was marked by a drill, and later the orders were given that at two
o'clock in the next morning, August 1st, the camp should be broken and
all be ready to march soon after. While the day did not bring on an
engagement there was much of interest in seeing the cavalry cross the
river and in beholding the disappearance of the Confederate pickets and
in hearing the sounds of more or less firing beyond the hills across
the stream, in the direction of Culpeper Court House. Our crossing
was effected about two o'clock in the afternoon, line of battle was
formed and under a blazing sun we advanced until a piece of woods was
reached where every man improved the least chance possible for escape
from the intense heat. After a considerable halt and consequent rest,
the line fell back fully a mile, halting on the brow of a hill where
trees and underbrush were cut away to favor firing of both artillery
and musketry, while the fallen timber would serve as an abatis. Until
the 8th of August the Regiment remained here, digging intrenchments,
doing picket duty, witnessing the almost constant activities of the
Cavalry, which kept the enemy stirred up, and on the 3rd it seemed
as though the Confederates were really coming our way, but it proved
to be only a reconnoisance in force, and the Union forces were found
on the watch. Colonel Lyle having leave of absence, Colonel Davis
succeeded to the command of the brigade and Lieut. Colonel Peirson
to that of the regiment. For diversion, the men had berry picking
and foraging generally in front of, and bathing in the Rappahannock
behind their lines, and on Wednesday, the 5th, all were surprised and
delighted by the appearance of Major Bell, paymaster, who left many
tokens of Uncle Sam's honesty in the hands of the men, a large portion
of which was speedily sent northward for the benefit of kindred there.
Thursday, the 6th, was a day of national thanksgiving for the victories
that had attended the Union arms and at brigade headquarters there
were religious services by the chaplains of the Sixteenth Maine, the
Ninety-fourth and One Hundred and Fourth New York, and by General
Briggs, temporarily in command of the division. The proclamation of the
President, calling for this observance, was issued July 15th, the kind
heartedness and devotion of Mr. Lincoln appearing in every sentence.
While the entire document might be read with profit to-day, let the
following extract suffice:--
But these victories have been accorded not without sacrifices of life,
limb, health and liberty, incurred by brave, loyal and patriotic
citizens. Domestic affliction in every part of the country follows
in the train of these fearful bereavements. It is meet and right to
recognize and confess the presence of the Almighty Father and the
power of His hand equally in these triumphs and in these sorrows.
That the men might participate in the spirit of the day there was a
suspension of drills, though a morning inspection reminded everyone
that routine constitutes a large part of a soldier's life.
Dress parade on the 7th was omitted on account of one of the severe
storms with which the season was rife, accompanied by thunder and
lightning and wind to the extent of blowing down the brush protection
which many of the men had set up around their tents; many of the tents
went down also--as one of the unfortunates records it, "most of the
boys got drowned out." Saturday, the 8th, brought a change, in that
orders were received about 11 a. m. to prepare dinner early in order to
be ready to march, though we did really remain till after five o'clock
before starting, carrying with us tent-poles and everything movable
that might contribute to the comfort of the new stopping place, which
proved to be across the river and very near where we were before the
advance beyond the Rappahannock. Apparently, the entire brigade came
back with us. Though no one was conscious of the fact at the time,
here the Thirty-ninth was fated to remain with the other parts of the
Potomac Army for more than a month. Though we had marched with the
army all the way down from Funkstown, we had not fought at Gettysburg,
nor had we participated in that trying race with Lee's forces all the
way from Falmouth to the foregoing sanguinary field. Regiments had
become little better than skeleton organizations; mounts for cavalry
and artillery were sadly wanting and a period for recuperation and
replenishing was absolutely necessary.
"Reveillé at 4.30 a. m.; splendid morning and the distant bugles and
drums over hill and vale proclaim that the army is awake," such was
the entry in his diary of one of the Thirty-ninth whose day was given
to guard duty, in an open field exposed to the fierce rays of an
almost tropical sun, while many of his comrades devote much of their
daylight to procuring and placing boughs around and over their tents
to render less oppressive the August heat. One wonders whether it was
piety or dislike of work which prompted the following item in another
diary, "Other regiments have religious services; ours never does; had
to keep at work all day"; that dress parade closed the day might be
concluded without the saying. Owing to the nearness of other regiments,
it is easy to compare their scanty numbers with the full ranks of the
Thirty-ninth, while the Twelfth and Thirteenth turn out with scarcely
a corporal's guard in numbers for several of the companies, the
Thirty-ninth has five hundred men, this very day, on parade, though a
shrinkage of one half is quite an item, especially when there has been
no loss on the battlefield. The utility of constant drill, especially
in these superheated days is not appreciated by the older regiments in
the brigade, and means are usually found to sidetrack the orders of
Colonel Davis, acting commander of the brigade, but the Thirty-ninth
obeys them to the letter.
[Sidenote: AUG. 12, '63]
The round of guard and picket duty keeps everyone in active condition,
particularly as there are drill and fatigue for any not otherwise
employed. The picket line is across the Rappahannock, about two miles
and a half towards Culpeper, not far from the early August camping
ground. That there is every indication of a prolonged stay here is
emphasized by the appearance of the sutler, on the 12th, who proceeds
to establish his plant and to open out some luxuries, always appetizing
to the average soldier, though forty-six cents a pound for cheese and
one dollar a bottle for syrup and preserves make a man think twice
before buying. The Medford men, Company C, are somewhat exultant over
the fact that Captain Hutchins, on the 13th, is in command of the
Regiment, since Lieut. Colonel Peirson is in command of the picket
line and Major Tremlett is in Boston. During these days many drafted
men arrive and are added to certain of the older regiments, though the
permanent good derived from their coming is hardly commensurate with
the trouble and expense incident to their presence. America never had
much use for involuntary soldiering.
The 15th, Saturday, brought orders to be ready to march at a moment's
notice but, as often happened, nothing came of it. The following day
there was a movement of certain troops by train to Alexandria, for
what purpose no one knew, though doubtless a part of the scheme to
strengthen the Carolinas and the West which, eventually, will take a
considerable number of men from Meade's Army. Everyone is learning
the extremes of midday heat and midnight cold and many sigh for the
material thrown away on the marches southward from Antietam. Those
in authority are becoming alive to the fact that sleeping on the
ground is conducive to summer ailments, and the consequent order goes
forth that bunks shall be constructed and the tents correspondingly
elevated. No one is permitted to get homesick on account of having
nothing to do. Owing to the absence of Surgeon Page, the surgeon of
the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania has temporary charge of the
sick in this regiment, and his diligence makes an exceedingly favorable
impression. During this quiet period along the Rappahannock, the
railroad bridge across the river is repaired or rebuilt, the pontoons
are taken up and sent away and the men are realizing what regular mails
and rations mean. The latter are so full and free that an excess of
coffee especially forms an excellent medium of exchange with the rebel
pickets.
On the 19th, more troops returned from the south side of the river,
leaving scarcely more there than the Second Brigade of the Second
Division; evidently some change of lines is in prospect. One man
records his opinion that the construction of an oven for the baking
of beans is a sure indication of a general move of the army, activity
generally following any attempt at permanency. It is in these August
days that the several companies are recalling the first anniversary of
their muster-in and comparing notes between now and then. Though the
Regiment has not been called to face the enemy on the field of battle,
the time has by no means been wasted, since the drill and discipline
that Colonel Davis and other officers have insisted on have made the
organization ready for almost any test that may come in its way. The
28th of the month was marked by the return of Colonel Davis to the
Regiment; Colonel Lyle having resumed his position at the head of the
Brigade. As a consequence, all forms of drill received an immediate
impetus. It was about this time (28th) that the Pennsylvania Reserves
presented General Meade with a magnificent sword, the presentation
taking place some three-fourths of a mile away, and Governor Curtin
of the Keystone State, General Heintzelman and other distinguished
men being present. Rumor says that the blade was originally intended
for General John F. Reynolds, Commander of the First Corps, killed at
Gettysburg.
[Sidenote: AUG. 29, '63]
It was in the last week of August that the knapsacks, left by orders
at Funkstown, were received by their owners, but their contents,
valuable or otherwise, had already been appropriated by others; much
disappointment resulted, since many a soldier had reckoned on the
material, supposed to be there, for relief in the cold nights along
the Rappahannock. As Government allowance for clothing was only $42
a year and the securing of sufficient apparel seemed necessary, not
a few boys in the Thirty-ninth found themselves in debt to Uncle Sam
instead of being prospective recipients of two months' pay, one of
the hardships that the men were obliged to undergo through no fault
of their own. Over in the Fifth Army Corps, on the 29th, was enacted
a play in real life, if such a scene could be called a play--the
execution of deserters. The coming and going of recruits had become
so common that examples must be made of some of the flagrant cases.
Drafted men, unwilling to enter the service, had the privilege of
purchasing exemption by the payment of a large sum of money, the men
accepting the same and taking the place of the drafted men received
the general name of substitutes. In quite too many cases these men,
finding the occupation lucrative, deserted again and again, each time
re-enlisting, gaining many dollars thereby, while the army received
no increase. These five men, shot to death while sitting upon their
coffins, afforded a salutary lesson for others, similarly inclined,
to see and heed. General F. A. Walker, in his history of the Second
Army Corps, says, "The shooting of a score of bad men in 1861 would
literally have saved the lives of thousands of good men in 1862 and
1863." The best soldiers were those who, realizing the peril of their
country, took their lives in their own hands and, as it were, offered
them a willing sacrifice for the Nation's salvation; if they escaped
death, that was their good fortune, their supreme devotion was nothing
lessened thereby. The month ended with an inspection by Lieut. Colonel
Peirson and muster for two months' pay.
In the concluding days of August, pains had been taken in rearranging
the camp, resulting in well defined company streets, and thereafter
much time was spent in securing boughs and placing them so as to lessen
the burning heat of midday; it is an excellent trait of healthy, well
meaning men that, following a brief rest, they always are disposed
to enhance the possibilities of comfort. With the 3rd of September
(Thursday) came a rigid inspection of equipments and clothing,
conducted by General Robinson,[F] Division Commander, the event having
a suspicion of greater military activity. The entire brigade with its
six regiments numbers about two thousand men, of whom the Thirty-ninth
constitutes more than one-fourth, our Regiment being the only one not
yet exposed to the losses of battle. Another indication of aggression
or apprehension is the building of defenses and the advance of the
Union picket line; a like approach of the enemy brings the Blue and the
Gray pretty near each other. Friday night, the 4th, was noteworthy in
that boxes, which should have reached the Regiment in Washington, were
announced. Of course the food, prepared by loving hands in the distant
North, was long past the condition of use, but articles of apparel came
in a most convenient season; had they come before leaving Washington or
on the trip southward, they doubtless would have been thrown away or,
at any rate, left behind in some of the cachés established on the march.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY.
[Sidenote: SEPT. 12, '63]
Sunday, the 6th of September, set many a mind to thinking, for it
was the first anniversary of the departure from Boxford, and a year
before hardly an enlisted man thought the war would last so long, yet
he beheld himself a mere atom in the immensity of the strife, at the
moment taking breath before the next effort. One of the scribes writes
in his book of innermost thoughts, "I see very few signs of the end
as yet." Another laments the barbarity of men and boys who, gently
born and reared, will destroy needlessly the property that comes in
their way, instancing a beautiful house, across the river, out towards
Culpeper, whose F.F.V. owner had followed the Confederates in their
falling back, and not only had the furniture, elaborate and choice,
been utterly broken to pieces, but the covering of the mansion had been
torn off also, so that the bare framework of the structure remained,
only one of hundreds of examples that might be narrated. On this day
a cavalry force, under the lead of Generals Buford, Kilpatrick and
Gregg advanced across the Rappahannock and, engaging the mounted force
of General J. E. B. Stuart, drove it steadily back to and through
Culpeper, capturing one hundred prisoners and some of the English light
guns of the enemy. Dashing along to the Rapidan, Buford and his men,
encamped on the banks of that already noted stream and then made their
way back, not without difficulty, to the Union side of the Rappahannock.
With the beginning of the second year's service since the start from
Boxford, enters a new division of time in the camp:--Reveillé at
sunrise, police-duty, fifteen minutes later; sick-call at 6 a. m.;
breakfast, 7; drill, 7.30; recall, 9.30; dinner, 12.30; drill, 3 to 5;
dress parade, sunset; tattoo, 8.30; taps, 9 p. m. A long-needed rain
came in violent form on the 12th, doing much good, yet was not exactly
comfortable for those who had their tents blown down; however, well
filled springs were quite consoling in that the regular water supply
had grown conspicuously low. The 12th, too, is the day which marked
the departure of Longstreet from Lee's army to the relief of Bragg in
Georgia and Tennessee, not to return till the battle of the Wilderness
is in progress. It takes very little time for the news to reach the
hither side of the Rappahannock and an immediate movement towards the
south follows, the Second Corps and the Cavalry being the first to
advance on the 13th, with the purpose of so engaging the attention
of Lee that he will send no more troops to assist in the possible
discomfiture of Rosecrans.
The 14th marked the coming of Paymaster Major Burt, and the squaring
of accounts for the preceding two months, though the clothing items
reduced the compensation in certain cases almost to the vanishing
point. Constant activity across the river, the passing of many heavily
loaded trains and their return with loads of prisoners and wounded
Union soldiers indicated the rapid pushing of things in that direction,
and the inevitable advance of the remaining portions of the Federal
force. Early in the morning of the 16th came the expected order to be
ready to march at 5 a. m. Everything was in readiness, but the start
was not made until 7 o'clock and then the regiment and the entire First
Corps again crossed the Rappahannock by means of pontoon bridges and
advanced towards Culpeper. A considerable part of the way was over
an excellent road, though the rations, extra supplies of cartridges
and the recently filled knapsacks made the way a hard one. Recent
experience of cold nights had taught the men the necessity of retaining
their extra apparel but, if some of the unnecessary ammunition were
thrown away, it was because the men soon learned that large quantities
of cartridges were entirely too burdensome. Though the distance marched
was only twelve miles it seemed very much longer, leading by Brandy
Station, a name in a few months to become almost a household word
both North and South, and in general along the line of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad. While the Second and Sixth Corps had advanced to
the Rapidan, the First Corps was held in reserve, some three miles east
of Culpeper.
[Sidenote: SEPT. 14, '63]
For a little more than a week this was to be the camping place of the
Thirty-ninth and with accustomed diligence there speedily followed
the regular round of inspections, drills and parades, though there
were many and large details for picket duty. An inspection on the
17th seemed largely for the purpose of ascertaining how generally
or otherwise the men had retained the extra ammunition dealt out to
them; how successfully delinquents were helped out by those who had
retained their heavy loads was long a theme for lengthy dissertations
in company circles. The location of the camp upon a rising knoll made
it the sport of the winds and the distance of both wood and water was
a special hardship. Even then, when water was obtained, it was found
to be so hard or so impregnated with lime as to be very distasteful to
New England men who had been brought up where soft water was quite the
vogue. An indication of a more or less prolonged stay appeared on this,
the 17th, when the regimental sutlers put in an appearance and setting
up their tents were ready for business. They were not likely to follow
too closely an army in motion. Also drills and inspections marked the
resumption of regular soldier regimen. The weather was singularly cold
for the season of the year; in strolling about the vicinity, it was
easy to discover where the enemy had lately encamped.
The advent of eight days' rations on the 22d with an injunction to pack
five days' portion in our knapsacks made us think that some unusual
stunt was impending. A Division-drill signalized the 23rd, General
Robinson conducting the same. The 24th brought the expected change,
the regiment marching a few miles down the Rapidan near Raccoon Ford,
occupying some portions of the camp held until this morning by the 12th
Army Corps, the latter along with the Eleventh having been ordered to
arrange for a transfer to the Army of the Cumberland in the Tennessee
country; this move being made lest Longstreet's presence with his force
should give too hard a problem for Rosecrans to solve. While the orders
to Howard and Slocum, of the Eleventh and Twelfth respectively, were
issued on the 24th, it was not till the 3rd of October that the great
organizations reached their destination. Of far greater consequence
to some of the men in the Thirty-ninth was the fact that home-boxes
just arrived from Washington had to be left behind. The 25th sees the
renewal of regular camp activities along with the necessary cleaning up
after the departure of the Twelfth Corps. The 26th saw a large force of
twenty-five men from each company, under the command of Lieut. Colonel
Peirson, proceeding to the banks of the Rapidan for picket duty. It was
while nearing this point that the residence of Dr. John H. Stringfellow
of Kansas notoriety, then or later a Confederate Surgeon, was reached
and the man himself was interviewed, who declared his undeviating
secession proclivities. Though certain of these Massachusetts men
would have liked to repay some of the debts due him, they concluded
that he was getting his punishment as he went along, for evidently his
situation in the midst of contending armies was rapidly reducing him to
a condition of absolute destitution.
FOOTNOTES:
[F] John C. Robinson, one of the famous officers of the Union Army,
was born in Binghamton, N. Y., April 10, 1817, left West Point 1838, a
year before graduation, to study law, but returned to the army in 1839;
he won distinction in the Mexican War; as Commandant of Fort McHenry,
Baltimore, at the breaking out of the War, he preserved it for the
Union side; from the Colonelcy of the First Michigan Infantry, he rose
steadily in rank to the command of a division; he was prominent through
the Seven Days' Fight, was ever in evidence from Fredericksburg to
Gettysburg; he lost a leg at Spottsylvania thus retiring from service
in the field; with Governor General John A. Dix, he was Lieut. Governor
of the Empire State in 1873-4 and was commander-in-chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic in 1877-8; in 1887 he attended annual reunion of
the Thirty-ninth; he died February 18, 1897.
THE RAPIDAN.
[Sidenote: SEPT. 27, '63]
Picketing along the Rapidan at this time was not a hardship, since by
mutual consent there was no firing, and the native Yankee disposition
to explore had full vent, when not actually on post, the reserve
furnishing many opportunities for learning habits and conditions of the
people not otherwise attainable. Relieving the Ninetieth Pennsylvania,
one-half of the detail attended to extreme outpost duty, while the
other part enjoyed absence of drill and inspections around the reserve
camp, "Revelling in that delicious abandon, one bright spot in a
soldier's life, when he can do just what he pleases." Thus it was an
even turn-about during the days on the river, in these parts only a
narrow stream of possibly three rods' width. Most cordial relations
existed between Reb. and Fed. and the trades between the Blue and the
Gray proved that no monopoly in the swapping habit was enjoyed by
the Yankee. Whatever extra coffee the boys possessed proved to be as
good as cash, if not better, when dealing with these lads from the
Southland. They even swam across the river to partake of Northern
hospitality and to facilitate exchanges. The nights being cold,
campfires were kindled on both sides and the alleged enemies kept as
comfortable as possible, in plain sight of each other.
In the stillness of the Sunday evening (27th) the Confederates in
their camp indulged in a prayer-meeting and their hymns, the same that
Northern Christians were singing at that very moment in the far away
churches, were plainly heard by the hostile soldiery on our side of
the stream. Need there be any wonder that some listeners moralized on
the absurdity of men who read the same Bible and sang the same songs,
spending several years of their lives, none too long at the longest in
shooting at each other? Here took place the famous exchange of song, so
often told in campfires and wherever it is desirable to prove that one
touch of Nature makes the whole world kin. One night the Rebs. started
off on the "Bonnie Blue Flag," and when their strains had ceased,
the Yanks got back at them with the "Star Spangled Banner"; next the
Boys in Gray tuned up with "Maryland, My Maryland" and those in Blue
naturally retorted with "The Red White and Blue"; breaking the lull
that ensued, our men started John Howard Payne's immortal and universal
"Home Sweet Home"; scarcely had the first note been struck before the
sympathetic enemy chimed in, and Virginian woods and hillsides echoed
with the tender strains clearly showing how Saxon blood remembers. On
another occasion a musical exchange, beginning with "Pennyroyal," ran
through the list of then popular melodies, though all sang in unison,
and very naturally, too, for ending "Old Hundred." Will not coming
generations wonder that men who could together sing the old songs
should ever fight each other?