History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 149

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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* Organization of the California Brigade, Colonel E. D. Baker, Division commanded by General Charles P. Stone, General Banks' army. Seventy-first Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac J. Wistar ; Sixty-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Joshua T. Owen; Seventy-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel De Witt C. Baxter; One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Turner G. Morehead.

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SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

bank towards the river, pursued by the victorious enemy, who rushed forward howling and screeching, and shooting and bayoneting all who came in their way. No adequate means of transportation to the opposite shore, in case of disaster, had been provided. The only boat at hand was filled with the wounded and pushed out into the stream, but soon swamped and the men were nearly all drowned. Another rude affair, filled to its utmost capacity, floated down and was lost. Becoming desperate from the continued and merciless fire of the enemy, many leaped into the river and perished in the attempt to buffet the stream; some surrendered and were borne away into captivity." Of five hundred and twenty who entered the engagement, three hundred and twelve" were lost. The body of Colonel Baker was recovered, after a severe struggle, and sent to the Pacific coast for interment. Captain Harvey and Lieutenant Williams were among the killed. Captain Otter was either killed, or drowned while crossing the stream. Lieutenant Colonel Wistar was twice severely wounded but kept his place until he was completely disabled by a third wound .when he was borne from the field. Captains Markoe and Keffar were wounded and taken prisoners. The color sergeant, seeing that all was lost, intent on say. ing the flag, stripped it from the staff, wound it about his body, and plunged into the stream ; clinging to it until nearly exhausted, he was finally obliged to cast it from him to save his own life. It was never recovered.

After the disastrous day the regiment went into winter-quarters, where its thinned ranks were recruited, the command devolving on Majors Parrish and Smith. It was now claimed as a part of the quota of Pennsylvania, and its officers commissioned by the Executive. Lieutenant Colonel Wistar was pro- moted to Colonel. Early in the spring of 1862, the brigade, now commanded by Brigadier General W. W. Burns, marched to Winchester to aid the advance of Banks. Soon afterwards it was detached from the latter's command and ordered to Washington, whence, upon its arrival, it was despatched by trans- ports to join the army under M'Clellan, at Yorktown.

After three weeks spent in building roads, working upon the intrenchments, and skirmishing, all the preparations having been completed, an advance was made upon the enemy's works. But, advised of the design, he evacuated them the previous night and retreated up the Peninsula to Williamsburg, where he made a stand and where a warmly contested battle was fought. Driven from this point, he withdrew across the Chickahominy, taking shelter behind the; defences of Richmond, and the Union army slowly followed on after him. Upon the evacuation of Yorktown, the regiment was sent by transport with the rest of the corps to West Point, on the York River, with the design of flanking the enemy, but arrived too late to accomplish the purpose.

The battle of Fair Oaks, which opened on the afternoon of the 31st of May, at the beginning seemed likely to prove disastrous to our arms from the weak- ness of the Union column engaged. Heintzelman's Corps moved promptly to the support of Keyes', who was in the advance and first attacked; but still the result was doubtful. An hour before sunset, General Sedgwick, to whose di- vision the Seventy-first was now attached, reached the scene of conflict, and immediately hurled his troops upon the foe, exulting in his successes. The. battle raged with great fury until darkness put an end to the struggle. Cap- tain Kirby's section of Ricketts' Battery did most effective service. Four des- perate charges were made to capture it, the rebel General Magruder recogniz- ing it as the one he had commanded before he turned traitor. But the double

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PENINSULA CAMPAIGN.

1862

rounds of grape and canister, which it hurled into the face of the charging column, swept everything before it, and kept the enemy at bay. The troops rested upon their arms on the field. At midnight the enemy made a demon- stration on the right. By order of General Burns the Seventy-first was with- drawn from its position at the front, and taken to the menaced ground. A skirmish line was immediately deployed and the regiment advanced in battle order; but the enemy finding that dispositions had been made to receive him, desisted. Early on the following morning it was again in column, and march- ing in quick time, was deployed in a large grain field to the right and rear of Fair Oaks, where the enemy was manœvring for position. Sharp skirmishing ensued, when the enemy fell back, leaving the regiment to watch his move- ments, repel his attacks, and answer his occasional volleys. The tall grain afforded partial cover, and the casualties on this day were few. The loss on the previous evening was severe. Captain Markoe was wounded.

On the following day the line of the army was advanced, the position of the regiment falling in an exposed place within short musket range of the ene- " my, and about five hundred yards from the Fair Oaks field. As soon as the picket line had been established the men set to work throwing up rnde breast- works that should afford some protection from the bullets which were flying between the picket lines. For four wearisome weeks, in almost constant ex- pectation and dread of battle, it remained in this position, the firing being kept up night and day, and the casualties on both sides numerons. Here fell Lien- tenant Maurine C. Moore. During this period, and for the remainder of the Pen insula campaign, the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William G. Jones of the regular army.

For the first three of the Seven Days' Battle, while the struggles at Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, and the bridges of the Chickahominy were in progress, the regiment held its ground, the enemy manifesting more than usual activity on its front. On the morning of the 29th, after the army had started on the march to the James, the brigade moved from its encampment, bringing up the rear of Sumner's Corps, to a position on Allen's Farm, between Peach Orchard and Savage Station, where the corps was drawn np in line of battle. The enemy not making his appearance, Sumner ordered Sedgwick to send the California Regi- ment to re-occupy the picket line at Fair Oaks, which had been abandoned in the morning. The duty was a delicate one, but its commander, accustomed to unquestioning obedience, about faced and moved his little column back through the dreary woods, and over the dismal battle-ground until he reached the identical spot where the enemy had so often charged on Kirby's Battery. The pickets and videttes were posted by Colonel Jones in person, Major Par- rish being left in charge of the reserve. Scarcely was the regiment in position, before the enemy's skirmishers, the Louisiana Tigers, who had been held in concealment in the woods and had reserved their fire until the line was within a few yards of them, opened. The regiment immediately charged and captured several of their number. The position was now perilons. The enemy readily yielded in front with the evident purpose of drawing the regiment on. Infantry and cavalry could be plainly seen in a wood to the left, but whether friend or foe was uncertain. Adjutant Smith volunteered to ride out at the risk of the enemy's fire on the way and the chance of capture when there, and ascertain their true character. The waving of a white handkerchief soon indicated that they were friends, the Fifth New Hampshire with a squadron of cavalry; but

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SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

they were already hard pressed, and evidently unable to hold out many min- utes longer. The enemy, in heavy force, was already marching on the right to Savage Station. The withdrawal of this force on the left, would leave the regiment exposed on three sides. It was accordingly decided to retreat rap- idly, and the order was silently passed along the line . By rapid marching by the left to the rear, it succeeded in safely crossing the stream. Scarcely had the reserve been posted when the enemy opened with infantry and artillery. The position of the regiment was in a garden between the stream and a log house and in front of Richardson's Division. It was supported by the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, Colonel Brooke, whose right stretched out beyond the crest: of the hill, and one company on his left was in rear about fifty yards.' Hazzard's and Pettit's Batteries were posted near, and did excellent execution. . Repeat- edly the enemy charged in heavy force and with determined valor, but was as often hurled back with fearful slaughter, and finally retired. The regiment was vastly outnumbered, but had the advantage of a stream and a fence, with . rugged ground in front. The loss in killed and wounded was ninety-six, in- clnding four officers. At the close of the action General Sumner rode up to Colonel Brooke and commended him for the conduct of his regiment; but Brooke, with the quick sensibility of the true soldier, said, "I am entitled to no particular credit for this victory. It is the California Regiment in my front which deserves your compliments. They have fought hard for their laurels, and shall not be robbed of them by me."

The action closed at one P. M., and the regiment soon after moved on to Savage Station, where, with the brigade, it went into position two hours later on the Williamsburg Road, co-operating with Hancock's, Brooke's, and Mea- gher's Brigades. At four the enemy commenced a bold attack. It was gal- lantly met, and a counter charge delivered with the characteristic impetuosity of Burns, who led it, allayed for a time the thirst of the rebels for battle and blood. The batteries of Hazzard, here, as in the first encounter, delivered their schrapnel with terrible effect. With obstinacy on either side the battle was maintained until nine o'clock, when quietly withdrawing, the corps moved on to White Oak Swamp. The loss was sixty-eight killed and wounded. The severely hurt were left upon the field. General Burns received a painful wound. A bullet carried away the fleshy part of the cheek, and though greatly weakened by the loss of blood, refused to leave his command until he reached Harrison's Landing. Upon the march the men, who were exhausted by the hard service of the day, suffered intensely for want of water, and upon reach- ing the swamp were glad to drink from the muddy and stagnant pools which the trains that preceded them had driven through.

On the morning of the 30th the brigade moved to Charles City Cross Roads, taking position upon the left of the Pennsylvania Reserves. In the progress of the battle, which raged with great fury from its opening, the enemy charged with deafening yells upon Hazzard's Battery, that was inflicting terrible slaughter. It was met by a counter charge from the Seventy-first. The guns were saved, but many of the gunners having fallen, it was almost silenced. In this charge Lieutenant George W. Kinney was killed. Stung to madness by their loss, they sprang to their guns and gave the retreating rebels round upon round of death-laden missiles. At four o'clock the entire brigade charged to re-take the guns of a New York battery, which had been abandoned. . The

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· BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.

1862

guns were recovered, the enemy driven to the woods, and the ground, which had been a source of contention, was held.

At night the regiment moved on to Malvern Hill, where it went into posi- tion in support of artillery. After the battle the army retired to Harrison's Landing, where it went into camp. On the 4th of Angust the divisions of Sedgwick and Hooker, in light marching order, proceeded to Malvern Hill, where a small force of the enemy was in position. After a short skirmish he was driven, leaving his artillery and one hundred prisoners in the hands of the victors. Upon the return of the regiment to Harrison's Landing the work of re-organizing and filling up its shattered ranks was vigorously prosecuted. It had to this time had fifteen companies. Five of them, L, M, N, P, and R, were now disbanded and the men transferred to the first ten companies.

From the Peninsula, the regiment moved to Alexandria, where Colonel Wistar, now partially recovered, resumed command. A forceed march of Sum- ner's Corps was made to the sound of the guns of the Second Bull Run Battle, and reached the field towards the close of the action of the 31st of Angust, where it went into position to cover the retreat of Pope's army, and, after it had passed, acted as rear guard. Burns' Brigade was the extreme rear guard on the left of the three roads of retreat to Washington, and maintained vigor- ous skirmishing as far as Chain Bridge, where it crossed and went into camp at Tenallytown. After a brief pause, it marched to meet the enemy who had now crossed the Potomac above Harper's Ferry. At Hyattstown the corps was halted. and the Seventy-first sent forward to occupy the place, hold the road and the pass through the hills beyond. The village was instantly cleared, the enemy's pickets, in considerable force, retiring and taking position succes- sively on the side and summit of the opposite hill, from both of which they were rapidly driven. Here it was reinforced by the First Minnesota Infantry and a battery, and directed to maintain itself for the night, which it did with constant skirmishing. At daylight the corps came up, and pursuit of the enemy was resumed. At the battle of South Mountain, September 14th, the Second Corps was in reserve, but when the pass was carried, was immediately thrown forward, through Boonsboro', to Keedysville, on the Antietam. In the meantime, General Burns had been promoted to the command of a division in the Ninth Corps, and General O. O. Howard had been assigned to the com- mand of the brigade. The enemy was now in front, and the corps was posted in support of a line of batteries on the left bank of the creek, on which he opened early on the following morning. It was promptly responded to, when, as by mutual consent, the firing suddenly ceased, and for some time both sides remained silent; but it was fitfully renewed during the day.

On the morning of the 17th, wading the Antietam Creek, which was here waist deep, the division made a sharp detour to the right, and then turned abruptly to the left, where, at ten A. M., in marching through the never-to-be- forgotten corn-field, it found itself face to face with the enemy. Before reaching the field, the division had been thrown into parallel lines by brigade front, at a distance of seventy paces apart. In this order it advanced under a heavy ar- tillery fire from guns posted on the Hagerstown road, and drove the enemy's infantry, concealed in the tall corn, steadily before it, until he reached a posi- tion beyond the hill, on which he had judiciously posted his artillery, and from which he had poured forth his fire with terrible effect. Here. his infantry,

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reinforced, took shelter in a sunken roadbed, which formed a natural rifle-pit, and delivered a galling fire upon Sedgwick's column, which was, at the same time, subjected to a hot fire from the foe still concealed in the corn-field. The fire of musketry and artillery from either side, now at short range, was appall ing. Here General Sedgwick was wounded and borne from the field, the com mand devolving on General Howard. The division had entered the belt of woods west of the turnpike, and near the Dunker Church, and was steadily pushing the enemy back upon his earth-works, when it was discovered that the troops holding the left of the line had been driven in. It had now a heavy infantry and artillery fire upon its front, and also a galling enfilading fire upon its flank. General Sumner, who was most conspicuous, riding upon ever part of the field, ordered General Howard to change front and lead his co mand against the troops upon his left. In executing the, movement, a part of the troops fell into some confusion. But the Seventy-first stood firm, and, with the Nineteenth Massachusetts, charged full upon the foe, now advancing in triumph, and with unearthly yells. Wistar, who headed the charge, fell se- verely wounded, and for three hours the tide of battle ebbed and flowed over him before he could be removed. Adjutant Smith, who had been acting as a field officer upon the left of the line, with Deveraux, who led the Nine- teenth, pushed on, unmindful of disaster, but had scarcely reached the enemy when he also fell. The command now devolved on Captain Lewis, who suc- ceeded, after repelling several attacks, in bringing the regiment into position at the Dunker Church, where, at the close of the battle, it rested. The loss was over one-third of the entire number engaged, and on the morning of the 18th only four officers were present for duty. Lieutenants John Convery and William Wilson were among the killed.

Soon after this battle Colonel Wistar was promoted to Brigadier General. Lieutenant Colonel Markoe, who had been promoted from Captain of company A to Major, and to Lieutenant Colonel, had resigned on account of wounds, and had been re-commissioned, now returned and assumed command of the regiment. Before entering upon the Fredericksburg campaign, under Burn- side, General Couch was assigned to the command of the Second Corps, Gen- eral Howard of the Second Division, and Colonel Owen of the Second Brigade, General Sumner commanding the right grand division, composed of the Second and Ninth Corps.

On the morning of the 11th of December the division was ordered to cross the Rappahannock, from a point opposite the town of Fredericksburg. After considerable opposition a bridge was laid, and the crossing effected. A fire of infantry and artillery was poured upon the troops, while clearing the town of the enemy, which was kept up until late at night. On the morning of the 12th it advanced to the right and rear of the town, under the fire of his artillery well posted upon the heights beyond, and, though suffering considerable loss, gained no apparent advantage. On the morning of the 13th the advance was sounded, and Hancock and French, closely followed by Howard, went forward, exposed at every step to a front and enfilading fire upon either flank. A strong? line of infantry, under cover of the stone wall a short distance below the crest, reserved its fire until the assaulting columns came within easy range, when it! opened with fearful effect and they were forced to retire. Repeated attempts were made, but all alike proved futile. In this day's work the regiment lost

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BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.

heavily, Lieutenant B. F. Hibbs, of company D, being killed, Lieutenant B. J. M'Mahon wounded, and Lieutenant Stiles Boughton taken prisoner.

At half past ten in the evening an order was given for the Seventy-first to advance in the darkness to a position at the extreme front, marked by a tan- nery, at that time held by Colonel Penrose of the regular army. To reach it, it was necessary for the men to creep noiselessly upon their hands and knees. The surprise, of both officers and men who were relieved, was excited that fresh troops should have been sent there, Colonel Penrose saying to Colonel Markoe, "The enemy is in rifle-pits less than fifteen yards from you. Your position is very exposed. Your men must remain noiseless, and, if possible, motionless. You must lie flat upon the ground and receive his fire, which upon the least indication of life he will deliver by night and by day. You cannot re- turn it without annihilation. You have a bad position." Seeing a line of men lying on the ground some fifteen feet in advance of the position, Colonel Mar-, koe asked who they were, and if they would remain. "Yes," said Penrose, "they will never move more. They belonged to my command. I have lost nearly all of it, and could offer no resistance." Early on the following morn- ing the rebels opened on the regiment with their artillery, and the ambushed infantry picked off the men from the ranks. The dead in front being mistaken for videttes were riddled with bullets. They kept up an almost uninterrupted fire, with no opportunity afforded of checking it, until one o'clock P. M., when a new battery on the right, which had been fortified and placed in position during the previous night was opened with sad effect. It completely enfiladed the line, and made the position not only a useless one, but untenable. It was accordingly decided to abandon it, and the order was given to retire, and rally on the river front. About thirty men fell before reaching the canal, which was found a short distance to the rear, and into which many of the men leaped for safety. Here they remained until night shielded them from observation, when they crossed and re-joined the command. At nine o'clock that night it was again sent out on picket along the canal. Late at night it was re-called, re-joined the division, and withdrew to its old camping ground. The loss in killed and wounded was nearly a third of its effective strength.

Burnside's second attempt to cross and offer battle proved abortive, and the regiment after hard marching and much exposure returned to camp. Gen- eral Hooker was now assigned to command of the army, and many changes in the commands were made. General Howard was given the Eleventh Corps, and General Gibbon the Second Division. In the movement upon Chancel- lorsville, the First and Third Divisions marched with the main body, while the Second Division was ordered to occupy the old line in front of Fredericksburg, and to cross as soon as a favorable opportunity presented itself. Owen's Bri- gade was ordered to proceed with the engineers, in advance of the main body, to Banks' Ford. Not arriving there until after dark, the Seventy-first was or- dered forward as skirmishers, with instructions to proceed to the river bank and establish a picket line. At eight o'clock on the following morning the command was discovered by the enemy, who opened upon it with artillery, to which a prompt reply was given. Late in the day Lieutenant Seabury, of com- pany F, with a small force, forded the stream, and charged his pickets in their covers, driving them out, and opening communication with General Sedgwick, who had crossed below, carried the heights of Fredericksburg, and was now pushing forward towards Chancellorsville, driving the enemy before him. Two

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SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

good bridges were quickly laid and strongly guarded. It was fortunate that these avenues of escape were provided, for soon Sedgwick was met by an over- powering force and driven back, retiring in safety across these bridges. On the night of the withdrawal the regiment was ordered across, and posted on picket on a part of the battle-field. An hour before daylight the men were quietly withdrawn, and, moving to the bridge, crossed unperceived. The cam paign ended, the regiment returned to its old camp at Falmouth.

. Lieutenant Colonel Markoe having resigned on account of bis wounds, Ma. jor Richard Penn Smith was promoted to Colonel, Captain C. Kochersperger, to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Enoch E. Lewis to Major.

On the 17th of June, the regiment started on the Gettysburg campaign, Small bodies of the enemy hung upon the rear of the column, and when op- posite Thoroughfare Gap, he made demonstrations in considerable force. The Second Corps was accordingly ordered to drive him back and occupy the Gap. On the second day of its occupation, the brigade was attacked and a spirited skirmish ensued, which lasted for two hours. After it was ended, Colonel Smith was ordered to advance upon the road leading over the mountain and observe the position and force of the enemy, and blockade the road so as to prevent a sudden advance npon it. . Three miles out the enemy was found in force. Trees were felled across the road, and, for a long distance, made im- passable.

On the evening of the 1st day of July, the regiment reached the battle-field of Gettysburg. General Hancock was now in command of the corps, and General Alexander S. Webb of the brigade. It arrived just as the First and Eleventh Corps, which had been driven back, were coming into position upon Cemetery Hill. The brigade was posted upon the crest of the ridge, to the, left and front of General Meade's headquarters, a little to the left of the angle in the low stone wall, along which the line was established, and behind which it took shelter. On the following morning, skirmish firing commenced early, which was kept up until about the middle of the afternoon, when General Sickles, who had taken position with the Third Corps upon the left of the Se;} cond, and considerably in advance of the general line of battle, was fiercely ;! attacked. Until after nightfall the battle raged with unabated fury. Sickles was driven back, and, as the enemy came within range of the brigade, a hot, flank fire was opened, which checked his fiery onset. A clump of trees in its front afforded some protection to a body of the rebels who had advanced npon the left, and had seized a brass piece from which the cannoneers had been driven. Wheeling it into position, they had loaded and were about turning it upon the brigade. Quickly divining their purpose, Colonel Smith ordered for- ward his regiment, and, with the Sixty-ninth, charged upon the foe, re-captured the gun with one hundred of their men, and, as their broken ranks were falling

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II, Part 149

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