USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > Reunions of the Nineteenth Maine Regiment Association, at Portland, Bath, Belfast, Augusta and Richmond > Part 10
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USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Richmond > Reunions of the Nineteenth Maine Regiment Association, at Portland, Bath, Belfast, Augusta and Richmond > Part 10
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The Nineteenth Muinc in the Mine Run Campaign. Page 65.
On the morning of Thanksgiving Day, just as the stars began to fail, and the east- ern horizon to lighten, our encampment was aroused from sleep by the reveille, and orders were received to pack up and be off. Bidding our village of buts a reluctant farewell, the column was soon in motion, on the road leading from Brandy Station to Germania Ford, Rapidan river. The corps crossedl the river near the close of the day, halting for the night three miles beyond, in the neighborhood of Chancellorsville .- No enemy opposed our advance thus far, save our old, relentless foe-mud. The following morning, at sunrise, the corps took a cross road, leading to Robertson's Tavern. In the course of a few hours the head of the column fell in with a force of rebels, posted in a wood whose margin was at right angles with the road. They suc- ceeded in blockading the road. At this time the 2d corps was alone. Skirmishers were deployed and lives of battle rapidly formed, but the enemy resisted obstinately. possessing an advantageous position in a thick forest, while our own troops occupied an open field. It was hoped that we were to be favored with an attack, but our enemy proved too shrewed for such an undertaking. Gettysburg and Bristow Station are remarkably vivid in their recollections. Near the close of the day it was deter- mined by Maj. Gen. Warren, to dislodge them at point of the bayonet. Everything was in readiness, but as rapidly as our lines advanced, those of the enemy retired. Night came on. The 19th Maine occupied a position in the extreme front, and passed the long, chilly hours in careful watchfulness on the skirmish line. During the after- noon, spirited firing had been heard on our right, some miles distant, which proved to be Maj. Gen. French with the 3d corps.
In the morning the enemy was non est,-did not vouchsafe a single shot by way of civility. The next thing was to hunt him up again. A chain of skirmishers of more than two miles in length advanced through woods, over hills, across creeks and fiells, and at ten o'clock, during a smart shower of rain, "the lost was found" adroitly posted on a range of almost inaccessible hills, some two miles from their position on the previous day. A sharp artillery duet soon followed the discovery, and we began to believe that the " big fight " had actually commenced. Our lines of battle were once more established. About noon a portion of the skirmish line held by the 2d corps was relieved by the 6th, which had arrived during the forenoon. The 19th Maine was relieved by the 7th Maine. It was now known that the enemy's left rested at this place-known among che natives as Robertson's Tavern. Wanderers in Virginia have long since learned that it requires only two or three erumbling chim- Dies and possibly a gate post, to localize events as hamortal as those recorded by lofner. Robertson's Tavern in the palmy days of the old Dominion might have been a first class country inn, and unlike many of its cotemporaries has not yet been levelled with the ground. It is a respectable looking building, standing solitary and alone in the midst of a wilderness. It seemed almost overwhelmed by the great " travelling publie" by which it was suddenly surrounded. In the afternoon of this day the rain ceased, and the weather cleared off-cold. We were confronting the rebels face to face, and confidently expected a general pitch in the next morning. But Gen. Meade ordered otherwise.
As soon as the first streaks of dawn appeared, the troops were aroused from their beds on the damp, mouldy ground, to get their frugal breakfast, preparatory to action. At seven o'clock the 2d Corps, keeping well concealed, filed to the left through an almost interminable wilderness, searching for the enemy's right dank. About noon it reached the Fredericksburg and Orange Court House plank road, where it relieved tiregg's Division of cavalry. This was near a dilapidated church, the name of which I have forgotten. The Ist Division of the 2d corps, under Brig. tien. Caldwell. of Maine, was in advance, and found the enemy in force a few miles beye ud the church. Gen. Caldwell's skirmishers charged those of the enemy, driving them behind their fortifications, capturing several. From prisoners thus taken it was learned that Hill's rell corps was in our front, occupying the right of Led's army. Now that the enemy's position was found, it was determined to give him battle. The 21 corps, alone, confronted the much larger torto of tien. Hill. The only thing to be done was to wait patiently until all the troops arrived, for, should Will discover var anall foree, he would strive to annihilate it. So, building huge fires, and beating. drums, we lay down to rest by the roadside, unfolding our blankets for protection against the keen air. The 3d corps and one Division of the 5th corps soon followed in the trail of the 2d, making our forees twenty-eight thousand strong at this place.
83
EXTRACTS FROM ARMY LETTERS.
At two o'clock the next morning the 2.1 Division was aroused, and proceeded to go into position. Stealthily and noiselessly, the column moved down the plank road. Not a word was spoken by our troops louder than a whisper, as they moved cautiously over the frozen ground. Orders by officers were given in subdued tones. The rebel camp fires were burning briskly, about one hundred rods in advance. When we arrived at a little stream of water which crossed the road, called Mine Run, we filed to the left, and "fronted;" the right of the 2d Division resting upon the road. Two lines were formed, some ten paces apart and a third line comprising the Ist Division was farther in the rear acting as reserve. So discreetly was the matieuvre performed, that the enemy's notice was not attracted. Rebel voices were audible in conversation around their camp fires, and they seemed to be unconsciously awaiting the descent of their evil spirits-the Yankees. It did not take a long while to perceive that it was intended hy Gen. Meade, to charge the rebel intrenchments. It was supposed by all that the event would take place at daybreak. But the cold bours of twilight glided by-six, seven, eight o'clock, and still we remained, awaiting the order " FORWARD." The men had unslung their koopsacks so as to be entirely free to work with their weapons, and I have no doubt that many a mental farewell was given to this world, as they deliberately prepared for the dreadful contest. It would have been wonderful did not the hearts of the bravest momentarily recoil from the ordeal marked out for the morning. At daslight the fortifications before ns were brought in plain view with the butternut legions behind them. Fifteen pieces of artillery could be seen in posi- tion ready to receive us. Formidable abattis had been placed in front in order to retard our advance. Gen. Webb, our division commander, moved from regiment to regiment and from company to compony, cheering and encouraging his troops. remind- ing them of their spotless reputation and invoking them not to falter for an instant, assuring them that only heroist was requisite to carry the works. He desired his troops to withbold their fire until they arrived at the works, when one shot would assuredly demoralize two of the chemy. He said that it was an exalted moral courage to torbear shooting an enemy even when a comrade fell, provided the success of the day depended upon it. The day, cold and disagreeable, wore away, and as the shades of night fell, they fell upon a bloodless field, instead of one of suffering and despair. The 19th was again detached as skirmishers by choice of Gen. Webb, and another sleepless night was passed in watching the rebels and the stars.
In the morning the 19th was relieved by the 42d N. Y. Tammany Regiment, and we went a short distance to the rear, and sought refreshment and rest. In the after- noon a line of breastworks was constructed in order to protect the retreat of our force. At 9 o'clock we started for the Rappahannock. At daylight passed by Chancellors- ville, and at 10 o'clock crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford. Our retreat was un- molested. Ouly a few stragglers fell into the enemy's bauds. At night we were in uf old encampment mar Bendy Station, having been absent eight days and seven Light :. The results of this raid have been pretty well discussed, but no one feels inclined to condemn Gon. Meade for uot pushing an attack which might have ended in great Des and demoralization. The extreme cold weather, a limited supply of provisions, and the enemy well fortified, were cogent reasons for withdrawing. The rebels ware not the greatest obstacles to be overcome .- Camp near Stevensbury, Va., Dec. 11, 1603
The Nineteenth Maine in Winter Quarters at Stevensburg. Page CO.
Life in the army has its days of excitement, and also its weeks and months of monoromy. During the bour when battalion meets battalion and battery encounters battery, -when the air is being filled with remorseless missels and the delirium of battle seems to hide the sun from sight, -then the King of Terrors stalks forth and the dark valley seems vividly at band. And, as a motley of indescribable sounds beat upon the ear-the seruns of soldiery, the rapid rattle of unsketry, the defiant roar of artillery and exploding shells, -- comes that frenzied oblivion ot self-that delicions unconsciousness of everything save the one object of shattering and vanquishing the chiny; times when all heart throb as one, and the individual becomes a wave in the Innanrooas surging of the wild multitude. Such seasons are familiar to a soldier, and we may truthfully say that at times his experiences are of more than ordinary ex .itt- taent. Then succeed long terms of general inactivity and idleness, -- when the weather of the fates forbid active campaigning. Such a time is the present. The most active camy now comes from the North instead of the South, led by they. Jack Frost, who vi Lite bas bien storming our rude fortifications of logs and canvas with considerable sigur. 'The blue Ridge, or backbone of Virginia-if not of the rebellion-stretches : . bage length to the North and West of our euraugment, some thirty or forty miles distant, no longer line, for its walls have been changed to a silvery white, as though Alalan's lamp had been lurking somewhere in its caverns and displayed suddenly it wolterful powers of transformation. Chilly winds descend upon us from the showy heaps, with almost as much uniformity as in former days, in the better land of budalo
.
81
NINETEENTH MAINE VOLUNTEERS.
robes and sleigh bells. The "sacred soil" is covered thinly with snow, although here and there may be seen the naked bosom of "Old Dominion," as if asserting its "rights" against the " Northern innovation." In the camp, the bugle, instead of sounding the "war cry," is confined to less impassioned notes, sounding instead roll-calls, inspec- tions, gnard-mounting, &c. In brief, it is generally considered that the enemy is in winter quarters, with little signs of being disturbed by friends or foes until spring suns and spring breezes render the "Sunny South" less inhospitable than at present. The duties of camp, however, are contrived to keep all hands occupied.
Although tedious marches are suspended, and short rations abolished, discipline is much more exacting than when moving from place to place daily and nightly, and all manner of insignificant splendors are required, which are dispensed with when on the march. The daily routine of the army is sufficiently extensive to keep the most of its members from idleness. A heavy pieket is needed, to prevent surprises. Senti- nels in camp have to be numerous, and all manner of fatigue parties are daily re- quired. As it is, notwithstanding the troops are having a respite from the sterner and more laborious duties of military life, yet, more minute duties occupy their atten- tion, and happily serve to drive away ennui and absorb the time.
There have occurred two or three changes among the officers of the 19th, recently. Lieut. Col. Connor, formerly of the ith Maine, has been appointed Colonel, and our much esteemed Surgeon, Dr. Billings, has been obliged to resign on account of ill health. The health of the regiment is generally good, although some sickness occurs from exposure to inclement weather, and other causes. The regiment recently re- ceived sixteen recruits, fresh from the State of Maine, --- all volunteers. About one hundred and fifty are needed to fill the regiment to the maximum number.
Maj. Gen. Hancock has resumed command of the 2d corps. He has been absent, since the battle of Gettysburg, where his daring behavior unnecessarily exposed hitu to the enemy. He is nich respected and beloved by his troops. We see nothing of the enemy in our present position. Only a few prowling guerillas intest this side of the Rapidan. The greatest inconvenience attendant upon winter quarters arises from a searcity of wood. It requires but a few weeks for ten thousand mon to annihilate a forest, and wood in this vicinity is much more difficult to procure than last winter at Falmouth. It has to be brought a long distance, and the cozy coinfort it affords when nicely out and burning in the improvised fire-places is richly earned. Water is much more abundant. although, wherever a heavy rain storm occurs it is rendered almost unfit for use, on account of its muddiness; it is then far from being "sparkling water," bat resembles thin yellow paint. But the difficulties, or inconveniences mentioned. have little to do in dispiriting the soldiery. If other ages have boasted of superior armies, well may we boast of this. What army has a nobler history than the army of the Potomac? What band of men of pretentious magnitude, ever sustained defeats with abore becoming suavity, and still maintained its morate? What army of equal in- telligence and versatility ever existent, and what army bas attained so many victories against so many disadvantages, blundering generale not among the least? Well, here it is, not two days' march from the Heights of Bull Run, still ready to meet the rebels in any fair fight, and will eventually do so, and annihilate, -- if necessary-even should it require three years longer to vindicate the honor of the old flag .-- Camp near Stevens- bury, Vo., Jan. 14, 1864.
Winter, stoical and unpleasant, is taking its annual farewell. With no reluctance do we welcome the sunny days of spring-bearing songs and verdure, beauty and hope. Blades of grass are beginning to peep through the thin turf, birds are singing their hymns of gladness among the freshly budding trees, the winde have softened to a gentler cadence, and the rich blue sky above looks down upon the strange contrast of buoyant, reviving nature, and the terrible iconoclast-fratricidal war. There exists, as a sort of appendix to the winter season, oceans of fathomless mind, but the air is balmy, as becomes a Southern elime, and the vigorous rays of the sun will soon en- erust the roads sufficiently deep to allow of ordinary locomotion. The army con- tinues in winter quarters, while its numbers are being augmented by the arrival of raw recruits, and strengthened by the re-enlistment of old regiments. Government has liberally granted a still farther extension of time, and will continue to pay boun- ties to veterans up to April Ist. Probably the indulgence will prove a benefit.
On the oth of February, the 2d corps participated in an engagement with the enemy at Morton's Ford, which served as a sort of holiday, by breaking, for a few days, the monotony of camp life. The With was there with the rest, and of course performed its whole duty. It has never been found wanting on such occasions, bient. Hinkley, of Company K, was killed; James I. Chase, of Company P. was wounded. The regiment sustained the entire loss of the division to which it belongs. The 3d division per- formed the principal part of the fighting,-there not being sufficient room on the r bel side of the river to lodge many troops. At nightfall the. 2d division "took up
85
EXTRACTS FROM ARMY LETTERS.
the glove," and remained across the river until midnight, when the whole force re- tired. The 1-t brigade ccevpied the skirmish line. The rebels fought with their characteristic stubbornness, showing to some extent the Southern estimation of Yan- kees. I do not know whether the primary intention was to carry the rebel fortifica- tions or not; if so, we most signally failed. Our loss was heavy indeed, compared with the number engaged, and it is easy enough to imagine it an unfortunate affair. Two days following the fight, we were safely in camp cleaning the mud from our gar- ments. Camp matters are dull. The prescribed routine peculiar to the military pro- fession, is carried out with strict conformity. The Grand Ball, given by the officers of the 2d corps on Washington's Birthday, was a brilliant affair. The 2d corps, which has never surrendered a flag or a piece of artillery to the enemy, may well be supposed qualified to lead off in any enterprise known in the annals of modern or ancient gallantry !
Dr. J. Q. A. Hawes, our newly appointed surgeon, has joined the regiment. He fills the place of our long tried and esteemed surgeon, Dr. A. J. Billings of Freedom, Me., who joined the regiment at its organization, and who on all occasions, performed with arlent zeal and ability his laborious duties .- Camp near Stevensbury, Va., March 14, 1564.
Preparations for the approaching campaign are being rapidly perfected. A thorough re-organization has been effected. The five army corps have been consolidated into three. The Ist and 34-corps have been dissolved, and the troops distributed among the 2d, 5th and oth corps. The Ist and 2d divisions of the ad corps have been transferred to the 2d corps, and the 3d division has become a portion of the 6th corps. The Ist corps has been merged into the 5th corps. The troops thus transferred still preserve their badges and distinctive marks. The 2d corps is commanded by Maj. Gen. Han- cock, the 5th by Maj. Gen. Warren, and the 6th by Maj. Gen. Sedgwick. Eight bat- teries are assigned to each of the three corps. The batteries of the several corps, in excess of the above allowance, join the artillery reserve.
There are four Maine regiments in the 2d corps -- the 3d. 4th, 17th and 19th. The latter occupies its old position. Brig. Gen. Webb commands the let brigade, and Brig. Gen. Gibbons the 2d division. The brigade is now composed of nine regiments, viz: the 15th, 19th and 20th Massachusetts; 42d, 50th and 82d New York; 7th Michigan; 26th Wisconsin, and 19th Maine -- all true "rebellion smashers." The 3d division of the corps has been merged into the Ist. and 24. The corps numbers four divisions. The organization is composed largely of old soldiers,-many of whom were participators in nearly all the engagements from Bull Run to Morton's Ford. The commanding gen- erals are all fighting men, and the rebels will need a goodly share of Heaven's mercy the coming summer.
Col. Seldon Connor, our commander, has just returned to the regiment, having been for the past few weeks acting in the capacity of Brigadier General. Capt. Starbird commanded the regiment during Col. Connor's absence. Many of our officers are absent in Maine on recruiting service, but will probably receive instructions to join us ere wany weeks. The young men of the Ist brigade have organized a Soldiers' Lyceum, which is in succes ful operation. It is held semi-weekly in the brigade chapel build- ing, fitted up by the U. S. Christian Commission, and patronized by the various mili- try ranks. Sergt. Moses S. Dennett, of Co. F, 19th Maine. a Litchfield boy, is presi- dent, (killed on the battle-field of the Wilderness). Last Sabbath several couverts were baptized in the stream which flows past our camp. A religious interest has pre- vailed during the last two months, and a goodly number have entered the Army of the Great Teacher. The benevolent efforts of the Christian Commission are reaching the hearts of the multitude. It has become a real power in the army, and always for good, physically as well as morally .- Camp near Strasburg, Va., March 30, 1864.
The Nineteenth Maine in the Wilderness-Petersburg Campaign. Pages 66, 67.
Of the losses in our Maine regiments, quite likely you are better furnished with lists than I am, as my duties have not afforded time for such statistics. In my own regi- ment, the 19th, our number is now reduced to near one hundred muskets. In the terrible fight on the 6th inst., the 19th were badly cut up. Col. Connor was badly wounded, in the left thigh. He is wow at Washington, and is quite as comfortable as can be expected. Maj. Welch, from Augusta, received a flesh wound in the thigh. I hear that one-half of our captains are wounded, and a larger proportion of the lien- tenants. Of the enlisted men, I expect to bed merely a small squiad as the represen- tative of a few weeks since, a noble regiment. Barely this is sad to us here, but sad- der to the dear friends at home. Our sobliers have fought bravely, manfully, and to the last, and those who are now called to mourn the loss of their friends, have no re- morse of conscience, that the defenders of the country from the Pine Tree State did
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NINETEENTH MAINE VOLUNTEERS.
not do their duty on the Geld of battle .- Surgen J. Q. A. Haves, in a public letter from. Fredericksburg, May 25, 1364.
The 19th Maine regiment left camp at Stevensburg, May 3, 1864, with 22 officers and 468 men. Of the 277 men transferred to this regiment, June 18, from the 4th Maine volunteers, there were in the field 57 men. A new company joined the regiment, Oct. 22, with 3 officers and 64 men; making a total of 25 officers and 589 men. The casual- ties for the year 1861, were as follows: killed in action, 61 men; wounded and died of wounds, one officer, 39 men; wounded, exclusive of those died of wounds, 16 oficers. 283 men; taken prisoners by the enemy, one officer, 133 men .-- Adjutant General's Report, 1865.
Losses in the Army of the Potomac. Page 66-last foot note ..
An official abstraet of Meade's "morning reports" for April, 1864, showed his whole number of soldiers to be 122,456. Deducting all on special service, sick, and under arrest, the officers and men "present for duty, equipped," were 89, 737. Burnside's Ninth Corps numbered 20,444, of which about 15,000 bore muskets. Grant's effective force, therefore, after Burnside joined him in the Wilderness, did not vary more than a few hundred either way from 102,000 men. Lee's field return of April 20, 1864, showed that his numbers present aggregated 02,825. Deducting those on special ser- vice, sick, and under arrest, his officers and men present and available for battle were 54,256. Longstreet came up in the Wilderness with 19,000 effectives. Lee's army to Grant's, therefore, was as seventy-three to one hundred and two .-- Albert D. Ru hard- son's Personal History of U. S. Grant.
The Union losses in the campaign from the Rapidan to the James, (May 31 to June 15th), were 54,351; killed, wounded, and missing. The Rebel losses were about 32,000 .- American Cyclopedia.
On the 20th of March, 1865, Grant's forces before Richmond, "present for duty, equipped, " numbered 120, 150. The strength of Lec's army is not given officially, but the prisoners captured from and surrendered by him afford data for estimating it :- March 25, assault on Fort Steadman, 2,783; March 20 to April 9, inclusive, 19,979; April 9, final surrender, 27, 416; Total, 49,178. Two brigades of his cavalry never surrendered; 10,000 men seems to be a moderate estimate tor these two brigades and the stragglers; 50,000 effectives are thus accounted for; as his disabled only remain to be estimated, it would seem that Lee's effective force on the 20th of March, 1865, must have been about 70, 000 meu .- Richardson's Personal History of Grunt.
The tabular statements given below are made from data furnished by a staff officer of General Grant, and published by Edward Howland. in his .. Grant as a Soldier and Statesman." Hartford. iso8: J. B. Burr & Co.
Casualties in the Gray of the Painone from May 5, to Not. 1. 1864.
KILLED.
WOUNDED.
MISSING.
BATTLES.
DATES.
Officers.
Enlisted
Officers.
Enlisted
Officers.
Balisted
Men.
gate.
Wilderness
May 5 to 12.
260
3.019
1,01;
18,261
177
6,60
29,410
Spottsylvania
May 12 to 21.
114.
2,032
259
7,097
31
248
10,38]
North Anna.
May 21 to 31.
12
168
67:
1,003
3
324
1,007
Coll Harbor.
June 1 to 10
141
1.5611
121
8,021
51
2,355
13,153
Petersburg
June 10 to 20 .
1,113.
361;
6,402
1,568
9,665
Ditto.
June 20 to July 30
576-
120
2,374
108
2,109!
5,310
Ditta
July 30
47
3721
124
1,555
91
1,819
4,008
Trenches
August 1 to 1%.
21
191
100
1,055
101
3,072
4,513
Remy' Station.
. August 25
21
02
484
95.
1,674
2,432
Proble's Farm . . . . Sept. 39 to Det. 1.
50
56
1,700!
2,655
Trenches
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