USA > New York > History of the 27th regiment N.Y. Vols. > Part 10
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
IIO
RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
all engaged, and their fire proved very accurate and effective, twice silenc- ing the enemy's guns, and holding in check a large force of his infantry. The officers and men of the division lay or rested upon their arms in line of battle for over forty hours, without leaving their position, and deserve great credit for their fortitude displayed on that occasion.
I append a list of casualties, showing a loss of 5 men killed, 2 officers and 56 men wounded, and 2 men missing ; making a total loss of 65.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, H. W. SLOCUM, Major-General Volunteers, Commanding.
On October 22d our knapsacks that were sent off at Harrison's Landing, on the 11th of August, were returned to us, many of them having been pillaged of their valu- ables.
October 31st we were called at 3 A. M., and after making coffee, fell in line and started on the march, taking the road to the left of Antietam, through Keedysville, and after a pleasant march of about ten miles, we camped near Crampton's Pass, on the opposite side of the mountain from where the fight took place.
September 14th we crossed the mountain, passing over the battle-field and to the right of Burketsville, where we halted a few minutes ; and while here several of our wounded that were left at the village on the day of the fight came to see us. We continued our march through Maryland two days more, then crossed the Potomac on a pontoon bridge at Berlin. This brought us into Loudon county, Va., and our march is to continue up Loudon Val- ley, which is a continuation of Pleasant Valley in Mary- land. Every day there was more or less cannonading in front, as our troops came up with the rear guard of the enemy.
November 4th the regiment was rear guard, and while waiting for the lines to pass us, a vote was taken to see how the men stood for Governor of New York. Wads- worth received twenty-three majority in the regiment, Company "D" giving only one vote against him.
İIİ
GENERAL M'CLELLAN REMOVED.
The 6th and 7th we stayed in camp at White Plains, on account of a severe snow storm. The next day we came to Thoroughfare Gap, when the officers, seeing smoke on the opposite side of the mountain, thought it came from the camp of the enemy. A battery was hastily put in position, our lines of battle formed and skirmishers sent to the front, who soon returned and reported that Gen. Siegel was on the other side with some twelve thousand men. We con- tinued our line of march and at night camped at New Baltimore. The next day, the 10th, Gen. McClellan, hav- ing been removed from the command, rode through the camp, taking leave of the army. He was accompanied by General Burnside, who assumes command. The men were wild with excitement. They threw their hats into the air and cheered their old commander as long as his es- cort was in sight. The rank and file are very much dis- satisfied with his removal, as the soldiers have always idol- ized him. The next day one soldier writes in his diary : "Here we are still in this miserable old camp. There is much excitement among the men. We are growing uneasy as dogs, and hardly know how to content ourselves, on account of the change in commanders. The troops are all discouraged and don't care whether the Union is saved or not." The soldiers at this time did not realize what Gen. McClellan might have done after the battle of Antietam, by following up the enemy more rapidly.
The following is the order relieving Gen. McClellan :
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 1862.
By direction of the President of the United States, it is ordered that Major-Gen. Mcclellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-Gen. Burnside take command of that army.
By order of the Secretary of War.
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
112
RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS.
McClellan's Farewell Address.
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 1 CAMP NEAR RECTORTOWN, Va., Nov. 7, 1862.
Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac :
An order of the President devolves upon Major-Gen. Burnside the command of this army. In parting from you, I cannot express the love and gratitude I bear to you. As an army, you have grown up under my care. In you I have never found doubt or coldness. The battles you have fought under my command, will proudly live in our nation's history. The glory you have achieved, our mutual perils and fatigues, the graves of our comrades fallen in battle and by disease, the broken forms of those whom wounds and sickness have disabled-the strongest associa- tions which can exist among men-unite us still by an indissoluble tie.
We shall ever be comrades in supporting the constitution of our coun- try and the nationality of its people.
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General United States Army.
Gen. Burnside's order assuming command of the Army of the Potomac was now prepared, and read as follows :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY. OF THE POTOMAC, WARRENTOWN, Va., Nov. 9, 1862. 1 General Order No. 1.
In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the President of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac; and the exercise of my every energy in the direction of this army, aided by the full and hearty co-operation of its officers and men, will, I hope, under the blessing of God, ensure its success.
Having been a sharer of the privations, and a witness of the bravery of the old Army of the Potomac in the Maryland campaign, and fully iden- tified in the feelings of respect and esteem for Gen. Mcclellan, entertained through a long and most friendly association with him, I feel that it is not as a stranger that I assume this command. To the Ninth Corps, so long and intimately associated with me, I need say nothing : our histories are identical. With ditfidence for myself, but with a proud confidence in the unswerving loyalty and determination of the gallant army now entrusted to my care, I accept its control with the steadfast assurance that the just cause must prevail.
A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General, Commanding.
-
113
GOOD REASON FOR DISOBEYING ORDERS.
Burnside halted here several days around Warrenton, and reorganized the army upon a novel plan. The six army corps were consolidated into three grand divisions, the right, center, and left, respectively commanded by Gens. Sumner, Hooker, and Franklin. The Sixth Corps now formed a part of the left grand division, and was com- manded by Gen. W. F. (" Baldy") Smith. The first divis- ion, to which our regiment had always been attached, was now commanded by Gen. Brooks, a stern disciplinarian and an able soldier, Gen. Slocum having succeeded to the com- mand of the Twelfth Corps.
On this march the matter of supplies was a vital one to us. The supply trains were often delayed, and yet the strictest rules had been issued that the country through which the army passed should be " protected." No plun- dering was allowed. But it was a hard thing to restrain hungry men from occasionally helping themselves to any good thing they could find. One day Corp. - , of Co. "C." walked into camp and directly past Gen. Brooks' headquarters, with a fine sheep swung over his shoulders. The General halted him and in a peremptory voice de- manded his reasons for disobeying orders. "General," said the soldier, "No sheep must try to bite me. If it does, I shall shoot it, orders or no orders," and immediately walked on to his tent. It is needless to say that the General that day had mutton chops for dinner.
One day, Col. -, of our brigade, calling his orderly, asked: "What's that I smell cooking? Has any one killed the dog?" "Oh, no sir; it's . mutton broth !" "How's that? Have the men been robbing any of the farmers?" " No, sir; our men wouldn't do that." "Then, where did the mutton come from?" "Well, sir, this morning about daybreak, two men of the -- th regi- ment were seen carrying a sheep toward camp. They seemed, sir, to have brought it some distance. Two or three of our boys slipped on their belts, and, taking their muskets, started for the " forgers," who supposing, they were about to be arrested by a detail of the provost guard,
114
RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
dropped the sheep and ran. Of course, sir, the boys couldn't think of leaving the carcass there, and-and- we're to have a mess of mutton broth for dinner."
I have just finished my dinner, and as some of our men could not forage, I would like all to know what a good soldier's dinner is: Recipe-Take a quart cup and put in one spoonful of coffee, one spoonful of sugar, fill to the brim with water ; put it over a fire of coals and boil; this is coffee. 2. Take a frying-pan, cut three slices of fat pork, fry to a crisp. 3. Take five "hard-tacks," soak them in cold water ten minutes, place them in the pan with your pork; fry ten minutes. Having done this, your dinner is ready. Then sit down upon the ground ; take your knife (your fingers serve as a fork) and eat heartily. This is what may be called a good dinner, a cheap one, and the recipe should be carefully preserved.
Sunday, November 16th, broke camp, and started on the march about 7 o'clock. Passed through New Baltimore and Greenville, then turned south and marched through Catlett's Station, going into camp two miles beyond. The day's march was fifteen miles. Here the little gray rabbits were very numerous; they seemed to start up from every bush. The men knocked them over with sticks and stones, and that night rabbit pot-pie was the favorite dish in camp. On this march I congratulated myself on having confis- cated a pillow-case full of flour. I carried it on my shoul- ders nearly two miles, when one of the battery boys offered to relieve me by carrying it to camp on a gun carriage-and he did relieve me most effectually, for I have never seen it since. After two days more of marching, we went into camp near Stafford Court House, where we remained for some time. The weather was cold and stormy, and as we had only green pine for fires, the men were soon smoked up, and became the color of a sugar-cured ham.
November 27th the regiment was ordered on picket, and after a long march they formed the line a few miles from Aquia Creek. This being Thanksgiving Day in the State of New York, the boys are thinking much of home. This
115
THANKSGIVING DINNER.
is the way one man gives his experience, in his diary, next morning :
" Four of us are on post near the forks of a road. We are not allowed to have any fires on the post at night, and the boys complain bitterly of the cold. We built us a shanty of brush and got some hay and made a comfortable bed. It was a bright moonlight night, and as I passed up and down my lonely beat, I had pleasant thoughts of home and often wished I could have a share of the good things from the home Thanksgiving table; for our rations were very short and I had only a small piece of boiled beef, with coffee and crackers, and a lot of ripe persim- mons, which are very plentiful in this section. But war will have an end, and we will return and join our loved ones, and share of the good things there."
The men on reserve, however, fared much better. They foraged about the country and had a good supply of chick- . en, bread, eggs, milk and sweet potatoes.
Returned from picket duty on the 29th, and remained in this camp until December 4th. While in camp at Stafford Court House, one of the hospital tents took fire and one patient was suffocated. There was one case of small-pox while in this camp. The patient was quarantined in a small tent at some distance from the camp.
We marched at daylight on the above date-a long march-and camped on the top of a hill, where the wind was piercingly cold. We gathered some dried grass and made as comfortable beds as possible. The next morn- ing we removed our tents and put them in a piece of woods where it was more sheltered, and made ourselves quite comfortable. It began to rain about 9 o'clock, and we did not expect to move ; but about noon orders came to pack up, and we started back towards Belle Plain, a place that we passed yesterday. We had a very hard march of four miles. The rain had turned to snow : it was very muddy and very cold, and proved to be the most disagreeable march we had ever had. They led us out on the open plain near the river, where we stacked arms, just at dark.
116
RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS.
The snow and mud were several inches deep. The cold wind swept over the plain. There was no wood for fires and no place to lie down. Being thoroughly soaked, the men could not stand it: so we left the plains and went into the woods on the heights, about a mile back from the river. Here we built huge fires and remained all night. drying our clothes and blankets, and getting but little sleep. The weather cleared about midnight, and there was an eclipse of the moon that attracted a great deal of atten- tion.
The next morning we returned to the plain, took our arms, and went into an old camp near the landing. It seems that our brigade had been detailed and sent here to guard the landing and unload boats.
The following day, December 7th, was the coldest day we had ever experienced in Virginia. Ice formed in the : Potomac so that the boats had great difficulty in landing, and some of the men crossed the river on the ice. Many took to the woods again, and spent their Sunday around the fires, having suffered very much from cold and hunger. To this day the men well remember their experience at Belle Plain. One soldier, writing to a comrade recently, says: "Whenever I hear the wind blowing on some cold and snowy day or night, I shudder and think of Belle Plain."
On fatigue duty, unloading boats, during the 8th and 9th. The sutler arrived on the 9th, and put up a big tent, well stocked with goods, but refused to sell to the men except for cash, and at exorbitant prices. That night some of the men made a charge upon the establishment, tore down the tent, and seized the goods. Some had an armful of to- bacco; others, fine-tooth combs : some, boxes of sardines, buckskin gloves, and the various articles usually kept on sale. It took half the night to swap round, and get things evenly divided.
The next morning we were made glad by orders to march and join the division. We started at 8 o'clock, and while on the march, all along the line, men were shouting, " Who'll
117
FIRST BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
swap a right for a left?" and vice versa. When they ob- tained these gloves from the sutler the night before, time was too pressing to notice whether all had mates or not. After marching five miles we went into camp, at White Oak Church.
The roll of the drum summoned the men in line at 5 A.M., on the morning of December 11th, 1862. At about 8 o'clock we left our camp at White Oak Church, taking up the line of march towards the river. Cannonading commenced in the direction of Fredericksburg very early, and continued very rapidly all day. About noon we reached the Rappa- hannock, a short distance below Fredericksburg, and from our position on the bluffs, bordering the valley, we had a fine view of Fredericksburg and the fortified hills in rear. It was a beautiful day,-a warm sunshine and smoky atmo- sphere reminding one of a Northern Indian summer. Be- low, on the river, the engineers brigade was engaged laying the pontoon bridges, subject to the annoying fire of the enemy's sharp-shooters, who were plainly seen on the other side of the river.
We were marched down to a level plain near the bank of the river, when suddenly all the batteries, which had been stationed on high ground a little back from the river, opened fire and sent a continuous stream of shells over our heads, across the river, into the city, and over the plain below. Sixty shells a minute went whizzing through the air, and crashing through buildings, while the earth fairly shook be- neath the terrific cannonade. The scene was one of awful grandeur. A dark column of smoke rose heavenward from the doomed city, showing that the explosives were doing effective work. The bombardment continued about an hour, when the pontoon bridges in our front were com- pleted, and we were ordered to advance. Above, opposite the city, the bridges could not be completed till the troops had crossed over in boats, and driven the sharp-shooters out of the houses. This was done in a most gallant manner by the Both New York, the 19th and 20th Massachusetts, and the 7th Michigan.
118
RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS.
Just at dark the 27th crossed the river, following a Rhode Island regiment that moved off to the right, while our regi- ment moved obliquely to the left, and advanced with the steadiness of a dress parade, about a mile, when we found ourselves close up to the enemy's lines ; and we could see through the darkness the outlines of moving forms. The men all along the line wondered at the mysterious move- ment, sending a regiment squarely up to the rebel line, with no troops to support us, and a river between us and our army. A halt was made and the men lay down, but soon a retreat was ordered, in a whisper, and the regiment marched back to the river in good order, recrossed the bridge and went into camp for the night.
While all this was going on, the men of the Soth New York and other troops were holding high carnival in the lower part of the city. Houses were entered and articles of food seized. Bacon and eggs were plenty. The soldiers were determined to enjoy one square meal. They baked hot cakes in the kitchen and ate them with sugar and mo- lasses. Mattresses and beds were carried into the streets and laid upon the sidewalks for a place to rest. Some dressed themselves in the old-fashioned clothes found in the houses, and sang to the music of pianos that were also taken into the street. A citizen of Fredericksburg remarked after the war, that he believed " a Yankee could cat, drink, and lie down to sleep in the very jaws of death ; for," said he, "on that eventful night when the Confederates were still in the city, the Union soldiers acted as though there was no one to fight north of Richmond. Why," he added, "it was the biggest jamboree Fredericksburg ever saw "" In- deed it was a first-class " jamboree," from the time Burn- side opened on the town with his artillery.
December 12th we were called at 4 A. M., and at 8 o'clock the troops began to cross the river. Soon after, our regi- ment fell in and marched over, taking position first on the right, then on the left, and finally moving to the center of the line, advanced about a mile. A dense fog shielded our movements from the enemy, who were posted on a range
119
STORMING MARY'S HEIGHTS.
of hills in the form of a half circle, reaching from above Fredericksburg southeast, some four miles, while we were on a level plain, extending from the river some two miles, to the foot of the hills. About 9 o'clock the fog lifted, and the enemy opened on us with their batteries from the for- tified heights in our front. We were ordered to take shelter in a ravine, which protected us from their fire. They con- tinued to shell us for about an hour, many of the shells bursting right over us, and our batteries occasionally reply- ing. At last all became quiet, and as the ravine furnished us wood and water, we made ourselves comfortable, and leisurely cooked our dinner.
At 3 P. M. the enemy opened on us again, and this time fired pieces of railroad iron, about two feet long, which went over our heads, burying themselves in the opposite bank, doing us no harm, but making a horrible noise. Whenever the discharge of a cannon in the fort was seen, the men would cry out, "Lie down ! another blacksmith shop is coming !"
Brisk firing now commenced on our right,-first cannon- ading, then musketry. It was our troops charging the heights back of Fredericksburg, and, although we could not see them, every comrade knew, from the noise, that it was desperate fighting. At dark all became quiet, and re- mained so all night, but it was so cold we could not sleep. The morning of the 13th, cold, foggy and dark, found us still in the ravine, and in line of battle before daylight ; and, as one soldier writes: " We expect to try our hand to- day. God grant to give us success, and take me to Him- self, if I am killed. I will trust in Him, and not fear what man can do unto me; and will try and do my duty, and fight worthy the cause we are defending." But no orders to march were received, and after standing under arms for an hour, we were dismissed, and allowed to cook our break- fast. About noon our batteries on the right began to shell the heights, which brought on an artillery duel, that was kept up at intervals all day. There was also heavy mus- ketry firing at intervals on our left, and also on the right ;
CAPT. H. SEYMOUR PIERCE, CO. "G.'
I21
RECROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
but the only engagement in our front was an advance just at dark by the First Jersey brigade, who carried two lines of the enemy's works, but could not hold them, and were driven back with heavy loss. After this, all became quiet, and we stacked arms for the night.
Sunday, December 14th, there was more or less picket firing all night, so we got but little rest. The enemy opened the ball a little to the left of our position, and soon after the firing became fast and furious on the right. Our men were making another desperate effort to carry the for- tified heights back of Fredericksburg. Twice they reached the outer works, but with numbers so reduced that they could not carry the works, and had to retreat. About 8 o'clock we were sent to the front to relieve the 8th Jersey regiment on picket, and were ordered close up to the ene- my's works, where we lay down and were partially pro- tected by a slight rise in the ground, and further protected by our knapsacks, which every man set up before him. Every head that came up above their line of works would receive a volley, and they would answer us with one in return. Picket firing was kept up most of the day and numbers were killed on both sides, but none of our regi- ment were hurt. . The rebels finally sent in a flag of truce, asking for time to bury their dead, and picket firing ceased. Some of our boys went over and shook hands with the rebels. One deserter gave himself up to our regiment. The weather was very fine and we passed a comfortable night, but were not allowed to sleep. Just before daylight on Monday, the 15th, we were relieved by the 96th Penn- sylvania, when we moved back to the ravine and cooked our breakfast. Here we remained quiet all day. There was but little firing anywhere along the lines, and at night we prepared for a good rest, but at midnight orders came to move, and we marched back and crossed the river.
It was now evident that our army had been defeated again. The whole army was safely withdrawn across the river during the night. All were much discouraged and disheartened. We had learned nothing definite of our loss,
122
RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS.
but imagined that it was very great, and began to fear that we should never conquer the rebels. Our regiment went into camp on a side-hill a little back from the stream, and we lay down to rest. Soon it commenced raining hard and continued so till morning, when we arose, wet, hungry, and tired, but thankful that our lives were spared and that we were not wounded.
Soon after daylight on the 16th, the enemy having got a battery in position, began to shell our camp, as a parting salute. This caused us to pack up lively and move back out of range, where we put up our tents and had a good day's rest. Thus ended the first battle of Fredericksburg, under Burnside, that for courage, bravery, and reckless sac- rifice of life had not been equaled in any battle of the war. After dark we were ordered to go on picket on the bank of the river, where we relieved the 2d Pennsylvania Reserves, who cautioned us not to show ourselves, as the enemy would pick off any one at whom they could get a shot. The night was very cold, and even the reserves could not sleep.
At daylight we found the enemy's pickets on the other side of the river, and could see that they were carefully watching us After a while one of our men, without ex- posing himself, called out, " Hello, Johnnie!" The answer came back, " Hello, Yank!" "Say, Johnnie, we won't fire if you won't !" " All right ; we won't fire unless the officer of the day comes and orders us to, and then we will fire high until you get under cover."
Taking them at their word, we stepped from behind our shelter, when they did the same; and we all walked down close to the shore, where the river was not more than four or five rods wide, and opened conversation with the " John- nies." We found some of them were the Texans, whom we had fought at West Point and Gaines' Mill ; and others of the 4th Alabama, whom we had already met four times in battle. We invited them to come across the river, and have a social time, with the promise that they should return without hindrance from us. Soon a boat was found, and pushed off from the other side, filled with Texans. On
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.