USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of the Twenty-fourth Michigan of the Iron brigade, known as the Detroit and Wayne county regiment > Part 5
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CAMP WAYNE-FALSE ALARM.
On the afternoon of September 4th, we marched to Camp Wayne, about four miles South of Fort Lyon. While pitching our tents all were ordered in great haste into line of battle. It proved a false alarm, and well it was such, for some amusing and clumsy evolutions were made, this being our first maneuver of the kind. Retiring under our tents, we were suddenly awakened again at midnight by the long roll and shrill voices of orderlies to "fall in." This time the movement was quickly executed and without confusion, each man being able by some private identification to place his hand upon his own gun by night or day. It proved to be another false alarm, but the discipline was good. The regiment was now on the extreme left of the army, guarding Hooker's division. The enemy's lines were a mile beyond.
Camp Wayne was finely situated in the woods. It was the location of the Michigan brigade the winter before, and then called Camp Michigan. On the 6th, the men were gladdened by the presence of John J. Bagley and several Detroit citizens. Though but a week from home, anybody, or even a dog, from Wayne county was welcome in camp.
MOUNT VERNON-MARCHING ORDERS.
On Sunday, the 7th, a few of us visited Mount Vernon, about four miles away. Our guns were left outside the enclosure, as no soldier of either army was allowed to bear arms inside the hallowed grounds. With delight we stood upon the stately veranda, passed
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FIRST MONTHS OF ARMY LIFE.
along the graceful walks and beneath the magnolia tree planted by Washington's hands. We visited the ancient mansion, going from room to room. Up a narrow staircase to the left we reach the room in which he died, where still stands the bedstead on which he breathed his last. The shutter of the window was adjusted as it was to allow him to behold his last sunset view. His tomb was visited, and, with uncovered head, we gazed upon the mound containing his mortal remains. On returning to camp, we passed the negro quarters, where dwelt the descendants of Washington's slaves, one of whom was an aged servant far back to Washington himself, whom he distinctly remembered, and whose word there was no reason to doubt. These people still formed the working force of the plantation.
Arrived in camp, we found the men packing up under marching orders, and at 9 o'clock we started for Leesburg, taking our blankets only, to be in light marching order, as it was understood that we were to go in pursuit of Lee, who had invaded Maryland. The night was moonlight and beautiful. Passing by Camp Morrow and again through "secesh " Alexandria, we bivouacked at 2 o'clock, two miles from the Long Bridge, on the Potomac bank, and in the morning (September 8) moved on to Washington. By some mistake at the War Office, the Seventeenth Michigan was ordered to take our place for Leesburg, while the Twenty-fourth Michigan was sent across Anacostia creek to Fort Baker. Thus, the histories of these two regiments were interchanged.
ARMY LIFE AT CAMP SHEARER.
Our new location was called "Camp Shearer." It was healthy, well drained, and there was good spring water near by. It was soon adorned with pines from the neighboring woods, a retired resort from which was had a good view of the Capital City, over the tops of trees in the valley between. Only the boom of the navy yard guns for practice disturbed our quiet. Here were spent three of the happiest weeks of army life, and Camp Shearer is a pleasant memory to this day.
The first death in the regiment since it left home was that of George B. Parsons, of Company D, who died in the ambulance going thither from Camp Wayne, from delirium caused by fright from the sudden call to arms on the night of the 4th. His remains were sent home at the expense of his comrades.
The regiment was attached to General Woodbury's Engineer 1 Brigade, and two companies were detailed each day to chop away the
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
young growth of pine in front of Fort Baker to allow a better range of its guns. When not on such fatigue duty, the men were engaged in drill, and soon became skilled in the evolutions and school of the soldier. On Sunday, the 21st, the regiment was inspected by General Woodbury and staff, who pronounced it " as fine a body of men as he ever saw." But he probably made the same remark to every regiment inspected by him.
On the 14th and 17th of September, the booming of guns was heard forty miles distant, at the South Mountain and Antietam battle-fields, and we wonder how long ere we, too, will be engaged.
On the 25th, 26th and 27th, the regiment was drilled in sham fighting, which accustoms the men to the sound of their own guns in action. On the first day, Peter Euler, of G, was shot in the leg. On the next day, a man's face was filled with powder. On the third day, a soldier shot off his ramrod, which struck Orderly Sergeant W. R. Dodsley, of H. These accidents terminated this manner of drill. On the last day, Governor Blair witnessed the sham battle.
And thus a trio of weeks passed by, ourselves gladdened with daily mails, a good place to sleep, and ample and wholesome food ; our evenings gleeful with music, dancing, and song, while the prayer meetings were well attended by such as found interest therein. But September 29 brought an end to these pastimes by orders to start next morning for the Army of the Potomac.
POPE'S CAMPAIGN -DISASTER.
Before proceeding further with our story, let us survey the army movements since we left the Army of the Potomac at Harrison's Landing on the James river in the early days of July. While this army was on the Peninsula, MANASSAS ALEXANDRIA CAF M LORECTORTOWN OWASHINGTON INTILLY three other commands had been CENTREVILLE BRISTOWS THOROUGHFARE CAP R. R formed : (1) McDowell's, at OCAINESVALE FAIRFAX STA JUNCTION WARRENTON O Fredericksburg; (2) Banks', in ANASSAS STATION SULPHUR STATION SPRING WARRENTON CATLETTS RAPPAHANNOCK STATION RAPPAHAN CXANDRIA JUNCTION the Shenandoah Valley, and (3) Fremont's, in West Virginia. These were united under General CULPEPPER IHANNOCK ACQUIA D CR. CH PORT ROYAL Codar Pope, who issued a bombastic RIVER FREDERICKSBURG RAPIDAN address, the pungency of which FALMOUTH was evidently aimed at McClellan and his army. His satire was not calculated to foster for him
MAP OF POPE'S CAMPAIGN, 1862.
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FIRST MONTHS OF ARMY LIFE.
the respect of the generals of that army, and the failures that soon followed are possibly traceable to this cause. Meanwhile, General Halleck had been appointed General-in-Chief of all the Union armies.
Pope with 40,000 men was at Culpepper, McClellan with 90,000 men was on the James river below Richmond, and Lee with a large army of the enemy lay virtually between the two Union armies. It was deemed advisable at the War Office that the two parts of the Union army be united, and McClellan was ordered to withdraw his army by water for this purpose, to Alexandria. Instead of obeying the order with alacrity, leaving consequences with his superiors he protested and tried to defeat it, but finally obeyed after some delay.
Meanwhile, Lee was quick to perceive his opportunity. Keeping a portion of his men to watch Mcclellan, he sent forward Ewell and Jackson to encounter Banks' corps of Pope's army, with whom he fought a battle at Cedar Mountain on August 19. So soon as McClellan was fairly under way down the Peninsula to embark for Alexandria, Lee went with the rest of his forces in pursuit of Pope, whom he hoped to defeat ere the Union forces could be united.
Pope retired, before Lee's overwhelming forces, behind the Rappahannock, hoping to hold its fords until the Army of the Potomac could come to his aid. While thus engaged, "Stonewall" Jackson crossed higher up, and by forced marches got in the rear of Pope at Manassas Junction on August 26, completely cutting off his railroad communications with Washington. Pope sent McDowell's corps from Fredericksburg to intercept him. As McDowell, with General Rufus King's division far in advance, reached the Warrenton Pike near Gainesville, on August 28, this single division presented its flank to Jackson's corps which furiously assailed it. Gibbon's brigade was the first to encounter their murderous fire and heroically stood the onset till King's whole division could get into line. The battle lasted until after dark. It was bloody. At midnight the division fell back to Manassas Junction, tarrying to bury their dead in the darkness, and leaving Jackson to unite with Longstreet.
August 29 and a few days following were sad ones for the Army of the Potomac which had now been united with Pope's under the command of the latter. We shall not trouble our readers with the maneuverings of our army during that time, as there are still sharply disputed points about them. Our army seemed to be defeated by brigade at a time. Pope's satire of six weeks before was apparently felt yet by some of Mcclellan's Generals who were now serving under
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
Pope himself, and their eagerness for his success may not have been all that patriotic duty demanded. One General, Fitz John Porter- is credited with saying that "Pope ought to be defeated." While McClellan even wrote a letter to Lincoln, suggesting that "Pope be left to get out of his scrape the best he could." The President felt compelled to request McClellan, for the sake of the army and country, to urge the Generals who had served under him, to drop personal feelings and render loyal assistance to Pope, which he did. Shame, that such is a part of our Country's history, when want of harmony among Generals is a greater element of defeat than the opposing foe! In one day-August 29-by reason of such quarreling, more union men were killed and wounded than during either the entire Revolutionary or Mexican Wars! Non-commissioned officers could have done better.
The battles of Manassas and Chantilly followed, the advantages being with the enemy. Halleck now ordered the remnant of this once proud army within the defenses of Washington. Gibbon's brigade acted as rear guard and an eye witness thus speaks of it :
Gibbon's brigade covered the rear, not leaving the field until after 9 o'clock at night, showing so steady a line that the enemy made no attempt to molest them.
It was with this brigade of King's division that the Twenty-fourth Michigan was afterwards united. This decimated army was the body of jaded troops that passed our camp at Fort Lyon.
MARYLAND INVASION-SOUTH MOUNTAIN -ANTIETAM.
Lee was too wise to assail the defenses of Washington, and resolved "to liberate Maryland," ere the northern levies could be made available. His illusions persuaded him that his army could be largely recruited in that State, and thither he directed his forces, but met with no such welcome as he expected. His ragged and shoeless soldiers did not inspire the Marylanders, and but few joined his standard.
On September 4th, the President re-instated McClellan to the command of the Army of the Potomac. He soon after went in pursuit of Lee, whom he found on Sunday, September 14, strongly posted on the east side of South Mountain, holding Turner's, Fox's and Crampton's Gaps. What is known as the National Road leads over the South Mountain at Turner's Gap. This main road was stormed by Gibbon's brigade at half-past five in the afternoon, and at 9 o'clock at night, the enemy was routed and had to vacate the pass. They were assisted by ¿Battery B, Fourth United States
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FIRST MONTHS OF ARMY LIFE.
Artillery which was attached to this brigade. At Fox's Gap, a mile south, the Seventeenth Michigan had charged in the forenoon and won lasting fame.
Lee withdrew to the south side of the Antietam, a deep stream emptying into the Potomac six miles above Harper's Ferry. On Wednesday, the 17th of September, was fought on the banks of this stream, the bloodiest battle of the war, considering the few hours that the engagement lasted. This battle was begun by the advance of Hooker's corps, and Gibbon's brigade became hotly engaged, opening the battle, dislodging the enemy in their front and holding their ground like a mountain or wall of iron until relieved by fresh troops. For its intrepidity on this occasion and its valorous charge in carrying the South Mountain pass three nights before, it secured from General
OUR JOURNEY THROUGH MARYLAND TO JOIN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
McClellan the title of "Iron Brigade," a name well won and honorably borne thereafter, as it was found, when the war closed, to have sustained, in proportion to its numbers, greater losses than any other brigade.
On September 18, both Lee and Mcclellan agreed to an armistice for eight hours to bury their dead and care for the wounded. But Lee utilized this time, in violation of the truce, by digging trenches for escape through the sides of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, and that night, escaped unobserved, with his army, through the excavations (5)
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
across a ford of the Potomac into Virginia. Lee's violation of the terms of the truce was prompted by his same traitorous heart which led him to violate his sworn oath and turn traitor to the country which had educated him gratuitously, and which educational acquirements he was now employing against his country.
OUR JOURNEY TO FREDERICK CITY.
After receiving marching orders on September 29, the camp was busy with preparations for removal. Letters were hastily written and much of the night was spent in making ready for the journey. At 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning, the 30th, we turned our backs upon Camp Shearer, around which cluster many associations of interest, and marched away to the Capital City. Transportation not being in readiness, we proceeded to the Capitol grounds where we remained all day, and at evening entered the enclosure, bivouacking in the East Park, under the shadow of the Capitol itself. But a few rods away on the eastern portico, the several Presidents of this great republic had taken the oath of office. Indeed we are now on classic ground, and beneath the foliage of stately elms, we prepare our beds for sleep.
Our heart was stirred with deep emotion at this time. These massive walls of the Nation's council chambers were lighted from basement to unfinished dome, within which, on cots of anguish and pain, lay hundreds of our country's defenders, brought from the recent battle-fields up the Potomac. Yonder stands the old Capitol, so- resonant in days agone with the eloquence and teachings of the early statesmen of the Republic-now a prison for those who seek to take its life. Here is the silent, yet eloquent, statue of the great Washington, amid armed legions gathered to defend from sacrilegious hands the Temple of Liberty which he did so much to build. These wounded, and the daily clangor of arms and martial strains about the Nation's capital, attest the inexpiable crime of that hateful treason which has filled our land with mourning. But, alas! the traitorous marplots who brought on this awful war are not among those who do the fighting. Not they. Far better should they have been blown to perdition ere their conduct had brought about the terrible sufferings. of those who have to fight.
Our reveries and dreams were brief, for at I o'clock in the morning the ringing voice of Colonel Morrow awoke us from our slumbers with "The Twenty-fourth, fall in." Once more aboard cattle cars, we left for Frederick City, Maryland, at 8 o'clock. We welcomed our transition from the hot and dusty streets of the city to
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the cool hill country of "Our Maryland." At the Relay House our railway crosses that wonder of science and skill, the massive viaduct, and then, with an abrupt sweep to the left, under the precipitous and overhanging rocky banks of the Patapsco, we pass on up the valley of that meandering stream for miles, by charming waterfalls and scenes of grandeur, watching this beautiful, diminishing stream until it is lost in the summit of the mountain.
Descending into the Monocacy Valley, the landscape scenery continues sublime amid circles of hills and beautiful farms. With banners and waving handkerchiefs, we are cheered on our journey. From hewn-stone mansions and humble cottages came loyal greetings
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as we passed them by. One old man, with snow-white head, and grandchildren by his side, waved the old flag at us with an energy that would have borne him to the field had his years permitted. Now and then we saw motionless hands and silent lips, but they were few. No more the slave will do their waiting-the true secret of their grumpy sullenness and soured mien. It did our hearts good to see the old flag waved from Maryland farm-houses. It was done with an expression that evinced no doubt of the sincerity of their loyalty to the Union amid secession surroundings. It was a day of pleasure, and at midnight we left the cars at our destination to make ourselves comfortable in the nearest field.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
CAMP CLARK.
In the morning, Thursday, October 2, a good tenting field was found near the railroad, which was named "Camp Clark," after Dr. E. M. Clark, of Detroit, who gratuitously passed upon the physical fitness of our regiment at Camp Barns. Here, the regiment was temporarily placed in General Paul's brigade. We spent a few days in drilling and bathing, and washing our clothes in the Monocacy.
On October 4, President Lincoln passed by our camp, from a visit to the recent and neighboring battle-fields. He stood at the rear of his train, bowing to us as it slowly moved by. His head was uncovered and he looked careworn from the weighty matters upon his mind. We gave him some Michigan cheers as the train moved slowly by.
The following day being Sunday, some of us visited Frederick City, near by. About every church or public place in the town was filled with the wounded from South Mountain and Antietam battles. This is quite an old city for this country, its market house being erected in 1769. Its people were generally loyal to the Union with some exceptions. Some of the disloyal dames invited the Confederate officers while there, to their homes, but the lively appearance of their beds when the chivalry had gone, made them regret the courtesy shown their secesh friends.
MARCH TO SHARPSBURG-BATTLEFIELD SCENES.
Monday, October 6, at 4 o'clock, P. M., we started by the National Road, on our march for Sharpsburg, Maryland. Passing through Frederick City, we had a right royal greeting from the people with a slight mixture of the secesh frown. About five miles from the city, we passed over the Catoctin Mountains and down into Middle- town Valley, turning, at night, into a meadow for bivouac. Next morning, at 6 o'clock, our journey was resumed through Middletown Village. The soil is rich and cultivated farms may be seen nestling in the woods on the distant mountain tops. A little west of the village, the Catoctin stream was forded, as the stone bridge over it had been blown up by the retreating foe, at the beginning of the battle of Sunday, September 14. Thence we moved up to the crest of the South Mountain range where a halt of six hours was made in Turner's Gap.
This National Road dates back to Colonial days, and before the age of railroads it formed the great highway between the East and
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West. It was a broad, macadamized way, and wound over mountains and hills which had been leveled off to form it. Over it, the produce came from the West and many a statesman found this a route by stage to the Capital City. Over it, Braddock marched his troops to defeat and his own untimely death.
All about us were evidences of the late battle-shells lying around, trees and fences cut down. Here, Gibbon's brigade for four hours fought its way till into moonlight and carried the ground on which we have halted. Many of us visited the scene of the struggle.
THE "TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN " MARCHING THROUGH MIDDLETOWN, MD., OCTOBER 7, 1862.
The main fighting occurred at Fox's Gap about a mile south, on the farm of John Wise, where the old road from Middletown to Sharpsburg crosses the mountain. Mr. Wise was present to give us particulars of the fighting. His log house was pitted with bullets like small pox scars. In that barn, two Confederate and two Union officers fought each other to the death. Here was the lane between two stone walls in which was concealed Drayton's South Carolina brigade on that Sunday morning. In that copse of wood at the foot of the hill, the Seventeenth Michigan formed. It was in Michigan scarce two weeks before. Up, across the open field it charged, right over that stonewall, with a loss of twenty-eight of its own in killed, while the dead bodies of 154 of the South Carolina brigade were left in the lane. Of the latter, fifty-nine were burried in Wise's well and the balance in a trench in his garden. Here is where the Seventeenth Michigan won its title as the "Stonewall Regiment," and rightly is it entitled to its fame.
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By that chestnut tree in the adjoining field, General Reno fell, a victim to the enemy's sharpshooters. Accoutrements, canteens and hats with the terrible bullet holes in front, were scattered around. Here was a pile of knapsacks marked " Ist S. C." Their owners lay in yonder garden. These scenes were food for serious reflection. How long ere we, too, [would be actors on the field of deadly combat
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and fill soldiers' graves? At 5 o'clock p. m. the Regiment marched on to Boonsborough; thence three miles south on the Keedysville road and bivouacked for the night.
Wednesday, October 8; on the march at 7 o'clock. Keedysville is passed and we move on over a portion of the Antietam battle ground, over the historic Burnside bridge, through the now famous Sharpsburg village, and on a mile southeast to within half a mile of the Potomac, and went into camp.
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CAMP HARBAUGH.
The location was called Camp Harbaugh, after Wayne County's Prosecuting Attorney. The First, Fourth and Sixteenth Michigan were camped near us. Wood and water were not easy of access. The spires of Shepherdstown peered out of the woods across the Potomac. It was occupied by Confederates who picketed the opposite bank of the river. Near us were the excavations through the canal banks by which Lee and his army escaped after the battle.
Near by was a large pile of unburied amputated limbs. Every barn, building and shed about us was filled with the wounded enemy to the number of several hundred, left by Lee after his retreat. Near to our camp was a barn filled with them, many of whom declared their fixed purpose to return to their ranks as soon as paroled. They expressed an undying hatred of the Union and were willing to march and fight, though shoeless and half-clad. A few only expressed contrition and a desire to return to their allegiance.
THE IRON BRIGADE.
Thursday, October 9, 1862, was the formal date of our admission to the Army of the Potomac. This day the regiment was inspected by General Gibbon of the "Iron Brigade," to which we had been assigned by General McClellan. The latter had applied to the War Office for some Western troops, saying that he wished some Wisconsin or Indiana men for a Western brigade. If he could not have any from these States, he would take one from Michigan. The Twenty-fourth Michigan was sent up, and assigned to General Gibbon's command. It was not at his request, and he received us with considerable reluctance. Our regimental inspection over, we were drawn up in front of the rest of the brigade, whom we almost outnumbered. Our suits were new; theirs were army-worn. Our Colonel extolled our qualities, but the brigade was silent. Not a cheer. A pretty cool reception, we thought. We had come out to reinforce them, and supposed they would be glad to see us. Neither was satisfied with the other.
The brigade was a good one. It had already won envious fame at dark and bloody Gainesville, carried Turner's Gap in the South Mountain range, opened the battle of Antietam, won the title of "Iron Brigade," and had a right to know before accepting our full fellowship if we, too, had the mettle to sustain the honor of the brigade. This brigade was composed of the Second, Sixth and
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