History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 33

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 33

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On the 5th of January, in conformity with provisions of an order from the War Department, two hundred and four men of the Eleventh regiment re-en- listed as veteran volunteers, and were mustered in, to date from January 1st. As this number exceeded three-fourths of the whole, it insured the continuance of the organization and a veteran furlough.

On the 20th of January, a communication was received from the Headquar- ters of the First Army Corps, proposing a plan to raise a fund for the erection of a monument to the memory of Major General John F. Reynolds, former com- mander of the corps, upon which a regimental order* was issued, commending the virtues of that illustrious soldier, and urging a hearty co-operation. The full amount, allowed by the conditions fixed by the committee, was immediately subscribed; one hundred and ten dollars by commissioned officers, and one hundred and fifty-five dollars by enlisted men.

On the 2d of February, an order was issued from the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, granting a furlough of thirty-five days to the re-enlisted

*HEADQUARTERS, ELEVENTH REGIMENT, Camp on Cedar Mountain, Virginia, January 10, 1864.

REGIMENTAL ORDERS No. 1, (Extracts.)

2. The following communication has been received from Headquarters of First Army Corps : "SIR :- You are informed that at a meeting of the officers of the First Army Corps, held in this town, January 5, 1864, you, with your Adjutant and senior medical officer, were appointed a committee for your regiment, to collect funds for the purpose of erecting a monument over the remains of the late Major General John F. Reynolds. The meeting limited the subscrip- tions so that no officer should subscribe more than five dollars, and no soldier more than fifty cents. The principal committee as selected by the meeting, is composed of the following offi- cers : Colonel Hoffman, for the 1st division, General Baxter for the 2d, Colonel Dana, for the 3d, Dr. Heard, Medical Director, Treasurer, and Captain M'Clure, Secretary. Be so good as to inform the other members of the committee for your regiment, and at your earliest conveni- enco commence the subscription."

In compliance therewith, Major John B. Keenan, Surgeon James W. Anawalt, and acting Adjutant, Lieutenant James T. Chalfant, are announced as the Reynolds' monument commit- tee for this regiment. The high esteem in which our late commander was held by the entire

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BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

1864

men, in conformity with conditions tendered by the Government, and attach- ing temporarily, the men not re-enlisting to the Ninetieth Pennsylvania. On the 5th, the regiment proceeded to Alexandria, and was quartered at the Sol- diers' Rest, receiving pay and new clothing, and thence to Harrisburg, where it was disbanded. Recruiting stations were opened at Pittsburg, Greensburg, Lock Haven, Jersey Shore, Carlisle, and Mauch Chunk. On the 20th of March, the regiment re-assembled at Harrisburg, and on the 28th, proceeded to Wash- ington with three hundred and fourteen recruits, and two hundred and seventy- six furloughed men, an aggregate of five hundred and ninety. On the 3d of April, the regiment re-joined the brigade at Culpepper, and until the opening of the campaign in the Wilderness, was employed in re-organizing and drilling.

Upon the establishment of the Headquarters of Lieutenant General Grant with the Army of the Potomac, that army was consolidated into three corps, Second, Fifth and Sixth, commanded respectively by Hancock, Warren and Sedgwick. In this organization, the First Corps was merged in the Fifth, the united force forming four divisions, commanded by Wadsworth, Robinson, Crawford and Griffin.

At midnight on the 3d of May, the army began to move; the Fifth Corps leading the way, and crossing the Rapidan at Germania ford. Griffin's divi- sion encountered the enemy on the Orange and Fredericksburg turnpike, at three P. M. on the 5th, the second division being within supporting distance, but not actively engaged. At six P. M., the division was marched to the left, to the support of Hancock's right, and in assuming position, the Eleventh be- came very warmly engaged, the battle raging with great fury, until darkness put a period to the contest. The loss during the engagement, was about fifty killed and wounded. Captain Chalfant, while establishing a line during the night, became bewildered, and taking a wrong direction, fell into the hands of the enemy. Colonel Coulter had his horse shot.

The action opened early on the following morning, the line being advanced rapidly across the plank road. In this advance, leading with his accustomed bravery and skill, General Baxter fell severely wounded, and the command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Coulter; that of the regiment on Major Kee- nan. The battle soon grew warm, and, owing to the difficult nature of the ground, the brigade became broken. The rebels fought with great obstinacy, and the loss in the command was heavy. Major Keenan had his horse killed, and Colonel Coulter another horse wounded. Being relieved by a portion of Hancock's corps, the brigade was ordered to the extreme left, in anticipation of an attack, where it remained strengthening the position until about five P. M.,

corps, cannot be more befittingly expressed than in the manner proposed, and it is hoped that - the name of every officer and enlisted man in the regiment will appear upon the subscription roll.

By order of Major JOHN B. KEENAN.

The committee have decided to erect the monument of bronze, on the field where their commander fell. The Pennsylvania Legislature, at its last session, passed the following act : Be it enacted, &c., That the Governor be and is hereby authorized to transfer, at his discre- tion, to the committee of the First Army Corps, for the erection of a monument to the memory of Major General John F. Reynolds, deceased, any unserviceable or condemned ordnance : Provided, That the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania shall first have such ordnance properly inspected, by a competent person, and make report thereof to the Governor, specifying in his report, the articles of ordnance found unserviceable and condemned; which articles so spe- cified, the Governor is authorized by this act, to turn over as aforesaid.

Pamph. Laws, 1867, p. 364.

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ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

1864

when it was ordered to the right, and posted at ten P. M. near army Headquar- ters, the enemy's efforts being at that time directed against the right of the Sixth Corps. The loss during the day, was one hundred and fifty-seven killed and wounded.

On the evening of the 7th, the brigade was united near the Lacy House, and at ten P. M., took the advanee in the flank movement of the army to the left, passing the Second Corps, and taking the Brock road to Spottsylvania Court House. All night the march was continued, with the design of seizing the high and commanding grounds at that point, but the enemy having the ad- vantage of a shorter road, had already arrived and posted his skirmishers along the river Ny, where the brigade, at about five o'clock on the morning of the 8th, went into line, the Twelfth Massachusetts, and the right wing of the Eleventh being deployed as skirmishers. Without pausing for rest, it was pushed rapidly forward for nearly a mile and a half, with some loss. It had been given out that the enemy in front were "dismounted eavalry," but one of the men having obtained through the thick undergrowth a view of them, re- ported " dismounted eavalry, carrying knapsacks." It was Hood's veteran division. At this point, the lines which had become somewhat disordered, were re-formed by General Robinson, the Second brigade on the left, and the First and Third on the right of the road. From this point the ground was open, the enemy having taken a strong position in the edge of the woods and strength- ened himself by felling trees. The line was pushed forward till within about seventy-five yards of the enemy's breast-work, when his fire becoming very se- vere, and the left flank and front being entirely unprotected, it was checked and compelled to retiro, taking up a position near Alsop's house, where tem- porary defences were thrown up and the division rested. During the advance General Robinson was severely wounded and taken from the field. Major Keenan gallantly leading the Eleventh, was shot dead in the very act of cheer- ing on his men. A brave man, always at the post of duty, his loss to the regi- ment was sorely felt.

The fatigue and fighting to which the division had been subjected, had terribly thinned its ranks. During the last three days, it had lost its division, all three brigade commanders, and an aggregate of not less than two thousand officers and men. It was, in consequence, temporarily broken up; the First Brigade, Colonel Lyle, being transferred to the Fourth Division; the Second Brigade, Colonel Coulter, to the Third Division, General Crawford; the Third Brigade, Colonel Bowman was retained by General Warren, under his own su- pervision.

Busily employed strengthening the defences near Alsop's house during the entire night, at eight o'eloek on the evening of the 8th, the regiment was ordered further to the right, where it again spent the night throwing up breast- works. At noon on the following day, is reported now under Captain B. F. Haines, with the brigade, to General Crawford, and was immediately placed on the right of the line. On the morning of the 10th, an order was issued for a general assault along the whole front of the Fifth and Sixth corps. Advancing under a deadly fire of musketry up the slope of Laurel Hill, a line of rifle pits on its summit was gallantly earried; but beyond, earth-works well supplied with artillery, supported by infantry, were disclosed. Advaneing to within a hun- dred yards of the intrenchments, it was compelled to halt, but held the ground gained. In the face of a severe fire, the brave men clung to their position for

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1864

BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA.

five hours, when they were relieved by Gibbons' Division. Out of nine hundred .men who formed the brigade, as it marched out in the morning, two hundred and twenty-nine, mangled and bleeding, were struck down in the narrow space in front. Another attempt was made to carry the heights on the 12th, by the Pennsylvania Reserves, in which Coulter's brigade was ordered to their support, but was alike unsuccessful. The supporting brigade gained a position a little in advance of the charging column, protecting themselves by the formation of the ground, which was held until they were relieved.

Finding it impossible to carry the strong position occupied by the enemy, a movement by the left flank was ordered, and the Eleventh remaining on the picket line until the division was well away, followed, and joining the brigade, took position near the Anderson House, and subsequently crossing the river Ny, moved up nearer Spottsylvania, in support of Cooper's First Pennsylvania battery. All night long, the work of intrenching was vigorously pushed, and morning disclosed to the enemy a formidable line of earth-works, into which his shells fell harmless. During the following day, 18th, timber was felled in front, and pickets were established in close proximity to the enemy's works, one of his most formidable batteries being silenced by their unerring aim. Stung by the troublesome fire of the riflemen, several attempts were made to dislodge them, one of which proved partially successful, the line being driven in nearly one hundred yards. Colonel Coulter immediately led the Eighty- eighth Pennsylvania to its support, and while disposing the men for an advance, was wounded in the left breast by one of the enemy's pickets, and was borne from the field.

- Participating with its accustomed valor, in the manœuvres and desperate fighting to gain Richmond, by the way of the North Anna, Bethesda Church, and Cold Harbor, the regiment was finally established in the lines before Pe- tersburg, its right connecting with the Ninth Corps, and the enemy in well con- structed breast-works just in front. During the night of the 17th of June, preparations were made for a general assault at daylight; but as the skirmishers advanced, they found that the enemy had withdrawn, and taken up a position nearer the city, more easily defended than the outer line. Changing the tactics from a general, to an assault by column at different points, an ineffectual at- tempt was made to storm their works, when the line was re-formed and in- trenched.

Finding that the direct attack would not prove effectual, the lines were gradually extended to the left, until, about the middle of August, the camp of the Eleventh was within three miles of the Weldon railroad, one of the enemy's chief lines of supply. On the 18th of August, masking the movement by some activity on the north side of the James, the Fifth Corps moved for the purpose of occupying and destroying that road. The division marched with the First and Second brigades in line, the Third supporting, formed in column of regi- ments. The skirmishers soon became engaged, and the brigade was deployed with the Eleventh on the right. At six o'clock P. M., the line was established and breast-works were erected which, on the following day were extended to the right. At four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy having massed a heavy force, broke through the line and took some prisoners. The loss in the Elev- enth fell principally upon companies D, E and G, occupying the skirmish line, under command of Captain John B. Overmeyer, who was himself twice taken prisoner, but escaped ; two men were killed and several wounded by the fire of

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ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

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our own batteries. Remaining in line until the morning of the 20th, it was re- lieved, and moved to a position near the Yellow House. In the action of the following day it was present, but did not become actively engaged. Captain Noble, of company A, re-captured the colors of the Ninety-fourth New York, which had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and private George W. Reed, of company E, captured the colors of the Twenty-fourth North Carolina, after- wards receiving a medal of honor by order of the War Department, as a mark of distinction for the heroic act. The loss in this engagement was two killed, ten wounded, and seventy-four taken prisoners.

The expedition to Hatcher's Run, on the 27th of October, proved fruitless, and the command returned to its old position, after six days of marching and fighting. In September a number of promotions were recommended by Colo- nel Coulter, now appointed Brevet Brigadier General, and the regiment was thoroughly re-organized. Since the opening of the Wilderness campaign, it had lost over five hundred men; but recruits came forward, so that its number never fell below two hundred. By special order of the War Department, dated November 16, the veterans and other enlisted men of the Ninetieth Pennsyl- vania, remaining in service, were transferred to, and consolidated with the Eleventh regiment.

Notwithstanding the occupation of the Weldon railroad, it was still used by the enemy for the transportation of his supplies. On the 7th of December, the Fifth Corps was ordered to effect its more complete destruction. Encamping on the night of the 7th, at Sussex Court House, the regiment arrived on the evening of the 8th, struck the road about four miles south of the Notaway bridge, and commenced burning cross-ties, heating and bending the rails, and, proceeding in direction of Hickford station, encamped at night on the Halifax road. About twenty miles of the road having been destroyed, the counter- march was commenced on the morning of the 10th, the brigade acting as rear guard to the column. The enemy's cavalry hung on the flanks of the brigade, and five miles from the place of starting, made a dash upon a squadron of Union cavalry, but were quickly checked by the infantry. Still following up with the evident design of giving trouble, the Eleventh and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania, and Ninety-seventh New York were formed in ambush. Our cavalry having made a show of resistance, rapidly retreated, followed by the enemy, who received a deadly volley, emptying saddles and convincing the survivors of the necessity of keeping at a more respectful distance. Crossing the Notaway river at Jerusalem plank road, the regiment arrived on the 12th in its camp before Petersburg. The loss was one wounded and two missing in this expedition.

During the two succeeding months, little activity prevailed. The time was employed in filling up the ranks, re-organizing and drilling. General Coulter having been assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, and Major B. F. Haines-who had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in place of Henry A. Frink, promoted to Colonel of the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment- being assigned to command of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, the command of the regiment devolved upon John B. Overmeyer, who had been commissioned Major.

Leaving camp at carly dawn on the 5th of February, the Eleventh marched in the rear of the brigade, and bivouacking for the night on Grand Creek plan- tation, crossed Hatcher's Run where the Division was massed, remaining until

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THE FINAL CAMPAIGN.

265

two P. M., when the brigade re-crossed the stream, and marching about three- quarters of a mile in a north-westerly direction, formed in line of battle. Mov- ing forward a quarter of a mile further, it was hotly engaged with the enemy, the rebel General Pegram being killed by the first volley. The Eleventh mov- ing a short distance by the right flank, crected temporary breast-works, and held the position with the exception of a short interval when its flanks were uncovered, until its ammunition was exhausted and the giving way of the whole fine left no alternative but to withdraw. Retiring to the breast-works thrown np at Hatcher's Run, it was re-formed and remained there during the night. On the morning of the 7th, it was moved along the works a mile to the right of the Vaughan road, where debouching from the intrenchments, it formed in support of the Thirty-ninth Massachusetts, and was soon engaged with the enemy's skirmishers, pushing them steadily back, capturing one of his tempo- rary earth-works, and advancing to within one hundred yards of a strong line of his fortifications. Relieved by a portion of the Sixth Corps, it bivouacked for the night on the field, and on the following morning was again placed upon the skirmish line. On the 10th, it moved with the brigade back to camp, having lost in the series of engagements, nine killed, sixty-nine wounded, and nine missing .* Hatcher's Run was securely held, and two days later, the military road was extended to its right bank. Lieutenant Colonel Haines was severely wounded in this action, while in command of the Eighty-eighth.

Little anticipated by the rank and file of the army of the Potomac their last campaign was fast approaching. On the morning of the 29th of March, the regiment broke camp at Hatcher's Run, and moving by the Halifax road, formed in line of battle near the Speer House, with the Ninety-seventh New York on the right and Sixteenth Maine on the left, and advanced about a mule, when, after manœuvring for position it bivouacked for the night, near the Boydton plank road. On the following morning, it moved a mile to the right, and threw up breast-works, whence it was pushed forward about two miles, where a line of battle was formed in the woods. About noon of the 31st, the enemy attacked in heavy force, and turning the flank of the brigade, forced the line back to near the plank road. But the advantage was only temporary; for, immediately re- forming, it re-gained the lost ground, and advanced about half a mile further and threw up rifle-pits. April 1st, moving in line of battle in the direction of the White Oak road, at three o'clock P. M., company D was deployed as skirmishers, and the line advanced about two miles, gradually bearing to the left, when the enemy were driven from their works and the battle-flag of the Thirty-second Virginia was captured by Sergeant H. A. Delavie, of com- pany I. Marching by the White Oak road, it bivouacked near Five Forks for the night. On the 2d, the enemy's left having been broken and dispersed, the brigade moved in the direction of Petersburg, on the South Side railroad, and at four o'clock in the afternoon, leaving the road, crossed Chandler's Run and formed in line of battle at ten P. M., north of Sutherland station, the enemy occupying strong works just in front, and opening a heavy fire. During the night, they stole away from their works, and while the troops were preparing to fall into line for the march, on the following morning, a prolonged cheer

* A notable example of the attachment of men for a dumb brute, was afforded during this engagement. A faithful dog, which had followed the regiment through all its campaigns, al- ways taking its place beneath the flag in battle, was hit and instantly killed. Though in the midst of a desperate engagement, and under a murdercus fire, the men paused and gave the body a burial where it fell.

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ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

1865

rolling along the Union lines, told that Petersburg and Richmond had fallen. On the 4th, the corps moved and bivouacked at night near Jettersville station, on the Danville railroad and passing through Drainesville, bivouacked on the night of the 6th, near High Bridge on the South Side railroad. Crossing the Appomattox on the 7th, it encamped at night near Prince Edward's Court House. During the Sth, its march was broken by frequent halts, the trains blocking the way, but finally rested at eleven P. M. On the following morn- ing it moved by a circuitous route, crossing and re-crossing the railroad, and halted at nine o'clock A. M., near Appomattox Court House, where the ENEMY SURRENDERED.

Among the first regiments in the service in 1861, fighting its first battle at Falling Waters in the three months' campaign, through all the varying for- tunes of the Army of the Potomac, with which it was from the first incorpo- rated, down to the last grand struggle, when the old antagonist was held in an unyielding grasp, it had never lost its identity and never failed to respond in the hour of battle.

ACCOUNT OF THE STATE FLAG .- The State flag was presented to the regiment by Governor Curtin, November 20th, 1861, and placed in the hands of Sergeant Charles H. Foulkc, of Com- pany A, who carried it until August 11th, 1862, at Cedar Mountain, where he was accidentally wounded in the foot, when it was delivered to Sergeant Robert H. Knox, of Company C, who carried it August 21st to 24th, at Rappahannock station, August 28th, at Thoroughfare Gap, and August 30th, at Bull Run, where he was severely wounded, losing his right leg, the flag pass- ing on the field, into the hands of First Sergeant Samuel S. Bierer, Company C, who was im- mediately wounded ; it was then taken by Second Lieutenant Absalom Schall, Company C, who was severely wounded, when it was again taken by Sergeant Samuel S. Bierer, Company C, who carried it to Centreville. Daniel Mathews carried it September 1st, at Chantilly, September 14th, at South Mountain, September 16th and 17th, at Antietam, where he was severely wounded, and it was taken by Private William Welty, of Company C, who was almost immediately killed; it then passed into the hands of Corporal Frederick Welty, of Company C, who was soon severely wounded, and obliged to leave it on the field, where it remained some time, all of the men near it having been killed or wounded. It was next car- ried by Second Lieutenant Edward H. Gay, of Company F, who received two gun-shot wounds, and passed the flag to Sergeant Henry Bitner, of Company E, who retained it until the close of tlic action. December 12th, and 13th, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, it was carried by Corporal John V. Kuhns, of Company C, until he was three times severely wounded, losing his left leg. It was then borne by Cyrus W. Chambers, of Company C, who was killed, when it was taken by Corporal John W. Thomas, of Company C, who was also severely wounded. It was brought off the field by Captain Benjamin F. Haines, of Company B. Corporal John H. M'Kalip, of Company C, was next made color bearer, who carried it April 30th, to May 5th, 1863, at Chancellorsville, and July Ist, at Gettysburg, where he was sc- verely wounded in a charge upon Iverson's North Carolina Brigade, the flag falling amongst some bushes where it was afterwards discovered by Private Michael Kepler, of Company D, who carried it during the remainder of the engagements July 1st, 2d and 3d, and also at Mine Run, December Ist, 1863; in April, 1864, he being absent, sick, it was delivered to Corporal J. J. Lehman, of Company D, who carried it May 5th and 6th in the Wilderness, and May 8th at Spottsylvania, where he was killed, and the flag was brought off the field by Second Lieutenant M'Cutchen of Company F. The next color bearer, whose nanie has not been ascer- tained, was severely wounded in the foot, May 12th, at Spottsylvania. Corporal Wm. Mathews, of Company C, carried it during the remainder of the engagement at Spottsylvania, and at North Anna, Coll Harbor, Bethesda Church, in front of Petersburg, Weldon railroad, and until Deccinber 3d, 1864, when he was relieved by Sergeant Albert Carter, of Company A, who bore it in the Hickford raid, December, 1864; February 6th and 7th, 1865, at Hatcher's Run and Dabney's Mills ; March 26th, Quaker Road; March 30th, White Oak Ridge; April 1st. Five Forks; April 9th, Appomattox Court House and until May 28th, 1865, when he was hon- orably discharged. John C. Scheurman, of Company A, then carried it until the regiment was mustered out of service. July 7th, 1855, it was delivered to the State authorities at Harris- burg, and July 4th, 1866, it was formally returned to the Governor, at Philadelphia, upon the occasion of the public return of all the State flags.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 33

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