USA > New York > Camp fires of the Twenty-Third: sketches of the camp life, marches, and battles of the Twenty-Third Regiment, N. Y. V. Added to these are statistics of enlistments and all valuable information connected with the regiment > Part 5
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The march was a severe one, for we must positively reach, cross, and hold the river at Rappahannock Sta- tion ere the morrow. otherwise the enemy would have the advantage in position. It was near midnight when we bivouacked in an oak grove one mile from the river. It was utterly impossible for weak and sickly men to keep pace, and these laid down by the way, many of them to awake in the morning prisoners of war, or be shot as they lay.
We made an early crossing, and by a special order from the General in immediate command, were allov- ed a few moments to bathe in the river. The oppor. tunity was seized with eagerness, and in a short time
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the mill-pond and river swarmed with nude soldiers, washing off weariness and drinking in vigor at every pore. We soon returned to our posts refreshed. Now came the race for the stragglers. The rebel cavalry dashed upon them from the woods-they dashed for the bridge. The Harris Light Cavalry went out to save them. The rebels were sabering and shooting right and left when the Harris Light came down upon them like a whirlwind. Their fighting was weakness compared with that charge, and the shock of it scat- tered them in wild confusion.
We now moved up the river, opposite the first ford north of the Station, and encamped for the night. During the night the enemy crossed a force with artil- lery and cavalry, and took position in a cornfield and wood near the ford. The fight was opened about eight o'clock A.M. by General Patrick's brigade, the Twenty-first Regiment deploying and acting as skir- mishers. The enemy opened his battery from the cornfield, but was soon driven from this position by Reynolds' battery, rifled guns, and battery B, Fourth United States. As the sun was sinking into the hori- zon we advanced to the river under a raking fire of artillery and musketry, and took position near the bank of the river; but owing to our small force we were compelled to retire. The Twenty-third fell back over a rise of ground, raked by the enemy's artillery- column en masse-and in perfect order, while the shell burst fearfully above and around it.
We returned to the position of the morning, and slept on our arms. A second time the Twenty-third had been tried, this time in actual battle, and were found ready and willing. It would be out of place to speak of the conduct of any one man where the men
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
of the entire brigade behaved with the coolness and in- trepidity of veterans. True courage may be tested even better by a cannonade than by a hand-to-hand fight.
The following is the official report of this battle by Lieutenant-Colonel N. M. Crane, then in command of the regiment, made after arriving at Upton's Hill :
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLS. CAPT. KIMBALL, Asst .- Adjutant-General Ist Div. 3d Brig., Ist A. C. :
"SIR-I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the fight at the ford above Rappahan- nock Station, on the days of the 21st and 22d of August.
" On the morning of August 21st our artillery opened upon the enemy who appeared at the ford. I received orders to march my command with the brigade to the support of our batteries and prevent the enemy from crossing. I at once proceeded to the point designated, and under orders from General Patrick took position just in rear of a section of Reynolds' battery, formed in double column closed en masse, and protected by a natural embankment, upon which the guns were placed. The cannonading at this point was terrific throughout the day. I had four men wounded, two seriously.
"I remained in this position about six hours, when it was ascertained that the enemy in some force had effected a crossing at the ford. The brigade was ordered to the bank of the river, to drive back the enemy and prevent the movement. I proceeded with my command to that point, and formed in double column close to the bank of the river, somewhat pro- tected from the enemy's sharp-shooters and artillery by a rise of ground in front.
" We remained in this position under a severe fire till about dusk, when General Patrick learned that the
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enemy were planting a battery so as to sweep the ravine in which the brigade lay. He at once gave the order to fall back to the position of the morning .. I proceeded immediately to execute the order ; and to do so I was compelled to march in double column faced to the rear of a slope of about thirty rods, where the shot and shell from the enemy's artillery were fall- ing very thick. I gave the necessary orders and moved at double quick up the slope and through a thick grove of pine, while a storm of iron rained upon us. One man was cut in two by a solid shot during this movement. That was the only casualty at this point. We took the position occupied in the morning and lay in line of battle all night.
"I would here add, that this was the first time my regiment had ever been under fire of artillery. I was highly pleased with the conduct of the men. They were cool and prompt to obey orders. Both men and officers behaved like veterans-not a man flinched from his duty.
"The next morning our brigade was relieved by General Doubleday's, and moved back to camp about eight A.M. While my command was leaving the field it was subjected to a severe fire from the enemy's artil- lery, but no one was injured.
"About three o'clock P.M. I was ordered to take my command and proceed to a ford just above the point of attack, and guard the same. Upon arriving, I found a brigade of General Banks' corps doing the duty to which I had been assigned. I reported the fact to General Patrick, and was ordered back to
* * camp. X- *
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"N. M. CRANE, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding."
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
Early on the morning of the 23d, the fight opened fiercely with heavy artillery, and lasted for some hours. The bridge was now burned, and the enemy held in check. At eight o'clock we set out for War- renton, encountering a heavy thunder-storm and got finely drenched. We arrived in time to hear that Stewart's Cavalry had eluded our grasp after accom- plishing their work. But the adage, "It is an ill wind," etc., proved good here, for Colonel Crane, with several officers and men, partook of a bountiful sup- per that had been prepared for the rebel Stewart and his officers.
We encamped here for the night, and in the morn- ing not a vestige of fence remained around the beauti- ful garden of the Stewarts. The men were scant of rations, and a corn and potato field near by was soon harvested. A quantity of Government "hard tack" was discovered in a hovel, under lock, and imme- diately appropriated. General Patrick's brigade moved down the pike toward Sulphur Springs, and bivouacked about one mile from Warrenton. Here the scarcity of rations compelled them to live on green corn and potatoes.
The man on whose farm we were encamped, finding that the men were taking his corn, went to General Patrick and commenced his complaint. .
" Tut ! tut!" says the General ; " my men are bun- gry, and need it more than you."
The tory was effectually silenced.
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CHAPTER XI.
TO CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
IT was a sultry summer's day the 9th of August, when the detached companies of the Twenty-third joined the regiment at Hazel Dell, just out of town. This day closes an eventful week to this part of the army and to Fredericksburg. Immediately upon taking his seat as military governor, General Patrick posted the regiments of his brigade above and below the town, and established such a dense line of pickets, surrounding the town in a semicircle, that the smug- gling of goods to the enemy (which had been carried on to some considerable extent) was effectually stopped. Very wild rumors were set afloat concern- ing Stonewall Jackson and his advance up the valley, and its visible effects upon the townspeople showed that they were rebel almost en masse. A heavy rec- onnoitering expedition was sent out on Tuesday, con- sisting of nearly half of King's division, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, and was gone four days. It succeeded in cutting the railroad below Gordonsville, and destroying a large amount of forage. Nearly the whole week was occupied by the army of General Burnside in re-shipping from Aquia, and on Satur- day they were ready to march to the relief of General Pope.
Colonel Hoffman had taken command, as before stated, but he had not fully recovered from. the fear-
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ful struggle that he had had with grim death, and see- ing that he could not endure the hardships of the march, General King ordered him to go to Washing- ton and remain until sufficiently recovered to take the field. He reluctantly obeyed, and the command again devolved upon our little Colonel. The men who were not able to endure the expected march were sent by boat and rail to Culpepper.
At six o'clock on the evening of the 10th we set ont toward Culpepper, from which direction the noise of battle had occasionally floated to us on the breeze during the day. We made about ten miles toward Orange Court House, on the plank or wilderness road, that evening. This march, though rapid, was quite easy, as the air was cool and the moon shone very brightly. We pressed forward at a very early hour on the following morning, and leaving the plank road took the direction N.W. We forded the Rapi- dan at Ely's Ford about noon, and at three o'clock halted for dinner. We remained here all night wait- ing for the remainder of King's division to come up, and encountered at sunset a very heavy thunder- shower. An order was received and preparations made to march in light order, at five P.M., to the support of Pope, who was said to be repulsed, but it was finally modified to hold ourselves in readiness to march as above at a moment's notice.
Many of these minor facts deserve mention, for here commenced the " general" execution of Order No 5, and each reader will be reminded of his own peculiar part in the programme of confiscation. Enough of wagons, horses, mules, oxen, and food had already Leen captured to render us a very unmilitary-looking army, and the day following did not improve our 4*
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appearance. Soldiers are quick to misconstrue an order giving them license in an enemy's country. Everything was appropriated that could be pressed into the service. Some threw away necessary cloth- ing, that they might carry a necessary chicken or necessary turkey.
Colonel Crane, though frowning upon this wholesale theft, still holds to his ground of practical (necessary) confiscation. An incident will illustrate. On the third day when we were out of rations and very hungry, a soldier respectfully informed the Colonel that he (the soldier) was out of meat, and "yonder runs a fine pig." He simply turned in his saddle and replied, "Shoot him !" The pig was soon roasting over the fire.
This march was a severe one for King's division. The days were hot and sultry, and we suffered much for want of water. This region is almost destitute of good water. On the last day we made twenty-two miles. Stephensburg is on this route, and though many miles from Cedar Mountain, it was used as a hospital, and was full.
We arrived near the battle-field about ten o'clock on Monday night. We thought it rough to lie down upon the damp ground with no cover but the starry night, but those were superior advantages when com- pared with what we have since passed through. The forces were disposed and the line of battle formed at 9 A.M. on the following morning, but it was soon discovered that the enemy had retired, so the wagons were brought up and we were fed, but no meat was obtained. Order No. 5 was again resorted to, and small foraging expeditions secured meat in abund- ance.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
We went forward on the 16th to the foot of Cedar Mountain, and as we remained two days on the battle- field, we had an opportunity to see how the rebels bury their dead. Much care and taste were displayed in burying some, while others were hardly covered with earth. "I saw," says an eye-witness, "the worms crawling from the face of one man, the arm and shoulder of another were drying in the sun, while the feet of another protruded from the grave."
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CHAPTER XII.
SULPHUR SPRINGS.
THE following is an extract of the official report of Lieutenant-Colonel N. M. Crane, embracing an ac- count of this fight :
* The next morning we proceeded to White Sulphur Springs. As the head of the column arrived in sight, the enemy opened upon us with artillery. The brigade was formed in line of battle, my command to the left of the Springs and to the left of the brigade. I was ordered to advance up a hill into and through a piece of woods, and drive the enemy across the river. I threw forward two companies as skirmishers, Company G, Captain Doty, and Company K, Captain Fowler, and advanced at a double quick, as I was exposed to an enfilading fire from the enemy's batteries. I crossed the field and wood, and halted my battalion under cover of the wood.
In crossing this field, my horse, in attempting to leap a broad ditch, floundered and fell upon me, but the yielding nature of the soil saved my limbs, and I immediately re-mounted and pressed forward.
The two companies of skirmishers advanced about one hundred and fifty yards to the front. coming to the river, but found no rebels on our side; but their skirmishers were just on the other side, and opened fire upon my men, who returned it vigorously. Skirmishing continued for some time and decidedly to our advantage, as a num- ber of the enemy were killed and wounded. We so annoyed the enemy that he placed two pieces "in battery," and opened upon us. At this moment Colonel G. W. Pratt reported to me that he was ordered by General Patrick to my support with his regiment, the Twentieth New York State Militia. The cannonading now became so heavy, and my position was so exposed, that I received orders from General Patrick to fall back about'thirty rods to the left and to the shelter of a ravine. I did so. causing the bugle to sound the call, "skirmishers rally on the battalion." The roar of artillery and the crack of rifles prevented my order being heard by Company G, but Company K came in and joined the regiment. The enemy about this
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time ceased firing, and finding Company G still at its post and no one injured, I concluded to let them remain over-night and sent forward two companies-Companies I and E-to take position on the right and left of Company G. to prevent any surprise or flank movement. I rode forward in person just at dusk, to see the exact situation of affairs, and found everything in order.
On the following morning we were ordered to join the brigade, about one and one half miles to the rear. The division was now put on the march for Warrenton, my regiment forming the rear-guard.
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CHAPTER XIII.
GAINESVILLE.
THIS march was a severe one, and when we halted toward morning about six miles from Gainesville for rest and breakfast, most of the men preferred sleep to food, and dropped down upon the ground and slept. Some sought rest in the sedative of coffee. "Hard tack" was scarce at this time, and many had nothing for breakfast. As high as ten cents a piece was offered for the little "paving stones." A soldier does not sell his food to a comrade-if he can spare it, he always divides. All the extra ammunition was de- stroyed at this place, and after breakfast we pressed rapidly forward to Gainesville.
While the column was halting for a wagon train to proceed, Captain Sumner Barstow, Company C, was shot in the head by the accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of one of his men. The ball grazed the temple of the orderly sergeant (Bailey), causing the blood to flow.
The oppressive heat and scarcity of water rendered this march difficult and nearly famished the men. We were, however, cheered by the sound of cannon in the direction of Centreville, and the news that we had Jackson surrounded. About the middle of the after- noon the advance of our division was fired upon, and we halted while skirmishers were thrown forward to reconnoiter. No enemy was discovered in force, and
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the advance was again taken up. As the sun sank slowly into the west, the enemy again made his av- pearance near the pike, and the forest to the left seemed to swarm with the gray-backs. With sur- prising rapidity a battery was flung into position in the open field, and a brigade brought up to its sup- port. The fight soon became general. General Gib- bon's brigade made the attack, supported by General Doubleday's command. General Patrick's brigade held the left and were not actively engaged, the Twenty-third the extreme left, and Colonel Crane threw out Companies G and K as skirmishers. This is generally believed to have been a great oversight on the part of General King, for had he brought up General Patrick's and General Hatch's brigades and completed the victory already so gloriously won by the Wisconsin boys, the enemy could easily have been routed, and in all human probability this would have turned the tide of battle on Friday and Sat- urday.
The battle, which opened so fiercely just at sunset, increased as darkness crept on, and the flame of beich- ing cannon and the steady blaze of musketry shed a lurid and sickly glare over this awful scene of carnage. Three successive times the rebels charged that intrepid line of fire-that living wall of flame-and three suc- cessive times they were mown down and driven back. The battle was fearfully obstinate. At last it dwindied to random shots and finally ceased, and silence brooded over the field, broken only by the moans of the wounded and the agonies of the dying. The battle had lasted but one hour and ten minutes, and yet eight hundred men had fallen in Gibbon's brigade.
What shall be said in honor of such men? Who
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can face death by the hour, a little band against a swarm? Who could steadily reload their pieces and send death into that swarm, while cannon belched iron hail into their faces? while musketry threw a storm of lead at them? Colonel O'Connor fell a mangled corpse at the head of the column ; a lieuten- ant-colonel was pierced through and through, yet still struggled to cheer his men ; the colors of the Seventh fell, and the color-bearer fell upon them, his brains oozing out upon the dear old flag; their officers were taken one by one, and their brave comrades fell around them like sheaves full ripe before the aveng- ing scythe of death, still they did not falter. Eight hundred brave men bit the dust in seventy minutes, and bad the enemy continued to fight, they would have held the ground to the last man.
General Patrick now brought up his brigade to re- lieve this weary and decimated band, but too late to participate-the fight had ceased. We held the field till the wounded were cared for-till about three o'clock in the morning, then set out for Manassas Plains, where General King had been ordered to report. Ten long miles lay before us; we had had no sleep for two days and nights, except what we could catch while on the march and on the battle-field amid the dead and dying, and hunger had seized upon our stomachs with sharp pangs.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
CHAPTER XIV.
BULL RUN-SECOND FRIDAY.
A SLIGHT rain had occasioned some delay to the train. At each halt many would lie down exhausted, and in spite of all efforts fall asleep. Some would throw themselves upon the ground and declare " that they would rather die than attempt to go farther." It requires a strong heart and resolute will to keep pace under such difficulties. Many drank from muddy ruts of the road. Rain on the skin could not quench the burning thirst engendered by the fierce hardships, ex- posure, and lack of sufficient and proper food.
The day was somewhat advanced when the weary column of King's division filed out upon Manassas Plain, near the fortifications, and stacked arms for rest. Rations had been promised, but the trains had been destroyed. By a special effort General Patrick suc- ceeded in procuring a present supply, but no good water could be obtained.
Syke's brigade of regulars passed us about this time on their way to the battle-field. They had hardly trailed past when General Patrick, in his own peculiar way, rode rapidly up and cried out :
" PREPARE TO MARCH !"
In an instant every man was buckling on his gear, : and any unlucky chap who did not seem in a hurry was soon quickened by the words of the General :
"RAPIDLY ! MY MEN ! RAPIDLY !"
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We were soon in line, and General Patrick addressed us in these words :
" My men, we return to the battle-ground of last night. You fight in good company. You follow the regulars. They're my old companions in arms. You fight well. I've no fault to find. Keep well closed up, and prompt to obey orders. Colonel Rogers, lead off by the right flank."
We had gone forward but about three miles, when General McDowell met the column and turned it to the right toward Bull Run. Here was work. King's division held the left till night approached. The ene- my had been driven from the center, and this ad- vantage must be held. The brigades of Hatch and Doubleday had attempted to hold this position, and the First New Hampshire battery had been driven from the field with the loss of one gun and several battery men.
General Patrick now came up, and crossing the run at double quick, took possession of the disputed hill. He attempted a hazardous advance-the second hill. It was now very dark. The battery was in support. We had no sooner reached the brow of the opposite hill than the enemy opened upon the skirmishers from the corn- field. The Thirty-fifth were in front on the left, the Twenty-third thirty paces to the rear of the Thirty-fifth. At this moment a squadron of the Harris Light Cavalry charged a body of rebels along the turnpike. Only five of that squadron went through alive, and these were taken prisoners.
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They now poured a sharp volley into our ranks, but with little effect. They were so near that their orders could be distinctly heard. Much to our surprise they seemed to be retiring from our front, while they were
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discovered on our left flank in force along the pike, pro- tected by a ditch. This was a critical position ; the enemy, beyond a doubt, were endeavoring to en- snare ns.
We retired slowly toward the former position; Com- pany K was deployed as skirmishers. Here commenced a mêlée in the darkness. We had encountered the en- emy in the ditch, and mixed up. Several were wounded; among the number Lieutenant Bovier, of General Patrick's staff, shot through the breast. Several of the enemy were taken prisoners. Three from the left wing of Company K were captured by the enemy-Sergeant Howes and Privates Beckwith and Grady. Several barely escaped.
It was amusing as well as terrible. In the utter darkness neither friend nor foe could be recognized. If foes encountered, the following dialogue would ensue :
" Who be you ?"
"Who be you ?"
" Who be You?"
The unfortunate fellow who first betrayed his stripes Tras immediately taken prisoner.
During the clamor of battle the men could keep their eyes open, but when it ceased, sleep overpowered them, and when not moving they were asleep. Even the picket, crouching upon his knees, within thirty vards of the prowling enemy, lying beside the dead, and listening to the moans and cries of the dying for water, would fall heavily upon his face asleep, and then arouse to the duty of guarding the sleepers. The following is a part of Colonel Crane's official report of the fight :
" I learned from a report from the pickets that the rebel pickets were about thirty yards in front of mine, so near
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that my men could hear them talk, and now and then they would fire at us. Lieutenant Sullivan came in and reported to me that his men were so nearly worn out that he could not keep them awake. They would fall asleep in spite of all efforts to keep awake. I at once gave orders to Lieutenant Hiram Smith to take a part of Company E and relieve Company K. He did so, but his men were in about the same condition. Feeling that I had made all the necessary arrangements to pre- vent a surprise, I sat down near some prisoners my men had taken, and amused myself by asking questions, that I might obtain some valuable information, and fearing to fall asleep. At last I could keep awake no longer, and as all was quiet I lay down about four A.M. and slept till daybreak."
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
CHAPTER XV.
BULL RUN-SECOND SATURDAY.
THE second battle of Bull Run was not an affair of numbers-it was a battle of forces, and its result in- volved a mistake. The force of mind overbalanced that of matter-Lee over Pope ; the force of velocity over inertia-Lee hurled the ponderous force of his army against the vulnerable point ; the force of strat- egy over calculation-Lee concealed his forces and led Pope into that yawning gulf of cannon.
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