condition. The infantry regiments being first landed, started at once
upon their march, the principal object being to secure the bridge across
Tanner’s Creek, which would be a shortening of the route by several
miles. The leading regiments under General Weber, reached the bridge
about one o’clock, and found it burning, it having been fired by a small
force of rebels then on the opposite bank. They had also planted a
couple of small guns, with which they now opened fire upon our advance.
General Mansfield considered that this effort to beat back our approach
could not be resisted without artillery and a larger force; and started
on a return to hurry forward the batteries and a reinforcement. General
Wool in the mean time decided to push forward, and led the column by a
roundabout route toward Norfolk.
In spite of the heat of the day, the Union troops reached the entrenched
camp at about half past four o’clock, and were in possession at twenty
minutes before five. The entrenchments were strongly fortified with
earthworks, on the top of which were found twenty-nine pieces of
artillery. When just about to enter the city the troops were met by a
flag of truce. The Mayor of the city, who had come out under the flag,
was met by General Wool and Secretary Chase. They entered a cottage by
the road side, for the purpose of conferring together, and there the
Mayor of Norfolk informed General Wool of the purport of his visit,
explaining that he had come to surrender the city into the hands of the
United States, and to ask protection for the persons and property of the
citizens. General Wool’s reply was that the request was granted in
advance. He then immediately took possession of the city, and appointed
Brigadier-General Egbert L. Viele to be Military Governor, with
directions to see that the citizens were protected in all their civil
rights.
At this point it is necessary to look backward for a few days at the
doings of the rebels, in order to explain the burning of the Merrimac.
DESTRUCTION OF THE MERRIMAC.
Commodore Tatnall, early in May, received orders to take up his position
upon the James river, in such a way as would entirely prevent the Union
forces from ascending it. On the next day he was ordered to endeavor to
protect Norfolk, too, which placed him in his original position.
On the day following, Commodore Hollins reached Norfolk with orders from
the rebel Secretary of the Navy, Honorable S. R. Mallory, to communicate
with Commodore Tatnall and such officers as he might select, in regard
to the best disposition to be made of the rebel steamer Virginia—better
known at the North as the Merrimac.
On the 8th of May the Union forces attacked the Sewell’s Point battery;
and Commodore Tatnall immediately undertook its defence, with the
Merrimac. Six of our vessels, including the Monitor and Naugatuck, were
actively engaged in the bombardment of the rebel batteries on Sewell’s
Point and Craney Island. The Merrimac evinced a decided disinclination
to come out into the roadstead; and, as the National vessels were
equally disinclined to go up to her, the combat ceased.
The Monitor had orders to engage the Merrimac, in only such a position
as would enable the Union iron-clad, and other vessels engaged, to run
her down.
The demonstration had one good effect; that of ascertaining the fact
that the number of guns, at the principal work on Sewell’s Point, was
greatly reduced, and the force of men posted there comparatively small.
On the 10th of May the rebels learned that a large force of Union men
were marching rapidly upon Norfolk, and later in the day that the Union
troops occupied the city. They at once endeavored to put in force a
design to get up the river, and aid in the defence of Richmond, trusting
to be able to do this before the Union officers should learn of their
intention. Before daybreak the next morning, however, it was found that
the Merrimac was not fit for action; and the rebel flag-officer in
command determined, with the concurrence of the first and
flag-lieutenants, to land the crew at Craney Island, the only means of
retreat left open to them; and, as it was otherwise impossible to
prevent the Merrimac from falling into our hands, to destroy her before
we could capture her. The vessel was accordingly put ashore, near the
main land, the crew was landed, and in a few minutes sheets of flame
rose into the air fore and aft of the proud rebel iron-clad. For more
than an hour she burned fiercely; tongues of fire licked her sides and
shot up livid streams of light through the dense smoke, and at 5 o’clock
on the morning of May 11th, with a loud report, like a roar of baffled
rage, agony, and mortification, she blew up, scattering her ruins far
and wide; and the morning sun shone down on nothing of the Merrimac save
wreck and smoke.
THE BATTLE OF HANOVER COURT-HOUSE.
MAY 23, 1862.
On Wednesday, May 28th, one of the most brilliant achievements was
consummated which distinguished the great, patriotic war for the Union.
For several days previously to the above date, the rebels, returning
from their raid up the Shenandoah valley, had been extending their
pickets towards Old Church, throwing forces upon McClellan’s right
flank, and otherwise indicating that they meant mischief. These threats
of battle were answered by his suddenly throwing out a heavy Union
force, between Hanover and Richmond, which cut off their communications
by the Virginia Central, and the Richmond and Petersburg railroads. By
this means the Union army totally dispersed the enemy, in two short,
sharp engagements, cleared its flank, and disabled the rebel railroad
operations. But a more important work was ahead; and the force selected
for it was General G. W. Morrell’s division, of General F. J. Porter’s
Fifth Provisional Army Corps. At midnight of Monday, orders were given
to each regiment to be in light marching trim, for the morning. The
reveille beat at 3 A. M. A drenching rain was pouring down, so that not
so much as a cup of coffee could be heated; and there was nothing but
cold rations to give the required strength for the prospective march.
The soldiers marched in silence for some six or eight miles; and then
the whisper gathered breath, and passed from man to man, “Where are we
going?” Pocket compasses were consulted, and it was discovered that
slowly, though gradually, the division was bearing more and more to the
right. Few in the column had any idea of the object in view; but no
questions were asked.
At 10 o’clock, the dismal, overhanging clouds had disappeared almost
entirely, and through their broken masses poured down the rays of a
brilliant sun, that soon became almost tropical in its intense heat. The
head of the column was suddenly turned to the right; a course due north
was pursued for a short time; and then, where the roads intersected each
other, a battery was planted, a regiment being detailed to support it.
Again the brigades moved rapidly onward. At the halt, the Virginia
railroad was reported to be but a mile and a half westward; and, in
obedience to orders received, the Twenty-second Massachusetts, Colonel
Gore, marched northward to disable the railroad, and subsequently joined
the main body a few miles above.
The design in view was to capture a large body of rebels, known to have
been at Hanover Court House on the Sunday before, and which had then
consisted of the Seventh, Twelfth, Eighteenth, Twenty-third,
Thirty-third, and Thirty-eighth, North Carolina troops. Each regiment
was represented as numbering one thousand men: and it was further stated
that the enemy intended to strongly reinforce the position.
The Union division reached a point about two miles north of the
intersection of the roads, when the advance guard, composed of cavalry;
the Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, Colonel Johnson, and a section of
artillery, discovered the pickets of the enemy. Without an instant’s
delay the skirmishers opened fire, when the enemy slowly withdrew for
two miles—the Twenty-fifth in rapid pursuit, keeping ahead even of
Benson’s Light Battery, which was in front. It was in an open field,
near the house of Doctor King, that the rebels drew up in line of
battle. Colonel Johnson pressed boldly forward, engaged them at close
range, and for fifteen minutes, before any support arrived, made hot
work for both sides. The rebels had sheltered themselves behind the
house, and in support of two of their own field pieces; but they were
speedily driven from that protection. A force of the enemy which
approached on the right of the Twenty-fifth, coming from the woods,
succeeded in taking prisoners a portion of company G, which they
immediately carried to their rear. A section of Manin’s Massachusetts
Battery, followed by a portion of Griffin’s Regular Battery now came to
the Assistance of Colonel Johnson, and speedily fixed the attention of
the rebels, who continued to pour in a sharp shower of grape and shell
from their twelve-pound howitzers.
But now a turn in affairs took place which was as great a surprise as it
was a disaster to the rebels. From their determined stand it was clearly
perceived that they supposed the force before them to be our only
strength; and they evidently considered that it would be short work to
repulse and capture the small body of men so heroically attacking them.
But General Butterfield had already ordered the Eighty-third
Pennsylvania, Colonel McLane and the Seventeenth New York, Colonel
Lansing, to the timber on the left of the enemy’s flank; and before they
could suspect the blow that threatened them, our reinforcements appeared
in the wheat field on their left. The vitality of the movement was clear
to them as soon as perceived; and surprised, then confused, they wavered
at the first well-directed volley poured in on them. Their ranks broke;
and, turning, they fled confusedly, in every direction. A second volley
picked off their men at the guns. Forward, at the double-quick, and with
a loud, hearty yell, went the brave Seventeenth. The cannon were
abandoned without spiking them, and our victorious troops pursued the
retreating enemy to Hanover Court-House. Within an hour sixty prisoners
were brought in. Beyond this point the enemy still fled; and the cavalry
continued in hot pursuit. At the Court-House the regiments stopped, as
the enemy had abandoned it just in time to escape the net so skilfully
set for his capture.
At Peake’s Station orders were received from General Porter for the
Twenty-second Massachusetts to move up the railroad, several hundred
feet of which they had previously torn up. All other regiments,
including the Forty-fourth and the battery below, were ordered to move
with all possible rapidity, as it was expected that much more sharp
fighting remained to be done ahead. They had but just moved forward when
a mounted cavalry picket in hot haste rode up and informed General
Martindale that a large force of rebels had arrived by rail, and was
already hurrying on for an attack upon the rear, evidently hoping to get
us between two fires. The Second Maine regiment, in the rear, was faced
about, and stationed at the point where the rebel attack was expected.
But they advanced under shelter of the timber. The Forty-fourth New
York, Colonel Stryker, was ordered to the left of Martin’s battery; the
Twenty-fifth regiment, attending on the wounded, having been sent for,
arrived and took up a position on the left of the battery, before which
the rebels had already appeared. The Forty-fourth started to deploy in
the woods to the left, with a view to protect one of the hospitals which
was in that direction; but the enemy attacking our right flank made it
necessary to have them recalled. They returned to their former position;
and engaged their opponents vigorously.
The fight waxed hot and furious. Six rebel infantry regiments were in
plain sight. Colonel Johnson was severely wounded, and soon after had
his horse shot under him; Adjutant Houghton received a flesh wound in
the leg, and Major Chapin of the Forty-fourth was severely wounded in
the chest, and the leg. Adjutant Knox, and Lieutenant Fox were both
wounded. The enemy pressed fiercely upon the Union lines; their fire was
poured in with relentless fury, and their whole strength was put out to
crush the patriotic force. But in vain, for though losing severely at
every onslaught, the three heroic columns stood their ground with an
unflinching bravery that has won for them the highest meed of praise.
They would not yield an inch. Finally the Second Maine was out of
ammunition, and Colonel Roberts appealed for a chance to charge with the
bayonet.
During all the time this furious fight was raging the brigades in the
advance were returning on the double-quick.
The Eighty-third Pennsylvania and Sixteenth Michigan were thrown in on
the left. The Sixty-second Pennsylvania, Colonel Black, was sent into
the timber on the left; the Ninth Massachusetts, Colonel Cass, was
placed on the left of the Eighty-third. The Fourteenth New York relieved
the Second Maine, and was joined by the Thirteenth New Jersey, from
Colonel Warren’s brigade.
Griffin’s battery, which now came thundering in, commenced throwing
shell and shrapnell, on the instant after taking position.
The fresh regiments pressed forward. On the enemy’s left, the
Sixty-second was doing such execution as forced the rebels to fall back
before its destructive fire. The whole advancing columns came on with a
steady rush; the enemy was thrown into confusion, and under cover of the
forest, beat a disordered and precipitate retreat.
The victory was won, hardly, bravely, and nobly won; and the results
were more than the victors had hoped for.
The spoils were over six hundred men; a large number of guns; and a
railway train, captured by General Stoneman.
It is worthy of remark that in this engagement the flag of the
Forty-fourth New York was pierced by forty-four bullets. The regiment
behaved nobly—as did every one engaged. Too much praise cannot be
awarded to both officers and men. The following is from a newspaper
account of the day.
“General McClellan came up the next morning and was most
enthusiastically received by the men. He grasped General Porter by the
hand most cordially and congratulated him. Turning to General
Butterfield, who was near, he put one hand on his shoulder and said some
words that we on the outside could not hear. That they were well merited
compliments for brave and gallant deeds, the faces of both showed most
plainly. Our brigade was satisfied and confident that under fire, as
well as elsewhere, we have the right man in the right place.”
The result of this fight was the firm establishment in position of the
right wring of McClellan’s army, which took position without waiting the
cooperation of McDowell, and entered upon that scene of bloody days
which ended in the retreat to Harrison’s Landing.
BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS, VA.
MAY 31 AND JUNE 1.
On the 29th and 30th of May the National pickets were many times
fiercely attacked by detachments of the rebels, endeavoring to ascertain
the precise situation of the Federal troops. They were repulsed with
considerable loss. There were indications that the enemy was approaching
in great force, for the cars coming out from Richmond had been running
all the previous night. On the morning of the 30th, General Keyes,
stationed at Seven Pines, was informed of the threatening aspect of
affairs; and together with Gen. Casey, at once made every possible
preparation to repel all sudden attacks, well knowing that the enemy
could assail with double or treble the numbers of the Union forces.
General Keyes in his official report, says: “The camp I selected, and
which was the next day approved by Major-Gen. McClellan, stretches
across the Williamsburgh road between Bottom’s Bridge and Seven Pines,
and is distant about a mile from the latter. I caused that camp to be
fortified with rifle-pits and breastworks extending to the left about
eight hundred yards, and terminating in a crotchet to the rear. Similar
works, about three hundred yards further in advance, were constructed on
the right, extending towards the Richmond and West Point Railroad.
“Having been ordered by Gen. McClellan to hold the Seven Pines strongly,
I designed to throw forward to that neighborhood two brigades of Casey’s
division, and to establish my picket-line considerably in advance, and
far to the right.”
In the mean time the rebel preparations were of the most powerful
description, and seemed to promise to them undoubted success. General
Hill, with a force of 16,000 men, was to march from Richmond, along the
Williamsburg road, towards Seven Pines. General Longstreet, with 16,000
more, was to support his right wing; and General Huger with a third
16,000, was appointed to protect his left flank, prepared to fall upon
the right wing of the Federal troops. General Smith, with still another
16,000 men, was to make a detour through the woods, for the purpose of
cutting off the retreat of Casey’s division. Such was the generalship of
the rebel officers that often with really inferior numbers, they so
massed their troops as to be superior in numbers upon the battle-field.
Throughout the night of the 30th of May, there was a raging storm, the
like of which few who listened to its roar and fury could remember ever
to have experienced. The thunder roared without intermission; torrents
of rain drenched the earth; while the whole sky was on fire with an
unceasing blaze of lightning. It was from the peltings of this storm,
saturated with rain, which had penetrated the camps, and turned their
hard field-beds into pools of mud, that the Federal troops rose, to face
an advancing army of six or seven times their own number. The tempest
had gradually died away, toward daybreak, but a lowering sky seemed to
increase the gloom of the dreary landscape. Nor were the men, after a
night of unrest, any brighter than the aspect of surrounding nature. The
roads flooded by rain, were almost impassable; and the waters of the
Chickahominy, overflowing its banks, were encroaching upon the swamps.
About an hour before noon it was announced that a large body of the
rebels had been seen approaching, on the Richmond road. Picket-firing
commenced almost immediately, and was instantly followed by the shriek
of several shells from the enemy’s artillery, which came tearing through
the air, in the neighborhood of General Peck’s headquarters—proving that
the enemy was advancing on General Casey’s division.
The troops were, on the instant, summoned to arms. Every man at work on
the intrenchments was dispatched to his regiment; the artillery was
harnessed up, the batteries placed in position; and the One Hundred and
First Pennsylvania Volunteers, was sent down the road, to check the
advancing foe and to support the pickets.
Up to this moment it was supposed that nothing more was impending than
one of those sharp skirmishes in which the troops had so often engaged.
The Pennsylvania troops marched briskly onward, little imagining that
they were throwing themselves on the bayonets of an army of 16,000 men;
till, to their horror and consternation, as they emerged from the
forest, they found themselves face to face with an overwhelming force. A
volley of bullets swept, with devastating effect, upon their ranks
dealing death on every side, and scattering one-fifth of their number
dead or wounded upon the field. It was a moment in which flight was
valor; for in fifteen minutes they would inevitably have been
surrounded, and every man cut down or made a prisoner.
General McClellan was, at the time, severely criticised for that
sentence in his dispatch to Secretary Stanton which read, “Casey’s
division, which was the first line, gave way, unaccountably and
discreditably.” The retreat of this handful of men, after first losing
one-fifth of their number, does not reflect upon their heroism. General
Casey says in his official report,—
“In my humble opinion, from what I witnessed on the 31st, I am convinced
that the stubborn and desperate resistance of my division saved the army
on the right of the Chickahominy from a severe repulse, which might have
resulted in a disastrous defeat. The blood of the gallant dead would cry
to me from the ground on which they fell, fighting for their country,
had I not said what I have to vindicate them from the unmerited
aspersions which have been cast upon them.”
It is gratifying to be able to add that General McClellan subsequently
owned that he had been mistaken in this particular, and did justice to
those brave soldiers.
Five thousand men in an almost open field could do but little to repel
the advance of two divisions of the enemy, each numbering 16,000 men.
Onward the rebels marched, till within a few yards of Stuart’s battery,
when the brave artillerists delivered their last fire, before, at their
commander’s order, they retired. The Federals now retreated about a
quarter of a mile, toward their second line; and the rebels having
paused to secure the captured cannon, again advanced, still pouring in,
upon the retreating Union troops, volley after volley of bullets and
shells. But the latter maintained their ground for upwards of three
hours, without a single regiment arriving to their assistance. After a
short conflict, of awful fierceness, the rebels succeeded in taking the
redoubt; and General Casey’s devoted little band, fearfully mutilated,
exhausted and bleeding, retreated through General Couch’s troops drawn
up in line half a mile behind them; and thus sheltered, once more
reformed their wasted, broken ranks.
The rebels resumed their march on General Couch’s line, at four o’clock,
having halted a moment at the deserted camp.
General Couch having formed his line, already eight thousand strong, was
at this moment being reinforced by General Heintzelman’s corps of 16,000
men, with which he advanced to meet in front the combined forces of
Generals Hill and Longstreet, numbering together 32,000, and a division
of 16,000 under General Smith, which was marching upon his flank.
The ground was rather favorable than otherwise; a few slight
intrenchments had been hastily thrown up, and General Couch’s line was
formed to the north of the Williamsburg road. The design of the rebels
was to make their strongest assault upon General Couch’s right wing,
which intent, as soon as perceived, was partly frustrated by his sending
troops to strengthen the point of attack. Again the roar of battle
thundered forth upon the hot, heavy air; dense clouds of smoke shut out
the sky from friend and foe; the ground was literally red with blood,
and the field was covered with the dead, dying, and wounded. The whiz of
bullets and the appalling, horrible scream of shells kept up a shrill
accompaniment to the uninterrupted roar of cannon. General Peck, with
two Pennsylvania regiments, passed through an open space, swept with a
shower of balls, and poured in a destructive fire on the enemy. It was
impossible to resist the advance of the rebels, who greatly outnumbered
the Federals; but the courage displayed on both sides was equal.
The brave soldiers of the Union slowly retired, in good order,
stubbornly contesting every foot of ground they passed over. At about 5
o’clock they were joined by General Birney, with a brigade of General
Kearney’s division. General Sumner was on the other side of the
Chickahominy, encamped at New Bridge. He had, at 3 o’clock in the
afternoon, received orders to cross and march to the aid of the troops,
which were in imminent peril of being overwhelmed. But it required a
long time to cross the river, swollen to overflowing by recent rains;
and it was five miles to the scene of conflict. But, pressing through
rain and mud, with indefatigable energy they struggled forward, till the
heroes at Seven Pines were gladdened by the sight of them, and all along
the lines ran the shout, “It is General Sumner!”
Almost at the same moment the rebels were thrown into great confusion,
on seeing their Commander-in-Chief, General J. E. Johnston struck by a
fragment of shell, and hurled from his horse.