History of Seneca Co., New York, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public building and important manufactories, Part 25

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign & Everts
Number of Pages: 294


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 25


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On September 12 the Maryland Heights were held by the Thirty-second Ohio, two companies of the Thirty-ninth New York, and a few Maryland troops, under. Colonel Ford, who, on the evening previous, learning of heavy forces under McLaws and Barksdale moving upon his position, called for reinforcements. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was ordered to his aid, with a day's rations and eighty rounds, and reached the Heights on the afternoon of the 12th. A and F were left to guard approach by the Sandy Hook road; D, I, and C were halted about half-way up the slope, while the left wing, under Colonel Sherrill, deploying on the ridge, at once became engaged with the enemy, who had gained the ridge by way of Soloman'a Gap. Skirmishing became so sharp that C and I were moved up to take part. Night closed the engagement .. Next morning the enemy in strong force opened fire, flanked our position, and the men, as ordered, slowly fell back behind an abattis, and to breastworks, where, joined by D, they took posi- tion for a stand. After a pause the enemy moved up near the abattis, and. a constant fire was kept up for some time. The rebel fire slackened, and the enemy were observed moving to the left. Captain Phillips was ordered by Colonel Sherrill, with D and C, to deploy to the left and rear to meet this flanking force, and, finding them slowly working their way up, opened on them and kept them at bay. Scott was atruck in the leg, and two men mortally and five. . seriously. wounded. The fire in front now redoubled; Sherrill, standing on the logs to direct and encourage his men, was struck in the face and borne to the rear, while


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the men, confident of their ability and position, fought on. An order came to withdraw, and other regiments retiring, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth obeyed reluctantly, and fell steadily back to the rear of the Lookout. The men down on the left receiving no directions, and hearing the enemy giving orders at the breastworks, Lientenants Richardson and Redfield went up, found the line in rebel possession, and by detour reached the rear of the Lookout. The withdrawal was not at once followed up by the enemy, who feared to advance upon the new position, both by reason of a canseless evacuation of our strong works, and an advance of Franklin toward South Mountain. The One Hundred and Twenty- sixth, without officers, chose Captain Phillips to command, and stood ready for action, when at three P.M. a peremptory order came to return to Bolivar Heights. McGrath's Battery was tumbled down the heights, and, through incapacity of officers, the prize of eleven thousand men, stores, and position, were lost to us.


All reliable accounts corroborate the statement that the regiment bellaved well, and with management could have held their position and averted disaster; but bravery was futile where commanders were imbecile. The corps of Franklin was five miles away, and a few hours would have brought relief; but Jackson, rapidly planting batteries and assembling his forces, gave little time for deliberation. The cavalry, forbidden by Miles to do so, dashed out upon the Sharpsburg road, captured a body of rebels and a wagon train, and escaped. Franklin delaying to advance, Jackson, completing his arrangements, opened his batteries on September 15, and Miles ordered a surrender in the face of violent remonstrances from line officers of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth.


Sadly the paroled regiments set out for Annapolis, one hundred miles distant. On the 17th they heard the guns at Antietam, and thought what might have been with a 'brave and capable general at Harper's Ferry. Ordered to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Eleventh therein took up their abode, with varied experience, for a period of two months. Taunted with cowardice, when burning with indignation at a com- pelled retreat, and ordered to drill, and so violate parole, as they understood it, the men resented such imputation and refused to do duty, while many unjustly branded as deserters returned home till such time as their exchange should set them free. Both the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Eleventh suffered much from sickness, and many died. As an instance, one hundred and eighty of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth were on the sick-list October 19.


On November 19 tidings of exchange were received, and four days later came orders for a start next day, the 24th, for Washington, there to be armed and re- sume duty. Gladly Camp Douglas was left behind them, but in it remained one hundred of their sick comrades. Assigned to Casey's Division, Twenty-second Corps, they went into camp at Arlington Heights, drew tents, and December 2 received arms and went on picket duty, which service was continued with the One Hundred and Eleventh and other troops of the brigade in and about Ceu- treville until the 24th of June, when the brigade was ordered as the Third Brigade Third Division Second Army Corps, under Hancock, to join the corps. The sick were removed, surplus baggage sent off, and on the 26th they marched to Gum Springs and camped with the division. Thenee marebing was hard and constant, and on June 30 a distance of thirty-three miles was made, and next day reaching Taneytown, the cannonading at Gettysburg told of a battle begun. Not as at Antietam now, but free and full of ardor, the brigade marched nearer the great battle-field, and tired, but determined, took their place in line to the left of the cemetery at Gettysburg. Lee's delay to prepare for action permitted our army to arrive by forced marches and occupy a formidable position. The Third Brigade were placed in support of two batteries in front of Meade's head- quarters near the northern extremity of Cemetery Ridge, and looked excitedly upon Hood's contest with Vincent's division of Sykes's Corps for the possession of Little Round Top. Sickles had advanced to higher ground some distance beyond the rest of the line, and was heavily assailed. The ery for help was promptly met, and portions of the Second Army Corps sent in, but the enemy broke the line, and again came the call for help. Then the Third Brigade heard and quickly obeyed the orders, " Fix bayonets; shoulder arms; left face ; forward, march 1" A mile southward toward Round Top was rapidly made ; then halting, facing westward, the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth formed on the left, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth in the centre, One Hundred and Eleventh on the right, and Thirty-ninth in reserve. From a tree- and brush-grown ravine poured the routed Excelsior Brigade, closely followed by Barksdale's Brigade, MeLaw's Division of Longstreet's Corps. The Third Brigade charged down the slope, receiving and giving a withering fire, and pressed through the low woods to the opening beyond, where the rebels desperately attempted to hold their ground. The line wavered, and a voice was heard with curses urging on the enemy. It was Barksdale, and recalled the venomed ating of " Harper's Ferry cowards." " Harper'a Ferry" was the battle-cry as the furious brigade swept madly forward.


Barksdale fell, riddled with balls, and his men were eut down by scores, while many threw themselves on their faces and threw up their hands. A rebel bat- tery opened at short range, and cut through the line; but the fire of excitement kept them on. Nor did they halt till ordered; and then, in a beautiful align- ment, retired through that death-strewn field, bearing with them several pieces of our artillery recaptured, and a brass cannon, the prize of Captain Scott, of C, aided by part of A. Colonel Willard, in command of the brigade, was killed by a shell. Colonel Sherrill took his place. This charge restored our lines, and permitted the Third Army Corps to fall back from its undesirable position to its proper place on the ridge. The contest was a subject of remark by writers of both sides, and the carnage was described as fearful, involving heavy losses of officers and men. The brigade held its ground till nightfall, and then resumed its place on Cemetery Hill somewhat to the right of the previous position.


Early in the morning of July 3, Captain Scott, with Shimer, Wheeler, and Herendeen and their companies, were detailed to skirmish with the enemy in front. Three of these four captains were killed, Lieutenant Brown of C was wounded, and many of the men killed or wounded. An ominous quiet pervaded the field. Near one P.M. two cannon-shots were heard, and from one hundred and thirty pieces of artillery came over a deluge of iron, and uprose a din unearthly. Wellnigh an hundred guns sent back their deadly charge. The batteries lost many, and volunteers from the brigade were called to work the guns, and a number of its men were killed. Ninety minutes, each like hours, passed on, and gradually our fire became weaker, and then ceased. From Seminary Hill, a mile and a half in front, swept out Pickett's veteran Virginians, behind them Pettigrew's Caro- linians, a force of eighteen thousand men. Never had our men looked upon so fair, yet ao fonl a sight. Their beautiful order won admiration, and their steadi- ness betokened a terrible struggle where they struck our expectant line. Our artillery now, double-shotted, sent their missiles through these lines, and as the gaps were made, were elosed up, and the tide moved unflinchingly forward. A mile in length, in three lines, the foe came within close range of the Second and Third Divisions of the Second Army Corps, and a murderous combat ensued at close quarters. At barely one hundred feet distance, the Union infantry opened a fire so murderous that the lines were broken, over thirty stand of colors taken, thou- sands of prisoners captured, the ground strewed thick with dying and dead, and the battle won to the Union. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth captured five stand of colors. Colonel Sherill was mortally wounded, and Colonel McDougal, of the One Hundred and Eleventh, next in command, wounded. That night Lee began to retreat. On July 4 his sharpshooters. were constantly at work. A stone barn, with narrow windows, made a secure- protection, and General Hays ordered the barn to be taken. Colonel Bull, commanding the Third Brigade, called on the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, and John B. Geddis, Lieutenant of D, responding, asked his men to follow. and with them went most of the regi- ment. Crossing a rail fence five men were shot, yet the rest pushed on along a fence extending towards the barn. The fire from barn and rifle-pits now grew so deadly that gladly the attempt was abandoned, and the band brought in their wounded, being followed by Geddis, bringing up the rear.


On the evening following, Captain Munson was in charge of the pieket line. Following Lee through rain and mud, the brigade passed through Crampton's Gap on the 11th of July, and worked hard all night upon breastworks of rails and dirt. A mail, the first for weeks, was received, hut not all were there to receive their letters. Many lay dead upon the battle-field, and very many suffer- ing from wounds.


Arrangements were made on the 13th for an encounter, but all was quiet, and next day the army heard that the enemy had escaped. On the 25th the brigade had reached White Plains, where some of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth were captured while out picking blackberries, and taken to the Southern prisons, where they perished in suffering. The army now lay a month at rest. On August 22, 1863, on dress parade, two hundred men were in line, while B came out with but five men. Longstreet was sent to Bragg, and turned the tide against Rosecrans at Chickamauga. Meade took advantage of his absence to advance and occupy Culpepper. The Third Brigade marched around Cedar Mountain to Robertson'a River, and went on duty there for several days. The Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, under Hooker, were now aent to Chattanooga, and other troops to quell the riot in New York City.


On October 8, Lee began a flank movement. Two daya later, the Second Army Corps formed in line two miles west of Culpepper. And now trains of stores and of the sick were hurried towards Washington. Marching on parallel roads, our army kept ahead of the enemy till, before ou : of the 14th, the Third Brigade, leading the corps and crossing the ford of Cedar Run, were attacked in front by a battery and by dismounted cavalry under Colonel Ruffen, and in their rear by a fire of musketry and artillery from unseen foes. Our men deployed as skirmishers gave way before the cavalry, which being noted by General Hays,


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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


he galloped to the rear and ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Bull to deploy his men on the right of the road and clear the woods. The regiment advanced double- quick under fire over a field towards a wooden knoll just as a body of cavalry swept down their right. This part of the line unhorsed a few by their fire, and shot their leader. Pushing forward and gaining the woods and the road beyond, they found the artillery removed. From that point the regiment continued to guard the column as flankers all the way to Catlett's Station.


On picket for an hour, and then their place taken by the One Hundred and Eleventh. Meade was concentrating on Centreville, there to make a stand while the enemy aimed to intercept his forces. It was four p.M. when the Second Army Corps reached Bristow. The rear of the Fifth Army Corps, under Gen- eral Sykes, had just forded Broad Run at the railroad crossing. The enemy had come in position to attack the rear of Sykes, and now opened heavily on the command of Warren. Sykes refusing aid, kept on towards Centreville; and Warren was left alone. The enemy first struck the One Hundred and Eleventh, and sharp skirmishing ensued. Hays, galloping past the brigade, called out, " By the left flank, double quick !" aod ench regiment as it heard the order dashed forward to gain possession of the railroad eut. With cheers the bank was gained, and from its cover a heavy fire was thrown into the enemy. Arnold's Rhode Island Battery, from a rise of ground in the rear, centered its fire upon a mass of the enemy and tore it in pieces. Upon this the Second Brigade swept down the rebel flank, and drove them in disorder, capturing hundreds and killing and wounding many. The rebel battery was abandoned on the hill, and one company from each of the three regiments was sent to bring off the guos. Five cannon, two flags, and four hundred and fifty prisoners was our gain in this engagement. At night the Second Army Corps moved on and joined the other corps. Lee, having destroyed the railroad to the Rappahannock, retired to the farther bank and occupied Culpepper and its vicinity.


November 26, Meade advanced his five corps to the Rapidan. Warren crossed and marched southward, and, reaching a point called Loenst Ridge, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth were placed upon the skirmish line, and held it through the night. The army now came up, and the enemy withdrew behind his works at Mine Run. Each side awaited an attack from the other, and so the day went by; again the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth passed the night in the advance, as pickets. Warren was sent to turn the rebel flank, and it was dark when he reached position. All night long the enemy were busy, and by morning, batteries, masses of infantry, abattis, and breast works were prepared for our assanlt. Warren withheld the order to attack, and Meade indorsed his action. A third night the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was on picket, and in the morning the men were ordered back to their old camp, and gladly occupied it on December 2, after an exhausting and fruitless effort. Winter quarters were now built near Stevensburg, and a long rest ensued. A reconnois- sance was made on February 6, 1864, at Morton's Ford, on the Rapidao, 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. At the crossing, a squad of some thirty rebels was captured; the brigade went over, deployed, advanced, and moved close upon the rebel batteries, where at dark it withstood a heavy charge, and, nided by the opportune arrival of another brigade, checked the enemy, and won encomium from com- manders.


On February 23 a grand review was held, and on the 28th the corps were reduced to three, Fifth, Second, and Sixth. Warren had the first, Hancock the Second, and Sedgwick the Sixth. The Third Brigade was increased by three regiments, and changed from Third to First Division of the Second Army Corps. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was now three hundred strong, when on April 5, 1864, Captain Richard A. Basset and Lieutenant F. E. Munson, with five sergeants, eight corporals, and eighty-seven men, were detailed as provost guard at headquarters. May, 1864, found Grant a major-general, commanding all our armies. Sherman was to move ou .Atlanta, Meade to follow Lee.


On May 5 the Second Army Corps crossed Ely's Ford, and, unopposed, reached and bivouacked at Chancellorsville. In the battles following, the One Hundred and Eleventh and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth were decimated, but fought with their usual bravery. During a fog on the morning of May 12 the Second Army Corps, under Hancock, charged the rebel works, and captured four thou- sand prisoners and two officers,-E. Johnson and G. II. Stewart. Adjutant Lin- coln, of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixtb, was one of the first inside the rebel works, wheeled a shotted gun and fired it on its recent owners. The enemy fought with desperation and utter disregard of life to recover the lost ground during the entire day, losing heavily, as did our side. The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth had now in the ranks but eight officers and seventy-two men. Passing over the events of those 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 the rebel skirmishers, took their rifle-pits, and held them all night. Many of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth were killed or wounded in this attack. Few were the numbers they could boast, but what there were of them were undaunted.


At Coal Harbor the regiment were in reserve, and the advance was repelled so speedily that the supports could not second it. Each for himself, in rifle- pits, the men exchanged shots with the enemy, took their part in repelling Lee's charges, and on September 26 Captain Geddes reported eight officers and sixty enlisted men on duty supporting the front near Deep Bottom. The strength . of the regiment from the rolls was twenty officers and four hundred and eighteen men ; no recruits had been received, and none were expected. The provost guard had heavy duty guarding prisoners, checking straggling, and police-duty at headquarters. On June 22, while the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth suffered severe loss, and Captain Morris Brown was of the slain, the "guard" behind the breastworks under fire met no loss.


Winter passed and spring came, and still the brave old Army of the Potomac held on, while Lee grew weaker and weaker in men. Sherman's veterans were marching through the Carolinas, and it was seen that the end was near. Few of the old One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Eleventh were left, but to them and the Second Army Corps should fall the honor of the capture of the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee charged and took Fort Steadman on March 25, to mark an attempted withdrawal to join Johnson. The work was soon recovered under the eye of President Lincoln, then nt City Point. The Third Brigade advanced their line doring the afternoon, losing two killed from A and several wounded, and were complimented for gallantry by General Madill in an order read on parade. On the 27th, Captain J. B. Geddis, senior officer present, took command of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth. All surplus baggage was removed to City Point, and on March 29 the march was begun. On the skirmish line for two days, and then came the battle of Five Forks, wherein the Third Brigade did well their part. Here Pierson, of I, was killed, and Captain Geddis, Lieutenants Hopper and Parks, and many men wounded. They rested 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 again and again, but in vain. With artillery, and in good works, the rebels held their own bravely .. Madill was wounded, and MeDougal took command. A ball broke his arm; but keeping his saddle, he led a final successful attack, and, carry- ing the works, captured cannon and infantry, and eut the Southside Railroad. Io a charge, the brigade flag was lost. The bearer, shot from his horse, held to it till torn by numbers from his grasp, refused to be a prisoner, and in a charge meanwhile was retaken by his comrades. This soldier was Herman Fox, Com- pany E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth. The brigade lay north of the railroad, and at night the Union artillery opened with deafening roar all along the lines ; then the whole army charged forward, and the lines were won. Close upon the rebel retreat followed Union pursuit. On May 3 the One Hundred and Twenty- sixth was detailed as wagon-guard, marching with the train, and corduroyed the road with rails. The capture of four hundred wagons with supplies gave our men a good meal. On the 6th a battle was fought, and six thousand or more prisoners taken. Close upon the enemy came the Second Army Corps, compelling them to leave behind sixteen heavy eannon, and halt to intrench. In an attack that fol- lowed, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth, fighting behind trees, sustained no loss, and on their retreat came elose after, the regiment being on duty as flankers. Lee surrendered.


The brigade camped at Rice's Station till May 2, then marched north, and on 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 fourteen days later two hundred and twenty-one men of the original one thousand were discharged. What had become of the remainder? Harper's Ferry saw one officer and fifteen men killed ; four officers and thirty-five men wounded. Total, fifty-five. Entering battle July 2 at Gettysburg with thirty officers and four hundred and seventy-seven men, the killed were six officers and fifty-five men; wounded, seven officers and one hundred and sixty-one men. Total, two hundred and twenty-wine. Auburn Ford lost five killed, seventeen wounded. Bristow Station, six killed, thirteen wounded. Morton's Ford, February 6, 1864, lost three killed, 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 severe. During service sixteen commissioned officers were killed in battle or died of wounds,-a greater loss compared to number than any other in the State. The One Hundred and Eleventh was mustered out of service June 5, 1865. Together these regiments fought, and the experience of both was alike. Their record is honorable to themselves and to their State.


PLATE XXI


RES. OF JACOB NEARPASS, TYRE, N. Y.


RES. OF JAMES CARRIS, TYRE TP., SENECA CO, N. Y.


.........


Trinity (Episcopal) Church Seneca-Falls NY.


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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


CHAPTER XXXII.


THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.


THIS regiment was mustered into the United States service at Geneva, New York, on the 14th of September, 1862. Companies A, E, H, and part of D were recruited in Seneca County, the remainder being from Yates and Ontario Counties. The regiment left Geneva on the 22d of September, and arrived at Washington three days later, going immediately into camp on Capitol Hill. From Washington the regiment was ordered to Suffolk, Virginia, arriving there on the 29th, and remaining until the 11th of October, when it was ordered to Portsmouth, Virginia, and went into camp. Here was commenced that thorough course of drill and instruction which afterwards gained for the regiment its splendid reputation for discipline and effectiveness in action. . From Ports- month the regiment was ordered to Norfolk, where it remained from the 12th of July to October 9, 1863, on garrison duty. While at Norfolk, a portion of the regiment was detailed as a garrison for Fort Norfolk, while other detachments were stationed at Kempsville, Cape Henry, and like important positions. Fre- quent 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 Yorktown, and there remained in charge of the fortifications of that important point until the commencement of active operations in the spring of 1864. During February of that year was made the famous march to Bolton'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 at Mobjack Bay, aod, marching to Gwynn's Island, surprised and captured a battalion of coast- guards with arms and supplies.




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