USA > Pennsylvania > History of a cavalry company. A complete record of Company "A," 4th Penn'a cavalry, as identified with that regiment in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, during the late civil war > Part 12
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cognized as those of well-remembered soldiers from our command.
By June 11th, on resuming the line of march, we found ourselves in the vicinity of the Virginia Central Railroad, at Trevillion Station. Here we met the enemy, who having been apprised of our raid into the country, had sent a force to meet us. The object of our movement now, was apparently Gordons- ville, which was not very far distant. A fight, how- ever, ensued here, and we soon found the enemy in strong force, under General Wade Hampton. We forced them back to and over the railroad, where they endeavored ineffectually to make a stand. Our brigade here made a gallant dismounted charge, driving the rebels in confusion from that position, and completely routing them. We then took posses- sion of the railroad and station, destroying several miles of track. The balance of the command pur- sued the rebels up the railroad, and there they like- wise tore up the rails as far as they went. In this engagement our regimental loss was thirty men, killed and wounded. The Company had two men wounded: private George Schlager, who was serious- ly hurt in the side, and George W. Moss, who had been struck lightly by a piece of shell. I witnessed here the striking of two of our horses by a solid shot, which tore out the intestines of these poor animals, and scattered their contents among the troops. It was a horrible spectacle. After a great deal of re- connoitering, finding that the enemy were pretty well prepared to defend Gordonsville, which it was,
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no doubt, the intention of General Sheridan to take, he concluded to apparently abandon this purpose. Accordingly, on the night of the 12th, we began a retrograde movement to rejoin the Army of the Po- tomac. On the night of the 14th, we encamped near Todd's tavern-a noted place in the opening of the Spring campaign. On the following day our com- mand marched over the battle-fields of the Wilder- ness and Spottsylvania Court House, encamping near Guinea Station. We here had a splendid opportu- nity of viewing the defensive lines of both armies, during the memorable campaign, some of whose most brilliant events had already transpired. We wit- nessed, too, many sad and revolting sights during the day. Here were myriad graves of soldiers, so shal- low that it seemed the sod had just been lifted to receive them. Thirty or forty bodies had been con- signed to this hasty sepulchre at one time and in one place. Hands, feet and portions of the head some- times protruded from the ground. Locks of hair were scen exposed, the winds tossing them at their own reckless caprice. Sometimes a portion of the tattered uniform was seen, through openings in the ground. A hand now and then was clearly visible, from which the flesh had been devoured or decom- posed-a skeleton hand without, attached still to the bloated and decaying flesh of the body within the tomb. One of our comrades was bold and curious enough, to probe one of the balf-uncovered skulls, with the point of his sabre, and elevate it above his head. The de- composition not having been completed, the brains
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in a dark stream of putrid corruption, ran down the glittering blade, over his hand, and into his coat- sleeve. He was at once prostrated with a deathly sickness, at the revolting and ghastly spectacle which he had evoked from the sepulchre.
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CHAPTER XXI.
MORE HARD FIGHTING AND GUERILLA OUTRAGES.
0 N June 16th, we again took up the line of march, passing through Bowling Green, and encamping ten miles south of that point on the Newtown Road. Many of the men were now dismounted. These, with many prisoners, whom they had captured at Trevillion Station, were compelled to proceed on foot-the few wagons that we had with us, being all filled with those who were worn-out with fatigue. On the 17th, we passed through Newtown, and en- camped about twelve miles from that place. The next day we continued onward, through King and Queen's County, and encamped near the county seat. Foraging had to be carried on, during all this time, for the subsistence of the entire command. While foraging in King and Queen's County-a section no- torious for the brutalities perpetrated on the dead body of Dahlgren by the guerillas-many of our foragers who straggled out a little from the main body, were found with their throats cut hanging on trees, or otherwise mangled and mutilated. These outrages were committed by, perhaps, identically the
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same guerilla bands. The people in this locality, generally, were naturally much incensed at having their stock and subsistence all taken. They were,
besides, genuine rebels at heart. General Sheridan now issued very strict orders, to prevent the men from straggling off alone. From King and Queen's County Court House all the prisoners and dismount- ed men were sent to West Point, on the York River, where they took transports, and went to their respec- tive and appropriate places of rendezvous. The command then marched for White House Landing, where we arrived on the evening of June 20th, and drew regular rations and forage for the first time in two weeks. We were now very glad to dispense with corn-meal, etc., that we had foraged from the coun- try, and had been subsisting on, and once more to feast on Uncle Sam's bountiful rations. We found them more delectable and invigorating than the others.
On our arrival at White House Landing, we learned that the Army of the Potomac had departed, having left the vicinity of Cold Harbor and Gaines' Hill, where we had parted from it, and gone to the South side of the James River. We in part marched across by land to the North side, and another por- tion passed round by transports, by way of Fortress Monroe. The portion that marched by land across the James River at Fort Powhattan, proceeded in the direction of Petersburg, Virginia, where the enemy were afterwards strongly posted, and the memorable "long siege" ensued. On the morning
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of June 21st, we were routed out early, and double- quicked, dismounted, out about three miles, in the direction of Old Church, near White House Landing. Soon afterwards we were attacked by rebels, and heavy skirmishing was kept up all day, they proving to be the forces of Hampton and Fitz Hugh Lee, whose intention was to take White House Landing by surprise, before Sheridan arrived, attack and capture the trains and all the supplies left at this late base. But they were about twelve hours too late, as we happened to be on hand. We lay in line of battle all the ensuing night, and in the mean time our horses were brought up to this point. On the following days, scouting parties reported that the enemy had retreated. On the 23d we were withdrawn from here, and our two divisions marched as escort to a large supply train, consisting of 2,500 wagons. Our regiment marched on the flank, with other regiments, crossing the Chickahominy at Jones' Bridge, where we encamped for the night. On the morning of the 24th of June, our division proceeded to St. Mary's church, forming a temporary and very meagrely deployed line, on account of its extreme length, for the purpose of guarding the flank of the trains on their way to the James River. We lay in line of battle all day, guarding the approaches to the road on which the trains were passing to Sandy Point, on the James River. In the afternoon the rebels attacked us, lightly at first, keeping up a little skirmishing along our whole line, until toward evening,
. . when we dismissed all fears of any serious attack,
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merely supposing that they were reconnoitering, to find out what might be our intentions. In the even- ing, however, they attacked us in overwhelming numbers, driving in our pickets, rapidly at first, and soon forcing our main lines, which were very light. The other division, having been in advance of the train, was by this time safely encamped on the banks of the river, miles away, while Gregg's division was now about to meet with one of those serious reverses known in the parlance of war, as "a cavalry stam- pede." They, however, again attacked us, too late to accomplish their object, if such it were, as we supposed, to capture the train, as the wagons had by this time all arrived safely at Sandy Point. They came down upon us at first, dismounted, in heavy massed forces, consisting of Hampton's and Fitz Hugh Lee's divisions of cavalry, and Breckinridge's division of infantry. Their attack was, at first, so fierce that almost immediately it bore down all op- position and resistance-our troops notwithstanding, contesting every inch of the ground with stubborn spirit, and making the foeman's armor ring with our well directed blows. Our single battery poured volley after volley of grape shot into them, until the
enemy were within a few yards of the guns. We then withdrew, not losing a single piece, but taking up new positions every few moments, recommenced the fire upon them. Our division having been thrown into confusion, on account of the long de- ployed line, it was found almost impossible to con- solidate the force. Unfortunately for us, we had
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quite a number of ambulances along with our com- mands at this time, some pack animals, and a few wagons, which through the confusion of the retreat, continually blocked up the road, and contributed still further to create and keep up the disorder. The . enemy, though, captured but very few prisoners, and obtained from us no army supplies or equipments, of any kind whatever. Their dismounted cavalry and infantry had hesitated too long, giving our division a little too much time to concentrate and form a little, before making a cavalry charge upon our dis- ordered ranks. If they had pushed up their first advantage, they would no doubt have captured a great many of our command, or else cut it in two. They might, in this manner, have severed it at several points, but their whole movement was a failure, and their object was unattained, as, by the time they were ready to make mounted demonstrations, we had se- cured positions in the timber bordering on the open country, from which we could return upon them a deadly fire, and at least safely cover ourselves. This caused them as heavy losses, as we had sustained our- selves. Our regiment, at the time the first attack was made, was all dismounted, with the exception of our squadron, our own individual little force, which comprised Companies A and K. At the time the rebels made the attack, Col. Covode had had personal command of the skirmish line dismounted. Our squadron was ordered to charge, which they did in gallant style, driving and breaking up in disorder a small force of the enemy, and pursuing them to the
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edge of the woods, when we were immediately forced to retire. We performed mounted duty during the entire engagement, making several daring and very effective little charges.
Col. Covode, while exerting himself to the utmost, to check the enemy's advance, was mortally wounded, and fell into the hands of the rebels. His body not being recovered at that time, a detail was afterwards. made to search it out. It was found, months after- wards, stripped entirely naked, and had been appa- rently much mutilated by the enemy. From the description we obtained from an old negro, who found him on the field, it appeared that he had been entirely undressed before he had expired, and that he had been left in that stark condition to die on the field. The colored man said, " He told me his name was George, and that his father was a big man in the North," meaning, of course, that his father was a man of great influence. I was one of the parties who searched for the body afterwards, at the solicita- tion of the father-Hon. John Covode. We found the darkey living in the vicinity, of where the fight took place, and naturally supposed, that he must know something of the circumstances. Col. Covode had conducted himself throughout with great bravery and skill, and had won the hearts of the command. Our loss was pretty heavy in this battle, being 45 killed and wounded in the regiment. Major Biddle, of our own forces, was also severely wounded. In our Company we lost private Jacob File, who was shot dead, while making the first charge. Corporal
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Wm. McClure, was also severely wounded in the thigh, and his life despaired of for a time. Before he was wounded, his horse was killed, when mounting the horse of File, who had just fallen, he was struck with a ball. The majority of the horses in the com- mand, were either killed or wounded in this engage- ment. My horse was disabled here.
Evening now coming on, the enemy desisted in their attacks, and we established a temporary skirmish line, until we were relieved by the 1st division, when we retired to the vicinity of Charles City Court House. Here we remained until the morning of the 25th, when marching to Sandy Point, we encamped until the wagon train, and all else had been ferried over, when we likewise crossed to the south side of the James River, where our future army career all transpired.
On June 28th, we proceeded to Prince George's Court House, where we encamped within the limits of our army. The enemy having secured possession of Petersburg, immediately before the arrival of our troops, a stoutly contested fight ensued, for the pos- session of the place. Several attempts were made to force the enemy to retire, which were partially successful, the rebels being forced to take up a posi- tion so close to the town of Petersburg, that Grant for the ensuing nine months shelled the city at will. The enemy stubbornly held their position, notwith- standing repeated and heavy assaults by our forces, which were in the main successful, although attended
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with heavy losses. In this position, in front of Pc- tersburg, we now found the army.
On June 30th, we were marched to Lee's Mills, situated on a stream called Second Swamp, eight miles South of Petersburg, and encamped for the night. We crossed the swamp on the 1st of July to Proctor's Hill, and forming into line of battle, . lay there all day. Some of Wilson's 3d cavalry division here, gradually came in, having been on a raid in the rear and to the left of the enemy, doing much damage. They were surrounded, and the entire division almost destroyed by the rebels while return- ing.
On the 2d of July, we marched by way of Prince George's Court House, to the vicinity of City Point, Virginia, and encamped there. While at this point our pay and muster rolls were made out, and we were mustered for the months of May and June, 1864. No changes appear on these, except what have been already noted.
On July 4th, our regiment was ordered on picket duty, at Prince George's Court House. Our own Company, with five others, were at this time being encamped around the Court House, and quartered mostly in that building.
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CHAPTER XXII.
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A DULL FOURTH AND SAD TIDINGS.
H ERE I may say, I spent the dullest and dreari- est anniversary of American Independence in all my life. Ordered out of the Court House, we lay under our little shelter tents, broiling, sweating, and sweltering under the hot July sun. which, in this locality, is excessively sultry, with nothing to vary the monotony of the day, but the going out and coming in of reliefs in their turn, which took place every two hours. Besides this, we had but very little to eat, only hard tack, and not enough of that scarcely. The weather was dry, close, and very oppressive, and uncomfortable. The water, here, too, was hardly fit to drink. We were not without glorious reminiscences of the patriotic time, however, nor of vague imaginings of how the day was being celebrated in the northern cities, where the shades of Washington, Putnam, Warren, etc., were doubtlessly being suitably regarded with pyrotechnic displays.
On the 5th, we were relieved from picket duty, and marched to Light House Point, on the James
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River. Here we encamped, erecting our tents in good order, and remaining until July 11th, we were re-supplied in a manner with clothing, equipments, etc. These were very much needed, as many of our command had been barefooted for some time past, and badly off for clothing. The weather was ex- ceedingly warm, at this time, and the ground had become dry, parched, and dusty. Every day the sun rose clear, and unclouded, casting its bright splendors, with scorching power, on all living things, wilting the grass and leaves with drought, and per- vading the troops with languor, weakness, and a dis- inclination for the stern exertions of the march and battle. But, fortunately, whilst here, we drew a small amount of luxuries from the Sanitary Commis- sion, which proved highly palatable and refreshing. These coolingly relieved the hard and heating routine of regular army rations. On the 11th of July, we again went to Prince George's Court House, en- camped there for the night, and marched the next morning early out the Jerusalem Plank Road. We encountered the enemy at Warwick Swamp, about ten miles from Petersburg, and skirmished with them, forcing them to retire as we advanced. We en- camped also near Warwick Swamp, for the night, and next morning returned to Lee's Mill and Prince George's Court House, where we resumed picket duty. On July the 14th, we were relieved from picket duty, and encamped with our brigade near Lee's Mills. Water being very scarce here, we pro-
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ceeded to dig a well, and after excavating to a dis- tance of twenty-five feet below the surface, found good water to our great satisfaction. But immedi- ately, we were ordered to break camp, and go on duty as pickets again. This work we performed in the vicinity of the Gurley House, between the Wel- don Railroad and Jerusalem Plank Road. We were then relieved on the 17th, and marched to Light House Point, where we went into camp, and re- mained until July 26th. Camp discipline was now rigorously enforced.
While here, two comrades and myself procured a pass to visit the army lying in front of Petersburg. We called on the different regiments in whose ranks we had acquaintances. It was the first time I had seen any of this command during the whole Summer campaign. I was pained to learn that many of my old companions in the peaceful days of yore, had fallen or perished during the campaigns of the sea- son. Among the list of dead were some of my bosom friends, those whom I had grown up with among the mountains and pleasant valleys of our native county. After spending a very pleasant day with the few who survived, we returned to our command, passing on the way, the graves of many to whom I had been warmly attached. Prominent among them was that of Samuel Peters, a Christian soldier and firmn patriot, a choice companion of my school-boy days, and with whom in the sunny and happy hours of childhood I had sat side by side in the town schools,
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and roamed together the valleys and mountains of our native locality. Many, very many of those whose words of welcome and smiles of recogni- tion we had expected to meet, were cold and pale in death, the thunders of war rolling unheard above their mangled remains. To most of our inquiries, on asking after particular acquaintances, we received the sorrowful and depressing answer, " Fell mortally wounded at "Missing," or "Killed in
the assault on *" or some response of like purport. Verily the late hot contests and continuous. fighting along these lines, had not been without their heaps of slain. The thunders of war had not rolled in vain, along the fierce lines of musketry and artillery, which faced each other on these fields, where patriotism and treason were now centering, and eyeing each other for the last desperate en- counters.
On the 26th of July we broke camp at Point Lookout, and marched to Deep Bottom, on James River, crossing to the north side on pontoon bridges, in advance of the Second Army Corps. On the 27th this organization had a brisk fight, capturing a battery of heavy guns from the enemy. On the fol- lowing day our cavalry corps marched to " Four Mile Creek," in the direction of Richmond. We here met the rebels, who attacked us, but were re- pulsed with a loss of 100, killed and wounded, and 500 prisoners-we having driven them back in a very determined charge. We retired in the evening to "Deep Bottom," remaining on duty there until
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the night of the 20th, when we again recrossed the river, and marched to the extreme left of our army at "Lee's Mills." On the day following we drove the enemy from the position they had taken on Second Swamp, and pursued them to Proctor's Hill, our squadron making here a very effectual mounted charge. The regimental loss in the engagement was one officer and five men. During our operations, on this day, at Lee's Mills, the great mine explosion occurred, whose history and the account of whose fearful havoc, have often been recorded. On the 31st of July our division marched to the vicinity of Prince George's Court House, and there entered again on picket duty. We were relieved in the evening, encamping in the vicinity of the Court House, where we remained several days. On August 4th we broke camp, marching to the Norfolk and Petersburg Rail Road, and was again ordered on picket duty. the day following, we were withdrawn, and marched to Light House Point, where we encamped until August 8th. Our regiment then resumed guard duty at Gurley's House for three days. On being relieved, we once more went into camp near Prince George's Court House. The men of our command, who did not re-enlist, but who had come out with the Com- pany on its original organization, were now discharged from their term of three years' service. There were twelve of them. in all. We parted with them regret- fully, the sorrow at the separation being evidently mutual. But they had determined to return home, and enter again the walks of civil life. They had
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served their country nobly and well, and through a long period of the war, when its clouds were darkest and most ominous, and when the danger and perils to life had been most imminent. Even now, through the night of battles, and storms, and tribulations, the day-dawn of peace was already gleaming faintly in the future, and they therefore departed with the assurance that they had aided in the decisive en- counters which had torn away the gloomiest and darkest curtains of the war. Even as far back as the Gettysburg battle the crisis of rebellion had cul- minated, or indeed that fight may only be considered as the symptom of the crisis, as a result of that decay of rebel power which previously still had set sternly in, and impelled the desperate raid into
Pennsylvania. When these war-worn and battle- scarred patriots returned to their homes therefore, they visited hills and valleys on which the blessed sunlight of peace was already settling, through the then slowly widening rifts in the portentous clouds of war. They had now ample stores of martial re- miniscences, from which to draw, and entertain the circle of friends, under the green foliage of Summer, or around the blazing hearths of winter. To them hereafter, was the quiet and serenity of civil life, with all its countless comforts and blessings, but to us who were yet in the field, there still remained the toils and dangers consequent on the desperation of a wounded and dying monster, whose sharp teeth and bloody claws were ever restless and vengeful in the bitter throes of death.
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On August 13th, 1864, we broke camp, and re- turned to Deep Bottom, crossing the James River again on pontoon bridges. On the 14th, our cavalry corps advanced in the direction of Richmond several miles, having heavy skirmishing all day. The first brigade of our division lost heavily. We retreated to Deep Bottom in the evening, the enemy not pur- suing. On the 15th, we again advanced, and at- tacked the rebel forces, our infantry relieving us during the day, who became heavily engaged with the enemy, but succeeded in establishing our lines within ten miles of Richmond. Early on the morning of the 16th, our brigades were pushed forward on the Charles City and Richmond Road, mounted and dis- mounted, and drove the enemy rapidly.back to White Tavern. Here we met them in heavy force, and a battle ensued. A brigade of infantry was brought up to our support. Soon after the enemy appeared in force. After a stubborn resistance, our infantry lines, composed of Miles' brigade, of the Second Corps, were compelled to retire, the enemy pursuing closely. In Miles' brigade was the Eighty-first in- fantry, composed in a great measure, of troops from our native valley. It was the first time, during the progress of the war, that we had fought side by side. As the infantry retired, our brigade was deployed on Gravel Hill Farm, to cover their retreat. Immedi-
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