USA > New Jersey > Reminiscences of the war, comprising a detailed account of the experiences of the Thirteenth regiment New Jersey volunteers in camp, on the march, and in battle > Part 7
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When it was known that the enemy had penetrated our works and imperilled the right flank of the army, we were sent back with instructions to retake the works. Our Bri- gade moved to the extreme right, forming in line of battle near Rock Creek and menacing the left flank of the enemy. The line as established threw the Thirteenth Regiment along the Creek, which was in our front, the left company of the Regiment being formed at right angles to it. The Twenty-seventh Indiana and Third Wisconsin joined on the left, continuing the line almost at right angles with the Creek. In front of these regiments was a marsh, and through the open space the enemy were plainly visible. We at once threw up a new line of works of old logs, stumps of trees, stones, &e., and awaited orders. Just before daylight the orders to attack the enemy and drive them from the works were issued. The whole Brigade at first started, when the Thirteenth was ordered into the works of the Twenty-seventh Indiana and Third Wiscon-
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sin, as a support to the movement. The Second Massa chusetts, farther to our left, made a spirited and successful charge. For full four hours the battle raged at this point between the troops of Williams's and Geary's Divisions of the Twelfth Corps, and a Brigade of the Sixth, sent up to aid in the movement. Geary finally charged boldly on the enemy, and as cheer after cheer resounded on the air it was known that the position had been regained. The fight had been very stubborn and the slaughter on both sides was dreadful. In our Brigade the Twenty-seventh In- diana and Second Massachusetts suffered most heavily. The charge of the latter regiment was one of the most brilliant and successful of the many notable achievements of that battle. The command moved right up to the en- emy's position in the face of a terrible fire, nearly half its men and all its color guard. with but one exception. being killed or wounded. The loss in officers was unusually se- vere and ineluded Major Mudge, a very fine man of super- ior intellectual attainments. He was a graduate of Har- vard College, and a memorial tablet has been erected there to his memory. The Twenty-seventh Indiana Regiment was brought to a stand-still by the marsh previously spoken of, but fought there most nobly, suffering almost as severely as the Second Massachusetts.
This movement having terminated most successfully, we moved back to our works fronting the Creek, and the other regiments took up their old position. The enemy threw out a strong line of sharpshooters, who devoted their time to picking off every man whose head appeared above the works. A squad of these men established themselves in a small stone house on the opposite side of the creek. and they annoyed us terribly by their skillful marksmanship. A large number of men were wounded by them ; but when they tired at one of the Ambulance Corps-a member of the Twenty-seventh Indiana-who went to the front for the purpose of caring for the wounded of that regiment lying there, and killed him. the Captain of the battery be-
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longing to the Division was brought down to the line and instructed to open fire on the building. He did so, the very first shot taking effect. In a short time all annoy- ance from that quarter ceased. A deep quiet, relieved now and then by the crack of a sharpshooter's rifle, settled down upon the scene. The men moved around in rear of the breastworks indulging in conversation, and speculating upon the chances for a renewal of the battle. About one o'clock we were startled by the opening of a terrible ar- tillery fire from the Confederate position on Seminary Ridge, on the centre of our line of battle. The enemy brought into this action a hundred and twenty guns, to which Meade could only respond with eighty, owing to the nature of the ground. When this duel between the artillery of both sides opened, each man instinctively grasped his gun and hugged the breastworks close. Men looked at each other in dismay, wondering how long this terrific firing would be kept up, and though but few shells dropped in our vicinity, the whirring and screeching of the deadly missiles, as they flew through the air, created a deep feeling of anxiety. As the firing increased in volume the feeling of insecurity grew more intense; but as we were powerless to prevent it, and it seemed as if the en- emy intended to deluge us with all the old iron they could spare. we philosophically awaited the denouement, satisfied that it would not be long before the small arms had a chance to be heard. After two hours of the severest ar- tillery firing we had ever been subjected to, the tumult gradually subsided, and was followed by the most desper- ate fighting of the war. Picked men from the Confederate army were massed for a charge on Cemetery Ridge, and they marched to the conflict in splendid order. The attack- ing force numbered 18,000 men, but they were engaged in a forlorn hope, indeed. The charge was made by Pickett's Division of Longstreet's Corps, veteran Virginians, and Pettigrew's Division, mostly North Carolina troops. When the attacking column was ready they marched down the
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slope and across the plain in perfect order, presenting a most imposing spectacle. All the Federal batteries opened upon them, ploughing great gaps in their ranks. The hostile line continued to advance within musketry range, when it met with a fierce and deadly volley from Stannard's Vermont Brigade, who opened upon the flank. On the advancing column came until it encountered the Divisions of Hays and Gibbon of the Second Corps, which opened a destructive fire upon the line. Pettigrew's troops. who formed the left of the attacking column broke in dis- order, leaving 2,000 prisoners and 15 colors in the hands of Hays's Division. Pickett's Division, now left alone. rushed boldly up the crest of Cemetery Ridge, and thrust itself inside of Hancock's line. The troops fell back and formed on the remainder of the Brigade to which they be- longed. The Confederates rushed over the stone wall and planted their colors upon it. A new line composed of various regiments of Union troops at once moved into position. and Pickett's Division found themselves in a des- perate strait. There was no chance of escape. They flung themselves on the ground to avoid the hot fire and threw up their hands in token of surrender, while the remnant sought safety in flight. Twenty-five hundred prisoners and twelve battle-flags were captured at this point. Of the brigade commanders of Pickett's Division, Garnett was killed, Armistead fell mortally wounded, and Kemper was severely hurt. Not a single field officer escaped unhurt. while of its rank and file. three-fourths were dead or cap- tured.
While this desperate conflict was being waged the enemy in our front remained quiet. There seemed to be a general disposition on both sides to await the result of the engage- ment then going on. Small fires were built behind our breastworks and we proceeded to cook coffee, as all of us were in need of something to eat. When night fell upon the scene, there was a deathly stillness along the line. The enemy had met with disastrous defeat at every
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point, yet there was a feeling that the next day, July 4th. would witness a still more desperate engagement. Pickets were sent out and when morning dawned it was found the enemy had disappeared from our front. The Brigade was ordered to the support of Kilpatrick's cavalry, who were to reconnoitre the enemy's position. We passed over a large portion of the battle-field and witnessed the dreadful carnage of the preceding day's fight. The enemy's dead were strewn thickly through the woods in front of our Corps, but we had learned to look upon such scenes with- out exhibiting any of the emotions which came over us at Antietam. Scores of dead bodies lay close up against the breast-works, and it was with difficulty we passed over this spot without treading upon the bodies of the slain. We passed a North Carolina Battery, every horse of which had been killed, and judging from the dead around it. almost . every man belonging to it must have met the same fate. Our reconnoissance developed the fact that Lee had. indeed. re- treated. We rejoined the Corps and moved towards Lit- tlestown, near which place we remained until daylight of the 6th of July.
The Thirteenth suffered very little, as it did not become engaged with the enemy at close quarters. The casualties were all from the firing of sharpshooters. and amounted to one killed and twenty wounded, as follows :
Co. A- Wounded-Edward S. Smith. Co. B- Wounded-Thomas Ferris.
Co. C- Wounded-Capt. D. A. Ryerson. Alexander Barnes, James Winter, James Parliament (died July 27th). William Remington.
Co. D- Wounded-James P. Howatt.
Co. E- Worded -- Corporal Thomas H. Williams (leg amputated). John Van Winkle.
Co. F- Wounded-Cornelius Clark.
Co. G-Killed-Henry Damig. Wounded-Capt. John H. Arey, Corporal Cyrus Williams, John Welsch. drummer.
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Co. H- Wounded-David Latourette.
Co. I- Wounded-Lieutenant Charles W. Johnson (acting Adjutant), Aaron Chamberlain, S. P. Brown, Valen- tin e Holler.
Co. K-Wounded-Archibald Brown.
Assistant-Surgeon Freeman of the Thirteenth Regiment, was placed in charge of the Twelfth Corps Field Hospital. and remained at Gettysburg while the Regiment partici- pated in the pursuit of Lee.
The Federal loss at Gettysburg was 23,190, of whom 2,834 were killed, 13.733 wounded, and 6,643 missing. The Confederate loss amounted to about 36,000 of whom nearly 14.000, wounded and unwounded. remained as pris- oners. The entire loss of the Confederates from the time when they started upon the invasion to the close of July when they returned to their starting point, was fully 60,000.
CHAPTER IX.
The Pursuit of Lee-A Long March-In Battle Array at Williamsport, Md .- The Retreat of the Enemy into Virginia-The March to Kelly's Ford.
T the morning of the 6th of July was rainy and disagree- able. Orders had been received to move at daylight, and soon the whole column was in motion. Those who may imagine that the march of an army is simply a parade of troops on a large scale; that bands of music with a Drum Major, in gaudy uniform. precedes each Reg- mment or Brigade : that the soldiers carry their muskets to a " shoulder arms," or "right shoulder shift," as they have witnessed militia regiments on parade at home ; that each Regiment marches company front. every man keeping per- fect step. thereby inspiring the lookers-on with admiration -will. perhaps, be astonished to know that their imagina- tions are at fault. The first announcement of marching orders is communicated by the Sergeant-Major to the Or- derly-Sergeants of the different companies, who notify the men. Tents are at once struck. and rolled up with rubber or woolen blankets into a long roll. Equipments. haver- sacks and canteens are all placed together, and until the assembly call is beat, the men lounge around. smoking. playing cards or indulging in some innocent pastime. At the sound of the drum equipments are donned, the men stand up in front of the stacks of muskets to the position of "Attention." and at the command "Take Arms!" the
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stacks are broken. The command "Shoulder Arms!" is next given, each piece being raised to the right side, and then at the command "Right Face" the column forms in four ranks-four men abreast-when (sometimes the command "Forward" is given, frequently not) the Regiment moves out to the road taking its assigned position in line for the dav, either first, second. third, or last, as may be. So far the strict military form has been observed, but as soon as the column starts upon the road, guns are slung across the shoulder and carried muzzle down. some are at a "right shoulder shift," others carried across the left shoulder, while some of the men find relief by loosening the strap of the gun and throwing it across their bodies diagonally to the roll composed of a piece of tent and a blanket. which is carried by being worn over the right or left shoulder and brought across the breast under the arm on the opposite side. Some of the men have knapsacks strapped to their backs. but by far the greater number are without that bulky and superserviceable structure. Thus the appearance of a column of troops on the march is far from imposing, as compared with a finely uniformed and gaily equipped body of militia on parade. and is in direct contrast to the preconceived ideas of those who have never witnessed a sight of this kind. Each Regiment changes position in line daily, and each Brigade of a Division is also assigned a new place in the line on every march, so that during a campaign all have an equal chance to share in the honors attached to " the right of the line." A Division generally march- es in unbroken column.
The infantry always marches ahead followed by the artillery, after which comes the ambulance corps, and lastly the wagon train. The troops on the right of the line have the best time of it. particularly on a long march. such as the one I am about to describe proved to be. By the time the head of the col- umn had marched four or five miles, and turned into a field on the road, stacked arms, and were enjoying a brief
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rest, the troops in the rear were rushing on to close up the wide gaps between the several commands. Generals and Colonels, the innocent cause of all this confusion in the rear, were being roundly abused for their "heartlessness." but still the men move along, grumbling, swearing and mad. The last regiment finally enters the field just in time to see the head of the column moving out. and the men at once throw themselves on the ground to obtain a little rest at all events. This was the way we proceeded on that march of thirty-two miles from Littlestown, Pa., to Fred- erick City, Md., on the 6th of July, 1863. There was in- cessant straggling. The rain came down in torrents during the day, but the line of march was over a good turn- pike road most of the time, so that no delay was occasioned. Gen. Patrick had charge of the Provost Guard, which brought up the rear of the army, and his cavalry were kept constantly busy scouring the woods for stragglers. It was about eight o'clock at night when we neared Frederick City, and though fatigued by the long and rapid marching, every man was infused with new life as the Brigade Band struck up a lively air when we entered the grounds selected for our resting place.
Our third and last march through Frederick was made the following day, July 7th. The Seventh New York Reg- iment was quartered in the city at the time, and did picket duty on the outskirts. As we marched through the main street of the city Major Grimes and Adjutant Thomas B. Smith, both of whom had been wounded at Chancellors- ville. rejoined the Regiment. We then proceeded by way of Middletown to Crampton's Gap, and then marching through Boonesborough and Rohrersville, came up to the enemy at Williamsport on the 12th of July. Lee had been at this place six days before our advance came up with his troops. He had selected a strong position and fortified it. Had it not been for the excessive rains which had swollen the river so that the ford at Williamsport had become im- passable, Lee could have crossed into Virginia uninter-
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rupted. He was obliged to make a stand and defend him- self as best he could.
Our Brigade was drawn up in line of battle on Monday morning, July 13th, across an open field extending both sides of the road, in full view of the enemy. The Thir- teenth was stationed on the left of the road. In front. about two hundred yards a picket line was established. and beyond about three hundred yards could be seen the breast- works thrown up by the enemy. We were in position for an immediate advance, and each man was busily engaged discounting his chances for escape from almost certain death, should the order be issued. Our anxiety was re- lieved by the announcement. that after a consultation with his corps commanders. General Meade had decided not to advance that day. Early the next morning. how- ever, the skirmish line advanced and found the enemy's works empty. Lee had succeeded in building a bridge across the river. by the aid of which and the ford at Wil- liamsport-the river having fallen to its normal condition- his whole army was enabled to cross into Virginia with the loss only of a few men. part of his rear guard, who were captured by our advance.
Further pursuit in that direction being useless we coun- ter-marched towards Boonesborough, halting near there for the night. On the 15th, we continued our march and after passing through the town saw the dead body of a man hanging from the limb of a tree. We learned that his name was Richardson, a pedler of stationary and small notions generally, and he was an almost daily visitor to our camp on Maryland Heights and at Sharpsburg nearly a year previous. He had been captured by Bu- ford's cavalry, and on suspicion of being a spy was tried by drum-head court martial, found guilty and hung. It was reported that in a valise found with him, which was. supposed to contain his small stock in trade, a very elabor -- ate plan of the fortifications of Baltimore and an estimate. of the strength of the garrison there, was discovered.
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The country through which we were now passing possessed a special interest to us. During the day we came to the little Dunker Church, where, the September previous, the Regiment participated in its first battle. Passing through Sharpsburg we halted in that vicinity for the night.
Thursday, July 16, we had a severe march making the whole distance from Sharpsburg to Sandy Hook. We passed over Maryland Heights, and went through our old camp ground there, of blessed (?) memory. The old log guard house still remained and many familiar objects greeted our eyes. The Regiment remained at Sandy Hook a few days giving the men time to wash and repair clothing, send in requisitions for new articles of wear- ing apparel, and get rested and refreshed after their long march. On Friday the 17th, Chaplain Beck resigned and went home. He had been a faithful officer and was high- ly esteemed by his fellow officers and the men of the Regi- ment. He was compelled to resign because of failing health.
Orders to move were received on Sunday morning the 19th, and we moved down to the river crossing over to Harper's Ferry on a pontoon bridge. This famous town presented a pitiable sight, and as the Regiment passed through it, the boys involuntarily struck up that old cam- paign song :
" John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave. His soul is marching on."
Whatever may be said of the words of this song, the tune certainly was one of the most popular of the war, and the first word or two had scarcely been uttered before it was caught up from man to man, and the grand old " Glory Hallelujah" chorus resounded through the town, awaking echoes among the surrounding hills and forests which only a few short years before was the scene of that
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tragic event whereby old "Ossawattomie" Brown forfeited his life. There was another "John Brown " song that used to be sung a good deal in the army, which ran this way :
"Oh, John Brown, don't you see, 'Twill never do, For you to try, To set the darkies free.
CHORUS-" For if you do, the people Will come from all around, They'll take you down And hang you up in old Charlestown."
The other corps comprising the Army of the Potomac had crossed the river at Harper's Ferry and Berlin ahead of us, on the 17th and 18th of July. Lee had taken the route westward of the Blue Ridge down the Shenandoah Valley, while our line of march was along the easterly side of the mountain down the Loudon Valley. We were thus marching in parallel lines with only the mountain separating us. Beyond Harper's Ferry, the country pre- sented very much the same appearance as it did a year be- fore. Fences were obliterated, houses were torn down. only the chimnies remaining, and everywhere the ravages of war were visible. At night we encamped near Hillsboro and a great improvement in the country was noticeable. The next day we struck apparently a new country. The ground was under a high state of cultivation, corn and wheat being the principal crops. Live stock was abundant. Horses, cattle and sheep were confiscated on sight. Houses were ransacked and the army was transformed into an avenging Nemesis. Farmers protested against the whole- sale confiscation of their stock in vain, being rather curtly informed that guarding their property while their sons were fighting us. was played out since Lee's raid into Pennsylvania. We struck the Leesburg Pike during the day and marched as far as Snicker's Gap, where the com- mand encamped. A halt was made here for a couple of
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days while reconnoissances were being made by the cavalry. On the morning of the twenty-third we started off on the road again passing through Upperville, and continuing our march to Paris Gap, where a brief halt was made. At night we reached Manassas Gap where we went into camp. The next day, Friday the 24th, we had a long, tedious and disagreeable march halting for the night at a small place called Salem. While here details were sent home from all the regiments in the Corps on recruiting service. Captain Robert Bumstead, Co. B, Lieutenant E. D. Pierson, Co. E. Lieutenant William H. Miller Co. A, Sergeant Edward Warren, Co. B, Corporal Wm. H. Dodd. Co. D, Privates James Cadmus Co. F, and Joseph Sloane of Co. G, being selected from the Thirteenth Regiment for that duty. On Saturday the 25th the Regiment passed through Thorough- fare Gap and marched to what had been, Haymarket. There was little of the place left, the only evidence that a town had been established there being the remains of the chimnies which stood up gaunt and spectre like- mute witnesses of war's destructive hand. We encamped at this place for the night. being welcomed by a very severe rain storm which flooded the camp. On Sunday, the 25th, we left Haymarket and soon struck the railroad along which we marched to Catlett's Station, going into camp near the bridge over Cedar Run. The Regiment remained at this place until Friday the 31st of July when marching orders were again received, and after passing through Warrenton. Junction marched about fifteen miles to Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock River, arriving there about eleven o'clock at night. and going into camp on the south side of the river. We remained here the next day wit- nessing an engagement between the cavalry forces of both sides, and at night were ordered under arms in anticipation of a forward movement as we had at last struck the enemy's lines. On the second of August, however, we were ordered to the north bank of the river, the pontoon bridge was taken up, and we went into camp.
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General Meade's plan after he had crossed into Virginia was to strike Lee's army on its march through the Shen- andoah Valley by some one of the several gaps in the Blue Ridge. On the 22d of July. when the advance of the Federal army had reached Manassas Gap, Gen. Meade learned that the enemy were marching right opposite to him. Gen. French pushed his corps through the gap, meeting with slight opposition, and found the Confederates at Front Royal, in strong line of battle. Meade at once made preparations for a fight the next day, but in . the morning Lee had vanished. The seemingly strong line of battle was but a rear guard; the main army had been all the time swiftly marching by roads further west. Lee did not halt until he reached Culpepper, the goal of the retreat. the place where six weeks before he had reviewed the great army with which he started forth to invade the North. Meade at once moved his army leisurely to the Rappahannock.
While we were marching through Virginia in pursuit of Lee, the news reached the army of the terrible riots in New York, which were organized to intimidate the officers of the government who were conducting the draft ordered by Congress. The feeling throughout the army was strongly against the rioters, and news from New York was more eagerly sought after and was of more interest to the troops really than the whereabouts of Lee. The outbreak of Monday July 13th was well timed by the mob. There were no troops in the city. except a small force of the Invalid Corps-the militia being in Pennsylvania, whither it had gone during Lee's invasion. The police were in- adequate to suppress the tumult, and the rioters had every- thing their own way, burning houses and killing people without regard to age or sex. The burning of the colored orphan asyhun and the hanging of colored men to the lamp-posts of the city showed to what extremities the rioters were willing to go. The riot continued for four days, and during that time 1000 of the rioters were killed
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