USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > The 109th Regiment Penna. Veteran Volunteers. An address delivered at the unveiling of their monument on Culp's hill, Gettysburg, Pa., September 11, 1889 > Part 3
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The 7th Ohio on the right of the regiment on the extreme left was compelled to move through a ravine. The enemy massed at this point, and poured into this regiment a most deadly enfilad- ing fire ; it received and returned it unflinchingly and pressed on until within twenty-five yards of the summit, but the enemy, strongly reinforced, was overpoweringly superior, with advantage of position. The regiment, having lost its gallant colonel, and twelve out of its thirteen officers and nearly one-half its men, was retired. The 147th Penna. on the extreme left gained a position near the top, but both flanks of this regiment were endangered by the falling back of the 7th Ohio. The 28th Penna. and 66th Ohio, well protected on the right, held their ground about forty yards below the crest line, and engaged the enemy, but owing to the overpowering strength of the enemy they could not advance and were ordered to form on the line below. These brave troops had contended for two and one-half hours against overwhelming numbers and against the enemy in almost impregnable position.
As soon as the First Brigade was moved to the rear and left, the Second Brigade was brought up and massed behind a large stone depot on the confines of the town, toward the ridge. The Third Brigade was halted in reserve four hundred yards in the rear in the main street of Ringgold.
The Second Brigade had remained but a few minutes under shelter, when the enemy with artillery and musketry was pressing back some of Osterhaus' regiments on the right. The Second Brigade moved to his support on the double-quick, crossed the railroad under severe fire and took position in front on a mound to the left of the railroad and gap, facing the ridge. The advance
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of the enemy's line was checked and hurled back towards the ridge.
The Third Brigade was brought up as soon as the Second was sent to the relief of the right, and was disposed in column of regiments, en masse, behind the stone depot.
The fight raged in front and at twenty minutes of eleven a. m. Osterhaus on the entire right was giving way. The Third Brigade was at once ordered to the right at double-quick. The troops in compact order swept over an open swampy space of nearly half a mile, while the enemy poured into them grape, canister and musketry. Arriving at the point of the right of the Second Brigade, the line was formed with 137th N. Y. on the left joining the Second Brigade on the right, and 149th N. Y. on the right of the brigade. They at once engaged the enemy and compelled them to recoil, and soon to seek protection upon the ridge in the sides of the gap. About fifteen minutes after retiring, the enemy ad- vanced artillery to the edge of a belt of woods at the mouth of the gap with infantry support, and at the short range of one hundred yards commenced hurling shrapnel into our lines. A detachment of sharpshooters from the 149th N. Y. succeeded in driving the enemy with the artillery from their position, after the enemy had sustained a considerable loss. At about noon, one section of Knap's Penna. Battery and one section of Landgraeber's howitzers, were placed in position on the right of the Third Brigade, and in front of the gap. They soon silenced the enemy's guns and drove back their infantry. At this same time, one section of Knap's Battery opened from the line near our left upon the enemy which had massed in front of the First Brigade. At one o'clock, Oster- haus scaled the mountain, and our Third Brigade pushed their skirmishers into the gap, the 149th N. Y. capturing two flags. The enemy were driven back, and, after five hours contest, the
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ridge was in our possession. On the morning of December Ist the Second Division marched from Ringgold to their old encamp- ment in Lookout Valley. For the distinguished and most gallant service of the Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps, of which the 109th Penna. was a part at the Battle of Lookout Mountain, Gen. Grant, who was then in command of the army at Chattanooga, ordered a special review of this division, at which all of the dis- tinguished officers serving at this place under Gen. Grant took part. This was a distinction granted to very few, if to any other divisions during the war.
Shortly after this the 109th marched from Wauhatchie Valley to Bridgeport. Alabama, and went into winter quarters. On January 20. 1864, the regiment re-enlisted for three years. and thus under the orders of the War Department became a Veteran Regiment, and left Bridgeport for Philadelphia on thirty days veteran furlough.
On April 4, 1864, the regiment was brigaded with 27th Penna. Vols., 73d Penna Vols., 119th N. Y. Vols., 134th N. Y. Vols., 154th N. Y. Vols., and 33d N. J. Vols., forming the Second Bri- gade, Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps. The regiment returned from veteran furlough and rejoined the division at Bridge- port, Alabama, on May 4, 1864, and on May 5 commenced Sherman's celebrated campaign against Atlanta, Georgia. On May 6 the regiment advanced with the division near Ringgold. Georgia, and on May 8 it was engaged at Rocky Faced Ridge, Dug Gap, Georgia. The Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, was ordered to make an attack at Dug Gap in order to divert the enemy from Buzzard's Roost to Dug Gap, to insure a successful assault by a large part of the army on Buzzard's Roost, the objec tive point being the turning of Dalton.
Rocky Faced Ridge extends for a long distance along a
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mountain range through which is Snake Creek Gap and Dug Gap ; the rocks are almost perpendicular and very high ; from the valley or table land below to Dug Gap, the side of the mountain is quite steep and covered with timber, and the only road of approach to Dug Gap is a tortuous wagon road. Up this hill, and through this timber, was the Second Division ordered to charge, and assault Dug Gap, and most bravely was it done.
To carry this gap by an assault was practically impossible, nor was it intended to be carried, but the charge was made with the same heroic determination as though success was assured. The Second Division almost scaled these rocky faced ridges in the enthusiasm of the charge. The charge resulted in securing the object intended, so that the 109th Penna. with the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, is entitled to the inscription of another victory on its banner. On May 12 the 109th passed through Snake Creek Gap in an advance on Resaca, and on May 14 and 15 the battle of Resaca was fought.
May 15 at three o'clock a. m., the 109th Penna. and Second Brigade formed on the left and rear of the Third Brigade, which held the position on the extreme left flank of the army covering the Dalton road. At seven a. in., a strong reconnoitering party of the Second Division was sent out and returned at eleven a. m. At this hour the division received orders to move to the right about three-quarters of a mile and form a column of attack.
This movement was made with the First Division of the Twentieth Corps. Owing to the nature of the ground, and the small compass within which the entire army was to operate in the first charge, the Second Division was formed in column of regi- ments. The Third Brigade was formed in advance, the Second Brigade following, and the First Brigade last. The position occupied by the enemy was one strongly intrenched on an irregular
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line of hills with spurs running in every direction. On most of the elevations the enemy had batteries protected by earthworks. The hills, steep and rough, were thickly wooded.
Everything being in readiness the advance was ordered. The Third Brigade crossed a ravine and a hill, swept by the enemy's artillery and musketry fire, and drove the enemy from another hill, and, turning a little to the right, charged with ring- ing cheers for the capture of a battery which from a key position, was dealing death on every side. At the same time on the Third Brigade's left, a portion of the Third Division, Twentieth Corps, was advancing for the same deadly prize. The advance of both commands reached the battery nearly together.
The IrIth Penna. of the Third Brigade led, and forced its way until the men had their hands almost on the guns and their colors on the earthworks, from which part of the gunners had been driven, and many killed. This earthwork was a sunken one at the crest of the hill opening towards its rear. Twenty yards in its rear was a line of strong breastworks, from which a deadly fire poured around and into the battery, rendering it impossible for men to live there. Col. Cobham, commanding the 11th Regiment, formed his little line, now augmented by the 1ogth and other portions of the brigade, within fifteen yards of the guns, where by the formation of the ground his men were sheltered from the terrible fire. Three regiments were formed in this line, and the balance of the Second Brigade posted in reserve. Three regiments of the Third Brigade advanced gallantly, driving the enemy from two hills from the left of Col. Cobham, and were ordered to report to Col. Cobham. Orders were given Col. Cobham to make every effort to secure and bring off the battery in his front. To this end Col. Cobham was reinforced from the First, Second and Third Brigades, until his command numbered
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ten regiments. In the isolated position held by Col. Cobham, it was impossible to erect even a slight barricade without receiving a terrible fire from the enemy, fifty yards distant. The only route of communication with Col. Cobham was by way of ridges which were swept in most places by artillery and musketry fire from the enemy's main line. About five p. m. a division of the enemy's infantry debouched from the woods in front of the left of the Second Division, and charged in column, with the effort to gain possession of the ridges in our front. If successful it would have exposed Col. Cobham to attack from every side, and forced him to abandon his position ; but the attack, though a spirited one, failed. About nine o'clock p. m. in the darkness Col. Cobham's men, with picks and shovels, dug through the works in front of the guns. This work had to be silently and carefully done. The men crept on hands and knees to the little dug fort, and after digging through the earthwork and removing the logs and stones, ropes were attached, and manned by brave men, while their brave comrades with pieces aimed at the crest of the hill, covered them in their work. At about midnight four guns were removed and in our possession, but the enemy, on the alert, discovered the movement, and springing over their breastworks furiously attacked Cobham's line. Cobham held his position, drove back the enemy, and sent four twelve-pound brass pieces to headquarters. The enemy was pursued from Resaca, and the Ostenaula River crossed May 16. An advance was made on Cassville May 18, and May 19 there was considerable skirmishing on the Cassville Road. From May 19 to May 23 manceuvrings were carried on near Cassville. On May 24 an advance was made to Enhurley Creek on Alabama Road. A skirmish occurred at Owen's Mill, Pumpkin Vine Creek Bridge, May 25. The advance on this road was by the troops of the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, without support, the
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First Division Twentieth Army Corps being upon another road with the Fourteenth Army Corps, as it was supposed a large body of the enemy would be encountered by the Fourteenth Army Corps. Gen. Hooker and staff were riding at the head of the Second Division with Gen. Geary and staff, and upon the approach of the troops to Pumpkin Vine Creek Bridge, it was found that the enemy had fired the bridge. When Gen. Hooker and staff and Gen. Geary and staff attempted to put out the fire, the enemy's videttes, con- cealed in the woods on the bluffs upon the opposite side, fired at Hooker and Geary, but missed their aim. Gen. Hooker ordered Gen. Geary to throw across one regiment to dislodge them, and the 5th Ohio was thrown across. They formed a regimental front and charged, but it was received with such a volley that forty-eight men were killed or wounded and a staff-officer of the First Brigade killed. The whole division was then thrown across, and they found after considerable loss that the enemy was in too strong a force to be routed. Orders had been sent, as soon as the enemy was found in force in front, by the major-general commanding the corps, to march the First and Third Divisions to the point where the Second Division was engaged.
By five o'clock p. m. all three divisions were massed, with the Second Division in the centre, the First Division on the right, and the Third Division on the left. Each division was quickly formed for attack in column by brigades, the First Division lead- ing, the Third Division next, and the Second Division in reserve. Between six and seven o'clock p. m. the Second Division was ordered to push forward. The division moved rapidly through a dense woods, swept by a very heavy artillery and musketry fire ; the discharge of canister and shell from the enemy was rapid and terrific.
The 109th Penna. with portions of the Second and portions of
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the First Brigade, engaged the enemy at short range driving them until after dark, when the Second Division was halted close under the enemy's batteries.
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Breastworks were thrown up during the night, and when dawn came the position held by the Second Division was found to be a ridge of considerable natural strength, confronting another ridge at the distance of eighty yards on the left, and three hundred yards on the right, on which were the enemy's main line.
The operations were continued near New Hope Church, until June 1, and from June I to June 5, the 109th with the Second Division Twentieth Army Corps made a movement on the left of the army, and on June 7 took position near Ackworth, Ga. On June 10 an advance was made to Kenesaw Mountain, and on June 14, 15, and 16, a series of engagements took place at Pine Knob on Kenesaw Range. On June 15 Pine Knob was carried by a charge. On June 16 captured the enemy's skirmish-line. Skirmishing occurred on June 17 and 18 in front of Kenesaw and at Noses Creek. On June 22 there was an engagement at Kulps' House, near Marietta, on the Powder Spring Road.
On June 27 an assault was made on Kenesaw south of Little Kenesaw, and Gen. Hood, who had been placed in command of the Confederate army, was pursued toward the Chattahoochie River on July 3. Demonstrations took place along Nick-a-Jack Creek, at Turner's Ferry, July 4. The division skirmished with the enemy at Paices Ferry, July 5, on the Chattahoochie River, and on July 16 they crossed at Paices Ferry. On July 17 had a skirmish at Nancy's Creek, and on July 19, the 109th with the . Second Division Twentieth Army Corps, covered the troops while constructing a bridge for the purpose of crossing Peach Tree Creek. Here quite a spirited action took place, our troops succeeded however in crossing, and, on July 20 was fought the Battle of Peach
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Tree Creek. At ten a. m. the skirmishers moved forward, sup- ported by the First Brigade and followed by the Second Brigade. They crossed two timbered ridges and after a sharp engagement, drove the enemy's skirmishers from a third ridge in the woods, and from a cornfield on the right of it. The position gained at twelve m. was at once occupied by First Brigade in line. A section of Bundy's Battery went into position on the left of the division, in the edge of the wood, and opened an enfilading fire upon the enemy. The Second Brigade was now placed in two lines, in support of the First Brigade, and all the artillery of the division posted on the First Brigade's line, the Third Brigade massed on the ridge behind the Second Brigade. In front, and to the right of the division, was a high, narrow, timbered hill about three hundred yards in advance of the main line, on which rested the right of the division skirmish-line.
The 33d N. J. of the Second Brigade was directed to occupy this hill, the skirmish-line advanced a short distance, when the enemy, heretofore concealed not more than seventy-five yards in front, advanced in heavy force and poured into the skirmish-line a deadly and continuing fire, forcing the skirmish-line and the 33d N. J. back to the main line, with considerable loss. Scarcely had they rejoined the main line, when the enemy in immense force rapidly and fiercely burst upon the right flank of the First and Second Brigades and pressed their flanks to their rear, at the same time charging upon the First Brigade, front and right.
The both N. Y. of the Third Brigade, and 119th N. Y., 73d Penna. and the togth Penna. of the Second Brigade, stood by and supported the artillery fighting with the batteries on all sides holding the hill, while the balance of the division quickly changed front and formed in the midst of the battle connecting with the First Division, Twentieth Army Corps. This was done by
AV
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changing front to the right of the First Brigade and deploying the Second and Third Brigades in one line, connecting the Third Brigade's left with the First Brigade, and the Second Brigade's right with the First Division's left. During these changes the battle raged on every side with terrific fury. The 19th and the four other regiments throughout all this time were holding the hill with artillery. That hill was the key position of the entire battle ; once gained by the enemy the day was lost. The enemy perceiving its importance surged in immense masses against it, while the division (excepting the 109th and the other four regiments mentioned), was changing front and rectifying its line. But the 109th and these four regiments and batteries stood firm as rocks, and mowed down column after column of that vast, struggling mass that charged them from three sides. Gen. Geary in an official report says, "I have never seen more heroic fighting." For three hours the fury of the battle could not be surpassed.
On July 22 our line advanced with frequent skirmishes, driving the enemy into the city of Atlanta, Ga., and establishing a siege of the city. On July 30 the 109th with the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, advanced a picket-line and captured one hundred and twenty prisoners.
Heavy skirmishing was engaged in August 5 and 6. August 25 and 26 they took position at Chattahoochie Bridge, Paices Ferry, and engaged the enemy.
On September 2, the rogth with the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, were the first troops to enter and occupy the city of Atlanta. From September 2 until November 15, they were on duty in the city of Atlanta, and on November 15 commenced the celebrated march of Sherman to the Sea. On the 15th an advance was made by Decatur, Stone Mountain, Social Circle and Madison, toward Milledgeville. On the 19th
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we were at the railroad bridge Doonee River, and on the 22d they occupied Milledgeville. Sandersville was occupied on No- vember 26. During this celebrated march to the sea one of the most important services rendered by the troops and one with the most disastrous results to the military strength of the enemy was the destruction of the military lines of railroads. On November 27, 28 and 29, the rogth with the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, accomplished a most important work in the destruc- tion of the Georgia Central Railroad, and from December I to December 8, the destruction of the Louisville and Nashville Rail- road. This work of destruction was unique and complete ; the rails were twisted and tied into knots, making their further use impossible without re-rolling.
The war seemed to have developed this special mode of destroying the military strength of the enemy. On December Io Montieth Swamp was reached, and on this same day com- menced the siege of Savannah. The Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, with the 109th Penna., in the siege of Savannah occupied the extreme left of the army line, resting on the Savan- nah River. The siege continued from December 10 until Decem- ber 20, when the city was occupied.
Remained on duty in the city of Savannah from December 21, 1864, until January 26, 1865, when the campaign of the Carolinas was commenced. The 109th and Second Division Twentieth Army Corps marched through Georgia and crossed the Savannah River at Sister's Ferry, February 7. into South Carolina, and advanced toward Barnwell. They crossed the North Edisto River on February 13, and the South Edisto at Jones' Bridge, February 14, and advanced to Charlotte, N. C., February 17. Saluda River, at Mount Zion Church, was crossed February 19, Broad River, at Freshley's Mills, was also crossed, and Alston
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occupied February 20. We entered Winnsboro, S. C., February 21 and the same afternoon Gen. Geary, commanding the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, received a communication from General Wade Hampton, commanding the Confederate cavalry. This communication was addressed to the commanding officer of U. S. troops occupying Winnsboro, requesting a safe-guard of said troops to be placed upon the property in Winnsboro, and to remain until Gen. Hampton should enter Winnsboro, when the safe-guard would be returned to their command in safety. The request was complied with and the promise of Gen. Hampton honorably kept. The communication was received by an officer of the 109th at the division headquarters, and a detail of the 109th constituted a part of the safe-guard which remained on duty.
The Catawba or Wateree River was crossed at Rocky Moun- tain February 23, and arrived at Hanging Rock February 26. They remained until February 28, when an advance was made, crossing Lynch's Creek at Horton's, March I. On March 3 they skirmished with the enemy and occupied Chesterfield. The Great Peedee was crossed at Swedesboro, N. C., March 5. From here they marched upon Fayetteville, N. C., and occupied it from March 12 to 14, and on March 16 arrived at Averysboro. From here they marched to Bentonville and from Bentonville they marched, and occupied Goldsboro, N. C., from March 21 to April Io. On April 10 they advanced to and occupied Smithfield until April 11, and from April 11 to April 13 they marched to Raleigh.
Here the 109th was consolidated with the rith Penna. On April 26 Gen. Johnston surrendered. The division marched to Washington, and on May 24 took part in the Grand Review. Remained in Washington on duty at the Old Capitol Prison till July 19, when the officers and men of the old and well-beloved regiment were mustered out and sent to their homes, after a continuous service of three years and seven months.
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The total enrolment was one thousand and fifty-five, the killed and wounded was two hundred and thirty-nine, and those who died of disease and otherwise while in service, fifty-eight. The total loss during service, killed, dead and wounded, amounted to two hundred and ninety-seven. Nearly one-third of the entire number enrolled lay down their lives or were wounded during their term of service. From May, 1862, until the surrender of Gen. Lee, the 1ogth was constantly at the front, and an order during a fight which detailed them on duty away from the line of battle was received with disfavor and protest.
The dangers of battle are over. The trials and hardships of the march have passed and the monotony of camp life has become a memory ; history alone is busy with the deeds of valor and actions of bravery of the 1ogth Penna.
This monument of granite which we this day dedicate is a page in the regiment's history. Monuments will add no lustre to the deeds of the dead, nor confer virtue upon their actions, but simply keep in remembrance those who in the time of our country's peril offered their lives to avert the danger and save for the benefit of posterity a government founded upon the con- sent of the governed, and dedicated to the principles of human freedom and personal liberty.
ERRATA.
Page 6, - thirteenth line from top.
for " into Maryland " read "into Virginia."
Page 12, - sixth line from bottom.
for " very little fighting was done on the left" read "very little fighting was done on the right."
Page 13, ninth line from top.
after " and two brigades " add " of the Second Division."
Page 14, - twelfth line from top.
for " with " read " and."
Page 18, - ninth line from bottom.
omit " Between twelve p. m., and half-past twelve a. m." and substitute " At a quarter of twelve p. m."
Page 40, - fourth line from top.
for " dead " read " died."
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