USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 3
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
CHAPTER IV.
ARRIVAL AT NEWPORT NEWS. - ENCAMPED. - CHANGED CAMP. - RAIN AND DISCOMFORT. - ARRIVAL OF GEN. M'CLELLAN. - ARMY MOVES FORWARD. - REACHES WARWICK COURT HOUSE. - SIEGE OF YORKTOWN COMMENCES. - WORKS TOO STRONG TO BE ASSAULTED. - GEN. NAGLEE IN COMMAND OF BRIGADE. - HIE MAKES AN ARMED RECONNAISSANCE. - TROOPS BE- HAVED WELL. - NAGLEE LED THE CHARGE IN PER- SON.
Having arrived at Newport News, Gen. Casey or- dered a debarkation at 93 P. M. The men bivonacked and slept. Soon they were ordered one and a half miles on into the woods. Thunder and rain during the night, morning fair and clear. At 12 M.ordered to move two miles toward Fortress Monroe, to join the rest of the brigade. Bivouacked at 3 P. M. near Gen. Key's Headquarters. Encamped on a plantation where the depredations of 40,000 men were seen on every hand. 6- Lieut. Col. Staunton had an amply furnished vsp chest, Col. Brown, Maj. Otis and Adjt. Chad- wick accepted his offer of sharing its supplies. The
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
line officers shifted for themselves, and, as would be expected, it was a trying time for men so recent from the comforts of home fare and living.
The services of Maj. Otis as a professional architect were in demand now, and for the future, in locating and staking out camps. This was done. The regiment, with wood and boughs for beds, slept on the ground. Rations were short. The Major went to Newport News to obtain them. Fresh beef and bread were se- cured. Camp was policed and cleared up.
April 9th, 1862. Edwin S. Bishop was commis- sioned as quartermaster in place of Samuel M. Cham- berlain discharged.
Rain, rain, and the men wet and cold. Orders to march. Suspended at 5 P. M.
Thursday, April 10th. Cold, windy, and mud six inches deep. The division remained encamped here for ten days, the weather being very wet and exceed- ingly cold most of the time. There was but little op- portunity for drill, and the men were principally em- ployed in fatigue and picket duty. The division was reviewed once by Gen. Casey.
Friday, April 11th. Frost and ice one-fourth of an inch thick. The rebel ram Merrimac came out and captured two schooners, which could not be prevented. Drew off toward night. She kept a respectful dis- tance from the little Monitor. Troops under arms. All quiet at night.
Sunday. April 13th. Maj. Otis was presented with a sabre by quartermaster S. M. Chamberlain. A
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
father's and a patriot's interest brought John Wilkeson to camp, as friends at home began to think that their rons, husbands and brothers had entered upon an ae- tive, and, as it proved, a sanguinary campaign. The regiment was not supplied with tents of any kind for more than a week, and hence suffered severely. Boughs, trees and boards, when found, offered the only -helter. The weather was rainy and cold. At this time a large number of officers and men laid the foun- dation of disease, which, to some, was premature death.
Gen. MeClellan arrived at Fortress Monroe the 21 of April. The army commenced its march toward Yorktown at once. Gen. Casey's division marched on the morning of the 15th for Warwick Court House. The day was warm, and the roads exceedingly bad. Lieut. Col. Staunton, as field officer of the day, had command of the advance guard of three companies. Distance marched, twenty miles. A large number of men fell out of ranks. Warwick Court House reached at 54 P. M. The regiment bivouacked in an open field. The weather, roads and ignorance of camp life and its duties, and unused exposure, caused sickness and suffering among both officers and men. At the chee of this severe day's march, Col. Davis was ordered to hasten to the assistance of Gen. Couch at Warwick, who, it was reported, had an engagement with the Wiemy, and needed assistance. To raw troops these marches were exhausting and demoralizing. Virginia oil was never intended for military operations. The condition of the men was simply that of positive dis-
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
comfort. Transportation was so uncertain, and the roads so impassable, that rations were issued in limited quantities, and often not more than a box of hard tack was allowed to a company, which rendered the men unfit to endure the exposure of out-door living.
Thursday, April 17th. Ordered to move two miles nearer the rebel lines, and encamped in the woods. Col. Brown unfit for duty. No fires allowed. Heavy firing during the night.
Friday, 1Sth. An idle day.
Saturday, 19th. Orders to move. No move. Rested quiet all night.
Sunday, April 20th. Men under arms in silence awaiting the "Long Roll." Firing on our left, heavy guns and small arms. Very dark and rainy. Firing at intervals all night. The rebels attacked a battery, and were repulsed. Skirmishing all day. Gen. Mc- Clellan had fairly planted his army before Yorktown. The enemy held a strongly fortified position from York to James river. Yorktown was well defended. Earth- works at Gloucester Point commanded the river front. It was decided by general officers and engineers that the works could not be taken by assault. The siege was commenced. Heintzelman's corps was on the right. Sumner's occupied the centre, and Keyes' the left. Continuous rains had converted the country into a quagmire, and the troops lived in the mud, to all in- tents and purposes. It was impossible for the men to keep their clothing and equipments clean.
Monday, April 21st. The One Hundredth was
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
undered with Eleventh Maine to stand at arms, and ad- vance two miles as reserves. Bivouacked in woods. Pained for three hours, and the men were drenched through and through. To all it was a night of mili- tary suffering. The next day Col. Brown, Lieut. Col. Staunton, Maj. Otis and Adjt. Chadwick, rode out to view rebel batteries. During the absence of the field officers, Gen. Kearney and staff came along and or- dered Capt. Nash to fall in the regiment and move to :hw: front. Soon, however, the order was counter- manded. Weather some more pleasant. A few of !! w regiments had constructed model camps amid all their privations, sufferings and exposures. The One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, the regiment raised by the brigade commander, had constructed a :Ilel camp, called "Pine Grove Camp," which was beautiful and tastefully arranged and adorned. It " is an extemporized home for worn and weary men. From the time the army set down before Yorktown notil the defences were evacuated by the enemy, the Fre was actively prosecuted. The labor was severe. Building roads, batteries, and mounting guns, together with a vigilant watchfulness of the enemy's operations, orupied the time of officers and men day and night.
The work was heavy on all parts of the line. On he left the distance to the enemy's works was about two hundred yards. The camps were nearly a mile :. a the rebel works. In going to and returning from picket line, the men were obliged often to wade 1 .- leg deep through water, and lay out day and
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
night in the rain watching the enemy from a brush heap or fence corner. Pickets were frequently fired upon, and often the first salute to the new officer of the day was a shot from one of the enemy's batteries. Such was the new life of the newly made soldier. Food was scarce; officers often fared worse than their men, and as often dependent upon them.
Wednesday, April 23d. Col. Davis was relieved of command of the brigade by Gen. Naglee, whom McClellan had ordered to report to Gen. Casey for duty. Col. Davis says : " I felt great pride in the bri- gade, and naturally resigned the command of it with some regret. It was by all odds the best in the divi- sion. I had taken the regiments on their first arrival at Washington, the fall before, organized, drilled and disciplined them, and when I gave up the command I do not believe the brigade was second to any in the army of the Potomac for efficiency."
Gen. Naglee was as gallant an officer as could be found in the army, impetuons, and sometimes rash, but just to his officers and men. He soon became proud of his brigade, and thought there was no duty so hard that it could not perform. Occasional firing day and night.
April 25th. Gunboats ran rebel batteries and came to Yorktown. Shelter tents issued to the regiments. Lieut. Col. Staunton started with five companies to relieve piekets, with Col. Plaisted, Eleventh Maine, as guide. Men without rations except beef. Cold and rainy. Paymaster Dixon arrived and paid the men
CALVIN N. OTIS. L: Col.and Brevet Brig. Gen! 100 : Reģ :. N.Y. S.Vols.
1 1.
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
from January 1st, 1862, to February 28th, two months. Men actively engaged in sending money home. A few complaints about accounts, but finally they were sat- i-factorily adjusted. Col. Van Wyck, Fifty-sixth New York, Lieut. Col. Staunton, One Hundredth, and Maj. Grier, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, had a narrow escape from the explosion of a shell.
Tuesday, April 29th. The regiment was ordered hy Gen. Naglee for inspection and review. In the afternoon Gen. Casey ordered Gen. Naglee to make an armed reconnaissance. The brigade moved steadily forward. The One Hundredth New York was held in reserve. A few shots were exchanged, and one man of the Eleventh Maine was mortally wounded. The brigade returned to camp after dark, muddy, cold and hungry. Gen. Naglee led the charge in person.
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
CHAPTER V.
BATTERIES NEARLY COMPLETED .- ENEMY EVACUATE YORK- TOWN. - RETREAT TOWARD WILLIAMSBURG. - GEN. M'CLELLAN PURSUES. - BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. - THE TROOPS MARCH THROUGH THE TOWN. - PURSUIT CONTINUES. - REACHED NEW KENT COURT HOUSE. - RAIN, MUD AND SHORT RATIONS ARE THE SUFFERINGS OF THE ARMY. - ARRIVE NEAR THE YORK RIVER RAIL ROAD, EIGHTEEN MILES FROM RICHMOND.
The recent reconnoissance in force, in charge of Gen . Naglee, in which the One Hundredth took part, dem- onstrated that the enemy still held his lines. It was well conducted and gave confidence to the troops.
The works had been pushed with such vigor, in spite of all obstacles, storms and various delays, that it was expected the batteries would open May 6th at the latest. The whole army was waiting the bom- bardment.
April 30th. Cold and rainy, and the men detailed to make roads, a work pregnant with fatigue and exhaustion.
May 1st. Col. Brown mustered the regiment for
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
pay. No firing on the line during the day. Rumors of evaenation of Yorktown by the rebels. First Lieut. W. C. Mackey missing.
Friday, May 2d. Heavy firing at the right. The rebels shelled all day. Very warm. Lieut. Col. Staunton attending court martial at headquarters. A few officers entertain the opinion, that the enemy's works can be carried by storm. But the rebels did not wait for the iron speech of Gen. MeClellan's guns, but evacuated on the night of the 3d of May, and retired up the Peninsula.
A citizen of Yorktown, who lived there during the siege, stated subsequently, that he had often heard rebel officers remark that Gen. McClellan could drive them out whenever he opened his guns. Knowing his batteries to be nearly completed, they left with- ont ceremony.
Sunday, May 4th. Had orders to march at 9 A. M. As we moved forward we found that the enemy had evacuated their works, and as we passed through saw that they were very strong. Marched ten miles, and encamped in an open field. Rained during the night. .As suspicions strengthened into certainty, troops of all arms were detailed to pursue the flying enemy. The fortifications showed signs of hasty departure. The troops were willing to leave that mortar bed, even if they were obliged to sink into another. The evidences of a hasty retreat were seen all along the road toward Williamsburg. The roads were crowded with pursuing troops.
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
In the hasty retreat from Yorktown the rebels did not forget to leave the evidences of their savage barbarism in the shape of torpedoes, strewn all about to entrap and destroy our troops. They had planted torpedoes in the road that led up to their intrench- ments, and care was required to prevent the men from treading upon them. One was exploded by a soldier of the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Regiment, which literally tore him to pieces, and wounded six others of the same company. One of his toes was found in the haversack of his comrade.
Started early Monday morning, marching all day in the rain. Stopped in woods one hour. The right of the army passed us. Firing heard in advance. Com- ing near Williamsburg, we were ordered to support our right wing, to turn the enemy's left. We did so on the double-quick for three miles, but were too late for the battle. The rebels were driven from their works, and retreated in great disorder beyond the town that night. The One Hundredth bivouacked in an open wheat field in a cold rain and mud, and every surviving soldier remembers it as the night of great suffering, unparalleled and indescribable.
During the long service of the regiment, and amid hardships of a severe character, that night before Williamsburg was referred to, as the one beyond all for nearness to the gates of death. No words can adequately describe the intense agony and deathly chillness of that terrible night of exposure and suf- fering. When the regiment moved from camp before
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
Yorktown, all baggage remained as left. The regi- ment not returning, but continuing the march to Williamsburg, they were necessarily without over- coats, blankets, or protection of any kind, and hence the terrors of that awful night. Maj. Nash asserts that the men could not at morning pull a trigger or light a match, so benumbed were they from the cold and rain of that inelement night. Col. Davis remarks the same of the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsyl- vania. The camp was left standing with everything in the tents, as though we were going out to drill. Neither officers nor men took overcoat or blanket, except the thoughtful few who were always prepared for an emergency. Thus the men were stripped. No clothing save that in which they stood, and after an exciting march, heated and weary, it is a wonder that the half of the regiment did not then and there find their chilling graves.
The next morning, May 6th, it cleared off fine. The works about Williamsburg were very strong, though unfinished. The enemy made a sortie, and were repulsed with great loss. The most severe fight was on the left of Gen. Naglee's brigade, to which the One Hundredth belonged. Gen. Naglee was ordered to support Gen. Hancock. He reached Han- cock's position with four regiments: the One Hun- dred and Fourth Pennsylvania having been separated by accident ; and though the brigade was not actually under fire, still their coming so much inspirited Han- cock's men, that they were enabled to make the final
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
charge which gave us the day. The enemy retreated in great disorder through Williamsburg during the night.
May 7th. Lieut. Col. Staunton field officer of the day. Rations were short, and the troops were in a sorry condition. Here the regiment rested a few days to recover spirit and strength for onward work. The dead liad been buried, and the wounded cared for, and most of the evidences of this battle of doubtful advantage were disappearing.
Ordered on inspection at 9 A. M., the Sth. At noon, brigade review by order of Gen. Naglee. Bri- gade drill at 2 P. M. Went through some new ma- nouvres on the battle ground, where Gen. Hancock charged the rebels a few days before. A splendid field for a grand battle, and our brigade charged over the same ground with yells.
On the morning of May 9th, the army was ordered to move. It was a charming morning. As we filed through Williamsburg the bands played inspiring airs. Williamsburg is an old moss covered town of ancient renown, and was once the center of all that was fashionable and polished and aristocratic in the Old Dominion. Gen. MeClellan and staff received the salutes of the army. The women of the town looked sullen and venomous. Marched ten miles, most of the time very fast. Bivonacked in a field near a wood and an old " Baptist church." Three brigades of our division were together. The officers secured hoe-cake from negroes, who did a thriving
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
business in the midst of an army of hungry men. At 11} P. M., Lient. Col. Staunton was awaked to post pickets, an oversight of the commanding general, which should have been done at an earlier hour.
Saturday, May 10th. Marched ten miles to Roper's Church. Roads blocked with cavalry, infantry and trains. The day's march was through a beautiful country, which was alive with troops.
Second Lieut. Charles S. Farnham, Co. "A," died at Yorktown, May 12th, 1862, of typhoid fever, the result of exposure, such as had followed the regiment and stricken down many of its officers and men on breds of sickness.
The army rested here for two days. The trains were not up, rations were out, and no army can move with empty haversaeks and commissary. The rebels were three or four miles distant. The roads were simply execrable. Orders to march at 7 A. M. The men were under arms from 7 A. M. to 2 A. M. the 14th without taking off equipments. The movement was exceedingly slow ; halts occurred every few minutes, and it was not a rare thing to keep the men standing in the road an hour at a time. Quartermaster Bishop detailed on brigade staff, and Lieut. C. E. Walbridge, Co. " HI," whose services were not forgotten, was put in charge as regimental quartermaster. Reached New Kent Court House, a distance of twelve miles. The court house, a small and antiquated building. is noted as having been the scene of Patrick Henry's forensic displays in early life. We were near the enemy's rear-
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
guard, skirmishing every day. Rations, the life of the army, came up. Three days' were issued, and the army ate and rested.
Thursday, May 15th. Lay in camp all day. Rained continually. Cleared off in the afternoon.
Friday, 16th. Rations issued and cooked, and ready for a march. The camping ground is an interesting place of revolutionary memories. Lieut. Col. Staun- ton on court martial in the case of Col. Farnham.
The regiment commenced its march at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the 17th, and pitched its tents near Baltimore Cross Roads, seven miles beyond. Here the regiment passed Sunday in quiet and rest.
Left Baltimore Cross Roads on Monday morning, the 19th, in a rain which continued all day. New hats, pants and shirts arrived from Baltimore, as well as a mail, which gave joy to hundreds of anxious, hoping hearts. Marched six miles. Pitched tents in a wheat field eighteen miles from Richmond, near the York River Railroad, two miles below Despatch Station.
May 20th. The regiment was detailed for picket and brigade guard. The General ordered Col. Davis, of the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, with his regiment, one hundred men of the Fifty-second Pennsylvania, and two companies of the Eleventh Maine, to get in readiness for a reconnoissance toward the Chickahominy. They marched up the railroad to within a few hundred yards of the river, twelve miles from Richmond, found the bridge burned and the enemy posted strongly on the opposite side.
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
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CHAPTER VI.
MARCHED NEAR TO BOTTOM'S BRIDGE, TWELVE MILES FROM RICHMOND. - CROSSED THE CHICKAHOMINY. - COL. BROWN SICK. - WEATHER VERY WARM AND SHOWERY. - SKIRMISH AT SAVAGE STATION. - PICK- ETS WITHIN FIVE MILES OF RICHMOND. - CASEY'S DI- VISION ENCAMPED AT "SEVEN PINES." - PICKETS ATTACKED BY REBELS. - THEY WERE DRIVEN BACK. - SEVERE STORM. - THE APPROACHIING BATTLE OF THE THIRTY-FIRST OF MAY.
From Williamsburg up. thus far our encounters with the enemy had not been serious, and casualties but few. The reconnaissance to the bridge resulted in the loss of one man wounded of the Eleventh Maine. Shots were exchanged, which served no other purpose, save to familiarize the men with the sounds of shell and minnie balls. The troops returned to camp about dark, having behaved remarkably well. Lieut. Col. Staunton relieved pickets at 11 A. M. Marching unlers for the whole division. Piekets were called in and the movement commenced immediately. Marched two miles and encamped half a mile from the Chicka-
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
hominy, near Bottom's bridge, twelve miles from Richmond.
It is impossible at this time, so remote from the stirring scenes we are recording, to give what would interest the friends of those who were actors and par- ticipants in that great suffering of marching up the Peninsula. With each soldier and officer, it will ever remain an unwritten history. The many personal incidents of sickness, hospital life and death, are facts which are part of the inevitable life of a soldier. A's we were not with the regiment at the time, and have no records or means of stating what would recall to the soldier who reads these pages, as a part of his individual experience, we can but follow the thread of that great tale which left its eternal marks upon the bodies of thousands of American citizens.
Passed the day in quiet amid the music of the end- less rain drops. Gen. McClellan had been led to believe that a stand would be made on the banks of the historie Chickahominy. On arrival at Bottom's bridge it was found destroyed and the engineers be- gan at once to rebuild it. Orders came to cross the Chickahominy for a reconnoissance. Col. Brown be- ing sick, Lieut. Col. Staunton was in command of the One Hundredth. Moved across the new bridge . cantiously, and about one mile beyond, halting behind a hastily thrown up intrenehment. The weather was very warm and inggy. At 3 P. M. ordered back to camp to get our baggage; returned with baggage about 9 P. M.
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers. 57
The sick were increasing in numbers. Surg. Kit- tenger and Asst. Murray, with their helps, were as active for relief as the limited means of a moving army would permit. Vacant houses, and inhabited houses, were taken for the use of the increasing sick along the route.
Ordered forward in the rain. Moved into the wood about one and a half miles and stopped an hour. Again ordered forward, and marched about two miles, raining most of the time. Bivonaeked in the edge of a fine wood fronting a fine open field, where our troops skirmished with the enemy during the fore- noon. A few men were killed and wounded. Adjt. Chadwick was detailed as aid to Gen. Naglee.
Sunday, May 25th. Beautiful morn. The army was extremely vigilant. Gen. Naglee had a short skirmish with the enemy. During the engagements of the skirmishers near Savage Station, the rebels opened a battery, and the shelling continued for several hours. Soon our artillery advanced, sup- ported by infantry, and drove them from the field in confusion. Naglee prepared to follow, but Gen. Koves ordered no further pursuit. The victory was with us. The enemy had a man stationed in the top of a tree, at the upper corner of the wood to direet the fire of their artillery. One of our batteries trained a gun on the tree, and at the first fire brought him down. Gen. Naglee had two horses killed by the chemy's sharpshooters.
Our picket line was now advanced to a point within
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five miles of Richmond. The bulk of the army was within seven miles of the city. Weather cool. Bag- gage sent to the rear, as a battle was expected at any time. Pickets advanced two miles. Gen. Naglee is a perfect steam engine. He was seen constantly on his horse, here, there, and everywhere. The General visited pickets, and while viewing, the enemy fired four shots, one breaking between Gen. Naglee and Maj. Otis. Gen. Naglee took six sharpshooters from the One Hundredth Regiment and skirmishied through a wood on our right, and shot one man. The whole regiment went out on picket. Two companies were posted farther in advance than others on the railroad, and three companies were held in reserve, while Col. Brown posted the remaining five companies on the right. Tents were pitched and the men were making themselves comfortable for the night, when an order came relieving us. Assembled on the railroad and waited in the rain till all the piekets were relieved. It was now dark, when the regiment marched one mile to the rear and bivouacked for the night ; rained very hard during the night, and the men were very wet.
The appearance of the camp of the One Hundredth the morning of May 27th was a sight not to be for- gotten. Men lying flat in the mud and rain fast asleep, clothing soaked. food dampened, and guns in a questionable condition for execution. Cleared off at 11 A. M. Lay in camp all day. The men dried their clothing and cleaned their arms, then drew two
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