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 18
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In the early part of our camp-life, orders reached us that leaves of absence and furloughs would be granted to Maine officers and men, a certain number to be absent at a time. These were precious seasons to those who were so fortunate as to secure them. To look forward fifteen days, it seemed a long time of happiness; to look backyard when they had expire 1, oh how short, how brief!
A new feature during our stay in that camp, was presented by the presence of many ladies in various commands, wives of both officers and men. The in- genuity of each man who gained permission for his wife to visit him in camp, was displayed in fitting up the very best accommodations it was possible. Great care was exercised that there should be no imposi- tions practiced. There were several ladies in our own regiment ; and certainly their presence carried much cheer, not only to their own companions, but to all of the boys. One could not help noticing the feel- ing of refinement which a single laly would exert over the entire command.
On the fourteenth day of December, Lieutenant John II. Stevens of our regiment, was ordered, with a
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detail of three or four men, outside of the lines of our encampment to procure some bricks with which to build fire-places. Nearly reaching the place desig- nated, a band of guerillas bore down upon him, killing his horse beneath him, and finally capturing both him and his men. A tour in " Libby," and other Southern prisons, was the consequence of this. But it was no fault of Stevens that the boys did not get their bricks for which they were looking anxiously for some time. He showed fight; but surrender or death was his only alternative, and hence discretion accepted the former.
In the latter part of December, instructions were received by the different regimental commanders, that any enlisted men in their regiments might, if they chose, reenlist for three years more, or during the war; and that all of those who should thus reenlist. would receive the great bounties which were being offered and paid by towns, States, and the general government ; and in addition thereto, thirty-five days' furlough would be granted. These inducements were supposed to be sufficient to awaken considerable en- thusiasm. Many of the men had been away from home for two years and a half: and naturally their hearts turned with longing to their homes and to their friends. Thirty-five days' furlough! It seemed almost an age. S, long did it seem in prospective, that one might have almost thought, from the action and conversation of some of the men, that there was a possibility of the war being actually over before it
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could expire. The news spread like lightning. Re- enlist ? Yes. What tempted those men ? Bounty ? No. The opportunity to go home. Ah, kind reader, no one who was at home can tell how the sollier's heart yearned for that sacred place. Oh, if they could only see home again, they were ready to risk anything and everything. The theme was upon all lips. It was reenlistment-furlough-home.
Yet there were some who would say, no, only six months more anyhow, and "then a big furlough." But others lived for the present. For a few days it was busy enough at regimental head-quarters. Re- enlistments were made every day. Nearly one hun- dred men in our own regiment signed their names for three years more. As soon as it was possible, they received their furloughs, and were on their way home- ward rejoicing. With a great portion of them, money was nothing; and, free for thirty-five days, they speut it with a perfect abandon. But soon the thirty-tive days rolled away, and back to the old camp-ground they came. There was sorrow on many a poor fel- low's face as he reflected that he had rebound himself, and that possibly he had seen his home for the last time. The whole camp seemed gloomy for days after the reenlisted had returned.
I should have mentioned, in connection with our buildling-camp, our opera-house, which was legiti- mately, perhaps, a brigade arrangement, yet some- thing in which our own men were interested, and rendere.l assistance. It was about forty feet long,
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twenty wide, and perhaps ten feet high. It was con- structed for the purpose of affording amusement and entertainment to the troops. The roof was formed of branches of trees laid upon rails stretching from one side to another. A stage was arranged at one end, and a enrtain made of various materials, answered for a drop-scene. The seats were made by driving crotched sticks into the earth, and placing a round pole from one to the other. When one got weary sitting, he could stand. Blessed privilege! But then the arrangements were very good for an army con- cern. Entertainments were frequently given. The orchestra was a very good affair, as we had good musicians. The ladies in camp kindly donated their second-best dresses, and sometimes made costumes, which enabled various smooth-faced striplings to per- sonate the ladies' part in the drama or comedy. _ Ad- mission was always low, only one-fifth of a soldier's day's wages-ten cents. Full houses always greeted each performance, and which were generally given when the various members of the "star company " happened to be off duty at the same time. Every- thing was orderly, and the affair contributed much to the enjoyment of the boys.
A fine chapel for religious purposes was also erected in our regiment, the men being greatly inter- ested, and laboring earnestly to carry out the wishes of our beloved chaplain in this respect. This was built of logs with considerable taste, and covered withja large canvas which was kindly furnished by the so-
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called " Christian Association." Meetings were well attended, and the influence for good was daily expe- rienced.
Races were a favorite amusement of the men in this camp. Some fine horses were owned by different members of the brigade, and an occasional test of speed, both in trotting and running, was sure to call out a crowd; and sometimes, I am sorry to say, a large part of a man's spare wages were staked upon the result. An amusing feature of these horse-races was the spectacle presented by a little darkey, perhaps ten or twelve years oldl, waiter of one of the officers, and who usually rode one of the horses in the race. As he came in on the " home-stretch," riding without saddle-holling on with both hands to the horse's mane-his eyes fairly sticking out of their sockets-his mouth wide open-his teeth shining like polished ivory -his body almost rolled up upon the horse's back- he presented a most laughable spectacle; while his "hi, hi, hi, i, i," in response to the applause which greeted his success, always provoked the greatest mer- riment. It was really worth something to see the little darkey rider.
Foot-races among the men were frequently indulged in, though not for the purpose of developing any retreating qualities. These were always exciting, and usually afforded themes for discussion and conversa- tion for one day at least.
Base-ball and foot-ball were favorite amusements among the soldiers, and afforded recreation which was highly appreciated.
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And thus passed the winter of 'sixty-three and sixty- four, a general routine of duty, with occasional excite- ments to prevent the ennni, and to break up the monotony.
The season passed with only one military demon- stration ; and which was a reconnoisance of the corps to Madison Court-house. Orders to be ready to march- no one knew where-filled the camp with surprise, and those who had wives with them, with consternation. But when another order came to leave each camp with a guard, men breathed easier, as it indicated that the movement was only of a temporary nature. So on the twenty-seventh of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, all of the able-bodied men were in line, and off upon a tour. The ladies, of course, were left be- hind; and who generally employed their time (I do not mean any disrespect) in considerations as to which way it was best to run, in case that the enemy swept down upon the camp. I verily believe that the Northern idea of a reb was nearly as horrid as the Southern idea of a Yank. But there was no attack, and hence no seare.
Our troops marched on through Culpepper to a place called James City, a city of about four or five houses, and camped for the night. It was understood that the infantry were supporting a cavalry raid. Early the following morning, we were again upon the march, moving Slowly toward Roburton's river, and halting at a place about three miles from Madison Court-house. Here the troops rested for forty-eight
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hours, when a cold rain-storm set in, to the terrible discomfiture of everybody. The cavalry returning from their tour dripping and forlorn, the duties of the infantry were closed ; and, on the morning of the see- ond of March, we turned our faces campward. The roads were terrible, the mud heavy, sticky, deep; yet before sunset-and the days were very short-the com- mand marched twenty-eight miles, carrying their usual burdens, and not a single struggler upon the route. It was an exhibition of endurance seldom seen. That night all seemed to get rested, and the camp resumed its usual aspect of cheerfulness and activity. The health of the troops was remarkable during the entire winter; so that when the spring campaigns opened, there was no long list of sick and feeble for which to provide, for nearly all were in health and good spirits, ready to try again the troublesome and difficult road which led " on to Richmond."
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CHAPTER XXVI.
General Grant in command. Advance movements. Cross the Rapidan. In action in the Wilderness. Terrible fighting. General Sedgwick killed. Brief biographical sketch. The fearful charge of the tenth of May. Partial list of casual- ties.
GENERAL GRANT was now in command of the army, and it was believed that when the army moved, it would be to some purpose. The reputation which he had acquired in the West, the indomitable and in- vincible spirit which he had ever manifested, filled all hearts with the hope that there would be no end to the next movement, until the backbone of the rebel- lion was decidedly broken, and the confederacy em- phatically crushed. So when finally, orders came for the regiment, in unison with the entire army, to be up and doing, there was a manifest cheerfulness with which the order was obeyed, for all believed more in work than in idleness. Even though the camp on Hazel river was pleasant and attractive, yet none de- sired to make it a permanent home.
It was on the third day of May. 1864, that the com- man l again struck tents, and with kung sacks packed, rations and ammunition daly distributed, they were soon upon the move toward the haunts and retreats of rebel lom and its armed supporters.
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I regret extremely that I am not able to enter into the particulars of this campaign as I should like to. Unable to continue longer in the service than March, 1864, I am unable to present anything from the stand- point of my own observation. What is here given has been gleaned from conversations with various parties who were present during the campaign. For constant labor, persistent advance, and terrible fighting, nothing in the experience of the Fifth Maine ever excelle.l it. The remaining portion of the service of the regiment. was one of constant labor, almost unceasing conflict, and which left their impress upon every feature of the noble band, which, in a few months, returned to their homes.
Oa the third day of May, as I have said, the regi- ment left camp, moving with the rest of the division rapidly out upon the road which leads to the Rapid: n river.
Crossing the river at Germania Ford upon pontoon bridges which had been lain the day before, the regi- ment moved on about three miles to the south of the Ford, and went into camp. With appetites sharpened by their long walk, the boys were not long in placing themselves outside of their hard bread, pork, and cot- fee. There seemed not the least indication of the close proximity of the enemy, and with the bands playing as usual, and the pleasant camp-fires burning up bright and cheerful, this night's bivonae was rather of the jolly character.
Early the next morning, all things were in readiness
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for a movement, and soon the command was again on the move. It was not long before scattering shots were heard in the distance; yet the prospect for a fight upon that day seemed very remote to regimental officers and their men, who had not quite so clear a knowledge or understanding of the situation as their gallant corps commander.
Advancing a short distance, the command entered a field, where a line of battle was formel. In their front was a thick piece of woods with heavy under- brush, andl it was sarmised that the enemy might he holding a position under the cover of this wood. They had now approached the Wilderness, a place made ever memorable by the hardships of the cam- paigns conducted in its dark retreats.
Entering this piece of woo Is, skirmishers were sent forward to feel the enemy's position, or rather to di- cover if there were any rebels in that vicinity. Ad- vaneing a little way. the line was halte 1, as indeed the underbrush was so dense it was highly dangerous to advance rapi lly. A painful silence of some moments ogenrred, when a picket on the right of the line startled his comrades by exclaiming, " there is one of the rascals" and fired at what proved to be a dis- mounted cavalry man who had exposed himself by stepping out from behind a tree. This was enough to convince our men that the rebs were very near, and at once the whole line was advanced. Almost simul- tancoasly with the advance, came a deafening roar of artillery, and shots and shells flew lively above our
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boys. Yet on moved our brave lines. Cannon was not to awe the Union soldier. Hand to hand conflict was preferable to him. And soon it came. A few hundred yards of advance, and the quick sharp crack of a rifle, followed by a fall volley of musketry, an- nonneed the presence of the rebel infantry. In this volley, Colonel Carroll of the Ninety-fifth Pennsylva- nia Volunteers, fell shot through the head. He was a brave andl gill int officer. Several men were killed and wounded. One poor fellow lived just long enough to utter these words, which thrilled every one near him, " My poor mother. Oh! my poor mother. What will she say? O God, I have been so wicked. For- give me, Jesus." He gave a single gasp, and was no more.
Engaging the rebels sharply, our men soon suc- ceedel in driving them from their front, and a still further advance secured. A new position was now taken up, the Fifth Maine being posted on the side of a wooded hill, commanding a view of an open fiell be- yond. The enemy occupied a position in the woo.ls upon the other side of the field. There was consider- able sharp rifle practice during the remainder of the day, which made it a little more safe to be behind shelter than to be exposed to rebel bullets.
Just about dusk, a detail was ordered from the reg- iment, in connection with the rest of the brigade, to relieve a picket line which was established in a sunken road in the open field in front. The enemy probably supposing that our men intended making a
t
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charge, opened upon them a terrible fire of musketry. The air seemed to be alive with bullets sent out upon their death mission ; yet strange to relate, two or three men were but slightly wounded.
The morning of the sixth found the regiment in readiness to repulse a charge which was momentarily expected ; but which did not take place until late in the afternoon, when a furious attack was made upon the Third Division of the corps, resulting in a most disgraceful retreat. The Third Division, so called, had just been attached to the Sixth Corps; and being com- posed mostly of troops who had seen but little real fighting, hal never earned a place in the famous old corps; nor would the boys afterwards recognize them as members of the corps.
Says Surgeon Stevens, in his History of the Sixth Corps, upon the situation at this time,-
"The right wing, if not the whole army, was now in danger. It was at such times that the great spirit of the noble Sedgwick rose to the control of events. It seemed to require adversity to bring out all of the grand qualities of his nature.
"Rushing here and there, regardless of personal danger, he faced the disordered mass of fugitives of the Third Division, and with threats and entreaties, pre- vailed upon them to halt; and then turning to the veterans of the First Division, he shouted to them to remember the honor of the old Sixth Corps. That was an irresistible appeal, and the ranks of the First Division and of our Third Brigade were formed along
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the turnpike, which was at right angles with our former position. The corps now charged upon the exultant for, and foreed them back until our breast- works were recaptured. But our flank was too much exposed; and again the enemy charge l upon our front and flank, foreing the corps to wheel back to the turnpike where it had first rallied.
"General Sedgwick now ordered another charge, and bravely the men rushed forward to obey any order from the revered lips of - Thele John." The enemy was again forced back, an l again the corps occupied the breast-works. It was now dark; but the roar of musketry, mingled with the deep-toned artillery, shook the ground, and the dense forests were lightel by the scores of thousands of flashing rifles which sent death to unseen foes.
" The corps had not recovered its line of works without sacrifice, for the ground was covered with our fellow comrades, while many more had been captured by the enemy. But we were now able to holl our ground. . . . Although, for a time, foreed back by the surprise of the rebel onset, the old troops of the corps had shown no want of courage. The Sixth Corps proper had not lost its pristine glory."
At mi light the command fell back upon the plank- road; and, taking up a strong position, they in- trenche themselves, that they might be in readiness for the enemy. The following day was comparatively galet, but little fighting taking place in the vicinity of the regiment.
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Upon the night of the seventh was commenced that series of flank movements which gained great notice in this campaign. Moving to the left. the command passed, on the morning of the eighth, the Chancellors- ville House, and also over a portion of the Chancel- lorsville battle-field of 1:62. Large numbers of skel- etons lay in the woods; and anon they came to some graves, so called, of Union sol liers, where a leg or an arm showed itself; all of whom, doubtless, were among those reported as "missing," with not enough of mother earth to cover their bones.
Heavy fighting seemed now to be in progress in the front of the Fifth, though at considerable distance. Pushing steadily forward, about two o'clock they ar- rived at the scene ofaction. To add to the horror of the scene, the woods in places were on fire; and many poor follows of both armies, being woundel in the se- vere fight of an hour previous an ! unable to help themselves or escape from the flames, had been barned to death. The sight made the heart sich :.
Immediately upon the arrival of the regiment to the scene of'action, it was at once formed in position with an assaulting column; and, to our boys, the prospect appeared anything bat cheerful. The rebel lines were admirably posted on a thick wooded crest, and their sharp-shooters made every shot tell while our men were awaiting the order to advance. Shortly after the offer to china was counternam led. when a nov. - ment was made by our command to the right into a piece of works where they were to bivouac for the
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night. Soon after dark the teams came up with a supply of rations for the boys, which were thankfully received and in excellent demand.
This night was remarkable for nothing except false alarms, which kept the men in a constant state of agi- tation, and prevented, of course, much sleep. Some of the officers, after undressing three consecutive tim .s only to be roused each time by a terrible fire of intis- ketry, so close apparently, that haste was deemed necessary, and so much indulged in, that trowsers wrong side out or wrong side to, were not unusual sights, it was finally concluded to turn in fully armed and equipped, and let things take their own course.
May ninth was passed principally in skirmishing, but in which the Fifth was not actively engaged. During the day, while the regiment was making a short movement to their right, an head-quarter ambulance was seen driven at a rapil rate from the front, with staff officers and escort in attendance. Inquiries were at once made regarding who was injured. No santis- factory answer could be gained at the time, as it was desired to keep the real fiets from the knowledge of the troops. But yet the truth soon became known that the gallant SEDGWICK, the brave " Viol John," the noble corps commander, whom all the men re- spected and loved, was no more. A sharp-shooter had struck him down while he was engaged in superin- tending the playing of some guns. His death est a gloom over the entire command; but fortunately a man and a soldier, who was already well known in the
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corps, succeeded to the command ; and though the men could not repress a sigh over the memory of the brave SEDGWICK, yet they were ready to do their whole duty under General WIGHT.
To surgeon Stevens' history I am indebted for the following sketch of General Sedgwick, which may not be uninteresting, and also for the description of the conflict of May tenth.
"Major-general John Sedgwick, who had been so long identified with the Sixth Corps, was a native of Connecticut. He graduated at West Point on the 30th of June, 1837, and was at once assigned to the Second artillery as second lieutenant. In 1830, he was promoted to first lieutenant. He served in Mexi- co, and was brevetted captain for gallant and merito- rious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco. He was soon after brevetted major for gallant con luet, and greatly distinguished himself in the attack on Cosino gate, Mexico city. In 1855 he was made major of the First United States Cavalry, and served in Kansas until the breaking out of the rebellion. In March, 1861, he was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel of the Second United States Caval- ry, and in April promoted to the coloneley of the Fourth Cavalry. He was made a brigadier-general . of volunteers in August, 1861, and assigned to the command of a brigade in the Army of the Potomac.
" He was afterward assigned to the command of the Third Division, Second Corps, then under General Sumner. He participated in the siege of Yorktown,
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and greatly distinguished himself in many battles on the Peninsula. Ile was particularly noted at the battles of Fair Oaks, Savage Station, and Glendale. His division was one of the few divisions of the Army of the Potomac that rendered any assistance to Gel- eral Pope in his unfortunate campaign.
" At Antietam he led his men repeatedly against the rebels, and was as often forced back, until the ground over which his division had fought, was covered with the dead. He was thrice wounded, but refused to be carried from the field until faintness from the loss of blood obliged him to relinquish his com- mand.
" In December, 1862, he was nominated by the president a major-general of volunteers, and was con- firmed in March, 1863, to rank from the 31st of May, 1862.
"In January following his promotion, he was assigned to the command of the Ninth Corps, and on the 5th of February was transferred to the command of the Sixth Corps, relieving General Smith, who was assigned to the Ninth Corps.
"Soon after taking command of our corps, the famous charge upon Frederiesburg Heights was made, in which both the corps and its commander gained lasting renown. General Sedgwick was espe- cially commended by General Meade for the manner in which he handled his corps at Rappahannock Sta- tion; and, in General Meade's absence, he was several times in command of the army. He was, on several
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occasions, offered the supreme command of the army; but his excessive modesty forbade him to accept so important a command.
"No soldier was more beloved by the army, or honored by the country, than this noble general. Ilis corps regarded him as a father, and his great military abilities made his judgment, in all critical emergencies, sought after by his superiors as well as his fellows." . . . · ·
"Our position on Tuesday morning, May 10th, was the same that it had been the day previous. During the lull of battle on the 9th, both armies had gathered their strength, and perfected their plans for a renewal of the contest on a scale of magnificence seldom, if ever, witnessed by any army before. This was des- tined to be a day of fearful carnage, and desperate attempts on the part of each antagonist to crush the other by the weight of its terrible charges.
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