USA > New York > Disaster, struggle, triumph. The adventures of 1000 "boys in blue," from August, 1862, to June, 1865 > Part 17
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WAR'R' 19- 5*Dethestia Ch.
BURNSIDE 2 !- 51
COLD HARBOR Fought May 31 st June 12 th 1864
Alexander's Bf.
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and one color. Again and again the enemy assaulted
the left, but were repulsed. All agree that the vete- ran 2d Corps maintained its reputation on this bloody day .* On the next day, June 4th, the armies still confronted each other, and ours had slightly intrenched itself. During the following night, LEE took the offensive, and made a terrific but unsuccessful assault upon the 2d, 6th and 18th Corps. The diaries and letters of our men represent this night battle as one of the most magnificent sights that could be imagined ; the darkness lighted up by incessant flashes, and the stillness invaded by the deadly roar of musketry and the awful thunder of artillery. During these days our lines lay so close to those of the enemy that the sharp-shooters, from their trenches, kept up their mur- derous work, picking off officers and men without mercy. Attacks from the enemy on the 5th and on the night of the 6th were repelled ; but all this time and up to the 7th, the dead and helpless wounded lay unburied and uncared for between the lines. Surely, of all war's horrors, this is one of the most fearful. Captain RICHARDSON writes : "June 6 .- The fighting continues every day with artillery, infantry and cavalry. Charges and counter-charges: have been frequent, and a most murderous fire on. picket and skirmish lines, by sharp-shooters and oth --- ers. I instructed my pickets not to fire except in case:
* A correspondent speaks of HANCOCK's command, the famous: 2d Corps;, which is reputed to have taken more prisoners than any other in the Army" of the Potomac, and never to have lost a single gun or flag .- [Rebellion Record.]
17
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of an advance, and the consequence was that yester- day afternoon my line was selected to open a commu- nication from General GRANT to General LEE in rela- tion to the wounded." "This was on the 5th, but it was not until the 7th that an armistice was obtained in which to bury the dead or bring off the wounded, and most of the latter died." "On this occasion," writes Adjutant LINCOLN, "the men on both sides came out of their lines and conversed together. We are only about three rods apart, but every man is sunk below the surface of the ground, and thus com- paratively safe. The Battery we had nearly mined, the rebels have drawn off. Night before last we had an after dark bombardment, and as we were a few rods out of range, we enjoyed it much. Our artillery is more than a match for theirs; our mortars play havoc with them.
"We are living well now ; better than ever before while engaged in a campaign. Lieutenant GEDDIS is now Captain. The weather is extremely warm and sultry. We are on MCCLELLAN's old battle-ground, near Gaines' Mill. Each man has a hole dug, six feet long, two feet wide, and two feet deep. I wish you might see how we manage to get up to the rebs. It won't do for me to describe it." (This method was to dig the earth away in front of them as they lay; using for the purpose, sometimes a little spade which formed part of their accoutre- ments ; or, if that was lacking, they cut the sod with their jackknives, and scooped it out with broken can- teens, spoons, or hands; and pushed themselves for-
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ward in the trenches thus made. A deserted battle- ground would thus resemble a deserted camp of prairie-dogs.)
In the battles we have mentioned (space fails us to describe them) LEE had usually maintained the defen- sive, fighting mostly behind intrenchments. General GRANT found this a most expensive way of fighting. His army was now so near LEE's, and both were so near Richmond, that it was impossible for him to effect another of his flank movements, and interpose between LEE and the rebel Capital while on the north of the James. This consideration with others, deter- mined him to transport his army to the south of the James river, diverting the enemy's attention mean- while by cavalry raids, which should destroy his roads and bridges, and directing BUTLER to capture Petersburg and the crossings of the Appomattox. The plan, so far as the advance of his army was con- cerned, was successfully carried out. The 2d Corps, leaving Cold Harbor on the morning of the 13th, crossed the Chickahominy, and taking the advance, marched to the Charles City Court-house on the James. On the 14th and 15th, the cavalry, artillery and wagon trains crossed that river on pontoons, which were a triumph of bridge-making skill. The bridge was 2,000 feet long, and the channel-boats were anchored in fifteen fathoms. The 126th, which was in BARLOW'S Division, crossed on transports brought up the river for the purpose at four o'clock on the morning of the 15th.
One of the saddest mistakes of the war, involving as
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it did the long siege of Petersburg, with its awful expenditure of life, was the failure to take possession of that city, when it lay comparatively undefended, an easy prey to our arms. This was owing to no fault of GRANT's, who went in person to Bermuda Hundred to urge the dispatch of troops for that pur- pose, promising immediate co-operation. The expedi- tion started at once, under command of General SMITH, and arrived at the northeast defenses of Petersburg at dawn of the 15th ; but, for some unex- plained reason, SMITH delayed the attack until about sunset. Even then he captured the line of rifle-trenches and 300 prisoners. Had he pursued his advantage, the city would have been ours with little trouble. General HANCOCK arrived, with two Divisions of the 2d Corps, just after nightfall, but waived his right to command in favor of SMITH, who was acquainted with the ground, and had just had a brilliant success. The moon shone gloriously ; everything was favorable for a night attack ; but, most unfortunately, the golden moment was allowed to slip unimproved .* Through the night the enemy poured in troops, and although GRANT fulfilled his promise, and followed HANCOCK'S Corps with BURNSIDE's and WRIGHT'S, yet the enemy almost outnumbered us, and had time to strengthen the fortifications of Petersburg.
* It is proper to say that the delay of SMITH's attack is explained by him- self to have been caused by the force under his command being insufficient ; and that his expected reinforcements (the 2d Corps) were delayed by trusting to a perfectly worthless map which led them out of the way. If General SMITH was in fault, it seems to have been only an excess of caution about risking the loss of what he had just gained.
1
WILLIAM HENDERSON BAIRD, LT. COL.126. NY. VOLS
Log"ly'ball Is from a Photo by Giles
Published by Ino. B Bachelder. NEW YORV
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BASSETT, who was Captain of the provost guard, which, of course, brought up the rear of HANCOCK'S Corps, protecting wagon and ambulance trains, writes on Thursday, the 16th, from near Petersburg : " Arrived here at five P. M., after a long, dusty, weary march, having had no sleep for two nights. When we arrived here the 2d and 9th Corps were massing for a 'grand charge' on the enemy's works, which they made just before sunset, BARLOW's Divi- sion carrying two lines. Fighting has been pretty sharp all night." Sharp, indeed ! COPPEE says : "It was a terrible battle night. BIRNEY, of the 2d Corps, stormed the advanced crest in his front." But per- haps the severest loss was inflicted upon BARLOW'S Division, and, as usual, the 126th bore its full share in the losses. Here fell Colonel BAIRD, who, since he rejoined the Regiment, in the fall of '63, had won the confidence of the superior officers, and endeared him-
self to all by his kind and genial disposition, and his gallantry in action. The brave Lieutenant McDONALD was instantly killed ; and Captain RICHARDSON, Lieu- tenant DIBBLE, and many enlisted men were severely wounded. JOHN RILEY and JOHN DUNIGAN were among the killed. And here the gallant LINCOLN, who had survived scores of fights, received the wound that caused his death. The army lost no braver spirit, and his native village still mourns one of her most promising sons. The Sabbath before the fatal wound, he had written to a dear friend : "With you I would love to be sitting at this hour, listening to the preaching of the gospel ; but instead, I hear only
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the sounds that tell of death and destruction. My time, energies and life are not too good to be given for the preservation of the Union, and the main- tenance of its laws; I am here, and if necessary, I suppose I am to be a sacrifice for my country ; yet I have faith in GOD that he will preserve me through it all, unscathed and uninjured. This is my prayer, and I believe, the prayer of all my friends, and I trust they will be heard and answered." Alas, it was not to be. His life, and many more equally precious, were the costly sacrifices that bought our final victory.
Before saying more of the siege of Petersburg, car- ried on through long months, we will, in a few words, show why the place was so important, both to us and to the rebels. It stood on the south bank of the Appomattox, a branch of the James, twenty-two miles from Richmond. It was the third city in Virginia, in size, and through it passed the great southern lines of communication. Railroads and turnpikes connecting Richmond with Norfolk, City Point and Weldon, and the great Southside railroad to Lynchburg, pass through it, and the river is navigable for pretty large vessels, up nearly to the city. Richmond having no grand dépôt of provisions, and depending for supplies on the interior and western part of Virginia, and on the Carolinas, it will be evident that her railroads were of vital importance to her. Had possession been taken of Petersburg while it lay comparatively unde- fended, the supplies of Richmond could have been cut off, and her surrender might have taken place ten
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months sooner than it did. A bitter penalty was paid for a mistake of an hour !
Our army continued its assaults upon the lines of defense at Petersburg, with little advantage; and at length GRANT was convinced that in order to take the city he must lay formal siege to it.
[We omitted to say, in its proper place, that, in view of the losses in the 126th Regiment and its small numbers, a petition was addressed to Head-quarters, asking that the men who had been detailed on special service (i. e. as provost guard) might be returned to the Regiment, or else that the balance of the command, which did not exceed the strength of a Battalion, might also be detailed for special duty. The latter proposal would probably have been carried out, had there been any to attend to the business. The 126th always had too much fighting to do to have leisure to look after its own interests.]
HAPTER XXI.
T will be perceived that the last act of the great drama of the rebellion had opened. Providence, which had led us through a Red sea of carnage, and a wilderness of mistakes, and defeats, and abor- tive enterprises, had now granted us a leader whose motto was, "forward." No defeats discouraged him, no errors made him turn from his fixed purpose to destroy the rebel army, and bring to an end the Southern Confederacy. The horrible "blood and fire, and vapor of smoke," in the "Wilderness," the car- nage at Spottsylvania, the partial discomfiture at the North Anna, the deadly struggle at Cold Harbor, the error which lost us Petersburg; events which would have disheartened and discouraged a less persistent commander, were to GRANT only incidents of the great enterprise which was not to be abandoned until the contest between Union and secession was set at rest forever. MEADE, with GRANT for a leader, seconded all his efforts ; and all the officers of the army, and all the rank and file, seemed imbued with a new inspiration, now that they had a distinct object in view, and a definite plan for its attainment.
Did space permit, we should like to follow the co-operative movements set on foot by GRANT, in vari-
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ous parts of the country, the chief of which, perhaps, were the capture of Atlanta, and SHERMAN's "smash- ing" march to the sea. Then there was the Louisiana expedition, the fall of Nashville, GRIERSON's splendid raid, and, in fact, the movements of all the armies now under the guidance of one man, all of which tended to the same grand result ; that of "conquering peace." But all these incidents, which make the last year in our war perhaps the richest chapter in all military history, must be omitted.
No leader had more of GRANT's confidence than SHERIDAN, and the two worked admirably in concert. No one, perhaps, inflicted more damage upon the enemy in the destruction of their bridges, canals, rail- roads and depots of supplies.
On the 17th and 18th of June, our army made des- perate attacks upon Petersburg, but only succeeded in driving the enemy to a strong interior line of defenses, which could not be forced. "Our army," says GRANT, "now proceeded to envelop the city toward the Southside railroad, as far as possible without attacking fortifications." From the 20th to the 25th the most strenuous attempts were made to get posses- sion of the Weldon railroad. The losses in the 6th and 2d Corps were heavy; among other officers killed was Captain MORRIS BROWN, of the 126th ; a most gallant officer. But the road, being of vital importance to Richmond, was defended with such fierceness that the attempt to seize it was abandoned. We succeeded, however, in gaining a new position in advance, and extending our lines. Perhaps no move was of more
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importance at this time, than the occupation of Deep Bottom (a point only ten miles from Richmond), by General BUTLER, on the 21st and 22d, and connecting it by a pontoon bridge to Bermuda Hundred.
There had now been more than two months of con- tinuous fighting, the men scarcely laying aside their accoutrements for five minutes together. The losses had been immense, almost 3,000 officers being among the killed, wounded, and missing, and these could not of course be immediately replaced. There must be
e newly appointed ones to gain the time given f
confidence roops, and the new recruits must be drilled somewhat, in order to be serviceable in action. The bren of the 126th, who were so splendidly drille 1 . Centerville and Union Mills, and who were nov etans in the service, were reduced to a mere and such was the case with many of the (1x Tegiments of the 2d Corps, which, as COPPEE ' had deserved the appellation given to the 9th . de, at Marengo, The Incomparables." Then the son was intensely hot, and water exceedingly scarce And poor. No wonder there was, for a brief season, a suspension of active hostilities in front of Petersburg.
On the 26th of June, the 2d Corps, together with SHERIDAN and two Divisions of his cavalry, were ordered to join BUTLER's forces at Deep Bottom, and drive the enemy from that vicinity. As Captain WILDER, of the 126th, writes, "we made another grand flank movement against the rebel cavalry, and drove them beautifully ; we captured four guns and some prisoners." The chief object of GRANT in send-
C
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ing out this expedition was to divert the troops of LEE from the defense of Petersburg, while a novel method of attack was going on. A practical miner, Lieutenant-Colonel HENRY PLEASANTS, had obtained permission from GRANT to undermine a fort which we had long assaulted in vain, and which if blown up would open a huge gateway to Cemetery Ridge and beyond it, even into the city itself. General MEADE issued most explicit orders for the instruction of the storming party who were to rush in through the gap the instant it was opened. On the celerity with which this should be effected, depended the whole success of the enterprise.
The explosion took place on the morning of the 30th, and was entirely successful. The vast mass of fortifi- cation, with its garrison of 300 men, was raised into the air, and fell back forming a huge gulf or crater ; and in an instant our artillery pours its "thunder storms " through the gap. The half-awake rebels are paralyzed ; but, alas, our storming column seems to have been paralyzed too. A delay occurs ; the pre- cious moments are lost ; the enemy rallies from his surprise ; his guns are manned and pointed toward the crater. Our men at length move forward into the yawning chasm, but meet a deadly fire from every side. As COPPEE says : "The place becomes a veri- table hell on earth." Advance and retreat seem alike impossible. The terrible engine ended in utter failure. GRANT was chagrined and disappointed, as he had reason to be. He says : "Had the assaulting column promptly taken possession of the ridge beyond the
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crater, I have every reason to believe Petersburg would have fallen. „What promised to be the most successful assault of the campaign, thus terminated in disaster." Our losses in killed, wounded and missing were 4,003.
Meanwhile the enemy, finding the Shenandoah val- ley undefended, tried his old game of threatening the north and striking at Washington, in order to divert GRANT from the siege of Petersburg. GRANT's posi- tion was embarrassing, owing to the difficulty of com- municating orders to such distant points. Telegraph wires were easily cut, and bearers of dispatches could be intercepted. The rebels grew bold, raided into Pennsylvania, and burnt the city of Chambersburg. In this emergency, General GRANT concluded tempo- rarily to divide his authority by assigning to PHILIP SHERIDAN command of the departments of West Vir- ginia, Washington and the Susquehanna. SHERIDAN fully justified the confidence of his chief. His exploits in Northern Virginia read like a romance. His suc- cess was complete. He drove the enemy through that valley, by which they had so often invaded the north, in complete rout, and they never tried it again, General GRANT complimented "Little PHIL." in a commendatory order, and the President raised his rank to that of Major-General.
Of the next movement of the army we will let Cap- tain BASSETT, of the provost guard, speak : "August 14, 1864. Day before yesterday we broke camp and marched to City Point. Yesterday the troops were all day shipping on board of transports and moving down the river. Just at dark, after the troops had all
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shipped, the 2d Army Corps head-quarters including the provost-guard, got aboard the "Metamora" and steamed up the river, followed by the whole fleet. It was a lovely moonlight night ; a splendid sight, and a pleasant ride. This morning about daylight we were all landed near "Deep Bottom Bridge," on the north side of the James, and in the same place where we were a few weeks ago. The Corps was immediately advanced, the 1st Division (BARLOW's) taking the lead ; and the 3d Brigade, thrown out as skirmishers, came up to the "Johnnies," charged them, and drove them from their breastworks. Fighting has been pretty brisk all day. General GRANT just left here. Four P. M. : Our troops are fixing to make a charge in force. I suppose our moving down the river in the daytime, in full sight of the rebels, was a ruse to cover our real intentions.
* The gun boats just opened their 100-pounders within ten rods of me, and lifted me right off my seat. You will believe they make a noise." The object of this expedition seems to have been to attract the enemy's attention to the north of the James, while another expedition was to attack the Weldon railroad again. It had another effect, which was to keep back two Divisions of the enemy, who would otherwise have gone to the Shenan- doah, and have been added to the army fighting against SHERIDAN. The affair was a success; we
taking many prisoners. On the 20th, HANCOCK was ordered to take his Corps back to Petersburg. WAR- REN, on the 20th, gained final possession of the Wel- don railroad, and the 2d Corps (HANCOCK'S) was
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advanced toward it. In a fight which ensued for the possession of Reams' Station, we were unsuccessful ; but the railroad was ours; and the enemy fell back to within three miles of Petersburg, we following and intrenching on the railroad. A pause followed, during which we strengthened our lines and connected the City Point, where our depot was, and the Petersburg roads with the Weldon, thus insuring supplies in all weathers.
[EXTRACT FROM DOCTOR HOYT'S DIARY.]
September 5, 1864 .- Last night the rumor of the fall of Atlanta was confirmed by a dispatch from General GRANT, and by his order a salute was fired at midnight by all the guns from Deep Bottom to the extreme left. At the same time all the bands were playing national airs. I never witnessed such fine artillery practice. For nearly two hours the air was filled with bursting shells, and the roar was almost deafening.
On the 22d of September, HENRY LEE, of the 126th, who had charge of the ammunition train, gives an account of the rejoicings in camp over SHERIDAN'S victories ; and of HANCOCK's going home, and General A. A. HUMPHREY's taking command of the 2d Corps. He also mentions that the consolidation of Regiments is broken up, and that the old 126th is itself again. He details a raid of the rebels in which they captured our herd of army cattle, 2,500 head, at Coggin's Point, giving the enemy much needed rations of fresh beef. Captain GEDDIS writes on the 26th of September, that "the strength of the Regiment is as follows, not includ- ing men detached for special service : commissioned officers, eight; enlisted men, sixty ; strength present and absent (i. e. in hospital and on furlough) : Com-
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missioned officers, twenty ; enlisted men, 418." He adds : "We are now supporting the front line. There was a detail sent out last night, and, strange to say, none of the 126th were in it. We have not received any recruits, nor do we expect to receive any ; every other Regiment has some persons at the north to look after its interests," &c. The officers of the Regiment were Captains GEDDIS and WILDER, Lieu- tenants RANDOLPH, GAGE, HOOPER and HUGHES. Captains BASSETT and MUNSON were in the provost. guard ; the Chaplain was on duty in hospital.
[FURTHER EXTRACTS FROM DOCTOR HOYT'S DIARY.]
September 11, 1864 .- During the past few days a railroad has. been built from the City Point road to the Weldon railroad, and was completed yesterday to General WARREN's head-quarters. The army on this line is supplied by this road. Trains are pass .. ing at all hours.
September 30 .- BUTLER and BIRNEY are crowding on toward Richmond, and have captured a number of guns and prisoners.
October 1 .- GRANT's object seems to be to strike on the extremes of the lines ; near Richmond on the right, and South- side railroad to the left.
October 25 .- The entire line from the Appomattox to our extreme left is held by our Division, one Division of the 5th, and one of the 9th Corps. The balance of the army ishere massed ready to move. The troops along the line have twenty days' rations, together with a large amount of ammunition, stored in the bomb-proofs. All surplus stores are being sent within the fortifications at City Point.
And so this part of the army lay for many days, awaiting an attack.
We will take this opportunity to give some addi- tional particulars relative to the provost guard, to which allusion is so frequently made. At the com --
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mencement of chapter nineteenth we spoke of the detail of 100 officers and men from the 126th Regi- ment to act as provost guard at the head-quarters of the 2d Corps. The Regiment felt this to be a high compliment, and were glad to believe they owed it to General ALEXANDER HAYS' recommendation. The ' Captain of the guard was RICHARD A. BASSETT, and the Lieutenant was TEN EYCK MUNSON. Some of its duties were mentioned in the chapter referred to. Besides policing the camp, i. e., keeping everything clean and in perfect order, they were to escort all convalescents and recruits who arrived to their proper Divisions. In time of battle they were to cover the rear, and see that soldiers who came thither with the wounded returned immediately to their posts of duty ; and also to take charge of captured prisoners. When sufficient numbers of the latter were collected, they were counted and started for army head-quarters under charge of a mounted provost. On the march their duty was to bring up the rear, keep the men up to the ranks, and examine barns or other structures on the road side which might afford shelter to deserters.
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