USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 13
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On Aug. 21 the 76th first came under fire, being shelled by the enemy's batteries, but lost no men. The cannonad- ing continued during the day with but little damage to citlier side. At about nine o'clock in the morning, Gen. McDowell rode up and ordered up fresh batteries. Soon after a staff officer made his appearance, with this remark : "There are a couple of pieces doing splendid execution. What battery is it that possesses such superior guuners ?"
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"Gen. Abner Doubleday sighted those guns," replied an officer.
"Oho ! that accounts for the close shooting. Why, he made one rebel battery shift position three times, and finally draw off entirely !"
Two of the guns were manned by Gen. Doubleday and his brother, Maj. Doubleday.
" As a general rule the higher in rank the officer the less exposed to danger. If the movement be an advance the colonel goes behind his regiment, the brigadier-general be- hind his brigade, and the major-general behind his division or corps. This is also the case in battle. But on this occa- sion, when the artillery and sharpshooters were the only men exposed, the infantry being shielded by the ridge, the ; hero of Fort Sumter, who fired the first gun against the rebels in the war, actually went upon the ridge and sighted the guns of the battery under his command. It is no won- der that the man who could thus override custom to im- peril his life for the cause he was serving, was willing to blow up Fort Sumter, without regard to personal safety, rather than disgrace his country by its surrender."
During three days the artillery duel was kept up. the 76th occupying the same position behind the ridge. Soon after the regiment marched to Warrenton, which the enemy evaenated upon their approach. Here they hahed for a few hours, and then took up the line of march for Sul- phur Springs. They participated in the battle of Warren-
ton Springs, but none of the regiment were killed and bat few wounded.
The following morning came the order to right about face, and off went the colurun through Warrenton, and still on until late at night, when they were halted beyond New Baltimore.
At this time Gen. Pope had expected reinforcements. but as none came, his forces, which were ready and anxious for an attack on the enemy, were compelled to retreat. Pope was now placed in a hazardous position, almost hemmed in by an overwhelming force, from whom at any moment an attack might be expected. In the language of the captain of Company H, "Things did look bad; in fact there seemed to be great doubts in the minds of the leading officers what we ought to do. The very air seemed to whisper, ' danger ! danger !'"
As the army moved on toward Washington evidences multiplied that a erisis was huminent.
" After passing Gainesville a mile or two, as the brigade, and more particularly that part formed by the 76th, was moving over a level tract of half a mile in extent, with a wood in their front and a hill at their left, they were nearly paralyzed for a moment by a terrible discharge of artillery from the hill on their left, and so near that the flash from the guns dazzled their eyes. Not the most in- teresting feature of the position was the fact that this was a rebel battery which had not until that moment been dis- covered. Self-preservation is the first law of the nature of heroes as well as cowards; and the first impulse, at this sudden introduction to the minions of Jefferson Davis, was to obey the injunction, 'every man for himself. Some dropped down, others rushed forward upon those in ad- vance, while others still were inclined to turn back. Never was the example of a cool and courageous man more oppor- tunely set than by Col. Wainwright at this critical juncture. Riding at the head of his regiment, he instantly turned his horse and coolly riding back toward the rear of the coluiun. between it and the batteries, as well by his easy and uncut- cerned manner as by his words, allayed the excitement and brought every man to his place."
"Oh, my boys, don't run, don't run. Think a mo- ment how it would sound to say ' The 76th ran ! "
Judge Smith adds: " No pen can describe the mazie effect of those few words and that collected self-possession. The tone and manner were more potent even than the words. Quietly turning his horse he allowed him to almost walk toward the head of the column. and although the shells came thicker and faster, and with a more dangerous and destructive aim, the men kept steadily on until the wood was reached and they in comparative security. S.v- cral horses were killed, but the men escaped as by a mirick."
Upon entering the wood an officer shouted, " Come on : conte on ! Quick ! quick !"' And through the regimen: rushed while the bullets and shells were wlasthing .: i screaming, carrying death and destruction in their tr. .. It was the work of but a few moments, and they had po~ i the woods and rushed into an open field beyond where the. contest was raging in all its fury, and the gallant me ties of the celebrated " Iron Brigade" were being slaugheen .. in a manner terrible to behold. The 76th arrived just in
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
time to save this intrepid brigade from total annihilation, as the enemy were preparing to charge with an overwhelming force, when the 76th, together with the 56th Pennsylvania, formed in line, and the anticipated onslaught was averted. Night put an end to an " important battle in which a small force, in its first experience, stood up coolly and bravely against the flower of the rebel army." The 76th lost 10 killed, 72 wounded, and 18 missing.
In this contest 4 captains were wounded, viz., Grover, Fox, Sager, and Swan.
CHAPTER XXIII.
OTSEGO IN THE REBELLION.
The 76th Regiment (continued)-Second Battle of Bull Run-Severe Fighting-Retreat to Upton Hill-In the Defenses at Washington -March into Maryland-Battle of South Mountain-The 76th in Hooker's Corps-Ascending the Mountain-Death of Charles E. Stamp-Col. Wainwright wounded-Battle of Antietam-Engage- ment at Ashley's Gap - Battle of Fredericksburg - Burnside's " Mud March."
AT one o'clock on the following morning marching orders were received, and the 76th proceeded to Manassas Junc- tion, ten miles, where, after a halt of a few hours, the march was resumed to Bull Run, which they had scarcely reached when they were ordered in line and to advance on a double quick to the brow of a hill to check the advancing enemy. On the gallant regiment dashed. They passed Gen. MeDowell, who shouted, " What regiment is that ?" " The 76th New York," was the reply.
" Hurrah for the 76th New York ! Give it to them, boys! give it to them !' They are on the run ! Push 'em like h-1!"
An answering cheer rose to their lips as on they rushed, until a larger hill was reached, a mile iu advance of the main army.
" They had nearly reached the summit when they re- ceived a destructive volley from the enemy on the other side of the ridge. Doubleday's Brigade was in the advance, and this unexpected attack by the ' retreating foe' produced considerable confusion for a moment. The brigade finally swung into line and commenced firing. Hatch's brigade came up on the left, and Patrick's on the left of Hatch's. The line now extended from the road on the right to a piece of woods on the left. The rebels were sheltered and hidden from sight by the woods, stone walls, and natural rifle-pits, from which, while protected, they poured a most destructive fire.
" The officers stood up bravely with their men, and such courage in a fair fight could have had no other than a suc- cessful issuc.
" In the hottest of the fight, as the colors of the 76th fell they were seized by Col. Wainwright, who rushed to the front, and by his manly and timely exhibition of cour- age infused new spirit into his men."
Close to the left flank there was a dense wood from which there had been no firing. Orders were at length given to fire into this wood to ascertain whether the enemy were there, when the ery came, "Don't shoot here! You are firing on your friends !"
The firing ceased, when after a moment's silence a mur- derous volley was poured into the ranks from the wood with a terrible effect.
It soon became evident that there were but two alterna- tives, annihilation or retreat, as the enemy were pouring in a deadly volley from every side of that fatal square. Who could endure it? What amount of patriotism or love of country could stand in that holocaust of fire and death ? Nothing could save the day but a charge, which Gen. Doubleday was about to order, when Patrick's Brigade broke upon Hatch's, which in turn came upon Doubleday's. At this moment an attempt was made to rally the demoral- ized forces. Col. Wainwright called upon the officers to rally their forces, and promptly did they respond. Capts. Beruard and Young rushed forward, and called to the men to follow, but the human mass which came surging back was too strong, and soon there was a scene of the wildest confusion. Although it was now dark, the enemy, elated with their success, with a yell of triumph hotly pursued our retreating forces. Confusion now became worse con- founded. Regiments were intermixed, and so utterly dis- couraged had the forces become that Uniou and Confederate men mingled together in one wild mass.
As an incident of this scene the following is related of Maj. Livingston. He was anxious to check the retreat, and, his horse having been shot, he stood on foot swinging his sword, ordering everybody to "right-about face," but it had no effect on the retreating mass. At length he came to a regiment which was marching in good order, aud thinking it might be able to check the forces, or at least to cover the retreat, shouted that it was a shame to see a whole regiment running away. At this an officer shouted :
" Who are you, sir ?"
" Major Livingston, of the 76th."
"Seventy-sixth what ?"
"Seventy-sixth New York," answered the major.
" Well, then, you are my prisoner, for you are attempt- iug to rally the 2d Mississippi !"
In this battle the 76th had 15 wounded and 24 missing. Among the wounded were 3 officers.
Lieut. Richard Williams, of Co. I, was mortally wounded ; Lieut. R. W. Carrier, of Co. H, and Capt. Watrous, of Co. D, were also wounded,-the former in the leg, and the latter in the arm.
On the following day, Ang. 30, the fighting and retreat- ing continued. In the three days' contest the regiment had lost, in killed and wounded, 9 officers and $9 men, with 1 officer and 48 men missing.
Aug. 31 the retreat continued until noon. when the regi- ment bivouacked. Here they expected to remain a few days. but on the afternoon of the next day received marching orders and proceeded to Fairfax. Soon after their arrival a heavy musketry and artillery fire opened near them. It was here, on this day, that the gallant one-armed Kearney. while leading a charge, with the reins in his teeth, while in his single hand he waved his sword and shouted for his men to follow, was instantly killed. This day's march of the retreat was the most severe of the campaign, and the men were nearly exhausted. At last, however, they arrived at a point where they expected to camp for the night, when Gen.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Doubleday selected them to guard an important point, and weary and fatigued from long marching and severe fight- ing furnished no excuse, and they marched four miles to the left and did picket duty during the night.
Gen. Doubleday was an officer whose judgment of troops could be relied on, and proud should the members of the 76th be in the recollection that he chose this gallant regi- ment for this duty, saying, " I can rely upon them in any emergency."
That was a long and dreary night passed by the 76th. During the hot days and long marches the men had thrown away every garment they could spare, and now they were exposed to a drenching rain and sleet, accompanied by a cold northwest wind, which ahnost paralyzed them, and, to add to the horrors of the night, not a match could be lighted. On the following day the retreat was continued to Upton Hill, and thus ended this severe campaign.
The regiment had been under fire in five different battles, and, with nearly one thousand men with which it left New York, it now numbered only about two hundred and twenty- five, and of the thirty line officers only six remained.
September 2, 1862, found the 76th within the defenses of Washington, where it was hoped it might remain suffi- ciently long to be recruited. This hope was soon dispelled when it was discovered that the enemy, abandoning the at- tempt to capture Washington from the south, had com- menced a flank movement which brought the army into Maryland. September 6, orders were received to march into Maryland, and on the 14th the regiment passed through Frederick City, which they found evacuated by the enemy. It was known, however, that the rebel army was but a short distance away, and that doubtless a terrible battle was imminent.
Fatigued by the long marches, and with ranks greatly thinned by the severe fighting of the past few weeks, and exhausted and worn by the ineessant marehing, was the condition of the 76th on the eve of the memorable battle of South Mountain. The following description of this battle is given by Judge Smith :
"' None but a coward will boast that he was never afraid,' once remarked a celebrated officer ; and, though the men were steady and determined, there were many who gazed upon the curling wreaths of smoke as they arose from the mountain side before them, and as they listened to the roar of cannon, and the elatter of musketry, and thought of the dear ones in their distant homes, saw and heard nothing that would not have been gladly silenced and avoided, could they as well have saved their country without as with a battle. We may talk of that patriotism which willingly offers up life and all upon the country's altar, and write poetry and sing pæans to perpetuate the memory of the dying martyr. It all sounds well in deelamation, and reads well in verse, and is all correct in theory, but the practice of being shot is not only dangerous, but painful, and human nature, at its best estate, recoils from contact with cold lead, when it comes at a velocity sufficient to penetrate the casement, and the trnest soldier, in view of impending battle, inwardly repeats, ' If it be possible let this cup pass from me ; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done, oh, my country.'
" Up the steep mountain's side rush the long line of skir- misliers, now halting, as if to hear the approach of the enemy, with gun in hand, awaiting his advance, and then rushing forward to find and uncover his masked position.
" General Hooker, the hero, who afterwards fought in the clouds at Lookout Mountain, was in command of the corps to which was attached the 76th, and to him had been assigned the task of storming the hill on the right of the pass, known as Turner's Gap. While the roar of artillery and the puffs of smoke indicate a battle is raging, the hosts are forming at the foot of the mountain for the dangerous attempt to drive the enemy from the summit, if need be, at the point of the bayonet.
" The column is finally started. The men have been se- verely marehed to-day; it is exceedingly hot, and under other cireumstanees rest and quiet would be sought; but now that mountain must be cleared of the rebel hosts ; those dark woods which bellow and beleh forth their fire and iron hail must be carried, and the enemy punished for the deeds of the past mouth. Straggling is less frequent than usual. Every man owes that rebel army a debt which must now be paid, and, regardless of fatigue, up the steep aeclivity, through the corn and wheat-fields, up, np goes the grand army. A more impressive sight than that witnessed by these troops as they aseended the mountain side is sel- dom or never seen. The beautiful, quiet, and smiling val- ley behind, as it lay basking in that elear September sunset, on that lovely Sabbath eve, and in front the smoke and roar of battle.
" Nearly two hours was consumed in ascending the moun- tains before the troops came within range of the enemy's musketry.
" As the brigade neared the summit the firing became more distinct, until the troops entered the last skirt of forest that crowned the summit. Before entering the wood a halt was made, and bayonets fixed, and, thus prepared for any emergency, forward into the treacherous woods moved the intrepid corps.
" The brigade occupied the left of the division. and the 76th the extreme left of the brigade, thus leaving the left flank of the regiment uncovered. On the right of the 76th was the 56th Pennsylvania. Through the woods came the rebel bullets, tearing the trees and shrieking overhead. while just ahead came the cheers and yells of the opposing troops, and the awful din of battle in all its fury.
" Hateh's Brigade of King's Division had preceded Doubleday's Brigade, and was now heavily engaged. As our brigade entered the wood, the adjutant of the first brigude came rushing out of the noise and confusion, shouting .-
"'Our brigade cannot sustain itself much longer, as we are nearly out of ammunition ! For God's sake, to the front !'
"On rushed Doubleday's Brigade, only impeded by the staff officers, who rode in front, and continually along the line gave the order, 'Steady, boys, steady !'
"The upper edge of the woods was soon gained. and there was witnessed fighting in good earnest. The woods was bounded by a fence, close by which Hatch's Bri- gade stood fighting, as though the fate of the country depended upon their heroic conduct. There was an open
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
space of a hundred feet beyond the fence filled with rebels, who, hiding behind rocks, and in depressions of the sur- face, poured volley after volley into Hatch's Brigade, which in turn fell upon the ground to load, then arose and returned the deadly salute. While thus heroically contesting the ground Doubleday's Brigade rushed, with a shout, to their rescue. Hatch's Brigade fell back for rest, while the 76th and its fellows poured their deadly hail upon the enemy. Charge after charge was made by the rebels to break through the Union lines, but each one was handsomely re- pulsed, and thus, for half an hour, this brigade stood its ground against vastly superior numbers, conscious that if the line was broken, with no reserves on which to rely, the defeat would prove annihilation.
" It was during this fierce contest that Charles E. Stamp, of Co. A, who was promoted to color-bearer for gallantry in saving the colors at Gainesville, was killed. While the battle was raging the hottest, and an order came to advance, the regiment not obeying as promptly as this heroie soldier desired, he rushed about a rod ahead of the men, and planting the battle-torn banner firmly in the ground, shouted, "There, come up to that !' But the words had scarcely passed his lips when a fatal bullet pierced the fore- head of the brave color-bearer, and one of the truest and best men in the regiment was mustered out of the army militant into the army triumphant ..
" The 76th was probably never engaged in a more severe and deadly fight than at South Mountain. During the whole battle the range was so short, and both sides fired with such precision, that the volleys told with awful effect. Col. Wainwright coolly rode along the line and directed the men to fire low, and never was powder and ball rammed into guns with greater energy or discharged with greater rapidity or with more damaging effect.
" The enemy, finding that bayonet charges on their part would be of no avail against the steady lines of the Union forces, resorted to one of those tricks which in every battle thus far had been attempted upon our regiment. A small thicket of bushes ran along parallel with, and not more than ten or fifteen rods from, the fence, behind which was posted the 76th. The order was given to fire into this thicket, when the cry came out, 'For God's sake, stop firing ! you are killing your own men!'
" Gen. Ilatch, now in command of the division, hap- pened to be near by, and ordered the firing to cease, which was obeyed, though the men were well satisfied it was a repetition of the ruse played at Gainesville and Bull Run. Seargely had the firing ceased when two regiments of the enemy, the 18th and 19th Virginia, came out silently and swiftly. marching by the left flank ; then, suddenly fronting, advaneed within twenty paces of our left, kneeled down, and poured a most terrific volley into our ranks. Fortu- nately, the dark background of the woods prevented them from secing our men clearly, and their aim was mostly too high. Eighteen or twenty of our men, however, fell, among them Col. Wainwright, who was wounded in the arm. Ilis favorite horse was killed about the same time. Quickly rising, and tying a handkerchief around his arm where the ball entered, he gave the order to fire, at the same time dis- charging the six barrels of his revolver at the enemy. The
remnant of those two rebel regiments will never forget that volley. They were so near that the blaze of our guns almost reached their faces, and when the smoke of the volley had cleared away, the sight was truly appalling. The rebel dead were literally piled in heaps, and among them was Col. Strange, of the 19th Virginia, while the remainder, who had escaped, were rushing in wild disorder to their cover in the thicket. The 76th continued fighting with that distinguished bravery and coolness that had char- acterized it in many a hard-fought contest until darkness east her sable mantle over the field of caruage, and the battle of South Mountain was fought and won."
The 76th received many compliments for its soldierly bearing during this severe contest. No regiment in the field stood higher in sollierly qualities, or was commanded by a more brave or efficient commander than Col. Wainwright.
The victorious army followed the retreating foe, and finally was fought the decisive battle of Antietam. Al- though the 76th participated in this battle they were not under infantry fire.
The regiment, after this battle, went into camp, where they remained until Oct. 24, when they were ordered to Bakersville, further up the Potomac. Their stop here was brief, and on the 28th reached Berlin, and crossed the river into Virginia, and soon after was in the engagement at Ashley's Gap, and the following incident is related as an illustration of the estimation in which the 76th was held : " Col. Hoffmann had advanced with the 56th Penn- sylvania and 95th New York to take a battery, leaving the 76th as a reserve. He failed in the attempt, and openly declared that if he had taken the 76th, in the place of cither of the others, he could have taken the battery."
On the morning of Nov. 3 the regiment took up the line of march for Washington. Upon arriving at Warren- ton, Col. Wainwright, having sufficiently recovered from his wounds, here assumed command of the regiment.
On Dec. 12 they crossed the Rappahannock with the army, which at this time was under command of Gen. Burnside. The Union forces had many days been shelling Fredericksburg, but, so far, had elicited no response. But at last it came, and from nine o'clock A. M. to eight P.M. was fought the battle of Fredericksburg, where this gallant regiment added fresh laurels to those already won on many a hard contested field.
The 76th went into this battle with 112 privates, and of this small number 11 were killed and wounded.
Soon after this engagement the brigade, to which was attached the 76th, lost their beloved commander, the in- trepid Doubleday, he being transferred to another division. He was succeeded by the gallant Wadsworth.
Jan. 20, Gen. Burnside issued his order for a grand move of the Army of the Potomac. Everything being in readiness, this noble army once again moved toward the enemy. In the afternoon of the first day's march the rain began to fall in torrents, which soon rendered the country almost impassable. Judge Smith says, " If it rained on the south side of the Rappahannock as on the north, the facetious rebel was not without good reason for writing the sign and placing it in sight of our troops :
' BURNSIDE STUCK IN THE MUD !'"
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The advance was abandoned, and the army slowly waded back to camp.
On the return of the army from the " mud march," Gen. Burnside was relieved by Gen. Hooker.
The 76th next participated in the battle of Chancellors- ville.
May 13, 1863, found the regiment in camp at Falmouth, but it " had now dwindled to a mere skeleton of its former self." The regiment passed a month in this camp, during which time it was recruited by nearly three hundred men and officers from the 24th and 30th New York Regiments.
June 12, marching orders were received, and the army moved toward Warrenton. On the 16th the regiment arrived at Centreville. While here Col. Wainwright left the 76th in consequence of sickness, and Capt. Grover, of Co. A, assumed command. On the 17th the army left Centreville, and, after a series of severe marches, at length arrived at Emmettsburg, where they halted for a short time, and then continued their march toward Gettysburg, camping near a small creek which separates Maryland from Pennsylvania. The army was now formed in line of battle, and thus remained until the following morning.
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