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 26
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In April, 1864, Yorktown was left with a large column of troops under com- mand of General " Baldy" Smith ; they went into camp on the old Williamsburg battle-field, where the gallant Thirty-third New York had so nobly distinguished itself in 1862. Here the column was organized and equipped for active service, and on the 5th of May,embarked on transports and moved up the James River to City Point, where the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was brigaded with the Second and Twelfth New Hampshire and Eleventh Connecticut volunteers. On the 12th the advance on Fort Darling at Drury's Bluff commenced, followed by the sharp engagement at Clover Hill, which resulted in the enemy being driven steadily back to his strongly-intrenched line eight miles from Richmond. Ou the morning of the 16th, the line of battle was as follows: Heckman's Brigade was drawn up just below Fort Darling, with its right resting on the James. Next in order came Wistar's Brigade, with the One Hundred and Forty-eighth on its right, and joining Heckman's left. Belger's Battery came next, and the rest of the troops were in line extending still farther to the left. During the previous night the One Hundred and Forty-eighth had erected a hastily-constructed breastwork of timber, and covered its immediate front. A quantity of wire from the Richmond and Petersburg telegraph line had also been cut from the poles and securely fastened among the stumps, about thirty yards in advance. As morning dawned, a dense fog had arisen, and at an early hour an overwhelming Confederate force was suddenly thrown with great fury upon Hickman, driving his line in great confusion. Again forming in column, and taking a new position, the entire rebel force was hurled upon the brigade to the left of Wistar, throwing it into disorder, forcing it to the rear, and capturing one of Belger's guns. Seizing this gun, the enemy opened a flank fire upon Wistar's Brigade, compelling three of his regiments to retire, thus leaving the One Hundred and Forty-eighth alone and unprotected to face a Confederate force flushed with success and outnumbering it twenty to one. The enemy immediately opened a severe fire of. artillery and musketry from his front, while the captured gun was sending rapid discharges of grape and canister from its position on the left. And now, as the fog began to lift, a dense column of the enemy was massed about two hundred and fifty yards in front, and thrown like an ocean billow upon the One Hundred and Forty-eighth. Calmly, to outward appearance, the men lay upon their arms awaiting the attack. Strong men grew pale, but they were no cravens. It was simply from the reali- zation brought home to their minds that within the next few moments would be decided not only their own fate, but perhaps that of the little army behind them. The moments of suspense passed on while the gray masses came sweep- ing over the cleared space between it and "the slight breastwork behind which lay the expectant One Hundred and Forty-eighth. From the left came grape-shot hurtling and humming along the line, while from the Confederate batteries posted in rear of the column of assault, and from the heavy guns of the fort on the right, a rapid discharge was maintained upon the silent line of the regiment.
Another moment and the front line of the enemy hliad struck the telegraph wire, and as it went down and was crowded upon by the rear ranks, a simultaneous volley was poured among them from all along the hitherto silent line of breastwork, and leaving behind the dead and the dying, the enemy fell back confusedly and in full belief that a heavy force many times the true number had arrested their cxultant advance. Holding this position until a new line of battle had been formed in its rear, the regiment, deploying as skirmishers, fell back and joined the main body. For their gallant conduct in this action they received much credit.
On the 29th of May, the Eighteenth Army Corps having been ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth moved down to City Point from its position at Bermuda Hundred, and, embarking on transports, steamed down the James and up the York, and from thence into the Pamunkey, finally dis- embarking at White House Landing, and on the Ist of June marched to the old Coal Harbor battle-ground, going immediately into action on the right of the Sixth Army Corps. In the final charge at Coal Harbor, on June 3, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth held the post of honor on Smith's Division, being placed at the head of the storming column. This column was ordered to charge across an open space upon the inner angle formed by the convergence of two lines of the enemy's works. This objective point, perhaps the most impregnable in the entire line of works, was defended by two full batteries, amply protected by some of the best rebel regiments. The column formed uuder shelter of a piece of woods, and at five o'clock on the morning of the memorable 3d of June emerged into the open ground, and immediately received a tremendous volley from the enemy's rifle-pits. The quiet prevailing to this moment was further broken by the opening peal and steady roar of cannon. Volley followed volley in quick succession, and the rush of bullets was continuous; grape and canister came in murderous blasts ; shells burst all about, and the air seemed clouded with missiles. Never, perhaps, during the entire war was so terrible a fire concentrated upon a column of assault as in this par- ticular instance. Although men fell by scores, the ranks pressed forward, and as the troops reached the breastwork the enemy redoubled their fire. . Never quail- ing, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth here exhibited the perfection of splendid and invincible bravery. Two-thirds of the field had already been crossed in the face of this deadly rain of shot and shell, when the rear of the column, impeded in its advance by the hundreds of the dead and dying who had fallen in its front, wavered for an instant, and directly the main body began to fall back. Not so, however, with the gallant but rapidly-decreasing band which led the attack. The men of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth were too near the prize to think for a moment of retreat, but finding themselves deserted by their comrades, with numbers too sadly decimated to hope to carry the works, right there in the open field, under the concentrated fire of the enemy, threw themselves upon the ground, and with their bayonets, tin plates, and cups from their haversacks, began to throw up the sand in front as a protection. Thus, in an almost ineredibly short space of time, they were screened from the bullets of their foes, and now began an annoying fire upon the Confederate works. This position was held by the regiment until the coming of night, when, intrenching tools having been obtained from the rear, the line already begun was strengthened and enlarged, so that before daylight next morning, with fresh troops brought forward, the line was permanently established. During this engagement the One Hundred and Forty-eighth lost one hundred and nine men in killed and wounded. On the 11th of June, the regiment moved out of the trenches, where it had remained under fire for eight days, and, marching back to White Honse, the entire corps again embarked, and, on the 14th, the regiment once more landed at City Point. Thus ended their two weeks' campaign with the Army of the Potomac. When the movement against Petersburg commenced, on the 15th of June, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was with the advance, under General Smith, and the 18th of that month found the regiment at a point but little more than a mile from the city. A strong body of Confederates was posted ou the crest of a hill, and for a time held the Federal advance in check. Two regiments had been successively ordered to charge the position, but, although displaying great bravery, had both been repulsed. At this juncture the One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth was directed to carry the position. Rapidly moving through the underbrush, it deployed in the open field at the foot of the ascent, and, with a ringing cheer, rushed up the slope on the double-quick, driving the enemy from his intrenched positions and his gunners from their works. Passing rapidly over the hill, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth followed hard after the retreating rebel line, capturing many prisoners, and continuing the pursuit until the main line of defense was reached, and the "siege of Petersburg" was begun. From this time on the regiment was constantly in the trenches, enduring with un- flinching fortitude the hardships entailed by the position. Always under fire, with little opportunity for rest, constantly exposed to the burning sun by day and with no protection from the heavy Virginia dews by night, the regiment remained in this position for more than two months. During this time it suffered much from
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the great scareity of water, no rain having fallen from the 2d of June to the 19th of July, and, as a consequence, the air was constantly filled with clouds of fine sand, which at times became almost unendurable.
On the 29th of September, the regiment having been transferred to the First Brigade, Second Division, the entire Eighteenth and Sixteenth Army Corps were ordered to eross the James, and at one o'clock on the morning of that day the One Hundred and Forty-eighth marched over the ponton bridge at Aiken's Landing, and was soon in action, driving the enemy back to his strong fortifications at Chapin's Farm, and taking an active part in the storming and capture of Fort Harrison,-a formidable earthwork in the outer line of the Richmond defenses. The 26th of October found the One Hundred and Forty-eighth attached to the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, and in occupation of Fort Harrison, where it had been since the taking of this formidable defense. This was the, nearest point to Richmond occupied by our forces. On the evening of October 26, orders came to move out to the rear of the fort, and join the Eighth Bri- gade of the division. Next morning the force moved around to the right, towards Fair Oaks, which point was reached about nine. A.M. The command struck the Williamsburg Pike near the Old Hospital grounds, occupied by MeClellan in 1862, and moved directly up the pike towards Richmond, the One Hundred and Forty- eighth in the advance. When within eight hundred yards of the hostile lines, the enemy opened with a battery that commanded the pike, and the regiment, on the run, formed in line of battle on the south side of the road. The Eleventh Ver- mont, a regiment one thousand strong, formed and took the advance, with the express design of leading the assault, but the order to charge being directed to the One Hundred and Forty-eighth, that regiment had the honor of making an advance wherein the loss, compared with the number engaged, is almost unparalleled. Two hundred and fifteen men went into this charge, and but ninety-eight returned. One hundred and two had been eut down, killed, or wounded, and fifteen captured. Among the killed was the lieutenant-colonel, and many of the bravest and best men of the command. The charge was unsuccessful, from a failure to promptly aend forward the supports. During this engagement, the major of the One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth, in command of the sharpshooters, had pushed forward close upon the rebel line; when the fire became so severe that an order was given to take cover. The major, together with a score of his men, found shelter behind a wood-pile. To retire over the ridge in such close quarters was almost sure death; to remain was capture. The rebels called on them to come in. The major in- quired the terms, and the sight of the telescopie rifles with which the men were armed caused a profusion of promises. A woman at a house close by offered to come and escort the major to the rebel lines, saying, " We'uns won't fire on you'uns while I am with you." When the old lady reached the wood-pile, she was seized by the gallant major, who, interposing her between himself and the enemy, called on the men to retire, and began his own retreat .. The rebels set up a yell, but did not open fire, and, amid the cheers and laughter of our men, the major and his escort reached our lines.
The night of the 27th the regiment returned to Fort Harrison, where they remained a few days, when they were selected, together with a few other regi- ments, to accompany the general commanding to New York to aid in keeping peace in that eity during the Presidential election. This duty done, the One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth again returned to the front, and was stationed on the right of our line at Deep Bottom during the winter of 1864-65. Here the men were engaged in pieket duty until March 27, when they moved with the corps under Ord to Hateher'a Run. . The regiment was immediately placed in charge of the division picket line, with instructions to be ready at any moment to advance upon the Confederate picket line. On the morning of March 31 the men, responding promptly to orders, advanced and captured three hundred and ten men, which was an excess over their own force. On the morning of April 2 the One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth broke through the rebel lines simultaneously with the advance of the Sixth Army Corps. On entering the intrenched lines, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth swung round to the left, crossed Hatcher's Run, and captured one general officer, several officers of the line, and three hundred and fifty men. The regiment also captured a full battery of Whitworth guns, horses, and equipage complete, together with three battle-flags and one eamp- and garrison- flag. The One Hundred and Forty-eighth then faced about and marched towards Petersburg.
At Forta Baldwin and Gregg the enemy were engaged, and the regiment took part in the capture of the former. These forts had been manned by picked men from the best of Lec's army, and the orders were to hold them at all hazards, to enable the Confederates to escape with a part of their supplies. It may be said that at no place during the war did the rebels fight with greater desperation than in these atrongholds. The plain in front of the former fort was literally atrewn with the killed and wounded of the Union army, and in the fort lay two hundred and. seventy-five rebels killed. or badly wounded. They did not surrender, but.
fell fighting. Their heroism accomplished its purpose, detaining onr army long enough to allow Lee to get out of Petersburg" The One Hundred and Forty- eighth lay on their arms till the morning of the 3d, when it was found that Lee's army had started towards Barksville Junetion. The Twenty-fourth Army Corps started to head them off, keeping well to the rebel left flank, and now the result became a question of endurance between the two armies. Four days the two divisions led the corps, and the One Hundred and Forty-eighth was in the van most of that time. Near night the enemy were struck, and a short. engagement resulted in a loss to the regiment of one killed and four wounded. Darkness came on, and Lee kept upon the road to. Lynchburg. . The race was renewed near High Bridge. Sheridan now passed the infantry, and began to harass the rebel advance. On the morning of the 9th, about eight o'clock, a halt. for an hour was made at Appomattox Station ; the advance was then renewed, and our lines awung around to the rebel front, the One Hundred and Forty-eighth being on the extreme left of the line. It was thought that Lee would undertake to break through on the left, and the men were ordered to be ready, and with uncommon spirit the line drew up and moved forward. In passing through the woods in front of the rebel position, a shell from one of their batteries exploded in the centre of the regiment, wounded one man, tore off several knapsacks, and damaged several guns. It was the last shot fired from Lee's army, for before they could reload their pieces they were captured and the men dispersed. While re-forming to follow up the advantage, loud cheers came from the right; and soon the cry came down to them, " Lee has surrendered !" Such a glad shout as went. up from those battle-scarred veterans was never before heard on this continent. Guns were discharged in the air and thrown on the ground. Men laughed, shouted, and embraced, so exuberant was their joy. The regiment remained at Appomattox until the surrender was accomplished, and the.debris of the rebel army cleared away ; then returned to Richmond, where it remained till June 28, when they were mustered out, conveyed to Elmira, and paid off July 3. On July 4 the men arrived at Seneca Falls, and met a royal welcome.
Little need be said in reference to either the bravery or patriotism of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth. Its noble record as a regiment has become a matter of history. The regiment was composed of able, intelligent, and influential men, who had left farm, office, and business, not for pay or bounty, but from a feeling that the country needed their services, and that the time had arrived when home attractions became of secondary importance. The battle-roll of the regiment enumerated eleven actions, namely, Swift Creek, on May 9, 1864; Clover Hill, May 15; Drury'a Bluff, May 16; Port Walthall, May 26; Coal Harbor, June 15; Rowlett's House, same as last; Siege of Petersburg, June I to August 25; Fort Harrison, September 29; Fair Oaks, October 27; Hatcher's Run, March 31, 1865; and Appomattox Court-House, April 9.
The lists of casualties are found as appendix to the various histories of towns, and are so many silent witnesses to the devotion of the One Hundred and Forty- eighth to their country.
The Fifteenth United States Regulars had in its ranks a number of men from Seneca County. They were recruited by Captain Peterson, principally from Varick and Romulus, and fought gallantly through the battles of the war. Space will not permit a record here of this regiment. A glimpse is seen of them at the battle of Mill Spring, Kentucky; and as a part of General Buell's Division we see them aid in. converting defeat into victory in the second day's fight at Pitts- burg Landing. Fortunate in this battle in meeting no loss, the Seneca regulars comported themselves so as to win eredit and refleet honor upon the men in the regular service. .
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTIETH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
THE One Hundred and Sixtieth New York Infantry was a three-years' regiment. It was organized in New York City, and mustered into aervice November 1, 1862. Company E of this regiment was partly raised in Seneca County, and was organized at Geneva, Ontario County, on the 3d of September, 1862. The company officers were Henry Moore, Captain; James Gray, First Lieutenant; and Nicholas McDon- ough, Second Lieutenant. Previous to their arrival at the city, colors were pre- sented by the ladies of Auburn. General Banks's expedition sailed from New York under sealed orders, and with it was the One Hundred and Sixtieth. For twenty- one days the experience of an ocean voyage was had by many who saw the wide expanse of water for. the firat time. The One Hundred and Sixtieth landed at Carrolton, six miles above New Orleans, and, going into camp, passed several weeks
PLATE XXII
OLD HOMESTEAD
HOTEL AND. RES.o EX-SHERIFF M. R. COLE, KIDDER'S FERRY, SENECA CO., N. Y.
RES. OF JOHN S. KNIGHT, LODI TP. SENECA CO., N. Y.
RES. of A. D. SOUTH WICK , JUNIUS TP., SENECA CO.,N.Y.
RES. ÖF HERMAN D. EASTMAN, LODI, SENECA CO., N. Y.
Residence of Col John. Y. Manning, Ovid
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
in drilling and perfecting a discipline which later stood them in good service. Christmas was memorable hy a dinner of mush and molasses, and the serving out of the first ammunition to the men, whose health and spirits were excellent. About the 1st of January, the regiment was ordered to report to General Weitzel, and from that time the One Hundred and Sixtieth were identified with the Seventy-fifth, in the various engagements participated in by the brigade. We have seen in the history of the Seventy-fifth' the valor displayed in action, and none the less, being in line and taking part with them, did the One Hundred and Sixtieth approve themselves worthy comrades in arms. General Weitzel, a gal- lant and discriminating officer, said of the One Hundred and Sixtieth, " An excel- lent fighting regiment, embracing among officers and men material of the highest order as far as character and intelligence are concerned." The list of actions upon its rull is wellnigh a score in number. In various trying times the One Hun- dred and Sixtieth acquitted themselves with a valor which won admiration from other regiments, and contributed materially to stay the tide of threatened disaster. Their first action was on January 13 and 14, 1863, near Pattersonville, Louisiana, in connection with the attack upon the gunhoat " Cotton" and Fort Bisland. The advance from trench to trench in the cane-field, the vigor of the rebel resistance, the mad excitement of war,-all new and strange to men from peaceful pursuits, --- impressed a lesson which deepened resolve and taught the power of unity. For several months camp drilling, picket duty, and expeditions occupied the regiment until the movement in force upon Taylor at Fort Bisland upon April 13 and 14. The enemy were well intrenched, and received the One Hundred and Sixtieth in its advance with a terrible fire, which was borne unflinchingly. Ordered to take part in the siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, the One Hundred and Sixtieth were in action on May 27, June 11 and 14, and were in the trenches when, on July 8, the tidings of surrender afforded relief and gratification. Within a week the action of Donaldsonville was fought, and then eame an interval of quietude. Present at the fiasco at Sabine Pass, September 8; and at Carrion Crow Bayou, October 3, the regiment closed its battle record for the year. In the spring of 1864, the historic advance and defeat of Banks, upon the Red River, illustrated the fruitlessness of valor when managed by incompetence. It is not for us other than briefly to animadvert upon the position of Banks's army when assailed by the enemy at Sabine Cross-Roads. Strung along the road for many miles, corps beyond supporting distance, wagon-trains close upon the advance, it was only by the in- vincible determination of the soldiery that the entire army was saved from cap- ture. On April 9, at the commencement of the retreat, and at Pleasant Hill, the One Hundred and Sixtieth contributed to check the rebel advance. On April 24, at Cane River, and May 16, at Manassas Plains, the regiment was engaged. The brigade was now ordered north, and were engaged at Snicker's Ford, Vir- ginia, July 19; Opequan Creek, near Winchester, September 10; Fisher's Hill, September 22; New Market, September 24; New Town, October 12; and Cedar Creek, October 19. . For its long and active services in the bayous of Louisiana, and the Valley of the Shenandoah, the One Hundred and Sixtieth deserve a better history than we have been able to procure, and it is hoped that its veteran survivors may be able to place upon record a fair and full account of their part in restoring the Union. For distinguished conduct at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, the One Hundred and Sixtieth received the special thanks of Major- General Banks, General Franklin, and General Emory. The regiment was mustered out of service at Savannah, Georgia, on November 1, 1865. The following is the record of Seneca soldiers in the regiment : Thomas Brophy, Patrick Colf, Jolin Foley, and Thomas Safe deserted. Peter Crelly was division wagon-master, First Division Nineteenth Army Corps; Anthony Crull and William Crelly are both dead, the latter was guard at brigade headquarters. William Durnin, Joseph MeCall, Patrick Ryan, Harrison Raymond, and Florence Sullivan were taken prisoners at Sabine Cross-Roads, on April 8, 1864; held in prison at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas, and exchanged October 22, 1864. The last three had been wounded in action at Port Hudson, in June, 1863; Ryan died in hospital September 28, 1865, at Hawkinsville, Georgia. Thomas Flanagan was transferred to the First United States Cavalry. John Hart was discharged, but re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth New York Volunteers, and died at Augusta, Georgia. Thomas Kennedy, discharged, and re-enlisted in the Third New York Artillery ; since dead. John Keegan, killed September 19, 1864, at Winchester, Virginia. William Lane, twice wounded before Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. Patrick Mackin was in every engagement with his company. Thomas Mangan, discharged May 16, 1864. James McGee, mortally wounded at Cedar Creek, October 9, died October 21, 1864. Barney MeGraw, killed in action at Fort Bisland, April 9, 1863. Patrick and Felix MeCabe, the former since dead, were members of the company. Edward Murphy was transferred to the Third New York Artillery. Thomas O'Heran, Second Sergeant, was captured at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864, and a prisoner at Salisbury, North Carolina. Edward Crelly, Fourth Sergeant, was slightly wounded May 27, at Port Hudson.
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