Daniel A. Masters's Blog, page 9

Under the Stars and Stripes Again: Taking Richmond with the 4th New Jersey Battery

For nearlyfour years, the mantra of the Army of the Potomac was “On to Richmond!” Inearly April 1865, that long cherished goal was finally accomplished and FirstLieutenant James Morris of the 4th New Jersey Battery was on hand towitness the historic occasion.

          “At early daybreak a dense cloud ofsmoke was observed hanging over the city and when we came in sight of the city,the scene was terribly grand,” he recorded. “I thought at first that Lee wastrying to play Moscow on us. Great clouds of fire and smoke were rolling upfrom a score of buildings in the heart of the city. The arsenal was on fire andthe immense quantity of shells stored therein were bursting continually,scattering destruction and death among the terrified women and children whose homeswere in flames.”

          “One of our bands struck up “Yankee Doodle”and when a young lady was asked by an office how she liked that tune, shereplied, “I would to God that I heard it two years ago!” The people are almostentirely without food as their pinched looks plainly show and they eagerly acceptedthe hardtack from our soldiers’ haversacks. We could hardly believe that this isRichmond, so different is the bearing of the people from what we expected,” Morrisobserved.

          Lieutenant Morris’s account of theoccupation of Richmond first saw publication in the April 13, 1865, edition ofthe Monmouth Democrat published in Freehold, New Jersey.

 "At early daybreak a dense cloud of smoke was observed hanging over the city and when we came in sight of the city, the scene was terribly grand," recalled Lieutenant James Morris of the 4th New Jersey Battery. After nearly four years of effort, the Army of the Potomac had finally taken Richmond and the end of the Confederacy was within sight. 

Richmond,Virginia

April 3,1865

          This has been a glorious day for us. Thismorning, at about 3 o’clock, the troops were aroused by stunning reports of theexploding Rebel gunboats in the river. In a moment, the whole line was aroused.As daylight approached, it was discovered that the Rebel line was evacuated andour pickets immediately advanced and took possession of the deserted workswithout firing a shot. A few prisoners were captured without resistance.

          The army was soon in motion. To the 4thNew Jersey Battery was assigned the task of bringing in the captured artillerywhich was a rather dangerous task on account of the torpedoes planted aroundthe abattis of the forts. The guns were brought in safely however and our ownbattery was soon en route with the column for Richmond. We arrived in the cityat 11 a.m. Our advance was close on the heels of the Rebel rear guard. Not ashot was fired while on the march. So sudden was the evacuation that about 2,000Rebel soldiers in the hospital and stragglers about town were captured.

          At early daybreak a dense cloud of smokewas observed hanging over the city and when we came in sight of the city, thescene was terribly grand. I thought at first that Lee was trying to play Moscowon us. Great clouds of fire and smoke were rolling up from a score of buildingsin the heart of the city. The arsenal was on fire and the immense quantity ofshells stored therein were bursting continually, scattering destruction anddeath among the terrified women and children whose homes were in flames. Theywere made beggars by the very ones who they were taught to believe were theirsaviors. General Lee had ordered these buildings to be burned to the ground andit was pitiful to see the gorgeous furniture, splendid pianos, and costlymirrors tossed about the streets. Beautiful women and innocent children werejostled by the swaying, surging throng.

          General [Godfrey] Weitzel established hisheadquarters in the Confederate capitol building about 8 a.m. There is trueUnion sentiment in Richmond without doubt. Very few of the inhabitants had theopportunity to leave with the Rebel army. Old U.S. flags, bearing the nameMillard Fillmore on the stripes, were today waved in the streets for the firsttime in four years. Flags that have been carefully hid from Rebel scrutiny werefluttered today from many a window and doorway. The white population are verypolite and kind to our troops and the Negroes were wild with excitement. Everywherewhen the stars and stripes were displayed, the Negroes took off their hats andbowed and were very loud in their demonstrations of joy. The windows werecrowded with happy faces. “That’s the flag, boys! Thank God we are under thestars and stripes again! They’re the colors after all,” and innumerableexpressions of the like we heard constantly as the crowd caught sight of ourguidon.

First Lt. James B. Morris
Battery D, 1st New Jersey Light Artillery
Dept. of State, State of New Jersey

          One of our bands struck up “Yankee Doodle”and when a young lady was asked by an office how she liked that tune, shereplied, “I would to God that I heard it two years ago!” The people are almostentirely without food as their pinched looks plainly show and they eagerly acceptedthe hardtack from our soldiers’ haversacks. We could hardly believe that this isRichmond, so different is the bearing of the people from what we expected.

          Libby Prison was set on fire by theRebels but the fire was extinguished before much damage was done. I rode pastthere about 4 o’clock this afternoon and found it crowded with Rebel prisoners.A group of Union soldiers who had formerly been inmates of the prison werestanding on the pavement shaking their fists defiantly at the graybacks nowbehind the bars. “The tables are turned now, boys,” one of them said and theirearnest manner showed that they appreciated the change.

          We now have possession of the wholeRebel line from Richmond to Petersburg. We captured today over 500 pieces ofartillery in the defenses around this city. From Chapin’s Farm to Richmond, thecountry was cut up with line after line of entrenchments and the defensiveposition was splendid. If the Rebs can’t hold such a line as that, the game isup with them.

          We have encamped for the night in avery pleasant spot on the western border of the city near the Danvillerailroad. I am writing these hasty notes on the blank pages of a “Confederateroster of the prisoner’s guard on Belle Isle.” The number of prisoners isincreasing every hour, hundreds being found concealed in houses and in thewoods outside the city. The capitol park is occupied by a brigade of the 24thArmy Corps. The Rebel quartermaster’s department was broken open by thecitizens as soon as the fact of the evacuation became known and everyone, whiteand black, are sporting new Confederate uniforms. Jackets, shoes, pants, redcaps and blankets were carried off by the Yankees. I heard several ladies saythey had more to eat today than at any one time in two years. They denounceJeff Davis and General Lee bitterly as the destroyers of their homes andmurderers of their sons and brothers.

          President Davis left Richmond forDanville on the Danville railroad yesterday and probably he is now playing for therole of a disguised prince. The Rebel army has probably gone to Lynchburg.

          Our army is in splendid condition andthis victory is all the more glorious because it is bloodless. We are anxiouslywaiting for news from the Army of the Potomac. Now that the Rebs have started,we won’t give them any rest until there is nothing left of them. I send you $5,000worth of Confederate checks taken from the office of the Secretary of Statewhich would bring in Freehold about 25 cents.

          The morale of the troops would bebetter if there was no more ale sold allowed to be sold to them by thecitizens. Tobacco is cheap as dirt, five pounds of Killikinick selling for 50cents. The steamer Allison and another tug were not destroyed with therest of the shipping by the Rebels on account of their being private property.They were promptly seized by General Weitzel and used to transport troopsacross the river who took immediate possession of Fort Darling on Drury’sBluff. Merriam, the N.Y. Herald correspondent, wrote his dispatchestoday on the desk of the Secretary of War.

 

Source:

Letter fromFirst Lieutenant James B. Morris, Battery D, 1st New Jersey LightArtillery (AKA 4th New Jersey Battery), Monmouth Democrat (NewJersey), April 13, 1865, pg. 2

Fire from the Rear: A Soldiers Squabble in the 74th Ohio

By thespring of 1863, the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation in changing Unionwar aims proved a stark dividing line among Northerners. Peace Democrats,increasingly displeased with the heavy losses on the battlefield, grewparticularly vocal in opposition to the war. Those sentiments even drove awedge between comrades in arms as is shown by the following correspondence.

          Arthur Truman served as a private forabout a year in Co. B of the 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry before he receiveda discharge on a surgeon’s certificate of disability in December 1862. Hereturned home to Spring Valley, Ohio and soon put his anti-war sentiments onpaper in a letter written to a comrade in Co. B, William Zellers. Truman’sletter, expressing his opposition to emancipation and to blacks in general,raised quite a ruckus amongst his comrades in arms, two of whom wrote lettersback to Truman sharing their astonishment.

          The whole batch of correspondenceoriginally saw publication in the Xenia Torchlight but is reproducedhere from the pages of the West Jersey Pioneer published in Bridgeton,New Jersey.

 Peace Democrats, labeled Copperheads by their Republican opponents, took to snipping the head of Liberty from copper pennies and wearing them on their lapels. In the early months of 1863 with war weariness at it height and Union success on the battlefield scarce, Copperhead sentiment grew, particularly in Ohio and spread throughout the Midwest. 

ArthurTruman to Private William Zellers

SpringValley, Ohio

March 10,1863

Old soldier,sir,

          I feel it my duty to write to you oncein a while for you and I were sworn into this damned nigger war together. But Iam glad I am out of it and I would be glad if you were too for I am certain youdid not think of that when you volunteered. I did not. But it has come to thatnow.

          They have passed the conscription billin Congress and I am afraid if they don’t make Massachusetts and New York andthe other delinquent states full their quota, there will be trouble for Ohiowill not suffer a draft if Old Abe don’t make those states fill their oldquota, neither will Indiana or Illinois. I would not be much surprised if youwere to get to visit Ohio before long for the Democrats will not suffer to berun over much longer for these Republicans have been trying to raise a fuss fora long time and I am afraid they will get it.

          A few days ago, they tore up the Crisisoffice at Columbus, Ohio, a prominent Democratic paper; they also tore up apress at Lebanon, Ohio and one in Illinois. The Democrats held an indignationmeeting at Columbus on last Saturday but the proceedings of if are not knownhere yet. They threaten the [Cincinnati] Enquirer but let them touch itif they want trouble. The conscript bill makes no exception with regard tocolor. I for one am not in favor of having the nigger mixed in this war for Inever want to be an equality with the nigger, but if he fights for thegovernment, he will have a right to vote and hold office in the government.More than that, if they make them fight on the field, they will be buried togetherwith white ones and they are the damndest cowards on earth as they have notsense to fight.

          The conscript bill also lets a man offby paying $300, so you see money is all they are after- a poor man who can’traise $300 has to go. I think hell is too good a place for Old Abe and hiscrew. We had the majority in this state last fall, which we never had before. Iwould like for Old Abe to call an extra Congress next summer then I thinksomething would be done for the Congress is Democratic now; the AbolitionCongress is through.

          I must quit for it is a good sugar day.[Truman is referencing harvesting maple sap to make maple syrup] I have beenworking for my brother-in-law for a while. Bill, you ought to be here now for aman can get anything he asks most for hands are so scarce. Write soon and giveall the news. I don’t know whether you can read this or not as I wrote it in ahurry.

From youraffectionate friend,

ArthurTruman

P.S. Givethe wooly heads all you have got in your shop. Excuse my mistakes for I am in ahurry.

Arthur Truman remained a Democrat throughout his life. He lived around Spring Valley, Ohio until 1869 when he moved west to Montana Territory where he served a term in the state legislature and was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

As rememberedby Second Lieutenant John Scott of Co. B, Truman’s letter angered his formercomrades. “His former friends and mess mates are justly indignant that heshould send such a letter to any member of the company,” Scott noted. He askedthe editor to publish Truman’s letter along with the responses from bothWilliam Zellers and another comrade, Moses Bone.

Response ofPrivate William Zellers to Arthur Truman

Camp of 74thRegt., O.V., Murfreesboro, Tennessee

March 19,1863

Mr. A.Truman,

          With wonder and astonishment, Ireceived your letter today. As we were warm friends once, so I hoped to alwaysremain, but if you are in earnest in your sentiments against your President andyour government and you cannot send me a more encouraging letter for the scaredcause in which I am willing to sacrifice life and labor, you may throw asideour former friendship and we will know each other hereafter as strangers.

          When I volunteered, it was with thebelief that I was going to fight in a just cause and so I believe yet and I amsorry to think that you have taken sides with the traitors in our rear. Whenyou speak of Democrats, I suppose you mean Vallandigham Democrats. Well, I don’tcall them such. We would not own them in the Democratic Party. You say youwould not be surprised if we had to fight on our own soil. Would to God thattomorrow morning was the day we would march into Ohio! For we would as soonfight Rebels at the North as the Rebels in the South. We have more respect forthe open enemy in our front than we have for a sneaking traitor in our rear.

          You say you would be glad if I was outof the service. Well, I am glad I am where I am. So should every loyal man whowould rather see the institution of slavery go down than to see the Constitutionof the United States go down. In speaking of Democrats, I would say to you thatthe majority of our company are Democrats. I am a Democrat myself and I am oneof the old Jackson Democrats, he who said “The Union, it must and shall bepreserved!” How could I approve of your sentiments when you uphold the Rebelswho have already fought us with lead and steel and have shot down by comradesin arms? God forbid that I should ever turn a traitor thus!

          I must conclude by telling you that ifyou are the man you style yourself in your letter, you may consider ourcorrespondence at an end.

Your oncedevoted friend,

WilliamZellers

Sergeant John W. Baldwin, Co. C, 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry 

Response ofPrivate Moses Bone to Arthur Truman

Mr. A.Truman,

          I am allowed the privilege ofaddressing you a few lines in this letter. I was granted the privilege ofreading the letter that you sent to William Zellers and sir, I was sadlyastonished to think that you had been led off by a set of damned cowardly,low-lived, onery set of Copperheads who disguise themselves in the names ofDemocrats when at the time there is not a drop of Old Hickory blood in them andwell they know it, too.

          I thought when you left here that youhad more manly principles than that! Read the history of our common country andyou won’t find a word that will uphold your principles. I will tell you myfriend that this company is Democratic and when they heard your sentiments, itmade them curse. If the old 74th Ohio was allowed to visit the Copperheadcountry, they would hang them high as Haman. If you wish me to stand up mystatements, let me know.

Moses Bone

 

Source:

“A RichCorrespondence, i.e. What the Democrats in the Army think of the Traitors intheir Rear,” West Jersey Pioneer (New Jersey), June 6, 1863, pg. 1

Knocking Fort Powell into Pie: In Mobile Bay with the U.S.S. John P. Jackson

WhileAdmiral David Farragut steamed into legend in Mobile Bay, Surgeon Thomas S.Yard of the humble steamer U.S.S. John P. Jackson recorded his vessel’scontribution to reducing nearby Fort Powell which guarded the Mississippi Soundentrance to Mobile Bay.

“The Jackson, Conemaugh, Estella, Stockdale,and the tug Narcissus have all day been shelling Fort Powell,” he said. “Theyreplied very briskly. We cannot get near enough to drive them from their gunsbut no doubt the admiral will send one of the monitors from inside to knockFort Powell into pie and thus the communication between New Orleans and Mobilewill be established without going by Fort Morgan. The monitor with doubleturrets came down to Fort Powell and, going very close to the fort, opened onit with their 11-inch guns. The fort returned the fire but only occasionally astheir guns are all outside of the bombproof where they run for protection and itis only when they can catch the monitor turning around that they run out oftheir holes and fire, then run in again. Thus, it was kept up for an hour whenthe monitor steamed off, towing away with it a barge that the Rebs had tied upto the fort.”

Shortly after Dr. Yard penned those words, the Confederates blewup the magazine in Fort Powell and abandoned the fort. Dr. Yard’s multi-daydescription of one of the lesser-known aspects of the campaign in Mobile Bay firstsaw publication in subsequent issues of the Monmouth Democrat publishedin Freehold, New Jersey.

   

The ferryboat John P. Jackson was built in Brooklyn, New York in 1860 as a 750-ton sidewheel steamer intended for service in New York harbor. The U.S. Navy purchased her in November 1861 and converted her into a blockade vessel by arming the ferry with six guns including a 9-inch Dahlgren and a 6-inch Sawyer rifle. The John P. Jackson served under Admiral David Farragut's command for most of the war and took part in the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip near New Orleans in April 1862 and in the actions at Mobile Bay described by Surgeon Thomas S. Yard in the following letters. After the war, she was sold back into the civilian market and went into the freight service.   

U.S. SteamerJackson, off Fort Powell, Alabama

August 3,1864

          At last, the real attack upon thedefenses of Mobile is about to be made. This morning, the gunboats Conemaugh,Jackson, Estella, and Stockdale conveyed the army that isto attack Fort Gaines up the Sound to their place of landing, which is to beupon Dauphin Island, about four miles west of Fort Gaines. General [Gordon]Granger is in command of this portion of the troops. They were conveyed herefrom New Orleans in the steamers Brown, Clyde, Battle, St.Charles, and Tamaulipas. They have plenty of heavy artillery and ifthey succeed in making a good landing tonight, their heavy siege guns will soontell upon Fort Gaines. The general is quartered upon a very pretty littlesteamer called the Laura and appears to be very busy. The Laurais to be seen everywhere and as the army and navy are to work together in thisaffair there is no doubt about our success.

August 4,1864

          About dark last night, the last of thetroops were landed without any trouble from the enemy and commenced their marchtowards the fort at once. Between the troops and the fort there is a clump oftrees and close underbrush. So, the Jackson was sent to shell the woodsbefore the troops went in. We steamed up to within 800 yards of the woods andone with our 9-inch and long 32s. We kept up a continual firing until thetroops reached the woods when we returned to our station.

The army was now two miles from Fort Gaines where they atonce put themselves in position and are now awaiting a general attack whichwill be made tonight. No doubt Forts Morgan and Gaines will be carried byassault while the fleet at the same time goes into Mobile Bay. This afternoon,a Rebel steamer commenced shelling our troops from the inside of the bay. Thenone of the monitors from Farragut’s fleet steamed up and drove her off. The admiralhas with his wooden fleet the monitors Manhattan, Tecumseh, andtwo double-turreted monitors from Cairo. The ram Tennessee is lyingunder Fort Morgan intending, no doubt, to give us some hard knocks but ourbrave old admiral will serve them as he did Hollins at New Orleans. Long liveFarragut, and we all pray he may not be hurt in this fight. The vessels in theSound will not have any active part in the fight and we are waiting anxiouslyfor tomorrow to see our old flag flying inside the bay and on the forts.

While Admiral Farragut led his fleet between Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan on the morning of August 5, 1864, the John P. Jackson and several other steamers bombarded Fort Powell at the northern tip of Dauphin Island. Fort Powell commanded Grant's Pass, an alternate route into Mobile Bay. Within days, both Forts Gaines and Morgan would be captured. 

August 5,1864

          Victory! Victory! This morning at 6:30the fleet commenced to move. First, the monitors Manhattan and Tecumseh,then the Hartford, Brooklyn, and the other twomonitors and all the others following. At about 8 a.m., they opened upon themfrom the forts and batteries. The ships replied with their heavy broadsides andsteamed steadily in, Admiral Farragut’s blue pennant proudly flying from the Hartford.The fight was very hard and severe judging from the great number of shells thatexploded about our ships and the terrific noise of the bombardment.

          About 9 o’clock, the fleet was insidethe bay and at once commenced a terrible but short fight with the formidableironclad ram Tennessee. The ram fought valiantly and stubbornly forabout half an hour, but the monitors were too much for her and she now liesunder the stern of the Hartford with the stars and stripes flying overher. It is supposed that Admiral Frank Buchanan commanded the Tennessee.If so, Farragut will feel very happy at making the capture of so important a person.

The ram C.S.S. Tennessee went into the U.S. Navy's service after her dramatic capture in Mobile Bay and is photographed here late in the war. 

Our fleet is now lying at anchor inside the bay and all thelight draught vessels have gone up to the city. The forts still hold out andfly the Rebel flag but they are completely hemmed in and can get no suppliesand will have to surrender or starve. So, we may say that Mobile is captured;for the best part of the work is over and we have now only a few batteriesbetween us and the city. The loss of life in the fleet is very small. The armyas yet has not done anything, but they may tonight.

Hurrah for Farragut! Another victory! He always wins when hestrikes. The Rebel gunboat Selma is just now coming to the fleet withthe stars and stripes at her peek, captured no doubt by the light draughts upthe bay. The Jackson, Conemaugh, Estella, Stockdale,and the tug Narcissus have all day been shelling Fort Powell. Theyreplied very briskly. We cannot get near enough to drive them from their gunsbut no doubt the admiral will send one of the monitors from inside to knockFort Powell into pie and thus the communication between New Orleans and Mobilewill be established without going by Fort Morgan. I am sending you this ingreat haste and will write more by next mail.

Off FortPowell, Alabama

August 5,1864

          The monitor with double turrets camedown to Fort Powell and, going very close to the fort, opened on it with their11-inch guns. The fort returned the fire but only occasionally as their gunsare all outside of the bombproof where they run for protection and it is onlywhen they can catch the monitor turning around that they run out of their holesand fire, then run in again. Thus, it was kept up for an hour when the monitorsteamed off, towing away with it a barge that the Rebs had tied up to the fort.

Admiral Frank Buchanan, C.S.N.

August 6,1864

          Last night about 11 o’clock, the Rebsexploded the magazine in Fort Powell and left it in disgust, swimming to themainland. Communication being open between us and the admiral, we learn thatone of our best monitors was sunk by a torpedo and that the ram Tennessee wascaptured by our brave sailors boarding and taking her with cutlass and pistol. Allthe shots from our fleet did her very little damage and she is now ready to beturned against her builders as equal to any ironclad that we have got. [Thegarrison of Fort Powell consisted of about 140 men under the command ofLieutenant Colonel James M. Williams; they included two companies from the 21stAlabama and Culpepper’s South Carolina battery.]

The fight between the ram and her captors was no doubt one ofthe greatest naval engagements on record, but we have not heard all theparticulars yet. The Hartford lost some 60 men and the Oneidaaround 40. We have not heard of the others, but the loss is greater than was atfirst supposed. The hospitals and buildings at Fort Gaines have all been firedthis morning and we think the enemy is making preparations to blow up the placeas they cannot hold it long. There is no doubt that the city of Mobile willsurrender to Farragut in a few days. I hope now that the old Jackson will beordered north for the admiral promised that he would send her when Mobile fell.Won’t it look odd to see this old ferryboat coming up the bay at New York and accidentallyrun into her old slip at Jersey City?

August 7,1864

          Yesterday afternoon we all took a boatand visited the remains of Fort Powell. It is completely blown to pieces.Nearly all the guns are dismounted and the whole place is a complete wreck.Strange to say, the enemy did not spike a single gun and some very fine Brookerifles fell into our hands. I heard today that Lieutenant Pierre Giraud was thefirst one to jump on the Tennessee’s deck and that Admiral Buchanansurrendered his sword to him. Farragut has given Giraud command of the ram.

               To read another account of the action at Mobile Bay, please check out "Damning the Torpedoes in Mobile Bay" which features a letter from Lieutenant Charles V. Gridley of the U.S.S. Oneida. Gridley later went on to fame as the hero of Manila Bay.

Sources:

Letters fromAssistant Surgeon Thomas Stryker Yard, U.S.S. John P. Jackson, MonmouthDemocrat (New Jersey), August 25, 1864, pg. 2; also, September 1, 1864, pg.2

Charging the Railroad Embankment at Second Bull Run with the 5th New Jersey

Pinned down by Stonewall Jackson's determined infantrymen at Second Bull Run, Lieutenant Theodore Young of the 5th New Jersey Infantry recalled how the fight denigrated into a slugging contest at short range. 

    "We commenced firing ourselves but at first could not see anything for the smoke of the Rebel guns," he commented in a letter written nearly two weeks later. "By and by, however, we could see the heads of the Rebels sticking up behind the railroad embankment while others were standing behind trees and stumps. As our line of battle and line of skirmishers was oblique to the railroad, our left came in sight of the enemy sooner than the right. Company K had the extreme left and a good many of the boys assured me that they were not over 40 yards from the Rebels. We had stood there about half an hour when our line of battle advanced and tried to make a charge. The Rebels, however, opened such a tremendous fire on us that we broke ranks and retreated, leaving it to us skirmishers to keep the enemy from following them."

    LieutenantYoung’s description of Second Bull Run first saw publication in the September25, 1862, edition of the Monmouth Democrat published in Freehold, NewJersey. During Northern Virginia campaign, the 5th New Jersey underthe command of Lieutenant Colonel William J. Sewell was part of Colonel JosephB. Carr’s Third Brigade of General Joseph Hooker’s Second Division of the 3rdArmy Corps under Samuel P. Heintzelman.

 

Cap belonging to a soldier of Co. K, 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry with an 1863-era corps badge for the Second Division, 3rd Army Corps

Camp nearAlexandria, Virginia

September 9,1862

          On the 15th of August, ourdivision left Harrison’s Landing and marched towards Williamsburg and Yorktown,at which latter place we arrived safely after a day’s march. Great enthusiasmwas manifested at the sight of the old battlefield of Williamsburg. AtYorktown, we embarked on the steamer Baltic which took us 30 miles upthe Potomac then ran aground; we were put aboard the steamer City of NewYork which took us up to Alexandria. I need not mention how glad the boyswere to see this place again; it seemed to be a second home and everyone wasanxious to get ashore and visit his old acquaintances. We laid for three daysin and around Alexandria, thus giving us a chance to get at least one goodmeal.

          On the 26th of August, weleft Alexandria on the cars and halted at Warrenton Station about 15 miles theother side of Manassas. We laid there overnight when early the next morning(August 27th) the news reached us that Jackson had made a dash onthe railroad between us and Manassas, burning all the bridges and destroyingeverything he could hold of. Our division, the only one lying this side of Jackson,was marched back along the railroad and about 2 o’clock in the afternoon of thesame day we reached Jackson’s forces at Bristow Station. A sharp engagementensued in which Sickle’s brigade of our division met with considerable loss.Our regiment was then ordered to charge; this order was promptly executed,causing the Rebels to leave that place. Corporal John B. Clayton was ahead ofall in pursuing the Rebels as they fled in great disorder, leaving a good manyof their dead, wounded, and prisoners in our hands. The next day we followedthe enemy towards Manassas and from there to Centreville.

Early on the morning of the 29th of August, wetook the road towards the old battlefield of Bull Run and on our arrival therewe found Kearny’s division hotly engaged with the enemy. The enemy had anexcellent position along a railroad embankment behind a wood and so situatedthat we could not deploy more than one brigade at once. Up to this point,Kearney had successfully driven the enemy back, but here he sent in one brigadeafter another without any effect. Our men were terribly cut up and had toretreat.

About 1 p.m., our division marched up, each brigade buildinga line of battle for itself. Our brigade was in the lead and we advanced slowlythrough the woods. About halfway through the woods we halted and our regimentwas selected to deploy skirmishers in front of the line of battle. Then weadvanced slowly as skirmishers while the rest of the brigade came up in line ofbattle about a hundred yards in our rear. Approaching towards the edge of thewoods, we were received by a volley of musketry which caused our line of battleto lie down while we skirmishers pushed forward, hiding ourselves behind treesand stumps.

Colonel (later Brigadier General) Joseph B. Carr of New York commanded Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps during the Northern Virginia campaign. The brigade consisted of the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th New Jersey regiments along with the 2nd New York and 115th Pennsylvania.

It was here that many of our regiment were killed among themCaptain [Edward A.] Acton and [Private] John F. Lokerson [Co. K]. We commencedfiring ourselves but at first could not see anything for the smoke of the Rebelguns. By and by, however, we could see the heads of the Rebels sticking upbehind the railroad embankment while others were standing behind trees andstumps. As our line of battle and line of skirmishers was oblique to therailroad, our left came in sight of the enemy sooner than the right. Company Khad the extreme left and a good many of the boys assured me that they were notover 40 yards from the Rebels. We had stood there about half an hour when ourline of battle advanced and tried to make a charge. The Rebels, however, openedsuch a tremendous fire on us that we broke ranks and retreated, leaving it to usskirmishers to keep the enemy from following them. This we did.

I do not believe that a man of the 5th New Jerseyleft his post except if he was wounded. Never did I see men act cooler andbetter in a fight. Soon afterwards, another line of battle came up in our rear.It was the Second Brigade of Hooker’s division [Colonel Nelson Taylor’s all-NewYork Excelsior Brigade] and they had no better success than the first for assoon as they came in sight of the Rebels, they were so badly cut up that theyretreated. Our line of skirmishers stood fast yet and did good work among theRebels. The Rebels did not dare to leave their position to pursue ourretreating forces.

General Joseph Hooker
Commanding Second Division
Third Army Corps

In came our first brigade under General [Cuvier] Grover. Asthey advanced, we got orders to retreat, but the orders were only partly heard;the right wing and center of our battalion rallying and marching out in goodorder while the left, who did not hear the command, stood fast. The third lineof battle had hardly come in when a shower of balls from our left showed usthat the enemy had turned our left and we were in a crossfire. Men of Co. H whohad been standing just on the extreme left, told me that the third line ofbattle broke ranks and they themselves seeing that the balls came from therear, they left their posts and saved themselves the best way they could. 

Theyall acknowledge to have done some pretty tall walking while retreating and hadit not been for our batteries which opened on the Rebels with grape andcanister, many more of our boys would have been taken prisoners. Take it allthrough, there was not a regiment in the engagement that afternoon that stoodthe fire better than ours. Behind our batteries we formed in line, what wasleft of us, and the night soon broke in and relieved us. As Captain Acton waskilled in the engagement, command of Co. K transferred to me.

The next day’s fight commenced about 2 p.m. The Rebels hadbeen reinforced and threw their whole force on our left wing which theysucceeded in driving back. Our division was not actually engaged that daythough we sustained some loss from the Rebel shells. The whole army retreatedtowards Centreville. The enemy did not seem to be very anxious to follow usthere. Our division laid there for two days and then we marched to Fairfax andfrom there to Alexandria. We encamped about four miles from the city on theroad to Mount Vernon where we are yet enjoying the rest we needed so much. Newclothes and better victuals are coming in daily and we are quite comfortable.

Source:

Letter fromFirst Lieutenant Theodore Young, Co. K, 5th New Jersey VolunteerInfantry, Monmouth Democrat (New Jersey), September 25, 1862, pg. 1

97 Horses Left on the Field: The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Charge at Chancellorsville

A commoncomplaint from infantrymen during the Civil War was “who ever saw a deadcavalryman?” That epithet certainly couldn’t be used in reference to the 8thPennsylvania Cavalry whose charge to escape capture at Chancellorsville leftthe ground carpeted with 97 dead horses and 51 men killed, wounded, or captured.

In describing the charge, one veteran stated “the enemyopened their ranks to the front and rear and allowed us to pass amid a showerof bullets and bayonet thrusts. Many of them were cut down with the saber andsome were trampled to death by our horses. A good number of our own men andhorses had fallen in the road and it was with difficulty we reached the road atall. Our hearts almost sank within us as there was yet another line of theenemy to pass through and in their front our forces were hurrying forward toreach the new line of battle that had been partly formed. We must cut our waythrough or surrender; so, we dashed forward with renewed energy, scattering theenemy to the woods which shielded the roads and from the shelter of this theykept up a constant and rapid fire.”

This following exciting account of the Chancellorsvillecampaign was written by a soldier of Troop E, 8th PennsylvaniaCavalry writing under the nom-de-plume of Bugler. It first sawpublication in the June 6, 1863, edition of the West Jersey Pioneerpublished in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

 

 This fine print by Don Troiani depicts what was known as Keenan's Charge, named after Major Peter Keenan of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry who lost his life leading his troopers to safety. 

Port Conway,Virginia

May 17, 1863

          We have had some stirring times andtall fighting within the past two or three weeks. Your readers are doubtlessfamiliar with all the particulars of the general engagement but I will give youa brief narrative of the doings of our own regiment. It must be remembered thatthe entire cavalry force, with the exception of our brigade [Second Brigade,First Division under Colonel Thomas Devin] was with General Stoneman, none ofthem were engaged with the army.

          The advance was started on MondayApril 27th and reached U.S. Ford where we rested for the night.Tuesday, our brigade was inactive but the infantry and artillery were marchingin solid columns all day and little did we think that we would find an enemy inour front of sufficient strength to make us falter on the road, but such iswar.

Before daylight Wednesday morning [April 29] we were on theroad to Kelly’s Ford, a good part of the troops were already across but werenow halting. The 6th New York Cavalry started the right advance, the17th Pennsylvania Cavalry in rear driving the stragglers forwardwhile our regiment advanced on the left and the road leading to Fredericksburgvia Chancellorsville, Sickle’s division of infantry following close in ourrear. We found no obstructions or enemy but reached the Rapidan River insafety, a small party crossed and reported no enemy within one mile.

We were then ordered to Richards’ Ford, our errand being tocapture the strong picket known to be stationed there. We met no enemy untilwithin sight of the Ford when we discovered about 30 of the enemy restingthemselves in a grove directly in our front. We charged upon them with a shoutthat made the valley ring. They rose and grasped their muskets but it was toolate as the glittering blade was above them and they were forced to surrenderalthough one of two of their balls came uncomfortably close. We marched them toheadquarters, delivered them into the hands of the Provost Marshal, and thencrossed the Rapidan and camped for the night. Some of the carbines that werecaptured from us last fall at Leedstown were recovered by their owners atRichard’s Ford.

During the night, intelligence was received of a strongpicket in our front and at early morn we made a descent upon them and after alittle skirmish, we captured two officers and 16 men, driving the remainder tothe main body which we found to consist of a brigade of infantry in line ofbattle protected by a dense wood and earthwork. Therefore, we could notapproach them without a heavy loss. General [George] Sykes was informed oftheir position and sent his column to the right and left of the road, leftorders to watch them closely, and if they advanced on us, aid would beforthcoming. If they retired, we were to follow as close as we thought prudent.I think the Rebels smelled a trap and they soon retired although our picketsdid not give the signal for ten minutes afterwards.

Model 1860 light cavalry saber

They did not halt at Chancellorsville but passed directlythrough and towards Fredericksburg. We advanced two miles beyond where we foundthem in position awaiting our attack. We gave them the pleasure of a skirmishand then retired, with the loss of three men wounded and nine horses killed. Weleft a strong picket and retired about a mile and camped for the night. Nodemonstration was made by either party until 10 o’clock Friday morning [May 1] whenthe enemy advanced on us in force. We fell back slowly, fighting as we went.General Sykes soon brought up his infantry and after they were in position, wefell to the rear of all with the loss of two men killed and nine wounded. Theenemy still advanced but were repulsed with considerable loss. General Hookercame on the ground soon after the fight commenced and personally superintendedthe forming of the lines. Heavy skirmishing was constantly raging and towardsnight the sharp crack of the deadly rifle could be heard in every direction onthe front, right, and left.

During the night, the enemy was pretty docile and our lineswere permanently formed and strengthened by fallen trees and rifle pits.Skirmishing commenced early Saturday morning [May 2] and was every minuteincreasing in rapidity of fire until toward noon when the fight became general.Very little artillery had as yet been used but it had begun to speak. To get toour position, we were obliged to take the plank road one mile fromChancellorsville. We turned to the left and marched about one mile down a smalland almost impassable road.

We were busy watching an immense wagon train which was slowlywending its way to Fredericksburg and were just contemplating our chances ofsuccess in case we should make a dash upon it when an aide came dashing up toGeneral Sickles and General [Alfred] Pleasonton and whispered to them but amoment. We were ordered to draw sabers and follow. We had heard heavy firing onour right but did not for a moment think that anything serious had happened tous, but our first thought was the 11th Corps had routed the enemyand we are to try our blades on them. Supposing this to be the situation ofaffairs, we charged through the road that we had but a short half hour beforecame in on, and you can judge our surprise and amazement when we saw the roadfilled with a solid mass of the enemy.

Major Peter Keenan, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry 

But this was our only means of escape and in our leaders werecognized three gallant men- General Sickles, General Pleasonton, and Major PeterKeenan. The enemy opened their ranks to the front and rear and allowed us topass amid a shower of bullets and bayonet thrusts. Many of them were cut downwith the saber and some were trampled to death by our horses. A good number ofour own men and horses had fallen in the road and it was with difficulty wereached the road at all.

Our hearts almost sank within us as there was yet anotherline of the enemy to pass through and in their front our forces were hurryingforward to reach the new line of battle that had been partly formed. We mustcut our way through or surrender; so, we dashed forward with renewed energy,scattering the enemy to the woods which shielded the roads and from the shelterof this they kept up a constant and rapid fire. While this was going on, theenemy halted and was only attending most affectionately to us which gave ourforces time to reform their line and place the artillery. This time was takenadvantage of and when the enemy advanced again he received a welcome that senthim back howling with rage. Many of us who had lost our horses were compelledto run but most arrived safe in the rear. Many of us who had lost our horses werecompelled to run, but most arrived safe in the rear. When we arrived atChancellorsville we formed a skirmish line and detained all stragglers of whichthere were a great many.

After the panic had ceased and tranquility and unity ofaction again restored, our regiment was withdrawn from duty and the men laiddown to rest. At roll call Sunday morning, we found our loss to be 51 menkilled and wounded, Major Keenan killed, wounded, or prisoner, Adjutant [J.Hazleton] Haddock killed, Captain [Thomas] Arrowsmith of Co. B, killed. 97horses were left on the field with all of their equipment. Some of the men saythey will work with the 11th Corps, but I do not think there is onewho, if he saw them in danger, but would do all he could for their rescue. Thebattle commenced again early Sunday morning with increased ardor, but westeadily held our lines until noon when the enemy retired; for some cause, wedid not follow.

We were ordered back across the river, crossed U.S. Ford, andcamped for the night. The enemy brought a light to the bank and gave us avigorous shelling we were forced to retire farther back. In the afternoon, wewere ordered to Sedgwick’s assistance.

Bugler

Source:

Letter fromBugler, Co. E, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, West JerseyPioneer (New Jersey), June 6, 1863, pg. 1

Crawled a Half Mile on my Belly: A New Yorker's Escape from Fort Wagner

Writing tohis brother William H. Freeman in Freehold, New Jersey “with a broken smeller,”James Freeman of the 48th New York described how he had beenshot through the nose while storming Fort Wagner just a few days prior.

“As we gained the ramparts, I got a ball square through mynose and one on the shoulder, the latter did not enter but raised a considerablelump and is somewhat sore,” he stated. “I am in no way seriously hurt and thereis no necessity for my being in the hospital but it is orders and I had tocome. I would leave the hospital today if I could get permission to get awayfrom the awful smell which is just like that of a slaughterhouse. Many of themen are horribly mangled and in this hot climate, where there are so manypatients, it is impossible to keep the hospital from smelling disagreeably. Thecries and groans of the suffering are not very pleasing music to sleep by untilyou get used to it.”

Freeman’s brief letter describing the fight at Fort Wagnerfirst saw publication in the August 6, 1863, edition of the MonmouthDemocrat published in Freehold, New Jersey.

 The 48th New York was among the regiments who stormed the ramparts of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. Our correspondent was shot through the nose but still clawed his way into the fort. His regiment lost 234 men out of the 400 that made the charge. 

Hospital No.8, Beaufort, South Carolina

July 21,1863

          We left St. Helena for Folly Island onthe 4th of July, landed on the night of the 5th, andremained there till the morning of the 10th when we attacked theRebels and carried all the works on Morris Island except Fort Wagner and theCumming’s Point battery. Five Monitors, five gunboats, and the Ironsidesattacked these on the morning of the 18th and kept up a heavy firetill half past 6 o’clock at night when our brigade was ordered to storm FortWagner.

Our regiment was third in line. We started on the doublequick and the wholesale slaughter commended. The enemy’s grape, canister,shells, hand grenades, shrapnel, and musketry thinned our ranks fearfully. The48th New York had eight companies in the fight numbering about 400men; we came out with 166, leaving 234 on the field killed, wounded, andmissing. I was inside the Rebel works about two hours. When I left, all ourforces had retreated but a few like myself who did not know the order toretreat had been given as it had been done very quietly in order to deceive theRebels.

When I left, I crawled a half mile on my belly over dead andwounded soldiers before I dared to rise up and walk. The moment I left thefort, the Rebels opened on me but owing to the darkness I escaped withoutfurther injury than that which I received in the beginning of the fight. As wegained the ramparts, I got a ball square through my nose and one on theshoulder, the latter did not enter but raised a considerable lump and is somewhatsore. I am in no way seriously hurt and there is no necessity for my being inthe hospital but it is orders and I had to come. In this fight, the 48thnew York had 17 officers but only two of them came out whole.

During the time we occupied the island, we were compelled todig caves underground to protect us from the enemy’s shells. We lost some menevery day killed or wounded; Fort Sumter annoyed us most by shelling our camp.I would leave the hospital today if I could get permission to get away from theawful smell which is just like that of a slaughterhouse. Many of the men arehorribly mangled and in this hot climate, where there are so many patients, itis impossible to keep the hospital from smelling disagreeably. The cries andgroans of the suffering are not very pleasing music to sleep by until you getused to it. The wounded are very tenderly cared for and receive the kindestattention. 

Yours, witha broken smeller,

James H. Freeman

To learnmore about the fight for Fort Wagner, please check out these additional posts:

Storming Fort Wagner with the 67th Ohio

Another Such Engagement Would Not Be Desirable: The 62nd Ohio and Battery Wagner

 The Flag Never Touched the Ground: William Carney at Battery Wagner (54th Mass.)

 Following Glory: Two New Yorkers Recall the Charge on Battery Wagner (48th & 100th NY)

At the Center of a Circle of Fire: A Confederate View of the Fight for Battery Wagner

Source:

Letter fromPrivate James H. Freeman, Co. C, 48th New York Volunteer Infantry, MonmouthDemocrat (New Jersey), August 6, 1863, pg. 2

A Civilian’s Viewpoint of Lee’s Invasion of Pennsylvania

Located justnorth of the Mason-Dixon line, one resident of Greencastle, Pennsylvania had aringside seat to the beginning and end of Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania in thesummer of 1863. He took especial note of the Confederate generals whoaccompanied the columns.

          “General Lee and staff passed immediatelyin the rear of General Hill’s corps,” he noted. “His bodyguards were wellmounted, well dressed, and well equipped. They numbered about 50 fine lookingmen. General Lee appears old and had a troubled, careworn countenance. He worea blue mantle over his gray suit with an ordinary slouch hat and was mounted ona fine black horse. He did not converse with anyone but appeared to be in deepmeditation. General Ewell was reserved in conversation and dignified inappearance. General A.P. Hill was more communicative and agreeable but had avery poor opinion of the generals in the Union army- in fact, a generaldenunciation of the Union generals and officers was the predominant feature inthe conversation of both officers and privates.”

          This lengthy civilian account of theGettysburg campaign was penned by someone using the initials J.S.H., and firstsaw publication in the July 11, 1863, edition of the Lancaster Daily EveningExpress.

 

Generals Robert E. Lee and A.P. Hill meet in front of the Cashtown Inn west of Gettsyburg, a structure which still exists into the present day. A few days prior, both men traveled through Greencastle and were observed by our civilian correspondent. Lee was remembered as old with a "careworn troubled countenance" while the gregarious A.P. Hill was "more communicative and agreeable." 

Greencastle,Franklin Co., Pennsylvania

July 8, 1863

          Having been a spectator of many of thescenes of the last few weeks here, I shall endeavor to relate some of themwithout any coloring or exaggeration; but a true history of all that hastranspired in this valley would not be credited by those who were notwitnesses. I shall not attempt to describe minutely all the scenes of the greatdrama which has been enacted in this valley but give the reader merely a bird’seye view of the scenes behind the curtain.

          I shall first of all notice thetriumphant entry of General Lee’s army into Pennsylvania which occurred on themorning of the 25th of June- General Ewell’s corps being in theadvance, followed by A.P. Hill’s and Longstreet’s corps, General Imbodenbringing up the rear. Ewell’s corps is the finest in the Rebel army, being thebest armed and equipped and the men appearing more respectable and under morerestraint than any of the other corps. It numbered, according to General EdwardJohnson, 30,000 men.

          On the 26th, General A.P.Hill’s corps passed through and encamped two miles from town followed the nextday by General Longstreet’s corps. All of these two corps did not pass on themain road, a portion going by way of Mercersburg and Waynesboro. The army underGeneral Lee did not number more than 100,000 men, many of whom were noteffective or available in the battle. The men were in good spirits and wereloud in their boats of what they were going to do in Pennsylvania. Theyinvariably denounced the Yankees as cowards, asking how far it was to Harrisburg,and how many ‘Dutch militia’ were there. Many would say, “here are your raggedRebels. We are going to Harrisburg to capture your Dutch militia and the boysthat carry the big knapsacks.” Another said, “Now that we are in the Union Iguess you are satisfied.” Others would give the man in front of him a push andsay, “on to Richmond.” The men were ragged and miserably dirty; there was no uniformityof dress, everyone wearing what he could get or steal. Many of the officers hadno uniforms or anything to distinguish them from the privates. Even GeneralEwell had no stars to designate his rank.

General Richard Ewell
Commanding 2nd Corps, A.N.V.

          The army was well supplied withartillery, some 200 pieces having passed over the main road while quite anumber of pieces passed by way of Mercersburg and Waynesboro. The wagon trainwas immense and could not have numbered less than 2,000 wagons. The teams werein tolerable good condition and principally mules.

          General Lee and staff passed immediatelyin the rear of General Hill’s corps. His bodyguards were well mounted, welldressed, and well equipped. They numbered about 50 fine looking men. GeneralLee appears old and had a troubled, careworn countenance. He wore a blue mantleover his gray suit with an ordinary slouch hat and was mounted on a fine blackhorse. He did not converse with anyone but appeared to be in deep meditation.General Ewell was reserved in conversation and dignified in appearance. GeneralA.P. Hill was more communicative and agreeable but had a very poor opinion ofthe generals in the Union army- in fact, a general denunciation of the Uniongenerals and officers was the predominant feature in the conversation of bothofficers and privates.

          We have been told that the Southernmen are more cultivated and refined than those of the North and that chivalryand honor are the characteristics of the Southern people. If highway robberies,profanity, vulgarity, filthiness and general meanness are the requisitequalifications for constituting a high-toned gentleman, then indeed may theSouthern soldiers claim the appellation. Hardly a house that has not beenrobbed, many of them have been sacked two or three times, my own mother’s beingone of the latter. Everything of value was taken, clothing of all kinds, men’sand women’s, even ladies’ underclothing including hoop skirts. They took money,watches, jewelry, quilts, shawls, guns, everything in the eating line to evendrinking out of the slop of the swill tubs, all was appropriated by the FirstFamilies of Virginia.

          It was no unusual thing while sittingin your house or walking in the road for a squad to ride up, present a pistolto your head, and demand your money, hat, coat, boots, and pantaloons. Refuseand you would get a taste of Rebel lead. Men were stripped of their clothing inthe road and forced to go home in a state of nudity. Mr. Strite, a peaceableand innocent man, was shot down in front of his barn for his money and coveredover with manure by his inhuman murderers. Many would terrify the women bydemanding things which they conceived to have been hidden away by lighting amatch and threatening to fire the building.

[I believe this was Isaac Strite, a farmer of Guilford Twp.,Franklin County, Pennsylvania; his wife Nancy’s obituary states that “Mrs.Strite was the widow of Isaac Strite who was probably the first civilian to bekilled on Union soil during the Civil war. Mr. Strite was shot and killed near Marionby members of a marauding detachment of Confederate cavalry.” The PittsburghPost of July 22, 1863, reported that Strite was “standing in his yard whenthree of the villains approached him and demanded his money. He immediatelysurrendered it. Soon after, two more men came to him making a similar demand.The murderers buried his body in a dung heap and then fled.” The 1860 censusstates that Isaac and Nancy had six children: Nancy (14), Barbara (12), Sarah(7), Catharine (5), Mary (4), and Frederick (2). His date of death is given as June 20, 1863 and he is buried at AntietamChurch Cemetery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.]

The first civilian casualty of the Gettysburg campaign? Isaac Strite, a 44 year old Pennsylvania farmer, was gunned down in front of his farm in the days leading up to the invasion by a "marauding detachment of Confederate cavalry." 

Deeds of property and other valuable papers were destroyed- awheat field was generally taken in preference to a timothy or clover field forpasture for their horses and wheat was frequently taken in preference to corn. Itwas no unusual thing to see a fine quilt used as a horse blanket and whilethese demons were devastating the country and robbing your house, you weresubject to the most vile abuse such as “you damned Abolitionist, if we would doas your men have done in our country, we would burn your house and turn you tothe woods. Now damn you, we are in the Union again and we intend to make it thehottest Union this side of hell!” But the fact that they entered the Poorhouseand robbed the paupers of their clothing thoroughly illustrates the characterof the Rebel soldier. Of the amount of damage done to the farming interests ofthis valley, those who have not seen can form no conception of it. Hundreds offields of fine wheat and grass are now a mixture of mud, broken wagons, deadhorses, etc. while thousands of farmers have not a horse, cow, hog, chicken,wagon, harness, or a pound of meat or flour in the house.

While the Rebels were advancing into Pennsylvania, all werein a joyful mood and they indulged freely in their speculations of the movementof General Lee. Many spoke of the grand results that were sure to follow thecapture of Harrisburg and the advance on Baltimore and its capture, then thesurrender of Washington followed by a speedy peace. When reminded of the uncertaintyof victory, of the danger of the undertaking, of the disaster that was sure tofollow should they be defeated and compelled to retreat, the answer generallywas that General Lee knew his own business and that they had staked all on thismovement and would all die before they would leave Pennsylvania, etc. But alasfor Rebel expectations; how grievously did their bright anticipations come tonaught, and how many found a grave in place of victory and plenty. The battlefought near Gettysburg and its crowning victory changed the programme.

General Robert E. Lee, postwar

Of the retreat of the Rebels, I shall now speak but how shallI describe it as my descriptive powers fail me. My mind is bewildered by thescenes of the last few days and one scarcely knows whether it was a dream or reality.On Sabbath morning last about 2 o’clock, the Rebels entered town on their retreattowards the Potomac, the infantry and part of the supply train going along themountain while the principal part of the train and the wounded passed throughthis place with perhaps 5,000-10,000 stragglers on foot, most of them withoutshoes having lost them in the mud. Many had their shirtsleeves torn off forbandages, some without a hat, others with heads tied up and others with one legof their pants torn off. Add to this some 6,000-10,000 mounted infantry andcavalry on worn out horses struggling in the mud with here and there a straypiece of artillery along with the wagons and ambulances and you have some ideaof the panorama as it moved along.

For 36 hours they poured over the roads and fields, wendingtheir way towards that historic stream, the Potomac. Oh what a scene! Theteamsters with horrid oaths pounded the exhausted horses and mules, while theroad was strewn with dead horses and broken wagons. Here and there you couldsee a team fast in the mud with men prying at it with rails while by thewaysides against trees, stumps, and in the mud sat the exhausted wounded menunable to go further. Thousands more fortunate than these poor wretches were menendeavoring to make their escape on the worn-out horses they had stolen. Whenasked by some exhausted wretch to leave him ride for a few miles or so, theyturned a deaf ear to the supplications of his comrades in arms for in thevortex and confusion, all sense of feeling is lost. Misfortune had placed officersand privates on a level. The stolen goods were freely exchanged for a smallpiece of bread or cake.

The road was strewn with cast off clothing, blankets,knapsacks, guns, and empty haversacks. But amid the confusion and noise couldbe heard the moans of the wounded in the wagons and ambulances as they werehurried over the rough, muddy roads. Many died on the way and were thrown into thewoods or barns for the citizens to bury. When a wagon would break down, thewounded would be left to their fate. Oh, how they would beg and entreat thosearound them not to leave them there to die far from their friends and homes!But their supplications and tears were lost upon men who, hardened by themisfortunes with which they were surrounded, made the old maxim ‘self-preservationis the first law of nature’ their guide.

When a team would give out or a horse become exhausted, theywould lighten the wagon by throwing one or two of the wounded men out who, withtears in their eyes, would beg for mercy. But humanity had left the teamsterand he heard them not. Thousands would enquire “How far to the river? How farto the Maryland line? How far to Williamsport?” When answered that it was 20miles to the river, they would look bewildered and say, “I cannot walk thatfar.” Others would sit down, yielding calmly to their fate. Others again wouldbeg for medical aid but it was not to be had.

I forgot to mention in the proper place that the Copperheadsdid not fare well. They claimed protection from the Rebels on the grounds thatthey voted for Breckinridge. But it was no go, as the Rebels said they did notcare a damn who they voted for but said “If you are for us, why not help us byfalling into the ranks?” The copperheads have learned a lesson and are now goodUnion men.

 

Sources:

Letter fromJ.S.H., civilian in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, Lancaster Daily EveningExpress (Pennsylvania), July 11, 1863, pg. 2

“Strite,”obituary of Mrs. Nancy Strite, People’s Register (Chambersburg,Pennsylvania), January 20, 1905, pg. 5

“Mr. Strite,”Pittsburg Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania), July 22, 1863, pg. 1

No Sleep Till Brooklyn Passes the Forts

Writing to his father while aboard the steam sloop-of-war U.S.S. Brooklyn, Assistant Second Engineer James Atkins desired to correct some of the misinformation that he saw in the newspapers regarding his ship's fight at Forts Jackson and St. Philip in April 1862. 

    "At about 3 o’clock in the morning, as soon as we came round the point in range of their guns, they opened upon us and for an hour and a half the shots were flying around us like hail," he recalled. "In the height of the noise and confusion, the horrible shrieking of shots as they passed over the ship, the groans of the wounded, and the necessary noise attendant upon working and firing the guns, the long-dreaded ram the veritable Manassas struck us just amidships. With a heavy crash, the ship reeled over to port and the ram passed under our stern over towards the shore. Before she could come round again to renew the attack, the old Mississippi, playing the ram, ran into her and with tremendous force pushed her hard and fast on the shore, and then, hauling off a short distance, “peppered her.” Under her fire, she soon filled with water, rolled down from the soft bed where the Mississippi laid her, into the deep water of the river and was seen no more. Poor thing! She died so peacefully!"

    The U.S.S. Brooklyn was a 2,532-ton steam sloop-of-war that was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in January 1859. At 233 feet long and 43 feet abeam, the Brooklyn carried a crew of 335 officers and men and was armed one 10" smoothbore and twenty 9" smoothbores. It joined Commodore David G. Farragut's flotilla outside the mouth of the Mississippi in March 1862 after intercepting blockade runners in the Gulf during the opening months of the war. Engineer Atkins account of running the forts first saw publication in the July 4, 1862, edition of the Kennebec Journal published in Augusta, Maine. 

This period depiction shows the U.S.S. Brooklyn being struck by the ram C.S.S. Manassas early in the engagement at Forts Jackson and St. Philip on April 24, 1862. Quartermaster James Buck of the Brooklyn later received a Medal of Honor for his actions during this engagement. "Although severely wounded by a heavy splinter, Buck continued to perform his duty until positively ordered below. Later stealing back to his post, he steered the ship for 8 hours despite his critical condition," his citation noted. 

U.S. SteamSloop Brooklyn, off New Orleans, Louisiana

May 30, 1862

Dear father,

          I notice that the papers devote a largespace to the capture of New Orleans, which I suppose you have seen. But theaccounts which I have seen are full of errors, most stupid, I should say, did Inot believe them designedly erroneous.

          At about 3 o’clock in the morning, assoon as we came round the point in range of their guns, they opened upon us andfor an hour and a half the shots were flying around us like hail. In the heightof the noise and confusion, the horrible shrieking of shots as they passed overthe ship, the groans of the wounded, and the necessary noise attendant upon workingand firing the guns, the long-dreaded ram the veritable Manassas struckus just amidships. With a heavy crash, the ship reeled over to port and the rampassed under our stern over towards the shore. Before she could come roundagain to renew the attack, the old Mississippi, playing the ram, raninto her and with tremendous force pushed her hard and fast on the shore, andthen, hauling off a short distance, “peppered her.” Under her fire, she soonfilled with water, rolled down from the soft bed where the Mississippilaid her, into the deep water of the river and was seen no more. Poor thing!She died so peacefully!

          Cheer after cheer went up from thevessels of the fleet and the men sprang to their guns with renewed energy. Buttheir work was nearly done for we were shortly out of range of the Rebel guns.Along the shore of the river, all within sight, lay nine Rebel gunboats on firewhile the Yankee fleet, consisting of the Mississippi, six sloops ofwar, and four or five gunboats, were above the forts and apparently in as goodcondition as when they started with one exception, the Varuna. She was sunk by the ram early in the fight. We had 8 killed and 21wounded; some 22 or 23 shots struck us during the action.

The U.S.S. Brooklyn occupied the second position of the centre division led into action by Admiral David Farragut, sailing right behind Farragut's flagship the U.S.S. Hartford.  

          The Rebels acknowledge but few lost,although we knew it was a horrible affair for them and they had a large numberkilled. Whole broadsides were sent into their gunboats with terrible effect, sinkingthem and setting them on fire, although running them ashore in a sinkingcondition, they set fire to the greater number. Once the Oneida ranalongside one of them and delivered her broadside and anything moreheartrending than the unearthly shrieks and groans which followed can scarcelybe imagined. They were heard far above the din of battle. But this was merely acommencement of their sufferings, for, crippled so as to be unable to escapefrom the wreck, they were left by their chivalrous companions to be roastedalive. Nor is this the worst of their barbarity.

          One of our gunboats, there may havebeen similar instances on other of their vessels (but I know of no others) werea large number of men who were pressed into service and who, when they arrivedat the forts, refused to fight and were confined in double irons. When thesteamer was fired, they were not released and there is no possibility of adoubt as to their fate. When we know of such instances of heartlessness asthis, nothing seems too bad for these unprincipled villains and I am preparedto believe the worst of the stories I have seen in our Northern papers of thehorrible outrage committed on Union people along their lines of march.

          We anchored on the night after thefight 20 or 30 miles below New Orleans. The next day we started up the riverand when about five miles from the city were attacked by two Rebel batteries,one on each side of the river. We greeted them with a few broadsides of grapeand canister and they ran for the woods. Bull Run can’t produce anything equalto the time this Southern chivalry made; 2.40 gives no idea of it.

          I must inform you of one thing concerningthe capture of New Orleans as I see that most every Northern paper speaks inglowing terms of the conquest of this Queen of the South by Butler and Porter’smortar fleet. First, General Butler did nothing at all until after Brooklyn’sMarines hoisted the stars and stripes over New Orleans. Then he went round thefort by way of Lake Borgne and landed his troops above, on the river. Well, ifhe had not been there, perhaps they would not have surrendered, but if not,they would certainly have evacuated. But when a garrison becomes sodissatisfied with their cause as to tie and gag the guard, burst open thegates, and desert 400 men at a time as they did there it makes littledifference to us whether they surrender or evacuate.

          Then, as to Porter’s exaltation, Iwould like to know what he has done to gain such laurels. Oh, yes, I know whathe has done. Why he brought up about 20 bomb schooners, anchored them below theforts out of sight, behind the trees and fired away for some seven days. Yes,and he might have fired seven times seven days and still our enemies would haveoccupied the forts and that secesh rag would have floated over them. As soon aswe passed the forts his bombers dropped down the river.

          Some paper in our last mail saysPorter flotilla reduced the forts and secured for Commodore Farragut’s fleet asafe passage up the river. And these are such reports as we read of the war inother sections of the country, many of them just about as true I suppose. The Varietiesor Vanity Fair even has Porter in New Orleans in this: “Commodore Porterafter giving a series of balls at Forts Jackson and St. Philip is now holding alevee at New Orleans.” Assuredly, the fleet of Farragut “has beaten the bushand others caught the birds.” And among the rest of the fleet, the Brooklyndid her part nobly. It was under her fire alone that the Rebels ran from themain fortification at Chalmette. But I notice her name hardly appears in theaccount of the fight. “The whys and wherefores” I can tell you and will do sowhen I get home.

         

Source:

Letter fromAssistant Second Engineer James Atkins, U.S.S. Brooklyn, KennebecJournal (Maine), July 4, 1862, pg. 2

And this is glorious war? The 84th Indiana on September 20, 1863

Indiana at Chickamauga 

In part twoof the 84th Indiana at Chickamauga series, Thomas Addington provideshis experiences on Sunday, September 20, 1863, when his regiment was ordered tosupport General Thomas's line atop Horseshoe Ridge. 

     "Up until 11 o’clock Sunday morning, we remained idly in camp enjoying ourselves in such pastimes as are known to all soldiers while Thomas was breasting the storm hurled upon him with relentless fury," Addington recalled. "Then the sharp, quick notes of the bugle called us into line. Chickens were abandoned half dressed, fresh pork partly cooked was thrust hastily into haversacks, sweet potatoes were left roasting in the fire, guns and cartridge boxes were looked over to see if all was in order and away we went on the double quick. Up hill and down, across fields and through the woods, for three miles we hurried on, the roar of battle growing more terrific all the time till at last, panting for breath and dripping with perspiration, we came upon the field of action."

    This account first sawpublication in the June 18, 1885, edition of the Weekly Toledo Blade aspart of their "Camp Fire" series featuring soldiers' accounts of theCivil War. 

    

Detail from the 84th Indiana monument located atop Horseshoe Ridge on the Chickamauga National Battlefield. The 84th Indiana as part of the Reserve Corps saw its primary action on the afternoon of September 20, 1863, playing an important role in holding their ground until sunset. 

    The privatesoldier can see but a very small portion of a battlefield. The line oftenextends for miles and while the general in command, having direct communicationwith the entire army, controls all the movements, the soldier in the ranks seesonly what comes under his immediate notice. So far I have spoken only of the FirstBrigade, First Division simply because we were for these two days detached fromthe corps and knew nothing of its movements. In our retreat on the evening ofthe 19th, we were reinforced by the division to which we belonged [GeneralJames B. Steedman] and remained with them afterwards.

          I told you in my last that far into the night we could hear heavy firing to the right.There were also other sounds which could be distinctly heard in front of us andwhich were kept up throughout the night, sounds which clearly indicated thatsome important move was being made. Yet what it was we could not determine tilla reconnaissance in the morning revealed the fact that the entire force infront of us had been withdrawn and, as we learned afterward, concentrated onthe right. And here another mistake was made which came well nigh proving fatalto our army. Had prompt measures been taken to ascertain what was being doneand had Granger’s corps been brought up on the night of the 19th tostrengthen Thomas’s position, the result of Sunday’s battle would have beendifferent from what it was and instead of a drawn battle, Chickamauga wouldhave been a glorious victory.

Chaplain Thomas Addington of the 84th Indiana poses with his wife Margaret in this image dating from about 1900. Five Addington brothers enlisted in Co. A of the 84th Indiana in August 1862; only Thomas and William survived, two of the brothers dying of disease and one of wounds sustained at Lovejoy Station at the end of the Atlanta campaign. After the war, Thomas worked as a minister for the eastern Indiana Christian Church and lived in Ridgeville, Indiana. 

          Up until 11 o’clock Sunday morning, weremained idly in camp enjoying ourselves in such pastimes as are known to allsoldiers while Thomas was breasting the storm hurled upon him with relentlessfury. Then the sharp, quick notes of the bugle called us into line. Chickenswere abandoned half dressed, fresh pork partly cooked was thrust hastily intohaversacks, sweet potatoes were left roasting in the fire, guns and cartridgeboxes were looked over to see if all was in order and away we went on the doublequick. Up hill and down, across fields and through the woods, for three mileswe hurried on, the roar of battle growing more terrific all the time till atlast, panting for breath and dripping with perspiration, we came upon the fieldof action.

          We found Thomas almost surrounded. Thetwo wings of the enemy were just sweeping around to close up on his rear. Therewere yet two roads open to him: the river road coming in from the northeast andthe Rossville road from the northwest. We came in on the first [river road],formed in line in the woods on the left of it, facing east, and advanced intoan open field. As soon as we made our appearance, two batteries opened on us;one from a hill almost half a mile to the east, the other from some old logbuildings about three-fourths of a mile south.

Changing direction by the right flank, we double-quicked forhalf a mile to the south under the fire of those two batteries whose shellsflew harmlessly over our heads. Coming to a fence within 80 rods of the southbattery, we filed right and again plunged into the woods and took position onthe Rossville road, the only one now open to us as the other had been takenpossession of by the Rebels immediately after we came in. From 1 o’clock untildarkness put an end to the conflict, we struggled for possession of this oneavenue of escape. Back and forth over the same ground, alternately driving theenemy and being driven by them; side by side lay the dead and wounded of botharmies mingled promiscuously on the field of strife. We passed and repassedthem time and again and at each parting, our ranks grew thinner and weaker asthe Federals and Confederates lay more thickly in our path.

Never was night more welcome when its friendly shadows put anend to that terrible strife. Thank God, it found us in possession of thecoveted road. Shielded by its darkness, we quietly drew off the field, followedby the entire army and within 100 yards of the Rebels as we went. The night wasintensely dark, the road very rough, and a number of wounded men were with us.Hungry, thirsty, exhausted from the day’s fighting, loaded down with our gunsand accoutrements, and assisting as best we could our wounded comrades, wetoiled on for what seemed an age. Midnight found us at Rossville, seven milesaway from the scene of conflict, a broken, bleeding remnant. We lay down tosnatch of few hours of needed sleep and to dream of the loved ones in ourdistant homes. But before we could do this, these poor wounded boys must have asurgeon’s care and must be made as comfortable as possible. Alas, who shallcare for the thousands left on the bloody field, whose bed is the cold ground,whose covering is the pitiless sky, whose wail of anguish brings noministration of mercy? And this is glorious war?

To read other accounts of Steedman's division at Chickamauga, please check out the following posts:

An Ugly Scene at Rossville Before Chickamauga

Guarding the Road to Chattanooga: The 84th Indiana on September 19, 1863

Saving the Army: The 115th Illinois on Horseshoe Ridge

Atop Snodgrass Hill: The Second Day at Chickamauga with the 89th Ohio

"Wipe Out Perryville!" The 121st Ohio's Redemption at Chickamauga

Source:

“Granger’sReserves at Chickamauga,” Private Thomas Addington, Co. A, 84thIndiana Volunteer Infantry, Weekly Toledo Blade (Ohio), June 18, 1885,pg. 2

Guarding the Road to Chattanooga: The 84th Indiana on September 19, 1863

Indiana at Chickamauga

In part oneof the 84th Indiana at Chickamauga series, Thomas Addington, thenserving as a private in Co. A, describes his regiment’s efforts to hold theirposition on the Union far left defending the army’s road connection toChattanooga on Saturday, September 19, 1863.

In a fight that developed that morning near Peavine Creek, Addingtonsaid “just after crossing the creek, we began to hear scattering shots from ourskirmishers, replied to vigorously by the enemy, while spent balls began todrop in our midst. Hurrying forward, we took up a position behind the fencewhere we had laid the night before. Here we waited for our skirmishers to fallback into line; we did not have long to wait. They soon came straggling throughthe weeds and briars with which the fields were overgrown. A bluecoat would beseen to pop up, fire at the approaching foe, then drop down among the weeds andcontinue his retreat. Arriving at the fence, a final shot would be fired andthen over the fence and down into line would go the daring soldier.”

This account first saw publication in the May 21, 1885,edition of the Weekly Toledo Blade as part of their "CampFire" series featuring soldiers' accounts of the Civil War. 

The morning of September 19, 1863, rose clear and cold,everything was crisp and white with frost. When the first streaks of dawn werejust showing in the east, word was quietly passed along the bivouac line and wesilently fell in and took up the line of retreat. One and half miles back onthe Rossville road stood the Pisgah Church, on old structure on the west of theroad surrounded by open woods with slight swells or low wooded hills in therear. Here we halted, formed in line just back of the church and at rightangles with the road. We stacked arms and built fires to warm our benumbedlimbs and to prepare breakfast. Camp kettles and skillets (the first in theform of tin cups, and the latter of sharpened sticks) were called into use andsoon the woods were filled with the tempting odor of broiling bacon andsteaming coffee while jest and song and merry laughter were heard on everyside.

David Parshall Demree was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1838 and moved to Dublin, Indiana with his family in the late 1850s. He joined Co. C, 84th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in August 1862 and was appointed corporal. Wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga, he later transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corps in May 1864. Corporal Demree was prominent in both the G.A.R. and temperance efforts in the late 1800s and passed away in 1909 as the result of an operation. Census records indicate he worked as a house painter and wall paper hanger post war. 

          Our rude breakfast over, volunteerswere called for and from the many who responded, three were selected as scoutsand sent forward with instructions to advance cautiously and learn as much aspossible as to the strength and position of the enemy. You will remember thaton the preceding night we lay on our arms on the north side of a farm, a shortdistance south of Peavine Creek with the enemy about one-fourth of a miledistant in the edge of the timber south of the same farm. Here our scouts foundthem in force and after sending a volley into their midst, they made good theirretreat in safety to their regiment where they arrived about 10 o’clock.

          From the report of the scouts and fromthe demonstrations on the 18th, it was evident that we wereconfronted by a large body of Rebels, and yet General [Walter C.] Whitakerdivided the small force under his command and sent forward two regiments, the40th Ohio and the 84th Indiana, holding backthe 115th Illinois and 96th Illinois and the 18th Ohio Battery as a reserve. The command of thelittle handful of men sent forward was given to the colonel of the 40thOhio [Lieutenant Colonel William Jones] who detailed Cos. C and F of the 84thIndiana as skirmishers and sent them forward, following up with the remainderof the two regiments.

          Just after crossing the creek, webegan to hear scattering shots from our skirmishers, replied to vigorously bythe enemy, while spent balls began to drop in our midst. Hurrying forward, wetook up a position behind the fence where we had laid the night before. Here wewaited for our skirmishers to fall back into line; we did not have long towait. They soon came straggling through the weeds and briars with which thefields were overgrown. A bluecoat would be seen to pop up, fire at theapproaching foe, then drop down among the weeds and continue his retreat.Arriving at the fence, a final shot would be fired and then over the fence anddown into line would go the daring soldier. One, a boy of 16 summers who hadcome as a recruit only two weeks before, came in thus and took his place by myside and yet that boy, fresh from his peaceful home, had been in the skirmishline and right in the very face of the enemy.

Brig. Gen. Walter C. Whitaker

          And now the order passed along theline, “Keep cool and aim low. Make every shot tell, fire at will as you see achance.” Every man of the two regiments laying in the laps of the worm fence orstanding behind trees, loaded and fired as coolly and as deliberately as ifthey had been firing at a target with no enemy in view. But the murderous ballswere doing their terrible work and all around men were falling dead or wounded.For one terrible hour, these two regiments bravely confronted a whole divisionof Longstreet’s veterans and held them in check. But the force against us wasoverwhelming; we were flanked both on the right and the left while at leastdouble our number were pressing us to the front. To remain longer meant deathor capture. There was nothing for us but to fall back and when the time came,we did not stand on the order of going but went with a will. The two wings weresweeping round to close up in the rear of us when we ceased firing and startedfor the gap yet open as fast as our legs would carry us. Run? Yes, we did run,otherwise we would not be here to tell of it today.

          The colonel of the 115thIllinois [Colonel Jesse H. Moore] had heard the firing a mile and a half awayand without waiting for orders, he called his men into line. “Boys,” said he, “the40th and 84th are in trouble out yonder; we will go andsee them through it. Forward!” Just as the last of us were crossing the creek,we came up on a sweeping trot with the men at his heels on the run. Salutingthe officers, he inquired “Where do you want my regiment? Where shall I fallin?” As no officer could find his tongue just then, a private in the ranksresponded, “Right along the bank of this branch, colonel.” This hint was atonce acted upon. Instantly, the men wheeled into line along the margin of thelittle stream where they were completely hidden from the approaching Rebels bya thicket of bushes in the rear and of briars on the opposite bank.

          “Steady men, hold your fire till youget the word, then shoot to kill.” The words were low and quiet but theyevinced a terrible purpose. On came the yelling and triumphant horde, tearingthrough the thicket of briars. Silent and watchful stood our panting men, eachwith his finger on the trigger, ready for the word. 

Colonel Jesse Hale Moore led the 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry throughout the war and was awarded a brevet promotion to brigadier general in May 1865. 

        And now the line of graycoatsrose above the briars not a dozen rods away. Raising himself in his stirrups,the colonel thundered forth one word which was heard clear and distinct aboveall the noise and confusion: “Fire!” Such a volley I never heard before orsince from one regiment, and perhaps greater execution was never done by anequal number of men. Every rifle appeared to speak at once and every ball to gostraight to the enemy. Instantly, the yelling demons stopped in their madcharge; then imagining themselves drawn into a trap, they turned and fled precipitately.It was fortunate for us that they did so; had they pressed on, they couldeasily have captured three regiments.

          The pursuit being thus checked, ourretreat was continued in a better order than in which it had begun. At the oldPisgah Church, we met reinforcements that were coming to our assistance. Herewe halted and a line of battle was formed just back of the position occupied byour brigade in the morning. We watched and waited, monetarily expecting anattack. But the day waned and night set in with no further demonstration on thepart of the enemy. Throughout the day and far into the night we could hear theroar of artillery far to the right where the sanguinary conflict was raging inall its fury. Our position for these two days was on the extreme left, guardingthe approach to Chattanooga by the way of Rossville and Missionary Ridge.

Source:

“Granger’sReserves at Chickamauga,” Private Thomas Addington, Co. A, 84thIndiana Volunteer Infantry, Weekly Toledo Blade (Ohio), May 21, 1885,pg. 2