Advance of the Army of the Potomac.—The Thirty-third taking
up the line of march.—Flint Hill.—General McClellan decides
to move on Richmond by way of the Peninsula.—Embarkation of
the Thirty-third at Alexandria.—Embarkation Scene.—Mount
Vernon.—The Monitor.—Arrival at Fortress Monroe.—Agreeable
change of the climate.—Hampton.—Reconnoisance to Watt’s
Creek.—Rebel Epistolary Literature.—Bathers shelled by the
rebel gunboat Teaser.—Building a Redoubt.
On the 10th of March the Army of the Potomac unfurled its banners, and
began the forward march. Comprised of legions of brave men perfected
in discipline through long months of drill; supplied with everything
pertaining to the material of war, and headed by a General the very
mention of whose name inspired to deeds of daring—in this grand army were
centred the Nation’s hopes. The long delay was ended, the public pulse
quickened, and with light heart and elastic step the volunteer moved
away, confident that he moved to victory.
The Thirty-third took up their line of march at 3½ o’clock in the
morning, while a severe rain-storm was prevailing, which continued
during the day, rendering the roads almost impassable. Four and a half
hours were consumed in marching the distance of two miles, and many of
the wagons were stuck fast in the mud before reaching Lewinsville. The
brigade encamped the first night at Flint Hill, on an abandoned rebel
site, having marched ten miles. The men, weary, hungry, foot sore, and
wet to the skin, hailed with feelings such as they had never before
experienced, the orders to “halt, stack arms, and encamp for the night.”
The division remained in this locality four days, being again reviewed by
their commander.
It was here that the men began to learn, for the first time, to their
chagrin and mortification, that the enemy had retreated southward. After
beleaguering the capital, blockading the river, and keeping our army
at bay for more than six months, they had quietly absconded, taking
everything with them.
[Illustration: Fairfax Court House.]
About this time, March 13th, General McClellan convened a council of
his Corps Commanders at Fairfax Court House, informing them that he
had previously determined on moving forward towards Richmond by the way
of the Rappahannock; but further deliberation had led him to abandon
this route for the one via Fortress Monroe. Thereupon every preparation
was made for transferring the scene of operations to the Peninsula. The
larger portion of the army had proceeded no further in the direction of
Manassas than the Court House. A small force, however, had advanced to
the Rappahannock, ascertaining that the country was clear of rebels to
that river.
[Illustration: Embarkation at Alexandria.]
On the 15th of the month General Smith’s division resumed the line of
march, and passing through Fairfax, encamped at Cloud’s Mills, near
Alexandria. The Thirty-third remained here along with other troops,
until Sunday the 23d, when it marched to Alexandria, and embarked on
vessels for Fortress Monroe. Six companies proceeded on board the
Metamora, previously employed on the Hudson river; three on the Naushon,
and the remaining Company on another small steamer. The embarkation scene
was one which will long be remembered by the participants.
Transports of every size and description were riding in the river, or
moored at the wharves, receiving on board regiment after regiment.
National ensigns and banners appeared in every direction, flying from the
forests of masts, over forts in the distance, or unfurled at the head
of the regiments. Beyond the city were visible long lines of glistening
bayonets, winding over hill and through dale as far as the eye could
reach, and the gentle breezes which blew from the southward bore to the
ear the music of a hundred national bands. They steamed away at the
close of the day, amid tremendous cheering, waving of handkerchiefs, and
singing of the “red, white, and blue;” the setting sun shimmering on
the water; the dark outlines of the capitol looming up in the distance.
All hands crowded the decks to catch a lingering look of Washington,
rebellious Alexandria, and the surrounding region, where they had spent
the first months of their soldier-life.
Dropping down the river, the three steamers bearing the Thirty-third lay
off Fort Washington until the next morning, when they “hove anchor,” and
started for Fortress Monroe. When opposite Mount Vernon, the bells were
tolled in memory of the illustrious dead. The first of the Monitors,
since lost off the coast of North Carolina, lay at anchor further down
the river, and attracted much attention. So diminutive, so insignificant
in appearance, it seemed impossible that this little “cheese-box” could
be so formidable an engine of destruction; able to blow the largest
man-of-war afloat into “one long porthole.” Passing numerous barges,
sloops, and other water-craft, in the employ of the government, the
steamers reached Fortress Monroe at midnight, and the troops disembarked
at Old Point Comfort during the following morning.
Forces belonging to General Heintzelman had already arrived, and were
encamped in the vicinity of the fort. The change in the climate was
very perceptible as well as agreeable. Instead of the bleak, cutting
winds and unhealthy climate of Camp Griffin, a warm genial south breeze
was blowing, and the mild, balmy atmosphere was alike bracing and
exhilarating. After the long confinement of the more northern winter
months, it was far from disagreeable to be transferred to a spot where
the peach trees were in blossom, birds were singing, and flocks sporting
in green meadows.
[Illustration: Ruins of Hampton.]
On landing, the Thirty-third marched to the ruined village of Hampton,
and after tarrying a short time to partake of refreshments, and examine
the various objects of interest, proceeded three miles beyond, and
encamped close to the James River. Prior to leaving Washington, General
Heintzelman had received instructions from General McClellan, who did
not reach the Peninsula until the second of April, to keep all the troops
in the vicinity of the fort for a few days, so that the rebels should
have no idea of the direction in which the army was to eventually move,
whether towards Norfolk or Yorktown. He accordingly did so.
On the 27th reconnoitering parties were sent forward. Smith’s entire
division marched, without knapsack, to Watt’s Creek, a small hamlet near
Big Bethel, where some rebel cavalry were discovered and put to flight by
a few shells from our artillery. There were newly made camps and other
evidences of the recent occupation of the place by rebel infantry. For
the first time, the Thirty-third boys discovered a batch of the rebel
literature, which has furnished so much amusement for northern readers
during the progress of the war. Little groups were collected to listen
to the reading of various documents, including several tender missives,
the writers of which had evidently followed Voltaire’s advice for writing
love letters, “to begin without knowing what you have to say, and end
without knowing what you have written.”
On the same day Gen. Hooker proceeded with his command to Big Bethel,
the enemy decamping when he made his appearance. After remaining over
night at Watt’s Creek, sleeping on their arms, in the forest, the troops
of Smith’s division returned and encamped about two miles north of
Newport News. A severe rain-storm set in after dark, and the men of the
Thirty-third awoke in the morning, to find everything afloat. There was
water enough within the encampment to have easily floated a canoe, which
of course occasioned a general clearing out on the part of the regiment.
Several severe cases of sickness arose from this heavy freshet, and a
Division Hospital was established at Newport News, under charge of the
Thirty-third surgeon. A new and more elevated site, and nearer the James,
was immediately occupied.
[Illustration: Rebel Gunboat Teaser.]
The men were allowed to bathe daily in the river. One afternoon, while so
employed, the small rebel Gunboat Teaser, afterwards captured and found
to be commanded by a younger brother of General Davidson, ran down to
within a mile and a half, and commenced throwing shells at the bathers.
The sudden appearance of these unwelcome visitors in their midst produced
a general “skedaddle,” and the men came running into camp as fast as
their legs would carry them. Some made their appearance in a perfectly
denuded state; others more fortunate had managed to secure a shirt,
while two or three came in with simply cap and stockings on. This affair
created great merriment, and furnished a fruitful theme of conversation
for weeks afterwards. The firing of the Teaser produced no effect beyond
the severe scare administered to the men.
Soon after the return of the regiment from Watt’s Creek, two Companies
proceeded again in that direction to ascertain where the enemy’s picket
lines extended. They saw a few of the confederates, who fled on their
approach. The Thirty-third assisted in building a log redoubt near the
encampment, which was named Fort Wright, in honor of Joseph Wright, Esq.,
of Waterloo, K. Y. Scattered up and down the James River for miles,
were to be seen the remains of elegant country seats and farm, houses,
destroyed by the rebel General Magruder at the time Hampton was burned.
The country on every side presented a scene of ruin and desolation,
conveying to the mind a vivid impression of the wanton devastation of war.
After the lapse of a few days the Thirty-third was sent, with the other
regiments of Gen. Davidson’s brigade, for the third time, to Watt’s
Creek, and after dispersing the rebel pickets, returned without loss.