USA > New York > The Ninth regiment, New York volunteers (Hawkins' zouaves); being a history of the regiment and veteran association from 1860 to 1900 > Part 18
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A movement on the left just then frustrated the plans of the enemy and the charge was not made.
While obeying the orders to fall back Kim- ball still insisted that his regiment was not beaten. He called Wilcox's attention to the manner in which the regiment moved off quietly submitting to his command: "Look at my regiment ! They go off this field under orders. They are not driven off. Do they look like a beaten regiment ?" He insisted that the Gen- eral should acknowledge that the regiment re- tired under direct orders from the field, to gain which it had suffered such fearful losses.
One who viewed the battle from Elk Ridge, near McClellan's headquarters, thus describes the closing moments of the battle on the left : " Immediately north of Sharpsburg and along
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the hill in front, now the National Cemetery, Longstreet's cannon were in play. Half way up the hill Burnside's men were sending out a continuous flame, with A. P. Hill's veterans confronting them. All the country was flam- ing and smoking ; shells were bursting above the contending lines; Burnside was asking for reinforcements. How quickly Porter's corps could have rushed across Antietam bridge with no Confederates to oppose them, swept up the hillside and forced themselves like a wedge be- tween Longstreet and A. P. Hill ; but McClel- lan had only Miller's battery to send him. The sun went down; the thunder died away the musketry ceased ; bivouac fires gleamed as if a great city had lighted its lamps."
The regiment fell back to a position near Antietam Creek, and subsequently recrossed the stream and bivouacked on high ground below Burnside's bridge.
When the advance of the brigade, prepara- tory to fording the creek was first made, that part of the battery (Company K) under Lieu- tenant Morris, which had been stationed on the left of the brigade on the night of the 16th, ad- vanced and took up a position which would enable it to command the enemy's position in the vicinity of the ford. It rendered valuable service in clearing the hills on the opposite side
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KIMBALL'S JUDGMENT CORRECT.
of the stream of the enemy, or so harassing those who could not be dislodged that they were unable to offer any very effective opposi- tion to the crossing of the infantry. The whole battery subsequently forded the stream, under a heavy fire, and after being engaged so con- tinuously that its ammunition was exhausted, recrossed and was detailed by General Burn- side to act as infantry.
The men were posted as sharpshooters and maintained the position to which they were assigned all night and the following day.
It was the universal opinion at this time that a golden opportunity had been wasted and the Ninth Corps prevented from winning laurels which would have completely offset the some- what vicious criticisms since made over its tardy movements in the forepart of the day and for which the Corps as a body was in no way responsible. A careful review of the battle by the military student will clearly show that Colonel Kimball was positively correct in his surmises. His experience as a veteran of the Mexican War having taught him the value of a combined dash at a critical point, where ap- parent rashness accomplishes the desired result with the sacrifice of comparatively few lives. There is not the slightest doubt that Lee would have been overwhelmed and driven into
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the Potomac. His own generals admitted this possibility, and were extremely grateful that Rodman's attack was not more strongly sup- ported, as there would have been but one end- ing to the story.
The Army of the Potomac was numerically superior, in better physical condition, and nerved on by success, only one thing was lacking - a leader.
The enemy's skirmishers, shortly after the troops on the left fell back, occupied the ground over which the brigade had charged, which enclosed many of the disabled wounded within their lines. The regiment was not as a body again engaged that day. Fighting ceased long before nightfall, although skirmishing and picket firing continued through the night and following day. It was afterward learned that this activity on the part of the rebels was to cover Lee's withdrawal across the Potomac.
On the next day the knowledge was unpleas- antly and forcibly brought to the attention of almost everyone, both officers and men, that the feeling of distrust towards the authority respon- sible for the terrible mistakes committed on the left of the line during the battle was shared by all. It was demonstrated that practically every man in the regiment was fully alive to the grevious errors which caused the withdrawal
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"FALL IN FOR THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE."
of the regiment from its advanced and hard- won position, and they perfectly realized the fact that their efforts toward success and their devotion to duty had been wasted and the lives of so many of their comrades sacrificed for naught.
Two companies were ordered to move down the stream a short distance and defend a ford below the bridge.
When the detail was made many of the men supplemented the command of the first ser- geants to "fall in," with shouts of " fall in for the slaughter house," and other cries equally as pointed and expressive of their feelings. At that time, and until it gradually wore away, there was great indignation among all ranks in the regiment and a feeling which bordered closely on conviction, that no matter what other ability might be possessed by some of the higher officers, it was not the ability to fight and win battles.
The above detail of two companies who were defending the ford were actively engaged dur- ing the entire day, and met with several casualties, but on the night of the 18th the enemy's skirmishers withdrew, and the follow- ing morning Lee's army had disappeared.
As is customary after a battle a certain per- centage of the survivors were active in render-
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ing assistance to the wounded between the lines.
This does not refer to the details which at such times are always made to care for the wounded and bury the dead, but to volunteers who singly, in couples, or larger groups were willing to run the risk of death, wounds or capture, in order to succor comrades known to have fallen, and who might possibly be alive but helpless, and whose lives might be saved if assistance could reach them before the regular hospital corps commenced its labors. These acts of humanity illustrate the strong bonds of comradeship which existed. They occurred on every battlefield of the war, and it is fair to state that those engaged in these works of mercy were seldom interfered with by the enemy. The men generally proceeded without arms, and, if they did not approach too close to the lines of the enemy, their presence was generally ignored.
David L. Stage, of Company A, was left on the field so badly wounded that he was unable to crawl away. At the opening of the cam- paign he was a patient in the Hygiene Hospital at Fortress Monroe, just convalescent from an attack of typhoid fever. Upon learning that his regiment was on the move, he sought for and obtained his discharge from the hospital
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SUCCORING THE WOUNDED.
with orders to rejoin his company, and re- ported for duty just before the command left Washington.
Being "soft" from life in the hospital he broke down, and being unable to keep up with the regiment, reported to the company commander, requesting to be excused from evening roll-call, and to be permitted to get over the ground in his own fashion, promising to be present at the morning roll-calls, and to be with the regi- ment in the next engagement. His captain recommended that he " report sick " and be or- dered to an ambulance, which suggestion was declined. He was with his company at South Mountain and pulled through all right, but at Antietam he was wounded five times and left on the field when the regiment fell back. He was found by one of the above mentioned searchers, John W. Jacobus, of his own com- pany, barely alive. For two days he had lain on the battlefield without food or drink with his wounds fly-blown and filled with maggots. One wound was in the face, the jaw having been broken by a fragment of shell, making the mastication of soldier's fare an impossibility. Procuring a bottle, Jacobus, with much inge- nuity and the aid of a quill projecting through the cork, improvised a very respectable nursing bottle, and espying a cow in the neighboring
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field obtained a supply of milk with which he fed Stage. This restored his strength to such a degree that he was able to bear removal, when with the assistance of others of the boys he was carried to the hospital, where, under the skillful and attentive treatment of Surgeon Humphreys, he was soon out of danger and ultimately made a complete recovery.
The following extracts of reports are taken from the Official Records of the Rebellion :
Vol. 19, Series I, page 63, from the report of Maj .- Gen. Geo. B. McClellan :
" The troops of General Burnside held the left of the line opposite bridge No. 3. The attack on the right was to have been supported by the attack on the left. I visited Burnside's position on the 16th and after pointing out to him the proper dispositions to be made of his troops, informed him he would probably be required to attack the enemy's right on the following morning, and directed him to make careful reconnaissances. *
"Early in the morning of the 17th I ordered Burnside to form his troops and hold them in readiness to assault the bridge in his front, and await further orders. At eight o'clock an order was sent to him by Lieutenant Wilson, Topographical Engineer, to carry the bridge, then to gain possession of the heights beyond, and to advance along their crest upon Sharpsburg and its rear After some time had elapsed, not hearing from him, I dispatched an aide to ascertain what had been done. The aide returned with the information that but little progress had been made.
" I then sent him back with an order to General Burnside to assault the bridge at once, and carry it at all hazards. The aide returned to me a second time with the report that the bridge was still in possession of the enemy, and ! directed Colonel Sackett, Inspector General, to deliver to Burnside my positive instructions to push forward without delay, and if necessary carry the bridge at the point of the bayonet, and ordered Colonel Sackett to remain with Burnside and see the order was executed promptly. After three hours' delay the bridge was carried at one o'clock by a brilliant charge of the 51st New York and 5Ist Pennsylvania ; other troops were then thrown over and the oppo-
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GENERAL MCCLELLAN'S REPORT.
site bank occupied the enemy retreating to the heights beyond. A halt was then made by Burnside's advance until 3 P.M., upon hearing which I directed one of my aides, Colonel Key, to inform General Burnside that I desired him to push forward his troops with the utmost vigor and carry the enemy's position on the heights ; that the move- ment was vital to our success ; and this was a time when we must not stop for loss of life if a great object could be accomplished ; that if, in his judgment, his attack would fail, to inform me so at once, that his troops might be withdrawn and used elsewhere on the field.
" He replied that he would soon advance; and would go up the hill as far as a battery of the enemy on the left would permit.
Upon this report I again immediately sent Key to Burnside, with orders to advance at once, if possible, to flank the battery or storm it, repeating that if he considered the movement impracticable to inform me so, that his troops might be recalled. The advance was then gallantly resumed, the enemy driven from their guns, the heights handsomely carried, and a portion of the troops even reached the outskirts of Sharpsburg.
"By this time it was nearly dark, and strong reinforcements just then reaching the enemy from Harper's Ferry, attacked Burnside's troops on the left flank and forced them to retire to a lower range of hills nearer the bridge.
"If this important movement had been consummated two hours earlier a position would have been secured upon the heights, from which our batteries might have enfiladed the greater part of the enemy's line and turned their right and rear. Our victory might then have been much more decisive."
Extracts from Burnside's report, page 419 :
" At this time (morning of 17th) Rodman's division with Scammon's brigade in support was opposite the ford some three-quarters of a mile below the bridge. * * * *
" The battery of Dahlgren boat howitzers attached to the 9th New York covered the crossing of Rodman's division at the ford. At ten o'clock I received an order from the commanding general to make the attack. * * * Rodman was directed to cross over at the ford below the bridge and join on to the left of the command, which was to be thrown over the bridge. From General Cook's position it was found to be almost impossible to carry the bridge, and General Sturgis was ordered to make a detail from his division for that purpose.
"He sent forward the ad Maryland and 6th New Hampshire, which regiments made several successive attacks in the most gallant style, but were driven back by the galling fire of the enemy.
" I then directed the batteries on the left to concentrate their fire on the woods above the bridge, and sent Sturgis word to detail the 51st
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Pennsylvania and 51st New York to assault the bridge and carry it at all hazards.
"In the meantime Colonel Crook had brought a section of his battery to bear upon the heights just above the bridge. Sturgis, by a judi- cious posting of these two regiments in rear of a spur which fronted the bridge, succeeded in protecting them from the enemy's fire until they reached the crest of the spur, at which point they commenced their charge and carried the bridge at the point of the bayonet about one o'clock, the whole division following immediately. * * *
" Rodman's division succeeded in crossing the fords below, after a sharp fight of musketry and artillery, and joined on to the left of Sturgis." * *
"The dispositions being completed, about three o'clock in accord- ance with instructions received from the general commanding, I directed Cox to move forward with the whole command, except Sturgis' division left in reserve. * * * Rodman succeeded in carrying the main heights on the left of the town, one of his regi- ments (the 9th New York) capturing one of the most formidable of the enemy's batteries (McIntosh's); but at this juncture the enemy was largely reinforced by A. P. Hill's light division, which had just arrived from Harper's Ferry. During the attack Rodman was forced to bear more to the left than was intended when the advance was ordered, and Cox was forced to move him more to the right with a view to strength- ening the line, during which movement Rodman was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his command to the assault. At this time Colonel Harland's brigade was driven back leaving the battery which they had captured. * * *
"It was now nearly sundown and I ordered Sturgis' division forward in support and they held the enemy at bay, fighting him at close quarters until long after dark. The enemy being strongly reinforced. and as we could not be, the command was ordered to fall back to the crests above the bridge."
General Cox in his report, page 426, says: "Rodman fell desperately wounded by a ball through his breast. The loss of their com- mander at this critical period caused confusion in a portion of the division on the extreme left."
Kimball's report to his brigade commander says: "At daylight on the morning of the
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LT. COLONEL KIMBALL'S REPORT.
17th, six of the rebel guns commenced shell- ing us with such effect as to compel us to change our position. The Ninth lost here in wounded twelve men. After changing our position still further to the left, I directed, in accordance with orders from the General com- manding the battery, Company K, Captain Whiting, to open fire on the enemy's battery across the creek, which he did, soon silencing it. Immediately after this we were ordered to ford the creek and form in line of battle on the bluff opposite, directly in front of the enemy, which order was promptly executed, pushing his entire line of skirmishers back from the creek, and compelling him to retire to his main force on his left, we proceeding by the right flank along the bluff of the creek for about three-fourths of a mile to the brow of a hill, till within about eight hundred yards of the enemy's main body of artillery and infantry.
"Here we halted for rest, when the rebel bat- teries opened an unmerciful fire of shot and shell upon us, killing and wounding a number of my regiment. We were soon ordered to advance, which was promptly done, the differ- ent battalions moving in line of battle, and dressing on their colors with as much coolness and accuracy as though upon the drill ground instead of the battlefield.
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"After proceeding about two hundred yards you ordered the charge to be made, when we rushed forward with a wild huzzah, peculiar to the Zouaves, and immediately received the fire of thousands of the enemy's fresh troops, con- sisting of infantry and artillery, which had been brought forward to meet us. At this time the gallant Cooper fell. A shell fell in my lines, killing eight men at one explosion, and a round shot took off private Conway's head. While the infantry fire was like hail around and among us, producing the most dreadful car- nage, not a man who was not wounded, wavered or faltered, but all pressed on with charged bayonets to the top of the hill, and drove the enemy from his position. At this time our color-bearers and guard had all been shot down, when Captain Libaire of Company E, seized one, and Captain Leahy of Company I, the other of our standards and advanced them to the wall near the road, when the rout of the enemy at this point became complete. After crossing the road and ravine the enemy promptly rallied and attempted to turn upon us by a flank movement on our left, but were pre- vented by the 89th New York, under command of Major Jardine of the Ninth, who gave them the bayonet, and captured their colors, which proved to be those of a South Carolina regi-
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LT. COLONEL KIMBALL'S REPORT.
ment, and completing the victory at this point. After resting here for a short time and finding the enemy massing fresh troops in large force on our left, we were ordered to retire and take position about four hundred yards in the rear of the position we then occupied, which change was executed in good order and without con- fusion. After remaining in this position for a short time we were positively ordered to with- draw from the greater part of the field we had won.
"The men retired in good order at a slow step, and with tears in their eyes at the necessity which compelled them to leave the field they had so dearly won and bivouacked for the night. Thus ended one of the hardest battles ever fought on this continent. While all behaved so gallantly it would be invidious to mention one as distinguished above another.
Captain Libaire, Company E (color company) did splendid service, and seized and carried the colors when the sergeant bearing them was shot down.
"Captain Childs, Company G, wounded by a shell early in the morning, was prevented from taking further part in the action of the day. Captain Leahy, Company I, acted in the most gallant manner, seizing and advancing to the foremost front one of our standards when the
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regular bearer thereof was killed. Lieutenants Bartholomew, Burdett, McKechnie, Klingsoehr and Powell, all performed their duty in the most gallant manner, and to my entire satis- faction.
"Lieutenant Graham, commanding Company A (Captain Graham being sick in hospital) was wounded, and since has had his leg amputated, behaved in a most admirable manner. Lieu- tenant Horner, acting adjutant (Adjutant Bar- nett being sick), behaved splendidly and
performed every duty in the coolest manner and to my entire satisfaction. Captain Whiting and Lieutenant Morris, of battery Company K. although not under my immediate notice, being detailed on artillery service in another part of the field, I learned behaved well, Lieutenant Morris making some excellent shots with his rifled guns, and silencing one of the enemy's batteries. The thanks of the entire regiment are due to Surgeon Humphreys and Assistant- Surgeon Harding, who were indefatigable in their attentions to the wounded.
"We have to lament the death of 2d Lieut. E. C. Cooper, who was wounded just as we entered the charge, who thought his wounds slight and refused to be carried from the field. He was a good officer, a brave and gallant soldier, and much beloved, and his loss is deeply regretted by the regiment.
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LT. COLONEL KIMBALL'S REPORT.
" I cannot close this report without calling your special attention to the Quartermaster- Sergeant Pannes (slightly wounded), Sergeants Dews, Whitney (wounded), and Schmidt; Cor- porals Farrell (wounded) Cornell and Roberts, Company B; Sergeants Forbes, Salisbury and Corporal Vanduzer (all wounded) Company A; Sergeants Geayer, Stiles, Corporals Fields and Stephens (all wounded) Company C; Ser- geants Fitsgerald and Scaring, Company D; Smith, Hankinson, Jackson and Keating (the latter both wounded) Company E; Riley, River, Connor (wounded) Company I; Color- Sergeant Myers (wounded) Company C; and Color-Corporal Van Cott, Company A.
"I would also call your special attention to Bugler Horn, who, until wounded, sounded the various commands with as much coolness and nonchalance as though on a parade-ground instead of a battle-ground.
" The Pioneer Corps under Corporal Van Duzer behaved well, indeed.
"There are many non-commissioned offi- cers and privates to whose names I would be pleased to individually call attention, did space permit, but suffice it to say that all behaved gallantly and are entitled to credit for good conduct on the field. In conclusion, my thanks are due to the 89th New York,
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Major Jardine, and the 103d New York, Major Ringgold, for the efficient and united support rendered us during the entire engagement. It is proper to add that on the 19th, I made a de- tail from my regiment under Lieutenant Pow- ell, who buried our entire dead and marked the bodies for identification.
" Thanking you in behalf of my regiment for the gallantry and coolness with which you com- manded us, and the confidence with which you led us."
E. A. KIMBALL, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 9th New York Volunteers.
To COL. H. I. FAIRCHILD,
Commanding Ist Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Army Corps.
" The report of Col. H. I. Fairchild, com- manding Ist Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Army Corps, page 449, says :
"Saturday morning, September 13th, Gen- eral Rodman ordered the 9th New York, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball, to support Colonel Rush's regiment of lancers on the road from Frederick to Jefferson, and sub- sequently the battery company of the Ninth, together with the 89th and 103d New York, were ordered by General Parke, Chief of Staff, as additional support to the regiment, and on
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COLONEL FAIRCHILD'S REPORT.
our arrival we found the lancers and Ninth had a skirmish about five miles from Frederick.
"The enemy was reported in front with artill- ery and cavalry, and Company B of the Ninth was sent forward to reconnoitre on the left, and reported the enemy having left the position they occupied the previous night with three guns and a small cavalry force and the road clear.
"Companies C and H, Captain Parisen and Lieutenant McKechnie, were sent to the right in the woods and discovered, engaged and drove the enemy's pickets across the fields toward Middletown, the lancers and remainder of the 9th advancing toward Jefferson. With the rest of the brigade I took position on the hill one and one-half miles this side of Jefferson forming line of battle, and at sunset received an order from General Reno to return with the brigade to Frederick, where we arrived at 7 o'clock P.M., and received orders to march the next morning (Sunday) at 3 A.M. Reaching Middletown the next day at 10 A.M., we bivou- acked a few hours, then moved to South Mountain Gap, and were ordered to the left to form line of battle on Cox's division and sup- port Battery E, 4th U. S. Artillery.
" While forming line of battle we were at- tacked on the left by the 2d, 3d, 13th and 30th
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North Carolina regiments, their object being to capture the battery which had been sometime in position without support.
" The 9th and 103d New York were in line of battle ready for action. The 89th New York got in line and opened fire (being the only regiment engaged) with Battery E, 4th Artill- ery ; the enemy were repulsed, the left saved from being turned, and the battery from being taken. Our loss was 2 killed, 18 wounded. We captured 18 prisoners and 150 stand of small arms, holding our position during the night, the enemy retreating. On the afternoon of the 15th we marched till late at night, en- camping a little beyond Mt. Carmel. We were again ordered forward in the afternoon of the 16th, taking position on a hill in a cornfield on the eastern shore of Antietam Creek, being the extreme left of line. Placing two guns of the 9th battery in position on our left flank we slept on our arms.
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