USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry > Part 13
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Our entire lofs was fomething over fifty, including Lieutenant Butler of the battery, and Lieutenant Ste- vens of the 8th Illinois Cavalry.
The former was wounded in the ankle quite feverely, and during the night it was found neceffary to amputate his foot.
Lieutenant Butler had won golden opinions through- out the brigade, and it was with deep forrow that we learned of his injury and removal from the field.
During the night the enemy withdrew, and on the morning of the 10th, General Merritt moved forward Nov. 10th. and occupied Culpepper, eftablifhing his picket line two miles out.
1863. Nov. 8th.
CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
Engagement at Rappahannock Station-Mine Run Expedition -In Camp near Culpepper-Death of Major-General John Buford-Changes in Field, Staff, and Line.
W HILE our cavalry were moving in the vicinity of the Sulphur Springs on the 7th, General Sedgwick with the 5th and 6th Corps advanced upon the enemy, ftrongly intrenched at Rappahannock Station. They had thrown up fortifications on both the north and fouth bank of the river. The enemy's fkirmifhers were driven in by the rapid advance of our troops, until our guns occupied the creft of a hill lefs than one mile from their works. An artillery duel commenced as foon as our guns reached this favorable pofition, and during its progrefs a ftorming party, confifting of four regiments of Ruffell's brigade, and two of Colonel Upton's, was organized, who, with loud cheering and fixed bayonets, made a defperate affault upon the forts and rifle pits. To reach the works, half a mile of open plain had to be traverfed ; but, regardlefs of the heavy fire that was opened upon them, they moved fteadily forward at double quick, without firing a fingle fhot, until they reached the works ; here a defperate hand to hand ftrug-
1863. Nov. 8th.
207
MINE RUN EXPEDITION.
gle commenced and continued for about twenty minutes, 1863. refulting in a complete victory for our troops, and the furrender of the entire force of the enemy ; four guns and two thoufand ftand of arms were captured, and about eighteen hundred officers and men taken prif- oners.
On the 10th, our cavalry eftablifhed their camps Nov. 10th. about one mile in front of Culpepper, doing advanced picket duty.
On the 18th, the regiment was fent on a fcout out Nov. 18th. the James City Road fome three miles beyond our lines ; we returned near night with feveral prifoners and fome information in reference to the pofition of the enemy.
Our picket line was now eftablifhed from James City to Cedar Run. We took our regular tour of picket on this line, until the afternoon of the 25th, when we Nov. 25th. changed our picket line and the whole divifion moved to the eaft of Culpepper, preparatory to an early move- ment the fucceeding morning.
This was a night of frequent alarms in confequence of repeated attacks upon our pickets.
On the 26th, we left camp at 8 A. M., and moved Nov. 26th. with the brigade to Stevenfburg, where we bivouacked for the night. On the march, received telegrams from the War Department announcing the great victories of General Grant at Lookout Mountain and Miffionary Ridge. The reports created great enthufiafm amongft our troops. Long and loud cheers were given for Grant and the Army of the Cumberland.
General Buford being fick in Wafhington, the Ift divifion was commanded by Brigadier-General Merritt,
208
MINE RUN EXPEDITION.
1863. and the Referve Brigade by Colonel Alfred Gibbs, of the 19th New York Cavalry, a regiment recently added to the Referve Brigade.
The Army of the Potomac had croffed the Rapidan Nov. 25th. in three columns on the 25th, and fevere fkirmifhing had been going on at different points. On the 27th, General Kilpatrick attempted to crofs the river at Rac- coon Ford under fire of rebel batteries, but was driven back from the river.
Nov. 27th.
At 8 A. M. on the 27th, we left Stevenfburg and marched about five miles, when we overtook the Ift and 6th Corps wagon trains, which this divifion of cav- alry was to guard, and alfo act as rear-guard for the army towards Frederickfburg. The wagons of the Cavalry Corps were foon after added, and an immenfe park was eftablifhed near Ely's Ford on the Rapidan. During this day was fought the battle of Locuft Grove, which refulted in the fuccefs of our arms and the retreat of the enemy with heavy lofs.
Nov. 28th.
On the 28th, a portion of the regiment was fent on picket down the Rapidan and back towards Frederickf- burg ; heavy artillery and mufketry firing could be heard acrofs the river in the direction of Chancellorfville much of the time on the 28th and 29th. The corps of Gen- erals French, Warren, and Prince had pretty heavy fkirmifhing with the enemy. General French, com- manding the 3d Corps, loft heavily, but fucceeded in driving the enemy and capturing 900 prifoners ; during the advance and fight, the 6th Corps was thrown for- ward to his fupport. The 5th Corps train was attacked in flank on the plank road and fifteen wagons were de-
MINE RUN EXPEDITION. 209
ftroyed. General Gregg's cavalry was attacked, and 1863. though taken by furprife, foon rallied, had a fevere fight with rebel cavalry, and drove them back upon their in- fantry, and were then driven back upon the 5th Corps, who in turn drove the rebels from the field. On Mon- day evening the two armies were feparated by Mine Run Valley, which croffes the Frederickfburg and Orange Plank-road twelve miles from Orange Court- houfe. General Lee was ftrongly intrenched in this pofition ; earthwork rofe above earthwork, and all of a very ftrong character.
General Warren was ordered to attack at daylight on the 30th, but during the night the enemy's works were Nov. 30th. greatly ftrengthened, and it was deemed impracticable to carry them without too great a facrifice of life. General Meade vifited the left and countermanded the order for an advance, and although confiderable artillery and fome mufketry firing continued throughout the day, yet no attack was made in force. During the night of the Ift of December our troops were quietly withdrawn Dec. Ift. to the Rapidan, and on the following day the army moved back to its former camps in the vicinity of Ste- venfburg, Culpepper, Brandy Station, and Warrenton, while a large portion were ftretched along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad for its protection.
The humane fpirit actuating the truly great Com- mander of this army is fhown in the following extract from a letter from General Meade to a friend in New- ark, about the time of the Mine Run movement :
" I am fully aware of the great anxiety in the public mind that fomething fhould be done ; I am in receipt of
27
210
IN CAMP NEAR CULPEPPER.
1863. many letters, fome from perfons in high pofition, telling me I had better have my army deftroyed and the coun- try filled up with the bodies of the foldiers than remain inactive. Whilft I do not fuffer myfelf to be influenced by fuch communications, I am, and have been moft anxious to effect fomething, but am determined at every hazard not to attempt anything unlefs my judgment in- dicates a probability of accomplifhing fome object com- menfurate with the deftruction of life neceffarily in- volved. I would rather a thoufand times be relieved, charged with tardinefs or incompetency, than to have my confcience burdened with a wanton flaughter, ufe- leffly, of brave men, or with having jeopardized the great caufe by doing what I thought wrong."
It was this regard for the lives of his foldiers, and the great odds againft him at Mine Run, with the fact that winter was upon him with all its uncertainties of wea- ther, and danger of breaking up of communication and interference with fupplies, that led General Meade to decide upon a return without giving the enemy battle.
Dec. 2d.
Reveille founded in our camp at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 2d of December, the regiment leaving camp at daylight and marching to Stevenfburg, when, after refting for two hours, we again mounted and pro- ceeded to Culpepper.
Scouts were fent out in all directions, and near night our picket line was again eftablifhed far in advance of our old line, the Sixth Pennfylvania being fent out on this duty, and relieved the following morning by the 19th New York Cavalry.
Dec. 4th. On the 4th, an alarm was created in camp at 3 o'clock
211
DEATH OF GENERAL BUFORD.
in the morning in confequence of a reported attack upon 1863. our picket line. The regiment was quickly in line, and after an hour or two of ftanding to horfe, the men were allowed to tie their horfes to their picket ropes, where they remained ready faddled until near noon, when the regiment was fent on fcout to Cedar Mountain. We remained in this camp preparing permanent winter quar- ters until the 25th of December, when we celebrated Dec. 25th. our Chriftmas by a removal of camp to near Mitchell's Station.
We left comfortable quarters, built with great care, in which we had expected to winter, and moving out fome four miles, fpent the afternoon in vain efforts to arrange fome comfortable bivouac with fhelter tents. In confequence of recent heavy rains the ground was very wet and fpongy. The night was cold and ftormy, and in the greateft difcomfort its hours wore through. Thoughts of home and the feftivities of the Chriftmas feafon added nothing to our enjoyment of that difmal Chriftmas night in the extreme front of the Army of the Potomac.
On the 18th, our divifion was made forrowful by the announcement of the death of General John Buford, which occurred at the refidence of General Stoneman, Wafhington, D. C., from difeafe contracted in the fer- vice. General Buford was born in Kentucky, but re- moved to Illinois at an early age ; was appointed from that State to the Military Academy at Weft Point. Graduating in 1848 he entered the 2d U. S. Dragoons as fecond lieutenant.
He ferved with his regiment until the outbreak of the
212
MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN BUFORD.
1863. war, when he was transferred to the Infpector-General's December. department. In 1862, he was appointed to the com- mand of the regular brigade of cavalry.
In the fpring of 1863, he was affigned to the com- mand of the Ift Cavalry Divifion, which pofition he held with the rank of major-general at the time of his death. A feries of refolutions, expreffive of the feelings of the divifion in his lofs, were prepared at a meeting of his ftaff officers and prefented to the officers of the divifion for their approval, as follows :
" First. That we, the divifion officers of the late Major- General John Buford, fully appreciating his merits as a gentleman, foldier, commander, and patriot, conceive his death to be an irreparable lofs to the cavalry arm of the fervice. That we have been deprived of a friend and leader whofe fole ambition was our fuccefs, and whofe chief pleafure was in adminiftering to the welfare, fafety, and happinefs of the officers and men of his com- mand.
" Second. That we deeply fympathize with his bereaved family, and tender them our heartfelt appreciation of his merits in this their hour of affliction. That we look upon his character as a model of high integrity and modefty united with the fympathies of a heart alive to every tender emotion as well as indifference to perfonal inconvenience and danger. That to his unwearied ex- ertion in the many refponfible pofitions which he has occupied, the fervice at large is indebted for much of its efficiency, and in his death the cavalry has loft a firm friend and a moft ardent advocate. That we are called to mourn the lofs of one who was ever to us as the
213
CHANGES IN STAFF AND LINE.
kindeft and tendereft father, and that our fondeft defire 1863. and wifh will ever be to perpetuate his memory, and December. emulate his greatnefs."
The funeral fervices were held at Rev. Dr. Gurley's Church, Wafhington, D. C., December 20th, and were largely attended by officers of the army and navy, mem- bers of Congrefs, and a large concourfe of citizens, crowding the church to overflowing. The fermon was an able one and worthy the occafion, from which we can only make this brief extract, which prefents fome- thing of the characteriftics of our honored chief :
"He was modeft, yet brave ; retiring, yet efficient ; quiet, but vigilant ; unoftentatious, but prompt and per- fevering ; careful of the lives of his men with an almoft parental folicitude, yet never fhrinking from action, how- ever fraught with peril, when the time and place for fuch action had come. His fkill and courage were put to ftern and decifive tefts on many hardfought fields, and they were always equal to every emergency."
Major-General Stoneman commanded the military efcort on the occafion, confifting of a regiment of in- fantry ; Battery "L," of the 5th Regulars ; one fquad- ron of cavalry, and prominent officers and citizens. The remains were taken to Weft Point and there in- terred with military honors. A fufficient fum was con- tributed by the officers of the divifion to erect a fuitable monument over his grave.
The following changes in the ftaff and line, hitherto unnoticed, occurred during the year, or previoufly.
Firft Lieutenant William Odenheimer refigned in February, 1863, in confequence of difeafe contracted in
214
CHANGES IN STAFF AND LINE.
1863. field-fervice. He entered the regiment at its organiza- December. tion as a private in Company " A," Auguft, 1861, and, before the regiment left Philadelphia, was appointed 2d Lieutenant of Company "H." In November, 1862, was promoted as Ift Lieutenant of Company "M."
William White, of Philadelphia, was appointed 2d Lieutenant of Company "D," November Ift, 1862, and promoted to Ift Lieutenant in fame Company, Feb- ruary 11th, 1863; had previoufly ferved for "ninety days" as private in Company "F" (" Wafhington Grays"), 17th Pennfylvania Infantry.
Rev. S. Levis Gracey, Paftor of the Methodift Epif- copal Church at Media, Delaware County, was invited to the regiment, and by the unanimous voice of the officers chofen its Chaplain, and was commiffioned and muftered accordingly, November 20th, 1862.
Surgeon John B. Coover was commiffioned as fuch, and affigned to the Sixth Pennfylvania Cavalry, in De- cember, 1862, ferved faithfully with the regiment during all its campaigns in 1863.
George Meade, of Philadelphia, fon of Major-General George G. Meade, entered the regiment as 2d Lieute- nant of Company "C," November 20th, 1862, having fpent the two previous years at the Military Academy at Weft Point. He ferved faithfully with the regiment in all its campaigns until May 22d, 1863, when he was appointed a Captain and Aide-de-camp on the ftaff of his father, then commanding the 5th Corps. Went with General Meade when he was affigned to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and ferved on the ftaff to the clofe of the war, being greatly expofed in every
215
CHANGES IN STAFF AND LINE.
engagement of the army in its advances upon Rich- 1863. mond. At this writing (Auguft, 1866), he is ftill borne December. on the ftaff of Major-General Meade, with the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, a rank and pofition fairly earned by long and faithful fervice.
Major George E. Clymer refigned February 5th, 1863. He had been faithful in every pofition in the regiment during its arduous campaigns, and was greatly beloved by the entire command.
On the 24th of February, 1863, Captain F. C. New- hall, Company "K," was appointed Acting Affiftant Infpector-General on the ftaff of Major-General Stone- man, who had been recently affigned to command the Cavalry Corps.
At the above date, his fervice with the regiment vir- tually ceafed. Captain Newhall entered the regiment as 2d Lieutenant in Company "A," but only remained on duty with the company for a few days, when he was muftered as Adjutant of the regiment, with the rank of Ift Lieutenant, on the 3Ift of October, 1861.
On the 27th of March, 1862, he was muftered as Captain of Company "K," vice Ellis refigned. He ferved with his company until the battle of Frederickf- burg, when he was appointed Provoft-Marfhal of the 6th Corps, which pofition he occupied until his appoint- ment as above, on the ftaff of General Stoneman. When Major-General Pleafonton affumed command of the Cavalry Corps, Captain Newhall remained in the fame pofition, and continued to fulfil the duties of his office faithfully, and when General Sheridan was ordered to the command of the Cavalry he was retained upon
216
CHANGES IN STAFF AND LINE.
1863. Dec. 31ft.
his ftaff, ferving in all the campaigns of this brilliant Cavalry leader.
On the 6th of February, 1865, at the requeft of Major-General Sheridan, Captain Newhall was ap- pointed by the Prefident Affiftant Adjutant-General of the Middle Military Divifion with the rank of Lieute- nant-Colonel. He retained this pofition on the ftaff of General Sheridan until after the clofe of the war, and won the higheft praife for faithfulnefs of fervice.
Sergeant Bernard H. Herknefs, Company "C," pro- moted 2d Lieutenant in Company "G," April Ift, 1863.
Captain Robert Milligan, Company " F," refigned in January, 1863. He ferved with the three months' troops as Captain in the Ift Delaware Infantry, and at the expiration of their term of fervice entered the Sixth Pennfylvania Cavalry with the fame rank. He was with the regiment when it ftarted from Philadelphia, and through the Peninfula and Maryland campaigns, and at the battle of Frederickfburg. In the latter en- gagement he ferved with his company as Provoft-Guard for General Franklin's Grand Divifion.
Sergeant Archer Maris was appointed 2d Lieutenant Company "I," April Ift, 1862, having ferved faithfully with the regiment fince its organization. He was placed on detached duty on the 4th of November, 1863, being appointed Provoft-Marfhal of the Referve Cavalry Brigade.
Lieutenant E. P. Bertrand was detached from the regiment June 26th, as Aide-de-camp to Major Starr, 6th United States Cavalry, then commanding the brigade ; his fervice with the regiment ceafed on that date, for on
217
CHANGES IN STAFF AND LINE.
the 29th, General Merritt affumed command of the 1863. brigade and retained him as perfonal Aide-de-camp on Dec. 31ft. his ftaff, which pofition he retained until the expiration of his term of original enliftment, November, 1864, when he left the fervice.
The health of Captain H. P. Muirheid being com- pletely broken, he was compelled to refign on furgeon's certificate of difability, April 2d, 1863.
He entered the regiment with the rank of 2d Lieu- tenant, September 10th, 1861 ; promoted to Ift Lieu- tenant, October Ift, 1861, at Camp Meigs, Philadel- phia, and to a captaincy, March 28th, 1862. During a part of the Peninfula campaign was detached from the regiment as Provoft-Marfhal of the 6th Corps, Ma- jor-General Franklin commanding, and alfo ferved with him during the firft Maryland campaign. He ferved with the regiment at the battles of Hanover Court- houfe, Gaines's Mill, White Oak Swamp, and Charles City Crofs-roads. At the battle of South Mountain he acted as Aid on General Franklin's ftaff. He left us while encamped at White Oak Church, Virginia.
Major John H. Gardiner refigned February 5th, 1863, on furgeon's certificate of difability.
At the breaking out of the war he commanded a company in the 17th Pennfylvania Regiment, Colonel Frank Patterfon, and, at the expiration of their three months of fervice, he engaged in recruiting for the Sixth Pennfylvania Cavalry, and entered the regiment as Cap- tain of Company "B." Promoted Major, November Ift, 1862. Suffered greatly from ficknefs during the
28
218
CHANGES IN FIELD, STAFF, AND LINE.
1863. winter of 1862, and was compelled to leave the field- Dec. 31ft. fervice in the fpring of 1863.
Major J. Henry Hazeltine was promoted from Cap- tain of Company "E," February 5th, 1863. Com- manded the regiment after the Beverly Ford engage- ment through the fummer campaign in Pennfylvania, at Gettyfburg, and the battles at Williamfport, Boonfboro, Funkftown, Falling Waters, &c. Refigned, November 12th, 1863.
Thomas O. Mailey entered the United States Army as Quartermafter-Sergeant in the famous 2d United States Cavalry (now 5th), in the early part of 1855 ; his term of fervice having expired in 1860 he returned to civil life.
On the 5th of Auguft, 1861, joined the Sixth Penn- fylvania Cavalry with the rank of ift Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermafter and Commiffary, and ferved in that capacity until April 14th, 1862, when he was commiffioned in and transferred to the 5th United States Cavalry, of which regiment he is ftill a member. The experience he brought to the Quartermafter's and Com- miffary's Departments was of vaft benefit to the regi- ment in its organization, when nearly every officer was inexperienced in military matters.
Firft Lieutenant T. W. Neill, refigned in Auguft, 1863, in confequence of failing health ; he firft entered the fervice as Orderly-Sergeant of the Commonwealth Artillery, ftationed at Fort Delaware. £ Entered the Sixth Pennfylvania as 2d Lieutenant of Company "K," at formation of regiment. Served faithfully through all the operations of the regiment while on the Peninfula and in Maryland.
219
CHANGES IN FIELD, STAFF, AND LINE.
Affiftant-Surgeon Thomas L. Morrifon was commif- 1863. fioned as fuch and affigned to our regiment January 31ft, Dec. 31ft. 1863. Refigned, June 30th, 1863.
Second Lieutenant J. Hinckley Clark promoted Ift Lieutenant Company "K," April 6th, 1862; Captain Company " M," March 16th, 1863.
Charles M. Ellis, M.D., of Elkton, Maryland, en- tered the regiment at its formation with the rank of Affiftant-Surgeon, and ferved with the regiment during the Peninfula, Firft Maryland, and Frederickfburg cam- paigns. When our army fell back from near Cold Harbor, leaving our hofpital with its inmates to the mercy of the enemy, Dr. Ellis voluntarily remained in charge of the fick and wounded ; was taken with them to Richmond and confined in Libby prifon until the lat- ter part of July, when he was exchanged, and rejoined the regiment. He was the only furgeon with the regi- ment during the Antietam and Frederickfburg cam- paigns. Refigned January 18th, 1863, while we were encamped near White Oak Church, Virginia.
Edward Whiteford was appointed 2d Lieutenant in the regiment in May, 1863. He is the fon of a Britifh officer belonging to the 13th Light Infantry ("Queen's Own"), and was born in County Dublin, Ireland. After a liberal education in early life he went to Dublin and entered as a ftudent in a military inftitution, ex- pecting a commiffion in a cavalry regiment. Whilft waiting for pofition in the British Army the civil war broke out in the United States, and he refolved to enter the Union Army, and thus fee active field-fervice. Not- withftanding the proteftation of friends, and efpecially
220
CHANGES IN FIELD, STAFF, AND LINE.
1863. that of an uncle, Sir George Whiteford, with whom he Dec. 31ft. had made his home for feveral years, he failed for America in the fpring of 1861.
Soon after landing in the States he entered the fervice in the Firft Lincoln Cavalry of New York. This organization failed, and he entered the 5th New York Cavalry in the fpring of 1862. He ferved with this regiment in the campaigns of the Shenandoah under General Banks, after the fecond battle of Bull Run, in which he rendered diftinguithed fervice. Lieutenant Whiteford was fent to Wafhington fick ; while there he refigned. In November, 1862, he again defired to enter the fervice, and was invited by a general officer of the 2d Corps to a pofition on his ftaff with the rank of Ift Lieutenant, which he accepted ; but, defiring to return to the cavalry fervice, entered the Sixth Pennfylvania as above mentioned. He rendered very efficient fervice with the regiment, proving a fearlefs, dafhing cavalry officer. He remained in fervice with the regiment, commanding different companies, until Auguft, 1864, when he was ordered to the ftaff of General Merritt, Ift Cavalry Divifion, as Aide-de-camp.
Later in the year he returned to the regiment as Cap- tain of Company "G," and remained in active fervice until the clofe of the war.
CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
Winter Quarters near Mitchell's Station-Reconnoiffance to Robertfon's River-General Cufter's Raid to Charlottesville -Stormy Night Rides in Midwinter-Flight of the Contra- bands.
D URING the early part of January we eftablifhed 1864. permanent winter quarters near Mitchell's Sta- January. tion on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, five miles beyond Culpepper; our camp being three miles in front of the moft advanced infantry lines, and our picket lines five miles to the front ; extending from Robertfon's River on the right, by Cedar Mountain to Somerville Ford, thence along the Rapidan to Raccoon, Morton's, and Mitchell's Fords. Very excellent log huts were erected, in regular ftreets and of uniform dimenfions. The regimental headquarters were taftefully arranged. A large chapel was built of logs, covered with heavy canvas furnifhed by the Chriftian Commiffion, in which religious fervices were held each Sabbath, and three evenings of each week. A Sibley tent, mounted on a ftockade, and fupported from the exterior, furnifhed a very beautiful and attractive club tent for the ufe of the officers. It was the fcene of much good cheer and amufement.
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