USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 7
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Shortly after the firing had ceased we were ordered to proceed by the Williamsburg road to Savage Station, part of the time at double-quick, our only thought being to get there as soon as possible, and as none were anxious to be left behind, everything that in any way hindered our march was hastily dispensed with, and the road was strewn with knapsacks, blankets, tents, over- coats, etc., no time being taken to even destroy them. The men suffered greatly with the heat, yet every effort was put forth to
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keep up, as every one knew that to fall out now meant to fall into the hands of the enemy. We arrived at Savage Station about 3 o'clock, massed in the edge of the woods, stacked arms and rested.
It being impossible, in the short time allowed, to remove all of the immense amount of stores that had accumulated at Savage Station, the large quantities that were left were destroyed by fire, to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; the flames and smoke ascending high in the air as barrels of beef, sugar, coffee, rice, boxes upon boxes of crackers were consumed ; the torch was also applied to cars loaded with ammunition, cloth- ing and other stores that had not been run off, and one immense siege gun was spiked and its carriage thrown upon the burning pile. So the fearful destruction of supplies went on, as though trying to keep pace with the terrible loss of life and limb that had occurred and was still to occur in those seven days' fight for change of base.
General Webb, speaking of the destruction at White House, says :
All the material that could not be put on board the transports was burned; the engine and cars, some of the latter loaded with supplies, were put under full head of steam and were run into the river. The wagons, to the number of five thousand, loaded with everything that could be carried, were sent on their way across White Oak Swamp.
Also the Reserve Artillery and 2,500 head of cattle.
The enemy were quickly taking advantage of our retrograde movement by following us up, reoccupying the land and hastily repairing the bridges across the Chickahominy, that had been destroyed by our men as they fell back; they pushed rapidly for- ward and attempted to intercept our flank. Franklin was on the right, Sumner in the center and in the works of Seven Pines, Heintzelman on the left and nearer Richmond; but by some mis- understanding of orders, Heintzelman withdrew his corps and crossed White Oak Swamp, exposing Sumner's left flank; the enemy soon perceived this and were not long in taking advantage of it.
While we were resting under cover of the wood, Generals Sum-
1
COLONEL JOHN H. STOVER.
Nov. 5, 1861. April 4, 1864.
As Major. Promoted to Colonel 184th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, April 4, 1864.
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ner, Franklin and Sedgwick were in consultation on a slight eleva- tion in open ground, just a short distance to the right of where we were lying, accompanied by their respective staffs and escorts, when two horsemen emerged from the wood, about three-quarters of a mile in front, a little to the right of where they stood, remain- ed a few minutes and disappeared, and almost simultaneously a flash was seen and a shell came tearing just over the Generals' heads, quickly followed by another; this ended the consultation and immediate steps were taken to meet this attack.
Our battery, which was in position, immediately opened and another was soon run into position and commenced firing. Gen- eral Burns was directed to advance two regiments of his brigade ; throwing out two companies of the One Hundred and Sixth, A and H, and two companies of the Seventy-Second, under the command of Major Stover, of the One Hundred and Sixth, who moving at double-quick across the large open space, soon struck the wood, drew the fire of their skirmishers and pushed forward and drove them back to their main line, through the wood and
dense underbrush. General Burns now advanced with the Seventy-Second and One Hundred and Sixth Regiments to their support, and, as he supposed, the support of Heintzelman's posi- tion at Seven Pines, but, upon arriving at the edge of the wood, found that Heintzelman had fallen back, and crossed White Oak Swamp, exposing our left flank, leaving Burns to face the whole of their army then on the right bank of the Chickahominy, they having advanced by the Williamsburg road and were massed in large numbers in the dense woods on each side of the road. Burns called for reinforcements and the First Minnesota was sent him, but before they got into position on the left of the One Hundred and Sixth, the attack commenced with artillery and over- powering numbers of infantry. General Burns formed his line at a fence at the edge of the wood, with the right company of the Seventy-Second Pennsylvania facing the right flank on the railroad, which drove back the railroad monitor, and the left of the First Minnesota extending across the Williamsburg road, the left retired, the One Hundred and Sixth in the center. Brooke afterwards extended this line to the left. Burns stubbornly held his ground and gallantly repulsed their successive and desperate
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charges. At one time the right of the One Hundred and Sixth and the left of the Seventy-Second became engaged in a hand-to- hand conflict with the enemy in their endeavors to break through our lines, but our boys would not yield ; their artillery fire became very heavy, but the batteries of Pettit and Osborn replied with good effect. The Sixty-Ninth and Seventy-First Pennsylvania, together with the Eighty-Eighth New York, were our immediate supports, but were not engaged. Major Stover, of the One Hun- dred and Sixth Pennsylvania, being the only other mounted officer on the field, volunteered to assist and was of great service to General Burns, who had sent all his staff officers to conduct re- inforcements to the field, and through the hottest fire carried orders, and reported the movements of the enemy in different parts of the field, thereby rendering valuable service to General Burns.
It has been erroneously stated that these Regiments broke and fell back in disorder ; that is not so, but during that close contest the left of the Seventy-Second gave way, carrying a portion of the One Hundred and Sixth with it; but they soon rallied, regain- ed their lost ground and gallantly held it, not again yielding a foot, notwithstanding the terrible onslaught of largely superior numbers, until withdrawn at 9 o'clock at night. After nearly three hours of this unequal contest, their ammunition nearly gone, three regi- ments of the First Brigade were placed under General Burns' command, and by his direction relieved the first line. It now being after dark the battle of Savage Station was ended, but not without heavy loss, and was fairly a victory for our troops; the enemy had commenced the attack and were severely repulsed and driven from the field on which the fighting was done. Our loss was principally in the Seventy-Second, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania and the First Minnesota, as from their position they received the principal attack. Company I, of the One Hundred and Sixth, which happened to be stationed across a small road leading through the wood, suffered severely, losing four killed and twelve wounded; the Regiment lost nine killed, twenty-four wounded and twelve missing. The picket line was established, and the men, hungry and exhausted, lay down for rest, and held their position until the whole corps crossed White Oak Swamp.
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This was designated by General Sedgwick as "Burns' Fight"; while the contest was at its height General Burns was wounded in the face with a minie ball, but remained with his brigade, bandaged his face with his handkerchief, with his beard and clothes clotted with blood, he still encouraged his officers and men and congratu- lated them on their gallantry, and deeply mourned the necessity of being compelled to leave behind so many brave men, wounded and dying, who had fought so well. General Sumner, in his official report, says :
The assault was met by Burns' Brigade in the most gallant manner.
About 9 o'clock the line was quietly withdrawn, the march again resumed, and at about half-past three we arrived at White Oak Swamp and crossed. The moment our brigade had crossed with the rear guard the bridge was cut away, but not a moment too soon, as the rebel cavalry were at our heels. Leaving Franklin's Corps, Richardson's Division, and Nagle's Brigade, and Hazzard, Ayres and Pettit's Batteries to dispute the crossing, we were moved back about two miles, to Nelson's farm, or "Glendale", and lay down to rest, completely exhausted. Our Division was massed in a large field, between New Market and Charles City roads, on the right of Hooker's Division, who now occupied the left of our line ; on our right was Kearney's Division, and on his right was Heintzelman; in our front was McCall's Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, west of the New Market road.
About 2 o'clock the enemy under Hill and Longstreet began the attack on McCall's line, with two regiments from the Charles City road; they were repulsed. Hill now determined to use his whole force, and threw brigade after brigade against McCall's Division, who stood their ground, their well-delivered fire assisted by the batteries of Randall, Keen, Cooper, Dietrich and Cunning- ham, who fired with terrible effect, preventing his advance. Hill now moved to the left of McCall and attempted to flank him. McCall quickly changed front and ordered a charge, which was promptly executed, but this disordered his line ; the enemy quickly took advantage of it and threw his reserves forward, firing as they advanced ; this drove our men from their guns and sent McCall's left back in disorder, through Sedgwick's lines. His left brigade,
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Seymour's, was doubled up and then Hay's, but his right brigade, Meade's, held their ground. Hooker's position was too far in the rear, which exposed McCall's left flank, hence his disaster.
Burns' Brigade was now sent to the relief of McCall, the Sixty- Ninth and One Hundred and Sixth Regiments were ordered for- ward, and, while advancing, General Hooker ordered the One Hundred and Sixth, and led it in person, to the extreme left to the support of the Excelsior Brigade, under General Sickles, then hotly engaged. General Sumner, when he turned the regi- ment over to General Hooker, said: "Hooker, this is your fight; place this regiment where you want it". The Sixty-Ninth con- tinued its advance, and opened fire on the flank of the now advanc- ing enemy that had repulsed Seymour, and then charged upon their line, now weakened by the terrible fire of double-shotted guns from the batteries of Kirby, King, Thompson, Owen and Bartlett, from Sumner's front. It was a brilliant charge, and they drove him back over all the ground he had won, with great slaugh- ter. The Seventy-First was advanced to the position vacated by Hay's Brigade ; Sedgwick's two Brigades were returning from Franklin at double-quick, the Nineteenth Massachusetts was the first to arrive and was immediately placed on the right of the Seventy-First Pennsylvania ; the next regiment, the Forty-Second New York, was placed on the right of the Seventy-Second Penn- sylvania, which had been sent by General Burns to support the right of Meade's Brigade. The Seventh Michigan and Twentieth Massachusetts were placed on the second line, to which the other regiments were assigned as fast as they arrived. McCall, trying to rally his command, met Kearney's Division advancing to his assistance on the right. Soon after General Kearney himself rode up, and at once took steps to fill up the break in McCall's lines, but not without heavy loss, which included the capture of General McCall, who rode into the enemy's hands while trying to reform his shattered column. General Burns, in his official report, says :
Colonel Owen's Sixty-Ninth Pennsylvania, unsupported, pursued the victorious rebels back over the ground through which they were passing, and carried the crest of the hill where McCall lost his artillery. Gallant Sixty-Ninth !
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The One Hundred and Sixth remained with the Excelsior Brigade throughout the entire engagement, and whatever credit is accorded that brigade in that engagement is equally due the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania. The Seventy-First and Seventy-Second Regiments were sent as supports, and, Hay's Brigade of the first line giving way, the Seventy-First Pennsyl- vania and the Nineteenth Massachusetts were thrown into the breach, and for nearly an hour poured volley after volley into the enemy's line, and checked their advance at that point. Burns says :
Nobly did they redeem the faults of their comrades. These two noble regiments met the enemy face to face, and for nearly an hour poured into them such tremendous volleys that no further attack was made at that point.
The Seventy-Second Pennsylvania and the Forty-Second New York protected the right of Meade. Thus the entire brigade, though detached, rendered valuable and effective service, each regiment holding an important position and doing effective work. About I o'clock at night the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, then on the advance picket line was withdrawn, and was ordered to rejoin its brigade, which it did at daylight the next morning, July Ist, at Malvern Hill.
At Malvern Hill the brigade was principally employed in sup- porting batteries, and was moved to such points as seemed threatened, subject to heavy artillery fire but fortunately with very light loss. At 9 o'clock at night we were hurried into line and started back towards Richmond, instead of continuing the retreat. "On to Richmond!" was the cry once more. All hands were elated and feeling confident of reaching there now, and were pushing rapidly forward when, after a march of about six miles, the order was countermanded and we were turned around, marched back and continued on until we arrived at Harrison's Landing about daylight, marching through fields and woods in a drenching rain that began towards morning. The only road being full of cavalry, artillery and wagons, we were covered with mud, wet to the skin, suffering with hunger and completely worn out and correspondingly disheartened. Thus ended the
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famous seven days' fight, and seven nights' march, and the suc- cessful termination of a retrograde movement in which a severe battle was fought each day, resulting in a decided victory for the retreating army, who occupied the ground on which each fight was fought at the close of the battle, and then retreated in the night.
Our brigade was marched to a position in a large wheat field, which the rain had turned into a mud field, and as soon as the ranks were broken, the men gathered together the bundles of straw in the stacks, to make beds to lie upon and protect them from the mud, and those that had tents got them up in some man- ner, and soon nearly all were trying to sleep, in the rain and mud, paying little attention to the distant booming of cannon. In the afternoon, rations of coffee, sugar and crackers arrived and were liberally issued, and, somewhat rested with the sleep that many had secured, the inner man was then attended to, and all hands felt much better and in better spirits. Early the next morning, July 3d, we were hurried into line, marched to the front, and put into position, as an attack was expected; but as no attack was made, we were taken back to camp.
July 4th greeted us with a beautiful, bright day. The sun was out in all his brightness and heat, a welcome visitor, notwithstand- ing the heat, to dry up the ground and our clothes, now wet with the two days' rain. Orders were received to move, and soon we were again on the march, but this time only to change camp. We marched about three miles and camped on the banks of a large creek. About 12 o'clock the different batteries of artillery fired a national salute, the bands began playing, and General McClellan and staff, in full dress uniform, rode along the line, and were received with cheers. The following address of Gener- al McClellan was then read to each command :-
SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC :- Your achievements of the last ten days have illustrated the valor and endurance of the American soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and without the hope of reinforcements, you have succeeded in changing your base of operations by a flank movement, always considered as the most hazardous of military expedients. You have saved all.your ma- terial, all your trains, and all your guns except a few lost in battle ; and you have taken in return guns and colors from the enemy.
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Upon your march you have been assailed day after day with des- perate fury, by men of the same race and nation, skilfully massed and led. Under every disadvantage of numbers, and necessarily of position also, you have, in every conflict, beaten back your foes with enormous slaughter. Your conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies of history. No one will now question that each of you may always with pride say, "I belong to the Army of the Potomac". On this, our Nation's birthday, we declare to our foes, who are rebels against the best interests of mankind, that this army shall enter the capital of this so-called Confederacy; that our national constitution shall prevail; and that the Union, which alone can insure internal peace and external security to each State, "must and shall be preserved", cost what it may in time, treasure and blood.
The following is a copy of the official report of Colonel More- head of this campaign :
HEAD QUARTERS 106TH REGIMENT PENNA. VOLS. Camped near Harrison's Landing, Va., July 5th, 1862. CAPTAIN GEO. A. HICKS, Asst. Adj. General.
CAPTAIN :- In obedience to orders, my command left their camp near Fair Oaks, on Sunday morning, the 29th ult., about daylight, and soon after reached Allen's Farm. We were thrown into the woods. In about half an hour, the enemy appearing, we left the woods and formed in line of battle, supporting Kirby's Battery, where we remained for some time under a heavy fire of shot and shell. In about an hour I received orders from General Burns to proceed at double-quick by the Williamsburg road to Savage Sta- tion, which I immediately did, and reached there about 3 o'clock, and again formed in the woods. About 5 o'clock in the afternoon the regiment left the woods, formed in line of battle and advanced to the edge of the woods, where the enemy were appearing in full force, the Seventy-Second Regiment being on our right and the First Minnesota Regiment on our left. We opened fire and con- tinued firing from two to three hours. We remained in our posi- tion until about 9 o'clock, when we were ordered to cross the White Oak Swamp, which was accomplished about half past 3 o'clock the following morning. About 10 o'clock we received orders and immediately marched to and bivouacked in a grain field. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy again appeared in large force on Nelson's farm and soon made an attack upon us, which extend- ed along the entire front of our lines. We were ordered to form on the left of the Sixty-Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. While
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we were doing so we were ordered forward to the relief of General Sickles' Excelsior Brigade, Hooker's Division, who were at that time very sorely pressed, a momentary panic having taken place in consequence of the loss of some artillery, which was soon after recaptured. We took a position on the right as a support. Shortly after dusk the Excelsior Brigade was withdrawn and we were moved to the front, where we remained until about I o'clock next morning, when we were ordered to rejoin our brigade, which was accomplished at Malvernton, after daylight. In a short time we were ordered to take a position in a clover field facing the enemy's batteries, where we remained for some hours under a heavy fire of shot and shell, which soon began to tell on us, the enemy having obtained a perfect range of us, when we were ordered by General Sedgwick to take the regiment to the right of our line. Here we remained until about II o'clock, when I was ordered to report to General Dana and to take position on the right of his line to sup- port the pickets of that front. We remained here until half past I o'clock the next morning, when, by order of General Dana, we moved with his brigade to this point, where we immediately rejoin- ed our brigade.
My loss in killed, wounded and missing in the several engage- ments being one hundred and twenty-three (123). Too much praise cannot be awarded to both officers and men during the entire engagements for their ability under severe fire and prompt- ness in executing all commands, with the exception of Lieutenant Joseph T. Banister, of Company B, who deserted his company by running away in the early part of the engagement at Savage Sta- tion, and has not since been seen or heard of by me. .
I beg leave to mention the signal services of Major John H. Stover, who was in charge of the advanced skirmishers at Savage Station, and who was afterwards detached in charge of the pickets during the night and withdrawing them after the army had moved forward, and joined his command with safety.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. G. MOREHEAD,
Colonel commanding 106th Regiment Penna. Vols. F. M. PLEIS, Adjutant.
The wound received by General Burns in the face at Savage Station now becoming dangerous, the surgeon ordered him to the rear, and before going he published the following address to his men :
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GENERAL ORDERS, No. 32.
HEAD QUARTERS BURNS' BRIGADE.
Harrison's Landing, Va., July 8th, 1862.
After an age of events which have multiplied themselves so rapidly in the really short time of our acquaintance, I feel, in bidding you a short "Good Bye", that the strongest ties have grown around our hearts. I have twice had occasion to report to superior authority the conduct of my brigade in battle. At Fair Oaks I said, "I am satisfied with my brigade; it has been christened under fire, and will do what is required of it". You have borne me out in my proud assertion; I say in my report of the recent hard fought battles, "I repeat my assertion at Fair Oaks-I am satisfied with the conduct of my brigade, none will gainsay it". You have, indeed, won a proud distinction. Your banners have floated on the hardest fought fields-and in every scene they waved there after the enemy had left. I thank you! I am proud of you-I love you. Good Bye.
WM. W. BURNS, Brigadier General commanding Brigade.
This was thought by both General Burns and his brigade to be, as he said, a short good bye ; but it was a long one, lasting forever, as General Burns only returned to his old brigade when sufficient- ly recovered to return to duty, for a few days, on October 9th, as he had received his promotion, and was soon placed in com- mand of the First Division of the Ninth Corps. He had made himself popular with his command, who admired him not only for his personal bravery and devotion to duty, but for his thorough soldierly training, that taught both officers and men the full duty of a soldier. His loss was deeply regretted.
General Sedgwick, commanding the Division, in his letter from Harrison's Landing, writes as follows :
HEAD QUARTERS 2D DIVISION, 2D CORPS. CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S BAR, VA., July 6th, 1862. ASST. ADJ. GENERAL SUMNER'S CORPS :
SIR :- In transmitting my report of the actions of June 29th and 30th, I desire to call especial attention of the General com- manding the Corps to the gallantry of Brigadier General Burns, and respectfully submit that a grade is but a small recompense for his services on those occasions.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN SEDGWICK, Brigadier General commanding.
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Which General Sumner endorsed as follows :
I very cordially agree with General Sedgwick in his recom- mendation. I know General Burns well, and know that he has fairly earned his promotion.
E. V. SUMNER, Commanding Corps.
General McClellan writes as follows :
General Sumner in his endorsement and General Sedgwick in his report of July 5th and letter of July 6th, 1862, have not over- rated the importance of the services rendered by General Burns during the period from June 29th to July 2d, 1862. The conduct of General Burns at Savage Station and at Glendale on 29th and 30th was something more than that display of gallantry which every brigade commander ought to possess. In both instances the suc- cess achieved was against large odds and under very trying circum- stances, and one of vital importance to the success of the move- ment then in progress.
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