USA > New York > Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. (Duryee zouaves.) > Part 19
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twice carried. During this part of the fight, the artillery on both sides was silent. The enemy continued to throw forward fresh troops. The gallant and lamented Major Clitz engaged them on the right.
The 6th Regular infantry came to reinforce me, and I placed them in position. General Reynolds also came up now with his brigade, and I withdrew my shattered regiments. Besides the exhaustion of the men from their efforts, and the bad condition of the arms from the firing we had done, about one hundred and forty of the 5th New York Volunteers, and about fifty of the Ioth New York Volunteers, were killed and wounded.
The battle had now become general all along our lines, and the artillery had resumed its fire. I took up a position support- ing a twenty-pounder battery, just to the rear of the first position, and maintained it, though suffering continually from the enemy's fire, which now reached all parts of the field. To our left was the 11th U. S. Infantry, also supporting batteries. Toward evening the enemy succeeded in forcing back the division on our left, when the batteries we supported were withdrawn. we throwing in all the fire our diminished numbers would per- mit. We here witnessed the firm stand of the 11th U. S. Infantry on our left, and the charge of the 2d U. S. Infantry on our right. The advance of the enemy on our front was thus effectually checked. We then took up a position supporting one of the bat- teries under Captain Platt, which position we maintained till darkness put an end to the firing, and the battery was with- drawn.
We were much concerned as to the cause of the cheering which tock place in our rear, by the regiments of French's and Meagher's brigades, fearing they were a rebel force that had suc- ceeded in getting in our rear. From the beginning of the battle, till night brought it to a close, we were almost constantly under fire, of which fact I believe the General was a witness.
. . . Among the killed was Captain William T. Partridge, who fell nobly leading on his men to the charge. Among the wounded were Captain George Duryea, Lieutenant Th. mas W. Cartwright, Jr., Lieutenant Felix Agnus, and Lieutenant Ralph E. Prime. Lieutenant-Colonel Hiram Duryea was everywhere conspicuous in the fight. mounted on his horse, and inspired
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every one by his gallantry. Major Hull's horse was shot in the first charge. Captain Winslow was acting as field-officer, and mounted. Both acted most bravely. Colonel Duryea speaks of the gallant conduct of the following-named officers, to which I can also add my own testimony : Major H. D. Hull, Captain C. Winslow, Captain William T. Partridge, Captain George Duryea, Captain H. H. Burnett, Captain C. J. Cambrelling, Cap- tain W. F. Lewis, Captain C. Boyd, Lieutenants C. J. Mont- gomery, G. O. Hager, H. G. O. Eichler, J. McConnell, J. H. Lounsbery, Charles Sergeant, T. W. Cartwright, Jr., R. E. Prime, F. Agnus, S. W. Wheeler. I refer you to the list of meritorious non-commissioned officers and privates in Colonel Duryea's report submitted herewith, and also to it for the names of the killed and wounded.
Three of the officers of the 5th New York Volunteers left the field, it is believed unnecessarily, from the effects of contusions made by spent balls. Their conduct will be made the subject of official investigation. I received a bruise on my knee by a spent ball which gave rise to the report of my being wounded, and my horse received two balls in his neck, but he carried me all through the fight.
Colonel Bendix has not furnished any report of those distinguished for meritorious conduct. I have only to say that the Colonel himself behaved in the most cool and efficient man- ner, always at his post, always ready to execute my orders with promptness, and always with his regiment under fire. I must also mention the gallant conduct of Surgeon Doolittle, whose horse was killed under him and himself bruised, but who has been constantly with the command to this day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed), G. K. WARREN, Col. 5th N. Y. Vols., com. 3d Brigade.
LIEUTENANT SAMUEL A. FOSTER,
Aide-de-camp, and Act. Asst. Adjt .- Gen., Sykes' Division. (Official Copy].
R. C. DRUM, Asst. Adjt .- General.
A. G. OFFICE, October 29, 1878.
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The following extract from the official report of General Sykes was furnished for publication in these pages through the courtesy of the Hon. George W. McCrary, Secretary of War :
HEADQUARTERS SYKES' DIVISION, CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S LANDING, July 7, 1862. 1 1
SIR :- The events taking place since the 26th ultimo have fol- lowed each other so rapidly that they may well be included in one general summary, which I have the honor herewith to sub- mit : . .
About II A.M. (June 27th) the enemy appeared in some force beyond the ravine in front, and with his artillery endeavored to shake the center of my line of battle. From this hour till 2 P.M., his battalions being constantly strengthened, he made repeated attempts on the flanks and center of my line, and was as often driven back to his lair.
At noon Tidball's Battery of Horse Artillery reported to me, and taking position on the right of Weed, these two batteries broke up every attack of the enemy on our right flank, and finally sent him scampering to his main body on our left. Matters now remained quiet for an hour. It was only the lull that precedes a storm.
At 3 P.M. I directed Colonel Warren to throw forward his skirmishers and feel the enemy in the ravine. Desultory firing began, which soon deepened into a continuous roar, unvarying and unceasing, until darkness set in and the conflict ceased.
In this interval, between 2 and 3 P.M., the enemy had brought up his reserves, replenished his ammunition, and, under cover of the forest heretofore mentioned, marshaled his legions for a grand attack. It was not one, but many, each of which was met and repulsed with a steady valor that could not be surpassed.
In these attacks the 5th New York Volunteers. under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Duryea, and 2d, 6th, 12th, and 14th U. S. Infantry were especially conspicuous. The 5th Vew York Volunteers were the peers of any troops on that hard-fought field.
The 12th and 14th U. S. Infantry, under Major Clitz and Cap- tain O'Connell, advanced in the most perfect order in line, hero-
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ically aiding Warren's brigade (5th and roth New York Volun- teers), drove the enemy from our left and center far into the woods beyond.
In connection with this movement the 3d U. S. Infantry, under Major Rossell, was thrown from its original position to the right and rear of the 12th and 14th, and while in this exposed situa- tion, boldly resisting the foe, the gallant Major lost his life.
(Signed), GEORGE SYKES, Brigadier-General Commanding Division.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 1878. 5
Official :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General.
i.
CHAPTER XI.
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THE SEVEN DAYS' RETREAT-MALVERN HILL-HAR- RISON'S LANDING.
WHITE OAK SWAMP-CHARLES CITY CROSS-ROADS-GENERAL KEARNEY-MALVEPY HILL -- A DESPERATE STRUGGLE -- REBEL REPU! SE-R: TREAT FROM MALVELY HILL-THE RAIN AND THE ROADS-AN INCIDENT-A LIFE SAVED BY A STRAT- AGEM-REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL H. DURYEA-LETTER FROM SU. GEON JOSEPH S. SMITH-HARRISON'S LANDING -- THE CAMPING-GROUND-WANT OF WATER-A REVIEW BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN-MOVING OUR CAMP-REVIEV. ED BY GENERAL MCCLELLAN-RESIGNATION OF CAPTAIN CAMBRELLING-CHANGES -HEALTH OF THE ARMY - HOSPITAL GROUNDS -- A DEATH BY POISON-IM- PROVED DIET-A REBEL SALUTE-DEATH IN A TENT-PINE WOODS ENTE- RIENCE-KNAPSACKS FORWARDED-A NIGHT MARCH-CROSSING THE CHICK 1- HOMINY - NEGRO MESSENGER SHOT-SOLDIERS' HOSPITALITY REFUSED -- NEWPORT NEWS-THE MARCH TO MANASSAS JUNCHION-ON THE BATTLE- FIELD.
WE marched during the night, leaving behind us the blood- stained field, the silent graves of our departed comrades, and the multitudes of the sick and wounded, and at length found a brief repose on the road through White Oak Swamp. The next day, Sunday, the 29th of June, we completed our pas- sage through this part of the exodus. It was a terribly dreary pilgrimage. The heat was almost insupportable ; there was not a breath of air, and we suffered intensely for the want of water, of which none could be had but the black, stagnant water of the swamp through which we were wading. Having again stepped upon firm ground, we formed in line of battle at Charles City Cross-Roads, pulled down the fences in front, and sent out pickets. The shots of skirmish- ers were heard in the vicinity. We remained here, guarding this important point, until General Kearney arrived with his division to relieve General Sykes. General Kearney looked
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like a Knight errant of old; his face was bronzed by ex- posure, and as he sat on his horse, straight as an arrow, with his strongly-marked and stern countenance, holding the reins in his teeth, he was a perfect picture of a soldier.
At 10 A.M. Sumner's corps were attacked by the enemy at Allen's field, but were repulsed. At 4 P.M. Sumner's and Franklin's corps were attacked near Savage's Station, and fought until 9 P.M., when the enemy retired.
We continued our march on Monday, the 30th, to Turkey Bend Creek, near Malvern Hill. At this point we were formed in line of battle, sent out pickets and skirmishers, advanced through a wood, and the skirmishers reached an immense corn-field on level ground, outside of the wood. Sergeant William Hoffman about 5 P.M. discovered the enemy in force over a corner of the corn-field, in the edge of a wood, with artillery in position. Colonel Warren was immediately notified, who ordered Lieutenant Dumont, of the Fifth, on detached service with the signal corps, to signal the gun-boats Jacob Bell, Galena, and Aroostook, which opened over the heads of the Fifth, where they rested on their arms in the wood, and created great havoc in the rebel ranks, thereby preventing them from advancing .* Sergeants Forbes, Wilson, Jack Taylor, and Hoffman, and some others were stationed in the corn-field and elsewhere, to signal where the shell struck, so as to regulate the aim of the gunners. Some batteries and infantry also opened from the Hill, and drove the enemy back, leaving two guns of Graham's battery, with their caissons, in the hands of Colonel Warren. The guns were subsequently spiked, and the spokes of the wheels cut with axes, leaving them entirely unserviceable. About half a barrel of whisky and a quan-
* While engaged in this duty, Lieutenant Dumont was stationed on the roof of a large house situated on Malvern Hill, and was much exposed to the fire of the enemy's batteries. He was highly commended for his good conduct.
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tity of prime pork were also seized, the latter being distrib uted among the men .* ยท
When the hundred-pound shell from the gun-boats came rushing over our heads, they conveyed the impression that flour barrels were flying through the air, and It required con- siderable nerve to listen to their roar without being moved, especially as a mistaken signal or a short fuse would bring a shell in our midst. The discharges from one gun especially were rather unreliable, and it was with a sigh of relief that we heard its shell go beyond us. The crash, as they burst in the woods among the enemy, was terrible. During the night the Fifth and Tenth were in line of battle in the wood, expecting an attack. Some cattle were slaughtered, and small pieces of tough meat were distributed, but as there were no means of cooking, fires not being allowed, it was of no benefit to us whatever.
The enemy attempted to follow the army across White Oak Swamp, and attacked General Franklin's corps about I P.M., but were repulsed. At night, after a desperate en- gagement of five hours near the Charles City Cross-Roads, and after driving McCall's division, the enemy were again repulsed by Generals Hooker and Kearney, aided by Gen- eral Sumner's corps. These continual encounters had kept the army in unceasing activity, and the month of July opened wearisomely upon us, for the men had passed the previous twenty-four hours without sleep.
Remaining in position, Porter's corps held the left of the line with many batteries ; Sykes' division on the left, with
* General Mcclellan's Report (p. 268) : " At about this time, 4 P .M., the enemy began to appear in General Porter's front, and at 5 o'clock advanced in large force against his left flank, posting artillery under cover of a skirt of timber, with a view to engage our force on Malvern Hill, while with his infantry and some ar- tillery, he attacked Colonel Warren's brigade. A concentrated fire of about thirty guns was brought to bear on the enemy, which with the infantry fire of Colonel Warren's command compelled him to retreat, leaving two guns in the hands of Colonel Warren."
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Warren's brigade on the extreme left on low ground, which was swept by the fire of the gun-boats. It was a vital point, for if the enemy could force their way in here, they would be enabled to cut off the line of retreat to the James River, hence their desperate efforts during the battle to force back the left flank. About 9 A.M. the enemy commenced the attack with their artillery, the batteries on the hill replying. In the afternoon, the Fifth and Tenth were advanced to the edge of the wood facing the corn-field, the Fifth on the extreme left, the Tenth on their right, which rested on the Richmond road, running along by the "Hill," and the regulars on their right .*
The men were ordered to build barricades of logs and stones from the fence, and whatever other material they could make available, and two men were placed together about fifteen feet apart behind each barricade. Their orders were to hold their posts to the last man. About noon the enemy made a demonstration on our left, as if they intended to attack us, but the fire of our battery and from the gun- boats drove them to cover.
About 3 P.M. a heavy artillery fire was opened by the enemy on Kearney's division, and their infantry advanced against Couch's division on the right of General Porter, but they reserved their fire and drove the enemy back in dis- order. Shortly after 4 P.M. the firing ceased along the whole line, but it was only the calm that precedes the storm. At 6 p.M. the enemy suddenly opened with the whole of their artillery, soon after which brigade after brigade started on a run from the cover of the woods, and across the open ground
* General Mcclellan's Report (p. 260) : " From the position of the enemy, his most obvious lines of attack would come from the directions of Richmond and White Oak Swamp, and would almost of necessity strike us upon our left wing. Here, "orafore, the lines were strengthened by making the troops and collecting the in nepal part of the artillery. Porter's corps held the left of the line (sykes' divis- ( B) on the left (p. 270). One brigade of Porter's was thrown to the left on the low ground, to protect the flank from any movement direct from the Richmond road."
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to storm the batteries stationed on the left, supported by Porter's and Couch's commands ; but they were met by such a withering fire of grape and canister shot, that they were mowed down in heaps. Still did these brave men sweep on, when the infantry, who had reserved their fire, opened with such terrible volleys, that their columns broke, and the rem- nants went back reeling and tottering like drunken men. In the meantime the terrible shell from the gun-boats fell among them as they were gathering in the edge of the wood for their reckless and desperate charges, which were without a parallel almost in history. General Porter had sent to Gen- eral Sumner about 6 P.M., who was the chief in command, for reinforcements, who sent to him Meagher's, Richardson's, Sickles', and Patterson's brigades, who relieved such of the troops as were out of ammunition. By the steady, cool fire of the infantry, aided by the batteries, the enemy were driven back to the cover of the woods, leaving the ground in front heaped with their slain. The loss of the Union side was comparatively small as compared to that of the Confederates. The enemy in large force at one time advanced against Warren's brigade on the extremne left; Pollard says : " Holmes' division were frustrated from cutting the enemy off from the river by the severe fire of the gun-boats." We could plainly see the flashing of their bayonets on the oppo- site side of the corn-field. The continual roar of artillery and musketry during the battle was like long rolls of thunder, and did not slacken until 9 P.M.
The men remained in their positions in the barricades all night, and were worn out and almost dead for want of sleep. They felt as if they had heavy weights fastened to their eyelids, but they were kept awake by the consciousness of the great responsibilities resting upon them ; knowing also that the penalty of sleeping on their posts in such a position was death. Moreover, one-half of the regiment, who were on reserve, went the grand rounds, under command of Major
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Hull or Captain Winslow, every half hour. The enemy ap- peared to be desperate enough to undertake any movement to destroy the Union army, and it was probable they might attempt to accomplish, under the cover of darkness, what they had failed to do by day. Besides, as was currently re- ported, they had been plied with whisky, and could be led into the jaws of death itself, and it was necessary to be vigilant.
On the right of the Richmond road was stationed James W. Webb, of Company F, a trusty and reliable soldier, and on the left of it was William Higgins, of the same company. The clatter of a horse's hoofs were heard coming from the direction of the enemy, and soon the form of an officer on horseback loomed up over a slight hill on the road. He discovered Webb at the same time he was sighted, and im- mediately pulled rein and came to a sudden halt. He called cut and inquired where General Whiting's headquarters were situated; Webb pulled his cap off and said, "Come forward, they are a short distance in the rear." But un- fortunately at this moment Sergeant F., who was a few feet in the rear of the picket, jumped into the road and said, "You are my prisoner." The officer turned his horse about in almost a second of time, and disappeared over the brow of the hill. Webb and Higgins fired their rifles at him as quick as they could, but he did not fall from his horse. Thus, by the want of forethought on the part of the Sergeant, the capture of an officer with, in all probability, important dispatches, was frustrated.
After the battle the army commenced to retreat again, and wagons, troops, artillery, and ambulances were leaving all night as their convenience dictated. The covering of the retreat was left, as usual, to Sykes' division. On the morning of Wednesday, the ed, about 4 o'clock, a heavy storm of rain began, which continued the entire day. The balance of the troops were retreating from the hill in a dis-
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organized mass, fleeing from a beaten and demoralized foe. They became blocked up on the road among the ambulances and wagons; many of the sick, weak, and wounded were knocked down and trampled upon, notwithstanding their cries of anguish. When Lieutenant-Colonel Hiram Duryea saw this, his soul revolted at the sight. He also knew that if he marched his regiment into such a disorganized mass of moving humanity it would be impossible for them to keep their formation, and he would lose all control of their movements ; he therefore ordered a halt, and remarked that "before he would take his command into such a mob, he would face the whole Southern Confederacy." An aide soon came to him with orders to move, but he took the responsibility of acting on his own better judgment; au aide came a second time with orders to move, followed in a few moments by Colonel Warren. Lieutenant-Colonel Duryea explained, in a few brief words, the situation of affairs, and pointed to a train of wagons on the hill, ap- parently abandoned by their guard, that should be moved off. Colonel Warren took in the situation at a glance, and looking toward the retreating crowd, exclaimed, "This is disgraceful !" He called the officers together, and, after a brief consultation, turned and surveyed his men for a mo- ment, when he called out, "Unfurl your colors ;" " About face ! Forward, march !" and the regiment moved down the Richmond road, toward the enemy, formed in line of battle on the hill, and there they stood alone awaiting orders. Colonel Warren sent an aide to order up a battery. In a few moments a fine battery of artillery came up, the horses on a run, unlimbered, and the men stood by their guns, pre- pared for action. In the meantime some of the regiment were detailed to gather together a lot of abandoned shell and ammunition which was lying near, and throw it into a ditch, that it might be of no service to the enemy. When the regiment was ready to move the first time, Colonel
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Warren ordered Lieutenant - to see to it personally that all the men on picket were called in. As the regiment was about to march, the Colonel discovered a Zouave (Corporal James R. Murray, of Company A) standing a good dis- tance off alone, who had not been relieved, but, like the Roman centurion of old, would not forsake his post without orders. He dashed up to the Lieutenant, and asked him if he had obeyed his orders in reference to the men on picket, to which the officer answered in the affirmative. "Then," said the Colonel, " what is that man doing out there ; is that the way you forsake my men? is that the way you obey orders? Draw your sword and defend yourself," at the same time he half unsheathed his own sword, for he was very much veved.
The regiment remained in this position, the Tenth not having halted, until the road was clear, in the meantime manifesting much interest in the skirmishing of the cavalry with the enemy in the edge of the woods on the other side of the plateau. Finally they were ordered to march, and when they came to a little bridge that led over the creek, they found that its supporting timbers were nearly cut through, as well as the trees each side of the road near it, and men with axes in hand stood ready to put the finishing strokes as soon as the rear guard had passed over. There were no troops left behind at this time but Colonel Buchanan's brigade of regulars, a battery, and Colonel Averill with the 3d Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. This was nearly 7 A.M. These troops were the last to leave. " Sykes' division could have held the hill if ordered to do so."
The men experienced this day the hardest marching they had ever endured. They had been without sleep for forty- eight hours ; a cold north-east storm had set in, and it was raining in torrents. The road was ent up by the wheels, so as to be almost impassable. The men forded innumerable small streams and ditches, often nearly waist deep. At the nu-
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merous halts, the road and fields being blocked very often, they could not sit down without being content to rest in mud a foot deep ; the fields on either side of the road were all under water, and the men were continually slipping and fall- ing down. They were very much weakened in their condi- tion, for, be it remembered, this was the seventh day in which they had been deprived of their sleep, except the few hours now and then snatched at intervals ; they had nothing to eat except a little hard-tack, and were almost starved and thor- oughly reduced. Moreover, they were obliged to form in line of battle after every mile's march, and wait for the wagons to pass on.
Beside all these trials of endurance, the continual excite- ment of battle and suspense night and day, and the never- ceasing rattle of musketry and thunder of artillery, of which there seemed to be no end, there was added the doubt as to where they would come to rest. Such was the indifference on this day, that a colored man who had been run over, and was lying in the road, was left to his fate, no one taking the trouble to pull the body out of the way ; wagons and ar- tillery passed over it, as if it were nothing but a dead dog. Finally, at night, we reached Harrison's Landing, with an unbroken organization as a regiment, one of the very few, outside of Sykes' division, of which the same is recorded, in the 5th corps. A large ration of whisky was given to each man, and the whole army were soon vigorously recounting their experiences; but they laid down in the mud and water and, notwithstanding the rain, which continued all night and until noon of next day, slept soundly. We had no covering but the sky, for nearly all in the regiment had lost their knapsacks, and all they possessed was on their backs.
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