USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 30
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Sunday, May 8, 1864, saw the regiment engaged in ac- tion at Rocky-Faced Ridge, where they found the enemy strongly intrenched. The entry under this date is as fol- lows : " Broke camp about eleven A.M., on a reconnaissance towards Dalton. Marched to Dug Gap, over Rocky-Faced Ridge, four miles from Dalton. Attempted to carry the .heights, and failed. Remained on the mountain until dark, when we withdrew to the open plain in rear, where we are bivouacked for the night."
The loss of the regiment in this fight was eight killed, forty-two wounded, and fourteen missing. Among the killed was color-corporal George Bishop, of Olean, who, being or- dered to plant the regimental color upon a crest within range of the enemy's works, obeyed the order unhesitatingly, but had scarcely more than reached the point designated when he fell dead by the bullet of a sharpshooter. Corp. Philo A. Markham, of Company B, seeing the color fall, rushed up the ridge and replanted it, but in a short time his arm was shattered by a bullet; and then private Stewart Bailey, of Company I, undismayed by the fate of the two who had
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preceded him, seized the flag, and fearlessly faced the enemy until a whistling messenger made the post once more vacant. The color was then rescued and moved from the perilous position by Corp. Allen Williams, of Company D, who was "promoted to sergeant, May 8, 1864, for gallant con- duct at Rocky-Faced Ridge, Ga." The wounds received by Markham and Bailey on this occasion cost each an arm. The brave Bishop, who gave his life for the flag, was a brother of Lewis Bishop, who was killed in a precisely similar manner, as regimental color-bearer at Gettysburg.
The annals of the war furnish few instances of greater bravery than was exhibited by these men of the 154th.
For three days succeeding this action the regiment re- mained in the vicinity, engaged in the erection of breast- works and in otherwise strengthening the position. Lieut .- Col. Allen was now in command, Col. Jones having been severely injured on the 8th. On the 12th they removed seven miles, and camped at night in front of Snake Creek Gap. There were several changes of position during the 13th and 14th, and the night of the 14th and morning of the 15th were spent on the march. At about ten o'clock on the 15th the command moved to the left about one mile, and advanced upon the enemy's position.
"During the whole afternoon we were under fire, and drove the enemy from one hill to another for about two miles. They made a strong fight, but when our men went in on a charge they were compelled to give ground. After dark we moved to the top of the hill, where four pieces of rebel artillery were in position, and went to work to get them out and to build breastworks on the crest of the hill."
The action above described was that generally known as the battle of Resaca. The enemy evacuated his position during the night, and on the following day our troops moved forward in pursuit. In the evening of the 18th the regiment encamped eight miles northeast of Kingston. The forward movement was resumed on the 23d, when they passed through Cassville, crossed the Etowah River, and camped on its southern bank. On the 24th the route of the regiment lay " for miles through one interminable corn and wheat field." At about eleven A.M. on the 25th, the enemy was found in force near Pumpkin Vine Creek. The 2d Division advanced to the front and threw out skirmishers, which brought on the engagement known as that of New Hope Church, in which the enemy was driven about two miles and left many prisoners in our hands. The loss of the 20th Corps in this action was quite heavy, but very little fell on the 154th Regiment, which, during the night, constructed and occupied rifle-pits on the advance line,- less than two hundred yards from that of the enemy. After this fight, a heavy rain came on and continued for several days, making the situation of the men uncomfort- able in the extreme. On the 1st of June, the regiment, with the other commands of the 20th Corps, moved towards the left, for the purpose of flanking the enemy from his position, which was thought too strong to be taken by direct assault without incurring a heavy loss.
Col. Jones returned from hospital and resumed command on the 7th of June. From that time about a week was spent in inaction, wet weather, and general discomfort, and then, on the 14th, the regiment with the rest of the brigade
moved about two miles on the Marietta Road, confronting the enemy's strong position at Pine Knob, which was at- tacked and carried the following day. The brigade line of battle was formed at about noon of the 15th, with the 154th Regiment as skirmishers. The enemy was finally driven from his position, and was pursued for three-fourths of a mile to another line of intrenchment upon a high hill, some two hundred yards in front of which our troops halted and intrenched. The loss of the regiment .in this affair was three killed and twenty wounded. During the following day they were exposed to the fire of the enemy, but for- tunately sustained a loss of only one killed and one wounded, -the latter being Capt. Alanson Crosby, who soon after died of his wound in hospital at Nashville.
The enemy evacuated his position during the succeeding night. The next ten days were occupied in advancing through mud and rain, changing position, intrenching, and skirmishing, in which the regiment suffered a loss of one killed and several wounded. The 27th of June found them in the vicinity of Kenesaw Mountain, but in the engage- ment of that name and day the 154th did not take part.
The enemy soon after evacuated Marietta, and fell back to the formidable intrenchments on the Chattahoochee River, where it was generally believed a determined stand would be made. But on the 5th of July it was found that this line too had been abandoned. "It would seem," says the diary, " that they really intended to make a stand here for the defense of Atlanta. Some of the work was evi- dently done yesterday, but much has been built a longer period. Our course lay down Nickajack Creek and over some hills to the river. We came to a halt upon a high ridge which runs parallel to, and about one and a half miles from the river [Chattahoochee], where we encamped for the night. From this ridge a very fair view of Atlanta is obtained, particularly in the afternoon, when the sun is shining upon this side of the white buildings. The city is probably about ten miles distant. When will this be passed over? The enemy is on the opposite side of the river."
July 7, Dr. Van Aernam and Lieut .- Col. Allen (who had been absent, sick) rejoined the regiment. On the 8th news was received of the sinking of the pirate " Ala- bama" by the " Kearsarge," which, although the report was doubted by many, was made the occasion of universal cheering and enthusiasm among the troops. 9th July, " The rebels are still in our front, and may stay. The weather is very oppressive." For several days after this date there was almost perfect quiet in the camp of the regi- ment and along the line in its front. " Is it the quiet which preludes the storm ?"
July 15, intelligence was received of the death, in hos- pital, of Capt. Crosby, who was wounded at Pine Knob. " Thus another officer is gone, who, a short month ago, was in full health and expecting long life." July 17, the command moved at four P.M., and crossed the Chatta- hoochee River by moonlight, on pontoons, near Pace's Ferry. The movement was continued on the 18th. The regi- ment, after crossing a creek, " marched two miles southeast- wardly in line of battle through the most tangled woods that ever men penetrated in this formation," but met no
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enemy, and afterwards bivouacked and constructed breast- works on a hill six miles from Atlanta. A great portion of the tangled forest above referred to was an almost impene- trable thicket of blackberry bushes, which were loaded with fruit so tempting and delicious that the utmost efforts of the officers were insufficient to force the men through until they had eaten their fill. This passage was afterwards facetiously christened by the soldiers " The Battle of the Blackberries." And now, after the lapse of fourteen years, there is many a sober citizen of old Cattaraugus who will smile as he calls to mind " what a wild charge they made" that day through the blackberry thickets of Western Georgia.
On the 19th the brigade moved some four miles to Peach- Tree Creek, which the 154th crossed, just before night, under a galling fire and at the double-quick. Captured a number of prisoners, and camped for the night in the third line. In the morning of the 20th they moved to the front and formed in line of battle. After some delay they again moved with the 33d New York to a hill about four hun- dred yards in front of the first line, where they expected to intrench; but here they received a determined attack by the enemy, before which they " were forced back in dis- order, with considerable loss. The enemy followed up their advantage, and made a heavy attack on the front line, the right of which was thrown into confusion, not being pro- tected. The left of the line, with the artillery on the left, caused them to recoil with great loss. We intrenched nearly all night. The attack resulted in the repulse of the enemy at every point. The loss in the 20th Corps is esti- mated at from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred. The enemy's loss must have exceeded ours."
The attack sustained by the 154th, and the bloody re- pulse of the enemy at that point on the line, was a part of the general engagement of the 20th of July, known as the battle of Peach-Tree Creek. The loss of the regiment in the day's work was serious.
No movement of importance was made on the 21st, but on the 22d the pickets were advanced, and the enemy's outposts were found to have been withdrawn to within less than two miles of the city. On this day the brave Gen. McPherson was killed in an engagement at another part of the line. July 23d, " We are now within two miles of Atlanta, and when the enemy retreats once more the city must be ours. Atlanta seems to be pretty thoroughly in- vested, and the siege commenced. When it will end, is only known above. . The enemy appears determined to make this the battle-field, and to dispute the possession of Atlanta to the last moment." Doubtless the Confederates had decided to die here, "with back to the field and feet to the foe," just as they had similarly decided to do at sev- eral other points. Their general, Hood, had assumed com- mand of the army just before the fight at Peach-Tree Creek, and had pledged himself to his government to drive back Sherman's hordes in utter defeat and disaster to Chatta- nooga. But his progress thus far could hardly be regarded as encouraging.
About the 26th, the Army of the Tennessee commenced moving towards the right to break the Macon Railroad, and to extend the line farther towards a complete investment.
It was clearly the purpose to take the city by regular approaches. Gen. Howard was ordered to assume the command vacated by the death of McPherson, and Gen. Hooker, justly considering this promotion to be an affront to himself, at once asked to be relieved of his command of the 20th Corps. Upon this he was so relieved, and on the 28th of July the officers of the corps took formal leave of their beloved commander on the eve of his departure for Washington. "The parting was very affecting. We re- gret to lose so good a commander, and one in whom so much confidence is reposed by officers and men." The command of the 20th Corps was given, temporarily, to General Williams. From this time for nearly a month the regi- ment remained without material change of position, or other noteworthy event in its experience. " Well," says the journal, " it is all in the three years, and while we are here we are not marching."
By the 5th of August the railway trains from Chatta- nooga were run across the river and to the rear of our works before Atlanta. The first locomotives arriving there screamed loud and long their defiant notes, "to let the den- izens of Atlanta know that the road is open, and that we are prepared to transport passengers or freight on the most reasonable terms."
There was a time of great rejoicing through the camps on the 8th, on the announcement of the capture of Mobile by Farragut. In the night of the 13th a great conflagration was seen in Atlanta, and the bells of the city were plainly heard ringing the alarm. Gen. Kilpatrick came in on the 22d, having made the circuit of the enemy's lines, losing some four hundred men, but was reported to have done great damage to the Confederacy. In the night of the 25th the corps, including the 154th, moved to the right and rear, and on the 29th the regiment re-occupied a lu- nette and breastworks built by themselves on the Chatta- hoochee line at the time of their advance.
In the morning of September 2, Atlanta was evacuated in great haste by the enemy, who destroyed great quantities of military stores, among these being eighty car-loads of am- munition. The troops marched to occupy the city the same day, the 154th halting on the march at Peach-Tree Creek, and making their bivouac for the night in the open space adjoining the City Hall. In the morning of the 3d, they moved out and made their camp about one mile from the city towards the south. The campaign of Atlanta was at an end, and the city was ours. Then, after a brief season of rest and recuperation for the troops, came the strength- ening of the works, the destruction of railroads, except that towards the north, and the accumulation, by this route, of the ammunition and other material necessary for the pros- ecution of that bold march to the sea, the plan of which was even then perfected in the mind of the commanding general, though hardly conjectured by those below him.
In these duties, and in foraging, drill, and the ordinary routine of camp, the 154th passed the months of September and October, and then the signs began to thicken that the army would soon leave Atlanta behind them. The journal entry for October 30, mentions, " It is reported that we are to get ready to march for some place ; don't know or much care where. Time of leaving not designated." The
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strength of the regiment was augmented by accessions of recruits, of whom a considerable number arrived on the 31st. On the 1st of November preparations for a move were commenced. It was ordered that the books and papers of the regiment, as well as all surplus baggage, be packed and made ready to send to the rear, as only the smallest amount of impedimenta would be allowed on the projected campaign. " All sorts of rumors are afloat re- garding our destination ; but all is speculation. Sherman probably knows what his plans are, and we shall know in time." November 8 was election day in the camps, and the result in the 154th was an overwhelming majority for President Lincoln. The entry for Sunday, the 13th of No- vember, mentions, " Fire along the railroad all day and in the night. The troops are destroying all the government buildings and depots."
THE MARCH TO THE SEA.
The issuing of rations and other preparations for the contemplated march were completed on the 14th of Novem- ber, and at seven o'clock on the following morning the 154th Regiment, forming a part of the 2d Brigade, 2d Division of the 20th Army Corps (which, with the 14th Corps, composed the left wing of the Army of Georgia), left their camp at Atlanta, and, with high hopes and light hearts, marched away eastward on the Decatur road. In the diary so frequently quoted above there is this entry : " We are now entered upon a campaign which for brilliancy of con- ception has not been surpassed during the war. May success attend us !" On this first day a distance of fifteen miles was made, and the regiment, having passed through Decatur, encamped for the night about three miles from Stone Mountain. On the second day (the brigade leading the corps) the same distance was accomplished, and the third day's march was sixteen miles. "Foraging now begins to be good." At nine o'clock in the morning of the fourth day (November 18) the regiment passed Social Circle, Ga., and after marching eighteen miles, encamped near Madison. "This is the best day's march we have made, and through the richest country." On the 19th they de- stroyed the track of the Georgia Railroad as they proceeded, and at night camped within two miles of the Oconee River. 20th, marched south wardly down the Oconee. 21st, passed near Eatonton, and camped sixteen miles north of Milledge- ville. 22d, reached Milledgeville at dark, crossed river, camped two miles outside city, and posted pickets. The march was not resumed until the 24th, when a distance of twelve miles was made. The next day the regiment reached Buffalo Creek, bridged it, crossed, and camped on the eastern bank. On the night of the 26th they camped two miles east of Tenille Station, having passed through Sandersville during the day. On the 27th they marched at seven A.M., destroying the railroad as they proceeded, and camped at Davidsboro' at ten P.M. The next day brought them to Spear's Station. "The country passed through to-day is the finest we have seen." The night camp of the 29th was near the Ogeechee River. The destruction of the railroad this day was the same as before, and " our course is marked by a line of fire."
On the 30th the regiment remained near the Ogeechee, de-
stroying track, and three heavy bridges. December 1, the march was resumed in the direction of Millen, the country passed through being low, with swamps bordering the streams. December.2. " Passed some of the finest planta- tions we have yet met with, and which furnish abundance for both men and animals. One can hardly realize that he is in the middle of winter. Everywhere he is reminded of September and not December." The camp was made at Buck-head Creek. On the following day the 154th " passed near the stockade where our prisoners were confined," and camped four miles north of Millen. Through the next day cannonading was heard along the left, supposed to be an engagement between the Union and Confederate cavalry, " or perhaps the 14th Corps meeting with some opposition." In the evening of December 5 the brigade rested only forty -. eight miles from Savannah. The next day's march was but nine miles, being retarded by skirmishing in front, and by the destruction of bridges, slashings of timber, and other obstructions made by the enemy. December 7, a distance of nine miles was made, and the regiment encamped nine miles from Springfield, and thirty from Savannah. "The country passed through this day is one vast pine forest. The plantations are small and widely separated, and foraging poor." The country and the foraging were much better on the 8th. There was some skirmishing, and frequent obstructions of the roads.
On the 9th the column encountered some opposition, but this was regarded as of small account. " Firing heard on our right and front. If the enemy intend to defend Savannah, they will fight soon." December 10, heavy firing was heard on the right, but very little in front. This day the regiment marched as rear-guard, and at eight P.M. camped five miles from the city of Savannah. " December 11. Our lines are being formed in front of the enemy's, which we have at last found. Moved into position on the left, upon the banks of the river, only about three and a half miles above the city, which is in full view from our camp." The regiment was under arms through the night, expecting orders to assault the enemy's works, but no order was given and at four A.M. they were relieved.
During the ten days next following this time, the event of greatest importance to the regiment was the serious wounding of three men by a spherical-case shot from the enemy, which occurred on the 13th. Our lines were shelled considerably, both from the enemy's land batteries and by one of their gunboats, which came up the river several times, nearly opposite the position of the 154th, but little damage was done by either. The fall of the rebel fort-McAllister -a short distance southeast of the city was announced in the camp on the 14th. A formidable earthwork, built by the 2d Brigade, intended for the mounting of heavy guns, was completed on the 20th, but it proved a useless work, for the fortifications and city were evacuated on the follow- ing night, and on the 21st of December the Union forces occupied Savannah. The 154th " marched in early in the morning of that day, and encamped on the south side of the city."
Christmas came, and found the soldiers of the 154th comfortably encamped and enjoying something of rest after the fatigues of their long march from the mountains to the
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sea. One who was present in that camp at the coming of the joyous time " wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated," recollects that two or three excellent singers, members of the regiment, burst forth with the grand old sacred song,-
"While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground ;"
and that when they reached the concluding stanza,-
" All glory be to God on high, And through the earth be peace,"
it seemed to him that never before was music so sweet, and never were words so touching and appropriate.
The holidays were passed by the soldiers in comparative quiet, and with as much of festivity as was attainable under the circumstances. On the 26th of December the camps were electrified by the glorious news of Thomas' decisive victory at Nashville, and loud and long-continued were the acclamations which greeted the announcement. On the 30th, the corps was reviewed by Gen. Sherman, and on the 31st the regiment was mustered for pay by Capt. Harding. " Thus closes 1864. Young 1865 comes upon the stage to-morrow. May it witness the end of this unnatural strife, and its end find us all at home enjoying the blessings of peace !" The words were prophetic! Peace was indeed approaching, but it was to be preceded by yet more of battle and bloodshed, and to be heralded by assassination.
On the 4th of January Col. Jones left for the North on leave of absence, and on the 14th the regiment learned of his promotion to brigadier-general, he having been advanced to that grade upon the recommendation of Gen. Sherman and the corps commanders, to which was added that of Gov. Edwin D. Morgan. The capture of Fort Fisher was announced in the camps on the 18th, and the news was re- ceived with extravagant demonstrations of rejoicing.
THE CAROLINA CAMPAIGN.
The stay of the 154th in Savannah was but little more than a month, and was marked by no especially noteworthy incident. It had been rumored that the division, including this regiment, would remain to garrison the city, under the command of Gen. Geary as military governor, and this prob- ability was contemplated with great satisfaction by the men and officers ; but the pleasing hope was wholly dispelled by the receipt, on the 26th of January, of orders to march at eight A.M. on the following day, and at the appointed time the command bade farewell to the city and marched away, over " frozen ground and a rough road," towards Augusta. No enemy was encountered, and that night their camp was pitched about twelve miles from the starting-point. Nearly the same distance was made on each of the two following days, and in the evening of the 29th the regiment encamped between Springfield and Sister's Ferry, at a distance of about thirty-five miles from Savannah.
From this point no forward movement was made until February 4, when the command broke camp at daylight, and moved to Sister's Ferry, where they crossed the Sa- vannah River into South Carolina, encamping at night in the vicinity of Robertsville. In the next five days a dis- tance of about sixty miles was made, and the camp of the
9th of February was made in the immediate vicinity of Blacksville, on the South Carolina Railroad. During this time no enemy had been met, but all along the western and northwestern horizon great columns of smoke by day, and the red glow of conflagration by night, told how the cavalry of Kilpatrick were wreaking their treasured vengeance against the Palmetto State. " Nearly all the buildings on our line of march have been burned," says the diary ; " only the tall chimney-stacks are left."
In the evening of February 11 the regiment encamped at Duncan's Bridge, on the Edisto River, which stream they crossed at daybreak on the 12th, and reached the north fork of the Edisto, at Jones' Bridge, early in the afternoon. "The bridge was burned, and the enemy were in some force on the opposite side. There was some skirmishing, in which we sustained some loss. Their artillery also did some damage to the bridge, which the engineers are rebuilding." In the morning, there being no enemy in front, the troops crossed the bridge and pro- ceeded northward. The regimental camp of the 15th was within one mile of Lexington Court-House, and in the evening of the 17th they had reached the Saluda River, above Columbia, the capital of the State. During the night, the bright glare which illumined all the eastern heavens told that that city, too, had been given to the flames. The work was done by Hazen's Division of the 15th Corps, which moved in advance of the 20th.
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