History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 90

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 90

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The battery left Marietta for Wheeling .. West Virginia, in October, 1861. The of- ficers: Frank Buell, captain ; Dennis O'Leary, junior first lieutenant : Wallace Hill, senior first lieutenant : John P. Theis, junior second lieutenant: William W. Witherow. second lieutenant.

The battery remained in Wheeling until cidered to Point Pleasant. West Virginia, for recruiting purposes, and from there to Charle- ton, West Virginia, where it remained until early in the spring of 1862, when it was or- dlered back to Wheeling and was mustered into the service of the United States, March 30, 1862. Here the injustice was done the

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

battery of not dating the muster back to the date of enlistment, it having been in the ser- vice seven months.

These seven months had not been idly spent. Although not fully mounted, the bat- tery had thorough and continued drill and practice in firing, with study of the tactics, so that when at this time they were fully equipped they were by no means raw recruits.

The battery was supplied with six 10- pounder Parrott guns. After the effective work done with these guns at Cross Keys, Bull Run, Gettysburg, and elsewhere, it would be hard to convince any member of this battery that it was not the most accurate shooting gun in the service.

General Fremont having taken command of the mountain department, the battery served under him during his campaign in West Vir- ginia in the summer of 1862.

Leaving Wheeling in May for New Creek. West Virginia, they immediately proceeded to reinforce Milroy and Schenck, who were hard pressed by "Stonewall" Jackson on the upper south branch of the 'Potomac. Here they were assigned to Stahl's brigade, of Blenck- er's division. Arriving at Franklin, in Pen- (lleton County, they found Generals Schenck and Milroy had fought Jackson at Bull Pasture Mountain, but had been compelled to fall back to Franklin.

In the meantime Jackson, instead of re- maining in front, as it was supposed he would. had gone over the mountains into the Shenan- ‹loah Valley, and had driven General Banks out. In order to intercept Jackson, Fremont fell back from Franklin to Moorefield and crossed the mountains into the Shenandoah Valley and struck Jackson's army on his re- treat at Strasburg. Jackson sent out a force and held Fremont in check near Strasburg. where he had quite a skirmish, while his army passed up the valley. The next day Fremont started in pursuit, and the battery was as- signed to the cavalry advance, and the Eighth West Virginia Infantry and the Sixtieth Ohio Infantry under Colonel Cluseret-the infantry was called the Cluseret light brigade. This

colonel, afterward General Cluseret, was sub- sequently in the war of the French commune.

TOM BROOK.

At Tom Brook, some few miles above Strasburg, the battery came up with the ene- my's rear and forced him to give battle. Here, for the first time, the battery met the foe, June 2, 1862, Unfortunately two of the guns were temporarily disabled by losing the wheels while galloping into action, caused by the linch-pins bouncing out. This defect was afterward remedied throughout the army by using a pin with a clamp. The right and left sections, however, went into position under fire, which proved to be inaccurate, and when the center section came up the chief of artill- ery, Colonel Pilsen, moved it to a position to the right and front some 300 yards. The ground being very uneven, the progress was slow, which was trying to new troops going into their first engagement under fire, but every man stood to his post like a veteran, and all of them were complimented by the chief of artillery for coolness and accuracy of firing, which, all things considered, was admirable. The enemy was compelled to retreat.

The next day, at Woodstock, they met the enemy, and the next at Mount Jackson, where "Stonewall" Jackson, to delay the Union pur- suit, burned the bridge over the Shenandoah. The river was very high and swift, which rendered fording impossible, and the current was too strong to admit of laying pontoons. They were compelled to wait till the water re- ceded. The next morning was rather hazy. They were aroused very early by the "long roll" and the cavalry and artillery buglers call- ing to "boots and staddles." Orders were given to hitch up as quickly as possible, as the enemy had flanked us on the left. The river, some distance below the bridge, makes an abrupt turn, and the sentries had discovered, through the fog. as they thought, a six-gun battery. which would enfilade their position and would open on them as soon as the fog lifted. Dur- Ting the bustle and confusion of a change of

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front the fog cleared away and disclosed six beautiful piles of rails, at about the usual inter- val of a battery of field guns in position. After great delay in laying the pontoon bridge, which was a clumsy affair. the battery again started in pursuit, this time bringing the ene- my to bay a short distance above Harrison- burg, where he had left the main turnpike and started on a cross-road to the left, where he was vigorously attacked by the light brigade and the Pennsylvania "Buck Tails." The deadly aim of the latter punished the Rebels severely. Among their slain was the notori- ous General Ashby, Jackson's chief of cavalry. General Fremont, not wishing to bring on a general engagement, the enemy were not pushed, but were allowed to retire unmolested.

CROSS KEYS.

The following morning the army of Gen- eral Fremont moved out and found the enemy in position at Cross Keys, eight iniles from Harrisonburg, and about nine from Port Re- public. Stahl's brigade, including the battery, held the left, Milroy the right, and Cluseret the center. The battle had continued about four hours when Jackson massed on the left and swept Stahl's infantry from the field, driv- ing all of the line to the left of the battery back to the rear, and leaving the battery in a very exposed position. Captain Buell hesi- tated to leave the field, and did not attempt to retire until the general in person ordered him to do so, as they were about to be sur- rounded and cut off. Finally the order was given to "limber to the rear." In doing so, they were compelled to pass to the left and rear through a wood, 'on the other side of which were the victorious "Johnnies," com- ing up to capture a lone, unsupported battery, as they doubtless imagined, but they were badly mistaken. for there was the "Buck Tail" bat- talion, who deployed among the trees between the battery and the Rebels, who, as soon as they saw the deer tails on their caps, fell back and allowed the battery to retire unmolested. Captain Buell. not wishing to desert his

friends who had so bravely defended him, un- limbered the left section in the woods, deter- mined to stand by the "Buck Fails." Al- though in a military sense this movement would have been considered highly imprudent, yet it showed the indomitable courage of the man. On coming out of these woods the bal- ance of the brigade, mistaking our battery for the enemy, opened fire doing perhaps better firing than they ever did before, killing one of the battery horses. It was by force that a demoralized infantry color-bearer was induced to advance with his colors, when the firing was stopped. This ended the battle. Stahl's bri- gade lost about 500, while the troops to the right suffered but little loss and held their po- sition.

At the request of Jackson, an armistice was granted to bury the dead, and in the night he folded his tents, and, Arab-like, stole away.

The next morning the army was to move to the attack at 5 A. M., the battery in col- umins of sections, the infantry in columns of divisions, with a strong skirmish line in front ready to deploy instantly into line of battle. The signal to move was to be two cannon shots in succession. For some reason this signal was not given until 9 A. M., or later, when we could distinctly hear fighting at Port Republic, where Carroll, with his brigade, was holding the bridge against Jackson's whole army. They moved on to Port Republic, ar- riving in time to see the rear of the Rebel Army passing over the Blue Ridge Mountains miles away.

The battery then fell back to Harrison- burg, thence to Moorefield. thence crossed over the Blue Ridge, at Thornton's Gap, and joined Pope's army at Sperryville.

The following is from an account by Will- iam Jenvey :

BATTLE OF FREEMAN'S FORD.

One evening at dark an orderly dashed up with orders to fall back to Culpeper without delay : then came one of the most trying campaigns we ever ex- perienced. We marched eleven days and nights, and never took the harness off our backs, and the only time we could get to cook would be when our ad- vance would encounter the enemy, causing a check,

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or when we were guarding some ford while the in- fantry were passing. It was a terrible experience. At length the enemy were discovered strongly posted at Freeman's Ford.

Johnson's. De Beck's, Dickman's, and a portion of Weidrick's batteries had tried in vain to dislodge them. when we were ordered up with our long range Parrotts. This was August 22. 1866. I shall never forget the last order Captain Buell ever gave me. I was then his color-bearer. As soon as he received orders to go into position he turned with sparkling eye to me and exclaimed :

"Show your colors, Will."

I unfurled my colors and rode by his side up the hill. The Rebels having engaged so many of our batteries on that hill had the exact range, and every shell came thundering in our midst, cutting up the ground terribly. The Rebels picked out every con- spienous mark ; my brigade flag (a pre-ent from the Mar'etta ladies) soon drew their fire. when Lieutenant Hill ordered me to draw off to the left, as it formed too good a target. The battle waged warm r and warmer; our boys having got the range were soon enabled to send as good as we received; this was per- ceived from the increasing wildness in the Rebel fire.

Captain Buell. mounted on "Billy." a light dun horse, formed a fair and easy mark, passing contin- ually along the line, directing here, encouraging and applauding there: he appeared omnipresent. His dar- mig recklessness soon drew the attention of officers on him. General Milroy, renowned for gallantry, turn- ing to his staff, remarked: 'Gentlemen. if you desire to see a brave man, look there " But all anticipations of our gallant captain's future were soon to be cut off. A shell. as fatally aimed as the bullet which laid our martyred President'on a bloody bier, and set a nation in mourning. struck his horse in the shoulder, and, passing through, broke his left leg. So suddenly did the horse fall that the captain, unable to extricate himself. was thrown violently forward as the horse fell backward, injuring the cap'ain internally. As he fell four boys sprang to his side and carried him from the field. I was watching him as he fell. It appeared as if the grave had suddenly yawn.d wide and taken father, mother, brothers, sisters, friends. all, so blank did life appear to its, and I have heard many of our bravest and truest say that they were not ashamed to confess that they cried like children. But our misfortune never for a moment interfered with the battle: if anything. all appeared to enter still more heart.lly into it, influenced. as they were, by a desire for revenge. Gun after gun was di charged with fear- ful rapidity. The men worked with a will that prom- ised soon to turn victory's uncertain scale in our favor. Each and all appeared oblivions to all else than seeking a terrible retribution. Nor were our endeavors futile. Soon we beheld a wavering and wildness in their fire : soon one by one their guns ceased, until all become silent, and we saw them drawing from the fieldl. Coor- poral A. H. Bukey, fortunately having his gun loaded, took deliberate aim as the last gun was leaving and fired. I saw horses rear, canmoreers scattered in a manner not laid down in artillery tactics, co 1 should judge the piece was dismounted. The battle was over.

Captain Buell died of his injuries, loved and lamented by his men, and respected and admired by all who knew him.

Orders came August 23, 1862, for the bat- tery to leave its position at Freeman's Ford and take up the line of march with their corps. They had not gone far when they encountered the enemy at Sulphur Springs, where they gained an easy victory, after an hour's vigor- ous shelling, driving them from their position, and enabling the corps to resume its march in peace.

The next day, the 24th, they met the enemy at Waterloo bridge, and held the bridge until the army had all passed, when they witnessed its destruction by the Union troops, and again sped on. The march now became a race be- tween the Union forces and the Rebels, on parallel lines, the objective point being Bull Run. During the still marches of midnight they could distinctly hear the rumbling of Jackson's artillery, and by day they would occasionally catch the gleam of lines of bright muskets in the sunlight.

SECOND BULL RUN.

The following is from an account by Will- iam Jenvey :

Bull Run was at length reached on the evening of the 28th of August. 1862. Milroy's brigade deploy- ing, encountered their skirmishers, drove them. and pushed back a portion of their lines, and enabled our while line to take position that night. All slept on their arms and tried to snatch a few moments' sleep to enable them to do well their parts on the coming morrow.

The next day's sun found us all bustle and activity. Aids-de-camp on jaded horses were dash'ng and tear- ing here and there, receiving and delivering orders. Brigade commanders were busy arranging and dis- arranging their lines. Division commanders, older and wiser. were cooly witnessing the preparatory maneuvers, and concentrating all their energies for the desired time.

Suddenly Milroy, advancing, sought the foe, and full soon d'd he find them, for with his characteristic reck- lessness he advanced too far and encountered a full Rebel division. Not a whit intimidated. he deployed his lines and opened with a murderous fire, but num- hers soon told on him. Rapidly his lines thinned, and he stood in imminent danger of being cut off ; but, collecting all his energies, he charged, extricated bim- self, and rejoined our line.

By this time the battle had become general. Our

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battery. being in position near the Washington pike, was keeping clear all before it. Maneuvers and coun- ter-maneuvers took place, yet neither side gained any advantage. After noon, Hooker and Kearney coming up and taking position with us, we gained visible suc- cesses ; gradually we gained ground, though every step was hotly contested. Night closed on the combatants, leaving the Union forces in possession of fully a mile of conquered ground.

The "sun of Austerlitz" scarcely dawned with prospects of a more sanguinary conflict than did the sun of the 30th. McDowell had abandoned Thorough- fare Gap. Lee had largely reinforced Jackson, and we had been reinforced by several divisions of Mcclellan's Peninsular army.

Our battery was scattered on three parts of the field. The right, under Lieutenant Witherow, was or- dered to report to General McLean, of Schenck's di- vision. The center section, disabled by the heavy and incessant firing of the previous day, was nevertheless kept close at hand ready for any emergency. while the left, under Lieutenant Hill, together with three brass guns, placed under his command. advanced up the Washington pike, and poking their noses fair in the midst of the Johnnies, soon created havoc and dismay in the Rebel ranks. The first day's fight taxed our energies greatly, but the exertions of the second were two-fold greater. The rebels .outnumbered us greatly and punished us terribly. The part of the field on which our right section was in position, was a scene of terrible carnage: the Rebels opening with artillery strove in vain to dislodge us, the infantry was then called into requisition. Advancing in perfect order they attempted to take the place bv assault, a terrible discharge of cannister met them and forced them back. Several times did they rally and advance, but as often were they repulsed. At last, largely re- inforced, they took advantage of a piece of woods to our left and flanked us from that direction. Turning our guns on them we poured storms of cannister into their faces, cutting swaths through their massive ranks. Piercing their column appeared like piercing a rubber ball. the hole was scarcely made before it closed. Not- withstanding the dreadful havoc, on they came. and still on until they nearly grasped our guns. Our can- nister had all been expended. Bukey, intent on fight- ing to the last. inserted a shell minus either fuse or cap in his gun and sent it as a solid shot right through their ranks. McLean's brigade, not unlike the British Home Guards at Waterloo, sprang from their cover. and as we limbered to the rear to fall back they closed in on our rear and opened such a storm of musketry that mortal men could not withstand it. The Rebel charge was thus checked, and we were allowed to draw off in peace. Lieutenant Witherow, on mounting his horse was badly wounded, eventually causing his dis- charge. Thomas Driscoll in the hurry forgot his sponge bucket. and on going back after it got several holes through his blouse. but fortunately none hit the brave fellow. Several horses were shot.

In the meantime Lieutenant Hill and the left sec- tion had been hard pressed. Being in position in the center of the pike, he presented a fair target to the whole of the Rebel artillery, and well did they im-

prove their opportunity, for shot and shell and the more deadly shrapnell fell on all sides with one con- tinuous roar and hiss, and added to this the whistling of the musket balls and the discharge of our own guns. it created confusion enough to try the bravest hearts. During the whole engagement Sigel remained in our midst, his uniform and splendid staff drawing the fire of the Rebel sharpshooters on us quite briskly. After a while Hooker established himself with us, and also for a while Reno and Kearney. These generals center- ing in us caused the tide of war to roll all around us, Assaults would be made in front, then the task would be comparatively easy, but when the flanking charges came then came danger. Sergeant Wes. Miner, having pos- sessed himself of a musket, had busied himself dur- ing the whole engagement picking off sharpshooters. One in particular we saw roll in the dust from his un- erring aim.

To the right and left of us the day was going badly. Fitz John. Porter, lying within hearing of our guns and knowing of the fearful slaughter. refused to support us. Our overtasked and outnumbered boys were gradually obliged to give way, still we in the center held our own until the rebels concentrating their infantry and a portion of their artillery, opened on us most terribly ; for a while it seemed as if noth- ing could stay there and live. At last a shell, sur- charged with destruction: kame hurtling along and striking Sergeant Goldsmith's gun on the right side. glancing, struck the elevating screw and bursting severe- ly wounded Corporal James Wright and John Eaton ; the former in seven places, the most of them severe, the latter in four places and mortally. For a time all appeared confounded, so close did the shell come to all, and so severe was the concussion. The shell passed over Summer Ellis' shoulder, for a time stunning him. Soon the confusion died away, and they found the extent of the injuries. To stay longer was mad- ness, for certain death awaited them: so limbering up and carefully supporting their wounded comrades they coolly and slowly made way for the rear

All had now become lost: "rout, ruin and panic scattered all." The baggage wagons, having been fool- ishly brought up to the very front. commenced a base and confused retreat ; but one road led to the rear, and to this road all fled. Artillery. baggige wagons, ambulances and vehicles, of almost every sort were locked in utter and inextricable confusion, unable to move themselves, and preventing egress to those who were retreating in good order. In vain did officers ride to the rear and entreat, and curse and shoot, and cut, and do all that mortal man could do to stop the rout. No; fear had seized all. and all sought to save themselves. Our battery, by strange though lucky fortune, from their different parts of the field. found each other. and. although three pieces were disabled. we drew ourselves across the road, and drawing sabers and revolvers, refused to let a man pass, Staff and field officers perceiving our design, galloped to our aid and assisted in rallying. As soon as a battalion could be formed an officer would put himself at their head and march them back. This was our line re- stored. and we were enabled to hold the eremy in check. Many a man did I sce who, having escaped

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death in the two days' engagement, would be either shot or cut down for refusing to halt. It was hard, but it was necessary. The cause of the Union demand- ed that they should be checked, and even though it should cause the loss of the best half of the army, still it had to be done. The field of Bull Run was a terrible one ; full 8,000 had fallen, but the Capital was saved and the Rebel designs foiled. They marched into Maryland, and at Antietam they were most sig- nally defeated.

The battery was not actively engaged at the battle of Fredricksburg, but was in all the marches of that disastrous campaign, and was waiting within easy reach of the field during the battle, the men listening to the uproar of the engagement, and expecting momentarily to be ordered to the front. Finally the troops were all back across the Rappahanock, and the retreat was commenced.

The following is from an account by Will- tam Jenvey :

CHANCELLORSVILLE, MAY 2, 1863.

Captain Hill and I rode to the scene of conflet and such a scene! The Rebels under Jackson, num- bering from thirty to forty thousand, had attacked our right and rear. and had driven brigade after brigade in inextricable confusion, until all organization was lost. Colonels and brigade commanders were slain, division generals were riding about, their staffs either killed or scattered, striving to restore the line; wound- ed men were pouring back ; detachments began to give way, then all gave way, and from a retreat it became one confused rout; men refused to obey orders and were shot down ; color-bearers in vain stopped on every elevation, striving to effect a rally; they rallied but to fall, for bullets from the throats of thirty thousand guns were carrying all before them. I retired with the retreating army until reaching my own battery, found the boys already loaded with cannister. and ready to fight to the last.

The ront at length reached our guns. We drew our sabers, hand-spikes, sponge staves, armed ourselves with stones, anything to keep the cowardly mob from our front. They crowded us so that were were unable to fire. At length all had got back, and we were left almost alone to check the onset of the victorious foe. As well might a child strive to dam up Niagara, but still we refused to give way, until General Schurz riding up. gave us peremptory orders to fall back. Nothing daunted. some one proposed "three cheers for the general." they were given, and then three times three. The general raised his hat in acknowledgment as gracefully as if on parade. After the battle we were complimented in a general order.

Cantain Hill commanded "limber to the rear," and the order was executed without any confusion. The road was found completely blocked up, so we took

to the woods. All went well until Sergeant Bukey's piece ran foul of a sapling; an axe was produced, the sapling cut. but by that time the Rebels were close upon 115. About eight of us were there. Out of the eight- Corporal Ranger while lifting at the gun, was hit badly in the side; Smith Miner and Henry Hutchinson slight- ly wounded and Wiley Reeves captured, and five horses out of six fell. Can any one wonder that we were obliged to leave the gun. By this time the Rebels had brought a piece of artillery captured from us to bear on us. They were but a short distance off, and we saw they would soon have a clean sweep of the road; so, re- membering that "discretion was the better part of valor," we dashed off and rejoined the battery.

Just as Lieutenant Miner, disdaining to fall back any farther, had placed the boys in posit.on with the artillery of the Twelfth Corps, soon the Rebels an- nounced their intention to charge by the usual yell peculiar to them, so we were ready for th.m. As soon as they made their appearance we fired on them such a storm of shot and shell as would stop a whirl- wind, were it composed of animal matter; nothing could withstand it, however brave or desperate; back they went, and cheer on cheer and the most derisive yells arose from our lines. While they were reform- ing we improved the opportunity, and commenced throwing up intrenchments. Night was coming on, but a good moon furnished enough light to fight by. The Rebels, having reformed. advanced with deafen- ing yells to encounter our iron hail. Trees were cut down on their heads, shell and shrapnel were exploded in their midst. At times it appeared as if the whole wood was lighted up, so continuous was our fire. Our line could be easily seen, as could the Rebel line, by the long glare of discharging muskets. Both lines stood close to each other; each seeking to destroy the other; but no human power of endurance could with- stand the fire we hurted at them. The second time they broke and ran. Again while they were reform- ing did we further intrench ourselves. And thus did it continue, fight and intrench, fight and intrench, until tired nature could stand it no longer.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 90

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490