USA > New York > History of the Ninth Regiment N.Y.S.M. -- N.G.S.N.Y. (Eighty-third N. Y. Volunteers.) 1845-1888 > Part 11
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and the march was kept up until three o'clock the next morn- ing -- the 25th-when the troops halted on the mountain for a few hours' rest. When the Shenandoah was reached it was: found that the pontoon bridge was broken, and it was not till three o'clock in the afternoon that a crossing was effected. The brigade marched directly for Winchester, cutting across. the fields and hurrying along, hoping to be in time to aid the gallant Shields. When about two miles from the river an estafet was met, who brought the cheering intelligence that the enemy had been routed with great loss, and that the services of the Light Brigade were not needed. Leaving a portion of William's division behind to swell Shields' force, the brigade turned about once more, and, amid shouts of delight, wended its way back, crossed the river, and began again the ascent at Snicker's Gap. A short rest was enjoyed near the bivouac of the night before.
Nine o'clock on the morning of the 26th found the line in motion again, and towards evening the advance halted near Goose Creek. Upon approaching the bridge to reconnoitre, the cavalry discovered a party of the enemy in the act of unscrewing the nuts and drawing out bolts from some of the timbers, hoping, no doubt, to kill two birds with one stone- destroy the bridge and precipitate a lot of Union soldiers into the stream, as soon as a sufficient weight of men or animals was upon it. The infantry column had stacked arms and the men were preparing theis supper, when an alarm was raised by the beating of the long roll ; this caused some excitement among the troops in the rear ; the cavalry galloped forward to the support of their advance guard, and the enemy at once beat a hasty retreat. The bridge was saved. The NINTH remained in camp all the next day, while two regiments of the brigade were sent out on a reconnoissance; they returned during the day without having met the enemy.
The march was resumed on the morning of the 28th at eight oclock. After passing through Aldie, the column con- tinued on the Little River pike-a road as straight as an arrow -for several miles, then broke to the right, and early in the evening halted within four miles of Centreville. The eighteen-
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
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mile march had been a dusty one, and the men embraced the opportunity to bathe and wash in the clear waters of Cub Run, near which they halted. At nine the next morning the brigade moved, passing through the abandoned earthworks and camps of the enemy, and viewing with some degree of interest and dis- gust the numerous carcasses of horses and mules that lay scat- tered about. The men were curious to see the formidable works and obstructions, which-it was said-had kept the Army of the Potomac at bay so long. The several forts and lines of rifle pits were critically examined, while the camp sites were explored for relics. After about an hour's halt at Centreville the column moved on, and the men soon found themselves on the battle-field of Bull Run, 1861. That historic stream was crossed by means of a temporary bridge, and the regiment soon after stacked arms in the late camp of the Third South Carolina Volunteers. Again a hunt for relics was made, but little save buttons were found to repay the search. The Stone bridge was visited and viewed with great interest, as was also the Henry house, and the Stone house-used as a hospital during the battle-at the intersection of the Warrenton and Sudley roads. Many other points made famous by the first great battle of the war were also visited. It was here that the members of the NINTH first had an opportunity of seeing the great wastefulness occasioned by the exigencies of war. A large amount of quartermaster and commissary stores, tents, clothing and camp utensils, lay scattered about ; barrels of - flour, bacon, molasses and such like, lay exposed to the elements. Had the Union troops been driven from their camps there could hardly have been a greater abandonment of valuable property. While the brigade remained here a violent storm of rain, snow and hail burst over the neighborhood, and all that could sought shelter in the huts built by the enemy for winter quarters.
Late in the afternoon the column marched about two miles towards Manassas Junction, and then halted for the night in a low, wet, muddy field, where nothing could be found with which to kindle a fire. The trees had all been cut down, there
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MANASSAS, VIRGINIA.
wasn't a fence rail within sight, and nothing but a little light brush wood and brambles could be obtained with which to cover the wet ground. Many of the men woke next morning to find their clothing saturated with mud and water.
At ten o'clock-Monday, the 30th-the brigade pursued its way, and towards evening halted near Manassas Junction. The neighborhood was so thoroughly cut up with earthworks and lines of rifle-pits, the cleared spaces so covered with the carcasses of animals, and the almost equally odorous aban- doned huts of the enemy, that it was with great difficulty a suitable place was found for a bivouac. Some of the Confed- erate regiments had enjoyed better winter quarters than the NINTH. On examining a number of the more pretentious huts, several interesting relics were found, among them a play- ing card on which was written, " S. C. 3d Vols. We leave this house thinking that a good man in a bad cause may rest his weary limbs beneath its roof." On another : " We leave to return again ; look out for the Mississippi Tigers !" In the morning the men busied themselves in cleaning their clothing and equipments, preparatory to an afternoon inspection, but instead of that ceremony, they were ordered to pack up, and at four o'clock the regiment crossed Broad Run-upon a prostrate tree-and went into bivouac a short distance beyond the stream.
The next morning, April ist, at eight o'clock, the brigade moved forward, following the line of the railroad, crossing several streams on temporary bridges, passing through Cat- lett's Station, then turning south, and when near Weavers- ville halted for the night. All along the route the eye was greeted with the desolation of war-burned bridges, destroyed road-bed, burned and twisted rails, engines and cars partly burned, or otherwise rendered useless-it was a suggestive sight. The Confederates had suffered greatly from measles during the winter. The burying-ground of the Eleventh Ala- bama Volunteers, containing at least one hundred graves, was also noticed. Verily, disease is a more deadly enemy to the soldier than the bullet.
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
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At three o'clock the next afternoon, the brigade moved in a westerly direction, and after a march of about four miles, halted and went into camp near Warrenton Junction. Gen- eral Blenker's division, of the Army of the Potomac, was camped at the Junction, but under orders, expecting soon to leave for. the Peninsular. On the 3rd the ground was hardly dry enough for company or battalion drill, but small squads were formed and instructed in the bayonet exercise. On the 4th, Saturday, regular drills were resumed.
On the morning of Monday, the 6th, Company L, together with a company from each of the other regiments in the brigade, a squadron of cavalry and a section of artillery, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas J. Lucas, of the Sixteenth Indiana, made a reconnoissance to the Rappahannock River, at the railroad crossing, reaching there about eleven .o'clock. The Confederate earthworks, on the opposite side of the river, were shelled, causing the enemy to retreat in great haste. After remaining an hour or more, and obtaining all the information possible, the command returned to camp without suffering any loss.
A driving rain-storm now set in, which continued with scarcely an intermission until Thursday evening. Many of the tents were leaky and the occupants rendered very uncom- fortable. The whole camp was soon a sea of mud and slush, and as the storm continued, the ground inside the tents became saturated. Fires could scarcely be maintained, and the men were in a pitiable condition. But amid the gloom and desola- tion of their surroundings a ray of light appeared in the news of the capture of Island Number Ten by General John Pope. On the 11th the storm abated somewhat, and details were sent out to repair the damage done the railroad. Towards evening the news of Grant's victory at Shiloh-or Pittsburg Landing- was received, and from that time till " taps," the camp resounded with the rejoicings of the men. The sun came out bright and clear on the 12th, and during the day the regiment moved to a new camp ground, half a mile distant, where a much better location was obtained.
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1862
RECONNOISSANCE TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
Monday, the 13th, was spent in placing things to rights in the tents, in cleaning and drying wet clothing, and putting arms and equipments in order. Provisions being scarce, a foraging party under proper officers, was sent out, and returned during the day with half a dozen wagon loads of food and forage, while individuals of the party were well supplied with poultry "and sich," which they had purchased or borrowed during the trip. On the 14th a brigade review took place and it was rumored that Abercrombie was to be succeeded by General George L. Hartsuff. During the night musketry firing was heard on the picket line, but the camp was not alarmed ; when the pickets returned in the morning, they brought with them a few prisoners, the result of a slight skirmish at the outposts. By the 16th the bridges on the railroad had all been repaired, and trains were running regularly to and from Alexandria. McDowell's corps of the Army of the Potomac still remained on the line of the Rappahannock, and the General was in command of all the troops in the vicinity.
On the night of the 17th, five companies of the NINTH, un- der Lieutenant-Colonel Atterbury, with detachments from other regiments of the brigade, four companies of cavalry and eight pieces of artillery, in all about eighteen hundred men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Timothy M. Bryan of the Twelfth Massachusetts, were assembled at the camp of the Twelfth, and an hour or two after midnight proceeded on a re- connoissance towards Rappahannock Station. The late storm had rendered the roads almost impassable for artillery, the caissons frequently cutting in hub deep, and the march was thereby much impeded. Upon reaching, at about seven o'clock, a cross road near the river, which it was thought led to fords both above and below the station, detachments of cavalry were sent out towards the river to guard the flanks and prevent the enemy from getting into the rear of the reconnoitering party.
Approaching nearer the river by the main road, Colonel Bryan halted his command below the bluff or ridge which overlooked the stream, and with two or three officers ascended the hill in order to obtain a view of the opposite bank. The
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
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bluff was a steep one, about seventy feet high. The enemy were plainly seen on the opposite side, strongly fortified, on a bluff some twenty feet higher than the one occupied by Col- onel Bryan. Concealed by the bushes, the Colonel noted that extensive earthworks had been erected, while others were in course of construction. Owing to a bend in the river the enemy Could easily enfilade any line on the Union side, but Colonel Bryan disposed his force to the best advantage, and with such secrecy, that his line was established without the knowledge of the enemy. Part of the artillery was drawn up by hand to the crest overlooking the river, and masked by the shrubbery ; a section was sent to a hill about three-quarters of a mile to the right, and the guns well supported by infantry. The detachment of the NINTH, with a section of artillery under Lieutenant-Colonel Atterbury formed the reserve.
The following extracts describing the action are taken from Colonel Bryan's report:
As the last echo of the rebel band at guard mounting died away I gave them as a chorus the right piece. * * * This was a splendid shot. The shell struck nearly the center of the large fort opposite and. bursting, scattered the men on all sides. * *
* This work was being completed and the parapet was covered with men at work. The next shot went a little to the right, and the next also. This giving them some en- couragement they returned and opened fire with two brass six-pounder smooth-bores. their shot and shell falling short about thirty yards. The fifth shot * blew up the magazine in that work and silenced the guns. * ** Suddenly two masked
batteries enfiladed us. I made a slight change in our position and replied.
*
*
Two masked batteries opened on Lieutenant Charles B. Brockway, (who had charge of the artillery on the extreme right) one a twenty-four or thirty-two pounder, which
enfiladed the line of skirmishers. * * * I ordered the battery to take another position and try the earthworks on their extreme left. Hardly had they taken position and opened fire when a masked battery in front, and not over one thousand yards dis-
tant, replied. * * Lieutenant Brockway directed one of his pieces upon it with such etfect, that at the second fire one of the enemy's guns was knocked over, and the houses of the battery were seen galloping away over the fields. * * * The force of
the enemy I estimated at between five and seven thousand infantry, at least one regi- ment of cavalry, three full batteries of six-pounder smooth-bores and two siege guns,
twenty-four pounders. * * * In conclusion, allow me to express to you my heart- felt thanks for placing me in command of the picked nien of your brigade, who, not- withstanding the fatiguing march, without any sleep, they, both officers and men. were ready to undergo any amount of hardship, and all seemed anxious to acquit themselves as heroes.
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IN U. S. REGULATION CLOTHES.
It had been intended that the expedition should reach the river in time to throw up a line of rifle pits before daylight, for the protection of the infantry, and then send a mounted force across at daybreak for the purpose of creating a diversion in favor of a force under General Christopher C. Augur, who had that morning driven the enemy from Frederickburg and occupied the town. The object of the expedition was fully accomplished, however, and that without a single casualty in Colonel Bryan's command.
On the 19th the regulation light blue trousers were issued to the men, to replace the dark blue worn on leaving New York, and which had always distinguished the NINTH Militia from the other volunteer regiments in the field. Much indig- nation was manifested at losing the cherished color and trim- mings. Overcoats had been changed at Camp Claassen, and now only the jacket and cap remained of the original uniform, and to these the men clung during their whole term of service, wearing them when off duty.
The next three days proved rainy, and those compelled to be out on guard or picket duty were made thoroughly miserable. Quite a number were compelled to register their names on the sick list. On the 23rd the weather was clear and pleasant, and the day was mainly spent in drying clothing and repairing the wear and tear to arms and equipments. General Abercrombie was present at dress-parade and was kind enough to compliment the men on their fine soldierly appearance.
The next day proved that the storm had only been taking a rest, for again the rain came down and continued, with scarcely an intermission, till the morning of the 26th, when the sun again shone upon an array of wet and muddy blankets and clothing, rusty guns and water-soaked accoutrements. In the afternoon, the regiment was exercised in bayonet drill. Mon- day, the 27th, was pleasant and the respite from drill gave the men an opportunity to visit the neighboring camps, among which was General George A. McCall's division of Pennsyl-
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vania Reserves. Reading and letter-writing was a regular Sunday employment, much practiced by the NINTH, and the day was well spent until the usual time for the evening dress- parade.
On Tuesday, the capture of New Orleans was officially announced to the troops. This event was of particular inter- est to the-NINTH, inasmuch as General Lovell, the Commander at New Orleans, had been Captain of Company C at the out- break of the war, a position he had resigned to cast his lot with the Confederates.
From Moore's Rebellion Record, vol. V., the following verses are copied :
YE BALLADE OF MANS. LOVELL
1
Mans. Lovell he mounted his General's steed, All on the New Orleans levee ; And he heard the guns of old Cockee But-ler, A-sounding all over the sea-sea -- sea- A-sounding all over the sea !
"Oh ! what shall I do? " Mans. Lovell, he said -- "Oh ! what shall I do?" said he ; " For this Butler's an old Massachusetts man, And he'll hang up a traitor like me-me-me- He'll hang up a traitor like me !"
Mans. Lovell he called for a brandy cock-tail, And galloped from off the levee ; And he vamoosed New Orleans, betwixt two days, As fast as his steed could flee-flee-flee- As fast as his steed could flee !
O Mansfield Lovell ! you left New York, A rebel and traitor to be ; But, if ever you're caught by Cockee But -- ler, Look out for your precious bod-ee-dee-dee Look out for your precious bod-ee !
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1862
CAPTAIN-GENERAL LOVELL. 121
THE NEW BALLAD OF LORD LOVELL.
Lord Lovell he sat in St. Charles' hotel, In St. Charles' hotel sat he, As fine a case of a Southern swell As ever you'd wish to see -- see-see- As ever you'd wish to see.
Lord Lovell the town had vowed to defend ; A-waving his sword on high, He swore that his last ounce of powder he'd spend, And in the last ditch he'd die.
He swore by black and he swore by blue, He swore by the stars and bars, That never he'd fly from a Yankee crew While he was a son of Mars.
He had fifty thousand gallant men, Fifty thousand men had he, Who had sworn with him that they'd never surren- Der to any tarnation Yankee.
He had forts that no Yankee alive.could take ; He had iron-clad boats a score, And batteries all around the lake And along the river shore.
Sir Farragut came with a mighty fleet, With a mighty fleet came he, And Lord Lovell instanter began to retreat Before the first boat he could see.
His fifty thousand gallant men Dwindled down to thousands six ; They heard a distant cannon and, then, Commenced a-cutting their sticks.
"Oh ! tarry, Lord Lovell !" Sir Farragut cried- "Oh! tarry, Lord Lovell !" said he ; " I rather think not," Lord Lovell replied, "For I'm in a great hurry."
" I like the drinks at St. Charles' hotel, But I never could bear strong Porter, Especially when its served on the shell, Or mixed in an iron mortar."
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" I reckon you're right," Sir Farragut said, " I reckon you're right," said he,
" For if my Porter should fly to your head, A terrible smash there'd be."
Oh ! a wonder it was to see them run, A wonderful thing to see,
And the Yankees sailed up without shooting a gun, And captured their great citie.
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Lord Lovell kept running all day and night, : Lord Lovell a-running kept he, For he swore he couldn't abide the sight Of the gun of a live Yankee.
LETTERS :
Bolivar Heights, Feb. 28, 1862.
* Our troops are nearly all across. We built a good bridge on 40 boats, and a plank walk built on them (pontoon bridge). Found Harper's Ferry nearly deserted ; the people were panic-stricken and left, taking all they could with then. We occupy the houses as we have no tents with us. Our company have a good brick one ; 40 men · sleep in my room. Bolivar is nearly as large as Hoboken, nearly all the houses are brick. Harper's Ferry is built on a hill-side, and looks very ancient. The country is hilly about " yere." We expect to move towards Winchester this P. M. Our wagons have not arrived and we are half starved. Coffee without sugar and bread without salt is all we have so far. Some obliging person helped himself to my haversack, with two days' food, and my tin cup. You can have some idea whether I am hungry. I could eat an ox, every bit of it. There are 30,000 men here to-night, and it is reported that Mcclellan will send 60,000 more in a few days.
Charlestown, Va., Mch. 4, 1862.
I write to let you know where we are, but fear it will not reach you very soon, as correspondence is not forwarded. Our duty is severe. We are right among the enemy 54 and capture some every day. Night before last General Banks sent to our Colonel for his largest and best company to go eight miles out and do picket duty. Our company went, and such a time! We were to be the very outpost, and the posts 200 yards apart. The Second Massachusetts had been on the outposts before ; when we passed them (they) were surprised to see us put ours beyond them, and said we'd every one be taken by the rebel cavalry, as three of their men had been taken already, but our Captain said he was ordered to put his first (post), next to the Second Massachusetts, and the last on the Shenandoah River, and he'd do it, or send us all to Richmond. We searched every house and barn on the way. It was very cold, and we passed through woods, fields and swamps, and over fords, till morning came, and I was very glad to see it. Were not allowed to build a fire, or sleep ; indeed, did not feel like sleeping. The rebs. had felled trees across the road, every little way, to prevent our · artillery from passing. Just after we left in the morning, a large body of rebel cavalry came up the road behind us, with a flag of truce, telling General Banks if he did not
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ACCOUNT OF LIFE AT THE FRONT.
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retreat to the other side of the river in ten hours, Jackson and his men would drive us "out, but we are still here, and when we do move Jackson won't have to run after us.
We got into Charlestown at midnight ; there were but a few old men in town ; they would not let our troops into houses, hotels, barns, or any other buildings, so we helped ourselves. Our company took possession of a printing office, and slept in a large room at the top of the house. Some of the women were awful " sassy," and said we'd get whipped out of the place in the morning ; that we were only loafers, and dared not fight men, only women. The Colonel allowed us to forage, and I must tell you of my first effort in that line : Eight of us started ; went to a house two miles from camp. We were armed with revolvers and clubs. They saw us coming, and the old man, woman, and three girls came out. I said, we are Union soldiers and want food, but will not be unreasonable ; will take a few chickens and a turkey, as you have plenty. The old man said he must submit, but Jackson would pay us in the morning. He had two sons in the Rebel Army. One of the girls spoke and said : " I thought you came here to fight, not to steal." We got three ducks, two geese, one turkey, nine chickens, and a sheep ; enough to last several days. They would have given us a pair of chick- ens for a handful of salt. Salt is worth $40 a sack, coffee $1, and tea $3 a pound ; calico, the poorest I ever saw, 37 cents per yard, and very scarce at that. * * * I only weigh 145 pounds, but if foraging keeps good, think I'll get in good condition. Just saw N-, is awfully disappointed, for he got no letters, so I lent him your's to con- sole him.
Winchester, Mch. 19, 1862.
Have just come off picket * * There were ten men on a post, and we were gone two days. * * Their pickets came close to us during the night, but seeing (?) there were so many, left. We don't fire unless they show fight, for, if we do, we will have all our men up without cause, and we need all the sleep we can get. I must tell you of the alarm we had last night ; we stood guard two hours each ; I went on at 9.30, came off at 11.30, made my bed by the fire and went to sleep, leaving only the two on guard awake. But I just got into the land of dreams when they waked me and said they heard cavalry in the distance. I played Indian, and putting my ear to the plank road, could plainly hear them riding rapidly. Coming from that direction, we sup- posed them rebels of course, so waked up all the boys, and made ready to meet them. I went down the road a ways and waited till they were about 200 yards off, when I sang out, Halt ! They could not see me, it was so dark, but stopped instantly. I asked, Who comes there? They answered : Friends. I ordered one to dismount, advance, and give the countersign ; he did so, and said they were from Western Vir- ginia, under General Lander, and there were 8,000 more coming, infantry, cavalry and artillery, and did not expect a picket, unless rebel, so far out. They warmed at our fire, and went on. During the night two rebs. walked up to our fire and began talking. as much at home as could be, supposing it was their own picket, and felt bad enough when they found out their mistake. They talked freely, said they were tired of war and hoped it would soon end. In the morning one of our boys killed a pig ; we skinned it, cut it up, and hung it up to cool, and in the afternoon cooked every blessed bit of that pig, at least 60 pounds, and had a grand dinner, the prisoners eating as if they had seen no meat for five years at least. They said they did not expect to find gentle- men in the Union Army, and would remember the NINTH New York forever.
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