USA > Maine > History of the First Maine cavalry, 1861-1865, V. 1 > Part 26
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The march was then resumed. the enemy still hovering around and harassing the column, but refusing to give battle, though it was offered several times. During the morning Col. Dahl- gren's force, under command of Capt. Mitchell, joined the column as before stated. That night the whole command bivouacked at Tunstall's Station, and the next day was met near New Kent Court House- by the force of Gen. Butler, which had come up from Yorktown to aid Gen. Kilpatrick, and the men were right glad to see those troops, if they were black. The column kept on, camping that night at a place called Burnt Ordinary, pass-
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AFTER THE RAID.
ing through Williamsburg at ten the next day, and reaching Yorktown at four in the afternoon of Friday, March fourth: and the raid was over.
During this expedition the command marched through nine different counties occupied by the enemy ; viz., Spottsylvania, Caroline, Hanover, Goochland, Henrico, Louisa, New Kent, James City, and York, and the men were in the saddle almost continually for four days. That portion of the regiment with Gen. Kilpatrick lost forty-nine, killed, wounded, and missing, a total loss to the regiment of ninety-three, together with over two hundred horses. This last loss, however, was partially made up from the people living along the line of march.
The command reached Gloucester Point on the seventh, and on the eighth Capt. Chadbourne, of Co. I, with a detachment of forty-two men, was sent on an expedition to King's and Queen's Court House, which resulted in the capture of some prisoners and the obtaining of much valuable information, without the loss of a man. This expedition was gone three days. On the ninth a portion of the regiment embarked for Alexandria, and another on the tenth, and on the eighteenth the whole detach- ment was back in the comfortable winter quarters near Warren- ton, which they reached with a most thorough feeling of "getting home."
The portion of the regiment that remained in camp while this expedition was gone, passed the time as before, picketing, scouting, etc. Maj. Cilley was in command of the regiment the greater portion of the time from February third until April fifteenth, Col. Smith being in command of the brigade. February twenty-ninth the new chaplain, Rev. George W. Bartlett, joined the regiment, and held services at headquarters March sixth and April tenth. March ninth, Maj. Thaxter and one hundred men were ordered to go to Sperryville and Luray to release conscripts, but the order was countermanded at corps headquarters. March twenty-third the camp was inspected by the medical directors of the Army of the Potomac and of the corps, and was pronounced by the corps medical director the best camp in the corps. The camp and the regiment were inspected April thirteenth by Gen. Gregg, and on the seven-
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
teenth the regiment joined in a brigade review by Gen. P. H. Sheridan, who had been appointed commander of the Cavalry corps, Army of the Potomac. April twenty-first the boys bade good-by to the homes they had enjoyed so much, and went into camp at Turkey Run, only a short distance away, still scouting and picketing, crossing the Rappahannock (never to recross it) on the twenty-ninth and camping at Paoli Springs, near Brandy Station, and again moving camp on the third of May to Richards- ville, near the Rapidan, never to see Bealton, or Warrenton, or Brandy Station, or the Rappahannock again.
CHAPTER XI.
FIRST CAMPAIGN UNDER SHERIDAN.
CHANGE IN COMMANDERS - WHO IS GEN. SHERIDAN ? - ROSTER OF OFFI- CERS AT THE OPENING OF THE SPRING CAMPAIGN, 1864. - THE CAM- PAIGN COMMENCED. - GEN. MEADE'S ADDRESS TO THE ARMY. - A FEW DAYS ON THE LEFT OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. - IN THE "WILDERNESS" AGAIN. - SKIRMISHING. - FIGHT AT TODD'S TAVERN. - SUCCESSFUL CHARGE UPON INFANTRY. - SHERIDAN'S RAID TO RICH- MOND. - THE FIGHT AT BEAVER DAM STATION. - LIEUT. COL. BOOTHI- BY FATALLY WOUNDED. - FIGHT AT GROUND SQUIRREL BRIDGE. - INSIDE THE FORTIFICATIONS OF RICHMOND. - HEAVEN'S ARTILLERY JOINS IN THE FRAY. - FIGHTING HOME GUARDS. - OUT OF THE TRAP. - GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH SHERIDAN. - THE SOUNDS OF SHELLS FROM UNION GUNBOATS. - BRIDGE BUILDING. - "AT HOME" AGAIN. -- GEN. GRANT'S REPORT OF THE RAID. - SERVICES OF A SEPARATE DETACHMENT OF THE REGIMENT IN MAY.
T HIE spring campaign of 1864 opened under the lead of Gen. U. S. Grant, who during the winter had been made lieutenant general and assigned to the command of all the armies of the United States, but who made his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, which from that time operated under his immediate supervision, though Gen. Meade still held the command of that army, as he had done from just previous to the battle of Gettysburg. This change was looked upon with favor, both by the loyal people at large and by the boys in the Army of the Potomac. The boys were well acquainted with the services of Gen. Grant in the west, and believed in him, though they could not help qualifying their belief and their hope with the fact that he had never yet had the Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, to contend against, and the latter might perhaps prove to be worthy the name he had won among his own people, of "the ablest military chieftain in the world." However, the change made it evident that the government meant business, and had at last come to a realizing sense of the
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
fact that it could not run the country and the war, too, and was willing to place the war entirely in the hands of one who had. at least, shown the greatest capacity for that service. This was a good sign. Another change was made which was of great importance to the cavalry men, and proved to be so to the whole army and the country at large, viz., the assignment of the Cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac to the command of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. Who this Sheridan was no one seemed to know, only that he came from the west, which was some recom- mendation. Indeed, so little was he or his services known at that time that some of the northern papers, in publishing the telegraphic news of this appointment, announced in display heads, "Gen. Sherman to command the Cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac," thinking, evidently, that " Sheridan " was an error in telegraphy. But they became better acquainted with him, as did the boys under his command, ere long. Some idea of the changes in the regiment for a year may be obtained by comparing the roster of field, staff, and line officers at the opening of the spring campaign of 1863 with the roster for May 7, 1864, though this does not show all the changes that were made, nor does it show who were and who were not on duty at that time : -
FIELD AND STAFF.
" Colonel, CHARLES H. SMITH, Eastport, June 18, 1863. Lieutenant Colonel. STEPHEN BOOTHBY, Portland. June 18, 1803. Majors, JONATHAN P. CILLEY. Thomaston, May 8. 1862. SIDNEY W. THAXTER. Bangor, June 18. 1863. CONSTANTINE TAYLOR, U. S. Army, February 18, 1864.
Adjutant, ANDREW II. BIBBER, Eastport. June 1, 1863.
Quartermaster, CLARENCE D. ULMER, Rockland, March 17. 1863. Surgeon, GEORGE W. COLBY. Richmond, October 31, 1861. Assistant Surgeons. HORACE STEVENS, Skowhegan, March 26, 1863. ALEXANDER M. PARKER, Westbrook, March 26, 1863.
Commissary. MARTIN. T. V. BOWMAN. Hallowell, February 9. 1864. Chaplain, GEORGE W. BARTLETT, Litchfield, February 13, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Sergeant Major, JAMES W. PooR, Belfast, February 1, 1864. Quartermaster Sergeant, EBED L. SHACKFORD, Eastport, February 12, 1464. Commissary Sergeant, NATHAN V. COOK, Solon, March 1, 1864.
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ROSTER OF OFFICERS.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF- Continued.
Hospital Stewards, SAMUEL C. LOVEJOY. Rockland. October 14, 1861. EMERY T. GATCHELL. Brunswick. September 28, 1862. Sadler Sergeant, HENRY W. NORWOOD, Bangor, March 1, 1863. Chief Trumpeter, ISAAC C. BRICK, Augusta, May 1, 1863.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
CO. A. - Captain. HORACE S. COLE. Hampden, Dec. 31. 1863. First Lieutenant, MILES COLBATH, Exeter, Dec. 31, 1663. Second Lieutenant, ORRIN S. HASKELL. Levant. February 13, 1864. CO. B. - Captain, BENJAMIN F. TUCKER, U. S. A., May 8. 1862. First Lieutenant, W.M. P. COLEMAN, Lincolnville, September 26, 1861. Second Lieutenant, FRANK M. CUTLER, Union, October 4, 1861. CO. C. - Captain, ADDISON P. RUSSELL, Houlton, August 30, 1863. First Lieutenant. HORATIO S. LIBBY. Gardiner, March 12. 1868. Second Lieutenant, JONATHAN K. BROOKS, Bowdoinham, June 20, 1863.
CO. D. - Captain, WM. MONTGOMERY, Orland. February 9. 1864. First Lieutenant, PHINEAS FOSTER, JR., Machias, February 9, 1864. Second Lieutenant. GEORGE E. BUGBEE. Perry, June 1, 1863. CO. E. - Captain, Osco A. ELLIS, Lincoln, May 1. 1863. First Lieutenant, GEO. W. HUSSEY, Houlton, June 20, 1863. Second Lieutenant. JOHN A. HEALD. Lincoln. August 20. 1863.
CO. F. - Captain, WALSTEIN PHILLIPS, Portland, February 16, 1863. First Lieutenant, WILLIAM HARRIS, Machias. February 16, 1863. Second Lieutenant, Wy. L. BOYD, Houlton, February 16, 1863. CO. G. - Captain, ISAAC G. VIRGIN, Dixfield. December 31. 1862. First Lieutenant. CALVIN B. BENSON, Hartford. February 9, 1864. Second Lieutenant. HENRY F. BLANCHARD, Rumford, April 30, 1864.
CO. H. - Captain. HENRY C. HALL, Starks. June 18. 1868. First Lieutenant, JOHN R. ANDREWS, Biddeford, June 18, 1863. Second Lieutenant, WILLIAM F. STONE. Portland, October 23, 1862. CO. I. - Captain, PAUL CHADBOURNE, Waterboro'. December 2, 1862. First Lieutenant, FRANK W. PRAY. Shapleigh. December 2, 1862. Second Lieutenant, SAMUEL C. SMITH, Alfred. June 20, 1863. CO. K. - Captain. JOHN D. MYRICK, Augusta, January 4. 1863. First Lientount, CHARLES W. FORD, Bristol, January 9. 1863. Second Lieutenant. GEORGE F. JEWETT, Bath, February 4, 1864. CO. L. - Captain, JOHN P. CARSON, Mt. Vernon, April 4, 1804. First Lieutenant. CHARLES O. GORDON. Phillips, April 4, 1864. Second Lieutenant, LEVI H. DAGGETT, New Sharon, April 4, 1864. CO. M. - Captain. ZENAS VAUGHAN. Freeman. June 4. 1863. First Lieutenant, CHARLES K. JOHNSON, Carmel, June 20, 1865. Second Lieutenant, WILLIAM H. BRADMAN, Parkman, June 20. 1-63.
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
The brigade still remained the Second brigade, Second divi- sion, Cavalry corps, was composed of the First Maine, Second, Fourth, Eighth, and Sixteenth Pennsylvania, and Tenth New York regiments, and was still commanded by Col. J. Irwin Gregg, while Gen. D. MeM. Gregg still commanded the division.
At midnight, Tuesday, May third, the regiment was in the saddle, and prepared for the advance under the new leaders. After waiting patiently till nearly daylight the next morning, the column moved, crossing the Rapidan at Ely's ford at sun- rise, and proceeding to the battle-ground at Chancellorsville. where there was a short halt. Then came a march of a couple miles or so on the Fredericksburg plank road, and a halt which lasted all night. The great campaign which was to show how Gens. Grant and Lee compared with each other as generals, had commenced. Gen. Grant had decided to "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer," although the official despatch which made that sentence famous had not yet been sent,1 and appeared to be ready to take advantage of anything that he could construe in his favor, and while he doubtless had a general plan of operations, he was not confined to it altogether, if he could gain more by disregarding it. How the campaign proceeded by successfully turning the right flank of the enemy, and by continually fighting and forcing him back until Peters- burg was reached, and that without regard to the dangers that might threaten the capital, are matters of general history, and too well known to need repetition here. To the cavalry was assigned the left of the army, opposite the enemy's right, while the infantry strung its lines through the "Wilderness" to the right, miles away.
Early Thursday morning this address was read to all the troops in the Army of the Potomac, at roll-call : -
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. MAY 4, 1864.
Soldiers : - Again you are called upon to advance on the enemies of your country. The time and the occasion are deemed opportune by your com- manding general to address you a few words of confidence and caution.
1 This despatch hore date, " Headquarters in the Field, May 11, 1864, 8 A.M.," and said: " We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time
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IN THE WILDERNESS.
You have been reorganized, strengthened, and fully equipped in every . respect. You form a part of the several armies of your country, the whole under the direction of an able and distinguished general, who enjoys the confidence of the government. the people, and the army. Your movement being in co-operation with others, it is of the utmost importance that no effort should be left unspared to make it successful.
Soldiers! the eyes of the whole country are looking with anxious hope to the blow you are about to strike in the most sacred cause that ever called men to arms.
Remember your homes, your wives and children, and bear in mind that the sooner your enemies are overcome the sooner you will be returned to enjoy the benefits and blessings of peace. Bear with patience the hardships and sacrifices you will be called upon to endure. Have confidence in your officers and in each other. Keep your ranks on the march and on the battle- field, and let each man earnestly implore God's blessing, and endeavor, by his thoughts and actions, to render himself worthy of the favor he seeks. With clear consciences and strong arms, actuated by a high sense of duty, fighting to preserve the government and the institutions handed down to us by our forefathers-if true to ourselves - victory, under God's blessing, must, and will attend, our efforts.
GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General Commanding.
The boys believed this meant fighting, and fighting till the enemy was whipped, and they took new courage from it. The regiment made a reconnoissance to Fredericksburg that forenoon, and on returning proceeded to join the main column near Todd's Tavern. Here it found the First brigade actively engaged with the enemy, and was held in reserve as its sup- port, but was not called upon. The regiment bivouacked in that vicinity, and the boys were in the saddle by three o'clock the next morning. Considerable marching and scouting in various directions ; a short season supporting a battery ; a time on the skirmish line in the afternoon, where, in the lull of the firing, some of the men fell asleep, although the regiment the Maine boys relieved called it a lively contest ; a trip on the wrong road, and a period of being entirely cut off from the Union lines, during which the regiment was exposed to a sharp fire ; and finally a night of picket duty near Pine Run church,
Is much in our favor. Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over five thousand prisoners by Mattle, while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers. I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."
Signed, U. S. GRANT, Lient. Gen. Commanding the Armies of the United States.
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
made up the sum of this day's duties for this regiment, while. from sunrise to sunset, came the thunder of heavy firing from the right. A newspaper correspondent's account of this day's fighting, written at the time, says : -
Late in the day Stuart made a demonstration upon both our right and left flanks, but was handsomely repulsed by Custer's brigade of the First division on the right. and Col. Gregg's brigade of the Second division on the left. Gen. Custer went into the fight with his usual impetuosity, having his band playing patriotic airs in front. himself charging at the head of his brigade, and the artillery playing into the enemy at the same time. The attack on the left was very stubborn, and looked for a time as though it would be successful: but Gen. Gregg, who is the coolest man under trying circumstances I ever saw on the field, ordered Col. Gregg to send in the First Maine and drive " those people " away. The general always speaks of the enemy as " those people." Besides the First Maine. the Second, Fourth and Eighth Pennsylvania regiments were engaged on the left.
Saturday, May seventh, the regiment remained on picket till nearly noon, when it was relieved and sent to the front with the rest of the brigade. There were two or three hours of waiting, and then a dismounted line was formed near Todd's Tavern, across the Catharpen road, the First Maine being in the edge of some woods on the left of the road. The led horses were taken to the rear under charge of the "No. 4" men, each man having charge of the led horses of his set of fours, while Nos. 1, 2 and 3 marched to the line. There was then no appearance of an enemy in front, and no sounds of fighting : but the boys knew they were there to fight, and made prepara- tions accordingly. A rail fence along the road was quickly transformed into breastworks, for the men had now been in the service long enough to learn that it was the part of valor to protect themselves as much as possible. While the boys were busily engaged in carrying rails, a voice came from the right of the road, saying: "What regiment is that?" "First Maine," was the reply of one who had too many rails on his shoulder to waste much strength in talk. " Bully for you ! this is the Sixteenth Pennsylvania." was the joyful reply ; and then the strange voice rang out to his comrades: " We are all right. boys, the First Maine is on our left." while the fact that the "Sixteenth is on our right," went down the First Maine
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TODD'S TAVERN.
Mnie as gladly. The strong friendship which these two regi- ยท ments had formed for each other at Shepardstown, and the firm confidence which each had acquired for the other, had been strengthened during the campaign which followed. and this friendship and confidence were never broken. Either regiment always felt "all right " with the other near. In quick time the breastworks were completed, and they were good works for the time and materials used ; half the men were sent a short distance to the rear for support, and to be used where exigen- vies might require ; and the remainder, carbine in hand, waited patiently the turn of events. Before them was a large open field, and beyond that, not two hundred yards away, more woods. Two guns of "horse battery A," regulars, the battery belonging to the division, were in position on the skirmish line, clear up to the breastworks, their muzzles running out through embrasures left for that purpose, - the only time the boy's saw the artillery on the skirmish line close to the front. The prep- arations for fighting had hardly been completed when firing was heard in the front, and a force under command of Capt. Myrick, which had been sent out on the road to find the enemy and watch his movements, came back, followed by a large force of rebels. Out of the woods the enemy came, yelling as only they could yell, and they had but fairly got into the field when vannon and carbines opened a terrific fire, and the rebel yell was turned into a whine as they quickly disappeared in the woods. The sight was enough to make the boys laugh, so suddenly did the enemy turn. They evidently did not expect to find any considerable force so near, and that battery's grape and canister thoroughly astonished them. All that afternoon . the fight was kept up, the rebels making several unsuccessful charges, and all that afternoon the brigade held the position. with the battery alongside. It was an . afternoon of spirited attacks and of stubborn resistance.
During one of the lulls in the firing, one of the boys of Co. L !... dl a skirmish of his own with a rebel who was concealed in the woods. He first held his cap up above the works to draw the Ere of his foe, and succeeded. The cap was not harmed, and he went back a shout of derision. Thereupon the rebel put up his
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
hat, as if inviting him to give an example of his marksmanship. He did so, and back came a similar shout of derision. This was repeated two or three times, both parties getting more and more excited. while the comrades of each of the skirmishers took quite as much interest as did the principals, and forgot for a moment their surroundings. Finally the Co. L man got a little too excited, and in watching the foe as the latter was drawing a bead on the Union cap, he unconsciously exposed the broad- est part of his body above the rails. Johnny fired, and a jump by the Yankee and a quick application of his hand to the ex- posed part, told where that bullet struck. Then came over a hearty laugh from the rebel line, in which the comrades of the wounded man could not help joining. It may be remarked that with the laugh against him he could not with good grace leave the field, but pluckily remained to square accounts with that particular rebel.
The brigade remained on the skirmish line that night and the next forenoon, being relieved long enough in the morning for the men to go back to the horses and get breakfast. About ten o'clock the rebels appeared in front, advancing, and there was a sharp fight for a few moments. This fight did not seem to amount to anything at the time, but afterwards it was learned that the enemy's infantry had attempted to make an advance upon the Union force, but had been checked; that dismounted cavalry had forced the infantry back. There were indications that a strong effort was to be made to carry the line, and the men waited anxiously, being in readiness at any moment -at every moment. A little later a charge was made on the enemy's right flank by the left of the Union line, in which the greater portion of this regiment joined, and the rebel infantry were driven from the woods by dismounted Union cavalry men. Shortly after this the brigade was relieved by infantry. The loss to the regiment in this engagement, borne on the flag as "Todds Tavern," was six wounded, one of whom died. One reason for the loss being so small in so severe an engagement. lasting so long, was the fact that this regiment had excellent protection in the breastworks. As the enemy made the attack in this engagement and failed to achieve any advantage, the result is rightfully claimed as a victory for the Union forces.
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TODD'S TAVERN.
Maj. John D. Myrick. at the reunion in Bangor, 1873, thus spoke of this engagement : -
You, Mr. President. and comrades. who were with the old regiment during the " Wilderness" campaign, will recollect the memorable fight at Todd's Tavern on the seventh and eighth of May, 1564. Gregg's division held the Catharpen road, our lines being established in the edge of the woods, and having in our front a broad stretch of open ground. skirted again beyond with timber. Late on the morning of the second day. the enemy, baving completed his preparations, ordered the advance, and as we lay there impatiently watching his movements, every man grasped his car- bine more tightly, while flashing eyes and compressed lips betokened on every hand a stern determination there to nobly do or die.
The long, glistening lines of the rebel infantry pressed on with rapid strides and perfect alignment, until they came within pistol range of our men, and then a rattling volley from the deadly carbines tore crashing through their ranks; and seizing the opportunity afforded by the momentary confu- sion, our gallant fellows, the dear old First Maine in the advance, without an order. so far as I could ever learn. with one impulse. as if fired with a sudden inspiration, leaped over their frail barricades and fell with impetuous valor on the rebel lines - the lithe, active trooper against the sturdy infantry man. - the carbine against the bayonet, - and hurled them back, and crushed them down, and utterly routed them!
The manner in which soldiers accustom themselves to their surroundings and make the best of circumstances was thus illustrated that morning. The sun was very hot, even early in the morning, and the boys on the right of the regiment, thinking perhaps they might have to stay on the skirmish line all day, made themselves shelter with small trees and branches, and ere long were comfortably shielded from the sun. They were interrupted in this by the advance of the enemy, when they left their fancy work, sprang to the breastworks, and in a moment were fighting sharply, forgetting all about the shelter or the hot sun. The idea of fighting under a brush canopy was certainly unique. After this attack was repulsed the shelters were finished. But this was not enough. The ground was not the cleanest to sit or lie down upon, so a thick carpet of fresh green leaves was put down. Then there was comfort, even on a skirmish line, and thorough comfort, too ; and thus situated. the boys calmly watched their comrades on the left make that famous charge upon the infantry already spoken of. When the
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