USA > Pennsylvania > The volunteer's manual, or, Ten months with the 153d Penna volunteers : being a concise narrative of the most important events of the history of the said regiment > Part 2
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to a break ranks" given, than all
betook themselves to parrot this tante as hurriedly as possible. The day advanced, and with it tents afforded us but F .... 1 tl thiry of the storm. As our minst the raging elements, a wmill lo in mid-winter. To
mitigate the suderin: : if ky rations were issued to us; and never did we more Lia provide a favor received. Our stay at traing-ville was perfil il San Tis. the 9th of November, when. at an early hear in the . He broke camp.
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BOUND TO ALDIE, LOUDON COUNTY.
Colonel von Gilsa, having addressed the regiment in an appropriate manner. we entered upon our line of march .- the older regiments, more inured to marching, taking the lead. while ours brought up the rear.
A few hours marching brought us to the village of Haymarket, (said to have been destroyed by order of Gen. Steinwehr, ) the black- ened ruins of which forcibly impressed us with the horrors and cruel- ties of war. Proceeding from thence in a northwesterly direction, along the bases of the Bull Run Mountains, we, greatly fatigued, arrived at AAldie a little before sunset. The day's march was rich in incidents, novel to most of us. It was for the first time that we marched in company with larger numbers, and for the first time did we witness the various ways resortel to and means employed by the soldiery to supply themselves with such connnodities as are not con- tained in the catalogue of the commissary department. How many luckless fowls strayed into the haversacks. or lost themselves in the capacious knapsacks of the more fortunate sollers! And how many young porkers, having once strayed into our " lines," were seized and condensed as contraband of war!
But enough of this, for were we to attempt a particular account of all the violations of the rights of meum and teum perpetrated on that day, the size of this little voline would scarcely be large enough to con- fain them. E'pou our arrival. two companies of the regiment. B and G, were detailed to support the battery. while the rest went into camp in a very fine and secure position. We were now far advanced into the enemy's country, and at no time while here were we secure from their attacks, as the importoat position holl by our brigade, and its mmmneri- cal weakness were calculated to invite efforts to dislodge us. The days of our sojourn here were a continual series of excitement and false alarmis. On the whole. however, the time of our temporary occupation of Aldie many will be rankel among the pahnier days in our military History. Of commissary supplies we had any quantity, and whenever these were not of the kind desired by us, all we had to do was to pray that a fit ladHoek. a fine porker, or a well sized spring calf or hanh might make its appearance in our midst, when lo! there they were. The preying process we found the surest method of keeping our harders well supplied : nor have we ever known it to Ful so long as there was anything to pay upon and the devotional exercises were properly con- ducted. Of suders' goods there was no lack, as " solomon" kept his trumple well stocked and soll his commodities at reasonable prices. And who has forgotten the serial intercourse then existing among the different regiment, of the brigade? How often did the excellent choir of the 45th New York euliven the weary hours of night by their beau- stal strains! Truly these were happy time-indledt too good to last
Aldie was not intended to be our " abiding city." for already on the Ioth of November military necessity obliged us to abandon our position anl to enter ujet our retrograde movement
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TO CHANTILLY.
The order to leave having been received the night previon. it was at eight o'clock A. M. on the day mentioned that we shouldored our knapsacks preparatory to entering upon our backward movement. This was accomplished somewhat under difficulties. The rain of the previous night had rendered the roads rather . sonpy. " while the lossof a number of dratt-horses had reduced our means of transportation to such extremities that the men were compelled to carry the camp-kettles and other cooking utensils the entire distance, and worse than all this, it continued raining. with but little intermission, during the greater part of the day. Wet, weary, foot-sore and staggering beneath the ponderous burdens they were carrying. most of the men, upon reach- ing Chantilly, were so completely exhausted that, having pitched their tents, the majority retired without even the slightest apology of a sup- per. But few camp fires were lighted that evening, and of the usual noise and bustle of camp-life nothing was heard. The slow tread of the scores of stragglers that continued to arrive until a late hour was all that interrupted the death-like silence of the night.
CAMP AT CHANTILLY.
Our sojourn at Chantilly, occupying a period of twenty-two days, presented a lengthy array of contrasts. The state of the weather was very changeable, and we may safely assert that while here we had to pass through all the various changes known to meteorologists. So of our camp-ground; in fair weather ir presented as fine a surface as the most fastidious could have wished. while a few days of rainy weather would render the process of locomotion the most laborious operation imaginable. And so again of our quarters; at first they were the most miserable apologies, hardly deserving that nome. while at the es- piration of a week or ten days they were all that could be desired. It was here that the field and seat oftheers could boast of better quarters than they ever had. and wherein they had expected to spend the winter at their ease; but which alas, they were compelled to evacuate almost before the last nail had been driven into the flooring. It was here that many of our compiles experienced the extreme- of joy and grief; joy at the arrival of those long expected, much talked-and-dreamed of boxes of delicacies ; and grief when they discovered that the delicacies were spoiled, and that the money. paid in the shape of express charges, had been needlessly thrown away. it was also bere where our regi- mental band was first organized, where they daily practiced in the old stone barn. and where. on thanksgiving day, for the first time, they publicly discoursed sweet, harmonious music. It was here that we witnessed the novel spectacle of a grand manoeuvre; and where. on the 20th of November, Major theneral Franz Sigel addressed and inspected the regiment. Generally speaking. we cannot call one sojourn at Chan- tilly a disagreeable one; on the contrary, constant employment caused time to pass most pleasantly ; besides which. there were many things to endear it to us, and even at this day we love to while with many of its pleasant associations.
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On Tuesday. December 9th. orders were received by the varions regiments to hold themselves in readiness to march at short notice, and on the following morning, greatly to the chagrin of all concerned. we left. bound for
STAFFORD COURT HOUSE.
It was with a feeling of sadness that. early on the morning of the day in questiou, we parted from our comfortable quarters to enter upon one of the most te-lious and difficult marches in the annals of the war. A few hours marching brought us to Fairfas Court House, in the vi- cinity of which we encamped until the morning of the 11th. No sooner had it become known that we were to remain here over night than all endeavored to make themselves as comfortable as possible. To remove the snow, dry the ground, (which latter was accomplished by means of large fires.) gather pine and cedar boughs for bedding, and erect the tents. was the work of an hour or two, after which matters went their wonted course. At eventide each man received a small portion of whisky; rations were also issued to us. to enable us the better to endure the hardships of the morrow. when, night having set in. all hands betook themselves to rest. Everything was yer shrouded in darkness when, on the morning of the 11th, the familiar sounds of reveille fell upon our ears, and reminded us of the order given tho previous evening " to be up at four o'clock." Of the scene that now ensued only he can form an adequate idea who has actually witnessed similar ones. In a few minutes all was life and motion. Innumerable fires sprang up as if by magie, while hundreds were hurrying to and fro in search of water to cuable them to prepare their frugal meal. This over, the striking of the tents and packing of knapsack. was all that remained to be done preparatory to entering upon our journey. and in a few minutes more this too was accomplished. We were now ready to " fall in" at a moment's notice; owing to the bad condi- tion of the roads however, our departure was necessarily delayed. until nearly seven o'clock. when. having previously conveyed the sick fot whom we had a large number) to the Fairfax hospital, we left. Our means of transportation being greatly reduced. we were also obliged to leave a large quantity of ordnance and commissary stores in charge of a guard. At the command to " fall in." every one was at his post. and a few minutes later we entered upon our second day's march. And such a march ! Clay of the consistency of that prepared for mould- ing bricks willconvey the best idea of the substance we had to wade through as we progressed on our way from Fairfax to Stafford Court Ilouse. In many places this substance, commonly called mund. was knee-deep, and greatly impeded our progress. Dry spets were only to be found on hill tops, and were as rare as bases are in the desert. Having rendered a cireumistantial account of one day's march, we hope our readers will excuse us if we omit to give the particulars of those that followed. To do otherwise would only be to repet what has al- ready been stated, and would prove both tiresome and uninteresting.
We left the vicinity of Fairfax Court House. as already stated. on Thursday. December 11th. 1-62, crossed the Vecoquan at Wolf Run
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Shoals the following morning, and, continuing to march in a southern direction, reached Dumfries, Prince William county. on the evening of Saturday. 13th. Having been detailed to court the ammunition supply train, we remained here over Sunday, and for once in the his- tory of our earthly pilgrimage on the "sacred soil" were permitted to rest on the Sabbath, in which we were more fortunate than the mem- bers of the others regiments of the brigade, who were obliged to leave the morning after their arrival. The ammunition train having mean- while arrived we resumed our line of march at cight o'clock A. M. on Monday. December 15th. two companies. (A and F. ) under command of Captain Owen Rice, detailed to act as pioneers. having preceded us at an early hour. Had the roads been in a condition to permit of but comparatively free locomotion, the end of our journey. Stafford Court House. might easily have been reached that day. is it was, however, notwithstanding the almost superhuman efforts that were made to reach it. the attempt proved abortive. Owing to the complete prostration of the men we were compelled to camp in a clearing, midway between Cannon Road and Stafford Court House. As it was late when we ar- rived. the men greatly fatigued, and the atmosphere very sultry. but few tents were pitched that evening. a neglect which many of us had occasion sorely to regret before morning as the sequel will show. About midnight it began to rain. moderately at first. but ere an hour or two had passed that which at first was but a gentle shower. had turned into one of those violent storms of wind and rain so peculiar to those lititudes, and against which shelter-teuts and rubber blankets offer but a very inadequate protection. How anxiously we then wished for the approach of day : and the dawning day never revealed a more sorry sight. The majority of' us were dripping wet. and a strong north- easter having set in, were now shivering with coldt. To light a fire was an ntter impossibility. besides. the rain still continued to pour down in torrents. At eight o'clock the violence of the storm somewhat subsided, and the more expert in the art of lighting a fire were soon enjoying the luxury of a cup of warm coffee. At half-past eight O'clock. the sky having resumed its unclouded areet, we proceedul ou our march on Stafford, which we reached just in time to meet the van- guard of our retreating forces, who informed as of Burnside's defeat in his late attack on Fredericksburg. This was ou Tuesday, December 16th. After a series of hard-Hips, the like of which but few of us had ever experienced. our destination was reached at last ! Before, however, we shall outer into the details of our protracted sojourn at and near Stafford Court House, it will not be imappropriate here to annex a brief statement concerning the aspect of things in the section of the " Old Dominion" through which we had passed.
The whole region of country traversed by us, from Fairfax to Stafford Court House, we found well nigh deserted. A few shy females would now and then attract our attention. but of men we saw but few, if any, who were not off the classstyled "aged or infirm." \ robust. healthy looking man, one fit to perform Labr or military duty. was a curiosity seldom met with. They had either fled at our approach or had been couscripted futo the Southern armies. Besides, the entire country
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presented a picture of the most abject misery. But few buildings met our view that did not bear the impress of the desolation that surrounded them. The majority were either untenanted or had been ruthlessly destroyed. A cultivated field would have gready relieved the uniform picture of misery that greeted us, but even this was a sight vainly looked for. Yet. though the hand of the " invader" had mercilessly destroyed the work of generations, nature was still lovely; and while life lasts we shall never forget the romantic sceneries which at times presented themselves to our view. Who of us will ever forget the truly grand. wild and majestic scenery spread out before us at the crow sing of the Occoguan? Who has forgotten the difficult ascent of the almost perpendicular heights on the opposite shore, from the brow of which the abandoned works of the enemy frowned upon us? Who has forgotten the almost inexhaustible pine forests that afforded us protection against the inclemoney of the weather, and that contributed so much to caliven the dreary monotony of the surrounding scenery? But enough of this. The occurrence of events may be forgotten. but the recollection of seeues such as these will forever cling to the memory of hin who has witnessed them. We will now return to Stafford. where. immediately upon our arrival. all were busily eudea- voring to dry their clothes and blankets. A stiff breeze facilitated the process, and at the end of a few hours all were again as comforta- ble as could be expected. Our next care was to refresh the inner man. This done, we pitched tents in an open field, where we remained until the 18th. The teamis reached camp late in the evening, but did not bring the how much needed supplies. Whatever had not been left at Fairfax had been issued to us along the route, and fresh supplies could only beggesured at Stonemen's switch or Falmouth, to do which, owing to the worn-out condition of the draft-horses, was imprac- ticable.
Now came the times that tried not so much men's souls as their stomachs. All were hungry. and worse than this. almost everybody's haversuch was empty. From five ro eight cents were freety ofred for a hand cracket. Many resorted to the wayon camp where. from the horse-troughs they would stealthily abstract a few handfulls of Indian corn with which to satisfy their craving stomachs, while some were seen shaving pieces of beef Ride, which. after being cooked, were greedily devoured. We were now reduced to the very extremes of want, when, thanks to the untiring exertions of Colonel Glanz, who had succeeded in borrowing a small supply of hard-tack, the threaten- ing firmine was luckily averted.
With the opportune arrival of the borrowed crackers the sunken spirits of the mea revived; and many who, but a few hours ago, had given up all hopes of relief. were now running wild with ecstacy. 1 fortune unexpectedly bestowed could not have rendered them more happy then des small issue of hard-tack did. for which a week or two ago. no one would perhaps have thanked the giver. In a few days supplies began to flow in freely and continued to do so during the re- railer of our day in the vicinity of Stafford-indeed until the mom- orable days of Chancellor ville.
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In the afternoon of Thursday. December Isth. we left our position north of Stafford Court House, to take up another south of Accakeek Creek, where we were to establish a number of picket stations. An hour's much brought us to the locality designated, when. agreeally to instructions received, two companies A and B, were at once detailed to pieket the line assigned to us, while the remaining eight companies went into comp. The locality selected as a camp-ground presented all the features that could be desired. It was a spot considerably ele- vated above the surrounding country. heavily timbered, and well watered. Whether the miasmatic exbalations of the neighboring swamps were the cause of the subsequently fest increasing sickness in our make-whether it was produced by excessive duty and con-e- quent exposure, or the irregul rities practiced by the men. we are unable to determine. Suffice it to say, that, during our sojourn here, sickness ineresved among us to an alarming extent. This excopted. we had no conse for complaint. T'ho Commissary Department con- tinned to be well supplied, while our quarters affordel us all the pro- tection neede 1. The majority of the latter were simigly gotten up of logs, and varied in size from the cabin capable to accommodate & dozen or more. to the narrow. coffin-like contrivance. calculated for the accommodation of but a single gentleman. Each of these cabins could boast of a stone-hearth, and many presented such an air of comfort as one would hardly have expected to find in a camp in the wild forests of Virginia.
Christmas and New Year's Eve were appropriately celebrated. On the latter occasion whisky rations were issued to us, which. of course. caused everybody to be in the "best of spirits." and greatly increased the hilarity of the crowd. Fatto and taps were for once di-regarded, nor did the general noise att merriment coase until the festivities were ende l by a midnight serenade of the rezimental band. So much of our doings in the camp proper. How Now You's Eve was cele- brated by tapt. Bie's independent community. away in the picket camp. we are weble to state. Having roomined lere thirty two days. we broke camp early on the meaning of Tuesday, January 20th, 1868. leaving the sick, with a proportionate number of nurses. in the charge of Surgeon Store.
Passing Stafford Court House at daylight. we proceeded in the direction of Brooks Station which we reached at 10 o'clock. A. M. and whence we pro model to join the Eighth Regiment. N. V. S. V. and the seriva of Dekmen's lettore a- ordered. Having found the un at a point two miles southwest of Brooks Station, we halted for an hour or two, when we again returned to the vicinity of the Station. where we went into camp out remained until the morning of the 234. pick- eting the railroad. On the morning aforesaid. eight companies of the regiment pro dded to join the brigade, then encamped near Ania Landing. alle ta commies. . I and II . in command of Major Franuff, remained to guard the road. (This detachment was after- ward- increased by the addition of Company F.
The march to Aguia Landing was soon accomplished, and, a suita- ble campground having been allotted to us, improvements were at
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once conmeneed. Many fine quarters but already sprung up. when, on the morning of the 20th. we were compelled. greatly to our regret, i vejen the same to a l'omsylvain regiment. o Slogan's Corps, on to again shoulder our knapsacks, bound for the vicinity of
ยท POTOMAC CREEK BRIDGE,
where we arrived the same forenoon. With our arris .There, our rov- ing r ever was destined to come to a close: for here we were permitted tore dn up to the time of our unfortunate excursion to Chancellors- ville, an i. subsequently, until the Bd of June.
No sooner had we arrived. than all bestirred themselves to erect their dog-kennels, while the fragrant perfumes that ascended from scores of camp-kettles reminded us of the activity of the cooks. Our late experience having taught us not to be too precipitale, the laying out of the camp was deferred until the following day ; and even then. in view of the uncertainty of our remaining, the me were caution not to be too hasty in the creation of quarters. That, with the imp .- sition practiced uren them at Aquia Landing fresh in their mind. the majority felt di-nosed strictly to chey this order. the reader may rest assured. But very little progress in building was made that day. Het Aquia Landing we had been too hasty. we were, as the sequel will show, too slow here. for during the night of the 27th of January we were visited by a show-storm, the like of which is seldom wit- nessel. even in more northern latitudes. On the morning of the 25th of January our camp presented a truly dismal appearance. Many of the cats had been crashed beneath the enormous masses of show that bol overulated upon them. while in a majority of cores the inmates sfreines ware completely del arred from all communication with the save would be the immense snowbanks that surroundel them. One una by member of Company Ky was nearly frozen to death when fonel ia luis tent. and was only restored to conscimisao's after the index paraly resorted to in such cases, had been applied. But for meer except those whom dary obliged to come reach, vere to be yes master of the shoulders. The cary led the amount of 1 ing Ak and will it continued to know . But few had the courage to about the . Drieale task of lighting a fire. The majority preferred ihr emporative protection of their shelters to all the outer world call ofer them. It was late on the day in question before the storm Anowhat about when hundreds could be seen emerging from . Hall badges like grand-los from their burrok -. The removal en moments accumulation of snow was the task next in order. and ning o until night pat a stop to all labor. From this day for- alla spell of very changeable weather, in consequence of almost ten days passel before all were again comfortably quar-
" at our stay in camp near Potomide Creek Bridge, covering a period By tone months and a half, we should hereafter recount only such 1.2. tous may seem deserving of special notice. Formost among r. the arrival of the payarister. Major Bell, who, greatly to the
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satisfaction of all concerned, on the 30th and 3Ist days of January, " forked over" to us a small supply of " legal tenders" in acknow- ledement of the very important services rendered by us to the Gov- vermaent of the United States up to the last day of October.
On the sixteenth of February, the regiment, as a member of the First Brigade, had the honor to pass in review before Major-General Hooker. The day was a delightful one, the ground in splendid order for manceuvring, and the various evolutions were performed with a precision and in a style greatly to the satisfaction of the commanding general and his numerous suite; and so well pleased was Col. Glanz with the splendid bearing of his own command. that, on our return to camp, he " treated" the whole regiment, as a mark of his approba- tion.
On the twenty-sixth of February, the anniversary of Washington's birth-day, was duly celebrated by the officers of the First Brigade by a grand festival. Major-General Stahel. Brigadier-General MeLean, and numerous lesser liglits, were among the invited guests. and. we trust. enjoyed themselves fully as well as we did. The exercises for the occasion consisted in speaking, cating, and drinking, and passed off cred- itably to all concerned.
On the 20th of March, hi- Excellency. Andrew G. Curtin, honored the regiment with a flying visit. The presence of the Governor with the Army of the Potomac having previously come to the knowledge of the compiling officer. extensive preparations had been made to extend to him a suitable reception. At the time of his arrival our camp pre- sented a perfect picture of "fairy land." Triumphal arches, with appropriate inscriptions. devices and festoons, greeted the august vis- itor in great profusion. After the regiment had been drawn up into line, atel duly saluted the honored visitor, they were massed in close column, when his Excellency addressed the regiment in a very neat and appropriate manner. This done. he left, amil the hearty cheers of the men.
On the 19th of April the regiment participated in the grand re low of the Eleventh Corps, held by Major-General Howard, near Brooks' Station. Van. in honor of the presence of the President of the United States. It was a grand sofar. and passed of creditably to all con- corned. The following day Major-General Howard issued a congrat- ulatory address to he's troops, highly complimenting them upon their excellent bearing the day previous.
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