USA > New York > A brief history of the Twenty-Eighth Regiment New York State Volunteers, First Brigade, First Division, Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac, from the author's diary and official reports. With the muster-roll of the regiment, and many pictures, articles and letters > Part 5
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After crossing the river, May 26th, it was found that the loss sustained by the regiment was but sixty-two captured, instead of seventy-nine, as first reported by Colonel Brown. The others crossed the river at different points, and arrived in camp during the day. This loss by companies was as follows : Company A three, B four, C eleven, D nine, E four, F six, G. ten, H four, I four, K seven ; total sixty-two. Some of these were wounded, and all were taken prisoners. After a four months' experience in Libby Prison or Belle Isle, at Richmond, Va., they were all exchanged, rejoining the regi- ment in October.
The men lost their knapsacks, contain- ing all their clothing, and many officers also lost a portion of their baggage. That there was no loss of life was a cause for thankfulness.
General Banks' first report of the retreat to the President was as follows :
WILLIAMSPORT, May 26, 1862, 4 P. M.
I have the honor to report the safe arrival of command at this place last evening at 10 o'clock, and the passage of the Fifth Corps across the river to-day with comparatively but little loss. The loss of men killed, wounded and missing in the dif- ferent combats in which my command has partici- pated since the march from Strasburg on the morning of the 24th inst. I am unable to report, but I have great gratification in being able to represent it, although serious, as much less than might have been anticipated, considering the very great disparity of forces engaged and the long- matured plans of the enemy, which aimed at nothing less than entire capture of our force. A detailed statement will be forwarded as soon as
1
33
BACK TO WINCHESTER-FRONT ROYAL.
possible. My command encountered the enemy in a constant succession of attacks and at well-contested engagements at Strasburg, Middletown, Newton, at a point also between these places and at Winches- ter. The force of the enemy was estimated at from 15,000 to 20.000 men, with very strong artil- lery and cavalry supports. My own force consisted of two brigades, less than 4.oco strong, all told, 1,500 cavalry, ten Parrott guns and six smooth- bores. The substantial preservation of the entire supply is a source of gratification. It numbered about 500 wagons on a forced march of 53 miles, 35 of which were performed in one day. subject to constant attack in front, rear and flank, according
to its position, by enemy in full force. By the panics of teamsters and the mischances of river passage of more than 300 yards with slender prep- arations for ford and ferry, it lost not more than 50 wagons. A full statement of this loss will be forwarded forthwith. Very great commendation is due to Captain S. B. Holabird, assistant quarter- master, and Captain E. G. Beckwith for the safety of the train. Our troops are in good spirits and occupy both sides of the river.
N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.
The President.
CHAPTER VI.
AGAIN IN THE VALLEY-CULPEPER.
JUNE 2D TO AUGUST 7TH, 1862.
N
ECESSARY clothing was soon furnished, and with- in a week the regiment again crossed the Poto- mac for another advance up the Shenandoah Valley. This was the third and last crossing at Williamsport into Virginia. This time, as in March, the crossing was made by ferry. The march the first day, June 2d, was to Martinsburg, led by the Twenty- eighth New York, the second day on through Winchester, where the command went into camp, about two miles south of the city. On this return a very bitter feel- ing was shown between the soldiers and the inhabitants of Winchester. Reports were general that many citizens had fired shots at the men on the retreat, and this was believed to be the case. The com- manding officers, fearing that encounters would result, placed guards all along the route through the city, to prevent the men from leaving the ranks.
The sick and convalescents left in the hospital had been paroled by the Confed- erates, and were very glad to see the Stars and Stripes again. They crowded to the doors and windows, waving and shouting their welcome as the regiments marched through the city.
The division remained in camp near Win- chester several days. The Tenth Maine, a splendid regiment, was now brigaded with the Twenty-eighth. The men were always good comrades, and the two regiments be- came very neighborly. Both were mustered
out of service on the expiration of their time, about one year later. Many of the recruits of the Twenty-eighth, subsequently joined the Tenth Maine Battalion.
June 9th the army marched to Front Royal. Here, on all sides, were the evi- dences of the recent severe engagement of Colonel Kenly's forces, and these showed he must have made a good resistance before he was overpowered.
On the roth, camp was changed nearer the river, to one of the most lovely spots ever occupied by the Twenty-eighth. It is remembered for the beauty of its loca- tion. Front Royal is charmingly situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The scenery here is unsurpassed, and while the regiment remained the weather was most delightful.
Belle Boyd, who later obtained such notoriety as a spy, resided at Front Royal. Many officers made her acquaintance. How many of them, unwittingly, gave her, in exchange for her sweet smiles and brilliant wit, valuable information of Federal move- ments and numbers, to be at once sent into the Confederate lines, will never be known.
June 29th, the brigade left camp at Front Royal, passing through Chester Gap, on a reconnaissance to Luray, and returned the next day, having marched over twenty miles. This movement into the Luray Valley, the same as the one on May 9th from New Market, was unproductive of results, except in the wear on the muscles, soles and patience of the men. It was another "Jackson scare," and, as usual, he was not found where he was expected.
34
TWENTY. EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
July 6th the regiment took its last look at the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the scene of operations for so long a time ; the Twen- ty-eighth having entered it just a year be- fore. The river was crossed by a rope ferry, and the men marched over the Blue Ridge Mountains, through Chester Gap to Amis- ville, where they encamped in an orchard, and remained several days. On the 11th, General Banks' forces moved on and went into camp three miles from Warrenton, join- ing General Pope's army, which was en- camped near this place. On the 14th of July the First Brigade marched toward Culpep- er, fording the Hedgeman River, which was nearly waist deep. The second day the men passed through Sperryville and Woodville, reaching Culpeper Court House on the 16th of July, and camping near the town.
The citizens were very outspoken in their hatred of the Northern army and in exhibiting their Southern sympathies. Women went out of their way to cast in- dignities on the soldiers. One, standing prominently on a veranda, glared at the moving column, uttering the single word "Scum," through her closed teeth. To the credit of the regiment it can be said her derision received no response.
On the 17th the brigade left Culpeper as support to General Hatch's cavalry, which was making an armed reconnois- sance to Madison Court House. This force returned on the 21st, having marched over seventy miles through mountainous and unfrequented routes, encountering rainy weather nearly all the time. The regiments returned to Culpeper and occupied the same camp ground left a few days previous ; and here they remained about two weeks.
A large field of corn was adjoining this camp. The men found that the ears of the corn were in fine condition to be used for roasting, and were not slow in appropriat- ing some for their suppers, as the supply train with the rations had not arrived. The owner at once paid a visit to Colonel Donnelly, remonstrating at the action of the men. The interview was long and inter- esting ; the guard at the headquarters tent, who overheard the conversation, reports only the final words of the colonel to the Loyal Virginian, which were as follows :-
" If, as you say, you are a Union man, you ought to be willing to give a few ears of corn to half-starved soldiers, fighting to preserve the ('nion ; and if, as I sus- pect, you are a rebel, you deserve to lose your entire crop."
The members of the Twenty-eighth look back to this camp with sad thoughts as the last one occupied as a full regiment. Here they were, strong in numbers, in vigor and in confidence, veterans that had seen service. The Twenty-eighth was soon to be left but the skeleton of the organization as it existed at this time.
General S. W. Crawford now commanded the brigade, consisting of the same tried and true regiments which had served in the Valley campaign. These were the Fifth Connecticut, Forty-sixth Pennsyl- vania, the Tenth Maine, but lately assigned, and the Twenty-eighth New York. These formed the First Brigade of the First Division. The best feeling always existed among these four regiments. It is seldom the experience of soldiers of different organizations to become so intimate and friendly as did this brigade on all occasions.
General Williams, the old brigade leader, now commanded the division. The corps was commanded, as heretofore, by General Banks, and designated the Second Corps, Army of Virginia. This was changed within a month to the Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac, which number it re- tained until the fall of 1863, when the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were consoli- dated and numbered the Twentieth ; much to the regret and indignation of the men of the old Twelfth, who felt they had inade a name and record of which any corps could be proud. And they have never for- given the cruel order that took from them the number they loved so well and had made illustrious in the record of the War.
The army was now in command of a new general, who had come from the West with great promise. All sincerely hoped he would be successful. General Pope had been singularly unfortunate, however, in his introduction to the soldiers on taking command. The bombastic tone of his general orders, beginning with "Head- quarters in the Saddle," had not been re- ceived with favor. He had said that he "desired the troops to dismiss from their minds certain phrases much in vogue ;" under his leadership " only the backs of the enemy should be seen ;" his "policy should be one of attack, and not of de- fense ;" "all ideas of lines of retreat and bases of supplies must be discarded," and others of a like character. These soon be- came the jest of the soldiers, and were con- sidered unjust and cruel reflections on the conduct of previous commanders.
35
THE MARCH FROM CULPEPER, TO CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
*
CHAPTER VII.
1757828
THE BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
AUGUST 9TH, IS62.
HE large .Army of Virginia was organized by the union of the forces of McDowell, Sigel and Banks, and placed under the command of General Pope. This proved such a menace to the enemy that Gen- eral Jackson, with Ewell's, Winder's and A P. Hill's divisions, started from Gordonsville on August 7th, hoping to strike General Banks' corps, which was apart from the main force, at Culpeper before he could be reinforced from General Pope's army at Warrenton.
General Bayard's cavalry had a collision with the enemy August Sth at Orange Court House, and the First Brigade was suddenly called from the camp ground near Culpeper to support them. The men were full of enthusiasm, never in better spirits or condition. Conscious of their strength, they proudly started out, ex- pectant and ready to meet the enemy. General Strother (Porte Crayon), an officer on General Banks' staff, has written the fol- lowing as to their appearance at this time: "As we entered Culpeper, Crawford's brigade was moving to the front, with drums beating and colors flying. It was the most inspiriting sight I ever beheld. There were four regiments of infantry and two batteries. The regiments were the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, Fifth Connecti- cut, Tenth Maine and Twenty-eighth New York, with Roemer's and Knapp's bat- teries."
.
The day was extremely hot and the march a very hard one. Many cases of sunstroke occurred. The regiment moved to the vicinity of Cedar Mountain, where they went into bivouac for the night.
The Confederates call this the battle of Cedar Run, instead of Cedar Mountain, from the small stream of that name near which the engagement took place. The mountain itself is nearly a mile distant, and was occupied only by the artillery of the Confederate army. From its com- manding site a destructive fire was thrown
into the Union lines. Here, also, General Jackson saw the entire movements of both armies.
It is also known as Slaughter's Mountain, the name of a prominent minister. Rev. Philip Slaughter, whose farm extended far up its side.
The advance of the enemy's cavalry had been encountered beyond Cedar Mountain and held in check by Bayard's Cavalry Division, which had moved back to this place and now reported the enemy ap- proaching in force.
Orders were received from General Banks to hold the position until the ar- rival of the remainder of the corps. The entire force of the enemy was not yet on the field, and no attack was made during the night.
The morning of August 9th proved to be as hot as the preceding one had been. The artillery opened with occa- sional shots, while both armies were com- ing on the field and getting into position. Generals Banks and Williams arrived dur- ing the morning with the entire corps. The First Brigade was ordered to the right of the Culpeper road, in a piece of woods, facing a cleared wheat field, in which the grain was standing in shocks. Across this field was another skirt of woods, near which batteries of the enemy were posted. These kept up a scattering fire during the day.
For several hours the action was be- tween the artillery, with occasional skir- mishing. The sounds of occasional mus- ketry and the batteries on the mountain, firing grape and canister, were heard by the regiments lying in position behind the rail fence in the edge of the woods waiting the order to advance.
The enemy could be seen in the oppo- site woods across the field in the front by those who went forward to reconnoiter, and great anxiety was manifested to cap- ture the battery that was constantly firing from a position near these woods. This fire was directed to the forces of the Second Division on the left. At this time a council was held in the woods by
36
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y S. VOLUNTEERS.
Generals Williams and Crawford, at which the commanding officers of the regiments in the First Brigade were present. At this meeting Colonel Knipe of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania was very anxious to charge on the battery previously referred to, insisting that it could be easily captured.
This action was opposed by some officers as a very unwise movement until the enemy's forces were more fully ascer- tained, but it was finally decided to be done, by the commanding general.
THE BATTLEFIELD OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN. August 9, 1862.
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And, as the result of this decision, at about five o'clock General Crawford was ordered to advance. He formed the Fifth Connecticut, Twenty-eighth New York and Forty-sixth Pennsylvania in line of battle and, unfortunately, left the strongest regi- " See Otheral Report, page 44.
ment, the Tenth Maine, in reserve in the woods.
Preparatory to the movement he sent a staff officer for a section of artillery to shell the woods in the front, where the enemy was known to be in force.
Before the officer could return General Banks ordered the movement to be made at once, and, following the colors of the regi ment, borne by Sergeant Lewis of Com- pany D, the men, throwing down the fence or leaping over it, with loud cheers, started across the open field, with fixed bayonets, at double quick, on that mem- orable charge, that has no superior for rood valor, and but few equals in the losses sustained in propor- tion to the numbers engaged of any bat- tle of the War .*
The entire line was instantly met Best. with a murderous fire from the front, and also from the right flank, where Knapp Ramier six companies of the Third Wisconsin had been ordered in after the First Brig- ade had started, but had met with such re- sistance from the en- emy and the nature of the ground that they could not keep pace with the ad- vancing regiments. They encountered INDC. the Stonewall Brig- ade, consisting of the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Virginia regiments, which was moving forward. This hand- ful could not with- stand the force of these overwhelming numbers, and after a brave resistance broke and retired to the rear. Their losses were very heavy, Lieutenant-Colonel Crane, the commanding officer, was killed and more than one fourth of their number was either killed or wounded. This left
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37
THE BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
the right flank of the First Brigade entirely unprotected, as the Third Brigade (General Gordon's) on the right had not advanced with the first ; greatly to the surprise of General Crawford, who had expected it to move forward with him in the charge. The Confederates poured into the ranks their deadly fire, but the Twenty-eighth New York, with the Fifth Connecticut and Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, pressed on to the woods, and met the enemy in force, consisting of Campbell's Brigade of the Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Forty- eighth Virginia regiments, the First Vir- ginia Battalion, Taliaferro's Brigade of the Tenth, Twenty-third and Thirty-seventh Virginia, and the Forty-seventh and Forty- eighth Alabama regiments.
.
1
Here occurred a most desperate hand to hand conflict. The Confederates could not withstand the onslaught, and they and their batteries were entirely routed and driven back on the reserves. The day seemed lost to the South. Jackson per- sonally hastened to the front " amidst this fire of hell," as it has been called by a Southern writer.
The situation at this juncture, described by Confederate historians, was a desperate one. They freely admit that the brigades of Taliaferro, Campbell and part of Early's line were driven back in confusion, their left turned, the artillery and the rear of their position entirely exposed.
General Jackson, in his official report, designates this charge of the First Brigade as "the main body of the Federal infan- try," and states, "they moved down from the wood through the corn and wheat fields, and fell with great vigor upon our extreme left, and by the force of superior numbers, bearing down all opposition, turned it and poured a destructive fire into its rear. Campbell's Brigade fell back in disorder. The enemy pushing forward, and the left flank of Taliaferro's brigade being by these movements exposed to a ilank fire, fell back, as did also the left of Early's line, the remainder of his com- mand holding its position with great firmness. During the advance of the enemy, the rear of the guns of Jackson's division becoming exposed they were with- drawn."
Had the three regiments been properly supported, the result of the battle of Cedar Mountain would have proved a Union victory. In vain do they look for rein- forcements. Starting with about 1,200
;men, they had wasted themselves in their super-human effort. Assailed by two fresh brigades in front, flank and rear, the men were compelled to cut their way back across the field over which they had ad- vanced.
Colonel Donnelly was mortally wounded before he reached the woods, and was taken from the field by his orderly support- ing him on his horse. Colonel Brown had his left arm shattered and was taken pris- oner. While being conducted to the rear, a wounded man of the Fifth Connecticut lying on the field was brutally ordered by the soldier who had the colonel in charge to go with them. This he was unable to do as he was wounded in both legs; the Confederate proceeded with his prisoner, when suddenly the colonel heard the sound of a bullet close to his head and his captor fell at his feet, having been shot by the wounded man just left. The colonel started at once to recross the field, but, weak from the loss of blood, he would have been unable to reach the lines had not Colonel Andrews of the Second Massa- chusetts, which was drawn up in line, sent a corporal from his regiment to assist him. Colonel Brown was removed to the field hospital for the night, and the next day sent to Culpeper, where his arm was am- putated.
Major Cook was taken prisoner. Ad- jutant Sprout was killed, his body being found in advance of the farthest point reached by any of the men, surrounded by several Confederates, who had, undoubt- edly, fallen by his hand.
Of the eighteen officers of the Twenty- eighth, who started to cross that bloody field, seventeen were either killed, wounded or captured. Of the three hundred and thirty-nine enlisted men, who went into the action the loss was one hundred and ninety-six ; more than half the number engaged.
The Tenth Maine and Third Brigade was now advanced, only to share the same fate. The remnants of the divi- sion retired to their original positions, until ordered from the field with the corps, which movement was made after dark.
The action on the left by Augur's division had been a desperate battle, but overpowered by numbers, it had been withdrawn, and the entire army fell back, leaving the field covered with the dead. The enemy followed cautiously and
38
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
maintained a fearful cannonading during the night.
The result of the battle of Cedar Moun- tain was to both armies a costly sacrifice of human life. The enemy had possession of the battlefield, and have always claimed the victory. The forces under General Jackson, by the best authorities, were twenty-seven thousand men of all arms, of which twenty-five thousand were present in the action.
General Banks' forces, as officially stated, were six thousand two hundred and eighty-nine infantry, thirty guns and twelve hundred cavalry, aggregating less than eight thousand, or one-third the force of the enemy. The losses of General Banks' corps in this battle were two thou- sand two hundred and sixteen killed, wounded and missing, of which the First Brigade lost eight hundred and sixty- seven.
The loss of officers in the three regi- ments making the charge was seldom equaled in the history of the war. Every field officer was either killed, wounded or captured ; and all but seven of the line officers. "This loss speaks better than words of the heroism of the charge," wrote General Williams in his official re- port. The enemy acknowledged twelve hundred and seventy-six killed and wounded, and gave no report of the missing; hence, the generally accepted estimate that the losses of the Southern army were fully equal to those of the Union is un- doubtedly correct. Fox, in his " Regi- mental Losses of the War," writes : " The Battle of Cedar Mountain was fought by General Banks' corps alone and un- assisted, and the record shows that the two divisions did there some of the best fighting of the war."
.
Colonel Packer, of the Fifth Connecti- cut, says of the battle of Cedar Moun- tain :
"About 2 P. M. the regiment moved into position, and at 4 P. M. we commenced that fearful charge, which cost us so many lives, and maimed so many brave heroes for life. Pen and thought combined can- not do this subject justice. It was as if the men had deliberately walked into a fiery furnace, and I only wonder how any escaped from certain death upon that field."
The responsibility of throwing this little army corps, with no reserves at hand, against an enemy well posted, and of three
times its number, when an army of over twenty thousand men was within easy marching distance, is one that has always been in question. Cedar Mountain has been called " one of the greatest blunders, and one of the most wicked, useless, and unnecessary sacrifices of human life that the history of the war affords."
General Banks justifies the battle by the order received from General Pope, that he was to "attack the enemy as soon as he approaches, and be reinforced from Cul- peper." That he was not so reinforced, and that General Pope remained at Cul- peper during the day, until too late to render any assistance, is a matter of history. No doubt, neither of these gen- erals thought the enemy had so large a force on the field. General Pope had told General Banks that "there must be no backing out this day, and also that the policy was to be one of attack, and not de- fense."
He undoubtedly forced the battle on the impulse of this sting, instead of his better judgment. If he wished to show to the country that his division, which had re- treated in the Shenandoah Valley - by his order - would as readily obey an order to fight, he must have been greatly elated "For upon the order to attack they burst upon the foe with a valor so splendid and devoted, that criticism is silenced in ad- miration, and History will mark the day at Cedar Mountain as one of the proudest upon her illustrious record."
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