USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 19
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The routine of February was disturbed by the intel-
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ligence of the fall of Charleston and Columbia. Sher- man's legions were still on the war path. Col. Plaisted, the brigade commander, had been sick most of the month of February, and Col. Dandy was in command. Capt. John McMann was in command of the One Hundredth. Col. Plaisted went home to Maine on a leave for twenty days. In the meantime he was bre- veted brigadier general. Inspections and reviews were the chief duties of March till a move was or- dered.
March 7th. The division commanded by Gen. R. S. Foster was reviewed, and visiting generals present pronounced it the best they ever saw. Gen. Foster was a model of an appearing officer. He attracted universal attention by his faultless military bearing; and he was as brave in battle as he was imposing in appearance on review.
We have spoken of the repeated executions of de- serters. We find in our diary the following, to us, at this date, a rather light expression for the performance of a solemn duty : "The execution of a deserter from the Tenth Connecticut Volunteers, to-day, passed off successfully." These were sad duties for an acting assist- ant adjutant general to perform. The success referred to is, that the firing party were not required to fire the second time, which was frequently done.
Gen. Grant and staff reviewed the First Division. commanded by Foster, March 12th. There were a number of ladies present. Col. Plaisted returned Thursday, March 16th, and assumed command of bri-
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gade the 18th. Held it till the 25th, and then was unstered out, after which the command devolved upon Col. Dandy ; and Capt. Edwin Nichols, who had com- manded the One Hundredth after the discharge of Capt. J. MeMann, March 7th, again found himself in command of the regiment, which he retained till Maj. James H. Dandy assumed command, Monday, March 27th, as the regiment and brigade stood stripped for a move.
March 17th. A corps review was had by Gen. Grant, Secretary Stanton and a crowd of officers and civilians. The paymaster had arrived and commenced to pay the brigade. The paymaster paid all but the Tenth Connecticut before the brigade moved.
March 20th. Lieut. Ely went to Buffalo on leave.
March 24th. The Second Division was ordered to move. The Third Brigade was deployed to the left to cover the front recently held by the Second Divi- sion. Col. Hill, of the Eleventh Maine, went out on the rebel picket line as a scout to watch the move- ments of the enemy. He had lost an arm at Deep Bottom, August 14th, and was one of the bravest and most social officers that was to be found in the army. He had good strong common sense.
March 26th. The division was reviewed by Grant and President Lincoln, attended by a large number of ladies in carriages. The army at this date was in holiday attire. No parades or reviews in civil times could compare, in perfectness of movements, to those attained by the soldier at that period of the war.
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Good new clothing, burnished arms, and well filled and neatly packed knapsacks; these, with the precis- ion of step and accurate execution of all the movements requisite to a perfect review, made the occasion one of pleasure, wonder and surprise to all unacquainted with the duties and life of a soldier.
The tents were struck and the brigade moved at 6} P. M., March 27th. Marched all night, crossed the James at Deep Bottom, the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, and passed in the rear of the Petersburg lines. halting at 8 A. M. for rest and lunch, then advanced and reached the place of bivouack at dark. Up at 1 o'clock, moved at 4 A. M. and took position along the front lately occupied by the Second Corps. Re- lieved the piekets and began to look for quarters. The weather was very warm. The men not used to marching suffered much. Grant was about to close his hand upon the power of the Southern Confederacy. His dispositions were made and his troops were taking positions for the final blow. Gen. Weitzel was in command on the north side of the James river, and Gen. Parke, with the Ninth Corps, on the south side, holding a line of intrenchments of thirty-five miles. The Second and Fifth Corps had swung clear of the works and were beyond Hatcher's Run, supported by Sheridan's cavalry, just arrived from the north side of the James and the great raid of the war. The battle of Five Forks was begun, and before night, April 1st. the shouts of victory were heard all along the lines.
In a drenching rain, on the afternoon of March 30th,
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the First Division, commanded by Gen. Foster, was or- dered out of the works, and the struggle of forcing in the rebel outposts was commenced. Slowly their pieket line was pressed back. The ground in front of the Third Brigade was new, and few knew the po- sition of the picket line. Col. Hill, of the Eleventh Maine, was in command of the pickets. Lieut. Bell, of Col. Dandy's staff, was sent with orders to Col. Hill and rode straight into the rebel lines with his or- derly, and both were captured. Capt. Stowits followed, and was saved by the warning of a post of pickets, while his horse was floundering in the swamp. The woods echoed with the sounds of whizzing bullets. Night, dark, wet and dreary closed upon the advance, while the men were set to work intrenching before snatch- ing a few hours sleep. In the movement the One Hundredth Regiment had the right of the brigade composed of the Tenth Connectieut. Eleventh Maine and One Hundredth New York; the Two Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania one year men having been left on the north side of the James. As the brigade
penetrated the woods in front of the rebel works, a swamp separated the One Hundredth New York from the remainder of the brigade, and darkness closed upon further operations. Col. Dandy ordered Capt. Stowits to make the connection, that the brigade might form "solid front. This, in the darkness, at a late hour, 4 is a difficult matter. On strange ground, with a swampy surface, with the lights of both armies in view, the Captain, in his efforts to pass the swamp, became
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bewildered, and, lest he might share the fate of Lieut. Bell, dismounted and waited the appearance of friendly stars to guide to safety. After midnight the connec- tion was made, and the military family of the Thirl Brigade was one, behind temporary works of trees, brush and dirt, awaiting the action of morn.
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CHAPTER XLVI.
THE STEADY ADVANCE UPON THE ENEMY'S WORKS .- THE REBELS ASSAULT ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 1ST .- THEY ARE SUCCESSFULLY REPULSED. - REGIMENT CON- TINUES TO INTRENCH. - THE ADVANCE APRIL 2d, AND STORMING OF FORT GRIGG IN THE REAR OF PETERS- BURG .- PROMOTIONS IN THE REGIMENT MARCH 30TH.
The night of March 30th was, in many respects, a dreary one. The men were wet and forced to labor constantly without rest, in throwing up works for pro- tection. In the morning the fight was shaprly com- inenced by the pickets, and soon the main line was ordered out in support, when the music of bullets in -necessive volleys gave proof that the rebels were disputing our advance with stubborn tenacity. From the character of the new men received through the winter, and that they had never been in a fight, a strong guard was kept in the rear of the main line. with strict orders to shoot all stragglers. Capt. Brown, aring adjutant of the Tenth Connecticut, in passing the rear to perfect his returns to be made to Capt. Stowits as assistant adjutant general of the brigade,
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drew his pistol and threatened to fire upon a corporal of the guard, when he was shot and instantly killed. :: sad fate to a brave, though rash and impetuous offi- cer.
Steadily Gen. Foster's division forced the rebels to- ward their main works. There was sharpshooting and a number of casualties during the day. We had at- tained the edge of a wood overlooking the open space between us and the rebels. To hold the position, tree- were felled and breastworks were soon rising in front of the exposed brigade. The front of the One Hun- dredthi New York was undefended. Capt. Edwin Nichols was brigade officer of the day, and Capt. Edward L. Cook was in charge of the pickets of the One Hundredth. Troops rested. The air seemed full of danger and battle. The Eleventh Maine and Tent !: Connecticut lay on the left, behind, or a little to the rear of the works. The One Hundredth on the right, without defence, save the picket line. It was near 3 A. M., April 1st. Col. Dandy lay at the foot of a large tree, Capt. Stowits stood near, and remarked to the Colonel that he feared an assault. The Colonel responded to the sentiment, and ordered the bri- gade in line of battle. The men had just rested
from work. Many slept. They grumbled loudly when called. Before the brigade stood fairly up, on came the "Johnnies," with that yell characteristic. Capt. Stowits ordered Maj. Baldwin, of the Eleventh Maine, to move by the flank up to the work, while the Tenth Connecticut and One Hundredth New York
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simply faced and moved right forward. As the Eleventh Maine reached the work, the rebels were pouring over, firing a volley, wounding Maj. Baldwin through the shoulder. Said he, " Capt. Stowits, this is too bad, so early in the fight." The Major had just returned from hospital, having been badly wounded at Deep Bottom the August before. But he had hardly fallen ere one steady volley from those veteran regiments checked the leaders in the assault, and piled their dead a few feet from the outside of the work, while those who clambered over were made prisoners, and earnestly besought that they might be directed to the rear, out of danger of the bullets of their friends. It was a timely repulse. Had the troops been allowed twelve or fifteen minutes repose longer, a large number would have slept the sleep that knows no waking.
Fortunately for the One Hundredth the assault was on the front protected by works, while their front was exposed and might have suffered loss, had not the cool presence of mind of Capt. Cook, in charge of the Tickets, turned apparent disaster into a glorious sue- ce -. During the day we had driven the rebels from their pits nearer their main line. The Captain, with -hovels, had turned these pits, and used them in re- verse for the safety of his pickets. When the rebels wie boldly on, the Captain waited their near ap- grouch, when he gave the order for a well directed fire, which obliqued their advance, and sent them in u body against the works in front of the remainder of
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the brigade, where many quickly found rest in death and as prisoners. Capt. Cook was breveted major for his gallantry at the close of the war, and the honor was well merited, and caused joy to the command. Capt. Nichols, as brigade officer, was on the line, and the rebels took him prisoner, stripped him of pistol, sword and rubber blanket, and had marched him half way to their works, when the Captain turned and fied. Two fired at him in the darkness and missed, while the Captain came into the ranks of the One Hundredth greeted with cheers at his deliverance. The Captain denominated the act on the part of the enemy as " a nice April fool." It might have been a sad morning to the Third Brigade, but as it turned, it was a grand check of the advancing rebels.
The Union hosts were slowly closing in on the de- fenders of the " lost cause." Sheridan and Warren, in the early morning of April 1st, began the disposition of the forces for the battle of Five Forks. Humphrey at the extreme left of Ilatcher's Run, and Ord. Wright and Park with their corps, respectively, were waiting the last order, to leap into the works of the rebels. They had failed in the permanent capture of Fort Steadman, on the Petersburg front, and had re- tired sullenly and disheartened. The close of the day announced the complete triumph of Sheridan and Warren at Five Forks. The shouts of victory had hardly died away in the evening, when, by Grant', order, the Union guns, in position before Petersburg, were opened on the Confederate lines, from right to
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left, from Appomattox to Hatcher's Run. All night the detonating thunders of artillery continued. At
assault began. Wright with th Corps, supported by two divisions of Ord's command, assaulted the works at the same time that Parke, with the Ninth Corps, had carried the outer line on his front, though checked by the inner. Wright and Ord drove everything before them to the Boydton plank road, and captured several thousand men and many guns. Hum- phrey advanced westward from Hatcher's Run, holding the Union left, stormed and captured a redoubt on his front, moved up and took position on the left of the Sixth Corps. Sheridan struck the south-side railway in three points, and this important line of Lee's com- munication was cut, and a triumph achieved.
After the check of the rebels on the front of the Third Brigade, on the morning of the 1st April. the command continued to intrench and make strong their position. Sharpshooters were busy during the day. The bom- bardment during the night indicated to the men the work for Sunday. that of shortening the rebel line by doubling it with a successful assault. As stated, Ord ordered Foster to move, and on we went, going over and into the enemy's works without much opposition at that point, as the line had been broken at the right, which had communicated defeat to the left. Within the line of the rebel works the One Hundredth New York. of the Third Brigade. First Division, Twenty- worth Corps, contributed to the strength of numbers which added fear to certainty in the hearts of the 15
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rebels, that their fate was sealed and their last hour had come.
It was a grand sight to see the moving thousands of the Union army as they enveloped with a cloud of blue the rear works of Petersburg, and prepared to :- sault Forts Grigg and Alexander. This desperate duty was assigned to the First Division, of which the Third Brigade and One Hundredth Regiment formed a part. Fort Grigg, the center fort, was a work with a ditch in front and a stockade in rear, and was manned by two hundred and fifty Mississippians, who had sworn not to surrender ; and so gallantly did they fight, that when it surrendered only thirty effective men were left.
The charge on Fort Grigg was the last battle fought by the One Hundredth Regiment, and its record on that terrible occasion is enough to have earned for it all the honor and glory that can attach itself to any body of men in the accomplishing of so sanguinary a work, and crowning the deed with glorious victory.
The promotions of March 30th, 1865, were : Joseph Pratt to be second lientenant; John S. Manning, Charles H. Waite, John Gordon, to be first lieutenants ; and Patrick Connelly, and Jonathan E. Head, to be captains, all of whom were in active service in the regiment.
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CHAPTER XLVII.
THE ASSAULT OF FORT GRIGG IN THE REAR OF PETERS- BURG .- THE WORK ASSIGNED TO THE FIRST DIVISION, TWENTY-FOURH ARMY CORPS. - THIE LOSS OF MAJ. DANDY OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH NEW YORK .- THE FORT TAKEN, AND GARRISON NEARLY ALL KILLED AND WOUNDED. - THE PURSUIT OF GEN. LEE. - ARRI- VAL AT BURKESVILLE. - PASS THROUGH FARMVILLE, AND REACH THE REBEL ARMY AT APPOMATTOX .- FIGHT- ING THE LAST BATTLE. - SURRENDER OF LEE'S ARMY. - ITS PAROLE. - NEWS OF THE PRESIDENT'S ASSASSI- NATION. - RETURN MARCH. - ENTERING RICHMOND.
To the First Division, as intimated, was assigned the bloody work of assaulting Fort Grigg. The order was given, and that Sabbath day witnessed one of the most stubborn assaults, and most fiercely defended forts of the war. For twenty-three minutes did those brave men encircle that fort, till its ditches, cover its parapets, storming every vulnerable point in the effort to gain possession It was a long time in an open field to shoot and be shot at. Soon the moving mass, pressed by those in rear, passed into the fort, and victory was gained. The forts on either flank were
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evacuated immediately, and the streams of "gray backs," as they hastened on, gave evidence of haste. fear and dismay. The colors of the One Hundredth Regiment were the first on the parapet of the fort, fol- lowed by those of the Tenth Connecticut. The color- bearer of the One Hundredth was shot, and Maj. Dandy. its gallant commander, in pressing forward to raise the colors, was also killed, a loss which the regiment deeply felt, and whose brief service had endeared him to his comrades in arms.
Many officers and men had fallen. The interior of the fort was a pool of blood, a sight which can never be shut from niemory. The rebels had recklessly fought to the last. Quickly the rear gun of the fort was turned upon the fugitives. The dead were buried in trenches two and a half feet in depth. The rebels in one, and our own troops in others, under the direc- tion of each regiment of the charging column. The scene in and about the fort was beyond description. Here, as elsewhere, after many a fight, the thought would force itself upon us: Is our country worth these sacrifices of human life? Is it not savage bar- barisin all? These thoughts could not be repressed amid the cords of dead, the fathers, husbands and brothers of loved ones waiting words from the battle field which would only kill as the bolts of despair. Our dead buried. rations and ammunition issued. re- ports rendered, and about face we began the pursuit of Gen. Lee. On we marched, Monday and Tuesday. creeping into Burkesville late, with the strong men in
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advance from companies, regiments, brigades and divisions. Toward morning the weak and straggling came staggering along. It was literally a forced march. Lee must be kept from going South, and Grant held the Twenty-fourth Corps to perform the duty of intercepting, and if possible capture the Con- federate chief.
We were in time. The morning of Wednesday, April 5th, was wet and disagreeable. Railroad com- munication being secured, Grant determined to secure the whole of what remained of the Army of Northern Virginia. Though pickets had been thrown out, and preparation for camping commenced, orders came to march. The One Hundredth New York at this place were detailed to guard the wagon train, which saved them the danger of helping to fight the last battle at Appomattox, imposed upon the Third Brigade, First .Division of the Twenty-fourth Corps.
As the Twenty-fourth Corps reached High Bridge, near Farmville, the rebels were leaving, and the bridge was in flames. The fire was extinguished. Col. Dandy, with the Third Brigade, was ordered five miles beyond to hold a bridge crossing the Appomattox. Having been fired, its falling timbers were carried away by the current, and with two pieces of eannon, and pickets in position, the brigade bivouacked till dawn. It was a cold, damp night. The morning sun was a great relief to the chilled and weary troops. The rear guard of the enemy had thrown up works on an opposite hill, as we advanced ; and during the night
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our batteries were placed in position, but at dawn the rebels had fled. Evidences all along could be seen of their hasty flight. Burning caissons, ambulances. wagons, and worn-out mules, all told of the extremity and demoralization of Lee's army.
Saturday evening, April Sth. Sheridan captured four trains of cars, thirty pieces of artillery, one gen- eral and one thousand prisoners, and a hospital train, thereby snatching from Lee needy supplies for his starving army. Sheridan stood across his pathway, determined to hold him until the Army of the James could reach his front, and that of the Potomac his rear.
Gen. Lee had hoped to have broken through our lines on that eventful morn held by Sheridan. The flower of what remained of the Army of Northern Vir- ginia was ordered to the work. Sheridan opened the fight. The yells of the "Johnnies," the whistling of bullets, the flight of driven cavalry, demoralized, hat- less and weaponless, told us, the infantry, that our time had come. At a double quick, the First Divi- sion, Twenty-fourth Corps, advanced. Col. Dandy was in command of the Third Brigade, with only the Eleventh Maine and Tenth Connecticut Regiments. Such had been the speed of march, that the Third Brigade was half a mile in advance of its left support- ing column. Col. Dandy's aid, Lieut. Mason. had been shot. Capt. Hawkins, inspector general, was sinking with exhaustion. Gen. Foster, riding up amid a shower of bullets said, "Capt. Stowits, make your connection with Col. Fairchild's brigade on your left
OSCAR F. RICHARDS. Capt.Co.K.74 !! Regt N.Y.S.Vols.
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and keep advancing." Before the Captain could explain that Col. Fairchild was far in the rear, the General was gone. Already had Col. Hill, of the Eleventh Maine, with most of his command, been made prisoners. The officer in command of the Tenth Connecticut ap- pealed to Capt. Stowits for orders. The Captain re- sponded, order your men to lie down; if I live I will bring you orders. Col. Dandy was sought and found. The situation was explained. The Colonel told the Captain that he was right to hold his men till Col. Fair- child closed up. Anxiously the minutes were passed. The skirmishers of Col. Fairchild's brigade appeared in view. The line of battle was closed, and forward we moved. It was our last battle, short, bloody, and the end of the war. As the white flags came in, the view on either hand was imposing and sublime. The various corps of our army unfurled their flags and the bands were ordered to play. It seemed more as a review, a gala day for a moment, than the exultation of a great army, that a long, bloody and desperate war had end- ed. The pitied remnants of that once bold and de- fiant army were sad to behold. Long and bravely had they fought us; but now, what a contrast to the well clothed, well fed, and high spirited thousands of the I'nion hosts. With an exhausted quartermasters' de- partment, an empty commissary, the rebel army, as a power, was no more. It only remained for us to feed them in their needs, and illustrate again the maxim, " that it is more blessed to give than to receive."
The Confederate army was paroled. As they passed
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our camps, to look upon them only excited charity and pity. There were mutual congratulations that the war had ended. Such had been the rapidity of our marching that all our supply trains were deep in the mud far in the rear. We waited their arrival. From the 9th to the 17th of April we waited orders and the return of one of the divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps. Returns, and the necessary army papers were completed, and the army commenced its backward movement. Reached Farmville Tuesday noon. April 1Sth. The road was one miry bed, filled with the de- bris of a pursued and pursuing army. The stench of dead horses and minles was almost insupportable.
At this, the height of our rejoicings, in the rain and mud waiting for orders, along the wires which followed the army in all its movements, came the thrilling and astounding intelligence that President Lincoln had been assassinated. It could not at first be believed. But, as the report settled into fact, and there seemed 'to be no doubt of the sad news, a cloud of gloom per- vaded the entire army. Our victories paled in their glory, and for the moment all our fightings and sue- cesses were apparently of no significant value. But in the loss of the martyr President we had the inspir- ing thought of a saved and united nation.
That march of a victorious army for Richmond Was a rest of mind to the veteran soldier. The best of dis- cipline was observed. The people were evidently surprised at our appearance, so orderly, well clad and respectful of the rights of an eneiny.
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We entered the city on the morning of April 25th, after a night's bivouac at Manchester, two miles out. We were received by Gen. Devin's division with music, cheers, and the salutations of an exultant soldiery. The colored population were jubilant. The secession element was sullen, and dispirited. The grand appearance of our army in contrast with the ragged rebel soldiery, told the enemies of the nation with what a power they had dared to measure arms, and that they could not but reap what they had so recklessly sown-death, ruin and devastation.
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CHAPTER XLVIII.
THE ONE HUNDREDTH JOINS THE BRIGADE AT APPOMAT- TOX. - THE RETURN MARCHI TO RICHMOND. - OUR RE- CEPTION BY THE RESIDENT TROOPS. - ENCAMIPED OUTSIDE CITY. - RECEPTION OF SECOND, FIFTH AND SIXTH CORPS AND SHERMAN'S ARMY. - INCIDENTS AND ROUTINE OF CAMP LIFE. - INSPECTIONS AND RE- VIEWS.
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