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 24
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The scene during the battle was of the most exciting nature, the underbrush taking fire and wrapping the Wilderness far and near in dense clouds of flame and smoke, through which the brave boys went, and in which many of their wounded comrades perished .*
On the 6th, both Generals Grant and Lee resolved to take the offensive, but Lee, who had been joined by Longstreet during the night, however, got the start, and repeated his tactics of the preceding day, with even more determination. Grant also tried the offensive, and the two lines of battle, irregularly formed among the dense thickets, swayed back and forth during the whole day, first at one point, and now at another. Upon several instances, the enemy succeeded in breaking through our lines, but in every case they were signally repulsed.
The last and most desperate of these attempts was made just at nightfall, when a furious dash was made upon the extreme right of Sedgwick's corps, which had remained for hours almost unassailed. Seymour's and Shalers's brigades were swept away, and both generals captured. The whole right wing was in great peril, and if it had been crushed the entire army would have been severed from its supplies across the Rapidan, and unless the enemy had been checked a ruinous defeat would have been almost inevitable. Sedgwick, however, rallied his forces and checked the enemy. In the gathering dark-
* See Appendix A.
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ness they were probably unaware of the extent of their success, and moreover, they were exhausted by the ter- rible struggle of the day, and withdrew under cover of the darkness.
At eight o'clock that morning, our brigade, in support of the Third, advanced about one mile, and met the enemy, who, with their skirmishers, we drove back some distance, when they took post in a ravine, which offered them protection equal to a breastwork. General Craw- ford, deeming the advantage to be gained by carrying it, would not warrant the heavy sacrifice it would require contented himself in holding them in their position, which he did until four o'clock, by laying the men down in front of it. About this time General Warren rode up, and after reconnoitring the position, ordered us to fall back to our old place, near the Lacy house.
About dark an aid came dashing down and ordered us to fall in, and in a moment we were double-quicking down the Plank road to Sedgwick's relief. Upon arriv- ing we were put into position, but soon after moved to the left, where we succeeded in re-establishing his lines. About ten o'clock we were relieved by his troops, and marched back to our old position, where we arrived about two the next morning.
The whole battle, like that of the day before, was a series of desperate assaults, successful at first, but finally signally repelled. The battle was a drawn one, yet we were edging a little out of the Wilderness on to ground where we could use artillery, the fighting heretofore being confined to musketry, resembling Indian bush-fighting on a large scale.
At daybreak on the 7th, our artillery on the right opened fire, but could not elicit any response. Skir- mishers were thrown out, and the whole line advanced, but as no regular opposition was met with, it was evident that the Confederates were falling back. Our army was immediately put in motion, marching southward by a road nearly parallel with the enemy's, the aim of both
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THE BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. 311
being Spottsylvania Court House. Lee arrived there first, and took up a strong position, that had been pre- viously fortified.
THE BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, MAY 8TH, 9TH, 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 18TH AND 19TH .- Our regi- ment, after considerable countermarching, was sent on picket, and did not move with the main body. In the afternoon a sprinkling fire took place between the lines, in which Captain Smith was slightly wounded. That night we were withdrawn, and on the 8th marched to Spottsylvania Court House, a distance of fifteen miles, passing over the ground cleared by Sheridan's cavalry, and acting as rear guard. Upon our arrival, we found our division engaged, and we went under fire about two P. M. The battle soon after became furious, but in spite of the burning woods, and the fire of the enemy, we broke, and then drove them nearly two miles, when finding we were going too far, we halted, and soon after returned to our original position and slept upon the field. Our loss was heavy, including Colonel McCand- less, who received a painful wound in the arm .*
We believe that " The Blue Coats," are a good hearted, glorious set of boys, and that heaven was made for Blue Coats and pretty ladies, but it is with deep humiliation and sorrow that we are compelled to acknowledge that we cannot vouch for their honesty. Will you believe it, reader ?- just think how cruel it was-after the innocent Second had marched fifteen miles, and fought a hard battle, some rascally Blue Coats stole all their meat and left them to go supperless to bed. We said our prayers a little, and then forgave them as they were Blue Coats- but if we had found out what regiment it was, and had once have laid eyes on their commissary stores, they would have had nothing to eat for a week. But fortun- ately for us, the trains arrived through the night, and rations were distributed to the whole army.
* See Appendix A.
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Colenel McCandless being wounded, and Colonel Talley having been taken prisoner, the command of our brigade devolved upon Colonel Jackson of the Eleventh.
The 9th opened comparatively quiet, but early in the afternoon, the enemy made an unsuccessful assault on Wilcox's division; and there was sharp skirmishing at various points of the line, in one of which the gallant General Sedgwick was killed. His loss was severely felt by the army. Towards dusk General Grant threw seve- ral divisions across one of the branches of the Mattapony. Through the day there were the usual charges and repulses, without any definite result, the Confederates holding a semi-circular line around the Court House, and we closely confronting them.
Early in the day, we were ordered to the right, where we took a position, and threw up breastworks. Hardly had they been completed before our line was slightly changed, which rendered it necessary to throw up new ones. Soon after tve moved to the right, and crossing a deep ravine, advanced to a road through a growth of scrub oaks, in which we received a heavy fire, but so high that the minnies only tipped our bayonets. Cross- ing the road, we charged, driving the enemy before us, until within forty yards of a heavy woods, when we in turn were driven back by a new line that suddenly emerged from it. When we reached the road, the boys rallied and handsomely repulsed the enemy, who con- tented themselves with annoying us with a desultory and long-ranged musket fire. Here we again threw up tem. porary entrenchments.
The morning of the 10th was opened by a sharp can- nonade, preparatory to a general attack, which was to be made along the whole line. The contest through the day, though most furious was indecisive in its results, though upon the whole strongly in our favor. In the morning we were engaged in building rifle-pits, and afterwards our regiment was sent on picket. The enemy in our front became restive about noon, and soon we
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became engaged in a spirited skirmish, which was con- tinued until dark, when it ceased by mutual consent .*
Before daybreak on the 11th, Hancock's corps was massed, and our division deployed to occupy the ground left vacant by them. It rained heavily throughout the day, and all remained quiet until the afternoon, when some slight skirmishing took place.
General Grant in an official report to the Secretary of War, dated this day, says: "We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is very much in our favor. Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over five thousand prisoners in battle, while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers." * * *
During the night, the position of the corps were changed, Hancock, finding himself in front of the Con- federate division, under General E. Johnson, who were strongly entrenched. At daylight on the 12th, these works were charged and carried with a rush, the whole division, with its commander, being made prisoners. During the day, there was hard fighting along the lines, we taking between three and four thousand prisoners, including two general officers, and over thirty pieces of artillery. The fighting was of the most obstinate nature, lasting until after dark, and being renewed about nine o'clock continued off and on with more or less vigor all night.
At one A. M., we moved into rifle-pits, and at day- break the enemy opened upon us a heavy fire of artillery, to which our guns promptly responded. Between us and the works occupied by the enemy, there was a valley, covered by a heavy pine and scrub underbrush, the pits of each party crowning the opposite crests. Through the morning our guns having silenced the fire of the enemy's, we leaped over the pits, and charging down through the valley, we went up to the breastworks,
* See Appendix A.
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and planted our banners upon them, but such was the terrible fire of the enemy and the stubborn resistance that we were driven back to our own works. The boys were then laid down behind the pits and told to rest themselves and make coffee, after which we opened the fight again, charging twice over the valley and being driven back each time with heavy loss, Lieutenants Robinson, Company O, being severely, and Clark, Com- pany F, mortally wounded. In the last charge, we maintained our position for a long while, and did not retire until relieved by Colter's brigade .*
The 13th passed in comparative quietness, the rain that had been falling for two days past still continuing. On the 14th, we advanced southward crossing the Po, and passing the 15th and 16th without any fighting. On the 17th, we marched some distance, and threw up intrenchments within sight of the Court House.
On the 18th, the battle that had lulled for several days past, was renewed, Hancock attacking the enemy's right, carrying two lines of his intrenchments and capturing six guns. General Burnside at the same time attacked and drove the enemy's left some distance, but subse- quently withdrew.
The 19th was passed in unusual quietness, until about six o'clock, when a sharp fire of musketry was heard to our right, and well to the rear. It was evident that the enemy had attempted to turn our right, for the pur- pose of cutting off our supplies on the Fredericksburg pike. Troops were immediately put in motion to meet them. A portion of General Tyler's division, consisting for the most part of raw recruits, being nearest, were the first to encounter them, and succeeded in recapturing the ambulances and wagons and driving the enemy back into the woods, but were in turn repulsed themselves and compelled to retire. The balance of the division, however, coming up, the prize was again wrenched from their hands and the enemy signally repulsed. Our loss
* See Appendix A.
BATTLES OF GUINNEY'S STATION AND NORTH ANNA. 315
was only nine hundred killed and wounded, while that of Ewell's was one thousand two hundred and fifty, besides five hundred taken prisoners.
When the firing was first heard, our division was put in motion and double-quicked up the plank road to the field, but, as by the time we arrived, the battle was over, we returned to our position and rested for the night.
Everything was quiet on the 20th, and the enemy in our front showing a disposition of friendliness it was reciprocated on our part, the boys exchanging news- papers, etc. That night, General Grant began to ma- nœuvre to draw General Lee out of his intrenchments, for which purpose Hancock moved to the left, and in the evening advanced southward. He continued his march the next day, and in the evening occupied Bowl- ing Green. Hancock's movement was discovered by the enemy and Longstreet an hour afterwards moved south also.
ENGAGEMENT AT GUINNEY'S STATION, MAY 21ST .-- The next day, the 21st, at noon, our division marched to the crossing of the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, at a stream three miles south of Guinney's Station, where we arrived about three o'clock in the afternoon. We crossed the stream and advanced some five hundred yards, when a terrific fire from some twenty pieces of artillery was opened us, but quickly advancing a short distance we laid down behind a gentle rise of ground, and let the missiles pass harmlessly over our heads. As we had not the slightest idea under these circumstances, of interfering with the enemy's arrange- ments, and as they did not in the least disturb us, we had a comfortable rest of nearly two hours, during which time there was a great deal of harmless wrath vented upon us. The enemy afterwards withdrew and we occu- pied the heights.
ENGAGEMENT AT NORTH ANNA, May 23d .- On the 22d we went on picket, and the next afternoon, at two o'clock, we marched down the Telegraph road, past
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Mount Carmel Church, to Jericho Ford, where we crossed the North Anna river about five o'clock. There we found the enemy in force, and after the usual preliminary shelling, he advanced his infantry to a charge, but they were signally repulsed. The battle lasted with consider- able spirit until night, our division taking over four hundred prisoners, mostly South Carolinians.
On the 24th, we moved to the left and intrenched our- selves, and remained inactive and quiet until the 26th. By this time Grant's entire army was between the North and South Anna rivers, and within twenty-five miles of Richmond. On the north bank of the latter river was General Lee's new line of defence.
On. the 25th, the three years term of service of our regiment expired, and General Crawford put the ques- tion to the boys, whether they would go home alone, or remain until the 31st, when the other regiments of the division would be relieved. They unanimously decided to remain with their comrades and see the old division through. This decision was highly gratifying to the General and all the officers.
On the same day, Lieutenant Justus, Acting Quarter- master, while out procuring forage for division head- quarters, was captured by the enemy.
To all appearances, it was Grant's intention to assault Lee in his new line, as he did the former one along the Po. But, on the 26th, he commenced re-crossing the North Anna, and on the 31st he had his whole army south of the Pamunky and within ten miles of Rich- mond, with a new base of supplies established at White House.
On the 26th, our corps, bringing up the rear of Han- cock and Wright's, crossed the North Anna and marched for the Pamunky, which we crossed on the 28th, at Hanovertown Ford, Gregg's cavalry division skirmishing and driving the enemy's before them. On the 29th, we advanced to Hawes' shop, meeting with no opposition.
THE BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH, MAY 30TH .- On
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the 30th, General Warren pushed forward our division, the left of his corps, from Hawes' shop towards Mechanics- ville, we passing Bethesda Church about noon, and reaching the neighborhood of Shady Grove church about two o'clock, where we met the enemy's skirmishers. It was about this hour of the day, and at this place, that we met the enemy under similar circumstances just before the battle of Mechanicsville, our first fight. Skirmishing soon commenced, and we fell back, making but little resistance until we reached the road running from Mechanicsville to Hanover Court House. Here we com- menced throwing up breastworks, but had not worked more than half an hour before we were attacked on both flanks with great fury. From some of the prisoners taken, we ascertained that the attacking force consisted of Rhode's division and one brigade of Early's division of Ewell's corps, and orders were given to fall back. We retired slowly for three-quarters of a mile, delivering so steady and heavy a skirmish fire that the enemy did not follow us up vigorously.
Reaching a favorable position, the division was halted, and the line of battle formed across the road and through some fields into the woods. The Third brigade, Colonel J. W. Fisher, held the right of the line, the First brigade, Colonel M. D. Harden, the centre, and Kitchen's brigade of heavy artillery, armed as infantry, the left, with two .
sections of a Michigan battery posted near the centre. Our whole force did not number over five thousand five hundred men. After the line was formed, the Second regiment was moved to the rear and left, and posted to hold a piece of woods. The men immediately went to work throwing up breastworks, which were so formed as - to enable us to deliver a cross fire. The artillery com- menced shelling the woods in front at different points, feeling the enemy's guns, from which they soon received a response. Soon after, near sundown, the whole of Ewell's corps emerged from the woods, formed in three lines, and advanced to the charge. Scarcely had they
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moved, before the Third brigade opened upon their flank a severe cross-fire, which turned them over upon the First and Kitchen's brigades.
About twenty-five yards in front of the First brigade's rifle-pits was a fence and some bushes that concealed our pits and men from view. The enemy advanced to the fence in most excellent order, and as they reached it, our whole line, which had not fired a shot, opened upon them a crushing fire of musketry, while the artillery poured in canister and one-second fuse shells. Their repulse was instantaneous and complete. What were not killed or wounded of the first line threw themselves upon the ground, and the balance precipitately fled. Our men then slackened their fire, but whenever those who had laid down got up to run, they were shot. Finally, an officer called out to them, that if they would throw down their arms and come in, they would be spared, and about four hundred of them surrendered, including two colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, one major, and twenty line officers.
The enemy's loss was calculated to be very little short of one thousand men. General Ransom, of North Carolina, was left dead upon the field, and his sword was presented by one of the boys to General Crawford. Colonel Ter- rill, of the Twenty-seventh Virginia, a brother of the Union General Terrill who was killed at Shiloh, was also killed. The Confederate Colonel Hoffman was cut in two by a shell. The color-bearer of the Fifty-second Virginia came to the fence, when he was struck by a shell and literally torn to pieces. Some of his comrades, however, saved their flag. Our loss was not heavy, except in the first engagement on the Mechanicsville road, where we were compelled to leave our wounded in the hands of the enemy. It amounted to fifteen killed, fifty-four wounded, and eighty-five missing, in all one hundred and fifty-four.
This signal repulse of Ewell's corps, with such slaughter, by a force of less than one-third of their num-
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ber, and within a short distance of the victorious field of Mechanicsville, where we opened the "Seven days battle," was a fitting close of the glorious career of the Pennsyl- vania Reserves. That night we slept victors upon our last field of victory.
The next morning we buried our fallen comrades, and those of the enemy, on the field of honor, and left them to "sleep their last sleep," peacefully, side by side, until the last trump "shall wake them to glory again."
In the course of the morning, the following orders were received and read to the division :
HEADQUARTERS, FIFTH ARMY CORPS, MAY 3D, 1864.
Soldiers :- With this is the order for the return of the Pennsylvania Reserves, whose term of service expires to-day. The General commanding begs leave to express to them his great satisfaction at their heroic conduct in this arduous campaign. As their commander, he thanks them for their willing and effective efforts, and congratu- lates them that their successful engagement of yesterday, closing their term of service, and being the last of many battles bravely fought, is one they can ever remember with satisfaction and pride.
By command of
MAJOR-GENERAL WARREN.
(Signed,) A. G. MANN, A. A. G.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE VOL. CORPS, FIFTH ARMY CORPS, S JUNE 1, 1864.
Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserves :- To-day the connection which has so long existed between us is to be severed forever. I have no power to express to you the feeling of gratitude and affection that I bear to you, nor the deep regret with which I now part from you.
As a division you have ever been faithful and devoted soldiers, and you have nobly sustained me in the many
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trying scenes through which we have passed with an unwavering fidelity.
The record of your service terminates gloriously, and the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House and Bethesda Church, have been added to the long list of battles and triumphs that have marked your career.
Go home to the great State that sent you forth three years ago to battle for her honor and to strike for her in the great cause of the country.
Take back your soiled and war-worn banners, your thinned and shattered ranks, and let them tell how you performed your trust.
Take back those banners sacred from the glorious associations that surround them, sacred with the memory of our fallen comrades who gave their lives to defend them, and give them again into the keeping of the State forever.
The duties of the hour prevent me from accompanying you, but my heart will follow you long after your return, and it shall ever be my pride that I was once your com- mander, and that side by side we fought and suffered through campaigns which will stand unexampled in history. Farewell.
S. W. CRAWFORD. Brigadier-general Commanding Division.
(Signed,)
R. A. McCOY, Lieutenant-colonel and A. A. G.
After the reading of these orders, an order was issued for all those whose term of service had not expired, and those who had re-enlisted to report to Colonel Carroll at headquarters. From our regiment there were Companies B, Lieutenant Cullin; F, Captain Clark, and G, Captain Woodward, with some fifty veterans and recruits. They were got together and marched over, where they stacked arms and returned to spend the day with us.
The next morning, June 1st, we were up and in line
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early, and those who were to remain came over to bid us good-bye. It was one of the saddest and most trying hours of our lives We had read of comrades parting, and we had parted with friends of childhood's days, but we could not realize the strong attachment that had grown up between us, until the hour of separation came. It was the parting of those who had shared their last cracker, who had slept under the same blanket, who had picketed together through many weary hours of the night, and who had stood side by side when the storm of death was sweeping by-it was the parting of brothers. Not an eye was dry. From our general down, the tears gushed out in spite of strife to conceal them. But the hour came. From "Home sweet Home," the bands changed to patriotic strains, and the air was rent with the loud cheers of the boys as they shouted their last good-bye.
But there were other sad memories that clustered around our hearts as we marched along. We were near the fields of "The Seven Days' Battles," upon which the bones of many of our comrades lay bleaching. How vividly those scenes of strife, of glory and disappoint- ment, arose in our vision ! How we recounted the names of our dead ! But their spirits still cluster around the old flag, and they are happy, at least with the conscious- ness, that they met death gloriously and had fallen in a sacred cause.
We took up our march for White House, following closely the general course of the Pamunky, and arrived there on the afternoon of the next day.
On the morning of the 3d, we embarked, and passing down the Pamunky and York rivers, entered the Chesa- peake Bay and steamed up the Potomac to Washington, where we arrived on the evening of the 4th, and disem- barking marched to the Soldier's Rest, where we slept 'or the night.
At noon the next day, we took passage by rail to Baltimore, and at the depot formed and marched through
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the city to the depot of the Northern Central road. On our passage through we were received with cheers and other demonstrations of joy by the citizens who thronged the thoroughfares. We arrived at Harrisburg about ten o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and marching to the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, partook of an excellent collation that had been generously prepared for us.
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