History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 108

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1386

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During the summer months, little of interest transpired. The ranks of the command had become very much reduced by sickness and casualties. At least four-fifths of the men, during this period, were in hospitals, prostrated by fever and ague.

On the Sth of September, the regiment was ordered to report at Norfolk. Upon its arrival, a battalion composed of companies C, D, F, H and I, under Major William G. M'Candless, was sent to South Mills, North Carolina, the terminus of the Dismal Swamp Canal. The march was commenced in the midst of a terrible raiu storm, by which the streams were much swollen and bridges washed away. After many hardships it arrived on the 13th, and was immediately assigned to picket duty, the enemy in front. The remaining com- panies, under Lieutenant Colonel Lewis, went to Great Bridge, on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, ten miles from Norfolk, where they were assigned to scouting and picket duty, gnarding the canal as far down as Cufituck Sound. On the 15th, company D was ordered to Indiantown, to capture or disperse a party of about one hundred citizen-guerrillas, who were engaged in robbing and murdering Union men, of whom there were large numbers in that neighbor- hood, and in helping smugglers and rebel mail carriers on their way to Rich- mond. It promptly attacked, on its arrival, surprising and routing the party, and capturing its arms. On the same day, companies F aud H, were sent towards Drummond Lake, where, meeting with the enemy, they had a severe skirmish, which resulted in their taking eighteen prisoners, four of them wound- ed. Soon afterwards company D was detached from the battalion and sent to Coinjoick Bridge, on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal.

On the 22d, companies C, F, H and I, under orders from Brigadier General Henry M. Naglee, advanced towards Raleigh. After severe fighting, and sus- taining considerable losses in killed and wounded, they succeeded in pushing out about twenty miles, when, meeting with greatly superior numbers, they

572

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-FIFTH CAVALRY.

1864

were obliged to return. About the same time a battalion, consisting of com panies A, B, L and M, under Major Kleinz, were ordered to Curituck Court House, and upon their arrival were employed in clearing the surrounding country of bands of the enemy who were engaged in irregular warfare. . Much hard marching and severe fighting was done by this command, and it suc- ceeded in ridding the district of these troublesome parties. Companies E, G and K remained with Lieutenant Colonel Lewis, at Great Bridge, engaged in scouting and picketing in the advance of General Getty's command.

On the 20th of October, the detachments were ordered to assemble at Great Bridge, where the regiment went into winter quarters. While here about one- half of the regiment re-enlisted, to the number of two hundred and fifty, and were given a veteran furlough. On the 11th of November ten companies were ordered to report to General Getty, at Getty's Station, two miles south of Ports- mouth, where they were assigned to a brigade of cavalry commanded by Col. onel S. P. Spear, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania, companies D and K remaining at Great Bridge. In pursuance of an order issued by General Butler, in com- mand of the Department, received on the 1st of January, 1864, Lieutenant Cummings was appointed to enroll all citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, subject to military duty, in North Carolina, but was obliged to confine his operations to the counties bordering on Virginia.

Companies D and K having re-joined the regiment, it proceeded by transport to Yorktown, where it joined the command of General Wister, consisting of five regiments of infantry, two white and three colored, Colonel Spear's Cav, alry, and two batteries of artillery, charged with making a sudden dash upon Richmond with the design of entering it by surprise and releasing the Union prisoners confined there. Marching to Bottom's Bridge, the enemy was discov. ered in position upon the opposite side of the Chickahominy, prepared to dis- pute the passage. The Fifth was ordered forward to charge the bridge, but was repulsed, the enemy having artillery planted to command the crossing. The artillery and infantry not having come up, further progress was stopped until they should arrive. In the meantime the enemy was able, under cover of his artillery, to take up the bridge. A soldier under sentence of death at Fort M'Gruder, having escaped the night previous, had deserted to the enemy and given information of the proposed movement, thus enabling him to prepare. to meet it. The enemy soon concentrated a heavy force in front, rendering further efforts futile, and the command returned. On the 1st of March a force of the enemy appearing at Ballahack, on the Dismal Swamp Canal, a detail of one hundred men under Captain Faith, was ordered out upon a reconnoissance to ascertain the probable number. The night was dark and many difficulties were encountered, but it finally came up with the foe, and a skirmish ensued in which the loss was three killed and four wounded. During the months of February and March two hundred aud thirty-one recruits were sent to the regi- ment. Upon the expiration of his term, Lieutenant Colonel Lewis was mus- tered out of service, and Major Christopher Kleinz was promoted to succeed bim.

Early in May the spring campaign opened, and General Kantz, who had been assigned to the command of a division of cavalry in the Army of the James, was ordered upon a raid for the destruction of the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. His column was composed of the Eleventh and Fifth Penn- sylvania, the Third New York, and First District of Columbia. The enemy

573

PETERSBURG CAMPAIGN.

1864

in considerable force was met at the Blackwater, but was routed and nine of his men taken prisoners. On the evening of the 7th, Kautz struck the railroad at Stony Creek Station, where he captured fifty-five prisoners, including one Major, one Captain, and two Lieutenants. The station and warehouses were quickly burned. On the following morning he resumed the march and pro- ceeded to Jarrett's Station, where the enemy was in readiness for attack. The Eleventh was ordered forward to charge upon him, but failed to dislodge him. The Fifth was then brought up and by the most gallant conduct carried the position, driving him and capturing forty-three prisoners. The command immediately commenced tearing up the track and completely destroyed several miles, committing the station and buildings containing valuable supplies to the flames. The destruction was as effectually, as speedily accomplished. In returning, the command was ordered to proceed to the Nottoway Bridge and capture and destroy it if possible. The enemy was found entrenched on the opposite side of the river. The Fifth attempted to force a passage but was driven back. The Eleventh was ordered forward, and aided by a combined attack, the enemy yielded. The bridge was destroyed and a number of pri- soners taken.

On the 11th the Division was sent to Bermuda Hundred, whence, on the following day, it started on a raid upon the Richmond and Danville railroad, with instructions to effect as great a destruction of the road as possible. It was first struck at Coalfield Station. The track for two miles, with buildings containing immense quantities of supplies, was given to destruction, and the coal-pits fired. While the work was in progress a skirmish occurred which re- sulted in the loss of five wounded. From Coalfield the command marched to Powhattan Station where the buildings were fired and a portion of the track contiguous destroyed. On the morning of the 14th the enemy was attacked at a point south of Powhattan and driven. Without much annoyance it pro- ceeded to the South Side Railroad, where the work of destruction was re-com- menced, aud several miles of track were rendered useless. The command now began to be much troubled by the rebel cavalry hovering upon its flanks, ren- dering it necessary to keep a large body of skirmishers out at a considerable distance. Near Bellfield a large force of the enemy had concentrated iu ex- pectation that Kautz would fall into its embrace. Advised of his situation, and realizing his peril, he at once ordered two companies of the Fifth to make a feint in that direction, while he led the main portion of his column away to Jarrett's Station, where the two companies subsequently re-joined him, beguil- ing the enemy and saving his force.

After arriving at City Point, the command crossed the Appomattox and joined General Butler's forces. The regiment was dismounted and put into the trenches with the rest of the cavalry. On the 22d, Colonel R. M. West was transferred from the First Pennsylvania Artillery to the command of the Fifth Cavalry, relieving Lieutenant Colonel Kleinz. Remaining on duty in the works, until the morning of the 9th of June, the cavalry division was ordered to move upon, and capture a portion of the enemy's defences in front of Peters- burg, to be supported by a division of infantry under General Gilmore. Reach- ing the works at noon, the regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel Kleinz was ordered to charge. Dismounting and forming, at the word of com- mand the line dashed forward with wild shouts, scaled the works, and drove out the enemy. Without pausing, the men followed up the fleeing foe, cap-

574

1864

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-FIFTH CAVALRY.

turing one brass gun and fifty-four prisoners. Over one hundred of the enemy. killed or wounded, were left upon the field. The loss in the Fifth was slight. Pursuit was continued to within half a mile of Petersburg ; but upon being met by General Beauregard's force, retired in good order. The infantry failing to come up, the advantage gained was lost.

On the 15th, the cavalry division was ordered to make a second demonstra tion upon the defences of the city. A fort, which commanded the road leading to the town, was first flanked and captured. Arriving within sight of the de- fences, the enemy was met and driven into his works, which were found to be of too great strength to be carried by assault. The loss was considerable, Colonel Mix, of the Third New York being killed. Soon after this movement, Colonel West was assigned to the command of a brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Kleinz resuming command of the Fifth, and retaining it until its consolid, ation in May, 1865.

On the 21st of June, the cavalry divisions under Generals Kautz and Wilson were united, and started upon what is familiarly known as Wilson's raid. . On the 23d, the command reached the junction of the South Side and Richmond and Danville roads, where two or three hundred of the enemy's wounded were discovered. The buildings and commissary stores here were destroyed. ,, The track was torn up from the Junction to Roanoke Station, a distance of forty- five miles, and the buildings and bridges by the way were effectually destroyed. During the progress of the work, considerable skirmishing occurred, attended with some loss; but no determined resistance was met until the command reached the Station, where the enemy was found entrenched on the south side of the stream. As soon as the advance, under command of Sergeant Allen of the Fifth, arrived within range, the enemy opened on him with artillery. Gen- eral Kautz immediately brought forward his division and the ground was sharply contested until night-fall. A little before day-break of the following morning, the 26th, General Wilson ordered the command to withdraw, which was effected in good order. The enemy followed up and pressed the rear with great pertinacity. At five o'clock, P. M. of the 28th, the head of the column reached Stony Creek Station, on the Weldon Railroad, and was at once at- · tacked by the enemy's cavalry. Unable to force the position, General Kautz. was ordered to flauk it and march on towards camp. This movement was exe- cuted, but not without serious opposition. Upon the arrival of Colonel Spear's ; Brigade at Ream's Station, on the morning of the 20th, Generil Longstreet, .. with a force of ten thousand men with artillery, was found in position ready ... to dispute its further progress, and immediately commenced an attack upon; the column. At the moment that the battle opened in front, the left flank and rear was assaulted by the enemy's cavalry, nnder Lee and Hampton. The . unequal contest was continued for some time, the brigade losing heavily in . killed and wounded, and in horses and material. Finding it impossible to force his way through, Kautz ordered Colonel West to take the advance, and make his way through a swamp with his command. This was successfully accom- plished, reaching the lines of the army at dusk of the same day. The regiment lost in this expedition, about three hundred men, and as many horses, half of its effective strength. For seventy-two hours previous to the final struggle, the men had had no sleep nor any thing to eat, aud were in no condition for a conflict even with equal numbers; yet they stood manfully up to their duty,-

575

1864

PETERSBURG CAMPAIGN,

even in the face of overwhelming odds, and escaped from an enemy who was sanguine of their utter annihilation.

From about the middle of July, until the close of September, the regiment was kept almost constantly in motion, freqently meeting aud skirmishing with the enemy, and performing severe picket duty. This service took it to both sides of the James, and to various points along the lines-on the 17th of July, to Malvern Hill; on the 30th, to the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad; Au- gust 10th, to Fort Powhattan; on the 14th, to Sycamore Church, on the Peters- burg and Norfolk Stage Road; on the 19th, to Mount Sinai Church; on the 26th, to Mill's House, on the Norfolk Railroad; and on September 2d, to Yel- low Tavern.

On the 29th of September, the regiment crossed to the north of the James and joined General Butler's Army. Soon afterwards an attempt was made to force the works before Richmond. Kautz, with his cavalry, passed round to the Mechanicsville Road, and working his way through the felled timber which obstructed it, approached, under cover of darkness, the enemy's lines. Alarm- ed by the pickets he at once opened a terrible fire. After remaining in position within range of his guns for an hour, during which he poured out his ammuni- tion without stint, the command was ordered to retire. The loss in the regi- ment in killed and wounded was about twenty. In connection with the division of General Terry, the Fifth assaulted the enemy's lines on the Boydton Plank Road on the 1st of October. The engagement was severe and lasted over two hours, but was fruitless. Again on the 3d, the enemy, while out reconnoiter- ing, attacked and was handsomely repelled by the Fifth.

The enemy having concentrated a heavy force in front of Kautz's Division, now reduced to about nine hundred men, on the morning of the 7th opened a furious attack. He was at first repulsed with severe loss, but renewing the contest he came on in redoubled strength, and with the spirit of desperation. Still he was checked by the steady fire of the cavalry. Stung by the obstinate resistance of this comparatively insignificant force, he again pushed on his col- umns and finally succeeded in driving it back and possessing the lines. The opposing force which was led by Longstreet and Picket, numbered six thousand. The Fifth lost fourteen killed, twenty-seven wounded and seventy-two taken prisoners, nearly half its effective strength. Colonel Kleinz, Captains. Kerr and Galliseth and Lieutenant Clayton were among the wounded.

On the 27th the fragment which remained of the regiment was attached to a force under General Weitzel, which, proceeding out upon the Charles City Road, attacked the enemy. The Fifth suffered only slight casualties. On the 10th of December it was again advanced upon the Charles City Road, where, with two companies of the Twentieth New York Cavalry, it was charged with holding the picket line, connecting with the Eleventh Pennsylvania on the right. Early in the morning a body of cavalry and a brigade of infantry of Longstreet's troops made an attack, and a warm contest ensued. Gaining no advantage by manœuvring or fighting, he finally concentrated his forces and struck heavily upon that part of the line held by the Fifth. It met the shock without yielding, and gallantly charging in turn, drove him back and com- pelled him to relinquish the contest. The loss was seven killed and fourteen wounded. Among the latter was Captain Galliseth and Lientenant Schrader. For its gallantry on this occasion, General Ord, commanding the Department, directed General Kautz to issue the following order, addressed to Colonel

. 576.

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-FIFTH CAVALRY.

1865

West: "General Ord, commanding the army, desires me to inform you of his gratification at the conduct of yourself and your command on the 10th instant, in resisting the enemy's advance and delaying his columns on that occasion, and finally compelling him to abandon his contemplated offensive movement, without obtaining any compensating results. I congratulate you on this mer- ited appreciation of the general commanding, and trust that it is but an indi- cation of still greater services and consequent distinction that awaits you and your command."

The regiment remained after this engagement upon the Charles City Road on picket duty, until the 25th of March, 1865, when it moved out in the midst of a terrible storm of snow and hail, to White Oak Swamp, to meet General, Sheridan's command. Three days later it crossed the James, and proceeded to Hatcher's Run. Resting here until April 1st, it moved with the cavalry upon its last campaign. Passing Dinwiddie Court House, it proceeded to the extreme. left of the Union lines, where the enemy was found. A part of the Fifth Corps was falling back before him as the cavalry advanced. A charge was immedi- ately ordered, and the Fifth led by Lieutenant Colonel Kleinz, made a gallant and effective dash, capturing three hundred prisoners and a large number of small arms. The ront of his forces upon the left was complete. The regiment, joined in the pursuit which was continned to Gravelly Run, where skirmishing ensued, under which the stream was crossed and a line taken up which was held until the 3d, when it was again engaged. During the 4th and 5th, it . moved forward, reaching Amelia Court House, harrassing the left flank of the enemy with good effect. On the 6th, the command marched to Burkesville, skirmishing on the way, and on the 7th established a picket near Prince Ed- 7; ward Court House. Marching out on the following day to the Lynchburg and . Richmond Railroad, four trains of cars moving towards Richmond were cap- tured. In the evening it arrived in the neighborhood of Appomattox Court House, and at four o'clock on the following morning moved for the general bat- tle field which was reached at six. The enemy fought with his characteristic. recklessness and daring, forcing the line back into a dense wood, where it re- formed and held him in check, until the infantry were in position in the rear, when the cavalry was ordered to cease firing and retire. This was accom- plished in good order. After reaching the rear of the infantry, a portion .. of the rebel cavalry which had moved round upon the Union left, made its ap- pearance, and the Fifth was ordered out on the skirmish linc. Dismounting, it moved promptly to the work and held the enemy in check, while General Davies was bringing his division into position for a grand charge. The skir- mishing was continued with vigor until eleven o'clock, when the order to cease firing was received, the rumor prevailing that Lee was making overtures for a surrender, and that Grant was master of the situation. Every thing at this moment was obscured in doubt, and the excitement incident to a well contested field had not subsided. The doubt did not long continue; for soon it was an- nounced that Lee had surrendered, and the wildest cheers ran along the line.

On the 12th, the division was ordered to Lynchburg, the bands playing " Hail Columbia" as it went. Returning, it passed Appomattox Court House on the 16th, Farmville on the 18th, Burkesville on the 19th, Five Forks on the 22d, through Richmond on the 24th, and encamped on the Mechanicsville Pike, where it rested. On the 19th of May, three hundred and thirty-one officers and men of the Fifth were mustered out of service, and on the 6th of June,

577

THREE YEARS' SERVICE.

the remainder of the regiment was consolidated with the Third Pennsylvania. But little of moment occurred during the remainder of its term, and on the 7th of August, it was finally mustered out of service at Richmond.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

SANE.

DATE OP MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Max Friedman

Col

David Campbell ..

.. do

... do

Philip Becker

Lt. Col.

761,

3 Resigned November, 1861.

Joseph L. Moss

.. do

...

Aug. 10, '61, Sept., 761,

Christopher Kleinz

... do

July 30, '61,

James W. Walsh

Jan. 1, '62,

Eph'm A. Rowland

Major ..

Aug. 10, '61, 3 Resigned January 29, 1862.

Edward M. Boteler

.. do

Sept.,

'61,

3 Discharged October 15, 1862.

William C. Heuser

.. do

July 23, '61, 3

Promoted from Captain company B, March 12, . 1862-discharged October 13, 1862.

Jacob P. Wilson.

Aug. 5, '61,

3 |Promoted from Captain company F, May 1, '62- discharged October 13, 1862.

Joseph C Hess

Aug. 10, '61,

3 Promoted from Captain company H, November 5, 1862-resigned February 7, 1963.

W. G. M'Candless

April 3, '62,

Timotby Hennessey

.do

Aug. 10, '61, 3

D. P. Hagameister .. .do ...

July 17, '61,

Justinian Alman.

.do

Sept. 17, '61,

Frank W. Hess

.do

Charles Treichel.

.. do

Henry W. Paul

.do

Henry G. Burlow ...

Adj't ...

'61,

Peter Lane.

_do

'61,

3 Discharged March 26, 1862.

Frank P. Robinson John C. Brown.

Mar. 26, 762. Aug. 14, '62,

3 Pr. to Adj., Jan. 23, 1863-resigned Mar. 24, '64: 3 Pr. from Sgt. Major-to Adjutant, May. 30, '64- to Captain company L, March 7, 1865

Jacob E. Bayley

July 24, '63,

3 Drafted -- promoted from 2d Lieutenant Co. H, March 7, 1865-mustered out, June 1, 1865.

3 Pr. from private Co. H to Q. M. Serg't, Nov. 27,. 1864 -- to Sergeant Major, March 6, 1565-to Isty Lieutenant and Adjutant, July 24, 1865-mus- tered out with regiment, August 7, 1865.

James Cromlien

Q. M.

Aug. 10, '61,

David Bower.

April 5, '62,

Promoted from 2d Lieutenant company F, Nov. 1, 1862-resigned May 9, 1865.

Samuel M'K. King

.. do

Ang. 13, '61, 3

William H. Ford

C. S

Oct. 2, '62, 3

Promoted from 2d Lieut. Co. L, July 22, 1865- mustered out with regiment, Aug. 7, '65-Vet. Promoted from Ist Lieut. Co. B, Oct. 3, 1862- mustered out with regiment, August 7, 1865.

James Bryan

Surg ... Aug. 3, '61, 3 Promoted to Brigade Surgeon, December 20, '61. S Resigned February 24, 1:862.

F. S. Jaquette .. 73-VOL. II.

.do Dec. 22, '61,

Resigned March 9. 1862. Resigned October 16. 1862.

Robert M. West .....

S. E. Smith

Au 7, '61, Mar. 12, '62, July 26, '61,

Tr. from #'d reg. P. V., May 29, 1864-pr. to Bv. Brigadier General, April 1, 1865-mustered out with regiment, August 7, 1865.

Pr. froni Major, Nov. '61-resigned Apr. 30, '62. Pr. from Maj., Feb. 25, '62-resigned Sept. 29, '62. Pr. from Capt. Co. E to Major, Oct. 30. 1862-to Lt. Col., July 1, '64-disch. by G. O., June 7, '65. Transferred from 60th reg. P. V., May 8, 1865- mustered out with regiment, August 7, 1865. Promoted from Captain company D, November 25. 1962-discharged April 29, 1864.

William Lewis

do.

July 30, '61,

3 Promoted from 1st Lieut. Co. B, Nov. 21. 1862- mustered out, Mar. 17, '65-expiration of term. Pr. from Capt. Co. G, Feb. 11, 1863-disch. Oct. 26, 1863-re-commissioned February 5, 1864- mustered out, March 29, 1865.

3 |Promoted from Captain company L, July 1. '64- 3 inustered out, June 7, '65-expiration of term. Promoted from Captain company E, April 25, 1865-mustered out, June 7, 1865.

Nov. 4, '61, 3 Transferred from 60th reg. P. V., May 8, 1865- Jan. 24, '62, 3 mustered out with regiment, August 7. 1865. Transferred from 60th reg. P. V., May 8, 1865- Aug. 5, '61, 3 mustered out with regiment, August 7, 1865. Promoted from Captain company D, June 6, '65- 3 mustered out with regiment, August 7, 1865. Resigned January 17, 1862.

.do

Oct. 10, '62,

Promoted from Lieutenant company G, Septem- ber 15, 1801-missing April, 1862.

Edward M'Mahon ..

.do

TERM-YEARS.

578

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT-FIFTH CAVALRY,

NAXE.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE

REMARKS.

Thos. J. Yarrow

Surg ...

Jan. 1, '62,

Promoted from Assistant Surgeon, February 19, 1862-discharged March 20, 1862.

William C. Todd.

.do

Mar.

8, '62,

Patrick Heany ..

.. do

Feb. 6, '63,

3 Mustered out, Aug. 5, 1864-expiration of term. Promoted from Assistant Surgeon, September 15, 1864-mustered out, November 15, IS64.

John W. Hughes.

... do

Sept. 15, '63, 3 Promoted from Assistant Surgeon, December 15, 1864-mustered out with regiment, Aug. 7, '65. '61. 3 Resigned February 10, 1862.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 108

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1386

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1386