USA > New York > History of the Tenth regiment of cavalry New York state volunteers, August, 1861, to August, 1865, pt 2 > Part 45
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WILDERNESS. 1
On March 27, 1864, I was relieved from the command of the Second Division, Fourth Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to take command of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, and on the 4th of April, in General Order No. 144, current series, War Department, I was assigned · to that corps, then lying in the vicinity of Brandy Station, Virginia.
The corps consisted of three divisions and twelve (12) batteries horse artillery, and in a few days after I joined was adjusted as follows : Brigadier-General A. T. A. TORBERT to com- mand the First Division ; Brigadier-General D. McM. GREGG, the Second Division ; and Briga- dier-General J. H. WILSON, the Third Division ; the artillery being under the command of Captain ROBINSON, United States Army. The officers and men were in pretty good condition, so far as health and equipment were concerned, but their horses were thin and very much worn out by excessive and, it seemed to me, unnecessary picket duty ; the picket line almost completely encircling the infantry and artillery camps of the army, covering a distance, if stretched out on a continuous line, of nearly sixty miles. The enemy, more wise, had been husbanding the strength and efficiency of his horses by sending them to the rear, in order to bring them out in the spring in good condition for the impending campaign. However, shortly after my taking command, much of the picketing was done away with, and we had about two weeks of leisure time to nurse the horses, on which so much depended ; consequently, on the 4th of May, when the campaign opened, I found myself with about ten thousand (10,000) effective men, and the same number of horses in passable trim.
After carefully studying the topography of the country from the Rapidan to Richmond, which is of a thickly wooded character, its numerous and, almost parallel streams nearly all uniting, forming the York River, I took up the idea that our cavalry ought to fight the enemy's cavalry, and our infantry the enemy's infantry. I was strengthened in this impression still more by the consciousness of a want of appreciation on the part of infantry commanders as to the power of a large and well-managed body of horse, but as it was difficult to overcome the established custom of wasting cavalry for the protection of trains, and for the establish- ment of cordons around a sleeping infantry force, we had to bide our time.
On May 4th the army moved, GREGG's division taking the advance to Ely's Ford on the Rapidan ; WILSON's the advance to Germanna Ford on the same stream : TORBERT's covering the trains of the army in rear. holding from Mitchell's Station to Culpeper, and around Ste- vensburg, and strongly picketing the fords from Germanna Ford to Rapidan Station.
As soon as the Second Corps reached Ely's Ford, GREGG moved to Chancellorsville ; and, .upon the Fifth Corps reaching Germanna Ford, WILSON made the crossing of the Rapidan, moved through Old Wilderness, and advanced to Parker's store.
On the 5th TORBERT joined me at Chancellorsville, and General MEADE ordered WILSON in the direction of CRAIG's meeting-house, where he was attacked, and, after a sharp engage- ment, driven back, ria Shady Grove Church, to Todd's Tavern. It was necessary for him to take this route, as the enemy's infantry had advanced from the direction of Orange Court- House, and had occupied Parker's store and the direct road back to our army.
When General MEADE discovered that WILSON was cut off, he sent word to me. near Chan- cellorsville, to go to his relief, and I immediately dispatched General GREGG's division in the direction of Todd's Tavern, where he met WILSON, who was still being followed up.
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664
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
The enemy's pursuing force was attacked by GREGG at this place, defeated, and driven to Shady Grove Church, a distance of three or four miles.
It was now well understood that the enemy's cavalry at Hamilton's Crossing had joined General Lee's forces, and the necessity for my moving to that point, as ordered, was obviated.
As I was held responsible for the left flank of our army and the trains, I made such dispo- sition of the troops under my command as to hold the line of the Brock road beyond the Furnaces, and thence around to Todd's Tavern and Piney Branch Church ; but General MEADE, on false report, became alarmed about his left, and notified me in the following note that HANCOCK's left had been turned, and directed me to draw in my forces to protect the trains :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 6, 1864-1 o'clock P. M.
Major-General Sheridan, Commanding Cavalry Corps :
Your dispatch of 11.45 A. M. received. General HANCOCK has been heavily pressed, and his left turned. The major-general commanding thinks that you had better draw in your cavalry so as to secure the protection of the trains.
The order requiring an escort for the wagons to-night has been rescinded.
A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff.
I obeyed this order, and the enemy took possession of the Furnaces, Todd's Tavern, and Piney Branch Church, the regaining of which cost much fighting on the 6th and ?th, and very many gallant officers and men.
On the 6th CUSTER fought at the Furnaces, and defeated the enemy, who left his dead and wounded in our hands.
TODD'S TAVERN.
On the 7th the trains of the army, under direction from headquarters Army of the Poto- mac, were put in motion to go into park at Piney Branch Church. As this point was held by the enemy, I was confident that the order must have been given without fully understand- ing the condition of affairs. and therefore thought the best way to remedy the trouble was to halt the trains in the vicinity of Aldrich's, attack the enemy, and regain the ground. This led to the battle of Todd's Tavern, in which the enemy was defeated. GREGG attacked with one of his brigades on the Catharpen road, and drove the enemy over Corbin's bridge ; MERRITT, who was in command of the First Division during the temporary absence of TORBERT, attacked with his division on the Spottsylvania road, driving him toward Spottsylvania ; and DAVIES's brigade of GREGG's division made a handsome attack on the Piney Branch Church road, unit- ing with MERRITT on the Spottsylvania road. The pursuit was kept up until dark. GREGG's and MERRITT's divisions encamped in open fields in the vicinity of Todd's Tavern, with orders to move in the morning. at daylight, for the purpose of gaining possession of Snell's bridge, over the Po River. To accomplish this, WILSON, who was at Alsop's house, was directed to take possession of Spottsylvania early on the morning of the 8th, and thence move into posi- tion at Snell's bridge. GREGG and MERRITT were ordered to proceed to the same point, the former via the crossing at Corbin's bridge, the latter by the Block house.
Had these movements been carried out successfully, it would probably have sufficiently delayed the march of the enemy to Spottsylvania Court-House to enable our infantry to reach that point first. and the battles fought there would have probably occurred elsewhere ; but upon the arrival of General MEADE at Todd's Tavern the orders were changed, and GREGG was simply directed by him to hold Corbin's bridge, and MERRITT's division ordered in front of the infantry column. marching on the road to Spottsylvania in the darkness of the night, the cavalry and infantry becoming entangled in the advance, causing much confusion and delay.
I was not duly advised of these changes, and for a time had fears for the safety of General WILSON's command, which had proceeded, in accordance with my instructions. to Spottsyl- vania Court-House, capturing and holding it until driven out by the advance of LONGSTREET'S corps.
The time had now come to leave the Wilderness, where we had successfully held the left of the army. and defeated the enemy's cavalry on the 5th at Todd's Tavern, and at the Fur. naces ; again on the 6th at the Furnaces, and on the 7th at Todd's Tavern. During the 8th I received orders to go out and engage the rebel cavalry, and when out of forage, of which we
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665
REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN.
had half rations for one day, I was to proceed to the James River and replenish from the stores which General BUTLER had at Bermuda Hundred.
RAID AROUND RICHMOND.
Pursuant to this order the three divisions of cavalry, on the evening of this day, were con- centrated in the vicinity of Aldrich's, on the plank-road to Fredericksburg, and on the morn- ing of the 9th commenced the march. It will be seen, upon examination of the map of Vir- ginia, that there was but very little space for a large cavalry force to operate on the left of our army, from Spottsylvania to the Rappahannock, and that we we reliable to be shut in ; I therefore concluded to march around the right of LEE's army, and put my command, before fighting, south of the North Anna, where I expected to procure grain ; where I was confident that while engaging the enemy's cavalry no timely assistance from his infantry could be pro- cured, and whence, if not successful, I could proceed west and rejoin our army, swinging around toward Gordonsville and Orange Court-House.
With this view we started, marching out on the plank-road to Tabernacle Church, thence to the Telegraph road, thence down through Childsburg to Anderson's crossing of the North Anna. This movement was made at a walk, with three divisions on the same road-making a column of about thirteen miles in length-marching by the flank of the enemy ; I preferred this, however, to the combinations arising from separate roads-combinations rarely working as expected, and generally failing, unless subordinate commanders are [prompt and fully understand the situation ; besides, an engagement was imminent, and it was necessary that the force be well together.
As soon as the Nye, Po, and Ta Rivers, each giving an excellent defensive line to the enemy, were passed, all cause for anxiety was removed, and our ability to cross the North Anna unquestionable.
After passing the Ta River the enemy's cavalry came against the rear of my column, and General DAVIES, who had the rear brigade, was directed to fight as rear-guard, following up the main column ; it is with pleasure I say that he and his command performed this responsi- ble and trying duty with courage and good judgment. About dark MERRITT crossed the North Anna at Anderson's Ford ; GREGG and WILSON encamped on the north side, engaging the enemy up to a late hour at night. After MERRITT's division crossed, CUSTER's brigade was ordered to Beaver Dam Station, on the Virginia Central Railroad, where he captured 375 Union prisoners, taken by the enemy in the Wilderness ; destroyed the station, two locomotives, three trains (100 cars), ninety (90) wagons, from eight to ten miles telegraph wire and railroad, 200,000 pounds of bacon, and other supplies, amounting in all to about one and a half million of rations, and nearly all the medical stores of General LEE's army. These stores had been moved from Orange Court-House to this point, either because General LEE wished to have them directly in his rear-the road used for hauling from Orange Court-House to Spottsyl- vania being on a parallel line to his line of battle-or because he contemplated falling back, or being driven back, to the North Anna.
On the morning of the 10th GREGG and WILSON were again attacked, but their crossing was covered by the division on the south side of the North Anna, and was effected without much loss.
An important point of the expedition had now been gained. and we had also obtained forage for our almost famished animals ; our next object was to husband their strength and prepare to fight.
It now became apparent that the enemy, in following up our rear, had made a great mis- take, and he began to see it, for, when we leisurely took the Negrofoot road to Richmond, a doubt arose in his mind as to whether his tactics were good, whereat he immediately hauled off from the rear, and urged his horses to the death so as to get in between Richmond and our column. This he effected, concentrating at Yellow Tavern, six miles from the city on the Brook turnpike ; consequently the march on the 10th was without much incident, and we quietly encamped on the south bank of the South Anna, where we procured all necessary forage, marching from fifteen to eighteen miles.
On the night of the 10th and 11th of May, DAVIES's brigade of GREGG's division was ordered to Ashland, and, arriving before the head of the enemy's column, which had to make a wide detour to reach Yellow Tavern, drove out a force occupying the town ; burned a locomotive with train of cars attached ; destroyed the railroad for some distance, and rejoined the main column at Allen's Station, on the Fredericksburg Railroad.
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666
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
From Allen's the entire command moved on Yellow Tavern, MERRITT in advance, WILSON next, and GREGG in rear. The enemy here again made an error in tactics by sending a large force to attack my rear, thus weakening his force in front, enabling me to throw all my strength on that which opposed my front, and fight this force with a small rear-guard.
MERRITT gallantly attacked the enemy at Yellow Tavern, and got possession of the Brook turnpike. The enemy, still confident, formed his line a few hundred yards to the east of this pike, enfilading it with his artillery-fire, and making Yellow Tavern a hot place ; but GIBBS and DEVIN held fast with their brigades, supported by artillery, and CUSTER charged the enemy's battery and line, supported by CHAPMAN's brigade of WILSON's division-in fact, by the whole of WILSON's division, GREGG having one brigade available to support.
CUSTER's charge, with CHAPMAN on his flank, was brilliantly executed ; first at a walk ; then at a trot ; then dashing at the enemy's line and battery, capturing the guns and gun- ners and breaking the line, which was simple enough to receive the charge in a stationary position.
In this assault General J. E. B. STUART, commanding the enemy's cavalry, was mortally wounded.
GREGG about the same time charged the force in rear with equal success, and ended the engagement. We captured a number of prisoners, and the casualties on both sides were quite severe. After CUSTER's charge and the enemy's line was broken-one portion of which was driven toward Ashland, the other toward Richmond-a reconnaissance was sent up the Brook turnpike, toward the city, dashed across the south fork of the Chickahominy, drove a small force from the exterior line of the works, and went inside of them.
I followed up this party, and found between the two lines of works a road leading to that from Mechanicsville to Richmond. I thought we could go around on this across the Mechan- icsville pike, south of the Chickahominy, and encamp next night (12th) at Fair Oaks, and determined to make the movement, being influenced to some extent in doing so by the re- ports from colored people during the afternoon, that General BUTLER's force had reached a small stream about four miles south of Richmond, on the south side, and that I possibly could help him by a demonstration. Therefore, after making the wounded as comfortable as possible, we commenced the march about 11 o'clock on the night of the 11th, and massed the command on the plateau, south of Meadow Bridge, at about daylight ; torpedoes planted in the road-many of which exploded, killing several horses-being the only difficulty en- countered.
At daybreak on the morning of the 12th WILSON encountered the enemy's batteries on, or near, the Mechanicsville pike, and could not pass them. As soon as I was notified of this con- dition, CUSTER's brigade was ordered to make the crossing to the north side of the Chicka- hominy at Meadow Bridge ; but as the bridge was found to have been destroyed, and the enemy's cavalry posted on the north side, I ordered MERRITT's entire division to repair it, and to make the crossing at all hazards.
During the time thus occupied, the enemy gave the working party great annoyance by sweeping the bridge with a section of artillery ; and MERRITT, to drive away this section and the force supporting it, crossed a small force of two or three regiments, attacked dismounted, and was repulsed ; still the work on the bridge continued, and when it was finished, MERRITT crossed nearly all his division, dismounted, attacked the enemy, carried his line of temporary breastworks, and continued the pursuit to Gaines's Mill. Meantime the enemy advanced from behind his works at Riclimond, and attacked WILSON and GREGG. WILSON was driven back in some confusion, but GREGG was ready, having concealed a heavy line of skirmishers in a bushy ravine in his front, and when the enemy marched to attack, with more display than grit, this unexpected and concealed line opened a destructive fire with repeating carbines, and some of WILSON'S men at the same time turning in on their flank, the line broke in disorder, and went into security behind the breastworks defending the city. The six batteries of regular artillery were used by Captain ROBINSON, chief of artillery, with great effect, and contributed much to our success.
The enemy considered us completely cornered, but such was not the case, for while we were engaged, scouting parties were_sent along the Chickahominy, and several fords found by them.
This attack and repulse ended the battle ; for the balance of the day we collected our wounded, buried our dead, grazed our horses, and read the Richmond papers, two small news- boys having, with commendable enterprise, entered our lines and sold to the officers and men.
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667
REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN.
Between three and four o'clock in the afternoon the remaining portion of our command crossed the Chickahominy, at and between Walnut Grove and Gaines's Mills.
On the 13th the march was resumed, encamping at Bottom's Bridge ; on the 14th we marched through White Oak Swamp, and went into camp between Haxall's Landing and Shirley, on the James River.
- Our casualties on the march were 425.
All transportable wounded and a large number of prisoners were brought along to this point, and the former, through the kindness of General BUTLER's medical officers, were quickly cared for on arrival.
From the 14th until the 17th we rested in this camp, sending out scouting parties as far as New Market, in the direction of Richmond.
On the night of the 17th we commenced the return march, crossing the Chickahominy at Jones's Bridge, and went into camp, on the 18th, at Baltimore Cross-roads and vicinity.
The uncertainty of what had happened to the Army of the Potomac during our absence, made the problem of how to get back and where to find it somewhat difficult, particularly so as I knew that re-enforcements had come up from the South to Richmond ; I therefore deter- mined to cross the Pamunkey River at the White House, and sent to Fortress Monroe for a pontoon bridge to be used for that purpose.
While waiting, I ordered CUSTER with his brigade to proceed to Hanover Court-House, and, if possible, destroy the railroad bridges over the South Anna ; GREGG and WILSON were sent at the same time to Cold Harbor, to demonstrate in the direction of Richmond as far as Mechan- icsville, so as to cover CUSTER's movement; MERRITT, with the remaining brigades of his divis- ion, held fast at Baltimore Cross-roads.
After GREGG and CUSTER started it was found on examination that the railroad bridge at the White House had been but partially burned, and could be repaired, and General MERRITT was at once put on this duty. By sending mounted parties through the surrounding country, each man bringing back a board, it was made passable in one day ; and on the 22d, when CUSTER and GREGG returned, we crossed, encamping that night at Aylett's, on the Mattapony River.
CUSTER encountered a large force of the enemy apparently moving from the direction of Richmond to LEE's army, and was unable to accomplish his mission.
GREGG occupied Cold Harbor and sent scouting parties, which encountered small squads of mounted men, to the vicinity of Mechanicsville, but nothing of great importance occurred.
At Aylett's we learned from citizens, and captives belonging to LEE's army, that the Army of the Potomac was at North Anna River, in the vicinity of Chesterfield Station.
On the 23d the march was resumed, encamping at Reedy Swamp.
On the 24th we rejoined the Army of the Potomac in the vicinity of Chesterfield.
This ended the first raid, which occupied sixteen days.
We lost but few horses, considering their condition when we started. The average distance traveled per day did not exceed eighteen miles ; the longest march being thirty miles.
The horses which failed were shot by the rear-guard, as they could have been easily recu- perated and made serviceable to the enemy. I think the actual number lost would not ex- ceed 300, perhaps not more than 250.
COVERING THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC'S CROSSING OF THE PAMUNKEY.
On the 25th General WILSON with his division was transferred to the right of the army. and made a reconnaissance south of the North Anna as far as Little River : the other two divisions remained encamped from the 24th until the 26th in the vicinity of Polecat Station.
On the 26th a movement of the army commenced in order to make the crossing of the Pamunkey River at or near Hanovertown. TORBERT's and GREGG's divisions, with RUSSELL's division of the Sixth Corps, took the advance to secure the crossings, with directions to demon strate so as to deceive the enemy as much as possible in the movement.
To accomplish this end, TORBERT was ordered to move to Taylor's Ford on the Pamunkey. and demonstrate until after dark as if the crossing was to be made at that point, then to leave a small guard, quietly withdraw, and march to Hanovertown Ford, where the real crossing was to be made. General GREGG was ordered to Littlepage's Crossing on the Pamunkey to demonstrate in the same manner, to retire quietly after dark, leaving a guard to keep up the demonstration, and march quickly to Hanovertown Crossing, taking with him the pontoon bridge.
668
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
RUSSELL took up the march and followed the cavalry.
On the morning of the 27th CUSTER's brigade of TORBERT's division made the crossing, driving from it about one hundred of the eneiny's cavalry, and capturing thirty or forty ; the balance of the division followed this brigade, and advanced to Hanovertown, where General GORDON's brigade of rebel cavalry was encountered, routed, and driven in great confusion in the direction of Hanover Court-House, the pursuit being .continued to a little stream called Crump's Creek.
GREGG was moved up to this line, and RUSSELL encamped near the crossing of the river.
We had been successful in our mission, and, upon the arrival of the army, on the 28th, it crossed the Pamunkey behind our line, unimpeded.
ENGAGEMENT AT HAWES'S SHOP.
I was immediately after ordered to demonstrate in the direction of Mechanicsville in order to find out the enemy's whereabouts, and therefore directed GREGG's division to move out, via Hawes's Shop, on the Mechanicsville road, but when about three fourths of a mile in advance of Hawes's Shop it encountered the enemy's cavalry, which was dismounted and be- hind a temporary breastwork of rails, etc. GREGG vigorously attacked this force, which ap- peared to be the rebel cavalry corps, and a brigade of South Carolina troops, reported 4,000 strong, armed with long-range rifles, and commanded by a Colonel BUTLER ; these Carolinians fought very gallantly in this their first fight, judging from the number of their dead and wounded, and prisoners captured. The most determined efforts were made on both sides in this unequal contest, and neither would give way until late in the evening, when CUSTER's Michigan brigade was dismounted, formed in close column of attack, and charged, with GREGG's division, when the enemy was driven-back, leaving all his dead, and his line of tem- porary works in our possession. a
This was a hard-contested engagement, with heavy loss, for the number of troops engaged, to both sides, and was fought almost immediately in front of the infantry line of our army, which was busily occupied throwing up breastworks. After dark, our own and the enemy's dead being buried, we moved to the rear of the infantry, and went into camp on the morning of the next day-the 20th -- in the vicinity of Old Church.
In the battle of Hawes's Shop but one brigade (CUSTER's) of TORBERT's division was en- gaged ; the other two, being posted on the Crump's Creek line, could not be gotten up until relieved by the Sixth Corps. They arrived in the afternoon, however, but did not become seriously engaged, only demonstrating on the right of GREGG.
OLD CHURCH.
After we had taken position at Old Church, WILSON's division was ordered to the right of the army, and GREGG's and TORBERT's pickets pushed out in the direction of Cold Harbor, which was occupied by the enemy in some force. As our occupation of this point was essen- tial to secure our lines to the White House, which was to be our base, its possession became a matter of deep interest. The enemy appeared to realize this also, for he, at a very early period, took possession of it, and pushed a force up to Matadequin Creek on the Old Church road, putting his front parallel with the Pamunkey-which was then our line to the White House, in order to make it dangerous for our trains.
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