USA > New Hampshire > A history of the Second regiment, New Hampshire volunteer infantry, in the war of the rebellion > Part 15
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Its loss, as officially reported, was one hundred and ninety-three. Three commissioned officers were killed and eighteen wounded-four mortally- but three escaping unhurt out of twenty-four. Out of three hundred and thirty enlisted men, seventeen were reported killed, one hundred and nineteen wounded, and thirty-six missing. The mor- tally wounded swelled the Second's death roll to forty- seven-over thirteen per cent. of the number engaged.
Captains Metcalf, of Com- pany F, and Roberts, of Capt. Joseph A. Hubbard, Co. B. Company C, fell dead at the Killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Entered the service, from Manchester, as second lieutenant of Company I. last stand of the regiment, as previously noted. Lieutenant Ballard, of Company B, was wounded at the Wentz house, and died on the 9th. Here, also, Captain Hubbard, of the same company, received his death wound. He was shot in the forehead, but regained his feet and wandered aimlessly about for some time after the rebel column had passed him. Some of his company who were captured learned from their rebel guards that he lived about two hours. Being a Mason, and having an emblem displayed, his body was buried and his grave carefully marked by members of the order in the rebel ranks, so that the body was subsequently recovered and identified.
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THE WOUNDED OFFICERS.
Lieutenant Vickery, of Company I, was shot in the back, injuring his spine, and fell into the hands of the rebels, who stripped and robbed him with their customary dexterity. A rebel major came along, made some inquiries of him, and then ordered some rebel soldiers to carry him to a barn (probably Trostle's) and leave a canteen of water with him. The barn was in the line of artil- lery fire the next day, and Vickery was again wounded, slightly, by a grapeshot. When brought to the field hospital, where he came under the care of Harriet Dame, he was full of courage and confi- dent he would be all right in a short time. But he died on the 10th, as, also, did Lieutenant Patch, of Company K, who had a wound in the abdomen which was recognized from the first as prob- Jonathan Merrill, Co. I. ably mortal.
Received a frightful wound in the thigh, from a fragment of shell, at Gettysburg. Lay in the field hospital several weeks before he could be removed to Baltimore, and it was many months before he was able to go home. He now resides at Bradford.
Lieutenant Dascomb, of Com- pany G, lingered until the 13th. He was not brought in until the 4th, when, with others of his wounded comrades, he was found at the Wentz house.
All three of the field officers had wounds, but only that of Major Sayles was severe. He received a terrible gunshot wound in the thigh, and was left on the field. Comrades who lay near him say there never was a more complete and comprehensive gospel of damnation laid down than that he recited to the rebel who, while he lay crippled and helpless, pulled the boot from his wounded leg. In some way he got to the Trostle barn, where he was found by Lieutenant-Colonel Carr's rescue party on the morning of the 4th.
Lieutenant-Colonel Carr's wound was an ugly contusion of the groin. He was standing, naked sword in hand, when a canister
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ball struck it, making three pieces of the blade, and forcing the guard against his groin. "Well," he said, philosophic- ally, as he surveyed the piece still left in his hand, "better be a sword out than a leg, any- how."
Lieutenant Perkins, acting adjutant, and commanding Company D, and Lieutenant Converse, of Company A, each lost an arm; and eight other officers received wounds more or less severe.
It was unavoidable, under Capt. Albert M. Perkins, Co. K. the conditions of July 2, that Born in Exeter March 21, 1842. Left Mid- dleboro' Academy to enlist in Company E, and was made first sergeant. At Gettysburg, as first lieutenant and acting adjutant, and also in command of Company D, his left arm was shat- tered, necessitating amputation, and he was promoted to captain and assigned to Company K. He died from the effects of his wound, Sep- tember 6, 1865, and was buried with Masonic honors at Exeter. The Grand Army post at Epping is named for him and furnishes the above portrait. many of the Second's wounded should be left upon the field. In the bivouac that night the men still left with the colors compared notes and talked the matter over, and it was thought more than probable that some of the wounded comrades were within reach of succor, and plans were laid for their rescue. At daylight of the 3d the feeling was almost mutinous when it was learned that orders had been issued prohibiting the sending out of regimental parties after the wounded. But the feeling became so intense that late on the night of the 3d, bidding defiance to orders, and in obedience to the dictates of humanity and comradeship, Lieutenant-Colonel Carr secretly set out with a party of volunteers on their errand of mercy. They made their way out as far as the Trostle barn, in and around which they found a number of the Second men, whom they brought in, among them being Major Sayles. Later, on the morning of the 4th, Colonel Bailey, accompanied by George C. Coburn, rode out as far as the peach orchard, finding twenty-one of the Second's
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AT THE WENTZ HOUSE.
wounded, including Lieutenant Dascomb, at the Wentz house. There were no signs of rebels, and Coburn was at once dispatched for ambulances.
The following extracts from a recent newspaper contribution, written by Wyman W. Holden, of Company B, give a vivid picture of the fight made by that company in their detached position :
" While standing in line, awaiting orders, some distance in rear of the position we were to occupy, an aide approached from the direction of the Sherfey house, and presenting the compliments of General Graham, with a further allusion to the past record of the Second New Hampshire, highly complimentary, requested Colonel Bailey to form his men in the peach orchard as support to a New York battery. On reaching our position in the orchard, Company B, the only company in the regiment armed with Sharp's breech- loaders, was disposed about the Wentz house, resting on the pike, most of them between the house and barn on the right of the regiment, and to the right of the battery, to act as sharpshooters if occasion required.
" We were strangers to the battery and they to us, but our short acquaintance was quite exciting while it lasted. The right gun of the right section of the battery, whose immediate supports we were, was planted some six rods back from the pike and midway between the house and barn, the ground sloping gently in front to the pike, with no obstruction intervening. As Longstreet's forces were making their way to our left, and could be seen at one point in the line not hidden by the forest, we had a good opportunity and some moments to observe them, and we took in the whole situation and easily divined the intention of the enemy.
"Now a few words as to the manner in which this particular gun on the right was handled during the action. While the enemy were yet moving into position, and in that part of their line (visible to us) away off to the right, a battery appeared, and immediately the gun was carefully sighted and one or two shells exploded in their immediate vicinity. An officer, viewing the battery through a field- glass, remarked that the enemy seemed somewhat surprised at their visitors, but no reply came to the challenge. Shortly after, their line halted, faced to the left, and their batteries came thundering
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out of the woods in fine style. The one that went into battery just opposite our position came up the road that enters the pike to the left of the Wentz house, and wheeling to the left, with horses on the dead run, unlimbered their pieces in the broad, open field, which appeared to us as level as a house floor.
"So absorbing was the sight, so splendid the manœuvering of this battery, that I was lost for a moment in admiration of the scene ; but as the horses started for the shelter of the woods in the rear I suddenly remem- bered what they were there for, and measuring the dis- tance with my eye, I adjusted the sights to eighty rods and paid my compliments to the cannoneers grouped about the muzzle of their left gun. This courtesy was returned a sec- ond later with true military politeness in the shape of canister. After the second round the smoke hung over the ground in such volume that sharpshooting was out of the question, and we aimed at the flash of the guns.
Wyman W. Holden, Co. B,
From a portrait taken about the time of the war. He now lives at Bethel, Vt.
" Our company had sought such shelter as the ground and buildings afforded, but mindful of a year's experience in Southern prisons, I looked for an open rear, and lying flat upon the ground some thirty feet in front, and to the right of the gun we were supporting, I declined an earnest invitation from Corporal Cheever to come behind the chimney at the end of the house (from which point he, with other comrades, started direct for Anderson- ville), and maintained my position until my sights had been lowered to a dead level, and the advancing infantry had delivered a wither- ing fire in our faces.
" While lying here, and during the advance of the enemy's
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GENERAL BIRNEY'S COMPLIMENTS.
infantry, I glanced behind me at the gun thundering in my rear, and was surprised to see but two men at the piece; one of them I thought at the time was a commissioned officer, stripped to the waist and wearing a white shirt; the other in much the same condition-bareheaded, sleeves rolled up, but much blacker from the stains of smoke and powder. As one of the men was just bringing the ammunition when I looked at them, and the two proceeded to load the gun, it occurred to me that without reinforce- ments another blast of canister through that opening would be very likely to leave us in support of a very silent piece of artillery. The situation was warm enough, just then, to have suited even such a cold-blooded fighter as the author of 'The Cannoneer.' Looking to the rear a moment later, the gun was gone, but their supports were still there. I have an impression that our battery was relieved by some rifled guns, which fired one or two rounds and retired.
" The rear of the barn looked like a seive from the numerous volleys of canister which had passed through it, and the ground was covered with kindling wood, before it took fire from a shell and was consumed. The house escaped destruction and was not perforated by shot or shell, because, if we believe the enemy, a son of the owner was serving in the rebel ranks, and at his request they spared it.
" When their infantry advanced, the constant crowding toward the center kept the ranks full and well closed up, our fire making apparently little or no impression upon them. They were reinforced from right and left at every step. When they had approached within point-blank range, they were a compact mass of humanity, and, although the shooting was good, there was not enough of it.
"Our thin line, already fearfully decimated by the dreadful artillery, could offer no successful resistance to such overwhelming numbers, and, lacking reinforcements, were forced to retire."
General Birney, in his official report, handsomely acknowledged the splendid work of the regiments sent him from Burling's brigade : " I cannot estimate too highly the services of the regi- ments from Burling's brigade of the Second Division-the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh New Jersey Volunteers and Second New Hamp- shire. These regiments were sent to me during the contest, and
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most gallantly did they sustain the glorious reputations won by them in former battles."
The regiment was early under arms on the morning of the 3d of July, ready for whatever fate might have in store for it on the third day of the greatest battle of the continent. It remained in position near Little Round Top until about noon. Then the brig- ade was hurriedly called away to the right, and went off at the double-quick to reinforce the anticipated point of attack, indicated by the terrific fire of rebel artillery. It took position immediately to the left of the Second Corps, closed to half company distance in column of regiments, on the eastern slope of the ridge, and in rear of the batteries it was directed to support. Notwithstanding the heavy fire of the rebel artillery, there were no casualties worthy of mention, in the Second. The men hugged the ground, and under protection of the ridge the rebel missiles passed harmlessly over their heads. Some, inspired by curiosity, crept forward to see the fun when Pickett charged the Second Corps, and witnessed the breaking of that tremendous wave whose limit was " the high-water mark of the rebellion." But Burling's brigade was not actively engaged during the day, and at night went into bivouac in a heavy growth of timber at the base of Little Round Top, where it remained until the afternoon of the 6th.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL BAILEY.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT N. H. VOLUNTEERS, THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, THIRD CORPS, Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 5, 1863.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment on the second instant, in the battle at this place:
Commencing at the time it was detached from your command, it then being in position with your brigade in front of the Emmitsburg road, at 3 o'clock p. m. I had the honor to receive your order to report to General Graham, and immediately moving by double-quick to the front, I had the honor to announce myself to that general with twenty-four commissioned officers and three hundred and thirty rifles. I was at once ordered to support Battery G, First New York Artil- lery, and one section of a battery unknown, all light twelve-pounders, brass. In this position my left rested upon the right of the Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania, my right covered by a wood house situated upon the Emmitsburg road, my line forming a right angle with that road. Two hundred yards from my front the Third Maine was skirmishing with the enemy. At four o'clock, while experiencing a terrific fire of spherical case and canister from batteries on my front and on my right six hundred and fifty yards distant, I directed the rolls of my companies to be called, and found but eight of the total number equipped absent. These had fallen out of the ranks from sunstroke and exhaustion, while moving by double-quick to the position. At
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OFFICIAL REPORT.
4.30 p. m. the Third Maine were withdrawn from our front to our rear, and about this time a battery and a section of Rodman pieces were substituted for those we were supporting; these pieces were worked with great inefficiency, and at five o'clock it was observed that a brigade of the enemy was advancing on our right in column of battalions massed, while two regiments were moving directly parallel with my front to the left, evidently with design to turn that flank. I reported the facts to Gen. Graham and asked permission to charge the enemy; being close upon us, being so near that the officer commanding the section of battery spiked his pieces, fearful that he should lose them. The General gave me directions to go forward. When I gave the order my regiment started immediately, and advanced one hundred and fifty yards at a run with a yell and such impetuosity as to cause the enemy to return to a ravine two hundred and fifty yards in our front, where they were screened from our fire, when I directed the fire of my battalion to the left oblique upon the two regiments moving along my front by the flank at about the same distance. My fire was so galling, assisted by that from the Third Maine, which had come up and taken position on my left, as to cause them to break and seek shelter, when my attention was again called to my right, strengthened by the Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania, forming at right angles with my front and parallel with the Emmitsburg road, upon which was advancing the brigade of the enemy moving by battalions in mass in line of battle. I immedi- ately directed the fire of my regiment to the right oblique full upon it; yet their line of fire, assisted by a terrible discharge of spherical case from their batteries, caused the Sixty-eighth to retire, and at the same moment the Third Maine moved to the rear, though in good order, two hundred yards. Finding myself thus unsupported and the enemy still advancing, I ordered my regiment to fall back slowly, firing, which was fully executed. I moved to the rear one hundred and fifty yards and halted my line under the brow of the hill, halting also on the brow to give a volley to the enemy, then distant but twenty yards. The position of the three regiments was that of echelon of about twenty paces, my regiment being the apex. The enemy continued advancing until they reached the brow of the hill, when their left swept toward the Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania, in such overwhelming numbers as to cause it to give way, and fearing that those regiments which had been observed marching toward my left might appear upon that flank, and knowing our efforts must prove futile against such fearful odds, I gave the order to retire, which was done quite rapidly, yet coolly and without excitement, many halting to fire upon the enemy as they went. I rejoined the brigade at about 6.30 p. m., fearfully diminished in num- bers, yet firm and fearless still.
This battalion entered the fight with a firm determination to do or die, and the long lists of fallen comrades already submitted will show how well that resolution was kept. When all did so well it would be invidious to make comparisons. Let it suffice to say they did their part as became sons of the Old Granite State. For our fallen braves who have so gloriously perished fighting for their country we drop a comrade's tear,-while we would extend our heartfelt sympathy to those dear ones far away, who find the ties of kindred and friends thus rudely severed, and for those who must suffer untold agony and pain through long weeks of convales- cence, our earnest sympathy, yet leaving them to the watchful care of Him who will not prove unmindful of their necessities.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
ED. L. BAILEY, Colonel Second New Hampshire Volunteers.
Col. GEORGE C. BURLING,
Comdg. Third Brig., Second Div., Third Corps.
CHAPTER XII.
JULY 5 TO JULY 30, 1863 .- THE PURSUIT OF LEE-A CAMP RIOT- BATTLE OF WAPPING HEIGHTS-ADVANCE TO FRONT ROYAL-THE SECOND REGIMENT ARRIVES AT WARRENTON-DETACHED FOR SERVICE UNDER GENERAL MARSTON-PROCEEDS TO WASHINGTON -THENCE TO POINT LOOKOUT, MARYLAND.
"CARRY ME BACK TO OLD VIRGINNY."
UNDAY, July 5. The brigade went on picket this morning, but soon returned to its biv- ouac, the rebels having fallen back.
July 6. The rebels have retreated, and our army moves in pursuit. We were packed up, ready to march, all day. The brigade did start, but the roads were so crowded it did not go far.
July 7. The division took an early start -two o'clock in the morning-and marched to Emmitsburg. "Culpepper " picked up a big pot of money, said to be nearly $200, somewhere about here. [He was a rascally camp follower, only tolerated because he was a brother of one of the officers; and it was
afterwards strongly suspected that he looted the poor-box of the convent at Emmitsburg.] In the afternoon we marched to Mechanicstown, over the Emmitsburg and Frederick turnpike, an excellent macadamized road.
July 8. Marched at five in the morning, and arrived at Fred- erick after dark. It rained very hard during the forenoon, but the sun dried us off in the afternoon.
July 9. Marched to Middletown, where we got a mail while halting for rest and rations. Then continued our march four miles, to the foot of South Mountain. In the evening we started again and marched over the mountain.
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FOLLOWING LEE.
July 10. Off early in the morning, and at nightfall were on the Antietam battle ground, where we went into camp; but at I I o'clock p. m. were again on the march and went about five miles in a northerly direction.
July 11. Lay quiet nearly all day. Late in the afternoon the corps moved about three miles to the north-west, crossing Antietam Creek at the stone bridge, and camping on ground occupied yesterday by the rebels.
July 12. In the morning the regiment was formed in hollow square and orders read from General Meade that we are about to attack the enemy, with the customary exhortations to the men to do their duty. In the afternoon the corps moved up about a mile, toward Williamsport, but the expected attack did not take place according to program.
June 13. Lay in camp all day. Large quantities of artillery went to the front, including some heavy guns. Signal officer from the front reports that the rebels are having a hard time getting across the Potomac, on account of high water and lack of boats. They have no pontoons, their train having been captured and Sergt. James M. House, Co. I. destroyed by our cavalry three or Severely wounded at Gettysburg. He was from Manchester, and has for many years held a position in the U. S. Pension Department at Washington. four days since. Drew rations to last till Wednesday, 15th. The corps now has a third division, composed largely of short-term emergency troops, militia from New York and Pennsylvania, with a sprinkling of veteran regiments as a guard against accidents.
July 14. Well, the Johnnies have all got away again. Lee's army is across the river, and this morning our army advanced and occupied their deserted position. The Third Corps went forward about two miles, passing over the rebel breastworks.
July 15. Started at six in the morning, and marched until two
1
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in the afternoon with but one halt for rest. Where ! Passed through Fair Play, Gloucester, and Sharpsburg, and went into bivouac about two miles beyond the latter place. Came very near having a bloody riot with the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, who were in camp near us. The major of the Heavies impru- dently chased into the lines of the Second a boy who had been caught pilfering from the H. A.'s sutler, and proceeded to administer cor- poreal punishment. Some of the Second men took a hand for the boy and pitched the major out of camp. He ran up the hill to his own regi- ment, and soon the assembly was sounded and the Heavies were seen hurriedly falling into line. The adjutant of the Sixth New Jersey was the first to comprehend that the infuriated major was actually forming his regiment as a George C. Coburn, Co. G. posse to enforce his authority Was from Littleton. Colonel Bailey's orderly, and with an individuality which made him as well known as the colonel. Everybody knew "Pug" Coburn. He died at Lisbon, June 10, 1891. within the lines of our brig- ad, and as he rolled out from under his shelter, baretooted and in his shirtsleeves, he shouted to a bugler, "'The assembly -- quick !" It was but a few seconds before every bugle in the brigade took up the call, and the dusty veterans were tumbling out and slinging on their equipments. Just at the critical moment, General French, the corps commander, with his staff, was seen coming down the road at a furious gallop to see what all this commotion in Burling's brigade meant. He first came to the Second, and soon learned what the trouble was. The bedraggled major also came down to lay his troubles before the general, and
ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE. 193
when he had finished his tale of woe the general roared out : "'They served you right, sir ! What business or authority have you in the camp of this brigade? Go to your own command, sir !" The major went, and the brass-mounted Heavies were saved an awful licking.
July 16. Marched to within about four miles of Harper's Ferry. Drew three days' rations.
July 17. Marched at 4 p. m. Crossed at Harper's Ferry on a pontoon bridge of forty boats, and over the chain bridge, and advanced about three miles on the Leesburg road. The Second went on picket at night. A squad of deserters arrived from New Hampshire, and Billy Appleton started for Washing- ton to take the examination for a commission in a negro regi- ment.
July 18. The corps moved at 4 a. m., and some of the Second were overlooked in the withdrawal of pickets until long after the regiment marched. Went about eight miles.
July 19. Started at 8 a. m. John B. Fisk, Co. A. and marched about five miles. Was from Fitzwilliam. Wounded at Gettys- burg, July 2, 1863, and discharged for disability the following December. Sid. Farrow rejoined the com- pany (I), direct from the Gettysburg hospitals. Charley Vickery died on the 10th, and Ballard, Dascomb and Patch are all dead. The Second Division were sharply reprimanded, in orders by General French, for straggling. They have not been accustomed to this kind of "sass" from their former corps commanders, and are consequently swear- ing mad.
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