USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 16
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CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE POSITION OF THE GROVER HOUSE. - THE ASSISTANCE OF THE GUNBOATS. - THE REBELS SHELLED. - OUT POSITION AT DEEP BOTTOM CONTRAASTED WITH THAT ON THE BERMUDA FRONT. - THIE WORKS ON OUR FRONT WERE MADE STRONG. - THE BRIGADE WAS RE- INFORCED. - JULY 27THI HANCOCK AND SHERIDAN MOVED UPON OUR RIGHT. - THE WHOLE LINE MOVED. -co. "K," CAPT. GRANGER, MADE ANOTHER CHARGE. -CAPT. RICHARDSON KILLED. - HIS BODY WAS NOT RECOVERED.
The Grover House was the most advanced post on our picket line at Deep Bottom, in easy and fair range of the fort on the opposite hill, with the right and left of our picket line refused. as military would express it. As soon as the rebels were driven from the house, we posted a picket on the left in view of a point of wood -. fearing a flank movement, as two regiments of rebel infantry and one of cavalry were a short distance from us, and it was thought that an effort would be made to retake the house.
The gunboats in the river were waiting the signal to
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open fire. We had hardly posted the picket before a Parrott shell struck a few rods from us, ploughed up the soft soil, which knocked over the man on post, nearly covering him with dirt, and passed on, exploding in the woods beyond. We said to the picket, who was a German, "Are you hurt?" He replied, "No," but I soon saw that he was stunned and not a little demoralized. We supplied his place. The next shot passed over our heads and burst among the retreating rebels. The range was fairly obtained, and no further anxiety was felt. Co. "K" was relieved, and fresh men held the house during the night. Col. Dandy was compli- mented for the successful charge of Capt. Granger, which was truly merited as far as the Captain and Co. " K" were concerned. We have ever felt respect for that regiment from Ohio of one hundred days men. The sight of that large regiment, sent to dig and not to fight, surprised and frightened the rebels, and saved (. "K" from destruction.
Our picket line was established along the brow of the hill in front of the fort being constructed, and overlooking the valley, the Grover House and the rebel line in front. The enemy commenced to throw up parallel works as soon as they saw that we were firmly -eated at Deep Bottom. The baggage of the regi- ment had arrived, and a spot had been selected for ramp, which was at once occupied. Dig, watch and chop were the orders day and night.
Adjt. Peck was sick. Lieut. George G. Barnum was acting adjutant. Capt. Brown, who had been act-
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ing as quartermaster for a long time, asked to be re- lieved, which was granted, and George G. Barnum appointed in his place, who was familiar with its duties, having been associated with Capt. Brown as quartermaster sergeant. In the meantime Adjt. Peck had returned to duty. The fatigue of the regiment was excessive. The change from Bermuda front to Deep Bottom, in many respects, was for the better. We had the best of spring water bubbling from the earth, making small streams, and in quantity to supply many brigades. Our right rested on Four Mile creek, and our left flank, and most of our front and right of the picket line, was in the woods, a welcome shade during the very warm days of July and August.
Fine buildings overlooking the James had been burned, leaving nothing but those large towering chimneys, small monuments of secesh folly and fa- natical ruin. These chimneys throughout the South are generally constructed on the outside of the build- ing, as there is more room outside than in.
The facilities for bathing, on shore and from the pontoon bridge, were unequaled, and were gleefully improved.
The gunboats Mendota and Hunchback lay in the stream cooperating with Gen. Foster, the former below the pontoon, and the later above the bridge. The enemy shelled the gunboats throughout the 22d of June. The Mendota returned the enemy's fire, and silenced their batteries. The rebels on the front of Gen. Foster's brigade were Cook's brigade, of Heath's
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division of A. P. Hill's corps. Their cavalry was commanded by Maj. Robbins of Hoeum's legion. The gunboats continued to shell the enemy left and right, driving them farther from our picket line, and making them very chary of an advance. At this time the men were digging to lay out camp near where one of the buildings was situated, and discovered a large iron pot nearly filled with gold and silver. The excitement was intense among the boys, when these spoils of war were divided among them on their own motion. The a:nount was variously estimated from five hundred to tive thousand dollars. We remember that it was dif- ficult to ascertain the precise amount, though we saw many pieces of the coin in the hands of members of the One Hundredth Regiment.
This successful movement of Gen. Foster, and his tenable position at the point selected, elieited words of warm commendation from all acquainted with the facts of the undertaking. The forts soon assumed -lape, and were manned, and the covered way leading from one to the other was finished a little after the fourth of July. Till the 15th of July there had been no rain for forty days. Digging was labor in that hard red clay. It took the larger part of three regi- ments to picket the line, and hence we averaged every "gond night on duty. The weather was very warm, though the James river was very near. There was an ocasional alarm on the picket line. One night a sen- tinel blazed away at a hog foraging near the line.
We had pushed our line farther into the woods as
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July advanced. The woods caught fire and burned fiercely, threatening camp. A welcome rain and for- tunate slashing in front, saved the camps from destruc- tion. The middle of July the brigade was reinforced by a regiment of dismounted Maryland cavalry, and our duties were lightened. The enemy would occa- sionally press our line to try its strength, but were in- variably repulsed. They showed much activity along our front during the last days of July. Capt. William Brown resigned from ill health, and left for the North.
July 27th was one of those exciting days, when the soldier, if alive to all the interests of the cause at stake, is intensly interested in passing events. Han- cock's corps and Sheridan's cavalry were crossing the pontoons all night, and that dull, heavy, and low muffled sound, told to us that work was ahead. The One Hundredth was on picket, and Co. " K " was in reserve. From 12 midnight, till morning, the cross- ing on the bridge was continuous. At sunrise the battle commenced. Steadily the picket line was pressed forward upon the rebels, and the firing was incessant. Hancock moved up on our right across Four Mile creek, threw out his skirmishers and ad- vanced. He charged and took four thirty-pounder rifled guns and drove the rebels. Sheridan kept cross- ing during the day. At S A. M. the reserve. Co. " K." was ordered to the Grover Honse, upon which it had charged five weeks before, and Capt. Granger ordered to take and hold a point of wood across a wide field and the Charles City road, or a road leading from
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the James river to the Charles City road, and if pos- sible a house known as the Phillips' House, close up to the enemy's rifle pits.
Lieut. Stowits had charge of the advance, while Capt. Granger followed with the reserve. The men were deployed as skirmishers, and steadily advanced. The rebels poured into us a shower of balls. When two-thirds of the way across the field we said : "Now boys, make for the fence and woods, double quick." It was done, and strange to record, as in the case of the charge on the Grover House, with only the loss of one man, private John Brown shot in the knee, which com- pelled amputation. Capt. Granger quickly brought up the reserve, and the cover of the trees enabled us to advance with less danger, but orders came not to leave the wood from which the rebels had been driven, but to hold it for the time at all hazards. Our left flank was exposed, and one company of the Twenty- fourth Massachusetts was sent to our left to watch the enemy. The firing was severe, though without further loss to the charging party. The woods were held for seven hours.
While in the wood a deserter came in from the rebel line in front. He wore a jaunty cap with red band, and was dressed miscellaneously, as most of the enemy at this time. He looked pale and much excited. He inquired what troops were present. When told. he Mad " I am lost." The regiment to which he formerly belonged was the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and his own company from which he had deserted in North
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Carolina, was supporting us, lying along a rail fence in our rear. The circumstance was a fatality, and secmed strange and incomprehensible. He was at once recognized by the members of the company from which he had deserted. "How are you, Jim," was the salutation. He had experienced the vicissitudes of fickle fortune while in the South. In business, and finally conscripted, suffered much, tired of the rebel army, and finally deserted. Had he come in on any other part of our line he would have been saved. As it was he was tried, condemned and shot as a deserter. August Sth, in the presence of all the troops not on duty. He was buried where he fell, in sight of the One Hundredth Regiment on duty.
Deserters came in daily, all telling the same story, tired of the war, constant marching from right to left, and but little rest, and no confidence in their cause. It was at the time of this advance that Capt. Richard- son was shot, but the facts have not, nor we fear never will be fully known. He was engaged in common with the whole line of pickets, moving on, and it is supposed, that owing to the nature of the ground, he must have lost connection of his line, and in the vain effort of finding skulking men, moved in front of his line, near the enemy, and was shot. It was learned subsequently that he was not instantly killed, but died soon after, and was buried by the enemy. He was a daring, cool and brave officer, much liked by his com- pany and a favorite with the regiment. His loss was felt by all.
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CHAPTER XXXIX.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ADVANCE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE JAMES AT DEEP BOTTOM .- HANCOCK'S CORPS AND GREGG'S CAVALRY WITH TERRY'S DIVISION OF BIRNEY'S TENTH CORPS. - MOVED OUT OF WORKS AT DEEP BOT- TOM ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 15TH. - THE ONE HUNDREDTH CHARGE AND TAKE A BATTERY OF FOUR GUNS. - MAKE A CONNECTION WITH HANCOCK AND MOVED TO THE FRONT, AND LED INTO THE CHARGE ON THE ENEMY'S WORKS AT FUSSIL'S MILLS.
The whole line of works, from the north side of the James river to a point near the Weldon railroad, were complete, and could be held by half the force, enabl- ing Gen. Grant to employ the remainder in flank movements upon the enemy. The soldier on the north bank of the James began to feel that stirring work was at hand. The movement of the 27th of July was the introduction of a more vigorous one in the early part of August. The mine in front of Petersburg had been completed, and the advance on the north side of the James caused Lee to send from the south side five divisions of his troops to meet the impending danger before Richmond.
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Lee's line weakened, Grant determined to explode the mine, blow up the fort over it, and successfully as- sault the rebel works. The explosion was a succes -. The assault was a failure. Grant was disappointed. but not discouraged. He paused twelve days, and the order was given to Hancock to strike the Confederate, at Deep Bottom. Changes in commanders had been made. Birney succeeded Gillmore, and Ord, W. F. Smith. Hancock was joined by Birney and Gregg's cavalry division, and Foster's command formed a part of the Tenth Corps under Birney.
The expeditionary force was placed on board trans- ports at City Point, and its destination reported to be Washington City. That night it went up James river to Deep Bottom. The debarkation and advance were too slow to be a surprise. In every movement in the night, Foster's command was certain to perform a leading part. The picket line had been ordered, with the reserves in camp, a short time previous, to press the enemy's works and open fire. The One Hun- dredth held the right. Through brush and swamp, to higher ground, the regiment made way. The Colonel said the fight must commence, but the main line must be held as reserve. Volunteers were called for, when the writer with ten men moved out to the right, skir- mished the front and at once drew the fire of the enemy. The balls came into the woods a storm, strik- ing the trees with telling etfeet, wounding one of the ten volunteers.
Lest we might bring on a general engagement we
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were ordered back to our picket line, and the reserves to camp. The enemy's position and strength had been ascertained, and the object of the advance gained.
All night, or morning rather, the troops came pour- ing along the various routes toward our picket line. The line had advanced and was vigorously at work ligging rifle-pits through the night. The One Hun- dredth was on picket on the left of Deep Bottom front. At daylight cavalry pickets were sent to hold the line, and our brigade was withdrawn and sent to. the right for active duty in the coming fray. No break- fast, or time for any. The men and officers divided what was on hand in haversacks, as we moved into the woods. The heat was oppressive at early morning. Every second company of the regiment was deployed as skirmishers. The ground over which we passed near Four Mile creek cannot be described. Brush, briars, swamp, ravines and pits, are but expressions for the surface of this historic soil. We charged the enemy's pickets at once and they gave way. They sought refuge in a few advanced rifle-pits recently constructed on the spot where we had drawn their fire a few days since. We crowded them so closely that they saw the pits were untenable, and they fied to their next line of works, on the brow of the hill over- looking Deep Bottom and the James. The musketry tire was terrific. We took thirty prisoners. The heat Had become intolerable. The enemy's batteries from the hill played upon us, and the noise of bursting shell and cracking limbs would have frightened any
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other troops ; but the One Hundredth Regiment had been on Morris island, and knew what noises were. compared with which these were only crackers. The regiment lay for the time under cover. Co. "A," Lieut. Stowits, held a gap between the right of the regiment in the enemy's pits, and Co. "I," Capt. Brunek, on the left of the opening, covered by a corn field. From the haste and disorder manifested on the hill by the rebels, and their apparent flight, and the presence of horses at the batteries, our troops seemed eager for the word to move upon them. Just at this time we ordered a few men at the gap or hollow to shoot the horses at the guns. While directing, a shell exploded on our front, taking half of the head of one man on our right, and nearly cutting in two another on our left, completely demoralizing the rest of us in that position. A wounded rebel near by had crawled behind a tree with a badly shattered limb, begging to be taken out of the reach of shot and shell. We as- sured him that when our own wounded were cared for, he should get attention, which was given.
While lying, standing and waiting for orders, the enemy's guns still bursting shells about us, Gens. Grant, Meade, Foster, and other generals and their re- spective staff's, rode up the road leading to the right of the One Hundredth Regiment and dismounted, sitting without the pits recently taken, exposed to the enemy's fire. We thought the position too exposed for a leader with so much responsibility as Gen. Grant. But there he sat, apparently cool, with that inevitable cigar be-
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tween his fingers, giving his orders as though on pa- rade. He looked so inward, and distant, that a child in the street would hardly dare to ask alms when look- ing into that face, so blank, but not displeasing.
Col. Dandy was ordered to assemble the One Hun- dredth, and with the support of the Sixth Connecti- cut, charge and take a four-gun battery to the right of our position across a ravine, through a thicket of tan- gled vines and thorns, and make a connection with Hancock's left, a mile beyond. We formed, moved by the right flank, and made for the ravine, while the batteries of the rebels from the hill played upon us with frightful noises, exploding their shells and wound- ing our men. Into the ravine we plunged and com- menced the ascent. There was some confusion, and apparent delay, when Gen. Foster, who was watching us with agitated feelings, showed signs of excitement in presence of Grant. Chaplain Linn, who was near, says that Gen. Grant told Foster that the regiment would come out of the ravine all right, and even then the Colonel was rallying the men around the colors. On we went, driving the enemy from their guns, and tharching right over them, taking those prisoners that were hiding near, and without halting crossed another ravine, scaled the opposite bank, and connected with Hancock as ordered.
The heat had been oppressive, many falling with runstroke as we advanced. What with the danger and MAcitement, and heat, the suffering of the men was Painful and severe.
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Again the regiment was formed, crossed another field, under the fire of the rebel guns in front of the works of Hancock's men, and entered the works, as the rain came down in sheeted torrents. Wet through. cooled after the sultry heat of the day, we lay down. stood up, any way to pass the night and welcome the dawn. Capt. Granger, with a detail, was sent to drag away the guns captured. Three of the four were se- cured. At daylight we were put on pieket till noon, then withdrawn and ordered on. This charge of the day before was a test of the metal of the regiment. They could not be demoralized by bursting shell. Their culture on Morris island had fortified them for such desperate ' work. Col. Dandy, Maj. Nash, Capts. Brunck, Granger, Lynch, and Lieut. MeMann, who was wounded, and all the remaining officers, with the men, seemed to act with one accord, to execute and ac- complish, under the eye of the Commander-in-Chiet of the armies, what he ordered and saw successfully performed.
The One Hundredth Regiment has never been justly praised for that deed. All cannot know the ground, the danger of fright under such a fire as was experi- enced from the rebel guns, which had not the regiment been familiar with such deafening noises and apparent destruction, it could not have done the work and suc- ceeded. But it was done with less than the loss of thirty men and officers. The heat exceeded that of the previous day. An army was strewn along the road, under the trees, everywhere, borne down with the
WARREN GRANGER.JUN. Lt.Col.and Brevet Col. loo !! Regt N.Y. S.Vols.
w. THAT'S
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power of the sun's rays, and the fatigues of march and exposure. The sight was anything but cheerful.
The army of stragglers soon became larger than the army of operations. Through this straggling host, most of whom had come from the front of Petersburg a few nights before, and were foot-sore and weary, we reached the front. Heavy shelling of the enemy's works was in progress. Gregg's cavalry and Mile's brigade of Barlow's division were on the Charles City road, while Terry's division of the Tenth Corps were advanced against the rebel front. In an open field we -topped. The men were falling to the ground, from heat, foaming at the mouth, shivering like dead men ; sights to stir any heart. All felt that a fight, fierce and bloody, was ahead.
At night we were ordered a little to the left, biv- vuacked, and at morn moved on toward the enemy's line. A few dry crackers, a little water, and in echelon the division cautiously advanced through a field into a wood, slowly moving, as the right of the division in echelon had farther to go, to strike the enemy, than the extreme left, which was the position of the One Hundredth. The Tenth Connecticut was ahead as skirmishers. Soon the crack of rifles told to us that the enemy's pits had been reached on the right, and the vidette posts on our front also.
Skirmishers of the One Hundredth, led by Capt. Granger, were added to those already engaged, and the rebels were driven from their outposts, and the line of battle passed over them, with an occasional rebel picket dead, having performed his last sentinel duty.
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CHAPTER XL.
THE CHARGE ON THE REBEL WORKS, AUGUST 16TH. - THE REGIMENT REPULSED. - FELL BACK AND THREW UP INTRENCHMENTS. - THE REBELS ATTACK AND ARE REPULSED IN TURN .- THE DEAD WERE BURIED UNDER A FLAG OF TRUCE. - WITHDREW ON THE NIGHT OF THE 18TH. - MOVED TO OLD CAMP AT DEEP BOTTOM. REGIMENT LOST SEVENTY-THREE KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING. - PAYMASTER ARRIVED. - MONEY EX- PRESSED HOME.
Before the charge upon the rebel main line, the regiment was halted on the brow of a hill in the wood, a field with high bushes on the left and a ravine in front, with a small stream running through ; and beyond, on the hill side, the enemy had protected their front with slashing. Through this ravine, across the stream, and up through and over the slashing, the regiment was to force its way.
The order was given, and with cheers at a double- quick we cleared the stream and was scaling the ascent, when sheets of flame from the enemy's guns sent us back for cover, as the men could not live and exe-
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rute the command under such a fire. The regiment was formed on the hill again under the eye of Gen. Foster, who, with pistol in hand walked in our rear, though I saw no need of displaying a pistol to officers and men that would accomplish what was ordered if it could be done.
The command was given, and a second time we sprang into that deadly fire, which had now become & Hank as well as a front fire, and we fell back as the rebels were heavily reinforced. In the ravine was a sheltering bank where many men and officers sought shelter from the deadly fire, and were taken prisoners. Here we lost Capt. Granger, who was forced to taste the bitters of a life.in southern prisons. Here Serg. Kuhns, of Co. " A," was shot with three balls, and we saved his body, and he was buried a little to the rear by Chaplain Linn.
Since the opening of the spring campaign, Chaplain Linn went as regularly on picket and followed up the avances of the regiment as though an officer of the line. He was not far to the rear, but under fire, bury- ing both rebel and national soldiers alike. In this charge, with the pioneer corps under his direction, he was first and foremost to receive the bodies of the fal- len, preserve whatever of value they had on their per- MIIs, write the letters to friends, and perform the last sud rites of a soldier's burial. The words brave and during express the qualities of Chaplain Linn on the battle field. In camp he was under the orders of Col. Dandy, and could not feel that freedom of action which 13
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all truly brave men feel at the front, the post of danger.
Though we failed from the nature of the ground and other causes, of superior numbers and a flank fire. still the right of our line was for a short time com- pletely successful. The works were carried, nearly three hundred men, with three battle flags, were cap- tured, when the foe rallied with heavier force and drove back the division at the time of the second repulse of the One Hundredth. We fell back only a few rods, and lay down on our faces waiting for the rebels to come out of their works and charge us in re- turn. They did not come. We moved to the left under cover of the woods, and under the direction of Maj. Nash commenced to throw up a line of defence. Their fire had been incessant during the afternoon and into the night. The results of axe and shovel were like magic. Trees were levelled, a ditch was dny. abatis was constructed, and after midnight the men rested till morn from the severe labor and heat. The pickets were only a few rods to the front.
During Wednesday and Thursday, the 17th and 18th of August, we lay protected by our works, which were strong, and could not be taken by infantry with- out cannon. Thursday night they charged, driving in our pickets, who came in tumbling over the works like sheep. On came the "Johnnies" with that screeching yell, but the boys of the One Hundredth gave them the compliments in return of the 16th, and sent them back repulsed and beaten. A skirmish line
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