USA > Ohio > Concise history of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry : from the date of organization to the end of the rebellion ; with a complete roster of each company, from date of muster ; battles and skirmishes participated in, lists of the killed, wounded and missing, and other incidents of the camp and field > Part 8
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
The One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment was with its Brigade through the entire action, bearing the full brunt of the terrible conflict. It took part in two severe charges on the enemy, driving him each time. These assaults were made in the face of a terrible fire of artillery and mus-
96
EVENTS OF 1864.
ketry. The very earth trembled with the fearful explo- sions and reverberations of the enemy's guns. Its loss was very severe. The strength of the Regiment engaged was eleven officers and two hundred and seventy enlisted men. Its loss was three officers and nine enlisted men killed, three officers and thirty-seven enlisted men wounded, and two men missing. Col. A. W. Ebright was instantly killed early in the action. Capt. Thos. J. Hyatt and Lieut. Rufus Ricksecker were also slain. The Regiment with its Corps encamped that night one mile south of Winchester. On the twentieth of September, the Regiment was with the army in pursuit of Early; passed Newtown and Middletown, crossed Cedar creek, and overtook the enemy in a strongly fortified position at Fisher's Hill, one and one half miles south of Strasburg. Skirmishing ensued in front.
BATTLE OF FLINT HILL.
On the twenty-first of September, the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps, the Sixth on the right, advanced to the front of Early's position. At nightfall, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment was ordered forward to drive the enemy from the crest of a hill in front; afterwards the Sixth Maryland was sent to its support. After a brisk fight, the two regiments, in the face of a murderous fire, charged and took the heights, thereby gain- ing an important position, which the Division occupied and for- tified that night. Col. Keifer, in command of the Brigade in the battles of Opequan and Fisher's Hill, mentions that Capt. Hoge, who was in command of the Regiment, "displayed great gallantry, skill and energy in the discharge of his important duties." In this fight the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment lost four men killed, and seventeen men wounded.
BATTLE OF FISHER'S HILL.
At daylight on the morning of the twenty-second of Septem- ber, the Eighth Corps, under concealment of the dense forest, marched to and massed in the timber near North Mountain, to
97
EVENTS OF 1864.
be used as a turning column. The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps confronted the enemy's position, the Sixth Corps being on the right, flanked by Averill's Cavalry. The enemy occupied a strong fortified position on Fisher Hill, with his left resting on North Mountain. Gen. Torbert, with two Division of Cavalry, was sent by way of Luray valley to cut off Early's retreat. At twelve o'clock Ricketts' Division with Averill's Cavalry on its right, was placed opposite the enemy's left center, and advanced driving the enemy from the crests of two hills, where the Division took position in line of battle. Brisk skirmishing continued during the afternoon. Later, the skirmishers in front of Rick- etts' Division pushed forward within six hundred yards of the enemy's batteries and silenced their guns by picking off the gunners. The enemy mistaking Ricketts' Division to be a turning column, made dispositions to resist it, while Crook moved on the side of Little North Mountain, and without being observed by the enemy, and at four o'clock P. M. struck the en- emy's left and rear so suddenly that his lines gave way. At the same time a heavy artillery fire was opened on the enemy's works. Soon after, Ricketts' Division charged the works, capturing many prisoners and four guns and dispersing the in- fantry in all directions. At about the same time the whole line advanced and charged the enemy's works. The Eighth Corps and Ricketts' Division of the Sixth Corps, being fully upon the enemy's flank and rear, with wild and victorious shouts, pushed forward from his left to his extreme right, and so on the balance of the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps, taking all the artillery in position and thousands of prisoners and making the rout of the enemy complete. The One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regi- ment was with its Division through the entire engagement, and did its utmost to accomplish the great victory. Its loss was, six enlisted men killed, and one officer and twenty-five men wounded.
O. A. Ashbrook, of Company I, with three other men, rushed in advance of the line and captured Capt. Ashley and twenty- one men. On the night of the twenty-second of September, the
7
EVENTS OF 1864.
Regimeut was with the army in pursuit of the retreating enemy ; marched twelve miles and halted at Woodstock. On the twenty- third the pursuit was continued, passing Edenburg. On the twenty-fourth continued the pursuit for eighteen miles, passing Mt. Jackson and New Market; overtook the enemy at New Market and skirmishing ensued. The enemy declined to bring on an engagement, and rapidly retreated in line of battle. En- camped that night six miles south of New Market. On the twenty-fifth of September, the march was continued to Harrison- burg, where the pursuit ended.
CAPT. HOGE'S OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLES OF OPEQUAN AND FISHER'S HILL.
HEADQUARTERS 126TH REGIMENT, O. V. I., 2ND BRIG. 3RD DIV., 6TH A. C., IN THE FIELD, SEPTEMBER 26TH, 1864.
LIEUT. JNO. A. GUMP, A. A. A. Gen'l .:
2nd Brig. 3rd Div. 6th A. C.
Sir :- In compliance with directions of this date, from the Headquarters of the Brigade, I have respectfully to report the operations of my command, at the late engagements at Opequan and Fisher's Hill, as follows, to-wit :
The Regiment entered into the battle of the nineteenth inst., forming the extreme left of the first line of battle of the Brigade. It advanced with the line over the open fields, charging upon that part of the enemy's liue in the ravine a few rods east of house, driving it in much confusion and taking many prisoners. The advance was continued to a point a few rods beyond the house (the left of the Regiment passing just to the right of it), when the line halted; after which it continued in the line, and participated in the final and victorious advance in the evening.
Lieut. Col. A. W. Ebright, in the early part of the action, soon after the Rebel line was broken, fell, killed by a musket ball piercing his breast, while gallantly leading his Regiment.
99
EVENTS OF 1864.
Also Capt. T. J. Hyatt, ever conspicuous for his valor on the field, and Lieut. Rufus Rickseeker, bravely leading his company in his first battle, were killed near where the Colonel fell. The strength of the Regiment engaged was eleven officers and about two hundred and seventy enlisted men (thirty of whom were skirmishers). The loss, three officers and nine enlisted men killed, and three officers and thirty-seven enlisted men wounded, and two men missing.
On the twenty-first inst., in the vicinity of Fisher's Hill, in the movement of the Corps toward the right, under an order from the Colonel commanding the Brigade, I moved the Regi- ment rapidly forward to aid our skirmishers to drive back those of the enemy, who were strongly posted behind rail defenses. On advancing through a wood, the right of the line was suddenly met by a galling fire from the front and right, when a portion of the men (many of them inexperienced soldiers) commenced firing, upon which the line halted. The right of the line resting on open ground, being much exposed and suffering terribly, without the ability to inflict much loss on the enemy, temporarily gave way, but were soon rallied a short distance to the rear, and soon after other troops coming up and extending the line to the right, we advanced and the enemy was driven from his position. The loss in this affair was four enlisted men killed and seventeen wounded.
On the twenty-second inst., the Regiment formed the extreme left of the line of battle of the Brigade, in the advance of the Division to the position it occupied near the enemy's works, at the time his left was turned. Soon after the attack by Gen. Crook's command was begun, that portion of the enemy in our front, having commenced moving to the relief of that portion of his forces engaged; to prevent the object, I took forward a part of the Regiment, by order of the Colonel commanding the Brigade, and made a feint of charging his works. This feint had the desired effect, for the Rebels were soon seen hurriedly returning, some into their works, but more rushing panic stricken
100
EVENTS OF 1864.
to the rear. Soon after, the Regiment moved forward in the grand charge made by the Division, and did its part in winning the glorious victory of that day. The loss was, one officer slightly wounded, and two enlisted men killed, and eight wounded.
In these actions the officers and men behaved well, and the drafted men, some fifty of whom had joined the Regiment as late as the second inst., vied with the old soldiers in deeds of valor, and deserve great credit for the manner in which they acquitted themselves. The command of the Regiment devolved upon me on the death of Col. Ebright.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. W. HOGE,
Captain Commanding Regiment.
On the twenty-ninth of September, the Regiment with the Sixth Corps was sent to Mt. Crawford to support a cavalry movement, and returned to Harrisonburg on the following day. On the sixth of October, Gen. Sheridan began a movement of his army down the valley to Strasburg, where he arrived on the eighth. On the sixth the Regiment marched via New Market to Mt. Jackson, a distance of twenty-four miles. On the seventh it marched seventeen miles, passing Edenburg, and encamped at night near Woodstock. On the eighth it marched twelve miles, stopping at Strasburg. On the tenth of October, the Sixth Corps was detached and sent to near Front Royal; the Regiment marched that day through Middletown and Newtown, and camped at Front Royal: made seventeen miles. On the thir- teenth of October, the Regiment with the Sixth Corps started on a march via Ashby's Gap to Alexandria-destination Petersburg. It halted at night at White Post; at this place the Sixth Corps received orders to return to Sheridan's army. On the fourteenth of October it took up the line of march, passing through Mid- dletown and halting at Cedar Creek, where it went into camp; distance marched, twenty miles. The enemy were now in full force on Fisher's Hill.
101
EVENTS OF 1864.
BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.
The Army of the Shenandoah was now strongly posted on the east side of Cedar creek, having no expectation of an attack. Crook's Corps held the left, the Nineteenth Corps the center, and Wright's Corps the right; each flank being protected by cavalry. Soon after midnight of October nineteenth, Early's army left its position at Fisher's Hill and moved noiselessly to- ward the Union line. The Divisions of Gordon, Ramseur and Pegramı crept softly toward the National left, while the Divisions of Kershaw and Wharton moved toward the National right. The Confederates, concealed by a dense fog that arose before dawn, reached their appointed places without being discovered, while the Union army slumbered, all unconscious of the near ap- proach of the enemy. At early morning twilight, the order to attack was given, and the rattle of musketry on right, left and rear, and the ringing battle shout summoned the Nationals from repose to arms. Crook's Corps, holding the left, was struck on the flank and rear so suddenly, that no time was given to form his lines, and in fifteen minutes his Corps was broken into frag- ments and sent flying back in wild disorder on the other Corps. Emory, in command of the Nineteenth Corps, vainly tried to stop the fugitives and to prevent his own lines from breaking ; assailed on all sides, he too was compelled to give way and leave several guns behind; these, with Crook's lost pieces, eighteen in all, were turned upon the fugitives with fearful effect. At the same time Kershaw and Wharton were fearfully pressing the National right, held by the Sixth Corps, which yet maintained the lines in good order. Gen. Wright, in temporary command of the army, perceiving the peril that now threatened the whole army, ordered a retreat, which the Sixth Corps, yet in good order, covered with great skill.
The whole army fell back about one and one half miles from its camp and was reformed in the rear of Middletown. At this place the Confederates had stopped to plunder, and eat and rest,
102
EVENTS OF 1864.
after sixteen hours of hard service, and during this lull in the pursuit, Wright had time to reform his lines. It was now about ten o'clock, and the Nationals had lost since daylight, twelve hundred men made prisoners, a large number killed and wounded, and twenty-four pieces of artillery. At this critical moment, Gen. Sheridan appeared on the field. He had been absent at Washington, leaving Gen. Wright in command. He had stopped over night at Winchester, and starting out in the morning on his return, had not proceeded far when he met the van of the fugitives, who told the disaster that had befallen the army. Putting his horse at a swinging gallop, he rode at that pace, twelve miles, to the front. The fugitives became thicker, but he did not stop to chide or coax, but shouted to them to face the other way. The tide of disordered troops was turned and drawn after the young General by an irresistible influence. On reach- ing the front he at once formed the lines for an attack, on the line occupied by the Sixth Corps, placing the Nineteenth Corps on its right and the Eighth Corps on its left. Temporary breastworks were hurriedly thrown up. At one o'clock an at- tack was made by the enemy, which fell principally on the Nineteenth Corps and was repulsed. This success greatly in- spirited the whole army. At four o'clock the whole line ad- vanced and a general and severe struggle ensued. The enemy was forced back and took up a new position, when a severe mus- ketry and artillery fire was kept up for about three-quarters of an hour. A general charge was then made by the Union line, the cavalry at the same time charging down each flank of the Con- federate line. The enemy was driven in confusion to and across Cedar creek. His columns were completely demoralized, and in the flight Early was compelled to leave behind his guns and trains. So ended the battle of Cedar creek. The Union loss being five hundred and forty-four killed and three thousand two hundred and eighty-six wounded.
Gen. Ricketts was wounded about seven A. M. through the right shoulder and chest, and did not return to the command of
103
EVENTS OF 1864.
the Division during the service. The One Hundred and Twenty- Sixth Regiment was with its Division through the entire engage- ment, and did its full share to achieve the glorious victory which followed. Its loss was, four enlisted men killed, one officer and fourteen enlisted men wounded, and four enlisted men missing.
CAPT. HOGE'S OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.
HEADQUARTERS 126TH REGIMENT O. V. I. 2ND BRIG. 3RD DIV. 6TH A. C., CEDAR CREEK, VA., NOVEMBER 3RD, 1864.
CAPT. J. J. BRADSHAW, A. A. A Gen'l,
Headquarters 2nd Brig., 3rd Div., 6th A. C .:
Captain :- In obedience to instructions received from head- quarters of the Brigade, I have the honor to submit the follow- ing report, of the part taken by this Regiment in the engagement of October nineteenth, at this place.
At about daylight, the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps having been attacked by the enemy, the Regiment, less two commissioned officers and one hundred men then on picket duty, was ordered under arms at once, and after some manuœvering in changing and rechanging, the line was ordered to advance; under this order, we crossed the creek near our present camp, and having advanced but a few yards beyond it, were ordered to fall back to the crest we had previously occupied. In this crossing and re- crossing the stream, the Regiment was thrown into considerable confusion and order could not be restored until after passing the crest in our rear. Here the Regiment engaged the advancing columns of the enemy, whose progress was sensibly checked at this point, until the gradual falling back of our line to the point where a permanent stand was made by the Corps. From this place the Regiment moved with the Brigade and Division to the left and into the woods, resting about an hour, then moved in line of battle to the rear a short distance, then to the left and again to the front. Having advanced in line a short distance, a
104
EVENTS OF 1864.
line was established and strengthened by logs, rails, &c., behind which we lay until about half past three o'clock, when the line was ordered to advance upon the enemy. In this advance, the Regiment formed the extreme right of the Brigade, and was in- creased in strength by the officers and about twenty of the picket guard.
After considerable resistance, the enemy suddenly and unac- countably gave way and retreated precipitately and in confusion over the ground they had gained by our temporary reverse, and were followed by our line in as quick time as possible to the works occupied by the Eighth Corps in the morning. It being now dark, we returned to the position we occupied at the com- mencement of the battle, and having collected the dead and wounded friend and foe in our vicinity, went quietly into camp.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. HOGE, Captain Commanding Regiment.
On the twenty-ninth of October, Brig. Gen. T. Seymour (captured May sixth, in battle of the Wilderness and exchanged) assumed command of our Division (the Third Division, Sixth Corps), which had been in command of Col. Keifer since Gen. Ricketts was wounded. Col. Keifer now returned to the com- mand of the Second Brigade.
On the eighth of November, the Regiment held an election for President. It polled two hundred and forty-eight votes. Repub- lican candidates, A. Lincoln, President, Andrew Johnson, Vice President, received one hundred and sixty-one votes. Demo- cratic candidates, Gen. George B. McClellan, President, and George H. Pendleton, Vice President, received eighty-seven votes.
The Regiment continued to occupy the camp until November ninth, when it moved via Middletown and Newtown to Kerns- town, Virginia, ten miles distant. The Regiment with its Brig- ade occupied a position on the extreme right of the infantry. It built winter quarters and threw up forts and earthworks. On
105
EVENTS OF 1864.
the twelfth of November the enemy made a faint attack. Skir- mishing and artillery firing ensued, the Regiment being under the fire of the enemy's artillery. On the night of the twelfth the enemy hastily retired to near Harrisonburg. The campaign in the Shenandoah Valley was now practically ended, and the Sixth Corps was soon after sent to Petersburg.
During the Valley campaign from August tenth to November sixteenth, the Army of the Shenandoah, under orders from Gen. Sheridan, "destroyed from the enemy " seventy-one flour mills, twelve hundred barns, four hundred and thirty-five thousand eight hundred and two bushels of wheat, twenty thousand bushels of oats, seventy-seven thousand one hundred and seventy-six bushels of corn, eight hundred and seventy-four barrels of flour, twenty thousand three hundred and ninety-seven tons of hay, ten thousand nine hundred and eighteen beef cattle, twelve thou- sand sheep, fifteen thousand swine, twelve thousand pounds of bacon and ham, nine hundred and forty-seven miles of rail fence, two thousand five hundred bushels of potatoes, three thousand seven hundred and seventy-two horses, and five hundred and forty-five mules. These figures are taken from Gen. Sheridan's reports of the valley campaign. He also says that this destruc- tion was for the purpose of rendering the valley "untenable for the raiding parties of the Rebel army."
CHAPTER IX.
Return to Petersburg-Rejoin Potomac Army-Siege of Petersburg-Battles of March 25th, 1865, and April 2nd, 1865-Fall of Richmond and Petersburg-Pursuit of Lee's Army-Detached to Guard Prisoners to City Point-Return to the Army at Burksville-Surrender of Lee's Army.
On the third of December, 1864, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment with its Corps, under orders to return to Petersburg, marched via Winchester to Stevenson's Depot, where it took the cars and went by rail via Harper's Ferry to Wash- ington City, where it arrived on the morning of the fourth. The Corps embarked on transports, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment taking the vessel named "Gen. Sedg- wick," and at twelve o'clock M. of December fourth, sailed via Potomac and James rivers to City Point, where it arrived at twelve o'clock M. of December fifth. On the seventh, the Reg- iment with the Sixth Corps proceeded by rail from City Point to the front line of battle before Petersburg, where it relieved troops of the Fifth Corps, and went into camp in the rear of the earthworks a short distance to the left of the Weldon railroad. A volume could be written on the doings of the Regiment in front of Petersburg, they were so full of incidents. On the ninth of December, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regi- ment with other troops went on an expedition to Hutcher's Run, where they arrived near midnight and bivouacked till morning. On the tenth the troops were formed in line of battle in support of a cavalry engagement, being under the sound of musketry and cannonading all day. On the tenth of December, the Reg- iment returned to its camp, and went into winter quarters, where it remained nearly two months. Mails were now received regu- larly. The receipt of mail was always a festive occasion.
The camp was enlivened with the music of bands, of which there were a large number in the Army of the Potomac. Some
107
EVENTS OF 1865.
were splendid performers. The One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment had its own band. They became very proficient. In the camp, on the march, and even on the battle field, these bands did good service.
During the winter, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Reg- iment performed heavy garrison and picket duty. It was pro- tected by a strong line of works, the enemy being in its front, also protected by a strong line of fortifications. The whole National line was nearly forty miles in length and extended from Hatcher's Run across the James to the region of the Chickahominy. It was protected by skillfully constructed lines of redans, redoubts, infantry parapets and forts, with outer defences of abatis stakes and chevaux-de-frise. These works were form- idable and continuous along the whole line. The enemy's line confronted the whole length of the National line, and extended from the Appomattox on the right, around the eastern side of Petersburg, and on to and across the James to the northeastern side of Richmond. It was fortified by equally formidable works, and defied the assaults of the National Army during a siege of nearly ten months.
While occupying this position, the picket line in front of the Regiment was attacked on the night of December thirtieth and driven back on the main line. The One Hundred and Twenty- Sixth Regiment with other troops was hastily formed in line in rear of the works and remained under arms till morning, and was under the fire of the enemy. After brisk skirmishing the enemy was repulsed.
EVENTS OF 1865.
On the ninth of February, 1865, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment with its Division again moved to the left and relieved troops of the Fifth Corps, near Squirrel Level Road, where it went into camp in the rear of strong earthworks. The One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment occupied a posi- tion in the rear of Fort Welch. At this place the Regiment
108
EVENTS OF 1865.
again built winter quarters and performed heavy garrison and picket duty. From this time forward, one tenth of all the troops were kept in the forts and trenches day and night. The camp and quarters were in easy musket range of the enemy's outer line of works and in full view of his camp. Beyond the enemy's works his trains were visible on the South Side Railroad. In front of Fort Welch, the picket lines of the hostile armies were within one hundred yards of each other, each being protected by works. The One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment was de- tailed to go out on picket about once every week in front of Fort Welch. During day time picket firing seldom occurred before March twenty-fifth, but after nightfall skirmishing often occurred. During daylight picket firing would often cease for hours. At such times, the soldiers in both pits would end the war, despite the commands of officers, the Rebels would rise up as one in their works extend their arms and move out half way, our boys would do the same, and for twenty minutes or more a social time of peace would prevail; an exchange of papers, to- bacco, knives, and opinions would take place; then, as if by in- stinct, all would return to their posts, when perhaps firing would be at once resumed. The pickets of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment often mingled with the enemy's pickets in procuring fuel between the hostile lines.
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.