USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 5
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Heavy guns opened rapidly on the right about sun- rise, Friday, June 13th, and continued for two hours. The rebels made a raid with about two hundred men over the Chickahominy and destroyed a station house, tore up some track, took a few prisoners and left. It was conducted by the rebel general J. E. B. Stuart, of cavalry fame, more for information than advantage.
Sunday, June 15th, Lieut. Col. Staunton was ordered to send two hundred men over the Chickahominy to guard the wagons till sunrise. Maj. Otis was in com-
Lyman B. Smith arrived in camp. Weather cold and rainy. The whole country a vast swamp, while the roads appear as streams of lava, almost im- passable. The elements work against the Army of the Potomac.
There was a lull in military matters for a few days, and the army had opportunity for rest, when off guard duty. The Eleventh Maine moved camp. Heard . from Capt. Moore, in Richmond, who was wounded in the left shoulder severely.
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Had first dress parade, June 19th.
Thursday, June 20th. Paymaster Dixon arrived, and commenced to pay off the troops. Second Lieut. Warren Granger, Jr., promoted to First Lieutenant in place of Lieut. Wilkeson, killed, June 20th, 1862. Charles Shaffer, First Sergeant, promoted to Second Lieutenant, June 20th, 1862.
June 23d. Col. Staunton and Dr. Murray went to "White House " to express money for the regiment. Continued till dark. Slept on board boat. Returned to regiment next day.
Gen. Naglee desired, and urged the reorganization of the regiment by consolidation. Firing on the right every day. The battle of "Oak Grove" was fought June 25th and 26tl. Maj. Otis was ordered to super- intend the construction of a redoubt, to mount five guns.
June 2Sth. The regiment was sent on picket and as supports. The rebels were repulsed at Mechanics- ville. The Nationals were left masters of the situa- tion. The advantage was not followed up, as Gen. McClellan had decided to change his base and by a flank movement reach the James river and cooperate with Commander Rodgers of the gunboat Galena.
All wagons came across the Chiekahominy, on the night of the 27th. Stonewall Jackson is on the ground, while the authorities at Washington think him in the Shenandoah valley. He is ubiquitous. The Na- tjonals are attacked at once, and the battle at " Gaines' Mills" resulted disastrously to our arms, though Fitz
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John Porter fought with desperation against great odds.
Regiment ordered under arms at dark, and worked on redoubt at the bridge. Six guns were mounted. The order had been given to fly to the James river and not to fight. Droves of horses, troops, wagons and cattle crossed the bridge, and it was then destroyed by order of Gen. Heintzelman. Gen. McClellan was at Savage's Station all day superintending the more- ment which commenced at an early hour. The retreat was accomplished with secrecy and dispatch. Gen. Lee was deceived.
Gen. Naglee had command of the rear-guard; and a brigade that had interposed itself between the main body of the National army on the 31st of May and the Confederate forces so heroically, was now placed in the position of honor. They had been tried, defamed, sustained and applauded, and now were the trusted hundreds to guard the shattered columns of a once un- broken army. After the battle of " Gaines' Farm " a legion of stragglers arrived from the battle fields. Gen. Naglee was informed, and asked what should be done with them. He replied, " Send them to Heintzel- man, and tell him they are not Naglee's men this time."
Lieut. Rodney B. Smith, of Co. "II," was reported missing after the battle of " Gaines' Farm," and is sup- posed to have been killed, or taken prisoner and died, as no tidings have ever reached the regiment or friends of his fate.
Part of the One Hundredth remained as reserves be-
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tween Bottom's bridge and the railroad all day, the 29th, in a state of painful suspense, not knowing whether the battle then raging at Savage's Station was a success or defeat. The rebels were in sight. Pick- ets ordered in at 5 P. M. Naglee stood on the defen- sive. The Eleventh Maine destroyed the railroad bridge. At Savage's Station a train of cars, loaded with ammunition, was started at 7 P. M., with slow matehes applied, so that, at its plunging into the river, the explosion would be instantaneous. It was started, and exploded as it descended, with a roar indescriba- ble. At the same time the enemy was engaged with our rear-guard, the main body was changing base to the James river.
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CHAPTER X.
SICK AND WOUNDED LEFT AT SAVAGE'S STATION BY ORDER OF GEN. M'CLELLAN. - THE ARMY HAD CHANGED FRONT AND WAS STILL MOVING TO JAMES RIVER. - SURGEON KITTENGER LEFT WITH THE WOUNDED AND TAKEN PRISONER. - GEN. NAGLEE STILL HOLDS POSITION IN COMMAND OF THE REAR-GUARD. - REB- ELS IN PURSUIT. - THEY ATTEMPT TO STORM THE NATIONAL BATTERIES ON MALVERN HILLS. - THEY ARE REPULSED WITH TERRIBLE LOSS.
Gen. McClellan had issued an order that the sick and wounded men who could not march should be left at Savage's Station with surgeons, rations, and medi- cal stores, to fall into the hands of the Confederates. He ordered all ambulances to depart empty. In con- sequence of this extraordinary order, hundreds of men were destined to languish in rebel prisons that might have been spared that terrible ordeal of suffering. The army had changed front. The enemy was thunder- ing at its rear. MeClellan had twenty-four hours the . start. The bridge was hardly destroyed ere the ene- my's skirmishers were upon its opposite banks. Their
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batteries were run up and opened upon our retreating forces. The effect was terrific. For a little time our men thought the whole rebel army was upon them. The fright came near a panic and a rout, but was checked by the cool action of a few settled regiments with decisive commanders. The retreat was fairly commenced. In the interval Surg. Kittenger, of the One Hundredth Regiment, had established a hospital in a dwelling on the Newmarket road about half way to "Brackett's Ford." Two hundred wounded were received there for treatment. The wounds were generally very severe. Hundreds of stragglers col- lected around this hospital and spent the night. With great difficulty the doctor persuaded one hundred and fifty to leave next morning at sunrise for the James river. The remainder refused, and were made prison- ers. It was a shameful exhibition of cowardice and demoralization on the part of our troops. At 9 A. M., Stonewall Jackson, with his army marching by the flank, passed along. Such was the discipline main- tained that the men were not allowed to leave ranks to get water from the well. Dr. Kittenger remained with the wounded and was taken prisoner. When Stonewall Jackson arrived at the hospital he expressed astonishment to see so few stragglers, and asked the doctor what had become of them. He did not know that they reached the James river in advance of the army. With a victorious enemy thundering at our heels the rear was no place for them. Jackson was in plain clothes with sword and sash as the only signs of 4*
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rank about him. He led his men on foot. The posi- tion of Naglee's brigade was critical. Not a sentinel between the two armies to give notice of the approach of the enemy. Two guns threw occasional shots to notify the rebels that we still held the ground. The rebels, with Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson to lead them, expected to bag and capture the National army. They were busily engaged rebuilding the bridges.
Naglee and his little command was still the rear- guard that interposed between our retiring columns and the pursuing enemy. He was ordered to follow at 10 P. M. At that hour he took up his line of march, as he supposed, with his whole brigade, but he took with him only a part of it, the Eleventh Maine, Fifty-second Pennsylvania and a portion of the One Hundredth New York Regiments, leaving the Fifty- sixth New York and the remainder of the One Hun- dredth New York and One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Regiments on the field doing sentinel duty. Naglee did not discover the mistake till he had marched several miles; to return was impossible. The roads were blocked with troops. What remained of the brigade declined to move without orders. Al- most within the very jaws of the enemy it still held its post. It is hard to tell how long they might have remained in this dangerous position had not a staff officer of Gen. Franklin informed them that the troops had left four hours before, and expressed his surprise ยท that they had not followed. It was now 2 o'clock on
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the morning of the 1st of July. Col. Van Wyck as- enmed command, and the march commenced. The wrong road was taken and the command was march- ing toward the enemy. The Colonel countermarched and hastened in. The column was overtaken by a mounted officer who advised them to "hurry up," as the enemy were near and would attack at daylight. Several of the officers and men were too sick to march, but to fall behind was to ensure capture. Conse- quently there was no straggling among Naglee's men. They reached Malvern Hills, stacked arms, lay down to rest, as they had marched fifteen miles; and within an hour the fire of the advance of the rebels could be heard as they drove in our pickets. The rear-guard of Gen. Naglee's rear-guard was saved. They had suf- fered an intensity of anguish, as those only can appre- ciate who have been left through mistake within the reach of an advancing foe. The writer can well sym- pathize with those officers and men, and knows with what joy that staff officer was hailed, as one was hailed on a similar occasion and on a similar errand. Such episodes, even amid the stern realities of war, are never forgotten.
Our forces were advantageously posted on Malvern Hills. Numerous batteries were in position. The gunboat Galena was positioned for an enfilading fire. Gien. Lee resolved to carry Malvern Hills by storm, and drive the invaders into the James. Left, right anul center were tried. His troops were repeatedly massed and forced to the slaughter, and as repeatedly
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they recoiled in dismay and disorder. Lee led an- other assault on the tier on tier of batteries, grimly visible on the plateau, and at 7 P. M., from the dark pine forest they came at double quick, with yelling shouts, but as one brigade recoiled another was pushed forward with a culpable recklessness of human life, which continued till 9 P. M., when the Confederates were driven to the shelter of ravines, woods and swamps, utterly broken and despairing. It was a sar- ing of the "Army of the Potomac." Most officers expected an advance. The rebels were shattered al- most to annihilation, but instead came the order to fall back'still farther and take up position at Harri- son's landing on the James river. The army stores destroyed at the White House were immense. The White House itself did not escape the fiery flames. Such quantities of elegant new tents, nice beds for the sick, fine liquors and wines, cordials and medicines. oranges, lemons, beef, corn, whisky ; immense quanti- ties of hay; boxes on boxes of clothing, and every- thing conceivable for use and comfort were committed to the destroying element. All those, with the large supply of munitions of war, were consumed. The devastation, according to the nsages of war, was com- plete, while the sick and wounded were turned over to the tender mercies of an enemy that had not learned to feel that their own kinship might need care and at- tention when as prisoners they were found in our hands.
. The enemy offered no assistance to the wounded until the 4th of July, nor did he send food to the hos-
JOHN WILKESON. JUN. IS! Lieut. and Brevet Captain. 100 !! Reg: N.Y.S.Vols.
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pital until the 5th, when some bacon, a little flour and hard bread were received.
On the 11th of July they were removed to Rich- mond. The troops, hungry and exhausted, were kept constantly in motion to protect the immense wagon train and make sure their position on the James. The roads were mortar beds, and crowded with men, wagons, mules and baggage. What could not be carried was thrown into the mitd. Where the mud was too deep to cross mattresses were taken from the hospital wagons for the purpose. Thousands of dollars of val- nable and useful baggage were thus destroyed. Maj. Otis' had charge, as officer of the day, of the pickets and a working party in the swamp. The remainder of the regiment was waked and moved one and a half miles on high ground in a wheat field.
Wednesday, July 2d. Rained all night.
Thursday, July 3d. Men wet and cold. Regiment ordered back to the brigade in line of battle. Lav on arms till night. At dark the brigade moved off to the left toward James river, and encamped on dry ground.
----
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CHAPTER XI.
GEN. M'CLELLAN VISITS THE TROOPS. - NAGLEE'S BRI- GADE RECEIVED HIM IN SILENCE. - MEN ENGAGED UPON WORKS OF DEFENCE. - PRESIDENT LINCOLN ANNOUNCED TO VISIT TROOPS. - FAILED TO COME. - SENT REGRETS. - COMMUNICATION FROM COMMON COUNCIL OF BUFFALO. - DRILLING AND FATIGUE DUTY. - REBELS APPEARED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF RIVER. - SOON DRIVEN AWAY. - GEN. HOOKER SENT TO MALVERN HILLS .- ARMY ORDERED TO MOVE. - MOVEMENT BEGAN .- BOARD OF TRADE OF BUFFALO ADOPTS TIIE REGIMENT.
The flank and rear movement was accomplished, and the army of Gen. McClellan lay upon the banks of the James river.
Friday, July 4th, at 12 M., a National salute was fired from the gunboats and batteries. Gen. MeClel- lan announced that he would visit Gen. Naglee's bri- gade at 2 P. M. The brigade was drawn up in line and received the Commander-in-Chief at present arms. No cheering by the brigade. Their feelings had been sorely injured. Other troops cheered, but the mar-
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tyrs at the front and the heroes of the rear-guard were silent.
HIarrison's landing, or bar, is about twenty-five miles below Richmond, and within easy communica- tion with Fortress Monroe. The army occupied a line of heights about two miles from the river with a length of front of nearly three miles. For three weeks the whole force was employed constructing redoubts, entrenchments and rifle pits. The men knew no rest until the position was entirely secure. Gen. Naglee's brigade was on the left, extending part of the way from the front line down to the river. The camps were pitched in the timber, all the brush having been cleared away. Digging rifle pits, wood chopping and details for picket were exhausting the men.
Tuesday, July Sth. President Lincoln was to visit the troops. Under arms to receive him in a suitable manner. Failed to come and sent regrets.
Wednesday, July 9th. Lient. Col. Staunton mus- tered the regiment for pay. Laid out camp anew and in regular order.
Thursday, July 10th. The regiment was ordered into line, and a communication was read from the Common Council of the city of Buffalo, calling for a copy of the rolls of the One Hundredth Regiment and a full list of the killed, wounded and missing, to be deposited in the archives of the city, and that the mayor convey to the commanding officer of the regi- neat the thanks of this Common Council for the hero- ism and bravery manifested by them in the recent
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battle of " Fair Oaks," and to assure them that their fellow citizens at home feel proud of the regiment and of its conduct on the 31st of May, 1862. An order also was read from Gen. MeClellan, together with an ad- dress to the army, making amends for that unjust dis- patch relative to Casey's division. Rain, and regi- ment under arms fearing an attack.
Sunday, July 13th. A communication was re- ceived from Gen. Lee that nothing is known of the fate of Col. Brown. The note, with explanations, was sent to Gov. Morgan. Muster rolls sent to Mayor Fargo in accordance with the request of the Common Council of the city of Buffalo.
Wednesday, July 16th. The regiment was ordered for inspection by Gen. Emory. Indications of the enemy hovering about. The One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania sent on picket.
As division officer of the day, Col. Staunton visited all the picket lines. A tempest of thunder, lightning and rain. The weather was warm. The recent expo- sures of picket and fatigue duty, with the results of the advance and retreat, were seen in the squads, at sick call, of pale, emaciated men, drooping and dying from disease, wounds, and too often unintentional neglect.
Tuesday, July 22d. Gen. Keyes and staff inspected the regiment at 11 A. M. The regiment did not ap- pear well and the General was not pleased. Capt. Charles Henshaw, of Co. " K." resigned July 20th. . Regiment went out to support pickets. Regiment relieved by Gen. Ferry's brigade. Regimental, bri-
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gade and division drills were instituted. Part of the time the heat was so oppressive that the men fainted in the ranks. It seemed to be the delight of general officers, in their great desire for discipline, to crush what vitality remained in the Army of the Potomac that had not been reached by battle, march and ex- posure.
The rebels caused an alarm in camp on the evening of July 31st, by bringing down a battery or two on the opposite side of the river and opening upon our camps and shipping at midnight. Regiment ordered under arms and into the rifle pits. Our gunboats re- plied and soon silenced him. Additional works were constructed. Dr. Kittenger returned from Richmond a few days before. Dr. Sanford B. Hunt had visited the camp. Col. Davis, who was wounded at the bat- tle of Fair Oaks, rejoined his regiment, the One Hun- dred and Fourth Pennsylvania, on the evening of the 31st of July. Capt. Rodgers had been in command. and the Colonel found his regiment in a much better condition than he had a right to expect after its hard- ships and sufferings in common with the rest of Gen. Naglee's brigade. The strength of the One Hun- dredth Regiment at this time, including all, was tif- teen officers and four hundred and thirty-six men- less than half the number that left the city of Buffalo. March 7th, nearly four short months before. The regiment thas reduced in numbers must be recruited or consolidated. One or the other alternative must be accepted. The Commercial Advertiser and Buf-
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falo Express of this city put forth patriotic appeals to the citizens that the identity of the regiment be kept intact; that its ranks be filled at once, as a pride and a duty. The appeals were not unheeded. Maj. Otis. writing to a friend in this city, says: "I hope that the regiment will be recruited without delay. I de- . sire nothing for myself that will not benefit the regi- ment. The matter of being a soldier is becoming more serious every day. The mere making place for or the preventing of certain persons from obtaining positions, is not the spirit that is needed to bring this unfortunate contest to a successful termination. They must all yield to the noble and higher motives of the preservation of our glorious Union."
Gen. Peck continued to drill the men till many succumbed to the sun's fiery ordeal. On the 4th of August Gen. Hooker was sent out with his division on a reconnoissance, and to make a demonstration to Malvern Hills. He succeeded in flanking the ene- my's position and compelling him to fall back. The hills were occupied by our troops.
August 5th. Second Lieut. James W. Simpson, of Co. " D," resigned. Everything indicated a move.
Sunday, August 10th. Orders came to march at 2 P. M., Monday, with two days' rations. Knapsacks and officers' extra baggage sent off on transports. All ready, packed, but no move, neither day nor night. Capt. John Nicholson, of Co. " C," and Capt. Charles E. Morse, of Co. "I," with the necessary sergeants and men were sent to Buffalo on recruiting service for
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the regiment. Capt. P. Edwin Dye, of Co. "H," was also home on sick leave, to assist as soon as able, but he was confined till September with typhoid malarial fever. In the meantime the Board of Trade, of Buffalo, by resolution July 29th, 1862, adopted the One Hundredth Regiment, and with the enthusiasm already awakened to preserve the unity of the regi- ment, together with the inducements then offered of a State bounty of fifty dollars, and one half of the I'nited States bounty of one hundred dollars, with two dollars for each recruit, the work of adding to the numbers of the regiment proceeded rapidly and fa- vorably.
Lieut. Charles E. Walbridge, of Co. " HI," who had with eredit and success performed the arduous duties of quartermaster, was at last obliged to yield and be sent to the hospital at Point Lookout, Maryland, for treatment of fever, then prevailing to an alarming ex- tent throughout the command.
By act of Congress all bands, enlisted as regimental bands, were to be mustered out at once, and this just at a time when the worn and afflicted soldiery needed the inspiring and inspiriting influences of music more than at any other period of their service. Millions of dollars of government property could be destroyed by military order, that contractors might replace the same with profit, but the enlivening strains of music to keep in heart and spirits a dying soldiery must be denied them. " Trees when cut off may grow again ; men, never."
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Orders to move came. The wagons were loaded and moved. Ordered to march at 4 P. M.
Friday, August 15th. Moved two miles and stopped. Maj. Otis detailed with three companies to guard am- munition train. Lay on arms all night.
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CHAPTER XII.
THE RETURN MARCH STILL CONTINUES. - KNAPSACKS ON CANAL BOAT SUNK. - FISHED OUT, BUT SPOILED. - MOVED THROUGHI WILLIAMSBURG. - HALTED AND MUS- TERED THIE ARMY. - ARRIVAL AT YORKTOWN. - OR- DERED TO GLOUCESTER POINT. - CAPT. MORSE WITH RECRUITS FROM BUFFALO. -- ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA WITHIN THE FORT. - ONE HUNDREDTH NEW YORK ENCAMPED WITHOUT THE FORT. - COL. STAUNTON IN CHARGE OF WORKING PAR- TIES. - COL. DAVIS ON A RECONNAISSANCE.
Started at 3 A. M., Saturday, August, 16th. Fell into column at daylight and moved by Gen. Keyes' headquarters a little past sunrise. The whole army in motion. An immense wagon train. Outside of entrenchments and in an enemy's country, with a valu- able train. Marched eight miles and bivouacked in order of battle, in a corn field. Roasted corn was not neglected. Men ordered under arms one hour before daybreak.
Sunday, had a very hard march. Crossed the Chick- ahominy at its mouth on a ponton bridge twenty-two
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hundred feet long. The knapsacks of Naglee's brigade had been placed on a canal boat at Harrison's landing and the boat sunk before leaving. They were fished up. and in this wet state put on board another boat and towed to Yorktown. They were ruined and condemn- ed, still after the proper representations, the men were not indemnified for their losses. Many officers lost- their baggage. It was the second time in four months they had been stripped, save that in which they stood. . Halted two hours after erossing Chickahominy. Had marched fourteen miles. At 2 P. M., moved and marched about two miles and eneamped in a large field on a plantation, within four miles of Williams- burg.
Monday, August 18th. The march was severe. Passed through Williamsburg and over the battle ground without halting, but with despairing hearts. Two months before we passed through the town, a con- quering and exultant army, now our backs were to- ward a city which we had confidently hoped to have entered long ere that hour.
Encamped at 3 P. M. four miles beyond Williams- burg. The army must be mustered for pay, and was halted for the duty. Col. Staunton was detailed to muster the Eighty-first New York Regiment. Fin- ished after dark. Lay quiet till morning. In con- nection with the muster the army was inspected. Remained all day the 19th. An immense wagon train and troops moving constantly. Indications are that the One Hundredth will be in the condition of rear-
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guard again. Moved camp half mile to a more shady spot.
Marched at 6 A. M., Wednesday, Ang. 20th, and ar- rived at Yorktown at 11 A. M. Halted twenty minutes and moved on three miles and encamped on a bluff overlooking York river.
The movement for so large a body of troops was well arranged. The trains when drawn out, extended forty miles. At Yorktown, Fortress Monroe, and Newport News, transports were in waiting to convey the bulk of the army to Alexandria. And by the 23d of August the whole of the Army of the Potomac had sailed except Sumner's corps and Peck's division of Keyes' corps. The same day Gen. McClellan and staff embarked for Alexandria, where he arrived on the 24th, to find himself not only without an army, but without a command.
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