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 9
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Already a few changes had taken place in the roster of officers. Captain Huriburt of Company C resigned October 14, and dating from the following day Second Lieutenant Rufus P. Lincoln of the same company was promoted to fill the vacancy, his place in turn being filled by the promotion of Erastus W. Harris of Company G. who had been serving for a time as order- ly sergeant of Company E. First Lieutenant Eli T. Blackmer of Company A resigned November 17, and three days later Second Lieutenant Wellman of the same company was promoted to the vacancy and Commissary Sergeant James C. Chalmers succeeded to the vacant second lieutenantship. The vacancy thus created in the Commissary Department was admirably filled by the appointment of Dwight H. Parsons of Company D as commissary sergeant,-a position which he retained to the closed of the regiment's service with the highest credit to him- s.If and satisfaction to all who were interested in the efficiency of his important department.
CHAPTER VI.
ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG .- IN WINTER QUARTERS .- THE MUD MARCH .- CAMP EDWARDS.
While waiting at Warrenton for the authorities at Washington to approve his plan for a movement on Fredericksburg, General Burnside carried out a reorganization of the Army of the Poto- mac into three grand divisions-the right under General Sum- ner being composed of the Second Corps, General Couch com- manding, and the Ninth, General Willcox ; the center under General Hooker had the Third Corps, General Stoneman, and the Fifth, General Butterfield ; General Franklin had the left, comprising the First Corps, General Reynolds, and the Sixth, General W. F. Smith. General Couch being assigned to the command of the Second Corps, General John Newton succeeded him as commander of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, General A. P. Howe taking the Second Division, as General Smith's successor.
Consent having been given to General Burnside's plan for an advance by the way of Fredericksburg, Sumner pushed forward rapidly, and on the 17th of November reached the hights opposite the city, A regiment of cavalry, four companies of infantry and a light battery, seem to have constituted the Con- federate force in that immediate vicinity at that time, and Sun- ner was anxious to ford the river at once and establish his lines on the opposite hights. To this the commander did not assent. He wished a base of supplies established at Aquia Creek, before proceeding further, and did not wish to throw a portion of his force across the Rappahannock until his ponton trains should arrive from Washington, as in the event of a rise in the river-
105
THE FIELD AT FREDERICKSBURG.
very liable to occur at that season-they would be hopelessly cut off from the main body. By some oversight, the boats were long delayed ; those that finally came to Belle Plain were unac- companied by wagons and could not be moved. Before it was possible to construct bridges for the crossing of an efficient force, as the fords at the best were impracticable for artillery, Longstreet's wing of Lee's army was planted directly in the path of the proposed advance, and the remainder under Jackson was within supporting distance.
It was not until the 10th of December that everything was in readiness for a forward movement, and the final orders were issued. Now that the boats were provided, it seemed that there could be no great difficulty in constructing the bridges and pass- ing the river. On each side of the Rappahannock ran a well- defined range of hills, and these were occupied by the rival armies. On the Falmouth or Stafford side they approached within a short distance of the bank of the river, but on the other shore a plain from half a mile to a mile and a half in width extended for five or six miles along the stream. Some little distance above Fredericksburg the course of the river car- ries it between the hills, shutting off the plain, and at the lower extremity it is terminated by Massaponax Creek and the hills below. Southward along this plain, near the foot of the hills, ran the Richmond Railroad, and parallel to it, but about half way to the river, was the old stage road to Richmond via Bowling Green, from which a mile and a half above Massaponax Creek a newer road ran to the southwest, passing the railroad at what was called .Hamilton's Crossing. The hill where crossed by this road was much less elevated than nearer the city, and the plan of General Burnside seems to have been to make a strong movement at this point against the flank and endanger- ing the rear of Lee's army. How the plan was carried out will be seen presently. The other roads leading over the hights were the Orange plank road, running almost directly over Marye's hill, in the rear of Fredericksburg, diverging from wlneh was the Telegraph road, cut into the hill-side and running toward the southwest. Such in general features was
106
ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
the environment of Fredericksburg, henceforth and forever to be crowned with a sacred fame.
During the night of December 10 the ponton trains were . moved down to the river bank, and the engineers set vigorously to work constructing bridges at two points-opposite the city. where it was intended that Sumner's grand division should cross, and some three miles below for the passage of Franklin's troops. Along the Stafford hights were ranged 29. batteries of Federal artillery, a total of 147 guns, trained upon the town, the hights beyond, sweeping the plain,-to cover and protect the crossing. In the darkness of the waning night, intensified by a heavy fog which hung over the river, it was hoped that the bridges might be completed without serious opposition ; but that hope was speedily crushed. Scarcely had the work begun to take form when the engineers opposite the city were assailed by sharp volleys of musketry, so well aimed as to prevent all further prog- ress on the part of the unarmed artisans. A force of Mississippi riflemen had found shelter behind the stone-walls and in the cel- lars and low houses next the river, savagely determined to pre- vent as long as possible the laying of the bridges. At the same time that their volleys rippled forth, two heavy cannon-shots in rapid succession roared out from the hights above, signaling to the various Confederate camps that the anticipated attack was about to be made, and rapidly the defenders hurried to their designated places to meet the assault.
For many hours all attempts to dislodge the murderous marks- men failed. Two regiments from Zook's brigade of the Second Corps opposed them with the musket, with no other effect than to lose from their own ranks 150 men. With a bravery-worthy of immortal renown the engineers went forth again and again upon their hopeless mission, but every effort ended in disaster and the death of brave men. At 10 o'clock Burnside gave the order to dislodge the sharp-shooters with artillery, and for an hour shot and shell crashed and tore through the devoted city. firing the buildings, wrecking and destroying everything within reach. But the riflemen crouching close to the river bank wer protected from the cannonade. and when in the heat of the bon-
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WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL.
bardment the bridge men attempted to finish their work they met the same deadly reception as before.
Every weapon had failed save one-the bayonet-and it was at last decided to resort to that, sending men across the river in the ponton boats to dislodge the Confederate sharp-shooters from their positions. It was a deadly mission, but Hall's entire brigade, consisting of the Seventh Michigan, Nineteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts and some other troops, volunteered for the service. A selection was made, as there were not enough boats for all, the forlorn hope landed on the other bank and the Mississippians were driven from their shelter with a heavy loss of prisoners. The engineers sprang to their work, the bridge was finished in an incredibly short space of time, the rest of the brigade rushed across to secure the vantage, followed in a short time by the whole of Howard's division of Couch's corps, which occupied the town after some fighting in the upper streets.
Long before light that morning the troops had been roused from their bivonacs, the Thirty-seventh with the others, extra cartridges had been furnished, and the march over the frozen ground began. The distance to be covered was not long, for the army had been already concentrated as much as possible in an- ticipation of the battle, and carly in the forenoon the Thirty- seventh filed over the Stafford hills and moved down upon the narrow plain next the river. The scene was an inspiriting one. A considerable portion of the left grand division was already there, massed along the brown plain between the river bank and the Riverside road which ran near the foot of the hills; while au incessant column still flowed down the hill-side as though from some hidden reservoir. Brigade followed brigade, one division succeeded another; the banners of a score of states, each in sup- port of the national emblem, dotted the vast sea of blue. Offi- cers in bright uniforms and with rich swords swinging at their sides rode about to exchange views with their fellow-officers, while others, more thoughtful in manner and sober in dress, gazed earnestly at the frowning range of hills in the distance, as though dreading, while nover shrinking from the ordeal to come. As the hours wore away the men strolled about some-
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ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
what, mingling with those of neighboring commands, occasion- ally a few sticks were gathered and a little fire built over which numberless cups of coffee would be made, and not a few slept upon the warming earth while shot and shell from the opposing batteries howled through the air over their heads.
The short winter's day was almost gone when the intelligence came of the completion of the bridges opposite the city. Early in the day those intended for the use of the left had been fin- ished, the numerous Federal batteries on the river bank com- manding the position rendering any serious opposition impossible, and during the struggle above the signal for crossing had been suspended. At last it was given, and Devens's brigade alone of the great mass covering the plain rose to its feet, moving quickly down toward the river bank. Its heroic commander had volun- teered to perform the perilous task,-full of honor, though no one could say what might be the reception on the other shore. Cheered on by their comrades the brigade moved down the slip- pery roadway leading to the bridges. The pickets on the oppo- site bank fired a volley or two, and bullets dropped suggestively near to many a man, but nobody was hurtand not a second thought given to them. A part of the Second Rhode Island regiment was to deploy as skirmishers, and that regiment led the way over one of the two bridges in waiting. The Thirty-seventh, Gen- eral Devens riding at its head' beside Colonel Edwards, was first on the other bridge, and at a double-quick the two commands, followed by the rest of the brigade, rush across, while the bat- teries on the bluff send rapid discharges of shot and shell over their heads. How the long bridges of boats pulsate and throb, sway and bound, beneath the hurrying streams of humanity that pour across them! The footing is difficult, and there is danger that the outermost men will be thrown into the water, but they join hands with the inner files or chitch them bodily, and the crossing is made without casualty.
The skirmishers at once deployed, drove the Mississippians from their hiding places and established a line well in advance. while the thin line of battle, hastily formed, pushed up the bluit to the plain above and halted in a position to protect the bridge
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109
A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED.
head. By that time it was dusk, for the days were at their shortest, and no more could be done. The remainder of the divi- sion had followed the brigade across the bridges, to give the im- pression of a crossing in force, but presently returned to the Falmouth shore where they remained through the night, leaving only the indomitable brigade, like a short thread of blue on that vast plain through the long night. For some hours there was ahnost momentary anticipation of an attack, and the novelty of the position warmed the men with its gentle excitement; but as the night deepened and all remained quiet the monotony and disagreeableness of the situation made themselves felt. Mid- night came and passed, and no sound from the front broke the silence. The sharp chill of the winter air benumbed the men, and when permission was at length given for a part of them to lie down and rest on their arms sleep was wholly ont of the question, for the ground was covered with a white frost that gleamed in the dim starlight like snow, and one could as well have slept in an ice pack. Finally muskets were stuck in the ground at each flank of the company fronts and in Indian file an endless cirele of men went around on a trot to start the half-congealed blood into fresh circulation. Now and then one would slip and fall upon the frosty grass, and half a dozen might tumble over him before the momentum of those in the rear could be checked; but the exercise dispelled the numb drowsiness which could not be relieved by sleep and warmed the chilled limbs, and so the night wore away.
With the coming of dawn the lonely vigil ended, for soon after the troops of the left grand division began to cross in force, tiling away past the weary brigade and taking position to the left. As the location of the little command became visible to the Confederate gunners on the hights in front a battery was directed upon it, which presently succeeded in dropping some shots uncomfortably close to the officers' horses and servants, "thered about a haystack just in the rear of the line, and a .vely scamper to the rear ensued, while the soldiers moved forward a short distance to the shelter of a slight swell of ground. There the day was passed with little of especial mo-
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ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
ment, yet there was much to hold the attention of the Thirty- seventh, for it was their first experience on the battle-field. With what interest they watched the various commands as they filed past-now a squad of cavalry hurrying out to the front to return presently with a few saddles emptied; the long columns of infantry broken at intervals by batteries and occasionally dotted by regiments still wearing the gay Zonave costumes which had been so popular at the outbreak of the war. At the bridges opposite the city the scene was similar, the day being thus con- sumed in getting the Federal army into position. Yet amid all the excitement of these preparations the communion of the sol- diers with friends at home was not neglected, and twice during their occupancy of the field the Thirty-seventh were cheered by the distribution of a mail. What other army ever presented a like spectacle? Here in the pauses of a great battle were the men in the ranks encouraged by love-freighted messages from home, or snatching the opportunity of a few hours' respite tu assure anxious ones of their safety thus far or to send early tidings of those who had fallen!
The outline of the terrible battle of the 13th of December may be briefly given. The initiative was taken by General Franklin, who was ordered to attack in the direction of Hamil- ton's Crossing, but so vague was the order that to the present day it is impossible to decide as to Burnside's exact purpose. seems probable, however, that he expected Franklin to reach and hold the military road which General Lee had constructed from that point to the left of the Confederate line, thus threat- ening the hights in the rear and foreing their evacuation; but whatever the purpose or expectation it was not clearly embodied in the orders issued and was not to be realized in action.
. At about 10 o'clock the First Corps moved to the attack. Gen- oral Meade's division in advance, General Gibbon's in support and General Doubleday's protecting the left flank, which wa: threatened by Stuart's cavalry. General Meade's attack was d' rected against Jackson's corps of Lee's army, formed in the lines; A. P. Ilill's division in front, supported by those of Early and Taliaferro, while D. H. Hill's division was posted in reserve
í
111
THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
between the Richmond road and Massaponax Creek. The first Confederate line was broken by Meade's assault and the second was reached, but there the attacking column lost its force, wavered and broke. General Gibbon of the supporting line was wounded, his command also became disorganized and fell back, inviting a counter charge by the Confederates, which was met und checked by Birney's brigade of the Third Corps thrown upon their exposed flank. The troops engaged had suffered se- verely, but they had also smitten the enemy heavily. Now, however, the battle paused and on the left it was not again seri- ously renewed. Preparations were indeed made for another attack, but they were not completed till dusk, and it was then too late.
In the mean time terrible and unavailing fighting had been in progress all the afternoon in the rear of Fredericksburg. The Second Corps occupied the town, and about noon was ordered to assault the rebel position on Marye's hights. The ground was especially unfavorable to the maneuvering of troops, as they were obliged to cross the canal on narrow bridges, deploy almost in the face of the enemy and advance over broken and difficult ground. The whole distance from the streets of the city to the foot of the hill was swept by a terrible cross-fire of artillery, and at the latter point a Confederate line of infantry was posted behind a stone-wall.
French's division went first, supported by Hancock's, and one after the other was torn to pieces before the wall was reached. The Ninth Corps advanced on the left of the Second, and made one assault after another, but nothing could be gained save a worthless advanced position in the open field. General Hooker's command was then ordered across the river and directed to renew the attack. Its indomitable commander reconnoitered the field and protested against the waste of life, then hurled Humph- reys's division with empty muskets and fixed bayonets against the impregnable wall of fire. Like those which had gone before, it drifted back in fragments with nothing accomplished. The commander-in-chief, grown desperate, formed the Ninth Corps in column of regiments and prepared to lead it in person against
1
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ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
the enemy's lines. They were his North Carolina victors, de- voted to him, and would follow him to the gates of death with- ont shrinking. Personally he had ever been very popular with his troops, for well they knew his kindness of heart, his bravery and integrity. But his lieutenants protested against the mad attempt, there was no cooperative movement on the left, the men lay on their arms through the night and the assault was never made.
While the battle raged with such fury to both right and left. the Thirty-seventh remained in nearly the position it had occu- pied since the crossing, exposed frequently to artillery fire, from which it found a partial shelter by lying close to the ground in rear of a slight swell which there ran across the field. But it was while thus lying that its first member was killed in action- Stephen G. Warner of Company H, from Williamsburg, being struck in the head by a fragment of shell, while David B. Dwight of the same company was wounded. Toward evening. when the preparations were made for renewing the conflict, the brigade was hurried to the left, through a scattering artillery fire, and formed in a large corn-field, where it lay for a consid- erable time under the hot fire of Stuart's horse artillery in its front, the regiment being finally advanced to the shelter of a ridge a little nearer the hostile guns. This position was main- tained for some time after dark, no noise being allowed, and the men looked for a night encounter, but at length the order to move to the rear was received and the regiment returned nearly to its original position, where the night was passed. Sunday morning, the 14th, it moved nearer the river, a little below the bridges, where rations and a mail were distributed, and the day passed very quietly along the entire field. It was seen ! the Federal side that further attack would be madness, and tir Confederates did not think best to leave their vantage ground. Jackson, who commanded Lee's right wing, seems after the failure of Meade's advance to have contemplated the aggressive. and about sunset sent word to Stuart to push forward his hat- teries and help to drive the Yankees into the Rappahannock. But the greeting received from the Union artillery as the first of
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113
FIRST TO CROSS-LAST TO RETURN.
Jackson's lines came into view, convinced that warrior of the unwisdom of his proposed attempt, and it was abandoned.
The Thirty-seventh moved to the front again Monday morn- ing, taking position on the Richmond road in support of a New Jersey battery, which occupied a favorable location just beyond the road. The high embankments formed an admirable shelter for the infantry, which lay behind them regardless of the sharp artillery dueling which from time to time broke out. Thus keeping up a strong front through the day, no sooner had darkness settled over the scene than the batteries and their supports were quietly withdrawn and moved swiftly back toward the bridges. There a fresh honor was in waiting for the Thirty- seventh and its fellow-regiments of the brigade. They had been the first to cross at the lower bridges, and they were to be the last to retreat. Knowing the character of the men composing his command, General Devens, at an evening consultation of general officers at Franklin's head-quarters, when the proposed withdrawal was announced, volunteered to cover the crossing. " As you led the advance," was the reply, "your brigade will not be entitled to that honor should any other be volunteered." But no other was volunteered-it was not a duty for which even brave men aspired; and to General Devens, assisted by Colonel Torbert and his New Jersey brigade, from the First Division of the Sixth Corps, was assigned the delicate task. Forming in line of battle near the spot on which they had stood through that first night, the undaunted handful faced to the rear during the long hours, while artillery and infantry in ceaseless throngs poured past them and wound back over the Stafford hills, the strong south wind bearing away from the enemy every sound which might betray the movement.
Finally the procession became scattering, and the pickets in squads and singly hurried anxiously toward the bridges, fearing lest they might be too late. They were assured by the firm line of the two brigades standing there to ensure the safe delivery of every man from what might so appropriately be called a death- trap. When the last straggler had passed, Torbert's regiments followed, and, last of all, Devens and his heroic band. The
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ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
engineers were standing at their posts, ready to cast the bridges loose, and in a very few moments the unspanned river flowed once more between the two armies.
The night was far advanced when the Thirty-seventh, sadly wearied by its four days and five nights on the battle-field, climbed the Stafford hights, and after a short march turned into the forest for a bivouac. Before the ranks were broken, the ringing voice of Colonel Edwards was heard in the more than welcome order, " Captains will see that their men build as large fires as they please, and make themselves as comfortable as pos- sible!" No second bidding was needed; a score of great fires lighted up the forest as by magic, but the weary men did not long enjoy their luxury, and in a few minutes nearly every one was soundly sleeping, unmindful of the driving rain-storm which had set in. That was little to be regarded in comparison with the storm of battle to which they had so long listened.
The battle of Fredericksburg was over, and its purpose had sadly failed. The Union army had suffered a loss of 12,300 and their enemies of but 5,300, while the prestige of victory re- mained with the latter. The Army of the Potomac had fought with its accustomed bravery, winning even from its antagonists the most unqualified admiration; and the recrossing of the river during the night of December 15 by 100,000 men, without the knowledge of the enemy and without the loss of a gun or a straggler, challenges admiration, as one of the military feats of modern times. A critical analysis of the battle would have no place in this work, yet there are facts which the general reader will not overlook, and first of all, he will admire the manly frankness with which General Burnside accepted the responsibil- ity for the failure. Taking the command with an oft-repeated disavowal of his ability properly to fill the high place, the prompt carrying out of the plans which had been decided on thwarted by delays for which he was in no sense responsible, with rankling and undisguised jealousy among his subordinate com- manders and a questionable conduct of some portions of the battle, General Burnside could still utter these worthy sentences: "To the brave officers and soldiers who accomplished the feat of
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