BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG, FOUGHT MONDAY, MAY 5.
After crossing Warwick Creek, Sunday, May 4th, Smith’s Division
immediately pushed forward in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The
Thirty-third was ordered to halt near one of the rebel works, and, owing
to the forgetfulness of an Aid, did not resume the march again until 5
o’clock P.M. Darkness coming on, and not being able to ascertain the
whereabouts of the Division, the Regiment bivouaced for the night seven
miles east of Williamsburg.
Several months before, the enemy had constructed a line of defence across
the Peninsula, about two miles back of this city, consisting of a very
extended entrenchment, called Fort Magruder, which covered the high road
from Yorktown, at a narrow and easily defended point, and of five heavy
square earthworks on the north side, and two others on the south.
On retreating from Yorktown, the rebels left several thousand men in
these works to check our pursuit, and enable the bulk of their army to
get across the Chickahominy. Smith’s Division came up Sunday evening, as
likewise did Hooker’s, and other troops of Heintzelman’s Corps, which was
further to the left.
[Illustration: BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.]
As our troops drew near the forts, Monday morning, a heavy artillery fire
was poured upon them, followed by musketry. The Thirty-third overtook
the Division while it was progressing. Meanwhile General Hooker, who was
advancing further to the left, fiercely engaged the enemy, who came out
on the plain to meet him, and being pressed by overwhelming numbers, was
obliged to fall back to the support of General Peck’s Brigade. About
eleven o’clock, General Hancock, who was now temporarily commanding the
Third Brigade, with his own, was ordered further to the right of the
Division, to turn the enemy’s position. The Thirty-third, which had been
marching since daylight, Fifth Wisconsin, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, and
Sixth and Seventh Maine, were assigned to this duty. After proceeding
about two miles to the right, and in view of York River, they changed
their course to the left, and crossed King’s Creek, on a high dam built
by the enemy to “back up” the water, and thereby render the stream
unfordable. The overflow or pond thus made, extended nearly a mile, and
in front of a portion of their entrenchments. Situated upon the high land
at the western extremity of it, was one of the earthworks previously
mentioned, strongly built, and with deep broad moats in front. Further
back, and towards the York, were two others constructed, on a still
higher rise of ground, and surrounded with numerous rifle-pits. They
were, however, now all deserted. Just before reaching the dam, the three
left Companies of the Thirty-third—B, Capt. White, G, Capt. Hamilton,
and K, Capt. McGraw, were left, under Lieut. Col. Corning, to guard the
forks of the road. After the force crossed, they were ordered forward,
and took possession of the first fort, Major Platner being left in
command of them.
General Hancock continued to move forward, and having advanced half a
mile to the left, halted in the field, a short distance from the enemy,
and near by an abandoned redoubt. Lieut. Col. Corning was now ordered
to take Cos. A, Capt. Guion, D, Lieut. Brown, commanding, and F, Capt.
McNair, Regimental Colors and Color Guard, occupy and hold the fort.
This was quickly done, and the beautiful banner soon waved from the
battlements, where it remained through the fierce conflict which ensued,
torn and tattered for the first time by shell and bullets. A few moments
later, Colonel Taylor proceeded with the remaining Companies of the
Regiment, C, E, H and I, to a body of woods to the right and front, and
deployed them as skirmishers.
Wheeler and Cowan’s Batteries moved forward five hundred yards, directly
in front of the redoubt and commenced shelling Fort Magruder, in which
the enemy were posted. They were supported by the Fifth Wisconsin, whose
skirmishers connected with those of the Thirty-third on the right, and
Sixth Maine and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania on the left. From the redoubt,
occupied by Cos. A, D and F, the ground descended slightly for a few
rods, and then became a level plain, extending to Fort Magruder, and
presenting but few obstacles to the advance of infantry.
Our artillery kept up a vigorous fire until two o’clock in the afternoon,
and then ceased, in accordance, as it was understood, with orders from
General McClellan, who had arrived on the opposite side of the creek.
A lull of several hours followed, but the heavy firing from the direction
of our left, indicated that a severe engagement was going on there. No
other troops had arrived to reinforce Hancock, and he held his position
on the enemy’s left flank all day with the small force previously
designated. Night was approaching, and the men began to consider what
further dispositions were to be made of them, when suddenly the rebels
were discovered approaching from the direction of Williamsburg, and
rapidly forming two lines of battle, which extended entirely across the
plain in front. It required but a glance to divine their object. With
overwhelming numbers they expected to press down upon the small force and
capture it entire, or drive it pell mell into the creek. General Hancock
immediately sent word to the batteries and infantry supports to fall back
quickly, which they did, engaging the enemy as they retired. The three
Companies of the Thirty-third were ordered out of the redoubt into line
of battle, but the Color Sergeant and Guard remained to defend and keep
unfurled the banner. The Seventh Maine was likewise posted in line of
battle at the right.
On came the swarthy rebels, shouting Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff, their
lines unbroken and unchecked, while our guns and the Fifth Wisconsin,
Sixth Maine and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, hastily receded, forming on the
left of the Thirty-third, as they fell back. The enemy’s flying artillery
also moved forward, and discharged shot and shell in quick succession,
which fell all around the redoubt. It was a most trying situation—the foe
was steadily bearing down upon us, and no reinforcements, were they to be
had, could cross the narrow mill-dam in time to render assistance. Still
the men faltered not, but nerved themselves for the shock, determined
that many of the enemy should bite the dust before they would surrender.
As the rebels drew nearer and nearer, the men fired rapidly, but failed
to make any impression upon their lines, which swept over the plain
in most perfect order. They had now arrived within seventy yards of
the redoubt. Lieutenant Brown and many other brave fellows had fallen
mortally wounded. The cannoniers with their guns, and members of other
Regiments, were hurrying back to the dam to escape. The right and left of
the line were wavering, and it seemed as if all was lost.
At this critical juncture, the Lieutenant Colonel, turning to Colonel
Taylor, who had just arrived from the skirmish line, remarked, “Nothing
but a charge can check them.” “A charge it shall be,” he replied, and
instantly waving his sword in the air, shouted, “Forward, men,” “Charge
bayonets,” added Lieut. Colonel Corning, and the brave fellows, to a
man, sprang forward on the double quick, and were soon lost in the cloud
of smoke which enveloped the plain. Incited by this gallant example of
three Companies charging a whole Division, other Regiments followed.
Alarmed at this sudden counter charge, and doubtless fearing that they
had underrated our force, the enemy broke and ran in confusion. In vain
the commanding officer attempted to rally them. _Sauve qui peut_ became
the order of the day. The Thirty-third, which was close on the front
line when it broke, halted, and discharged volley after volley upon the
gray-backs, as they scampered over the plain. The other regiments now
joined them, and for several moments a most murderous fire was poured
upon the panic stricken fugitives, who never stopped until they reached
their entrenchments. Many tumbled over on their backs and feigned death,
while others ran towards us with uplifted hands, imploring that we would
spare their lives.
More than two hundred of them lay dead and wounded on the field,
including the Lieut. Colonel and Major of the Twenty-fourth Virginia, and
a Captain on Magruder’s Staff.
It was a most daring and brilliant exploit, deciding the fortunes of the
day, and turning what was, up to this time, a defeat on the left, into a
substantial victory.
The four Companies deployed as skirmishers on the left, to prevent a
flank movement, were not idle during this time. Colonel Taylor had
posted them just beyond a small creek, nearly on a parallel with the
first position occupied by the batteries, as follows: Co. C, Capt. Cole,
right; H, Capt. Drake, centre; E, Capt. Warford, left, and I, Capt.
Root, in rear and reserve. On his departure, Capt. Warford was placed in
command of the line.
After they had been in position a short time, Lieutenant Gummer, of Co.
E, was sent with ten of Captain Cole’s men one hundred and fifty yards
in front, as a party of observation. Having made a proper survey of the
vicinity, he returned and reported to headquarters. Firing now commenced
between the skirmishers on the left, and Captain Warford ordered Captain
Root forward to strengthen the line. Soon after, the enemy’s charging
column made its appearance from the direction of Williamsburg, and
dashing into the woods, struck the skirmish line on the right of Co. E.
Brisk firing ensued, our skirmishers falling back into the forest, and
the enemy pushing on to the open fields at the left.
Owing to the confusion resulting from the sudden turn of affairs, Captain
Root was unable to find the skirmish line, and consequently placed in
an awkward position, the enemy being all around him. His men were not
dismayed, however, but after receding two hundred yards, halted. A small
party of rebels who had broke away from the main force, now approached,
and when within a short distance were fired upon. Taking them to be
friends they cried out, “Don’t fire, you are shooting your own men.” At
this Captain R. ordered them to advance and surrender; and they were,
much to their surprise and chagrin, made prisoners. One of the officers
attempted to escape, but the Captain made after him and compelled him to
deliver up his sword. Other prisoners were afterwards taken, and when
the number was swelled to forty, Captain R, concluding that he had his
hands full, left the woods, and marched them off to the redoubt with his
Company of twenty-seven men.
Not knowing that the wavering in the line was occasioned by the attack
of the enemy’s storming column, Captain Warford attempted to rally it
instead of ordering it to retreat. While doing so, he was informed that
some stragglers wished to give themselves up, but seeing nothing of them,
started back to a small support in the rear. On the way, an officer
approached him and said, “We are falling back,” mistaking him for a
fellow rebel. The Captain immediately captured him. The enemy had now
been routed, and numerous stragglers ran into the woods, and were taken
by the Captain’s men. Frequent shots were exchanged, and several of Cos.
E and H wounded. He was himself repeatedly shot at, but escaped without a
scratch.
When the enemy’s column advanced into the woods, it passed through
Captain Drake’s Company (H), which was in the centre of the skirmish
line, and captured several of his men. After it had gone by, a body of
fifty stragglers returned and suddenly attacked him in the rear. Being
thus surrounded on all sides he, together with several more of his men,
were compelled to surrender. On being ordered to give up his sword to
a non-commissioned officer, he refused, but presented it to a rebel
Lieutenant, who soon after came up. He and twenty of his men were hurried
off to Williamsburg, and a few days later taken to Richmond. After being
confined there and at Salsbury, N.C., several months, he was exchanged and
rejoined the Regiment in Maryland.
Capt. Cole’s Company took thirty-seven prisoners, who were dispatched
to headquarters, under charge of Lieut. Brett. Wm. Moran (private), not
satisfied with halting and compelling them to deliver up their arms, made
the prisoners get down on their knees and “surrender unconditionally.”
“_Down on your knays_, d—n you,” was the order which he administered
to every one he found. He and others of the Company were afterwards
complimented in a Special Order for their conduct on this occasion.
Separated, and each one fighting on their “own hook,” it was marvellous
that all of these four Companies were not captured by the enemy. But
owing to the heavy rain which prevailed, and thick underbrush concealing
their strength and movements, they not only effected their escape,
but brought away nearly as many prisoners as they numbered men. This
constituted a fitting sequel to the operations of the other portion of
the Regiment.
Thus terminated the Battle of Williamsburg, in which the Thirty-third
captured alone one hundred and fifty prisoners, and won the plaudits of
the whole army for its gallant charge. During the following night the
enemy evacuated the city, and its surrounding works, retreating back
to the Chickahominy. The Thirty-third slept on their arms, and on the
following day encamped near York River.
On the evening of the 7th, Gen. McClellan rode into camp on his favorite
bay charger, and the Regiment being drawn up in line, he addressed them
as follows:
OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE THIRTY-THIRD:
“I have come to thank you in person for gallant conduct on the
field of battle on the 5th instant. I will say to you what I
have said to other Regiments engaged with you. All did well—did
all I could expect. _But you did more; you behaved like Veterans.
You are Veterans—Veterans of a hundred battles could not have
done better!_ Those on your left fought well; _but you won the
day! You were at the right point, did the right thing, and at
the right time. You shall have Williamsburg inscribed on your
Banner._”
This brief speech from the Commanding General occasioned the wildest
enthusiasm among the men, and as “Little Mac” rode away, followed by
his Staff, cheer after cheer rent the air. During the same evening a
beautiful roan horse was presented to Adj. Sutton by the Regiment.