Fighting on the Bushwhacking Plan: The 134th Ohio at Bermuda Hundred

When theOhio National Guard was federalized in May 1864, it was done with theunderstanding that the men would be utilized as rear area troops, performinggarrison and guard duty and by so doing, freeing up veteran troops who would besent to the front. Little did they know that some of the Guardsmen would go tothe front, too. But that was the case with the 134th Ohio.

          Raised from the guard companies of Champaign,Shelby, and Hancock Counties, the 134th Ohio originally was deployedat Cumberland, Maryland guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. But inearly June, the regiment received orders to move to Washington and from there, sailedto Bermuda Hundred in Virginia. On the night of June 16th, a portionof the regiment was sent to the front as pickets and the following day foundthemselves in a hot fight near Port Walthall.

          “During the whole day, we had to fighton the bushwhacking plan,” remembered Private William Mayse of Co. A. “We letthem know we could fire from behind trees as well as they could. We kept themin very close to their breastworks all day. Captain Weaver, while passing downthe line giving orders to his men, was the object of a great many shots fromthe Rebel guns. I don’t see how he possibly escaped. He handled his men wellregardless of the bullets and kept us concealed as much as we could be to saveus from the sharpshooters. He also had the boys save their fire until they hada good sight on a Rebel.”

          The following account of the fightingat Bermuda Hundred first saw publication in the July 7, 1864, edition of the UrbanaCitizen & Gazette. William Mayse had previously served as a captain in the 86th Ohio but chose to go into the ranks as a private in the 134th Ohio. 

 

The 134th Ohio was equipped with .577 caliber Enfield rifle muskets shortly after mustering into Federal service in May 1864 but thought they would have little opportunity to burn powder. The fortunes of war proved otherwise and regiment spent more than two months at Bermuda Hundred on both entrenching and picket duty. 

Five milesof Bermuda Hundred, Virginia

June 19,1864

          Amidst the haste of camp, the hurriedtramp of soldiers to and fro, and in front of the great army, I shall endeavorto write a few lines. Although we are part of the grand army that is makingnews for the day and history for the future, we at present known but little ofwhat is going on. But we do know that we are encamped on a piece of table land,the soil of which is very sandy and light, and which the sun shines down uponwith full power. When the wind blows or trains pass us, we become engulfed in suffocatingdust. This country abounds with dust and flies.

          We are as near to the front as we canbe to be encamped. Nothing but a breastwork and pickets are between us and theenemy. During the last five days, we have all had hard work. The field officersgo with their men and share the same privations. So we can’t say they have putus on duty so they may have an easy time. The whole army has to rise at 3:30a.m., a little earlier than we like. It has been our lot for several days pastto do duty every day and night. The losing of sleep is the hardest part.

Last night, 225 men were detailed to dig trenches and thebalance remained behind the breastworks to be ready to repel any attack thatmight be made. We don’t mind this, for it is guarding the State of Ohio and theboys say that is what the National Guards are for. Lieutenant General U.S.Grant accompanied by Major General Benjamin Butler and staff rode to the fronta few days ago. The passed by our camp and rode alongside the breastworks toexamine them.

          Last Thursday evening [June 16], Co. A(Captain Weaver) with two men from each of the other companies were detailed aspicket guard. We were taken out and posted on the line that the enemy occupiedthe previous morning. The night passed off and at early morn as seemed well. Alittle after sunrise, the enemy appeared in our front and began to fire at us.Unfortunately for us, they have a trench but a short distance in front of uswhich they occupied. They being in strong force in their ditches, they had theadvantage of us but we kept them from advancing for some time. We being soexposed to their sharpshooters, we thought it best to tail back a shortdistance in the woods under shelter. While going back, the Rebels thought we werefinally giving away and came out boldly and attempted to follow us. But we soonturned and drove them back to their trenches and remained in their front andunder fire from morning until 7:30 p.m.

Unidentified Federals equipped with Enfields and sword bayonets. 

          During the whole day, we had to fighton the bushwhacking plan. We let them know we could fire from behind trees aswell as they could. We kept them in very close to their breastworks all day.Captain Mat Weaver, while passing down the line giving orders to his men, was theobject of a great many shots from the Rebel guns. I don’t see how he possiblyescaped. He handled his men well regardless of the bullets and kept usconcealed as much as we could be to save us from the sharpshooters. He also hadthe boys save their fire until they had a good sight on a Rebel. LieutenantLemen was also assisting in the front with us. We gave the Rebels some of ourbest shots. All the men did very well and deserve credit.

Being in the front with the boys, I know all about theskirmish. But with sorrow and regret, I will have to relate to you ourcasualties. Elias J. Busser of Co. A was shot in the head and soon died. He wascarried from the field to a house nearby where he was put in an ambulance andconveyed to the general hospital. Every care was bestowed by his brother andothers of his company to relieve his suffering. He received the fatal shotabout 10 a.m. and died about 3 p.m. His brother [Young Busser], with all the assistance hewished, had him taken to Bermuda Hundred to be embalmed and today he was senthome by express. What sacrifices our country is demanding. Mr. Busser’s familyhave our deepest sympathies. Let it be recorded that Elias died fighting forall that the American loyal people hold dear: their country.

Archibald T. Buckles of Co. A received a flesh wound in theright leg above the knee. Archy takes it with a good deal of humor and willsoon be ready for the Rebs again. Reuben Alden of Co. C was mortally wounded,shot in the abdomen. He has been sent to Fortress Monroe [where he died June 24, 1864]. John A. Hunt of Co. Hwas shot in the hand. Absalom Poland of Co. B was shot in the leg below theknee. [Both Hunt and Poland survived their wounds.] 

General Benjamin Butler's headquarters camp at Bermuda Hundred

Now we are willing to obey all orders and never wish toflinch from duty, but if going to the front and fighting the enemy the same asthe old veterans do is garrison duty as we were told would be our work, thenlet no more promises be made. We came here perfectly willing to build andoccupy fortifications. All seemed to be pleased. But when we were brigaded withveterans and sent out to drive back the enemy the same as veterans would, wethink is more than most the men expected. We are not well drilled, have neverbeen under fire, hardly used to camp life, and other good reasons could beoffered.

Now bear in mind I have just written the feelings of most ofthe 100 days’ men. Of course, many of us have seen enough service to do allthat is required of soldiers. But none of us will do an act that would make anyin Ohio blush. We will obey all orders as we have heretofore promptly done. Ifit be our lot to repel Rebels, to go to the field and fight, we will do so anddo the best we can.

For the last five days we have heard the incessant roar ofcannonading and musketry. The very air has been darkened with battle smoke anddust. Most of this cannonading is at Petersburg. I understand that GeneralGrant has that place under his control now. There is a constant roaring day andnight. These old veterans say there is as much difference between General Grantand General Grant as there is between a snail and a bird. General Grant israpidly moving all the time, taking some advantageous position by making aflank movement.

Our boys were made glad today as our chaplain returnedbringing considerable mail and telling about home. That is the only mail wehave received since we have been here. In fact, we have received no mail sincewe left Cumberland, Maryland. Other regiments receive their mail. I supposeours will be on in a few days as there is a regular mail line now established.We have a few men sick. Some are at Cumberland, Washington, and FortressMonroe. As they were not seriously sick when I last heard I will not mentiontheir names.

Source:

Letter fromPrivate William Mayse, Co. A, 134th Ohio Infantry, Urbana Citizen& Gazette (Ohio), July 7, 1864, pg. 3