History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 1

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1386

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II > Part 1

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J ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 02999 9700

Gc 973.74 P38b v.2 Bates, Samuel P. 1827-1902. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5

HISTORY

.OF

PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.

1861-5;

PREPARED

IN COMPLIANCE WITH ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE,

BY SAMUEL P. BATES, MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Whe, whenever their attempts ware unsuccessful, thought it dishenor that their country should stand in need of anything that their valor could do for it, and eo mada it the mest glerlous present. Bestewing thus their lives on the publlc, they have every one received a praise that will naver decay, n sepulchre that will always be most illustrious,-net that in which their bonee lie mouldering, but that in which their fame is preserved, to be on every occasion, when honer is the amploy of elther word er act, aternally remembered. This whele earth is tha sepul- chra of illustrious men; nor is It the inscriptlen on the columns in their native soil alone that ahow their merit. but the memorial of them, better than all inscriptions, in every foreign nation, reposited mere durably in uni- versal remembrance than on their own tomb .- OHATION OF PERICLES IN HONOR OF THE DEAD IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR.

VOL. II.

HARRISBURG: B. SINGERLY, STATE PRINTER. 1869.

-----

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1869, by SAMUEL P. BATES,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270

State Colors.

Artillery Flay

Cavalry Gmaidon. State Flug

Regimental Flag. U. S. Colors

State National Colors,

128S731

CONTENTS.

THREE YEARS' SERVICE.

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT, 47

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT,

FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, 135

FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT, 176 216

FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,

246

FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT,

985

FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT-SECOND CAVALRY, 390

SIXTIETH REGIMENT-THIRD CAVALRY,

360

SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

407

6 SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT,

451

SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT-FOURTH CAVALRY,

522

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-FIFTH CAVALRY,

563

SIXTII-SIXTH REGIMENT,

632

SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 634

SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, 673

SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT,

697 .741 783

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, -

SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT, 829

SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT, 862

SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT,

893

SEVENTY-FIFTHI REGIMENT,

915

SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, 945

SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 985

SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, 1029

SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT, 1075

12-14-64.

PAGE.

FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,

SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT, 499

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT-SIXTH CAVALRY,

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT-SEVENTH CAVALRY, - 1114

EIGHTY-FIRST REGIMENT, 1167

EIGHTY-SECOND REGIMENT, 1202

EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT, - 1248

EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT,

1307

INDEX TO MAPS.

STATE AND NATIONAL COLORS,

Frontispiece.

MAP OF ANTIETAM AND GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGNS,

Opposite 1

MAP OF BULL RUN, FREDERICKSBURG, CHANCELLORSVILLE, AND MINE RUN CAMPAIGNS, 4: 451

MAP OF SHERIDAN'S CAMPAIGN IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY,

640

MAP OF PETERSBURG CAMPAIGN,

66 1248

ABBREVIATIONS.

Ab. absent.

Adj. Adjutant.

Dis. dismissed. Dis'y. disability.

Reg. regiment.

Asst. Assistant.

· Disch. discharged. Div. division.

Red. reduced.

Asy. Asylum.

Bu. buried or burial.

Exp. expiration.

Res. resigned.

Bv. brevet.

Fr. from. Fur. furlough.

Sec. section.

Capt. Captain.

G'ds. Grounds.

Sen. sentenced.

Capt'd. captured.

G. O. General Order.

Serv. service.

Cem. Cemetery.

Hos. hospital.

Cert. certificate.

Lt. Lieutenant.

Chap. Chaplain.

Cor. Corporal.

Mil. Military. Mis. missing. Muc. Musician.

Com. commissioned or com- missary.

Mus. mustered.

C'y or Cav. Cavalry.

Nat. National.

Cyp. Cypress.

Pr. promoted.

Des. deserted.

Pl. principal.

Priv. private.

Rem. removed.

Ret. returned.

Bd. band.

S. O. special order. Surg. Surgeon. Sgt. Sergeant.

Sub. substitute. Stew. steward. Tr. transferred. Vet. veteran volunteer. Wd. wounded. Wds. wounds.

Rockrille

Harrisburg

Marietta

Dice.

Duncannon

Falmouth

Fort Washington

Bridgeport

Goldsboro

Shermanstom

York HaveR.

Grdorus CF.

Grist Cr

Kingston. Sta.

Breeches Cr

Rosstorn

Carlisle

Yellow

Dillsburg

Dover

Conodeg

Plainfield

Grasons

CAllerton

Berlin

Petersbourg

Coderus

York

Farville

VALLEY

Heidtersburg

Oakville Sta

Mena lieu

Hartere

Leesx Reads

Oxforit

Manchester

Bricaughtom

Littlent All ?!

Shippensburg

Ballintore

Cashtown

Run

Rock

Scotland

Marcher.

Tancytoun

Rivetteville

Citionton

Fourfield

Ermeltsburg

Chambersbiny

Middlebury

Feudaindatr

Sabitgrille

Quincy

Johnsville

Mechanicsville.

Griechfin

CATmonville

Waynesboro

Creyerstown

Stumptown

Wiesville

Ulica Mill

Green Castles

CSSnuthishurg

SMt Pleasant

GaretonTL

Halkerswill

How Market

Theycistown.

Funkstone

Frederick

Turuer's ,Gap

Buckeyes T.

Riv

Burettsville

Jefferson

Bakersville.

PCentreville

Cramptrui's Cup

Prineville

Doubs OSta.

Map of the Battle cf

Berlin

Books

ANTIETAM

GETTYSBURG.

Union .

Rebel.

Duffield

Rail Roads.

Harpers1.

Martinsburg

Common Rouds .

1 2 3 4 5

s Kearneysville

Viles

Peaksville

Monrovia eransville.

Antietam Cr

Boonsboro

Williamsport

disville 2

Rohrersville

Poto

Dunker C

Sherryssburg Sept. 16 4 11 1862

Burfamille

Point of

VIRGINIA

Connait's Ferry

Pouritels

Middlesex

Conewago Cr.

get . Cr

East Br

Hanorer

Junction

R. R.

HANOVER

CUMBERLAND

Gettysburg

Tive Tartmus

hlou

PZ ..

Bernd Top

Westminster

Pipe Cr.

Hindsbom

Liberty

South Mosunta Ins

Oxford

Sherman's C

.Mechanicsbrug

Lisburn

Middletown

)Turnpikes itud

Middletonne

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

YOME time previous to the first Battle of Bull Run, Colonel Tartranft, who S commanded a regiment in the three months' service, applied for, and re- ceived authority to recruit one for the three years' service. Calling about him many of his old officers and men, the ranks of the new regiment were soon filled with a body rarely excelled for qualities essential to good soldiers. With the ex- ception of a few enlistments, companies A, C, D, F and I, were recruited in Montgomery county; E, H, and K in Union and Snyder; G in Centre, and B in Northampton. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, and the regi- ment was organized by the selection of the following officers: Jolin F. Hart- ranft, of Montgomery county, Colonel ; Thomas S. Bell, of Chester county, Lieutenant Colonel; Edwin Schall, of Montgomery county, Major.

On the morning of the 18th of November the regiment left Camp Curtin, and proceeded by rail to Annapolis, Maryland, where, beneath the venerable elms of Saint John's College, it was for the first time formed in line, its details made, and its arms stacked. Burnside's expedition to North Carolina was now being fitted out, and the best drilled and most reliable of the volunteer regi- ments were selected for that service. The Fifty-first Pennsylvania was early designated as one. Upon its arrival at Annapolis it was at first quartered in the buildings of the College, and subsequently went into camp on the old French burying ground. On the 1st of December the camp was moved two miles beyond the city, and for six weeks it was subjected to continuous and laborious drill, during which its efficiency and discipline were rapidly improved. and a foundation laid for its future renown. In the final organization of the corps, it was assigned to Reno's Brigade .*

On the 6th of January, 1862, the regiment embarked, and on the 9th, the fleet, in three squadrons, set sail from Annapolis, and with sealed orders passed out to sea. No sooner had it reached the open ocean than it was overtaken by a succession of violent storms. It seemed as though a tempest had been lurk- ing in the waste of waters ready to burst upon it the moment it should appear. For nearly two weeks, staggering beneath the giant waves, it was swept about at the merey of the elements. Braving successfully the tempests, it finally passed Hatteras Inlet, and came to anchor in Pamlico Sound. On the morn- ing of the 5th of February, the Flag Ship Philadelphia was anxiously watched, as it moved, followed by the fleet, and it soon became evident that Roanoke Island was its destination. At early dawn, on the 7th, a landing was effected,

* Organization of the Second Brigade, Brigadier General Jesse L. Reno, ef Burnside's Corps. Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel John F. Hartranft ; Fifty-first Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Robert B. Potter; Twenty-first Regiment Massa- chusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Albert C. Maggi; Ninth Regiment New Jersey Vol- unteers, Colonel J. W. Allen.

1-VOL. II.

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

1862

and the movement commenced. The enemy was found strongly posted in earth works on the north-west corner of the island, nearly surrounded by an impene- trable swamp, approached in front by a single causeway, which was swept by the guns of the fort. Upon arriving at the edge of the swamp, Reno's Brigade was sent to the left, to cut off the enemy's retreat sonth, while Foster was directed to penetrate the swamp to the right of the road, and attack the enemy upon that flank. Hartranft soon found his way completely blocked, and returned upon the track of Foster, leaving two companies of the Fifty-first, which had the advance, still groping in the mire. But before he had reached the lines, Foster had already opened upon the enemy with infantry and artillery, and as the regiment came into position on the right of the line, Foster ordered a final charge, and the enemy was driven from his works, and fled in confusion. The demonstration upon the left of the road served to heighten his confusion, as he anticipated that his way of retreat was effectually broken. A hot pursuit was immediately made, and the entire force, with numerous heavy guns and small arms, was captured.

On the 3d of March the regiment embarked for the expedition to Newbern, and on the 4th changed its muskets for Enfield Rifles. The fleet sailed on the 11th, and entered the Neuse River on the 12th, anchoring off Slocum's Creek, fifteen miles from Newbern, where, on the following day, the regiment de- barked. A portion, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Bell, was detailed to assist in moving the artillery. The rain was descending in torrents, and the roads were soon trodden into a stiff mnd, which rendered the movement of the pieces next to impossible. Many of the men lost their shoes, and went into battle on the following day barefoot. But without faltering or pausing by the way, they toiled on over the weary miles, and brought up the pieces in time for the attack. For this important service, General Burnside personally thanked Lieutenant Colonel Bell. In the meantime Colonel Hartranft, with the remain- ing companies, pushed on with the advance column. Upon its arrival in front of the enemy's earth-works, dispositions for attack were made, Foster occupy- ing the right, Reno the left, and Parke in support upon the centre. The enemy's line upon the left was masked by timber, and in the thick fog which prevailed the extent of his works was undiscovered. They proved to be of great strength, consisting of "thirteen finished redans" bristling with cannon, protected in front "by an almost impassable morass filled with fallen timber,"* and stretch- ing away far beyond the railroad, where his right was supposed to rest. Fos- ter attacked upon his left; but the enemy concentrating his strength proved more than a match for him.

As soon as he could gain his position on the left, Reno attacked, and the battle soon became general, raging with great fury for three and a half hours. The Fifty first had been held in support, and though exposed to a severe fire had not been allowed to return a single shot. General Reno becoming impa- tient at the delay, and at the losses he was sustaining, ordered up Colonel Hartranft for the decisive charge. Forming within a short distance of the rebel intrenchments, the regiment was led forward through the ranks of the Fifty- first New York, which cheered the column as it passed, to a little hill beyond. General Reno, in person, his face beaming with an expression seen only in bat- tle, ordered the charge. With determined valor the regiment rushed down a

* General Reno's Official Report.

BATTLE OF NEWBERN.

1862

ravine ehoeked with felled timber, up the opposite bank, and without a falter carried the redan in front, planting the old flag upon the ramparts. "All this," says General Reno in his official report, "was gallantly executed, and the enemy fled precipitately from all their intrenchments. Some fifty prisoners were eap- tured in these works, many severely wounded. Upon reaching the rebel in trenehments I was rejoieed to see our flag waving along the entire line of the enemy's works." After setting fire to the railroad bridge, and a number of fae- tories, the rebels abandoned Newbern.

Detachments were frequently sent out by General Burnside to reeonnoitre and hold important points upon the coast. One was entrusted to Colonel Eart- ranft, who moved with his regiment into the interior and acquired valuable information. On the 16th of April, a foree was sent out consisting of the Fifty- first Pennsylvania, Ninth and Eighty-ninth New York, Sixth New Hampshire ",

and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, which proceeded by transports to a point four miles below Elizabeth City, where it landed. Pushing inland about twenty miles, the weary troops came upon the enemy strongly posted. Two eompa- nies of the Fifty-first, A and F, Captains Boulton and Hart, were considerably in advance of the main eolumn, and when they had arrived within an eighth of a mile of the rebel line, they were suddenly opened upon from the enemy's guns. They were ordered to shelter themselves as best they eould, and to hold their position. General Reno now led the Twenty-first Massachusetts, and the balance of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, through the woods to the right, bring- ing them into position upon the enemy's left flank, where they immediately opened fire. In the meantime, the Ninth New York had taken position on the enemy's left centre, and had prematurely charged upon his guns. The ground. was open, and being fearfully exposed, the Ninth was repulsed with consider- able loss. The Sixth New Hampshire advaneed upon the left, and with the two companies of the Fifty-first holding the road, kept the enemy well em- ployed upon that part of the line. The Fifty-first had now turned his left flank, and was pouring in most deadly volleys. "In the meantime," says General Reno, "the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, and the Twenty-first Massachusetts kept up an incessant fire upon the rebels, who had now withdrawn their artillery, and had eommeneed to withdraw in good order. The Sixth New Hampshire had steadily advanced in line to the left of the road, and when within about two hundred yards poured in a most deadly volley, which completely demoral- ized the enemy, and ended the battle. Our men were so completely fagged out by the intense heat and their long march, that we could not pursue them.

· The men rested under arms until about ten o'clock P. M., when I ordered a re- turn to our boats, having accomplished the principal objeet of the expedition, conveying the idea that the entire Burnside expedition was marehing upon Norfolk." . The loss in the regiment was three killed and twenty-one wounded. The brigade was here commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bell, and the regi- ment by Major Sehall. On the 30th of June the regiment embarked for Fort- ress Monroe, but was detained until the 5th of July, when it set sail with the rest of the command, and arrived on the 8th. Here General Burnside com- meneed organizing the Ninth Corps, destined to win an enviable place in the national armies, and the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade of the .. Second Division, composed of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, Fifty-first New York and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, commanded by General Edward Ferrero? On the 12th of August, Burnside hastened with his eommand to the support.

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

1862

of Pope, and landed at Fredericksburg, whence he pushed forward two divisions to Cedar Mountain, where they formed a junction with General M'Dowell. The enemy had already made his appearance on the Rapidan, and Ferrero's Brigade, under Colonel Hartranft, was sent to guard the fords from Mitchell's Station to Raccoon Ford." Lee's columns soon after arrived in force on the opposite bank, and began to press heavily to gain a crossing, when the brigade was withdrawn, and returning through Stevensburg, re-crossed the Rappahannock at Kelley's Ford. Four companies of the Fifty-first were detailed for the rear guard, and held the enemy at bay until so far separated from the main body as to excite serious apprehension for their safety ; but they succeeded in bringing in the gun with which they were entrusted, and crossed the river in safety, losing only a few stragglers. Pope's army manœuvring for several days, finally formed in line on the old Bull Run battle-ground. Kearney held the right, with Reno on his left. Several batteries were posted on a commanding ridge, and . away to the right was a wood in which the enemy was concentrated in heavy force. The Fifty-first supported these batteries. On the afternoon of the first day of the battle, the 29th, Lieutenant Colonel Bell, with a portion of the regi- · ment, was detailed to advance to the picket line in Kearney's front, and re- mained in this position until the morning of the second day, when it re-joined the regiment, which had been withdrawn during the night. Towards evening, our forces having been driven back, began to move from the field. The line of re- treat was along the Centreville road to the right of the position held by Gra- ham's battery. This road was soon completely blocked with the artillery and trains, and much confusion prevailed ..

. It was a critical moment. The enemy, exulting in his successes, was pushing on to break in upon the column, while impeded by its trains, and to crush it in its crippled condition by a single blow. Graham's pieces were ad- mirably posted for its protection, and were already dealing their death laden volleys upon the advancing foe; but should his supports fail him, his guns would be lost, and our whole left flank exposed. Ferrero saw the necessity of holding these guns at all hazards, and of keeping them in full play. Undaunted by the masses of the foe hurled against him, he clung to the ground, and poured in double shotted canister and rapid rounds of musketry, until the enemy's lines were broken and driven in confusion. Again and again they returned to the contest with fresh troops, and with renewed zeal ; but no valor could with- stand the shock of Ferrero's column, and the enemy finally retired, leaving our lines intact, and our trains safe. Ferrero, with the Twenty-first Massachu- setts, now moved off, and had become separated from the rest of his brigade. The command of the two remaining regiments devolved on Colonel Hartranft.

Retiring across Bull Run, the two regiments filed into the fields to the right of the pike, and bivouacked for the night. In the morning they moved on to Centreville, and re-joined the army. It was soon after discovered that the rebels were in motion to strike the Union column by a movement upon its right, and cut off its retreat. Reno's Corps was immediately put in motion with the cavalry in advance, and was soon joined by Stevens and Kearney. Hartranft had the rear of the column, and was moving with two batteries, though under no orders to support them, when he suddenly found himself con- fronting the enemy. The two armies were moving on divergent roads, and the lines were here first struck. Seeing that these batteries were in peril, he instantly ordered them into a commanding position on the left of the road.

STORMING OF THE BRIDGE AT ANTIETAM.

1862

and drove back the foe. It was nightfall, and a terrible thunder storm prevailed; but Kearney and Stevens and Reno, three impetuous leaders, im- mediately forming, moved upon the foe, and fought in the darkness. They knew nothing of his strength and little of the ground, and contended to a great disadvantage; but the enemy was beaten back, which was the principal point, though Kearney and Stevens both yielded up their lives.

At his own request Pope was now relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac and M'Clellan was restored. On the 3d of September, the Ninth Corps moved through Washington, and on the 11th reached New Mar- ket, on the Maryland campaign. The passage of the Monocacy was not dis- puted. On the 12th, the command entered Frederick, and had a brisk skir. mish with the cavalry, which was covering the withdrawal of the rebel army," now concentrating in the passes of the South Mountain, which it was determined to hold. Before reaching the mountain, Ferrero's Brigade moved by a country road leading up to the summit on the left of the Sharpsburg pike. Upon en- countering the enemy's lines, the Seventeenth Michigan, a new regiment, full of enthusiasm, but little schooled in those cardinal virtues of the soldier im- parted by veteran discipline, made a most gallant charge diagonally across the road from left to right, in the face of a murderous fire, which swept the ranks at every step, and soon disappeared in the woods beyond. General Reno, coming up soon after, and supposing that this regiment had established a line in the woods, and was holding the ground it had so gallantly won, or- dered Colonel Hartranft to lead his regiment across the open field in rear of the supposed line, and close up to the edge of the woods. While the regiment was thus moving, and was stretched out upon the march unsuspicious of dan- ger, the enemy suddenly opened upon it from the wood a most withering fire. The Seventeenth Michigan had advanced and driven the enemy, but had neg- lected to hold its advantage, and the rebels returning, had awaited until the Fifty-first was upon their bayonet ends, when they deliberately opened fire. The column was instantly drawn under cover of the wall that flanks the road, and soon after was deployed to the left of the road, under a fence that stretches at right angles to it. Fire was immediately opened upon the enemy, which was kept up until the ammunition was spent, when it was relieved by the Fifty-first New York, Colonel Potter, lying in elose supporting distance. Returning again to the contest, fire was continued until the enemy, finding him- self hard pressed on all sides, and his position rendered insecure, fled under cover of darkness, and in the morning the columns advanced without opposition. General Reno was killed early in the contest.

The battle of Antietam opened on the afternoon of the 16th of September, General Hooker, crossing Antietam Creek and attacking the enemy's left with great impetuosity and the most triumphant snecess, and was followed up on the morning of the 17th with even greater impetuosity by the commands of Mansfield and Sumner. In the meantime the left and centre of the Union line, stretching away towards the Potomac on the left bank of the creek, remained quiet spectators of the desperate encounter on the right. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 17th, when the struggle upon the right had been four hours in progress, General Cox, in command of the Ninth Army Corps since the fall of Reno, was ordered to advance and carry the stone bridge on the extreme left of the line, firmly held by the enemy. "The bridge itself is a stone struc- ture of three arches, with stone parapet above, this parapet to some extent

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

1862

flanking the approach to the bridge at either end. The valley in which the. stream runs is quite narrow, the steep slope on the right bank approaching to the water's edge. In this slope the road-way is scarped, running both ways from the bridge and passing to the higher land above by ascending through ravines, above and below, the upper ravine being some six hundred yards above the bridge, the town about half that distance below. On the hill side imme- diately above the bridge was a strong stone fence running parallel to the stream; the turns of the road-way were covered by rifle-pits and breastworks made of rails and stone, all of which defences, as well as the woods which covered the Slope, were filled with the enemy's infantry and sharp-shooters. Besides the infantry defences, batteries were placed to enfilade the bridge and all its ap- proaches."* ` Against this position, strong by nature. rendered doubly strong by art, the Eleventh Connecticut and Crook's Brigade, supported by Sturgis' Division, were ordered to the assault. As this force advanced up the open valley, by the road which leads along the river bank to the bridge, it was' ex- posed to so warin a fire from the opposite heights, alive with the enemy, that it was forced to halt and reply. Sturgis' troops reached the head of the bridge, and the Second Maryland and the Sixth New Hampshire charged at double quick with fixed bayonets; but the concentrated fire of the enemy upon it, forced them to fall back. After repeated efforts these regiments were with- drawp. Burnside, nettled at the failure of this attempt, and the consequent - delay of his columns, and knowing full well in whom he could trust, ordered forward the Fifty-first. General Ferrero dashing up to the regiment said, "General Burnside orders the Fifty-first Pennsylvania to storm the bridge." Hartranft, avoiding the road by the river bank, led his men in rear of the heights overlooking the river, until he arrived opposite the bridge, when he moved boldly down the slope for the crossing. The instant his men came into the open ground in the valley they received a withering fire from the enemy's well posted infantry, and many fell. A fence skirting the road proved a serious impediment, and in crossing it, the men were particularly exposed. Here fell Captains Bolton and Hart, severely wounded, a serious loss at this juncture. Unheeding the ene- my's bullets or the obstructions by the way, the column moved forward with a determined front, and made straight for the bridge. As they entered, a storm of missiles swept it, but no danger could stay that tide of living valor. Hart- ranft, who led the way, paused in the midst, and was hastening on the rear of his column, when he was joined by Colonel Potter, with the gallant Fifty- first New York. With a shout that rang out above the noise of battle, the two colums rusbed forward, and were soon firmly established on the thither bank. The bridge was carried !

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 1

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1386

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1386