USA > Minnesota > Concise history of the state of Minnesota > Part 15
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About one P. M. on Sunday, October nineteenth, the regiment was ordered to Edward's Ferry, and Colonel Dana was directed to send two companies to the Virginia side in three flat boats. The companies of Captain Morgan and Captain Lester crossed, protected by the fire of our artillery, but in fifteen minutes were recalled and the regiment was sent back to camp. A little after midnight Colonel Dana received orders to move again to the Ferry at daybreak. By half-past eight A. M. the whole regiment had crossed the Potomac, and was form- ed in line of battle, its left resting on Goose Creek. For three days, exposed to cold rains, this position was held. On Monday night other troops that had followed were ordered back to their camps, and, while they were re- crossing, the 1st Minnesota were kept in line and pro- tected them. On Tuesday afternoon Company I, com- manded by Second Lieutenant Halsey, was attacked by the enemy, and one killed and one wounded. On Wed- nesday night at half-past nine o'clock, General Stone ap- pointed Colonel Dana' to superintend the withdrawal of our troops from Goose Creek, to the east side of the Po- tomac. Colonel Dana in his report says:
1. Napoleon Jackson Tecumseh Dana, son of an army officer, was born in Maine. Cadet 1838: second lieutenant, 7th infantry. JJulv, 1-12: first lieutenant, February, 1-47. April Is, 1-47, severely wounded at Cerro Gordo, in Mexico. ('aptain and assistant quartermaster, March, 1-ts. Resigned commission in Regular army, 1-35. Brigadier-general of volunteers, 1862. Major-general of volunteers, November 229, 1-62.
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207
SECOND MINNESOTA REGIMENT.
"As the first streak of dawn made its appearance, Minnesota again alone, with General Stone stood upon the Virginia shore, and everything else having been placed on board, the men were ordered to follow. I coveted the honor to be the last man upon the bank, but the gallant general would not yield his place, and I obey- ed his order to go on board and leave him alone." 1
Other troops from Minnesota began to enter the field about this time. The 2d Regiment, which had been or- ganized in July, left Fort Snelling on the thirteenth of October, and, proceeding to Louisville, were incorporat- ed with the Army of the Ohio. ?
A company of sharp-shooters, under Captain F. Petel- er, proceeded to Washington, and on the eleventh of October was assigned as Company A, 2d Regiment U. S. Sharp-shooters.
On the sixteenth of November, the 3d Regiment left the state and proceeded to Tennessee. 3
1. A writer in the Faribault Republican speaks of a Sunday in camp after Ball's Bluff disaster:
"To-day the chaplain preached to us ont in the words. The cold winds brought the dead leaves down in showers and swept them in heaps. The chap- lain could scarcely raise his voice above the rustling of the leaves, but we heard him say: "That death was essential to life and prosperity. It was so in the nat- ural world. We could see around us that these trees, late densely covered with verdure, were now sapless and naked. But after the storms of the coming win- ter life would clothe with brighter verdure these same trees. So would it be with our nation. Dangers and difficulties must be met. A long period of stormy adversity must be passed through to prepare the nation for greater excellency. Nations must be baptized in blood. and subjected to defeat, before sufficient strength of purpose and character is obtained to ensure permanent prosperity." 2. STAFF OFFICERS SECOND REGIMENT.
Horatio P. Van Cleve, Colonel. Promoted Brigadier-General, March 21. 1-62. James George, Lieutenant Colonel. Promoted Colonel: resigned June 29, '64. Simeon Smith. Major. Appointed Paymaster U. S. A .. September, Isol. Alexander Wilkin, Major. Colonel 9th Minnesota, 1962,
Reginald Bingham, Surgeon. Dismissed May 27, 1-62. M. C. Follman Assistant-Surgeon. Promoted Surgeon.
Timothy Cressey. Chaplain. Resigned October 10. 1-63.
Daniel D. Heaney. . Adjutant. Promoted Captain Company C.
William S. Grow. Quartermaster 3. STAFF OFFICERS THIRD REGIMENT.
Resigned January, 1-63.
Henry C. Lester. Colonel. Dismissed December 1. 1-62.
Benjamin F. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel. Resigned May 9. 1992.
John A. Hadley, Major. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, May 29, 1-62. R. C. Olin, Adjutant.
C. H. Blakeley, appointed January 9, 1562.
Levi Butler, Surgeon Resigned September 30, 1963.
Francis R Milligan, Assistant-Surgeon. Resigned April 8, 1862.
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20S
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
In December, the 1st Battery Light Artillery left and reported for duty at St. Louis, Mo.
In October and November, three companies of cavalry were organized and proceeded to Benton Barracks, Mis- souri, and were ultimately incorporated with the 5th Iowa Cavalry.
Before the month of January, 1862, expired, the 2d Minnesota Regiment won a distinguished reputation. On Sunday, the nineteenth, not far from Somerset, about. forty miles from Danville, Kentucky, they were engaged in the battle of Mill Spring. Colonel Robert L. Mc- Cook, the brigade commander, says:
"The position of the Minnesota regiment covered the ground formerly occupied by the 4th Kentucky and 10th Indiana, which brought their flank within abont ten feet of the enemy, when he had advanced upon the 4th Ken- tucky. * On the right of the Minnesota regiment the contest was almost hand to hand, and the enemy and 2d Minnesota were poking their guns at each other through the fence.
Colonel Van Cleve1 made the following report:
"I have the honor to report the part taken by the 2d Minnesota Regiment in the action of the Cumberland, on the nineteenth instant. About seven o'clock in the morning of that day, and before breakfast, I was inform- ed by Colonel Manson, of the 10th Indiana, command- ing the Second Brigade of our division, that the enemy were advancing in force, and that he was holding them in check, and that it was the order of General Thomas that [ should form my regiment and march immediately to the scene of action. 2
1. Brigadier General March 21, 1-62.
2. A correspondent of Cincinnati Commercial writes: "General Zollicoffer's body lay upon the ground in front of one of the Minnesota tents surrounded by some twenty soldiers. Two soldiers were busy washing off the mnd with which
209
BATTLE OF MILI. SPRING.
"Within ten minutes we had left our camp. Arriving at Logan's Field, by your order we halted in line of bat- tle, supporting Standart's Battery, which was returning the fire of the enemy's guns, whose balls and shells were falling near us.
"As soon as the 9th Ohio came up, and had taken its position on our right, we continued the march, and after proceeding about a half mile came upon the enemy, who were posted behind a fence along the road, beyond
it had been covered. It was almost as white and transparent as wax. The fatal wound was in the breast, and was evidently made by a pistol-ball. This was Zollicoffer! He whose name had so long been a terror to men who loved their country on the banks of the Cumberland."
Geo. D. Strong, of Company D, writes: "We were just in the edge of the woods, close to the fence, the other side of which were the rebel forces resting their guns on the fence. My position was next to the regimental colors, and only fifteen to twenty feet from the foe. We all dro ped on our knees and be- hind rotten logs, loading and firing as rapidly as possible, pouring in a fearful fire, which told upon them. A momentary silence caused me to look round, when I saw one of our company, W. H. H. Morrow, wounded. Iassisted in carrying him to a safe place. He was shot in the right shoulder, the ball turn- ing towards the breast. He diel two hours after I left him."
W. S. Welles, of Company I, writes: Lientenant Bailey Peyton was shot by Adam Wichet, a German in Company I. Peston stood exactly in front of the flag, while Company D was on the right, and Company I on the left of it.
"Pey ton stood about two rods from our line, firing right oblique into Com- pany I. A bullet from his revolver had just severely wounded Lieutenant Stout. At this moment Li-utenant Uline caught a glimpse of him through the smoke, and as his revolver was useless, he ordered Wichet, who stood by, to shoot him. Wichet fired, and Peyton breathed his last. The whole charge, a bullet and three buckshot, entered the left side of his face, taking ont the eye, and coming out just below the left ear.
A correspondent of the St. Paul Press says: "Wm. H. Blake, the little drum- mer-boy of Company H, dropped his gun and seizing the gun of a wounded man, fought it out with us stoutly."
A DEAD BROTHER.
"DEAR PARENTS :- I am weary and lonesome, and hardly know what to write to you. We have had a great battle with Zollicotfer's forces, one mile and a half from this camp, but I am safe and well. Ten of our poor boys are killed, and some ten or fifteen wounded. Dear father and mother, how can I tell you,-but you will hear of it before this gets to you, -Samuel has gone to his God He now sleeps the sleep that knows no waking on this earth. beneath the cold soil of Kentucky. He died charging boldly on the enemy. from a bayonet wound in the left groin, which passed through the kidnoys. He died in abont fifteen min- utes after receiving the thrust He died calmly and easily, without much pain. One of the drummer-boys offered to call the surgeon, but he said, 'If you call him he will leave some poor fellow that will die, and it may as well be me as any one.' When he was laid in hisgrave he looked as if asleep. I cannot write you the particulars of the battle. for I am so lonesome and sa l that I have no mind to do anything. I have a board at the head of his grave. with his name, regi- ment, and company cnt upon it. Oh. dear father and mother. may God help us to bear up under this our affliction! Good-bye my dear parents.
"From your sorrowing son.
"ALBERT.
"CAMP LOGAN, January 20, 1862."
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210
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
which was an open field broken by ravines. The enemy opening upon us a galling fire, fought desperately and a hand to hand fight ensued, which lasted about thirty minutes. The enemy, met with so warm a reception in front,-and afterwards being flanked on their left by the 9th Ohio, and on their right by a portion of our left, who had, by their well-directed fire, driven them from behind their hiding-places-that they gave way, leaving a large number of their dead and wounded on the field. We joined in the pursuit, which continued till near sun- set, when we arrived within a mile of their intrench- ments, where we rested upon our arms during the night. The next morning we marched into their works, which we found deserted. Six hundred of our regiment were in the engagement, twelve of whom were killed and thirty-three wounded."
The Ist Minnesota Battery was present at the great battle of Pittsburgh Landing, which occurred on Sun- day, the 6th of April. Lieutenant W. Pfaender, com- manding the battery, in a communication to Governor Ramsey, says:
"The people of our state are probably anxious to learn * the fate of the Minnesota volunteers who fought at the late battle of Pittsburg, Tennessee; and as the 1st Min- nesota Battery was the only representative of our state in the terrible fight, I deem it my duty to send you a short account.
"At our arrival here, on the eighteenth of March. we were attached to the Fourth Brigade of General Sher- man's Division, but afterwards we were attached to Gen- eral Prentiss' Division; and on Saturday, the fifth, re- moved to our new camp, immediately on the right of General Prentiss' headquarters. *
211
FIRST MINNESOTA BATTERY.
"At our arrival at the scene of action, our infantry were already retreating. * * * One of our men and two horses were already killed before we com- menced firing; another, and third one, all belonging to my section, were killed in quick succession.
"Now Captain Munch's horse was shot in the head, and immediately afterward the captain was severely wounded in the leg. My horse was wounded in both fore-legs. Several other horses had received injuries, and our position became critical. * Our division now fell back behind the line coming to our support under General Hurlbut, and after a short rest General Prentiss formed the remainder of our division again on the left center of our line. *
Lieutenant Peebles maintained his position on our left nobly, and at a charge of a Louisiana regiment com- pletely mowed them down with canister. The enemy, however, also took good aim; two of our cannoniers were here killed, Lieutenant Peebles severely wounded in the jaw, Sergeants Clayton and Conner severely wounded, and a number of horses killed. *
"Arriving at the bluffs of Pittsburgh Landing, I tried to get the whole battery in the best possible condition again, and succeeded, by dismounting and changing pieces, to get five pieces in good shape, at least able to open fire again. * *
* We located our five pieces, together with Margreff's Ohio Battery, on a hill com- manding a long ravine. ** * * The rebels knew that this last attack would decide the day, and about six o'clock in the evening, opened on us again. * * * The Ist Minnesota Battery poured in a cannonade. It was really majestic, and no army would be able to take that position. A heavy rain-storm had drenched
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HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
us thoroughly during Sunday night, yet the Minnesota Battery was ready for another trial; and being without an immediate commander, as General Prentiss had been taken prisoner, I reported to General Grant, who ordered me to keep position until further orders; and as Mon- day's fighting was mostly done by General Buell's forces, which had been crossing all night, and steadily poured in, we remained there until we were removed to our old camp again." 1
The 1st Minnesota Regiment, after remaining in camp near Edward's Ferry during the winter, moved, with Gorman's Brigade, to Harper's Ferry, and crossing the Potomac on a pontoon, were attached to Sedgwick's
1 Lieutenant Cook writes to a friend:
"Our battery took breakfast earlier than usual. and had just finished when we heard occasional firing in front. What does this mean? was asked by hun- dreds of anxious voices. Who could answer? * * But hark! the long roll beats. The bugle sounds 'to arms,' 'to horse.' A mounted orderly then rode to our head-quarters, and the battery received orders to repair to the front and commence fireing immediately. In less time than I give you the details we were flying to the scene of action, which was not five hundred yards distant. * * * We poured a galling fire into them, until they were nearly close enough to make a charge and capture our pieces.
"'Limber to the front,' and away we went into another position. By the way, our captain and one corporal were wounded as we were executing the above command. We had one man killed before we had fired a gun Brave boy! one of the men picked him up, and he remarked, 'Don't stop with me-stand to your posts like men.' He expired soon after. He was from Minneapolis. * * Just about noon I was struck on the thigh by a six-pound spent ball. It hit the ground about twenty or thirty feet from me, then ri-ing, came near taking me off the saddle. It struck me right on the joint, making me sick and causing me to vomit. I sat down by a tree, and was called by Lieutenant Peebles to get some ammunition. I could not use my limb. Two of the boys helped me. 1 hobbled to the caisson, and sitting down on the trail, issued ammunition. Soon after, Johnson was wounded severely by a musket-ball. A moment or two afterwards Tilson was killed, shot through the head. Then Sergeant Clayton was wounded; then Saxdale was killed; then Sergeant Conner was wounded, andimmediately after Lieutenant Peebles."
The St Anthony News publishes letter of J. F., to his mother:
"Sunday morning, just after breakfast, an officer rode up to our captain's tent and told him to prep tre for action. * * * We wheeled into battery and opened upon them. * * The first time we wheeled one of our drivers was killed; his name was Colby Stinson. Heywood's horse was -hot at almost the same time. The second time we came into battery the captain was wounded in the leg and his horse shot under him. They charged on our guns, and on the sixth platoon howitzer, but they got hold of the wrong end of the gun. We then limbered up and retreated within the line of battle. While we were retreating they shot one of our horses, when we had to stop and take him out. which let the rebels come up rather close. When within about six rods, they fired and wounded Corporal Davis, of the gun detachment, breaking his leg above the ankle."
213
SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA.
Division, and on the thirteenth of March, marched to the suburbs of Winchester, 1 when soon an order came to return, and by the last of the month they had -joined the army of the Potomac, near Fortress Monroe, and by the middle of April, were taking part in the siege of Yorktown, and stationed on a road that led from War- wick Court-House to Yorktown.
The chaplain of the regiment, in one of the St. Paul papers, gave the following account of the gradual ad- vance from Yorktown to within sight of the spires of Richmond:
"The army of the Potomac advanced toward Yorktown during the first week in April. Our line extended in front of the enemy's works, which were a continued chain from the Warwick to York River.
"Until the middle of April the soldiers were busily employed in cutting new roads through the woods, so as to enable our wagons and artillery to move without being exposed to the enemy's fire. By the last of April the preparations for a siege was fast being completed, gabions had been platted, trenches dug, and batteries erected. Sedgwick's Division occupied a position mid- way between Warwick Court-House and Yorktown, on the old Warwick Road.
"Smith's Division was on our immediate left, and watched the enemy at Lee's Mills, while we annoyed them with our artillery and sharp-shooters at Wynne's Mills.
"Battery No. S was erected by our engineers to com- mand the enemy's fortifications at Wynne's Mills, and would have opened fire in a day or two had they not
1 While on the march, Col. Alfred Sully took command in place of Dana, promoted.
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HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
fled. While for two weeks there were frequent dis- charges of artillery during the night, on the evening of Saturday the third of May there was an incessant boom ing of cannon, which suddenly ceased just before the day- break of Sunday. The pickets of General Dana's Brig- ade, noticing the stillness and perceiving no movement, cautiously approached, and were astonished to find that an evacuation had taken place. By sunrise the whole of the brigade was within the works of the enemy or in bivouac on the fields in the rear. After breakfast they were relieved by Gorman's Brigade, who passed the day in searching for some memento of the place to send home to friends. The correspondence left by the troops excited much attention, and was of every description, 'from grave to gay, from lively to severe,' and very much of it was not fit to be read in the presence of ears polite.
"It was distressing to see a spirit of vandalism mani- fested on the part of the troops in searching the houses of rebels; officers in some cases showed neither the dig- nity nor discretion of ordinary boys. One major of a New York regiment rode into camp on Sunday night with a large looking-glass, which could be of no manner of use; and another from the same State, and of similar rank, brought in a mahogany rocking-chair, trimmed with red velvet, to be lolled in for the night and aban- doned or destroyed in the morning.
"On Monday in a soaking rain the whole division pro- ceeded to Yorktown, and halted on the field where, in 1781, the troops of Cornwallis surrendered to the allied American and French forces.
"The fortifications near and about Yorktown impress you with their magnitude. For months hundreds
215
SKIRMISH AT WEST POINT.
of negroes had toiled under task-masters as hard as the Egyptians, in throwing up these walls of earth.
"All day Monday we could hear the discharge of ar- tillery, indicating that our advance was in proximity to the rebel rear. Just before dusk, an order came for the division to march towards Williamsburg, but the troops had not proceeded a half-mile before a halt was ordered. The wagon train had blockaded the road for miles, and the increasing rain and Egyptian darkness of the night made it impossible to move. Hour after hour, drenched to the skin, the soldiers stood in the mud, but no ad- vance, and towards midnight the order came to return to camp.
"The next afternoon the division began to embark in transports for the bend of York River, for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the enemy, if possible.
"Dana's Brigade first moved off, and then Gorman's, and last that of Burns. About eleven o'clock on Wed- nesday, Gorman's brigade came in sight of West Point. The sound of musketry, and smoke arising above the woods on the south side of the Pamunky, indicated that a portion of Franklin's Division, which had preceded Sedgwick's, was engaged with the enemy. The first Minnesota was ordered to leave their transports and land in bateaux as soon as possible. The wide plain on the lower side of the Pamunky was soon filled with regiments drawn up in the line of battle, ready to sup- port Franklin's troops if necessary.' About one o'clock P. M., the enemy, with three cannon, began to fire from the wooded heights on the transports, but three United States gunboats quickly took position, and their heavy guns in thunder notes soon silenced the battery on the hill."
216
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
"On Friday, the twenty-third, the regiment encamped at Goodly Hole Creek, in Hanover County, a short dis- tance from the Chickahominy. The next week Gorman's Brigade moved up to Cold Harbor, but on Thursday they returned to Goodly Hole Creek.
"About noon on Saturday, the thirty-first of May, rapid musketry firing was heard, and at three o'clock a message came for Sedgwick to move, as Casey's and Couch's Divisions were being driven by the enemy. By a road that had just been cut through a swamp, the reg- iment hastened to the rescue, and, crossing a rude bridge of logs, now known as the grape vine bridge, both ends submerged by the waters of the swollen Chickahominy, reached the battle-field just in time to save defeat. As at Bull Run it was placed on the right, and before it was fairly in line of battle the enemy were seen advancing. A crash of musketry, like the snapping of limbs in a hurricane came, and leaves from the trees fell upon the officers' hats.
"In a few minutes the whole of Gorman's brigade was drawn up in a field within a few hundred feet of the rebels, who were concealed in the woods. For two or three hours, until it became perfectly dark, the brigade stood solid as a stone wall, and with a roar of musketry really terrific, kept the foe from advancing.
"On Thursday, the twenty-sixth of June, the soldiers of Sumner's corps were made anxious by the continual firing at Mechanicsville, and on Friday occurred the disastrous conflict at Gaines's Mill. At daylight on Saturday morning, the serious face of General Sedg- wick told the soldiers of the division that a crisis had been reached. All that day the sick of Sumner's corps were hurried to the rear, and in the afternoon soldiers
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217
PEACH ORCHARD AND SAVAGE STATION.
were employed in emptying all surplus ammunition into the vats of a tannery near the Fair Oaks battle-field, showing that a rapid change of base was contemplated.
"Just before daylight, on Sunday, June twenty-ninth, Sedgwick's Division left the position that it had held since the battle of Fair Oaks, and proceeding less than two miles, the enemy made their appearance, and after a brief and sharp fight, in a peach orchard, retired.
"About five P. M., at Savage Station, 1 on the York rail- road, the enemy again gave battle. Until dark the con- fliet raged, but by the valour and coolness of our men the foe were held in check, with a loss of about eighty killed and wounded.
"On Monday, between White Oak Swamp and Willis's Church, the enemy again appeared, and in the skirmish Captain Colville was slightly wounded. The next day, July first, the 1st Regiment was drawn up at the divi- ding line of Charles City and Henrico counties, in sight of James River, and although much exposed to the ene- my's batteries was not actually engaged. At midnight the order was given to move to James River, and early on the second of July they encamped on the Berkeley plantation, where President Harrison was born."
1. Sergeant Harmon, Company D, writes:
"About 3 p. M the rebels came upon us and commenced shelling us: several of the boys in our regiment were wounded by them. We laid down on the ground. MeCaslin had hi- knap-sack torn from his back by a piece of a shell. We moved forward to the left into the woods, out of range of the battery in that direction, to support another regiment that was fighting on the left. The fight lasted here until after dark. the whole division being engaged, besides the Ver- mont Brigade in Smith's Division. The rebels got driven back. We lost out of our regiment in this fight about thirty killed and wounded.
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