USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 5
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Prisoner of war.
F. No Captain. Ist Lieut. Hazen 2d Lieut. Ackerman
Absent on leave.
Comdg. Co. G.
G. Capt. Libby, Jr. Ist Lieut. White No 2d Lieutenant.
Absent on leave.
Absent, wounded, since 16 Aug.
H .. Capt. Kirwin Absent sick.
No Ist Lieutenant. 2d Lieut. McCoy
Comdg. the company.
Absent on leave.
I. Capt. Houghton 1st Lieut. Hitchcock 2d Lieut. J. S. James
Comdg. company.
Comdy. Co. D.
On duty.
Quartermaster Hynes has been discharged to accept , appoint- ment of Captain and Acting Quartermaster Volunteers.
Capt. Wadsworth, Lieut. Davis and Assistant Surgeon C. A. Burnham have been discharged for disability.
Lieut. Atherton has been taken up on rolls, he appearing to be a prisoner of war.
Prisoners of war : E, 3; F, 1; HI, 1; Col. Bedel.
ABCDEF GHI K Totals.
Sergeants 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4
Corporals 6 6 3 5 5 5 4 8 6 4 Musicians 2
1 2 2 2 1 0 2 2 1
Absent sick and wounded . 15 23 13 18 25 15 32 20 17 15 193
4 Absent. all others 1 + 3 6 9 3 9 53 For duty 20 17 23 19 19 13 10 27 31 15
Absent in arrest 1 000 0
0 0 0 0
194
Dr. Kimball
Adjt. Copp
Detached.
C. Capt. Trickey 1st Lient. Woodbury 2d Lieut. Donley
D. Capt. Maxwell 1st Lient. Edgerly No 2d Lieutenant.
K. Capt. Stearns No Ist Lieutenant. No 2d Lieutenant.
OCTOBER, 1864.
W E were rudely and early awakened on the first day of October by War's alarm. The wet of the previous night had not dampened anybody's ardor, so far as could be seen. Though the air was well charged with moisture, an occasional odor of burned gunpowder was wafted about us. The day had advanced to about 9 o'clock ere we were put in motion, the direction being toward the front. On we went, up the Darbytown Road, to its junc- tion with the Richmond Central, and still beyond, a distance of nearly a mile. This march was peculiarly hard, exhausting and annoying. Everything was damp, sticky, clingy, and we perspiring at every pore. It was said we were then within two and one-half miles of Richmond. How aggravating to be so near and yet so far - from its capture. Several diaries called it as near as two miles. One diary says : "Our brigade deployed as skirmishers and within sight of Richmond, advancing within rifle shot of the enemy's battery, under a heavy artillery fire. From diaries it is learned that the regiment was commanded that day by Lieut. Edgerly.
The official report of the day's movements, made on the 15th by Maj. Randlett, explains itself : -
HEADQUARTERS THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS,
LAUREL HILL, BEFORE RICHMOND, VA., 15 Oct. 1864. Lieut. E. LEWIS MOORE, .1. 1. . 1 .- 4.,
Second Brigade, First Dirision, Tenth Army Corps.
Lientenant : I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my command in reconnoissance of First Division, Tenth Army Corps, before Richmond, on the 1st day of October, 1864 : -
Left intrenched position at 9.30 o'clock A.M., and marched np Darby- town Road to junction of Richmond Central Road. After proceeding about one and three-quarters miles on this road, my regiment was deployed as skirmisbers, with Sixth and Seventh Connecticut and Seventh New Hamp- shire Volunteers, nuder Col. Rockwell of Sixth Connecticut Volunteers. Advanced to within sight of rebel capital. Met no infantry opposition to within seven hundred yards of its fortifications. The artillery fire was very heavy from every point of the enemy's front.
Losses of command : wounded, 1; missing, 1: total, 2, In this day's duty the regiment was under command of Lient. J. Homer Edgerly, whose conduet was reported by all to have been extremely praiseworthy. The command returned to our intrenchments at about 10 o'clock P.M.
(541)
542
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Oct. '64.
I was absent from my command, as " Division Officer of the Day"; and by order of Maj .- Gen. D. B. Birney, Corps Commander, accompanied Tenth Connecticut Volunteers in a movement to the left of the division column, to divert the enemy's attention, which was very successful.
I am, Lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES F. RANDLETT,
Major, Third New Hampshire Vols., Commanding Regiment.
An account by Lieut. Dodge furnishes additional and interesting particulars of the doings of Saturday, 1 Oet. 1864: " After a wet night we started in middle of the forenoon. It was a disagreeable day-cold, wet, nasty, as well as bad under foot. Maj. Randlett was Division Officer of the Day; and as Stearns, who was next in command, was on picket with 75 of the Third, the command devolved upon Lieut. J. Homer Edgerly, with Lient. Wm. Ladd Dodge second in command. Pushing out towards the Richmond Turnpike, found the Sixth Connecticut, Seventh Connecticut, Seventh New Hampshire and One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York, of our brigade, with a flying battery, two brigades of cavalry and the First Brigade of our division. Our brigade deployed facing Richmond, Sixth Connecticut on the right, then the Third New Hampshire, followed by Seventh Connecticut, the Seventh New Hampshire and One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York being in reserve. Our Hanks were covered by the cavalry and the battery, going free and easy.
" In this manner we advanced to within 1,000 yards of the outer works of Richmond, nearer than any infantry had been during the war. Johnnies opened at short range and did much damage, having an enfilading fire on us. Their cavalry was in plain sight, and many houses were set on fire by them to prevent falling into our hands. But our movement was, it turned out, only a reconnoissance in force to see the country ; and in due time we started for home. The First Brigade covered our retreat. We had not proceeded far before it rained, and quite hard, the troops marching on one side of the road and artillery and cavalry on the other. The roads in many places were filled with water, and from the sounds we all knew the rebel cavalry were hanging on the flanks; so on we pushed, so tired, so hungry, but with not a word of complaint, each straining to keep in place, knowing full well that to halt was to be captured. But when we reached our pickets there was something very comicial in the way some made a dive head first into the mud and bushes outside the road ; and many did not report until the next day. It was long after dark when we arrived back at point of starting. Then a detail for Lieut. Edgerly, leaving the regiment in command of Lieut. Dodge until return of picket the following morning. For several days the regiment remained in this place, homeless, without knapsacks, and ready for any adventure."
We were kindly permitted on the 2d to " dry off," but not to the entire completion of that enjoyable diversion. About ten o'clock we were put en route again; and though not actually engaged our- selves, were moved about somewhat, but finally halted nearly in front of our Division Headquarters, and, later, bivouacked for the night. A rebel skirmish line was reported to have surrendered to our forces that day, and was said to have belonged to Pickett's division.
543
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Oct. '64.]
The important items of the 3d -a quiet day for us - were as follows : "The drying off" was substantially completed; the sutler arrived ; the paymaster was getting conveniently nearer to us; and a rumor that certain officers were to be permitted to be mustered out under some peculiar and recent decision or order of the War Depart- ment. At night we were again moved, and to the left, to a large knoll in the rear of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts. Though a knoll, the place was damp, and we lost by exchange of spots.
Matters were apparently at a standstill : for on the 4th, 5th and 6th, we laid around in a rather loose manner, filling in the time by swapping eamp rumors and speculating on the probability of being paid off.
The morning of the 7th ended our inactivity. The whole day was full of the opposite; and when the Third New Hampshire was not actually in full activity, it was in the very midst of it, and in some cases we had hard work to keep our little body together as a
GEN. BUTLER'S HEADQUARTERS, NEAR DUTCH GAP, VA.
whole. The accounts are various, and each of interest. One says : " New Market Road : right wing forward as skirmishers, left con- necting with detachment of Kautz's cavalry, and right connecting with skirmishers of Third Brigade. Cavalry fell back withont warn- ing. We at once deployed to cover the ground. Got short of am- munition. In response for more, got 75 men of Seventh Connecti- cut, with their Spencers. Enemy charged and overpowered us, but were at once driven back by our main line." Another says : " Rebels attacked at daylight. Our regiment ordered to right flank. They charged and were repulsed. Our loss was 1 killed, 11 wounded, 13 taken prisoners." The Thirteenth New Hampshire Historian says : " The enemy attempted to turn the right flank of the Army of the James, but was repulsed with severe loss near New Market. Union loss about 500. Enemy's loss much greater, and he abandoned his central road. The part of line attacked was held by Kantz's cavalry, who are said to have been surprised at daylight. Kautz met with a severe loss - nearly all of his artillery and many men." Another says : " Fell in and took position on the right of our works
. the rebels charged . . . we followed them about a mile,
544
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[Oct. '64.
and stopped till 9.30 r.M., when we returned to our position on the right [where the rebels were repulsed in the morning .- D. E. ], and staid there all night." Another says : "We moved to the road and formed a line of battle ; all in confusion, our brigade advances, our left wing is put out as skirmishers, and we advanced to meet the enemy. Didn't go far, nor the rebels either; for we drove them back in a hurry."
The regiment went into this fight with pay-rolls signed, but not actually paid. The official account, made the 16th, is as follows : -
HEADQUARTERS THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS,
LAUREL HILL. BEFORE RICHMOND, VA., 16 Oct. 1864. Lieut. E. LEWIS MOORE, .I. A. I .- G.,
Second Brigade, First Divison, Tenth Army Corps.
Lieutenant : I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my command in the action of 7 Oct. 1864 : -
Broke camp within intrenched line, Laurel Hill, about 8.30 o'clock A.M. Moved toward right of our line, in column of Second Brigade, First Di- vision, Tenth Army Corps. Formed part of line of battle with that brigade on New Market Road. Here learned the enemy were advancing, driving our cavalry force. Col. J. C. Abbott, commanding brigade, ordered me to advance the right wing of my regiment as skirmishers to meet the enemy. Advanced as directed ; met the enemy in force, about seven hundred yards from New Market Road, in line of battle running parallel with the same. The right of my line was soon after connected with skirmishers from Third Brigade; my left connected with a detachment of Gen. Kautz's cavalry. These cavalry skirmishers had been driven by the enemy and claimed position in the opening. I did not deem it prudent to advance further, as the enemy's line of battle was within one hundred yards, his skirmishers being driven handsomely by my men a few moments after gaining this position; and I discovered, from the bristling bayonets of the enemy and his quiet yet exposed deportment. that he was determined to advance. At this critical moment my orderly reported to me that the cavalry had fallen back. leaving me no word and my left flank entirely exposed. I immediately faced my command by left flank and covered the ground so unceremoniously left by the cavalry. The enemy advanced steadily at this point to within eighty yards of my line, and were handsomely repulsed by my skirmishers. At this time my men began to complain that their ammunition was getting short. which I reported to Col. Abbott, who informed me he could not replenish it, but gave ine seventy-five men from the Seventh Connecticut Volunteers. armed the same as my own men (Spencer repeating carbines). With these few men (not over one hundred and fifty in all) I succeeding in keeping the enemy back for more than half an hour, when he advanced in bayonet charge in two lines of battle. My men were confident they could repulse them : and as my orders had been " to hold them as long as possible," there was no chance for those on the left of the line to escape; and nobly they con- tested the ground with the formidable force within fifteen yards of my line. some of them destroying their arms before surrendering. Thirteen of these brave fellows fell into the enemy's hands, I trust unharmed prisoners. There was no possible chance for escape. for our main line opened fire on the enemy before the left of my line began to give way. I attach no blame to any one for this; for had my men returned to the line it must have been with the enemy. I immediately joined my left wing, which was in the main line of battle, second battalion. from the left of the brigade line. The enemy must have been punished severely, as on my left the distance was less than one hundred yards and the enemy stood a long time in full view in line of battle and received a terrifie fire from the seven-shooters. Those of my men who were secreted beneath logs when the enemy charged over them, captured thirty-one of the enemy as they fell back, one man capturing six prisoners.
Oct. '6.4.]
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
545
Afternoon of the same day, advanced with division column in pursuit of enemy ; but he would not receive battle. Returned and took position on ground contested with the enemy.
Of the conduet of the men and officers of this skirmish line I make no comment; but I trust the importance of the repeating rifle or carbine for skirmishing will be fully appreciated, as I do not believe the same num- ber of men armed with any other piece would have held the enemy in cheek for a moment.
My loss in Third New Hampshire Volunteers : 1 man killed, 11 wounded and 13 taken prisoners : total, 25.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. JAMES F. RANDLETT,
Major, Third New Hampshire Vols., Commanding Regiment.
Several additional points concerning the affair of 7 October are contained in an account by Lieut. Dodge, as follows : -
.
The night of the 6th October 1864 found the Third as the relief or reserve regiment of the brigade. After breakfast on the 7th, and before the dishes were washed, we were alarmed and annoyed by riderless horses and army wagons passing over and around our camp ground. What did it mean? No one knew, - but we soon had the order to fall in in a hurry. As we had but a small kit of goods, the operation of falling in consisted in getting into a perpendicular position, hanging on the trappings and forming into line. This was soon done, and we started for the rear at right angles to our front. Soon Adrian, that ever-present shadow of Gen. A. H. Terry, put in an appearance, -and Maj. Randlett was ordered to take his right wing as skirmishers and let left wing follow as support. But as usual, in- stead of skirmishing for only its own front, it did more, and they proceeded until they met the Johnny skirmishers, which they soon drove back upon their main force, and waited for further orders; but it was too late. The rebel hosts advaneing bagged the most of them ; and part - the larger part - never returned to the regiment again, but died in prison. On they came. The remainder of the regiment were stationed between One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York on their right and Seventh New Hampshire on their left, in the woods. Firing became quite general by both of our flanking regiments; but our men were peacefully sitting on the ground, in best of spirits, joking and having a real good time, some telling stories. others poking fun at the heavy artillery regiment on the right, where the file closers were trying to make the rear rank men step off with their right feet when they fired; but that season soon ended. Firing became oftener and nearer, when we found the Johnnies in our very front stealthily progressing, thinking there might be a break between the two regiments that had been firing. But they found out the "error of their belief " in short metre; for the " coffee-grinders" worked off over 40 rounds apiece before they stopped fring, for the firing and charge became general. Defeat was their reward. Four rebels lay dead within twenty feet of our front, and a large number besides at a further distance. They had received enough of it, and left their dead and dying in most cases. In prospecting after the Inll, captured be- cause he could not run or use his arms, a rebel Captain, belonging to a South Carolina regiment, pleasantly, with an oath, asked what kind of weapon " we- uns " used. He had been through the Peninsula and always at the front; but for pure and undefiled storm of lead had never seen the equal of our fire. Poor fellow was wounded several times in legs, also in his arm. After reasonable waiting we calmed down and ate our Inneh ; and it was not until late in the afternoon when we moved from that position to advance and " look the landscape o'er." We returned there to sleep, and soon after built a formidable breastwork and made home under the " shadow of its wing."
The morning of the 8th told us that the enemy had decided to stay near us; and during the day our forces began the erection of works to protect our right flank. Substantially nothing was done
37
546
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Oct. '64.
during the day in the line of offensive measures. Our hearts and stomachs too were both gladdened (one by lightness and the other by heaviness) on the 9th by the arrival of a load of sutler's goods, which the kind-hearted ( ! ) man sold us on trust. He was " sub- tle-er" than we knew. He knew the paymaster was coming on the morrow to pay us off for six months. Can one wonder at his pro- digious kindness and trusting simplicity? The work was quite well advanced by night, and we were moved up to it in our proper place. The work had an abattis in front.
We were paid off the 10th, for six months, by Maj. O. W. Donovan, who tendered us all the 7-30 notes we wanted. Some of the men used up the day in hunting up their creditors and settling their indebtedness. Credi- tors also anxiously looked for debtors ; and many made a break for the sutler's tent, and ended the day in inward pain. Canned goods were the great desideratum, and the empty cans lying about would rejoice the heart of a goat, broncho or mule, all of whom are reported to thrive on such diet.
The quietness of our vicinity was in some degree RIFLE-PITS. attributed to the fact that Gen. Birney had been taken quite ill and had gone away, leaving Gen. Terry in temporary command of the corps. He probably felt delicate about active operations during his chief's temporary absence. Gen. Ames was commanding our division.
The 11th was entirely devoid of event worthy of record.
An attack on our pickets about 3 A.M. on the 12th turned us all out lively. Later we got orders for "three days' rations and light marching order," and at 3 P.M. we were off again, we knew not where or for what. At night we were sent back to our camp, arriving there in a drizzling rain. During the afternoon the whole division had been massed, presenting a solid frontage of about half a mile. On arriving at camp, we were directed to retain the rations, as we were liable to be ordered away at any moment.
The 13th marked active operations, and we got our full share. Our division went on a reconnoissance. We started very early, and were a support, in a charge, to the First Brigade, and also covered that brigade's retreat. One account says: "Formed line at 4.30 A.M., and marched on same route as started on last night. Crossed the Darbytown Road and massed. Advanced to the woods and found the enemy strongly intrenched on the other side. In reserve and skirmish all day to 3 r.M., when we were support to First Brigade in an unsuccessful assault. Then fell back and formed line in open field. The whole force then withdrew from the woods, which
547
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Oct. '64.]
were then shelled by our artillery for an hour, after which the whole force returned to camp." One puts it that we marched out about five miles. Another says : "The First Division moved at 4 A.M., followed by the Third Division. Struck enemy's skirmish line at sunrise. Skirmished till 2 P.M."
The official report of today's doings, made the 21st, is as follows : -
HEADQUARTERS THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS, LAUREL HILL, BEFORE RICHMOND, VA., 21 Oct. 1864.
Lieut. E. LEWIS MOORE, .A. A. A .- G.,
Second Brigade, First Division, Tenth Army Corps.
Lieutenant : I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by my command in reconnoissance of 13 October 1864 : -
Left camp at four o'clock A.M. Marched in column, Second Brigade, First Division, Tenth Army Corps. On meeting enemy was ordered to de- ploy my comunand in rear right wing, brigade line. as reserve. Soon after was ordered to right of division line in rear of First Brigade, to communi- cate with Col. Pond, commanding that brigade. Col. Pond ordered me to form column in rear of his command, which I did by deploying in column by wing right in front. After lying in this position for more than an hour, orders were received to charge the enemy's works in onr front. Col. Pond's brigade, reinforced by the Tenth Connecticut Volunteers. formed in battalion line in donble column closed in mass. My command formed thirty yards in rear of battalion of direction. The line advanced steadily at command for- ward for abont two hundred yards, when the command to charge was given. We dashed forward about two hundred yards further. A yell given by the charging column seemed to inspire hope of success, but proved to give the concealed enemy the position of our forces and drew a terrific fire, under which Col. Pond's brigade retired in confusion. My command retained their position, not a man leaving the ranks. Col. Pond soon rallied a por- tion of his brigade. Orders were received to retire, and I covered the re- treating column.
I cannot refrain from comment on this charge, after stating so much relating to the condnet of this brigade. It appears to me that our advance was made too far to the right, as nearly all the fire from the enemy came across from enemy to left of our flank. I do not think the position could have been carried with the force of our command; but I cannot refrain from stating that it is my belief that the ground was not thoroughly skir- mished before the charge was made.
On retiring I was ordered to join the Second Brigade, and with them returned to camp. Of the condnet of my officers and meu in this unhappy affair I am truly proud, as none but true soldiers would have withstood the demoralizing shock of the retiring force.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES F. RANDLETT,
Major, Third New Hampshire Vols., Commanding Regiment.
One event of the day must not be overlooked. Gen. Butler, in an order of the 13th, said that, having learned that Union prisoners in Confederate hands had been set at work in the trenches in our front at Chapin's Farm (about 150 men), he directed a like number of their prisoners in our hands, and preferably the Virginia Reserves, be treated likewise, with same rations - one pound flour, one-third pound bacon daily-ten hours' work, and in the Dutch Gap and other works. (See Army and Nary Journal, 22 Oct. 1864.)
The line of our works was undergoing a change, and the new line to be run right through our camp.
548
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Oct. '64.
We moved camp again on the 14th, to conform to the new line of works. The labor of the new protective work, though great, pro- gressed very favorably. Dr. Buzzell returned 14th. He had been to Philadelphia with Gen. Birney (see 10th). Matters were quieting down, and apparently we were to stay where we were for awhile. The best indication of that was that the sutler had got a larger tent, and filled it with all that goes to make the soldier happy. He was a subtle man. The proximity of a well-balanced sutler results in an unbalancing of other people. Several chastisements for minor of- fences were recorded about this time.
The 15th marked the completion of a well; and 'tis well 't was so, because the sutler had been supplying something else. This well was equivalent to finding a gold or silver mine -'twas money in the boys' pockets. If one felt an aching void, he could distend the - walls of his stomach without breaking a five dollar bill and finding himself unable to gather up the fragments after a little.
The writer finds one little word entered up in a diary that is truly a multum in parro. The word is "loused," and it is a verb, expressing, as the grammarians say, " something done or performed." Any war history lacking this word is incomplete, and a soldier's in- dividual diary without it is a barren waste. It is said that a certain Irishman, who was having a good time at the above-named game, - for it's really a game,- was approached by an officer of rank, who thought he would have a little sport with Patrick. The player of the little game was seated upon the ground, his back bare, his shirt spread flat upon the earth in his immediate front. Patrick was leaning lov- ingly over this nether garment, and possibly may have been counting the stitches ; yet his frequent convulsive movements could hardly be said to be accounted for in that way. About once in thirty seconds he suddenly placed his two thumb nails together with a sort of roll- ing motion. The officer approached. Patrick looked up. "Good morning, my man !" said he of the ranky strap, and added, without giving Patrick a chance to reply, " I see you are picking them out." Patrick was alive in a minute, and the reply set the officer in motion at once. "Begorra, no ; Oi'm taking 'em as they come !"
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