the new quarters constructed in February had to be maintained, and
ordinary policing of camp will insure an appetite for any healthy
soldier, and picket duty added kept everybody busy even if they were
not marching and fighting. A newspaper correspondent of the day, having
been through the camp and finding it extremely well kept, commented on
the same in exceedingly complimentary terms, concluding with, "and the
soldiers are spoiling for a fight," which, coming to the observation
of the men, one of them thus moralized in his diary, "To say that a
soldier is anxious for a fight and is eagerly waiting for a combat
with the enemy is talk that savors of nonsense; only a lunatic would
use such words. A soldier can be brave and can most ardently wish for
the overthrow of the enemy, and be willing to fight if he must, but
he never desires battle when strategy will do just as well, unless
drunk or crazy like some of the newspaper men." Thursday, the 9th of
March, brought along a pleasure in that the Regiment passed in review
before that most excellent former division commander, General John C.
Robinson, who had been so severely wounded at Laurel Hill and was just
getting about once more. On the 14th, General Warren conducted a review
of the entire Corps, a fact that set men to remarking that a move-out
would soon be in order. Two days later, the 16th, another exhibition of
our soldierly attributes and attainments was made for the edification
of Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton and others, the Thirty-ninth
acquitting itself in a praiseworthy manner.
[Sidenote: MARCH 25, '65]
The expiring thrust of the Rebellion, the assault and temporary capture
of Fort Steadman on Saturday, the 25th of March, called for immediate
aid from different parts of the line, the Thirty-ninth with others;
coming at five o'clock in the morning it was a great surprise to all of
us; though the attack was about ten miles to the right, the noise of
heavy artillery was excessive, and the Fifth Corps in light marching
order was ordered to the rescue at once. The response was immediate and
eager, and the Corps had a commendable pride in itself as it moved out
of its several camps with brave Warren at its head, marching briskly
towards the conflict, but before the scene could be reached the firing
ceased and we were halted till, all danger passed, we were ordered back
to camp. Near the Gurley House the Corps was reviewed by President
Lincoln, it being not a little interesting that the President and his
family had arrived at City Point the night before and he was near
enough to see the 1600 prisoners taken at the Fort as they marched by.
It was March 24th, or the day before the assault on Fort Steadman, that
Generals Grant and Meade issued their orders for the general movement
against the enemy, the same to begin on the 29th. The Fifth Corps was
in reserve and occupying camps in the rear of and to the left of the
Second Corps. Griffin's (First) Division was on the right, closely
connecting with the Second Corps; Ayres' (Second) was next at Griffin's
left and Crawford's (Third) was still further to the left and near the
Halifax Road. The movable force of the Potomac Army consisted of the
Second and Fifth Corps and Sheridan's Cavalry. By the orders of March
27th General Warren was to march at 3 a. m. on the 29th and, crossing
Hatcher's Run at W. Perkin's house, thence to march to the junction
of the Old Stage Road and the Vaughn Road and from that point to open
communications with the Second Corps, having accomplished which he was
to move to a position in the vicinity of Dinwiddie Court House. These
orders were subsequently somewhat modified. How near these days were to
the end no one realized, though Grant had been exceedingly apprehensive
that Lee would endeavor to move out from his entrenchments and, if
possible, effect a junction with Johnston to the southward, yet not
even his far seeing mind realized that less than two weeks separated
these late March days from the final wind-up. History is to be made
rapidly in the coming days; Sheridan is to "push things," and the
latest enlisted man is to march and fight feeling that every step and
blow are telling against the effort to disrupt the Union.
[Sidenote: MARCH 29, '65]
The right of Lee's army is the object that Sheridan and his forces are
seeking. He has his cavalry well in hand and had asked for the Sixth
Corps, having in the Valley learned some of its qualities, but that
Corps was so placed in the entrenched lines that its withdrawal was
impracticable, and the Fifth was sent instead. Proverbially rainy,
March of 1865 outdid itself and so watered the scene of hostilities
that movements of any kind seemed almost impossible. [V]Warren's advance
began at 3 a. m. on the 29th according to schedule, General Joshua L.
Chamberlain commanding the First Brigade of Griffin's (first) Division
in the lead; the crossing was made by pontoons over Rowanty Creek, the
name given to the stream made by the union of Hatcher's and Gravelly
Runs. The Corps was halted at the Quaker Road whence, to insure against
surprise, advance guards and supports were pushed to within two miles
of Dinwiddie Court House. At 10.12 a. m. Warren was ordered by General
Meade to move up the Quaker Road to Gravelly Run and thence to throw
out parties to the right that he might find the left of Humphreys,
commanding the second Corps. At noon he was ordered to cross the Run
and advance to Boydton Plank Road which was done, though considerable
delay was occasioned by reason of the stream not being fordable and the
laying of a pontoon bridge was hindered by the exceptional steepness of
the banks of the stream. About this time the enemy was developed and
his skirmishers were driven back till near the junction of the Quaker
and Boydton Roads. Here, supported by Gregory of Griffin's Second
Brigade, Chamberlain attacked and drove the rebels beyond the junction.
It was about 6 p. m. when the assault was made, the sun being about
half an hour high. Pushing on rapidly to the Plank Road, we went into
bivouac at nine o'clock, holding the Plank Road from Gravelly Run to
near Rainey's house where Griffin halted for the night, his pickets on
the right reaching those of the Second Corps.
Sergt. Wm. A. Mentzer, Company A, recalls that in falling back he and
his tentmate, I. H. Mitchell, in their anxiety to get a few more shots
at the foe stopped behind an old shed, but they waited a bit too long,
for the Rebels were near enough to get a cross fire on them, on which
they started back in a hurry, but within a very few rods Mitchell got a
shot which went right through him; however, his height was just right
to enable him to throw his arm over Mentzer's shoulder and thus they
weathered the storm of bullets, which, he said, made the mud through
which they were running fairly bubble, for the enemy was determined to
get them, and glad enough they were to reach the reformed line of the
Regiment. Mitchell's wound healed all right and in 1913 he survives
with his Sergeant to tell the story.
From right to left, the Fifth Corps divisions are Griffin's, Ayres's
and Crawford's, the latter in which was the thirty-ninth being nearest
Gravelly Run. During the night began the severe rain already alluded
to, coming in torrents till the afternoon of the 31st. Full of swamps
and ravines, the sand and clay were easily transformed into quicksands;
much of the way was quite impassable unless corduroyed; a part of the
land was covered with dense forest and undergrowth, so that being very
flat the water was quickly carried off. Rowanty Creek, over which
the Corps had gone on the 29th, rose so rapidly that on the 30th the
pontoon bridge was one hundred feet too short and the wagons of the
Corps had to wait until mid-day of the 31st. Notwithstanding this
condition, Griffin's Division was advanced up the Boydton Road until
the enemy was driven into his main line of works along the White Oak
Road. During the 30th, the Thirty-ninth Regiment was on the skirmish
line all day while those behind were busy entrenching, though the work
was slow since all the tools that could be obtained belonged to the
pioneers, those in the wagons not being available, as stated before.
It was observed, as an interesting fact, that the advance was then
occupying substantially the same position held by Hancock in October
of the preceding year. On this 30th of March, General Ayres, according
to directions, sent out one of his brigades on a reconnoisance; his
advance reached the Holliday house without opposition, crossing a
stream which was to play an important part in the operations of the
next day, going over the same with so much ease that he did not deem
it worthy of mention as an obstacle in his report, though then the
rain was falling furiously. Meanwhile Crawford and his Third Division
had relieved the two remaining brigades of Ayres's Division and now
occupied the line from Gravelly Run to Rainey's house.
[Sidenote: MARCH 31, '65]
During these movements the proceedings of the enemy were quite visible
and from captures made by our troops it was learned that there was
a considerable tendency of the Confederates towards Five Forks. In
reporting this information to headquarters, Warren suggested that
Griffin be relieved by Humphreys and that the entire Fifth Corps should
support the advance of Ayres, intimating that, if allowed to do this,
he could effectually block the White Oak Road and prevent its further
use by the enemy. At 9 p. m. orders were received substantially in
accord with General Warren's proposition, and Warren at once disposed
of his forces so that Ayres should lead, supported by Crawford and
Griffin whenever the arrival of Humphreys would permit. At 8.15, in
the morning of the 31st, Ayres is informed by General Warren that
Merritt's cavalry has been driven from the White Oak Road and that he
must observe his left with the utmost care lest the enemy assail him
from the west as well as from the north, a possibility at every step of
the movement from the Rapidan southward. Still heavily falls the rain,
diminutive brooks become swiftly flowing streams and ordinary creeks
speedily grow to be roaring torrents.
[Illustration: LIEUT. COLONEL HENRY M. TREMLETT
Brevet Colonel]
It was 10.30 when Ayres's advance was made, but it seemed that the
enemy was like minded with the Union Army and he too was approaching
with a far larger force than that of the Federals. The Union line
slowly withdrew to its original position while other troops were
hurried to its support but without avail and to add to the dangers of
the situation a heavy column of the enemy was discovered approaching
from the west. Unable to withstand the Confederate advance, our lines
gave way in considerable confusion. Crawford's Third Division was
thrown into the breach but was too unsteady to stay, and so fell into
the general retreat before the enemy. The Thirty-ninth had been thrown
forward as skirmishers, they were known as the skirmishers for the
Brigade, being near the Holliday house and holding their place with
steadiness, but, outflanked by the enemy, of necessity they fell back
with the rest. General Baxter, commanding the Brigade, strengthened the
line of the Thirty-ninth with the Eleventh Pennsylvania, both regiments
being composed of hardened campaigners who did their best; but the odds
were too great and they slowly gave way, expecting to rally on the
division which, however, had fallen back to the branch of Gravelly Run.
Lieut. Colonel Tremlett who, as a member of the Twentieth Regiment, had
been inducted into battle at Ball's Bluff, here received his mortal
wound and was borne from the field. Captain Willard C. Kinsley, Company
K, was also mortally wounded and the command of the regiment devolved
upon Captain Cooper of Company F.
When General Warren reached the scene of conflict and realized the
situation he seized the flag of a Pennsylvania regiment and rode up
and down the lines, trying to stem the retreat but without avail, it
being evident that the men would not stop on the western side of the
branch of Gravelly Run, mentioned in the advance of Ayres on the 30th.
Still waving his flag and trying to halt the men on the eastern side
of the stream, he succeeded in once more forming a well ordered line
and the approach of the enemy was effectually withstood and Griffin's
men recrossing the branch drove the enemy back. By this time Humphreys,
still further to the east, sent reinforcements so that the rebels
were effectually prevented from making any further serious attack. At
2.30 in the afternoon the Union Army again advanced and effectually
drove the enemy back over all the ground won in the forenoon and never
halted until it was on the White Oak Road, the Confederates themselves
saying it was one of the most gallant charges that they had ever seen.
"Crawford now reached the road and, following the line of the rebel
entrenchment to the east, connected with Miles of the Second Corps, who
had advanced and driven the enemy into their works to the east and to
the Plank Road." Ayres also had not fired a musket in this advance, was
halted just before reaching the road, and, still covering the left near
the house of W. Dabney, looked down the road towards Five Forks. The
enemy had failed in his effort to double up the Union left and what was
worse for him had lost the White Oak Road and was effectually penned up
within his works.
[Sidenote: APRIL 1, '65]
All this time Sheridan was having more trouble than usually fell to the
lot of Little Phil. He was near Dinwiddie Court House and the cavalry
of the enemy was making a more stubborn showing than was their wont,
indeed the men in blue were yielding to those in gray and late in the
afternoon, Warren sent a brigade (Bartlett's) of Griffin's Division to
Sheridan's relief, this being the first of the Fifth Corps to move to
the assistance of Sheridan in response to his call for infantry.
April 1st, so often mingled in Anglo Saxon minds with fooleries of all
descriptions, was one of intense earnestness to the long time rivals
along that line, reaching from the other or further side of James
River to Five Forks, a distance of nearly or quite forty miles. Good
Bishop Berkeley's aphorism as to the Star of Empire and its western
way has another application as General Ord and his divisions from the
Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Corps leave the north side of the James
to Weitzel and his colored troops, and moving westward occupy space
to the left of the Sixth; from the right of the latter, Parke and the
Ninth Corps extend to the James. Humphreys and the Second Corps are
between Ord and the Fifth Corps, while Sheridan and his troopers are at
the extreme left, making sure that the Confederates shall not escape to
the southward. So generally have the rebel lines been reduced at Lee's
left, it seems strange that the Union troops in that locality did not
advance into the all but empty trenches. A wonderfully alert line of
men is that which, looking northward, sees the earthworks which must
be stormed, and that right early. The showing of Confederate cavalry
at the Union left, with the constant coming of infantry, demands its
destruction and this is the task that Sheridan has set for himself on
this day.
The last day of March saw Sheridan at the close of a day not entirely
to his liking, and a portion of the Fifth Corps was hurrying to his
aid. General Horace Porter in his "Campaigning with Grant" says, "The
Fifth Corps had borne the brunt of the fighting ever since the army
had moved out on March 29th; and the gallant men who composed it, and
who had performed a conspicuous part in nearly every battle in which
the Army of the Potomac had been engaged, seemed eager once more
to cross bayonets with their old antagonists. But the movement was
slow, the required formation seemed to drag, and Sheridan, chafing
with impatience and consumed with anxiety, became as restive as a
racer struggling to make the start." For many reasons the advance
of Warren's men towards Five Forks was slow; Ayres and the Second
Division went first and reported to Sheridan or one of the latter's
staff officers before daylight of the 1st; under orders, the commands
of Griffin and Crawford began their march towards Five Forks before
daylight of the 1st. The movement was made with considerable caution
because of information as to the positions of the enemy, stated the
night before by Sheridan, and with consequent slowness. At 7 and 8 a.
m. respectively Griffin's and Crawford's Divisions halted and were
permitted to cook their breakfasts and to rest, General Warren halting
with them. In the formation of the Corps finally, Crawford was on the
right, Ayres on the left with Griffin massed in rear of Crawford's
right flank; Baxter's Brigade in which the Thirty-ninth was ranged held
the extreme right of the Third Division.
[Sidenote: APR. 1, '65]
The orders were to advance to the White Oak Road and to swing to the
left, keeping the sun over the left shoulder. When the advance was made
it was found that the line was half a mile too far to the right and a
readjustment was necessary. In this effort, Crawford's Division was
thrown directly into the air and it seemed as though he were marching
away from the field. General Warren[W] hastened to rearrange the
confused line, an effort not unaccompanied with difficulty. In
this particular movement, as a regiment in the Third Division, the
Thirty-ninth bore its part and of this Captain Charles H. Porter says:--
After getting over the White Oak Road we never saw any clearing of any
description until we came over the cleared field in which were the
chimneys of some houses, which is marked "chimneys" on the map. We
swung to the north of those chimneys and as the line came around we
went into the woods again. Coulter, who had been in reserve, was now
on the line of battle and connected with the Second Brigade, Baxter's.
It was a very wide sweep that the Third Division made and in its
progress a battery was captured, the division being under fire all of
the time, and this advance of Crawford's men caused an evacuation of
the enemy's entrenchments. Again quoting Captain Porter, we have:--
As the Third Division neared Five Forks, under orders from General
Warren, the troops were faced west and we pushed on with our left a
little north of the White Oak Road, and when we reached the clearing
known as Gilliams' we found the enemy had made a final stand and
erected temporary earthworks at right angles to their original lines.
The men being out of breath and the formation somewhat broken, the
troops halted and opened a desultory fire upon the enemy. General
Warren, hastening up, quickly discovered the cause of the delay and,
after giving a little time to the reforming of the troops, a very
good line was formed, and under the gallant leadership of him who
had commanded us for more than a year the troops sprang forward and
carried the works. General Warren's horse was shot under him, directly
astride the works; and Lieut. Colonel Richardson received the bullet
that would have struck our beloved corps commander. By this time, the
night was well upon us, and, the enemy being thoroughly dispersed,
the troops were halted and General Warren sent one of his staff to
find General Sheridan and to ask for further orders. The aide reached
Sheridan and received in reply the words that orders had been sent to
Warren, and not long after Bankhead's return, Colonel Forsyth arrived
with the order from Sheridan relieving Warren from the command of the
corps.
Thus on the field of battle after the most successful day's work that
he had ever taken part in, Warren was deprived of the command of the
corps which he had commanded since March, 1864, and a position which
he had earned by soldierly courage and brilliant conduct on many
fields. Beginning at Great Bethel, his name is associated with every
field upon which the Army of the Potomac was engaged. The insulting
remark and the tone and gestures of Sheridan, when he alluded to
Warren's services on this day, are a disgrace to this brilliant man.
There is no excuse nor palliation for them. The most ardent friend
that Sheridan has cannot explain away the insult conveyed to one of
the bravest and most devoted of soldiers in the Army of the Potomac.
Crawford's Division suffered more than the other portions of the
corps, its casualties being nearly equal to those of the other
two divisions. We came under fire as soon as any of the corps and
continued to be under fire until after the attack on Gilliam's field.
Long years after the war Sergt. Wm. A. Mentzer of "A" was wont to tell
of seeing Sheridan at Five Forks with his Staff, riding along the rear
of our lines, shouting, "See the Sons of B----s run! Give them H--L,
boys!" "After going a little way into the woods we came to the rear of
the Rebel works, where I saw a lad behind the same firing at our folks.
Jamming on my bayonet I jumped to the works and ordered him to come
out; he looked up and had the impudence, with a smile on his face, to
say, 'I wish you would let me fire these five cartridges.' I think I
swore some and told him I'd put the bayonet right through him unless he
came out at once, and he came. When going to the rear with my prisoner
I saw General Warren riding the same way, but not till the next morning
did I know that our great and good leader had been relieved of his
command."
[Sidenote: APR. 2, '65]
April 2d, as usual when the most important military operations are to
be undertaken, is Sunday and at 4.45 a. m. signal guns announced the
general advance of the Union forces in front of Petersburg, from the
Appomattox to Five Forks and beyond. Within half an hour, Wright of
the Sixth Corps sends word to Grant that he has carried the enemy's
lines in front of his position, and Parke of the Ninth reports that he
has captured the outer works with artillery and 800 prisoners, and,
before seven o'clock, the Lieut. General telegraphs President Lincoln
at City Point the good news. This is the day in which Richmond, the
Confederate Capital, lulled into fancied security, quite ignorant of
the havoc along the Petersburg lines, is actually attending church and
President Davis is summoned from his pew in St. Paul's church with
the overwhelming news that the Yankees are coming. How pandemonium
broke loose, how the iron clads and other ships in the James River
were destroyed; how the three bridges which spanned the James were
burned; and Richmond, itself, by a fire set by the Confederates and
extinguished by the Union troops, suffered worse than Columbia from
the alleged inhumanity of Sherman--all this is history. Every man who
wore the blue seemed to have a mission to find someone in gray and the
latter, be it said to his everlasting credit, was nothing loath to be
found.
Until the afternoon of the 2d, the Fifth Corps was employed on the
field of Five Forks in caring for the wounded, burying the dead and
destroying the old arms of the captured Confederates. After these
accomplishments the Corps, now under General Griffin, received orders
to proceed towards Petersburg, Chamberlain's Brigade of Bartlett's
Division (till yesterday, Griffin's) leading. Whatever opposition was
encountered, it was speedily swept away and, at Church Road Crossing
of the South Side Railroad, fifteen miles from Petersburg, a passing
train of cars was captured. Crossing the railroad he was ordered to
push out if possible to the Cox Road, crossing the line of march at
right angles. The First Division continued towards Sutherland Station,
still nearer Petersburg, while Crawford's coming up, at about 3 p. m.,
went over the road with cheers, thence passing down the same about
seven miles it turned to the left, marching till 6.30 before halting
for the night. In some places the stream at which the stop was made is
called Namozine while General Humphreys' map has it Whipponock and here
some annalist says the enemy got combative during the evening and the
Thirty-ninth, as usual, went out on skirmish duty, when a few shots
seemed to settle the matter for the rebels, of whom nothing more was
heard during the night.
[Sidenote: APR. 4, '65]