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 12
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Our boys have a large flag across the street, and the Massachusetts boys have another just above. Many of the women won't walk under them, but go some dis- tance around, which makes a great deal of fun for the boys. The other day two young
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TIIE NINTH NEW YORK.
April
ladies came down the street : one passed under the flag, the other stopped ; her friend called her to come on. "No !" said she, "I never will go under that dirty flag," and was about turning back when one of Banks' (Collis) Zouaves, standing by, said : " I'll bet, madam, it's cleaner than your chemise." She went under.
Near Warrenton Junction, Apl. 3, '62.
We have had hard times since leaving Winchester. When over thirty miles towards Manassas we got orders to return, as Stonewall Jackson had attacked the forces we left (Shields). *
* It was a hard-fought battle ; our boys fought desperately, and suffered dreadfully. We've been on the march ever since we left Winchester. We are nearly barefooted. I picked up a pair of shoes some one had discarded. * *
We are only half fed at present. ^ * * For dinner to-day had one cracker and half a pint of coffee. The roads are so bad our wagons can't get through. * Our * wagons went for forage to-day, but the rebs. chased them back inside our pickets.
Apl. 6, '62.
The mail came through last night and I got your letters. * * McClellan spoke truly when he said he would ask of us "to bear cheerfully long marches and many deprivations." I got a pair of shoes to-day-No. 14's-pretty good-sized soap boxes, but as I have been nearly barefoot for three weeks, I'm very glad to get them. * * It
* was kind of you to offer to send money for shoes, but if I had a box full I could not spend it here. * * While on picket the other night we encountered the rebel * cavalry and exchanged shots, but in the darkness they got away. We doubled our posts and waited their return, but they did not come. My post was near a house. I went there in the morning and got breakfast, bread butter and coffee. The women were bitter towards the Yankees. As they were women I did not say much ; only when one said, " It is a shame to see a promising young man in so wicked a cause," and that we could " never conquer the South." I said, We'll try.
Apl. 18, '62.
We are on picket, and about as lazily situated as you can imagine. Have three posts of sixteen men each. I came off guard at 8:30, A. M. and have been getting breakfast. One of the boys put his ration of coffee with mine ; he made the fire, I brought water, and while he made coffee I set the table (!) As he did the most work I made things equal by eating most breakfast. The weather is as hot as July. * *
* Five companies of our regiment and two batteries and a cavalry regiment past us last snight on a reconnaissance, and we have heard continued firing all the morning from that direction, and think likely they have had sharp work, for between the heavy guns we distinctly hear the volleys of musketry. I hope we may be called out where the rest of the regiment are. Although never in actual battle, have seen death in all shapes since out here, and been in one skirmish, enough to give me an idea of warfare. I am willing to stand my chance, at any time, by the side of my comrades. * * Our overcoats would make you a stylish basque (?), so look out for box fiom C- soon.
On Picket, Apl. 29, '62.
Got our mail last night. I had eight letters, four from you, so to-day I am enjoying them. Two contrabands came in just now. Say they walked all night to reach our lines-they bring no news. We took 17 yesterday; one pretty woman almost white. I offered to escort her to headquarters, but the lieutenant said no, and in less than an hour sent me up with an old woman over So. I call that mean. One of my contra-
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1862
EXPERIENCE ON PICKET.
bands just asked me if I was " writin' to your girl;" I said Yes ; says he, " I 'spect she's mighty feared you'll get killed." Yes, said I. "Den," said he, " dat's right, you ought to write often, for I 'spect, she tinks a heap o' yer." Yes, said I, and told him to keep still, but I know he won't. He is old and one of the pleasantest looking darkies I ever saw
I went a few days ago to see John Randolph's plantation. It's about two miles out of camp. I was much pleased with it. There is no one there but the negroes, and there seemed to be about 200 of them. There were about 40 little houses-quite a village-each family had one. There were Higgins', Carters', Browns', Smiths' and all the darky names you can imagine. The mansion is an antique building. I did not stay as long as I wanted to, for as our cavalry came in, the rebels came back and I thought it might be their day to call. My reliet has come, so I must take my contra- band and travel to headquarters. I just asked the old man if he had any word to send my girl, and he says : "Tell her I'se an old nigger, mos' done gone, but I hopes de Lord will bress her." * * Just had a little excitement. The Sixteenth Indiana regiment, not knowing we were here on picket, came into the woods to fire off their loaded muskets, and their balls fell around us like hail ; we threw ourselves down on the ground, behind the trees; three balls struck my tree, about two feet above my head. It was a wonder some of us were not hurt. You ask if we had plenty of eggs for Easter? Not one-biscuit-pork and coffee.
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
May
CHAPTER VII.
MORE MARCHING.
Good News from the West .- General Hartsuff in Command of the Brigade .- Twelfth and Sixteenth Indiana Leave for Home .- Camp Stanton, Catlett's Station .-- News of McClellan's Victories on the Peninsula .- On the March .- " The Brooklyn Four- teenth," (Eighty-fourth N. Y. Vols.)-More Stormy Weather .- Fredericksburg .- Department of the Rappahannock .- Shelter Tents .- Knapsack Drill .- Reviewed by President Lincoln .-- March to Acquia Creek .- Up the Potomac to Alexandria .- By Rail to Manassas .- March to Front Royal .- Stonewall Jacskon's Operations in the Valley .- Confederate Money .- General Ricketts in Command of the Division .- " Hartsuff's Plunderers."- Return to Manassas .- McDowell Does not Join Mc- 'Clellan .- Visiting the Battle Field of Bull Run '61 .- Enlisted Men must not Carry Pistols or Revolvers .- Drills Resumed .- Letters.
THE Ist of May, although "moving day" to so many New Yorkers, passed with the NINTH stationary in camp. Indeed the weather was very unfavorable for moving; the ground was wet and the roads in bad condition. Towards evening the sky cleared a little, and it was hoped that settled weather would soon replace that of the past few weeks. The news of the evacuation of Corinth, Miss., and its occupation by the Union Army under General Henry W. Halleck, on April 30th, was received on the 2nd, but inasmuch as the enemy had quietly moved off everything of value belonging to them, it was >looked upon as rather a barren victory. Yet, it was a victory for which all were thankful. The next day General Hartsuff relieved General Abercrombie of the command of the brigade. On the afternoon of the 4th it was officially announced that the enemy had evacuated Yorktown. McClellan had begun his spade movement on the 5th of April, and had been success- ful in digging the enemy out, who retreated leaving all their heavy guns behind them.
The Twelfth and Sixteenth Indiana regiments, who had entered the service for one year, left for home on the 5th. The
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CAMP STANTON.
1862
NINTH regretted parting with their western comrades, whose companionship had been found most agreeable, and the wish was expressed that they would soon re-enlist and return again to the front ; the record shows that most of them did so. Indiana troops were found on nearly every battle-field of the war.
The_encampment had been occupied then for nearly a month, and owing to the continued heavy rain had become quite unhealthy ; a move, therefore, was ordered, and in the afternoon the regiment marched about a mile nearer Catlett's Station, on the railroad, and pitched tents on as pleasant and healthy a spot as could be desired. In honor of the Secretary of War it was named Camp Stanton. On the afternoon of the 6th the regiment was exercised in battalion drill, move- ments which, owing to the stormy weather, had been suspend- ed. For the next few days drilling was vigorously prosecuted; the weather was pleasant and the men appeared to be in good physical condition. News of McClellan's victories at Williams- burg and West Point, and which added greatly to the prestige of the commander, were duly received. The NINTHI wondered when they would have an opportunity of meeting the enemy.
On the rith the brigade was reviewed by General Hart- suff, at the conclusion of which orders were issued requiring the regiment to be ready to march early the next morning. General Abram Duryea's brigade arrived from Alexandria during the night, for the purpose of relieving Hartsuff's, and shortly after noon on the 12th, the Light Brigade folded their tents, buckled on their knapsacks, and started on the march. The weather was hot and the road dry and dusty ; water was scarce on the route, and the brigade commander had issued orders forbidding the men to leave the ranks even to get water-this order, however, was more honored in the breach than in the observance. After a march of five miles towards the southeast the column halted for the night. At half-past six the next morning the march was resumed, the route lead- ing through a fine-looking country. After a hot and dusty march of sixteen miles the brigade halted for the night near the hamlet of Hartwood ; many of the men spread their blan-
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May
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
kets out in the open air in preference to crowding into the Sibley tents, and slept just as soundly as ever they did on feather beds or hair mattresses at home. Starting at seven o'clock on the morning of the 14th the column soon after passed through Hartwood, thence on towards Falmouth, on nearing which the Fourteenth New York Militia, from Brooklyn, was passed. This regiment also rejoiced in a change of number -- they "saw" the NINTH and "went them one better," for they were officially designated as the Eighty- fourth New York Volunteers.
The red-legged Fourteenth had been engaged at Bull Run, and no doubt looked upon the NINTH with becoming commis- eration, but this did not prevent a very cordial meeting between the two regiments, among which were many mutual friends and acquaintances. Familiar salutations were heard on all sides. The meeting of friends, under such circumstances, is peculiarly interesting, and can only be appreciated by the boys who were there. Sharing a common danger and know- ing not at what moment the chances of war might cut them off, their greetings were heartfelt and spontaneous. The col- umn passed through and beyond Falmouth about a mile, finally halting on Stafford Heights opposite Fredericksburg. Before tents could be pitched, a violent thunder-storm, accom- panied by a deluge of rain, broke over the shelterless men, and nearly all were drenched to the skin. During the follow- ing day the storm continued, and the men were obliged to keep close within their tents, except the poor unfortunates who had to be called out on guard or picket duty; but this enforced absence of some of the men was a great benefit to those who were lucky enough to be in camp, as the tents were less crowded. 128
On the 16th, the sky was clear again and the men were enabled to view their new surroundings. To the right, nest- ling close by the river, lay Falmouth, its inhabitants apparently peaceable and happy ; to the left and rear, on ground sloping gently down towards the Rappahannock, were fertile farms with good houses and outbuildings ; on the opposite side of
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OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG.
1862
the river, upon a plateau some fifty feet above the level of the stream, lay the city of Fredericksburg, the steeples of its churches and many of the more prominent buildings being easily seen. There were no outward indications of war, save the ruins of the railroad and turnpike bridges, which had been destroyed by the enemy when their troops evacuated the neighborhood; not an armed enemy was in sight, and to a stranger it might have seemed that the Union troops were out on a camping frolic.
The location of the camp having been found inconvenient, a change was made on the 17th, and tents were pitched near several springs of good water. During the day, the Eleventh Pennsylvania joined the brigade.
The forces which remained along the line of the Rappa- hannock, after the withdrawal of the' Army of the Potomac, had been placed, as before stated, under the command of General McDowell, and on the 4th of April the Department of the Rappahannock had been created, and that general placed in command, his troops being designated as the First Corps. At the same time, General Banks had been assigned to the new Department of the Shenandoah. While the NINTH was at Falmouth, certain changes took place in the organiza- tion of the troops and the " Light Brigade " ceased to exist in name. The division was now under the command of General E. O. C. Ord, and consisted of three brigades, under Generals Ricketts, Hartsuff and Duryea.
It had been the intention of the President, that as soon as matters were quiet in front of Washington, and in the Shen- andoah Valley, to send General McDowell with the First Corps to join General McClellan, from whose army McDowell had been retained when the balance went to the Peninsula, and on the 17th, McDowell received orders to prepare for the movement that would connect his left with the right of McClellan's army, then under General Fitz-John Porter at Hanover Court House. Had this movement been carried out, perhaps, the Peninsular Campaign might have had a more auspicious ending. In preparation for the movement,
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
May
McDowell's troops were stripped for fighting; the number of regimental wagons were reduced to five, and the men ordered to pack up all surplus clothing, retaining only the most neces- sary articles, and the baggage was sent to the rear. The Sib- ley tents were also replaced by pieces of cotton cloth, about four feet square, and which were known as D'Aubre or shel- ter tents. Each man was to carry one-half-one piece-of the tent, so that two men, by buttoning the pieces together and stretching them over a low ridge pole, might find some sort of a shelter.
On the morning of the 20th General McDowell reviewed the brigade, which now consisted. besides the NINTHI, of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts and the Eleventh Pennsylvania. In order to accustom the men to rapid move- ments, and to become expert in striking and pitching their little shelter tents, they were frequently ordered into line in heavy marching order, put through short marches in the vicinity, and then ordered to pitch tents again. With green troops, fresh from home, this, no doubt, would have been a good method to pursue; but men who had been in the field for a year thought it savored of persecution and a desire to grind them down. They were perfectly willing to be led against the enemy, and would have undergone any hardships necessary to that end, but they objected to expending their energy in such-to them-senseless "drill." During the afternoon of the 21st, under a burning hot sun, the brigade was put through a three hours' drill in this heavy marching order. Fortunately none of the men were prostrated by this uncalled-for trial of their endurance. The next day opened with every indication of rain ; it came down about nine o'clock, just after company drill. Never was it more gladly hailed by the men, for they knew that it would prevent a repetition of the drill of the day before. They caught it on the 23rd, however, for the " assem- bly " beat at six o'clock, and a good day's drill was performed before the sun was high. Before the men were dismissed it was announced that in the afternoon McDowell's Corps would be reviewed by the President. This news put all in good
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REVIEWED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
1862
humor, for the men honored and revered Abraham Lincoln. Never was a march to the reviewing ground begun with more willingness-even eagerness-than that in honor of the beloved President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. Each man was proud of the opportunity of testifying to the Head of the Nation that he was with him, heart and soul, in the great undertaking, and as regiment after regiment passed by the reviewing point, three solid cheers rang out from each. It was hoped that this reception might add at least a temporary joy to the sad heart, and serve some- what to lighten the great burden of care which was carried so manfully to the end of the struggle.
Captain Claassen, who had been serving for some time as Asst. Inspector-General on General Banks' Staff, resigned on the 22nd. In the fall he re-entered the service as Colonel of the 132nd N. Y. Vols.
He entered the militia as a member of the New York " Light Guard," in 1857 ; became Drill-Sergeant in 1858. In 1860, he was elected a member of the City Guard, Company C, of the NINTH. When the regiment left for the seat of war, he was in Europe, and on his return began to organize Com- pany I, of which he was elected Captain.
The 24th opened with indications of rain, and it was hoped the daily drill in heavy marching order would be postponed- not so, however. Two days" rations were issued and extra am- munition distributed, and when the tramp began it was thought that the enemy was the objective, but the march led to Belle Plain on the Potomac ; after a short rest there, the column countermarched back to camp in a pouring rain-storm, and, as a further " seasoning," the men received a thorough drenching.
Affairs in the Valley were now in such a critical condition, that President Lincoln suspended the order for McDowell's movement to unite with the Army of the Potomac, and instead of that, ordered a portion of the First Corps to be sent to the help of Banks and Fremont. Shields' division, which had only reached Catlett's Station a day or two before, was hurried back again to the Valley, and on the 25th, Ord's division
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
May
followed. The NINTH left camp at four o'clock in the after- noon, loaded with three days' rations, and marched with few halts until two o'clock the following morning, when the Poto- mac was reached. At daylight, and while waiting the arrival of the rest of the division, many of the men improved the opportunity to bathe in the river. At seven o'clock the NINTH," with the Twelfth Massachusetts, were conveyed by the ferry boat Eagle to the steamer Vanderbilt which lay in the stream ; the other regiments of the brigade embarked on the Hudson River steamboats, North America and South America. The Vanderbilt had only gone as far up the river as Indian Head when she ran aground, and, despite the efforts of tugs to pull her off, she remained fast. An accident-which fortunately was not attended with serious consequences- occurred on board : Private James Pettit, of Company I, while half asleep walked overboard ; an alarm was instantly raised and a boat lowered ; Pettit, thoroughly awakened by his sudden plunge into the water, managed to paddle about until rescued, and was soon brought on board thoroughly scared by his misadventure, but happy in his safe deliverance.
At eight o'clock the next morning, the 27th, the steamer Red Jacket took off the NINTH, while the Parthenia received the Twelfth, and the voyage was resumed. The sail up the historic stream was much enjoyed. Mount Vernon was an object of special interest, but, owing to the dense foliage the Home of Washington could barely be seen-a great disap- pointment to all on board. While passing Fort Washington, the band played and the men shouted and cheered to the gar- rison. Alexandria was reached at noon, and, eluding the officers, a large number of the men found their way into the city, many of whom soon became oblivious to their duty, so that, at half-past seven in the evening. when the regiment was ordered on board the cars, less than half the men were in line. The train reached Manassas Junction a little after midnight. the men remaining in the cars till daylight, when the regiment was marched about two miles and camped. Most of the stragglers arrived during the day, and the records show that
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GAINESVILLE-FRONT ROYAL.
1862
they were punished for their unsoldierly conduct. In extenu- ation of this breach of discipline, it must be borne in mind that this was the anniversary of the departure of the regiment for the seat of war. The men had no battle anniversary to celebrate as yet, and.the leaving home was about the most im- portant event in their military history.
At six o'clock on the morning of the 29th, tents were struck, and shortly after the division was on the march. Upon nearing Gainesville cars were found in waiting, upon which the men embarked, but on reaching a stream it was found that the bridge was destroyed, and they were obliged to foot it again. Bivouac for the night was formed within a mile of Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run mountains. Six o'clock the next morning found the column in motion. The villages of White Plains and Salem were passed, and a halt was ordered within two miles of Piedmont Station. The day was one of the hottest the men had ever experienced, but the air was somewhat cooled in the afternoon by a heavy shower. Reveille was beaten at three o'clock in the morning of the 31st, and the march resumed at five. Upon arriving at Pied- mont, knapsacks were left behind, and three days' rations issued. The roads were rough and frequently crossed by deep streams, through which the men were obliged to wade- the water often reached as high as the hips. The march was a forced one and was continued until about eight in the even- ing ; when, after a tiresome tramp of twenty-one miles-and y for two or three hours in a pouring rain-storm-Front Royal was reached. It was a wet bivouac that night, for the rain continued to pour down incessantly.
After a particularly heavy thunder shower in the early morning of Sunday, June Ist, the day broke bright and clear. The picturesque mountain scenery-all nature looking refreshed after the rain -- was some recompense for the discomforts of the march and bivouac. To the sound of heavy cannonading the troops fell into line at ten o'clock, marched about a mile beyond the town and formed line of battle, remaining thus about two hours, after which the shelters were pitched for the
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
night. The division of General Shields-that old hero carry- ing his arm in a sling, the wound received at Kernstown on March 23rd, still troubling him-passed the NINTH during the afternoon, and the column was most vociferously cheered. During the night it rained hard ; the camp was deluged with water which trickled through the thin shelter tents and formed little puddles wherever the men lay down.
Many of the members of the NINTH will recall the wild and picturesque view obtained while crossing one of the streams on a railroad bridge during the march. The water fell over a ledge, a sheer descent of over two hundred feet, forming one of the most romantic waterfalls in the country, while on either side the mountains seemed to tower to the very clouds.
A brief resume of Jackson's operations in the Valley during the past few days will serve to explain matters : On the 24th of May, Banks was driven from the Valley towards the Potomac, which he soon after crossed. leaving a small force at Harper's Ferry under the protection of the batteries on Maryland Heights. By the 25th the Government was thoroughly alarmed, fearing the intrepid Jackson would cross the Potomac and march on Washington from the west and north. Telegraphic mes- sages were sent to the Governors of the Northern States, call- ing for militia to hurry to the defence of the Capital, and within twenty-four hours nearly half a million men were offered for that purpose. On the Sth Jackson advanced on Harper's Ferry, and, leaving a strong rear guard there under Ewell to hold the Union forces in check, he then turned about with his main force and began a rapid retreat up the Valley. His object had been accomplished. He had thoroughly frightened the Government, and prevented reinforcements being sent to MeClellan, and now it was time for him to get out of the way before the troops, hurrying to cut him off, should bar his retreat. On the night of the 31st Jackson was at Strasburg, while Fremont, who was operating on the west side of the Val- ley, had only reached a point nine miles northwest of that place. Shields had expected General John C. Fremont to be at Stras- burg on the 30th, while he (Shields) would reach Front Royal
1862
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LIBRARY-
ATTEMPT TO HEAD OFF JACKSON. I35
at the same time, and thereby cut the enemy off. Shields' advance reached Front Royal on time, but as Fremont failed to cooperate, Jackson slipped through. The Union troops pressed on in pursuit, however, but it was a stern chase, and Jackson succeeded in inflicting severe punishment upon his adversarjes before leaving them.
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