USA > New York > History of the One hundred and twenty-fourth regiment, N. Y. S. V. > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
On Monday afternoon, Major Generals French and Warren met, just in front of the picket reserve, where the left wing of the 124th was lying, and interchanged views regarding the situa- tion. I did not catch the drift of the conversation, but presently in reply to a remark of General Warren's, French turned his face toward the enemy's works, raised in his stirrups, and with his eyes blinking more rapidly than usual, replied " Thunder ! War- reu, it would be throwing your purse before swine," at which they wheeled their horses and rode off in opposite directions. Quite . a number of our men had been entirely out of rations since the night before, and just after French and Warren had separated a rather fine looking steer came running through the woods and halted in the very spot on which the Generals had met; but in less than half an hour his flesh, cut in several hundred strips and fastened to as many forked sticks, was broiling in front of little brush fires which had been suddenly started up all through the woods. About the same time several rubber blankets, full of flour, appeared from, nobody seemed to know where, and the boys had a right hearty meal.
When Meade finally decided to return to his old camps north of the Rapidan, the Third corps was directed to move down the
See Dr. Geo. T. Stephens' Three years in the Sixth Corps, page 290,
246
HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. 1
Orange Turnpike about five miles, and then take a road which turned to the left and ran for about six miles through dense forests and struck the. Rapidan at Culpepper Mine Ford, where we would find a pontoon bridge lain ready for us to cross on. It was nearly daylight when we reached this bridge, and as soon as the rear regiment of our column-which had for several miles been hard pressed by a body of Confederate cavalry-crossed over, a band at the Ford struck up, "Out of the Wilderness," and there went up a responsive " Amen !" which would have done credit to the brethren at an Ocean Grove Camp Meeting.
CASUALTIES OF 124TH AT MINE RUN, NOV. 30, 1863.
Private Charles A. Mc Gregor, Co. H Killed.
¥ Jacob F. Jordan, H. Wounded.
John Edwards, D.
Francis McMahon, G.
247
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER.
CHAPTER XIV.
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER.
F ROM the close of the short and unfruitful Mine Run cam- paign, which ended on the first days of December, 1863, until the opening of the long and bloody Wilderness campaign, which began on the first days of May, 1864, the two grand armies contented themselves with frowning at each other from the opposite banks of the Rapidan, making three or four weak feints, and preparing for the stern work which followed.
The 124th, on its return to Brandy Station, settled down in the camp it had vacated a week before, and after a few days had been spent in repairing and fitting up the log cabins in which we now expected to spend the winter, we took up again the routine duties of camp life, and barring the unusual number of bitter cold days spent on the picket line, the winter passed more pleasantly than we had any reason to expect it would.
.
The verbatim extracts from diaries kept during the period referred to, by members of the regiment other than myself, of which this short chapter is in part made up, will, I have no doubt, give my readers a more correct idea of some of the phases of soldier life when the army is resting, than I could in any other way convey to them. Lieutenant Charles Stewart's diary for the month of December, 1863, contains the following.
" Thursday, Dec. 3d-Reached our old camp at daybreak, foot-sore and tired out. Went to bed early, but about 9 o'clock the bugle sounded "strike tents " and we had to get up and tear down our houses. After forming on the color line and waiting there an hour, the order was countermanded and we lay down again but without fixing up tents.
" Friday, Dec. 4th-Still played out, sore from head to foot,
1
248 HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
The regiment was formed at noon to witness the execution of Private - of Company B, sentenced to be shot for desertion .* After dress parade we stretched our tents over the roof poles of our log cabins again, and with a good fire, spent a comfortable evening.
" Saturday, Dec. 5th-Had one good night's rest in our com- fortable house, but about 1 P. M. that confounded strike tents sounded again. The brigade was got together in an adjacent field where we stacked arms and rested for two hours; after which each regiment formed on its own color line, stacked arms there and kept themselves in readiness to fall in at a moment's notice till S o'clock, when the order came to unpack knapsacks and make ourselves comfortable for the night. The night was bitter cold and as we had no tents up we could not be comfortable.
" Sunday, Dec. 6th-Passed a very disagreeable night on account of the cold-was glad when daylight came. After breakfast the wind rose and our fire smoked so that we had to let it go out. Charley Thayer took dinner with us. Had let- ters from home in the evening, and a notice that I had to go on brigade guard in the morning.
" Thursday, Dec. 10th-No drills to-day to disturb the plans of any body. The weather is fine and the boys are busy fixing up their winter quarters. We have made some improvements on ours to-day. It is reported that General Thomas has suc- ceeded Meade and is now in command of this army. All hands are keeping a sharp lookout for the paymaster.
" Friday, Dec. 11th-An order was read at dress parade stating that furloughs would now be granted to a limited number of officers and enlisted men. Only three line officers and five enlisted men allowed to be absent from our regiment at a time. Half of this company (1) sent in applications during the evening.
" Monday, Dec. 14th-Ramsdell received his discharge and left us this morning, and Lieutenant Sayer was assigned to the command of his company (C). Colonel Cummins and Captains
* Execution did not take place-sentence commuted by President, to confinement at Fort Jefferson, Florida.
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER. 249
Benedict and Jackson, got furloughs and left for home on the 6 p. M. train. Boys spent the greater part of the day cleaning up camp. Weather blustery with showers.
" Tuesday, Dec. 15th-Beautiful spring-like weather-clean- ing camp is still the order of the day-HIear that the paymaster has arrived and will commence with the 4th Maine in the morn- ing. We have our pay rolls signed and every body is ready to receive his greenbacks. Sergeant Chandler and four others have received furloughs and will start for home in the morning.
" Thursday, Dec. 17th-Last night was very stormy-this morning no better. Our house leaks all over, and our chimney works badly, which makes things rather uncomfortable.
" Friday, Dec. 18th-Paymaster has been shelling out green- backs to us nearly all day-Dr. Montfort received a special leave of absence.
" Saturday, Dec. 19th-Very cold and wintry-strong wind and heavy frost. The regiment ordered out for inspection at 1 P. M. This was a cold job, but did not last long.
" Sunday Dec. 20th-No duty of any kind to-day but dress parade in the afternoon. Still very cold.
" Monday, Dec. 21st-One hundred and fifty men detached from our regiment for picket. Captain Travis to act as field officer of the day. I remained in camp but have been detailed to go on guard in the morning.
" Wednesday, Dec. 23d-Received a box from home to-day, with a good assortment of delicacies to pass the Christmas with."
" Friday, Dec. 25th-Spent a pretty good Christmas. The Colonel and Captains Benedict and Jackson, returned from fur- lough-a whiskey ration was issued to the regiment and a num- ber of the boys feel good.
" Saturday, Dec. 26th-Very dull in camp to-day. Quite a number are keeping very quiet and trying to sleep off the effect of yesterday.
"Sunday, Dec. 27th-The same old camp Sabbath-no inspection-no drill-no work, but in other respects the same as other days.
250
HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
" Monday, Dec. 28th-Wet and disagreeable. Have to hug the fire very close to keep at all comfortable.
" Wednesday, Dec. 30th -- Major Weygant. with Captains Travis and Wood, Adjutant Van Houten and Chaplain Bradner, received furloughs and started for home on the 10 o'clock train this morning.
" Thursday, Dec. 31st-Very wet and stormy, in consequence of which we were mustered by companies in front of the Colonel's tent. After retiring I was hauled out of my bed by Quarter- master Post who made me go to his tent, where was a party waiting to see the old year out and the new year in."
The morning report of the 124th, for Dec. 30th, 1863, shows the strength of the regiment as follows :
Present for duty 22 officers and 261 enlisted men.
on extra duty.
sick. 2
in arrest
Absent on detached service.
3 35
66
sick and wounded. 1 189
without leave.
66
66
in arrest:
Total present and absent 29
66
The diary of Sergeant Thomas Taft, of Company C, for the month of January, and first half of February, 1864, contains the following :
" Friday, Jan. 1st, 1864-It ceased raining about S A. M., cleared off very cold-freezing fast. Had pudding for our New Years dinner-ingredients, flour, dried apples and molasses.
" Saturday, Jan. 2d-Coldest night we have had this year- made ice thick enough to bear a man's weight. The regiment started for picket line under command of Captain Jackson at 9 o'clock this morning. The picket line is five miles from camp ; the roads are rough and very rutty, and it took us until 12 o'clock .. to get there. I go on post near Mrs. Pendleton's house, which is two miles northwest of Culpepper Court-house.
" Sunday, Jun. 3d-Very cold, commenced snowing at 4 P. M.
" Monday, Jan. 4th-Went back to the grand reserve last
66
7 1 8 1 2 " 512 8
66 66
66 66
with leave. 1
66
66
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER. 251
evening, and came out to the old post again this morning and remained all day. It snowed all last night and there were two inches of snow on the ground this morning. The commissary sergeant brought us our two days' rations of soft bread, sugar coffee and fresh meat. We captured a contraband trying to run the picket line. He says we can do anything we have a mind to with him, if we will only let him live. The poor " dark " has evidently been taught to believe that we are all cannibals.
" Tuesday, Jan. 5th-Cold as ever. Relieved at 12 o'clock by the 86th New York, and a detachment from the sharp-shoot- ers. The march back to camp over the frozen ground was very severe and about used me up. It snowed some this afternoon.
" Wednesday, Jan. 6th-Very cold. Ground still covered with snow. We have to carry our firewood about a mile. Have been busy all day writing up company books. The sun came out at 11 o'clock, but it did not thaw much and at 4 P. M. began to grow cold again.
" Friday, Jan. Sth-Snow four inches deep and yet falling. A funeral in the 4th Maine-' died of fever.'
" Saturday, Jan. 9th-Wash day. Got clothes all washed by 12 o'clock. Our division has been ordered to change camp. Drew three days' rations of salt pork and fresh beef, coffee and sugar. Expect to start for our new camp in a day or two.
" Sunday, Jan. 10th-Company inspection by Lieutenant Sayer. Dress parade by Major Weygant, who with Captains Wood and Travis, and Lieutenant Van Houten, returned from furlough last night.
" Monday, Jan. 11th-Very cold night. Bugle blew for roll call at 4 A. M. One hundred and twenty-five men detailed from our regiment for picket. They started for the picket line at 7 o'clock. Ilave been busy all day making out our company ordnance returns, for Lieutenant Sayer-or rather Captain Sayer, for he was mustered to that grade this afternoon. Moving camp has been postponed until Friday, when we are to go two miles out, near Culpepper, where wood is plenty.
252
HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
" Friday, Jan. 15th-Commenced moving camp yesterday morning. Officers' traps and baggage were taken over first, and then the wagons came for ours. I got some of my tent logs carried over and have cut and split enough more to make our tent seven logs high.
" Saturday, Jan. 16th-Got to work on our tents at day- light, up to our eyes in mud and dirt. Got our tent nearly all plastered and chimney nearly completed. Our camp is situated on a hill-well wooded. Any quantity of oak and hickory close at hand.
" Sunday, Jan. 17th-We put up bunks in our tent to-day. The ground was very damp to sleep on. The snow is about all gone. Received orders from adjutant to send in names of all men in company who have not been vaccinated.
" Saturday, Jan. 23d-Two hundred men from our regiment went out on picket this morning under command of Captain Silli- man, who returned from Riker's Island and resumed command of our company on the 29th.
" Monday, Jan. 25th-A lady rode past our camp to-day, all the boys turned out to see her.
" Tuesday, Jan. 26th-Picket detail returned to-day. Re- ceived our new flag. Had dress parade at 3 o'clock --- both colors out, the old and new, side by side. We saluted them, and then gave three cheers, first for the old and then for the new.
* The following communication from the donors was read to the regiment and received with vociferous applause.
To the Officers and men of the 124th Regiment N. Y. Vols .- The Daughters of Orange, having heard that the colors they presented to you at the time of your organization have been impaired in battle, take great pleasure in substituting new ones. Please regard them as renewed tokens of their high appreciation of your ser- vices as a regiment, and as a pledge of their desire to have their interests in this con- test identified with your own. You can hardly be expected to know how large a place you have in our hearts, how sincere our regard and sympathy, or the great interest we have in the records of the brave American Guards. Continue to keep them unsullied and to make for us such a history as we may be proud to deposit with the archives of our country. You have already won a name for courage and efficiency in battles, for fortitude and endurance in wearisome marches-a name that can be still more exalted, if, after having stood the test of intrepid soldiers, you can add to it the crowning virtues of patience and endurance to the end .- Your diminished numbers tell elo- quently what you have already suffered since you left us under the leadership of the
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER. 253
" Wednesday, Fel. 3d -- An order was read at dress parade stating that until further orders on the subject we are to have company drill in the morning, battalion drill in the afternoon, and brigade drill once a week. Captain Silliman received his commission this morning as Colonel of the 26th U. S. Colored Regiment.
" Thursday, Fel. 4th-Captain Silliman gave the officers of the regiment a farewell supper. They all assembled in Captain Jackson's tent at & p. M. and had a jovial time, I should judge, from the noise they made.
" Friday, Feb. 5th-The Captain requested me to form com- pany without arms this morning, and when I had done so he made us a short address, and shook hands and bid us good-bye ; as he moved away we gave three hearty cheers for Colonel Silliman."
Toward the close of January, General Butler -- then command- ing the Department of Virginia and North Carolina-having learned that Richmond had been stripped of its garrison for the purpose of reinforcing General Picket's command, which was operating in North Carolina, decided to attempt to capture the Confederate Capital by making a sudden dash on it by way of New Kent Court-house, with a strong column of cavalry.
On the 4th of Febauary, General Butler's raiding column, under the immediate command of Brigadier General Wister, reached New Kent Court-house, and General Sedgwick who was in tem- porary command of the Army of the Potomac, was instructed
able and bold Colonel Ellis. Send us back the old and revered flag that it may be placed with the cherished mementoes of your lamented commander and his immortal braves. Its tarnished hues will affect to sadness, those who beheld it unfurled and in his hand held aloft on the day of its presentation, when he declared if he did not bring it back we might rest assured that the arm that held it, would be palsied in death. Return it to tell us of Gettysburg, and of the faithful, undaunted men, who followed it with the offerings of their lives, amid the strife and carnage of battle ; or beneath its folds have shouted victory over our foes. We will continue to hold in "grateful remembrance not only the dead, but the disabled and scarred survivors. Be assured that you, upon whom rests the future, have no public friends more anxious for your unblemished reputation and honor, or more deeply solicitous for your welfare than the
DAUGHTERS OF ORANGE,
254
HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
by the authorities at Washington, as a diversion in favor of But- ler's enterprise, to make a demonstration across the Rapidan.
The bulk of our cavalry and the Third corps were selected for this purpose. During the night of the 5th the cavalry moved forward and on the morning of the 6th the Third corps started after them.
Reveille was sounded in our brigade at half past four o'clock and at seven we were ready to start; but about 8 o'clock it com- menced raining and we did not leave camp until 3 P. M. Then we moved through the rain and mud to an open field about a mile away, where the division was ordered to assemble, and stacked arms. After remaining there about half an hour, during which we heard heavy artillery firing from the direction of the Rapidan, we started forward and after marching about five miles bivouacked for the night without partaking of a warm cup of coffee, for we were unable to find wood to build fires with. The blankets and clothes of the boys were so wet they could not sleep, and all felt relieved when at 4 o'clock Sunday morning the buglers sounded reveille again. It had stormed hard all night and the rain was yet falling, but at daybreak we started forward again. The mud was so deep we could scarcely wade through it, and when at mid-day we halted for dinner, we had made but four miles. Our cavalry and a force of the enemy which was opposing their advance, kept up a terrible racket, with both artillery and small arms, until about 1 p. M. when the din of the battle died away. At 2 o'clock we countermarched and moved back about a mile to a piece of woods. The rain meantime ceased falling, and the sun came out bright and warm. As soon as we reached the woods the men unrolled their blankets and spread them on the ground and branches of trees to dry, and began cut- ting pine boughs to sleep on, for we all expected to spend the night there. But about 4 P. M. orders came to move back to camp. Then hour after hour, we plodded on through mud almost knee deep, and just after midnight reached our tents again, all covered with dirt and completely worn out ; yet at early daylight next morning more than half the regiment had to start off on a five
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER 255
mile march, through the mud again, to the picket lines. I rode out with the poor fellows as, " Brigade officer of the pickets," and will copy a note or two from my diary concerning that tour of duty.
" Wednesday, Feb. 10th-The dividing of the reserve into reliefs last night, so that a part might sleep while the balance remained ready for duty, was a useless task, for it was so damp and cold that no one was able to sleep.
" Thursday, Feb. 11th-I lay down quite carly under my little tent at the picket reserve last evening, but the cold was so intense I could not sleep, and soon got up and spent the night sitting on a cracker box by a smoking log fire, around which I kept moving, first one way and then the other, to keep out of range of the strong pine smoke which almost eats one's eyes out."
This was my last three days picket tour. On the 17th of February Lieutenant Colonel Cummins became full Colonel, and I was mustered as Lieutenant Colonel-having held a commis- sion of that grade since Oct. 10th, 1863 -. and my name was thereupon transferred from the roll of picket officers, to that from which division officers of the day were drawn. My first detail for duty in the latter capacity was received on the morn- ing of February 23d, when, on proceeding to the picket line, I relieved Colonel Moses Lakeman of the 3d Maine, and was in turn relieved the next day by Lieutenant Colonel Walker of the 17th Maine.
The headquarters of our division officers of the picket was, at that time, at what was known as the Thomas House. Mr. Thomas was an old man, unfit for military service, and though at heart a secessionist, was nevertheless a courteous gentleman. His wife was a delicate, proud-looking old lady, but like her hus- band was respectful and accommodating. These old people hav- ing been deprived of other means of support, were glad to have served up in their house, to the officers of the day and the staff officers who frequently accompanied them, such articles of food as Mr. Thomas was able to procure from our commissaries and sutlers, and from the officers themselves-for which, of course, he
256
HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
was always paid most liberally. The Thomases had two sons and several sons in law, but they were all in the Rebel army and their wives remained within the Confederate lines. There was, however, living with the old people at the time, a distant relative of the family who before the war had been a school-mistress. She was a bitter little Rebel, not more than twenty years of age, and I had frequently heard Colonels Lakeman and Cummins speak of her as "Jennie of the Picket line."
After relieving Colonel Wakeman I rode along the line, with which I was already quite familiar ; and about 1 P. M., returned to this house, delivered my horse to a guard who stood waiting for him, and walked into a large front room which had been given up by the family to the exclusive use of the division officers of the day. There was a large old-fashioned fire-place in one end of this room, in which a bright log fire was blazing. When I entered, two or three members of a permanent guard which had been stationed at this house, and who had been in fixing the fire and warming themselves, walked out and I was alone. The room was uncarpeted, and the only furniture it con- tained was a large square pine table, half a dozen wooden bot- tomed chairs and several three legged stools. I drew one of the chairs up to the fire and, after warming my feet, lit a cigar and settled back for a smoke. Presently I heard a slight knock and a door opening behind me, and turning suddenly around saw the young lady referred to walking slowly toward where I was sit- ting ; but the moment she saw my face she came to a halt, threw up her hands slightly as if surprised, asked to be excused and said she had been informed that the colonel-or rather the Lieu- tenant colonel of the 124th New York Yankee regiment was there. I immediately arose, told her that the information she had received was correct, and offered her a chair. She declined being seated and asked " Will he be in soon ?" " He is in now," I replied with sober face and a polite bow. " Ah! " said she, " but you are not the person ; perhaps there are two of your regiments called the 124th New York-or do you have two lieu- tenant colonels to a regiment ?" " Only one lieutenant colonel
.
257
FIVE MONTHS AT BRANDY STATION AND CULPEPPER.
to a regiment, and only one New York regiment of that number in our army that I am aware of, Madam," I replied. "You sir are certainly not the person I was led to suppose was here," came in a sharp quick tone, and " Miss Jennie of the Picket line " wheeled in a pert manner, and was about to leave. the room ; but I stopped her with a " Pray madam may I be allowed to ask what sort of a looking person he is for whom you are in- quiring ? " " Well," she answered, drawing her face in a most comical shape, " he is not very handsome, to be sure, but "-her features now straightened to a severe and contemptuous expres- sion, and she looked me square in the eyes-" he is a jolly good hearted old gentleman who would scorn to insult a lady like that horrid Colonel Lakeman * who left here this morning; or to lie to a lady like another Yankee officer I have seen lately. I came to this room to ask Colonel Shiloh +-that's his name-if he would soon be ready for dinner." I then explained to this southern lady that her good hearted jolly old friend now wore eagles, and that I had mustered to the rank of lieutenant colonel in his stead. I also asked her if she had any objection to put- ting to me the same question she had intended to ask him. She replied that she had not, but an hour passed before dinner was announced, and then I did not have the pleasure of her company at the table.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.