History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 75

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 75

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This engagement held the enemy in check five hours, giving time for the train of nearly five hundred wagons to get well on the way towards the Poto- mac. The enemy made a vigorous pursuit, but the troops moving in three parallel columns, with an efficient rear guard for each, arrived at the river at nightfall and crossed in safety.

Colonel Murphy, and others of the Twenty-ninth who were taken prisoners, were sent to the rear, and on their way had a full view of the rebel forces as they rushed on, whooping and shouting, in pursuit of the national troops. Major Wheat, in whose charge the prisoners were placed, took Colonel Murphy

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TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

1862

and Captain Rickards of company I, to the Taylor House in Winchester, for breakfast, where he introduced them to Generals Ashby and Stonewall Jackson. Jackson appeared quiet and taciturn; but Ashby was choleric and gave vent to much bitter feeling against the North, saying that he would never be satis: fied until he had them THERE ! at the same time stamping his foot upon the floor with great emphasis, illustrating in his person the sentiment which in- spired the rebellion, and which has been so aptly expressed by Horaee :

* "-ira, quæ procudit enses Et miseras inimicat urbes."

The prisoners from Front Royal were brought in during the day. Of the Twenty-ninth, there were, including those of the two companies captured at that place, seven officers and one hundred and forty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates. The men were organized into squads for drawing rations, and were placed under the charge of Sergeant Brown, of company F. On the 30th the prisoners arrived at Harrisonburg, having marched seventy-six miles and received but four crackers per man during the four days march. Here the officers were paroled to report at Staunton on the 6th. At Waynesboro' the dead body of Ashby, killed at the battle of Cross Keys, was brought in. Here also, Colonel Kane of the Bucktails, wounded in the same battle, was added to the company of captive officers.

The Twenty-ninth, under command of Major Seott, remained with General Banks, and upon the incorporation of his army with that of Fremont and M'Dowell, it moved from Winchester to the valley of the Rappahannock, and was present at the battle of Cedar Mountain, though not actively engaged, and suffered no losses. Early in September the regiment was on duty at Williams- port, Maryland, and on the approach of the enemy in the Antietam campaign, fell back to Hagerstown, and from thence to Chambersburg.

On the 12th of September, Colonel Murphy, and the other officers who had been prisoners of war with him, rejoined the regiment and advanced under orders from Colonel Wright, an aid to Governor Curtin, to Greencastle. Two days later the returned officers were notified by Governor Curtin, that they were not exchanged, but only paroled, and ordered to report at Camp Parole, near Annapolis. On the 17th of September, at the battle of Antietam, the Twenty-ninth was on provost and rear guard duty, and not actively engaged. After the battle it was stationed at Boonsboro', Maryland, in charge of the hospital and property collected from the battle-field.

October 22d, Colonel Murphy and other paroled officers, having been regu- larly exchanged, returned to the command. Greatly crippled by its losses, the scattered fragments were now gathered up and put once more in a condition of efficiency. On the 31st of October it marched to Hagerstown, where it was detailed for provost and guard duty. On the 10th of December it struck tents and moving via Boonsboro' and Pleasant Valley, crossed the Potomac and She- nandoah rivers on pontoon bridges, and joined the brigade near Leesburg. Colonel Murphy, being the senior officer, assumed command of the brigade. The battle of Fredericksburg was fought on the same day. Marching via Gum Springs to Fairfax station, tents and all extra baggage were turned in, and all who were unable to walk were sent to Alexandria in cars. On the 28th the corps marched in pursuit of the enemy's cavalry, which retreated rapidly, and crossed the Oecoquan at Wolf's ford, eluding pursuit.

* Hatred, which forges swords and sets at variance unhappy states.

487

1863

MARCH TO FREDERICKSBURG.

On the 19th of January, 1863, the regiment was ordered to march with the brigade, with all possible dispatch, towards Fredericksburg, as Burnside was concentrating his forces for a second advance. The weather was clear and cold, the ground frozen, the marching good, except that the artillery and heavy loaded wagons occasionally cut through the frost and sank in the mud. Crossing the Occoquan, it marched via Dumfries to the Quintico, now swollen by the incessant rains and filled with floating ice, which was, in conesquence, passed with great difficulty, and reached Stafford Court House on the 25th. The mud had by this time so deepened that the roads were impassable, and the prospect that all further forward movements would be suspended was clear. On the 3d of February the troops were ordered to build tents and put their camping ground in proper condition for winter quarters. On the same day Wm. Rickards, Jr., Captain of company I, was commissioned Lieutenant Col- onel, to date from October 4th, and, in the absence of Colonel Murphy, at once assumed command. The camp was enlarged and improved, and details of men were kept daily at work to put it in good condition for health and comfort. On the 19th Captain Zulich was appointed to bring in from Camps Convalescent and Distribution all men fit for duty belonging to the corps. During the months of February and March little activity prevailed in the army other than that of organizing, drilling and perfecting the discipline of the troops. In the camp of the Twenty-ninth great improvement was exhibited in the appearance and condition of the men, who manifested a pride in preserving a soldierly bearing, and in presenting to the eye of the inspector faultless arms and equipments. On the 19th of March the division was reviewed by General Hooker, now in com- mand of the army, who met the commanders of regiments at the head-quarters of General Slocum, and was personally introduced. He spoke of the necessity of using all possible means for crushing the rebellion, and expressed a confi- dence in the efficiency of his troops, and a hope that the next movement of the Army of the Potomac would be a successful one.

On the 21st of March an order was received transferring the Twenty-ninth to the Second Brigade,* Second Division of the Twelfth Corps. On the 10th of April this corps was reviewed by President Lincoln, accompanied by Generals Hooker and Slocum. The corps was drawn up in two lines of battalions by divisions closed in mass. The President rode up and down, when the lines were broken into columns and passed in review. Previous to the movement General Slocum called the field officers together and explained the manner in which the battalions would change direction by a flank to form column, and, fearing that all might not understand the explanation without a visible repre- sentation, called for a regiment to volunteer to illustrate it. The Twenty-ninth was offered and immediately put in motion, executing the manœuvre to the entire satisfaction of the General, and illustrating at the same time the efficiency in drill to which it had attained.

The necessary preparations were made, and on the 26th of April, orders were received to march on the Chancellorsville campaign. With three days'

*Organization of Second Brigade, Brigadier General Thomas L. Kane, Second Division, Major General John W. Geary, Twelfth Army Corps, Major General Slocum. Twenty-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel William Rickards, Jr .; One Hundred and Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Colonel Steinrook; One hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel George A. Cobham ; One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Hawley; One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Higgins.

488

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

1863

rations in haversacks and five in knapsacks, baggage reduced to the lowest limit, sixty rounds of ammunition in cartridge boxes and eighty per man in wagons, and of the four hundred and eighty-seven present for duty, leaving twenty sick in hospital, the march commenced. Passing through Stafford Court House and Hartwood, and crossing the Rappahannock at Kelly's ford, and the Rapidan at Germania Mills, the regiment reached Chancellorsville on the even- ing of the 30th. This route was pursned by Howard's Eleventh, Slocum's Twelfth, and Meade's Fifth Corps; Couch's Second Corps crossing at Banks' and United States fords, shielded by the advancing column on the right bank. At nine A. M. the regiment, with the brigade, marched on the right of the Fred- ericksburg road, and soon met the enemy, who had a battery posted which opened heavily. Remaining in position about an hour, the brigade was ordered back to its former camp, which it immediately commenced to fortify. Intrench- ing tools could not be procured, and most of the work was done with bayonets and tin plates. At three P. M. the regiment was again ordered forward on the Fredericksburg road to take a battery posted in an annoying position. Arriving within charging distance, it was deemed inexpedient to make the attempt, and the regiment was ordered back with a loss of three men killed and five wounded. The pressure of the enemy under Jackson on the right of the Union line, at about five P. M., became so heavy that it was forced to give way, leaving the flank of the Twelfth Corps exposed. Geary's Division was immediately wheeled into position to check the enemy, swarming forth almost in the rear of General Hooker's Head-quarters. The firing was very heavy, and continued till eleven P. M., the men laying on their arms all night. . On Sunday, May 3d, the battle opened early, and at seven A. M.the enemy had turned our right flank, and com- menced a cross-fire which was very severe. The position being untenable, the division was ordered to retire by the United States ford road, and take up a new position; but it was vigorously shelled, losing many while carrying the wounded from the hospitals which had been set on fire by the enemy's shells. At ten P. M. the regiment was ordered into position on a hill commanding the road, which was immediately intrenched. On the following morning the enemy at- tacked on the right, but was repulsed. Rations and ammunition (on account of the nature of the ground) had to be distributed on pack mules. At day- break on the 6th, the Twenty-ninth crossed the river and marched to Potomac creek, Hooker having decided to withdraw, leaving the dead on the field and the wounded unable to be moved, in the hands of the enemy. The loss in the engagement was six killed and thirteen wounded.

An examination was made of the ground at Acquia creek by Colonel Cob- ham, in command of the brigade, to determine the dispositions to be made in case of attack. It was decided that Fort No. 1 should be occupied by the Twenty-ninth and that the One Hundred and Ninth and One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania should take position in the rifle-pits. Colonel Murphy, who had been absent sick for more than two months, now resigned on account of disease contracted while a prisoner of war, and the regiment was notified of the fact May Sth. The time of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiments of nine months' men having expired on the 11th of May, they left the brigade. On the 4th of June, the regiment being stationed at Acquia creek, a beautiful flag prepared by ladies of Philadelphia, was presented, on their behalf, by H. M. Dichert, Esq., of that city, and was received for the regiment by General Geary.

489

1863

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

On the 11th of June, the regiment stripped to light marching order and com- meneed to move on the Gettysburg campaign. Passing through Stafford, Dum- fries and Fairfax, it arrived at Leesburg on the 17th, and taking possession of a rebel fortification, was employed in extending and strengthening it. At dawn of the 26th it moved to the Potomac and crossed at Edwards' ferry. The river is here four hundred and forty yards in width, and was spanned by two bridges of sixty-six boats each. Lee's main body, under Longstreet and Hill, had crossed on the 24th and 25th and had pushed on in the path of Ewell, who moved a week earlier and was now at Carlisle and York. Hooker crossed with his army on the 25th and 26th, but one day later than Lee, designing to concentrate his main body at Frederick, while the Twelfth Corps with the division of General French, then at Harper's Ferry, was to strike at the rebel communica- tions at Williamsport. With the 28th came the change of commanders, and a change of plans in so far as to abandon the movement to Williamsport, and to follow up the advancing rebel column by a line bearing further to the right.

Moving on the 29th through Frederick and Braceville, the Twelfth Corps arrived on the 30th at Littletown, where the cavalry had a skirmish with a marauding party of the enemy, in which a few prisoners were taken. On the 1st of July, General Geary's Division pushed on in advance of the rest of the corps, and at about two miles from the battle-ground, Kane's Brigade was de- tached and posted to prevent the enemy from turning the right flank of the army, while the remaining brigades hastened to the front and took position on the extreme left of the line, on and about Round Top. On the morning of the 2d, the Twenty-ninth with Kane's Brigade moved to the right and took position in a wood to the right of the Baltimore pike, on Culp's Hill, where breast-works were thrown up across the head of a ravine which spreads to a large plateau on Rock creek, covered with a heavy growth of timber. At seven o'clock P. M., the brigade was ordered by General Geary to move rapidly to the left, to re- inforce the Third Corps. Fording the creek in the face of the enemy's shells, by which Sergeant Major Charles Latford was killed, and proceeding rap- idly about two miles in the direction of Round Top, the column was halted and ordered to return to the breast-works just vacated, the enemy in front of the Third Corps having been repulsed and the line made secure by fresh troops. The incidents of the return are best told in the words of Colonel Rickards' report : "We returned by the pike (Baltimore) and were about to enter the wood in which our breast-works were, when we were fired on, receiving a heavy volley from behind a stone-wall at twenty-five paces distance, killing Lieutenant Harvey and three men, and wounding ten. Believing that we had been mistaken for the enemy by the Third Brigade of our own division, which had been left to hold a part of the line, I ordered my men not to fire, and gathering up our dead and wounded, I moved to the rear about one hundred paces, when I returned again to the wall and called to those behind it, telling them who I was, but was answered by another volley. I now received orders to join the brigade on the pike, and we moved to the woods on the left of our trenches, when we found that the enemy had occupied them in our absence, had advanced half a mile beyond our works, and were now confronting us. A party of skirmishers under Captain Johnson of company B, was immediatly . sent out by order of General Kane. The Captain and five of his men were captured."

As soon as the position of the enemy was ascertaincd, a line of battle was 62

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TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

1863

formed at right angles with the original breast-works, and the men laid on their arms, the enemy keeping up occasional firing during the night, by which one man, a private of company K, was severely wounded. "At three A. M., of the 3d," says Colonel Rickards, "observing objects moving about the enemy's posi- tion, I went to the centre of the brigade and met Colonel Cobham ; while con- sulting we received a fire from the enemy, which extended across our front, fortunately doing no harm, but knocking the cagle from my right shoulder, and showing them to be in force. The fire was returned with spirit, but soon died away and all was again quiet." The Twenty-ninth occupied a part of the line which extended through a hollow, and was somewhat protected by a ledge of rocks. At half past three A. M., the contest opened, the enemy firing from behind rocks and trees. The action soon became general and raged with una- bated fury, the troops being relieved as their ammunition was exhausted, and, when replenished, again returning to the line. The Twenty-ninth was relieved for this purpose, and was absent forty-five minutes, the men taking from sixty to eighty rounds each.

At half past ten A. M., the enemy advanced to the charge, led by Stewart's Brigade moving at battalion front. It was a trying moment for the Twenty- ninth, but the men stood manfully to their ground, firing with great rapidity, and doing fearful execution. The rebel line came steadily on, though their ranks were perceptibly thinned, until within ten paces, when their column began to waver, and soon after fled in confusion, leaving their dead and wounded in fright- ful numbers on the field. Preparations were soon made to follow up this advan- tage, and General Geary's Division charged over the ground lately held by the enemy, routing and driving them out and regaining the original breast-works.

The fight still continued, the enemy taking refuge behind rocks and trees in front of the intrenchments, and keeping up a rapid fire. The Twenty-ninth, having exhausted its last supply of ammunition, was relieved by the First Maryland, Colonel Maulsby, and moved out to replenish it, being heavily shelled while passing through an open field and losing one man wounded. At half past two the regiment returned to the trenches, where the men were much annoyed by sharp-shooters. At nine P. M., the enemy made another attack, which was promptly repulsed, and the firing ceased with the exception of an occasional shot. Precautions were taken to guard against surprise, and the men rested in the trenches upon their arms. Much speculation was iu- dulged in by the officers during the night respecting the events of the coming day, many believing that the fighting would be more sanguinary than on any previous one. With the dawn of July 4th came hope that the struggle was over, for silence continued to prevail. General Kane ordered Colonel Rickards to send out a party of skirmishers to ascertain if the enemy was still in front. Company E was accordingly detached for the purpose, and proceeded to ex- amine the woods, where the enemy had been posted; but he had stealthily de- parted, leaving the ground strewn with his dead and wounded. Five hundred rebel dead were found and buried in front of General Geary's Division alone. The Twenty ninth lost during the three days in which it was engaged, fifteen killed, forty-five wounded and fourteen missing."

*General Thomas L. Kane, who led the brigade in this battle, having been disabled by wounds and sickness, had been absent since the battle of Chancellorsville, and only re-joined it on the evening of the 1st of July. He was obliged again to leave at the conclusion of the battle, and issued the following order, full of feeling and pathos :

1863

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

491

Following up the retreat of the rebel army the regiment arrived at Little- town on the 6th and Walkersville on the 8th. At Frederick, the brigade turned on the road leading to Middletown, and at a point about two miles out crossed the fields to the Harper's Ferry road, passing on the way a spy hanging on a loeust tree. In the neighborhood of Bakersville some of the enemy's pickets were encountered, and the rebels were reported in force at Downsville. Arriv- ing within two miles of that place, a line of battle was formed, the Second Corps on the right of the Twelfth, and breast-works were thrown up. On the 11th, the troops were again formed in line of battle, the Second Brigade being posted on the extreme left. On the 14th, the Second Division was ordered to support the First in the neighborhood of St. James College, and moved on up the hill, expecting to receive the enemy's fire; but reconnoissances soon developed the fact that the rebel army had escaped across the river and was now in full retreat up the Shenandoah valley. Passing Maryland Heights and Pleasant Valley, where the Twenty-ninth had its first camp on taking the field, it crossed the Poto- mae on pontoons at Harper's Ferry, and the Shenandoah on a wire bridge, and passing around Loudon Heights halted at Hill's Lookout. On the 20th of July the division moved by forced marches via Snickersville and Markham to Man- assas Gap for the purpose of cutting off portions of the retreating army. A spirited artillery duel occurred with the enemy's rear guard, but the main column had already passed and was hastening on towards Gordonsville. The brigade was immediately ordered back to take another road by which to still overtake the foe, and marched twenty-five miles on the 24th; proceeding on the follow- ing day through Rectortown and White Plains, it arrived at the entrance.of Thoroughfare Gap. A detail was here made of two non-commissioned officers and four privates to bring in conscripts. Proceeding through the gap, the com- mand moved hastily to Catlett's Station, and from thenee to Kelly's ford, on the Rappahannock. During the month of August, the first three days of which were remarkable for extreme heat, and during which the men suffered much, the regiment was kept actively engaged guarding the fords of the river. On the 16th of September the regiment marched at 4 o'clock A. M., and crossed at Kelly's ford. The weather was excessively hot and the ambulances were filled with the sick and exhausted men. The Twenty-ninth formed the rear guard of the division, and bivouacked at night on high ground about four miles east of Culpepper Court House. The cavalry was already at Raccoon ford on the Rapidan, engaging the enemy, the bursting of shells breaking the darkness with their lurid light. On the 21st General Slocum visited the camp of the Twenty- ninth, and expressed his satisfaction with the condition in which he found it; he soon after issued a special order complimenting the regiment for its excel- lent discipline and the soldierly bearing of the men.

HEAD QUARTERS, SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, TWELFTH ARMY CORPS, Near Littletown, July 6, 1863.

Officers and Soldiers of the Second Brigade:

The hard fighting seems over. If there is to be more of it soon I will be with you. If not, farewell, and may God bless and reward you for your noble conduct, but for which, neither I, nor any of the thousands of this army would have home, country, pride or honor to return to. If you should not see me again in the brigade I hope you will remember long and affec- tionately your friend and commander,

THOMAS L. KANE, Brigadier General of Volunteers.

492

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.

1863

On the 23d of September, the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were detached from the Army of the Potomac, and ordered, under General Hooker, to Middle Tennessee, to re-inforee Roseerans, lately worsted at Chickamauga. On the 26th the regiment marehed to Brandy Station, whence it proceeded by rail to Washington, and immediately moved by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Bell Air, where it erossed the Ohio river, and proceeded through Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville and Nashville to Murfreesboro', arriving on the 5th of October. Here the regiment reported to General Ward, commanding the post, who directed Colonel Riekards to take charge of the troops of the Twelfth Corps then arrived. These consisted of the Twenty-ninth and One Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania, Fifth Ohio and Seventy-eighth and One Hundred and Forty-ninth New York. On the day previous the rebels had burnt a bridge on the railroad two miles below the town, capturing the guard, consisting of forty men, but were deterred from making a further advance by the timely arrival of the Twelfth Corps troops. On the 9th, the command marehed to Christiana, arriving in the evening of the same day, and on the following morning, leaving the One Hundred and Eleventh, the Twenty-ninth and One Hundred and Ninth proceeded to Fostersville, a village on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, thirteen miles south of Murfreesboro', which they were ordered to fortify. The place is not easy of defence, the hills around over- looking the town, near enough for long rifle range, and very convenient for shells. Wheeler's rebel cavalry, four thousand strong, had passed through the place but a few days previous. On the 14th, General Geary and Colonel Cob- ham commanding the brigade, were in consultation with Colonel Riekards res- pecting the location and form of the fort. A pentagonal work, the sides thirty yards long and seven and a half feet high, with a ditch to correspond, was agreed upon. Five houses which had been damaged by the enemy had to be. removed to make room for it. The ground was hard and obstructed by large stones, which very much impeded the work. The men labored with a hearty good will. To hasten its completion a requisition for negro labor and for ox and mule teams was made upon the proprietors of neighboring estates, which were promptly furnished. When three sides of the fort were finished and the whole in prospect of speedy completion, the command was ordered to move by rail to Stephenson, Alabama, much to the disappointment of the men, who had cherished a pride in having, when finished, a piece of work to be pointed to with satisfaction.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 75

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