With the advance of the army from Minor's Hill, and to Fairfax, passed
beyond that dilapidated and dingy looking town, historical, much
speculation indulged in, in regard to what route would be adopted "On
to Richmond." It was finally decided to take the route via Alexandria
down the Potomac to Fort Monroe. Accordingly, the columns were put in
motion, and in due time the army arrived at above named place. Our
Division passed out beyond Hampton, and went into camp, for a few days,
then marched en route to Yorktown, by way of Big Bethel. On our arrival
within cannon shot of Rebel fortifications, we were greeted by a
general shower of shot and shell, from Rebel Batteries, which went
screeching and screaming over our heads. The 4th had the advance at
the right, toward the Rebel Left. As we drew nearer, they got our
range. Their shot plunged and shells burst in and all around us with
but little damage, but made the situation decidedly unpleasant. Our
column filed to the right, following a ravine, which extended to
extreme left of Rebel Earthworks. General Charles Griffin commanded our
Division, and his old battery was on hand, that he had formerly
commanded. He immediately ordered it to the front, out in open space,
and commenced shelling the Rebel works. Cannonading was lively for a
while, on both sides. The Rebels evidently misunderstood the
demonstrations, so audaciously made in their front, and expected an
immediate assault all along the line. They apparently reserved their
fire for closer work, but were disappointed in that. The army settled
down to a siege. We were constantly under fire, from time of arrival in
front of their works, until evacuation of same, on picket line, bivouac
and skirmishing. No let up night and day. Casualties were quite
frequent. If a picket guard showed his head it was a target as soon as
seen. Picketing was extremely dangerous business. The guard were posted
under darkness of night and was relieved the same. In front of Rebel
works was an open plain. The boys would dig holes, under cover of
darkness, and through the day would burrow like gophers. Hence gopher
holes, had dirt piled up in front with a hole at base, for to shoot
through. Was death to the man who got his cranium above the obstruction
in front of him. A thrilling incident occurred at this time. General
Fitz John Porter, who commanded the 5th corps, went up in a balloon to
take observations of rebel works. It was controlled by ropes, held by
men on the ground. After getting up the right distance, the guy became
detached, through some cause, and the balloon floated at will, first
over Rebs, then back on our side, swayed by the wind. All this while,
Porter could be seen standing up in the car, with spy glass in hand,
scanning the Rebel fortifications; and the Johnnies everlastingly
yelling, and trying to elevate their guns to reach him, but failed. The
elevation was too steep for their gunnery. Finally he descended to our
side, amid shouts of the whole army. It was hard telling at one time
into what hands he would fall. The siege went on. A heavy water battery
of one hundred pounders was placed on York River, at the extreme left
of Rebel works. The 4th was stationed at that point. These guns were
worked spasmodically. Rebs could not reply to them. York River, at this
point, was full of oysters--some the largest I ever saw. We often went
in after a supply. It was dangerous business. The Rebel pickets, on
opposite side, were alert and invariably fired on any one who had the
hardihood to approach the water for them. The writer ventured in one
day for some of the bivalves, and was industriously searching for the
precious article. I succeeded in exhuming a monster big one, and was
looking for more, when zip, pinge, came the warning to get out. I was
in such a hurry I forgot to take along my find, and you could not see
my coat tail for the water splashing behind me. I did not want any more
oysters on that special occasion. Yorktown was evacuated on the night
of May 4th and 5th, 1862; our army had been to vast labor, and the
government to tremendous expense and worry. A bloody battle was fought
at Williamsburg; the 4th were not engaged at that battle. We were sent
via West Point, and followed on to Chickahominy. The time occupied
between Yorktown and our arrival at the Chickahominy, was marching, and
camping under great hardships; mud and heat had to be contended with.
When within a few miles of Chickahominy, the 4th was detached from the
column, and in a pouring rain, were hustled on to the river. When
within half a mile of it we met a squadron of cavalry, which had been
to the point, came back full well. We were ordered, "Battalion into
line, double quick;" my company being on the left, did some tall
running over bogs, ditches and small brush, to get our place in line.
We struck the river at New Bridge, and met a sharp fire from opposite
side. We were dressed up under this fire. Our first man was killed
here, A. M., D. Piper, of Company B. He was shot dead. He was the
largest man in the company. I was first sergeant at the time, and
touched elbows with him when he fell. The boys named him Elephant, on
account of his immense size. Our Colonel, D. A. Woodbury, seeing our
disadvantage, rode his horse down to the river and ordered us to cross.
At this time the Johnnies were seen to get to the woods beyond. About
20th of May my company plunged into the water, arm-pits deep. Company A
crossed over to the right, in a bend of the river. We found 28 dead
rebels in our immediate front. We brought over some wounded rebels, and
on our return the water was chin deep to the writer, it having rained
all this time heavily. There were four or five of my company wounded.
The rebels had taken the plank from the bridge, and ranged two pieces
of cannon on the same. We held this point as a picket line until battle
of Gains Mills. The crossing of Chickahominy occurred on May 24th,
1862.
Here I first saw Custer. He was sent by McClellan to assist our
cavalry in conducting the establishment of picket lines at New Bridge.
He crossed the river four times, on horseback, to my certain
knowledge. He encouraged us boys with the example, and his cheering
remarks, such as go in Wolverines, give them h--l, and we did. The
Johnnies outnumbered us six to one, but they were deceived in our
strength, supposing us to be a regular advance of our army. I am
pained to read of the deprecating language of Major Reno, 7th Regiment
Cavalry, in regard to the gallant Custer.
This fight caused General McClellan to dispatch to the War Department,
the following: "Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the Rebels from
Mechanicsville, seven miles from New Bridges. The 4th Michigan about
used up the Louisiana Tigers. Fifty prisoners, and fifty killed and
wounded."
Mr. Greeley, in his American Conflict, says: "The first collision on
the Chickahominy, between the advance of McClellan's army and the
Rebels, occurred near New Bridge, where the 4th Michigan, Colonel
Woodbury, waded the stream and assaulted and drove off a superior
force, losing but eight men in all, and taking thirty-seven prisoners,
of whom fifteen were wounded." After establishing line of pickets on
or along the river, the regiment went into camp on Gains' Farm, on
left bank of Chickahominy, about one mile from river. Soon after, the
battle of Fair Oaks was fought in plain sight of our camp. It
continued 'till early in the evening. We could see the flash of
bursting shells and vomiting cannon. The excitement among the men of
the regiment was very manifest. It is certainly pleasanter, at a
distance, to witness a battle, than to participate in one. Distance is
more agreeable than being too intimate with the struggle.
An advance from our position, at that time, was contemplated upon
Richmond. A heavy rainstorm was raging at the time. The regiment stood
in ranks all one day, in this rain--so did the whole army--waiting
orders to cross the Chickahominy. The flats each side of the river
were flooded from two to four feet deep. Whirling and seething in its
course, it was impossible to cross, and had to be abandoned. A howl
went up all over the north, because of the failure, but was not
attributed to the high water, but to cautiousness or cowardice of the
commander. It could not be done in the face of such difficulties. If
ever there was an interposition of Providence, it was manifested at
that time, for if we had crossed the river with the view of attacking
Richmond, I believe the Army of the Potomac would have ceased to exist
as an organization. Picketing and camp routine was daily gone through
with at this time; but little excitement, and nothing startling
occurred. I think, May 27th, a column was marched to Hanover Court
House to our right and rear. It was reported the Rebels were
threatening our base. The 4th Regiment was a part of the troops
composing that movement. We marched to Hanover. The front and rear of
the column had a fight with the Johnnies. The 4th was but slightly
engaged. The 9th Massachusetts, one of our brigade, had a lively chase
after the enemy,--charged them out of a piece of woods, and down a
grade, towards a railroad, via Hanover and Richmond. The 44th New York
were badly cut up, being the regiment in the rear of the column that
the Rebels attacked with great fury. The 44th stood their ground with
great bravery and determination until assistance arrived. The enemy
was driven off, and the column returned to camp. Company B, of the
4th, acted as flankers on the return to camp, 14 miles away. By the
way, the duties of flankers are very tedious and arduous, especially
over a rough country, and is attended with a good deal of danger. On
our way back, when near camp, the regiment halted in the road, with
low hanging trees on one side of the road (the flankers had been
called in,) with thick underbush. Some telegraph wires were laying
along on the limbs. Some mischievous fellow in the rear drummed with
his gun on them, causing a vibration of sound similar to a noise
caused by a charging mule team running away. The result was, the road
was vacated in two seconds. The writer jumped, and supposed he was
jumping up grade, but instead, jumped 20 feet down grade, into a hole.
The scare was over, and the column soon made camp. Many lost their
caps, the writer among the rest. I distinctly saw the colonel and
adjutant's horses leap a ditch fence on the north side of the road. If
I could have known the fellow who caused the stampede, I think I could
have mauled him--and think I would, had I caught him. As it is, the
friction is now worn off, and he is safe. I will say, the column was
marching left in front. That put the writer's company to the front.
Hence the scare at our end of the regiment. The army indulged in a
grand review at this place. General Prim, the Spanish Patriot, was
present, and, I think, President Lincoln, but am not positive as to
the latter being present. The little general humped around after Mac.,
who was a splendid rider--none were more accomplished than Little Mac.
Prim was not used to such rough ground and hard riding, hence his
unsteady seat. While in camp, our quartermaster thought to regale us
with the luxury of dried apple pies, shortened with bacon grease. He
had procured a portable oven, and dispensed his goodies to the boys,
at twenty five cents a small section. The writer remembers of being
very sick from eating pie, in fact, the only time he remembers of
being sick, until subsequently, after being wounded at Gettysburg.
And now comes the tug of war. Up to this time the regiment had not
suffered very serious loss. True, many were sick; some had been
discharged; but the regiment showed a good front. The history, from
June 26th, 1862, of the regiment, is steeped in blood, with heavy
loss. Many were sent to their last muster out, and now, after the
lapse of a quarter of a century, the roster is nearly closed.
June 26th, 1862, the regiment, with the rest of the brigade, was
formed in column, and marched out to Mechanicsville, and engaged in
battle with traitors to this good country. The battle was short and
sharp, without much advantage to either side. It was the prelude to
one of the bloodiest battles of the war,--Gains' Mill. June 27th,
1862, the regiment, with others, left our camp, abandoned everything
except our knapsacks and guns, marched out and formed line of battle,
near Gains' Mill. The Rebels soon took possession of our deserted
camp, rioted awhile on what was left,--whiskey, hard-tack, and other
commodities. About ten A. M. they came down on us without skirmishers,
with guns at a right shoulder arms, and drunk. They came to be
slaughtered, and they got it, then and there. The carnage was
terrible. The battle raged all day, until dark. Men, of human form
divine, became demons, fought like wild beasts, and with not much more
intelligence on the traitors' side. Many of the regiment went down.
The next day, loved ones, true as steel, were missing, and never again
answered to human roll call. And on to other battles, the regiment was
baptised in blood again. Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, and on to
Malvern. On the 30th of June, the army arrived at Malvern Hill, tired,
worn, and hungry. The enemy followed up and attacked in the afternoon,
but were easily repulsed. July 1st was the climax of battles. The
enemy attacked with great fury; the battle raged all day with great
slaughter, on both sides. Charge after charge was indulged in by the
persistent foe, to be hurled back bleeding in every form. The thunder
of cannon was awful; clash of arms, shouts of combatants, was
deafening. Such a seething hell will never be again enacted on this
continent. It would be impossible to repeat it, in all its details.
The enemy drew off, and the Army of the Potomac passed on to
Harrison's Landing, on the James River. The regiment lost its brave
Colonel Dwight A. Woodbury, the bravest of the brave. His last words
were, "hold them, boys." He was shot in the forehead and died almost
instantly. His body now rests in our beautiful Oak Wood Cemetery. He
was a kind man. The enemy followed to Harrison's Landing in small
force; made a slight attack on our forces, on the morning of July 2nd,
but we easily repulsed. The regiment and army settled down to camp
life. While here, the Rebels made a night attack, from south side
James River. Our heavy batteries and gun boats in the river soon
knocked them out of the box. The day following, the 4th and 16th
Michigan were ferried over the river to see about it. Found debris of
caissons, dead horses, and evidence of demoralization. Staid over all
day. Some captures were made. Among the trophies, were a considerable
amount of geese. The regiments returned to north bank of stream and
went into camp. The rebels did not attack again. The severe handling
they received at their nocturnal demonstration evidently satisfied
them. After the death of Colonel Woodbury, Lt. Col. Childs was
promoted to Colonel of the 4th regiment; Lt. Col. Duffield was
promoted to Colonel of 9th Michigan Infantry. After the Peninsular
campaign had ended, the 4th returned, with the army, and entered on
the "Pope Campaign." The regiment in command of Col. Childs was in the
engagement at Gainsville, Aug. 29, 1862; Bull Run, Aug. 30, and at
Antietam Sept. 17 following. At Shepardstown Ford, Sept. 20 with its
brigade, it forded the Potomac, in face of a battery, killed and drove
off the enemy, captured their guns. After the Maryland campaign, the
regiment returned to the Potomac, and was in battle of Fredericksburg,
Dec. 13th and 14th, 1862. Lt. Col. George W. Lumbard, commanded. Its
loss in these two days was 9 killed, 41 wounded, and one missing;
Lieut. James Clark was killed, Company B. Remember the 4th was always
identified with 2nd brigade, 1st division, 5th corps, and was in said
organizations until expiration of service. After battle of
Fredericksburg. Dec. 13, 14, the 4th returned to north bank
Rappahannock; on the 30th and 31st of December the regiment was
engaged in a reconnoisance to Morrisville, making a march of 33 miles
on the latter day. It was engaged in a movement on the 20th of
January, 1863, marching only a few miles; returned to camp near
Falmouth, where we remained until May 1st, sending out details,
building corduroy roads, bridges, and other preparations, clearing
the way for an advance to Chancellorsville. May 2d, it forded the
Rapidan River, without opposition. On the 3d it marched out to and
beyond Chancellorsville, proper, and formed the extreme left of the
army, 1st division, 5th corps. The division was cut off from the rest
of its corps, at this time. We maneuvered around, for a while. Finally
it was decided to try and support the brave Sedgwick, commanding 6th
corps, who was battling with the Johnnies at Fredericksburg. The
column was put in motion, left in front, 4th Michigan in the lead--the
writer's Company out as flankers. We soon heard the familiar Rebel
yell, in our front. It put a stop to the movement. We returned, sadder
but wiser, to our former position. It was then getting dark. The
Division was put in motion to the rear, towards the bluffy ground near
the Rappahannock River, where we were put in line of battle--our right
extending towards Chancellorsville, our left near the river. It was
high ground, and we considered it impregnable. The regiment, and in
fact, the whole line, threw up temporary breastworks. In this position
we passed the night of the 3d. Saturday, during the night, the 11th
corps had stampeded, at Chancellorsville, and took to the woods, in
rear, and could not be induced to return to the front. Sunday morning
the sun rose clear and hot.
We received orders to march to the vacated position that had been
occupied by the 11th corps. We double-quicked the entire distance,
over rough ground. The underbrush had been cleared away partially.
When we arrived in open space, where the fight was going on, we were
quickly formed in echelon, battle array by division front. The
Johnnies came out of the woods in our front with the apparent
determination to drive us back; but grape and canister, accompanied by
musketry, drove them back. They did not appear again that day. This
was May 4th. The enemy contented themselves with annoying us with
their sharpshooters, located in trees, in woods, in our front. Our
officers concluded to teach them better manners than to kill men in
this quiet and barbarous way. Accordingly, orders were given to deploy
the 4th Michigan as skirmishers, and clear the wood, which was done in
fine style, and at a double quick. I saw a rebel sharp shooter,
located in a tree some sixty feet from the ground, he had a telescope
rifle, and on his head an old plug hat. He was shot, and came tumbling
to the earth. He struck the ground straight out. He looked to be nine
feet long, in his descent to the ground.
The line swept on, driving all before it. We soon struck Rebel works,
composed of logs. In front was a ravine. As the Johnnys went up the
incline, and over the works, we landed in the ravine. This saved us,
as they could not fire to any advantage, while their men were ready to
break their necks to get out of our way. They fired a tremendous
volley over our heads; our bugle sounded the "recall," and then we
proceeded to "git"--"the Devil take the hindermost." Now, I was
considered a smart runner, but could not gain an inch on the man ahead
of me. On we went. We could hear the swish of cannister in our rear,
but on we went. The 9th Massachusetts was sent after us as a support.
It had halted half way and laid down. We passed over them in our
flight. The Rebels soon followed up, and when in range of the guns of
the 9th, they arose, and delivered their fire, which sent the
survivors flying to their works. Thus ended the most exciting race of
my life. I never shall forget it. It was amusing to. Colonel Welch, of
the 16th Michigan, felt slighted because his Regiment was not selected
for the job. I told him I was sorry, as I was willing he should have
all the honor that would accrue to me. I was not very proud of such
chances.
The army withdrew to the north bank of the Rappahannock. The 4th
Michigan, 14th New York, 9th Massachusetts, 62d Pennsylvania,
composing 2d Brigade, was rear guard to the United States Ford. The
army moved in the night, leaving picket line established. Many were
captured. After crossing the river, we encountered a sea of mud. The
army slashed around until it arrived at our old camp at Falmouth. The
4th was camped at Stoneman's Switch. We remained there until May 26th,
when it, the 4th, was ordered to Kelly's Ford, for guard duty, where
it remained until the 13th of June, 1863. Here a laughable thing
happened. The Johnnys were on one side of the river, and we occupied
the other, doing picket; a long, lankey Johnny sat on the bank of the
stream, poorly dressed, with his feet in the water; no firing at this
time, by mutual consent. One of our smart Alicks sung out to him, "I
say, Johnny Reb., why don't you wear better clothes?" His reply was
prompt, "We uns don't wear our best clothes when we go to kill hogs."
Our Alick subsided. This man was shot soon after. It was a cowardly
deed. The Regiment participated in the long and fatigueing march to
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On the way, at Aldie and Middleburg, it was
detained in support of cavalry.
We passed on and across the Potomac ferry, at Edwards. On the way we
saw plenty of evidence of the cavalry advance,--dead horses,
accoutrements belonging to cavalry outfit. We arrived at Hanover,
Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of July 1st. Rested and fed; then on to
Gettysburg. Marched all night--a beautiful moon-light night. As we
passed farm houses, the people came out with water and refreshments,
handed us as we passed along foot-sore and tired. An Aide-de-camp came
riding along, saying: "Boys, keep good courage, McClellan is in
command of the army, again." Instantly the space above was filled with
the hats and caps of the gratified soldiers. They shouted and
hollered, and kicked up their heels, and were frisky with the
supposed good news. I mention this to show with what veneration Little
Mac. was held by the Army of the Potomac. I knew this was untrue,
myself, but it served its purpose as intended. Many a brave heart went
down next day with that belief in his heart. On to Gettysburg. We
arrived in sight of line of battle being formed, at 9 A. M., July 2nd.
Lunched, and was then moved up near Round Top. Was halted again, and
awaited the coming struggle. It came.
The regiment was formed in line of battle, with the brigade, and was
moved nearer the battle going on in front of us, with other troops
engaged. The regiment stood under fire at least a half hour before it
became engaged, getting a large share of spent balls from the front.
Soon the general commanding Division, Brown, said: "Boys, I want you
to put in a few licks for Pennsylvania; the Buck-tails will go in on
your left. Forward." It was a relief to hear the order, "March." We
advanced into the maelstrom of Rebel bullets. By some oversight our
right was exposed, and we had to contend with three to one. We held
them until they made a fierce charge, charging our right and doubling
it to the rear of our left. We were taken at a great disadvantage. I
looked to our rear; our colors were there, and men rallying around
them. Our colonel, H. H. Jeffords, was there, in the thickest of the
struggle, calling on the boys to save the flag. They needed no urging;
they fought like demons. Our colonel was killed--shot and then
bayoneted. A brave man was killed by the hand of a traitor,--and many
others, too, who were simple privates, but heroes for all that; every
one of them who fell doing his duty, or imposed duty.
We had to fall back. The writer was here wounded, and the battle
surged beyond him. Soon the enemy came, tearing back in retreat. They
had struck the brave old 6th Army Corps, just arrived, and in time to
save the day. The Rebels went back flying, with the 6th Corps men
close after them. They had no time to scoop any of the wounded, as
they had all they could attend to in getting out themselves. It was
now dusk; the fierce struggle was over for the night. The struggle had
been simply terrible; the carnage was awful; the fire incessant.
Groans and oaths of the wounded were heard on every hand. Many would
have recovered, had they had care. But it was impossible to reach all.
The writer, with others, was loaded into an ambulance, at two o'clock
in the morning of July 3d, and taken to an old house to the north, and
east of the battle ground. Here were many wounded. Among those in the
house was a Rebel Colonel, shot through the breast. He sat in the only
chair in the house. He commanded a Louisiana Regiment, and was wounded
early in the fight. I saw him lying on the ground, after the fight had
surged by me. I think he died.
The 2d day of July, 1863, ended the writer's service in the field. The
3d day of July was ushered in with an ominous quiet. No sound of
cannon broke the stillness, until near ten o'clock, A. M., when
mutterings of the awful strife, inaugurated later, began to be heard.
Soon the din began. The voices of an hundred big mouthed guns began to
vomit forth its death dealing missiles. The Infantry now began to put
in its refrain; after a few spasmodic belchings, of the firing, the
tremendous concussion of all arms became general. About five miles of
line of battle could be seen from where us non-combatants lay. The
whole line was ablaze. Firing was incessant. Salvos after salvos, of
artillery belched forth. The air was full of flying missiles--death
everywhere. Thus the strife continued all day--an awful day, too, for
those who lay helpless in plain view. Charge after charge was made by
the determined enemy, but they were repulsed each and every time by
the boys in blue. The anxiety was terrible to those who could not
participate in the struggle. The very air seemed to be ablaze. The
suspense became painful later in the day. Such persistency seemed,
must be, rewarded with success.
Still the fight went on, and seemed to us an age of suspense. Many
wounded came from the front. Ten thousand questions were asked of
those who had been wounded, "how goes the battle?" Some would answer,
doubtful, others would say, "our side would win." It was curious to
note the countenances of those who heard the news, some with great
anxiety in their faces, others with confidence depicted in every
feature. Finally, the awful noise died away; news was brought by an
aide-de-camp "that the enemy had hauled off." These men who were dying
would raise themselves to a sitting posture, and utter one hurrah! Lay
down and die! The work of death ceased. The rebels retreated. Thus
ended the three days battle of Gettysburg. The 4th ranks were badly
depleted. So was the whole army. The sanitary commission was on hand,
and rendered great service, in the care of the wounded. One poor
fellow of our regiment, a Company D man, was shot in the head. He
would get on his knees, put his head on the ground, and twist his head
in the ground. He bored that way until death put an end to his
sufferings. Many died of their wounds, and were buried then and there.
The wounded were sent away as fast as possible. The writer, with
others, left for Baltimore, and remained a few days at that place, at
a Catholic Infirmary. We were treated with great kindness by the
Sisters of that benevolent institution. The ladies of Baltimore--God
bless them--they regaled us with all the luxuries of the season, I can
never forget their kindness.
The subsequent history of the regiment is taken from the official
sources, (Michigan in the War,) with some personal recollections.
The struggle in which the regiment was engaged at Gettysburg, may be
inferred from the following notice of the services of its corps, the
5th, as stated by Mr. Greeley, in his "American Conflict." Sickles' new
position was commanded by the Rebel Batteries, posted on Seminary
Ridge, in his front, scarcely half a mile distant. While magnificent
lines of battle, a mile and a half long, swept up to his front and
flanks, crushing him back with heavy loss, and struggling desperately
to seize Round Top, at his left. Meade regarded this hill as vital to
the maintenance of our position, and had already ordered Sykes to
advance the 5th corps, with all possible haste, to save and hold it.
A fierce and bloody struggle ensued, for the enemy had nearly carried
the hill before Sykes reached it. While Humphrey, who with one of
Sykes' Divisions, had been posted on Sickles' right, was in turn
assailed in front and flank, and driven back with a loss of 2,000 out
of 5,000 men.
After the death of Colonel Jeffords, Lt. Col. Lumbard assumed command
of the Regiment, pursuing the enemy from Gettysburg; the 4th marched
to Williamsport. On July 12th, the enemy having crossed the Potomac,
the Regiment proceeded to Berlin; thence on the 17th it marched to
Warrenton, by way of Mannassas Gap; then proceeded to Beverly Ford,
where it remained until Sept. 16th, thence to Culpepper, remaining
there until the 9th of October; again crossing the Rappahannock, it
encamped near Beverly Ford; recrossing on the following day, it
assisted in driving the enemy, who were advancing, back to Brandy
Station, the 4th acting as flankers, for the 5th corps. On the 12th
the Regiment recrossed the Rappahannock, and fell back with the army,
via Bealton, Warrenton Junction, and Centerville, to Fairfax Station,
where it remained until the 18th, when it marched forward to Three
Mile Station, near Warrenton Junction, and went into camp.
In Col. Lumbard's report, he says: "The Regiment has participated in
all the movements of the Army of the Potomac, and have not mentioned
the many reconnoisances, and the number of times the Regiment has been
on small skirmishes with the enemy. The Regiment has marched during
the year over 700 miles."
The 4th, in command of Colonel Lumbard, who had been commissioned as
Colonel, to rank from July 3rd, then in 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th
Corps. (Griffin's) advanced on the 7th of Nov., 1863, with Army of the
Potomac, from its camp near Three Mile Station, on the O. & A. R. R.
to the Rappahannock River, and the same day participated in the
engagement at Rappahannock Station. On the 3rd the Regiment was
ordered, with its Brigade, to keep open the communication from Bealton
to Kelly's Ford, and engaged in that duty until the 19th, when the
command rejoined its corps near Kelly's Ford. Breaking camp on the
26th, the command moved toward the Rapidan River, which it crossed at
Germania Ford. On the 28th, the Regiment moved to the right of the
position at Mine Run, but did not become engaged. On the night of the
30th, it fell back across the Rapidan. The 5th corps, being ordered on
guard duty along the Orange and Alexandria R. R., the Regiment arrived
at Bealton on the 1st of December, where it remained until the 30th of
April, 1864, when it broke camp and marched to Rappahannock Station.
On the 1st of May, the Regiment crossed the Rappahannock River, and
camped near Brandy Station, and thence on the 3rd, marched to
Culpepper. On the morning of the 4th it started from Culpepper to
participate in the Summer Campaign, crossing the Rapidan at Germania
Ford. On the 5th, 6th and 7th, the Regiment participated in the
Battles of the Wilderness. Col. Lumbard was mortally wounded on the
5th, and died on the 6th. In the same engagement, Capt. W. H.
Loveland, Company B, was wounded, and died of his wounds on the 31st
of same month. On the night of the 7th, the 4th, then commanded by Lt.
Col. J. W. Hall, moved toward Spottsylvania. Arrived at Laurel Hill
on the morning of the 8th, it here became engaged with the enemy, and
again on the 9th. On the 10th it assisted in a charge upon and capture
of the enemy's rifle pits, loosing 20 killed and wounded. On the 11th
and 12th the Regiment was in the advanced lines of the corps, and on
the 13th and 14th was engaged as skirmishers. On the evening of the
latter date the command moved to the left of the army, near
Spottsylvania Court House, and remained here until the 19th. It then
took part in the movement to North Anna River, which it crossed on the
24th, near Jericho Mills, the Regiment participating in the engagement
at this place. On the night of the 26th it recrossed the North Anna
and marched to Hanovertown, crossing the Pamunky River on the 28th. On
the 29th, 30th and 31st of May, and 1st of June, it was engaged as
skirmishers, and on the 3rd it participated in the capture of the
enemy's line of works near Bethesda church. In the engagement Lieut.
James N. Vesey, Company C, was killed. On the 5th, the Regiment
marched to Bottoms Bridge, and on the 14th crossed the James River, at
Wilcox's Landing, whence it proceeded to the lines in front of
Petersburg, where it arrived on the 16th. On the next day the Regiment
was engaged as skirmishers, and on the 19th took part in the
engagement of that date, loosing 8 killed and wounded. During the
engagements from Nov. 1st, 1863, to June 19th, 1864, the Regiment lost
3 officers and 37 men, killed or died of wounds, with 6 missing in
action. Although this loss seems small, yet it was about 15 per cent.
of its whole strength. The term of service for which the Regiment had
been mustered in expired June 19th, 1864. It was accordingly relieved,
and on the 20th it embarked on transports at City Point for
Washington.
It arrived at Detroit on the 26th, and on the 30th of June the
companies were mustered out of service. Of those on the rolls, the
terms of 200 men and 23 officers had expired. Of these, 32 men and 1
officer were prisoners, in the hands of the enemy; 135 men and 22
officers were present for muster out, since the 1st of Nov., 1863. The
Regiment had received 110 recruits, including a new company, organized
at Hillsdale, Michigan, which joined the Regiment on the 16th of May,
and which remained in service with the Reorganized Regiment, 129 men
of the Regiment re-enlisted as volunteers, and on the 30th of June,
there were 280 men and 3 officers on the rolls, whose terms of office
had not expired. These were ordered to duty with the First Michigan
Infantry, when the 4th left the field of war. The total membership of
the 4th Regiment had been, during its service, 1,325, while its losses
were 273, of which 8 officers and 115 men were killed in action; 4
officers, 50 men, died of wounds; one officer and 95 men of disease.
Their brows bear many a gory stain,
Their white lips press not ours again,
And eyes that once our life light were,
Give back a cold, appalling stare.
Reminiscences.