USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 9
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Col. Roberts was succeeded by Lieutenant Col. Varney, who is at this day, a member of the firm of Chas. Hayward & Co., the leading merchauts in their line in Bangor.
The Second Maine was mustered out of the service, after the expiration of two years (its time of enlistment) at Bangor, June 4th and 9th, 1863, by Captain Thomas C. J. Baily, U. S. Infantry.
Of its record the Adjutant General's report for 1863, says :
"This regiment during its term of service was engaged in thir- teen battles, and on every occasion invariably distinguished itself. During Gen. Hooker's operations at Fredericksburg and Chancel- lorsville, it formed a portion of his right wing.
At the last named battle it was mostly behind breastworks. When the regiment's time had expired in May, one hundred and twenty- five of the number who were sworn in for three years service, were transferred to the Twentieth Regiment. The regiment returned home with two hundred and seventy-five, including officers and men. It has a record second to none which has ever been in service, and officers and men of the command can look back with pride on the untarnished fame of the noble Second Maine."
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CHAPTER XV.
History Of The Sixth Maine-Chain Bridge-On The March-Lewinsville- Fort Griffin-Col. Burnham-The New Officers-Much Fighting-A Singular Combat -- The Axe Brigade-Sleeping On Their Ans-Much Fighting And Great Losses-Daring Deeds By Co. "D"-Col. Burnham Ordered To Maine -Lieut. Harris In Command-Rappahannock Station-Col. Harris Seriously Wounded And Maj. Fuller Takes Command-Defending Washington-Arrival At Portland-Mustered Out.
The Sixth regiment, after leaving Bangor, rendezvoused at Port- land and reached Washington July 19th, '61. For the remainder of the year they located at the following places:
At Chain Bridge, July 20th to Sept. 3d.
At what is now Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia, from Sept. 3d to Sept. 28th.
On a line of march from Sept. 28th to Oct. 1st.
At Vanderberg's, Virginia, from Oct, 1st to Oct. 10th.
On a line of March from Oct. 10th to Oct. 12th.
At Lewinsville, Va .. from Oct. 12th to Dec. 1st.
From December 1st to April 4th, '62, they occupied Fort Griffin, with occasional jaunts back and forth.
Col. Knowles having resigned in December, Lieut. Col. Burnham was promoted to his place, and Capt. Chas. H. Chandler, of Co. A, was promoted to fill his place. The roster of field and staff officers then stood:
Colonel, HIRAM BURNHAM, of Cherryfield.
Lient. Col .. CHAS. H. CHANDLER, Foxcroft.
Major, FRANK PIERCE, Bucksport.
Adjutant, JOHN D. MCFARLAND, Ellsworth. Quartermaster, ADDISON P. BUCK. Foxcroft.
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BRIG .- GEN. HIRAM BURNHAM.
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Surgeon, EUGENE F. SANGER, Bangor.
Assistant Surgeon. GEO. W. MARTIN, Houlton.
Chaplain, ZENAS THOMPSON, Portland.
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The companies were commanded as follows : Company A, Sewell C. Gray, Exeter.
Company B, Isaac Frazier, Ellsworth.
Company C, Benjamin F. Harris, Machias.
Company D, Joel A. Haycock, Calais.
Company E, Joseph Snowman. Bucksport. Company F. William N. Lyser. Pembroke. Company G, Ralph W. Young, Rockland.
Company H, George Fuller, Corinth.
Company I. William H. Stanchfield, Milo. Company K, Theodore Carey, Eastport.
Up to this time there had resigned, Col. Abner Knowles, of Bangor, Quartermaster Isaac Strickland. of Bangor, Assistant Sur- geon, John Baker, of East Machias, Capt. Moses Brown, Company A, Brownville, and Capt. Albert G. Burton, of Oldtown, of Com- pany I.
Capt. Geo. Fuller, was sick at his home in Corinth.
At an early hour on the morning of April 5th, 1862, the Sixth Regiment left the camp at Warwick Creek and proceeded to re- connoitre the enemy's works in that vicinity. Four prisoners were captured, when the rebels commenced to shell the skirmishers of the Sixth, during which, several were wounded. The regiment however, held their position until the reconnaissance by Gen. Hancock and Lieut. Comstock of Gen. McClellan's staff, was com- pleted. A second reconnoissance immediately followed, in the direction of Lee's Mills, and was attended with similar success. Another reconnaissance on the 7th, proved a considerable affair to to the Sixth. and which elicited from Gen. MeClellan his thanks.
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At the battle of Lee's Mills, on the 16th, the Sixth supported our artillery, and was exposed to a heavy fire.
On the 24th, another reconnaissance was performed successfully by the Sixth, in the direction of Warwick Creek, which was fol- lowed on the 28th by another to the same place, a brisk skirmish occurring on each occasion.
At the battle of Williamsburg, May 5th, the Sixth supported Kennedy's battery from 1 to 5 o'clock P. M., under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, until by order of Gen. Hancock, the four right companies of the regiment were placed in an earthwork in the centre of our lines, while the other companies were formed immediately on the left. Thus disposed, the regiment received the hottest of the enemy's fire, but not a man wavered. Our fire now became terrific, and the enemy was soon repulsed with great slaughter.
A charge was made by the Union forces and successfully exe- cuted. Two days after the battle Gen. McClellan made a compli- mentary address to the Sixth, for its services on this occasion.
The battle of Garnett's Farm took place June 27th. At an ear- ly hour of the morning of that day, the Sixth Regiment, which formed a portion of the first brigade under command of Gen. Han- cock, was ordered to the front, where a working party was en- gaged in throwing up earthworks. On their arrival, Col. Burnham took a position a short distance in the rear of the earthworks, on the right, near a piece of woods, with orders to hold it at all haz- ards. In front of this earthwork was a large, level field, at the upper portion of which was planted the enemy's batteries, while at a short distance in Gen. Hancock's rear was a deep ravine, on the opposite side of which we had a masked battery of siege guns. About 9 a. m., the enemy appeared in force on the left, as if pre- paring for an attack. Upon this the working party with the force
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that supported it, withdrew across the ravine. At 10 o'clock the enemy opened with its artillery, directing his fire, principally at the woods where the Sixth lay, and at our own battery which had been unmasked, and which after an hour's rapid firing, silenced the enemy's guns, forcing the rebels to retire out of range.
During this duel, the Sixth had two men killed and one wound- ed. At sunset, the enemy again opened his batteries, but as before, he was shortly compelled to desist firing and retire. When it was quite dark in the woods a few shots from the enemy, in- stantly followed by a volley along our whole line, brought every man to his feet. The attack, though sudden, was not unexpected, and immediately the enemy's fire was returned, and with effect, as was afterwards ascertained when he advanced a short distance from the woods, and after nearly an hour's rapid exchange of shots, silently withdrew. This was a singular combat in many respects, as no enemy could be seen, and his presence was only manifested by the flash and crack of his guns, and by the whistling of his bullets over the heads of our men. During the engagement the Sixth had expended over fifty rounds of ammunition, on an average. Many of their guns were rendered useless by foulness, in consequence of which, as well as from want of ammunition, they, with the remainder of the brigade, were relieved by another brigade, and Col. Burnham was ordered to withdraw quietly with his regiment and return to camp, where he arrived shortly after 1 o'clock. During this engagement the casualties were, one man killed and twenty-three wounded. Three of the latter died shortly afterward.
At 4 o'clock, Col. Burnham received orders to prepare for a hasty move. Breakfast was quickly eaten, and the work of get- ting in readiness promptly commenced. It was evident that a movement towards James River was contemplated. Col. Burn-
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ham was ordered to report the whole of his command to Gen. Smith for fatigue duty. when the men were furnished with axes, and ordered to cut down the skirt of the forest, in which was lo- cated their camp. This was done in order to afford a range for our artillery, in case the enemy made an attack. On this being accomplished, the regiment was ordered to the left of the felled trees, with the rest of the First Brigade, when, as the order was being obeyed, a rebel battery opened a furious fire, which was silenced however, by one of our own batteries. The Sixth, how- ever, succeeded in getting into position, with the loss of one man, who was seriously wounded. Another brief engagement shortly followed, ending in the rebels being repulsed with great slaughter, and no further fighting took place in that vicinity that day. Meanwhile the Sixth kept their original position, while the great- er part of our forces made their retreat.
During the night they were bivouacked in line of battle, every man with his rifle at his side, ready to spring to his feet and give battle in case of attack. At last, only the division to which the Sixth belonged was left, and their position was evidently a critical one, for, notwithstanding, forces were within supporting dis- tance, yet, it was plain that in case of attack they would have to stand the brunt of battle. But the enemy did not choose to attack. On the following Monday, (the 20th) their division began to fall back, leaving a proper force of cavalry and artillery behind, as a rear guard of the corps.
Falling back about three miles, they came to a large field, con- taining a strong force of our troops and a great number of bag- gage wagons. Positions were taken in line of battle, while a halt of about three hours was made, during which the retreat went on. Resuming the line of march, the division moved along slowly un- til they reached a field a short distance from Savage Station.
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There another halt was made, and the division deployed in line of battle, and were stationed in the edge of a piece of woods, in which position they remained until about 2 o'clock, when, keep- ing up the line of battle, they passed through the woods to Sav- age Station, and halted a short way beyond. On resuming the march, they proceeded about a mile, when a rattling fire of mus- ketry in the rear showed them that the enemy had attacked our forces at the station. Forthwith the division was marched rapid- ly to the scene of action, and when they arrived the battle was raging furiously. The Second Brigade of Gen. Brooks was hurl- ed into the thickest of the fight, while the remainder of the divis- ion was stationed as a support. By the order of Gen. Hancock, the Sixth was marched half a mile through a piece of woods, and . took a position on the right, in order to prevent the enemy from out-flanking. The position was an honorary as well as a danger- ous one. Col. Burnham at once established communication with the rest of the Brigade, and awaited an attack on his right flank, which he doubted not would be made, as the enemy subsequent- ly threatened.
After a sharp and bloody engagement, the rebels were repulsed. The Sixth did not actively engage in the battle, although they were under a heavy fire, and shared many of its perils. At 9 o'clock, the Division was again put in motion, leaving Heintzel- man's forces to hold, for a time, the hard-earned field. The Sixth was put in the advance, and as it was expected that the enemy would, by their cavalry, make a dash for the road and attempt to cut them off, to lead the advance was surely an honorable position. The four right companies of the Sixth were detached, and thrown some distance ahead as an advance guard. Two squads, under non-commissioned officers, were thrown still farther ahead, to feel the way. In this order they marched until 3 o'clock on the morn-
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ing of the 30th, when they crossed the White Oak Bridge, and took position on the heights beyond. Here a halt was ordered by Gen. Hancock, and the men, totally worn out by the severe labors of the past twenty-four hours, threw themselves on the ground, and were almost instantly asleep. At 10 o'clock, on the next morning, White Oak Bridge was blown up, and our troops were deployed in line of battle along the heights, where they could meet the enemy advantageously, in case he should approach. By · order of Gen. Hancock, Col. Burnham posted his regiment on the extreme right of the line, near a creek, where it was thought the rebels would attempt to cross and turn our flank. He threw out pickets, and let his men rest in line of battle. The day was exceedingly hot and oppressive. The long hours passed slowly away, and up to noon there was nothing which indicated the enemy's approach. Suddenly, without premonition, the enemy opened a spirited fire with twenty pieces of artillery from the opposite side of the creek. For a while the cannonading was ter- rific, an unceasing shower of shell raining upon a portion of our lines. In obedience to orders, the Sixth was marched from the right to the centre of our lines, taking a position in the rear of the batteries, within supporting distance. This position was main- tained throughout the fight, which raged for three hours with aw- ful fury, and during which the Sixth had two men seriously wounded. At 4 o'clock the enemy's guns were silenced, and they withdrew.
At 11 o'clock the Division was again put in motion, the Sixth still keeping the advance. Col. Burnham was instructed by Gen. Hancock, to use the utmost vigilance, as it was confidently ex- pected that the enemy would make an attack with the intention of cutting him off. He therefore detached the four left com- panies of his regiment, and put them under the command of Ma-
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jor Harris. The night was spent in rapid marching, and the forti- tude of the men, worn out as they were by the severe labors of the preceding three days, was taxed almost beyond endurance. It was exceedingly warm, and the men suffered terribly from scarcity of water, but with ranks well closed, the brave fellows kept pushing on steadily. Twice, during the night, Gen. Han- cock sent orders for the advance guard to move with the utmost watchfulness and care, and be at all times prepared for the attack which was apprehended. At length, on the morning of July 1st, at a few minutes past 4 o'clock, they emerged from the swamps of the Chickahominy, in sight of the James River, at Turkey Bend. Here they remained until 11 o'clock, when their Brigade was put in motion, while they were stationed to guard a road, where it was thought the Rebel Cavalry might make its appearance. In this position they remained until 3 o'clock the following morning, when Col. Burnham was ordered to move with the rest of the Division down the river. Through a violent rain storm they marched until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when they arrived at Harrison's Landing and encamped in a large wheat field. . Here they remained until the next morning, when they were again put in motion, and marched about three miles from the James River, where they halted.
On September 11th, the Sixth formed the advance of our col- umn, and in a skirmish with the enemy at the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain, drove him back without loss. At the battle of Crampt- on's Pass, on the 14th, the Sixth participated, though they were not actively engaged. On the 15th, Col. Burnham took possession of a pass in South Mountain, after a sharp skirmish, during which he captured four prisoners. The position was held till night-fall, when his command returned to the brigade. At the battle of Antietam, on the 17th, the Sixth arrived on the field! at ten
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o'clock, in the forenoon, and took position near the right of our line, where our forces had just fallen back, after a most desperate charge. The enemy opened fire on them but he was driven back. The Sixth participated in the battle of Fredricksburg. On the morning of December 12th they crossed the Rappahannock, at the lower bridge. At ten o'clock they moved up and took position under the entrenched batteries of the enemy, who shelled them severely all the day. The Sixth was in the center of the line of battle, and their position was an exposed one, as the rebel batteries on their right enfiladed them with ease and accuracy. This posi- tion was maintained three days, during which time the men acquitted themselves creditably. On January 3d, '63, the regiment was encamped near Bell Plain, Va. Here they remained until early on the morning of January 20th, when they left their camp and proceeded to Banks' Ford, where Gen. Burnside attempted crossing and giving battle to the enemy, but the mud being so deep, on account of a two day's rain, the movement was abandoned and the regiment returned to its former camp, arriving on the 23d.
Feb. 2d, the regiment being assigned to the "Light Division," proceeded to Potomac Creek and went into winter quarters.
On the forenoon of April 28th the regiment, under command of Lieut. Col. Harris, marched towards the Rappahannock, and that night was engaged in transporting and launching pontoons, preparatory to crossing the river. April 30th the regiment pro- ceeded to Falmouth, and on the afternoon of May 1st went across the river and took position in the front line of battle. May 2d an advance of the entire line of battle was ordered, and the regi- ment went forward in line of battle, the skirmishers driving the enemy before them, until darkness put a stop to the advance. During the night the regiment was ordered to proceed to Freder- ieksburg, and soon after daylight it formed in line of battle, in
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front of the Heights of St. Marys. A few moments after 10 o'clock A. M., the order to charge was given, and the regiment advanced on the double-quick. In this battle, the Sixth won a. reputation that will live with the history of the rebellion. The supporting regiments on the right and left, broke under the terrific fire, and the enemy turned his attention to the Sixth Maine and Fifth Wisconsin. The entire fire of the enemy swept through the devoted ranks of the two regiments, but with wild cheers the men rushed on to the fortifications; and the victory was won in four minutes from the beginning of the attack. The flag of the Sixth was the first to wave from the battlements of the enemy's works. The loss to the regiment in this terrible engagement was great, no less than one hundred and twenty-eight, officers and men, being killed and wounded. Major Joel Haycock, and Captains Young, Gray and Ballinger were instantly killed.
On the afternoon of the 3d of May, the regiment proceeded slowly up the plank road leading out of Fredricksburg, and sup- ported our batteries, during the latter part of the battle of Salem Heights. May 4th, the regiment was not actively engaged with the enemy, but was moved from point to point of the line, in order to deceive the enemy as to our actual strength, and to sup- port weak points. During the night the regiment, with the Light Division, covered the retreat of the Sixth corps (crossing the river), was attacked by the enemy, who had succeeded in cutting through the picket line, but escaped by a circuitous route, after handsomely repulsing the attack.
On the 11th of May, the "Light Division " was broken up, and the regiments composing it assigned to different brigades, in con- sequence of the. discharge from the service of two years and nine months troops. The Sixth was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps.
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On the ninth day of June, the regiment having arrived at Kel- ley's Ford, in company with two other regiments of infantry, under command of Gen. Russell, dashed across the river, surpris- ing and routing the enemy. The pursuit was continued until reaching Brandy Station, where joining Gen. Ames with a force of infantry and cavalry, the command retired to the north bank of the river, having accomplished the object of the expedition. which was the gaining of correct information about the movements of the enemy.
The regiment participated in the long and fatiguing marches of the Pennsylvania campaign, and arrived at Gettysburg, having marched thirty-six miles the same day. The Sixth was not act- ively engaged in that memorable battle, but occupied a responsible position on the extreme left flank of the army, until the last desperate charge of the enemy upon our left centre, when it was ordered to act as reserve. In the close pursuit of the enemy, July 5th, the Sixth regiment was in the front, skirmishing not unfre- quently with the rear guard, and kept this exposed but honorable position until Lee succeeded in crossing into Virginia. July 12th the regiment being in line of battle near Turkstown, Md., support- ing the skirmish line of the division, Captain Furlong, with his company (D), numbering twenty-five men only, went beyond the skirmishers and succeeded in surprising a portion of the enemy's pickets, killing and wounding about thirty and capturing thirty- two prisoners without losing a man. July 19th, the regiment crossed the Potomac on its way into the interior of Virginia. The day following, Col. Burnham was ordered to Maine, on duty connected with the Draft, and the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Harris.
The regiment encamped near Warrenton, Va., during the month of August, until the first of September, when it proceeded
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to Culpepper C. H.,. Va., and was engaged in repairing the roads between Culpepper and Hazle River. After rendering the roads and ford passable, the regiment returned to Culpepper, and remained there until October 5th, when, with the corps it pro- ceeded to the Rapidan, relieving the Second Corps October 10th, the regiment started on the return march with the army, and arrived at a point near Centreville and Chantilly, where a line of battle was formed, and the army remained there a number of days, awaiting the attack of the enemy. While there about fifty men of the Sixth, being on picket, were attacked by about five hundred of Stuart's Cavalry, but handsomely repulsed them after a spirited skirmish.
On the 19th, the regiment advanced to Warrenton, and at the battle of Rappahannock Station, was deployed as a double line of skirmishers, and with the Fifth Wisconsin, charged the enemy's works, which were carried at the point of the bayonet. The Sixth was ahead of the Wisconsin boys when it entered the fortifications, and had to resist the tremendous attack of the enemy until the arrival of the Fifth Wisconsin, rendered the vic- tory ours.
The storming of the enemy's left by the Fifth Maine, and the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York completed the work, and the whole force, consisting of the very flower of the rebel army, was captured. Sixteen officers and one hundred and twenty-three men were killed and wounded. Lieut. Col. Harris was dangerously wounded in the early part of the battle, and the command devolved upon Maj. Fuller. Capt. Furlong and Lieuts. Wilkins and MeKinley were killed. This frightful mortality, especially among the officers, (as the regiment went into the fight with only twenty-one officers and three hundred enlisted men), shows the desperation with which the fight was conducted.
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On the 27th of October, the Sixth went to the support of the Third Corps, then engaged with the enemy at Locust Grove. The prompt arrival of the command turned the fortunes of the day, and the enemy promptly retired. The regiment returned with the army, and marched back to its former camp, near Wilbur Ford.
The Sixth remained in camp at Brandy Station, Va., from Jan. Ist, 1864, until the opening of Gen. Grant's campaign, May 4th, when two days afterwards they forming a part of the Sixth Corps, were engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, but not in that portion of the lines that suffered a heavy attack At the battle of Spottsylvania, on the Sth, they were engaged and lost a few men by the sharpshooters; also participated in the attack and capture of the enemy's works on the right, and being compelled to retreat, suffered a loss of one hundred and twenty-five men. On the 12th the regiment numbering only seventy men, was under fire eight hours, supporting Gen. Hancock's forces, and losing sixteen officers and men, killed and wounded. The regiment was engaged in several skirmishes, experiencing no casualties, until arriving at Cold Harbor, where for twelve days the men were engaged in building fortifications, skirmishing, etc.
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