USA > Maine > History of the First Maine cavalry, 1861-1865, V. 1 > Part 28
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On this day the men wonderfully increased their admiration for the new chaplain, Rev. George W. Bartlett, who had joined the regiment late in the winter before, but who was at this time hardly known to the men, owing to the character of the duties of the winter, the large detail for Gen. Kilpatrick's raid, and the absence of many men on "veteran furloughs." As the regiment was hurriedly forming a skirmish line at one time, the chaplain rode along the line, saying in a cheery tone : " Be lively, boys,
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the quicker you get in there the better chance you'll get." which was as encouraging as it was soldierly.
In this slow, tedious, discouraging way, the day's march pro- gressed. Along towards night word came back to the rear guard that Custer had captured the outer line of the fortifica- tions of Richmond and several big guns, or words to that effect. which was received with cheers, but the effect of the good news was somewhat lessened, as far as this regiment was concerned. by the fact that just then there was a flurry in the rear, and the boys had to hurry back to the skirmish line they had left but a few minutes before. Darkness was most welcome that night. Soon after it came the regiment reached the Richmond pike. where it found a nice, wide road, in good condition, with a beautiful hedge fifteen or twenty feet high, on either side. over which the column marched "by platoons" easily and as pleasantly as could be under the circumstances, and without molestation. Just at daylight of Thursday, the twelfth, the regiment passed inside the first line of the Richmond fortifica- tions, where Custer had made the break, and halted, as the boys supposed, for breakfast.
It appears that here was another trap set for the Yankee cavalry. The whole command was now inside the outer wall of fortifications. On the right was a deep ravine, through which no troops could pass. In front was Meadow bridge, a bridge nearly a mile long over a swamp, with now and then small streams. At the further end of this bridge was a strong earthwork, well manned, while the bridge had been partially destroyed. In the rear a large force appeared soon after the rear guard had passed through the works, and on the left was the line of fortifications. The only way out was to cross Meadow bridge, or to take the back track. Had Sheridan been as well known at that time as he afterwards was, there would have been no question as to which he would do. He had started to go through, and he was going through. And he did go through.
The Maine boys had scarcely got out of their saddles before there was an order to draw ammunition ; and this over, without time to cook coffee, barely time to eat a "hardtack straight."
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IN AND OUT OF THE TRAP.
there was an order to mount and away. Swearing was of no use, and the only consolation the boys got was to wish they had cooked breakfast instead of drawing ammunition. Back over the road they had just come they went, halting a short distance inside the earthworks, where they were drawn up in the road in rear of a battery, which was at this time vigorously at work, and which was getting prompt replies to its missives. from a rebel battery. One battalion was sent forward to charge on the rebel guns, but for some reason this project was aban- doned (probably on account of the great danger of the under- taking and the poor prospect of any gain), and the battalion rejoined the regiment. Here the regiment remained, for what seemed a very long time, as support for the battery, the boys sitting still on their horses, with the enemy's shells striking all around them, while to add to the confusion a smart thunder shower came up, and the rain fell on Yanks and rebs alike, while the thunder of heaven's artillery mingled with that of the contending human forces. Those who sat on their horses that morning, listening to the various sounds, will never forget the sensations they experienced. While here a rebel shell struck the ground in front of Maj. Thaxter's horse, splashing mud all over the men in the first set of fours. Another exploded right over the major, and sent a piece through the withers of the major's horse, while another piece struck the major's heel, killing the horse and giving the major the cogno- men of " Achilles," for, with the other qualifications of that hero, he was vulnerable only in the heel. Several of the boys at once reined out to assist the wounded major, but he waved them back to their places and hobbled off alone. When this sitting still under fire had got so tedious that anything was welcome for a change, the regiment was marched to the left, near the bank of the ravine, dismounted, and sent into the woods to the skirmish line. Here the boys had fun. They concealed themselves, as they had well learned to do, behind a rail fence, trees, stumps, etc., and were comparatively out of sight, while their enemy (whom they supposed to be home guards. men who had always done duty in and about Richmond. and though brave enough, knew nothing about actual service.
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but thought it would be cowardly to seek any kind of protec- tion), stood boldly up in line, in an open field, and made excel- lent marks for the aim of their unseen and well protected foe. It was cruel to shoot at those brave fellows, to look at it now. but then the boys thought only of doing their duty, and really enjoyed selecting the men to shoot at. The regiment remained on this line a long time, losing one man killed and four wounded, and about two o'clock in the afternoon was called in and fol- lowed the column, which was passing out of the " trap."
The fight at the front was more severe, but Sheridan drove the enemy, the bridge was repaired, or rather rebuilt, and the First and Third divisions crossed, and finally the Second, which was unmolested. The whole force then marched to near Mechanicsville, half a dozen miles or so, without further molestation, and went into camp; and the boys, the enemy, and the country, were better acquainted with Gen. Sheridan.
Concerning this day's work, a newspaper correspondent's account of this raid, dated " Headquarters Cavalry corps, Hax- all's Landing, on James River, May 14, 1864," says : -
In the rear Col. Gregg's brigade of the Second division, and a portion of the Third division. under Gen. Wilson, were hotly engaged with Stuart. Gen. Wilson sent word to Gen. Sheridan that the enemy was driving him slowly back. Gen. Sheridan sent word that "he must hold the position at all hazards: that he could and must whip the enemy." Col. Gregg's brigade, being re-enforced by a regiment from the First brigade, charged the enemy and drove them nearly a mile. The day was now ours. The enemy had disappeared from our front, and we succeeded in rebuilding Meadow bridge, and the First and Third divisions crossed, covered by the Second division, which, in turn, withdrew, and also crossed without being annoyed by the enemy. The rebels, previous to crossing the river, planted a large number of torpedoes in the road, two of which exploded, fortunately. however, killing nothing but two horses. The rebel prisoners were at once set at work. and compelled to dig carefully with their fingers for the remain- ing infernal machines. Twelve of these beauties were unearthed in the space of a couple of hours, and placed in the cellar of a lady with strong rebel proclivities, living on the road. She protested in the strongest terms against the indignity, but was told that if she did not handle them they would not explode.
These extracts from the same southern correspondent, quoted in regard to the engagement at Ground Squirrel bridge, will also be of interest : -
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SHELLED BY UNION GUN-BOATS.
On Thursday morning the enemy was still on the same road. moving toward Richmond, but closely pressed by Gen. Gordon, who came up with the Yankee rear near Brook church, about a mile from the last line of fortifications. The Yankees turned down a road leading to Mechanicsville. Here we were re-enforced by a regiment, or a portion of a regiment, of in- fantry, which we hoped would assist in arresting the raiders. They were placed by Gen. Gordon on each flank. in the place of dismounted men. with orders to double quick and charge the enemy's dismounted men simultane- ously with the cavalry charge. Our boys raised the yell and were going in. when the necessary support failed. The command was then forced to dis- mount and advance as skirmishers, which was done immediately, steadily driving the enemy's skirmishers, when the recreant infantry were again ordered forward by Gen. Gordon; but the only execution they did was by firing into our dismounted men, who were far in the advance. killing two and wounding several. They then fell back upon the road. Our lines held back the enemy and drove him gradually till nightfall. Gen. Gordon was severely wounded while leading his men in the skirmish. After resting our weary frames, it was discovered that the continued thumping we had given the enemy had induced him to causeway the Chickahominy swamp and make his escape.
On the thirteenth the march was continued, the enemy mak- ing no more attempts to hinder it. The command bivouacked that night near Bottom's bridge, a dozen miles east of Rich- mond. and marching over Malvern Hill, reached Haxall's Land- ing, on the James River, fifteen miles southeast of Richmond. on the fourteenth. where were United States gunboats, which had come up to assist Sheridan, did occasion require, as well as to convoy transports with rations for the command. By some misunderstanding the gunboats commenced to shell the column as it came in sight, and the boys will never forget the sound of those shells ("cast iron stoves " they called them ) as they whirled through the air. The signal officers galloped to the front in hot haste, and in a short time the firing was stopped, - before any casualties occurred in this regiment, though there were rumors of a man killed in another regiment of the command. Here the men were allowed to unsaddle (all but one battalion. which was on picket), and to get a good night's rest, two unex- pected luxuries about that time. And the rations were very welcome, for the command had been living on the country almost since starting, and such source of supply was rather irregular, especially when time to forage could not be spared fum fighting. And more than all. the boys were cheered by
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the good news from the Army of the Potomac, which had been doing wonders in the few days the cavalry had been away ; and though the news was somewhat indefinite, it was none the less welcome.
The command remained here the next day, during which the sick and wounded were put on board the boats for transfer to Washington, and there was a general, though brief, season of refreshing rest. About six o'clock on the afternoon of the six- teenth, the regiment and the pioneers of the whole division, all under command of Col. Smith, started for the Chickahominy River, to repair Jones' bridge, and put it in condition for the command to cross. This force reached the locality about mid- night, and early the next morning the pioneers commenced their work, the regiment acting as support and also doing picket duty in all directions, while the bridge building was under the direction of Col. Smith, assisted by Capt. Ellis, of Co. E. In the morning Lieut. Harris, of Co. F, who had been on picket with his company, was found dead under such circumstances as to lead to the belief that he shot himself accidentally. There was no trouble from the enemy, though guerillas showed themselves at times during the day. By noon the bridge was finished, and the command waited patiently, some of the men using the time quite profitably the whilst in fishing, for the column to come ; but it did not come till the next morning. When it arrived, Chaplain Merrill says: "To facili- tate the passage of the troops it was then found necessary to build the second bridge. The water was deep, the banks high, and the bridge must be thirty-six feet between the bearings ; and yet so well had the exigency been provided for, and so energetic and skilful were the men, that in one hour and forty- five minutes the structure was completed, and the first train passed over it." This at that time was the quickest built bridge on record. The abutments were made by cutting down trees that hung over the water on either shore, placing logs from the one to the other on the same shore, and resting the stringers on these logs.
The crossing was effected during the day, and there was a deal of tedious waiting, for those first over must wait for the
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THE RETURN MARCHI.
rest, while to add to the discomfort the hot sun alternated with -howers all day long. About five o'clock in the afternoon the command started, and about ten o'clock halted for the night, being then a few miles from White House Landing. The next morning (nineteenth) the command was ordered in readiness to move ; but after the order was obeyed it was countermanded, and the day was spent in resting, foraging (for the rations were out the night before), and picketing. On the twentieth there was a hot, tedious march by the Second division, to near Coal Harbor. Here there was a couple of days of picketing, this regiment getting the second day of it, and on the twenty- second the march was resumed, the command halting that night near White House Landing, on the Pamunkey River, where transports supplied rations and forage, and where the horses had another night relieved from saddle and pack.
Next morning the command crossed the river on a high railroad bridge, which was anything but pleasant or easy to do, and then started off, passing by King William's Court House, and halting before dark on the banks of the Matta- pony, near Aylett's warehouse. The order was "unsaddle and go into camp," an order always cheerfully obeyed; and soon after that there was a sight such as is seldom seen. The river was near, its waters were tempting, the boys were dusty and dirty, and it only needed one or two to lead the way to entice large numbers into the water. A brigade in swimming could be seen from the camp of the regiment, and probably the rare, invigorating fun was enjoyed all along the line, and it was rare fun and thoroughly enjoyed. The sounds of can- nonading in a northwesterly direction at sunset told the boys they were getting in the vicinity of the Army of the Po- tomac.
On the twenty-fourth there was another tedious, dusty march to near Hanover Court House, and then for a while on the Bowling Green road, with the sounds of Grant's cannon all day, and about noon on the twenty-fifth the cavalry corps had joined the Army of the Potomac, and the boys were again " at home," this being the seventeenth day the corps had been outside the army lines. As an indication of the severity of the
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marching on this expedition, it may be said that in one day seventy-two horses became unfit for service, and were killed. to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy and being recuperated and rendered fit for service. Of this expedition. which he designates a "raid against the enemy's lines of com- munication with Richmond," Gen. Grant thus speaks in his official report : -
On the twenty-fifth (May) Gen. Sheridan rejoined the Army of the Potomac from the raid on which he started from Spottsylvania, having destroyed the depots at Beaver Dam and Ashland Stations, four trains of cars, large supplies of rations and many miles of railroad track; recaptured about four hundred of our men on the way to Richmond as prisoners of war; met and defeated the enemy's cavalry at Yellow Tavern; carried the first line of works around Richmond, but, finding the second line too strong to be carried by assault, recrossed to the north bank of the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge, under heavy fire, and moved by a detour to Haxall's Landing, on the James River, where he communicated with Gen. Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole of the enemy's cavalry force, and making it comparatively easy to guard our trains.
A newspaper correspondent who accompanied the expedition. thus writes from Haxall's Landing, on the fourteenth : -
The Cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, have during the past ten days covered themselves with glory, and accomplished the most decisive results of the war. They have fought and defeated Stuart's boasted cavalry for nine successive days, flanked his army, destroyed all his communications with Richmond. captured and destroyed three long trains loaded with commissary stores. together with two first-class engines, recaptured three hundred and seventy- eight Union prisoners, including two colonels, one lieutenant colonel. and several officers of lower grade, captured three pieces of artillery and about two hundred prisoners, taken the outer line of fortifications on the north side of Richmond, whipped their cavalry and infantry within the sound of the church bells of their capital. and brought the command safely through to the James River. under the protection of our gunboats.
During this part of the campaign of 1864 a portion of the regiment had been doing good service elsewhere. Maj. Cilley and Capts. Virgin and Montgomery found themselves in Wash- ington, the former on his return from New York, where he had been with the men transferred to the navy from the Second division, and the other two on their return from leave of
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ON DETACHED- SERVICE.
alrence, after the cavalry corps had cut loose from the rest of the army, and were put in command of a detachment of men at " dismounted camp." These men were veterans return- ing from their furloughs, convalescents from hospitals, etc., and consisted of one hundred and five from the First Maine and detachments from other regiments of the division. They num- bered at first two hundred and thirteen from the Second brigade (including sixty-seven from this regiment), and one hundred and two from the First brigade, and were afterwards increased to four hundred. This detachment left Washington on the twelfth of May for Belle Plain, arriving the next day, and there remained until the sixteenth, guarding rebel prisoners. On that day the detachment started, crossing the Rappahan- nock soon after noon, camping two miles or so from Freder- icksburg, and reaching Gen. Meade's headquarters about noon the next day. In the afternoon the detachment was sent out to support the Thirteenth Pennsylvania regiment, which was being driven back from a reconnoissance to Guiney's Station, and got ready to receive the enemy, but he did not come.
On the twenty-first Maj. Cilley, then under Gen. Torbet. was directed, with three hundred men of his command, to support the artillery near Milford Station, and afterwards to drive the enemy back from the left of the station. He deployed two squadrons as skirmishers, keeping one in reserve. and advanced through a wood, pressing the enemy back to the ritle pits, and then charged. The first attempt was unsuccess- ful, but at the second charge he carried the works, capturing forty-one prisoners, including four officers of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry. In the afternoon Capt. Montgomery, with a detachment of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania. captured ten prisoners on the other side of the river. The loss to the detachment this day was seven killed and ten. wounded, none Wing from the First Maine, as the one hundred men of this tegiment, under Capt. Virgin, were guarding a road on the
The next day the detachment reported to Gen. Hancock od was sent in different directions, scouting and guarding the Mains, and on the twenty-third the pickets were called in and
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the detachment was ordered to proceed immediately to Old Chesterfield. The roads were crowded by infantry, and the horsemen were obliged to take the side of the roads, making marching unpleasant and slow. During this march Maj. Cilley had the same satisfaction of being spoken to by Gen. Grant that the comrade did who. early in the history of the regiment. bragged that the colonel had spoken to him, and on being asked what he had said, replied : "He told me to 'push up.'" The major was ordered by Gen. Torbet (to whom he reported for orders) to move rapidly to his assistance, and for so doing was reprimanded by Gen. Grant, who did not know of this order.
That night the detachment was sent on picket near Chester- field Station, and Capt. Montgomery spent the night in the saddle trying to connect with the left of the infantry, during which one of his sergeants was shot by the infantry pickets. On the twenty-fourth Capt. Virgin, with a strong detachment. escorted a train with wounded men to Port Royal, on the Rap- pahannock. Next day Maj. Cilley with his command crossed the North Anna River and reported to Gen. Gibbons on the extreme left of the infantry, and participated in the fight at that point. The next day he reported with his detachment at division headquarters, and brought a welcome re-enforce- ment of one hundred men to the regiment.
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CHAPTER XII.
SECOND CAMPAIGN UNDER SHERIDAN.
ON THE ADVANCE AGAIN. - THE FIGHT AT HAWES' SHOP. - MAIL DELIV- ERED ON THE BATTLE-FIELD. - THE FIGHT AT COAL HARBOR. - DEATII OF CHAPLAIN BARTLETT. - SHERIDAN'S RAID TOWARD GORDONSVILLE. - FORAGING ON FOOT. - THE FIGHT AT TREVILLIAN STATION. - A LIVELY ARTILLERY DUEL. - VISIT TO LOUISA COURT HOUSE. - ON THE BACK TRACK. - A WEEK OF HOT, DUSTY. TIRESOME MARCHING. - SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE A MONTH AFTER THE BATTLE. - FIGHT AT WHITE HOUSE LANDING. - FIRST DAY'S REST FOR NEARLY TWO MONTHS. - THE FIGHT AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH. - INTENSE HEAT. - THE DAY WITH THE LED HORSES. - " AT HOME" AGAIN.
T HE boys found that " home " had moved since they left it. three weeks before, and was now on the North Anna River, instead of in the "Wilderness." The news of what the Army of the Potomac had done in their absence, that Grant had gradually been nearing Richmond and forcing the enemy back, was inspiriting, indeed, and to this were added letters and papers for the boys from home in abundance, that had collected during their absence. Not long was the rest, however, for the next day, twenty-sixth, the command started about noon and marched, as the advance of the Army of the Potomac, directly back over the road it had just come, for some distance, and then turning to the right, continued on all night, reaching the Pamunkey River, near Hanover Town, next morn- ing, where there was a short skirmish in which the enemy was driven, and crossing the river on pontoons. this regiment getting across about eight o'clock. There was some manœuvering and skirmishing on the other side of the river, and then the regiment marched down the river a short distance, and went into camp on some fine bottom lands belonging to an old lady, who was terribly exercised about it, where the horses lived in clover and
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the boys feasted on ripe strawberries. This movement was another of Gen. Grant's flank movements.
The morning of May twenty-eighth the regiment was still on the bank of the river. About ten o'clock the orders came to move out, and in a very short time the regiment was moving out. It was but a short march before trouble began with the advance, and ere long two divisions of the cavalry corps were engaged in what was pronounced the severest and most hotly contested cavalry fight of the war up to that time, and which Gen. Grant in his official report says was a "severe but success- ful engagement." the fight borne on the regimental battle-flag as " Hawes' Shop." In this engagement the regiment was given the unenviable, soul-harrowing, though responsible position of support for a battery, and a lively battery it was, too, not only keeping up a heavy fire, but drawing a smart fire from the rebel battery. The regiment was drawn up in line a short distance in rear of the battery, a portion of it partially behind some woods, while in front of the centre was a tall chimney supported by a large brick oven - all the war had left of some mansion. Here for an hour or more, and time did drag fearfully, every minute seeming an hour, the boys sat on their horses, listening to the sounds of the battle they could not see; listening to sounds of the enemy's shells whizzing through the tops of the trees in front of them or close by that tall chimney, and think- ing how the bricks and mortar would come down among the men if a shell or solid shot should strike it; watching the shell and shot strike the ground in their front, for the enemy had remark- ably good range ; and all the time wishing they were anywhere but there. Then they were allowed to dismount and sit or lie down on the ground in front of their horses, which was much more comforting. And if some of the men found themselves working into the ground before that long, severe strain was over. who can blame them. for the fight raged long and hot, and to remain under that severe fire doing nothing was a greater strain by far than the more active if more dangerous fighting. The men under those circumstances get the noise of the battle with- out its excitement, and the danger without the glory and without the forgetfulness of danger that activity brings. Shell-
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