USA > New York > Chronicles of the One hundred fifty-first regiment New York state volunteer infantry, 1862-1865; > Part 3
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the work at the cemetery, two miles from camp; so one of the prisoners was loosely nailed in the coffin and when he was taken ont of the hearse at the cemetery, he threw off the lid, ran and got away. It seared the colored man nearly white. It was then that I received the order to see that every coffin was nailed up, and I did so and reported to the officer at the gate. I remained in prison camp until February 23, 1865, when we were ordered back to our regiment."
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PRISON CAMP, ELMIRA, N. Y.
August 1st the regiment reached Bealton Station and en- camped with a large force. A picket line was maintained on the north side of the Rappahonnock river day and night. A com- rade writes, "in the day time we skirmished with the gray- backs and mosquitoes and at night with the Johnies, each army watching the other and both nearly played ont after the severe marching." The incessantly hot weather, the impure water, and the extreme fatigue from marches soon made inroads on the good health of the troops, and many died while in that camp, and many were sent to hospitals. Reuben Plummer and Renben Pierce fell out of the ranks near Manassas Gap, and were taken prisoners by Confederate cavalrymen, their guns were taken
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from them, then they were paroled. They afterward paid $20 to be taken to Harpers Ferry, where Pierce died in hospital. On Sunday morning, August 9th Lt. Col. Bowen, then in com- mand, formed the regiment into a hollow square, and Chaplain Buek made a prayer and a short address, it being the first at- tempt to observe the Sabbath since leaving Baltimore. There was no drill on Sundays, and the time was spent in games and other recreation as the men felt inclined.
When the regiment broke camp, marching was resmed down the river, and through a section which had no wholesome water. Two comrades report making their coffee of "water from a frog pond, which was so slimy, they strained it through their teeth."
On the 22d of August, eight days rations were issued. The men expected to be hurriedly ordered on a long march, and felt quite burdened with so much food, blanket, shelter tent, gun and sixty rounds of ammunition. They did not start until the 25th, then making a retrograde movement, halted at a church in the woods, where they remained sixteen days.
A part of the regiment improved the condition of the road. While there orders came that they would, for a few days have no rations but beef. It was not furnished from cold storage nor from refrigerator cars, but a herd would be driven with the army, and the cattle slanghtered by the soldiers as needed. Each company commissary would draw for his company in proportion to its numbers. Some of which mustered only half the number they had on leaving Lockport. We see that casualties in battle did not deplete the ranks as did disease and exposure. Consid- erable foraging was done from the camp and one comrade recol- lects how well he fared with little effort. He had a good butcher knife which was often borrowed and when it was returned some fresh game paid the accommodation.
The following letter is from L. E. Darrow to "Friend Billy" (De Wolf) under date of September 21, 1863: "We had a big time after leaving. We got to Freeman's Ford the night we left camp and across the river the next morning. The water was just above our knees and about two o'clock in the afternoon we crossed the Aestram river, which was still deeper, but we took off our boots and went in ! We marched all day long without any dinner, and stopped at eight o'clock beside a large field of corn.
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We took every ear before we left the next morning. We arrived here on Thursday at noon and made ourselves as comfortable as possible. We are about two miles from Culpepper, C. IL., and alongside of turnpike leading to Sperryville. The boys are feel ing first-rate. Cramer is here; he came through tip top. Do you know where Chauncey Matson is? Lt. Miller and all the boys sent regards to yon. I have not yet seen Charlie King, but will do your errand when I see him. Please give my regards to George and his wife. I think he was fortunate in finding her, and I hope with her care he will recover rapidly."
October 11th, they re-crossed the Rappahannock with the Confederates following. Formed in line of battle the 12th, but had no engagement.' They had an extremely hard march on the 13th. On the 14th "the Third Corps was drawn up in line of bat - tle, but the Second Corps did the fighting." On the 15th march- ing was again the order with the enemy following closely. There was consierable skirmishing within hearing distance. In Gen. Mott's report to Asst. Adjt .- Gen. Hamlin, of the action at Me- bean's Ford on the 15th he has the following: "At abont for P. M. the 151st N. Y. V. Lt. Col Bowen reported to me with abont 350 men. I placed him on the left of the road leading to the Ford, and although under a heavy artillery fire for a short time, met with no casualties." A comrade was for the first time un- able to keep in the ranks. After struggling a while he met Seth Beeman also mable to march. They were using every effort to advance to, they knew not where, also to avoid capture by elud- ing the enemy. Night found them in a fence corner. The fol- lowing day they reached Fairfax and were splendidly entertain- ed by the 17th New York Battery, some old acquaintances acting as most excellent hosts in preparing appetizing food and the best bed they had occupied since leaving Baltimore. Under such fav- orable conditions they improved and the next day were able to start to find the Regiment, going through Centerville to Union Mills, where the 1st Brigade was located, but the 151st was out on picket. At night of November 8, they reached their regiment and were warmly welcomed as the rumor was current that they had been captured by the enemy. The next march was to Cat- letts Station, where the regiment repaired the railroad which the Confedrates had destroyed. Going to Warrenton Junction,
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a halt of a few days was made in that vicinity.
November 7 they proceeded to Kelly's Ford, where the rebels in force were trying to hold the Ford. But six thirty-two pound- ers soon brought into position, and the Ist Division in advance charging across the river (with water above their knees) soon routed the Johnnies, leaving not a few of their men prisoners. The pontoon was then put down and the 1st Brigade crossed the river and bivonacked near the ford, except the 151st, which was left to support the big guns of the Ist Connecticut battery, "At 7:30 the following morning, November 8, 151st N. Y. V. having rejoined the Brigade, it moved to within about one mile of Bran- dy Station, where it marched in colunm of regiments, with instructions to support Col. Keifer who advanced and drove the enemy from the field about one mile in our front.". The above is quoted from Gen. Morris' report.
The 151st is credited as taking part in the engagement at Wapping Heights, July 20, Mclean's Ford and Catlett's Sta- tion, October 15th, and Kelly's Ford November 7, but the on- comiters must have been very light, as the regiment suffered no casualties.
CHAPTER VI
Battle of Mine Run.
The season being advanced, the nights were cold, snow was on the mountains, the roads were almost impassable, and the men felt that preparations should be made for winter quarters.
On Wednesday, November 25th, they were told that where they were at Brandy Station was to be their winter quarters, which was extremely satisfactory.
But delight turned to disappointment the 26th, Thanksgiv- ing Day, before they had their breakfast, when they were order- ed to pack up immediately. Falling in line, they marched and marched, with no suggestion of the feast which is synonymous of that day! About two o'clock Seth Beeman, Johm H. Stevens and M. R. Bowen "fell quietly out of the ranks into a piece of woods and set about getting something to eat. Having collected on the way flour, milk, tea, and little apples, we fried our pork, our hard tack, our apples, made flour gravy and our tea, then sat on a log and enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner. We sorted ont our silverware then hurried on, and overtook the regiment while it was waiting for a pontoon bridge to be laid across the Rapidan."
Friday morning the troops were ordered to advance, later halting in a large tract of woodland. All were confident they were going into battle, and different ones relate the premoni- tions they had of the wounds they were to receive. It is appar- ently true that such warnings were fulfilled, and in discussing the matter with a choice where the bullet would strike, there it was made the point of attack. It is related of the lamented Capt. S. S. Wilcox, that he made the preference if a ball should strike him, that it should prove fatal. He was the only officer killed at Mine Rum. "At Mine Run Co. A, having Sharps breech-loading
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rifles, was ordered on the skirmish line . After half an hour the rebel colum advanced, and we fell back to our line of battle. Our men rose from the ground, and then commenced what was later claimed to have been one of the sharpest musketry duels of the war."
Sidney L. Hitchcock relates the following: "During the bat- tle it happened that I was behind a tree with Sam Frier, nick- named . Ben Butler.' He had loaded his gum, and as he drew the ram-rod from the barrel he dropped it like a flash, looked at me, and was very pale. I asked if he was hit ? Assuring me that he was not he tried to pick up the rod, but could not. After placing the gun on his right arm he got it with his left hand and went to the rear. A bullet had passed between his right arm and body without breaking the skin, but both were black and blue and munnb. He did not leave the company, but the boys helped carry his knapsack the next day."
ELWIN A. SCUTT Co. I.
The sensations of many were peenliar. While some who were wounded hardly realized it for a time, others were only stunned, and imagined themselves shot. Elwin A. Seutt re- lates: "A funny incident in connection with my getting shot through the ankle was that JJohn Donahme, who was 60 years old, but gave his age as 45 at enlistment, was lying on the ground in rear of me on a little higher ground than where I was stand-
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ing, the bullet after passing through my ankle, plowed its way into the ground directly under John's head, who yelled out that he was shot. As I turned around to see him, I realized that 1 was hit."
A comrade of Co. D sends the following: "During the Mine Run campaign we were skirmishing in an open piece of timber. Our orders were to screen ourselves as much as possible, and to fire whenever we could get a glimpse of the enemy, but to hold the line if possible, until we could be reinforced. Three of us had taken position behind a log. We would lie down, load. ra -e up, rest our guns on top of the log and fire. I had loaded my gun and was taking aim across the log at a rebel who was partly screened behind a tree. Suddenly I was lying on the ground, I had dropped by gun, which had fallen the other side of the log. One of the boys asked where I was hit? After feeling my- self all over, for I was sure a ball had entered some part of my anatomy, I could not find a scratch, I replied I thought I was wounded in my mind ! On investigation a rebel bullet had buried itself in the log directly under where I was resting my gun. If the rebel had elevated his piece a little I would hardly have been here to relate the incident. It was some time before the boys forgot to remind me of the time I was shot."
Edwin L. Wage contributes his recollections of the battle of Loenst Grove or Mine Rum: " Mine Run was located in the Wil- derness south of the Rapidan, a few miles in Virginia. The on- gagement was in the woods and commenced about the middle of the afternoon, and ceased only when it became too dark to see. It was one of the sharpest engagements of the war, and was strongly contested by both sides. Neither could claim a victory. As night came on our regiment was withdrawn a short distance to the rear. A roll call was had by companies. Many comrades who went into the battle failed to respond to their names. At this time the enemy was still actively shelling the woods where we were. As the roll call of Co. D was going on, a shell struck the ground a few feet in front of our line, bounded, passed over our heads, buried itself in rear of the line and exploded withont doing harm. AAfter roll call volunteers were called for, to go over the field of battle between the lines, to find the wounded and remove them to the rear, where they could secure surgical treat-
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ment. The writer was one of a mimber of men who volunteered. There was a moon, but it was obseured a part of the time. We went onto the field between the picket lines, ( who were frequent- ly firing) in single file, without arms, and made as little noise as possible so as to not draw the fire of either side. When a wound- ed soldier was found two or three men would assist him to the rear. I can never forget the experience of that night. Dead men lying in all positions, in some places two or three close together. One soldier was lying on his back still grasping his Enfield rifle in his right hand, the left extended holding the rod as he was in the act of loading. A shell had struck his head. I received a bad scare that night, and, for a time thought I was sure to be taken prisoner. I had gone beyond the rebel picket and was in- side their lines. With great cantion I gradually worked my way back. guided by the picket firing. I never knew how long I was getting back, and shall never forget the sensations I felt at that time, and how glad I was when I reached our own lines."
The following extract from a letter written by a comrade to George Smith of Co. A, commenced November 4th and finish- ed December 3, 1863, contains many interesting personalities:
"Thus far I had got on this letter when orders came to hook mp the nmiles and march immediately, so I was obliged to close for the time being, and get ready for our, what has proved a seven days' campaign. Well we marched across the Rapidan, had a battle, and plenty of sharp skirmishing, and then a retro- grade movement and here we are just where we started from, having lost a member in killed, wounded and missing and no great object obtained. Our regiment lost between fifty and sixty men, among whom and the only commissioned officer, was Capt. Wilcox of Co. G, one of the very best officers in the regiment. He was killed by a minnie ball a very few moments after the en- gagement began. Co. D lost one man killed, and four wounded; Co. A lost two non-commissioned officers and four men wounded and missing as follows:
Corp. John Stevens, wounded in thigh (severely).
Corp. St. Clair, wounded in leg ( severely ). Stephen Warner, wounded in shoulder (severely).
Jesse Benson, wounded in right shoulder (arm amputated). Christopher Spaulding wounded in thigh (ball not extracted). Jake Rolfe missing.
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JOHN H. STEVENS Corporal Co. A.
JESSE BENSON Co. A.
"These few details of Co. A I got from the boys. Capt. Bowen was in the fight and is all right, he did his duty and nobly did he do it. I can say nothing less of the whole regiment. They all did nobly and get the praise of it from officers of high rank. I'mist close, yon will probably get all the details from the boys who were in the fight. I had the honor of being with the trans- portation at the time so I have nothing to feel proud of."
In the Mine Run campaign of November 26-December 2, there was bnt little gained. When the attack was first proposed, Lee had his men scattered over a large territory into winter quar- ters, the distance from the extreme right to the exertme left being forty-five miles. Our Generals regarding that condition
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as a favorable opportunity for attack, planned to concentrate forces for that purposes, hence the sudden and unexpected order of the 151st when it was supposed to be settled for the winter. However the divergence of the different Corps, and the obstacles they enconntered in concentrating, proved their undoing. Storms, marching through thickly wooded sections, going astray, misinformation regarding the width of the Rapidan, resulting in all pontoons being one boat too short which necessitated bridg- ing, etc., all combined to cause the delay which gave Lee ample time to reinforce at the right places and secure so formidable an opposition behind the entrenchments and abatis along Mine Km that the several attacks of our forces were ably repulsed, and Meade withdrew his army to its former position, which end- ed the campaign of 1863 in Virginia.
During the Mine Run campaign the 151st lost, Captain Wil- cox and nine enlisted men killed, five died from wounds, thirty- eight recovered, and seven enlisted men missing. Total loss of Union forces engaged, 1653. Christopher Spaulding died of lock-jaw in ambulance on the road to Alexandria, where the wounded were sent to different hospitals and well cared for.
The Mansion House Hospital was a confiscated hotel with ample accommodations, some rooms having a fine view of the Potomac with its varied craft. Plenty of reading matter was furnished, and the fare was wholesome and abundant. Later the Christmas and Now. Years diners did justice to the holidays, consisting of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, turnips, onions, pickled beets, cranberry sauce, mince pie, bread, butter and cof- fee.
CHAPTER VH
Winter Camp near Brandy Station.
The winter camp of 1863-4 appears to have been very favor- ably located as described by Philip Cooke: "December 31 the Ist Brigade, 3d Division of the 3d Corps, composed of the 151st N. Y., 14th N. J., and 10th Vt. regiments, went into winter camp, two miles north of Brandy Station, on the John Minor Bott's farm. The site for the camp was a good one. It was on the battle ground of June 9, between the cavalry forces of Gen- erals Pleasanton and Stewart, at the commencement of the Get- tysburg campaign. On the north-easterly side was a large tract of wood-land, which furnished logs to build the cabins, and fire wood for the officers and men of the Brigade. On the west side was a branch which furnished sufficient water for the camp. The officers' quarters were ranged along the edge of the woods, and the men's quarters were at a right angle, each company forming a row of log cabins, with streets between. The lay of the ground was slightly sloping toward the brauch. The streets were graded up some to the center, which kept the camp well drained. The formation of the camp was as follows: 14th N. J. on the right, 10th Vt. on the left, 151st N. Y. in the center. When the Brigade went into camp for any length of time the 151st N. Y. was usually placed in the center of the camp.
"It was a current report at that time that the 10th Vt. and 14th N. J. were continually quarreling, and getting in fist fights and keeping up a racket generally. By placing the 151st N. Y. in the center it kept peace in the Brigade.
"The 10th Vt. men were great on trading, and peddling all kinds of truck when in camp, and were not very well liked by the rest of the Brigade.
"It took quite a long time to build the officers' and men's
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quarters, and get the camp in a generally satisfactory condition for the winter, as there were large details made from the ranks each day, to build corduroy roads, and get the small streams bridged, so that the roads would be passable through the win- ter. In a few days trains were running regularly to Brandy Station, and whole train loads of soft bread was shipped in. The whole army was put on soft rations, and the soldiers com- meneed to enjoy camp life.
"The duties of the army were camp guard, and picket duty. No company drill, but usually dress parade in the evening.
"After things got settled in camp for the winter, quite a number of the soldiers received furloughs to go home, and some of the officers to recruit for the regiment. Reveille at 6 A. M., guard mounting at 9 o'clock, after that, sick call; taps at 9.p. M. and lights out. Our Brigade was guilty of tearing down a small brick church to get brick for fire places and chimneys, those brick were carried about two miles in the men's knapsacks. The boys thought they needed comfort more than they did religion at that time.
"Men were detailed from the ranks for various purposes during the winter. Some were sent to guard rations at Brandy Station, blacksmiths and painters to Division wagon train head- quarters, where the wagons and wagon covers were being fitted up for the spring campaign.
"The pieket detail was the hardest task through the winter. The picket line was several miles from camp, the other side of Culpepper. The picket detail would go out to the line and stay three days, and as there was much rain that winter, it was a dis- agreeable duty to perform.
"That section of the country had been fought over, and marched through by both the Union army and the rebels. There were no fence rails for fire-wood, and on most of the picket lines the men had to use green pine for fire wood, which kept them smoked up and as black as niggers.
"Generally the men were in good spirits. Many received boxes of good things from home, and they had the privilege of lying extra rations at the commissary department.
Several times during the winter, an elderly man, dressed in citizens clothes would come into camp and sing patriotic songs
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and give talks on his travels in the western army, which was very interesting to the soldiers."
Often the soldiers manifested their natural bravery and dar- ing, in securing personal comforts. A case in point is related by Edwin L. Wage, when a guard's shot was provoked. He also gives a good discription of the cabins.
"After the return of the army from the Mine Rim campaign, we went into winter quarters near Brandy Station on the north side of the Rappahannock, our regiment taking possession of log huts built by the rebels. These huts were each about 12 feet square, made of logs halved together at the corners, the openings filled in with clay, and the roof covered with rough boards, over which we stretched our shelter tents; the doors were made of rongh boards with leather hinges. Each Imt had a fireplace with a stick chimney, the fireplace and chimney well filled with red clay to keep them from burning. There were no floors in these huts which was remedied by cutting logs and then split- ting them in halves and placing the split side up. Most of the boys also made rough tables and we used boxes from the sutlers, or logs, for chairs. Each lit had an opening or window for von- tilation and light. We also made banks as best we could, taking small round timber from the woods nearby for that purpose.
"At this time Sergeant Dan HI. Pratt of Company D, had been sick and feeble for some time, but did not wish to leave the Company and go to a field hospital, as his discharge had been recommended by the regimental surgeon. One of the other ser- geants undertook to make him a bank more comfortable than of round timber. John Minor Botts had a plantation about a mile from the camp and near the barns on the place was a large pile of lumber. He being a union man, guards were placed all about his premises to protect his property. One rainy night between daylight and dark the sergeant made up his mind to try and get a board and as the guard, who was pacing his beat turned to walk away from the pile of Imuber to some ontbuildings, the sergeant made a dash, seized a good board, and started for the camp on a ran, holding the board behind him as a shield; he had gone but a short distance when the guard discovered him and commanded him to halt or he would fire; this he repeated three times; the sergeant only ran the faster. The soldier im-
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mediately fired, the bullet passing close by the sergeant's head. Before the guard could reload and fire again, he was well ont of danger and Sergeant Pratt had a much more comfortable bed until he received his discharge, which came a few weeks later."
On Christmas the officers of the 10th Vi. introdneed a social innovation in the Brigade, by seenring mules for mounts, and with their band, making formal calls on the other regiments. The line officers of the 151st were inclined to return the compli- ment on New Year's Day, and made extensive preparations for a grotesque parade, sending to Washington for masks. But an order detailing the regiment for picket duty prevented the event.
Necessities and luxuries could be proenred, but to do so was expensive. An officer wrote home, "we have to pay fifty cents for butter, thirty for cheese, and thirteen cents for sugar. Send another box!" While artisans were numerous in the army, there was very little opportunity for indulging their skill, but in the camp at Brandy Station they erected a church, or a build- ing nsed both for divine service and theatricals. The following winter when encamped near Petersburg, the 50th N. Y. Vol. en- gineers erected a church which was marvelous in its construc- tion, under the circumstances. Many comrades of the 151st were privileged to attend services in that church.
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