USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 14
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The Sanitary and Christian commissions, their man- agers and supporters, received the prayers of every trip. soldier who fought and suffered on the sand hill- .: Morris island. And we would not forget that band
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of noble women in our own city, led by Mrs. Horatio Seymour. Jr., who was a power behind barricades of woolen and cotton goods, and whose labors for the sol- dier will live in our hearts while life lasts; and our blessings will follow those hearts that worked, felt and prayed for the cause and the welfare of the nation's preservers. Through Chaplain Linn the donations from Mrs. Seymour found their way to the regiment, and in hospital the suffering soldier was comforted and raised to health through means furnished by these patriotic women. The cargoes of ice, the loads of delicacies and substantial nutritive food for the sick and lan- guishing, will ever be remembered by us who felt the wants and cared for the welfare of those under our commands. Volumes could be written of incidents, happening in camp, on duty in the trench, or in boats along the creeks through the marsh during those long winter nights, with nought but the stars and one's thoughts to cheer. lightened with the fiery track of exploding shells on their mission of death. The morn- ing parade, from + A. M. till sunrise, on the island, as a precaution against surprise, and all regular duties and exposures were endured with fortitude and real heroisin for the cause and perpetuity of government. An end of daily and nightly duty mingled with the fear of exploding shells was at hand.
Sherman had marched to the sea. He had made Li- triumphal entry into Savannah, and soon would thunder at the rear gates of Charleston. Columbia had fallen, which was the signal for Hardee to evacu-
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ate Charleston. At an early hour, February 17th, 1865, Hardee, after destroying all property that might aid us in our operations, left by the only railway out of the city open for use, to join Beauregard and Cheat- ham in their union with Johnson, to cheek, if possible. the victorious legions of Sherman. The torch had been applied by military order, and four blocks of buildings were added to the large area of ruins.
At 9 o'clock, February 18th, Maj. A. J. Hennessey raised the stars and stripes over Sumter, where the old flag had been dishonored and hauled down nearly four years before. Flags were raised over Moultrie, Ripley and Pinckney, and Charleston was entered at 19 o'clock. and its surrender received from the hands of Maj. Macbeth, who gladly accomplished it, that speedy a>- sistance might be rendered to save what remained of that shattered, destroyed and suffering city. Troops were hurried over from Morris island, and the soldiers, whose duty it was to destroy within the range of shot and shell, now worked as heartily and cheerily to sare,-the legitimate culture of economy and civiliza- tion.
The gallant Stewart L. Woodford, sinee lieutenant governor of the State of New York, was appointed military governor of Charleston. The inhabitant- looked for a spirit of vengeance at the hands of their conquerors, and were astonished to find instead, the announcement in Col. Woodford's first order " invit- ing the people to open their schools and churches, re- suming, as far as possible, the avocations of peace."
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The order closed with these emphatic words: " No lisloval act or utterance will be tolerated. The na- tional flag must be honored and the national laws obeyed."
When intelligence reached Washington of the evac- nation of Sumter, the President appointed the anni- versary of the fall of Sumter as the day when the old tag should be raised by Maj., now Gen., Anderson. Preliminaries were arranged. A large number of citi- zens went from the harbor of New York in the steamer Oceanus to assist in the ceremonies. Col. Woodford had charge of the exercises at the fort. When the mul- titude were assembled around the flagstaff, " Victory at Last" was sung, followed by " Rally Round the Flag." The Chaplain who officiated at the raising of the flag, December 27th, 1860, again pronounced a blessing on the ensign of our country's redemption. Gen. Town- wend, Assistant Adjutant General of the Army of the I'nited States, read Maj. Anderson's dispatch of April leth. 1861, announcing the fall of Fort Sumter. This was followed by the appearance of the faithful Sergeant Hart, the one-man reinforcement that Mrs. Anderson took to Sumter in the dark days of our nation's strug- dle, with a new "mail bag" containing the same " D'ar Old Flag" that greeted the vision of that brave and loval woman on her mission of aid to her patriotic husband. It was attached to the halliards, wlun Gen. Anderson, after a brief and touching ad- ure -- , hoisted it to the peak of the flagstaff amid loud cheers and the singing of the " Star Spangled Banner." 11
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Six guns on the fort opened their loud voices, and were responded to by the guns from all the batterie- around which took part in the bombardment of the fort in 1861. Henry Ward Beecher, the chosen ora- tor, pronounced an eloquent address. A benediction closed the ceremonies, and Fort Sumter was repos- sessed by the government.
The curtain that had been lifted for four long years had fallen. Charleston and citizens had fearfully paid in lives and property for the folly of secession. The detonating music of heavy ordnance had ceased. The "last ditch" had been reached by the stragglers of a once boasting and defiant soldiery, in the blowing up by accident of the depot and killing two hundred hu- man beings, a sad wail in the wake of Gen. Hardee's retreating army. In a night preceding a morn of oppressive stillness, the tragic events before Charleston had an end. No more could be heard the whizzing. screeching shell of thirty, one-hundred, two-hundred and three-hundred-pounder Parrott guns from national batteries on Morris island. Sorrow, gloom and death hovered over that rebellious city. Most of her chival- rie sons had sacrificed their lives in war, while others were strangers in the land of their birth. No more will those barren, desolate, sandy isles, echo to the tread daily and nightly, it is hoped, of an army decreed to save and perpetuate this government. Since the drama ha- clo-ed let it be closed forever.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
CLOSING OF THE RECRUITING OFFICE AT BUFFALO. - THE REGIMENT OBDERED FROM MORRIS ISLAND TO GLOU- CESTER POINT. - PREPARATIONS FOR A SUMMER CAM- PAIGN. - EMBARKED ON TRANSPORTS. - LANDING AT BERMUDA HUNDRED. - GEN. BUTLER IN COMMAND. - MARCHED TO THE PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND RAIL- ROAD. - FOUGHT THE ENEMY, TORE UP THE RAILROAD AND DESTROYED THE TELEGRAPHI.
The recruiting office at Buffalo was closed, and Col. Dandy, with his detail, ordered to his regiment. On arriving at New York City the detachment awaited further orders. After some delay it was learned that the regiment was at Gloucester Point, Virginia, to which we hastened by the way of Baltimore and Fort- ress Monroe.
Capt. M. H. Topping left us at New York City, having resigned, April 26th, 1864. He was a capable, brave and reliable officer.
February 27th. 1864. Second Lieuts. Myron P. Pierson and Wayne Vogdes were promoted to be first lieutenants. Serg. Azor Hilton Hoyt to be second . lieutenant.
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April 14th. Benjamin F. Hughson was promoted to be first lieutenant, and George G. Barnum to be second lieutenant, First Lieut. William Richardson to be captain, and Charles E. Walbridge to be captain and assistant quartermaster of volunteers.
As trained men strip for a fight, so the divisions at Gloucester Point were stripped of all extra baggage and clothing, and supplied with what would be neces- sary for march, bivouac and battle. All things tended toward a spirited campaign in appearance and activity. In the line of baggage, officers were limited to a satchel, or small valise. All surplus baggage, com- pany books and desks were put on transport and sunk at Fortress Monroe, which has deprived us of many valu- able records which could have been used as needed ad- ditions of facts to interest the friends in the career of a regiment so constantly engaged in active service.
While lying at the point whole regiments were sent on picket. The lot, as was usually the case, fell to the One Hundredth Regiment for three days in succession. Shelter tents had been provided. We bivouacked for the time on the picket line under the command of Maj. Nash, who had been relieved of the charge of the regi- ment on the return of Col. Dandy from Buffalo. Well and faithfully had he discharged the duties of commander of the regiment during its stay on Morris island, in the absence of the Colonel, and now with officers and men was on duty at the front.
Quartermasters were busily at work issuing clothing and shoes to the men, who were obliged, by order.
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to have two pairs of shoes, which was evidence of not a little marching. At this time it is worthy of men- tion, that one of the severest storms of rain, thunder and lightning, accompanied with a high wind, swept over the " Point," which, had it been in winter, would have been unendurable. It was termed an awful night, and thousands of soldiers who suffered it will ever remember it. It differed from the night at Wil- liamsburg in that it was not eold. Gen. Butler was in command of the expedition, and he brought to bear that wonderful faculty of his, in the prosecution of any work, energy and its elements of skill and ability to forward means to ends. A grand review was held, at which the soldiery appeared to good advantage. It was the opening of summer in the South, and nature was robed in green. To the soldier an uncertain future was visible. The troops were ready. The transports were at hand. . The movement began, and soon all were on board, not knowing whether, up or down York river. The boats were headed up the stream.
Officers and men were busily engaged in writing letters to friends at home, all feeling the uncertainty of coming events. Night closed upon us, and the next morning, May 5th, found us at Fortress Monroe move- ing up James river. Here, for the first time, we had an opportunity of seeing that promptness and energy so characteristic of Gen. Butler. As we reached the fortress the captain of the transport stopped engines. launched a small boat and was proceeding to go ashore, when Gen. Butler made enquiry from the pilot house
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of his flag steamer, of the whereabouts of the captain ; when informed, he crossed the bow of the captain's boat and ordered him to the steamer, and in a few minutes we were sailing up the James, a day as bright, shining and lovely, as was ever reflected from that broad and classic stream.
At early morn on the 6th of May, amid a large fleet of transports crowded with troops, we were landed at Bermuda Hundred, above the mouth of the Appo- mattox river How vivid is the recollection of the sol- dier of that warm May morning. The lightening of knapsacks, of shoes, stockings, shirts, coats and blank- ets, so that they covered and carpeted the way. Such is the instinct of an "old soldier," that he will sutter physical discomfort, rather than bear the weight of an ounce more than necessary to his peace of mind and bodily comfort.
The weather was extremely warm, and the soldier's life on Morris Island had been of that character that knapsacks were scarcely ever carried, and long marches were a myth, as the limits of the island would not war- rant it. That day's march along a narrow unfre- quented road, rough, and skirted with bush and thicket, with a scorehing sun, proved fatiguing and exhausting to the men.
In a pleasant wood, the brigade commanded by Col. Plaisted, of the Eleventh Maine, bivonacked for the night, taking the necessary precautions of slashing and ritie-pits for temporary defence. The Third Brigade. Terry's division, was booked for a fight at once. Camp
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duties being performed, the regiment, with the remain- der of the brigade, moved into an open field and rested on their arms, waiting the decision for ad - vance. It soon commenced. Along an old road in a wood the troops moved, to cut if possible, the Rich- mond and Petersburg railroad, and destroy it and as much of the telegraph line as possible. The enemy, it was supposed, was in a good defensive position, over- looking the railroad, and to be successful the movement must be masked and at the same time one of celerity. Gen. Brooks had command of the expedition. Col. Plaisted ordered Col. Dandy to make a detour, to take advantage of a wood which would cover the movement of the column. The regiment succeeded in getting through the wood with difficulty. Co. "I," Capt. Brunck, being deployed as skirmishers well to the right, to warn us of the approach of the enemy in that direction. Capt. Brunek marched and crossed the railroad, performed his duty with success, and spoke well of the conduct of his officers and men. While waiting the movements of Co. " I," the regi- ment was exposed on the south side of the wood to the direct rays of the sun, which proved too much for many of the men. Soon, however, the Colonel moved to the Richmond turnpike, running at right angles with our line of march. In front, across the pike, be- tween the head of the column and the railroad, the Words were too thick for any movement, save that of skirmishers. By the left flank, at a double-quick and with cheers the regiment passed along the pike, through
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the lines of other regiments firing volleys over us at the enemy on the opposite side of the railroad. then across an open field, swampy and cut up with creeks. under a brisk fire from the enemy, we carried our colors across the railroad, were rallied on a height over- looking the rebel position, and within short range of their rifle-pits. The brigade of Col. Barton in the mean- time advancing on our left and rear occupied the at- tention of the enemy. A portion of his brigade, the Forty-eighth New York, overlapping the One Hun- dredth, joined us on the height and planted its colors near those of the One Hundredth. We maintained this position for two hours, repelled two successive charges of the enemy on our position, and materially aiding Col. Barton's brigade on onr left, the enemy pressing upon him, being checked by our fire on his flank. At the same time a portion of the One Hun- dredth and the remaining two regiments of the brigade were engaged in tearing up the railroad and destroying the telegraph lines, both on the turnpike and railroad. This having been accomplished to a considerable ex- tent, as far as could be seen, in the Richmond direction. and understanding that one or more trestle bridges had been destroyed, the brigade withdrew in sufficient time to prevent a flanking movement of the enemy on our left, caused by the falling back of Barton's brigade. and retook the position from which the movement was made. The object of the advance was successfully at- complished and. as far as could be judged, great damage was inflicted on the railroad and telegraph lines.
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CHAPTER XXXT.
THIE FIGHT AT WALTHAL JUNCTION. - THE REPORT OF COL. G. B. DANDY AND FAVORABLE MENTION OF OFFI- CERS AND MEN. - THE ADROIT MOVEMENTS OF GEN. BUTLER ON . CITY POINT AND BERMUDAA HUNDRED .- THE BUILDING OF WORKS FROM THE JAMES TO THE APPOMATTOX. - THE ADVANCE ON THE 12TH AND 13TH OF MAY. - THE TAKING OF ONE OF THE OUTER FORTS OF THE WORKS AT DRURY'S BLUFF. - THE CHARGE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT AND THEIR SUFFERINGS.
The fight at Walthal Junction ended, the object having been gained. The troops retraced their steps, left the railroad and turnpike, and formed on the hill overlooking the valley and opposite height, occupied by the enemy. The rebels kept a battery of field guns actively engaged in throwing shell, which did little or no damage. It was in this fight that Lieut. C. B. Adrianee was severely wounded in the knee. which kept him from duty many months, and who Was ultimately discharged.
Capt. William Richardson. was wounded in the 11*
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breast, but not severely. The day had been oppres- sively warm, and to this, what with the excitement of battle, the sight of wounded men, and wearied bodies, the regiment was easily rocked to sleep in bivouack among the pines after the events of the day. Col. G. B. Dandy, in his official report of that fight, says: "Without intending to be invidious, I can- not refrain from mentioning for their coolness and gallantry the following named officers, who came during the action under my immediate observation : Maj. D. D. Nash, Capt. Timothy Lynch, command- ing the color company, Lieuts. Stowits, Adriance, Richardson, Sandrock, Nichols, Peck, acting adju- tant Pierson, MeMann, Evans and Howell. Doubt- less the remaining officers of the regiment, judging from the reports which reached me, performed their duty well and gallantly, and I am only sorry that my duties, confining me mostly to one position, prevented me from bearing the testimony of an eyewitness to their bravery. The same applied to the enlisted men who came under my eye. They stood well by their colors. Corporal Ball, of Co. " G." acting principal mu- sician, distinguished himself by taking the gun of a wounded man, and went into action, in which he was wounded. Also, Spencer Rose, a mere lad and musi- cian, who equipped himself with the arms of a dead man, and took an active part in the fight. The regi- ment did it-elf credit on the occasion of the engage- ment. Both the Surgeon. Dr. Kittenger, and the Chaplain, J. B. Linn, followed the regiment under fire.
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and made the greatest exertions in the line of their re- jwtive duties; the first in caring for the wounded, and the second in removing them from the field." All movements, whether of feint or battle, has a tendency of demoralization among soldiers. The anxieties and fors, the knowledge of dead and wounded comrades, all help to unsteady the mind and unfit the man for the unnatural work of destroying his fellow- inan.
The 7th of May opened a campaign which had had no parallel in the history of the regiment, for variety of movements, losses and stirring momentous events. The plan of Gen. Grant, entrusted to Gen. Butler, contemplated a vigorous movement against Richmond on the south side of the James river. The Confeder- ates were misled. Gen. Butler, with wonderful celer- ity, had sent troops to West Point on York river, cavalry by the way of Williamsburg, forces on the north and south of the James, and simultaneously landed brigades and divisions at City Point and Ber- muda Hundred; while Gen. Kautz, from Suffolk, with three thousand cavalry, struck the Welden road. Thus, within twenty-four hours, Butler, on the evening of the 5th of May, had transported 35,000 men. their baggage, supplies, wagons and artillery, within fifteen miles of the south side of Richmond, with such secrecy and speed that the enemy were wholly unprepared for . coming. which enabled Gen. Butler to seize the -trongest natural position on the continent. Then followed, as related, the advance on Walthal Junction,
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which resulted, as stated, with a loss to us of two hun- dred and fifty men to the whole command.
Another advance on the railway was made on the morning of May 9th, by a force composed of the divis- ions of Gens. Terry, Ames and Turner, of the Tenth Corps, and of Weitzel and Wistar of the Eighteenth. Gen. Gillmore commanded the right of the column and Gen. Smith the left. They destroyed the railway. right and left, and then moved within three miles of Petersburg. The rebels might have been driven across the Appomattox, into Petersburgh, and the town possibly captured, had not a false rumor reached Butler that Lee was vanquished, and in full retreat on Richmond. If so he might quickly and heavily fall on the Army of the James, and crush it, which Gen. Butler would avert by recalling his troops, strengthen his lines, and prepare for an attack on Richmond.
The One Hundredth Regiment, with other details. had been left to work on the forts and intrenchments then being built from the James to the Appomattox. The shovel was in the hands of the men night and day until the morning of the 12th of May, when the regi- ment moved out of the works, and took up the line of march as part of the force, moving up the turnpike in the direction of Fort Darling and Drury's Bluff. The day was cloudy and cool, with a drizzling rain, which with the passage of troops and artillery in advance had so ent up the roads that the soldier soon drew the contrast between the dry sand of Morris island and the putty red clay of Virginia. The comparison was
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unfavorable to the sacred soil of the Old Dominion. The turnpike was soon gained, where the marching was better and the column less cramped by narrow roads. The regiment, toward the close of the after- noon, took position on a height of ground, while the advance was shelling and driving the enemy. The day closed with a cold rain. The troops were ordered a short distance back covered by the brow of the hill, and withont shelter passed another of those terrible nights which are ever remembered by the soldier, as liv- ing deaths, so painful, cheerless and awful. Fires were made where the means could be obtained, but as a whole it was a night of suffering. At morn the sun showed signs of a coming warmth, and the brigade was ordered to take up its line of march. As we moved along the narrow road, what with exercise and the rays of the sun, the men were made to forget in a measure the realities of the preceding night.
From representations made by a friendly negro, Col. Plaisted, in command of brigade, was ordered to make a detour across fields, through woods, in order to fall upon the rear of the enemy along a road lead- ing to a fort in the outer line of works protecting the position at Drury's Bluff. In emerging from a field at the edge of a wood, two cavalry videttes were ob- Arved. Gen. R. S. Foster and aid, riding to the front, gave chase. Shots were fired, and one was captured. Col. Dandy was ordered to throw his regiment across the road leading from Richmond with its right and left wings deployed as skirmishers. In this position
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we remained an hour, when we faced about, assem- bled on the road, and marched with celerity in the direction of heavy firing near Fort Darling. Soon the wounded were seen all along the way, and the sharp ring and crack of the rifle told to us that the real work was near at hand. On we pushed and en- tered the fort mentioned, from which the rebels had just been driven, as their dead bodies could be seen lying along the parapet unburied. The knowledge gained from the negro was accurate, the fort had been charged at the rear and right flank, forcing the ene- my to retreat when resistance to our forces was found to be useless.
The rebels, from the hill, were seen in full flight as the One Hundredth entered the fort. The regiment was ordered on and alone into a charge on the enemy whose numbers could not be known, and to all the order seemed without precedent. We advanced in line of battle, under fire outside the fort, down a hill. across a small stream, the men firing rapidly, while the enemy's batteries were throwing shell among us. Rising an elevation of ground in front of a dense wood of thicket and brush, the rebels poured a de- structive fire into our ranks. The men were fall- ing. Shells, like balls among ten pins, knocked the men from the ranks, while others were wounded with the pieces after explosion. Still the regiment kept closed, penetrated the wood which screened them from the destructive tire on the left flank. Crossing the sharp angle of the wood the regiment was thrown into
ALFRED LYTHE. 2ª Lieut Co. K. 74 thReg: N.Y.S.G.
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an open field, extended in line of battle and ordered to lie down, having just crossed Proctor's creek, thoroughly wet ; hence to lie down in the swamp and wait orders was our fate after this exciting charge. In front lay the long line of skirmishers, flat, firing from their seven shooters, so that in the fading twilight those constant blazing streams of fire will ever remain visible in our memory. At dark, cold, wet, and in many instances with the loss of rubber blankets, we were ordered to recross Proctor's creek, and then, to end all our sufferings, we were told by Maj. Nash that the regiment was detailed for picket. As one of the officers detailed, we said to the Major, we cannot sur- vive the night. The men were stationed, and soon, to live, they lay in heaps to keep each other warm and brave the cold till morn, or sooner relief. It was a second edition of the night before Williamsburg. We were so chilled, that to have stopped a double-quick on our beat from post to post would have caused us to drop and become at once unconscious. As memory serves us now we moved about almost unconsciously, know- ing that to stop action and succumb to the benumbing influences of cold would render us at once insensible.
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