USA > Ohio > The sixty-seventh Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, a brief record of its four years of service in the Civil War: 1861-1865 > Part 2
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May 9th the regiment was sent to guard the right flank of the 10th Corps while destroying the railroad from "Chester Station" to Peters- burg. The regiment, with a section of artil- lery, was stationed about twelve miles from Richmond on the turnpike, and between it and "Chester Station." with instructions to
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hold the point at all hazards.
On the morning of May 10th the enemy made a general attack, but the 67th maintained a solid front against four successive desperate charges. A section of artillery inadvertently falling into the hands of the enemy, was re- captured by portions of Companies F and C.
The 10th day of May, 1864, was both a glor- ious and sorrowful day for the 67th, for though gallantly maintaining position against superior numbers, seventy-six officers and men were killed and wounded during the battle. Colonel Voris, who was in command of this action, found himself so prostrated that he sank helpless, and almost unconscious, to the ground, and had to be assisted to his head- quarters.
General Terry complimented him and his command by saying: "If I had 10,000 such men as Colonel Voris and his 67th Ohio Regi- ment, I could march straight into Richmond with them." For this day's work, also, Col- onel Voris was recommended for promotion as a Brigadier-General of Volunteers.
The woods from which the enemy had been driven took fire under a high wind, and their dead and severely wounded were burned. Under a flag of truce, permission was asked to bury their dead and bring off their wounded, which was granted. General Terry held his position till night and then retired to his place in line.
At daybreak on the 12th of May, the com- manding General ordered a general advance toward "Drury's Bluff;" this movement last- ed during the 14th, 15th and 16th, when Gen- eral Smith, commanding the 18th A. C., was repulsed, and the entire force ordered to re- tire within the intrenched line. Our regiment did not participate in this movement, except as guards in reserve.
On the 17th and 18th the enemy commenced demonstrations on the right of our line, which were repulsed. On the 20th, General Beaure- gard, with a large force, made a vigorous at- tempt to force our lines, striking, as he natur- ally would, at the weakest point. During the forenoon the enemy set fire to the brush and dry wood that extended out a considerable dis- tance before our works, and the wind being favorable, the fire was driven in upon us. Be- fore the smoke had cleared, the enemy came rushing on. They were met by the 10th Corps who steadily held their position and re- pulsed each attempt to dislodge them. Later
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in the afternoon a very daring charge, under the leadership of Brigadier-General Walker. pushed back a part of our line near Wier Bot- tom Church; immediately the first brigade, of which our regiment was a part, was rushed in and recaptured the line, wounding General Walker and taking him prisoner. He turned his sword over to Colonel Voris. Regimental casualties 74.
For about three weeks we were engaged in completing our main line of works, also strengthening our picket line, building re- doubts and protecting our sleeping quarters from the enemy's artillery fire. On June 16th, under command of Brigadier-General Terry, advanced upon the enemy's communications and destroyed miles of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. June 17th and 18th skir- inish at Wier Bottom Church and near How- lett House. June 18th. Brigadier-General Wm. T. H. Brooks assigned to command of 10th A. C., succeeded July 23rd by Major-General David B. Birney.
August 13th left intrenchments at 11:00 P. M., for Deep Bottom. Arrived in the morn- ing of the 14th and joined 3rd Brigade already there. Attacked the enemy near the Kings- land road just after daybreak and carried the rifle-pits and intrenchments. taking 71 pris- oners. In the afternoon again successfully at- tacked the enemy and captured a battery with four guns. At night moved to Strawberry Plains. August 15th advanced to beyond Long Bridge to Deep Run. August 16th attacked and carried enemy's works at Deep Run, cap- turing about 300 prisoners and six battle flags.
August 18th, attacked near Deep Run by the enemy, who was repulsed with loss. Aug- ust 20th, during the night recrossed the James River and returned to our intrenchments. Of- ficial records show that up to this time the 67th regiment had been under fire more than 100 days in this campaign, and its casualties, in addition to those heretofore recorded, were 63.
August 23. 1864. During the night the First and Second Brigades moved over the Appomattox River to the lines in front of Petersburg, the Third Brigade joining on the 27th of August. Occupied the portion of line from the Hare House to the Norfolk Railroad, which included the immediate front of the "Crater" where the advance lines were less than 50 yards apart. Owing to the close proximity of the lines and the consequent dan-
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ger involved in making the reliefs, the usual period was doubled, hence we were on the front line forty-eight hours at a time. The next forty-eight hours we would be in camp quarters at night, and working on the fortifi- cations in daytime from sun up to sun down, unless forced to protect ourselves from the enemy's artillery practice.
September 28th. Marched from camp near Petersburg to Deep Bottom. September 29th. Took part in the successful movement against the enemy's lines on New Market Heights north of the James River in the morning, and in the afternoon pushed forward in support of Kautz's Cavalry to a point about three miles from Richmond, on the Central road, whence we were withdrawn after sundown, by order of the Corps Commander, to a line on the New Market road near Laurel Hill. September 30th. Temporary defenses constructed in front of camp.
Otober 1st, 1864. Took part in a reconnais- sance toward Richmond on the Darbytown road, advancing to within two miles of the City, from which point the inner line of defenses was distinctly visible. The next five days were devoted to strengthening our works, and on the evening of the 6th another movement- was made to near Richmond, returning about mid- night in rain and mud. Bivouacked in corn field.
On October 7th Kautz's Cavalry, protecting the right flank, was assaulted by the enemy and forced to retire; our command was or- dered to their support and repulsed a deter- mined attack made by a part of General Long- street's Corps; three successive attempts were made to turn our right flank, and repulsed with small loss, and late in the evening we ocupied the ground from which Kautz was driven in the morning.
October 9th. The One Hundred and Nine- ty-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment was attached to our Brigade. Engaged in completing our breastworks and improving our camp until Oc- tober 13th, 1864, when another reconnaissance was made on the Darbytown road, meeting the enemy in force two miles out, and driving him into a newly constructed line of works some three miles from our intrenchments. An un- successful attempt was made to carry the enemy's line, and after heavy skirmishing until late in the afternoon, we were ordered to re- turn to camp. Casualties 62.
Engaged in completing our works, doing
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picket duty and preparing camp for winter quarters until the morning of October 27th, 1864. Left camp before daylight and moved out on Darbytown road and mnet the enemy's skirmishers to the right and on a continua- tion of the line unsuccessfully assaulted on Oc- tober 13th. The line was gradually extended to the right until it reached the Charles City Road. After driving in their pickets to the main line, heavy musketry fire, with some ar- tillery fire by the enemy, was continued throughout the day, but the line was not ma- terially advanced. The enemy having a strong line of works in our front, which the plan of operations did not contemplate our attacking. our position was maintained until early in the forenoon of the following day, when we slowly retired, without molestation, and marched to camp. Casualties 26.
October 29th. Supported Cavalry to regain lost position of their picket line on Darbytown road. Witnessed a fine cavalry charge.
November 1st, 1864. Six regiments of our division, together with a part of the 18th corps. constituting a provisional division, under com- mand of Brigadier-General J. R. Hawley. Sec- ond Brigade, embarked for New York City, re- porting to Major-General B. F. Butler, and as- signed by him to duty at various points about the city for service in suppressing any disturb- ance that might arise on the day of the Presi- dential election, November 8th. Happily, their services were not required.
November 15th. General Hawley's troops embarked for their return and reported for duty to their respective commands on the 17th.
December 2nd, 1864, the 10th A. C., and all the white troops of the 18th A. C. were con- solidated, forming the 24th A. C., Major-Gen- eral E. O. C. Ord commanding. Brigadier- General Alfred H. Terry, commanding 1st (our) Division, Colonel Alvin C. Voris, 67th Ohio, commanding 1st (our) Brigade. De- cember 6th, Brigadier-General Robert S. Fos- ter assigned to command of 1st Division 24th A. C. December 12th, Colonel Thos. O. Os- borne, 39th Illinois, assigned to command of Ist Brigade.
Occupying at this time the extreme right of the army investing Richmond and Petersburg the entire army settled down in winter quar- ters, doing such camp and picket duty as con- ditions required, and every day that appeared suitable, we were required to perform either Company, Regimental or Brigade Drill, until
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about the middle of March, 1865.
Sunday, March 12th, 1865, the 1st Division (our division) 24th A. C., was reviewed by Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Major-Gen- eral E. O. C. Ord and Major-General John Gibbon. March 17th, 1865, the 24th A. C. was reviewed by Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant and Honorable E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. Extract from New York Herald says : "Today witnessed a magnificent review of the 24th A. C., on the north bank of the James River. In respect to martial appearance, which comprehends all the military details, the troops were unexceptionable, and both General Grant and Secretary Stanton were united in their praises." Early this morning the announcement was made that the distin- guished Secretary and Mrs. Stanton had ac- cepted an invitation from General Grant urged by Major-General Ord, to visit the army and participate in a review of the gallant 24th A. C. Consequently, everybody was assuming what is known in the army as his "War paint" and making ready to witness the scene. Gen- eral Grant and party arrived at Varina Land- ing shortly after twelve o'clock and imme- diately rode to Headquarters of Major-Gen- eral Gibbon. The troops were at once drawn up and reviewed; the Lieutenant-General was accompanied by his entire staff, with the ex- ception of Colonel Bowers and Lieutenant Wm. McKee Dunn, the latter having left City Point in the morning with dispatches for Gen- eral Sherman. Among those who composed the cavalcade were Secretary and Mrs. Stan- ton, Mr. Jeffrey of the French Charge d'Af- fairs, Major-General E. O. C. Ord, command- ing the Department, attended by his Staff, headed by General Theodore Reed. General Gordon, accompanied by Mrs. Reed. General Shipley and Staff. General R. S. Foster and Staff, the Staff of the 25th A. C., General Weitzel being temporarily absent; General Wm. Birney and staff, Major-General John Gibbon and Staff. Captain Robert Lincoln, son of the President of the United States, Captain Thomas Glastenburg Wells, son of the Secre- tary of the Navy. Colonel Shaw and Staff, Commanding Brigade in the 25th A. C., Re- corder Hoffman of New York. Dr. Craven and others. The United States Navy was repre- sented by a liberal delegation from the fleet in the James River, headed by Commodore Rad- ford.
The marching of the Infantry was excellent.
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and the appearance of the artillery splendid. General Grant, General Ord, Secretary Stan- ton and the ladies were loudly cheered, and the entire scene, with presented arms, beating drums, flying tattered colors, indications of battles fought, was brilliant and impressive in the extreme.
After the reviewing, General Wm. Birney's Division of General Weitzel's Corps (the 25th A. C., Colored) the distinguished guests re- turned to City Point.
In the evening all sorts of festivities were enjoyed throughout the Army, after which the girding up for the eventful future was univer- sal.
Sunday, March 26th, 1865, the 1st Division of the 24th A. C., was reviewed by President Abraham Lincoln, Lieutenant-General Grant and Secretary Stanton. Extract from New York Herald says: "Today was rendered me- morable by a visit from the President of the United States. The enemy has a saying that the appearance of their Chief Magistrate, Davis, in any of their armies, is the sure fore- runner of defeat and desertion, and instance Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savannah, etc. With us it is different. The visits of the Chief Exe- cutive Officer of the Nation are almost invar- iably followed by active operations and glor- ious triumphs."
The President arrived at Varina Landing in a special boat shortly after two o'clock, ac- companied by General Grant, Mrs. Lincoln and her youngest son, Tad, Admiral Porter, General John E. Mulford, General B. C. Lud- low, Dr. and Mrs. Craven and daughter, and a large number of friends who accompanied him from Washington. As the President passed the naval fleet in the James River he was most cordially cheered by the tars, at which he expressed the greatest satisfaction. On landing at Varina, the President and his party were met by General Ord, General Gib- bon and General Weitzel, accompanied by their respective staffs, and at once rode to the front, halting for the accordance of some honors in the 25th A. C., near Fort (Harrison) Burnham.
After this he at once proceeded to General Gibbon's Lines, where General Foster's Divi- sion, and part of the Division of General Dev- ens' 24th A. C., were drawn up. The Presi- dent immediately passed in review and was re- ceived with well nigh miraculous cheering by the troops, as were General Grant, General
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Ord, General Gibbon, General Weitzel, General Foster and General Devens. The troops closely approached faultlessness in appearance, and executed all the movements with great precision and taste, much to the gratification of all concerned.
After the pageant had ended, the President and his friends instantly rode to the James River and embarked for City Point The re- mark was common-that the President looked enfeebled and thin, and it was not clear to my mind that General Grant was in the best of health.
During this month, General Foster's Divi- sion had been especially honored in being re- viewed separately by three of the leading dig- nitaries of the general government-General Grant, the Secretary of War, and lastly, the President of the United States. It may also be worthy of note that all these pageants were in full view of the enemy and within gunshot range.
March 27th, 1865: Marched with regiment and 1st Brigade, Ist Division, 24th A. C., from Camp on New Market Road before Richmond, Virginia, at 6 P. M., crossing the James River at Deep Bottom at 11 P. M .; crossed the Ap- pomattox at Broadway Landing at daylight, halting a mile beyond, for about two hours, for breakfast.
March 28th, 1865: Marched to near Poplar Grove Church at 7 P. M., bivouacked after having marched 20 miles. March 29th, 1865, relieved a portion of the 2nd A. C., occupying a portion of the works near Poplar Grove church. March 29th, 30th, 31st and April 1st, skirmished on our front until 7 P. M., when we moved with Brigade (the 1st) to the left, near Hatchers Run, and massed with our Corps (the 24th) to charge the Rebel works on this front at 4 A. M., on April 2nd.
However, the 6th A. C., being on our right, broke the line on their front, the 24th A. C., was ordered to that point and moved through the rebel works, changing directions towards Petersburg, our Brigade (the 1st Osborn) on the right carrying works after works with guns, etc. At 12 M., charged Fort Gregg (the key to Petersburg) with our Division. After arriving at the Fort, had a severe contest for twenty-five minutes, in a hand-to-hand con- flict. Casualties 62. Bivouacked here for the night. Enemy evacuating Richmond and Petersburg during the night, their troops flee- ing westward.
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Monday, April 3rd, 1865: Marched at 7 A. M., on the Cox Road in the direction of Lynchburg to Broder's Crossing, 18 miles, at 5:30 P. M. bivouacked. April 4th, 1865, Marched at 7:30 A. M. to Wilson's Station, 15 miles, at 3:30 P. M. bivouacked. April 5th, 1865 : Marched at 7 A. M. to Burksville Junc- tion, 26 miles, at 10:30 P. M. bivouacked.
April 6th, 1865, at 10 A. M. marched to with- in 112 miles of Rice's Station. At 5 P. M. en- gaged the enemy and had quite a severe con- test for two and one-half hours; bivouacked at 9 P. M.
April 7th, 1865: Commenced skirmishing with the enemy at 4 A. M., which was kept up most of the day, and was quite spirited at Wilson's Creek and Brush River near High Bridge; arrived at Farmville about 5 P. M., and bivouacked.
April 8th, 1865 : Marched at 6 A. M. to Ap- pomattox Station, 37 miles; at 11 P. M. biv- ouacked. April 9th, 1865, we moved forward again, at 3:30 A. M., and halted for breakfast at 6 A. M. At 6:30 A. M., heavy skirmishing was in advance in the vicinity of Appomattox Court House, and we moved rapidly forward to the scene of action, arriving on the ground at the double-quick. The cavalry fell back in confusion and we charged upon the enemy, moving forward at the double-quick, and soon gained the edge of the woods, where we halted and reformed, when we again advanced, driv- ing the enemy from the field, capturing one heavy piece of artillery. Changing direction by the left flank, in accordance with orders, we were passing the enemy's right, when we were ordered to halt, word having been re- ceived that the Army of Northern Virginia was ready to surrender.
Colonel Thos. O. Osborn, commanding Bri- gade, in closing his report of this date, says: "Of the endurance and patience of the officers and men of this Command during the tedious marches, and of their heroism and gallantry upon every battlefield, I cannot speak too highly. I cannot close this report without speaking in high terms of the officers of my Staff-Captain Childs, Captain Denny, Lieu- tenant Dowd and Lieutenant Ripple-for their heroic conduct."
Brigadier-General R. S. Foster, in recom- mending Colonel Thos. O. Osborn for promo- tion, says: "To the promptness of Colonel Os- born in putting his Brigade into position and attacking the enemy on the morning of April
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9th, 1865, after the cavalry was forced back. is due the credit of preventing the enemy from gaining the Lynchburg Road, their only line of retreat."
Bivouacked on the west side of Appomattox Court House April 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th, during the surrender of the "Army of Northern Virginia."
April 17th, 1865: Marched at 10 A. M. to Prospect Station, 22 miles. At 7:30 P. M. bivouacked. April 18th, marched at 5 A. M. to Wilson's Creek; bivouacked at 4 P. M. April 19th, marched at 6 A. M. to Burkesville Junction, 15 miles; at 1 P. M. bivouacked and during the 20th and 21st. Marching April 22nd at 5 A. M. to within five miles of Amelia Court House; bivouacked at 1 P. M. April 23rd, marched at 6 A. M. to within 13 miles of Richmond, 27 miles; at 10 P. M. bivouacked. April 24th, marched at 5:30 A. M. to within 21/2 miles of Richmond, near Manchester ; biv- ouacked at 1 P. M. April 25th, marched at 9 A. M. through Manchester and the principal streets of Richmond to 2 miles on the north side of Richmond, Virginia, and went into camp.
On Friday, April 28th, at Dress Parade, re- ceived the news that the Confederate Army, under General Johnson, had surrendered to General Sherman. May 1st, Company "H" was detailed to proceed to the battlefield of "Cold Harbor" to bury the remains of our comrades who were killed during the battle in June, 1864.
May 4th, received orders to move to "Beav- erdam," a station on the Virginia Central Railroad about 50 miles from Richmond. Moved at 2 P. M., and marched about 10 miles ; bivouacked. May 5th, marched about 25 miles; bivouacked. May 6th, arrived at "Beav- erdam" about 10 A. M. and went into Camp. May 7th, rested, had "Dress Parade" in the evening with villagers and country neighbor- hood as interested spectators.
May 9th. Company "C," of which the writer was a member, was detailed and ordered to move to "Fredericks Hall," a station on the same railroad about 10 miles farther west. May 12th, General Voris with four companies of the regiment moved by railroad (same hav- ing been repaired) to "Louisa Court House" about 20 miles farther west and established his Headquarters there. It appears that about this time a certain reconstruction policy was promulgated from "Washington," form-
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ing Military Districts by States and these were sub-districted by Counties, and General Voris was placed in charge of the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanne, Goochland, Hanover and Louisa, with Headquarters at Louisa Court House.
Company "C" remained at "Fredericks Hall" performing such guard and other provost dut- ies as were required, and when not on such duty, we were required to drill three hours in the forenoon and the same in the afternoon, presumably for exercise to aid digestion. This drilling program proved so trying that the boys raised considerable trouble and after about three weeks orders were received to dis- continue.
The latter part of July, or early in August, the Headquarters were moved to Charlottes- ville, and Company "C" was ordered to Louisa Court House, where six privates, one Sergeant and two Corporals were mounted and all or- dered to "Columbia," a small village at the junction of the James and Rivanna Rivers and Canal; the writer was one of the privates in the mounted detail, Lieutenant Chas. E. Minor, Company "E," was Provost Marshal, with Corporal Henry Isely as clerk in charge of Fluvanne and Goochland Counties. The part of the Company not mounted camped on a hill outside the village, the mounted privates, the Sergeant and one Corporal were quartered in a barn in the village. The duties of the mounted men consisted of carrying messages to the various other posts, to make arrests where ordered, adjust differences arising be- tween plantation owners and freedmen now their employees, and finally taking a census of the colored population.
About September 1st, when the 62nd Ohio was consolidated with our regiment, all of the unmounted men, except a corporal's guard, were ordered to Charlottesville for duty. Early in October. Corporal Isely's time having expired, he was discharged, and the writer was detailed to perform the duties of Clerk to the Provost Marshal, in addition to such other duties as he had time to perform, until Sun- day, November 26th, when at five o'clock in the morning, a courier arrived at our office with a dispatch, for which we had been wait- ing for months! Home!
In describing briefly, as above, the duties performed by one Company during this period of reconstruction, must serve as a reasonable example for all.
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Monday, November 27th, moved to Louisa Court House, 28 miles. Tuesday, November 28th, awaiting orders. Wednesday, Novem- ber 29th, received orders to board train for Richmond; train arrived about 3 P. M., arriv- ing in Richmond at 10 P. M. Bivouacked on train.
On the morning of November 10th, marched to "Libby Prison" where we had breakfast and dinner and about 4 P. M., boarded a river transport down the James River, arriving at City Point about 8 P. M. Bivouacked in bar- racks.
December 1st, engaged in making our mus- ter rolls until December 7th, and were for- mally mustered out of Military Service. De- cember 8th, 1865, boarded transport about 9 A. M., arriving at Fort Monroe about 6 P. M .; Baltimore about 9 A. M., December 9th, 1865. Stacked arms in street and had two meals in "Soldiers Rest." Boarded train of box cars about 4 P. M., arriving at Martinsburg Sun- day morning. December 10th, about 4 A. M .; had two hours layover. Arriving at Cumber- land, Md., about noon, had layover of several hours (did not go to church) and finally ar- rived at Columbus, Ohio, about noon on Tues- day, December 12th, 1865. Marched to "Camp Chase," quartered in barracks.
On Friday. December 15th. 1865, we re- ceived our discharge and pay. The same eve- ning and the next morning, as fast as trains could be secured, all started for Home !
From December 18th, 1861. to December 16th, 1865.
It may be of interest to relate here what was at the time called the most "Wonderful Case on Record." The rifle ball by which Colonel Voris was wounded at Fort Wagner, split upon the ring of his sword belt, and as, on probing, only a small piece of the ball was found. it was supposed that the larger portion had glanced off without penetrating the body. As the years passed by, after the close of the war, and his return to his professional duties. the General began to experience an abdominal trouble which finally developed into what was supposed to be an aggravated case of stone in the bladder, and finally, despairing of his life unless he could get speedy relief, in the fall of 1873 he submitted to a surgical operation when to the surprise of the surgeons, his friends, and himself, instead of a stone, three- fourths of an Enfield rifle leaden ball, weigh- ing an ounce and one-eighth, was extracted
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from the bladder. That the shot did not kill him instantly in the first place, was simply miraculous; and that he could have carried that amount of lead in such a vital position for over ten years of a very active life, with- out fatal results, and finally, to withstand the effects of so painful and critical an operation, not only evinces a remarkable degree of pluck, but a most vigorous constitution.
It is supposed that the leaden missile, being checked by striking the belt-ring, lodged in the integuments of the upper portion of the bladder, gradually, by its own gravity, work- ing its way through into the cavity of the bladder itself. from whence it was, happily, so skillfully and safely removed.
This military service was the performance of the duty of Loyal Patriotic American Citi- zens, whose record is not compiled for their own aggrandizement, but that it will serve as an incentive to a Godly and Patriotic Ameri- canism by future generations that they will ever defend this Great American Republic from all its enemies as they have done from its Rebels 1861-65.
J. C. HARING, GEO. L. CHILDS, A. N. BRIGGS,
Committee.
.
(* OM|@ PRINTING & PUD CO., MASS.@
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JULY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
ـهمـ
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