USA > Ohio > History of the three months' and three years' service from April 16th, 1861, to June 22d, 1864, of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the war for the Union > Part 12
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The beautiful hazy day, the 6th, was spent in writing glowing accounts of our deeds of daring and valor to parents, sweet- hearts and friends, and in resting, sleeping, or foraging for ber- ries, cherries, pies, bread, cakes and poultry. On the morning of the 7th the entire army seemed to be in motion; we arrived at Taneytown at noon; in the afternoon it rained very hard; we were out of rations and obtained provisions from the citizens, giving vouchers therefor.
On the evening of the 8th, near Frederick City, in spite of rain, mud and a twenty-mile march, we were a lively set, cheer- ing ourselves hoarse, for it was now certain that Vicksburg had
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PURSUIT OF LEE, VIA HARPER'S FERRY.
been taken, that the? Potomac River was rising, and we had a fine prospect of capturing Lee's entire army. Hurrah! Part of his trains and many prisoners had just been taken, and our train was on hand with rations for empty stomachs, and shoes for blistered feet.
Thursday morning, July 9th, at an early hour, our brigade took the advance, marched through Frederick City, then south through the fields at route step, passed the naked body of the rebel spy, Richardson, dangling by the neck from the limb of a tree; Jefferson and Bakersville were left behind, and shortly before dark we bivouacked just beyond Crampton's Gap, having marched about twenty-four miles.
Friday, the roth, we passed through Keedysville at noon, crossed Antietam Creek at about three in the afternoon, halted, advanced skirmishers, and followed in line of battle over the right of the old battle ground; occasionally a shot was fired at the enemy, who kept himself under cover of the woods on our front.
On the morning of the 11th, Saturday, we advanced some two miles, passed through Tighlmantown, formed in line of battle toward the northeast by Jones' Cross-Roads, where we remained until about four in the evening, when the brigade made a recon- naisance toward Hagerstown and met the retiring Confederates near Funkstown in considerable force; we now fell back into line of battle with the remainder of the division, having out pickets in the meantime. The men were becoming restive, fear- ing that our movements were too slow and that Lee would give us the slip.
At noon of the next day, Sunday the 12th, we changed front toward the left; about four the line was again changed in a more westerly direction, and advanced a short distance and entrench- ments thrown up, although but few of the enemy could be seen by the most advanced pickets; some of our regiment passed beyond the line on foraging expeditions, and learned that Lee was in the act of crossing the river. At a council held at Meade's Headquarters in the evening, it was determined to find out more about the position of the enemy, and Monday. the 13th, was spent in solving this problem and gaining information which a number of privates could have given had they dared to do so.
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真の兴
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FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
We continued to throw up works whilst but a handful of the enemy was in front of us.
The next morning, Tuesday the 14th, we early learned what we had suspected, that Lee had crossed the river at Falling Waters. We were at once hurried forward in the rain towards Williamsport to support the cavalry, who succeeded in capturing some stragglers. It was soon discovered that the position held by Lee was fully as strong as the Marye Heights at Fredericks- burg, and it was probably wisdom not to force a battle. We spent a very uncomfortable night on the wet ground, with clothing thor- oughly soaked, and welcomed the dawn, an early lunch and an immediate march by the way of Sharpsburg to within three miles of Harper's Ferry, and encamped between the canal and river; in the latter floated many bodies of the Confederates. Another miserable night was worried through and the march resumed at six the next morning, Thursday the 16th, and we reached Sandy Hook at nine, entered camp and made out reports and requisi- tions. The rainy and disagreeable 17th of July was spent in our tents.
At 9 o'clock of the 18th we crossed both rivers at Har- per's Ferry, proceeded along Loudon Heights, entered Pleasant Valley and halted at two, then acted as guard for the wagon- train until seven, when we entered camp in a field of dewberries; arms were stacked and order "rest" given; not a moment was lost in determining what general should have credit for such magnificent generalship that brought us to a general charge on the most delicious fruit-medicine to cure the troubles that water- soaked garments and slap-jacks had made; officers and men, saint and sinner, were bowed over or upon their knees, filling stomachs, cups and plates. After a cup of coffee came such a precious night's rest, with an early rally for more berries on Sunday, the 19th. An easy march brought us to Gregory's Gap at four, and in camp by a brook where blackberries were abun- dant; here several copies "of a contemptible secession sheet, printed in New York City," were purchased of the newsboy and torn into shreds as soon as their character was known, and search was made for the hide of the boy. About this time some officers were detailed on the recruiting service; there were pres- ent for duty twelve officers and two hundred and thirty-four men.
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HARPER'S FERRY-LOOKING WEST.
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"BULLY FOR MEADE."
On Monday, the 20th, we began the march at 10 o'clock, crossed a number of clear and cold streams with the thermome- ter around the nineties; hot and weary we entered camp at five, near Bloomville, where we remained until one in the afternoon of the 22d, on the evening of which we bivouacked near Upper- ville.
At 5 o'clock on the morning of the 23d we resumed our line of march, reached Markham at two, halted whilst other troops advanced and engaged the enemy toward Front Royal; at five we followed, expecting every moment to join in the musketry, which could be distinctly heard beyond Manassas Gap; we halted at eleven at night and bivouacked. It had been a very warm day; our garments, saturated with sweat, made the air rather uncomfortably cool; we had also passed through the worst slough ever encountered on any march, and were mud- bespattered from foot to head.
Being by this time entirely out of rations, there was con- siderable foraging done, for which many were arrested, but they were released as soon as they came up with their com- panies; one of the boys, with a "porker" on his back, encoun- tered General Meade, who asked him, " Did you take all of it?" and receiving "Yes, sir," for a reply, further remarked, "Don't waste any," and rode on. "Bully for Meade," was the verdict of all the "boys," whilst officers were glad for a slice. This marching and suffering together did so wonderfully act as a leveler, that officers and men were more on equal footing than in camp, where occasionally some shoulder-strapped dude put on more airs than his known character and bringing up could substantiate, whilst the high-private, on the other hand, was dis- posed to become lazy and saucy; yet most officers and men, whether in camp, on the march or sanguinary field, felt at all times toward each other as brothers, officers sometimes carrying knapsack for the boys when sick and on the march, and the boys sharing the last hard-tack with a beloved officer; on the field of strife officers and men risked their lives in behalf of a wounded, helpless brother. After all, whether trudging through mud and rain, hungry and weary, languid and sleepy, good humor predominated, and in spite of fate we were a happy set, ofttimes, when wettest and weariest, joining in the chorus-
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" So let the wide world wag as it will, I'll be gay and happy still, Gay and happy, Gay and happy, I'll be gay and happy still."
At one in the afternoon of the 24th we started on the return march, and encamped near Markham on the farm of a rebel son of Chief Justice Marshall. On the hot and sultry 25th we reached Rectortown at noon and White Plains at six in the evening. The next morning, the 26th, we moved toward Thor- oughfare Gap, and when near it turned toward Warrenton, passed through it at two, then on into the pine woods, sultry as an oven, one's chest seeming to collapse as we hurried along fran- tically, trying to keep up with some horsemen who knew nothing about carrying knapsacks or marching men, and were only brought to their senses when brigade commanders protested against the murderous proceedings and reported seventeen men prostrated by sunstroke in half an hour; fully one-half were compelled to fall out of ranks, many of them for the first time in their lives: then only in desperation, with throbbing pulse, staggered to the roadside, threw themselves full length, prostrate upon their backs, too much exhausted to speak a word. This was the third time that we had "trotted" over this road, and each time on Sunday. Long before night we entered camp near Warrenton Junction, where we remained several days. On the evenings of the 27th, 28th and 29th it poured. At five on the morning of the 30th we moved at a moderate gait to Elk Run; here two of the boys had nicely ensconced themselves underneath a pine and gone off to sleep, when one of them' began patting, rubbing, scratching and slapping-now the back of his neck, then his side, then his legs, until tired nature could endure it no longer -- when he broke out: "Jerusalem! say, what in thunder has got into our bed?" The stearine candle on a bayonet having been lighted, revealed the fact that a hillock of black ants had not only sent out skirmishers, but a recon- naisance in force, attacking in front, flank and rear; millions, big and little, flying and crawling, biting and pinching black "varmints," which could not be routed from stockings, pants, shirt and blankets in less than an hour.
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GUARDING RAILROAD.
The next morning at eight we started for Kelly's Ford; reached it late in the evening, so that many laid down to sleep without going to the trouble of making coffee, and most of those that did threw it away, as the water in the brook drained an old cavalry camp. The next morning, to the delight of many, seven- teen men, with cups or canteens in hand, charged for the milk of one cow, and were in turn charged upon by a guard from headquarters, that possibly saw this to be the only chance and way to obtain for itself the much-coveted lactic fluid.
The next day, August Ist, the duty of guarding the railroad was assigned to our division, which returned to Elk Run in the afternoon and encamped on a rocky bluff, where a dreary and monotonous camp life was endured for two weeks with the ther- mometer ranging for several days along the nineties in the shade, whilst not a breath of air seemed at times to be stirring. Colonel Snider, of the Seventh Virginia, who had taken command of the brigade when we left Maryland, continued in charge.
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CHAPTER XX.
TO ALEXANDRIA-ON BOARD STEAMER ATLANTIC-SAIL TO NEW YORK CITY-JAMAICA PLAINS-RETURN TO ARMY OF THE POTOMAC AT ROBINSON RIVER -RACCOON FORD - VOTING FOR GOVERNOR - RECROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK-SKIRMISIIING AT AUBURN-BATTLE OF BRISTOL STATION-AT CENTERVILLE-TO BRISTOE -TO WARRENTON.
On the 15th the Eighth Ohio started for New York City, to assist in enforcing the draft. On Sunday, the 16th, the Fourth Ohio and Fourteenth Indiana were ordered to report at Alexan- dria without delay. All extra-duty men and detachments were ordered to their regiments at once. The cars were taken at Bealeton Station at 2 P.M., and the train bore away a jolly set of boys, that were expecting a good time; locomotive, tender and top of the cars were blue with men, enjoying the breeze and the change and novelty of the situation, not knowing of a certainty their whither, but hoping it might be to help squelch the rioters.
We remained at Alexandria several days, changing camp once, on account of having taken up quarters within a few rods of a brick house containing seven cases of small-pox. The boys, having been paid off on the 6th, were flush, and enjoyed the board at restauants and hotels with those who received better pay. Never did ham and eggs disappear more rapidly, and so many eggs go into a single stomach as then, nor a host more pleased to give great slices of ham and "yust so many eggs as you want, for a quarter, or more, does make no difference."
By noon of the 20th it was certain that we were going on board of the large ocean steamer Atlantic; already the horses of the Fourth and Eighth Ohio, Seventh Michigan, First Min- nesota and Fourteenth Indiana were being swung aloft, followed
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OFF TO NEW YORK TO QUELL RIOTS.
by rations, and soon the regiments named, nearly two thousand strong, lay down on deck, in cabin and hold until five in the morning, when the ship was already moving down the bay, those in the hold crawling on deck "to catch a breath of air." Two more sweltering nights were spent in the hold swarming with "gray-backs," that determined to act as "body-guards " for officers and privates; great was the slaughter of vermin. Adding to this the wretched feeling of being seasick, when a thousand or more were "calling for back rations to come up," made one most heartily glad of having the prospect of once more setting foot on terra firma, as in the early morning a pilot came on board, near Sandy Hook, and took us through the " Narrows." At two in the afternoon we disembarked, a rusty looking set, and took up quarters on Governor's Island, where a dull, monotonous life was led until the 28th, when the brigade headquarters, with most of the regiments, were moved to Fort Greene, or Washinton Park, an eminence overlooking a con- siderable part of Brooklyn, and the battle-field of General Wash- ington; the Fourth Ohio went by rail and boat to Jamaica Plains, where it quartered some eight days, enjoying the hospi- talities of the people. Wherever our troops were quartered the people would gather about them, ask many curious questions concerning our mode of life, watch our cooking and eating, and expressed great surprise that a single one had survived the "sleeping on the cold ground." It was soon evident to all that our services were no longer needed, discipline became lax, men and officers roamed throughout the cities seeing the sights, many indulging to their heart's content, some even beyond moderation.
Thousands of visitors spent part of Sunday, the 30th, with the soldiers; never were men more heartily welcomed; when . some of the boys first made their appearance in Wall Street ; there were "magnates" that did not stop with the hearty grip of the hand, but hugged the rusty soldier for very joy, exclaim- ing "God bless you, you are just in time." Privates as well as officers were taken by citizens to their homes, into their magni- ficent parlors, then after the social tete a tete, adjourned to loaded tables in the dining room, where continued the flow of soul for two or more hours, whilst the fifth to eighth courses followed each other at quite lengthened intervals. Quite a
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number of the Fourth were present, with many of the Eighth, at the grand festival given at the Carrollton Methodist Episcopal Church on the evening of the 5th.
The next evening, the 6th of September, those of the Fourth who were at Jamaica, and of the Fourteenth Indiana who were in New York City, gathered together at Fort Greene, moved over to New York City the next morning, got aboard the Atlantic in the evening, at the foot of Canal Street, steamed out into the ocean at nine the next morning, and passed by one of the monitors, which excited no little curiosity. On the 9th we were out of sight of land until four, when a storm was brewing to- ward the west, striking us just as we were entering the bay at night, doing us no damage, only causing a few to look pale and one poor fellow to fasten life preservers to all parts of his body, but the greater number to his legs. At the battle of Fredericks- · burg this same comrade had taken a position nearer the rebel line than any other man in the Army of the Potomac.
We disembarked at Alexandria at eight on the morning of the IIth, went into camp west of town until seven on the morning of the 12th, when we marched to Fairfax Court House; to Bris- toe Station on the 13th, to Bealeton on the 14th, to Brandy Station on the 15th, and rejoined the Second Corps-now in command of General G. K. Warren-at Culpepper Court House, at noon on the 16th, where we advanced in battle array to the left of Cedar Mountain, toward Raccoon Ford, following our skirmishing cavalry.
On Thursday, September 17th, we moved forward some four miles to Robinson River, formed in line of battle, and biv- ouacked for the night; it rained very hard in the evening and also the next morning.
There had been quite a number of desertions of substitutes and drafted men for several weeks past, from some of the eastern regiments of our division, which was to a considerable extent remedied by the murderous and sickening execution of several of them on the afternoon of the 18th, in the presence of the entire division, drawn up in line at the foot of Raccoon Hill.
On the 19th the brigade went on picket guard on the other side of the river, beginning near the junction of the Rapidan and extending several miles toward Madison Court House, doing
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CHAGRIN OF "LONG RANGE."
considerable skirmishing and foraging, returning to camp on the 23d with an abundance of fresh meat, as the boys had deter- mined to let no hog or sheep turn up their noses at them, much less, " to bite them," nor any squirrels to chuckle or bark at them; General Gibbon ("Long Range") sent a squad of zou- aves to arrest the foragers; the boys soon took their guns from them, which so enraged the general that he ordered the brigade to remain in the "rear until the last dog and mule had passed," in case there was danger ; it served us a good turn, because the next attacks were not upon us, but upon other brigades, and to do his best the general could not eke out his vengeance, because circumstances seemed determined not to serve his purpose, but himself was brought under fire.
About this time the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps left for the west. On the 24th we received orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice. For more than a week fine weather pre- vailed, and we had easy times; the scenery was fine, especially from Raccoon Hill, from which the mountains westward could be readily seen. Brigade headquarters were at the house of a Mrs. Garnett.
On Monday, October 5th, we were relieved by the Sixth Corps, and the next day we marched back to Culpepper Court House, and encamped on a red clay hill some two miles north- west of the town. There had been an impression that Lee was falling back, but on the roth it was determined that he was gain- ing our right and rear; about ten we received orders to be ready to march immediately, and in fifteen minutes we were on our way to Jeffrey's Saw Mill, where we halted in line, ready for action. On the rith we marched to Brandy Station, took din- ner, crossed the river at three, reached Bealeton at four, biv- ouacking on a blind road. Rations were very scarce, weather quite cool. Had orders to build no fires and to keep as quiet as possible. Under these circumstances, on the 12th, all in the regiment, with less than half a dozen exceptions, cast our ballots for Brough as Governor of Ohio. At eleven we began a hurried march, recrossed the Rappahannock at noon, went in support of our cavalry, whom we could see making a charge upon the enemy, and at five we bivouacked half a mile north of Brandy Station. We were, however, routed out at 1 o'clock, hurried forward, and again crossed the Rapahannock at four; halted
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three miles north of Bealeton, got a hot breakfast, rested until one, reached Auburn at ten; laid down without fires, as the enemy was very near us. The Third Corps was now at Green- wich, the Fifth at Catlett's, the Sixth on the railroad between Catlett's and Bristoe, and the First near Bristoe; Kilpatrick's cavalry at New Baltimore, Buford was guarding the wagon-train on its way toward Brentsville, and Gregg was on the left flank of our corps.
The next morning, Wednesday, October 14th, our division was to bring up the rear of the army and guard the wagon-train. We started before day, and were in the act of crossing Cedar Run when a volley came among us from the right and front immediately, without orders, guns were examined and capped, whilst the cannon were hurrying into position ; shells burst near at hand, and spiteful minies whizzed over our heads, but in the mist and breaking day no enemy could be seen; skirmishers were immediately advanced with strong supports, whilst our batteries sent their compliments in the direction of the Confed- erates. Hardly had the firing ceased and our line of march begun when the rear of the division was attacked. We were now hurried forward at a rapid pace, with every man in his place, ready for any emergency, a fight or a lively race to a good position and co-operation with the rest of the army. It trans- pired that Stuart with his cavalry, hemmed in between our corps and Cregg's Cavalry during the night, in hearing of our camp bustle and being only four hundred yards distant, had fired on our front and right, whilst the firing in the rear was the advance of Lee, which was to help Stuart out of his dilemma. Ewell and Hill were hurrying forward toward Bristoe, to intercept our progress and bring on an engagement, while Meade not know- ing the exact whereabouts and intentions of his antagonist, urged all his forces toward Centerville with the utmost speed to give battle there. Having crossed Cedar Run, we hurried forward for some distance, as a guard for the wagon-train, then halted, the train moving out of our way toward Brentsville, after which the march was resumed, moving forward a short distance, halt- ing ready for an attack, whilst other brigades passed us, halted in line, permitting us to pass them in turn. At one point we saw the Confederates on our left, but took them to be our own men.
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WARREN'S FINESSE EUCHRES LEE.
About I o'clock we halted in a dense pine forest, awaiting the arrival of Caldwell's Division, which was assisting the cavalry in repelling an attack of Ewell. Having been faced in line of battle toward the southwest for about an hour, firing was heard in the direction of our line of march, and shells could be seen bursting near the railroad; at once the passing troops were hurried for- ward at double-quick, and we soon moved rapidly after them. formed in line of battle, along and to the east of the railroad. In a short time a heavy line of skirmishers could be seen ad- vancing rapidly up a hill from the troops on the railroad in advance of us, charge on a battery, take five guns and some four hundred and fifty prisoners; cheer upon cheer went up from the entire line. "We have a good position, let the John_ nies come."
Just before sunset it seemed we should be gratified to our heart's content, as it was certain that something unusual was transpiring on our front as well as in the pines on our right, into which our artillery continued to send their missiles; it was also learned from prisoners that Lee had intended to have his entire force at this point on this afternoon. We were not aware of our real situation, as we numbered only eight thousand, and were about being cut off by Hill's advance, if it had not been so handsomely checked, whilst Ewell was forming on our front and sweeping around our left before dark, making a force of thirty thousand against us. At this juncture the Fifth Corps, followed by the Third, came to Broad Run, connected with our advance, but soon pushed on again toward Centerville, our corps follow- ing, our regiment bringing up the rear. Our entire force hay- ing crossed Broad Run, we were certain that Lee had been out- generaled by Meade and Warren, the latter our corps com- mander, whose praise was in every mouth; during the day all had abundant opportunity to see him give orders, maneuver troops in order to save his trains, yet at the same time not only be ready, but actually did repel front, rear and flank attacks, without making a single mistake, or appearing in the least dis- concerted; this young officer was now more than ever admired and loved by all. We moved onward during the night, crossed Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford at 2 o'clock, proceeded about a mile, then bivouacked, just as it began to rain. At about eight (Thursday, October 15th,) we were hurried into line of battle,
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after which nothing transpired until shortly after noon, when there was slight skirmishing on the front, and some artillery prac tice. We remained near Centerville during the 16th, without rations, with pouring rain at frequent intervals. Late in the afternoon of the 17th, part of the brigade went in support of cavalry toward Manassas, but found no enemy. At night it was reported that the old movement by the way of Chantilly was being made by the Confederates.
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