USA > New York > History of the Twenty-second regiment of the National guard of the state of New York; from its organization to 1895, pt 1 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
ascending Such Mountain beyond
Lilly Tass Cuinterland C . Penn - Lily 4 156 3
267
From " Harpers' Weekly," by permission Mc Donnell Bros., Chicago.
/ 269
History of the twenty- Second Regiment
hills, usually bad, were that day ten times worse owing to the earth being washed away by rain, and large rocks and deep gullies covering the roads; in the valleys the mud would be twc feet deep owing to the wash from the hills. By doubling teams, and assisting by cannoneers at the wheels, the battery arrived within one-half a mile of Pine Grove, where we were to stop for the night. Here was a long hill, steep and covered with a sticky clay, worn into deep ruts. The first gun and caisson passed up without much difficulty, but the second stuck; teams were doubled until twelve horses were attached; the men helped at the wheels, but all in vain, the horses would not pull; the teams, were taken out and walked around a la Rarey, traces stretched and slacked, wheels twisted around so as to start on the swing, but all to no account-the horses were completely "played." After three hours hard work and alternate resting of teams the battery arrived at the top of the hill. They moved out a short distance, and then halted until a position could be assigned for the night. Then, after considerable difficulty in starting, the battery, with the exception of two caissons, moved on, two guns being placed on a commanding hill, and the rest parked in a farm-yard below.
The two caissons had to be left in the road all night, as neither entreaties nor threats would induce the horses to move. While engaged with the caissons, word came that one of the limbers on the hill had been upset by the horses; this was like adding the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
On July 5 (Sunday), arising before dawn-if that term can be used where few had lain down-the regi- ment closed up and pushed forward. After a most tiresome five-mile walk through the same horrible road, now drained into a sticky clay mud, knee-deep, it reached Laurel Forge. This was a hamlet composed of a dozen huts, a big forge, the residence of the pro- prietor (where Gen. Smith established his headquarters).
2 70
history of the Twenty Second Regiment
and nothing else, situated about seventeen miles from Carlisle, by the road the division had followed, and twelve miles northwest of Gettysburg, which General Smith had now flanked. Here, at about II A. M., the men got a little something to eat, which had been col- · lected from a few houses in the neighborhood. The men of the brigade thronged into all the houses in the neighborhood and paid extravagant prices for anything in the shape of food. This soon became nothing but flour and water made into cakes and baked on the top of a rusty stove. These were eaten almost before they were cooked, the iron-rust giving a fine flavor, and, doubtless, serving as a much-needed tonic. This was the first food anyone had had since 3 o'clock in the morning of the preceding day. The people were hospitable and patriotic.
The women worked like slaves, in cooking, and gave up for the troops food they needed for their children and themselves. Such trains as had been provided were behind, broken down, or " stuck " all along in the mud. This does not mean much to an ordinary reader, but to the Twenty-second it meant that the shortest kind of "short commons" would be its fate in future, a proph- ecy which its members found, to their sorrow, to be strictly correct. The column was scattered into a mass of stragglers. At about 11:30 o'clock, the men having nearly all come up, so that a military formation was re- gained, the regiment proceeded up the mountain, and after about three hours' marching over good but very steep mountain roads, reached a point near the summit, one and a-half miles from Bendersville, where the men obtained some hard-tack, pork and coffee for supper, and
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
history of the twenty: Second Regiment 271
went to sleep in the customary rain, which fatigue had now deprived of its powers.
At this portion of the march, the late Judge Henry E. Davies (then Judge of the New York Court of Ap- peals), who had come to the front with dispatches
-
joined the regiment and shared its fortunes until its ar- rival at Waynesboro. He had one son commanding a cavalry brigade under Gen. Meade and two others as privates in Company A, Twenty-second Regiment. In
272
history of the twenty Second Regiment
consequence of which peculiar combination of circum- stances the members of Company A became more familiar with the situation than even Col. Aspinwall.
The dense ignorance which prevails in a marching column in active service as to what it is doing, cannot be appreciated by those who have had no experience. Little is seen of other troops. Nothing. is known of the country or route except what can be learned by a hurried question of an occasional farmer sitting on a fence watching the passing columns. In a country, such as the Twenty-second was now traversing, which was not unlike parts of the Adirondacks, the names of the places were unknown to all, and, therefore, carried no information.
Judge Davies took a great interest in what was transpiring ; and it would have considerably surprised those who have only beheld him on the bench to have seen him in an old linen coat, " split down behind." scouring the country to the right and left of the line of march in quest of supplies and information for the Twenty-second, displaying, in these pursuits, the most invaluable talents as a forager and a capacity for endur- ing hardship and privation which put many of his jun- iors to the blush.
:
CHAPTER XXIII.
UNDER MEADE'S ORDERS.
L EE having retreated, the division was now acting under the directions of Gen. Meade, and the at- tempt to reach Gettysburg was abandoned.
On July 5, Gen. Meade telegraphed to Gen. Hal- lock :
The enemy retreated, under cover of the night and heavy rain, in the direction of Fairfield and Parktown. My movement will be at once on his flank, via Middletown and South Mountain Pass. * * Communication received from Gen. W. F. Smith, in command of 3,000 men on the march from * Carlisle towards Cashtown. * July 6, he reports : " Your dispatch requiring me to assume the general command of the forces in the field under Gen. Couch is received. I know noth- ing of the position or strength of his command, excepting the advance under Gen. Smith, which I have ordered here, and which I desire should furnish a necessary force to guard this place while the army is in the vicinity."
In the meantime Meade's chief of staff had dis- patched to Gen. Smith the following :
GEN. BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac, to Gen. Smith.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 2
July 5, 1863, 5:30 A. M.
The General directs me to say that he is holding on here in a state of uncertainty as to the enemy's movements and inten-
273
2 74
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
tions. His reconnaissance will to-day, he trusts, furnish it. Meanwhile he considers that your position is precarious in the direction in which you are coming, as you are out of reach of his support. Your reenforcement to this army would be a valu- able one and appreciated.
Before Gen. Smith had plunged into the mountains he had sent one of his staff upon a perilous ride around Lee's army to communicate directly with Gen. Meade and advise him of his plans. He performed his errand safely, and Meade sent the following to Gen. Smith:
Gen. Meade to Gen. Smith :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, GETTYSBURG, July 5, 1863.
West left here this morning. When he arrived here last night the enemy was apparently in full force before my centre and left, but had withdrawn from my right. I knew he was in a strong position, awaiting my attack, which I declined to make in consequence of the bad example he had set me in ruining himself-attacking a strong position. At the same time I felt a little nervous about your position, as Couch telegraphed you were going to Cashtown where I could not have helped you. I therefore detained West till morning when we found the enemy had retired on the Cashtown and Fairfield roads. I then told West that you could safely join me by keeping a little to the west.
My instructions to Couch were to cross and make a demon- stration in my favor, always looking to his return to the Susque- hanna in case of disaster to me or other cause requiring it. I have never given him any other orders, and I do not like to run the risk of taking his troops away from the position that may be so important to hold. After I found the strength of your com- mand, and its proximity, in consideration of my losses, I thought I would order you to join me, but if you consider your command essential to your defence of the Susquehanna, you
275
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
had better return after I leave here. I say this because Couch says now that he has only men to guard the fords and seems to be nervous.
That Gen. Couch continued to be "nervous" as late as July 14, appears from the following dispatch from ex-Secretary of War Cameron to President Lin- coln :
HARRISBURG, July 14, 1863.
I left the army of the Potomac yesterday believing that the decision of Gen. Meade's council of war on Saturday night, not to attack the rebels, would allow them to escape. His army is in fine spirits and eager for battle. They will win if they get a chance.
Gen. Couch has a fine army between Carlisle and Green- castle, but will move no further south without orders, under the strong belief that his duty is to guard the Susquehanna. In my opinion the Susquehanna needs no guard. I have urged him from the beginning to join Meade. I hope in God that you will put forth your authority and order every man in arms be- tween the Susquehanna and the Potomac to unite with Meade, so that he may have no reason for delay in giving battle before the falling of the flood allows Lee to escape.
Gen. Smith made the following endorsement upon Gen. Meade's communication :
ENDORSEMENT.
I sent Capt. West entirely around the rebel army to tell Meade where I was, and that I proposed to put myself on the turnpike in Lee's rear, not knowing then that the battle was over. I should have been two days earlier, and then such a move would have been of great service, even if the militia had been roughly handled, which would have probably been the case.
He telegraphed the following to Gen. Couch :
CARLISLE, July 5, 1863.
I enclose dispatches from Gen. Meade, and ask for orders. My information is that I can be of more service with this force,
270
history of the twenty Second Regiment
acting under your orders, in the Cumberland Valley. However, I leave you to decide, only expressing my anxiety to go where I can be of most service.
On the same day, Gen. Couch telegraphed to Gen. Meade :
HARRISBURG, July 5, 1863.
The prisoners turned over to Gen. Smith number 1, 300, said to be mostly from the First Corps. Potomac rising fast at Han- cock. I have a cavalry force west of Hagerstown. Some prisoners taken to-day. I directed Gen. Smith to get on Lee's flank, if possible, near Cashtown. He will do it, if possible, with New York militia.
On July 3, Gen. Smith being anxious to communi- cate with Gen. Meade, called upon his staff for a volun- teer who would undertake the perilous task. Lieut. . Rufus King, his chief of artillery, was most anxious to rejoin his battery, Fourth Artillery U. S. A., which was then serving with Meade, and at once volunteered. His services were accepted, and, taking with him as orderly. Private Lieber, of Landis' Battery, who also volunteered, he started on the afternoon of the third upon the long and dangerous ride. The enemy was known to be be- tween Carlisle and Gettysburg, but their whereabouts was unknown. About ten miles south of Carlisle, Lieut. King and his orderly encountered the Confederate out- posts. These they eluded by turning eastward, and taking to the fields, a course which they continued whenever they met the enemy. They rode all night, practically running the gauntlet, being constantly fired on by the Confederate skirmishers and pickets. Escap- ing these by great good fortune, they succeeded in riding around Lee's army and reaching Gen. Meade's
277
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
headquarters, completing their ride of over thirty miles on the morning of the fourth. Lieut. King here learned that his battery was cut to pieces in the battle, and most of its officers killed. On the afternoon of the fourth, Lieut. King, with his orderly, started back with orders from Gen. Meade. Lee's retreat had cleared their path of skirmishers, and they were able to keep to the roads. The terrible rain, however, made their progress difficult and disagreeable.
Gen. Smith had moved from Carlisle, and King and his orderly overtook him on the fifth, beyond Paper- town, and delivered their orders. The horse which the orderly rode dropped dead from over-exhaustion and hard riding when his rider reached his battery.
CHAPTER XXIV.
TO NEWMAN'S GAP.
T T HE situation of the bivouac of the Twenty-second at Bendersville was most picturesque, the scenery magnificent, the mountain air bracing. But there was one great drawback-there was nothing to eat. The tired teams of the few wagons that had struggled through the muddy roads could not drag them up to the crest of the mountain where the camp was situated, and the country afforded nothing in the way of supplies. Scouting parties were sent out on all sides, and a little bread was obtained from the few houses that were found. This was doled out, a slice to each man in such companies as were fortunate enough to get any; but many had nothing. Several wagons were found, which were impressed into service, but they were of little use where nothing could be found to put into them.
At 3:30 A. M. on Monday, July 6, reveille sounded, and the Twenty-second, without breakfast, marched a mile or more down-hill. Some rations were then ob- tained, and orders were issued for the men to put their water-soaked rifles in as good order as possible, and to be ready to march as soon as the rations were cooked and eaten. This took until noon. It then began to
275
279
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
rain, in the midst of which the regiment " fell in," and marched for Newman's Gap, nine miles distant, at which point a brush with the enemy was expected. No oppos- ing force was, however, encountered, and the regiment proceeded about seven miles further, marching until nearly 12 o'clock at night.
The reports from all sources were that the enemy was now near, and in force. A section of Landis' Bat- tery was brought up the steep mountain side by the aid of the infantry, and was planted at a cross-road in an open wood, to command the approaches. It was con- cealed by boughs, and the troops were disposed so as to protect the position.
Gen. Smith says in his report :
On Sunday, Gen. Knipe was ordered, with his command, to hold the cross-roads from Mount Holly to Cashtown and Pine Grove to Bendersville, while Gen. Ewen crossed the mountain to the Mount Holly and Cashtown road, holding the pass in his rear, and being within a mile of Gen. Knipe's command. Col. Brisbane, with the Pennsylvania Brigade, was holding a by-road from Pine Grove to Cashtown. A cavalry scout, under Lieut. Stanwood, was sent up Mountain Creek Valley, in the direction of the pass from Chambersburg to Gettysburg, through which it was supposed the enemy would send his trains, if he were defeated. Lieutenant Stanwood drove in the pickets a couple of miles from the turnpike, but had not sufficient force to press on.
Capt. Boyd joined me at Pine Grove, having followed the rear guard of the enemy to Fayetteville, on the Gettysburg and Chambersburg road, capturing prisoners. He was directed to pass by Bendersville, in the direction of Cashtown, to try and ascertain the movements and position of the enemy. He fell in with them, and captured eight wagons and * prisoners.
* Left blank in the original report.
2 So
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
During the day a small provision train came up, which was very acceptable, as it was impossible to subsist the troops from the country. A scout from Gen. Meade also came through, giving the information that the enemy was retiring; and later in the day, Capt. West, a volunteer aid and assistant upon the Coast Survey, returned, having successfully opened communi- cations with Gen. Meade, on Saturday, from Mount Holly.
At 3 P. M. Monday, July 6, Gen. Couch telegraphed Gen. Meade :
To-night Gen. Smith will probably be at Newman's Cut, three miles west of Cashtown, on the Emmetsburg road.
At 4:40 P. M., Gen. Meade telegraphed to Gen. Couch as follows :
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, GETTYSBURG, July 6, 1863.
The General-in-Chief Hallock has directed me to assume the general command of all the troops you have in the field. This, in view of my ignorance of the number, organization and position of your troops, is a very difficult matter. Lee, from all I can learn, is withdrawing towards Hagerstown and Wil- liamsport. I propose to move via Middletown and South Mountain. If the condition of the roads and the impediments in his way should delay him, I may have an opportunity of attacking him. In this you can co-operate, either by directly reënforcing me or by moving down the valley, and establishing communication with my army; or the movement may be con- fined, as I previously desired it, to a simple demonstration.
In these points I do not wish to hamper you with instruc- tions, but leave it to your knowledge of your troops and the necessity of the defence of the Susquehanna.
I think I have inflicted such injury on Lee that he will hardly contemplate another demonstration on Harrisburg. Still, if I have to meet with disaster, such a contingency should be held in view. I would like your opinion, with the remark that all the assistance I can get will not only be needed, but most
281
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
gratefully received. General Smith being very near me, I have ordered him to this place, where a force should be left to cover our withdrawal, and to protect the hospitals and public property.
If you can spare Smith, I should like to have him, so soon as the movements of the enemy indicate a force to be no longer necessary at this point. My headquarters to-night will be here, to-morrow at Fredericksburg. The army is now in motion.
Accompanying this letter was an order from Gen. Williams, Assistant Adjutant-General of the Army of the Potomac directing Gen. Smith " to proceed at once to Gettysburg and occupy the country so as to protect the hospitals of our own and the rebel wounded."
Gen. Smith to Gen. Couch :
NEWMAN'S GAP, July 6, 1863, I P. M.
I encamp here to-night, having made fourteen miles through the mountains. If nothing happens I shall move to-morrow toward the next gap south, and so on up the Cumberland Valley, holding the gaps and keeping well in the mountains where I can make a good fight. Will you send me some provisions to Fay- etteville and all the haversacks you can raise ? The rebels, some of them, passed the night here, but left Chambersburg to the right. I imagine it was principally a cavalry force, with infantry enough to escort the train. The main body is still on the eastern slope working through the other passes.
That the action of Gen. Smith's command was con- sidered by the Army of the Potomac to have been valu- able, appears from the following letter from Gen. G. K. Warren, Gen. Meade's chief of staff.
Gen. Warren to Gen. Smith :
BATTLEFIELD OF GETTYSBURG, July 6, 1863.
Your orders to stop here are to provide for any contingencies for a day or so, and Gen. Meade wishes very much for you to fol-
282
history of the twenty Second Regiment
low on and join him as soon as developments show no necessity for a force here, which is even now apparent, but not so when the order was sent to you. We are all much pleased with the way you behaved at Harrisburg Bridge and Carlisle. It was a great help to us. We have made this place a sore subject of mention to Southern pride. I hope you are well and that I am to see you soon.
. It will be remembered in reading these communi- cations that Gen. Smith, after leaving Carlisle, was for several days in the mountains, away from all telegraphs, and could only be connected with by couriers over bad roads, and hence knew but little of what was going on.
Gen. Couch notified Gen. Williams of this fact by the following telegram :
HARRISBURG, July 7, 1863.
Up to last night my orders to Smith to join you had failed to reach him on account of couriers being captured or lost in mountains. In case he joins you, please relieve him, as he returns by my order to join me. He reports the enemy still working back through the passes on which he calls the eastern slope. He has received no orders from you. In carrying out previous orders will work down through gaps on Cumberland Valley side.
On July 6, an unfortunate accident took place. The loaded rifles of the troops had become wet, so that most of them were useless. Being without means of draw- ing the charges, the men sought to discharge them by pricking powder in the nipples. In doing this, one of the Twenty-third Brooklyn fired into the bivouac of the Fifty-sixth Brooklyn, the bullet wounding two men, one mortally. The Twenty-third felt the matter keenly, and at once made the only reparation in their power by sub- scribing $1,200, which they paid to the families of those thus injured.
283
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
On July 7, at 2:30 A. M., Gen. Smith received the orders sent to him at Newman's Gap, and at once replied to Gen. Williams :
The order brought by Lieut. King is received, and will be obeyed immediately. Two officers of the First Corps, who left the enemy last night at Waynesboro, have reached me, and report the enemy in rapid retreat. * I had thought of going on to the next gap to-morrow, if I got no orders, but shall march to Gettysburg in the morning. Yesterday my command was reenforced by about 2,500 men.
This suggestion was approved by Gen. Meade, and Gen. A. Pleasanton, acting chief of staff, wrote to Gen. Smith as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
JULY 7, 1863, 5 A. M.
Maj .- Gen. Meade desires me to say you can continue the pursuit of the enemy; that he only needs one regiment to guard the property and wounded at Gettysburg, for which he has sent to Gen. Couch, supposing you were on the way to Chambers- burg. The army is concentrating at Middletown. You can join it there after pushing the enemy to the best advantage.
The effect of the hard service upon the men appears in the following report made by Gen. Smith to Gen. Couch, from Greenwood, on July 7, 1863 :
The order of Gen. Meade requiring me to move to Gettys- burg is countermanded, and I am now moving in the direction of Waynesborough. My supplies are not all up yet, and, if possible, a train should be on the road to meet me at Waynes- borough. The mountain roads and wet weather have left many of my men shoeless. Can you send me 1,000 pairs at once ?
By this it will be seen that the shoes of one-tenth of the command had been worn out by the hard marching over wet and muddy roads.
1
284
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
The march from Bendersville was notable to the Twenty-second, because its termination brought them to a camp where, by hard foraging, at about I P. M., they secured their breakfast of bread, apple-butter and meat-real meat,-and never did breakfast taste so good to them in all this world.
It was well known to the command by this time that while the command was stuck in the mud on the " glori- ous Fourth," Lee had retreated from Gettysburg, and was now endeavoring to escape through the mountain passes; and they were reluctantly compelled to abandon the hopes that had been entertained of earning immortal glory by coming in at the eleventh hour of the great combat to turn their defeat into a rout. But it was not to be; and therefore the energies of the brigade were thenceforth exercised to prevent the rebels from securing the mountain passes, and, if possible, capture their trains. Marching hastily to one gap, they would hold it until information that the rebels were moving towards another would cause a forced march for that. What would have taken place if the command had hap- pened to strike a gap just as half of Lec's army had got through, is a thing which the Twenty-second did not think about at the time, but which, it is now apparent, would have been rather unpleasant. That the enemy feared their approach, and was prepared for us, is shown by the following :
Gen. Sedgwick to Asst. Adjt .- Gen. Williams : HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, NEAR FAIRFIELD, July 6, 1863. *
*
A recaptured prisoner (a civilian) reports that while at Gettysburg one division was sent out by the enemy on the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.