USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, together with a complete roster of the regiment and regimental officers > Part 3
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"Before reaching Newport News we met the crews of the 'Congress' and 'Cumberland,' about three hundred marching under wounded boatswains, who informed us of the result of the day. After answering all our questions one of the boatswains asked, 'What do you fellows expect to do down there with horses?'
"We reached Newport, News about nightfall, and were massed in close column of squadrons on the right of Weber's division of infantry, resting on our arms. Soon a light was seen issuing from the 'Congress.' As the tide fell she grounded and fell over on her port side-a fortunate thing for us, as it pointed her starboard guns above our heads so that as the fire reached them, they went off, doing no harm. The magazine went off about 2 A. M. and was a grand sight.
"As I was going down the long steps at Newport News I met General Mansfield, who asked me where I was going. I said: 'To the sutler's for breakfast.' He advised me to wait
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awhile as the 'Monitor' had arrived at midnight and as soon as the fog lifted the 'Merrimac' would return to finish the 'Minne- sota,' which was aground. When the fog raised the 'Merrimac' was seen approaching from Elizabeth River and took a position to rake the 'Minnesota.' The 'Monitor' steamed out from the starboard side of the 'Minnesota,' and when within five hundred yards, fired her first shot, which struck above the waterline, stoppping the headway of the 'Merrimac,' and perceptibly heel- ing her up behind. Both vessels then became enveloped in smoke, the only effect visible was the glancing shot. Although the vessels were interlocked for four hours-so stated by their officers-I could have sworn they were engaged but an hour. At length the smoke cleared and it was noticed that the 'Merri- mac' was retreating. The shouts of the 20,000 who had escaped capture, I shall never forget."
The witnesses of the scene will never forget it. The morn- ing of the 9th came, and the "Merrimac" steamed from the anchorage near Sewell's Point, her officers expecting to quickly destroy the "Minnesota" and the other war vessels in Hampton Roads. But a night had passed, and with the morning came a factor not counted upon, so that, instead of adding to her victories of the previous day, the "Merrimac" was destined to bow to defeat.
During the afternoon of the 9th the regiment returned to camp, leaving Companies C and M under Major Runyon at Newport News. While the sea fight was in progress, the enemy's troops, under General Magruder from Yorktown, came into the vicinity of Newport News and were held in readiness to attack our land forces when the "Merrimac" had destroyed the Union fleet and could lend her fire in a land battle.
Sergeant Cruikshank has given a brief note of the naval battle: "After breakfast, we saddled up and started out for picket duty. As we crossed the open grounds between our camp and Hampton, a full view of the Roads was afforded. There lay the 'Minnesota' still aground. and out of the mouth of the Eliza- beth River came the 'Merrimac,' heading directly toward her. As she approached, what seemed to us a black speck, moved out from behind the 'Minnesota,' and made for the rebel ram. The excitement among us was intense. Many of the men stood up in the saddles to get a better view. The antagonists were so dis- proportionate in size, it reminded one of the story of David and Goliath. At first the ram did not pay any attention to her
HAMPTON ROADS.
puny foc, but when they came to close quarters, and the 'Moni- tor'. opened fire with her eleven-inch guns, then she had her equal. They were soon enveloped in smoke, and the woods in- tervening were lost to sight, but the roar of the conflict con- tinued, occasionally emphasized by a broadside from the 'Minne- sota.' The noise seemed to drift away, and it was not until our return to camp at night that we heard the result."
December number of Everybody's Magasine has given a graphic account of the battle between the "Monitor" and "Merri- mac," written by the navigating officer of the "Monitor:"
"Sunday, March 9th, dawned clear and cloudless. Soon after seven o'clock the 'Merrimac' was reported coming down from Norfolk, and instantly all was life on the 'Monitor.' The iron hatches were closed, death light covers were put on, and every obstruction removed from the main deck, which was only twelve inches above the water, unbroken save by the turret and pilot house. The preparations concluded, the officers and men took their stations for the coming fight. Lieutenant Worden directed operations from the pilot house, a wrought iron structure well formed near the bow and projecting four feet above the deck, whence a speaking tube ran to the turret in the center of the vessel. By Lieutenant Worden's side was Howard, the pilot, who steered the 'Monitor' during the engagement.
"Lieutenant Greene commanded in the turret with charge of the machinery which controlled the revolving of the turret, and with Stimers as a volunteer assistant. Each of the two guns in the turret was manned by a crew of eight men. As the 'Merri- mac' came down from Sewell's Point, followed by the 'James- town,' 'Yorktown,' and the tug 'Teaser,' the 'Monitor' got under way and headed straight for her, it being Lieutenant Worden's aim to meet and engage her as far as possible from the stranded and helpless 'Minnesota.' The fight began with a broadside from the 'Merrimac' directed at the 'Minnesota.' The 'Moni- tor' did not return the fire, but steamed ahead until within close range, when she sent a shot into the 'Jamestown.' The latter and her two wooden consorts at once retreated. Then Lieutenant Worden, changing the course of the 'Monitor' by a maneuver as quick as it was skillful, brought her alongside the 'Merrimac,' stopped the engines, and again gave the order to fire. The 'Merrimac,' answered with another broadside from her ten guns. The fight had begun in earnest. After the first shock of combat had passed, and it was found that the shot
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from the 'Merrimac' had failed to penetrate our armor, and that the revolving machinery of the turret was uninjured, all on board the 'Monitor' took heart. We had been confident from the first that our vessel would do good service in quiet waters; we now knew that we were a match for the 'Merrimac,' and all doubt as to the issue of the conflict disappeared. Following the first exchange of shot. the fighting went on at close quarters. Often the distance between the vessels was not more than a few yards. Once, when they were almost touching each other. Lieutenant Greene ordered a gun sighted at the 'Merrimac's' waterline. The shot struck exactly where it was intended it should, and appparently penetrated the ship. 'Splendid! Splendid, sir!' ex- claimed Lieutenant Worden, through his speaking tube. 'A few more like that, and the day is ours. You made the iron fly.'
"The duel between the 'Monitor' and the 'Merrimac' was fought amid a veritable rainstorm of iron, and to a thunderous accompaniment from all the batteries around Hampton Roads. and from the Confederate warships 'Jamestown' and 'Yorktown,' which now lay at a safe distance to the south. The Confederate batteries at Sewell's Point. Craney Island, Big Point, and Barrel Point, all hurled solid shot at long range at the 'Monitor': Fortress Monroe. the Federal batteries on the Rip Raps and at Newport News Point, and the 'Minnesota,' aground nearby, kept up a continual firing at the 'Merrimac,' while a mile away, off Newport News, the smoke of the smouldering 'Congress' added to the dense clouds which made the bright day dark.
"The fight went on for hours. A shot from the Merrimac' striking the turret of the 'Monitor' would produce a concussion which occasionally knocked the men down, but caused no other injury, while the 'Merrimac' signally failed to run us down. Again and again. she tried to ram the 'Monitor,' but each time Lieutenant Worden, by the skillful use of the helm, avoided receiving a direct blow. Soon after noon a shot fired at close range from one of the 'Merrimac's' guns struck the pilot house of the 'Monitor,' shattered one log, and lifted the cover of the pilot house. Lieutenant Worden was knocked down, stunned. and utterly blinded by the powder which filled his eyes. The daylight through the opening made him think the pilot house had been destroyed, and he accordingly ordered Howard to put the helm to starboard and sheer off. At the same tinte he sent for Lieutenant Greene, who, leaving Stimers in charge of the turret, at once responded and was directed to take command
COLONEL JAMES E. FLEMING.
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of the ship. He did not do so, however, until he had helped to lead Lieutenant Worden to a sofa in the cabin, where he was cared for by Dr. Logue. Then Lieutenant Greene took his station in the pilot house, and, making a hasty examination, found the steering gear still intact. Meantime, however, the 'Monitor' had followed Lieutenant Worden's last orders and left the scene of battle. When Lieutenant Greene turned her back, perhaps twenty minutes after the shell had struck the pilot house, and again headed her in the direction of the 'Merri- mac,' he found that the latter was already in retreat."
When the result of the naval battle became known, Ma- gruder withdrew his troops and returned to Yorktown. As soon as the "Merrimac" returned to Norfolk she was put in dry dock for repairs and returned to the Roads several times afterwards. On the IIth of April the "Merrimac," "Yorktown," "Jamestown," and four steam gunboats came out of the Elizabeth River. The Roads were full of transports that had brought sup- plies for McClellan's army. The wooden vessels retreated. The "Jamestown" succeeded in cutting out a barque and twenty-two sloops, near Hampton, which had refused to obey signals to come within defensive lines. Just before midnight the "Merri- mac" concluded to go home, and fired three guns at our vessels at a distance of four miles. The "Stevens" gunboat replied, sending a shot over her that sent up a high column of water as it struck. During the entire day the French and English ships steamed up and were in close relation with the Confed- crates, much to the dissatisfaction of the soldiers, who would not have cared if a wandering shot had struck them. The "Moni- tor" lay all day like a log, without firing, watching every move- ment of her antagonist. The "Merrimac" appeared once or twice afterwards, but her fighting days were over, and the en- gagement at Hampton Roads had become a new point for naval focus.
The camp of the Eleventh soon got back to its normal con- dition. Mounted drill and saber exercise on foot became the order of the day. About the middle of April a reconnaissance was made to Great Bethel. The command consisted of four companies of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, several de- tachments of infantry, and two pieces of artillery. The infantry went as far as New Market Bridge; the cavalry continued on, Company A in advance.
At Little Bethel we encountered the rebel picket : they soon
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disappeared, except one man mounted on a white horse, who would halt at each turn in the road and seemed anxious to learn what was behind. At length a major from General Wool's staff, who accompanied us, took a carbine from one of the men, and - fired at him.' His horse gave a tremendous bound and he dis- appeared up the road. At Great Bethel we came in sight of the rebel works, filed into a field, and halted. We could plainly see the enemy forming and getting into position behind their works. Lieutenant-colonel Spear, with other officers, rode up to a house between us and the position to learn what they could- our orders were to gain information without getting into a fight. Soon the colonel returned and as he reached the company, gave the order "fours right about." Captain Stratton asked permis- sion to countermarch, which was granted, while we were exe- cuting the movement and were still facing the battery, we saw . the officer who had gone up with the colonel riding toward us. Suddenly a puff of smoke burst from the rebel battery. The shot struck just behind the officers, hiding them in a shower of dust and dirt. The shot went over our heads and landed alongside of the company in the rear. They were thrown into confusion, and were breaking, when Colonel Spear rode up and restored order. Our company completed the movement, halted every man in his place, but there was looking over shoulders to see if any more of the same kind were coming. It was the first hostile shot that had been fired at us.
On the 19th of March troops had begun to arrive from Washington, and for days a constant line of troops was passing the camp. Twenty-eight steamers at one time were counted coming down the bay. Sometimes the troops would be landed in the night, and in rain storms, when the poor fellows would suffer intensely. One morning the lofts of the stables were found filled with infantry who had taken refuge from the storm. On April 6th, 1862, the Army of the Potomac began its march up the peninsula. After the departure of General Mcclellan's army, General Wool's command was left alone at Camp Ham- ilton, nothing to disturb its quietude, except an occasional visit of the "Merrimac" to the Roads; but on the morning of May 7th, orders were received to prepare for a review, and that the reviewing officers would be President Lincoln. Secretaries Chase and Stanton. The line, consisting of all the cavalry, light batteries, and infantry at Fortress Monroe and Camp Hamilton, was formed about II A. M., but as soon as the troops were in line,
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an order was received postponing the ceremony until afternoon. In the afternoon the review was held, the Eleventh holding the right of the line. Many of the men being desirous to see the President, returned to the place of review. Three cheers for "Uncle Abe" were given, which he pleasantly acknowledged, then rode away.
The next day orders were received to be ready to move at once. In the afternoon the infantry marched to the fort and embarked on transports. Soon the First Delaware, Twentieth New York, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania, Ninety-ninth New York moved out to cross the James River for the attack on Norfolk. About 2 P. M. our naval vessels moved up, shelled out Crany Island and Sewell's Point batteries. It was a magnificent sight. The "Monitor" scoured all along Crany Island up Elizabeth River, shelling as she went. All this time the "Merrimac" had not made her appearance. Soon a black smoke was seen coming down the Elizabeth River, and the "Merrimac" hove in sight. Like frightened sheep seeking the protection of the fold, so the wooden vessels hastened back to the protection of Fortress Mon- roe. The "Vanderbilt" and "Arago" made ready to run down the "Merrimac" while the. "Monitor" quietly took her place in the channel. All elevated points were crowded with people anxiously awaiting the battle. The "Merrimac" came close to the "Monitor." Their decks were covered with men, who, from the shore, appeared to be having a pleasant chat. Not a shot was fired, and after considerable fooling, the "Merrimac" went back quietly to Norfolk. This was her last appearance as a war vessel. 1757945
The New York Mounted Rifles crossed the river on this evening and we were left at Camp Hamilton with the reflection that the old military humbug colonel and his regiment were not wanted in any active command. The battery at the Rip Raps was busy all night shelling Sewell's Point. On Sunday, May JIth, tidings were heard of the surrender of Norfolk.
On Friday morning the infantry, which had been on trans- ports expecting to attack Norfolk, were landed and marched back to camp, putting up their tents as though going to stay for some time. The "Monitor" again moved up, shelled Sewell's Point. and went back. At 3 P. M. the long roll sounded; the men were soon in line, marched to the fort and re-embarked. The President, who was at the fort, assisted in getting off the expedition for the capture of Norfolk. A detachment of Com-
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pany K was sent to the fort to do provost duty, and a patrol was established. While President Lincoln was out riding alone lie. was halted by a private who demanded the countersign. The President, not being able to give it, was held by the patrol for a short time, until a staff officer came and relieved the difficulty. As the President rode away he complimented the man for doing his duty. Such touches as these, showing the intense humanity of Lincoln, have endeared him to the rank and file of men; him- self from their ranks, he never forgot the every-day virtues which prove manhood and fidelity.
The next day Norfolk and Portsmouth were entered without any opposition. The Confederate forces had all been sent to reinforce the defences around Richmond, and the "Merrimac" had that morning been blown up to prevent her capture. The mission of Camp Hamilton, so far as the Eleventh was concerned. was practically ended. It was here the regiment laid the foun- dations for its future usefulness.
On May 12th Colonels Spear and Wetherill were ordered to Norfolk with five companies. They left Fortress Monroe on May 15 and reported to General Vielle at Norfolk, who or- dered them to report to General Robinson at Portsmouth. The detachment consisted of Companies H, E, G, K, and L.
On May 17th they reported to General Wyman, and Com- panies E and H marched to take possession of Suffolk, Va., 29 miles from Norfolk. Passing through Bowers Hill, where a recent camp of the First Louisiana revealed itself, some battle flags, etc., were captured-first trophies. Suffolk was reached on Sunday, May ISth, just as the citizens were leaving their homes to attend church. Passing a dwelling, on the steps of which a lady and her curly-haired son, seven or eight years old, were standing, the lad took off his hat and shouted, "Hurrah for Jeff Davis!" The command enjoyed the joke. Colonel Wetherill shook his finger at the boy as his mother grabbed him, and laughingly said, "You little traitor."
On June Ist twenty men under Captain Davidson were sent to scout the Blackwater, but were surprised and captured. They fought well, but were outnumbered and only surrendered after the last charge of ammunition had been used. This was the first skirmish of the regiment. Captain Davidson and Lieu- tenant Fleming returned from Libby Prison by exchange on August 24th. There were those who believed Colonel Harlan was the cause of the regiment being left at Fortress Monroe
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when the Army of the Potomac moved up the peninsula, but McClellan has said, "Before I left Washington an order had been issued by the War Department placing Fortress Monroe and the dependencies under my control and authorizing me to drawn from the troops under General Wool a division of about 10,000 men which was to be assigned to the First Corps. Dur- ing the night of the 2d, I received a telegram from the adjutant- general of the army stating that by the President's order I was . deprived of all command over General Wool and the troops under his control; that I was forbidden to detach any of his troops without his sanction." All efforts to have the regiment attached to the Army of the Potomac failed. Colonel Black told Colonel Wetherill the night before he left for Big Bethel that he had talked with McClellan who said it was simply im- possible.
On the 2d of June marching orders were received, and the next day the Companies B, D, F, I, and E embarked for the White House Landing on the Pamunkey River, under command of Colonel Harlan. The day was pleasant, and the trip up the river was more like a pleasure excursion than a move toward the front. The Pamunkey is a narrow, deep, and, in some places, a very crooked stream, so that the forward transport boats appeared to be coming back to those in the rear-the boats were simply going round a bend. Towards night the White House Landing came in view, and a busy scene presented itself. The river for a long distance was full of all sorts of water-craft, from a canal boat to the largest sized river steamboat, nearly all of which were loaded with army stores. Several gunboats were in a convenient position for defence. ready at any montent to open fire. The companies soon disembarked and went into camp a short distance below White House.
. The Eleventh had had an experience. Though not actively engaged, yet a factor, nevertheless. The much-famed "Merri- mac" had fought and lost. Hampton Roads had become the scene of naval ideas undergoing a marked change. One great danger had been averted. Northern ports were safe, at least for a while; one hope of the Confederacy had set. The victory of the "Monitor" had saved the land forces at Hampton from being hemmed in on every side. The battle of Hampton Roads had passed into history: the Eleventh had moved to new scenes.
CHAPTER IV.
WHITE HOUSE LANDING. STUART'S RAID.
WHITE HOUSE LANDING had been chosen for General Mc- Clellan's base of supplies, since the landing was one of the best on the river, and the Richmond and York River Railroad crossed it at this point which made it possible for the quartermaster's de- partment to supply the troops at the front, both by rail and by wagon. Great piles of army stores were heaped up about the landing, and they kept increasing during the stay of the Eleventh.
White House Landing was the name of a plantation owned by the wife of Robert E. Lee. She was the granddaughter of Martha Washington, from whom the estate had descended. The plantation was very large-quite typical-extending up and down the river, and contained many hundred acres. The old Southern mansion, called by our men the "White House." was an unassuming structure, situated on a high bluff just below the Landing, and afforded a good view of the river in both di- rections. A beautiful lawn, several acres in extent, surrounded the house; trees and shrubbery gave a stately appearance to the place. The grounds were guarded by a detachment of regulars under strict orders to admit none except a few privileged persons. This caused some feeling of dissent among the men, who could not see the reason for so carefully guarding the estate of a Con- federate leader.
The principal duty of the Eleventh was to guard the army stores, keep order in the vicinity of the Landing, to picket and patrol the various roads leading to the Landing. The days were full of a kind of excitement: watching the busy scenes a: the Landing was a favorite pastime. It was an interesting sight to watch the troops coming up the river on their way to the front. Among these was General McCall's division of Pent- sylvania Reserves; there also passed many single regiments to be attached to brigades after their arrival at the front. When- ' ever a boat-load of troops came within hailing distance of the gunboats, the crews of the latter would climb into the rigging. and, as the troops passed, three loud ringing cheers would be given. Old troops would return the salute, then proceed on in silence, while new regiments would continue shouting and
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cheering for a long distance-enthusiasm had not yet been modi- fied by hard service. How many brave soldiers passed on their way to battle and to deatlı, destined to perish on Virginia soil for the cause of Union and freedom!
The region about White House abounds in historic places. Not far off, on the road from Richmond to New Kent Court House, there is still pointed out the plantation of P. Chamber- layn, Esq., at whose countryseat, Washington, then colonel of Virginia militia, first met beautiful Martha Custis. On the same road, three miles from White House, is St. Peter's Church, at which, local tradition says, Washington, and his young widow bride were married in 1759. The old church was surrounded by a grove of towering oaks, which loaned a solemn dignity to the house of prayer. To our Northern men it seemed strange to find so noted a structure on a lonely road, far from any dwelling .. A corps of the army had encamped near the old church, but no sign of vandalism to any extent was apparent. There was a tombstone, embedded in the wall inside, in memory of a nobleman whose coat of arms was carved on the stone. The date of his death was in the early part of the eighteenth century.
The goods of the army sutler were always regarded as legitimate plunder by the soldiers, and many opportunities for such were present during the stay at White House. An im- mense amount of sutler goods were convenient to the camp. either lightly guarded or without any guard at all. The dark- ness of night was usually the hour for appropriating the sutler's stock. Sometimes a wide-awake sutler would thwart the raiders. but, as a rule, they were successful. The men of Company K carried off a barrel of eggs, but were rather chagrined when the eggs betrayed their age.
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