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6>6fo^&rt£ t? J^~<jS
A HISTORY
OF
THE FIFTH REGIMENT
NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS,
IN THE
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR,
1861-1865-.
IN Tin£0 PARTS.
BY WILLIAM CHILD, M. D.,
Major and Surgeon. Historian of the Veterans' Association of the Regiment.
BRISTOL, N. H. : R. \V. MUSGROVE, PRINTER.
1893-
Copyright 1893,
by William Child All rights reserved.
TO
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
» >
OF THE FIGHTING FIFTH REGIMENT, NEW HAMPSHIRE
VOLUNTEERS, IN THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION,
THIS }Z:OI-U7USE IS INSCRIBED
By the Author, WILLIAM CHILD.
PART I.
A DETAILED HISTORY OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE
FIFTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE
VOLUNTEERS.
PREFACE.
In this volume I have sought to present an account of the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers. It is a history of the regiment and its doings, considered collectively, as a war organization. The recorded brave deeds, incidents, an- ecdotes and biographies are incidental, illustrative and sub- ordinate to the main narrative, and are of secondary impor- tance. The history, excepting in rare instances, is confined to events and individuals immediately connected with the regiment.
The money advanced, the time consumed, the responsibili- ties incurred and the labor performed have been considerable ; yet I have been invariably well sustained by the comrades of the Fifth. The traditional fidelity to duty and honor exists in the veterans of our association. Aid has been rendered by comrades of other regiments and states. Our state historian has exhibited great interest and has rendered much aid.
With pride I have written these pages. Our state may well be proud of the productions of her hills and valleys, as exhibited in the bravery, endurance, patriotism and fervor of her sons in this grand fighting regiment. She may well be proud of every man that justly wears our badge. Citizens, let us cherish the memory of these men. Let us preserve these records for coming generations.
Comrades, "God bless us every one" is and ever will be the sentiment of your humble servant and historian,
WILLIAM CHILD.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PART I. CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
Government is Force — Force a Necessity — Debt to the Volunteers — War of the Great Rebellion — State Rights and Wrongs — War Spirit — New Hampshire Men —Resolutions Passed by State Legislature— The Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers i
CHAPTER II-
Colonel Cross— Camp Jackson — Organization — Ordered to Washington Before Prepared — Enlistments — Orders No. i, 5, 6 — General Character of Officers and Men — General Character of New Hampshire Soldiers in History — Muster — Leave Camp Jackson — Leave Con- cord—Arrive at Seat of War— General Remarks — Sumner's Baptism of Fire 5
CHAPTER III.
Arrival at Bladensburg, Md. — Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers — Severe Storm — Orders for Lower Marlboro' — March to and from — Drills and Incidents —Transferred to Sumner's Division— March through Washington to Alexandria — Camp California .... 24
CHAPTER IV.
Camp California — Picket Duty — Alarm — Scouting — Bri- gade Inspection — Drill Discipline — Fatigue Duty — Making Gabions, Fascines, Hurdles and Sap Rollers —Long Roll 3°
xii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
Camp California Continued — vSickness, Deaths — Schools for Army Regulations, Tactics, Common Educational Deficiencies — Mail Facilities — Summer and Winter Quarters — Cooking — Advance of the Army of the Po- tomac 35
CHAPTER VI.
A Critical Day — An Advance — Abandoned Works — Picket Engagements — Reconnoissance — Order of March— Bat- tle of Rappahannock — Daily Events — Remarks — Inci- dents 43
CHAPTER VII.
Building Corduroy Roads — Detailed to Engineer Corps — Making Siege Materials — Yorktown — Williamsburg — Steamer Vanderbilt — Chickahominy — Bottom's Bridge 55
CHAPTER VIII.
Grapevine Bridge— When, Where, How, by Whom and Why Built — Its Stability, Firmness in Resisting the Flood — Results 62
CHAPTER IX.
Situation of the Army — Crossing the River — Diagram of Position — Battle of Fair Oaks — Criticism of Colonel Cross on the Battle 76
CHAPTER X.
From Fair Oaks — Battle of Savage Station — Recrossing the Chickahominy — Seven Days' Fight — Continuous Fighting — Confusion of the Retreat — The James Reached — Decimation of the Fifth 92
CHAPTER XI.
Harrison's Landing to Antietam — Cross Returns — At New- port News — Aouia Creek — Alexandria — Camp Califor- nia Revisited— Fairfax— Centreville— Frederick City — At South Mountain — Boonsborough — Antietam Creek 100
CONTENTS. xin
CHAPTER XII.
Newport News — Alexandria — Camp California Again — Fairfax — Pope and Defeat — Frederick — South Moun- tain 114
CHAPTER XIII. The Battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862 — Incidents . . . 120
CHAPTER XIV. First Annual Report of Colonel Cross 134
CHAPTER XV.
Again on the Move — Engagement at Snicker's Gap — Gen- eral McClellan Removed — Reach Falmouth — Notes on Virginia — The Military Situation — Incidents .... 144
CHAPTER XVI.
Battle of Fredericksburg — Leaving Camp — Crossing the River — In the City — The Advance — Fearful Havoc — Narratives by Colonel Cross, Gove and Others . . . 149
CHAPTER XVII.
Back to Old Camp — Decimated Ranks — Winter Quarters — Jealousies, Intrigues, Discouragements — " Mud March" — Removal of Burnside — Cavalry Raid — General Hook- er in Command — Strange Scenes — Graves' and Gove's Journals — Resignation of Surgeon Knight 166
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Battle of Chancellorsville — Report of Lieutenant-
Colonel Hapgood — Account by Colonel Cross— Incidents 178
CHAPTER XIX.
Gettysburg Campaign — Reconnoissance to Culpeper Court House — Large Detail from the Fifth— March to Gettys- burg— Battle of Gettysburg — Death of Colonel Cross —Pursuit of Lee— Order Separating Regiment from Brigade 195
xiv CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
Gettysburg Campaign Continued — Colonel Edward E. Cross Wounded — When, Where and How — Carried to Rear — Solicitude for His Men and His Country — Sends Last Message of Love— Dies at Midnight — Burial at Lancas- ter—Estimate of Cross as a Military Man— A Monu- ment at Gettysburg 211
CHAPTER XXI.
Pursuit of Lee — Leave Army of the Potomac— Arrival at Washington— En Route for Home — Life at Concord — Conscripts — At Boston Harbor— Again En Route for the South — At Point Lookout, Md. — Back to the Front 233
CHAPTER XXII.
Review of Situation — Rejoining the' Second Corps — Cold Harbor — Night March — Panic Threatened — Crossing the chickahominy — crossing the james — march to Petersburg — In Battle — Colonel Hapgood Wounded — Recapitulation 2<u
CHAPTER XXIII.
South of the James— Siege of Petersburg— Deep Bottom- Reams' Station — Reports and Order — Details of the Siege— Discharge of Original Men 261
CHAPTER XXIV.
Change of Name— Promotions— The Siege Continued— At Fort Stedman— Change of Location — Thanksgiving— In Fort Welch — Re-enforcements — The New Year — Months of Hard Work— Fall of Richmond— Surrender of Lee 289
CHAPTER XXV.
The War Ended— The March for Home Commenced — The March through Richmond— In Camp Near Alexandria — The Grand Review At Washington — Return to New Hampshire— Fox's Estimate of the Fifth 305
CONTENTS. xv
CHAPTER XXVI.
Biographical 311
CHAPTER XXVII.
Masonic Lodge— Petition Granted— First Meeting— Organ- ization—Incident 332
PART II.
Abbreviations 3
Complete Roster 5
Complete List of Officers 203
Appendix 209
ILLUSTRATIONS.
E. E. Cross Frontispiece.
Battle Flags Facing page i
J. W. Bean
C. E. Hapgood
A. D. Sanborn
Grapevine Bridge
J. E. Larkin
L. M. Knight
T. A. Farr
J. W. BUCKNAM
T. L- Livermore
A. J. HOITT
I. T. Bronson
C. M. Trask
Cannon
Dead Soldier
Grave of E. E. Cross
Home of E. E. Cross .
Cannon
Point Lookout, Md
Dead Soldier
W. A. Moore
G. W. Balloch
I. W. Hammond
E. R. Wilkins
J. W. Davis
Sergeant Tyrrel
Sergeant Royce
William Child
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS.
Major Edward E. Sturtevant Facing page 3l8
Francis W. Butler ... «<
322
ILLUSTRATIONS.
E. E. Cross Frontispiece.
Battle Flags Facing page i
J. W. Bean " 33
C. E. Hapgood " 48
A. D. Sanborn
f"^T> A TV**
238
304 308 312 316 320
324
328
332 336
Gettysburg Monument Appendix.
uead Soldier . W. A. Moore G. W. Balloch . I. W. Hammond E. R. Wilkins . J. W. Davis . . Sergeant Tyrrel Sergeant Royce William Child .
BHTTLE FLHGS.
CHAPTER I.
Government is Force — Force a Necessity — Debt to the Volun- teers— War of the Great Rebellion — State Rights and Wrongs — War Spirit — New Hampshire Men — Resolutions Passed by State Legislature — The Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers.
The great achievement of civilization is "government ." That races once savage should become nations, whose in- dividuals by mutual consent submit to general laws, for the mutual protection of person and property, is a magnificent result of human thought and effort. When this result is fully attained by the just appreciation and practical recogni- tion of human rights ; when all differences between sections and nations are settled by arbitration, instead of by war, then will have been reached the grandest point of human wisdom and cultivation. When we shall have added the pure and unselfish principles taught by Christ, then shall we have attained the great consummation of human and Divine wisdom, in perfect government. In such a government jus- tice and mercy will prevail, not force nor favor.
But, until this supreme point of perfection is attained, force is a positive necessity to the existence of government. No nation can be recognized as such until, by an armed force, it can and does protect itself against aggressors, external and internal, within a reasonable time and by a limited severity.
Sa}rs Draper: " Government does not mean influence — it means force. The government which has neither the resolu- tion nor the power to prevent itself being assassinated has no right to live. ' ' Soldiers constitute this force. Under existing conditions of human affairs armed men and military organiza- tions are a positive necessity. Hence all nations cultivate military enthusiasm, honor valorous deeds and perpetuate
2 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
heroic memories. Admiration, gratitude and justice compel us to this.
We are under an unusual debt to the volunteers of i86i-'65. We are indebted to those volunteers for their lofty spirit of patriotism, for their undaunted courage, and for the actual service rendered. Our people have many times and in many forms exhibited their admiration, their gratitude and their sense of justice. Again let us do this by recording the brave deeds of one of our state organizations in the War of the Great Rebellion.
In the year of our Lord 1S61, and the year of the United States of America the 85th, began the
WAR OF THE GREAT REBELLION.
Difference of temperament, variety of interests, contrariety of opinion, and extreme antagonism of principles had long existed. Congressional and editorial cudgeling had become furious and frequent. Indirect and local warfare developed into direct and general hostilities. On the 14th day of April the Confederate attacked the Union forces in Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor. The fort was evacuated, but the flag was saluted. Thus the Northern and Southern "heart" was fired.
For fifty years the minds of men were being exercised upon these questions. One, then another, question would seem to be prominent. But always, the question of supremacy in the affairs of the government was the real and important issue between the sections. One deprecated the supremacy of the other section because a local and sectional institution might be extended or restricted. Generations had become imbued with the idea that their section or state had rights to be main- tained and wrongs to be avenged, demanded their allegiance in antagonism to other sections and states, and ignored any, — all obligations to the general government. It was a sentimentality. There were no invaded rights; there Avere no enacted wrongs. It was a sentimentality grown into mutual contempt and violent hatred. Thus all the states
OBJECT OF THE WAR. 3
were carried away in a flood of passion or patriotism, among them New Hampshire.
Proclamations, calls, appeals, editorials, mass meetings, orations from the platform, sermons from the pnlpit, envy, hate, pride, avarice, Confederate success and Union disaster, just now intensified the war spirit. Troops were enlisted, mustered, drilled, organized and hastened to the seat of war. Actual war was upon us with its excitement, turmoil and fury. New Hampshire men had fought at Uouisburg and Quebec ; at Bunker Hill and Bennington ; at Trenton and Yorktown; at Lundy's Lane and New Orleans ; at Monterey and Chapultepec — on every sea and ocean, and they were not to be behind in the coming contest. They did well their part in the most bloody war of modern times.
In those days the conservative element of our state and legislature opposed, what seemed to be, the too great powers granted to the governor and council, in the expenditure of money for war purposes. But the people and the legislature were unanimous in their devotion to the Union.
The following resolution passed both branches of the legislature unanimously, and was approved July 4th : —
Resolved, * * * That the contest now existing, between the Government and the disloyal people that have commenced an unjusti- fiable and treasonable war upon its constitutional authority, should be regarded by all loyal men not as a sectional war, not an anti-slavery war, nor a war of conquest and subjugation, but simply and solely a war for the maintenance of the Government, the suppression of rebellion, and the preservation of the magna charta of our liberty and national unity.
All parties asserted the above to be the sole object of the war, and claimed to be sincere in their assertion.
This being the situation in the summer of 1861, several New Hampshire organizations were sent to the seat of war, among them
THE FIFTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS.
In "New Hampshire in the Great Rebellion," Maj. Waite says : —
4 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" May a grateful country do the Fifth New Hampshire Regi- ment of Volunteers justice — written history ?iever can."
With the above for our motto ; with justice for our guide ; with truth for our companion ; with affection and admiration as incentives, we record these heroic deeds. A fortunate combination of circumstances rendered this one of the most effective organizations in the service.
For more than a quarter of a century the unpublished records have been the choicest treasures of the surviving mem- bers of the Fifth, or of the friends of the slain. Every state- ment in the following pages is from a diary, letter, or personal record of those days, written on the inarch, at the bivouac, or on the battlefield, or from the concurrent testimony of two, ten or an hundred living witnesses.
And not alone from the members of the Fifth, but from members of other regiments, from reports of general officers, from citizens and from civil officers, we shall produce other and disinterested testimony respecting the heroism and general efficiency of this war organization.
The writer was a non-combatant member of this regiment. He was a witness of, rather than a participant in, these deeds of valor, and is proud that it has fallen to him to record all these things.
CHAPTER II.
Colonel Cross — Camp Jackson — Organization — Ordered to Washington Before Prepared— Enlistments— Orders No. i, 5, 6— General Character of Officers and Men— General Character of New Hampshire Soldiers in History— Muster —Leave Camp Jackson— Leave Concord— Arrive at Seat of War — General Remarks — Sumner's Baptism of Fire.
During the first days of August, 1861, the authorities of the state voted to raise and equip the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers to aid in the prosecution of the war for the suppression of the rebellion.
Upon the 3d day of August Mr. Edward E. Cross arrived in New York city, via San Francisco, from Sonora, Mexico. On the 5th he was in Concord, and had an interview with Hon. N. S. Berry, governor of New Hampshire. The manner of raising troops and putting them into service was discussed, and suggestions were advanced. He then pro- ceeded to his home in Lancaster. On the 17th he received a letter asking him to come to Concord for a consulta- tion upon military' affairs with the authorities. On the 20th he arrived in the city, and on the 22nd he met the officials. Here and then a colonel's commission wTas tendered and ac- cepted. But he accepted the commission on condition that he should organize and fit out the regiment to suit himself and appoint all the officers. These terms were agreed upon. Says Colonel Cross in his Perso?ial Journal: "I cheer- full}' bear testimony to the fair and honorable manner in which the authorities kept their faith. Just so far as I could I had my own way in every thing." His commission was dated August 27, 1861, and he was the first volunteer in the Fifth Regiment. He at once entered upon the duties of a colonel. He made arrangements for recruiting, obtaining
6 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
arms, equipments, tents, camp supplies, necessities and com- forts, and fully organizing and preparing the regiment for active field service.
The following general order was issued : —
Head-Quarters Fifth Regiment N. H. Volunteers,
Camp Jackson, Concord, Sept. 26, 1861.
General Order, ) No. 1. /
1. The camp of the Fifth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers (Ivight Infantry), near Concord, will be known as " Camp Jackson."
2. Major William W. Cook will assume command of the regiment until relieved, and issue the necessary orders for calls, drills and other purposes.
3. No officer or soldier will be allowed to leave camp without writ- ten permission of the commanding officer.
4. No intoxicating liquor will be allowed in the camp, or on the grounds, unless by written order of the medical officer.
5. No person, except the regular sutler of the regiment, will have the privilege of selling goods and stores on the camp-ground.
6. As soon as practicable, Lieutenant Colonel Connor will establish a school for the practical and theoretical instruction of all commissioned officers and first sergeants.
7. Officers and non-commissioned officers are recommended to study diligently the Regulations of the United States Army, the provisions of which will be strictly adhered to.
8. Any article of equipment or public property lost, damaged, sold, or otherwise disposed of by any officer or soldier, will be charged against him on the pay roll.
9. Soldiers will remember that they have no responsibility farther than to obey the orders of their superiors with promptness and good faith ; and the commanding officer trusts that each officer and soldier will endeavor to be distinguished for ready obedience, gentlemanly conduct, and soldierly bearing.
By order of Colonel Cross.
Charles Dodd, Adjutant.
On the 28th of September Company A entered the camp and was soon followed by other companies and detachments. In a few days over seven hundred men had arrived and were en- rolled. The camp was south-east of the city about two miles across the river at the lower bridge on a bluff called Glover Hill. The ground was high, dry and well suited for use as a
ORDERED TO WASHING TO X. 7
camp. In memory of the hero and statesman it was designated
CAMP JACKSON.
Sibley tents were furnished and ever}- thing arranged accord- ing to "Army Regulations." On taking command Colonel Cross established strict discipline. In camp the time was passed in constant drill. There was much rain, and the men were wholly unaccustomed to camp life, hence there was con- siderable discontent. During the first month the colonel had little or no assistance. Every requisition and contract for rations, clothing, equipments and all camp supplies demanded his attention. Nevertheless the men made little or no trouble. They readily adapted themselves to military laws and elicited much praise by their quiet, sober and orderly conduct. The advantages of strict discipline were apparent. To obey was soon learned. A slight mutiny soon ended in defeat and humiliation.
On the 1 st of October Colonel Cross went to Washington on business for the regiment. He arranged for arms, but did not obtain ' ' leave of absence ' ' for Lieutenant Edward J. Conner of the United States Army, that he might be lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth, as he much desired.
About the 24th of October Colonel Cross received orders to start for Washington with his regiment. He remonstrated, not being read}' in many respects, not having his full com- plement of men, nor proper regimental supplies. Being sustained by the whole regiment in his remonstrance, he de- clared he would resign rather than depart for the seat of war with the regiment thus imperfectly prepared, without a full complement of men, and with imperfect organization. He ob- tained a respite of a few days. The preparations for a com- plete regiment for field service were rapidly pushed, and the organization was perfected on the 26th.
The Fifth was recruited from all sections of the state, and was a fairly representative regiment. The localities were substantially as follows : —
Company A — Captain, Edward E. Sturtevant, Concord; 1st lieutenant, James E. Earkin, Concord; 2d lieutenant, Stephen
8 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
E. Twombly, Milton, was recruited in Concord and com- posed principally of Merrimack county men.
Company B — Captain, Edmund Brown, Lancaster ; ist lieutenant, Welcome A. Crafts, Milan; 2d lieutenant, Rinaldo R. Somes, Eaconia, was recruited in Eancaster and com- posed almost entirely of Coos county men.
Company C — Captain, James B. Perry, Eebanon; ist lieutenant, Nathan H. Randlett, Eebanon; 2d lieutenant, William A. Moore, Eittleton, was recruited in Eebanon and composed of Grafton county men.
Company D — Captain, John Murray, Newcastle; ist lieu- tenant, George W. Balloch, Somersworth; 2d lieutenant, Samuel F. Varney, Rochester, was composed mostly of Straf- ford county men. Captain Murray had served in the United States army eleven years, was in the Mexican war, and was at the taking of Chepultepec.
Company E — Captain, Ira McE- Barton, Newport; ist lieutenant, Thomas J. Rice, Boston; 2d lieutenant, Dexter G. Reed, Newport, was recruited in Newport and composed of men from Sullivan and Belknap counties, principally. The officers had before seen service.
Company F — Captain, Horace T. H. Pierce, Keene ; ist lieutenant, Moses W. Rand, Gorham; 2d lieutenant, Samuel S. Quinu, Keene, and was recruited in Keene, and composed mostly of Cheshire county men. Captain Pierce had seen service.
Company G — Captain, Charles H. Eong, Claremont; ist lieutenant, Jacob W. Keller, Claremont; 2d lieutenant, Charles O. Ballou, Claremont, was recruited in Claremont, of Sullivan county men, mostly from Claremont.
Company H — Captain, Richard R. Davis, Wolfeborough ; ist lieutenant, Richard E. Cross, Eancaster; 2d lieutenant, Janvrin W. Graves, Tuftonborough, was recruited in Wolfe- borough, the men being principally of Carroll county.
Company I — Captain, Charles E. Hapgood, Amherst; ist lieutenant, Elijah W. Johnson, Canaan ; 2d lieutenant, John W. Bean, Danbury, was composed of men from Hillsborough and Grafton counties.
FIELD AND STAFF. 9
Company K — Captain, Richard Welch, Plaistow; ist lieu- tenant, James B. David, Amherst; 2d lieutenant, Francis W. Butler, Bennington, .was composed of men from Rockingham and Hillsborough counties.
FIKIvD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
The field and staff officers were as follows : — Colonel, Edward E. Cross, Lancaster; lieutenant colonel, Samuel G. Langley, Manchester; major, William W. Cook, Derry; adjutant, Charles Dodd, Boston, Mass.; quarter- master, Edmund M. Webber, Somersworth ; surgeon, Luther M. Knight, Franklin; assistant surgeon, John W. Bucknam, Lancaster; chaplain, Elijah R. Wilkins, Lisbon; sergeant- major, Daniel K. Cross, Hanover; quarter-master sergeant, John A. Duren, Keene.
The Fifth was recruited to fill the state's quota of the call of July, 1 86 1, for 300,000 men.
In Camp Jackson, the recruits were received, uniformed, drilled, organized into squads, companies, battalions, then into one completed, full regiment, and finally mustered into the United States service by Major Seth Eastman, of the United States army. Companies A, C, G and K were mus- tered October 12; company I on the 15th, E and H on the 19th; B, D and F on the 23d, and the field and staff on the 26th day of October, 1861.
Numerically classed the regiment stood as follows : — Field officers, ------- 3
Commissioned staff, ------ 5
Company officers, ------ 30
Whole number commissioned officers, 38
Non-commissioned staff, ----- 6 Non-commissioned company officers, - - 130 Whole number non-commissioned officers, - 136
Whole number of officers and non-commissioned officers, 174 Whole number of privates, ----- 836
Whole number of officers and men, ... - 1010
io FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
On same date of muster was issued the following general order: —
MARCH OF THE REGIMENT.
Head-Quarters Fifth Regiment N. H. Volunteers,
Camp Jackson, October 26, 1861.
General Order, \ No. 5. J
1. The Fifth New Hampshire Regiment will leave Concord for Washington, D. C, via Norwich and Worcester, New York, Philadel- phia and Baltimore, on Tuesday morning, October 29, at 7 o'clock.
2. On Monday, at 1 o'clock, the tents will be struck, wagons packed, and the regiment leave its camp, and pass the night in Con- cord— arrangements having been made to that effect.
3. No non-commissioned officer or soldier will be permitted to carry a valise or carpetbag, and the colonel requests all commissioned officers to reduce their baggage to the lowest possible standard.
4. Two days' rations of boiled ham and hard bread will be packed in barrels, to be distributed on board the steamers, and one day's ration of dried beef and soft bread will be carried by each man in his haversack. Each soldier will also carry his tin cup, for use on the march. Captains will see that the rations of their companies are cooked and packed.
5. Captain E. E. Sturtevant, and a party of non-commissioned officers to be selected by him, will remain behind to arrest deserters and collect stragglers.
6. Each captain will see that five muskets are cleaned and taken on with his company for guard purposes, as the rifles belonging to the regiment will be issued in Washington.
7. Two cars will be allowed to each company. Officers will stay with their companies, and see that they preserve good order and perfect sobriety,— and to this end will often inspect canteens and haversacks, and throw out all intoxicating liquor.
8. On cars, steamers and ferries, officers will see that the men observe all the regulations ; that they do not crowd, nor talk in the ranks ; and will try to prevent accidents, by watchfulness and strict attention to duty. There will be no cheering without orders.
9. Officers will not allow their men to leave the cars nor the line without urgent necessity, and will see that they return ; nor will any soldier enter any grog-shop or saloon, in case the regiment halts in a city, but each officer and soldier will strive to preserve self-respect, and conduct like brave, loyal, intelligent citizens.
.MARCH OF THE REGIMENT. 1 1
ro. An officer of the day and officer of the guard will be detailed each day, and they will constantly superintend the conduct and comfort of the men.
ii. Commissioned officers will superintend the striking of tents, packing of wagons, knapsacks, etc., etc., of their respective companies ; and the colonel expects every thing to be done in a neat and orderly style.
12. No expense will be spared to arrest any man who deserts his regiment on the eve of its entering service ; nor will punishment be remitted to any soldier who gets drunk and disgraces himself and the regiment on the morning of departure.
13. The non-commissioned officers are especially instructed to look after their respective squads, and see that they are always quiet, sober and ready to march.
14. Captains will see that the knapsacks of the men are properly packed, the overcoats worn, and the blankets rolled and placed on the top of the knapsack.
By order of the Colonel.
Charles Dodd, Adjutant.
This order is exactly re-produced. In it appears the spirit of order, discipline, wise foresight and sagacity that directed, influenced and pervaded the life and character of this organ- ization. The attention to details may seem trivial, the discipline may seem severe, yet in this direction alone was the future success of the regiment. The spirit of this order, resting in the minds and hearts of men equal to any, produced, when thus organized, a regiment that has never been excelled, and seldom equaled. L,et this order and the outgrowth of its spirit, as seen in the history of this regiment, be the careful stud}- of every son of New Hampshire. Its plain, simple language, its unpretending and practical tone, its business- like manner commend it. There are no high-sounding words. There is no bombast. Reader, study this order. In it you see the regiment.
On the 2Sth of October, 1S61, General Order No. 6, was promulgated, which order is here reproduced entire. Ac- cording!}' the regiment was officered as follows : —
12 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CAMP JACKSON.
Head-Quarters Fifth New Hampshire Regiment,
Concord, October 28, 1861.
General Order, \
No. 6. J
This regiment is known as the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. The field officers are
Colonel, EDWARD E. CROSS.
Lieutenant colonel, SAMUEL G. LANGLEY.
Major, WILLIAM W. COOK.
The commissioned staff are
Adjutant, CHARLES DODD.
Quartermaster, EDMUND M. WEBBER.
Surgeon, LUTHER M. KNIGHT.
Assistant surgeon, JOHN W. BUCKNAM.
Chaplain, ELIJAH R. WILKINS.
The non-commissioned staff are
Sergeant-major, DANIEL K. CROSS.
Commissary-sergeant, ISAAC W. HAMMOND.
Quartermaster-sergeant, JOHN A. DUREN.
Hospital steward, EDWIN A. KNIGHT.
(MELVIN L. INGALLS.
Principal musicians, \
[EPHRAIM McDANIELL.
This regiment is composed of ten companies, which are lettered from A to K : —
The company now commanded by Captain SturTEvanT shall be
known as Company A. The company now commanded by Captain Brown shall be known
as Company B. The company now commanded by Captain PERRY shall be known as
Company C. The company now commanded by Captain Murray shall be known
as Company D. The company now commanded by Captain Barton shall be known
as Company E. The company now commanded by Captain Pierce shall be known
as Company F. The company now commanded by Captain Long shall be known as
Company G. The company now commanded by Captain Davis shall be known as
Company H.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 13
The company now commanded by Captain HapGOOD shall be known
as Company I. The company now commanded by Captain Welch shall be known as
Company K.
The commissioned officers of Company A are
Captain, EDWARD E. STURTEVANT.
First lieutenant, JAMES E. LARKIN.
Second lieutenant, STEPHEN E. TWOMBLY.
The commissioned officers of Company B are
Captain, EDMUND BROWN.
First lieutenant, WELCOME A. CRAFTS.
Second lieutenant, RINALDO R. SOMES.
The commissioned officers of Company C are
Captain, JAMES B. PERRY.
First lieutenant, N. H. RAXDLETT.
Second lieutenant, WILLIAM A. MOORE.
The commissioned officers of Company D are
Captain, JOHN MURRAY.
First lieutenant, G. W. BALLOCH.
Second lieutenant, SAMUEL F. VARNEY.
The commissioned officers of Company E are
Captain, IRA McL. BARTON.
First lieutenant, T. J. RICE.
Second lieutenant, DEXTER G. REED.
The commissioned officers of Company F are
Captain, H. T. H. PIERCE.
First lieutenant, MOSES W. RAND.
Second lieutenant, S. S. QUINN.
The commissioned officers of Company G are
Captain, CHARLES H. LONG.
First lieutenant, JACOB W. KELLER.
Second lieutenant, C. O. BALLOU..
The commissioned officers of Company H are
Captain, RICHARD R. DAVIS.
First lieutenant, RICHARD E. CROSS.
Second lieutenant, JANVRIN W. GRAVES.
The commissioned officers of Company I are
Captain, CHARLES E. HAPGOOD.
First lieutenant, E. W. JOHNSON.
Second lieutenant, J. W. BEAN.
14
FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The commissioned officers of Company K are
Captain, RICHARD WELCH.
First lieutenant, J. B. DAVID.
Second lieutenant, F. W. BUTLER.
The rank of captains in this
Senior captain, Second captain, Third captain, Fourth captain, Fifth captain, Sixth captain, Seventh captain, Eighth captain, Ninth captain. Junior captain,
regiments is as follows : —
Edward E. Sturtevant. Richard Welch. Ira McL. Barton. Horace T. H. Pierce. John Murray. Charles H. Long. James B. Perry. Edmund Brown. Richard R. Davis. Charles F. Llapgood.
The rank of first lieutenants in
Senior first lieutenant, Second first lieutenant, Third first lieutenant, Fourth first lieutenant, Fifth first lieutenant, Sixth first lieutenant, Seventh first lieutenant, Eighth first lieutenant, Ninth first lieutenant, Junior first lieutenant,
The rank of second lieutenants
Senior second lieutenant, Second second lieutenant, Third second lieutenant, Fourth second lieutenant, Fifth second lieutenant, Sixth second lieutenant, Seventh second lieutenant, Eighth second lieutenant, Ninth second lieutenant, Junior second lieutenant,
The non-commissioned officers ment are as follows:
this regiment is as follows : — Thomas J. Rice. Richard E. Cross. Welcome A. Crafts. Jacob W. Keller. George W. Balloch. James B. David. James E. Larkin. Nathan H. Raudlett. Elijah W. Johnson. Moses W. Rand.
in this regiment is as follows: William A. Moore. Rinaldo R. Somes. Janvrin W. Graves. Charles O. Ballou. Stephen E. Twombly. Dexter G. Reed. Francis W. Butler. Samuel S. Ouinn. Samuel F. Varney. John W. Bean.
in the several companies in this regi-
COMPANY A.
First sergeant, Second sergeant,
Albert G. Cummings. Daniel Gibson.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS.
15
Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant, Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant, Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant,
Charles H. Smart. William C. Silver. Edmund Aiken. Walter S. Drew. Charles W. Beau. Samuel S. Lovejoy. William W. Eastman. Harrison F. Mann. George L. Hersom. George W. Sylvester. Robert S. Dame.
COMPANY B.
John H. Eocke. Mason W. Humphrey Frank C. Sweetser. O'Neil R. Twitchell. William O. Lyford. William J. Hargrave. Nathaniel F. Lowe. Cyrus Harden. Freeman Eindsey. Alford Balch. Joseph Call. John G. Sutton. William G. Ellis.
COMPANY C.
J. H. Harris. E. S. Fitch. Jarvis Jordan. George Currier. Levi A. Eeighton. E. B. Cilley. Philip Wilkins. J. H. Wyman. Edward D. Howe. C. F. Liscomb. Thomas Wier. C. A. Hale. Byron H. Parker.
COMPANY D.
John S. Ricker. George F. Goodwin.
i6
FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant, 'Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant, Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant,
George R. Shapleigh. Charles F. Rogers. James W. Parks. George W. Downing. James Daniels. Lewis C. Fernald. Winslow O. Garland. William H. Upton. John C. Pierce. Randall F. Cass. Frank L. Avery.
COMPANY E.
Jesse T. Cobb. Barron S. Noyes. John W. Lawrence. Luther Walcott. John S. Hebbard. Oscar D. Allen. Matthew T. Town. Charles M. Gould. Stephen M. Thornton. Augustus D. Sanborn. George E. Frye. Jared M. Davis. Benjamin F. Chase.
COMPANY F.
Joshua R. Bromly. Amos Lawrence. Emery S. Gould. Robert S. Goodall. George M. Snow. Corliss C. Wheeler. William Whittier. John H. Wait. L. O. Lincoln. Samuel E- Goss. Albert A. Fassett. George E. Houghton. Frederick Barrett.
COMPANY G.
Samuel B. Little. Charles C. Shattuck.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS.
17
Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal. Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
F'irst sergeant, Second sergeant, Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal. Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant. Third sergeant, Fourth sergeant, Fifth sergeant, First corporal, Second corporal, Third corporal, Fourth corporal, Fifth corporal, Sixth corporal, Seventh corporal, Eighth corporal,
First sergeant, Second sergeant,
Charles W. Wetherbee. William E. Parrish. R. G. Austin. Wendell R. Cook. George E. Brown. Charles F. Burrell. S. A. Hamlin. Luther A. Chase. Lucius Veasey. John Young. Edward P. Pike.
COMPANY H.
Henry B. Randall. Charles W. Gilman. John W. Fogg. John H. Graves. Stephen D. Smith. Benjamin H. Rogers. John W. Berry. Daniel Libbey. Jacob C. dough. Lewis A. Chesley.. Morrill Nute. Aaron N. Hanson. Sampson W. Townseud.
COMPANY I.
George \V. George. Albert A. Wells. George C. Flanders. Charles H. Phelps. Joseph B. Fay. George P. Titcomb. Richard K. Martin. Franklin Lovering. Daniel A. Peabody. Andrew J. Chamberlain. James Gould. Henry A. Nichols. George Vose.
COMPANY K.
Thomas L. Livermore. Thomas H. Walker.
1 8 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Third sergeant, David O. Clark.
Fourth sergeant, George S. Gove.
Fifth sergeant, German N. Breed.
First corporal, George M. Wilson.
Second corporal, George S. Fletcher.
Third corporal, John M. Davis.
Fourth corporal, Samuel Dolbear.
Fifth corporal, George W. Bailey.
Sixth corporal, John C. Ryan.
Seventh corporal, James Stearns.
Eighth corporal, Joseph H. Sanborn.
The position of the several companies in this regiment, in order of battle, will be according to the rank of the captains, as follows : —
Company A — the first company on the right. Company B — the second company. Company C — the third company. Company D — the fotirth company. Company E — the fifth company. Company F — the sixth company. Company G — the seventh company. Company H — the eighth company. Company I — the ninth company. Company K— the tenth company.
The several companies, posted as above, will be designated from right to left in the maneuvers, as first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth eampanies.
All officers and non-commissioned officers in this regiment will be recognized, respected and obeyed according to their respective rank and position in the command.
Officers of the day will be detailed for one day's duty only, or until relieved.
The morning reports of companies, signed by the captains and first sergeants, will be handed to the acting adjutant, before 8 o'clock in the morning.
All roll-calls prescribed by Sees. 224, 225 and 226 of Art. 27 of the Army Regulations will be strictly observed.
The provisions of the Army Regulations of 1861 will be strictly- observed as the acknowledged and standard authority from the War Department, for the government of this regiment, except when special necessity requires their modification, which necessity7 will be an- nounced in general or special orders. By order of Colonel Cross.
Charges Dodd, Adjutant.
LEAVING THE STATE. 19
On Monday, October 28, in the forenoon, the regiment was paraded and the colors were formally presented. Governor Berry presented the state, and Adjutant- General Colby the national, colors. Speeches were made by the governor and the general, and were answered by Colonel Cross. The same day, at 5 p. m., tents were struck, every thing packed, and the regiment marched to Concord. The regiment left Camp Jack- son with one thousand and ten men. Each man had a tin cup, canteen, knapsack and haversack. Each haversack con- tained one day's ration of dried beef and soft bread. Rations of cold boiled ham and soft bread were packed in barrels, to be issued on board cars and steamers while on passage to the seat of war. The men were quartered in the various public buildings in Concord for the night, and were quiet and orderly. The citizens furnished hot coffee in the morning. At day- break the line was formed, some necessities were issued, and all things arranged for departure. Finally, the colonel ex- horted men and officers to soldierly conduct.
At half-past six o'clock, on this Tuesday morning, October 29. 1S61 (just 30 years ago at this writing), the regiment be- ing in line, the banners being unfurled, the orders were given — "Attention! right face ! forward march ! " The line of march for the depot was taken, the colors waving gaily and the band playing "The Girl I Eeft Behind Me." Amid tears and cheers the regiment at once embarked on the train for the seat of war. Alas ! many a brave lad who followed his colors so gaily that day will never again see his native hills — home, father, mother, wife, sweet-heart — all given up for their patriotic devotion. This is a soldier's life. Captain E. E. Sturtevant and several non-commissioned officers were detailed to remain in Concord to arrest deserters and collect stragglers. The captains were ordered to provide that five muskets to each company were in order, and taken on for guard duty, until arms were issued hy the government. No baggage was allowed non-commissioned officers and privates, and the smallest amount possible to the commissioned officers.
Two cars were allowed each company. Officers wrere re- quired to remain with their companies, to see that they pre-
20 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
served good order and perfect sobriety ; to frequently inspect canteens and haversacks, and to throw out all intoxicating liquors. The regiment was well supplied with wagons, hav- ing one four-horse canvas-covered wagon to each company ; one to the regimental head-quarters ; one to the hospital, and one ambulance — an imposing array of thirteen covered wagons of best quality, and fifty-two excellent horses.
On the morning of October 30, the regiment arrived at Jersey City by cars, via Nashua, Worcester and Norwich, and by the beautiful steamer, "Connecticut," via Long Island Sound ; then on by cars to Philadelphia, where it received the usual free lunch, and friendly treatment accorded to all soldiers while passing through this city. On the steamer a man was found selling whiskey to the soldiers. He was put in irons, and carefully deposited some miles from Jersey City.
October 31, arrived at Bladensburg, Md., landing here at the railroad side without rations, many without blankets and without tents. Here the Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers met the regiment — company for company — with hot coffee and rations. A lasting and warm friendship was developed between the two regiments. This kindness was returned, in kind, after many months, at Point Lookout, Md., by the Fifth. This night the regiment camped upon the bare earth. The baggage was unloaded next day, Nov. 1. The camp ground was cleaned and made even, sinks dug, outlines marked, borders established, tents pitched and all the duties of a soldier's camp life at once begun. —
This ground was near Bladensburg, Md. This was desig- nated as Camp Casey, and was entered upon by the regiment just 30 days after entering Camp Jackson, near Concord, N. H.
Here properly ends Chapter 11, concerning the organiza- tion, preparation, and transportation of the Fifth Regiment to the seat of war. No regiment ever went forth with more ex- alted ideas of duty to country, and more correct views of their relations to those in command. In every way the or- ganization was thoroughly prepared for effective service in the field. There were great expectations concerning this
GENERAL REMARKS. 21
regiment, and those expectations were never disappointed. These statements apply not alone to the fighting- qualities but to the general efficiency of the regiment.
SOME GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.
The men of this organization were larger than the average. At the first issue of clothing an unusual and noticeable number of the larger sizes was required. More than the usual number of men were above five feet and eight inches in height. The average age was 26 years, according to the en- listment roll, but probably really younger. The men had a reputation for good order, sobriety, and patriotic devotion, unexcelled b}- any. The newspapers of those times, in Con- cord, N. H., declared this repeatedly. There were few, if any men, of liberal education ; yet all were well educated, well informed and unusually intelligent men. A large number of the rank and file attained high positions during, and since, the war.
The men came from even- part and represented the busi- ness men of the state, with a fair proportion of the farmers and mechanics. The}* entered the sen-ice with a determina- tion to suppress the Rebellion and presene the Union. Per- haps more enthusiastic and excitable men had entered the earlier regiments, and perhaps high bounties, the draft, or the fear of the draft, had brought less enthusiastic and less patriotic men into the later organizations. However this may have been, the men of the Fifth were, as a class, repre- sentatives of the real yeomanry of the state. They were earnest, honest, reliable men.
The officers were practical men. They had had much ex- perience with men. They possessed judgment and knowledge respecting the capabilities of men ; and the men had confi- dence in and respected the officers. There may have been exceptions, but they were few. Colonel Edward E. Cross was a man of fine personal presence, iron will, great energy, courage in difficulties, bravery in danger, experience in the field and knowledge of men and things. He was the prime
22 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
factor in making this most excellent material into one of the best organizations in the army.
The above statements will be confirmed by a careful study of the history of the regiment and by an examination of its records. In General Order, No. 5, may be found the spirit that pervaded and influenced the life and character of the regiment. This order was inspired by Col. E. E. Cross; was willingly and faithfully enforced by the commissioned officers ; and was willingly and faithfully obeyed by the non- commissioned officers and the men in the ranks. The spirit of this order tinctured the life and made the record of the regiment, while the original officers and men continued in the service, and were in the majority ; by contact and intercom- munication when these became the minority ; and by ex- ample and reputation after nearly all the original officers and men had passed out of service. The same sentiment passed on into the new organization — the Fifth New Hampshire Battalion.
The fighting at Fair Oaks did not excel that at Appomat- tox ; that at Malvern Hill did not excel that at Cold Harbor ; that at Antietam did not excel that at Petersburg. The officers and men of the old Fifth did not excel the officers and men of the new Fifth more than the master excels the pupil that de- velopes and matures under his example, training and disci- pline. The spirit and blood of the former were the produc- tion of the same granite hills as the latter. The one could not excel the other in any and all natural qualities that con- stitute the man and the soldier. The early officers and men , having been disciplined together, knew and had confi- dence in each other, and, as a regiment, stood forth on the days of Fair Oakes, Antietam and Fredericksburg, as a power for offensive service better than ever after. Better officers and better men never went into battle. Their brave deeds can never be suitably recorded. Their days of severe, patient labor in swamps, in mud, in rain, in snow can never be fully known. These records, with their names, would fill volumes like this. "May a grateful country do the Fifth New Hamp- shire Volunteers justice — written history never can."
GENERAL REMARKS. 23
Thus, on the 31st day of October, 1861, the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers was set off at Bladensburg, Md., near the seat of war, standing forth a completed, fighting or- ganization. After many months of drill, education, discipline and minor experiences of the camp, the march, the bivouac, the scout and the skirmish, General Sumner said: 'The Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers needs only one thing to render it the best of regiments — that is a baptism of fire." It received that baptism, and that without stint, not by sprinkling, but by immersion.
CHAPTER III.
Arrival at Bladensburg, Md- Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers— Severe Storm— Orders for Lower Marlboro' — March to and From — Drills and Incidents — Transferred to Sumner's Division — March Through Washington to Alex- andria— Camp California.
In our last chapter we left our heroes at the seat of war on the 31st da}' of October, 1 861, by the side of the railroad near the little village of Bladensburg, Md., without rations, blank- ets or tents, enjoying the kind hospitalities of the Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, but sleeping on the bare earth.
November 1 the baggage and tents arrived. The camp- ground was cleaned and evened down, sinks dug, outlines established, and everything arranged according to army regulations. Then tents were pitched.
Just now began a furious and long-continued rain storm, drenching the men through and through, making the soil in- to deep and adhesive mud, rendering everybody uncomfort- able in body and unhappy in mind. On the evening of the second day, in the midst of the storm, orders came for a forced march, next day, to Lower Marlborough, Md. Each man was to have two days' cooked rations and forty rounds of ball cartridges. During the whole night the men and officers were active in making preparations in the rain and mud. They cooked and packed rations, cleaned and burnished arms and equipments. No tents were to be taken, and only three wagons.
At 9 a. m., on the 3d, the regiments of the brigade marched out from the camp in this order : The Forty-fifth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, the Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers, the Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, the Fifth New Hamp-
FIRST EXPEDITION. 25
shire Volunteers and one squadron of cavalry. The roads were wet, muddy, slippery and adhesive ; the creeks were bank full of water ; the bridges were narrow and unfirm, causing much delay in crossing and a corresponding double- quick advance to "close up." The men were in full march- ing order and unaccustomed to the "route" step; hence, alto- gether, the brigade made slow progress ; nevertheless the men did well, and there were but few stragglers.
At 12 m. the brigade halted one hour for dinner in an old cornfield. The afternoon march was still more severe. The night camp was not reached until 9 p. m., and the men were completely exhausted. This night camp was in a beautiful young growth oak wood. The men lay on the bare earth, without tents and without supper. The length of this day's march was eighteen miles.
Next morning the men were aroused early, and had coffee before any other regiment. The Fifth led this day's march. The route lay through a good agricultural country, producing chiefly corn and tobacco. The expedition passed through Upper Marlborough, the shire-town of Prince George county, a dilapidated, unthrifty, Southern village.
The noon camp was at Ball's Ferry, near the Patuxent river; the men were foot-sore, chafed and much exhausted. The New Hampshire men seemed to endure the fatigue as well as any, and better than some, of the regiments. All were unaccustomed to such severe usage. Many men fell down to sleep at every halt and some were really seriously disabled b)- this severe march.
The afternoon march was in the county of Anne Arundel. Here were great farms, fine mansions surrounded by shade trees, shrubbery, orchards and broad fields of corn, wheat and tobacco. Here were evidences of wealth, comfort and re- finement. This march dragged badly. The men were still tired and foot-sore, and would lie down by the roadside at even- halt. About 9 p. m. the camp-fires of the advanced guard were seen glimmering through the trees, the band struck up a lively tune and the regiment marched into camp, wretched- ly weary and exhausted. They camped without rations or
26 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
water. No rations came the next day ; but before night they had plenty of stewed beans. The men did not complain . This day's march was twenty-seven miles.
The object of this expedition was to disperse armed bands of men and prevent any disturbance of the election. Compa- nies A and B were detached to remain at Upper Marlborough for guard duty, while the remainder went to near Lower Marlborough. Here they remained in camp while the Fourth Rhode Island did guard duty at the village of Lower Marl- borough. Captain Sturtevant remained at Upper Marl- borough in command of that detachment, and to superintend the polls. The storm was severe 'during the first night, and the men were instructed in making shelters by uniting blankets and supporting them with sticks or rails. On the 5th of November the men devoted themselves to rations and rest.
November 6, the men having rested one day and their mission having been accomplished, the return march began. It was finished in good order on the second day of the return, and on the fifth of the expedition. All received the compli- ments of the commanding general. Thus ended the regi- ment's first campaign, without bloodshed, but it was the severest march, perhaps, the regiment ever made, so far as exhausting and, in fact, seriously disabling many of the men. The regiment marched fifty miles in two days, rested one day and returned to camp in two days. They were wholly unaccustomed to marching, they were in full inarching order, and had not the many secrets of veterans for rendering march- ing easy; they were without sufficient rations; they were unacquainted with the route step, and with the many simple methods of relieving petty, but annoying, evils, resulting from marching and field service, such as abrasion of the skin upon the toes, feet and ankles; chafing between the legs, and between the arms and body ; sweating under the armpits and other shallow cavities; all of which often disabled a soldier. The veteran knows exactly what ma}' be a necessity and what may be a superfluity ; what may be supplied by the country, the commissary and in a contingency. He has
INCIDENTS. 27
learned that these disagreeable annoyances can be remedied by a frequent application of castile soap and water, lint and simple cerate. While none were killed, none wounded by shells or bullets, yet no campaign ever more thoroughly ex- hausted the men.
Respecting this Marlborough campaign, Colonel Cross, in his personal journal, says: "The men having rested twenty-four hours, we marched home in pretty good style. All along the line the men behaved with the utmost order, and we received the written thanks of the general in com- mand."
November 8th the camp was cleaned, renovated and made comfortable. The regular calls and drills were instituted. The men soon recovered from their campaign. Its incidents and little episodes of fun and hardship furnished material for many a camp-fire gossip. Thus affairs continued until on the 1 2th was held the first regimental court martial. Two privates were tried for small offences.
On the 1 6th the brigade was reviewed by General Casey; on the 19th had brigade drill. November 22, Captain Long joined for duty, Lieutenant Crafts went to New Hampshire, by orders, on recruiting service, and the men had their first drill in regimental firing. On the 23rd had a review by Gen- eral Howard.
On the 24th Frank Haywood died. Says Cross: "He was a great favorite of mine. I closed his eyes. He died just at reveille, and the last bugle note ushered his soul into the land of spirits."
On the 26th of November Colonel Cross attended a review of the Regulars by General McClellan. He rode with Gen- eral Casey's staff and stood near McClellan, while the troops passed in review. The troops appeared well and were finely equipped.
On November 27 the}' were preparing for a Thanksgiving celebration, when they received orders transferring the regi- ment to General Sumner's Division, and then orders to pack up, cook two days' rations and be ready to march across the Potomac at daylight next morning.
28 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Immediately all was hurry and bustle. It was exceeding- ly unpleasant to abandon our camp, with its comfortable fixtures, but all were elated with the idea of getting into the enemy's country. Reveille sounded at 3 : 30 on the morning of our departure, November 28. All were alert. Coffee was soon served. At 4:30 a. m. the "general" was sounded, the tents were struck, and we marched gaily off the ground, with colors flying, muskets gleaming and band playing.
The route led through Washington city. We passed along Pennsylvania avenue, entering it near the Arlington House. We had fully one thousand men, fourteen covered wagons, sixty horses, the field and staff all mounted and in regular order and gaily attired, band playing, alternating with the more martial and inspiring music of the drum corps, the colors waving with dignity and grace in the breezes coming in from the Potomac. The regiment attracted much atten- tion, elicited much praise and aroused hearty and prolonged applause.
As we debouched into the avenue we were reviewed by Senator Wilson of Massachusetts, who knew that the regi- ment would pass then and there.
The regiment marched up the avenue, company front. The men marched splendidly and the music was inspiring. At the National Hotel, a large crowd of citizens and soldiers had gathered to see the regiment, and cheered the men again and again. They crossed Long bridge about noon, and after a nine-miles' march, passed through Alexandria, passing the Marshall House, marching about three miles on the Little river turnpike ; camped on the Richard's farm about sunset, without tents or blankets for the night.
Here properly ends chapter three, being an account of the experiences, doings, marches and campaign of the regiment from its arrival at Bladensburg, Md., until its arrival at a camp near Alexandria, Va. These experiences, doings, marches and campaigns consisted of life in Camp Casey, near Bladensburg, the march to Lower Marlborough, Md., to supervise the elections; the march through Washington,
SUMMARY. 29
across L,ong bridge to and through Alexandria ; and to a location on Little river turnpike, about three miles westerly from Alexandria, near Fairfax seminary in front of Fort Worth about four miles from Arlington and eight miles from Washington.
GENERAL REMARKS.
At this time this region was a vast camping ground and depot for supplies. Here were cattle, horses, hay, grain and vegetables. Trains of cars closely following each other, daily and nightly, deposited near these cities thousands of men from the Eastern, the Middle, the Northern and the Western states. All these were marching to and fro, seeking and con- structing their camps. The hills were white with tents ; the plains glistened with the arms of moving troops. Great trains of canvas-covered wagons drawn by mules and freighted with army supplies moved slowly and complaining- ly to and fro with their burdens.
Amid all this strange commotion we leave the bright lads and strong men of the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire A'ol- unteers bivouacking on the open ground without tents, blankets or even food. Ah ! my lads, you little knew that night, through what storms of rain, snow and hail; through what hurricanes of shot and shells and leaden balls, you would pass to God and to glory ! Ah ! then you were ' ' your country's stay!"
At this point the regiment had a history of exactly one hundred days. The first recruit was received August 27 ; the first detachment was received into Camp Jackson, near Con- cord, on the 28th of September ; the muster in of the com- pleted regiment was October 28 ; the departure from Camp Jackson was October 28, and the departure from Concord was October 29; arrived at Camp Casey, near Bladensburg, Md., November 1, and arrived at a camp near Alexandria, Va., November 29, and on the 30th moved to new ground; on the 5th of December were well and permanently fixed in a winter camp ready for duty. This ground was called " Camp California."
CHAPTER IV.
Camp California — Picket Duty — Alarm — .Scouting — Brigade In- spection— Drill Discipline— Fatigue Duty — Making Gabions, Fascines, Hurdles and Sap Rollers— Long Roll.
On the 28th of November, 1861, just at sunset, we left the men of the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers in an open field without tents, some without blankets and with- out rations, upon the right of the Little river turnpike, about three miles westerly from Alexandria, Va. Here the regiment passed an uncomfortable night, some finding shelter in a barn, and others in ways known only to soldiers. On the 29th resumed the march, passed man)' encampments and finally arrived upon ground to be known as ' ' Camp Califor- nia." The regiment was assigned to General Howard's brigade, General Sumner's Division of the Second Army Corps, and occupied this position upon the right of this corps during the war.
The brigade now consisted of the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, the Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers; the Eighty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers and the Sixty-first Regiment New York Volunteers — all commanded by General O.O. Howard. The division con- sisted of Howard's Brigade, French's Brigade and Meagher's Brigade (Irish). Before night the baggage arrived. The tents were pitched and matters at once arranged for the comfort of the men. On Saturday, November 30, a camp- ground was selected, the tents were re-arranged and much labor necessary to the comfort, health and decency of the regiment was performed. Hospitals were established by Surgeon Knight and Assistant Bucknam, which were well equipped and well supplied, and well managed by the medical officers and a suitable corps of ward-masters and nurses.
AN ALARM. 31
Having become well established, the regiment was ordered on a tour of picket for five days. December 6, at 9 a. m., having eight hundred sixteen men and officers, amid the cheers of the brigade, it marched away, accompanied by Generals Sumner, French and Howard. At noon it arrived at Edsill's Hill, about four miles from camp toward the enemy, took possession and threw out pickets to fill a vacancy between those of Generals Sedgwick and Blenker. Colonel Cross personally rode along the lines and posted the men, and he daily visited each post. He also called attention to and brought about a change in the then existing "pass system." On the completion of this tour the regiment was highly com- plimented by Generals Sumner and Howard. All returned to camp on the evening of the nth.
Soon after 9 p. m., on December 12, orders came for Colonel Cross to report at once to General Sumner, while Lieutenant-Colonel L,angley should, without noise, form the regiment. The general ordered the colonel to lead the brigade, in the absence of General Howard, to Edsill's Hill, as soon as possible. The brigade was formed, marched away, arrived at the hill, took position with artillery, and remained until morning. At daylight was ordered to return to camp ; when half way there had orders to return to the hill and did so. The men had neither rations nor suitable water. At noon the wagons came up with coffee and bread. They re- mained under arms during the day, and returned to camp at night. The men behaved with bravery, coolness and discre- tion.
After the return from this tour of picket, and from meeting the alarm, the time, excepting Christmas day, until January 1, 1S62, was passed in drilling. During the holidays the men had several half days in which the}' were released from duty that they might celebrate and prepare winter quarters. On January 4 it snowed, hailed and rained. This was the first day the regiment had in this camp without drill or other duty. On Sunday, the 5th, there was inspection at 8 a. m., and divine service at n a. m. On the 6th had skirmish drill from 9 till n a. m., and officers' drill from 12 : 30 to 1 : 30 p.
32 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
m. ; brigade drill from 2 till 4 p. m. ; dress parade at the usual hour. From the 7th to the 14th there were drills and the common camp duties. On the 9th, Lieutenant Crafts arrived from New Hampshire with thirty-four recruits.
Second Tour of Picket. — On January 14 the regiment was ordered to prepare for a second tour of picket on Edsill's Hill. It was very cold with three inches of snow. On Wed- nesday the regiment was at the hill, having marched from the camp in the rain, mud and snow. The men were much exhausted and exceedingly uncomfortable. They obtained boards and hay from a barn near at hand, with which they constructed wigwams. It was cold, rainy and disagreeable during all this picket tour of five days. At this time Colonel Cross was detailed on court martial, and Lieutenant-Colonel Langley commanded. The colonel, however, visited the regiment and the picket line every day.
On the 1 8th, Captain Barton with forty men scouted toward the enemy's lines, Lieutenant Cross commanding the rear guard. The party captured one prisoner, ten cows and much poultry. On Sunday, the 19th, the regiment, having been relieved by the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, marched home to camp on the railroad track in mud and snow. From this date until the 29th, the regiment had the usual drill and camp duty. On February 2d, Governor Berry and Secretary of State Tenny, of New Hampshire, visited camp and remained during the day, and the governor ad- dressed the regiment.
On the evening of the 4th, the colonel received orders to have the regiment ready to march at a moment's notice, with two days' rations and forty rounds of cartridges. But the order was soon countermanded, there having been a false alarm. On the next day went on a march on the road beyond Cloud's mills. On the 7th received news of the victory at Fort Henry, Tennessee; on account of which the regiment assembled and gave three cheers. On the 13th, had news of the capture of Fort Donelson. The whole brigade assembled and gave three cheers for the victory. February 22d was celebrated as a holiday by listening to reading of Washing-
u~i/ «
PICKET DUTY. 33
ton's farewell address, by General O. O. Howard. The regiment had a visit from the New Hampshire Battery, and passed the afternoon in a drill and sham fight with them. On the 23d, Colonel Cross read an order for promotions and ap- pointments. On the 24th the brigade was inspected by the inspector general. It rained hard and the men were drenched with water. In the afternoon the wind blew down the tents and turned everything " upside down." On the 25th the men repaired the damages by the storm and wind. In the afternoon had brigade drill with blankets, haversacks and canteens in place. The day wyas warm and beautiful. On the 26th had bayonet and skirmish drill in the morning under Captain Cross, and brigade drill in the afternoon.
Third Tofr of Picket was begun on the morning of Friday, February 28, after having been inspected and mus- tered for pay; it snowed all day and rained all night, and the men built huts in the woods for protection. On Saturday, March 1, the men were instructed in the manufacture of siege- materials, by cutting withes and constructing gabions, fas- cines, hurdles and sap-rollers, b)r Colonel Cross. By invita- tion this work of the men was inspected by the general offi- cers of the brigade and division. On Sunday, the 2d, the regi- ment was still on picket, the men finding protection from the storm in their huts. On the 3d it rained all day and night. No comfort for the- men. On the 4th the regiment was about to return to camp when it was ordered to march out to Spring- field Station. It did so, and went into camp in the woods, here to support General Howard. Remained here during the 5th in a fine oak grove which afforded excellent fuel. Built some wigwams. On the 6th marched up the railroad to Burke's Station; camped in the woods. The regiment re- mained here during the 7th. The Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers had a brisk skirmish with the enemy and killed a cavalry-man.
On the night of the 8th, the regiment was called out at 10 o'clock by the long roll. The regiment was under arms in five minutes. It marched one mile on the double- quick ; then marched one mile farther and went into line 3
34 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
of battle in an open field, and there waited for the enenry. But they did not come. In the morning marched home, eleven miles, on the railroad. Says Colonel Cross in his personal journal : "The regiment behaved well — officers and men being cool and collected." Next day had Sunday in- spection. Had orders to be prepared to march to the front and leave Camp California not to return. On the ioth had orders to march, taking everything that could not be dis- pensed with. The regiment was in line at 7 a. m., and at once began the march, the whole division moving. It rained during the whole day. The division marched fifteen miles. Of necessity much regimental property and many things of value to individuals were abandoned forever in the camp.
The men bade farewell to Camp California as a permanent winter home. The regiment had been almost exactly one hundred days in this camp. These were days of drill, dis- cipline, night expeditions, marches and alarms. Many in- teresting facts, not strictly belonging to the narrative of the regiment, will be related because they constitute a portion of the history, though not directly connected with the regiment as a fighting organization.
CHAPTER V.
Camp California Continued — Sickness and Deaths — Schools for Army Regulations, Tactics, Common Educational Deficien- cies— Mail Facilities — Summer and Winter Quarters — Cook- ing— Advance of the Army of the Potomac.
During one hundred days from November 30, 1861, to March 10, 1862, Camp California was the home of the regi- ment. Here the men and officers were well drilled in the manual of arms and thoroughly instructed in military tactics. Hence daily expeditions, picket tours, scouts, marches by day and by night, in fair and in foul weather, in answer to orders at every hour and in every form, were made. Some- times the order was to cheer for a victory and again to make a furious rush in answer to the long roll. Hence were made tramps in the mud and bivouacs in the snow. Hence alarms were met and hence defiance was sent to an enemy of un- certain numbers and doubtful locality.
Here will be related facts pertaining to the history, but cumbersome and perplexing in the narrative. Some matters, common to all camps, will be considered here, only, because this was the first and best organized camp the regiment con- structed and occupied.
The camp was an oblong square. The tents were the Sibley pattern, and were arranged in ten rows with five tents in a row for the men. The company kitchen was a similar tent in rear of the men's tents. The space between the rows of tents was the company street. The compan3^ officers' tent was in rear of the company street. In rear of the line of offi- cers' tents was a space, and beyond this was the commanding officer's tent, and upon either side of his quarters were the field and staff officers' quarters.
The color line was on the front of the camp, toward the enemy, running at right angles with the Little river turn-
36 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
pike. On the middle of the color line were planted the regi- mental colors ; upon the right and left of which, facing the enemy, was formed the regiment for its daily roll-call and dress-parade, its Sunday morning inspection and many other purposes. Here the camp and color line of the Fifth was upon the right of General Howard's Brigade, which was upon the right of General Sumner's Division, which was upon the right of the Second Corps, being the place of honor in the Second Corps. This position the regiment continued to hold while it existed as a regiment, both in camp and in battle.
Camp Duty began at once. The guard was mounted by brigade, the officer of the day and the officer of the guard be- ing furnished by each regiment in succession. Drill began at once, being usually two hours' company drill in the fore- noon, and two hours' battalion or brigade drill in the after- noon. At sunset was the dress-parade. At day-break the regiment paraded under arms on the color line for roll-call, the adjutant calling the roll of the staff and line officers. Surgeon's call was at some convenient hour before the duties of the day began. The surgeons could be consulted at any hour of day or night, if occasion required. Breakfast, dinner, supper calls and retreat and taps were sounded at an hour proper for each occasion. On Sundays there was inspection in the morning and dress-parade in the evening.
Most excellent hospital arrangements were made under the direction of Surgeon L. M. Knight, assisted by Assistant Surgeon J. W. Bucknamand Hospital Steward E. A. Knight. The hospital quarters were commodious and comfortable. Mumps, measles and pneumonia prevailed. On account of these diseases there were about thirty deaths. The dead were sent to friends in New Hampshire or were decently buried, under military honors and with religious services, near the camp. Each grave was marked with a head-board, inscribed with name, company, regiment, date and cause of death.
On arriving in this camp, Colonel Cross established schools for the officers ; himself taking the captains, Dieutenant- Colonel Eangley taking the lieutenants and Major Cook the
CAMP SCHOOLS. 37
second lieutenants. Every officer was obliged to attend and recite in regulations and tactics three evenings a week. Schools for teaching common English branches were estab- lished for those who were deficient therein, and on every suitable occasion the officers and men were instructed in the man)- duties and the mechanical operations of war. They were instructed in the manufacture of gabions, fascines, sap- rollers, hurdles and similar material; also in constructing rifle-pits and other defences. Generals Heintzelman, Sumner and Howard frequently inspected them.
These articles are made use of in siege operations and are thus explained by Colonel Ljvermore : ' ' The fascines were bundles of poles, ten or twelve feet long, bound with withes, the bundles being eight to ten inches in diameter. These were to fill up the ditches in front of the enemy's work in case of an assault, and in other cases to serve as part of the breast- work. The gabions were cylindrical baskets about two and a half feet in height, and were designed to be set on end on top of the earth- works and filled with earth. The sap-rollers were immense baskets, of the same description, about six to eight feet high. These immense baskets were filled with fas- cines, making up an almost solid and impenetrable defence against bullets and generally cannon-shot. These were de- signed to be rolled on the ground in front of the enemy's works, and, under their cover, men were able to dig the ditches used to approach the enemy's works. The hurdles were a collec- tion of twigs or sticks, three feet high and two feet broad, closely interwoven, and sustained by long stakes, and used as a support or facing to an embankment. ' ' Thus at once, and from the beginning, every soldier and officer in camp was being instructed in those things that rendered him more efficient in war. Beyond a doubt this thorough discipline, constant drill and practical education were the principal causes, other things being equal, of the excellent qualities afterwards ex- hibited by the regiment. The men were daily instructed in those very things, actions and situations in which they might be expected to be found in every department of war.
The mail facilities in the regiment were excellent. This
38 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
department was under the care of Chaplain Wilkins. That worthy officer relates that a friend presented him with an ex- cellent mail-bag. At one time the bag was lost for several hours. Finally it mysteriously dropped into the proper quarters, well smeared with blood and bristles, fat and feathers. Some officer's colored boy may have been able to have explained the situation. The arrival of the mail was the event of the day. The white- winged messengers brought joy to thousands.
Summer quarters were simple in construction. In the field, on an active campaign, the men had blankets, rubbers and shelter tents. By ingenious arrangements these would protect the men from cold, wind, rain and snow. In a permanent summer camp the men had A tents, Sibley tents or wall tents. The A tent, viewed in front or rear, resembled the letter A, was about five feet high, six feet from side to side and four feet from front to rear. It would accommodate two to four men. The Sibley was a circle at base, rising a cone to about eight feet, having at top an opening for the tent pole and fastenings, for ventilation and escape of smoke. In one side was an opening for a door, opened and closed by a flap of canvas. This would house sixteen men.
Winter quarters were more elaborate, more comfortable and more of a protection against wTind, cold, rain and snow. The canvas tent in its various forms would usually constitute the covering and a portion of the walls. But more substantial walls were made of logs, split lengthwise through the middle into halves, about four feet in length. These were set close- ly on end in a ditch and lined by the borders of the tent, a suitable space being left vacant in one side for a door. The crevices between the logs were filled with a mortar made from clay or soil mixed with water and spread while moist, then allowed to dry. The top of the wall being evened, the canvas was placed and fixed above. Light was admitted through the canvas. Chimneys were constructed upon one side of sticks, mortar, bricks, stones, barrels and logs. Floors were often made from boughs of evergreen, bark, boards and dis- membered hard-bread boxes. Everything above the earth's
CAMP LIFE. 39
surface might be found in the construction of the veterans' winter quarters — beautiful panels from a neighboring mansion and green, raw hides from the brigade butcher's yard ; feather beds and table covers, pictures and mirrors. Often winter quarters were substantial and comfortable log-houses.
Ingenuity and simplicity prevailed respecting bedding and bedsteads. Woolen blankets constituted the bedding. Four crotched stakes stuck erect in the ground, two cross-bars in these stakes and twenty light, elastic poles eight feet in length, arranged across these bars so as to present a plane surface for the .spread of the blankets, constituted a bed good enough for a — soldier. A pair of boots, a saddle, a knap- sack or a bundle of evergreen made a pillow, if not "as soft as downy pillows are," very comfortable and always accepta- ble to a tired, foot-sore, chafed and aching soldier.
The heating facilities called forth the best skill of the veteran and brought into use every possible device. A conical, sheet-iron stove, two feet base, three feet high, a hinged door in the side, the smoke escaping through sheet-iron pipe piercing the roof, was common and convenient, portable and practicable. Stoves were constructed of sod, clay, brick, logs covered in the earth, and of anything that might suggest itself or be convenient.
Good Cooking demanded neatness of habit and person, tact, a nimble hand, culinary knowledge, patience and good purveyance. The regulation camp kettle, tin cup, tin plate, sheath knife, table-spoon, common knife and fork constituted the cooking and eating ware. Hard bread, soft bread, coffee, salt pork, fresh beef, salt, pepper and water constituted the raw material. Sometimes a raid or foraging party might furnish fresh pig, mutton, chicken, turkey, duck and goose; turnips, beets and onions ; garlics, mints and other savory herbs; honey, apple-jack, whiskey, peach brandy; apples, peaches, cherries, small berries and persimmons; butter, milk and butter-milk ; potatoes, sweet potatoes, tobacco, green corn and anything that could be used for the benefit, gratifi- cation or delight of men. Above all these ranks the palata- ble, substantial, nutritious, cheap and easily prepared, pre-
40 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
served and transported white bean. No American could exist without it. Parboiled, then baked with salt pork over night, in a camp-kettle deposited in a heated hole in the ground, these beans presented a most excellent dish. Thus the possibilities of the soldier were immense, and the proba- bilities were small though solid.
The Water Supply was of immense importance to an army and often demanded no small attention. Of course the natural supply afforded by running streams and flowing springs was usual, but artificial wells were often dug deep into the earth that the men might have a sufficient, palatable and healthy supply. Water often, to a degree, determined the location of a camp of an army. During and after a battle a sufficient supply of cool and pure water was of the utmost importance to the wounded and exhausted soldiers. Loss of blood, pain, physical exhaustion, mental weariness invariably produced intense thirst. The intense desire for water — cool, fresh, sparkling from some New Hampshire hillside — is to-day, after thirty years, among the most thrilling memories of our veterans. No beer, no distilled spirits, no wine, no drug — nothing beside this pure New England water — could quench that intense, that awful desire.
The Health of large bodies of men can be preserved onl}r by a persistent and systematic course of sanitation. When a camp is established sinks are at once prepared, and these according to army regulations. Sinks are pits in the earth well in the rear, two and one-half feet wide, three feet deep and twelve feet long. The earth removed in digging is thrown to one side for future use. In the front is a pole rest- ing on forked stakes driven in the earth for a seat. In front of all was placed a screen of boughs so arranged as to secure a degree of privacy and decency for the proper performance of the natural functions common to all humanity. Here lice, common to men in camp, could be culled in privacy. In these sinks was daily deposited the filth of the whole camp. At night and in the morning a portion of earth was thrown upon the filth, sufficient to cover and conceal it from any of the senses. The camp was cleaned daily by sweeping and scrap-
CAMP LIFE. 41
ing, and all the stagnant water was scrupulous^ drained off; and all filth too great to be covered in the sinks was taken away in carts, buried in great pits or burned. Of course dead men were tenderly buried, and dead horses and mules burned. Much attention was given to sanitary matters in the camp ; and if there was ever neglect there was sure to be a corre- sponding disadvantage.
The fuel of an army is also of importance. In summer a rail-fence, or the fallen branches in a forest, was an abundant supply for men marching ; but in a winter camp the supply of fuel was obtained in a systematic manner by details of men from each regiment. Vast tracts of woodland were denuded of their trees to furnish our armies.
Religious meetings were organized and conducted by the chaplain, Rev. E. R. Wilkins. He was ever ready to extend comfort and consolation to the weary, and encourage repent- ant sinners, and ever willing to warn the unrepentant. He often sent the dying message of a mortally s ick or wounded soldier to the wife, mother or sister, and often directed the inquirer to Christ. God bless him.
Express facilities were excellent. Boxes were constantly passing into camp from New Hampshire ; also monej^ from men and officers was sent to their friends at home. The regi- ment Was paid at convenient seasons by the United States paymaster. At one payment in Camp California they re- ceived $36,000, of which $23,000 was sent to New Hamp- shire to friends or deposited in the banks.
Games and pastimes were encouraged by the colonel. This was especially so upon holidays. Here it may be appropriate to remark that while Colonel Cross exacted the strictest disci- pline from the officers and men, and was almost furious with those who neglected duty in front of the enenry, yet he was indulgent and kind to those who were honest and faithful.
The following is taken from a record by Captain McCrillis : "Wednesday being Christmas the colonel said there would be no drill ; that he had purchased a pig which would be greased and let loose for our entertainment at 10 o'clock. At the appointed time we were formed in line for our entertain-
42 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ment. First, a foot race, 500 yards, best two in three. First prize, $4.00; second, $2.00. Second, a wrestling match. First prize, $4.00; second prize, $2.00 The first prize was won by S. Barton, Company E. We then marched to quarters and partook of oysters and bread. At 3 p. m. we formed in a square, and poor piggy was let loose. After a few minutes he was seized by Pat Rowen, but escaped. Soon he was seized and carried away by a member of Company I. The next was a jumping match with prizes of $4.00 and $2.00. This closed the day's sport. We had quite a nice time."
The daily supply of newspapers was abundant and constant. Even on the most rapid march and after the longest expedi- tions the newspaper would be there. After the severest battles the soldier would learn the particulars from the news- paper printed in a far-off city. Next to letters from home the newspaper was the most welcome camp visitor. When they were few, a good reader, mounted on a hard-bread box, would read every word to a most attentive and appreciating audience and then he would be cheered to the echo.
CHAPTER VI.
A Critical Day — An Advance — Abandoned Works — Picket En- gagements— Reconnoissance — Order of March — Battle of Rappahannock — Daily Events — Remarks— Incidents.
During November and December of 1861 and January and February of 1862 immense military and naval operations had been carried on in certain sections of our country. These were in a degree successful to the Union arms. But no advance had been made by the Army of the Potomac. In front of and about Washington, and up and down the Potomac river was a truly grand army. It had become one of the best organized, equipped and drilled armies of one hundred and fifty thousand men, suitably divided according to the best known requirements of modern and successful warfare. Nothing like it was ever before upon this continent. It re- mained in camp. It received no orders to advance. The people were expectant, nervous, anxious, impatient, fretful, exasperated at the delay.
Over against this splendid army were many thousands of well-trained men, recently successful, in impregnable fortifica- tions, well-armed, well-equipped, well-supplied, well-fed, well- housed, in the midst of a well-known country and among a friendly people. To attack, to dislodge and disperse the latter was the mission of the former, as was expected and hoped for by the Federals ; and a successful resistance by the latter to such endeavors was the earnest desire of the Con- federates. This was, in brief, the situation of affairs about Washington the first days of March, 1S62.
No more critical day had ever been in our National history. Could an armed force successfully support organized disunion and indefinitely menace the National capital ? Could such a force be dispersed and disorganized? Could it be done with-
44 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
in a limited time, by a limited severity and through endurable inconveniences ?
To examine into, discuss or estimate the acts of presidents and cabinets, generals and councils of war, is no part of this history. The reasonable, unreasonable, true, false, friendly, unfriendly, malicious and often absurd rumors and newspaper articles that flooded the country, excited the people, annoyed the army and wearied the authorities, need not be recounted here. The army was to advance. It is for us to record the acts of the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers.
Near midnight of March 9, 1862, orders were received at regimental head-quarters for the regiment to be ready to march early next morning. At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 10th, orders came to march at 6 a. in., taking everything, to have a good supply of cooked rations, and to abandon this camp.
All being arranged, at 7 a. m. the whole division moved out upon the line of march. Sumner's Division formed the advance of the army, Howard's Brigade led the division and the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers led the brigade. Colonel Cross commanded the advance guard, Major Cook leading with two companies. After the Fifth came a battery of artillery ; then one squadron of dragoons ; then the brigades of Howard, French and Meagher (Irish) , in the order named.
Directly after the advanced guard came General Sumner and staff in command of the division. In the above order and manner the First Division, commanded by General Sumner, the First Brigade, commanded by General Howard, the Fifth Regiment, commanded by Colonel Edward E. Cross, led the
GRAND ADVANCE OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
This advance began at daylight on Monday, March 10, 1862. The troops marched fifteen miles and camped on Brimstone hill for the night. It rained during the whole day. Here much baggage and many valuables were abandoned by the officers and men, that had been brought out from camp.
On the morning of March 1 1 the sun shone bright and
REBEL WORKS. 45
clear. The whole division moved out at n a. m., marched until 3 p. m., and went into camp on Flint hill, near Union Mills and Sangster Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. More than ten thousand men were camped here in sight, forming a grand martial view. After dark the scene was picturesque and wonderful. A thousand camp-fires burn- ing brightly marked the lines of battle, and the murmuring of the armed host sounded like the murmuring of waves upon the distant seashore.
On the 1 2th the division moved early, marched to Union Mills and encamped four miles from Manassas Junction, one mile from Bull Run battle-field. A squad of men from the Fifth, with Corporal Gove, guarded a wagon train to Fairfax Station. Beyond and around this region were found the first fortifications. Here it was first known that these had been abandoned by the enemy. They were judiciously situated on a range of high hills. They consisted of rifle-pits, ditches, breastworks and redoubts. Here was found much abandoned property.
On the 13th the division and regiment remained here. Small parties went foraging, bringing in much abandoned property.
Here we will give the words and opinions of a colonel and a corporal respecting the condition of affairs in the now abandoned Confederate camps and fortifications. Says Corpo- ral Gove's diary: "They had excellent barracks made of logs and plastered with clay. I do not think the soldiers were half starved and frozen."
Colonel Cross, in his personal journal, says: "I examined the works. They were chiefly located on a long ridge, there being nine strong redoubts, each pierced for from six to nine guns, some for twelve ; and so located as to control the country for miles around. Fine ways of timber — some open, some covered — ran from redoubt to redoubt; fine rifle-pits and abattis in abundance. Behind these were a second series of works equally elaborate, excellent and powerful. Evidences were abundant that more than 50,000 men had been here during the winter. The quarters were of the most substantial
46 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and comfortable character, and the troops must have had abundant provisions and supplies of all kinds. ' ' Here wooden guns were found.
The division remained in this camp during the 13th, 14th and 15th. On the 14th General Richardson, — "Fighting Dick," — arrived and assumed command of the division, General Sumner taking command of the corps.
On the 15th it rained all the afternoon and night, with lightning, thunder and wind in the evening. The men lay down in the mud and slept from sheer exhaustion. They were very uncomfortable and began to experience the realities of war and a soldier's life.
On the morning of the 16th the men awoke cold, wet and sore; left Union Mills at about 8 a. m., marching on the rail- road track to Fairfax Station, thence to Fairfax Court House, arriving at 3 p. m. Here the division went into camp, cook- ing rations, preparing quarters and hoping for a night of com- fort; but at 7 p. m. all returned to Union Mills, arriving about midnight.
Says Gove's diary: "After getting my bed made and supper on the fire we were called into line and marched up the turnpike to Centreville ; thence through the woods to Bull Run, fourteen miles. It was a hard march. Don't know the cause of it. We crossed Bull Run creek, marched two miles and took up quarters in rebel barracks within two miles of Manassas Junction."
Colonel Cross' personal journal says: "In the afternoon rode to Generals Beauregard and Ewell's late headquarters and to Manassas Junction. This is located on a plain and is slightly fortified. Here wTere evidences of rapid and dis- organized retreat of the rebel army. The depot was a mass of smoking ruins, as was the case with man}r other buildings. The earth around was covered with debris and abandoned military equipments.
From the 17th until the 25th the troops remained at or near Manassas Junction. During this time some minor military expeditions were made.
On the 1 Sth a party brought in four loads of corn ; and from
RECONNOISSANCE. 47
General Ewell's (Confederate) abandoned quarters were brought some valuable articles. It rained all the 20th. Colonel Cross rode with General Richardson to examine the surrounding country.
During these days Lieutenant Graves was detailed with a party to bury Union dead of the Bull Run battle-field, now exposed by rains on account of insufficient burial.
On Friday, the 21st, a party under Lieutenant Graves re- paired bridges over Bull Run creek at Blackman's ford.
On the 25th the whole corps was on the move, Blenker's Division joining. General Howard being absent, Colonel Cross had command of the brigade. Marched four or five miles beyond Manassas Junction.
On the 26th moved early; marched about fourteen miles, fording Kettle creek.
On the 27th marched ten miles, forded streams several times. The colonel ordered no delay at these fords and would enliven the passage through the water by a tune from the band, which tune was familiarly known as "One-eyed Riley." It was a lively and inspiring air; the men must keep time to the music, hence they crossed without delay. This day our troops encountered the enemy's pickets, drove them on and camped where Confederate camp-fires were yet burning. The troops were now near Warrenton Junction; all the bridges on the north side of Manassas Junction were burned.
RECONNOISSANCE .
On the 28th General Howard's Brigade was sent to make a reconnoissance to the Rappahannock river. First were the Federal cavalry scouts ; second were fifty expert sharpshooters in line fronting the enemy; third, Company A, Fifth Regi- ment New Hampshire Volunteers as skirmishers; fourth, seven companies of the Fifth Regiment; fifth, two companies of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry; sixth, two ten-pound Parrott guns; seventh, General Howard and staff; then in order: Sixty-first New York Volunteers, Colonel Cone ; Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Miller; Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers, Colonel Nugent ; Eighth Illinois Cavalry,
48
FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Colonel Farnsworth ; Hazzard's Battery; rear guard, two companies of the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers. Company C and Company D, Fifth New Hampshire Volun- teers, were on the left and right as flankers; Colonel Cross in command of advanced guard and Lieutenant-Colonel Eangley commanding skirmishers. When completed the arrangement was according to the following
DIAGRAM OP THE ADVANCE.*
Enemy. Federals.
Enemy. Enemy.
Cavalry Scouts.
Enemy. Federals.
50 picked Sharpshooters. Co. A, as Skirmishers.
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OS
tn
a
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6 u
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7 Companies 5th N. H. V. 2 Companies 8th 111. Cavalry.
2 10-pound Parrott guns.
Gen. Howard and Staff.
61st N. Y. V. Col. Cone.
81st Penna. Col. Miller.
69th Penna. Col. Nugent.
8th 111. Cavalry.
Hazzard's Battery.
Rear Guard, 2 Companies 69th N. Y. V.
o o
w
p*
tfi
* This diagram is an exact reproduction of a page in Col. Cross' personal journal.
^/y£^t,
^4^^-^-^C ,
RECOXNOISSAATCE. 49
The mounted pickets of the enemy were soon discovered, and instantly began firing on our scouts and sharpshooters, who returned the fire whenever opportunity offered. In this manner the advance marched for four hours. The enemy burned many valuable stacks of hay, fodder, corn, barns full of grain, and attempted to drive away cattle and horses; but our cavalry captured many of the latter. On several occasions the two great guns were brought to the front and shells were thrown after the enemy without much effect.
About 4 p. m. our scouts came upon a large body of the enemy on the railroad near the Rappahannock Station. They were loading cars and preparing to leave. Colonel Cross set the two guns at work upon them and notified the general, who ordered up Hazzard's Battery and formed lines of battle.
Says Cross in his personal journal : ' ' This was the instant when we should have pushed on. If we had done so and made a vigorous attack, we might, with small loss, have cut off a train of cars and five or six hundred of the enemy. When we did move it was too late.
" Our skirmish line and sharpshooters had a brisk affair with the rear guard of the enemy, as they retreated across the large railroad bridge on the Rappahannock river. As we neared and threw more shells, the enemy blew up the bridge and set the fragments on fire. Then they opened on us from a battery on the south bank of the river. The first solid shot — a twelve-pounder — fell just inside our skirmish line. Two others instantly followed, one striking between the two lead horses of one of our guns, the other just passing over Company B, striking a bayonet.
' ' Our guns instantly limbered and moved to a hill near, drawn by the men of the Fifth, where better range was offered ; the Fifth Regiment supporting them. At this time, also, the sharpshooters of the Fifth were skirmishing with the enemy across the river. The solid shot and shell came very thick and fast from the enemy, while our shot seemed to be short range. Our guns were moved up to the bank, near the burning bridge. On our way to this new position, cannon- shot struck near, throwing dirt over us, yet no one was killed 4
50 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
or wounded. The men were cool, marched steadily and with ranks well closed. The terrible screaming of the balls did not frighten them. The general sent word to me by an aide, to double-quick out of range ; but I did not do so, being un- willing to encourage or cultivate such tactics.
" As we neared the bridge, and formed on the bank, we saw the enemy in line of battle about three-quarters of a mile away, apparently about 5,000 men. A prisoner afterwards said that Ewell's Division was there, and that others were concealed in the woods.
' ' Hazzard's Battery now came up, was unlimbered directly in front of the Fifth Regiment, and began a rapid fire of twelve- pound shot and shells, which made a great scattering in the enemy's ranks, the cavalry moving off at a gallop, and the infantry at a double-quick.
' ' The scene was now strange and exciting. The blazing bridge, the bursting shells, the last rays of sunshine falling on the vanishing lines of the enemy, made a picture long to be remembered. Other movements and more cannonading occurred, but nothing important transpired.
' The regiment remained here supporting the battery until after dark, then withdrew and marched back two miles to a camp in the woods — all hands tired — literally worn out. Without waiting for supper, the men lay down in the leaves and soundly slept."
In this skirmish it is said that a lieutenant and five privates of the Black Horse Cavak}- were captured. The brigade lost no men, killed or wounded.
On the 20th returned to Warrenton Junction. Had permit to forage from General Howard. Every man had a pig or a chicken ; and some four hundred cattle were brought in.
During the 30th remained in camp ; cold, wet and some snow ; had roll-call ever}- hour; rations short and many men sick ; cavalry went out scouting, but did not see any Confeder- ates.
Monday, 31st, in camp all day and night.
April 1 left Warrenton Junction, marched to Bristoe Station near Manassas Junction. Forded rivers three times and
ALEXANDRIA TO YORK TOWN. 51
camped without a mouthful of food. In camp all night. To- day met a party of Banks' men.
April 2 left Bristoe and marched to Manassas Junction. Part of the division went to Alexandria on cars.
April 3, at 11 a. m., the regiment went upon the train for Alexandria. Waited on a side track until 4 p. in., before leaving for their destination ; arrived at the camp-ground near the city at S p. m. and bivouacked in a cornfield. Colonel Cross was in command of the brigade. He was awake nearly the whole night, attending to the comfort and interest of his command, and of the Fifth in particular, and the preparations for embarking next day as ordered.
April 4, all things being arranged during the night, the regiment took steamboats for Fortress Monroe. At 9 o'clock, Cross, with six companies, A, B, C, D, F and I with the band went upon the " Donaldson ; " at same hour Lieutenant-Colonel Langley, with companies K, G, H and E, went upon the "Croton." About 2 p. m. started down the river with three schooners in tow ; steamed past Fort Washington and Mount Vernon to an anchorage near Shipping Point on the Potomac.
Saturday, April 5, the steamer again moved down the river, making slow progress, having a heavy tow, and at dark came to anchor near Point Lookout, Md., in a small bay.
Sunday, April 6. The day was beautiful ; the Chesapeake
was smooth, the sun was bright and the air balmy. The
"Croton" arrived at Fortress Monroe just at dark; the
' ' Donaldson ' ' had arrived before the ' ' Croton ' ' and was on her way to Yorktown .
Monday, April 7. The "Donaldson" had gone to Ship Point near Yorktown. The "Croton" remained at Fortress Monroe all night and all next day, there being a high wind, rendering the water rough and unsafe.
Tuesday, April 8. The "Croton" ran to Hampton, ex- pecting to land there, but did not. Returned to the fortress. The quarters were very uncomfortable upon the boat, and the men suffered from exposure. The "Monitor" and many vessels loaded with troops and supplies were near and about . The "Donaldson" passed the whole da3' at Ship Point land-
52 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ing the troops and baggage. There being no wharf, the
men went in small boats as near as possible to the shore, then
waded.
Wednesday, April 9. The storm still continues. The
" Croton " still obliged to remain at Fortress Monroe and
everything very uncomfortable. Says Gove's diary: "I
begin to think Old Point Comfort a humbug."
April 10. The storm is over, but the bay is too rough for the ' ' Croton ' ' to sail. The troops on the ' ' Donaldson ' ' were landed and joined the division at the front.
April 11. The "Croton" left Fortress Monroe at 2 a. m., and arrived at Ship Point at 9 a. m. All on board landed and joined the regiment.
Here properly ends chapter six, being an account of the doings, marches, sufferings and campaigning from leaving Camp California to the landing at Ship Point. The time was exactly thirty days.
REMARKS.
The affair with the enemy on the 28th of March is known, and was inscribed on the regimental colors, as the "Battle of the Rappahannock." All unite in saying that the march and campaign from Camp California and return to Alexandria, called the Rappahannock campaign, though bloodless, was the severest ever endured by the regiment. The men were without any kind of tents ; they had no camp or cooking utensils ; they waded in mud and water ; they marched night and day ; they forded streams and slept on the bare earth in open air so cold as to freeze their wet clothing ; they were supplied with poor rations, often without any for twenty-four hours ; once they would have really suffered only that the Ninth New York Volunteers kindly furnished hard-bread. They were often routed by night alarms, after an all-day's march, to march again until morning. Private Charles Tibbetts died on the cars near Alexandria from the hardship and exposure of this campaign and was buried there ; and
INCIDENTS. 53
many others never recovered from this thirty-days' bloodless campaign. Officers and men behaved like excellent and true soldiers as they were. The records declare the labors of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers on this campaign. To-day, the veterans of the Fifth remember with pardonable pride that on this campaign the regiment was twice, by orders, selected for the post of danger, therefore the post of honor, once on the ioth and once on the 28th of March, the day of the grand advance, and at the battle of the Rappahannock. Thus the generals reposed confidence in the Fifth. There is universal testimony to the good discipline, extreme patience and personal valor of officers and men. Every one was imbued with the idea that he had an individual interest in the good record of the organization. This spirit made the Fifth stand firm on many a battle-field. " May a grateful country do the Fifth New Hampshire justice — written history never can."
INCIDENTS OF RAPPAHANNOCK CAMPAIGN.
Colonel Thomas T. Livermore relates that while he was orderly sergeant in the Fifth, he had in his company an Irish- man, a bright, clean soldier, who could not read or write, but who had been made a corporal. Like all good soldiers he, of course, desired promotion. On one of the cold nights of this campaign he lay next to Orderly Ljvermore. Before the}- slept the Irishman nudged the orderly, who responded, "Well?" At once came "Arderly, did ye ever know a sergeant that could n't read? " It is unnecessary to say that there was one sergeant in the service that could not read.
»■
Captain Graves relates that one time while doing picket duty on this campaign, three or four Confederate cavalrymen riding into view, as if daring us, came nearer and nearer. Our men fired at them, bringing one out of the saddle. The others rode away taking the horse of the one who had been shot. The man was brought in by our men and died that night. He was a South Carolinian. His buttons were saved as mementos.
54 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Captain Hapgood relates that when near Warrenton we crossed Kettle creek and went into camp for the night. We secured fence-rails, made of them great fires and dried our- selves. Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening, Companies H and E were detailed to go on picket. Lieutenant Graves was detailed as officer. Having forded the stream the pickets were stationed. The night was cold and frosty, and the stream was so deep that the men had to hold up their cartridge- boxes to keep them dry. Before morning their clothing was frozen.
CHAPTER VII.
Building Corduroy Roads — Detailed to Engineer Corps — Making Siege Materials — Yorktowx — Williamsburg — Steamer Van- derbilt — Chick ahominy — Bottom's Bridge.
From leaving Camp California to landing at Ship Point was thirty days. The regiment remained here five days, furnishing heavy details for building corduroy roads across the low lands and swamps, extending to Grafton bridge, about six miles, and in various branches about twenty miles. Much of this work was under the direction of Lieutenant Graves. Labor in the water, want of properly cooked food, lack of rest, and loss of sleep caused much severe sickness. Yet the Fifth had fewer men disabled from these causes than any other regiment.
The Army of the Potomac was now actively engaged in the siege of Yorktown, and those operations that led to the battle of Williamsburg and the retreat of the Confederate army to Richmond. By day and by night troops were passing to the front, and munitions of war were being accumulated here in vast quantities. The power of a vast army was being con- centrated before Yorktown, and everything was arranged for an active siege.
On the 15th Howard's Brigade moved to the front four miles; on the 16th moved to the right one mile, joining the corps under Sumner; on the iSth there was division drill under Richardson. The division and regiment remained here until the 25th, when the Fifth was detached and as- signed temporarily to the Engineer Brigade under General Woodbury, a New Hampshire man.
The regiment was at once detailed for the construction of siege material, such as gabions, fascines, hurdles and sap- rollers. It also, by special detail from General McClellan,
56 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
built a tower near army head-quarters, which was forty feet square at the base, and one hundred feet high, with a floor every ten feet, all constructed of logs, notched and interlocked, so as to give immense strength.
May i the Fifth, by orders, returned to its division and brigade, and immediately was ordered to return to its former position and duty. There and thus it continued until May 4, when these labors were terminated in a manner unexpected. During the night of the 3rd an unusually heavy bombardment, by the Confederates, shook the shades and shores, from Mob Jack bay to Nausemond, and continued until next morning at 2 o'clock, when it suddenly ceased. At day-break it was known to our troops that Yorktown was evacuated. The Fifth ceased weaving withes and wattles, and returned to its division.
Up to this date the officers and men of the Fifth had often visited the trenches, and seen the vast labors of our troops. Operations had begun ; the bombardment by the Confederates shook the earth ; bursting shells were resounding ; flames flashed from guns and mortars ; iron balls rushed and roared ; shot and shells screeched and screamed to and fro, making a grand and terrible scene. This continent had never seen such turmoil, such rush and roar of battle. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, the Federals would reply, in kind.
The 3rd day of May had been one of great expectations throughout the army and over the country. The siege was progressing vigorously ; divisions had positions ; guns were trained ; mortars elevated ; distances estimated ; observations made, and even telegrams were sent abroad predicting great events for the morrow. To-morrow the Union army would open a might)' bombardment ; assaults would be made ; no power could resist this mighty force. The morning of the 4U1 would see how force directed by science could destroy armed rebellion, but like a supple athlete the Confederates avoided the blow.
Siege operations at once ceased, and details returned to their respective commands. All were ordered to prepare to pursue the retreating foe. This was done immediately by cavalry, artillery and infantry, under Stoneman, Hooker,
) r0R K TO 11 rN— 11 rIL L I A MSB URG. 5 7
Kearney, Smith, Couch and Casey, each with a division, all under the command of Heintzelman.
On the 5th of May the Union troops moved into Yorktown. Torpedoes, concealed in the earth by the enemy, exploding, killed and wounded some Union men. The officers of the Fifth aided in discovering and marking these. The Con- federate works were found to be very elaborate, extensive and strong, but that they could not have withstood the cannonad- ing from the immense batteries of the Federal troops for half a day was the opinion of officers and men in the Fifth Regiment.
About 9 a. m. the booming of cannon indicated battle in the direction of Williamsburg. The sound continued with vary- ing intensity until 5 p. m., when it became very heavy. Now our division and regiment had orders to march to the front, and immediatelv moved toward Williamsburg. It had rained for man}' hours. Thousands of men, hundreds of wagons and scores of cannon had passed over the roads during the last two days. It rained a cold, chilling rain, literally soak- ing the men to the skin. The roads were awful, being ob- structed with brush, tree-tops, logs, holes filled with water, sloughs and pit-falls. The Fifth led the division. Darkness began before passing Yorktown. Officers and men blundered along. Nothing could be more uncomfortable, wearisome, distressing and demoralizing. Thus, from 6 p. m. until mid- night, the division toiled 011 toward the battle-field, where had been raging a furious fight, and where now the aid of Sumner's corps was urgently demanded. But about 2 a. m., of the 6th, the division received notice that the enemy had re- treated, and that its aid was not needed. It turned off into an old cornfield, where the men lay down upon the wet earth without fires, many improvising beds with rails and <\xy corn- stalks. They, truly, were the most miserable of men. At day-break the division moved on again, marching about three miles. The main road being impassable, the Fifth, under Colonel Cross, cut a new road for a long distance through the woods. The division then camped about five miles in rear of the battle-field of Williamsburg. A Union victory having been won, the division and regiment returned to Yorktown
58 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
on the 7th of May. The Second Corps was not in this battle. Says Gove's diary, "I fear we shall always be the bloodless Fifth," alluding to the fact that the regiment had been at Rappahannock, Yorktown and Williamsburg with a single loss. Alas ! my boy, you could not then see from Fair Oaks to Appomattox. You did not then know that the number of killed and wounded of the Fifth would exceed that of any other of the two thousand regiments of the grand army of the Republic. Thank God you could not.
The division remained here at Yorktown over the 8th. All visited the fortifications. Says Gove, "They were very strong." Says Cross, "The fortifications were formidable and beautifully constructed. In their haste the enemy left many guns and a vast quantity of ammunition. It was well for them that they retreated as they could not have withstood the fire of our tremendous batteries for half a day."
On the 9th the regiment moved up the river about one mile above Yorktown to a high bluff overlooking the harbor. Here the troops went into camp and remained until Monday, May 1 1 , when the Fifth Regiment went on board the steamer " C. Yanderbilt," ran up the river and anchored for the night, six miles above West Point, having sailed from camp on the bluff at 4 p. m. On the 12th the regiment landed at a place called "Elsham" ; marched about a mile and pitched tents in a wheat-field, about tweiUy-five miles from Richmond. On the 13th had drill and inspection, and received orders to cook three days' rations. Generals Sumner and Howard were present to-day. It was very warm and dusty. On the 15th moved to a point near Cumberland, New Kent Court House, and camped in a wood. Mr. L,iscomb, state agent, brought commissions of officers of the Fifth, recently appointed. It rained all the 14th and 15th. Here was a fine country; the camp was in a lovely and picturesque locality, the division lying around on the crests and sides of the sloping hills.
At the evening parade the view was one to warm a soldier's heart. On the highest hills were arranged the many batteries, their bright guidons fluttering in the breeze, and the grim cannon frowning over the hosts below in the valleys and on
ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 59
the hillsides. The regiments were under arms, the bands playing, banners waving and arms glittering in the declining sun. At night the scene was thrilling and strange. The trains were parked in the valleys ; thousands of camp-fires were burning ; there was murmuring of thousands of men. At 8 p. m. began the clear notes of the bugles and martial roll- ing of the drums, sounding the evening calls. These rolled to and fro over the vast camp of the men of war, echoing among the hills, and then came the solemn, sober taps, and the armed hosts were hushed in repose, such as can come only to the tired soldier, even though his couch may be the bare earth.
The regiment remained in camp during the 16th and 17th. On the 1 8th marched about four miles and camped near Cumberland. On the 19th marched about five miles from yesterday's camp to St. Peter's church, about two miles from White House landing. Company E was sent to the latter place on fatigue duty. The 20th was passed in camp.
On Wednesday, May 21, the division marched ten miles from St. Peter's Church to a point about two miles from Bottom's bridge, and thirteen miles from Richmond, crossing to the north side of the Richmond and York Railroad, and moving up near the Chickahominy river. Remained in camp during the 22nd. On the 23rd marched four miles, camping over the 24th ; had orders to march on the 26th, but these were countermanded. It rained on the 27th, all the night and morning, but was pleasant in the afternoon ; the regiment built corduroy road. It was now about six miles up the river from Bottom's bridge. At this bridge the stage road from Williamsburg to Richmond crossed the river ; next above was the Richmond and York Railroad bridge. From landing at Ship Point, April 7, to arrival on the banks of the Chicka- hominy river, prepared for a new series of operations, under changed circumstances, conditions, plans and orders, was exactly fifty days.
In this region there is a rich and productive soil, dark and free from stone. There are evidences of ancient settlements, long since abandoned. Here are the decaying remains of houses,
60 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
gardens, fruit trees now blooming in the midst of the unculti- vated and recently grown forest, all overgrown by vines and creeping plants. Here are the marks of now abandoned roads and cornfields, the ditches and rows holding their form in the tenacious clay.
The Chickahominy river runs from north of Richmond south-easterly into the James river. It is a narrow, slug- gish stream flowing through swamp land. This land is covered with a rank, dense, tangled growth of trees, reeds, grasses and water plants. Vines climb and mosses festoon the trees; the soil is productive, but its stagnant water is poisonous ; moccasins and malaria abound ; flies and mos- quitoes swarm ; turtles and lizards bask ; cranes and herons wade; buzzards and polecats stink; bitterns boom, owls hoot, foxes yelp, wild cats snarl and all nature seems in a glamour or a gloom. No man has a home here except he be a fugitive or a felon ; but here was to be the home of our New Hamp- shire men, who had never sniffed malaria nor breathed miasm. Here for two months they were "to dwell in the midst of alarms" in "this horrible place," during the very hottest days of the Southern year.
The river, too deep for fording, was crossed by many bridges. These frail structures were subject to disturbance and dislodgment after rains. On their retreat the Confeder- ates had destroyed these bridges, and the river separated the two armies, the northern side being occupied by the Federals and the southern side by the Confederates. To protect Richmond from assault and invasion was to be the endeavor of the latter ; to assault and possess it was the desire of the former. Then the Federal army must cross the Chickahomin}' river and swamp ; defeat an immense army ; keep open a communication in an unknown and unfriendly country, and protect our National capital two hundred miles away ; and the real commander-in-chief, a non-military and absent man. This was the situation. That we may comprehend the labors and services of the Fifth, we must briefly follow the fortunes of the whole arm)-.
On or about the 20th of May, McClellan's forces lay along
BRIDGES REBUILT. 61
the northerly side of this swamp-river, from Bottom's to New- bridge, a distance of twelve miles, as follows : At Bottom's bridge was Heintzelman's Corps — the Third; next above, Keyes' — the Fourth; then Sumner's; next, Franklin's, and then Porter's Corps. All the bridges, destroyed by the re- treating Confederates, were being rebuilt by the Federals. Bottom's bridge on the Williamsburg stage road, thirteen miles from Richmond, was easily repaired ; the Richmond and York Railroad bridge, next above, was repaired and made practical for troops of all arms; next, two miles above, was Sumner's lower bridge, constructed by the Eighty-first Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Miller; next, Grape- vine bridge, Sumner's upper bridge, about three miles above, constructed by Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, Colonel Cross.
Before the 28th, Keyes' Corps and Heintzelman's Corps had crossed on Bottom's and the railroad bridge and were well toward Richmond ; the former about and beyond Fair Oaks on the railroad ; the latter in his rear and toward White Oak swamp. Of Keyes' Corps, Casey's Division was the most ad- vanced. Sumner's Corps was upon the north, waiting to cross the river on his lower and Grapevine bridges — Richard- son's Division at the lower, and Sedgwick's at Grapevine.
On the 29th and 30th Confederate troops were massing in front of Keyes' Corps, and overlapping the flanks. The enemy's advance was seen in full line of battle, at about 1 p. 111., under Confederate-General Hill. He at once attacked, surprised, outnumbered and soon routed Casey's Division, outflanked Couch's Division, and occupied their camps and entrenchments for the night of May 31. Date in the after- noon Confederate troops were between the two corps on the south side, and many troops and some whole regiments were in disorderly retreat toward the river. It was a defeat, a retreat — almost a route ; would it become a disaster ?
CHAPTER VIII.
Grapevine Bridge — When, Where, How, By Whom and Why Built — Its Stability, Firmness in Resisting the Flood — Results.
The natural conformation of land and water has ever in- fluenced movements, plans and results in w^ar. To surmount the difficulties thus presented, has exercised the skill of engi- neers and the wisdom of generals. The successful crossing of rivers in the presence of an enemy, has ever been among the most difficult of military operations, and no movement demands greater sagacity. The planning and successful ex- ecution of a great battle on a plain, indicates no greater general- ship than this apparently simple movement. In ancient, medi- aeval and modern warfare, bridges have determined battles. To throw across a broad and turbulent stream a structure of stone, wood, iron or steel, that shall constitute a roadway upon which men, animals, wagons, cars, guns, mortars, ma- chines and engines can be transported with rapidity and safety, is a wonderful exhibition of the power of the human mind. Moses at the Red sea ; Joshua at the Jordan ; Cyrus at the Euphrates ; Horatius at the Tiber ; Xerxes at Helles- pont ; Alexander at the Granicus ; Hannibal at the Rhone ; Caesar at the Rhine ; Napoleon at the Danube and the Straits of Dover; Washington at the East river and the Delaware; Lee four times at the Potomac ; McClellan with pontoon trains ; Burnside at the Rappahannock ; Sherman at an hundred rivers; Grant at the Tennessee, Chicamauga, the Rapidan and the James, all declare the necessity of providing and preserving suitable and safe transportation over rivers in war movements. The preservation, destruction or possession of a bridge, ford or convenient landing has been the center and cause of severe battles.
BRIDGES OF THE CHICK AHOMI XV. 63
The conformation of our country necessitated the building or destruction of more bridges than in any other similar war. The contemptible, insignificant Chickahominy river had more bridges than were upon the Rhine, the Rhone or the Danube. The military crossings of this river, not half a hundred feet wide, demanded more engineering skill and severe human labor than Sherman required from Atlanta to the sea, or Grant in his march from the Rapidan to Appomattox. Here an account will be given, somewhat in detail, of the building of one of these — one that will, when all the facts concerning it have a place in history, stand as one of the notables — Grapevine bridge. This was built, under the orders of Gen- eral Sumner, by the Fifth Regiment, under command and direction of Colonel Cross ; was the only available bridge upon the river on the 30th and 31st of May, and was of im- mense importance to the army and country.
The river was crossed by some twenty or more bridges from its source to its mouth. In their retreat the Confeder- ates destroyed these. In their advance the Federals rebuilt them. In the time from May 20th to 26th, Keyes and Heint- zelman had crossed at Bottom's bridge on the Williamsburg stage road to Richmond. These two corps were alone on the south side of the river, well on toward Richmond, about Fair Oaks on the railroad, at Seven Pines on the stage road, and further to the left near White Oak swamp. In case of need these troops could be re-ehforced only by Sumner's Corps from the north side, crossing upon two bridges, one of which was three and the other six miles above Bottom's bridge; or must march some ten miles. The first of these was built by the Eighty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Mil- ler, and was known as Sumner's lower bridge; and was near to and intended for the crossing of Richardson's Division of Sumner's Corps. The second was built by the Fifth Regi- ment and was known as Sumner's upper bridge. It was near to, and intended for the crossing of Sedgwick's Division.
It will be seen that this last structure — Grapevine bridge — alone was available, of all the bridges, just at a most critical hour for the Army of the Potomac and for the country. It
64 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was thus designated because of the great quantity of grape- vines growing here, and because they were employed in its construction. We must remember that axes and a few implements belonging to regimental pioneers were the only tools used.
On the 26th of May Colonel Cross received orders to report to General Sumner with his regiment, for fatigue duty. At day-break next morning, 27th, he reported as ordered, and found that he was to build a bridge, passable for artillery, across the Chickahominy river and swamp. At first view it seemed an impossible undertaking. The First Minnesota Regiment had begun a temporary bridge over the main channel, but the approach to it was a deep morass, into which they had thrown a few logs. Colonel Cross rode into the swamp, accompanied by Lieutenant Charles Howard, at the risk of the lives of themselves and their horses. They selected a route for the bridge. The channel of the main stream was about forty yards wide, but all through the swamp the water, dark and foul, was from three to six feet deep. The swamp itself was a mass of rank vegetation, huge trees, saplings, bushes, grapevines and creeping plants. Beneath the water lay a soft earth, the consistency of mortar. Here the Fifth was to build a bridge, sufficient to support field guns, in two days. It really was an immense under- taking.
The men stacked arms and were soon divided into gangs — some to chop, some to carry and float timbers and some to build the bridge. Officers wrere placed over each party, and the work began at each end and in the center. Cross rode into the swamp and personally directed the labors. Cribs of heavy timber were constructed from twenty to twenty-five feet apart and sunk in the water ; on these were placed large stringers; and, all being solid, smaller and smooth logs were placed like planks crosswise over these stringers. In some cases the stringers were laid upon stumps or the ground. Where the water was very deep — six feet — two large cribs were sunk instead of one. To do this work the men were obliged to labor in the water — sometimes up to their armpits.
■.
CAPT. A. /). SANBORN,
FIFTH REGIMENT, N. FT. V.
GRAPEVINE BRIDGE. 65
Many of the large logs were floated to the bridge from a distance of half a mile or a mile.
On the second day the detail of laborers was increased by two hundred and fifty men from the Sixty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, and by one hundred and fifty men from the Irish Brigade. During the night of the 27th the water rose so as to impede operations to a great extent, but they persevered. Of all the part}- Colonel Cross alone knew of the urgent necessity of having the bridge done as early as might be. About noon, of the second day, General Sumner sent a barrel of whiskey, which was at once issued to the wet and weary men ; and the labor went on with renewed vigor until sundown, when the structure was finished.
General Howard was informed that the bridge was completed and ready for inspection. Colonel Cross first galloped across and found everything solid, firm and suitable for the require- ments of the occasion. This was the night of Ma}' 29. All rested, expecting orders to march during the next day. During this night it rained heavily again, the water coming down in torrents without cessation. Cross, knowing of the great importance of the bridge, passed a night of intense anxiety, and wondered if it would survive the flood. After breakfast on the 30th, Cross, with Adjutant Dodd, visited the bridge and found it in good condition, and so reported to General Howard. The above is from Colonel Cross' account, written at the time of the building, in his personal journal.
The following account is written, after thirty years, by Colonel Hapgood, then captain, who was in charge of the southern portion of the bridge during the building : —
"The stream proper, some fifty feet wide, was bridged by felling two large trees, which stood on the bank, across the chasm, there some fifteen feet deep, and then building a cor- duroy roadway on them. The rest of the bridge, say an eighth of a mile, was made by piling short logs, 'cob-house' fashion, for piers; then placing stringers on them, and then making the corduroy roadway. A small part of the way the stringers rested on the ground, but for the greater part of the 5
66 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
way the water and mud were waist deep and more, and the men worked in the water to get the piers in place. After the road was made, logs were put at the edges to keep the wheels from running off. They were kept in place by grapevines sewed through the corduroy, hence the name."
The following account is from Private W. H. Weston of Company E : —
"Briefly, there were no piers in the structure, as I remem- ber it. The regiment was ordered to build a bridge and selected the site abandoned by a Minnesota regiment. This regiment had excavated and cut an approach to the edge of the channel of the river and then stopped, as we were in- formed, because a bridge was not feasible at that place. The bank at the approach was ten feet or more high ; the first structure was across the channel, thirty feet wide. Large whitewood trees were cut and felled across the water, the butts being placed upon or against the stumps and secured to them by grapevines found in the swamp. These vines were about the size of a finger, and anywhere from two rods to two miles in length, of an equal size their whole distance, and growing up into the tops of tall trees. Several of these heavy stringers were placed to span the stream, and withed by the vines to the stumps and trees. On the south side a large log was cut, to which to bind these stringers, and then the bridge, thus constructed, was corduroyed, each log bound to each stringer as far as possible. There were three of these bridges over the three channels. The balance of the distance across the swamp was corduroyed exactly as the bridges were. In fact, when completed, it was one continuous cordu- royed road for about twelve hundred feet — seventy rods — and was not more than two or three feet above the water in the channels, and over the swamp it rested upon stringers laid up- on the earth, between the channels. I think every stick was secured by grapevines, yet when we crossed the bridge we waded half-way to our knees in places, and artillery sank half-way to the muzzles in water, but a firm footing was secured for all. Other bridges, built by other troops, were floated and carried off by high water.
GRAPEVINE BRIDGE. 67
" Our regiment started from camp about 1: 30 or 2 p. m. to cross 011 one of these bridges, and, I think, a second one, but found them gone ; finally were marched to our bridge, and succeeded in crossing after dark, say 8 to 9 p. m., all the time within cannon-shot of the battle-field. I have a vivid recol- lection of the whole experience, but cannot give dates or fig- ures. I remember a visit of General O. O. Howard, with two or three of his staff, first da}- of work on bridge ; as they sat on their horses upon the bank inspecting the building of first bridge across first channel, and Howard asked Cross what more he needed to assist him. The men were then in the swamp and channel up to their knees and armpits, some swimming the channel guiding the timbers down. Cross re- plied to the effect that a little ' commissary ' would be the most acceptable assistance that could be furnished. I don't remember the exact words, but a barrel of whiskey was soon on the bridge, the head knocked in and the boys allowed a liberal ration and a fresh barrel every day for three days. "
Says Gove: "May 28. Regiment has been building a bridge across Chickahominy river and swamp, two miles from camp. May 29. Worked all day on the bridge, finishing it. Had to work in the water waist deep all the time. General Sumner christened the bridge ' Grapevine bridge.' May 30. Did nothing ; rained all day."
Says a newspaper writer criticising a lecture by George William Curtis : " How little our orators and historians know of the most essential facts of our great conflict. I noticed in the oration referred to, the facts were sadly mixed and want- ing, and in some parts wholly perverted (not that he gave the gallant Sedgwick and his men any more praise than was their due); for instance, the Grapevine bridge, which took one thousand men two days to build, and which stood between the Army of the Potomac and destruction, was spoken of as a single plank, when in fact it was a solid, substantial bridge, six hundred yards long, built of heavy timber capable of sus- taining a train of artillery.
68 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
"Again he says, 'All the morning of the battle of Fair Oaks the battle raged fiercely,' when all in the army at that time know that the battle commenced just as Casey's Corps, which held the most advanced line, had finished dinner; and that ' Sedgwick arrived one hour and a half before sunset and drove the enemy from the ground, and the victor}- was won,' part of which is true, but the latter part of which is in no sense so, as the battle was renewed the next day, Sunday, June i, as fiercely as ever. Howard's Brigade, to which the Fifth was attached, lost over six hundred men in the short space of two hours, which does not look as though the victory was won the night before. He also says, 'the bridge was swept away as the last of his men crossed over,' when the facts are, the whole of Richardson's Division — infantry, artillery, cavalry, with ammunition and supply trains — crossed and we had communication with the camp we left behind, the next day after the battle, across the same bridge.
"I will now give your readers a short history of Grapevine bridge and its builders, and explain the vital importance it was to the salvation of the Army of the Potomac, and con- sequently to the whole Union, for if that bridge had been carried away at the beginning of the flood, as all the bridges between Bottom's and New bridge had been, and as the Con- federates expected all would be, thus separating the army by an impassable river, it would have been beaten and captured in detail ; and does any sane person believe, with such a dis- aster, that another army could have been placed in front of the victorious rebels before they could have been in position to dictate their own terms of peace ? Greeley, Headley, and other war historians speak of Grapevine bridge and its passage by Sumner's Corps, which turned a Union defeat into a glorious Union victory, but never a word of its builders ; and the youth of New Hampshire who read the war histories of those authors will never know by them that the gallant old regiment, with its hearts of granite and cords of steel, that toiled in mud and water waist and shoulder deep, and built the bridge that did more for the salvation of the Union than any other one thing through the whole war, went out from
GRAPEVINE BRIDGE. 69
the rugged hills and mountain sides of the old Granite State and was the 'pet,' the 'Fighting Fifth New Hampshire.'
" Wednesday morning, May 28, 1862, the Fifth New Hamp- shire, Colonel E. E. Cross, received orders to report at Corps head-quarters for pioneer duty. They were then taken under the guidance of a staff officer to a point on the Chickahominy where a Western regiment had attempted to build a bridge. We were cheered on by the ' barrel of whiskey ' which we were assured would soon follow us, and did in due time, and was duly appreciated. We stacked arms and began felling heavy trees, the working detail being under the direct charge of Captain Davis of Company H, while Colonel Cross had the general supervision of the whole, and he and the writer of this presided at the whiskey barrel, which was set on end and given one or two vigorous blows from an axe, which burst in the head, when rations were dealt out in a tin cup.
" The trees, as fast as felled, were rolled and dragged to the river, which was narrow, deep and sluggish ; but the low, muddy bottom-land on either side made it necessary to build six hundred yards of bridge, the men working in water waist and often shoulder deep, in the deepest' parts. Cribs were built of heavy timber — log-house fashion — ten or twelve feet high ; on these heavy stringers were laid and then the whole corduroyed, making the structure strong and substantial. This took the entire regiment two days' incessant labor to accomplish.
" The Eighty-first Pennsylvania Regiment of our brigade built one about a mile farther down the river, at the same time, which did not stand the flood.
"Our bridge was completed Thursday night, the 29th. Fri- day forenoon we had compan}^ drill. In the afternoon there came up the most terrific thunderstorm it had ever been my lot to witness, up to that time. The lightning was blinding and incessant, the thunder one continual roar, and the rain fell in torrents, turning the gentle incline on which we were encamped into one complete sheet of water, which ran like a river. The storm lasted far into the night, turning every brook, rivulet and river into a raging torrent far above its
7o
FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
natural level, and the Chiekahominy was one wide sea of swift-rushing, muddy waters. Such was the appearance of the earth and elements the morning of the great conflict of Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, as Southern historians call it. We had brigade drill in the forenoon, and also bayonet exercise, in which the Fifth were proficient, all unconscious of the fact that in less than twenty hours we were to receive our baptism in blood and fire, and were to decide the battle, which is conceded to have been the bloodiest and most desperate of the war to that time, in ten minutes, with a loss of nearly one half of the regiment, and to drive the flower of rebel chivalry from off the blood-soaked field at the point of the bayonet.
" We had just dispatched our dinner; some were preparing for a nap, some were washing, some gathering cedar boughs for soft beds, and some diligently engaged in that soldier pas- time— with shirt and pants off — hunting vermin, when we suddenly heard one gun from over the river, three miles away, followed by another and another in quick succession, resembling thunder in its continual roar, followed by the ter- rific crash of musketry, gathering force and intensity as the minutes passed, and growing ominously nearer, the heavy guns pounding less frequently, the musketry fire raging furi- ously, showing that the Union troops were overmatched and were giving way before the furious and overwhelming onset. As the first roar of battle reached us, every regimental com- mander, without waiting for orders, had the bugle sound ' fall in ! ' Twenty rounds of cartridges were issued, and we formed on the colors to await orders. We did not have long to speculate on the probable events taking place across the river, for soon came an aide from that direction, on foam- flecked and mud-covered horse, to Sumner's head-quarters, where sat the bullet-proof old hero on his horse, all ready for the fray, which he was already snuffing from afar. Fighting Dick Richardson and the noble Sedgwick, his two division commanders, were with him awaiting orders. Instantly they galloped each to his own division. As soon as Richardson came near enough to be heard, he shouted to Colonel Cross to 'right face, forward!' We started at quick march for
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FAIR OAKS.
71
the lower bridge, built by the Eighty-first Pennsylvania,
while Sedgwick crossed by Grapevine bridge. Sumner, realizing the importance of throwing his whole corps on the enemy at once, and crushing him if possible before night set in, crossed Sedgwick by Grapevine, as he lay nearer to that than we did, and we could not take our rightful position on the right of the corps without Sedgwick waiting for us (the First Division) to file past, which would consume valuable time ; hence we marched in the order named. But lo ! when we arrived where the lower bridge had been, there was no longer any bridge there ! It had been swept away by the flood ; so we had to countermarch back to the sheet-anchor of the Union army — Grapevine bridge. The last of Sedgwick's infantry was just disappearing on the other side, some of his guns were over, some crossing and some floundering in the mud ; but I will defer the part the Fifth took in the battle un- til another time."
Another writer says: "I was very much interested in your correspondent's description of the building of the famous Grapevine bridge, and the subsequent battle of Fair Oaks. I believe with you that the real history of the war, the real ' true inwardness ' of the struggle, will be found in the accounts given by the ones who bore the brunt of the fight and who have the facts stamped so vividly on the mind that they will never be forgotten.
" I remember one little incident connected with the building of Grapevine bridge, that might be interesting to your readers and bring to the mind of some ' old Vet ' some of the scenes of that day in the swamp. Possibly you know that most soldiers had a very ardent longing for a ' drop of the crathur, ' and many were the devices to obtain it. The barrel of whiskey your correspondent speaks of was placed upon end, the head being smashed in with an axe. Colonel Cross stood by it with a tin dipper and dealt out freely till noon, and all had about as much as was for their good. But after the hard- tack and ' salt horse ' had been devoured he besran to cut off the drink, and would give only to those who were at work in the
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70 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
natural level, and the Chiekahominy was one wide sea of swift-rushing, muddy waters. Such was the appearance of the earth and elements the morning of the great conflict of Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, as Southern historians call it. We had brigade drill in the forenoon, and also bayonet exercise, in which the Fifth were proficient, all unconscious of the fact that in less than twenty hours we were to receive our baptism in blood and fire, and were to decide the battle, which is conceded to have been the bloodiest and most desperate of the war to that time, in ten minutes, with a loss of nearh' one half of the regiment, and to drive the flower of rebel chivalry from off the blood-soaked field at the point of the bayonet.
" We had just dispatched our dinner; some were preparing for a nap, some were washing, some gathering cedar boughs for soft beds, and some diligently engaged in that soldier pas- time— with shirt and pants off — hunting vermin, when we suddenly heard one gun from over the river, three miles away, followed by another and another in quick succession, resembling thunder in its continual roar, followed by the ter- rific crash of musketry, gathering force and intensity as the minutes passed, and growing ominously nearer, the heavy guns pounding less frequently, the musketry fire raging furi- ously, showing that the Union troops were overmatched and were giving way before the furious and overwhelming onset. As the first roar of battle reached us, every regimental com- mander, without waiting for orders, had the bugle sound ' fall in ! ' Twenty rounds of cartridges were issued, and we formed on the colors to await orders. We did not have long to speculate on the probable events taking place across the river, for soon came an aide from that direction, on foam- flecked and mud-covered horse, to Sumner's head-quarters, where sat the bullet-proof old hero on his horse, all ready for the fray, which he was already snuffing from afar. Fighting Dick Richardson and the noble Sedgwick, his two division commanders, were with him awaiting orders. Instantly they galloped each to his own division. As soon as Richardson came near enough to be heard, he shouted to Colonel Cross to 'right face, forward!' We started at quick march for
FAIR OAKS. 71
the lower bridge, built by the Eighty-first Pennsylvania, while Sedgwick crossed by Grapevine bridge. Sumner, realizing the importance of throwing his whole corps on the enemy at once, and crushing him if possible before night set in, crossed Sedgwick by Grapevine, as he lay nearer to that than we did, and we could not take our rightful position on the right of the corps without Sedgwick waiting for us (the First Division) to file past, which would consume valuable time; hence we marched in the order named. But lo ! when we arrived where the lower bridge had been, there was no longer any bridge there ! It had been swept away by the flood ; so we had to countermarch back to the sheet-anchor of the Union army — Grapevine bridge. The last of Sedgwick's infantry was just disappearing on the other side, some of his guns were over, some crossing and some floundering in the mud ; but I will defer the part the Fifth took in the battle un- til another time."
Another writer says : "I was very much interested in your correspondent's description of the building of the famous Grapevine bridge, and the subsequent battle of Fair Oaks. I believe with you that the real history of the war, the real ' true inwardness ' of the struggle, will be found in the accounts given by the ones who bore the brunt of the fight and who have the facts stamped so vividly on the mind that the}' will never be forgotten.
" I remember one little incident connected with the building of Grapevine bridge, that might be interesting to your readers and bring to the mind of some ' old Vet ' some of the scenes of that day in the swamp. Possibly you know that most soldiers had a very ardent longing for a ' drop of the crathur,' and many were the devices to obtain it. The barrel of whiskey your correspondent speaks of was placed upon end, the head being smashed in with an axe. Colonel Cross stood by it with a tin clipper and dealt out freely till noon, and all had about as much as was for their good. But after the hard- tack and ' salt horse ' had been devoured he began to cut off the drink, and would give only to those who were at work in the
72 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
water; which didn't look hardly fair to those who had to carry the logs, some of whom were all wet from working in the water in the forenoon. But how to fool our old colonel and get a drink was the question, and we knew by experience that it was not easily done, but we accomplished it in this way : Seeing that those who came back to the barrel drip- ping with water got their drink readily and no questions asked, it dawned upon the minds of the squad which I was at work with, that we could stand a little water on the outside if we did n't want much inwardly, and go back dripping wet as well as anyone ; and you would have laughed if you could have seen us, after we had deposited our log in its place, jump in the deepest place we could find and then clamber back on to the bridge and walk with great nonchalance to the barrel and take our drink of course. I know that it was a matter of wonder to some how a certain squad came to be so much more elated than the rest, and perhaps if their eyes fall upon this they will understand it. It was the darndcst crooked road back to camp that night that ever was seen, and I know some that didn't fetch it till morning."
The writer has given an account of the Grapevine bridge as above, from private to colonel. These accounts agree in all essentials. That it was a substantial, solid, useful and per manent structure is true beyond a doubt. That it was ex- ceedingly useful to the country is true ; and that it saved the left wing of the Army of the Potomac is evident, as the account of the battle of Fair Oaks will show. That it was wholly the production of the officers and men of the Fifth Regiment, is also true, with the exception of a comparatively small detail, as related. While some acknowledge the im- portance of the structure, yet they do not allow proper credit to its builders.
Grapevine bridge was built across the Chickahominy river, some six miles above the crossing of the Williamsburg and Richmond stage-road at Bottom's bridge, for the passage of Sedgwick's Division of Sumner's Corps of the Army of the Potomac, from the north to the south side. It was built in two
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GRAPEVINE BRIDGE. 73
days, May 27 and 28, 1862, by the Fifth Regiment, directed by Colonel Edward E. Cross, aided by a detail of two hundred and fifty men from the Sixty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, and one hundred and fifty men from Meagher's Irish Brigade. More than one thousand men were employed in its construction, working constantly and vigorously in the water and mud. It was built wholly of logs, unsawn and unhewn, cut from the forest as required, being rolled or floated into position by men wading or swimming. The channels and deeper parts of the swamp were bridged by felling or floating large trees across and fixing them upon piers made of logs, to stumps, or to the firm earth upon either bank. Other stringers were placed upon the bottom of the shallows, all being about upon the same level. Thus a con- tinuous support for a roadway was laid for a distance of seventy rods. Then, upon these stringers, were laid, trans- versely as planks might be, other logs, as long as the bridge was wide. These were arranged closely, side by side, and served as flooring. Over these, upon either side of the bridge, directly over the outer stringers, were placed still other logs, end to end. All were made firm by interweaving grapevines. Not a pin, dowel, bolt or nail entered into its construction. It was fifteen feet wide, rising just above the surface of the water through the swamp and only two or three feet above the currents of the channels. It was sufficiently firm and substantial to furnish safe and ready crossing to an army of men, with horses, wagons and field artillery. The approach upon the north side was cut through an embankment ten feet in height ; upon the south side, after leaving the corduroy, the road was deplorable for half a mile before reaching higher land. The bridge withstood the greatest flood ever known upon that river and swamp, served all its intended purposes, and remained after the waters had subsided. On May 31 it was crossed by Sedgwick's Division at about 2 o'clock p. m., which was thus enabled to arrive on the battle-field of Fair Oaks just in time to arrest the triumphant advance of the Confederate army, which was pursuing the Federal troops to a disastrous rout.
74 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Simultaneously with the crossing of Sedgwick's Division, was to be the crossing of Richardson's Division over Sumner's lower bridge: One brigade only had crossed, when the bridge floated away in the rising flood of waters. There yet remained upon the northern side two brigades. - Their only route to the battle-field was over Grapevine bridge, if per- chance it remained. To this they marched hurriedly, found it passable, and with the roar of battle in their ears, crossed over. These two brigades hurried through mud and water, arriving on the field in time to relieve Sedgwick's tired and bleeding troops, march upon the battle-field in the most intense darkness, and take position for the bloody fight which was sure to come next day. This fight will be described in another chapter. It only remains here to demonstrate how this Grapevine bridge saved the army. Says Colonel Cross in his personal journal, " The arrival of Sedgwick's Division alone saved the army from a disastrous defeat, and, be it remembered, Sedgwick's Division crossed the Chickahominy swamp on the bridge of logs, seventy rods long, built by the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. L,et the impartial historian remember this ! ' '
It should be further stated that Howard's and Meagher's Brigades would not have arrived upon that bloody field had not this same bridge been a more substantial structure than any other upon the stream ; and had they not been in posi- tion early on the morning of June I, the battle of that day would have been more disastrous than that of May 31.
In the history of this bridge it is notable that two hundred thousand cubic feet of logs were cut, brought to the bridge and placed in position in two days by one thousand men, wading, swimming and pushing, drawing and lifting every log into position by hand ; that no ropes, jacks, screws, elevators, derrick, cranes or other mechanical apparatus were employed; the brief time of construction; the absence of engineering education, or special qualification, or experience among the officers and men ; the work being the result of an all-around efficiency in the regiment, from colonel to private ; the firmness and stability it exhibited above all other bridges
GRAPEVINE BRIDGE. 75
in that region, constructed under like circumstances and for similar purposes ; that it saved the army, and thereby saved the Union.
The facts concerning this bridge are remarkable, and must stand among the notable events of the war, and perhaps of all time. That one man should be able to so direct and concentrate the powers of one thousand men as to overcome the obstacles in this undertaking, is an example of human discipline, perseverance, mental resource, and physical power and endurance. It equals any similar example in history, and nothing in the war of 1861-65 can excel it.
"May a grateful country do the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment justice — written history never can."
CHAPTER IX.
Situation of the Army— Crossing the River — Diagram of Posi- tion— Battle of Fair Oaks — Criticism of Colonel Cross on the Battle.
From the landing at Ship Point, Va., on April 7, to the building of Grapevine bridge across the Chickahominy river on the 27th of May, was exactly fifty days. They were days of intense activity and labor to the regiment, though it had not been in actual battle. It had thus far had no deaths ex- cepting from disease, and these had been few when compared with other regiments. At times the men of the Fifth seemed impatient for battle and blood. In one of these moods Colonel Cross informed them, in a speech formally delivered before the regiment, duly assembled, that they would un- doubtedly be accommodated to their utmost desire.
The situation of the army, the building of Grapevine bridge, the situation and movements of Sumner's Corps, just before and up to the morning of May 31, have been noted in a previous chapter. Here we may note again that Keyes and Heintzelman were upon the south side of the Chickahominy ; the Confederate forces were massing in superior numbers in front and upon their flanks. The divisions of these two corps were not in good situations for defence and mutual sup- port, and when pressed by the enemy, must be re-enforced by troops from the north side of the river, which must cross on frail bridges over a rapidly rising river.
Returning to the north side of the river, we find that just before dark of the 29th, Grapevine bridge was completed by the Fifth under Colonel Cross. During this night it rained constantly and heavily. None of Sumner's Corps had crossed ; the river was rising rapidly ; the swamps were being flooded ; the crossings were endangered and the bridges were
CROSSING THE RIVER. 77
trembling. " Saturday, May 31," says Cross in his personal journal, "the dreadful hour of battle drew near. Silently the angel of death hovered over our camp. The lives of thou- sands drew near to their end, but all unconscious were the victims. The laugh, the song, the soldier's story — all were prevalent in our camp, when from far across the river came the roar of battle. This was about 11 a. m. Fortunately my men had their dinners ready and plenty of provisions in their haversacks. At first we heard only the artillery, but soon the volleys of musketry and the rattle of small arms could be dis- tinctly heard. For once I felt that we were wanted ; and, without waiting for orders, directed the men to roll their blankets and prepare for marching. Our preparations were just completed when orders came to be ready to march at ten minutes' notice. I instantly formed my regimental line and reported the Fifth ready. Galloping along the line I told my men it was our march to the battle-field, and every man must keep in his place. The brave boys answered with a cheer, and off we started. "
We must now keep in mind that all of Sumner's Corps were to cross the river and swamp, as rapidly as possible, by two bridges. Sedgwick's Division led off across Grapevine bridge and hastened off to aid Casey. Richardson's Division moved down to Miller's— Sumner's lower bridge. Here only one brigade — French's — could cross on account of the rising water. Howard's and Meagher's Brigades marched up river two miles, to where Sedgwick had crossed, and passed on toward the field of battle, halting on some high ground in a wheat-field. Here the division closed up.
The volleys of musketry and the booming of cannon were incessant, and the change of sound indicated the advance or retreat of the opposing forces. The afternoon was dark and rainy. When the column again moved, night was at hand. An hour's rapid march brought the division close to the battle-field. Now the battle had slackened ; only scattering shots were heard. In dense darkness the whole division, passed Sedgwick's tired and blood-stained troops, marched across the battle-field to take position in front of the enemy,
78 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ready for the next morning's battle. It was now near 10 p. m. of May 31. It was very dark ; nothing could be heard but the groans of the wounded and the smothered words of com- mand, as we moved into position. The field was covered with the dead ; wounded and dying men were all about. Some begged for water ; some that their wounds might be dressed ; some for blankets ; some cried for relief from pain ; some to be taken to hospital, and others could only groan and moan, muttering the names of loved ones far away.
At this moment General Howard directed Colonel Cross to march his regiment forward and report at once to General Richardson. Lieutenant-Colonel Fangley led forward the men, while Colonel Cross reported in person to General Rich- ardson, who said, " Colonel Cross, I am going to give you the advanced guard. Hold your position until you are whipped or relieved. " To the regiment, as it passed, General Rich- ardson said, " Fifth New Hampshire, remember your granite hills ; you will stand firm like your own stone-walls. ' He then gave some general directions about the lines of battle to Cross, left a .staff officer with him to show the ground and de- parted.
Colonel Cross now advanced some two hundred paces be- yond the first line, formed line of battle, and then moved forward until he was about three hundred paces from the first line. He then detached Companies A and C as skirmishers, and posted them himself. The order of battle was then as follows : Our troops were upon the north side of the railroad track. Across the track was a forest or swamp, with trees and thick underbrush. The skirmishers of the Fifth were posted in this swamp on the south side of the track. The regiment was in line of battle parallel with the track, with Fair Oaks Station in front of the right on the north side. In rear of the Fifth, in line of battle, was French's Brigade of four regiments. In rear of French was Howard's Brigade with only three of his regiments, the Fifth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers being placed in advance. In rear of Howard was Meagher's Brigade. Upon the right and left and in rear of Howard were batteries. In rear of all
IN LINE OF BATTLE. 79
these was Sedgwick's Division. Before the right of the Fifth was a wood. Along the right flank of all these troops, ran a country road to the depot.
Such was the arrangement of Sumner's (Second) Corps on Saturday night, May 31, after one bloody da}- between Casey and the Confederates, in which the latter had forced the former out of his camp and captured a large amount of property. Says Cross in his personal journal, "The arrival of Sedgwick's Division alone saved the army from a disas- trous defeat."
The men lay down in line of battle, their arms loaded and by their sides. The officers were requested to remain awake and watchful. Sentinels were posted in front of each com- pany. The horses were ready saddled. It was 11 o'clock before all was arranged, the night being very cloudy and dark. L,ieutenant-Colonel Dangley and Major Cook slept. Colonel Cross spread his military cloak, but did not sleep. He and his regiment were the alarm of the army, and his eye must watch unto his regiment. Dr. L,. M. Knight, surgeon, and Chaplain Wilkins were awake with Colonel Cross talk- ing in a low tone of the prospects of the morrow, while the men slept as tired men sleep. To many it was the last earthly slumber. To many the next night was to be one of wounds, pain, agony and all the terrors of the battle-field, yet they slept.
It is here proper to mention that, while the order of battle was not materially changed, yet on account of its having been discovered that the enemy, in considerable force, was upon the right flank, the skirmishers, the Fifth and the brigades were partially changed, the front facing more to the right. The arrangement of the corps was essentially the same as made in the night. This change was made just at daylight, and only a brief time before the battle began. Beyond a doubt the enemy intended just here to make the onset in the morning, but discovering the very heavy Federal lines, re- treated hastily. The furious fight here for an hour indicates this.
The following diagram illustrates the first position : —
So FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Enemy. Forest and swamp. Enemy.
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Iyine of Skirmishers. Forest. Forest.
Forest.
Companies A and C.
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Fair Oaks Station.
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General French's Brigade — 4 regiments.
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Howard's Brigade — 3 regiments.
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t t t t t t t t t t General Meagher's Brigade.
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Sedgwick's Division.
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FAIR OAKS. Si
About i o'clock in the morning the colonel saw lights in the woods on the right flank. He had been informed that they belonged to the Federals, but not being sure, he determined to investigate, sending Major Cook with Com- pany B to reconnoiter. Cook soon reported that the lights were those of the enemy in the woods, according to the best of his belief. Then Cross went forward himself, alone, pick- ing his way among the stumps, over the killed and wounded. He crossed a road running toward the depot when he was halted by the click of a rifle-lock, and a sharp voice said, ' ' Who goes there ? ' ' Cross answered, ' ' Wounded man of the Fifth Texas. Who are you?" "Picket of the Second Ala- bama,' ' was the reply. ' ' I wish to go to your fire, ' ' said Cross. "Pass around by the depot, and you will find the doctors," was the answer. Cross then drew off into the darkness and joined his regiment.
It thus having been learned that the enemy were upon our right flank a change of front became necessary. While doing this several prisoners were brought in who stated the pickets of the enemy were close upon us, but not aware that we were upon the field. One of these prisoners was captured by Lieu- tenant James B. Larkin, Company A. The man came out to pick up sticks for a fire, and stumbled upon our lines. The men being all quiet Larkin said, "What do you want?" supposing him one of our men. " I want some wood to make afire." Said Larkin, rising up, " Who ordered a fire made ?' : ' ' Why, Colonel Terry of the Fifth Texas. ' ' The words were no sooner out of his mouth than Larkin had him by the throat and a pistol at his ear. From this prisoner it was learned that the enenry was in large force in front with strong pickets on our right flank. The Confederates could be heard form- ing their lines in the woods in our front ; even the words of command of the colonel were distinctly heard in the stillness of the night. The Fifth Regiment executed a partial change of front, as also did French's and Howard's Brigades. When these changes were completed day was breaking ; the morning was wet and misty. When the enemy saw our heavy lines the}' fell back on the double-quick. Cross promptly
82 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
pursued them by skirmishers, killed and wounded some and captured seven or eight prisoners. In this skirmish at day- break the Fifth lost two men badly wounded. The first man hit was Stephen Avery, Company D, shot through the body by a rifle-ball. After he had fallen and been left for dead, he arose and walked into camp.
After this skirmish and before the battle, a mounted orders- came into our lines and was captured with valuable dispatches and an excellent horse. From these dispatches it was learned that Huger's Confederate Division was in the immediate front. Soon after the battle began on our left, with some skirmishing along in front of the Fifth, and to the left. The enemy's sharpshooters came very near killing Cross at this point, shooting one ball through his coat. The regiment remained in the woods near the railroad for some time. A regiment of Confederates, Sixth Virginia, advanced on us slowly through the woods. When near, the Fifth poured in a volley which broke their line, and the men came straggling in, and many were taken prisoners. The battle now increased, and Howard's Brigade was sent in. The Eighty-first Penn- sylvania Volunteers ran at the first fire and left their com- mander, Colonel Miller, dead upon the field. Says Cross' personal journal, "Colonel Miller was a good soldier, and was the only field officer who could hold his regiment, which wras partly Irish and partly American. "
General French's Brigade was pressed very hard and the Fifty-third Regiment gave way. General Howard now en- tered the woods with the Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, together mustering about eight hundred men, and engaged the enemy with great fury. "Howard led his men with great gallantry close up to the enemy, and the heavy firing told that the stormy battle was at its height. General Howard had two horses killed and a third one wounded ; then a ball struck him in the right arm, below the elbow, but he continued to cheer his men until hit in the same arm by another ball, which shattered the bone in a shocking manner. "* Word was at once sent to Colonel Cross
* These are the exact words of Colonel Cross.
FAIR OAKS. 83
to assume command of the brigade, as Howard was disabled. At the same time Cross had orders to move the Fifth into the battle.
Being senior colonel, Cross was now in command of the brigade. He left the woods with the Fifth, moved down the railroad track double-quick, until he arrived opposite the point where Howard's Brigade was engaged. By Adjutant Gregory of the Sixty-first New York Volunteers, Cross sent orders to the remains of the brigade to clear the front and form on the rear. While this was being done the Irish Bri- gade came up charging and yelling. The Sixty-ninth formed on Cross' right and the Eighty-eighth on the left.
The enemy's bullets came thick ; and, finding Howard's Brigade out of the woods, Cross prepared to advance and open fire. The Fifth was along the railroad track ; on the opposite side was a wood in which were the enemy ; to the rear was the Irish Brigade, the Sixty-ninth on the right and the Eighty-eighth on the left. General Meagher was not present, nor any other general officer. Cross ordered an advance. " Forward in line, guide center ! " and the Fifth New Hamp- shire Volunteers stepped off in noble style. Both the Irish Regiments stood still however. The Fifth moved on, both colors fluttering and the men steady. Cross gave orders for none to fire without the word, and though the bullets flew thick and struck down many a brave fellow, on they passed until in plain view of the enemy's line among the trees. That day the Confederates wore white bands around their hats, so that they were easily distinguished from the Federals.
When about thirty pages from the enemy, it was ordered to halt, kneel down and fire by battalion. At this close range the effect was awful. The bullets were heard to strike with a tearing sound into the close ranks of the enemy. In- stantly moving forward, their first line gave way and the men encountered another, the Sixth Alabama — the first was the Second Alabama. Again the Fifth moved up and fought at short range, " behaving nobly. "
Finding many men being injured by buckshot, Cross ordered another advance ; and while shouting the command,
84 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" Forward in line, " he received a Minie-ball in his left thigh, which made a very severe wound. He kept his feet for a few moments, and after falling rose up and gave orders, sustain- ing himself by a tree. While in this position three buckshot struck him in the left temple, a ball passed through his hat and one through the shoulder of his blouse ; in all seven balls struck his person or clothing. He was finally carried out of the hottest of the fire by lieutenant Parks and Corporal Towne, back to the railroad track, where was the Irish Brigade as it was left. Colonel Kelley sent some men off with him. Ljeutenant-Colonel L,angley soon brought out the regi- ment in good order, the firing having nearly ceased. The men brought out most of their wounded comrades, who were not able to walk. Thus ended the battle of Fair Oaks, the Fifth firing the first and the last shot on the ist day of June.
A CRITICISM BY COLONEL CROSS.
The following account is one of criticism upon the battle of Fair Oaks and incidents belonging to the same. The criti- cisms are directly from the pen of Colonel Cross in his per- sonal journal. Says Colonel Cross : —
' ' In this battle the generalship on the part of the Federals was wretched. Instead of shelling the woods with thirty pieces of artillery as wTe could readily have done , we allowed the rebels to choose their own ground, ambush themselves and wait for our attack. Nothing but the indomitable bravery of our men — the rank and file and line officers — saved us from defeat. Early in the morning I sent word to General Rich- ardson that the artillery could be employed to great advantage in shelling the woods. He sent for me and desired me to point out the exact locality of the enemy. I did so, but noth- ing was done. Our lines of infantry ought also to have been formed back from the woods in order to draw the enemy out. As it was we entered a regular trap set for us the night before. I believe an Apache warrior would have arranged our men better. Everything was on the side of the enemy — position, numbers and knowledge of the ground. It is a wonder that we were not defeated.
FAIR OAKS. 85
" Howard's Brigade did nobly. The general was the only brigadier I saw upon the field who led his men into battle and handled them there. He acted with a bravery bordering on rashness and nobly sustained his reputation as a brave and efficient officer. Great injustice was done him in detailing his two largest regiments on the day of the battle and leaving him only two. His brigade went into battle with less than two thousand men and had seven hundred and thirteen killed, wounded and missing — double the loss of any other Federal brigade on that day. Of the field officers there were Colonel Miller and Lieutenant-Colonel Massett killed ; wounded, General Howard, Colonel Cross, Lieutenant-Colonel Bingham, Major Cook and Lieutenants Howard, and Miles of the general's staff.
" In my own regiment I lost thirty killed dead on the field, one hundred and seventy wounded and eleven prisoners. My best men wrere taken and also my best non-commissioned of- ficers. In this respect fate seemed against me. When the regiment entered the woods it was an anxious moment for me. I did not know whether they would stand or not ; but they did stand in the most heroic style, never faltering, and firing with a rapidity which astonished the rebels and made them give way.
" Being carried to a farmhouse in the rear, where the doc- tors were at work, my wounds were dressed and I lay under the trees until morning. On Tuesday, June 3, I was moved to Savage Station, placed on the cars and sent to White House landing, there placed on the steamer ' Spaulding ' and carried to Philadelphia. At the United States general hos- pital, corner Fifth and Baltimore streets, I lay two weeks ; thence to New York to St. Luke's home for wounded sol- diers, where I received the kindest treatment ; thence to Con- cord, N. H., where I arrived on the 4th of July.
"After I left the regiment it took part in the labors and battles in front of Richmond and acted as a portion of the rear guard on the retreat of the right wing. During all this time it behaved with the greatest gallantry.
"After remaining in Lancaster a short time, I went to Con-
86 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
cord and commenced enlisting men for my regiment, and on the ioth of August started once more for the war with some thirty recruits for the Fifth. My wound was painful and troublesome, but I resolved to bear it, though my endurance was severely taxed. I took ship with my party at New York and landed at Fortress Monroe. Here I learned of the evacuation of the peninsula, which, in my opinion, was a bad move. The point from wThich to attack Richmond effect- ually, is on the James river and from Petersburg side, in my opinion. On August 23 I joined my regiment and received a hearty welcome. I found everything in a very disorganized state — discipline broken and a general confusion. Ten min- utes after my arrival I had commenced reforms and in ten days things were in a much better condition. "
Here again we give the remarks of Private Gove upon Fair Oaks battle. He says : —
"Monday, May 26. Another storm has commenced. Tuesday, May 27. Rained last night and this morning. Built a short piece of corduroy road. Wednesday, May 28. Our regiment has been building a bridge across the Chicka- hominy river and swamp, two miles from camp. Thursday, May 29. Worked all day on the bridge finishing it. Had to work in water waist deep all the time. General Sumner christened it 'Grapevine bridge.' Did nothing on the 30th.
" A fight was going on Saturday, May 31, during the after- noon. We started at 3 p. m. and reached the battle-field at 9 p. m. The fight was over for the day. We took position in line of battle, Sunday, June 1. Early this morning the rebels commenced the attack. Had to fight them in the woods. I got wounded. Three of our company were killed and twelve wounded. Our brigade suffered heavily. The ' bloodless ' Fifth behaved splendidly. Monday, June 2. Am stopping at a house near the battle-field. The house and yard are full of wounded. My wounds are very sore and painful. Expect our boys will be in Richmond in a few days; wish I could be with them. Tuesday, June 3. Am in hospital, expecting an attack. Wednesday, June 4. Re-
FAIR OAKS. 87
main here yet. Have to sleep in a hen coop. Thursday, June 5. Walked three miles to the station. Went on the cars to White House landing and went on the steamer, 'State of Maine. ' "
Private Gove went to Fortress Monroe, New Haven, New York and finally returned to the regiment at Camp Cali- fornia, while resting on its march to the second Bull Run battle.
Says James Daniels, Company D from Salmon Falls, N. H., in his diary written everyday during the service and which is now before the writer — stained, soiled, aged and worth its weight in gold : —
"Tuesday, May 22, 1862. In camp; a terrible rain and hail-storm.
"23d. Marched about four miles toward Richmond from St. Peter's Church, Virginia.
"24th. Rain-storm.
" 25th. In camp ; Sunday services.
" 26th. In camp.
" 27th. In camp ; hear of Porter's victory.
"Wednesday, May 28. In camp; went out to build a bridge across the Chickahominy river and swamp ; returned to camp at night.
"29th. Went out to finish the bridge \ got done about 3. o'clock in the afternoon and returned to camp.
" May 30. In camp ; rained in the afternoon and night.
" Saturday, May 31. In camp ; had orders to march to the battle-field ; camped on the field where the battle was fought.
" Sunday, June 1. Fair Oaks swamp ; a terrible battle was fought. The Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers were en- gaged. Company D lost thirteen — killed, wounded and mis- sing ; Company E, twenty-four; C, twenty-one; A, twenty- one ; B, twrenty-four.
" Monday, June 2. In camp, waiting for the rebels, but they did not come ; some firing.
"June 3. In the swamp burying the dead and bringing in the wounded ; rain-storm at night.
88 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" 4th. Still in the swamp ; rained all day.
' 5th. Still in the swamp ; heavy firing on our right.
"6th. Still in the swamp.
"7th. In the swamp ; firing on our right ; Porter advanc-
ing.
" 8th. Went out to fell timber in the swamp ; ordered to march to the front; expectations of a fight.
"9th. Still waiting for the enemy to advance, but they did not.
' 10th. Firing between the pickets and scouts.
" nth. Still in front of the enemy, waiting for them to come ; turned out to-night ; the moon was in eclipse.
" 1 2th. In camp ; waiting for events ; turned out to-night; heavy firing in front of the regiment ; went out to support a battery.
" 13th. General McClellan rode through in front of our lines.
" 14th. In camp; went on duty ; lay in the intrenchments.
" 15th. Some firing in front; some killed, some wounded.
" 1 6th. Quiet; regiment moved on a line with the in- trenchments.
" 17th. Turned out two or three times to-night.
" 1 8th. On picket ; the rebels came down and got what they did not expect to get.
" 19th. In camp.
" 20th. Received my tobacco from home ; the rebels fired a few shells over our camp.
" 21st. We fired a few shells over at the rebels ; at night they tried to drive in our pickets.
" 22d. Nothing important.
" 23d. Heavy firing on our left ; tried to drive in our pick- ets ; a heavy thunder-storm.
"24th. Nothing important.
"25th. Hard fighting on our left.
" 26th. In camp ; hard fighting on our right. ' 27th. Heavy firing on our front, right, center and left. 28th. Expecting to march ; did march at night. "
< <
INCIDENTS OF FAIR OAKS. 89
Here properly ends chapter nine, being an account of the battle of Fair Oaks, and until the regiment moved out of the intrenchments in front of Richmond for the battle at Savage Station.
INCIDENTS OF THE FAIR OAKS CAMPAIGN.
Captain John W. Bean relates an incident of which he was an eye witness, and which should be made historical: —
' ' Colonel Cross was severely wounded in the groin and fell just in the rear of Captain Bean's Company — I. Lieutenant Parks and Sergeant Flanders went to aid him and to remove him from the field. Colonel Cross, raising himself on his elbow, said, ' Never mind me, men, whip the enemy first, and take care of me afterwards.' "
Here General Sumner said in the presence of many men, " The Fifth New Hampshire stood like a stone-wall."
While in front of Richmond, Captain Sturtevant being in command, the Confederates attempted to break through the lines where the men of the Fifth were. General Richardson ordered a battery to fire into the Confederates, while Com- pany A was still in front. This was done and several men of that company were wounded, one dying soon after, but the advance of the enemy was checked at once.
Just before the opening of the fight on the second day, June 1, a horseman rode out of the woods from the direction of the Confederates, and came slowly toward our lines. Colonel Cross saw that he was an orderly belonging to the enemy. The regiment was lying down at the time and the colors not displayed, the horseman did not therefore discover that they were Federals. Cross dismounted, passed the lines and approached him. Pulling up his horse, the man asked, " Where is General Pryor ?" Said Cross, " Here he is close by. Have you dispatches?" " Yes, from General Pryor to General Anderson," said he. Said Cross, " Give them to
9° FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
me." As the horseman put his hand in the breast pocket of his jacket to get them, Cross stepped forward quickly and grasped the bridle, saying, " You are my prisoner." In great surprise he replied, " What do you mean ?" Cross an- swered, " I mean that you are in the Federal lines and a prisoner of war." Then the orderly said, "I surrender." The horse was led away and was sent to New Hampshire, being owned for several years at Concord, Lancaster or else- where. It was a beautiful black mare. The dispatches proved very valuable and were at once sent to General Sum- ner. From this source it was learned that the enemy was very near and under General Huger in the immediate front.
There were four brothers and three cousins — seven men of the Cross family in the bloody conflict at Fair Oaks.
It is related that the Fifth was within one hundred and fifty feet of the Second and Fifth Texas regiments ; and that one of the Fifth New Hampshire officers threw a blanket over his shoulders, thus concealing his uniform, and strode up to a fire where some ten or a dozen of them were lounging, and having elbowed himself in among them, listened to their ac- count of the day's fight and their songs and stories.
At about 2 o'clock in the morning before this battle, a council of war was held in General Sumner's tent and here it was decided to attack the enemy as soon as daylight appeared. The wisdom of this decision is now evident. Had the enemy not been met before they had gained the advantages belong- ing to an advance, already begun, Richardson's Division would most surely have been pushed back. In making a study of this battle, so well arranged during the night of May 31, and so desperately fought on the morning of June 1, we must acknowledge that there was considerable good general- ship displayed, though it might have been improved, as sug- gested by Colonel Cross in his personal journal. It is also evident that Howard's Brigade may justly claim a good share of the credit of doing the effective work of that awful morning.
INCIDENTS. 91
Another incident is worthy of mention. A Confederate of- ficer, stepping out from behind a tree, presented a pistol at the breast of a captain and snapped the same three times. Sergeant Walker, Company K, seeing the movement, sent a bullet through his head. He was afterwards buried by our men, and the pistol is now in the possession of people at Lan- caster.
It is related that many dead bodies remained in the swamp unburied for several days ; the stench became awful and un- doubtedly much sickness and distress came to the troops on this account.
The medical and surgical reports of those days indicated much trouble from diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria, gastritis and congestion of various abdominal organs. The surgeons of the Fifth are favorably mentioned in all reports. Dr. L. M. Knight, the surgeon, was called in consultation, and assisted in the amputation of General Howard's arm. He was placed in charge of several hospitals and gave excellent and intelli- gent attention to his sick and wounded. Dr. Knight was made surgeon of the division.
CHAPTER X.
From Fair Oaks — Battle of Savage Station — Recrossing the Chickahominy — Seven Days' Fight — Continuous Fighting — Confusion of the Retreat — The James Reached — Decimation of the Fifth.
During the 26th and 27th of June, 1862, the right wing of the Army of the Potomac was thoroughly defeated and ex- ceedingly roughly handled. At once it retreated to the south side of the Chickahominy and began the retreat to the James river. On the 28th the Second Corps, and of course the Fifth with it, were ordered to strike tents, and moved out of the works, remaining near by during the da)-. Before daylight on the 29th, the corps began its retreat.
Just now the scene about Fair Oaks was one to illustrate the desolation and destruction of war. The abandoned camps, woods and fields were covered with the waste of war. Thousands of broken muskets ; tons of ammunition burning and exploding ; barrels of beef, pork, molasses, sugar, vinegar; boxes of hard-bread, soap and candles in great piles were being destroyed. The ground was strewn in all direc- tions with immense quantities of food, clothing, books, papers and sutlers' goods. This was the ending of the siege of Richmond. The Fifth gladly bade farewell to these en- trenchments and swamps.
The Second and Third Corps took positions to the eastward of, and thus protected, Savage Station and also the immense and valuable wagon train now being hurried 011 from here toward the James river.. Skirmishers soon met the approach- ing enemy, eager for the prize and elated by successes. The Confederate main line advanced at once, the Federal skir- mishers fell back, and the battle of Savage Station began.
This station had been the head-quarters of the army and the sanitary commission ; the depot of supplies for all depart-
SA VAGE S TA TION . 93
merits, and the most important center and point of departure of the hospital department. From this center all the necessi- ties, luxuries and comforts to supply an army of more than one hundred and twenty thousand men were daily distributed. In fact a victory here for the Confederates was destruction for the Federals ; a victory for the Federals was the salvation of the Army of the Potomac ; hence the battle raged with fury for a time, but after a few attempts the enemy fell back, keeping up an annoying fire from the cover of the woods near.
In the diary of James Daniels, a private in Company D of the Fifth, are the following entries :
"Saturday, June 28. In camp; we are to march; we did march at night.
" Sunday, 29th. We had a fight with the enemy at Savage Station ; marched toward the James river.
" Monday, 30th. Another battle with the rebels and then retreated on towards James river.
" Tuesday, July 1. Another battle was fought and then we retreated again towards James river.
" Wednesday, 2d. Arrived at James river.
" Thursday, 3d. In camp at James river ; the enemy com- menced shelling us, but our cavalry soon took the two bat- teries and some prisoners, and then we changed our camp.''
We have quoted as above that we might have the evidence directly from its original source to prove again that the Army of the Potomac had a continuous battle for seven days and a continuous march for seven nights. This Seven Days' fight began on the north side of the Chickahominy on the 26th of June and ended on the banks of the James on the 3d of July. General Franklin says, " Between the above dates there was not a day that the Second Corps did not fight all day and march all night." The Fifth belonged to the Second Corps.
That we ma}* more fully comprehend the labors and suffer- ings of the Fifth, we must review the situation of the Army of the Potomac. 'Between the 26th and 27th of June, sixty
94 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
thousand Confederates had attacked and forced thirty thou- sand Federals to cross the Chickahominy river. During the whole night of the 28th, the retreat went on. On the 29th the whole army was south of the Chickahominy, east of Fair Oaks and north of White Oak swamp. The object of the Federal army was to reach the James river and the protection of the gunboats ; the aim of the Confederates was to prevent this and to destroy or capture this army. The result was necessarily the battle at Savage Station. If the Federals could effectually check the foe for one ■ day, they could win ; if the Confederates could win a decisive victory they would accomplish their desire and destroy the invading foe, win foreign recognition and render final success almost certain. The point was comprehended. Now then, to retreat and to pursue were necessities which wrought the two armies up to the highest endeavor. This was the general situation on the morning of June 28. We will now follow the fortunes of the Fifth.
Sumner's Corps marched from its position around Fair Oaks on the night of June 28, just one month after building Grapevine bridge. After daylight on the morning of June 29, while bivouacking in Allen's field between the railroad and the Williamsburg stage road, at about 9 o'clock, they were attacked by McGruder's troops. This is known and inscribed on the banners of the Fifth as the battle of Peach Orchard. The enemy were repulsed, but the corps fell back to Savage Station, and fought there. All supplies at or near Savage Station were burned. Many wounded were left here with supplies of food, medicines and attendants. The battle occurred while the supplies and buildings were burning. The Fifth had two killed and eleven wounded in this affair. One account says four were killed, and their names will be given in the proper chapter.
Monday, June 30, the Fifth, with Richardson's Division, were on the retreat ; marched all night, and crossed White Oak bridge just at sunrise. The Fifth was the last regiment on the bridge and burned the same. Troops took position on high ground beyond the bridge, and batteries were stationed.
ON THE RETREAT. 95
The rebels came near and shelled them at about 10 p. m. The Fifth supported Pettit's and Hazzard's batteries all da}-. In this affair the Fifth lost four men killed — two instantly by solid shot — one shot in the abdomen and one in the head, and many wounded. Captain Hazzard was mortally wounded. Some of the shells burst among the corps baggage and ambu- lance teams, creating great fright and confusion, sending them down the one road in a rush, each team trying to get in advance of all others in the line. They were finally brought into order and most diligently pursued their way until they arrived upon a fine plantation on the James river. Mean- while, Richardson's Division wTas in the midst of the fight and lost many men.
On the same day, June 30, at 4 p.m., moved to Charles City cross-roads, or Glendale, where a battle was going on, and where they fought until long after dark. At one time during the day the Fifth wyas ordered to arrest the cowardly retreat of a regiment and did so with the bayonet, with pleas- ure. After dark they were ordered to charge a position with- out firing, and, moving forward at once, found it abandoned. As the firing ceased and the armies assumed deep silence to conceal their positions, the groans and cries of the wounded and dying arose on the midnight air ; and the dead were so intermingled with the living that when the regiment in dense darkness, moved silently away, a hand put forth to awaken the sleeping would touch the dead. Eight were killed and mortally wounded, whose names wTill appear on another page. During this day the scene of confusion along the line of re- treat cannot be described in all its tumult of hurry, dis- may and universal confusion. Two thousand five hundred cattle were driven along in one herd. The road was blocked for miles by everything belonging to a vast army. Broken wagons and caissons ; swivel guns and dismounted forges were in an everlasting and disorganized mass. The shouts of the teamsters, the struggling of the horses and mules, the onward sweep of the mighty mass, all blended in a scene of uproar, tumult and ruin which no imagination can conceive. Troops and baggage trains moved on over one road. Until
96 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
now the Confederates had been sure of destroying the invading army, but they began to realize that the chance was gone. Another battle must be fought.
Throughout the night th : retreat continued, and July i found the regiment at Malvern Hill, where they were again placed in position to resist the attack of a now desperate and maddened foe. The regiment was commanded by Captain E. E. Sturtevant (Xieutenant-Colonel I,a:igley being sick), and was under fire until about 4 o'clock p. m., when, Couch being pressed, our brigade was ordered to reinforce him, and deployed across an open field about three hundred and fifty yards in front of a rebel battery and was soon in a fierce fight. The enemy opened fire from some field-pieces, but they were soon silenced by Hooker's and Kearny's batteries. Toward night the enemy became desperate and the battle raged until dark, when they fell back, having sustained fear- ful losses and being badly demoralized.
The loss to the Fifth Regiment in these battles, known as the Seven Days' fight, was fully one hundred killed, wounded and missing. The amount of exhaustion, suffering, disease and death, immediate and remote, resulting from this cam- paign, no tongue can tell, no pen describe, no intellect can estimate or comprehend. After the repulse of the Confeder- ate forces at Malvern Hill, the Fifth with its division and corps went into camp at Harrison's landing, where they re- mained until the middle of August.
While here the regimental band was mustered out and sent home by orders from the war department. The weather was intensely hot, and much sickness prevailed on account of the heat, bad location and miserable water. The hospitals were filled with men sick with fever, diarrhoea, malaria, nervous ex- haustion— all resulting from exposure, over-work, malarious air, badly prepared food, and last, but not least, mental de- pression, homesickness and a general weariness of heart and soul. Many died. Men of the Fifth, who were born and had lived in the air of New Hampshire, drank her pure waters, and whose general tone of body, mind and soul had been constantly invigorated by the best surroundings the earth affords, could
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INCIDENTS. 97
not endure the damnable conditions existing on the peninsula and the Chickahominy swamp. When the regiment struck tents to leave here, there were present for duty only about three hundred and fifty men.
Says a letter from Captain John W. Bean, Company I :—
" During this Seven Days' battle some incidents occurred that should be mentioned. At Malvern Hill the Fifth was ordered to support a portion of the batteries that were to withstand General Magruder's furious charge in three lines of battle, which it did. During the night the army began the retreat, but the Fifth was forgotten and left behind without orders. At daylight the enemy began to advance, when Captain Sturte- vant, who was in command, discovered that the Fifth alone was confronting Lee's hosts. We were not long in getting away, and the enemy followed so closely that when we got in sight of our division camp, they were dropping solid shot among our rear guard."
At Harrison's landing when the men were suffering — dying from bad, filthy surface water — the pioneers and Company I,, commanded by Captain Bean, sunk wells, which furnished, excellent water for both officers and men, by reason of which, many lives were saved. These things show that the Fifth was of excellent material, not only for fighting, but for gen- eral efficiency.
In the "Medical and Surgical History of the Rebellion," Appendix, Part I, page 64, is the report of Surgeon Ham- mond, medical director of the Second Corps, in which he uses the following words : " The supply of canned soups was inadequate, and I found it necessary to give orders, with the approval of General Sumner, to slaughter horses for soup for the wounded." The Fifth belonged to this corps and of course may have had an interest in this horse soup. How- ever that may be, the fact is given as found.
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
The writer may here take a page for relating some personal recollections. He received his commission as second assistant surgeon of the Fifth, August 13, at Concord, joining Colonel 7
93 FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Cross on the train, then in the depot, with a party of recruits leaving for the seat of war. He was sworn into the state ser- vice at Manchester, through the car window, before a justice called by telegram, and was mustered into the United States' service on the battle-field of Antietam. Colonel Cross and his party went to New York City by cars and sound steamer, and from New York to Fortress Monroe by boat.
During the run to the landing a recruit, who had recruited too abundantly, made an active demonstration toward an im- aginary enemy with a revolver. He dashed out of the car door, off the car steps, and out into the darkness, the train moving at thirty miles an hour. The writer returned for the body ; turning it over he awaited the backing of the train and assistants, the while rubbing the body and thinking what else might be done. The recruit put out his hands, made a long drawn sigh, half opened his eyes, looked around in an uncer- tain and doubtful manner, and asked most unconcernedly, " What station's thish? ' I was disgusted with my " awful example," put him on the train, and he made an excellent soldier.
While on this passage, just out of New York for Fortress Monroe, an insane man leaped from the deck into the Atlan- tic. The strange, unearthly scream as he went down into the dark, black waters on that wild night, will never be for- gotten by the writer.
Soon we passed the capes into the bay and landed at For- tress Monroe. Here upon the sands were temporarily en- camped thousands of men, awaiting the arrival of their re- spective regiments from the peninsula above. It would seem impossible to bring together such a mass of irresponsible humanity. Yet we had plenty to eat and comfortable quar- ters. Our toilet arrangements were not first-class, nor could we call servants at will. A dish of crabs and Indian corn- cake from a neighboring colored woman's hut, were very de- licious. It was a rare dish in more than one respect.
Next day, August 23, we joined the regiment at Newport News, and were at once introduced to active campaign life. The romance departed in just two minutes. The frying-pan,
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and the bean hole ; the greasy haversack, and the flattened knapsack ; the barefooted boys, the sallow men, the thread- bare officers and seedy generals ; the diarrhoea and dysentery, the yellow eyes and malarious faces ; the beds upon the bare earth in the mud ; the mist and rain, with a cold wind chill- ing the weakened bodies ; the braying mules, the swearing drivers and the howling wagon-masters, at once upset our preconceived ideas of knight errantry. We were whirled over, flat upon the earth, as that other venture-seeking fool was by the windmill, but a warm greeting from Surgeon Knight, a "cordial" greeting from the colonel, and a few hours' sleep, under my own warm blanket, put me on my feet again. I was a veteran.
At early dawn, August 24, we embarked for Aquia creek and Alexandria, at which last port we landed August 28. Here the regiment marched out to Camp California and re- mained one day, and here Assistant Surgeon Child was detailed to remain with about sixty sick of the brigade, while the regiment with Sumner's Corps hastened to aid Pope. For two days the stragglers, wounded and wagon trains came in on the Iyittle river turnpike. Twenty-eight miles of this for- lorn procession passed on into the defenses of Washington.
While on the