USA > Massachusetts > History of the Thirty-sixth regiment Massachusetts volunteers. 1862-1865 > Part 13
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Hancock's attack had been very successful. He had driven the enemy fully a mile and a half back on the trains, artillery, and head-quarters of the Confederate Army, which were in imminent danger of capture ; but in the rapid ad- vance his line of battle had become so broken in the dense forest as to require readjustment before he could press forward and secure the prize almost within his grasp. While this was being done the enemy was reinforced by Longstreet's troops, who had been pushed forward rapidly to the threatened point. When. therefore, Hancock's line ad- vaneed to resume the attack he was confronted by a superior force, and was not only unable to make any impression on the enemy, but was in turn pressed back over all the ground he had gained, and was himself now in need of assistance.
The story of the Battle of the Wilderness is one of the most intensely interesting of the war ; but it will be referred to in this record only to describe intelligibly the action taken by the regiment in its relation to the engagement as a whole. We received the orders to retire about ten o'clock in the forenoon, and moved by the left flank through the dense forest and underbrush, which were almost impenetrable, through swamps deep with water, back to the clearing, to the assigned position, which was in rear of a gap said to exist between the left of the Fifth Corps and the right of the
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May,
Second. Our position was about a mile and a half in front of the Old Wilderness Tavern, facing nearly south, and not far from the Plank Road which runs south-east from Ger- manna Ford. Our division was ordered to advance and fill the gap, and to attack the enemy as soon as found. Each regiment was to skirmish along its own front. On our right was Wadsworth's division of the Fifth Corps, and it was expected we would connect our left with Barlow's division of the Second Corps. With a detail from each regiment, Captain MeKibben, of General Potter's staff, rode into the woods to establish a skirmish line. He had not proceeded far when he was fired upon by the enemy, and his horse was killed.
It being evident that the enemy was in strong force along our immediate front a general advance was ordered. The regiments were ordered to advance as rapidly as possible. keeping close connection on the right and left, and to attack without delay. The Fifty-first New York was formed on our left ; the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania joined our right ; beyond this we could not see the brigade line and knew nothing of its formation. A strong skirmish line was sent out from our front, under Captain Bailey, of Company G, and when all was in readiness the line of battle pushed forward into the dense forest. The heat was intense ; the men were almost exhausted from their long march of the previous day, were famished and weary ; but the thought of the burden of battle borne thus far by our brave comrades caused them to march with steady tread as they moved onward toward the foe. In a few moments the line received a tremendous volley, and the advance was checked for an instant, but only long enough for us to ascertain the exact position of the enemy and strengthen the skirmish line. This being done, Captain Bailey advanced very rapidly, driving the enemy's skirmish- ers through a swampy ravine into his entrenchments. The line of battle halted and closed up, while the Thirty-sixth and Forty-fifth made nearly a half wheel to the right, in
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order that our line might conform more nearly to the line of the enemy, which, as far as we could determine, crossed our line of battle diagonally.
During all this time the fire from the rebel line was very sharp and close, but the casualties were few. The left flank was found to be very much exposed, and the Fifty-first New York was drawn baek to cover the flank and rear, leaving the Thirty-sixth on the extreme left of the division line of battle.
In front of our line, across the swampy ravine, on the crest of a wooded slope, were the breastworks of the enemy, made of felled trees and brush and the bodies of their dead. Behind these rude intrenchments stood Anderson's brigade, Field's division (Hood's old division) of Longstreet's veteran corps. It was composed of troops from South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. Surely they were no mean foe. At Antietam Bridge, on the Heights of Fredericksburg, at Campbell's Station, and in the defences of Knoxville, the Ninth Corps had engaged with them in deadly conflict, and knew full well the devotion of these men to their cause, and the desperate valor with which they would defend their works. Once more these old antagonists stood face to face, about to renew the fearful struggle of other days on bloody fields. The foeman was worthy of our steel. The order, "Forward, double quick !" was shouted, and with loud and ringing cheers our lines advanced. The enemy poured in terrific volleys ; their bullets whistled around us and thinned our ranks ; but the advance was not checked. The left of our regiment first struck the rebel line, and received the severest fire, but pressed on through it, and the Thirty- sixth and Forty-fifth broke the line, went over the breast- works with a rush, and drove out the enemy in our front. The attack had been most determined and successful. and the regiment had complete possession of the rebel works in its front. Thus far all had gone well. The Fifty-first New York, however, had broken in the attack and failed to carry
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May,
the line with which it was confronted, and, in a brief time. though to us it seemed an age, the enemy rallied, moved upon our left flank, swept round toward our rear, and we were subjected to a fearful fire of musketry at short range. Having no supports, and being outflanked and overpowered on the left, that portion of the line was unable to hold the position, and began to retire in some confusion. The position was too valuable to abandon without a desperate struggle, and Major Draper leaped upon the log breastworks in the centre, and endeavored by words and motions to turn back the left wing, in order to present a front to the enemy attack- ing on that flank. Captain Barker, in command of the loft wing, vainly- endeavored to persuade a regiment of the Third Division sent forward to support the attack, to swing to the left and attack the enemy. In the most critical moment of the fight, while gallantly rallying the line, Major Draper was shot through the shoulder and carried senseless from the field.1 The regiment was loth to give up the great advantage it had gained, and the fighting was hand to hand, - terrible and bloody. The men fought gallantly ; but the force upon our left was too strong, and our line was compelled to retire. Falling back slowly, with their faces toward the enemy, the regimeut preserved a good line, returning the enemy's fire, and retired but a short distance. Sergeant Henry Todd, who bore the State color, although wounded in the arm, refused to the last to fall back, and received a bullet in the head. which laid him low in death. The flag was seized from hi- dying grasp by Corporal Michael Long, of Company A, who himself was wounded a moment later, and before it reached the ground was seized by Sergeant Gilbert Rawson, who bore it through the battle, and the subsequent campaign.
1 Sergeant Kimball, of Company F, saved Major Draper's life during the battle. One of the enemy, a soldier of the South Carolina Rifles, was lying behind a log, and had deliberate aim on Major Draper, who was standing exposed to his fire, and was in the act of firing when sergeant Kimball struck up the musket with his own, and the ball passed through the Major's hat. Soon after this Major Draper received a wound from a rebel sharp-shooter.
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In the midst of this terrific fight Colonel Curtin, of the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, assumed command of the brigade. Hartranft, with his brigade of the Third Division, came up at the same moment, when the whole line advanced in the face of a furious fire ; and although the enemy was severely han- dled, and his line forced at several points, yet the opposition was so determined as to prevent complete success. Through all these trying scenes the regiment behaved with great gal- lantry, and held its position to the last moment. The brigade now retired a short distance, re-formed, and corrected the line. Here Lieutenant Marshall, of Company A, was badly wounded and carried to the rear. During this temporary lull, amid the vries of the wounded, and the burning undergrowth that added horror to the scene, our comrades of the Forty-fifth struck up the chorus : "We'll rally round the flag, boys, rally once again." The Thirty-sixth took up the strain, and made those smoking woods ring with the chorus and cheers of the undaunted men.
During the afternoon new dispositions were made for a third attack. As our ammunition was exhausted we were relieved in the front line by the Third Division, and closely supported its attack, which was made with great vigor soon after five o'clock. The charge was gallant and determined, and they who heard that terrific musketry will never forget it. The enemy's skirmish line was driven in, and their main line of battle, which had come out of the works, was broken and forced baek. A portion of the line on the left was again car- ried, but it could not be held. The enemy's fire was of the heaviest ; but the main line held the ground up to the teeth of the enemy until dusk, when our division took position to the right of the Third Division in the front line, within close musket range of the enemy. A strong skirmish line was de- ployed, and the regiment intrenched.
While these changes of position were being made it became necessary to leave many of our wounded between the oppos- ing lines, and volunteers were called for to go out under the
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May,
enemy's fire, and bring in such as could be removed. Several gallant men of the Thirty-sixth offered to perform this perilous service. While thus employed, Corporal George E. Nourse, of Company I, was struck by the fatal bullet of a sharp-shooter. and was himself borne away upon the streteher with which he had assisted to carry others to the rear. He was buried near the spot where he fell, and sleeps, like many of his comrades. in that far-off grave in the lonely Wilderness, or in the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg, where so many of our comrades buried on the Wilderness battle-ground have since been laid to rest.
Thus closed in blood and gloom the second day of the san- guinary battle of the Wilderness. When darkness settled on those smouldering forests the roll-call bore witness to the sacrifice we had offered that day on the altar of Freedom. Eighty-five were absent. Of this number, twelve were known to have been killed, fifty-three wounded, and of the twelve reported " missing in action " several were supposed to have been killed or wounded, and consumed in the burning of the underbrush between the contending lines. The brigade lost five hundred and four in killed, wounded, and missing ; the heavy loss of the Thirty-sixth being occasioned by our great exposure, and the severe fire on our left flank and rear. The scenes and events of the day were recounted, and entrusted to the keeping of faithful memories. Sergeant Rawson had his story to tell of the coolness and thoughtfulness of Color- Sergeant Todd. As they were about to enter the battle he said to Rawson, "If anything happens to me, take good care of the State color." But for this timely charge the flag might have fallen into the enemy's hands, for Rawson, deeply im- pressed with the words of his friend, was near him when he fell, ready to take the flag from Todd's dying grasp.
In the line the severest loss was sustained by Company I. commanded by Orderly Sergeant White, losing three killed and ten wounded (three of them mortally) out of thirty-five taken into action.
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The following is the list of casualties : -
Commissioned Officers.
Wounded. - Major William F. Draper, Lieutenant Joseph A. Marshall.
Enlisted Men.
Company A. Killed. - Corporal Albert H. Carter. Wounded. - Corporal Michael Long, Private Henry A. Thompson.
Company B. Killed. - Color-Sergeant Henry Todd, Private Charles M. Westcott. Wounded. - Sergeant John Lamont, Privates Louis P. Abbott, Daniel Lamont, James H. Robertson, James E. Spear.
Company C. Killed. - Private Myron M. Daniels. Died of Wounds. - Private Frank S. Kelley. Wounded. - Corporal Walter Chisold. Privates Jacob W. Bixby, Fred- erick S. Gates, William Harty. Prisoner. - Private Hart- well C. Twitchell (died August 21, 1864, at Andersonville).
Company D. Killed. - Privates Frank M. Fenno, An- drew J. Morgan. Wounded. - Privates James H. Day, George L. Chase (died of wounds).
Company E. Wounded. - Sergeant Lucius L. Merrick, Privates Josiah B. Davis, F. Daniel Hadley.
Company F. Wounded. - Sergeant Daniel Wright (taken prisoner), Corporal Lucius Lowell, Private Chester J. Smith (died of wounds).
Company G. Killed. - Corporal Edward W. Stacy. Died of Wounds. - Corporal Josephi L. Haskell. Wounded. - Privates James A. Dadman, Aaron M. Williams, Emory Winchester.
Company H. Killed. - Corporal Joshua Rich. Died of Wounds. - Corporal Henry H. Mayo, Privates Luther P. Reed, Edward O. Young ( captured). Wounded. - Corporal William N. Smith, Privates Joseph F. Hayward, John W. Pratt, Henry W. Wetherbee.
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May,
Company I. Killed. - Corporals Isaac R. Patten, George A. Nourse, Private Daniel V. Childs. Died of Wounds. - Corporal William II. Coburn, Privates Josiah Houghton. George W. Bardwell, Julius N. Bellows. Wounded. - Cor- poral James H. Barry, Privates Oscar H. Brown, Truman Marble, Charles II. Wheeler, Israel F. Carter.
Company K. Died of Wounds. - Private Algernon S. Mandell. Wounded. - Privates Robert Stevens, Silas J. Howell, Jr., Henry Noi, Samuel G. Vaughn.
Twenty-ninth Massachusetts. Wounded. - Privates Raw- son, Swift, Alexander, and Leavitt.
With the first ray of daylight on the 7th the men were astir, in expectation of orders for a general advance. The skirmishers exchanged a few shots with the enemy at day- break, but neither party manifested any disposition to attack. The firing along Hancock's front, on our left, was very severe at times, and word was passed down the lines that his corps was to make an attack at right angles with our front ; but the morning wore away and no attack was made. A death-like quiet pervaded our lines. The silence of the enemy was con- sidered ominous, and the picket force under Captain Mor-e was doubled, and then cautiously advanced toward the enemy's skirmish pits, but only to find them deserted. The enemy had withdrawn.
Small parties were now sent out to remove the wounded lying in our front, and to recover the bodies of the dead. A. the sad procession moved to the rear the hearts of many were made sad in recognizing among the mangled dead and wounded the forms of dear comrades whom we fondly hoped had met the less sad fate of capture. The dead were care- fully buried, and their graves marked. While this sad work was being performed the regiment erected a strong breast- work of logs, and every precaution was taken to guard against a sudden attack of the enemy. Here we were visited by Colonel Morrison, of the Seventy-ninth New York, - our
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former brigade commander, - who was about to be mustered out of the service, the term of his regiment having expired. He had been wounded in the arm the day before, but refused to go to the rear. He came over to say good-by to his former "pets " before leaving for his home.
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May,
CHAPTER XIV.
AT SPOTTSYLVANIA.
TOWARD noon it became evident that a new movement was contemplated. About one o'clock we marched by the flank to the rear, and halted near the road for the rest of the brigade to withdraw, and concentrate. We then moved rapidly to the open ground near the Old Wilderness Tavern. where the Ninth Corps was massed. There we saw our im- mense artillery and ammunition trains moving in the direction of Chancellorsville.
We remained at the tavern until dark, and had supper there. For forty-eight hours our only food had been bread and water. As soon as the trains were on the road we were ordered to follow them in the direction of Chaneellorsville. The march was very tedious and vexatious, owing to the darkness and the slow movement of the wagons. At every few rods we were obliged to halt, and the weary men threw themselves upon the ground for a few moments' rest, only to be aroused to move a little distance and repeat the same ex- perience. At ten o'clock the picket-firing ceased, and we lay down by the roadside for the night. At daylight we resumed the march. At nine o'clock we reached Chancellorsville, and halted in an open field. at the intersection of the Gordonsville Plank and Orange County roads. Here stood the ruins of the house used by General Hooker as head-quarters during the great battle fought one year before, and all around u- traces of the bloody struggle could be seen. Without shelter from the scorching sun, and covered with dust raised in great clouds by the passing trains and troops, we remained at
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AT SPOTTSYLVANIA.
1964.
Chancellorsville during the entire day. The Fifth and Second Corps had moved on the Brock road toward Spottyslvania ; the Sixth was with us. As the last division filed past us down the Plank road, and the fire of the Wilderness died away, the distant booming of artillery in our front announced that the enemy was in position across the advance of the Fifth Corps.
The firing increased all the afternoon, and at sunset was very heavy. The brigade bivouacked at Chancellorsville, and remained until nearly noon of the next day, when orders were received to move down the Plank road in the direction of the conflict. During the afternoon we moved from one position to another, and at dusk were put in line of battle upon a high crest west of the Richmond and Potomac Railroad, on the extreme left of the army. We were not permitted to remain long in this fine position, where we ex- pected to pass the night, but were moved out to the road again, and marched rapidly through deserted camps and past smouldering camp-fires, until late at night we bivouacked near General Burnside's head-quarters, and upon the left of the army of the Potomac, which during the day had been closing around the strong position of the enemy at Spottsylvania Court-House. Three divisions of our corps were now con- centrated at this point, the Fourth Division being detailed as guard for the supply train of the army.
The 10th of May was clear and intensely hot. The burn- ing sun drove us from the open fields to seek the shelter of the woods. There we lay during the long and tedious hours, listening to the sounds of battle on our right, with orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Thus far during the campaign but little artillery had been used, owing to the nature of the country ; but on this day the action was on more open ground, and much of the artillery of both armies was brought into use, the cannonading re- sembling one continuons peal of thunder.
Reports came to us that Lee's army was being forced
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May,
from its strong defences; in fact, rumors of the wildest description reached us. They were soon to be dispelled. . however, for, at four o'clock, marching orders were received, and in another moment we were on the road, marching in the direction of the conflict. The route lay over a. good road, through noble forests, until at length we reached the open country along the banks of the Ny river. After halting at the Harris house for the command to close up, the march was continued to the river, which we crossed by the turn- pike bridge. Here we filed to the left into an open field, and the division was formed in line of battle, and ordered to advance rapidly. On reaching a rise of ground in our front we received a severe fire from the enemy's artillery ; but the advance was not checked. The troops on the right of the road soon encountered the skirmishers of A. P. Hill's corps, and pressed them back, our regiment threatening their flanks. The artillery was now brought to bear on the enemy's line, and the whole division advanced gallantly in face of a heavy fire, and continued until darkness compelled a halt. This movement was made in support of the famous charge of twelve pieked regiments of the Sixth Corps, upon the right centre of the enemy's position. The assault was made with great gallantry, and the works were carried with a loss to the enemy of six cannon and nine hundred pris- oners ; but the rebels were strongly reinforced, and the great advantage which was gained could not be secured. 1t nightfall the remnant of the noble column returned, leaving their dead and wounded and the six pieces of cannon, which could not be removed, in the enemy's hands.
The division passed the night in line of battle, without fires or coffee. The picket line was attacked several times : but no serious demonstration was made, and there were no casualties on our front. At daylight of the 11th th line advanced to the crest of a ridge directly in our front. from which we obtained a fine view of the enemy's position. We were about a quarter of a mile from the Court-House. ~
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AT SPOTTSYLVANIA.
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1964.
around which stood the enemy's earthworks, bristling with cannon, and surrounded by a formidable abatis and slashing of timber. They seemed to be alive with troops, who, doubtless from our close advance, expected an immediate attack. The enemy evidently desired our approach, and were ready to give us a hot reception. The position was strong naturally, and the fortifications and obstructions ren- dered it well-nigh impregnable. Our piekets held a very advanced position and kept up a lively skirmishing all the morning. Being seriously exposed, we were ordered to build a line of breastworks along our whole front, maintain- ing at the same time the utmost vigilance lest the enemy should attack our left and flank. Notwithstanding a close and annoying fire we were able to construct a strong line of intrenchments during the forenoon; but we were not allowed the privilege of defending them. for at three o'clock orders were received to withdraw with the utmost speed and caution. This was a perilous undertaking in the face of a watchful and powerful enemy. The movement was made against the earnest remonstrance of the corps commander, and the mistake was afterwards seen when too late to be corrected. The day had been intensely hot, and now the sky was black with clouds. As the movement commenced the rain began to fall. Soon it descended in torrents, and during the drenching rain which followed, the works were evacuated without exciting the attention of the enemy.
The brigade was now hurried to the rear, the direction of the march being toward the right of our line, and in another hour the corps was massed in a large open field near the Harris house. Here we remained more than an hour, ex- posed to the full fury of the drenching rain, which caused the men to shiver with cold. It was the first rain that had fallen during the campaign, and, however welcome it might have been in allaying the stifling dust and cooling the heated air, it was decidedly unpleasant to be obliged to encounter its full force in the open field, without shelter of any kind.
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THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
May.
Here the wearied men partook of the first nourishment during the day. At dusk the corps was again ordered for- ward to a new position in the advanced line, more to the right of that occupied during the day. We crossed the broad meadows bordering the Ny river, and as we moved forward an aid reported to Captain Barker that, Colonel Bliss having been injured, he had been directed to notify the senior officer to take command of the brigade, and that Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants. of the Forty-eighth Pennsyl- vania, was in command. He was soon succeeded, however, by Colonel Curtin, who had been temporarily absent.
The shower settled into a steady rain, and the night was cold and cheerless. The advance was continued in the darkness until we reached a line of breastworks around a deserted farm-house. Here we remained during the night. The head-quarters of the regiment were in a dilapidated barn, and nearly all the officers lay down upon the wet ground, which constituted the floor. The place was filthy and disagreeable ; but any shelter was welcome on such a night. The hours dragged drearily. The men were under arms, and the pickets, though almost exhausted, were alert and vigilant. We were ignorant of the enemy's position. yet conscious that the morning light would reveal it, and be the signal for a determined assault.
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