USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of the One hundred and fifty-third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers infantry which was recruited in Northampton County, Pa., 1862-1863 > Part 3
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At about half past four o'clock a party of the 45th New York Volun- teers came running in, reporting that the enemy was massing in front. Every one was now on the qui vive. That mischief was brewing became momentarily more apparent. Firing at front which at first was only heard at long intervals, became now more frequent and was evidently nearing. That our skirmishers were being driven back could be doubted no longer. In a few minutes more they were in full sight, still retreat- ing, though obstinately contesting every foot of ground."
The above quotation sufficiently corresponds with the writer's own observations in every essential respect and has justified its use in narrative. The value of these two accounts will be greatly increased when it is borne in mind that the incidents here related were written upon the ground of their occurrence. The writers of the quotations and the historian of this history had no ac-
23
WRITTEN JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE
quaintance either in the army or afterwards. The following is the poem just as then composed by the writer :
Written Just Before the Battle by W. R. Kiefer.
Both lovely and calm is the morning, That now finds us silently here ; Though sleepless we lay till the dawning, To watch lest the foe should appear. Though in danger with enemies around us, 'Midst conflicts that just took an end, We calmly returned to this ambush And pickets to stations did send. Commanded by brave-hearted leaders, We stopped not to doubt of success ; But soldier-like march out to meet those Who sought our ranks to suppress. I look upon all that surrounds me- I see that more danger is nigh : That thousands of armed men await us, And scores of us shortly will die. The sorrows that now swell each bosom, Are not to be visibly seen ; But one thing doth truly assure me, That all are so calm and serene.
By waiting the future oft tells us Of solemn events yet unseen ; But O, how inquiringly anxious To know who shall fall in the scene.
Though grave may be each one's expression, And seemingly pious be found, With great lamentation for error Will many a bosom abound. Not riches nor friends can relieve them, When death shall their bodies embrace, Much less can the worldling deprive them If Jesus should grant them His grace.
24
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
Chancellorsville Battle.
Through captured letters and general newspaper reports the Confederates learned early that it was Hooker's plan on the ap- proach of spring and the season of passable roads to disturb Lee's twenty-five miles of entrenchments on the south bank of the Rappahannock river. The vigilant Stuart, who, learning of the massing of our troops on the crossing of Kelley's Ford, rode in great haste to the vicinity of Fredericksburg on the night of Thursday, April 30th, and on Friday morning about 9 o'clock our Regiment started eastward towards the Chancellorsville House. Some time after noon we were ordered back again and posted some distance back of where we had first halted. Here our men immediately began the clearing of the wood, and con- tinued slashing trees and building barricade early Saturday morn- ing. I distinctly heard firing late on the afternoon of Friday. The cannonading continued until dusk and still continued until S o'clock. Our men slept on arms on the night of the Ist. Firing continued. While we were occupying this position there was con- stant firing south of us with little cessation all day Saturday and our men were in constant expectation of getting into engagement. So much for the diary. Here is the actual history of the noise of battle at the time. Birney says : "At 2 p. m. April 30th, I re- ceived orders from the major-general commanding the Corps (3d Corps) to march my division to the United States Ford, and cross it by 7.30 a. m. next day, taking care to move through the ravines, concealing my troops from the enemy. I reached Hamet's on the Warrenton turnpike, at about 11.30 p. m., and bivouaced. The march was resumed on May Ist, at 5.30 a. m., crossing the bridges at the United States Ford at 7.30 a. m., and reaching a point near Chancellorsville at about II a. 111." "At I p. m." (Friday) Birney continues, "under orders from Major-General Sickles I sent Graham's brigade and Turnbull's battery to Dow- dall's Tavern to take position." (Here occurred the little episode between Howard and Birney growing out of a misunderstanding of relief coming to Howard).
To connect the story we continue the report of Birney: "At
25
CHANCELLORSVILLE BATTLE
5 p. m. the enemy attacking Slocum's front, I took position behind the Chancellorsville House, with Ward's and Hayman's bri- gades, and sent to the (Dowdall) tavern for Graham to return. When Graham's brigade reported, a position was assigned to it in support of one of General Slocum's batteries, and it was sub- jected to a heavy and well directed artillery fire without the power to return. With Ward's and Hayman's brigades I marched up the plank road toward Dowdall's Tavern, and meeting Generals Wil-
Copyright, 1888, by THE CENTURY Co.
Dowdall's Tavern. Howard's Headquarters, at Chancellorsville. From a war-time Photograph.
liams and Knipe, of Slocum's command, and finding the right of their line weak, bivouaced my two brigades in its rear."
Here occurred the incident of Birney trying a few shots at Jackson's army passing within a mile of the front in his westerly course to gain our rear. This was 8 o'clock on Saturday morn- ing, showing that the movement of Jackson's army got an early start for the detour of fifteen miles. Birney says: "At 12 m. of May 2d, I received orders from Major-General Sickles to follow the enemy, pierce the column and gain possession of the road over which it was passing. In keeping with this order the following. troops hurried off to overtake the 'retreating' rebels :
26
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
Colonel Bedan's sharp-shooters, Hayman's brigade, Graham's bri- gade, and Ward's brigade, Turnbull's battery, General Whipple's division, and a brigade of the 12th corps, Barlow's brigade (taken from the IIth corps) the 20th Indiana and the 5th Michigan. One hundred and eighty prisoners were captured." Birney, like the rest of the commanders, believed the enemy retreating, as is indi- cated by the following language : "At about 6.30 p. m. I received orders from Captain Alexander Moore, of Major-General Hook- er's staff, to advance rapidly, which I did, taking the road, and placing Randolf's battery, which I had ordered up, in position, poured a well directed fire on the 'retreating' column of the enemy."
According to the reports of the rebels themselves they were quite disturbed in their march near the Furnace. Every by-path and wood road was occupied with Jackson's fighting train. It made a long procession. The head of it came up to our rear as early as three o'clock in the afternoon, but much of it, especially the rear guard, did not get up until the hour of attack, about 5.30 p. m. Some alarm of the possible flank movement of the Con- federate forces had spread among the various organizations, the controversy over this question having been fierce and long since the war, but any one acquainted with the nature of the ground, (which it is impossible to fully describe) will at once conclude that the ground on which the first brigade (Gilsa's) was posted must have accounted for the surprise and defeat of our Regi- ment. It is safe to say that for solid interlacing of vines, under- growth, interminable mass of thicket, no battlefield in all the war equalled it. Hundreds of reports made by officers and pri- vates speak in the most extravagant language of that wild fores- try. Numbers of rebels who wrote about the advance of the soldiers mentioned the great disorder of the troops as they tried to move in line. It was one of the causes of an earlier halt in their pursuit of our retreating columns, as they were inter- mingled and scattered so widely that the organizations could no longer be recognized. The Confederates were also wholly ex- hausted for want of food and sleep. Many of them had had neither for two days.
27
LOCATION OF THE ELEVENTH CORPS
The Location of the Eleventh Corps.
For reasons already given, namely: Glanz taken prisoner and Lieutenant Dachrodt wounded, no reports from these officers were rendered, and that fact has made it necessary for me to look up the actions of the various organizations with whom we were affiliated. Captain Benjamin Morgan of the 75th Regiment, Ohio, gives the following brief report :
"About noon on the 2d instant, the Seventy-fifth was ordered to the right to support the First Brigade. At 4.15 p. m. a volley was fired on our right flank by the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania. From
The Horse in War. The Scouts.
information received, found it was occasioned by the appearance of rebel cavalry.
About 5.20 p. m. heavy firing commenced on our right. Colonel Reilly immediately wheeled the Seventy-fifth to the right, and ordered column to be deployed ; but before the same could be properly accomplish- ed, a portion of the First Brigade broke through our ranks, considerably retarding the movement. The regiment was, however, formed in good order, and, after firing 3 rounds, men falling fast, and heavily pressed by overwhelming numbers, the order was given by Colonel Reilly to about- face, which was twice repeated by me before the regiment faced to the rear. They then retired in good order, ready to form on the first support, and were rallied by you personally about 6.15 p. m., and reformed."
Several reports show the whereabouts of the IIth Corps on Saturday night and on Sunday and also on Monday at 5 p. m. when they occupied rifle pits on the left of Hancock where lines
28
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
of rifle pits had been constructed during the day. J. H. Lock- wood, commanding the Seventh Virginia (Union), reports that his command was, on Sunday, located as follows: "On the 3d instant, at about 7 a. m., we were ordered to form in line of battle, which we did in an open field fronting the wood that lay between us and the enemy, our Regiment, under command of Colonel Joseph Snider, occupying a position to the left of the Fourth Ohio and on the extreme left of the brigade." He speaks of being posted on the left of the road leading from Chancellors- ville to the United States Ford, and that during the day they were moved by the left flank and took position at right angles from the one they were then occupying, their right resting and adjoining the right of the Eleventh Corps. The Report of Colonel Charles J. Powers, of the One Hundred and Eighth New York, says, that the Brigade he commanded on the 3d "formed second line in support of rifle pits on the left of the position assumed by the army, our left resting on the pits occupied by the Eleventh Army Corps."
Chancellorsville Engagement.
The engagements on the 1, 2, and 3d of May, 1863, are im- mortalized events in the annals of modern warfare, and yet few battle fields of the Rebellion have been more thoroughly neg- lected. Devastation has laid its desolating hand on every spot where once contending armies waged the bitter contest. No human agencies have been at work ameliorating the distorted conditions left by surging troops on those memorable days of carnage. The calamity that befell our army on that fateful ground offered no compensation to a backward glance over those bloody scenes of conflict. No patriotic impulse has stirred the Nation to commemorate in marble or bronze the portentous deeds of that trying day. The enemy highly elated over the half-won victory, on that dark day, have left the field to the weird echoes of their fiendish shouts, and have since placed but a few simple markers of their unholy doings.
29
ON THE CHANCELLORSVILLE BATTLEFIELD
We lost Chancellorsville ; they lost their national cause, having invoked upon themselves the well deserved censure of all loyal citizens of our great Republic to the end of the ages. Time will never erase the scars of the wounds inflicted by the belligerent South upon the defenders of our beloved Country. We can for- give, but never forget. The bitter lessons will be salutary upon the children of many generations, and for the descendants of the Southern soldiers, who incurred the reprehension of the best Government the sun ever shone upon, we will ever entertain true charity ; while for their sake we will condone the overt act of their patriot fathers. No coming, or flight of years will ever obliterate the well-known fact that if the majority of the Con- federate soldiers had known at the time that the war was carried on by the South for the perpetuation of slavery, they would have laid down their arms. The great masses of southern soldiers were totally ignorant of what they were fighting for. They could not understand that the Yankee soldier had come to de- liver them from the curse which had hung over them for many generations, and that they had come to be among the last of all civilized people who had abolished the inhuman rite of trading in human beings. Their day of "Jubilee" had come.
On the Chancellorsville Battlefield.
This engagement is one of the most difficult of description of any of the war. It was not a decisive battle. The rebels them- selves acknowledged that they were almost annihilated. They needed rest much more than we did.
All maps accessible showing the disposition of the Federal troops on the eve of the battle on the right of the line on the morning of the 2nd of May place our Regiment in the most defenseless, forlorn situation in which a body of men could be placed. Though among the last of the men in the brigade to obey an order to fall back after repeated volleys offered the advancing troops of Jackson's overwhelming forces as they broke in upon them on the rear and on the right and left flank, their deliverance
.
30
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
by a timely retreat was one of the most marvelously fortuitous (though at the time considered the most calamitous) event of that great battle field. The alignment of the troops had refer- ence to an attack from the south as all records clearly exhibit. With a front of two miles in length it was not supposable that if the enemy intended engagement of our entire line of defenses at one time they could crush the two wings and center of our army with one simultaneous attack. In such an event, of an attack of our entire front at once, the position occupied by our regiment could not have been more fortunate, as an opportunity to show their marksmanship and bravery. This opinion of the men would certainly receive support when subsequently, under more favorable circumstances, at the great battle of Gettys- burg, they assisted in saving the crest and day, on the ever memorable Cemetery Hill. But for their timely escape from annihilation before 30,000 braves of the Confederate line at the indefensible post of the former battle, their victorious achievement at the latter would not have occurred. Who can say that our Regiment was not spared at the one to help save the day of the other.
As to the confusion on that disastrous occasion it was largely increased on account of a panic brought on by the non-combatants -a considerable army composed of attendants, servants, the ambu- lance corps, with vehicles, animals, etc .- all looking for places of safety from the flying missiles. The space over which the company to which I belonged retreated was wooded for some distance and then came a clearing. I am fully satisfied that we were flanked on the left as well, for we had not receded far when I saw large numbers of rebels on our left who were rapidly firing on our retreating men. The shot and shell from the southwestern direction on our rear were doing very effective work on our troops and among the tree tops. I noticed in several instances that heavy boughs fell around us. The fright of the animals was as great as that of the men. I passed our little medicine jack with his heavy load. Poor little fellow was wound- ed and unable to run. Some one of the company captured, must
3I
HOOKER'S FEINT
have some recollections of the fellow; he was also captured as I have since been informed.
Hooker's Feint.
The main features of the scheme are as follows: The feint having been anticipated by General Lee, as is shown by the following information given him by General J. E. B. Stuart as ear- ly as March 12th, intimated that Hooker at Aquai Landing was contemplating some move. Stuart said :
"The impression of the people in King George is that the enemy are preparing to move off, sending troops secretly from Aquai at night. The information from Falmouth is that the enemy will as soon as the roads permit cross at the United States Ford, Falmouth, and some points be- low, the attempt at Falmouth to be a feint."
General Doubleday, who commanded a division of the forces sent down below Fredericksburg to make the feint, gives the fol- lowing account :
"On the 28th, the Sixth Corps, under Sedgwick, and the First Corps, under Reynolds, were moved down the river, three or four miles below Fredericksburg, and bivouaced there in a pouring rain. As it was possible that the two corps might be attacked when they reached the other side, the Third Corps, under Sickles, was posted in the rear as a reserve.
The next day two bridges were laid at Franklin's old crossing for the Sixth Corps, and two more a mile below for the First Corps. Men in rifle pits on the other side impeded the placing of the pontoons for a while, but detachments sent over in boats stormed their entrenchments, and drove them out. Brooks' division of the Sixth Corps and Wadsworth's division of the First Corps then crossed and threw up tete-de-ponts. The enemy made no other opposition than a vigorous shelling by their guns on the heights, which did but little damage. A considerable number of these missiles were aimed at my division and at that of J. C. Robinson, which were held in reserve on the north side of the river ; but as our men were pretty well sheltered, there were but few casualties.
It soon became evident that the enemy would not attack the bridge
32
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
heads, they being well guarded by artillery on the north bank, so Sickles' Corps was detached on the 30th and ordered to Chancellorsville.
Sedgwick used the remainder of his men to great advantage by march- ing them back and forth among the hills in such a way as to lead Lee to suppose that a very large force confronted him. As, however, Sedgwick did not advance, and more accurate reports were furnished by Stuart in relation to what had taken place up the river, Lee saw, on the night of the 30th, that the movement in front of Fredericksburg, was a feint, and his real antagonist was at Chancellorsville. He had previously ordered Jackson's corps up from Moss creek, and now advanced with the main body of his army to meet Hooker, leaving Early's division of Jackson's corps and Barkdale's brigade of McLaw's division of Longstreet's corps to hold the heights of Fredericksburg against Sedgwick. Jackson, who was always prompt, started at midnight, and at 8 a. m. the next day stood by the side of Anderson at Tabernacle Church. McLaw's division had already arrived, having preceded him by a few hours."
But referring again to Doubleday's account, who says:
"Hooker soon found himself hampered in every direction by dense and almost impenetrable thickets, which had a tendency to break up every organization that tried to pass through them into mere crowds of men without order or alignment. Under these circumstances concert of action became exceedingly difficult, and when attempts were made to communi- cate orders off of the road, aides wandered hopelessly through the woods, struggling in the thick undergrowth, without being able to find any one. The enemy, of course, was also impeded in their movements, but they had the advantage of being better acquainted with the country, and in case they were beaten they had a line at Tabernacle Church already en- trenched to fall back upon. The ravines also, which crossed the upper roads at right angles, offered excellent defensive positions for them."
Major-General Joseph Hooker.
33
THE FORTIFIED RAPPAHANNOCK
The Fortified Rappahannock.
All the region from the upper Fords of the Rappahannock to the Franklin Crossing below Fredericksburg, a distance of about 27 miles, was fortified by Lee, and was known as the south bank of the River (Rappahannock), while the Federal army known as the Army of the Potomac, occupied the country on the north side. Lee called the position of the Federals "The Stafford Hills" and looked upon them as strong and impregnable.
During the long winter of 1862-3 the two opposing armies were making the necessary preparations for the opening of a campaign in the spring.
For the comrade who reads these accounts it is necessary that he have a knowledge of the geography of the country, and that he carefully study the military maps which show the disposition of the various departments of the army on the respective days of the battle occurring.
Several rivers, varying in size, run east of the Blue Ridge south of the Potomac, in a southeasterly direction, and empty into the Chesapeake bay. These streams have become noted in the his- tory of the military operations of the Army of the Potomac. The narrower part of the land between the Potomac and the Rappa- hannock is less than ten miles wide (at Fredericksburg). At points below the city the land is still narrower. The Rappahannock rises along the Blue Ridge and has a tributary known as the Rapidan, which also has its source at the base of the same moun- tain. The fork of these rivers is a little east of Chancellorsville, and about 9 miles in a westerly direction from Fredericksburg. Next, south, and with the same (southeasterly) course is the Matapony, which rises near Spottsylvania Court House, forming a junction with the Pamunky, of similar course, at West Point, together running into the York river, which broadens out into the Chesapeake. The next stream of greater importance is the James river, on which the City of Richmond is situated. The distance from Richmond to Washington is about 100 miles and Fredericksburg is midway between them. The distance from 3
34
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
Chancellorsville to Fredericksburg is ten miles. The name Chancellorsville is very misleading to one not acquainted. There is no village. One rather pretentious building occupies the spot where several roads cross. This house was burned at the time of the battle, was rebuilt, but has been sufficiently reduced to a condition scarcely fit for more than a good bonfire.
About three and a half miles from Fredericksburg on the Plank Road toward the Battlefield is the old, vacated shell- riddled meeting house where the battle of Salem Church was fought. Between two and three miles in a southwesterly course is Tabernacle Church. From this church the road makes a bend southward and comes out at the Chancellorsville House, where it unites with the plank road from which it had diverged. A third road runs from the Chancellorsville House towards the fords, a branch of which leads to United States Ford, over which our troops returned after the battle May 1-5.
Hooker's General Orders, No. 49.
Immediately after the battle of Chancellorsville General Hook- er issued the following order :-
"The Major-General commanding tenders to this army his congratula- tions on its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplish- ed all that was expected, the reasons are well known to the army. It is sufficient to say they were of a character not to be foreseen or prevented by human sagacity or resource. In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock before delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given renewed evidence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the principles it represents. In fighting to a disadvantage, we would have been recreant to our trust, to ourselves, our cause, and our country. Profoundly loyal, and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac will give or decline battle whenever its interest or honor may demand. It will also be the guardian of its own history and its own fame.
By our celerity and secrecy of movement, our advance and passage of
35
WHAT HOOKER FOUND IN THE DESERT
the rivers were undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel ventured to follow.
The events of the last week may swell with pride the heart of every officer and soldier of this army. We have added new luster to its former renown1. We have made long marches, crossed rivers, surprised the enemy in its entrenchments, and whenever we have fought have inflicted heavier blows than we have received. We have taken from the enemy 5000 prisoners; captured and brought off seven pieces of artillery, fifteen colors; placed hors de combat 18,000 of its chosen troops; destroyed its depots filled with vast amounts of stores; deranged its communications ; captured prisoners within the fortifications of its capital, and filled its country with fear and consternation.
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