History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 37

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

tanooga, and other troops to New York city, to quell a disgraceful riot there raging.

General Lee again menaced Washington, and on October 8 had begun a flank movement. The Union army fell back to interpose its forces. On October 10, the Second corps formed line of battle two miles west of Culpepper. Trains of stores and of the sick were hurried towards the capital, and Meade gave orders to concentrate for a stand at Centreville, while the enemy strove to intercept and fall upon the divisions en route.

On the morning of October 14, while the division was crossing the ford of Cedar Run, the Third brigade, leading, was attacked both front and rear by artillery and dismounted cavalry, concealed in the woods. General Hays ordered forward the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and part of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, to clear the woods and gain the road. The regiment deployed in a field under a sharp fire from unseen foes. Presently a body of rebel calvary emerging from the cover of the forest, formed for a charge, and the hostile forces were seen advancing at thirty rods' distance. The right engaged at close quarters briefly, and killed several of the cavalry, including their leader, and captured an adjutant and a score of men. The regiment continued its advance and gained the position sought, having sustained a loes of four killed and nineteen wounded, and having won a decided compliment from General Hays.

The regiment continued to guard the column, as flankers, to Catlett's Station. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth were left for an hour on picket and then relieved. It was four P.M. when the advance of the Second corps reached Bristoe. The rear of the Fifth corps, under Sykes, had just forded Broad Run at the ruilroad crossing. The enemy had come into position to attack the rear of Sykes, and now opened heavily upon the command of Warren. Sykes, refusing to give any help, kept on towards Centreville, and the Second corps was left to rely upon itself. As the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth came near the station a rebel line of battle was seen on the left flank, in the edge of the woods on the opposite side of the railroad. The column was moving by the right flank, when General Hays, galloping down the column, called out, "By the left flank, double- quick, march !" Each regiment dashed forward over an open plain some fifty rods wide, and, without firing a shot, reached the railroad, cut ahead of the enemy, and, cheering, opened upon the rebels with terrible effect. Arnold's Rhode Island Battery, posted upon high ground in the rear, converged its aim upon the heaviest bodies and tore them in fragments. While the Third and Second brigades en- gaged in front, the First brigade, moving upon their right flank, drove them in disorder, and with loss. A battery of five guns was abandoned on a hill, and one company from each of the regiments of the Third brigade was sent to bring off the prize. Two flags and four hundred and fifty prisoners were the fruits of this action. Later, another line advanced from the woods, and, as the Union batteries opened, lay down and remained till after dark. At sunset two rebel batteries opened, and a noisy, harmless duel was fought for an hour or more. At nine o'clock the march was resumed and continued all night. Bull Run was crossed at three A.M., and the Second corps joined the main army. Lee having torn up the railroad to the Rappahannock, retired to the farther bank, and occupied Cul- pepper and its vicinity.

On November 26, Mende moved his five corps to the Rapidan, Warren crossed and marched southward, and, reaching a point called Locust Ridge, the One Hun- dred and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth were placed upon the picket line for the night. The army now moved up, and the enemy withdrew behind his works at Mine Run. Each side expected and awaited attack from the other, and so the day went by. Again the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth passed the night as pickets. Warren was sent to turn the rebel position, and reached a favorable point as darkness came on. All night long the enemy labored, and, by morning, batteries, masses of infantry, abattis, and breastworks awaited the Union assault. General Warren withheld the order to attack, and the act received the indorsement of General Meade. Again, a third night, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was on the picket line, and when morning came the army marched back to former camps, and the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth gladly entered its camp, December 2, after this exhaustive and fruitless effort.

Winter quarters were now built near Stevensburg, and a long rest ensued. A reconnaissance was made February 6, 1864, at Morton's Ford, on the Rapidan, wherein the One Hundred and Eleventh and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth received, with the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth and Thirty-ninth, the post of honor, as the advance of the corps. A squad of about thirty prisoners was taken at the crossing. The brigade having reached the farther bank, deployed, ad- vanced, and fearlessly moved close upon the rebel batteries, where at dark a heavy attack was firmly met, assisted as they were by the opportune arrival of another brigade. The force was successfully withdrawn, and the conduct of the troops won hearty enconium from commanding officers. A grand review was held on February 23, 1864, and five days later the corps were reduced to three,-

Fifth, Second, and Sixth. Warren, Hancock, and Sedgwick were the respective commanders. The Third brigade was augmented by three regiments, and changed from Third to First division of the Second corps. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was three hundred strong when, on April 5, Captain Richard A. Basset and Lieutenant F. E. Munson, with five sergeants, eight corporals, and eighty-seven privates, were detailed as provost guard at headquarters, May, 1864. Grant, as general, commanded all the Union armies, and directed simultaneous and co-operative effort. Sherman was to move upon Atlanta ; Meade to follow Lee.

On May 5 the Second army corps crossed Ely's Ford, and bivouacked un- opposed at Chancellorsville. In the constant succession of battles following, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth fought with its usual bravery, and lost a part of its veteran band. During the prevalence of a fog, on the morning of May 12, the Second corps, under Hancock, charged an angle of the rebel works, and cap- tured four thousand prisoners and two general officers, E. Johnson and G. H. Stewart. Adjutant Lincoln, of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, one of the first within the rebel works, himself wheeled about a loaded cannon and dis- charged it upon its late owners. It is well known with what desperate valor the enemy fought to recover lost ground, and how with equal resolution the Union veterans stubbornly clung to their advantage. The One Hundred and Twenty- sixth had now in its depleted ranks but eighty officers and seventy-two men. Passing over the events of weeks of hot and memorable days, we find Warren's advance attacked by a division of Ewell's corps, on May 30, at Tolopotomoy creek. Barlow's division drove back the rebel skirmish line, captured their rifle-pita, and held them all night. In this engagement the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth lost a heavy percentage of their number, but the few were as undaunted as when charging upon the enemy at Gettysburg and driving the victors like chaff before them.

At Cold Harbor the regiment was in reserve, and so speedily was the advance repulsed, and so decidedly, that the supports were not called up. The men placed in front excavated rifle-pits, and wherever a hand or head was shown, a bullet whistled near or through it. Constantly in the front or in support, the One Hun- dred and Twenty-sixth, on September 26, in command of Captain Geddis, had to report but eight officers and sixty men, and these were on duty at Deep Bottom as part of the supporting line. The rolls showed the strength of the regiment to be twenty officers and four hundred and eighteen men. Recruits had not been received, and were not expected. The provost guard was kept constantly employed in guarding prisoners, checking stragglers, and in police duties at headquarters. On October 6 the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth stood behind their works in front of Petersburg, watchful and ready for attack,-one moment all quiet, and the next a ripping of musketry, a crash of shells, calling each, gun in hand, to the breastworks. . So passed not days but months. The regimental organization was still kept up, but the companies were all together, and Company K was represented only by John Barrett, of Allen's Hill. Captain Ira H. Wilder was transferred to command another regiment of the brigade, and Lieutenant J. W. Randolph was adjutant.

All through the winter, and along in the spring of 1865, the lines about Rich- mond and Petersburg hield fast, and each day the forces of Lee grew weaker and the demonstrations on the left of the Union army more decided. Atlanta had fallen, Hood had been defeated at Nashville, Savannah had been taken, and now Sherman's columns, advancing through the Carolinas, proclaimed the end approach- ing. Few of the old One Hundred and Twenty-sixth were left, but to them and the brave Second corps was to fall the honor of the capture of the Army of North- ern Virginia. Lee charged and captured Fort Steadman, on March 25, to maak an attempt to withdraw his army to form a junction with Johnston. The fort was speedily retaken under the eye of President Lincoln, then at City Point. During the afternoon of the same day the line of the Third brigade was advanced, with a loes in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth of two killed and several wounded. The command was complimented in an order read on dress-parade, in which General Madill, speaking in high terms of gallant conduct, acknowledges and appreciates meritorious services. "On the 27th, the men were ordered to have cartridges, four days' rations in haversacks, and to send surplus baggage to City Point." Captain J. B. Geddis, senior officer present, took command of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, and at nine A.M., March 29, the march towards Five Forks was begun. The regiment was soon at old work on the skirmish line, where it remained two days; then followed the battle of Five Forks, wherein the Third brigade won themselves much honor. Here Pierson, of I, was killed, and Captain Geddis and Lieutenants Hopper and Parks and many men were wounded. The regiment bivouacked among the pines at night, and next day the Third brigade, part of Sheridan's cavalry, and two divisions of the Fifth army corps were sent to dis- lodge a rebel division from Sutherland's Depot, on the Southside Railroad, where they were strongly intrenched. Led by Madill, the brigade charged repeatedly but fruitlessly. The enemy, behind good works and provided with artillery, hold

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PLATE XXVII

RES OF H. B. ROGERS, PHELPS, ONTARIO CO, N. Y.

Rcs. or WH B. DUNNING , GENEVA, NEW YORK.

COURIER

DRUGS, MEDICINES

MAYNARD ACKNING

H.C. BECKER

DRUGGISTSE

· NICHOLAS

PROVISIONS

W" SMITH'S BLOCK , GENEVA, NEW YORK.

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PI.ATE XXVIII.

CAP! GEORGE HICKOX.

RES. OF WM. ANTIS, CANANDAIGUA, N. Y.

DANFORD BOOTH. (MANCHESTER, N. Y. )

FM TUMPRI

RES. OF THE LATE SAMUEL VALENTINE , VALENTINE CORNERS, VICTOR, ONTARIO CO., N. Y.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

their position bravely. Madill was wounded, and McDougal assumed command. A ball broke his arm, but he kept his saddle and led a final successful attack, which carried the works, cut the Southside Railroad, and resulted in the capture of infantry and a number of cannon. In one of the charges made, the brigade flag was lost by the disabling of the bearer, who was shot from his horse. The enemy tore the flag from his grasp, and ordered him to the rear; he refused, and in a charge quickly following was rescued by his comrades. This heroic soldier was Hermon Fox, of Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth. The brigade took position north of the railroad, and at night the national artillery opened with tremendous roar all along the miles of works; then before day lit up the scene the whole army charged forward, and the lines were won. Lse was in full retreat, and Union pursuit was immediate and rapid.

On May 3 the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was detailed guard of trains, and, marching with the wagons, corduroyed the roads for long distances with rails from adjacent fences. The capture of a supply-train, numbering four hundred wagons, gave our men a good meal. On May 6 a battle took place, and over six thousand prisoners were captured. Close following the rebel rear marched the Second army corps, compelling the abandonment of sixteen heavy cannon and requiring a halt to intrench. An attack followed, and the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, fighting behind trees, met no loss, and, as the enemy again gave way, followed after as flankers for the brigade. Lee surrendered, and the triumph came at last. Camp was made at Rice's Station May 20; the brigade then marched north, and, May 23, took part in the grand review. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was represented by eighty men. The order for muster-out came June 2, and two weeks later two hundred and twenty-one men of the original one thousand were discharged. Where were the rest? Harper's Ferry saw sixteen killed, thirty-nine wounded. At Gettysburg thirty officers and four hundred and seventy-seven men were engaged: there were killed, six officers and fifty-five men; wounded, seven officers and one hundred and sixty-one men. At Auburn Ford the loss was five killed, seventeen wounded; Bristoe Station, six were killed and thirteen wounded; Morton's Ford, February 6, 1864, three killed and nineteen wounded. From May to June 6, the loss was eight officers and one hundred and twenty-one men. Before Petersburg, from June 15 to 22, the losses were seven. During service, sixteen commissioned officers were killed in battle or died of wounds,-a greater numerical loss than any other regiment from the State had sustained,-and Ontario, in her One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, had a regiment whose record may well, from Harper's Ferry to Appomattox, give her pride in her soldiery.

The One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment .- This regiment was mustered into the United States service at Geneva, New York, on September 14, 1862. The field officers were: Colonel, William Johnson, Seneca Falls ; Lieutenant-Colo- nel, G. Murray Guion ; Major, John B. Murray; Adjutant, Henry T. Noyes; Surgeon, E. W. Simmons, Canandaigua. The regiment, twelve hundred strong, and composed of as fine a body of men as had yet been organized, was raised in the twenty-sixth senatorial district-Yates, Seneca, and Ontario. Companies C, G, I, and L were raised in Ontario, and officered by Captains D. E. Clapp, E. A. Griswald, H. Moore, and H. Schutt; while parts of F and D were raised in Ontario, and the remainder in Yates and Seneca counties. Harvey R. Gardiner was placed in command of F, and E. Darwin Gage of D. The regiment left Geneva September 22, and three days later arrived at Washington, going at once into camp on Capitol Hill. From Washington the regiment was ordered to Suf- folk, Virginia, arriving there on the 29th, and remaining until October 11, when it was ordered to Portsmouth, Virginia, and went into camp. A course of drill and instruction, thorough and effective, was here instituted and maintained, which, later, gained for the regiment its excellent reputation for discipline and steadiness in action. From Portsmouth the regiment was ordered to Norfolk, where it re- mained from the 12th of July to October 9, on garrison duty. While. at this post, a portion of the regiment was detailed for the garrison of Fort Norfolk ; while other detachments were stationed at Kempsville, Cape Henry, and like im- portant positions. Frequent expeditions were sent out to different points of the adjoining country, and much effective work was accomplished by the regiment. On the 9th of October, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was ordered to York- town, and there remained in charge of the fortifications of that historic location until the commencement of active operations in the spring of 1864. During February of that year was made the famous march to Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy, accomplishing one hundred and thirty-four miles in one hundred hours. While at Yorktown, in November, 1863, a battalion of the regiment, consisting of four hundred and fifty men, with the gunboat " Morse," was sent on an expedition into Matthews county, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The command disembarked on Mobjack Bay, and, marching to Gwynn's Island, sur- prised and captured a battalion of coast guards, with arms and supplies.

In April, 1864, the regiment left Yorktown in company with a heavy force under command of General " Baldy" Smith. They went into camp on the Wil-

liamsburg battle-ground, where, in 1862, the gallant Thirty-third New York had so gallantly won fame. Here the column was organized, and equipped for active service, and on the 5th of May embarked on transports, and moved up the James river to City Point, where the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was brigaded with the Second and Twelfth New Hampshire and Eleventh Connecticut. The advance upon Fort Darling, at Drury's Bluff, began on the 12th ; it was followed by the sharp engagement at Clover Hill, which resulted in the enemy being driven steadily back to his strongly-intrenched line eight miles from Richmond. On the morning of the 16th the line of battle was as follows: Heckman's brigade was drawn up just below Fort Darling, with its right resting on the James. Next in order came Wistar's brigade, with the One Hundred and Forty-eighth on its right, and joining Heckman's left. Belger's battery came next, and the rest of the troops were in line extending still farther to the left. During the previous night the One Hundred and Forty-eighth had erected a hastily-constructed breastwork of timber, and covered i's immediate front. A quantity of wire from the Richmond and Petersburg telegraph line had also been cut from the poles and securely fastened among the stumps, about thirty yards in advance. As morning dawned a dense fog had arisen, and at an early hour an overwhelming Confederate force was suddenly thrown with great fury upon Heckman, driving his line in great confusion .. Again forming in column and taking a new position, the entire rebel force was hurled upon the brigade to the left of Wistar, throwing it into disorder, forcing it to the rear, and capturing one of Belger's guns. Seizing this gun, the enemy opened a flank fire upon Wistar's brigade, compel- ling three of his regiments to retire, thus leaving the One Hundred and Forty- eighth alone and unprotected to face a Confederate force flushed with success and outnumbering it twenty to one. The enemy immediately opened a severe fire of artillery and musketry from his front, while the captured gun was sending rapid discharges of grape and canister from its position on the left. And now, as the fog began to lift, a dense column of the enemy was massed about two hun- dred and fifty yards in front, and thrown like an ocean billow upon the One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth. Calmly, to outward appearance, the men lay upon their arms awaiting the attack. Strong men grew pale, but they were no cravens. It was simply from the realization brought home to their minds that within the next few moments would be decided not only their own fate, but perhaps that of the little army behind them. The moments of suspense passed on while the gray masses came sweeping over the cleared space between it and the slight breastwork behind which lay the expectant One Hundred and Forty-eighth. From the left came grupe-shot hurtling and humming along the line, while from the Confeder- ate batteries posted in rear of the column of assault, and from the heavy guns of the fort on the right, a rapid discharge was maintained upon the silent line of the regiment. Another moment and the front line of the enemy had struck the telegraph wire, and as it went down and was crowded upon by the rear ranks, a simultaneous volley was poured among them from all along the hitherto silent line of breastwork, and leaving behind the dead and the dying, the enemy fell back confusedly, and in full belief that a heavy force, many times the true number, had arrested their exultant advance. Holding this position until a new line of battle had been formed in its rear, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth, deploying as skirmishers, fell back and joined the main body. For their gallant conduct in this action the regiment received much credit.

On the 29th of May, the Eighteenth army corps having been ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth moved down to City Point from its position at Bermuda Hundred, and, embarking on transports, steamed down the James and up the York, and from thence into the Pamunkey, finally disembarking at White House Landing; and on the 1st of June marched to the old Cold Harbor battle ground, going immediately into action on the right of the Sixth army corps. In the final charge at Cold Harbor, on June 3, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth held the post of honor in Smith's division, being placed at the head of the storming column. This column was ordered to charge across an open space upon the inner angle formed by the convergence of two lines of the enemy's works. This objective point, perhaps the most impregnable in the entire line of works, was defended by two full batteries, amply protected by some of the best rebel regiments. The column formed under shelter of a piece of woods, and at five o'clock on the morning of the memorable 3d of June emerged into the open ground, and immediately received a tremendous volley from the enemy's rifle-pits.

The quiet prevailing to this moment was further broken by the opening peal and steady roar of cannon. Volley followed volley in quick succession, and the rush of bullets was continuous. Grape and canister came in murderous blasts. Shells burst all about, and the air seemed clouded with missiles. Never, perhaps, during the entire war was so terrible a fire concentrated upon a column of assault as in this particular instance. Although men fell by scores, the ranks pressed for- ward, and as the troops reached the breastwork the enemy redoubled their fire.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Never quailing, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth here exhibited the perfection of splendid and invincible bravery. Two-thirds of the field had already been crossed, in the face of this deadly rain of shot and shell, when the rear of the column, impeded in its advance by the hundreds of the dead and dying who had fallen in its front, waverod for an instant, and directly the main body began to fall back. Not so, however, with the gallant but rapidly decreasing band which led the attack. The mon of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth were too near the prise to think for a moment of retreat, but finding themselves deserted by their comrades, with numbers too sadly decimated to hope to carry the works, right there, in the open field, uudar the concentrated fire of the enemy, threw them- selves upon the ground, and with their bayonets, tin plates and cups from their haveranoks, began to throw up the sand in front as a protection. Thus, in an almost incredibly short space of time, they were screened from the bullets of their foes, and now began an annoying fire upon the Confederate works. This position was held by the regiment until the coming of night, when intrenching tools having been obtained from the rear, the line already begun was strengthened and en- larged, so that before daylight next morning, with fresh troops brought forward, the line was permanently established. During this engagement the One Hundred and Forty-eighth lost one hundred and nine men in killed and wounded.

On the 11th of June the regiment moved out of the trenches where it had re- mained under fire for eight days, and marching back to White House, the entire corps again embarked; and, on the 14th, the regiment once more landed at City Point. Thus ended two weeks' campaign with the Army of the Potomac.

When the movement against Petersburg commenced, on the 15th of June, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was with the advance under General Smith, and the 18th of that month found the regiment at a point but little more than a mile from the city. A strong body of Confederates was posted on the crest of a hill, and for a time held the Federal advance in check. Two regiments had been suc- cessively ordered to charge the position, but, although displaying great bravery, had both been repulsed. At this juncture, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was directed to carry the position. Rapidly moving through the 'underbrush, it deployed in the open field, at the foot of the ascent, and, with a ringing cheer, rushed up the slope on the double-quick, driving the enemy from his intrenched positions and his gunners from their works. Passing rapidly over the hill, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth followed hard after the retreating rebel line, cap- turing many prisoners, and continuing the pursuit until the main line of defense was reached, and the "Siege of Petersburg" was begun.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 37

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391