History of the 27th regiment N.Y. Vols. , Part 6

Author: Fairchild, Charles Bryant, 1842- comp
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Binghamton, N.Y., Carl & Matthews, printers
Number of Pages: 654


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Of the many other officers of less rank-the non-commissioned officers and soldiers-I cannot speak in detail. Like soldiers and like men, they performed their duty and met their fate, and a grateful country will long bear them, and the thousand nameless heroes of this conflict, who have offered up their lives at the nation's shrine, in lasting and honored remem- brance.


H. W. SLOCUM, Commanding First Division Sixth Corps.


Report of Col. Jos. J. Bartlett, Twenty-Seventh New York Infantry, Commanding Second Brigade, of the Battle of Gaines' Mill.


H'QRS 2D BRIGADE, GEN. Stoery's Div., 6TH PROV. ARMY CORPS, / HARRISON'S LANDING, Va., July 7, 1562. -


Stk :- At daylight on the 27th of June, I put my command under arms, in light marching order, in compliance with orders from Brigadier-Gen. HI. W. Slocum, commanding division, and moved at 5:30 .A. M. to a posi- tion near Duane's Bridge. About to o'clock A. M. I was ordered to move back to camp. While on the march the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery upon our lines, and I was once more ordered back to the bridge. to prevent any attempted passage by the enemy, who were now threaten . ing Gen. Porter's forces on the left bank of the Chickahominy.


After partially destroying the bridge, by order of Gen. W. B. Franklin, commanding Sixth Provisional Army Corps. I was relieved by a portion of Gen. Brooks' brigade, and marched about 2:30 o'clock, pursuant to orders of Gen. Slocum, to cross Woodbury's Bridge, and hasten to the assistance of Gen. Porter's forces, who were at the time being severely


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pressed. I accordingly reported to Brigadier-Gen. Slocum, on the first hill rising above the river on its left bank, about 4 o'clock p. M., and was ordered by him to proceed to the extreme left and engage an enemy, who seemed at that distance to be turning our flank. Nearing the position indicated, it was found to be thoroughly protected by Acting Brigadier- Gen. Averell's cavalry and Rush's lancers, and that the enemy was being driven by our infantry through the woods. I discovered, however, that our troops were being repulsed in my immediate front, and hastened to form line of battle to support our hard-pressed lines. The Sixteenth New York, which led my brigade, was already formed and moving for- ward, when I was ordered by an aid-de-camp of Gen. Porter, command- ing, to report with my command on the extreme right of the field, to Brigadier-Gen. Sykes, commanding the division of regular infantry, which I did at about 4:30 P. M., suffering a loss of fifteen killed and wounded, by round shot and shell, while making the flank march across the whole length of the battle-field from left to right.


Immediately upon reporting to Gen. Sykes, I was permitted to cover my command in a ravine to his rear and right, and allow the men to rest. of which they were greatly in need. Capt. Porter's First Massachusetts battery reported to me at this juncture for orders, and seeing no chance to engage the battery, commanded as it was by an officer whose rare merits and brilliant reputation were well known to me, I was obliged to shelter it in the ravine in rear of my infantry, which position it kept until an enfilading fire from a battery on the extreme left of the enemy's line was poured upon it, to which it was impossible to reply from any position that could be taken up by him. I then ordered it to take position to the rear in the second line.


At 5 o'clock P. M. I was ordered by Gen. Sykes to bring forward my men to support the troops on his left and a portion of his own command, who were unable longer to withstand the fierce attacks and withering fire of the enemy, who were slowly but surely forcing back the right of the entire line of battle. At this juncture I ordered forward the Sixteenth New York Volunteers, Col. Joseph Howland commanding. From the position of the regiment it was necessary to change front forward on first company under the most terrific fire of musketry, with the shells and round shot of two batteries raking over the level plain, making it seem- ingly impossible for a line to withstand the fire a single instant. But with the calmness and precision of veteran soldiers the movement was executed, and the line, giving three cheers, long and loud. rushed on to relieve their now routed friends, led by their noble colonel and myself in


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BARTLETT'S REPORT.


person. The position was gained, and I then ordered up the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania, Col. Cake commanding, to continue my line to the left. The murderous fire across the plain rendered it almost impossible for their gallant colonel, aided by Lieutenant-Col. Frick and Major Martin, to form his line of battle ; and I am pained to state that their noble exer- tions were not in many instances seconded by some of the line officers, who lacked that impulsive enthusiasm and cool determination required of them under such trying circumstances, and I was forced to lead forward the third regiment in line, the 5th Maine Volunteers, Col. N. J. Jackson. This regiment also changed its front in the most soldierly manner, and under the sweeping storm of iron and leaden hail, sent up their battle- shout and rushed upon the enemy, forcing back his lines and holding the crest of the hill in our front, from which our troops had so recently been driven.


The Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, Lieut .- Col. A. D. Adams commanding, was now ordered to the front, and after executing the same maneuver of changing front under the same scathing fire, charged bayo- nets, and giving three ringing cheers rushed at double quick upon the enemy, who occupied the left crest of the hill, on which was a dwelling and numerous outhouses ; nor did they stand to meet the impetuosity of their charge, but retreated so precipitately that they left as prisoners in our hands two of their officers, who were vainly endeavoring to make them stand their ground. Thus the left and right of my line of battle being retaken and established, and the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volun- teers being in line and eager for the fight, I ordered them to the front, and most nobly now did they respond to the command. No officer or man faltered, and their solid and unwavering line pressed forward to their position, and completed the front.


The enemy now hurled his fresh troops in double numbers against my line, directing his heaviest fire upon my left, and the Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers and Fifth Maine staggered back under the fearful fire ; but it was the recoil of the lion to gather new strength to support the un- daunted resolution of every breast, and once more every man sprang to the front, where they nobly maintained the fight, without giving an inch of ground to the enemy, until long after darkness showed the flash of every musket, and revealed to the enemy how small a force was holding them in check.


To meet the fire which came from our left, Col. Howland, who held the right of my position, changed front forward on tenth company, and the line thus established held its position until all firing of musketry had


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ceased on the field, except that from my own brigade; and not until nearly every cartridge had been expended, was the order given to retire behind our batteries, which were posted about 600 yards in the rear.


In retiring, I first withdrew my right regiment in line of battle, then the next from the right, holding the two left regiments to protect the movements. as I was completely flanked on the left by a brigade of the enemy, which he had moved up in the darkness from the woods, and had just opened a galling cross-fire upon my left and rear.


The withdrawal of my brigade was done under my immediate com- mand, regiment by regiment, and in as good order as when they were taken into the field.


From the moment my troops were engaged up to 8:30 o'clock P. M. (at which hour it was too dark to distinguish an enemy at the distance of fifty paces), they nobly held the position assigned to them, and regretted the necessity which compelled them to retire from the field. I formed a new line of battle in front of the hospital on the second hill from the bridge with the Twenty-seventh and Sixteenth New York, and a part of the Fifth Maine, the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers having, by some unac- countably mistaken order, recrossed the bridge and returned to their camp. At 12:30 A. M. I was ordered to recross the Chickahominy, and repair to the camp occupied by the brigade before the battle.


With many painful regrets I have to report the loss of five hundred officers and men. It is with sorrow that I record the death of Lieutenant- Col. W. S. Heath. Fifth Maine Volunteers, who was killed by a rifle-shot through the forehead, while gallantly leading his men to the charge. Col. N. J. Jackson being wounded in the arm in the first part of the engage- ment, the command devolved upon this able, accomplished and devoted officer, who fell nobly discharging his duties to his regiment, his State, and his country. Lieutenant-Col. Samuel Marsh, Sixteenth New York Volunteers, was mortally wounded in the neck by a minie ball whilst riding in front of his regiment, waving his sword and cheering his men on to noble deeds. The service has lost in Lieutenant-Col. Marsh an able officer and a true patriot, and his brother officers a genial companion and a noble friend. Lieut. E. T. Ellrich, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Vohmn- teers, and Lieut. A. M. Barnard, Sixteenth New York Volunteers, were killed while faithfully and fearlessly discharging their duties.


Were I to direct your attention to the bravery and efficiency, the cool- ness or the intrepidity of any individual officer. I fear I should by impli- cation wrong the majority of my command. In the reports made to nie by the commanding officers of regiments, none have been more favorably


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mentioned than others, while all assign the same reason for the omission of a time-honored practice-that when all were brave, energetic and effi- cient, no invidious distinction could be drawn. It is left for me, therefore, to mention only those whose modesty restrained them from recounting their own valor and efficiency.


I would particularly mention Col. Cake, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who exhibited rare traits of military excellence. Cool, ener- getic, fearless and decided, with the assistance of Lieutenant-Col. Frick and Major Martin, he has won an enviable name for his regiment, which will always be sustained while the command rests in its present hands.


To Col. Joseph Howland I am indebted for maintaining the extreme right of my line ; for nobly leading his regiment to the charge, and re- taking two guns from the enemy. Whatever of noble, moral, physical, and manly courage has ever been given by God to man, has fallen to his lot. Cheering his men on to victory, he early received a painful wound, but with a heroism worthy of the cause he has sacrificed so much to maintain, he kept his saddle until the close of the battle, and not till then yielded to the painful and exhausted condition to which he had been reduced.


Col. N. J. Jackson, Fifth Maine Volunteers, was wounded while lead- ing his regiment to the charge on the extreme left of the line. His cool- ness and clear, decided tones, kept his regiment like one man moving steadily to the front. In him I lose an able, efficient and manly officer.


Lieut .- Col. A. D. Adams, commanding the Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, led his regiment in a brave, masterly manner, and maintained one of the most important positions of the line, with a full and clear com- prehensiveness of the critical position the whole army would be placed in were he to falter or give way. He was everywhere, encouraging and di- recting his men, and three times during the terrible fight we were main- taining, he closed up and dressed his thin and serried ranks, and finally led off from the field a weakened but well-aligned battalion. It is enough to say that under his command the Twenty-seventh has fully sustained its former reputation. He was nobly assisted by Major C. C. Gardiner, who was early wounded in the action by a shell.


Major Seaver, Sixteenth New York Volunteers, established a name on this occasion of which he may well be proud. He was fearless, enthusi- astic and efficient, and nobly fills the place made vacant by Col. Howland and the lamented Lieutenant-Col. Maish.


I cannot close my report without mentioning Lient. Robert P. Wilson, my acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lient. M. E. Richards, my aid- de-camp. Both were all that could be expected of educated, brave and


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dashing young gentlemen. At no moment of the action were they screened from the leaden hail that was showered upon the field. Prompt and cor- rect in promulgating orders, they exposed themselves along the whole front, and were unceasing in their endeavors to aid me in every way. I ask for them your consideration.


I herewith annex an official report of killed, wounded and missing, in my brigade.


Very respectfully, JOSEPH J. BARTLETT,


Colonel 27th N. Y. Vols., Commanding 2d Brigade.


Capt. H. C. ROGERS, Act. Assist. Adjutant-General. .


Report of Lieutenant-Col. Alexander D. Adams, Twenty- seventh N. Y. Infantry, of the Battle of Gaines' Mill.


HDQRS. TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS .. IN THE FIELD, July 6, 1862.


SIR :- I have the honor to transmit a report of the action of the Twenty- seventh Regiment of New York Volunteers, on Friday, the 27th ultimo. Together with the other regiments composing the brigade, the Twenty- seventh moved from camp at an early hour towards Duane's Bridge, for the purpose of supporting the divisions of Gen. Porter, then being en- gaged with the enemy. About 4 o'clock P. M. the brigade was moved rap- idly down to Woodbury's (or Alexander's) Bridge, " where it crossed, and turning to the left, was marched toward the left of the field of battle on Gaines' Hill. This regiment, being on the left, was first overtaken by an aid-de-camp of Gen. Porter, who desired that it might be halted while he overtook the head of the columin, as Gen. Porter desired that Col. Bart. lett's brigade should go to the assistance of the right wing. The delay, however, was momentary. The head of the column filing almost immedi- ately toward the right, the regiment resumed its position and marched across in rear of the line of battle, under a heavy fire of artillery and mus- ketry, to the position assigned. Here Col. Bartlett, commanding, placed


*It will be noticed that there is a discrepancy in the reports as to the name of the bridge crossed. It seems that when the order came in the morning for the division to cross the river, the line started over Wood- bury's bridge, but was recalled. The advance to the battle was made over Alexander's bridge.


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REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COL. ADAMS.


the brigade, formed in close column by division, in a ravine, where the men were completely covered, and where they were ordered to lie down and rest until called into action.


In about thirty minutes the regiments were called up in succession, deployed into line of battle, changed front forward, and thrown across a slightly rising level field toward the enemy, under a severe hre. The right of the Twenty-seventh was directed upon a house surrounded by outbuild- ings and an orchard, from which the enemy were firing. When within about fifty yards, and before delivering a shot, at the command, "For- ward to the charge !" the line advanced at double-quick, crossed the fence in rear of the house, and came up to the front fence, where it encountered a destructive fire at close range. The enemy did not offer any resistance to the charge, and a rapid, steady fire was opened on him, evidently doing great execution. At this point two officers were taken prisoners and sent to Col. Bartlett.


A fresh force appearing on the right, the fire of the right wing was directed obliquely against it. Soon after, it was represented that we were firing on our own men, and not knowing how far the Sixteenth New York, whose constant volleys were heard on our right, might have advanced, the order was given to cease firing, and re-form line of battle on the fence in rear before mentioned.


While this was being coolly executed, the smoke lifted partially, dis- closing an apparently fresh line of the enemy in front. The Twenty- seventh was at once advanced to its former position, and again opened an effective fire. The small buildings offered a partial cover to a few of the men, who were enabled to fire with the utmost precision at a rest. The fire of the enemy slackened about dusk for a little, and word was again brought that our own brigade had advanced on the right so as to come within range of the fire of the Twenty-seventh. These reports coming, as before,. from officers, induced another order to cease firing, which, how- ever, was speedily revoked, as the flashes of the muskets revealed the position of the enemy. Again the line opened, though the rapidly gather- ing gloom rendered the aim somewhat uncertain. The cessation of the firing on the right of the brigade having attracted attention, it was deemed advisable to re-form the line-by this time considerably thinned-on the fence in rear of the house (about three rods), which offered the nearest ad- vantageous position, owing to the location of the various buildings. The appearance of a large force (apparently a brigade) on the left, marching as if to thank this brigade, who responded irregularly to the challenge of the color-bearer (and who were afterwards ascertained to be the enemy), de-


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cided the propriety of this maneuver. While this was being accomplished, Col. Bartlett in person gave the order for the regiment to retire in order. On reaching the ravine from which the brigade had advanced, the regiment found itself in its proper position, on the left ot the column.


Early in the action two companies or more of the Fifth Maine Volun- teers, with Capt. Edwards at the head, asked permission to join the line of the Twenty-seventh, stating that they had become separated from their regiment, their colonel and lientenant-colonel having fallen, and there being no mounted officer to direct them. The request was at once granted, and they continued with the regiment, doing most efficient service in gal- lant style.


The conduct of officers and men was admirable, the former seeming to vie with each other in the performance of their duties, and the latter wait- ing only the word of command, which insured prompt obedience. The temporary confusion caused here and there during the engagement, by the nature of the position, the falling of comrades, and more particularly by the fire of our own battery directly in our rear, the shots from which passed close over, and in three instances caused trifling injuries to the men, was promptly corrected by the united efforts of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men.


Instances of individual heroism are not wanting, though perhaps not suitable for this report.


The list of casualties, heretofore sent to headquarters, comprises 12 killed, HIS wounded, and 32 missing.


I am, very respectfully, ALEX. D. ADAMS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.


Lieutenant WILSON.


Act. Assist. Adjutant-Gen. 2d Brigade, Slocum's Division.


Swinton's " Army of the Potomac," page 151, says :


"And thus it happened that, while on the north side of the Chicka- hominy, thirty thousand Union troops were being assailed by seventy thousand Confederates, twenty-five thousand Confederates on the south side held in check sixty thousand Enion troops ! When therefore, Lee, with all his divisions in hand, made a general advance, it was with an overwhelming weight and pressure. The right held its ground with much stubbornness, repulsing every attack. That wing was held by Sykes' division of regulars, and Grithin's brigade, and was subsequently rein- forced by Bartlett's brigade, of Slocum's division."


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GENERAL MAGRUDER'S REPORT.


Gen. McClellan's entire army was now south of the Chickahominy, and all communication had been cut off with White House Landing. There were probably nearly, if not quite, ninety thousand men for duty in the army after the battle of Gaines' Mill; and with that body of troops united south of the river, and the main portion of the rebel army on the opposite side, with the bridges de- stroyed, the capture of Richmond would seem to have been an easy task, had McClellan scen fit to advance upon the enemy which remained in the works before Richmond.


The Confederate Gen. Magruder, in his official report of his part in the "Seven-Days" struggle, says :


" From the time at which the enemy withdrew his forces to this side of the Chickahominy, and destroyed the bridges, to the moment of his evac- uation-that is, from Friday night until Sunday morning-1 considered the situation of our army as extremely critical and perilous. The larger portion of it was on the opposite side of the Chickahominy, * * and there were. but twenty-five thousand men between his (Mcclellan's) army of one hundred thousand and Richmond."


While we were in camp at Mechanicsville, in the early part of June, some of the scouts of McDowell's army reached our lines with the intelligence, that that army was within a few days' march of us, and would soon join us. McDowell and Fremont were in the Shenandoah Valley, holding Stonewall Jackson in check, and expecting to come to our support, and help take Richmond. But on the 25th it was learned, through a deserter. that Jackson had eluded McDowell and Fremont, and with fifteen brigades, under Whiting and Ewell, was on his way to join Lee, and attack McClellan. It was Jackson, with these forces, who opened the fight on our right, at Gaines' Mill.


June 28th. On this date was inaugurated the famous "change of front," or retreat of our army across the penin- sula to the James River. The 27th Regiment was called out at 5 A. M., in heavy marching order. and moved towards the river to support one of our batteries. About 9 o'clock we were shelled out by the Confederate batteries on the north side of the river, in the vicinity of Porter's position


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of yesterday. We were ordered to fall back about a mile, out of range, where we remained till 2 o'clock, when we moved down to the river, in the woods, and went on picket duty for the night.


The next morning, the 29th, we joined in the general movement to the rear, and when we reached Savage's Sta- tion, the line was halted and line of battle was formed, facing to the rear. After remaining awhile, we moved on, and the scenes that met our eyes beggar description. It had been found necessary to destroy the Commissary stores and Quartermasters' supplies, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. There were many smoldering piles, and others still burning; and there were deafening and incessant reports from the explosion of shells and am- munition among the stores that were being destroyed. A train of cars loaded with ammunition, was set on fire, and then the engine was started, on a down grade, and it made a rapid run for the river; and, the bridge being de- stroyed, it plunged in, amid the roar of bursting shells !


Here we found the hospitals filled with the wounded from the battle-field of Gaines' Mill. Scores of mangled men lay upon the ground around the hospital tents: their wearied, haggard and smoke-begrimed faces, which looked up to us, appealed not less strongly than their words, that they should not be left to fall into the hands of the enemy. Capt. Wells, of Co. "C," succeeded in getting control of three ambulances, and loaded into them all the wounded of his company, and some other wounded men of the regi- ment, and these were taken away before the enemy came up.


Certainly these scenes were more trying to the spirit of the soldier than the combats that ensued. The narrow roads were choked with the endless trains of artillery, army wagons, and ambulances with their sad burdens.


Truly, "This is a time that tries men's souls." What is to become of the wounded who cannot bear the jolting and swaying of the ambulances? Are the hospital tents, with their faithful nurses, to be abandoned to the enemy? It may be that the safety of the army demands it. Various


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CAPT. C. A. WELLS, CO. "C."


RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.


are the reflections of men of diverse temperaments. Now we hear from a dust-begrimed veteran, with sleepless eyes, an optimist to the core: " I have not the faintest doubt of the final triumph of our cause, and I have the firmest faith in our commander-in-chief." Then one officer replies to another, who asks: "Where are we going?" "To the James, to take transports to Fortress Monroe. The Southern Confederacy will be recognized within a week."


We moved on from Savage Station, across White Oak Swamp. There was heavy firing in our rear, by the troops in and around Savage Station. After crossing the swamp we went on picket, and remained all night. Early Monday morning, the 30th, we were ordered out to support one of our batteries on the right of Charles City road, in a posi- tion to prevent the enemy crossing or repairing the bridges, which had now been destroyed. A terrific cannonade was kept up all day, and we were under fire most of the time. but no one was hurt in our regiment, except the adjutant, who was knocked off from his horse.




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