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. 2 > Part 30
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Lieutenant Morris' section first took position on the open field where Battery Marshall was afterwards erected, on the 9th of May, the day before the fight on the turnpike, and on the 18th of May, the entire battery was ordered to that point. At that time there
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was a slight breastwork about two feet high. The men immedi- ately went to work, with shovel and pick, to strengthen their posi- tion, and labored steadily until about eleven o'clock at night, when they were suddenly assailed by a volley of musketry, accompanied by a chorus of yells. Instantly every man sprang to his post, and with a rapidity and precision at once surprising and effective, poured a storm of shrapnel and canister into the approaching columns of the enemy. But the assailants were not to be thus shaken in their purpose. On they came, on the "double quick,"" filling the air with their threatening yells, but with their lines bro- ken and the field strewed with their killed and wounded. Still they did not pause, but steadily continued their advance in the face of a withering fire, which had increased in severity as other bat- teries on the right and left of Battery Marshall came into position, and the infantry manned the breastworks. Then, at last, the storm of iron, hail and fire became insufferable. Our pickets had been forced back to the counterscarp of the ditch, and the enemy had got within two hundred yards of our main line, when a simulta- neous volley from all our artillery and infantry caused them to recoil and fly in dismay. Halting, however, at an elevation some seven hundred yards distant from our line, they threw up intrenchments, and there, afterwards, established their main line. The officers and men of the Fourth Battery were complimented by General Ames and General Gilmore, who were present during the action, for their services on this occasion. and it was probably their behavior on that day that decided the commanding officer to retain the battery in the post of danger and honor. Captain Woodbury, and Lieutenants Doane, Morris, George and King, were exposed to full view of the rebel riflemen, but all escaped unharmed. General Ames and Captain Woodbury stood in an elevated position during the charge, watching the movements of the enemy through field-glasses, and exposing themselves to what seemed almost certain death. Shot and shell fell all around, but still there was only one man killed. After the rebels fell back and reached their line, their artillery opened fire on Battery Mar- shall. Lieutenant Morris, commanding the left section, was stand-
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ing on the trail of one of his guns, looking towards the enemy, when a canister shot, fired at a high elevation, grazed his left shoulder and passed through the head of Sergeant James O. Hale, who was standing directly behind him. Hale was killed instantly, his brains spattering over the Lieutenant and others who stood near. The same shot slightly wounded Privates Cornelius Van- Patten and Charles More. After that, it was impossible to work upon the intrenchments during the day, as the enemy fired at every person unthinkingly exposed above the works. The horses were removed to the rear, and every precaution taken to prevent surprise. As soon as night appeared, however, the men plied the intrenching tools again-stopping only a few minutes for a cup of coffee-knowing well that on the morrow a more strenuous effort would be made by the rebels to dislodge them." Not a word was spoken above a whisper, and nothing could be heard but the dull sound of shovel and pick, throwing up the earth, and adding to the gradually growing embankment, which was to be the main hope of the toilers. Everything remained in this condition until about midnight, when suddenly there arose again that wild, deaf- ening rebel yell, immediately followed by a discharge from about twenty field pieces, which they had placed in position since night- fall. The night was intensely dark, and it was useless to attempt to "sight" the guns before firing. The effect of the flashing of the score of field guns and the thousands of muskets on the rebel side, was grandly beautiful. Our cannoneers sprang to their posts at the first intimation of danger; but were unable to direct their fire with any precision, until one of our shells struck a rebel caisson and exploded it, causing a vivid stream of light to flame up the sky, which served to show the position of the enemy in
: The intrenchments in the vicinity of Batteries Three, Four and Five, and the redoubts in advance of the main line, were built under the supervision of Lieutenant C. B. Parsons, of the First New York Engineers, and it was owing, in a great measure, to Lieutenant Parsons' skill, courage and coolness under fire that the works were made to resist the continued bombardments to which they were subjected. He is a native of Middletown, New Jersey. Lieutenant Parsons was commissioned Captain in his regiment, and afterwards Brevet-Major of Volunteers by the President, in acknow- ledgement of his services.
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front. They had reached our picket line, and were advancing rapidly. The battery gunners had up to this time been firing too high, but the friendly light of the exploding caisson enabled them to bring their pieces to bear directly on the moving mass of men in front. A few well-directed, double-shotted rounds of canister from all the batteries, with repeated discharges of musketry, and the rebels again hastily retired in confusion to their works. But there was no sleep nor rest, that night, for either army ; a sharp picket fire was kept up until daybreak, when the artillery firing was resumed and continued during the day.4 A Petersburg paper of the following day admitted that the Confederates lost six hundred men, killed and wounded, in the midnight charge, and by way of palliating their reverse, stated that "the Yankee loss was much greater."
Thus affairs continued for more than two weeks, the rebels endeavoring in vain to possess themselves of the Federal line of works. Not a day dawned that did not witness a reckless charge and a bloody repulse; not a night threw its dark mantle over the combatants but discovered, at daybreak, some new redoubt, breast- work, or an advanced line of rifle-pits differing from those of the day before. For three weeks the men did not obtain three hours' sleep in any single night, nor did they dare remove their clothing or equipments ; and when not toiling with the pick and spade, were working the guns, until, finally, they became almost completely exhausted. Now they must pay the penalty of the reputation they had achieved. Other batteries were on reserve, and could relieve the Fourth New Jersey, for a few days, while they recruited in
" Towards daybreak the men of Lieutenant Morris' section lay down for a few mno- ments, on a large canvas " paulin," on the ground, to endeavor to get a little rest. They were fast going to sleep, when, there appearing to be signs of a movement on the rebel line, the Lieutenant awoke his men, to prepare for any emergeney. Just as the men had arisen from the ground, and walked off to their guns, a rifled shell from the enemy grazed the top of the parapet, and struck the ground on the exaet spot where the detachment had lain. Had they remained there half a minute longer, it would have killed every one of them. This awakened them thoroughly, and they set to work to build a " traverse," to protect themselves as much as possible. Corporal Aaron H. Mckinstry was shot in the groin an hour later, while superintending the work, and died the next day. Corporal Mckinstry was a college graduate, and a good soldier.
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strength for other combats. But to this proposition the Command- ing General would not listen. The position was one of such vital importance that he would not trust any but those who had proved themselves worthy of the honor, and who were familiar with the " range" of the situation, and from that fact could throw their first shots to strike where they intended, and check any advance of the enemy at its commencement.
Finally, the works had grown to such formidable dimensions that the enemy appeared to have abandoned the idea of attempting their capture. Small squads of our cannoneers were accordingly allowed to go to the rear to wash and change their clothing and obtain a little rest-and thus recuperation was at last had from the fatiguing labors so long and effectually performed.
In the early part of June an order was received to send all the troops that could be spared from Bermuda Hundred, to join the Army of the Potomac, then on the line of the South Anna. The entire Eighteenth Corps, and two divisions of the Tenth Corps were moved off quietly in the night, to the aid of Grant and Meade, leaving only one division of infantry and a large proportion of the artillery to hold the line. The Eighteenth and the two divisions of the Tenth embarked at Bermuda Hundred on transports, and were conveyed down the James and up the York River; disem- barked at West Point, and joined Meade's Army at Cold Harbor. They were in action with the enemy several days, and lost heavily.
In the meantime, the little band left at Bermuda Hundred were · exercising the utmost vigilance. For a period of two weeks they were almost entirely defenceless. Obliged to hold a line of four miles in extent, it required their entire force to repel an attack at any one point. Happily, the enemy were in ignorance of this fact, and did not attempt any demonstration against any point but Battery Marshall. Had they known the weakness of our army at any time during those two important weeks, they might easily have pierced our lines, captured the entire force, and carried away or destroyed the immense commissary stores accumulated at Ber- muda Landing and City Point. It was one of those necessary risks which are sometimes dictated by the highest policy, and
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involve, though all unknown, the fate of battles and of nations.3 Nightly, the guns of the contending armies at Cold Harbor could be plainly heard, volley after volley following close together. The interest manifested by that little army in the coming developments was intense. Nearer and nearer, heavier and louder came the sounds of conflict as night after night and day after day slipped away, and it was a relief to that band of beleaguered patriots to know that the awful suspense would soon be over. Better, far better the clash and peril of actual combat than this crazing uncer- tainty.
The pickets in front of Battery Marshall had now become quite sociable, and mutually agreed to cease picket firing, except when an advance was made on either side. This good feeling existed until the morning of the 16th of June,6 when our videttes reported the enemy's line evacuated. An advance was immediately made, and six men were found asleep in the rebel bomb-proofs. They said they were left there to walk the top of the parapet, and keep up the appearance of a force, while the army had gone to Peters-
5 "The position was held by strategy ; the bands were kept playing inspiriting airs, a few regiments would be sent to the rear quietly, and then come marching up to the front making as much noise as possible, and would be received with hearty cheers by the troops in the works; the guns in Battery Marshall would open a furious eannonade, . and there would be a general stirring up every few hours ; all of which was duly noted and reported by the rebel pickets and videttes."-Letter of Captain J. B. Morris.
6 One fine Sunday evening, during the eessation of picket firing, when the opposing armies had become comparatively sociable, the Union and rebel intrenchments were covered with spectators, each silently observing the figures slowly pacing up and down and sitting in groups on the other side. The sun had set, and the day was fast merging into the soft glamour of a Southern twilight. Sunday evening-and the sol- diers were thinking of other Sunday evenings in their. far-off homes, and of the dear ones they might never see again. All feeling of fierce strife and contention which the battle field engenders had gone out from their hearts for the moment, as they sat there in the gathering shades. Suddenly a strain of old familiar music floated through the air; "Old Hundred"-sweet, full and plaintive-came from a rebel band on their picket line, accompanied with a chorus of manly voices. Our men rose up and stood listening, and before they hardly knew it found themselves joining in the chorus. And thus for half an hour the pickets of the two armies, who for months had been endeav- oring to destroy each other, were on this hallowed eve joining their voices and hearts In a song of praise to God. It was an event which will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. It was a white hour in those years of bloody war that one remem- bers with a thrill of pleasure.
The next morning that same band was playing the "Bonnie Blue Flag," the pickets under some pretext commenced firing, and the work of death went on.
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burg to meet the advance of Meade's army. Being left alone, they went to sleep. They belonged to the Twenty-second and Twenty- third South Carolina Volunteers. As soon as the fact of the evacu- ation was known at General Terry's headquarters, two brigades were sent out with shovels, and in a few hours had leveled the deserted works to the ground.
By this time Grant's army, having crossed the James, was coming up in the rear of the position so bravely defended, and Lee's army was pouring in on the front by way of Richmond. The entire force of the Bermuda Hundred army, under General Terry, immediately made an advance, and encountered the advance of Lee's army near the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. After a sharp engagement, Terry, being hard pressed by superior num- bers, withdrew to his intrenchments. On the same day, the first line of the Petersburg intrenchments was attacked by the Second and Eighteenth Army Corps, and many prisoners and eighteen pieces of artillery captured. A detail of the men of the Fourth Battery, with their horses, under command of Lieutenant King, was sent to Petersburg, to bring the captured guns to Bermuda Hundred. This was successfully accomplished without the loss of a man, although the enemy directed especial attention to the men while the guns were being removed.
On the afternoon of the day following the evacuation of the enemy's works, and the advance of Terry, the rebels came down suddenly in strong force, under command of General Pickett, of the Army of Northern Virginia, and by a rapid movement cap- tured many of our videttes, drove in the remainder, and possessed themselves of their former line, and without halting, charged across the open field in front of Battery Marshall in fine style, seven regiments front and four deep. Our pickets gave way, and retired to the ditcb, or concealed themselves as best they could. Then all the batteries on the Union line opened, and the Third Division of the Sixth Corps having arrived during the morning, the infantry quickly manned the breastworks, and poured a galling fire into the advancing ranks of gray. The rebels fought with the greatest bravery, and pressed forward with a stubborn pertinacity worthy a
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better cause. They were the men who had fought through the Wilderness, and were desperate and reckless; but it was impossible for anything human to stand before that storm of shell and bullets, and before reaching the "slashing" they turned and fled. A prisoner, taken by our pickets, stated that the rebel General Pickett, of South Carolina, was in command of the attacking force, and that he was much intoxicated, and swore he "would take that Yankee battery if it cost him half his men"-meaning Bat- tery Marshall. During this action, the battery was supported by the Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteers, which was attached to the Third Division, Sixth Corps."
All eyes were now directed to Petersburg. There the grand armies were gathering in force, and there, it now seemed certain, the final and decisive struggle was to take place. On the night of the 25th of July, the Second Corps, which lay in the rear of the army at Petersburg, was rapidly and quietly moved across to Ber- muda Hundred, and without halting, pushed forward to Jones' Neck, and crossed the James River at that point. At daylight, the old Third Corps (now attached to the Second) charged the rebel intrenchments, taking them at the point of the bayonet, and cap- turing ten pieces of artillery and a large number of prisoners. The loss on our side was forty men killed and wounded. Three of the guns were twenty-pounder rifles, and were captured by the rebels from Ashby's New York Battery, during the attack on Fort Darling, in May. A sufficient force was left to hold the position and the corps returned to the main army in front of Petersburg.
On the night of August 14th, the Fourth Battery received orders to " be ready to march in one hour." This was a difficult task,
: "During the following summer, the enemy made frequent attempts to obtain pos- session of the line of works at Bermuda Hundred, failing, however, in every attempt. At intervals a tacit understanding existed between the pickets, all firing was suspend- ed, and a general system of bartering of tobacco, coffee, papers, etc., was carried on between the respective sides. Then, some recruit who had but lately joined his regi- ment, and on his first day on picket, would fire at the first gray-jacket he saw. That would end the truce for several days, and curses loud and deep came from the other side because 'you 'uns fired when you 'uns promised not to.' Of course, it would be a long time before the luckless recruit would hear the last of the result of his nervous- ness, from his teazing comrades."-Letter of Lieutenant Morris.
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for the ammunition chests of the battery were stored in the maga- zine at Battery Marshall, and the caisson camp, with the drivers and horses were two miles to the rear. The night was clear and quiet, and it was necessary to use the utmost caution in removing the guns from the embrasures, and mounting the heavy chests filled with ammunition, to avoid attracting the attention of the enemy. One section of Battery E, Third United States Artillery, was left in the fort, and about midnight the Fourth New Jersey reported to Colonel McGilvery, Chief of Artillery, for orders. This was des- tined to be a trial which would test the metal of the battery to its utmost. The entire Tenth and Second Corps were in motion, ex- cept the artillery, all of that arm remaining in position, except the Fourth New Jersey, Battery D, First United States Artillery, and two sections of Battery E, Third United States Artillery.
Early on the morning of the 15th, the troops crossed the river, on the pontoon bridge, and engaged the enemy about two miles from the river. During the day, the Tenth Corps captured four siege guns, three howitzers, and a large number of prisoners. Lieutenant-General Grant was present, and was under fire during the greater portion of the day. At one time he sat down on the door-step of an old deserted house, rested his head between his hands, and with his body bowed, for nearly an hour remained alone, apparently entirely oblivious to everything but his own thoughts. Who knows but that the fate of this great Republic, humanly speaking, may have been decided during that hour of anxious thought! All this time the artillery was booming, the shell crashing through the thick woods, and an uninterrupted rat- tle of musketry added to the tumult, as charge after charge was renewed, and positions lost and won. Finally darkness came on, and the firing gradually ceased. But there was, that night, no rest for the weary troops. The artillery was posted in convenient positions "in battery," to check any advance of the enemy, and about midnight the troops recrossed the river at Jones' Neck, moved half a mile further down, and again crossed to the north side on another bridge, making there a brief pause for rest. This was on Sunday morning. By eight o'clock the column was again
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in motion, and advanced steadily towards Richmond until about ten o'clock, when the enemy's pickets were encountered on a hill, at the edge of a thick growth of timber. The pickets retired with- out firing, and joined their main force, which was strongly in- trenched. The Fourth Battery was immediately put in position on the hill, and shelled the woods in front. The rebels at once replied with a battery of artillery, while a host of sharpshooters posted in the trees, picked off the cannoneers so rapidly that at times the guns could scarcely be served. But the men of the Fourth stood up to their work nobly, and by concentrating the fire of the whole battery on the rebels, their guns were finally silenced. Three of the officers were injured by the missiles of the enemy within a few minutes after the beginning of the action. Lieutenant Morris was struck by three fragments of a shrapnel shell, and stunned, but recovered so as to be able to resume his duties within half an hour. Lieutenant George had two of his ribs broken by a bullet from a shrapnel shell, which was found imbedded in a small copy of the New Testament, in his left-side pocket. Lieutenant King, at the time acting as aid to Colonel McGilvery, Chief of Artillery, re- ceived a bullet wound in the left arm, while riding across a field to carry an order to the battery. He did not, however, leave his sad- dle. Lieutenant George, although seriously injured, insisted on staying with his section until the action was over. Colonel McGil- very was wounded in the second finger of the left hand, and while having it amputated a few days afterwards, died under the influ- ence of etber.
On Monday, the day following, Lieutenant Morris was placed in a position with one section, about half a mile to the right of the remainder of the battery, and at a point where the rebel rifle-pits were not more than two hundred yards from his front and about . the same distance from his right flank. The guns were moved noiselessly through a deep, narrow ravine, and then pushed up the hill so that the range of the pieces but just cleared the ground, while their presence was concealed from the enemy. Lieutenant Doane, who was in command of the four guns left at the position of the action of Sunday, now opened fire, upon which the entire
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force of the artillery directed their shots at one point, Lieutenant Morris firing at nearly right angles with the other batteries. Un- der cover of this cannonade, the Second Division of the Tenth Corps charged the rebel works, and captured thirteen hundred prisoners and several battle-flags. A rebel battery was observed trying to get into position in front, but the storm of shot and shell struck down the men and horses, and completely disabled their guns. The Fourth Battery, during the morning, fired one thousand and five hundred rounds of ammunition. Lieutenant Doane, seeing so many of his men go down before the fire of the sharpshooters post- ed in trees, threw off his coat and hat, seized a " sponge-staff," and performed the duties of "Number One," until the firing ceased, awakening the confidence and admiration of all who witnessed the deed.
At one time during the forenoon of Monday, Lieutenant Morris' position became most critical. The enemy was closing in on his section, and his infantry support had not arrived. To add to the difficulties of the situation, his ammunition was giving out, the guns were over-heated so as to cause several premature explosions, and the enemy preparing to charge his pieces. But his orders were imperative-to hold that position at all hazards. He hastily tore a piece of card from an ammunition box, and wrote with a pencil: "Lieutenant Doane : Send me some ammunition-all you can-and I'll hold this line. The rebels are crowding me- Lieutenant Morris." An orderly was dispatched with this at his highest speed. A quarter of an hour passed. The rebels made an attempt to advance; but a few rounds of double-shotted canister deterred them. It was evident they were massing in front. The ammunition was nearly gone. What a world of hope and fears were crowded into those perilous moments. Then there came a joyous shout, and in a few minutes the heavy boxes of fixed ammu- nition were carried by willing hands to the smoking guns. The position was saved, and confidence restored. The enemy did, indeed, attempt another charge, but his opportunity was lost, and utter failure crowned the effort. The following are the principal casualties sustained by the battery : Lieutenant J. B. Morris,
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