THE MOVEMENT ON PETERSBURG.
The movement of the army to the James was one of the most brilliant and
successful of the war. It is one of the few of Grant's manœuvres which
commands the unanimous approval of his enemies and severest critics.
Swinton, in his "Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac," says: "The
resolution to cross the James necessitated the total abandonment of
that system of action which aimed, while operating against the enemy
offensively, to directly defend the national capital. Moreover the
operation was in itself one of great delicacy, a change of base being
pronounced by Napoleon the foremost master of war, 'the ablest manœuvre
taught by military art.' General Grant manifested as much moral
firmness in adopting a line of action which ... he felt prescribed by
the highest military considerations, as he showed ability in executing
this difficult operation. The measure itself was not only entirely
conformable to the true principles of war, but its execution reflects
high credit on the commander, and merits the closest study."
The 15th of June was passed by our brigade quietly in camp, awaiting
the completion of the pontoon bridge, from Douthard's to Windmill
Point,--a distance of 2,200 feet, across a river navigable by the
largest ships. At sunset we were ordered to draw four days' rations
and be in readiness to move at short notice. At eight o'clock
marching orders were received, and at nine o'clock we crossed on
the pontoon bridge. The river was filled with vessels of every
kind, at anchor,--transports, steamers, gunboats,--and presented a
most spirited scene. Upon reaching the southern bank the march was
prosecuted with great vigor; and as only two brief halts were made that
night it proved to be one of the most wearisome of the campaign. Soon
after daylight we halted near Prince George Court-House, for an hour,
to make coffee. While engaged in that pleasant and refreshing task our
ears were saluted by the sound of distant cannonading in the direction
of Petersburg. This was a signal that our rest was to be of short
duration.
It is no part of our purpose to criticise, or even narrate, the chapter
of mishaps and blunders which attended the movement for the capture of
Petersburg. It is sufficient to state that the golden opportunity was
now passing,--the city which was defended by the militia had not been
captured, and the army of the Potomac was being hurried forward, soon
to cope once more with its old opponent, the veterans of the army of
Northern Virginia.
At half-past eight the march was resumed in the direction of
Petersburg. At ten o'clock we passed the line of earthworks which
constituted the outer defences of the city, which were captured the day
previous by the troops of the Eighteenth Corps. At one o'clock we came
up with the advanced divisions of our own corps, already formed in line
of battle on the left of the Second Corps. At three o'clock we were put
in position on the extreme left, in the edge of a pine forest. Directly
in front, across an open plain about half a mile in extent, stood the
strong intrenchments of the enemy. Their outposts were well advanced,
and heavy skirmishing was kept up on the right, and soon extended along
the entire line. We were ordered to attack at six o'clock. At that hour
the artillery opened, and the line moved forward across the plain. The
Second Brigade supported the attack made by Barlow's Division of the
Second Corps. Our regiment and the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania were held
in reserve, to cover and protect the left flank, and extend the line
should it be necessary. The advance was most gallant and determined,
but was met by a fire of musketry and artillery which was fearfully
effective. The ground was quickly traversed, and Barlow's division and
Griffin's brigade succeeded in effecting a lodgment in some rifle-pits,
and this was the only important result accomplished. Night came down
upon the bloody plain, but did not put an end to the terrible conflict,
for the enemy made several ineffectual attempts to regain the works
he had lost. The musketry fire was terrific at times, and the battle
throughout was fierce and bloody. Some ground was gained on the right,
but no impression was made on the left. It was, however, determined to
renew the assault at daylight, and the Ninth Corps was selected to make
the attack.
After the assault on the 15th, which resulted in the capture of
a portion of his line, the enemy constructed a new line in rear,
connecting the enclosed works and redoubts of the old line still in
his possession, which were on our left. The principal work, known as
the Shand House redoubt, was very strong, and able to resist a most
determined assault. It was nearly half a mile in front of his new main
line, projected as a salient. The only promise of successful assault
seemed to lie in capturing the line of breastworks connecting this
redoubt with those on the left. The portion of the rebel lines in
our front extended along the crest of a deep and narrow ravine near
the Shand house. The position was very strong, and defended, as we
afterwards learned, by five Tennessee regiments, composing the Third
Brigade of Bushrod Johnson's Division of Infantry, supporting a battery
of artillery. On our left two guns in a redoubt completely enfiladed
the line of approach. The position seemed impregnable, and failure
would doubtless be attended with fearful loss of life. A successful
assault, however, would force the enemy to abandon the redoubts; and
General Burnside believed the works could be stormed if the troops
could be formed in the ravine without the knowledge of the enemy.
To General Potter, the gallant commander of the Second Division, was
this most arduous and desperate task assigned. He immediately prepared
for its execution. In order to reach the position it was necessary to
make a wide detour to the right. This of itself was a most difficult
matter. The slashing of pine timber presented a serious obstacle, and
the ground was full of gullies and ravines, and in moving over them the
command was much scattered. The enemy kept up an annoying and incessant
picket fire, which increased the difficulties of the movement. Aware
that a hazardous undertaking was being executed, the men maintained the
utmost quiet, and obeyed every order with promptness and precision.
At length, nearly an hour past midnight, the column reached the head
of the ravine, and the hungry and thoroughly exhausted men threw
themselves on the ground, to gain, if possible an hour's rest. They
had enjoyed no rest for more than forty-eight hours, and realized full
well the terrible business the returning light would bring. Many in
the brief half of that summer night closed their eyes in what proved
to be their last earthly sleep. Many, doubtless, saw in dreams for the
last time the faces of the dear ones at home. But all did not sleep.
These thought of the past, of their childhood and homes, of the day
whose dawn they were awaiting,--a day to receive its second baptism
of patriot's blood! And who shall say that these true souls were not
filled with the same exalted devotion to Freedom and Country which
animated the heroes of Bunker Hill as they toiled on that memorable
night of June, 1775?
But to sleeping and waking, the night waned apace. The moon which had
been shining brightly now cast long shadows, and darkness settled in
the ravines. The rebel pickets in our front grew drowsy, and through
weariness ceased their firing. No sounds were heard save the distant
rumble of wagons and artillery, the trickling of the brook in the
ravine, and the subdued breathing of the worn and weary men. The
mists from the stream ascended cold and gray, completely obscuring the
troops. The favorable moment had arrived. Now if the lines could be
formed in the ravine success seemed certain. This, however, was most
delicate business. The enemy's pickets were on the hillside only forty
feet distant, while above, upon the crest of the ravine, seventy-five
feet beyond, stood the intrenchments filled with men. The least noise
or indiscretion would betray our presence, and draw a murderous fire
from the works above. Success depended on secrecy. Profound silence was
enjoined. The tin dippers and canteens were placed in the haversacks,
to prevent the telltale jingle. Muskets were loaded, but not capped,
bayonets fixed, and orders given that not a shot must be fired until
the works were reached.
The men were now thoroughly aroused, and all signs of weariness
disappeared. The regiments were one by one moved down the brookside
into the dark ravine, and soon the lines were formed. Griffin's brigade
was on the right, with the Seventeenth Vermont, Eleventh New Hampshire,
and Thirty-second Maine, in the front line; the remainder supporting;
Curtin's brigade on the left, with the Second New York Rifles,
Thirty-sixth Massachusetts, and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, in the front
line. The Second New York Rifles had the right, the Thirty-sixth the
centre, and the Forty-eighth the left. The remainder of the brigade
were to support the front line. Griffin was to charge toward the house
bearing to the right; Curtin to bear to the left, toward the redoubt.
The hour fixed for the assault--three o'clock--drew on. The word
"Forward!" was whispered, and with cat-like steps the men advanced.
A fence obstructed the advance of our brigade, and in attempting to
remove it a rail was accidentally dropped, and instantly a half-dozen
shots from the works above revealed the fact that the enemy was on the
alert. For a moment the plan seemed frustrated; but a death-like quiet
reigned in our line, and soon the enemy became reassured.
Again, cautiously and quietly, the men crept forward. At the given
signal they rose erect, rushed for the picket line, and carried it
in an instant. Then, with one loud, ringing cheer, like a billow of
the ocean, irresistible and deadly, they dashed on up the hill. On
they went, right into the hot flash of musketry and smoke of cannon,
regardless of the wounded and the dead, regardless of the fire, without
a shrub to shield them from the withering blast.[17]
[17] In "The Virginia Campaign of '64 and '65," page 217, note, General
Humphreys, describing this action, quotes as follows, from a paper
contributed to the Massachusetts Military Historical Society, by
General S. G. Griffin, commanding Second Brigade:--
"One gunner saw us approaching and fired his piece. That was all we
heard from them, and almost the only shot fired on either side. The
rebels were asleep with their arms in their hands, and many of them
sprang up and ran away as we came over; others surrendered without
resistance."
While this statement is doubtless correct with reference to that
portion of the line attacked by General Griffin's brigade, it does
not convey a true idea of the stubborn, though short, resistance
encountered by Curtin's brigade. The fire at this point was very
severe. The Second New York Rifles broke under it, leaving only the
Thirty-sixth Massachusetts and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania in the
front line. Between the brow of the hill and the enemy's line the
Thirty-sixth lost nineteen out of less than ninety men engaged, and the
loss reported by the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania was seventy-five killed
and wounded.
A fierce, though brief, struggle ensued at the works. As the rebel
commander was pulled over the breastworks as a prisoner he shouted to
his men, "Stand firm! Their right is all gone!" The Second New York
had broken in the first fire, and left our right badly exposed. The
Forty-fifth was sent forward to protect the right, and the Fifty-eighth
Massachusetts extended the line to the left. The enemy discovered the
break in our line, and commenced a sharp cross-fire upon the regiment.
At this critical moment, Captain Smith, commanding the regiment, with
wonderful presence of mind, turned toward the left, and shouted, at
the top of his voice, "Fairbank! bring up your brigade!" at the same
moment yelling "Charge!" The ruse had its desired effect, and before
Lieutenant Fairbank could hurry his brigade of eight men, of Company
K, from the left the enemy wavered, our men leaped the works at a
bound, and captured all the defenders who did not take to their heels.
In the desperate struggle acts of individual gallantry and heroism were
performed which time would fail to recount.
The line was carried and the enemy were driven from the breastworks,
the redoubts, and from a second line where they attempted to rally.
Four pieces of artillery were captured,--two by the Forty-eighth
Pennsylvania and our regiment; one by the Seventeenth Vermont; and one
by the Eleventh New Hampshire; also the colors of the five regiments
defending the line, six hundred prisoners, and more than fifteen
hundred muskets and equipments and ammunition. The colors of the
Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery, lost in the attack the night
before, were recaptured, nor were these the only trophies of the
victory,--an important point had been carried; the rebels had been
forced to take a new position; the Shand house, Avery house, and more
than a mile of ground, were now in our possession. It was a great
victory, but not what it might have been. It was the old story over
again,--a most spirited and gallant attack without adequate supports.
Had a single corps been on the ground in position, or had the divisions
which were ordered to support us been ready to advance, the fearful
carnage of the two succeeding days would doubtless have been prevented,
and the long, tedious, wasting, bloody siege of Petersburg might have
been avoided.
None who participated in that attack will fail to remember the morning
of the 17th of June while life shall last. It was the most brilliant
and successful engagement in which the regiment had ever had a part;
and yet in many respects it was one of the saddest days of our history.
Though the victory was ours, it had been purchased at a heavy cost. The
number of the regiment engaged was less than ninety men, many having
fallen out exhausted in the forced march from the James; yet from that
small number three were killed, and sixteen wounded,--four of them
fatally. In the thickest of the fight, amid the terrible energies of
the battle, these brave men fell martyrs to the cause of their country.
One of the first to fall was Captain Otis W. Holmes, of Milford,
commanding Company B, who received a mortal wound. The regiment
sustained no severer loss during its term of service. Few men possessed
in so marked and special degree the respect and affection of his men.
Strong and vigorous in body and mind; a brave, fearless soldier; a
cool, sagacious adviser; careful and prudent of his men,--he was a
noble specimen of manhood, and an ideal soldier. It is much to say of
an officer that he was cool and brave, equal to any emergency; but far
more to say truly of him that he was pure, good, and noble. All this
can be truly said of Holmes. The entire regiment had learned to love
and esteem him, and his untimely death was mourned by all who knew him.
The non-commissioned officers contributed more than their proportion to
the loss sustained that day, and among the killed and wounded were some
of the bravest and best soldiers of the regiment. The little line of
battle was sadly dwindled, and, after detailing a portion of the guard
required in sending the prisoners to the rear, there remained in the
ranks but forty-six enlisted men.
The loss of the regiment in killed and wounded, June 17th, was as
follows:--
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
_Died of Wounds._--Captain Otis W. Holmes.
ENLISTED MEN.
_Company A._ _Killed._--Sergeant George E. Keyes.
_Company B._ _Wounded._--Private J. Wesley Packard.
_Company C._ _Wounded._--First Sergeant Frederick W. Briggs,
Sergeant Albert B. Whipple, Corporal Clark Robinson.
_Company D._ _Killed._--Private John Shepardson.
_Wounded._--Sergeant Liberty W. Foskett, Corporals Cyrus Alger,
Adolph Bussenius.
_Company E._ _Wounded._--Corporal Joseph V. Clark.
_Company F._ _Died of Wounds._--Private Fred C. Ames.
_Company H._ _Died of Wounds._--Private Edmund S. Ward.
_Wounded._--Corporal Nathan F. Cutting, Private Franklin Wallace.
_Company I._ _Wounded._--Privates George F. Fletcher, Ashael
Wetherbee.
_Company K._ _Killed._--Corporal Max Hoffman. _Wounded._--Corporal
Joseph H. Stevens (acting Color-Sergeant).
Killed and Died of Wounds,--
Commissioned Officer 1
Enlisted Men 5
-- 6
Wounded,--Enlisted men 13
--
19
After the wounding of acting Color-Sergeant Stevens, the colors were
taken by Corporal William Macomber, Company E, and carried by him
during the remainder of the regiment's term of service.
But no time was allowed us to mourn over our fallen comrades; the
wounded were sent to the rear while preparations were made for an
advance. We pressed forward until the enemy was found to be in a new
position. The division also formed a new line, in advance of the
position we had carried, the left resting on a redoubt in that line.
The enemy advanced a battery down the plank road and opened a severe
fire. Soon after, the front regiments of our brigade were relieved in
the advanced line, and found shelter from the artillery fire in the
ditch of the redoubt on the left, where we were exposed to a severe
shelling. Here we remained until half-past nine, when the regiments
which had formed the front line in the assault were withdrawn to the
woods half a mile in the rear for rest, after receiving warm words of
praise from General Potter and Colonel Curtin.
The battle raged almost without intermission during the day. Charges
were made by the First and Third Divisions of our corps, and the tide
of battle surged along the entire front. About eight o'clock in the
evening the regiment was sent for, and moved across the plain to the
front line. The evening was very clear, the moon shone brightly, and as
we neared the works we attracted the attention of the enemy, who opened
upon us with artillery; but our batteries replied and soon silenced the
enemy's guns. We were put in position in a line of works captured by
the First Division, and were engaged nearly all night in facing them
about. The enemy attempted to interrupt the work, without success. A
strong line of skirmishers was deployed, and the digging was continued
under an annoying fire of musketry.
On the morning of the 18th, at nine o'clock, we moved out by the right
flank to support an assault about to be made by the Third Division. The
attack was to have been general along the entire line; but the enemy
had fallen back to a new line, and the assault was delayed until new
dispositions of the troops could be made. The line advanced toward
noon, through a belt of pine woods, into a clearing. A portion of our
brigade was in the front line. The Forty-eighth Pennsylvania and our
own regiment supported. After leaving the woods the line advanced
through a field of grain toward the Taylor house, the rebel skirmish
line falling back to a cut of the Norfolk Railroad which afforded a
deep cover. The enemy was found to be strongly intrenched beyond the
railroad, with a winding ravine in front, through which flowed a small
creek, the banks of which immediately in our front were covered with
a dense thicket. Artillery was ordered forward to cover the attack of
the infantry, and our regiment supported the gallant advance of Captain
Roemer's battery. The fire of the enemy was so close and hot that he
was obliged to leave his horses in the edge of the wood. He then put
his guns in position in the open field, run two guns by hand to a
dilapidated building on our right, and, although he lost several men,
soon secured some protection, got good range, and opened a rapid and
effective fire on the enemy.
Jones' Eleventh Massachusetts battery was soon after put in position in
rear of our left, and fired at such short range that for a time we were
obliged to "hug the ground," being exposed to two fires,--from front
and rear. His shells inflicted great damage on the enemy, although they
passed uncomfortably near our own heads.
It being of the utmost importance to secure the railroad-cut, the
batteries opened a furious fire, under cover of which the brigades
in the front line, led by Generals Hartranft and Griffin and Colonel
Curtin, made a splendid charge, and succeeded in driving the enemy out
of the railroad-cut into their works beyond.
The portion of our brigade was between Griffin and Hartranft. The line
of the railroad crossed our front diagonally, and on our right, at the
point where the enemy's main line crossed the railroad, a small redoubt
had been erected, in which was placed a single piece of artillery. This
gun had perfect range of the railroad-cut, and completely enfiladed
our line with a severe fire of grape and canister. While our line in
this position was well protected from the fire in front, it was exposed
to this hot fire from the right flank. The attention of our batteries
was soon bestowed upon this gun in the redoubt; and the men tore up
the railroad-ties, and erected a barricade which afforded them ample
protection from the fire.
It was now comparatively easy to hold the railroad-cut, but to advance
was quite another matter. The railroad-bank was high, and so steep
that the men had to dig holes in the side of it to place their feet,
and as soon as a man showed his head above the bank he was a target
for the rebel sharp-shooters. On the left the troops moved forward as
far as the ravine. At three o'clock a general attack was ordered, but
the difficulties to be overcome were so great that a long delay ensued
in preparing the line for advance. At half-past five the whole Third
Division, and Second Brigade, and four regiments of our brigade, made
a determined attack on the works, then defended by Kershaw's division
of Longstreet's veteran corps. Nothing could exceed the heroic daring
of the advance, under the fearful fire of the enemy at point-blank
range, covering every inch of the ground from the railroad-cut
to their earthworks. The line was strong and well defended, yet,
notwithstanding, all the ground from the railroad to the ravine was
carried; the ravine was crossed and the crest beyond secured, and the
ground held up to within a little more than a hundred yards of the
enemy's works.
During this gallant attack Colonel Curtin, our brigade commander,
was severely wounded in the shoulder, and the command devolved upon
Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants of the Forty-eighth. At half-past five
the regiment, being in support of the batteries, was ordered to throw
up a line of intrenchments for protection from the sharp-shooters, who
were picking off the gunners. The loss during the afternoon had been
severe, considering the numbers of the regiment and its position in the
battle,--two men killed and seven wounded.
After the last attack the firing slackened somewhat, and was confined
to the front line of battle, and it was fondly hoped that the record
of sacrifice and bloodshed for that day was fully made up. The company
cooks brought up the coffee,--the only refreshment the regiment had
received since daylight. The men were huddled behind the low breastwork
eating supper, when the attention of Captain Buffum was attracted by
some movement in front, and he rose to ascertain the cause. He had just
remarked that he was the only member of the large mess that crossed
the Rapidan who had escaped death or wounds, and laughingly said, "It
is the rule for all to be struck; but every rule has an exception."
He had scarcely risen to his feet when the fatal bullet, directed by
the unerring aim of the watchful rebel sharp-shooter, struck him. He
uttered a piercing cry, sprang into the air, fell back, and in a few
moments passed beyond the reach of pain. The scene was witnessed by
nearly all the regiment, and sent a thrill of horror to every heart.
At any time his death would have been a severe loss; at such a moment
it came with almost crushing weight, and seemed irreparable. He
was the senior officer in years, and then the second in rank of a
fast-dwindling band. He was beloved and respected by all, and his death
cast deep gloom over the entire regiment. We recalled his patience
and bravery during the entire campaign, the sorrow which seemed to
pierce his heart as he referred to the great losses of his company,
and especially the wonderful coolness he displayed at Spottsylvania,
when, in advance of the line, he received the rebel fire, and returned
to draw back the left wing and save the regiment, if not the entire
division, from capture or death.
After dark, when the line had been established for the night, the
Adjutant was sent to corps head-quarters to beg permission that the
Captain's remains might be sent at once to City Point for shipment to
Massachusetts. General Burnside was found lying prone on the ground
under a tree. The case was briefly stated. "Buffum," said he,--"is
Buffum dead? Why, he was in North Carolina with us! He was a brave
man--I remember him well. Oh!" he added, with much emotion, "how fast
these brave men are going!" Then calling his Adjutant-General, the
order necessary for the removal of the body was given in terms which
revealed his noble, sympathetic nature.
The loss of the regiment, June 18th, was as follows:--
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
_Killed._--Captain Amos Buffum.
ENLISTED MEN.
_Company A._ _Wounded._--Sergeant Thomas J. Ames, Private Caleb
Winch.
_Company B._ _Wounded._--Private William Turnbull.
_Company D._ _Wounded._--First Sergeant John A. Stearns.
_Company E._ _Killed._--Dwight Colburn.
_Died of Wounds._--Josiah W. Davis.
_Company G._ _Wounded._--Sergeant Hiram W. Olcott. Corporal
Alexander Cooper.[18]
[18] Corporal Alexander Cooper was killed November 22, 1866, at
Warwick, Mass., by the falling of a derrick at the raising of the
Soldiers' Monument in that town.
Killed and Died of Wounds,--
Commissioned Officers 1
Enlisted Men 2
-- 3
Wounded,--Enlisted Men 6
--
Total Casualties 9
That evening there were in the line less than one hundred men, with
four commissioned officers,--Captains Smith and Ames, First Lieutenant
Fairbank and Adjutant Hodgkins,--all that remained for duty of the
four hundred and ninety-five men in line on the morning of the 6th
of May. Assistant Surgeon Bryant, who had not been absent from the
line an hour, was on duty at the Field Hospital, and Quartermaster
Tuttle was in charge of the wagons and baggage. On the 6th of May
we had twelve officers in the line of battle; we were joined at
Spottsylvania by Captain Smith and Lieutenant Brigham. From this number
four--Captains Bailey, Holmes, Buffum, and Lieutenant Daniels--had been
killed in action. Five--Major Draper, Captains Morse and Barker, and
Lieutenants Marshall and Burrage--had been wounded, and were absent on
that account; and one--Lieutenant Brigham--had been sent to General
Hospital at Annapolis. Of the four in the line, three--Captains Smith
and Ames and Lieutenant Fairbank--had been struck by the bullets of the
enemy, but not seriously injured. The total loss of the regiment, as
officially reported to the Adjutant-General, including the men of the
Twenty-ninth Massachusetts and Forty-sixth New York, was--
Com. Officers. Enlisted Men. Total.
Killed 4 45 49
Wounded 5 191 196
Missing 22 22
- --- ---
Total 9 258 267
Late that evening General Potter relieved the Third Division, and
occupied the entire front of the corps, connecting with the Second
Corps on the right, and the Fifth Corps on the left, holding the
advance as a skirmish line.[19]
[19] On the evening of the 18th the following order was issued by
General Burnside:--
HEAD-QUARTERS 9TH ARMY CORPS,
June 18, 1864.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 24.
The Commanding General takes great pride in assuring this command of
the high appreciation in which their services, after the fatigues of
the recent movement, are held at the Head-quarters of the Army, and
quotes with pleasure the expression used by the Commanding General of
the Army of the Potomac in speaking of the brilliant assault on the
morning of the 17th. He writes: "It affords me great satisfaction to
congratulate you and your gallant corps on the successful assault on
the morning of the 17th. Knowing the wearied condition of your men from
the night march of over twenty-two miles, and the continued movement
through the night of the 16th, their persistency and success is highly
creditable."
The Commanding General can only add that in this, as in the previous
and succeeding events of this unexampled campaign, the Ninth Corps has,
through every trial, invariably proved true to its history and to its
promise.
By command of Major-General Burnside.
LEWIS RICHMOND,
_Ass't Adj't Gen'l._