History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 23

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the 27th we were relieved from the ravine in front of Petersburg, and marched to and crossed the Appomat- tox at Point of Rocks, then to the James, about six miles above Bermuda Hundred, encamping near the bank of the river, from which we could see just above us the "ditch" which was being dug by Gen. Butler across a narrow penin- sula formed by a long curve in the river. This location was in pleasing contrast in many respeets with the one we had just left, as there was no picket-firing on this part of the line, and no artillery dueling on our immediate front. We had become so accustomed to the almost constant whizzing of bullets, the roaring of eannon, and the bursting of shells for the last months, that we seemed to have emerged into a strangely quiet world. Though our pickets here were in elose proximity to those of the enemy, still there was no firing. They sometimes hailed each other and entered into the most amusing conversation. About this time the rebels got some way around our lines and drove off a herd of our beef cattle from between Petersburg and the James. One morning soon after one of our pickcts is said to have shouted over to the rebel picket opposite him, "Say, reb, what did you have for breakfast ?" " Plenty of fresh beef just from Washington," was the reply. Here we remained quietly recruiting both strength and numbers until the evening of September 28th. About nine o'clock in the evening orders came as published in an account given at the time, here inserted :

"' Prepare to move immediately, light marching order, two days' rations, sixty rounds of ammunition.' In a few moments we were on the move, taking a road leading to the James, a short distance below ' Dutch Gap.' Before reaching the river, the command, consisting of two divisions of the 18th Corps, halted, and rested until toward morn- ing. 'Fall in !' ' Forward!' And we moved down to and across the river on a pontoon bridge which had been laid for the purpose. 'Filing loft,' we followed up the river near a fourth of a mile, then 'filing

right,' we moved off across an open field towards the dense woods which skirted the field some mile or more away. On leaving the river, the 118th New York and 10th New Hampshire were thrown out as skirmishers. Under the brow of a hill near the woods, the command was formed ' in close column hy division,' the 96th New York 'leading the van,' closely following the advancing skirmish line, which hore to the left and moved over the hill.

" It was light. The rebel pickets, who were stationed along the edge of the woods, opened a brisk fire, to which our skirmishers re- plied as they pushed steadily forward, supported by the advancing column, driving the rebels hefore them. At the edge of the woods we struck a road which led to ' Chapin's Farm,' and in the direction of Richmond. Our column moved along to the left, and parallel with this road. Just as we were entering the woods the fire from the rebels increased as they were disputing our right to certain rifle-pits just in advance. There falls one of my bravest boys ! I dismounted, 'Here, drummer, hold my horse.' 'Where are you hit, Barton ?' In the left side; water ! water !' 'Where is the stretcher corps ?' I asked. ' They have not come up.' I went hack a few steps; procured a stretcher. The noble boy was placed upon it and borne to the rear for surgical treatment. But, alas ! his wound was fatal.

Leaving him in the hands of the surgeon, I pushed on after the regiment on foot. So rapid had heen the advance that a mile was hurriedly walked before overtaking them. Still the rehels were heing forced back, firing occasionally as they retreated. Still on we pushed, perhaps a mile farther, when we came to the edge of an open field, which stretched away half a mile or more to a heavy fort, from which on either side, long lines of formidable earthworks were visible. Before emerging from the woods, the command was halted and formed for a charge. What ! are we to charge half a mile or more through an open field, in the face of a fort mounting ten guns and some of them of heavy calibre? This is evidently the design. Though the attempt must prove certain death to many, perhaps most, none expressed a douht or fear. The only change in the line was the deploying of the 96th New York in line of battle, the column in their rear in close column by division as hefore. Can it he that my regi- ment, so often put in the ' front of the fight,' is to lead in another so desperate a charge, with depleted ranks, numbering at present only one hundred and forty ? But we do not complain. The advance is the post of honor. The history of the reginuent as practically recorded on many a hard-fought field entitles us to this. No one murmurs at the position assigned us; but all accept with a purpose to honor it. The few moments occupied in these preparatory movements I was viewing with my field-glass the rebel works, and the field we were to pass over. The men were distinctly seen at their guns, which peered ominously over the parapet of the fort, threatening death to any who dared advance. Rebel officers were seen giving directions,-putting things in order to fulfill as far as possible the long-standing threat of Southern chivalry, to ' Welcome us with bloody hands to hospitable graves.'

"The order is given and repeated, 'Forward ! guide right ! steady, men ! close up !' and we move steadily forward, with that firmness of tread peculiar to war-tried veterans. On emerging from the woods the fort opened a furious fire upon our advancing column. Shot and shell came screaming madly ahove, ahout, and among us. Still we move steadily on ; half the distance is made. There is a fearful gap in the line of the intrepid 96th. A large shell has torn through the ranks. The gap is closed up immediately. Still the column moves steadily forward. Oh, how sad the sight ! Here lies one of our dear boys, headless; another's hip frightfully mangled; others seriously, and some more slightly, wounded ; all from the explosion of that one dreadful shell. 'You wounded men who can, get in this ditch ; lie close and keep covered;' and to the one with fractured hip, ' Poor man, try and trust in the Lord. You will be attended to as soon as possible,' I said. 4

" While I was thus doing what I could for these dear men, the regi- ment had pushed on nearly half the remaining distance to the fort ; having borno to the right, and were now filing to the left, directly towards the left wing of the rebel stronghold. Close in their rear followed the column. The war hus not witnessed a more sublime nd- vance. Unheeding the storm of death that swept the plain, I pushed on as speedily as possiblo directly for the fort, which, through the meroy of God, I reached as our column was pouring into it. I saw the robels as they left their guns and fled. But still they held the work running north from the fort, and turned thoir fire in upon ns.

HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

The regiments now in the fort were rapidly reformed, and soon flanked the remaining works held by the rebels whose fire so disturbed our peace in the fort, and they either fled or were captured.

"About this time I noticed Gen. Burnham, the commander of our brigade, in the fort. As he stepped out from behind one of the trav- erses of the fort a bullet passed very near him. 'General,' I re- marked, 'that means you had better step back a little.' He soon fell, mortally wounded. I stepped to his side, took him by the hand, and said, ' General, I am sorry to see you wounded.' 'Heavenly Father,' I heard him prayerfully lisp. He expired soon after.

" The rebel guns were turned upon the retreating foe, and we soon had full possession of the works, disputed only by an occasional shot from rebel gunboats. The victory now being complete, I turned im- mediately back upon the war-path just trodden, in search of the wounded to my regiment. Oh, God, such sights ! May I never wit- ness the like again ! 'Chaplain ! chaplain "' was called from every side. I responded to the calls as rapidly as possible, receiving the dying words of some to 'loved ones ;' exhorting all to trust in God in this trying hour. Who is this ? Oh, it is the sergeant-major. I speak to him,-he does not recognize me. He is dangerously wounded through the neck, and seeins unconscious. He must die soon. 'Here, chaplain,' says a boy, mortally wounded, 'take this watch, send it to my father.' 'You are looking to the Lord for his blessing, my dear man, I hope ?' ' Oh, yes.' ' You will write my friends ?' says another. ' Take the name and address.' It is now in my note-book. In this manner I went from one to another, until I had passed over the entire field, looking often in the familiar face of some lifeless soldier friend. Can this be Josephus Wilcox ? Let me look again. It is. The fatal ball had entered the neck just above the left shoulder. 'Heaven bless his friends. Can it be possible ! Raise up his lifeless head. Let me look him full in the face, that there be no mistake. Alas! it is he.' My friend, William F. Hill, ' God bless that wife-those little ones !' I pass on. Here lies an officer-a captain-not of my regiment. He is terribly wounded. 'You are badly wounded.' ' Who is it?' ' A chap- lain.' 'Oh, pray for me, pray for me !' I knelt by his side, and, taking his hand in mine, I devoutly asked God's blessing upon him. He joined me in prayer. But I cannot stay. Here lies, apparently dying, one of the bravest soldiers of which the country could boast : shot through the left lung. ' De Wolf, do you know me ?' He roused, opened his eyes : 'Oh, yes.' ' Have you any word you wish to send your friends ?' 'Tell them, if I die, I die honorably,' he added. This is the third time this noble boy has been wounded. He was wounded in the arm at Fair Oaks, taken prisoner, knocked down the guard with the other arm and got away. At Petersburg he was dangerously wounded in the head, but recovered; had just rejoined the regiment for duty. As he fell in this charge he said to one of his comrades, ' I can live but a few moments, but don't let them win the day. Oh, it is such hard work to breathe, but don't let them win the day!' he repeated. The next morning he was still alive when taken from the field hospital with the rest of the wounded. Eighty tells the num- ber killed and wounded in my regiment. It is due to Col. Cullen and Lieut .- Col. Moffitt, as well as all the officers and men, to say they dis- played the greatest gallantry."

The next day the enemy formed and charged back in force, with the vain hope of recapturing the fort. Their two desperate charges were made directly on the fort, in part held by what remained of our shattered regiment. Men who could charge as they had done the day previous were not the men to be easily driven from their position, and the charges were repulsed with fearful slaughter. The time, up to this hour, had been improved in changing the face of the fort towards the enemy. Before these rebel charges we were shelled most furiously from their batteries in front and their gunboats on the James. Fortunately, our loss in this desperate struggle was not heavy, as we fought from behind our defenses. Capt. Wm. Brokaw was thought to have been mortally wounded, as the bullet en- tered the pit of his stomach, lodging somewhere within. But, strange and quite marvelous as it seemed, he so far recovered as to return for duty some months after. But

one man was killed in the ranks. We were soon moved a little to the right of the fort, holding a part of the line looking towards Richmond. October 5th one man was killed, and October 7th one of our men, Bigot, was killed and Weatherwax wounded. From this nothing of especial moment occurred until October 27th, when an expedition was inaugurated, the results of which were given at the time, as follows :

" Wednesday morning last we were relieved from 'the front' at 'Chaffin's Bluff,' and marched back a mile to a large field, in which during the day the greater part of the 18th Corps were massed.

"'Three days' cooked rations.' Where and what now ? As usual, rumors were abundant. But ' wait and see' is the soldier's only sure method of ascertaining his destiny. Next morning solved all queries as to the direction of our line of march. At five o'clock the column moved off nearly parallel with our line of works stretching north from Fort Harrison ; our division, the first, taking the advance. On we moved, following the road first taken while it suited our course, then filing away through fields, across ' main roads,' 'by-roads,' keep- ing the same general northerly direction. Ah ! now we see. We are to demonstrate somewhere on 'the right;' but as to the exact point of attack we are ignorant still. 'Hark ! there is firing not far away, at our left.' Through an opening and across a field, at the distance of a mile or more, I sce bodies of troops moving 'in line.' 'What troops are those ?' the major inquires. My field-glass is brought into requisition. 'They are plainly our forces.' 'Then they must belong to the 10th Corps ?' ' Yes; they have evidently moved along our left, and are driving in the rebel pickets at that point.' Still we move steadily on, leaving the 10th Corps demonstrating in front of the rebel works at this point. Across the Darby Town and Charles City roads, and pushing on still. Here is a boy that evidently lives in this vicinity, as he is clad in 'butternut and gray,' and astride a ' woe-begone' nag with a harness on, which was evidently a few mo- ments before 'hauling' produce to market in a cart which I had just noticed at the side of the road, with its contents being rather uncere- moniously 'confiscated.' 'He may know something; let's ask him.' 'Say, boy, how far is it to Richmond ?' ''Tween five and six miles, I reckon.' 'Are there any fortifications out this way ?' 'Yes; out here about half a mile, that you all built two years ago; but thare an't no body in 'em.' There is no time for lengthy inquiries and we push on with the advancing columnn, which soon emerges from the woods. Sure enough, here are long lines of dilapidated earthworks stretching across wide fields and wider 'slashes.'

" Let me see, those two houses across yonder, perhaps a mile ahead, and a little to the left of our line of advance, standing near together on that little risc, look familiar, and those trees by them, and the general outlines of the field and woods beyond. It is all clear now. This is 'Fair Oaks battle-ground.' Yonder, near these two houses, Gen. Casey had his headquarters. A little this side the 96th had their camp. Just beyond them they formed in line of battle as the rebels threw over those two cannon-shots as a challenge to the fight. But there is no time for detailed recollections. 'I see horsemen by those houses. Let me try my field-glass again; one, two, ten, and more coming out of the woods beyond. They are all facing this way. They are rebel cavalry on picket.' On we move, approaching the main road at right angles. Crack ! crack ! Our cavalry are engaging those pickets. There they go on a 'charge,'-sublime sight! Away goes the rebel 'squad' flying. Striking the main road, we filed left, pass- ing just by where Gen. Casey had his headquarters, and over the bloodiest part of the 'Fair Oaks' field. We forined in line of battle as we reached the point where our advance pickets used to stand. Just here is where, over two years since, our gallant Maj. Kelly fell bleeding, dying. There stood the small white house near which I found his lifeless remains. A few chimney-bricks mark the place where it stood. Advancing a few yards, the rebels opened with artil- lery from a fort across a field, and perhaps three-fourths of a mile away. The line was halted. 'Lie down' was ordered and promptly obcyed. Though rebel shells came screaming, bursting, crashing around while lying here an hour or more, they fortunately did but little harm, though their proximity was extremely unpleasant.

"The 118th New York had been deployed and advanced as skir- inishers, under the lead of their intrepid Maj. Dominy, close up to the rebel works. The hour or more of delay since forming our line of

MILITARY HISTORY.

battlo cnabled the rchels to wheel in reinforcements, which Maj. Dominy affirms they did at a rapid rate. 'Fix hayonets' is the com- mand given our small brigade, which, with the 118th out as skirmish- ers, numbers hut four hundred and sixty present for the charge. Is this weak line to he dashed against those formidable works now well manned ? But it is the soldier's province to ohey, rather than ques- tion, orders. Perhaps it is thought, since we have been in the habit of carrying everything hefore us, as at Fort Harrison, that nothing is too hard for us. But charging and recharging has thinned our ranks until we are not now a regiment strong. If the same number of men can take those works, we can, and if ordered, there will be at least a gallant effort. 'Charge bayonets !' Every man springs to his feet and rushes forward with a cheer. First shell, then grape, shrapnel, and rifle-shots render rapidly thinner our already thinned ranks. The hravest of tho brave are falling fast. Still on rushes the shat- tered line, hreasting the death-storm that heats full in their face until it is evident not a man will be left to reach the works. 'Lie down lower.' And every man lies low, many to rise no more until 'the last day.' Some wounded, douhly venturing their lives, attempt to get to the rear. 'Oh ! is this our adjutant?' 'Where are you wounded ?' Emotion chokes utterance. 'Let me examine. Hero are traces of blood; here the bullet has entered, passing through the right side and out near the spine.' God bless Lieut. Harrington, is the prayerful breathing of my soul ! ' Here, stretcher corps, take him to an ambulance.' He is living still, and may recover. Can that he our heloved Col. Moffitt, as gallant a soldier as ever 'faced the foe'? Alas ! it is. He is wounded through the left knee. He smiles as I speak to him, apparently as calm as though on a dress paradc. ' Colonel, you are wounded ?' 'Yes, slight,' he replied, extending his hand, which I grasped, while my heart swelled with indescribable emotion. It was not 'slight,' as the sequel proves. His limh has since been amputated. It is thought he will live, however. 'May hlessing and honor attend the future of his life and crown his eternity !'

"Our colors were swept down by a destructive charge of grape and canister, and in attempting to regain them Maj. Pierce came near losing his life He saw a rehel taking deadly aim at him but a few yards away. A sudden step sidewise at the flash of the gun barely made room for the well-aimed bullet to pass. Maj. Pierce is famed for his cool presence of mind and undaunted courage. He bas earned well his enviahle reputation on many hard-fought fields, and richly merits a much higher rank. The 'silver eagle' would find fit resting- place on shoulders such as his; and even stars would not hlush to shine there.

"Towards night the enemy rallied out, and what of the brigade did not promptly and rapidly obey the order to ' fall back' were captured. Of perhaps seventy-nine my regiment took into the charge we lost fifty-nine. About a mile back were our reserve lines, which the enemy did not attempt to attack.

" Early in the evening the entire command began its return march through rain and dark and mud. Late next day found us ' who re- main' in our old position near Fort Harrison reduced in numbers, but not in purpose to do and suffer and, if need be, die, for the right. Such was the experience of the 96th in the 'reconuoissance on the right.'"

Capt. Buckman and Lieut. Harris were taken prisoners. Lieut. Harris, after some time of starvation experience in a North Carolina prison, succeeded in making his eseape, making his way through indeseribable hardships and perils, seereted and guided by the colored people, to the Union lines. Capt. Buekman was eventually exehanged, and both received a merited and most hearty weleome on their re- turn. Our regiment was again reduced to a mere handful, and it was for a time a question with us whether or not we should retain our organization; but, on December 8th, the 92d New York Regiment was consolidated with us, swelling our numbers, and evidencing the faet that our organization was to be preserved. The winter was passed in our camp on the front line, about a mile north of Fort Harrison, with the experienees customary to sueh camp-life. Febru- ary 11th, we were more than rejoieed at the return of Col.

Moffitt, though with one missing limb. It is but fitting to say that the colonel, from his eool, unflinching eourage along the " perilous edge of battle," and his great kindness in his intercourse with both offieers and men, had won an enviable place in the esteem of the regiment, as well as with all with whom duty placed him in intereourse. He was soon detailed as eorps provost-marshal, for which both ability and experience gave him especial adaptation. Feb- ruary 22d, Major Henry I. Pieree was mustered out of service, on the expiration of his time, not having re-enlisted. We were sorry to lose so gallant and efficient an officer, while the sineere regrets and most eordial well-wishes of the regi- ment followed him to his home. No duty ever seemed too hard for him or danger too great. His three years of ser- viee had been years of almost constant hardship and peril, but he proved himself fully equal to every emergeney. His reeord, as part of our regimental history, ean be referred to only with feelings of great satisfaction. March 14th, Surg. Francis J. De Auvignon was mustered out on the expira- tion of his three years' service, and took leave of the regi- ment. So thoroughly efficient had he proved himself, and so kind in his attentions to the siek and wounded, that not an officer or man but that felt that he was parting with a true and well-tried friend. Robert W. Brady was eom- missioned to fill the vaeaney, and proved an able and effi- cient surgeon. Asst. Surg. Vauhn had been very fitly promoted to surgeon of the 43d New York, and Asst. Surg. Hines had previously resigned. Soon after, Col. Edgar M. Cullen resigned, and was mustered out of service. Lieut .- Col. Stephen Moffitt was promoted to eolonel, and brevetted brigadier-general U. S. Vols. Capt. George W. Hindes, having been promoted to major, was now promoted to heutenant-colonel, and brevetted eolonel. Capt. Court- land G. Babeoek was promoted to major, and brevetted lieutenant-colonel. These were all merited, and worthy promotions. During the detached service of Col. Moffitt as provost-marshal, Lieut .- Col. Hindes commanded the regiment. His ideas of military discipline were of a high order, and he took pleasure in rendering the regiment a model of neatness and order. Time passed on until spring came. When the first day of April, 1865, dawned upou us, it found us in our eamp, as for some months, on the north side of the James, just north of Fort Harrison, facing Richmond, and only about eight miles away. April 2d, we were excited to the wildest enthusiasm. Having heard heavy firing in the direction of Petersburg, we were expect- ing news of the result, when a dispatch eame from Grant announcing, " We have driven the rebels out of all of their works, enveloping Petersburg. Ten thousand prisoners eap- tured. The Southside Railroad taken, and are pressing the enemy."

Orders were received to be ready to move at a moment's notiee. It began to look to us like the decisive struggle. Early Monday morning, April 3d, we were in line of battle, momentarily expecting orders to move on the rebel works in our front. While waiting, a terrific explosion was heard in the direction of Richmond. " What is that ?" inquired one of the men. " Don't you know ?" said another; " I do. It is the Southern Confederacy blown up." Soon another report of like eharacter followed, and still others.

HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

The expected order soon came, and we moved forward in line of battle towards the rebel lines, expecting bloody work. Every soldier was ready for the worst, prepared to do his duty at all hazards. As our skirmish line neared the rebel pickets, one single shot was fired, and they hastily fell back. We moved on in the face of their heavy works, expecting to hear their artillery open at every step, and their infantry chime in. But all was silent. We reached their works. The enemy had fled. We clambered over, wheeled into column, and, taking the direct road, commenced a race for Richmond, reaching the city about eight and a half o'clock. As we came in sight of the long defiant capital of the Rebel- lion, the men went wild with ecstasy. This first view revealed the fact that the bridge between Richmond and Manchester was on fire, a heavy wind sweeping the flames in the direction of the doomed city, when soon a large part of Richmond lay in ruins.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 23

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922