Bermuda Hundred. Company E as skirmishers. Battle of Chester Heights.
Couldn't resist the temptation. Company E fighting on its own account.
Bad predicament. Company E did nobly. More fighting. In sight of
Richmond. Confederate sharpshooters cleaned out. Battle of Drury's
Bluff. Company E again in a bad spot. Wonderful examples of discipline
and soldierly conduct. General Terry to the rescue. Retreat. Back to
old quarters. Captain Lockwood.
May 3 and 4 the regiment did picket duty, and on the 5th left on the
steamer Delaware, and sailed down to Fortress Monroe, up the James
River, past City Point, to Bermuda Hundred. On the 6th we landed, and,
after a brief delay, marched several miles up the Bermuda Hundred
road. Early on the morning of the 7th we started again, and, after
marching and countermarching for several hours, approached Chester
Heights. Behind the hills which concealed us from the enemy, we left
our knapsacks, blankets, and other impediments, and the order to
advance was received, when we resumed our march, with Company E thrown
out as skirmishers. The instructions received by me from the colonel
were general, and somewhat indefinite, the only point well understood
being that we were to clear the front of any opposing force. Grasping
this idea and at the same time our muskets, we worked our way forward
through the woods, until we found ourselves on the top of a hill, with
the whole Confederate force in view in the valleys below. But we were
entirely separated from our regiment. After vainly endeavoring to take
up the connection, we were finally compelled to the conclusion that if
we were to have any further part in the affair, it must be by acting
independently.
Before us, in the vast amphitheatre, so completely enclosed by the
surrounding hills that there seemed no avenue of escape, was the enemy,
against whom our attack was directed. Every movement was plainly
visible, for not a tree or stone obstructed our view. The utmost
activity prevailed, and officers were observed hurrying to and fro,
while the changes that followed showed that every preparation would be
made to repel attack. One officer, especially, who seemed to be in
command, was conspicuous, as he rode about on his white horse, and our
men amused themselves for some time in vain attempts to reach him with
their rifles, but he was too far away.
As the scene comes back after the lapse of so many years, it seems
impossible that the picture imprinted upon the memory can be that
of war. That deep, quiet valley, the rich green of its meadows, the
protecting hills which circled it, the little hamlets which told their
stories of homes, of comfort, and happiness, constituted a picture so
peaceful and restful, that those bodies of armed men whose movements we
were watching, and the bristling cannon and flashing muskets, seemed
strangely out of place.
But there was little time for contemplation. The batteries, one after
another, sped up the hill, and, lost for a time, reappeared again, and
took position far off to our right, giving us the first intimation of
the position of our own troops. Following the same general direction,
the several battalions moved up to the support of the batteries, or
took positions on the sides of the hills, where they could most
effectually resist the advance of our troops. Some two or three of
these battalions lay down near the railroad which ran around the valley
at the foot of the hills, to be out of the way of our fire, and at the
same time be ready to engage in the action if required. These offered
altogether too tempting an opportunity to be resisted, and, rushing
down to the turnpike, which at this point ran parallel to and very near
the railroad, we opened on them a terribly galling and destructive
fire. It was a sad predicament, for they could neither return our fire,
nor change their position, without exposing themselves to the fire of
our main line. When, however, this wavered and fell back, they were
at liberty to devote themselves to us, and, with a yell of rage, they
precipitated themselves into the deep cut of the railroad, and for a
few moments the whistle of bullets about our ears was like the hum of
angry bees, whose hive had been disturbed. A large number of Company E
of the 7th Connecticut regiment had been doing good work, but with no
officer to command them. These joined with our men, and, by carefully
availing themselves of such shelter as offered, both companies were
brought out of the fiery shower with but slight loss.
Proclamations from headquarters announced the complete success of this
expedition, but those who participated in it were unable to discover
the success. The whole Confederate force should have been captured,
for, once driven into the valley, there could have been no escape
for them. Only one division of our corps was engaged, and that not
seriously. A portion of the railroad and telegraph line was destroyed,
causing a temporary interruption of communication between Richmond and
Petersburg. The losses on both sides were small. Dunn, orderly sergeant
of Company E, deserves special mention for his coolness and bravery,
but every member of Company E is to be commended. Although dreadfully
exposed for a few moments, they obeyed orders as if on parade, and it
is to their prompt obedience and strict discipline they may impute
their safe conduct out of their perilous position. The material of the
company was of the best, and it had been specially favored in having
such commanders as Coan and Lockwood. Had Sergeant Dunn showed less
soldierly pride (which, however, was very noble in him), he would have
avoided the painful wound from which he suffered so long.
On the 8th, we rested; on the 9th, we fought with what were generally
called in our camp Gilmore's rifles. In other words, we worked on the
intrenchments with picks and spades, and occupied the intrenchments
at night. The firing was heavy all about us, and it was rumored that
Butler would be able to enter Petersburg in the morning. On the 10th,
we shouldered the Gilmore rifles again, but at ten o'clock in the
forenoon were ordered to the front, to support Colonel Howell, who was
reported falling back; were exposed during the day to the fire of the
enemy, but were in much more danger from the fire in the woods, which
were burned to clear them from Confederate sharpshooters. Quite an
engagement occurred in our front, in which our batteries did fearful
execution. General Foster, who went out on flag of truce, reported
seeing heaps of Confederate dead in the edge of the woods, many of them
half-burned. General Butler did not enter Petersburg, being deterred
from making any forward movement by the battle in his rear (so it was
said).
[Illustration: LINE OF DEFENCE AT BERMUDA HUNDRED.]
On the 11th, we rested, and early in the morning of the 12th started
away from our intrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, and marched all day
in the rain. Rested at night as best we could, with no shelter but
the dripping trees (for the rain continued through the night). On the
afternoon of the 13th, we moved forward and up to the turnpike, about
two miles, where from the tops of the trees those so inclined obtained
a view of Richmond and Fort Darling. Again on the 14th, we moved
forward into the advance to relieve the 76th Pennsylvania regiment,
having up to this time acted as reserve. Our position was about in the
centre of the main line, with our right near the Richmond turnpike.
Generals Terry and Ames were on the left, and steadily moving forward.
That night we occupied the old lines of the Confederates, from which
they had been driven by General Gilmore. The 15th was a trying day,
for the most of the regiment were out on picket duty, or skirmishing
through the woods in our front. The firing of the Confederate
sharpshooters, many of whom were stationed in trees, was very annoying,
until our men, becoming desperate, hunted them from their places of
concealment, and before night that mode of warfare was effectually
stopped. No quarter was given, and no mercy shown. Still, the firing
from the rifle-pits was kept up without intermission, and quite a
number of our men were wounded.
[Illustration: PICKETS ON DUTY.]
Very early on the morning of the 16th, we were conscious that something
serious was impending. The irregular firing of musketry was first
heard on the extreme right; this was soon followed by regular volleys,
mingled with the roar of artillery, and as it continually approached,
we knew that it meant a serious disaster to our troops; we could feel
the conflict rolling up against us, and quickly disposed our men along
the irregular and broken line of wall and fence. Unfortunately, no
attempt had been made to construct a regular line of intrenchments,
and there was little protection for our troops. About 8 o'clock in
the morning, the regiment on our right gave way, and left our flank
exposed, and the Confederates poured in upon us in overwhelming
numbers, but the brave men of Company E, who held the right of the
line, would not give way, but stood their ground as firmly as if no
danger threatened, while the Confederates surged in upon them in such
masses that it seemed impossible that a single man could escape. The
position which they occupied was somewhat in advance of the remainder
of the regiment, on a little natural terrace, so that it was some
time before the commanding officer was aware of the critical situation
in which we were placed, and the order to retire was not received
until that little knoll was literally covered with the dead and dying.
Corporals Smalls and Brassell, and poor Jockers, the brave little man
from the Enfans Perdus, with eleven others, lay dead or wounded, while
others, less severely injured, had made their way to the rear.
In the very hottest of the fire, Lawson, the orderly sergeant of the
company, hobbled up to where I was stationed, and, saluting, said, "I
am wounded, sir." "Go to the rear" was the reply. A ball had passed
completely through his thigh. Corporal Barton, almost for the first
time in battle, having, for the most part, been employed as a clerk at
division or corps headquarters, came to me, and, saluting, exhibited
his wound, while every line of his countenance told the anguish he
was suffering. A ball had shattered his hand while he was in the act
of loading; but he would not go to the rear without the order of his
commanding officer. Never shall I forget the brave soldier Vreeland,
who, stationed behind the little apple-tree, continued loading and
firing, until fairly dragged away, so grievously wounded that there
was no hope of recovery. As I write, I feel that every name in that
heroic band, the living and the dead, should be inscribed in letters
of gold on the pages of history. Such faithfulness, such heroism,
such discipline, I never saw exhibited elsewhere. Better soldiers
never lived; braver men never died. Not a man left that knoll without
permission till the order came to retreat. But what confusion followed!
Who of those present will not recall that struggling mass of broken
regiments; hopeless, and distracted, until the cool self-possession
of General Terry brought order out of the confusion, and led the way
out to safety and security. Not a moment too soon, for as we toiled
our weary way up the hillside, the shot and shell from the Confederate
batteries in the turnpike made many avenues through the retreating
columns. And very glad were we when the distance and intervening hills
secured us from further annoyance.
[Illustration: FORT DARLING.]
We should here state that the right of the line, which was the first
to give way before the Confederate assault, was under the command
of General Wright; while the left of the line, under General Terry,
resisted every attack, and only retreated when the danger of being
cut off and captured became imminent. That night we spent in our old
camp, near the intrenchments at Bermuda Hundred; and the following day
rested. On the 18th, did some picket and skirmish duty, and on the
19th were still in the front, enjoying the music of shot and shell;
and to the 28th, there was little rest, night or day, between fatigue,
picket, and skirmish duty. The enemy made frequent attacks on our outer
lines, but without success; and we could observe them for the most of
the time engaged in constructing intrenchments. General Butler was not
accomplishing the work allotted to him. Petersburg was not taken, and
no important advantage had been gained.
On the 25th, Captain Lockwood left us, to return to civil life. It was
a great loss to the regiment, for he was a good officer, an intelligent
man, an agreeable companion, and a loyal friend. The places of the old
officers, so many of whom have fallen in battle or have voluntarily
left the service, cannot be filled. They were loyal men, who were borne
into the service by that first fresh, pure wave of patriotism which
swept over the North in the earliest days of the war. Of them all,
Lockwood was my most intimate friend--respected, trusted, and beloved.
Returning home, he engaged in the business of manufacturing, in which
he continued until his death, which occurred some years after the war
closed. He and Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland were law partners in New
York city at the breaking-out of the war.