USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 18
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
As soon as the reserves were unmasked, volley after volley was poured into their ranks, checking and caus- ing them to break and retreat in wild disorder, leav- ing their dead and many of their wounded in our hands. Some were killed within fifty yards of our line. A rebel captain commanding brigade, as shown by papers on his person, was shot a few rods from our line of battle, so hotly they sought to break our line. and from his body diagonally along our front lay the dead victims of rashness and folly. The skirmish line on the left of the One Hundredth, in falling back, Saved for a moment some disorder in our ranks; but by the prompt action of the Captain commanding, and
310
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
the officers with him, Capt. Lynch, and Lieuts. Nichols, Cook, Sandrock, Pratt and others, the regi- ment had the proud satisfaction of knowing that they had aided in the repulse of the rebels, and that the splendid colors, in this their first unfurling in battle, was the rallying point about which the men of the One Hundredth stood and added to their honor by their defence. We had regretted that the regiment was obliged to carry such costly and magnificent colors through swamps, thorns and rain, with mud over all. Though their beauty had been lessened by exposure, now they had been christened and glori- fied in the smoke of successful battle. It was here that our gallant and loyal Adjutant, E. S. Peck, re- ceived, as it was thought, his mortal wound. He was shot nearly through the left lung; though his term of service, as mentioned, had expired, still he fought bravely and did mueh toward holding the men in line against the fierce onset of the rebels. The Adjutant remarked to a friend, while mutually admiring the colors of the regiment, that they were the finest along the line, and that while a drop of blood remained in his veins he should not leave them. His fate was an answer to the truth of his declaration.
At nightfall the rebels had retreated toward Rich- mond, as it was fully believed they did not halt till within their breastworks. As the rebels were increas- ing their skirmish line into a line of battle. Lieut. Stowits sent for two companies, and Capt. Brunck quickly ordered Lieut. Nichols forward with the same.
311
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
As they deployed, Lieut. Stowits told Nichols to re- tire to the main line, as his time had expired, and there was no use in additional exposure. The Lieu- tenant was loath to leave. Brave and chivalrous to a fault, he could not be persuaded till a shower of bul- lets threw up the dirt into his neck and cut the twigs of trees about, when he reluctantly withdrew, leav- ing the Lieutenant in command of the skirmish line till 10 o'clock P. M.
The regiment had advanced through the woods and bivouacked in a field over which the rebels had charged that morning. On the following day the brigade fell back to the spot where the enemy received their final check, and commenced to throw up intrenchments, which grew as if by magic. The trees in front began to fall, forts at defensible positions were planned and built, and all things indicated a settlement on that line.
In a few days, October 9th, the regiment was or- dered to the rear at Deep Bottom. Reached the old camping ground at dark, cold and without shelter. Fires were built, and the men made themselves com- fortable till morn. Camp was laid out, the paymaster arrived, the men were paid, the money expressed home, new recruits came and additional officers, and the regiment began to feel that they might have a few weeks of rest, when an order sent us to the front to occupy nearly the same position held a few days be- fore. Bivouacked in the woods and at morn camp was -thed, and soon the army village was in successful life and activity.
F
312
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
October 13th. The Tenth Connecticut and Twenty- fourth Massachusetts made a reconnoissance out near the Darbytown road, and were repulsed with heavy loss, the Tenth Connecticut losing their adjutant, a worthy, intelligent and brave officer. A few days of rest was now vouched to the wearied and worn Army of the James. Since the wounding of Adjt. Peck, Maj. Nash had detailed Lieut. Fred Sand- rock as acting adjutant. About two hundred recruits arrived that had been secured through the influence of the Board of Trade and Col. Dandy. By some ar- rangement two officers, Lieut. Baker and Lieut. Kit- tle, were introduced into the regiment, which, as such introductions always do, caused feeling among veteran sergeants who had earned promotion by long and dan- gerons service.
The forts and intrenchments were advancing rapidly towards completion. The Third Brigade was un- changed, save that the Two Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania one years troops were added, which, be- ing a full regiment, never having been in battle, in- creased the proportions of the brigade and made its numbers respectable. The arrival of recruits to all the regiments soon gave the appearance on drill, in- spections and parades, the old show of numbers and strength.
313
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE REGIMENT ORDERED TO THE FRONT FROM DEEP BOT- TOM. - A VISIT FROM G. S. HAZARD, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, BUFFALO. - MAJ. NASH HONOR- ABLY DISCHARGED. - RETURN OF COL. DANDY. - TWO HUNDRED RECRUITS ARRIVED. - THE FIGHT ON THE DARBYTOWN ROAD, OCTOBER 27TH. - THE TROOPS RE- TIRE BEHIND THEIR WORKS FOR WINTER QUARTERS .- THE MUSTER OUT OF THE "OLD MEN." -THEIR RE- TURN TO BUFFALO.
On the return of the regiment to the front from Deep Bottom, and before camp was built, and the men were still in bivouack, we were favored with a visit from G. S. Hazard and son. As president of the Board of Trade of Buffalo, Mr. Hazard came to look upon our depleted numbers and survey army life at the front. He and son were " tucked up" as com- fortably as the conveniences of the soldier would war- rant, and on the following morning the regiment was ordered out under Maj. Nash, and at parade-rest listened a few timely and pertinent words of commendation sind encouragement from Mr. Hazard. The scene in the wood was a grand one, which the soldier ever re- 14
.
314
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
members. The civilian, the soldier ; the latter standing between the assassins of liberty and the security of the citizen. With an ambulance provided at headquarters. Mr. Hazard had a favorable opportunity of visiting the works along the line, and the various commands before them. His appearance was cheering to the spirits of the men, as was ever the presence of any one from the scenes of home and its locality. Col. Dandy and Mr. Hazard had missed each other, and hence did not meet at the regiment. Maj. D. D. Nash, having served over three years, was honorably discharged, hav- ing served the country faithfully and bravely, with the marks of shot upon arm and limb, as evidences of severely fought battles.
Col. Dandy arrived from his leave of absence, and took command of the regiment. Col. H. M. Plaisted. commanding brigade, detailed Lieut. G. H. Stowits as acting assistant adjutant general of the brigade. Col. Dandy protested, and not without reason, as the number of officers in the regiment was few. The Lieutenant had no choice, as Col. Plaisted insisted. and, October 26th, the Lieutenant changed his quarters to the headquarters of the brigade. A few days pre- vious the regiment had an election as provided for the army. The affair passed off quietly, and savored much of the appearance of civil life. The vote, if we remember correctly, was democratie by a small ma- jority.
The short pause was not a settled rest preparatory for winter quarters. Grant had determined to make
315
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
another effort to flank the rebel army, capture, or dis- perse it, and seize Petersburg and Richmond. The Ninth, Fifth and Second Corps, with Gregg's cavalry, were to swing around to the west side of Hatcher's Run, cross the Boydton road, and seize the south-side railway. The movement began on both sides of the James river, as Gen. Butler with the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps was to cooperate, before daybreak on the morning of the 27th of October.
After repeated successes and repulses the troops en- gaged on the left withdrew behind the intrenchments at Petersburg. Butler had pushed well out to the right, and the attack was simultaneous all along the line on the north side of the James. Men killed that morning and during the day were not buried till the following spring, when the army entered Richmond. The movement on the right was intended as a feint, and as an individual we used to think that they were a costly indulgence. We had moved out so fre- quently on armed reconnoissances that the boys would simply say, " Now for a little more butchery, a little more slaughter."
The One Hundredth and the remainder of the Third Brigade moved out before light, and quietly took its position before the intrenchments of the enemy. Gen. Ames was in command of division and Col. Plaisted of brigade. The skirmish line of the Third Brigade was commanded by Col. Greeley, of the Tenth Connecticut. They had approached as near the rebel works as was consistent with secu-
316
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
rity and observation. Each division general along the line would have been delighted to have found a weak place on their front, and earned a star by a suc- cessful assault. But no, all that could be done would be to add to hospital numbers with hundreds of wounded. There was firing right and left. A few determined assaults were made, but of no permanent results. Gen. Ames conceived that the skirmish line in front of the Third Brigade should be moved farther to the front. He ordered Col. Plaisted, commanding brigade, to cause the line to be advanced nearer the enemy's works. The Colonel ordered Lieut. Stowits, of his staff, to move the line. The Lieutenant said to the orderly, "Bring up the stretcher, as I shall be either killed or wounded, for that line can't be moved." It never was. The brigade lay in the edge of the wood, and the skirmish line was under cover, and as far front as could be without annihilation. Sharpshooters were marking every man exposed. The Lieutenant started, keeping an irregular line, but was shot before lic reached two thirds of the distance, as he predicted. A daring soldier of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts ventured to bring him off the field under a heavy fire from rebel sharpshooters. He had been on the bri- gade staff for eighteen hours. The brigade did ad- vance during the day, and planted their colors in the open field, and retired under cover of the woods till ordered to withdraw. There were six adjutant gen- erals shot that morning in trying to give orders to ad- vance the skirmish line.
1
GEORGE G. BARNUM. " Lieut.A.Q. M. and Brevet Captain 100.Reg: N.Y.S.Vols.
318
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
winter quarters. Active operations for the fall and winter were at an end. The great work of prepara- tion for the coming spring was at once commenced. More comfortable quarters were built for men and officers. Recruits were arriving for many of the regi- ments, and hence drilling and other needed instruc- tion for the soldier was given. The Tenth Connecti- cut Volunteers were detached to guard the fort on Spring Hill. The Twenty-fourth Massachusetts were sent on detached service at Bermuda Hundred, lear- ing the One Hundredth New York, the Eleventh Maine, and the Two Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania regiments, encamped closely together and next the in- trenchments. The One Hundredth lay a little to the right of the spot where the rebels were repulsed on the morning of the 7th of October. The works extended in a curve, with the right resting on Four Mile creek, and the left on the James, near Battery Harrison ; then across the James on the Bermuda front to the Appomattox, across the Appomattox in front of Peters- burg to Hatcher's Run, across the Weldon railroad. The rear of this long line was alive with human beings being cultured for the bloody work of the opening spring. Among the recruits "bounty jumpers " were numerous. Brokers in human flesh were in a lucra- tive business. To enlist, desert to the rebels, change the blue for grav, and return as a rebel deserter, take the oath of allegiance, go North, re-enlist, and repeat the same experiment with its risks and profits, were daily occurrances. Not all succeeded. Some were
319
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
shot from the " dead line." Executions from one to five weekly.
December 9th. James H. Dandy, a brother of the Colonel, who had been on detached service most of the time since his connection with the regiment, was com- missioned major, and arrived in camp. He was a gentleman of culture, and much respected by officers and men. Lieut. Sandrock was relieved as acting adjutant, and detailed as aid to Col. Plaisted, com- manding brigade, as Lieut. Stowits was in hospital at Fortress Monroe. Lieut. Cook was ordered to service as acting adjutant, in place of Sandrock. Picketing, drilling and cleaning camp, guns and accoutrements, kept the men busily engaged. Now that active oper- ations had ceased for the winter, time and attention was given to the "old men " of the regiment, whose terms of service had expired weeks before. The ne- cessary muster-out rolls were prepared, and after many delays, and a short time of encampment at brigade headquarters, the men, in charge of Capt. F. C. Brunck, were sent to Jamestown island, on the James river, from whence they were soon furnished transportation to Buffalo. They numbered one hundred and seventy- four men, including Capt. F. C. Brunck, Lieut. Gilbert Gaum, Lieut. Fred Sandrock and Surg. M. S. Kitten- ger. They were the veterans of the regiment, and had earned the title on many a hard fought battle fieldl.
320
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
CHAPTER XLIV.
COL. PLAISTED ISSUED AN ADDRESS TO THE THIRD BRIGADE: -COL. DANDY IN COMMAND OF BRIGADE, CAPT. BRUNCK OF REGIMENT. - THE "OLD MEN" OF THE REGIMENT MUSTERED OUT. - THEIR RECEPTION BY THE BOARD OF TRADE. - TIIE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, G. S. HAZARD. - THE PROMOTIONS IN THE REGIMENT. - AR- BIVAL OF RECRUITS. - EXECUTIONS OF DESERTERS. - OCCUPATION OF TROOPS IN WINTER QUARTERS .- GEN. BUTLER RELIEVED .- GEN. ORD IN COMMAND .- BEBEL DESERTERS.
Subsequent to the advance of October 27th, Col. H. M. Plaisted, commanding brigade, issued an address under the head of General Orders No. 30, to the troops of the Third Brigade, Nov. 1st, 1864, previous to a leave of absence. It was worthy of the man and soldier, and due the brigade. In it he said : " Your name and fame are familiar as household words in the camps of the Tenth Army Corps, and among your fel- low citizens at home. Your iron will and firmness have won for yourselves the proud title of the " Iron Clads." Since this campaign opened you have par- ticipated in more than twenty actions, besides skir-
321
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
mishes without number. That coward cry, " We are flanked," has never been heard in your ranks. When other troops have given away on your right or left, von have shown to the enemy, that you had no flanks and no rear,-that the Third Brigade was all front, and that of steel. How well that front has been main- tained in this campaign, the long list of casualties -- one thousand three hundred and eighty-five out of two thousand six hundred and ninety-three-sadly, but gloriously attest." The Colonel commanding added other admirable words, all of which were deeply and sensibly appreciated by every man and officer of the brigade.
Col. Plaisted left for home, on a leave of absence, and Col. Dandy, the ranking officer, assumed com- mand of the brigade, and Capt. Brunek was in com- mand of the regiment. Preparations were perfecting for the discharge of the " old men," as previously stated; and on the return of Col. Plaisted, and the re- turn of Col. Dandy to the regiment, the men were sent home. The manner in which they were received at home was severely criticised, and Buffalo not credited with that loyal remembrance of the services of her heroes which was justly their due.
Subsequently this imputation, whether just or not, was amply atoned in the magnificent manner in which the Buffalo Board of Trade, at their rooms, formally received the remnant of the regiment that left this city. March 7th, 1862, nine hundred and sixty strong. A number of aldermen were present, the rooms were 14*
322
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
handsomely decorated with flags of the One Hundredth and One Hundred and Sixteenth regiments. A collat- tion table extended the length of the room, loaded with what spoke eloquently of the liberality of the Board of Trade. The meeting was called to order by G. S. Hazard, president of the Board of Trade, who at once proceeded to welcome the members of the One Hundredth in an address replete with the historical facts made by the service of the regiment, the char- acter of the struggles in which, as soldiers, they had been engaged, recounting their valiant deeds, and the names of the battle-fields, not forgetting the sufferers in southern prisons, nor those who "sleep their last sleep " where " they fought their last battle." With earnest wishes and congratulations of cheer for their safe return, and fitting words for their future welfare. Mr. Hazard closed his feeling and eloquent speech. following which three cheers were given for the " old flag," three for the regiment, and three for the Board of Trade. The president was requested to read the address of Col. Plaisted, the brigade commander, of' which we have spoken, whereupon three lusty cheers were given for the loyal Plaisted. the brigade com- mander. The inner man was refreshed, and what seemed a neglect on the arrival of this noble band of the original One Hundredth, was fully amended. and all hearts and voices joined in singing the "Star Spangled Banner." closing with three cheers, heartily given, for G. S. Hazard, the president of the Board of Trade.
...
323
One Hundredth. N. Y. S. Volunteers.
Save the re-enlisted veterans, some fifty in number, the One Hundredth Regiment in the field before Rich- mond was a new regiment, whose elements were the additions through the efforts of the Board of Trade, consisting of volunteers, drafted and substitute men, numbering in all from the first an aggregate of two full minimum regiments. Not an officer that left Buffalo March 7th, 1862, was at this date with the regiment. Privates and non-commissioned officers of the re- enlisted men had become officers, and the recruits were indebted to those veterans for drill and military knowledge. To meet the need of officers, Sergs. Charles Sheldon, Samuel Ely and Henry Heimans were commissioned second lieutenants ; and Sergs. Mansfield, Cornell, Jonathan E. Head and Albert York, first lieutenants ; and Second Lieut. Edward L. Cook first lieutenant; First Lieuts. G. II. Stowits, Edwin Nichols and Cornelius K. Baker were commis- sioned captains, and George G. Barnum first lieuten- ant and quartermaster. Capt. James H. Dandy, who was absent on detached service, was commissioned major, vice D. D. Nash discharged, December 9th, 1864, and had joined the regiment. Capt. Geo. HI. Stowits, who had been absent at Fortress Monroe in hospital since his wounding, October 27th, on the Darbytown road. returned to the front, December 15th, and at once resumed his duties as acting assist- ant adjutant general of the brigade, Col. Plaisted commanding.
The army was now fairly settled in winter quar-
324
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
ters. The camps assumed a home-like aspect. Some were built of logs with apartments in capacity to hold a whole company, others to accommodate fro !! three to five occupants. Recruits were arriving daily. There were a large number of " bounty jumpers" among them. Some hardly knew the last name they had as- sumed. That is, they were not certain which of the names they had borne was on the roll in the hands of the officer. From this class desertions were frequent. There were from one to five executed weekly, a sad necessity of military rule, and before spring we doubted the saving or salutary influence of fear which the exe- cutions intended to subserve. There were many af- fecting incidents in connection with the details of these melancholy occasions. The detail of the firing party, the selection of regiments for guards, the es- cort, the victim, or victims, seated on their coffins: the slow tread to the dead march ; the last duties, and the fatal word fire; all these formulas were oppressively solemn. But desertions continued till the day of movement on the 27th of March. The details for pieket were from one hundred and fifty to one hun- dred men daily, from the brigade of four regiments. It became necessary to keep a certain number of tet- erans beyond the main line, who were marched out by a different route and in advance, concealed with orders to shoot any man attempting to desert. This was called the "dead line." A few were shot in this manner.
The most of January, February and March was
1
1
325
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
spent in drilling the recruits, inspecting camps, regi- ments singly, and often the entire brigade. The quartermasters were vigilant in supplying the troops with clothing, and the commissary with good and palat- able rations. The weekly inspections of regiments were established by order, and that one which showed best in arms, accoutrements and the packing of knapsacks, was denominated "best in order; " and this honor was successfully earned in turn by each regiment of the brigade. In connection with this, the " best man in order" was sent to headquarters from each regi- ment, and from the four thus sent, the " best in order" received a furlough for twenty days.
In consequence of the illness of Col. Plaisted, the brigade commander. Col. Dandy took command, Feb- ruary 2d, 1865, and Capt. John McMann, the senior officer, was in command of the regiment. Edward Pratt was commissioned captain, January 26th, and Edward L. Cook, captain, January 20th. Maj. Gen. Butler had been relieved of the command of the de- partinent, and was succeeded by Gen. Ord. The fare- well words of Gen. Butler were characteristic of the man, sharp and pointed, and full of praise and admir- ation of the brave men composing the Army of the James. The weather during the winter was various. Snow, ice, rain and pleasant weather came in turn, and with variety of effect. Desertions from both arnies were frequent during the winter. Toward spring Gen. Grant offered payment for guns and equipments, and the rebels came in fully equipped.
vi
326
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
CHAPTER XLV.
ROUTINE OF CAMP DUTIES BEFORE RICHMOND. - PROMO- TIONS DURING THE WINTER. - GRANT'S MOVEMENT ON THE LEFT. - SHERIDAN'S GRAND CAVALRY RAID. - BRIGADE, DIVSION AND CORPS REVIEWS, ATTENDED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN, SECRETARY STANTON, GRANT AND MANY LADIES. - THIE FINE APPEARANCE OF THE ARMY AT THIS DATE. - MOVED MARCHI 27THI FOR THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE JAMES AT HATCHER'S RUN. - AD- VANCED UPON THE ENEMY'S WORKS.
During winter quarters in front of Richmond, aside from the necessary details for picket, details for fatigue were daily and regular, for chopping wood, building corduroy roads, and other duties required at various headquarters. . At times the mud was so deep that transportation was impossible, making road building a necessity.
We should have mentioned, that after the discharge and promotion to the office of surgeon of William D. Murray, E. Schofield was commissioned assistant surgeon, June 30th, 1865, and joined the regiment at Deep Bottom. Subsequently, on the muster out of
--
!
327
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
M. S. Kittenger, Norris M. Carter was commissioned surgeon, March 15th, 1865. In January other promo- tions not stated were made. Lieut. H. W. Conry as captain, and Second Lieut. Samuel Ely as first lieuten-
ant. Early in January Capt. Nichols, who had served the full time and had never been on leave, went North, and returned at the expiration of time for duty. En- listed men were coming and going daily. January 27th, several from the One Hundredth went their way rejoicing for Buffalo. The monotony of January was occasionally broken. The fall of Fort Fisher, the de- struction of the rebel rams in the James, were facts for cheer and congratulation.
Aside from frequent alarms at the front on the picket line, Gen. Grant made an advanee on the left, led by Warren, for the seizure of the south-side rail- way. This movement was fiercely opposed by the rebels, and for a time defeat seemed to hover over the national troops. Finally our men were rallied, and the extension of the line to Hatcher's Run was the fruit of a severe loss, though of permanent advantage for future operations.
As preparatory to a general move, Gen. Sheridan was ordered on a grand cavalry raid upon Lee's com- munications, and if possible seize Lynchburg, moving southward, if necessary, and join Sherman. Sheridan swept out of existence the rebel power north of Rich- mond. He disabled two hundred miles of railway and inflicted a loss of several millions of dollars.
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.