BATTERY H WITH THE NINTH CORPS MOVES TOWARDS FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE—MARCH
TO THE RAPIDAN—BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS AND SPOTTSYLVANIA—BATTERY
ORDERED TO WASHINGTON—FORT RICHARDSON.
As our battery had now joined its fortunes for a time with a corps that
had won a well-earned reputation for valor shown on many hard contested
fields, it was but natural we should realize that we were leaving behind
us the comparative quiet of a defensive position to enter upon the more
exciting scenes of aggressive warfare. What the future had in store for
us we could only conjecture, but we were desirous of performing our
share of labor and privation if we could but hasten the final overthrow
of the fratricidal strife now waging so fiercely in our land.
April 27th. At eight A. M. the battery moved with the corps on the road
towards Fairfax Court House. Our division led the advance. Camped that
night at the above named place.
April 28th. Marched to Bristoe Station, arriving there at eight P. M.,
and encamped for the night.
April 29th. At seven A. M. moved with our brigade and division to
Catletts’ Station; reached there about two P. M. First Sergt. Charles E.
Bonn left us to-day, he having received a commission as second
lieutenant in Battery D, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. We bade him
“good bye” with regret, as he had proved himself an efficient soldier
and worthy comrade.
May 1st. No forward movement of our corps this beautiful Sabbath day,
and we are enjoying ourselves by remaining quiet in camp. In the night a
severe rain storm came on, which made our situation anything but
agreeable, and was a strange contrast to the earlier part of the day.
May 2d. We received to-day twenty-five attached men from the Fourteenth
New York Heavy Artillery. It was a welcome accession as our battery was
greatly reduced in numbers. One of the Fourteenth shot himself severely
in the hand, which will probably disable him for future service in the
army.
May 4th. Moved at 7.30 A. M. Our battery and brigade took the advance.
Marched as far as Brandy Station, where, after a brief halt, we again
started on our way toward Rappahannock Station, and encamped on the same
ground occupied by our right section one year ago, when it was
performing picket duty on the Rappahannock River.
May 5th. Moved at 5.45 A. M. and crossed the Rapidan. The Army of the
Potomac was now about to begin a campaign which was to finally result in
crushing out the Rebellion. Upon the advance of the army soon after
midnight, May 3d and 4th, from its position north of the Rapidan, the
Ninth Corps, which had been guarding the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
from Bull Run moved forward to preserve control of it in case the
crossing of the Union army should be long delayed. On receiving word
that the army had safely crossed the Rapidan, Burnside moved across with
his corps and found our troops hotly engaged with the enemy. And now
began the sanguinary battle of the Wilderness. The country into which
the Union army had advanced was heavily wooded and covered with dwarf
pines, cedars and scrub oaks, and presented serious obstacles for the
movement of infantry, while it was wholly unfit for the use of cavalry
or artillery. Our battery encamped that night near the Rapidan, and we
were ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment’s
notice.
On the morning of the 6th of May Hancock with his corps was ordered by
General Grant to make an assault in his front at five o’clock. General
Burnside, who was approaching with his two divisions (the other, the
colored division, having been sent to guard the wagon train,) was
directed to move in between Wadsworth’s division of Warren’s corps,
which was on the right of Hancock, and the remainder of Warren’s corps,
which was still further to the right. Burnside was ordered, if he should
succeed in breaking the enemy’s centre, to swing around to the left and
envelop the right of Lee’s army. He arrived at the Wilderness Tavern at
6.50 A. M., and at that time was directed to send a division to the
support of Hancock, but to continue with the remainder of his command in
the execution of his previous order. Burnside had great difficulty in
making his way through the dense forests which retarded his progress,
but he finally succeeded in getting into the position assigned him.
Our battery marched at four A. M. to near Chancellorsville, where we
heard heavy firing at the front. As we approached the Wilderness we
passed many of the wounded going to the rear. We moved towards Yellow
Pine Church and joined the artillery reserve of the Ninth Corps,
commanded by Capt. John Edwards, Jr. Here we saw our infantry charging
and driving the enemy across Mine Run. The Confederates reformed charged
in return, forcing our troops back, to be driven themselves again in
turn. This was repeated three times until our men finally held the
ground and the enemy retired. The battery went into position near Yellow
Pine Church, well advanced, remaining in position till nearly dark, then
changed position and moved to the left and halted near Chancellorsville.
After a brief stay here we marched a few miles and halted in the
vicinity of Marysville, remaining in the saddle all night. We learned
that our troops had taken 2,000 prisoners and forty-two pieces of
artillery during the day. Thus ended the battle of the Wilderness. Our
losses were severe. Those of the enemy were even more so.
On the evening of May 7th the army commenced its march towards
Spottsylvania Court House. General Grant’s object in moving to this
place was to prevent Lee from returning to Richmond in time to attempt
to crush Butler, who was at City Point. By accident Lee obtained
possession of Spottsylvania before our troops arrived. He had ordered
Longstreet’s corps, now commanded by Anderson, to move in the morning
(the 8th), but the woods being still on fire Anderson could not go into
bivouac and marched directly to Spottsylvania that night. Some
fortifications had already been thrown up here, and the Confederates
immediately began to extend them, while a force was sent out to delay
the advance of the Federal army. General Warren’s corps, after marching
all night, reached a point about three miles from Spottsylvania Court
House early Sunday morning, May 8th. As General Warren’s troops advanced
the enemy’s artillery commenced to throw shells at it, but their cavalry
and infantry fell back without offering much resistance. It soon
appeared that they had selected a better position for battle. As the
Union troops reached a large clearing the artillery of the rebels was
found posted there with infantry supports. Beyond these was other
infantry supports. General Warren immediately made preparations for
battle. The Union troops were soon engaged and an obstinate combat
ensued. The losses were large and many officers fell, and regiments that
went into the contest two or three hundred strong returned with a mere
handful of men. General Warren, however, steadily gained ground in spite
of the efforts of the enemy to drive him back, and in the afternoon,
being reinforced by a brigade from General Sedgwick’s corps, he
succeeded in driving the enemy back to their intrenched line. The battle
then ceased till the other corps should arrive and get into position. On
the morning of May 7th, we find Battery H moving towards Mary’s Cross
Roads, where it halted and awaited orders.
May 8th, the battery marched at seven A. M., crossed the Po River and
halted near Spottsylvania Court House. We could hear heavy cannonading
on our extreme front.
On the 9th Battery H occupied the same position as the day before,
opposite the court house. It was a great boon to our men to be allowed
to obtain some needed rest, as they were very tired, and our horses had
not been unharnessed for three days and nights. Most of this day was
occupied by the Federal troops (nearly all of which arrived during the
night and on that morning) in manœuvring to obtain good positions for
further operations and in throwing up breastworks. It was while posting
his forces and superintending the mounting of some artillery that the
intrepid commander of the Sixth Corps, the lamented Sedgwick, was killed
by one of the sharpshooters of the enemy. He was remonstrated with for
exposing himself unnecessarily, for the bullets were whizzing through
the air uncomfortably close to those standing near the general. “Why,”
said Sedgwick, “they cannot hit an elephant at this distance.” Hardly
had these words been uttered when the bullet of the sharpshooter struck
him, and he fell into the arms of his attendant officer. He was one of
the ablest soldiers in the army. He was modest, manly and courageous.
General Grant says of him: “His loss was a severe one to the Army of the
Potomac and to the nation.” He was beloved by the soldiers of the Sixth
Corps, who regarded him as a father.
May 10th. At ten A. M. the march of our battery was reversed to Mary’s
Cross Roads. Marched a few miles and camped for the night. We found the
roads very muddy. Our base of supplies having been changed to Aquia
Creek, we were ordered to join General Abercrombie’s forces at that
place.
We learn that in the fight at Spottsylvania to-day the commander of our
division in the Ninth Corps, Brig.-Gen. Thomas G. Stevenson, was killed.
He was a brave and fearless soldier. Woodbury, in his _Burnside and the
Ninth Corps_, says of him: “But the Ninth Corps suffered a severe loss
in the death of General Stevenson, the commander of the First Division.
He was killed early in the day by one of the enemy’s riflemen, while
near his headquarters.” He further says: “He was the son of Hon. J.
Thomas Stevenson (of Boston), well known as an able lawyer and a
sagacious man of affairs. He was educated in the best schools of Boston,
and at an early age he entered the counting-room of one of the most
active merchants of that city. There by his faithfulness in duty, his
promptness, and his generosity of disposition, he secured the entire
confidence and love of his principal and the high esteem of the business
community, and a brilliant commercial career opened before him. But when
his country called him he could not neglect her summons. The parting
words of his father to himself and his younger brother when they left
home for the field well express the appreciation in which his domestic
virtues were held: ‘Be as good soldiers as you have been sons. Your
country can ask no more than that of you, and God will bless you.’
“In the spring of 1861 he was orderly sergeant of the New England
Guards, and, upon the formation of the Fourth battalion of Massachusetts
infantry he was chosen captain of one of its companies. On the 25th of
April the battalion was sent to garrison Fort Independence, in Boston
Harbor, and, on the 4th of May, Captain Stevenson was promoted to the
rank of major. In this position he was distinguished for an excellent
faculty for discipline and organization, which were subsequently of
great benefit to him. On the first of August he received authority to
raise and organize a regiment of infantry for a term of three years, and
on the 7th of September he went into camp at Readville with twenty men.
On the 9th of December he left the State of Massachusetts with the
Twenty-fourth regiment—one of the finest and best drilled, organized,
equipped and disciplined body of troops that Massachusetts had yet sent
to the war. His regiment was assigned to General Foster’s brigade in the
North Carolina expedition, and he soon gained the respect and friendship
of his superior officers.
“The conduct of the Twenty-fourth regiment and its commander in North
Carolina has already been made a matter of record. When Colonel
Stevenson was assigned to the command of a brigade, in April, 1862, the
choice was unanimously approved by his companions-in-arms. General
Burnside regarded him as one of his best officers. ‘He has shown great
courage and skill,’ once wrote the general, ‘and in organization and
discipline he has no superior.’ General Foster was enthusiastic in his
commendation. ‘He stands as high as any officer or soldier in the army
of the United States,’ said he, ‘on the list of noble, loyal and devoted
men.’ On the 27th of December he was promoted to the rank of
brigadier-general, and, on the 14th of March, 1863, he was confirmed and
commissioned to that grade. In February, 1863, he accompanied General
Foster to South Carolina, where his brigade was attached to the Tenth
Corps, and where he served with great fidelity and zeal throughout the
year under Generals Foster, Hunter and Gillmore. In April, 1864, he
reported to General Burnside at Annapolis, and was assigned to the
command of the First Division.”
May 11th. Early this morning 9,000 rebel prisoners taken at the battle
of Spottsylvania passed our camp going to the rear under guard.
May 12th. The men were given permission to view forty-two pieces of
artillery taken from the enemy at Spottsylvania, as they were parked in
the vicinity of our camp. Marched at seven A. M. to Oak Hill and camped
for the night. Here we found batteries D and G, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, the Third New Jersey, Second Maine, Eleventh Massachusetts,
and Twenty-second New York batteries, and the First Rhode Island
Cavalry, besides three regiments of the infantry of the Invalid Corps.
May 13th. Marched at seven A. M. for Marye’s Heights, where we encamped
for the night.
May 14th. Although yesterday was stormy, this morning it cleared off and
the weather was very pleasant, giving the men an opportunity to dry
their clothing. About eleven P. M. we were routed out, ordered to hitch
up and prepare to move at a moment’s notice.
May 15th. At four A. M. made preparations to move, but did not get
started until six A. M., when we marched as far as Belle Fonte and
encamped.
May 16th. At eight A. M. our battery moved into Fredericksburg and went
into camp on the west side of the city. While here permission was given
our men to visit the place and observe the effects of the destruction
made by the shot and shell of Burnside’s army in 1862. Some of the
churches and houses were badly riddled. Our corps commander, General
Abercrombie, is waiting for the Eighth Corps to pass through the city to
the front; then we will cross the Rappahannock River and march to Aquia
Creek Landing to guard the base of supplies.
May 17th. Marched at 7.30 A. M. through Fredericksburg, crossing the
Rappahannock River on pontoons, and encamped near Falmouth for the
night.
May 18th. Again on the move towards Aquia Creek Landing. On arriving
there went into camp on high land near the Landing.
May 19th. It is raining this morning and our boys are out on a foraging
expedition, searching for hard tack and salt pork, for we are very short
of rations, being allowanced to three hard tack a day until our supplies
are brought down the river. There was a regiment of heavy artillery
breaking camp near us and they left a number of boxes of hard bread and
some salt pork, which our men brought into camp, and it proved a welcome
addition to our stock of rations until our supplies can be forwarded to
us.
May 20th. During the day four hundred rebel prisoners passed our camp
going to the Landing to take the boat north.
May 24th. At seven A. M. we marched to White Oak Barn, reporting to
Major Cowan, chief of artillery. Waited in line three hours for the
Third New Jersey Battery, which was lost somewhere on the road. When
they came up our chief of artillery rode out to meet the captain. The
major said: “Captain, where have you been?” “I have been trying to find
the ‘white oak barn’ all the morning,” replied the Jerseyman. The major
then said: “Here is the ‘White Oak Barn,’ captain, right here.” After a
hearty laugh at the expense of the Jerseyman, the whole command moved to
and through Fredericksburg and encamped a few miles beyond the city, and
were guarded by the First Rhode Island Cavalry. Towards morning we
marched to Westmoreland Plain.
May 25th. Moved at 7.30 A. M. towards Port Royal, Va. One squadron of
the First Rhode Island Cavalry acted as advance guard, with squadrons on
our right and left flanks as a precautionary measure against a surprise.
Our battery followed the advance guard of the First Rhode Island
Cavalry. During the day the Third New Jersey Battery again lost its way.
The column arrived at Port Conway about 4.30 P. M. Here we found the
Third New Jersey in position with their guns trained on the woods beyond
the river. At seven P. M. the battery crossed the river on pontoons to
Port Royal and encamped a mile and a half from the landing on Dr. Judd’s
farm, a short distance from the barn where, in the following year, the
assassinator of President Lincoln (Booth) was shot by Sergt. (Boston)
Corbett.
May 28th. We are expecting to move with the troops here by transports to
protect the capital from an attack by Gen. Jubal Early’s forces who have
been detached from Lee’s army and are now moving in the direction of
Washington.
Sunday, May 29th. Our battery was put aboard the transport _St.
Nicholas_. We moved out on the river in tow of the steamer _General
Hooker_, having for our protection and escort three gunboats.
May 30th. Steamed down the Rappahannock River at five A. M., under the
escort of the gunboats, and anchored opposite Port Tappahannock.
May 31st. Moved again this morning down the river and anchored at
nightfall.
June 2d. Arrived at the Sixth Street wharf in Washington at ten P. M.,
but did not disembark.
June 3d. This morning the battery disembarked, and marched to the
Arsenal and turned our pieces over to the authorities in charge there.
We then proceeded to the general corral and turned in our horses, as it
is rumored that we are to go on duty acting as heavy artillery to
garrison the forts in the defenses of Washington. From the corral we
marched to the Soldiers Rest, where we were quartered for the night.
June 4th. At ten A. M. marched out of the Soldiers Rest, through
Washington over Long Bridge to Fort Richardson, where we are to perform
garrison duty for awhile.
[Illustration: First Sergt. George Messinger.]