USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 4
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32
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
[1862
Under this new formation we formed a part of the Second Division, Second Army Corps, the corps commanded by Major- General Edwin V. Sumner, and our division commanded by Brigadier General John Sedgwick, both officers of the regular army and graduates of West Point; the First Division of the corps, commanded by General Isaac B. Richardson, the Third Division by General Louis Blenker, this division was subsequent- ly detached and assigned to the Mountain Department.
SERGEANT-MAJOR JAMES D. TYLER. Aug. 26, 1861. Aug. 26, 1864.
As Private, Company D. Promoted to Sergeant-Major, March 1, 1863. Mustered out Aug. 26, 1864.
SERGEANT-MAJOR WILLIAM H. NEILER. Sept. 2, 1861. Sept. 2, 1864.
As Corporal, Company C. Promoted to Sergeant, Sept. 17, 1862. Promoted to First Sergeant, Jan. 1, 1864. Promoted to Sergeant-Major, May 1, 1864. Wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. Mustered out Sept. 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
DRUM-MAJOR LEWIS W. GRANTIER. Feb. 28, 1862. Feb. 28. 1865.
As Musician, Company K. Promoted to Principal Musician, Nov. 1, 1863. Mustered out, Feb. 28, 1865.
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YORKTOWN
1862]
CHAPTER VI.
YORKTOWN.
W E remained in camp on Bolivar Heights for one week, and on Sunday, March 23d, started to join our corps in its ad- vance on Richmond, via Fort Monroe and Yorktown. We were then known as the Second, or Philadelphia Brigade. We broke camp about 9 o'clock, marched to Harper's Ferry and recrossed the Potomac river on the pontoon bridge to Maryland and marched to Sandy Hook; here another long wait occurred of four hours before the cars came which were to take us to Washington ; three hours more were consumed in loading and boarding the train, so that the whole day had passed and it was 6 o'clock before we got started and did not arrive in Washington until daylight, the whole night being consumed in running those fifty miles ; packed in cattle cars with few facilities for rest and so crowded as to prevent even the use of what facilities they afford- ed. We left the cars soon after arrival, marched up on to the street, stacked arms and rested ; hours passed away and yet no sign of anything to eat ; at 10 o'clock were ordered in line and marched up on Capitol Hill and encamped, then taken by com- panies down to the "Soldier's Retreat" for breakfast, or dinner it might be called if the time of day were taken into consideration, being about II o'clock; but being the first that we had that day, so it was our breakfast ; the same old salt tongue, chunks of bread and greasy coffee served up with all the grease and dirt of former occasions. During the day we received our own rations, and were able to serve them up in a more palatable manner.
We remained in camp the next two days and were supplied with all the clothing and equipments that were needed, and many of us took advantage of the opportunity to see the sights in and around Washington, a limited number of passes being furnished.
On March 27th, the reveille was sounded at 4 o'clock, and at 6 o'clock we left camp, marching through the streets of Washing-
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[1862
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
ton to the Long Bridge, crossed once more into Virginia, took the cars to Alexandria and camped for the night just outside of the city ; we here gave up our Sibley tents and were now to make our houses out of our rubber blankets, they being so made that they could be fastened together and made into a very small "A" tent. At 4 o'clock the next morning we were again awakened and after partaking of a hurried breakfast, marched into the city and began embarking on transports. Many vessels of all kinds were lying in front of the city prepared to transport the large army that was hereafter to be known as the "Army of the Po- tomac". Many had gone with their cargoes of living freight and returned for more, the first having started on March 17th with Heintzelman's Corps. Many were fast receiving theirs and others ready to be so loaded. This was one of the greatest undertak- ings of the war, to transport that large army of over one hundred thousand men, fifteen thousand horses, fifty batteries of artillery, together with the large numbers of wagons, ambulances, pontoon trains and the necessary ammunition, provisions and stores, all to be transported by water. It fully demonstrated the resources of the government and the ability of its leaders. The official report states that there were transported to Fort Monroe 121,500 men, 14,592 animals, 1,150 wagons, 44 batteries, 72 ambulances and other materials, all in thirty-five days; and that, with II3 steamers, 188 schooners and 88 barges, at an average expense of $30,157 per day.
Our Regiment embarked on the steamers "Naushon" and "Long Branch", and left Alexandria at 8 o'clock; at 2 o'clock we passed Fort Washington; at dark ran in towards shore and anchored for the night. At daylight we started again; about I o'clock it commenced snowing and became so very foggy that the captain did not think it safe to run, so at 2 o'clock we ran in towards the shore and anchored ; some of the men were permitted to take the small boats and go ashore to cook the rations for the men, as the arrangements for cooking them on the steamer were very limited and inconvenient ; others went after oysters and were successful in finding large quantities of them; they were soon distributed and eaten with a relish. The next morning found us again on our way and at II o'clock at night we reached Fort
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1862]
Monroe. At daylight on the 3Ist, we moved up to the dock and began unloading, and marched out and encamped near Hampton.
The large force now concentrating around here, with their im- mense quantity of supplies of every description, foretold a decisive campaign. The idea of a speedy termination of the war that had so impressed us at the beginning, and that a demonstration on the part of the North was all that was needed to bring the South to terms, was fast disappearing from our minds ; we began to realize that perhaps many hard contested battles would have to be fought, and that the whole summer would be needed to end the strife. That those in command fully realized what they had to combat was manifested in the preparation made by them during the long winter months. Every preparation was made with careful consid- eration and a determination to succeed. And that the command- ing general expected to succeed is shown in his subsequent report. in which he says ; "I had hoped by rapid movement to drive before me or capture the enemy on the Peninsula, open the James river, and push on to Richmond before he should be materially rein- forced from other portions of his territory". That there might be no risk in having our supplies cut off, and to afford an easy means of escape should it be necessary, "Fort Monroe" was select- ed as the base of operation ; there could be no interruption with our source of supply ; it was easy of access to the large fleet of vessels necessary to transport the immense quantity of stores needed for so large a force, and under the protection of the large guns of the fort, both fleet and army could, if it were necessary, seek shelter and be protected.
1740476
It was while lying in our winter quarters at Poolesville, Mary- land, that we heard the good news from here, of the success of Burnside's expedition against Roanoke Island, which he captured, with three thousand prisoners, a large number of guns and quanti- ty of war material. It was also near here only a few days before our arrival, that the rebel ram "Merrimac" had attacked and sunk the "Frigate Cumberland", with the gallant Morris and his brave men, their guns "booming defiance as the water quenched their flame", as she sank beneath the waves. The brave commander, Lieutenant Morris, when asked if he would strike his colors and surrender, replied "No! I will sink with my ship first", and he did,
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[1862
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
with his colors flying at the masthead. The Merrimac then turned her attention to the "Congress", drove her aground, set her on fire and killed her commander, Lieutenant Joseph Smith. She soon after exploded, from the hot shot poured into her, sending the rest of her crew into the water, nearly all of whom were saved. The next morning the little Monitor, that arrived during the night, put a stop to the Merrimac's further devastation, silenced her guns for- ever, and drove her back to her shores. The victory of that little vessel "revolutionized naval architecture, saved a fleet, and per- chance changed the issues of the war"; and thrilled the hearts of our people then saddened by the fate of brave Lieutenant Smith and the brave men behind the guns-Lieutenant Morris being rescued from a watery grave. It was the desire of our hearts to avenge the one, and follow up the victory of the other, that now so filled us with enthusiasm and made us long for the advance that would afford us an opportunity to contribute our part of success. We really felt now that we were to do something, and those leading and planning for us were worthy of our confidence.
On April the 4th, our advance towards Yorktown commenced ; reveille was sounded at daylight, and at 6 o'clock we left camp. After a march of six miles, made a long halt, during which time General McClellan and staff came along; instantly every man was on his feet, and cheer after cheer greeted him as he passed along the whole line, many of the men seeing him for the first time. This was the beginning of the demonstrations that almost universally greeted him whenever he passed, and was continued throughout the whole time he was in command ; if on the march, no matter how tired, or with what effort they were dragging them- selves along, covered with dust or tramping through mud, the in- stant it was known that "Little Mac" was coming, every man would straighten up, take his position in line and cheer him as he passed. The enthusiasm thus awakened in the hearts of the men but deepened their affection for their leader, and assisted them to forget the fatigue of the march and would give them a fresh start.
After a long rest we moved on and went into camp about 6 o'clock near Cockletown. Next morning started again about 5 o'clock, and after marching for four hours, making only about
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1862]
five miles, we rested until 2 o'clock and then advanced to within four miles of Yorktown, and struck the enemy's lines and began the siege of Yorktown. Raining nearly all the time; cannon- ading was heard at intervals during the day.
Colonel Banes writes as follows :
The section of country known as the Peninsula is an isthmus formed by the York and James rivers, varying in width from seven to fifteen miles, and about fifty miles in length. It is low and flat; in most places water can be obtained by digging three or four feet. It has an abundance of marshes and streams, and is heavily timbered witli pines; under the most favorable circumstances it would not appear in itself a land worth fighting for, and this im- pression was made more prominent as the column advanced.
Everywhere on the route were to be seen indications of the waste of war. The little village of Hampton, a short distance from the fort, which had the appearance of having once been a place of delightful resort, and around which clustered many historical reminiscences of great interest, was a scene of ruin and desolation. Its public buildings and hotel were destroyed, and in place of its homes were blackened walls and heaps of cinders. The venerable church, built in colonial times and standing out of danger from the conflagration of the village. was not spared, and even the grave- yard, with its overturned monuments and broken tablets, gave evidence of the marked determination of the enemy to make the land a barren waste for the invaders. Similar sights were pre- sented along the entire march to Big Bethel. Houses, barns, and bridges were all gone, and fences had been torn away to be placed in piles and burned to ashes. Passing scenes like these one could well interpret the line of the poet, "Cry havoc! and let slip the dogs of war".
At the time of the advance on the Peninsula by the vanguard of McClellan, the force of the enemy directly opposed was esti- mated to number about eleven thousand men, and was under the command of General J. B. Magruder, who had defeated a Union force ten months before this at Big Bethel, and who was the re- puted author of the desolation of Hampton and its vicinity. Against this force General McClellan was advancing in two col- umns-one along the Yorktown road, and the other by way of Warwick. These were commanded respectively by Generals Heintzelman and Keyes. In the right column were the divisions of Fitz John Porter and Hamilton, of the Third Corps, and of Sedg- wick of the Second Corps. The latter was the only division of its corps that had yet landed. Richardson's Division joined us shortly
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
[1862
after; but the division of Blenker had been permanently detached and ordered to General Fremont by President Lincoln.
The Second, under Sedgwick, destined to earn during its con- nection with the army an enviable reputation for its gallantry in action, was composed of some of the best of the three years' regi- ments. The First Minnesota, Seventh Michigan, Forty-Second (Tammany) and Eighty-Second New York, Fifteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts, and other regiments of like character made for themselves and the command a national reputation. Between these regiments and the Philadelphians there soon sprang up an intimacy and a generous spirit of emulation. In all their struggles with the foe they stood shoulder to shoulder. By the necessities of war and the loss of officers, each of the brigades was in turn commanded by regimental officers from the others, Col- onels Baxter, Morehead and Owen frequently commanding the First and Third Brigades, while the Second, in the absence of senior officers of regiments, was occasionally led by a colonel from New York or Massachusetts.
On April 6th, the One Hundred and Sixth, in connection with the Seventy-Second, made a reconnoissance of the enemy's works from Yorktown to Lee's Mills, under the personal command of General Burns. This was the first reconnoissance made by that army, and our brigade was especially selected by General Mc- Clellan for that duty, but General Burns took only two regiments, the Seventy-Second and One Hundred and Sixth, and they per- formed that duty with success, and it proved of vital importance. Advancing from the right, they explored the whole of Heintzel- man's front, throwing out a strong line of . skirmishers, driving in the enemy's pickets wherever met, pushed forward until their main line and fortifications were reached, unmasking their mask- ed batteries, drawing their fire. At one point we received a volley from their infantry, to which we replied with two volleys-for- tunately no one was injured, except one man killed by a shell. General Burns fully understood his duty, and the regiments ably assisted him; much valuable information was gained as to the position and force of the enemy. We had advanced on Yorktown and taken the Warwick road from the front gate, and continued until meeting General Hancock's command from Warwick Court- house, a co-operating reconnoissance, then returned to our camp about dark, and found a hot supper awaiting us, which was very
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YORKTOWN
1862]
acceptable after our long day's fast, having started about 6 o'clock in the morning. We had marched altogether about sixteen miles, and the duty was rendered more arduous by the men being en- cumbered with their knapsacks, etc. Were, in fact, in heavy marching order, a mistake that experience afterwards prevented.
It now became evident that no attempt would be made to force the enemy's works by assault, but that they would have to be taken by the slow process of a siege, and every preparation was made in that direction : large siege guns, one hundred, and even two- hundred-pounders, with heavy mortars, were brought up and put into position. To get these guns to the places designed required the construction of roads through woods and over swamps; the former was not hard to accomplish, but the latter compelled the men to work in mud and water, sometimes almost knee deep, constructing the corduroy roads, as they were called. Small trees would be cut down, laid side by side, held in position by stakes, covered with loose dirt, and would form a road that would enable the engineers to transport these heavy guns to the number of redoubts and batteries they were constructing for them. These were all connected by lines of rifle pits or earthworks for the in- fantry. Our division was assigned to "Battery Number Eight". These preparations were not permitted to go on without inter- ference from the enemy ; they would make frequent attacks, day and night, and use their artillery to draw out our fire, and nearly every day artillery duels were fought. To retard their artillery fire, men were detailed as sharpshooters, and, digging little rifle pits during the night, sheltered themselves during the day, and by their well-directed fire, which improved each day, completely controlled some of their guns, allowing no one to approach them for the purpose of loading and firing. The enemy also acquired the same proficiency, and many men on both sides were either killed or wounded without hardly knowing where the shot came from. Nearly every evening, however, they used their guns with effect, and with their infantry attacked the pickets, calling our men into line, and sometimes two and even three times during the night would we be awakened by the heavy firing from the pickets in our immediate front, losing hours of sleep and rest.
In all these preparations our regiment had its part to perform.
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[1862
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
On April 9th, we were detailed to build roads; starting about noon, tramped through wood, mud and underbrush in a heavy rainstorm until near dark, and returned to camp without doing any work except the marching, the Seventy-First Pennsylvania and Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiments accompanying usas guard and support. Early on the morning of the 10th, we began work near the camp and worked steadily all day, constructing a cordu- roy road and building small bridges over little runs and swampy holes, increased in number and size by the steady rain of the last four days.
On the 16th, moved up and took our position in the front line, extending from Shipping Point to a place called Winn's Mills, and named our camp "Winfield Scott".
On the 17th, the whole Regiment went out on picket, relieving the Thirty-Fourth New York, and were in turn relieved by the Seventh Michigan and the Twentieth Massachusetts on the 18th; every third day during the siege the regiment was out on out- post duty.
It having been demonstrated that the rubber blankets would not answer for tents, we had issued to us on the 18th what were called "shelter tents"; some made of linen and some of cotton cloth, about six feet square, arranged with buttons and button-holes, so that by putting two together and stretching over a pole supported by two forked sticks stuck in the ground, a very comfortable little tent could be made, a third buttoned on one end would close it up, thus three men clubbing together could make one tent. Each man only received one part, or one tent as it was called, yet it took three to make a complete tent ; these were a decided improvement over the rubber blankets for that purpose.
On April 25th, the whole Regiment worked the entire night throwing up earthworks; and again on the 28th ; and on the 30th received an angel's visit in the shape of the paymaster, who paid off the Regiment ; and so the life ran with such changes as each day brought forth, until May 4th, when it was found that the enemy had evacuated.
While lying here, many incidents occurred that were amusing, as well as those that were dangerous. Whiskey became very scarce, and only those that wore the shoulder straps were enabled
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to obtain it. Now there were men in the ranks that needed it as bad as the officers, and many were the devices used to get it. Officers' servants were bribed, sickness feigned to get it from the surgeons, and stolen when it could be got no other way. One in- cident illustrates how much men will dare to get their whiskey. The Captain of Company C was standing by a large fire, dry- ing himself from one of the rainstorms that were numerous dur- ing our stay there, when Sergeant Barnes, of his company, feeling very much in need of a "drop of the cratur", and knowing that his captain was supplied, but as he had appealed to him so often with all manner of excuses, he feared to try it again, so he thought this time he would help himself. He quietly stole up behind the captain who was facing the fire, stooped down and gently lifted the canteen, uncorked it, took a good drink, recorked, gently replaced it, and as quietly slipped away. Meeting another ser- geant of the company by the name of Lockerman, he said "Smell my breath". "Good gracious, where did you get it?" said Locker- man. "From the captain", said Barnes. "Did you ask him for it?" "No! I stole it." "How?" Barnes then related how he got it. "By George, I'll try it too", said Lockerman. So he quietly stole up behind the captain, stooped down, tilted the can- teen and just got it to his mouth when an uncertain movement warned the captain, who turned and caught Lockerman in the act. The scene that followed may be better imagined than de- scribed. Sufficient to say Lockerman did not get his drink, nor was he "reduced to the ranks".
During the siege of Yorktown the first use of the balloon for reconnoissance was made, and proved of great value, although it was not until the Franco-German war that it was fully utilized. Here a balloon, with stout rope attached, was sent up to such a height as to be beyond the range of rifle shot, and such observa- tions made as were needed and then brought down. It was while making one of these ascensions, early on the morning of April IIth, that the balloon broke loose and shot up in the air, its only occupant being General Fitz John Porter. He had ascended a number of times alone, and this morning, with field-glass in hand, he sprang into the car and commanded the men to let go the cables. The balloon was only partially inflated, yet noiselessly
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
it rose into the sky, when suddenly a report, like an explosion, was heard, and it was found that the only cable that held the balloon had parted and the balloon was adrift. The whole army seemed to realize at once what had happened, and all eyes were turned up- wards. The General appeared on the edge of the car and shouted something that could not be heard below, but Professor Lowe, knowing that sound would ascend better, shouted, "Climb-to-the- netting-and-reach-the-valve-rope;" but the balloon kept on its up- ward flight. Presently the General was seen climbing up the netting and making frantic efforts to secure the rope; but he de- scended and motioned over the side of the basket, as though telling us of his failure ; directly he was seen making use of his glass, re- connoitring the enemy's works. The wind could not be controll- ed ; it carried him first in a southeasterly direction, towards Fort Monroe, and all felt relieved; but presently the course changed, and back it came over our heads and into the Confederate lines, yet, notwithstanding his perilous position, he could be seen using his glass and gaining all the information he could, far above the range of their sharpshooters and cannon ; but where would he land ? Again he was seen climbing up the netting, and this time he got the rope, opened the valve, and the balloon began to descend. His staff and orderlies galloped in the direction the balloon had taken, so as to be ready to render what assistance should be neces- sary if he should land where they could reach him. As it neared the ground, back it came within our lines and landed in the road by the camp of the Seventy-Second Pennsylvania, striking one of their small tents and the ground with such force as to hurl the General to the ground. Hastily arising unhurt, he was gladly welcomed by his officers and the cheers of the men. The writer, with others, assisted in discharging the gas from the balloon, which was taken charge of by Professor Lowe, who soon arrived on horseback.
Early in 'May everything seemed ready for the assault on the enemy's lines; our fortifications were all completed, the large guns all in position and plentifully supplied with ammunition, the works for the infantry ready for occupancy and occupied, when, just as we were about to open on the enemy, we found they had evacuated and given us the slip. Yorktown was ours without a
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