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 33
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
On the 17th General Grant was in consultation with Sheridan. Kershaw had now left the Valley, it seemed possible for Sheridan to strike such a blow as would free the region effectually of the force which remained, and Grant's instructions to his lieutenant were comprised in the two words-" Go in !" Sheridan needed no second invitation. His orders were at once issued, the troops were supplied with rations on Sunday, the 18th, and next mora- ing at 3 o'clock the Sixth Corps was on the road. Sheridan supposed Early's force to be divided, as a column had been re- ported moving northward the day before, and instead of planting
-
375
THE BATTLE OF THE OPEQUAN OPENS.
his army across the line of the Confederate communications, as had been the original purpose, the Federal commander aimed his blow directly at the enemy's main body. The supposed division had not taken place, however, as Gordon's command had merely gone up to Martinsburg to drive away Averell's cavalry and returned in time to take part in the battle.
The column which moved out in the darkness of the waning night consisted of Wilson's division of cavalry, the Sixth Corps with Getty's division in front and Russell's in the rear, the Nineteenth Corps to follow directly and the Eighth being held in the rear to await developments. The line of march was along the Berryville and Winchester pike, which crossed the Opequan Creek at a difficult ford near the mouth of Abraham's Creek. The latter stream flows in from south of Winchester, while Red Bud Run, which empties near the same point, rises to the north of the city. On the section of land between these two streams the battle was principally fought. After crossing the Opequan the pike runs for some two miles through a narrow wooded ravine, at the western entrance to which, where the ground be- comes more open and possible for military operations, the enemy's outposts were encountered.
Through this gorge Wilson's cavalry swept like the wind in the early morning's gray, captured the outposts and secured ground for the deployment of the infantry and thus successfully accomp- lished the first stage of the battle. Then through the long hours they held on, till the head of the Sixth Corps came in, sight. Getty's division went into position on the left of theturnpike and Ricketts's on the right, Russell's in rear of the latter intre- serve. Then came another long wait for the Nineteenth Corps, which had followed the trains of the Sixth. Duringall this time the enemy kept up a heavy artillery fire, as they had throughout the deployment, but the troops were sheltered by the ground.so that the loss was trifling. Finally the Nineteenth:came up:und went into line on the right of the Sixth, when the ordento, ad- vance was given. Russell's division remained;in. reserve .: At once the crash of battle broke with terrible fury.in And anteadly battle it proved from opening to close. Neither sidedraditiell
1
1
1
376
THE CAMPAIGN UNDER SHERIDAN.
works or other protection than the natural contour of the ground afforded, and the loss of life was heavy.
At first the forward movement of the Union forces promised well, and the enemy was forced back by the strong blow deliv- ered. But the two divisions of the Sixth Corps, guiding on the pike which ran between them, were deflected to the left, and the connection of the two corps became weakened. No sooner was this defect discovered than the Confederates took advantage of it. Rodes's and Gordon's divisions, led by Battle's brigade of the former, were driven like a wedge against the weak point and the two imperiled divisions of the Federal army-Grover's of the Nineteenth and Ricketts's of the Sixth-were broken and fell back with considerable loss. As a consequence the entire Union line drew back from the point of its farthest advance.
The Thirty-seventh was on the right of the brigade, and the quick eye of Colonel Edwards comprehending at once where the work of checking the Confederates must be done, he ordered the regiment to move to the right. The movement was made by the flank under cover of the ravine which extended at nearly right angles to the pike, bending a little to the rear. . A position was taken somewhat in advance of Stevens's Fifth Maine Bat- tery, which was doing excellent service, the line of direction being changed so that when halted the command faced to the northwest instead of west. Looking out of the ravine, which was barely deep enough to conceal the movements of his reg- iment, Lieutenant-Colonel Montague saw about 60 yards in front a body of Confederates, which proved to be the old "Stone- wall" Jackson Brigade, advancing and evidently making for the battery in rear of the Thirty-seventh.
The enemy's line was somewhat ragged, both from the opposi- tion it had already received and because in an advance of any troops for a considerable distance the more adventurous or ex- citable get ahead while those less anxious for close quarters lar behind, and the command becomes broken so that it cannot act. either on the offensive or defensive, with its full strength. This was the condition of the brigade which the Thirty-seventh with: their Spencer rifles were now to face alone. There was no
377
THE FIRST CHARGE AT OPEQUAN.
doubt in the mind of their commander of the course to pursue, or what the result would be. Instantly the message was passed down the line to each company commander that not a shot must be fired till the order was given, and that at the word every man must charge the rebels at a run.
" Forward!" at length rings out, and from the little ravine the regiment emerges, steady and firm, with its 296 rifles and seven times that number of deadly shots within them. The Confederates were astonished to see a regiment emerging as it were from the ground, but they were more astonished at the severity of the fire which opened upon them. One crashing vol- ley followed the order to fire, supplemented by such a rapid suc- cession of shots that by the time half the distance had been passed the magazines were emptied of their seven cartridges.
The demoralization of the Confederate line was speedy and complete. While the greater part, fighting more or less, strug- gled back to the position from which their advance had been made, a large number threw themselves upon the ground where- ever a ditch or gully gave promise of protection from the terrible fire poured upon them by the repeating rifles, and were taken prisoners by the Thirty-seventh. For fully half a mile the pur- suit was kept up, and it is believed that the number of prisoners taken by the regiment was fully equal to the number of muskets it carried into the field that day. Among the trophies captured was the battle-flag of the Second Virginia regiment, inscribed with the names of 17 battles, including the First Bull Run, in which the regiment had taken part.
A halt was finally called upon the brow of a hill at the extreme end of a little triangular piece of woods, beyond which the strong line of the enemy was clearly observed. A short distance to the left and in front was a thick wood and at once the left company under Captain J. A. Champney was sent to observe the enemy, so that they should not come unheralded upon the new position of the Thirty-seventh. In a few minutes Captain Champney returned, quite out of breath, having been obliged to make : considerable detour at the top of his speed to avoid the hostile fire, and reported that he was on the flank of a Confederate
-
378
THE CAMPAIGN UNDER SHERIDAN.
battery which, with more assistance, he could silence. As Cap- tain Champney came in on the run to report to his regimental commander what he had discovered, he met General Upton, who was just coming up, and who, mistaking the motive of the cap- tain's haste, sternly ordered him back to his regiment. Too full of the importance of his discovery to weigh his words, or to re- gard the possible consequence to himself, but filled with anger at the imputation upon his courage (of which no member of the regiment had greater measure), the brave and excited subaltern screamed out at the top of his voice and without checking his speed " Go to hell !"
Captain Hopkins (who had recently returned to service in the regiment, taking command of Company C) was sent with his company and a few of the best shots of the regiment to the scene, and under his direction a stream of bullets made the place too hot for even Early's veteran artillerists. The men were driven away and the horses killed, but later some Confederates crawled up through the grass, attached ropes to the guns and dragged them away.
Already the Thirty-seventh had lost many of its brave men and officers killed or wounded. As it went into position Color Sergeant Patrick Dunnivan of Company H received a wound through the shoulder, but the colors were caught by Corporal Edward D. Hooker of Company D, who bore the Massachusetts flag. Corporal Hooker was promptly promoted to sergeant and carried the national colors to the close of the regiment's service. Very soon after Captain J. A. Loomis of Company E received a bullet through the thigh, inflicting a severe wound which cost the regiment the services of a brave and efficient officer.
The Confederate success was now thoroughly checked, but it had been done at the cost of one of the noblest officers in the Union army,-General David A. Russell, who while hurrying his troops to the occupation of the crest just referred to and riding in the rear of the right wing of the Thirty-seventh regiment, after having received a severe bullet wound in the left breast of which he made no mention, was struck from his horse by a piece of shell. The missile passed directly through his chest, inflicting a wound
379
"YOU ARE THE BOYS I WANT!"
from which he died after a few minutes' terrible suffering. General Upton succeeded to the command of the division.
It was about half-past 12 when Lieutenant-Colonel Montagne halted his regiment in the position referred to, and for some 30 minutes afterward the Thirty-seventh held the vantage ground alone, till some troops of Upton's brigade came up. As the other regiments of Edwards's Brigade had advanced beside the pike while the Thirty-seventh changed its direction, the latter regi- ment found itself considerably to the right of its fellows.
About half-past 3 Lieutenant-Colonel Montague discovered from the position of Captain Hopkins's command on the flank that the rebels, broken on the right by the pressure which Gen - eral Crook was bringing to bear upon them, were hurrying past in squads at a point some 80 rods in front of his command. Determined to cut off this avenue of escape, and having no time to obtain orders from superior officers, Montague moved the companies from the woods, reunited the regiment and with slight loss planted it across the path of the fugitives, picking up a few prisoners on the way.
Along the entire line the tide was now setting strongly in favor of the Union arms; officers and men alike thrilled with the excitement of the coming victory. The impetuous young General Upton chafed at even the temporary stands being made by the enemy. "What regiment is this?" he asked, galloping in front of the Thirty-seventh. Being answered he grasped the colors and shouted: " You are the boys I want; come on, and I will put you where you can whip them in ten minutes !"
Away went the gallant officer, straight toward the enemy's line, with the colors of the Thirty-seventh fluttering about his head. "Come on, boys!" shouted Lieutenant-Colonel Montagne springing in front of his command, and the whole line swept forward, officers and men cheering, shouting, swearing, each striving to be first to reach the destination. Line officers and file-closers forgot their accustomed positions and pressed through the rushing line if possible, but there was no work for them in the rear, for during the whole terrible day not one man in the regiment was missing from his place unless killed or wounded.
-
---
1000 09
380
THE CAMPAIGN UNDER SHERIDAN.
It was a mad race till the enemy halted and rallied once more at the top of a considerable hill. A sharp-shooter's bullet struck the staff of the flag, General Upton was seriously wounded and the colors dropped to the ground. Captain Donnelly and Color- Bearer Hooker simultaneously seized the banner and it was up again in a moment, while the regiment rapidly rallied about it. The 'Thirty-seventh were now in a perilous position, for they were far in advance of the main line, the enemy was making : firm stand once more and the ammunition for the Spencer rifles had given out. Fortunately Colonel Edwards discovered the situation, and the Second Rhode Island, having filled their pockets with Spencer cartridges, were deployed as skirmishers and pushed across an artillery swept plain several hundred yards in breadth, bearing timely succor to the regiment still resolute- ly holding with empty guns its vantage ground.
Preparations were now being made for the grand charge which it was intended should close the day in triumph for the Union arms. The Eighth Corps was crumbling the Confederate left flank, and the cavalry to right and left were instructed to co- operate the moment Early's lines should yield before the blows of the infantry. The resulting charge was the most magnificent of the war. The roar of Crook's guns gave the signal for the bugles of the other corps and " Forward !" shouted general and colonel and captain and private. Everywhere the Confederate lines gave way, and as they broke the flashing sabers of the Union cavalry began to slash and hew upon the yielding flanks and toward the rear. There were earthworks near Winchester which had been constructed long before, and behind them the disorganized Southrons strove to make a stand. Vain attempt ! The Union cavalry press around toward the rear, the Union in- fantry sweep down upon the front ; there are cheers and shouts and screams of triumph from the victors, and the broken rem- nants of Early's army goes hurrying through Winchester and up the pike or across fields, wherever it may be possible to escape their vengeful pursuers. The Union victory was full and com- plete, the pursuit being continued to Kernstown, where Ram- seur's division succeeded in making something of a stand, and as
381
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT BARDWELL.
the Union army was hungry and tired, although boiling over with enthusiasm, it was decided that they should rest till morning.
The victory had been won at a severe cost. The loss on each side was not far from 5,000, the Federal a little greater and the Confederate something less. The latter had Generals Rodes and Godwin killed. The most notable loss on the Union side was that of General Russell, already referred to.
The Thirty-seventh had fought brilliantly from beginning to end of the battle, and had won for itself the highest praise for unwavering gallantry and well-directed effort; but it had been at a serious cost. Taking into the fight 296 muskets, it had lost 15 eulisted men killed and 7 officers and 72 men wounded-very nearly one-third of its numbers. The killed were : Company A-Corporal William Palmer, Daniel Cronin, George A. Ferrin and Edwin G. Taylor ; B-Lyman Chapel, George J. Daniels and James Gendron ; C-Sergeant Martin Schemmerhorn ; D- John M. Worthington ; G-Sergeant Vincent H. Tanner, Seth Belden and John T. Follansbee ; H-Corporal Moses S. Ames and Miles H. Blood ; I-Augustus E. Pease.
The wounded officers comprised Captains Mason W. Tyler, neck ; J. A. Loomis, thigh ; and George Pierce (transferred from the Tenth), shoulder ; First Lieutenants Charles S. Bard- well, abdomen, fatally ;* E. W. Harris, hand ; Francis E. Gray, neck ; and William H. Cousens, (transferred from the Tenth), thigh. The loss in non-commissioned officers was especially heavy (see Appendix for complete list), and of many of those who had fallen it might with great truth be said that "Death loves a shining mark."
*Lieutenant Bardwell was wounded just before the last charge by a musket bullet which passed through his body while he was bending over giving a drink of water from his canteen to a wounded comrade. He made a brave fight for life, enduring great suffering with unflinching for- titude till the morning of October o, when he died. His last few days were encouraged by the presence of his home pastor, Rev. J. W. Lane, who after his death accompanied the body home. It is no disparagement to his comrades to say that no braver officer, no purer patriot, no truer Christian could have been found in all the army. These qualities won for him the universal re- gard and the warm friendship both of his fellow-officers and the men whom he commanded or with whom he came in contact. Making a formal profession of religion and uniting with the church atter his enlistment, he never for a moment wavered in the cause of his expound, and his death was a notable scene of Christian trust and triumph. During his last hours a message was sent to Colonel Mortagne, who had been his personal friend and on his arrival the dying man said with a smile. " Colmel, I have tried to do my duty!" " I know, and so does every mem- Ier of the regiment, that you always have done your duty," was the sincere response.
1
1
-
٢
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE SERVICE AT WINCHESTER. - ON PROVOST DUTY. - CHANGES AND PROMOTIONS .- BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK .- SHERMAN'S CAMPAIGN.
The gallant service of Colonel Edwards and his command during the battle of the Opequan met prompt and hearty recog- nition from Generals Sheridan and Wright. No sooner did the fighting cease than Colonel Edwards was made commandant of the post at Winchester with his brigade for a garrison. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Montagne was made Provost Marshal of the city and the Thirty-seventh regiment was detailed as Provost Guard. That night the regiment bivouacked in the yard of the Court House, but were next day assigned quarters in convenient build- ings. The other regiments of the brigade were quartered at various points about the city.
The garrison found an immediate demand for their services. The dead of both armies were to be buried,* 1,200 of the Con- federate wounded were left as prisoners in the hands of the victors; not less than 4,000 Union wounded required hospital accommodations and care; the spoils of the battle-field were to be gathered, assorted and taken care of, with all the other duties of a permanent post, while the rest of the army pushed on in pursuit of the retreating foc.
The best arrangements possible under the circumstances, it is needless to say, were made for the wounded. The hotels and churches, barns and sheds and many of the dwellings were
"One of the burial parties sent out the morning after the battle found a dead Confederate with his dog lying beside him. The poor brute made so earnest protest to their moving or touching the body of his master that they passed on and left it uaburied. Next morning he was still there and had to be dragged away by a rope thrown about his body. He was afterward released. but at once returned to the grave and howled so piteously that he was again removed by the soldiers, who were much affected by the scene.
-
----------
------
x
1
383
ROUTINE DUTIES AND CHANGES.
packed with them, Blue and Gray side by side, the Taylor House holding at least a thousand. Such as could bear transportation were sent to hospitals farther north within a few days. The San- itary and Christian Commissions were on hand with their com- forts and skilled attendants. The subsequent events in the Valley were conducted with Winchester as a center, so that the position of Colonel Edwards became one of importance from its various routine and executive duties. These were discharged with zeal and fidelity, winning the warm approval of General Sheridan, who desired to attach Colonel Edwards to his per- sonal staff.
During the weeks passed by the regiment at Winchester very little happened requiring special narration. There were various details, expeditions from time to time into the surrounding country, occasional duty as escort for prisoners being sent north; but generally the current of life ran smoothly. Chaplain Morse, who at the time of the battle was on a furlough, returned toward the end of the month and at once fitted up a room for a chapel where services were held on Sundays as well as frequent evening meetings. The freedom of the city was practially en- joyed by the men, their fare was good, and after their terribly severe campaign of the summer they were quite content to watch the waning of the season from their comfortable quarters.
Notice must now be made of many changes which had occurred in the roster of officers and of others which were to occur while the regiment remained in the city. Second Lieutenant Robert A. Gray of Company I resigned June 26, to receive promotion in another branch of the United States service. During July following First Lieutenant Jonas A. Champney of Company E was mustered as captain of Company B, vice Pease who died of wounds May 14; Second Lieutenant Charles S. Bardwell of Company D was mustered as first lieutenant of Company E vice Champney, Unt continued to serve in command of Company A till his death wound was received. Major Marcus T. Moody was mustered out July 26, and First Lieutenant James C. Chal- mers July 30, both on account of disability resulting from wounds. Second Lieutenant Elihu R. Rockwood was discharged
384
THE SERVICE AT WINCHESTER.
August 29 for promotion in the Fourth Heavy Artillery. The regiment having no second lieutenants for promotion, First Ser- geant William A. Calhoun of Company I was commissioned first lieutenant of Company G, vice Chalmers, and mustered Sep- tember 17. About the same time First Lieutenant Carlos C. Wellman of Company A was commissioned and mustered as captain, and borne on the rolls of Company K, but on account of disability he performed no duty in the new rank and was mustered out October 12. Second Lieutenant Albert C. Sparks of Company E, who had been commissioned but not mustered as first lieutenant, was discharged for disability September 20, as was Captain Joseph L. Hayden of Company H two days later.
As previously noted, the consolidation of the veterans from the Seventh and Tenth regiments in the companies of the Thirty-seventh gave the latter sufficient numbers to allow the commissioning of second lieutenants for all the companies, and October 23 the following were mustered to date from September 18 : For Company K, Sergeant Major Hubbard M. Abbott ; for A, Sergeant William C. Morrill of Company G ; for I, First Ser- geant Richard H. Taylor of Company C ; for C, Sergeant John W. Stockwell of Company G ; for G, Sergeant James O'Connor of Company K ; for F, First Sergeant William A. Waterman of Company A but serving with Company E ; for H, First Sergeant Flavel K. Sheldon of Company D ; for D, First Sergeant David M. Donaldson of Company A ; for B, Private Samuel E. Nichols of Company G; for E, Sergeant Jesse Prickett of the same company, transferred from the Tenth. Prickett being promoted vice Sparks, his muster only dated back to September 20, and Morrill and Donaldson being absent wounded were not mustereil till their return, about November 1. Few of these officers served with the companies on whose rolls they were borne. Donaldson. Sheldon and Waterman continued to do duty with the companies from which they were promoted, while Nichols took the place of adjutant, temporarily vacated by Bradley, who was made assistant Provost Marshal under Montagne. The promotion of Nichols from private to lieutenant was an exceptional incident in the history of the regiment. Having filled with credit various
-
4
385
PROMOTION OF WORTHY SOLDIERS.
clerical positions, declining non-commissioned rank, he was serving as adjutant's clerk when his commission as second lieu- tenant was received, and it is pleasant to record that he took the new position with the hearty good-will of all the sergeants and corporals who had nominally been "jumped " by his promotion.
It is not amiss to say in reference to this wholesale advance- ment of enlisted men, that these and other like promotions were judiciously made, and that in every case officers who were raised from the ranks in recognition of fitness shown justified in the more responsible positions the confidence thus manifested in them. The discipline of the regiment in no way suffered from these promotions ; the men recognized the fitness of the selec- tions and respected the choice ; while on their part the new offi- cers understood and sympathized with those they were called to command. Thus a mutual respect and esteem deepened the tie which bound the different grades of the citizen soldiery with a common fraternity and made the whole a strong and grand organization. Nor should it be forgotten that, while no better disciplined volunteer regiment than the Thirty-seventh went into the United States service, there was none in which the bond between the officers and the enlisted men was stronger or more enduring. Twenty years have not weakened the admirations and friendships formed in those days of trial,-time nor distance can ever efface them.
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.