USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of the Twenty-fourth Michigan of the Iron brigade, known as the Detroit and Wayne county regiment > Part 7
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To make it palatable it is soaked a few minutes in cold water, which leavens it to a pulp, and we then fry it on our tin plates, with a slice of pork. Hot water has no effect on the hardtack except to make it tough like leather. The soldier fills his tin cup two-thirds full of cold water and puts in a spoonful of ground coffee. The cup is set over some coals and when it boils, his coffee is ready to drink. He sugars it, but as to milk and such luxuries, he bade farewell to these when he enlisted. And thus his meal is made, sometimes by a little fire he builds himself; at other times with his tentmates.
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80
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
Occasionally he has to eat his pork raw as there is no chance to cook it or boil his coffee. The soldier likes nothing better than his coffee ; without it he could not long endure field life. Only at times in camp are the large kettles brought out for a beef soup to save the marrow and meat that adhere to the bones. But the cooking of his coffee and food is often attended with patience - frequently without it. Often as the soldier gets his coffee nearly boiled, or meat and hardtack nearly cooked, someone passes along and accidentally gets his foot upon the protruding end of the rails or sticks in the fire, and away goes the food onto the ground.
The soldier's menu is made up as follows:
BREAKFAST-Coffee, Hardtack, Pork.
DINNER - Hardtack, Pork, Coffee. SUPPER-Pork, Coffee, Hardtack.
An occasional beef ration takes the place of pork. He has plenty of sugar and salt. Occasional rations of rice and of beans are issued, which are boiled in their tin coffee cups.
MARCHING SOUTHWARD-CAMP NALL-ARMY PROFANITY.
Tuesday, November II. The delayed provision trains arrived last night and this afternoon the army moved on southward under its new commander. Marching back to Warrenton, whose citizens viewed us with a morose and dogged sullenness, we continued eight miles south to Fayetteville- a place without a house-where we halted for several days, calling our abode "Camp Nall."
Monday, November 17. Amid a snow and rain storm last night, we were ordered to fall out of our tents to draw three days' rations, and 9 o'clock this morning found the line again on the march. Crossing the Orange & Alexandria Railroad at Bealton, we moved fifteen miles, and the next day ten miles further, into Stafford county. On the 19th we proceeded a mile and a half to Potomac Creek, a small stream, but bordered by very steep bluffs. Up the winding roadway the artillery and wagons were dragged by the weary teams, assisted by the soldiers.
One driver, while urging his team up the hill, indulged in gross blasphemy and was overheard by our Chaplain giving orders to the Deity to do so and so. The good Chaplain believing this an occasion for the exercise of his duties, mildly asked the driver if he knew who it was that he was addressing, and received the reply, " Don't
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8 1
MARCH TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
propound any of your conundrums to me now." Profanity prevailed to a horrible extent in the army, as if necessary for emphasizing speech. The absence of woman's direct influence probably had something to do with this phase of army life. One not accustomed to the ungentlemanly habit, had to be very guarded not to indulge in it himself, so general was the practice.
CAMP BLAIR - WONDERFUL COINCIDENCE.
After sleeping all night in a drizzling rain, at 5 o'clock of the 20th, we pushed on up the slippery bank and through the red, clayey soil for three miles to Stafford Court House, one of the most ancient of the Old Dominion, and near which is the famous Stafford Hall, where General Robert E. Lee was born and reared.
First encamping in an old corn field we soon pulled up for some woods nearer the Iron Brigade, and named the location "Camp Blair," after Michigan's war governor. Hardly were we in our tents, when a cold, severe rainstorm set in for all night. Fires could only be built by holding blankets over the fuel until the heat gained strength over the hostile elements. But neither tents nor fire were sufficient to protect from the storm, and all got drenching wet.
Here the regiment learned of its second man's death since it left home- Roswell B. Curtiss of Nankin, Company C, who died at Harewood Hospital in Washington, D. C., ten days after leaving the regiment at Berlin, Maryland, of diphtheria induced by exposure on the fatal rain-march of Sunday, October 26. By a strange coincidence, Corporal O. B. Curtis of Company D, a month after the receipt of this news, after passing through the terrible tempest of battle, was taken wounded to Washington and placed on the same cot on which his cousin, the above comrade, had died. Name and family resemblance discovered the relationship to the physician and nurse, from whom were first learned the full particulars of his death. The Michigan papers confused their names, and the confused intelligence was the occasion of a discourse by President Tappan on the latter, in the chapel of Michigan University, which institution he had left for the war a few months before. Great was the surprise of Dr. Tappan, some months later, during the chapel exercises, as the supposed dead student soldier walked up the aisle to a seat, amid tlie stamping of his classmates.
82
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
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83
MARCH TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
CAMPS WARD AND CHANDLER-GUARDING RAILROAD.
On Saturday afternoon, the 22d, the regiment marched seven miles and halted for three days at "Camp E. B. Ward," named after the Detroit citizen whom the mob of July 15 was going to hang on the Campus Martius for his Union sentiments. At this camp Captain William J. Speed was appointed Division Judge Advocate ; Captain C. B. Crosby was seriously ill but loth to go home so long as he could do duty ; General Meredith, late Colonel of the Nineteenth Indiana, had been assigned to command the "Iron Brigade," and Lieutenant J. M. Howard, Jr., was promoted to Aide on his staff.
Tuesday, November 25. The regiment was this day assigned to guarding about ten miles of the railroad from near Acquia Creek on the Potomac towards Falmouth on the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericksburg, with headquarters at Brooks' Station, about five miles from the Potomac. The location was upon Accaceek Creek, the old Indian names still prevailing in Virginia, and was called "Camp Chandler," after Michigan's great war senator. The companies guarded their respective sections of track, Company A being nearest to Acquia Creek, and each company in order as it appears on parade, the march, or in line of battle, which is as follows as to letter and number:
A,
F,
4, D,
9, I,
3, C,
H,
E,
K, IO, G, 7,
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I.
6,
8,
5,
2.
For the next eleven days each company enjoyed camp life by itself and the men wondered if it was to be a permanent arrangement for the winter, as timber and good water were abundant. The locomotive "Government " had been brought down from Washington by boat and hauled trains of supplies to the legions of Union soldiers marshalled along the Rappahannock. Thanksgiving Day passed with the usual camp duties, but none of the good things the day brings at home.
SAD EXPERIENCE AT BROOKS' STATION. ]
On Friday, December 5th, the companies were relieved from duty on the railroad, gave up the huts and encampment houses they had built, to the relieving command, and assembled at Brooks' Station. The clouds poured down a heavy rain which changed to a freezing snow storm, the wind whistled shrilly over the hills in northern winter style. Every tree and twig was covered with ice,
84
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
and much discomfort prevailed. The tent hospital was filled with pneumonia patients. It was hard thus to be sick in a field tent with none but men for nurses, and lying on a hard board or the ground. Colonel Morrow passed from one to another of the sick, cheering them with hopeful words. Efforts were made in vain by Colonel and Surgeons to secure a house for the sick until an application was made to General Meade, who was formerly connected with the "Lake Coast Survey " at Detroit, and acquainted with Colonel Morrow. He immediately dispersed a Court Martial and placed the building in the hands of our Surgeons, who removed our sick thereto.
To the credit of Michigan soldiers, our regiment had thus far borne up bravely. But our days of trial as to disease and death were with us at Brooks' Station. That row of graves on yonder knoll told the sad story of our hardships here. The frozen earth that fell on their rough coffin-lids struck a pang to the hearts of loved ones in far away Michigan. Each was buried with appropriate religious and military customs, and their graves distinctly marked and enclosed .. One boy was but seventeen years old. Sad indeed that one so young should have to die from hardship so far away from home and friends. Reader, if you have boys of that age, ask yourself how you would like to see them bear the burdens of soldier life far away from your fireside - to die from exposure and homesickness- and you begin to measure the hardships of war.
At the firing of one funeral salute, a ball cartridge had been carelessly put into a gun, and Abraham Hoffman of Company H, was shot from shoulder to shoulder.
Captain C. B. Crosby having resigned, started for home from this ' camp. Left sick at Detroit when the regiment took its departure, he rejoined it too soon. He made the fatiguing marches of the past two months when not fit to be in the field, and to save his life, the Surgeons insisted that he should resign, which he reluctantly did.
BURIAL PARTY WAIT FOR A SOLDIER TO DIE - MARCH TO THE FRONT.
On December 8, ex-Justice James Nowlin, of Romulus, of Company K, died of homesickness and general debility. He was 70 years old but at his enlistment represented himself as 43 only. The regiment was under marching orders and Assistant Surgeon Collar told Quartermaster Bell that a coffin would be needed for Nowlin. Supposing the man was dead, his coffin was procured by the Quarter- master, and Lieutenant C. C. Yemans, with the Chaplain and burial
85
MARCH TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
party, arrived with it at the hospital at 9 o'clock at night, to bury him. His grave had been dug and all preparations made for a funeral - except the corpse. To the astonishment of the burial party they found the man still alive. At the end of two hours his spirit had taken its flight and the old man was buried at midnight with the usual honors of war.
Soon after midnight on Tuesday morning, December 9, the regiment marched away from Brooks' Station to within five miles of the Rappahannock and on the 10th moved two miles nearer and awaited orders to move forward into the impending battle.
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THE PERSIMMON TREE.
CHAPTER V.
BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
THE SITUATION - HEROIC CHARGE OF THE SEVENTH MICHIGAN INFANTRY.
U PON assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, General Burnside re-organized it into three grand divisions. General Sumner commanded the right (Second and Ninth Corps); General Franklin commanded the left (Twelfth and Sixth Corps); and General Hooker the center (Third and Fifth Corps). The Eleventh Corps under General Sigel was on the reserve.
At this time, one part of the Confederate army was at Culpepper, and the other part in the Shenandoah Valley. Instead of interposing between these divided forces, Burnside started his army for Falmouth, nearly opposite Fredericksburg. When Lee discovered this movement, he united his forces at Fredericksburg. Before the pontoons arrived for Burnside to cross the river, Lee arranged his army along the hills in the rear of the city and strongly fortified the heights with earthworks.
On both sides of the Rappahannock at this place, run well defined crests of hills. The northern are known as Stafford Heights, and are close to the river's margin. The southern are about a mile, more or less, back from the stream. The strongest position of this range is Marye's" Height, directly back of the city. Near its base is a sunken road, also a stone wall. Both the Height and the adjacent hills were defended with ranges of artillery.
The pontoons arrived after much delay. On the night of December 10 they were conveyed to the river bank and 149 pieces of Union artillery placed along Stafford Heights. The laying of the pontoons was begun early on the morning of the 11th. When discovered by the enemy, a deadly fire of musketry from rifle pits and houses opposite compelled the workmen to stop. The Federal batteries bombarded the city and fired it in several places. The bridge
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* Pronounced Maree's
87
BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
building was renewed several times, but each time without success, the enemy's bullets being too deadly for the pontooneers. The Union artillerists could not depress their guns so as to reach the rifle pits. Burnside resolved to send over a storming party, in boats, to disperse the enemy's riflemen.
Colonel N. J. Hall volunteered to attempt the heroic deed, saying that he had a Michigan regiment that would perform the task. Five minutes later away dashed the gallant Seventh Michigan Infantry down the river bank. Jumping into the boats, they pulled for the
MAJOR-GENERAL AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
opposite shore-a heroic act that brought cheers from the other soldiers, and waving of handkerchiefs from some lady spectators on the bluff. Volleys from the enemy's rifle pits produced their deadly work. The Union guns on the Heights played upon the houses in front, and the occasion became intensely grand. A landing was effected and up the bank swept that heroic band, capturing as many prisoners as the storming party numbered. And thus in twenty minutes a handful of Michigan men, by a dash of bravery, accomplished what ten hours and tons of artillery metal had failed to do. This gallant deed added new honor to the already lustrous record of Michigan troops.
88
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
"Dark rolled the Rappahannock's flood, Michigan, my Michigan. The tide was crimsoned with thy blood, Michigan, my Michigan. Although for us the day was lost, Yet it shall be our proudest boast, At Fredericksburg our Seventh crossed, Michigan, my Michigan.
After the Seventh Michigan had crossed, the boats were rowed back across the river to bring over the Ninteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts. The bridges were soon completed and a division passed over and occupied the town that night.
ON THE LEFT -MARCHING TO THE FIELD-TAKING POSITIONS.
The two bridges for Franklin's grand division to cross, about a mile and a half below the city, were not completed till one o'clock on Thursday the IIth. Some resistance was offered, but a few charges of canister caused the enemy to flee. Franklin sent a few troops over in the afternoon, but recalled them until the bridge opposite the City was laid.
The Twenty-fourth Michigan arrived at the river with the Iron Brigade (General Meredith in command), on Thursday, December IIth. While listening to the roar of the Union guns farther up the river, the paymaster arrived and paid the regiment the ever welcome two months' pay. Many entrusted their pay and allotment checks to Chaplain Way, to be forwarded to their friends at home. Some sent their last pay and wrote their last letters on that day. The regiment bivouacked for the night near the bridges.
Early on Friday morning, the 12th, the bugles sounded and drums beat, hardtack and pork being eaten, and hot coffee drank so hastily as to burn the throats of many. Ranks were formed and all made ready to move at command. The regiment moved to the right of the Iron Brigade, and closed column by division (two companies in a regimental division) on first division, where Colonel Morrow gave the men some good advice as to their behavior in the impending battle. He said Wayne County expected every man to do his duty- but his speech was cut short by one of General Meredith's Aides ordering him to move his regiment out at once. It was about noon when the Iron Brigade crossed the lower of the two bridges known as
89
BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
Franklin's Crossing, and marched down the river about a mile, halting to allow some troops in front to maneuver into position. The long range of hills on which were planted the enemy's guns appeared in view.
The Sixth Corps had preceded the First Corps across the pontoons and formed a line of battle parallel with the river and within half a mile of the enemy's position. General Gibbon's division of the Frst Corps joined on the left of the Sixth Corps, with
FRANKLIN'S CROSSING TO BATTLEFIELD OF FREDERICKSBURG.
Meade's division on his left, and forming at right angles with Gibbon ; Meade's left resting on the river at Smithfield. Doubleday's division (in which was the Iron Brigade) formed in reserve in rear of Gibbon and Meade.
The Iron Brigade was formed in column by companies closed en masse on top of a slight elevation where their guns were stacked and ranks broken. The enemy soon discovered their position and trained their guns upon them, and dropped a few solid shot and shell squarely among them. The first one that struck in the Twenty-fourth caused some commotion, but did no damage. The Colonel told the men not to get excited, as lightning never struck twice in the same place. Immediately another shell exploded in closer proximity to him. "The h- it don't " exclaimed a man in Company C, and all were moved forward a short distance, off the crest, so as not to draw
90
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
the fire of the enemy. This piece of merriment restored coolness. Moving further down the river, the Twenty-fourth bivouacked in a chestnut grove near the Barnard House where it remained without fires until morning.
This house was a stately, ancestral stone mansion fronting the Rappahannock. Its owner, Mr. Barnard, was a full blooded F. F. V. Some Surgeons had taken possession of it for a hospital, against his protests. His word had long been authority thereabouts and he.
...
BARNARD'S MANSION.
· haughtily demanded of General Reynolds, its immediate evacuation. This officer was noted for his reticence and made no reply; but soon after, this proprietary nuisance was marching off in charge of a corporal's guard and caused no more annoyance.
On Saturday morning, December 13, under cover of a dense fog,. the Federal troops formed for the terrible contest, on the open plain in rear of the City and three miles below. Meade's division changed front, facing the enemy on the heights and extending the lines further down the river. Doubleday's division was formed at right angles with Gibbon, and as Meade's regiments moved forward and wheeled to the right into line of battle, Doubleday's division moved forward taking the place of Meade, the left of the Twenty-fourth Michigan resting nearly on the river at Smithfield. It was a grand sight to see the troops, as far as the eye could reach, moving into their respective
91
BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
positions with the regularity of clock work. Regiments with the alacrity of a company, brigades moving as a single regiment, formed for the terrible onset.
About a mile back from the river was a range of hills which gradually lowered down to the level of the plain on the left of the battlefield. At the front of the range and nearly parallel with it ran the Richmond railroad. Nearer the river was the Bowling Green or old Richmond Stage road, between which and the river is a wide open plain. Some distance further down, the Massaponax creek runs into the Rappahannock.
About nine o'clock the ball was opened by Reynolds' Corps (Ist) with his center division under Meade, supported by Gibbon's Division on the right. Doubleday's division was in reserve on the extreme left. Meade and Gibbon, after a severe struggle, carried the first line of the enemy's works on the crest. In the dense wood their divisions lost connection, and the enemy getting a reverse fire upon Meade's flanks, both divisions retired from their mile of advance. Shortly after Meade's advance in the morning, Doubleday's Division was turned off a mile to the left to repel a menaced attack towards the Massaponax.
MOVEMENTS OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH AND THE IRON BRIGADE.
Early in the morning Battery B, Fourth U. S. Artillery, took position, and the Iron Brigade was ordered to support it. After a time the Twenty-fourth was formed by the right flank a short distance to clear the houses, and formed a line of battle, still facing south. While waiting to be ordered forward, some wounded from the center division were carried past, which severely tested the nerves of the men. One fellow had a crushed foot. Another, with both calves of his legs shot away, was breathing heavily and trying to conceal his agony. He said : "God bless you, boys. May He keep you from this terrible slaughter."
The Iron Brigade was formed in column by regiments at the head of the division. The Twenty-fourth Michigan being a large regiment, its right wing was formed on the right of the brigade and its left wing in rear of the other wing. The other four regiments were formed in the rear with one hundred paces between cach. In this manner the Iron Brigade moved forward half a mile to a ravine, when it was halted and the Twenty-fourth deployed into line, their left reaching the river, supported by the other regiments formed in (7)
92
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
column by division. 'At this time the enemy opened with artillery, but owing to a heavy fog his range was imperfect and there was no injury.
Our skirmishers had now met those of the enemy, and the musketry indicated opposition to further advance. The Iron Brigade advanced across the ravine and a line of battle was formed with the
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Sixth Wisconsin on the left. Advancing some distance the skirmishers reported a force of cavalry and infantry concealed in a piece of pine woods skirting the river, immediately in front. The four center companies of the Twenty-fourth were broken to the rear and six of Battery B's guns planted in the space. They opened fire at once and shelled the woods.
5
Phillips How
93
BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
The Iron Brigade then advanced in two lines on the wood. In the first line were the Twenty-fourth Michigan and Seventh Wisconsin. In the second line were the Nineteenth Indiana and Second Wisconsin; the two lines being supported by the Sixth Wisconsin. The advance was preceded by some U. S. sharpshooters, whom the Twenty-fourth overtook at a fence and who refused to enter the woods. The captain of the sharpshooters called on the Twenty-fourth "to kick his men over the fence," and move ahead into the woods, which it did, as General Doubleday said, "in gallant style, taking a number of prisoners and horses." This division commander further said :
In this affair my attention was particularly called to the Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteers, a new regiment for the first time under fire. I was pleased to see the alacrity and courage with which they performed the duty assigned them.
The thorough drill of the Twenty-fourth thus won for it this praise, its alignment being straight as an arrow and winning the admiration of the whole division. In passing through the wood it proved to be a very strong position intersected with ravines and covered with undergrowth, while fortifications and masked batteries were arranged to sweep the river a long distance.
After some further advance toward the Massaponax; the Iron Brigade changed front, and forming to the right in an open field with a ravine running through it, held a line running parallel with the Bowling Green road. While there, one of our batteries crossed the ravine, and opened fire on the enemy's batteries. In a short time, orders came for the Twenty-fourth to advance and support the battery. It marched to the ravine. Some lay down in a ditch, others in water, the shot and shell whizzing over their heads as thick as hail from batteries on the right, left and center, which filled the air and ploughed the earth around. The artillerists were wounded and reduced. A call was made for volunteers to man the guns, and immediately privates Seril Chilson and Abram F. Burden of D, and Sullivan D. Green of F, stepped to the front and worked with the battery the rest of the day.
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