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 8
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Professor Lowe's balloon made daily ascensions from Bolivar Heights, and cre- ated much interest among the soldiers in the vicinity.
The other corps of the Army of the Po- tomac had entered Virginia. The Twelfth was left for a time to guard the upper Potomac. Major General Henry W. Slo- cum was assigned to the command of this
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49
MARCH TO FAIRFAX STATION AND STAFFORD COURT-HOUSE.
corps on the 15th of October, and assumed the duties on the 20th. By his kindness and consideration, he soon won the affec- tion of every organization in the corps. He was a distinguished general, and later in the war was one of General Sherman's most trusted officers. General Williams, who had been in command since the death of General Mansfield at Antietam, returned to the division to the great joy and satis- faction of the men.
While at this camp Lieutenant-Colonel Brown was promoted to colonel, Major Cook to lieutenant-colonel, and Captain FitzGerald of Company E to major.
The regiment daily sent details of men on the mountain above the camp to build fortifications. This, with drills and other duties, filled the time until December 10th, when the corps was called into Virginia to join the Grand Reserve Division of the Army of the Potomac.
With many regrets at leaving Pleasant Valley, and especially at leaving the com- fortable winter quarters there, the Twenty- eighth started on December roth, and for six days marched in the mud, rain and sleet, on what proved to be its last entry into Virginia.
Crossing first the Potomac, into Harper's Ferry, then the Shenandoah on pontoon bridges, up over Loudon Heights, and down on the east side, through Hillsbor- ough, Leesburg, Centerville, Fairfax Sta- tion, and Occoquan River, the regiment arrived at Dumfries December 16th.
The weather was cold and the march a disagreeable one, made doubly so, by the news of General Burnside's bloody repulse at Fredericksburg.
On the next day the command counter- marched to Fairfax Station. as the Con- federate cavalry, on a raid in this vicinity, threatened the depot of supplies there. Here the Twenty-eighth went into camp in the pine woods. The severity of the weather necessitated the building of log houses again. These had just been com- pleted, when, on December 28th, suddenly orders came to move, and leaving the camp in charge of a guard, the regiment, in light marching order, left for Dumfries.
The object of this march was to inter- cept the Confederate General Stuart in his rand around the Union army.
This proved unsuccessful, and on the :9th, the men, tired and disappointed, re- turned to their log houses in the pines, at Fairfax. During their absence, a scare
had caused the few sick and convalescent ones, left at the camp, to be ordered under arms, but the enemy's cavalry had moved several miles away, and they were not molested.
The Twenty-eighth remained at Fairfax about three weeks, during which time re- views were held before Generals Williams and Slocum.
While at this camp Colonel Brown came from Washington. The paymaster also arrived ; but before the regiment could be
Fairfax Station . Va.
paid the entire corps started for Stafford Court-House on January 19, 1863, march- ing ten miles the first day, and the second on to Dumfries. This place was left on the morning of the 21st, during a furious rain storm, that swelled the creeks to over- flowing. The command marched five miles to Choppowamsic Creek. This could not be forded, and a detail of men at once commenced a bridge, on which the troops could cross. Halting for the night, they moved on the next morning across the Aquia Creek to Stafford Court-House. The elements, on this march, conspired to prevent the progress of the army, and no soldier of the Twelfth Corps will ever for- get the mud march to Stafford.
This march occupied five days, amid rain and snow, which soaked clothing and blankets thoroughly. The men literally wallowed in the red mud, a sticky paste like glue, that covered their feet and clothes. They fastened their trousers about their ankles, wading on with their shoes firmly tied to their feet, to prevent them being lost in the mud.
With the wagons it was even worse than with the men. It was with great difficulty that ambulances, trains, or artillery could be moved at all. "For three days the rain poured. For three days the army floundered."
This was the Twelfth Corps' part in the " Mud Campaign," which has gone into
50
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
history by this name. General Burnside's army had a similar experience at Fal- mouth. . \ story is told, that, when return- ing to camp, a private in one regiment, who was standing knee-deep in the mud, while General Burnside rode by, saluted him very politely, and exclaimed : " Gen- eral, the auspicious moment has arrived !" which was the sentence the general had used in his address to the army, when
Mul ds Dumfries Va. 19:2,
ordering the movement. The ludicrous situation was so apparent that the general returned the salute and passed on.
The regiment arrived at Stafford Court- House, January 23d, and went into camp on very uneven ground, which was cov- ered with large pine trees. These were soon felled for use as fuel and in con- structing log houses, which were greatly needed, as the weather turned very cold, and snow fell to the depth of many inches. The Twenty-eighth, surrounded closely by other regiments of the First Brigade, occupied this camp for three months ; the longest time it ever remained in one place.
Stafford Court-House is situated on a desolate waste, and then consisted of a dozen dilapidated buildings and a small brick court house and jail. It was the county seat of Stafford County. The sur- rounding country, seen by the Twenty- eighth, was fully in keeping with it. The few farms were poorly cultivated, the land worn out. There were no good roads, and much of the country was covered with swamps and scrub pine trees.
Here the army prepared for the spring campaign. General Hooker succeeded General Burnside and was lovally received. The Army of the Potomac fought equally well under McClellan, Burnside, Hooker or Meade. It had been "all fought to pieces. but never whipped," and yielded prompt obedience to any general placed in com- mand. " It fought just as well after Freder- icksburg as before. There never was a day nor an hour, in victory or defeat, that it
would not fight to the best of its ability." This is attested by the fact that the losses of the Army of the Potomac during its his- tory, were two thirds of all the losses of the entire Union Army throughout the war.
Fredericksburg was but twelve miles distant, and many visited the place by passes. From the position on the high bank of the river, near the deserted Lacy mansion, whose terraced garden bristled with Union cannon, one could look down on the city across the river. It was still occupied by the Confederates, and all the surrounding heights, on some of which workmen were busily engaged fortifying, could be plainly seen. It was to these heights that so many Union heroes had been led, only to be slaughtered, in their vain attempt to carry them.
Under General Hooker's careful atten- tion the army was never better provisioned. Rations of fresh beef, soft bread, and vegetables, were issued for the first time in the experience of the Twenty-eighth.
General Crawford, having been wounded at Antietam, did not return. He was un- doubtedly a good general, but was never a popular one in the brigade.
Colonel Knipe of the Forty-sixth Penn- sylvania was promoted a Brigadier Gen- eral, and assumed command of the First Brigade. Colonel Donnelly, being the ranking Colonel, would have received this promotion had he lived.
The Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, Fifth Connecticut, Tenth Maine and Twenty- eighth New York, composing the First Brig- ade, here had the addition of a new regi- ment-the One Hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsylvania. This regiment was com- manded by Colonel Mathews, formerly major of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania.
Much sport was made of these new re- cruits by the men of the older regiments, asking them why they did not draw rations of butter, milk, etc. A "brigade snow ball" occurred one night. after dress- parade, when the veterans and recruits had a tussle, the old regiments uniting in a charge on the One Hundred and twen- ty-eighth Pennsylvania. This was stopped by the interference of officers, who saw that the men were getting too serious with their play.
General Knipe mounted a stump and tried to make a speech. to quiet the dis- turbance. He was compelled to beat a hasty retreat amid the shower of snow balls that assailed him from all sides.
51
REVIEW BEFORE PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
The excitement finally was quieted, and the men returned to their camps, carrying with them many evidences of the scrim- mage.
Details were made from the regiment to build corduroy roads, which consisted of small trees laid closely together for a foundation, and covered with brush and dırt.
During this work, rations of whiskey were daily issued to the men. In the regi- ment were several temperance advocates,
7
Ent your querias , get your
and actricequal too, and
struqunto, get your quaimaul astringent to, THE SICK CALL.
who insisted on drawing their gill a day and pouring it on the ground to prevent others having it. This caused much feel- ing : many thought the liquor "too good to be wasted."
The laurel shrub was very abundant near Stafford. The soldiers became very skillful.in carving pipes and other orna- ments from its roots. These, with speci- mens of petrified wood and shells found in the vicinity, were frequently sent home as mementoes.
The wood for use soon became so scarce that daily details were made from each company to cut and back it into camp, a distance of half a mile or more.
Regimental inspection was held weekly, and brigade and division reviews often. On March 19th, a review of the entire corps was held before General Hooker and staff .. April roth, it was repeated at Kanes Landing, on the Potomac River, before President Lincoln, General Hooker and other prominent officers. President Lincoln was accompanied by his wife and son. The day was a delightful one, and the troops were in line many hours before the President arrived.
The officers were in full dress, the arms and clothing of the men in excellent con- dition, and the marching was never better.
The President sat his horse awkwardly, and his tall figure seemed even taller by the stove-pipe hat he wore. His appear- ance was in striking contrast to the fine, soldierly bearing of General Hooker, at his side, who rode a beautiful white horse. "Fighting Joe " had but one rival in the army for fine appearance on horseback- this was Hancock -"The Superb."
As the President took position in front of the line the bands played " Hail to the Chief," the colors of all the regiments and batteries saluted, and the officers and men came to present arms.
During the firing of minute guns by the artillery the general and staff accompanied the President in riding down the front of the first line, which was in open order, and up the second, and so on until the entire corps of infantry, cavalry and artil- lery had been inspected.
President Lincoln, with General Hooker, then took position in the center, while the troops in column by companies marched in review before him ; the bands and drum corps playing, and the officers saluting as they passed. It was an imposing sight, and all felt that the Twelfth Corps would make a record that would be a credit to itself and to the country.
Four days after, marching orders came. Reserving only one blanket and one change of underclothing, all extra baggage was shipped to Washington for storage. Eight days' rations were to be carried - five in knapsack and three in haversack : each man was to carry sixty rounds of cartridges, the wagons one hundred more. Rain delayed the movement, and the date was changed to the 24th.
Though the Twenty-eighth was mus- tered in for two years, many rumors had been circulated that the men were to be held for a longer time. These reports, however, were effectually silenced by a general order, on April 21st, that all should be mustered out on the expiration of the term of their enlistment.
52
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
CHAPTER X.
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
MAY IST, 2D AND 3D, 1863.
:
PRIL 27th the Twenty- eighth started on its last campaign in good spirits, despite its small numbers. But four companies were in line. Company D, Captain Chaf- fee ; Company H, Captain Terry ; Company G, Lieu- tenant Kenyon ; Company E, Lieutenant Padelford. The other companies were on detached service as follows : A and C as Provost Guard, under Captain Skeels, the Division Pro- vost Marshal, and Companies B, F, I and K were guarding supply and ammunition trains under the command of Major Fitz- Gerald.
The first day's march was to Harwood Church, ten miles, encamping in the woods. April the 28th, twelve miles further, again encamping in the woods. On the 29th the regiment crossed the Rap- pahannock River on a pontoon bridge at Kelly's Ford, and the next day moved to the Rapidan River.
When the advance reached Germania Ford on this river, three companies of Con- federates were found constructing a bridge on the opposite side. These were sur- prised and captured. This incident was one of amusing interest. The Third Brig- ade was the advance guard of the corps.
The situation at this ford was very pecu- liar. The bluff on the north bank of the river commanded the opposite side, which arose to a steep hill, leaving the only escape by the road following close by the river. The regiments came on this bluff so suddenly that the unlucky Confeder- ates could not escape. They were hailed and ordered to surrender. The skilled marksmen of the Third Wisconsin picked off any who attempted to climb the hill in the rear.
A very few minutes were sufficient for the Confederates to see the hopelessness of escape, and they soon hung out the white flag as a token of surrender. They were ordered to come across the river.
Reluctantly they obeyed, and one by one, they answered the yells of the men to " get in there and come over," preferring the risk of a watery grave to certain death where they were. Altogether it was a very unique capture ; the men laughed at the antics of the Confederates in the water. But soon the First and Third brigades found, by personal experience, that it was no fun to ford the river. They were ordered across to hold the position on the opposite bank, while the pontoon bridge was being laid. The water was cold and deep, and the current very rapid, which made the fording a most difficult and dangerous one. The men, however, put their clothes and equipments on the end of their guns and waded, waist deep, across the rocky bed.
Though a force of cavalry was stationed below to rescue unfortunates who lost their footing, three of the Twelfth Corps men were drowned. The bridge was soon finished, on which the Second Division and Eleventh Corps, which was following, crossed. The men moved but a short dis- tance from the river and went into camp ; the Twenty-eighth regiment going on picket in advance of the army.
April 30th, the column marched to Chan- cellorsville, halting in the heavy woods in line of battle on the right of the road, the advance coming up with the enemy. The men of the Twenty-eighth bivouacked for the night in line where they lay, having built log works in their front. Trees were felled. piled on top of each other, the dirt was dug from the rear side and thrown over in front
On the morning of May ist, at II o'clock, the First Brigade was called to make an advance toward Fredericksburg. It passed General Hooker's headquarters at the Chancellor-house, and moved out some distance, where General Knipe, in comniand, formed the regiments in line of battle, in which position they advanced through the fields for nearly a mile, and halted in a piece of woods, beyond which a battery of the enemy was posted. The Twenty-eighth, consisting of companies D.
OPENING THE ACTION ON THE FIRST DAY.
53
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
E, G and H, was detailed to go through the woods as skirmishers, under command of Colonel Cook, to relieve two companies of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, and to engage the enemy.
The Confederates opened with the bat- tery on a rise of ground beyond the woods, and also from a line of skirmishers, who were driven to the farther edge of the woods. The four companies kept up a constant skirmish fire for more than an hour, seeking such protection as they could from behind trees as they advanced in line. The shells and grape from the battery passed over their heads, cutting off the tree tops, which fell all about them. The brigade was ordered to lie down, and General Knipe sought permission to cap- ture the battery. Instead he was ordered to fall back. Early in the action, private John H. Hogle, of Company E, received a ball in his head, killing him instantly. This proved to be the only death, although six men were wounded, four of whom were from Company D.
1
The loss of the enemy could not be as- Certained, as the brigade was ordered from the field, having accomplished all that was desired in uncovering the position of the enemy. The withdrawal was made in per- fect order. The Confederates closely fol- lowed the retiring brigade. The compa- nies brought off their wounded in blankets
across the fields until the ambulances could be reached in the rear. The Twenty-eighth resumed its position in the woods, behind the log works, and was not called into action again during the day. The men lay on their arms all night.
The morning of May zd dawned bright and beautiful. Heavy firing was heard from different parts of the field, coming through the almost impenetrable woods in which the regiment lay. Early in the afternoon the corps was called to move to the left, in line with the Third Corps, in an advance on the enemy. These two corps sustained the severest part of the battle of Chancellorsville. The line had moved but a short distance when the four companies of the Twenty-eighth New York were ordered back to the log works by General Williams, who from the kind- ness of his big heart, thought, in consid- eration of their past services and the fact that their term of enlistment had nearly expired, they were entitled to some immu- nities from hard service, and intended to give them the easiest position possible. He did not foresee that he was sending the majority of them to Libby Prison by this movement. It was the last order he ever gave Colonel Cook and these com- panies, and they take " the will for the deed," and remember the, dear old general with tender regard and love.
--
54
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
The men returned to their position be- hind the works, where Colonel Cook de- ployed the four companies, consisting of less than one hundred men, to cover the space previously occupied by the entire brigade. They heard the firing on their left and in their front more or less dis- tinctly during the day. No other troops were in sight. The Eleventh Corps was so far to the front that none of its forces could be seen from this position in the dense woods, which was on the extreme right of the line.
About 5 o'clock, suddenly in the front, was heard the sound of battle, and soon a scene, never to be forgotten, broke upon the view. A panic-stricken mob, fleeing in disorder and rout, thoroughly demoral- ized and wholly without organization, came tumbling down the road on the right.
This was the Eleventh Corps, occupying the entire right of the Union line, about a mile in advance of the position held by the men of the Twenty-eighth. Both the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps had been cautioned by General Hooker to look well to the right flank, as the enemy was mov- ing across the front in that direction. But, strangely enough, no precautions had been taken by the Eleventh Corps, and it was entirely surprised, and not pre- pared for this sudden attack.
These same troops before, and many times af er, ought bravely and well. As- sailed from a quarter that was unexpected, and even unpicketed, it is not surprising that they retreated in disorder. Any corps in the army would have fallen back under the same circumstances, but most corps would not have allowed themselves to be surprised in this manner.
Stonewall Jackson had made another of his famous flank movements, and this one, the most successful of all, proved to be his last, as he was here mortally wounded, and died eight days later. Chancellors- ville proved no exception to all previous engagements with the enemy. As usual in the history of the Twenty-eighth, Jack- son was in its front.
The regiment's duty was to hold the log works, and, if possible, to rally the re- treating forces. Colonel Cook ordered the companies to close upon the right, near the road. In vain did they halt the fleeing men, and, sometimes, at the point of the bayonet, force them to make a stand behind the log works. Many of- ficers of the Eleventh Corps assisted. :
General Carl Schurz, on horseback, ex- citedly fired his revolver in the air, crying, "Halt ! Halt !" This seemed but to add to the panic and confusion.
At the first appearance of the enemy in the front, the terrorized men again stampeded, and left the Twenty-eighth to hold the works alone. It is surprising that the panic did not take possession of the four companies also. No men from the Twenty-eighth retreated with the Eleventh Corps. The orders were to hold the works, and, if Colonel Cook erred at all. it was in holding them too long.
The Confederates, undoubtedly, had observed that the log works were not manned except on the extreme right, where the companies were posted, and evidently saw that this position could easily be taken by getting in the rear and cut- ting off the escape of the men.
Darkness was now coming on, and as no troops were on the right, the enemy was enabled to swing around in the rear, and, before its presence was observed, the few men of the Twenty-eighth were surrounded by the Fifth Alabama Con- federate Regiment.
It would have been folly to have con- tinued the unequal fight, and, as no re- inforcements were near, and escape seemed impossible, Colonel Cook surrendered, or- dering the men to cease firing and lay down their arms. A few from the left companies escaped before they were marched to the rear. Lieutenant Seeley, as acting adjutant, was among the num- ber. Being mounted, he put spurs to his horse, and, lying close, rode rapidly back in the darkness, amid a shower of bullets.
Of the Twenty-eighth, sixty-seven men surrendered. These were marched to the rear through the lines of the Confederate army. The Union guns now opened, and, with good range, the shots and shells were falling on all sides. Great gaps were cut in the ranks of the Confederates, who were moving rapidly forward in solid col- umns. With a feeling of great relief, the prisoners passed beyond the range of the Federal guns.
A short time before the Twenty-eighth left Stafford the men had been paid, but all did not have time to send their money home when the order came to march. When the companies went into the battle, many fearing they might fall or be taken prisoners, gave their money to Sergeant W. L. Hicks, of Company E, for safe keep-
55
MARCH OF THE PRISONERS TO RICHMOND.
ing. as he was the regimental clerk, and was not supposed to be at the front. But the sergeant was with the men and was also taken. These funds, amounting to nearly seven hundred dollars, entrusted to his keeping, he carried safely to Richinond, secreting them from the Confederates, who took all watches and valuables from the
SERGT. W. B. HICKS, CO. E, REGIMENTAL CLERK.
prisoners. When Hicks arrived at Lock- port to be mustered out, he returned to the men every dollar confided to his care. The members of the regiment knew that "Wash Hicks" could be trusted with money uncounted.
As the majority of the men captured in the works were taken prisoners, we will follow them to Richmond. They were marched some five or six miles to the rear and halted near a barn for the night. The next morning, May 3d, at daylight, they were started towards Richmond, guarded by the Twelfth South Carolina Cavalry, marching thirteen miles to Spottsylvania Court-House, where they, with others, were crowded into the court yard.
On May 4th, the march was resumed to Guinney's Station, fifteen miles, camping by the side of the railroad in a large field. The next two days the rain poured down in torrents, and the men did not move. On a hill, near here, was the fine, large house of Mr. Chandler, where General Stonewall Jackson was lying desperately wounded from the battle of the ed inst., and where he died on the roth.
May 7th, the column proceeded fifteen miles through Bowling Green and Milford, fording the Mattapony River, camping in the woods. Unusual vigilance was used by the guards, and the route did not seem to be a direct one. Later it was learned that the Federal cavalry, under General Stone- man, was making a raid in the rear of the Confederate army, and the march was
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