History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 112

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1360

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I > Part 112

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Proceeding via Fortress Monroe and James River, the regiment, passing on the way the wrecks of the Congress and the Cumberland, vividly re-calling the struggle of these noble crafts with the powerful iron-clad Merrimac, arrived at Harrison's Landing on the 1st of July. During the night the wagon trains from M'Clellan's discomfitted columns began to arrive, and towards morning brigade after brigade came pouring in. A sad spectacle was presented as the worn and thinned regiments, just from the fields of the seven days' battles, many not larger than a full company, came toiling in through the mud. The wounded, barely able to walk, yet eager to escape capture, dragged themselves along and reached the landing in a state of exhaustion well nigh to death. The meeting of the Sixth with its comrades of the division was touching indeed, their greatly reduced numbers enabling the regiment to fully realize how dread- ful had been the late contest before Richmond.

On the 4th, the Sixth was transferred to the First Brigade .* The regiment at this time exchanged its arms for the Springfield rifles, and did skirmish duty alternately with the Kane Rifles. The band which had hitherto been connected with it was on the 10th mustered out of service. From the Peninsula it moved by water on the night of the 14th of August, reached Acquia Creek on the morning of the 16th, and the same day was sent by rail to Falmouth. At dark on the evening of the 21st, with the division, it marched towards Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock, but by attempting to take a short route, the command became detached and scattered so that nearly the whole night was spent in fruit- less wanderings. The next day an unusually long and severe march was made, reaching Kelly's Ford at dark. The march was resumed on the following day in the direction of Rappahannock Station, which place was reached just in time to see a column of rebels beat a hasty retreat under a galling fire from Captain

* Organization of First Brigade, Colonel William Sinclair, Reserve Division, General Tru- man Seymour, Fifth Corps, Major General Fitz John Porter. Sixth (35th) Regiment Penn- sylvania Reserves, Lieutenant Colonel Henry B. M'Kean; First (30th) Regiment Pennsylva- nia Reserves, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts; Second (31st) Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Colonel William M'Candless; Fifth (34th) Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, Colonel J. W. Fisher.

696

THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-SIXTH RESERVE.

1862

Matthew's Battery, First Pennsylvania Artillery. On the 24th, it reached War- renton and encamped on the Sulphur Springs Road, remaining several days.

The regiment was sent out on the 26th, to guard a signal station on a neigh- boring mountain, but finding no trace of the signal party, returned to camp. The contending forces were preparing for a desperate encounter upon the memorable field of Bull Run. On the 27th, the division marched on the Alex- andria and Lynchburg pike, crossed the line of the enemy's march, and en- camped at New Baltimore. On the morning of the 28th, as the command ap- proached Gainesville, it was suddenly brought to a halt by a rebel battery, which opened fire from a wood some distance to the left of the Centreville pike. A line of battle was immediately formed and Captain Cooper's Rifled Battery replied with telling effect, soon silencing the enemy's guns. A portion of the Sixth was deployed as skirmishers and moved forward across the open fields. No further demonstrations were made, and the command reached the Alexan- dria pike, where it bivouacked for the night.

On the morning of the 29th, the command was early under arms, and mov- ing towards the enemy's position near Groveton. Advancing some distance it came upon an open plain where it took position on the extreme left of the Union line, and pushed immediately out through a piece of wood. A rebel battery which had been posted on an elevation about a half mile to the left and a little to the rear of the line of the division, now opened fire upon it. With a view of getting upon the enemy's right flank, the division was immediately faced about and marched a short distance to the rear, remaining in no single position any length of time, but making a demonstration first at one point and then at another, constantly under the enemy's fire, but not firing a single shot in return. Late in the afternoon an attack was made on the right by General King and at the same time a demonstration was made on the left by General Reynolds. Moving forward through the wood, across the cornfield in front, under a galling fire from the battery occupying a high position only a few hundred yards dis- tant, the Reserves reached the base of the elevation upon which the rebel force was stationed. This position was so completely under the hill that the rebels could scarcely depress their guns sufficiently to effect the lines of the Reserves. The Sixth advanced up a ravine to the right flank of the battery, with orders to capture it if possible. After reconnoitering the position and becoming satis- fied that the battery, which was supported by a heavy infantry force, could not be taken, the fact was reported to General Reynolds, who speedily withdrew the division to the rear and afterwards to the same ground occupied the even- ing before. During the night the position of the division was very imprudently disclosed by the kindling of fires in the rear for the purpose of making coffee, seeing which, the rebels opened fire from one of their batteries which became very annoying. Singularly enough one of the first shots fired struck one of the men who had been its cause and carried away his arm.

On the morning of the 30th, the sun rose cloudless, and everything was quiet and calm upon that field soon to be made the scene of carnage and death. Troops began to move early, preparatory to the day's work. The Reserves marched to the left of the Warrenton pike, near Groveton, where the Sixth was ordered to the support of Cooper's Rifled Battery, of the First Pennsyl- vania Artillery. In the meantime the skirmishers proceeded on past Groveton, and met the rebel skirmishers in the woods beyond. The regiment was then moved to the left and forward to a position slightly in the rear of the advanced

697

SECOND BULL RUN.

1862

line of skirmishers, covering the left flank of the division. This position was held until relieved by the advance of Porter's Corps, when the division was marched to the rear about two hundred yards, and massed on the top of a hill from which the operations of Porter's troops were plainly visible. Steadily the enemy was compelled to retire, until reinforced, when Porter was driven back with loss. The Reserve Division was ordered to form across their line of re- treat, behind which they might rally and re-form. The First and Second Bri- gades had scarcely moved from their position, when the enemy appeared imme- diately to the left, and the Third Brigade, of which the Sixth was a part, was compelled to resist his advance. Gallantly did it perform its duty, but was obliged to retire before superior force. At this time, General Reynolds was or- dered to take position to the right of the Henry House on the hill south of the Warrenton pike, a short distance from its junction with the Manassas road. The artillery was formed on the brow of the hill, and the division drawn up in column of brigade for its support. A brisk artillery duel lasted for some time, when the enemy in well dressed lines started forward, evidently intent on se- curing the road which lay between the contending forces. Immediately the word "forward" was given, and the Reserves swept down the hill with headlong impetuosity, reaching the bank at the upper side of the road, as the enemy was approaching the fence on the lower, and sprang down the bank into the road before them. The rebels, dismayed at the rapidity and success of the movement, turned and fled in confusion, under a terrific fire from the charging column. Thus was the enemy repulsed, and an important position retained. In this charge, the flag of the Sixth was shot from the staff, while in the hands of Major Madill. It was instantly taken by the gallant Reynolds, who, holding it aloft, dashed along the line, the wind catching it as he turned and wrapping it about his noble form. The sight inspired the men to deeds of greater valor, and for an instant they paused in the midst of battle and gave a tremendous soul-stirring cheer for their commander. Returning again to the hill, after resting an hour, night coming on, the division marched towards Centreville, and bivouacked at Cub Run. The loss in this sanguinary battle, extending through three days, was six killed, thirty wounded and eight missing.

On the 31st, it moved to Centreville, where, for the first time since the 24th, full and adequate rations were issued. The regiment was placed on picket near Cub Run, and remained through the following day. At five P. M. of Sep- tember 1st, it was relieved and followed the division to Fairfax Court House, rejoining it at nine. The march was resumed on the following morning, the command passing through Annandale and Bailey's Cross Roads, to Hunter's Chapel, where it encamped for the night. Subsequently it moved to Munson's Hill.

On the 30th of August, Major Madill was elected Colonel of the One hun- dred and Forty-first Regiment, and a few days thereafter took leave of the Sixth, not without many regrets ; for in the last battle at Bull Run he had dis- played conspicuous daring and gallantry, and had won the confidence of all. On the evening of the 6th of September, the regiment marched with the divi- sion across Long Bridge, through Washington, Leesboro,' Poplar Springs and New Market, and shortly after noon on the 13th, encamped on the west bank of Monocacy Creek. The following morning it moved via Frederick City and Middletown to South Mountain, where the enemy was posted in large force, and took position in column of companies on the extreme right of the army. 88

698

THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-SIXTH RESERVE. 1862

The line of battle advaneed a considerable distanec towards the summit, the enemy being compelled to fall back upon his supports. An attempt was made at this point by the Sixth to dash up the mountain side, with a view of getting on his flank. The movement was, however, discovered and the rebel lines again yielded without affording the regiment an opportunity to open fire. It then moved forward to a piece of woods near the mountain top. To the left of the woods was eleared land, on which the enemy hotly contested its advanee. The time for earnest work had now come. The top of the mountain was only a few hundred yards distant, and when reached would end the battle on that part of the field. Night was fast approaching and the battle raged furiously for many miles to the left. Companies A and B, Captains Ent and Roush, were ordered out to seize and hold the knob of the mountain immediately in front. They marched from the wood, passed the enemy's flank and firing into it one volley, made straight for the mountain top. When within one hundred yards they received the fire of the enemy protected by a ledge of rocks which capped the summit. Immediately companies C, D and E, Captains Wright, Dixon and Lieutenant Richards were ordered to their support, and forming to the left of the first two, the line advanced at a charge. The numbers of the enemy were largely in excess of those of the Sixth, but the five companies restrained during the earlier part of the battle, dashed like a steed released from his eurb against the very muzzles of their guns. The enemy staggered by the impetuosity of the charge, yielded the first ledge of rocks and retreated to the second, from behind whiel nc delivered a most galling fire, causing the advance to reel under the shock and threatening its annihilation. The rebel line to the left, which had been passed by these companies, had in the meantime been compelled to yield to the persistent hammering of the other regiments of the Reserves. The cheers of the Brigade were distinctly heard by both, when the rebels, broken in spirit by the severity of their losses and the determined front presented by the Reserve, fled down the mountain side. These five companies had performed an important service and driven before them in eonfusion the Eighth Alabama Regiment. The loss was twelve men killed, two officers and thirty-nine men wounded.

Remaining on the mountain until day-light, it having been ascertained that the enemy had retreated, the regiment with the brigade marehed to Keedys- ville and eneamped for the night near a mill on Antietam Creek. On the morn- ing of the 16th, a general forward movement was made, the Sixth moving with the brigade aeross the creek where the enemy's line was found posted to resist further advance. The Buektails were ordered forward as skirmishers, with the Sixth Regiment in support. Emerging from a wood, the Buektails soon became hotly engaged, and the Sixth, gallantly led by Colonel Sinelair, rushed to their assistance. The two regiments gained the eontested ground; but it being al- ready dark and no disposition to advanee being manifest, the fire slackened and the lines were established for the night, the Sixth occupying the edge of the wood next to the cornfield. The night was very dark, and the men slept on their arms, ready at a moment's notice to repel an attack. The gray dawn at last appeared, and every man nerved himself for the confliet. The death- like stillness was at length broken, and the enemy advanced under cover of the corn. The caution was given to "fire low," and the sharp report of musketry soon marked the commencement of this fierce battle. The position was held, notwithstanding the persistent efforts of the enemy to advance, until the troops

699

1862

ANTIETAM AND FREDERICKSBURG.

which had pressed forward into the cornfield were compelled to retire, when the enemy gained the wood and subjected the Sixth to a fiank as well as a front fire. The line to the right having yielded, several of the rebel batteries con- centrated their fire on the wood, which, after unsuccessful efforts to clear it, was abandoned, and, for the first time since the opening of the contest, the firing ceased. Moving to the right, the division took a position in support of artillery, where it remained the balance of the day unengaged, but subjected to the artillery fire of the enemy. In this engagement the regiment was much protected by the woods, yet sustained an aggregate loss of one hundred and thirty-two. Eight enlisted men were killed, and Captains Wright, Meeker and Carle and Adjutant Coleman were wounded.

Resting on the battle-field during the following day, in which General Lee silently withdrew his forces, on the 19th it marched to the banks of the Poto- mac near Sharpsburg, where it remained until the 26th of October. During this period much attention was given to the discipline of the regiment and it left camp one of the best drilled of the division, which reputation it main- tained ever after. It marched via Berlin and Hamilton, crossing the Poto- mac on the 29th, to Warrenton, where it arrived on the 6th of November, and went into camp on the ground occupied by the Reserves a few days previous to the second battle of Bull Run. The camp at Warrenton was broken on the 11th and the march resumed through Fayetteville, Bealton Station, Morrisville, Grove Church, Hartwood and Stafford Court House to Brook's Station on the Acquia Creek and Fredericksburg railroad, where a very comfortable camp was formed. Colonel Sinclair was now in command of the brigade, General Seymour having been relieved at his own request. Lieutenant Colonel M'Kean having resigned, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Ent, and Captain Gore was detailed as field officer.

The movements preliminary to the battle of Fredericksburg began Decem- ber 8th, when the Sixth with the brigade marched from Brook's Station and reached the hills on the north side of the Rappahannock, overlooking Freder- icksburg, on the 11th. On the morning of the 12th it crossed the river on a pontoon bridge about three miles below the city. A line of battle was formed at right angles with the river, the left of the brigade resting upon it. This po- sition was held until daybreak of the 13th when the pickets became engaged,. and the brigade, the Sixth in advance, crossing a small stream, under a dense fog, marched through a cornfield to the Bowling Green road, where the line was re-formed. The regiment advanced as skirmishers and drove the enemy from the crest of the hill and from his shelter behind fences and the railroad em- bankment. ' The battle now raged furiously. The enemy's second line proved a formidable obstacle, but soon yielded to the impetuosity of the Reserves. Moving along up the hill, followed closely by the brigade, it reached a road running along the brow of the hill near which a third line was encountered and a terrific fight ensued, ending in the discomfiture of the rebels. The regiment had now lost more than one-third of its entire number, the brigade had suffered heavily, and Colonel Sinclair had been borne from the field wounded, when the enemy was detected moving through the woods to the right in large numbers. At the same time a terrific fire of musketry was opened on the left of the brigade. The line began to waver and no supporting troops being at hand it finally yielded, and the regiment, with the brigade, fell back over the same ground on which it had advanced. In this battle, of the three hundred men

1863

700

THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-SIXTH RESERVE.

who went into action, ten were killed, ninety-two wounded and nineteen mis- sing. Moving to the opposite side of the river on the 20th, the regiment went into camp near Belle Plain.

After having participated in the celebrated "mud march," it returned to its old camp, and remained there until the 7th of February, 1863, when it was ordered to Alexandria to join the Twenty-second Corps. It did guard and pieket duty until the 27th of March, and then moved to Fairfax Station, where it remained until the 25th of June, when it moved to join the Army of the Po- tomac and participate in the memorable Gettysburg campaign. Colonel Sinelair having resigned, the brigade was under the command of Colonel William M'- Candless of the Second Reserve. Marching via Dranesville, Edwards' Ferry and Frederick, the regiment joined the army on the 28th, and was again as- signed to the Fifth Corps, which was commanded by General Sykes. Continu- ing the march through Uniontown and Hanover it reached Gettysburg at two o'clock P. M. of July 2d, and made a charge from Little Round Top with but small loss. Remaining in front during the night, on the morning of the 3d skir- mishing commenced which continued through the entire day. Towards evening another charge was made, capturing a number of prisoners, re-capturing one gun and five caissons and relieving a large number of Union prisoners. In this encounter the Sixth remained on the skirmish line until two P. M. of the 4th, when it was relieved and bivouacked on Little Round Top. It sustained a loss of two men killed, and Licutenant Rockwell and twenty-one men wounded.

Pursuing the retreating rebels to Falling Waters, constantly skirmishing on the way, it encamped on the 14th, after having captured some prisoners near Sharpsburg, when it was ascertained that the rebel army had escaped across the river. Marching and an occasional skirmish and reconnoissance occupied the time until August 18th, when the regiment arrived at Rappahannock Sta- tion, and remained until the 15th of September. In the meantime Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Ent was promoted to Colonel, Captain W. D. Dixon, of com- pany D, to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain W. H. H. Gore, of company I, to Major. Leaving Rappahannock Station on the 15th, it reached Culpepper Court House on the 16th, and went into camp two miles beyond the town, where it remained until October 10th. Returning, it re-crossed the river on the 12th, .and encountered the enemy at Bristoe Station on the 14th, having three men wounded by his shells. On the 19th, it crossed Bull Run and bivouacked on the old battle-ground. The march was continued on the next day through New Baltimore to Auburn, and from thenee, on the 7th of November, to Rappahan- nock Station, crossing the river on the 8th, and on the 10th taking possession of rebel barracks, where it remained until the 24th. It again crossed the river on the 26th, at Wykoff's Ford, and moving out on the road towards Gordons- ville, met the enemy at New Hope Church. The Sixth was deployed as skir- mishers, and sent forward to the support of the cavalry, which was now en- gaged. Two charges of the rebels were repulsed by the left wing of the regi- ment, under command of Major Gore. Its loss was two killed and four wounded.

On the 5th of December, the regiment went into winter-quarters near Ket- tle Run, where it was engaged during the remainder of the winter on guard duty. Preparations had been carefully made for the spring campaign, and breaking camp on the 29th of April, it marched to near Culpepper, and on the 4th of May crossed the river at Germania Ford, halting at the Wilderness tav- èrn. On the following day the Wilderness campaign opened. It was actively

701

1864

RETURN AND MUSTER OUT OF SERVICE.

engaged on the 5th and 6th, contesting with great gallantry every inch of ground. On the 7th it had only a slight skirmish, in which Captain Allen, of company G, was wounded. At Spottsylvania, on the 8th, it was engaged in heavy fighting nearly the entire day, and on the 9th, moved to the right of the line and built rifle-pits. On the 10th it made two unsuccessful charges upon the enemy's works, and again on the 12th, in which it was led by Major Gore, Colonel Ent having command of the Third Brigade. In this engagement Captain John M. Guyer, of company I, was killed. The loss during these engagements was thir- teen killed, sixty-four wounded and nine missing. Constantly upon the skirmish and picket line, the Sixth met the enemy on every field with unflinching courage. On the 22d it captured ninety men belonging to Hill's Corps.

At length the final day of its service arrived, and with it the crowning suc- cess of the Reserves at Bethesda Church. The regiment was deployed as skir- mishers, and had gained the Mechanicsville road, near the church, when it was attacked by an overwhelming force and compelled to retire with considerable loss. It then threw up a rifle-pit, upon which the enemy impetuously charged. Retaining its fire until the approaching foe was sufficiently near, it poured forth a volley which inflicted most terrible slaughter. Although but about one hun- dred and fifty strong, the Sixth captured one hundred and two prisoners, and buried seventy-two dead rebels in its immediate front. Colonel Ent and Cap- tain Waters were wounded and nineteen men captured.

After three years of service in the camp and on the march, from its initial victory at Dranesville to its final brilliant success at Bethesda Church, sharing always the privations and hardships of the Army of the Potomac as well as the glory which clusters around its name, the regiment on the 1st of June started for Harrisburg, where, with the Reserves, it was enthusiastically re- ceived on the 6th, and on the 14th was mustered out of service.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

W. Wall'e Ricketts Wm. Sinclair Wellington H. Ent

Col

... do

April 22, '61, June 27, '61, April 22, '61,

Promoted from Capt. company A, to Maj., Sept. 21, 1862-to Lt. Col., May 1, 1863-to Col., July 1, '63-to Bv. Brig. Gen., March 13, 1865-wd. at Bethesda Church, May 30, 1864-mustered out with regiment, June 11, 1864.

Wm. M. Penrose. Henry B. M'Kean ... ... do .....

Lt. Col.

June 21, '61, April 22, '61,

3 3

Promoted from Adjutant to Lieutenant Colonel, April 1, 1862-discharged on Surgeon's certifi- cate, November 25, 1862.

NOTE .- The following abbreviations have been used in the preparation of remarks :

Ab. absent.

Cor. Corporal.

Fr. from.

Pl. principal. Snrg. Surgeon.

Asst. assistant.

Com. commissioned or Forl. furlongh.

Priv. private.

Sgt. Sergeant.

Adj. Adjutant.

commissary.

Hos. hospital.

Reg. regiment.

Sub. substitute

Bn. buried. Cert. certificate.

Lt. Lientenant.

Red. reduced.

Stow. steward.

Bv. brevet.

Dis. dismissed.

Mus. mastered.

Res. resigned.

Tr. transferred.

Bd. band.

Dis'y. disability.

Mnc. musician.

Rem. removed. Vet. veteran volunteer.

Capt. Captain.

Disch. discharged.

Mis. missing.

Sen. sentenced. Wa. wounded.

Chap. Chaplain.

Exp. expiration.

Pr. promoted.

Serv. service.

Wds. wounds.

TERM-YEARS.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 27, '62. Resigned May 23, 1863.

Resigned December 21, 1861.

702

THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-SIXTH RESERVE,

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER IXTO SERVICE.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 112

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1360