USA > Maine > History of the Fifth regiment Maine volunteers, comprising brief descriptions of its marches, engagements, and general services from the date of its muster in, June 24, 1861, to the time of its muster out, July 27, 1864 > Part 17
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You have all contributed everything within your power, facing the cannon's mouth, indifferent to your own personal welfare, following the standard of your nationality unhesi- tatingly, determined upon the downfall of traitors to your country, to your flag, to your prized institutions, to mantle the Fifth Maine Regiment with imperishable honor and glory; in a word, to make the command what it is. All honor to the officers and men of this regiment, honor which to you is individually due,-justly and nobly won.
And while we are permitted to enjoy the laurels which the gallantry of the regiment has won, let us not forget those noble and self-sacrificing comrades, who, fearing nothing. rushed on with the word " victory" upon their lips, till the fatal missiles of death eut them down in the very moment of our triumph. Forget not the example of the gallant FRENCH. who, lying wounded and in the very agonies of death, cried out, " don't stop for me, boys, but on, ox." nor forget others, all known to you, who though suffering from the most severe and acute wounds, scarcely uttered a groan, smiling amid their agony as they listened to the victorions shouts of their triumphant comrades, Sacrificed upon the altar of our country, let us cherish their memories, emulate their exam- ples, and glory will wreath our histories.
By order of
CLARK S. EDWARDS, Col. Commd'g. Regt.
Gro. W. BICKNELL, Ist Lieut. and Adjutant.
Our loss in this engagement was seven killed, in- cluding Lieutenants John S. French, of Company . B .. "
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and William A. Tubbs, of Company "I .. " and twenty- eight enlisted men wounded, many of whom did not long survive their transfer to Washington, making an aggregate of thirty-five loss. Considering the length of the action, this loss was very heavy.
The rebel battle-ilags were captured by the follow- ing wounded men.
Lieutenant ANDREW S. LYox, Company K., cap- tured the Eighth Louisiana.
Corporal EMORY P. BLONDELL, Company D., cap- tured the Sixth North Carolina.
Corporal THEODORE SHACKFORD, Company A., cap- tured the Fifty-fourth North Carolina.
Private JAMES A. LITTLEFIELD, Company I., cap- tured the Seventh North Carolina.
It was but a few moments after the decisive blow had been struck before the enemy were all taken care of, and peace and rest surrounded the field. Even though we had been blessed with such a success, we did not deem it best to waste too much of our pre- cious time in talking it over; for we had learned that sometimes adversity follows the brightest prosperity. Besides, the labors of the day and the night had been extremely arduous, and nature demanded her rights, that we might be prepared for future duties.
- The next morning we were up bright and early, and having disposed of our breakfast, we were soon again upon the march. We at once crossed the river, but found that the rebels had Hed. We had captured the key to their position, and so they wisely took to
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their legs. Evidences in the shape of half-finished log-houses, a well laid out encampment, indicated an intention upon their part to make that vicinity their winter-quarters. Our intrusion upon their plans evi- dently was not desired. But we could not stop to consult their feelings apon such matters. We at once pushed on, following them very closely, though they, having the start of us, were able to move more rapidly. We marched to a point near Brandy Station, where we went into temporary camp. The weather was now terrible cold, and huge log fires were appreciated.
On the morning of the tenth, a large detachment of the regiment, in company with a detachment from the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, proceeded in light marching order to General Meade's head- quarters, for the purpose of presenting the flag- which had been captured to the general. This public and noble recognition of our services was by the com- mand of the general himself; and the reader may rest assured that it was appreciated. High compliments were bestowed upon the bravery manifested by the command, and thanks were especially expressed to the fortunate bearers of the trophies. It was a proud day for the boys, one which can never be forgotten. They returned to camp with light hearts, happy in a consciousness of duty well performed, and joyous over its honorable and meritorious recognition.
The following morning we marchel some three miles, and went into camp near Hazel river, where we were destined to remain abont a fortnight, when
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another scene in the drama of our campaigning for eighteen hundred and sixty-three was to be enacted, before we should settle down into what we supposed must ultimatlely follow-winter-quarters.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
Orders to move. On the march. Fatigue duty. Cross the Rapidan. Under fire. In the wilderness. Preparations for a charge. Enemy's position. Heroic appearance of the men. Enemy's strength too much. Troops fall back. Arrange- ments for camping.
A COLD storm had been raging for several days ; but finally it cleared away, and, with the returning sun- light, it was deemed expedient to make another dem- onstration upon the enemy, and endeavor again to enact the role of " on to Richmond." So, stumbling along amid the darkness as well as he could, an orderly from the general's head-quarters appeared about mid- night one night at the various colonels' tents in our brigade, and with grum tones, annonneed the instruc- tions with which he was commissioned, for us to be ready to move at precisely six o'clock the following morning. It was generally understood that this ad- vance meant work ; that we were to push on until we found the enemy ; and that, when we had found him, we were to give him a test of our pluck and strength in a regular pitche l battle. So it seemed to be our lot that, upon the very day that our loved friends in New England were enjoying their annual thanksgiving, we were to be pressing forward to terrible conflict, and
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many, we knew not who, to receive their death-blow. We had received indirect instructions the evening pre- vious, that a movement might be expected upon our part, as the roar of cannon, not very far distant, indi- cated an uneasy feeling between the two forces.
At six o'clock on the morning of the twenty-sixth of November, we were all ready for a movement, and at seven o'clock we commeneed our forward march. It was a bitter cold morning; and a brisk march, as ours proved, was indeed preferable to the slow, tor- turous movements which had frequently fallen to our lot. The roads were not in a very good condition ; and so, after a march of a few miles, we found it necessary to assist the teams along, in many cases, the horses being unable to draw them through the mud- holes on the way. Our brigade was assigned to the duty of rear-guard of the division; and as it is usual for the teams to follow the troops, and they finding much difficulty in their passage, our duty was almost doubled.
"Hold on, a team stuck," eries somebody.
On go the ropes which were carried in case of emergeney, and being manned, away pull the boys, defying all horse-flesh in getting a cart out of a bad place. There was one hole in particular where every passing team was sure to get mired. Here we la- bored in this fatigue duty for six hours, Sometimes down would break a cart. "Tip it over out of the way: demolish its contents," would be the instrue- tions which we would receive. instructions usually
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faithfully carried out, thus giving the boys an oppor- tunity to display their destructive qualities, with- out any regard to Uncle Sam's pecuniary interests. Smashing up things was not deemed a matter of con- science in those days. Now don't let the civilian reader go into a long-faced homily over this evidence of depravity, and sigh over such wastes which have made taxes a little higher perhaps ; for where the sol- dier, through what seemed necessity, caused a loss of one dollar to the government, too many are the in- stances where the man at home, through returns which he knew to be a little " irregular," has caused a loss to the government of tenfold that amount. So glide gently over these faults, dear reader, remember- ing that they are simply recorded here to carry the mind of the Fifth Maine soldier back and strengthen his recollection of the exciting scenes of by-gone days.
Well, we were speaking of a mid-hole in partie- ular. Every team which was compelled to pass through it, and there were a good many of them, would sink in over the hubs, and which no horses or mules could draw out. So, in order to get on to Rich- mond, and carry our rations, the men must pull as well as march; and pull they did with a will and spirit. There we worked until nearly eleven o'clock at night, when our duty being accomplished, we marche l'onwar I for about one mile, and bivouacked for the night. Oar thanksgiving dinner and supper that day consiste l of fat raw pork, hard bread, and
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cold water. We almost sighed for some of the good things which at home were freely given the dogs. I need not assure the reader, that, at the close of that day's work, we were all very tired.
On Friday morning at five o'clock we were again in line, and, soon after, we were pushing rapidly for- ward toward the Rapidan river, which we crossed at eight o'clock the same morning. Here we found a very large body of troops, some told us the whole army, massed and preparing to advance. About noon we were again in motion, but had proceeded only about one mile, before we heard heavy musketry in our front. The Third Corps had met the enemy, and all the afternoon the battle waged hot and fierce. Our corps soon assumed position, and about three o'clock we were advancing in line toward the battle- field. It did not require long to bring us within range, and for an hour or two our ranks received their full share of shot, shell, and bullets. Nearing a point within about five hundred yards of the rebel position, we threw up a sort of breastwork made out of fence rails. This answered as quite a protection from the enemy's musketry. We were acting as sup- ports to another line immediately in our front, and which position prevented us from giving the enemy the benefit of any of our musketry, though we were compelled to receive heavy volleys from the foe. As soon as the sun had set, the enemy fell back. and left us in possession of the field. We were kept upon the alert, however, until nearly ten o'clock, when we were allowed to lie down and rest.
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At one o'clock the following morning we were aroused, and at once put into motion, pursuing the enemy toward Robinson's Tavern, which place we reached about sunrise. Here we prepared and eat our hasty breakfast, and then were ready for the day's work. Skirmishing was going on in our front, and about eight o'clock we were deployed into line of battle, and advanced toward a piece of woods called the Wilderness. And indeed it was a wilderness, -- truly and well named,-a wild forest, twelve miles square, with only an occasional opening, and with only one or two passable roads or paths through it. It was with the greatest difficulty that any sort of a line could be kept ; indeed, it was most terrible marching. One could scareely keep upon his horse, nor could we see either right or left or front more than a rod or two. But yet all things are possible, perhaps, at least we managed to advance a long distance, I cannot tell how far. perhaps three miles into this forest, to find the rebs. I know we kept going on, on, bearing with us most anxious hearts, and expecting a volley from the infantry, or destruction from some masked bat- tery, every moment. Finally, we reached the top of a hill, which overlooked a plain beyond, and also another gentle rise less than a mile away, but upon which the enemy were posted in one of the strongest positions we ever beheld. We reached this point about nom, wet to the skin, a severe rain having fallen all the forenoon.
At this point upon the hill we halted. We were in the alvanes, an Iso we thought the halt was given
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in order that the remaining portions of the corps might get into position. Yet the afternoon passed and still we remained. Possibly we congratulated ourselves upon this, because when one is tired and cold and wet he does not have much encouragement or disposition to engage in mortal conflict. Skirmish- ing in our front, and cannonading on either flank, was in progress all the afternoon. We looked forward to the future with anxiety; and though ready to do our duty I believe, yet it was not unaccompanied with dread.
The next day was Sunday; and, strange to relate, it was a quiet and peaceful day, except a little picket firing along the line. Though the rain had ceased, yet it was cloudy and unpleasant. Besides, it was very cold, so cold that water froze hard. No fires were allowed either day or night, and hence, without our customary coffee, it was very tedious. During the day rumors spread through the camp that the next morning the ball would open in earnest. If fires were allowed, our position might be easily determined by the enemy, who might make it very unpleasant for us. So, running about to keep warm, the day passed, and probably all hoping that such another one would not fall to our lot again.
'At two o'clock on Monday morning we were aroused from our restive slumbers, and, without wait- ing for any breakfast, our brigade commenced a move- ment to the right of our position. We marched per- haps half a mile, more or less, when we were halted,
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and stacking arms, we remained "in place rest," anx- iously awaiting orders. We knew something of what the plan of operations was to be,-to carry the en- emy's position by storm. General Warren was to make a demonstration upon the left, the center was to be pressed forward, while our corps, by making a mighty charge, was to turn the enemy's flank. A very good arrangement, provided it might be sue- cessful.
The hours passed slowly ; but finally daylight came, and we were enabled to perceive our position. Posted as before in the edge of a piece of woods, upon the summit of a rise of ground which lay before us, we had a full view of the field for the intended opera- tions. From our front, the ground descended for a third of a mile, perhaps, though gently. At the foot of this descent was a narrow stream of water about four feet deep. Rising from this stream was another open space, filled with riffe-pits and breastworks of the enemy, terminating at its summit in woods, along the edge of which lay the enemy's artillery and army. Over this interval two-thirds of a mile, under the con- stant fire of the foe, to ford this stream, becoming thus thoroughly wet, the weather so cold that one's clothes must freeze in a short time, push over the well-filled pits of the rebel skirmishers and gain the enemy's position, and, in the mean time, give him an oppor- tunity to mow down half of our men, and, in case of failure upon our part, kill and capture the balance, we were expected to charge and perform an almost
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impossible task. Not a man in our command who did not realize his position. Not one who, as from under the cover of those trees he looked down and up that open space, did not see the letters death before his vision. Watch those men as one after another take a view of the situation. Not a word is spoken. All are silent. No discussion of probabilities. But you see the teeth set a little more firmly, the hand closes involuntarily. The step is heavy, but firm. There is a look of determined desperation. Every one has counted the cost. "Fall in," comes the order. Do those men hesitate? Not a man. No skulking, no going to the rear, no suddenly sick ones now. They know nothing but duty, and that Anty is to obey.
Hark! a signal gun. The left throws itself upon the foe. Anxiously our men await their orders. The fight grows terrible. Every nerve is strained. The suspense is awful. See,-down dashes an orderly. A few words with our general. A whisper could be heard through the ranks. The brief conference is over. The news flies with lightning speed through the ranks. General Warren has failed! The enemy is too strong! We shall not charge !
I cannot describe the next moment. No cheering, no expression. But oh, such a sense of relief as over- spread those men, cannot even be imagined. It al- most seemed as if they had been rescued from the very jaws of death. Not but that they would have obeyed orders to rush into any conceivable danger; but never before nor since had such an universal tate
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seemed to hang over a command as would have hung over, and I believe attended us, had an advance move- ment, as proposed, been made.
On Tuesday morning the army began to fall back. The wounded were placed in ambulances, and for two days were jerked and jolted over the worst road possible to conceive. It lay through woods and fields, through brooks, ravines, over rocks, and almost every imaginable unevenness. Fancy the roughest wood road in our forests in mud-time, when wheels go nearly to the hub, then over rocks, logs, and stones, and you have a slight outline of the Virginia road over which the ambulances traveled. The route of the troops was a little better, though that was rough enough, and tough enough. After falling back some fifteen miles, we went into eamp near the Rap- idan, experiencing all of the sensations which accom- pany a party who has come out second best in any undertaking.
The next day our labor was mostly directed in assisting our teams along. The next, December third, we continued our retreating march, arriving about noon back to our old quarters, finding our camps in good condition, and every man ready to sing, "oh, ain't I glad to get out of the wilderness-out of the wilderness-ont of the wilderness."
It became now the general conviction that we had done campaigning for a season at least ; and that the sooner that we put ourselves into comfortable quar- ters for the winter, the better it would be. The very
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cold nights, and the frost-tinged days admonished us that we could not hope for much favor from the out- side weather. So when advised by authority to take such measures to make ourselves as comfortable as we could for an indefinite period of time, it was with a will that the men set themselves to the work of ar- ranging their camp, and securing a comfortable home for the winter.
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CHAPTER XXV.
Camp at Wellford's Ford, Hazel River. Its streets, tents, houses, gnard and opera houses, chapel, etc., etc. Captain Walker's bridge. Leaves of absence and furloughs. Ladies in camp. Capture of Lieutenant John H. Stevens and men. Reenlistments. Amusements in camp. Reconnoisance from camp. A hard march back to camp.
THE camp which we now occupied, was hardly deemed desirable for permanent winter-quarters, and so permission was obtained from head-quarters for our brigade to cross over the Hazel river, which was rather a narrow stream, and pitch our camp in a mag- nificent grove back from the banks of the river, and upon high and dry ground. This was upon the prop- erty of John Minor Botts, a professedly strong Union man. We had learned much in the business of camp- making since our encampment at White Oak Church : and now the ingenuity of the men was displayed in erecting the best winter-quarters in the army. The timber upon the ground afforded abundant material, and which was used to most excellent advantage. Immediately upon entering upon this ground, the camp, with all of its streets, walks, parade, etc., etc .; was laid out with serupulous exactness; and every man was expected to conform to regulations. The
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company streets were wide and neatly turnpiked. A side-walk about four feet wide, made of small limbs of trees about two inches through, lain down cross-wise and secured by long rails pinned to the earth, ran through every street, and also through other parts of the camp. This was a work which required some time and labor, but its appearance and convenience amply repaid the men for their trouble. One could step from any tent and traverse the entire encamp- ment upon this walk.
The houses were built of logs split in two, the flat sides neatly hewn to a smooth surface and placed ont- ward, presenting a neat exterior, the ends dovetailed, thus rendering them warm and tight. These houses were built about five feet high, and about six feet long and wide. The roof's were steep, formed of the shel- ter tents, thus affording plenty of height, and admit- ting the light. The interiors were models of neat- ness, nearly all of the walls being covered with paper and pictures. Each house was the quarters of four men, two bunks being placed one above the other, each wide enough for two, across the inner end of the house. The chimneys were built by the entrance of the house, and, throughout the camp, presented an uniform appearance. Though small, yet these houses were very comfortable and cosy and pleasant.
The head-quarters of the regiment were at the rear of the regiment, though facing the river. Trees were set out in front, presenting a very pleasant scene. The guard-house was a large log-house built expressly
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for the purpose. In fine, everything throughout the camp was tasteful and pleasant. The quarters of some of the company officers were especially neatly arranged, as company was expected from the North.
Some days were expended in the arrangement of our camp, when the colonel commanding the brigade. desirous that the officers and men should not get rusty in military matters, inaugurated regular bat- talion and brigade drills almost every day. Schools of instruction for the officers in tacties were also rees- tablished, and in which many made great proficiency. A thorough system in every department in the brigade was effected; and here it may be said, that the discipline was established by which such great results were effected in subsequent time. Our bat- talion drills were usually conducted in most excellent manner either by Lieutenant-colonel Millett, or Major Daggett. Our colonel was a magnificent fighter, but he hated the dull monotony of the drill-ground.
It has not been my purpose to enlogize any living men or officers, nor call special attention to any of their works, for the reason that such discriminations might be unjust to other members of the regiment whose gallant deeds would fill many volumes. I have preferred to give general outlines which would enable the Fifth Maine boy to refresh his mind relative to the scenes and events of the past. I cite the follow- ing incident simply to record testimony to the intel- ligence and mechanical skill of the troops from the Pine Tree State.
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Preparatory to his great campaign in the spring of 1864, General Grant abolished the regimental Pioneer Corps; and in order to render that arm of the ser- vice more efficient, he organized what was termed the Division Engineer Corps. The First Division En- gineer Corps was commanded by Captain Nathan Walker of the Fifth Maine. The Second Brigade of the First Division, of which we formed a part, camped, as I have said, upon the opposite side of the river from the main army, and occupying a position upon the extreme right of the army, our only communica- tion with the main body was by a pontoon bridge which was extremely liable to be carried away by every rise of water in the river. Captain Walker was, therefore, directed to build a substantial bridge. Upon examining the resources at his command, it was found to consist of an axe and shovel to each man, one two- inch auger, one one-inch auger, one cross-ent saw, and one chisel. With this small complement of tools, and not a stick of timber cut, a trestle-bridge tico hundred and forty feet in length and twenty-five in height, to- gether with seven hundred and fifty yards of corduroy roud necessary to reach it, was built in three days' time, employing less than a dozen men. It was con- structel entirely of round timber out from the woods, and would bear wagon trains or artillery. I venture to say, that, with such limited facilities, this piece of engineering skill and rapidity is seldom equitel. It was visited by General Meade and many other distin- gnished officer-, who highly complimented the work
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of our boys and their commander. Captain Walker's Engineer Corps rendered very efficient service during the active campaigning, in building bridges, roads, rifle-pits, and were under fire much of the time. It is generally supposed that the work of the Engineer Corps was one of safety. Bat in Grant's campaigns it proved to be vastly otherwise.
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