USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 24
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At daylight, on the 18th, we again charged those works, and our Division carried the two lines of rifle-pits, driving their force back to the third and main line of works, which we could not carry ; the Sixth Corps, on our right, failing to capture the works in their front, we were compelled to give up the position we had gained, and fall back. The Division lost in this assault, two hun- dred and forty-nine, in killed, wounded, and missing ; and the One Hundred and Sixth lost five, wounded. This movement was made in the hopes that the enemy, following our movement to the left, would weaken their left, if not entirely vacate that part of their works, and their left flank could then be turned, inflict- ing great injury to them ; but it was found they had not done so.
Since leaving our winter-quarters up to that date the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania had lost a total of one hundred and three, of a total present of two hundred and twenty-nine, officers and men. The total loss in the Division during the same time was 3,700, and that of the whole army, 33,IIO.
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About dark on the evening of May 18th, we again took up the line of march, again crossed the Ny river, and marched down along its bank to Anderson's Mills, about five miles, where we arrived about 2 o'clock on the morning of the 19th. We remained quiet during the day, and about dark started again, but had not gone far before the order was countermanded and we returned. Orders were then issued to move at II o'clock, but when in line ready to move, were countermanded again, the cause being that a part of Ewell's Corps had crossed the river far on our right flank to watch our movements, and made for the Fredericksburg road and captured our ammunition train; but before they could get away with it or destroy it, Tyler's Heavy Artillery Division and Birney's Division of our Corps charged and repulsed them and drove them back with heavy loss, and safely moved off the train.
About II o'clock on the night of the 20th, continued our march, passed the Massaponax Church, and shortly after daylight crossed the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad. Continuing south, part of the time along the railroad, passed through Bowling Green, thence to Milford Station, passing through fertile and beautiful country that had not yet been devastated by the stern course of war; the houses were occupied by the women and children and negroes, but no men were seen around; the fields, green with grain and grass, and stocked with fine cattle and sheep; dwellings and farm houses showing evidence of means and luxury, contrasting greatly with the barren country and wilderness through which we had just previously been marching.
Crossed the Mattapony and camped near Bethel Church, about 5 o'clock, and at once began to throw up breastworks. Remained quiet on the 22d, to await the arrival of the other corps; but at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 23d started again, passing Bethel Church, and about noon halted within a mile of the North Anna river, near where the railroad crosses; threw out skirmishers, who advanced towards the river and met the enemy entrenched near the river protecting the bridges, who immediately opened with their artillery from the south side of the river, sending their shells thick and fast; thus showing that Lee had anticipated Grant's movements, and having a shorter and more direct route, was
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enabled to be in position to intercept our march to Richmond in that direction. As soon as our batteries could be got into posi- tion, they replied, and in a short time the firing ceased.
We desire to again impress upon our reader that the reason we have not, or do not, from this time on, speak more of the Regiment in describing the movements and battles of this cam- paign, is because of the greatly reduced numbers, which made the Brigade no larger than a Regiment should be, and the Regiment not much larger than a Company, so that the Brigade executed all movements as a whole and when we speak of the Brigade, it includes and means the Regiment, and where we do not make special mention of the Brigade, but merely speak of the Division, we mean that the whole Division fought or marched together.
CAPTAIN LYNFORD D. C. TYLER. Aug. 28, 1861. Jan. 4, 1865.
As Second Lieutenant. Promoted to First Lieutenant, July 17, 1862. Promoted to Captain, Feb. 24, 1863. Captured at Petersburg, Va., June 22, 1864. Prisoner from June 22, 1864, to Dec. 28, 1864. Discharged, Jan. 4, 1865.
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM B. ROSR. Sept. 2, 1861. April 8, 1865.
As Sergeant. Promoted to First Sergeant, July 17, 1862 Promoted to Second Lieutenant, Feb. 24, 1863. Promoted to First Lieutenant, Jan. 5, 1865. Wounded at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. Captured at Petersburg, Va., June 22, 1864. Prisoner from June 22, 1864. to Feb. 22, 1865. Discharged, April 8, 1865.
COMPANY H.
FIRST SERGEANT JAMES J. FOY. Sept. 2, 1861. March 31, 1865. As Corporal. Promoted to Sergeant, May 1, 1862. Promoted to First Sergeant, Feb. 24, 1863. Captured at Petersburg, Va., June 22, 1864. Prisoner from June 22, 1864, to Dec. 11, 1864. Discharged, March 31, 1865.
JAMES THOMPSON.
Sept. 2, 1861. Jan. 17, 1865. Captured at Petersburg, Va., June 22, 1864. Prisoner from June 22, 1864. to July 1, 1864. Discharged, Jan. 17, 1865.
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CHAPTER XXI.
NORTH ANNA AND TOTOPOTOMOY.
W E were now on the banks of another of those small rivers that abound in Virginia, which the war brought into prom- inence, called the North Anna; this joining with the South Anna, formed the Pamunkey river. Our position being about twenty miles directly south of the one left at Spottsylvania, and completely in the rear of Lee's army, had he remained there, but as has been said, he was fully informed of Grant's movements, and had fallen back and was already in position to contest our further advance in that direction.
Hancock's Corps was now the left column, and at the time we had reached the river, near where the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad crosses, the right, under Warren, had ar- rived at the river at Jericho Mills, about four miles further up. Warren was compelled to advance a portion of his command, wading through the river, to drive the enemy and secure a lodg- ment to enable him to construct a pontoon bridge ; after which he crossed his Corps and advanced toward the position held by the enemy in our front ; but in the afternoon before his lines were all formed, the enemy made a spirited and sudden assault upon his line, throwing a portion of it into confusion, but they soon rallied and finally drove the Rebels back at all points, capturing about 1,000 prisoners.
About 6 o'clock the same evening, May 23d, Hancock was to try his hand, and Birney's Division was selected to charge the entrenchments of the enemy on the north side of the river and secure the bridge. General Birney, assisted by about twenty pieces of artillery, soon formed his lines and charged over about four hundred yards of open ground under artillery and infantry fire, until reaching their works, and carried them, capturing some prisoners ; from our position we could plainly see their advance and soon saw our colors planted on their works. Birney had
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driven them from their works that they had erected to pro- tect the bridge, but during the night they made several attempts to destroy the bridge, without success, consequently there was continual heavy skirmishing nearly all night.
As soon as it was dark our division was advanced nearer the river, to support Birney, and the men at once began to construct earthworks. They had learned by experience now, that these temporary fortifications or earthworks, were of the greatest value ; and when known that the enemy was in their immediate front, they needed no commands to urge them to take this means to protect themselves, and while entrenching tools were always carried in the ammunition trains, they would not always wait for them, but with such as they could carry with them, their bayonets, hatchets, even tincups and pieces of wood, they would use, and at once begin to construct their rifle pits as soon as a halt was made. Both armies adopted the same method to strengthen their posi- tions, thus making each contest more severe on that account. While beyond doubt the works thus constructed saved many lives and enabled each side to more effectively hold their positions, it was more severe on the assaulting party. These works would be constructed sometimes through valuable ground; the deep trenches cut through fields, orchards and gardens, shade and fruit trees cut down, slave huts and outbuildings torn down for the timber to assist to strengthen the works, and then perhaps move on and leave them, as the enemy had changed front, and leave the owner to mourn the destruction of his land, crops, fruit and shade trees, and perhaps buildings.
About 9 o'clock on the morning of the 24th, our line advanced across the river, and found that the enemy had withdrawn from the south bank of the river to a line running obliquely from the river and south, beyond Hanover Junction, and entrenched as usual; our line occupied the works vacated by them. The Sixth Corps had now joined Warren on the right, and the enemy's line in their front also extended obliquely from the river to the north bank of the "Little River", crossing the Virginia Central Rail- road near Anderson Station, thus forming a wedge, tapering to the North Anna river.
Burnside had now arrived with his Corps and attempted to
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cross the river between the positions held by Hancock and Warren, but was repulsed with heavy loss. Warren then tried to advance his line and effect a union with Hancock, but he too was unsuccessful, and about 3 o'clock our line was advanced, and although they advanced bravely and persistently, yet we could gain but little headway, and entrenched on the ground gained within about six hundred yards of their works. At about 5 o'clock a terrible storm of rain and hail set in, with such force as to put an end to all fighting; but as soon as nature's storm ceased, man's began again. The Rebels made an assault upon Smyth's Bri- gade, and although they made every effort to carry our works, they were unsuccessful; and Barlow's Division was then ordered to make an assault, but found their works too strong, as Lee was enabled to reinforce all portions of his line in short order, and always had a large force defending any part that was attack- ed; while for Grant to reinforce either of his flanks, he would have to cross and then recross the river. Night put an end to the contest. The One Hundred and Sixth Regiment met with no loss in that position.
On the 25th, remained quiet, but on the 26th the Rebels charged the position held by Birney protecting the bridge, and endeavored to cut our army in two, but they were repulsed. Towards even- ing our batteries opened on their works, and after bombarding them for some time, our Division charged and captured their first line of works, which we held; this was merely to deceive Lee, as at 9 o'clock orders were issued to withdraw. General Grant found that the enemy was too strongly posted to be dislodg- ed, and had determined on a further flank movement and again towards the left; so we recrossed the North Anna river, march- ing all night, and the next day, May 27th, southward toward Han- over Town, and halted about midnight near the Pamunkey river. Starting again at daylight on the 28th, soon reached the river, and about 7 o'clock crossed at Huntley's or Nelson's Ferry on a pontoon bridge, about four miles above Hanover Town; con- tinuing about a mile and a half, halted, formed in line of battle, and at once began entrenching. Our Corps was now the center and our right joined the Sixth Corps, and our left the Fifth. Burnside's Corps, which on May 24th was made part of the Army
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of the Potomac and placed under General Meade's orders, was held in reserve, conveniently located to reinforce either Hancock or Warren, as circumstances would require. The Sixth Corps ex- tending on our right to the Hanover Court House road, at Crump's Creek, and the Fifth on our left to the Totopotomoy.
On the morning of the 29th, each Corps commander was dir- ected to make a reconnoissance in his front, and, if need be, sup- port it with his whole force. The Sixth Corps, General Wright, advanced Russell's Division as far as Hanover Court House ; meeting with no enemy, Hancock advanced Barlow's Division past Hawes' Store to the Totopotomoy, where it was crossed by the Richmond road and found the enemy entrenched-a brisk skir- mish followed, and Birney's Division was advanced to his support to hold the position gained-and on the morning of the 30th, our Division, Gibbon's, was advanced and formed on the left of Bar- low, about two and a half miles southwest of Hawes' Store, with our left near the Totopotomoy, at the W. Jones house ; we drove their skirmishers for some distance, and began entrenching ; heavy skirmishing all day. Burnside's Corps was then moved into position on our left. In the meantime Warren had advanced Griffin's Division followed by the rest of the Corps on the road towards Shady Grove Church, until he struck the swampy ground formed by the small affluents of the Totopotomoy near Huntley's Corner, on the other side of which the enemy was strongly en- trenched ; and on the afternoon of the 30th, had a brisk skirmish with Early near Bethesda Church. That same evening Barlow attacked the enemy in his front, and by a determined assault carried their advanced rifle-pits.
Early on the morning of the 3Ist, crossed the Totopotomoy Creek, drove their skirmishers into their works and kept up a continual heavy skirmishing all day, but gaining no real advantage except a foothold on that side of the creek and to impress the enemy that an attack was threatened.
Tuesday morning, May 31st, found us in rather a difficult posi- tion ; the enemy strongly posted in our front in such a position that we could bring no artillery to bear upon him, while he could make good use of his. Between the lines, and immediately in front of the position held by our Brigade, was an old frame
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building used as a church, which afforded shelter for the enemy's sharpshooters ; they gained possession of it, and picked off some of our men. General Owen called for volunteers to advance and destroy it ; several responded. Among those who first volunteered was Denton G. Lindley, Private of Company I, of the One Hun- dred and Sixth Pennsylvania, who said he would go alone and set it on fire, if a detail was sent out to draw their fire. This was done, and he alone pushed on to the church with nothing but fagots in his hands; set it on fire in several places, burning it to the ground, and returned in safety to his Regiment. This was a piece of heroism like many others that was unrewarded and unknown to history, until now recorded.
That afternoon the enemy left their works and charged War- ren's line in position on the left, near Shady Grove Church, broke through and threatened him with serious loss and damage, but the Pennsylvania Reserves, by a gallant charge, drove them back, inflicting heavy loss. General Gibbon was then ordered to make a diversion in his front and charge the works to prevent rein- forcements being sent against Warren. A detail of fifty men from each regiment was sent forward to reinforce the skirmish line, and ordered to assault the works in their front. Although this charge was gallantly made, it was found impossible to carry them. They had a strong line of works with a large force de- fending them, and although part of our line reached the works, it did no good; some of them were dragged over the works only to be made prisoners. The rest maintained the advanced position they had gained, subjected to a terrible fire of both musketry and artillery, and were only able to reply with the musket, and remain- ed there until night, when they were withdrawn. So ended our part of the engagement, known as the battle of Totopotomoy. About 9 o'clock again took up the line of march for another movement towards the left, marching all night.
The morning of June 2d, found us still plodding along, the men nearly exhausted for want of sleep and rest.
The writer was then serving as orderly on the staff of General Gibbon, commanding the Second Division of Hancock's Corps, and having lost so much sleep for several nights, having frequent- ly to carry dispatches and orders while the rest of the command
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were at rest and asleep, was now completely worn out ; and during one of the many halts, dismounted and sat down to rest, holding the bridle lines in his hands, and was soon fast asleep. The column moved on ; the whole column passed ; artillery as well as infantry, but he was not disturbed ; so imagine his surprise upon waking long after daylight, to find himself entirely alone, the whole column gone and his horse too, and no one to tell him which way they went. Examining the road he saw the direction, and after sharp marching for about five miles caught up with the artillery, passing it, then the long wagon train, then the rear of the Division, and finally the head of the column was reached, look- ing on all sides for his horse ; among the artillery, then the wagon train, and each regiment as he passed. Finally, during a halt, found him in the possession of the Hospital Steward of the Fifty-Ninth New York, and with some difficulty got him back, with what joy can be imagined. Many times during that march had he sighed for his horse, and had frequently repeated the familiar phrase, "My kingdom for a horse", as he dreaded the consequence of reporting to the General his loss and how he had lost it.
We arrived at the Cold Harbor House, only about ten miles from Richmond, about 10 o'clock, and the Division was im- mediately put into position, and the men instructed to get some- thing to eat and such rest as they could, as they were completely exhausted from the long march and loss of sleep. About 2 o'clock the Division was advanced and relieved General Neil's Second Division of the Sixth Corps. Soon after our artillery opened and our skirmishers advanced a short distance. More or less skirmishing was kept up all day.
When the Army of the Potomac began to advance, General Butler, with a large force, designated as the "Army of the James", numbering about 25,000 men, had worked his way up the James river from Yorktown and landed at City Point and Bermuda Hundred, where he met a force under General Beauregard, who prevented his further advance and completely "bottled him up" at that point. Butler fortified his position and held his ground.
On May 25th General Butler was ordered to send all his troops under General W. F. Smith (Baldy) except enough to hold his position at City Point, and on the night of the 28th and morning
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of the 29th, General Smith embarked with Brooke's Division of his own Corps, the Eighteenth, and the Second and Third Divi- sions of the Tenth Corps, under Generals Devens and Ames, numbering about 16,000 men, and hastened to join the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor, on transports, by way of the James, York and Pamunkey rivers, landing at White House on the Pamunkey, and marched to Cold Harbor, arriving there June Ist, and met the Sixth Corps that had been withdrawn from our extreme right and hastily moved to Cold Harbor. Again was Lee aware of this movement, and he as rapidly advanced Long- street's Corps towards Cold Harbor, to prevent our crossing the Chickahominy. These forces met. The combined forces of Smith and Wright at once assaulted the position held by Long- street, and though stubbornly held, carried the first line of works, capturing many prisoners. They then attempted to take the second line, but were repulsed, but firmly held their ground at the captured works. Night closed the contest of June Ist, and it was in rear of the position held by Wright, that our Corps formed on its arrival on the morning of the 2d, and in the after- noon our Division relieved General Neil's Division of the Sixth Corps.
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CHAPTER XXII.
COLD HARBOR.
A GAIN was our Corps the left of the line. Wright's Corps, the Sixth, was next on our right, then Smith's, the Eigh- teenth, and Warren's, the Fifth, and Burnside's, the Ninth, was the right of the line, which still rested on the Totopotomoy creek, while the left extended to Barker's Mills, about three- quarters of a mile from the Chickahominy river. Our Division was on the left of the main road, leading from Cold Harbor in our lines to New Cold Harbor in the Confederate lines, occupying the ground between it and the other road connecting the two places, upon which our left rested.
Our men were to rest quietly that night-that is, as well as they could in a heavy rainstorm, that began about 5 o'clock in the afternoon and continued far into the night, accompanied part of the time with hail; but so much were they in need of sleep that with no shelter whatever, shielding only their faces, they slept through that dismal night, little dreaming that on the morrow many would sleep their last sleep ; for orders were even then issued for an assault along the whole line, about 4 o'clock the next morn- ing.
Friday morning, June 3d, opened bright and clear, and Cold Harbor was to witness a severe contest upon her grounds. The signal for the advance was to be a single gun on the left, and about half-past four it was fired and the advance began. Barlow's Division, in two lines, two brigades in each line, was on our left, and Birney's in reserve. Barlow advanced and succeeded in forcing back their first line, concealed and protected by a sunken road, capturing many prisoners, two guns and a color. Follow- ing up his advantage, he succeeded in capturing their first line of works, but could not hold these lines, as reinforcements of fresh troops drove him back.
Our Division, still commanded by Gibbon, advanced also in two
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lines ; Tyler's and Smyth's Brigades in the first, and Owen's and McKeen's in the second; but a swamp through which the centre could not pass, which widened as we advanced, broke our line and the effect of our charge. But amid a galling fire the rest of the Division boldly advanced. Owen's and part of Tyler's Bri- gades, to the left of the swamp, and McKeen's and Smyth's Bri- gades on the right. These advanced until they reached within seventy yards, and part of the First Brigade to within twenty yards of the enemy's works, and struggled hard to go further but could not, and fell back under cover of the woods. Our Brigade, which had been reinforced by the One Hundred and Eighty- Fourth Pennsylvania, to which Major Stover of our Regiment, had been promoted to Colonel, still commanded by General Owen, with orders to push rapidly forward, and pass over the front line in columns, had advanced, until striking the swamp and then in- clining towards the left through the woods, deployed, and came to an opening or clear ground, at the other side of which, distant about 150 yards, ran the enemy's works on elevated ground. Continuing his advance under a terrible fire of artillery and mus- ketry. General Owen pushed on until within fifty yards of their works, while a portion of the One Hundred and Eighty-Fourth Pennsylvania entered the works and captured a number of pris- oners but were almost immediately compelled to fall back with the rest of the Brigade, who were fighting hard to carry the works, and Owen realizing that they were too strong to be taken by his small command, and seeing Barlow's troops fast losing the ground they had gained on his left, leaving him without support, directed his men to lie down and hold their positions, not willing to yield any of the ground he had gained, and the men began at once to protect themselves by throwing up such works as they could of the loose sand, with their bayonets, tin cups, pieces of wood, and any- thing that was within reach, that could be used, all the time sub- jected to a terrible fire from the large number of the enemy that filled their works and a flank fire from a salient angle of their line that extended out to the swamp, on our right. They soon, however, had themselves protected, and all day long was that continual roar of musketry kept up, yet all day long our little band stood their ground. Thus for the second time did our noble Brigade,
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now greatly reduced by the severe campaign through which it just had passed, advance close to the enemy's works, and, though unable to carry them, refuse to yield what ground they had gained, lay down and held their position, remaining all day subjected to a terrible fire, losing many valuable men ; but instead of being with- drawn at night as at Fredericksburg, entrenching tools were sent to them, and they devoted the night to fortifying their position. In both cases was the Brigade commanded by General Owen. Colonel Banes writes as follows :
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