USA > New York > History of the One hundred and twenty-fourth regiment, N. Y. S. V. > Part 33
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Judson and Campbell were both shot in the daytime, and I think in the morning, but their bodies could not be removed until night. I leave the reader to imagine the feelings of the solitary vidette doing double duty, hour after hour with his com- rade's dead body lying in the narrow pit beside him, and then, when relieved at night he creeps back to the main works dragging the lifeless clay after him.
Lieutenant Taft writing concerning the burial of Corporal Jud- son says, " We buried him by moonlight, and it was a most sol- emn scene. We wrapped him in his blanket and placed him in a cracker box coffin, a prayer was offered at his grave which was
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HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
dug and filled again by the chief mourners, and I reported one man less for duty."
On or about the 20th the pickets ceased firing at each other, and everything in camp moved along very quietly until the 26th when the paymaster put in his appearance. The effect of his arrival is described in a letter written in the camp of the 124th the next day as follows, " The long looked for-the paymaster I mean-came yesterday. Greenbacks are good for the eyes and have a most wonderful effect on the countenance. Two days ago every one I met looked downhearted, now every one I see wears a broad smile on his face, and I can't help looking off toward the sutler's tent and slapping my pocket. Who wouldn't be a soldier ? Did you ever work hard at least twelve hours out of every twenty-four, and wander listlessly about between times for over two months at a stretch, without a cent in your pocket and no credit at the store ? If not you will be unable to appre- ciate my feelings on this occasion."
We were making, about this time, strenuous efforts to fill up the regiment and Secretary Seward had promised Major Murray to see that several hundred drafted men were sent to us. About the first of October Colonel Tracy commanding Draft Rendezvous at Elmira, N. Y., was directed to forward us two hundred men. Instead of attempting to account for what became of these men, I will insert a verbatim copy of a communication made in regard to them, with the indorsements thereon.
"HEAD-QUARTERS 124TH N. Y. VOL., OCTOBER 12, 1804.
MAJOR D. D. PERKINS, A. A. G.
"I respectfully report that on the eighth of this month, I received from Col. B. F. Tracy comd'g. Draft Rendezvous at Elmira, N. Y., muster and descriptive rolls that had originally contained the names of two hun- dred (200) men, but from which one hundred and eighteen had been ruled off, leaving eighty-two names yet on the rolls. With these rolls there came to my regiment but seven (7) men and not one of the remaining number have since arrived.
" Very respectfully yours. " CHAS. H. WEYGANT. . Lieut. Co !. Comd'g."
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"WAR DEPT., A. G. O. WASHINGTON, D. C., OCT. 18. 1864.
" Respectfully referred to commanding officer Draft Rendezvous, El- mira, N. Y., for his report on this communication, stating to whom and at whar point the men referred to were turned over, with date-To be re- turned.
" By order "D. D. PERKINS, Asst. Adjt .- Gent." :
"HEAD-QUARTERS DRAFT RENDEZVOUS, ELMIRA, N. Y. OCT 23, 1864
" Respectfully returned to Maj. D. D. Perkins A. A. Gen .- I have the honor to make the following report. Eighty-two (82) substitutes for the 124th N. Y. Vols., were forwarded from this post Oct. 3d, 1864, and turned over to the Provost- marshal at City Point, Va., Oct. 6th. 1864.
" B. F. TRACY, Col. 127th U. S. C. T. Comd'y Post."
"WAR DEPT. A. G. O. WASHINGTON, OCT. 26. 1864.
" Respectfully returned (through commanding general of the army of the Potomac) with reference to endorsed report of Col. B. F. Tracy com- manding Draft Rendezvous Elmira, N. Y.
" By order " D. D. PERKINS, Asst. Adjt .- Gen."
" HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, OCT. 30, 1864.
" Respectfully returned to commanding officer 124th N. Y. Vols. through comd'g officer Second corps.
" By command of " MAJ. GENERAL MEADE.
" CHAS. E. PEASE, Assistant Adjutant- General."
" HEAD-QUARTERS 2D ARMY CORPS. OCT. 31, 1804.
"Respectfully returned to comd'g. officer 124th N. Y. Vols. through comd'g. officer 3d Division.
" By order of " MAJ. GENERAL HANCOCK.
"SEPT. CARNCROSS, Maj. ( A. A. G."
" HEAD-QUARTERS 3D DIVISION, 2D ARMY CORPS, OCT. 31. 1864.
" Respectfully returned to C. O. 124th N. Y. Vols. through C. O. 1st Brigade.
" By command of " MAJ. GENERAL MOTT. 1 "B. P. FINKILMUIER, Assistant Adjutant-General."
" HEAD-QUARTERS IST BRIGADE 3D DIVISION OD CORPS, Nov. 2. 1964.
" Respectfully returned to C. O. 124th N. Y. V .- As these endorse- ยท ments do not afford any information concerning the whereabouts of the
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HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS
men in question the C. O. 124th N. Y. V. will make another application concerning them.
"By command of
"BRIG. GENERAL R. de TROBRIAND. " AUG. W. KEENE, Assistant Adjutant-General."
Received at Head-Quayters 124th N. Y. Vols. Nov. 3, 1864.
"Wy. B. VAN HOUTEN, Adjutant."
This piece of red tape had passed around an extended circle until the ends had come together, but it had not been run through the headquarters of our worthy and efficient provost-marshal gen- eral. A second communication met with like usage, and not one of the missing men ever reached the 124th.
On the last day of September, offensive operations against the enemy at Deep Bottom were resumed, and for several days there was severe fighting at different points along the Petersburg and Richmond lines ; but the 124th did not become actually engaged. We however moved about considerably, and did a vast amount of work with axes, picks and shovels. On the first day of Octo- ber our division was hurried out of camp to the railroad station near the Jerusalem Plank Road. There we found awaiting us a train of cars on which we were conveyed forthwith to the ex- treme Union left, where Warren with a heavy force had succeeded in extending his lines so that they crossed the Weldon railroad. one of the enemy's main arteries for supplies. We found War- ren's forces were having all they could do to hold fast of their prize ; and the most of our division was hurried forward to their assistance. The 124th with six other regiments of our brigade were however set to work cutting drive ways through a strip of woods, and building a strong redoubt in front of a Confederate mansion called the Clement House. After spending three days and nights at this work, we were relieved by General Ferrero's division of colored troops, and our brigade moved leisurely back to the Jerusalem plank road, and encamped in the second line near Fort Sedgwick. We were not however out of range of the enemy's bullets, and as usual were kept busy at fatigue and picket duty.
The fourth day after our arrival at this camp, pickets came
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in, bearing with them the dead body of Private Grant B. Benja- min of Co. G. ; and reported that just as they were being relieved Benjamin raised up from a sitting posture. and was in the act of folding his blanket when a bullet, from the gun of some sharp- shooter off to the Confederate rear, passed through his brain. killing him instantly. Private Benjamin was a good soldier, and was followed to his grave by a large number of saddened comrades.
The next day, Oct. 10th, Private Benjamin Little of B. was temporary disabled by a bullet. and on the 20th Corporal Theo- dore Smith of A. was so badly injured that he never returned to duty with the regiment.
On the 22d while the men were busy preparing for inspection, a bullet came whistling through the camp, and the sound of that peculiar thud which always told such a sad story, came from the direction of Lieutenant Birdsall's tent, and Orderly Sergeant Wood of Co. A. hastened thither, but only to find the dead body of his company commander. A little red spot on his forehead told once again, plainer than words can express it, that now most familiar story of the enemy's fatal bullet.
Lieutenant Jonathan Birdsall was then our junior officer in years as well as rank, and was greatly esteemed by all who knew him. There was in his case one most comforting thought. In all the regiment there was not a person believed by his comrades to be ever more ready to meet death than young Birdsall. He was a thorough gentleman as well as christian, and of course had the respect of those under him and the esteem of his superiors. His brother officers had his body embalmed and placed in a metallic coffin, and expressed home to his friends.
That night I wrote as following, in my journal -- " Poor brave noble little Birdsall-somehow I can't draw my thoughts from him. Our camp is the most exposed of any along this portion of the line. Nearly every tent in it has been pierced by Confeder- ate bullets, or torn by shell. Every few moments. day and night. a piece of lead whistles through or falls into it. Not long since a minnie passed through my own tent just above my head. As I
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HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
was walking to supper this evening with Major Murray, one buried itself in the ground not a yard away, and directly behind us. The Major thought it had entered my body, and I felt said it had wounded him. If my life-blood is to be drawn by a rebel bullet, or if many more of my brave boys are to fall. I trust it may be on the battle-field in a square open fight."
As the month of October drew toward its close, it became very apparent to all close observers, that General Grant did not intend to let us settle down into winter quarters, umil we had made at least one more attempt to take Petersburg and Richmond : for the fall of either would, it was believed, necessitate the evacua- tion of the other
The first movement of importance, in the contemplated plan - of active operations, was to be a determined effort to wrest from the enemy, the Southside railroad ; which had now become the chief channel of communication between Petersburg and the country in its rear, and was protected by an advanced line of earthworks, several miles in extent.
The task of attacking these works was assigned to the Ninth and Fifth corps; while Hancock's command, accompanied by Gregg's division of cavalry, was ordered to move around to the west side of Hatchers' Run, sweep across the Boydton road and seize the coveted Southside railroad.
The 124th now mustered for duty sixteen fighting officers and upwards of two hundred and thirty enlisted men. The brave Captain Benedict-though his wounds were not yet entirely healed-had returned to the regiment, and been assigned to duty as acting Major, while Major Murray took the position of Lieutenant-Colonel. Our plucky sharpshooter Lieutenant Car- mick was once more in command of Company F .. and Lieutenant Thomas W. Bradley who had recently been promoted from a sergeantey in HI. had been assigned to the command of company B. With a full field, and with each little company under a true and tried commander, I felt very confident that in the coming conflict the 124th would perform most creditably whatever duty was assigned it.
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During the night of the 24th, such of the troops of the corps mentioned as could be spared from the main line, were withdrawn and massed in neighboring ravines, out of sight of the enemy. On the afternoon of the 26th Hancock's command moved to the left as far as the Weldon road and there bivouacked for the night.
About four o'clock on the morning of the 27th the Ninth and Fifth corps, which had moved out and taken position during the night began to advance, and Mott's division, led by our brigade resumed its march along the Vaughan road. Very little worthy of note transpired until we were within half a mile of Hatchers' Run when brisk skirmish firing broke out in front of us, and we soon overtook Gibbon's old division now ander General Eagan ; (Eagan was formerly colonel of the 40th New York of our bri- gade) which we found drawn up in battle line and preparing to force a passage of the stream which was defended by a small force of the enemy posted behind a light line of rifle pits. This Eagan's troops soon accomplished without our assistance ; after which we crossed at our leisure and moved on in column with flankers on our left, following their battle line
It was now nearly ten o'clock and we could hear heavy can- nonading off to our right. The farther we advanced the sharper grew the skirmish firing along Eagan's front, and every few mo- ments a wounded man would be carried past toward the rear. Some of these wounded men looked very pale and others pre- sented blood-stained faces or garments, suggesting unpleasant thoughts to those who were pressing forward, for all believed we would soon find our advance disputed by a battle line instead of skirmishers.
Presently an order came for our brigade to move to the front and relieve the brigade on the left of Eagan's line. Hastily form- ing battle line and throwing out the 73d N. Y. and 20 U. S. S. S. as skirmishers we started forward on a double-quick and soon "reached the troops we were to relieve. This brigade had for some cause fallen considerably behind the rest of Eagan's line and on our approach moved by the right flank on a run out of
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HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
our way. Our skirmishers soon became actually engaged with those of the enemy and drove them rapidly back out of the woods, over an open field, and then into the woods again, behind an old steam mill. At this mill we came up to and connected our right with Eagan's battle line, and pushed on with it until we reached the Boydton road. Here our entire corps was halted by an order-from General Meade. Our brigade was then moved to the left, to make room between our right and Engan's left for the balance of Mott's division which consisted of the brigades of Pierce and McAllister.
General de Trobriand's command now constituted the extreme Union left. His battle line extended across an open field, with regiments posted from right to left in the following order : 99th Pa., 110th Pa., 20th Ind., 40th N. Y., Ist Me. heavy artillery ** and 17th Me. Volunteers. The 73d and S6th N. Y. were ad- vanced a third of a mile and so deployed as to cover both front and flank of his main line; connecting on the left with the cavalry pickets, and on the right with the 124th N. Y., which was posted in a rather extended battle line at the outer edge of a piece of woods, across a road down which it was expected the enemy would attempt to advance. The line of the 73d and S6th ran in the form of a quarter circle through a dense wood ; but along the entire front of the 124th there was an open field about twenty rods in width. On the opposite side of this field the trees were large and grew very close together. The 2d U. S. S. S. was posted as a reserve to the picket line composed of 73d and 86th. The pickets of Mc Allister's brigade were supposed to extend to the right of the 124th.
Hancock had been ordered to connect his right with the left of Crawford's division of the Fifth corps, but unfortunately no one seemed to know just where Crawford's left rested; and General Eagan was accordingly directed to move cautiously through the wood to the right, with the bulk of his command. .. and see if he could not find it and make the desired connection.
* This regiment was acting as infantry, had recently been attached to our brigade and carried over a thousand rifles.
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Now Crawford's advance had run into an almost impenetrabh swamp a mile to the rear, and Eagan, at the end of an hour, was no nearer the object of his search than when he started.
Meantime the enemy, who it appears was better acquainted with the situation of affairs along the Union lines than our own commanders, and had been waiting patiently a favorable opportu- nity for striking a telling blow, hurried off a portion of Hili . corps under General Heath, against General Mott's isolated division.
The first intimation Mott had of an advance in force agains! him, came about four o'clock p. M. in the shape of a furious charge on Pierce's brigade, which, startled by the unexpected attack, gave way and fell back in disorder, leaving two guns to fall into the hands of the enemy. Fortunately Eagan, who was not far away, hearing the thunder of battle in his rear, about faced and hastened to the rescue with half of his division, and joined by Mc Allister's brigade, and the 99th Pa. and 20th Ind. from the right of de Trobriand's line, dashed forward with wild shouts. of a most gallant counter-charge, routing Heath's entire force. retak- ing the guns Pierce had lost, and capturing over a thousand prisoners.
While the battle was raging along Mott's right and centre : flanking force of dismounted cavalry, accompanied by a battery of rifled guns, came thundering down the road held by the 12 !! until brought to a halt by our bullets ; when hastily deploying. and creeping up to the edge of the woods opposite, they opened a most furious counter-fire with small arms while shells from their battery, planted across the road, tore through the trees in a most unpleasant manner. Those of my men who could not get shelter behind the trees, threw themselves on the ground, and all kept up as rapid a fire as they possibly could.
Presently one of General de Trobriand's aids rode up, and presenting the compliments of his chief. said he was sent to in- quire whether I did not think I could silence that battery in my front by capturing it. I told him to tell the general their we could try. but that the assistance of at least one regimeut
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HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
would be very acceptable. Fifteen minutes later back came the aid with the Sharpshooters and the General's order to " Go ahead and be sure you get the guns."
The commander of the sharpshooters rode boldly up to the front, and taking off his slouched hat shouted. " Halloo, Colonel- here we are at your service." But before I had time to give him any instructions, a bullet tumbled him from his horse ; where- upon his men, without waiting for orders, rushed forward and, scattering themselves along the line, dropped down on their knees, and opened fire as deliberately as if each man of the little regiment had determined to personally revenge the fall of his leader. They were none too soon, for just then a battle line of the foe appeared in the open field, intent on charging us ; but the telling fire from our consolidated line soon sent them back in confusion. Now, thought I, is our time to strike. I was at the left of my line, where I had gone to send word of our intention to Colonel Lansing of the 86th, and to ask his skirmishers who were not engaged to look after our flank, and was about to hasten back to the centre, and order the charge, when Lieutenant Rath- borne of the S6th came running up with, as I supposed, a mes- sage from Lansing. While in the act of turning around to receive this message a bullet passed through my side and entered the body of the Lieutenant, and as he fell I tumbled over him- into darkness.
On my return to consciousness Sergeant Tom Hart, of my old company, and a private soldier whose name I do not remem- ber, were carrying me through an open field. On looking about I saw General de Trobriand riding toward me. I explained to the general as well as I could, how I had left matters at the front, and he immediately ordered forward Kirwin's dismounted cavalry. which was temporarily under his command, to the support of the 124th and the Sharpshooters. The general also directed me to the hospital which had been established for the wounded of the division, at a little house in the edge of the woods about an eighth of a mile farther to the rear. AAt this house I found our assistant surgeon, Dr. Montfort, who examined and dressed my wound ;
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and I felt very much relieved when he informed mne it would not prove serious, as the ball had evidently gone around instead of through me. On my asking a second time, " Doctor, are you sure it did not go straight through," he replied laughingly, "quite sure of that, for if it had, it would have made a hole through your heart."
Before reaching the hospital I had lost considerable blood and was consequently quite weak ; and after resting at the house a short time made my way out to our ambulances, which stood in a row close by, and lay down in the first one I came to. In a few moments one of the hospital attendants came and informed me that Major Murray had been brought back, wounded in the leg.
Presently a rain storm set in, and it soon became very dark. Meantime the heavier noises of battle gradually died away and I concluded that the Unionists had been successful, or else the ambulances would have been sent to the rear, and rising to a sitting posture began looking through the gloom at the horses which were hitched to the ambulance I was in. I was wondering what color they were, when all of a sudden three or four cannon balls, which seemed to come right out of the little house where the doctors were, went thundering past ; and one of them carried away the upper part of the head of one of the horses I was looking at, and as the poor brute fell his mate made a desperate plunge. but did no harm to the ambulance, for he was securely tied to a tree, beside being held fast by the weight of the dead horse.
We were in direct range of a Confederate battery, which was firing right through the house referred to, and all the other ambulances were hurried. out of the way. When it was too late to make a change I became convinced that I had taken the wrong conveyance and forthwith crawled out at the rear end. Fortunately just as I alighted a shell burst above my head lighting up a space of a hundred feet or more all about where I was standing, and I saw my hostler, George Hawley, leading past my spirited mare and Adjutant Van Houten's docile horse. Calling Hawley to me, I with his assistance mounted the ad- jutant's beast (for it was not a favorable opportunity and beside
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HISTORY OF THE 124TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
I had no especial desire to make any display just then ) and walked him into the woods off toward what I supposed to be the Union rear. We were soon out of range of shot and shell. The farther we went the harder it rained and the darker grew the night. Every few moments we would pass or be passed by a little band of men who, like ourselves, were wandering they knew not where. The woods seemed to grow more and more deuse, and it soon became so very dark that I could not tell one object from another. Hawley tried hard to keep with me, but I presently missed him. He had followed some passing horsemen and was out of hearing. A little later a considerable body of mounted men came along, but I did not like the sound of their voices and moved out of their way. It turned out afterward that these woods were filled with the wounded men and stragglers of both armies. A little farther on I heard another body of horsemen approaching, and on listen- ing attentively recognized the voice of Captain Benedict.
The captain, as has been stated, was not able to walk and when at four p. M. I received orders to advance through the woods and take up a position across the road on the right of the picket line, I ordered him to remain in the rear ; for I felt that we were going where a mounted man would be of little use except as a target to be shot at.
The captain was soon at my side, and by talking continually we managed to keep together. The rest of the party were stran- gers, and for aught we knew half of them were Confederates. But fighting was no part of our business just then, and no impu- dent questions were asked. Presently we saw a bright light shining through the woods just ahead of us, and the next moment found ourselves on a narrow road, and discovered that the light came from a candle in the window of a house close by.
In the door of this house there stood a she devil, which we took to be a badly frightened old lady. I asked her what road we .were on. In reply she answered that it led to the Yellow Tay- .. ern. Now the Yellow Tavern was just inside the Union line of earthworks, and was the very point we were desirous of striking. Thanking her for the information we moved on, but before we
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IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG.
were a hundred yards from the house, there came from a dozen voices just ahead of us, the Southern shout of " Halt !- halt ! You Yankee sons -" accompanied by a most familiar click- ing sound, which spread to right and left along our front, and the next moment bullets began to whistle among us, and several of our number were wounded ; whereupon there went up shouts of " I surrender, I surrender," from a dozen throats. The others wheeled about, put spurs to their horses and hurried back through the woods out of range.
I remember very distinctly, that for half an hour before we reached this house I was so thoroughly exhausted that I had half a mind to dismount and lie down in the woods, and I think I would have done so only that I was afraid of being run over by some wandering horseman ; but at the sound of that ungentlemanly order to surrender, my strength was suddenly revived, and I poked my spurs in the ribs of the horse I was riding with such force that he started back with a bound that caused my hat to fly off-and I did not stop to pick it up. It was a new regulation hat of the latest style and had a gilt cord about it, so large that I have no doubt the Confederate who found it the next morning, supposed he was in possession of the head covering of some Yankee drum major or bran new general of cavalry.
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