidence of weakness. They were
* Lossing.
190
HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
exposed to a terrible ambushed fire of the rebel batteries . for a full half hour, and while in~their unprotected situa- tion, were liable to be cut to pieces, and doubtless would have been, but from the fact that the Zouaves, who had advanced upon the enemy, and were suddenly met by an ambushed Alabama regiment, recoiled under the hot fire and fled in confusion, which saved the intended charge of the brigade, and caused another movement immediately.
The struggle for the plateau was still going on, and the First Minnesota, Col. Gorman, was ordered to support the batteries, while the Fifth acted as reserve. A double quick movement brought the two commands opposite to their original position, on the right, and they had hardly assumed the offensive, when they were suddenly confront- ed by a body of troops some fifty yards to their front. This embarrassing position continued for some moments, each command not knowing whether he was facing friend or foe ; but in a short time, the colors were seen, and the rattle of musketry began in good earnest, resulting in the batteries and infantry retiring from their position under a murderous fire from five times their own force.
The Fifth then moved with their brigade near their first position. In the mean time, McDowell ordered Sherman to sweep the hill, but alas, they were overpow- ered, and with fearful results were obliged to retreat, be- ing repuleed by a greater force than was anticipated.
Johnston was shortly after re-enforced by General E. Kirby Smith with a force of over four thousand men, who had come down by the Manassus Gap Road. This was an opportunity of which Johnston availed himself, and with four brigades, he bore heavily down on the right and rear of McDowell's forces, and cleared our troops from the slope and plateau, thus defeating our almost victorious army.
101
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
"The panic and the tumultuous head-long rush to Washington, after the battle, is familiar to every one. A ceaseless tide of fugitives surged over the roads, and fields, and through the woods. The rebels had a chance of entering Washington, but they had been nearly beaten, and were really as badly demoralized as our own army. The path of our flying troops was a scene of havoc, lit- tered with guns, knapsacks, blankets, haversacks, and canteens, and choked with broken gun carriages, and the private carriages of Washington officers, and public men, who had driven down to see the conflict from a suitable distance. And then, sad indeed, there were wounded and exhausted soldiers, and horses, crushed and mangled, who, unable to go further, dropped in their tracks. Attempts were made to stop the panic, but in vain. The resistless tide of fugitives rolled onward until Centreville was reached. Some stopped at Fairfax, some at Alexandria, and some kept on to Washington. Many of the Union dead and wounded lay exposed on the battle field." *
The Fifth, after leaving the battle-field, marched to Centreville, where an attempt was made to re-organize the panic-stricken troops, but this proved ineffectual, and the remnants proceeded to Washington, where they arrived, a forlorn and prostrated set of men, though not disheart- ened, for they were conscious of having done their duty well, and received the merited praise of their commanding Generals.
Their term of enlistment soon expired, their campaign days was over, and the thought of soon being with their friends at home, brought joy and comfort to their weary hearts. Some, there were, who were left behind ; dead. missing, and taken prisoners, but the hopes of all, were
* J. B. Lucke, L. L. B.
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
that time would bring most of them to the surface, and eventually to those who yearned most dearly for them.
Upon the arrival of the regiment in Boston, they re- ceived a reception worthy of such heroes. The people turned out en masse, and the cheers of the multitude that thronged the route of the march, were significant of the fact that their services had been appreciated, and that while away their every movement had been closely watched.
When the prisoners returned, several months after, hav- ing been exchanged, they also received a most fitting re- ception, not only from the people, but from the hands of their former comrades. The stories of the sufferings ex- perienced by the prisoners of war, have been read with interest, and their escape from death was remarkable, con- sidering the treatment they received.
KILLED, WOUNDED, AND PRISONERS.
The following is the most correct list of the killed and wounded and those taken prisoners at the Battle of Bull Run, that could be gathered by the author.
Colonel Samuel C. Lawrence, wounded.
COMPANY A, SALEM.
Henry T. Briggs, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862. Samuel .A. Cate, 1862.
COMPANY B, SOUTH READING.
Sergeant George W. Aborn, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
James II. Griggs, I862.
Frank L. Tibbetts, 862.
COMPANY C, CHARLESTOWN.
Edward Foster, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
COMPANY D, HAVERHILL
Hiram S. Collins, Killed.
James A. Shaw, Prisoner, parolled, 1862.
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
COMPANY E, MEDFORD.
Sergeant William H. Lawrence, Killed.
John HI. Hoyt, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
COMPANY F, BOSTON.
Sergeant Charles W. Cassebourne, Killed.
Isaac M. Low 66
Thomas Hettler,
Edward J. Williams,
Cyrus F. Wardwell, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
Stephen O'Hara, 66 IS62.
Bernard McSweeney,
1862.
William H. Richardson, accidentally shot.
COMPANY G, CONCORD.
Sergeant Cyrus Hosmer, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
Wm. S. Rice, 66
1862.
Wm. C. Bates,
IS62.
Edward S. Wheeler,
1862.
Henry L. Wheeler,
.. 1862.
COMPANY H, SALEM.
George A. Thompson, Killed.
William Shanley, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
George W. Dow, 1862.
COMPANY I, SOMERVILLE.
Edward F. Hannaford, Killed.
William F. Moore, Wounded.
COMPANY K, CHARLESTOWN.
Henry A. Angier, Prisoner, Exchanged 1862.
C. A. Babcock, IS62.
George T. Childs, 66 1862.
Samuel E. Chandler, " .6 IS62.
Sumner Fish, Killed -- never seen since battle.
RECAPITULATION.
Killed, 9. Wounded, 2. Prisoners, 22.
There were no bounties given when the Fifth went to Washington, nor were any offered to the nine-month's volunteers at first, an evidence that the men were actuated by pure patriotism in offering their lives at their country's call, and not for pecuniary considerations.
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
THE SECOND THREE MONTH'S ENLISTMENT.
The regiment after its term of service expired, July 31st, 1861, kept up its organization, and when on May 26th, 1862, a telegram was received from the President by Governor Andrew, to forward to Washington at once, all of the ac- tive militia of this State, the Fifth responded with its usual alacrity. General Banks had been driven from the Shenandoah valley, by a superior force of the enemy, and the Capitol of Washington was menaced. Orders were issued on the 26th of May to commanders of regiments to report forthwith with their commands on Boston Com- mon for active service. Again men bid farewell to their families, put on their uniforms, assembled in their armor- ies, and proceeded at once to Boston, many of them at great personal sacrifice. On the 27th, Boston was alive with troops, some four thousand men having responded to the call. The Fifth, on this occasion, was officered as follows :
Colonel
. SAMUEL C. LAWRENCE.
Lieut .- Colonel
GEORGE H. PEIRSON.
Major .
. JOHN T. BOYD.
Quartermaster
JOSEPH E. BILLING ?.
Surgeon
.
SAMUEL HI. HURD.
Sergeant-Major HENRY A. QUINCY.
Quartermaster-Sergeant SAMUEL C. HUNT, Jr.
Company A. Captain RICHARD BARRETT, 12 men.
B. Lient. WILLIAM E. ROBINSON, 36
C. Captain JOHN P. RICHARDSON, 32
D. Captain HANNIBAL P. NORTON, .
93 .
E. Captain Jons HUTCHINGS, . S2
F. Captain EPHRAIM H. BRIGHAM, 51
HI. Captain JOHN B. NORTON, . 93
429
Late on the afternoon of the 27th, it was ascertained that many of the men who had responded to the call, be-
195
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
lieved the service which they had volunteered to render was but for three months, and had-made their business and other arrangements accordingly. Upon arriving at Boston, they discovered that the three-month's term had been changed by an Act of Congress to a longer term ; whereupon Gov. Andrew telegraphed to the War Depart- ment for authority to muster the men in for three months' service, which authority was not given. The law was ex- plained to the men, and about one half of them volun- teered to proceed, "law or no law," and every man was anxious to go for three months. The next day informa- tion was received from Washington that the immediate danger to the Capitol was passed, concentration of regular forces having been effected, and the militia were disbanded, many of them, however, enlisted in the three years' regi- ment then forming.
THE NINE MONTHS' VOLUNTEERS.
The Fifth did not remain inactive after its second prof- fer for three months' service, but was immediately re- cruited, as will be seen by referring to page 29. Many in- cidents could be related by the veterans of the nine months' campaign, and if each member could add his indi- vidual experience, the whole would make a book well worth reading. The writer, however, has not forgotten his own experience, and being unable to obtain valuable items from others, will give his personal recollections, together with gleanings from old letters and information from other re- liable sources.
Many events occurred, the mere mention of which will be sufficient to recall to the mind the entire incident. Who of the Fifth that sailed away from Boston on the transport Mississippi, Capt. Baxter, will ever forget the
196
HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
terrible fall of Claude Grenache of Co. I., who, having climbed to the foretop, lost his hold and fell to the deck, breaking his back, and severely injuring a member of his company. Ilis ambition to gain notoriety as an athlete brought him to an untimely end. His body was left at Holme's Holl. Doubtless the boys will not forget the rations of soup issued the second day out, salt ! that was no name for it ; the writer has ascertained that no one (?) was to blame for this calamity to the famished troops, it having occurred in the following manner : Joel Raymond and Royal Ramsey of Co. H, together with one or two other celebrated cooks, had charge of the pottage, and, having a complete knowledge of the quantity of salt needed to a gallon of fresh water, etc., added the required amount on the start, which was all right, but the supervising officer, whose name is well known in the regiment, and whose love for the boys was proverbial, thinking there might be some mistake and thoughtlessness on the part of the cooks, made careful inquiries of them and thought everything all right; the cooks, however, or some un- authorized parties, fearing that the stuff would not be salt enough, turned in a portion of a barrel of rock salt, and "let her bile." The result was that the soup would not remain liquid but became solid with crystals of salt after five minutes' cooling. The whole affair proved the truth of the old adage, " too many cooks spoil the broth." After the exclamations usual on an occasion of this kind, the boys settled down and had a "quiet game" by way of pacification.
On the 26th, an incident occurred which nearly resulted in the loss of a life ; it was as follows : After passing Fort Macon, N. C., we took a pilot and had hardly sailed a mile when we were brought up hard and fast on a sand bar,
1
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
and had the pleasure of seeing the Forty-fourth disembark from the Merrimac on the wharf at Morehead city. Capt. Baxter was a man of few words, some of them being oaths, and his harsh voice must have grated fearfully on the ears of that pilot when he roared, or rather hissed, " You south- ern hound, you'll have us aground ! if you do, you - I'll blow your - brains out !" It required the most earnest solicitations of several of the officers to prevent the cap- tain from carrying out his threat. As it .was, the pilot's boat which was made fast under our stern, was crushed to atoms by the propeller. It being customary for the pilot to make his skiff fast to the stern of vessels, or side wheelers, and this being the first propeller that ever en- tered the harbor, his ignorance cost him dear.
Mr. Fred. A. Barker, one of the ship's officers, and a resident of Charlestown, rendered many favors to the troops during the passage in the way of provender, and his kindness was duly appreciated.
We landed next day, in good condition, and the boys went for the big oysters, apples, (10 cents each), and oth- er luxuries, and after hearing strange stories of " bullud " from the Ninth New Jersey veterans, the platform cars soon carried us to New Berne, and we slept that night in our new quarters, the Sibley tents, having been pitched by that best of regiments, the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts. Beyond the city, and around our camp, the country was low and marshy. The thermometer ranged from 70° to Soº at midday, and at night, fell to 30" and 25°, there being no twilight, the heavy dew suddenly penetrated every- thing, and cautioned us about fever and ague ; but the boys were careful, and by using proper sanitary precau- tions, they escaped the malarial fever, that swept off many members of the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth regiments.
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
FORT PEIRSON.
Fort Peirson was the name by which the camp of the Fifth Regiment was designated during their nine months' campaign, in New Berne, North Carolina : having been named in honor of Colonel George H. Peirson, of the Fifth. The accompanying lithograph gives a view sketched in May, 1863, and really presents a better idea of the gen- eral appearance of the camp, to those who were there, than the large publication taken when the water was high and in the winter.
After the arrival of the regiment in New Berne, it was marched through the shady streets awhile, then gradual- ly bore to the right, and soon found out the nature of North Carolina soil, which was very sandy, being in much the same condition, as the grass sand of a beach. There were a number of Sibley tents pitched on a slightly raised patch of ground, about one mile in the rear of New Berne, and as we turned the corner of the burying ground these cloth edifices caught the eyes of the boys, and it was very soon known that they were pitched for the Fifth Regiment, and that was to be our home in the sunny South. A corduroy bridge was built, soon after our arri- val, near the entrance of our camp, as the swampy water was often too high for comfortable travelling. On the right, entering the camp, was a swamp, and beyond Fort Rowan, the flag of which was seen flying over the tree- tops. The railroad tracks lie a little beyond the fort, bore to the left, crossed the interval, and entered the woods in the distance. The river Neuse was situated about a mile and a half to the right of the camp. In the rear of the fortification the land was of a marshy nature, and extended to the woods in the background. To the left was a rather damp tract of country, until the Trent road was reached,
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA. 199
which was located about a mile away, and ran parallel with the railroad for several miles, and was separated from it by about three-fourths of a mile of woods and swamp land. There was a considerable quantity of water on the left of the camp during the carly part of the campaign, but most of it evaporated in time, and enlarged the grounds to some extent, not enough however for drilling purposes.
There were four tents to a company, used for the non- commissioned officers and privates, and two A tents for the three commissioned officers. The field and staff were located near the earthworks. The various companies had their own cook-houses, which were built of slabs, and had a long opening with a shelf on one side, where the boys after falling in for grub, would "hog in."
The quartermaster's department was located to the right on entering the grounds, and in the rear of the Guard tents.
The following was the position of the companies in line, applying also to their position while in camp and service.
Company H, Capt. Drew (1), held the right nearest headquarters, Company E, Capt. Kent (6) ; Company C, Capt. Daniels (4) : Company F, Capt. Currier (9) ; Com- pany G, Capt. Grammar (3) ; Company B, Capt. Parker (8) ; Company K, Capt. Crafts (5) ; Company A. Capt. Green (10) ; Company I, Capt. Newton (7) ; Company D, Capt. Howard (2).
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