USA > New Jersey > New Jersey and the rebellion : a history of the service of the troops and people of New Jersey in aid of the Union cause, Pt. 1 > Part 22
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with instructions to throw out flankers, and to leave a regiment at the point where the roads forked, near the Clements House. Advancing about three-quarters of a mile, I came upon a line of the enemy's works, which was carried at once, the enemy making but little resistance. After taking this line of works, I advanced about a mile, driving the enemy's skirmishers, when I came upon a second and stronger line of works. These works were manned by infantry and artillery. After skirmishing with the enemy for some little time, I received orders from General Parke to develop the force and ascertain how much of the enemy were in the position. I immediately ordered General Pierce to carry out the order, which he did by advancing the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, with the First United States Sharpshooters on the right flank. I also instructed Colonel MeAlllister to move a regiment of his brigade to the left of the position occupied by the battery, and when the attack was made by General Pieree, to open a severe fire upon the batteries in order to draw part of the fire and relieve the attacking column as much as possible. At three o'clock, p. m., the line was ordered forward, when it charged most gallantly to within a few rods of the works, under a concentrated fire from muskets and artillery. At ten minutes past three o'clock, p. m., I received a communication from Major-General Parke, saying he had just seen Major-General Meade, who did not wish me to run any great risk, but to take up a line and entrench. The attacking column was immediately recalled. The casualties in this charge were, one (1) commissioned officer and four (4) enlisted men killed : five (5) commissioned officers and forty-four (44) enlisted men wounded.
" At fifteen minutes past five o'clock, I received orders to withdraw to the line of works near the Clements House, and to occupy said line with piekets well out, which was done and completed at half-past six o'clock, p. m. On the 3d, 4th and 5th in- stants, I continued in the same position, furnishing large details to work at the forts building near the Clements House, Smith's House, and the Poplar Spring Church. At half-past two o'clock, p. m., received orders to send one brigade to relieve the troops in the works between Fort Davis and Alexander Hays. The Third Brigade, Col- onel MeAllister, was accordingly sent. At five o'clock, p. m., the balance of the divis- ion was relieved by General Wilcox, First Division of the Ninth Corps, and marched to the position now occupied, arriving at nine o'clock, p. m.
"The conduct of the officers and men of the division, during these five days' ope- rations, was eminently satisfactory. All behaved well, and carried out my orders promptly and gallantly. Brigadier-General Pierce, United States Volunteers, deserves particular mention, as having the immediate charge of the advance, for his prompt- ness and efficiency during the operations of the 2d inst. Annexed is a list of easu- alties. First Brigade, killed 3; wounded 11; missing 1. Second Brigade, killed 5; wounded 49; missing 14. Third Brigade, killed 5; wounded 16; missing 1. Ag- gregate, 105."
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
connect, as ordered, with Hancock's right, the position became a very critical one. Lee promptly took advantage of the opportunity. Sending in Hill's Corps, it struck Mott's Division a staggering blow, causing some confusion. At this time only two of Mott's Brigades had taken position, that under McAllister having been assigned by General Meade to another part of the field, with orders to report to General Egan at the extreme front. The two brigades, however, promptly changed front and fought with great gallantry ; finally, charging upon the enemy, he was handsomely routed, and a battery lost in the first assault recovered, together with a large number of prisoners. Meanwhile, however, the change of position had un- covered McAllister's Brigade, occupying an eminence, and against him the enemy at once advanced. In a few moments he was sur- rounded, and the enemy's artillery and musketry pouring in upon him from every side. The ammunition of the men was nearly ex- hausted, and the communication with the rest of the corps being cut off, no supply could be obtained. The situation was indeed a desperate one, but the men who had borne the brunt of so many conflicts did not shrink. Suddenly facing about, McAllister gave the order to charge. Dashing forward through the undergrowth and swamp, the brigade struck the enemy with such force as to break his lines and cause his elated troops to retire in disorder, leaving one hundred prisoners in our hands. But the enemy still held the opposite hill, and, pouring in a destructive fire, the assail- ing column was momentarily staggered, but speedily reformed and once more drove back the again exultant foe, who now abandoned the field. Our communications were immediately established ; and though at first disaster had attended our arms, the day at last was fairly ours. The charge of the Second Brigade had not only saved the brigade, but Egan's Division and the corps, which otherwise must have been utterly routed.ยช1
31 The following documents relate to this engagement :
"HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, SECOND CORPS, October 29, 1864.
"GENERAL: Through you, I beg to thank Colonel McAllister, commanding your
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
The brigade, now returning to its old position, remained in com- parative quiet until the night of November 5th, when it again
Third Brigade, for indispensable service rendered to myself and command during the recent operations. Colonel McAllister brought up his command at a critical moment, when I was almost surrounded by a force of vast disparity of strength. The defiant bearing of the enemy showed that they regarded their combinations as undoubtedly successful, and wanting only final execution. My command had done everything pos- sible, when Colonel MeAllister saved them. I cannot sufficiently thank him. The recounting of the particulars of his services is unnecessary, as they are too brilliant not to have been made public cre this ; but I beg that you will, if consistent, commend them at large to the Major-General commanding the corps, as I shall take great pleasure in doing. Your most obedient servant,
"T. W. EGAN,
"Brigadier-General Commanding Second Division.
"Brevet Major-General MOTT, Commanding Third Division."
The following is an extract from Colonel McAllister's congratulatory order :
" General Orders, No. 5.
"OCTOBER 30, 1864.
" The Colonel commanding brigade congratulates the officers and men of this com- mand on the manner in which they marched to the Boydton plank road, and the gal- lantry displayed by them in the battle of the 27th instant, reflecting great eredit on the old brigade. Your bravery and determination, as exhibited when surrounded by the enemy, is a new wreath added to the laurels of honor already won by this com- mand in days that are past. May this and the gallant deeds of those battles stimulate us to do or die for our country in the great cause in which we are engaged. Let cach one of us resolve to do our duty, and, by the blessing of God, victory will perch on our banners, peace will crown our exertions, and millions will do honor to those who have so nobly borne our battle-flag through the trying scenes of this rebellion."
A correspondent of the Washington Chronicle said of this fight :
"The highest praise is given by all to the officers and men of the Second and Third Divisions, for their behavior during the day. Generals Eagan and Mott, who com- manded them, and General Smyth and Colonel McAllister, connnanding brigades, are particularly praised for the able manner in which they handled their men. The charge made by the New Jersey Brigade, under Colonel McAllister, on the enemy, who had got in the rear of our forces, was one of the finest ever witnessed, and resulted in saving the entire position."
General Mott's report gives the following account of the part taken by his division in the operations on the left of the army :
"At ten o'clock, p. m., on Monday, October 24th, pursuant to orders from Head- quarters, Second Corps, the garrisons of Forts Sedgwick, Davis and Alexander Hays, were relieved, and my division withdrawn from the front and massed near the Southall House, where it remained until Wednesday, 26th. At two o'clock, p. m., I moved the head of the column, and marched by the way of the Widow Smith's, Williams and Gurley houses, passed through the breast-works at the latter, moved across the open country in front of the fortifications to the Weldon Railroad, and bivouacked near the Lewis House at five o'clock, p. m. On Thursday, the 27th, at half-past three o'clock, a. n., resumed the march, following the Second Division down the Halifax to the Church road; thence by the way of the Wyatt House, and Mrs. Davis House to the Vaughn road, down said road near the Cinnmings House, where I received orders from the Major-General commanding the corps to mass, while the Second Division, commanded by General Egan, drove the enemy from the ford at Hatcher's Run, which was soon accomplished, and some defensive works carried. At eight o'clock, a. m., I crossed
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
shared in a brilliant achievement. At that time, the brigade held that part of our line between Forts Morton and Sedgwick, where
Hatelier's Run with my First Brigade, Brigadier-General De Trobriand, followed by the Second Brigade, Brigadier-General R. B. Pierce, Battery K, Fourth United States Artillery and Tenth Massachusetts, ambulances, &c., with the Third Brigade, Colonel McAllister, in the rear. Immediately after crossing, I relieved a brigade of the Second Division in the works that had been captured, and threw forward two regiments, the Second United States Sharpshooters, and the Seventy-third New York Volunteers, as skirmishers, to drive the enemy out of a corn-field where it was reported they were throwing up some works to delay our advance, which they had no difficulty in doing. The column then advanced through a wood-road to Dabney's Mill, where the road intersected another, on which the Second Division was lying. At this place, the Major- General commanding the corps, ordered a lieutenant in command of some one hundred and fifty (150) cavalry to report to me. I gave him instructions to look well after the rear, and to throw videttes well out on all by-roads, also to drive up all stragglers. The march was continued, with flankers well thrown out on both flanks, and arrived at the Boydton plank road at half-past - o'clock, p. m., when I immediately relicved a brigade of the Second Division with my First Brigade, and placed it in position in a curved line facing to the left and rear, with a strong skirmish line thrown forward to the White Oak road, on the right connecting with the Second Division, and on the left with the cavalry pickets, the Second Brigade massed in the open field near the junction of the roads. The Third Brigade, while coming up the road, was halted by orders of Major-General Meade. At half-past one o'clock, p. m., in compliance with orders from Major-General Hancock, I sent one of my aids, Lieutenant Moore, to the lieutenant in command of the cavalry which had been placed under my charge, with orders to report with his cavalry to General Gregg, which was delivered a quarter to two o'clock, p. m. At a quarter past two o'clock, p. m., I received orders to send a brigade to make a connection between General Crawford's Division of the Fifth Corps, and the Sceond Division of this Corps. As the brigade was about to move the order was countermanded. At half-past two o'clock, I sent two regiments to the support of a scetion of artillery, posted in the corn-field near the woods, on the right of the plank road; soon after, I sent forward the balance of the brigade, (the Second,) commanded by Brigadier-General Pierce, to take up a position in the field and to be ready for any emergency, and to throw out pickets well into the woods to guard against any surprise in that quarter. At three o'clock, p. m., I received orders from Major-General Hancock to send a brigade to report to Brigadier-General Egan. The Third Brigade, Col- oncl McAllister, was accordingly sent; for the part taken by this brigade, I respectfully refer to the report of Colonel McAllister. I will also add that Brigadier-General Egan expressed himself highly pleased with its conduct while under his command; although composed in a great measure of new recruits, and there being a scarcity of officers, it behaved most gallantly, and acted like veterans. During the time my whole command was subjected to a brisk artillery fire, (which, however, did very little harm.) The enemy commenced feeling all along the lines, and the fire increasing in the woods to the right of the Second Brigade, I sent a staff officer to inquire the cause of it; he returned with word from Brigadier-General Pierce that it was only a few stragglers that General Crawford's pickets were driving. The firing increasing, I ordered General Pierce to strengthen his picket line, when he sent the First United States Sharp- shooters and the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The enemy finding there was no connection between us and the Fifth Corps, must have taken immediate advantage of it, for at four o'clock, p. m., he attacked my Second Brigade with an overwhelming foree and with great vigor, driving back the regiments on the right, and striking the balance of the brigade on the right flank and rear, which
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our lines pressed nearest to the city of Petersburg. Immediately in front of McAllister was an old line of unfinished field-works, where
caused it to fall back in some little confusion. I immediately rode out with a part of my staff, and succeeded in rallying them again. Seeing the danger of being cut off from the road up which we had advanced, and the necessity of having a foree there as soon as the attack commeneed, I sent Major Williams, of my staff, to General De Trobriand for at least a regiment for that purpose. The Seventeenth Maine Volun- teers were selected, and taken on the double-quick to that point, when it was faced to the left and marched into the woods, striking the attacking force on the flank. I also sent word to General De Trobriand to take up a new line with the balance of his com- mand along the road and to hold it at all hazards. About the time it was formed, a charge was ordered by the Major-General commanding the corps, and gallantly responded to by the Fortieth New York, Twentieth Indiana, Ninety-ninth and One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by General De Trobriand in person, driving the enemy and clearing the open field from which they had been pressing us.
"At the same time, the First Maine Heavy Artillery, with a portion of the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was led by Major Mitchell, A. D. C., to the Major-General commanding the corps, across the same field to the left of General De Trobriand. These troops, with portions of the Fifth Michigan and First Massa- chusetts Heavy Artillery, re-captured a section of Battery C, United States Artillery, which had been taken from us at the first onset of the enemy. The firing on my left now increasing, and as it was only held by a skirmish line, I recalled General De Tro- briand and the troops he had with him, excepting a line of skirmishers, to the road from which they started on the charge. This line of my left extended on the right, along the White Oak road, with the center and left along the edge of a dense pine woods, and refused to connect with the cavalry. The enemy, being posted on the opposite side of a large open field, now made a vigorous attack on this line, but were handsomely repulsed. Some portion of the line was thrown into slight confusion for a few moments, but the exertions of the officers, and steadiness of the veterans, soon re-formed it, and the enemy fell back to his original position, baffled in the attempt to break through, and, as lie thoughit, to destroy us. These regiments consisted of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, Eighty-sixth and Seventy-third New York Vol- unteers, and Second United States Sharpshooters. This line was held until dark, when, by some misunderstanding of orders, two of the regiments came in. I attribute this to the fact that the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Volunteers had its two field-officers and two senior company officers wounded, leaving it with so few officers to command it, that in the extreme darkness some of the men came in, and the impression got among the balance that they had been ordered to do so. A line was subsequently established by General De Trobriand, and no accident arose from it. I had also ordered General Pierce to re-form his brigade, on the road to the right of General De Trobriand, with pickets well out. I deployed the First Maine Heavy"Ar- tillery down the plank road, for the purpose of keeping a connection with the Second Division. This was my position when darkness closed the fighting, the enemy having been repulsed on all sides, and in every attack made upon us, with large losses in killed, wounded and prisoners, although in much superior force, as I took prisoners from the three divisions of Hill's Corps and Hampton's Cavalry. I now received orders to start the ambulances, pack mules, and the two batteries of artillery, (which were out of ammunition, ) towards the Globe Tavern, under the escort of a good regi- ment. The Seventeenth Maine Volunteers were detailed for the purpose, and that I would move my division at ten o'clock, p. in .; in the meanwhile to send for my Third Brigade, Colonel MeAllister, who reported to me at half-past eight o'clock. At the
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
our main line was formerly established, but which recently bad been used as a picket line. The enemy had, as we have seen, shown the utmost restiveness under the close proximity and men- acing positions of our pickets, and night and day kept up an inces- sant fire upon our men lying within the short range of seventy-five yards. Could he but occupy and hold our picket line, his sharp- shooters might effectually silence the guns of the two forts already named, and, finally, compel the abandonment of our line; and it was this consideration, doubtless, which induced the attack on the night of the 5th.
Shortly after midnight, six hundred picked men of Hill's Corps, accompanied by a large detail carrying entrenching tools, silently moved upon our advanced picket posts, occupied by detachments from McAllister's Brigade. Massing his troops, the enemy moved cautiously until discovered by our men, and then, with a yell, swept down impetuously upon the pickets of the One Hundred and Twen- tieth New York and Eleventh New Jersey. The attack, though
hour named, I eommeneed to withdraw, having previously sent my provost-guard ahead to elear the road, which, being a narrow wood road, and the night very dark, was very much blocked up by the usual appendages of an army. When near Dabney's Mill, I was met by a staff officer from Army Headquarters, who said he had orders from the Major-General commanding the army, to Major-General Haneock to have me stop after erossing Hatcher's Run. At one o'clock, a. m., of the 28th, having crossed said run, I massed near the widow Smith's house, until after daylight, when I sent one brigade, Brigadier-General Pierce commanding, to the Wyatt House. During the morning, I received orders from Corps Headquarters, that I would follow the Second Division, General Egan, which was now coming on the road. At twelve o'clock, m., I followed this division, and arrived at the Southall House at five o'clock, p. m., and massed my Second and Third Brigades ; the First Brigade was massed near the Cheever House. In closing this report, I take pleasure in stating that my division behaved well, repulsed successfully every charge that was made upon it; that from the time of going into position, all were exposed to a severe artillery fire, not only in front, but from both flanks and from the rear. There has seldom been an action where there was as much individual bravery shown by both officers and men, fighting when completely surrounded, and in some cases firing their last round of ammunition. . Where so many did so well, it would be invidious to particularize. Two of my brigade commanders claim to have captured flags from the enemy. As they were not sent to these headquarters, I can lay claim to but one of them, which was captured by private William W. Scott, Company A, First Maine Heavy Artillery. Two pieces of artillery, which had fallen into the hands of the enemy, were re-captured by my command, and from four to five hundred prisoners; the exact number is difficult to tell, for a number of them were delivered direct to the Provost-Marshal of the corps. The casualties in my division during the action were 5 commissioned officers killed, and 28 wounded ; 49 enlisted men killed, and 339 wounded ; 3 commissioned offieers, and 242 enlisted men, missing."
24
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
sudden, found our men on the alert, and a gallant resistance was made, the men on post fighting sometimes hand-to-hand, with a heroic determination to hold their position if possible. But against the furious assaults of ten times their own numbers a protracted re- sistance was in vain, and they retired fighting from pit to pit, leav- ing the enemy in possession of some forty posts, the works of which they immediately set about reversing, with the intention of per- manently occupying our original line. In the meantime, all along the line, our men were under arms and ready for any contingency, and the guns from our works opened vigorously, and were an- swered briskly by the enemy. The midnight cannonade was inces- sant, and the scene grand and imposing. The bursting of shells ; the hollow moaning of bombs as they slowly mounted far into the dimly-lighted sky, and then descended, marking their course by a fiery train ; the flashes of musketry-all contributed to render the scene one of awful grandeur.
As the enemy was now in full possession of an important portion of our line, it became evident that we must dislodge him from the works which every moment were being reversed and strengthened. On being driven from their pits our men had fallen back to a ravine near our main line, from which they commenced a galling fire upon the enemy, who evinced no disposition to advance further from the works which he had captured. From this ravine it was determined to charge the enemy, and three companies of the One Hundred and Twentieth New York were accordingly ordered to move by the flank, and at all hazards drive the enemy from the works. The charge was made, and at the point of the bayonet, and with the blinding flashes of the enemy's guns full in their faces, our men, after a desperate struggle, were again in possession of most of their former line. A few posts, however, were still persistently held by the enemy until daybreak, when, their exact position discovered, they were again assaulted by our men, and at six o'clock the fol- lowing morning, we had regained every post, and the enemy had . been driven back with the loss on his side of ten or twelve killed, and left on the field one hundred wounded and forty-five prisoners, among them a commissioned officer. Nearly all the prisoners were
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
South Carolinians, who fought with the utmost desperation to the last. McAllister's loss was twenty-nine in killed and wounded." Among the killed was private T. McBride, of the Eighth New Jer- sey, and Corporal H. Stone, of the Eleventh. Among the wounded were two privates of the Seventh New Jersey, and four of the Eleventh. The conduct of our troops in this affair excited the warmest admiration throughout the army, and Colonel McAllister was widely complimented upon the efficient manner in which he met the demands of the occasion. General Hancock addressed a note to General Mott, commanding the division, expressing un- qualified gratification at the "brave conduct of his troops, and of the ability and determination displayed by Colonel McAllister :" and other officers gave prompt expression to similar sentiments of admiration. Colonel McAllister, in a congratulatory order, espe- cially commended the three companies of the One Hundred and Twentieth New York and one company of the Eleventh New Jer- sey, and their staff and line officers, " who so nobly led these gallant soldiers to a successful re-capture of the lost works, against an overwhelming force of the enemy." "The skill, bravery and de- termination," he added, "of the officers and men thus engaged. representing these, the Eleventh New Jersey, the Eleventh Massa- chusetts, and nearly all the regiments in this brigade, should be
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