USA > New York > Disaster, struggle, triumph. The adventures of 1000 "boys in blue," from August, 1862, to June, 1865 > Part 14
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On arriving at Catlett's station, the 126th remained on picket for an hour, and then took its place in the column, the 111th acting as skirmishers. The Regi- ment had to "double-quick " to assume its place in the rear of the Brigade, which still led the Division. Centerville was the point where MEADE had resolved to concentrate his forces and give battle to the enemy.
* The fine, soldierly enthusiasm of General HAYS, and his appreciation of the services of his men, which endeared him to all their hearts, were shown on this occasion, when, after the 126th had driven the enemy, and repulsed the cavalry attack, he rode to the front of the Regiment, bared his head, and with tears of grateful emotion, thanked the Regiment for its gal- antry, and said: "You have this day raised your old commander (SHER- RILL) up another round of the ladder of fame!"
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Toward this point all the Corps of our army were hastening, while the enemy was trying to intercept us.
When, at four o'clock in the afternoon, the 2d Corps reached Bristow, where the railroad crosses Broad Run, the rear of the 5th Corps, SYKES command- ing, had just crossed the stream. The 2d Corps fol- lowed, the batteries fording the stream, the men pick- ing their way across, some on the railway ties, some on stepping stones, the whole line a good deal stretched out, and somewhat straggling. After cross- ing, the Brigade moved to the right of the railroad, through woods and low pines, until it emerged in an open plain which extended on both sides of the rail- road for some distance, and then rose into a gentle hill, the railway itself being in a somewhat deep cut. Suddenly heavy firing was heard. It was the enemy preparing to attack the rear of SYKES' column. The sudden apparition of the 2d Corps changed their pro- gramme, and they turned furiously on the new intruder. WARREN, seeing what seemed the whole force of the enemy coming upon him, sent to SYKES. for assistance. He replied that his orders were to report at Centerville. WARREN uttered some pretty strong Saxon words, and added: "I will whip them alone, then." As the enemy came out of the woods on the left, they encountered our flankers, and sharp skirmishing ensued.
General HAYS, who was riding in front, saw the position of things, turned his horse and galloped down past the Regiments, calling to each : "By the left flank ; double-quick ; march !" adding, "get that
A. R. Ward
J.P.DAVIS JE.
BATTLE OF BRISTOW, OCT. 14th, 1863. THIRD BRIGADE, 3D DIV., 2D CORPS. Seizing the Railroad Cut.
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cut, boys, before the enemy gets it !'' Each Regi- ment, as it got the order, rushed for the railroad cut ; first the 125th, then the 39th, then the 126th. It was now a race on both sides for this cut ; the shot and shell of the enemy, from a Battery on the hillside, whizzing and buzzing among our men as they ran, but doing little damage, while our skirmishers did their utmost to impede their advance. With shouts of exultation, our men gained the position, which was a most advantageous one, the railway forming a nice breastwork. From this they poured a murderous fire into the advancing enemy, while themselves were under cover. There was a small hut on the other side of the road, and the enemy massed on the left of that. Seeing this, ARNOLD's Rhode Island Battery was placed on the gentle slope back of our forces, and literally blew them to pieces as they stood. The 2d Brigade, which had gained a point in some bushes on the enemy's right, swept down on the flank of the already disorganized and shattered columns, and com- pleted their rout. Many were killed or wounded, six or seven hundred surrendered as prisoners, and the rest fled in utter confusion, leaving their Battery on the hillside. Observing this, one Company from each Regiment in the Brigade (Company C, commanded by Captain SCOTT, from the 126th) was detailed to go and bring off the guns; which was done amid the most vociferous cheering. Five guns and two battle flags, besides the prisoners, were the trophies of the 3d Brigade, which was the one principally engaged on this occasion, because it happened to be in a position
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to receive the enemy's attack. The 2d Corps was complimented in a general order,* and was allowed to have "Bristow " inscribed on its banners. The fight closed up at dark with a sharp artillery duel.+
The importance of the battle of Bristow Station, and the utter discomfiture of the enemy, is shown by the reports of their Generals after the battle. We find in them none of their usual brag and bravado, not even an attempt to deny their defeat; the whole tenor of
* HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ¿ October 15th, 1863.
General Orders :
The Major-General commanding announces that the rear guard, consisting of the 2d Corps, were attacked yesterday, while marching by the flank.
The enemy, after a spirited contest, were repulsed, losing two colors, a Battery of five guns, and 450 prisoners.
The skill and promptitude of Major-General WARREN, and the gallantry and bearing of officers and men of the 2d Army Corps, are entitled to high commendation.
By command of Major-General MEADE.
(Signed) S. WILLIAMS, Acting Adjutant-General.
+ One young man, A. S. ANDREWS, whose diary breaks off abruptly at Bristow, had a remarkable experience. It was told me by Corporal PECK, who was slightly wounded at the same battle, and confirmed by Dr. PELTIER and others. He was wounded while on the " double-quick," stooping for- ward, the ball entering his throat, after grazing his chin, and coming out at the left side of the spine, partially severing the windpipe. In this condition, both he and PECK were made prisoners. In broken whispers he begged the latter to see him buried, which was promised. Both were taken to the house of a Mr. PORTER, and when an ambulance came there for the wounded, PECK was taken, and begged hard for his friend. "We don't carry dead folks," said the rebel Surgeon, who, however, stuck a little lint in ANDREWS' wound, and the poor fellow was left in the hut of Mr. PORTER. When our army passed that way again, they found ANDREWS still alive, and sent him to Washington, where he was carefully nursed until he was restored to tolerable soundness. Poor PECK, on the contrary, tasted the sweets of most of the southern prisons, and was released only when the advance of our armies made it necessary for them to give up their prisoners. When the woman at the house was asked what she had done for ANDREWS while he lay there, she said : " Well, I gave him pepper tea !"
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their communications to their superior officers is exculpatory and apologetic. They admit large num- bers of men engaged on their side, and great losses, especially of officers; but make extravagant statements of the numbers on our side, and of our fortified posi- tions. The preceding narrative will show how much chance we had for fortifying. It was a fair fight, and they were beaten, with very small loss on our part. For gallantry in the actions at Bristow and Auburn, Lieutenant-Colonel BULL's rank was raised to Colonel; so that, as he says, he was permitted to "wear the eagles."*
At half past nine the 2d Corps, which had lain in line of battle until then, stole noiselessly away. The men were wakened quietly; everything that could jingle or rattle was secured; in a long, black line they moved off through the darkness; and passing near enough to the enemy to hear their conversation, they marched on, undiscovered, toward Centreville. At three A. M., they lay down in their blankets on a slope a little east of Bull Run, and, in spite of hun- ger and a shower of rain, slept soundly until six o'clock. In the morning the Regiments were formed in double column, at half distance, to guard against
* It seems that Lieutenant-Colonel BULL had received his commission as Colonel at Gettysburg; but, owing to the reduced number of his command, had not been permitted to be mustered in according to his true rank. This was also the case with several other army officers. But by special order of the War Department, granted as a favor on account of the gallant conduct of the 2d Corps at Auburn and Bristow, the officers in the Corps holding such commissions were mustered in their true rank. With characteristic modesty, Colonel BULL declares that the gallantry of his men gave him his eagles.
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an expected attack from the enemy's cavalry, who, at one P. M., advanced to the Run, and fired across with artillery, until silenced by our Batteries, while their sharp-shooters fired at our officers on horseback. Heavy skirmishing went on for some hours until the enemy retired from the Run. But all these movemements on his part were but a cover to his real proceedings. Heavy rains swelled Bull Run and kept MEADE on the east side of it for some days; and when, on the 19th, he moved out to Bristow Station, he found the railroad destroyed to the Rappahannock. This had been the business of LEE ever since his defeat at Bristow, on the 14th. Having accomplished this, LEE retired behind the Rappahannock; constant skirmishing being kept up between our cavalry and his, with various success. On the 23d, our army encamped about Warrenton, and there awaited the rebuilding of the Orange and Alexandria railroad, which was pushed forward with great energy.
HAPTER XVII
HE Army of the Potomac remained at Warrenton until the Orange and Alexandria railway was rebuilt, and on the 7th of November took up its line of march toward the Rappahannock, the 1st, 2d and 3d Corps forming the left wing, under General FRENCH ; the 5th and 6th the right wing, General SEDGWICK commanding. LEE's forces were in and around Cul- pepper, on the south side of the Rappahannock, with outposts at Kelly's Ford on the south bank, and at Rappahannock Station on the north bank of the river. The leading Corps of our army was the 3d, under BIRNEY, and the duty assigned to it was to cross at Kelly's Ford. They advanced rapidly, waded the river, carried the rifle-pits and other defenses, and captured 500 prisoners. The defenses at Rappahan- nock Station were still more formidable, consisting of forts, redoubts and rifle trenches, constructed and aban- doned by our troops some time before. Two thou- sand men, under EARLY, defended these works; but they were assailed with such vigor by two Brigades of the 6th Corps that they were carried, with a loss to the enemy of 1,500 prisoners, four guns, and eight battle-flags. This brilliant opening was, for some rea-
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son, not followed up; but our army resumed almost their old position between the two rivers.
[CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ONTARIO COUNTY TIMES.]
ARMY MATTERS - 126TH REGIMENT.
BRANDY STATION, Va., November 9, 1863.
DEAR TIMES-I arrived at Warrenton Junction on the 7th inst., found that the army had all moved forward the day previ- ous, a sufficient number only being left to guard the supplies at Warrenton. The public at Washington and vicinity had received not even a hint of the forward movement, so quietly had it taken place. I put my baggage on board an army wagon at the Junc- tion and marched to Bealton, a distance of six miles, and made my head-quarters in the army wagon for the night. In the morn- ing at daylight I was awakened by the braying of ten thousand mules attached to the wagons belonging to the 5th and 6th Army Corps. Soon after I had the pleasure of seeing ten or twelve hun- dred rebel prisoners marching in from the Rappahannock Station. They were captured by the 6th Corps. The 5th and 6th Corps are formed in one Grand Division, under command of General SEDGWICK; and the 1st, 2d, and 3d Corps in another Grand Divi- sion, under General FRENCH. At Bealton I was informed that the command of General FRENCH was crossing the Rappahan- nock, at Kelly's Ford, and as good luck would have it a train of ambulances belonging to the 5th Corps was going that way to cross, and I obtained permission to ride. On the way we passed a body of 700 rebels captured by the 3d Corps at Kelly's Ford. I soon arrived at the ford and found the 5th and 6th Corps and a portion of the 1st crossing the river. Here I learned that the most of FRENCH's command were on the march about two miles in advance. I hastened onward and overtook them after a march of six miles ; found the Regiment in fine condition and eager to over- take the Johnnies, as the rebels are familiarly termed, who were only two or three miles in advance; but owing to their fleetness on a retreat, we did not come up with them. Our cavalry, how- ever, harrassed them, capturing several hundred prisoners. We halted for the night at Brandy Station, seven miles from Culpep- per. We hear this morning that the rebels are crossing the
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Rapidan. Whether we are to follow them further has not yet been decided. At the present writing, twelve M., there are no signs of a movement. There is a rumor that we are destined for Gordonsville, provided the rebels don't interfere with our plans. I am informed that there were great rejoicings in the army over the State elections, " commissary forty rod " being punished pretty severely during the exuberance of joy.
The 126th Regiment now only numbers about 200 men present, and only sixteen officers. They are termed by General HAYS the iron-clads. Their gallant conduct at Auburn and Bristow has been noticed by the War Department and highly commended. There is a rumor that they will be sent home to recruit after the close of the present campaign.
The call for dinner has sounded and I must close in order to get my share of pork and hard tack. Will write again soon if anything of interest occurs. We have just been officially informed of the capture by our forces, during the present march, of over 2,200 prisoners, seven stand of colors and four pieces of artillery. Good enough for the commencement of the campaign. Truly yours,
P. D. P.
On the 26th of November MEADE became aware that LEE's army was already in winter quarters, scat- tered widely about the country, the two Divisions of HILL and EWELL several miles apart. Also, that the lower (eastern) fords of the Rapidan were undefended, LEE relying for the defense of his army on some strong fortifications on the west side of Mine Run, a stream that comes into the Rapidan from the south, a dozen miles west of Chancellorsville. MEADE con- ceived that it would be possible to cross the river by these uncovered fords, proceed south far enough to turn the right or southern flank of EWELL's force at Mine Run, then advance west on the Orange Turn- pike, and, having thus cut off EWELL's from HILL's
1
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Division, attack and defeat each in detail. The plan was bold and wise, provided it could be carried through with secrecy and celerity. The foe was vigi- lant and active, and, on the first discovery of our designs, would employ every resource to foil them. The problem was, to move the five Corps of an army of 60,000 or 70,000 men across different fords, by dif- ferent roads, through an unknown country, and to
Rapidan River
Jacobs MiUFd.
Culpeper Mine ra!
Mountain Run
Mine Run
FRENCH Wid. Morris
Run
Bartleys Mills *
SEDGWICK
CONFEDERATES Nov. 27th
OldWilderness 'Tavern
LINES
SYKES
Roberts on& Tavern
Old Turnpike
Nov. 30 th.
FRENCH NEWTOW
WARREN
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HopeCh.
!WARREN
Union Lines Confederate do.
Scale of Miles
S
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1
2
3
4
5
MINE RUN.
have them form their junction at precisely the right place and time, without awaking the suspicions of the enemy. All the Corps had their instructions, and on this day, which happened to be "Thanksgiving," all started in high hope and spirits. The latter were still farther raised when, just as the sun was rising on their morning march, GRANT's glorious victory over
CONFEDERATE
GREGGS
. CAV.
SYKES
Orange Plank Road
R.R. Grade
Stevensburg) PlankRoad
ord Wilderness H
Germannn. Ed.
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ONE THOUSAND BOYS IN BLUE.
BRAGG at the west was announced to the army. Sixty thousand cheers arose, and sixty thousand caps were swung for the hero of Chattanooga.
The first check was at the Rapidan. Not knowing what might be encountered on the other side of it, MEADE was unwilling that one Corps should go over alone, and WARREN was obliged to wait with the 2d Corps three hours for FRENCH with the 3d. Then a still further delay was caused by discovering that an insufficient number of pontoons had been provided for the bridge, which had to be lengthened by trestle work. Thus nearly a day was lost. The crossing effected, WARREN's Corps proceeded in a southerly course, through dense thickets, along by-roads and paths, making all the speed possible, especially the last few miles, where it was a race with a Division of the enemy for a ridge called Locust Ridge, near Robinson's Tavern. Our men won the position, which was a commanding one, and the infantry and artillery were quickly formed in line, and skirmishers were immediately engaged with those of the enemy, who were driven to another ridge a mile distant, as night came on. The 126th and 125th Regiments held the skirmish line that night. At daylight next morning, the 1st and 5th Corps having arrived, were formed in line of battle each side of the 2d Corps, and, as the line advanced, the enemy retired to the fortifications west of Mine Run. These were exceedingly formid- able, both by nature and art. For nearly a mile the hills furnished commanding positions for artil- lery ; a dense wood was in front, part of which
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was felled to form an abatis ; Mine Run, which ran, from south to north, between their forces and ours, though an insignificant stream, had marshy borders, grown up to underbrush; and its banks were steep and abrupt. The two armies lay facing each other, on the two opposite ridges, through the weary winter's day, each apparently waiting the attack of the other. Ours were really waiting the arrival of FRENCH, with the 3d Corps, who had been directed to turn the enemy's flank, and be the first to attack. But poor General FRENCH had lost his way, and met the enemy, and had a pretty severe brush with him. In the forenoon there was sharp artillery practice from the opposing forces, but during the rest of the day the silence was unbroken, save by the musketry of the skirmishers, and the crack of the sharp-shoot- ers' rifles. That night the 126th were again advanced as skirmishers, and so remained until eight next morning, when the 2d Corps, with the 3d Division of the 6th, were ordered to move south several miles to New Hope church, on the plank road, in order to turn the enemy's right flank. This was a tremendous march "thorough bush and thorough brier," through creeks and ravines; and, with all their expedition, it was nightfall when they arrived. A grand attack along the whole line had been determined on for the following day, the 30th. While, however, our tired forces were sleeping, the sleepless foe were entrenching, and fortifying, and planting Batteries, and massing infantry, and posting cavalry ; besides felling trees toward the attacking party, and sharpen-
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ing their limbs, so as to form an almost impenetrable abatis in front of their works. On the open space that our troops must cross even to reach this abatis, they had concentrated a direct and an enfilading fire from several Batteries. Such was the changed posi- tion of affairs, when morning revealed the scene. Officers and men saw clearly that an attack, even if successful, must cost the lives of perhaps half the assailants. Yet every man was ready for the assault, and there was a keen feeling of disappointment and mortification as the day wore on, and no order came to advance. It was the brave WARREN who assumed the responsibility of withholding the order ; and MEADE, on examining the enemy's position, justified his decision .* It would have been only another Fredericksburg, with as little hope of success. Morti- fying as it was to give up the expedition as a failure, it was doubtless the only course. The failure was. owing to no defect in plan, and to no lack of bravery in officers or men ; but to slowness and delay on the part of some of the Corps, which gave the enemy ample time to collect his forces from their scattered cantonments, and to strengthen his fortifications to the utmost. That night the 126th went again on picket, and the next day passed away in the same enforced inactivity, until four P. M., when the Regi-
* SWINTON has a sensational story, that the men, expecting an immediate order to attack, and perfectly ready and even eager for it, were yet seen each silently pinning to his blouse a bit of paper on which he had written his name! This tacit admission of the hopelessness of the attack deter- mined WARREN not to give the order.
This is very pretty, if true; but, unfortunately, it " lacks confirmation."
15
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ment was relieved from picket; and, at eight o'clock, the army commenced its retreat. Their route lay through the famous "Wilderness," where numbers of them afterward fought and fell, and laid their bones. in nameless graves ; and re-crossing the Rapidan, they reached their old camp in the evening of the 2d of December. The Mine Run expedition had been. a most severe and exhausting one; unrepaid by the sol- dier's best recompense, success .*
On the 7th of December, 1863, the army went into winter quarters on a wooded ridge near Stevensburg, a few miles east of Culpepper and southeast of Brandy Station. Judging from the diaries and letters of offi- cers and men, it must have been an interesting winter to the 126th Regiment. At first, their time was taken up in stockading tents and building huts. "When we first came here," writes Captain BASSETT, "a few weeks ago, it was a wilderness; now it is a large city of log huts ; hardly a tree to be seen. The huts are built of logs a foot thick, split, and laid up face side in. They are about twelve by seven feet, and seven feet high, with a door at the end, hung on
* Lieutenant LINCOLN, a brave officer and fighter, says : "I love to speak of MEADE, for I can only speak of him in terms of the highest praise. As soldiers, we love him; as a brave man, we respect him; as a cautious and humane leader, he has no equal in the army. * *
* I wish all the chronic grumblers against his conduct at Mine Run could have been in our places on that memorable Monday morning. I would like to have given them the command: Forward, march! Charge bayonets ! Double- quick, march! I think the storm of shot, shell, grape and cannister, and the wall of bayonets and pointed sticks that would have met them, would not only have lessened their military ardor, but their numbers. * * The man who maligns General WARREN had better keep out of the way of this Corps !"
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a wooden hinge. They have a cloth roof, which serves also as a window. The logs are chinked and mudded, and in my hut there is a good stove, fire-place and chimney, which is topped out with barrels." Much ingenuity was expended, and much of that invention which is born of necessity, in contriving warming and cooking apparatus ; all of which kept up the spirits of the soldiers. "My fire-place smokes," writes one of them ; "I must add another pork barrel to the top of my chimney." Another abstracts a gate from a distant farm, which makes "a splendid bedstead."
On the 20th of January there was an order from the War Department to increase the 2d Corps to 50,000 troops, to be employed in such special service as the Department shall think proper; a compliment to their Corps, which the 126th appreciated. The general charge of the recruiting service was given to General HANCOCK. Captain RICHARDSON, of Company D, and Sergeant SQUIERS, of Company B, were detailed on recruiting service for the 126th Regiment; and afterwards were reinforced by Colonel BULL and Captains SCOTT and BROWN. (It may be stated here that they succeeded in getting very few recruits for the 126th ; young men generally preferring the heavy artillery to infantry service. The consequence was such a superabundance of the latter troops that they often had to serve in the field as infantry, much to their disappointment.
After the camp was completed, there seems to have been much social enjoyment and gayety, owing to the presence of a great many ladies. Quarters were quite comfortable, although heavy gales sometimes dispersed
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the coverings of their "tabernacles," in a summary manner. Very interesting views of the surrounding country, and of the rebel lines across the river, were obtained from the top of Pony Mountain, to which point gentlemen and ladies sometimes rode on horse- back.
HAPTER C PTE XYJJJ.
BOUT the 6th of February, 1864, General BUTLER sent a detachment of cavalry to enter the rebel capital, then slightly defended, and liberate the Union prisoners there. Simultaneously with this move- ment, a grand reconnoissance in force was made by the Army of the Potomac, with the purpose, as is supposed, of diverting LEE's attention from what was going on at Richmond. This reconnoissance took place at Morton's Ford, on the Rapidan.
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