History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 214

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 214

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On the 9th of January, 1863, the regiment was consolidated in four com- panies by special order of the War Department, and Colonel Irwin, Major Miles, and such company and non-commissioned officers as were not needed to fill the four companies, were ordered on recruiting service. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Hulings was left in command, under whom it participated in the hardships and glories of the "Mud March." Upon the accession of Major General Hooker to the chief command, a complete re-organization of the army was made, in which the brigade to which the Forty-ninth belonged, and which had been commanded till the battle of Antietam by General Hancock, was placed in the Third Brigrade of the First Division of the Sixth Corps, General David A. Russell in command of the brigade, General Brooks of the division, and General Sedgwick of the Corps. In this position the regiment remained until its muster out of service.

Colonel Irwin returned on the 10th of April and resumed command of the

1239

1863

BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE.

regiment, now restored to its pristine strength, and on the 28th it broke camp and marched to the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericksburg. On the previous day Hooker had marched with three corps by way of the upper fords to Chan- cellorsville, three corps under Sedgwick being left to make a demonstration below. On the morning of the 29th the pontoon boats were carried noise- lessly upon the backs of the men to the bank of the stream, and Russell's Bri- gade was embarked for its passage. When half way over, the enemy opened fire. Colonel Irwin was wounded, Captain Freeburn mortally; two privates were killed and eight wounded. But the men pushed resolutely across, and held the enemy at bay until the bridge was laid and the troops began to follow. The enemy was driven back to the hills in rear of Fredericksburg, and believing this to be the real point of attack fell to fortifying. On the 30th the regiment was relieved from the front, and moved to the bank of the river, where it lay under cover until the 3d of May, when it was again ordered forward, and took position on the plain cast of Fredericksburg. It was here for three hours un- der a heavy artillery fire. At noon it marched through Fredericksburg, and by the plank road to Fairview Farm. At dusk it was deployed as skirmishers, and re-took the line from which part of the division had been repulsed. On the following day it remained on the skirmish line near Salem Church, and re- pulsed two attacks of the enemy's skirmishers. At dusk he made a furious onslaught, with vastly superior numbers, and the line was ordered to fall back to Bank's Ford, where a new line was taken up and his further advance checked. The regiment retired with but small loss in wounded and missing, and re- crossed the river on the morning of the 5th, returning on the 8th to its old camp at White Oak Church, where it remained until the 6th of June.

The rebel army was now moving for the invasion of Pennsylvania, though his plans were, as yet, unknown to the Union commander. On the 7th the regiment crossed to the south bank of the Rappahannock upon pontoons, and occupied rifle-pits below Deep Run. Here the division was held in support of the cavalry, which was heavily engaged for the purpose of unmasking the ene- my's designs. Re-crossing the river on the 11th, the Sixth Corps started on the Gettysburg campaign. For two weeks the Army of the Potomac moved leisurely, watching closely the movements of the rebel chieftain, prepared to checkmate him in any enterprise he should undertake, our cavalry under Plea- santon, in the meantime, handling roughly the rebel cavalry at the Rappahan- nock and at Aldie. The weather was excessively hot, and many suffered from sunstroke while on the march. Passing through Dumfries and Fairfax Station, and crossing the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, the corps arrived in the neigh- borhood of Westminster on the 30th. Measures had been adopted for concen- trating the army on the line of Pipe Creek, and thus throwing it across the path of Lee, already at Chambersburg. But on the evening of the 1st of July an order was received to move with all possible dispatch to Gettysburg. At daylight of the 2d the regiment moved out at quick-step for the battle-field. At two P. M. it arrived on the field, and immediately marched to the front, where it supported the Fifth Corps. Early on the morning of the 3d, Brooks' Division was ordered to form in line of battle on the left of the army, and per- pendicular to the main line extending across Round Top, for the purpose of in- suring the safety of the left flank. Russell's Brigade was posted on the left of the line, the Forty-ninth on the right and in front, with its right resting on the Taneytown road. At three P. M. the division was ordered to the support of

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1863

FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

the Fifth Corps, and formed to the right of Round Top; but the enemy had now been repulsed and driven back at all points, and the battle was at an end. The regiment suffered no loss, though under a heavy artillery fire during the afternoon of the 3d. At dawn of the 4th, company A was sent out as skirmishers, and lay all day near the Devil's Den, in front of Round Top.

On the 5th the pursuit of the enemy commenced, and a slight skirmish at evening occurred with his rear guard near Fairfield. Passing Emmettsburg and Mechanicstown, the regiment reached the foot of the Cotocton Mountain at dusk of the 7th. The main road was given up to the artillery, and the in- fantry crossed by a by-road. The night was dark and the rain descended in torrents. The men were worn out and faint with fasting, and many were shoe- less, the sharp stones inflicting severe wounds as they wended their way up the rugged mountain in the impenetrable darkness. Many straggled by the way, and upon the summit the column halted for them to come up. At Middletown the regiment drew rations and shoes, and was allowed one full night's rest. Near Antietam Creek, on the 12th of July, the Forty-ninth was deployed as skirmishers, and drove the enemy back to his main line, having one officer wounded. Remaining in line, in hourly expectation of being ordered to the attack, until the 14th, the discovery was made that the enemy had escaped and the campaign was at an end.

In the following campaign, in which Meade advanced to the Rapidan, and thence retreated to Centreville, the Forty-ninth participated, performing long and wearisome marches, and picket duty, repairing roads, loosing three men near Culpepper by guerrillas, but without engaging the enemy. Meade having won the race to Centreville, faced about his columns and commenced pushing the enemy again towards the Rapidan. He was first encountered at Rappa- hannock Station, where he had strongly fortified the north bank of the river covering his pontoon bridge, which was held by Hayes' Louisiana and Hoke's North Carolina brigades, Lee with Early's Division being just across the river. On the morning of the 7th of November, the Sixth Corps marched from Warrenton, and at noon reached a point within two miles of Rappahannock Station. Shirmishers were sent forward who drove the enemy in upon his main line, which occupied two redoubts flanked by rifle-pits. Russell's Brigade, now commanded by Colonel Ellmaker, was selected to storm and take the works. At sundown the line was formed, the Fifth Wisconsin on the right, the Forty- ninth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania on the centre and left, and the Sixth Maine deployed as skirmishers, and advanced to within a half mile of the enemy's works. From this point forward the ground was nearly level, and was swept by his guns. At the word "forward," General Russell leading, the line swept on at a run, passed the ditch and the moat, scaled the ridge and carried his works at the point of the bayonet. After being driven from his works the enemy attempted to escape across his pontoon bridge; but so hot a musketry fire was poured upon it, that it was soon cleared, and he threw down his arms and surrendered. The brigade numbered but thirteen hundred effective men. "The enemy," says General Sedgwick in his conglatu- tory order, "was attacked in an intrenched position of great strength, in en- closed works defended by artillery aud infantry, and compelled to surrender after a sharp conflict, to an assaulting column actually inferior in numbers to the force defending the works. Four pieces of artillery, four caissons filled with ammunition; the enemy's pontoon bridge, eight battle flags, two thousand

1863

RAPPAHANNOCK STATION. 1241

stand of arms, and sixteen hundred prisoners, including two brigade com- manders and one hundred and thirty commissioned officers, are the fruits of the victory. * * * The Sixth Maine and Fifth Wisconsin, for carrying the redoubts, the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, Fifth Maine, Forty- ninth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for taking the line of rifle-pits with the bayonet, and seizing the enemy's bridge, deserve especial honor." In this engagement the regiment lost three killed and twenty- seven wounded. Among the latter were Captain Hutchinson and Lieutenant . Stuart.

Moving forward to Hazel River, at a point near Brandy Station, the regi- ment encamped, remaining until the 26th. when, with the brigade, it crossed the Rapidan and was ordered to the front in support of the Third Corps at Locust Grove. While forming, a rebel shell burst in the ranks, wounding Captain Qnigly and four men. The regiment marched and skirmished with the enemy until it reached Mine Run, where it was placed on the skirmish line and remained under fire during the two succeeding days. Having decided to abandon the offensive, Meade withdrew his army from the enemy's front, and on the 2d of December the regiment re-crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford and marched to its old camp at Hazel Run.

By order of the War Department, supernumary officers were mustered out of service on the 19th of November, and non-commissioned officers were or- dered to re-join the regiment. Comfortable winter quarters were constructed, and preparations were commenced for the spring campaign. Two hundred and sixty of the men re-enlisted for a second term of three years, and were given a furlough of thirty-five days. In the meantime recruits and drafted men were secured for the regiment, which, with the veterans, brought its effective strength up to the minimum number. Upon the resignation of Colonel Irwin, in Octo- ber, Lieutenant Colonel Hulings was commissioned Colonel, Major John B. Miles Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain B. J. Hickman Major. During the fall and winter, the drafted men and recruits were daily drilled, when the weather would permit, inspections were regular and rigid, clothing and equip- ments were promptly issued as soon as needed, and rations were good and abundant. The regiment had a full compliment of field and line officers, and was as effective in discipline and numbers as any in the corps. During the month of April all surplus clothing, and eamp and garrison equipage were sent away to Washington, and it stood in light marching order, ready for the cam- paign to open.

On the afternoon of May 3, 1864, the order came to march at four A. M., on the following morning. Crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and pro- ceeding a short distance on the plank road, it formed in line of battle parallel with the road, and had advanced a quarter of a mile through shrub-oaks, . stunted pines, and towering green briars, alias the Wilderness, where it sud- denly came upon the enemy, receiving his fire at less than thirty yards dis- tanee. The line wavered for an instant, but soon closed up, and poured in a well directed fire with good effect, breaking his line and occupying his ground. At night the men laid upon their arms. The loss was eleven killed, and twenty- three wounded. . Of the latter was Lieutenant Lytle.

Several alarms were raised during the night, and there was considerable firing on both sides, At daylight the brigade advanced a few yards and was soon again under fire, The enemy was driven back some distance, when breast- 156

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FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

1864

works were thrown up and the line was occasionally engaged during the entire day. The Sixth Corps now held the right of the Union line, the Forty-ninth on the left of the brigade joining the troops of the Fifth Corps. At sundown the enemy made a furious attack on the extreme right of the corps, in force, and succeeded in turning its flank. But he was easily repulsed and soon after dark the firing ceased, the position being firmly held. So close were the lines that the conversation of the rebels could be distinctly heard. At midnight the corps moved off quietly by the left, and in rear of the Fifth Corps, and on the morning of the 7th was in position, awaiting attack, where it re- mained during the entire day; but it was only disturbed by occasional skir- mish firing. At dark it again marched by the left flank towards Spottsylvania Court House, and at ten A. M., of the 8th, arrived near Laurel Hill, in rear of the Fifth Corps, and was immediately ordered to the front to the support of a portion of this corps, which was being hard pressed. Upon the sight of fresh troops the enemy retired, and the men lay on their arms in line during the night. On the 9th the corps moved farther to the left, and here, at the front, selecting the position to be occupied, General Sedgwick was killed. General Wright succeeded him; General Russell, the commander of the brigade, was placed in command of the division, and General Eustis of the brigade. Upon gaining position in line, three of the companies werc ordered to the skirmish line, where they remained during the day, suffering severely, the remainder of the regiment being, in the meantime, under a heavy artillery fire. At six o'clock, P. M., the division packed knapsacks, preparatory to making a charge on the enemy's works. The column was silently formed in a wood within one * hundred yards of the rebel line, under cover of a rise of ground, with a front of three regiments, four lines decp, with intervals of ten paces, the Forty-ninth on the right of the second line. At the sound of the bugle the whole column advanced upon the run. As it emerged from the woods, a sheet of fire burst from the enemy's rifle-pits that swept it with terrible effect. Never faltering for an instant, it rushed on and carried the works, capturing nine hundred prisoners and several guns. But the enemy rallying in great force on front and flanks, it was forced to retire and to abandon its captures. The return was even more terrible than the advance; for that open plain was swept by both infantry and artillery, and the enemy swarmed out on all sides, pouring in a concentrated and most destructive fire. Never were works more gallantly charged, nor more successfully carried; but, alas! at a fearful cost. Colonel Hulings, Lieutenant Colonel Miles, Captain Barr, Lieutenant Lytle, and sixty- one enlisted men were killed, and Captain Stuart, Lieutenants Thompson, Ir- vin, Russell, Downing, Adjutant A. T. Hilands, and one hundred and ninety- five enlisted men were wounded and missing. Knowing that the struggle would be desperate, Lieutenant Colonel Miles, at the moment of starting, requested of Adjutant Hilands, that if he was killed, his body should be sent to his friends, or decently buried, promising, if he survived, and the Adjutant fell, to perform the same sacred duty for him. But in that fatal hour it was doubt- ful if any escaped alive. The dead and wounded were left in the enemy's hands, and the spot where Colonels Hulings and Miles are buried, is unmarked and unknown. The Adjutant with a detail of men attempted, two days later, to secure the bodies under flag of truce; but the enemy would not permit their approach.

Major Hickman now assumed command, and on the 12th moved off to the

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1864

BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA.

left, the division occupying a position on the right of the Second Corps, and at daylight engaged the enemy, near an angle in his works, to the right of Spott- sylvania Court House. An incessant fire of musketry was kept up during the entire day. Many muskets were heated to such a degree as to be rendered use- less, and those found upon the bodies of the dead and wounded were taken to supply their places. At night the enemy retired, and on the following morn- ing his works were occupied by the Union forces. The sight presented within was sickening to behold. So terrible had been the destruction of life, and so horribly were the dead torn and mangled, that it was ever after known as the slaughter-pen. The loss from the opening of the campaign on the 4th to the 14th, was three hundred and ninety-two killed, wounded and missing, leaving the effective strength but one hundred and thirty.

In the operations of the army, until it reached Cold Harbor, the regiment participated. Here, on the 1st of June, it was in position, and stormed and carried the first line of the enemy's works, which was held for twelve days in face of his second line, but thirty yards distant. The loss was eight killed and twenty wounded. Among the latter were Captains A. W. Wakefield and A. B. Hutchison. On the night of the 12th, while the rebels were vigorously shell- ing the Union lines from their mortars, just introduced in their service, the troops quietly withdrew, and marched to the James River. Here the regiment was engaged in laying pontoons, and after crossing, proceeded to the front, resting in rear of General Butler's works. After a few days' service on picket along the Appomattox, the brigade moved to the left of the army, and took position along the Jerusalem plank-road. On the 29th, it proceeded to Ream's Station, on the Weldon Railroad, and was employed in destroying the track and in breaking up the enemy's main line of supply.

The rebel General Early, with twenty thousand men, having obtained the mastery of the Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley, and met and defeated Wallace in Maryland, was marching unchecked on Washington. The Sixth Corps, under General Wright, was ordered to its relief. Leaving the works in front of Petersburg on the 11th of July, the Forty-ninth embarked upon trans- ports, and on the following day landed at Washington. Upon the arrival of the corps, Early hastily retreated, and Wright pursued. Passing through Poolesville, crossing the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, and moving through Lou- don Valley, and over the Blue Ridge, he came up with the enemy at the She- nandoah River. Crossing the stream, the regiment moved on to Berryville. The enemy continuing to retreat, Wright was ordered to return to Washington ; but scarcely had he arrived in front of the Capital, when it was ascertained that Early had turned upon Crook, who had been left in command in the She- nandoah Valley, and had driven and dispersed his forces. Wright immedi- ately faced about, and put his columns in motion towards Harper's Ferry, where he crossed the Potomac on the 29th.

On the 7th of August General Hunter resigned the command of the Middle Department, and was succeeded by Major General Philip H. Sheridan. Giving a few days to re-organizing his command, he moved forward, and on the 19th of September found the enemy strongly posted near Winchester. The line of battle was formed on the left of the Winchester pike, upon which the right of the brigade rested, the Forty-ninth holding the left of the brigade. The line advanced driving the enemy until it arrived within sight of the town, when he made a desperate stand, and succeeded in repulsing our troops on the

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FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 1864

right and centre; but the First Division, which was in reserve, coming up quickly, held him at bay until the line could be re-formed. As soon as the new dispositions were completed, General Sheridan rode along the line from right to left, under a heavy fire, and as he passed each color he cried out, "Pitch in boys! we have them right now." When he reached the Forty-ninth, which was on the extreme left, the "advance" was sounded, and the troops, full of the spirit of their leader, did "pitch in," and did not halt until the enemy was in full retreat through Winchester. "As the line came on the plain, east of Winchester," says Adjutant Hilands, "we on the left had a full view of the whole field, and a magnificent sight it was. The enemy's line was broken; his artillery, cavalry and infantry were in inextricable confusion, and having turned their backs were making fast time from the field, while off to the right , was our own line, in perfect order, stretching away in the distance, steadily advancing in the bright sunlight, with colors, which looked more beautiful than ever, waving in triumph. It was worth three years' hard service to be a par- ticipant in the battle of Winchester, under the command of Phil. Sheridan." The loss in this engagement was eleven killed and thirty-eight wounded. Of the killed was Lieutenant Wallace, and of the wounded Captain Thompson, who lost his right arm, and Lieutenant Downing. In the heat of the engage- ment a shell burst near the top of the color staff, scattering to the winds the few remaining shreds of the flag.

Immediately after the battle, the brigade was detailed by General Sheridan to remain at Winchester as guard to the town, and to the prisoners who were taken. Subsequently a part of the regiment was sent to Martinsburg in charge of several hundred prisoners. On the 26th of October a new State flag was presented to the regiment with appropriate ceremonies. Three days later it marched to Cedar Creek, where it re-joined the corps, and on the 10th of Novem- ber marched to Kernstown.

Sheridan having routed and driven the rebel army from the Shenandoah Valley, the Sixth Corps was ordered to return to the trenches in front of Pe- tersburg. Upon its arrival on the 5th of December, the Forty-ninth went into winter quarters at Fort Wadsworth, at the point where the line of works crossed the Weldon Railroad. On the 13th of December it moved with the expedition to Hatcher's Run, but was not engaged, and again on the 25th of March, 1865, it marched with other troops to the relicf of Fort Steadman, which by a sud- den night assault had fallen into the hands of the enemy; but before it arrived upon the field, the fort had been re-taken by General Hartranft.

On the 1st of April the regiment broke camp for its last campaign. During the day preparations were quietly made, and after nightfall it moved to the left, to the points where the column was forming to storm the enemy's works. At dawn the charge was made, and his lines were broken. That night Peters- burg was evacuated, and the pursuit of the fleeing rebel army was commenced. At a rapid rate the Sixth Corps moved to the Danville Railroad, to Jettersville, to Amelia Court House, and finally came up with the enemy at Little Sailor's Creck, where, with the cavalry, it attacked and routed Ewell's Corps, taking seven thousand prisoners, including Generals Ewell, Kershaw and Custis Lee. The loss in this engagement was seven, including Lieutenant Hackenberg killed, and Captain Wombacker wounded.

The Forty-ninth was here detailed to escort rebel prisoners to Appomattox Court House. Proceeding by Farmville, and New Store, it arrived on the 9th,

THREE YEARS' SERVICE.

1245

when the rebel army, under Lee, surrendered. A rebel army, under Johnston, still held out in North Carolina, and thitberward Grant faced his columns. In four days and four hours, the Forty-ninth marched one hundred miles, arriving on the 27th at Danville, near the northern border of North Carolina. Here it encamped and remained until the 23d of May. In the meantime Johnston had surrendered, and the army, its mission accomplished, commenced its homeward march. Moving by easy stages, the regiment reached Richmond on the 19th, where it encamped, and on the 23d was reviewed by Major General Halleck. On June 2d it arrived at Hall's Hill, opposite Washington, where it remained until the 15th of July, when it was mustered out of service.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

TERM-YEARS.

REMARKS.

William H. Irwin .

Col ..

July 25, '61,

Thos. M. Hulings ...

... do

July 31, '61,

Pr. to Bv. Brig. Gen., May 12, '65-res. Oct. 24, '63. Pr. from Maj. to Lt. Col., Oct. 16, 1862-to Col., Apr. 22, '64-killed at Spottsylvania, May 10, '64. Resigned October 15, 1862.

William Brisbane ...

Lt. Col. July 31, '61,

John B. Miles

.. do

Aug. 5, '61,

3 Pr. fr. Capt. Co. C to Maj., Oct. 16, '62-to Lt. Col., Apr. 23, '64-killed at Spottsylvania, May 10, '64. 3

B. J. Hickman.

.. do

Aug. 20, '61,

Pr. from Capt. Co. B to Maj., April 22, '64-to Lt. Col., June 15, '64-to Bv. Col., Dec. 5, '64-com. Col., June 29, '65-not mus .- res. June 28, 1865.

A. W. Wakefield ...

Major ..

Aug. 6, '61,

3 Pr. from Capt. Co. A, June 15, 1864-com. Col., July 14, 1865-not mustered-mustered out with regiment, July 15, 1865.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 214

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