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 8
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change to the veteran, who pocketed the forty-five dollars clear profit, and returned from his expedition singing, "Oh! who wouldn't go for a soldier?" Pos- sibly we cannot fully justify the action of the veteran ; bat it seemed to be a case of diamond ent diamond, with the advantage on the side of the Yankee. It illus- trates the spirit of the Virginian, and the superficial character of Sonthern love and loyalty.
Colonel Jackson, who had been absent several weeks on account of his wounds, and Major Seamman, who had also been absent on account of sickness, had both returned to the regiment, and a better feeling per- vaded the command than for some time past. We were all glad to see Major Seamman return to the field, wearing the straps of a lieutenant-colonel, to which rank he had just been promoted.
As was stated above, we received orders on the thirteenth of August to be ready to move at onee, and with which we speedily complied. Our tents were struck, and all things being in readiness, we waited anxiously the word forward. The troops were al- ready in motion on the road passing near by the site of our camp. Hour after hour we waited. The night passed. Well, finally the worl came that our division would act as rear guard, and hence we should not move until the entire force had got well on the road. At four o'clock in the afternoon of the fifteenth, we Cnally took up route step, glad enough to leave the monotony of a camp without tents, and go in quest of new scenes.
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Before our final departure, the ingenuity of some of the men was displayed in duly mounting the breast- works, which had been thrown up in our front for our protection, with logs about the size of ordinary cannon, and which, being covered with rubber blankets, looked so much like actual cannon, that, at a little distance, any one would be deceived regarding their true char- acter. Several straw-stuffed uniforms represented the watchful sentinels. The disguise was perfect. With the works thus guarded, we left them. While, of course, the enemy were well aware that the main part of the troops had moved, yet the fact (apparent) that a force was still in the fortifications, made them ex- tremely cautious in their approach toward the rear guard. We were creditably informed, that those " quaker guns" and straw-stuffed men, actually held the advance of the enemy's corps of observation at bay for a long time, expecting every moment that the guns would open. Their chagrin, upon understanding the real state of affairs, must be imagined. So it seems that it was possible for others to be deceived by wooden guns, as well as our own boys at the ad- vance toward Mmassas in the spring, and of which so much sport has been made.
A march of six days brought us to Newport News. It was a hard, tedious march, especially the first two days. The roads being very dry, the dust was awful. It rose in such clouds that a person, riding at the head of the regiment, could not see the colors which were carried in the center. How the boys endured the
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heat, and this additional torture of breathing in the " sacred soil," is almost difficult to conceive. The third day brought us into better roads and purer air, much to our joy and comfort. Arriving at Newport News, we remained in camp a day or two, when, on the twenty-third day of August, we again embarked on board the steamer "John Brooks," bound for Alexan- dria. Things appeared strange and mysterious in those days. It was beyond the power of any, in our little band at least, to solve satisfactorily what the na- ture of the next movement would be. It was amus- ing to listen to the different stories, which gained credence among us all, in those ever-to-be-remembered days. On the twenty-sixth of August, we reached the place of our destination, without any occurring inci- dent of note, and immediately landed. Back to Alex- andria. It was difficult to tell whether the men were mad or pleased. Surely they did not enjoy passing in review the scenes of the past few months. Vet, as some one used to remark in regard to almost every event which transpired, it was "all in the three years."
On shore once more, we proceeded to our old camp at Fort Lyon.
It was late in the evening when we approached the site of our former camp. Adjoining it was the camp of'a new Pennsylvanian regiment, just from home, and hence wearing all the airs and style of newly created military men. We were marching ou quickly, anxious, of course, to get into camp as soon as possible, when
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we were suddenly halted by the watchful sentinel of the new reernits. It seems that, in order to reach the ground we desired, we must necessarily pass through a corner of their camp-ground. Oar commanding of- ficer informed the sentinel who we were, but we must halt. The corporal, then the sergeant, then the officer of the guard were called, but all to no purpose, we could not pass. Finally, the commanding officer got a little angry, and roared out, " Get out of the way, you raws; think you are going to stop veterans,-get out- forward, Fifth,"-and . they did forward," and the gen- tlemanly recruits stepped aside as lively as if we had been rebels themselves. I never knew these airy at- a-safe-distance-fellows, who were ever very valiant in seasons of danger.
We remained in camp until the twenty-ninth, when we received orders in the morning to again be upon the move. Where now? queries this one and that. " Bull Run " is alluded to as the possible seene of fu- ture operations. Taking the Fairfax turnpike, we moved on at an easy pace, until we reached a point some eight miles distant, where we went into camp for the day and night. It seeme l as though our services were not much required, or else we should have been pressed on more than eight miles, after having had unite a long period of rest. Bat then, to polish up a common expression which we so often used to hear in the later days of our service, we did not engineer the mechanical works of our gigantic military.
We were now upon this road for the fourth time,
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upon the same errand, and which errand we were find- ing it difficult to perform-" on to Richmond."
Bright and early upon the morning of the thirtieth of August, we were moving upon the road toward Centreville. Pope, the man who had his head-quarters in the saddle, was in a serape; and we were to be pressed forward to the rescue. Dashing around too much, he found himself in a fight at Bull Run, al- ready the scene of one general's disgrace ; and, as the conflict pressed npon his "head-quarters," the wail enne over to Little Mac's army, "Come and help us." I do not suppose any of the army of the Potomac boys entertained any great love for Pope; for they had been made the butt of his half-fledged wit, and which did not serve to foster such friendship as should exist between different portions of the army. Yet our men never neglected duty on account of any personal feeling, but were as ready to support the man they hated, as the man they loved, if such were their orders.
Many miles separated us then from the contending armies. Yet on we marched, making as rapid prog- ress as possible. All day long the sound of the heavy artillery and innsketry came to our ears, telling their tales of the fearful work which was in progress in the distance. Between four and five o'clock in the after- Boon, we came upon a hill which overlooked Bull Run: and, in the distance, we could see the contending forets. Scarcely had we arrived at this point, before the evidences of a hasty retreat, aye, a panic began to
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exhibit themselves in our front. The valley and the fields were soon filled with men, retreating in every direction. The sight was truly disheartening. In- stantly we were formed in line to arrest and stop the stragglers. Every man who came near our lines was pressed into the ranks. Our regiment was larger that night than ever before. Of course the stragglers were soon forwarded to their own commands. This sud- den check of the retreat may have had a most bene- ficial effect upon the other portions of the army. It was evident, however, that the tide of battle was against us, and that we were now to occupy a most important position. It was usually easy enough to get into a fight; but to get safely out when we were worsted, was an entirely different matter. As soon as night came on, we were at once sent over Cub Run and detailed as picket-guard. This duty was not par- ticularly pleasant, especially following a hard and hot march. But we could not choose our duty ; our work was to obey orders. The night passed quietly. Early the following morning, however, the enemy made a demonstration upon us, wheeling a battery into posi- tion, and proposing to exterminate us. We were quietly withdrawn from our position, as it would do no special good to remain there. The Fifth Maine
. was the last infantry which crossed Cub Run. They held the advance line to the last moment. But hardly hal we passed over the Ran, when the battery opened vigorously upon our lines. This action was not rel- ished by our batteries, under whose protection we
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were then resting; and so their fire was most earn- estly returned, which, in due season, served to silence the disagreeable salutes of the enemy. Holding our position until late in the afternoon, we then fell back to Centreville. Here we remained a day or two, when the movements of the enemy admonished us that another change of base upon our part would be desirable. On the following Monday, we commenced a night march toward Alexandria. The roads were very muddy, besides being filled with obstructions. We were eight hours marching a distance of six miles. Arrived at Fairfax Court-house about daybreak. Ev- ery moment, during the night, we had expected an at- tack, passing in our route the battle-field of Chantilly, which had been the scene of a terrific fight only the day before, and in which contest the noble and brave General Phil. Kearney yielded up his life. It was a sad honr for the army of the Potomac, when the news spread from regiment to regiment that Kearney was dead. No man in the army was more popular at that time, than the one-armed hero of scores of battles.
After resting at Fairfax Court-house for two or three hours, the command continued its march, arriving the same evening at their old quarters in Camp Franklin, three miles from Alexandria, tired, weary, and many discouraged. And here, for several days, we had op- portunity to review our various journeys, though I think that many of the reflections made upon them, were not in the best of spirits. Terrible had been the hardships to which the command had been exposed
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since it left that oldl camp-ground four months previ- ous. Almost every step had been marked with blood. Many noble men and comrades who went forth from that eamp, then slept their last sleep, their earthly duty accomplished, their labor nobly consummated. All honor to their memories. Yet there was one source of satisfaction even amid all of our disappoint- ments, that never had the regiment failed to do its whole duty, had never proved recreant to the trust re- posed in it; but it had won, upon every occasion, lau- rels and honor of which every member might feel justly proud.
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CHAPTER XV.
Break camp and move toward Washington. March through the city. Sunday on Georgetown Heights. March into Mary- land. Battle of Crampton Pass. Indierous retreat of a re- ernit. Patriotic and cheerful feelings among the troops.
Thus far we had always assumed the aggressive. It now seemed to fall to our lot to act upon the defen- sive. Rumor reached us that the rebel forces were moving toward Maryland, with an intention of invad- ing that State, and which report gave rise to the usual camp stories and various conjectures regarding our future probable movements. Men seemed to for- get all of the hardships, defeats, and disasters of the past, in the enthusiasm which was kindled, as the prospect presented itself that they might enjoy the di-confiture of the enemy, who must certainly fly from the first field upon which he might meet the buys in blue. However weak we might have felt as we reviewed the past, the moment that the news spread through the camp that Northern sail was to be - invaded, that moment saw us strong and fresh for any work or enterprise; and, it may not be egotistical to add, ready to meet any danger which it might be Ice- carry to incur for the good of the cause in which the soldier was engaged. These rumors indicated one
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certainty, and that was that we were not long to re- main in idleness. Such soon proved to be the fact, for on Saturday afternoon, September sixth, while out upon battalion drill, we received orders to be prepared to move immediately. Of course, we hastened back to camp, and, without "standing much upon the order of doing things," we struck our tents, and about dark were in line, ready for the word forward. At last it came, and abont eight o'clock in the evening we took up our line of march, moving in the direction of Wash- ington, and leaving old Camp Franklin behind us for the last time. It was a most lovely evening. The moon was shining brilliantly, almost seeming to bless us in our new undertaking. Never did men move with a lighter step than did our boys upon that beautiful evening. Had the men been assured at that hour of certain victory, methinks they could not have been more cheerful than they were then. A march of five or six miles brought us to Long Bridge, over which we passeil into the city about ten o'clock in the even- ing. The streets were crowded with people, who seemed to receive us very enthusiastically. In our march the whole force passed by General MeClellan's residence; and, as he had then been restored to the command of the army since Pope's disaster and the complete overthrow of his "head-quarters," as regi- ment after regiment passed by the abode of their idol- ized chieftain, they cansed the air to ring with the wildest cheers, thus demonstrating that the army of the Potomac had not lost its confidence in its general.
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Rapidly we proceeded upon our way, when, at one o'clock at night, we bivouacked at Georgetown Heights.
The following day, Sunday, was passed very quietly until near the evening, when we again took up the line of march. For the first time on that day, for nearly fifteen months, the sound of the church-going bells, chiming their sweet music from the towers in Washington, greeted our ears. Few can tell what emotions were kindled in the breast, or how many thoughts flew homeward, recalling the sweet associa- tions of long ago. Surrounded by such circumstances as we were then, it was not strange that these church- bell tones should touch, within our hearts, the finest as well as the most solemn feelings.
For several days our march was continued, passing through Rockville, Darnestown, and other minor places, passing around Sugar Loaf Mountain near Frederic, where we did picket duty one night after a hard and Itigning march. Our regiments were now much dee- imated. The long, tedious tramps, the poor and wanty rations, the intense heat, these all contributed to reduce our ranks materially. Our own regiment How numbered but three hundred and ninety men who were able to carry a musket; but those three hundred and ninety were strong men, and were de- termined men. In our march, on the fourteenth of > ptember, we crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains. The avent was long and very tedious; but when upon . opposite side of the summit, the view was most munificent. A valley extending for miles, dotted
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here and there with snow-white villas, with little streams flowing in various directions, abounding with beautiful groves and fields, lay spread out before us. It was the loveliest landscape I ever beheld. A painter's ideal could not have surpassed it. Expres- sions of surprise and admiration fell from hundreds of lips. The bright and the beautiful seemed to attend us at almost every step.
Upon the other side of the valley some four miles distant, rose another range of mountains, and upon the side of one of the mountains, we could distinctly see the smoke of canon performing their deadly work. We little thought theu, that, before sunset, we should also be actively engaged in the fearful labor. But so it seemed fated to be.
It was considerably easier marching down the mountain, than it was an hour before marching up. Hence we soon reached the valley, and moved swiftly on to Jefferson. Here we learned that Me- Clellan was pounding away at South Mountain. The citizens here seemed to be very loyal. Fifty men were said to have joined our ranks from this single place alone, only the day previous, which certainly was a good quota from a little village of less than two thousand inhabitants, and which fact bore strong tes- timony, certainly, to their patriotism and loyalty.
Having become a little refreshed. the bugle sounds, and early in the afternoon we were again upon the move. We now seemed to be approaching the moun- tain further to the south than the point where the
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principal portion of the army was operating. There were, it seems, two or three passes over the mountain, either of which, secured by our troops, would compel the rebel army to fall back, inasmuch as we should hold an important key to its base and position. Watching the course of the head of our column, we soon discovered that we were on the way to what is called Crampton Pass, being, I believe, the center one of the passes over the mountain. Another division of our corps was still further to the south, though their efforts to secure possession of a position were fruitless. When we had arrived within about two miles of the mountain, we discovered near its base a rebel battery in position, supported by quite a large body of infantry. Anticipating a movement in that direction, it appears that the enemy were determined to be prepared. Certain that now we had work be- fore us, we advanced accordingly ; and, by skillful ma- neuvering, we succeeded in approaching to within about half a mile of the enemy's position, apparently unperecived, at least unmolested. This was accom- plished by marching through ravines and pieces of woods, with which that part of the country abounded, until finally we reached an open plain which extended to the base of the mountain. Covering ourselves by a neighboring hillock, our artillery threw a few shells over in the direction of the enemy, in order to dis- cover their true position, and to develop their strength. The rebel cannon soon answered our challenge, and at "ner our troops moved out from their cover and pro-
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pared for the work. The gallant Sixteenth New York and the Fifth Maine were formed in a line of battle, and placed in advance. Our position was a difficult one. There was the mountain in our front, steep and high, guarded by a heavy force of infantry, with a body of cavalry and a battery, and our division was expected to storm and to take it. It looked almost impossible. Yet General Slocum said that it must be done, and that his boys were the boys to do it. A mighty responsibility rested upon us. Capture Cramp- ton Pass, and the key to the rebel position was in our hands. If repulsed, no one could tell what terrible consequences might follow. About four o'clock in the afternoon, everything being in readiness, the two regi- ments above alluded to, advanced to their work. We were now in an open field, in full view of the enemy, who were busy pouring shot and shell into our ranks ; yet we advanced with as good a line as we ever pre- sented on drill or upon review ground. With the ad- vance, our own artillery ceased its work. The infan- try was the only arm of the service which was to be used in that battle. During the forward movement, which was a distance of over three-quarters of a mile from the point where we formed our line of battle, we climbed over five rail fences, marched through a large cornfield, which, under peaceable circumstances, would have caused a great deal of difficulty in keeping any sort of a decent line, and yet all in good order; and though shots were ploughing through our ranks, and shells were screaming and bursting all around us, yet
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not a man faltered. Under this fire, galling and terri- ble as it was, we advanced with quick strides, until we reached a fair position within about three hundred and fifty yards, perhaps, of the enemy's lines, where, scarcely waiting for the word of command, we opened a fearful fire of musketry. For over an hour we poured volley after volley into the enemy's ranks. Never did men work harder than did the noble colliery of those two regiments. Almost every man svemed angry because he could not load and fire more rapidly. Hot indeed was the fire which the rebs re- turned; yet every one of our boys seemed determined to "send as good as received." A single exception must however be made; and, from the publie exhibi- tion of this exception, it may not be out of place to note it here. It will be remembered by the partici- pants in that gallant struggle, that, previous to the charge made upon that occasion, the regiment was or- dered to lie partially down for better protection. It was in the midst of a grand chorus of bullets that one recruit, whose courage had entirely leaked out of his boots (I borrow this figure), dropped his musket, and huid just started upon a full trot to the rear, when he was halted by an officer, who inquired what he was going to the rear for. The demoralized youth, with tightened visage and disheveled locks, tremblingly eried out, "du ye 'spose I'm guine to stay here and it w-a-u-n-d-e-d?" and immediately broke into a full ilop for a less dangerous neighborhood. The luidie- raus nature of this case, restrained any enforcement
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of discipline, causing even the missiles of death to be forgotten for a moment, while shouts of laughter came from all who had witnessed the fun. It is almost needless to add that the above subject never was found in the front again, the remainder of his term of service being occupied in guarding brigade teams.
For upwards of an hour, the fire continued brisk and hot. Death was making, in that short time, fearful havoc in the ranks of the noble soldiery. Then am- munition began to fail. Every round had been ex- pended; and as the soldier sought in vain for another charge in his own box, he eagerly sought the cartridge boxes of the killed and the wounded, discharging their contents as rapidly as possible. Word was sent to the rear to send up ammunition. The only reply which we received was to hold our position at all haz- ards. Hold a position under such fire as the enemy was pouring into our ranks, and we with scarcely a round to a gun! Flesh and blood could not stand that many hours. It began to look alarming. But few of our muskets were then at work, not enough to make even a decent show of a fight, because the men had long since exhausted their sixty rounds. Why don't the ammunition come up? was a frequent in- quiry. Officers, as well as the men, began to exhibit symptoms of uneasiness. Keep men at work, and there is no danger of demoralization. Let them be idle, and every spectro becomes a reality, and every danger magnified ten-fold. Of course, the moment the men generally ceased firing, they began to content-
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plate their position. They looked one to another, nerv- ously querying why our general officers did not rein- force the lines, or send more powder and ball. Again, word comes to us to hold our position. Ah! what is that ? Down the side of the mountain poured rein- forcements for the enemy. It was a sight which cansed our blood to run cold. If our task a moment before seemed arduous, how did it then appear with fresh troops sent to support our foe ? Word was sent to the rear. The officers in the rear were aware of the fact of reinforcements to the enemy, they said; yet we per- ceived no movement upon the part of our troops. Al- most every moment, some poor fellow in our lines was struck down by the fire of the rebs. Intently we watched the movements of the troops who had been double-quicking down the mountain. And now they began to form in line. Why, oh why did we delay? We could distinctly see one regiment formed in line and about moving forward into position, while a second was rapidly taking its place. Our men were almost frantic. The enemy were outwitting us, was the universal opin- ion. "Attention," cried an officer to our command. " About face," directed an aid to our commander, " move to the rear," was the order. " Is all this work to be lost," asked a dozen. There were men in that command who could then have cried with rage, as they con- meneed an obedience to the last order. Backward a few paces, just over the erest of a gentle rise of ground, our command retreated, and then we beheld a sight which made our hearts leap for joy. No wonder our
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