USA > New York > Memories of the 149th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inft., 3d Brig., 2 Div., 12th and 20th A. C > Part 8
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At the first dress parade held by Col. Barnum the State eol- ors, a gift from the Jewish ladies of Syracuse, were formally presented to the regiment : they were received the day of the departure from Bolivar Heights, but not formally recognized until now.
Near camp were several log huts said to have been erected for the accommodation of Gen. Beauregard and his staff while occupying this place ; they were consigned to the use of the sutler and Quarter-master.
The 9th A. C. under Gen. Burnside took its departure from the Army of the Potomac at this time, and for several days the empty cars returning from the front were filled with men of this command on their way to take transports at the Landing.
After Gen. Hooker took command of the Army of the Poto- mae short furloughs were given the officers and men of his com- mand. Among those who went home on furlough from the regiment was Maj. Cook. Many of the men obtained passes and visited sister regiments located at Falmouth and along the left bank of the Rappahannock River.
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ACQUIA CREEK.
Obtaining a pass from the Colonel of the regiment for a two days' absence insured a permit to the recipient from the Pro- vost-marshal at the Landing to ride on the ears to Falmouth and return. Usually the first day was consumed in red tape, but once on the cars the visitor soon found himself over the short distance of twelve miles and at the end of the road at Falmouth. Uncle Sam used freight cars only, and the traveler was fortunate if he obtained a ride in one of these. There was nothing of special interest on the route except a long and high trestle carrying the track over the Potomac Creek at Stoneman's Switch. At this place a large amount of business was done, as many troops were located in that vicinity, but it was a place of especial interest to the 149th on account of the foist and 12th N. Y. being there. Many visitors from the regiment re- member with pleasure the kind entertainment received from Capt. Drake and Lient .- Col. R. M. Richardson of the 12th.
The railroad at this time terminated on the left bank of the Rappahannock River opposite Fredericksburg, and generally the first intimation the traveler had of the close of his journey was when brought suddenly to a standstill close to the bank of the river in full view of the city and the surrounding entrench- ments of the enemy just opposite. The sensation was startling and every visitor so regarded it.
Falmouth proper is a small place on the left bank of the Rappahannock River below the falls, and about three or four miles above Fredericksburg, but at this time the whole left bank of the river was commonly called by that name. The railroad bridge across the river had been destroyed and only the piers and abutments were standing. To the right of the railroad stood a house known as the Lacey House : otherwise, for miles abont was a barren waste. On the northern side of the river is a high tableland known as Stafford Heights, which dominates the city opposite and its surroundings, From these heights the land slopes precipitonly two hundred feet or more to the water's edge. Along the brow of this tableland at inter- tervals were planted pieces of heavy and light artillery pro-
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tected by earth embankments, about which were artillerymen. and groups of army stragglers. Along the edge of the stream below were Union pickets.
The river is not more than two or three hundred feet in width but of sufficient depth to be navigable by small vessels ; in fact, this is the head of navigation.
Fredericksburg, a place of about six or seven thousand in- habitants, is situate on the bluff of a long and low hill or table- land on the right bank of the Rappahannock, with buildings in places extending down the hillslope to the water's edge. The view from the north or left bank of the river overlooks the town, and two church spires and a cupola were recognizable above the other buildings. Half a mile or more south of Fredericks- burg extends a range of hills which partially encloses it. These hills were covered with earthworks occupied by the enemy,
who could be plainly seen. Officers in charge of the Union artillery on Stafford Heights took pleasure in pointing out to visitors the Marye Mansion with its white columns on the dis- tant hill back of Fredericksburg, in front of which ran the sunken road and the celebrated stone wall before which so many Union men lost their lives in the preceding December. In the vicinity of Fredericksburg the country had been cleared and settled, and all points of interest could be plainly seen. Among other things shown was a white monument standing above the town, which had been erected in memory of Wash- ington's mother. At this time nothing could be seen of the pontoon bridges laid with so much struggle and loss of life in December, but where they were was carefully shown visitors, as if a halo of horror rested over the places in question. Con- federate pickets were stationed along the southern edge of the stream, and Confederate soldiers were in all parts of the town. There was no difficulty in the two lines of pickets conversing with each other, and therefore it was not strange that friendly relations existed between them. Notwithstanding orders to the contrary, there was much barter and trade going on be- tween the two lines, and the jokes, fun and escapades growing out of friendly relations were innumerable.
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SURGEON JAMES V. KENDALL.
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ACQUIA CREEK.
The Army of the Potomac at this time lay back from the river a mile or more, out of sight of the enemy, and the camp of the 122d (or " One Hundred and Twenty-twosters" as they were pleased to call themselves) was two or three miles south of the railroad and a mile or more from the river. The visit- ors to this regiment were hospitably entertained, yet if this regiment ever had a time in its history when it was more dis- pleased with its portion than another, this must have been the " winter of its discontent." The men talked about the officers, and the officers talked about each other, m a manner that led strangers to believe that like Ishmael of old, " Every man's hand was turned against his neighbor, and his neighbor's hand against him." The 149th had some heart-burnings about this time, for this was the beginning of the introduction of outside officers into the regiment, vet visitors to the " One Hundred and Twenty-twosters" generally returned home gratified that their lot was not cast with them.
Between the camp of the 1224 and Stoneman's Switch was a perfeet sea of tents and camps without seeming order, and a man needed a pilot more to find his way between the two places than he would in the heart of the city of New York. There were camps everywhere and seemingly as far as the eye could reach.
At Aequia Creek Landing Dr. Kendall was selected as Brig- ade Surgeon, and theneeforth to the end of the war was re- moved from the regiment.
On the bank of a creek about a mile from camp, in what was once a beautiful grove, was a large granite slab lying horizon- tally over a grave. This slab was raised about a foot from the ground and was supported by stone legs. Both the slab and the legs were of fair workmanship and well preserved. The following is a copy of the inscription on the slab in Old Eng- lish letters :
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
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Here is interred the body of Margaret, the wife of Peter Hedgman, Of Stafford County. Gentleman, And daughter of John Mazy, Gentleman, deceased. She was married The 21st day of December, 1221, And had by him nine children, Of which three sons only survive her. As she was a woman Of great virtue and goodness. She lived beloved And Dy'd much lamented, By all who had the happiness Of her acquaintance. On the 16th day of January, A. D., 1754, In the 52nd year of her age. Conjux Dolens. H. M. P.
Three large trees shaded the grave, one of which sustained a grape-vine (then dead) at least six inches in diameter. The division ordnance train camped about the place, and some of the men used the stone as a table from which they ate their frugal repast. The ancient tablet and the present surround- ings furnished a subject for reflection.
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CHAPTER XII.
BROOKS STATION.
Ox Sunday, the 8th of Feb- ruary, the regiment was visited by Gen. Slocum, Gen. Geary and Gen. Greene who inspected the quarters of the men and kindly greeted the officers. Their visit, being entirely informal, was received with great pleasure by the regiment : it resulted, Sunday in Camp . however, in an order for its re- moval to Brooks Station. four miles from camp and five from the Landing .. At the same time a wagon load of entranching tools was furnished, and the men commenced the construction of a large earthwork to guard the railroad bridge over the Aceatuck Creek, which was called Fort Barum. The men believed the object of the removal was to construct this fort, but in fact a change of quarters was made on account of the health of the regiment. The removal took place on Saturday, and although the men were encouraged to take everything deemed necessary for their comfort and convenience, and extra teams wore furnished for that purpose. Vet on account of a bad storm of snow and sleet which came before the camp was laid out and settled, the removal was found to be no Valentine, although taking place on the 14th of February. The men huddled together on a steep sidehill without order or military arrangement and tried to protect
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themselves from the inclement weather. In a crude way they continued to live and suffer for several days, expecting the storm to give way. One or two attempts were made to seleet a camping place, and much labor was done and wasted before the regiment was permanently located for the winter. In the mean time both officers and men endured much suffering and exposure, and after a time, so many changes were made, they became discouraged and loth to do anything to protect them- selves. Sore eyes, caused by smoky chimneys and standing over log fires trying to keep warm, were common. Many men crawled into a cold corner of their shelter tents, wrapped them- selves in their blankets, and tried to find rest in sleep from headache and inflamed eyes caused by smoke. About this time fifty pairs of mittens were received from the ladies at home, but this was a meagre number for six hundred men, and consequently cold fingers were common. It was a good thing that the men were ocenpied in building the fort and received frequent rations of whisky, which aided them in enduring their sufferings. Of course the men were inexperienced, and no doubt some of their sufferings could have been avoided by good management, still to a certain extent it was unavoidable and the fact remains that for two or three weeks after the re- moval the officers and men had a pretty tough time of it, and were discouraged and homesick. When they finally got set- tled their quarters were good and comfortable, and they will recall many pleasant incidents which occurred.
Accatuck Creek flowed around the base of the hill upon which the camp was located, and in going to and from the brigade commissary quarters on the flat to the north, the men had to pass over a log thrown across the stream. On account of the health of the regiment, rations of whisky were given the men on fatigue duty, and also the Commissary was anthor- ized to issue small quantities to men holling written permits from a regimental or line officer. A few of these permits were properly given, but many did not think it necessary to trouble the officers in a matter of this kind, so they wrote their own ;
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always taking the precaution to sign an officer's name. Some of the officers were known to draw liberally on the Commissary on their own account, hence, that the number of permits credited to any one officer should not be overdrawn, these names were avoided. As a result the officers least addicted to intoxicating stimulants had the largest number of ticks with the Commis- sary. This led to very curious and langhable results.
About this time one of the officers noted for his sobriety and steady habits obtained a short furlough and went home, and in the streets of Syraense was accosted by an old friend in this manner : " Why, -, I am glad to see you, but sorry to hear bad news about you. I hear you are addicted to drink. I hoped that you would go through the army and come home without this bad habit." " What do you mean ?" said the officer. "I never drink and don't intend to ; who told you I did ?" " I am told," said his friend, " you send to the Com- missary every day for whisky, and sometimes half a dozen times a day."
The road to the Commissary Department, over the log above referred to, was very properly called the " Jug Road", and many a poor fellow on his return from a visit to those quarters found it too narrow to suit his locomotion and consequently took a tumble into the creek.
Soon after arriving at Brooks Station, some of the sick left in the old camp died. Capts. Wheeler and Doran recovered sufficiently to be removed to Washington and subsequently went home. Capt. Wheeler was attended by his wife whose careful nursing administered to his recovery. Dr. Nims, who was left at Harper's Ferry, and Lient. Savage tendered their resignations, which were accepted. Capt. Randall of the 12th N. Y. joined the regiment, was elected Major by a vote of the officers, and took command at a division review held at Stafford Court House. Sorgts. Mckinstry, Spoor, Davis, Brown and Seymour received commissions as 2d Lientenants and were as- signed to companies. Lieut. Murray was promoted to Captain, and ed Lient. Westeott to Ist Lieutenant. Orderly-Sergt.
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Birdseye was made Sergt .- Major. Col. Strong's resignation was accepted and Maj. Cook was promoted to Lieut .- Colonel to fill the vacancy, but was not mustered. Among others, Chap. Bowdish, Adjt. Dallman, Capt. Seymour, Capt. Lind- say, and Lient. Collins received short furlonghs and went home. A. B. Foote joined the regiment as Ist Lientenant, and O. F. May as Captain of Co. A. The old wound of Col. Barnum. becoming troublesome, he was granted a thirty days' leave of absence and departed for Albany to have an operation performed by Dr. Marsh. During the stay at Brooks Station the regi- ment received informal visits from Gen. Slocum, Gen. Geary, Gen. Greene, Gen. Kane and their staffs.
While the regiment was at Brooks Station the President re- viewed the Army of the Potomac at Falmouth, and subse- quently with Gen. Hooker reviewed the 12th Corps at Stafford Court House. This was a great occasion in the history of the Army of the Potomac, and the review at Stafford C. H. was one of the memorable events in the history of the regiment. All reviews are similar in character and this was like the division review which occurred at Fairfax Station, except that it was more extended by numbers and the reviewing officer was the Commander-in-Chief, assisted by the Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Everything was favorable and the review was pronounced a success.
The regiment remained at Brooks Station until the last of April, 1863, and the officers and men became familiar with the inhabitants in the neighborhood. A good deal of visiting took place between the soldiers and the people, and very friendly relations were established between them. The soldiers visits were not only agreeable, but in some instances they were re- turned and the officers and men were made happy entertaining Virginia ladies at their quarters. On one occasion several ladies called upon Col. Barmum and part of his staff and line officers. Before this time Mrs. Hart, the wife of a member of the regiment who had accompanied her husband, had been in- stalled as chief cook at regimental H .- ( .. and on this occasion
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did herself justice in preparing a grand banquet in honor of the visitors. Those attending pronounced the hospitality be- coming the quality and gallantry of the regiment.
The men at this time became very proficient in the manu- facture of pipes, rings and other small ornaments from the root of a shrub known as Laurel, which grew plentifully at Brooks Station. The eunning workmen also made a large number of ornaments from bone which were beautifully inlaid with colored sealing wax. Many friends at home now treasure little souvenirs of this kind sent from the regiment.
As the season progressed the weather became warmer, and before departing, Spring opened and everything was bright and pleasant. The frogs croaked in the distant ponds, the birds sang, and the peach trees put forth their flowers and sweet fragrance. These trees grew wild and were found everywhere, along the streams, in the woods, and on the borders of the fields. They were as plenty as weeds, and their flowers were . unusually large and deep in color. With the Spring warmth, the starting vegetation and the green grass, the cheerfulness of the men returned and there was less grumbling and discon- tent.
On the 13th day of April an order was received to draw eight days' rations, ent down officers' baggage to twenty-five pounds, turn over wall and " A " tents, and be in readiness to march at a moment's notice ; and what was unusual, a brigade officer waited on the regiment to see that the order was com- plied with and to inspect the officers' servants. It was not a very dithienlt matter to inspect servants, however, as this was a luxury that few indulged in, except on the pay-roll, and, therefore, the occasion was made one of jollification and good fellowship. Although the surplus baggage was sent home and the tents turned over promptly, no movement was made nutil several days afterward.
.. CHAPTER XIII.
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
Ox the 27th of April, 1863, the regiment (479 muskets and 24 commissioned officers strong) broke camp at Brooks Station. marched in a southwesterly direction with the 12th Corps, and bivouacked for the night west of Stoneman's Switch. The next day it moved to a road running parallel with the Rappa- hannock River, turned to the right, and bivouacked for the night in a piece of woods on the right hand side of the high- way near Kelley's Ford. The country, the first day, was wild and dreary like that between Dumfries and Aequia Creek, but on approaching the river, the second day, it improved, and the farms and farm buildings were more like those in the North. When near the river the men were cantioned against making unnecessary noises and exhibiting themselves to the enemy over the river, and at night against making fires where they could be seen. The second night's bivouac was particularly unpleas- ant on account of the absence of camp-fires and all comforts except the usual evening pipes. Early in the morning the command moved forward a short distance, turned to the left. and went down a steep hill to the river, where a pontoon bridge had been laid over into the enemy's country. After crossing and marching in a southerly direction until noon, the line of march was changed at a smart little hamlet in the direction of Germania Ford. Just before arriving at the Ford a halt was made until night, when the Rapidan was crossed after dark by means of a temporary bridge, built at the foot of stone piers and abutments standing in the stream, assisted by the light of
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NEW CHANCELLORSVILLE.
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huge bonfires built on either side of the river. After crossing the command ascended a sharp hill, on the summit of which it went into camp for the night. Early in the morning the march was resumed in the direction of Chancellorsville. Once or twice during the day a change was made in the route, but the general direction was easterly. During the forenoon the sun came out warm and the men threw away their overcoats and woolen blankets. To such an extent was this carried, if a man had followed with a wagon and a hay raek he could easily have filled it with these articles. About noon the body of a Union soldier was passed lying by the side of the road, unburied and partially eaten by hogs.
Between four and five in the afternoon the command arrived at Chancellorsville, consisting of a dwelling house and out- buildings, and leaving the highway passed through an open field to the right, over a little stream of water and into a piece of woods where it bivouacked for the night. The country from Germania Ford to Chancellorsville was first open, fertile and cultivated, but afterwards densely wooded, swampy, and to a greater or less extent covered with short scrubby evergreens. The road was generally good, but the country in and about Chancellorsville was justly called "The Wilderness."
The place of encampment was near the center of what was afterwards known as the battlefield of May 2d and 3d; 1863. Early next morning the command received Hooker's memorable order congratulating the 5th, 11th and 12th A. C.'s on their brilliant achievement. Either from presentiment of what was to follow, or the boastful character of the order, the reading of it did not produce the effect intended. The general impression was unpleasant and distasteful.
Between ten and eleven in the forenoon of the Ist day of May the 12th Corps was put in motion on the plank road lead- ing to the right from Chancellorsville southeasterly towards Fredericksburg. After proceeding a short distance the column came to a road leading to the right ; here the 149th was de- ploved on the south side of the plank road and advanced
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CHANCELLORSVILLE.
through swamps, woods and thick evergreens in line of battle. The density of the evergreens made it impossible to keep in line and difficult to keep the general direction and prevent be- ing lost in the thicket. After advancing a mile or two the line emerged into a piece of open woods, near cleared land, and halted to re-form. After a few moments it moved forward again, while the enemy shelled the woods from the distance. Limbs of trees were broken off and fell among the men, and shells bursted rapidly over their heads. The position was nn- comfortable, although very few, if any, were seriously injured. The men behaved in a cool and collected manner and appeared eager to move forward, uncover the enemy, and have the mat- ter over. Just as the line approached a clearing an aid from . the brigade or division staff rode up and directed the regiment to return to the plank road and retire to the rear, saying if it did not do so at once it would be eut to pieces. After the regi- ment joined the column in the road it retired back to the place whence it started in the morning.
On the way back part of the regiment, detailed as skirmish- ers and pickets, entered the thick wood and undergrowth south- west of the highway, and after marching a little less than a mile took position a few rods northwest of a road leading from the plank, and a few rods in front of the breastworks afterwards built by the ed Division of the 12th A. C. on the battlefield of Chancellorsville. The skirmishers were not dis- turbed during their stay, which continued until the next day, yet the position was particularly unpleasant on account of the dense character of the woods and the uncertainty existing in the minds of the men as to the position and purpose of the enemy in front. The men well knew if an attack was made in force, they were to be sacrificed. as they could never regain their command in safety. The night was dark and dismal, and the pickets could not be visited on account of the difficulty of finding them in the undergrowth and evergreens. They were nervous on account of the delicacy of the situation, and had occasion to feel so. Soon after daylight the enemy was heard
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marching to the right along the road in front, and the com- mands of the officers and the voices of the men could be dis- tinetly heard as they moved along. One of the skirmishers got up in a tree so he could see the moving forces, while others- advanced from tree to tree towards the road until the enemy was distinctly seen. A messenger was dispatched to head- quarters with the information obtained, and afterwards a second one was sent on the same mission, but no response was received from either message.
A little after noon the skirmishers, having been relieved by others, retired to their respective regiments directly in rear. After a few rods a formidable abatis was reached, constructed of fallen trees with their tops towards the front, which was passed with difficulty. In rear of this was a long line of rifle- pits extending a mile or more from the plank road on the left down to an open field on the right. The position of the regi- ment extended from near the open field on the right forty or fifty rods up a gradually ascending slope to the left. On its right was the 78th, and on its left the other regiments of the brigade. In rear of the breast works was an open cleared space two or three rods in width extending along the whole line of works. The rifle-pits were built of trunks of trees, taken from off this cleared space, partially covered with earth from a shal- low trench along the inside. Owing to a scarcity of entrench- ing tools, part of the earth from the trenches was loosened by bayonets and placed on the breastworks by tin plates taken from the men's haversacks. When the men from the skirmish line saw the immense amount of work which had been done since the day before, they were grateful they had been away, notwithstanding the anxieties and exposures they had experi- eneed.
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