USA > New York > Memories of the 149th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inft., 3d Brig., 2 Div., 12th and 20th A. C > Part 4
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On the 20th the regiment was inspected by Gen. H. W. Slo- cum. At night occurred what has been humorously called the "Battle of Knoxville." About 12 o'clock the long-roll sounded and the men were hustled into line and marched in great haste down to Knoxville (as it was said) to repel an attack of Con- federate cavalry. After remaining in line until about 9 o'clock in the morning, the regiment returned to camp without inei- dent worthy of notice.
During the latter part of October the camp was exposed to much wind and cold wet weather, and on the 21st in particular, besides a cold rain, the wind blew a hurricane. Many tents were blown down and considerable damage was done. Those used by the Surgeon for hospital purposes were badly handled and the sick exposed to the inclemency of the weather.
At Pleasant Valley the officers had their first experience in fireplace and chimney building, and these structures, besides being very erude, resulted in introducing about as much smoke as heat into the tents.
At this place occurred the re-enlistment of men into the U. S. Engineer Corps. About one hundred joined within ten days and the officers began to look forward to an early retirement from service on account of their frequency.
On the 24th the regiment was inspected by an officer from Gen. MeClellan's head-quarter-, and on the following day re- ceived orders to march as a part of the Army of the Potomac.
Just before leaving Pleasant Valley, Capt. S- visited Harper's Ferry, riding on the Chaplain's black horse. The officer and the horse came back separately each physically much worse for the visit. The officer took to his tent and the sur- geon's care, claiming that he had been injured by a fall; but the men reported differently, claiming that while returning in an inebriated and bellique condition, he was given two black eyes by a guard in return for insulting language. At any rate, the officer was ever afterward- known as " Whisky" -.
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PLEASANT VALLEY AND LOUDON HEIGHTS.
On the 27th day of October an order was read on dress pa- rade assigning the 149th to the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 12th A. C. The brigade then formed remained unbroken until the end of the war, and was never changed except temporarily, and also by the introduction of two other regiments in the latter part of the war when its numbers had been greatly reduced by losses. It was now composed of the 60th, 78th, 102d, 137th and 149th New York State regiments; three old and two new ones. Soon after the brigade was formed a feeling of just pride and confidence in each other grew up among its members, which made the organization, together with its State pride, al- most invincible. This command was on several occasions severely handled, and on one occasion withdrawn to prevent its destruction, but it never was defeated and never fled before the enemy.
At 10 o'clock on the 28th day of October the regiment broke camp and marched to Loudon Valley by way of Sandy Hook and Harper's Ferry. Gen. Sloeum, commanding the 12th Corps, kindly informed the men of their proposed destination and counseled them to take all they desired to make themselves comfortable to the new camp. The route was first to Sandy Hook, up the north side of the Potomac to the pontoon bridge, thenee through the lower part of Harper's Ferry to another pontoon bridge over the Shenandoah River, and thence down the south side of the Potomac to the place of destination in London Valley. At Harper's Ferry the command was de- tained for about two hours by fire in a quantity of hay and feed provided for the army. The highway on the Loudon side of the Potomae for a mile or two from Harper's Ferry is made just above the water on the solid rock. After two miles the road ascends and turns to the south up the valley. About a mile south of the river the regiment left the highway and turn- ing to the right aseended to an open field above the valley, at the base of London Heights and near a piece of woods extend- ing down its eastern slope. Here was laid out a permanent camp for the winter. It was protected from the prevailing
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
winds and was surrounded on three sides by a grove of chest- nut trees. The water was good and the men were well satis- fied with the change.
When the bugle sang out tattoo and the men assembled at roll-eall, the moon and stars were shining brightly on the white tents and adjacent objects. By their light could be seen the Short Hills bounding the valley to the east. Pleasant Valley to the north, and the Potomac making its course northeasterly through the mountains. Everything was fresh and beautiful and the men retired to rest happy and contented.
A growth of short bushes and tall grass covered the ground chosen for camp, and in laying out company streets a brown rabbit was uncovered and ran for a place of safety while the men gave chase. Poor Bunny had an uneven chance against so many and, after much hilarity on the part of the men, sue- cumbed to a well-aimed blow; one man going to bed that night with meat for breakfast.
A heavy frost fell during the night, leaving the grass and bushes in the morning drenched with moisture. so that the men were unable to stir about until long after sunrise without get- ting wet.
In laying out the camp, the tents of the officers were placed in the grove while those of the men were in front. The first day, a regular Indian Summer, was spent in preparation of winter quarters and was one of hard work. Some felled trees and eat and split logs for huts, while others carried stones and built chimneys. It was a general seramble to appropriate the best and most accessible materials. Capt. Ja. M. Doran built a magnificent chimney and fireplace, the admiration of all his fellows. It was well and permanently built and was standing at the close of war, and may be standing at the present time. As each person worked he enjoyed himself with the anticipa- tion of the comfort to follow and went to bed at night tired and happy. Alas! how vain the hope. About 4 o'clock in the morning the order came to pack at once and proceed to Bolivar at 6 o'clock s. M.
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PLEASANT VALLEY AND LOUDON HEIGHTS.
The regiment moved on time, but owing to a deficiency of transportation a large amount of baggage was left behind to be carried by a return of teams. The writer was detailed with about twelve men to guard it.
The Army of the Potomae was then moving south through Harper's Ferry and London Valley and, owing to the large number of troops occupying the road, the teams did not return until the next morning. When it was discovered that the stay was to be prolonged, the men made themselves comfortable.
When the regiment departed for Bolivar part of the sick was left behind in charge of the Hospital Steward for subse- quent transportation. Among them was Chester W. Colton, the fifer of Co. I. a man fifty-five years of age and at one time a deputy sheriff in Onondaga county. In Pleasant Valley he became down-hearted, discouraged and desperately homesick, and begged to be discharged, while the tears ran down his cheeks like a child. The regiment had not been from home a month and many men were homesick, so it did not seem possi- ble to obtain a discharge on such grounds. The idea that a full grown man could not control himself seemed absurd, so the officers tried to encourage him and reason him out of his despondeney. His case, however, was brought to the notice of the commanding officer of the regiment and the Surgeon, and was kindly discussed in official cireles, but the general im- pression prevailed that in time he would recover. Instead he suddenly became delirious and so remained until his death, which occurred on this beautiful October morning. A grave was dug in the grove where the tents had been standing, and his body buried like a soldier in his blanket. This was the first burial in the regiment, and as the men were adverse to grave- digging, the Hospital Steward and the writer performed a large portion of this unpleasant duty. Owing to the peculiar circumstances, the death and burial of this man was very sad. Every person had his heart-aches as well as he, but more will- power to withstand them. His suffering took a visible expres- sion while others' did not, yet all endured the same in a greater
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INNFT.
or less degree. The world may not appreciate the sacrifices this man made for his country, yet his comrades will. His body has since been removed by loving friends and now sleeps near his Northern home which he loved so well.
After breakfast on the last day of October, the rear guard started for Bolivar Heights. Soon after getting into the high- way the wagon containing the officers' baggage broke down, and it took several hours to repair it. When ready to proceed the road was filled with troops moving towards Leesburg, and so the wagons containing the baggage and sick were detained all day on the road. While waiting the guard sat on the rocks facing the river and watched the passage of the troops. No one could form a better idea of the immensity of the Army of the Potomac than on an occasion like this. The whole army had to pass on a single road into the State of Virginia, and for four days and nights there was a continuous passage of troops marching in quick-time past this one point. As the men sat perched on the rocks over the road many commands passed, among which were Petit's Battery and the old 12th N. Y. Inft. As old acquaintances appeared they turned aside to grasp a friendly hand. It was "How do you do?" and then "Good- bye", but both felt better for the greeting.
About dark the wagons and escort arrived in camp on Boli- var Heights, in rear of the village of Bolivar and about two miles from Harper's Ferry.
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CHAPTER V.
BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
THE regiment remained on Bolivar Heights from October 30th until the morning of December 10th, 1862. The place of encampment was upon a side-hill sloping towards the east, and from a quarter to a half mile directly west of the little hamlet of Bolivar. The position was unprotected by trees or shrubs of any kind, upon ground theretofore occupied by soldiers under Mcclellan, and was covered with dirt, filth and litter as it had been left by the departing troops. The situation was not inviting, and the frequent discovery of body lice crawling .on articles distributed on the ground was not agreeable. The men were set to work to thoroughly police and purify the place, and wagon loads of filth and refuse were carted away. Notwithstanding all these precautions, body lice were occasion- ally seen erawling on articles of comfort and necessity. The Chaplain, while writing to his wife, reported discovering one of these insects, crawling on the table upon which he was writ- ing, big enough to carry double. The boys humorously told stories about seeing one running down the company streets dressed in a full suit of soldiers' clothing. This was the first introduction of the regiment to this little subject of natural history, and the find, laying aside all exaggeration, was suthi- cient to warrant making a note of it.
Bolivar Heights, if not in the immediate neighborhood of the grand and lofty Maryland and London Heights, would be considered a very high and noticeable hill or mountain, but be- ing overshadowed by its more imposing neighbors does not at-
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CAMP OF 119TH N. Y. INFT. AT BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
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BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
tract especial attention. It is situate between the Potomac and Shenandoah just before their confluence, and rises precipi- tously on its northern and southern sides from each of these rivers.
About two miles westerly from the place of meeting of these rivers there is a valley or depression running from the Shenan- doah on the south to the Potomae on the north. From this valley towards the west the land rises gradually to a gently- rolling country, comprising the northern end of the beautiful and fertile Valley of the Shenandoah. From the valley or de- pression first spoken of towards the east the land rises very abruptly to the erest of Bolivar Heights, which runs in a north- erly and southerly direction from river to river. If the con- struction of this valley and the Heights could be aseribed to hnman hands, you would say from the appearance that when the valley was dug. the buiklers threw the dirt up on the east side of the trench, allowing it to roll down from where it was thrown to the east and west with the steeper side towards the west, as would be the case in digging a trench. The crest of the Heights is very narrow, and in some places it would puzzle the beholder to know how it could have become so without the aid of human hands.
The trees, which were at one time standing on the slope of the Heights towards the west and southwest, had before this been eut away leaving the stumps standing, interspersed with stones and bowlders which appeared as if they had rolled down from above. The timber at the southern end of this erest, and on the hillside and in the valley near the Shenandoah River, was still standing at the time of the arrival of the regiment, and the men were detailed to cut it down. It was an interest- ing sight to see acre after acre of these woods felled in a single day. This precaution was taken to prevent the enemy from advancing on the position under cover and permit the free exe- cution of artillery and small arms.
Passing easterly from the rest of the Heights the land sloped precipitously for a short distance and then more gradually down
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
to what is commonly called a hog's back extending forward easterly for nearly a mile towards the confluence of the two. rivers. From the comparatively level ground on this hog's back the land breaks off abruptly on either hand to the rivers. below, leaving along the borders of each of these streams only a narrow strip of land sufficient for the passage of the railroads. emerging from Harper's Ferry to the west and south. From Harper's Ferry two roads lead up to the hamlet of Bolivar, one ascending diagonally up the Shenandoah side of the hill, and the other in like manner up the Potomac side. The road from Harper's Ferry on the Shenandoah side was a macadam pike, and after reaching Bolivar passed in a southwesterly direction to the crest of the Heights, and thence by a diagonal course down its westerly slope to the valley below in the direction of Charlestown, through a small place called Halltown a mile or more away. On the Potomac side another road passed from. Bolivar around the northerly extremity of the Heights westerly down to the valley below.
The 12th A. C., at this time commanded by Maj .- Gen. H. W. Slocum, was divided into two divisions. The 2d Division, in which was the 149th, was commanded by Brig .- Gen. John W. Geary, afterwards Governor of the State of Pennsyl- vania. This division was made up of three brigades, of which the 3d was commanded by Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, a West Point graduate and formerly engineer of the Croton Aqueduct of New York City. The ed Division had a battery connected with it. known as Knap's, and a small battalion of cavalry. The troops comprising the division were substantially all located on the east slope of the Heights in the vicinity of Bolivar. The artillery of the corps was posted at different, places on the crest of the Heights in works erected for their use.
On the brow of the Heights, and commanding the approaches from the west and the southwest, was a series of rifle-pits extending from river to river ; and at the more exposed posi- tions to the north and south were erected by this command a. number of more pretention- earthworks.
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BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
The men of the 149th were kept busy during their stay at. Bolivar in fatigue and other military duties and quickly ma- tured into experienced veterans. The duties which they were called upon to perform seemed necessary and proper for the occasion and they fast changed from questioning recruits to obedient soldiers. The maturing process was rapid and the men were obedient and respectful.
The regiment now had its first experience in picket duty, each officer and man being required at least one day in three to perform this service. The pieket line extended along the valley west of camp from river to river, the reserves being placed in detached pieces of woods and the pickets in advance positions behind the fences and other objects of cover. The line of the enemy's outposts ran nearly parallel to it and at no great distance therefrom. Occasionally a capture was made on one side or the other of an incautious sentinel or straggling guard, so there was excitement in the performance of duty and great vigilance required to prevent surprises.
On the morning of the first pieket detail from the regiment, as the men approached the reserve which they were to relieve, they had the mortification to witness the capture of a pieket by the enemy. The man had been advanced too far beyond the supporting line, and being discovered by the enemy, two or three cavalrymen rode rapidly forward from a neighboring wood and effected the capture before the man could retire. This very unpleasant experience at the beginning of this busi- ness caused the men to be cautions and vigilant in the perform- anee of this important duty.
A few mornings after this one of the men of the regiment retaliated by capturing one of the enemy's cavalrymen, horse and all, and marching him to head-quarters. The credit of the capture belonged to a man in Co. A, who was elated with his success as the prisoner was plucky and intelligent. The prisoner came forward, as he claimed, for the purpose of ex- changing newspapers, but with the supposed purpose of spy ing the lines, and so the officer in charge promptly ordered his
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
capture which was gallantly done. The men will always re- tain a vivid recollection of picket duty performed at Bolivar Heights.
The members of the 149th early manifested that disposition for daring and acquisitiveness which afterwards made them famous under the name of "Sherman's Bummers" on that memorable march from Atlanta to the Sea. While camping at this place these traits were evidenced on several occasions.
One day two men went out to the picket line to get material to fix a tent. After loading themselves with old boards they started to return, but were spied by a guard who had been stationed there to prevent such depredations. The guard com- manded a halt, but the men paid no attention to the warning. Next a musket was discharged and a ball passed harmlessly between the culprits. At this the men dropped the boards and started away, when one of them remembering that the gnard had discharged his piece, resumed his load of boards, whereupon the guard, having reloaded, shot the delinquent in the hip inflicting a ghastly and disagreeable wound.
When the regiment arrived at Bolivar Heights Prof. Lowe had his balloon there and made frequent ascensions and reconois- sances therefrom, but soon the balloon was removed and this service at that place discontinued.
On several occasions during the stay at Bolivar Heights the regiment was called into line in the night time to repel sup- posed attacks upon the lines, and on one or two occasions the batteries discharged their pieces at the approaching enemy in the neighborhood of the pickets. The command was supposed to be under arms at all times and on these occasions was pre- vented from sleep during the night, yet a call to arms general- ly resulted in getting into line and stacking arms in the streets, as the enemy never came nearer than the pickets.
At this time there were several snow storms, during one of which the division was reviewed by Gens, Slocum and Geary. The review continued for several hours and was rendered un- pleasant by the snow and wet, but the men were repaid for
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BOLIVAR HEIGHTS.
their inconvenience by the very complimentary remarks of the reviewing officers.
At first the men used shelter tents, but these were afterwards replaced by " A " or " wedge " ones.
Among the visitors were John Ryan, Spencer D. Rust, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Colton, Mr. Irish, Mr. Merriam, Conrad Shoemaker, Capts. Randall and Wood from the 12th, Capt. H. W. Walpole, Chaplain Nieherson, and Q. M. Sergt. T. L. Poole of the 122d.
Cap. Jas. M. Doran, being very sick, was persuaded to re- sign, but his health improving his resignation was recalled. Maj. A. G. Cook was also sick and during his illness the regi- ment was commanded by Lieut .- Col. Lane of the 102d.
Sergt .- Major Joseph Seymour, and Asst .- Surgeon Phillips joined the regiment on the 17th of November. Asst .- Surgeon Nims was detailed to take charge of the hospital at Bolivar and afterwards of a hospital on an island in the Shenandoah River. During the fore part of December a number of sick men were sent from hospitals in and about Harper's Ferry to a general hospital in Philadelphia, most of whom never re- turned to the regiment.
Vegetables were distributed by the Q. M., among which were several barrels of potatoes and onions. Friend Mose in in speaking of the latter article said, "This issue ought to bring water ont of a solid rock as Moses' rod did of old."
Lieuts. Bonediet and Wood resigned their commissions and departed for home on the 6th day of December, 1862. 3
CHAPTER VI.
RECONNAISSANCE TO CHARLESTOWN.
Ox Sunday morning, No- vember 9th, the 149th partie- ipated in a reconnoissanee in- to the enemy's country. Soon after getting in line it marched under command of Maj. A. G. Cook on the pike in the direc- tion of Charlestown. It was OFF FOR CHARLE-TOWN. then too dark to see the aecom-' panving troops or judge of their numbers. About daybreak the command arrived at Halltown, a gathering of five or six houses and a grist-mill, the latter being converted into a tem- porary prison for the confinement of citizens.
After daylight it appeared that the reconnoitering force con- sisted of several regiments of the 2d Division, twelve pieces from Knap's and Hampden's Batteries, and a detachment of cavalry, in all five or six thousand men.
The country from Halltown to Charlestown, a part of the rich and fertile Valley of the Shenandoah, is gently rolling and gave evidence of the wealth of its inhabitants. Near Charles- town were many fine residences and the farms and farm build- ings had a thrifty appearance.
After passing Halltown the open fields denoted that the enemy had occupied the position at a recent date in consider- able force.
Early in the forenoon the command arrived at Charlestown and formed in line of battle in the streets. Here the infantry
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RECONNAISSANCE TO CHARLESTOWN.
remained for about two hours while the artillery and cavalry made a short reconnoissance just outside of the town in the direction of Berryville and Winchester. While waiting the men looked about and observed the place. It was Sunday and everything had a quiet appearance. A few citizens were in the streets, but most of them were under guard marching to- wards a church which was made a temporary place of contine- ment until after the departure, and a few female faces were seen at the windows of the houses. Charlestown was the county seat of Jefferson county and had a population of four or five thousand inhabitants. It was principally interesting on account of being the place where John Brown was tried and executed for the capture of Harper's Ferry in 1859.
After standing for some time in the streets the sound was heard of voices and the clatter of horses' hoofs rapidly approach- ing down the street, and at the same time the artillery began firing in the distance. Some of the sneaks broke ranks and took to the houses, but the majority of the men stood firm and ready to perform their duty. After a few moments the men were ordered to load their pieces and proceed to the front. The loading of arms on this occasion will be remembered by the men as their first experience of the kind preliminary to ac- tion. Some were nervous and in one or two instances put the ball in the piece before the powder, but as a whole the men exhibited much coolness and courage.
When the order came to move to the front it was a relief as the men were able to discover the source of danger and their ability to cope with it. The regiment marched to an open field and formed in line of battle in rear of the artillery, which was then rapidly throwing shells to the front. The men bore themselves with firmness and appeared resolved to do their duty.
One of the more experienced regiments of the brigade was thrown forward as skirmishers, while the other regiments were put in two lines of battle in rear and in support of the artillery ; this regiment was placed in the second line.
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
After shelling the woods and surrounding country for a short time and eliciting no response, the artillery limbered up and proceeded forward. As the artillery advanced the infant- ry lines followed in support. After proceeding a short dis- tance the artillery unlimbered and fired as before. In this manner the command advanced from point to point for a dis- tance of three miles to where evidences of the recent occupa- tion by the enemy's cavalry were discovered in the form of booths made of cornstalks and rails, and camp-fires still burn- ing. From appearances the number of the enemy must have been at least two hundred. yet the citizens of Charlestown re- ported the number at one thousand and two pieces of artillery.
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