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 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
The season having now so far advanced as to permit of active ope- rations in the field, the time of our sojourn near Potomac Creek Bridge was rapidly drawing to a dlove. On the 14th of April anders were re- ceived by the various commands to hold themselves in readiness to march at an hour's notice. The troops were to be provided with eight days' rations and sixty rounds of ammunition. Furlonghs were hence- forth not to be granted. all superflu- leypage was to tedisposed of at the earliest possible moment, and the sick and these unable to undergo the hardships of an active campaign were to be removed. On the 15th these requirements were attended to, but owing to the still very unsettled state of the weather, and the impracticability of the roads,
1
19
final marching orders were not received until a late hour on Saturday. 25th of April.
Before we give the reader an account of the marches that followed. we will once more briefly refer to our protracted sojourn at camp Lear Potomac Creek Bridge.
He who thinks that during our three months' stay here we had noth- ing to do except consuming commissary stores is greatly mistaken. as the amount of picket and fatigue duty performed by the regiment left the men hardly sufficient time for recreation. The time actually passed in indolence formed but a very trifling fraction of the aggregate. Ou the approach of spring, when the men were again required to undergo dally drills, this fraction became still less, leaving them hardly time enough to attend to their personal comfort.
It was, as already stated, ou the 14th of April. that the first inti- mations of our approaching movement were received. Almost six mouths' back pay was now due to the regiment. Preparations for the coming campaign were visible all around us. and "should his men leave without their pay?" This was a vital question with Colonel Glanz. "It shall not be if it can be avoided." he said. The officers of the regiment were at once summoned to head-quarters for consulta- tion respecting the measures to be taken in the premises. A remon- stranice. conched in respectful yet firm language, was at once gotten up and daly signed by every officer present; it was forwarded to the Governor of Pennsylvania. Eight days afterwards the " green-backs" were forthcoming.
THE MARCH BEYOND THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
Ata lite Hour on Saturday. 25th of April. as previously remarked. find marching orders were received. and the necessary preparations i sing been completed during the interim, we parted from our camp at gestor before six o'clock on the morning of Mowday, the 27th.
An hour's marching brought us to the place of general rendezvirus, lore, wing to the slow progress made by the leading divisions. we w pe dona and several hours before we were enabled to restune var line of' march.
Once in motion, the column continued to move in a north-westerly Brection until noon. An hour's rest was now granted us. after which die pop h was resumed, and continued until a late hour in the evening. Proing the day the heat was very oppressive. and the suffering among oh n very great.
They inel just left their winter-quarters, and were as yet little accus- tto { to severe marching. besides they were overhardened. To carry. in bilidon't . the regular ontfit, eight days' rations and sixty rounds of amunition, was more than most could do. To ease their loads became, ways of the day, an interactive necessity. Hence, whatever Hi wosibly diminish the burden. or could at all be dispensed with, Brown away. Great coats, blankets. knapsacks, de. de .. might Ho min gathered along our route by the thousands. Nor should the men te accused of recklessness for doing so. Man is not a beast
of banden; while to carry at avonedayof them by the wisdom ( of Major General Hooker war's have placed them on a level with park- mules. Two boxes of an quindion or three boxes of crackers was the utmost limit of the burden for the latter. while human beings, by the orders of the commanding General, were compelled to carry about the HALF of an ass's bad. Whether man's power of endurance is just the half of that of a jack-ass we will leave to the judgment of the reader. It is indeed a glorious thing to be a General, but may the Lord have merey on the poor privates! But to return to our uarra- tive.
Having marched a distance of twenty-two miles, the lhuit of that day's journey was reached at last. To pitch tents, light fires, and pre- pare a cup or two of coffee were the details next to be attended to, and were soon accomplished. Weariness, and the prospect of an early . start in the morning. admonished us to retire in season , and two hours had hardly passed since our arrival in camp than all had resigned them- selves to repose. At one o'clock in the morning the men were aron-ed. and having hastily prepared their breakfast. they were in readiness to march at half-past two o'clock. At three o'clock we left. and continued to push vigorously onward until our destination. " Kelly's Fell." was reached. Sangeting had meanwhile increased to a fearful extent. . At our arrival in comp. the resident, numbering about seven hundred and fifty men at the time of our departure from camp near Potomac Creek Bridge, hast de hulled down to a more cipher, and it was late at night before the last of the stragzzlers had come in. The majority of these men were completely exhausted and presented a truly piteous sight. It was at eleven A. M. on the Path of April, that we reached the vicinity of the ford; when, Going to the nen-arrival of the pontoon train, we were orderein pitch & nes. At three o'clock P. M. the train having me rigearrived we were ordered to be prepared to cross the river. This, However, was not accomplished until nearly midnight.
THE CROSSING.
Havin_ rate lou our arul for any seven homes, we were at last ordered to fill in" and it a town Thore we were silently de- seending the hill wlik o pl. approaches to the ford. It half-past twelve denk their Arrivelen the opposite shore. fr bri_ 1 Hiro Bne of battle, while Sehurz' division, which bad 15 pas slowly I eling its way onward. Signals were contin se! . . pyern the advancing column and those that were to follow it. when the former reported "everything
right." we too advanced. Wohoont woking munch headway, we were kept in motion un il mobily de if it, when the various regiments, after
An. there t. an i never was rest more needed !
The Fifth Corps hatte mercoled us. we remained our onward march at ten d' back A. M. cordial. Martin Cook at two o'clock P. M., and greetis tat nel ris hon do notthe heights of the Rapidan, op- postte Giermartins Mille, at sendeich in the evening.
21
As the crossing was to be accomplished that night, the men retired carly. At one o'clock we were again on our feet. and by two o'clock the crossing was safely accomplished. To find the preconcerted place of rendezvous of the brigade was the task next in order. This. owing to the darkness of the night, was only accomplished after consid- erable marching to and fro. We were now permitted to rest. and doubt- lessly would have rested well, had not the weather-clerk suddenly opened the flood-gates of heaven. This being the case. all we bad to do was to roll ourselves up in our blankets and to patiently submit to the ma- licious conduct of the individual in question. The chills Lept us wide awake. At about six o'clock the rain ceased. when we were enabled to kindle fires, and to attend to our personal comforts. Individually we were on this day more highly favored than many of our comrades. A " Con- federate" calf' having found its way into the Federal court. was "appre- hended," and, having been duly tried, was sentenced to suffer the ex- treme penalty of the law. The sentence was executed by three mem- bers of the 41-t New York Volunteers, who kindly furnished us with a slice of the carcass. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 20th we were again summoned to " fall in," and, once en route, continued to march rapi l'y until four o'clock P. M., when. our point of destination having been reached. we halted within a few miles of what hecome after- wards known as the battle field of Chancellorsville. Though all day in close proximity of the enemy they did not attempt to dispute our pro- gress. In the course of the forenoon the 45th regiment New York Volunteers was dispatched in pursuit of one of the enemy's scouting parties, but the latter retreating on the approach of superior numbers. the affair did not amount to much, but one man of the 45th rechneut having been slightly woundel. After a more complete reconnaissance of the surroundings country by the various aids-de-camp, a position was assigned to our divis ion, whither we repaired, and where we remained until the following afternoon. Tired, and lulled into comparative security by the seeming tomerity of the enemy. the men retired carly. and . lept souilly. There was nothing to disturb the stillness of the night. The cooks, who were boiling the meat issued to the various regiments at a late hour in the evening, and the different camp-guards were the only beings to be raet outside of their tents. The spo rose brilliantly on the first of May, and having sufficiently recovered from the hardships of the previous days, the men wore in the best of spirits. The congratulatory order of Mejor General Hooker, which was received at an early hour, and in which he promised his troons such an easy vietory. was calen- lated to increase this baofancy of spirits still more. All filt confident of success; the fate of Fredericksburg was considered scaled-no one dreamed of a reverse. At eleven o'clock A. M. the booming of cannon on our right told us that the struggle had commenced. The mumnerons able that were seen hurrying to and fro reminded us of the fast that the time of inactivity was past, and that the time of action had arrived.
bon' Hoon orders were received to strike tents, pack knapsacks. and to be ready to march at any moment. The order was at once complied with. In twenty minutes the regiment hod formed into line, and was just on the point of leaving when our movement was countermauded-
22
we were to remain until further orders. The bands of the returning re- giments were playing " Yankee Doodle." while everybody considered the victory already achieved. The prevailing belief was that Hooker's strategetical movement had obliged the Confederates to evacuate Fred- ericksburg, and that the firing heard was that of the enemy's fleeing columns. Strange delusion !
Half an hour after this we were again in motion and continued in motion with but few interruptions until nearly midnight. Wherever the emergency seemed to require our presence there we were. About the middle of the afternoon heavy firing was heard in the rear, while to- wards evening it had shifted more to our immediate left. The enemy was evidently "feeling" our position. However, the day and evening passed without our being called upon to participate in the fiery ordeal. This was reserved for us unto the following day. It was nearly mid- night when, having occupied a position in the woods facing north-west, we were permitted to lie down. At daybreak everybody was " up and doing." "Our slender meal was soon dispatched. It was a lovely morn- ing. Old Sol seemed to have put on his holy-day-robe. while peace and the deepest silence reigned around us. A calm usually proceeds a storm ! It having meanwhile been decided that we should holdt our position. large fatigue parties were detailed to clear a small space in front of our lines. And more willing hands never wiehled an axe than our boys did on the morning of that memorable day. The trees were soon felled and distributed in such a manner as to seriously impede the progress of the enemy should they attempt to attack us. The balance of forenoon was spent in comparatvie inactivity. The numerous scouts and aids that were continually leaving our lives, invariably reported "all right in front," on their return. That all aras'at " right in front" the sequel will show.
At about one o'clock P. M. three shots were fired immediately in our front. These were the enemy's seont, sent out to sound our position. The report of the discharged pieces had hardly died away, when. by some fatality, the cnemy's fire was answered by a tremendous volley from our lines. This deplorable mistake furnished the enemy precisely the information they hel wickel to dwain. It disclosed to them our posi- tion and informed them of our strength.
A party of skirmishers, composed of men from the different regi- ments of the bricole. under connaand of Captain Owen Price, were at once thrown forward. and such other precautionary measures taken as the exigency seemed to demand. The mon rested on their arms, nor was any one permitted to quit his past. For an hour or two everything remained quiet. it about half-post four o'clock a party of the 45th New York Volunteers came running in reporting the enemy massing in front. Every body was now on the "qui vire." That mischief was brewing became momentarily mor opp went. Firing in front, which at Bist was only heard at long intervals, became now more frequent and was evidently waring. That our skirmishers were being driven back could be doubtel no longer. he a few minutes more they were in full sight, still retreating, then I ob tint ly contesting every foot of ground. About this time all doubts with regard to the enemy's inten-
23
tions had vanished. The commands of the Confederate officers. and the yells of the advancing columns could be distinctly heard; and when the bugle called them to the charge, they rushed upon us with an impetu- osity, and a contempt of death, truly admirable and worthy of a better cause. So sudden were their movements, that our skirmishers had barely time to re-enter our lines before the action became general. Shells were already whistling and exploding around us in countless num- bers, while the now slowly but steadily advancing foe, outnumbering us five to one. saluted us with a perfect hail of lead. The contest raged now in all its fury, while it become momentarily more apparent that, unsupported, we would be unable to maintain our position. Notwith- standing the spirited resistance of our men, the enemy had already suc- ceeded in gaining the limits of our barricades, a few paces more would bring them within our lines. The firing now was truly terrific. It was about this juncture that Colonel Von Gilsa ordered the regiment to fall back. but. owing to the then prevailing tumult and excitement. some moments clapsed before the order became generally known. Our back- ward movement was just begun in season. Had we remained a minute longer all would doubtlessly have been captured. The enemy had not only outflanked us on our extreme right. but were also advancing in force on our immediate left. Resistance against the fearful odds of the advancing foc was utterly hopeless; safety was only to be found in a hasty retreat. and when eveq the regiments (74th Pennsylvania and others) sent out to our support. were seen in full flight. this retreat os- sumed the form of a panic. All attempts to arrest the fleeing columns proved futile. Confidence had vanished. The panic had turned into a ront, and it was only after the retreating masses had found scenrity within the lines of the corps in our rear. that comparative or ler and discipline were restored.
To re-unite the fragments of the different regiments was the first care of the commanding General. The men having become greatly scattered during the retreat. this proved a very difficult task. and it was lite in the evening before the various organizations were again in a condition for active service. Everywhere men were inquiring for their rezistents, while store- of officers were hastening to and fro in search of their e in- mands. The men having meanwhile come in to the number of three hundred or more. the Provost Marshal of the 11th corp. kindly escorted us to headquarters. where we were informed of the whereabouts of the di- vision. The latter was soon found. when. the arrival of the riziment having been duly reported to the commanding officer of the brille. a camp ground was assigned to us in the immediate vicinity of the late battle ground. The firing was still in progress on our right. and con- tinued until nearly eleven o'clock P. M. Shortly after our arrival in coup a fatigue detail of fifty men was given by the regiment, who, in conjunction with similar parties from other regiments, were ordered to assist in the burial of the dead. the removal of the wounded, and the construction of breastworks. These parties were kept employed until two o'clock on the morning of the 9.1. Those that remained in cump were permitted to rest. Whoever posse sed a blanket would roll himself into it. while those less fortunate would resort to the huge fires that
-4
24
were blazing in the neighborhood of an old log cabin close by where they spent the night in comparative comfort. The rest granted us was of but short duration, a> at three o'clock on the following morning we were already on our way to join the other divisions of the corps. Having joined them in the vicinity of General Hooker's headquarters, we were ordered to occupy a portion of a line of rifle-pits facing north-east and covering the United States Ford.
Colonel Glanz having been captured, and Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt wounded. Major Frueauff now assumed the command of the regiment. The position pointed out to us being occupied, a large party of skirmish- ers was at once thrown forward. At about ten o'clock A. M. the ball opened on our right. The firing. however, soon became general, balf an hour having scarcely passed since the firing of the first gun, than our whole line was engaged. Shells and bullets were flying around us in a profusion and proximity anything but pleasant, and against which our breast-works offered but a very inadequte protection. Colonel Von Gilsa perceiving the defect. large parties were at once set to work to im- prove them. The firing continued with unabated fury, until night put a stop to the slaughter. Our casualties during the day were but tritling. The shells of the enemy did us very little harm. His sharpshooters annoyed us much more than his noisy cannonading. That the divisions occupying positions on our right were less fortunate than we was clearly proven by the long trains of wounded that were continually passing in our rear. This circumstance, in conjunction with the large number of prisoners constantly brought in. proved that our comrades on our right had to stand the brunt of the fight. Our activity during this day was principally confined to skirmishing, and was attended with variable suc- cess. The rain by which we were visited on the 4th having, to some extent, caused a suspension of hostilities, oar skirmishers were the only portion of the regiment engaged. Towards evening we were relieved by an Illinois regiment, after which w . retire I to a position about a mile in the rear of that previously held, where wo encamped. By this time the regiment, which, on the morning of the 3d, had numbered little more than three hundred men, had considerably increased, by the accession cf a majority of those who had been dis med on the memonalde evening of the 2d. Having drawn a fresh supply of provisions at an early hour on the morning of the 5th, we were again ordered to occupy a line of rifle- pits about a quarter of a mile in front of our position.
This done, two divisions. (Companies B. C. E, and K,) were at once deployed as skindisher. Their activity. however, was principally con- fined to watching the movements of the enemy. Occasionally a few civilities were exchanged with the chemy's skirmishers, but aside from this, nothing Happened along our line worthy of note-at least not during the forenoon.
When, about the middle of the afternoon. the clouds had assumed a suspicious aspect, every body pure firtoit a shower ; and, for once, every- body was right, and everybody was wrong. If by "shower" they referred to one of those refreshing -prinklings which come and go only to bless mother earth and her millions of sinning creatures, they were wrong; if, however, by a stretch of meaning, they meant to predict
1
25
the appro ich of a deluge. visited upon earth for the chastisement of mankind, they were right, for when the " shower" did come, it visited us in the shape and form of the latter.
It was a little after three o'clock, that the flood gates of heaven first opened upon ne, and in a few minutes the storm was raging in all its magnificent fury. The peals of heaven's artillery were freqnent aud loud -- dash followed flash ; peal was followed by peal, while the carth beneath us seemed to quake, and the watery element was pouring upon us in torrents. flow anxiously we did look about us for a friendly shel- ter ! But this, even if found, would have been a blessing beyond our reach. Our position offered none, while to leave it would have sub- jected the offender to the extreme penalty of military law. We had but one altrinative: to weather the storm, and to endure patiently while it lasted; our situation grew worse as tinie wore on. The rifle- pit was fost assuming the characteristics of the "horrible pit of mire and chy." while the fury of the storm continued unabated. Night came on, but brought us no relief. The water in the riffe-pit was now knee- deep-still it rained. Every moment increased the suffering of our weary comrades; yet, amid all this suffering, not a word of complaint was uttered. They knew that marching orders had been received the previous evening: they know that the hour of deliverance was close at hand : and, knowing this, they were determined to manfully endure unto the end.
Two o'clock, and with it the hour of deliverance arrived at last. The order to "fall into line" was silently communicated from man to man, and in a few minutes the column was slowly and noiselessly " feeling" its way towards United States Ford.
To successfully accomplish a retrograde movement of this kind required the greatest cirenmispection. The enemy must be kept in ignorance of the movement. or all may be lost. Secresy becomes essential to suc- cess.
Before entering on their night's errand, silence was strictly enjoined upon the ten, and was as strictly observed. Not a sound was heard ; every one followed silently in the wake of his predecessor. At six o'clock in the morning of We la. Jav, the 6th of May, the Ford wes safely reached, and the passage of the river accomplished without the loss of a man, in spite of the brick cannonade kept up by the enemy. Safely arrived on the northern shores of the Rappahannock, the retro- grade reverent was continued in the direction of Hartwood Church. The roads were in a shocking condition, rendering marching the anet difficult and exhausting task we were ever called upon to perform. At noon the column was brought to a halt, and it was only at the earnest request of the men under his command, that Colonel Von Gilsa permit- ted the march to be resumed after we had rested an hour and a half. Anxious to reach their oll encampment the men pushed vigorously onward. anlat So'clock on the evening of the 6th of May we were once more in camp near Potomac Creek Bridge. But little did it look like the emap we had left ten days ago! It now presented little more than a ways of ruins. Their cabin, destroved, their blankets and tents lost, many were doomed to spend another sleepless night, and, as if to cap the climax, it still continuod to rain.
26
To repair their quarters was the first care of the men, and in less than two days this was very generally accomplished.
The losses sustained by the regiment in the unfortunate affair at Chancelorsville, as ascertained on the day after our arrival, footed up as follows :
OFFICERS. MEN. 5
Killed,
Wounded,
3
33
Missing,
16
Prisoners,
38
'Total,
=
87
Hipon the recomunendation of a board of survey, convened to ascor- tain the kind and quantity of property lost by the men. requisitions were at once made to cover the deficiency, and in less than ten days the wams of all were again supplied. This attended to, things began to look more cheorally. 'The despon dency of the men gradually van- ished, and soon all traces of our lete disaster were obliterated. With Colonel Glanz in our midst, and Brigadier-General Barlow banished to the Antipodes, our happiness would have been complete. Neither. however, was to come to pass ; Col. Glanz continued in " durance vile." Billy Barlow continued the scourge of the division ; until a chance bul- let at Gettysburg lowered the pelty tyrant from his exalted position, and fford the division of his presence. The short reign of this indivi- dual foris an epach in our history, which will never be forgotten by those who had the misfortune to serve under him. As a taskmaster he bet no equal. The deadgery imposed upon the regiment by the divi- sion commander during our sojourn at camp near Potomac Creek Bridge, left the bien very little thue for recreation. On the morning of the 3d of June, our stay here terminated by the removal of the reg- innat to camp neer Brooks' Station. Here Dogberry ruled. as it were, with a road of iron. and by his trifling punctilionsness caused everybody to be - down" on the service. The comparative quiet of the last three weeks was followed by a season of continual excitement; scarcely a day pas-ing witheat its attendant alaris and marching orders. Defi- nite marching orders did not reach us until the evening of the 11th. At 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the 12th we left, loaded with three days' rations and sixty rounds of ammunition. Reaching Hartwood Church late in the evening, we pitched tents and remained over night. At B o'clock on the morning of the 13th, we resumed our line of march, and, pushing onwart at something like a dog trot. arrived at Catlett's Station at 6 o'clock. P. M. The following day the march was contin- ued until a late Lour in the ovenbier, when we encamped within three or four auk - of Centreville, which better place we reach I at 10 o'clock on the morning of the 15th, and in the vicinity of which we remained until the 17th. Tien this march wes not a pleasure tour the reader may rest assured To march a distance of from 55 to 60 miles in less than three days, new il : pocket, with the thermometer up among the nineties, we consider anything but a pleasant task. And then the scar-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.