of Co. B was missing at roll call, having been taken prisoner.
Lieut.-Col. O’Brien and Captain Stanwood were requested to come to
Maj.-Gen. Augur’s headquarters, which they did, and were complimented
very highly for the part sustained by the right wing in yesterday’s
battle; and also some of the officers and men of the left wing who
rallied on the colors. The numbers in the right wing were so few that
the General supposed at the time that there was but one company. He
said the regiment did as well as any but veteran troops would do under
the circumstances; that they had by mistake been placed in the wrong
position and were very badly posted on either side of the road. He
kindly criticised Lieut.-Col. O’Brien and told him that he made a
great mistake by trying to make a wheel to the rear in the face of an
aggressive enemy, his men being under fire for the first time; none but
seasoned troops could do that safely. He said the Lieutenant-Colonel
should have ordered the right of his command forward and met the
enemy, and taken the aggressive, and he had confidence, from what he
witnessed of their steadiness, that the men would have supported him.
He then complimented the men for coolness under fire and said no doubt
the regiment would feel chagrined at the outcome of their first battle,
but no doubt an early opportunity would be given them to retrieve
themselves. He also said that if the regiment should be called upon
for volunteers for an assaulting party, in a future assault (which he
thought would be the case very soon) he directed Captain Stanwood of
Co. B and his company not to feel as if called upon, but to remain
with the main body of the regiment, that he would not be expected to
volunteer in any forlorn hope or assaulting party. His 1st Lieut.
(Rollins) detailed to Col. Chapin’s staff. Lieut. Merrill was acting
Quartermaster of the regiment for some considerable time.
May 23. Alarm in the night--long roll beaten--regiment turned out under
arms, but the alarm proved to be false. 48th ordered far down to the
rear of the 1st Battery fight on the Bayou Sara road.
Co. E’s men proved themselves good foragers, bringing in quantities of
poultry and pigs.
May 24. Regiment ordered to march to the front with one day’s rations
at 6 o’clock A. M. Co. B was detached and sent forward skirmishing into
a narrow strip of woods; the mud and water were very deep and almost
impenetrable. They advanced, however, with great difficulty through the
woods to within about 300 yards of the rebel works and there remained
through the day, lying in the edge of the woods, and witnessed the
artillery battle between the opposing batteries in our immediate front
till nearly dark when they were relieved by the Massachusetts 49th.
May 25. There was a smart fight near night upon our right in Gen.
Grover’s Division and some rebs attempted to cut their way out but
failed and were taken prisoners. The regiment ordered to sleep on their
arms tonight.
May 26. One false alarm during the night. Regiment got into line
promptly, but as promptly dismissed. Orders received from headquarters
for volunteers for a “Forlorn Hope” to charge in advance of the brigade
line, and storm the enemy’s works tomorrow morning.
There were more than the required number came forward from the brigade
(the call was for 200 men from the brigade) and ninety-two men were
accepted from the 48th Massachusetts. The following are the names
of those accepted from the 48th: Lieut.-Col. O’Brien; Co. A, Capt.
Woodward, Lieut. Morrison, Privates E. C. Varina, N. F. Peabody, Isaac
F. Porter, Henry M. Cross; Co. C, Lieut. Emery; Co. D, Private J. F.
Kinsman; Co. E, Privates Geo. Wagner, John Lewis, H. Mansfield, Henry
Krone, J. F. Stoddard; Co. F, Lieut. Noyes, Privates Austin Smith,
George Bocock, P. Noonan, A. Mullins, John McDougal, J. P. Blanchard,
D. C. Morrill, E. J. Oakes; Co. G, Capt. Schoff; Co. H, Capt. Rogers,
Lieut. Frawley, Lieut. McGinness, Sergts. Thomas McLaughlin, John W.
Leyes, Richard Ward, Corporals Timothy Lehiffe, Robert Leach, James
Gildee, Daniel Desmond, Privates Michael Farley, Morrissey A. Hearn,
Joseph Burgess, John Boyle, John Bradley, Michael Bates, Patrick
Cullins, Patrick Dumey, Wm. Finnigan, James Gilogby, Matthew R.
Gleason, John Kelley, James Leach, Dennis Leon, Dennis Noonan, James
Walsley, Thomas Scully, Peter McCauley, Patrick Manus, William A.
Murphy, Patrick Murray, James O’Connell, Wm. Powers, James Quigley,
Patrick Riley, James Spear, Edward Slyne, William Tagget, Hugh Willey;
Co. I, Capt. Smith, Lieut. Ricker, Lieut. Bassett; Co. K, Lieut.
Harding, Privates Daniel Crowley, Ed. Ryan, J. Gallagher, James Rand,
J. Keenan.
May 27. Before the men had had their breakfast orders were received
to assault the enemy’s works. Immediately we advanced quietly to
the extreme edge of the woods where we laid on our arms till about
2 o’clock in the afternoon, the “Forlorn Hope” under command of
Lieut.-Col. O’Brien in the advance. At that hour and before the main
line had fairly formed for the assault we received a volley from the
enemy’s guns and at the same time the zip of the rebel bullets was
getting unpleasantly frequent. General Augur, who stood very near,
seeing the men dodge their heads at the disagreeable sound said, “No
use boys to dodge them after you hear them,” a fact we soon learned
by experience. The “Forlorn Hope” had commenced the charge, O’Brien
saying, “Come boys! pick up your bundles and follow me,” and General
Augur gave the command, “Forward the Brigade,” and the whole brigade
advanced into the “slashings.” The whole forest of large trees and
small had been felled and the limbs lopped off and left upon the
ground, which was entirely covered with the stumps, logs and brush; and
through this almost impenetrable Chevaux de Frise, the men attempted
to charge, and over which a perfect storm of shell, canister and
rifle bullets flew like hail; no formation could be maintained over
such grounds and in a few moments it was every one for himself. The
“Forlorn Hope” and the main line became inextricably mixed, and
advanced together, charged nearly up to the rebel works, but the fire
was so severe that human endurance was not equal to the task set for
us, and the men were compelled to drop behind stumps and logs, and
take advantage of any shelter to be found, and acted as sharpshooters,
hoping that reinforcements might be sent up and continue the assault.
The 2d Louisiana from Dudley’s brigade came up the road later, but too
late to be of any service, and the assault was abandoned, and the men
dropped back individually to their old line as best they could. Col.
Chapin, 116th New York, commanding the brigade, Lieut.-Col. O’Brien,
48th Massachusetts, commanding the “Forlorn Hope,” and many others were
killed; Capt. Rogers, Co. H, Capt. Smith, Co. I, Lieuts. Morrison,
Frawley, Maginnis, Ricker, Bassett and Harding, and many others
wounded, and a large number of the rank and file of the regiment were
killed or more or less seriously wounded; Lieut. Ricker suffered the
amputation of his leg. As we came back from the front, we had our first
sight of the dreadful effects of a battle and burial of the dead in one
line, about twenty dead bodies lying at the side of the road, and the
long trench all ready to receive them. Poor fellows, with no coffin and
no shroud but the blue uniform in which they had shed their blood for
the flag they loved.
May 28. Ambulances and stretchers under flags of truce have been
going all night, bringing in the bodies of the dead and wounded. Col.
Chapin’s body has been sent to New Orleans. Lieut.-Col. O’Brien’s body
has just been found in the most advanced line. When his clothes were
opened the bullet which penetrated his body fell out, it having passed
entirely through him and flattened up against a steel vest which he
wore into the battle. He recklessly exposed himself and lost his life
by so doing, seeking to retrieve himself from Gen. Augur’s kindly
criticism of his mistake of the 21st at Plains Store.
May 29. The regiment laid on their arms all night in expectation of
an attack by the garrison, but the night passed away and all has been
quiet in camp today. Several heavy thunder showers in the afternoon.
Orders received to fall in with all our traps and go to the rear; mud
very deep and the march tedious.
The 2d Louisiana has been attached to our brigade and Col. Charles J.
Paine of that regiment, being senior Colonel, takes command of the
brigade. He is a Massachusetts man and is said to be a fine officer.
May 30. Cannonading going on all the night and day from the batteries
and from the fleet. Marched back to our old camp in front.
June 1. A Lieutenant of sharpshooters wounded during the early morning.
Gen. Banks was much chagrined at the failure of the first assault.
Regiment marched back to the rear after dark to support batteries. Laid
in cornfield with cornstalks for bedding and pillow.
June 2. Regiment got into line at 4 o’clock and marched back to old
camp ground. Co. E detailed to go to the rear to guard the baggage
train to relieve Co. G.
June 3. Smart cannonading all night. Gen. Banks and Admiral Farragut
give the rebs no peace day or night.
June 4. Regiment marched back to the old camp in front. Four men of Co.
B reported from Baton Rouge.
June 5. Officers ordered to report at Brigade Headquarters to confer
about Lieutenant-Colonelcy. The laws of Massachusetts state explicitly
that the vacancy shall be filled by the votes of the line officers of
the regiment.
June 6. Rumored preparations for another assault. Col. Stone sent for
Capt. Stanwood and requested him to act as Lieutenant-Colonel till the
vacancy could be legally filled, saying that an election would soon be
ordered.
June 7. False alarm in the night. Man with nightmare disturbed camp
by upsetting a stack of guns and bringing out the whole regiment.
Inspection at 9 o’clock A. M.
June 8. Harrison W. Dearborn, Co. B, died at Baton Rouge. Immense lots
of cotton bales being hauled to the front for breastworks.
June 9. Smart firing during the night. Large fire to be seen in Port
Hudson.
June 10. Some heavy cannonading during the night. Chaplain came up from
Baton Rouge with mail today. Quartermaster came up from Baton Rouge
with new teams.
June 11. Many of the men are suffering badly from rheumatism, malaria
and kindred ailments, acquired from lying in the rifle pits, which
are much of the time half full of water. Nothing more has been said
regarding an election of Lieutenant-Colonel, and there is much
speculation among the officers and men as to the reason.
June 12. An election for Lieutenant-Colonel was ordered by Col. Stone
and held today and Capt. Stanwood was unanimously chosen.
June 13. The regiment received orders at 10 o’clock A. M. to report to
Gen. Augur’s headquarters at once. On reporting to Gen. Augur we were
ordered to march away to the right to report to Gen. Arnold, chief of
artillery. Reported at about 11 o’clock after a very quick march, in
which many of the men suffered terribly, it being in the very heat
of the day and with but one halt on the road; we must have marched
at least seven or eight miles. Stacked arms and took entrenching
tools--which in plain English means picks and shovels and axes. Some
of the companies were detailed to clear out a big ravine which led
up in the direction of the rebel breastworks and just in the rear of
where it was intended to plant a battery, while others were busied in
throwing up the breastworks, carrying up ammunition and other duties.
Worked till dark and without supper; made preparations to bivouac, when
we were ordered to take up our march again to our old camp at the rear
near the Plains Store, whence we had started in the morning. Arrived in
camp late in the evening, and after enjoying (?) coffee and hardtack
laid our tired bones on the ground with the hope of gaining some rest;
but our hopes were blasted. We had got scarcely settled to rest when
the following order was received directly from Gen. Banks’ headquarters:
“Headquarters, Department of the Gulf.
“Before Port Hudson, June 13, 1863, 8.45 P. M.
“Maj.-Gen. Augur will order the 48th Massachusetts, Col. Stone, to
proceed at once to the headquarters of the 2d Division and report for
temporary duty to Brig.-Gen. William Dwight, commanding the Division.
A general assault upon the works of the enemy at Port Hudson will be
made tomorrow morning, 14th instant.”
The regiment got into line, being nearly 500 strong (or weak), but so
used up that many fell out during the march through the woods, which
occupied nearly all the night--the guide sent with us losing the
way--and it was nearly morning when Col. Stone reported to Gen. Dwight.
It was intended that we should occupy the extreme left on the river
bank and make our charge at that point; but after reconnoitering the
ground we were moved further to the right, to near the Mount Pleasant
road, and bivouacked at the side of the road.
June 14. A dense fog prevailing and terribly hot. Col. Stone reported
to Gen. Dwight at a very early hour, before light, with 175 men and
four Captains present for duty, the rest of the men having become
exhausted by the work of yesterday and the night march through the
woods, having started from Plains Store yesterday morning with nearly
500 men.
A tremendous artillery fire for an hour commenced at about 3 o’clock,
both from land forces and the fleet. The men present in the regiment
were consolidated into four companies, and Capt. Todd volunteered to
take command of the right company, consisting of remnants of Cos. B and
E.
The bombardment continued fiercely for an hour, during which time the
columns were being formed for the assault in the rear of a piece of
woods; the formation was in column by companies and Capt. Todd led the
advance. We in the 48th could see the effect of the rebel fire on the
brigade in advance of us, as it turned the corner of the woods into
the Mount Pleasant road. Quickly the order came down to “Forward the
Brigade” (we were attached for the day to the brigade commanded by Col.
Benedict). When we came out from the shelter of the woods the fire of
the enemy was terrible, but the column moved forward firmly; the rebel
line of breastworks was clearly defined before us, with the “Citadel”
frowning in the front. As we advanced the march from quick time soon
became double quick, and finally a mad rush, passing over dead and
wounded in the road. The air fairly hissed with bullets and shell, the
groans of the wounded mingled with the cheers and yells of the charging
troops, the shouts of the officers and also their imprecations as some
poor fellows, losing their presence of mind, would try to dodge the
flying missiles as they passed to bury themselves with a sickening
“thud” in some other doomed comrade’s body; it seemed as if pandemonium
was let loose, and when we overtook and passed over the prostrate
bodies of the red clothed fascine bearers, who had started in advance
of the main column and who, unable to face the leaden storm, had
dropped their burdens and taken shelter behind them, they were greeted
with cries of derision, which quickly changed to cries of dismay when
we came into the vortex and saw the ground swept as it were by a
whirlwind, and every man sought shelter in ravines, behind stumps, logs
and any object which could afford shelter.
This ended Gen. Dwight’s movement. But it had advanced our lines so
that we held possession of a rough hill which commanded the “Citadel,”
which had been the objective point of our assault, and which was the
most formidable point in the rebel works. The men held themselves
well and showed that former experiences had had a good effect. Capt.
Todd was seriously wounded in the mouth; Adjt. Ogden was slightly
wounded; Darius Nelson of Co. B was killed and others both killed and
wounded. The Lieutenant-Colonel was thrown down by the explosion of a
shell, which happily did not wound him, but his right leg was serious
paralyzed and he laid on the field all day exposed to the pitiless
fire of the rebel sharpshooters and the scarcely less endurable rays
of the burning Louisiana sun, until night came and the Ambulance Corps
and brought relief. The scenes on the field were heart-rending, and
the sufferings of the wounded appealed so strongly to the sympathy of
their more fortunate comrades that lives were lost and others risked
attempting to succor these unfortunate men.
The movement was much criticized by some of the officers, especially
the cannonade which preceded the assault, as it is said that by it
the rebs were apprised that an assault was to be made and they were
prepared to repel it, and the day which had opened so auspiciously
ended in gloom. Details of stretcher-bearers plying their melancholy
duty carried the wounded to the hospitals, and the dead swiftly to the
long trenches.
June 15. Regiment was relieved from support of battery and marched
leisurely back to our old camp near the front center. The men were
almost entirely exhausted, but it was impossible to excuse them from
duty, as all are in the same condition.
June 16. Received orders during the day calling for volunteers for
another storming party of 1000 men.
June 17. Passed the night in the rifle pits. There was a very heavy
rain early in the morning, filling the pits and making the situation
very disagreeable. Order in regard to detail of one officer and
twenty-five men for storming party countermanded, as more than the
required number had volunteered.
June 18. Regiment supporting an Indiana battery, at the front, early in
the morning having moved in to the rifle pits.
June 20. Sharpshooters are making things lively. There are rumors
floating through the camps that Vicksburg has fallen. Regiment ordered
to move into the rifle pits at dark.
June 21. Regiment occupied the rifle pits last night. The 2d Vermont
Battery kept up a kind of intermittent firing. Regiment relieved at
night and returned to the rear, bivouacking in the woods.
June 22. Election held in Co. B for vacant offices. Lieut. Merrill
was elected Captain, receiving 16 votes to 15 for Lieut. Rollins; 1st
Sergt. James S. Walsh was elected Second Lieutenant.
June 23. There has been considerable discussion of the vexing question
of termination of service. There are very few officers left with the
regiment, and the duty is very hard in consequence.
June 24. Lieut. Maginnis (who was wounded in the assault of the 27th of
May) died of his wounds today.
June 26. Orders received to take the regiment to the rear and bivouac
near Brigade Headquarters, and just at night ordered to relieve the 2d
Louisiana in the advance rifle pits.
June 27. Col. Stone on the sick list. After being relieved from
the rifle pits ordered to go to the left and support the 49th
Massachusetts and 21st Maine, which we did, bivouacking at 11 o’clock
P. M.
June 29. Heavy cannonading all night. An attempt was made a little to
our left and front to capture an outpost of ours, but it failed; the
rebs were repulsed, and it is said with a loss of 90 prisoners; cannot
vouch for the truth of the rumor. Regiment ordered into the rifle pits
to support Holcomb’s 2d Vermont Battery.
June 30. Were in the rifle pits near Holcomb’s Battery all night.
There were sounds of a smart skirmish down on the extreme left, which
continued about an hour. Col. Stone left today for Baton Rouge, sick.
July 1. Regiment bivouacking near Brigade Headquarters. Rebs made a
raid into Springfield Landing, stampeding the guards and destroying a
considerable amount of government stores.
July 2. Regiment has laid in the woods near Brigade Headquarters this
forenoon. Near noon orders came to fall in to repel an attack from
the rebs in the rear who had raided Springfield Landing and after
destroying the government stores there were now on the march for
Port Hudson. The “march to Port Hudson” proved to be a hoax, and the
regiment was soon dismissed and at night went into the front rifle pits.
July 3. Regiment occupied the rifle pits, supporting Holcomb’s Battery.
Rebel sharpshooters very active. Gen. Grover visited the battery this
afternoon. He looks anxious and careworn. Relieved from rifle pits by
the 116th New York.
July 4. National salute fired at sunrise with shotted guns. This is not
our usual way of celebrating our National birthday. Regiment received
orders to get into line prepared to make another assault. The “Forlorn
Hope” was already in position at the front. The regiment stood in
line many long and weary hours, anxiously awaiting the signal gun to
commence the assault. For some reason the assault was not made, and
after a tedious wait we were relieved and allowed to return to camp.
Another salute with shotted guns was fired at noon by Nims’ Battery. A
member of Co. E, who was captured from us on May 21st at Plains Store,
escaped from Port Hudson today and came back to camp.
July 5. Gen. Banks has just passed up to the front with a flag of
truce. Ordered into the rifle pits at night.
July 6. Passed the night in the rifle pits. The regiment is being
rapidly decimated by hard duty and exposure to this terrible hot
weather.
July 7. Two rebels came into headquarters from Port Hudson, and their
accounts show that the garrison can hold out but a very short time.
Official news has been received from Gen. Grant that Vicksburg
surrendered on the 4th. A gunboat came down river from that place
early this morning bringing the news. Communication with the army was
for some reason broken and it was quite late in the day before the
message was delivered to Gen. Banks. It was at once communicated to the
troops in the trenches; from man to man, from company to company, from
regiment to regiment the word passed, and the cheers from the men rang
out and the long silenced bands filled the forests with the strains
of the “Star Spangled Banner,” “America,” “Yankee Doodle” and other
patriotic music. Received orders for the 48th to occupy the rifle pits
and support Holcomb’s 2d Vermont Battery tonight.
Before going on duty the Lieutenant-Colonel visited Gen. Augur’s
headquarters, by his request, and was particularly instructed and
cautioned as to his duty. He said, “You are going into the most
important position on the line, and as the ranking officer on the
brigade picket line you will be expected to exercise the greatest
vigilance. The information we have leads us to expect that the enemy
will offer to surrender or make an attempt to break out through our
thin lines, and it is expected that you will be prepared for either or
any emergency. Double your outer picket line, keep your men well in
hand and allow none to sleep. If any attempt is made to break out it
must be prevented at all hazards till reinforcements reach you, which
you may feel assured will be pushed forward to your assistance at the
first alarm, and you must check the attack at the hazard of your lives;
two companies from another regiment will be ordered into the rifle pits
to strengthen your line.” Regiment went into the rifle pits at about 9
o’clock in the evening.
July 8. The inevitable has happened! Port Hudson has fallen! Regiment
laid quietly in rifle pits till shortly after 12 o’clock, midnight,
the notes of a bugle were heard in our front sounding “a parley,” and
a few seconds later an officer with a small escort approached, bearing
a lantern fixed to a long pole, with a white handkerchief tied beneath
it to serve as a flag of truce. At the outpost the flag was halted and
its object ascertained, which was the delivery of a dispatch to Gen.
Banks from Gen. Gardner, in command of the Confederate forces in Port
Hudson, which was immediately dispatched to Gen. Banks’ headquarters
by messenger. The dispatch contained a request for official assurance
as to the truth of the report that Vicksburg had surrendered. If
true, Gardner asked for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to
consider terms of surrender of Port Hudson, and soon a blast upon a
bugle brought back the little party of Confederates with the lantern
swinging from the pole and the conference culminated in an agreement to
surrender, and that a commission be appointed from each side to agree
upon terms.
[Illustration: LANDING AT BATON ROUGE, LA.,
Looking Up River.]