USA > Pennsylvania > Our Campaigns: or, The marches, bivouacs, battles, incidents of camp life and history of our regiment during its three years term of service > Part 23
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On the first of September Lieutenant-colonel G. A. Woodward left us, he having been transferred to the Invalid Corps, on account of wounds received at Glen-
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OUR CAMPAIGNS.
dale, which incapacitated him for field service, although in his crippled condition he served through the Penn- sylvania campaign.
The command of the regiment devolved upon Major McDonough.
On the 15th orders were received to march, and the next morning at eight we moved, crossing the Rappa- hannock at Beverly's Ford, and halted for the night near Mountain run. Early the next morning we moved on, passing through Culpepper, which is a fine town and encamped about four miles beyond. Beyond the town the country was more hilly and wooded, and on an ele- . vated range we found the marks of the artillery fight of the preceding Sunday. The trees were torn and - shivered, and the carcasses of numerous horses emitted a most intolerable stench. Some of the rascally rebs took the trouble, and that under fire, of driving some of their wounded horses to the neighboring wells and tumbling them in, to spoil the water for us. On the outskirts of the town is a soldiers' burial ground, con- taining about a regiment, formed in column of com- panies, with the graves neatly sodded and marked with head-boards.
About this time Adjutant Woodward was honorably discharged the service on account of disability, and Lieutenant John L. Rhoads, commanding Company G, appointed his successor.
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PONEY MOUNTAIN.
CHAPTER XXVI.
LEE'S ATTEMPT TO FLANK. BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK. TO BRANDY STATION. THE BATTLE OF BRISTOE. To CENTRE- VILLE AND FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. VICTORIES AT RAPPA- HANNOCK STATION AND KELLEY'S FORD. REBEL CABINS. CROSSING THE RAPIDAN. BATTLE OF MINE RUN. WINTER QUARTERS AT BRISTOE. FLAG PRESENTATION. REORGANIZA- TION OF THE ARMY.
NOTHING of importance occurred while we laid here until early in October, at which time the contending forces occupied opposite banks of the Rapidan river, our line extending from near Falmouth on the left to Robertson's and Hazel rivers, beyond Thoroughfare Mountain on the right, the centre being in front of Cul- pepper Court House. On the 9th it was discovered that the enemy had commenced advancing northward, evi- dently with the intention of interrupting our line of communication with Washington. A corresponding movement was necessary on our part, and orders were issued that night to the army to be prepared to move at short notice. At two o'clock the next morning, our division moved towards Culpepper, and then turning to the left marched around Poney Mountain and bivou- acked at Racoon Ford, where we remained until two the next morning, when we marched back to our old camp. Early in the morning we were again in motion, acting as the rear guard of the army and passing through Culpepper moved in the direction of Rappa- hannock Station, where, upon our arrival, we were drawn up in line of battle, in which position we re- mained until night, when we crossed the river and bivouacked in our old camp of August and September last. The enemy followed us up closely through the day, and at Brandy Station a smart fight took place between our and their cavalry, in which the latter was handsomely repulsed.
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OUR CAMPAIGNS.
On the 12th, General Meade, for the purpose of ascer- taining the true extent of the enemy's demonstration, sent several corps back across the river. Early in the morning we crossed the river at Beverly's Ford, and formed in line of battle and laid there until near sun- down, when we advanced to Brandy Station. Our cavalry commenced skirmishing about ten, A. M., and by night drove the enemy back to Culpepper. At mid- night we marched for the river again, but in the dark- ness getting separated from our corps, we did not arrive at our old camp until three o'clock on the morning of the 13th.
In this movement General Meade was successful, and on the same night Lee crossed the river further up. At seven o'clock on the morning of the 13th we moved towards Warrenton some distance, and then inclining to the right, marched for Catlett's Station, near where we bivouacked.
The two armies were now pushing forward on parallel lines, the intention of General Lee being to seize the heights of Centreville with a portion of his army, and with the remainder to fall upon our flank and rear, hoping by a sudden and determined attack to rout our army.
THE BATTLE OF BRISTOE STATION, OCTOBER 14TH, 1863 .- At four o'clock on the morning of the 14th we took up our march, moving nearly abreast of the Second Corps, and halting for rest after crossing Broad run. On the Second Corps reaching Bristoe Station, they found Hill's corps drawn up in line of battle. The troops . which had advanced on the left of the railroad were double quicked to the right, and the cut and embank- ment, which Hill had neglected to occupy, were taken possession of. General Warren hastily formed his troops under cover of the cut and embankment, and the enemy making an impetuous charge upon his left flank, the men rose from their cover, and at close range, poured volley after volley into them. During the short but
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THE BATTLE OF BRISTOE STATION
severe engagement that followed, the enemy were re- pulsed, they flying from the field, leaving their dead and wounded, several hundred prisoners and seven guns, two of which they subsequently recovered.
Our division had hardly crossed Broad run before the enemy opened upon us with a battery, when we were double quicked out of range, and formed behind a wood, while a battery was got into position, which soon silenced theirs. The division was then ordered forward to sup- port the Second Corps, and re-wading Broad run, ad- vanced, but by the time we arrived upon the field it was dark, and the fighting had mostly ceased. We then continued our march, fording Bull run about three o'clock the next morning, and laid down for a few hours rest .*
And at nine the same morning we were again on the move, passing through Centreville to Fairfax Court House, where we bivouacked in a woods, near the town, and remained until the morning of the 17th, when we advanced to Centreville and remained there all night, the next morning returning to Fairfax Court House.
On the 19th, at four, A. M., we again moved, retracing our steps towards Centreville, fording Bull run, and that night sleeping on the battle-field. Here we found our dead mostly as they had fallen, and we laid down and slept among the bones of our comrades.
The next morning, the 20th, reveille was sounded at one o'clock, but we did not move until six, we passing Gainesville and halting near New Baltimore, where we remained until the 26th, when we marched as wagon guard to New Auburn. While we laid here, Major McDonough was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel, and Captain R. Ellis as major. The first mentioned appoint- ment gave satisfaction to all.
On the 30th at six A. M., we marched to Warrenton Junction, and remained there until the 7th of November
* See Appendix A.
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THE VICTORIES OF RAPPAHANNOCK STATION AND KELLEY'S FORD, NOVEMBER 7TH .- The enemy had in the mean time entrenched themselves on the north and south banks of the Rappahannock, near Rappahannock Station, and deeming themselves secure from interference, had commenced the construction of huts on the south side, with the expectation of remaining there during the winter. To their surprise, however, early in the after- noon of the 7th, General Sedgwick with the Fifth and Sixth Corps, arrived before their works, and driving their skirmishers before him, occupied a crest less than a mile distant, and posted his guns. Our corps was held in reserve, under cover of favorable ground, near our old camp. An artillery duel commenced, and during its progress a storming party, consisting of four regiments, of Russell's brigade, and two of Colonel Upton's, was organized, and with a cheer made a desperate assault upon the forts and rifle-pits. To reach the works half a mile of open plain had to be traversed, but regardless of the heavy fire that was opened upon them, they moved steadily forward at double-quick without firing a single shot until they reached the works. Here a desperate hand-to-hand struggle commenced and continued for about twenty minutes, resulting in a complete victory to our troops, and the surrender of the enemy. Four guns and two thousand stand of arms were captured, and about one thousand six hundred officers and men taken prisoners.
In the meantime General French had been sent with the First, Second, and Third Corps to Kelley's Ford, where, after a brief but warm engagement, he succeeded in capturing the rifle-pits and a large number of priso- ners and their arms.
Late in the afternoon, our regiment was advanced towards the river, and a detail of seventy men under Captain Byrnes sent out as pickets to hold Fordmand's Ford, on the south side of which the enemy were in con-
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THE BATTLE OF NEW HOPE CHURCH.
siderable force, and had a long line of rifle-pits erected. During the night the enemy withdrew.
The next morning, the 8th, we reached Kelley's Ford, and about one P. M. crossed the Rappahannock, and massed in column of division, halted awhile, and then ad- vanced about two miles and took possession of the fine winter quarters built by A. P. Hill's Corps, which we found much more comfortable than our own shelter tents. They were composed of log cabins with shingled roofs, ample chimney-places, and furnished with bunks, tables, and stools. Here were captured three thousand pair of drawers, a large lot of harness, muskets, horse-shoes, blacksmith's coal, etc.
On the 10th we marched to Mountain run, where we . also found comfortable quarters, which the enemy had erected in expectation of enjoying a pleasant winter's rest. We remained here until the 24th, during which time we were paid off by Major Smith, had several inspections, and drilled continually.
On the 24th we broke camp, and marched in the di- rection of the Rapidan, but on account of the violence of a rain storm that set in, we countermarched and returned to our quarters where we remained until the 26th.
On the 26th, we again marched from our quarters towards the Rapidan, which we crossed at Culpepper Mine Ford, and advanced on the Culpepper Plank road, and halted near its junction with the Orange Plank road, and bivouacked for the night within three miles of Chan- cellorsville.
On the 27th was fought the battle of Locust Grove, which resulted in the success of our arms and the retreat of the enemy, with heavy loss. That morning we marched to New Hope Church, where we found Gregg's cavalry division, which we relieved, and then throwing out skirmishers, formed in line of battle, and laid down all day under a heavy shelling without pulling a trigger .*
* See Appendix A.
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OUR CAMPAIGNS.
On the 28th, the enemy were pursued towards their de- fences on the west bank of Mine run, a small tributary of the Rapidan. Their position was a very strong one, the line being formed on a series of ridges with enfilad- ing positions for batteries, while in front stretched an extensive marsh. That morning we moved to the right and halted at Robinson's tavern.
On the 29th, we advanced to Mine run, and formed a line of battle, and bivouacked there for the night. On the 30th. we were advanced to the right and deployed as skirmishers, and then moved into a woods where we laid until the 2d of December. The shelling on both sides was for a time very heavy, but little damage, how- ever was done .* The men suffered severely from the cold, some being frozen to death, and others carried to the rear, totally benumbed. General Warren reported that the enemy's right could be carried, but after a care- ful examination of the position, General Meade concluded it could not be done without a fearful sacrifice of life. Accordingly a retrograde movement was decided upon, and on the 2d it was commenced, a large portion of the army returning to their old quarters at Brandy Station, while a portion was stretched along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad for its protection.
On the evening of the 2d, we commenced falling back, and crossed the Rapidan at five o'clock the next morn- ing, when we took a couple of hours rest, marching again at eight o'clock for Brandy Station, where we bivouacked for the night. On the 4th, we moved across the Rappa- hannock. and arrived at Bristoe Station on the 5th.
During this movement. the army suffered much from cold, many times being in positions that forebade the building of fires. Yet they stood the fatigues and hard- ships with great fortitude, and were as rugged and hearty as ever.
Our encampment laid on the south side of Broad run,
* See Appendix A.
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FLAG PRESENTATION.
on a hill overlooking the surrounding country. We had the good fortune to occupy the log cabins built by the One-hundred-and-forty-ninth regiment Pennsylvania vol- unteers, which we found quite comfortable, and regularly laid out in company streets. Surrounding all was a rifle-pit.
About two miles to the southeast laid the almost de- serted village of Brentsville, the county town of Prince William. This village, like most others in Virginia, being deprived of all the active portion of its population and trade, was soon deserted by those that remained, who had no other alternative but starvation. Daily the soldiers entered the deserted village and carried off doors, windows, weather-boards, bricks, etc., to their camps, and soon but little was left of the village, except a few occupied houses, the chimneys and innumerable cats and dogs. Many of the latter were brought to camp, each mess having its pet, which, though very agreeable companions by day, sometimes made night hideous with their noise.
During the winter, the guerrillas became exceedingly bold and annoying, sometimes approaching quite near our picket lines, and several skirmishes took place with them. On the 28th of January, 1864, John Hoover, Company F, was ambuscaded by them, and wounded in the arm, which it was necessary to amputate.
About this time Lieutenant James C. Manton, of Com- pany B, while being conveyed home, died at Alexan- dria. He was a brave young officer of much promise, and had been in command of his company for a long while. He was buried in Philadelphia.
On the 17th of February, First Lieutenant Robert R. Smith, Company D, joined us, he having recovered from his wound received at Antietam.
Nothing of interest occurred until the 14th of March, when a Committee of the Cooper Shop Volunteer Re- freshment Saloon, consisting of Messrs. Joseph Megary, Philip Fitzpatrick, E. S. Cooper, William Cooper, Jr,
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Samuel W. Nichols, Charles McDonough, William Dougherty and Joseph T. Packer, visited camp, charged with the presentation of a beautiful silk flag and markers to the regiment. The day was a beautiful one, and the presentation ceremony took place in the presence of the brigade, which was formed on three sides of a square, with the Second as the base.
About two o'clock, the Committee, accompanied by Colonel McCandless, commanding the division, and Colo- nel Talley, commanding the brigade, their respective staffs, and a number of ladies, rode to the centre of the square and dismounted, when Mr. Megary stepped to the front with the flag, which he presented in a neat and patriotic speech, which was responded to on behalf of the regiment by Colonel McCandless. The color-guard then advanced, and the Color-sergeant, Joseph F. Swee- ton, received it, amid the loud cheers of the boys and - patriotic strains of the band. The colonel and the com mittee then took position and the brigade passed in review, after which they repaired to the camp of the Second, where a handsome collation had been prepared in a large tent, beautifully decorated with evergreens. After the removal of the cloth, toasts were drunk, and patriotic speeches, abounding in wit and humor, were made, and at taps all retired to their quarters.
About this time the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac was commenced, some of the army corps, divisions, and brigades, being broken up and consoli- dated with others. The three brigades of the First divi- sion of the Fifth Corps were consolidated into two brigades, and the Second Division was consolidated into one brigade, all designated as the First Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general Charles Griffin.
The Second brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, was transferred to the Second division, First Corps, and this division was designated the Second Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general J. C. Robinson. The old Third Division (Pennsylvania Reserves) Fifth
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RELIEVED BY BURNSIDE.
Corps, was retained as the Third Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general S. W. Crawford.
The First brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, was transferred to the First Division, First Corps, and this division was designated as the Fourth Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general J. S. Wadsworth.
The command of the Fifth Corps was assigned to General Warren, General Sykes being relieved.
From this time every thing passed off comparatively quiet until the 29th of April, when we were relieved by Burnside's Corps. At ten A. M., on that day we broke camp, and marched one mile beyond Warrenton Junc- tion, where we bivouacked. The next morning we marched at five o'clock, crossed the Rappahannock and encamped about a mile to the east of the Culpepper Court House, where we remained until the 4th of May.
CHAPTER XXVII.
POSITION OF THE ARMIES. OPENING OF GRANT'S CAMPAIGN. THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. THE BATTLE OF SPOTT- SYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. ENGAGEMENT AT GUINNEY'S STA- TION. ENGAGEMENT AT NORTH ANNA. TERM OF SERVICE EXPIRES. THE REGIMENT RESOLVES TO REMAIN. THE BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH. THE PARTING. MARCHING HOME. RECEPTION IN HARRISBURG AND PHILADELPHIA. PRESENTA- TION OF MEDALS ..
AT this time our army was consolidated near Culpepper Court House, about ten miles north of the Rapidan, the Confederate army was mainly at Orange Court House, about ten miles south of the river : the outposts and pickets of both armies reaching that stream, on either side. On the morning of the 3d of May, orders for the advance of our army were issued. The crossing of the Rapidan was effected during that day and the following
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night, mainly at Germanna and Ely's Fords, twelve and eighteen miles east of Culpepper. Instead of marching directly south upon Lee's strong position at Orange, and the entrenchments on Mine river, a few miles distant, which Meade had found in November too strong to be assailed, and which were now doubtless still stronger, General Grant's plan was to turn them upon the right, that is, to the east, and thus throw himself between these positions and Richmond. The effect of this movement would be that Lee must either come out of his entrench- ments, and defeat this advance upon open ground, or fall back towards Richmond. This line of advance would compel Grant to traverse the region locally known as the Wilderness.
The Wilderness is a broken, sterile tract of country, in Spottsylvania County, commencing not far from the south bank of the Rapidan, and stretching ten or fifteen miles in each direction. The region is intersected in every direction by gullies and ravines of no great depth, but with steep sides, interspersed here and there with swamps. The low hills and swells are covered with a thick growth of stunted pines, dwarf oaks, and under- brush, hardly reaching the height of a man, but so dense as to be almost impenetrable. The roads which straggle here and there, crossing and recrossing, are, with one or two exceptions, mere paths, impassable for the rudest vehicle, even in good weather, and converted into quag- mires by a few hours' rain. Here and there, at the inter- section of these roads, is a tavern or store, with half a dozen rude dwellings grouped around it. Besides these, and here and there a solitary dwelling, the whole tract is almost bare of inhabitants. Across this desolate region Grant's army must pass in order to carry out the design of turning the works at Mine run. That it would be attacked by the Confederates, whose intimate knowledge of the region would give them a decided advantage, was a probability which had to be taken into consideration in venturing upon the movement.
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THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.
The army, under the immediate lead of General Meade-Lieutenant-general Grant, who accompanied it, taking the general direction of the whole series of com- bined movements-crossed the Rapidan in the course of Wednesday, May 4th. The passage was made mainly on pontoon bridges, which had been thrown across during the previous night. It was effected without op- position, apparently before the enemy, some miles dis- tant, were aware of the intention. The Fifth Corps, under Warren, and the Sixth, under Sedgwick, crossed at Germanna Ford; The Second, under Hancock, crossed at Ely's Ford; the Ninth, under Burnside, being held in reserve, on the north bank. The army moved in light marching order, carrying six days' rations, leaving its train to follow after. That night the army encamped beyond the south bank of the Rapidan.
On the 4th we broke camp and crossed the river about eleven A. M., and bivouacked on the Lacy farm. The next morning Companies A, D, E and H, under Captain Mealey, were detailed with a like number of the Sixth regiment, as train and ambulance guard, and did not rejoin us until the 11th.
THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS, MAY 5TH, 6TH AND 7TH, 1864 .- At three A. M., the line of march was taken up through the Wilderness. The enemy being within striking distance, it was necessary to assume and maintain a line of battle fronting towards him-to the west-while we at the same time moved slowly southward. Our line stretched from the northwest to the southwest and moved left in front, Hancock holding the advance and left, Sedgwick the rear and right, with our corps- Warren's-in the centre. The movement had hardly begun, and before Warren's corps had got into position, before the enemy were discovered approaching in force, Lee evidently intending to repeat his favorite movement of hurling his troops in masses upon the weakest point of our lines. The attack was made by Ewell's and Hill's corps, first upon one point, and then in succession upon
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others. Some of these assaults were successful at the outset; in one, nearly a thousand prisoners and two guns were captured ; but the enemy in the end was foiled in each, and utterly failed in his purpose to break our lines or force us to recross the Rapidan.
The battle extended far into the night, and the loss, which was heavy, was probably about equal on both sides; though they took some seven hundred more pris- oners than we did. The battle was indecisive, and both armies rested upon their arms in their respective posi- tions upon the field.
When the enemy was first discovered advancing, our division was moving to its position, on the right of Han- cock, and was immediately double-quicked and deployed into line of battle, our regiment being thrown out as skirmishers. In this formation we advanced to a clear piece of ground, bordering on the Wilderness, where the enemy's skirmishers were discovered on our left and front, with their main force to our right. Here General Crawford detached the Second, Seventh and Eleventh regiments of our brigade, and ordered McCandless to move in upon the enemy. The colonel filed the men to the right, until he had obtained his front, when he or: dered them to advance. A most spirited and exciting fight now took place, we driving the enemy for about a half mile on to Wadsworth's division, who were before hardly pressed. Here a stubborn resistance was attempted by them, and McCandless seeing the critical position of Wadsworth, ordered a charge, heading it in person, and followed by Dr. Donnelly, Lieutenant Taylor, and other members of his staff and his orderlies. Animated by the heroic conduct of their commander, the brigade followed on the run with loud cheers. The enemy were soon broken, and driven from their position, but such was the impetuosity of the charge that most of the brigade staff, Captain Byrnes, and many others were captured; MeCan- dless himself escaped by running the gauntlet of their fire, and passed out unscathed.
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General Crawford having changed the position of the balance of the division, our battalions were in imminent danger of being captured, the enemy attempting to turn our left flank. This movement, however, was foiled by making a left half wheel to the rear, and then by doubling around a hill and woods for four miles, under an infantry and artillery fire, we were brought off, and rejoined the division near the Lacy farm. Here rifle- pits were improvised, and we laid down for the night in line of battle.
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