USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. II > Part 237
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Evarad, Hiram do
Sept. , '61,
Eunis, Allen. do
Aug. 6, '61,
Evans, Joshua M .do
Sept. 4, '61,
Eighney, Jacob W .do
Ang. 26, '63,
Fanter, Louis .. do
Dec.
7, '64,
Franklin, Benjamin .. do
Dec.
7, '64,
Fryer, Thomas. .do Jan. 10, '65,
Fell, Francis J. .do
Feb. 8, '65,
Fetter, John .do
Nov. 14. '64,
Faith, Alexander. do
Sept. 9, '61,
Force. Thomas. do
Sept. 4. '61,
3
Goshraw, Charles .. do
Dec. 7, '64,
3
Gamm, Charles dc Sept. 7, '61,
Glass, Alexander do Sept. 4, '61,
3 3
Gordon, John. do Sept. º 4, '61,
Gorman, John .. do Oct. 31, '61, Aug. 23, 63,
Gleason, Saul do
Gallagher, Wash. B ... do
Aug. 28, '63, Sept. 10, '61,
Grant, John
do
Dec. 7, '64,
1
Harshburger, H.
Nov. 18, '64, Ang. 27, '63,
3 1
Hilt, George S do
Jan. 13, '65,
Heidecker, Amos do Hemmenher, Aaron
Nov. 26, '64,
1
1 1
Howard, John .. 00
Sept. 12, '64, Nov. 18, '64, Jan. 28, '65, Nov. 12, '64, 1
Hulbert, Isaac. .. do
Sept. 4, '61,
Haddock, Joseph ... ... do
Sept. 4, '61, 3
Hammill, Johu .. do Sept. 4, '61, 3
Harner, William L .. do
Aug. 27, '63,
Hargraves, Ed'd B ... do
Sept. 5, '61, 3
Henry, Thomas do
Sept. 17, '63, 3 3
Hall, Rufus .. .do Sept. 23, '63,
Johnson, Abrahamı .do Nov. 21, '64, 3
Johnson, Alonzo. ... do Johnson, James .. do
Sept. 4, '61, Sept. 5, '61, 3
Kopplemeyer, I. .. do
Dec. 16, '64,
King, George .do
Oct. 3, 6-1,
1
3
1
3
Lewis, Henry L ...... .do Melone, Henry .. .do Moore, Edward E. .do M'Quinn, John ..... do
Jan. 12, '65,
1
M'Cauly, William .. .do
Jan. Jan. 18, '65, 1
M'Canly, John. do
Myers, Jacob do Dec. 5, '64, 1
1
1
1 1
Miller, William. do
Machette, Wm. A .. .do
Sept.
6, '61,
6, '61,
3 Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term.
M'Call, Samuel .do
Sept.
M'Farland. Robert do M'Elwain, James do
Sept. Sept. 5, '61,
Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13, '65. Substitute-discharged by G. O., June 21, 1865. Discharged by General Order, November 16, '63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 25, '62. Drafted-transferred to company B, Sept. 4, '64. Drafted-killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864-buried in National Cemetery, section B. Deserted September 17, 1861.
3 3 Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865.
3 Wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864- absent at muster out.
3 Drafted-deserted May 7, 1864.
2 Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13. '65. 1 1 Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13, '65. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865.
1 Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Sub .- killed at Sailor's Creek, Va., Apr. 6, 1865. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 7, '63. Died at Richmond, Va., July 15, 1862.
Substitute-died at Washington, D. C., June S, 1865-buried in National Cem., Arlington, Va. Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. Mustered out, Sept. 16. 1864-expiration of terin. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 12, '62. Discharged by General Order, Sept. 20. 1864.
3 Drafted-transferred to company B, Sept. 4, '64. 3 Drafted-transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 64. Killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862.
Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13, '65. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Drafted-absent, sick, at muster out.
1 Drafted-died at Wilson Station, Va., May 13, '65. Discharged by General Order, June 27, 1865. Drafted-discharged by G. O., June 27, 1865. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 12, '62. 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 25, '62. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 25, '62. 3 Drafted-transferred to company B, Sept. 4, '64. Died at David's Island, N. Y. Harbor, July 10, 1864-bu. at Cyp. Hill Cem., L. I., grave, 1,317. Drafted-deserted March 24, 1864.
Discharged by General Order, May 17, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865.
3 Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. Deserted November 18, 1861.
1 Substitute " serted Jnue 19, 1865.
Drafted-discharged by G. O .- date unknown. Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of terin. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 22, '62. Drafted-transferred to company B, Sept. 4, '64. Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13, '65. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Absent, sick, at muster out.
Substitute-killed at Petersburg, Va., Apr. 2,'65. Substitute-killed at Petersburg, Va., Apr. 2, '65. Drafted-died at Baltimore, Md., July 3, 1865.
Myers, Henry do Dec. 7, '64, Nov. 28, '64,
M'Clure, Robertson do Mull, William, .do May, George do
July 5, '64, Sept. 21, '64, Nov. 18, '64, Sept. 4, '61,
1
3
Drafted-died at Hall's Hill, Va., July 11, 1865. Drafted-discharged by G. O., June 17, 1865. Drafted-discharged by G. O., June 19, 1865. Discharged by General Order, March 30, 1865.
3 ! Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. 3
Matthews, John L. do Meaney, Alexander .do
Sept. Sept.
Moore, William H ... do
Dec. 15, '64,
3 3
Jan. 18, '65, 1
23, '65, 1
1
Harner, William L .do
Jan. 17, '65,
1
Harrier, Adam do
Harshburger, Jacob .. do
Hennessey, Mich'] .. do
Sept. 6, '61,
King. Henry R .do Lautz, John .. do Leonard, Willian1. do
Nov. 22, '64, Sept. 4, '61, Aug. 26, '63,
1 3
3
3
3
Horn, Levi .. do
TERM-YEARS.
Daley, Thomas. .do
Dec. 6, '64,
1 Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13, '65. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865.
6, '61, 4, 61, 3 Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. 3| Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. 3. Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. 4. '61,
1246
EIGHTY-SECOND REGIMENT,
NAME.
RANK.
DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE
REMARKS.
M'Auley, James.
Private
M'Gee, Jobu .. do
Mulkahey, Thomas ... do
Sept. 5, '61, 3
Mitchell, Joseph. ....
.. do Dec. 19, '63, 3 Drafted-transferred to company B, Sept. 4, '64.
M'Loughlin, John ... .. do
Feb. 4, '64, 3 Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864.
Murray, Charles M .. do
Feb. 3, '64, 3 Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864. 3 Deserted September 5, 1862.
M'Ilwain, John Moore, George .. do
.. do
Nov. 22, '61,
Jan. 5, '63,
3 Deserted January 2, 1863.
Orris, Isaiah
Nov. 18, '64,
3 Transferred to company A, Sept. 4, 1864-Vet. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. 1
Oakford. Wm. H. .. do
Sept. 4, '61,
3 Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term.
Orange, Robert. do
Sept. 5, '61,
3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 31, '61.
O'Donnell, Hugh. .. do
Osgood, William do
Preall, Charles
.. do
Nov. 18, '64, Sept. 6, '61,
Pedrick, John .. .. do
Sept. 4, '61, Sept.
3 Absent, on detached service, at muster out. 3 Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864-Vet. 3 Drafted-transferred to Co. B, Sept. 4, 1864.
Pearson, George ....
.. do
Aug. 26, '63,
Peterson, Charles A do
Parker, Marshall. do
Patterson, John. .. do
Rodenizer, Win
.do
Ripple, Jacob .. do
Nov. 18, '64,
1
Roessler, Harry .do
Aug. 2, '61,
3
Ritchie, James. .. do
Sept. 27, '64, 1
Ritch, Charles F .do
Sept. 10, '61, 3
Rhoads, Jacob. .do
Sept. 4, '61, 3
Reece, Philip. .do
Aug. 29, '63,
3
Reed, Thomas. do
Aug. 29, '63,
3
3 Deserted October 30. 1862.
3 Deserted July 7. 1862.
3 Deserted July 29, 1862.
do Sutters, Wm. S.
Shallis, Solomon.
do
July 19, '64,
Scritchfield, Sam'l .. .do
Dec.
6, '64,
Shoemaker, Solo'n .. do
Nov. 26, '64,
1
Storm, James A .do Dec. 7, '64,
Shatfuer, John .... .. do Dec. 14, '64,
Stewart, Samuel .. .. do Sept. 25, '62,
Smith. Charles .... do
Sept. 9, '61,
Shenberger, Joseph ... do
Feb. 8, '65,
Saylor, William. .. do Strutton, George. .. do
Sept. 6, '61,
3
Shannon, John do Aug. 24, '63,
Sullivan. Daniel. .. do
Smith, Henry. .. do
Snyder, Abraham .. Shuster, John
... do do
3 Sept. 19, '63, Sept. 4, '61, 3
Sheeane, Jeremiah do
3 Deserted July 3, 1863.
Todd, Jacob .. do
3
Mustere. out with company, July 13, 1865-Vet. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Drafted-discharged by G. O., June 26, 1865.
3 Discharged by General Order, Oct. 12, 1861.
Toner. Peter .. .. do
Thomas, Ashton W do Weakland, Henry .. .. do
Jan. 6, '65,
Wagner, Fred'k .... .do
Jan. 21, '65, Dec. 15, '64,
Wallford, Matthias. .. do
Wertz, John A .. do
Nov. 28, '64, 1
Drafted-discharged by G. O., June 20, 1865.
Wagner, Fred'k A .. do
Feb. 8, '65, 1 Discharged by General Order, June 20, 1865.
Walker, Elijah .. do
Sept. 27, '64, 1
Wood, John .. .do
Wood, Frank C .. .. do
Whaley, Thomas. ... do
Wells, Henry L. .do
Sept. 15, '62,
3 Killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864-buried in National Cemetery, section A.
Yerkes, Abraham .. .do
Dec. 4, '61,
3 |Transferred to company H, Sept. 4, 1864.
York, Nathaniel D .. ... do
Aug. 6, '63, 3 Drafted-deserted July 27, 1864.
Mustered out, Sept. 16. 1864-expiration of term. Transferred to batt'y D. 5th U. S. Art., Nov. 8,'62. Drafted-transferred to Co. B, Sept. 4, 1864. Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864.
Rhoads, William S. .. do
Sept.
9, '61,
Reynolds, Francis.
.do
Sept. 4, '61, 5, '61, 5, '64,
3
1 3 Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13. 1865. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13. '65. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13. 1865. Substitute-mustered out with Co., July 13. 65.
1 3 Substitute -- mustered out with Co., July 13, '65. 3 3 Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. 1 Killed at Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Drafted-died at City Point, Va., May 31, 1865. 1
3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Mar. 25, '62. Drafted-transferred to Co. B, Sept. 4. 1864. 3 Drafted-transferred to Co. B. Sept. 4, 1864.
Mar. 6, '64, 3 Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864. Sept. 6, '61, 3 Killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. Drafted-killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 2. 64. Deserted September 5, 1861.
Timblin, Daniel. .. do
3
Titus, Harry do
Tomlinson, Alfred R .. do
Sept. 4, '61, Dec. 25, '63, Aug. 27, '63, 1 Nov. 28, '64, Sept. 4, '61, Sept. 21, '61, Sept. 6, '61, Nov. 18, '64, 1
3 3 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 1, '63. 1 Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864-Vet. Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. 1 1 Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Substitute-deserted April 26, 1865.
Drafted-discharged by G. O., June 17, 1865. Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term.
1 Sept. 4, '61, Sept. 8, '61, 3 Sept. 4, '61, 3 Mustered out Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term. Discharged for wounds received in action, Feb- rnary 14, 1864.
TERM-YEARS .!
Sept. 4, '61, Sept. 4, '64, 3 3 Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of termn. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Apr. 16, 63. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 5, '61.
Northrop, B. Theo ... .. do
Sept. 6, 61,
July 11, '63, 3 Drafted-disch. ou Surg. certificate, Dec. 16, '63. Drafted -- transferred to Co. B, Sept. 4, 1864. Aug. 24. '63, 1 Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. 3 3 Mustered out, Sept. 16, 1864-expiration of term.
Panl, George do
Pittsgill, George. .. do
9, '61,
Sept. 4, '61, 3 Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864-Vet. Transferred to company B, Sept. 4, 1864. Sept. 15, '62, 3 3 Deserted January 29, 1862.
Sept. 4, '61, Nov. 22. '64,
1 Drafted-mustered out with Co., July 13, 1865. Mustered ont with company, July 13, 1865. Mustered out with company, July 13, 1865. Drafted-deserted April 4, 1865.
Rivell, George .... do Sept. July
Nov. 18, '64,
Sheldon, Charles A .. .do Aug. 24, '63,
Wilson, James A .... .. da
7
1247
THREE YEARS' SERVICE.
UNASSIGNED MEN.
NAME.
RANK.
DATE OP MUSTER INTO SERVICE.
TERM-YEARS.1
REMARKS.
David Robinson ..
Muc ...
Feb. 23, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Anderson, Rob't R ..
Private
Jan. 21, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Brown, Joseph ..
.do
Feb. 22, '65,
1
Not on muster-out roll.
Barton, Henry A. .do
Feb. 17, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
Coady, Michael
.. do
Feb. 29, '64, 3 Not on muster-out roll.
Fitz. James
.. do
Sept. 27, '64,
1: Not on muster-out roll.
Jones, Riley.
.. do
April 15, '64,
3
Not on muster-out roll.
Limmon, Wm. H. .do
April 15, '64,
3 Not on muster-out roll.
M' Rea, Reuben A ...
.do
Feb. 22, '65,
1 Not on muster-out roll.
EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT .*
(THE Erie Regiment, for three months' service, commanded by Colonel John W. M'Lane, had hardly been disbanded when the news of the disaster at Bull Run aroused the nation to a new sense of danger, and the intention, which had been previously expressed, was immediately renewed by Colonel M'Lane, of raising a regiment for three years' service. Having received an order on the 24th of July, from the Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, Colonel M'Lane issued a call, and in less than five weeks nearly a thousand men had responded, embracing nearly three hundred of the old regiment, prin- cipally from the connties of Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venango, and Mercer. They rendezvoused at Camp M'Lane, near the city of Erie, where, on the Sth of September, they were mustered into the United States service, and the regi- ment was organized by the selection of the following field officers : John W. M'Lane, Colonel; Strong Vincent, Lieutenant Colonel; Dr. Louis H. Naghel, Major.
On the 18th of September it proceeded to Washington, and for a week was encamped at Meridian Hill, where it was uniformed, and' supplied with Har- per's Ferry muskets. It then moved to Arlington Heights, and subsequently to Hall's Hill, where it was assigned to the Third Brigade of Porter's Divi- sion. t It was in line with the Army of the Potomac, extending from Chain Bridge, on the right, to a point below Alexandria on the left. It was here subjected to a rigid course of instruction and discipline. General Butterfield, imbued with a high sense of the duties of a soldier, was a strict disciplinarian. The men of the Eighty-third proved apt to learn. Observance of orders was rigidly exacted, and instruction in the manual of arms and bayonet exer- cise was systematically given. Company and regimental drills were daily practiced, brigade drills three times a week, and the men were held accounta- ble for order and cleanliness, by a regular and minute inspection of clothing, arms, and accoutrements. The best shots at target firing were publicly ac- knowledged. The regiment soon became noted for the excellence of its drill and its soldierly appearance.' On one occasion, General M'Clellan, in passing along the lines with his staff, rode up to Colonel M'Lane, and said : "Colonel, I congratulate you on having one of the very best regiments in the army !" and General Butterfield, in a general order, said: "The General command-
* A history of the Eighty-third, one of the very best and most readable of its class. by Major Amos M. Judson, is published by the Erte Dispatch company, from which, by permission of the author, most of the facts embraced in this record are drawn.
t Organization of the Third Brigade of Porter's Division, afterwards the First Division of the Fifth Corps; Seventeenth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Lansing; Sixteenth Regi- ment Michigan Volunteers, Colonel Stockton; Forty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Rice; E1 ty-third Regiment Penn ania Volunteers, Colonel M'Lane.
S
Z
Słowy
Creek
-
-
-
Five Forlex
Chambe
Dimidke C.H.
travel Run Ch
1 Zile Orek Road
Sutherland's Sta.
Road
Clasboum
fox Road
Kanker Road
brarch R
. Burgess Mill
pom
A
Dabneys Vill
1
Duncan Road
Arthurs. Swamp
Squina Level. R.l.
FL. Sampoint
Fr. Welth
lage,
US
fimory
Troistore
Batter 45
Rennes
Str.
WELDON
R.R.
Fi Wadsworth
Ft Howard
A
Hovs
Ft
A
F. Bhastell
Boad
OFillashill1
CITY
Union Entrenchments Rebel
Union Troops Rebel Rint Boads Turpilies and Common Roads
OJ HON™
-
F
Chunk Haret!
Petersburg
Pocahontas
Old Town Creek
Hallifax \ Raxul.
Ft. Dushimne
englan Road Ft Sicher
Fisher
F
Ft
Comme
.c
Boud
1
-
Ft. Keene
fox River
3
Rebel FO
Boyelton Plank Rond.
U. S. MILITARY
MAP OF PETERSBURG mein.dino WATCHERS RUN & FIVE FORKS. Fra. March 29. to bord 2. 1865
POINT R.R.
.
Namarine Road
-
Hatchets Han
Ford Road
Rend
1249
ORGANIZATION AND DRILL.
1862
ing feels called upon to congratulate and commend the Eighty-third, for the very general spirit of attention to duty that seems to pervade the regiment. Its attention to drill is especially recommended as a worthy example to the rest of the origade." For its proficiency, as displayed in the competitive trial, it was given, by the committee of award, one of the French uniforms which had been especially imported for this purpose. It was the nniform of the Chas- seur de Vincennes, consisting of a shako, two tasteful snits, dress and fatigue, with cloak, two pairs of shoes, two pairs of white gloves, two night-caps, a little bag containing five brushes, for various purposes, needle case, combs, thread, spool, cloak-pin, and various other conveniences .*
The regiment encamped on the immediate right of the Eighty-third was the Forty-fourth New York, and between the members of the two there grew up a strong feeling of friendship. On New Year's Eve, 1862, they united in a grand ball, at which music, feasting, and dancing, were freely indulged in. The camp had been tastefully adorned with evergreen enclosures, with gateways aid arches, " presenting the appearance of a fairy glen, rather than the stern aspect of a military encampment." In a few days winter set in, and gateways and arches were shattered, the streets of the little city were deluged with mud, and the soldier was sent shivering to his tent.
On the morning of the 9th of March, the regiment received orders to be in readiness to move on the following morning. The whole grand army, which for six months had been encamped in front of Washington, was to advance upon the enemy. All superfluous baggage, including the French uniforms, was sent away and stored in government warehouses at Georgetown. On the morning of the 10th, with three days' cooked rations in haversack, the regi- ment commenced its first march-prelude to four long eventful years of war- fare-and arrived in the evening at Fairfax Court Honse. Here it was ascer- tained that the enemy had abandoned his intrenched camp, and had retreated toward Gordonsville.
The army now turned to the Peninsula, the Eighty-third embarking at Alexandria and landing on the 24th at the deserted village of Hampton. Its first duty was a reconnoissance towards Big Bethel, where the enemy was re- ported to have outposts; but his works were found abandoned. On the 4th of April it joined in the advance on Yorktown, where the enemy was met
* "1 large council tent, with table and fixtures ; 110 common tents, for men and officers; 220 circular tables ; 3 ambulance or hospital tents, with tables; 1,000 small tents, for special duty ; 40 officers' tents ; 10 company tents ; 250 mallets, for driving tent pins ; 250 picks ; 100 hatchets ; 225 shovels; 1,000 dress coats ; 1,000 fatigue coats ; 1,000 pairs pantaloons ; 1,000 cloaks or man- tles, with hoods; 3,000 shirts; 2,000 pairs drawers; 1,000 dress caps, of leather ; 1,000 plumes; 1,000 fatigue caps ; 2,000 pairs shoes ; 1,000 pairs leather gaiters ; 2,000 pairs linen gaiters ; 1,000 pairs leggings; 1,000 epaulets; 2,000 night-caps; 2,000 neck-ties; 2,000 handkerchiefs ; 2,000 pairs white cotton gloves; 1,000 pairs suspenders ; 1,000 pairs woolen blankets; 1,000 knap- sacks, of hair-tanned leather ; 1,000 haversacks ; 100 large tin canteens; 1,000 small canteens ; 1,000 canteen straps ; 100 large tin mess kettles; 1,000 tin soup bowls, with lids ; 1,000 tin cups ; 1,000 cartridge boxes; 1,000 sword belts; 100 tin saucepans; 150 chevrons, gold and silver embroidered, for non-commissioned officers ; 35 pack saddles; 100 saddle cacolets; 2 mule litters ; 150 camp stools; 1 medicine chest, filled with medicines; 1 surgical chest, filled with instruments ; 2 ambulance knapsacks, containing knives, saws, bandages, lint, &c. ; 22 bugles ; 35mule bridles; 1,000 sacs du petit, or small sacks, containing 1,000 shoe brushes, 1,000 hair brushes, 1,000 clothes brushes, and 1,000 buttonbrushes ; 1,000 brushes for cleaning guns ; 1,000 small oil cans ; 1,000 tin boxes for polishing powders ; 1,000 dusters for clothes, and 1,000 needle books, each containing I pair of scissors, thimble, 3 colors of thread, spool for the thread, sad- dler's awi, needles, combs, &c."- Judson's History of Eighty-third Regiment P. V., page 26.
157-VOL. 11.
.
1250
1862
EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
well posted. Around the town was a bastioned fort, mounted with over sev- enty guns of heavy calibre. From the fort there extended a line of works across the Peninsula to Warwick River, a distance of about seven miles. Deeming it impolitic to assault, General M'Clellan determined to lay siege to the place. The operations against the principal work were assigned to the division to which the Eighty-third belonged, and in these the regiment shared. Armed with picks and spades, the men advanced nightly to the work. Com- mencing with rifle-pits, these were widened and deepened until they were finally formed into covered ways, in which were constructed regular batteries, ' with embrasures for heavy ordnance. Among the works built, were fourteen batteries, mounting from six to sixteen guns. These were mounted with thir- teen-inch mortars, thirty-two pounder Rodman guns, and one and two hun- dred-pound rifled Parrot. At length, on the third of May, when the works were all finished and the guns in position, ready to make the grand assault, the enemy, under cover of a heavy cannonade, retired from his fortifications, and retreated up the Peninsula.
Moving by transports up the York River, and marching thence to the neigh- borhood of Hanover Court House, the enemy was encountered, and the regi- ment advanced under a heavy artillery fire. Throwing aside blankets and knapsacks, it was soon engaged, and driving the enemy. So hard pressed was he, by the Eighty third, that he was obliged to abandon one of his pieces, which was subsequently taken in charge and dragged off the field by the Sev- enteenth New York, which claimed the credit of its capture. The enemy again making a stand on the Ashland Road, the regiment pushed rapidly for- ward, and, after a hotly contested musketry engagement of half an hour, he was again put to flight. The loss was eight men wounded.
Towards the close of May, M'Clellan's army lay in front of Richmond, the major part on the right bank, stretching away towards White Oak Swamp; Porter's Corps, consisting of about twenty-seven thousand men, on the left bank, covering the base at White House. It was the design of Lee-who had succeeded to the command of the rebel army, after the battle of Fair Oaks, where Johnston, its former commander, had been wounded-while making a show of strength in front of the Union line, south of the river, to fall with the flower of his army, now reinforced by Jackson, upon the fragment north of the river, crush it, and cut the line of supply. Accordingly, on the 27th of June, with sixty thousand men, under Longstreet, the two Hills, and Jackson, he attacked Porter's Corps, which had been drawn up in line of battle at Gaines' Mill.
The Eighty-third occupied a position on the extreme left, fronting the west. While awaiting the enemy's advance, by the wise forethought of Colonel M'Lane, a breast-work of logs was hastily thrown up. Had a similar precau- tion been taken along the entire line, the position at Gaines' Mill, which was a commanding one, might have been rendered impregnable, and the enemy would have been swept back as afterwards at Malvern Hill. Later in the war the virtue of breast-works was better understood. Company A, Captain Sigler, had been thrown out early in the day as skirmishers, and later was re- lieved by company B, Captain Morris, who was soon after severely wounded, and carried to the rear. Under cover of a heavy artillery fire, the enemy's in- fantry advanced, driving in our skirmishers, and when iu full view, a well di- rected volley from front and rear line of the Eighty-third, and a rapid fire from
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1251
BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL.
1862
the batteries above it, checked him for an instant ; but, closing up the gaping rents in his line, he rallied and pressed forward. His color-bearer in front was repeatedly shot down; but the standard was as often caught up, and bravely did his line struggle to push on. But vain were the attempts to face the fiery tempest, and it fell back in confusion. Rallying with fresh troops, he again advanced, and was again repulsed. In desperation, for a third time he pushed forward to the attack, but was driven in rout, not again to appear over the brow of that fatal hill.
Further to the right, he succeeded in breaking through, and advanced in full force; but, the movement being screened by a wood, was not observed until he began to gain upon the flank and rear of a part of the brigade, and separated it from the brigade commander. Quickly changing front, it faced to the north, at right angles to the first line of battle, to meet the threatened danger. . It was hardly in position before it was attacked. In the previous en- counter, protected by breast-works, its loss had been trifling, while the ene- my's lines had been terribly shattered. But now, forced into line in the open field, while the enemy was sheltered by the wood, it in turn was subjected to the fiery ordeal. Nevertheless, it stood firm. Here Colonel M'Lane fell dead, pierced by a bullet. In a moment more Major Naghel fell, struck by the frag- ment of a shell, receiving a mortal wound, expiring on the following day. In the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Vincent, prostrated by fever, the com- mand devolved on Captain Campbell. Though exposed to a fearful musketry fire, the line did not waver, and the enemy was driven from its front. It was soon evident, however, that he was pushing past, and gaining its rear. The regiment again changed front, marching by the right flank, and forming on a line parallel to that held in the morning, but facing in the opposite direction, and to the east. Troops were soon discovered advancing, but whether Union · or rebel, was uncertain. Their true character was soon discovered, and firing at once opened. It was now evident that three regiments of the brigade, the Forty-fourth New York, the Sixteenth Michigan, and the Eighty-third, were entirely cut off from the main body of the army, and surrounded on all sides, except the passage towards the river. To retreat in column, would be mad- ness. The word was accordingly given to break, and seek the river. The open flats of the Chickahominy, which intervened, were raked by a heavy ar- tillery fire, and many were struck down in attempting to reach the stream. The bridge had already been partially destroyed, and in attempting to cross upon the sleepers, the men were exposed to a concentrated fire of artillery. The regiment went into action five hundred and fifty strong. Of these two hun- dred and sixty-five were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.
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