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 17
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The following morning a division of cavalry threatened to eross at Germania Ford, about twelve miles below our position, while we made similar demonstrations at the ford in our front. This feint proved successful in checking their advance. That night we again built huge fires, and then moved rapidly in the direction of Culpepper, leaving a force of cavalry to guard the rear. An all night's march
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
brought us north of that village, and, after a brief halt for breakfast, we hastened to the Rappahannock, crossing at the station, and by noon nearly all were north of the river. Our cavalry, closely pressed by a superior force, were bringing up the rear, fighting as they retired.
Having reached a beautiful, broad stretch of country, Gen. Meade determined to offer battle. In a short time nearly the whole army was again south of the Rappahan- nock, and advancing in long, dark lines, extending at least three miles. We proceeded as far as Brandy Station, push- ing their cavalry before us, but, night coming on, were obliged to halt.
Lee was not disposed to accept the challenge, but was leading his coluums in the direction of Sulphur Springs, hoping to gain our rear and get early possession of our de- fenses at Centreville. There remained no time for demon- strations, but great haste was required to outmarch him.
Accordingly, we started back about midnight, crossing the Rappahannock at dawn. The darkness of the preced- ing night was intense, and the men were thoroughly fatigued; besides, it was necessary to march on the railroad to give room for trains and other columns moving in a parallel di- rection. A short halt was ordered for breakfast, but the majority preferring sleep, threw themselves on the ground, and rested until the rear had crossed the river. After burn- ing the railroad bridge we again started forward, and that night we halted for sleep near Kettle run, having marched over twenty miles.
At early dawn, October 14, we resumed our journey, passing Bristoe Station, Manassas, and Bull Run, feeling the fluslı of a great victory as we filed into position at Centre- ville, late in the afternoon. The race had been a hard oue, but was nobly won just in time to save Stonewall Jackson's old eorps from gaining possession. and probably the Army of the Potomae from a humiliating defeat.
The 2d Corps covered the rear, and on our arrival was hotly engaged with Hill's forces at Brandy Station. They attempted to intercept that corps, but were themselves dis- comfited after a few hours' fighting, and fell back with a loss of five pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners.
The same evening we moved to a stronger position, built riffe-pits, and for two days waited an attack. They kept up with our skirmishers, and frequently led us to expect au engagement ; but baffled in the attempt to gain this strong- hold by strategy, Lee, after three days of skirmishing and threatenings, with slight losses on both sides, withdrew quietly from our front, and turned toward the Rappahan- , nock. On the night of the 17th our troops started in pursuit, but were unable to make rapid progress on account of a drenching rain and the difficulty experienced in moving the artillery.
It had long been a by-word among the infantry, " Who ever saw a dead cavalryman ?" but on our return trip through New Baltimore the 121st saw their first dead " cav. alryman," and, although a sickening spectacle, it was made the subject of many dry jokes by numerous ways of the regiment.
Sunday, October 18, we passed through Warrenton, and. stretching along a ridge south of the town, went into camp. We remained here several days, resuming drill,
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dress parade, and grand reviews of divisions and corps. The cold wind sweeping through our camp caused the men to hover round their fires, and, while warming one side of the body and chilling the other, they discussed the chances of the winter's campaign. The weather continuing disa- greeable, the men soon began to erect comfortable loy huts, expecting to remain there all winter. This illusion was soon dispelled, however, for on the evening of November 6 orders came for us to move at daylight. At the ap pointed hour the regiment was on its way to Rappahannock Station, seven miles distant.
Col. Upton was that morning assigned to the command of the brigade, and Lieut .- Col. Olcott being absent on sick leave, the regiment was under Major Mather. About noon the corps arrived at the station, and at ouce deployed in line of battle, a short distance from the river. In our front was a beautiful plain, nearly a mile in length by a quarter in width, while nearer the stream the ground was much higher. but sloping gradually toward us. The rebels had erected strong forts and rifle-pits along this elevatiou, and with artillery and a large body of infantry defied our threaten- ings. Cos. D and B, of the 121st, with their respective officers, were detailed as skirmishers in front of our brigade, and soon the sharp crack of muskets was heard along our whole line. Taking advantage of whatever would cover them, the men lay on the ground when not advancing, and about five P.M. gallantly pressed the rebel skirmishers under cover of their rifle-pits.
The long line of battle immediately moved forward under a brisk fire of shot and shell from the enemy's batteries. but with such celerity that they received little harm from their fire.
When within five hundred yards of their works our line. partially covered by the crown of the ridge, halted uutil darkness should cover our attack.
The men threw themselves upon the ground. awaiting orders, and watching the grandeur of the scene. Our own batteries were brought within easy range of the forts, and for a half-hour, as darkness was coming on, the spectacle was very imposing.
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The air was filled with the noise of shot and shell, and the fiery messengers of death from hostile batteries, with stremning fuse, crossing lines over our heads in making their arcs, resembled a shower of shooting stars. During the display of pyrotechnics the formation for the charge was completed. The 3d Brigade, Gen. Russell's, was on our left, and the 6th Maine and 5th Wisconsin forured a front line. Col. Upton arranged his brigade in like manner. placing the 121st and 5th Maine in the charging line; the former on the left.
When darkness approached these regiments were ordere.l forward. A few yards in advance, the 121st was obliged to form colum to pass a narrow defile. This being accom- plished. the line halted, unshing knapsacks, and listen 1 th a few words from Col. Upton, who aroused the enthu-just of the regiment by asserting that he would command in person. After instructing the men to reserve their fire. and trust all to the bayonet, he gave the command. " For- ward, double-quick, march !"
Our artillery had ceased firing, and the enemy's hat
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
slackened, but, hearing our advance column, their infantry sent forth a volley from their forts and rifle-pits. But, by the wisdom of Col. Upton in withholding our fire, our exact position was not discerned, and the shots passed over our heads.
As we neared the rifle-pits their fire slackened, and, while we were fearing the reserve fire, the clear voice of Col. Upton was heard, " Forward, you braves ; four lines of bat- tle behind you !" These two gallant regiments leaped quickly over the works in our front, just as the 6th Maine and 5th Wisconsin were entering the fort on our left. A hand-to-liand combat ensucd, in which men were struek down with muskets, but not a shot was fired by the 121st or 5th Maine. The left wing of the former pressed forward to the enemy's bridge, cutting off their retreat, when, panic- stricken, some swamu the river and escaped, while others were drowned in the attempt.
We gained a complete victory, and rested on the field during the night. Two companies guarded the bridge, which the enemy from their side of the river attempted to burn. Sixteen hundred prisoners, eight pieces of artillery, several stands of colors, and over two thousand muskets were captured in this engagement. Our regiment, num- bering about four hundred and fifty, captured about six hundred and fifty prisoners, among whom were four col- onels (one commanded a brigade), three lieutenant-colonels, two majors, seventeen captains, and twenty-seven lieuten- ants ; also, four battle-flags and one color-staff. Company I and Company E each seized a stand of colors. Total loss in 121st, Captain Casler, Co. B, wounded, five men killed, and twenty-two wounded. Lieutenant Henry Upton, just returned from the hospital, and still weak from his wound of May 3, was overcome by exposure and obliged to return. All officers and soldiers who were in this engagement con- ducted themselves with eredit, and the skirmishers did noble service under the management of Captain Fish and Lieutenant Jackson, who excelled in this work. Two of the guns captured by Russell's Brigade were those which Milroy had lost in June. The troops captured were from North Carolina and Louisiana, and represented the best portion of the famous Stonewall Jackson Corps.
Next day we crossed the river and marched to Brandy Station, but, finding no enemy, rested while the cavalry advanced a few miles beyond. We remained in this vicin- ity for several days, camping on the farm of the Hon. John Minor Botts, and again began to prepare winter huts from the abmidant supply of timber near by.
Nov. 9, forty men, selected from the 5th Maine, 6th Wisconsin, and 121st, were detailed to present the cap- tured colors to General Meade, at army headquarters. This was a proud day for these regiments, and their bril- liant record became widely known throughout the army. We did not remain long at this place, for the northern people and press, in the profoundest ignorance of the re- quirements of an army, were censuring our stay, and, after the repairs on our railroad were completed, we were sup- plied with five days' rations and sixty rounds of cartridges, and on the morning of Nov. 26 started ont, if not to cap- ture Lee's army, at least to gratify their unjust clamor. We moved very slowly in consequence of the delay of the
3d Corps, that had preceded us, being obliged to lie on the north side of the Rapidan that night, as rear-guard, while the bulk of our corps about midnight erossed the river at Jacob's Ford. We crossed at the same ford about day- break, joining our corps on the other bank. About the middle of the afternoon Ewell's rebel corps blundered on the wrong road, encountering the tardy 3d Corps, and a hot contest ensued. The 1st and 2d Divisions were ordered to its aid, and also to protect the gap between it and the 2d Corps. Upton's Brigade moved within easy support of this portion of the 3d Corps which was warmly engaged, and, while waiting the orders, the wounded were passing through our ranks to the rear, but all pretenders were arrested and sent to the front.
Cunning deviees were often resorted to by men who were bound to get out of harm's way, and one occurred at this time. While the battle was raging, Gen. Sedgwick and several of his staff, having dismounted, were resting on the ground near the position of the 121st, when a stretcher, with a soldier thereon, was being carried to the rear by two able men, but, before reaching their position, a shell killed one of the stretcher-bearers and wounded the other, while the supposed wounded man jumped up and ran rapidly to the rear.
During the night the enemy withdrew, leaving their dead on the field, and we moved to Robertson's Tavern. The ensuing morning we marched in the direction of Orange Court-House, but had not gone far before we found Lee's whole arruy on the south side of a small stream, known as Mine Run, ready for battle.
Our lines were soon in position, and skirmishers, within plain view of the enemy's stronghold, were sharply engaged. Everything indicated another great battle, equal in magni- tude to that of Gettysburg, the strength of the position this time being greatly to their advantage. A heavy rain com- meneed on Saturday, and did not slacken until dark.
All that night was spent by the 121st in clearing roads through the woods for the artillery and ambulances, and both armies were hard at work building rifle-pits and strengthening their fortifications. Before sunrise, Sunday, the regiment, with its division and corps, moved to the right of the main army, taking its position on the extreme left of the enemy, about eight hundred yards distant. We were covered from their view by a dense wood, near whose edge our line was formed, with the 121st and 5th Maine again in the front line of the brigade.
Every man was directed to refrain from making a noise or kindling a fire. It was decided to begin an attack Monday morning, and all the generals were summoned for instructions. At the edge of the wood was a high rail fence, which concealed our forces from the enemy, and when the line of battle came within a few paces of it, men were designated in each company to step forward, grasp the third rail from the bottom, at the angle toward them, an l unitedly overthrow the fence and allow the line to pass in regular order.
A very cold night was spent in weary waiting. without coffee or sleep. no man knowing his coming fate. It was a terrible strain on the strongest nerves, more so from the fact that we were unable to sleep for fear of freezing, and
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
.Miged to stir about to keep comfortable. Some of the pickets were found frozen to death at their posts. The fol- lowing morning the men were greatly relieved when they heard the gun signaling an attack on our left, and they were ready for the confliet. At the order " Fall in line," they stood resolutely shoulder to shoulder. A half-hour was spent waiting for the final command, when the line was ordered to staek arms and rest. This change was made because the generals considered it imprudent to at- tack, and the order was countermanded, very much to the relief of every man.
The trains and reserve artillery began to retire across the Rapidan. Monday night and Tuesday night we quietly withdrew, re-erossed the river at daybreak, and returned to the eamp which we had left a week before. After remain- ing a few days, Upton's brigade moved to the right across a stream ealled Hazel river, and went into winter-quarters. Our eamp was laid out with regularity, and with a view to the sanitary condition of the men. The location was ele- vated, and within a beautiful grove of ok, hickory, and whitewood, and, in a short time, the officers and men had ereeted very comfortable quarters.
Lieut .- Col. Oleott, returning about this time, assumed command, and in a few days had a pretty rustie house erceted. It was built of whitewood, which abounded near our eamp. The men now began to enjoy eamp life as they never had done before. Rations were sufficient, and of good quality ; besides, many were receiving from their friends boxes laden with delicacies, which they readily shared with their eoutrades.
A comfortable hospital was provided for the siek, and Surgeon Sloeum and his assistant, Holt, were diligent in their attendance on any requiring medical aid.
Regular drills, dress parades, guard and picket duty, consumed enough of our time, and developed sufficient musele to keep most of the men in robust health through the winter.
On Feb. 27 the 6th Corps was ordered to move in the direction of Charlotteville, to support Custer's cavalry, who were reconnoitering in that direction.
We left a guard to protect our eamp, and, after being out four days in a disagreeable storm, returned to our eamp on the evening of March 2, covered with mud, and in a better condition to enjoy our comfortable quarters than ever before.
The regiment had no chaplain, and Rev. Dr. Adams, of the 5th Maine, kindly consented to conduct services every Sabbath when the weather would permit to be held in the open air.
The 5th Maine built a commodious chapel, and fre- quently the 121st was invited to join them in service.
It was the misfortune of our regiment to get a miserable chaplain at the time of its organization, and when he left, during the Gettysburg campaign, no one was grieved,-not even the officers who had contributed ten dollars each to provide him with a borse with which to carry our mail. After his departure we preferred to have no successor ap- pointed so long as Dr. Adams would serve us, and when the Ath Maine had completed its term, all the officers joined in a petition to Governor Fenton to commission that gentle- than in the 121st, which he promptly granted.
Nearly all the officers availed themselves of a ten-days' leave of absence some time during the winter, and Cat- tains Fish and Kidder were ordered on recruiting service. but had poor success, and returned just before the spring campaign opened.
The personnel of line-officers was very much changed. and the regiment lost several valuable leaders and worthy non-commissioned officers, who were promoted to higher com- mands in the various colored regiments which were being or- ganized. There was no lack of material in the ranks of the 121st for good officers, and many of the men passed a com- mendable examination before the board of examiners in Washington, and were accordingly commissioned. Major Mather and Captain Hall were promoted to lieutenant- colonels, and assigned to the 20th and 43d Regiments. U. S. colored, respectively. Captain Campbell and Lieutenant Bates were promoted to colonels, and assigned to command of the 23d and 30th. Colonel Campbell, while before the examining board, exhibited such a high order of talent and military culture that he was requested to become a member of that body. He accepted the invitation, and, until he entered the field at the head of his regiment, was one of its leading spirits.
Lieutenant Gray and Sergeant-Major Andrew Davidson were commissioned as captains in the 23d and 30th, and Sergeants W. Ward Riee and Nathaniel Gano also went before the board and received commissions.
Lieutenants Henry Upton and Henry B. Walker, suffer- ing from the severe wounds of the previous May, were un- able to endure active field service, and were honorably dis- charged. Captain Fish and Adjutant Morse were now on the staff of the brigade commander, Colonel Upton.
Some of the vacancies were filled by the following pro- motions, viz. : Captain Galpin, Company A, promoted to major ; Lieutenants Burrell, Paine, and Butts, to captains ; Second Lieutenants Jackson, Foote, Pieree, and Tucker. to first lieutenants ; First Sergeant Saml. B. Kelley to second lieutenant, and First Sergeant Joseph Heath to sergeant- major.
At the April muster of the regiment, just before entering the spring campaign, there were present for duty 21 officers and 456 privates. Five officers were on detached service. and 92 men were performing extra service,-e.g., pioneers. train- and eattle-drivers.
At this time the total list of officers and their assign- ments were as follows :
Colonel E. Upton, commanding 2d Brigade.
Lieutenant-Colonel E. Oleott, commanding regiment.
Major, H. M. Galpin.
Surgeon, John O. Sloeum.
Assistant Surgeon, Daniel M. Holt.
Adjutant, F. M. Morse, aide-de-camp to Colonel Upton. brigade staff.
Quartermaster, Theo. Sternberg.
Company A .- Captain, Jonathan Burrell; First Lieu- tenant, Wm. II. Tucker; Second Lieutenant, Samuel B. Kelley.
Company B .- Captain, M. R. Casler, absent, wounded; First Lieutenant, Thomas C. Adams, commanding.
Company C .- Captain, Lansing B. Paine; Second Lieu- .
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
tenant, Geo. W. Quackenbush, special duty, ambulance corps.
Company D .- Captain, John D. Fish, acting assistant adjutant, General Upton's staff ; First Lieutenant, Daniel D. Jackson, commanding company.
Company E .- Captain Jas. W. Cronkite ; Second Licu- tenant, Jas. Johnson.
Company F .- Capt. A. M. Tyler, special duty, division staff; First Lieutenant, Silas E. Pierce, commanding com- pany. .
Company G .- Captain, Frank Gorton.
Company H .- Captain, Chas. A. Butts; Second Lieu- tenant, H. C. Vanscoy.
Company I .- Captain, John S. Kidder; First Licuten- ant, Frank W. Foote.
Company K .- John D. P. Douw ; First Lieutenant, Lewis C. Bartlett, detached service, staff of General Bart- lett ; Second Lieutenant, Sheldon J. Redway.
With this corps of gallant leaders, and a supply of ex- cellent non-commissioned officers,-always regarded as the sinews of a command,-and the regiment in its best con- dition, eager for the campaign, they awaited the final order. A few days before it came, all unnecessary baggage belong- ing to the officers was sent to Washington, sufficiently in- dicating the nearness of the movement.
Orders were at length received to sound reveille at three o'clock on the morning of May 4, and move an hour later. Bidding adieu to this winter home, the regiment and bri- gade crossed the ponton-bridge at Hazel river, and, joining the column of the 6th Corps, marched rapidly to Ger- mania Ford. Crossing on a ponton bridge during the afternoon of March 4, we bivouacked for the night about two miles distant. May 5, the column advanced a few miles along the road to Wilderness Tavern, when Upton's Brigade was thrown on a road leading to Mine Run, to cover the right flank of the passing column.
The 5th Corps, having preceded us across Germania Ford, was now confronting the enemy in a dense wood on our left, and the continuous rattle of musketry indicated that they bad met them in force. The 6th Corps was immediately ordered to form on the right of the 5th. Upton's Brigade being on the left, was to advance and connect with the latter. Company E, of the 121st, under Capt. Cronkite, was immediately deployed to skirmish, and advancing rapidly struck a few of the enemy's outposts just as the line entered a dense wood. The latter quickly withdrew after a single discharge of their pieces.
Inclining to the left to connect with the 5th Corps, the line pressed forward through the wood until a half-mile in advance of its main column, when it suddenly struck a strong line of skirmishers concealed in the thicket. The rebels poured a volley into our ranks at close range before we were aware of their presence. Although a few were killed and wounded, the men received the shock courage- onsly, and at the command charged upon them, killing and wounding some and capturing several prisoners. They did not halt, however, until they were driven step by step close upon their line of battle, which could be plainly seen, as the wood at that point was more open. Word was sent back to the main line, who were then moving forward.
Just as our troops came up to the skirmish line they poured a deadly fire into our ranks, at the same time charging u, which they attempted a second time, without effect. The battle now became general along the whole line, both sides suffering heavy loss, until about four P.M., when the enemy retired a few hundred yards, leaving their dead and wounded, and at once began felling timber and digging rifle-pits. Upton's Brigade dashed forward some two hundred yards in advance of the 5th Corps, with which it was connected, and gallantly held its position.
That night all lay upon their arms within hearing of the commands given by the enemy's officers; and the sound of the axe, mingling with the erics and groans of the dying, was now and then relieved by a sharp volley front some part of the picket line.
Orders were given to attack at daylight next morning, but this was countermanded. The day was spent in build- ing rifle-pits, and occasional skirmishing on the outposts.
Shortly before night, while the left wing of the 121st was building rifle-pits, and the right wing guarding the muskets, a wild rebel yell was heard on our right, in front of the 3d Division. Instantly the regiment was ordered in line; but before the left wing had time to take their muskets from the stacks, Lieut .- Col. Duffy, of the division staff, ordered the right wing by the right flank at double- quick. Col. Olcott attempted to check it until the left was equipped, but his eommand was not heard, and his wing, fol- lowing on the run, was unavoidably lengthened out, greatly impairing its strength.
On nearing the position attacked, it was evident that the 3d Division had been doubled back nearly at right angles with our column. Col. Duffy, instead of changing the head of his wing to form line of battle, facing the on-com- ing enemy, blindly led the head of our column directly against thein, causing unavoidable confusion. Lieut .- Col. Oleott, observing this irretrievable blunder, instantly faced the left companies to the enemy, and immediately, with heroie valor, rode to the right to arrest the confusion of that wing, when he was shot in the forehead and fell from his horse a prisoner. Capt. Paine, of Co. C, and Lieut. Kelley, Co. A, in their efforts to rally their men, ventured too far, and were also taken. The regiment was obliged to yield a little ground, but not until the enemy were on its flank. Then falling back a few yards and rallying the men about the colors, it reformed, and afterwards, under Col. Upton, charged the enemy, retaking a portion of the lost rifle-pits. These we held until withdrawn, and reformed farther on the right, to protect our threatened flank and rear. About ten o'clock orders were given in suppressed tones to muffe all our trappings, and move noiselessly by the left flank, which we did, leaving our wounded and dead uncared for.
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