USA > New York > Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. (Duryee zouaves.) > Part 4
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About two miles further on the scouts in advance met a wagon containing two or three men, who at once turned around and fled. Several shots were fired over them to induce them to stop, but without effect. From that time on we frequently saw men on our flank's in the woods, and heard shots, giving warning of our advance. At one house, where there were several women,
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Our First Camp in Virginia.
our passing by caused great terror, and their lamentations were piteous. Their cries, "Oh, my dear father ; oh, my dear brother," and entreated us to go back and spare the shedding of blood, fell painfully on our ears. The presence of Rev. Dr. Winslow and Dr. Gilbert, however, soon quieted them. Some of my men filled their canteens at the well as we passed on. We reached the County Bridge at 9 A.M. The stream is a branch of the Bark River, and is easily forded, and the bridge is uninjured. There is a frame building church on the other side, in rather a dilapi- dated condition. No human being was in the vicinity, nor did it give evidence of having been occupied, except by a few persons, since the rain .* Trees cut down near the bridge indicated that arrangements had been made to dispute its passage. There were no breastworks other than an old pit, which had probably been a cellar, which would have effectually sheltered about fifty men. The floor of the church was strewn with corn-cobs, and had been, probably, occupied as a stable.
We were told that horsemen, to the number of forty, came here every night, and that the guns were removed last Saturday, the Ist inst. Some letters, all of a private nature, picked up in the vicinity, indicated a speedy abandonment of the place. We regretted very much to find no enemy there, as the vicinity is very favorable to infantry operations. We returned by a road about one mile to the east of the one by which we advanced, and which crosses the stream, the bridge of which we had re- paired in the morning, about one and a half miles lower down. The heat of the sun, on our return, was intense, but on reaching this stream again about 3 P.M., a violent shower came on us, and soon all were wet to the skin. The bridge at this point was entirely destroyed, so we concluded to ford it. Finding the water over the men's heads, the passage was accomplished by swimming. A few who could not swim were passed over on a little scow which was there. This filled once with water, with three men in it who could not swim, but these were all rescued at once by those who could. It continued to rain, with slight
* (Big Bethel), " Report of Committee on the Conduct of the War," (Vol. I. p >8 :. ) General Warren says : " I had been on the ground six days previously, and had reconnoitered it, though nobody then present knew that I had done so."
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
intermission, till our return to our camp, about 5} P.M. The expedition was out about twenty-four hours. The sleep the men got was while under arms in the house at Hampton, lying on the floor. Owing to inexperience and eagerness to set out, my directions for supplying themselves with rations were imperfectly complied with, and they suffered severely for want of something to eat. Nothing, however, was taken from the people along the road but a little corn-bread and milk, which was paid for at more than twice its value.
The cheerful manner in which most of the command bore their hard march under a broiling sun, and crossed a deep stream by swimming, and finished the last four miles of their march in their jaded condition, with wet clothes, over a muddy road, all show what they may accomplish in the future. And the respect paid to persons and property was, in my opinion, as great a triumph for our cause as would have been a victory over armed men.
.
After describing the immense resources of the country, in wheat and corn, fowls and cattle, and that if he had been directed to do so he could have brought in large numbers of the latter, the report continues :
The only thing taken was a horse, which was given to the Rev. Dr. Winslow to ride. It was in the possession of a negro boy, who said it belonged to a man (not his master) who had joined the secessionists. A fine Pointer dog followed us in from one of the deserted houses. The negroes we met were seem- ingly glad to see us. The poor whites seem to desire neutrality, though many of them are with the secessionists. On our return we met a young gentleman with two beautiful. well-dressed ladies-one of them very young-going in a buggy toward York- town. I begged them to stay at home and aid us in restoring peace to their country, and told them that I would insure them protection, and also requested the gentleman to inform others he met in the place to which he was repairing to the same effect, He said he would do so, but it would do no good; they would not believe us. He said frankly that the proclamation of General
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Our First Camp in Virginia.
Butler had proved but a snare to those who trusted in it; that his uncle, Mr. Sinclair, had seen all his chickens killed before his eves, not even the mother of a little brood was spared ; houses, [00, had been plundered of their furniture, and people would never return again while a Northern man remained on the soil of Virginia. To one of the ladies, at her request, I gave the letters we picked up at the County Bridge, the only proof I could give of my sincerity. It is in vain to attempt to pacify or render these people friendly, unless the greatest rigor is used, not merely toward those who are caught committing depredations, which is difficult to do, but toward every one found beyond some established line without authority. I would respectfully suggest that no more seizures of cattle or provisions shall be made, even when left behind by avowed secessionists. They will otherwise carry it off or destroy it. But if it remain unmolested by us, we will find abundance of means at hand to sustain us whenever we choose to advance in force. Small scouting parties in front of our lines keep up a needless alarm, and must fail in capturing detachments of the enemy, who, being well mounted and ac- quainted with the country, flee at our approach. Besides, these scouting parties tend to demoralize the regiment, and prevent that attention to drill and discipline so essential to the real operations of war. Let us remain quietly within our lines, pre- pairing for the greater struggle ; let our foes even think we fear · them, if thereby their temerity may place them more within our grasp; and when we do move, let it be like the bound of the lion from his covert.
Then after describing the character of the country for military operations, the report closed by saying :
Feeling that any compliment paid by me to the men under my command might be construed as an indirect one to myself, I respectfully submit this report of their march without further comment.
Very respectfully, your obedient, G. K. WARREN, Lieut .- Col. Com. Expedition.
TO COLONEL A. DURYÉE, Com. 5th Regiment, N. Y. S. V.
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
The following narrative is by the correspondent of the New York Times :
On the morning of the 4th, at about I o'clock, Captain H. Duryea took a detachment of three companies and started for Fox Hill to rescue the men of Colonel Allen's regiment, who were reported to have been captured by the rebels. After a forced march of nine miles they arrived at a farm-house at Fox Hill, where it was reported that there was an intrenched enemy, but there was none to be found.
They halted there a short time, and procuring a guide, started for Back River, a distance of five miles further on; but on ar- riving there they were again doomed to disappointment-the enemy had gone.
Lieutenant George Duryea took twenty men, and started up the river to secure boats. While on this duty he stopped at a farm-house owned by a Union man, who offered him and his men a bountiful breakfast, which was declined, though milk and corn-bread were furnished to the men. He secured a few boats, but soon after an aide from headquarters reported that Colonel Allen's regiment was safe, so the boats were not needed, and a return to camp was ordered, by a different route, however, the command passing through Hampton. While passing through the village, Lieutenant Burnett, with a flanking party in advance, was struck on the right breast by a spent ball, inflicting but a slight wound, the ball falling from his shirt to the ground. It did not keep him from pursuing the march. With this single exception, everybody arrived safely in camp after a march of ten hours. On Saturday afternoon we had another general call to arms, by a report that two companies of the Troy regiment were being attacked at Hampton. The men sprang into the ranks ; some of the Troy regiment rushed down to Hampton, without waiting for the command1; aides were galloping along the road at full speed ; and the Zouaves, with fifteen rounds of ammunition, left their camping-ground and halted at the main road. There were a few minutes of suspense, and then word came that it was a false alarmn. The news was received with great disappoint- ment, and the men marched downcast back to camp.
CHAPTER IV.
BIG BETHEL.
SUNDAY EVENING ORDERS-OUR COMRADES-A LOYAL NEGRO-CAPTAIN KIL- PATRICK'S ADVANCE-A VIRGINIA PRISONER-A FATAL MISTAKE-BIG BETHEL -A WOUNDED COMRADE-A SOLDIER'S TRIBUTE-DEATH OF LIEUTENANT GREBLE-HONORABLE MENTION-A NAVAL COMMANDER-CORRESPONDENCE OF THE NEW YORK Tribune-FLAG OF TRUCE.
SUNDAY, the 9th of June, was spent in the usual duties as- signed to the day. The regiment was out on parade as usual. After it was dismissed, the men were again assen- bled, and each man supplied with twenty rounds of cartridges in addition to what he had in his cartridge-box. Ail was bustle and activity. The men felt confident they were going out on an expedition somewhere, but in what direction was entirely unknown.
Taps were sounded at the usual hour, and all not on spe- cial duty were ordered to their tents. A few minutes later the orderlies of the companies went to each tent, and in an undertone notified the occupants that at half-past ten o'clock every man would be called to immediately equip without noise or light, and fall in line in front of the tents ; each man was to be supplied with one day's rations and a canteen of water.
They were to tie the white turban twice around the left arm, as a distinguishing mark, and the watchword "Boston " was given. Several able-bodied men were detailed to re- poit to the surgeons, from which it was inferred that some- "ong in earnest was to be done. About 9.30 P.M. a body of men marched away from the regiment ; they made so lit- the noise that it seemed a mystery where they came from.
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
They were Companies H and I, under the command of Cap- tains Kilpatrick and Bartlett respectively, and were to proceed in advance of the regiment as scouts and skirmishers, and also to stop all persons that might be going from Hampton toward the enemy, It was now understood that the regiment was to act in concert with Colonel Bendix's 7th New York (Steuben Rifles) from Newport News, for the purpose of sur- prising and capturing at the point of the bayonet, if possible, a Confederate camp, at a place about eleven miles from Hampton, and known as BIG BETHEL.
Two other regiments were to follow as supports in case they were required -- Col. Carr's 2d New York (Troy regi- ment), and Colonel Townsend's 3d New York (Albany regi- ment). Lieutenant Greble, of the 2d Artillery, with eleven regulars and one rifled six-pounder from the fortress, accom- panied the expedition. A negro named George Scott, who had been working on the Confederate earthworks, had run away, and given such information to General Butler, that he determined to send a force against them, and hence the present movement.
The negro accompanied the forces as a guide, being sup- plied at his request with a rifle and ammunition. At mid- night, the regiment being in line, 740 strong, and fully pre- pared to move, the order was given to march. They accord- ingly filed off on the road, and soon reached Hampton River, which was crossed in boats under the charge of the naval · brigade. This occasioned some delay, but the march was soon resumed, the men stepping off briskly at route step and arms at will. The men were all in good spirits and sanguine of success. After covering about six miles of ground, a halt was ordered.
Those on the right of the regiment, at head of column, saw a bright light pointing toward the enemy's position. It was a Confederate signal. Further on another was seen, and again we came to a slight halt. For the purpose of under-
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Big Bethel.
standing our position at this time, we will follow Captain Kilpatrick's movements.
As already stated, he and Captain Bartlett, with their com- panies, left camp two hours before the departure of the main body of the regiment. He advanced cautiously after getting beyond Hampton, and established pickets one and a quarter and two and a half miles beyond that village, with the necessary reserves.
The pickets fell in with the regiment as it came up to where they were posted. After reaching Newmarket Bridge, Captain Kilpatrick took twenty men with him, after the regi- ment came up to a supporting distance, and advanced again, posting now and then a picket at important points. After approaching to within a short march of New County Bridge, he saw through the trees what was supposed to be a camp fire. He halted his men and held a short consultation with his non-commissioned officers, among whom there was a diversity of opinion, some thinking that it was a Confeder- ate camp, and others that it was only a picket outpost.
He determined to reconnoiter and ascertain to a certainty if possible, and accordingly selected a squad of eight men for the purpose : Sergeant Benjamin F. Onderdonk, Corporal Andrew B. Allison, Samuel Wilson, Andrew Whitehead, John Rock, James S. Boyd, Fred. Bollet, and Edward Engel .* They crept carefully through the woods, when suddenly they were brought to a halt by a challenge : " Who goes there ?" They did not answer. The challenge was repeated a second and third time, when Kilpatrick immediately answered : "Who stands there ?" A prompt reply came : " A Virginian." And at the same time they heard steps pattering on the road in re- treat, and also saw a horseman, who was not yet mounted,
. rant Oaderdonk subsequently was Colonel of the ist Mounted Rifles, and ** brigadier-General ; Allison was killed at second Bull Run, as color-bearer " the Fifth; Boyd lost his arm ; Bullet received four wounds ; and Engel was mitraly wounded in the same engagement.
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
making preparations to leave. Corporal Allison sprang in ad- vance, ordering him to halt, and supposing the enemy in force, the Captain gave his squad the order, "Fire and charge ;" which was instantly obeyed, the rest of his com- pany following them. The whole affair was over in a mo- ment. Sam Wilson, putting his hand on the horseman's shoulder, who had not time to mount, ordered him to sur- render, at the same time disarming him of one of his revolv- ers, while another took the remaining one from his belt. On the prisoner instinctively feeling for them, he found they were gone, upon which he delivered his sword. It was an unusually long and sharp one. The prisoner proved to be a Captain Whiting, and the officer of the guard. He was a splendid-looking specimen of a Southerner, standing more than six feet in height, and a perfect gentleman. He was taken with an escort to the rear.
The main body of the regiment had now come up on a double-quick on hearing the reports of the pieces. Soon after this occurred heavy firing was heard in the rear, in which the report of cannon could be distinguished, and supposing that the enemy had in some way come in contact with the New- port News regiment, the Fifth was right-abouted and marched double-quick about two miles back on the road by which it had just approached. Company K, Capt. Winslow, being thrown out on the right as skirmishers, advanced through thick woods and wet wheat-fields. It being now about day- light, upon coming up to where the firing had been heard. it was discovered that a most lamentable mistake had occurred. Col. Bendix, with his command, the 7th New York, who marched from Newport News in company with detachments of the 5th Massachusetts and of Col. Phelps' Vermont regiment, who were to meet and act in conjunction with the Zonaves, according to the plan devised to surprise and cap- ture the Confederate camp at Big Bethel, discovered Col. Townsend's 3d New York, who were marching with twe
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Big Bethel.
twelve-pound howitzers, on the main road from Hampton, following the Fifth at a proper supporting distance as a re- serve ; and in the uncertain light of the morning, supposing that they were an enemy, opened fire upon them, and before the mistake was discovered had killed and wounded eleven of Col. Townsend's men. It was saddening to see them lying at the little house just off the road, the victims of careless- ness or want of discretion, although prompted by patriotic zeal and courage. Half an hour after, the Zouaves, under orders, singing the "Star Spangled Banner " and other patri- otic songs, went hurrying back to the attack .*
Before marching, however, a detail of five men was made from Company G-Benj. F. Finley, John Gillen, Ed. Hoff- man, James Martin, and E. M. Law-to burn down a hand- some residence from which a shot had been fired at Surgeon Howe, of the rst New York, who took charge of the detail personally.t It was ascertained to a certainty that the shot was fired by the owner of this elegant place, a Mr. Whiting, who was also an officer of the Confederate army. He was seen escaping to the woods from the rear of the premises, and the negroes also confirmed the intelligence. It was handsomely furnished with all that a refined taste could sug- gest ; but before applying the torch, the former slaves of the owner were allowed to appropriate clothing and whatever
·· Gen. Warren, " Report of Committee on the Conduct of the War," Vol. I., p. 383: " It was planned for a night attack with very new troops; some of them had never been taught to even load and fire. It was planned to proceed from two different points distant from each other six or seven miles. The ground between was un- known, and then the map which Gen. Butler furnished was a wrong map, made in 1319, and the roads were all laid down wrong. The specific points of instruction were that the troops at Newport News being some three miles nearer, should start about an hour after the others. The true state of the case was that they were A'« ut four miles nearer, and that brought on the collision which took place, and that way inevitable. I think the two regiments, when they arrived on the ground " The early morning, finding things not at all as they had been instructed, were just ied in firing on each other. I am satisfied of that."
!( illen was subsequently wounded and crippled, and Hoffman killed at second Bull Run.
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
their fancy dictated, while Hoffman played the "Star Span- gled Banner " and other airs on the elegant piano; after which, Col. Duryee having arrived at the scene, the torch was applied, and on the return march back to camp, there was nothing left of house or contents but the brick chimney and a heap of smouldering ruins.
A consultation of officers was now held as to future move- ments. Col. Duryee was of the opinion that the object of the whole movement-a surprise of the Confederate camps -having been defeated, it was not good judgment to ad- vanc: any further, but he would advance if it was the wish of the majority. The latter course was soon decided upon, and Capt. Kilpatrick, with his Company H, and Capt. Bart- lett, of Company I, again took the advance as scouts and skirmishers, ahead and on the flanks of the regiment. We soon reached Little Bethel, which the Colonel had particular instructions to destroy. It was a low wooden structure, and was a noted place of meeting for the secessionists of that part of the country, where they planned and matured their schemes of treason. In a few moments it was a mass of burning ruins. Further on, when a short halt was made, some of the Zouaves went into a house on the roadside, and soon appeared with a large earthen pot of honey. But they were not left to enjoy it alone, as they were surrounded in a moment and a score of hands were fighting to get a dip at that unheard-of luxury in camp life. Soon everybody had a fistful, and were licking their dripping fingers with keen rel- ish, when suddenly we heard the command, " Fall in ! Shoul- der arms ! March !" Here was a dilemma not anticipated, but it was the work of a moment to stoop down and grasp a handful of earth to remove the honey from the hand. After marching some distance we came to a halt near a country school-house. In a twinkling it was fall of loyal visitors, of whom one played master mounted on the platform, and was trying to preserve order by pounding the desk with a heavy
------
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Big Bethel.
stick, when he was assailed by such a cloud of books and siates that he was glad to vacate. Some were at the black- board hanging Jeff Davis with a piece of chalk ; others writ- ing not very complimentary messages to "the secesh " in general, which must have provoked their ire if they were read after our departure. But this amusement was suddenly cut short by the appearance of an officer, who ordered them to immediately rejoin the command.
At 8 A.M. Captain Kilpatrick met and drove in the enemy's picket guard. He then detached twenty men from his company, made a reconnaissance, and found the enemy about two or three thousand strong, who, as was afterward ascer- tained, were under the command of Colonel Magruder. They were posted on the opposite side of a stream, which was the north-west branch of the Back River, on ground slightly elevated. The road passed down a hollow as it neared the approach to the bridge over the stream in front of their works, which widened out on each flank into a mno- rass. They were behind two strong earthworks each side of the road, which commanded the bridge, and were intrenched along the bank of a wooded swamp on their right, and had masked their battery, which, as was afterward ascertained during the course of the battle, mounted at least ten guns, some of them rified. These completely raked the only road, in front, which was the path by which our regiment was ap- proaching. Directly in front of the enemy's right was the morass, impassable for man or beast, without artificial help, and in front of their left was the stream of water, running from the morass or pond. Between their left and the Union troops was comparatively open ground, partly planted with corn, which bordered on a piece of woods, adjoining which was an open plowed field. About half a mile to the rear of this field was a farm-house, being on the right of the road as facing the enemy ; on the left of the road was the morass before mentioned, directly in front of the enemy ; then a
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
small space of ground, with a rail fence, and some old sheds ; a young peach orchard, soil very soft ; then a little narrow lane, that ran to the left at right angles with the road, bordered with stone walls and a barn, next to which was a corn-field. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Warren came up, and taking command of two companies, went forward as skir- mishers .* They advanced on the left and right of the road rapidly, supported by the rest of the regiment. Lieutenant Greble advanced along the road with the three guns. The long roll and the cries of the enemy to "turn out" could now be plainly heard. The regiment formed in line of battle in the corn-field on the left of the road, and soon after ad- vanced in fours by right flank up the road, and turned into the open, plowed field on its right, facing the woods, and formed in line of battle. Colonel Townsend (3d New York) had now come up, and formed on the left of the road. Most of us experienced a strange sensation, as we were standing there, expecting every moment to receive a volley from the woods into our closed ranks. It was our first formal battle. Every man looked a shade paler, but it was the effect of stern determination and suppressed excitement.
Colonel Duryće said the cavalry were coming out, but the result showed that he was mistaken. The Confederates had not the slightest intention of leaving their well-protected and intrenched position, unless it should be to the rear. At twenty minutes of ten o'clock the loud boom of a cannon was heard, and Captain Denike, of Company G., took out his watch, and said, " Men, the ball has opened." This first shot was fired by the brave Lieutenant Greble, a regular officer, who, with eleven regulars from the fort, aided by a few of the Massachusetts men, had charge of one rifled piece and two twelve-pound howitzers, and had placed them
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