USA > Maryland > The Maryland line in the Confederate Army, 1861-1865 > Part 24
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The author was standing close beside General Jackson when the battery went forward, and he shall long remember the look of anxiety with which he watched it, and well he might, for upon the success of that battery much depended. For a while the air was filled with exploding, crashing shells, and the horses and men fell rapidly before that withering fire, which was directed with almost the precision of a rifle shot. Away went a limber chest high in the air, scattering death and destruction around. "We are not close enough," said the brave Brockenborough. "Limber to the front, forward, gallop ! " rung out his sharp command, and in an instant the battery was in position at point blank range. Fiercely those guns were then worked, despite the iron hail that plowed up the ground around them, and in a few minutes Brockenborough had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy retire pre- cipitately, leaving the ground covered with dead and dying men and horses, and shattered carriages and dismounted guns. It was French's famous battery they had encountered, but French's no longer, save in name.
On the morning of the 20th. the battery accompanied Ewell's division to Dispatch Station, on the York River Railroad, where a few shots were exchanged with the enemy, when Ewell retraced his steps. and moved towards Malvern Hill.
In the afternoon of the Ist of July, the battle of Malvern Hill began, and soon raged fiercely. The enemy had been enabled to reach the heights of Malvern, where he posted sixty guns, which swept every foot of ground around. In vain did the heavy masses of infantry rush with desperate valor upon these guns, but
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it was only to be driven back, leaving the ground covered with leaps of dead and mangled men. In this unequal contest artillery was not available, for not a position was to be had. Two or three times the Baltimore Light Artillery tried it, but was as often compelled to hastily withdraw, and when night ended the conflict, Malvern Hill was not yet won.
Before morning Mcclellan withdrew to Harrison's Landing, on the James, where he was safe.
The long spring campaign in the Valley and the operations around Richmond had made sad havoc in the ranks of the Maryland Line, and it became necessary for them to recruit and reorganize before again being ready for the field. For this purpose the First Maryland Infantry and Baltimore Light Artillery were ordered to Charlottesville, where they remained a month, when they were once more ordered to join Jackson, who was about to make his great movement to the rear of Pope's army at Manassas. Alas ! the two commands did not journey together far. for at Gordonsville an order overtook Colonel Johnson requiring him to at once disband the First Maryland, and the order was reluctantly obeyed.
The separation was affecting to the greatest degree, and the little battery pur- sued its way with sad and lonely hearts. It was like severing the ties that bind brother to brother, for in the series of battles in which they had participated side by side, the conduct of each had inspired the other with confidence and respect. " With the First Maryland in support." I heard Captain Brockenborough say, " I know I am always safe." And so it was, for one would never desert the other while life lasted.
On the morning of the 19th of August, the battery reached Orange Court- house, where, much to the joy of all, it was attached to Starke's Louisiana Brigade. An affinity had long existed between the Maryland and Louisiana troops, and they commanded each other's fullest confidence. In fact, they seemed nearer akin, for in both there was that sprightliness, dash and vim not so noticeable in troops from other States.
With three days' rations in haversacks. Brockenborough, on the 21st, moved towards the Rappahannock, where he found the enemy occupying the north bank in force. A severe artillery fight immediately began, and was maintained for some hours. The battery pitted against Brockenborough was Company M. United States Regulars, which, towards nightfall, he succeeded in silencing and driving back with the loss of many men and an exploded caisson.
On the morning of the 22nd, the artillery was thrown across the river, but soon after encountered the enemy in heavy force, and were compelled to recross after a desperate struggle. In this affair the Baltimore Light Artillery suffered a loss of four men killed - Irvin, Cox, Bradley and Reynolds - and several severely wounded.
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Brockenborough, finding it impossible to cross at that point, moved up to Han- con's ford, where a crossing was effected, and he then pursued his way through Orleans, Salem and Thoroughfare Gap, and reached Manassas on the 26th, having marched fifty miles in two days, with nothing for his men or horses to eat save the green corn gathered along the road. Here at Manassas, though, was found in the captured trains and sutlers' stores all they could have desired, and for hours they reveled in the good things their new commissary had so bountifully supplied, and over Rhine wine and lobsters forgot for the time the privations of the past few days.
From Manassas, Jackson moved on Centreville, but finding the enemy there in force, he retraced his steps to Manassas, closely pursued, and formed his line of battle about sunset on the 28th, upon the ground occupied by the enemy in the battle of July. 1861.
The engagement immediately commenced, and raged with great fury for some time, but the enemy was repulsed in every assault, and driven back with heavy loss. Colonel Stephen D. Lee then put the several batteries in position along the crest of a commanding hill, and there awaited the attack sure to be renewed next day.
About 2 o'clock on the 29th heavy columns emerged from the woods in Jack- son's front and advanced boldly to the attack, but the storm of grape and canister which tore through their ranks was more than flesh and blood could withstand, and they were driven back with dreadful slaughter. But again and again did those devoted columns re-form and return to the attack with undiminished ardor, but the same terrible fire greeted them and strewed the ground with dead and dying.
But nevertheless Jackson's situation was a most critical one. With but a handful of worn and weary troops he was battling with ten times his numbers, which must necessarily soon wear him out and exhaust his ammunition : but as the hearts of his men were sinking within them, they were cheered by the clouds of dust that arose in the distance and heralded the approach of their great chieftain, Lee, with the veterans of Longstreet's corps. At night the battle ceased, and the weary troops threw themselves upon the ground to seek a little repose before the work of death and destruction should be resumed on the morrow.
At the break of day on the morning of the 30th of August, the troops were aroused from their slumbers and ordered to prepare for the great and decisive battle at hand. But hour after hour passed by, and except an occasional picket shot, all else was still. It was, though, but the calm which precedes the storm, for sud- denly dense masses of the enemy emerged from the woods and moved at the double miel. upon Jackson's lines. It was a grand sight to see those three lines rush forward in the most beautiful order. For a minute a death-like silence prevailed, when the very earth was made to tremble by the roar of Stephen D. Lee's thirty-six
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pieces of artillery, fired at point-blank range. The slaughter was appalling, and whole ranks melted away in an instant, but the brave survivors closed up their decimated columns, and despite that awful fire pressed on until they encountered the infantry posted in the railroad cut in front, where for a time the fight was waged hand to hand. At length they began to break and to retreat, and the batteries, which had been silent for some time, owing to the proximity of the struggling columns of infantry, again belched forth into the fleeing mass their deadly discharges of grape, which was continued until the fugitives reached the shelter of the woods from which they had emerged.
Of the several batteries under General Lee that day not one was worked more fiercely than the Baltimore Light Artillery, and none contributed more to the defeat and destruction of the enemy.
Long before nightfall the victory was won, and the braggart Pope, with the remnant of his army, was seeking safety in the defenses around Washington.
In the invasion of Maryland, which followed this signal victory, the battery was placed in the advance, and crossed the river at White's ford.
On the 6th of September the battery passed through Frederick City and encamped on the suburbs. Many were the congratulations the brave fellows received from the citizens, and during the three days they remained their wants were abundantly supplied.
Leaving Frederick City, the battery passed through Boonsboro', Middletown, and Williamsport, where they recrossed the Potomac, and on the 12th entered Martinsburg. From thence it moved towards Harper's Ferry, when upon arriving at Loudoun Heights, Brockenborough was assigned a position, from which, at early dawn of the 15th, he opened, along with other batteries, a terrific fire upon the enemy's entrenched position on Bolivar Heights. The batteries were worked furiously for an hour, when just as the Confederate infantry were put in motion to storm the works, a white flag fluttered in the breeze, and Harper's Ferry sur- rendered with its twelve thousand troops, and artillery and supplies in abundance.
But there was heavy work yet to be done, for General Lee with a portion of his army was confronting the overwhelming masses of Mcclellan at Sharpsburg. and no time was to be lost in reaching him. The surrender had, therefore. scarcely been effected when the troops were dispatched to his aid. By a forced night march Jackson's artillery reached Sharpsburg on the 16th, and was imme- diately assigned a position on a range of hills rather northwest of the town.
The morning of the 17th of September found the two armies in position, and ready to begin the work of destruction. For the Confederates the prospects of success seemed gloomy enough, for General Lee had barely forty thousand men with which to meet the mighty army of MeClellan, numbering over a hundred and twenty thousand troops. But the vast odds were made almost proportionate by the
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sinserior going in the Confederate Generals. With Lee, Jackson and Longstreet in command nothing seemed impossible to their troops, and, therefore, it was with no feelings of fear for the result that they surveyed the long and glittering lines before them.
Soon after sunrise slight artillery skirmishing commenced along the lines, which increased in volume until the air seemed filled with exploding shells. Upon the position held by the batteries of Brockenborough, Carpenter and Poague, Moody, Raine and Caskie, was opened a terrific fire, which was promptly returned, and the enemy's batteries several times compelled to change position. This con- tinued for two hours, when it became evident that the infantry was massing for a charge. The position was of the most vital importance, for should the enemy succeed in gaining possession of this point and turning Lee's left flank, he would be irretrievably lost. His orders to General Jackson were, therefore, to " Hold the range of hills to the last ! "
MeClellan's advance upon this point was gallantly met by Jackson's veteran infantry, and for some time the fighting was of the most determined character ; but at length the immense superiority of numbers prevailed, and Jackson's troops gradually fell back across the turnpike, past the Dunkard Church, and through the woods, and appeared upon the plain beyond. Most beautifully did the heavy columns emerge from the woods and moved forward upon the batteries quietly awaiting their near approach. "Do not pull a lanyard," said Broekenborough, who was temporarily in command of the whole, " until you get the command." Nearer and nearer those solid columns approached, and amid loud huzzas rushed forward at the double quick. It was a moment of dreadful suspense. On, on, they came ! " Will Brockenborough never give the command ?" Yes ; he now has them at the muzzles of his guns, and the next instant the command, "Fire !" was heard above the exultant cheers of the advancing columns, and twenty-four pieces of artillery, double-shotted with canister, belched forth their deadly contents into the very faces of the assailants.
The scene that was presented as the smoke lifted beggars description. The ground was literally covered - nay, piled - with the slain and maimed of the enemy, and the survivors were in full retreat. They were soon re-formed, how- ever, and again moved boldly to the attack, but only to be again mercilessly slaughtered and driven back. A third time they essayed, but with the same result, when. a disordered mass of fugitives, the survivors sought the shelter of the woods from which they had but a few minutes before emerged, confident of success.
How anxiously the great chieftain, Lee, who was close by, must have watched the dreadful struggle which was to decide the fate of his army, and perhaps of the cause for which he was battling ; and how great must have been the relief as he saw the enemy in retreat, and Jackson's shattered columns once more
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re-formed. Night put an end to the dreadful conflict, and Lee still held his ground, despite the herculean efforts of his adversary to drive him from it, but the day's struggle had cost hin thousands of his bravest and best.
The brave Brockenborough that day wan his major's star, and with his battery received special mention in General Lee's official report.
The morning of the 18th broke clear and beautiful, and General Lee was in readiness to renew the fight, which it was not doubted would begin at an early hour. But Mcclellan's beaten and shattered army required time and rest and reinforcements before again prepared for aggressive operations ; and finding this to be the case Lee proceeded to bury his dead, and that night, unmolested, recrossed the river at a point near Shepherdstown.
Soon after the battle of Sharpsburg, the Baltimore Light Artillery, now under command of Captain W. H. Griffin, was ordered to join the cavalry and infantry of the Maryland Line, then in camp near Newmarket, in the Valley of Virginia. Here they passed the fall and winter months quietly in camp, and in early spring were again prepared, with recruited ranks and renewed equipments, to enter the field.
On the 13th of June the infantry and artillery of the Maryland Line, with one company of its cavalry, all under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James R. Herbert, moved towards Winchester, near which place they were to unite with the division of General Early, which was moving across from Front Royal. Near Kernstown a body of Milroy's cavalry was encountered, but a shot from the battery scattered them in all directions. A short time after, Early came up and proceeded to form a line of battle. The enemy soon made his appearance in force, and opened a severe fire upon Griffin from his batteries, which was vigorously responded to, and in a little while the enemy were driven beyond Kernstown. Early, as soon as he had formed his line of battle, moved forward, and by a spirited charge of Gordon's Brigade, drove him into his strong works to the left of Winchester.
The next afternoon Hays' Louisiana Brigade was moved around to the enemy's right with orders to charge a strong line of works whilst the artillery opened upon him in front. Griffin was posted on a commanding hill a little to the left of the pike, and threw his first shell into the very centre of the Star fort. Finding he had the exact range, he commenced a furious fire, which threw the enemy for a moment into the greatest confusion, and greatly assisted Hays in his movement upon their right. The fire was soon spiritedly returned by the Federal Maryland battery and continued until night, when Milroy evacuated his fortifications and attempted to escape with his army, 'but in this he was unsuccessful, although he himself suc- ceeded in reaching Harper's Ferry with a few of his troops.
The precision and effect with which the guns of the Baltimore Light Artillery were served upon this occasion elicited the highest praise from General Gordon, to whose brigade it was temporarily attached, and as a mark of the high esteem
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in winch he heid the battery, he procured them permission from General Ewell next morning to select from among the captured guns the best pieces, to take the place of their own, which were greatly inferior.
The day after the battle of Winchester, the corps of General Ewell took up its Ime of march toward the Potomac. The Baltimore Light Artillery was directed by some subordinate officers to report to General Nelson of the reserve artillery. The order occasioned the greatest surprise and indignation throughout the command. for always before they had led the advance and covered the retreat. Such an indignity, as they considered it, could not be tamely submitted to, and a protest was immediately drawn up and forwarded to General Ewell, who at once ordered the battery to join Albert G. Jenkins' brigade of cavalry, which was the van of the army in the invasion of Pennsylvania.
The battery crossed the Potomac on the 18th of June, and that day joined Jenkins, when the whole command moved rapidly forward in the greatest good humor. Many were the jokes they practiced, and many the quaint sayings peculiar only to the soldier. "Take them mice out of your mouth," one would bawl out. as an officer with well-waxed mustache rode by : " Take 'em out, no use to say they ain't thar, for I see their tails stickin' out." And as another came along, but a short time in the service, and wearing a " boiled shirt," and white collar, his ears were stire to be assailed with " Say, mister, how long did you have to soldier afore one of them things growed 'round your neck ?" and a staff officer, with handsome cavalry boots, would be requested by a dozen voices to " Come out of them thar boots, for it's too soon to go into winter quarters."
En parenthase, soldiers are queer beings, and will have their joke, even in the face of almost certain death. At the battle of Malvern Hill, whilst the First Mary- land Regiment was awaiting its turn to " go in," and the men were closely hugging the earth to avoid the terrible fire of grape and canister which swept over and around them. I heard an officer of the regiment remark to another at his side, whose face was pressed close to the ground : "Say, Captain, you'll get a scrape down your back directly, and you know it's something we don't allow here." and the officer addressed coolly turned over on his back, remarking : " Well, if it will please vatt better. I'll take it in front."
The command of Jenkins pursued its march rapidly through Maryland, and struck the Pennsylvania line ncar Greencastle. Thence their way lay up the Cumberland Valley to Shippensburg, where a halt was made for a short time to allow the tired troops to partake of the delicious apple-butter, ham, bread, etc., furnished them in abundance by the startled inhabitants. Whilst thus enjoying themselves to their hearts' content. the cry of "Yanks " wais raised, and in an instant the scene changed. Cavalrymen sprang to their horses, and artillerymen to their guns, but the wary enemy could not be induced to come within range of Griffin's Parrott's, but retired towards Carlisle, followed leisurely by Jenkins.
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Upon arriving within sight of that town, the Yankee flag was found defiantly flying from the public buildings, when Jenkins, supposing the enemy to be there in force, prepared to attack. Placing two pieces of artillery in a position to rake the main street, and disposing of his other troops in the most available manner, he demanded the surrender of the town. It was not long before a deputation of the " solid " citizens made their appearance, and surrendered the place, of which General Jenkins at once took possession.
After remaining at Carlisle one day, during which time they were bountifully supplied with provisions and forage by the citizens, the command moved in the direction of Harrisburg. At Mechanicstown a small body of cavalry were encoun- tered, but a shot from Griffin caused them to beat a hasty retreat. Upon reaching the Susquehanna, the Confederate commander found the opposite side of the river strongly fortified, but he at once opened fire from his batteries, which was promptly responded to. This continued until late in the afternoon, when the enemy's infantry advanced in force, and a severe skirmish ensued, which lasted until after night. General Rodes (I have forgotten to mention the fact that Jenkins and Rodes united their forces at Carslisle) having accomplished his purpose, that night withdrew in the direction of Gettysburg.
Upon arriving at Gettysburg the battery was ordered to report to Major Lati- mer, who assigned it a position a short distance to the left of the Cashtown pike. In the terrible battle that ensued, the Baltimore Light Artillery played its part, and when the retreat commenced it was kept in the rear to assist in covering the passage of the army and wagon trains through the mountain passes.
At a point near Mount Zion the enemy had so stationed his guns as to com- pletely command the road through the gap over which a column of infantry must pass. There was but little time to spare, for the enemy were pressing them hard. Captain Griffin was ordered to place his guns in position, and if possible silence the battery. It seemed a desperate undertaking, but there was no alternative. Quickly the brave fellows ran their guns to within point blank range, and opened a deadly fire. It was promptly returned, and a heavy artillery duel continued for some time, when the enemy's battery was driven from its position, and the infantry and wagon train passed in safety. I have heard it asserted by old soldiers that this was one of the most desperate artillery fights they ever witnessed. And the Marylanders had every reason to be proud of their victory, for it was their old antagonist, Battery M. of the regular artillery, that they had again measured strength with.
At Hagerstown the battery participated in a severe cavalry fight, in which the Confederates were entirely successful.
After the army of General Lee recrossed the Potomac, the battery was ordered to Fredericksburg, where it remained for a few days, and then rejoined the main army at Culpepper Courthouse, and was assigned to the battalion commanded by Major Beckham.
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For two weeks everything remained quiet, and well it was, for human endur- and had been taxed to the utmost limit in the severe campaign of the summer, and required rest and repose.
On the Ioth of September Meade became restive, and General Lee moved forward to give him battle if he desired it. Beckham was ordered to advance and take position with his artillery near Muddy Creek. In a short time the enemy appeared in force, and a sharp artillery fight ensued. The enemy then threw forward his infantry, and compelled Beckham and his supports to fall back to the vicinity of Culpepper Courthouse. The artillery was here ordered to take a position and " hold it." The fighting soon became fierce, and the Baltimore Light Artillery was exposed to the severest part of it, but they gallantly held their ground for some time, despite the fire of six pieces that were playing upon their three. But this could not last long, for all support had been withdrawn, and the enemy's dis- mounted men were advancing in heavy force. It seemed scarcely possible to save the battery, but the brave fellows had been in such scrapes before, and they deter- mined to hold on to their pieces as long as there was a hope. Retiring through the town, they had nearly accomplished their purpose of escaping, when a body of the enemy charged up a cross street and captured the rear gun, with Lieutenant John McNulty and nine men attached to it. The remaining guns were safely taken off the field.
The next morning the enemy made their appearance in considerable force, and the battery was enabled to repay them for the rough treatment received the day preceding, for as a body of cavalry were engaged in drill, entirely ignorant of the close proximity of the Baltimore battery, it opened upon them with deadly effect at very close range.
After the affair at Mine Run, which soon followed that at Culpepper Court- house, the battery was detached from the main army, and temporarily assigned to duty with General Young's Brigade of cavalry. On the 9th of October that General crossed the Rapidan, and advanced by way of Madison Courthouse. His progress was slow, as the march was by circuitous and concealed side roads in order to avoid the observations of the enemy. On the Ioth Young met the advance of the enemy at James City, without an intimation of his approach, and their bands were regaling the citizens with patriotie airs, when a shot from Sergeant Harry Marston's gun, of the Baltimore Light Artillery, plunged into their midst, and abruptly terminated the musical entertainment for that evening at least. In a short time a battery was brought up, and a severe artillery fight ensued. Soon another made its appearance and opened an enfilading fire upon Griffin, but, notwithstanding, he stubbornly held his position. Whilst this was going on a large force of the enemy's skir- mi-hers attacked the Confederate flank, and threw the cavalry into some confusion by their unexpected onset from this quarter. Griffin at the instant wheeled his
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