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 35
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Harper's Ferry was reached about dusk, and with but little delay the train moved on in the direction of Washington. The moon was at its full and shone with rare splendor, but its charm could be little enjoyed; there was a piercing chill in the night air and every one was glad to wrap himself up as securely as possible and doze away the long hours, if that were practicable. Soon after daylight of the 14th Washington was reached, and in pursuance of his instructions Captain Donnelly reported to Gen- eral Halleck the arrival of the regiment. "You will have to wait a few days for transportation to City Point," was the ap- parently indifferent response; but this was not unwelcome intel- ligence, for the officers had many a little "errand " which it would be convenient to attend to during such a delay, and the men would be quite willing to look over the Capital if oppor- tunity should present. But Captain Donnelly had scarcely left General Halleck's head-quarters when an orderly in haste sum- moned him back. An explanation was in order. Halleck had misunderstood the report; he wanted the Thirty-seventh imme- diately at the front; he did not understand what regiment had arrived: the command would therefore report at the wharf im- mediately where it would be provided with facilities for reaching its destination.
The afternoon saw the Thirty-seventh on board the transport
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steamer Lizzie Baker, a neat and stanch craft on which they journeyed comfortably to City Point, which was reached the fol- lowing afternoon. A military railroad ran from this point along the rear of the Union lines for the purpose of furnishing supplies to the troops with the least possible employment of wagon trans- portation, and on this the regiment was conveyed as far as Parke Station where the short. winter's day ended and a place of bivouac was selected near by. The night was cold, the ground damp, and the contrast with the comfortable quarters for so con- siderable a time enjoyed at Winchester was one which the men could not banish from mind as they shivered through the long night.
A march of scarcely a mile the next morning brought the reg- iment to the "front," where in rear of the strong cordon of works which encompassed the Union camps it rejoined the bri- gade, now under command of Colonel Isaac C. Bassett of the Eighty-second Pennsylvania, who about that time was commis- sioned a brigadier general. The position was near the line of the Weldon railroad, in the vicinity of Fort Wadsworth-a strong work covering the railroad and the Halifax road near the intersection of the Vaughn road.
The location was far from desirable. The ground was so low as to be almost marshy, and the frequent storms which alter- nated with excessive cold made the entire region a sea of mud. Regardless of surroundings, or rather necessitated by the sur- roundings to act promptly, the men at once set to work to con- struct a camp on the thorough model of the two previous winters. The details were much modified, however. The regimental line had shrunk to a fraction of the former length and the ten company streets of former years now shrank to five. two companies occupying the different sides of the same avenue and each finding ample accommodation in six or seven cabins. A little distance to the rear of the streets ran the line of breast- works facing in the direction of the enemy. The line officers' tents and the cook houses were located in front of the men's quarters, while still farther out were the tents of the command- ing officer and his staff. On the right of the camp, as one
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looked from the head-quarters, were the drum corps, hospi- tal, commissary and similar departments, stables, and subse- quently the regimental chapel. Owing to the nature of the ground, corduroy walks were a necessity, and were laid in every direction, so that it was soon practicable to go from any tent in the camp to any other without stepping upon the muddy ground. But all these "improvements" took time and a vast deal of toil- some work. . While that is being carried out we will glance at the work which had been done by the army in the absence of the Sixth Corps.
During the month of July, 1864, a mine had been run from a point in the lines of the Ninth Corps under an earthwork in the enemy's fortifications known as Elliott's Salient, the explo- sion of which it was expected would make such a breach in the Confederate fortifications that an assaulting column could pass through, seize Cemetery Hill in the rear and force Lee out of his strong line. The explosion took place early in the morning of July 30, under especially favorable auspices. A large part of Lee's troops had been drawn north of the James a few days before by an expedition in that direction by the Second Corps and cavalry supports; the explosion itself was a complete success and a surprise to the Confederates from which they were re- markably slow to recover. The apology for an assault by the Ninth Corps, however, was one of the most disgraceful failures in the history of the war. It resulted simply in the sacrifice of many lives and in showing how utterly incompetent were some of the general officers of that corps.
Two weeks later another and more formidable move was made to the north side of the James, and considerable sharp fighting ensucd ; but no important results were obtained, and on the 20th of August the expedition, which had been under the com- mand of General Hancock, returned to the old camps. While this expedition drew troops from Lee's southern lines a strong push was made on the 18th by General Warren with the Fifth Corps to extend the Union lines to the left, and this was attended with good success. The Weldon railroad, an important line of communication for the beleaguered army, was reached and
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held, despite frantic efforts of the enemy to drive out the men of the Maltese cross. On the scene of this triumph the Thirty- seventh were located on their return from the Valley.
General Hancock immediately on his return to camp was or- dered to Reams Station, to tear up the railroad, from Warren's position to that point, and if possible to Rowanty Creek crossing. eight miles south of there. The former was done and Gibbon's Division had just started ont on the morning of the 25th for the latter part of the task when A. P. Hill with a heavy Confederate force appeared on the scene and a stubborn battle.ensued, the brunt of which was borne by Miles's division. Hancock withdrew at night, having lost 2,400 of the 8,000 Union troops engaged, 1,700 being prisoners, Hancock having no other intrenchments than those very hastily cast up by the Sixth Corps on the occa- sion of its visit the previous June. On the 28th of September a strong movement from the Army of the James to the north of the James River resulted after a severe struggle in the capture of Fort Harrison, a strong work containing 15 pieces of artillery. on the New Market road, and as the position was a somewhat important one it was retained, notwithstanding the fierce efforts of the enemy to regain it. During this engagement General Ord was severely wounded in the leg and the command of the Eighteenth Corps passed to General Weitzel. Previous to this time General Ord had succeeded General "Baldy" Smith, Gen- eral Birney had succeeded General Gillmore in the command of the Tenth, and General Parke was now at the head of the Ninth.
In connection with the above movement another had been made from the left at the Weldon railroad, by two divisions each from the Fifth and Ninth Corps, and the line was by severe fighting extended some two miles on that flank. This ground was held and connected with that already secured by a strong chain of works, that at the extreme flank being known as Fort Fisher, afterward famous in the history of the Thirty-seventh regiment. The Union lines had now been extended so far in this direction that Lee's communications were restricted to the Boydtown plank road and the Southside railroad and the roads running beside it near the river. It was the earnest wish of the
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GENERAL HANCOCK'S LAST BATTLE.
Federal commanders before settling down for winter quarters that the remaining railroad might at least be broken if it could not be held, and for that purpose the available men of the three corps were concentrated late in October and a movement in force ensued. It was scarcely more than three miles from the Federal left to the Boydtown road and about the same distance from that point to the railroad ; but these few miles were full of difficul- ties. Lee, realizing the importance to his army of the remaining avenues of communication, had extended his intrenchments southward covering the Boydtown road to Hatcher's Run, and the country, being heavily wooded and swampy, was very embar- rassing to military movements.
The army moved in three parallel columns, Parke on the right feeling for the enemy's left flank, Warren to the south ward to prolong the line when the position should finally be reached, and Hancock still farther to the left making his way by a more circuitous route. It will be noticed that all such movements were met by a sharp counter-stroke from the enemy, delivered if possible upon the unprepared columns, and this time the blow fell upon Hancock. Halting near Dabney's Mills to endeavor to establish connection with the other corps, he received an attack from Hill which for a moment threw the Union troops into confusion, but they rallied nobly and repelled their assailants with severe loss. The prospect of accomplishing anything more than a purposeless sacrifice of life was so faint, however, that the expedition was given up and the troops returned to their camps on the morning of October 28.
With the battle of Dabney's Mills ended the active campaign- ing of General Hancock, than whom none had done braver or better service. He was soon after ordered to Washington to organize what it was intended to make a new First Corps, the command of the shattered old Second Corps being given to Major General Andrew A. Humphreys.
The winter now wore away with the usual routine. Both armies were so strongly intrenched that a small part of the force could be safely left to hold the lines while the remainder in camp made themselves as comfortable as possible. The pickel.
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and artillery firing was kept up most of the time at some part of the lines, but a common code of honor was adopted, by which due notice was given to the enemy of the intended resumption of hostilities by either side when they had temporarily ceased. The long lines being in many places within the reach of the human voice, it was no unusual thing to hear some stentorian Confederate sing out: "Look out, Yanks! Creep into your holes; we are going to blaze!" or the call of caution might em- anate from the Union works, when instantly the brown walls on the other side would be deserted in anticipation of the com- ing storm.
Not far from Fort Fisher, between the picket lines, was a piece of wood from which each army cut supplies of fuel. Blue and Gray often met in this forest in perfect fraternity. One day a Yankee having a heavy stick asked a good-natured Johnny to give him a lift and the two came into the Federal lines. "It seems pretty comfortable here," remarked the Southron, as he looked around; "I reckon I'll stay!" Another Confederate started out with a mule team for wood, but kept straight on into the Federal lines and turned his property over to the Provost Marshal, saying that he had got through soldiering for the waning cause. In fact, throughout the entire winter and till the close of the struggle desertions from the Confederate skir- mish lines were very frequent. Notwithstanding every pre- caution, there was scarcely a night which did not leave their pickets sadly weakened from the loss of those who had crept over to the Union lines. These men had fought bravely, desperately, so long as there was a possibility of their success; but they saw plainly now that to remain would be only to risk their lives in a canse long since hopeless. On the subject of desertions the Confederate historian Pollard says: "The world will be aston- ished when the extent of this evil is fully and authentically known, and will obtain a new insight into that maladminis- tration which wrecked the Confederate cause, and which is pos- itively without parallel in any modern history of war." Ile declares that two thirds of the Southern armies were for the last two years in the character of deserters or absentees. Early
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THE THIRD WINTER IN CAMP.
in February General Lee was made commander-in-chief of the armies of the Confederacy, but it was then too late to institute reforms.
During December General Warren succeeded in destroying the Weldon railroad for 40 miles from Petersburg, so that it could not as before be used by the Confederates to within a few miles of the Union lines, whence supplies could be transferred by wagon; when this had been accomplished another period of watching and waiting followed.
Little snow fell during the winter, but there was an abund- ance of rain, and the armies literally lived in mud. Sometimes the storms would wash down the earthworks to such an extent that firing would cease by mutual consent till they could be re- paired, and this work, together with continual extending and strengthening of the fortifications, filled the soldier's life with a tiresome round of fatigue duty. Much of the work done by the men of the Thirty-seventh was on Fort Fisher, the large earth- work at the angle of the Union lines, and in that vicinity were some other notable structures. Among these was the Signal Tower, 150 feet in hight, composed of timbers bolted together, from the dizzy summit of which the signal officers kept vigil over the surrounding country. In that vicinity, also, the Fif- tieth New York Engineers designed and built a neat Gothic structure which they named the Poplar Grove Church, from a plain country church in the vicinity, their engineering tools and the forests of the region furnishing the means.
The Thirty-seventh in camp near Warren Station met with no experiences during the month of January demanding especial notice. Drills were resumed to some extent when the weather permitted, for no commander of the regiment was willing to see the splendid efficiency of the organization impaired by negleet. During this period the regiment was commanded by Major Lin- coln, in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Montague, who was suffering from the injuries previously referred to. The latter returned to the command on the 30th of Jannary, though still unable to perform much active duty.
Chaplain Morse, ever solicitous for the spiritual welfare of his
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charge, had succeeded in fitting up a chapel which, without for- mal consecration was used for the first time Sunday afternoon. February 5. Another service was intended for the evening; the chapel was warmed and lighted, the audience had assembled and the exercises were about to begin when the "long roll" broke upon the evening air, emptying the house of worship at a double- quick. Marching orders had been promulgated early that morn- ing, and the regiment made due preparations to set forth at a moment's notice, which had been delayed till the present. . 1 heavy cannonade was raging along the main lines, but this was only a cloak to the real movement.
In fact another expedition had set ont toward the left, the familiar region about Hatcher's Run. Gregg's cavalry division had been sent to the Boydtown plank road in the hope of strik- ing the Confederate wagon trains, which were said to be abun- dant on that thoroughfare. A strong infantry force from the corps of Warren and Humphreys under command of the former undertook at the same time the familiar farce of an attempt to turn the enemy's right, was itself struck in flank, the move re- sulting only in a sharp engagement and the return of both armies to their camps. This showed, however, that the Confederate lines had been extended and strengthened in that direction so efficiently as to preclude the hope of making any impression upon them. Warren's troops having encountered the enemy during the day, one division from the Ninth Corps and the First (Wheaton's) Division of the Sixth were called upon as rein- forcements.
The division was soon on its way and till midnight the Thirty- seventh in their place in the column marched and counter- marched, though putting but a few miles between their actual position and the camp. Finally they were set to work construct- ing rifle-pits-which they had now acquired the faculty for doing with great rapidity. Large trees were ent down, the trunks trimmed and rolled into place, while other squads in the detail very quickly threw against them an embankment of earth sufficient to resist even cannon shot. Then a " head-log " was put in position and the work was complete. Having thus passed
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A LITTLE MIDWINTER CAMPAIGN.
a very tedious night, the weather being cold and windy, the regiment remained behind the intrenchments thus thrown up till afternoon when the division was ordered forward in support of Crawford's division of the Fifth Corps which on the west side of the Run was trying to make its way toward the Boydtown road.
The scene of action was reached about sunset, and position was taken behind earthworks in reserve. The regiment had been there but a short time when the troops of the Fifth Corps, flanked and broken, came pouring to the rear in a panic, some of them dashing into the creek with the icy cold water up to their necks; but contrary to expectations the Confederates did not follow up their advantage and the Thirty-seventh were not engaged. Late in the evening the regiment moved back some two miles over the road by which it had come, and an at- tempt was made to obtain some rest. The effort was not very successful, as the night was cold, but the men built large fires around which they slept fitfully. A snow-storm prevailed during the latter part of the night, changing to sleet and a cold rain which increased in severity after day-break.
At 9 o'clock the regiment was again ordered to the front, but on reaching the Run halted till after dinner before crossing. Gathered in smoking groups about the great fires which were only kept ablaze through the skill acquired by long experience, the drenched soldiers presented a sorry spectacle; but the worst was still to come. Soon after noon the command crossed the Run and took position in the works facing the enemy, expecting each moment to be called into action. They were in fact under a heavy artillery fire, by which three men in the Thirty-seventh were wounded, and were obliged to lie close through the long hours while the storm constantly increased in fury, drenching everything and chilling animals and human beings exposed to it till it seemed that they must perish from cold. The sleet and rain, congealed by the intense cold, not only loaded all inan- imate objects with a heavy coating of ice, but as well the clothi- ing of the soldiers. After the cessation of firing the men , Merted such fuel as they could find, and under the philosophy that it was no worse to be killed by the enemy than to freeze
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to death built fires and warmned their benumbed limbs. The regiment had seldom been in a more disheartening situation. Around it stretched a desolate, forbidding region, every tradi- tion of which was connected with disaster to the Union arms. and when this element was added to the storm and the exhausted condition of the soldiery it needs scarcely be said that the order received soon after midnight to return to the camp was a welcome one. Of the return march an officer who participated says:
At 1 o'clock we started on the homeward trip. The storm had now ceased, the clouds had broken away revealing the bright silvery light of the moon. The ground was now frozen firm, the atmosphere piercing cold and the trees loaded with ice which gave them a beautiful and glistening appearance when the moon shone through the parted clouds. We reached camp about 4 o'clock in the morning; and a more weary, jaded and forlorn lot of men you never saw.
Following this unsatisfactory experience another season of winter routine intervened. The little chapel proved a valuable factor in the social life of the regiment, for in addition to the direct religious interest which centered there many evening gatherings were planned which interested the men, and at no other period was the morale of the regiment better than in the closing months of its service. As the warming weather of carls spring succeeded the interminable storms of the severe winter. and the hoarse voice of the frog began to resound from the surrounding marshes, games of quoits and ball became possible on the color line and mingled with the good news of the collaps. ing of the rebellion in other directions came persistent rumor .- of the early movement of the main Union army under Grant.
At his own request Colonel Edwards had been relieved from command of the post at Winchester and reporting to General Wright for duty was on the 25th of February assigned to the com- mand of his old brigade, much to the satisfaction both of him- self and his command. Frequent changes in the roster of the regiment's officers transpired, some of which should be here noted.
First Lieutenant George B. Chandley of Company K w ... inustered January 28 as captain of the same company, Serow: Lieutenant John W. Stockwell of Company C being advance vice Chundley. Captain Hugh Donnelly resigned on account
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RESIGATION OF COLONEL MONTAGUE.
of disability January 31. On the 17th of February Second Lieutenant William C. Morrill of Company A was mustered first lieutenant of Company E vice Bardwell, died of wounds; the next day First Lieutenant F. Edward Gray of Company I was mustered as captain of Company E, vice Loomis, but continued to serve with Company I. First Sergeant Joseph D. Calahan of Company C, transferred from the Seventh, was mustered the 20th as . second lieutenant of Company C, vice Stockwell pro- moted. On the 7th of March two additional musters were made -Second Lieutenant William A. Waterman of Company F being made first lieutenant of Company I vice Gray promoted, but continuing to serve with Company E; while First Sergeant Harrie A. Cushman of Company E, transferred from the Seventh, was made second lieutenant of Company A, vice Morrill pro- moted, but also continued with Company E.
An especially important change occurred on the 3d of March, when to the deep regret of his command Lieutenant-Colonel Montague (with the brevet rank of colonel) felt obliged to re- sign on account of disability. On the Hatcher's Run expedition he had been unable to accompany his regiment and the advanc- ing season brought him no improvement in health. From the terrible days of Spottsylvania, through a long series of the most trying experiences of the regiment, his had been the directing hand, and he had good reason to be proud of the brilliant record which had been made under his leadership. Later in the month the following promotions and musters were made on account of the vacancy thus created: Major Rufus P. Lincoln to be licu- tenant-colonel, Captain Mason W. Tyler of Company F to be major, and First Lieutenant George N. Jones of Company C to be captain of Company F. Both Lincoln and Jones were at this time absent on staff duty and did not afterward serve with the regiment. First Lieutenant Walter B. Smith of Company D was March 22 mustered as captain of Company I, vice Donnelly, and Second Lieutenant Flavel K. Sheldon of Company H was made first lientenant of Company D, vice Smith. The size of the companies did not allow the promotion of officers of lower rank.
The morning of March 25 brought a genuine sensation to the
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Army of the Potomac in an attack on its intrenched line by a Confederate column. It was a desperate resort, but being well planned and daringly executed it succeeded to the extent that Fort Steadman within the lines of the Ninth Corps was seizeil, the garrison of heavy artillerists and a brigade of General Parke's troops were captured or dispersed, but there the triumph of the enemy ceased. Return to their own lines or advance was equally out of the question; as soon as it became light a cordon of fire surrounded the intruders, they were driven within the works which they had seized, where they were presently captured in bulk by General Hartranft and his division.
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The Thirty-seventh with other troops of the Sixth Corps had been called upon when it was known that a breach had been made in the Union lines, and the regiment marched some four miles toward the scene when intelligence was received that thei: services would not be needed. Instead of returning quietly to camp, however, the portion of the Sixth Corps which was avail- able was massed near Fort Fisher and in the afternoon a deter- mined charge resulted in the capture of the enemy's intrenched picket line, which was firmly held. To accomplish the latter six companies of the Thirty-seventh were detailed as skirmishers. and by a judicious use of their Spencer rifles repelled unassisted the repeated attempts of the Confederates to regain the lost picket line. During the assault Edwards's Brigade was in the second line and was not seriously engaged, the loss of the Thirty-seventh being three wounded, including Major Tyler, commanding, who was struck in the knee and disabled, the com- maud of the regiment devolving upon Captain Archibald Hop- kins,-the senior captain and the only one in the regiment serving under a commission received at Pittsfield.
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