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 20
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some portions of an action, was not on the front line of battle. Wherever there was danger, work, responsi- bility, there the Fifth Maine was sure to be. That this fight was severe may be seen from the fact, that the Second Connecticut (forming a part of the brigade with the Fifth, and which was originally a heavy artillery regiment) lost over four hundred in killed and wounded !
Having reached a position near a heavy force of the rebels, the lines of the contending armies were now only twelve or fifteen rods apart ; and hence, for five or six days, constant skirmishing and fighting were in prog- ress. It was during one of these days' fighting, that Lieutenant-colonel Millett was badly wounded, and Captain Joseph C. Paradis, a noble fellow, mortally wounded.
On the evening of the third of June, information was received that the enemy were in line of battle. Not knowing what was intended by this, the Fifth Maine and the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York opened a hot and a vigorons fire upon them. For a season it was very exciting,-as, indeed, a night skirmish-the darkness-the flash of the muskets -- the singing balls-all conspiring to produce an exciting effect, cannot be otherwise. To add to the scene, the Fifth Maine Battery opened a roaring fire upon the enemy. Though small was the force which thus exhibited to the Gre a substantial evidence of their presence, yet if the rebels intended making an assault upon them. it had the desired and intended effect of
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permanently exterminating such thoughts from their mindIs, if we are to judge by their actions.
An almost ceaseless fire was kept up between the two lines, making it extremely dangerous for any one to show himself to the other. General Elwar ls recently told the writer of one poor fellow who laid just in front of our lines, from the evening of June first to the evening of June sixth, it being impossible to resene him. He had one leg broken, and the other was badly wounded, so that he could not walk or help himself away, besides having a severe wound in one side. In this con lition the poor fellow lay between two fires without food or water, almost famished when finally reseued. A strong constitution and an iron will alone saved him. As soon as he found that he could not escape, with his bare hands he dug a sort of a hole in the ground, throwing the earth up in front of him, an l thus escaped the enemy's bullets. When finally reseuel, his wounds were actually full of mag- gots. He presented a horrible spectacle. Strange as it may seem, he finally recovered. He belonged to the Twenty-thirl Pennsylvania regiment, which formel a part of our division.
Material things take curious freaks sometimes, as may be seen in the course of a single bullet one day, while a skirmish was in progress. So accustomed had the meu become to skirmish firing, that, unless active- ly eng iged at the very front, the men seareely heeded the bills unless they were flying very thick : and with this feeling of in liference, acquired through long
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continued exposure, if there was anything to be done in their temporary camp, went right to work to do it, as if the enemy were miles away. One morning a member of Company I. was basily engaged in shaving another man, when a bullet struck the arm of the man who was shaving, causing the razor to fly over the head of the man being shaved, but without inflicting any injury. The bullet, severely wounding the first man, passed by, striking the arms of two other men, stan ling in range near by, inflicting bad wounds, and struck still another man in the side, knocking him over, but not badly wounding him. So much for one bullet, by which four men were disabled for a consid- crable time. The sharp-shooter who fired that ball was said to be nearly half a mile distant !
The regiment remained at Coal Hirbor several days, when it was or lere l on the march again, pro- cee ling to the White House, thence across the Chick- ahominy to Charles City Court-house, thence to James River where the troops took steamer to Bermuda Inn Ireds, at which point they disembarked and were ag in on the march, advancing to a point about seven miles from Petersburg, which was reached abont day- light on the morning of the seventeenth of June.
The men were now beginning to grow anxious. The term of their service had nearly expired-only one more week -- and could it be strange that they should dread any more active service? Yet the record, so pure, could not be tarnishe 1; and if calle I upon, there was aot a man who would not cheerfully respond.
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On the morning of the eighteenth the regiment was turned out in hot haste to assist in making a charge. When nearly ready, it was ascertained that at that point the enemy were too strong to assault, and hence the charge was abandoned. During the day another move was made, passing around to the left of Peters- burg, crossing the Appottomax River, taking up a position near the railroad. At this point a hot skir- mish took place between the enemy and our boys. To protect itself, the regiment dug rifle-pits, which were occupied for two days, when another movement was made still further to the left. Finding the enemy in force, preparations were made for an attack. For some reason the attack was delayed; yet when, on the twenty-third of June, orders came relieving the Fifth Maine from further active service on account of the expiration of its term of enlistment, they found the regiment all ready to engage the foe if ordered,- thus exhibiting to the very last moment, the spirit of heroism and bravery which had ever distinguished it.
Marching to the rear some few miles, the command went into camp until arrangements for their departure could be made. While in that camp, the following letter from Brigadier-general Upton, then command- ing the brigade, was received :
HEAD-QUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, June 23, 1964.
COLONEL EDWARDS. OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FIFTH MAINE HRAAIMENT:
At the expiration of your term of service, I feel it a great pleasure to signify to you my appreciation of the services you have rendered your country.
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Your gallantry, your constancy, your devotion to the flag of your country, your patient endurance of fatigue during the campaigns of three long years, entitle you to the lasting gratitude and esteem of your countrymen.
Springing to arms at the first sound of danger, you have given proof of your valor and patriotism on every field, from the first Bull Run to the present time. Leaving your native State with over one thousand and forty men, and receiving a large number of recruits, you now return with but two hundred and sixteen.
The long list of battles in which you have participated. in- cluding Bull Run, West Point, Gaines' Mill. Charles City Cross-road, Crampton Gap, Antietam, Frederiesburg, Salem Heights, Gettysburg. Rappahannock Station, eight days' bat- tle in the wilderness and at Spottsylvania Court-house, and Coal Harbor, will account for your losses.
Repeatedly have the colors of the Fifth Maine been floated over the enemy's works. From behind their intrenehments. you have captured the battle-flags of five of the proudest regiments in the confederate service: and while inflicting a loss equal to your own, yon have, in addition, captured more prisoners than you have borne names on your rolls.
Bnt while your former services have won for you the admiration and confidence of your commanding officers, your example and conduct during the present campaign, forms the brightest pige of your history.
After three years' hard fighting, well knowing the risks of battle, not even the ardent desire or the immediate prospect of being restored to your friends could dampen your ardor or enthusiasm; but like brave and patriotic men, you have fought nobly to the end of your term, adding. with each day, increased luster to your arms.
With this brilliant record and the proud consciousness that you have stood by your country in the darkest hour of her peril. you now return to your homes where you will receive the homage due the services you have rendered.
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Bidding each and every one of you, in behalf of your old comrades in arms, a hearty God-speed, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
E. UProx, Brigadier-general Commanding.
As soon as the arrangements were perfected, the regiment broke camp and marched to City Point, where they embarked upon board of a steamer bound for Washington. The reenlisted men and those whose term of service had not expired, by permission ac- companied the regiment to the Point, where sad part- ings were made. It seemed hard to leave the old comrades on the field; and it was with sad hearts that the reenlisted returned to their terrible duties. These last-named men, together with the recruits, were transferred to and organized temporarily with the Sixth Maine; but soon after, the veterans of the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Maine were organized into a distinet battalion, known as the First Maine Regiment Veteran Volunteers, commandled by Colonel Thomas W. Hyde, of Bath. They were mustered out of the service on the twenty-eighth of June, 1865. brief account of the services of this battalion, compiled by its gallaut commander, is annexed to this work.
The active work of the regiment was now done. The fears and anxieties of the past few weeks were all gone. With their faces turned homeward. there was joy in the ranks, as well there might be. They had done their whole duty, and they had done it well.
In due season they arrived in Washington, aul im- mediately marched down to the grounds of the Smith-
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sonian Institute, where they went into camp. The following day they were paid off, and at once they took the cars for Baltimore. In this place they had considerable trouble at the depot, attempts being made by the railroad officials to put the regiment into dirty cattle-cars for transportation. This was not in accord- ance with the feelings of the men, and they did not hesitate to express themselves accordingly. But. final- ly, tolerable second-class ears were obtained, and the regiment proceeded to Philadelphia. where a hearty re- ception was given them. Proceeding to New York, they found themselves in that city in the hands of friends who delighted to honor the returning heroes. Showing them proper military respect, providing them with substantial refreshment for the inner man, the regiment was escortel to the point of departure; and, after an all-night journey, arrived in Boston the next morning, where another hearty reception greeted them. The secretary of war had allowed the regiment to take home with them the five rebel colors which they had captured. The trophies attracted great attention.
News had already reached Portland that the Fifth Maine was coming, and about the time of its expected arrival, a dense crowd was at the depot to welcome them. At quarter before five o'clock in the afternoon, : the train bearing the grim heroes arrived, and at once the regiment alighted and formed into column. 1 large escort under Colonel E. A. Seamman, consisting of the city government, city military, and the Veter-
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an Reserves, accompanied by Poppenburg's Band, led the column. Marching through some of the principal streets, at every point of the route the citizens gave them unmistakable evidences of their respect and ad- miration for the gallant regiment. Finally, arriving at "Barnums," the regiment and its escort sat down to a fine collation, after which various sentiments and a little congratulatory speech-making was in- dulged in.
Some days were necessary in which to prepare the official rolls for muster out and final settlements. But a few days after their arrival home, the news came of the rebel General Early's raid toward Washington. Everything indicated that the capital was in danger. Notwithstanding the hardships to which the regiment had been exposed, its arrival home fresh from the front, yet the spirit of patriotism still glowed in their hearts, and at once they volunteered their services for ninety days, to defend the capital. It was a noble and laudable act. Early's speedy departure from Wash- ington dispelled the fears of the officials, and hence the services of the regiment were not required.
Furloughs were granted the men for a few days, until the rolls were completed. These were improved as seasons of great rejoicing.
. As soon as the necessary documents were prepared, upon orders from the colonel, the regiment reassem- bled in Portland, and upon the twenty-seventh of July the command, numbering one hundred and ninety-
MAINE VOLUNTEERS.
three officers and men, were mustered out of the ser- vice by Lieutenant I. II. Walker, of the Fourteenth United States Infantry ; and the members of the glo- rious old FIFTH MAINE, were once more civilians and citizens of the State, which all conceded had been honored by her sons on the gory fields of Virginia
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BRIEF ACCOUNT
OF THE SERVICES OF THE RE-ENLISTED MEN AND RECRUITS OF THE FIFTH MAINE REGIMENT, WHO WERE TRANSFER- RED TO THE FIRST MAINE VETERAN INFANTRY.
PREPARED BY GENERAL T. W. HYDE.
THE reenlisted men and recruits of the Fifth Mainc. who were retained in service by reason of the non-ex- piration of their term, were formed into two companies and joined to three companies of the Sixth Regiment, and five of the Seventh R giment, and became, by or- der of the War Department, the First Regiment of Vel- eran Volunteers. This regiment formel a part of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps. This name seemed singularly appropriate to the regiment, for there was scarcely a man in its ranks who did not bear the se irs of battle upon his person. Lieutenant- colonel Hyde of the Seventh was appointed colonel of the new org mization, and Major Fletcher of the Seventh and Chipt iin Samner of the Sixth, respectively, lieutenant-colonel and major. Ciptain John Gol- thwait of Windsor, and Lieutenants Walter Foss of Ballefor.l. P. Jordan Mitchell of Greenwood. J. 1. Grenier of Portland, ant John M Clellan of Casco, were the officers of Companies .A. and B., once the Fifth
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Maine Battalion, when Early struck Sheridan's forces near Charleston in the Shenandoah Valley. The day of its organization saw the new regiment in a sharp skir- mish, and losing some thirty men; and Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cellar Creek followed so fast, that no time was left for jealousies between men at the same time homogeneous and intensely proud of the glories of their former commands. Lieutenant Mitchell fell in one of these valley combats. His promotion to a company reached him too late to cheer his soldier's death.
While in camp near Strasburg, and resting after the extinguishment of Early's army, the regiment was en- tirely reorganized and its vacancies filled. Lieutenant MeClellan was now commanding the Division Sharp- shooters. Lieutenant Grenier was adjutant. Ser- geants I. P. Wing, C. P. Stevens, W. C. Phinney, E. J. Dolan, and A. A. Dwinal became lieutenants; and by transferring Fifth Maine officers to Sixth and Seventh Maine companies, and vice-versa, the whole tone and efficiency of the regiment was much im. provedl, and as merit and special gallantry in action were the only tests for advancement, it was not long before Colonel Stevens, the division inspector, in- creased the growing esprit du corps, by pronouncing in his official report the First Veterans " in the best order ยท of any regiment in the division."
Passing over the dismal trip in box ears through a show-storm from Harper's Ferry to Washington, and the foggy voyage to City Point. we find the little remnant of the " Fifth " back again before Peter burg,
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on the Squirrel Level road, in a winter's camp, behind the vast works of circumvallation of which now, per- haps, remain but a few grassy mounds. The winter was one of much digging and hard picket duty. An occasional dash of the enemy upon our pickets, fre- quent drills, constant police duty, and the daily brig- ade dress-parade, when crowds thronged to see two thousand men go through the bayonet exercise in unison, and watch their arms glisten in the setting sun; while the Brigade band charmed the eve, and lady visitors in dark riding-habits made home seem nearer,-all these conspired to beguile the lingering hours, and to bring us to the scene that was to close the war.
One night the rebels yelled and charged, capturing a dozen of our pickets, besides waking up the camp. This had been tried by them several times, but never so successfully before. It was a direet slap in the face. At daybreak Capt. Goldthwait went to head-quarters, and asked permission to take his company at night through a ravine he had discovered, and fall upon the enemy's picket reserve, whose fires were visible every evening in the cold mist that seemed the natural clothing of the land around. His handsome, melan- cholly face was lighted with enthusiasm, and he said, " I do not expect to live through the war; Imust win glory and honor before I go. As well here as elsewhere." Poor Goldthwait! A few weeks proved that utterance prophetic, and he lay, well up among the first, near those works now frowning grimly oppo-
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site. Request was immediately sent to General Meade to make the desired reprisal, and that night, while awaiting an answer, Goldthwait and another officer, with stockings over their boots, crept within the ene- my's lines and fully demonstrated to themselves the feasibility of the attempt. Bat an unfavorable reply was returned, and Goldthwait chafed over his disap- pointment till the long inaction was broken, and the guns of Hare's Hill set us in motion again.
While in this camp Sergeant W. S. Robinson re- ceived his promotion, and several lieutenants were advanced a grade ; a number of recruits were received, and our wounded comrades one by one came back, till the proportions of the regiment were goodly to look upon.
At noon on the twenty-fifth of March, 1865, after listening to an incessant cannonade far to the right, where Gordon had made his death-leap through our lines, the brigade was ordered to mass in front of Fort Fisher with the Vermonters, and the convocation of general and staff officers within its walls, seemed to forebode an immediate attack. Soon an aid dashed down to Colonel Hyde with orders to move forward in solid column and follow the Vermonters who were even then rising and moving on, half bent to conceal their start as long as possible behind the rising ground in front. To follow no troops could be more of an honor, but to "follow the Vermonters " was, for the Third Brigade, an unaccustomed place, though to feel their strong support on right or left, had been its rare
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good fortune on many fields. So taking direction a little to the right, we were soon on a line with them to meet the fire of twenty pieces of artillery now belching from the rebel forts. Now the enemy's pick- et-pits are taken, but there is no stopping the Third Brigade. They push on even to the ditch of the forts themselves, only to findl it wide, impassable but by a narrow dam, and the ramparts full of men almost too astonished to be sure of aim. Falling back by orde" to the captured picket-line, the First Maine was placed on the unprotected right flank of the brigade, and held there under an enfila ling, front and reverse fire of ar- tillery,-losing heavily, but maintaining the position already won, as the enemy made a strong effort to re- trieve their disaster by an infantry attack. Reinforced by the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York, re lueed in numbers, Goldthwait, Dwinal, Hunter, Whelpley, Crosby struck down, Colonel Dwight and many of the One Hundred and Twenty-second killed, the men begin to marmir, " shall we never charge ?" but Warner's flag appeared to their right, their orders came, and, dashing forward after their colors, they can- tured all that remained of the enemy ont si le his works, and soon the quick-falling darkness stilled the artillery fire and prevented another attack.
From the vantage-ground thus gained, an assault of the whole corps on the enemy's works was planned and ordered and the morning of the 21 of April se- lected for its accomplishment. This was the famous "wedge attack" of the Sixth Corps. The Second
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Division was to be put in front, with the Third Brig- ade in its center, to form the point of the wedge. Each brigade was to be formed in four lines, and the First Maine was to be placed in the second line, the Seventy-seventh and Forty-third New York Volun- teers forming the first. About midnight the troops slowly filed from camp, and, in a darkness that almost seemed " visible," slowly took their allotted stations and lay down on the wet, clavey ground. The signal for assault was to be a single gun from Fort Fisher, but suddenly a terrific fire burst from all our forts, and shells shrieked uninterruptedly for an hour or more. A picket fire was opened by the enemy, which fell with fatal effect among our men, who lay unflinchingly upon the rising ground behind our own picket-pits ; and it was hard to tell whether the dull " thud " of bullets was made in flesh or mud. Occasionally some substitute broke for cover, but the veterans held on. Now Captain A-lams of Rhode Island, and twenty artillerymen groped to the front bearing rammers, sponges, and the implements of their arm. They had volunteerel to turn the enemy's guns upon them as soon as taken. Now we felt that the two front regi- ments were moving, and at the quiet command, "First Maine, forward!" we clambered over the rifle-pits into the ditch and mud, undergrowth and obscurity be- yond. Not a cheering sound or an eye to see us, and on.", teater only visible as passing rebel shells threw upon him for an instant, a tunereal glare.
A camp-fire in the enemy's lines had been found to
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be always built in a line with the openings in their abattis through which the pickets came out to take their posts, and to this fire, nearly obscured by fig. the colors and regimental commanders had been instructed to go. In a twinkling we were among their piekets, and a sheet of musketry flashed from their lines to right and left. It was blinding and con- fusing, but not deadly as yet. Their mark was dark- ness and the rushing sound of many men. The axemen had reached the abattis; Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, cach man for himself, struggled through, while hundreds were blinded and wandered aimlessly between the lines, or skulked back, or fell in their blood. Our colors and the small nucleus left around them, sought a brief breathing-spell in the rebel ditch, but soon were over the works like cats, were turning the enemy's guns upon them, "going through " their quarters, and sending them by thousands to the rear. The first intimation those within our own works had of victory was not a cheer .- there was hardly breath left for that,-but the rebel guns turned another way and pouring canister upon their late defenders. Each regiment and cvery brigade claim to have been in first, but the pitch-like darkness will leave the solu- tion of that problem forever in doubt. The Maine Veterans know that where they went in, they found rebels firing till the arms were taken from their hands.
Thus the terrible lines of Petersburg were broken, and the enemy forced to evacuate Richmond.
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The dawn was now struggling with the blackness, and here a color, there a mounted officer, there a dozen men might be seen, swiftly pushing with that each-man-for-himself air which marks the American soldier, for the South-side Railroad. Here a blue-coat wrapping a Confederate flag around him, and another decked in the gray and tinsel of a Confederate officer ; twenty more riding in on the mules of a captured train ; but most pushing after the enemy and breath- lessly firing at the small escaping remnant. Still the rebel guns boom out to right and left, but are quickly stilled as the different regiments of the Sixth Corps swept down the works even to Hatcher's Run on the left, which little stream Captain Merrill, of the First Maine, crossel with a dozen men and engaged, eap- tured, and brought in the relies of the sharp-shooters of Heth's Division, seventy-nine men in all. Such the demoralization that short rations and a night-attack had wrought among a gallant foe! The losses on our side in this storming were less than was expected.
The corps was now turned toward Petersburg, and as they went they could see the long lines of Ord's command and the colored troops moving up to hold the places they had won. The First Maine was now upon the extreme left of the line, constantly skirmish- ing with the enemy and driving their light batteries from hill to hill as they strove to annoy our advance. No serions opposition was met with, however, till we came to the estate whereon had been located Lee's head-quarters during the siege. Here a gray-haired
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