USA > Maine > History of the First Maine cavalry, 1861-1865, V. 2 > Part 5
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It was evident to us in the charge, that the brigade was going to the rear in an unhealthy and hasty manner at the time we came over the hill, and that entirely different features appeared when we reached the banks of the stream. Instead of doubt and confusion, certainty stood exultant. Under
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
a sharp skirmish fire from the opposite side. we threw up a slight breast- work of rails. in cavalry style, concealing the body only as it lay prone on the ground. Our band came up from the rear and cheered and animated our hearts by its rich music: ere long a rebel band replied by giving us southern airs; with cheers from each side in encouragement of its own band, a eross-fire of the "Star Spangled Banner," "Yankee Doodle," and " John Brown." mingled with " Dixie " and the " Bonnie Blue Flag." During the afternoon the line was changed a little from time to time. Sent orders for our pioneers to come up, and for ammunition, but could obtain neither. The pioneers were busy corduroying roads for the train, and ammunition wagons were so far to the rear the ammunition could not be brought to the front. The skirmish fire in front became lighter, but we could hear constant firing to our right. We did not know till the next day that Davies' brigade had been driven back, and Gregg ordered to his support. and that our single brigade stood its ground with no connecting force on our right. and no supporting force in our rear. The only inkling I received of the situation. Gen. Smith gave me, as he rode to the front and told me to keep a sharp lookout for our right flank; that he expected the attack from that quarter: that he had received orders to hold his position as long as possible. and if cut off from his division, to withdraw his four regiments by moving through the woods, and getting out as best he could. To strengthen my right. I moved Cos. D and H from the left of the line and put them in as reserve. near the right of the line, to face either the front or the right, as might be needed. There was some talk between the two lines, cheap and boastful. as usual. until half-past five in the afternoon, when suddenly four pieces of artillery opened on us.
The whole of the cavalry that attacked us in the morning, re-enforced by Pickett's celebrated division of infantry, were thrown across the stream, and in the thiek brush and wood of its banks opened a murderous fire, whose deafening echoes filled all the air. Cos. D and H were immediately brought to the brow of the hill, and in excellent position to punish the enemy. Bidding Capts. Hall and Howe to hang on where they were, - for the Second New York was breaking in our front, and the portion of our regiment in the road at a rail fence was being pressed up the hill in confusion, - I remember rushing to rally these men, and of having my hat suddenly carried from my head: of getting them into line and moving them to the front of the rise bordering the low land by the stream. Capts. Hall and Howe held the enemy firmly at our right. till Stayner, young and eager for the fight. chris- tened his newly earned promotion with his own life. and Capt. Howe, shot through the bowels, was borne to the rear. Men, as their ammunition boxes were exhausted, would empty their pistols into the enemy's ranks, closing thick in front of us, and then go to the rear. The enemy was terribly pir- ished; for we learned afterwards, from prisoners, and members of Pickett's division who lived in Petersburg. that Col. Cheek, of the First North Care- lina Cavalry, and Col. Savage, of the Thirteenth Virginia, were wounded on the slope in front of us. But fresh regiments took their places, and we were pushed back, not driven, for with as good alignment as our thinned rank- would admit, we would halt and deliver volleys from carbine and pistol as we could gather ammunition.
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COL. CILLEY! SEAACCOUNT.
Private Richard McCarthy, Co. K, now an overseer in the Hudon Cotton Mills, in Canada, thus describes his part: " Charley Somes and I were behind a tree firing at the enemy. It was getting hot. Charley said, 'Go back, Mac; you will get hit.' I told him I stood as good a chance as he; but in a few minutes ' I got it,' and said, ' Charley, I am hit.' He replied: . There. d-n you, I told you you would'; and in spite of my pain, I had to laugh."
I remember another, coming from the rear, whither he had assisted a wounded comrade: as he passed near me I asked him how much ammunition he had. He replied: "Forty rounds, that I just gathered from wounded men." Telling him that he was just the man I wanted at that time. I directed him to take post in rear of a stump and bush, and to hold the rebels in check as long as his ammunition lasted. He came to me the next morning and said: "I carried out your instructions, colonel, but when my ammunition was out the rebs were behind me on either side, and I was obliged to lie where I was till night, and I did not find my regiment till after midnight." I would like to know the name of that man.
Another incident- personal. I tell it because it will surely come out before evening closes, and it is sometimes told as though I swore, and said certain things that better be unsaid. As I remember it. thus it occurred: - The twigs were dropping fast from the trees, bullets were flying. but unheard, and a hubbub of artillery filled the air. Suddenly I heard and felt a bullet - whew! and it hurt. Sergt. Maj. Tobie, seeing my contortions, hurried to me and asked: Are you wounded, colonel?" "Oh! Ough! Confound it!" " Will you go to the rear?" All at once it rushed through my mind, " Must I leave my regiment ?" And filled with infinite disgust at the thought, and such a wound. my indignation burst out with : "D-1 the rear, I am wounded in the - rear." If Capt. Loring remembers my language as I rallied his company, he will now know that the smart of my words was largely physical. We were out of ammunition, our ranks were sadly depleted. It was useless to resist longer, and my only thought was to get my regiment back without disorder and without further loss.
The enemy, severely punished, did not follow closely. We were soon on the level plat of land in front of Dinwiddie, where a part of Custer's division had been brought up from the rear, and had just completed a slight breastwork of rails. We were scareely in rear of this, when a column of cavalry eame galloping up the road and from the woods we had just left, but our show of empty guns and the fresh carbines of Custer sent them back quicker than they came. This was on the extreme left of the line. as it lay in front of Dinwiddie. Along our front. and away to our right, was a strong line of rebels advancing. All the batteries of Custer's division, as well as our own, were now in position, and for the first time in the day had fair opportunity to use their guns. The fight was short. but Sheridan in his report speaks of it as handsome. The darkening hours of night now closed the murderous work, and in this darkness our division moved to the rear on the Vaughan road, to guard the trains and rear. Custer's fresh division taking our place, and Ayer's division of the Fifth corps marching all night by the Boydton plank road to our support.
Let us review the work of the day. The enemy was enabled, through the neglect of Gen. Warren to attack with the Fifth corps, to throw on
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the cavalry, weakened by Custer's division detained in the rear, and by Mckenzie's brigade out of reach, their entire cavalry force. assisted by the famous Piekett's and Anderson's divisions, and Wise's independent brigade. This force was first hurled against the extreme left of the line in the forenoon. and was most gallantly repulsed. It then spent several hours manœuvring for a position, and kept from Gregg's brigade, on our immediate right, by a swamp. it came down on the Five Forks road, driving back Davies' and Gregg's brigades, and pressing them both. with Merritt's division, back so far that they were forced to take the Boydton plank road to reach Dinwiddie. Thus our brigade was left isolated, on the extreme left of a line. with no connection on its right and none in its rear. till Custer came up from the wagon train. During all the time necessary to effect this, we bore back with our carbines and pistols the larger part of the rebel cavalry re-enforced by Pickett's infantry. In the morning we had fallen on their advancing and exultant lines like an avalanche, and in the evening we had stood like a rock in the pathway, immovable, while all to our right had been rolled away like a garment - a rock not to be passed over or around, till Custer's fresh troops from the rear could gather their breastwork of rails, and with our thinned ranks repel the final attack of the enemy's horse and foot. The magnitude of the force against us was so manifest. that Grant at ten o'clock that night ordered first one division, and then the remaining two of the Fifth corps. to march to our assistance, and that they should reach us by twelve that night. and hurried up Me Kenzie's division of cavalry from the Army of the James.
The severity of the contest is attested by the disabling of three rebel regi- mental or brigade commanders in front of our lines - that in our regiment one man in every four had been wounded or killed. and one officer in every three had been killed or borne to the rear wounded. Sheridan that mght reported the casualties as probably fon hundred and fifty men killed or wounded. Our regiment lost ninety-seven: showing, as plainly as figures can show, that where the thickest of the fight was, there the First Maine stood. Our whole brigade lost one hundred and fifty-five, of which the proportion of the First Maine was ninety-seven. All but four of the men killed were from our regiment. I do not think it boasting to say that with our dead and wounded we paved the way for the glorious capture of prison- ers at Five Forks the next day, - Five Forks, the immediate, - as AAppo- mattox was the final, -cause of Lee's surrender, - and the name of Five Forks is borne on our standard.
Maj. John D. Myrick, at the reunion of the regiment at Pittsfield, 1880, thus speaks of this engagement : -
At one o'clock on the morning of March 20, 1865, the regiment broke camp. and before daybreak set out for Dinwiddie Court House, where we bivonacked. About midnight a rain storm set in, which continned through- ont the following day and night. On the morning of the thirty-first we marched to Cat Tail Run. or Stony Creek, and were dismounted unde! cover of a hill which was destined to play a conspicuous part, within a few hours, in the great events of the day. I remember very distinctly that, on
MAJ. MYRICK'S ACCOUNT. 405
dismounting. I directed my battalion to immediately examine their arms and put them in thorough order. lest. injured by the wet weather, they might fail when most needed. This duty was faithfully attended to, and had just been completed, and the carbines were in perfect condition for any emer- gentey, when I observed a brigade staff officer ride rapidly up to Col. Cilley. and a moment later, calling his orderly, I saw the colonel address him and point toward the First battalion. My men also saw the movement. and. divining its import, immediately stood "to horse," expecting orders. I was directed to cross the river with my battalion. reconnoitre the woods and adjacent country, then push ont to a certain eross-road about three miles from the creek, send fifty men each to the right and left. holding the cross-roads with the balance of my command till their return. and then. if they discovered no traces of the enemy. push on until I did. In passing brigade headquarters I received additional instructions of the same tenor from Gen. Smith; and as we neared the river we heard several picket shots. and several mounted rebels were seen in the timber on the other side. Halt- ing the balance of my command. I crossed the creek with Co. K, and when about half way over we came in sight of a detachment of cavalry, as we neared the bend of the road. behind some high ledges. They opened fire on us at once. but urging their horses on, our men reached the shore, and immediately dismounting. double quieked into line, and charging the enemy, who largely outnumbered them. quickly drove them back. As we steadily advanced I found the rebels were being re-enforced. and sent back my orderly bugler to order up Sergt. Curtis with Co. M. Before Sergt. Curtis reached me, however, we found ourselves, on nearing the brow of the hill, confronting a large body of the enemy's infantry, with Fitz Hugh Lee's cav- alry in support.
Further progress being impossible. I directed my men to fall back in good order and reeross the river, which they did. On reaching the stream. being hard pressed by the rebel cavalry and unable to mount. they threw themselves into the water among the horses, and were thus sheltered in a good degree from the enemy's fire. Upon arriving at the shore, I found Sergt. Tibbetts, of Co. K. who had been left in charge of the horses, coolly directing the movements of his detachment, himself leading three horses. Giving him my sabre belt. I sprang upon one of them and recrossed the river with him, and then immediately dismounting, rallied my men under cover of the woods, while the sergeant kept on to the rear with his charge. Little did I dream, little did I imagine, while he sat there so calmly and judiciously performing his perilous duty, without even an intimation of what had befallen him, that he had already received his death wound. I never saw him again. He had fought his last fight!
Two regiments of rebel cavalry following us, charged across the creek. and dashed up the open ground on the left of the road to ent off onr retreat. Falling slowly back. my battalion effected a junction with the balance of the regiment which had been brought up by Col. Cilley, and as the enemy reached the brow of the hill we met them with a terrible fire which stay- gered them, and Col. Cilley at once ordered the charge. and our line of battle springing up. gave them one heavy volley, and then fell upon them with an impetuosity and fury which nothing could withstand. The rebel
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
lines fell back in confusion and dismay: they were crushed and broken, and swept down the hill and across the creek, leaving large numbers of dead. wounded, and prisoners in our hands. Our lines were at once re-formed. the first battalion holding the right, covering the road and ford. Abont one o'clock. Col. Cilley directed me to advance to the edge of the creek, and after some sharp work, with varying success, we effected a lodgment. At half-past five in the afternoon, when our ammunition was nearly exhausted. the rebels slackened their fire, preparatory to their last grand charge. Passing along my lines, I notified my men of the coming storm, and directed the left wing of the battalion to reserve their fire till the enemy's cavalry were well across the ford, and then concentrate it wholly upon the mounted column, and particularly to disable the horses, and ordered the right wing to turn their heaviest fire upon the head of the infantry column. which would ford the stream opposite that point. and to make every shot tell. Cooler, braver men I never saw, as they calmly faced the overwhelming odds moving down on them. The cavalry was checked by the fire of our left, but on our right on came their gallant infantry, without a waver in their ranks. . The head of their column melted constantly away under the murderous fire of our troopers. till the current was filled with the bodies of the dead and wounded; but on they still came, fording the stream with the water breast deep. and holding their muskets and ammunition above their heads, till they reached the shore, where they soon outnumbered us five to one. - too heavy odds to be successfully resisted. And yet our men fought on most manfully, their repeating carbines making fearful havoc in the rebel ranks, and not an inch of ground did they yield till our ammuni- tion failed, when they were ordered back. Men, without a cartridge for their carbines, still fought on with their revolvers. Others. taking the car- bines and ammunition of their wounded comrades, formed in their front. and held their position till the wounded had been safely carried.to the rear. Such was their bravery and almost reckless daring, and such the wholesome dread with which they had inspired the enemy by the terrible volleys they poured in upon them from their seven and sixteen shooters, that in repeated instances they were seen to hold the rebels in check by simply presenting their empty carbines. Our withdrawal was effected without confusion. or the loss of a single man captured, and on reaching the erest of the hill already referred to, the line was quickly re-formed. and here we found a cavalry breastwork (of fence rails) thrown up by Custer's and Gregg's brigades, and our artillery in position and eager to take a hand in the fray. It was now after sunset, but the enemy was determined on one more desper- ate effort to gain possession of Dinwiddie Court House, the key to the whole position, and a long, heavy line of their infantry slowly emerged from the woods and advanced across the open plain in our front -Pickett's and John- son's divisions of Anderson's corps, seasoned veterans of a hundred battle- fields. Our artillery opened on them at short range, doing great execution. and a moment later the carbines of five brigades were blazing in the gather- ing twilight and crashing on the evening air. The heavy fire on both sides continued some minutes, but gradually that of the enemy became fitful and irregular, and finally ceased altogether, as they fell back and left us in undisputed possession of the field. Thus ended one of the severest and
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FIVE FORKS MADE. POSSIBLE.
proudest of our cavalry fights. and one that had tested to the utmost the endurance, the manhood, and the valor or the command, and again proved its gallantry and its firmness. It only remains for me to add that by this splendidly fought battle, in which the First Maine lost ninety-seven officers and men, one-third of our entire force engaged, the way was paved for the magnificent victory at Five Forks on the following day. Gen. Smith re- ceived the warmest encomiums for the superb manner in which he fought the Third brigade. and the proud title of the best brigade commander in the cavalry corps from Sheridan himself, who may be considered good authority in such matters, while our standards were again wreathed with victorious laurels, and from amid the flame and smoke of battle the name of the First Maine Cavalry once more shone forth with dazzling lustre, and resplendent with a blaze of immortal glory!
Thus it will be seen that the cavalry by its stubborn fighting made the victory at Five Forks possible. And of the cavalry. none did nobler duty, none fought more bravely, none lost heavier than the old First Maine, winning new honors and another name on her glorious battle-flag.
Of this engagement Chaplain Merrill says :-
The fact that they were finally compelled to fall back does not detract at all from the credit due the men for that noble day's work. The order for Gen. Smith was to take the position and hold it as long as possible. There was no expectation of holding it permanently, or for any considerable length of time, in the event of an attack by a heavy force. When this regiment was ordered to charge the enemy as he was advancing up the hill, it seemed impossible to drive him back with so small a force. But it was done. Gen. Smith must have felt a soldierly pride as he witnessed the daring achievements of his old regiment, and subsequently listened to the high encomiums of the division and corps commanders. The service was most important. The enemy was terribly punished, and held in check until other movements had been effected which were essential to the final successes of the campaign. The decisive vietory at Five Forks was among the results of the hard fighting at Stony Creek (as this creek was sometimes called).
Rebel prisoners, officers and men declared that for bull-dog obstinacy. tenacity, and reekless daring, the fighting of the First Maine Cavalry excelled anything they had ever witnessed. And it was almost impossible to convince them that the force actually engaged against them was so small. They were fully persuaded that they had a sufficient force to annihilate or capture double the number of men we had.
When our men were in position along the edge of the woods which skirted the creek, they were so near the enemy that the latter could distinctly hear them conversing and asking each other for ammunition. "When is that ammunition coming ?" ". I have not a cartridge left." "Give me a few cartridges : mine are all gone," etc. And it was the knowledge thus obtained which led them to make their last charge on our front.
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FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
The boys got a good night's sleep that night. The next day. Saturday, April first, the regiment was on picket in the rear. the men not sorry for the unanticipated change in the pro- gramme.1 They could willingly be denied a share in the fight that day, for had they not. by their bravery the day before, made the successes of this day comparatively sure? They remained in what might be called inglorious idleness. enjoying themselves as only soldiers seem to know how to do. - getting all the enjoyment possible out of the present circumstances. whatever they might be, - there was no telling how soon they might fare worse. - while Sheridan and the rest of the cavalry were win- ning new honors in the battle of Five Forks. Before night the regiment was called in from picket and went into bivouac. The strength of the regiment this day was fifteen officers and three hundred and ninety-three men.
Sunday, April second, there were a few hours of picket, and then the regiment was called in and joined the brigade. which it reached about noon. In the afternoon one battalion went on picket a short time, but was again called in, and about dark the regiment started onward as rear guard for the train. It was hard work that night - not so much on account of the march- ing as on account of the halting. The road was bad - muddy. of course -and the teams would get stuck. It was march a few yards, or perhaps feet, then halt while some unfortunate teamster coaxed. swore at. and beat his mules, till a little extra strength started the lumbering army wagon from its inoppor- tune resting place, perhaps a few moments, often half an hour -- sometimes halt till half the men were asleep in their saddles. to be waked up only to get fairly awake before another halt -- more tiresome by far than a rapid march of five times the distance. It was not conducive to good nature or morality on the part of the men, nor were they at all bashful about express- ing their feelings toward the teams, mules, drivers, or anything else they deemed in the way of their march. In this way the
1 The brigade had been sent to relieve Gen. Gibbs' brigade at the train. Gen. Gibb- brigade had relieved the last brigade of Gen. Custer's division the night before, but now this brigade was given this duty, for the reason that it lost the most heavin the day before.
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JOYFUL : NEWS.
regiment crawled along till half-past one o'clock the next morn- ing. and then went into camp near Sutherland's Station, on the South Side Railroad, not having marched more than they ought to have marched in an hour, and well tired out.
A cup of coffee, a short nap, and the men were up and ready to start at daylight the morning of the third. During that morning the regiment marched a short distance in various directions, and then drew up in line of battle, threw out skir- mishers, and prepared to await coming events. Clouds of dust were seen in the direction from which the enemy was expected - Gen. A. P. Hill's corps, it was understood-and the men thought more fighting was coming. Nearer and nearer the dust seemed to come, till the head of a column appeared in sight. " Why don't the skirmishers pitch into them?" was thought and expressed by a score or more of the boys. But see ! those men wear blue coats! they are our boys! a fact that flashed on the men, as it were, all at once, and the carbine grasp was loosened and the compressed lips returned to a more kindly expression as these men came nearer and halted, and the Maine cavalry men crowded around them for news. What division or corps they belonged to was no matter- they were " our boys." " What's the news?" "Not much." was the reply, with a nonchalant air. Rumors had already reached the men that Petersburg had been captured. and as the column appeared to have come from that direction, eager inquiries were made as to the truth of them. " Yes ; it is captured," was the reply. One tall, slim soldier. with a twinkle in his eye that showed him to be a jolly comrade. said : " Well. I don't know anything about its being captured. but we came through that city this morn- ing." "Bully!" loudly rang the response, and as one after another of the Maine boys learned the fact, the excitement was intense. Hearty. cheers went up, and from many a heart there ascended, almost unconsciously, silent prayers of thankfulness to God, who giveth the victory. And this they considered "not much" news. The Maine boys considered it the most joyful news they had heard for some time. But they were living in fast times, and the infantry men had not only known the fact a whole day, but had marched through the captured city that morning.
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