USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 3
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The official report of the operations of the 11th, 15th and 16th was not made till the 27th of Sept., and then by Maj. Randlett, who succeeded to the command. It was as follows : -
HEADQUARTERS THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLS., 27 Sept. 1864.
Capt. ADRIAN TERRY, Lost. Adj .- Gon .. First Division. Tenth Army Corps. Captain : In accordance with instructions received this date from the Brevet Major-General Commanding Division, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this command in operations north of James River. from Ang. 14 to 17, 1864.
524
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[Ing. '64.
The regiment moved with column, Second Brigade, First Division, Tenth Army Corps, at midnight, Ang. 13th. Crossed the James about daylight. 14th; participated in reconnoissance of that date. On morning of 15th re- crossed the river to Jones Landing, in column, which again crossed below Deep Bottom. Marched to Deep Run on 16th, about noon. Charged with Second Brigade, First Division, the enemy's works at Flussel's Mills, carrying his line and capturing a large number of prisoners. Advanced by order of Col. J. R. Ilawley, Commanding Brigade, about 300 yards beyond the captured line, and there met the enemy in force. Made another desperate charge through open field under a galling fire from the enemy, toward another angle of the same line as mentioned as taken. At the moment it was discovered as impracticable to advance on account of the fire of the enemy and his secure position, a retreat was ordered; the command fell back to that portion of the line first taken. The enemy pursued and made three successive attempts to dislodge us, but were handsomely repulsed. After holding this position for more than an hour, orders were received to move to the rear. Thus ended the engagement.
Our losses in killed and wounded (including 1 officer killed and 9 wounded) was 93. Lient .- Col. Josiah I. Plimpton, commanding the regi- . ment, fell in the open field in the advanced position, at the moment orders were received to fall back. He was shot through the heart and expired immediately, while actively engaged in moving his command in order. Of the conduct of the officers and men of this command during the above- named operation. I need not comment, as the General Commanding Division was present, and did not fail to notice the gallantry of all.
Very respectfully, etc., JAS. F. RANDLETT,
Major, Third New Hampshire Vols., Commanding Regiment.
An account given by Lieut. Dodge furnished several additional particulars and is as follows : -
The morning of Aug. 16, 1864, found the Third New Hampshire Volun- teers between the Charles C'ity Cross Road and the Newmarket Turnpike. about a mile to the west of Malvern Hill. After a quick breakfast the regi- ment pushed through a cornfield westward and halted; the right wing wa- detached and sent to a position further to the right and north. * With Lient .- Col. Plimpton, reconnoitered the ground in our front. Found a mill-pond, the dam being the only approach to the further side, npon which was a good line of rifle-pits and having a gun in position covering the road. Gen. Terry soon came up, and ordered that at a given signal we were to charge and drive the enemy from the works which they held: Col. Plimpton asked if he knew the lay of the land. He replied, "No"; and upon that was told the result of our investigations. He then, with Adrian Terry, his .A. A .- G. and an artillery officer of rank belonging to the Second Corps, started out with me to see for himself. The Second Corps officer soon returned; but. with Gen. Terry alone, went to the bluff, from which we had a good look at the enemy and his position ; but not quietly enough to prevent a few stray bullets, to answer to the rustling leaves caused by our motions. Result : that intended move was not made. Plimpton kept moving between our right
*NOTE .- It appears that Lient. Dodge went with Lieut .- Col. Plimpton to the front as far as to see Flussell's Mills, the pond, etc .. and were the only members of the Third New Hampshire who did see those points. The above two again went to the front with Gen. Terry, again seeing the pond. etc. This was verified in 1892 by the writer, Lients. Bowen and Parker - a party of three, who visited this spot in September and located the various points, passed over the dam, and actually found Mr. Flussell himself (i.r .. a son of the one whose name attached to the mill). Mr. Flussell (the son was a rebel officer; and he stated to the party that he was at Drewry's Bluff ( Wooldridge's Hill) on 13 May 1864, and thinks his legs made better time then than at any other time during his life. He commanded a com- pany that day. He also was in front of our lines 16 May 1864.
525
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
-lug. '64.]
and left wings, which were well detached. About noon the firing com- menced to increase, both in noise and nearness, until we could finally hear the cheers of those engaged. We were suddenly ordered to the right and front, joining the right wing. Continued a rapid movement in no apparent direction, unless crookedness can be called one, until we found ourselves upon the left of the Sixty-seventh Ohio, belonging to the First Brigade of our corps. We covered in echelon their left wing, and were told to remain fast; and if the Sixty-seventh were repulsed they were to retreat over us and we hold the enemy. They started, after all upon their right had: and had proceeded but a little way when Col. Plimpton said, " Third New Hamp- shire : forward!" The men had many of them not recovered from the heat and sweat of the march made to get into position ; but went forward down into the valley through a bad amount of slashing and to the earth-works, taking position so quickly that they succeeded in bagging the Twenty-second Georgia regiment, which had but just arrived at the works and had not had time to get into position. Not satisfied with turning the enemy's work, we pushed on to the woods, into which the enemy had retreated and which were parallel with the work where we had entered. Our left being uncovered, and they seeing it, our regiment changed front to protect the army and to repel their attack upon our left flank. But they soon saw our mistake in pushing so far away from the earthwork, and that our flank was in reality uncovered. To save our ammunition. the Sixth Connecticut advanced to our front. and we laid down behind them -they with their Enfields not using so much ammunition as we with Spencers. One of my men told me that the Johnnies were surrounding us. Stepped back to a knoll: and right before my sight could see the game being played. Without waiting for orders, gave word for Third New Hampshire to fall back; and told Gen. J. R. Hawley the con- dition, which he soon realized upon looking, and ordered a general backward movement. Col. Plimpton had not heard the order, only seen the backward movement of the troops; and while trying to rally them was shot dead, and his body left.
We succeeded in getting back to the intrenchments, the right wing going in one direction and the left with the colors, to the place where we had made the charge. The rebel line at this point was in the general direction of a circle, they being upon the inside of it. We found the works manned, but by a set of men poorly officered. It was not long before they were called away, and we felt in this case their room worth the most. Part of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts regiment remained upon the extreme left in a hollow. The enemy now made several attempts to drive us from our posi- tion, but our " coffee grinders " were too much for them ; but that entilading fire was getting too much for us. Sent back several times for reinforce- ments; but excepting one regiment that went in on the extreme. left and went out quicker than they went in. no help came. We were being fast mowed down; and when the order came to fall back we had no fool's job to go down into that valley of death and up on the other side, the whole place being well filled with slashing and underbrush. But we did in part, leaving upon the field - dead, dying and wounded -some of the best men that ever faced an enemy. After forming what there was of us. with colors in front. we asked Gen. Wright, who was in command, in what direction we should go; and those there will all remember his reply, when pointing. he said, " In that direction; but be careful for surprises." And we did feel our way that hot, dry, dusty afternoon -tired, footsore, hungry. weary mortals; but the cheers that greeted ns when we found the rest of the Third told us how we were loved as well as missed. The heat soon brought on a shower, and we were well wet. Without a chance to ration or eat. soon returned to where we had lately been engaged ; but during our absence the Second Corps had thrown up a line of breastworks. from which they repelled several charges during the afternoon and carly evening. We were put upon the extreme right, at right angies to the main line, to cover the tank. Excepting a picket of about 50 men, the line there rested during the 16th. a date that has always been eventful in our career.
1764790
526
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[Aug. '64.
CROSSING A PONTOON.
The crossing of troops over a pontoon bridge on the 16th is thus described by the Historian of the Thirteenth New Hampshire : -
The . . army . here presents a most magnificent spectacle . . . . those of us who are able can see it all -a last grand view of war to many a poor fellow on the Union side. . . . . Reviews are shows this is business. in all the push, stir and energy of war. A living panorama. a vast army in motion - long lines of cavalry, generals with their staff's, in- fantry in long. dense columns, with all their mounted officers, furled battle- flags, knots of camp-followers and teams, wagons, cannons, flying artillery. heavy guns, bands, hundreds of ambulances and countless army gear : all moving rapidly, swiftly over the low, level, floating bridge, in grand pro- cession, and all seeming to be, as it were, down upon the very surface of the water itself.
All day long, and in the hours of the night, the bridge, nearly half a mile in length, is full - an unceasing tramp, no break in the column; but steadily, speedily. the great host forges on, as if every organization in it were a huge link in some immense drawing chain, that the God of War was now sweeping irresistibly into place as an impregnable cordon around the . . . Confederacy. Squadron after squadron. regiment after regiment. brigade after brigade. division after division, battery after battery, train after train. corps after corps -each with all the appliances. ensigns, flags, arms, paraphernalia and material of real and tremendous war : all lines and files in perfect order, place and time, moving under the control of the mon- ster mind of that one greatest of American men and captains - Lient .- Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. .... Constantly, for hour upon hour, appears this un- broken stream of men, bursting into full and sudden view from an unseen source in the dense woods on the northern shore. entering low down upon the bridge. crossing with quick route-step the wide level to the southern shore, ascending the river bank and instantly disappearing as they came. we cannot see whither ; apparently inexhaustible in numbers and invincible in power .
The 17th found us on the line, with a part of our men off on picket under Lieut. Dodge. He was relieved during the evening by a detail from the Seventh New Hampshire, who were afterward cap- tured (18th). A flag of truce (17th) resulted in receiving about 40 recognizable bodies, including Lieut .- Col. Plimpton. The Chap- lain's diary said, "Sixty, and mostly stripped of their clothing." The body of Lieut .- Col. Plimpton was buried by the Chaplain. The regiment moved a little to the right early in the morning. Capt. Dow returned on the 17th and assumed command of the regiment, by virtue of his rank.
The regiment moved a little to the left on the 18th, taking posi- tion in rear of the Sixth Connecticut. We began to move again. when it commenced to rain. Simultaneously our picket line was at- tacked, and was being driven in. We returned and gave the John- nies a taste of our seven-shooters. They evidently didn't like that kind, and soon withdrew. One diary says the rebels met with a terrible repulse today, at our breastworks; for while we only lost about 20 killed and wounded, they must have lost hundreds. About 10 A.M. there was apparently a movement set on foot for evacuation in favor of the rebels, and soon all the troops were in motion. After about three miles of rearward march, our regiment became the rear guard, and so remained. We did some good travelling that day,
527
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Aug. '64.]
until we arrived at Gen. Birney's Headquarters, and then by turn- pike to Gravel Hill, where we closed in mass by brigade and rested for the night. One of our men -an attendant in the hospital temporarily, for he was of the color guard -- wrote in his diary : " We break up the hospital today on this side, and I am detailed to go with some of the hospital teams. We go over near Jones' Land- ing."
The 19thi was a quiet day, with nothing of importance going on. We remained at Gravel Hill all day - a privilege we appreciated. There was rain and a mail, however : both valuable in their way.
A movement of the troops on the 20th, rearward, proved to be the move which took us back to our old camp at Bermuda Hundred. We started about 10 A.M. ; but the roads were very bad indeed - mud, mud, everywhere, and slippery as only Virginia mud could be. We erossed on pou- toon below Jones' Landing, and arrived at our camp. The regiment got divided in some unaccountable manner, and the rear portion did not arrive till a few hours later, say about 3 A.M., 21st. A more weary and dirty lot of men could scarcely be found than we on that morning of the 21st, after about eight days of hard work. The usual fixing up of the camp occupied our men during the day. In this work the '61 CHESAPEAKE HOSPITAL (for Officers only), NEAR FORT MONROE. men took no interest whatever :
The 22d marked the beginning of preparations for mustering out the '61 men, as rolls were begun that day. The men who were to be mustered out were in high spirits, notwithstanding that some of them, at least, have passed through fire and water within the past eight days. We learned (see 4 Aug. ) that the regimental organiza- tion was to be kept up, and no officers to be mustered out except those whose terms will have expired. This came officially later in an order by Gen. Birney, Commanding Corps, who issued his Special Order 102, of 21 Ang., repeating substantially the directions of Gen. Butler. Before the day was out, we were startled and somewhat " broken up" by a rumor that we were to be ordered away at once on active service again. The '61 men looked aghast. The rumor did not take shape, and happy we (and they) in consequence. The preparations for muster-out began the 22d, by the turning in of the guns and equipments, and the hastening of work on the rolls, etc. The Fourth New Hampshire Band came over at night and enlivened us a little.
In the Department of the South, today (22d Ang. ), Admiral Dahlgren arranged with Gen. Sehimmelfennig, Commanding at Mor-
528
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. [Aug. '64.
ris Island, for the erection of a new battery on Morris, from which to begin afresh the bombardment of Sumter. This battery was to be armed as follows : the army to place and man 1 300-pounder, 3 200-pounders and 1 100-pounder, rifled, 2 10-inch Columbiads, 12 10-inch mortars and 2 13-inch mortars; the navy to furnish and man 4 11-inch guns. We of the Third New Hampshire, though we were in Virginia, wished them success on learning later of the facts. . It was a wet and dirty day; but the blanks were being rapidly filled and the final preparations going on, which would permit many of our number to see the granite hills of New Hampshire within the week. A wakeful, restless night was passed by the '61 men; but as "time and tide wait for no man," the 23d Aug. 1864 dawned in the usual manner. The '61 veterans had already turned in their guns and equipments, their precious shelter tents, and all that belonged to their dear Uncle Samuel, who was about to kiss them good bye. It is said that some ludicrous mistakes were made, in turning in the property, the most langhable one being a case where a veteran whose mind was so entirely filled with New Hampshire and home that he actually turned in his pocket-handkerchief for a shelter tent, while another turned in his towel !
The ceremony of muster-out began with the non-commissioned staff ; then the companies, by the alphabet, A, B, C, etc. The men were sent to the landing, most of them departing from camp the same day - preparatory to embarking for home.
Capt. Dow was in command of the regiment; and he sent with the detachment the following letter, which explains itself : -
[Capt. Dow to Adjt .- Gen. Head.] HEADQUARTERS THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS. BERMUDA ILUNDRED, VA., Aug. 23, 1864. Gen. NATT HEAD, Adjutant-General of New Hampshire.
General : I have the honor to transmit to you, by Capt. R. W. Houghton, Commanding Detachment Third New Hampshire Volunteers, the old battle- flag of the regiment. Its worn and tattered folds render it unserviceable as a proper regimental stand of colors - yet the old flag is loved all the more; for there will ever remain in the memories of all its brave defenders who now survive the most profound admiration. The old Third has fought be- neath its folds; and I believe the honors won have been great and immortal. At James Island, Morris Island. Fort Wagner and its siege, Dreary's Blut. Half- Way House. Bermuda Hundred and Deep Run, have fallen many noble sons of the " Old Granite State." I most sincerely desire that this flag may be preserved by the State authorities. where in future years its defenders may have the pleasure of looking upon it, remembering their service in defence of our glorious Nation's honor. Lient .- Col. Plimpton would have sent this flag had he lived. and I desire to carry out his plan so far as possible. The original members are being mustered out today here. I regret exceedingly that they were not allowed to proceed to New Hampshire previously, in order to be mustered out there. They will probably arrive in New Hampshire on Monday next. The organization of the Third Regiment will be continued by virtue of *Special Order 102, Headquarters Tenth Army Corps, dated Ang. 21, 1864, a copy of which I herewith transmit.
Very respectfully, etc., HENRY S. Dow, Captain, Commanding Third New Hampshire Volunteers.
*NOTE. - Referred to elsewhere.
529
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Aug. '64.]
The detachment, said to number about 260, went in charge of Capt. Houghton, he being accompanied by Lieut. Hazen and Lieut. Hitchcock. These officers went home under orders, but substantially on leaves of absence. Chaplain Ilill (whose terin had expired) was the only officer mustered out ; and it is safe to say that the absence of no one of the number who left us was more keenly felt. The vacancy created was never filled ; and the regiment was without a Chaplain during the remainder of its service.
Three deserved promotions occurred in consequence of the muster- out. There were many others, of course; but these three are par- ticularly worthy of mention. A. D. Scovell, who had long been a faith- ful nurse, etc., in the regimental hospital, was promoted to Hospital Steward, rice Perry Kittredge, mustered out. Perry, as we almost always called him, was a general favorite and had done efficient ser- vice. Geo. B. Bingham, who had also been of great and varied service in our regimental and other hospitals, was promoted to Com- missary Sergeant, cice Geo. H. Miner, mustered out. Miner, who had dealt out our grub (alias " rations") so long, and so much of it, too, will long be remembered. The third promotion was that of Marquis L. Holt of Co. E to Sergeant-Major, vice John H. Thing, mustered out.
In the evening the Seventh Connecticut band came over, accom- panied by Gens. Terry and Hawley; and we had music and speech- making for an after-supper pastime. Those of us who remained behind could n't help wishing, between the speeches, that we had been mustered out. A diary says, " A punch for the band !" This may mean much or little ; but it is inserted at its face value.
We were ordered to and started about 2 p.M. for Petersburg, on the 24th. What a close shave for the '61 men ! As we then under- stood it, our division was the force ordered away, and the Third New Hampshire took post at head of column. What roads, what mud, what holes ! Teams stuek, everywhere. Where was the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals? Where ditto, cruelty to human beings? Alas ! 'twas too early : those societies had not yet been called into being. A pontoon was crossed near the Point of Rocks. Many fell out .- worn out, -totally unable to go another step. Result : when we reached the Petersburg & Norfolk R. R., at which point we halted, the regiment was a very small one -- looked more like a company.
We relieved the One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York in the advanced trenches. These are large figures, reader; but New York . is a large State. Our stragglers came up during the night. The delights and responsibilities of picket daty were ours that night.
We found ourselves, on the morning of the 25th, again facing war and danger, the enemy and perhaps death. Fighting was going on, to our left, not far distant. We laid in the trenches all day, but in momentary expectation of being ordered to some point to discharge our pieces enemy-ward.
We began to feel a little more at home by the 26th, and made required reports, and began the making of muster rolls (for 51st) .
36
530
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[Aug. '64.
We were relieved from the dangerous front trench that night about 9 o'clock by the Sixty-seventh Ohio, and we then moved to a posi- tion in rear of the Sixth Connecticut.
Though away from the immediate front, we were so near the active operations that we were in constant expectation of being ordered to participate. The firing on both sides was kept up; but we slept and rested nevertheless, some with one eye open.
Maj. Randlett assumed command of the regiment on the 27th, coming to us from detached service (Provost Marshal, Tenth Army Corps).
A very lively cannonade, on the same day, lasting about four hours and extending into the evening, was very interesting, especially the latter part of it. This gave each side to understand something of the strength of the other. From our position we could see no other advantage.
The men were getting sick from exposure and fatigue, and many such were noted in diaries on the 28th. We got a good mail that day, and found ourselves connected with a well-regulated system of mail collection and delivery.
We were turned out at 4 on the morning of the 29th. We had hardly any semblance of a camp: it was more like a picnic party. with here and there a tent. The work on the rolls occupied the officers' time. Lieut. Davis was ordered to duty in the Ambulance Corps about that time, but declined to serve for some reason not apparent, and Lieut. Giddings was substituted. Another artillery duel on the 29th, similar to that of the 27th, but apparently with a greater number of guns on both sides, and covering substantially the same hours. We furnished a fatigue detail of fifty on the 20th ; and though the number was small, we missed them.
We furnished 90 men for picket on the night of the 30th; and one diary says we moved camp, and into the woods, where we built (dug) a trench, to which place the regiment came, having been at the forefront for four days. Another diary said, .. We can be shelled here," and adds, " The brigade baggage lies near by. Griggs has charge of the musicians."
We were mustered for pay on the 31st, and were informed that we must go into the trenches next morning, relieving the Seventh Connecticut. Notwithstanding our breastwork, the Johnnies could shell us by a cross-fire, and also reminded us of their continued existence by frequent bullets, which went " zipping " all about us, semi-occasionally passing through an arm or leg. Capt. Trickey went in charge of the picket detail (to trenches). Officers were very scarce.
August passed out, leaving us very near the danger line between the two forces and " In front of Petersburg," as the whole line was termed. (See the '61 men's movements in " Miscellaneous Subjects.")
531
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Ang. '64.]
SUPPLEMENT.
IMPORTANT WAR DEPARTMENT ORDERS. (None appear of sufficient value to record.)
IMPORTANT ORDERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.
General Order 116, of the 10th, said the Major-General Com- manding ( Foster) learned with regret that leaves of absence and fur- loughs were being considered as commencing and ending in New York, and forbade a further misinterpretation of the time.
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