USA > Maine > History of the Seventh Maine Light Battery, volunteers in the great rebellion also, personal sketches of a large number of members, portraits, illustrations and poems > Part 4
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
The memorable 2d day of April was Sunday; and all those who attended Divine Service on that day, before Peters- burgh (and we say it reverently; for we believe that God himself conducted the services, and led us to victory), will remember how warm it was, both in the natural world, and in the little world which we called " Hell," and which . on that day, at least, was worthy of its name. From 2 to 4 A.M. there came a lull in the firing; but it proved to be the lull which precedes the storm. At 4, heavy firing was again commenced, under which our troops charged the rebel line in front of the fort held by our guns, and carried and captured three of their forts nearest to us. At this time Lieut. Staples, commanding the center section, not being in a position where he could work his guns to advantage, proposed to his men that they go over into the nearest captured fort and make the guns of the enemy do work for the Union cause. Every man of the section then on duty responded with a will, anxious to do his bidding ; . and under the heavy fire they entered the fort, manned the guns, turned them'upon the enemy and remained thus engaged until they had used all the ammunition they could find. This done, they returned to their own guns, without any men of the section being killed or injured. The enemy made several attempts to regain their lost position; but though our line was weak they were held back. At about noon a Zouave regiment and a few marines arrived as a re-inforcement, thus strengthening our line and cheering the hearts of those who had so nobly gained the ground. Those in the fort at the time will remember with what joy the coming of the Zouaves filled their hearts, for we were in momentary expectation of a charge from the enemy ; and knowing our weakness, with very little support at that point, it was not an enviable position. They will remember also, as the "red jackets" filed through the fort and out at the front, to go to the assistance of our advanced line, what a fearful slaughter awaited them as they bravely ran the gauntlet in
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HISTORY.
the face of the deadly fire. It seemed to us who watched their progress that one-half, at least, of their number fell on the way beneath the bullets of the enemy, who seemed more merciless than ever in their death struggles.
Gen. Potter, of the Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, was fatally wounded in the morning by a piece of shell passing through his body, while standing near our bomb-proof in the fort; but no member of the Battery was injured, though the guns were kept hot with their firing during all the engagement and did excellent service. About 1,000 rounds were expended by the Battery during the day. Our advanced position gained in the morning was held until the arrival of the re-inforcements, against the repeated attempts of the enemy to retake it, largely by the effect of our fire from the fort, which was rapid and uninterrupted from early morning throughout the day, firing as often as the supply of ammuni- tion and the heat of the guns would permit. It was a day never to be forgotten-a day of hope and fear; for we waited the result as the anxious watchers wait for the turning of the fever, hoping for life but fearing the worst, till the setting sun went down upon the victory won. Then we knew the Union had been saved; for the news from all quarters assured us it was the death struggle of the rebellion.
It was on this day that Mr. V. V. Twitchell (since the well known editor and publisher of the Gorham, N. H., Moun- taineer, who, having failed to pass the surgeons as a recruit, bad secured a position in the U. S. Sanitary Commission, and at his request had been stationed at City Point, Va., the base of supplies for the Potomac Army, in charge of a Sanitary Boat), went out to the front to visit the Battery, and who, without knowing the danger at the fort, and without leave, got upon a caisson which was run into the fort in the morning by Sergt. Willis, under a heavy fire, with a supply of ammunition for the guns.
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SEVENTII MAINE LIGIIT BATTERY.
Once in, he was obliged to stay for the day ; and being unused to battle scenes, and in the excitement which in the midst of a battle drives away fear, he met with many narrow escapes, by trying to see what was going on outside. Many of the boys there at the fort will now remember their anxiety on his account and how often they called to him to "keep below the breast- work." At one time, wanting to fire a gun, and being allowed to do so, he pulled the lanyard without the necessary precaution of lifting his heels from the ground, when the concussion so stunned him as to make him almost unconscious for a time : and he always said that this shot knocked out the Southern Confederacy and came near knocking him out also. This was not an unusual occurrence among the gunners, especially in times of heavy and quick firing ; for, while knowing the danger, they would forget to prepare themselves for the concussion, and in some instances the shock would cause the blood to start from nose and ears.
During the night Petersburgh was evacuated; and the next morning, April 3, the guns of the Battery were with- drawn from the fort, a position held with so much credit to all the officers and men for so long a time during the siege, and went into park. They remained in readiness for immediate duty until a little after noon, when, together with the Ninth and Eleventh Massachusetts Batteries, the march was begun towards Burkeville, in pursuit of the fleeing foe. These three batteries were the only ones with the corps upon this movement, the Seventh having only four guns, two having been sent back to City Point and turned in, by orders from Artillery Headquarters. Entered Petersburgh about 2 P.M. Passing through the city, the evidence of our artillery firing was everywhere visible. One large tobacco house, set on fire by the enemy on their retreat, was still burning. At the entrance, an aged negro woman stood by the way with water; and for days after the evacuation, as any one in the uniform of a Union soldier passed by, she would give him a drink,
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HISTORY.
with the earnest and heartfelt salutation, "Oh, I bress God, Massa, that you uns has come !" Leaving the city in company with the Ninth and Eleventh Massachusetts Batteries, follow- ing the Ninth Army Corps on the line of the South Side Railroad, the Battery marched until midnight and halted 15 miles from the city, on the Burkeville road. All along the march were the evidences of the hasty retreat of the enemy, their guns, wagons and other things being abandoned on the way. Camped for the night; and at an early hour on the following day, April 4, resumed the march, moving about five miles, when the Battery went into park and stopped until 4.30 P.M. We then moved South, on the road leading to Dinwiddie Court House, in which direction we marcbed until 9.30 p.M., when we parked up for the night in a very beauti- ful spot, and near the Ninth Corps, which had been in advance throughout the day, crossing South Side Railroad at Sutherland's Station, near which the night was passed. April 5, broke park about 10 A.M., and marched all day, crossing the South Side. Railroad six or seven times, and passing the following stations on the road, viz. : Saw Mill, Ford's, Wilson's and Wellville. We camped near the latter station at about 8 p.M., not far from Corps Headquarters. Here we expected to remain for awhile and guard the railroad; but again being ordered to mnove, we left at 6.30 A.M. on the following morning, April 6, and marched until 10 P.M., halting about one hour at noon near Black's and White's Station, passing Nottaway Court House just before sunset, and arriving at Burkeville about 10 p.M. Here we went into park near Gen. Grant's Headquarters, having crossed the South Side Railroad frequently, and just before reaching Burkeville crossed and recrossed the Danville Railroad.
April 7 was a rainy, lowery day. Moved about one-half mile and again parked. Fighting had been going on at our right during the 6th. Gen. Ewell and Gen. Lee (son of R. E.
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
Lee) were captured, also five or six Brigadiers, and were under guard near our camp at night, together with 17 pieces of artillery, with the teams and drivers, and 13,000 prisoners taken near the Harper Farm. Many of these we saw. The officers were generally well dressed, but the men were very poorly clad. The teams were made up of mules, so poor that the bones were very prominent, while some of the harnesses were only a collar and hames, with ropes for traces. Some of the collars were merely wisps of straw. One of the drivers remarked to some of our men that his team was "a fair sample of the Southern Confederacy : played out"; and another said, " Well, boys, you think this is a pretty good show; but you will see old Jeff. himself coming along pretty soon, with his capital in the seat of his trousers." The men, at least, seemed glad of the result.
The artillery captured, and all parked near us, included five Armstrong guns (12-pounders) and two 24-1b. howitzers, the remainder being 12-1b. guns and howitzers and three ordnance guns. The Battery remained here in park until 2.30 P.M., April 9 (Sunday), when orders were received to inove; and, harnessing up, the march was resumed towards Farmville, Va., about 18 miles distant. Marched until after dark and parked in an open field.
April 10, left park about 7 A.M. ; and at 9 A.M. entered Farmville, a place of about 1,500 inhabitants, 80 miles from Petersburgh, and went into camp in the western part of the town. Here, at 9 p.M., official information was received of the surrender of Gen. Lee and his armny, 32,000 strong, to Gen. Grant, which occurred at Appomattox Court House on the previous day. April 9, at 3 p.M. This news sent a thrill of joy to every loyal heart who loved a free and united country ; and the loud and prolonged shouts of the men, as the news spread from camp to camp, were but slight expressions of the great joy which all felt to know that the long-looked-for victory had come.
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HISTORY.
The next day, April 11, a portion of our army began moving back to Burkeville. Passing our camping ground, we discovered, among other troops thus returning, the First Maine Cavalry ; also Gen. Grant and Gen. Meade in a covered wagon, returning to Headquarters, then established in Farmville. Seventy-two pieces of artillery had been captured ; and on the 12th our teams were sent out in the afternoon and brought in- six captured rebel cannon, most of which had been spiked : two of these being of iron, two recaptured Union guns, and two brass guns of the Confederate pattern.
April 13th, our boys gave a supper to 15 paroled rebel prisoners who had marched all day without anything to eat, and who had had only two days rations issued to them since leaving Petersburgh on the night of the 2d. They were Alabama troops, and seemed exceedingly glad to find that a Yankee was not such a bad fellow after all.
There were lots of boys in that rebel crew That what they were fighting for never knew : They were made to think that a Yankee chap Of all that was terrible was the cap; We were pictured out as devils from Hell, With horns and tail, and a sulphurous smell. And when we met 'mid the battle's loud roar, War grimmed and wreaking with dirt and with gore, 'Twas not so strange they should think for a spell That all the devils had broke loose from hell; But when swords were sheathed, and guns were all stacked,
And are-uns and you-uns, with knapsacks packed, Were moving in peace, and they saw we were made Like themselves, they grew to be less afraid - Until many times, ere the war was o'er, They came to our camps to return no more; For they found a welcome and better fare Than they ever knew under rebel care.
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
April 16 : While here in camp, received news of the assassination of President Lincoln; but it coukl hardly be believed, as nothing authentic could be ascertained; and it was not until the 18th that the sad news was confirmed by general orders from Army Headquarters. This sad affair threw a gloom over the season of rejoicing, and everywhere could be heard expressions of regret that the war was over :. for the feeling that it was the cruel and premeditated work of the enemy, in the last dying struggle, pervaded every breast: and the desire to avenge his death filled every loyal heart.
On the 19th, at noon, the Battery fired' 21 minute guns, all flags being at half-mast, in observance of his funeral; and all felt that in his death the new birth of American liberty had lost its ablest defender and truest friend: for he was loved by all. Later in the day, at retreat parade, a gold watch and chain was presented to Eben M. Field, the popular and efficient Battery Clerk (Sergt. Quimby making the presentation), together with a set of resolutions which had been previously adopted at a meeting held for that purpose. It was a very pleasant affair.
April 20: In accordance with orders from Gen. Curtin, commanding the First Brigade, Second Division of the Ninth Army Corps, the Battery broke camp, and at 9.30 A.M. com- meneed the return march to City Point. Marched all day, halting one hour for dinner at Rice's Station, and arrived at Burkeville at 7.30 p.M .. the whole of the Ninth Corps being under orders to return to Washington. Went into park just beyond the town, having marched 19 miles during the day.
April 21: Left camp at & A.M. and again marched all day, halting one and one-half hours for dinner, and arrived at a point between Black's and White's and Wellville Stations, on the South Side Railroad, about 7.30 p.M. This was about 35 miles west of Petersburgh, and a halt was ordered for the night.
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HISTORY.
April 22: Again moved at 6 A.M., and marched 20 miles, halting for the night at Saw Mill Station, at 6 P.M.
April 23: Left park at 5.45 A.M., and marched towards Petersburgh, arriving there at 10.30 A.MI. Passed through, halting for a short time near Fort McGilvery, on our old line, and arrived at our park, one and one-half miles from City Point, at 3.45 P.M., having made about 20 miles during the day. This journey back from Farmville was a very severe one for both men and horses. The weather was very hot, and in the dust and heat, with the long, heavy marches, many of the men suffered badly. Some were obliged to throw away their baggage-even their kuapsacks; and a few were so overcome by the heat that, after braving all the hardships of the camp and battle-field, they returned home only to die from this over-marching in the hot, Southern sun.
Here the Battery remained in camp until the 26th, when, receiving orders to move, started about 4.30 p.M. and, together with the Eleventh Massachusetts Battery and two regiments of infantry, one of which was the Forty-Fifth New York, took transportation for Alexandria on board the Steamer Glaucus, which left the wharf at 4.30 the next morning, April 27th. Passed Newport News at 11 A.M., Fort Monroe at 11.30 A.M., Point Lookout at 6.30 p.M. ; and at 8 P.M. anchored for the night 12 miles up the Potomac River. Next morning, at daylight, moved on again, passed Mt. Vernon and Fort Washington, and arrived at Alexandria at 2 P.M. The work of disembarkment at once began; and towards night, after a march of about two miles, went into camp near Fair- fax Seminary.
Remained thus encamped until May 8, during which time nothing of importance transpired outside the regular routine of camp life, with daily expectation of further orders, except on the 2d day of May, when an order was received from Headquarters directing that the following names be
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
inscribed on our flag, viz. : " Wilderness," "Spottsylvania," "North Anna," "Cold Harbor," "Petersburgh," "Ream's Station," and "Poplar Spring Church."
On May 8th, the camp was moved about one and one- half miles to the bank of a creek near Fort Lynn, a fort of 42 guns and six mortars, and which was then garrisoned by a part of the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. Remained here until May 22. when the corps received orders to proceed to Washington for the grand review, to take place on the following day. The Battery moved about 1 p.M., passed through Alexandria, across Long Bridge, and went into park on East Capitol Hill at 4.30, to prepare for the review.
The next day dawned beautifully, a shower during the night laying the dust and making the air clear, with a gentle breeze blowing. Began preparations for the march at an early hour, all the men looking neat and the guns and carriages being in excellent order. At 11 A.M. drew into line and started, marching with .. Battery Front" and following the infantry of .the Ninth Army Corps: Capt. Twitchell commanding Battery, and Lieuts. Lapham and Thorp com- manding sections, with First Sergt. O. J. Pierce acting as . Chief-of-Caissons. All the artillery brigade was in line in the following order: 1, Romer's Battery; 2, Seventh Maine; 3, Battery D; 4, Eleventh Massachusetts; 5, Twenty-Seventh New York; 6, Nineteenth New York.
It was indeed a grand review. The infantry, in columns twenty deep, marched with steady tread, followed by the artillery, through Pennsylvania Avenue, past the White House, where all were reviewed. More than 50,000 strangers, as esti- mated, in the city, all rejoicing in the victory, made it a most memorable occasion. We were proud of our Battery, as were all others proud of their organizations. It was a pride born of brave deeds; and the reception we met, all along the way, was such as a grateful people are wont to give as a reward for heroism.
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HISTORY.
The parade ended, the Battery returned to camp near Alexandria, across a pontoon bridge just below Aqueduct Bridge, near the Arlington House, arriving about 4 P.M. Remained here in camp until May 29, waiting orders, when our ammunition was all turned in to the Arsenal. at Wash- ington. The next day, May 30, orders were received to turn in the guns, horses and all ordnance stores, and return to Maine immediately, to be mustered out. In compliance with this order, willing hands at once began the preparation for the homeward march, all happy in the thought of soon meeting the loved ones waiting their return.
June 2, everything being in readiness, the guns and ordnance stores were turned in to the Ordnance Department, and the horses to the Quartermaster's Department; and the Battery had orders to be ready to move. Remained thus under orders until June 5, when the tents were struck at 8 A.M. ; marched to the wharf at 8.40, and at 10 A.M. went on board the steamer Fulton, for Washington, arriving at noon. Disembarked and marched at once to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station, and, after waiting until 7 p.or., left, together with the Seventeenth and Twentieth Maine regiments of infantry, by rail for home.
The journey from there cannot be better described than to copy from the diary of Comrade B. F. Snow, kept at the time and kindly furnished : --
"At Baltimore at midnight. Marched through the streets to the Eastern depot, passing over the same ground where the . Massachu- setts regiment was stoned in 1861. Yesterday, as the cars were stopping near some public school, there was a big flock of girls in front of the building, waving their handkerchiefs. The boys cheered them lustily; but afterwards learned that it was a deaf and dumb asylum.
"June 6, arrived at Philadelphia at half-past one. The people lined the sidewalks and welcomed us like old friends, and also furnished us with a good dinner. Left Philadelphia for New York at 3 P.M. and
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
arrived at 11.30 r.M. All the way this side of Baltimore the people have made most extravagant demonstrations of welcome. As we came through Camden, we saw three old, white-headed men, one standing on the steps of a grand house, and the others on the ground on either side of him, all waving their hats. We cheered them. All along the road, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs and the men their hats; but whenever any one waved a flag, whether it was a young lady, an old woman, or, as was frequently the case, a little child, . the boys always gave them three rousing cheers. Remained in New York uutil 7 P.M., June 7, when we went on board the boat for Newport, where we arrived next morning.
"June 8, took cars at 7 A.M. for Boston, where we arrived at 9 A.M. and took dinner in the 'Bull Pen'; then left for Portland, where we arrived at 7 p.M. and had a good supper furnished us by the citizens. Again moving on, arrived at Augusta at 11 P.M., where we had another supper at Camp Coburn, and a speech by the Colonel commanding. It was a chicken supper; but, as the Colonel remarked, the chickens were peculiar, as they were 'all legs and arms and never had any feathers.'"
Here in our old camping ground, where, about 18 months before, we' organized and prepared for war, we now rested from the toil and dangers of the camp and battle-field, glad to don again the garb of citizenship and waiting to be mustered out. Our homes never seemed so dear to us as now; and when, on the 21st of June, we received our final discharge and knew that our war history was ended, we spared no time in turning our steps homeward, where our loved ones were waiting to welcome us back. While too much cannot be said in praise of our Battery while in the service, it is enough for us to know that we did our duties well; and while those of us who now survive will recall many things herein unwritten, which would add greatly to our history (for there is nothing in all the events incident to our service which might not be recalled and- preserved with pride, not only to ourselves, but to those of our kindred who live after us), we close this Sketch with the following brief but most complimentary notice,
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HISTORY.
which was published in a short historical sketch of the Seventh Maine Battery, while we were in the service and stationed in Fort Sedgwick, which we called " Hell" : -
" This Battery was the only new battery retained in the Ninth Corps when the artillery of the corps was organized into a brigade, the others being sent into the reserve artillery. Though entering the field only a fortnight after receiving their guns and harnesses, and consequently having but little time for drill, it has kept up its organization and discipline. never been for one hour unprepared for service, and is held among the first-class batteries of the army for efficiency and discipline.
" It is composed of a superior class of men; and starting with a new battery, and entering at once upon and passing through the severest campaign recorded, it is sufficient proof of the efficiency and excellency of its officers that it was not only not disorganized, but it has made for itself a reputation which is an honor to the State and an earnest of what it will be in the future."
These were kind words, and they were just; and there was nothing in " the future" of our service to detract from them.
61-62
DERSONAL SKETCHES,
COMPILED FROM
Brief Histories furnished by Comrades on Blanks
sent out for that purpose.
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MAJOR ADELBERT B. TWITCHELL. (See Frontispiece.)
Major Twitchell was born in Bethel, Me., Dec. 14, 1836. He was educated at Gould's Academy, Bethel, where he fitted for college, taking a full course at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., graduating from that institution in the class of 1860. In September of that year he accepted a position as assistant instructor in the Public High School at Newark, N. J., con- tinuing there until May, 1861, when he resigned his position, went direct to Portland, Me., and enlisted as a private in Capt. Clark S. Edward's Co. I, Fifth Maine Infantry. Was shortly promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant of the regiment by Col. Dunnell, and held that position until after the first Bull Run battle; was Acting Quartermaster of the regiment from that time until Col. Jackson took command of the regiment, about the middle of August, when he was sent to Maine to enlist men for the Fifth Regiment. While in Maine, upon this duty, was discharged in order to receive a commission in light artillery. Was assigned to the Fifth Maine Battery, Light Artillery, Capt. Leppien commanding, as Senior 2d Lieutenant, in the fall of 1861. After the second battle of Bull Run, in 1862, he was promoted to Senior 1st Lieutenant of that organization, which position he held until the summer of 1863, when he was dis- charged in order to receive a commission as Captain of the Seventh Maine Light Battery, then being organized, which position he accepted and with which organization he served until the close of the war, receiving a commission as Brevet-
(63)
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
Major of Artillery for " meritorious services during the siege of Petersburgh and at Fort Sedgwick, Va." Was mustered out of service at Augusta, Me, with the Battery, in June, 1865. Just prior to formal discharge from service he passed the examina- tion for a commission in the regular army, and received a com- mission as 2d Lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Artillery on May 16, 1886, but declined the appointment. He was with the Fifth Maine Infantry at the first battle of Bull Run, being on the field as a con-combatant, and from which he asserts that he "made as masterly a retreat as any soldier." In the Fifth Maine Battery he engaged in the following battles, viz. : Cedar Mountain. Rappahannock Station. Thoroughfare Gap, second Bull Run (Ang. 30, 1862), Fredericksburg (Dec. 8), and Chancellorsville (in May. 1863) ; and in the Seventh Maine Battery at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburgh, Petersburgh Crater, Siege of Petersburgh (Fort Hell, 1864-5), capture of Peters- burgh and the pursuit of Lee's Army to Farmville, Va. He was wounded at Chancellorsville in May, 1863, losing two fingers from his left hand and receiving two flesh wounds in his left thigh, for which wounds he now receives a pension of $12.25 per month. Ile was a brave soldier; and being all through the war, in the infantry and artillery. saw as much active service as could well be placed to the credit of one man.
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