USA > Maine > History of the Fourth Maine battery, light artillery, in the civil war, 1861-65; containing a brief account of its services compiled from diaries of its members and other sources. Also personal sketches of many of its members and an account of its reunions from 1882 to 1905 > Part 8
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LIGHT ARTILLERY, 1861-65.
few minutes, his last words being of his wife, whom he had married only a few weeks before while home on a veteran fur- longh. Jere was a general favorite in the Battery and his ter- rible death was deeply felt by all the boys. During the day two horses were killed and we considered that we were lucky in escaping without any heavier loss.
After dark we were relieved by a battery of the 9th Corps and immediately started with our corps on a movement to the leit. After an all-night march we halted at six o'clock on the morning of the 22d for breakfast, and then resumed our march and were placed in position on the extreme left of the line towards the Weldon railroad. In conjunction with this move to the left, Wilson's cavalry started to the left on the morning of the 22d towards the Southside and Danville railroads, to destroy them if possible, and during the day we could hear them heavily engaged. When night came work was commenced building breastworks, and continued until morning, when we were allowed to rest and wait for an expected attack. During the day the enemy had come in in a gap that had been left between the 6th Corps and the 2d Corps, which was on our right, and at four o'clock we limbered up and joined in a movement to the right, where we were joined by part of the 5th Corps.
It now becoming apparent that it would be impossible to carry the strong works of the enemy by assauh, the army settled down to the siege that was to continue for more than nine months before we could obtain possession of Petersburg, whose church spires were in sight of us. Work entrenching was actively pushed. forts built, earthworks thrown up, covered ways of zig- zag roads built in which to reach the front lines, and bomb- proofs built in the forts and batteries. The main lines were now at some points only a few hundred feet from each other, with entrenched picket lines not many yards apart, and every means was taken as a protection against the constant and often very heavy fire of both artillery and musketry. For a few days We were now allowed comparative rest, but nearly every day made a short move either to the right of left along the line. The weather was intensely hot and we suffered much from the dust, and the poor quality of water was the cause of mich sickness.
Wilson's cavalry, which had started on the 22d, having accom-
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plished its object began its return, and on the morning of the 29th met a large body of the enemy at Ream's Station, and in the battle that ensued was defeated and the position became precarious. The afternoon of the 29th, the 6th Corps was sent on a forced march to his assistance. We broke camp at four o'clock and marched rapidly until about midnight, when we halted near Ream's Station on the Weldon railroad.
Wilson had succeeded in falling back and by taking a cir- cnitous route reached the army a few days later, and on the morning of the 30th the enemy withdrew on the approach of the 6th Corps. The day was spent in tearing up and destroying the railroad for several miles, thereby seriously interrupting the enemy's means of transportation.
About five o'clock, just as we received orders to fall in on the return march, it was discovered that Jesse Stetson, who was lying in the shade of one of the guns, was dead from exhaus- tion. The Battery was just starting. but a shallow grave was hastily dug and our comrade rolled in his blanket, quickly covered, and we left him in less than twenty minutes from the time the breath had left his body. Such things may seem heartless and cruel, but such is war. In those days there was little time or place for sentiment.
Our return march was without incident and at midnight we were back on our old line in front of Petersburg, our position being on the left of the line, where we lay in park until the 7th, when we moved to the right a short distance and went into posi- tion in one of the forts, but later in the day were relieved by the 5th Maine Battery, Captain Stevens.
About the middle of June General Lee had sent General Early with his corps to the Shenandoah Valley to strike Hunter's force and, if possible, destroy it, and then to move down the valley, cross the Potomac and threaten Washington. The first part of the programme had been successfully carried out and Hunter completely routed. Early had moved down the valley and on July 5th and Gthi crossed into Maryland at Shepherds- town, and on the 7th was moving in the direction of Frederick. Rickett's Division of the 6th Corps was hurried forward to meet the danger that now threatened Washington, and arriving at Baltimore was pushed forward to assist General Lew Wallace, who was at the Monocacy about four miles from Frederick.
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at the same time inviting them to come with him and he would give them all they wanted of better tobacco. It is needless to say that his generous invitation was promptly accepted, and some of the boys were not at all bashful in loading up. About 11 o'clock the rest of the boys and the other horses arrived and we were then moved to the railroad. We loaded our horses and guns on the cars, and at four o'clock started for Washing- ton, where we arrived soon after dark and at once proceeded to Camp Barry on Capitol Hill, where comfortable barracks had been erected near our old camp grounds of two years before.
Our corps had in the meantime followed up Early and was in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and on the morning of the 17th it became generally understood that we were to remain in Washington for a while to rest and recruit, after more than two years of constant active service. We at once commenced to clean up and put our quarters in shape. After a hard day's work in scrubbing up the barracks and getting our bunks ready for use, we were very much surprised, about four o'clock, to receive orders to pack up at once and take transports back to City Point.
It was very generally understood that Captain White had been given his choice of remaining in Washington for a time, or to go back to the front; and after the first disappointment Was Over, we were very well satisfied with his decision of return- ing to the army. In fact, we felt rather proud that we had a Captain who preferred being at the front. Hastily packing up. we were soon of our way to the wharf, where we were loaded on transports, the Battery being again divided, guns and can- woucers going on one boat and the horses with the drivers on the old ferry boat "Manhattan," and a little before midnight we left the wharf on our way down the Potomac. While pass- ing through Washington. Corporal James Allen met an old friend who was in the military telegraph service, and a few days later an order was received from army headquarters detailing Corporal Allen for telegraph service, where he remained until the close of the war. Our passage was a rough one, and after a trip of thirty-six hours the guns and cannoncers arrived at City Point on the 19th. The weather was so rough that the ferry boat had to turn back after passing Point Lookout and wait for cahier weather, and did not arrive at Fort Monroe until dark on the 19th.
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In the meantime those who had arrived at City Point had become anxious as to the safety of the rest of the Battery. No information could be obtained in regard to them, but about three o'clock on the 20th we were very glad to see the old ferry boat approaching and the boys received. a very warm welcome. Per- haps there we first realized something of the warm friendships that were growing between us as comrades and which was intensified with the months and years. After unloading the horses, we moved back about a mile from the river and went into camp and remained until the 26th. While here Sergeant Owen was obliged to go to the hospital, where he died a few weeks later. On the 26th we moved to the front of Petersburg and relieved a battery of the 2d Corps not far from Fort Steadman.
At this time the firing of artillery and musketry was constant, both day and night, and at times quite heavy. Mortars, from the size of the small cohorn to the large siege, had been placed in the forts and batteries, and during the evening's we often sat up late watching the mortar shells as they rose high in the air and descended within the lines on either side. Their course could be traced by the burning fase, and at times when the firing was brisk the air was filled with streaks of light in all direc- tions, resembling a gigantic display of fireworks. On our side an immense mortar had been placed on a car and often it would be run up near the line not far from Fort Steadman. and for an hour or two the sound of the "Petersburg Express," as it was named by the boys, could be heard for miles along the line. throwing its immense projectiles within the enemy's lines. Ordi- mary earthworks were no protection against these mortar shells, as they descended on nearly a perpendicular line, and when they exploded the pieces flew in all directions, rendering it nearly as unsafe behind earthworks as in an open field. . As a protection from these mortar shells, "bomb-proofs" were built in all the forts by first digging a place about eight by fifteen feet large and two feet deep, and over this space a house or hut was Intilt of large pine logs, which were roofed over with heavy timber and covered with about two feet of earth. In these the men slept, and when mortar firing was going on those not engaged would seek shelter in them, and when a mortar shell was seen to be coming too close, these bomb-proofs were a safe dodging place.
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On the 25th of June a mine had been commenced by Colonel Pleasants, of the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, opposite Elliott's salient of the enemy's lines. At this point the lines were only 130 yards apart, and Colonel Pleasants with his regiment started a tunnel just back of our line. Although hampered greatly in the work for want of suitable tools and material, in four weeks the tunnel was completed, and two large galleries excavated under the enemy's fort, ready for the placing of the powder. The length of the main tunnel was 510 feet and of each gallery thirty-eight feet. In these galleries were placed 8000 pounds of powder, connected by fuse with the mouth of the tunnel, and on July 29th everything was in readiness for the explosion, the time for which had been set at four o'clock on the morning of the 30th. As a diversion, Hancock with the 2d Corps and two divisions of cavalry had been sent to the north of the James river to threaten Richmond, and then he was hastily recalled in time to reach his position in rear of the mine. Burnside's 9th Corps was to make the assatilt, and Ferrero's division of colored troops had been selected to lead and the officers thoroughly posted in the movement. At the last moment a change was made and Ledlie's division was given the advance, to be fol- lowed by Potter's and Wilcox's divisions, with the colored divi- sion as reserve. During the afternoon and evening of the 29tli troops were being moved and placed in position, and by the great activity and movement we all know that some important event was at hand, and the rumor was current that a mine was to be exploded, but no one could tell the location. On the after- noon of the 20th our Battery changed position and the guns were placed in Fort Morton, nearly opposite the mine, and the horses and caissons with the drivers were left about three- fourths of a mile in rear of the line. It was an anxious night for us all and we feared, or rather dreaded. the desperate con- flict into which we expected the morning would bring us. Troops were moving in large bo lies nearly the whole night and it was not until the early hours of morning that all were in position. At daylight on the 30th every one was awake and anxiously waiting and watching for the expected explosion. Owing to some defect in the fuse, it was not until nearly five o'clock that the explosion took place. One writer says of it : "It was a magnificent spectacle, and as the mass of earth went
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up into the air, carrying with it men, guns, carriages and tim- bers, and spread out like an immense cloud as it reached its altitude, so close were the Union lines that the mass appeared as if it would descend immediately upon the troops waiting to make the charge."
Another writer says: "While waiting quietly and anxiously for the explosion, men had been allowed to lie down in line. I was lying on the ground resting my head on my hand and thinking of the probable result when the denouement came. I shall never forget the terrible and magnificent sight. The carth around us trembled and heaved, so violently that I was liftel to iny feet. Then the earth along the enemy's lines. opened, and fire and smoke shot upward seventy-five or a hun- dred feet. The air was filled with earth, cannon, cassions, sand bags and living men, and with everything else within the exploded fort. One huge lump of clay as large as a haystack or small cottage was thrown out and left on top of the ground towards our own works."
The destruction of the fort was complete and fulfilled all expectations, making a crater 150 to 200 feet long, 60 feet wide and nearly 30 feet deep. There were about 400 men in the fort, nearly all of whom were killed; a few escaped injury, and others were found buried in various ways, some up to their necks, others to their waists, and some with only their feet and legs protruding from the carth.
li the explosion was grand and terrible, that which immedi- ately followed was equally so. Instantly ilo cannon and 50 mortars in the immediate neighborhood opened upon the crater and the adjacent lines, and the sight was grand in the extreme. The air was filled with the exploding shells and the roar was so deafening that volleys of musketry could not be heard. Owing to some confusion it was several minutes before Ledlie's Division, that was to lead the assault, scaled the works and advanced to the crater. As the brigades arrived, they all halted in the crater and became inextricably mixed. The division com- mander had found a safe retreat in the bomb-proof within our lines which he could not be induced to leave, and lacking a leader and suitable orders, the confusion increased, although some of the brigade commanders attempted to extricate those in their command and to continue the movement upon the enemy's lines.
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In the meantime the enemy had promptly placed batteries and troops in position on each side of the crater and on Cemetery Hill, and opened a heavy fire on those crowded in the crater. At 7.30 the colored division was ordered to charge on the line to the right of the crater. The charge was a desperate one, and most gallantly made, and the losses frightful, some of the regiments losing all but two or three of their officers. Under the intense fire of artillery and musketry it was impossible to advance beyond the front lines of the enemy's works.
It soon became apparent that the movement, which had had such a successful beginning, had become a most inglorious failure on account of the lack of soldierly qualities of the offi- cers, and at 9:30 General Meade issued orders for the troops to withdraw. This seemed certain death, as the enemy com- pletchy covered the ground with a terrific fire. Our batteries and the infantry were ordered to open a heavy fire, and under cover of the smoke many succeeded in reaching our own lines.
About two o'clock the enemy charged and recaptured their lines, with many prisoners who were in the crater.
During the assault the 9th Corps lost 473 killed, 1646 wounded and 1347 taken prisoners. (Total loss at the mine, 504 killed. 1881 wounded and 1413 captured.) It was a heavy penalty for the inefficiency of two or three general officers. As our Battery occupied a position nearly opposite the crater, all of those movements came strictly under our observation. Our own part in this consisted in being hotly engaged in the artillery firing, which continued all day, and being under a heavy artil- lery and musketry fie. Our ammunition chests were nearly emptied and when night came had to be replenished. The only loss we sustained was Sergeant Fox severely wounded in the shoulder and J. R. Towle in the arm, both by the same bullet. To show that even in the heat of the intensest battle the comical does not escape notice, and that it is only a step from the sub- lime to the ridiculous I will quote Comrade Chapin, who recorded in his diary: "A sutler ran, when the fort blew up, and left all his goods. The boys took good care of his goods."
Towards night the action quieted down, and by dark there was only the usual amount of firing along the line. The 31st was spent in burying the dead and caring for the wounded. There was but little firing. and the boys wearing the blue met
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those of the gray on the picket lines and talked over the battle of the day before. After dark the horses were brought up and our guns were taken to the rear where the rest of the Battery were lying.
On August Ist we moved camp a short distance near a piece of woods, where we remained until the 21st, having rather a quiet time, just in rear of the danger line. While here Charles Kimball died and was buried by the Battery. At this time Ser- geant Ames with the sixth piece was stationed for about ten days in the cut where the Norfolk railroad crossed the lines at. the right of Fort Mickle.
CHAPTER VIII.
IN FRONT LINES --- FORT HASKELL -- FORT STEADMAN -- WINTER OF 1861-5-PETERSBURG EVACUATED-MARCH TO WASHING- TON-RETURN TO AUGUSTA -- MUSTERED OUT.
August 21st our guns were again placed in the front and from this time until December 18 were constantly in the works at the front, occupying at different times Forts Steadman, Has- kell, Mickle and Rice, and all of the batteries from No. 10 to 18. During the last of August and part of September, while stationed in Fort Mickle, there was by mutual consent very little picket firing in our fromt. In the morning the pickets would be relieved and each side would stick their bayonets in the ground and the day be quietly spent. The picket lines being only a few hundred feet apart, a good deal of conversation was carried on between the opposing lines, and daily exchange of newspapers, with a good deal of trading in tobacco, coffee, etc. At one point there was a clump of bushes along the creek between the lines, and often a few from each side would meet here and indulge in a game of poker, the stakes being coffee and cake on the North- ern side and tobacco on the Southern side. This friendliness between the pickets continred until one night the Johnnies made a raid and scooped all of our picket lines for some distance, with which there came quite a change in the order of things. The pickets dug holes large enough to protect themselves when lying down, and a constant and vigorous fire was kept up night and day.
About sunset some one would call out. "Stop firing, we want to change pickets." and for an hour all firing on both sides would cease, during which time each side would relieve their pickets. Is it began to grow dark some one would call out. "Get into your holes, Yanks, or Johnnies, we are going to shoot." when every one would hustle to get under cover, and after a few seat-
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tering shots the fun would commence in earnest and for an hour or more there would be a heavy fire all along the line, quieting somewhat about nine o'clock, but steady firing was continued until the next night when it came time to change pickets again. Sharpshooters were also stationed at different points, and it was not safe to show a head above the works at any point. While at Fort Mickle considerable artillery firing was indulged in, and several times, in honor of Union victories of the other armies, shotted salutes with the guns pointed at the cnemy's lives would be fired either at midnight or sunrise. This was rather a rude way to awaken any one, and sometimes we would get all through firing before the enemy were fully aroused, and as we were within calling distance, occasionally there would ensue considerable badinage and some very uncomplimentary remarks. While at Fort Mickle, on September 18th, Charles Crymble was wounded in the kg by a bullet. At this time the caissons with the horses and drivers were some distance to the rear, but not out of range of the enemy's guns, and it was a very common thing for a shell to roll along through camp or pass just over our heads, and it did not have a very soothing effect upon one, as he lay down at night. to think that a shell was liable to come along at any moment and smash him. At this time the military railroad on the left was being pushed at the rate of a mile a day and passed just in front of our camp. A little to the right of us it passed over quite an elevation, and for a few days the enemy would open heavily on every train that passed. Probably we enjoyed watching the shelling much more than the trainmen did. In a few days the roadbed was lowered and this amusement for us ceased. Some days the Battery fired from 75 10 100 rounds of shell and it was necessary to take ammunition to the front line quite often. This was not a pleasant or inviting thing to do, as it had to be done in the evening and at that time the bullets were usually flying around rather carelessly. The approach to the front was by covered ways, or zigzag roads, made by digging in the ground two or three feet, and throwing the earth on the side towards the enemy, a turn being made about every 200 yards. These were Very safe except at the turns, and we used to dodge by them pretty lively.
As a fair sample of our days at the front. another quotation
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might be made from Comrade Chapin's diary. Chapin carried the guidon or Battery flag. "September 21st. We fired a salute this morning at sunrise in honor of Sheridan's victory, very quiet the rest of the day. Had my flagstaff shot most off by a Minie ball." It will be noted that Chapin calls this a quiet day. While at Fort Mickle Corporals Bates and Nutting got the range of the fort opposite down so exact that the enemy's guns in front of us were useless. If they attempted to fire, a shot would immediately be dropped into the embrasure, which would instantly quiet them. No battery in the service had better or more accurate gunners than the 4th Maine.
On September 20th, First Sergeant Freeman received his commission as Lieutenant, and Sergeant W. H. Brooks was promoted to First Sergeant, a promotion that received the hearty approval of all the boys. A little later Lieutenant H. C. Haynes received a leave of absence on account of sickness, and a few weeks later died at his home in Brooklyn, N. Y. Novem- ber 6th, Lieutenant Kimball went home on furlough and in December returned to the Battery and resigned on account of ill health, when he left us for home. after three years of con- stant service. About this time Sergeant Fox returned to the Battery from the hospital and received a commission as Lieu- tenant.
On September 244th the Battery was moved along the line to the right and for one day was at Battery 16, at the left of Fort Haskell. The next day it was moved again, this time one sec- tion being placed in Fort Steadman and the other in Fort Has- kell. Next to Fort Sedgwick (better known as Fort Hell), probably Fort Steadman was the hottest place along the lines. At this point the main lines were only 150 yards apart, with the picket lines between only fifty yards apart. Picket firing and sharpshooting was kept up constantly, and there was much artillery firing, and the day usually closed with a little mortar practice, which sometimes developed into a regular artillery duel. On the evening of September 28th, while one of these affairs was in progress. Quinton Cornell was struck by a piece of mortar shell and lost his leg above the knee. Although we were on the front line and in constant danger. it got to be rather monotonous and lonesome. Those at the front except when occasionally called into action had nothing to do, and the time
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was spent lying in the bomb-proofs, or watching through the prep holes at the picket firing, and occasionally borrowing an infantryman's rifle and trying a shot. No one was allowed to leave his gun and all had to be ready for instant action. At the rear the drivers had only their horses to take care of, and had a little more liberty of moving around, but had to be within call at all times.
October 26th, we received seven days' rations, and in the Wening the caissons and other teams were moved back to City Point, leaving the guns at the front. On this day a movement was commenced in force to the left in the direction of the South Side railroad, by the ed and 5th Corps, and at the same time a demonstration was made on the north side of the James by General Butler. On the afternoon of the 26th a large number of troops were moved to positions within sight of the enemy, tents were pitched, and at dark they were started on a forced march to the left, leaving a detail of men to keep the camp fires burning. All the available troops were taken for this move- ment, and the forces left in the front lines were not much more than a heavy picket line. This ruse did not succeed in deceiving the enemy, and when the ed and 5th Corps arrived at Hatcher's Run, they found their further advance blocked by the enemy in iarge force. On the afternoon of the 27th the enemy tried a little bluff game in front of where our Battery was in position. A regiment was started on the double quick, passing a point in sight of us, and then returning by the rear out of sight and passing around in a circle. This gave the appearance of a large force massing for an assault. and as our lines were very weak. cansed for a time much uneasiness. The movement to the left did not meet with all of the success hoped for, but still important advantage was gained at that point as well as on the north of the James. This closed all of the important movements for the season in front of Petersburg. although minor movements Were frequently made, and the troops soon began to prepare for tik ir winter quarters and settled down for a winter's siege.
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