USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
It was covered by a dense forest, almost impenetrable by troops in line of battle, where manœuvring was an operation of extreme difficulty and uncertainty. The undergrowth was so heavy that it was scarcely possible to see more than one hundred paces in any direction. The movements of the enemy could not be observed until the lines were almost in collision. Only the roar of musketry disclosed the position of the combatants to those who were at any distance, and my knowledge of what was transpiring on the field. except in my immediate presence, was limited, and was necessarily derived from reports of subordinate commanders.
244
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
[1864
And General Humphreys says :
So far as I know, no great battle ever took place before on such ground. But little of the combatants could be seen, and its pro- gress was known to the senses chiefly by the rising and falling sounds of a vast musketry fire that continually swept along the lines of battle, many miles in length, sounds which at times ap- proached the sublime.
The loss in our Brigade was heavy, that of the Regiment being Io killed, 37 wounded and 6 missing-total 53, out of less than 200 engaged. We remained quiet in our position all the next day, Saturday, May 7th. In this battle the Regiment remained with the Brigade, and during the whole fight the Brigade re- mained intact and executed all movements together, so that no special mention can be made of the Regiment, as in describing the part taken by the Brigade we describe the services of the Regiment. That they bore their full share of this great battle is shown by their loss and in having three men shot down with the colors, including Color Sergeant Charles Hickok, who was instantly killed. He was a brave soldier, and faithfully led his comrades, calling upon them to keep up with the colors; he was a favorite with his comrades, and if at any time one would ask the members of his company to point out a good soldier, they would universally show you Charlie Hickok.
The official reports give our entire loss 2,625 killed, 10,220 wounded and 2,902 missing-a total loss of 15,387; while that of the enemy is only estimated at 2,000 killed, 6,000 wounded and 3,400 missing-total 11,400, as no record has been found report- ing their loss in the battle of the Wilderness.
It is estimated that, by the woods taking fire, over two hundred of our wounded perished in the flames and smoke, and a much larger number of the dead.
COMPANY G.
SERGEANT ALLEN S. ELLIOTT.
Aug. 27, 1861. Sept. 10, 1864. Mustered out with Company, Sept. 10, 1864.
245
SPOTTSYLVANIA
1864]
CHAPTER XX.
SPOTTSYLVANIA.
T' HE movement began almost immediately upon the cessation of the firing. No more waiting for reorganization, or re- inforcements, but forward at once. The Fifth Corps be- gan to move about 9 o'clock, on the night of the 7th ; the different commands were moving the whole night; and we followed, about 7 o'clock, on the morning of the 8th, south, along the Brock road. We arrived at Todd's Tavern about 10 o'clock; here a halt was made, and the Corps placed in position defending the Catharpen road, which connected the two roads along which the two armies were passing. About 2 o'clock, our Division was detached from the Corps and sent to join General Warren's Corps, then near Spottsylvania ; the balance of the Corps following the next day.
On the afternoon of May 9th, an attempt was made to capture the enemy's wagon train, seen passing along a road on the south side of the Po river ; and about 5 o'clock, the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant-Colonel Curry, crossed the river, deployed, drove in their skirmishers, and secured a lodg- ment. The rest of Gibbon's Division then crossed, followed by Barlow's Division, while Birney's Division crossed further up the river ; darkness prevented any further movement that evening, but early next morning an advance was made; the enemy was found well entrenched, and the wagon train safely inside their works. About II o'clock, received orders that we were to unite with General Warren, in his efforts to carry the works in his front at Laurel Hill, and Hancock was placed in command of the combined forces, with orders to assault those works. Con- sequently, Gibbon's Division was withdrawn from the other side of the Po river, and moved to the left to the position occupied by Warren's Corps ; and about 2 o'clock, Barlow's Division was with- drawn. This was not done without the enemy taking advantage of this retrograde movement, and charged the rear guard of Bar-
246
[1864
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
low's Division, inflicting heavy loss; many of his men being drowned in the river and others perished in the flames of the burn- ing wood ; and the loss of one piece of artillery, which had become wedged in between two trees, in coming down the river bank through the woods, by the horses becoming unmanageable, and could not be removed, as there was no time to cut down the trees and get it out. This was the first gun lost by the Second Corps.
Our line was formed on the right of the Fifth Corps, with Birney's Division in reserve. About 3 o'clock the advance was made ; slowly and steadily the lines closed upon the enemy, and, as our Division emerged from under cover of the woods, which was dense, and filled with underbrush of dead cedar trees so interlaced as to make it very difficult for troops to advance, they were met by a most terrific fire from their works; this compelled the column, much disordered by forcing their way through the wood, to halt. Examination of their works, showed them to be so well constructed, and so strong, that it was believed to be impossible to take them, and further advance was not made. Then it was decided to assault them at 5 o'clock, to commence on the left, at a signal of cheers from the men, and to continue on to the right, each line to cheer as they advanced. About that hour the effort was made, only to meet with repulse, and to be driven back with heavy loss. A portion of Cutler's Division, of the Fifth Corps, reached the abatis immediately in front of the works, the others halted part way and began firing, but after a few volleys, fell back, and the advance, having no support also fell back, and the assault ended, only to be renewed at half-past six o'clock. Colonel Carrol led the right of his line and gained the enemy's breastworks, and the whole line reached the abatis, but not being properly supported was compelled to fall back. For that heroic assault he was promoted to a Brigadier Gen- eral. And about 7 o'clock, Birney's and Gibbon's Divisions again charged, part of the Fifth Corps uniting, but met with no better success ; all further attempts were then abandoned, and the terrible sacrifice that must have inevitably followed all such at- tempts, was averted; as it was known by all the commanders of the Brigades that it was almost impossible to carry those works by assault. But they obeyed orders, and led their commands
COLONEL WILLIAM L. CURRY.
Nov. 16, 1861. July 7, 1864.
As Lieutenant-Colonel. Promoted to Colonel, April 5, 1864. Captured at Fair Oaks, Va., June 9, 1862. Prisoner from June 9, 1862. to Sept. 4, 1862 Wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., Va., May 11, 1864. Died at Washington, D. C., July 7, 1864. Wounds.
247
SPOTTSYLVANIA
1864]
forward, and would have done their best to take them, if forced to continue the assault.
In these two assaults it is estimated that the two corps lost nearly 5,000 men, while the enemy could not have lost 1,000. Still further on the left the Sixth Corps, now commanded by Gen- eral Wright, General Sedgwick having been killed the day before with a rifle bullet while placing a battery in an exposed position along his front, were more successful. They had carried the first line of works, capturing nearly twelve hundred prisoners, several guns and standards. They held their captured line until dark and then retired for want of support.
All day of the IIth no attempt was made to renew the assault, but continual and heavy skirmishing was kept up upon our men, who were erecting works. The position of the One Hundred and Sixth was somewhat an exposed one, in a hollow, and they experienced great difficulty in constructing their intrenchments ; several of the men were shot, and in the afternoon Colonel Wm. L. Curry fell mortally wounded, and was immediately carried to the rear, and sent to Washington, where he died July 7th. This was a great loss to the Regiment. He was an efficient officer ; brave and fearless. He had just been promoted to Cól- onel and the men had full confidence in his ability to command them, and became attached to him, and he had won the respect and admiration of his superior officers. Colonel Banes speaks of him as follows :
He had won a good reputation as a faithful and intelligent officer, and at different periods of the service had been entrusted with the command of a brigade.
About 9 o'clock that night we received orders to be ready to move and to so arrange the canteens, cups and accoutrements so as not to make any noise. About midnight we started, moving towards the left, and although we moved but a short distance in a straight line about five miles, yet the round-about way we had to go and the obstructions met, compelled us to go slow, so that it was a little before daylight when we formed in our new position, on the left of the Sixth Corps, with the left of our line resting near Brown's House, in some old works of the enemy then vacat-
248
[1864
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
ed, about half a mile west of the Ny river, and two and a half miles directly north of Spottsylvania Court House. About quarter-past 4 o'clock the whole line advanced, Barlow's and Bir- ney's Divisions being on the left and Mott's and Gibbon's Divi- sions on the right. Barlow's Division being in the advance with his Regiments doubled on the centre, and Birney deployed on his right, and Mott's Division in Birney's rear. The ground in front of the left was clear, while that through which our Division passed was wooded, except about 100 yards. The rapidity and quickness of the movement gave us success. Barlow's Division, without firing a shot, cleared the space in their front in quick time, and captured the works and all the troops in them, and was quickly followed by Birney's, and the line advancing obliquely to their works. Barlow first struck them, and almost immediately Birney, and then Mott. The ground which our Division had to go over was much longer, and then the wood prevented our quickness of movement, so that when we emerged from the wood the left of the line was within the works. In the open space over which we had to charge there was a slight elevation, and in the hazy light of the breaking day, this was mistaken for their works; and with a loud cheer we rushed on only to find the real works a short distance further back, and the enemy now aroused, await- ing our approach, our cheer giving them warning, so that we met with a terrible fire of musketry and artillery; but the men never faltering, and with renewed cheers, on we went, and took the works, after a short hand-to-hand fight, capturing many prisoners, guns and colors. Those who were not captured fled to their second line, about half a mile to the rear. General Humphreys says :
General Owen's and Colonel Carroll's Brigades of Gibbon's Division ran forward and entered the works with them (Barlow's Division) on their left, capturing the two guns on Stewart's centre, and turning them on the enemy.
An attempt was then made to continue the advance and dis- lodge them from their second line; but this was found defended by a large force, and our lines were so broken and in more or less confusion, all formation being lost, that we could bring no effec- tive force against them. As soon as we came in sight they opened
249
SPOTTSYLVANIA
1864]
on us a terrible fire, completely staggering us, so that it was im- possible to reform our lines, though strenuous efforts were made by the Brigade and Regimental commanders. The writer who was serving as orderly on the staff of General Gibbon, command- ing the Division, was sent to the rear with about forty of the pri- soners, then just captured, which he turned over to the Provost Guard, and returned to the front. Not finding General Gibbon, he rode out over the works to the firing line and reported to General Owen, who asked him to remain and assist him, as all his orderlies were either wounded or away. He cheerfully assent- ed and receiving from Captain Kelly of the 69th Pennsylvania, who was badly wounded, his sword, he acted as aide to General Owen, and assisted the Regimental officers to reform their lines to assault the second line of works all under that very heavy fire. Unable to gain those works. the whole line was compelled to fall back to the first line of works captured. For this special and hazardous service the writer was commended and highly complimented in a letter written by General Owen. A portion of the One Hundred and Sixth, with their colors, continued to advance, and came upon a line of rifle pits deserted except by three men ; these they made prisoners and finding themselves far in advance of our line, and seeing a line of the enemy advancing on their flank, and receiving a heavy fire in their front, they hastily withdrew and found that the rest of the Brigade had already fallen back and were occupy- ing the works and those of the One Hundred and Sixth who were with them, not seeing their colors, thought they had been captured until these men returned with them, carried by Corporal S. Macey Smith of Company C, the eighth man who had carried them that day. Efforts were at once made to reform the lines, when almost immediately the enemy advanced and tried to retake their works. Some of our men manned the guns that had been captured and opened on them with their own ammunition, though not in a very systematic or effective manner. The writer was then sent back by General Owen for some of our own artillerymen to come for- ward and man these pieces, which they soon did, and their familiarity with them soon made their shots tell, giving the Rebels back their own ammunition as they advanced to try and retake these works. It was evident that the point we had captured was
250
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
[1864
of the greatest importance to the enemy, as its occupation by us threatened to divide their army; hence their repeated efforts to retake it.
General Burnside arrived with his Corps, forming on our left, engaged the enemy soon after our first assault, and endeavored to capture the works in his front, but failed. The Sixth Corps, General Wright, advanced and made connection with our right, thus strengthening our position so as to resist their repeated efforts to retake it. Had Burnisde advanced when Hancock did, and carried the works in his front, we would have cut their army in two, and captured all that portion of their force in that salient angle, which the line of their works formed at this point. All day long it was one continuous assault, with a continual roar of artil- lery and rattle of musketry. Assaulting principally in front of our position, coming up to the works until the flags of both armies were on the works at the same time, yet our men would not yield, but drove them back each time with fearful loss. There was no formation yet of our line, but the men crowded into the works and fought shoulder to shoulder. Bravely and well did they stand their ground, though losing many of their number. Seven different men were shot down with the colors of the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania, including Captain Schwartz of Company A; yet as each one fell, it was quickly taken up by another, only to meet the fate of the one who preceded him. Corporal William Wagner of Company A, was struck down three different times with them, each wound being sufficient to render him unfit for further duty, but he refused to give them up and planted them on the works, bidding defiance to the enemy, and only when too weak from loss of blood to hold them any longer did he give them to another. While our loss was heavy, that of the enemy was fearful to contemplate. In front of the works those that fell in the first charge lay thick, and with each assault numbers were added, until they lay in heaps, across and on top of each other, while many who fell wounded were killed by other shots before they could be got to the rear, and some of our own men shared the same fate.
Brigadier General Grant, who commanded the Brigade of the Sixth Corps that joined our right, says of this day's fighting :
251
SPOTTSYLVANIA
1864]
It was not only a desperate struggle, but it was literally a hand- to-hand fight. Nothing but the piled up logs or breastworks separ- ated the combatants. Our men would reach over the logs and fire into the faces of the enemy-would stab over with their bayonets ; many were shot and stabbed through the crevices and holes between the logs; men mounted the works, and with muskets rapidly handed them, kept up a continuous fire until they were shot down, when others would take their place and continue the deadly work. Several times during the day the rebels would show a white flag about the works, and when our fire slackened, jumped over and surrender, and others were crowded down to fill their places. . . . The rebel ditches and cross-sections were filled with dead men several deep. The sight was terrible and sicken- ing ; they were piled up several deep, their flesh torn and mangled.
The Confederate General McGowan, of Hill's Corps, says :
Our men lay on one side the breastworks, the enemy on the other, and in many instances men were pulled over. . . . The trenches on the right in the bloody angle had to be cleared of the dead more than once. An oak tree, twenty-two inches in diameter, in rear of the Brigade, was cut down by musket balls, and fell about 12 o'clock Thursday night, injuring several men in the First South Carolina Regiment.
Yet, notwithstanding their frequent repulse and their heavy loss, they would again assault, and at one time in the afternoon they managed to turn the left of the Sixth Corps, exposing our right flank, but our line remained firm, until finally, the Sixth Corps drove them back and regained their position, and night found us still in the same position gained by the first charge in the morning, having held it against all their assaults, but gained no more. Heavy skirmishing was kept up during the entire night. Thus closed one of the most obstinate and deadly fights of this campaign, and while our success was grand, the point gained important, the result was both glorious and sad ; glorious in the capture of the works and about 8,000 prisoners, including two General officers (Major-General Edward Johnson, Bri- gadier General George H. Stewart) 30 standards and 20 pieces of artillery ; sad on account of our heavy loss; in the One Hun- dred and Sixth in addition to Colonel William L. Curry, Captain Charles A. Schwartz, commanding Company A, and Lieutenant
252
[1864
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
Joshua A. Gage, of Company D, were killed; also Sergeant J. W. D. Smith, of Company A; Privates Joseph Canning and Simon Nathans, of Company B; Sergeant H. P. Blair, of Com- pany C; Sergeant James H. Hall, Corporal E. J. Holcomb, and Private H. Harrington, of Company D; Sergeant William H. Muir, Privates W. Ritter and T. Tobin, of Company G; and Private William Martin of Company I; a total of three officers and ten men killed, and twenty-four wounded, including the writer, and three missing. Total forty, out of about one hundred and fifty engaged. Our total loss was in killed, wounded and missing, 6,820, about 800 being missing, and that of the enemy between 9,000 and 10,000.
It was when the left of the Sixth Corps was turned that Gen- eral Gibbon, seeing the danger that threatened his line, said, "My God they have turned Wright's left", and turning to one of his staff-officers, said, "Captain Embler, ride forward and gather up all the men you can and throw them into that break; take an orderly with you". Captain Embler turning to me said, "Come on, Ward". I was at the time dismounted, tightening the girth of my saddle. I threw my arm over the horse and with one foot in the stirrup, when I was struck in the right shoulder by a spent-ball that spun me around like a top, it had struck the hip of my horse and glanced off, and struck me in the shoulder. The General noticed it and said "Are you hurt much, Ward?" I said "No Sir", and lifting my disabled arm, and putting my hand in the breast of my blouse, I swung myself on my horse with my left hand, and taking the reins in my teeth, I soon joined Captain Embler, and together we gathered up sufficient men, and led them into the breach, drove back the enemy and re-established our line. I still using the sword of Captain Kelly.
On the 13th no further attacks were made, the enemy being satisfied that the works could not be retaken, and their attempts had already cost them heavy loss. Occasional skirmishing, and the sharpshooters' shots, were the only firing during the day, ex- cept that the skirmishers of a Regiment in Carroll's Brigade, ad- vancing to feel the enemy's line, charged and captured the colors of a Rebel Regiment, and General Carroll was severely wounded. On the same day Mott's Division, reduced by losses in action and
253
SPOTTSYLVANIA
1864]
the terms of service of many Regiments about expiring, was consolidated into a Brigade, and assigned to Birney's Division.
The following circular from Army Headquarters was read to the troops, and encouraged them to continue their good work:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. May 13, 1864
SOLDIERS :- The moment has arrived when your commanding General feels authorized to address you in terms of congratulation.
For eight days and nights, almost without intermission, in rain and sunshine, you have been gallantly fighting a desperate foe in positions naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrench- ments. You have compelled him to abandon his fortifications on the Rapidan, to retire, and attempt to stop your onward progress, and now he has abandoned the last intrenched position, so tenaci- ously held, suffering in all a loss of eighteen guns, twenty-two colors and eight thousand prisoners, including two General officers.
Your heroic deeds, and the noble endurance of fatigue and pri- vation, will ever be memorable.
Let us return thanks to God for the mercy thus shown us, and ask earnestly for its continuance.
Soldiers, your work is not over ; the enemy must be pursued, and, if possible, overcome.
The courage and fortitude which you have displayed render your commanding General confident that your future efforts will result in success. While we mourn the loss of many gallant comrades, let us remember that the enemy must have suffered equal, if not greater, losses. We shall soon receive reinforcements, which he cannot expect. Let us determine, then, to continue vigorously the work so well begun, and under God's blessing, in a short time the object of our labors will be accomplished.
GEORGE G. MEADE, Major-General commanding.
No change was made on the 14th. In the afternoon there was a heavy artillery duel, for a little while ; then a regiment charged, captured two pieces of their battery. This artillery fire, on their part, was afterwards found to be to divert our attention, while a Brigade of their cavalry rode around our lines, to our hospital, where they robbed our wounded of their hats, shoes, and what clothing and other effects they could hastily acquire. A portion of the Third Brigade of our Division was sent after them, but could not overtake them.
254
[1864
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
During the early morning of the 15th, details were made to bury all the arms that had been gathered together, and could not be taken away; and at 5 o'clock, A. M., we withdrew from our posi- tion, in the captured works, and moving to the left, crossed the Ny river, and massed in rear of Burnside's Corps, near Army Headquarters, about five miles from our position in the morning. In the afternoon, moved to the right, and threw out skirmishers to the right and rear.
On the morning of the 16th, our Division moved off, two miles to the right, and recaptured a hospital, that we had abandoned, containing about seven hundred of our wounded. These we got into the ambulances and wagons, and brought away ; and returned to our position without any molestation. About dark, on the 17th, marched back to our old position, near the Landron House, that we left on the 15th, recrossing the Ny river, and formed in line facing the works we then vacated, now reoccupied by the enemy. Our Division was strengthened that evening, by the addition of a new Brigade, of New York troops, known as the Corcoran Legion, containing the Sixty-Ninth, One Hundred and Fifty- Fifth, One Hundred and Sixty-Fourth, and One Hundred and Seventieth New York Regiments.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.