USA > New York > History of the 27th regiment N.Y. Vols. > Part 7
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We held our ground till 2 o'clock A. M. of the Ist of July, when we moved on till 9 o'clock, at which time we halted to breakfast, on our small allowance of rations; and again, at noon, to boil coffee, when we moved on to Malvern Hill, and took up a position on the right of the army. Here we went into the woods and threw up small breastworks. as we were ordered to hold this position, to prevent a flank move- ment of the enemy. We remained there till 2 o'clock on the morning of the 2d.
Malvern Hill is an elevated plateau, about a mile and a half by three-fourths of a mile in area ; generally cleared of timber, and converging roads running over it. It possesses great natural advantages. In front are defensible ravines, and the ground, sloping towards the north and east, affords the artillery a clear range. Towards the northwest the pla- teau falls abruptly into a flat, extending to the James River. The dwelling which crowns the hill. is a quaint structure of the last century, built of red brick, and stands about a thousand yards from the river,-commanding a beautiful
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BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL.
view of the river for many miles. It was immediately oc- cupied as headquarters of the various corps and divisions; and the signal officers took possession of the roof, where their parti-colored flags were to be a guide for the artillery of the gunboats stationed in Turkey Bend.
It was an eventful period in the retreat to the James. Lee had determined to bag and capture the National army, or drive it into the James. The right of our line was made as secure as possible by barricading the roads and slashing the timber. On the left, it was feared the main attack would be made. Porter's corps held the left, with his ar- tillery advantageously posted ; while the reserve artillery was so disposed that the fire of sixty guns could be concen- trated on any point in front or to the left. Ten siege guns were planted on the crest of the hill, and all the batteries available were ready to deal out their missiles of death. Between 9 and 10 .A. M. the enemy commenced feeling of the left wing. At 2 P. M. a column moved to the right, within the skirt of wood in front of Heintzleman, but be- yond artillery range, and soon disappeared. About 3 P. M. a heavy artillery fire opened on Kearney's left. The in- fantry lay upon the ground until the enemy was within short range-when they sprang to their feet, and gave them a deadly volley! which forced the rebels to retreat in disorder. Again all was quiet till 6 o'clock, when brigade after brigade, having formed under cover of the woods in front of Couch and Porter, started on a run across the open plain, and attempted to charge on our batteries; but the fire of the artillery and infantry sent them reeling back to the woods, leaving the ground covered with their dead and wounded. Then came the bayonet charge of our lines, cap- turing many prisoners and colors. It would seem that, after these repulses, they would abandon the undertaking. Not so : again, at 7 P. M., from the dark pine forest, at a double- quick, came their yelling hordes once more, determined, if possible, to take the position so sternly defended ; but they were compelled to retire to the shelter of the ravines, woods and swamps, utterly broken.
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RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
Shortly after 9 o'clock the artillery ceased its fire, and the Army of the Potomac had again checked the advance of the Confederate Army.
We had plainly won a battle, and still occupied a position on and around Malvern Hill, from which, it would seem, offensive operations could have been directed against a beaten enemy; but the order came to fall back, and take position at Harrison's Landing, on the James River.
Wednesday, July 2d, at 2 A. M., we started on the march, and, though it was short, it was unexampled for mud, slush. vexation and misery. Rain fell incessantly. The roads were mainly used by the artillery and wagons, and the sol- diers were compelled to take their way, generally, through the fields and woods. Mud was everywhere, and many lost their shoes, and even stockings, in the clayey, dark-brown mixture. Many fell out by the way, weakened, as they were, by a week's steady marching and maneuvering, and a very small allowance of sleep ; while hunger added its pangs, to help fill our cup of misery. And yet we can all recall the laughter which rang out sometimes at an unlucky fall, accompanied by a curse from the victim.
So we plodded along till after noon, when we went into camp in an immense wheat field-the stalks as high as the waist; but before night not a green spear or root was dis- cernible, as the whole field had become an area of gray paste, by the ceaseless tramp of soldiers and horses. We drew a scanty supply of rations, a half-gill of whiskey, and then lay down and slept soundly till the next morning.
The familiar sound of cannonading awoke every one early on the 3d, and we were called out in heavy marching order. We stood along the road all day, as the mud was so deep that we could not find a place to sit down. We moved about a mile, and went into camp, in a nice field, drew a full supply of rations, and felt quite recruited.
July 4th we moved our camp again, about a mile, cleared off the ground, pitched our tents in good order, and found ourselves in a pleasant camp, near a supply of good water. We then turned in to help celebrate the Natal day. The
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LOSSES IN THE SEVEN DAYS' FIGHT.
gunboats and batteries fired a National salute, just to let the enemy know that the " Yankees" were still alive.
The week of battle was over; and, according to McClel- lan's reports, " The total loss of our army, in the engage- ments from the 26th of June to the Ist of July, inclusive, was 15,849;" that of the Confederate army, 19,749. The Confederate losses, in killed and wounded alone, were greater than the total losses of the Army of the Potomac, in killed. wounded and missing. McClellan says: "No praise can be too great for officers and men who passed through these seven days of battle; enduring fatigue without a murmur ; successfully meeting and repelling every attack made upon them : always in the right place at the right time: and emerging from the fiery ordeal, a compact army of vet- erans, equal to any task that brave and disciplined men can be called upon to undertake !"
Report of Brigadier-Gen. Wm. B. Franklin, commanding Sixth Corps, of Operations June 27-July 2, including the Actions at White Oak Swamp Bridge, and the Battle of Malvern Hill.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTH PROV. ARMY CORPS,
CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S LANDING, Va., July 17, 1862.
GENERAL :- I have the honor to make the following report of the action of the corps under my command, between June 27th last and the time of its arrival at this place :
On June 26th my command was stationed as follows, viz .: Slocum's division was in reserve, encamped on the Courtney Clearing. * On the morning of the 27th of June I was ordered to send Gen. Slocum's division to the east side of the Chickahominy, to report to Gen. F. J. Porter. After the division was put in motion, and had partly crossed, the order was countermanded, and the division returned to camp. The order was reit- vrated about 2 o'clock, and the division crossed the river by Alexander's Bridge, and very soon becante severely engaged with the enemy. *
On the morning of the 25th of June, finding the enemy in great force G
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RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
at Garnett's, a new battery in the valley of the river, and a battery of heavy guns at Gaines' Hill, I withdrew all the forces to the edge of the wood in- closing Golding's farm : Slocum's division on the right of the road, and Smith's on the left, connecting with Gen. Sumner's line. We were se- verely shelled from all of their batteries, just before the movement com- menced, and while it was going on. Just after the movement was com- pleted, two Georgia regiments made an attack upon the pickets. They were handsomely repulsed, with great loss, with the help of Capt. Mott's battery. A colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and about twenty privates were taken by our troops. In the morning of the 29th of June, I was ordered by the commanding general to move my command as follows, viz .: Slo- cum's division to Savage Station, in reserve. * * Gen. Slocum arrived at Savage Station at an early hour, and was directed by the com- manding general to cross the White Oak Swamp. * *
* During the morning of June 30th I posted Gen. Slocum's division on the right of the Charles City road, by order of the commanding general.
About noon I was directed to assume command at the position guard- ing the crossing of the swamp, and repaired there at once. I found that a terrific cannonade had been opened by the enemy upon the divisions stationed there. * *
The enemy kept up the firing during the whole day, and crossed some infantry below our position, but he made no very serious attempt to cross during the day, and contented himself with the cannonading and the firing of his sharpshooters.
Nightfall having arrived, and the wagons having all disappeared, I took the responsibility of moving my command to the James River, by a road to the left, which had not been much used, and arrived at headquarters safely, about daylight. * *
On July Ist, the two divisions of my command were posted toward the right of the position near Turkey Creek. They held this position during the day and part of the night; and, in compliance with orders from the commanding general, moved to Harrison's Bar. * * *
Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of my com- mand, for the fortitude and courage shown by them in the fatiguing and distressing marches made in the interval between June 27th and July 2d.
In Gen. Smith's division every march was made at night. In Gen. Slo- cum's it was nearly as severe. The nervous excitement of being under fire every day for nearly a week-often without the opportunity of returning the fire-has caused a prostration from which, in many cases, the men have not yet recovered.
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FRANKLIN'S AND SLOCUM'S REPORTS.
I think that all of the general officers of the two divisions deserve to be made major-generals, and I hope that they will be so made.
Col. Pratt, Col. Bartlett and Col. Matheson deserve to be made briga- dier-generals. * * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, General,
Your obedient servant,
W. B. FRANKLIN. ยท
Report of Brigadier-General H. W. Slocum.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH PROV. ARMY CORPS,
1 CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S LANDING, Va., July 10, 1862.
SIR :- I. have the honor to submit the following report of the move- ments of the division under my command, from the close of the battle of Gaines' Mill, on the 27th ult., until its arrival at its present position.
The division returned from the battle-field at Gaines' Hill at about II P. M., leaving on the field, in killed, wounded and missing, one-half of its regimental commanders, about one-fourth of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, who had so recently crossed the river to the support of Gen. Porter. The men, weary with the labors and excitement of the day, were allowed but little rest. Early the following morning their camp at Courtney's was changed to a position where they could be better shel- tered from the fire of the enemy's batteries planted at Garnett's and Gaines' Hill.
The same evening, the 28th, orders were received by me to move the division to Savage Station, there to await further orders. The movement commenced at II P. M., but was delayed at Trent's Hill, by the passage of other troops, so that the division did not arrive at Savage's until about 5 A. M. on Sunday, the 20th. At this place I received orders from Gen. McClellan, in person, to move the division across White Oak Swamp. We crossed at 2 P. M., and at 5 P. M. I was ordered to proceed to a point on the Long Bridge road, about one and a half miles beyond the swamp. * * * The division reached this point at 7 P. M., and fully one-half of the effective force was immediately sent out on picket duty for the night.
Oa the following morning I took position on the Charles City road, about one mile from its juncture with the Long Bridge road, and about an
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RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
equal distance from Brackett's Ford. In anticipation of an attack by a force said to be approaching on the Charles City road, this road was blockaded as thoroughly as possible. Soon after our arrival our line of battle was established, and Upton's Battery (D), Second Artillery, and Porter's and Hexamer's Volunteer Batteries placed in position. The in- fantry necessary to support the artillery was posted on the flanks of the batteries, and the balance so disposed as to be entirely protected from the fire of the enemy's artillery. The bridge near Brackett's Ford was de- stroyed by our troops immediately after our arrival, and an infantry force, with one 12-pound howitzer of Hexamer's battery, placed to defend the position. At 10 o'clock the enemy appeared at this point, and attempted a reconstruction of the bridge, but were repulsed. At II A. M. our pickets on the Charles City road were driven in, and the enemy immediately ap- peared in force in a large open field in our front,-their position being partially screened from our view by a narrow belt of woodland. They opened fire from two batteries, which was at once replied to by Porter's and Upton's batteries, and two pieces of Hexamer's battery. *
The artillery fire was continued by the enemy in our front until nearly dark, but our troops were so well covered that we suffered but few casu- alties, our total loss not exceeding twenty-five in killed and wounded.
At 7 o'clock it was reported to me that the left of our line, held by Gen. Heintzelman, was severely pressed ; and the fire of the enemy in our front having ceased, I ordered the brigade of Col. Bartlett to move to the front and gain possession, if possible, of the field on which the enemy first appeared. As soon as his brigade moved down the road leading to this position, a strong force of the enemy's infantry appeared, drawn up in line a short distance beyond a creek separating our position from that held by the enemy. Upton's battery of light 12-pounders was at once moved to the front, and a very effective fire of canister opened upon them, which caused their well formed lines to disappear. * * *
The fire on our left was continued until a late hour in the evening, and at times the shells, and even musket balls from the enemy, fell in the road directly in rear of our position.
At 9 P. M., having expended nearly all our ammunition, and being des- titute of rations, I sent a staff officer to general headquarters to report our condition. At 1 P. M., having obtained permission of Gen. Heintzelman, I moved the division to Malvern Hill. We arrived at this point at day- light ; and at 9 A. M., the ad instant, moved to a position on the right of our line. From the time of our arrival, until the commencement of the engagement on this day, the men were employed in constructing abatis,
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SLOCUM'S REPORT.
and otherwise strengthening our position. During the engagement on our left, the division was under arms.
At II P. M., orders were received to move to our present position, where we arrived at daylight on the 3d inst. During this entire weck the troops were allowed scarcely an hour of undisturbed rest, either by night or day; vet the division marched into its present camp in good order, having very few stragglers, and without the loss of any arms, ammunition, clothing or wagons; and with a cheerfulness prevailing among the soldiers, as well as officers, which to me was as astonishing as it was gratifying.
Great credit is due to the brigade commanders, Gens. Newton and Taylor, and Col. Bartlett, for their vigilance and untiring efforts on the field, as well as on our night marches.
They were constantly with their commands, cheering them by noble example, as well as words.
To the members of my staff, Capt. Rogers, Assistant Adjutant-General,
* ** and Surgeon Burr, I am greatly indebted. They were with me during the entire week, and proved very efficient in the discharge of their respective duties.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, H. W. SLOCUM.
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RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS.
A Soldier's Letter, and a Woman's Answer.
HOSPITAL, June, 1862.
I write with a great deal of pain, dear girl, I've not been able before, since the fight : And my brain is still so much in a whirl. That I can tell you but little to-night. I'm wounded-don't start !- 'tis not very bad, Or, at least, it might be worse ; so I said, When I thought of you, "I'm sure she'll be glad To know that I'm only wounded-not dead !"
I've lost my left arm ! there, now you know all ! A minie ball shattered it, and I fell ! The last that I heard was our Captain's call. Until-the rest is too painful to tell ! I've had throughout, the most excellent care, And am doing finely, the Surgeon says ; So well, indeed, that the prospect is fair For a homeward trip, before many days.
But I've something else, dear Mary, to say- And I'd say it if it cost me my life- I've thought of it well-there's no other way ! You're released from your promise to be my wife 1 You'll think me foolish at first : then you'll think Of the loose, armless coat-sleeve at my side ; And your proud and sensitive heart will shrink From the thought of being a cripple's bride.
'Tis a bitter struggle to give you up,- For I've loved you more than ever of late ! But down to its dregs I've drained the cup, And am calm, though my heart is desolate. I'm coming home, and, of course, we must meet ; My darling, this once, one boon I implore : Let us still be friends-for that will be sweet, Since now, alas ! we can be nothing more.
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A GENUINE SWEETHEART.
The Answer.
SWEET HOME, July, IS62.
MY ROBERT ! how brave and noble you are ! Too brave and too noble, I know, for me ; But you've too little faith in me by far, If you believe I want to be free. I'm not released from my promise-no, no ! 'Twas never so sacred to me before ; If you could but hear how I've longed to go, And watch by your side, you'd doubt ine no more.
I read your name in the terrible list ! But the tears froze back that sprang to my eyes, And a fearful pain, that I could not resist, Crushed my heart till I only longed to die. The blessed tears, by and by, came again, And I felt, as you in your letter said, A feeling of gladness, 'mid all my pain, That ROBERT was only wounded-not dead !
Oh, darling ! to think you have suffered so, And I all these long, weary miles away ; You've needed me very often, I know ; While I could do nothing but hope and pray. But hardest of all is the bitter thought, That you have been suffering so much for me ; Poor ROBERT! your manly letter has brought A strange mixture of joy and misery.
But you are coming home to my arms and heart : You're right-I AM proud and sensitive, too ! But I am only so when we are apart, And now I shall only be proud of you ! You're coming home to be happy and rest, And I wait the moment of blissful calm. When I shall be held to a soldier's breast, By a Patriot Hero's one strong aun !
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RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
July 5th, we had to go out on picket a mile and a half from camp. Three companies were on the outposts, and the other seven in reserve. The men in reserve had a nice time, for blackberries were plentiful, and were a fine relish for the soldiers. We returned from picket at 10 A. M., and we well remember it as the hottest day we had ever experienced. These sandy ridges along the James are said to be the hot- test places in all Virginia. In the afternoon we left our guns, and took up the spades, picks and shovels, and com- menced our share of the work of throwing up entrench- ments in front of our lines. This work resulted in a system of ponderous barriers, from the old church on Westover Heights. on the bank of Herring Run, along the position of our lines, to the James. It was dig, dig, dig, lift and throw, until the bank reached the height of the embrasures and platforms for the field pieces.
July 8th we turned out to welcome the President of the United States, who rode, with the Commander-in-Chief and his staff, through the principal streets of the vast camp, amid the plaudits of the soldiers. We seem yet to see that rugged form towering above general and staff. and those massive, grand features of our War President. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
From this time till the 17th the regiment was kept busy at picket duty and working on the breastworks, when, on this date, we moved camp about two miles. and put up our tents near the rifle-pits. Here we remained a few days, and busied ourselves fixing up camp, digging a well from which to supply the camp with water, working on the forts, and the usual camp duties. First, at 5 A. M., the bugle notes are heard calling us out of our nests for roll-call. It again sounds for Surgeon's call: then for breakfast. At noon it sounds for dinner, and at 4 P. M. to fall in for work on the fort. Sometimes it sounds at 11 A. M. for inspection. and again at i for police duty,-for the camp is kept scrupu- lously clean.
The 20th finds us again on picket, and where we find plenty of blackberries,-and the men are happy. The 21st
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MUSTER OUT OF REGIMENTAL BANDS.
we drew new clothing. From the 26th to 28th the weather was terribly hot and sultry. All quiet in camp ; no duty except picketing, as we are strongly intrenched for many miles. If Lee attempts to make an attack on us here, he will become an " angel," and with the angels stand ; but we do not think he will be so unwise as to trap himself.
Each man received sixty rounds of cartridges on the 29th, as there were indications of an attack. No enemy was in sight, however, but we were kept on the alert till the evening of the 31st, when the enemy, having placed a battery on the opposite side of the James River, shelled our camps. We could follow the course of the shells, as the burning fuse was discernible in the darkness. The gun- boats soon wheeled into line, and silenced the hostile guns. About twenty Union soldiers were killed. and forty wounded. A large number of horses were also killed.
On the 3d of August the paymaster arrived, and the men were paid off. There was but little duty for the next week or more, and the men amused themselves with the games incident to pay-day. Weather exceedingly hot, and many horses dying from the effects of the heat.
August 8th, in pursuance of an Act of Congress, and a general order from headquarters, the musicians of the regi- mental bands assembled at headquarters, and were mustered out of service. One band only is hereafter to be allowed to a brigade. This order causes a great deal of dissatisfac- tion among the troops.
August 10th we sent away our knapsacks and baggage on the transports, as orders had been given to move. Did not get off. however, till the 14th, when the boys bid good- by to Harrison's Landing, and marched about three miles, and were again stationed for picket duty, where we remained till 4 P. M. of the 15th ; then marched to Charles City Court House.
At sunrise on the 16th we started on a twenty-mile march. The day was very hot, and the roads dusty. A portion of the country through which we passed was very fine, with large mansions, surrounded by extensive plantations.
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RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS.
About sundown we crossed the Chickahominy, near where it widens out into a bay, at its junction with the James. The pontoon bridge on which we crossed was 2200 feet long, and said to be the longest and best ever constructed. The train of artillery moved in the centre, and two ranks of infantry marched on each side. We went into camp : about a mile from the river. While crossing, a gunboat stood guard over the moving column. The next day made a very rapid march, at which the men grumbled a good deal, as melons and fruit were quite plentiful along the route : but there was no time to indulge, nor even to sample them. During the day we passed the house which was the birth- place of ex-President Tyler. It was under guard, to pre- vent defacement and pillage. At about 3 P. M. we passed through Williamsburg, a quaint, moss-covered town,-once the centre of the aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Here we saw the College of William and Mary, founded during the last century ; and had a good view of the fortification that, in May, cost us so much to capture. Five miles from here we went into camp, having marched twenty-five miles. Only a few of the regiment stacked arms, as the day had been unusually hot, and the march so rapid that many had fallen out by the way, and did not reach camp till after dark. Two months before, a conquering and exultant army had passed through the historic town of Williamsburg: but now we turn back from the city we had confidently ex- pected to hold. The next day we made another march of fifteen miles, and camped within the fortifications of York- town.
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