A Tedious Night March.—White Oak Swamp.—Sudden Attack by the
Enemy.—Narrow Escape of General Smith.—A Cowardly Colonel.
Col. Taylor succeeded to the command of the Brigade. The distance to the
bridge was represented as being inconsiderable, and the troops plodded
wearily along, congratulating themselves that they should soon reach
a resting place; but hour after hour of the long night passed, and no
bridge appeared. Owing to the darkness and confusion, the commands became
mingled together, Regiments losing their Brigades, and soldiers their
Regiments.
It was now the fourth night the men had been without sleep, which,
together with the fearful excitement through which they had passed,
exhausted their strength, and one after another sank down by the road
side, knowing that the enemy would soon be along.
An hour before day the Brigade reached the bridge which crossed White Oak
Swamp, when a scene ensued which baffles description. The structure was
very narrow, and each Regiment pushed ahead pell-mell, in order to get
over first. A Maj. General stood on the bridge and kept repeating: “For
God’s sake hurry up men.” The enemy were pressing closely behind, and
might make their appearance at any moment, rendering escape impossible.
Already guards stood, with torch in hand, waiting the first signal of
their approach to fire the structure, and thereby save those who had
already crossed.
After anxiously waiting an hour, the Thirty-third succeeded in effecting
a crossing, but many were found to be missing. A placard was posted up by
the road-side directing such men as might afterwards come up, to the spot
where the Regiment was located. General Smith temporarily established his
headquarters under a fruit tree, and sent out aids to hunt up his various
Regiments. Those of Colonel Taylor’s Brigade being got together, moved
up, about six o’clock, on their way from the swamp, taking the road to
Harrison’s Landing. They proceeded, however, only a short distance, over
the crest of a hill, and halting, formed in line of battle.
No signs of the enemy being visible, arms were stacked, and the men
scattered in various directions—some to pitch tents, others to bring
water or bathe themselves. Nearly all the stragglers had now got over,
and about eleven o’clock the bridge was in flames. When the Thirty-third
were receiving rations they were suddenly startled by the roar of fifty
cannon and the appearance in their midst of shot and shell. Under cover
of the dense wood on the opposite side of the swamp the enemy had planted
their batteries, in close proximity to us, and obtained perfect range
of our forces. So accurate was their aim that the first shell burst in
the dwelling occupied by General Smith, cutting the gray-haired owner in
two just as he was leaving the house. The same shell disabled Lieutenant
Long, knocked down Lucius Beach of Company C, and killed a Southern
laborer who was standing close by. General Smith was changing his clothes
at the time, and lost his watch. He coolly walked away from the house,
but one of his aids, darting away from him, ran bareheaded through the
Regiment like mad, and getting behind a tree, hugged it closely during
the rest of the cannonade. A momentary panic followed this sudden attack
of the enemy, and it required the most strenuous exertions on the part of
officers to restore order in the ranks. Those who fled to the rear were
brought back at the point of the bayonet. A Regiment stationed in front
of Col. Taylor’s was thrown into the greatest confusion, and, following
the example of their leader, rushed back headlong, sweeping down those
who impeded their course. Exasperated at this conduct, the officers of
the Thirty-third threatened to shoot down the entire Regiment if they
did not return. Their Colonel, who so ignobly deserted them, came and
sat down among the privates of the Thirty-third, when one of them said
to him, “Don’t your Regiment need you? we have got all the officers we
want here.” Upon this he picked himself up and hastened to a hospital
near by. He was afterwards compelled to resign. The Regiment did some
splendid fighting at Antietam, under a new leader. The soldiers all fell
flat on the ground, thereby escaping the shells, which ploughed through
the top of the crest, or, clearing it, struck in the marsh beyond.
Occasionally one would burst directly over their heads, causing some
loss of life. After remaining under this fire for half an hour, Colonel
Taylor withdrew his Brigade to the edge of the woods, and formed them in
line of battle. Maj. Platner, who was now in command of the Regiment, was
ordered to report to General Hancock, who stationed him on the extreme
right of the line, remarking as he did so, “Major, you have the post of
honor; hold the position at all hazards, and add new laurels to those
already won by the Thirty-third.” The firing still continued very heavy,
the enemy making several attempts to cross the swamp, but they were
repulsed each time. The bridge had been burned before their arrival.
Several cavalrymen, however, succeeded in getting over. Lieutenant Hills,
who had been sent to the top of the crest to watch the movements of
the enemy, observed one of these horsemen capture five Union soldiers.
They were lying behind a fence, and when he rode up and ordered them to
surrender the cowards yielded, though having guns in their hands. The
daring trooper likewise rode fearlessly towards Lieutenant Hills, and
shouted to him to surrender. Let the scoundrel come on if he wants to,
said Captain Cole, who had come up, which remark intimidated him, and he
galloped rapidly away. The cannonading continued until after night had
enveloped friend and foe in darkness. General Smith appeared frequently
riding along the line, regardless of the shells which were bursting all
around him, and exhibiting as much nonchalance as if the occasion were
nothing more than a militia training. Halting at one time in front of the
Thirty-third, he said to them, “You are doing nobly; stay where you are
until you get different orders.” He afterwards remarked that the Regiment
had “sustained its former reputation.” While the battle was progressing
a fierce engagement was also going on at Charles City Cross-Roads. The
cheering of friend and foe could be easily distinguished as either side
gained any advantage.
About half-past eight o’clock in the evening the enemy’s fire slackened,
and preparations were made to resume the march. The Division stealthily
withdrew, and were massed in a large field. The men were not permitted
to return to the hillside and secure their knapsacks, which contained
letters, likenesses, &c., but were speedily and quietly hurried away.
A picket line was left to deceive the enemy by making them think that we
still remained. In half an hour’s time all preparations were completed,
and the troops commenced marching. It was a most solemn and impressive
scene as the long column moved away, winding over hill and through dale.
The officers delivered their commands in a whisper, and the men were not
permitted to speak. The artillery was drawn away by hand; one single
Napoleon being left to fire upon the crossing, kept booming, booming all
night long.
The woods adjoining the swamp were set on fire at our departure, casting
a lurid flame over woodland and plain, and lighting up the country for
miles around. An attack was expected every moment, and the snapping of
a twig or cry of a night bird was sufficient to create an alarm. But no
enemy appeared, and the solemn, noiseless march was continued. Colonel
Taylor, in his report of this engagement at White Oak Swamp, said: “Major
John S. Platner, and Captain Cole, of Company C, and Captain McNair, of
Company F, rendered themselves conspicuous in their efforts to get the
men into line of battle and under arms, where they nobly stood until
relieved by the order to fall back.” The following is an extract from a
report subsequently made by General Davidson: “In compliance with special
order No. 42, from 6th Army Corps, to forward any recommendations for
promotion, and the names of the officers and men deserving reward for
distinguished services, I have the honor to report as follows: Major John
S. Platner, Captain James McNair, Company F, and Captain C. H. Cole,
Company C, for gallant conduct at White Oak Swamp. Owing particularly to
the efforts of these officers, the men were formed in perfect order, and
enabled to hold their position under the terrific fire of the enemy.”