USA > New York > Seneca County > History of Seneca Co., New York, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public building and important manufactories > Part 21
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
Early in April, the entire army advanced towards Yorktown. The Thirty- third occupied quarters at Young'a Mills on the afternoon of April 4, and by noon of the next day the division was in front of Lee's Mills. The Thirty-third
60
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
were placed on picket, and C was ordered to support sections of Wheeler's and Cowan's batteries. Artillery and musketry began, and a ball from the enemy striking a caisson exploded several shells, but the danger of explosion was averted by an artilleryman running up and drenching the ammunition with a bucket of water. The artillery killed but few men Captains Cole and Guion, with a volunteer party, reconnoitering the rebel works, were fired upon. Smith withdrew for a short distance, and the Thirty-third were relieved, after being under fire for fifty-four hours, and having several wounded. Moving close upon Yorktown, the regiment made frequent forays, and worked hard upon earth works. All things were ready to storm the rebel works, when the "intelligent contra- band" brought in the news that the Quaker guns of Manasses were mounted at Yorktown, and the enemy in full retreat. Among others, Key's Corps, to which Smith's Division was attached, were at once started in pursuit. On May 4, Smith reached the rebel works, two miles from Williamsburg. These works consisted of a long breastwork named Fort Magruder, and of seven square earth- works, extending across the peninsula, and were held by several thousand men. Resting fitfully at night, the national troops advanced upon the forts on Monday morning, the 5th of May. Hooker's advance was met and forced hack. At eleven o'clock, Hancock was ordered to take his own and the Third Brigade, and flank the rebel position. The Thirty-third had been halted some eight miles back, and had not resumed its advance till 5-P.M., and came up just in time to join the Fifth Wisconsin, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, and Sixth and Seventh Maine, in this flank movement. Marching two miles to the right, near York River, the columns bore off to the left, crossed King's Creek on a dam built to overflow the ground fronting a portion of the rebel lines, and came upon works of great strength, but deserted. Near the dam, Companies B, G, and K, of the Thirty-third, were left to guard the forks, and, the force having crossed, Major Platner, in command, marched them into the first fort. Hancock moved half a mile to the left, and halted by a deserted redoubt, near the enemy. Lieutenant- Colonel Corning was ordered to occupy this work with Companies A, D, and F, with the colors and color-guard. The remainder of the regiment was at once deployed as skirmishers, and advanced to the front and right. Two batteries, supported by a brigade, opened upon Fort Magruder with shell for some time, and then ceased. All was quiet for hours, while heavy firing showed hard fighting to the left. Night was at hand, when a force of the enemy was seen coming up from Williamsburg, and rapidly forming in double line of battle. Hancock ordered his batteries and infantry back to position, and the three com- panies of the Thirty-third were withdrawn from the redoubt, to take their place in line, leaving the color-guard and the regiment's flag in the work. The rebels advanced, with shouts of " Bull Run" and " Ball's Bluff," in steady lines, and disregarded the continued fire, with which it was attempted to check them. Lieutenant Brown and others had fallen wounded; the batteries were hurrying to escape by the dam, and the line wavered. Within seventy yards, and Colonel Taylor, fresh from the skirmish line, flashing his sword in the air, shouted, " Forward, men!" "Charge bayonets !" repeated Lieutenant Colonel Corniog, and forward on the charge double-quick it was, with three companies of Seneca soldiers to check a rebel division. Other regiments followed, the rebels broke and ran, while volley upon volley followed them on to their works. Above two hundred of the rebels lay dead and wounded on the plain, among them several officers. The four companies deployed on the left had opened fire on the rebel advance, and slowly fell back. A party of the Thirty-third, under Captain Root, had been ordered forward as a reinforcement, and, advancing, found the enemy all about him. Falling back, Root halted about two hundred yards from his former position, and seeing a small party of the enemy near by, fired upon them, and compelled their surrender. In all, forty prisoners were captured, and then Captain Root marched them in with his little force of twenty-seven. When the line wavered, Warford attempted to hold it firm. A rebel officer approaching the captain, was captured by him. The enemy passing through Company H, took several of its men. Soon some fifty rebels returned and attacked the com- pany from the rear, and Captain Drake and some twenty men were taken prison- ers. The Waterloo Company (C) took thirty-seven prisoners, who were sent under charge of Lieutenant Brett to headquarters. William Moran compelled his captives to fall upon their knees, and make complete surrender. The conduct of the different companies in this engagement won a personal compliment from General MeClellan, who rightly attributed the victory to the veteran conduct of this regiment.
After a delay of a few days, the advance was renewed. The Thirty-third ad- vanced fifteen miles on May 9. Next day a farther progress was made, and numerous evidences of rebel discomfiture seen. Having resched the White House on the Pamunkey, the left wing was detailed for picket, and in trying to find the line, advanced a mile beyond the cavalry picket, and stampeded a rebel patrol, who doubtless reported a night movement in force. On the 21st of May,
Smith's Division was within cleven miles of Richmond. Three days later, and three companies of the Thirty-third, upon the advance on the skirmish line, en- countered the enemy at Mechanicsville. The line of battle was formed, and both sides opening with artillery, the skirmishers were between two fires. A solid shot passed between Captain Guion and Major Platner as they were conversing. A heavy fire was directed upon the buildings which afforded the enemy protec- tion, and presently they began to retreat. General Davidson ordered a charge, and the enemy fled, casting aside knapsacks and blankets to accelerate their progress. . The opinion is hazarded that had Davidson been strengthened and ordered forward, Richmond would have fallen. Davidson's Brigade are next re- ported at " Gaines's Farm," on fatigue and picket duty. The battle of Seven D'ines was followed by "Fair Oaks," and heroic work was done by the national corps. On June 5, the division advanced three miles, and the Thirty-third were halted by Colonel Taylor within six miles of Richmond, and a thousand yards from the rebel lines. Here they remained till June 28, and here the Twentieth New York was attached to the brigade. Sharpshooting was done by the enemy, while our men were kept busy at works and bridges, the latter of which employ- ment later served the army in good stead when the masses of the enemy assailed the right wing. MeClellan, with one hundred and fifteen thousand men fit for duty, already anticipated an entry to Richmond, when Lce, the successor of John- son, massing with Jackson on our right, came down upon them at Mechanicsville. Midnight came and our lines were formed at " Gaines's Farm," where,.on June 27, our loss was nine thousand men. MeClellan had two alternatives-to mass his forces and risk all upon a decisive battle, or fall back to the James. He de- cided on the latter. On the morning of June 28, Colonel Taylor, acting under orders from General Smith, advanced a portion of the Thirty-third to relieve the picket line, then but two hundred yards from the enemy; the remainder, under Acting Adjutant Tyler, were to prepare for retreat. As the men reached the line, the rebels opened a concentrated fire from twenty pieces upon the camp. Shot and shell fell like hail, riddling tents, firing stores, and driving all in camp to the breastwork. This safeguard was struck repeatedly. A shell fell among the men. J. W. Hendricks, of Company A, threw it over the works ; Peter Roach, of the same company, flung it down the hill, where it exploded harmlessly. An hour of this artillery fire was passed unanswered by our side, since the national cannon had been withdrawn, and the rebels ceased. Then two full regiments of infantry assailed the picket line. A slow retreat was made, with steady firing, till the regiments were united at the earthwork. The enemy came on with confi- dence, assured of success, and the defenses were ominously silent. With leveled muskets the soldiers marked their men, and heard the order given them, " Fire low." The enemy were close upon the breastwork, uttering a yell which those who heard will never forget, when a general discharge from the rampart smote them down. Another volley, yet another, and the enemy halted, hesitated,. turned, and fled disorderly, pursued till beyond range by the same deadly aim from the defenses. Again the enemy reformed, advanced, encountered that de- cimating fire, and once more withdrew. ' Colonel Lamar, of the Eighth Georgia, waving hat and sword in air, ordered another charge. A volley from the works struck him wounded to the earth, as a section of Mott's battery enfiladed their left and drove them from the field. The Seventh and Eighth Georgia lost ninety- one killed, many wounded, and fifty prisoners, among whom were Colonel Lamar, of the Eighth, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tower, of the Seventh Georgia. The Thirty-third lost but few, and these mainly in falling back from the picket line.
The army of MeClellan was in full retreat ; the right wing were marching along the west bank of the Chickahominy towards White Oak Swamp, thence to Har- rison's Bar. Three sleepless nights for the right wing of the Thirty-third, the last of the three, June 28, being passed as the unsupported picket line left to deceive the enemy, while regiment after regiment marched away and " left them alone in their glory." This dangerous service continued till daylight, Companies C, D, and I being relieved at 1 A.M. of the 29th by A and F. Gladly they re- ccived the signal to return, and, concealed by an opportune dense fog, returned to the division. At Savage's Station an immense accumulation of war material was destroyed by fire, At this point was a general hospital, where the thousands of sick and wounded had been congregated. They were to be left to the mercies of the enemy, and many a brave fellow struggled on through that fearful retreat and reached the river. Davidson's Brigade were marched to the rear of the station, and, finding abandoned clothing, soon had " drawo" for themselves new suits. At a double-quick they were returned to the station, and till an hour after sunset bore their part in the engagement into which they immediately entered. A detail, includ- ing ten men of the Thirty-third, were sent to bury the dead, and were mostly cap- tured. As the men moved at ten of the night towards White Oak Swamp, they were encouraged to look for speedy arrival at that temporary goal, but it was not till just before day that the brigade reached the bridge. Guards stood with torches to fire the structure should the enemy nppcar. An hour of anxious waiting and
61
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the Thirty-third was crossed, moved over a hill crest, and halted in line of battle. At eleven the bridge was fired and hurning fiercely. The Thirty-third were draw- ing rations, when with a crash some fifty cannon, planted in the dease wood in close range, opened with a storm of shot and shell. A partial panic occurred. A regiment in front of the Thirty-third stampeded, and were brought back by the officers of the Ontario regiment. General Davidson, sun-struck, had resigned command to Colonel Taylor, and Major Platner, commanding the regiment, being ordered to report to General Hancock, was placed by him on the extreme right, accompanying the order with the remark, " Major, you have the post of honor; hold the position at all hazards, and add new laurels to those already won by the Thirty- third." Firing was heavy, and several attempts to cross the awamp were repulsed. At half-past-eight of the evening the enemy ceased firing, and silently the division withdrew. General Davidson, by special order, reported Captain C. H. Cole, of. Company C, for promotion for distinguished services, as well as Major John S. Platner and Captain James McNair, of Company F. Pickets had been placed as the troops withdrew, and it was morning ere the enemy became aware of our with- drawal. The division, now the rear guard, found the enemy, under Huger, had planted himself on the road in their rear and intercepted their retreat. This news, to men who had labored so steadily for four days, was discouraging. It was seven miles to the river direct, but Smith turned from the road, and by a circuit of twenty-two miles passed the enemy in safety. The soldiers had. now become so wearied as to fall asleep upon the march and move along unconsciously. An hour before day Malvern was reached, and joyfully an hour's sleep was taken. The Thirty-third was then ordered on picket. Major Platner deployed the men, and each alternate man was then permitted to sleep. In the rear of the regiment a part of the army were in line, expecting an attack. A Vermont brigade alashed the timber between the picket and the line and made a strong ahattis, through which, no openings being left, the men relieved at three o'clock in the morning found their way in amidst the darkness and obstructions. A few hours' rest for the regiment were given, and it was then ordered to the front as support to Ayer's Bat- tery. The battle of Malvern Hill was fought and the enemy fearfully repulsed. At two in the afternoon the regiment, having joined the brigade, had reached Harrison's Landing, where was found food and rest. While remaining here the Thirty-third aided in building a large fort mounting several thirty-two pound cannoa. Each company of the regiment dug for itself a well, and enjoyed the healthfulness of pure water. Soft bread was issued and the men fared well.
At midnight of July 31, the enemy, from three batteries posted on the high bank of the river, opened fire on camp and shipping, but were soon repulsed. Early in August it was determined at Washington to withdraw the army and bring it north to assist General Pope, upon whom the rebels were now concen- trating their forces. Hooker led a force to Malvern Hill, which was temporarily re-occupied, straw effigies and wooden cannon were placed on the fort, and the immense army of Mcclellan was again on the move.
On Saturday, August 16, Smith's Division took its place in a column reaching forty miles,-the rear at Harrison's Landing; the advance of Porter at Wil- liamsburg. The Thirty-third marched on the 17th seventeen miles, crossing near the mouth of the Chickahominy a ponton bridge, consisting of ninety-six boats, each twenty feet apart. Colonel Vegesack, of the Twentieth New York, took command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Corning returned to the regi- ment. Marching by the old battle-field at Fort Magruder, thie Thirty-third em- barked at Fortress Monroe in steamers, and were brought to Aquia Creek. Burnside held Fredericksburg, and began its evacuation on August 22, destroy- ing bridges and material. The Thirty-third were taken to Alexandria and went into camp August 24; five months had gone by since it had departed thence. The enemy had moved with all his force upon Pope. Cedar Mountain and other en- gagements followed. A hard battle was fought at the old Manassas ground, where Porter's forces lay inactive, and thereby changed a victory to defeat. The second retreat from Bull Run was consummated, Pope defeated, and personal spite tri- umphed over heroic valor. There were dark pages in the history of the Army of the Potomac here ; and the intelligent soldiery, refusing to be sacrificed, gave way and centered near the capital. The Thirty-third was employed to stop and return stragglers ; relieved, it marched to Centreville and took its place in line to cover the retreat. Again Bull Run had been fought, and this time the North had lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners an army almost equal to the one of 1861, where but little over a thousand fell. We were defeated this time by jealousy, not incapacity. Pope, at his own request, was relieved and Mcclellan reinstated. Lee crossed the Potomac, and Mcclellan advanced his forces to meet him. Leaving knapsacks behind, the Thirty-third moved forward with the rest, and on September 13, crossing Monocacy Bridge, received orders with the Seventieth New York to drive the enemy out of Jefferson's Pass. The service was gallantly executed without loss. The enemy held Turner's and Crampton's Passes ; Slocum and Brooks were ordered to take the latter pass. . The columu
of Brooks marched direct upon the enemy, charged a battery, captured a section and many prisoners, among whom was Colonel Lamar, of the Eighth Georgia. Among the regiments which supported Brooks was the Thirty-third. Prepara- tions were made to relieve the force at Harper's Ferry when its surrender was made known.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BATTLES OF ANTIETAM AND FREDERICKSBURG, AND RETURN HOME.
THE battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, and was a hard-won victory to the Army of the Potomac. Hooker opened the fight with fury and temporary success; the rebels concentrated to crush him. Mansfield ar- rived, and the two commands hold firm for hours. Sumner goes in with his corps, Lee masses, the troops are giving way, when Franklin comes up with two divisions. Since daylight the force had been marching, always nearer to the roar of battle, and with a light like glory on their faces, these veterans swept back the enemy and planted their flags far in the advance. Here fell fifty killed and wounded in the Thirty-third. Sergeant-Major G. W. . Bassett was ahot dead after bearing Lieutenant Mix, wounded through the thigh, from the field. The ground gained in that advance was held to the end. A picket detail from the Thirty-third at night, advancing close upon the cnemy, discovered evidences of retreat, and sent back word, but Lee escaped into Virginia and the opportunity was lost.
September 19, Smith was ordered to join Couch, as the enemy were reported recrossing. Two thousand cavalry had forded the river, but retired on finding the Union troops in force. On the 23d, the regiment marched near Bakersville and went into camp. October 6, Lieutenants Roach and Rossiter arrived with two hundred recruits for the Thirty-third. Part of these were formed into Company D, that company having been disbanded, and the rest were apportioned among the other companies. The lull in warfare, the pleasing scenery, the acces- sion in numbers, all aided to make the time pass pleasantly. The Thirty-third was stationed as pickets along the Potomac about the middle of October. Mean- while Stuart had raided around our lines and Lee retreated southward. On October 29, the Thirty-third joined the Third Brigade, and moving on reached Berlin, where it was joined by Colonel Taylor, Lieutenant Corning, and over two hundred recruits ; these last were sent to Hagerstown. At Berlin, below Harper's Ferry, the Fiftieth Engineers had made a bridge of sixty pontons, one thousand five hundred feet long ; converging here, the army crossed and again diverged upon reaching the opposite shorc. Mcclellan was removed and Burn- side placed in command. The army was organized in three grand divisions. Burnside determined to march rapidly to Frederickaburg, cross the Rappahan -. nock, and attack Lee. The army were soon at the point desigoated, but there were no pontons; waiting for these, four weeks passed by. The enemy concen- trated, learned our plan, and, poating hia troops along our front a score of miles, threw up a line of works and stood ready to receive attack. Burnside determined to cross and strike the centre of the enemy at Fredericksburg, and as a feint sent the Left Grand Division down the stream, as if to cross there, and so withdrew the force of Jackson, whom Lee sent down to resist the crossing. On the night of December 11, battery upon battery was planted upon the banks of the river. The pontons were brought down and four bridges were to be thrown across. The history of the Fiftieth Engineers will tell how well they did their part. The tremendous cannonade upon Fredericksburg, the crossing in boats of the Seventh Michigan and Nineteenth Massachusetts, the capture of the enemy'a sharp-shooters, and the crossing of the army followed, while the enemy looked down upon our troops exultant and reserved. By 72 o'clock, the Thirty- third had crossed with its division and drawn up in line of battle. The battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 13, and the men of the Ontario Regi- ment will never forget that date. The regiment was posted on Saturday morn- ing on the front of three lines of battle, to support a battery. Jackson commanded in their front. A heavy mist cleared away, heavy cannonading followed ; our crescent line of the Left Grand Division was straightened by an advance of the wings, and, at noon, an advance of half a mile was reached. The rebela brought up reserves, and cannon and musket were plied with vigor ; still Meade pushed on, while his troops checred loudly. A charge was made, the rebel lines were entered, and hundreds of prisoners taken. Unsupported, the men were compelled to retire. The comhat was desperate, and men fell like autumn leaves struck by the gale. For hours the Thirty-third lay close upon
62
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the battery, receiving the fire from the rebel artillery in ailence, and, by good fortune, with little loss. Relieved at night, they fell back to the second line of battle. Heroic fighting had been done, and done fruitlessly. The army was in great danger from the enemy, but recrossed the river unassailed. On December 19, the Thirty-third marched back to White Oak Church, and began to build winter quarters. Many promotions had occurred, of which the following are a few : Captain G. M. Guion, of A, promoted lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York ; Lieutenant E. J. Tyler, promoted captain, vice Guion ; P. W. Baily, from second to first lieutenant in A; Second Lieutenant J. M. Guion of H, resigned ; L. C. Mix, promoted first from second lieutenant of B ; J. E. Stebbin, from first aergeant to second lieutenant of C, and T. H. Sibbalds, from first sergeant to second lieutenant of A. On January 20, another movement was in progress, when a atorm began whose violence mired the army in a aea of mud and made the Thirty-third glad to occupy its old camp for the third time: Burnside resigned, and Hooker took command. In February, the Thirty-third was brigaded with the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania and One Hun- dred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania, under command of Colonel Taylor. Winter passed away, and on April 27 and 28, the army corps were again moving towards the Rappahannock. Then followed the battle of Chancelloraville, the attack by Jackson upon and defeat of the Eleventh Corps, the night attack by Hooker, the death of Jackson, the assault, the repulse, and the recrossing of the famous. river. The Thirty-third, with other regiments of Howe's Division, under Sedg- wiek, again reached Fredericksburg; the river was crossed, and three army corps gathered at this point. Soon the enemy appeared and watched our movements, giving time to Hooker to reach Chancellorsville. Siekles moved up the river to join Hooker ; the enemy, after skirmishing, withdrew ; the First Corps marched to join the right wing, and the Sixth was left alone.
On Sunday, May 3, a courier from Hooker brought Sedgwick orders to storm the heights and push on towards Chancellorsville. Lee had left what he deemed a force sufficient to hold the hills, under command of Barksdale. Twenty-four regiments, among which was the Thirty-third, were selected to make the assault. The left storming column was led by Neill's Brigade, and to the Thirty-third was given the honor of leading the brigade. As was usual, cannon answered cannon while the troops were forming, and at eleven the movement began. Of four hun- dred yards to traverse, three-fourths were won, and then the right closed up and swept over the rebel works. Neill's men had also reached and planted their flag upon the heights. A heavy battery on the left enfilades the captured works. The Thirty-third, led on by officers, start for the guns upon a double-quick. A hurricane of canister sweeps through their ranks; Captains Root and Cole and Lieutenant Byrne fall, and seventy men are wounded or dead. One after another scizes the standard and is shot down, till six heroic souls have fallen; then Ser- geant Vandecar, rushing forward, hoists the torn colors on his musket, and presses with the regiment forward. As they leave the woods a deadly hail of bullets meets them from the rebel infantry, but on they go, up the glacis, over the para- pct, and into the work. A thirty-two pound cannon is captured; the rebel re- serves fall back and form ; a lagging aquad are ordered in, they refuse. Sergeant Proudfoot, leveling his musket, brings one down ; Sergeant Kane killed a second ; others were dropped. The supports opened fire, the Seventh Maine came up, and the enemy were put to flight. Over the dearly-bought line, the flag of the Thirty-third floated in victory, while the men lay down to take a brief rest. Captain Draine, with a few men, discovered some rebels at a short distance, went after them, and returned with Colonel Luce, of the Eighteenth Mississippi, a cap- tain, four lieutenants, and thirty-eight men of that regiment. The corpa now moved rapidly towards Chancellorsville, and had advanced four miles, when a mass of the enemy, which had been placed in line for that purpose, opened upon our infantry a deadly fire. Soon the enemy appeared on the left, and noder their cross-fire our men fell fast. Twelve hundred men were cut down ere darkness closed the contest. The next day the enemy were acen to occupy the heights, and could have captured the ponton bridges and inaured the destruction of the Sixth Corps, but their caution was ita salvation. Sedgwick was now environed hy Lee'a main army on the west, and rebels on the heights in his rear. . Brooka was drawn back, formed in an are, the corpa was gradually compacted, and the live extended towards the river, till Banks's Ford was inclosed, and so night passed away. Morning came, and Neill's Brigade went out and put to flight a force which threatened our line. Returning, the brigade threw np works. Nigh noon, n rebel brigade charged, were repulsed, and from a counter-charge lost two huo- dred men. Houra wore away and the enemy deferred attack, but at 4 P.M. they were seen descending the upper ridge. At 5, their ahrill yell announced their coming, and soon they swarmed before Neill'a Brigade, which, undismayed, bore the brunt of the assault, and drove them back in great disorder. Again the enemy closed in upon the arc, and Neill fell back for fear of having his position turned, leaving behind, as test of what had been withstood, a thousand of his men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.