USA > New York > Chronicles of the One hundred fifty-first regiment New York state volunteer infantry, 1862-1865; > Part 4
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Extract from a letter, written January 27, 1864. "Just re- turned from pieket duty at Stone House mountain on the Sperry- ville pike, five miles west of Culpepper. We took ont raw mater- ial and had it cooked at a house where we made our headquar- ters. We go on picket three days at a time, but so far to go it takes about fonr before we get in. We had a delightful time as it has been as fine weather as I ever saw, good roads, and beautiful nights .. Brought in two deserters from 22nd N. C. Reg. They say a great many are deserting, and that they will not fight another season. The band is out playing waltzes, violin too, makes good music."
February 28, the Reg. was under orders to march at a mo- ments notice. A reconoisance in force was going on. The 6th Corps and others were on the march. "The regiment started at daylight and marched to near the Rapidan, stopped there sev- eral hours, and marched back to camp, arriving there about 2 A. M. That was when Col. Dahlgren started on his expedition to
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release the Union prisoners at Richmond, Va., but this raid came to nanght, Dahlgren was killed, and more than half his men captured."
C'apt. Bowen wrote under date of March 28, 1864: "Hlad Brigade review and Brig. dress parade today. I, being in com- mand of the regiment, had an invitation to brigade headquarters to dinner. The dinner was given in honor of the new change of Corps and Divisions in the Army of the Potomac. In this alter- ation we have two more regiments set to our brigade. It now comprises the 106th and 151st N. Y., the 10th Vi., 14th N. J. and 87th Pen. Gen. Morris reviewed his new Brigade for the first time and gave a dinner to the field and acting field officers of the brigade."
A comrade sends extract from his diary: "March 31. We move our camp today. The men thought it tough to leave our good log cabins, but go we must. Moved to a camp three miles north of Culpepper, near an old brick church. Not a very good eamp; it was formerly occupied by the Berden sharpshooters. There are not half enough cabins for our regiment, no bunks, very poor fire places. We call this ' Camp Miserable.' " Early in April the officers who had been on recruiting service returned to the regiment. Target practice was commenced in preparation for the summer campaign. Brigade drills were frequent, and a Corps review was held near Brandy Station, at which Gens. Grant and Meade were present. On the 25th overcoats and ex- tra clothing were packed and sent off for storage during the sumner. A new flag was received by the regiment on the 26th. Also on that day Sergt. John L. Carrier of Co. E', was promoted to Lientenant. His company honored him by the presentation of a sword.
A prominent field officer of the Reg., in tendering his resig- nation in the spring of 1864, gave as a reason: "I can do more good fighting copperheads at home, than fighting rebels in the field."
While we are not inclined to disparage any one and ean see that those acts of many, which in time of war were called traitor- ous, were simply acts of indiscretion, we are disposed to mention in a general way two classes, of which the present generation is ignorant Copperheads and Leeches were too prominent to be:
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popular. We have the subjects well expressed in rhyme, both written in 1863, which will convey more than we can give of the true estimation in which they were held.
COPPERHEADS.
Won't submit to the laws, won't assist in the cause Of sustaining our flag and fame;
Won't fight for your nation, nor pay conmutation,
If fortune should draw out your name; Dislike confiscation, hate emancipation, Nor willing your taxes to pay ; You narrow souled misers; base rebel sympathizers, The hangman is wanted this way.
Yon cowardly knaves, your base traitorons tricks Would have shamed the tories of Seventy-Six.
Your disloyal desire, and your traitorons ire, Is plain at each rebel disgrace; While Union battles lost, at ten thousand lives cost, Brings only a smile on your face. 'Gainst the administration, the day star of our nation, Your invectives are void of reason ; -.
Your foul tongue and your pen, have approved of no men, Save those who're plotting with treason. Yon treacherous dogs, your contemptible tricks, Would have shamed the tories of Seventy-Six.
Then do cease your fretting, your foaming and sweating, About Constitution and Right,- Let's have no more whining,-despouding-repining, Do try and be men as you might. Yon are wasting your pains, and you're racking your brains, To blame the Administration ; ---
But no censuring word from your lips has been heard 'Gainst those who're sacking our nation. You wolves in disguise, your base infamous tricks Will be spurned like the tories of Seventy-Six.
+
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But your treacherous game, will fall short of its aim,
For enough trne men will be font --
To gnide the "Ship of State" past the snares that await, And land us ou free soil ground. Our old national life, will be saved in the strife, By the noble, the true, and the brave -- And our land shall yet be, the fond home of the free,
Untramped by the foot of the slave.
Then you copperheads all. for your low sneaking tricks, Will be spurned I'ke the tories of Seventy-Six.
LEECHES. "l'is strange indeed, in times like these, How many show their feeling And love of country in a kind Of "gently o'er me stealing!" One man goes prating long and loud About our "bleeding nation;" But while the soldiers gape around Ile robs them of a ration !
Another wants a sufler's berth, "To fight he isn't able;" And so he'd like to do his share By furnishing the table! "He loves his dear old country's flag, And Yankee Doodle Dandy ;" And so he shows his love for them By selling poisoned brandy !
Go where you choose, look where you will, You'll find these army leeches; In church, in Congress, on the stomp, A making Union speeches. Round bar-room fires these wintry nights They drink their whisky-toddy; While shiver, shiver in the camps The men they clothed in shoddy !
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Away with all sneh men as these, Who rob our flag's defenders! To Warren and to Lafayette With all such base pretenders! And if at all our dear old flag Is to be rent asunder, Let it be done by rebel hands, And not by those of phuinder!
CHAPTER VILL.
Battle of the Wilderness.
The summer of 1863 was in many ways a trial to the 151st, but in favorable contrast to that of 1864. The former was one of onslaught against minor foes, such as marches, mosquitoes, and magnificent distances. The latter was of more warlike pro- portions. The months of May and June '64, were very active in campaign work. The tiresome marches, and the frequent en- counters with the enemy, kept the men in unrest continually.
While many engagements and skirmishes did not include action on their part, or exposure to the enemy, they were in sus- pense, and the trend of excitement was wearing.
On May 3rd the regiment received orders to be in readiness to march on the following morning. According it left "Camp Miserable" at 5 A. M. Long lines of soldiers could be seen marching toward the Rapidan. At 4 P. M. the regiment crossed the river on pontoon bridge at Germania Ford, and went into bivouac half a mile distant, a picket detail going out in the even- ing. Before day-break May 4th, the Army of the Potomac, broke camp, and in the evening the entire army was encamped in the very heart of the Wilderness. By the evening of the 5th, the trains of more than 4000 wagons,, which Gen. Grant states "would have extended from the Rapidan to Richmond stretched along in single file," were safely on the south side of the river.
Starting at 5:30 the next morning, the 151st marched eight miles hearing musketry firing in their front, which continued until late in the evening. The night was spent in the woods in front of the rebel line of breastworks. The battle of the Wilder- ness had opened.
A comrade writes of May 6: "Heavy musketry firing com- meneed early in the morning. Our regiment took a position in
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the second line of battle. They were in a thick woods of small pines, and could scarcely walk through them. We were under artillery fire, and shells burst over us which killed and wounded several of our regiment. One of the shells killed my comrade on my right, and stunned me so that I was sent to the rear."
Charles E. Goodman tells of his good fortune as compared with the majority of those captured by the enemy. "I kept right with the regiment till the battle of the Wilderness when I was taken prisoner. I was taken to a field hospital of the Johnnies, was given the choice between staying there, and taking care of our wounded, or being sent farther sonth, which meant to a southern prison. Of course I stayed, and with a soldier from a New Jersey regiment, of the name of Galloway, we had our hands full night and day, for about six weeks, when a company of cavalry recaptured us. They took all of our wounded who were able to ride in the ambulances which they brought, and hurried back south. We breather easier when once more within onr lines."
Chauncey Weatherwax contributes his recollections of the Wilderness conflict :- " May 5th we were called at 4 o'clock, pre- pared a hasty breakfast and at 5 took up our line of march to- ward the Wilderness tavern, my regiment moving left in front as flankers or skirmishers. On march was slow and tedious, with frequent halts, trains and artillery ocempying the roadway, while the infantry moved next there-to, we, as ffankers being on the side next to the enemy as protection against any sudden attack, of which we were expected to give timely warning. Near noon some firing was heard at the head of our columnm. Our line of skirmishers were now pushed far in advance of the main army to discover any movement the enemy might make in our direc- tion. In the meantime the firing had become furions at the head of our cohunn. We soon got into oak timber and halted upon a rise of ground. Several shells burst in our vicinity. Again the order forward comes. We soon received a heavy volley from the enemy's rifles. We pressed forward and discover the enemy falling back upon whom we open fire, returning the compliment with interest. Furious fighting continued during the afternoon and until long after dark. In a clearing to our front and left, where the struggle had been frightful two prices of artillery of
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Winslow's battery D, Ist N. Y. lay deserted between the lines, neither side being able to hant them from the field so fierce was the conflict. During the day we captured many prisoners. It was evident that we had gained little if any advantage of the enemy, being compelled to fight him on his preferred ground. The sights and sounds of the battle fields are bad, this one was doubly so as early in the morning of the 6th the battle began to rage with great earnestness. As the day wore on the carnage hightened.
"Suddenly a great hill spread in om front. A few moments after cessation of hostilities, and while engaged in preparing our coffee, the confederates opened fire upon our right flank and rear. We sprang to arms, the attack was quickly fanned into one gigantie flame. The enemy became confused, and left the lost-ground covered with their dead, wounded and dying. At last darkness prevailed, moving cautiously forward the groans of wounded and dying were heard, heart-rending.
" It was now certain that the confederates had fallen back, the comuand was given to face to the right. After marching about 300 yards we were halted within a line of breastworks construct- ed by them. Their surprise was evident from the accountre- ments, cooking utensils ete., which were left in confusion. We soon advanced to a road which ran at right angles with our line, and were ordered to lie down. While lying there we could hear out troops moving behind us. At a late hour we were withdrawn and moved in Cohmms to the right. We reached a more favor- able position. It was from this point that Gen. Sedgwick sent his celebrated dispatch to Gen. Grant, 'I have reestablished my line.' ">
The battle of the Wilderness May 5-7 1864, was a fiercely fonght, and strategically planned one. There was great loss of life on both sides. The Union forces were victorions in effecting a crossing of the Rapidan, by the entire Army of the Potomac. They continually gained ground toward the Confederate Capitol, and the subsequent events which brought about the close of the war, were augmented by the battle of the Wilderness. It in- eluded skirmishes and engagements in many localities, but the combined result was of great disaster. Many New York regi- ments lost from 100 to 260 men, while the total loss of Union forces engaged was 17,666, The loss of the 151st was 1 officer
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and 2 enlisted men killed, 14 men wounded, and 4 men missing.
The conflict was among the greatest disadvantages of na- ture. There were streams, bridges, swamps and almost impenet- rable forests, through which oven the infantry was pressed with great difficulty. Although the active campaign was of days dur- ation, and the fatigue and discomfort of the men must have been extreme, they remainded loyal, and energetically did their duty. Gen. Morris in his report states :- "The field and line officers distinguished themselves. The small amount of strag. gling from the command showed good dicipline. I had every reason to be proud of the regiments composing my Brigade."
PHILIP COOKE Co. F.
CHAPTER IN.
Diary, May 7-80, 1864.
Philip Cooke's graphie account from his diary, of the de- tailed movements of the 151st during the active and serions cam paign of May and June, until the battle of Monocacy when he was taken prisoner, is so comprehensive, that we take the liberty to publish it entire.
May 7th: The wagon trains are falling back. The regiment change position two or three times to-day, but holds its line O. K. The right of our division was driven back some toward night. It is reinforced and the lines are re-established. Sharp firing through the night and our men did not get any rest.
May 8th: We withdraw from the breastworks early in the morning and commence to fall back and march toward Spottsyl- vania. The day is warm and it is hard marching. We pass by quite a large squad of rebel prisoners. We form line of battle in the afternoon on a piece of bottom land near a branch. In our front is a wooded hill and we can hear the rebels chopping trees and building breastworks. We are in the third line of battle there is considerable skirmishing going on in front. The Rebel sharp- shooters have good range on our lines and some of them are shooting at us with explosive balls. These explosive balls ex- plode just before they reach our lines for which we are very thankful, no regular battle brought on. We stay in line of battle all night. Company F, is put on the skirmish line, and they advance to the Branch at the foot of a wooded hill very near the rebel line of breastworks. The skirmishers dig shallow holes in the sand to protect themselves.
May 9th: The regiment throw up intrenehments this morn- ing a few hundred feet to our right. Our forces have planted a Battery of Artillery. The rebel sharpshooters have good range
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of our works, as they are on higher ground than on line of works are. General Sedgwick was killed today standing near one of the guns of the battery. Our Brigade Commander General Wm. II. Morris was wounded near where General Sedgwick was killed. We hear that on troops ocenpy Fredericksburg. Heavy firing toward evening.
May 10th: Heavy cannonading all day. We lay still be- hind the breastworks. The rebel sharpshooters are very active and we have to be very careful about exposing ourselves.
May 1th: We get relieved from the first line of breast works and are moved back to the second line of works. This is a great relief to the men as now they can get up and walk around without being shot at. Heavy rain, we get good news today.
May 12th: Raining this morning. We lay still behind the breastworks. The forces to our left advance their lines and there is heavy firing. Our troops capture the Rebel works, 6000 prisoners, three Generals and twenty pieces of Artillery. We are moved to the front in the afternoon. We build a line of breastworks in the night.
May 13th: Still raining. Not much fighting going on. We are moved to our left at noon near the breastwork that our troops captured yesterday. There are a great many dead rebels behind their works, some places they lay two and three deep. We are moved to on right in the after-noon and build a line of breastworks and stay there all night.
May 14th: We packup and move several miles to our left and cross the Fredericksburg road. Here we came across the 8th New York Heavy Artillery and we had a short visit with them. A battery of Artillery comes up and takes position and on regiment is sent to support them. The battery opens fire and shell the Rebel works, we charge the works and drive the Rebels out and stay all night.
May 15th : We go to work and build rifle pits and chop down lots of trees. Expect the Rebs to charge us. Heavy showers in the after-noon. Not neh fighting today. We stay behind rifle pits all night.
May 16th: Clears up some today and is quite warm. All quiet in the front. Five companies go ont on the skirmish line at night. The balance of the regiment stay behind the breast- works all night.
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May 17th: All quite in the front today and is quite pleasant. We do our washing and have a general clean up, first chance we have had since we left camp. We go on Picket at night.
May 18th : Morning bright and warm. The picket line falls back early in the morning and we march several miles to the cen- ter of our Army. We march again in the afternoon and occupy the same breastwork that we left in the morning.
May 19th: We advance our line of battle two miles, and build a strong line of breastworks and stay all night. All quiet along the front.
May 20th: We lay in the same position all day. Not much firing through the day. In the evening we are detailed to go out and build breastworks. Work all night. Move back to the old position in the morning.
May 21st : Day quite warm. We lay still all morning. In the after-noon we move to on right. We fall back in the evening and had quite a fight before dark.
May 22nd: On the march this morning. Pass Guiney Sta- tion on the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad at noon and camp for the night four miles south of the station.
May 23rd: Have hard marching today. Heavy cannonad- ing to our right in the after-noon. We stop and guard the wagon tram tonight.
May 24th: We cross the North Ama river at 8:00 o'clock A. M. Stop all day and night on bank of the river. Heavy firing on our left.
May 25th : We march back to the Fredericksburg and Rich- mond R. R. today and tear it up. Burn the ties and bent the rails as crooked as we can. After several hours hard work we march back to the front and stop all night. Not much firing along the line tonight.
May 26th: We move abont one mile to the front behind some breastworks and stay all day. Retreat in the evening. Cross back over the river. Roads are very inddy. Stop for the night near a brick Church.
May 27th: March to the White House. Cross the Potomac R. R. at Chester Station.
May 28th : On the march at 7:06 A. M. and cross the Pamun- key river and throw up breastworks. Stay here all day .
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May 29th : Lay still all day behind breastworks.
May 30th : We move to our right about five miles at 3:30 o'clock A. M. March back again in the after noon. Form line of battle and stay all night.
The foregoing diary briefly represents the movements of the regiment from May 7-30, which included the battles of Spottsyl- vania C. Il. North Amma and Totopotomoy.
In the spring of 1864, the Army of the Potomac numbered 140,000, while the Confederate Army of northern Virginia, had less than half, not much exceeding 60,000 which would imply au immediate decisive victory for the Union forces. But Lee was planted securely by the Rapidan with advantage of situation, and formidable breastworks, while Grant realizing his superior force, relied on it.
At the conclusion of the Wilderness campaign the forces of Grant were pushed rapidly toward Spotsylvania C. II. where he expected to assault bee and make his way to Richmond, but Lee reached Spotsylvania first and was ready for the onslaught. le was strategie, he was on the defensive, and made his repulses with vigor. At Spotsylvania the fierceness of the struggle was appalling.
JOHN P. BINGHAM Co. F.
Reminiscence of John P. Bingham :
"In the spring campaign, of the Wildness my mind goes back to the battle of Spotsylvania. The night before that terrible
151st REGIMENT
carnage, I as placed on picket with a squad of men so close to the rebel breastworks, that the two opposite armies talked back and forth, our boys inviting the Jolomies to come over and drink coffee with them and the Rebs would reply, come over Yanks and get some tobacco, and asked our boys when they were going to take the slaughter pen ? our boys remarked when we get ready. That night was the trial of my life as we had been fighting night and day, with the exception of the time we were marching from the rear to the front, and had been deprived of sleep and rest until we were nearly played ont, my men were in an open field, very close to the Rebel breastworks, as soon as each man was placed on post he would dig a hole with his tin plate throwing the dirt in front of him to protest him from the Rebel fire. As soon as they had finished the job I discovered some of them snor- ing, so I began patroling my beat and found that the last one was asleep. I saw that there was no other way for me only to walk backward and forward and try and keep awake myself', but I must confess that I believed I walked in my sleep, but when I heard the officer of the grand round coming, I commenced at the end they were approaching and walked up the sentinel so he could give the challenge and so on until I got them all awake. The next morning, about three o'clock, we were ordered to camp, and sent out all along the rebel line, and formed a line of battle expecting an attack, and if my memory serves me right we laid all day and night in line with a drenching rain pouring down until we were pretty well wet through; but the day follow- ing in the morning we were put to support one of our batteries. Afterwards were placed in line of battle to take what the Rebs called the slaughter pen, and they had it named right for they had six different entrenchments and breastworks for us to drive them ont of, but we did it with a terrible slaughter. I walked over dead and wounded three deep in the rifle pits, and there was a white oak tree eighteen inches through near the third breast- works that was cut down with minnie balls. It took a long time to remove the wounded and bury the dead. I presine there is enough of my company living to bear me out in what I have said in relation to this terrible battle, which I have a picture of in my cottage at Silver Lake Assembly."
After the burial of the dead at Spotsylvania, Chaplain Foote
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held a brief service, reading from a Bible which was given to Angevine Marshall by his mother, and carried by him during his entire service in the army. It was the only Bible in the regi- ment at that time. His family retains it as a treasured relie.
John P. Alpangh is interesting in his account of himself and others being left wounded between the lines, when their resene was affected by his being able to give a signal of distress:
"I joined the regiment at it's organization and served as a private soldier until the Battle of Spotsylvania. There, May 13th, 1864, abont sundown I was wounded and taken to the rear to a farm house where there were quite a number of wounded, both Union and Confederate soldiers.
"During the night the Union lines fell back leaving om wounded soldiers between the two lines. Our army doctors had left us to our fate. I, being the least wounded, got out of the house and in the distance I saw the Union army planting their batteries. Alter I gave the signal of distress, an ambulance was sent to our relief and we were taken to a piece of wood land. Here I spent the night.
"The next day, I was transferred to Fredericksburg and thence to Philadelphia where I remained until my wound was nearly healed.
"The war was still raging and I was transferred to the 10th Regiment, Company F, Veteran Reserve Corps, stationed at Washington when President Lincoln was shot. I was one of the guards where he lay in state at the White House.
" During the capture and trial of the assassins, who were con- fined in the old Capitol prison, I was detailed as one of the guards and remained on duty until the prisoners were tried and sentenced. It was a painful task to perform, but I was a soldier and could not fail to do my duty."
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