USA > Massachusetts > History of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Mass., Volunteers, in the civil war of 1861-1865, with a comprehensive sketch of the doings of Massachusetts as a state, and of the principal campaigns of the war > Part 19
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Inevitably the influence of the Thirty-seventh was exerted on the other regiments with which it was brigaded. Sergeants Chapin of Company C and Warner of Company H were detailed as "instructors in tactics" for the heavy artillery regiments. while Captain Loomis (whose own Company E was drilled in the management of the heavy guns in the fort as a recognition of its proficiency) was appointed instructor for the non-commis- sioned officers of those regiments.
As the regiment was so near the homes of most of its mem- bers, many friends took advantage of the opportunity to visit those in whom they were interested. and not a day passed that some familiar face from Massachusetts was not seen in camp.
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COLONEL EDWARDS ASKS A FAVOR.
The wives and families of some of the officers were with them during the stay of the Thirty-seventh in the city, while some of the men received short furloughs; in these ways many an oppor- tunity for meeting was improved by friends who were never again on earth to join hands.
Thus, with no more exciting event than the drumming out of camp on the 14th of August of a worthless member of Company K, the days passed till the date fixed by the government for the resumption of the draft, August 19. On the previous day Colonel Edwards visited the police head-quarters and inquired as to the prospect for peaceful proceedings. He was informed that there was certainly danger of an outbreak; that the rioters claimed to have 20,000 men well armed and organized; that they had given the authorities to understand that they should proba- bly offer no violonce unless Massachusetts soldiers came into the city, in which event they declared that not one of them should leave it alive. No knight of antiquity ever accepted the gaunt- let of defiance more unhesitatingly than Colonel Edwards re- sented this implied threat against his pet regiment. Hastening at once to the head-quarters of General Canby, who had com- mand of the city, he reported what he had heard. "And now, General, I have a favor to ask," he added. Being asked to state his wishes, the impulsive colonel thus formulated them: "I wish to bring my regiment-the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts- to the city, to station them as special guard of the drafting pro- ceedings, that no other troops be in sight, and that they display only the Massachusetts flag except in case of actual conflict, when they will also fly the United States colors." The request being promptly granted preparations were at once made for mov- ing the regiment to the city. The men, finding that they were likely to see active service, requested that they might lay aside their dress suits and resume the well-worn raiment with which they had become so familiar, and such permission was given.
That evening, just after dress parade the orders were received to " Pack up and fall in!" and in a very few minutes, equipped for duty with 60 rounds of ammunition and three days' rations, the regiment marched down to the wharf, took the steamer
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THE REGIMENT IN NEW YORK.
which was in waiting and were transported to the city proper, where they bivouacked for the night on the ground at the Bat- tery. Early in the morning of the following day the command was under arms and marched up Broadway to the Washington Parade Ground, where they halted and awaited the development of events. Companies G and C were detached for duty at the drafting rooms on Sixth Avenne, where according to orders they displayed only the Massachusetts standard. There was no hos- tile demonstration. Not a few eyed the lone Indian, the up- lifted sword and the Latin motto on the strange banner and asked, "What flag is that?" or "What soldiers are these?" and the reply was civil but emphatic, "That is the flag of Massachusetts, and this is a part of her Thirty-seventh regiment -how do you like them?" Doubtless the presence of the sol- diers, well prepared to meet any crisis, with the knowledge that several other regiments of veterans were within easy distance. influenced the rioters to submit quietly to the inevitable; let us also hope that time and conscience had shown them the terrible wickedness and the supreme folly of their previous conduct.
At the usual hour that evening several regiments of the New York militia marched on to the Washington Parade Ground for their dress parades. Their appearance was very fine in their un- tarnished and showy uniforms, accompanied by full brass-bands. exhibiting in a marked degree the fascinating phase of holiday soldiery. Their friends, many thousand in number, applauded loudly as they went through their various exercises in a highly creditable manner, the entire vicinity being packed by a deeply interested crowd. As the last regiment marched off the Thirty- seventh marched on. The contrast could not have been greater. From the holiday parade to an exhibition of the veteran fresh from the fields of deadly strife, the change was instantaneous and striking. The eurions throng became silent in a moment. and every movement of the visiting regiment was watched with the most earnest and sympathetic curiosity. The men, women and children seemed to realize that they looked upon a leaf from the great book of war, startling in its vivid reality. Those sturdy, bronzed men were in the midst of their term of service.
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A SCENE ON THE PARADE GROUND.
Neither flushed with the ardor of departing volunteers, to whom hope and chance gave a rosy future, nor gladdened by the ter- mination of an honorable service, with the blessed anticipation of a speedy return to the joys of home, the veterans who now came upon the stage could only look forward to continued sacri- fice, to wounds and suffering and death. Their dilapidated gar- ments, while made as presentable as possible, had protected their wearers in the trenches across the Rappahannock, in the terrible marches in pursuit of Lee, had been torn by the can- nonade at Gettysburg, soaked and rent in the hand-built in- trenchments of that fateful field and on the horrible by-ways of Catoctin Mountain. Marked, indeed, was the contrast between those rags and the holiday attire of New York's pet regiments.
Never did the sturdy arms of Drum Major Gaffney wake more animating response than when his drum corps performed its part that evening, and the entire command seemed nerved to its very best. From the first command given by the colonel every movement was executed as though by an automaton. From the assembled multitude burst an irresistible wave of applause, so earnest and long continued that the succeeding orders were de-
layed to allow it to abate. Finally the order was given to "Raise arms !"-the most difficult known to infantry tactics for a regiment to perform in perfect cadence. As though one intelligence animated the entire line, every back was bent as one and every form assumed its perpendicular. The enthusiasm of the surrounding multitude could no longer be restrained. Like a peal of thunder, applause and cheers burst forth, drowning every effort of Colonel Edwards to make his own vigorous voice heard, and the parade was summarily dismissed.
Through the following day and till afternoon of the 21st the Thirty-seventh remained on duty, with no serious menace of a riot, when they were relieved and returned to the quarters near Fort Hamilton. The days which succeeded were uneventful. The usual routine was strictly followed. the men going some- times to the city on passes. but more frequently strolling away to gather blackberries, which grew abundantly at no great dis- tance from the fort. On the 30th of August Colonel Edwards
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THE REGIMENT IN NEW YORK.
received a two-weeks' furlough, and Colonel Day was assigned to the command of the post. On the 11th of September Colonel Edwards returned, and the men having learned of his marriage during his absence thoroughly appreciated the following order, which was read that evening at dress parade :
In view of the brilliant success attending the recent expedition to the West of our gallant and Union-loving commander, Colonel Edwards, and of his return to us with his fair bride, it is hereby ordered that all pris- oners confined at this date in the regimental guard-house be uncondi- tionally released and returned to duty.
By order of Lieutenant-Colonel MONTAGUE, Commanding.
At the same time orders were issned for the regiment to hold itself in readiness to move at short notice, it being understood that it was to report for duty in New York city, but it was not till next day that transportation was furnished and farewell was bid to Fort Hamilton. The rumor as to destination proved correct, the command landing in the upper part of the city and - marching to "Camp Canby," on Columbia College grounds. Forty-ninth Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Neglect- ing to pitch their tents that night, the men sleeping upon the ground received the full force of a hard shower, but merely drew their rubber blankets a little closer with the remark that it seemed like Virginia to feel the rain once more driving in their faces.
Two days were devoted to getting the camp in order, and when it was done the Thirty-seventh found itself delightfully situated. The grounds were in the most pleasant portion of the city, being high and salubrions, the air pure and invigorating, the sur- roundings all that could be asked. It was at that time the gen- eral expectation among both officers and men that they would remain there through the winter. It was known that General Canby, after a critical inspection of cach regiment in and about the city, had given the Thirty-seventh the award of the best order and discipline and had forwarded to the War Department a request to retain that regiment and the Fifth Wisconsin. On the ad of September Captain Mulloy had been dispatched to Washington to bring on the company and regimental property which had been left behind when the regiment hurried through,
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BIDDING ADIEU TO THE CITY.
and the command seemed now comfortably settled for a perma- nent stay. About this time Governor Andrew of Massachu- setts visited the camp, his presence awakening no little interest among the members, while less noted citizens of the old Bay State continually sought out the regiment.
Three companies were detailed for special duty on the 15th,- D at the head-quarters of the Provost Marshal. F at the police head-quarters and G at the depot of government supplies. Smaller details of officers and men were made for other duties in various parts of the city between Central Park and White Street, and thus engaged the regiment passed a month of routine.
October 13 was a day of quiet bustle about the regimental head-quarters, the various detachments throughout the city were called in, and at dress parade that evening orders-the existence of which had already been suspected by the men-were read directing Colonel Edwards to report with his command to Major General Halleck at Washington. Hearty cheers were given for the Army of the Potomac, but it must be admitted that the tidings were far from welcome. It was simply human nature for the men to hope that they might pass a few months more, convenient to friends and the amenities of such a life as they had for a time been allowed to enjoy, rather than in the dangers and exposures of the trenches and the unending march through a hostile region. There was little sleep that night, from a multi- tude of causes, and early morning found the command in readi- ness to move.
Fortunately the regiment had been spared the necessity of shedding blood during its stay in the city, and it had performed faithfully every duty which came to it, winning high praise from all under whose notice it came ; but it had none the less been exposed to serious dangers and had in a certain respect suffered. The scattering of the men about the city on duty and the lauda- ble wish to allow them every privilege consistent with reasonable precaution for their well-being exposed them to the influence of the designing scoundrels and Southern sympathizers with whom the city was filled. and who spared no effort to corrupt and entice from duty. Citizens' clothes were furnished to all who could
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THE REGIMENT IN NEW YORK.
be induced to wear them and leave the service, while transpor- tation to Canada-that land of refuge for deserters and traitors -was ready to take the refugee beyond danger of recapture and punishment. The total loss to the regiment from this cause was 47 during the 70 days of its absence from the Army of the Po- tomac. This was more than one-half of the loss of the Thirty- seventh by desertion during the entire service of the regiment. (as will be seen by reference to the Appendix, ) and it must also in justice be stated that it was confined almost entirely to the foreign-born element. The victims-for in many cases they were more sinned against than sinning-fell among their coun- trymen, of whom the disloyal and riotous element in New York was so largely composed, were plied with vile liquors and viler persuasions, and in this way many who were naturally brave and true were led from their allegiance. But while this loss seemed so serious, coming within so brief a period,-a large percentage of the absentees disappearing after it was known that the regi- ment was ordered back to the front,-it assured the loyalty of those who remained. From that time forward desertion was almost unknown in the history of the Thirty-seventh regiment. All whose fidelity wavered, or could by any influence be made to waver, had now left the regiment ; the loss had after all been far less than might have been expected, and the firm battalion which on that crisp October morning turned its face toward Washing- ton was one of whose courage and steadiness any commander might well be proud.
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To
CHAPTER XI.
AGAIN AT THE FRONT.
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THE RETURN TRIP. - THIE FORTUNES OF THE ARMY .- THE VIC- TORY AT RAPPAHANNOCK STATION. - THE DISMAL EXPEDITION TO MINE RUN .- CHANGES AND PROMOTIONS.
Farewell was spoken to Camp Canby at 8 o'clock in the morn- ing of October 14, and in their best attire the Thirty-seventh marched down Fifth Avenue and Broadway to the foot of Murray street. Here a steamer was in waiting near the Russian fleet which had for some time been lying in the harbor, and while the members of the regiment were awaiting the departure of their own boat much time was spent in watching the unfamiliar for- eigners, whose sympathy with the United States government was thus agreeably manifested. It was not till 3 o'clock in the afternoon that all was ready for the departure, when the steamer left the wharf and moved steadily down the harbor to Port Mon- mouth, where the regiment disembarked, took the cars and rode through the night.
Philadelphia was reached at ? o'clock next morning, and, in accordance with the unvarying custom of that City of Brotherly Love, a sumptuous repast was furnished at the Volunteer Refresh- ment Saloon. Not till noon was a train in readiness for the con- tiunation of the journey, and it was after dark when Baltimore was reached. Supper was provided there,-not of the Philadel- phia standard, but good and satisfactory,-and a few hours later the command was packed upon freight cars and crept toward Washington, which was reached soon after daylight of the 16th. With a halt of but a few minutes the regiment proceeded on its way, being directed by General Halleck to report to General Meade. Crossing Long Bridge and passing through Alexandria,
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AGAIN AT THE FRONT.
it steamed slowly back over the route it had followed in coming north ten weeks before, but it is needless to say that the emo- tions of the men were quite different from those experienced on the upward trip. To add to the discomfort of the occasion, it commenced raining heavily just as the cars halted at Fairfax Station, shortly before noon. The officers suffered most. In their best dress, with no covering save their fine new overcoats, which had scarcely been worn, they were more exposed than the men, who generally possessed rubber blankets which gave them a partial protection. A laugh was raised and good feeling kept up by Captain J. L. Hayden, the best of campaigners and san- guine enough to find something cheerful in any outlook, who came up where the disconsolate group of officers were standing in the mud and jerked out with his habitual quick utterance, "Let ns all cry !"
Stopping in the pelting storm for the men to draw rations,- a not very pleasant duty under the circumstances,-the march was taken up toward Fairfax Court House, which was reached about dark and a halt made for such a supper as was possible under the circumstances. The rain-fall. severe at first, had steadily increased in volume until it seemed an unbroken sheet. and already the clayey soil had become a spongy bed of mud several inches in depth, through which in the intense darkness it was next to impossible to travel. After stumbling on for :: mile or two a halt was ordered. and the men with a refinement of irony advised one another to " make themselves comfortable for the night." Standing with heads bent toward the storm till the fury of it somewhat abated, a bivouac was made in the mud. the contrast from the carpeted tents in New York to which the mind would revert being disagreeable enough.
The storm ceased during the night, the following day proving as delightful as a Virginian October day could be, and although the mud remained in provoking quantity, it rapidly disappeared before the bright sunshine and the gentle breeze. The march was resumed at daybreak, in the direction of Chantilly, and about midday the Thirty-seventh sighted the Army of the Pot"- mac, disposed in battle array on the ground swept over by the
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MANEUVERS OF THE TWO ARMIES.
conflict of September 1, 1862. The arrival of the regiment being reported to General Meade, it was ordered to the Sixth Corps and by General Sedgwick assigned to its, old place in Eustis's Brigade. Its return was gladly hailed by the other regi- ments, and with a feeling of being at home once more it took its place in the second line of battle.
While officers and enlisted men alike are busy during the une- ventful afternoon in drying their clothing, writing letters to the friends from whom they have so recently separated, gossiping with acquaintances in the other regiments, or resting idly in the grateful warmth of the sunshine, let us see how it is that the Army of the Potomac is again almost at the gates of Washington in defensive position against an expected attack.
At the close of July, when the Thirty-seventh had set out upon its mission of peace, it had left the two armies concentrated respectively near Warrenton and Culpeper, with the Rappahan- nock as a dividing line between the outposts. On the 1st of August General Buford of the Union cavalry made a strong re- connaissance across the river, driving back the enemy's mounted outposts till his infantry lines were reached, and not long after- ward General Lee retired to a stronger defensive position south of the Rapidan. Early in September Longstreet's corps was de- tached from the Army of Northern Virginia, Pickett's division being sent south of Richmond, while the other two went to the assistance of Bragg at Chattanooga. Although his own army was seriously weakened by the dispatch of so many of his best regiments to New York, while other detachments had been sent to South Carolina, Meade on learning of Longstreet's absence planned to move against his antagonist. Accordingly, on the 13th of September the cavalry, supported by the Second and Sixth Corps, crossed the Rappahannock, pushed the enemy's out- posts before them and advanced to the Rapidan, where the in- fantry took position, while Buford's horsemen set out to feel the way for a movement of the army by the right flank via the upper Rapidan. Before this movement had taken form, however, it was checked by orders from Washington, while the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were detached from the Army of the Potomac
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AGAIN AT THE FRONT.
and dispatched under command of Hooker to operate against the Confederate army in Tennessee.
Meade's army having been somewhat strengthened by the re- turn of a portion of his detached regiments, he was cautiously feeling the ground on his right when on the 9th of October he learned that some movement was being made by Lee, and the following day it became evident that the latter was moving past the Union right flank and threatening its rear and the com- munications with Washington. General Meade seems to have supposed that Lee intended to offer him battle near Warrenton. and moved his own army in accordance with that supposition : . but the mistake was discovered in season to make new disposi- tions before the enemy became aware of the error. Meade, find- ing that he could not fight on ground of his own choosing in the vicinity of Warrenton, resolved to take up a position at Centre- ville and Chantilly, north of the disastrous Bull Run fields, and accordingly moved his forces with all speed in that direction. It was a curious race which resulted. The opposing armies were moving over parallel routes, almost abreast, and so near each other that collisions of ontposts and detached parties were con- stantly occurring, keeping both armies sharply on the lookout. vet neither aware of the purpose or the exact location of the other.
While this scramble for position was going on a remarkable incident occurred. On the 13th the Confederate cavalry leader Stuart, who was feeling the way in advance of Lee's infantry. came upon the head of General French's Third Corps and wa- obliged to retreat with his force of some 2,000 men. Haltin. for the night in a growth of scrub pines, the bold cavalryman was astounded to find that he had taken refuge between the two main columns of the Union advance, the Second Corps, now commanded by General Warren. interposing between his small force and the main body of Confederates, while Gregg's cavalry was on the other side. Sending scouts through the Union line- to make known his critical situation and solicit assistance, Stuart waited till near daylight when he opened fire upon Caldwell'. division in his front, the men of which were just lighting their
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THE FIGHT AAT BRISTOE'S STATION.
tires to prepare breakfast. Quite unprepared for any such hos- tile demonstration, the exposed troops were moved to shelter on the other side of the hill, where they were again fired upon by Ewell's advance, coming up in the other direction. In the con- fusion Stuart made good his escape with slight loss, and the in- periled division of the Second Corps found itself in turn almost surrounded by the enemy. Some very sharp fighting followed, before the entanglement was cleared up, but no general engage- ment ensued, since that was the farthest from the thoughts of either party at that time and place. Meade's several corps were striving to move up past Bristoe's Station before the Confederates should come down upon his flank with sufficient strength to cut his army in two, while Lee was straining the powers of his men to the utmost in the hope that he might reach that point in ad- vance of the Federal columns. That object, indeed, failed, but Hill's corps, coming down from New Baltimore on the north- west, while Ewell advanced from the southwest, was in time to interpose between the Fifth Corps, which had just passed, and the Second Corps, the rear of the Union army, which had all day been skirmishing with and holding back Ewell's corps in their rear. Warren's command thus found itself attacked front and rear with the entire Southern army closing about it. A very gallant fight was made by the three brigades which Warren was able to bring into action, and the rebel attack was repulsed with the capture of 450 prisoners, five pieces of artillery and two Confederate battle flags. So prompt and effective was the resistance that all the remainder of the afternoon was spent by the Southern army in getting into position; but as soon as it was dark Warren with his wounded and prisoners followed swiftly in the tracks of the rest of the Union army, and morning of the 15th found all in position near Centreville, after four days and nights of almost incessant marching and fighting.
Here it was that two days later the Thirty-seventh had re- jomed the army, the Sixth Corps holding the right of the line hear Chantilly. A forward movement had been planned for the 16th, but the severe rain of that day prevented, and next day General Sedgwick reported the enemy still in his front. As
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AGAIN AT THE FRONT.
Meade wished to fight on the defensive, if possible, there was another wait in expectation of an attack. But none was made. the Southern commander also feeling a strong preference for the defensive unless he could find an opportunity to strike a sharp blow with the promise of almost certain victory. Companies F and G of the Thirty-seventh were detailed for picket on the 18th, the line being established about a mile in advance of the main position. Everything was quiet in front, and during the day all indications of the presence of the enemy ceased, quite unexpectedly, since during the previous night the picket line had become frightened at some real or supposed demonstration by the foe and was ordered to fall back upon the camp, calling the corps to arms before daybreak, the line being re-established after the excitement, with no further demonstration. In fact. Lee having failed in the principal object of his expedition, now contented himself with destroying as much as possible of the Orange and Alexandria railroad and falling back nearer his own base of supplies. His purpose being penetrated by the Union commander, orders were issued Sunday evening, the 18th, for an advance in pursuit next morning, the men, owing to the uu- certain nature of the communications being provided with eight days' rations. In respect to this matter of rations, it was not in human nature to refrain from fault-finding, since in addition :.. the enormous load which the men were required to carry, the quality was of the poorest-the crackers being wormy and th meat consisting of salt ham of very indifferent quality.
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