USA > Pennsylvania > Martial deeds of Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 > Part 2
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A plan of operations for the Army of the James was concerted on the 20th of September by Generals Grant and Butler, and on the 28th the movement commenced. Its object was to surprise the rebel forces on the north bank of the James, and passing them, gain the city of Richmond. To Birney was assigned the task of carrying the New Market road. The Eighteenth corps and the cavalry of Kautz moved in conjunction. The enemy were strongly posted and well intrenched on the New Market Heights. The gallant men of the Tenth corps dashed forward, and though many were swept down before the enemy's fire, they faltered not till the works were gained and the foe was fleeing in confusion towards Richmond. So important was the capturing of this position that Butler and Grant accompanied Birney in the advance, both expressing the greatest satisfaction with the result. Not content with this victory, Birney pushed his columns for- ward in pursuit, Grant riding by his side, gaining the position at the intersection of the New Market and Mill roads ; a portion of the corps reaching a point within six miles, and Kautz's division of cavalry within three miles of the rebel capital. At this point General Grant telegraphed to General Halleck : "General Ord's corps advanced this morning and carried the very strong fortifica- tions and long line of intrenchments below Chapin's Farm, some fifteen pieces of artillery and from two to three hundred prisoners. General Ord was wounded, though not dangerously. General Birney advanced at the same time from Deep Bottom, and carried the New Market road and intrenchments, scattering the enemy in every direction, though he captured but few. He is now marching towards Richmond. I left General Birney where the Mill road intersects the New Market and Richmond roads. This whole country is filled with fortifications thus far."
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The success of this movement was a marvel in military opera- tions. Says an eye-witness : "Birney was at cach of the lines laid out for him to attack at the very moment directed in the plans of the general movement. No opposition offered by the enemy, no fatigue suffered by his men, no difficulties in the way, of any nature, however formidable, were permitted to check his progress ; but at the hour set he was at the junction of the two roads, the point beyond which his movements were contingent upon circumstances, and subject to direction of his superior officers."
The brilliant operations of the Army of the James caused infinite chagrin to the enemy, and to regain the lost ground was his absorbing study. General Lee came from before Petersburg to plan and direct the operations in person, bringing with him the veteran division of Hoke. On the afternoon of the 30th, having perfected his plans, he gave the signal for the assault, and with characteristic yells and enthusiasm, excited by the presence of the General-in-chief of their army, these daring troops rushed forward to their bloody work. The soldiers of Birney were ready to receive them, and with a steadiness and determination unex- celled on any field, they poured into the bosoms of the foe a leaden storm. The shock was too terrible to withstand, and after struggling ineffectually to reach the Union line, the column broke and fell back in confusion. Nothing daunted, their leaders re- formed them, and with fresh troops drawn out in three compact lines, they again advanced with renewed spirit; but it was all in vain. Their reception was, if possible, even warmer than at first, and again were they driven in rout and confusion. A third time, goaded to desperation, did they advance over that field of blood, but with no better success. The repulse was complete. Over two hundred prisoners and several battle-flags were lost by the enemy in his last charge.
Birney followed up his advantage on the morning of the 1st of October, sending forward strong reconnoitring columns which drove the enemy's skirmishers in upon the main line of fortifications. The following day was spent in strengthening the new position. For nearly a week the enemy remained com- paratively quiet on General Birney's front, but the disgrace put
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DAVID B. BIRNEY.
upon some of his best troops by the Army of the James was with impatience borne. An opportunity to wipe out the stain was studiously sought. Early dawn of the 7th was selected, and General Lee again came in person upon the ground with the divisions of Hoke and Fields, each four brigades strong, well supported by cavalry and artillery.
On the previous day General Birney had been attacked by a malarious fever, and had placed himself under the care of the medical director of his division. He had passed a restless night, and the fever was unabated. The cavalry of Kautz was on Birney's front, and when the strong columns of the enciny advanced, in the first gray of the morning, Kautz was little able to stem the torrent, his force being almost instantly stampeded. The artillery with a single regiment of mounted men alone remained firm. The guns were served with rapidity, and did fearful execution. But it was impossible for them to stay that wave of resistless valor advancing upon them, or to save the guns, and, when the enemy was just upon them, the gunners mounted their horses and dashed away to the rear. This left nothing on the Tenth corps front, and the grand stampede of the cavalry and the loss of all their guns had anything but an inspiriting effect. The danger was imminent. The rebel leader had determined to turn the flank of the Union position and compel a retirement to Deep Bottom. The noise of battle had no sooner reached the ear of Birney than he rose from his bed, where through the long weary hours of the night he had tossed in the paroxysms of fever, and, in spite of the remonstrances of his medical adviser, mounting his horse, was quickly in the midst of his tried veterans marshalling them for the desperate
encounter. The dispositions were none too soon made; for scarcely had the artillery wheeled into position, and the infantry grasped their muskets, than the serried ranks of the foe were upon them. And during all that terrible day of battle, where the bravest met the bravest, in whatever place the trial was sorest and the need most pressing, there the iron will of Birney was felt.
Four batteries, of six guns each, had been posted in a com- manding position, covering the open ground over which the
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enemy must pass, and were concealed from view. As the wild yell of the advancing foc rent the air, these were opened. Soon the infantry joined, and on every side the work of carnage was pressed. Every attempt of the foe to break Birney's lines was foiled, and the crest-fallen rebels again retired from before him. At nightfall the victory was complete. But the hero had fought his last fight, had won his last battle. In the afternoon his fever returned with renewed violence, and he was obliged to dismount and take to his ambulance. At night he returned to his head-quarters with the proud satisfaction of having gained the day; but disease had taken fast hold of him. Three days after, he turned over the command of his corps to his next in rank, and, at the earnest entreaty of General Butler, consented to be taken to his home in Philadelphia. The boat Greyhound was sent to bear him to Baltimore, and thence he was carried by a special train to his destination. It was the day of the State election for Governor. Before going to his home he insisted on being taken to the polls to deposit his vote. He was weak and had to be assisted from his carriage. But even here the soldier, fresh from the gory fields of his country's defence, met a rebuff. His right to vote was challenged, which involved delay. But, as in battle, that stern resolve never varied, and not till his vote had been recorded did he turn away. It was a characteristic act, and no better can be cited to exemplify the true character of David B. Birney. On reaching his home medical aid was summoned, and after several days he was thought to be better, and he was led to believe, as he had constantly flattered himself since leaving the front, that he could shortly return. But it finally became evident that his end was approaching, and that the noise of battle would never reach him more. In his delirium he imagined himself on the point of departure, and calling to his faithful body-servant, he said : "John, have my valise packed and my horse ready, for I am going back to-morrow." At other times he imagined himself already there and in the act of pre- paring for battle. " Boys," he exclaimed, " the road through the woods will soon be completed. We must move on it cautiously and make an attack on the flank." Believing the vision real, when all was ready, he sprang up, saying : "Tell my staff to get
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DAVID B. BIRNEY.
ready, I am going now." And as if already in the fray and catching glimpses of the advancing foe, as a last monition before meeting the terrible shock, he said: "Keep your eyes on that flag, boys;" and these were the last military words that passed his lips. The tongue soon after ceased to obey the dictation of the spirit, and a soul as true and brave as ever filled the bosom of a patriot passed to the presence of its Maker.
Ile died on the 18th of October, and his remains, after lying in state, were committed to his last resting-place in Woodland Cemetery, on the banks of the Schuylkill, amid every demonstra- tion of respect and love which devoted friends and a sorrowing city could bestow. His death created a profound sensation in the army, where he had come to be regarded as among the ablest of its leaders. The Commander of the Army of the James issued the following order : "Soldiers of the Army of the James, with deep grief from the heart, the sad word must be pronounced, Major-General Birney is dead. But yesterday he was with us- leading you to victory. If the choice of the manner of death had been his, it would have been to have died on the field of battle as your cheers rang in his cars. . . . Surrounded by all that makes life desirable-a happy home, endeared family rela- tions-leaving affluence and ease, as a volunteer at the call of his country, he came into the service in April, 1861. Almost cvery battle-field whereon the Army of the Potomac has fought has witnessed his valor. . . The respect and love of the soldiers of his own corps have been shown by the manner they followed him. The PATRIOT-The HERO-The SOLDIER. By no death has the country sustained a greater loss. Although not bred to arms, he has shown every soldierly quality, and illustrated that pro- fession of his love and choice. . .. Amid the din of arms, and upon the eve of battle, it is fit that we, his comrades, should pause a moment to draw from the example of his life the lesson it teaches. To him the word duty, with all its obligations and incentives, was the spur to action. IIe had no enemies, save the enemies of his country-a friend, a brother to us all, it re- mains to us to see to it, by treading the path of duty as he has done, that the great object for which he has struggled with us and laid down his life shall not fail, and his life be profitless."
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HARLES FERGUSON SMITH, Major-General of volunteers, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1805. He was educated at West Point, where he graduated in 1825, and was made Second Lieu- tenant of Artillery. Four years later, he was appointed Assistant Instructor of Infantry Tactics, at the Military Academy. In 1831, he was made Adjutant, and, in the following year, First Lieu- tenant. Hle was given the place of Instructor of Infantry Tactics in 1838, and promoted to Captain. At Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Contreras, and Cherubusco, he behaved with marked gal- lantry and was breveted Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, fairly winning by this service the title of a veteran soldier. He was shortly after appointed acting Inspector-General in Mexico. In 1854, he attained the full rank of Major, and, in the following year, of Lieutenant-Colonel.
When the war of Rebellion opened, he was sought to lead the new troops, and was made Brigadier-General of volunteers, being assigned to command at Paducah, Kentucky. At a moment of despondency on both sides in the battle of Fort Donelson, when the Union arms had been roughly handled and driven back from some of the ground originally taken, and each was ready to assume the defensive, General Grant says that "he saw that either side was ready to give way if the other showed a bold front, and he determined to do that very thing." Accordingly, Wallace was ordered to attack on the rebel left and retake the lost ground at that point, while Smith was directed to assault opposite the right. And now was seen what a resolute man in the moment of peril can effect. When artillery and infantry were sweeping down with terrific fire the Union advancing column, and the raw troops were ready to fly, Smith appeared at their head with sword in hand, and shouted, "Forward !" That word was enough. Where before was despondency and terror was now but one thought-that of following where he should lead ; and the triumph was achieved. While the army was advancing south, after the victory at Donelson, General Grant fell under the displeasure of General Halleck, who was in chief command, and he was suspended for the space of ten days, during which time General Smith was intrusted with the entire management of the army. Halleck complained to the authorities at Washington
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CHARLES F. SMITHI .- ROBERT MORRIS, JR.
that Grant had left his command and gone to Nashville to confer with Buel without orders, and that he had failed to report his numbers and exact positions-all of which charges appear to have been unfounded-and he adds: "C. Smith is almost the only officer equal to the emergency." It was while General Smith was in command that the movement of the army was made which carried it upon the battle-ground of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing. General Grant was loudly blamed after the battle for taking position here, with a hostile army in his front and a wide deep river at his back. But the responsibility for that move- ment, and the selection of that ground, was entirely with General Smith. "It was chosen," says General Sherman, "by that veteran soldier, Major-General Charles F. Smith. . . . General Smith ordered me in person also to disembark at Pittsburg Landing, and take post well out, so as to make plenty of room, with Snake and Lick Creeks the flanks of a camp for the grand army of invasion. It was General Smith who selected that field of battle, and it was well chosen. On any other, we surely would have been over- whelmed, as both Lick and Snake Creeks forced the enemy to confine his movement to a direct attack, which new troops are better qualified to resist than where the flanks are exposed to a real or chimerical danger." Halleck, however, became reconciled to Grant before the battle came on, and the latter again resumed command. Unfortunately for the country, General Smith was soon after prostrated by sickness, and when the battle was fought he was too ill to lead his division. In debarking from a transport a few weeks before, he fell and received injuries which disabled him. So serious were they, that a fever followed, which, together with a chronic dysentery contracted while in service in Mexico, resulted fatally on the 25th of April, 1862. At the period of his death he was regarded as one of the ablest of the Union Generals, and his loss at the very opening of the great events of the war was deeply felt.
R OBERT MORRIS, JR., Major of the Sixth Cavalry, a son of Robert Morris, M. D., of Philadelphia, and a great-grandson of Robert Morris, one of the Revolutionary patriots, and their ablest financier, was at the time of his death in the twenty-
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MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
seventh year of his age. He was educated in the University of Pennsylvania, and at the outbreak of the war was a member of the City Troop, in which he served through the three months' campaign under Patterson. At the expiration of this term he assisted in recruiting the Sixth Cavalry, of which he was made Major. He distinguished himself upon the Peninsula in the summer of 1862, and at the battle of Malvern Hill was wounded in the bridle hand, but refused to leave his place in the line. HIe had command of the regiment in Stoneman's celebrated raid, which he continued to hold to the day of his death. Up to the time of his assuming authority this regiment had carried the lance. In a country such as that wherein the armies were operating, this weapon was comparatively useless. Major Morris discarded it and substituted the carbine. In the great cavalry action at Beverly Ford, on the 9th of June, 1863, he had the long-coveted opportunity to show the prowess of his men; and when the command came to him from General Buford, " to clear the woods in his front," he led out his force as only one can who has confidence in himself and in those who follow him. The steeds were soon put to a charging pace, and when arrived almost in reach of the enemy's line of battle they were saluted by grape and canister from a battery to their left, which was served with deadly effect. Then followed a hand-to-hand struggle in which the Sixth would have been completely overpowered, had not relief been sent. It was in this combat that the horse of Major Morris fell wounded upon his side, carrying down the rider, and before he could extricate himself he was taken captive and borne away to Libby Prison, where the harsh treatment accorded to its in- mates soon broke his constitution, and rendered him peculiarly susceptible to the disease of which he died, on the 12th of August, after a short illness. His remains were interred at Oak- wood Cemetery, being followed to the grave by Chaplain McCabe, United States Army, and Lieutenants Lennig, Colladay, and Herkness of the Sixth Cavalry, his fellow-prisoners. " Major Morris," says Colonel Starr, "was a cool, brave, able and ever- ready leader. Men and officers were always glad when he rode at the head of the column. He was a strict disciplinarian, but he never favored himself; a man of high tone and principle, a
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CHARLES R. ELLET.
reliable friend and a model soldier. Had fortune favored, he would have made a reputation which would have gone far beyond the limits of his own regiment."
HARLES RIVERS ELLET, Colonel of volunteers, was born in Philadelphia in 1843. He was the son of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., an eminent civil engineer, elsewhere noticed. The son received a thorough education, which was subsequently enriched by foreign travel and a residence in Paris. He studied medicine on his return to this country, and at the outbreak of the Rebel- lion was appointed Assistant Surgeon. But preferring to follow the fortunes of his father, when the latter went West to construct rams upon the Mississippi, he accompanied him. After the de- struction of the rebel fieet in the action off' Memphis, he was sent to demand the surrender of the city, which was reluctantly accorded, and the stars and stripes were unfurled over the Post- Office, in the midst of an angry and threatening crowd of the populace. By order of his uncle, General A. W. Ellet, who had succeeded his brother in chief command, he, with a few daring spirits, was sent to communicate with Admiral Farragut, who was lying with his fleet below Vicksburg. The party were obliged to wade through almost impenetrable swamps, and often lie flat for hours in mud and water to elude the vigilance of the enemy, at every turn suffering great privation. They finally reached the flag-ship " Hartford," and, signaling, were taken on board more dead than alive. They were received with kindness by the good Commodore, recruited and sent back with despatches, thus opening communications with the fleet below and the Union forces above for the first time.
Upon the organization of the Marine brigade, for service upon the waters of the Mississippi, he was commissioned Colonel therein, and given command of the "Queen of the West." He succeeded in running successfully the rebel batteries at Vicks- burg, Port Hudson, and other points upon the river, and made a reputation for enterprise and daring. In February, 1863, he moved up the Red river, capturing rebel craft as he went, till he reached a point opposite a rebel fort, where his vessel was run aground by a treacherous pilot, and the boat was soon disabled,
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falling into the enemy's hands. Ellet made his escape by means of a bale of cotton, and was picked up by another of his vessels. At the siege of Vicksburg he rendered signal service to General Grant in opening and maintaining untrammelled his communica- tions. While engaged in this service, from over-exertion and the miasms of the swamps, he contracted a disease from which he soon after died suddenly, at the age of twenty. He was a man of great activity, fertile in resource, and died greatly lamented.
ENRY C. WHELAN, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixth cavalry, served as First Lieutenant in Company F, Seventeenth regiment of the three months' service, and upon the organization of the Sixth cavalry was commissioned Captain of Company C. During the first two years he was almost constantly at the post of duty, and executed every trust with ability and fidelity. In February, 1863, he was commissioned Major, and during the arduous duties of the campaign which followed, his constitution, which was never strong, received such a shock that he was obliged to leave the field, soon after the close of the Mine Run campaign, and never returned, having died of pulmonary disease in Philadelphia on the 2d of March, 1864. "Major Whelan," says Mr. Gracey, author of " Annals of the Sixth," "was distin- guished in the regiment for soldierly qualities, his manly presence, and courteous manners. He was a strict disciplinarian in camp, and a brave and judicious leader in the field ; a man in whom the war developed great thoughtfulness of character and
earnestness of purpose. He had before been obliged to take leave of absence on account of ill health, and had returned to duty against the advice of his physician and friends. His death was sincerely and deeply felt throughout the regiment, where he had won the respect and esteem of all, and to which he left a conspicuous example of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty."
HOMAS A. ZEIGLE, first Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventh regiment, was born at York, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of September, 1824. He was educated at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. For the Mexican War, which broke out about the time of his leaving this institution, he volunteered as a
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HENRY C. WHELAN .- THOMAS A. ZEIGLE.
private in Company C, of the First Pennsylvania regiment. This noble body of men participated in the siege of Vera Cruz, fought at Cerro Gordo, Passa La Hoya, and Huamantila, and was at the siege of Puebla and Alisco. It was left at Puebla and at Perote-four companies at the latter place under Colonel Wyn- koop, and six at the former under Lieutenant-Colonel Black-to preserve the communications, and hold these important points, while General Scott, with the rest of his army, advanced upon the city of Mexico. Zeigle gained promotions by his soldierly conduct in these campaigns, and at the conclusion of the war, in 1848, came home as Captain of his company.
On returning to private life he prosecuted the study of the law, but his tastes were martial, and he gave much attention to military matters. He organized an amateur company of volun- teer militia, known as the Worth Infantry, which attained great proficiency and a wide reputation for accuracy of drill, both as light infantry and Zouaves. With this company, and the York Rifles, he moved toward Baltimore at the time of the destruction of the railroads and bridges near that city, in April, 1861. An end having come to this destruction, he returned and encamped at York. He was soon after appointed Colonel of the Sixteenth regiment for three months' service, of which his own favorite company formed part. He served, during this campaign, in Patterson's column, in the Shenandoah Valley. Upon his re- turn, at the expiration of his term, he was authorized by: the Secretary of War to recruit a regiment for three years. . The full complement of men was not obtained until March, 1862, when he was commissioned Colonel, the organization being designated the One Hundred and Seventh regiment. He was ordered to Washington, soon after, with his command, which was assigned to the brigade of General Duryea. Colonel Zeigle served with intelligence and credit in the corps of General McDowell until July 15th, 1862, when he died, after a short illness, from conges- tion of the brain, in the field, near Warrenton, Virginia. His remains received funeral honors appropriate to his rank, and after being embalmed were. returned to his former residence at York, where they were consigned to their last resting-place with imposing civic and military ceremonies.
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