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dfurnell llnioerattii Sitbrarii 
 
 Jtliaca, Sleui Hark 
 
 THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 CIVIL WAR LITERATURE 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 JAMES VERNER SCAIFE 
 
 CLASS OF 1089 
 
 1919 
 
- , To Sharp-Sliootersi ^,,j .,, , ; 
 
 To THE Shaep-Shootebs IN THELoyAi, States,:.^. , J 
 
 GENTJiiiiiEn' r Many otyou are undoubtedly aware that 
 an elftiH is maliiiig to get up a regiment to be cbiflposed, 
 entirely of first-class rifle Eho:s at long dis'.ances— and' 
 that, in "const queiice of my having myself daae saniee 
 thiag in the way of riSe-shooting; suggestions have been 
 V madeiiri the pubUcpress that \ should -^id- in this effort. 
 I anij mpr^QMT, receiving, alinost daily, applications by 
 letter tftS' m person to the eaai'reflfect,' and I see ao 
 clewlythe: great importance of the object in view, that I 
 do not feel at. liberty to refrain from doing vvhit I can to ' 
 further it. With this view I propose that all those gen- 
 tiemen who have made themselves good shots al; long . 
 distances, and who are wfllipg to jlace their skill in this 
 way at the service of our country m this her great strug- 
 gle, should send their names to me with'an affidavibshoW- 
 ing the best shooting they have dpne, at 200. yards ;or 
 more. As soon as the necessary arrahgom'snts are made 
 for the equipment, etc., notice wiU be givan to all thdse 
 whose applications shall be approved. Ko appl^cj,t^n 
 will be considered in which the average of ten cbns'eoa- 
 tive Ehota''cxc'eeds five'inches from the center of the target 
 to.the center of the ball at 200 yards.- The prodigious 
 efficiency, of detachments of such s^aip-shooters, armed 
 , witliCurNorihera parent target rifles; hesSs only tatte al-. 
 hided to to he recogrii7ed'%t oticte by all-^who havp; any_ 
 kncwledgeef the subject. Need I add one. word to en-"'' 
 force the duty of our amateur target shots to mifce their, 
 peculiar skill useful to our couTitryat this Hme'ob trial ? . 
 That still, the offspring of a mmly Northern apjrt, citS ' 
 .be converted into' a powerful military instruoient s9 read- 
 ily that I feel confident the subject needs only t'j.be sug- 
 gested to insure its being fully and promptly attended tJ. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ., ' ,' ' 
 • " ' ' " ■ H. BeiiDAHi 
 
 Fifth-avenne Hotel, New Tork, May 30th. 
 
BERDAN'S 
 
 United States Sharpshooters 
 
 IN THB 
 
 Army of the Potomac 
 
 ■ 1861-186J. 
 
 BY 
 
 CAPT. C. A. STEVENS, 
 
 (Historian.) 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 Contentions fierce. 
 Ardent, and dire, spring; from no petty cause. — ScoTT. 
 
 ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA. 
 
 1892. 
 
Copyrighted 1 892 
 
 BY 
 
 C. A. STEVENS. 
 
 PKINTED AND PLATED BY 
 
 THE PRICE-McGILL COMPANY 
 
 ST. PAUL, MINN. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 TO THE UNION VOLUNTEERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 WAR OF THE REBELLION, 
 
 The men who handled the weapons, that did the £ghting. 
 Is this History Dedicated. 
 
 When traitrous foes with an insolence high, 
 
 Resolved our bright banner to lower ; 
 The brave sprang to arms as the danger drew nigh. 
 
 Each heart felt a patriot's power. 
 
 They went with a zeal which stern duty imparts. 
 As their fathers ot old went before them ; 
 
 With the prayers of their loved ones warm in their hearts 
 And the £ag of their hopes Boating o'er them. 
 
 Brave hearts, we'll not mourn thee, lor glorious deeds 
 
 Will live both in song and in story ; 
 And thy country will build for her children who bleed, 
 
 A monument bright with her glory. 
 
 —J. Ha WES. 
 Madison, Wis., 1862. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The authority for writing this book -was conferred upon 
 the author by the Survivors' Association of the United 
 States Sharpshooters, at Boston in 1890 for the First Regi- 
 ment, and at Detroit in 1891 for the Second Regiment. This 
 task was accepted with the expectation of being generally 
 assisted by contributions of incidents from members of both 
 regiments; but in this I have been considerably disap- 
 pointed; so that it has occupied the two years endeavor- 
 ing to obtain facts, especially relating to the "casualties," 
 w^hich have been very difficult to get. Since the work was 
 written I concluded to add the company rosters, and to 
 them refer for casualties not found elsewhere in the book, 
 and altogether so for the Second Regiment. But as I have 
 been unable to obtain anything like complete rosters, except- 
 ing- of a very {ew companies, and with some of them none 
 at all, I was obliged at the last moment to give that up. 
 Valuable aid, however, has been rendered, for which my sin- 
 cerest thanks are tendered. 
 
 It is a pretty difficult matter to write a history of such 
 an organization as ours, composed of so many companies 
 from different states, and there must be many things left 
 out that would add interest to the work. Nevertheless, 
 the writer most sincerely hopes that in its general character 
 after making due allowance for possible errors, the history 
 will be satisfactory, as it is as impartial and truthful as the 
 historian could possibly make it. 
 
 Furthermore, it would be well to state that while this is 
 a history of the Sharpshooters, there has been at no time a 
 desire to make it appear that "we did it all." On the con- 
 trary, much pains has been taken to obtain the names of 
 organizations engaged w^ith us in every battle of impor- 
 tance, and to refer to their part as well as our own. By this 
 means, a better idea of the engagement is obtained. 
 
 C. A. S. 
 
 Shakopee, Minn., Aug. 1, 1892. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PREPARATORY. 
 
 The Union Volunteers — Sharpshooter Organization — Required Test — 
 Camp of Instruction^ — Target Practice— .Breech-Loader Contro- 
 versy — Sharps Rifles for Skirmishers — Battks of Lewinsville and 
 Munson's Hill — President Lincoln as a Rifle Shot — Col. Berdah 
 Put to the Test— Prize Shooting— Forged Pass — Camp Duties- 
 Nine Smiths — Sickness and Deaths — Sanitary Reports — Dress 
 Parades and Drills — Fence Destroyers — Open-Air Sports — Band of 
 Brothers^Soldier Tricks ^Persistent Church Member — Cussed 
 Volunteer — Martinets — Reiriews and Visits — March Comes, and 
 Marching Orders, - - 1 
 
 FIRST CAMPAIGN. 
 
 The Peninsular Campaign — Breaking Camp — From Washington to 
 Alexandria — Heavy Knapsacks, Rain and Mud — Camp CaJifomy 
 — 'Colt's Bevolving Rifle — Regimental Officers — Down the Potomac 
 — Mount Vernon — Fortress Monroe — The Monitor — Arrival at 
 Hampton — Deserted Village — Hungry Volunteers — "John Brown" 
 and " Dixife "—Army Chorus—" Fall In ! "—Beginning of War, 26 
 
 Big Bethel — Pitz John Porter's Division — Sharpshooters in Front — 
 Position of Honor — Successful Reeonnoisance — Return to Camp 
 Porter— Odell and the Brute— His "Little Flirt"— Gen. McClellan ' 
 on the Field — His Army — Another Advance — Sharpshooters Lead 
 the Way — Howard's Bridge — Foraging Molasses, ... - - 32 
 
 Battle of Yorktown — Droll Occurrence — Sharpshooter Engagement — 
 "Corporal Peck Hit" — Barrett's Account — Peach Orchard Pence — 
 Silencing Rebel Cannon — Truman Head — Enemy's Cavalry — Scat- 
 tered and Scampered — Our Good Batteries — Fiery Shower — First 
 Sharpshooter Killed — Retaliation — Narrow Escapes — Good Day's 
 Work — Complimentary Notices — Scanty Rations — Fresh Beef— No 
 Salt, Plenty GarUc— Winchell's Relief— Loaded With Coffee and 
 Sugar — Bibulous Sutler — Confiscated Greenbacks — Siege Opera- 
 tiqns, 37 
 
Vm CONTENTS. 
 
 Siege of Yorktown— Camp Winfield Scott— Eifle Pit Service— Wild 
 Balloons — Night Skirmishes— California Joe — Col. Baker's Poem 
 —Good Shot— Picket Talk— Rebel Darkey — Mortar Shelling— 
 Special Scouts — Blunder Work — Hurried Fight — Sand as an Explo- 
 sive-Joe Durkee— Rebel Boasting— High-Toned Rifle Pits— Captur- 
 ing a Cannon — Old Seth — Confederate Crovrs — Berdan's Orders — 
 The Evacuation— Rebel Torpedoes— Sharpshooters First in York- 
 town — Spoils of War — Great Enthusiasm— Berdan and Ripley — 
 Smith's Division, -- -- - ... ... 45 
 
 Warw^ick River — Pursuing the Enemy — ^Williamsburg — A Rough Night 
 — Sorry Soldiers — Aschmann's Report — Casualties of War — Headed 
 for Richmond — Yorktown — Entering the Village — Company L — 
 Unfortunate Telegraphist — Sharpshooting Testimony — The Sharps 
 Rifles — York River — Scene on the Water — Franklin's Division — 
 West Point Landing— Shallow Waters — Well-Ducked Cattle- 
 Swimming Horses — Tough Marching — Cumberland Landing — 
 Weight pf Knapsacks — Seward's Visit — Piv^ Miles in 10 Hours — 
 White House — Dust and Destruction — Fatal Vaccination — March- 
 ing Oil — Provost-Guard — Protecting Enemy — Rebel Pillagers — 
 Barker's Mills — Buying Provisions — ^Union Gold vs. Confederate 
 Scrip — Slight Yankee Trick — Camping on the Chickahominj' — 
 Gaines' Hill, - - 70 
 
 Hanover Court House — McClellan's Promptness — On the Alert — 
 Eighteen Miles Through Rain and Mud — Kinney's Farm — 25th 
 New York — Fire in Rear — Counter-March — Peake's Station — Down 
 their Flank— Great Victory— Gen. Branch— Capt. GrifiBn's Shell- 
 Capture of Dr. Marshall — Subsequent, Death — Possum-Playing 
 Nurse — AtweU's Exploit — ^Vincent's Quick Shot — Riddled Woods 
 and Fences — Paddy's Bayonet — Peck's Rifle — Vermont Boy Ahead 
 —Revolver and Sword — "Snap Shot" — Mailed Shirt — Wild Allen — 
 McClellan Cheered — Porter's Report — Return to Camp — Mired 
 Soldier — Striking Lightning — Dessicated Vegetables — ^In the Soup — 
 " Good-Bye " Company L — 1st Minnesota and 2d Wisconsin — Fair 
 Oaks — Guarding the Swamp — Balloon Observations — Dr. Gaines — 
 Plucky Corporal — Insolent Doctor — Brought to His Senses by a 
 " Yankee Hireling " — Rebel Cannon vs. Union Balloons, .... gS 
 
 Grapevine Bridge — Regiment Divided — Detached Companies — "Nine 
 Mile Road" — Sharpshooter Decoys — Damaged Johnny — Baldy 
 Smith — Fort Davidson — Prevailing Sickness — Chickahominy 
 
 Swamp — Battered Town — Good Men Die from Swamp Fever 
 
 Tom McCaul's Adventure — Stealing Dead Comrade — OflF to Wis- 
 consin — Bold and Successful — Slocum's Division — Fair Oaks Bat. 
 
CONTENTS. iX 
 
 tie Field— An Unpleasant Resort— Half Buried Soldiers in Scanty 
 Graves— A Forbidden Spot— McCall's Division— Increasing Enemy 
 —Storm Brewing^Nigger on Horseback, ...-....-- 95 
 
 The Seven Days' Battles— Ordered into line— Knapsacks Stacked and 
 EverythingReady— Return of Runaway— A Swig and Puff— Into 
 The Fight— Battle of Mechanicsville— Sharpshooters and Bucktails- 
 Rescued by Gen.Reynolds— Capt.Drew's Escape- Fleeting Moments 
 —Rebel Repulse and Union Victory — Pennsylvania Reserves — 
 McCall's Report — Reserve Companies — Berdan's Discovery — 
 Major Stone's Report— rSergt. Hetherington's Scout— Battle of 
 Gaines' Mill— Tommy's Straw Hat— Rebel Flag— Last of the Lan- 
 cers — ^Berdan and Matfaeson — Crossing Swamp — Loss of Hair- 
 Covered Knapsacks — Ten Shots a Minute — Change of Base — People 
 Will Talk— A Checkmate. 101 
 
 Gamett's Farm — Major Trepp's Command — Golding's Farm— Protect- 
 ing_ Details — Destroying Bridges — Gen. Smith's Front— Newton's 
 Brigade — Off for James River — Dlumed Destruction — California 
 Regiment — Bottom's Bridge — Burning Train — ^Isolated Com- 
 panies — Allen's Farm — Sumner's Corps — Sharpshooters Surprised 
 Lefb Behind — ^Taking to Woods — Report to Gen. Richardson — Con- 
 soling Answer — Savage Station — Bums' Brigade — Gen. Lee Heard 
 From — Sick and Disabled — Caldwell's Brigade — Union Surprise 
 Party — In Am bush — Excited but Vigilant, ---.-.--.. 122 
 
 White Oak Swamp — Confused Troops — Intense Heat and No Water — 
 Capt. Hasting's Darky — "Dis is no place for me, Sar" — Dirt- 
 Packed Ears— " Terrible " Sun— Glendale— Suffering Sharpshooters 
 — Grievous Losses — Death of Capt. Drew — Last Bugle Notes — 
 Narrow Escapes — Capture of Gen. McCall — " Hand to Hand and 
 Foot to Foot"— The Day Saved— Night, in the Wood— Johnnies 
 and Yanks Slightly Mixed — ^Louisiana Tiger — Wisconsin Badger — , 
 And California Hunter — Luckless Grayback — ^Night Volley — Sharp- 
 shooter Shot — Midnight March — Turkey Bend — The Separated 
 Connected — ^Col. Barlow^Hot Place — Fighting in the Dark — ^Lieu- 
 tenant Peet Wounded — The Regimental Command — Recounoitering • 
 in the Dark with Geni. Porter — Starved Out, Gaunt, and Weary 
 Men — Hooker's Division, --.. ....... .... 130 
 
 Malvern Hill — ^Last of the Seven Days — Magruder's Columns — We 
 Win — Demoralized Confederates — Gunpowder and Whisky — Col. 
 Ripley Wounded, Resigns — Sergt. Tyler — Dangerous Duty Well 
 Performed — Porter's Statements — Berdan's Report — Fresh Beef — 
 " Hot and Hungry " Soldiers — The 1st Michigan — Reserves Under 
 Firfr— McClellan's Panegyric on the Army of the Potomac — Leav- 
 
X COKTENTS. 
 
 tag Malvern— Lame, Halt and Blind— The Tall Corporal on tlie 
 Right— Lost Vermonter— Arrifal at Harrison's Landing— Shields' 
 Division— Saucy Rebs— The Sea of Mud— Glorious- Old Horse- 
 Going into Camp — President Lincoln Comes — McClellan Reviews — 
 Sorrow at the Losses— More Sickness, More Deaths— Fresh 
 Rations— Lemons and Peaches— Darkies and Plies^^Recmiting 
 Details— August 1st— Grand Rumpus by the Enemy— Unexpected 
 Shelling— Union Camp in an Uproar— Quiet Restored— Rebels 
 Decamping, ............-.------ 142 
 
 The Second Regiment — From Washingten to Second Bull Run — 
 McDowell 's Corps — Their First Skirmish — The Unfortunate Scout^- 
 Falmouth — Good Work with Colts — Into Fredericksburg — March- 
 mg South to Join McClellan— Jackson Interferes — "In Four Dif- 
 ferent Directions " — ^Exchanging Shots with Rebel -Cavalry — I^orced 
 March — Railway Casualty — Forty-four Sharpshooters Injured — 
 Return to Fredericksburg-^Colts Rifles no Longer — New Sharps 
 Received— t)range Court House — Fatal Trajectories — Gibbon in 
 Command — Good Service— Col. Peteler— Gtdney's Station — Back 
 to Falmouth — Too Late for Cedar Mountain — ^Banks FalteBaek^- 
 Rappahannock Station— Reb Captain — Flag of fruce — Sulphur 
 Springs — Driving a Rebel Battery — Arrival at MaUassas, - - - - 160 
 
 SECOND CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Harrison's Landing to Washington — Army of the Potomac Ordered 
 A.vray — Lee Reinforces Jackson — Pope's Rear — Sensational Rumors 
 —Stuart s Cavalry Raid — Pope's Dispatch Book— Stuart's Rfeport 
 — ^Pope's Indignation— Intelligent Contrabands— Traversing the 
 Peninsula— Green Fruit Medicine— Embarking at Newport 
 News — Acquia Creek — Tedious Landing — Cars for Falmouth^- 
 Marching to Barnett's Ford — Changing Positions — Moving North 
 
 » — Night at Warreriton Junction — Ready for the March — Sleepy 
 Infantry— Grumbling and Swearing — Disgust, but no Explanation 
 — A Dark Night— Orders Countermanded — Road Blocked — Pope's 
 Wagons— Bristoe — 5th Corps Get There— Hooker's Fight — Gibbotl 
 at Gainesville — Black Hatted Fellows — Second Sharpshooters— 
 Off for Centreville— About Face— Fight Mit Sigel- Bad Gap— Jack- 
 son and Longstreet, ---- -- .......... j-^g 
 
 Dawkin's Branch — Second Regiment on the Centreville Road 
 
 Col. Post Saves the Flag— Groveton— Terrific Struggle— War- 
 ren's Brigade — Regulars and Reserves — Undismayed — Drawn 
 ■'.Battle — Berdan's Orders— He was Right — Col. Robert's Report 
 I — Rebel Balls Thicker Than Leaves — Our Boys at the Ditch 
 — Second Regiment Reviewed — Col. Peteler — Bob Casey's Anger 
 
OO^iTENTS. XI 
 
 — ^His Last Shot— Dropped from a Tree Top — Sergt. Brown — 
 Porter's Compliments — Crossing Bull Run — "Rations and Rein- 
 forcements" — Back to Starting Point— Raw Troops to Vet- 
 erans — 5tli Corps Triumphs — Chantilly — Stevens and Kearny 
 — Gen. Pope Departs — McClellan in Command — Army of the 
 Potomac Ready for Another Fight — Recruits Commg In, - - - 1T9 
 
 THIRD CAMPAIGN. 
 
 The Maryland Division — Away from Washington — Second ,at .South 
 Mountain — Hot Weather and Sunstrokes — More Recruits — ^Battleof 
 Antietam — Hard Fought and "Victorious — Lincoln to McClellan — 
 " God Bless you and All With You — Second Sharpshooters Lose 
 Heavy — Capture of Flags — Howard's Wounds — Adjutant Parmelee 
 — Jack Whitman — Independent Sharpshooters — Telescope Rifles 
 Compared to Clubs — Gen. Gorman Speaks— Co. L Suffers, - - 194 
 
 Blackford's Ford — Sharpshooter Gallantry — Much Captured Canmon 
 — Unfortunate Pennsylvanians— Spurious Enfieids — Ready Yolun^ 
 teers — Rushing Waters Have no Terrors— Berdan and Marble on 
 Recruits— " Send More of the Same Sort" — Porter on Glorious 
 Result — Lincoln Makes Another Visit — Hard Worked Soldiers — 
 Sadness and Gloom — Their Depleted Ranks — Worn Out Clothes 
 and Wormy Rations — Paper Shoes — Greedy Contractors — Good 
 Quartermasters — Regular Army Shoe^The Things for MarAiMg— • 
 Boots a Nuisances-Sorry Soldiers — Humphrey's Division — Rebel 
 Stuart Around — Leaving Sharpsburg — Into Virginia Agaiii^ 
 Siricker's Gap — Climbing Mountains at Night— Slippery Business — 
 WMte Plains Snowstorm— Gen. McClellan Relieved — Burnside in 
 Canunand — Gen. Porter Relieved — Hooker Takes the 5th C«rps — 
 McClellan'B Farewell, - 206 
 
 FOURTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Under Burnside — 45 Miles in 7 Days — Quarters at Falmouth — Short 
 Rations— Poor Clothing- Dissatisfied Soldiers— No Pay and Bad 
 Humor — Pilfered Knapsacks — ^"Sixty Rounds Ammunition and 
 Marchiag Orders"- Battle of Fredericksburg — Great Slaughter— 
 The Lost in Action — Outpost Duty— After the Battle— Sharp- 
 shooters Last to Recross the River at Fredericksburg — The Left 
 Wing- — Second Sharpshooters in Good Service — Solid Shot— Scat- 
 tered Clothing and Flying Envelopes — Pettijohn's Bar — Reckless 
 Rebs — Meet and Shake — ^The Battle Criticised — People to Blame — 
 Not the Soldiers, - - - 216 
 
Xn CONTENTS. 
 
 Ellis Ford— Sharpshooters and Cavalry— Slippery Ford— Mid-deep 
 and Cold— Adjutant Horton— Rebel Treed— Long Chase— Ugly 
 Brute— Richard's Ford— New Year's Day— Important Capture- 
 Fowl Prisoners— Work for Veterans- Men of Iron— Sharpshooter 
 Brigade— Colonel Berdau, Chief— Mud March— Bank's Ford— Rain 
 in Toirents- Stuck in the Mud— Returning to Camp— A Difficult 
 Matter— Corduroy Roads — An HonestR equisition, ------ 226 
 
 IN CAMP. 
 
 Winter Quarters— Anniversary Exercises — Grand Shooting Match — 
 Champion Medals— Other Sports— Wild Jerseyman — Trepp on 
 Berdan— "He Beats der Teifel!" — Changing Camp — Gambling — 
 " Telescopes" At Rest — Off-Hand Breech-loaders — Bite and Tear 
 Cartridge — Safety Sharps — Returned Prisoner — Rappahannock 
 Mud— The Lost Shirt— Picket Alarm— Signal Lights— Clattering 
 Hoofs — Sleepy Reserves — Disturbing the Concern — The " Wide- 
 Awake" Fast Asleep — Picket Crawlers — Straggling Grayback — 
 Pertaining tc Discipline — Stalw^art Peeper — Longest Way Around 
 the Shortest Way Home — Constitutional Cowards — First Example 
 — Uncomplaining Fighters — Trouble in Camp — Officers Quarrel — 
 Arrests and Court-Martial, --- --. 232 
 
 FIFTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Fighting Joe in Command — Bumside Relieved — A Gallant Leader — 
 Into the 3d Corps — Good Bye 5th — Whipple and Sickles — General 
 Training — Eight Day's Rations — "Finest on the Planet" — Chan- 
 cellorsville Campaign — Those Climbers — Fitz Hugh Crossing — 
 Eainy Weather — United States Ford — Reb Prisoners — ' ' Them Sharp 
 Fello-^s" — Close Picket — Two Spies — Water and Mud— Cased, 
 Shot and Canister — Lititle Rest on Wet Ground — Supporting a 
 
 I Battery — Out in Front — Enemy Driven Back — Sharp Duelling — 
 Individual Exchanges — Lucky Sharpshooters — Suffering Supports 
 Bimey's Division, .....:... - --.. 244 
 
 The Cedars — Successful Skirmishing — A Brisk Fight — White Flag — 
 Capt. Chase Shot — "Secesh Firing"— Jackson's Wagons-^Wealthy 
 Fredericksburger — Recruit's Capture — Welford's Furnace — Sixty 
 Sharps Rifles— Huddling Johnnies — Trapped — 23d Georgia — Capt. 
 Baker's Command — Lieutenant Thorp — Sickles Credits Sharp- 
 shooters — No Lazy Provost could Fool Him — Humane Acts by 
 Worthy Comirades — Galloway's Escape — Regular Officer on Sharp- 
 shooters — Fine Tactics of Skirmishers — Of the Best of Organiza- 
 tions of Volunteer Service— Jackson's Flanking Column — The 
 11th- Corps — Disorderly Retreat — 26th Wisconsin — Stout Resist- 
 ance — 58th and 119th New York — Carl Schurz — Confusion Con- 
 
CONTENTS. xiJi 
 
 founded— Jackson's Wedge of Cold Steel — His Last Victory- 
 Sickles and Pleasanton — Their Gallant Resistance— Our Cavalry — 
 8th Pennsylvania — Brilliant Service, Fearful Loss— Major Huey — 
 Sickles' Description — Pleasanton's Report — Berry's Division — Gen. 
 Knipe's Story — Hancock and Miles — The Hero of Chancellorsville 
 — Death of Stonewall Jackson, -.---.-..-... 248 
 
 Sunday's Fight— Fairview-Sickles' Brigade— The Crash— Yells of Gray 
 Cheers of Blue — Gritty Corporal— Picking Off Gunners— Reb Bul- 
 lets in Front — Union Cannon in Rear>— Dr. Brennan — "Stop those 
 Guns 'til I get the Wounded away" — Sharpshooter Charge — Stone- 
 wall Brigade Driven — Death of "Rough" — Raging Fires — Unfortu- 
 nate Wounded — Burned and Suffocated — Sharpshooter Captures— 
 Capt. Wilson's Command — Skirmishers Alignment — Prominent 
 Officers Pass Judgment on Sharpshooter Service — Major Hastings 
 — Union Artillerists — Other Reports — Hooker's Danger — Chancellor 
 House — Narrow^ Escape— Sickles' Efforts Unsupported — Three Corps 
 Idle— Opportunity Lost — Hooker's Name and Skill, ------ 261 
 
 Sharpshooting and Skirmishing — May 4th — Shelling Union Train — 
 Gen. Whipple Killed — Berdan'sLine — Adjutant Horton^— Wounded 
 and Last Appearance — Second Regiment on Picket Lines — Sedg- 
 wick's Success and Failure — Great Loss — Buchanan and Nelson's 
 Scout — The Isolated Skirmisher — 17 Hours Swamp Duty — Moves 
 and Feints — Griffin's Duel — Soaking Rain— Fall Back! — Re-Cross 
 Rappahannock — 1st Corps — Not In It — Hard Fought and Disas- 
 trous Battles— Enormous Casualty — Patriotic Test-Brave Brewer 
 — Gallantr Chase— The "Fighting Parson"— Practices What He 
 Preaches — Back to Camp — En Route — Weary and Dejected — Ban- 
 tering Jests and Greetings — Cheering Troops— "Full Moon" Corps 
 — Iron Brigade — Last War Path— Downcast and , Gloomy Pros- 
 pects—Boys in Blue— Spirits Revived— Hooker's "Congratulatory" 
 — Patriotism Knocks Demoralization — Preparing for Another 
 Move — Hooker Kept Busy — Pleasanton's Cavalry — Lee Working 
 North— Lincoln to Hooker— The Gored Ox— Music in the Air, - - 269 
 
 SIXTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Pennsylvania Invasion — The Two Regiments- Ward's Brigade — Miles 
 of Dust — Northward Bound— Hard Marching— Great Suffering — 
 The Sun's Heat — Debilitated and Sunstruck- Kilpatrick at Aldie — 
 Hooker's Love for Good Soldiers— Proud of His Cavalry— Impor- 
 tant Dashes— Lee to Raid the North— Pushing Along the Shenan- 
 doah— Bold Invasion of Free Soil— Union Army Moving— Cross 
 into Maryland — Up Towards Pennsylvania— Hooker's Surprise — 
 Resigns the Command — Hooker and Halleck— Love Not— Meade 
 in the Saddle— The Last Commander of the Army of the Potomac, 282 
 
"XIY CONTENXS. 
 
 Gettysburg — First Day — Bwford's Cavalry — Our Batteries — Cashtown 
 !Road— Gen. Reynolds— Killed at the Front— 1st Corps— Qreat 
 Fighting- 11th Corps — Gen. Schurz — Howard in Command— Sem- 
 inary Hill— Gen. Doubleday— Gettysburg "Painted Red"— A Gory 
 Picture — Telling Johnnies — Shouting Yanks — 45th New York 
 — Awful Scene — Capt. Wood— Doomed- Horse — Serious Losses' in 
 Iron Brigade — Also the 1st Corps— Private Maloney^ohn Bums — 
 " His Long Brown Rifle "—And " Bell-Crowned Hat "—Honor and 
 Glory to Our Cavalry — An All-Day Fight — Hancock's Arrival — 
 Disposition of Troops — His Battle Line — Position of the Enemy — 
 Union Corps Coming Up, ---- ........... 286 
 
 Gettysburg — ^Second Day— Third Corps — Sharpshooters to the Front — 
 Eeconnoissance — Pitzer's Run — The Turning Point vs. High Water 
 Mark — Longstreet's Thousands — Berdan's Three Hundred — Subse- 
 quent Acknowledgment — Sergt. Drew — Saving Round Tops — Capt. 
 McLean — Wounded and Died — Buchanan's Oration — Kipp's State- 
 ment— AUfen's Dilemma— "Ye Blatherin Divil"— Not Shot— Eugene 
 Paine — Gilman K. Crowell — Trepp and Baker — Two Nichols — 
 Emmitsburg Road — Gen. Sickles' Line — Terrific Assault — 3d Corps 
 SuflFers — Oflicers and Men Alike — Life for the Union — Heroic Dan 
 Sickles — Severely Wounded — Various Organizations — Suiferiug 
 Artillery — Stannard's Vermonters — 1st Minnesota — The Round 
 Tops — ^Ward's Brigade — Piercing,Frenzied Shouts — Mozart's Regi- 
 ment— ;Gen. Warren — Col. Vincent — Second Sharpshooters Under 
 Col. Stoughton — Gallant Resistance — Important Service — Check- 
 ing the Rebels — Confederate Commander's Admission — Saving Lit- 
 tle Round Top— Col. Gates— The Hornet's Nest— Harvest of the 
 Slain, - 301 
 
 Gettysburg — Third Day— 12th Corps — Obstinate Fighting— Geary's 
 Reports-Ominous Silence— Galling Cannonade — Heaviest Known 
 — Lee Fooled — Pickett's Charge — Terrible to Contemplate — "Amaze 
 and Terror Seize the Rebel Host" — Driven Back Disrflayed — Vic- 
 tory for the Union— Incidents— Stoaghtpn and Stannard — Willard 
 the Sharpshooter — Proctor's Contribution — Company B — Lieut. 
 Cushing — Hancock Wounded — Gibbon and Doubleday — Rebel 
 Divisions — Routed Complete — 8th Ohio — Newton and Bimey — Wel- 
 lington Fitch, -.....- ... ....... 330 
 
 Devil's Den— Sharpshooter Detail— Sorry Johnnies— Tyler's Assurance 
 — Happy Prisoners — Gallant Sortie— Danger in the Rear— Com- 
 pany G and the Rebel Brigade— Captured with Colors— July 4th — 
 More Quiet— Peach Orchard — Burying Dead — Stoughton's Regi- 
 ment — Driving the Enemy — Positions Taken, Held— July 5th — 
 Rebels Retreat — Sharpshooters Forward to Reconnoiter — Both 
 
CONTENTS. XT 
 
 Sides Lose Heavily — Meade's Statement —Longstreet — Sharp- 
 shooter Ammunition — Dark Green Cloud — Excitement North — Wild 
 with Joy— Great, Glorious Field of Gettysburg — After Lee— Shabby 
 Treatment — Rebs at Williamsport — Second Chafing for a Fight — 
 Back to Virginia — No More Northern Raids — Fairfield Pass — 
 Meade's Report — Wapping Heights — Advancing Under Fire — Excel- 
 sior Brigade— Little Bluffer— Exhausting March— Sunstruck Sol- 
 diers — Rich Plunder Recaptured — A Pioneer — Sulphur SpritigSt— 
 Fifty Days Campaign — Changes in Rank, -.---.-... 339 
 
 SEVENTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Racing With Lee — Off for Culpeper — Turkey Foragers — Good 
 Story — 2d Sharpshooters — Union Telegraph — Log Cabins — The 
 " Rogue's March " — Romeo Wilson — The Long Roll — Northward' 
 Again — Parallel Lines — Rebs and Yanks — Rapldan to Bull Run — 
 Good Roads — Fast Traveling — Fording Streams — Kilpatrick'9 
 Charge — Auburn — The Sharpshooter Charge — Breech-Loading 
 Advantages — ^Repulse of Gray Jackets and Butternuts — Greenwich 
 — Forced March — ^Warren's Corps — Lee Detained — Blackburn's 
 Ford^Gentreville ileights— 2d Corps Fight— Fairfax— 3d Corps 
 in Line — Gen. Sickles' Visit — Fate of a Deserter — "In the Lowest 
 Deep" — fl^ard Tack — Marble and Trepp — Worms vs. Bugs — Uncte 
 Sam's Rations— "Them B. C.'s," . : . . 354 
 
 Bull Run to Kapidan — The ShriU Bugle — 0. & A. Railway— Manassas 
 Plains — Puckery Persimmons — Wading Runs — Rebel Rail Tvristers 
 — Union Repairs — Foiled if Not Fooled — The Last Chance — Future 
 Breastworks — Rain in Torrents — Leaky Shelters — Fight Rather 
 than Drill — Election Day — Voting on the Picket Line — Union 
 Ticket — Kelly's Ford — A Sharpshooter Victory — Charging the 
 River — Capturing Rifle Pits — Many Prisoners — Narrow Escapes — 
 Brave Acts — Lieut. Wells — A Double-Shotted Johnny — Exciting 
 Incidents — Far in Advance — Infantry in Reserve — Receive Prison- 
 ers — Premonition — Fatal Result — Allen's Yam — The Virginia Chim- 
 ney — ^An Exploded Supper — Rebs Go South — Rappahannock Sta- 
 tion — Meade's Compliments — French to the Boys — Gen. DeTrobri- 
 and — Second Regiment — Brandy Station — Quick Victory — Flying 
 Foes — Brandy Plains — Grand View — Corps Flags— All on Time — 
 Meade's Ability — ^Army United— John Minor Bbtts — Surprised Con 
 federates — Abandoning Snug Winter Quarters — In Hurried Con- 
 fusion — "More Like a Drove of Sheep than Men," - -■- - - 364 
 
XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 EIGHTH CAMPAIGN.- 
 
 Mine Rtrn Campaign— Winter Foray— Cold Weather— Battle of Locust 
 Grove— Tough Action— Sharpshooters Catch It— But Flinch? 
 Never!— Lieut. Connington— fail's Brigade— Charges and 
 Denials— Meade, French and Wa,Tren— Unsatisfactory Outcome 
 —3d Corps— Only Ones "In It"— Except Gregg's Cavalry— They 
 Whip Infantry, after Driving Rebel Cavalry, ■.------ - 378 
 
 Mine Run— Big Fizzle— No Fault of Sharpshooters— They Are On 
 Hand— Enemy's Works— Assault Abandoned— Death of Col. Trepp 
 — A Great Loss — Marble in Command — Chaplain Barber — His Last 
 Shot— Provisional Brigade — Orders to Withdraw — Another Tough 
 March— Tired Soldiers— "Four Miles to Brandy"—Botts' Farm- 
 End of a Tough Campaign— Winter Quarters— Bott's Timber— G. 
 K. Crowell's View— Breaking Camp— Near Culpeper "Camp Bul- 
 lock"— Virginia Honey— Re-Enlistments — ^The Veterans — Berdan 
 Resigns — An Expedition— Morton's Ford — Little Fork Rangers — 
 Picket Murder— Cavalry Skirmish — Mule Race— James City Raid — 
 March Snowstorm— 6th Corps — Custer— Kilpatrick—Dahlgren — 
 Slush and Mud — Incurable Exposures — Future Pension List — The 
 Lieutenant-General — Consolidated Corps — The Diamond Badge — 
 Major Mattocks — Another Camp — Marching Orders — Six Hour 
 Drills— The Soldiers' Condition — Good for Rough Marches and 
 Hard Fighting — How Hays became a Sharpshooter, ----- 385 
 
 NINTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Under Grant — Hays' Brigade — In the Wilderness — Wilson Commands 
 — Second Regiment Recapture a Cannon — Hancock's Corps — Hill 
 Driven, Returns Reinforced — Capt. Buxton Killed — Death of 
 Wadsworth — Longstreet Wounded— The Rebel Yell — The Blue and 
 the Gray — Rebel Success — Grand Union Rally — The Counter Charge 
 —Rebels Beaten— Sergt.|Tarbell's Flag— "Close Calls"— Burnside's 
 Promptness — Orange Road — That Jackass Battery — Fatal Spot 
 — The Provost Guard — Forlorn Hopes — Guarding the Wood- 
 Infernal Music — Vedettes in Front — Ominous Scene — Black Night- 
 Hundreds of Silent Sleepers — Northern Pale Faces — Southern 
 Chocolates — Sharpshooters Last to Leave the Wilderness — How 
 men Fall in Battle— Sergt. Cobb'sRebel Friends— Down the Brock 
 Road — "Swapping Guesses" — Going South — To "Fight it Out on 
 That Line if it Took all Summer" — Light Hearts, Ready for the 
 Worst — Crossed the Rapidan for the Last Time, ------- 401 
 
 Todd's Tavern— The Timbered Hill— Sharp Fighting— Lieut. Judkins 
 Shot — Catharpin Road — Corbin's Bridge — Sharpshooters Skirmish 
 
CONTENTS. XVll 
 
 —Rebel Bivouacs— Elevatiiig Sights— Rebel Signaling— Whistling 
 Sharps— Hancock Pleased— Fighting at Po River— Shelling Woods 
 —Thick Dust— Sedgwick Killed— Brooke's Brigade— Forcing the 
 Foe— Barlow's and Gibbon's men— Excelsiorg-^5th Corps— Hot 
 Fighting— 6th Corps— Stoughton Shot— Upton's Charge— Meade 
 Shelled— Grant and His Cigar— Hancock's Report— Masked Bat- 
 tery— SoflFering Second— False Dispatches— Shallow Pits— Bayonets 
 and Tin Plates— Kflling Canteen Fillers— "Special Duty"— Night 
 March— Wiry Rain— Fiery Shells— Stealthy Movement, - . . . 415 
 
 Spottsylvania— Hancock's Charge— Rebel Salient— Great Captures— 
 "Yon 'Uns and We 'Uns'"- Rebel Charges— Desperate Conflict- 
 Terrible Destruction— "Piled Up"— The Battered Tree— Heart- 
 rending Scenes— The Crowell Brothers— Annihilating Shells— Rain, 
 Mud, Powder and Rust— Soldiers' Precaution— "Fire Low, Boys" 
 —Drunken Officers— "Extinguished"— The Boys .Didn't Weep— 
 Patriotism vs. Whisky — Active Work— Skirmishing and Charging 
 — ^New Troops — "The Heavies" — Blankets and Overcoats, — ^Yours 
 to Command — ^After the First Fight — ^Leaving Spottsylvania— On 
 the Ny— Harris House— "To the Left" Again— Milford Station- 
 Establishing Picket Lines — Chesterfield, .--....... 424 
 
 The North Anna— Telescope Rifles— Pierce and Egan— Viall's Report- 
 Stars and Stripes — Over the Bridge— Stevens' Detail — Rebel Huts- 
 Johnnies Run Wild — Fox's House— Regimental Reserve— Hancock, 
 Burnside, Bimey and Crittenden — ^Narrow Escape— Searching 
 Shells — Tyler's Knapsack — Thorp Resigns — Tyler Promoted — 
 Drenching Rain — No Fight — Quartermaster Marden — Relieving 
 Bumside-Guarding the Front— Wilson and Stevens— "On Picket" — 
 Recrossing to New Battle Scenes — The March Resumed — Cavalry 
 Skirmish — Dead Horses — Crossing the Pamunkey — 8 Miles from 
 Mechanicsville — Sergt. Eli Cook — ^His Battery Silencers — Shooting 
 in the Muzzles — Protecting Passing Troops, ---..... 433 
 
 The Totopotomoy — Rails in Front — Mortar Shells Overhead — Brooke's 
 Charge — Swift Run — Captain Jack — Sharpshooters Advance — Run 
 to the Front — Facing Severe Fire — Breckinridge's Troops — Dust- 
 ing, Spattering Bullets — Close to the Enemy — Unarmed Captures 
 — " Fresh Beef" — Billy Mahone- Aschmann's Goatee, . . - . . 441 
 
 Cold Harbor — Severe Battle— Sheridan First — ^Wright and Smith Next 
 — Then Hancock and Others — Great Battle of June 3d— Barlow, 
 Gibbon and Birney — Intrenched Enemy — Great Union Loss — Old 
 Fighting Ground of '62— Knocked Flat, but "No Blood '-Rebel 
 Charge— Disastrous to Them — The Retreating Horseman— Sharp- 
 
^YIU CONTENTS. 
 
 shooter Knocked Over— No time to Sweai^-MQviag Oa— Trying 
 Situations— Under Fire^ 24 Days out of 31— Crossing the Jatn'esr- 
 Barker's "Mills— Punishing a Li^heler- Over the Chickahomjny— The 
 Old Field— Glend^e-Wtlcox Landing— McClellan's Old Grottnd— 
 ' The James and Appomattox— Grant's InteBtions, ------- 443 
 
 Siege of Petersburg— Unfortunate Mistake— A Coffee Breakfast— Not 
 Even a Hard-Tack— Rifled Parrotts—Harriscat's Creek— The 341b. 
 Telescope— Peatb of Janies Heath—James Ragiti Takes, the Big 
 Rifle— An Independent Character— Party of Scouts— Clothes 
 Barked— Hundreds of Bullets-^Macallisiter'a Brig^dle— ^Flashing 
 Guns- Rations after Fighting— June 17th— Barlow's Division — 
 Preparing Intrenchments— Hot Work— 100 Rounds per Man- 
 Dodging Rebel Bullets— 9th Corps— Daring Charge Fails— Fatal 
 Corn Field— Final Success— 2d and 9th Corps Together— But Fear- 
 ful Casualties— De^th of Sergt. Major Jacobs— Under Arms All 
 Night— Stray Bullets— A Diversion— Sergt: Major a-nd Lieut. Buch- 
 anan—Boys as Soldiers— "Buck" at 17— The Boysof '61-3— Aver- 
 age Age — The. Minimum Company — New Troops vs. Recruits — 
 Misei-able Policy in Vogue — Political Favorites Preferred to Vet- 
 erans — The. War Prolonged — Poor but Honest Soldiers Stand 
 Aside for Wealthy and False Aristocracy, --------- 449 
 
 Siege of Petersburg — Hare's Farm — ^Noted Virginia Turfite — New- 
 market Race Course — Disastrous Union Assault — Scattered Books 
 and Papers—Carpeted Rifle Pit with Chairs of Mahogany — Emery 
 Munsell and his 28 Pounder — Shooting at the Petersburg Express 
 — ^Andrews and Stevens — A Simple Breakfast — Hard-Tack, Coffee 
 and Reb Bullets — Short-Range Marksmanship— Incidentals— Choked 
 on Combread— James Ragin the Telescope Shot — Interchange of 
 Leaden • Compliments — Close Work at. Long Range — Ragin 
 "Barked"— A "Shut Up" Johnny— Desperate Duelling— Johnny 
 Reb's Last. Shot — .'Yankee Sharpshooters" — Breech-loaders and 
 Forced Balls — A Confederate Story — Sharpshooters Relieved — On 
 Tow^ards Weldon Railroad — Rough Woods — Tangled Brush — 2d 
 and 6th Corps, - 456 
 
 Siegeof Petersburg— Jerusalem Plank Road — Stoughton Captured — 
 Flanked by the Epemy;— Loss of Works and Artillery— Positions 
 Retaken — Three Sharpshooter Companies " In the Soup," to Their 
 Loss — Eleven Michigan Men Facing 4 Rebel Cannon — The Artillery- 
 Knocked Out for a Half-hour — Circumvention — Sharpshooters Cut 
 Ofi-rSix Escape — Reduced Membership — The Casualties of War — 
 Generals on the Look-Out — Sharpshooters Sent to Front — Down 
 an Open Field — Rebel Musketry — Union Charge — Careless Infantry 
 
cdn'tejjts. xix 
 
 —Shooting Everyway — Up, Down apd Sideways— Fire in the 
 Rear Causes Sharpshooters to Yell Back at the Infernal Fools — 
 Hancock's Order Raking the 3d Corps— But liot the Old (Veterans) 
 Second Corps— The Chimneys— Rebel Artillerists— Sharpshooters 
 in Rifle Pits Silence Their Cannon — Corporal Kirkhata— Raigin and 
 the Artillery Officer — Skill in Long Range Shooting— Scared Officer 
 with Red Face — Picket and Fatigue Duties.— 2d Corps Moves — 
 Cross the Appomattox — Torch-lit Forest — Novel Scene — Whole 
 Column a Torch-light. Procession — Cross James River — Scattered 
 Troops ComeTogether, 464 
 
 Siege of Petersburg— Deep Bottom — Our Batteries — Strawberry Plains 
 — Recaptured Union Guns — Skirmishing the Flanks — Gun-boat Men- 
 dota — lOO-pounders-r-Our Cavalry — Mott's Division — Quiet With* 
 drawal — Before Petersburg — Grant's Diversion — Lee's AJertness — 
 Grant Visits Sharpshooters — Relieve 19th Wisconsin — Over Brushy 
 Breastworks— Night Work — Picketing the Front — In. Rifle Pits — 
 Enemy Close By— Fort Clifton— Exciting Night—The Fatal Mor- 
 row—The Watchful Sentinels — Burnside's Min^^—Eescrlptive Pre- 
 liminary — Terrific Explosion — And Yet, a Failure — Fatal Cratei>— 
 Terror-stricken Rebels — Entrapped Unionists — Band to Hand — 
 Thundering Cannon— Fort Clifton's " Whitworth's "—Bomb- 
 proofs — Ragin Crippled — Fred Johnson — ^In Reserve — Confederate 
 Mine — To City Point — " Where are we Going ? " — Guesses in Order 
 — Down Stream — Up Stream — Landing at Deep Bottom — Lee's 
 Flanks— Sheridan, and Early— 10th Corps, - 473 
 
 Deep Run — Long Skirmish — Sharpshooters, Cavalry and Infantry — 
 Rebel Line Steadily Driven — Capt. Aschmann Falls — Heavy Slashing 
 — Severe Fighting — Negro Troops — Andrews and Tyler — Col. Craig 
 — Special Duty — Birney's Praise — 1st Sharpshooters Last Action 
 as a Regiment — Fort Hell — Close Pickets— Amicable Agreements — 
 Sharp Fight— 40 Prisoners — Warren on Weldon Road — Hancock 
 at Ream's — 3 Batteries Lost — Bounty Jumpers — Sharpshooters 
 Breaking Up — Behind Breastworks — Stevens' Mule — The Army 
 Mule — Heavy Cannonading — Friendly Pickets — Tobacco and Cof- 
 fee — Rebel Desertions — Alabamians — News of Little Mac's Nomi- 
 nation in Richmond Sentinel — Proclamations — Lincoln's and 
 Grant's— Johnny Tricks a Yank — Army Railway — Atlanta Salute 
 — Net Work of Flashes and Fire — Night Charge of 1st Brigade — 
 Enemy Surprised — Second Sharpshooters in the Assault — Firing 
 Ceases— Rebs and Yanks Come Out of Their Holes — The Warning 
 Note — " Look Out ! Yank! " — Firing Resumed — Capturing a Well — 
 Butler's Salute — Muster Out by Companies — The Consolidated 
 Battalion — Other Engagements — Hatcher's Run — Boydton Road — 
 
XX CONTENTS. 
 
 WeldonRoad— Berner of "B"— Unequal Wounds and Deaths— Com- 
 patiy I Ambushed— Desperate Struggle- Another Mine Fizzle— Com- 
 pleted History— Losses Compared— Fox's Report— The Unique Reg- 
 iments of the War— Berdan'sU. S. Sharpshooters— DeTrobriand's 
 Valedictory— C. N. Race— Our Youngest Member, ------- 482 
 
 1865— Last Campaign— Pinal Struggle— Sherman's March— Sheridan 
 and the Shenandoah — Lee Uneasy — Tries to Join Johnston — Grant 
 Prevents It— Grant and Lee Play Sharp — Lee's Assault — Fort 
 Steadman — Gen. Parke — Confederates Whipped — Lincoln There — 
 . Army of the Potomac Moves — Sheridan's Movement — ^Lee Check- 
 mated — Withdraws from Petersburg — ^White Oak Road — Warren's 
 Fight — Varying Success — Dinwiddie Court House — Battle of Five 
 Forks — Sheridan 's Preparations — Warren's Assault — Confederate's 
 Great Losses — Grant's Order — Morning of April 2d^"Business" for 
 the Yanks — Desperation for the Johnn'-es — The 9th Corps — Shelling 
 Petersburg— Lee's Consternation —Rebel Gen. Hill — Ambushed and 
 Lost— Rebels Divided— Their Flying Right Wing— Routed by the 
 2d Corps — Sheridan on Their Flank — Lee's Retreat — Richmond 
 and Petersburg Evacuated— Union Soldiers Take Possession — Con- 
 federates Hurry Off- Grant After Them— bailor's Creek— Hard- 
 Presseif Confederates— Custer.'s Cavalry — Gen. Gordon Reconnoi- 
 ters — Blocked by Sheridan — Flag of Truce — Appomattox Court 
 House — Lee Surrenders — Grant's Magnanimity — Lenient Terms — 
 Johnston Surrenders to Sherman— Grant to the Army of the Poto- 
 mac — Compliments to Meade, .--..... 501 
 Regimental Statistics, --.-----... 512 
 Roster of Officers, ..-----..... 513 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 James' Winchell's Prison Experience, - - - - . . . .519 
 
 Biographical Sketches, - -----.-.. 526 
 
 Gettysburg Ceremonies and Monuments, ------- 543 
 
 Mrs. Dorr's Poem, -•----..... 555^ 
 
ENGAGEMENTS. 
 
 Lkwinsyillb, 
 Munson's Hn,!,, 
 Big Bethei,, 
 Howard's Bridge, 
 
 YORKTOWN BaTTLB, 
 
 YoRKTowN Siege, 
 'Falmouth, 
 Warwick River, 
 
 "WiLXIAMSBTJRG, 
 
 Kinney's Farm, 
 Peake's Station, 
 Chickahominy Swamp, 
 Mechanicsvllle, 
 Gaines' Mill, 
 Garnett's Farm, 
 Golding's Farm, 
 Bottom's Bridge, 
 Allen's Farm, 
 Savage Station, 
 White Oak Swamp, 
 Glendale, 
 Malvern Hill, 
 Orange Court House, 
 GniNEYs' Station, 
 Rappahannock Station, 
 Sulphur Springs, 
 Gainesville, 
 Dawkin's Branch, 
 Centreville Road, 
 Groveton, 
 South Mountain, 
 Antietam, 
 
 Blackford's Ford, 
 Fredericksbur 6, 
 Ellis' Ford, 
 The Cedars, 
 Chancellorsville, 
 Pitzer's Run, 
 Gettysburg, 
 Wapping Heights, 
 Auburn, 
 Kelly's Ford, 
 Brandy Station, 
 Locust Grove, 
 Mine Run, 
 Wilderness, 
 Orange Road,, 
 Todd's Tavern, 
 Po RrvER, 
 Spottsylvania, 
 Harris House, 
 North Anna,, 
 totopotomoy, 
 Cold Harbor, 
 Harrison's Creek, 
 Hare's Farm, 
 Jerusalem Plank Road, 
 Deep Bottom, 
 Burnside's Mine, 
 Deep Run, 
 Hatcher's Run, 
 Boydton Road, 
 Weldon Road, 
 Fort Hell, 
 Ream's Station. 
 
No. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Fagb. 
 
 1. Califorffliajofe, Cover. 
 
 2. ChanceUorsvilk, - Frontispiece. 
 
 3. Gen. Berdan, ..-2 
 
 4. Col. Mears, - - 6 
 
 5. Col. Post, 28 
 
 6. Eugene Paine, ....'36 
 
 7. Gen. Ripley, - - - '- ^l 
 
 8. Col. Berdan and California Joe, 49 
 
 9. James 'Wincbell, ...-...----67 
 
 10. Hon. H. J. Peck, 90 
 
 11. Gaines Mill, .--.' 110 
 
 12. Hon. Thomas McCanl, 119 
 
 13. Sergt. Staples, 133 
 
 14. Sharpshooting at Malvern, ....---. 145 
 
 15. Hon. Daniel Perry, 152 
 
 16. Col. Peteler, 162 
 
 17. Major Albee, 190 
 
 18. Adjt. Parmelee, 204 
 
 19. A.S. Isham, - - 210 
 
 20. W. M. Isham, - 210 
 
 21. Ool. Stonghton, 225 
 
 22. Capt. Baker, 251 
 
 23. Capt. Chase, -- 275 
 
 24. Lewis J. Allen, 311 
 
 25. EUCook, 311 
 
 36. John T. Schermerhom, 344 
 
 27. Co. B Bummers (4), 354 
 
 28. Sharpshooters' Charge, --......- 359 
 
 29. Major Shreve, 375 
 
 30. Cavalry Charge, 384 
 
 31. Chaplain Barber, 388 
 
 32. Capt. Marble, 392 
 
 33. Cilman K. Crowell, 427 
 
 34. Capt. Richard W. Tyler, 437 
 
 35. Capt. "Jack" Wilson, 442 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. XXlll 
 
 36. Philip E. Sands, 449 
 
 37. John W. Kenny, 449 
 
 38. Major Buchanan, ........... 454 
 
 39. Tdescope Rifle, 460 
 
 40. Capt. Hetherington, .......... 468 
 
 41. Broken Sword, - 469 
 
 42. Your Historian, 511 
 
 43. Amputated Prisoner, .--- 522 
 
 44. NcYT York Monnment, ......... 54,3 
 
 45. New Hampshire Monument, ......... 546 
 
 46. Wisconsin Monument, ......... 543 
 
 47. Hornets' Nest Monument, ........ 550 
 
 48. Vermont (1st Regt.) Monument, - 555 
 
 CnrtiB Abbott, C. W. Peck, Cassius Peck, Capt. Merrimsa, 
 Gen. Klpley, Silas Giddlngs, Edward F. Jordan. 
 
Berdan's 
 United States Sharpshooters 
 
 In the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 UNION VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 The enlistment of volunteers for the Union army during- 
 the summer of 1861, was carried on with a patriotic vigor 
 that fully attested the loyalty of the North, and was a ready 
 response to President Lincoln's second call ( May 3d ). This 
 time it w^as for three years' service, it having been clearly 
 demonstrated not only to the President, but to the entire 
 North, that it was useless to attempt to put down the Rebel- 
 Uon, now a determined fact, and extending over so large an 
 extent of country comprised in the southern states, with a 
 force of 75,000 men first called out — and for three months 
 only. It was a momentous era in American history — the 
 life-struggle of the nation. Everybody realized the danger, 
 every one saw the necessity of promptly meeting it. The 
 farmer, the merchant, the laborer, the rich and the poor, old 
 men and young men were alike affected; their mothers, wives, 
 daughters, sisters urging them on, their tears mingled with 
 their prayers — prayers for the volunteers, for the Union 
 cause. So earnest had the people become, now that war w as 
 inevitable to save the Union, and to put down forever this 
 scheme of secession, that more than double the ntunber asked 
 for had enlisted and been accepted, so that in two months' time 
 
2 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIEMISITING 
 
 the war oiEce in Washington reported! 90, 000 troops enrolled 
 besides the three-months men whose time wotdd soon expire. 
 But while this great force had a cheering look in print, it 
 was far above the actual number that could be armed and 
 equipped. The government was not prepared for so manj ; 
 there were not guns enough to go around, and it took time 
 to furnish them. In this respect the Southerners had the 
 advantage, as they had seized all our arsenals within their 
 limits, and were therefore well supplied in this all-important 
 matter. The only guti factory the government could rely on 
 was at Springfield, and they were unable to meet the 
 requirements, so that it was a long time before this increased 
 force could be made ready for the field. 
 
 SHARPSHOOTER ORGANIZATION. 
 
 It was' during this time that this organization was 
 commenced, on the proposition of Hiram Berdan of New- 
 York, and which was to be composed of companies of 
 picked men from the loyal states. The purpose being to 
 bring together the best marksmen possible of the North, 
 and to arm them with the most reliable rifle made. "With 
 such men so armed and thoroughly equipped, it was believed 
 that in the line of special service — that' of sharpshooting 
 and skirmishing — they would become invaluable to the 
 Union cause. 
 
 The proposal of Col. Berdan having been accepted by 
 the government, printed circulars were issued by the adjutant- 
 generals of different states calling for companies of Sharp- 
 shooters, and setting forth the terms on which candidates 
 for admission would be accepted, and wherein it was ordered 
 that: "no man be accepted who cannot, at 200 vards, put 
 10 consecutive shots in a target, the average distance not 
 to exceed five inches from the center of the bullseye." Or, in 
 other words, the string measurement of the 10 shots should 
 not exceed 50 inches. Each man was allowed to choose 
 
GEN. H. BERDAN. 
 
IN th:^ ab^mv of the potomac. 3 
 
 his own rifle, but must justify Ids selection by tlie performance 
 of the weapon in his own hands ; and for each rifle furnished 
 and accepted, $60 was to be paid therefor, thus insuring 
 the best arms that could be purchased. Many, however, 
 did not avail themselves of this offer, preferring to let the 
 government furnish them. 
 
 Berdan's proposition was accepted by the Secretary of 
 War, June 15, 1861, as follows : 
 
 The regiment w^ithin named is accepted, in accordance 
 with the within proposal, provided the said regiment shall 
 be mustered into service within ninety days of this date. 
 The first detachment to be mustered in vyithin tw^enty days, 
 and so one detachment after another, as the War Depart- 
 ment may order. And provided, also, that said regiment 
 shall come into service armed and equipped, without expense 
 to the government. [Signed] Simon Cameron, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 The project received the foUovping recommendation from 
 General Winfield Scott: 
 
 Headquartkrs of the Army, 
 Washington, D. C, June 14, 1861. 
 H. Berdan, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sir: — The General-in-Chief, under the reference to 
 him of the subject of Sharpshooters, by His Excellency, the 
 President, and Hon. Secretary of War, as set forth in your 
 letter of June 13, 1861, desires me to say he was very favor- 
 ably impressed w^ith you personally; that a regiment of 
 such Sharpshooters as are proposed by you, and instructed 
 according to your system, would be of great value, and 
 could be advantageously employed by him in the public 
 service. Respectfully yours, 
 
 Schuyler Hamilton, 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel and Military Secretary. 
 
 In all the test shooting reqtiired before admission there 
 was naturally some fine marksmanship developed, and among 
 the best was that of Charles H. Townsend, at Camp Randall, 
 Wis., who fired five shots at 200 yards with a total meas- 
 
4f SHAEfSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 urement of tkree and three-quarter inclies; \\rliile, on the 
 target grounds of the different states, two inches to a shot 
 was frequently the average. But it was not always an 
 easy matter to come up to the standard, and many, failing, 
 were thrown out. 
 
 The rendezvous was established atWeehawken, opposite 
 New York City, to which place most of the companies w^ere 
 at first ordered, but on or about the 24th of September 
 proceeded to Washington, where they went into Camp 
 of Instruction. With the required number of companies 
 arriving at the Washiugton camp during the fall and win- 
 ter, the First Regiment* was completed with over 1,000 
 men, representing five states, as follows: 
 
 A, New York, Capt. Casper Trepp. 
 
 B, New York, Capt. Stephen Martin. 
 
 C, Michigan, Capt. Benj. Duesler. 
 
 D,t New York, Capt. Geo. S. Tuckerman. 
 
 E, New Hampshire, Capt. Amos B. Jones. 
 
 F, Vermont, Capt. Edmund Weston. 
 
 G, Wisconsin, Capt. Edward Drew. 
 H, New York, Capt. Geo. G. Hastings. 
 I, Michigan, Capt. A. M. WOlett. 
 K,t Michigan, Capt. S. J. Mather. 
 
 The Second Regiment,! Col. Post commanding, came in 
 later, encamped next to the First, and consisted of eight 
 companies, representing the following states : 
 
 A, Minnesota, Capt. Francis Peteler. 
 
 B, Michigan, Capt. Andrew B. Stuart. 
 
 •First Regiment. — No -written authorityto raise this regiment is found, but it 
 would seem that such was given, as on July 30, 1861, Col. Berdan -was notified 
 that officers " are ordered to muster yo.ur regiment into service provided you do 
 not present more than ten companies, -which is the number for a regiment." — 
 Memorandum Sketch, Ac^utaat General's 0£Bce, 
 
 Df. arrived Jan. 3, '62. K, March, '62, after regiment had left, joining us at 
 Hampton. 
 
 $Second Regiment. — This regiment -was raised under authority from the 
 Secretary of War to Col. Berdan "to muster and organize into companies and 
 reginients all, the men he could raise during the next 90 days from Sept. 28, 1861 , 
 and -who, on examination, were found equal, to the requirements of sharpshooters.'* 
 — Memorandunz Sketch Adjutant General's OiSce. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 5 
 
 C, Pennsylvania, Capt. John W. Dewey. 
 
 D, Maine, Capt. James D. Fessenden. 
 
 E, Vermont, Capt. Homer R. Stottghton. 
 
 F, Ne"w Hampshire, Capt. Henry M. Caldwell. 
 
 G, NeA«r Hampshire, Capt. William D. McPherson. 
 H, Vermont, Capt. Gilbert Hart. 
 
 Our tmiform was of fine material, consisting of dark 
 green coat and cap with black plume, light blue trowsers 
 (afterward exchanged for green ones) and leather leggins, 
 presenting a striking contrast to the regular blufe of the 
 infantry. The knapsack was of hair-covered calfskin, with 
 cooking kit attached, considered the best in use,'asitwas 
 the handsomest, most durable and complete. By our dress 
 were we kno-wn far and -wide, and the appellation of "Green 
 Coats," w^as soon acquired. When fully uniformed and 
 equipped, the Sharpshooters made a very handsome appear- 
 ance, more so upon the whole than many others. 
 
 We wore for a time, principally on outpost duty or in 
 bad weather, what were called "Havelocks," a gray, round 
 hat with wide, black visor, good enough around Washing- 
 ton far within the lines, but after our first appearance before 
 the enemy the following spring, they were discarded as 
 endangering a fire from the rear. Certain gray felt, seamless 
 overcoats were likewise abandoned, although they were 
 good rain shedders, only they became when wet stiff as a 
 board. 
 
 The Camp of Instruction was organized for the purpose 
 of drilling and disciplining the vast army of raw volunteers 
 —to mould the citizen into the soldier. The formation of 
 this camp was intrusted to Gen. McClellan, who was called 
 to the general command from the field of his victories in 
 western Virginia, which in two months' time made West Vir- 
 ginia a loyal state. 
 
 The time was occupied in camp in target practice, learn- 
 ing the company drill and battalion movements, guard. 
 
SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 patrol, and camp duties; and, under tlie instruction of 
 Lieut. Mears, U. S. A., lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, 
 tHey were soon able to execute tlie most difficult regimental 
 drills, and were probably unexcelled therein by any other 
 regiment, particularly in skirmishing, a service they w^ere 
 destined to perform at the front, in all the great battles of 
 the Army of the Potomac up to the time of their expiration 
 of service. 
 
 In the target practice, a matter of the greatest impor- 
 tance, niany excellent scores were made, and under the su- 
 pervision of Col. Berdan great improvement was made in 
 their marksmanship; the colonel, himself a noted sharp- 
 shooter, putting himself to the test on many occasions, 
 before multitudes of people. One of his targets w^as erected 
 at a distance of 600 yards, in which he frequently put five 
 consecutive shots within the 10-inch ring, using the telescope 
 rifle. These telescopes w^ere pow^erful magnifiers, so much so 
 that a small object, not distinguishable to the naked eye, 
 could be seen at along distance. But the cross-wires within 
 tremble so easily, that it requires a steady hand to hold the 
 cross on the mark, from the shoulder in off-hand shooting. 
 However, as the telescopic rifles used by the Sharpshooters 
 were generally very heavy^— from l5 to 30 pounds — they 
 were mostly shot from a rest ; in fact, were generally used 
 for long-range shooting. But two companies of the regi- 
 ment — C, of Michigan, and E, of New Hampshire — were fully 
 armed, having target rifles of different descriptions. The 
 Vermont company also had a few guns. The balance of the 
 regiment w^ere unarmed and waitingfor theSharps improved 
 rifle, military pattern, which had been promised. This was 
 the^ir choice of all the many kinds presented, manufacturers 
 of all sorts of new guns constantly offering the same for 
 trial and acceptance. Besides this, the chief of the ordnance 
 , department was very anxious to have the regiment armed 
 with the muzzle-loading Springfield, then the established 
 

 Colonel 4,th U. S. Infantry. 
 Died at Fort Sherman, Idaho, Jan. 2,1893. 
 
IN THE ARMY OP THE POTOMAC. 7 
 
 arm of the United States infantry. As soon as the govern' 
 ment recognized the corps officially by mustering the First 
 Regiment into ser-rice, Col. Berdan made a requisition for 
 Sharps breech-loading rifles, which proved to be, according 
 to Berdan, "a declaration of war." Thenewspapers of that 
 date contained almost daily, statements of what Gen. Ripley 
 chief of ordnance, had to say, or Gen. Scott, or the assistant 
 secretary of war Thomas Scott, and Berdan had to fight the 
 whole of thera. They took the ground that there was no 
 rifle equal to the Springfield for a soldier, except Gen. Ripley, 
 "who w^ent so far as to say that he preferred the old smooth 
 bore \7ith "ball and buck." Gen. Scott, in his indorsement 
 on the colonel's application, said: "Breech-loaders would 
 spoil his command." The old veteran hero didn't live long 
 enough to find out his mistake — to learn of the great revolu- 
 tion going on in this method of improving guns, so soon to 
 be demonstrated by the Sharpshooters after getting iuto 
 the field. 
 
 In consequence of this attempt to turn the Sharpshooters 
 from their original purpose, and force on them the army 
 musket, it was uncertain for a time whether the chosen 
 breech-loaders would be furnished. But through the per- 
 sistent efforts of Col. Berdan, an order was finally issued for 
 their manufacture. The open-sighted Sharps rifle, using 
 linen or "skin" cartridges, 52 caKber, conical ball, was the 
 best breech-loading gun at that time made, a perfectly safe 
 and reUabk arm, combining accuracy With rapidity, just 
 what a skirmish line needed for effective wosfk. To their 
 good jndgment in choosing this rifle may be attributfed' 
 their fature success in the field, attaining as they did a repu- 
 tation that eventually made the name of "Berdan Sharp- 
 shootera" fenowned in foreign lands as well as our own. 
 The mtiizle-loading target rifles— telescope and globe sights 
 —while of great falue before fortifications and for special 
 work, would have been useless in skirmishing. 
 
8 SHARP SHOO TING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 . The two companies— C and E— mentioned as being armed 
 witli target rifles, not only had an advantage over their 
 comrades of the other companies in the important matter 
 of target practice, but also were the first to experience a 
 taste of active service, and it proved to them a rather hard 
 one for the first introduction to the enemy. Leaving camp 
 under orders to join Gen. Smith's expedition, on the 21st 
 of September they marched to Fort Smith near Chain 
 Bridge, thence forward to 
 
 LEWINSVILLE, 
 
 where they took part September 27th in an attack on a 
 small force of the enemy, a foraging expedition, destroying 
 and capturing a great portion of his supplies and defeating 
 their cavalry. Here it w^as that the first shots of the Ber- 
 dan Sharpshooters were fired at the secessionists, with good 
 effect ^wrhile the affair lasted. The march had been a hurried 
 one and the soldiers w^ere considerably fatigued, but obeyed 
 the orders to advance with alacrity, performing the part 
 assigned them in a manner that attracted the notice of the 
 general commanding. George D. Sanford of Company C, 
 was wounded. Having disposed of the enemy in their front, 
 w^homade a hasty retreat, they moved forw^ard in connection 
 w^ith the infantry in the direction of Falls Church, and again 
 encountered the enemy at 
 
 munson's hill, 
 
 where they became engaged in a night fight — after midnight 
 — on September 29th. It was a very unpleasant affair 
 to the Sharpshooters, and they were extremely lucky to 
 find, after daylight, they had but one man wounded, Sergt. 
 George W. Brooks of Company E, hit in the leg. The 
 honor of being the first Sharpshooters shot by the rebels 
 belonged to Sanford and Brooks. As w^as very likelv to 
 happen in a fight after dark, particularly in a wooded 
 country, our troops were exposed for a time to their own 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. . 9 
 
 tire, owing to mistakes made by other regiments. Possibly 
 a blunder, j'et apparently an unavoidable occurrence from 
 the way they w«re situated, being considerably tangled up 
 in the black thickets. It was a good deal like "going it 
 blind" in that aflPair, for w^ant of proper guides or a correct 
 understanding of the position of the enemy. Quite a loss 
 occurred on our side in some of the regiments, particu- 
 larly Col. Baker's California regiment and the 69th Penn- 
 sylvania. But it resulted in Munson's Hill being evacuated 
 by the enemy, an important point gained by the Union 
 troops. . When the Sharpshooters arrived back at camp, 
 September 30th, after this rough campaign they were well 
 satisfied to take a rest, and they got a good long one before- 
 they moved again. 
 
 PRESIDENT LINCOLN AS A. RIFLE SHOT. 
 
 During the splendid weather of the autumn months, 
 visitors to the great Camp of Instruction, with which the 
 •city of Washington was environed, came in untold numbers ; 
 they were constantly crowding in, not only from our own 
 mighty North, but from all civilized quarters of the world. 
 And not the least of the many objects of interest to be noted 
 w^as that of the rifle practice referred to. The newspapers 
 at the time were full of these target trials, and the shooting 
 ■of the Sharpshooters furnished items for a long while to the 
 dailies and illustrated journals. 
 
 On one occasion the President, with Gen. McClellan, 
 paid a visit to the camp, and w^ere invited by Col. Berdan to 
 the rifle range where shooting was going on. To show what 
 the men could do in rifle-pits, a target representing two 
 zouaves painted on canvass, was placed at a distance of 600 
 yards. One hundred men with their heavy target-rifles, 
 were placed in a pit, where each fired one shot. When the 
 target was brought in, it was found that every shot had 
 ■struck within the outline of the two figures. President 
 
10 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Lincoln fired three shots from a globe-rifle belonging to H. 
 J. Peck, of Company F, while Gen. McClellan and some 
 others tried their skill with more or less success. Abraham 
 Lincoln handled therifle like a veteran marksman, in a highly 
 successfiil manner, to the great delight of the many soldiers 
 and civilians surrounding. Once, resting his gun on what 
 he called a sapling, he said: "Boys, this reminds me of old- 
 time shooting," when they waved their hats and cheered 
 him. His visit aroused their slumbering patriotism. 
 
 After which, Col. Berdan being called on, proceeded to 
 execute some difficult shots, by knocking out the right eye 
 of a zouave painted full length onhalf of an "A" tent, and 
 which was done with a James telescope-rifle. He fired three 
 shots, all easily found within the parts selected — the head, 
 right breast, or the left thigh. Referring to this shooting 
 afterward in connection with his efforts to get us properly 
 armed, he said : 
 
 "Then occurred one of those extraordinary accidents 
 from which great and beneficialresultsoftenfollow. Thomas 
 Scott, the Assistant Secretary of War, thought to gain a 
 point by attacking me petsona-lly, and asked me what I 
 knew about guns and war that I should set up my opinion 
 .against all these ofiicials, and ended by challenging me to 
 fire, thinking doubtless, I would decline, or, if I accepted, to 
 get the 'laugh on me by my making a bad shot. I at once 
 accepted, and ordered the men to bring Out a target ; the 
 only one left was the figure of a single man, fall size, with 
 the words 'Jeff Davis' painted above his head. I remarked 
 that I did not think it was exactly the thing to fire at Jeff 
 Davis in the presence of the President of the United States. 
 Mr. Lincoln laughed heartily and replied : 
 
 " ' Oh, Colonel, if you make a good shot it will serve hi-m 
 right.' 
 
 "The target was set up and I called for the sergeant- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THJB POTOMAC. 11 
 
 major's rifle, wliicli I knew to be correctly sighted for this 
 distance. Thomas Scott then remarked : 
 
 "'Now you must fire standing, for ofiicers should not 
 dirty their uniforms by getting into rifle pits.' 
 
 "I replied: 'You are right, Colonel Scott, I always fire 
 from the shoulder.' 
 
 "I stepped forward and began to bring the gun to my 
 face, when he said: 
 
 " ' What point are you going to fire at ? ' 
 
 '"The head,' I replied. 
 
 " 'Fire at the right eye,' he shouted. I was then taking 
 aim and made no reply, and it is hardly necessary for me to 
 say, that at that distance — 600 yards — I did not aim at 
 the eye, but I did fire at the head. The target was brought 
 in, and as good luck would have it, I had cut out the pupil 
 of the right eye. No man knew better than President 
 Lincoln how to turn what he knew^ to be an accident to good 
 account. He began to laugh, and kept on laughing until he 
 got into his carriage and then said : 
 
 " ' Colonel, come down to-morrow, and I ■will give you the 
 order for the breech-loaders.' 
 
 "Mr. Lincoln Tisited us once or twice later, and spoke of 
 that 'remarkable shot ' as a good joke — a lucky hit." 
 
 Prize shooting w^as occasionally allowed, and usually 
 created a healthy excitement among the men, as well as. 
 visitors who were sure to be there. One of the most impor- 
 tant of these matches w^as held Thanksgiving afternoon 
 (November 28th) between members of the target-rifle com- 
 panieis C, E and F, each man firing two shots off-hand at 
 40 rods, the winner to receive $5, presented by the colonel. 
 The day being fine there was a large attendance of public 
 men and others who came from tow^a to "see the Sharp- 
 shoOtfers shoot;" the judges, Capt. Giroux of Company C, 
 and Sergt. Stevens of Company G, awarded the prize to a 
 Vermonter named Ai Brown, his two shots measuring four 
 
la ■ SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 and one-quarter inches from the center. H. J. Peck of the 
 same company, a prominent marksman, was a close second 
 in the match— almost a tie. Col. Berdan opened the pro- 
 ceedings by firing two specimen shots, making a string of 
 five and nine-sixteenths inches. Later on, other officers 
 tried their skill, and among them Capt. Drew, who, borrow- 
 ing a rifle, lay on his back and, resting the muzzle of the 
 piece on the toe of his boot, fired four shots within the 10- 
 inch ring at the usual 40-rods distance. This manner of 
 shooting was somew^hat novel, if not actually original, and 
 became quite popular years after the war, when Creedmoor 
 was established. It w^as very pleasing to the Wisconsin men, 
 who with several other companies took no part in these 
 contests, having no guns and but little practice, and that 
 only with such rifles as could be borrowed from the more 
 fortunate ones. At another time a Michigan member proved 
 the winner, his three 40-rod off-hand shots measuring six 
 inches, an average of two inches to a shot. 
 
 SHOOTING CHICKKNS ON A FORGED PASS. 
 
 On one occasion a chicken shoot w^as arranged by a 
 certain number of the men who could get passes to go out- 
 side the camp line. During the progress of the affair, H. J. 
 Peck, of Company F, appeared on the scene, and with his 
 globe-sighted rifle — one of the best in the regiment — killed 
 off most the chickens ; it began to be whispered around that 
 he was an interloper, that he had no pass, therefore had no 
 right there ; so it was proposed to stop his further entries. 
 But he produced a pass, and it was not until the match was 
 over that it was found to be a forged one. Some of the 
 party called it a good joke, but the sergeant in charge 
 thought it was pretty tough, and even went so far as to 
 
 "d ^n a man who would shoot chickens on a forged 
 
 pass." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. IS 
 
 The general routine of duty at tlie Camp of Instruction 
 ■was as follows: The day began with " buglers' call " at 
 daylight, to be followed by "reveille," and for miles around 
 the Union capitol could be heard the bugles of rifle-men, 
 artillery and cavalry, the shrill fife and drum of the infantry, 
 making one continuous sound of soul-stirring music. It is 
 simply grand to be in such a camp, and this was a monster 
 camp in and around Washington, and listen to the reveille 
 playing on all sides, on the color-line of each regiment, all 
 going at once at fairly daylight. Then would the orderly- 
 sergeants order their companies to "fall in for roll-call," 
 Company A, C, G, etc. Every member was expected to turn 
 out and take his place in the ranks, excepting the sick and 
 those otherwise detailed. The company falls in, in two ranks 
 facing outward — to the right — come to a "front," and to 
 "attention to roll-call, "which is called in alphabetical order, 
 usually by the last name; w^here there are more than one, or 
 several of the same name, they frequently go by numbers, as 
 instanced in the foUow^ing story relating to ' a neighboring 
 infantry regiment : 
 
 THE NINE SMITHS. 
 
 A little stranger lieutenant having a detail of 10 men for 
 special duty, called on a certain company and took their 
 names. The men were in line at attention, when the ofiicer 
 began : 
 
 "What's your name ? " " Smith." 
 To the next man : "And what is yours?" "Smith." 
 Down went the two on the list, Smith 1, Smith 2. 
 "Well, what's yours? " "Smith." 
 The officer began to lookfunny and grumbled out some- 
 thing about the — — peculiarity of the thing ; then again : 
 " What may I call your name, then ? " "Smith." 
 This was getting to be too much of a good thing. The 
 officer's face was getting red and his patience giving out. 
 Four Smiths in succession ! He looked the men over : 
 
J14 SHAPPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 ' ' Coniotmd you, wliat do you mean ? " 
 But ttere tlie detail stood like so many heroic s-tatues. 
 
 "Well, blast it," and rushing up to No. 5, the excited 
 oiEcer fairly gasped : ' ' Your n-a-m-e?" 
 
 It -was no use, however, the same prompt answer came, 
 .this time in deep stentorian tones, "Smith." 
 
 This was too much for little shoulderstraps, and, break- 
 ing down the street for the Orderly, he swore like a trooper, 
 as he fancied it was a trick; but couldn't find the sergeant, 
 and back he came in utter despair at the thought of being 
 fooled, for he was an excitable little body, and his own men 
 did n't like him. But the list must be made : 
 
 "Well, then, for a change, what on earth is your name ? " 
 "Smith." 
 
 The officer fairly jumped. Then he ripped and s^wore 
 
 -and jumped again ; but there the statues stood, — old soldiers, 
 
 — looking straight away, the regulation distance. By this 
 
 time a crowd had gathered, and the officer began to cool 
 
 down. So he hurried through: 
 
 "And yours?" "Smith." 
 
 "And next?" "Smith." 
 
 "Je— yours?" "Smith." 
 
 Here he broke again: "Great Scott! Here's nine 
 Smiths in a row, and another man left. Giiess they must 
 grow up by the acre where this crowd came from. Well, 
 yours, my man? " to No. 10. 
 
 " Mine, sir ! My name's Brown." 
 
 " Good heavens ! What a relief. The Smith family is 
 -exhausted," and as the detail moved off the assembled 
 crowd roared. 
 
 After calling the roll, details were made by the Orderly, 
 such as guard duty, police, water squad, etc., members dila- 
 tory in turning out being put on these- details ; otherwise 
 they -were made up in regulai? order-. For guard duty at 
 this camp a sufficient number of muskets had been issued 
 
IN TH? ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 15 
 
 Tie officer of the guard was generally a lieutenamt, and the 
 officer of the day was a captain or company commander, 
 detailed by the adjutant. The guard detail, officers and 
 men, were for 24 hours' service. After roll-call, streets were 
 cleaned up, tents put in order, all before breakfast call. With 
 us, the instructor required the company cooks, two in num- 
 ber, who were located with fire, pots and kettles, at the foot 
 of the company streets, to have coffee ready and served the 
 first thing after roll-call, to guard against malaria in the 
 winter weather, which this season was particularly damp 
 and sickly, every precaution being taken to protect the 
 health of the soldiers. At least that was the intention, but 
 sometimes the best of intentions are spoiled by a too rigid 
 discipline for appearance sake. For instance: The per- 
 emptory order to have the tents in exact line, close to the 
 ground, shaped and sized to present a general appearance — 
 all alike; After they got into the field this rule w^s aban- 
 doned, and the soldiers built their teiits for comfort, wherein 
 boards w^ere used, fence rails and logs, the floor raised from 
 the ground and a better protection assured from colds and 
 disease. This camp suffered severely from sickness and 
 deaths, in consequence of the mistaken strictness of the 
 disciplinarian as long as he remained ; but after he left us, 
 through the special effi^rts of Lieut. Col. Ripley, his successor, 
 a general change in this respect was noticeable, concessions 
 were made to comfort, and the soldiers had better privileges 
 granted them in this important respect, really riecessarv to 
 their health. It was all well enoiigh during the fine fall weather 
 to have the tents trim and in regulation style, but when 
 winter set in, the rigid rule had to be relaxed, and the men 
 allowed to fix up their quarters for comfort and not for 
 show. The medical director of the Army of the Potomac, 
 Chas. S. Tripler, in his report on the sanitarj' condition of 
 the troops in the vicinity of Washington dated Jan. 2S, 1S62, 
 says : 
 
16 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 "THeBerdan SharpsHooters are also in a bad sanitary 
 condition, and not improving. This camp, however, is badly 
 located. I shall visit this brigade personally." He also 
 recommended the btulding of "pens of logs and slabs the size 
 of the base of the tents, some three feet high, and then to 
 secure the tent upon this for a roof. * * * The camping 
 ground of Berdan Sharpshooters I think should be changed. 
 * * * Its drainage is bad. This regiment is suffering 
 from measles, and lately severe lung complications have 
 accompanied the disease. A fresh and dry camp, therefore, 
 is in my opinion decidedly necess&ry for the command. If a 
 suitable ground is selected and the tents put up the way I 
 have suggested, I should look for favorable results." And 
 on February 6th he reported farther : " Measles, which seem 
 to be scourging the whole army of the United States, still 
 break out from time to time in different regiments. Berdan's 
 Sharpshooters have been and are still severely affected with 
 . that disease. It is hoped that hospital and field arrange- 
 ments already made and in progress will soon abate this 
 evil." 
 
 The camping ground, however, was not removed. The 
 report closes with a tabulated return, in which the Sharp- 
 shooters are put down as follows : 
 
 First Berdan Sharpsliooters, mean strength, 745, total sick, 71. 
 Second Berdan Sharpshooters, " " 720, " " 132. 
 
 Brigade strength 1,465 
 
 : It was noticeable in this camp that considerably more 
 sickness occurred among the American companies, than was 
 the case in Company A, the Swiss and Germans. Their 
 commander, Capt. Trepp, explained this in the manner of 
 cooking their food. For while the Americans were great 
 hands to fry everything, — fried pork, fried beef, fried hard- 
 tack swimming in grease, — Trepp's men boiled their meats, 
 and, with plenty of vegetables, made soups, rarely if ever, 
 eating fried food. It was really forbidden. This, the cap- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THK POTOMAC. 17 
 
 tain claimed, was the principal cause of their really small 
 sick list. The others understoocl this after awhile, and 
 resorted more to boiled food than formerly. 
 
 Our calls were all made by the bugle. Each company 
 had two buglers, and a regimental band was formed under 
 the instruction of a chief bugler, in the First Regiment CaWin 
 Morse of Company F ; and they became sufficiently profi- 
 cient to make very fair dress parade music, only occasion- 
 ally the boys would get out of wind, and then there was a 
 great gap in the notes. This caused a general te-heeing 
 along the line, and the most scathing scowl of the instructor 
 could not prevent it. The bugles were also used in the 
 skirmish drill, both company and regimental, in accordance 
 with the commands of the officer commanding. After 
 breakfast, came sick call, which on the bugle sounded a 
 good deal like singing : 
 
 "I'm— sick! I'm— sick! 
 Send for doctor, bring the nurse. 
 I'm — sick! I'm — sick! 
 Hurry doctor, I am worse— 
 I'm; — s-i-c-k!" 
 
 About nine o'clock we had guard mounting, and which 
 in good weather is an interesting service well worth wtness- 
 ing. Drills, company or regimental as it happened, occurred 
 twice a day, and therein the Sharpshooters made a fine 
 appearance, and, as Col. Ripley expressed it, became 
 ' ' wonderfully proficient. ' ' But we had a proficient instructor, 
 and also apt and careful company officers. Among them 
 may be mentioned Capt. Drew, who was thoroughly con- 
 versant with the tactics before entering the service, and his 
 company was very fortunate in having accepted him for 
 their commander. He was not only very popular with 
 them, but throughout the entire First Regiment. 
 
 There were other calls going on through the day, such 
 as "fatigue call" for working parties," officers' call, " the 
 
18 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 "assembly," the "retreat" at sunset, "tattoo" at 9 p. m., 
 and "taps" half an hour later, when lights were put out 
 and all of the enlisted men not on duty abed or supposed to 
 be. Toward the close of the afternoon before "retreat," 
 weather permitting, dress parade was held. This was a 
 popular feature of camp life, witnessed generally by many 
 spectators, and really a grand performance. Here reports 
 were made as to the condition of the companies, whether 
 they were aU "present or accounted for," orders were read 
 by the adjutant, and inspections and reviews frequently 
 occurred. How agreeable Col. Mears used to make it for 
 a certain field officer who sometimes persisted in wearing 
 white pantaloons when on duty, especially when some of his 
 lady friends were present. Who -would not Hke to have 
 been sergeant-major in those days ? How^ pleasantly Mears 
 used to ask for the whereabouts of that unfortunate gent ! 
 The regimental orders signed "J. Smith Brown, Acting 
 Adjutant," met with little favor atour hands. How beauti- 
 fully he used to ' ' about face ! " 
 
 On Sundays we had, besides our regular cleaning up, 
 Sunday morning inspections, which included dress, general 
 appearance, packed knapsacks, etc. Also, duringtheforenoon 
 church call brought the entire regiment, excepting those on 
 duty, to the parade ground, where the chaplain officiated. 
 In bad weather these duties and services were dispensed 
 with. 
 
 One feature introduced into the drill was the charging 
 :across the wide parade ground onto and over the high 
 board fence of " Corcoran's grounds." Mr. Corcoran was a 
 prominent and wealthy property holder living in the dis- 
 trict. To climb this fence required a good jump and a 
 sectire hold on top. It was exercise that the feeble and 
 sickly- had no business with, but was a course of training 
 very suitable for our service. At the command to advance 
 as skirmishers, or to charge in close order, if the fence was in 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 19 
 
 the way, it must be scaled, the men dashing forward there- 
 after until summoned to halt or retreat, by bugle or other- 
 wise. 
 
 A speck of trouble threatened the Sharpshooters because 
 of the breaking away of fence boards and the action of the 
 military authorities thereon, as instanced in the following: 
 
 Glenwood Cemetery, Feb. 4, 1862. 
 Dear Sir : — I regret being again compelled to trouble 
 you in relation to the Berdan Sharpshooters destroying the 
 fence on the place. Since I wrote to you last they have refrained 
 from troubling me much until the last four or five days 
 when they commenced operations again, and yesterday 
 made a decided attack. Will you be kind enough to send an 
 orderly with the bearer, my son, to examine and report to 
 you ? Also please send such message to the officers of the 
 regiment as you think will prevent a recurrence of these 
 depredations, and greatly oblige 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 G. Clendenin, Supt. 
 To Gen'l a. Porter. 
 
 This document was indorsed as follows : 
 
 Respectfully forwarded to Headquarters Army of the 
 Potomac. A. Porter, Provost Marshal. 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
 
 Feb. 6, 1862. 
 Respectfully referred to Col. Berdan. with instructions to 
 ascertain the names of the men who, in spite of orders, 
 continue to commit depredations onthe Glen wood Cemetery, 
 and to confine them in the Guardhouse and prefer charges 
 against them. The general commanding desires an example , 
 to be made of these reported and willful violations of his 
 reiterated instructions. 
 
 By command of Major General McClellan, 
 
 Jas. a. Hardie, Lt.-Col. A. D. C. 
 
 Whether any of the fence-thieves were ever caught, or 
 whether their names were ascertained, it is useless to- ask 
 at this late day.- When we left for the Peninsula, ho wever, 
 
20 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 but little of the cemetery fence remained in "good standing." 
 ETen Gen. McClellan was powerless to check the cotirse of 
 the Sharpshooters when they sought food and fuel. 
 
 While the men were being steadily drilled in all the 
 movements of the tactics, — excepting the manual, as arms 
 were scarce, although that was practiced more or less by 
 companies with a few guns, not as a regiment, — it must 
 not be supposed it was all work and no play. For, besides 
 the target practice, which was in itself an amusement, 
 other diversions were indulged in of a nattire to train them 
 for arduous duty in active service, particularly in marching, 
 destined to be often long and fatiguing. Therefore, foot 
 ball, jumping, racing, wrestling, boxing and fencing, w^ere 
 prominent in the sports, which seemed also to keep up a 
 good feeling among the men, and between the companies. 
 It is worthy of record, also, that in this peculiar organization 
 of companies from different states jealousy was unknown; 
 on the contrary, they were like a band of brothers, imbued 
 with the one feeling of patriotism in their voluntary 
 enlistment for three years, unless sooner discharged. But 
 few came from the same town, and but few were known 
 to each other before enlistment. It was in many respects a 
 remarkable organization. Not that all were as perfect as 
 passible, or their behavior faultless ; for no such thing as a 
 regiment or company, without fault-finding and discontent, 
 w^ithout grumblers, or without their share of "sorry 
 soldiers" ever existed. This is plainly in the course of 
 nature, and in the volunteer service no one regiment was 
 very much better than another in this respect. 
 
 As a fair example, however, of the character of the 
 men composing this organization, I give the following 
 compliment paid the second and third Vermont companies 
 by Col. Stoughton years after the war. First, he refers to 
 the regardful act of the legislature of the state of Vermont, 
 providing for a special allowance of seven dollars per month 
 
IN THE ARJtY OF THE POTOMAC, 21 
 
 for their enlisted men, and then says: "About the 20th of 
 NoTember, the second company of Sharpshooters, number- 
 ing, officers and men 91, started for Washington, to join the 
 Second Regiment, where it became Company E. To go back 
 to the trip to Washington, I must give the company as high 
 a compliment as any they deserved during the war, and 
 that is, upon arriving in New York City, on Peck Slip pier, 
 25 East river, on the 'Elm City,' they marched up to Park 
 Barracks where every soldier from New England remembers 
 having once been, where they got their first real army 
 fare, and, upon ascertaining they were to leave Jersey City 
 at four o'clock that afternoon, they with one accord desired 
 a pass to go out into the city, none of them having been in 
 New York before. The captain, much to the astonishment 
 of the regular array officer in command of the barracks, 
 granted the passes with the promise that they should all 
 return in time to march to the ferry. At the appointed 
 time every officer and man was in line, which astonished 
 the commander of the barracks as much as the granting of 
 the passes had done in the morning, and with a single 
 exception, not a man w^as intoxicated, and he was able to 
 march to the train." The third company raised afterwards 
 (H, of the Second), in which the colonel, then Capt. Stoughton, 
 took part^ "was another fine body of men, who were com- 
 plimented both in New York and Philadelphia as they 
 passed through those two cities." The Wisconsin company 
 also proved their "bringing up," by taking in the city of 
 New York, returning in time to receive their quota of loud- 
 tasting bolognas furnished by the Dutch sutler, as they 
 broke camp at Weehawken for Washington. They were a 
 fine looking body of men, and so recognized by all who 
 saw them. Thus did the West vie with the East. 
 
 As showing how the boys amused themselves even at 
 others' expense, I will give the experience of Company D, on 
 their arrival in camp, Jan. 3, 1862. To go back to their 
 
aa SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 starting point : This company was recruited in the fall of 
 '61, from Chenango, Otsego, Herkimer and Oneida counties. 
 New York. One would-be officer of the company had 
 worked hard for a commission, and was, in his own esti- 
 mation, at least, better fitted for it than any of his com- 
 lades. His modesty was not a candle to his merit. Before 
 leaving Utica he had, in anticipation of his speedy promotion, 
 gotten for himself an officer's outfit. His jaunty cap bore 
 conspicuously in front the magical letters "U. S. S. S." As 
 soon as the company reached Camp of Instruction, the 
 tinsympathizing veterans of the hillside thronged to welcome 
 the tired recruits, greeting them on seeing these letters on 
 their doughty champion's cap, with the shout: "Unfortu- 
 nate Soldiers Sadly Sold." However time-worn this trans- 
 lation of these cabalistic letters may have been to the vet- 
 erans, it wias novel although humiliating enough to the 
 recruits, foot-sore and weary as they were, though excess- 
 ively patriotic. The company soon affiliated and were 
 happy as could be with their comrades of the other com- 
 panies. Their citizen's clothes were at a premium. They 
 had no trouble in lending (?) what little money they had 
 brought with them fromhome, to their promisingneighbors, 
 who gave them much advice, but little else for their gener- 
 osity. What tricks their older comrades used to play upon 
 them during their tours of night guard duty. What a 
 pleasure it was to be corporal of the guard in those days, 
 with the whole chain of sentinels bawling after him at one 
 and the same time for causeless, frivolous pretexts. How- 
 enjoyable it was for him, inlooking up his relief at midnight, 
 to find their belts on the tent poles misplaced, and to receive 
 a cuff on the ear, or the heel of a shoe in the face, when he 
 awoke the wrong parties, as he was almost certain to do. 
 How enjoyable Capt. Hastings made things for the entire 
 guard and camp when he happened to be officer of the day ! 
 Shortly after their arrival one of the Company D men 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 23 
 
 got into trouble in Washington. It was on a Sunday, and 
 this man whose name was Henry C. Vedder, wanted to 
 hear a celebrated clergyman preach at the capitol, while his 
 two companions preferred to enjoy the sunshine and queer 
 sights of that then somewhat antiquated city. Vedder w^as 
 persistent, and left the others in disgust to follow out his 
 devout inclinations, forgetting that his companions had the 
 one pass for the three, so that he was soon arrested by the 
 provost-guard who refused to listen to his animated story 
 about the pass, hustling him off to the guardhouse without 
 ceremony, where he remained the entire Sunday, musing 
 no doubt upon the irreverence of his companions, to say 
 nothing of his own wretched surroundings, with the certainty 
 of being hounded for at least a week by the tantalizing 
 comradesof his company. 
 
 Strictness in miUtary discipline is essential to good order 
 and successful soldiership. Without a proper regard there- 
 for, no army can be relied on in time of need, and therefore 
 the absolute necessity w^hile in camp or garrison to enforce 
 respect for orders, for the observance of which, ofl&cers and 
 men alike are held responsible, no deviation therefrom 
 being allowed. "Obey your commands," is the first and 
 imperative duty of a soldier. It is true that in the volunteer 
 service, particularly in its first stages, many things apparently 
 trivial in character were overlooked, until at least the men 
 had been long enough in service to understand they were no 
 longer civilians, and their natural independence curtailed or 
 broken, to fit them for their new condition ; so that, while in 
 Camp of Instruction many little acts "contrary to good 
 order and military discipline," were disregarded by even the 
 most rigid disciplinarian. Afber they got into the field with 
 the enemy before them, it w^as different, and for what else- 
 where (in drill camps) would be considered slight offenses, 
 heavy punishment was often inflicted. A case in point, 
 amusing to the boys, is given to show how reckless the new 
 
24- SHAHPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING- 
 
 volunteer soinetimes became, regardless of consequences, 
 with the chances all against him. 
 
 THE CUSSED VOLUNTEER. 
 
 In Company F was a w^ell made, hardy looking six- 
 footer, of a rather uncontrollable disposition, unused to 
 discipline, and especially that kind requiring him to look up 
 to others whose superiority was more in their relative posi- 
 tions in the service than in their physical makeup. This 
 stalwart Vermonter was not always very particular as to 
 how he conducted himself when officers were around,especially 
 if they were really inferior to him in muscle. One morning 
 this man was on guard, and happened to be in one of his 
 too-frequent independent moods, — "a heap of sarcasm, " — 
 w^hen along came one of the field officers in full uniform, 
 just from the city, with gold epaulettes on his shoulders, 
 high cocked hat, and dangling sabre rattling at every step ; 
 when, after taking a most tantalizing stare at the officer, 
 deliberately sticking his bayoneted gun in the ground, he 
 mounted a fence rail, and with his elbows stuck down in his 
 knees, his chin buried deep in his hands, called out, as he 
 afterwards claimed, "in a very sociable manner: " 
 
 " I say ! Come over here a moment." 
 To say that the officer looked astounded at the 
 audacity of the volunteer from Vermont is expressing it too 
 mild. His cheeks turned white, then red in a moment, while 
 his face worked hard and rapid in a desperate endeavor to 
 control his rage, but finally toning down his voice as calmly 
 as it were at all possible, yelled out to the reckless sentinel 
 to explain his conduct then and there. But as the insolent 
 camp guard merely wanted some tobacco,— "to take a 
 friendly chew,"— the officer bolted with rage into camp to 
 headquarters, where Col. Berdan was treated to a specimen 
 oi regular swearing, at "the damnable impudence of his 
 cursed volunteers." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 25 
 
 In most every encampment there is at least one oiEcer 
 who is continually getting into hot water, so to speak. 
 Who seems to be constituted a target for all the rough hits 
 and slang phrases of the camp, caused principally by a too 
 earaest desire to show his authority while on duty. The 
 picture may be recognized in every regiment, wherein the 
 obstreperous martinet is frequently taken down, for trying 
 to fill the guardhouse with men of other companies for 
 very little causes. Such officers soon get to be despised. 
 There are other officers more fortunate in their disposition, 
 for whom the men could not do too much. And yet, the real test 
 was on the field of battle; if the officers stayed with their 
 men, their respect w^as honorably earned. If they tried to 
 keep out and away from the line of danger, it was deservedly 
 lost. 
 
 The regiment w^as reviewed late in the fall by Gen. 
 McDowell, and visited at various times by those noted war 
 governors of the West and East, Randall of Wisconsin, 
 Blair of Michigan, Ramsey of Minnesota, Berry of New 
 Hampshire, and Sprague of Rhode Island. Also by Senators 
 Wilkinson (Minn.), Doolittle (Wis.), Chandler (Mich.), and 
 Harris (N. Y.), v(^ho were looking after the welfare of the 
 volunteers from their respective states. 
 
 As the spring-time approached, every preparation was 
 raade by all the troops about Washington for a forward 
 movement, fi"om the camps of instruction to active service. 
 The quartermasters were particularly busy, and in the 
 Sharpshooter regiments were the recipients of a large 
 amount of extra clothing, blankets, etc., turned in for safe 
 keeping until needed in the future. Marching orders were 
 getting common, and war rumors became frequent as the 
 spring advanced. 
 
26 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKXRMISHIKG 
 
 FIRST CAMPAIGN. 
 FROM WASHINGTON TO HARRISON's LANDING. 
 
 THK PBNINSULA CAMPAIGN. 
 
 On the 20t]i of Alarch, 1862, the First Regiment of 
 Sharpshooters broke camp at Washington in the afternoon, 
 and marching through the city, proceeded over Long 
 Bridge to a point beyond Alexandria, in Virginia, -where 
 they arrived long after dark after a very fatiguing march in 
 a soaking rain through a sea of mud, — said to be 15 
 miles. It "was the regiment's first march, and proved a hard 
 one with their backs -weighted do-wn -with heavy knap- 
 sacks, — extra clothing, blankets, etc., — making many a 
 lame back and sore shoulder. Added to this, their first 
 troubles, general headquarters could not be found, and 
 considerable standing around occurred before they -were 
 luckily piloted to an old camp no-w deserted, of the 69th 
 Ne-w York, introduced to us as "Camp Californy." But 
 not-withstanding this rough introduction to active service, 
 the regiment had started forth with light hearts, for at 
 last they -were leaving a long encampment, chafing and 
 fretting with a pardonable impatience to get away, — to "do 
 something or go home," — for new, more active and warlike 
 scenes. After six months camp life they were anxious to 
 get to the front, and see for themselves what manner of man 
 
m THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 27 
 
 this enemy was they had heard so much about. They were 
 at last going to have an opportunity to size up a "Johnny 
 Reh." 
 
 I will not attempt to describe their feelings as thev 
 marched out of Washington; it was a mixture of jo v and 
 sadness, hopes and fears, expressed in a merry laugh or a 
 long-drawn sigh. Not a cowardly fear, but that natural 
 anxiety for the ultimate result of the movement, wherein 
 the individual life as well as the Union was at stake. A num- 
 ber unable to march were left behind, some of whom never 
 caught up — being discharged. 
 
 The regiment, except the two companies having target 
 rifles, were armed with Colt's five-shot revolving rifles, the 
 long promised Sharps not having arrived. It was thought 
 at first that these Colts would not shoot true, but this 
 proved not exactly the case as they were pretty good line 
 shooters, although there was some danger of till the 
 chambers exploding at once. The shooting qualities of 
 this arm w^ere tested in several instances before getting into 
 action, and some good shots were noted. Andrew J. Peircc, 
 of Company G, a very clean and tasty soldier, while on the 
 way down the Potomac made a trial shot of the five cham- 
 bers in the presence of the regimental officers, at a buoy 
 bobbing up in the river some 400 yards distant, and the 
 result -was thus announced by Col. Berdan, who, with the 
 other officers, were intently watching with their field 
 glasses : 
 
 "There, that will do, sir. You have struck the buoy 
 twice, and 'twas well done." 
 
 Peirce had not an opportunity heretofore to make any 
 targets, on account of the Wisconsin company having no 
 arms in Camp of Instruction, and this, his first chance to 
 draw a bead, was very satisfactory to the officers men- 
 tioned. 
 
 The regimental officers were now as follows : 
 
2S SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 FIRST REGIMENT. 
 
 Colonel — Hiram Berdan, of New York. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel — Wm. Y. W. Ripley, of Vermont. 
 
 Major — Casper Trepp, of New York. 
 
 Adjutant— F. A. Willett, of Michigan. 
 
 Quartermaster— W, H. B. Beebe, of New York. 
 
 Chaplain— Rev. Gurdon S. Coit, of Connecticut. 
 
 Surgeon — Guy C. Marshall, of New York. 
 
 The lieutenant-colonel and major ranked from Dec. 1, 
 1861. " Col," Ripley had seen service as captain in the 1st 
 Vermont Volunteers. Maj. Trepp, formerly captain of 
 Company A, had received a good military education in 
 Switzerland, and was in active service in Europe. The 
 quartermaster was a well-known and once popular hatter 
 of New York city. 
 
 Much doubt had been entertained by old army ofHcers, 
 as to our efficiency as a distinctive branch of service — that 
 of sharpshooting and skirmishing. But this feeling changed 
 after the breech-loading system was developed in their first 
 action, and the success there attained never failed there- 
 after. 
 
 SECOND REGIMENT. 
 
 Colonel — Henry A. V. Post, of New York. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel — Francis Peteler, of Minnesota. 
 
 Major — Amos B. Jones, of New^ Hampshire. 
 
 Adjutant — Lewis C. Parmelee, of Connecticut. 
 
 Quartermaster — B. S. Calef, of Boston. 
 
 Chaplain — Lorenzo Barber, of Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Surgeon — Chas. P. Hale, of New Hampshire. 
 
 This regiment left Camp of Instruction about the same 
 time as the First, being assigned to the army under Gen. 
 AlcDowell, and they were armed and equipped the same as 
 the First Regiment. As the movements of McDowell's 
 corps was intended to be in conjunction, to co-operate with 
 McClellan's troops in the advance on Richmond, this 
 
COL. HENRY A. V, POST. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 29 
 
 campaign includes their movements as far as the Second 
 Sharpshooters are concerned, which will be taken up in 
 the interim. 
 
 Leaving the "Californy" camp on the 21st, Berdan's 
 regiment embarked in the evening at Alexandria on board 
 steam transport Emperor, and during the night men were 
 detailed carrying supplies and baggage to different steam- 
 boats. It being a rainy and very dark night, and many 
 soldiers from the different regiments running to and fro, it 
 was not strange that accidents shouldoccuriutheconfusion, 
 and several fell overboard to be rescued from their cold bath, 
 one man beingdrowned. W. G. Smith and Jno S. Tillotson, 
 of Company G, received credit for pulling out two of these 
 men. It w^as a dangerous place and the wonder is that 
 more were not lost in the darkness, owing for some unac- 
 countable reason to a remarkable scarcity of lights on the 
 docks. Early the next morning the transport steamed 
 down the Potomac in company with many others, some 22 
 in all, containing the division of Gen. Fitz John Porter of 
 the 3d corps of the Army of the Potomac, and arrived the 
 afternoon of the 23d opposite Fortress Monroe, passing 
 several deserted works en route. 
 
 It was a beautiful day when they left Alexandria after 
 the drenching weather just experienced, and the soldiers 
 easily forgot the previous night's wetting and their tiresome, 
 muddy march from Washington, in the general enthusiasm 
 depicted on every countenance at the grand pageant before 
 them ; as all the steamers having been ordered to pass in 
 review ran first up stream a short distance, when turning 
 downward they passed Gen. Porter's flagship amid the roar 
 of saluting cannon, the waving of flags, cheers of patriots, 
 and bands of music playing on every side. Nor was the 
 excitement abated during their pleasant sail down stream 
 until they approached Mt. Vernon, when all seemed inspired 
 with the one feeling of reverence as hats came off and sud- 
 
30 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 den quietness prevailed, except with the bands changing 
 their lively tunes to more solemn strains, in token of respect 
 for the tomb of George Washington. And it was good to 
 turn their attention from the hilarious to more serious 
 thoughts of home and friends far North, and to peer into 
 the near future with its uncertainties and its forebodings . For, 
 of all places in the hearts of patriotic Americans, there is 
 none to produce the same feeling of veneration existing on a 
 visit to this hallowed spot. No matter how many great 
 and worthy men we have had, soldiers or civilians, there can 
 be but one Washington. 
 
 On our arrival at Fortress Monroe we found Hampton 
 Roads harboring hundreds of vessels, moving about or dis- 
 charging troops and supplies, guns and ammunition. The 
 wonderful Monitor had but lately wound up the destructive 
 career of the rebel ram Merrimac, in the greatest naval 
 battle known, and was now riding peacefully at anchor, — an 
 advanced sentinel, — ready to serve the balance of the Con- 
 federate navy by knocking them out of existence, should 
 they dare to show up, or threaten our transport vessels. 
 
 During the morning of the 24th the regiment landed at 
 Hampton, on the Virginia peninsula, with appetites sharp- 
 ened, their rations having by some oversight been placed on 
 board another transport. The men were more or less 
 starved on this trip, the invigorating breezes from the 
 Chesapeake having a very stimulating efifect on the rarely 
 failing appetites of the healthy members. In such hungry 
 dilemmas the roughest food often proves very acceptable, 
 and the writer experienced a keen relish for a rind of raw 
 bacon about a foot square, and it proved one of the sweetest 
 morsels ever masticated by this hungry volunteer. 
 
 The village of Hampton was deserted and in ruins, 
 having been burned by the rebel Gen. Magruder in August, 
 1861, to prevent its being used for quartering Union troops. 
 It was denounced as a wanton act, without warning to 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 31 
 
 defenceless inhabitants, forced from blazing beds and homes 
 at the midnight hour. And at the time of which I write, 
 little else could be found there but tall, blackened chimneys 
 towering high above heaps of charred timbers, and burnt 
 and crumbling bricks— a startling picture of war's deso- 
 lation. 
 
 While on Hampton beach the boys waded in waist deep 
 after oysters and other shell-fish, which w^ere served up in 
 all manner of styles, around huge fires started on the shore. 
 There were roast clams, fried oysters, stewed periwinkles 
 and boiled muscles. It was one of the good times enjoyed 
 by the soldiers, and jokes and songs were in order, with 
 long and strong choruses echoing down the rebel shores. 
 And if there were any rebels on the other shore they prob- 
 ably heard the chorus. It w^as a regular concert. Other 
 regiments had their fun also, for this might properly be 
 called, to many, their first day in rebeldom, the enemy's 
 scouts being not far distant, and as it was uncertain where 
 they w^ould be to-morrow^, they were bound to make the 
 most of it. In the singing, the ^eat army choruses were 
 taken up, when they were "Way dow^n south in Dixie", or 
 marching on with "John Brown". It was catching, and 
 rank and file, the line, field and staflf, were alike aifected. 
 So they kept it up, until the stern "Fall in!" reminded 
 them of a different kind of fun ahead. But the ever changing 
 character of soldier life would not admit of much time 
 speculating on the future. And it was better so, that 
 military ardor and excitement take the place of deep brood- 
 ing over useless imaginings. Thus it happened soon after, 
 on the bugle sounding the "assembly," when the Sharp- 
 shooters w^ent into temporary camp near by, in an old corn- 
 field four miles from Ft. Monroe, among a large body of 
 troops. It was the beginning of war. 
 
33 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 BIG BETHEL. 
 
 March 27, 1862. 
 
 At an early hour, before dawn, the Sharpshooters left 
 their encampiaent to talce part in a grand reconnoissance 
 by the division of Gen. Porter, -which proceeded on two 
 parallel roads, the Sharpshooters ahead in line of skirmish- 
 ers — one-half under Col. Berdan, the other wing under 
 Lieut.- Col. Ripley. It was the first movement of the 
 regiment in active service, and with light hearts and smiles 
 of joy at the opportunity they sprang forward to their 
 position of honor — the front line. Never were troops more 
 eager to get out into the field of active duty. It was like a 
 holiday excursion for them that day, whatever it might be 
 thereafter. A position was awarded them, that depended 
 upon their efficiency as to whether they would retain it. 
 Their reputation was to be made or lost on this reconnois- 
 sance. The eyes of their generals were upon them, and upon 
 them devolved the duty of rendering a good account of 
 themselves — and they succeeded admirably. Their advance 
 through dense woods and entangling thickets, over heavy- 
 plowed fields, -wet and muddy meadows, breaking down and 
 scaling fences, often fording small streams, -was made -with 
 an eagerness and rapidity that soon left their supports far in 
 the rear, and several times they were obliged to halt until 
 they came up. Until finally Capt. Auchmuty of Gen. 
 Morell's staff, rode up to enquire with the general's com- 
 pliments : " If the Sharpshooters intended to go on alone, or 
 would they prefer to -wait for support." Even this scarcely 
 checked them, especially after the rebel cavalry came in sight 
 and shots were exchanged. A sort of running fight ensued. 
 
IK THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 33 
 
 the cavalry falling back con tinually before our advance. On 
 arriving at Great Bethel they found the enemy hurriedly 
 leaving, their rear guard being attacked by the Sharp- 
 shooters with some eifect, particularly among their cavalry, 
 and several prisoners were taken. The movement was con- 
 tinued three miles beyond Bethel, towards Yorktown, but 
 meeting no opposition — no enemy to contend with — they 
 were ordered back to "Camp Porter," the object of the 
 reconnoissance having been effected. The regiment arrived 
 back to camp during the night after a tiresome tramp of 
 some 30 miles. It w^as an important affair for them, their 
 conduct being pronounced very satisfactory by the generals 
 commanding. And while it proved the efficiency of their 
 drill and instruction, it also tested their endurance for hard 
 marching, of which this day's work was a particularly 
 severe trial, and but for their constant exercise and training 
 during the past fall and w^inter months they must have 
 failed to keep up without a long list of stragglers. For an 
 initiatory performance, they could never have done better. 
 They w^ere no longer raw troops, but were fast earning the 
 title of "old soldiers." 
 
 An incident occurred "while we w^ere lying at Hampton 
 wherein a Company F man, C. G. Odell, distinguished him- 
 self as an earnest champion of the defenceless. It was while 
 on picket. The line ran close to a farmhouse, where some 
 U. S. soldiers (regulars) were stationed. The family living 
 between the lines did not have a good opportunity of getting 
 food for themselves, and w^hat scanty fare they did have 
 was spread before the children, the parents serving them first ; 
 when one of the above mentioned soldiers was going to sit 
 down and eat the children's portion, despite the expostula- 
 tions of the parents. Odell tried to reason with the brute, 
 but he w^ould not listen to reason; whereupon the Sharp- 
 shooter threatened him with the bayonet and five revolving 
 shots if he didn't desist — "gave him to understand he 
 
 3 
 
34 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIEMISHING 
 
 would have to walk over my dead body before he took the 
 food out of those children's mouths." This had the happy 
 effect of forcing the fellow away, for which the deep grati- 
 tude of the entire family, freely expressed, w^as bestow^ed on 
 OdeU. Soon after this occurrence Odell again distinguished 
 himself, in getting outside the lines, away off into a rebel 
 residence, attracted thither by a young lady — gay deceiver 
 — whereby he came near being captured. He had previously 
 aided in fireeing some negroes, when the girl sailed along and 
 enticed him aw^ay. For this episode he w^as w^ell laughed at 
 by the boys, and scolded hard by the colonel. Yet he 
 declared he had lots of fan, "whether the girl went back on 
 him or not." 
 
 On the 3d of April Gen. McClellan arrived, and great 
 preparations were made for an immediate forward move- 
 ment. The troops in the field at this time according to 
 Gen. McClellan's own report, and which moved promptly 
 the following day, w^ere : 
 
 Third Corps, Brig.- Gen. Heintzelman. — Two divisions. 
 Porter and Hamilton; Averell's cavalry, and Sedgwick's 
 division of the 2d corps. 
 
 Fourth Corps, Brig.- Gen. Keyes. — Two divisions, Smith 
 and Couch, and 5th regular cavalry. 
 
 Syke's Brigade of regular infantry, together with Hunt's 
 artillery reserve. 
 
 In all, 58,000 men and 100 guns, besides the division 
 artillery. Casey's division of the 4th corps was unable to 
 move for want of wagons, and Richardson's and Hooker's 
 divisions of the 2d and 3d corps had not arrived. 
 
 The Sharpshooters again led the advance of Fitz John 
 Porter's division, in the movement commencing on the 
 morning of April 4th. The boys appreciated the confidence 
 placed in them by this repetition of the honor bestowed, and 
 proudly marched forth — ofiicers and men — determined to 
 do all in their power to show^ that it had not been mis- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 35 
 
 placed. At an early iiour before daylight tliej' were up and 
 ready, the regiment taking up the line of march at the head 
 of the column, and passing Bethel halted for the night in a 
 cornfield at a place called Cockletown, 24 miles distant. 
 Although the distance reported for this day may have been 
 somewhat greater than the actual number of miles by direct 
 road, it should be borne in mind that troops do not always 
 follow direct routes : on the contrary often diverge from the 
 same, especially when "feeling their way". This will account 
 for any difference that may hereafter manifest itself in regard 
 to the real distance between given points. 
 
 HOWARD'S BRIDGE 
 
 AprU 4, 1862. 
 
 Before bivouacking the Sharpshooters had routed on 
 the way a small force of the enemy consisting of 400 
 Mississippi infantry, two pieces of artillery and some cav- 
 alry, at the crossing of a small stream called the Poquosin, 
 w^here they planted their flag on a small earth-work, captur- 
 ing some prisoners ; one company (B) going forward in line 
 of skirmishers over the field, the others moving up as a sup- 
 port. A few shots from our artillery and a volley from the 
 Sharpshooters follow^ed the retreating foe, who hurried off 
 as our skirmishers deployed out and advanced onto their 
 position. It wasn't much of a fight, but what there was, 
 the Sharpshooters got the glory of it. 
 
 Gen. Morell commanding 2d brigade of Gen. Porter's 
 division, in his report to Gen. Porter of this affair, says : 
 
 "Pursuant to orders for the advance of the Army of 
 the Potomac, my brigade, composed of the 14th New^ York, 
 Col. McQuade; 4th Michigan, Col. Woodbm-y; 9th Mas- 
 
36 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 sachusetts, Col. Cass ; and 6 2d PennsylTania, Col. Black; 
 moved from Camp No. 2, near Hampton, at five o'clock a. 
 M., on the 4tli current, preceded by Col. Averell's cavalry 
 and Col. Berdan's Sharpshooters, and escorting Griffin's 
 and Weeden's batteries of artillery. I marched to Big 
 Bethel over the same route as in the reconnoissance of the 
 27th ult. Beyond Big Bethel the cavalry fell to the rear, 
 the Sharpshooters, as skirmishers, continuing in front of 
 my brigade, which had the honor of leading the column. A 
 small body of the enemy's cavailry retired as we advanced, 
 and, though frequently in sight, kept out of reach. As we 
 approached Howard's Bridge over the Poquosin river I 
 threw forw^ard part of the 14th New York, also as 
 skirmishers, and advanced with them and the Sharpshooters 
 to ascertain if the works which I had reconnoitered on the 
 27th ult. -were still occupied. When w^ithin a few hundred 
 yards of them the enemy opened fire upon us. Meanw^hile 
 the balance of the 14th had deployed to the right. The 
 4th Michigan by your order, extended on their right to the 
 river, and the artillery had come to the front. The w^hole 
 steadily pressed forward, and after a slight resistance the 
 enemy retreated." 
 
 While awaiting orders to resume the movement, some of 
 the men did a little foraging, and Eugene Paine, of 
 Company F, tells how they rolled out a hogshead from a 
 building, and covered themselves with molasses, if not glory; 
 a fierce attack being made on the sticky stuff, with their 
 hands and faces and clothes besmeared, some coming out of 
 the fracas with otily their cup handles, and all bearing 
 "sweet evidence" of the struggle to get the lion's share. 
 This is related as one of the little recreations the boys 
 indulgedin,— when they got a chance,— and while it would 
 not be considered exactly proper according to the rules in 
 force governing the conduct of the troops, it was among 
 the expected things when the opportunity was presented. 
 It was tough on the owner, but that's what he contributed 
 "towards the maintenance of the army" and the amuse- 
 ment of the "boys." 
 
EUGENE PAINE. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 37 
 
 BATTLE OF YORKTOWN. 
 
 April 5, 1862. 
 
 [This day's fight was called by Gen. Porter, the "Battle of Yoi-lttown," 
 the succeeding operations the "Siege of Yorktown."] 
 
 Tte next morning the Sliarpsliooters again advanced, 
 and rapidly, with a scanty supply of rations, and after 
 scouting awhile through woods and fields the rain at times 
 pouring fast which, though drenching in character, failed to 
 dampen their ardor, at about ten in the forenoon w^ere sud- 
 denly fired on by a rebel field-piece in front of Yorktown. 
 The screaming shell passed harmlessly over into a field 
 beyond, and was followed by several others without damage 
 to the men. The first shot, w^hichcame quartering over "G" 
 company, w^ell aimed but a little high, had the remarkable 
 efiect of causing almost every man to duck, w^hich movement 
 extended to some of the other immediate companies. Such 
 a droll occurrence, such grotesque dodging, never w^as seen 
 again in that regiment. But the shell came so sudden and 
 unexpected, and so close with its shrieking noise, the first 
 many had ever heard, that the men, governed by the same 
 impulse, ducked and crouched simultaneously, as if 
 instructed — one time and one motion. The next moment 
 they were up again, and with loud hurrahs, and laughter at 
 each other, they rushed ahead down the road on double- 
 quick. As the riflemen pressed forward the enemy fell 
 hurriedly back and soon after, far in advance, approached 
 w^ithin sight of the formidable looking earth-works next to 
 York river, computed by our battery men 1,800 yards dis- 
 tant, and -which w^ere well mounted w^ith guns of large 
 
38 SHA.RPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 caliber. These forces were commanded by Gen. J. B. 
 Magruder. 
 
 Leaving the road on the right, the Wisconsin men with 
 the Swiss company deployed out in an open field, the latter 
 on the right of the line, where they remained upwards of an 
 hour in support of Weeden's battery which had hurried up, 
 taken position and opened fire, and which was afterwa: ds 
 joined by Griffin's battery on their right. The shell of the 
 enemy came rapidly over, bursting in close proximity to the 
 riflemen, the pieces striking the ground around them but 
 w^ithout injuring them. Not so with the artillery, which 
 had one man killed and several wounded during that time. 
 The balance of our regiment was distributed in diiferent 
 parts of the field on either side of the road. The rebel 
 infantry draw^n up in front of the works, w^eresoon scattered 
 and sotight cover behind the same. The Wisconsin company 
 w^as finally assembled and marched to some buildings in a 
 peach orchard on the left of the road, w^here they rested 
 under arms an hour. Morell's brigade was now in position 
 supporting the batteries behind us, while the other troops 
 were hurrying forward, but did not reach the vicinity until 
 afternoon. Meanwhile the target riflemen had taken 
 position on the left, behind a fence 800 yards from the 
 enemy's works, and were soon joined by men firom other 
 companies. New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan and Wis- 
 consin, were principally represented at that point. While 
 here the Verm outers cried out: "Corporal Peck" (C.W.) "is 
 hit," the first casualty in that company. He received a 
 severe wound but didn't leave to stay, returning for more 
 hard work and honest service. During this time Company 
 B had been surprised by a masked battery ahead, and on 
 receiving a heavy discharge of canister shot were ordered back 
 to a line w^ith the rest of the regiment. Lieut. Albert R. 
 Barret, (formerly orderly sergeant of Company H), says of 
 his company: "In that battle of Yorktown, when we were 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 39 
 
 ordered up, my company (H), in passing to the front to 
 take position on a hill as nearthe enemy's works as possible, 
 had to cross a slight hollow, and, as we did so, a shower of 
 bullets flew around and over us. We took double-qtiick 
 and passed safely over, but many of us had bullet marks in 
 our clothes, the balls also striking the ground in front, every 
 step we took. " 
 
 From the peach orchard fence the Sharpshooters proved 
 themselves. In a very short time they succeeded in silencing 
 a number of cannon in their front, which the enemy were 
 unable to load, so fast and thick did Colt, Sharps and 
 target-rifle bullets come in upon them. Their futile attempts 
 to man their guns, their excited gestures running to and fro, 
 w^ere plainly to be seen by our men, and with cheers they drove 
 them oflF, or dropped them, whenever they came forward. 
 They were completely silenced, and the Sharpshooters thus 
 demonstrated their efficiency for such an occasion. 
 
 There was but one Sharps rifle in the regiment at the 
 time, w^hich was the personal property of Truman Head, 
 better known as " Old Califomy, " or "California Joe," a 
 member of Company C, and who gave most convincing 
 proofs of his skill as' a marksman. This particular Sharps 
 rifle w^as purchased while at Camp of Instruction, and had 
 a sabre bayonet and single trigger. But the men, after a 
 careful examination of the outfit, while they unanimously 
 endorsed the rifle, decided they would rather have the angu- 
 lar bayonet as less cumbersome, and more to the " point." 
 
 After a resting spell and a scanty demand on the haver- 
 sack, the rebel bullets in the meantime whizzing wildly 
 in and around the yard and buildings, the Wisconsinites 
 and Yermonters took up a position on the right of the road 
 in the field first entered, where thfey remained until after nine 
 o'clock at night, being exposed during that time to the fire 
 of the enemy's cannon on the right of the works, also to a 
 cross-fire from the left during the latter part of the after- 
 
1-0 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 noon, at a time when those at the peach orchard fence had 
 been called off, owing to an anticipated attack from the 
 rebel cavalry, who came out from behind their works, pre- 
 senting a bold front on the open plain as they dre-w up in 
 line, threatening to ride down the five-shooting riflemen by 
 the roadside, and cut off those in the orchard. The men 
 with the Colts quietly awaited their coming, and had they 
 made the rash attempt but fewwould ever have returned. 
 With five shots from every man at close quarters, death and 
 destruction awaited them. But a Union shell exploded in 
 their midst, scattering them hurriedly, while several well 
 aimed rifle bullets helped to hurry them back to cover. The 
 officer in command fell, — 'twas claimed he received the con- 
 tents of the Sharps rifle, — his white bosom presenting a 
 blood-stained mark as he tumbled froni his horse, which was 
 reported as plainly discernible through one of the strong 
 rifle telescopes brought into use. 
 
 On several occasions the rebel shell broke the fence rails 
 above and ploughed through the small embankment where 
 our men lay, throwing dirt over them ; once, when the guns 
 of the enemy were rapidly at work sending these shrieking 
 shells closely over, James S. Webster and A. J. Peirce, of 
 Company G, were suddenly, but harmlessly, elevated from 
 the ground by one of these missiles penetrating the bank 
 under and between them, which, landing in front of Lieut. 
 Marble, C. A. Stevens, George Whitson and Wm. W. Sweet, 
 phizzed out. Had the shell exploded, many would have 
 been hurt. It was an exciting time, yet the members of the 
 difierent companies kept cool, behaving like veterans. At 
 sunset the rebel bands played "Dixie," which they immedi- 
 ately followed up by a terrible cannonading from all points, 
 trying hard to demoralize the Sharpshooters, but failed. 
 Our men kept quiet and took the "fiery shower" with the 
 utmost composure. The Union batteries responded with 
 
'^■'^''^f^pi&P<0f^^'^„ . '//''' 
 
 
 =^CS^«**'- 
 
 GEN. WM. y. W. RIPLEY. 
 
IN THE AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. 41 
 
 vigor, and for a time war's music filled the air with all its 
 loud-raoathed, terrific tones. 
 
 The casualties this day in the regiment were not large, 
 considering the time — upwards of ten hours — they were 
 under fire of shot and shell, there being but three killed and 
 six wounded, but many very narrow escapes. The first man- 
 killed in the regiment was Private John S. M. Ide, of New 
 Hampshire, who, while exchanging shots from an exposed 
 position in front of an old building with a Confederate con- 
 cealed behind a distant tree top that w^as toppled over in 
 front of the works, was brained by the enemy's bullet. And 
 it was not until night had closed the day's shooting that 
 his body could be safely removed. On learning pf the fall of 
 this man, Col. Ripley, notwithstanding the dangerous 
 approach to the fatal spot, and that his field-duties did not 
 oblige him to thus expose himself, boldly walked down the 
 lane which was at the time completely under the rebel fire. 
 With a quick step, but erect, this good officer advanced, the 
 admiration of hundreds of eye w^itnesses, while bullets- 
 plowed and dusted the ground around him. On reaching 
 the body of the prostrate rifleman he inquired into the man- 
 ner Ide had been shooting, then picking up the fallen man's- 
 rifle, screw^ed up the telescope one notch, believing that Ide 
 had been shooting under. "I'll try him a shot at one notch 
 higher anyway," he said; then taking position, the man in 
 the tree top was discovered, a quick aim and interchange of 
 shots followed. Ripley escaped harmless as the ball spat- 
 tered in the log building behind him. But the grey-backed 
 fellow^ — well, there were no more shots from that tree top. 
 Whether killed or scared to death, it was a sure case of a 
 "gone Johnny." Private David Phelps, of Compan\' H, was 
 killed this day, and later on, Daniel C. Painter, of Companj'- 
 B, and Sergt. James Way, of Company C, were wounded. 
 
 At half-past nine p. m., the Sharpshooters, having been 
 all this time thus far in advance of the other troops, were 
 
44 SHARPSHOOTI.MG AKD SKIRMISHING 
 
 as one of the guards in charge of a considerable amount of 
 camp utensils and stores left there when the troops moTcd 
 off. He told a story on one of the sutlers who had remained 
 at Hampton with his goods. The latter imbibed too freely 
 on his unsold and now unbottled beer, and getting very 
 patriotic made speeches to the guards and company cooks, 
 to his ultimate loss of a roll of greenbacks, which were found 
 and confiscated by some of the camp followers, the sutler 
 being too drunk to prove property. 
 
 From the nature of the ground it was impossible to get 
 onto the enemy's works w^ithout considerable preliminary 
 preparations, owing to the swampy woods, the flooded 
 roads, and fallen trees along the line of the Warwick — 
 extending from Yorktown to the James, where the Confeder- 
 ate gun-boats had full sway. Therefore having reconnoi- 
 tered the enemy's position sufficiently to satisfy him that 
 much loss of life would result from an immediate assault,, 
 and with very doubtful success in front of the Yorktown 
 fortifications — strong bastioned works — w^hatever might, 
 be the result to the left, in the sw^amps, also strongly covered 
 by the enemy's batteries, Gen. McClellan determined to 
 besiege Yorktown, and work w^as immediately commenced. 
 
 In his report on this decision McClellan says : "Instant 
 assault would have been simple folly." 
 
 Gen. Barnard, chief engineer, in favoring only siege 
 operations in front of Yorktown, said: "It was deemed 
 too hazardous to attempt a reduction of the place by 
 assault." 
 
 Gen. Keyes, commanding the 4th corps, gave it as his 
 opinion that: "The line in front of us was one of the 
 strongestever opposed to an invadingforce in any country." 
 
 And as showing how quickly the army moved after Gen. 
 McClellan arrived at Hampton, without any delay what- 
 ever. Gen. Keyes adds : " Not a daj' was lost in the advance,, 
 and in fact we marched so quickly and so rapidly, that 
 many of our animals were 24 and 48 hours without a 
 ration of forage." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 45 
 
 On the loth of April the Sharpshooters moved back 
 a half mile and made a camp not far from the river. The 
 other troops also encamped in the fields before Yorktown, 
 making one grand encampment known as "Camp Winfield 
 Scott." That of the Sharpshooters was very nicely 
 arranged, cedar bushes and small trees being planted in 
 front of the tents and along the color line, which served the 
 double purpose of shade trees and to conceal their position 
 from the enemy's lookouts, rendering a successful shelling by 
 rebel artillerists an uncertainty. Arches were formed of 
 cedar brush over the entrance to each street, with letter of 
 company in center of same, so that there w^as probably no 
 regiment in the field that presented a better arranged camp 
 than that of the First United States Sharpshooters before 
 Yorktown. 
 
 THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 
 
 April 10— May 4, 1862. 
 
 During the progress of the siege, which may properly 
 be stated to have commenced about April 10th, the Sharp- 
 shooters furnished daily details of 60 men, who leaving 
 camp before day break took up a position in rifle pits in 
 advance of the fatigue parties, and watching the rebel 
 works during the day, were relieved at night by other 
 troops and returned to camp. Works were in the meantime 
 hurriedly thrown up, roads built, parallels dug, in fact 
 everything necessary was being done to protect the artiller- 
 ists and the advance of the troops when the struggle should 
 commence for the possession of the position before them. 
 During this time the fatigue parties were much annoyed by 
 the fire of the rebel cannon, which at times were kept in 
 constant use, especially at night. The Union gunboats in 
 
46 SHA.RPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 York river were engaged exchanging shots with the forts at 
 long range, also in shelling the opposite shore where the 
 enemy were in possession, particularly at Gloucester Point; 
 while effective shots were frequently made from our shore 
 batteries from one and one-half to three miles distant, dis- 
 moiinting cannon and ploughing deep furrows through the 
 earthworks of the enemy. But little fatigue duty was per- 
 formed by the Sharpshooters, and that consisted principally 
 in carrying gabions to the advanced works to be prepared 
 for the protection of our gunners. The following named 
 accomplished officers superintended the siege operations: 
 "Brig. -Gen. J. G. Barnard, chief engineer, charged witb the 
 .selection, laying out, and completion of the approaches and 
 batteries; Brig.-Gen. Wm. F. Barry, chief of artillerj^ 
 charged with arming and supplying with ammunition all 
 the siege and field batteries ; Brig.-Gen. Fitz. John Porter, 
 director of the siege, to whom was assigned the guarding of 
 the trenches, the assembling and distribution of the working 
 parties, etc." 
 
 FITZ JOHN PORTER IN A WILD BALLOON. 
 
 On the 11th of April a great sensation occurred in the 
 Union camp, on the report quickly spreading that Gen. 
 Porter had been carried off hj a balloon, which proved to 
 be the case. Prof. Lowe's balloons were near the Sharp- 
 shooter camp, and this morning Gen. Porter, impatient at 
 Lowe's absence, went up alone to make observations, — to 
 take a view of the enemy, — when the rope holding the 
 balloon parted below and away she shot high up in air, 
 sailing rapidly over the rebel lines ; the general pulled aw^ay 
 at the ropes until they were all tangled up, but he couldn't 
 manage the wild thing. Finally, the gas giving out, the 
 machine came down about four miles off with a big bump. 
 Col. Ripley with other officers had mounted their horses and 
 hunted him up. It was a terrible experience, and Gen. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 47 
 
 McClellan was pretty badly scared about it. He immedi- 
 ately issued orders forbidding his officers taking any more 
 balloon excursions. Previous to that, they used to go up 
 occasionally and take a view of the surroundings, as it was 
 an interesting trip as long as the ropes held it fast to the 
 ground. 
 
 But Gen. Porter had a long ladder prepared and erected, 
 standing 100 feet in the air, fastened to a tree. After being 
 placed in position James Winchell of the Sharpshooters was 
 sent up to test it. Taking an officer's field-glass he reported 
 he could see Yorktown and Gloucester very readily, so that 
 it was used by the general officers for a place of observa- 
 tion. 
 
 Speaking of balloons, later on the enemy tried their hand 
 at that manner of "observations," and Lieut. Bronson, of 
 Company F, reported that his detail at the front (April 26) 
 fired into this rebel balloon made of an A tent, and brought 
 it down. At the same time the 1st and 11th Massachusetts 
 charged and captured a redoubt near the Yorktown road in 
 the woods. 
 
 During the night of April 11th, which was a very dark 
 one, adetail of six Sharpshooters sent out as an advanceifl 
 picket had a short but exciting brush with a considerable 
 force of the enemy in the old peach orchard. Our men had 
 gone too far forw^ard and occupied rebel ground, and the 
 enemy w^ere determined to drive them back. They were 
 known to be advancing by the noise made, slight as it was, — 
 you could n't see anything, — but on getting close enough to 
 be 'heard giving low commands, the Sharpshooters suddenly 
 opened fire with their skirmish rifles, and kept it up for a few 
 moments in a lively, resolute manner. This was a surpriser, 
 and threw the approaching force into confusion, causing 
 them to come to a sudden halt. Rapidly reloading, the 
 picket w;aited until they heard them coming again, when 
 another sharp and well-directed volley once more stopped 
 
48 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 them. Our fire was now returned in earnest, the bullets 
 whizzing by very close, the pickets still retaining fheir posi- 
 tion. As another advance was made hj the unseen 
 enemy', firing as they came on, apparently closing in and 
 around the little band, the latter poured in a final round 
 and quickly fell back on the reserve, a long ways in the rear. 
 Owing to the dense darkness but little could be seen, nor 
 were the enemy distinguishable except by their fire, but so 
 close did they come that, as H. J. Peck, of Company F, 
 remarked: "You could hear them breathe." The fire of the 
 Sharpshooters had evidently made them desperate, as ,they 
 finally came on with a rush, swearing: "D — ^n you, get out 
 yer," intent on -wiping the boys out. It -was an exciting 
 time, made doubly so by the '' 
 
 " Bright flashes in the inky night," 
 
 -and the unusualh' loud report of the guns. California Joe 
 and another Michigan comrade were slightly wounded, the 
 former receiving a bullet on the band of his Sharps rifle, 
 snapping the same, driving it with force against his nose 
 ans3 cheek, causing the blood to flow freely. Peck, of 
 Vermont, had his left hand hurt by a piece of board knocked 
 off an old building they were passing, while several infantry 
 men stationed in their rear were said to have been shot by 
 the elevated balls. On their return to camp the next morn- 
 ing much excitement existed for a time — the camp was w^ild 
 — at the rapidly-spreading report that "Old Californy was 
 shot." This was increased on the return of another squad 
 (Wisconsin men), who had a fight the same night at a mill 
 near the river, where some sharp shooting also occurred. 
 But our men lying close, and constantly moving their 
 position after firing, escaped injury; at the same time deceiv- 
 ing the enemy, who might easily imagine a much larger 
 force in their front, they being strangers to the Sharp- 
 shooters, their methods, and rapid shooting. Finally, the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 49 
 
 fighting having ended, they held their ground until near 
 I day-break, when they retired to the line of works behind 
 them. 
 
 CALIFORNIA JOK 
 
 There were few^ persons in the loyal states during the 
 time of the Peninsula campaign that had not heard of 
 " California Joe, the Sharpshooter." The press of the North 
 gave considerable space in noticing his feats of valor and his 
 w^onderftd marksmanship. Columns of thrilling anecdotes 
 or stories w^ere published, in -which this particular Sharp- 
 shooter was made the hero. In fact, the names of Gol. 
 Berdan and California Joe were for a time linked almost 
 inseparably together, and through them the Sharpshooters 
 became more extensively known during this campaigii than 
 would probably otherwise have Jjeetji the case. Almost 
 everything relating to the Sharpshooters, in the way of 
 extraordinary shooting, was credited to "California Joe." 
 From the description published of this noted person, and of • 
 his reputation as a California mountain hunter, one w^oitld ^ 
 have naturally supposed him to be some giaiit-like character, 
 of a vTild, fierce nature, with a disposition adapted to cower 
 ordinary persons — even a rebel a mile away in a tree top or 
 rifle pit. Such an impression must have prevailed among 
 the average readers of the stories of his prowess. And yet 
 our California Joe was no such manner of man. On the 
 contrary, he was- one of the mildest, I may reasonably add, 
 gentlest of men. It is true this person—Truman Head, of 
 Company C, First U. S. Sharpshooters— was a great rifle 
 shot, who carried a Sharps breech-loading rifle, that he per- 
 formed arduous and important service at the front, before 
 Yorktown and on the line of the Chickahominy, whether 
 with his company, or upon some special service as a scout 
 and sharpshooter sent out by Col. Berdan or some of the 
 generals, wherein he discovered the presence of a hidden foe 
 
50 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 or a masked battery of tlie enemy, and silenced him. And 
 he never failed in his mission. That he ever "shot a man 
 out of a tree two miles off, just at daybreak, first pop," I 
 can best answer by stating that, if there -was ever a time 
 when Truman Head showed a disposition to be angry, it 
 was on reading such stuff. But "Joe," as I must call him, 
 w^as one of those splendid characters that made him a hero 
 in spite of himself. Entirely free from brag and bluster, an 
 unassuming man, past the middle age, short in stature, light 
 in weight, and a true gentleman in every sense of the word, 
 he was always a special favorite with the entire command. 
 When the regiment was organizing, the breaking out of the 
 rebellion having brought him East from his far w^est haunts 
 to join the command of Col. Baker, an old friend of his, 
 that gallant officer being killed at Ball's Bluff about the 
 time of his arrival, he obtained permission to join the 
 Michigan company while at the rendezvous opposite New 
 York city. His sorrow^ at the death of Col. Baker was 
 ' often expressed, and in his quiet chats with his comrades, 
 he was always ready to recite the following beautiful poem 
 of that gifted officer, entitled, 
 
 To A Wave. 
 
 Dost thou seek a star -with thy swelMng crest, 
 O wave, that leavest thy mother's breast ? 
 Dost thou leap from the prisoned depths below 
 111 scorn of their calm and constant flo w ? 
 Or art thou seeking some distant land, 
 To die in murmurs upon the strand ? 
 
 Hast thou tales to tell of the pearl-lit deep, 
 Where the -w ave- whelmed mariner rocks in sleep ? 
 Canst thou speak of navies that sank in nride 
 Ere the roll of their thunder in echo died ? 
 What trophies, what banners, are floating free 
 In the shadowy depths of that silent sea ? 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 51 
 
 It were vain to ast, as thou rollest afar, 
 
 Of banner or mariner, ship or star : 
 
 It were vain to seek in thy stormy face 
 
 Some tale of the sorrowful past to trace: 
 
 Thou art swelling high; thou art dashing free, — 
 
 How vain are the questions we ask of thee. 
 
 I too am a w^ave on the stormy sea: 
 
 1 too am a wanderer, driven like thee; 
 
 I too am seeking a distant land, 
 
 To be lost and gone ere I reach the strand, 
 
 For the land I seek is a waveless shore, 
 
 And they who once reach it shall wander no more. 
 
 When Joe enlisted he executed a will bequeathing 
 $50,000, should he be killed, for the care of disabled Union 
 soldiers at Philadelphia, his early home. For Truman Head 
 was a bachelor, although it has been stated on reliable 
 hearsay that the old gent, when a young man, was once 
 engaged, the girl of his choice belonging to one of the first 
 families of the county ; but owing to the opposition of the 
 stem parent — the father — he lost the girl, both being too 
 loyal to disregard the parent's wishes. Head then left his 
 native heath and became a w^anderer, — no one knew where, 
 — and crossing the great plains arrived and settled in Cali- 
 fornia. But it appears that though so far separated and his 
 -whereabouts unknown, the course of true love remained, for 
 Head remained a bachelor and his lady a maid. His service 
 as a Union soldier and Sharpshooter closed with the Penin- 
 stda campaign, ow^ing to failing health in w^hich his eyes 
 were affected, he being honorably discharged late in the fall 
 of 1862. Returning to California, he died full of years and 
 honors in the year 1 888, respected by all w^ho knew him. 
 The death of the old veteran pioneer and Sharpshooter was 
 noticed in the California press as a great public event, with 
 extended notices of his career. He was buried with 
 Masonic orders, and a monument has been erected to his 
 memory in San FranciGco. 
 
52 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 On the 19th of April Companies A and C -were ordered 
 to report to Gen. Smith's division on the left, -where several 
 severe contests had already taken place without accomplish- 
 ing any successful result. These two companies of Sharp- 
 shooters were sent for, to work on the enemy's artillery 
 which was annoying and endangering our troops, and the 
 good work performed by them will he found fully reported 
 further on. The following incident occurred while they were 
 thus detached : 
 
 A GOOD SHOT. 
 
 As it was positively forbidden to shoot off guns while in 
 this encampment, to prevent any real knowledge of our 
 position becoming known to the enemy, therefore when one 
 of the Michigan men failed to resist the temptation to blaze 
 away at a large squirrel in a distant tree top, probably 
 reminding him of old times at home, a guard soon appeared 
 and took the sportsman in charge. Being brought before 
 the general, squirrel in hand, he was put on immediate 
 examination as follows : 
 
 "Well, my man! Why did you shoot off your gun, when 
 it is against orders to do so ? " 
 
 "I know 'tis wrong. General, but I couldn't resist the 
 temptation to try that squirrel's head. 'T was a splendid 
 mark, and I really believe when I pulled on it, I forgot about 
 orders." 
 
 The general scarcely suppressing a smile, continued: 
 "Well ! What was the result ? Did you bring it down ? " 
 
 "I did," replied the marksman, "here it is,"showing the 
 game. 
 
 "What! Shot through the head, off that tall tree? 
 What gun do you shoot ? " 
 
 " Target rifle, sir." 
 Itwas one of the globe-sighted rifles. Looking steadily 
 at the soldier, the general finally replied: 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THB POTOMAC. 53 
 
 "'Tis well. You may go this time, but if you had missed 
 it, my friend, you would hardly hare got off so easy. Cease 
 firing ! Do you understand ? " 
 The rifleman assented. 
 
 "All right, then, go to your regiment," and William 
 Straw, of Company C, hurried off to his quarters to toast 
 his squirrel before the camp fire, with many thanks to Gen. 
 Smith for allowing him to do so. 
 
 Notwithstanding that while on picket duty the men 
 frequently had sharp exchanges with their equally as deter- 
 mined opponents, yet at times a disposition prevailed to 
 communicate, especially when near each other, and the fol- 
 lowing dialogue betw^een two of our Sharpshooters and a 
 Florida rebel is a fair specimen of the conversation indulged 
 in on such occasions. The parties were separated by a deep 
 swale covered with water and thick brush, and were unable 
 to discover each other's person. 
 
 Joseph Durkee hearing a noise on the other side, yelled 
 out in a loud voice: "Halloo, Mike! Have you got any 
 tobacco ? " 
 
 Secesh (with a strong Hibernian accent): "Yes, be 
 jabers, and whisky, too." 
 
 Joe: "Come over, and we'll have a quiet smoke! " 
 
 Secesh: "I will meet you half-way." Joe agreed to do 
 so, and advanced some distance through brush and water, 
 then stopped. 
 
 Secesh : "Where the divil are ye — are ye comin' ? " 
 
 Joe: "I'm half-way over now; can't go any further 
 without swimming." 
 
 Secesh : " Have ye a boat ? " 
 
 Joe: "No, I haven't." 
 
 Secesh : ' ' Where's yer gun-boat ? " 
 
 Joe : "Down taking care of the Merrimac." 
 
 Secesh: " Then come over in the big balloon." (Much 
 laughter along the rebel lines.) 
 
54 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Joe: "Have you a boat? " 
 Secesh: "I have, sure, and I'm coming over." 
 Joe then enquired the news of the day, and if the Johnny 
 had a Norfolk Day Book. 
 
 Secesh replied : "I have. Have you got a Tribune? " 
 
 Joe answered that he had not. 
 
 Secesh : "Where's General Buell? " 
 
 Joe: "Buell's all right, and surrounds Beauregard." 
 
 Secesh : "there's General Prentiss ? " 
 
 Joe: "Where's Johnston?" Another rebel laugh. 
 
 Joe: "How about Island No. Ten? " 
 
 Secesh: "That's evacuated." 
 
 Joe: "How is it you left 100 guns and 6,000 prison- 
 
 ers 
 
 ?" 
 
 Secesh : "Sure they were not much account." 
 
 Joe: "How about Fort Pulaski?" 
 
 Secesh: "That, me honey, was only a rebel sand bank. 
 But tell me, what made ye lave Bull Run? " 
 
 Richard Blodgett: "We had marching orders." This 
 caused great laughter among the rebels, some of them 
 exclaiming: "Bully boy." 
 
 Dick : ' ' Where's Zollicoffer ? " 
 
 Secesh : " Gone up the spout." 
 
 Joe; " Why do n't you come over ? " 
 
 Secesh: "I can't get through the brush." At this 
 moment a rebel bullet came whizzing over by our men, and 
 Joe angrily inquired who fired. 
 
 Secesh : "Some fool over this way." An order -was 
 
 then issued to cease firing. 
 
 Joe: "Aint you coming? What regiment do you 
 belong to? " 
 
 Secesh: "Eighteenth Florida. What doyoubelongto?" 
 
 Joe: "Berdan Sharpshooters." Some of the reb's com- 
 rades now warned him to look out. 
 
 Secesh : " Would ye shoot a fellow ? " 
 
LN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 55 
 
 Joe: "No ! But I will stack arms and smoke with you, if 
 you will come over." Here a rebel officer ordered the man 
 back, and he refused to communicate further. 
 
 REBEL DARKY SHARPSHOOTER. 
 
 For a considerable time during the siege the enemy had 
 a negro rifle shooter in their front who kept up a close fire 
 on our men, and, although the distance was great, yet he 
 caused more or less annoyance by his persistent shooting. 
 On one occasion while at the advanced posts with a detail, 
 the -writer with his squad had an opportunity to note the 
 skill of this determined darky with his well aimed rifle. 
 Being stationed at a pit on the edge of a wood fronting the 
 treeless stretch of ground around the opposing works, with 
 sand bags piled up for cover, during the forenoon this rebel- 
 lious black made his appearance by the side of an officer and 
 under his direction commenced firing at us. For a long time 
 this chance shooting was kept up, the black standing out in 
 plain view and coolly drawing bead, but failed to elicit any 
 response, our orders being to lie quiet and not be seen. So 
 the negro had the shooting all to himself, his pop, pop, 
 against the sand bags on the edge of the pit often occurring, 
 while other close shots among the trees showed plainly that 
 he was a good shot at long range. He became pretty well 
 known among the scouts and pickets, and had established 
 quite a reputation for marksmanship, before he came to 
 grief. Emboldened by his having pretty much all this 
 promiscuous shooting unopposed, the pickets rarely firing 
 at him, he began to v^rork at shorter distance, taking advan- 
 tage of the ground and scattering trees. This was w^hat 
 our men w^anted, to get him within more reasonable range, 
 not caring to waste ammunition trying to cripple him at 
 the long distance he had at first been showing himself. 
 They wanted to make sure of him. In the meantime our 
 boys would when opportunity oifered, without being seen. 
 
56 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 post a man forward to await in concealment for the adven- 
 turous darky. The scheme succeeded and his fate was sealed. 
 The result was finally announced in the "latest from the 
 front," one morning in camp, that "a scouting party hav- 
 ing cornered the nigger in a chimney top a quarter of a 
 mile distant, where he had been concealed, finally brought 
 him down," and thus ended his sport with his life. It was 
 said that Sergt. Andrews of Company E (afterwards 
 captain) discovered the fellow in the second story of the old 
 chimney, — standing monument of destruction, of which 
 there were many along this Peninsula route, — and with the 
 aid of his fine telescope, found him firing through a hole in 
 the back of the fire-place. 
 
 Details of men from the different companies w^ere 
 frequently sent out at night in charge of a commissioned 
 ofiicer on special service, to assist in protecting the working 
 parties. A party under Lieut. Shepard succeeded one dark 
 night in establishing a rifle pit within 600 yards of the rebel 
 lines. The following morning the enemy discDvering what 
 had been done, opened furiously with their cannon but with 
 little effect. Not being able to drive the riflemen away by 
 cannon shot, they tried to drop a mortar shell onto them, 
 by sending up on their curved mission three of those 
 destructive projectiles. The first one fell short, the second 
 w^as heard to go upward with a slow sound which finally 
 for a brief time ceased, but was soon heard coming rapidly 
 down directly over their heads, and luckily for the crouching 
 party it exploded with a terrific report seventy-five feet 
 above, sending the scattering pieces all around but not 
 among them. A well aimed shot but a little short. 
 
 "By gosh!" exclaimed a Pennsylvania Dutchman near 
 by; "we'll get hit." 
 
 "Hit away, then !" retorted Bob Casey, of the Sharp- 
 shooters, who carried a long and heavy hunting rifle 
 brought from Wisconsin. "They can't root us out — we're 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 57 
 
 here to stay." Nor were they " rooted out " or driven awav, 
 for after firing mortar No. 3, which came down some dis- 
 tance beyond them, phizzing out, faiUng to explode, going 
 t-wo feet into the earth, they ceased their mortar experiments 
 and all gave a long breath of relief. 
 
 General McClellan reported : Many times towards the 
 «nd of the month the enemy attempted to drive in our 
 pickets and take our rifle pits near Yorktown, but always 
 ■without success. As the seige progressed* it was with great 
 diiBculty that the rifle pits on the right could be excavated 
 and held, so little covering could be made against the hot 
 fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry. 
 
 On the 24th, Sergt.-Maj. Hortoh, temporarily relieved 
 :for the purpose, was placed in command of a company of 
 scouts, to be employed at the extreme front in guarding 
 against surprise while advanced rifle pits w^ere being dug, 
 and for such other duties as occasion required. They 
 were employed daily, and occasionally at night, until 
 the evacuation by the enemy — a period of ten days — their 
 service being very severe and full of danger. In the mean- 
 time C. A. Stevens, the first sergeant of Company G, acted 
 ^ts sergeant-major. 
 
 On the 28th considerable firing occurred and the enemy 
 in front of the scouts appeared to be greatly confused, a num- 
 ber of them having been knocked over during the day. 
 But that blunders should sometimes occur among the troops, 
 and especially in movements after dark, was among the 
 dread possibilities, even with the most cautious. A lucky 
 oversight occurred that night in which our scouts were the 
 chief actors. As it w^as getting to be quite dark they dis- 
 charged their Colts rifles, expecting momentarily to be 
 relieved, and wishing to have an opportunity to clean their 
 arms on returning to camp, no firing being allowed there. 
 Horton had left the pit for the reserve to hurry up the relief, 
 .and while away the scouts suddenly discovered an unknown 
 
58 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 body of troops advancing from toward the rebel side, 10' 
 rods distant. Our boys yelled "Halt!" and although the 
 strangers did so, yet came to a full charge ; whereupon the 
 occupants of the pit scrambled out running to the rear 
 where, after retiring a few rods, they began to load. This 
 was quickly done, they then watching closely in their efforts 
 to distinguish the force in their front. Suddenly a form 
 passed in front of them and Joel Parker was about to fire, 
 but was stopped hy C. N. Jacobs who yelled: "Hold on! 
 That's Horton." So it proved, who immediately marched 
 them to camp paying little attention to what they said of 
 the "rebel attack ; " which proved to be the relief who had 
 gone out in a roundabout direction through mistake, and 
 on approaching the pit had deployed out, not knowing 
 what they might encounter. It was a careless and yet lucky 
 act of the scouts in not keeping their guns loaded. Had 
 they not been discharged some of them would no doubt 
 have been hurt, as the picket would have charged the pit on 
 receiving the Sharpshooters' fire when a fatal fight w^ould 
 have been the disastrous result. After the Sharps rifles w^ere 
 received there was no difiiculty of unloading them without 
 firing. 
 
 On another occasion while scouting along the river 
 through a grove in the daytime, the scouts came suddenly 
 in close contact with the rebel picket posted in a rifle pit 
 behind a fence. The first intimation our men had of the foe, 
 was a whizzing bullet under Sergt. Joel Parker's ear, w^here- 
 upon he dropped as if shot. "Down, boys! " he cried in a 
 low tone; and as the rest of the party went down, they 
 poured a rattling volley into the fence which they then dis- 
 covered, sighting a number of heads on the lookout. The 
 enemy were taken aback, and in their confusion the scouts- 
 slipped aAAray w^ithout harm. Afterwards, they learnei 
 from rebel prisoners that their fire had fatal effect on "sev- 
 eral of the Johnnies-" 
 
IN THIS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 59 
 
 THE POWER OF SAND AS AN EXPLOSIVE. 
 
 While the enemy occupied a good deal of time trying to 
 shell us out, in building the approaches, sending shot and 
 shell at times with great rapidity, our own gunners were by 
 no means idle, both shore batteries and gunboats respond- 
 ing in a manner that showed we were not asleep. So that 
 on some days and even nights, there was a perfect uproar 
 of speaking cannon, sending a network of missiles back and 
 forth. And our shots were just as well aimed as were those 
 of our opponents. In the latter days of the siege, our gun- 
 boats succeeded in demolishing several of the big guns as 
 w^ell as a portion of the works of the enemy, plowing great 
 ftnrrows therein, no doubt making it decidedly uncomfort- 
 able for the gray coats, and Yorktown" an undesirable place 
 to live in at the time. But one of these big guns of the 
 Confederates, called by our boys, "Petersburg," was liter-^ 
 ally exploded by our Sharpshooters and in a novel way. It 
 appears that Lieut. Bronson (Company F) had early in the 
 war, while with Grebel's battery, learned enough of artillery 
 practice to understand that sand or gravel throvsm into a. 
 loaded cannon w^ould be very likely to explode it. And while 
 out one day (April 30th) with a detachment, observing that 
 the muzzle of this gun was surrounded with sand bags, 
 ordered his men to shoot at the sand bags as soon as it was 
 loaded, to throw sand if possible inside. Then after the 
 enemy had fired this particular cannon the thirteenth time, 
 our men still peppering the sand bags, it went into the air, 
 a thoroughly demoralized, "busted thing." The Sharp- 
 shooters had really exploded the big gun. 
 
 A SHAHPSHOOTER KILLED. 
 
 On the night of May 1st an exciting affair occurred, in 
 which the Wisconsin company lost their first man in action. 
 
■60 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 As the time was now fast appro acting wHen tlie Union com- 
 mander would be ready to commence offensive operations, 
 fatigue parties were nightly engaged in preparing rifle pits 
 on different parts of the plain, between the nearly completed 
 works of the Union troops and the formidable ones of the 
 •enemy. During the night in question, which was a very dark 
 one, a detail of Sharpshooters under Lieut. Marble, of Com- 
 pany G, were ordered out to protect a fatigue detail of 
 infantry in digging an .advanced rifle pit in an important 
 position. The scouts were sent ahead on a knoll, where they 
 lay several paces apart watching sharply through the dense 
 darkness. These scouts were: Sergt.-Maj. Horton, Sergt. 
 Joel Parker, Corp. C. N. Jacobs, Privates John S. Tillotson, 
 Michael Costello and Joseph Durkee, all of Company G. 
 The position they occupied was, at the time unknown to 
 them, within 40 yards of a rebel rifle pit, and as the fear- 
 less Joseph Durkee endeavored to reach another position 
 over the knoll, although cautioned by Marble as also the 
 rest, before going forward, not to attempt it, a single shot 
 brightened up the black space for a moment, when the brave 
 scout rolled over in death, shot through the head. The 
 death-like stillness that had prevailed, broken by that soli- 
 tary fatal shot, was followed by a terrific volley of mus- 
 ketry by the enemy, w^ith rapid discharges of artillery from 
 their fortifications, lighting up the atmosphere in terrible 
 _ brightness. The scouts and pickets lay flat on the ground, 
 letting the whizzing shots go harmlessly over them. Not so 
 with the working detail, who, throwing dow^n picks and 
 spades, scampered back in great confusion in the track of 
 the murderous fire, towards the Union works. The result 
 was, that a number of them were wounded. But not until 
 after the firing had ceased did the Sharpshooters move from 
 their close position — ^they knew better. They finally retired 
 when all was quiet, and no farther attempt was made to 
 continue the work that night. The body of Durkee was left 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 61 
 
 on the field witli his arms and accouterments, his comrades 
 being unable to bring them off, but was fotmd after the 
 evacuation lying where he fell, and buried on the spot. 
 His Colt rifle had been carried off and a note left, statingthe 
 regiment that had it, and their determination to have them 
 all before long. Evidently were they greatly elated to know 
 they had killed a Sharpshooter — ^the only one they did know^ 
 of, during the siege. Their boast, however, was of no avail, 
 as the regiment mentioned was badly cut up at Williams- 
 burg during the charge of Hancock's brigade, and the Colt 
 rifle recovered. When the 5th Wisconsin met the 5th North 
 Carolina in that famous bayonet charge, said to be the first 
 effective one of the war, driving back the enemy in confusion, 
 capturing their battle-flag bearing the Southern Cross and 
 fifteen stars, the slayer of Joe Durkee counted one more "lost 
 in action" on the Confederate rolls. The boasting rebel 
 enjoyed the possession of his prize but a short time. A rebel- 
 lious newspaper, the Petersburgh Express, spun out the fol- 
 lowing yam in referring to this affair : 
 
 "A McClellan Sharpshooter had been picked off by a 
 Kentucky hunter, at two hundred yards distance, and on 
 approaching the pit where the Sharpshooter lay, it was 
 found to contain a cushioned arm chair, choice Uquors and 
 segars, and food of the best description." 
 
 Joseph Durkee's death was mourned by his company as 
 that of one of their bravest, yet they were not greatly sur- 
 prised to hear of it, owing to his predominant daring, 
 amounting at times to sheer recklessness. Unfortunately, 
 he could not restrain his ardor, but was always ready to 
 rush rashly ahead, and nothing but a most imperative com- 
 mand or an effective shot, could stop him when he got fairly 
 started; so it was reaUy but a matter of time with Joe. He 
 had a younger brother left in the company, James Durkee, 
 
'62 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 who with more judgment and a cooler head, made a most 
 •efficient soldier, and while always on hand in a fight, lived 
 throughout his well-served term. 
 
 Individual feats of valor frequently occur in a campaign, 
 particularly so in a service like that of the Sharpshooters, 
 which are not generally known, or if so, are so similar in 
 many respects that they are passed by without credit or 
 record. Others there were, who had distinguished themselves 
 on trying occasions, and it is one of my purposes in writing 
 this history, to give them the credit due them w^hen known 
 to be so entitled ; but there w^ere doubtless many incidents 
 unknown to the writer, as the regiment was often scattered 
 in detached coijipanies. FoUow^ing, we notice an exploit 
 much talked of at the time among "the boys," and noticed 
 in the newspapers. 
 
 CAPTURING A CANNON. 
 
 Among the famous shots of the regiment was a member 
 of the New Hampshire company called "Old Seth,"' who 
 was noted for his persistency in using his favorite "tele- 
 scope "on all possible occasions. He evinced the greatest 
 dislike to laying around camp, and, if not detailed to go to 
 the front, would sulk away to his tent, disappointed and 
 soured at the "blamed luck" that prevented him from keep- 
 ing his pet rifle barrel warm. For some days this happened, 
 he constantly bemoaning his fate, fearful that the siege 
 would end before his turn came again to go out. Finally in 
 the latter days of the besiegement (May 2d), receiving 
 orders direct from Col. Berdan to "select a special detail of 
 sharp shots for important service, " — which was to get as 
 near the enemy as possible and find out what they were 
 doing, — I notified the orderly of Company E, that this man 
 was wanted ; and he went off, determined to make the most 
 of it. Arriving at the front before daybreak, taking in the 
 ..situation of affairs, the scouts deployed out to different rifle 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 63 
 
 pits, Seth selecting one far in advance between the lines, and, 
 Tiioving cautiously along, succeeded in getting there without 
 attracting notice. It proved to be a rebel rifle pit built 
 •during the night, the enemy intending to occupy it, but Old 
 Seth got ahead of them before they were astir, and when 
 the Johnnies awoke to the fact that a Yank was in posses- 
 sion, their rage and disappointment knew no bounds, and 
 they prepared to lay him out. But despite their efforts, they 
 never got there, thereafter. For while it would have been 
 impossible for Old Seth alone, with his ponderous muzzle- 
 loading telescope, to have stopped them', although he made 
 his shots count, yet with the breech-loaders behind him, the 
 balls rattled in so fast about the rebel pits, that they soon 
 got sick of it, and became effectually w^hipped. Having 
 thus silenced the foe in his front. Old Seth turned his atten- 
 tion to larger game, and soon found it in the shape of a 
 frowning cannon which had opened on him, breaking their 
 shells all around him. It was an ugly customer, and the 
 isolated Sharpshooter for once concluded he w^as in a trap. 
 But they had to load, and as this was Seth's opportunity, 
 instantly he bravely commenced his work; and so successfully 
 -did he plant his bullets around the big gun, that it was not 
 long before the firing ceased, and he virtually had the can- 
 non captured. It was to all intents and purposes his gun — 
 "they couldn't load it. From that time until the siege was 
 over, two days after, the Sharpshooter held his place, keep- 
 ing the cannon quiet. Day and night he remained at his 
 post; he had got away from camp and was just in his glory, 
 with plenty of ammunition, and a fresh supply of water and 
 rations furnished him the second day bj' some of his venture- 
 some comrades, before daylight. But they had to crawl to 
 do it, for the. enemy, although quiet, were on the alert, and 
 would doubtless have rushed down on the pit after dark, 
 but were evidently afiraid of the five-shooters behind Seth, 
 from the scouts that lay on the ground watching every 
 
64 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 movement, and listenitig for every sound— the least noise 
 causing a rifle to crack. It was a daring undertaking, an 
 important capture, as the cannon in question had been one 
 of the most damaging to our working parties at the 
 parallels, up to the time George H. Chase commenced firing 
 with his 32-pounder rifle. 
 
 A CONFEDERATE CROW. 
 
 On the same day Durkee was killed, before nightfall 
 another Sharpshooter, name and company to me unknown, 
 while on duty in the most advanced rifle pit at the head of 
 Wormsley's Creek, was struck by a bullet in the abdomen 
 and mortally wounded. Col. Berdan coming up, told the 
 Sharpshooters they must put a stop to such work of the 
 enemy. With his field-glass he then discovered a low mound 
 of earth directly in front, but a long way' off, and presently, 
 what might have been mistaken for a crow seemed to be 
 perched thereon. Watching the object steadily for a few 
 moments, he saw it disappear and shortly after resume its 
 place. Pointing out the spot to Lieut. Wm. Elmendorf, of 
 Company B, he immediately detailed six men, and placing 
 them under command of the lieutenant named, gave him 
 the following instructions : 
 
 "Advance under cover of nightfall as far in that direction 
 
 as you deem sufficient, dig a rifle pit for the Sharpshooters, 
 
 and after placing them therein, return to the redoubt and 
 
 await the morning light, and the materialization of that 
 
 crow's head above the mound. And, my men, don't fail to 
 
 to let the daylight through it." Or he might as well have 
 
 said in the language of a vi'ar poet : 
 
 "Ah, rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot, 
 Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; 
 Ring me a ball in that glittering spot 
 That shines on his breast like an amulet," 
 
 At the appointed time, it being intensely dark, so much 
 
 so as to blot out every land mark, the selected Sharp- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 65 
 
 shooters, accompanied by a working detail from a Maine 
 regiment armed with picks and shovels, emerged from the 
 redoubt; passing through an apple orchard, taking the 
 course as well as they could in the almost tetter darkness, they- 
 cautionsly advanced until presumably far enough and halted,, 
 awaiting the approach of the working force which had for 
 some unknown reason not kept up. To dig a rifle pit with 
 bayonets w^ould be no easy job, so Elmendorf accompanied 
 by another ofl&cer started back to find the detail, leaving the 
 Sharpshooters in command of a sergeant. The oificers 
 having lost themselves soon after, resorted to groping care- 
 fully about, not daring to call out, occasionally stopping to- 
 listen for footsteps. Not a single star was to be seen, alt 
 w^as inky darkness to them, and the perplexity of the situa- 
 tion began to be very uncomfortable, when voices were 
 heard, then footsteps. Thinking they had at last come up 
 with the strayed fatigue party, they listened again, and to 
 their dismay recognized the conversation of a party of Con- 
 federates. They immediately dropped and awaited develop- 
 ments, hugging the ground close. Yet the situation did not 
 improve any, for the approaching footsteps gre^r nearer and 
 nearer. The cracking of a twig beneath them w^as followed 
 by a clicking of gun locks, and a moment later by a show^er 
 of buck and ball passing over them. Not waiting for their 
 opponents to reload and try it again, the officers hastily 
 retreated in an oblique direction. Finally hearing more 
 voices they now^ concluded to ascertain who these new 
 strangers w^ere, taking the chances of an escape should they 
 still prove foes. They couldn't all be rebels on that field." 
 In response to their "Halloo!" came an answer back "dis- 
 tressingly close; " in return they cried out "friends without 
 the countersign." To which "advance one," was quickly 
 retorted, with the admonition to "look out for the 
 trenches." Fortunately for this advice they did not plunge 
 into them in the dark, but let themselves down carefully. 
 
66 SHA.EPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 when they found they were in the presence of a party of 
 Duryea's Zouaves. They had gone a mile out of the way, 
 and hurriedly retracing their steps, finally found the fatigue 
 party who had in the meantime got up with the advance, 
 their delay being caused by Stopping to relieve themselves of 
 their overcoats and other surplus articles. Advancing some- 
 what farther, the pit was dug unmolested, although the 
 enemy's shell were continually flying overhead, making a 
 pyrotechnic display that helped to light them in their work. 
 Soon after daylight that "crow's head " showed up under a 
 slouched hat. A second after, a puff of sm'oke arose from 
 the rifle pit— that slouched hat, or what was inside of it, 
 must have stopped a bullet, as it w^as the last seen of it. 
 Thus was the colonel's order faithfully carried out, after 
 arduous and hazardous service getting into position. The 
 above incident shows the dangers incurred by the Union 
 soldiers during the siege of Yorktown. 
 
 Continuously from nine a. m. till three p. M. of the 2d 
 of May, the enemy kept up a vicious shelling from a six- 
 pounder placed in a depression outside their w^orks unseen by 
 our men, which evidently obtained the range by signals to 
 the gunners from the heights above them. So accurate w^as 
 its aim, that at- no time w^as it safe to arise to a standing 
 position, save when the tormentor was allow^ed to cool off. 
 The shells wotdd hit the bank, sending showers of dirt over 
 the men, while some would strike inside our works and 
 explode, or skip beyond, tearing through the tree tops, drop- 
 ping huge limbs, scattering splinters and big chunks of bark. 
 Visiting the redoubt. Col. Berdan, although warned of the 
 danger, did not leave until he had made his observations, 
 and then not until after a shell had exploded in the redoubt, 
 when with the remark : "That crow fellow's fun did not last 
 him long, did it, boys ? " he concluded to leave the rest of the 
 "fun" to "the boys," and retired, after admonishing them 
 not to unnecessarily expose themselves. In fact, it w^as one 
 
1-' 
 
 JAMES WINCHELL, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 67 
 
 of the standing orders the Sharpshooters had, at this place 
 and elsewhere, not to "recklessl}' expose themselves;" to 
 take "all possible cover," and to "waste no ammunition for 
 the sake of shooting." 
 
 THE EVACUATION. 
 
 On the night of May 4th the rebel gunners kept up a 
 continual fire from their artillery until midnight, when the 
 cannonading suddenly ceased. From that time until day- " 
 light, the Union batteries on the river side fired steadily everv 
 five minutes. A heavy explosion was heard within the 
 enemy's works, and it became evident they were leaving 
 Yorktown ; therefore, at just daybreak a movement forward 
 ■was ordered, by the troops on the front line. The scouts 
 being" present, pushed rapidly ahead notwithstanding an 
 objection to their doing so was made by a colonel of some 
 other regiment, who evidently wanted to be there first, but 
 his protest against the Sharpshooters was not allowed to 
 be repeated by Gen. Jameson, who sharply retorted : "The 
 Sharpshooters have been at the front during the entire siege, 
 and they shall not be displaced now." 
 
 And so it happened that the six scouts : Wm. H. Horton, 
 Joel Parker, Caleb N. Jacobs, John S. Tillotson, Henry 
 Martin and OrenViele, of Company G, and Lieut. Martin V. 
 Bronson, of Company F, closely followed by Gen. Jameson 
 and another colonel, were of the first to reach the deserted 
 \yorks. These w^ere examined very carefully, a deserting 
 rebel sergeant informing them of the existence of torpedoes 
 throughout the place. James Winchell, of Company D, says 
 he advanced also at the same time, with a squad of pickets 
 per order of Gen. Jameson, and they went on to the works 
 together, where they sighted the sergeant who cried out : 
 "For God's sake, don't shoot, boys," and as the genci-al 
 was moving forward, yelled to him: "General, don't take 
 another step, there is a big shell in front of you. The devils 
 
6S SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 have been busy planting them, but I can't tell where they 
 are all placed, but wherever you see fresh earth, look out! "^ 
 And three more rebels after shaking a white rag, delivered 
 themselves up to this Company D squad, consisting of Lieut. 
 Horace Chase, Sergt. J. E. Hetherington and privates Drake 
 and Winchell. These prisoners told the same story about 
 the evacuation and were taken to the rear. The scouts 
 meantime had gone on to the village of Yorktown and 
 obtained their breakfast. Alter which, on collecting some 
 spoils, — knives, lances, tobacco, cigars, etc., — they returned 
 to camp, to be received by their excited and overjoyed com- 
 rades with the heartiest cheers. Following close after the 
 scouts in the advance on the deserted works, was the regular 
 Sharpshooter picket under Capt. Drew, who also returned to 
 camp w^ell laden with trophies. 
 
 The Wisconsin company of Sharpshooters can rightfully 
 claim the honor of being represented by the first ones to 
 enter Yorktown on the heels of the retreating foe, and if 
 they did not raise the flag on the ramparts, it was because 
 it was left in camp, it not being customary for scouting 
 parties to carry " company colors " with them. The flag- 
 bearer, Henry Martin, was, how^ever, present, and as a sub- 
 stitute for planting the colors on the rebel w^orks, he w^aved 
 his dark green cap and yelled like a Ti-ojan. 
 
 Brig.-Gen. Jameson, in his report to Gen. Porter-, director 
 of the siege, thus states : "At 3 o'clock this morning quite 
 heavy explosions were heard in the vicinity of Yorktown, 
 and a ver^? bright fire was observed there. * * * About 
 half-past three a. m. there were strong indications that the 
 rebels had evacuated. Soon after, three soldiers approached 
 our lines under a flag of truce. They stated that Yorktown 
 was evacuated. In accordance with instructions from you, 
 I deployed two companies of the 62d Penn. Vols., together 
 with a portion of the Berdan Sharpshooters as skirmishers, 
 with a portion of the 22d Mass. as support, and advanced 
 cautiously towards the rebel works in front of Yorktown. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 69 
 
 No signs of the rebels were visible as I approached, and I 
 had the honor of entering the town at about half-past five 
 A. M. * * * Most of their guns were left in their works 
 loaded and spiked." 
 
 Among the articles brought into the Sharpshooter camp 
 "was a large sized rebel flag by a member of Company F, 
 wliich was trailed in the dust by the boys through the com- 
 pany streets — up or down each street — to regimental head- 
 quarters. The colonel galloping in at the same time with 
 an engraving of George Washington held on high, taken 
 from a deserted rebel house, as he excitedly exhibited the 
 same to the rallying men, cheers loud and long greeted its 
 appearance. It was a glorious and exciting scene, the boys 
 were ail happy, hurrahing for everybody and everything in 
 sight. The siege had been an arduous and tiresome one, 
 and the men were anxious and ready to move forward, 
 vv'ith hopes of farther and greater victories. It was their 
 first great success, and they had no thought of what hard 
 a,nd trying service awaited them. 
 
 Gen. Porter writes: "Col. Berdan and Lieut. -Col. 
 Eipley, of the Sharpshooters, deserve great credit through- 
 out the siege for pushing forward the rifle pits close to the 
 enemy's works, and keeping down the fire of the enemy's 
 sharpshooters . ' ' 
 
 Now, while our men at Camp Winfield Scott are rejoic- 
 ing over the close of the siege, relating their experiences at 
 the front, around their ca.mp fires, I will record the service 
 performed by the two detached companies, A and C, men- 
 tioned before as having gone to the left, under Maj. Trepp, 
 to act as Sharpshooters fiar the command of Gen. Smith. 
 For this account of the arduous duty they performed I am 
 indebted to the written report of Capt. Rudolph Aschmann, 
 of Company A, translated by Capt. John B. Isler, formerly of 
 the same company. 
 
70 SHARPSHOOIING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 WARWICK RIVER. 
 
 "In tlie middle of April, Maj. Trepp received orders to 
 report with Companies A and C to Gen. W. F. Smith for 
 duty. Smith's division formed the extreme left wing of the 
 army. It appeared that the generals had learned to appre- 
 ciate the usefulness of the Sharpshooters, for these two com- 
 panies were called for, as the troops on the left flank were 
 very much annoyed by the enemy's artillery. Here our 
 duties were very disagreeable and extremely dangerous. On 
 this flank, Warwick creek, a sluggish, unfordable stream, 
 separated the two armies. The enemy had their side 
 strongly fortified, and where a dam crossed the stream, 
 being their weakest point, had planted a battery of artillery 
 flanked by rifle pits, which menaced the position Gen. 
 Smith's artillery had taken, and endangered the picket line 
 in their front. During the night of our arrival, w^e con- 
 structed a rifle pit flanked by fascines as near as 100 yards- 
 from the enemy's works. While in this, we had to remain 
 during the day, and could only leave it at night owing ta 
 the proximity of the enemy's batteries. Every morning- 
 before daw^n a detachment of Sharpshooters occupied the 
 rifle pit, and, remaining 16 hours on duty, were retired at 
 night. From this position w^e watched the movement of the 
 enemy's artillery, and made it impossible for them to serve 
 their guns any longer. We were all the time in a most 
 dangerous position, and lost while performing these duties 
 several of our men, among whom w^as our second sergeant, 
 N. Sauer, a most excellent soldier, who was .killed in the 
 rifle pits April 25th. Success in war demands sacrifices, but 
 we accomplished our purpose, and thereby earned thethanks 
 of our generals." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 71 
 
 And now, by the time the Uiiion batteries — siege guns 
 and mortars — are in readiness for a general bombardment 
 along the line of the Warwick, followed by an attack by our 
 troops, the enemy quietly slipped away during the night of 
 May 3d, and the next morning several deserters under a. 
 ■white flag gave the news. Pursuit was immediately ordered! 
 with the cavalry in advance, and, at nightfall coming up 
 with the foe, we prepared for battle, our cavalry having 
 made an unsuccessful attack, falling back to the main body. 
 
 WILLIAMSBURG. 
 
 Gen. Hancock's brigade having occupied two vacated 
 redoubts on the right, being hard pressed and liable to be 
 cut off, Gen. McClellan on reaching the field tow^ards the 
 close of the afternoon, afber a hard ride of 14 miles from 
 Yorktown where the guns were plainly heard, ordered three 
 brigades to reinforce Hancock, but, he says in his report : 
 
 "Before Gens. Smith and Naglee could reach the field of 
 Gen. Hancock's operations, although they moved with 
 great rapidity, he had been confronted by a superior force. 
 Feigning to retreat slowly, he awaited their onset and then 
 turned upon them, and after some terrific voUies of musketry 
 he charged them with the bayonet, routing and dispersing 
 their w^hole force, killing, w^ounding, and capturing from 
 500 to 600 men. This was one of the most brilliant engage- 
 ments of the w^ar, and Gen. Hancock merits the highest 
 praise for the soldierly qualities displayed and his perfect 
 appreciation of the vital importance of his position. Night 
 put an end to the operations here. * * * The next morn- 
 ing the enemy's position was abandoned." 
 
 Casualties at Williamsburg of the Union forces : Killed, 
 456; wounded, 1,410; missing, 373; total, 2,239. 
 
72 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Gen. Hancock in his report of the fight, thus speaks of 
 his famous charge, and of his troops in general : 
 
 "The enemy's assault was of the most determined 
 character. No troops could have made a more desperate or 
 resolute charge. The 5th North Carolina was annihilated. 
 Nearly all of its superior officers were left dead or wounded 
 on the field. The 24th Virginia suffered greatly in superior 
 officers and men. The battle flag of one of the enemy's 
 regiments was captured by the 5th Wisconsin Volunteers, 
 and sent by me as a trophy to Gen. Smith. For 600 yards 
 in front of our line the whole field was strew^n with the 
 enemy's dead and wounded. * * * The troops under my 
 ■command behaved with a spirit and steadiness unsurpassed 
 by veterans, so much so, that they murmured when ordered 
 to fall back from the first position. Having had to detach so 
 many at vai'ious points as I advanced, and also to protect 
 my flanks, my battalions numbered but about 1,600 men 
 when I engaged the enemy. By the evidence of an officer 
 who noted the time, the action continued twenty-three 
 minutes from the time of the enemy's appearance until his 
 repulse. When it commenced, the contest in front of Fort 
 Magruder appeared to have ended. I learned from the 
 prisoners captured that we had been attacked by two 
 brigades of infantry, of six regiments, numbering about 
 5,000 men and some cavalry. The enemy's advance was 
 commanded by Brig.-Gen. Early, who was wounded during 
 the action. Our troops at night bivouacked in the rain on 
 the ground they had so handsomely won, lying down on 
 the battle field, which was saturated by long-continued 
 rains." 
 
 Further extracts are given to show the desperate nature 
 of the conflict. Having been well advanced on the front 
 lines to the right, the 5th Wisconsin was the last to retire, 
 "disputing the ground inch by inch," and Hancock "only 
 waited for that gallant regiment, already sorely pressed by 
 the enemy, to get into position," before again advancing to 
 attack. As showinghowcloselythey werefoUowedbyatoo- 
 confident foe, by the time they had formed in the new line 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 73 
 
 among the other troops awaiting them behind the crest, 
 Gen. Hancock further says : 
 
 "At this moment the advance of the enemv was under 
 the crest and within 30 paces of my command. I ordered a 
 forward movement to the crest. The whole line advanced 
 ■cheering, and on arriving there delivered two vollies, doing 
 great execution. The order was then given to charge down 
 the slope, and with reiterated cheers the whole command 
 advanced in line of battle. A few of the leading spirits of 
 the enemy were bayoneted; the remainder then broke and 
 fled. The want of protection in my rear, and expecting 
 an assault from that quarter every moment, I ordered a 
 halt at the foot of the slope, and delivered a terrible fire 
 along the whole line, expending from 15 to 20 rounds" 
 (per man). "The plunging fire from the redoubt, the direct 
 fire from the right, and the oblique fire from the left, were 
 so destructive that after it had been ordered to cease and 
 the smoke arose, it seemed as if no man had left the ground 
 unhurt who had advanced within 500 yards of our line. 
 The enemy were completely routed and dispersed." 
 
 It is well to state that the part taken by Gen. Hancock's 
 -command was the decisive blow, culminating in victor^-, to 
 an all day's fight in front of the rebel Fort Magruder by 
 Hooker's division, relieved late in the day short of ammuni- 
 tion by Gen. Kearney's troops. 
 
 Companies A and C, of the Sharpshooters, on the morn- 
 ing of the 5th were sent to the front and found the enemy 
 well intrenched, with whom they exchanged shots until 
 afternoon, when they were withdrawn and retired to the 
 reserve, being present on that part of the line where 
 Hancock made his charge. During the day and a portion 
 of the night rain fell almost continually, so that every- 
 where about them water and mud prevailed. Our boys had 
 taken possession of a barn at nightfall and made every 
 preparation possible for comfort until morning; but they 
 were doomed to disappointment, being turned out to make 
 room for some 200 prisoners. " This treatment," Aschmann 
 
74 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 says, "was well calculated to rouse our ire, but it could 
 not be helped, and so we had to exchange our comfortable 
 quarters for the open field and its miseries." Had it been 
 for wnanded men the boys would not have cared ; as it was, 
 they were very much disposed to growl — they were truly 
 " Uncle Sam's Sorry Soldiers" that rough night. The Sharp- 
 shooters had to take their share of the hardships with the 
 rest of the troops ; there were no especial buildings for them, 
 but all were treated alike. 
 
 "On the following day we marched over the battle field, 
 and witnessed the casualties of warfare. Dead and 
 wounded lying uncared for everywhere. A great many of 
 the enemy's w^ounded fell in our hands, and were brought in by 
 our men. We camped three days in the vicinity of the battle 
 field, marching away on the 9th through the town of 
 Williamsburg headed for Richmond. Following the route 
 the enemy had taken, we witnessed everywhere evidences of 
 his utter demoralization and hasty flight." — Capt. Asch- 
 mann. 
 
 On the 5th marching orders had been received at the 
 Sharpshooter camp before Yorktown ; all were packed and 
 prepared, but they did not move into the town until the 
 7th. Marching four miles they pitched their tents within 
 the deserted fortifications in the heart of the village.. 
 Before starting they were joined by a new company, L, 
 which had just arrived from Minnesota— a fine looking- 
 body of men, that did great credit to that young state. 
 
 A large number of cannon, all their heavy guns and 
 ammunition, had been left behind by the enemy, many of 
 which were spiked. Torpedoes were also discovered in and 
 around the works, brought to light by rebel prisoners; and 
 the spot where the murderous missile exploded and killed the 
 unfortunate Lathrop of the telegraphic service was marked: 
 by a large hole in the ground near one of the poles that 
 held the elec:ric wire. These prisoners testified to the 
 
m THE ARMT OF THE POTOMAC. 75- 
 
 shooting qualities of the Sharpshooters, who ttey affirmed 
 had made fatal work with the enemy, both on the fortifica- 
 tions and in the rifle pits. One old negro expressed his 
 opinion in this laconic style: 
 
 "By golly! Stick up a cap, an' a hole gets in it imme- 
 jately." 
 
 On the 8th the regiment received the long expected 
 Sharps rifles, now needed more than ever, as the Colts 
 were for our dangerous service found defective in many 
 respects, and they gladly turned in the "five shooters." On-, 
 receiving the new arms the men were impatient to get again* 
 within shooting distance of the enemy. These rifles shot both 
 linen and skin cartridges, of 52caliber, and also had primers, 
 little, round, flat coppered things, which were inserted 
 belov^rthe hammer; but the regular arhiy or hat cap was 
 more generally used, as the primers were not always a. 
 "sure thing; " also carried the angular bayonet. 
 
 While at this place the orderly-sergeant of Company & 
 returned to his position in his company at his own request, 
 Sergt. Brown, of New Hampshire, succeeding him as acting 
 sergt. -major, vice Horton appointed lieutenant of another 
 company and afterwards adjutant of the regiment vice 
 Willett, resigned. 
 
 York river was at this time full of sailing craft of all 
 descriptions. The scene on the water w^as simply grand, the 
 trim white sails in countless numbers standing "off and on," 
 while huge steamers moved back and forth, altogether 
 presenting a picture of bustle and excitement deserving the 
 attention and ready pencil of an artist. It was a complete 
 spectacle, and a grand one. Troops were hurriedly embark- 
 ing for a move up river, whither the gun-boats had already 
 gone, as also the division of Gen. FrankHn fresh from 
 McDowell's corps on the Rappahannock, which had been 
 aboard the transports until after the evacuation, when they 
 were pushed ahead by boat to West Point on the Pamunkey, 
 
78 SHARPSHOOTLNG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 where on the morning of the 7th they had a fight lasting 
 from 11 to 3, when the enemy retired, "all. his attacks 
 having been repulsed." 
 
 On the night of the 8th the Sharpshooters left York- 
 town by steamer State of Maine, and proceeding to West 
 Point, disembarked the afternoon of the 9th by means of 
 small boats from steamboat to shore, the water being shal- 
 low. They went into temporary camp near the landing. 
 It was a sight to see the ship's tackling lift the cattle oif the 
 boats and drop them into the water. Down they would go, 
 almost invariably out of sight, but soon their horns and 
 nose would show up, as they swam snorting and plunging 
 to shore in countless numbers. Generally, they would be 
 dropped into the water right side up, but occasionally a slip 
 occuri-ed in their struggles, whereby they went down head 
 first to plunge about and roll over before they came 
 to the surface. But they were patriotic beeves — going to 
 meet their destiny. Hundreds of horses were also unloaded 
 the same way, and the boys on the deck would bet their 
 hard-tack and tobacco on which equine or bovine would get 
 to shore first. 
 
 The battle at this place occurred before our arrival, as 
 before stated, and after a sharp action the enemy left. While 
 here awaiting orders to move on, the men were employed 
 in assisting to remove rations and stores from the row 
 boats ; the new company, L, occupying the time drilling in 
 the manual, also in skirmishing; and for this latter purpose 
 Capt. Drew was detailed to instruct them, assisted a portion 
 of the time by his first sergeant. Under Capt. Drew's able 
 lessons in this necessary art of the service, the company in 
 the brief time given them made great progress, being highly 
 complimented therefor. OnthelSththeregimenttookup the 
 line of march, and were destined to experience a full share of 
 the hardships and fatigues the Union soldiers had to undergo 
 ■during their stay in the vicinity of Richmond. 
 
IN THE AHMY OF THE POTOMAC. 77 
 
 A TOUGH MARCH. 
 
 We left West Point at 5 o'clock the morning of May 
 13th, loaded down with packed knapsacks and haversacks, 
 canteens filled, gun and ammunition. Falling in behind 
 artillery and loaded wagons, a most wearisome trip com- 
 menced, only an imperfect description of which can be fairly 
 given. In fact, only those who have taken part in these 
 trying marches can appreciate the hardship incurred. The 
 first mile was very fair walking, when we were brought to a 
 sudden standstill by the command " Halt ! " Five minutes 
 later the bugle sounds the advance, but it is slow traveling 
 now, with road narrow, crowded, hot and dusty ; a quarter 
 of a mile further on, halt again for three minutes, .\dvance 
 10 rods more — "Halt!" Men begin to rest their aching 
 shoulders by sticking their rifles under their knapsacks, some 
 resting on old tree stumps, others lying down stretched out on 
 theirbacks. "Listen boys, there goes the bugle" — Attention! 
 "Fall in — Get up there^Keep in your places — Close up, 
 men!" Forward 50 paces and again "Halt!" Now it is 
 down on your back, road side, middle of the road — never 
 mind the dust — anywhere so you get down. Presently we 
 hear: "Open order! '•' for some mounted officers, or maybe 
 a few pieces of artillery. Something the matteir ahead—' ' no 
 farther movement for a full hour." Off go knapsacks, some 
 eat, drink and crack jokes— swap lies— others roll over and 
 sleep. AH to be startled up into line by that everlasting 
 bugle sounding ' ' Attention ! ' ' Then ' ' advance, "and away 
 we go, two miles now, halting everj"- 10 rods about two 
 minutes each time, then another halt. Col. Ripley now 
 came along and gave us 20 minutes rest at his own risk, for 
 which he received cheers. After a long 20 minutes, at least 
 45, we push on 20 rods more and halt again. So it goes all 
 day long, pushing ahead, slow time, common time, quick, 
 
-78 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 -and double-quick to catch up, and sudden halting. AH 
 mixed up with dust, dirt, sweat and lame shoulders. 
 Towards the close of the day a rumor spread among the- 
 •companies that the Sharpshooters were to be sent ahead, 
 and that a fight would probably take place. Passing Gen. 
 McClellan and others, at a crossing of roads, helped to con- 
 firm the belief of a meeting with the rebels before going 
 much farther. The men began to revive in consequence, the 
 report acting as a stimulant on their tiresome, dusty march. 
 For no matter how worn out and fatigued troops are, 
 when they are about to fight, a sort of superhuman second 
 . strength comes to them, and, forgetful of their past trials, 
 they rush in, animated as it were with a new life. But it 
 proved merely a rumor, although it may have originally 
 started on good grounds — ^perhaps the Johnnies heard the 
 Sharpshooters were coming and ran away. It was nearly 
 sundown when we reached Cumberland Landing on the 
 Pamunkey, after a long day's march of only 12 miles, but 
 about the toughest in all our experience, when we pitched 
 our ponchos in an old cornfield near the river. Companies 
 A and C joined us en route. 
 
 An instance occurred during this march show^ing how 
 -easy it is to misjudge the carrying capacity of men by their 
 size. One of the six-footer heavy weights of the company 
 in the right files where the tallest men are placed, had 
 been complaining considerably on account of his sore 
 shoulders, although it was not in a cross manner, he being 
 really one of the best natured of men, w^hen he was jokingly 
 scolded for his grumbling by the orderly, marching to his 
 left — a light weight and much smaller sized man. The result 
 was that another heavy member, known as "Buckshot," 
 w^ho marched in the center of the company, a tent mate of 
 -the orderly, made a wager that the latter had the heaviest 
 load in the company. This the orderly had no idea was the 
 'Case, although he was carrying besides the usual articles of 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 79 
 
 ■"extras," shoes, etc., extra ammunition and tlie company 
 books. However, when they reached Cumberland they 
 ■weighed up, and sure enough the sergeant's knapsack 
 weighed 28 lbs. to 22 for his tent mate, the third heaviest 
 being 17, and that was not the big fellow's either. This is 
 mentioned as showing that it was not always the biggest 
 looking man that stood the greatest " wear and tear." For 
 while it is true that there w^ere some heavy men, and the two 
 above mentioned were among them, who seemed able to 
 stand everything — good marchers, rough and ready cam- 
 paigners — ^yet is it also true that the light weights, from 
 140 down, were unexcelled for all manner of hard service. 
 
 We sometimes hear, out of service, of men carrying 70 
 lbs. in their knapsack. But no such back-breaking, side- 
 splitting w^eight was carried by the soldiers — unless some 
 unfortunate w^as working out a sentence, w^alking a beat 
 under guard thus loaded ; in lieu of the ball and chain, or 
 log substitutes for thumb-tying, the stocks and other hard 
 inflictions. A knapsack must not be shoddy to hold 70 
 pounds. In light marching order the knapsack, if carried at 
 all, which w^as hardly the case, had little more within or on. 
 top than a rolled blanket, sometimes extra rations, and the 
 balance of 60 rounds of ammunition that couldn't go in a 
 40-round cartridge box. At other times the knapsack 
 varied all the way from a new outfit^generally with new 
 troops — to the smallest possible kit or supply of extras, 
 principally underclothes, poncho or rubber blanket, and 
 woolen blanket — overcoats turned in. These all told, with 
 the 9 or 10 lb. gun, 40 rounds, canteen of water (pretty 
 weighty), haversack packed with hard bread, coffee, sugar, 
 and pork boiled or raw, added, 40 pounds would be more 
 like it with all accouterments ; and frequently half that 
 weight was all the boys carried, particularly when off on 
 some hurried service requiring quick movements, wherein 
 the weight of the knapsack itself cut no figure. The average 
 
80 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 weight of a knapsack with us on general service would not 
 exceed, well packed, 15 pounds. 
 
 Here we rested until the 15th, being ordered into line 
 the afternoon of the 14th to be hurriedly reviewed by Secre- 
 tary Seward from Washington, accompanied by Gen. 
 McClellan and staff. Cumberland Landing, 27 miles from 
 Richmond, boasted of two or three old houses, and was 
 lined in front with many boats while we were there. 
 
 On the 15th another extraordinary day's march 
 occurred, over a very wet, muddy road, the rain pouring 
 down all the time, stopping often at long periods, and 
 accomplishing £ve miles from half-past six a.m. to four p.m., 
 at about t^bich latter hour we arrived at White House. 
 The roads were in such a bad state that it often required 
 eight or ten horses to move the artillery, the passing 
 soldiers assisting in pulling the cannon out of the deep mud 
 holes. Owing to the difficulty in transportation, provisions 
 were scarce, and short rations in order. 
 
 Gen. McClellan reports: "On the 15tli and 16th the 
 divisions of Franklin, Smith and Porter were with great 
 difficulty moved to White House, 5 miles in advance. So 
 bad w^as the road that the train of one of these divisions- 
 required 36 hours to pass over this short distance." 
 
 We encamped in a clover field near the White House on 
 the Pamunkey, 20 miles northeast of Ricbmond. This 
 building, said to be on the site of the one wherein Washing- 
 ton was married, was occupied, and a guard stationed 
 around the premises to keep out intruders. It was the prop- 
 erty of the Lees, on a plantation of 1,200 acres, with better 
 soil than we had yet seen, a part of which w^as sowed with 
 wheat ; and were it not for the existing military surround- 
 ings would have presented a very domestic appearance. A 
 pretty spot, accessible by steamers and sailing craft from 
 York river; many vessels of different kinds lining the shore 
 close by, loaded with provisions and other necessary 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 81 
 
 articles for the army. The railroad to Richmond crossed 
 the river at this point previous to the destruction of the 
 bridge. We were in the midst of a splendid clover field of 
 many acres, while above us, on the opposite side of the road, 
 was a fine old apple orchard of 75 trees. Numberless small 
 tents, amid which waved the regimental colors, denoted the 
 different bodies of troops that encamped around us. The 
 beautiful growing, fields were soon trampled into dust and 
 destroyed, as the Union troops crossed over them. And 
 feelings of pity must have possessed thoughtful minds to see 
 that hitherto quiet and peaceable spot, indicative of the 
 days of joy and contentment when the gallant cavalier 
 George Washington became a loving visitor, now subjected 
 to the ruthless tramp of the armed soldier, the iron hoof of 
 the plunging steed and the deep ruts of the ponderous artil- 
 lery. 
 
 "Oh grief! o'er yon fair tneads and smiling lawns 
 Must steeds of carnage batten, men of blood 
 Their fell magnificence of mnrtherous pomp 
 Pavillion in yon placid groves of peace." 
 
 As an illustration of the fact that it wasn't bullets 
 alone that decreased the army rolls, especially on this cam- 
 paign, a young man named Isaac M. Barker, of the Wiscon- 
 sin company, died on the 18th of May at West Point where 
 he had been left with the commissary department when the 
 company moved from there, from the effects of vaccination, 
 his arm having swelled to a great degree. More men died 
 or w^ere discharged from sickness than were lost in battle. 
 The tough marches they had to undergo caused many of 
 them to break down and become unfit for further active 
 service. Later on, they became so inured to these hard 
 services as to appear able to stand almost anything in that 
 line. But it took considerable time to make them so perfect, 
 and many fell by the roadside before that great desideratum 
 of a soldier's life was fairly accomplished. 
 
82 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Striking tents on the 19 th the troops moved on towards 
 the Chickahominy, passing by Tunstall Station and 
 Barker's Mills. White flags were freely displayed from the 
 houses on the way, and oftentimes the provost guard were 
 stationed around residences to satisfy the defenseless 
 inmates that no harm was intended or would be allowed by 
 the Union troops; which appeared to gratify as well as to 
 surprise many, as they had been led to believe by the rebel 
 officers and soldiers that we were bound to plunder them. 
 But plunder was not what we were after. Reports had been 
 falsely circulated among these people that the Union troops 
 were driving the women and children from Williamsburg 
 forward; at the same time they admitted that the rebel 
 soldiery did pillage to a great extent before leaving. 
 
 At Barker's Mills the regiment encamped from the 22d 
 to the 26th, in a pleasant grassy spot near a heavy belt of 
 timber, with good water easily obtained, and it proved to 
 be a long time before they found such another favorable 
 camping ground. We purchased while at this camp many 
 articles of provisions, such as sweet potatoes $2 per bushel, 
 onions 25 cents a dozen, eggs 50 cents, chickens 75 cents 
 each, and other things at pretty steep prices. The gold and 
 silver paid the inhabitants therefor, they stated was the 
 first hard coin they had handled or even seen for a long 
 time. They did not appear to have a high appreciation of 
 Confederate scrip, some of w^hom had a large supply of 
 that valueless paper on hand. One of our men, William B. 
 Sandel, visited a house close by, before the provost got his 
 guard stationed, and inquired for eggs. The mistress stated 
 that an officer had engaged all she had, but Sandel, deter- 
 mined not to be put off in that way, said positively that he 
 must have a half dozen, and to her inquiry as to how she 
 was to manage it, replied: 
 
 "Well, give me six eggs, and then give the officer if he 
 icomes, allyoa have. You need not tell him I had any." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 83 
 
 A good-natured looking daughter hereupon with a 
 latigh, declared that a Yankee trick, and gave the eggs. 
 
 During the forenoon of the 26th, we went into camp on 
 Gaines' Hill, from the high grounds of which the city of 
 Richmond could be seen in the distance, beyond the Chicka- 
 hominy river which ran by us at the foot of the hill. 
 
 THE VICTORY AT HANOVER COURT HOUSE 
 
 May 27, 1862. 
 
 On the 27th of May at an early hour, before daylight, 
 the Sharpshooters rolled out of their tents and fell into line, 
 the rain falling fast ; orders being received to march at day- 
 light, with three days' cooked rations and 100 rounds of 
 ammunition. Leaving camp at four &.. M.,the regiment as 
 part of Gen. Porter's newly organized 5th corps, made a 
 forced march of 18 miles to the right, notwithstand- 
 ing the heavy rain falling, the deep mud, and swollen creeks 
 w^hich they forded, and arrived about noon in the vicinity 
 of Hanover Court House. The enemy had for several days 
 been posting large bodies of troops on the right flank and 
 in rear of the Union lines, threatening our communications 
 with the Pamunkey and York rivers, whereby he could be in 
 position to help the rebel Jackson; and attack Gen. 
 McDowell should the latter leave Fredericksburg to rein- 
 force Gen. McClellan, as it w^as expected he would, and 
 whose advance was then eight miles south of the Rappa- 
 hannock. For the purpose of driving this force back, and 
 to cut the Virginia Central, and Richmond & Fredericksburg 
 railroads, was this sudden movement of Gen. Porter's com- 
 mand decided on. 
 
 No movement could have been more quickly executed, 
 and nothing could exceed Gen, McClellan'spromptnesshere; 
 
84 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 as at Hampton in moving after his arrival from Washing- 
 ton immediately on Yorktown, as also at Williamsburg 
 and at West Point. The critic that intimates tardiness in 
 the movements of the Army of the Potomac on the Penin- 
 sula campaign, is false as to the facts, and does an injustice 
 to officers and men. From the first, there was no delay in 
 moving when the order came; from Hampton to Yorktown, 
 from Yorktown to the Chickahominy; and before daylight 
 of the next morning after reaching the last named line. 
 Porter's corps was off on a hurried march 18 miles* to the 
 right, through the heaviest rain and deepest mud, to win an 
 important victory. We dare to say that no army ever 
 moved quicker or with more determination, than the Army 
 of the Potomac on the Peninsula campaign. 
 
 As a fair instance of how our soldiers suffered by these 
 hurried, fatiguing marches regardless of the weather, to get 
 into action, and which too often occurred when they were 
 better fitted to sleep than fight — but for the martial and 
 heroic excitement that kept them up — we quote Gen. Butter- 
 field on his brigade : 
 
 "Our march to the battle field near Hanover Court 
 House was the most severe I have ever experienced. * * *■ 
 Half an hour before the fight began I hardly thought it pos- 
 sible for my men to pitch camp and prepare supper, so much 
 fatigued were they with the march in mud,- rain and sun." 
 
 As before said, too often was this the case that our 
 soldiers w^ent into the fight all but worn out and used up 
 with fatigue; nothing but patriotic excitement and stern 
 duty kept them up. 
 
 By the time our regiment had arrived at the front, lead- 
 ing Morell's division, and preceded only by a strong detach- 
 
 • The distance reported by some oflScers — 14 miles — may liave been correct by 
 the map; but by the roads traveled and the time takenWe fign^red it out 18. It 
 mi^ht have been T4 miles on horseback, but we j^niess it -was fully 13 afoot. 
 McClellan's chief of staff, Gen. Marcy, reports the march as "more than 20 
 miles." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 85 
 
 ment of cavalry and some light artillery (Benson's) under 
 Gen. Emory, the rain had stopped and the sun came out hot, 
 which while it dried the soaking water from the soldiers' 
 clothes, brought the perspiration within. It was a veritable 
 scorcher. Advancing through a large field by the right 
 flank, the Sharpshooters halted and formed line of battle on 
 the right of the road at 
 
 o^ 
 
 Kinney's farm, 
 
 being about 400 yards from the enemy who were in a lane 
 behind a rise of ground covered with wheat, sending down 
 to our artillery a shower of bullets and canister shot. 
 Quickly the Union cannon responded, while skirmishers in 
 front became engaged. As we entered the field, the enemy 
 vpere loudly cheering over their capture of a company of 
 skirmishers from the 25th New York, sent out with cavalry, 
 while a small rebel flag was defiantly waved from the lane. 
 This was soon lowered, however, and the cheering stopped 
 by the Union guns. Remaining in line some minutes under 
 fire, orders were finally given to move forward, several mem- 
 bers of the regiment being hit at this point. Our men were 
 divided; a portion crossed to the left of the road under 
 Ripley, the lieutenant-colonel, and advancing in skirmish 
 line through the wheat field took part in the capture of a 
 rebel cannon. On the right of the road the Wisconsin and 
 Swiss companies deploj^ed as skirmishers through a small 
 wood and into a large field beyond, Company I, of Michi- 
 gan, following as a reserve, under command of Trepp, the 
 major — Col. Berdan having general command of all the 
 Sharpshooters. The enemy fled, our men pressing steadily 
 forward two miles further, passing a number of rebel sur- 
 geons who were busily engaged with the wounded. The 
 Wisconsin men captured some prisoners, among them a 
 
86 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Nortli Carolina lieutenant who claimedto be "too exhausted 
 to run." We didn't blame him for being frightened a little, 
 for our men came down on them with a rush — ^there was no 
 halting after they got started. The Johnnies were surprised, 
 it was done so quick— their loss here being 17 killed, 27 
 wounded, and 31 prisoners. 
 
 The cavalry and artillery had in the meantime pushed 
 on in flying style after the fugitives, capturing more of them.. 
 Those members of the 25th New York that had been taken, 
 succeeded in escaping from the enemy during the chase. So 
 far, so good. Everything went off just as nicely as the 
 most ardent patriot could have expected. It w^as sport for 
 the boys. But it appears that the enemy's main force were 
 some distance to the left of the scene of the first fight, 
 massed for mischief, and after the victorious Unionists had 
 passed by, made an attack on our rear at 
 
 peake's station. 
 
 The 44th New York, 25th New York, and 2d Maine, 
 •under Gen. Martindale, were for a long time hotly engaged 
 at this point, exposed to cross-fires from surrounding 
 w^oods; but although many gallants fell, yet bravely did 
 the little command hold their ground. On hearing of the 
 attack the advanced troops were ordered back, and away 
 w^ent infantry, zouaves, artillery, and Sharpshooters at a 
 rapid pace, finally on double-quick towards the woods where 
 lay concealed the rebel force. Regiment aiiter regiment 
 rushed running into line w^hen near the woods, and with a 
 loud hurrah, moving right on, charged fiercely through the 
 timber. The Sharpshooters deployed "out double-quick, and 
 entering the wood hurried forward. Some of them became 
 immediately engaged, but the main body were brought sud- 
 denly to a halt by a deep ditch before a second piece of 
 woods. Scrambling through this they pushed rapidly 
 
IN THE ARMV OF THE POTOMAC. 87 
 
 ahead. Tie firing was loud and rapid, while the dense 
 smoke rolled low in heavy clouds rendering objects indis- 
 tinct. The rebels were driven out firom the wood, over the 
 road, down the railroad, through a wheat field, and beyond 
 to another wood a mile off. They were badly cut up— dead 
 and wounded lying aU around. The Unionists fought well ; 
 the 44th and 25th New York, 2d Maine, 9th (Irish) Mas- 
 sachusetts, 62d Pennsylvania, 5th New York fwith their 
 flaming red costume), and the 1st U. S. Sharpshooters 
 (dressed in dark green). Other regiments were on the field 
 and took a prominent part, principally on the flanks ; but 
 those above named were in the hottest of the fight, and 
 w^ere the principal ones engaged in the immediate front of 
 the enemy. The Union loss was quite heavy among the 
 three regiments first mentioned, but it was not as great as 
 that of the Confederates. 
 
 The rebels were completely routed, leaving knapsacks, 
 blankets and guns scattered promiscuously about, and get- 
 ting away themselves evidently in much confusion. The bat- 
 teries w^ere w^ell worked, sending screeching shot and shell after 
 the retreating forces. Capt. Griffin used his guns with great 
 effect; a rebel shot killing one of his horses, from a gun 
 down the road, he turned on it instantly, sighting and 
 firing the cannon himself, putting a shell through their 
 caisson, which blew up, scattering the fragments over the 
 road, causing the enemy to scamper hurriedly. About sun- 
 set the battle w^as over. 
 
 A large number of the rebel dead were buried the follow- 
 ing day, upwards of 700 prisoners taken, with one gun and 
 considerable amount of small arms and baggage. The 
 Union troops succeeded in cutting the railroads, driving the 
 rebel forces off. The latter at this battle were commanded 
 by Gen. Branch, of North Carolina (an ex-member of con- 
 gress). 
 
88 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The regimental surgeon, Guy C. Marshall, was taken 
 prisoner at field hospital by rebel cavalry and never returned 
 to the regiment ; while his hospital attendant, Charles L. 
 Wood, a New York member of Company G, had a narrow 
 escape from a shower of bullets from the same party, w^ho 
 left him lying on the ground unhurt. In his desperate fix 
 he dropped as if shot, and they thought he was. Charlie 
 was a good one, and like a true patriot didn't want to be 
 captured — and never was to the end of his three years. Dr. 
 Marshall died while a prisoner, after having performed 
 noble service among the sick and wounded at Libb\' prison. 
 Having been allowed to pass out when needing medicines, 
 he finally, finding his many protests unheeded relative to the 
 apparent neglect and sufferings of our imprisoned soldiers, 
 obtained an audience with Jeff Davis, the Confederate presi- 
 dent. Whether on account of his earnest denunciation of 
 the treatment our men were receiving, or in any other man- 
 ner he angered the chief traitor, his liberty was taken from 
 him and he was closely confined. Even then he did all pos- 
 sible to help his comrades, until breaking down himself, he 
 died a real martyr to the Union cause, a true patriot, an 
 heroic man. He had been very popular in his regiment. 
 
 A number of prisoners were captured by the Sharp- 
 shooters ; among the lot were three captured by Private 
 Benjamin D. Atwell, of Wisconsin, a youth 18 years of 
 age. Pushingthrough the dense woods with Eli Vincent, they 
 found a chance to shoot from behind a tree, when as Ben 
 was about to fire, he looked back and discovered three rebels 
 capping their giTus, with their backs towards him. Rushing 
 close up, he ordered them to "throw down those guns, you 
 rascals, or I'll shoot you!" They obeyed instantly and 
 turning around replied: "We arc your prisoners." The 
 trio consisted of a second lieutenant, an orderly, sergeant, 
 and a private. Ben had "surrounded them," surely as he 
 laughingly informed me, passing, but what to do with them 
 
IN THK ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 89 
 
 puzzled hini, especially after calling to Vincent to return 
 and help him, who, replying harshly: "Take care of them 
 yourself, I've got something else to attend to," was rapidlv 
 moving forward. Ben, however, shouldered their guns and 
 marched them to the rear to the provost guard. His excited 
 companion pushed forward through the timber with long 
 strides until brought suddenly to a halt. An intrenched 
 rebel behind a log a few paces distant had raised his piece 
 and was about to pull the trigger, but being discovered, Eli 
 quickly brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired— stopping 
 but a moment to "mark the shot," he went on. 
 
 When the Sharpshooters went into the second fight the 
 heat of the day was intense, and from the effect of their 
 previous exertions in marching and fighting they were ver}- 
 much fatigued ; therefore on receiving orders to assemble 
 on the road they were not sorry, as darkness was fast 
 gathering and the fighting was over. It's true a number of 
 them wished to push further on over the open field, biit 
 were restrained on the edge of the woods owing to a peremp- 
 tory order to halt at that place and assemble. The regi- 
 ment rested for the night in a piece of woods near by. 
 During the following day many prisoners were brought in 
 by our troops, w^ho were also engaged in burying the dead. 
 The trees, brush, and riddled fences, showed plainly the 
 fierceness of the conflict. 
 
 A number of individual cases of self-defense occurred in 
 i;his battle. One of the most provoking, and also comical, 
 took place in the evening. A plucky little member of the 9th 
 Massachusetts, having been slapped across the mouth and 
 -sent reeling to the ground by a large, corpulent looking reb, 
 in response to the Irishman's demand to surrender, got even 
 with the big fat Carolinian, after picking himself up and 
 making a big race for it, by using the bayonet; to use his 
 -own phrase: " tickling him in the stomach." 
 
90 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHINO 
 
 While in this neighborhood, H. J. Peck, of Company F, 
 secured an officer who was hurrying down the road : 
 
 "Come over here, colonel, I want you." 
 yelled Peck, and as the officer turned he saw a well-aimed 
 Sharps covering him. It was enough, he came in, — a second 
 lieutenant of the 7th North Carolina,— and the Vermont boy 
 passed him to the rear, after securing his revolver and 
 sword. A member of Company L also captured two men, 
 after the fighting had ceased, while he was hunting for fuel 
 in the woods. 
 
 Considerable amusement was caused by a member of 
 Company G, who was known as "Snap Shot, "throwing off 
 his coat before entering the last battle, discovering to his 
 comrades a mailed or steel shirt which he hurriedly divested 
 himself of, remarking: "I have carried that weighty 
 nuisance long enough." He had worn it on all the long and 
 tiresome marches, and when he got into the fight, threw it 
 aw^ay. 
 
 The regimental loss at Hanover w^as 20 killed and 
 wounded. Among the latter was Sergt. Lewis J. Allen, of 
 Company F, who got a whack side of the head, knocking 
 him flat in the wheat field. Some of the boys rushedforhim, 
 but he got up and ran wildly ahead. He was caught by Peck 
 and brought back, being a little ofi" in his mind just then,, 
 but came around all right soon after. He proved a stayer, 
 and remained with his company throughout the enlistment, 
 in all its trials and hardships. Sometime after, he was 
 attacked with brain fever which he attributed to that blow, 
 but recovered. 
 
 Gen. McClellan arriving next morning w^as greeted by 
 the troops w^ith the loudest cheers. While here he sent the 
 following .dispatch to the war department: 
 
 Hanover Court House, May 28, 2 p. u. 
 Porter's action of yesterday was truly a glorious vic- 
 tory. Too much credit cannot be given to his magnificent 
 
HON. H. J. PECK. 
 
IN THB ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 91 
 
 division and its accomplished leader. The rout of the rebels 
 was complete— not a defeat, but a complete rout. Prisoners 
 are constantly coming in; two companies have this moment 
 arrived, with excellent arms. There is no doubt that the . 
 enemy are concentrating everything on Richmond. I will 
 do my best to cut off Jackson' but am doubtful whether I 
 can. It is the policy and duty of the government to send me 
 bywater all theweil-drilled troops available. I am confi- 
 dent that Washington is in no danger. Engines and cars in 
 large numbers have been sent up to bring down Jackson's 
 command. I may not be able to cut them off, but will try. 
 We have cut all but the Fredericksburg & Richmond 
 railroad. The real issue is the battle about to be fought in 
 front of Richmond. All our available troops should be col- 
 lected here— not raw regiments, but the well-drilled troops. 
 It cannot be ignored that a desperate battle is before us. If 
 any regiments of good troops remain unemployed it will be 
 an irreparable fault committed. 
 
 Geo. B. McClellax, Maj.-Gen. 
 Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 
 
 Gen. Porter in his report of this engagement thus speaks 
 of his command, which consisted of the following troops: 
 Gen. Morell commanding division composed of Gens. Martin- 
 dale and Butterfield's, and Col. McQuade's brigades; two 
 regiments of cavalry and a light battery, under Gen. Emory; 
 and Col. Warren's brigade. He reports : 
 
 "The defeat and rout at Hanover of Brig.-Gen. Branch's 
 command, — 8,000 Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia 
 troops, — with the loss to them of eight officers and more 
 than 1,000 men; the destruction of extensive bridges, rail- 
 road and others ; cutting off the rebel force in Northeastern 
 Virginia from all rapid relief from Richmond; and the move- 
 ments of Col. Warren's command from Old Church along 
 the Pamunkey, has caused the rapid retreat to Richmond 
 from below Fredericksburg of Gen. Anderson's command; 
 thus releasing for active operations the large force underGen. 
 McDowell, and I think must have relieved the government 
 of all apprehensions of an attack on Washington. Two 
 important military railroad trains were captured and 
 
92 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 destroyed by Gen. Stoneman's and Gen. Emory's com- 
 mands, respectively. * * * I desire to express my admira- 
 tion for the conduct of the officers and men in the laborious 
 march to Hanover; the steadiness with which they turned 
 from the pursuit of a retreating foe to meet the unexpected 
 attack of an unknown force in their rear; the confidence 
 they evinced in their officers ; the good order in which they 
 w^ent into action. Specially worthy of note was the firm 
 resistance Martindale's brigade presented to the attack of a 
 superior force, holding it in check till it could be met and 
 routed by the remainder of the division." 
 
 CASUALTIES KNOWN. 
 
 Co. A — Wounded : Martin Tanner, Jacob Wildz. 
 
 Co. B — Wounded : Clinton Loveridge, severely. 
 
 Co. F — Wounded: Lewis J. Allen, Benjamin Billings, W. 
 P. Dawson mortally. 
 
 Co. G — Wounded: Corp. Hiram N. Richardson, scalp, 
 and one finger lost. 
 
 Co. I — Wounded : James Davis. 
 
 Co. L — Wounded: Hammond Fallon, Fingor Fingal- 
 son. 
 
 On the morning of the 29th rations were brought up 
 and dealt out to the very hungry troops, but in the after- 
 noon we marched back to camp at Gaines' Hill, w^here the 
 sick and guards had been left during the movement, and 
 where we arrived after another fatiguing trip at a late hour 
 at night. Capt. Aschmann relates the following incident of 
 this tough march : 
 
 "The darkness of the night, bad roads, and the many 
 swamps and forests we had to pass, made our march verv 
 difficult and dangerous. One of our men, Jacob Bachman, 
 sank up to. his arm pits in the mire, and it was impossible 
 for him to extricate himself from his perilous position until 
 the next morning, when some stragglers found him and 
 brought him exhausted and worn out to our camp, where he 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 93, 
 
 recovered from the terrible shock to his system only after 
 many weeks of careful treatment." 
 
 While at the Gaines' Hill camp we were visited by a ter- 
 rific thunderstorm, the lightning striking a stack of guns of 
 an adjoining regiment scattering the same, the fiery ball 
 playing along the entire line of shining bayonets, causing 
 some damage to life and property. The rain poured down 
 in torrents, so that tent life was anything but agreeable 
 just then either for health or comfort, and the sick list nat- 
 urally increased from the dampness and exposure. 
 
 Our rations, though not extensive in variety, were gener- 
 ally fresh and good. But it was impossible for some of the 
 men to stand dessicated vegetable. The Wisconsin orderly 
 liked it, and on introducing it at this camp was particular 
 to praise its wholesomeness. But the next morning when 
 he rolled out forroUcall, hefound himself surrounded with all 
 the camp kettles full of the dessicated soup, contributed by 
 the boys, as they could n't stand the flavor. It was issued 
 in big, square, pressed cakes about an inch thick, and a 
 small piece made a mess — a little went a good ways. But 
 they had cooked the entire week's ration, a whole square, 
 thus making it too strong, — they could smell it from afar 
 off, — and it took more than a week's scouring of the kettles 
 with a vast amount of cook's swearing, to get rid of the 
 offensive taste. As for the orderly, he had enough to last 
 him for a whole campaign, and didn't draw anymore of 
 that kind of ration. 
 
 Soon after the Hanover fights, Company L left the regi- 
 ment (May 31st) and reported to the 1st Minnesota 
 volunteers in the 2d corps, and thereafter remained with, 
 and shared in the glories and honors of, that famous regi- 
 ment—that gallant 1st Minnesota which, with the brave 
 and undaunted 2d Wisconsin, so ably represented the 
 Northwest at the first Bull Run, where they both, in several 
 notable instances, withstood the brunt of battle, and left 
 
94- SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 that fated field at the last moment unwhipped and with 
 colors untarnished ; and although at the time, the eastern 
 press teemed with praises and sensational articles about 
 certain regiments from their immediate localities, without 
 even a bare mention of the two now under notice, yet on 
 the records are they placed, as 'tis due them, among the 
 staunchest there engaged. Probably this apparent ignoring 
 of the western men can be accounted for, because Gorman 
 and Coon "couldn't see" the reporter's demand to "come 
 ^own"to the extent of $50, before going into the fight. 
 Their reply in substance : " If my men get a name, they must 
 earn it," settled it. They were not heralded after the fight, 
 but they got name and fame notwithstanding, that will 
 last, and they earned it. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 31st the guns at Fair Oaks 
 ■were distinctly heard, and several times was the regiment 
 ordered into line expecting to move forward. On this day 
 the Sharpshooters joined Gen. Martindale's brigade for a 
 short time, and at an early hour on the morning of June 
 1st they left camp, and, marching a mile and a half to the 
 swamp of the Chickahominy, relieved Stockton's Michigan 
 regiment as pickets, where they remained until noon of the 
 following day, being then relieved by the 4th Michigan. 
 The heavy firing during the fight at Fair Oaks on the other 
 side of the river plainly indicated the severity of the action. 
 On the hills back of the pickets, artillery w^ere in position, 
 and above them in the air were two balloons some distance 
 apart, while in the neighborhood of the swamp fatigue 
 parties were busily engaged building roads and bridges. A 
 squad of men under Corp. Harmon Ellis, of Company G, 
 were employed as guard over the house and premises of 
 Dr. Gaines, near by. The doctor was under arrest for sig- 
 naling the enemy across the s^vamp. He did not get aw^ay 
 in time and was caught in his own house, but attempting 
 to escape, Ellis aimed his gun an'l stopped him. The doctor 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 95 
 
 complained about the Yankee soldiers ruining his plantation, 
 and his "niggers" not getting enough to eat. He knew 
 nothing civil towards a " Yankee hireling." He was an 
 insolent old fellow and the bojs watched him closely. The 
 last Ellis saw of him, on his guard being relieved, he was in 
 the midst of a lot of other prisoners awaiting under an 
 umbrella for transportation to Yankeedom, where it was 
 hoped he would learn manners. On the afternoon of the 
 2d the regiment returned to camp. 
 
 Considerable excitement was occasioned at times during 
 the ascension of the balloons, inasmuch as they became a 
 target for the rebel cannon posted on high ground across 
 the swamp. The balloons wotdd be sent up from different 
 points, and as soon as the rebel gunners obtained range 
 they w^ould come dovpn, and change their position. A rope 
 attached prevented their ascent beyond a certain distance, 
 and they became a valuable auxiliary for the occasion. 
 
 HAIL COLUMBIA ON THE GRAPEVINE BRIDGE. 
 
 A comrade sends an account (somewhat lengthy) of how 
 Porter's chief of artillery wanted four men and a sergeant 
 to go on to Grapevine Bridge in the swamp and watch the 
 enemy's movements, and in case they attempted to cross 
 from the connecting bridge over the river, threatening to 
 attack our batteries, to fire a signal shot for our artillery to 
 open their "50 guns " onto the unseen foe as they crowded 
 onto the bridge. Sharpshooters and all, as the artillery 
 officer had kindly informed the detail on setting out that 
 they would all be sacrificed, as "we could not risk a serious 
 disaster to this wing of the army for a few men;" which 
 comforting assurance was probably more to test their 
 courage, but they were picked men, volunteers, and didn't 
 scare worth a cent ; besides they undoubtedly were unwill- 
 ing to believe that our battery men would knowingly mow 
 down Union soldiers to gain a moment's time, while our 
 
9(5 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 nimble Yankee boys were jumping and dodging about to get 
 out of range. 
 
 The swamp had been flooded by some device of the 
 enemy, either by cutting a dam above or erecting one below, 
 I am unable to say which, and the water was several feet 
 deep over a space of about 400 yards in width on 
 our side of the river at a point where Grapevine Bridge 
 crossed it. This bridge over the swamp was a floating one, 
 and moored by great grapevines attached to the scattering 
 live oaks that stood about the swamp, in some cases with 
 severalfeetof their roots out of the ground, like trees on stilts. 
 From the approaching sounds of the battle it seemed 
 probable that the enemy might presently get possession of 
 the bridge over the river, which stream was narrow and 
 deep. The bridge over the swamp, as well as the whole of 
 that over the river, could not be seen from the height where 
 the guns were. After several hours anxious waiting the 
 Sharpshooters observed that the advancing enemy were 
 being suddenly driven back, in which Meagher's and Sickles' 
 brigades took a prominent part, thus relieving the watchful 
 sentinels of any further danger either from the enemy, or 
 of being blown by our artillery to Hail Columbia. 
 
 On the 6th of June orders were received to divide the 
 regiment into detachments to report to diflerent division 
 commanders, four companies remaining at headquarters — D, 
 E, F and K. Company B was sent to Hooker's division, 
 and Company H to Richardson's. Company H reported to 
 Sumner's headquarters at Seven Pines, where the Confed- 
 erate sharpshooters were annoying our pickets. On arriv- 
 ing there a detail was sent to the front, where, despite the 
 danger incurred at the time from the sharp firing as they 
 approached, they succeeded in discovering the position of 
 the enemy and stopped their shooting. The rebel sharp- 
 shooters soon found their match before them, and were 
 thereafter very careful about exposing themselves. One 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 97 
 
 morning soon after, a detachment under First Sergt. 
 Barrett was sent across the "Nine-mile Road" to look after 
 a part of the regular picket line, where several of our 
 infantry men had been shot. Locating the enemy's posi- 
 tion, four of our Sharpshooters deployed, two on each side 
 of the road, and advanced carefully through the brush some 
 200 yards where thej' lay quietly watching for further devel- 
 opments ; hut seeing or hearing nothing they rigged up a 
 stick with a hat and coat, and shoved it out across the 
 roadway, when instantly a report was heard and a bullet 
 passed through the coat. The puff of smoke seeming to 
 issue from the center of a tree 100 yards distant, the Sharp- 
 shooters then crawled forward either side of the road, keep- 
 ing under cover as much as possible, firing at the right and 
 left side of the tree, the result being of .a very damaging 
 character to the concealed Johnny, he receiving his quietus. 
 The company was frequently called on to perform service of 
 this kind, to locate kn-king foes and silence their guns. 
 
 Companies A and I, under command of Maj. Trepp, 
 were assigned to Gen. Smith's division on the right 
 wing of the troops, the south side of the Chickahominy, 
 opposite Porter's corps on Gaines' Hill. Gen. Smith received 
 tlie Sharpshooters again with a hearty welcome, at the same 
 time providing for them in the best possible manner, which 
 told more than words, and the boys thought a good deal of 
 "Baldy Smith" which was right, for when soldiers have the 
 respect of their ofhcers, and officers have the respect of the 
 soldiers, they can be depended upon for the most arduous 
 and trying duties. Such was the fortunate case here, a 
 mutual respect for each other. 
 
 The Sharpshooters occupied a redoubt called Fort 
 Davidson, manned also by a battery of 12-pound Parrot 
 guns. This garrison was placed under command of Maj. 
 Trepp. They were ordered under arms every morning at 
 daylight to guard against an attack on the fort. They also 
 
98 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 famished daily 12 Sharpshooters for the picket lines where 
 skirmishing was going on far in advance, with the enemy 
 scarcely 150 yards away— within speaking distance. Artil- 
 lery duels were frequent, and on several occasions the enemy 
 made ineffectual sorties, being invariably driven back. One 
 of the enemy's guns considerably annoyed Gen. Smith's 
 troops with more or less damage, whereupon that wise 
 officer had constructed a rifle pit for the Sharpshooters, who 
 soon thereafter silenced it. Our troops suffered the most 
 from sickness, "the sanitary condition being deplorable, 
 owing to the fatigues the men had undergone recently, and 
 typhus, dysentery and other diseases of a dangerous tj'pe 
 spread with fearful rapidity, so that the sick list swelled to 
 great proportions, and interfered considerably with the 
 -efficiency of the men. The field hospitals were rapidly filling 
 up, and more than one-third of the men in our detachment 
 were on the sick list." — Aschmann. 
 
 Companies C and G left the regimental camp and, 
 -marching several miles to the right, reported to Gen.Slocum 
 for duty. This detachment was commanded by Capt. Drew, 
 of G. Going into temporary- camp near the Chickahominy, 
 a scouting party of 10 men was sent out to reconnoiter the 
 front. Picket details were ordered daily to 
 
 CHICKAHOMINY SWAMP, 
 
 and several skirmishes occurred. On one occasion they had 
 a hot time of it, on account of the severe fire of the enemy, — 
 a miniature battle, — our pickets having been caught in the 
 swamp knee deep in water, when the rebel pickets opened on 
 them" heavily, causing several narrow escapes, but without 
 loss. The fighting was severe for aw^hile, our men returning 
 the fire in sheer desperation, and with success. But they 
 came out of the swamp in a sorry condition, wet through 
 and covered -wath mud. They could fight on fair ground. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 99 
 
 but to swim and fight was a disadvantage they did not like. 
 During one of these picket skirmishes (June 2d) JohnS. Cole, 
 of Company C, was killed. Company B also had a sharp 
 fight, later on, near Fair Oaks. 
 
 On the 11th the Michigan men, under Capt. Giroux, 
 (Company C), were ordered ofl:' still further to the right, to 
 Mechanics ville, leaving Company G alone, who were 
 employed on picket duty at the front until the 13th when, 
 striking tents, they joined Company C at Mechanicsville. 
 This place had been considerably battered by shot arid shell, 
 the marks of which were plainly observed on the deserted 
 buildings. It was not a very pleasant camping ground, an 
 unhealthy odor pervading the place. 
 
 During this month the regiment lost several members by 
 fever at the hospital on Gaines' Hill; among them, Corp. 
 Gideon F. Jones, of Company G. His remains weie taken to 
 his friends in Wisconsin by Thomas McCaul, of the com- 
 missary department, who eluded the vigilance of the guards 
 at White House landing, Fortress Monroe and Baltimore, 
 and who, although absent without leave, — he actually stole 
 his lost friend out of camp, — was willing to risk a punish- 
 ment to have it go through safely. The dead soldier was 
 buried at Fox Lake, and a handsome headstone illustrating 
 the Sharpshooter service, erected by the citizens of East 
 Randolph, where Jones resided at the time of enlistment. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 15th the two companies 
 made a movement to the right expecting an attack, but 
 returned a few hours later, and on the 17th camp was 
 changed three-fourths of a mile to the right, between two 
 small mis out of sight of the rebel artillerists, who were 
 watching with their guns planted on the high hills on the 
 south side of the Chickahominy. The church steeples of the 
 rebel capitol could be seen from this point, four miles dis- 
 tant. On the 19th they again broke camp, and, marching 
 with Gen. Taylor's Jersey brigade, after a hot and dusty 
 
100 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 tramp crossed the Chickahominy at Woodbury's Bridge, on 
 the left of and helo-w Gaines' Hill, and camped at Fair Oaks 
 — a distance of about 12 miles. The division of Gen. 
 Slocuiji was relieved at Mechanicsville by that of Gen. 
 McCall, lately arrived from McDowell's army on the 
 Rappahannock. The scene at Fair Oaks at the time the 
 Sharpshooters arrived there, was not one likely to afford 
 much encouragement; rather was it of a most appalling 
 nature, with the numerous soldier graves scarcely dug out, 
 so that often their feet and occasionally a head or arm pro- 
 truded, while the stench was awful. And they were glad to 
 get away froth this forbidden spot, when on the 21st they 
 were ordered back to Mechanicsville, where they arrived in 
 the evening and r-eported to Gen. Reynolds, who commanded 
 a brigade in McCall's division; and were then ordered into 
 camp in a pine grove near that general's headquarters. 
 
 The enemy were getting thicker on the opposite hills and 
 in advanced rifle pits, and although everything appeared 
 quiet over there, save the rub-a-dub-dub boom ! of the snare 
 and base drums at reveille and retreat, the silence u-as 
 ominous. 
 
 '■ From camp to camp, the hum 
 Of either army stilly sounds," 
 
 and our soldiers felt it in their bones, that a storm was 
 brewing; and not much longer were they to wait its coming. 
 Every time that drum pounder came around with his 
 "rub-a-dub-dub, rub-a-dub-dub, boom!" yells and hideous 
 noises from our side greeted the old and weary, and too 
 "oft familiarsound." Some said it was a "nigger on horse- 
 back" coming down to tantalize the Yanks, but I guets 
 that was made up. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 101 
 
 THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLES. 
 
 For several days previous to the fighting to be especially 
 known as the "Seven Days Conflict," considerable firing 
 occurred along the lines, principally with artillery, and it 
 became evident that a crisis was about to occur. On the 
 22d Capt. Dre-w, with a squad of six scotits under Sergt. 
 Benson, xnade a reconnoissance to the right at an early 
 hour in the morning and returned safely, meeting with no 
 opposition from the enemy, accomplishing the purpose for 
 which they were sent out; and on the 25th the two com- 
 panies were ordered under arms, heavy cannonading being 
 heard particularly on our left, w^here on the south side of 
 the swamp Gen. Hooker's division became engaged with the 
 enemy in the action known as Oak Grove. 
 
 BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE. 
 
 June 26, 1862. 
 
 The enemy were discovered about noon on the right, 
 having crossed above Meadow Bridge and attacked the 
 Union pickets, driving them in, capturing some of our men, 
 including a number of the noted "Bucktail" regiment of 
 Gen. McCall's division. These Bucktails were Pennsylva- 
 nians, and' were so called from the deer tails in their caps. 
 At three p. M. the rebels advanced in force with skirmishers 
 in front and made a determined attempt to drive in the 
 
102 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Union troops posted along the left bank of Beaver Dam 
 creek. The Sharpshooters were instantly ordered into line, 
 and held in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Mean- 
 while, the sick and disabled were hurried off to the left, 
 some in ambulances, others on foot. At this time Thomas 
 McCaul returned from his trip to Wisconsin dressed in a 
 very unmilitary uniform — straw hat, shirt sleeves, and 
 coarse niixed trousers, with which he successfully escaped 
 the provost guard at Washington. Although employed in 
 the quartermaster's department, he shouldered a sick man's 
 rifle, (I gave McCaul a 19 pound double-barrel rifle, bor- 
 rowed from Company C,) and fell in for the fight. His 
 absence from the regiment had been unnoticed. He brought 
 with him from friends at home, a bottle of " Bininger "— so 
 it was marked, though some of the boys pretended it 
 was currant wine — and a box of cigars, w^hich Orderly Stevens 
 placed on a stump and marching the company around it, 
 they helped themselves with a smile for the landlord and a 
 puff for Tommy, and Company G went into action smoking 
 a Fox Lake cigar. 
 
 About four p. M. the Sharpshooters, under Capt. Drew^, 
 were ordered forward, leaving their knapsacks "stacked" 
 in the pines, and crossing a ravine proceeded under fire over 
 an open field in Une of skirmishers to a thick w^ood. A 
 detail firom the two companies were stationed in rifle pits 
 on the right of the road under Capt. Giroux, of Michigan, 
 and Sergt. Staples, of Company G, where they remained dur- 
 ing the action subjected to a scathing fire of canister shot 
 and shell from the rebel batteries posted on an eminence 800 
 yards in front, which cut the limbs ofi" the trees over their 
 heads, and frequently plowed the dirt of the pits onto them. 
 They assisted with the Bucktails in preventing the passage 
 of the road by the enemy. The force under Drew^ on enter- 
 ing the wood commenced firing on the unseen foe, the thick 
 smoke rendering objects a short distance ofi" indistinct. The 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 103 
 
 Union troops became hotly engaged and a severe fight 
 occurred, the rapid discharge of musketry and the booming- 
 of cannon making a terrific noise. At nine p. m. after some 
 five hours fighting, the enemy retired, and the Unionists 
 rested on the damp ground for the night. The Sharp- 
 shooters without rations or cover, passed an uncomfortable 
 night after their arduous exertions during the afternoon. 
 The fighting was sharply contested but we succeeded that 
 day in keeping the enemy off, the Sharpshooters doing their 
 part ; as also did the Bucktails of the Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 six companies of whom came on with Gen. McCall. The 
 troops slept on their arms that night amid the lamentable 
 cries of the rebel wounded, which could be .distinctly heard 
 after nightfall along the lines. 
 
 During the afternoon a small force under Lieut. Shepard 
 had taken position in advance behind a fence, and while 
 there, suddenly encountered the enemy at close quarters ; 
 the latter having approached under cover of the dense smoke 
 through the thick brush, noiselessly and unseen. Having 
 ascertained the character of the force on the opposite side 
 of the fence, the men opened on them through the rails and 
 then fell back over a small field to the w^oods, before the 
 enemy recovered from their surprise and returned the fire. 
 A number of our boys on falling back, rapidly reloading^ 
 their easy breech-loaders, turned and fired again, among 
 them Alvin Sherman, w^ho remained at the fence until he had 
 fired several rounds, repeating the same on crossing the field 
 notwithstanding the urgent orders of the lieutenant to 
 hurry away. Among those wounded this day were: W. G. 
 Cronkite, Company C, and C. A. Stevens, Company G, slight 
 in nech. 
 
 At an early hour on the morning of the 27th (before 
 daybreak), the Sharpshooters were ordered into the rifle 
 pits on the right of the road, joining the detail under 
 Giroux, and the Bucktails. The Union troops were at the 
 
104 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 time hurriedly moving away to the left, the commanding 
 general deeming it necessary to draw in his greatly extended 
 lines towards the Chickahominy bridges below Gaines' Hill, 
 to make close connection with the main army. His right 
 wing— Porter's corps— was in the vicinity of Mechanicsville, 
 "too much in the air," too much exposed to a severe flank 
 attack. Likewise his rear, which was now threatened by 
 the rebel Jackson, who was approaching with a large force, 
 and already close at hand, unprevented by our armies of the 
 Shenandoah or the Rappahannock, the latter only 50 miles 
 back,— "waiting for orders,"— said to be protecting Wash- 
 ington 60 miles further to the rear. Besides the line of 
 supply to the Pamunkey river was in danger of being cut 
 off, — had already been raided by the enemy's cavalry,— and 
 Jackson could swoop in there any moment if not brought 
 to a halt. These were the considerations that determined 
 Gen. McClellan to make James river, held by our gunboats, 
 the new base, rather than attempt to protect the lengthy 
 old line, at the expense of his own strength in the face of the 
 rebel army equalling in numbers his ow^n. So it was ordered 
 that the 5th corps should hold Jackson in check that day, 
 the 27th, to gain time to effect the safe removal of the siege 
 guns, wagon trains, the sick and disabled men; also, to 
 prevent his crossing the Chickahominy between the Union 
 army and the James. 
 
 The Sharpshooters and the Bucktails now in the rifle 
 pits, on a rise of ground at the edge of a small piece of 
 woods, commenced firing at daybreak on scouting parties 
 of the enemy 600 yards off. Soon after, the rebel fieldpieces 
 opened in their old position and a constant shelling of the 
 rifle pits was the result, which was responded to by long- 
 range shots from our men. About eight in the morning. 
 Brig. -Gen. (John F.) Reynolds rode quietly and unattended 
 to the woods, keeping behind the same in the open field, 
 away from the road so as not to be seen by the enemy, dis- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC; 105 
 
 mounted at the timber and, personally visiting tlie X'its, 
 ordered the men to fall back quickly and in order, without 
 noise, as the enemy were fast getting in the rear by a flank 
 movement to the right, and the Union troops had left the 
 place. His order to : "Fall back just as quickly and quietly 
 a,s possible, men, as the enemy are upon us," came not a 
 moment too soon, as the riflemen had scarce reached a half- 
 mile away before the Confederates swarmed into the pits 
 and on to the road, capturing a portion of the Bucktails 
 who failed to receive the order to retire ; also two Sharp- 
 shooters, Dewitt Collins and Richard B. Blodgett, of Com- 
 pany G, the latter dying in the Richmond prison a few weeks 
 later. For this hazardous and noble act on the part of 
 ■Gen. Reynolds, the Sharpshooters had good reason to feel 
 very grateful and to become endeared to him, saving them 
 -as it did from papture if not annihilation, and the virtual 
 breaking up of Companies C and G of the First Regiment. 
 After giving the order, the general hurried back to his horse, 
 ^galloping quickly off to the head of his brigade. 
 
 Capt. Drew with a small squad of the Wisconsin com- 
 pany being in an advanced position on the leftoftheroad, also 
 narrow^ly escaped capture and for the time being he was lost 
 to us. The Sharpshooters of Wisconsin and Michigan and the 
 Peimsylvania Bucktails were the last of the Union troops to 
 leave the scene of the sharply contested battle. Hurriedly 
 snatching up our knapsacks as we passed by the late 
 encampment in the pines, we pushed onward to the left, 
 with the enemy close behind. It was an exciting time with 
 little else to think of but get away. Our troops had all 
 been withdrawn from the field before sunrise of the 27th, 
 all but our Bucktails and Sharpshooters, rear guards and a 
 fev^r fieldpieces. 
 
 The battle of Mechanicsville was a Union victory, more 
 so than our men imagined at the time. It appears that 
 the Confederate generals had planned to swoop down on 
 
106 SHA.RPSH0OTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Porter's right and turn it in disaster; but the enemy had 
 reckoned without its host, in this well conceived charge. Its 
 host was Stonewall Jackson, but he didn't come that day. 
 He failed to connect for once, at least, and as it turned out, 
 the rebels were badly worsted. 
 
 The southern generals: D. H. Hill called it a "bloody 
 repulse." Longstreet: " We had attacked at Beaver Dam 
 and failed to make an impression, at that point losing 
 several thousand men and officers. Next to Malvern Hill, 
 the sacrifice at Beaver Dam was unequaled in demoralization 
 during the entire summer." 
 
 McCall's division of Pennsylvania Reserves bore the 
 brunt of this fight, although reinforced and assisted to some 
 extent late in the day by Griffin's brigade of Morell's- 
 division on the right, while Gen. Martindale, stUl further 
 to the right,, had been slightly engaged earlier in 
 the day. The Reserves consisted of three brigades com- 
 manded respectively by Gens. Reynolds, Mead and Sey- 
 mour. 
 
 Gen. McCall reports: "About noon, the 26th, the 
 enemy were in motion, and at 12:30 p. M. our pickets at 
 Meadow Bridge were driven in, and those along the road 
 were ordered to fall back. * * * About three p. M. the- 
 enemy's lines were formed in my front and the skirmishers 
 rapidly advanced, delivering their fire as they approached 
 our lines. They were answered by my artillery and a rather 
 general discharge of musketry. The enemy commanded by 
 Gen. Lee boldly advanced in force under a heavy artillery 
 fire and attacked my position from right to left. * * * 
 His principal effort was directed to my extreme right. Here 
 for a long time the battle raged with great fury. The 
 Georgians rushed w^ith headlong energy, only to be 
 mowed down by the steady fire of the gallant Second 
 Regiment. The enemy now for a time retired from close 
 contest on the right, but he kept up during the whole day 
 a heavy general fire of artillery and infantry, which, with, 
 the rapid reply of the Reserves, was at times one unbroken. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 107 
 
 roar of a stunning depth. * * * For hour after hour the 
 battle was hotly contested, and the rapid fire of our artil- 
 lery, dealing death to an awlul extent, was unintermitted, 
 w^hile the greatly superior force of the enemy enabled him to 
 precipitate column after column of fresh troops upon my 
 nearly exhausted lines. About sunset Griffin's brigade, with 
 Edwards' (regular) battery, arrived. Theformer I requested 
 its galla,nt leader to move to the extreme right, that being 
 the weakest point in my position. Some time elapsed before 
 these troops could reach th'eir ground, and as the enemy hai 
 advanced, only a portion of this force could be brought into 
 action. Then, a short time before the close of the engage- 
 ment, the 4th Michigan relieved the 5th Pennsylvania, 
 whose ammunition was exhausted ; and two companies of the 
 14th New York joined the Rifles (Bucktails), and the detach- 
 ment of Berdan's Sharpshooters. My lossin this action was, 
 as nearly as I have been able to ascertain, 33 killed and 150 
 wounded. The loss of the enemy was heavy beyond prece- 
 dent in this war for the numbers engaged. I learned from 
 excellent authority while a prisoner in Richmond that Gen. 
 Lee's loss in killed and wounded did not fall short of 2,000. 
 In the published returns it appears that the 1st North 
 Carolina lost nearly one-half of its effective force, and the 
 44th Georgia nearly two-thirds. Stonewall' Jackson's 
 artillery was in the battle, although his infantry was several 
 miles to the right." 
 
 The government i-ecords show a total Union loss of all 
 engaged of 361 — killed, 49; wounded, 207; captured and 
 missing, 105. 
 
 The companies remaining at the Gaines Hill camp— D, E, 
 F, and K — also came out, and Col. Ripley says of them, that 
 they headed Morell's column, and took part late in the day 
 near a battery, but "had but small share of the fighting." 
 Their turn was to come next, and very soon. " Some of the 
 men, moved by pity for the sufferings of their wounded ene- 
 mies, left their lines to give them assistance ; they were fired 
 on, however, by the merciless rebels and had to abandon the 
 attempt." Remaining on the field all night, they became 
 
108 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 the rear guard of Morell's division the next morning, cover- 
 ing the retreat— "as daylight appeared they found them- 
 selves alone." Quietly the men stole away being "especially 
 cautioned against allowing their tin cups to rattle against 
 their rifles, as the first sign was sure to be the signal for a 
 rebel volley." 
 
 Further from Ripley: "As they approached the camp 
 they had left on the preceding afternoon, a scene of desola- 
 tion and destruction met their astonished eyes. Enormous 
 piles of quartermaster and commissary stores were being 
 fired, tents were struck, the regimental baggage gone, and 
 large droves of cattle were being hurried forward towards 
 the lower bridges of the Chickahominy. Halted for a few 
 minutes amidst the ruins of their abandoned camp where, 
 however, they found the faithful quartermaster-sergeant 
 (Edwin E. Robinson) with a scanty supply of rations, very 
 grateful to men who had eaten nothing for twenty hours 
 and expected nothing for sometime to come." 
 
 When the other companies were sent to different com- 
 mands early in June for outpost duty, Col. Berdan w^as 
 ordered to visit the right and left alternately, to make such 
 changes in the position of the Sharpshooter outposts and 
 supports as was thought proper. On the day previous to the 
 opening of the Mechanicsville battle, he says he ha:d ridden 
 out to the right and saw the enemy apparently working on 
 their small earthworks, throwing dirt high in the air about 
 twice a minute, which was all they appeared to be doing, so 
 that he suspected it was only a ruse to make us think they 
 w^ere preparing for defense, when in fact they contemplated 
 an attack at this point. Riding further along, he dis- 
 mounted to take another look, and as he raised his glass 
 saw a puff of smoke from some bushes at the creek, the ball 
 passing under his right foot, producing a stinging sensation. 
 Mounting his horse he hurried back to Gen. McCall's head- 
 quarters, reporting what he had seen, and suspected was 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 109 
 
 the enemy's intention; whereupon the general ordered a 
 brigade sent up in supporting distance of the troops on 
 guard duty at that point, and none too soon, as the enemy 
 threatened our rear and their capture; and, were it not for 
 this brigade of McCall's, might have accompHshed their pur- 
 pose. 
 
 As C and G passed the old regimental camp, Robinson 
 and Frank Whipple the thoughtful commissary, aided by 
 the bustling McCaul who rushed in, distributed among us all 
 the coffee and sugar we could conveniently carry, then knock- 
 ing in the head of a barrel of whisky, threw it over the 
 piled up stores, put a match thereto and moved on, Whipple 
 grabbing his rifle, as the flames rose upward. 
 
 Maj. Roy Stone, commanding the 1st Pennsylvania 
 Rifles, or "Bucktails," thus reports on Mechanicsville: 
 "Two companies of U. S. Sharpshooters, Capt. Drew and 
 Capt. Giroux, attached to my command during the action, 
 behaved with great steadiness and delivered a most effective 
 fire. * * * At daybreak of the 27th I was informed that 
 the army would retire at once to a new line on Gaines Hill, 
 and I was directed to hold with my regiment and the bat- 
 tery the position I then held until that movement could be 
 effected. I extended the Sharpshooters up to my right and 
 left, to keep up the appearance of still occupying the whole 
 line, and as soon as it w^as fairly light opened fire upon the 
 enemy, who had advanced under cover of the night and 
 planted new batteries within grape-shot range. Their 
 infantry also came down with apparently undiminished 
 force, filling the road towards the ford with a solid column. 
 The fire of the enemy's batteries was much hotter than the 
 evening before; so much so that it was impossible for the 
 gunners to stand up to load their pieces. As long, however, 
 as their ammunition and my own lasted we were enabled to 
 hold the enemy in check. A little after six o'clock a. m. we 
 were ordered to retire as best we might to the main body, 
 three miles distant. After leaving the intrenchments we were 
 still obliged to go more than half a mile before escaping the 
 range of the same batteries which had annoyed us all tlic 
 
110 SHARl'SHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 morning. The movement was necessarily hurried, the enemy 
 having outflanked us and pressing closely upon our rear. I 
 posted Capt. Holland with his company about 300 yards 
 from the ford, directing him to obstruct the road and cover 
 the retreat of our main body, and ordered Capt. Wister to 
 destroy the bridge at the mill hospital. These wei-e'difficult 
 and hazardous duties, and were performed with the cool- 
 ness of veterans, and probably saved us from entire destruc- 
 tion. Our loss in the morning's fight and retreat was more 
 than half what remained from the previous daj^'s work. 
 We could not bring off our dead and wounded, and every 
 man who gave out in the double-quick was necessarily cap- 
 tured." 
 
 GAINES MILL, 
 
 Jtme 37,1862. 
 
 Shortly after noon the great fight at Gaines' Mill began, 
 and raged hot and furious until after dark. The enemj-- having 
 been reinforced by large bodies of fresh troops during the 
 latter part of the day, after a most stubborn resistance by 
 the Union soldiers finally succeeded in forcing back the corps 
 of Gen. Porter and division of Gen. Slocum ; the Unionists 
 falling back not more surely than slowly and stubbornly to 
 the last. Gen. Porter had at first but 28,000 men, after- 
 wards reinforced by Slocum to 35,000; while the enemy had 
 some 65,000 in line, commanded by Lee in person. During 
 the progress of the battle Gen. Smith's cannon across the 
 swamp, -did great execution on our left, near the river, 
 among the enemy's right wing. 
 
 "All the heavy guns I could place in position were used in 
 trying to drive back the columns of rebel forces pouring 
 over Gaines' Hill to attack Gen. Porter's left flank. The 
 long range (two and one-half miles) prevented great accu 
 
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 H 
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 B 
 
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IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Ill 
 
 racy, but the rebels were finally forced to retire to the woods 
 and take a covered roaJ till they got below our Yiew. — Gen. 
 W. F. Smith. 
 
 At ten o'clock Gen. Porter's line was formed awaiting 
 attack ; his purpose being to hold the enemy at bay that 
 day, to enable the main army on the south bank of the 
 Chickahominy to make the movement previously decided 
 on by Gen. McClellan, to the new base on the James river, 
 as free from attack as possible; the success of which 
 depended in a great measure on the success of Porter's bat- 
 tle. At the same time Gen. Porter asked that reinforcements 
 from the other side be held in readiness to support him if it 
 became necessary, in case the enemy pressed him too hard, 
 thus making his situation critical. The 5th corps was 
 posted behind a ravine where the mill stream ran, on the 
 front of Watt's farm a mile east of the Gaines Hill camping 
 ground, forming a semi-circle extending from the valley of 
 the Chickahominy on our left, around to a point near New 
 Cold Harbor, and covering the approaches to the bridges 
 over the swamp. Gen. Morell's first division occupied the 
 lefb and center of the line in the edge of the woods; Gen. 
 Sykes' second division (mostly regulars) on the right, in an 
 open field ; and Gen. McCall's third division forming a sec- 
 ond line in rear of the woods, in the field 600 yards behind 
 Morell's troops. Thus formed, the troops rested, calmly 
 waiting for the expected onslaught of superior numbers of 
 consolidated foes massed for the complete destruction of 
 Fitz John Porter and his isolated 5th corps. Never did 
 soldiers more fully understand that there was a storm brew- 
 ing, a storm of myriad lead and hurtling iroa. A storm 
 which they must repel, regardless the necessary sacrifice, 
 the human cost, to save the day. That day must be saved ! 
 The 5th corps must hold its ground ; and these silent— only 
 whispering — soldiers, all knew it. It did n't come to them 
 in so many express orders ; their fuU sense of the grave 
 
112 SHARPSHOOTING AKD SKIRMISHING 
 
 situation was sufficient. How many failed to look back 
 home, during these lulling moments ? How many failed to 
 realize that this might be their last battle, which it was to. 
 ever so many ? But when the great struggle commenced,— 
 when the order came to "commence firing,"— such thoughts 
 passed from their minds. Amid the deafening din of battle, 
 surrounded by fire and smoke, they were patriots, and 
 thought only of victory. 
 
 The battle opened about noon onSyke's front and right, 
 threatening the flanks, but was readily repelled for the time 
 being, and alull ensued. But at three o'clock the engage- 
 ment became general, lasting until dark. At four p. m. the 
 division of Gen. Slocum arrived from over the river and 
 immediately entered into the thickest of the fight, doing 
 great service and losing heavily. Three separate charges 
 were met and defeated by our troops, while the fourth and 
 last effort succeeded only so far as to gain our line, but 
 advancing no further. 
 
 Six companies of Sharpshooters were engaged in this 
 battle, Companies D, E, F and K being together under 
 Lieut. -Col. Ripley, in Morell's front, where they were 
 deployed on the further side of the marshy ravine far in 
 advance. Here they remained some time before the enemy 
 appeared in front, during which time Gen. Griffin rode over 
 to the Sharpshooters' line, and told Col. Ripley that Gen. 
 Porter wished a few reliable men sent out in front to ascer- 
 tain the movements of the enemy — thus showing the con- 
 fidence Gen. Porter had in the Sharpshooters. The colonel 
 (lieutenant-colonel) came to Capt. McLean, of Company D, 
 and asked for 10 men with a non-commissioned officer 
 — " volunteers for special work." Sergt. John E. Hethering- 
 ton was placed in command of the 10 scouts, with instruc- 
 tions to ascertain as quickly as possible the enemy's move- 
 ments, and report. They were to fire no shots or make any 
 disturbance, unless absolutely necessary for their own pro- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 113 
 
 tection, or otherwise in the discharge of their duty. The 
 result was that they soon came upon the flank of a 
 marching column moving in the direction of the White 
 House, and found that a great part of their army (Jackson's 
 troops) had taken the road in that direction, under the 
 supposition, no doubt, that the line of our retreat lay in the 
 direction of the Pamunkey, from whence we had originally 
 come. This was a very important matter, and Sergt. 
 Hetherington, having accomplished his. purpose, started 
 back to make his report. But before he got back, the enemy 
 had swung well around to our rear, the scouts became 
 engaged w^ith them, and they had some sharp fighting to do. 
 James Winchell was hit in the shoulder, falling into the 
 enemy's hands, Henry Collins was slightly wounded, and C. 
 J. Buchanan just escaping capture. It was in this manner, on 
 this gallant reconnoissance, that the Sharpshooters w^ere 
 the first ones to engage the Confederates at Gaines Mill. 
 
 Deserters from their ranks and loyal citizens of Virginia 
 represented that Gen. Jackson, with 50,000 men, had united 
 his forces with those of Longstreet, A. P. HiU, and D. H. 
 HiU, from Richmond, and that they were advancing with the 
 determination to overwhelm and crush the Army of the 
 Potomac. The dust from the immense columns of the enemy 
 could be seen for miles, and soon our scouts and pickets 
 warned us that they were extending over our whole front. 
 —Gen. Fitz John Porter. 
 
 Following close on the return of these scouts, at half 
 past two p. M. Ripley's command became engaged with the 
 enemy's skirmishers, who came onto the Sharpshooters 
 from the rolling country fronting them. Holding their 
 places until forced back by the severe attack later on, to their 
 immediate right, whereby a connectingregimentwas obliged 
 to give way, they retired slowly, still firing, across the 
 marshy ground, half-way up the opposite slope, where they 
 halted. Here reinforced, they assisted in driving back 
 
114, SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 the foe, following after and firing rapidly until they reoccu- 
 pied their old position, only to be forced back again, the 
 pressure being too great against them; and the enemy held 
 that side of the ravine thereafter. 
 
 Berdan's Sharpshooters, under Lieut.-Col. Ripley, were 
 thrown well forward as skirmishers. Theenemy approached 
 through the woods from the direction of New Cold Harbor, 
 and made their first serious attack about twelve o'clock 
 upon the right, which was handsomely repulsed by Griflan's 
 brigade. The second attack was made about half past two, 
 and the third about half past five o'clock, each extending 
 along my entire front, and both, like the first, were gallantly 
 repulsed.— Gen. Moreli.. 
 
 But not until late in the evening, between seven and 
 eight did the rebels break the lines of Morell's division, then 
 only by massing the troops of Jackson, Longstreet, and 
 both Hills, and hurling them with terrible onslaught on our 
 center, which coupled with the demoralization caused by 
 the repulse of our cavalry on the left, whose riderless horses 
 plunged wildly among our batteries causing anatural panic, 
 amid the dust and smoke, noise and confusion, brought 
 about the disastrous result. It was a critical moment, but 
 the enemy had lost heavily, and were themselves too greatly 
 disorganized to foUow^ up their advantage, the Unionists 
 forming new lines covering the crossing of the Chickahominy 
 as darkness settled over one of the most obstinately con- 
 tested scenes of war. 
 
 Porter's demand for axes, made early in the day, to slash 
 down the timbers in his front, thus ofiering an impassable 
 impediment to the enemy's approach, assuring a most cer- 
 tain and highly important victory for the Union, was not 
 responded to until too late to be of service, although he sent 
 twic^ for them. Had they been received in time, it must 
 have made a material difference in the result of the battle; 
 the rebel army would have been whipped, which would have 
 
IN THE ARMY. OF THE POTOMAC. 115 
 
 had the happy effect of making an entire change in the mili- 
 tary situation. The slashing of trees in Porter's front would 
 have slashed the Confederate hopes for the safety of their 
 stronghold; for if half the number of soldiers on open ground 
 could hold twice their number at bay an entire afternoon 
 until nightfall, what other result could reasonably be 
 expected, had we been able to fortify, than a decisive victory 
 for the Union arms? Gen. Porter took in the situation, but 
 -was unable to improve the opportunity. What few artillery 
 axes he could use in places, did good service in barricading, 
 imperfect though it was; nor did he, as it was, have suffi- 
 cient reinforcements to turn the tide of battle. 
 
 Gen. McClellan says : "The objects sought for had been 
 obtained. The enemy was held at bay. Our siege guns and 
 material were saved, and the right wing joined the main 
 body of the army. Our thin and exhausted regiments were 
 all withdrawn in safety. Twenty-two cannon were lost, 
 three of which being run off the bridge during withdrawal." 
 
 The Michigan- Wisconsin detachment, Companies C and 
 G, was under the command of Capt. Giroux, in the absence 
 of Capt. Drevsr, who, with a detail of scouts from both com- 
 panies, had become separated from us, and crossing the 
 Chickahominy took no part in this battle. The tv\ro com- 
 panies after falling back from Mechanics ville, during the 
 morning rested w^ith the Bucktails on a rise of ground on 
 the road to the bridges built by the Union troops across the 
 sv^ramp. In the afternoon they were ordered into the fight, 
 a half-mile in front, the Bucktails going ahead. On reaching 
 a slope in front of the Union batteries the Bucktails moved 
 off to the right, leaving the Sharpshooters under fire on the 
 side of the hill. The battle was now raging in earnest, shot 
 and shell flying fast, the Union batteries on the top of the 
 hill replying vigorously over the Sharpshooters' heads. The 
 stretcher-bearers were kept busy carrying back the wounded, 
 hit in all manner of places— body, arms, legs, head and face. 
 
116 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 One unfortunate field officer of a zouave regiment was led 
 off the field crying aloud at the loss of his nose, presenting a 
 sight not easily forgotten. 
 
 After some maneuvering the Sharpshooters moved for- 
 ward into a piece of woods to the left, where they were sud- 
 denly greeted with rebel canister, but without, effect. A body 
 of Union soldiers moving up in their front, and our captain 
 beingignorant of the position of the opposing forces, he soon 
 after fell back with his command a short distance from the 
 woods into the open field, and became subject to the fire of 
 the rebel batteries. Meantime the firing in the woods was a 
 constant uproar, the bullets speeding back and forth by 
 thousands. Nothing in words can better describe the terrific 
 strife than those of Col. Simpson of the 4th New Jersey, 
 which regiment, with the 11th Pennsylvania, were sur- 
 rounded and captured after a most gallant struggle, when 
 he said: " The hissing of the balls was like that of a myriad 
 of serpents." 
 
 The command of Companies Cand G having been turned 
 over to the first sergeant of G, the commissioned officers hav- 
 ing retired, they were ordered to a position on a side hill 
 covering the road to the bridges, where the two companies 
 assisted greatly in checking the stragglers whilefallingback; 
 eventually serving as a rallying point from whence stretched 
 out long lines of battle re-formed after the old lines com- 
 menced giving away in earnest, especially after the dis- 
 astrous charge of the Union cavalry and lancers on the river 
 bottom at sunset, — when the great red sun like a big ball of 
 fire was fast disappearing behind the spires of Richmond, — 
 and who w^ere plainly visible with their red flags fluttering 
 in the breeze as they charged fiercely over the plain, to be 
 hurled back from the cannon's mouth in death and disorder. 
 
 During this exciting period, when the two companies 
 above named came on to the hill, we found Col. Berdan and 
 Col. Matheson (32d New York— " California regiment") 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 117 
 
 engaged rallying the scattering troops hurrying to the rear. 
 The former said he had stopped them from crossing the 
 bridge below, and had never worked harder, bringing them 
 into line — these scattered men who had lost their regiments. 
 It was at this critical moment, after sunset, that further 
 reinforcements from the south bank of the Chickahominy, 
 consisting of French and Meagher's brigades of the 2d corps, 
 arrived, and with loud cheers pressed forward and checked 
 the farther advance of the enemy in that direction — our left. 
 A fictitious statement by an aide that, "McClellan's left wing 
 was in Richmond," had the desired effect, and it was after- 
 wards learned that the enemy thought that from the great 
 noise made, the cheering by our rallied lines, that heavy 
 reinforcements had come over; also that Lee told the Con- 
 federates to "hold their position at any cost," expecting an 
 attack by fresh troops the next morning. The next morning 
 we were not there. After that battle it was an old saying: 
 "That was the last seen of the Lancers in the Army of the 
 Potomac." For good men though they w^ere, it was soon 
 demonstrated that lances belonged to another age, past and 
 forgotten, and were perfectly useless in this war. 
 
 Gen. Reynolds, commanding his brigade while engaged 
 at the front among his brave Reserves, was captured by the 
 enemy late in the day, or rather taken the next morning 
 with his adjutant-general Capt. Kingsbury, having got lost 
 in the woods over night. He was afterwards exchanged, 
 and lost his life at the head of the 1st corps, about the first 
 man, on the field of Gettysburg. 
 
 ■ Early the morning of the 28th the Union troops had 
 crossed over the Chickahominy, destroying the bridges after 
 them. McClellan's army was now for the first time all on 
 the south side of the swamp, while a large body of the enemy 
 were on the north side. Their main force t'was supposed 
 had been menacing the Union soldiers from the vicinity of 
 
1.18 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHIN© 
 
 Richmond, which proved not so, the main force being 
 together against Porter. 
 
 The Sharpshooter detachment fell back with the Cali- 
 fornia regiment during the night, remaining with them until 
 mid-day of the 29th, having unavoidably lost their knap- 
 sacks which had been unslung in the evening during the clos- 
 ing charge at Gaines' Mill, and were not obtained aftei- 
 wards. And this was the last of the hair-covered knap 
 sacks. 
 
 When the first sergeant of Company G, as the ranking 
 non-commissioned officer, received his orders from the 
 Michigan captain commanding the two companies, to take 
 command in his absence, recover the knapsacks left hal.- 
 mile in rear of our batteries, and in the line of the direct fire 
 of the Confederate artillery ; that non-commissioned officer 
 (C. A. Stevens, the writer of this history), informed the first 
 sergeant of Company C (Byron Brewer) that he should 
 obey the orders given him, but that w^hen he ordered the 
 combined companies to "left face — foward, march!" he 
 would not look behind him — towards the rebel front. The 
 hint w^as taken, and as the command moved briskly ofif 
 rearward, Orderly Brewer, Sergts. Benson and Parker, and 
 Thomas McCaul, of Company G, rushed to the front, down 
 the declivity in front of our batteries, up the opposite slope 
 into the field of battle, under the rebel fire — where they did 
 good work. McCaul becoming at once a suspicious character 
 with his straw hat on, soon found it advisable to cast it off 
 and away, as he went down behind a stump in the field and 
 blazed away. The cry to his comrades from the infantry in 
 line, as to "who tbat fellow was with, the straw hat," 
 brought forth the response: "Oh, he's all right! That's 
 our Tommy!" causing yells of laughter heard over the 
 battle roar. This rather disconcerted our hero who didn't 
 
 understand it, but with a " you, what are you laughing 
 
 at back there in the rear," our Tommy, despite the balls 
 
HON. THOS. McCAUL. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 119 
 
 that spattered thick about him, held his ground as long as 
 any others on that part of the field, notwithstanding his 
 greatly exposed position — in advance of the infantry line. 
 McCaul said it was the only fight he was in where he could 
 distinctly "see the men fall that we drew bead on." Their 
 colors were advanced apparently some distance ahead of 
 their line, at least Tommy thought so, almost to his com- 
 plete discomfiture, because as the "last man of their color 
 guard " stuck the staff in the ground, he said : " I was fool 
 enough to think of going out after it," and started for it on 
 his hands and knees, when Sergt. Parker yelled him back 
 and so fiercely that Tommy startled, jumped to his feet to 
 look back, as a rebel volley flew all about him, accompanied 
 by derisive cheers. Answering with a defiant cry back: 
 
 "Get out! Keep your old flag! This is no place for 
 
 Tommy; " he came back like a quarter horse, bare-headed, 
 minus his straw hat, lost in the melee. 
 
 The casualties at this battle have been reported, for the 
 Union troops 6,837, the Confederates 9,500, thus showing 
 the great slaughter inflicted on the enemy in their futile 
 attempts to cut off" our right w^ing while separated from the 
 main army. The loss of the Sharpshooters under Ripley, 
 were two killed, seven wounded and two missing, which 
 was w^onderfully small considering their great exposure. 
 But the Sharpshooters always had orders to take all the 
 cover possible ; being armed with breech-loaders they could 
 lie low, and without changing position reload and fire ten 
 shots a minute. A regiment of Sharpshooters in line could 
 play havoc with an approaching column, as was afterwards 
 demonstrated. The superiority of breech-loaders over muz- 
 zle loaders was plainly manifest. 
 
 CASUALTIES IN THE SHARPSHOOTERS. 
 
 Co. C— Wounded: First Sergt. Byron Brewer, slight. 
 Co. D. — Wounded : James Winchell, lost an arm. 
 
120 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Co. E.— Killed : Levi H. Leet. 
 
 Co. P.— Killed: B, W. Jordan, James A. Read. 
 "Wounded: E. H. Himes, severe. 
 
 Co. K.— Wounded : James Mathews, mortally ; Thomas 
 Cliff, slight ; Alphonzo Manzer, captured. 
 
 Many people, ignorant of the true situation, used to 
 think that McClellan's left wing ought to have gone into 
 Richmond either during the Gaines' Mill battle, or the next 
 day after Porter had crossed and joined his forces, but it 
 was easier said than done. If sixty-odd thousand rebel 
 troops could not conquer half their number on open ground 
 without barricades, how could it be reasonably expected 
 that sixty-odd thousand Pederals could, within the short 
 time allowed them, whip half their number behind breast- 
 works seven miles ahead to the rebel capitol — "so near," 
 and yet so far ? 
 
 Relative to this military conundrum to the unmili- 
 tary critic, I will leave it to the commanding general to 
 explain : 
 
 It will be remembered that at this juncture the enemy 
 was upon our rear, and there was every reason to believe 
 that he would sever our communications with the supply 
 depot at the White House. We had on hand but a limited 
 amount of rations, and if we had advanced directly on 
 Richmond, it would have required considerable time to carry 
 the strong works around that place, during which our men 
 would have been destitute of food ; and even if Richmond 
 had fallen before our arms, the enemy could still have occu- 
 pied our supply communications between that place and the 
 gunboats. * * * While the enemy had a large army on 
 the left (north) bank of the Chickahominy, he was also in 
 large force between our army and Richmond. — Gen. 
 McClellan. 
 
 The fact is, McClellan was checkmated, and for the 
 reasons stated. His division and corps generals on the 
 right of the Chickahominy were averse to sparing any 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 121 
 
 troops whatever to reinforce Gen. Porter on the 27tli, in 
 consequence of the threatened demonstrations in their 
 respective fronts. 
 
 McClellan again : " So threatening were the movements 
 of the enemy on both banks of the Chickahominy, that it 
 was impossible to decide until the afternoon where the real 
 attack would be made. Large forces of infantry w^ere seen 
 during the day near the Old Tavern, on Franklin's right, 
 and threatening demonstrations were frequently made along 
 the entire line on this side of the river which rendered it 
 necessary to hold a considerable force in position to meet 
 them. * * * If on the other hand, the enemy had con- 
 centrated all his forces at Richmond during the progress of 
 our attack, and we had been defeated, we must in all proba- 
 bility have lost our trains before reaching the flotilla." 
 
 To show^ that it w^as not a new idea of Gen. McClellan 
 to fa.ll back on James river, suddenly determined on, but 
 had been contemplated sometime before, the following 
 additional is given : 
 
 In anticipation of a speedy advance on Richmond, to 
 provide for the contingency of our communications with 
 the depot at the White House being severed by the enemy, 
 and at the same time to be prepared for a change of the base 
 of our operations to the James river if circumstances should 
 render it advisable, I had made arrangements more than a 
 week previous Con the 18th) to have transports with sup- 
 plies of provisions and forage under a convoy of gunboats 
 sent up James river. They reached Harrison's Landing in 
 time to be available for the army on its arrival at that 
 point. Events soon proved this change of base to be, 
 though most hazardous and difficult, the only prudent 
 course.— Gen. McClellan. 
 
122 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 GARNETT S FARM. 
 
 Jtrne 27, 1862. 
 
 During the time of tlie Gaines Mill battle, the enemy on 
 the south side of the Chickahominy were by no means idle. 
 On the contrary they were very aggressive, particularly in 
 front of Gen. Smith's division (second division, Gen. Frank- 
 lin's 6th A. C), where more or less fighting occurred all day, 
 in which the enemy admit serious losses. Gen. Hancock's 
 brigade having been placed in the front line early in the 
 morning, bore the brunt of the enemy's repeated demon- 
 strations, but as Hancock had been ordered to avoid as far 
 as possible a general engagement, his efforts were only 
 directed to keep the enemy off, repulsing his several attacks, 
 which he succeeded in doing, as well as silencing from time 
 to time his artillery. In this latter service Maj. Trepp's 
 command of Sharpshooters (A and I) performed a very 
 important part, when in the afternoon being sent forward, 
 they effectually silenced the enemy's guns. This in front of 
 our infantry lines, it being a duel engagement between the 
 rebel artillery and our Sharpshooters. After this affair, in 
 connection with some New Jersey troops they assisted in 
 repulsing a fierce charge of the enemy, the battle lasting 
 aboTUt three-fourths of an hour, and Gen. Hancock says of 
 them: "They performed excellent service during the con- 
 test, driving back the enemy's skirmishers who threatened 
 an advance towards our left flank. They also did consider- 
 able execution on the right of the enemy's force attacking 
 me from Garnett's house." So well did they respond to the 
 desperate attack, that they exhausted their ammunition. 
 The next morning Hancock's brigade had fallen back a half- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 123^ 
 
 mile to a more favorable position, where lie says they were 
 "ready to repel any attempt to debouch troops by Golding's 
 house." The two companies, A and I, remained in Fort 
 Davidson while it was being destroyed to prevent its use by 
 the enemy. Two hostile batteries opened on them, wound- 
 ing several artillerymen and killing a number of horses- 
 Having withdrawn the guns from the useless fort, at about 
 ten o'clock the Confederates advanced in great haste, prob- 
 ably supposing there was a full retreat, but in this they 
 were disappointed, for on approaching within about 200 
 yards of where our troops lay quietly in ambush, a terrific 
 volley surprised them, causing their retreat in great con- 
 fusion leaving their dead and wounded on the field, which 
 they were afterwards allowed to bury and remove under a 
 flag of truce. Capt. Aschmann says: "With the troops- 
 that were sent out to do this duty, we had free intercourse. 
 Among them were many Germans belonging to a music 
 band of a Georgia regiment. They complained bitterly of 
 the bad treatment they received, and would have been glad 
 to remain with us." Lieut Jonathan Sprague, Company I,, 
 was wounded and taken prisoner. 
 
 GOLDING S FARM. 
 
 June 28, 1862. 
 
 Gen. Franklin says: "Finding the enemy (in the morn- 
 ing) in great force at Garnett's, a new battery in the valley 
 of the river and a battery of heavy guns at Gaines' Hill, I 
 withdrew all the force to the edge of the wood inclosing 
 Golding's farm, Slocum's division on the right of the road, 
 and Smith's on the left, connecting with Gen. Sumner's line. 
 We were severely shelled from all of their batteries just 
 before the movement commenced and while it was going on. 
 
124 SHARPSHOOTING- AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Just after tHe movemetit was completed two Georgia regi- 
 ments made an attack -upon the pickets. They were hand- 
 somely repulsed with great loss with the help of Capt. Mott's 
 battery." 
 
 In this affair we captured some of the enemy's attacking 
 force including a couple of colonels — Col. Lamar (8th 
 Georgia), and Lieut.-Col. Towers. Gen. Smith credits the 
 33d New York and 49th Pennsylvania with being con- 
 spicuous in this repulse. 
 
 The Sharpshooters were represented at Golding's by 
 Companies C and G, who were moved about considerably 
 from an early hour in the morning to different positions, 
 prepared to meet the enemy at all points, the roar of 
 artillery serving to keep them wide aw^ake for any special 
 •emergency. In the afternoon they occupied an important 
 position protecting troops detailed to obstruct the roads 
 and destroy bridges, being subjected to the fire of the 
 enemy's artillery for several hours, their shells bursting 
 frequently among them. The enemy failed, however, to 
 force them away, they remaining until the work was com- 
 pleted. The position occupied while thus posted was one of 
 terrible suspense, especially after darkness had settled 
 around; they being unable to see but little of what was 
 going on, owing to the thick brush and deep woods where 
 they lay, at the same time being almost constantly reminded 
 of the proximity of the enemy by the crashing shell through 
 the tree tops above, dropping huge limbs, and often plowing 
 up dirt and swamp mud amongthem ; while the booming of 
 cannon and rattle of musketry plainly proved that the 
 fighting along the line of the Chickahominy was earnest 
 and severe, especially in Gen. Smith's front, with whose 
 division they were now acting. 
 
 Finally at a late hour that dark night which was illum- 
 ined by the burning of abandoned stores, making the 
 blackened sky lurid with its glare,— a terrible picture of 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 125 
 
 war's desolation,— they moved silently away witli the com- 
 mand of Gen. Newton over by-roads and cross-roads^ 
 through gloomy woods and black looking ravines, now in a 
 deep gully and again on a hill side, at last striking a well 
 traveled road, along which they pushed mid other troops, 
 crowded and jostling, heated and dusty, until about day- 
 break when they halted in an extensive field, helping to swell 
 the already large number of weary soldiers there assembled. 
 Onward, after awhile, towards James river, and about noon 
 the Sharpshooter detachment bidding farewell to the Cali- 
 fornia regiment, left the column and joined the Pennsylvania 
 Reserves near the Cross Roads. At this place, the Bucktails 
 and tlie small force under Capt. Drew were found. 
 
 BOTTOM S BRIDGE. 
 
 June 29, 1862. 
 
 At this point, which was an important crossing of the 
 Chickahominy, batteries from the Pennsylvania artillery 
 had been placed in position as early as the 27th, also at the 
 railroad bridge a half-mile further up stream. On the 28th 
 an artillery fight occurred, the enemy having arrived on the 
 opposite side, and on the 29 th orders were received to with- 
 draw^ the guns and destroy the bridges. Capt. James Brady, 
 of battery H, thus reports the destruction of the railroad 
 bridge, the same being soon wrapt in flames in the face of 
 the enemy across the stream. 
 
 This good ofl5cer says : "During the afternoon of Sunday, 
 signal w^as given to clear the track, as the train loaded with 
 ammunition had been fired, and was about being run into 
 the Chickahominy. The burning train, rushing over the 
 bridge, exploded 5n reaching the creek, throwing fragments 
 thousands of feet high." 
 
126 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Companies A and I, had been sent to Bottom's Bridge 
 that afternoon with a brigade of infantry. The Sharp- 
 shooters forming skirmish line, rushed forward exchanging 
 shots with the Confederates who were trying to rebuild the 
 bridge, only partially destroyed, and while so engaged suc- 
 cessfully disputed the passage of the bridge by the enemy, 
 thereby giving our moving troops ample time to get beyond 
 that point without being required to make a stand. It was 
 an important matter, and, so rapidly did our boys fire into 
 them, they were completely discomfited and forced to retire 
 from the work. Another telling example of the value of the 
 Sharpshooter service. When the two companies were finally 
 called off, they found their division had gone on, and being 
 unable to find them, passed beyond Savage Station towards 
 White Oak Swamp. 
 
 ALLEN'S FARM. 
 
 June 29, 1862. 
 
 This affair, also known as "Peach Orchard, "lasted about 
 i;wo hours, all hard fighting. The battle ground was near 
 our principal supply depot at Orchard Station, where all the 
 government property not transportable was ordered 
 destroyed. While occupying the place the 2d corps, Gen. 
 Sumner, w^as attacked about nine A. m. in a furious manner 
 with both artillery and musketry by troops from Richmond. 
 Hazzard's, Pettit's and Kirby's Union batteries soon got into 
 position, and after a hard duel eventuallj'- silenced the 
 enemy's cannon, while the troops of Richardson and Sedg- 
 wick engaged the charging forces w^ith such good effect as 
 to drive them back, after a stubborn fight on both sides. 
 Conspicuous in this battle was the 53d Pennsylvania, which 
 had occupied some farm buildings in the field, and who 
 repeatedly repulsed all attempts to drive them away. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 127 
 
 Company H, of tte Sharpshooters, had been on picket 
 duty in the vicinity of Seven Pines, said to be the nearest 
 Union post to Richmond, and on this last fateful night were 
 supplied with 100 rounds per man. Here they remained 
 until three A. M. of Sunday (29th) before being recalled and 
 ordered to fall back, when to their surprise they found every- 
 thing had gone but one battery. Hurrying on past Fair 
 Oaks station, they heard the enemy yelling behind them, 
 the latter having evidently just discovered that the breast- 
 works were evacuated, so the Sharpshooters took to the 
 woods, and following the railroad line came up with Rich- 
 ardson's division here at Allen's Farm. Acting as skirmish- 
 ers in this contest they moved three-fourths of a mile through 
 woods and fields, performing important service guarding 
 the approach firom the Chickahominy, communication 
 between them and the main force being kept up by cavalry 
 pickets. After our troops had all withdrawn they followed 
 the column as rear guard, -with nothing in sight but dead 
 men and horses, and a lot of scattered and damaged equip- 
 ments. On catching up with their division, they reported 
 to Gen. Richardson hove they had been left behind in the 
 woods, who laughed heartily and said to them: "Oh, well, 
 I w^as sure you Sharpshooters knew how to take care of 
 yourselves." 
 
 SAVAGE STATION. 
 
 June 29, 1862. 
 
 At this place which was also one of the depots for our 
 supplies, and where our sick and wounded were lying in 
 hospital, the enemy following close after our troops, appear- 
 ing in view about four p. M., commenced the attack, which 
 was gallantly met, particularly by Burns' brigade, ordered 
 
128 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 over the field to hold the woods between the Williamsburg 
 road and the railroad, and Gen. Burns says : 
 
 Before I reached the position a scout informed me that 
 the enemy were in large force on the Williamsburg road. 
 Seeing that both of my flanks would be exposed, 1 sent to 
 Gen. Sumner for another regiment. Fortunately the enemy 
 did not attack until Lieut. -Col. Miller, 1st Minnesota regi- 
 ment, reported, and I had time to throw it to the left, across 
 the Williamsburg road, with the left flank retired. I found 
 I still had not suSicient length of line to cover the ground, 
 and was obliged to move Col. Baxter to the right and 
 throw back his right flank to cover the railroad, leaving a 
 gap in the center of my line. These dispositions were in 
 progress when the enemy attacked most furiously with 
 infantry, he having been playing" with artillery upon me 
 during the whole movement across the field, which was 
 answered by Gen. Sumner's batteries. The battle raged 
 along the whole line, but concentrated gradually toward 
 my two weak points, the center and the Williamsburg road. 
 I urged more regiments which were promptly sent me. 
 Belore these arrived, however, the enemy made a rush 
 on the center, wounded me and killed the captain of the left 
 company of Baxter's (Capt. McGonigle), forced through to 
 the fence, and flaunted their flag across the rails, broke the 
 line for a moment, but the brave men rallied and drove them 
 back. The fight then moved tow^ard the Williamsburg 
 road, when most opportunely the 88th New York came 
 across the field double-quick and cheering. I threw them 
 into the gap on the road, when the enemy opened artillery 
 and infantry upon them, but they never faltered — not only 
 went up to my line but beyond it, and drove secesh before 
 them. The 82d New York then came over the field, and I 
 advanced it to the gap of the center. It too advanced 
 beyond the original line. The 15th Massachusetts coming 
 up, I relieved Col. Morehead with it, and Col. Baxter with 
 the 20th Massachusetts. The 1st California and 7th 
 Michigan coming up, I held them in reserve, looking to the 
 flanks. Col. Owen of the 69th Pennsylvania was led to the 
 left of the Minnesota by my aide, and, still farther to the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 129 
 
 left, Gen. Brooks' brigade was thrown by Gen. Sumner, oti 
 learning the enemy was moving in large force in that direc- 
 tion. The fight closed, however, with the fire of the 88th 
 New York, 82d New York, and 15th Massachusetts. Pris- 
 oners reported four brigades of the enemy. * * * Qur 
 men showed their superiority, and the victory can fairly be 
 claimed by us. He was the attacking party, and was not 
 only checked, but repulsed and driven from the ground. — 
 Wm. W. Burns. 
 
 Gen. Lee says his rebel troops consisted of one of 
 Magruder's divisions and two regiments of another. That 
 a severe action ensued, which continued about two hours. 
 These statements are given to show the desperate nature of 
 this battle. After dark, all being quiet again, our troops 
 moved oiF, leaving a large number of sick and disabled to 
 fall into the hands of the enemy — an unavoidable conse- 
 quence as they couldn't be taken along. It seemed pretty 
 hard, but there was no help for it. Capt. Hastings' com- 
 pany, H, was with Caldwell's brigade in the second line of 
 battle, but with the. exception of receiving the enemy's 
 artillery fire from time to time, were not actively engaged. 
 
 During the afternoon of the 29th the two companies 
 under Drew^ moved off with the greatly reduced Bucktails, — 
 about 150 all told out of six companies that had come to 
 the Army of the Potomac under Maj. Stone, — and, with 
 the regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserves, were placed in 
 position along a particular road in a dense wood on the left 
 flank, where they remained lying on their arms, an ambus- 
 cade during the long dark night. Momentarily expecting 
 the ajDproach of some portion of the rebel forces, the men 
 were kept in a state of utmost vigilance, and the highest 
 pitch of excitement. Every member of that surprise party 
 had his coat sleeve rolled up, leaving one arm bared so as 
 to be recognized in case of the appearance of the enemy, and 
 the probable confusion resulting from a close and expected 
 
 9 
 
130: SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 hand to hand engagement in that dark wood. But the 
 graycoats iailing to appear, the sleepless night passed away 
 without a brush. 
 
 WHITE OAK SWAMP. 
 
 June 30, 1862. 
 
 The fight at this place, which opened in the forenoon, 
 was a contest between a portion of our troops and a 
 heavy artillery fire from several well-posted Coniederate 
 batteries — 30 guns — across the swamp. This cannonading 
 was unusually heavy, could be heard for miles, and our 
 soldiers guarding that important point; near the bridge, 
 were subjected to it with little opportunity to reply, except 
 our artillery, which did good service. Companies A and I 
 (Sharpshooters), who were here with Gen. Smith's men, 
 report the sudden attack of the enemy's guns had the effect 
 at first of causing considerable confusion amongour troops, 
 and it took some time to recover from the surprise.. The 
 battery that had been with them at Fort Davidson (on 
 Garnett's farm) lost 25 horses and 12 men killed and 
 wounded in a short space of time, but nevertheless succeeded 
 in silencing the enemy's guns. The Sharpshooters occupied 
 an advanced position protecting the center, where they had 
 a lively time with the enemy's batteries, also in skirmishing. 
 The heat of the day was intense, and the men suffered much 
 for want of water. Sergt. Demetrius J.Hays, of Company I, 
 was wounded at this place. 
 
 Company H also took part in this fight, and, when the 
 enemy unexpectedly opened with their cannon, the long 
 train of pontoons which were just starting oiF was stopped 
 and burned, as the mules were stampeded by the firing. 
 Along with them wentCapt. Hastings' darky, who had just 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 131 
 
 shouldered the captain's blankets, haversack, etc., expecting 
 to move on, and with the exclamation: "Dis is no place 
 for me, sar," disappeared with his load, never to show up 
 again. This company was sent to the left of and in support 
 of Hazzard's battery, from which place the enemy tried 
 every means to dislodge them. Solid shot would strike the 
 ridge in front, throwing the loose earth in their faces, others 
 would ricochet over their heads, while shrapnel and shell 
 would burst and scatter among them. Edward Lynde and 
 John Acker lying side by side were shocked by a piece of 
 shell striking the ground between their heads, another piece 
 tearing through the blanket roll on Lynde's shoulder; while 
 Capt. Hastings and A. R. Barrett had a close shave from a 
 piece striking the ground between their heads, filling their 
 ears with dirt; it was a very hot place for them, both from 
 the firing and the terrible heat of the sun. Lieut. Barrett 
 says: "We witnessed the wounding of Capt. Hazzard right 
 in our front. Many of the artillerymen were overcome, and 
 their places filled by volunteers from our (Caldwell's) bri- 
 gade." But this action was only preliminary to the great 
 battle of the day later on. 
 
 GLENDALE. 
 
 June 30, 1862. 
 
 This battle also known as New Market.. Charles City 
 Cross Roads, Nelson's Farm and Frazier's Farm, was one of 
 the severest that had yet occurred during the movement 
 then in progress. During the forenoon the Sharpshooters 
 were mustered for pay; shortly after, orders were received 
 to be ready to move, heavy cannonading being heard. 
 
 At four p. M. the Sharpshooters, under Capt. Drew, 
 went into action with the Bucktails, the "Wisconsin com- 
 
132 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 pany numbering 51 men. Tlie Michigan company was 
 reduced in about the same ratio, while with the entire 
 Bucktail force they would number in all scarce three mini- 
 mum companies. Moving forward into a piece of wood 
 fronting an open plain, they remained for a while lying on 
 their arms among the Pennsylvania Reserves, and while 
 there were exposed to a steady canister fire humming by and 
 spattering among them, with an almost constant shelling 
 of the woods by the enemy's guns. They were finally 
 ordered to move to the left, taking a position on a slope of 
 ground in the open field. The Sharpshooters occupied the 
 slope, being on the extreme left of the line, the Bucktails on 
 the right of the Wisconsin company. For a short time, 
 now, the firing ceased, when a very suspicious quietness 
 reigned supreme over that vast plain. But it Avas only the 
 calm that precedes the storm— a storm that was expected 
 soon to break by our men. A movement had occurred in 
 advance of our position on the right, by which some 
 prisoners had been taken and the firing stopped. A dashing 
 charge had been made over the field by the Reserves under 
 Col. Simmons, at the expense of considerable loss, including 
 that spirited officer, who fell while forcing the enemy hur- 
 riedly back, before he could re-form his more or less broken 
 line. This change in the aspect of affairs — ^this lull in the 
 proceedings — was almost too sudden to be satisfactory, and 
 as before stated it looked very ominous. However, the 
 Sharpshooters had not long to wait before they became 
 thoroughly convinced that the battle was not over, being 
 suddenly exposed to a severe cross-fire from their left, caused 
 by the hasty retreat of a regiment in their front, which had 
 been attacked on their left flank by a large force of the enemy. 
 With the rebel soldiers under cover of a strip of wood and 
 the house and out-buildings of a farm, the outlying regi- 
 ment in the open field was unable to withstand the terrible 
 effect of the attack, therefore made a precipitate retreat to 
 
SERGT. JAMES W. STAPLES. 
 (Fully Equipped.) 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 133 
 
 the cover of the woods behind the Sharpshooters, running 
 directly over them, and falling killed and wounded among 
 our men. Pinned to the ground by a big, strapping fellow 
 falling heavily by his side onto his packed haversack Ibaded 
 with company books, etc., — ^no rations those days and no 
 knapsacks — Company G's orderly had hard work to disen- 
 gage himself; the big blue coat laid there. The rebel balls 
 followed those flying troops thick and fast, striking the 
 ground on the crest of the slope, throwing dust and dirt 
 in clouds in the faces of the riflemen lying thereon, so that 
 it was almost impossible for them to see. Amid the con- 
 fusion following, the Sharpshooters were kept in their places 
 until all had fallen back but them. Then, while bravely- 
 striving to hold the ground, both companies responding to 
 the fire of the rebel troops now preparing to charge, the 
 Wisconsin company suffered the great loss in killed of their 
 gallant captain, Edward Drew, while in the act of reloading 
 a rifle he had been using, obtained from a sick man, and two 
 sergeants, Joel Parker and James W. Staples. Parker was 
 the first man shot, through the head, while on his knees 
 firing over the top of the slope. Capt. Drew on being told 
 of it, also on his knees, had turned to look at "Joe," whefl 
 a ball struck him in the top of the head as he was pushing 
 in a cartridge to shoot back. This occurred on the left of 
 the company. Staples being shot on the right in his place as 
 a file closer (5th sergeant), behind the position of the first 
 sergeant. No better panegyric could be bestowed on the 
 fallen than for me to assert that these three men, Drew, 
 Parker and Staples, w^ere of the truest specimens of the 
 highest type of American manhood — gentlemen, patriots, 
 soldiers. 
 
 The second lieutenant (Shepard) then ordered his men 
 back to the cover of the w^ood, which was obeyed as 
 quickly as possible, a number getting hit in so doing. 
 Among them was Lyman L. Thompson, one of the company 
 
134 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 buglers, who went into this fight with his trumpet in one 
 hand and rifle in the other. He was shot while crossing the 
 ditch at the edge of the wood. No longer able to blow the 
 martial blast, he lay down by his bugle and died. The 
 order to fall back was given just in time, as the enemy in 
 force were on the eve of a charge. On reaching the timber 
 the men became greatly scattered, for which they were not 
 to blame, but rallying in squads commenced a desultory 
 fire which was kept up until dark. A portion of the detach- 
 .ment, members of both Sharpshooter companies with sonic 
 Bucktails, re-formed under Orderly-Sergeant Stevens, who 
 had escaped from the enemy as they swung around through 
 the woods, after releasing himself from the fallen Pennsyl- 
 vanian previously noted. Another member, William E. 
 "Wheeler, failing to heed the call of the orderly to "come on," 
 waited a moment too long to "take another shot," and 
 became a Yankee prisoner. 
 
 Capt. Giroux, Lieuts. Baker and Shepard had collected 
 most of the rest and joined the remnant of Bucktails under 
 Maj. Stone. The rebels charged over the ground to the wood, 
 and although afterward driven back, came on again. One of 
 our squads, on deploying through the timber, was particvi- 
 larly noted for its ardor in firing straight shots into rebel- 
 dom, and with such rapidity did they discharge their breech- 
 loaders as to surprise many infantry oflicers near by. Con- 
 spicuously engaged in this quick shooting were Thos. 
 McCaul, C. N. Jacobs, Wm. Anderson and Robt. Casey; the 
 latter of whom "executed numerous affidavits" between 
 shots, especially after getting his. finger clipped. But that 
 was only natural for "Swearing Bob," who was always 
 full of "affidavits " when crowded by the enemy. He would 
 shoot and swear, and swear and shoot. 
 
 The position assigned to the Sharpshooters and Buck- 
 tails if not actually a blunder was at least an unfortunate 
 one, for had this force on the slope been stationed in the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 135 
 
 wood before the enemy appeared, the latter would hardly 
 have crossed that field, or if so, not without great loss. 
 But owing to the sudden and unexpected "break to rear" of 
 the regiment on our right front, and consequent confusion 
 on that part of the line, it became impossible for us to 
 re-form successfully on the edge of the timber, the enemy 
 immediately following up their advantage by closing in on 
 front and flank. It is said that large bodies move slowly, 
 but it is not aWays so, especially in army movements, as it 
 often happens that when once started large bodies of troops 
 move fast. Such was the case at this time, the men falling 
 back utterly regardless of order, when they found themselves 
 flanked in an open field by superior numbers having the 
 advantage of cover. While no blame could probably be 
 attached to the routed regiment under the circumstances, 
 unless that they should have rallied in the w^oods, yet 
 should the little detachment of Sharpshooters be awarded 
 much praise for the stubborn manner in which they held on, 
 to the last possible moment, and after all others had dis- 
 appeared in the wooded backgi'ound. Attempts were made 
 to recover the bodies of the fallen, which were unsuccessful, 
 the woods being full of Johnnies, and Sergt. Benson and 
 Jas. S. Webster narrowly escaped capture in trying to 
 reach the fatal field. 
 
 Towards evening Burns' brigade appeared on our left, 
 and taking part in the closing fight of the day which raged 
 for a time in terrible earnest, helped to drive the enemy 
 finally back and off from the road leading to James river, 
 which was thus kept open for the passage of our troops. 
 Some of the Sharpshooters, with the orderly, charged with 
 them, posting themselves on the right. Thomas McCaul 
 also charged with them. 
 
 It appears from rebel authority that the enemy were at 
 one time in much confusion, some of their troops being in 
 rapid flight until checked in their course by one of their 
 
136 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIEMIS-HING 
 
 noted generals, when a determined rally was made, aided 
 by fresh troops, by whicli they succeeded in making a stand 
 at close quarters, .where the bayonet was conspicuously 
 brought into use. A hand-to-hand struggle ensued over the 
 capture of Randol's battery, wherein the Reserves were 
 forced back after a determined resistance. In another part 
 of the field Cooper's battery shared the same fate, but 
 in both instances they were soon after recovered and 
 saved, the enemy being driven ofiF, leaving in our hands a 
 portion of their colors; also, it is said that on this part of 
 the field Jeff Davis and Gen. Lee were present during the 
 afternoon, being with the advance of Longstreet's corps. 
 Cooper's battery was lost finally, as was a portion of 
 Randol's, but unavoidably so, owing to the rushing hosts 
 of foes right up to the muzzles, and the killing of the horses 
 so that the guns could not be brought off. The fighting in 
 front of these batteries was at close quarters, the bayonet 
 being freely used. Randol reported 38 horses shot down by 
 the charging columns, with eight more wounded. 
 
 " Hand to hand, and foot to foot ; 
 
 Nothing there, save death, was mute; 
 Stroke, and thrust, and flash, and cry 
 For quarter, or for victory." 
 
 The battle was opened by Gen. McCall's decimated 
 division, barely 6,000 strong, and was maintained until 
 night, holding his own for three full hours until over- 
 whelmed by superior numbers front and flank, — said to be 
 18,000, under Longstreet and A. P. Hill, — when the troops 
 of Sumner and Hooker on the left with Kearney and 
 Slocum on the right, came to his necessary relief. As McCall 
 was unsupported in the outset, had he not successfully 
 resisted the advancing enemy, the road would have been cut 
 and the rebels have swarmed across our line of march, 
 creating demoralization and disaster. McCall's losses in 
 his Reserves sufficiently attest their gallantry in the unequal 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 137 
 
 •Struggle: for tlie third tirne during this movement, fully 
 proving their staying qualities in the midst of hot work in 
 critical places. 
 
 Gen. Porter says: "Had not McCall maintained his 
 position on New Market road, June 30th, the enemy would 
 have cut that line of march of the army." 
 
 "It was only the stubborn resistance offered by our 
 (McCall's) division, prolonging the contest until after dark 
 and checking till that time the advance of the enemy, that 
 enabled the concentration during the night of the whole 
 army on the banks of the James river, which saved it." — 
 Gen. Meade. 
 
 And the following high Confederate authority admits 
 that Gen. McCall's troopsby their stout resistance that day, 
 kept the enemy off from the road to James river. 
 
 Gen. Longstreet said to Surgeon Marsh, 4th 
 Pennsylvania cavalry, who remained on the battle field with 
 the wounded: "McCall is safe in Richmond; but if his 
 division had not offered the stubborn resistance it did on 
 this road we would have captured your whole army." 
 
 Gen. Pryor also spoke in the highest terms of the "pluck 
 displayed by McCall's Pennsylvania troops." 
 
 Maj. Whaley, 5th Texas, informed Col. Bierer, 171st 
 Pennsylvania, while a prisoner in Richmond that: "he 
 never saw^ better fighting than that of the Pennsylvania 
 Reserves." 
 
 It is true, as Gen. McCall admits, the 12th regiment broke 
 badly and let the enemy in our flank; but they had been 
 unfortunately posted in an exposed position in advance, as 
 before stated, having previously done some good work. But 
 when Gen. McCall stated that he had posted the Rifles — the 
 Bucktails and Sharpshooters — in the edge of the woods, it 
 was an error; for whatever his intention, we had been 
 moved forward onto the open field in front; whereas, had 
 we remained in the woods, there would undoubtedly have 
 
138 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 been a different and better story to tell on that part of the 
 
 line. 
 
 The Sharpshooter detachment behaved very well in this 
 fight notwithstanding their severe loss— did everything 
 possible, and after deploying through the woods succeeded 
 in capturing a number of prisoners. Henry Lye, company 
 bugler of G, captured several Johnnies in the wood about 
 dusk, among them a lieutenant-colonel, from whom he 
 obtained a fine revolver. This officer in answer to Lye's 
 demand to "Halt! and surrender! " replied: 
 
 "Down with your rifle, I'm your prisoner, but me, 
 
 if I didn't think these were my men in here." 
 
 And Lye thought so too, and therefore hurried away 
 with the officer and an enlisted man, the latter captured and 
 with him when he caught th€ former. 
 
 Frank Smith (G), seated in the midst of a large squad of 
 them after dark, while listening to their conversation, 
 learning; their character, found an excuse to move one 
 side and get clear of them. In fact, the woods became full 
 of them, they coming oftentimes in close contact with the 
 Sharpshooters and Bucktails, who remained in the vicinity 
 long after night had set in. Gn one occasion, one fellow 
 lay down among them and was captured. The first inti- 
 mation they had of his character was his statement after 
 remaining some time, that he belonged to a "Louisiana 
 Battalion," whereupon he was instantly throttled by a 
 Wisconsin member and California Joe "within an inch 
 of his life," and disarmed. By the way, the luckless gray- 
 back was so unfortunate as to crawl in between two of the 
 most uncompromising Union men there w^ere in the detach- 
 ment, and he might consider himself lucky at that exciting 
 time to get off with a little rough handling for a fcAV 
 moments, and also to have thanked Joe for it, as he pre- 
 vented the Wisconsin man from choking him out of exist- 
 ence. 
 
IK THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 139 
 
 It was at this place after darkness had come, that the 
 division commander, Gen. McCall, was captured by the 
 enemy on the edge of the wood in question, while Maj. 
 Stone, of the Bucktails, narrowly escaped, receiving a 
 shower of bullets as he flew back to his command, they 
 having been in advance to reconnoiter. The major was 
 thrown from his horse, receiving a slight contusion in con- 
 sequence. With McCall and Reynolds captured and Meade 
 severely wounded, there was but one general ofiicer left m 
 the division. Gen. Seymour, who succeeded to its command. 
 « Gen. McCall never returned to the army, although 
 exchanged in August, his health failing; then in his 60th 
 year, he resigned in March, 1863. Graduating at West 
 Point in 1822, he had served with distinction in the Florida 
 and Mexican wars. He was an accomplished officer and 
 bravely commanded the Reserves of his native state, on the 
 Peninsula, and his retirement was a great loss to his 
 country's service. He died in 1868. 
 
 The force under Giroux and Shepard also received a 
 heavy volley about nine p. m. from down the road, which 
 resulted fatally among the G men, George Lanning being 
 killed. Sometime after midnight they moved on again 
 towards the river, where they arrived at sunrise in the 
 vicinity of Turkey Bend, and where the detachments under 
 the above named officers and Sergt. Stevens, of G, joined 
 together. The Sharpshooters mourned over their losses, 
 which were quite heavy in this battle, particularly in the 
 Wisconsin company which had five killed, six wounded and 
 one taken prisoner, as follows: 
 
 Killed : Captain Edward Drew, Sergts. Joel Parker and 
 James W. Staples, Privates Lyman L. Thompson and George 
 Lanning. 
 
 Wounded: Wm. 0. Clark, hip, mortal; Jonas W, 
 Shepard, head, severe; Henry S. Roberts, back, slight; 
 
140 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 George H. Lewis, leg; Robert Casey, finger, slight; John 
 O'Niel, foot, slight. Missing: Wm. E. Wheeler, captured. 
 
 The balance of the regiment were more or less engaged 
 along the line on the 30th, suffering loss. In Company 
 H, Lieut. Frederick T. Feet, a fine young officer, was 
 shot through the lungs, supposed to have been mortally 
 wounded, but was afterwards reported among the 
 exchanged prisoners and did not return to the regiment. 
 He had been promoted to a position in the Marine Corps, 
 and was ordered to Washington at the beginning of the 
 Seven Daj'S, but preferred to remain with the company 
 until the fighting in this movement was over. This com- 
 pany went into the fight w^ith the 61st New York of 
 Richardson's division, performing gallant service under 
 heavy fire. An aide riding up for reinforcements. Col. 
 Barlow, taking off his coat, ordered his men to throw 
 away everything but guns and ammunition, then advanced 
 on double-quick cheering loud to deceive the enemy in 
 the approaching darkness. Going down the road among 
 the thick w^oods they received a sudden fire almost in their 
 faces. The line recoiled for a few moments amid some con- 
 fusion, manyreturningthefire,however,when Barlow, riding 
 up, yelled out to the Confederates : "You are firing on your 
 own men. Cease firing! " Rallying, ourmen now advanced 
 through the woods and across an open field, where the 
 enemy stopped them at the edge of another wood; here a 
 sharp engagement followed— one of the hottest places, 
 Barrett says, he was ever in. The lines seemed in the dark- 
 ness to be very close together. After the fight they lay 
 on their arms in the woods a good portion of the night 
 before they left the field. 
 
 "Co. H, First Regiment Berdan's Sharpshooters, Capt. 
 Hastings, which had been temporarily encamoing near us, 
 gallantly volunteered to go into the action of Monday with 
 us, and did good service. Capt. Hastings behaved very 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 141 
 
 bravely, and after our loss of officers I put him in command 
 of part of my regiment." — Col. Barlow. 
 
 Capt. Hastings says: "My men stood nobly in the 
 field -with the 61st, under a terrific fire of musketry from an 
 enemy concealed in the woods evidently far out-numbering 
 our own force. The conduct of my men was fully satis- 
 factory to me. Lieut. Peet, of my company, though suffer- 
 ing firom sickness, entered eagerly into the battle, and con- 
 ducted himself with great bravery and perfect coolness. He 
 fell w^ounded while encouraging and cheering on ray men." 
 
 The regimental command proceeded on to Malvern 
 Hill, skirmishing at times off the main road, particularly on 
 the New^ Market road near Glendale, w^here they advanced 
 two miles to watch and delay the enemy should they ap- 
 proach, but met w^ith only small bodies of rebel cavalry easily 
 repulsed and driven off, and having accomplished their purpose 
 v^rere recalled late in the day. They also accompanied Gen. 
 Porter in a reconnoissance at night to the left of the main 
 road over a couple of miles of rough country in the deep 
 darkness, skirmishing and drawing the fire of rebel pickets. 
 They w^ere then withdraw^n, rejoining the column. During 
 all this time they had little to eat, often w^ith no water, so 
 that they w^ere pretty well starved out — gaunt, weary, tired 
 and sleepy, but all kept up under the general excitement. 
 Companies A and I, as before stated, helped to cover the 
 retreat in Gen. Smith's division. Company B was in 
 Hooker's division, following its fortunes and gallant bear- 
 ing throughout the movement, and lost on the 30th: 
 Wounded— J. W. Kenney, John M.Barton. Missing— Andrew 
 J. White. 
 
142 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 MALVERN HILL. 
 
 Julyl, 1862. 
 
 This great battle, the last of the Seven Days, was began 
 by the Confederates about ten in the morning with artillery 
 and skirmishing; finally, as the day progressed, the opposing 
 forces became engaged in a terrific strife. As darkness 
 spread around, the battle ended, although the artillery fire 
 did not cease until after nine p. m. The result, was a com- 
 plete victory by the Union arms, repulsing the desperate 
 attempts of the enemy to take the position in every instance. 
 Repeatedly did tht '-ebel battalions swarm out on the plain 
 and with loud, fierce yells rush forward toward the Union 
 batteries which, double-shotted, opened at short range, 
 mow^ing them down in a terrible manner ; whUe our infantry 
 poured in such staggering volleys, as to render their stub- 
 born and desperate efforts a failure. The gunboats in the 
 river also assisted, by throwing shell into the adjoining 
 forests as big as balloons, but 200 pounds heavier. 
 
 The attack was made upon our left and left center, and 
 the brunt of it was borne by Porter's coi-ps (including 
 Hunt's reserve artillery and Tyler's heavy guns) and Couch's 
 division reinforced, by the brigades of Sickles and Meagher. 
 It was desperate, brave and determined, but so destructive 
 was the fire of our numerous artillery, so heroic the con- 
 duct of our infantry, and so admirable the dispositions of 
 Porter, that no troops could have carried the position. Late 
 in the evening the enemy fell back, thoroughly beaten, with 
 dreadful slaughter.— Gen. McClellan. 
 
 The Berdan Sharpshooters were well represented on the 
 field of battle. The companies serving with the handful of 
 Bucktails were held in reserve, being greatly reduced in 
 numbers, many unfit for duty, and all exhausted from fatigue 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 143 
 
 and hunger. The following from the commander of the 2d 
 brigade, Porter's corps, illustrates the slim fare and patient 
 endurance of our troops in general : 
 
 " The men received but one day's rations from the 27th 
 of June to the 2d of July, yet they made no complaints, but 
 endured the hardships of the march patiently, and fought in 
 every engagement with the courage and impetuosity of fresh 
 troops." — Gen. Griffin. 
 
 The battalion of Sharpshooters under Ripley (D, E, F, 
 and K) were sent to the front a third of a mile in advance of 
 the lines of battle of Morell's division, being first deployed 
 by Col. Berdan on the edge of a ravine to the extreme left of 
 the Union forces, bordering on Turkey Run, in the center of 
 a field of wheat to be harvested that day by the sickles of 
 w^ar, and bounded on the farthest extremity by heavy 
 w^oods. The position of the Sharpshooters was within 200 
 yards of this timber, w^here the enemy's skirmishers first 
 appeared and received the first rounds of breech-loading 
 bullets. This was about noon. The fire from the artillery 
 on both sides soon became very heavy, the Union shells 
 shrieking by, close over the heads of our riflemen, some 
 bursting behind them sending the scattered fragments over 
 and around them, making their position in advance one of 
 extreme danger. Men in battle can stand a good deal from 
 the front, but when it comes to a fire in the rear, they are 
 apt to grit their teeth and do some tall swearing. StiU 
 there was no way then to stop it, so our comrades had to 
 take it, and they did so most gallantly— whether they swore 
 occasionally or not. About half-past two p. m. a heavy line 
 of Johnnies burst suddenly out of the woods, coming on a 
 run. Chief Bugler Morse, of Company F, stationed by the 
 side of Col. Ripley, gave the warning notes to "commence 
 firing." Then the bullets began to fly from our side, and 
 soon the broken advance had to fly back to the cover of the 
 forest. It was a complete victory for our boys for the time 
 
144. SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 being, and as complete confusion to the enemy, their dead 
 and wounded lying all around. But another and heavier 
 line soon appeared, \\rhich despite the spanking balls among 
 item to their great slaughter, with undaunted spirit came at 
 our men on a full run, sending their shots before them — firing 
 as they ran. A flanking party of rebel skirmishers appearing 
 closely on their right behind a roadway, forced the Sharp- 
 shooters back; the enemy taking possession, won the 
 advantage of the ravine, while our men were catching it in 
 the open field where they had halted beyond the flanking line 
 and continued their firing. Being now in the track of our 
 own fire behind them — the front of the battle line — Ripley 
 was ordered to retire his men and did so, to the rear of the 
 4th Michigan. Before doing this, they utterly repulsed and 
 silenced the battery of the Richmond Howitzers, their guns 
 being abandoned in the open field without firing a shot; 
 horses and men tumbling over so fast that nothing could' 
 withstand our terrific fire. The battery was composed of 
 some of the most ambitious, aspiring youths o'f the "First 
 Families of Virginia," whose efforts to distinguish them- 
 selves early came to grief, were in vain, their howitzers; 
 rendered useless. Gen. Ripley thus describes them : 
 
 "Suddenly there burst out of the dense foliage four mag- 
 nificent gray horses, and behind them, whirled along like a 
 child's toy, the gun. Another and another followed, sweep- 
 ing out into the plain. As the head of the column turned to 
 the right to go into battery, every rifle within range was 
 brought to bear, .and horses and men began to fall rapidly.. 
 Still they pressed on, and when there were no longer horses 
 to haul the guns, the gunners sought to put their pieces into 
 battery by hand ; nothing, however, could stand before that 
 terrible storm of lead, and after ten minutes of gallant effort 
 the few survivors, leaving their guns in the open field, took 
 shelter in the friendly woods. * * * A member of the bat- 
 tery in describing it to an officer of the Sharpshooters soon. 
 
IN THE ARMy OF THE POTOMAC 
 
 145 
 
 after the close of the war, said pithily : ' We went in a bat- 
 tery and came out a wreck. We staid ten minutes by the 
 watch and came oui with one gun, ten men and two horses, 
 and without firing a shot.' " 
 
 While on this ad- 
 vanced line Private 
 Israel B. Tyler, of 
 Company K, was sent 
 to the extreme left, 
 under cover of some 
 bushes, as a picket to 
 guard the flank. It 
 seemed the enemy had 
 also taken a similar 
 precaution, for Private 
 Tyler had not ad- 
 vanced far before he 
 saw a rebel picket 
 close by, whom he 
 to compel his sur- 
 
 covered 
 render. 
 
 with his rifle in time 
 
 He marched back with his prisoner until he met 
 the adjutant who relieved him of his charge, and allow^ed 
 Tyler to return to his advanced position. His proximity to 
 the prisoner prevented the enemy firing upon him. About 
 this time Col. Berdan cautioned the Sharpshooters to hold 
 their position until they had made a good fight, before 
 relinqmshing the ground. So that after they repulsed the 
 first advance of the enemy, still holding on, our battery men 
 w^ere greatly annoyed because our boys were in their way, 
 and prevented them from opening with canister until after 
 they had fallen back. 
 
 After the withdrawal of the Sharpshooters from the 
 front, the men and horses in Weeden's battery suffered con- 
 siderably from the firing in the ravine ; so much so, that 
 Ripley w^as requested to send out a picked force in that 
 
 10 
 
146 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 direction wHere they could obtain a favorable position to 
 command the ravine and stop the rebel fire, which was get- 
 ting hotter and more galling to our artillerists. Adjutant 
 Brown detailed some 20 volunteers in command of 
 Sergt. Richard W. Tyler, of Company K, who was directed 
 to proceed way out to the left, and succeeded admirably in 
 obtaining a good position, which resulted in having the 
 desired effect, besides performing good service on Magruder's 
 right flank as he forced forward his desperate charging col- 
 umns. They had advanced along the bed of a deep creek at 
 the foot of a slope, where they reached a point commanding 
 at short range the entrance to the ravine nearest the woods. 
 Here the enemy were discovered in force on the slope mass- 
 ing under cover of the oak bushes in this ravine. Espying 
 the danger at a glance, word was at once sent back to 
 that effect by Tyler to Gen. Griffin, and as the former said : 
 "within a few minutes it seemed as if all our heavy 
 ordnance, including the gunboats, had been turned upon. this 
 point; " and although the fire from our Sharps rifles into the 
 ranks of the enemy moving along the slope and forming in 
 the ravine, was most deadly, yet that from our batteriesin 
 their fear was so effective, the carnage so great, that the 
 position of the Sharpshooters was apparently undiscovered 
 by the excited and suffering foe. The information sent back 
 by Tyler relati ve to the position of the rebels at this point, 
 was of the utmost importance to our side, and was quickly 
 transmitted by Gen. Griffin to the Signal Corps, which 
 resulted in our fieldpieces and gunboats opening in the 
 terrific manner stated. The notice sent by Sergt. Tyler was 
 received none too soon, for by his prompt action and alert- 
 ness a serious flank attack threatening disaster was averted. 
 Gen. Ripley wrote Capt. Tyler some years after the war : 
 "I distinctly remember that Gen. Griffin came to me soon 
 after you w^ent out on the left, and said : ' Your men have 
 sent in word that the rebels were coming down the ravine.' 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 147 
 
 I heard him tell a staff officer, or orderly, to report the fact 
 to the signal corps, and remember that a tremendous fire 
 was opened on that point very soon afterwards, and that I 
 was anxious lest you got it instead of the rebels." 
 
 The position was held by the Sharpshooters during the 
 balance of the day, and on retiring, being at the time outside 
 the Union lines, it became necessary for them to return by a 
 circuitous route which brought them far in rear of the place 
 where they had left the regiment. It was a dangerous duty 
 well accomplished — a critical position for the Sharpshooters. 
 Company E assisted materially in repulsing an attack on the 
 extreme right of Morell's division. Maj. Trepp's command, 
 A and I, were further to the right with Gen. Smith, where 
 they occupied an advanced position protecting the center, 
 having a lively time with the enemy's batteries. The heat 
 of the day was intense and they suffered greatly for want 
 of water. 
 
 Not until late in the day were the enemy's heaviest 
 charges made, although the cannonading had been unabat- 
 ed, deafening and terrific — on our side 300 guns playing 
 havoc — ^the breaking shells scattering all around continually, 
 with damaging restdts. It was one of the greatest artillery 
 contests of the entire war, and under such a storm of crash- 
 ing iron there was little ground of hope for any coming out 
 , unscratched or unscathed. Finally, the rebels brave came 
 on in hea;vy lines of battle, and although driven back with 
 serious losses, tried and tried again, with the same fatal 
 results. The staggering voUies of our infantry, the grape 
 and canister, round shot and bursting shell from our well 
 posted artillery, with the heavy guns of the gunboats, all 
 together drove the enemy, after the bravest of struggles on 
 their part, away from the field a scattered, demoralized 
 mass, whipped out, and useless for any farther attempts. 
 
 Gen. Porter in his report makes the following interest- 
 ing statement : "At abc ut one o'clock p. m. the enemy com- 
 
150 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Co. F— Wounded : Lieut. Charles W. Seaton, Jacob S. 
 Bailey and Brigham Buswell, the latter discharged therefor, 
 the others returning. Bailey was a noted wrestler, and was 
 destined to wrestle more w^ith the enemy — at long range. 
 . Co. K— Killed: Abram Swits. Wounded: Martin S. 
 Goit, severe; Edwin B. Parks, slight. 
 
 Col. Berdan in reporting this battle, said : " On Tuesday 
 morning, being unable to find Gen. Morell, and learning 
 that the enemy was approaching, I marched my command 
 to the front and was about to deploy them as skirmishers, 
 when Gen. Porter came along, and he approving my sug- 
 gestion, I posted them in front of the batteries, where they 
 remained all daj^ receiving and repelling the enemy's skir- 
 mishers, and received the rebel infantry in the afternoon 
 standing firm and firing with great rapidity and coolness 
 until the enemy's line was within grape range of our 
 artillery, when they fell back with the Fourth Michigan, 
 firing constantly. At this period it became necessary to 
 have reinforcements, and at the request of the commanding 
 officer of the Fourth Michigan, Lieut.-Col. W. Y. W. Ripley, 
 of my regiment, went back and got two regiments, first the 
 12th New York and afterward the 14th New York, which 
 arrived just in time to save the left wing. Lieut.-Col. 
 Ripley behaved with great bravery and coolness." 
 
 Col. Berdan before the action commenced, bought some 
 fresh meat, which he ordered cooked and ready for his com- 
 mand as soon as they should be relieved at the front. Nor 
 were the two detached companies with McCall's division 
 forgotten ; the colonel having located their position, had 
 ridden over to see how they were getting on. I wouldn't 
 say exactly how it occurred, but some of the company G men, 
 at least, got part of this beef— maybe they stole it. As 
 rations were scarce, it was a fortunate occurrence for the 
 Sharpshooters that the colonel had been able to get this 
 
IN THE AKMY OF THE POTOMAC. 151' 
 
 beef, for as the adjutant had stated they were "hot and 
 hungry." 
 
 Prisoners taken at Malvern claimed to have been forced 
 forward in their desperate charges on our batteries, threat- 
 ened in the rear by the cannon of Magruder, if they faltered. 
 Also, that they were unduly excited by frequent rations of 
 whisky mixed with gunpowder; their canteens, some half 
 full of this stimulant, was reported as conclusive proof that 
 this admixture had been indulged in. Whether or not, gun- 
 powder would have any additional crazy eifect, whisky w^as 
 undoubtedly sufficient to make them reckless. 
 
 The enemy lost heavily in this battle, computed at 
 about 4,500 — double that of the Union loss. They were 
 finally routed and fell back to Richmond in great disorder, 
 failing to follow up the Federal forces farther ; which latter 
 reached Harrison's Landing on James river the morning of 
 Julv 2d, worn out with fatigue and glad enough to receive 
 orders to prepare camp. They had left the field at Malvern 
 the night before at a late hour, and endured a tiresome 
 march of 12 miles over roads crowded with troops of all 
 descriptions, ponderous artillery, trains of vsragons, ambu- 
 lances full of sick and wounded men, now close together at 
 a slow pace, now stretching out and hurrying to close up, 
 through thick mud, drenched with the heavy rain that fell dur- 
 ing most of the night. It was a procession of tired, worn- 
 out, battle-scarred men. Crowded in the ine were the lame, 
 the halt and blind ; among the latter were California Joe and 
 the Wisconsin orderly who were led away from Malvern 
 during the night unable to see, caused by exposure, the 
 smoke and duSt. Many were afflicted on this campaign 
 with their eyes from these combined causes. 
 
 Daniel Perry, of Company F, slept in the woods until 
 daylight, when he found the roads and fields full of rebs. 
 Being undiscovered he pushed on as rapidly as possible 
 through the timber, reaching the Landing safely. Owing tq 
 
152 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 his exertions running through the woods and brush, his 
 long fasting, he was very weak and famished; being soon 
 after taken down with fever he was sick for months. He 
 had done good service throughout the day with his com- 
 pany at the front, but when they fell back became separated 
 from them, and while making his retreat in good order 
 over the hill by the "Crews' house," came across Gen. 
 Porter, who probably judging from his size and distinguish- 
 ed bearing, as became only "the tall corporal on the 
 right," concluded it would be to the advantage of the 
 Union cause to have Mr. Perry in a more forward position; 
 so, told him point blank that he was "going the wrong 
 way." Whereupon the tall corporal, head and shoulders 
 above the tallest, joined a new brigade, which went in on a 
 charge; having no bayonet to his trusty rifle and no 
 ammunition, although he had as he said: "received orders 
 direct from headquarters," inasmuch as night was coining 
 on, he withdrew from those ranks — a clear case of "skip- 
 ped" — not wishing to be caught out after dark in strange 
 company, especially among a lot of noisy charging shouters. 
 
 The total loss in killed and wounded during the entire 
 seven days has been estimated in round numbers, for the 
 Confederates 18,000, Union troops 10,000. Porter's (5th) 
 corps lost during this time 7,600, about three times more 
 than the 2d, 3d and 6th corps, the 4th corps losing but 800; 
 and one-half of the entire loss, killed, wounded and missing, 
 which is officially announced as a grand total of 15,849, 
 came from the 5th corps. 
 
 The following extracts from a newspaper account of "A 
 Week in Porter's Corps," in Gen. Martindale's brigade, 
 written by Col. Horace S. Roberts, of the 1st Michigan 
 volunteers, so truthfully describes the scene at Malvern, 
 and particularly the trying situation of troops lying in 
 reserve under fire, that I appropriate it, giving due credit to 
 the officer for his word-picture of this great battle. 
 
HON, DANIEL PERRY. 
 (The Tall Corporal on the Right.) 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 153 
 
 "All that night other tired troops were coming in, until 
 the whole army was on Malvern heights, where we knew 
 we should have to fight them until night again. About 
 noon they began to leel our position, and we were pushed 
 ahead on a most beautiful ground. I have called the fight 
 at Malvern glorious ; it was so to me lor its results, and 
 then it was plain, open, fair fight, no woods except what 
 sheltered them, and from whence their infantry came, and 
 to get at us they had to cross the long stretch of open 
 country, where we could see them and be seen, and where 
 we could maneuver and operate. Well, Butterfield's 
 brigade was in front supporting batteries, Griffin's was on 
 the left flank, and w^e were in rear of and ready to sup- 
 port Butterfield. Our division being off" to the left, we 
 formed in double column at half distance, and laid down, 
 and for about four hours we took solid shot, shell and can- 
 ister, in awful profusion; the roar of cannon was tre- 
 mendous, our batteries were playing magnificently on them • 
 in the woods, the gunboiats were hurling their shell over 
 our heads into the enemy, and the enemy were doing the 
 best they could, opening battery after battery in new posi- 
 tions. The noise was infernal, and our losses began to be 
 respectable. I do not believe that troops have often lain so 
 long under as hot a fire as my fellows did. It is the most 
 trying position a soldier has to endure, to stand these hor- 
 rid missiles, crouched low, seeing them strike all about him, 
 hearing them burst all around him, and yet unable to move 
 or do a thing but wait in that awful suspense. Now a 
 pause, and your heart beats quicker, for you know they are 
 getting a new range. Zim ! now it comes, and they have 
 got a cross fire on you — grin and bear it:— shut your teeth 
 and swear and beg for a chance to move on them — anything 
 but this. But no faltering, not a bit of it; occasionally, 
 yes, frequently^ some poor fellow picks up his leg or his 
 arm, and hobbles off" to the rear; then some fellow, less 
 fortunate, has to be picked up. Finally, a stop to their 
 shell — and the roar of oar batteries, and after a little the 
 . crash of musketry, tell us their infantry is coming. We are 
 where w^e cannot see now, but we hear the cannon roar, 
 and now the roar of musketry is prolonged and heavy — 
 nov?' apparently coming nearer, now receding a little, and. 
 
354 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 our strained ears catch it all. Now the music comes nearer, 
 ^nd even the balls begin to whiz nearer us, and we fear our 
 fello-ws are getting worsted— a little longer and up comes 
 the aid : 
 
 "Colonel, deploy your column! " 
 I bounded with glad heart to my feet, and in a moment 
 we were in as pretty a line of battle as you have ever seen. 
 Now comes the general. 
 
 "Move forward to the brow of the slope yonder, lie 
 ■down, and if the enemy break our line, charge him." 
 
 "All right, sir. Forward! guide center! " and with the 
 cheers of our comrades and our own hurrah, the whole line 
 forged ahead, steady as a clock. Spang! go the balls now — 
 thicker, closer they fly. We gain our place ; we cheer and 
 ■cheer again to give our fellows heart, and then I order them 
 down, and go along the line and tell them just what I am 
 ^oing to do, and they say they "will do it well." Not long 
 ■ there, when in hot haste from the front comes a messenger 
 from the 83d Pennsylvania, saying that it and the 44th 
 New York were hard pressed, out of ammunition, and must 
 iave help. No general in sight. It was just what I wanted. 
 "Rise up! Forward !" and with another cheer we moved 
 on, through fire and smoke, right into the field. I moved by 
 -a flank, to gain ground to the left ; then to the front again, 
 and they lying down, I moved right over the 83d and 44th, 
 and myline was formed to the front of them. The batteries on 
 our right were thundering on the enemy, as his infantry 
 poured out from the woods, and charged, and charged 
 again, only to be repulsed. I opened fire, and kept it up 
 vigorously until their fire stopped, and they disappeared. 
 "They were fearfully slaughtered; they would move up 
 Ijravely across the field up to short distance before they 
 would have to give back. Everywhere it was the same that 
 day, and finally night came on and the carnage ceased. 
 * * * I lost in that week 210 men, 190 killed and 
 wounded. * * * I verily believe, if we had 20,000 fresh 
 troops the morning after Malvern, we could have pushed 
 into Richmond. They couldn't gain an inch on us, and we 
 slaughtered them till we believed they were running to 
 Richmond. They thought they had us — in front and on 
 'flank they pushed us. Richmond was close by, and fregh 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THJ£ POTOMAC. 155 
 
 troops could be poured out, but every day they were 
 repulsed — sometimes twice a day, our poor fellows fighting 
 again and again, while they hurled fresh columns against 
 us, and yet we came to this point and they couldn't 
 fight us." 
 
 Gen. McClellan's panegyric on the efforts of the Army of 
 the Potomac throughout the Seven Days' battles, is here 
 given : 
 
 "To the calm judgment of history and the future I leave 
 the task of pronouncing upon this movement, confident 
 that its verdict will be that no such difficult movement was 
 ever more successfully executed ; that no army ever fought 
 more repeatedly, heroically, and successfully against such 
 great odds ; that no men of any race ever displayed greater 
 discipline, endurance, patience, and cheerfulness under such 
 hardships. My mind cannot coin expressions of thanks and 
 admiration warm enough or intense enough to do justice to 
 my feelings towards the army I am so proud to command. 
 To my countrymen I confidently commit them, convinced 
 they w^ill ever honor every brave man who served during 
 those seven historic days with the Army of the Potomac. 
 Upon w^hatever field it may hereafter be called upon to act I 
 ask that it may never lose its name, but may ever be known 
 as 'The Army of the Potomac,' a name which it never has 
 nor ever will disgrace."— Gen. McClellan. 
 
 On the arrival of the Sharpshooter regiment at 
 Harrison's Landing a number of men returned to the different 
 companies from the hospitals north, also some recruits 
 arrived from time to time. Gen. Shields' division of troops 
 having arrived from the Upper- Potomac, was sent out to 
 the front. On the afternoon of July 2d a heavy rain fell 
 lasting all night, making the ground very wet and muddy, 
 causing the greatest discomfort to the weary troops who 
 were mostly without shelter, tents or blankets, with little 
 or nothing to eat ; who in consequence were anxious to get 
 into comfortable camps so as to obtain the rest so greatly 
 needed, also to provide for the sick and disabled. On the 3d 
 
156 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 tHe troops were brought hurriedly into line, crowding the 
 entire plain, and kept standing for hours half-way to their 
 knees in deep mud — virtually stuck fast — exposed for 
 a time to the rapid shelling of a rebel battery that had 
 been run up on a hill behind us, whereby the greatest excite- 
 ment prevailed owing to the bursting of shells on different 
 parts of the field, throwing mud andiron forward in a man- 
 ner sufficient to demoralize other troops but those w^ho had 
 seen enough of hard service to grin and bear it. The effect 
 on these soldiers, rather was to madden them, and they 
 would have made it sorry sport for those "rebellious vaga- 
 bonds " who caused this great rumpus, could they have got 
 them down on that muddy field, in that sea of mud, where 
 not a dry spot could be found to sit or kneel, forcing them to 
 stand up for a half-day. It is true some of our boys spied a 
 dead horse and crowded on to the carcass as if to smother 
 the very smell of it, strong and offensive as it was. That 
 old horse was a perfect oasis in that desert of mud, whose 
 body could scarce be seen because of the men on top of it. 
 A truly glorious ending it was of this war horse's 
 career, to be thus the means of alleviating the great suffer- 
 ing of the exhausted soldiers, in furnishing them a place of 
 rest. One of the poets astraddle the hind quarters, indited , 
 the following, at the risk of being ducked in the mud, but he 
 held his grip and begged off: 
 
 Old Horse ! Old Horse ! We find you here. 
 
 That plunged in battle fully a year, 
 You neighed for glory, you reared for fame, 
 
 To die in the mud on this vast plain. 
 
 On the 4th camp was prepared, and in course of time the 
 detached companies were returned to the regiment where 
 Col. Berdan had his headquarters. On the 8th of July 
 President Lincoln came on and reviewed the troops by 
 moonlight. A few days thereafter Gen. McClellan, review- 
 ing the troops, on appearing before the Sharpshooters 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC- 157 
 
 expressed sorrow at tHeir losses, at their decimated ranks. 
 Riding close up to them, he shook his head saying to an 
 aide: "It's too bad! But they are good what is left of 
 them." Quite a number died at this encampment; among 
 the Sharpshooters were: Company A, Private Christian 
 SchifiFm an, their first death from sickness; Company E, J. 
 Tatro, said to have been killed; Company F, Benajah 
 W. Jordan and James A Read, who died of wounds 
 received at Gaines' Mill, while W. S. Tarbell died of disease; 
 Company G, Sergt. Shepherd K. Melvin and Private John 
 T. Vincent. They were buried low in the shade of the deep 
 wood, by their remaining comrades, and parting salutes 
 fired over their graves. Gray blankets were their only 
 shroud, with a net work of branches below and above them, 
 the whole carefully covered with earth shaped on top into 
 still another of those little mounds so frequently found 
 along the track of the contending hosts. Private Alexander 
 Merrick also died in hospital at Alexandria. 
 
 A number of the sick were hurried northward, greatly 
 reduced, vsrho would no doubt in a majority of cases have 
 died on the banks of the James, had not this change been 
 made. The weather at Harrison's Landing being very warm 
 and sultry much sickness prevailed, although the rations 
 furnished were of the best quality, and included different 
 kinds of vegetables. Loads of lemons arrived, which were 
 very beneficial to the soldiers who mianched them down as 
 they would a peach. In this connection reference is made 
 to the morning report of Company G on the 10th of July — 
 and but few of the other companies could make a better 
 showing: 
 
 For duty— First sergeant, 3 corporals, 1 bugler, and 21 
 privates. Total, 26. 
 
 Off duty— Lieutenant and 25 enlisted men. Extra 
 duty, 5. 
 
15S SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 About this time (July 8th) theregimental quartermaster, 
 Lieut. Beebe, resigned, and was succeeded by Lieut. George 
 A. Marden, of New Hampshire. Company A also lost their 
 first lieutenant, Magnus Falstich, who had been sick in 
 general hospital and resigned July 15th. Hosts of flies 
 swarmed around this encampment, which were a source of 
 great discomfort, and every imaginable way was tried to 
 get rid of them, without success. The only ones who could 
 stand the pests were the southern darkies with our troops, 
 who would sleep in the broiling sun, their faces covered 
 with flies, jtist as if they were used to it and enjoyed the 
 nap. But little could be done in the way of drilling, and 
 among the Sharpshooters target practice was indulged in 
 as a recreation. Recruiting parties were sent off to the 
 different states to fill the vacant ranks. Itwas a good time 
 to go on this service, for while new regiments w^ere forming- 
 all through the North, the old ones must be recruited up, it 
 was of more importance to have them filled; besides, the 
 new soldiers learned quicker right in the ranks of the old 
 companies, with a veteran either side of them. 
 
 Nothing of importance transpired in the Sharpshooter 
 organization up to the time of the evacuation of the place 
 by the Union army en route north, although considerable 
 excitement was occasioned at an early hour on the morning- 
 of August 1st before daybreak, by the appearance of the 
 enemy on the opposite bank of the James, -who opened 
 furiously w^ith their ba'teries upon the Union encampment. 
 This unexpected shelling was responded to by our land 
 batteries and the monitor in the river, the gunboats having 
 gone above, when order was again restored, and troops 
 were dispatched across the river to occupy the position 
 which had been taken uv> by the rebel gunners, they decamp- 
 ing. After burning some buildings which had sheltered the 
 enemy, and slashing down the woods where they had hid. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 159 
 
 the troops returned; little damage being occasioned and 
 that principally to the steamboats, although some cavalry 
 men and horses vere unfortunately killed and wounded 
 near the river. 
 
160 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 THE SECOND REGIMENT. 
 FROM WASHINGTON TO SECOND BULL RUN. 
 
 On the 18th of March the Second Sharpshooters, com- 
 manded by CoL Post, being attached to King's division of 
 McDowell's corps, crossed the Potomac and went into 
 temporary camp at Fort Ward, where they remained until 
 April 4th. Col. Stoughton says: " We were brigaded with 
 the 14th Brooklyn Zouaves, 22d, 24th and 30th New York 
 Volunteers, Gen. C. C. Augur commanding; and to which 
 brigade was attached Battery B, 4th U. S. Artillery, Capt. 
 John Gibbon commanding; also two regiments of cavalry 
 commanded by Col. Bayard and Col. Kilpatrick. All of 
 these three last named officers were promoted to brigadier- 
 generals before hardly a month had passed." He mentioned 
 this to show the good company the "Second" found them- 
 selves in, from the start. Brave boys were they, all of 
 them, from the high private in the rear rank, up through 
 the different grades, to general. 
 
 Taking up the line of march, the men being weighted 
 down with heavily -loaded knapsacks, they passed through 
 Manassas; where, as Col. Peteler said, "they encoun- 
 tered the formidable wooden guns left by the rebels," and 
 proceeding southerly encamped at Bristoe Station from the 
 6th to the 16th. Moving on by Catlett's, they were ordered 
 to quicken their steps, whereby they became assured that 
 
IN THE ARMV OF THE POTOMAC. 161 
 
 something more formidable than guns of wood would soon 
 confront them. 
 
 The first night out the picket guard brought in a man 
 representing himself to be a scout of Gen. Augur. He was 
 dressed up like a Virginia farmer, and thee ommanding officer 
 wished to know what he had to show he was a Union 
 scont. He then asked for an army screw-driver, which was 
 furnished, when he proceeded to unscrew the guard of his 
 pistol, discovering, stowed away under the guard, a thin 
 parchment in a recess in the pistol frame, which was a pas? 
 from Augur allow^ing him to go anywhere. In advancing 
 next morning, this scout persisted in going wnth the 
 skirmishers, but insisted on keeping ahead of the line some 
 75 paces in the road, although cautioned by Col. Peteler to 
 keep in line or he w^ould possibly be mistaken for a rebel. 
 Soon thereafter, one of our skirmishers, on the right of the 
 line fully 400 yards off, shot at the scout and broke his leg. 
 The unfortunate man felt terrible about being shot by our 
 ow^n men, said if he had been shot by the rebels he wouldn't 
 have cared. When thev took the ball out it looked like a 
 minie ball such as the Qonfederates were using, and which 
 is hollow at the butt; this made the scout feel better over it, 
 but two w^eeks later another piece of the ball came out, 
 showing that it was a solid bullet, such as were used in the 
 brccch-loadfirg. 
 
 FALMOUTH. 
 
 April 18,' 1862. 
 
 Here the Second Sharpshooters had their first skirmish 
 with the enemy. Advancing ahead of Augur's brigade they 
 met the Confederate fire with their five-shooters in a manner 
 that evidently surprised the foe, who little expected such 
 
162 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 rapid firing. The revolving chambers of the Colts were 
 soon heated up, and right here a most favorable oppor- 
 tunity was presented to test theseheretofore doubtful arms ; 
 and the boys were compelled to admit that they were not 
 so bad after all, ha-ving done good work with them. As our 
 men advanced the enemy fell back, crossing the Rappa- 
 hannock into Fredericksburg opposite, burning their bridges. 
 From Fredericksburg they were soon driven away, when 
 McDowell's corps entered the city. 
 
 The object was to surprise the Confederates and secure 
 the bridges without destroying them. Our cavalry pushed 
 ahead about three A. M., when they ran into an ambuscade 
 in a pine thicket, losing in killed 13 men and 30 horses. 
 Gen. Augur then rode forward with an escort, informing 
 both Cols. Post and Peteler before starting, that if the 
 Sharpshooters were needed he would send back an order. 
 Not very long after, rapid firing was heard ahead, at just 
 before daylight. Going forward. Col. Peteler met Oliver J. 
 Jones who, with Willard Wheaton, both of Company A, 
 were on the picket line, who informed the cplonel that they 
 had "killed a rebel." To w^hich Col. Peteler imme- 
 diately responded: " You have killed one of our own men! 
 Look for orders in his pocket." Jones searched and sure 
 enough found Augur's order for the Sharpshooters to 
 advance. From this unfortunate affair, an attempt was 
 made to criticise the Sharpshooters for being too eager — 
 shooting too quick. But when it became generally known 
 that the orderly when challenged by our men, drew his 
 pistol and undertook to ride rough shod over the picket, 
 and so was shot — ^hit five times — ^the "talk" subsided. 
 
 Four companies under Col. Peteler now moved forward 
 as skirmishers, the four reserve companies following under 
 Col. Post. The skirmishing commenced about break of day 
 and was kept up four miles over an open country, the enemy 
 falling back as our men advanced. Reaching the battle 
 
COL. FRANCIS PETELER. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 163 
 
 field, Col. Peteler fired the first shot at Falmouth, 700 yards 
 distance, at a party of men and horses at a toll-gate. The 
 shot struck in front of them in the road, throAving up the 
 dust. The tollman told the Sharpshooters afterwards: 
 " When that single shot came, the commanding officer said, 
 
 ' Here comes the Yankees. Mount ! ' and as they did so 
 
 the entire party rushed away." 
 
 When our men got up on Falmouth heights over- 
 looking Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock, the rebels 
 were seen retreating even up Marye's Heights beyond the 
 city. Here battery B, 4th artillery fired a few shots, their 
 first firing in the war. From these heights a destructive 
 scene w^as before them ; the four bridges on fire, w^ith four 
 steamboats and 22 schooners, the work of the rebel fire- 
 bugs. 
 
 Ill the latter part of May they marched 15 miles south 
 of Fredericksburg, expecting to go on to join- McClellan's 
 army, but, according to Lieut. -Col. Peteler, "the rebel 
 general, Jackson, was reported to be advancing in four 
 different directions" — wonderful Jackson. Here, after some 
 exchanges between the Sharpshooters and rebel cavalry, 
 driving the latter away, the regiment returned to Fred- 
 ericksburg and then made a forced march towards Front 
 Royal. On the 1st of June the Sharpshooters were the 
 unfortunate victims of a railroad collision near White 
 Plains meeting with severe casualties — 44 men injured.* 
 Returning again to Fredericksburg they exchanged their 
 well used Colts for the Sharps rifles. 
 
 ♦Lieut. Humphrey, of Vermont, says 18 of them were of his company (B), 
 For names see roster. 
 
164 SHAEPSHOOTDI& AND SKIRMISHIKtt 
 
 ORANGE COURT HOUSE. 
 
 July 26, 1862. 
 
 On July 24th Companies A and C, tinder Lieut.-Col, 
 Peteler, took part in a reconnoissance commanded by Gen, 
 Gibbon, making a forced march of 45 miles from Fredericks- 
 burg to Orange Court House, where the Sharpshooters 
 gallantly repulsed a rebel cavalry charge that threatened to 
 capture some of our troops, for which good service thesfe 
 two companies were highly complimented by the general 
 officers. Col. Peteler handled his men with much tact, and 
 the line skirmished admirably. 
 
 After advancing three-fourths of a mile, one of the 
 men of Company A called Col. Peteler's attention ahead, 
 where they discovered fully 1,500 rebel cavalry across an 
 old field 600 yards wide. A few shots were fired at them 
 when they turned and rode off. Shortly after, hearing a 
 few beats of a drum ahead. Col. Peteler's experienced ear in 
 such matters detected a movement of infantry, who were 
 soon seen advancing to our right and rear, whereupon the 
 Sharpshooters fell back on the reserve — the 2d Wisconsin — 
 who were having a good rest, cooking breakfast, washing 
 in the creek, bathing their feet, etc. Col. Peteler at once 
 told Gen. Gibbon that they would be attacked in less than 
 20 minutes; and told his own command not to go away 
 from their guns, which he ordered stacked while they were 
 trying to get a bite. . A short time thereafter, the noise of 
 clattering hoofs were heard coming down the plank road, 
 which soon developed our cavalry videttes being driven in 
 by the enemy. The Sharpshooters instantly falling in, 
 wheeled to the right, across the road, where they were ready 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. ,165 
 
 for the rebs, driving them away. Their shots were found 
 in a number of instances to have tirajected over the entire 
 length of a 700 yard field, and prisoners afterwards taken 
 reported vve had killed and wounded 30 of their men at that 
 distance. 
 
 At the cross-roads, five miles from the Court House, I 
 left the main body obstructing the roads to the right and 
 left, and pushed forward with one regiment of infantry, the 
 Rifles, two pieces of artillery, and the squadron of cavalry; 
 pome\yhat reduced by detached pickets watching the roads 
 coming in from the left in the direction of Gordonsville and 
 Louisa . Court House. We soon encountered the ene;nys' 
 mounted pickets, drove them in and pushed on in pursuit. 
 The country becoming more open, the cavaliy showed itself 
 in greater force. Skirmishers were thrown out; aind the 
 advance pushed to -within one and one-half miles of the 
 Court House, shots being occasionally exchanged between 
 the two. * * * My instructions directed me to run no 
 unnecessary risk in obtaining the information for which I 
 ■Was sent. I therefore proceeded no farther. The erieiny's 
 cavalry pursued us and made a dash at bur rear guard, but 
 was easily repulsed." * * * I returned on the morning of 
 the 27th. The Second Wisconsin and ^the Rifles (Second U- 
 S. Sharpshooters) were conspicuous during the march for 
 their well filled ranks, losing very few men by straggling, 
 although the weather was very warm and the marching on 
 the way out rapid. — Gen. Gibbon. 
 
 On their return trip, coming back through the "Wilderness 
 they took a lunch near a church, when Pony McGafiy 
 (Henry C), of Company A, took it upon himself to ofiiciate 
 as chaplain and preached a sermon in the church, although 
 I did not learn his text, but as near as I could find out from 
 some of the company members, they having had some 
 pretty hard hard-tack, he had considerable to say about 
 B. C, and the 2d Wisconsin stealing corn. He also called 
 for praise, or rather a vote of thanks to Col. Petelierj fot' 
 having captured a half dozen geese with his revolver while 
 
166 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 near the Chancellor house ; so that the boys were in pretty 
 good spirits after all, notwithstanding their hard usage. 
 
 August 6th, moving south again from Fredericksburg, 
 the regiment made a reconnoissance with other troops to 
 
 GUINEYS STATION. 
 
 Here they found that Stuart's cavalry were attempting a 
 raid on us, while our cavalry were engaged in the same 
 exciting pursuit on rebel territory. Our Sharpshooters, 
 backing up the cavalry, took part in more or less skirmish- 
 ing, which had the effect of defeating the plans of the Con- 
 federate horsemen. The Sharpshooters also reconnoitered 
 westerly from Guineys to the region around Spottsylvania. 
 Having successfully accomplished the purpose for which 
 thej' were sent out, they returned and crossed the river to 
 Falmouth. 
 
 On August 10th they left suddenly for Cedar Mountain, 
 but were not engaged in that battle — Banks was falling 
 back. Here they encamped until the 19th, when they 
 moved back with Pope's army behind the Rappahannock, 
 being the rear-guard. 
 
 RAPAHANNOCK STATION. 
 
 August 21-23, 1862. 
 
 Gen. Hatch told Col. Post to send Col. Peteler with four 
 companies of Sharpshooters to the river, where it was 
 reported that a battery of rebel artillery and some cavalry 
 were on our side of the stream, a mile away. Peteler's com- 
 mand advanced in skirmish line towards the river, over 
 rolling ground, a succession of ridges, and while going up 
 the last ridge next to the river, casually looking to the right 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 167 
 
 OTer a com field the lieutenant-colonel discovered a cloud of 
 dust. Knowing that we had no troops in that direction, 
 the signal to retreat was given, at the same time making a 
 right wheel. Then hurrying to the right of the line, Col. 
 Peteler looking up an old road to the right of the corn field, 
 discovered rebel cavalry as far as he could see ; they were 
 closing up when discovered. Cautioning the skirmish line 
 not to fire until ordered, Peteler went back to two com- 
 panies in reserve commanded by Capt. Caldwell, bringing 
 them into line where they could deliver fire effectively. A 
 •rebel shot passed Col. Peteler's knee, they being very close, 
 and struck the ground. At the moment the cavalry were 
 about to charge, our men opened fire with their breech- 
 loaders. As soon as the Sharpshooters began firing, the 
 cavalry at once jumped their horses and escaped through 
 the corn field. The corn was high and the whole country 
 about was overrun with horses, only seven men mounted 
 got over the river by an old dam. The Sharpshooters 
 captured the commanding officer; his horse being wounded, 
 ran into our line, and tumbled into a ditch. Sergt.-Maj. 
 Shoup and two others took the Confederate captain out of 
 the ditch from under his horse. 
 
 The first thing the irate captain said on being taken out 
 of the ditch was: "I am a captain in Stuart's cavalry and 
 wish to be taken prisoner by a commissioned officer." To 
 which Shoup replied: "Well! Here's Col. Peteler, com- 
 manding the line." Then the captain addressing the colonel 
 very politely repeated about his being a "captain in Stuart's 
 cavalry," and undertook to show that he was a person of 
 some importance "down in Dixie," all of which "fine talk" 
 notwithstanding, failed to impress our ready north-western 
 colonel with anything better than sheer disgust at the airs 
 the captain put on. Among other things in their conversa- 
 tion, Col. Peteler asked him where Jackson was? His 
 answer: "You'll hear from Jackson, he'll give you hell in 
 
108 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 two or three days," made our boys grin at his bombast- 
 He then asked what regiment this w^as, and on being told 
 they Were Sharpshooters, said: "Yes, you d — d fellows 
 wounded me at Fair Oaks" — probably Company L, with 1st 
 Minnesota. 
 
 As soon as the enemy across the river who were on high 
 ground, saw their own cavalry out of the way, they b^OWght 
 six pieces of artillery right in front, 30Q j-ards off, and 
 opened fire on our skirmish line with grape-shot and shell. 
 The line rallied on the reserve and lay down behind a 
 depression. 
 
 In the meantime Col. Peteler had told the sergeant- 
 major in the rebel captain's hearing and, to his disgust, to 
 place him in charge of two privates and march him to the rear, 
 to the provost guard ; but before he got away the enemy 's bat-, 
 teries had opened, and the captain had to lay, with the 
 Sharpshooters and take the fire of his own guns. , While, 
 thus lying under fire, the. boys noticed a dirty white hand- 
 kerchief hoisted high on a rami-od coming through the com, 
 and the owner carrying it cried aloud: "Pon't shoot, 
 don't shoot, I'm coming., in;" our men hallooing back: 
 "Come in, Johnny ! Come along," old boy." He. was an old 
 farmer looking fellow of about 45, and when within speak- 
 ing distance he said: "I'm so glad I'm here. I've -been) 
 looking for this chance for a long time ; " and there lay his 
 captain, who remarked : "Are you here? " "Yes, captain,"- 
 he said half-surprised, "I am here, and^-and — I'm d— d glad 
 of it." Then our boys ydlled, and yeUed again, while the 
 unfortunate captain of Stuart's cavalry, hadn't another 
 w^ord to say. 
 
 Considerable amusement was created at this point by a 
 man of Company A named Charles M.Jacobs (soon after 
 killed), who had been complaining that they were drilled 
 too much, at Camp of Instruction, Fredericksburg, etc. 
 after making these sudden and successful movements in the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 169 
 
 presence of the enemy, exclaiming while on the skirmish line: 
 "Well! By-' — , our drilling -wasn't for nothing." 
 
 On the 23d they Mvtre sent to the river to prevent the 
 rebels from crossing. During that afternoon, part of the 
 regiment was near a spring in full view of the enemy 
 on the other side of the river, but after dark the 
 entire regiment moved behind a small hill into a pine grove. 
 Company B was on picket along the river, and was 
 instructed to open fire at daylight. During the night the 
 rebs could be heard getting into position, placing batteries, 
 etc., and promptly at daylight they opened with these can- 
 non, while the smoke and fog was so dense that the Sharp- 
 shooters could do nothing effective, and found themselves 
 between two armies with 120 pieces of artillery doing their 
 best. The first fire of the rebel battery opposite our position 
 was directed to that spring where our men cooked our coffee 
 the evening before, but now fortunately for our boys they 
 were not there. The firing lasted over two hours, and the 
 Sharpshooters lying in close column in the pine grove behind 
 that little hill, were literally covered with pine, limbs — ^to 
 their great discomfort if not amazement — and one tree 
 knocked down by this terrible artillery fire of friends and 
 foes, after it fell and before a word was spoken or command 
 given, Henry Page of Company A, spoke up in a loud voice 
 calling to Lieut.-Col. Peteler, saying: "Colonel, I want to 
 go home." There were many narrow escapes that morning, 
 before the Confederates. fell back from the river. 
 
 While supporting a battery, Sergeant Preston Cooper, 
 of Company A, had a shell burst on his cartridge box, which 
 took the flesh off the small of his back, and for nine months 
 thereafter he couldn't lie on his back. The same shell killed 
 two corporals and wounded three others in rear of 
 Sergt. Cooper. 
 
170 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 SULPHUR SPRINGS. 
 
 August 26, 1882. 
 
 At this place the Sharpshooters drove a rebel battery 
 ofif the field. Two of the companies had been on duty 
 guarding a signal station at Luray mountain, which 
 brought the regiment for that morning in rear of the divis- 
 ion. The advance, Patrick's brigade, was fighting at 
 Sulphur Springs, when an aide of Gen. McDowell, galloping 
 back to the Sharpshooters then on the way bringing up the 
 rear, ordered them to double-quick to the front. Arriving, 
 they quickly deployed right and left near the river, and in 
 10 minutes after taking the position the rebel lines on the 
 opposite side of the Rappahannock were entirely silenced. 
 The enemy found good rifles in front of them, and men w^ho 
 knew^ how to handle them, and they hunted their holes. 
 This was about nine A. m. ; they remaining silent until about 
 four p. M., when a flag of truce came down to the burnt 
 bridge to parley with our officers about a prisoner (a 
 woman) ; then the rebel line close to the river, rose up and 
 skedaddled over the hill, taking advantage of the truce to 
 get out from under the Sharpshooters' guns. 
 
 Cols. Post and Peteler had a narrow^ escape from Con- 
 federate sharpshooters, whose bullets sounded very much 
 like Whitworth's. The two colonels were standing in front 
 of a board fence at the burnt hotel (burned by Sigel the day 
 before); Col. Post with glasses was looking up the hidino- 
 places of the rebels, telling Col. Peteler where he thought 
 there was one in a comer of a fence 400 yards oiF. Col. 
 Peteler, who alvyays carried a rifle, took a shot at the sup- 
 posed place, but from w^here he stood couldn't see any one* 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 171 
 
 tben, while loading for the second shot and capping his 
 rifle, Col. Post meanwhile lookingthrough his glasses which 
 brought their elbows about six inches apart standing side 
 by side, a rebel ball from off to the right 500 yards, struck 
 the board fence right in rear between their elbows. The 
 boys noticed the shot, and the puff of smoke from behind a 
 pile of rails and went for them, sending the Sharps bullets in 
 around the rails like so much hail. This showed that the 
 Johnnies had some good guns and good shots. 
 
 Pushing forward, they approached Manassas, on which 
 field they w^ere again to prove their valor, and effective 
 service as Sharpshooters. 
 
172 SHARPSUOOTING AXD SlOEMISllING 
 
 . SECOND CAMPAIGN, 
 
 riAia?isdNi's landIng to Washington. 
 
 About the middle of August the army of the Potomac 
 left Harrison's Landing by land and water for the vicinity 
 of Washington, per orders from the new general-in-chief, 
 Gen. Halleck, against the urgent protests of Gen. McClellan 
 -who -wished to advance from that point on Richmond, and 
 was about ready to commence the movement w^hen the 
 imperative order came to fall back. 
 
 With McClellan gone, Lee at once sent forward his 
 troops to reinforce Jackson who was making every effort to 
 get into Pope's rear. This latter general — now in com- 
 mand of the "Army of Virginia" — was naturally very 
 anxious to get his troops together, and to have that por- 
 tion of McClellan's army which was to join him, hurry 
 forward — and this they w^ere doing. The enemy were 
 crowding him close, and great excitement prevailed all along 
 the line from the Rappahannock to the Potomac at Wash- 
 ington ; while at the same time the people of the northern 
 states were impatiently aw^aiting the outcome — ^hoping for 
 the best. Sensational rumors were frequent, and were 
 reported to the people by the press with startling headlines 
 so that the excitement w^as at fever heat: "McClellan left 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE PdTOMAC. I'i3 
 
 the Peninsula— Lee advancing on Washington-^Pope in 
 command of the Army of Virginia." 
 
 But the greatest sensation of the time, and which spread 
 far and wide through the army, was the affair of the 22d of 
 August, when the Confederate cavalry leader, Gen. J. E. B. 
 Stuart, in the midst of darkness approached Catlett's 
 Station and suddenly charging thereon under a negro guide, 
 captured a portion of Pope's staff and his dispatch book, 
 thus giving the enemy information of our situation as to 
 need of reinforcements, plans, etc. 
 
 Gen. Stuart (official records) gives this report of the 
 raid: "Having," he says, "captured the picket, we soon 
 found ourselves in the midst of the enemy's encampments, 
 but the darkest night lever knew. Fortunately we captured 
 at this moment, so critical, a negro who had known me in 
 Berkcly, and who, recognizing me, informed me of the loca- 
 tion of Gen. Pope's staff, baggage, horses, etc., and offered 
 to guide to the spot. After a brief consultation it was 
 determined to accept the negro's proposition, as whatever 
 was to be done had to be done quickly, and Brig.-Gen. Fitz 
 Lee selected Col. W. H. F. Lee's regiment for the work. 
 The latter led his command boldly to within a few feet of 
 the tents occupied by the convivial staff of Gen. Pope and 
 charged the camp, capturing a large number of prisoners, 
 particularly officers, and securing public property to a 
 fabulous amount. * * * The men of the command had 
 secured Pope's uniform, his horses and equipments, money- 
 chests, and a great variety of uniforms and personal bag- 
 gage, but what was of peculiar value was the dispatch-book 
 of Gen. Pope, which contained information of great 
 importance to us, throwing light upon the strength, move- 
 ments, and designs of the enemy, and disclosing Gen. Pope's 
 own views against his ability to defend^ the line of the 
 Rappahannock." 
 
 Gen. Pope expressed his indignation at the failure of his 
 own troops to prevent the raid, in words following: "On 
 the night of the 22d. of August a small cavalry force of the 
 enemy, crossing at Waterloo Bridge and passing through 
 Warrentoh had made a raid upon our trains at Catlett's' 
 
174 SHAEPSHOOTLNG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Station, and had destroyed four or five wagons in all, 
 belonging to the train of my own heax3quarters. At the 
 time this cavalry force attacked at Catlett's — and it cer- 
 tainly was not more than 300 strong— our whole 
 army trains were parked at that place, and were guarded 
 by not less than 1,500 infantry and five companies of 
 cavalry. The success of this small cavalry partj «f the 
 enemy, although very trifling and attended with but little 
 damage, was most disgraceful to the force which had been 
 left in charge of the trains." 
 
 Considering, that the night was so extremely dark, the 
 enemy's cavalry, one of the boldest and best of that arm of 
 service North or South, it is not more surprising that this 
 raid succeeded than that we were not betrayed, oftener, 
 with so many intelligent contrabands allowed to remain in 
 the camps — negroes picked up on every line of march. 
 
 But to my story : On the 14th of August as part of the 
 5th corps, the Sharpshooters began their march overland, 
 passing through Williamsburg, Yorktown and Hampton, 
 marching steadily each day, sometimes at night, arriving at 
 Newport News near the mouth of the James on the 18th, a 
 distance of 70 miles. Before starting, knapsacks were 
 turned in to the quartermaster, also surplus baggage — 
 everything done to make light marching possible. Many 
 members were scarcely able to walk at first, from the effects 
 of disability, but as they moved on they improved, and b}' 
 the time they reached the end of the Peninsula were fast 
 regaining their strength and health. Green fruit found 
 along the line of march helped them greatly; it proved to be 
 better in the worst cases of dysentery than th? doctor's 
 pills and powders. What under other circumstances would 
 have tended to cholera-morbus, seemed now a substantial 
 cure for their ailments. Embarking on transports' at 
 Newport News, on the 21st they sailed to Acquia Creek 
 arriving. there the morning of the 22d. This was the termi- 
 nus ©f a railroad running to Richmond via Fredericksburg- 
 
IN THE A.RMY OF THE POTOMAC. 175 
 
 on the south bank of the Potomac. Here again, small 
 boats were used to reach shore, the big steamers being 
 unable to land as the water was too low. It was tedious, 
 and somewhat risky from capsizing. Taking cars for 
 Falmouth 12 miles south, they again resumed the march 
 late in the afternoon, going westerly until two a. m. of the 
 23d when they halted till daylight, then continuing on until 
 noon, bivouacking at Barnett's Ford. During the day 
 heavy cannonading was heard farther west where Gen. 
 Pope's troops were engaging the enemy while on their way 
 north. The 5th corps remained near the ford to prevent 
 any attempt at crossing the stream by the Confederates, 
 should thej' appear. Twenty-fourth, changed position to 
 points along the Warrenton pike, and on the 25th again , 
 near the river. On the 26th repassing Barnett's, marched 
 all day-and night along the Orange & Alexandria rail- 
 road from Rappahannock Station northerly towards 
 Bealeton Station; on the 27th made a particularly hard 
 march of 20 miles, going into camp at five p. M. near 
 Warrenton Junction, in an open field by the roadside, 
 suffering much from oppressive heat and want of water. 
 
 At half-past nine p. m. orders were received to draw 
 three days rations, and be ready to march again at one 
 o'clock the morning of the 28th. Promptly at that hour 
 Col. Berdan ordered his regiment in , line, and moved 
 towards the road, but in doing so, was surprised to find 
 troops in front of him asleep, with no sign of their prepar- 
 ing to march. As the colonel marched the Sharpshooters 
 over these regiments in the dark, a great disturbance was 
 kicked up and a good deal of loud iswearing, by officers and 
 men of the sleeping regiments. But Col. Berdan kept right 
 on until he reached the road, when he ordered a halt and to 
 break ranks. Now, the colonel received more blame and 
 grumbling from his own men, who did not know that he 
 was not notified that the original order to march at one a.m. 
 
176 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 had been countermanded. The regiment being one of the 
 farthest from the road in the brigade; had evidently been 
 overlooked, or at least not found by the officer intrusted 
 with the countermanding order; so, Col. Berdan was 
 blamed, first by the sleeping regiments, and again by nis 
 own because they too could not have slept. Had he con- 
 descended to go amongst them and explain how^ it occurred, 
 they no doubt would have excused him, but he says: "it 
 wasn't military," so he "silently took it all, in grief at his: 
 command, coupled with feelings of disgust at the result of 
 his eiforts to obey orders to march on time." The 
 Sharpshooters had always given him due credit for prompt- 
 ness, but this time they seemed to think he had blundered ; 
 probably because of their broken rest in their greatly 
 fatigued condition. Had the aide completed his whole 
 duty, by notifying all the regimental commanders, this 
 unpleasant episode would not have happened. 
 
 The regimental commissary, Frank Whipple, of Com- 
 pany C, assisted by Thomas McCaul, of Company G, drew 
 the rations at headquarters, the night being very dark ; so 
 dark, that Straw, the w^agon-master, accompanied by 
 McCaul, had to go ahead feeling the way, to keep the team 
 in the road to headquarters and back. When they returned 
 they found the order to niarch changed to three A. M., at 
 which time when the regiment moved into the road it was 
 already filled with troops, also crowded with Pope's 
 wagons — a perfect jam at times en route — making the move- 
 ment a difficult one and naturally much slower than usual," 
 delayingtheir arrival at Bristoe Station, 10 miles travel, until 
 between eight and ten in the forenoon — that is the 5th 
 corjjs w^as all up and in line by ten o'clock the morning of 
 the 28th. The Second Regiment of Sharpshooters were 
 met with at Bristoe, they having undergone hard service 
 and suffered considerable loss. 
 
IN. THE ARMY OF THB PuTOMAO. 177 
 
 SECOND BULL RUN BATTLE FIELD. 
 
 August 28 to September 1. 
 
 [What is known as the "Second Bull Run," comprised all the conflicts on the 
 Plains of Manassas on difiFerent days and at different places, principally the 
 actions at Gainesville, Groveton and Chantilly, and by these names they are 
 known. 3 
 
 The afternoon of August 27th Hooker's division of 
 McClellan's army was engaged with the enemy at Bristoe 
 Station, the latter falling back from that point during the 
 night. 
 
 THE FIGHT AT GAINESVILLE. 
 
 August 28, 1S62. 
 
 Gibbon's brigade of King's division, composed of the 
 19th Indiana, 2d, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, encountered the 
 enemy in a desperate action on the Warrenton pike east of 
 Gainesville, in the evening, meeting . with heavy losses. 
 They were moving towards Centreville at the time, and ran 
 into Jackson's troops. After the battle they held their 
 ground on the turnpike until midnight, then fell back to 
 Manassas Junction. During the fight they were reinforced 
 by the 56th Pennsylvania and 76th New York from Double- 
 day's brigade, which was following Gibbon in the line of 
 march. 
 
 Gen. Doubleday speaks of it thus: "Gen. Gibbon was 
 received with a tremendous .fire from a large army in posi- 
 tion, under Jackson, Ewell and Taliaferro. Knowing he 
 would be overpowered if not succored, I immediately com- 
 
178 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 plied with his earnest request and sent him the two regi- 
 ments referred to, leaving myself but one regiment in 
 reserve." 
 
 The Second Sharpshooters were also in this fight, 
 taking part therein with Hatch's brigade, principally under 
 heavy artillery fire, meeting with little loss. Hatch had led 
 in the column, and returned to Gibbon's aid as quickly as 
 he could, but not in time to change the result. While the 
 Sharpshooters were in advance before Gibbon struck the 
 enemy. Cols. Post and Peteler sent Adjutant Parmelee back 
 to Gen. Hatch warning him that the rebels were in line of 
 battle on our left, but that general refused to believe it, 
 althotigh he came at once forward, saying there were no 
 rebels anywhere near there, and took no heed of th^ Sharp- 
 shooter's report ; which if he had, would have doubtless 
 prevented that disastrous action with its great and fruit- 
 less loss of life. The Sharpshooters were ahead and saw 
 the enemy — that's what they were out there for. It wals 
 not very long thereafter, before it got to be understood that 
 the Sharpshooters' report from the extreme front, w^as to be 
 depended on. 
 
 The Confederate Gen. Jackson said: "The Federals did 
 not attempt to advance, but maintained their ground with 
 obstinate determination. Both lines stood exposed to the 
 discharge of musketry and artillery until about nine o'clock, 
 when the enemy slowly fell back, yielding the field to our 
 troops." 
 
 This is high testimony to the gallant manner in which 
 Gibbon's brigade behaved in this action, they also receiving 
 a complimentary notice from their general commanding; 
 thus earning a lasting reputation, second to no other body 
 of troops in the army. A Sharpshooter taken prisoner at 
 Second Bull Run, overheard Gen. Jackson ask a member of 
 the 7th regiment, "what troops were those with the black 
 hats, and how many of them," and when informed there 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 179 
 
 was but a brigade opposed to his division, the rebel 
 chieftain would not believe it, considering it impossible that 
 his superior force could be held in check by so small a num- 
 ber of men; while the officers generally, admitted that 
 "those black-hatted fellows fought like tigers." 
 
 DAWKIN S BRANCH. 
 
 August 29, 1862. 
 
 The 5th corps remained at Bristoe all day and night of 
 the 28 th, w^hen orders having been received at corps head- 
 quarters to march immediately beyond Bull Run to Centre- 
 ville, Gen. Porter started his command at an early hour on 
 the 29th, eventually passing by Manassas Jtmction to be 
 halted by countermanding orders from Gen. Pope, who 
 turned him back to the new front beyond the Junction 
 westerly, towards Gainesville. During the day fighting had 
 been going on afar off to our right, in front of Sigel's corps, 
 along an extended line running northward beyond Groveton 
 to near Sudley's Church; with a large interval of forests 
 betw^een these troops and Porter's corps, which formed the 
 Union left, on the Manassas Gap railroad two miles west of 
 Bethlehem Church — Gen. Reynold's troops, nearest to Por- 
 ter's right wing, being two miles aw^ay, v^hich was no con- 
 nection whatever, but a bad gap. The enemy strongly 
 posted under Jackson, connected on his right with 
 Longstreet, the latter extending down to our left, which 
 w^as guarded by some 8,000 men of the 5th corps — Morell's 
 and Sykes' divisions. 
 
 Porter became aware of the fact that Longstreet was 
 opposing him, from the reports of the Sharpshooters and 
 the 13th New York, who had crossed the Branch in the fore- 
 noon in advance as skirmishers ; also from the knowledge. 
 
180 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 received through Gen. McDowell from Buford's cavalry that 
 17 regiments of the enemy's infantry, a battery and some 
 cavalry, had passed through Gainesville three and a half 
 miles west of Porter's position, early that mSrning, and 
 had moved down on to the line in his front, where our men 
 captured some of his scouts. The Sharpshooters were on 
 duty most of the .day in line of battle, with Butterfield's 
 brigade on the extreme left of the corps, having been recalled 
 as skirmishers about an hour after Gen. McDowell told 
 Porter he was "too far out," when the line of battle was 
 re-formed on the east side of the Branch, the 13th New York 
 remaining in advance in their original position. Gen. 
 Porter's troops stayed on the field over night, the skirmish- 
 ers in front, until about three o'clock next morning when 
 . they were withdrawn by order of Gen. Pope, to fall back 
 and take the road to Groveton. The casualties in Berdan's 
 regiment were not very extensive, yet serious: 
 
 Co. D — Wounded : Sergt. "William 0. McLean, mortal. 
 
 Co. I — Wounded: Daniel Warren. 
 
 Co. K — Wounded: Norman Wilson, mortal, and 
 
 Loomis, in head by piece of shell. 
 
 The position occupied this day at Dawkin's Branch by 
 the 5th corps, previously reduced in numbers by the w^ith- 
 drawal of the Pennsylvania Reserves now under Reynolds, 
 was of the utmost importance to the Union cause, being on 
 the left of the battle-line proper confronted by the enemy, 
 ■who were .thus held in check from a flank movement. 
 
 This is the field wherein Pope declared that Porter had 
 betrayed the Union cause. This is the field whereon the 
 Military Board of Review appointed by President Hayes, 
 declared that Porter was the means of saving the Union 
 Hrmy from disaster. However it may be; and to the 
 anprejudiced mind I will leave it, to look through non- 
 political eyes for their calm judgment, as to whether Porter 
 ivas wrong, or Pope was mistaken; I at least can cono-ratu- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 181 
 
 late my comrades of the 5th corps, that no tarnish can be 
 placed on their escutcheon. For, with all due respect and 
 proper credit to the generals, this book is dedicated to the 
 men who handled the instruments that did the fighting. 
 And whoever attacks the reputation of the 5th corps, or the 
 Army of the Potomac, had better be in some other business. 
 The Second Sharpshooters, in Hatch's brigade of 
 McDowell's corps, were deployed late in the afternoon of the 
 29th, after considerable moving about that day, and as 
 skirmishers fought with their brigade three-fotirths of an 
 hour on the Centreville Road; east of Gainesville, the 
 enemy being found well posted and in great force in their 
 front. 
 
 After marching about three-quarters of a mile the Second 
 Regiment of U. S. Sharpshooters was deployed to the front 
 as skirmishers, the column continuing up the road in sup- 
 port. The advance almost immediately became warmly 
 engaged on the left of the road. Two howitzers w^ere then 
 placed in position, one on each side of the road, and 
 Doubleday's brigade was deployed to the front, on the left 
 of the road, and moved up to the support of the skirmishers. 
 We were met by a force consisting of three brigades of 
 infantry, one of which was posted in the woods on the left, 
 JDarallel to and about an eighth of a mile from the road. 
 The two other brigades were drawn up in line of battle, one 
 on each side of the road. These were in turn supported by 
 a large portion of the rebel forces, estimated by a prisoner 
 at about 30,000 men, drawn up in successive lines, extend- 
 ing one and a half miles to the rear. — Gen. Hatch. 
 
 The Sharpshooters were deployed, four companies to 
 thexight of the road under Col. Peteler, and four to the left 
 under Col. Post. Crawling up the hill, when they reached 
 the top they butted against the whole rebel corps, and the 
 colonels commanding reported back the situation, which at 
 first one of our generals could hardly believe, but was forced 
 to soon after. The^ Sharpshooters held their ground alone 
 
182 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 and deserted until long after dark when they succeeded in 
 getting away, Company A having six men captured along 
 with the second lieutenant, James E. Doughty. The service 
 on this occasion was very trying and well done. When the 
 brigade went in, one of our batteries was losing a gun; and 
 the 24.th New York, later on, just about dark when the 
 fighting was pretty well over for the day, lost their flag. 
 Relative to this capture, Col. William T. Wofford, 18th 
 Georgia (rebel) of Hood's brigade, says in his report pub- 
 lished in the Official Records (U. S.) : " Wecaptured a stand 
 of colors from the 24th New York regiment, and took 53 
 prisoners^ belonging respectively, to the 24th, 44th and 
 17th New York." The flag of the 24th New York was 
 retaken by Col. Post in person, who on seeing it going oflf 
 the field in the possession of only a few men, galloped hard 
 after them, caught the flag-staff and wrenched it from the 
 man, then wheeled and put the spurs to his horse, which 
 w^as a good Union horse as she gave her heels to one of the 
 Johnnies, sending him sprawling .out, astonishing the others 
 so, that the colonel came off" with the flag. This most 
 interesting incident connected with that rebel capture, the 
 Confederate colonel failed to report. 
 
 GROVETON. 
 
 August 30, 1862. 
 
 Owing to a mistake made by Gen. Griffin's brigade and 
 some other troops — along with them Gen. Morell — in miss- 
 ing the road in the darkness and going on to Centreville 
 the 5th corps was now only about 6,000 strong, w^hich, 
 moving by the Sudley road, arrived at the Warrenton pike 
 at "Old Stone House" east of the little village of Groveton, 
 about sunrise, after a quick march, taking position in the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 183 
 
 center of the new battle field. The fight commenced in the 
 aiternoon on the enemy's left wing under Jackson, by the 
 brigades of Butterfield and Barnes of Morell's division, 
 (Griffin having gone astray), and bj* the division of Sykes — 
 the Regulars. The enemy's line (Jackson's), extended along 
 an old abandoned railroad from Groveton north towards 
 Sudley Church, with Longstreet to the south on Jackson's 
 right. Gen. Porter's corps was on the left of the Union line 
 and had charged close up to the rebel works, where after a 
 most determined battle, they were flanked by Longstreet's 
 cannon and forced back with serious loss — 2,151 killed and 
 ■wounded out of 6,000, over one-third, showing the fearful 
 cost of that unequal struggle. It was a brave attempt 
 in the face of every description of fatal missiles from big- 
 mouthed cannon andrapid musketry, spitting fire in deathly 
 music that occupied in its intensity of sound the entire 
 space in front and around them. The air was thick with 
 balls of lead and iron — a perfect raining down from the 
 mounted heights before them. Despite all, they pressed on, 
 pp the fatal slope, until within almost grasping distance of 
 the enemy's flags, and the day seemed ours, when Jackson's 
 Iresh reserves came to the front scarce 50 feet distant, add- 
 ing more thousands to the merciless buUets sent tearing 
 through the Union ranks. The advance was stopped, and 
 our men fell back leaving the field strewed with their 
 fallen. 
 
 Warren's decimated brigade made an heroic attempt to 
 stem the bloody tide, but were finally obliged to retire under 
 the terrible pressure to the ridge behind them, where the 
 Regulars and Reserves made a stand that stopped the fur- 
 ther advance of the elated Confederates. But though the 
 enemy succeeded in driving us from their works — within 
 almost touching distance — yet as they failed to follow it up 
 by forcing our men from our own ground, where the 5th 
 
1-84 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 corps awaited their coming, it may fairly be called a drawn 
 battle, so far as any decisive results were concerned. 
 
 The rebel 'commander. Gen. Lee, thus reports the fight; 
 "About three P. M. the enemy having massed his troops in 
 front of Gen. Jackson, advanced against his position in 
 strong force. His front line pushed forward until engaged' 
 at close quarters by Jackson's troops, when its progress- 
 w^as checked, and a fierce and bloody struggle ensued. A 
 second and third line, of great strength, moved up to sup- 
 port the first, but in doing so came within easy range 
 of a position a little in advance of Longstreet's left. He 
 immediately ordered up two batteries, and two others being 
 thrown forward about the same time by Col. S. D. Lee, 
 under their w^ell directed and destructive fire the supportiig 
 lines were broken and fell back in confusion. Their repeated 
 efforts to rally were unavailing, and Jackson's troops being 
 thus relieved from the pressure of overwhelming numbers, 
 began to press steadilj' forward, driving the enemy before 
 them. He retreated in confusion, suffering severely from 
 our artillery, which advanced as he retired. Gen. Long- 
 street, anticipating the order for a general advance, now 
 threw his whole command against the Federal center and 
 left." 
 
 Col. Berdan was ordered by Gen. Butterfield with whose 
 division the Sharpshooters were acting, to deploy his regi- 
 ment in front and advance through a piece of woods, when 
 he was to halt his command and report the situation of the- 
 enemy in front, awaiting further orders. Having success- 
 fully skirmished the woods and finding a large force of the 
 enemy confronting him, he at once reported back to Butter- 
 field, who showed him an order this general had received, to 
 push on through the woods; but as the colonel was persis- 
 tent in his belief that it would do no good without a strong 
 support, he was in formed he might show his diagram to 
 Gen. Porter. When' Berdan returned to the line, after the 
 skirmishers of the 1st (and right) brigade came up, con- 
 necting with his left, he notified Col. Roberts, conjmanding^^ 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 185 
 
 the brigade, that it would be useless to advance farther as 
 the enemy were already on their right and rear. Col. 
 Roberts at once seeing the correctness of the statement 
 halted his line, reph'ing: "Colonel, you are right — you are 
 certainly right." He then awaited more support. 
 
 In his official report Col. Roberts says: "Upon Satur- 
 day, the 30th inst. betw^een the hours of three and four A. 
 M , * * * I received orders from Maj.-Gen. Morell to 
 break camp or bivouac, with as little confusion as possible. 
 * * * My directions were to follow in the rear of Col. 
 Berdan's regiment U. S. Sharpshooters. * * * Approach- 
 ing near Groveton, I w^as directed by Gen. Butterfield, in 
 command of the division, to move the brigade to the 
 extreme front. * * * In this position we remained nearly 
 two hours aw^aiting the movements of the enemy, but, 
 with the exception of a scattering fire from my skirmishers, 
 also from those of Col. Berdan's regiment to the extreme 
 front, and an occasional shell or round shot whizzing 
 harmlessly over our heads, the coming battle seemed to be 
 at a stand. At this juncture, between the hours of eleven 
 A. M. and twelvcM., I received through Gen. Butterfield from 
 Maj.-Gen. Porter an order to advance my skirmishers briskly, 
 through the skirt of woods to my front, and following 
 with my command to attack th€ enemy, take possession of 
 a railroad excavation located just through the woods on 
 my right, to then sweep around to the left, and advance 
 upon the batteries of the enemy posted upon a hill some 
 distance to my left, the above order assuring me that I 
 would receive from the forces under Gen. King (McDowell's 
 corps) a vigorous support on my right. I at once com- 
 menced executing the order, my skirmishers advancing 
 through the skirt of woods, the. command following 
 them closely. We had passed nearly through the belt of 
 timber to our front, when upon the opposite edge beyond the 
 wood my skirmishers receiving an exceedingly hot musketry 
 fire from the railroad cut, were obliged to halt. Cols. 
 Johnson and Berdan immediately notified me that unless 
 they could have better support from the skirmishers on 
 their right, it would be impossible to advance farther. 
 Upon going to the front I found that their report was cor- 
 
186 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 rect; Capt. Spear being wounded at this point by the 
 enemy's cross-fire. Fearing that our skirmishers did not 
 properly connect with those of Gen. King's on the right, I 
 deployed two companies of the 18th Massachusetts to cor- 
 rect the error, if possible, which they succeeded in doing 
 satisfactorily. I then sent Capt. Powers to Gen. Porter, 
 reporting our true position ; requesting a more decided sup- 
 port on the right, or else, on account of an enfilading fire 
 from the enemy, it would be futile to commence the attack." 
 
 This had been the opinion of the advanced Sharp- 
 shooters as represented by Col. Berdan, when the latter 
 called Col. Roberts' attention to the serious :aspect of the 
 position. The enemy having full sweep of the fields before 
 them, our men unless properly backed up, wauld have been 
 pretty much all slaughtered in a useless attack. This was 
 -very obvious to them, as also to Col. Berdan. The men on 
 the front line, could tell pretty near as well as those behind 
 them. Their dearly purchased experience in the past, gave 
 them a good idea of the prospect of success over an open 
 plain enfiladed by a crowding enemy. As it was, w^hen the 
 order to advance w^as given, Roberts' brigade w^as badly 
 cut up : " Our brave boys holding the ground but falling in 
 scores," he says, also adds: "To Cols. Johnson (25th New 
 York)„Marshall (13th New York), also Col. Berdan, I feel 
 much indebted for giving me from time to time the true posi- 
 tion and movements of the enemy." 
 
 The battle proved to be another hot one for the Sharp- 
 shooters, w^ho commenced skirmishing in the forenoon in 
 advance, to the line of woods where they remained several 
 hours — B and G in reserve, the balance of the regiment a 
 long way out. At three o'clock these two companies 
 received orders to deploy double-quick to the regimental 
 line. Lieut. Nash (Company B) commanding the left divis- 
 ion of the regiment, halting his men for a few moments in a 
 -patch of woods, warned them of the probable danger in 
 front, in the following manner: 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 187 
 
 "Now men! If there are any here who think they are 
 goinr to have an easy time on this skirmish, change your 
 tune now. For when you strike that open field, you'll find 
 the shot pouring in thicker than the leaves over your heads. 
 But mind you ! I don't ask a man to go ahead o£ me, but 
 keep your line and push forward, and if any fall wounded 
 we'll help 'em all we can. So away we go ! Now^ for 'em, 
 boys." 
 
 , And Nash kept his word, he kept in front — he always 
 did^and the "boys" w^ere with him, they kept right up to 
 their w^ork. Then the whole line advanced from behind, the 
 Sharpshooters going ahead as skirmishers over the open 
 field under the heaviest kind of fire until they reached a 
 shallow^ ditch 200 yards off, w^here they took cover for 
 awhile, and poor cover at that, being about 30jO yards Jrom 
 the enemy who were posted behind the railroad embank- 
 ment, keeping up a constant fire at our riflemen, sending 
 their balls down close to their heads. As an instance of the 
 dangers incurred by our men in this position, I mention the 
 case of Sergt. Charles H. Brown, of Company E, one of 
 their best men, he having raised up to fire was immediately 
 shot through the head. There Was very little chance for a 
 man to escape being hit at that place, even if he laid very 
 low. Here our men remained until the charging troops 
 came up, using their rifles with great rapidity; when they 
 rushed forward with the line, engaging at close quarters, 
 until finally ordered to fall back from their imperilled position, 
 owing to an advance movement of rebels in force on their 
 left flank, the Sharpshooters being at the time short of 
 ammunition. As the latter^ retired behind the Union artillery 
 the enemy were driven back by our batteries opening on 
 them heavily. So close did the Confederates shoot while 
 our men lay in the ditch, they' had their knapsacks filled 
 with bullet holes. The rolled blanket of James Eagin 
 
188 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISUING 
 
 (Company G) was repeatedly bored with deadly messen- 
 gers. 
 
 Gen. Hatch, now in command of King's division, having 
 reported to Gen. Porter, was placed on the right of the 5th 
 corps, going into the fight at that point, the Second Sharp- 
 shooters being advanced as skirmishers in the woods. In 
 all, this regiment lost 42 members on the Bull Run battle 
 field, including a number captured. Col. Stoughton after- 
 wards speaking of their service said : " They w^ere under fire 
 every day from August 23d to the wind up at Chantilly, 
 August 30th. No men ever bore themselves more gallantly 
 than the Sharpshooters. It is hard at this moment to 
 enumerate the deeds of special daringperformed bythese men, 
 often called upon to go and find troublesome rebel sharp- 
 shooters ; and invariably with a good account, the ranks 
 were fearfully decimated, and the rolls showed few men for 
 muster on pay sheet, that were made up on the march 
 to Antietam. At Groveton Company E was the first to 
 encounter the rebels under Stonewall Jackson, and in each 
 succeeding day of that terrible fight the Vermonters vied 
 w^ith the companies from Maine, New Hampshire, Minne- 
 sota and Michigan, to see who should do the best work; 
 and on the very front line on the left of where Lee broke our 
 line. Companies E and H stood their ground with their can- 
 nonade, until there w^as danger of being out-flanked and 
 captured, and then only by the most strenuous effort did 
 they get away." 
 
 Col. Post commanding Second Sharpshooters, a valu- 
 able regiment, much exposed, and which rendered most 
 excellent service, is deserving of especial mention for his 
 conduct, amongst others, in the battle of the 30th. — Gen. 
 McDowell. 
 
 When the Second Regiment left Falmouth, they had 
 between 600 and 700 in the ranks (August 10th) ; when 
 the first roll was called near Alexandria, September 2d, 127 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 189 
 
 answered to their names; and during Pope's campaign 
 200,000 rounds of ammunition was used by this regiment 
 of Sharpshooters. In fact they were all worn out what 
 were left of them, a good many were burled in Virginia, or 
 sent to hospitals about Washington, while some went 
 South to rebel prisons. Quite a number who had been 
 absent returned to the ranks before they reached Antietam. 
 Col. Peteler, hearing of the Indian Outbreak in Minnesota, 
 obtained a leave of absence at the close of this campaign, 
 and while home was placed by Gen. Pope commanding the 
 north-western department, in command of Fort Abercrom- 
 bie and the military district between Sauk Centre and 
 Pembina, which he retained until the following spring. 
 
 The casxialties in the First Sharpshooters were severe, 
 with a total loss of 65 out of 290 present, according to the 
 adjutant's report, but I cannot name them all. Col. Berdan 
 was slightly wounded by a piece of shell. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. A. — Five killed, and among the wounded, Capt. 
 Isler who was obliged to leave the field. Corp. Adolph 
 Seunhauser and Private Charles Bieler were among the 
 killed. 
 
 Co. B.— Killed: First Sergt. Philander Austin, Corp. 
 George Downing. Wounded: Thaddeus Hadden, Corp. 
 John McCaffary, George M. Barber. 
 
 Co. C— Killed: Peter G. Van Etter. Wounded: Capt. 
 
 Jas. H. Baker, left wrist ; First Sergt. Byon Brewer, left side ; 
 
 Norton Fitch, left arm amputated ; Thomas B. Gorton, 
 
 .Ossen E. Sturtevant and John Schoonover, who died Jan. 
 
 16, 1863. 
 
 Co. D.— Wounded: Sergt. John E. Hetherington. 
 
 Co. E.— Killed: Sergt. Charles H. Brown. Wounded: 
 Capt. William P. Austin, severe; Samuel A. Clark, Henry E. 
 Badger. 
 
190 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Co. F.— Wounded: Harrison J. Peck, Ai Brown, W. H. 
 Blake. 
 
 Co. G.— Wounded: Corp. C.N. Jacobs, left arm, severe; 
 Privates Thomas McCaul, thigh severe; Robert Casey, 
 throat, severe; George H. Hartley, arm, severe (mortal); 
 John D. Tyler, fingers, severe; A. G. Stannard, foot, severe; 
 George Whitson, foot, slight; William H. Babcock, ankle, 
 slight, George E. Albee, in hip. 
 
 Co. K— Wounded : Sidney J. Race, mortally ; Richard 
 W. Tyler, left leg; Albert Bills, severe; William A.Henderson 
 and Dwight W. Thompson, slight. 
 
 When Casey was hit he jumped to his feet, and swing- 
 ing his rifle at the enemy in an excitable manner, made use of 
 some rather harsh language for their benefit, until the blood 
 in his throat and mouth prevented farther speech. Then, 
 after firing oif what cartridges he had left, standing up in 
 full view utterly reckless and determined, the last shot being 
 fired at a^hog running along at the foot of the embankment, 
 no rebels at that particular moment being seen, and which 
 he laid out, this gritty soldier w^alked coolly off the field 
 singing a peculiar tune of his own, completely heedless of 
 bullet or shell flying thickly about him. He was discharged 
 after much suffering and a struggle for life. 
 
 It is said that Stannard, on receiving his wound, paid 
 his opponent back with interest, by bringing him down 
 from a tree top, after which he hobbled off to the rear. 
 
 The next day. Gen. Porter accompanied by his staff, rid- 
 ing up to Col. Berdan's headquarters, complimented him 
 and his Sharpshooters fqr the manner in which they had 
 been placed on the line the 30th, and for holding their 
 positions so long before reinforcements came to them. 
 
 During the night after the battle they fell back across 
 Bull Run to Centreville, as per orders from Gen. Pope, "for 
 rations and to await reinforcements." On the 1st of 
 September the Sharpshooters arrived in the vicinity af 
 
GEORGE E. ALBEE. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 191 
 
 Washington, going into camp near Fort Corcoran. They 
 had now got back to their starting point of five months 
 previous, and in the hard service they had encountered in a 
 constant campaign of active warfare, had materialized 
 from raw troops to accomplished soldiers in every essential 
 respect. The calamities of war were no longernewto them, 
 but with an experience seldom attained in the past history 
 of the country in years of service, they had certainly earned 
 through their continuous duty at the front, in battle after 
 battle, often day after day, the proud title of veterans. As 
 an important arm of the 5th corps, they gloried in its tri- 
 umphs, and had no occasion to feel that at any time had 
 their corps suffered defeat up to this last battle. And there, 
 though meeting with reverse with the entire army, their 
 loss of 2,151 men — more than two-thirds of those engaged — 
 sufficiently testified to their valor, their devotion. to the 
 Union cause. 
 
 STEVENS AND KEARNY KILLED AT CHANTILLY. 
 
 On this first day of September the divisions of Gen. 
 Stevens, of the 9th corps, and Gen Kearny, of the 3d corps, 
 had a fight with the enemy at Chantilly, between Centreville 
 and Fairfax Court House, in which' the two generals named 
 were killed, to the sorrow of the Union ; Stevens at the head 
 of his division, and Kearny while attempting to reconnoiter 
 in front of his own. Both sides held their ground overnight, 
 and both met with serious losses in some of their regiments. 
 It has been claimed that the battlefield was held by Bimey's 
 division, who succeeded Kearny in command, they having 
 by a gallant bayonet charge driven the enemy off. The 
 Confederates, however, hardly concede this, as per the fol- 
 lowing extracts from their reports of what they call the 
 battle of Ox HUI. 
 
 "By direction of Gen. Jackson I sent forward the bri- 
 gades of Branch and Brockenbrough to feel and engage the 
 
192 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 enemy. The battle commenced under the most unfavorable 
 circumstances — a heavy, blinding rain-storni directly in the 
 faces of my men. These two brigades gallantly engaged 
 the enemy, Branch being exposed to a very heavy fire in 
 front and on his flank. Gregg, Pender, Thomas and Archer 
 were successively thrown in. The enemy obstinately con- 
 tested the ground, and it was not until the Federal generals, 
 Kearny and Stevens had fallen in front of Thomas' brigade 
 that they were driven from the ground. They did not, how- 
 ever, retire far until Fater during the night, w^hen they 
 entirely disappeared." — A. P. Hill, Major-General Com- 
 manding Light Division. 
 
 "Our line of battle was formed, Geil. Hill's division on 
 the right, E well's division in the center, and Jackson's 
 division on the left. * * * A cold and drenching thunder 
 shower swept over the field at this time, striking directly 
 into the faces of our troops. * * * The conflict raged 
 with great fury, the enemy obstinately and desperately con- 
 testing the ground until their generals (Kearny and 
 Stevens) fell, after which they retired from the field."— T.J. 
 Jackson, Lieut.-Gen. 
 
 The report of Gen. Birney, who commanded the division 
 on Kearny's fall, gives a somewhat different look to the 
 Union side of the combat ; for instance: 
 
 "The division reached Chantilly at about five o'clock _p. 
 M., under orders from Maj.-Gen. Heintzelman to support 
 Gen. Reao, and found him actively engaged with the enemy. 
 Under orders from Maj.-Gen. Kearny I reported my brigade 
 to Gen. Reno, and was ordered by him to the front. On 
 reaching that point I found the division of Gen. Stevens 
 retiring in some disorder before the enemy, the officers in 
 command of regiments stating that their'ammunition had 
 been exhausted. I immediately ordered forward the 4th 
 Maine regiment, and it gallantly advanced, and was soon 
 m active conflict. I successively took forward the 101st 
 New York, 3d Maine, 40th and 1st New York. These regi- 
 ments held the enemy, and sustained unflinchingly the mo^st 
 murderous fire from a superior force. At this juncture Gen 
 Kearny reached the field with Randolph's battery and 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THB POTOMAC. 193 
 
 placing it in position, aided my brigade by a well-directed 
 fire. I pointed out to the general a gap on my right, 
 caused by the retiring of Stevens' division, and asked for 
 Berry's brigade to fill it. He rode from me to examine the 
 ground, and dashing past our lines into those of the enemy, 
 fell a victim to his gallant daring. I sent forward the 38th 
 New York and 57th Pennsylvania to complete our victory. 
 They advanced gallantly and night closed in, leaving my 
 brigade in full possession of that portion of the battle field 
 in which we were engaged. — D. B. Birney, Brig. -Gen. 
 
 When the Army of the. Potomac returned from the 
 Peninsula and advanced through northern Virginia they 
 became a part of Gen. Pope's forces, subject to his orders ; 
 Gen. McClellan being placed in command of the territory 
 comprising the defenses of Washington. So that w^hen the 
 troops fell back from Manassas and crossed the Bull Run 
 line, they found themselves again under their old commander; 
 and if there was any spirit prevalent among the men of 
 disorder or demoralization over this retrograde movement, 
 it was quickly dispelled by the wide-spread rumor that Gen. 
 McClellan was at their head again. As a result, they forgot 
 their fatigue and weakened powers, they were strong again 
 — anxious to wipe out the past in victory for the Union, and 
 a good thrashing for its enemies. 
 
 In course of time, however, they got used to these 
 changes of commanders, submitting to the same with 
 patriotic grace, and with the hope that the general in com- 
 mand, whoever he might be, would lead them on to ever- 
 lasting victory. Nor should they be blamed for their con- 
 fidence in their commanders, which in most cases at least, 
 commencing with McClellan, they could be credited with. 
 And was it not a good trait ? For surely when an army — 
 the men that do the fighting— lose confidence in their officers 
 and particularly the higher grades, they naturally become 
 demoralized and unfit for duty. 
 
 On the 7th of September Company K was reinforced by, 
 20 recruits from Michigan under Corp. C. W. Thorp. 
 
594! SHAEPSHUOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 THIRD CAMPAIGN. 
 
 THE MARYLAND INVASION. 
 
 On the 12tli of September the First Sharpshooters, 
 tinder command of Capt. John B. Isler (all field officers 
 absent), left camp with their corps, raaixhing through 
 Washington on to the Frederick pike into Maryland, cross- 
 ing South Mountain, and by forced marches on the 16th 
 came up -with and joined the main body of the army, -which 
 had moved several days before them, fought the battle of 
 South Mountain, and -was now in position on Antietam 
 creek. The weather at this period was very hot, many 
 cases of sunstroke occurring among the troops, resulting 
 fatally in a number of instances. I always found it to be 
 a good plan to drink as little water as possible during these 
 hot marches, and believe that w^et leaves in the hat served 
 as a preventative of serious effects of the burning sun. 
 Many were careless, however, swilling down water to an 
 alarming extent. While on this march a number of recruits 
 joined the regiment, particularly from Wisconsin for Com- 
 pany G, also 50 Yermonters for Company F. 
 
 SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 
 
 Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 This battle consisted principally in assaulting the enemy 
 holding two important passes or gaps in the South Moun- 
 tain range, and occupied the greater part of the day until 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 195 
 
 night-fall, when the Confederates were forced from their 
 strong positions, retreating down the mountain during the 
 night. Thus had their bold advance towards Philadelphia 
 or Baltimore been stopped. 
 
 Gen. McClellan's report speaks of these passes: "The 
 South Mountain Range near Turner's Pass averages per- 
 haps 1,000 feet in height, and forms a strong natural mil- 
 itary barrier. The practical passes are not numerous and 
 are readily defensible, the gaps abounding in fine positions. 
 Turner's Pass is the more prominent, being that by which 
 the National road crosses the mountains. It was necessarily 
 indicated as the route of advance of our main army. 
 
 "The carrying of Crampton's Pass, some five or six 
 miles below, was also important to furnish the means of 
 reaching the flank of the enemy, and having, as a lateral 
 movement, direct relations to the attack on the principal 
 pass, while it at the same time presented the most direct 
 practicable route for the relief of Harper's Ferry." 
 
 The fighting at Turner's Pass was participated in by 
 troops of the corps of Reno and Hooker, under the immedi- 
 ate command of Burnside, and began at eight in the morn- 
 ing, after Pleasanton's cavalry had reconnoitered the enemy's 
 position on the crest of hills commanding the National 
 road. The divisions of Gen. Reno opened the battle proper, 
 on the left of the road, driving the rebels from the crest in 
 their iront, an important point gained. 
 
 The contest here was maintained with perseverance 
 until dark, the enemy having the advantage as to position 
 and fighting with obstinacy, but the ground won was fully 
 maintained. The loss in killed and wounded was consider- 
 able on both sides, and it was here that Maj.-Gen. Reno, 
 who had gone forward to observe the operations of his 
 corps and to give such directions as were necessary, fell, 
 pierced with a musket ball. A gallant soldier, an able gen- 
 eral, endeared to his troops and associates, his death is felt 
 as an irreparable misfortune. — McClellan. 
 
196 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Later on, Hooker's corps came up, when the Penns\'l- 
 vania Reserves under Meade attacked the enemy on the right 
 of the gap with great success. Hatch's division was sent 
 for to operate on one of the intrenched hills. "The move- 
 ment, after a sharp contest on the crest and in the fields in 
 the depression between the crest and the adjoining hill, was 
 fully successful." Ricketts' division late in the day, took 
 part in the closing scene, and relieving Hatch's men remained 
 on the battle field over night. "The mountain sides thus 
 gallantly pressed over by Hooker on the right of the gap 
 and Reno on the left, were steep and difficult in the extreme. 
 We could make but little use of our artillery, while our 
 troops were subject to a warm artillery fire as well as ta 
 that of infantry in the woods and under cover." 
 
 By order of Gen. Bumside, Gibbon's brigade of Hatch's 
 division, late in the afternoon, advanced upon the center of 
 the enemy's position on the main road. Deploying his 
 brigade, Gibbon actively engaged a superior force of the 
 enemy, which, though stubbornly resisting, was steadily 
 pressed back until some hours after dark, when Gibbon 
 remained in undisturbed possession of the field. — Gen. 
 McClellan. ■ 
 
 The Second Sharpshooters, now under Col. Walter 
 Phelps, Jr., commanding the brigade, took an important 
 part in this battle, having been detached from the brigade 
 for special service by Gen. Hooker, and ordered to the right 
 of the line, where they carried the ground to the summit, 
 charging over South Mountain, routing the enemy, captur- 
 ing two mountain howitzers and a number of prisoners. 
 Lieut. Humphrey, of Company E, says: "Back of the 
 brush fence we counted 27 dead rebels from the 37th North 
 Carolina regiment. On September 15th and 16th we were 
 picking up the stragglers." Col. Stoughton refers to the 
 short rest on Upton's Hill, when "the regiment was again 
 put on the move, and reached South Mountain in time to be 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 197 
 
 engaged freely with the rebels, and in which the companies 
 were complimented for the daring and bravery " (displayed 
 by the entire regiment) "in dislodging the enemy and occu- 
 pying the ground, from which the Confederates were driven 
 by the Sharpshooters." Their work was a noble one, and 
 praises for the brave are not out of order. 
 
 ANTIETAM. 
 
 Sept. IG 17, 1862. 
 
 This great battle resulted in a Union victory. On 
 leaving South Mountain in pursuit of the retreating Con- 
 federates, Gen. McClellan ordered the troops to attack them 
 if overtaken on the march, but if found in heavy force and in 
 position, our advance should form for attack, awaiting the 
 general's arrival. The latter event happened, and when 
 Gen. McClellan reached the field on the 15th, he found Rich- 
 ardson's division of the 2d corps and Sykes' of the 5th, the 
 only ones confronting the enemy, who were strongly 
 intrenched on the heights beyond the Antietam — to the 
 west. 
 
 "Their position stretched across the angle formed by 
 the Potomac and Antietam, their flanks and rear protected 
 by these streams, was one of the strongest to be found in 
 this region of country, which is well adapted to defensive 
 w arf are . ' '—McClellan. 
 
 This stream was spanned by four stone bridges several 
 miles apart, a distance altogether of six and one-half miles, 
 but our line of battle was hardly four miles long. Our 
 other troops coming up from time to time as hurriedly as 
 they could, were placed in their respective positions for the 
 attack, during the evening up to a late hour at night. The 
 
198 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 battle commenced on the morning of the 16th with artillerjr 
 on both sides, continuing during the day ; and in the after- 
 noon on the right, crossing the Antietam by the upper 
 bridge, by the Pennsylvania Reserves of Gen. Hooker's 
 corps, which lasted until dark, driving the enemy before 
 them, occupying their ground. At daylight the next morn- 
 ing fighting was resumed, which soon became severe and 
 determined on both sides in a general engagement. All daj' 
 long it was kept up from right to left. On- the right, 
 Hooker's troops started in with considerable success, but 
 the enemy ralh-ing, massed their forces, and hurling them on 
 this corps (1st) stopped their advance. Mansfield's corps 
 (12th) was then thrown forward to support Hooker, 
 between them they drove the enemy back. In the struggle 
 Gen. Mansfield was killed, and Gen. Hooker wounded. Fi- 
 nally, Sumner's corps (2d) go up and force the fighting, the 
 divisions of Sedgwick and Crawford after suffering greatly, 
 falling back with both their generals wounded. French 
 and Richardson's divisions, however, held their ground 
 although much exposed, their losses including Gen. Richard- 
 son, mprtally wounded. At all times the enemy's artillery 
 played havoc with our troops, while our own big guns 
 helped to swell the carnage on the other side. Smith's 
 division of Franklin's corps (6th) coming up at the oppor- 
 tune moment swept over the lost ground, holding it there- 
 after. But, "the condition of things on the right, towards 
 the middle of the afternoon," Gen. M^Clellan says, "not- 
 withstanding the success wrested from the enemy by the 
 stubborn bravery of the troops, was at this time unprom- 
 ising. Sumner's, Hooker's and Mansfield's corps had lost 
 heavily." 
 
 Gen. Porter's corps (5th) occupied the center, and did 
 good service holding the front line near the second or "turn- 
 pike" bridge, assuring the safety of the artillery and supply 
 trains. Sykes' regulars were at times sharply engaged. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 199 
 
 while Morell's division performed important service reliev- 
 ing and reinforcing other troops. The 5th corps batteries 
 were also engaged with good effect, particularly Van Reed's 
 in assisting Gen.Pleasanton's cavalry west of theAntietam, 
 which battery, after firing some 400 rounds, withdrew 
 about dark. Randol's battery went over and drove one of 
 the enemy's batteries out of range, but was afterwards 
 ordered by Gen. Pleasanton to return across the bridge, 
 owing to the destructive fire onto his position by the 
 enemy's concealed sharpshooters, endangering his horses 
 and annoying his gunners. 
 
 In the afternoon Burnside, who was on the left, after a 
 hard contest crossed the third bridge at one o'clock, but 
 much later than McClellan desired, who in his report says: 
 " The attack on the right was to have been supported by an 
 attack on the left "—that is, in the morning, and at least by 
 eight o'clock. That was the intention of the commander of 
 the Union forces. On crossing, Burnside's men after consid- 
 erable delay succeeded in driving the well-posted enemy 
 away, capturing and holding an important part of his line 
 up to the edge of Sharpsburg, including a range of heights 
 with some batteries. Unfortunately for McClellan's hopes, 
 however, it was too late to do any good, but just in time to 
 meet fresh troops from Harper's Ferry— A. P. Hill's division 
 — whom Lee was anxiously awaiting; and who attacking 
 Burnside's left, finally caused him to fall back after dark to 
 the heights first taken above the bridge, where his command 
 remained until the following night, when they were relieved 
 by Morell's division of Porter's corps. Burnside's troops 
 lost heavily, though they made a gallant fight with the 
 advantages of position against therfl— concealed rifle pits, 
 strong barricades and enfilading batteries. Their delay, 
 however, first in efiecting a crossing, and afterwards failing 
 to move right ahead, unavoidable or not, was fatal to the 
 
200 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 success of McClellan's plans, rendering our victory in a great 
 sense a barren one. 
 
 " The bridge was carried at one o'clock by a brilliant 
 charge of the 51st New York and 51st Pennsylvania volun- 
 teers. Other troops were then thrown over and the 
 opposite bank occupied, the enemy retreating to _ the 
 heights beyond. A halt was then made by Gen. Burnside's 
 advance until three p. m., upon hearing which I directed one 
 of my aides. Col. Key, to inform Gen. Bumside that I de- 
 sired him to push forward his troops with the utmost vigor, 
 and carry the enemy's position on the heights. * * * If 
 this important movement had been consummated two hours 
 earlier, a position would have been secured upon the heights 
 from which our batteries might have enfiladed the greater 
 part of the enemy's line, and turned their right and rear. 
 * * * Night closed the long and desperately contested 
 battle of the 17th. Nearly 200,000 men and 500 pieces of 
 artillery were for 14 hours engaged in this memorable 
 battle. "— McClellan. 
 
 The official report of the loss of the 9th corps (Burn- 
 side's) during this engagement, shows a total of 2,293: 
 Killed 432, wounded 1,741, missing 120. Surely enough 
 to prove that the soldiers themselves were not to blame for 
 any failure that may have occurred. 
 
 McClellan's purpose was to renew^ the attack on the 
 18th, but was prevented from so doing owing to the 
 weakened condition of many divisions, which had already 
 suffered severely in the general loss of "12,410," of which 
 less than 800 were among thie "captured or missing." It 
 became absolutely necessary to collect the scattered troops 
 and re-form them, to replenish their cartridge boxes and 
 caissons which were about exhausted, to give them a little 
 rest and a chance to munch afew hard-tack, w^ith whatever else 
 might come to them eatable, for they were tired and hungry 
 after their hard fighting and previous forced marches day 
 and night. Both Gens. Sumner and Meade notified McClel- 
 lan that they did not think their corps "in proper condition" 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 201 
 
 to attack the enemy vigorously on the 18th." This same 
 condition also existed among some of the troops on the 
 left, particularly with the new levies. 
 
 The fighting at Antietam was particularly' severe ; 
 many brilliant charges were made by our troops, with a 
 prestige of success that encouraged the hope that on its 
 renewal a decisive result would be attained. But durins: 
 the night of the 18th the enemy stole silently away, retreat- 
 ing across the Upper Potomac where his left wing extended, 
 not venturing to hazard another day's encounter. The 
 rebel general, Lee, had the choice of ground and wisely 
 made his stand on the formidable heights from which he 
 could slip away if too hard pushed, and did so completely, 
 getting well into Virginia before he stopped. And this was 
 the result of his threatened capture of northern cities, of 
 his invasion of loyal territory. He made a big rush, but 
 -when McClellan faced him his rush was over — he rushed 
 the other way, thanks to the hills and natural defenses that 
 shielded him. 
 
 The victories at South Mountain and Antietam were 
 glorious ones for the Union cause, as they forced the defiant 
 rebel army out of Maryland, and frustrated their bold designs 
 on Baltimore and Washington. Besides it required more 
 than ordinary efforts on the part of the Union soldiers to 
 dislodge the Confederates, from the hills and mountains. 
 It was truly uphill work for the Blue Coats, and in its accom- 
 plishment they well deserved the thanks of the northern 
 people, particularly those of the Atlantic cities. The soldiers 
 that fought the battles of the Maryland campaign could 
 well be proud of the honor. After the battle of South 
 Mountain, President Lincolnin a dispatch to Gen. McClellan, 
 «aid: 
 
 "God bless you, and all with you." 
 
 While, after Antietam, Gen. McClellan reproached Gen. 
 Hallpck the general-in-chief, with : 
 
202 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 "A Spirit of fault-finding, and that you have not yet 
 found leisure to say one word in commendation of the recent 
 achievements of this army, or even to allude to them." 
 
 At Antietam the First Regiment of Sharpshooters were 
 held in reserve with other troops of their corps, being at 
 times under heavy artillery fire, holding a perilous position 
 during the entire engagement in protecting the center and 
 supporting the batteries. 
 
 The Second Sharpshooters were in it hot and heavy, 
 
 with a loss of 66 killed and wounded of their always 
 
 valuable men ; among them the accomplished Adjt. Lewis C. 
 
 Parmelee, Lieut. John J. Whitman and Lieut. John W. 
 
 Thompson, knied; Col. Post and Capt. Dudley P. Chase, 
 
 wounded. They were in Phelps' brigade of Doubleday's 
 
 -division of the 1st corps under Hooker, renderitig important 
 
 and trying service in advance, where they captured one 
 
 stand of rebel colors. Lieut. Humphrey: "Sept. 17th, we 
 
 entered the historic cornfield at Antietam and helped to fill 
 
 the bloody lane, at the expense to our company (E) of one 
 
 killed and 10 wounded. Our captain and four men were 
 
 left for duty." Lieut. Curtis Abbott, of Company H, tells 
 
 how "on the 16th they led the advance of Hooker's division 
 
 on Lee's left, had a slight skirmish at the close of that day, 
 
 and were in the thickest of the fight in the cornfields at 
 
 about sunrise the following morning. Loss (in H) five men 
 
 wounded, one mortally. There w^as heavy loss throughout 
 
 the regiment. Their ranks thinned by previous hard marches,. 
 
 their loss at this battle was fully 25 per cent, of those 
 
 present for duty." Col. Stoughton adds his testimony to 
 
 the important service rendered by the Second Regiment here : 
 
 "While lying on their faces on the open ground they did 
 
 more damage to the enemy than any brigade in our front 
 
 or to our right, we fii'ing obliquely. Into the field opposite 
 
 and in fi-ont of Campbell's battery, were put in one grave 192 
 
 of the enemy. Col. D. Wyatt Aiken, of the 7th SoutK Car- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 203 
 
 olina, was on that field and told Stoughton afterwards that 
 it was as hot as any place he was ever in. The following 
 Confederate authority provesit : 
 
 The Seventh, led by Col. Aiken, trailed their progress to 
 the cannon's mouth with the blood of their bravest, and 
 when borne back by resistless force, rallied the remnant left 
 under command of Capt. John S. Hard, the senior surviving 
 officer. Col. Aiken was most dangerously wounded, and 
 every officer and man in the color company either killed or 
 w^ounded, and their total loss 140 out of 268 men carried 
 in. The colors of this regiment, shot from the staff, formed 
 the winding sheet of the last man of the color company at 
 the extreme point reached by our troops that day.— J. B. 
 Kershaw, Brig. -Gen. Comdg. 
 
 Adjt. Parmelee was shot while trying to carry off a rebel 
 flag he had seized, fastened to a fence post ; but unfortu- 
 nately for him and others, the rebels were behind the fence, 
 and the gallant adjutant had five bullets put in him. Lieutr 
 "Jack" Whitman, as he was familiarly called, fell while 
 leading on and cheering his men, being at the time in com- 
 mand of Company B. One of the rebel flags was captured 
 by a Company A man, who was complimented by Gen. 
 McClellan riding by as the Sharpshooters were coming out 
 of the fight. He ran and grabbed it from the hands of the 
 reb who was holding it on the fence. Silas W. Howard, of 
 Company E, received several gunshot wounds, one through 
 his chest, and notwithstanding he did not expect to survive, 
 and took out the fire block of his Sharps rifle, throwing it 
 far away so no rebel could find it to make use of the rifle 
 against us, with all his wounds he survived and was living 
 at his old home at Royalton, in Vermont, in 1892, or 30 
 years after the battle. 
 
 ADJUTANT PABMELEE. 
 
 Two very singular things occurred after the battle in 
 connection with Adjt. Parmelee, says Col. (then Captain) 
 
204 SHA.RPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Stoughtoii. The first: As Surgeon Reynolds and myself 
 were riding along the Sharpsburg pilie, arriving at the very 
 place where the adjutant fell, we met a carriage containing 
 a lady. She spoke to us and wanted to be directed to the 
 Second U. S. Sharpshooters, and recognizing our green uni- 
 forms, said: "Perhaps you belong to that regiment," to 
 which we replied affirmatively. The lady again : "Do you 
 know where Adjutant Parmelee fell ? " We answered : "Yes, 
 ma'am, right there, and the blood stains mark the spot." 
 She continued: "Well, I came from New York on behalf of 
 the lady to whom he was engaged, and who was at my 
 house when the sad intelligence of his death was received." 
 
 A few days later. Chaplain Barber and Capt. Stough- 
 ton had nearly.reached the same spot when they met a car- 
 riage containing four gentlemen, one of whom made similar 
 inquiries as the lady, and proved to be the adjutant's father, 
 who was informed: "Right there is the spot and there he 
 was buried;" he then said he had come to take the body 
 away. 
 
 Adjt. Parmelee was a great favorite in the regiment, a 
 young man of excellent address and education, having 
 passed through a course of studies at Edinburg, and had 
 belonged to New York city's crack regiment, the Seventh — 
 or National Guard. He could quote all the great poets and 
 prominent authors. An amusing story is told at his 
 expense, in a little trick played on him at Camp of Instruc- 
 tion. It appears that the adjutant had been expecting 
 from his friends East a splendid horse, and had said a good 
 deal about it to his fellow-officers. So, one day, Capt. 
 
 came across an old bone-yard subject, and had him 
 
 brought to camp and hid. He then requested Capt. Peteler 
 to engage Parmelee in a game of cards that evening, which 
 the Minnesota captain did, not knowing what was 
 intended, although he looked for a joke. At taps or a little 
 after, some one came around to Peteler's tent, crying out: 
 
ADJUTANT PARMELEE. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 205 
 
 "Lights out! lights out !" and disappeared. So, the captain 
 taking the hint adjourned the game, and walked out with 
 Parmelee towards his quarters, who, as he approached his 
 tent, quoting one of his favorite verses, that eastern horse 
 still being in his mind : "A horse ! a horse ! My kingdom for 
 a" — at this point he had just dodged under the tent flap 
 right onto the skinny bones therein. Then there was a 
 scene, but I draw the curtain to say that the "shocked" 
 adjutant, next day finding the horse had died, got even with 
 his unknown trickster, by ordering a detail from every com- 
 pany in the regiment to assist in burying the old played-out 
 horse. 
 
 "Having ascertained that the enemy's line was forjned 
 with their left advanced, making a crotchet, and that they 
 vrere in position to partially enfilade our lines, I ordered the 
 Second U. S. Sharpshooters, Col. Post, to move to the right 
 and front, advancing his left, and to engage the enemy at that 
 point. * * * The effect of the engagement between the 
 Sharpshooters and the enemy was to draw a very heavy fire 
 from their advanced line, and I ordered the brigade forward 
 to the support of the line in front. The musketry fire at this 
 point was very heavy — the loss of the 2d U. S. Sharp- 
 shooters was severe."— Walter Phelps, Jr. 
 
 There were two companies of Andrew Sharpshooters of 
 Massachusetts, named after their governor, raised for Col. 
 Berdan's Second Regiment, who were sent out as independ- 
 ent companies. Berdan offered them Sharps rifles to 
 march and skirmish with, but they preferred to carry the 
 heavy telescopes. One of these companies was in Morell's 
 division of the 5th corps, and one in Gorman's brigade of 
 the 2d corps. This latter company was badly cut up at 
 Antietam, in a close engagement where rapid loading and ' 
 quick shooting with them was out of the question, their 
 guns being little better in that affair than clubs, they losing 
 26 with their captain and a lieutenant among the killed. 
 
20(5 SHAEPSHOOTING AKD SKIEMISHINO 
 
 Gen. Gorman, speaking of their service, said : "Captain 
 Saunder's company of Sharpshooters, attached to the 15th 
 Massachusetts volunteers, together with the left wing of 
 that regiment, silenced one of the enemy's batteries and 
 kept it so, driving the cannoneers from it every time they 
 attempted to load, and for ten minutes fought the enemy in 
 large numbers at arange of 15 to 20 yards, each party shel- 
 tering themselves behind fences, large rocks, and straw- 
 stacks." 
 
 The Second Minnesota Sharpshooters (Company L) 
 were also engaged here in the same brigade, going into 
 action with 42 men and losing 24, as I am informed, "within 
 a space of time not exceeding 10 minutes." 
 
 Gen. McClellan reports: "2,700 of the enemy's dead 
 were counted and buried on the field, while a portion had 
 been previously buried by the enemy, which w^as conclusive 
 evidence that the enemy sustained much greater loss than 
 we. Thirteen guns, 39 colors, upwards of 15,000 stand of 
 small arms, and more than 6,000 prisoners were the trophies 
 which attest the success of our arms in the battles of South 
 Mountain, Crampton's Gap, and Antietam. Not a single 
 gun or color was lost by our army during those battles." 
 He also computed the Confederate force at 97,445 against a 
 total of 87,164 Union troops in action. The "estimate of 
 the forces under the Confederate Gen. Lee, was made up by 
 direction of Gen. Banks, from information obtained by the 
 examination of prisoners, deserters, spies, etc." 
 
 BLACKFORD S FORD. 
 
 Sept. 19, 20, 1862. 
 
 On the 19th the Sharpshooters were ordered to the 
 front in advance of Morell's division, and marching through 
 Sharpsburg met the enemy again at this crossing of the 
 Potomac, having been sent ahead to reconnoiter. Proceed- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 207 
 
 ing three-fourths of a mile deployed in line, they skirmished 
 in the afternoon with their rear guard, when a brisk little 
 action ensued, the 4th Michigan following as a support. On 
 reaching the river bank the enemy who had crossed to the 
 Virginia side, opened heavily at first, but were soon com- 
 pletely silenced by our men who had taken possession of an 
 old canal bed then dry, assisted by our batteries from the 
 beginning, the Confederates being unable to load their can- 
 non or to remove them. At half past five p.m. Capt.Isler com- 
 manding, received an order firom Gen. Porter for the First 
 Sharpshooters to cross the stream and drive the enemy from 
 the bluff — " to repulse them at any hazard." Only a partof 
 the command heard the order, and these promptly respond- 
 ing, ran forward into the water waist deep under a hot fire 
 from their opponents, to our loss in killed and wounded, 
 forded the river with their guns and cartridge boxes held 
 above them, and climbing the embankment put the foe to 
 flight, capturing a rebel battery of four guns ; afterwards 
 run down the bluff on to the beach by the 4th Michigan fol- 
 lowing, which were eventually removed to the Union lines 
 on the Maryland side by a portion Qf the 5th New York. 
 So that three regiments got the credit of capturing these 
 guns: First, Berdan Sharpshooters; second, 4th Michigan; 
 third, 5th New York. 
 
 After the Sharpshooters had captured the cannon — the 
 first and real capture — two of which were discovered by a 
 small force under Corp. Cassius Peck, of Company F, and 
 taken, after driving the enemy off, with one prisoner; our 
 men followed the retreating foe 300 yards, fighting every 
 step. While advancing. Company I came in contact with a 
 line of skirmishers, when a fight occurred at short range, the 
 rebels retreating as the Sharpshooters rushed at them, 
 leaving behind numerous articles of value, among them a 
 case of surgical instruments. Being reinforced, the enemy 
 recharged and succeeded in getting back everything but the 
 
2,08 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHIXG 
 
 doctor's case taken by Sergt. Eli Cook, who, however, lost 
 it during the darkness, having placed it under a bush for 
 safe keeping. During the night the Sharpshooters were 
 ordered to recross the river, although the}' held the shore 
 from which the enemy had been driven. Before returning, a 
 horse was heard coining at full speed. It was ver}* dark, 
 and the rider a rebel staff-officer, rode right up to our lines, 
 looking for the brigade left to guard the ford, Lawton's 
 brigade of Jackson's corps, for whom he had verbal orders, 
 thus proving the number of men that had been opposed to 
 our small force. This officer was captured by Corp. Sankey 
 (Company B) in Sergt. Cook's picket, and sent to Gen. 
 Porter by Capt. Isler. 
 
 On the 20th at an early hour, a portion of the 5th corps 
 under Gen. Sykes, with Barnes' brigade of Morell's division, 
 crossed over and advanced more or less as far as a mile from 
 the river, expecting to be reinforced by more troops and to 
 advance towards Shepherdstown. Being suddenly attacked 
 by a superior force, some 3,000 strong, rising in front from 
 the heavy woods, and the "bushes and cornfields" which 
 had hidden them from view, Gen. Porter at the suggestion 
 of Gen. Sykes, ordered the entire command to fall back 
 across the ford, which was gradually accomplished. A new 
 regiment known as the "Corn Exchange" of Philadelphia 
 (118th Pennsylvania), remaining too long found themselves 
 flanked, and being furiously assaulted on all sides met with 
 severe loss, while hurriedly driven back to the bluff. Our 
 troops on the Maryland side heard the firing, when orders 
 came for the Sharpshooters to fall in, who moving double- 
 quick, were posted in the canal where they had good shelter 
 and a fine place to aim— cruel work, but it was war, and 
 our troops must be protected. Here, the concealed I'iflenien 
 had a chance to cover the retreat, which was handsomely 
 done, the enemy as they approached the opposite bank 
 being quickly driven away by the shower of bullets whizzing 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 209 
 
 among them. The rebels were making fatal work among 
 the Pennsylvanians, shooting them down fast, until our 
 boys came to their rescue and saved them. Taking cover 
 under the bank mid the rocks and caves, many of them 
 refused for a time to attempt the crossing, fearing to expose 
 themselves while so doing. Our men called to them, trying 
 to encourage them, but without avail. Finally, Calvin 
 Morse, chief bugler of Company F, crossed the stream, pro- 
 tected by the fire of his comrades, to show that it could be 
 safely done. Persuasion and coaxing seemed useless, and 
 many of them were captured. But the Pennsylvanians were 
 not to blame for being driven orfortheir subsequent actions. 
 They had fought hard at the front before falling back, with 
 an inferior gun, "50 per cent, of which could not be dis- 
 charged," and when men cannot shoot back, they hardly 
 care to be shot at. 
 
 "Their arms (spurious Enfield rifles) were -so defective 
 that little injury could be inflicted by them upon the enemy. 
 Many of this regiment, new in service, volunteered the 
 previous evening, and formed part of the attacking party 
 which gallantly crossed the river to secure the enemy's artil- 
 lery. They have earned a good name which the losses of 
 the day did not diminish. (These defective arms had been 
 reported to the General-in-Chief, but all efforts to replace 
 them had failed.)"— FiTz John Porter. 
 
 The Sharpshooter companies as usual did good service. 
 The fighting was often severe both with musketry and art' - 
 lery, our batteries working hard. Our men felt in the best 
 of spirits at the successful issue of the engagement,, the 
 enemy hurrying away during the night. Recruits first under 
 fire were awarded great praise for so gallantly vieing with 
 the old members during the battle. An instance is given to 
 show their true spirit: Lieut. Nash, of Company B, having 
 called for volunteers to cross the river and bring in the 
 wounded, Company B went entire, with some of other com- 
 panies; among them, Albert S. Isham, of G, jumped up, 
 
>21Q SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 quickly followed by WilHam Heath, a recruit, who, plunging 
 into the water up to their armpits despite the heavy firing, 
 succeeded in crossing over, and recovering one of the 
 wounded returned with him in.safety, although the unfort- 
 unate soldier died shortly after. Rushing waters had no 
 terrors for such brave soldiers. 
 
 Capt. Marble wrote me : "Your recruits, first under fire 
 nearSharpsburg, are doing splendidly." Col. Berdan also 
 wrote: "Stevens, send as many more of the same sort as 
 you can get." These recruits sandwiched in among the old 
 members, soon became proficient soldiers. 
 
 Relative to the affair of the 19th, Gen. Porter reports: 
 "The result of the day's action was the capture of five 
 pieces, two caissons, two caisson bodies, two forges, and 
 some 400 stand of arms ; also one battle-flag. Our loss was 
 small in numbers, but some excellent officers and men were 
 killed and wounded." 
 
 The casualties among the Sharpshooters included, 
 among others unknown to me, the following valuable 
 men: 
 
 Co. A— Killed : Henry Logas. 
 
 Co. B— Wounded: Joseph L. Stokes, George Griswold. 
 Co. I— Killed: First Sergt. Marvin P. Raymond. 
 Wounded: Arthur Hamlin, shot through both thighs, 
 mortal. 
 
 Co. K — Wounded : Joel Race, slight in foot by piece of 
 shell. 
 
 In Company G, Willard M. Isham was struck with apiece 
 of shell on both legs and benumbed, which kept him oif duty 
 for some weeks; another instance of the effect produced by 
 a glance shot, or even spent ball, the force of the blow- 
 often being more severely felt than if it entered the flesh. 
 Marvin and Hamlin were shot in the river on the 19th. 
 
 The rebel general A. P. Hill, in his report of Shepherds- 
 town or Boteler's Ford, the Blackford Ford battle, told 
 

 
 
 > 
 W 
 
 w 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 211 
 
 what a daring charge he had made, how he drove us pell- 
 mell into the river, followed by the "greatest slaughter of 
 blue coats of the war; " the broad surface of the Potomac 
 being blue with floating bodies, etc. He must have been 
 looking through a very large magnifying glass at a respect- 
 ful distance from the river, as his story was certainly a very 
 great stretch of imagination ; and yet it was founded on a 
 pretty good supposition when the illy armed "Corn 
 Exchange" were driven back. 
 
 No further attempt being made to cross into Virginia, 
 the troops went into camp in Maryland, that of the Sharp- 
 shooters located in a beautiful oak forest near the Potomac. 
 On the 3d of October our corps was visited by President 
 Lincoln, w^hicb event, while it afforded them much pleasure, 
 would have been more gratifying had they not been roasted- 
 for three hours by the hot sun. The Sharpshooters in com- 
 mon w^ith the other old regiments of this army, were by the 
 vicissitudes of war reduced to less than half their original 
 number, and witt their weather-tanned faces, "brown as 
 a berry," their tattered banners and faded clothes, their vis- 
 ages depicting sadness and want, presented a most gloomy 
 aspect, while their depleted ranks bespoke their hardships 
 and suffering. All of which brought forth the fullest sympa- 
 thies of the President. While at this camp the soldiers were 
 poorly supplied with clothing and rations, the latter caus- 
 ing much complaint, especially the wormy crackers. Paper 
 soled shoes, shoddy clothing, and wormy tack, had the 
 effect to implicitly fix in their minds a fervent wish to catch 
 the army contractor and prod him to the front, w^here bul- 
 lets and shell could play around his greedy soul. For a man 
 who would purposely rob the defenders of his country — the 
 struggling soldiers — certainly deserved to have a taste of 
 battle's danger. 
 
 The paper soled shoes the soldiers used to draw from 
 the quartermaster, sadly sold by some of the army contract- 
 
212 SHARPSHOOTINO AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 ors— soulless sharks — were a "thing of beauty" but not a 
 "joy forever." But they were reallynot so common among 
 our men as may be supposed, for very few requisitions were 
 filled that way with the Sharpshooter quartermasters, who 
 with an eye to the needs and comfort of the command, 
 wouldn'thave them— if they could help it. As for the regular 
 army shoe, it was undoubtedly the best that could be made 
 for ease and comfort, also for marching. "With a good tap 
 added to the soles by the "company cobbler," they would 
 last long and wear well. Besides, with shoes, you could 
 plunge through water and keep right on thereafter, as the 
 water would soon work out and the feet soon dry. 
 "Whereas, w^ith boots, it was different, and many a comrade 
 w^as behind in the column, trying to get his boots on, after 
 emptying the w^ater out ; so that it was often the practice 
 to cut holes in front, whereby the water could squirt out 
 until all was dry again. Occasionally, trouble would occur 
 among the "play-offs," w^ho would manage, often by swap- 
 ping, to get a sized shoe too large or small, and then great 
 was the complaint of these " sorry soldiers " because they 
 couldn't get a fit, and so have to be excused from picket or 
 other duty. They were generally, however, brought around 
 to an "eternal fitness of things," by the company officer, 
 for his extra time wasted to procure the pro per size. So that 
 it didn't always happen that these little tricks prevailed. 
 
 Humphreys' division, now the 3d of the 5th corps, some 
 6,000 in all, made a reconnoisance into Virginia, going to 
 Leetown on October 16th, and locating the enemy's posi- 
 tion in that vicinity, returned the following day. Previous 
 to this, the division of Gen. Cox, 5,000 men, left 
 us, being ordered into Western Virginia. On the 10th, 
 the rebel Stuart made his celebrated cavalry raid 
 into Maryland, taking our own cavalry forces from 
 Us, in pursuit, and also some of the infantr}' organiza- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 213 
 
 tions. This helped to delay the crossing of the Army of the 
 Potomac into Virginia, and another cause was the length 
 of time taken to obtain necessary clothing for the troops, 
 particularly shoes and blankets, as the men could hardly 
 march barefooted. As it was, some of the corps did not 
 receive these necessary supplies until after they had started 
 south. So it was not until Oct. 30th that the troops 
 remaining near Sharpsburg broke up their camps and 
 resumed the march, moving off during the night on the road 
 along the Potomac in an easterly direction, crossing the 
 Potomac on the following day near Harper's Ferry by 
 pontoon bridge, and camping three miles south near Hills- 
 borough. On the 2d of November left camp and marching 
 all day reached Snicker's Gap of the Blue Ridge range of 
 mountains in the evening. During the night the Sharp- 
 shooters w^ere ordered out to climb the mountain as a scout- 
 ing party to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy, and 
 to place posts of observation thereon, from whence an exten- 
 sive view of the country surrounding could be obtained. 
 Notwithstanding the danger of ascent from slipping and 
 rolling to the bottom, owing to the prevailing darkness 
 whereby little could be seen about them, they finally suc- 
 ceeded in getting to the summit, and were stationed there 
 for the night. The next day being relieved of this arduous 
 duty they left their elevated position, and on descending 
 went again to their camp near Snickersville. Nov. 5th, 
 left this place, marching southeasterly, passing through 
 Middleburg, White Plains and other points, arriving on 
 the 9th at Wari-enton where they remained over a week. 
 While at White Plains on the 6th, they were treated to a 
 snowstorm an inch deep, which was very unpleasant to the 
 troops and was the cause of more or less suffering. 
 
 Gen. Burnside was now placed in command of the Army 
 of the Potomac, rice McClellan relieved. And Gen. Hooker 
 
214 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHIN'O 
 
 was shortly thereafter ordered to command iSre 5tli corps, 
 vice Porter relieved. On retiring from the field, Gen. Mc- 
 Clellan issued the following farewell to the army of his 
 creation : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
 Camp near Rectortown, Va., November 7, 1862. 
 Officers and Soldiers of the Abmy of the Potomac : 
 
 An order of the President devolves upon Major-General 
 Burnside the command of this army. In parting from you, 
 I cannot express the love and gratitude I bear to you. As 
 an army, you have grown up under my care. In you I have 
 never found doubt or coldness. The battles you have 
 fought under my command will proudly live in our nation's 
 history. The glory you have achieved, our mutual perils 
 and fatigues, the graves of our comrades fallen in battle 
 and hj disease, the broken forms of those whom wounds 
 and sickness have disabled — the strongest associations 
 which can exist among men — unite us still by an indis- 
 soluble tie. We shall ever be comrades in supporting the 
 Constitution of our country and the nationality of its 
 people. 
 
 Geo. B. McClellan, 
 
 Major-General, U. S. Army. 
 
 The recruits joining the two regiments, at different 
 points during the past fall, aided materially in filling the 
 vacant ranks caused by death losses, and the discharge of 
 members on account of disability. October 1st, Company 
 E, Second Regiment, had but 13 men for duty, but on the 
 17th they were reinforced by the arrival of 30 recruits, who 
 with a number of the slightly wounded or sick, returning to 
 duty, they became a company again. Company H, same 
 regiment, received 13 recruits, with some of their lateh' 
 sick and wounded. The recruits were steadily drilled, espe- 
 cially as skirmishers. Col. Post came to the Second Regi- 
 ment the 9th of November, but finding it much reduced in 
 numbers went to Washington to see if he could not get it 
 
IN THE (VE4IV OP THE POTOMAC. 215 
 
 recruited tip and new companies added. He did not 
 return, but resigned Nov. IStli. Changes occurred in the 
 field among the officers and non-commissioned officers of 
 both regiments, caused by promotion or discharge ; among 
 them Sergt. James S. Webster (G) was acting sergeant- 
 major of the First Regiment. 
 
216 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 FOURTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 UNDER BURNSIDE. 
 
 Leaving Warrenton the middle of NoYcmber, the Sharp- 
 shooters reached Falmouth the 23d, encamping two miles 
 from town, where they remained until December 11th, 
 w^hen they received "60 rounds of ammunition and 
 marching orders." The march from Warrenton to Fal- 
 mouth was attended with many difficulties to the great 
 annoyance and discomfort of the troops. Capt. Aschmann 
 says of it: "It took us seven days to reach Falmouth, a 
 distance of 45 miles, which slow^ advance was owing to the 
 bad management of the transports, to the fearful confusion 
 among the different commands, and the impaired condition 
 of the road which had become almost impassable through 
 the long continued rainy weather. On arriving at Fal- 
 mouth we made preparations to go into winter quarters by 
 building comfortable log huts. Our camp was about three 
 miles from the river close to the railroad, and as the adjacent 
 forest furnished good building material we w^ere soon in 
 comfortable quarters. Yet much dissatisfaction was per- 
 ceptible in the army, rations often short were of bad quality, 
 the clothing and shoes worn out, and it w^as several weeks 
 before these inconveniences were remedied.. The men had 
 not been paid for six months, which put them in bad humor. 
 To make things still worse, our knapsacks which had been 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 217 
 
 left on the Peninsula in August, were returned in a bad con- 
 dition and emptied of their former contents, so that manv 
 lost man}' valuables in the shape of presents, journals, etc.; 
 therefore the temper of our regiment was not very enviable." 
 
 BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 
 
 December 13-15, 1862. 
 
 Gen. Bumside organized his army into three Grand 
 Divisions ; the Right under Sumner, the Center under Hooker, 
 the Left under Franklin ; about 120,000 officers and men 
 equipped, ready for service — infantry, cavalry and artillery. 
 The "center grand division " comprised the 3d corps Gen. 
 Stoneman, 5th corps Gen. Danl. Butterfield, and Gen. 
 Averell's cavalry brigade. 'The First Regiment of Sharp- 
 shooters were attached to the 1st division commanded by 
 Gen. Griffin, (5th corps), the regiment being under command 
 of Lieut.-Col. Trepp. The Second Sharpshooters com- 
 manded by Major Stoughton, were attached to the 1st 
 division of the 1st corps, in the "left grand division." 
 
 It w^as the hope of Gen. Burnside to separate the rebel 
 forces, to get between their wings and crush them. For 
 this purpose he sent Franklin's troops several miles below 
 Fredericksburg, where they crossed the Rappahannock 
 after some delay with the bridges on the 12th, ready for 
 action on the morning of the 13th when the attack was 
 ordered. In the meantime Sumner and Hooker had crossed 
 at Fredericksburg, after the most obstinate resistance from 
 the enemy concealed in the houses and streets, who for a 
 time drove the bridge-builders away, so hot and destructive 
 was, their fire, so that it became necessary to shell the city, 
 our guns opening from the elevated ground above, causing 
 
218 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 much damage to the buildings, leaving many of them in 
 ruins. Even then, the enemy would not stop, but with 
 a persistency worthy of a better cause— the Union cause— 
 they blazed away until some of oar troops succeeded in 
 crossing in boats and charged on them, taking some pris- 
 oners. Then it was a running fight through the streets for 
 a long time before they were finally driven off. Right there, 
 was a battle in itself, as evidenced by the heavy losses 
 incurred. 
 
 Gen. Burnside says : "No more difficult feat has been 
 performed during the war than the throwing of these 
 bridges in the face of the enemy by these brave men." 
 
 And Gen. Woodbury, commanding Engineer Brigade, in 
 reporting the dangers incurred in this work, said: "It is 
 generally considered a brave feat to cross a bridge of any 
 length under fire, although the time of danger may not last 
 more than a minute or two. How much more difficult to 
 build a bridge exposed for hours to the same murderous 
 fire, the danger increasing as the bridge is extended." 
 
 When the battle began in earnest, it was a general 
 engagement all along the lines. The enemy being strongly 
 posted on the high ground back of Fredericksburg extend- 
 ing down past Franklin's front, the advantages were all 
 on their side, their artillery being posted so as to command 
 all our approaches, while their infantry were equally as well 
 distributed to give our troops the hot reception they were 
 destined to receive. Although for a time we met with some 
 success on our left, in crossing the plain to the hills, by 
 Meade's and Gibbon's divisions of Reynold's 1st corps, 
 taking a number of prisoners, the former even occupying a 
 portion of the crest for awhile, it was useless ; and after a 
 hard and destructive engagement all day the 13th, with 
 desultory efforts the 14th and 15th, our troops were 
 ordered to withdraw across the Rappahannock, which ""was 
 successfully done in good order by the morning of the iGth. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 219 
 
 The cannonading in this action was deafening and pre 
 longed which, with the heavy musketry, was a constant 
 uproar indicating more death and wounds to be recorded. 
 
 Gen. Reynolds in his report of the battle says: "The 
 gallantry and steadiness of the troops brought into action. 
 on the left is deserving of great praise, the new regiments 
 vieing with the veterans in steadiness and coolness. That the 
 brilliant attack made and the advanced position gained by 
 them were not more successful in their results was due to 
 the strong character of the enemy's defenses ; the advantage 
 he had of observing all our dispositions, while he made his 
 own to meet them entirely under cover." 
 
 Sumner's division on the right, made a futile attempt to 
 effect a lodgment on the heights. Hooker's command; 
 reduced by the withdrawal of the 3d corps, two divisions 
 of which were ordered to reinforce Franklin, and one to 
 relieve Howard in Fredericksburg; now consisting of but 
 the 5tfa corps, pushed boldly for the crest but was repulsed.^ 
 Gen. Hooker in his report, says he tried without avail to 
 dissuade Gen. Burnside from making the attack, as from 
 information received by a prisoner he became convinced that 
 the enemy were only too willing to have him come on. 
 
 "I returned," he says, "and brought up every available 
 battery, wth the intention of breaking their barriers, ta 
 enable Butterfield's attacking column to carry the crests 
 This artillery fire was continued with great vigor until near 
 sunset, when the attack with bayonet was made by 
 Humphreys' division. * * * This attack was made with 
 a spirit and determination seldom, if ever, equaled in war. 
 The impregnable position of the enemy had given them so 
 strong an advantage that the attack was almost immedi- 
 ately repulsed." 
 
 That the gallant 5th corps, unsupported, owing to the 
 w^ithdrawal of the other troops, sustained its reputation as 
 true and reliable fighters, in this unequal contest, with aloss 
 of over 2,000, whereby the corps was forced to bear the- 
 
220 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 burden which the right and center grand divisions combined 
 could hardly overcome, at least without great slaughter, 
 the testimony above and to follow, is proof-sufficient. For 
 «Gen. Buttei-field adds the weight of these words in their 
 behalf: 
 
 "The enemy was posted on his first line securely behind 
 a stone wall near the foot of a crest which was covered 
 with batteries. The position of these batteries enabled the 
 enemy to direct a severe cross-fire of artillery upon the 
 heads of the columns. The enemy's position was one of 
 ■exceeding strength, and his troops were w^ell protected. 
 During all of the movements and formations the columns 
 were subjected to a heavy fire. While endeavoring to force 
 itheir way with powder and ball, no apparent advantage 
 was gained. Orders w^ere given to carry the heights with 
 the baj'onets. Gen. Sykes was ordered to form a column of 
 attack on the right of Humphreys. The attack of 
 Humphreys' and Griffin's divisions was made w^ith a spirit 
 -and efficiency scarcely, if ever, equaled in the records of this 
 war; but the attack was made against a position so 
 ;advantageous and strong to the enemy that it failed." 
 
 During this sanguinary battle the First Sharpshooters 
 -were held in reserve. On the 13th they occupied a position on 
 the north bank of the Rappahannock, and on the following 
 ■day, crossing the river, remained in the town until thelSth, 
 when they were ordered to the front on the picket lines 
 -where considerable firing had taken place ; but it gradually 
 •quieted down after they appeared on the line, which was 400 
 yards from the rebel batteries and but 200 from the enemy's 
 picket — the latter firing at every head they could see. The 
 Sharpshooters reserved their fire under orders, keeping up a 
 sharp lookout. Around them were the results of the past 
 days' conflict, the ground being strewn with dead Union 
 soldiers, gallant sacrifices to a better cause than to assault 
 impenetrable heights. Stiff and distorted they lay straight- 
 ened out, doubled up — in all manner of startling shapes, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 221 
 
 Mangled corse, nameless to the Sharpshooters, who only 
 knew they were Union soldiers — lost in action. 
 
 The Wisconsin men were in reserve during the day, sub- 
 ject at times to artillery fire, also during the greater part of 
 the night; at half-past three on the morning of the 16th 
 they relieved those in front, being selected to watch the 
 enemy at that point while the Union forces were recrossing 
 the Rappahannock. At daylight they fell back in skirmish 
 line to the river, over a mile distant, where they found 
 bridges partly taken up, plank being laid to enable them to 
 cross ; taking with them 150 stragglers from other regi- 
 ments, routed out from the nooks and corners of the streets 
 of Fredericksburg, necessarily disturbing these wearied and 
 worn-out men in their ill-chosen resting places — dispelling 
 their dreams of safety and other happy visions. The Wis- 
 consin Sharpshooters were the last of the Potomac Army to 
 recross the river at Fredericksburg, having covered the 
 retreat of the troops on that part of the line. 
 
 Col. Trepp reports as follows : "On the 13th I received 
 an order to march with the division, and was assigned a 
 place in the column in the rear of Phillip's battery * * * 
 and bivouacked for the night near it, about half a mile from 
 the bridge over which the rest of the division crossed the 
 Rappahannock. On the 14th at about half past seven a.m. 
 I received an order to cross the river and report immedi- 
 ately to Gen. Griffin, which order was obeyed, and the regi- 
 ment entered Fredericksburg at about eight a. m. At about 
 noon on the 15th, by order of Gen. Willcox, four companies 
 of my regiment w^ere sent out on picket duty, under com- 
 mand of Major Hastings, on the left, to connect with Gen. 
 Franklin's pickets, and cover a space not before covered. I 
 carefully examined the ground and personally superintended 
 the posting of the pickets, making perfect the connection 
 between Gen. Franklin's right and the block house by the 
 railroad. This detachment remained on the outposts until 
 
222 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 it was withdrawn, by order of Gen. HumphreySi at about 
 half past six a. m. the next day. At about five p. M., by 
 order of Gen. Griffin, I sent two companips, under Capt. 
 Seaton, on picket on the right. These remained on the out- 
 posts until three o'clock next morning, when they were 
 relieved, by order of Gen.. Griffin. On the 16th, by order of 
 Gen. Griffin, the regiment, excepting the four companies on 
 the outposts, crossed the Rappahannock at about six A. M. 
 at the upper bridge. The said four companies retired as fol- 
 lows: Three companies of reserves under Major Hastings, in 
 column, and one company, the last on the outposts, as 
 skirmishers under Capt. Marble, (Company G), bringing 
 with them a number of stragglers from different regiments. 
 The regiment was in camp at about noon, all present. 
 There have been no casualties in my command during the 
 period." 
 
 There was one company of the 91st Pennsylvania unre- 
 lieved on picket, from Humphrey's' division, who held their 
 advanced post until ten o'clock that morning, when finding 
 themselves in a fix with the enemy swarming down by 
 them, some of whom they fired on with effect, others occu- 
 pying the town, they fell back to the river abovfe, w^here 
 boats were sent to cross them, one of their men swimming 
 the stream therefor. Gen. Butterfield in his report speaks of 
 the "gallant behavior of Capt. Lentz and his men," on this 
 occasion. 
 
 The Second Sharpshooters performed good service on 
 the left, on the skirmish line in the heat of the action of the 
 13th, also during the 14th and 15th, and were awarded 
 great praise by brigade and division commanders. Their 
 casualties were slight. 
 
 W. H. Proctor, of Company E, one of the gallant first 
 sergeants of that regiment, furnishes the following interesting 
 incidents : "On Sunday the 14th, as we lay in line of battle 
 on the open plain, the rebels ran out a long-range cannon 
 
IN THB ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 223 
 
 some two miles or more away on our left flank, and opened 
 with solid shot. The first one plowed dirt several rods 
 directly in front of us and passed on. The next, and the next, 
 were coming still nearer and the regiment was getting 
 uneasy, for it was real "tiresome" to wait so long after we saw 
 the flash of the gun, before tlie shot made our acquaintance. 
 Major Stoughton told the men to keep quiet. There was 
 another flash, and in due time the shot came. It tore the 
 knapsack from the back of a man named George A. Clay, in 
 Company E, sending the man's clothing, etc., 20 feet in the 
 air, and a pack of envelopes in the knapsack was thrown 70 
 feet high a;nd distributed in so peculiar a manner as to 
 attract the attention of thousands of troops. . The shot 
 passed undo: a man named Joiner, raising him about two 
 feet, without injuring him any further than a general shak- 
 ing up, passing on without doing damage. This rebel gun 
 w^as finally driven away by a battery of ours on the other 
 side of the river. 
 
 " On the last day that we held the field, the picket line on 
 the extreme left 'was held by a line of infantry, and the firing 
 was so heavy it w^as feared it would bring on an engage- 
 ment. We received orders in the afternoon to go out and 
 stop that firing. We deployed and lay down among the 
 infantry, making them stop firing. The rebs w^ere exposing 
 themselves recklessly but were evidently suffering little from 
 the infantry. We w^ere directed to use our ammunition only 
 when it w^ould count. We got in some fine work, when soon 
 they almost ceased firing, and commenced calling to us to 
 stop, asserting that we were shooting our own men, wast- 
 ing ammunition. An oflScer riding up to the stonewall falling 
 with a shot in the arm from our fire, a -white rag was held 
 up — ^they wanted to have a talk. So we arranged the mat- 
 ter, meeting in the center of the field between the two lines, 
 our infantry having previously gone back. One of the first 
 
224 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 salutations I received was: 'We knew j^ou when you first 
 began to shoot. We met you before at Yorktown.' (Itwas 
 the First Regiment at Yorktown.) They said our guns were 
 too sharp for them, and agreed to fire no more without 
 notice; we then went back to our line and everything was 
 quiet." 
 
 Capt. Chase, of Company A, who had been placed in com- 
 mand of the right wing of the skirmish line by Maj. Stough- , 
 ton, writing after the battle said: "On Saturday the 13th 
 our regiment was deployed on the extreme left flank extend- 
 ing from the line of battle to the river, with the 24th New 
 York for a reserve. We were under heavy artillery fire all day 
 (14th), as well as that of their sharpshooters. About noon 
 vee charged on a piece of woods occupied by a large force of 
 rebs which our artillery had been trying in vain for an hour 
 to drive out, but they skedaddled like the very devil when we 
 w^ent in. We killed a large number, took 10 prisoners and 
 eight horses. I secured a splendid gray belonging to a cap- 
 tain of cavalry. It is probable that the next call the captain 
 hears will be from the trumpet of Gabriel. There were 
 more hair-breadth escapes than I ever saw^ in any previous 
 battle." After referring to the incidents given by Comrade 
 Proctor, he continues : "An other -shot struck within a foot 
 of Pettijohn (Dyer B., first sergeant) filling his ears so full of 
 dirt that he had to go to a brook and wash them out, and 
 strange to say no one was seriously hurt." Capt. Wright 
 (then lieutenant "A") wrote Dec. 26, 1862: "When the 
 retreat vsras ordered our regiment was on picket, we lost 
 none killed as we know of, but there w^ere four of Company 
 A left behind, whether wounded next morning or taken pris- 
 oners I could not say; they were James, O'Neal, Stacey and 
 Ben Hamlet. Our regiment numbers about 121 for duty." 
 George E. James was captured and never returned, Henry 
 O'Neal was also taken prisoner, he returning in May follow- 
 ing. 
 
COL. HOMER R. STOUGHTON. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 225 
 
 Gen. Doubleday commanding 1st division, 1st army corps, 
 says: On the morning of the 13th * * * relieving Gen. 
 Meade's advanced troops with the Sharpshooters, three- 
 quarters of a mile from the Bernard House, on the other side 
 of a deep gorge or ravine, we jiressed on for about, half a 
 mile, driving in the enemy's skirmishers as we advanced. 
 * * * The action of the batteries having prepared the way 
 for an infantry attack, I directed Gen. Meredith to take these 
 woods with his brigade. The 7th Wisconsin volunteers and 
 the 24th Michigan led the advance, preceded by the Second 
 Regiment United States Sharpshooters, and carried the wood 
 in gallant style, taking a number of prisoners and horses." 
 
 Col. Walter Phelps, Jr., brigade commander, in his report 
 mentions the Sharpshooters thus : "Aboutthree p.m. (14th) 
 one of the enemy's batteries opened upon our left at long 
 range, perfectly enfilading us. * * * The Second United 
 States Sharpshooters were , engaged as skirmishers during 
 the day, also two companies of the 30th New York Vols., 
 and succeeded in protecting the artillery and infantry from 
 the severe fire of the enemy's skirmishers. On Monday the 
 15th * * * I ordered the Second U. S. Sharpshooters to 
 the front as skirmishers, and they engaged the enemy's pick- 
 ets during the day. * * * I cannot speak too highly of 
 the commanding officer of the Second U. S. Sharpshooters, 
 Major Stoughton," and others named. 
 
 Col. Wm. F. Rogers, brigade commander, among other 
 testimonials of merit, says : "I take pleasure also in testi- 
 fying to the very efficient service rendered by the Second U. 
 S. Sharpshooters, under Major Stoughton, of Col. Phelps 
 brigade." 
 
 All of which shows that the Green Coats were there — on 
 the front lines — doing their duty in a highly honorable man- 
 ner. 
 
 The battle of Fredericksburg was the occasion of severe 
 criticism by the general public at home, and the military 
 board at Washington ; although the people themselves were 
 greatly responsible in their howling demands for "more bat- 
 tles." The stav-at-homes liked too well to see them— in 
 
226 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 print. The movement of the army was delayed over a 
 month from the time it left "Warrenton until the attack, ow- 
 ing to the delay in forwarding the pontoons for the bridges 
 from the Upper Potomac, although the troops fronted the 
 position in ample time to have assured success before the 
 Confederates concentrated in front— all ready to whip us. 
 It only proves the difficulty too often encountered in carry- 
 ing out the programme mapped out for action. If some of 
 our generals were blamed for being tardy— consuming too 
 much time in preparation— forgetful of the fact that great 
 undertakings of a military nature cannot safely be rushed 
 too fast, there may be ample cause for the delay. Besides, it 
 is too hazardous where so much is at stake, to hurry away, 
 and renders the reckless movement subject to defeat and 
 demoralization. To get ready, is one thing that often 
 depends on the assistance rendered in the matter of supplies; 
 to go, when ready, is another. "Whether Burnside blundered 
 or others were at fault, failing w^ith the pontoons — or both 
 — it will never alter the heart-rending fact, that the battle of 
 Fredericksburg was a useless slaughter — with a loss to the 
 Union army according to government reports of 10,884 
 killed and wounded, and 1,769 captured and missing. Total 
 12;653. 
 
 Returning to camp near Falmouth the Sharpshooters 
 remained in quarters until December 30th when the First 
 Regiment was ordered on a reconnoissance along the Rap- 
 pahannock westerly, with their division commanded by Col. 
 Barnes, of the 18th Massachusetts. 
 
 ELLIS' FORD. 
 
 Dec. 31, 1862. 
 
 Marching some 10 or 15 miles they halted for the 
 night at Richards' Ford on the Upper Rappahannock, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 2^27 
 
 where on the folio-wing morning, the last day of the year, a 
 brisk skirmish occurred with the enemy's cavalry stationed 
 on the opposite bank. A small force of cavalry accompanied 
 the expedition, with a few pieces of artillery. The cavalry 
 being ordered to cross the river, proceeded to do so tinder 
 the fire of the rebel Stuart's cavalrymen, which was 
 returned with interest by the Sharpshooters posted on the 
 river bank, thus protecting the party crossing, driving the 
 enemy from their position in short order unable to with- 
 stand the effect of the close shots fired upon them. The 
 enemy then fell back to the cover of the woods a mile away, 
 the cavalry squad following them up and establishing a 
 picket line oq the plain, having taken one prisoner. Three 
 companies of Sharpshooters followed after, approaching 
 the river through a rocky, precipitous washout, the water 
 mid-deep and very cold, chilling and benumbing the men 
 through and through. Charles H. Bemer, of Company B, 
 being present, tells how "quite a number fell on the slippery 
 stones, pitched headlong and backward, getting wet all 
 over, while some, needed to be assisted in getting up, else 
 would they have been drow^ned, One unfortunate cavalry 
 man got a complete ducking, being thrown into the water 
 by his horse slipping and falling over." Thus wading the 
 river under fire, and forming line on the other side they 
 remained near our cavalry until a small brigade, its ranks 
 greatly decimated by the casualties of war, joined them. 
 While on the open plain facing the woods in front, they 
 were greatly annoyed by a concealed rebel in a thick tree- 
 top on the edge of the wood, who had been amusing him- 
 self taking "sighting shots " upon our boys. Finally, Adjt. 
 Horton who was in command, ordered a volley fired, 
 which must have taken the reb by surprise, as he was found 
 on their approach in a sprawling position at the foot of the 
 tree, pretty much used up. 
 
228 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISIIIXG 
 
 This small force witii seven cavalry vedettes then moved 
 forward, the infantry keeping the road, while the Sharp- 
 shooters went ahead as skirmishers and flankers. Company 
 G being on the flank. The rebel cavalry began to practice 
 their oldgameof firingatourforcesas wemovedon, andafter 
 emptying their carbines wheeling suddenly, running away. 
 This was done several times, when Horton ordered a squad 
 of the Sharpshooters to rush forward as far as possible, 
 keeping concealed from view on the wooded roadside, and 
 when the enemy again appeared, to break into the middle of 
 the road and try again the virtue of a rattling volley of 
 well aimed bullets. This plan was carried out to perfection, 
 the rebels leaving behind one of their number whose horse 
 was shot down, and himself captured after a long chase 
 through the thick brush, he running the gauntlet of many 
 shots as he tried to get away. He proved to be a hard 
 customer who hated to give up. As Kirkham, of G, after- 
 w^ards expressed it : 
 
 "He was as mad as a piper; the very ugliest brute I 
 met with in the army." 
 
 His face was torn and scratched so much with briars as 
 to be covered with blood, while one of his hands was singed 
 with a Sharps' bullet. His comrades keep out of sight 
 thereafter, thereby saving their cartridges. The seven 
 cavalrymen were joined by Horton who had previously run 
 down a retreating rebel, and now led by the Sharpshooter 
 adjutant, this small mounted party galloped off" in hot pur- 
 suit, capturing several more of the gang. 
 
 Leaving the river, advancing two miles south, the 
 column changed direction to the right, and moving up 
 stream, after skirmishing upwards of nine miles through 
 thick brush and woods, the infantry keeping the road, 
 recrossed the river about dark at Ellis' Ford, where they 
 rested for the night. On the day. following, Jan. 1, 1863, 
 they left the Ford, skirmishing back to the Union lines which 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 229 
 
 they reached in the afternoon, having fallen in with no large 
 force of the enemy while away. The balance of the Sharp- 
 shooter regiment held their position at Richards' Ford dur- 
 ing the day and over night, watching well the opposite 
 shore, but with no sign of the enemy hovering about. In 
 the evening all arrived back to camp considerably fatigued 
 but without loss. 
 
 While passing through the woods on the return trip, 
 being out as flankers, their line of march ran into a lot of 
 chicken coops that had been hid there. The coops were 
 sent flying out of the path, but not till after each man in B 
 Company at least, got one or more chickens, and some 
 turkeys. As chicken roosts were scarce araund Falmouth 
 and it being New Year's day, they concluded it would be a 
 good plan to take them in as prisoners. 
 
 It was an expedition of importance that required quick 
 movements and forced marching, which at that time of year 
 none but veterans inured to hardships had any business to 
 endure. Wading cold rivers could have but one issue with 
 less hardy soldiers, and that, subsequent sickness with prob- 
 able serious results. But it seemed as if the old soldiers 
 could stand everything without any apparent ill efiects 
 from their hardi fatiguing duties. Their endurance was 
 remarkable, particularly from the short rest required to go 
 again. They were indeed men of iron, that it seemed 
 almost impossible could be worn out. Tired and exhausted 
 they often were, but their powers of revival proved the 
 stamina and good condition of these well trained troops. 
 
 The First and Second Regiments were soon after formed 
 into a Sharpshooter brigade in accordance with the follow- 
 ing order from Gen. Burnside: 
 
 "Headquarters Army of the Potomac,) 
 Camp near Falmouth, Va., Jan. 14, 1863. f 
 The regiments and companies of Sharpshooters in this 
 army will form a distinct arm of the service, and will be 
 
230 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 under the command of Col. Berdan, as Chief of Sharpshoot- 
 ers, who will report directly to these headquarters. Detach- 
 ments from this force will be sent from time to time to the 
 different grand divisions on detached service, to be used as 
 Sharpshooters." 
 
 Previous to this formation, the First Regiment had 
 been divided into two battalions and attached to Sumner's 
 and Hooker's corps respectively, but were soon after 
 ordered together again. "While thus temporarily separated, 
 the Wisconsin company furnished another acting sergeant- 
 major, in the person of Sergt. B. D. Atwell. 
 
 MUD MARCH. 
 
 Taking part in the "Mud Campaign," as Burnside's 
 last movement was afterwards named, our brigade (ex- 
 cepting "F," First, which remained at headquarters) left 
 camp near Falmouth, Jan. 20th, marching to the vicinity 
 of Banks' Ford, seven miles distant, where they arrived in 
 the afternoon, remaining over night in the woods, concealed 
 from the enemy who were posted on the qpposite bank of 
 the Rappahannock. During the night a heavy rain set in, 
 pouring down in torrents, which rendered the roads impass- 
 able for artillery, also prevented the troops from going 
 farther. They were in reality stuck in the mud. And to 
 that extent it seemed impossible to extricate the cannon, 
 but by hard work in which men and horses were exhausted, 
 they finally succeeded and returned to camp on the 23d ; 
 the movement being of necessity abandoned, the rain contin- 
 uing the whole time. This unexpected outcome of the 
 attempt to turn the enemy's position, was very dishearten- 
 ing to the troops, who returned from the expedition dis- 
 
IN THK ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 231 
 
 couraged and weary ; having been obliged to corduroy the 
 roads to enable them to come back. As an illustration of 
 the diificulties encountered by the engineer corps in con- 
 structing roads for the passage of the artillery, the officer in 
 charge, on being ordered to make a requisition for what was 
 necessary to accomplish the work, did so by calling for "50 
 men, 25 feet high, to work in the mud 18 feet deep." 
 
232 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 IN CAMP. 
 
 The army now remained in winter quarters, our brigade 
 near Stoneman's Switch not far from Falmouth. Picket 
 duty was in order, and when the weather permitted being 
 ordered out to drill. Company and battalion movements 
 it was very essential must not be forgotten — the soldiers 
 could not be too perfect. 
 
 At a meeting of the officers of the two regiments at 
 brigade headquarters early in the spring, a proposition was 
 made by the colonel commanding, to have a celebration on 
 a grand scale on the anniversary of the Sharpshooters' first 
 advance on Yorktown. For this purpose a committee of 
 arrangements was appointed, and a programme prepared. 
 The principal feature being a Grand Shooting Match 
 between the different company champions in each regiment, 
 for a regimental silver medal, the w^inners of which were to 
 shoot off for a gold one. For several days previous, the 
 members of each company were being tested, the picked 
 men of which were to receive a diploma, with a chance to 
 win the champion medals. On the test shooting a number 
 of good targets were made, according to the terms agreed 
 upon, viz., five off-hand shots at 100 yards, open sight, 
 string measurement — the shooting to be done with Sharps 
 army rifle. 
 
 At half-past nine in the morning, after guard mounting, 
 the different companies were marched on to the color line. 
 
IN THE AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. 233 
 
 and after a brief and appropriate address by Col. Berdau, 
 a new, beautiful flag was hoisted on the flagstaff amid 
 the cheers of the assembled soldiers. The order of exercises 
 being read by one of the committee, they proceeded to the 
 target ground where the shooting began in the presence of 
 a large number of visitors. Capts. Nash, Company K, First 
 Regiment, Guest, B., Second Regiment, attended to the call- 
 ing off; Capt. Smith, G, Second Regiment, Lieut. Wells, B, 
 First Regiment, the targets ; while Capt. McClure, D, Sec- 
 ond Regiment, Lieut. Stevens, G, First Regiment, measured 
 the strings. Each man furnished his own target, which was 
 handed in to the committee. The Second Regiment having 
 won the "toss" commenced the shooting, their winner 
 being a Vermonter, Albert G. Culver. The First Regiment 
 winner was Samuel Ingling, of Michigan. The two winners 
 ■of the regimental medals then shot off for the gold medal, 
 which was won by the Michigan man. These medals were 
 very appropriate, were made in New York, the design being 
 furnished by the committee, subscription therefor, likewise 
 the prize money, being obtained from the officers of both 
 regiments. The next in order being a three-shot string from 
 a tree top 200 yards distant, for a purse of $10, was won by 
 Lamprey, of New Hampshire, Second Regiment, Joseph 
 Sleeper, of Wisconsin, being ahead in the First Regiment. 
 Several long shots of 1,000 yards were then made by Col. 
 Berdan, Capt. Marble, and other officers with both Sharps 
 and telescopic rifles. 
 
 The assemblage then repaired to the running ground to, 
 witness the various pedestrianic efforts, Nash and Stevensi 
 being thejudges. The first in order was a 200-yard race 
 against time, for two prizes, $10 and $5— open to one man 
 in each company of both regiments. Won by Private Barto- 
 mey, of Vermont, and Sergt. Lye, of Wisconsin, (both 
 First Regiment). Time, 28^2 seconds each. Lye who had 
 been unwell then withdrew, and was awarded second prize. 
 
234 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Next, two 100-yard sack races, creating great merriment. 
 After which, came the 400-yard foot race, $10 and $5, run 
 in pairs. After many exciting struggles showing the activ- 
 ity and strength of the men, the deciding heat lay between 
 Peaslee, of New Hampshire, Gardener, of New York, and 
 Van Buren, of Wisconsin. The "Badger" got the lead on 
 turning tTie hundred yard stake, but the New Yorker closed 
 up towards the end of the race and won by a yard. Time 
 one minute, six second-s. Van Buren took the second prize.. 
 The greased pole, cock-fighting, wrestling, jumping, etc., 
 wound up the sports. 
 
 The greased pole, of course, was as usual the occasion of 
 a good deal of fun, particularly the ludicrous fate of a well 
 known member of Company B, known as the ''Wild Jersey- 
 man." Failing in his first attempt, he pulled off his 
 trowsers, making the second trial in government cotton 
 flannels, and was well on his way to the top where the $5 
 gold piece was fastened, when the mishap occurred — a beau- 
 tiful example of the shoddy character of the underclothes 
 the men often drew. They couldn't stand the strain, so 
 down came Jim treble-quick, and amid the greatest of 
 shouts he I'etired to his poncho. In the wrestling, Jacob S. 
 Bailey, a Vermonter (of Company F, First), obtained the 
 victorj'^ — the principal contest being with a tall, raw-boned 
 Michigander, who after an exciting struggle was defeated by 
 the Green Mountain Boy amid loud applause. In jumping, 
 the Sharpshooter colonel led by several inches with 
 apparent ease, to the great surprise of all, Lieut.-Col. Trepp 
 exclaiming: 
 
 "Berdan, he beats der teifel! He takes der rifle and 
 beats der boys, an' now he scoops 'em jumping." 
 
 He did it without weights, too. At dark the men retired 
 to their quarters, well pleased with the day's entertainment. 
 Among the officers present, were Gen. Whipple, division com- 
 mander, also a number of ladies. It was one of tho'se 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 235 
 
 happy holidays that sometimes occurred in the army, but 
 not very often; which generally ends with the intended 
 eflFect, as on this occasion, in making all concerned feel bet- 
 ter, enlivening them up, dispelling ior a time the dull and 
 languid spirit resulting from a lengthy routine of camp 
 duties. Often the troops are rolled out from their lethargic 
 state, hurriedly assembled and marched off many miles, to 
 return to the vicinity, where they build new camps on fresh 
 fields, as often within a half mile of the old ones; which 
 change tends to improve the general health— the sanitary 
 condition of the soldiers. Exercise was what they needed, 
 and plenty of it, to fit them for future hardships on the 
 great marches. Snowball contests were engaged in, there 
 being frequently long lines of battle extending to regiments 
 and even brigades, when it was fun to see the snow fly. It 
 was not always play either, for rough usage would occur, 
 many a sorry looking fellow would get more than he bar- 
 gained for, causing hard feelings, with a frequent desire to 
 "rough and tumble." But as a general thing, it had a bene- 
 ficial eflfect — it was good exercise. 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding the morale of the troops in gen- 
 eral was considered excellent, there was one bad habit, one 
 pr,evailing vice in all the camps — the passion for gambling — 
 although it was strictly against orders; nor did it affect the 
 enlisted men alone. Every effort to break it up, utterly 
 failed. Not that all, or by any means a majority of the men 
 indulged in it, still there were always enough that did, to 
 make it a common practice in every regiment. The bo^'s 
 w^ould play, yet while this pastime had a bad effect, princi- 
 pally affecting their pockets, it didn't appear to affect their 
 efficiency while on duty. They were good soldiers. 
 
 The first sergeants of each company had been furnished 
 with a telescope rifle, to be used only upon special occa- 
 dions; which were afterwards turned in, being too heavy to 
 carry around, and as previously stated, unfit for genual 
 
236 SHA.RPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 use on a skirmish line. These rifles were all right in a fixed 
 position— a good rest— and did great work at long range, 
 particularly among the enemy's batteries. But for hurried 
 off-hand shooting, skirmishing or in line of battle, the open 
 sights could be brought to the eye quicker, and even the 
 muzzle-loading muskets with which the infantry were armed 
 could be loaded quicker, while the breech-loading Sharps 
 were far ahead of all, for rapid firing. The great improve- 
 ments made in the breech-loading sj'^stem since the war of 
 the Rebellion, particularly in the metallic ammunition, have 
 caused the muzzle-loaders to be discarded. A line of battle 
 of breech-loaders lying down can shoot faster and do more 
 execution on a charging column, than heretofore when the 
 bite and te.ar cartridge and rammer were used, besides caus- 
 ing less exposure to the men. A charging column at the 
 present day must needs be very brave, to face a line of 
 breech-loaders, as they will hardly get there. It was owing 
 to the success attained by the Berdan Sharpshooters, in 
 developing the superiority of the Sharps breech-loading rifle 
 over any other known weapon in use, in point of safetj' to 
 the men as well as execution in firing, for I never knew of 
 an accident occurring by premature discharge of a Sharps^ 
 rifle, that caused so soon after the war the substitution of 
 the breech-loading system, improved upon, in all manner of 
 firearms. The American manufacturers opened their .eyes to 
 the fact, that a safer and better gun could be goaded at the 
 breech, in shot-guns as well as rifles. To Col. Berdan's per- 
 sistency in urging the government to furnish his command 
 with these arms while at Camp of Instruction, in response 
 to the demands of the members of both regiments, is the 
 credit largely due for the general substitution after the war 
 of the breech-loading gun. 
 
 Notwithstandingthe arduous duties oftenimposed on the 
 soldiers, they could always manage to get up a little fun 
 amongst themselves— even on the most trying occasions. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 23T 
 
 The little jokes they played on each other served to break the 
 force of their irksome camp life, to lighten the load as it were,. 
 of their monotony. While at this camp an old member of an 
 adjoining regiment returned from the southern prisons in a 
 very shabby condition. Being furnished with a new outfit 
 of clean clothes, he was requested to go with the boys t& 
 theriver and take a good wash. So they went down, and 
 got the old fellow in up to his neck, when the boys scrubbed 
 away, after first lathering him with Rappahannock mud,, 
 and finally began to get some of the prison dirt off. But 
 were for awhile nonplused at the curious color of his body,, 
 when to their surprise they developed an old shirt stuck 
 close to his skin, which he said he thought he had lost long- 
 before — had missed it among his scanty wardrobe, and 
 didn't know it was there. He laughed at their taunts, say- 
 ing he was so much ahead. Yet they didn't allow him to 
 preserve it as a .memento, but east it afar off into the cur- 
 rent, and as the owner eyed it floating away, he sighed and 
 walked away as if he had lost an old friend, as the shirt 
 must have been, for it had certainly stuck to him very- 
 close. 
 
 About this time. Company D lost one of their best 
 marksmen, a man who had made his mark as such, in the 
 person of Cyrus J. Hathaway, who was discharged ta 
 accept a commission as second lieutenant in the 114th New 
 York, and though it was a great loss to the Sharpshooter 
 service, was cheerfully acquiesced in by his company, on 
 account of the deserved promotion. 
 
 Often during their picket duties exciting times occurred, 
 which at least served to keep the soldiers in an animated 
 condition. On the night of March 27th an event transpired 
 whereby the entire division picket force was aroused and 
 brought into line in anticipation of an attack. It appears 
 that fronting the picket line was a large opening or field 
 probably 1,000 yards across, beyond which at the farther 
 
238- SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 extremity of a wood, our cavalry vedettes were stationed. 
 Orders had been given the Sharpshooters who were on the 
 right of the line adjoining an old turnpike, to give notice, 
 by firing if necessary, of any approach of the enemy in our 
 front. The Wisconsin company had the line, and the lieuten- 
 ant in command was very particular about these orders, 
 instructing the men at their posts to watch and listen 
 intently, the night being very dark, and if any demonstra- 
 tion was apparent in front, to "obey orders." During the 
 fore part of the night some scattering shots were heard ahead 
 where the cavalry were, and what with the distant signal 
 lights bobbing up and down, and the aforesaid orders to 
 keep a sharp lookout, it appeared rather evident that the 
 stealthy approach of the Johnnies was expected, at head- 
 quarters. Therefore, when at the midnight hour, a number 
 of shots being heard, followed by a sharp clatter of hoofs on 
 the hard road leading from the extreme front, as several cav- 
 alry men came rushing back, more scared than hurt. Post 
 No. 1, fired. As most of the boys were snoozing at the time, 
 those not on duty, a grand hustle was made by the lieuten- 
 ant and his orderly sergeant (Jacobs), to get the company 
 into line behind the pickets, before " Old Trepp " came rush- 
 ing up, which he very soon did, accompanied by a num- 
 ber of others, all mounted, from general down. Inquiring 
 closely into the matter, all now being quiet at the front, 
 finally in response to the lieutenant's statement about the 
 orders to fire, the colonel retired, after informing the picket 
 officer to be very careful about firing off the guns as, "it dis- 
 turbed the whole concern." The "whole concern," which 
 was the division reserves in our rear, were considerably dis- 
 turbed that time, for it is doubtful if they ever rolled out 
 from sw^eet sleep quicker or more excited, before or since, than 
 on that occasion. The boys of Company G couldn't sleep 
 the balance of the night with laughing over it. The next 
 day while returning to camp, the reserves yelled over to the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 233 
 
 Sharpshooters to know who it was started that alarm, when 
 some of the company wags cried back : " Oh ! onh' a wide- 
 awake lieutenant from Wisconsin." As that officer was nap- 
 ping at the time of the firing (relieved by the first sergeant), 
 and who jumped a good four feet when it occurred, the boys 
 of G laughed in their sleeves. For a long time after, the out- 
 going pickets from other regiments would inquire of the 
 Sharpshooters, if that "wide-awake lieutenant" was in the 
 crowd, which, however, he most always wasn't. 
 
 These picket posts were not gen- 
 erally the pleasantest places to lie in, 
 from the fact that a species of crawl- 
 ers generating in the army, known by 
 •OLD PAM." the euphonious name of ' ' gray backs, ' ' 
 
 infested the posts to an amazing extent; the result being 
 that on returning to camp a general wash-up and boiling of 
 clothes followed. This was one of the ills that the soldiers had 
 to "grin and bear," but they soon got used to it and became 
 as expert in catching the "httle critters," except when they 
 got into the seams of their clothes — a favorite hiding place — 
 as the early bird after the worm. These little army pets 
 were the source of considerable amusement at times, and 
 many stories are told about them, one of which will do for 
 an illustration : 
 
 A STRAGGLING GRAYBACK. 
 
 A well-known and popular Wisconsin colonel, who 
 deserved to be president of an anti-cruelty-to-aninials society, 
 while out on the parade-ground one Sunday with the chap- 
 lain, preparing for services, having his attention called by 
 the minister to the fact, that an unusually large grayback 
 was crawling over his emaculate boiled shirt front, instantly 
 grasping the wiggling thing with his fingers exclaimed: 
 "You infernal straggler, go back to your quartei's," when he 
 deliberately put it inside his shirt and let it roam within. 
 
240 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Possibly he concluded that if they were so thick as to break 
 out to the front, 'twas no use to exterminate the bold inter- 
 loper. 
 
 PERTAINING TO DISCIPLINE. 
 
 Skulking and misbehavior in action, were matters on 
 which all worthy commanding officers were severe. The fol- 
 lowingincidents, however, will illustrate the manner in which 
 disobedience of orders of an unimportant or trivial nature, 
 were often treated, when the comfort of the soldier was ir- 
 volved. Even the strictest disciplinarian who was not a con- 
 firmed tyrant, was disposed to be lenient in certain cases, 
 especially when rations were scarce, and the men undergoing 
 severe service. As a general rule the strict colonel or regi- 
 mental commander, was the friend of the soldier, and was so 
 regarded by the intelligent and trasty. On one of the long 
 marches when rations were scarce, a man in Company A 
 stole a chicken, notwithstanding the general orders against 
 foraging, and not knowing when he w^ould have a chance to 
 cook it, carried it alive in his haversack. The chicken kept 
 peeping, and as he marched at the head of the regiment. Col. 
 Berdan could not well pretend that he didn't hear it, as the 
 night was still and the chickdn had a good voice — a stalwart 
 peeper. So he ordered the man under arrest, and when he 
 came before the colonel's drum-head court-martial w^ith 
 others, the next day, the colonel asked him for what was he 
 under arrest. The man replied: "For stealing a chicken." 
 "Are you sure?" asked the colonel. "Yes," said the man, 
 meekly. "Keep him under guar^ at the rear of the regi- 
 ment," ordered the colonel. In a day or two he was ques- 
 tioned in the same way, giving the same answer. The third 
 time he was asked why he was arrested, becoming more out- 
 spoken with his long humiliation, he replied: "For not hav- 
 ing cut the chicken's head off." " Go to your company ! " at 
 once said the colonel. There were no more chickens carried 
 alive in the haversacks. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 241 
 
 On another occasion when the regiment camped for the 
 night where there was no wood for fire to boil the coffee, so 
 that the men were compelled to take fence rails despite 
 orders to the contrary, one of the men in order to save time 
 made a short cut, which took him in front of the colonel's 
 tent. He was at once brought to a halt, and then and there 
 made to march in front of the tent for a half hour with the 
 rail across his back. The colonel then stopped him, asking 
 if he knew for what he had been punished, he promptly 
 replying— for he was a Yank— "Oh, yes ! because I did not go 
 behind your tent." "Go to your company," said the colo- 
 nel. He got well laughed at by his comrades, and the old 
 proverb was made clear to him that, "the longest way 
 around was the shortest way home." 
 
 The first punishment for cowardice the colonel inflicted 
 on one of his soldiers, was while lying before Yorktown, 
 because the man refused to advance when the enemy were 
 shelling us sharply. He was frightened and behaved very 
 cowardly. That evening the colonel called him out at dress 
 parade and made a brief address to the command, stating 
 that while some men were constitutional cowards, they 
 were not to blame for it, as it was part of their nature. 
 Then speaking of the incident of the day, called the man to 
 the front, ordering the officer of the day to take his gunfrom 
 him, and put him on fatigue duty. By the way, a light pun- 
 ishment compared with what a Regular soldier would have 
 received, but in this case it proved sufficient. In a few days 
 the captain of the company asked the colonel to give the 
 man another trial, which he declined to do unless a petition 
 signed by every member of the company to restore him was 
 received. This was furnished. and the man restored to his 
 place in the ranks. It had a salutary eifect, and no com- 
 plaint Avas beard of him thereafter. But Col. Berdan said 
 he anticipated the man's return to the company, in the way 
 it happened, and pursued this course, deeming it more effect- 
 
 16 
 
242 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 ual to work on the soldier's pride by demanding the peti- 
 tion. Such discipline was effective in keeping the men up to 
 their work, to give and take shots with the spirit of veter- 
 ans, which was all that was necessary to make a splendid 
 fighting regiment out of such material; particularly if they 
 found their officers willing to share the dangers with them. 
 Much of the honor gained is due to the special service we 
 had, and the advantage of arms used, coupled with their 
 great skill in handling the rifle, and yet it is but fair to infer 
 that much also is due to the promj)t ti'eatment of first 
 examples. 
 
 As the fighters never complained of what was required 
 of them under fire, but were ready to respond however great 
 the odds against them, both Berdau and Trepp when in 
 command, and the latter was very strict in the field, were 
 disposed to be lenient with the boys when in camp and sub- 
 ject to trivial offenses. This would naturally have a ten- 
 dency to inculcate a good feeling between officers and men. 
 "Trouble in camp," however, at times existed among the 
 Sharpshooters as in other regiments, and there were very 
 few that escaped this unpleasant state of affairs — one of 
 the evil results of lying in camp too long. Officers would 
 find fault, often amongst themselves almost to an open 
 quarrel; prevented only by fear of the consequences under 
 the strict rules of the regulations. As it was, arrests were 
 made and courts-martial summoned. Particularly was 
 this the case at Falmouth in the w^inter of '63, when several 
 officers were under arrest on various eharges. Nor did Col. 
 Berdan himself escape; on the contrary, a long list of 
 charges and specifications were preferred against him. But 
 because an officer or enlisted man happened to be court- 
 martialed, it did not always follow that he should have 
 been, or that he was adjudged guilty. It frequently trans- 
 pired otherwise, and did so in pretty much all the cases in 
 our (First) regiment in this camp, that the accused party 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 243 
 
 received a strong vindication by the court in the verdict of 
 acquittal ; and in the case of Col. Berdan, the court after 
 hearing the evidence of the prosecution, stopped all further 
 proceedings by refusing to occupy any further time hearing 
 any evidence he (Col. Berdan) might have to offer, adjudg- 
 ing him "not guilty" on all charges and specifications. 
 And this was about the way they generally turned out. 
 Bad blood enough, no doubt, but worse evidence. The 
 enlisted men, they that handled the weapons that did the 
 fighting, were silent lookers-on, wondering why their officers 
 quarreled so. Was this setting a proper example? 
 
244 SHAlirSHOOTt-NG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 FIFTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 FIGHTING JOE IN COMMAND. 
 
 Shortly after the failure of the late movement, not by 
 the enemy, Gen. Hooker was appointed to the command of 
 the Army of the Potomac, vice Burnside relieved. Again 
 the hopes of the soldiers revived, for the gallant bearing of 
 Hooker in all the past campaigns of the Potomac army, in 
 •which he had been prominently engaged at the head of 
 divisions and corps, had won for him the respect and confi- 
 dence of the troops in general. Not that they entertained 
 ill-feelings towards Burnside because of the failure of the 
 movements under his command, as much as they may have 
 doubted his wisdom in fighting at Fredericksburg, yet were 
 they easily reconciled to the change. And now the stirring 
 spirit of Hooker infused new life in the army, as they readily 
 became convinced that the change was for the better, and 
 were determined to prove themselves w^orthy soldiers of so 
 gallant a leader. 
 
 A reorganization of the army followed, the system of 
 grand divisions being abolished, and changes made in the 
 assignment of troops. The brigade of Sharpshooters was 
 attached to the 3d corps, being the 3d brigade of the 3d 
 division, thus parting with the 5th corps with w^hich the 
 First Regiment had been connected from its organization, 
 sharing its glories and sufterings, and getting back to the 
 
IN THE AKMY OF THE POTOMAC. 245 
 
 corps they originally started with on the Peninsula cam- 
 paign. The brigade was commanded by Col. Berdan, the 
 division by Gen. Whipple, the corps by Gen. Sickles. 
 
 The commanding general was now busy getting his 
 troops in proper fighting trim before the campaign opened, 
 and the days were fully occupied in the "general training," 
 included in which was target practice -^firing by volleys, 
 firing at will, in every position. Finally, orders came to 
 issue eight days' rations and 60 rounds of ammunition ; 
 while surplus clothing was turned in, and the necessary 
 preparations made for the next move on the military chess 
 board. All was bustle without confusion, and Hooker's 
 boast that he had the "finest army on the planet, " seemed 
 to be realized. 
 
 CHANCELLORSVILLE. 
 
 May 1-4, 1863. 
 
 On the 28th of April the Sharpshooters broke camp in 
 the afternoon and as part of the 3d corps marched down the 
 river to the left of the Union army below Fredericksburg, 
 -where they arrived during the night and rested under arms. 
 The men werewell equipped, carrying 60 rounds of ammuni- 
 tion, eight daj-^s' rations, overcoats and rubber blankets. 
 Two men in each company were also furnished with "climb- 
 ers," to be used on special occasions in climbing trees. 
 
 On the morning of the 29th they were distant witnesses 
 to the storming of the rebel rifle pits at Fitz Hugh Crossing, 
 by the sturdy Iron Brigade, which were successfully carried 
 and several hundred prisoners taken. 
 
 The Sharpshooters remained under arms near the river 
 until the afternoon of the 30th, the weather having been 
 thus far rainy and unpleasant. Gen, Sickles having received 
 
246 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 orders to change his position to the extreme right, at two 
 p. M. that day the corps moved off. Making a detour to 
 the rear to avoid observation by the enemy on the south 
 bank of the river, marching by the old camping ground, 
 they arrived at and crossed the Rappahannock at United 
 States Ford at nine o'clock on the morning of May 1st, hav- 
 ing mai-ched upwards of 20 miles during their roundabout 
 rout-e, resting once, when they obtained four hours' sleep — 
 from two to six a.m. — on the damp ground. While eurowte, 
 some 200 rebel prisoners passed by, they recognizing the 
 Green Coats, remarking as they passed along: " There goes 
 them Sharp fellows." 
 
 The weather being warm, and the men loaded with 
 knapsacks well packed, haversacks and canteens filled, with 
 a full complement of ammunition, they became considerably 
 fatigued, many being foot sore; yet there was no strag- 
 gling, no flinching, or apparent wish to back out from the 
 expected conflict. Having crossed the river on pontoon 
 bridge, which by its swinging motion caused the men to 
 stagger, they proceeded, after a hurried coffee, forward; 
 eventually halting in the afternoon in a piece of woods by 
 the roadside, being in the portion of country known as the 
 Wilderness. 
 
 Soon after, four companies were posted as pickets two 
 and a half paces apart, in the thick woods 200 yards from 
 the right of the road, to prevent surprise from that direc- 
 tion; the road being full of teams, pack mules, etc., which 
 jostled along in considerable confusion. While on this serv- 
 ice. Company K (First) caught two spies dressed in blue. 
 About sunset they were recalled, and assembling on the 
 roadside proceeded with their division to the front where 
 heavy Cannonading and Some musketry had been heard. 
 Halting in the neighborhood of the building afterwards 
 used by Gen. Hooker as headquarters— the Chancellor 
 House — they remained in reserve in water and mud, while a 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 247 
 
 sharp slvirmish was going on in front — the Union batteries 
 on their left speaking loudly. A squad of rebel cavalry 
 made a daring attempt to capture one of the guns, but were 
 soon scattered by a discharge of cased shot and canister, 
 which riddled their ranks, causing the balance to scamper 
 back by a road through the dense pine forest in a hurried 
 manner. During this day the battle was opened by the 2d, 
 5th and 12th corps (commanded by Couch, Meade and 
 Slocum respectively), who engaged the enemy at a point a 
 mile and a half east, on the road to Fredericksburg, but 
 were afterwards withdrawn to the new lines formed around 
 Chancellorsville. Soon after dark general quietness pre- 
 vailed along the lines, and the Sharpshooters were allowed 
 to lie down for several hours and to make themselves as 
 comfortable as circumstances permitted. But they obtained 
 but little of the needed rest, owing to the wet state of the 
 ground and the fact that their blankets and overcoats had 
 been left -with their knapsacks in the timber by the roadside. 
 At the hour of midnight they returned to this place and 
 rested until early on the morning of the 2d, when after a 
 hasty breakfast, they changed position by moving forward 
 to the left of the "headquarters" building into a brushy 
 piece of woods,-where after remaining a few hours during 
 which time works were being hurriedly thrown up hy diffei- 
 ent troops, they left their knapsacks in charge of a guard 
 and moved off in light marching order to the right, being 
 temporarily attached to the first division, commanded by 
 Gen. Birney. 
 
 Previous to making this movement Companies E and K 
 were ordered to report to a battery hotly engaged in our 
 front. Soon after, an aid informed Lieut. Thorp that: 
 "Your orders are to advance out on this plank road in the 
 form of a letter V, the point in front, drive the rebel skir- 
 mishers in, find their main force and report back." This 
 was done with E on the left side of the road, K on theright. 
 
248 SHARPSHOOTIXG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Before starting, a batteryman gave them the encouraging 
 information that some of our infantry had been driven in 
 three times, but that "they wouldn't get driven back;" 
 thus showing his confidence in the Sharpshooters. And he 
 was right, for although after emerging from the lopped trees 
 and brush in front of the battery, they were subjected to at 
 least 100 shots, the balls passing through hats, coats, hav- 
 ersacks, etc., tearing up the ground around them, yet 
 strangely hurting none, they pressed on, driving the enemy 
 away until they came up to a full brigade, when they were 
 finally ordered back. On this venture, some sharp duels 
 took place. Among them, Lieut. Thorp using a sick man's 
 gun (John Long), had several close encounters, getting his 
 ear grazed, the seam of his sleeve cut, but invariably bring- 
 ing down his opponent, and afterwards breaking his gun. 
 The infantry supports keeping too close up, suffered consid- 
 erable, while the active, dodging Sharpshooters wonderfully' 
 escaped. Having rejoined the other companies, thej were 
 in the following engagement held in reserve a short distance 
 behind our skirmish line. 
 
 FIGHT AT THE CEDARS. 
 
 Proceeding a short distance along the Fredericksburg 
 turnpike, the two Sharpshooter regiments filed left onto a 
 cross-road and through a dense thicket of pines. Emerging 
 from these, they reached an opening or small farm which 
 presented a dilapidated appearance, and near the house dis- 
 covered a battery firing to the left at the rebel artillerists, 
 who were in turn sending shot and shell into some infantry 
 of the 12th corps stationed at the time on the farm. Among 
 these troops Avere the 3d Wisconsin, which regiment was 
 passed at the roadside. Crossing Scott's Run, hastily 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 249 
 
 bridged with rails, Col. Berdan deployed his brigade on 
 entering a bushy slope, and soon after skirmishing began. 
 It was not long before shots were exchanged, our men 
 advancing up the slope through the dense thicket, onto the 
 more level ground above — the cover being poor, the cedar 
 trees, although numerous, small in size. The little brigade 
 pushing forward, driving back the opposing force, were not 
 long in sighting the enemy below them opposite the hill, 
 who with a piece of artillery and some teams were hurriedly 
 moving away. A brisk fight then ensued, the Second Sharp- 
 shooters on the left commencing the firing, followed 
 instantly by the First Regiment who were on the right, hav- 
 ing wheeled to the left on receiving the information quickly- 
 passed along the line, that !'the Graybacks were on the left 
 below the hill." So rapidly did they fii'e, advancing at the 
 same time, that but a short time elapsed before a white flag 
 was raised bj' the enemy, a major and 60 men surrendering 
 as prisoners, the Sharpshooters having cornered them. 
 
 The Second Regiment soon after, being threatened on 
 their left flank, Capt. Chase ran down the line and caused 
 Company E to about face and left wheel, to protect that 
 end of the line, and while conducting the movement, this 
 good officer was mortally wounded. 
 
 When the flag was first raised, the order to "cease fir- 
 ing" was given, and for a few moments the skirmishers 
 allowed their rifles to cool. But 'twas not so with a party 
 of rebels in the opposite timber, who continued to "blaze 
 away " in a manner that savored of mischief Whereupon, 
 Private John Ross, a German raw recruit from Milwaukee, 
 vehemently exclaimed: 
 
 "Secesh (cease) firing? MeinGott! Such secesh (cease) 
 firing I never see before ! " 
 
 And with the discharge of his rifle he left the skirmish 
 line, running rapidly ahead. At this moment the order to 
 advance was again given, and the men hurried forward, 
 
250 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 but Ross had the lead, and apparently regardless of conse- 
 quences rushed to a suspicious looking building on the 
 opposite rise of ground. Meantime, the Sharpshooters 
 crowded the enemy so close they were obhged to leave a 
 caisson, one of the horses being shot, but escaped with their 
 cannon and transports. Their wagon train was seen in the 
 distance, so Col. Berdan hurried his men forward in hopes 
 of breaking it up, but it had got too far down the road and 
 escaped. The captured caisson was rendered useless by 
 wrenching off the wheels and upsetting it with its ammuni- 
 tion into a creek near by. Ross, who pronounced the word 
 cease, "secesh," and who afterwards saw the joke when 
 told that in reality the secesh were firing, was lost to view 
 for a few moments ; but soon after, he appeared driving a 
 fine horse and buggy with a wealthy resident of Fredericks- 
 burg by his side. The team and prisoner were sent to the 
 rear, and in the buggy was found under the seat several 
 thousand rounds of cartridges, with which the prisoner was 
 endeavoring to get away when overhauled by the 
 emphatic recruit. 
 
 The riflemen had now established their line along the 
 road where the caisson was captured, their center being at 
 the building above mentioned which proved to be a foundry 
 — Welford's Furnace — where the enemy had lately been 
 making deadly missiles to hurl into the Union ranks. In 
 front was an open field, and beyond, four hundred yards 
 distant, was a dense wood. One of the Union batteries taking 
 a position near the old foundry fired a-way for a while, but 
 their ammunition giving out, they fell back with a number of 
 their men wounded by the enemy's guns, which latter 
 having the exact range sent shot and shell into them Yer\- 
 seriously. The rebel battery finally ceased its fire, but the 
 contest along the skirmish line was kept up by the Sharp- 
 shooters, and the enemy posted in the opposite wood. And 
 although the shooting was carried on at times sharplv. 
 
CAPT. JAMES H. BAKER. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 251 
 
 yet if no more damage was sustained by the rebels than 
 was the case on our line, the results in a killed and wounded 
 point of view were immaterial; although there is good 
 reason to believe that the foe had a hot time of it, as our 
 riflemen w^ho had taken cover under the road bank behind a 
 snake fence, sent well aimed shots at different squads as 
 they passed along the edge of the timber, and a great 
 scattering among them w^as observable ; while on our right 
 60 Sharpshooters having cornered a body of rebels in a 
 railroad cut discovered by lookouts posted in trees along- 
 the roadside, forced them to surrender under cover of our 
 ready rifles. It wa^ sudden. The determined attitude, 
 aiming and ready to fire, had a very demoralizing effect on 
 the huddling Johnnies — caught in their ow^n trap. They 
 numbered some 300, and vpith those captured before, con- 
 stituted all of the 23d Georgia regiment (365) excepting 
 their colonel who escaped. These troops were well dressed, 
 and although they did not look hungry, said they came 
 over to "help eat them eight days' rations." 
 
 This force when first discovered were creeping up onto 
 our line, but were driven back by order of Capt. James H. 
 Baker after some rapid firing, and forced to take shelter in 
 the cut ; Capt. Steele the rebel commander surrendering his 
 sword to Capt. Baker, who sent them to the rear. Lieut. 
 C. W. Thorp received the prisoners ard took them back 
 with his company, K, turning them over to the provost 
 guard in the woods, where they met Gen. Sickles who asked 
 w^ho took the prisoners, and the provost officer said he did. 
 "The deuce you did," ejaculated the general, "there's the 
 Sharpshooters, they captured these men." "Yes," said 
 Thorp, "our regiment captured them, and I brought them 
 back with my reserve company; and I learned, general, 
 from these prisoners that their troops are moving up to 
 flank us on the right." "We'll take care of them," said 
 Sickles, as Thorp started back to his former position. This 
 
252 SHMtPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 must have been the first positive information Gen. Sickles 
 received as to the intention of Jackson's command. 
 
 James H. Galloway, of Company I, of the force capturing 
 the main body at the railroad cut, had a close call for his 
 life, a bullet grazing his scalp knocking him down, but Eli 
 Cook and Frank Dolton of the same company rescued him 
 from the dangerous position where he lay. Lieut. Thorp 
 :also carried off from another part of the field a wounded 
 •man, Walter J. Christy, the target of scores of shots while 
 iperforming the humane act. 
 
 The casualties in the Cedars are given in full, with sub- 
 sequent losses. Many had narrow escapes during the 
 afternoon, especially a party of flankers under Sergt. Lye, 
 -ordered over the field beyond a small creek, to feel the 
 ■opposite woods. Thiey soon felt the presence of a large 
 force o f the enemy, whereby they were obliged t o retire hurried- 
 ly over the creek in which several of the party got drenched, 
 -the bullets flying about uncomfortably close. Among them, 
 B. E. Loomis had his cap box shot away, but luckily his 
 Tifle was well stocked with primers, whereby he could snap 
 -away. These primers were not always equal to the emer- 
 gency, frequently failing to explode the cartridge "first 
 pop," whereas the hat-caps were always sure, and were 
 therefore generally relied on. 
 
 This particular fight — at the Furnace — was named after 
 the thick, clustering cedar trees and bushes scattered over 
 the field, in honor of the Sharpshooters and their supports, 
 for their conspicuous success therein. Gen. Birney, in his 
 •congratulatory order to his division, adds the name of "The 
 Cedars" to their battle-flag. 
 
 The following from a regular army officer, at the time 
 colonel of the 37th New York, commanding 3d brigade of 
 Birney 's division, had this to say relative to the Sharp- 
 shooter service at this place. After describing the fight and 
 the pai't taken by his brigade therein, he adds : 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 253. 
 
 "The eiiemy's supports to their sharpshooters endeav- 
 ored, apparently, to escape and serve as rear guard to a 
 train which was moving to our right, but were induced to 
 take shelter in a railroad cut by the fire of our Sharp- 
 shooters, where they were soon outflanked, when they sur- 
 rendered. The whole number of prisoners is reported to be 
 365, rinclu ding 19 officers. The Sharpshooters understand 
 the true tactics of skirmishers, are possessed of enterprise 
 and courage, and were maneuvered with great skill and 
 address by Col. Berdan, and I regard it as one of the best 
 oro-tinizations of the volunteer service."— Samuel, B. Hay- 
 man. 
 
 The movements on the 2d of May were hardly expected 
 to result in a great battle, the opposing armies rather feeling 
 each other preparatory to a general engagement, which was 
 looked for by the soldiers themselves, on the next day; 
 although some sharp fighting had been going on along the 
 front lines — on the right, the Sharpshooters in their advanced 
 position doing their part in holding in check a portion of the 
 enemy until reinforcements from our own corps swung 
 around. On the left, heavy firing w^as heard on Hancock's 
 front, and it was evident that the enemy were closing in for 
 hot work. When therefore after sunset we were ordered to 
 fall back noiselessly, the firing having mostly ceased, and 
 halting suddenly scarce a mile distant in an open field 
 among artillery and infantry, stacked arms and commanded, 
 to rest in place, w^ithout rations — they having been left with 
 knapsacks under guard — it was not surprising that long 
 faces were met with on everj' side on learning that we w^ere 
 cut off. Our boys could not understand it. Success had 
 attended their efforts that afternoon, capturing as they did, 
 men and horses numbering nearly as many as their own 
 brigade — pushing the Confederates back and holding them 
 at bay until the supports came up. But the force in front 
 was but a small portion of the rebel army— the rear guard 
 of Jackson's flanking column. 
 
254 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The Union line of battle was a long one, and, the enemy 
 had their choice of any portion of the same to attack m 
 lorce; and when with persistent fury they burst sud- 
 denly at six o'clock on the advanced lines of the 11th corps 
 on our extreme right, the latter gave way, and became 
 greatly disordered as they fell back, until checked— but too 
 late— by the batteries of the 3d corps under Pleasanton and 
 Sickles. 
 
 In the 11th corps was the 26th Wisconsin (a German 
 regiment), which although in their first action, stoutly 
 withstood the sudden and powerful attack of the crowding, 
 yelling Johnnies, until almost surrounded, when they were 
 forced to beat a retreat from their position, suffering con- 
 siderable loss. 'Twas unavoidable, and impossible for them 
 in face of the overwhelming numbers that rushed upon them, 
 to do otherwise than fall back. The 119th and 58th New 
 York also made a gallant resistance. 
 
 Gen. Carl Schurz, commanding 3d division, shows the 
 desperate nature of this conflict: "The 26th Wisconsin, 
 flanked on both sides and exposed to a terrible fire in front, 
 maintained the unequal contest for a considerable time, 
 * * * nor did it fallback until I ordered itto do so. There 
 is hardly an ofiicer who has not at least received a bullet 
 through his clothes. Had it not been for the praiseworthy 
 firmness of these men the enemy w^ould have obtained pos- 
 session of the woods opposite without resistance, taken the 
 north and south rifle pits from the rear, and appeared on 
 the Plank road between Dowdall's Tavern and Chancellors- 
 ville before the artillery could have been withdrawn." 
 
 On some portions of the line the men of this corps w^ere 
 filling their haversacks with hard-tack from boxes lying 
 broken about, and while eating the same in supposed 
 security from sudden attacks, were thus surprised, having 
 scarce time to seize their guns from the stacks and scamper 
 off, with the rebs close after them. The result was confusion 
 confounded, the rebels having all the fun there was in it to 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 255 
 
 ttemselves. 'Twas a verj'- unwelcome surprise to us all. 
 Our right was turned, Jackson fell on Sickles' rear — far 
 within our lines — an entering wedge of cold steel threaten- 
 ing to split us up. It was a well planned and better executed 
 movement on Jackson's part — but it proved his last 
 victory. 
 
 Notwithstanding the "half moon" men, as the 11th 
 corps was known by its badge, were blamed for this reverse, 
 which undoubtedly was the main cause of the failure of the 
 campaign, it is doubtful if other troops under the circum- 
 stances, could have held their ground ; owing to the extreme 
 position held by this corps — afar out — with its right or 
 northern w^ing unprotected, with dense woods around them 
 conceaUng the stealthy advance of the foe to w^ithin charg- 
 ing distance — backed up by 30,000 Confederate troops. 
 For even if it is true that pickets were not thrown out, 
 which has been denied, the men in the ranks were not 
 responsible for any neglect of their ofBcers, w^hether field or 
 general ; for Hooker had given explicit orders to scout well 
 the front, and had it been well done a couple of miles in 
 advance, the enemy would have been discovered forming 
 for the charge. That's where the Sharpshooter service 
 would have counted again — skirmishing far enough in 
 advance, whereby in the battle given the enemy, timely 
 warning would have been received by the troops behind ; 
 as was the case where the Sharpshooters were used, before 
 and after. As to the failure of the men to rally until they 
 passed behind the main army, it is simply one of those too 
 frequent results attending a panic. 
 
 Gen. Sickles made a gallant fight in his efforts to check 
 the furious onslaught, and was obliged to withdraw the 
 divisions of Birney and Whipple from their advanced posi- 
 tion across Scott's Run and near the Wilderness foundry, 
 usin<^ his batteries with great effect. When he first heard of 
 the disaster he refused to believe it— we had not heard their 
 
256 SHARPSl-IOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 guns— and was about to push his corps reinforced on to the 
 rear of the enemy's column, when direct word came from 
 general headquarters, at almost the same time he saw the 
 exultant enemy come down his front, with the 11th men in 
 full retreat. The 8th Pennsylvania cavalry were sent by 
 Gen. Pleasanton to break the enemy's advance, and to their 
 credit, "brilliantly was the service performed, although 
 with fearful loss." 
 
 Major Huey, commanding says: "We moved off briskly 
 to the right. * * * The enemy's skirmishline had crossed 
 the road on which we were moving, thro wing us between 
 their skirmishers and battle line. The whole regiment made 
 a desperate charge on the main column of Jackson's corps 
 who were crossing the road in our front, completely check- 
 ing the enemy, losing Major Keenan, Capt. Arrowsmith and 
 Adjt. Haddock, with about 30 men and about 80 horses. I 
 immediately re-formed the regiment to support the Reserve 
 artillery." 
 
 Gen. Sickles thus describes the situation : "I confided to 
 Pleasanton the direction of the artillery * * * time was 
 everything. The fugitives of the 11th corps swarmed firom 
 the woods and swept frantically over the cleared fields, in 
 which my artillery was parked. The exulting enemy at 
 their heels mingled yells with their volleys, and in the con- 
 fusion which followed it seemed as if cannon and caissons, 
 dragoons, cannoneers; and infantry could never be disen- 
 tangled from the mass in which they were suddenly thrown. 
 * * * A. few minutes was enough to restore comparative 
 order and get our artillery in position. The enemy showing 
 himself on the plain, Pleasanton met the shock at short 
 range with the well directed fire of twenty-two pieces, 
 double-shotted with canister." 
 
 Gen. Pleasanton reports: "They advanced in silence, 
 and with that skill and adroitness they often display to 
 gain their object. The only color visible was an American 
 flag with the center battalion. To clear up this doubt my 
 aide-de-camp, Lieut. Thomson, 1st New York Cavalry, rode 
 to within 100 yards of them, when they called out to hiir, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 257 
 
 ' We are friends ; come on ! ' and he was induced to go 50 
 yards closer, when the whole line, in a most dastardly man- 
 ner, opened on him with musketry, dropped the American 
 color, and displayed 8 or 10 rebel battle-flags. Lieut. Thom- 
 son escaped unhurt." 
 
 Gen. Sickles again: "The heads of the columns were 
 swept away to the woods from which they opened » furi- 
 ous but ineffectual fire of musketry. Twice they attempted 
 a flank movement, but the first was checked by our gUxis, 
 and the second and most formidable was baffled by the 
 advance of Whipple and Birney, who were coming up 
 rapidly, but in perlect order, and forming in lines of brigades 
 in rear of the artillery, and on the flanks. My position was 
 now secure in the adequate infantry support which had 
 arrived ; the loud cheers of our men as twilight closed the 
 combat vainly challenged the enemy to renew the encounter. 
 * * * After dark, the enemy's line could only be defined 
 by the flash of his musketry, from which a stream of fire 
 occasionally almost enveloped us. As often as these attacks 
 were renewed, generally with fresh troops, and aided by his 
 artillery, they were repulsed by our guns, now directed by 
 Randolph on the flank and by Osborn in front. Ascertain- 
 ing the enterprise of cutting us off' from the army to be 
 hopeless, the enemy suddenly withdrew to the line of rifle 
 pits and breastworks formerly held by the 11th corps. Sev- 
 eral of our guns and caissons were immediately recovered 
 from the woods the enemy had occupied, and to quote the 
 felicitous observations of Gen. Pleasanton : 'Such was the 
 fight at the head of Scott's Run — artillery against infantry 
 at 300 yards ; the infantry in the forest, the artillery in the 
 clearing.' War presents many anomalies, but few so strange 
 in its results as this." 
 
 In the meantime, Sickles' 2d division commanded by 
 Gen. Berry, which had been in reserve near Chancellor 
 House, was ordered by Gen. Hooker to a line on the Plank 
 road where in conjunction with their artillery they aided in 
 the discomfiture of the advancing foe. In this, they were 
 assisted by a division of the 12th corps which had been 
 severely engaged that afternoon under command of Gen. 
 
258 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Williams. That officer says that the casualties in his first 
 brigade (Gen. Knipe) the afternoon of May 2d, included 
 besides the large number of men, killed, wounded and pris- 
 oners, the further loss of every regimental commander in 
 that brigade; that many of the reported missing after dark 
 undoubtedly fell under the heavy fire of the enemy concealed 
 in the woods and rifle pits. Gen. Knipe's brigade certainly 
 had hard luck, being at one time within speaking distance 
 of the enemy, who came very near cutting him and his entire 
 command off. He tells the story thus : 
 
 "The advance to our original position was made after 
 dark; arriving behind the barricades without meeting any 
 opposition and without the knowledge that the enemy had 
 at any time had possession of them. I had just taken this 
 position when some half dozen of the enemy came forward 
 through the bushes, unarmed. Upon being asked who they 
 were they replied, 'We are Confederates, coming in to give 
 ourselves up; we are tired and hungry.' I at once sent them 
 to the rear. Immediately after this, I observed another 
 party approaching. I hailed them, asking what troops they 
 were. The answer was, 'We are friends.' I became pretty 
 well satisfied by this time that the prisoners in my hands 
 had been sent forward as a decoy. I was then asked by the 
 parties in my front what troops we were. I answ^ered, ' We 
 are Confederates,' and the response was, 'We are Confed- 
 erates.' I asked of whose command, and received an 
 answ^er, 'Gen. A. P. Hill's.' I told them to come in, intend- 
 ing to make prisoners of them as fast as they came over the 
 barricades. At this time my attention w^as called to a 
 movement on my right and rear. I immediately rode in that 
 directipn, and hailed the party approaching by asking who 
 they were. The answ^er received w^as, 'Do not come any 
 farther, or we will fire.' I replied, 'Do not fire; we are 
 friends,' and immediately wheeled about and directed my 
 command to move off by the left flank, stooping, so as to 
 be sheltered from the enemy's fire in front. At this instant 
 the enemy opened upon my line from both front and rear." 
 Here he says, he lost one company, K, 128th Pennsylvania 
 with their colonel and lieutenant-colonel, cutoff on theright 
 
IN THE ARMY OP THE POTOMAC. 259 
 
 and captured, and also lost three valuable officers from the 
 46th Pennsylvania. 
 
 The 2d corps also did good service during the day, in 
 front of Chancellorsville, in defeating the attempts of the 
 enemy to break their lines ; the skirmish line of Hancock's 
 division, under Col. Miles (Nelson A.), repulsing a sharp 
 attack of two columns, inflicting upon the enemy severe 
 loss. But to the timely action of Gen. Sickles at the critical 
 point, should be awarded the praise of saving the army 
 from an almost certain general disaster. It was "fight!" 
 with him, and gallantly was it done, notwithstanding the 
 limited means at his command — ^for which, well does he 
 deserve the title of the Hero of Chancellorsville. 
 
 The Sharpshooters lay all night in order of battle, tired, 
 hungry and full of excitement. Several night attacks by 
 portions of the 3d corps occurred during that eventful Sat- 
 urday night, Berdan's men remaining in their places under 
 arms. But little sleep was obtained, the sudden charges on 
 the enemy's line, awaking the country around with the deaf- 
 ening noise, and lighting up space with the bright flashes 
 from the weapons of death, bringing each man to his feet 
 and his hand to his rifle. Besides, unpleasant reflections 
 would crowd the minds of those remaining in line aw^aiting 
 orders, on the prospect of the morrow. Then again, would 
 the hardy veterans of many hard-fought battle fields banish 
 dismal thoughts, and cheering up, laugh and chat together 
 — ^for the last time with some — occasionally telling some 
 anecdote of previous campaigns, seemingly caring but little 
 for the next movement; on the contrary, had their minds 
 made up, and when the time came for actisn they would be 
 on hand. Surely 'twas a time that "tried men's souls." Not 
 a living man to-day, present on that occasion, can ever for- 
 get the exciting times prevailing that fiercely warlike night, 
 when our brigades at the near front charged and recharged 
 
260 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 through dark wood and thicket, with an occasional glimmer 
 of the moon to light them on in the path of death. 
 
 DEATH OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 
 
 It was in this vicinity where the Confederate cause sus- 
 tained a heavy shock in the loss of their famous leading gen- 
 eral above named, by the severe wounds then received, 
 resulting shortly in his death.- Early in the evening after 
 darkness had settled around, Gen. Jackson rode out in front 
 of his lines to reconnoiter, intent on getting between the 
 Union array and the crossing at United States Ford ; but 
 was soon greeted by a shower of bullets from Gen. Berry's 
 brigades of the 3d corps. Turning back, his own troops 
 mistook him and his aides for Union cavalry and poured in 
 a fatal volley, killing and wounding most of his escort, and 
 shooting Jackson in three places. Placed on a stretcher, 
 ■while being carried to his lines, one of the stretcher-bearers 
 w^as killed by a Union shot and others driven away. An- 
 other man stumbling, the stretcher fell, and the wounded 
 general was further injured by the severe shock received. 
 Amid bursting shells and pattering balls singing their 
 requiem around him, they succeeded in getting him within 
 his lines after considerable effort. He died a week later, on 
 May 10th. 
 
 Notwithstanding the bad outcome of the Chancellors- 
 ville campaign, our soldiers felt partly recompensed in the 
 thought that they had gained at least a half-victory when 
 they learned that Jackson had fallen. For it is the game of 
 war to cripple your adversary as much as possible, and in 
 Jackson's death the Confederates were the sufferers, having 
 lost a leader whose place could not easily be filled. As a 
 skillful general in marching troops, and in holding them to- 
 gether in battle, he had no superior — whereby he got the 
 name of "Stonewall." His m.ilitary career must alwavs 
 place his name among the foremost in American annals. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 261 
 
 SUNDAY'S FIGHT AT CHANCELLORSVILLE. 
 
 At a very early hour Sunday morning, May 3d, before 
 sunrise. Gen. Sickles withdrew his troops to a new line, 
 called Fairview, when the fighting commenced again — des- 
 tined to be terrific in character and severe with slaughter — 
 the decisive engagement at Chancellorsville. 
 
 Soon were they at it, with all the known missiles of war 
 on their deathly mission from gray to blue, from blue to 
 gray. It was "give and take" with all the fury of deter- 
 mined foes, striving to destroy — to win the victory. The 
 first onslaught was on one of Sickles' brigades, that had 
 not yet fallen back, which repulsed an effort to charge, 
 before retiring to the new position. Our troops now con- 
 nected, had not long to wait before their great lines were 
 seen coming, perfect in alignment, with firm step, as if 
 courting death which waS so soon to play havoc, in their 
 ranks — to destroy their formation, to demoralize the living 
 remnants. The soldiers of Bimey, Whipple and Berry, the 
 division of French, and the corps of Slocum, awaited the 
 onset. In another moment the crash came, the lines of gray 
 and butternut melted away under the storm of lead from 
 thousands of muskets, the crashing, mangling shell and shot 
 belched forth from loud-mouthed, flaming Union cannon. 
 And, what with the uproar, the long, steady rolling of the 
 infantry, the reverberating artillery, the shrieks of the 
 wounded, the yells of the gray, and the cheers of the blue, it 
 was simply infernal ! Fresh columns came up and renewed 
 the attempts to break the Union ranks, with no better suc- 
 cess. Thus the contest raged for hours — thus the carnage 
 continued. 
 
262 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The Sharpshooters hurriedly left their resting place of 
 the previous warring night, and moving along the right 
 edge of the open plain passed in the rear of the batteries 
 that had already got to work. The enemy's fire was hot 
 and heavy in reply, and through it Berdan's command had 
 to pass, but none were harmed. Marching then by "file 
 left" into the dense timber, they deployed out, the Wisconsin 
 men in reserve. 
 
 Corp. James H. Galloway, of Company I, of the First 
 Sharpshooters, with three other comrades, was sent to the 
 front in a piece of woods. The corporal afterwards said : 
 "As I could see no danger, we set our guns against trees to 
 eat our breakfast of hard-tack, when we saw a line of 
 infantry coming on a by-road. The outside men were 
 dressed in our uniform, but the rest had the gray on, which 
 we could not see. I supposed they were our men. I told 
 them to come on, no one would harm them, when to our 
 astonishment the ofiicerin charge told us to surrender or he 
 would shoot us. I told him I would not. I got my gun 
 and kept dodging so he could not get aim on me. One of 
 my comrades, Jerry Brandolph, was shot in the motith 
 before he could turn. The other, Alvin Smith, was shot 
 through the hips, and died the next day. The third one, 
 Dwight Ford, received a bad wound. I succeeded in getting 
 back to our reserve." Corp. Galloway was gritty, and 
 bound not to surrender, but returned in time to the siap- 
 ports to stop the enemy's farther advance. 
 
 Lieut. Thorp, now commanding Company K, (Capt. 
 Nash being detailed for staflf duty), was ordered with his 
 company to support a fresh battery, where he dropped four 
 men to each gun, who picked off the enemy's gunners in 
 front, completely silencing their battery. A line of battle 
 now came on, and their orders: "Prepare to charge," were 
 distinctly heard; but they were repulsed, and as they fell 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 263 
 
 back, Company F -went in, advancing as skirmishers 80 
 rods, to tke edge of the woods. 
 
 Bullets and shell were soon flying thickly around, and 
 the skirmishers became engaged. After awhile, stragglers 
 from other regiments began to fall back, when Company G 
 was ordered more to the right, the line ahead having moved 
 that way> Soon after executing this new movement, this 
 company got into the fire, and now again came the time to 
 try their metal; but although a sudden sharp volley of bul- 
 lets at very short range, not over fifty yards, came into them 
 w^ounding several, yet did they hold their position, return- 
 ing the fire with interest until a support could be brought 
 to their relief, none being near at hand, which was finally 
 obtained through the exertions of Col. Trepp commanding 
 the First Regiment. It was impossible to see far through 
 the thick under-growth, with the enemy close to the ground 
 with w^hich. their clothes frequently corresponded, and often 
 the flash of their guns only discovered their presence. 
 
 Some other troops having broke under the severity of 
 the fire, running by our men, for awhile the latter were sub- 
 jected to shots from the Union cannon in the rear, the artil- 
 lery supposing none but the enemy were left there. On 
 being informed of their mistake by an oflicer sent back for 
 that purpose, they withheld their fire until the Sharpshooters 
 got out of range; including our surgeon, Dr. Brenrian, who 
 was close behind attending to the wounded, and who called 
 to the ofi&cer as he passed by: "For God's sake, stop those 
 guns, till I get these wounded meti away; " when they had 
 full sweep through the "bush." 
 
 A portion of the First Regiment going ahead as skir- 
 mishers, having ran pell-mell on to a body of the enemy in 
 the thick wood, on the order of Lieut. Gardner B. Clark 
 (afterwards captain), of Company C, to "charge," forced 
 them hurriedly to retire, capturing several prisoners, with 
 some loss to themselves in killed and wounded. Here again 
 
y54 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 was presented a sorrowful example: of sudden death, that 
 shocked the living witnesses even in the heat of the fray. 
 Harmon Wise, a private in Company C, a good natured, 
 ready soldier, nicknamed by his comrades "Rough," being 
 one of the foremost in the charge, rushed on to a small 
 party of the enemy and demanded their surrender. "Yes," 
 cried one, "I surrender; " but as he said the word he pulled 
 off his gun shooting Rough through the heart, then throw- 
 ing down his piece gave himself up to his captors, who 
 would not retaliate on an unarmed foe but sent him to the 
 reair. The charging party stood aghast for a moment, but 
 for a moment only, as time was precious and they were 
 obliged to push on, leaving poor Rough their late comrade 
 where he fell, to be seen by them no more. 
 
 This Sharpshooter charge of 80 men, was made with 
 unfixed bayonets, so eager were they to follow up their 
 advantage; the troops driven back proved to be the "Stone- 
 wall Brigade, "as was afterwards learned through prisoners 
 and confirmed by Lieut. Judkins on detail in the ambulance 
 corps, while on the field a few days after, looking for the 
 wounded. The charge was so sudden and unexpected, 
 immediately after delivering a rattling volley, that the 
 enemy concluded a larger force was onto them, and fell 
 instantly back in disorder to their lines. They boasted that 
 it was the first time they had been driven. 
 
 In the afternoon Col. Berdan marched his men to the 
 rear, after falling back from the woods wrhere our artillery 
 swept through, that they might rest and procure rations, 
 the most of them having lost theirs with the knapsacks, 
 the woods taking fire and the enemy afterwards occupying 
 the ground. The most heart-rending picture of the whole 
 battle field was the fire that raged, whereby such of the 
 wounded that may not have been carried off the field, were 
 suffocated and burned. Fortunate were those who had to 
 die, that they did so before the holocaust began. Towards 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 265 
 
 night, the dense smoke on some portions of the field, hung 
 like a pall over the men, stifling and blinding them at times 
 — a fearful sight. 
 
 Alany of the members of both regiments becoming sep- 
 arated from their companies, remained at the front over 
 night; their duties thereby becoming extra arduous. Col. 
 Berdan reported some 325 prisoners captured this day, 
 which with the number taken at the Cedars, made a total 
 of about 700 to the credit of the Sharpshooters* He also 
 says : 
 
 "On Sunday afternoon, a detachment of about 120 men 
 was posted near the building occupied as a hospital, under 
 the command of Capt. Wilson, and at the request of Gen. 
 Barnes, of the 1st. division 5th corps, it drove the enemy 
 from the woods and established a picket line for a portion of 
 the 5th corps. He was afterwards ordered by Gen. Sickles 
 to inovie to the left and establish the line in front of the 3d 
 corps, which was done. He was relieved on Monday morn- 
 ing by my Second Regiment, and the remainder of my com- 
 mand was stationed behind slight works, thrown up by 
 themselves, like the rest of the forces in the vicinity." 
 
 These picket lines were established by the Sharpshooters 
 in the midst of heavy firing; without faltering, but with a 
 quick, determined step, they advanced their line in perfect 
 dress — preserving their intervals as beautifully as on a prize 
 drill. These movements were watched by officers and 
 soldiers behind them, whose opinion of the Sharpshooter 
 service can best be judged by the following excerpts : 
 
 Gen. Sickles: "The Sharpshooters, under Col. Berdan, 
 supported the First Brigade on the right, throwing out a 
 strong line of skirmishers to the front in the woods. These 
 splendid light troops rendered the most effective service. 
 Major Hastings was severely wounded while upon this duty 
 ■with his battalion." 
 
266 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Major Hastings of the First Regiment was wounded^ in 
 the hip, having had two horses shot under him, one being, 
 killed. The major did not return to the regiment, being- 
 after wards detailed on duty in Washington. 
 
 Capt. Dalton, A. A. G. 3d division 3d A. C: "The U. S. 
 Sharpshooters were placed on the right of the 1st brigade 
 to prevent the enemy from flanking our right. They were 
 deployed in the woods and did most excellent service." 
 
 Col. Ellis, 124th New York, reporting the Sunday fight, 
 after being ordered to the right to protect the battery, says : 
 "Herewe found some Sharpshooters under Major Hastings, 
 and as we advanced in line of battle through a thick wood 
 we w^ere opened upon by a large force of the rebels on our 
 front and right flank, and a severe engagement of about an 
 hour's duration ensued, the enemy in force trying to drive 
 us and capture the battery. Our men fought like tigers, 
 cheering loudly and falling fast. * * * Three color-bear- 
 ers were here shot down in succession, but the colors never 
 touched the ground." In about an hour's time, the battery 
 being withdrawn, and troops on the left retiring, he fell back 
 to escape "certain capture." 
 
 Caldwell's brigade of the 2d corps during the morning 
 advanced through the woods where the Sharpshooters were, 
 driving the enemy, under heavy artillery fire and musketry,, 
 meeting with considerable loss, particularly in the 148th 
 Pennsylvania, but were finally forced to retire, owing to a 
 threatened flank movement of a superior force. 
 
 Gen. Barnes, commanding 1st brigade, says: "Capt. 
 John Wilson, commanding two companies of Berdan's 
 Sharpshooters, advanced handsomely, deployed to the front, 
 and occupied the woods in advance." 
 
 Nor should the hard fought batteries be forgotten, many 
 pf which were subjected to a terrific exposure from the 
 enemy's cannon, as also their small arms. The Union artil- 
 lerists often. had a hard time in battle, a!nd particularly was- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 267 
 
 this the case at Chancellorsville, owing to their exposed 
 positions. 
 
 The following ifrom Gen. Slocum, commanding 12th 
 corps, shows in brief how they suffered: "At about nine 
 A". M. the troops on the right of my command fell back, 
 ^which was soon followed by a portion of my line. The 
 enemy at once gained a position which enabled him to use 
 his infantry against our batteries. The artillery, however, 
 held its position until two battery commanders, Capt. 
 Hampton and Lieut. Crosby, were killed beside their pieces, 
 until 63 cannoneers were killed or wounded, and until 80 
 borses had been shot in the harness. The batteries were 
 then retired to a position in rear of our second line without 
 the loss of a single piece." 
 
 Gen. Hancock of 2d corps : "Notwithstanding that my 
 flank: was entirely exposed, our 14 pieces of artillery pre- 
 vented the enemy from advancing, although his battle-flags 
 w^ere within a few hundred yards of us. The troops, how- 
 ever, suffered heavy losses from the enemy's artillery. 
 * * * Leppien's (5th Maine) battery of five guns, on the 
 right of the Chancellor House, lost all its officers, cannon- 
 eers, and horses for the guns. I made a detail of men who 
 removed the pieces by hand to a place of safety." 
 
 Gen. Couch the corps commander thus speaks of Gen. 
 Hancock: " I express my thanks to this officer for his gal- 
 lantry, energy, and his example of marked personal bravery." 
 He afso compliments Gen. French and his "fine troops," and 
 Gen. Gibbon and his 2d division. 
 
 After the campaign, Gen. Hancock succeeded Couch in 
 command of the 2d corps, and was to receive still farther 
 renown as a brave, faithful and popular commander. 
 
 During the morning. Gen. Hooker narrowly escaped 
 death from a cannon ball striking a pillar of the Chancellor 
 House, while leaning against the same. As it was be was 
 completely stunned, i-emaining insensible for over an hour. 
 During this important period Gen. Sickles had applied for 
 more troops to help him and his 3d corps, while sorely 
 
268 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 pressed by the enemy, from before whom he was finally 
 obliged to fall back with his ammunition exhausted ; the 
 expected relief not coming to his as4istance, although there 
 was at the time a large force of troops not engaged, to 
 draw from— three corps— none of the otter generals seem- 
 ingly wishing to take upon themselves the responsibility, 
 hoping that Hooker would soon recover. During the day 
 Gen. Hiram G. Berry, commanding 2d division, was 
 killed. 
 
 'T was a bard contest, the brunt of which fell on the 
 lines of the 3d and 12th corps, also a portion of the 2d corps. 
 Their "lost in action" in this Sunday's figbt, helped largely 
 to swell the total for the campaign. The commanding posi- 
 tion which the enerriy's artillerists obtained in the morning, 
 after we fell back to Fairview, completely enfiladed our 
 lines, placing the troops of these tbree corps under a series 
 of cross-fires exceedingly difficult to withstand — thus giving 
 the Confederates a great advantage — which only the most 
 determined resistance, prevented their superior numbers 
 from inflicting a disastrous defeat. Had the 1st corps — one 
 of the best in the army — been allowed to go in, followed up 
 by Meade's reserves — the Fighting Fifth — striking the enemy 
 on the flank, not only was a. great victory assured us, but 
 the prospect of Lee's signal defeat if not entire destruction, 
 seemed inevitable. This fresh attack of fresh troops at the 
 opportune moment, would have demoralized the whole rebel 
 host. Then, Hooker's name would have risen to the 
 clouds. 
 
 In a public address many years thereafter. Gen. 
 Sickles speaking of "Fighting Joe," said: "When Hooker 
 stopped, few w^ould go any farther," was a quotation 
 applying to Hooker, and that described his character. 
 Regarding Hooker at Chancellorsville: The proof of the 
 skill with which the battle was planned, was in its being 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 269 
 
 considered of so much importance, that it was used at West 
 Point for study, as one of the best plans of battle of the late 
 war. 
 
 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 During the night the Sharpshooters rested near a hos- 
 pital — dreaded place — and in vain the tired soldier lulled to 
 sleep, 'mid the groans of the wounded around him. But 
 nature's sweet balm conquered at last, nor cries, nor 
 shrieks, could prevent sound slumber during the final hour, 
 when he was to be aroused for further duty. 
 
 The next morning, May 4th, they again moved up to 
 the front, after witnessing the shelling of the Union wagon 
 train across the river before daylight, by a rebel battery 
 which w^as soon captured. Col. Berdan having been placed 
 in charge of the outposts, took out a detail of 10 volunteers 
 to the skirmish line, for the purpose of silencing the rebel 
 sharpphooters who were sending their shots over to our 
 lines and into the reserves ; and advancing the skirmishers 
 firing, drove back those of the enemy, holding the ground 
 thereafter. While lying in reserve behind the artillery, one 
 battery of which was composed of men from the Iron 
 Brigade, the division commander Amiel W. Whipple, who 
 had been busy superintending the movements in front, was 
 shot by the enemy's pickets a half mile distant, while among 
 our Sharpshooters; being struck near the spine and mor- 
 tally wounded, dying shortly after. He was greatly re- 
 spected as a brave and efficient officer, much sorrow being 
 evinced at his fall. But no place was safe from shot and 
 shell there. Several others were wounded by these stray 
 bullets. After Berdan's line had driven the rebels off, their 
 firing was stopped, although the shells and cannon shot 
 continued on both sides. 
 
 The regimental adjutant, Wm. H. Horton, acting aid to 
 Col. Berdan, was severely wounded in arm and side, while 
 
270 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 with gun in hand he was rushing forward to capture some 
 rebel scouts. He was formerly the leader of our scouts at 
 Yorktown, when sergeant-major of the regiment. Once more 
 he was performing the same dutj', having with him these 
 Wisconsin members: Jacobs, Albert Isham.Armfield, Stokes, 
 Alvord, and the present sergeant-major, Ben Atwell; some 
 of whom had served under him at the former place. The 
 adjutant was a brave, gallant officer, and a great loss to 
 the serviee. He deserved a better fate, his arm being ampu- 
 tated. 
 
 This day the Second Sharpshooters were on the picket 
 line; the First Regiment lying a half mile back in reserve 
 where they threw up breastworks, being subject to stray 
 rebel shot, and in the afternoon to rebel shell — a brigade 
 having roused the enemy by a sudden charge through the 
 woods .within sight of our position. Not much fighting, 
 however, going on to-day. During the night the heavy 
 booming of cannon heard from down the river served to 
 keep the boys reminded of the probabilities of another clash 
 of arms on the day to follow. It appears that the 6th corps 
 under Sedgwick, after having captured the formidable 
 Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg the day before in a 
 hard fight, being now^ surrounded on three sides by a large 
 force of the enemy at Salem Heights, while attempting to 
 connect with the main army, -were obliged to recross the 
 Rappahannock at Banks' Ford, after a gallant contest in 
 which the enemy were repeatedly repulsed in their efforts to 
 cut Sedgwick off, losing 9 pieces of artillery and 1,400 pris- 
 oners captured by our men— but at the fearful cost to the 
 Union of over 3,000 killed and wounded. 
 
 A very important reconnoissance was made on the 4th 
 towards Fredericksburg by Charles J. Buchanan and Edwin 
 E. Nelson, volunteers for the purpose, which disclosed the 
 fact that the enemy had left; at least from that particular 
 front where the commands of Capt. Wilson and Capt. 
 
IN THB ARMY OP THE rOTOMAC. 271 
 
 McLean were stationed. The enemy had evidently gone in 
 the direction of Sedgwick's position, to attack the 6th army 
 corps, and it was believed by many of our officers and men 
 afterwards, that had the information obtained by the two 
 Sharpshooters named, and reported to army headquarters, 
 been appreciated and acted upon, it might have changed the 
 face of things that day. However this may be, the incident 
 is interesting, as it proves our service to have been distinct- 
 ive in character, not only in sharpshooting and as skirmish- 
 ers, but as watch dogs right in the face of the enemy to note 
 their movements. Going into action as skirmishers five 
 paces apart (oftener ten), and frequently in brushy places or 
 thickets out of sight of the comrade right and left, often far 
 ahead of the regular battle line, each man looking out for 
 himself, making of each skirmisher a separate and distinct- 
 ive body or force, taking the place in a measure of a com- 
 pany, is a performance that brings out to the fullest tensity 
 all the perceptive qualities of the individual; while the 
 enemy in the largest possible formation, watches this 
 isolated skirmisher with the same degree of interest for the 
 time being, as they do afterwards the approaching columns. 
 So that the skirmisher becomes a very much noted char- 
 acter in spite of himself. The orders given these two 
 intrepid scouts were to go as far as possible without firing 
 if they could avoid it, that is, unless attacked. Pushing 
 through the heavy brush and timber, deployed within sight 
 of each other, they moved cautiously on, feeling their way, 
 starting at the slightest sound, even the flutter of a bird, or 
 the jump and run of a rabbit, for a death-like stillness pre- 
 vailed, and noting everything about them. All this care 
 was very necessary, as these woods the night before had 
 concealed a strong force of the enemy, with a heavy picket 
 line. Buchanan and Nelson went a long distance, findingno 
 enemy in their front nor elsewhere, the rebels havingentirely 
 withdrawn from the front of this particular position, and 
 
272 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 were then fighting the 6th corps, in their efforts to beat the 
 Union army in detail. This information was promptly 
 reported to McLean and Wilson, who sent the same to head- 
 quarters, but our army at Chancellors ville was hardly in 
 condition to avail itself of the opportunity to advance at 
 that time. 
 
 Before daylight Tuesday morning May 5th, a portion of 
 the First Regiment were sent to the front. They were posted 
 on picket in a swampy thicket, the enemy being close by, 
 concealed under heavy timber. Here the Sharpshooters 
 remained at their posts 17 hours, most of them without 
 eating, keeping a careful lookout ajiead. Behind them on 
 an open field the Union batteries were in position; still 
 farther behind lay the Union troops in intrenchmentshastity 
 made with spade and pick. After daylight, sharp firing- 
 commenced and was kept up at intervals until dark. Sev- 
 eral times during the forenoon did they attempt to drive us 
 in, but to no purpose. The right of the picket line gave way 
 for a time as the enemy apparently in force appeared, which 
 let the Union batteries play into- them through the timber. 
 This kept them quiet on the right, but not long after, amove 
 was made on the left of the Sharpshooters where were 
 posted some infantry troops. The Wisconsinites were in the 
 center and kept firing when a good opportunity occurred — 
 when they saw^ anything to shoot at. The movement on 
 our left was for a time successful; the enemy were heard 
 advancing, their orders to "close up on the right," and 
 "oblique to the right," also to "look out for breakers on 
 the left," passed along their line, were plainly overheard. It 
 happened that their left if they didn't oblique well, wotdd 
 bring them in contact with our center in the swamp wbcre 
 the Wisconsin company was stationed, which they seemed 
 to wish to avoid in their movements. They succeeded in 
 driving in those on the left of the Sharpshooter line, advanc- 
 ing on that side until they got beyond and within Company 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 273 
 
 G's line, when our artillery opened on them from another 
 point, sending them back again; the Wisconsin men who 
 held their ground behind trees putting in a heavy cross-fire 
 as they decamped. Opposite Company K's front the enemy 
 tried to get their men to "go in there," using some big 
 oatlis, but they failed to come "in there." Their. moves 
 were probably feints to blind our generals, but whether con- 
 cluding that their maneuvering was useless, or havingfound 
 out something they wished to know, they finally resorted to 
 picket firing the balance of the day. 
 
 Shooting was in order until late in the afternoon, many 
 close shots being received from the concealed foe. George 
 W. Griflan had an open duel w^ith a rebel target shooter who 
 had watched our men closely, the least exposure bringing 
 forth a bullet. It was some time before he was discovered, 
 but finally Griffin stepped out in the open space and brought 
 him to light. Their pieces cracked simultaneously, Griffin 
 receiving the bullet through his pants below the knee, while 
 his opponent — well, if he was not in fitting condition to con- 
 tinue his shooting others were there to take his place, which 
 was an important position covering an approach along the 
 narrow road by which the pickets entered the swamp. 
 During the morning the heat and smoke of the burning 
 woods was at times intense, but the Sharpshooters refusing 
 to be smoked out, remained at their posts until relieved. A 
 heavy soaking rain set in during the afternoon, making the 
 roads wet and muddy, while a small sluggish stream that 
 ran meandering through the swamp and across the lines, 
 was soon swollen into a torrent. 'Twas late at night when 
 relieved, and marching back to the reserves who were wait- 
 ing in water and mud — all drenched to the skin — orders were 
 finally received to fall back ; they, after a muddy, tiresome 
 tramp, reaching the river at U. S. Ford at daybreak on the 
 6th, recrossing soon after among a large body of troops. 
 The 1st corps which had arrived from Fredericksburg the 
 
 18 
 
274 
 
 SIIARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 morning of the 3d, taking position on the right of Chancel- 
 lorsville but not engaged in the big battle, now formed a 
 line behind the army to protect the crossing. 
 
 That the Sharpshooters performed well their allotted 
 part in the Chancellors ville campaign, there can be no ques- 
 tion—earning further renown for their military behavior. 
 
 Thus ended the Chancellorsville campaign; one of the 
 hardest fought, one of the most disastrous of the whole 
 series. One in which the hopes of the soldiers were high for 
 success on starting out, but were low enough on their 
 return. Not that they blamed any one, but fortune seemed 
 to be against them ; the Confederates still remained a power 
 unbroken. And they well knew more severe trials, more 
 hard battles must follow, with the u^ual sad losses, before 
 the crowning victory came — as come it must: They were 
 determined on that; they never gave up that ultimate con- 
 clusion. 
 
 The Union loss is figured up in killed, wounded and 
 missing during the seven days' campaign. The " missing " 
 includes those captured by the enemy, w^ith others doubtless 
 killed in the heat of battle in the thickets or after dark, unbe- 
 known to their comrades. Of those who may have eventu- 
 ally returned, it is but proper to state that for the time 
 being, they were lost to the service — thus reducing to the 
 aggregate number, the ranks of their several organizations. 
 
 Cavalry killed and wounded 43, missing 98 
 
 1st Corps, " 
 
 
 238, 
 
 54 
 
 2d Corps, . " 
 
 
 1193, 
 
 732 
 
 3d Corps, " 
 
 
 ' • 3023, ' 
 
 1096 
 
 5th Corps, " 
 
 
 541, 
 
 159 
 
 6th Corps, " 
 
 
 3105, 
 
 1485 
 
 nth Corps, " 
 
 
 1438, 
 
 974 
 
 12th Corps, " 
 
 
 1701, 
 
 1121 
 
 11,282 
 
 5,719 
 
CAPT. CHASE. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 275 
 
 Making a grand total of 17,000 — surely enough to 
 test the patriotism of our soldiers. 
 
 Among the killed were two good ofBcers who were noted 
 for their brave and manly qualities in time of danger viz: 
 Lieut. Byron Brewer, of Michigan, killed May 3d by a can- 
 non ball through his body. Hehad been wounded at Gaines' 
 Mill, Glendale, and three times at Second Bull Run where he 
 was left for dead on the field, was taken in charge by the 
 enemy, exchanged, and after several months joined his com- 
 pany, C, to die in its line. His was clearly a case of unsub- 
 dued patriotism — he enlisted for the war. 
 
 Capt. Dudley P. Chase, of Minnesota, Company A, Sec- 
 ond Regiment, wounded in the arm May 2d at the Cedars, 
 suffered amputation and died not long after. His company 
 joiningthe left division of the First Regiment, the writer was 
 talking with him a few moments before he was shot, and 
 left him on moving forward, full of patriotic hope for the 
 future. He was an estimable officer. 
 
 Col. Berdan makes praiseworthy mention of these ofii- 
 cers, as also Marble, Nash, Wilson, Rowell, Stoughton and 
 others of his brigade, including Adjt. Horton of First and 
 Adjt. Norton of the Second. These two adjutants were 
 among the tallest and finest looking officers in the corps, 
 were very active, and energetic in the heat of battle. In 
 mentioning the faithful services of our surgeons, Drs. 
 Brennan and Williams, he says of the latter, that although 
 wounded "by a ball passing through his arm, he did not 
 leave his duties for a moment." 
 
 The chaplain of the Second Regiment, Lorenzo Barber, also 
 received great praise, and who well earned the name given 
 him by the men, as the "Fighting Parson." On the skirmish 
 line he was earnestly engaged with his telescope-rifle, being 
 one of our best marksmen, and on account of his exposure 
 and bravery in the late battle where he was not obliged to 
 go, from that time on he never failed to have a large 
 
276 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 audience when he officiated as preacher. As the boys 
 expressed it: "That chaplain practices what he preaches. 
 He tells us what we should do, and goes with us to the very 
 front to help us in battle.." 
 
 The loss in both regiments in the Chancellorsville cam- 
 paign was about 90 killed and wounded, of which the fol- 
 lowing are known to me of the First Regiment: 
 
 Co. .B— Wounded: Sergt. Thomas Smith, Charles H. 
 Thompson, Mathew Morgan, Joseph Marr, William M. 
 Fitzgerald, James H. Byers^6. 
 
 Co. C— Killed : Lieut. Byron Brewer, Sergt. John G. S. 
 Evans, Corp. Henry A. Hood, Privates W. S. Parker, John 
 Price, Harmon J. Wise. Wounded: Capt. James H. Baker, 
 left breast, slight; Sergt. E. A. Wilson, hand, slight; Sergt. 
 Porter W. Barker, hip, leg amputated, mortal; Corp. E.J. 
 Southworth, left side; Corp. Leonard Bissel, abdomen, mor- 
 tal; Corp. Dexter Field, leg and hip; Privates James I. Van- 
 derbiirg, side, mortal; Henry A.Gilchrist, foot; R. S. Mc- 
 Claiu, upper arm; Stiles H. Wirts, leg; Fred. Jarvis, arm; 
 James Dillabaugh, shoulder; George R. Brown, Charles H. 
 Johnson. Missing: Martin J. Watson, slightly wounded; 
 Joshua Robinson — 22. 
 
 Co. E— Killed: Daniel Morse, Jr. Wounded : Edwin J. 
 Peaslee, Alfred A. Rollins— 3. 
 
 Co. F — Wounded: Edward Trask, Almon D. Griffin, 
 Michael Cunningham, Jacob S. Bailey, E. M. Hosmer, Mar- 
 tin C. Laffie, John Monahan — 7. 
 
 Co. G— Wounded: Capt. F. E. Marble, knee, slight; 
 Sergt. John D. Lemmon, finger, slight; Corp. William Bab- 
 cock, hip, shght; Corp. Albert S. Isham, knee, severe; Pri- 
 vates, Michael Costello, arm, severe; George T. Cottrell, 
 neck and shoulder, severe; H. B. Denniston, arm, severe; 
 Frank Meyer, hand, severe; Martin H. Wiltse, arm, severe; 
 Abner Johnson, face, slight ; William H. Woodruff, forehead 
 shght— 11. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 277 
 
 Co. I— Killed : Martin L. Wetmore, William E. Close, 
 Alvin Smith. Wounded: Capt. James F. Covel, neck; 
 Jeremiah Brandon, left shoulder; Albert G. Austiii, cheek, 
 slight; Dwight Ford, abdomen, mortal; Daniel McAr- 
 thur— 8. 
 
 Co. K— Wounded: Walter J. Christy, left lung, mor- 
 tal. 
 
 Having recrqssed the Rappahannock the troops pro- 
 ceeded to their respective camps through rain and mud; and 
 notwithstanding the prevailing disappointment— to put it 
 mildly— at the result of their hard efforts on the late field of 
 action, the opportunity to rail at one another jestingly, was 
 not neglected. For no matter how weary and dejected the 
 boys w^ere, there were some always ready to revive their 
 drooping spirits in this cheery manner. As one body of 
 troops passed another resting, the uproarious greetings and 
 bantering expressions would be sure to come. "There's 
 another played out set ! Go lay down in the mud, will you ?" 
 comes from the marchers, to be retaliated thus : "Oh, you're 
 pretty fellows to be falling back;" to be replied from the 
 column: "Turn out the provost-guard and pick up these 
 stragglers;" when another mouther would sing back: 
 "There goes the homeguard, emancipate them — send them to 
 their mammy — give them some soft bread — black your shoes — 
 boil your shirt," etc. So, it continued along the line of march 
 back to camp. 
 
 Loud cheers w^ere frequently given when some particular 
 regiment or brigade passed by. Especially w^hen, while rest- 
 ing on the roadside for coffee, the 1st corps came along with 
 the "full moon " on its banners, and as the great Western or 
 Iron Brigade passed, looking like giants with their tall black 
 hats, they were greeted with hearty cheers by the Sharp- 
 shooters. And giants they were, in action. Yet, how^ vain 
 to boast, for cold lead brought down the best of men, and of 
 
278 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 that entire brigade in all its just pride and "fierce panoply 
 of war," but a few weeks were destined to pass, before their 
 decimated ranks proved too truthfully that even they, were 
 not invulnerable. With a large proportion of that Iron 
 Brigade they were soon to start on their last war-path, soon 
 to lose their greatest strength to become a crippled and 
 weakened battalion. When I look back and see that famed 
 body of troops marching up that long muddy hill unmind- 
 ful of the pouring rain, but full of life and spirit, with steady 
 step, filling the entire roadway, their big black hats and 
 feathers conspicuous ; and remember how soon they were to 
 be swept away by bullets and shell ; the pride of looking 
 upon a model American volunteer, which they so truly rep- 
 resented, turns now to utter sadness, at what hard fate 
 befell them in the next battle. 
 
 Falling in, soon after, Berdan's brigade pushed ■ on to 
 their old camp at Falmouth, where they arrived before dark 
 worn out with fatigue, and considerably dow^ncast at the 
 unfavorable result of the late movement. But although 
 affairs looked gloomy for awhile, yet did the troops soon 
 regain their old-time lively spirits, — for the Boys in Blue 
 couldn't mope long, — and, as the days passed by, were pre- 
 paring themselves for another move on the enemy's lines, 
 including drill and reviews, with the usual picket duty 
 when their turn came — often miles away. 
 
 Soon after returning from the field. Gen. Hooker issued 
 the following congratulatory address to the troops, which 
 as a recognition of their services at the front was accepta- 
 ble, but it had little effect in changing their views of the late 
 campaign. For, between Fredericksburg and Chancellors- 
 ville they had little to praise. It was all hard knocks for 
 them, piling up losses, with the Union cause so much the 
 worse for it — throtigh no fault of the soldiers. In fact, but 
 for their patriotic spirit, demoralization must have fol- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 279 
 
 lowed. But they had no thought of giving up; all they 
 wanted was to be led to victory— reverses had come too 
 often. 
 
 General Orders. Headquabters Army of the Potomac, 
 No. 49. CAMPNEARFALM0UTH,VA.,May6, 1863. 
 
 The major-general commanding tenders to this army 
 his congratulations on the achievements of the last seven 
 days. If it has not accomplished all that was expected, the 
 reasons are well known to the army. It is sufficient to say 
 that they were of a character not to be foreseen or prevented 
 by human sagacity or resource. In withdrawing from the 
 south bank of the Rappahannock before deliveringa general 
 battle to our adversaries, the army has given renewed evi- 
 dence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the princi- 
 ples it represents. In fighting at a disadvantage, we would 
 have been recreant to our trust, to ourselves, our cause, and 
 our countr\'. Profoundly loyal, and conscious of its 
 strength, the Army of the Potomac will give or decline bat- 
 tle whenever its interest or honor may demand. It will also 
 be the guardian of its own history and its own fame. By 
 our celerity and secrecy of movement, our advance and pas- 
 sage of the rivers were undisputed, and on our withdrawal 
 not a rebel ventured to follow. The events of the last week 
 may well swell with pride the heart of every officer and sol- 
 dier of this army. We have added new luster to its former 
 renown. We have made long marches, crossed rivers, sur- 
 prised the enemy in his intrenchments, and whenever we 
 have fought have inflicted heavier blows than we have 
 received. We have taken from the enemy 5,000 prisoners; 
 captured and brought off seven pieces of artillery, fifteen 
 colors ; placed hors de combat 18,000 of his chosen troops ; 
 destroyed his depots filled with vast amounts of stores; 
 deranged his communications; captured prisoners within the 
 fortifications of his capitol, and filled his country with fear 
 and consternation. We have no other regret than that 
 caused by the loss of our brave companions, and in this we 
 are consoled by the conviction that they have fallen in the 
 holiest cause ever submitted to the arbitrament of battle. 
 By command of Major-Gen. Hooker. 
 
 S. Williams, Asst, Adjt.-Gen, 
 
280 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHINO 
 
 It soon became evident tiey were not to remain in camp 
 long, and expected to march forth much, sooner than they 
 did. In the meantime, Gen. Hooker was kept busy, as the 
 enemy were known to be moving away from Fredericksburg, 
 although a force still remained there, well fortified on the 
 hills and capable of making a stout fight if attacked, as was 
 ascertained by troops from the6th corps, which had crossed 
 over, below town, early in June. In course of time, assured 
 by his scouts— particularly through Pleasanton's cavalry, 
 who had successfully engaged the enemy's cavalry at several 
 points, capturing some prisoners — that Lee was on the 
 march up river, concentrating at Culpeper with the bulk of 
 his troops, Gen. Hooker says: 
 
 "Learning that the enemy had massed his cavalry near 
 Culpeper for the purpose of a raid, I dispatched Gen. Pleas- 
 anton to attack him on his own ground. Gen. Pleasanton 
 crossed the Rappahannock June 9th at Beverly and Kelly's 
 Fords, attacked the enemy, and drove him three miles, cap- 
 turing over 200 prisoners and one battle-flag. This in the 
 face of vastly superior numbers, was only accomplished by 
 hard and desperate fighting by our cavalry, for which they 
 deserve much credit. Their morale is splendid. They made 
 many hand-to-hand combats, always driving the enemy 
 before them." 
 
 He wasnow^ anxious to make a dash on the Fredericks- 
 burg column, cut it off, and advance rapidly on Richmond. 
 But to this plan the authorities at Washington objected, as 
 Lee was evidently working northward through the Shenan- 
 doah region, menacing Washington again. In a telegram 
 to Hooker on the subject, President Lincoln said: 
 
 "In case you find Lee coming to the north of the Rap- 
 pahannock, I would by no means cross to the south of it. 
 If he should leave a rear force at Fredericksburg, tempting 
 you to fall upon it, it would fight in intrenchments and have 
 you at disadvantage, and so, man for man, worst you at 
 that point, while his main force 'would in some way be get- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 281 
 
 ting an advantage of you northward. In one word, I would 
 not take any risk of being entangled upon the river, like an 
 ox jumped half over a fence and liable to be torn by dogs 
 front and rear, without a fair chancy to gore one way or 
 kick the other." 
 
 Another time he telegraphed: "If left to me, I would 
 not go south of Rappahannock upon Lee's moving north of 
 it. If you had Richmond invested to-day, you would not 
 be able to take it in 20 days; meanwhile your communica- 
 tions, and with them your army, would be ruined. I think 
 Lee's army, and not Richmond, is your sure objective point. 
 If he comes towards the Upper Potomac, follow on his flank 
 and on his inside track, shortening your lines while he 
 lengthens his. Fight him, too, when opportunity offers. If 
 he stays where he is, fret him and fret him." 
 
 There was evidently "music in the air" — grim-visaged 
 music — and the soldiers were quick to realize it. The quiet 
 ofthe camp was not to last long. Nor did they have long 
 to wait when the month of June came, especially after 
 orders came to send the sick and disabled away. None were 
 wanted who were not fully able to march; such ones, unfit 
 for duty, were sent to the Potomac Creek hospital, where a. 
 large number of sick and wounded were being cared for, to 
 be removed north by train to steamer on the l-ith,the army 
 having mostly left, = 
 
^83 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 SIXTH CAMPAIGN. 
 
 THE PENNSYLVANIA INVASION. 
 
 On the 11th of June, participating in the general move- 
 ment of the army, the Sharpshooters broke camp, having 
 been under marching orders several days. The two regi- 
 ments were now assigned to Ward's 2d brigade of Birney's 
 1st division of the 3d corps; the 3d division having been 
 consolidated with the 1st and 2d. Moving northward, for 
 miles could their lines be traced by the clouds of dust that 
 ■enveloped them, many to meet a soldier's death — face to the 
 front. On the 12th, after marching 25 miles, they 
 Ijivouacked for a day, Company A being detailed for outpost 
 duty, watching the enemy who appeared in force on the left 
 bank of the Rappahannock. Thence pressing hurriedly on 
 via Catlett's Station, they reached the dry and parched 
 plains of Manassas on or about the 15th, suffering greatlv 
 from the effects of the sun's heat, causing at times sunstroke 
 and debilitation. It was reported that more than 200 mem- 
 bers of the 3d corps were sunstruck. Water being scarce, 
 also added to their troubles ; for while on a hot march it 
 could be drank too freely to their injury, yet was it a great 
 and necessary relief, when used in moderation. By the time 
 they halted near Fairfax and Centreville, the troops were in 
 need of rest after their hurried and exhaustiyemarch, About 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 283 
 
 this time, June 17th, Pleasanton's cavalry had another 
 brush with the enemy, at Aldie, of which that good general 
 reported : 
 
 " I have driven Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry from this place, 
 and they are going off in the direction of Snicker's Gap ; 
 nine commissioned officers and 54 privates have been cap- 
 tured in a charge, and their killed and wounded is very 
 large. They also lost heavily in horses and arms. They 
 opened four guns. I had only Gregg's division up at the 
 time, and Kilpatrick's brigade did the fighting. * * * 
 Among the prisoners taken was a company of sharpshoot- 
 ers, which accompany each brigade of their cavalry. These 
 men are thrown out as skirmishers, to pick off our 
 officers." 
 
 For several days thereafter, our cavalry were kept busy 
 fighting and driving those of the enemy near Middleburg 
 and Upperville, inflicting considerable loss, suffering also 
 themselves; in which attacks they were assisted by Barnes' 
 division of the 5th corps. Our cavalry fought bravely, mak- 
 ing some important captures. Gen. Hooker was proud of 
 them, taking great pains to make efficient this important 
 arm of the service, as he alsb did with all others. He was a 
 grand officer in this respect. He loved good soldiers, and 
 believed he had them. The most important feature of these 
 dashes, was to discover if possible where Lee was. Our 
 troops had been hurrying north under the supposition that 
 the enemy were doing the same, but whether to repeat the 
 experiment of offering battle east of the Blue Ridge and 
 close to Washington, or to cross the Upper Potomac as in 
 the Maryland campaign, and raid the northern states, was 
 what Gen. Hooker was endeavoring to find out. Gen. 
 Pleasanton, however, assured him that "no rebel infantry 
 was this side of the Blue Ridge; "also that their camps 
 "two miles long" had been seen on the Shenandoah. So 
 that it soon became apparent that a bold invasion on free 
 soil was their purpose, and he at once prepared to meet it. 
 
284- SHAEPSHUOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The army was again put in motion, tlie different corps being 
 pushed forward to different points from time to time— grad- 
 ually feeling his way. 
 
 The 3d corps moving on the 9tli to Gum Spring, rested 
 in that vicinity until the 25th, when they marched to 
 Edward's Ferry that day,— said to be over 30 miles,— where 
 they forded the Potomac, crossing into Maryland near the 
 mouth of the Monocacy. Then proceeding via Point of 
 Rocks on the 26th, they marched to Middletown the next 
 day. On the 28th they crossed the Cacoctin mountain 
 range at Turner's Gap, halting near Woodsborough. On 
 this day Gen. Hooker surprised the army by resigning his 
 command, and Gen. Meade was appointed by the President 
 to take his place. Hooker was dissatisfied with the refusal 
 of the general-in-chief at Washington, to allow him to con- 
 trol certain bodies of troops, particularly to abandon 
 Harper's Ferry and reinforce the army with the troops in 
 that locality, about 10,000 in number. He had visited that 
 post and concluded^as others had before and after — that it 
 was a useless appendage to the military situation, that 
 Lee's army could go back and forth without regard to it, 
 and if they wished could easily capture the place, as they did 
 before. Therefore when met with a decided refusal to call 
 off those troops, he sent in his resignation, which was im- 
 mediately accepted. Here is what he said to Halleck, dated 
 June 27, 1863: 
 
 "I have received your telegram in regard to Harper's 
 Ferry. I find 10,000 men here, in condition to take the field. 
 Here they are of no earthly account. They cannot defend a 
 ford of the river, and, as far as Harper's Ferry is concerned, 
 there is nothing of it. As for the fortifications, the work of 
 the troops, they remain when the troops are withdrawn. 
 No enemy will ever take possession of them for them. This 
 is my opinion. All the public property could have been 
 secured to-night, and the troops marched to where they 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 285 
 
 could have been of some service. Now they are but a bait 
 for the rebels, should they return." 
 
 This was followed by another dispatch— his resigna- 
 tion : 
 
 "My original instructions require me to cover Harper's 
 Ferry and Washington. I have now imposed upon me, in 
 addition, an enemy in my front of more than my number. I 
 beg to be understood, respectfully, but firmly, that I am 
 unable to comply with this condition with the means at my 
 disposal, and earnestly request that I may at once be 
 relieved from the position I occupy." 
 
 Notwithstanding Halieck wouldn't let Hooker have his 
 own way about Harper's Ferr3', he gave Meade full 
 authority to use his own judgment in the matter, and to act 
 accordingly. The appointment of Gen. Meade was a sur- 
 prise both to himself and to the army. For the soldiers at 
 that time would hardly have chosen him in preference to 
 Slocum, Hancock, Sickles or Reynolds. But they became 
 better acquainted before the war closed, as Gen. Meade 
 proved to be the last commander of the Army of the 
 Potomac. 
 
 On the 29th after a march of some 20 miles, the 3d corps 
 reached Taneytown, and on the following day they camped 
 over night at Bridgeport near Emmitsburg. The next 
 morning heavy firing was heard at a distance — 10 miles 
 away — beyond the Maryland border, warning them that the 
 enemy had been found, that a battle was in progress, and 
 that afternoon they pushed towards it on a forced march, 
 often at double-quick, over a horribly muddy and tiresome 
 road, difficult to travel — away into Pennsylvania. 
 
286 SHAKISHOOTING AND SK1EMI^HING 
 
 GETTYSBURG. 
 
 FIRST DAY. 
 
 The battle of Gettysburg opened unexpectedly at half 
 past nine in the morning of July 1st, by the advance of 
 Heth's division of the enemy along the Cashtown road, 
 northwest of town, where our cavalry under Buford met 
 them and stubbornly resisted their progress, throwing their 
 advance in confusion, holding the force in check until our 
 infantry could get up, yet some three miles distant. The 
 cavalry were dismounted and used as infantry, thus deceiv- 
 ing the enemy, while our batteries were managed with great 
 effect. Gallantly did they maintain the unequal contest 
 against the accumulating lines now hurrying forward, 
 almost enveloping them. Gen. Reynolds commanding the 
 right wing consisting of the 1st, 3d and 11th corps, on hear- 
 ing the fifing hurried ahead of his troops and quickly taking 
 in the situation, urgently appealed to the hard-pressed cav- 
 alry to hold on a short time longer, until the infantry which 
 were hurrying on, arrived; when he proceeded to make dis- 
 positions for them — directing their course and placing them 
 in position — and while so engaged, to the great loss to his 
 country, and sorrow of the entire army, this grand officerin 
 less than 30 minutes after his appearance at the front, was 
 killed by a shot through his head. Thus fell one of the 
 noblest spirits engaged in the Union cause, whose ability to 
 command placed him among the foremost in the army. The 
 Wisconsin company of Sharpshooters and the Michigan 
 Company C had additional reason to regret his fall, for it 
 was as before said this general, while we were serving with 
 his command at Mechanicsville, who saved these companies 
 from capture if not destruction, by personally coming to 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 287- 
 
 thi^m to the front and warning them to immediately retire. 
 From his position in the rear, as his brigade was moving 
 away, discovering the isolated position of the Sharpshoot- 
 ers and Bucktails, without hesitation, his staff being gone, 
 he rode forward and saved them — taking all personal risks 
 to save his troops. What more unselfish spirit than his, 
 could be found? And it w^as where he might have been 
 expected to be killed — on the front line. 
 
 The advance of the 1st corps, Gen. Wadsworth's division, 
 came running up at ten o'clock. Cutler's brigade leading, 
 hurried over the fields, going in on the Cashtown road with 
 the 2d Maine battery on their right, three-fourths of a mile 
 northwest from town, where warm work was in store for 
 them — the enemy close up and the fighting desperate. 
 
 While this was going on, the Iron Brigade (Meredith's) 
 the 2d Wisconsin leading, immediately formed in line of bat- 
 tle to the left of Cutler's force, and in front of the cavalry 
 which had fallen back to their artillery west of town. 
 Advancing over the open field a short distance to a rise of 
 ground, they met with a terrible reception, the enemy 
 (Heth's division of Hill's corps) pouring in a deadly volley 
 at short range, cutting down the regiment to a fearful 
 extent, killing and wounding 30 per cent., among them 
 Lieut. -Col. George H. Stevens, who was shot in the groin 
 and mortally wounded. Changing direction, the regiment 
 moved rapidly into a piece of woods to the right, where they 
 met a strong force sending into them the bullets thick and 
 rapid — leaden bees humming by. With the men falling at 
 every step, they pressed forward with death-scorning valor 
 and, gallantly charging, the rebel lines were broken by the 
 Black Hats, who captured a large number of prisoners 
 including their. commander. Gen. Archer. The 7th Wisconsin, 
 24th Michigan and 19th Indiana having come up on their 
 left, assisted in this charge, and between them 1,000 pris- 
 
288 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 oners were taken. In the meantime Col. Fairchild lost an 
 arm, wlien the command of the 2d devolved upon Major 
 John Mansfield. 
 
 Cutler's brigade meanwhile was severely engaged on the 
 Cashtown road. It was at this point that Gen. Reynolds 
 fell. Now, owing to the approach of two lines of battle in 
 their front, lapping their right flank, they were obliged to 
 fall back to the woods on the ridge behind them. The bat- 
 tery and the 147th New York falling back later, were badly 
 cut up, the 147th losing 207 put of 380, during the space cf 
 30 minutes; while the artillery being left for a time unsup- 
 ported, the commander, Capt. Hall, after using his canister 
 with good effect on the charging column, retired his battery 
 by sections; one gun having four horses shot was drawn off 
 by hand, and another piece left behind was afterwards 
 recovered. At this critical moment the 6th Wisconsin, 
 which had been held in reserve, was ordered to the right to 
 repulse the attempt of the enemy to get in rear of our 
 troops, and successfully did so in a desperate charge in con- 
 junction with the 14th Brooklyn and 95th New York, where 
 they captured in a railroad cut the 2d Mississippi in the face 
 of a destructive fire. In this charge, the 6th lost 160 men — 
 a startling example of the character of the fighting that 
 day. More hard fighting ensued, in which the 1st division 
 was alone engaged for nearly two hours before the balance 
 of the corps came up and got into line. 
 
 Rowley's division (3d) was divided, Biddle's brigade 
 taking the extreme left, facing open ground and grain fields, 
 with a piece of woods opposite, 1,000 -yards off, held by 
 rebel infantry. Remaining in position about three hours 
 exposed to artillery fire and that of a skirmish line in their 
 front, they were severely attacked by a division in line com- 
 ing from the woods directly on to them. They held their 
 ground for upwards of an hour, when flanked on the left 
 along with the heavy fire in front, were obliged to give way. 
 
IK THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 289 
 
 Coming out of this contest with less than 390 out of 1,287 
 engaged, shows how well they sustained their part. Two 
 companies of skirmishers from the 20th New York militia, 
 which had been sent out in the morning to some buildings. 
 200 yards in front to contend with the rebel sharpshooters,, 
 which they held several hours, fighting hard, until almost 
 surrounded by the advancing forces, with the buildings on 
 fire, narrowly escaped capture but succeeded in getting 
 away. 
 
 Stone's Pennsylvania brigade was sent into an opening 
 between Meredith and Cutler upon the low ridge in front of 
 Seminary Ridge, enacting a most important part thereafter, 
 repeatedly repulsing the enemy and holding their position 
 until the whole line retired. In this sharp contest Col. Stone 
 was wounded, as also Col. Wister who succeeded him in 
 command. Roy Stone was complimented by officers and 
 men for the intrepid and skillful manner in which he handled 
 his brigade on the most trying occa.sions, changing their 
 formations under the hottest fire to meet emergencies. His 
 ability was unquestioned — a feature that was early devel- 
 oped in the war, when in command of the Bucktails on the 
 Seven Days. 
 
 No language can do justice to the conduct of my officers 
 and men on the bloody "first day;" to the coolness with 
 which they watched and awaited, under a fierce storm of 
 shot and shell, the approach of the enemy's overwhelming 
 masses ; their ready obedience to orders, and the prompt 
 and perfect execution, under fire, of all the tactics of the 
 battle field; to the fierceness of their repeated attacks, or to 
 the desperate tenacity of their resistance. They fought as if 
 each man felt that upon his own arm hung the fate of the 
 day and the nation. Every field officer save one was 
 w^ounded and disabled. Col. Wister, while commanding the 
 brigade, though badly wounded in the mouth and unable to 
 speak, remained in the frctot of the battle, as did also Lietit.- 
 Col. Huidekoper, commanding 150th, with his right arm 
 
 19 
 
290 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 shattered and a wound in the leg; and Lieut.-Col. Dwight, 
 commanding 149th, with a dangerous gun-shot wound 
 through the thigh. — Roy Stone. 
 
 The 2d division (Robinson's) was also separated for a 
 time, the 1st brigade being held in reserve near the seminary, 
 building barricades ; Baxter's (2d ) brigade advancing almost 
 immediately to the right of the 1st division, with a wide 
 gap betw^een them and the 11th corps men who had come 
 into action still farther to the right, with cavalry on the 
 flank. Later on, the 1st brigade was brought up and went 
 in. Before this, Baxter's troops w^ere twice flanked in their 
 exposed position, making several changes to meet the at- 
 tack, repulsing the enemy each time ; finally making a deter- 
 mined charge, capturing many of the Johnnies with three of 
 their flags ; when after two hours' hard fighting, suffering 
 much, getting short of cartridges, this brigade was w^ith- 
 drawn and supported a battery. The division was engaged 
 more or less at this point, four hours. 
 
 No soldiers ever fought better, or inflicted severer blows 
 upon the enemy. When out of ammunition, their boxes 
 were replenished from those of their killed and wounded 
 comrades.— Gen. Robinson. 
 
 Gen. Paul, in command of the 1st brigade, was shot 
 down severely w^ounded, as were the three colonels succeed- 
 ing him: Leonard (13th Mass.), Root (94th N. Y.), and 
 Coulter (11th Penn.) This division lost 1,543 enlisted men 
 and 124 officers, out of a total of less than 2,500. This com- 
 mand, with many others that day, suffered greatly while 
 falling back beyond Gettysburg, from both artillery and mus- 
 ketry. For nearly four hours did a portion of the 1st corps 
 hold the field before the llth arrived; two divisions of 
 which finally joined the 1st on the right, the Confederates in 
 their front being the forces of Gen. Ewell— the left wing of 
 the rebel armv. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 291 
 
 Tte 1st and 3d divisions of the 11th cbrps under com- 
 mand of Gen. Schurz, got into position about two p. m. 
 north of town, a considerable distance away from the 1st 
 corps line, the 1st division being on the right. This latter 
 division under Gen. Barlow having advanced their line, was 
 subjected to severe cannonading, while a heavy force of in- 
 fantry came down on to them out of the woods in a long 
 line of battle overlapping the extreme right, doubling it up 
 in bad shape, causing the men to break away. At this time 
 the accomplished Gen. Barlow went down 'mid a "shower 
 of shells" seriously wounded, and was succeeded in com- 
 mand by Gen. Ames. There were too many intervals on 
 this part of the field, the enemy rushing into them to our 
 ultimate discomfit. We hadn't troops enough to go 
 around the lengthy semi-circle, they had too many for a 
 fair fight. Their artillery was continually at work bursting 
 shells among our troops with more or less serious effect. 
 According to Gen. Schurz, two of these batteries on a hill- 
 side opposite the 3d division opened on them fiercely, at the 
 same time enfilading the 1st corps. Dilger's battery (I, 1st 
 Ohio) dismounted four of their guns, scattering two rebel 
 regiments below the hill. Capt. Dilger lost during the day 
 14 men and 24 horses. The loss of the 11th corps has been 
 estimated at 3,000, many of whom were taken prisoners ; 
 some of the regiments were badly cut up. Being finally out- 
 flanked, about four o'clock the corps was ordered by Gen. 
 Howard, who arrived at Gettysburg in the forenoon and 
 assumed command on hearing of the fall of Reynolds, to re- 
 tire from their advanced position to a new line he had estab- 
 lished south of town, on another conspicuous height called 
 Cemetery Hill. 
 
 The 3d division had meanwhile to sustain a furious at- 
 tack. According to orders it fell back towards the town in 
 good order, contesting the ground step by step with the 
 greatest firmness. In this part of the action, which was 
 
292 SHARFSHOOTING ANX) SKIRMISHING 
 
 almost a hand-to-hand struggle, officers and men showed 
 the highest courage and determination. Our loss was ex- 
 tremely heavy. The 2d brigade, 3d division, lost all its reg- 
 imental commanders; several regiments nearly half their 
 number in killed and wounded. Being flanked right and 
 left, the situation of that division was most trying. — Carl 
 
 SCHURZ. 
 
 Capt. Heckman's battery (K, 1st Ohio) had a short but 
 hard experience, having gone forward at the last moment 
 east of to-wn to check the enemy while the corps was coming 
 out, and was almost immediately confronting a sharp 
 attack which he resisted for a half hour, sending into their 
 ranks 113 rounds of canister, when the yelling foes rushed 
 through the dense smoke on to his guns, despite his rapid 
 discharges ; in the confusion ensuing he succeeded in getting 
 away with the loss of one gun, 13 men and nine horses. 
 
 That portion of the 11th corps posted beyond the alms- 
 house had fought with great obstinacy until its right flank 
 was turned by Early's division, and further reinforcements 
 had been hopeless. It then fell back tothetown, and choked 
 up the main street at the very time Paul's brigade was at- 
 tempting to pass. This resulted in heavy loss to the brigade. 
 — Gen. Doubleday, commanding 1st corps. 
 
 On the left, the line had previously been ordered back to 
 Seminary Ridge where a stand was made. The 2d Wiscon- 
 sin in retiring, turned once upon the enemy and became 
 nearly flanked by them on their left, their sanguine oppo- 
 nents rushing up in overwhelming numbers. Occupying the 
 new line at the ridge another hard contest ensued, the 
 enemy crowding in close. Major Mansfield was now 
 wounded in the knee, and obliged to leave the field, Capt. 
 Otis assuming command of the regiment. Biddle's and 
 Meredith's brigades, aided by Cooper's 1st Pennsylvania 
 and Stevens' 5th Maine batteries, held the ridge until the 
 last possible moment, covering the retirement of the rest of 
 the 1st corps. At this point a South Carolina brigade lost 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 293 
 
 500 in the assault, the 1st and 14th rebel regiments from 
 that state losing more than half their number. 
 
 The shattered remnants of the Iron Brigade also fell 
 into line. From behind the feeble barricade of rails these 
 brave men stemmed the fierce tide which pressed upon them 
 incessantly, and held the rebel lines, which encircled them on 
 three sides, at bay until a greater portion of the corps had 
 retired. * * * Capt. Hollon Richardson, acting assistant 
 inspector-general, of Meredith's staff, rode up and down the 
 lines, waving a regimental flag, encouraging the men to do 
 their duty. The troops, with the assistance of a part of 
 Stewart's battery, under Lieut. Davison, poured in so 
 deadly a fire as to wholly break up and double the first line 
 of the enemy approaching from the west; but the other 
 lines pressed on, and soon commenced a flank attack, winch 
 it was no longer possible to answer. When all the troops 
 at this point were overpowered, Capt. Glenn (149th Penn.) 
 in command of my headquarter guard, defended the build- 
 ing for fully 20 minutes against a whole brigade of the 
 enemy, enabling the few remaining troops, the ambulances, 
 artillery, etc., to retreat in comparative safety. The bat- 
 teries had all been brought back from their advanced posi- 
 tion and posted on Seminary Hill. They greatly assisted 
 the orderly retreat, retarding the enemy by their fire. They 
 lost heavily in men and horses at this point, and, as they 
 retired to the town, were subjected to so heavy a fire that 
 the last gun -was left, the horses being all shot down by the 
 enemy's skirmishers, who had formed line within 50 yards 
 of the road by which the artillery w^as obliged to pass. — 
 DOUBLEDAT. 
 
 Col. Wainwright, commanding the brigade artillery of 
 the 1st corps, claimed a loss of 80 oflicers and men and 80 
 horses during the day, a large proportion of the latter shot 
 while falling back from Seminary Ridge to Gettysburg. The 
 infantry also suffered considerably in their movement 
 towards town, particularly so the 7th Wisconsin which 
 brought up the rear. Col. Robinson says : "It was here I 
 met with the heaviest losses from the regiment during the 
 
294 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 day." Col. Robinson assumed command of the Iron Bri- 
 gade after tkeir arrival at the cemetery by order of Gen. 
 Wadsworth, occasioned by Gen. Meredith having "sus- 
 tained severe injuries by the fall of his wounded horse." 
 This officer did not return to the brigade. 
 
 Surely the people of Gettysburg that day had an oppor- 
 tunity to learn something about war. A great battle had 
 unexpectedly surrounded them in their peaceful homes, even 
 to their very doors, and on all sides could be heard the noise 
 and fury of mortal strife. The burning houses, the shat- 
 tered trees and splintered fences — limbs and rails flying 
 about — ^horses and cattle w^ild w^ith fright, the people dis- 
 tracted ; such was the effect of this sudden, unwelcome rebel 
 visitation. The excitement was up to the highest possible 
 pitch ; bom of hope in the morning when they saw their 
 defenders go forth, with the cheers of the populace and their 
 prayers following them ; full of dread and despair in the 
 evening when the invader came to make them prisoners. If 
 ever a town was "painted red" it was Gettysburg — the 
 dead and w^ounded lying about the streets, in houses, gar- 
 dens and fields. A gory picture of patriotic valor. The fall- 
 ing back of the 1st and 11th corps through the town occa- 
 sioned the greatest excitement and confusion, and proved a 
 dangerous undertaking; the troops becoming mixed up, 
 crowding through, eventually got to their proper commands 
 after leaving the place. The enemy entered the town as the 
 last of our men were leaving it, thus adding to the terror of 
 the affrighted citizens. The bustle and hurry of our soldiers, 
 the firing, of shots by the rebels, the din and confusion, the 
 smoking muskets, the yelling Johnnies, the shouting Yanks, 
 and the general uproar; all served to make the 1st of July a 
 day the oldest inhabitants would never forget, and future 
 generations will ever refer to. 
 
 A considerable number of our soldiers were captured in 
 town and a good ipany killed, particularly among the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 295 
 
 troops covering the rear. Among these was the 45th New 
 York of the 11th corps. Col. Dobke thus describes the 
 awful scene : 
 
 "In a short time all sorts of missiles found their way- 
 through houses, fences, and gardens, and it was evident that 
 to stay much longer would be certain destruction, so the 
 regiment was ordered to follow the column which had 
 passed, when, marching a few blocks, suddenly a few regi- 
 ments of the 1st corps were thrown in the way, and our regi- 
 ment headed to the left to gain the other main streets. 
 When about the middle of the square, a sudden panic arose 
 in a column on the street we were to gain, throwing them- 
 selves in our column and into the houses. Not to become 
 mixed up, the 45th turned again to the street just left, 
 marched two squares down, and turned again to the left for 
 the before mentioned roads. About the middle of the block 
 our column was received by the enemy's infantry fire, when 
 the column headed into an alley leading to the direction we 
 had to follow. Unfortunately this alley led into a spacious 
 yard surrounded b^' large buildings, which only offered an 
 entrance but no way to pass out, excepting a very narrow 
 doorway, to freedom and to heaven; but the enemy's sharp- 
 shooters had already piled a barricade of dead Union 
 soldiers in the street in front of this doorway. About 100 
 of the 45th extricated themselves from this trap, ran the 
 gauntlet, and arrived safely at the graveyard. The 
 remainder were taken prisoners, as meanwhile the whole 
 town was surrendered and the enemy in possession of 
 Gettj'sburg. Only one-third of the equipped men of the 45th 
 assembled at the cemetery behind the stone fence, and two- 
 thirds of the regiment were lost." 
 
 Capt. James D. Wood, assistant adjutant-general on 
 Meredith's staff, was the last man on horseback to pass 
 through the town, after making every effort to keep the 
 ranks closed up in the different columns, to prevent con- 
 fusion. On getting away himself, while in the open field, his 
 horse was killed under him, receiving six distinct wounds. 
 Capt. Wood also performed important service at the front 
 
296 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 during the day, in his position as aid to Gen. Mei«dith and 
 Cpl. Robinson. 
 
 The losses in the Iron Brigade i-n this day's fight were of 
 the most serious character, suffering severely in officei's and 
 men. In the 2d Wisconsin all the field ofiicers were shot, 
 with 14 of the line among the killed, wounded and missing.. 
 Out of a total of 302 engaged, their loss was 233, or 75 
 per cent., leaving 69 for duty. In the 24th Michigan the 
 three field officers were a,lso badly wounded, one staff and 18 
 line officers among the killed and wounded, and three taken 
 prisoners ; while 294 enlisted men fell, with a number miss- 
 ing—or 363 out of a total of 496. The 19th Indiana lost 
 210 out of 288, leaving 78 for duty. The loss of the 7tli 
 Wisconsin was 178. The total loss of this brigade during 
 the entire battle, principally on the first day — ^their casual- 
 ties thereafter being very few — -was 1,153; and with the 
 other brigades of Wads worth's 1st division 2, L55 ; Robin- 
 son's 2d division 1,690; Rowley's 3d division 2,103; artil- 
 lery 106; making a total including staff and cavalry of 
 6,059. Of 8,200 in action July 1st, the 1st corps was 
 reduced to 2,450 — a net loss of 5,750. 
 
 Gen. Doubleday in his teport of this day's fight, says: 
 " The 2d Wisconsin in this contest, under the gallant Col. 
 Fairchild, was particularly distinguished. It accomplislied 
 the difficult task of driving superior numbers of rebel 
 infantry from the shelter of the woods, and to it also 
 belongs the honor of capturing Gen. Archer himself. He was 
 brought in by Patrick Maloney, of Company G. It is to be 
 lamented that this brave Irishman was subsequently killed 
 in the action." 
 
 But for this worthy feat of Private Maloney capturing 
 the rebel general, it would never have been known in public 
 history that he was killed in the battle, as but few enlisted 
 men were ever mentioned. One brave act oft gives wide 
 reputation. 
 
IN THE ARMV OF THE POTOMAC. 297 
 
 Gen. Doubleday also tells about Jolin Bums, an aged 
 citizen of Gettysburg, over 70 years, who shouldering a mus- 
 ket offered his services to Col. Wister (150th Penn.) who 
 advised him to fight in the woods where there was more 
 shelter, but the game old patriot preferred the skirmish line 
 in the open field. He afterwards fought with the Iron Bri- 
 gade and was wounded three times. 
 
 He was the fellow who won reno'wii, — 
 
 The only man who did n't back down 
 
 When the rebels rode through his native town. 
 
 He wore a broad-brimmed, bell-cro-wned hat, 
 White as the locks on w^hich it sat. 
 
 Close at his elbows all that day, 
 
 Veterans of the Peninstda, 
 
 Sunburnt and bearded, charged away. 
 
 While Bums, unmindful of jeer and scoff. 
 
 Stood there picking the rebels off, — 
 
 With his long brown rifle, and bell-crownecl hat. 
 
 And some of the soldiers since declare 
 That the gleam of his old white hat afar. 
 Like the crested plume of the brave Navarre, 
 That day was their oriflamme of war. 
 
 —Bret Harte. 
 
 Col. Morrow (24th Mich.) wounded and taken prisoner 
 says : "During the time I was a prisoner I conversed freely 
 with distinguished rebel of&cers in relation to the battle on 
 the 1st inst. and, without exception, they spoke in terms of 
 admiration of the conduct of our troops, and especially of 
 that of the troops composing the 1st army corps. One of 
 them informed me that Lieut.-Gen. A. P. Hill said that he 
 
298 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 had never known the Federals to fight so well." And from 
 a major on Gen. Hill's staff he was informed that, "the 
 rebel army present at Gettysburg was about 90,000 strong, 
 and that their line of battle was estimated to be eight 
 miles long. The death of Major-Gen. Reynolds was well 
 known to the enemy, and the highest opinions of his skill 
 and bravery were freely expressed." 
 
 The first day's fight was one of the hardest of the war 
 for the number engaged on our side ; tTie 1st corps going in 
 with 8,000 muskets, which from the first onset were 
 constantly decreasing, so that probably at least one-third 
 that number were lost in action by the time the tw^o corps 
 came together ; while the two divisions of the 11th with 
 only about 6,000, made in all at no time probably over 
 12,000 (if that many) on our side, contending in the battle. 
 But one brigade of the 2d div. 11th A. C. which was in 
 reserve at Cemetery Hill, came into action, and that only at 
 the last moment in support of the artillery, holding the 
 enemy for a short time while Barlow's division was coming 
 off -the field. On the other' side, the Confederates were 
 constantly bringing forward accumulating troops, at all 
 times more than double our force. Gen. Doubleday again : 
 
 "When that part of the 11th corps adjacent to us feU 
 back, a force of 30,000 men were thrown upon the 1st 
 corps. 'I 
 
 When the troops commenced falling back. Gen. Buford 
 hurried a cavalry brigade over to the left, to check the 
 enemy's pursuit, and dismounting them, they made rapid 
 and effective use .of their carbines, completely breaking up 
 the enemy's front line. No cavalry troops ever fought bet- 
 ter than did those of Gen. John Buford, and to their honor 
 and everlasting glory be it said, by their bold and unflinch- 
 ing resistance to the rebel advance during that eventful 
 morning assisted by Tidball's U. S. battery, prevented the 
 seizing of Cemetery Ridge and its prolongations before our 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 299 
 
 infantry came up; -wliicli eventually resulted in the glorious 
 victory tliat has made Gettysburg famous among the 
 greatest battles of the world. After the infantry came to 
 their relief, many of the cavalrymen dismounting, rush- 
 ing in with their carbines, fought vrith the greatest gallantry. 
 The entire actidn from the time the cavalry first started to, 
 lasted about 10 hours— an all-day fight. The battle had 
 been precipitated by our cavalry running into their infantry, 
 and w^as continued by our infantry against overwhelming 
 odds, until ordered to retire. 
 
 It was not expected by Meade to have a battle there, but 
 rather farther to the east on ground hehad hoped to occupy, 
 before Lee came up. It was too late, however; the die was 
 cast, the success or failure of the rebel movement w^as to be 
 decided on the field of Gettysburg, and he probably could 
 not have found a better place to settle it. 
 
 This preliminary battle had the most important bearing 
 on the results of the next two days, as it enabled the whole 
 army to come up and reinforce the admirable position to 
 which we had retreated. Had we retired earlier in the day, 
 without co-operation with the other parts of the army, the 
 enemy by a vigorous pursuit might have penetrated between 
 the corps of Sickles and Slocum, and have either crushed 
 them in detail or flung them off in eccentric directions. 
 
 * * * There were abundant reasons for holding Gettys- 
 burg, for it is the junction of seven great roads leading to 
 Hagerstown, Chambersburg, Carlisle, York, Baltimore, 
 Taneytown, and Washington, and is also an important 
 railway terminus. The places above mentioned are on the 
 circumference of a circle of which it is the center. It was 
 therefore a strategic point of no ordinary importance. 
 
 * * * There never was an occasion in which the result 
 could have been more momentous upon our national destiny. 
 
 — ^DOUBLEDAY. 
 
 Such a disastrous result must have followed its aban- 
 donment, had this engagement not been persisted in; 
 although, notwithstanding its importance relative to the 
 
300 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 final outcome, coupled with the desperate character of 
 the contest, it has been over-shadowed by the still greater 
 achievements of the united army. 
 
 Late in the afternoon Gen. Hancock arrived, ordered 
 forward by Gen. Meade to assume command of that wing of 
 the army, on learning of Reynold's death. Hancock at once 
 proceeded to establish his battle line, in connection with 
 what had already been done by Howard, along the northern 
 edge of Cemetery Hill and its prolongation easterly, thence 
 curving to the south and rear to a point called Gulp's Hill. 
 The enemy approaching from the east side of town towards 
 the Baltimore pike. Wads worth's division of' the 1st corps 
 with the 5th Maine battery were sent to the eastern 
 extremity of the ridge, a wooded sloping height, from the 
 crest of which they checked the rebel advance, remaining at- 
 this point during the remainder of the struggle ; the balance 
 of the 1st corps being with the 11th on the hill just south 
 of Gettysburg. Meantime, the first division of the 12th 
 corps, arriving, was placed to the right on Gulp's Hill in 
 rear of Wadsworth, fronting Rock Greek close by; while the 
 2d division under Geary, coming up later was posted tem- 
 porarily by Hancock further south near Little Round Top. 
 From this time until morning, other troops were hur- 
 rying in ; the 3d corps arriving about dark on the 1st, 
 resting for the night behind the lesser Round Top — ^the 3d 
 brigade left at Emmitsburg, coming up next morning. So 
 that soon after daylight of the 2d, Meade's line of battle 
 was formed with the right fronting Gettysburg, prolonged 
 to Gulp's Hill, his left extending southerly to the Big and 
 Little Round Tops, a distance of three miles, which was 
 occupied by the different corps in order following : The 1 2th 
 corps on the extreme right (Geary's division having joined), 
 1st corps extending to the eastern spur of Gemetery Hill, 
 11th corps opposite Gettysburg ; thence extending along the 
 crest of the rock-ribbed ridges which gradually fell away 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 301 
 
 until they approached the rising Round Tops, were the long 
 lines of the 2d and 3d corps; and later on, in the afternoon, 
 the 5th corps relieved by the 6th in reserve, occupied the 
 extreme left. 
 
 The enemy were posted on an opposite range of hills 
 extending from Seminary Ridge south ; at a distance of a 
 half-mile on the right, varying to a mile and a half towards 
 the left — ^the armies facing each other east and w^est. The 
 frowning heights on either side were crowded with cannon, 
 although in many places owing to the rough nature of the 
 hills, the Union artillery could not get in position. Between 
 these embattled ridges were wooded groves, and a number 
 of cleared farms, fields of grain, orchards and gardens — 
 destined to be soon laid w^aste by the tramping of troops 
 and the hurtling implements of death and destruction. 
 
 An instance of the general feeling existing among our 
 soldiers on meeting the enemy on northern soil is given : 
 John W. Coates, formerly first sergeant of Company B, 
 transferred to Company I with same rank, and afterwards 
 promoted to second and first lieutenant of the latter com- 
 pany, took an important part in the battle, he being a 
 thorough fighter. During the night of the 1st of July he was 
 complimented by Col. Berdan, for his encouraging remarks 
 to his company after their arrival on the field, when he said, 
 speaking of the enemy: "Boys, we have got them on our 
 own ground now, let us give them a good lesson." 
 
 SECOND DAY. 
 
 During the fore part of the day, our troops occupied 
 the time strengthening their respective positions, particu- 
 larly at the weaker points; barricades being erected in some 
 places, and all possible defensive arrangements made for a 
 warm reception of the enemy should they deign to attack. 
 In the meantime skirmishing was going on in front, with 
 the artillery feeling the positions to and fro. 
 
302 SHARPSHbOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The 3d corps went into line early in the morning, Gen. 
 Birney's division on the left, resting at Little Round Top,' 
 relieving Geary's command posted there over night; Gen. 
 Humphreys' 2d division to the right, connecting with the 
 2d corps. At a distance of about a mile in. front, the 
 Emmitsburg road ran along the crest of a ridge sloping 
 easterly to our lines, and westerly towards the enemy con- 
 cealed in the woods beyond. Six companies of Sharpshoot- 
 ers (A, B, C, G, H and K) were deployed in skirmish line 
 about eight o'clock in detached positions afar out, under 
 Capt. Marble, Winthrop and Baker; Capt. John Wilson 
 being detailed acting major or field oflScer, relative to whom 
 Lieut.-Col. Trepp reported: "The regiment was posted 
 with instructions to protect the left flank of' the 3d corps. 
 Soon thereafter the dispositions were changed, and I 
 received an order to send 100 men on a reconnoissance in 
 front of the right of the corps. This detachment I conducted 
 in person, and deployed them. The command was given to 
 Capt. John Wilson, a very efficient officer, and I returned to 
 the regiment." 
 
 Companies B and G, under the immediate command of 
 Capt. Marble, were together in an open field behind a fence, 
 200 yards in advance of the Emmitsburg road in the vicin- 
 ity of the Rodger House, with the 1st Massachusetts on 
 their right, and Company C on their left, at the brick house, 
 where they all soon became engaged, the firing being kept 
 up without intermission until the middle of the afternoon 
 when the action became general, on this part of the line. 
 As our scattered force was too small to hazard the attempt 
 to skirmish the front, on that part of the field— exposed to 
 the destructive fire of evidently overwhelming numbers — 
 Col. Berdan reported to Gen. Birneyhis inability to discover 
 what force the enemy had ahead of us; stating to both 
 Birney and Sickles his belief that they were concentrating 
 behind the woods for a demonstration on our extreme left — 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 303 
 
 to attack our corps on the flank — and suggested a recon- 
 noissance. Gen. Hunt, chief of artillery, being present, was 
 of the same opinion, and thought the Sharpshooters should 
 be sent over there, to find out what they were doing. They 
 were too suspiciously quiet, and evidently bent on mischief. 
 Whereupon about noon Gen. Birney, after further consulta- 
 tion with Gen. Sickles, ordered the colonel to take a detach- 
 ment of 100 Sharpshooters, with the 3d Maine (200 mus- 
 kets) as a support, to the extreme left, to reconnoiter the 
 enemy's right, and discover if possible his movements. Capt. 
 Briscoe of Birney's staff, an excellent officer, was sent out 
 with the reconnoissance, also Capt. Nash, of Company K, 
 (mounted) who rendered valuable assistance. Col. Berdan 
 being in command of the entire force. 
 
 pitzer's run. 
 
 Moving down the Emmitsburg road beyond the Union 
 lines, the Sharpshooters deployed through a peach orchard 
 northwesterly, past some farm buildings towards a piece of 
 vp^oods through which they were to skirmish. Here they met 
 a small boy who warned them of the vicinity of the rebels. 
 To quote from Comrade Buchanan, referred to later: "As 
 we approached these buildings a lad then living there, who 
 had just returned from an errand to a neighbor's close by, 
 seeing our handful of men about to attack a large force of 
 rebels concealed here, whom he had seen but a little while 
 before as he was returning to his father's house, remarked 
 almost with a sneer, in the hearing of several of us ; ' Look 
 out! there are lots of rebels in there, in row^s' — pointing 
 towards the woods. We ridiculed theboy'sremark and dis- 
 credited his statement, thinking that he knew nothing 
 about war and was talking nonsense. It is now stated 
 that the lad, young as he was, had been at Antietam the 
 year before, witnessed a part of that battle, and was not, 
 consequently, so unsophisticated as we thought him to be. 
 
304 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 At any rate, the words were hardly out of his mouth before 
 we advanced rapidly into the woods, and were aim ost im 
 mediately briskly challenged and disputed by the rebel 
 pickets." 
 
 They soon struck the enemy's skirmishers, driving them 
 under a telling fire 300 yards, when they suddenly ran on to 
 three columns of infantry, in rear of the woods— on the west 
 slope of Seminary Ridge at or near Pitzer's Run— who were 
 about making a move towards the Union left. It was a 
 trying occasion for our men, but Col. Berdan, riding in 
 front of the line, quickly took in the situation, and knowing 
 that time gained then was everything, dispatched Capt. 
 Briscoe to our generals, Birney and Sickles, a mile away, to 
 w^am them of the danger — the threatened assault upon our 
 left. He then ordered his men to "advance firing," when 
 they attacked the enemy on the flank, throwing them into 
 confusion, pushing close up to them and doing great execu- 
 tion with their reliable breech-loaders — catching it hot 
 meanwhile from the volleys received. The 3d Maine now 
 came into line and fought side by side with the Sharp- 
 shooters. 
 
 By ord«r of Col. Berdan, I advanced double-quick to the 
 line they occupied, and instantly formed my regiment under ' 
 a heavy fire from the enemy. — Col. M. B. Lakeman. 
 
 For awhile our boys held their position, stopping one 
 regiment coniing up on the right, despite the efforts of their 
 mounted commander who fell wounded from his horse, w^hile 
 his men were unable to rally. For the time it lasted it was 
 a desperate affair for Berdan's command, confronted as 
 they were by such overpowering forces, our men falling 
 fast ; but there was no shirking, each one firing rapidly to 
 ward off as long as possible the inevitable result — retreat or 
 destruction. Under the circumstances it could not lastlon^, 
 as they soon rallied and made a rush for our little band 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. S05 
 
 almost surrounding them, attacking them severely, to our 
 loss. The action lasted 20 minutes, when Col. Berdan seeing 
 the hopelessness of the contest withdrew his command, the 
 enemy pursuing a short distance, the 3d Maine giving thcni 
 a couple of parting volleys as reminders of what their gen- 
 erals termed : " a most audacious and bold venture." Thcr 
 were completely surprised to find so small a force coming roi 
 far from our main lines to assault them. But our Ijoys 
 showed their ability, as also their agility, to get away, as 
 w^ell as to advance. 
 
 The enemy show^ed himself in overwhelming force ; but 
 so w^ell did we hold our position that his advance was much 
 checked and very disastrous, and not until ordered by Col. 
 Berdan to fall back, did a single man leave the ranks. — Coi— 
 Lakeman. 
 
 Here is another instance of what might have been 
 accomplished had Berdan's two regiments in their original 
 strength been there. For if 300 men firing 10,000 rounds in 
 20 minutes, could stop the forward movement of 30,000 
 foes, it is reasonable to suppose that 1,800 Sharps rifles 
 ■would in all probability have broken them up to that 
 extent, as to have disarranged all their plans for that day, 
 and prevented the desperate assault that followed; the 
 chances being that, the Sharpshooters in their combined 
 force would have virtually whipped them on their own 
 ground. As it was. Gen. Longstreet afterwards admitted 
 it delayed them 40 minutes ; whereas if it had only delayed 
 them 35 minutes, he says his army would not have been 
 repulsed. 
 
 "That five minutes saved the day for the Army of the 
 Potomac; " and as Little Round Top was only secured by 
 Vincent's brigade not a moment too soon to drive the clim1> 
 ing enemy away, there is not much exaggeration in that 
 statement. "Five minutes " was a good deal then. All the 
 
 20 
 
306 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 generals who went over the historic field at a meeting of 
 ex-officers and soldiers 23 years after the battle, declared 
 that the spot where Col. Berdan's command attacked Long- 
 street was the turning point of the war. Of course there 
 will always be a dispute on this point among ex-soldiers. 
 The "turning point of the w^ar," and the "high w^ater mark 
 of the rebellion," are high-sounding claims over w^hich there 
 will always be a disagreement, at least among the living 
 participants in this great struggle. But as an impartial 
 historian, at least as much so as it is probably possible for 
 a Sharpshooter to be, after making due allowance for a 
 natural soldierly pride in the gallant deeds of his comrades 
 — they that handled the w^eapons that did the fighting, the 
 men of active service — ^I believe there is very much justifica- 
 tion in the claim, backed up as it is by the best military 
 authorities, composed of those that were present during the 
 iconflict, and w^hose opinions are here given. 
 
 Longstreet especially gives this as his opinion: "If we 
 had got around to Round Top w^e would have held the key 
 to the situation and could have cut the Union force in tw^o 
 parts, which could not help each other, and then by the force 
 of a sweeping charge w^e could have Avon the day." 
 
 Gen. Sickles in his Gettysburg oration, testified to the 
 invaluable service rendered the Union cause by the Sharp- 
 shooters and their supports, the 3d Maine, in the contest at 
 Pitzer's Run "where Longstreet w^as massing his tens of 
 thousands, and where Col. Berdan pushing through the 
 curtain of woods, hurled his dauntless little band directly 
 against the force intended to crush in our left flank and seize 
 the Round Tops;" which statement was endorsed by Gen. 
 Hunt, present, on his personal knowledge of the circum- 
 stances leading to and following the Sharpshooter move- 
 ment. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 30? 
 
 In a subsequent speech, Gen. Sickles said: "In 18861 
 met many Confederate officers at Gettysburg, and in con- 
 versation with Gen. Longstreet, asked him what his inten- 
 tions were on that day. 
 
 "' To take possession of Peach Orchard and the ridge,' 
 w^as the reply. 
 
 " ' What prevented your taking that position at once ? ' 
 
 " 'Your Sharpshooters, who smoked us out of the woods 
 on your flank.' 
 
 "When I asked him what would have been the result of 
 his possession of the ridge and peach orchard without 
 resistance, he said the Confederates w^ould have won the 
 battle of Gettysburg. He also said that when he reached 
 the ridge and peach orchard his loss was so great by my 
 defence of that position that even with his reinforcements he 
 was not strong enough to win." 
 
 Some years ago, during an exhibition at Boston of a 
 cyclorama of Gettysburg, according to Sergt. Curtis D. 
 Drew, of Company E, the position of Berdan's command 
 was pointed out as saving the day, that: "Berdan's Sharp- 
 shooters fought desperately, and if Berdan had 2,000 more 
 men like his Sharpshooters, Longstreet never could have 
 driven him a foot, and when Berdan finally retreated, Long- 
 street was afraid to follow him up." As the statements 
 made by the cycloramic historian are an important part of 
 the exhibition, comprising the history of fhe battle, such 
 then must have been the prevailing impression in the East- 
 ern states at least, of the value of the service rendered by 
 the Sharpshooters at Pitzer's Run— and rightly so. 
 
 It was a very important affair, and the result aw^aited 
 with anxiety by our generals. For the timely suggestion to 
 make this reconnoissance, and the gallant manner in which 
 the command attacked and discomfited the enemy, holding 
 them in check sufficiently long to enable Gen. Sickles to 
 anticipate the movement— the capturing of the Round Tops 
 — Col. Berdan is entitled to credit, and his command, Sharp- 
 
308 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 shooters and 3d Maine, to all the renown that can be 
 accorded to the faithful and brave. Later on in the day, 
 Gen.' Hancock recognized the importance of this service, as 
 being largely instrumental in defeating the enemy's inten- 
 tions, while Gen. Bimey in his report said : 
 
 "Col. Berdan of the Sharpshooters, and Capt. Briscoe 
 of my staff, deserve mention for their services in leading the 
 reconnoissance before the battle, and for the valuable 
 information derived from it." 
 
 The heroic deeds of Leonidas and his 300 Spartans, 
 betrayed and slaughtered by the Persian hosts, has for ages 
 been recounted in verse and story. But no greater display 
 of heroism, no more self-sacrificing spirit of patriotisrn can 
 be cited in the annals of war, than vras this courageous 
 attack of Berdan's 300 on the marching columns of 30,000 
 foes. And surely, it may be fairly said to be a turning point 
 in the Rebellion. 
 
 The Sharpshooter companies engaged in this daring 
 attack were D, E, P and I, representing New York, New 
 Hampshire, Vermont and Michigan. The enemy were of 
 Anderson's division of Hill's corps. The position attained 
 where the fight occurred, was the farthest advance of Union 
 troops on the field of Gettysburg. 
 
 The loss of the Sharpshooters in this short and san- 
 guinary contest numbered 19 ; the 3d Maine, 48. But as 
 Col. Lakeman of that regiment has reported that when his 
 men advanced into line, they were at a disadvantage as 
 they had to take the intervals between the trees occupied by 
 the Sharpshooters, it must account for his greater loss^ 
 although not so long engaged. 
 
 Of the Confederates, Gen. Wilcox commanding the rebel 
 brigade attacked, admitted a loss of 10 killed and 2S 
 wounded in the 10th Alabama; 18 wounded in the 11th 
 Alabama, six or eight severely, including the major (R. J. 
 Pletcher); making a total in these two regiments alone of 
 
IN THE AKMY OF THE POTOMAC. 309 
 
 56— how many more, might easily be imagined when it is 
 fully understood how our men peppered them in a heap, at 
 close quarters. It is known that 40 of their dead lay in one 
 small space together, and the one rebel grave at this place 
 was afterwards found to be over 100 yards in length. Gen. 
 Wilcox speaks of our small force of 300 guns as "two Fed- 
 eral regiments,"— naturally enough deceived by the immense 
 number of shots fired by the breech-loaders, "and the length 
 of time they were engaged. 
 
 A spirited musketry fight ensued between the 10th Ala- 
 bama and these two Federal regiments. Having continued 
 for some 15 or 20 minutes, Col. Forney gave the command 
 to charge and led his regiment in person.— Gen. Wilcox, C. 
 
 Col. Herbert of the 8th Alabama, in the fight, wrote 
 Gen. Berdan after the war: "It was a very gallant fight 
 you made that morning. The result was very important to 
 the Union side, showing the presence of Confederates at that 
 point." 
 
 Among our casualties we had an accomplished officer 
 killed : Capt. McLean of Co. D. Referring to him 26 years 
 after, Chas. J. Buchanan, in a beautiful oration delivered at 
 this spot, at the dedication of a monument to the Sharp- 
 shooters by the Empire State, feelingly said: "Capt. Charles 
 D. McLean of Co. D, was mortally wounded in this encoun- 
 ter, and but a few paces from where we now are. He was 
 one of the best officers in the regiment, and a braver soldier 
 and nobler man never lived. Smith Haight and Edwin E. 
 Nelson of "D" company, both excellent soldiers, were also 
 severely w^ounded here. Haight lived but a few hours." 
 Died July 2d. Buchanan was at the time, a prominent non- 
 commissioned officer of the company, afterwards rewarded 
 with a lieutenancy. He was personally known to me to be 
 one of the completest soldiers in our organization, always 
 neat in his appearance, prompt and brave, always ready for 
 
310 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 duty in every engagement of his company, and always ■with 
 them from muster-in to muster-out. Capt. McLean was a 
 most worthy commander of such worthy men, and his loss 
 was mourned by them all. He died in the hands of the 
 enemy July 4th. 
 
 Peter H. Kipp, of Company D, makes the following 
 statement: " When we received orders to retreat, we had 
 fired on an average to a man, 95 rounds. We had gone but 
 a few steps to the rear when I saw Capt. McLean fall; I 
 called to our orderly-sergeant and to Lieut. Hetherington. 
 They came back with Edwin Nelson ; we got a blanket and 
 started to carry our captain off; but Nelson was w^ounded 
 before we had gone a dozen steps, when Alexander Ferguson 
 took his place at the blanket, but had gone but a few stejis 
 when the captain told us to leave him and look out for our- 
 selves or we would all be shot. So we laid him down ; after 
 I had got some little distance away, Lieut. Hetherington 
 told me to go back to stay with the captain. When I got 
 back to where he lay, the rebel skirmishers w^ere just pass- 
 ing him, three Johnnies had stopped to look at him. I told 
 them who he was, that I had come back to stay with him. 
 They told me I must go to the rear with them, but when I 
 refused they pricked me with their bayonets drawing blood 
 in three places, then a rebel lieutenant came up and stopped 
 them, telling me he would get an ambulance and take the 
 captain off, that I should stay with him. We started for 
 the rear, and passed through where Longstreet's men had 
 halted. It is impossible for me to describe the slaughter we 
 had made in their ranks. In all my past service, it beat all 
 I had ever seen for the number engaged and for so short a 
 time. They were piled in heaps and across each other. 
 When I got to where the surgeons were dressing the 
 wounded, I found hundreds of wounded men there. The 
 doctor would hardly believe that there were so few of us 
 fighting them, thought we had a corps, as he said he never 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 311 
 
 saw lead so thick in his life as it was in those woods. But 
 when I told him who we were, said that accounted for it, 
 as he claimed "the Sharpshooters were the worst men we 
 have to contend with." Furthermore, I had been a prisoner 
 about a half hour, when Gen. A. P. Hill came up with his 
 whole corps, forming line of battle a little to the right of 
 where we had the fight. 
 
 Lewis J. Allen, first sergeant of Company F, on the right 
 of the line, had his rifle-hammer shot away, and as he said, 
 "swapped" with a wounded man hobbling off using his rifle 
 for a crutch. Amid the great noise and smoke, in his efforts 
 to keep up the m usic on his end of the line, he failed to notice 
 the withdrawal of his comrades until almost left alone, 
 when suddenly realizing his danger, he bid valor sleep for 
 awhile, and broke for the rear. On getting out of the woods 
 w^hen he struck the plowed ground his wind gave out, sharp 
 pains ran through his side, his long legs refused to go faster 
 than a walk, and that with difficulty, owing to sheer ex- 
 haustion while running the gauntlet of southern marksman- 
 ship, the bullets flying around him, with every moment ex- 
 pecting to be his last. In fact, this lineal descendant of 
 "Ticonderoga Allen" was just about petered out— not un- 
 like a foundered horse — when he reached a farm house and 
 pushing through the gatefell exhausted on the green sward. 
 To use his own words: "The two women of the house 
 came out. The Irish lady, seeing my convulsive clasp on my 
 side and struggle for breath, ejaculated: 'Lord save us, he's 
 shot!' They ran into the house, crying: 'Where's the 
 butcher knife?' and to my horror, she brought a huge knife 
 like a seaman's cutlass, cutting off my belt, knapsack, hav- 
 ersack and canteen. Atlast I managed to gasp: "Don't 
 cut any more, I'm not shot ! ' She fiercely turned with : 'Ye 
 blathering divil ye, ye're making all that divil's fuss and not 
 shot ? ' I looked up, to see a squad of rebs coming through 
 the gate as I had done, and, making a hasty grab for my 
 
312 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 traps that lAy as the old lady had strewn them about me, I 
 went out of the front gate 'on the fly,' and turning left on 
 the road ran in the direction of Little Round Top, near 
 where I could see the 3d corps headquarters flag, with 
 Gen. Daniel E. Sickles and staff. The rest of our regiment 
 were there near the general. As I joined them, I saw the 
 reb skirmishers coming down the slope towards Little 
 Round Top. I saw Gen. Berdan report our work to Gen. 
 Sickles, and our troops by brigade and divisions, double- 
 quicking to the line on which the battle was fought from 
 our side." ' 
 
 Eugene Paine, of the same company, one of the original 
 members, had a similar experience. His position as third 
 man from the left, brought him down in a gully, which 
 offered fair protection, irom wlience he did some rapid 
 firing from a rest, holding his rifle low on the advancing 
 line, coming from the stone wall 200 yards in their front. 
 The leaves and small limbs from the trees cut away by the 
 flying balls, falling about our men, while slivers and bark, 
 Paine said, filling his ears and face, almost prevented sight. 
 When the bugle sounded the retreat, his sreatest troubles 
 began, although he put in three more shots before he got up 
 to run back, whereby he came very near being too late. 
 Passing by a number of killed and wounded, he refused to 
 stop and give up to the rebel shouters behind him, cursing 
 him for a "Yank," which only made him run faster, "the 
 whizzing bullets, bark and splinters" all around him, while 
 his clothes were cut in three places by balls. Finally, reach- 
 ing the wheat field he sank down exhausted, and while near 
 an old bam shattered by a shell, where he had fainted from 
 the effects of his desperate exertions, coupled with the great 
 heat, some shots close over his head arousing him. he 
 jumped up in time to see an unfortunate rooster fall— for 
 crowing over the boys' retreat. 
 
IN THE ARMY OK THE POTOMAC. 313 
 
 Allen afterwards said, that at the time this reconnois- 
 ■sance was made and for a long time thereafter, the men 
 generally could not see the importance of the movement; 
 rather, did they consider it a reckless, foolhardy venture. 
 But even if it was so, and all the reports of the generals 
 connected with the reconnoissance prove to the contrary, I 
 must say in the light of the revelation made by Gen. Long- 
 street, Gens. Sickles, Hunt and others, as quoted, that the 
 " venture " inured to the lasting benefit of the Union cause. 
 
 Another discerning soldier, writes from Concord, N. H., 
 under date of Feb. 10, 1891, relative to this aflPair, thus: 
 ^' I remember the 2d of July, 1863, and what transpired in 
 that belt of timber, just as plain as though it happened but 
 yesterday. We arrived at Gettysburg the night of July 1st, 
 lying in a piece of woods until the next morning, when, at 
 about ten A. M., I should say, four companies' of- us were 
 •ordered to the front. We knew^ then that if there were any 
 rebels within IG miles of us, we should find them; because 
 when vpe used to go to the firont, the troops would say : 
 'There goes Bei'dan's men, they will soon stir up a fight,' 
 and . they were right, every time. How still everything 
 seemed when we started out that morning. No one would 
 have thought that two mighty armies lay so near each 
 other, ready to do battle at the first opportunity, but such 
 was the fact. We went up past the peach orchard and 
 •crossed over the Emmitsburg road, down another road 
 past a smith's shop, into another piece of woods, and 
 halted. Soon the order came to deploy, which we did at 
 once. Then Col. Berdan rode out into the woods and w-as 
 gone a short time. He soon returned, and in a very short 
 time the order came to advance. We met the enemy in 
 great numbers before we had advanced far, and we four 
 companies of Sharpshooters, with the 3d Maine, who gave 
 -us hearty support, held the whole of Longstreet's division 
 for 15 or 20 minutes ; long enough for Meade to get his 
 
314 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 troops into position, to better meet Lee's army which so 
 soon dashed against our left, in order to get possession of 
 Little Round Top, the key to the situation."— Oilman K. 
 Crowell, (Co. E. 1st S. S.) 
 
 The name of "Pitzers Run," is as much entitled to be 
 inscribed on the Sharpshooter banner, as are other separate, 
 distinct actions, wherein these riflemen were the chief actors. 
 For this movement was similar to the one before Chancellors- 
 ville at the "Cedars,"— so named by Gen. Birney in our 
 honor,— both being to discover the enemy's movements, far 
 away from the main lines, both successfully accomplished. 
 As well also, the first day's battle at Yorktown as dis- 
 tinguished from the siege. These separate, isolated affairs, 
 are usually awarded to other organizations, so that the 
 Sharpshooters are justly entitled to count — and I claim it 
 for them — ^the name of Pitzer's Run, among their list of 
 engagements. 
 
 In after years, on the memorial occasion referred to, 
 Gen. Sickles, in a letter to the survivors, said : "It is not 
 too much to declare that you w^ere able to develop and 
 disclose enough of the position, force, formation and move- 
 ments ol the enemy, to warrant the belief that the battle 
 would be fought on the left, and to justify the dispositions- 
 made by me to meet the enemy there. This reconnoissance 
 is historical. It deserves commemoration. It was not only 
 a brilliant feat of arms, it was of inestimable advantage 
 and value to our cause, contributing, as it did, to the 
 decisive victory of July 2d, from which the enemy never 
 recovered." 
 
 Lieut. -Col. Trepp, who accompanied the expedition, in: 
 his report (July 29, 1863,) says: "On examining the 
 ammunition of my detachment (after their return), I found 
 that w^ehadnotmore than aboutfiveroundsperman. * * * 
 With the balance of this command, I w^as then posted as a. 
 support to Capt. J. H. Baker's line of skirmishers from this 
 regiment, in front of the center of the Third Army Corps- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 31& 
 
 As Capt. Baker is now wounded and absent, I am unable to 
 furnish the details concerning the detachment un^r his com- 
 mand, but I am informed that he took his position without 
 order, following the instincts of the true soldier, the sound 
 of the firing, and that at one time, when the enemy pushed 
 his skirmish line to and across the road, he charged with 
 part of his command on the enemy, driving them across the 
 field. I have to call especial attention to the good behavior 
 of this ofiicer in all the engagements, and I would respect- 
 fully recommend him for decoration or honorable mention. 
 The same of Privates Martin Y. Nichols and William H. 
 Nichols, Company H, who distinguished themselves on this 
 and on former occasions by bravery and intelligence." 
 
 THE EMMITSBURG ROAD. 
 
 On receiving the information from Berdan, so plainly 
 indicating the enemy's intentions, Gen. Sickles made his 
 dispositions accordingly, to await and meet the now cer- 
 tain attack. His line was advanced a mile to the crest in 
 front near the Emmitsburg road. Gen. Humphreys' divis- 
 ion occupying the crest facing westerly j while that of 
 Bimey swung around to the south, his right under Gen. 
 Graham resting at the peach orchard, connecting with 
 Humphreys', the brigade of DeTrobriand in the center, his 
 left under Ward at the Little Round Top. The batteries 
 were brought up and put in position all along the line. Gen. 
 Meade thought Sickles was too far out, but while "discuss- 
 ing with him the propriety of withdrawing," the enemy's 
 columns appeared, preceded by a general discharge from 
 their cannon. In making this move forward, to meet the 
 enemy as it were, to quote the w^ords of Lieut. Buchanan : 
 "It in all probability forced Lee to attack the 3d corps when 
 and where it did in its advanced position, making certain 
 the glorious result accomplished here, under which the rebels 
 groaned and staggered, and fi-om which they never rallied.'^ 
 
316 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 And while the 3d corps, as a result of the great battle that 
 began a couple of hours after Col. Berdan's return, became 
 almost decimated in its terrible losses, in the struggle to 
 keep the overwhelming enemy off, sufficient time was gained 
 to throw supports and reinforcements from right to left, 
 including the 5th and 12th corps, enabling them to present 
 a barrier around Round Top mountain that the enemy could 
 not break. The struggle was terrific, the cannonading 
 awful in sound and fury, while the little balls hissed by the 
 thousands, in or about the forms of the contending fprces, 
 often invisible 'mid the dense white smoke that enveloped 
 that part of the field. 
 
 The casualties early assumed fearful proportions, con- 
 tinuing to a frightful extent before the battle was over. In 
 one regiment, 14lst Pennsj'lvania, which took into the field 
 200 guns and nine officers, the loss was 145 enlisted men 
 and six ofiicers. This regiment, as a part of the 1st brigade 
 of Birney's division, was in the thickest of the fight. But 
 men fell on all sides, everywhere, in all the commands 
 engaged. Officers, high and low, seemed tovie w^ith the men 
 in sealing their devotion to the cause of the Union, with 
 their life, or through all manner of wounds. Gen. Graham, 
 commanding the 1st brigade, 1st division, was wounded and 
 captured. Gen. Sickles here lost a leg — his last appearance 
 on the field of active service. On his fall, Gen. Birney 
 assumed command of the corps and gallantly — but the sor- 
 row of the survivors went out to their late commander, 
 whose landaunted courage and ability had stood the test of 
 the many past hard-fought battles, gaining for himarenown 
 that must ever remain attached to his name— the heroic 
 Daniel E. Sickles. 
 
 Meanwhile, B and G, under Marble, encountered the 
 enemy in force debouching from the woods 300 yards in their 
 front, who advanced in line of battle across the plain half- 
 way, where they were twice badly broken up and scattered 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 317 
 
 by the Sharps rifles concentrating on them from all points,, 
 causing them to fall back in great confusion ; some taking 
 cover behind trees, from which theywere shot down by both 
 direct and cross-fires from all our detached companies. The 
 service performed by the Sharpshooters here, was of the most, 
 heroic character, as they were in constant danger of being 
 cut off by the increasing forces in their front. But for their 
 persistent determination to hold their ground, the enemy^ 
 must have crossed the Emmitsburg road before otir infantry" 
 were in position to check them. Company K, posted on the 
 Emmitsburg road a half-mile or more to the right of Little 
 Round Top, met the cha,rge at that point with the same per- 
 sistency and patriotic behavior. It was not until five o'clock 
 that our boys were obliged to fall back, after being repeat-^ 
 edly signalled to do so, with their ammunition expended, 
 during the time of the severe struggle at the Round Tops^. 
 with a heavy line of battle coming on them in front. The 
 Sharpshooters resting behind the artillery, the big guns. 
 opened, and with the assistance of our • troops in compact 
 line, finally sent the steadily approaching foe staggering 
 back with heavy loss, discomfited and defeated for the 
 day. 
 
 These companies on the. line of the Emmitsburg road 
 and the peach orchard, particularly the commands of Baker 
 (C) and Marble (B and G), by their stubborn fighting in 
 keeping off so long the superior force confronting them^^ 
 made it possible in a great degree for the reconnoitering 
 party to Pitzer's Run to accomplish their mission, as in a 
 measure auxiliaries thereto, and should be awarded not a^ 
 whit less credit for the part they performed. In fact, all the 
 Sharpshooters, of both regiments, became by force of cir- 
 cumstances accessories before and after the movement under 
 Col. Berdan. 
 
 Humphreys' division had maintained the unequal con- 
 test at the Emmitsburg road for a considerable time, with 
 
318 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 both flanks exposed, and when finally ordered back to the 
 original line connecting with the 2d corps, the movement 
 was closely followed by the enemy; our men retiring slowly, 
 contesting stubbornly every foot of ground. The loss in the 
 division that afternoon, according to Gen. Humphreys, was 
 over 2,000 out of 5,000 engaged. The division really had 
 hut two brigades in front, during the heavy fighting. Bur- 
 ling's (3d) brigade having been detached to aid the 1st 
 division. The artillery suffered greatly: Seeley's battery 
 (4th U. S.) lost 23, with 25 horses. TurnbuU's battery (3d 
 U. S.) also lost 23, and 44 horses killed. Both of these bat- 
 tery commanders were among the wounded. The 15th 
 Massachusetts and 82d New York made a stout fight at the 
 Emmitsburg road, suffering greatly themselves, hurting the 
 enemy as much. Their colonels. Ward and Huston, both 
 fell while here in advance. Lieut. Thomas commanding a 
 battery, was highly praised for his gallantry in serving his 
 guns, contributing greatly to the enemy's defeat. 
 
 Prominent in this grand repulse was a portion of Stan- 
 nard's Vermont brigade, the 13th regiment of which, under 
 direction of Gen. Hancock who followed up the movement 
 in person, recaptured four guns of the regular artillery, 
 which had been unavoidably left in the extreme front 
 through the shooting of all the horses and the severe loss of 
 the batterymen ; which regiment shortly after, again dis- 
 tinguished itself by taking two rebel fieldpieces with a num- 
 ber of prisoners. Col. Randall says this last success was 
 accomplished by a single company, who charged the battery 
 fi'om the Emmitsburg road. This brigade of five regiments 
 was a new acquisition, having joined the army the night of 
 the 1st, after marching. Gen. Stannard says, seven days 
 through rain and mud, from their encampment on the 
 Occoquan river below Washington, at an average of 18 miles 
 per day. They were assigned to the 1st corps, and proved 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 319 
 
 themselves worthy in all respects to occupy a position in that 
 veteran organization. 
 
 The 1st Minnesota (Gibbon's division, 2d corps), after 
 being subjected to severe artillery fire during the forenoon, 
 also distinguished themselves in a charge made late in the 
 day, driving a rebel regiment off in a very demoralized con- 
 dition, inflicting great losses and capturing their colors. It 
 was a very important point, a break in our lines, through 
 which the enemy were trying to pass under cover of a 
 wooded front, when the veteran 1st Minnesota met them 
 with gleaming bayonets and smoking muskets, at a cost to 
 themselves of two-thirds of the command from the w^ither- 
 ing fire they encountered. Gen. Hancock mentions them in 
 this affair thus : " I cannot speak too highly of this regiment 
 and its commander, in its attack, as well as in its subse- 
 quent advance against the enemy." All the field officers, 
 Col. Colvill, Lieut.-Col. Adams, and Major Downie were 
 severely wounded, while a large number of line officers, also 
 the adjutant, were injured, some fatally. Company L, trans- 
 ferred from Berdan's regiment at Fair Oaks, was at the 
 front doing duty as sharpshooters. 
 
 During this contest in which the enemy stubbornly per- 
 sisted in his desperate attempts to break our lines at this 
 critical point, the field batteries of the 2d corps became the 
 center of one of the hottest fights of the day, their gunners 
 being continually shot down by their pieces, yet did they 
 serve them well to the very last. Brown's battery lost a 
 portion of its guns for a time, but the 19th Maine coming 
 to the rescue, eventually saved them after a hard fight. This 
 battery had 24 horses killed and several guns disabled, while 
 the commanding officer, Lieut. Brown, was severely 
 wounded. 
 
 Col. Heath, 19th Maine, was attacked with equal des- 
 peration, the enemy at one time obtaining possession of 
 three of the guns of the battery on his left. These guns he 
 
320 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 retook and carried from the field, most of the battery horses 
 having been killed and wounded. — Gen. Harrow. 
 
 Major Curtis, 7th Michigan, in his report, thus refers to 
 the action at this place: "As soon as the enemy came within 
 range, a rapid and destructive fire opened on them along our 
 line. The enemy continued to advance boldly until withm 
 30 or 40 yards of our line, where, partially protected by the 
 rocks and shrubs, they continued to pour in a galling fire. 
 The artillerymen belonging to the batteries being nearly all 
 killed or wounded, the guns were silenced. Advancing boldly 
 to the battery on our left, the enemy took possession plant- 
 ing a battle flag upon one of them. Their triumph, however, 
 was short. A deadly volley was poured upon them at not 
 more than 30 yards distance. Their color bearer fell, pierced 
 by a dozen bullets. Many others were killed or wounded, 
 and they were forced to fall back to their cover, and the bat- 
 tery was saved. During the liottest of the firing many of 
 the enemy were seen to throw down their guns, and, creep- 
 ing along the ground to our lines, surrendered as prisoners. 
 The enemy, failing most completely in their attempt to carry 
 our line by assault, retreated in considerable disorder." The 
 rebel General Barksdale was mortally wounded close to our 
 lines. 
 
 Near the close of the day, a portion of the 1st corps (2d 
 and 3d divisions) ordered from their position on Cemetery 
 Hill, were hurried down by Gen, Doubleday to fill the gap to 
 the left of the 2d corps. It was at a critical time in the 
 engagement when these troops were called upon, but they 
 did not become extensively engaged. The 12th corps was 
 also ordered to the extreme left, although not needed when 
 they arrived there. The 6th corps which arrived on the 
 scene late in the day, after a lengthy march, was moved in 
 detachments to different points on the long line, as a reserve 
 force, .and were at no time during the entire battle seriously 
 engaged. 
 
m a!H£< AlRlVEV OF THB' FO<I!01f AG. 321 
 
 THE ROUND TOPS. '^ 
 
 While a great battle raged along the west front of the 
 3d corps, which extended along the lines of Graham's and> 
 De Trobriand's brigades of Bimey's division from the peach 
 orchard southeasterly, the "key" of the entire engagement 
 — as it has been so generally termed — was the contest in 
 front of Little Round Top. Hiere, Ward's brigade— the 
 extreme left of the 3d corps— rested on the rocks of the little 
 mountain. And when the skirmishers (2d S. S.) sent out by 
 Gen. Ward a half-mile in his front, discovered the enemy's 
 approach, as they appeared issuing from a wood in long 
 lines of battle, Winslow's and Smith's batteries opened on 
 them a well-directed fire, which v^j^as answered by the enemy's 
 field pieces posted near the Emmitsburg road. The yelling 
 of the approaching Johnnies at first w^as not unlike the . 
 music of a flock of btant in the air preparing to alight ; but 
 as they came nearer, the yells and shouts grew louder and 
 more distinct, so that by the time they got within 200 
 yards of the brigade, rising above the cannons' roar, 
 
 These piercing, frenzied shouts. 
 Struck terror to the soul. 
 
 But the souls of Wai-d's soldiers fefused to be struck that 
 way. They had heard it before, and they knew how to stop 
 it. And right there those demon cries stopped short — con- 
 pletely cut ofl^ by the volleys that greeted them. 
 
 " Their rising all at once was as the sound of thunder." 
 
 The enemy reinforced By supporting columns running up, 
 another and more serious attackwas made, w^ith an attempt 
 to gain the stone fence between them. Amid the thick of the 
 fight, covered, with- smoke- and) bleeding from their woundsi 
 the musket balls and bursting shell whizzing, singing; hiss- 
 ing and crashing back and forth, blue coats dropping, grey 
 
 21 
 
322 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 coats falling, for upwards of an hour and a half the oppos- 
 ing forces tried to hold this substantial ready-made breast- 
 work — ^this stone wall — without success on either side. 
 During this hard battle the losses were getting heavy — 
 Yanks and Johnnies falling at every fire — when the brigade, 
 out of ammunition, withdrew on being relieved by troops 
 from the 2d and 5th corps. Previous to this, Egan's 
 "Mozart regiment," the 40th New York, coming to their 
 aid rushed gallantly forward through a wet marsh, knee 
 deep in water and mud, to attack the Confederate lines, suf- 
 fering very much from shot and shell. 
 
 ' Gen. Ward says: This brigade, with the exception of 
 Antietam, has been engaged in every battle fought by the 
 Army of the Potomac, and has been frequently mentioned 
 for its gallantry, but on this occasion it eclipsed all its former 
 actions. The immense force opposed to them was at one 
 time almost overw^helming. The number of effective men in 
 the brigade when they engaged the enemy w^as not 1,500, 
 while the loss is nearlv 800. Out of 14 field officers, we lost 
 eight. The 3d and 4th Maine, 20th Indiana, and 99th 
 Pennsylvania Volunteers, the veterans of this brigade, to 
 their w^orld-wide reputation have added new laurels, and, if 
 possible, excelled themselves. The First and Second U. S. 
 Sharpshooters and the 86th and 124th New York Volun- 
 teers, recently assigned to this brigade, have richly earned 
 the title to wear the "Kearny patch." * * * To the 
 officers, and men of my command, without exception, my 
 thanks and the thanks of the country are eminently due. 
 For nearly two hours my brigade was opposed to at least 
 10,000 of the enemy, in line and en masse. I would particu- 
 larly call the attention of the major-general commanding 
 (among others named) to the gallant conduct of Col. 
 Berdan, 1st U, S. Sharpshooters; Col. Lakeman, 3d 
 Maine; and Major Stoughton, 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, who 
 vied with each other in doing their whole duty. The total 
 loss in my brigade was 46 officers and 712 enlisted men.— J. 
 H. HoBART Ward. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 323 
 
 Every man engaged strove hard to win, their hot guns 
 in constant use, encouraged at all points by the presence of 
 their officers close up and urgent. The regimental command- 
 ers attested their share of the dangers with the rank and 
 file, in the severe loss they sustained. Of the eight field offi- 
 cers shot down— more than half present— Col. Wheeler, of the 
 20th Indiana, was shot through the head ; Col. Ellis and 
 Major Cromwell, 124th New York, were both shot through 
 the head, while their lieutenant-colonel, Cummins, went 
 down wounded ; Col. Walker and Major Whitcomb, 4th 
 Maine, suflFered severe wounds ; also Major Lee, 3d Maine, 
 and Lieut.-Col. Higgins, of 86th New York. Upwards of 
 50 per cent, of that devoted brigade bled for the Union in 
 that sanguinary contest. On the fall of Gen. Sickles, Gen. 
 Ward succeeded Gen. Birney in command of the division. 
 Col. Berdan then commanded the 2d brigade. 
 
 The 5th corps also made a hard fight, as usual. Gen. 
 Sykes commanding. They were on the extreme left at Lit-, 
 tie Round Top ; which important point had been recognized 
 by Gen. Warren, of Meade's staff, and formerly of the 5th 
 corps which he, later on, commanded. Here on this height 
 after a most gallant and successful effort in resisting the 
 crowding enemy, fell one of the brave soldiers of the war, 
 Col. Strong Vincent, while at the head of his brigade in 
 Barnes' division. From this point the 20th Maine, after 
 driving the enemy away from their front, following a pror 
 longed contest disputed inch by inch on both sides — in which 
 the gray divided the honors with the blue, in point of 
 bravery, meeting death alike— drove the gray coats out of 
 the ravine between the mountains, chargingup and over the 
 greater Round Top, holding it thereafter. This was late in 
 the evening and virtually closed the struggle. Gen. Weed, 
 one of the brigade commanders, and Lieut. Hazlett of the 
 artillery, were killed in this contest. 
 
334 SHARP^HODTDlQi AND SKIBMISHING 
 
 Caldiwell's divisioa of- the 2d corps, also ordered tp the 
 left, filled a gap between the right of the 5th and left of the 
 3d, and advancing, drove the enemy in his front through a 
 field of wheat, after another stubborn fight, and so far, as 
 to get in advance, breaking the connection of the troops on 
 his left ; and before he could be supported by them, was 
 obliged to give way, the rebels getting in his rear, so that 
 with difficulty he got by them. His loss was heavy, among 
 them Gen. Zook and Gol. Cross, brigade commanders. 
 Sweitzer's brigade of the 5th corps in an eflfort to reach 
 him, had to fight its way back at close quarters, the 4th 
 Michigan and 62d Pennsylvania having a hand-to-hand 
 conflict with the foe, in which Col. Jeffords of the 4th, was 
 bayoneted and killed— a savage thrust— while tryingto save 
 his colors. 
 
 To describe the efforts of all the commands in this en- 
 gagement, would fill the space of a large volume ; I will 
 therefore close the account of this day's battle, by noticing 
 the part taken therein by the 2d Sharpshooters, under Lieut.- 
 Gol. Stoughton; after referring to the night attack on our 
 extreme right, wherein an effort was made to capture, the 
 position at Gulp's Hill now held by only Gen. Greene's bri- 
 gadeof the 12th corpse Here, after a sharp struggle of nearly 
 three hours in which several regiments of. the 1st and 11th, 
 corps finally took part, the trpopsof, ^well- having pene- 
 trated our vacant lines were forced back from Greene's in- 
 trenohments, although when, the action ended at half-past 
 nine theenemy remained in possession of the trenches on the 
 rights — the only lodgment effected by them during the entire 
 day. During this attack on. Greene,, Wadsworth's and 
 Aanes' divisions became engaged, the enemy making a bold 
 attempt to capture Wiedrich's battery, w:hen, according tq 
 Gen. Howard, "the men with sponge staffs and bayonets 
 forced them back." About this time, Gol. QarroU's brigade 
 from the 2d corps reinforced our men, deploying into posi- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 325 
 
 tion on the tight of the 11th, "just in time to check the 
 enemy's advance." 
 
 Col. Carroll says of this affair: "We found the enemy 
 up to and some of them in among the front guns of the bat- 
 teries on the road. Owing to the artillery fire from our own 
 guns, it w^as impossible to advance by a longer front than 
 that of a regiment, and it being perfectly dark, and with no 
 guide, I had to find the enemy's lines entirely by their fire. 
 For the first few minutes they had a cross-fire upon us from 
 a stone wall on the right of the road, but, by changing the 
 fmnt of the 7th West Virginia, they were soon driven from 
 there." 
 
 In the morning Col. Stoughton's command was put in 
 position on the extreme left of the 3d corps, posted so as to 
 cover the ravine between the Round Tops, as that noted 
 officer says: "by putting Company H on the brow of the 
 hill, with vedettes overlooking the ravine; and Company D 
 in the ravine near the woods, to watch the enemy's move- 
 ments in that direction. Companies A, E, G and C formed 
 a line perpendicular to the cross-road that intersects with 
 the Emmitsburg pike. Companies B and F I held in 
 reserve." Here they remained until two o'clock, when the 
 regiment deployed in front of Ward's brigade, passing 
 through the woods into the open field, a half-mile away. 
 Col. Stoughton riding forward, saw the enemy's skirmishers 
 coming in on his right flank, which being exposed, caused 
 him to retire his men under fire, to a new position, where 
 they did some good w^ork, silencing one of the rebel cannon 
 at t e Emmitsburg road, and peppering their lines of battle 
 following up their skirmishers. One of their regiments broke 
 three times before they would come on, under the well-aimed 
 fire of the Sharpshooters. And not until the gray coats 
 were within 100 yards of them did they fall back, firing as 
 they did so. Col. Stoughton again: "My lelt wing re- 
 treated up the hill and allowed the enemy to pass up the 
 
326, SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 ravine, when they poured a destructive fire into his flank 
 and rear. Here, Adjt. Norton, with about a dozen men, 
 captured and sent to the rear 22 prisoners. Special rnention 
 should be made of this ofiicer for his coolness and bravery 
 during this day's engagement. The right wing fell back 
 gradually until they mingled with the regiments composing 
 the 2d brigade and remained till night, when the brigade 
 was relieved." He also reports a loss of 28; among them 
 Capt. Rowell (acting major), Capts. McClure and Buxton, 
 wounded, and Lieut. Pettijohn taken prisoner. The impor- 
 tant service rendered by Stoughton's command, consisted 
 in discovering the approach of the enemy for the attack, 
 and in guarding the ravine up to the last moment. Also, 
 in holding in check a portion of the rebel column in their 
 efforts to gain the Round Top, until too late for them to 
 profit thereby. As a recognition of this fact by the enemy 
 themselves, I herewith submit a letter received by Col. 
 Stoughton after the war, from the Confederate officer in 
 command of the troops that were crowding him out of their 
 v\ray. 
 
 Abbeville, Ala., Nov. 22, 1888. 
 Col. H. R. Stoughton: — My regiment, 15th Alabama, 
 was on the right of the Confederate line of battle. The po- 
 sition from which we advanced was at or near an" old hedge 
 row, north of the pike Emmitsburg, I believe, and right at 
 the brow of the ridge south of Round Top. My orders 
 were to guide to the foot of Round Top and hug to its 
 base, keeping to the west of it and passing up the valley 
 between it and Little Round Top, to find the Federal left 
 and turn it if possible, and to go as far as I could. The 
 lieutenant-colonel, Bulger, commanding the 47th Alabama 
 regiment, was directed to keep close to me. This line of 
 advance was a converging one, and had it not been dis- 
 turbed by the presence of your command when it first 
 appeared would have strengthened as we advanced, and 
 our losses would not have produced any gaps or breaks in 
 our line. The advance began, and when theright of my regi- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 327 
 
 ment approached the first foot of Round Top,, we received 
 your fire nearly in flank; our advance of 150 yards further 
 without change of direction would have presented my right 
 flank to your left, had your line been parallel; but as your 
 right was retired in conformity to the ground, you had 
 partly a front and partly a right oblique fii-e on me. 
 Receiving no orders, I did not vary my course until you 
 gave me a second one, which wounded several of my men, 
 among them my lieutenant-colonel, Isaac B. Feogin, who 
 lost a leg, and he now lives at Union Springs, Bullock 
 county, Alabama. I then, knowing that it would not do to 
 pass and leave you on my right and rear, gave the com- 
 mand, "Change direction to the right," and swung around 
 far enough to advance on you, and the 47th Alabama 
 swung w^ith me. My advance dislodged, you, but . as you 
 fell back up the south front of Round Top, you kept up a 
 lively fire on my advancing line, which returned it but 
 without much efifectiveness, as your men, being trained 
 sharpshooters and skirmishers, kept well under cover, 
 taking advantage of the bowlders which line the mountain 
 side. When over half-way up your fire, ceased, and hence- 
 forth to the top I did not see one of your men. * * * i 
 halted and rested for two or three minutes on the top of 
 Round Top. My men were fainting with fatigue. We had 
 -marched 25 miles that day before going into the battle. I 
 then advanced down the ^ north side and to the east end of 
 Vincent's Spur, where lay Vincent's brigade, the left of the 
 Union line of battle, which I attacked and drove back upon 
 the center, and my fire killed Gen. Vincent; but just as my 
 ammunition was getting sliort, and when I was within 120 
 yards of Little Round Top, Lieut. -Col. Bulger (who now 
 lives at Dadeville, Ala.; Mike Bulger is his name; he is now 
 quite old and feeble) fell, severely wounded, and his regiment, 
 which had suffered severely, broke and retreated in con- 
 fusion. A moment later you appeared directly in my rear 
 and opened fire on me. I then occupied the ledge of rocks 
 from which I had driven the 20th Maine. That and a New 
 York regiment assailing me in front and you in the rear, 
 forced my thinned ranks to face and fire in both directions, 
 which we could not long endure. Half my men still able for 
 duty were without ammunition. Two of my captains 
 
329 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHIisG 
 
 came a«d suggested a retreat. I ordered them to return to 
 their respective companies and sell out as dearly as possible. 
 But a little reflection made it appear as my duty to order a 
 retreat, which I did, and we ran up the mountain and 
 halted on the top for some time, and at deep dusk we inoved 
 back to an old house near the line of our advance, where 
 we bivouacked for the night. Mine was the largest and best 
 drilled and disciplined regiment in Hood's division. It went 
 in with two field officers, 42 company and staff ofl&cers, and 
 644 men with arms in hand, and got out with one field 
 officer, 19 company and staff, and 221 efficient men. 
 
 The great service which you and your command did 
 was, first, in changing my direction, and in drawing my 
 regiment and the 47th Alabama away from the point of 
 attack. You drew off and delayed this force of over 1,000 
 men firom falling on Vincent and the Union left at the same 
 time of the attack of Law's other three regiments, the 
 Texas and two Georgia brigades in front, and but for this 
 service on your part I am confident we would have sw^ept 
 away the Union line and have captured Little Round Top, 
 which would have won the battle for us. Again, when 
 Vincent had fallen and I was within 150 yards of the top of 
 Little Round Top, you forced me to retire by appearing in 
 my rear and opening fire on me. The foregoing is substan- 
 tially my recollection of you and your command at the 
 great battle of Gettysburg. You and your command 
 deserve a monument for turning the tide in favor of the 
 Union cause. But after all, if Bulger had not fallen when 
 he did, or if Longstreet had possessed less love for the fray 
 and been at his proper place to have seen that we had 
 Round Top, and had thrown a force on it and fortified it 
 that night, the battle had been won for the Confederates. 
 Meade testified that " with that which was the key-point 
 in possession of the rebels, I could not have held any of the 
 ground which I subsequently held to the last." Victor 
 Hugo said: "Two great armies in battle are like two 
 giants in a wrestle; a stump, a projecting root, or a tuft of 
 grass may serve to brace the one or trip the other; on such 
 slf"'^er threads does the fate of nations depend." 
 -Wn.C. Cates. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 329 
 
 Capt. H. P. Smith says : "My company, 6, deployed 
 as skirmishers, was almost directly in front of tlie charging 
 column, but we didn't stay there, neither did we kill the 
 whole of Hood's corps. We certainly made it interesting 
 for some of the Johnnies, and we were soon in as much 
 danger from the fire from our own men and artillery 
 (behind them), as we were from the enemy. * * * xhe 
 3d corps fought that day when all the chances seemed to be 
 against them." 
 
 With sucb stinging effect did the Second Regiment pep- 
 per the Confederates up and down the mountain sides, from 
 behind bow^lders a^id trees, and finally from across the 
 ravine, that some of the rebel officers termed it "a perfect 
 hornets' nest of sharpshooters," which was the most signifi- 
 cant term that could have been given. And were it not 
 for their obstinate defense of the position and the pass 
 between the mountains, contesting every inch of the way. 
 Gates' boast to have been able to take little Round Top 
 might possibly have been a true one — although we had 
 some pretty good men up there and they would pretty 
 much all of them had to be killed off first, for they were 
 there to stay. 
 
 The battle for- the day being over, our troops rested as 
 well as they could in their different positions, on the rocky 
 ridges, the wooded hill-sides, and on the open plain. Worn 
 out with fatigue, it mattered little to them if it was only a 
 stone for a pillow, as long as they could stretch out and 
 snatch a few hours' slumber; replenishing first their car- 
 tridge boxes, the ammunition being brought to them. 
 
 But there was no uncertainty about the rest and sleep 
 of the countless ones in their front, needing no blanket or 
 coat for evermore. Their hardships were over, their service 
 was finished. They were at peace with each other, the blue 
 and the gray, lying side by side. While behind the lines, 
 where the little red flags flaunted, the "good doctors " held 
 
330 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 their receptions— some of the field-hospitals being in build- 
 ings, some behind stacks of grain. 
 
 "The bams that once held yellow grain 
 Were heaped with harvests of the slain." 
 
 THIRD DAY. 
 
 The battle was resumed at the first break of day in 
 front of the 12th corps, to regain their position on the 
 right; and after seven hours obstinate fighting— from half- 
 past three to half-past ten a. m.— the rebels were finally 
 driven away and the corps won back all its intrenchments, 
 forcing the enemy beyond its original line, taking from him 
 over 1,100 prisoners, half of whom were disabled, 5,000 
 small arms and three stand of colors. It is said that nearly 
 1,000 gray coats were afterwards buried by our troops on 
 this part of the field, while their wounded can be estimated 
 in the usual proportion. Neill's and Shaler's brigades of the 
 6th corps, and two skeleton regiments from Cutler's brigade 
 of the 1st, (14th Brooklyn and 147th New York, ) assisted 
 in this important repulse. It was a red-hot fight all 
 through, several desperate charges being made on both sides, 
 with equal determination and spirit, the enemy seemingly 
 determined to uphold the boast of Gen. Ewell to capture 
 the place or lose the last man; while our soldiers were 
 equally as determined they shouldn't succeed. "When the 
 final charge was made by the Boys in Blue, many of the 
 enemy were glad to duck under their glistening bayonets, 
 and give themselves up. 
 
 Gen. Geary in his graphic report of this contest, says : 
 "Everything being in readiness at half past three A. M. (early 
 dawn) a simultaneous attack was made by artillery and the 
 2d and 3d brigades. This attack w^as most furious, but was 
 stubbornly met. Our artillery fire continued, by previous 
 arrangements for 10 minutes. This tremendous assault at 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 331 
 
 first staggered the enemy, .by:wk-omit was seemingly unex- 
 pected ; but, rallying as my troops charged at "tlie dose of 
 the artillery fire, Johnson's division of Ewell's corps, fol- 
 lowed by Rodes', and that supported by Earlj'^'s, each 
 division massed in three lines, advanced, charging heavily 
 upon our front and right, and yelling in their peculiar style. 
 They were met at every point by the unswerving lines and 
 deadly fire of my 2d and 3d brigades, our men cheering 
 loudly and yielding not an inch of ground. Line after line 
 of the enemy broke under this steady fire, but the pressing 
 masses from behind rushed forward to take their places." 
 And their last, assault is thus described: " At twenty -five 
 minutes past ten o'clock two brigades of Johnson's division, 
 having formed in column by regiments, charged upon our 
 line on the right. They met the determined men of Kane's 
 little brigade, vvhich though only 650 strong, poured into 
 them so continuous a fire that when within 70 paces their 
 columns w^avered and soon broke to the rear. The 1st 
 Maryland battalion (rebel) was in the advance, and their 
 dead lay mingled with our own. This was the last charge. 
 As they fell back, oiir troops rushed forward with wild 
 cheers of victory, driving the rebels in confusion over the 
 intrenchments, the ground being covered with their dead 
 and wounded. Large numbers of them crowded under our 
 breastworks and begged to be taken as prisoners. Among 
 these were many of the celebrated Stonewall Brigade, who, 
 when ordered for the last time to charge upon Greene's 
 breastworks, advanced until met by our terrible fire, and 
 then, throwing down their arms, rushed in with white flags, 
 handkerchiefs, and even pieces of paper, in preference to 
 meeting again that fire which was certain destruction. As 
 they threw themselves forward and crouched under our line 
 of fire, they begged our men to spare them, and they wei-e 
 permitted to come into our lines. The commanding officer 
 of a regiment raised a white flag, when Major (B. W.) Leigh, 
 assistant adjutant-general of Johnson's division, rode for- 
 ward to order it down, and fell, pierced by a dozen balls, his 
 body remaining in our possession." 
 
 Thus ended one of the most desperate and futile attempts 
 to turn the Union position ever made in the war. Their aim 
 
332 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 was to get possession of tke road running to Baltimore, 
 whicli crossed our lines. But, while they came on with an 
 ardor unsurpassed, it is evident tkat the men who had to do 
 the fighting, had less confidence of success than their gen- 
 eral, from the fact that they came prepared with w^hite rags 
 to shake at us, to forgive their boldness, and allow them to 
 pass meekly to the rear, when it became too hot for 
 them. 
 
 As the heavy musketry died away on the right, an 
 ominous silence unexpectedly follow^ed for several hours 
 along the rebel front. Owr ofiicers and soldiers, however, 
 were not to be deceived, as it was to them but a precursor 
 of another, and if possible, more desperate attempt to break 
 our lines. This was finally developed by the opening at one 
 o'clock, at an average distance of 1,400 yards, of the most 
 galling cannonade from 150 guns from all parts of the rebel 
 heights — right, left and center — ^that our troops had ever 
 been exposed toi 
 
 "About one p. M. on the concerted signal, our guns m 
 position, nearly 150, opened fire along the entire Hi e 
 from right to left.— Gen. Pendleton, Chief of Artillery, 
 C. S. A. 
 
 The air was immediately filled with shot and bursting 
 shell, the latter breaking continually over and among our 
 men, so that no possible cover was safe from the myriad of 
 dangerous missiles flying about. The fields behind our 
 ridges were swept of all living things, on all portions of our 
 extended line, the cracking, ragged iron was continually 
 searching for mortals to destroy. This dreadful sounding, 
 direful racket, this storm of raining projectiles with their 
 demoniac sounds— shrieking music— in all its terrific grandeur 
 of flash and crash, peril and destruction, was kept up con- 
 tinuously for at least two hours ; our cannon replying more 
 
IN XHiS ARMY OF THB POTOMAC. 333 
 
 or less fot atime, until by Gen. Meade's order they gave no; 
 further response. From which, it appears, Gen. Lee con- 
 cluded he had effectually silenced our batteries ; wherein he 
 erred, as his deluded, though faitlrful troops soon found out, 
 to their everlasting sorrow and injury. On some points in 
 our line, the most exposed places, considerable loss occurred 
 both among infantry and artillery. Men, horses, cannon 
 wheels, axles, caisson boxes, were literally piled up — fearful 
 evidences of range and destruction. 
 
 Shells burst in the air, in the ground to the right and 
 left, killing horses, exploding, caissons, overturning tomb- 
 stones, and smashing fences. There was no place of safety. 
 In one regiment 27 were killed and wounded by one shell, 
 and yet the regiments of this corps (11th) didiiot move 
 excepting w^hen ordered. — Howard. 
 
 Pickett's charge. 
 
 At three o'clock this terrific artillery prelude as suddenly 
 ceased. Now the rebel purpose was at once developed, for 
 from- out their hiding places in the wooded covers,, as if by 
 magic, appeared, long lines of battle stretching across almost, 
 the entire plain. Opposite our center, where Hancock was. 
 stationed with the 2d and 3d corps, to which point their 
 wings gradually, converged, came a handsome looking line 
 of battle well closed up, as steady as if on review: 15 regi- 
 ments of Virginians— Pickett's division of LongStreet's 
 corps— equally divided into three brigades under Gens. 
 Gamett, Kemper and Armistead. These fresh arrivals, fbr- 
 they had come up that morning, represented' the "fii-st fam- 
 ilies," and as they advanced on, chanting their battle songs, 
 they were for the moment the adtnirafeion of thousand^ ofi 
 patriot eyes; but for a short time only, for soon those? 
 "silenced batteries" of ours, began to play havoc in their 
 
334 SHARPSHOOTING AND- SKIRMISHING 
 
 ranks, and amid the great smoke and fire, their formation 
 was for a time lost sight of. On they came, regardless of 
 exploding shells, to be followed at shorter range by the rak- 
 ing canister as they crossed the Emmitsburg road. Soon 
 coming within short range, our troops were "up and at 
 them," their songs turned into yells, and with a grand rush 
 unmindful of results, heeding not their shattering ranks, 
 they poured down on our center. Now the contest waged 
 furious, both sides closing in, striving to repel ; continuous 
 streams of fire from rebel muskets dropping Union soldiers 
 fast, while great gaps were cut into the solid ranks of the 
 Virginians by our responding shots, to be closed up by 
 others behind — to meet the same fate. Union cannon from 
 right to left, mowing down their lines, contributed to the 
 slaughter. 
 
 "Cannon to right — 
 Cannon to left — 
 Cannon in front — 
 VoUey'd and thunder'd." 
 
 And yet, with the withering musketry on all sides, oblique 
 and direct, it seemed only to make them more determined to 
 break our lines. Perfectly reckless of life they dashed on, 
 forward to the fence, to the stOne wall at the foot of the hill. 
 Here it became hand-to-band. Bullets and bayonets, even 
 the musket butts were used; the enemy struggling to cross 
 the fence, to scale the wall. Officers and men tumbled over 
 continually, whole lines fell. On their left, Kemper goes 
 down, then Gamett on the right, and finally Armistead in 
 the center of a handful of men, falls dead within our lines, 
 his hands on Union cannon. For a moment there had been 
 a grave doubt, the enemy were piercing our lines — crossing 
 the fatal stone wall — but with loud cheers heard above the 
 
m THE ARMY OV THE POTOMAC. 335 
 
 noise and fury of battle, our men dashed into the breach 
 -and the danger was over. 
 
 "Amaze and terror seized the rebel host." 
 
 Their colors went dowM, the stars and stripes waved 
 aloft, they broke and were driven back dismayed, a scatter- 
 ing remnant of a mighty host, while thousands of their 
 dead and wounded stretched far along their path. Though 
 defeated, they -were brave foes, and were awarded the high- 
 ■est praise by our troops, for their gallantry displayed in 
 this daring assault. 
 
 "Their valor shown upon our crests to-day, 
 Hath tavght us how to cherish such high deeds, 
 Even in the bosom of our adversaries." 
 
 The brunt of the main attack was on the brigades of 
 "Webb, Hall and Harrow, of Gibbon's division, 2d corps. 
 Webb's men were for a time . driven in, but rallying, led on 
 by Webb in person, tJiey jeined with Hall and Harrow in 
 the final charge. The great struggle lasted an hour, in that 
 time this division lost 1,600 out of 3,800 engaged, captur- 
 ing 2,500 of the enemy. Alex. Hays' division claims to have 
 brought in 1,500 with 15 battle-flags. 
 
 This brigade captured nearly 1,000 prisoners, six battle- 
 flags, and picked up 1,400 stand of arms. The conduct of 
 the bmgade was most satisfactory. Officers and men did 
 their whole duty. The enemy would probably have suc- 
 ceeded in piercing our lines had not Col. Hall advanced with 
 several of his regiments to my support. — Gen. Webb. 
 
 Capt. Coates, of the 1st M innesota, in Harrow's brigade, 
 says this regiment captured 500 of the enemy with the 
 colors of the 28th Virginia, they again meeting with heavy 
 loss. "Company L was detached as sharpshooters to sup- 
 port Kirby's battery, where it did effective service." 
 
336 SHARPSHOOTING, AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The Vermont brigade, which was stationed in a grove 
 some distance in front of the left center, performed an im^ 
 portant part in the repulse as the enemy came up, by ob- 
 taining flank and oblique fires on their right, sweeping them 
 down, the enemy, however, simply breaking to the rear 
 from that side, closing in behind without stopping in their 
 forward movement. The Vermonters lost in all, 350 men, 
 Gen. Stannard being among the wounded, although he hung 
 on. The 20th New York (militia) also of the 1st corps, 
 rushing through the slashing on the slope at the critical 
 moment, closed in on tlie enemy in gallant style up to the 
 fence, where after a give-and-take contest, they greatly 
 assisted in forcing them back, capturing many of their oppo- 
 nents. 
 
 The Excelsior brigade of the 3d corps, composed of New 
 York, troops, also lost very heavily, particularly on the 
 second day, as per the official report of the commander: 
 
 The strength of the brigade at the commencement of the 
 action was 1,837 officers and men, out of which we lost 778, 
 being nearly 45 per cent, of the entire number, showing the 
 terrible fire to which wc were exposed. — Wm. R. Brewster, 
 Gol. Commdg. 
 
 Col. Stoughton of the Sharpshooters was standing by 
 Gen. Stannard when the latter was wounded. The same 
 spherical shot, he said, that wounded Gen. Stannard, killed- 
 alDartmouth college student named "White; of his regiment. 
 Speaking of the services of the Sharpshooters, Stoughton 
 said of Col. Berdan— "to whom the country is indebted for 
 raising this most efl&cient corps of men." 
 
 One of Company E's men (Second Regiment), Eli A.Wil- 
 lard, of Vermont, a crack shot, failing, to discover a certain 
 rebel sharpshooter, a dangerous customer, came to Gen. 
 Stannard, requesting the loan of his glass, saying as he took 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 337 
 
 it: "I guess now, I'll find that fellow." He soon reported 
 back: "I've found him," pointing to a tree near the 
 Emniitsburg road. Willard then went out in front of a 
 large bow^lder, took careful aim and fired — there was no 
 further annoyance from that quarter. The first sergeant of 
 this company, W. H. Proctor, credited Willard with having 
 fired 100 rounds that afternoon. He also relates another 
 incident, which is in substance as follows : 
 
 Gen. Bimey sent an aid to the Second Regiment, lying 
 at the time behind the 14th Vermont of Stannard's brigade, 
 to obtain volunteers to silence a battery out near theCodori 
 House, whereupon the whole regiment jumped up ready to 
 go, but the aid said he would take only forty. These were 
 at once furnished by detailing five from each of the eight 
 companies, placing them in charge of an officer. They were 
 deployed, starting for the battery with a rush and a yell. 
 The battery loaded with canister expected to mow them all 
 down, but as soon as our men came in range, they dropped 
 from view, crawling forward to sheltered positions to put 
 in their work. Soon every horse with the battery was 
 either shot or run back ; a few minutes later the gunners 
 fired their canister — hit or miss — then ran away, abandon- 
 ing the battery. Our men kept those guns quiet all that 
 afternoon. 
 
 Company B distinguished themselves assisting Daniel's 
 battery during a critical period of the fighting, handling 
 the guns in changing position, obtaining new range, etc. 
 It was a purely voluntary act, in which state pride was 
 naturally enough one of the causes, all being Michigan 
 men. 
 
 Among the many sad events, was the death of Lieut. 
 Gushing, commanding a battery in connection with Webb's 
 brigade. Although wounded in both thighs, he refused to 
 leave the field while his ammunition lasted. 
 
338 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Lieut. Gushing, of Battery A, 4th U. S. artillery, chal- 
 lenged the admiration of all who saw him. Three of his 
 limbers were blown up and changed with the caisson 
 limbers under fire. Several wheels were shot off his guns 
 and replaced, till at last, severely wounded himself, his 
 officers all killed or wounded, and w^ith but cannoneers 
 enough to man a section, he pushed his gun to the fence in 
 front, and was killed while serving his last canister into the 
 ranks of the advancing enemy. — Col. Hall. 
 
 In the midst of the battle, Gens. Hancock, Gibbon and 
 Doubleday were w^ounded. Gen. Hancock, however, 
 remained on the field directing the movements in his front 
 until the fighting w^as over, w^hen he retired. He said he 
 had been struck with a 10-penny nail. Luckily for him and 
 tlie army, it wasn't an ounce bullet or a fragment of shell; 
 as it was, the wound w^as a serious one. 
 
 But while this savage battle was going on in the center, 
 thetroops of Pettigrew and Trimble of Heth's and Pender's 
 divisions of the Confederate army, advanced on the left of 
 Pickett, towards the lines of the 1st and 11th corps on our 
 right, and were driven back with great loss — the rout was 
 complete. 
 
 The whole mass gave way, some fleeing to the front, 
 some to the rear, and some through our Unes, until the 
 whole plain viras covered with unarmed rebels, waving 
 -coats, hats, and handkerchiefs, in token of a wish to sur- 
 render.— CoL. Sawyer, 8th Ohio. 
 
 A thoroughly dejected mob. The 8th Ohio was well 
 advanced to the front for two days, having been detacked 
 from Gen. Carroll's command, posted to the left of the 11th 
 corps line; where they got in some stunning flank fires at 
 100 yards distance, breaking the line, swooping on to them 
 with wild hurrahs, taking in 200 prisoners and three stand 
 of colors. It was one of those individual instances of 
 great gallantry and determination. The regiment lost 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 339 
 
 heavily in tlie t-wro days' figHt, their casualties running up to 
 100. They capt,ured the colors of the 34th North Carolina 
 and 38th Virginia, having another flag stolen by a staff 
 officer, who ought to have been cashiered. 
 
 The 3d corps had been kept in reserve as a support to 
 both 1st and 2d -corps, Bimey's di-dsion behind the 1st. 
 Gen. Newton commanding 1st corp/s, says: "I made 
 arrangements w^ith Gen. Bimey to draw^ upon him for such 
 support as might be needed, and express my obligations 
 for the cheerful and handsomemanner inwhichhe responded 
 to every call made on him." Although the corps rested on 
 their arms subject to call, the Sharpshooters were out to 
 the front in different positions. Companies C, I, and K, 
 under Capt. Baker were protecting batteries of the 5th 
 corps, on our left, and Col. Trepp says: "On this occasion, 
 Corp. Wellington Fitch, of Company C, distinguished 
 himself by making a bold reconnoissance alone, which 
 resulted in capturing a squad of rebel sharpshooters that 
 greatly annoyed our artillery." 
 
 Lieut. E. A. Wilson, who was in command of Company 
 C, says Baker's orders were to clear the front of Little 
 Round Top of the enemy's sharpshooters, which was done, 
 driving them off and capturing a lieutenant and 30 men. 
 
 THE "devil's den." 
 
 This forbidden spot w^as situated in the hillside front- 
 ing Little Round Top about 300 yards distant, with a 
 marshy interval or swamp intervening; and consisted of a 
 hole in the rocks, or cavern, with a small opening, with 
 blasted, barren surroundings. A fitting resort, for witches, 
 freebooters — and rebel sharpshooters, who occupied it that 
 day, with whom the Michigan men scattered behind the 
 bowlders at the foot of Little Round Top were kept busy 
 exchanging shots for a long time, as also with other John- 
 nies lodged behind bowlders in the vicinity of the den. 
 
340 SHARPSHOOTLNG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Finally, having expended a great deal of ammunition, it 
 was determined to stop their firing at all hazards^ our 
 artillery above being considerably annoyed, suffering loss 
 from this continual shooting. For this purpose a detail of 
 20 men was made by Richard W. Tyler, at that time a 
 sergeant of Company K, a gallant soldier who had dis- 
 tinguished himself on previous occasions. With a rush 
 these brave fellows ran across the marsh, and having routed 
 the enemy's pickets in front of the hill, closed in upon them 
 capturing the entire party. There were 20 of them caught 
 in the cave, a number being wounded, and they assured our 
 men that their fire from the Little Round Top had made 
 them prisoners all day. It was made too hot for them to 
 attempt an escape. They were a sorry looking crowd, 
 being very hungry and about famished for want of water. 
 They were much alarmed at being caught, because as sharp- 
 shooters they expected no quarter, and begged lustily for 
 their lives, nor would they scarce believe Sergt. Tyler's 
 assurance that they would be treated as fairly as other 
 prisoners, until they learned that their captors were Berdan 
 Sharpshooters, when a sudden change came over their 
 dejected spirit to one of undisguised happiness. That old 
 idea that sharpshooters w^ould be strung up, was discarded 
 by our men after the Peninsula campaign. 
 
 This sortie by our boys (every one of whom w^ould be 
 mentioned if I knew their names) w^as a most gallant and 
 dangerous undertaking, and it was singular that notwith- 
 standing the brisk fire under which they advanced none 
 were hurt, but narrowly escaped the fast-flying bullets, one 
 man being saved by his frying pan (for they carried their 
 cooking kit alw^ays), another by his rifle stoclt, the ball 
 flattening on the barrel, while others "just missed it." But 
 our Sharpshooters were fleet travelers — to and fro — and 
 recked not of danger, when the order came to "go." As it 
 afterwards transpired, they incurred a still greater risk 
 
IN TltE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 341 
 
 than most of them ever knew. • For in after years, when all 
 was quiet at Gettysburg — the voice of war but an echo of 
 the long past-^with pcice North and South, Gen. Manning 
 of the late Confederacy visiting the place, informed Tyler, 
 now a captain in the regular army, that at the time of this 
 affair at Devil's Den, his brigade was in line of battle but a, 
 hundred yards in rear of the hill, and that the "men we 
 had captured were ot his old regiment. 
 
 In the afternoon, the Wisconsin company was ordered 
 to the extreme front, assisting in repulsinjg the attempt of 
 the enemy to break the center, in which aflFair a rebel 
 brigade, being badly cut up, was captured with their colors. 
 Amon Satterly (Co. D) remembers how, on the third day, 
 Col. Berdan taking a body of Sharpshooters out, con- 
 fronted a line of the enemy, and waving his hat to "come 
 in " and give themselves up, they did so. 
 
 On the next day, the 4th of July, although affairs were 
 comparatively quiet, very little effort being made to resume 
 the contest on either side, the Sharpshooters were again 
 throw^n out, in the vicinity of the peach orchard, and were 
 engaged in exchanging shots with the enemy's picket lines. 
 Company A fprmed part of a detachment sent out to bury 
 the dead and bring in the wounded, which duty occupied 
 the entire day, over 1,200 soldiers being found and buried, 
 Lieut. E. A. Wilson (Company C) was ordered by Col. Ber- 
 dan to take charge of a burial party, and fotmd no dead 
 Union soldiers as far off as were those of the Sharpshooters ; 
 these being in the woods near Pitzer's Run, where Lieut. 
 Sheldon fell! 
 
 The Second Regiment advanced to the Emmitsburg 
 road, several hundred yards to the left of the cemetery, 
 when Col. Stoughton deployed four companies to skirmish 
 the field and woods in front. The enemy were driven to their 
 earthworks, 200 yards distant, and the position gained was 
 
342 SHARPSHOOTrUG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Tield by our men througliotit the day, subject to sharp firing 
 from the foe, with a loss to the Second of three killed and 
 eight wounded, among the latter, Lieut. Law, of Company 
 E. On the morning of the 5th it was ascertained that the 
 rebel army had retreated, hurrying as fast as they could 
 towards the Potomac— they had enough of free soil fighting. 
 The Sharpshooters were immediately sent forward to recon- 
 noiter and report their movements, which was efifected after 
 going three miles, when they rejoined their brigade, having 
 discovered unmistakable evidence of their hasty retreat, 
 with many of their wounded left behind in farm houses and 
 sheds along the now deserted road. 
 
 The Union loss at Gettysburg was 23,000. That of the 
 Confederates, although at first figured up by Gen. Lee soon 
 after the battle at only about 20,500, has since been ascer- 
 tained to exceed 30,000. That they should have sustained 
 a greater loss than the Union army is quite reasonable to 
 suppose, considering the fact that they were the attacking 
 party. They had an opportunity to learn what Fredericks- 
 burg and other important battles were to us, ■where our 
 soldiers attacked them in their strongholds. 
 
 The result of the campaign may be briefly stated in the 
 defeat of the enemy at Gettysburg, his compulsory evacua- 
 tion of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and withdrawal from 
 the upper valley of the Shenandoah, and in the capture of 
 three guns, 41 standards, and, 13,621 prisoners; 24,978 
 small arms were collected on the battle field.^GEN. 
 Meade. 
 
 Our casualties were severe, including many brave men 
 and an unusual proportion of distinguished and valuable 
 
 officers . — LONGSTREET. 
 
 Among these officers, were the following named generals, 
 killed and wounded: Hood, Pender, Trimble, Heth, 
 Semmes, Kemper, Armistead, Scales. G. T. Anderson, Wade 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 343 
 
 Hampton, J. M. Jones, Jenkins, Barksdale and Garnett. 
 Gen. Longstreet was much opposed to the reckless assault 
 on the 3d. 
 
 The order for this attack, which I could not favor under 
 better auspices, would have been revoked had I felt that I 
 had that privilege. — Longstreet. 
 
 One of the brigades of Pickett's division, according to 
 ■ Major Pejrton of the 19th Virginia, "went into action with 
 1,287 men and about 340 officers, and sustained a loss oi 
 941 killed, wounded and missing, and it is feared that those 
 reported missing were killed or wounded." He also states 
 that his men suffered terribly from our cannon from the 
 Round Top — "a mile away" — frequently 10 at a time being 
 killed by a single shell. 
 
 Col. Berdan reported a total loss of 89, saying: "We 
 went into action with about 450 rifles. During the three 
 days we expended 14,400 rounds of ammunition." 
 
 The two regiments of Sharpshooters under Col. Berdan 
 and Major Stoughton, were of the most essential service in 
 covering my front with a cloud of Sharpshooters, and pour- 
 ing a constant and galHngfire into the enemy's line of skir- 
 mishers. — D. B. • BiENEY, Major-General, commanding 
 division. 
 
 The greatest excitement prevailed through the North 
 while the battle was in progress, particularly in the eastern 
 cities, as it was looked upon by many as a decisive engage- 
 ment that would settle the fate of one of the armies. While 
 it didn't end that way, as the Confederacy was still a lively 
 concern, Lee having strength enough left to get away and 
 continue the war nearly two years longer, it was a decision 
 against further invasions. The people became wild with joy 
 w^hen the struggle was over, and the news spread far and 
 
344 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 wide, of the victory for the Union on the great, glorious 
 field of Gettysburg. 
 
 CASUALTIES, FIRST REGIMENT. 
 
 Co. A. — Unknown. 
 
 Co B.— Wounded: Lawrence McGraw, Lewis J. Bills, 
 Henry L. Conkling. 
 
 Co. C— Wounded: Lieut. G; B. Clark, Harrison O. 
 Higby, mortal, died July 18 ; S. K. Roosa, mortal, W. W. 
 Colwell, Don Henry Fuller. 
 
 Co. D.— Killed: Smith Haight. Wounded: Capt. 
 Charles D. McLean, mortal; Bdwin E. Nelson. Captured: 
 Peter H. Kipp, James H. Reed. 
 
 Co. E. — Wounded : Charles Thatcher, mortal, died July 
 22d; John B. Rand, Harrison Robertson. 
 
 Co. P.— Killed : Sergt. A. H. Cooper. Wounded : Capt. 
 E. W. Hindes, George Woolly, arm amputated; W.H. Leach, 
 L. B. Grover, Charles B. Mead. 
 
 Co. G.— Killed: Sergt. Henry Lye, Privates Wm. H. 
 Woodruff, Eli J. Fitch. Wounded: Privates Eli S. B.Vin- 
 cent, mortal, in .shoulder; Orris D. Hawley, left shoulder, 
 severe; John P. Hauxhurst, left hand, severe; Levi Ingalsbee, 
 shoulder, severe; Abner Johnson, fingei>, slight. Missing: 
 Private Samuel Hall, captured. 
 
 Co. H. — Wounded: Sergt. John T. Schermerhom, 
 severely, but would not accept a discharge, preferring to 
 serve his term out, which he did. 
 
 Co. I. — Killed : Lieut. George W. Sheldon, Lewis Girich- 
 ton. Wounded: Lieut. H. C. Garrison (commanding), 
 Sergt. Henry Burrows, Edwin Cramer. 
 
 Co. K. — Wounded : William Clelland, right hip, severe; 
 Edwin B. Parks, slight. 
 
 The regimental surgeon. Dr. John W. Brennan, was 
 severely wounded while engaged at his duties on the field. 
 Col. Berdan had his horse shot under him. 
 
JOHN T. SCHERMERHORN 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 345 
 
 Lieut. Dyer Pettijohri, af Company A, Second Regiment, 
 ■who was taken prisoner on the afternoon of the 2d, 
 remained in the hands of the enemy until the close of the 
 war. Ifi this officer's case came up a question of rank with- 
 out muster. It appears that just previous to the Gettys- 
 burg battle he had received a second lieutenant's commis- 
 sion, but had been unable to muster, therefore when captured 
 w^as still a first sergeant. When he came home, the claim 
 for second lieutenant was allowed and paid in full. 
 
 Col. Berdan makes especial mention in his report of the 
 following officers coming under his notice, preceded with the 
 statement that "the entire command, with very few excep- 
 tions, behaved most gallantly." Officers mentioned are: 
 Col. Lakeman and Major Lee, 3d Maine, for their services 
 on the reconnoissance, also Capt. Nash; Major Stoughton 
 and Capt. Baker for their judgment and skill in, handling 
 ±heir troops under fire; also Lieut. Norton. 
 
 While this battle was pending. Col. Peteler was in 
 Washington intending to join his command, where he 
 arrived June 24th, and, reporting to Gen. Halleck, was told 
 he could not just then get to his regiment, owing to Stuart's 
 •cavalry raid, so ordered him to report to Gen. Heintzelman 
 in charge of the defense of Washington. To describe the 
 feeling existing at the capitol at that exciting period of wdr 
 times, Col. Peteler was told by some Union officers in the 
 -city, that if he wanted to find his regiment, all he had to do 
 -was to wait a short time in Washington, the regiment 
 -would come to him ; showing that they did not look for the 
 glorious victory that followed. Finally, he received notice 
 through the war department that one of the last acts done 
 by Gen. Hooker as army commander was to accept his res- 
 ignation June 23d, which he had tendered the winter before, 
 but at that time was refused. This news was disappoint- 
 ing to Col. Peteler who had wished it was lost or destroyed, 
 -as he had been trying to withdraw it. 
 
34:6. SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 The 3d corps left Gettysburg at three a. m. of July 7th > 
 commanded by Gen. French, with a third division added^ 
 making nine brigades in all of infantry, besides the usual 
 artillery brigade. Our troops were now rushing after Lee, 
 who had a good 48-hours start, and was as anxious to get 
 back to Virginia as Meade was to prevent him. 
 
 The Sharpshooters were not well pleased with the treat- 
 ment received at the hands of some of the Pennsylvania 
 farmers, notwithstandingthe rebel guns were plainly within 
 their hearing; while the Marylanders cheered them on and 
 "treated the boys splendidly." They not only sold them 
 food at reasonable rates, but contributed many things — 
 often took no pay. This diiference in disposition and feel- 
 ing seemed very strange to the soldiers, and the only way 
 they could account for it, was, in the language of one of the 
 "phunny phellows" of the regiment, "all owing to the way 
 the human twig was bent." 
 
 The marching now averaged about 20 miles a day, via 
 Emmitsburg, Frederick and over the Antietara battle field 
 en route to the Potomac. The enemy succeeded in crossing 
 at Williamsport the night of the 13th — nine days after leav- 
 ing Gettysburg— without a battle. This was just as disap- 
 pointing to the troops as it was to the northern public. It 
 is true that a portion of our army ran into them near Wil- 
 liamsport, where on frowning heights they awaited our 
 coming, and where the Second Regiment were anxious for 
 another fight,— begged to get up to the enemy's position,— 
 but, as no attack was made, they slipped away into Vir- 
 ginia, their own chosen ground; and there our army con- 
 tended with them ever after. There were no more northern 
 raids — that much was accomplished. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th, it was ascertained the enemy 
 was in full retreat by the Fairfield and Cashtown roads. 
 The 6th corps was immediately sent in pursuit on the Fair- 
 field road, and the cavalry on the Cashtown road and by- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 34,7- 
 
 the Emmitsburg and Monterey Passes. July 5th and 6th- 
 were employed in succoring the wounded and burying the 
 dead. 
 
 Major-Gen. Sedgwick, commanding the 6th corps, hav- 
 ing pushed the pursuit of the enemy as iar as the Fairfield 
 Pass in the mountains, and reporting that the pass was a 
 very strong one, in which a small force of the enemy could 
 hold in check and delay for a considerable time any pursuing 
 force, I determined to follow the enemy by a flank move- 
 ment, and accordingly, leaving Mcintosh's brigade of cav- 
 alry and Neill's brigade of infantry to continue harassing. 
 the enemy, put the army in motion for Middletown, Md.- 
 Orders were immediately sent to Major-Gen. French at 
 Frederick to reoccupy Harper's Ferry and send a force to 
 occupy Turner's Gap, in South Mountain. I subsequently 
 ascertained Major-Gen. French had not only anticipated 
 these orders in part, but had pushed a cavalry force to Wil- 
 liamsport and Falling Waters, where they destroyed the 
 enemy's pontoon bridge and captured its guard. Buford 
 w^as at the same time sent to Williamsport and Hagers- 
 town. The duty above assigned to the cavalry was most 
 successfully accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed, 
 his trains destroyed, and many captures of guns and prison- 
 ers made. After halting at Middletown to procure neces- 
 sary supplies and bring up the trains, the army moved 
 through the South Mountaiil, and by July 12th was in 
 front of the enemy, who occupied a strong position on the 
 heights of Marsb Run, in advance of Williamsport. In tak- 
 ing this position several skirmishes and affairs had been 
 had with the enemy principally by the cavalry ,and the 11th 
 and 6th corps. The 13th was occupied in reconnoissances 
 of the enemy's position and preparations for attack, but, 
 on advancingon the morningof the 14th, it was ascertained 
 he had retired the night previous by a bridge at Falling 
 Waters and the ford at W^illiamsport. The cavalry in pur- 
 suit overtook the rear guard at Palling Waters, capturing 
 two gnns and numerous prisoners." — Gen. Meade. 
 
 On the 17th of July the Sharpshooters crossed the river 
 at Harper's Ferry, and marching along the base of the 
 
348 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 mountains by Snicker's Gap and, Upperville, proceeded- to 
 Manassas Gap where, as skirmishers, they .took part in the 
 battle known as 
 
 WAPPING HEIGHTS. 
 
 July 23, 1863. 
 
 This was a brisk action; the First Sharpshooters were in 
 it to the extent of 60 rounds per man, during which time 
 they drove the enemy back over a mile to their main force 
 on the hill. Here they halted in the thick brush as they 
 could proceed no farther, having fired away all their ammu- 
 nition, being afterwards relieved by infantry. A brigade 
 (the Excelsiors) then charged up the hill, driving the foe off, 
 obtaining and holding their pbsition. The Second Sharpr 
 shooters supported the first in the fight. 
 
 Companies F and K were together, and advanced on the 
 extreme left of our line. After going 100 yards into the 
 ■woods they met the foe stuck behind trees, waiting for our 
 boys to come up. The enemy failed to hold their ground, 
 retreating a half-mile through the wood, out into a timothy 
 field containing scattering trees which they were glad to 
 take advantage of. Some sharp shooting now took place, 
 in which Lieut. Thorp — always grabbing a gun— Corp. 
 Israel B. Tyler and a Company F man distinguished them- 
 selves, to the 7oss of the Johnnies, along with six prisoners 
 sent back by Thorp in charge of Corp. Hall. Driving the 
 rest away, the line advanced down a hill, across a ravine 
 to the top of another hill where they halted, while the 
 infantry charged over and beyond them. 
 
 Gen. Ward commanding 1st division says: "I ordered a 
 portion of the 1st and 3d brigades forward to.support.the 
 skirmishers and drive the enemy out. This order was counr 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 349* 
 
 termanded, and the 2d (Excelsior) brigade, 2d division, was. 
 ordered to report to me for that purpose. * * * The 
 enemy could now plainly be seen in three heavy columns,, 
 moving southward by the flank." 
 
 Col. Farnum, commanding Excelsior brigade : " Arriving 
 nearWapping Station, we were massed by divisions, and,, 
 taking the hills upon the right side of the road, advanced to 
 the crossing ^t that station ; then, crossing to the left range 
 of hills, we were advanced close upon the line of skirmish- 
 ers of the 1st division, 3d corps, arriving and halting at 
 about four p. M. At about five p. m. we were informed by 
 Gen. Spinola, commanding the brigade, that he had received 
 orders from Gen. Prince to march the brigade through a 
 defile up to the skirmish line, for the purpose of assaulting 
 the enemy on a hill in ouir front. On the promulgation of 
 this order, the brigade, marching left in front, proceeded to- 
 the designated position, and was there formed in line of 
 battle. The order w^as given to fix bayonets and charge 
 the line in front of us. * * * Arriving on the crest of 
 the hill, driving the enemy before us, we iound the work 
 but half done, the enemy being in strength on two hills in 
 front of us, the farther being held by their artillery. The 
 brigade charged on, returning the enemy's fire, taking 
 prisoners, and carrying all before it. At this time Gen. 
 Spinola fell seriously wounded, and the command of the. 
 brigade devolved upon me by seniority." 
 
 To show^ the strait the Sharpshooters were in with their 
 empty guns, while awaiting the approach of the supports — 
 the charging brigade— the following anecdote is given : 
 
 A BLUFF THAT COUNTED. 
 
 Lute Harrington, of Company F, a short, stout, welf 
 rounded little fellow, full of fun and high spirited, having fin- 
 ished his shooting for want of cartridges, went to picking- 
 blackberries which hung in endless quantities on the bushes 
 about them, for the boys would shoot and pick, and when 
 their ammunition was gone went for the berries with both 
 hands, their rifles slung across their shoulders. A foreign. 
 
:350 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 officer noticing this through his glass, exclaimed: "Mine 
 Got ! vat kind of men have we got up dere to pick blackber- 
 ries on der skirmish line? " Well, Lute was helping himself 
 to the berries with his rifle slung behind his shoulder. Mov- 
 ing through the thicket, casting quick glances along the line 
 to be sure he was in his place, he suddenly came out into an 
 open space slap upon a couple of Johnnies, one of whom was 
 in the act of firing his piece as Lute surprised them— and 
 himself too. But without an instant's hesitation; he aimed 
 his rifle at the one whose gun might be loaded (he had just 
 seen the other empty his), and in stentorian tones ordered 
 him to "drop that gun or I'll make a hole through you, big 
 enough to run a freight car." The man standing with the 
 muzzle of his musket in his hand, the butt on the ground, let 
 it fall at once, when the other reb was made to do the same. 
 Now said Lute: "Gee about here! and be quick about it." 
 He drove them around faced to our rear, marching them 
 back to the provost guard. Twice on the way the larger 
 man of the two stopped, as if minded to clinch the little fel- 
 low and wipe him out ; but Lute walked right up to him 
 swearing he would let daylight through him. The reb took 
 a look into the black muzzle of the Sharps rifle, and fancying 
 he could see a load coming out, concluded to keep on. When 
 the provost was reached, the one w^ho had given the most 
 trouble, turned fiercely upon our little game-ct)ck, shook his 
 
 fist and shouted : "You little Yankee, if I had a charge 
 
 in my gun you would never got me here." "And if I had a 
 load in mine," said Lute, "I'd never asked you to come 
 here." " Was n't your gun loaded ? " faltered the now crest- 
 fallen rebel. Lute held up his rifle and threw down" the 
 breech block, not a sign of a load there. They had been 
 tricked — captured by a boy with an empty rifle. Unuttera- 
 ble rage swelled the forms of the two prisoners, as with 
 -clinched teeth they cursed all Yankees and Yankee tricks, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 351 
 
 wliile the little bluffer went back to the line, roaring 
 happy. 
 
 Capt. Aschmann in his German report makes the follow- 
 ing interesting statement: "The enemy were moving on the 
 west side of the Blue Ridge towards Richmond, while our 
 army were following' on the east side, for the purpose of 
 either forcing him to a stand, or to interpose between him 
 and his capitol. The march was very exhausting, the heat 
 intense, and several of our company (A) were sunstruck. 
 On the 20th July we entered Upperville, a small village, 
 where our cavalry had an engagement a month before, and 
 we had to bury a number of dead horses before we could 
 select a camping ground. In the afternoon of the 22d our 
 army corps resumed its march to Manassas Gap, a moun- 
 tain pass, where from information received, the enemy was 
 contemplating a passage, we arriving there after excessive 
 fatigue about ten o'clock at night. The next morning our 
 regiment was pushed forward to sound the enemy's position, 
 and w^e soon discovered his outposts, — a strong position 
 protected by bowlders and stone fences, — and a spirited 
 engagement of nearly tw^o hours' duration took place. The 
 enemy offered a most stubborn resistance, and was only put 
 to flight after a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, whereby 
 we lost many of our companies' best men. An assault by 
 our infantry finally put an end to the carnage, driving the 
 enemy into retreat. It appears that only a small portion of 
 the hostile army had been engaged, put forth for the purpose 
 of giving time to enable their main body to get away w^ith 
 the rich plunder in horses and cattle carried away from 
 Pennsylvania, part of which was, however,- recovered by 
 our cavalry near .\shby Gap." 
 
 During this engagement, Private Wesley Armfield, who 
 had been detailed in the Pioneer corps, not liking that way 
 of serving his country, left them in the rear, and rushing to 
 the front, passed to the flank of his company (G), proceed- 
 
352 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 ing to a house in the distance. Soon after, he returoed with 
 several prisoners having, he said, "cut off their communica- 
 tions with his axe." He then reported to his company for 
 duty, and with several others a short time after, received 
 promoLion. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. B.— Killed : Thomas E. Carey. Wounded : Charles 
 W. Butcher. 
 
 Co. C— Wounded: Capt. James H. Baker, left foot. 
 
 Co. G.— Wounded : Sergt. William Babcock, left eye, lost; 
 William E. Wheeler, slightly in right arm. 
 
 Co. I. — Wounded: Albert J. Sisson. 
 
 On the 24th they marched along, encamping three miles 
 from Warrenton on the 26th. They again moved on the 
 31st and encamped in the vicinity of White Sulphur Springs, 
 where the troops, exhausted by a fatiguing campaign of 
 over 50 days, obtained that rest so greatly needed. 
 
 "The Confederate army retiring to the Rapidan, a posi- 
 tion was taken with this (Union) army on the line of the 
 Rappahannock, and the campaign terminated about the 
 close of July." — Gen. Meade. 
 
 In this camp they remained over six weeks, with drills 
 and picket duties to occupy their time. A sharp watch was 
 kept at the outposts for prowling cavalry, or as they were 
 generally termed, bands of guerrillas. Sickness again 
 prevailed and in consequence, a number of men were lost to 
 the regiment by being sent to northern hospitals, or by 
 discharge direct. The sulphur springs were frequently 
 visited by the men, who drank of its waters, but generally 
 with wry faces, and if it did them no good, they said it was 
 as tasty as sutler's eggs — to the loss of the sutler. Changes 
 occurred in commissioned and non-commissioned officers 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 35S 
 
 in rank and position. In First Regiment Lieut. Aseh- 
 mann, Company A, became acting-adjutant, Capt. Marble, 
 of Company G, field officer, under Col. Trepp commanding 
 (Col. Berdan having left for Washington soon after Gettys- 
 burg), while Lient. Stevens assumed command of the Wis- 
 consin company. 
 
354 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHIN© 
 
 SEVENTH CAMPAIGN. 
 RACING WITH LEE. 
 
 On Sept. 15th at six F. M. we broke camp7 and, after 
 Tnarching two hours slowly, halted after dark in a piece of 
 w^oods near the road. On the following day marched right 
 along until after dark, resting in a cornfield near Culpeper, 
 having forded the Hedgeman and Hazel forks of the Rap- 
 pahannock. Many fell out on this day's march from fatigue, 
 rejoining their companies the next morning. It is just 
 possible that foraging had something to do with it, as a 
 number of turkeys w^ere found in the regiment — and the 
 boys took good care of them. They w^ere protected — from 
 the gaze of the oflicers, so they didn't have to divide. On 
 the 1 7th marching beyond Culpeper two and one-half miles 
 w^est, they encamped on the right of the Sperryville pike. 
 At this camp a large amount of green clothing, with over- 
 coats (which w^ere the regulation blue) and blankets 
 formerly turned in, were received and distributed. While 
 here the First Sharpshooters left Ward's 2d brigade, being 
 assigned to the 3d brigade commanded by Col. DeTrobriand 
 — ^the Second Sharpshooters remaining w^ith Ward. In the 
 liistory of Company A in "Minnesota in the Civil War," 
 
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IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 355 
 
 is related tlie following incident occurring on this campaign, 
 but it is an error in saying the general was Hancock, who 
 was absent from the army during the fall of '63, account of 
 his Gettysburg wound. 
 
 "In the fall of 1863, while advancing towards Culpeper 
 Court House, the regiment having the skirmish line moved 
 too slowly. Gen. Hancock stated to the officer in command 
 that the army was waiting on them. The officer replied 
 that he doubted if any other regiment could do better. 
 Gen.. Hancock ordered Second Sharpshooters to the front. 
 Riding to the side of the regiment he said: 'Boys, I have 
 promised that you would go through there ; I think you 
 will.' One hour later the general sent his compliments, 
 requesting that they slacken their speed, as the army was 
 not keeping in supporting distance. The rebels never liked 
 the long range rifles." 
 
 The Union telegraph was extended as the troops 
 advanced, being put up by experienced hands in a rapid 
 manner. The lines were kept right up with us. Good log 
 cabin and board shanties were built in this vicinity by the 
 men, which served at least for exercise, but not for use long 
 — three weeks being the length of their stay in this section. 
 
 THE rogue's march. 
 
 "Poor old soldier, poor old soldier, 
 Tarred and feathered 
 And then drummed out, 
 Because he wouldn't soldier." 
 
 At this camp ap unfortunate soldier who had been 
 dishonorably discharged by court-martial, was drummed 
 out of service by members of his company to the tune of 
 the "Rogue's March," in words as above. This disagree- 
 able duty to the company comrades, who generally dis- 
 like to go through the performance, is conducted in this 
 
356 SHAfePSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 manner: The culprit is marched througli camp between 
 two files of soldiers, with inverted bayonets— arms reversed 
 —in th€ front rank reaching almost to the doomed man's 
 body, and a full charge bayonet from behind. Sometimes; 
 the man's head is shaved, the U. S. buttons always cut off, 
 and in very serious cases he is branded. • 
 
 While in this vicinity the members of Company B on 
 picket were considerably agitated over the loss over night 
 of their second lieutenant, Theodore Wilson, who wa& 
 known to have strayed outside the lines. As be came back 
 a,t just day-break, it was namored and became a standing" 
 joke on that officer, that his search for chickens turned to- 
 playing Romeo to some Confederate Juliet ; but discovering 
 that the latter enticed him on for the purpose of his cap- 
 ture, he too loyal to be thus tricked, started back, though 
 too late, and had to lie in the bush until daylight. As it 
 rained hard and there was considerable mud, the officer 
 evidently fared hard, from the sorry plight he presented on 
 appearing before his company— and that's where the laugh, 
 came in. 
 
 FROM THE RAPIDAN TO BULL RUN. 
 
 From about the 17th of September to October 10th, 
 the Army of the Potomac had advanced as far as the line of 
 the Rapidan. ' At the latter date we became convinced that 
 another move was in order on the military chess board, by- 
 the sounding of the long roll by drum and bugle, followed 
 by an order to fall in, quickly. So hastily packing up, we 
 were soon ready to march, and not long after, left our new 
 camp,— one of our best ones, — and, being maneuvered about 
 some little time in the woods as picket scouts and skirmish'- 
 ersf, were ffnallj drawn up in line of battle in an open field 
 
IN THIS, AHMY 0:F THE ;1'01>0MAU. 357 
 
 west of Cialpeper prepared for an attack. Here we remained 
 all nigtt wiitiicmt much sleep, tinder strict orders to be 
 ready for whatever migiit transpire. 
 
 The next morning (11th) at an early hour, we began 
 retracing onr steps toward the Sappahajimock. While rest- 
 ing a few moments on the way, we were disturbed by a shot 
 fired on the left flank. Soon after, more followed, and has- 
 tily falling in, w^e were sent out as skirmishers, rebel horse- 
 men having been discovered prowling around. Companies 
 G and B were used as a support to the left of the line. After 
 feeling our way about a half a mile through the brush and 
 open field we were assembled, on learning that a small body 
 of rebel cavalry had passed by, which were no longer to be 
 seen. We captured one man in gray uniform. 
 
 Not long after, we were again in the column marching 
 on, whither, we knew not, although apparently falling back. 
 The roads were good, the weather cool, therefore notwith- 
 standing packed knapsacks and haversacks with 60 rounds 
 of ammunition weighed heavily, the men made good time, 
 crossing Hazel river by pontoon late in the afternoon, ford- 
 ing the Hedgeman iuee deep at night about ten o'clock ; 
 finally resting a mile beyond on a hill-side tired, hungry, 
 somewhat w^et and many muddy, having been so unfortu- 
 nate as to slip on the muddy sides of the numerous streams 
 we crossed, causing a fall, which while loaded down as 
 stated, tried their utmost patience, especially should a rifle 
 hammer or muzzle hit one on the head, as was sometimes 
 the case. The following morning (12th), we were astir 
 early and after marching a short distance, northerly, 
 retraced our steps, taking up a position on the bank of the 
 Hedgeman, near the ford. Some firing was heard during 
 the day, right and left, fighting evidently going on. The 
 day previous we witnessed from a distance Kilpatrick's cav- 
 alry charge, away to our right, easterly ; but notified that 
 
358 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 "he could take care, of the force pressing him, that we had 
 better keep moviBg, we left him and his troopers to worst 
 his opponents— which he did effectually. 
 
 Left the Hedgeman early on the 13th, mo^'ng back 
 towards Warrenton Junction, leaving Sulphur Springs to 
 our left. On several occasions were ordered to be ready to 
 meet the enemy as they were known to be moving with us, 
 their cavalry hovering on our flanks ; at one time drawing 
 up in line of battle, and the 5th division of the Sharpshoot- 
 ers—Companies G and B — were sent out over a wide, open 
 waste or plain to another road at a point of woods three- 
 fourths of a mile from tbe main body, which latter were 
 finely posted on an elevated position. As the ranking offi- 
 cer, I had orders to "hold that point against any approach 
 in that direction." Good enough to tell, if they didn't come 
 too thick for the small force sent so far away to hold "all 
 comers at bay." On reaching this isolated position, we 
 found ourselves reinforced by two companies of Maryland- 
 ers, giving us a better show for resistance. Here w^e 
 remained for a short time, watching well the front, v\rhen we 
 were signaled to return, as the enemy were reported ahead. 
 Not long after, firing was heard, and the booming of cannon 
 told us that a fight was in progress. So we again pushed 
 on, hurrying back to the main road on double-quick to 
 catch up, — a very fatiguing performance loaded down as the 
 men were with ammunition and equipments — our regiment 
 being a good ways ahead. '■ 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 
 
 359 
 
 SHARPSHOOTERS' CHARGE AT AUBURN. 
 
 Oct. 13, 1863. 
 
 Leaving the 
 road by file left, 
 we were soon aft- 
 er drawn up in 
 line of battle, Gen. 
 French ordering 
 the regiment in 
 on a charge, none 
 other being at 
 hand. When in- 
 formed as we were 
 coming tip that: 
 "These are Sharp- 
 shooters, gener- 
 al," he replied: 
 t" Well, no matter, those fellows can fight anyway." So, 
 immediately fixing bayonets, we were soon off over an open 
 field towards a piece of woods 300 yards away, from 
 whence shots were being rapidly fired; our loud war cry 
 adding to the general excitement, evidencing a determination 
 to get there. 
 
 When Companies G and B arrived, they came in on a run 
 — it made them puff— and passing the balance of the regi- 
 ment wailing for them, without relaxing speed formed into 
 line in their places on the left, when the regiment immediately 
 moved forward taking up the double-quick and keepingthat 
 lively step across the open field until they struck the woods; 
 firing as they ran. It was a good line, and the general was 
 pleased at their promptness and hurried movements. 
 
,360 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Entering the wood driving all before them, the Sharp- 
 shooters kept on to the top of a hill yelling and shouting, 
 whrre after some difficulty hearing the command, they were 
 halted and scouts sent ahead. The enemy had fled from 
 this part of the field, and soon after the firing on our right 
 also ceased. Three rebel dead lying in the woods where we 
 entered, showed that we had been engaging dismounted 
 cavalry. A large body of them mounted were to be seen 
 across the open field drawn up in line of battle, whereupon 
 several Wisconsin men gave them a few rounds at 300 yards, 
 when they skedaddled. 
 
 Our loss was slight, two wounded in the regiment, one 
 of whom was Jonathan H. Breed in right leg, a Company K 
 man, who would have bled to death but for his comrade 
 Joel Race binding his handkerchief around same, twisting it 
 with a bayonet, until the surgeon took Breed in charge. 
 The torn and ragged regimental colors received three more 
 bullet holes through them. The advantage of breech-load- 
 ing rifles was again made apparent, our men continually 
 firing as they ran after the retreating Johnnies. Their line 
 was completely broken up, and they scattered and scampered 
 off" in a hurry. Had this affiair occurred earlier in the war, 
 placed in the hands of an eastern reporter, it would proba- 
 bly have been written up as — 
 
 "A grand charge of a beautiful line of dark-green rifle- 
 men, and handsome repulse of gray-jackets and butter- 
 nuts." 
 
 But it was too late in the w^ar to become prominent, 
 besides there were no friendly reporters about, to give us our 
 just dues; which, no doubt they w^ould have cheerfully done, 
 had they been present to see for themselves the importance 
 of the service performed, and by the Sharpshooters only, at 
 that particular place. 
 
 Again we were moving on, until late at night did we 
 continue to march, the night being dark, the men fatigued 
 
. IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 361 
 
 ' and foot-sore, but there was ntf straggling— it was a poor 
 country for stragglers. The Sharpshooters were out on 
 each side of the road as flankers, a portion of the way. We 
 finally rested at Greenwich; two Wisconsin men, Jacobs and 
 Moore, who had got ahead of their company, being the first 
 to enter the place in comjmny with an infantry officer. We 
 had marched that day over 26 miles, besides skirmishing 
 and fighting. Had our troops not been well trained, inured 
 to hardship, therefore in fine condition to travel, they could 
 not have withstood these long, forced marches, but would 
 have been left by the hundreds scattered along the road for 
 miles. 
 
 The 2d corps under Warren, bringing up the rear, had a 
 sharp skirmish at Auburn the following morning, where Lee 
 tried to cut them off, but failed. The importance of this 
 action w^as in the detention of Lee's advance several hours, 
 by Warren's successful maneuvering and final escape, cutting 
 Jiis w^ay through the accumulating enemy, bringing off all 
 his wagons, ambulances and ammunition — with the Confed- 
 erates behind him. Lee was detained one day at Warren - 
 ton (13th) provisioning his troops; so that when" his 
 advance struck Bristoe the next day, the Union army had 
 passed that station, with the exception of the 2d corps — the 
 rear guard. Gen. Meade afterwards admitted that he should 
 have given the enemy battle at Auburn, but was misin- 
 formed of the relative position of both armies, supposing 
 Xee was ahead of him. 
 
 "Notwithstanding my losing a day, I had moved with 
 more celerity than the enemy, and was a little in his 
 advance. If I had known this at the time, I would have 
 given the enemy battle the next day, in the position I occu- 
 pied at Auburn and Greenwich." — Meade. 
 
 It was now rumored about, that the rebs were giving us 
 a hard race for position near Bull Run and Centreville, and 
 
362 SHA.RPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 the next morning, 14th, we were quickly marching on ; the 
 Sharpshooters again out as flankers— a very important 
 service, as a guard against ambuscades or other surprise; 
 but we were recalled on reaching the more open and exten- 
 sive Manassas Plains. Crossing Broad Run, filing to the 
 left and rear, we again drew up in line of battle ; but soon 
 after, left and finally crossed Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford, 
 the old earthworks used when the 2d Wisconsin went into 
 their first fight, still to be seen. Arrived on the heights near 
 Centreville in the afternoon, where we found a large portion 
 of our army already in position, having arrived by different 
 roads. Here we remained over night. Late in the afternoon 
 we could see plainly the flashes that preceded the cannon's 
 deep roar, in the battle then going on at Bristoe Station, in 
 which the 2d corps were actively engaged checking the 
 enemy's advance. 
 
 On the 15th they marched to Fairfax Station, resting in 
 the timber. That evening the 3d corps turned out without 
 arms to receive their late commander, Gen. Sickles, forced to 
 leave us on losing a leg at Gettysburg. He rode by the lines 
 in a barouche and was received with loud cheering. The 3d 
 corps liked Sickles, and heartily sympathized with him in his 
 misfortune. He w^as a brave commander, and such officers 
 had the respect and confidence of their command. 
 
 On the 16th in the afternoon, the regiment w^as ordered 
 out to witness the fate of a deserter, the first one to be shot 
 in the corps. The first division, of which the Sharpshooters 
 formed a part, was formed in two lines making three sides of 
 a square. Between these lines the doomed man surrounded 
 by the provost-guard, was marched solemnly behind his cof- 
 fin, the band in front playing the usual march. He appeared 
 resigned to his fate, walking firmly along to his last resting 
 place. His looks, as he closely scanned the lines on his 
 death-march, seemed to bespeak a farewell to the soldiers; 
 seemed to indicate the justness of his sentence, and his own 
 
in' the army of the POTOMAC. 365 
 
 deep disgrace; that he was reconciled to his fate, realizing 
 that he was— 
 
 "In the lowest deep ; but a lower deep 
 Threatening to devour me, opens wide." 
 
 His lips mo-ved not ; and except his glances right and 
 left, a piercing look, he strode slowly along and erect, to his 
 doom. After a short prayer by the chaplain attending him,, 
 his eyes Avete bandaged by the provost marshal, wlien he 
 seated himself on the edge of the coffin which was by the 
 side of the grave. Soon after, 12 muskets poured forth 
 their contents at a distance of six paces, and he fell dead into 
 his coffin pierced by 11 bullets,, one gun containing a 
 blank cartridge. The different regiments then returned to 
 their respective camps solemnly impressed with the scene 
 just w^itnessed. 
 
 At this place considerable fault-finding existed among 
 the men owing to the desperate state of the hard-tack. 
 
 It was bard, for certain; but when on behalf of the 
 company I went to headquarters full of complaints, I found 
 Col. Trepp and Gapt! Marble seated at a cracker box table, 
 having just finished their supper. 
 
 "Well, Stevens, what's the matter now? Considerable 
 grumbling, eh ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir. The hard-tack don't suit the boys." 
 
 "Eh! What's that about the hard-bread— what's the 
 matter with it? " 
 
 "WeU, with us, what tack hasn't been monopolized by 
 
 worms, is full of bugs." 
 
 "Oh! That's all, is it. Why, look here, my friend, see 
 what Marble and I are about ; " and he caused me to scan 
 closely that table. " There, ' ' said he, " that white worm is 
 Marble's, and this hard shell bug is mine ; and I'.ve bet him 
 the cigars that my bug will get across the table first." 
 
364- SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Of course, I had no more to say, for there sure etiough 
 was the bug and worm "making time " over the table, the 
 fiery end of cigars hurrying them up from "the fire in the 
 rear." I didn't stop to see which came out ahead, but leav- 
 ing our "field . and staif" laughing at me, "made traclts" 
 myself en route to the company street where I reported 
 accordingly. And so we had to eat the hard tack or go 
 w^ithout, as no other was to be obtained. It was only w^hat 
 I expected. We had got the best to be had, and it happened 
 this time to be a hard lot; and our soldiers were not used 
 to that kind. On the contrary, as a general thing, Uncle 
 Sam's rations with us were good; and, although we some- 
 times got big round crackers, hard as flint, — the boys called 
 them "B. C.'s," from their ancient appearance, — the smaller 
 square ones were usually fresh and brittle, and free from 
 crawlers. They didn't mind the worms so much, but the 
 bugs gritted their teeth: 
 
 FROM BULL RUN TO. THE RAPID AN. 
 
 At four o'clock a. m. Oct. 19th. we were aroused from 
 our sleep by the shrill bugle sounding the reveille and gen- 
 eral. Falling in, rapidly, the troops at daybreak moved off 
 southerly, following the line of the Orange & Alexandria 
 railroad until near Bristoe Station, when they halted for the 
 night.- 
 
 While on Manassas Plains we found a number of per- 
 simmon trees, and in consequence of the hastily bitten fruit 
 many of our men puckered up their months to a laughable 
 extent, as it was not quite ripe. They thought they had 
 struck a bonanza, bat didn't stop to carry it all off after 
 they had got a few good bites. They were, however, paid 
 for getting sold, in the fun they had over it, and considera- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 365 
 
 ble chaffing followed, wrhicli served to keep them in good 
 spirits for many a mile after. They were always glad to 
 find fruit on their route, as it generally did them good, but 
 they didn't run after any more persimmons. 
 
 On the 20th, pushed on, fording Kettle Run waist deep, 
 and by mistaking the road waded another stream twice; 
 finally halted for the night beyond Greenwich — Companies 
 G and B being immediately detailed for picket. Moving for- 
 ward the next day, after several changes of position they 
 took up a new one near the piclcet lines at Cedar Run on the 
 26th, considerable fatigue being endured at times by the 
 troops, the roads being dusty and w^eather very warm. 
 
 The enemy having destroyed the railroad byburningthe 
 ties, bending the rails — twisting them around trees: — as they 
 fell back, the Union troops were employed in repairing the 
 same ; details being sent out daily from the different com- 
 panies for that purpose. This caused much delay, and it 
 .looked very much as if Lee had fooled us — as be certainly 
 foiled us — in getting away so easy, and apparently at his 
 leisure. It was a great disappointment to the loyal North, 
 also their soldiers at the front ; there being no general en- 
 gagement, although our troops were never in better fight- 
 ing trim than at that time. Ft was fine weather, and no 
 better opportunity could have been offered to test the fight- 
 ing capacity of the two great armies, as also the abilities of 
 the respective commanders, maneuvering on open ground. 
 It would probably have saved us a good deal of hard march- 
 ing, and subsequent rough campaigning. And it proved to 
 be the last chance to bring them together face to face in an 
 open, fair fight. For Lee now retired to his breastworks 
 beyond the Rapid an, to reach him thereafter we had to fight 
 him on his own ground, attack his breastworks— it was 
 pretty much all breastworks thereafter— until the closing 
 scenes occurred a year and a half hence. 
 
366 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 On the 28th I distinctly remember to have labored tinder 
 many difficulties making out pay rolls, on a cracker-box 
 desk in a leaky shelter tent, the rain pouring down in tor- 
 rents coming through the little canvas, there was no escap- 
 ing the big drops. It was decidedly tough, but it had to be 
 done if at all possible, and I succeeded after much patience, 
 warding off the. rain by holding a piece of board over the 
 paper with one hand while I wrote with the other. On the 
 29th, strange as it may appear so early in the season, w^e 
 received orders to "prepare for winter quarters." But w^e 
 had heard of such orders before, only to be "sold," as we 
 were on this occasion. And yet old soldiers would rather 
 be on the go, than to be drilling two or three times a day, 
 for above all things, the volunteer soldier dislikes these 
 daily drills — as a general thing he would rather fight than 
 drill; particularly knapsack drills and battalion movements. 
 
 On the 30th they made another move along the railroad 
 line, halting in a large field where they remained several 
 days. On the 3d of November the Wisconsin company voted 
 for state officers, it being election day. The polls were 
 opened on the picket line, each naan voting as he saw fit ; the 
 Union ticket headed by James T. Lewis for governor, get- 
 ting pretty much all the votes. The company officers were 
 the judges, passing the ballot box along the line. There was 
 no intimidation. 
 
 'Twas an infernal lie, 
 That copperhead cry. 
 
 At half past two the morning of November 7th, the 3d 
 corps broke temporary camp near Warren ton Junction, and 
 started off at daybreak towards the Rappahannock. The 
 Second Sharpshooters led the 3d brigade, taking what our 
 French brigadier told Col. Stoughton was "de post of de 
 honor, ' ' the First Regiment being out as flankers. After a quiet 
 -and steady march alongtheroad leading towards Falmouth, 
 
y^ 
 
 
 '- t 1 » 
 
 ^ 
 
 ',/ 
 
 LIEUT. C. W. THOEP. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 367 
 
 they left the same at noon and striking off on another road 
 leading towards the river, made a temporary halt ; but were 
 soon after sent down the hill where the Sharpshooters formed 
 in line of battle in advance of the other troops. 
 
 KELLY'S FORD. 
 
 Nov. 7, 1863. 
 
 At half-past one in the afternoon the two regiments de- 
 ployed out in skirmish line, and advancing over t he open plain 
 in front, soon became aware of the presence of the enemy by 
 the w^histling of bullets about them. The order to double- 
 quick being given, away they went, driving the rebels pell- 
 mell over the river, where they jumped into rifle pits and i 
 behind works and commenced to shoot. Pressing on to the' 
 river bank under sharp fire from the opposite side, tempo- 
 rary cover was obtained. It was now^ "blaze away" on 
 both sides in good earnest. After some sharp exchanges' 
 reinforcements were observed coming down on a run, 
 towards a large brick building opposite the right of the 
 regiment. They instantly became the object of our imme- 
 diate attention, but although the fire of the riflemen was 
 sharp and quick, yet many succeeded in gaining this place 
 of cover. One of these fellows began shooting at our men 
 from a window above, his first— and last— shot being at 
 Lieut. Thorp of "K," whose tall form as he rested on one 
 knee in his company line, made him a conspicuous object. 
 Theshot was wellmade,strikingatwig four feet in front of the 
 officer's breast. The lieutenant at once grabbed Orville Par- 
 ker's rifle and held for the window. When he put his gun and 
 head out again, Thorp pulled on him. Parker said the reb's 
 gun dropped to the ground outside, while the Johnny fell 
 inside. They soon "skedaddled" from there, however, for 
 
368 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 between the rattling of the Sharpshooters' bullets and sev- 
 eral Union shells from a battery that opened on the building 
 with effect, the place became too hot for them, causing them 
 to scatter out,— like so many bees from a hive,— receiving a 
 close and heavy fire from the First Regiment, which made 
 themrunthe faster. The B and G menbeingontheleftofthe 
 line and immediately opposite the rifle pits, had long-range 
 shots at these runaways, but occupied their attention mostly 
 with those in front — these were vicious fellows and fired to 
 kill. 
 
 A DOUBLE-SHOTTEB JOHNNY. 
 
 A remarkable instance of fine shooting occurred at this 
 time. Corp. Johnson, of Company G, upon being urged to 
 give the retreating rebs a shot, although he considered the 
 chances poor hitting his man at that distance, running off 
 as he was, finally exclaimed: "By great! I'll try him," 
 and allowing two feet for windage, drew up his rifle at 700 
 yards raise of sight and fired. At the same time Lieut. 
 Thorp of the adjoining company, K, asked George J. 
 Fisher if he could "down that fellow." Answering: "I 
 guess I can," Fisher shot just as Johnson did, and the man 
 threw up his hands and went down. The fallen rebel was 
 afterwards found wounded in two places, he stating that 
 both shots came the same instant, one through the right 
 thigh, the other the left hip. All of which, simply showed 
 what our marksmen could do with the breech-loaders. 
 
 The regiment was finally ordered to cross the river and 
 charge the pits on the bank, the firing having slackened. 
 Two Michigan companies, C and I, led the way, covered by 
 B and G, who kept up a sharp fire, but soon after rushed 
 down the slope headlong after them through the rapid 
 water,— waist deep,— when the rest followed, under a gall- 
 ing fire from the enemy, whereby a number were hit while 
 struggling against the swift, bubbling stream. Among them 
 
IN THE AKUY OF THE POTOMAC. 369 
 
 was Lieut. Frank S. Wells, of Company B, who received a 
 stunning wound in his breast, and would have fallen but 
 for S. C. James, who helped him back to the water's edge, 
 where others took him out. Corp. James then rushed 
 straight ahead through the splashing water, over a sand 
 bar to a redoubt near the river. Mounting the same he 
 received the surrender and sword of a North Carolina cap- 
 tain. Orville Parker, of Company K, fired into a pit just as 
 the inmates had commenced waving their hats, to surren- 
 der. The ball passed through one man's head and into 
 another's shoulder, killing both ; a terrible illustration of 
 close fighting. The Michigan members had run forward in 
 advance, closely followed by other companies, and when 
 within 10 feet of the first pit in their front, the enemy 
 rising up, fired a volley, but, being above, fortunately shot 
 too high and but few were struck. Our men at once charged 
 on to them, cajjturing at this place about 80 — "packed in 
 the bottom of the pit like sardines." Or of them, a ser- 
 geant, shouted invainforthenato pick up their guns and fire 
 again — to "drive the Yankees back!" He was gritty, but 
 it was his last chance to show it, as he was shot down a 
 moment after. It was a lively scrimmage; but more so at 
 the next pit, where through fire and smoke, mid groans and 
 shrieks of wounded men, some bayoneted, others blown 
 through by opposing rifles, the work was carried. Plant- 
 ing the worn and tattered regimental colors on top of the 
 pit, the occupants of the same were forced to surrender. 
 The Vermont company, Capt. Merriman, came down on 
 them in a body, the captain himself in advance, ordering the 
 surrender. As he was alone at the time, they were disposed 
 to bring him down from the top of the works, but when he 
 called on "F " to "come up here," that settled the business. 
 In all, 500 prisoners were taken, including several officers of 
 high rank— all there were in their front— a number being cap- 
 
370 . SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 tured in the bushes and in the building on the right, by indi- 
 vidual members of the different companies. Those in the 
 building under a major's command, were considerably sur- 
 prised by Lieut. Judkins, who, approaching the house noise-' 
 lessly, suddenly burst in the door, and bringing down an 
 axe whichhe carried with him, heavily to the floor, demand- 
 ed in stentorian tones their immediate surrender, w^hich 
 was at once granted. Before crossing the river, Jacobs, 
 Webster and Van Buren (Co. G), tried a flank movement on 
 a rebel, but it was no use, they could not obtain a cross- 
 fire on the fellow from that side of the stream. Webster 
 finally gave him a polite invitation to come out'of his hole 
 and give himself up. But he rather roughly declined to 
 comply with the request, though he was obliged to succumb 
 to the force of circumstances soon after. The three soldiers 
 above named, with others, were busily engaged after cross- 
 ing in hunting up these scattered fellows, who were gener- 
 ally found burrowed in small holes among the bushes. A.t 
 one point the writer was covered by a rebel musket frbni 
 one of these holes, 50 yards distant ; but Van Buren from 
 the right and front coming along with his Sharps ready for 
 any emergency, the Reb concluded, as he afterwards admit- 
 ted, that he had better not shoot, but responded readily to 
 the demand to "Get out of that hole, lively, and give up 
 your gun," as the brave corporal charged on him. This 
 stopped the deadly intent, and they sent him to the rear, 
 with the other prisoners. 
 
 Lieut. Connington and George H. Smith (K) discovered 
 knd captured seven in a ditch at the left of the ford, While 
 ^'Little Park" (as he was called), Frederick Park, Company 
 K, caught five in an old cellar, threatening to ' 'shoot 'em all" if 
 they didn't surrender; which he could hardly have done, as 
 he afterwards discovered he had no load in his gun. But 
 they surrendered. Whilecrossing the river Andrew Kirkham 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 371 
 
 just dodged, a well-meant shot by jumping asiiie, and with a 
 warning "look out, Abner," Johnson turned as the "critter 
 pulled trigger," thereby escaping, with, a heavy whack on 
 his back, the bullet striking his knapsack , flattening up 
 inside. Soon after, a Swiss member of Company A got the 
 bottom of his frying pan knocked out on the back of his 
 knapsack while faced firing to the left oblique. This made 
 him verymad and he sworealotof foreign oaths, worse than 
 a trooper. For, if there is anything that will make a good 
 soldier swear, it is to lose his cooking kit. 
 
 All the companies performied well their part, and had 
 good reason to feel proud of their great victory, which 
 -belonged to the Sharpshooters,. the First Regiment doing 
 the fighting, connected on their left by the Second Regiment, 
 which though not so actively engaged, held an important 
 4)osition along the river below. the Ford. Some of them 
 joined the Wisconsin company, stating that there was not 
 enough game belowto keep them in sport,a,lthough (Lieut.) 
 Charles.H- Foote, of the Michigan conipany, "B," Aid- his 
 part by undressing, more or less, and plunging into the deep 
 water.swam the river, going out to a rifle pit where he took 
 charge of the only Johnny left, not shot or who didn't run 
 .away^ and in all his nakedness brought his captive back 
 through the turbulent, waters, amid the cheers of his end of 
 the line. 
 
 The prisoners were sent back across, the river and turned 
 over to a New Yoi;k regiment, who it appears got the credit 
 of capturing them by some partial, or at least mistaken, 
 Eastern journals. Gen. DeTrobriand, kowever, our brigade 
 commander — who was right there superintending the fight 
 —knew better, and gave the Berdan Sharpshooters the 
 credit to which they only were entitled, and who were 
 highly complimented by that officer for the gallantry dis- 
 played in the afiair. By the time that New York regiment 
 
372 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 or any other infantry regiment crossed over, the Sharp- 
 shooters were a mile ahead, and had formed a long skirmish 
 line over the open plain facing westerly. It was virtually 
 Greenback against Grayback— the Blue Coats being in 
 reserve. 
 
 Among the matty field ofiicers gallantly engaged was 
 Capt. Nash, who was constantly riding the entire line, both 
 horse and rider presenting a bold mark for rebel bullets fly- 
 ing thickly around him, but harmless— although he had a 
 horse killed under him. 
 
 "Never mind 'em, boys," he cried, "we'll get' em bye and 
 bye." 
 
 Also, Col. Trepp, Capt. Marble and others, were con- 
 spicuous for their cool demeanor, and readiness to close into 
 cl®se quarters with the enemy, despite the uncertain river 
 and other disadvantages. Lieut. Aschmann, acting adju- 
 tant, had a horse shot under him. 
 
 Having captured all at the river, the men pushed ahead 
 and formed a long skirmish line fronting a piece of woods, 
 the right resting at some rude and dilapidated breastworks. 
 Soon after, a force of the enemy came out of the woods, 
 a<ivaiicing. towards these w^orks on the right. They didn't 
 come far, however, the firing being too sharp for them, while 
 the artiUery from an eminence sent into their ranks shot and 
 shell. They soon deployed out in skirmish line and lying on 
 the ground, remained in that position until after dark. 
 Some cavalry appeared far to our left, as if intending to 
 sweep behind and cut us off from the main force at the river, 
 but a dozen or more of our best long-range shots soon scat- 
 tered them. 
 
 Sergt. Allen, of F, tells of a Sharpshooter whose record 
 in the past had been so good that un-kil this day he had 
 never shirked any duty assigned him, who hung back -when 
 we charged over the river^ but came over with the fourth 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 373 
 
 line, lying dowH in the first rifle pit after its capture ; so fol- 
 owing us a little behind until we were at the last earth- 
 work, where he lay sheltered from the enemy's fire. He 
 started up w^hen the men were Ccdled for the long-range fir- 
 ing on the cavalry, but immediately dropped back under 
 cover as if afraid. Presently, muttering to himself: " Imay 
 as well try a 900 yard shot too," he half arose with his rifle 
 to his face, looking towards our left. The instant the side 
 of his head appeared above the work a ball passed through 
 it, and he dropped at our feet — he was dead. All day he had 
 a premonition of this, and struggled in vain to overcome it. 
 When he showed fight his time came. 
 
 After our regiment had crossed the Ford and formed new 
 lines in advance, the main body crossed over in force, and 
 soon the plain behind was full of troops. After dark, being 
 relieved, we retired t® a side hill to eat and rest, all suffering 
 more or less from the cold weather. The fight ended with 
 darkness. The regiment lost three killed and 12 wounded. 
 
 . Some of the men lost their supper that night, and Sergt. 
 Allen tells how it happened: "On being relieved we went 
 back to a deserted house; a party of us going up-sta,irs 
 started a fire in the fire-place, for the house was adorned 
 with one of those old-fashioned Virginia chimneys with fire- 
 places on every floor. The coarse shake fencing had been 
 built up cob-house fashion and the pyramid was covered 
 with the boys' cups of coffee. Set my cup on, and leaning 
 back with folded arms against the far wall mentally 
 reviewed the events ©f the day. Suddenly an explosion rent 
 the air which was at once full of coffee, cups, fire-brands, 
 ashes and smoke, the chimney was demolished, the boys pil- 
 ing down stairs with more haste than grace. A shell from 
 one of our batteries in the morning entering the back of the 
 chimney without exploding, became buried in the ashes, and 
 we had kindled a fire over it with a very natural rasult. 
 
374 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Fortunately no one was seriously injured, but we lost our 
 coffee." 
 
 CASUALTIES. .' 
 
 Co. B.— Wounded: William M. Fitzgerald, mortally; 
 Matthew Morgan. 
 
 Co. C— Killed: Henry Townsend. Wounded: Edward 
 J. Southworth, leg amputated. 
 
 Co. D.— Wounded : James H.Reed, mortally. 
 
 Co. E.— Killed : Samuel-D. Munroe. 
 
 Co. F.— Killed: Patrick Murray. Wounded: Eugene 
 Mead, Watson P. Morgan, Fitz Green Halleck. 
 
 Co. I.— Killed:, Elbridge Jewell. Wounded: James 
 Cramer. 
 
 Co. K.— Wounded: Corp. William A. Henderson, right 
 ana, severe. - , ■ • 
 
 •During tie night the rebel force in front left, but was 
 reported to have bean captured by the 6th corps about four 
 A. M.of the 8th, they having effected a crossing and gained 
 a victory aboye us at Rappahannock Station, in whict 
 action the 5th Wisconsin took ^n active part, their brave 
 and fearless commander, Col., ThoSi S; Allen, being again . 
 vpounded, .Irj. 
 
 Two days after, Gen. Meade issued this complimentary 
 order: "The commanding general congratulates the army 
 u poo tlie recent successful passage' of the Rappahannock in 
 the face of the enemy, compellilig him to withdraw to his 
 intrenchments behind the Rapidanit 
 
 "To Major-General Sedgwick and the olQBcers and men of 
 the Sixth and ]^ifth corps participating in the attack — par- 
 ticularly to the storming party under Brio^adier-General 
 Russell — his thanks are dUe lor tile gallantry displayed in 
 the assault on the enemy's iiitirenched position at Rappa- 
 hann ock St ation , resulting in- theeapture of four guns, 2,000 
 small arms, eight .battle-fl&gs, Qnefbridge train, and 1,600 
 prifLoners. . ,, .,,„,, . , 
 
MAJOR WILLIAM P. SHREVE. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THli POTOMAC. 375 
 
 " To Major-General French and the officers and men of the 
 Third corps engaged — particularly to the leading column, 
 commanded by Colonel DeTrobriand— his thanks are due 
 for the gallantry displayed in the crossing at Kelly's Ford 
 and the seizure of the enemy's intrenchments, and the cap- 
 ture of over 400 prisoners. 
 
 "The commanding general takes great pleasure in 
 announcing to the army that the President has expressed 
 his satisfaction with its recent operations." 
 
 Accompanying the above was the following by command 
 of Major-Gen. French: "The Major-General commanding 
 the Third Army Corps, in promulgating the complimentary 
 order of the general coramandingthe army, deemsita proper 
 opportunity to express his admiration of the high soldier- 
 like qualities of the officers and men of the corps exemplified 
 in the forciiig of the passage of the Rappahannock at Kelly's 
 Ford on the 7th instant. To the fact that the river was in 
 front of the enemy, and not in their rear, they are indebted 
 for their escape after the storming of their intrenchments, 
 saving, by a precipitate retreat over the open country 
 behind them, their flags and cannon." 
 
 On the 8th, the troops pushing on towards Brandy 
 Plains, the First Sharpshooters were sent for to clear the 
 way— the enemy being in front, and the skirmishers of the 
 leading division failing to start them— the aid calling aloud 
 for "the reginicnt that crossed the river the day before." 
 As we had been in the lead the day before. Gen. DeTrobri- 
 and didn't feel as if we ought to be double-quicked a mile or 
 more ahead from the middle of the column to take the 
 advance, and so the Second Regiment was called up and 
 went to the front, driving the enemy away and occupying 
 
 BRANDY STATION 
 
 in handsome style, making for themselves a creditable vic- 
 tory. They went through with a rush, and sent the foe fly- 
 ing out of sight towards the Rapidan. 
 
376 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 When our regiment reached the Brandy Plains a grand 
 sight was presented to their view; the different corps with 
 their various flags and banners, marching on to the plain 
 at the same time from different roads, thus showing the 
 ability of Gen. Meade in handling large bodies of troops. It 
 having been extensively rumored about, shortly after leav- 
 ing the Rappahannock, that the Army of the Potomac were 
 to unite in the afternoon at Brandy, for once, at least, the 
 report was correct. As the head of the approaching col- 
 umns entered through the openings on to the broad plain in 
 front, the humorous Armfield expressed his opinion aloud, 
 that it was "a fine sight for a special artist," and notwith- 
 standing the thick dust that enveloped the soldiers as they 
 moved along the road, "an occasion in which he could see 
 particularly well." 
 
 Arriving at Brandy, they halted for the night 
 among the various corps collected together. After 
 several changes, on the 10th of November the regiment went 
 into camp on the farm of John Minor Botts — the once 
 famous Virginia statesman — where winter quarters were 
 quickly erected. So rapid were the movements of Gen. 
 Meade across the Rappahannock, that the Confederates, 
 taken by surprise, hurriedly left their log quarters in this 
 vicinity, and as Mr. Botts — our informant — expressed it: 
 "Hurried back in great confusion to the Rapidan, more like 
 a drove of sheep than men." 
 
 Mr. Botts seemed to occupy a neutral position in the 
 war, although expressing strong Union sentiments to our 
 soldiers. Relative to this once prominent Virginian, the fol- 
 lowing article was taken from a Wisconsin paper in 1865 : 
 
 John M. Botts. — This gentleman employed a portion of 
 his time during the war in writing a book, which he pro- 
 poses to publish, entitled: "A History of the Secession 
 Movement, and its Public and Secret Advocates, North and 
 South, since the Days of Calhoun." When Mr. Botts was 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 377 
 
 thrown into prison, Jefif Davis sought to obtain possession 
 of the manuscript, but the author refused to surrender it 
 unless Davis would agree to publish it. The publication he 
 desired because it would produce a revolution within a rev- 
 olution, in which he could take part. Davis did not agree 
 to the terms; the war being over, Botts proposes to publish 
 it on his own account. 
 
 Mr. Botts informed Lieut. Judkins, acting quartermaster 
 of our regiment, that he offered to give Jeff Davis the manu- 
 script in question if he would publish it word for word in 
 his leading paper, and would pay him a large sum for so 
 doing, but Jeff refused the offer. 
 
378 SHAKl'SHUQTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 EIGHTH, OR MINE RUN CAMPAIGN. 
 
 On the 26th of November the troops left the Brandy 
 camp to test the virtues of a winter campaign, crossing the 
 Rapidan in the evening. The Sharpshooters (3d corps) 
 crossed at Jacob's Mills after dark, halting near by, until 
 morning, the weather being very cold. The next morning 
 they moved on, and late in the afternoon veent into action 
 at the battle of 
 
 LOCUST GROVE. 
 
 Nov. 27, 1863. 
 
 The fighting had already commenced before ttey arrived 
 on the field, at a place called by the Confederates "Payne's 
 Farm," several miles from Locust Grove. Advancingin line 
 of battle through thickets of brush and timber, tmder fire, 
 they reached a position behind a rail fence on the edge of the 
 timber, in connection with the 17th Maine, 68th Pennsyl- 
 vania and 5th Michigan of our brigade, witli the 3d Michi- 
 gan and 40th New York in reserve, close behind, relieving 
 Carr's division of our 3d corps. The enemy in front were 
 posted on the opposite side of a small clearing, less than 200 
 yards away, also behind rails. The fighting was hotly con- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 379 
 
 tested, tte rebel bullets — direct and cross-fire — coming thick 
 and fast, while occasional shell and round shot passed furi- 
 ously over theni. The affair lasted until after darlc, when 
 our regiment, with the others named, withdrew a short dis- 
 tance in the wood where they rested under arms till morn- 
 ing. The enemy made every effort to dislodge our line, but 
 w^as finally driven back from his position with severe loss, 
 his colors flaunting in the Sharpshooter front, having been 
 repeatedly dropped by their fire, while a general scattering 
 amiong them' was observable; their apparently intended' 
 charge being frustrated in the outset by the double-quick 
 shooting of our men. The regimental colors were waved on 
 higb in : response; the color-sergeant, E. R. Blakeslee.i of 
 Michigan, being afterwards promoted for his coolness ^nd 
 bravfery on^his and other occasions. I'inally, a portion of 
 our troops charged over the field, occupying the enemy's 
 position — ^the enemy having hurried away. The losses on 
 our side were quite severe, arid among the Sharpshooters" 
 included many prominent niembers, among them Lieut. 
 Thomas Connin,gton, commanding Company K, who was 
 shfOt in the throat and instantly killed, while standing in a 
 -greatly exposed position w^hich he persisted in retaining, with 
 the^ enenvy in plain view, and their bullets flying at all times 
 thick and close. Lieut. Thorp, second i" command of that 
 company, speaks very highly of the Soldierly qualities of 
 Lieut. Conningtoii, and thought he had. a. ''premonition of 
 his approaching death," because "all.! the. night before,, 
 instead of lying down and sleeping, as iwas. his^itjsual habit, 
 he took a certain path and walked itj^aUrnight." So close 
 -did our men- lie at the fence, that the Jife'^iJalood .of their 
 fallen comrades frequently spattered overLthtm, ;; Our bri- 
 gade (3d of Bimey's division) in this battlewaiSQ^miiianded 
 by Col Egan (Thos. W.) of the 4Qtjhr.»^e'«K' York, who 
 reported the brigade; Joss during this.^engjageipient. at 174 
 killed and wounded, of which the First . Sharpshooters ilost 
 
380 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 41, and the Second Sharpshooters (in Ward's brigade) on 
 our right, eight. Company H of that regiment had four 
 men injured by a pine tree felled upon the company by a 
 shell bursting in its trunk. Gen. Birney ordered Ward to 
 the front to relieve Carr's right. "He did so, however, 
 without pressing the enemy." Egan was a fighting com- 
 mander. The boys called him ' ' Tommy Nogan. ' ' 
 
 "The musketry fire was incessant, and the enemy made 
 constant efforts to break through my line. They were driven 
 back, and the ridpe was firmly held by us. Prince's division 
 not advancing equally with us " (the extreme right) "enabled 
 the enemy to plant a batte^-y on the right, that completely 
 enfiladed my line. At dusk I advanced, my line of skirmish- 
 ers holding the battle field. During the night the enemy 
 retired, leaving their dead, wounded and hospitals." — Gen. 
 Birney. 
 
 The conduct of the officers and men of the Third Corps 
 engaged, deserves the highest commendation. Opposed to 
 the best troops of the rebel army, in superior numbers, and 
 reduced by detachment, they maintained the high character 
 which thiey have always held in the Army of the Potomac. 
 The sanguinary loss of the enemy, and their repulse, leaving 
 their dead and wounded in hospital upon the field, exkibit 
 the prowess of the corps beyond any terms which it is inmy 
 power to express. — Gen. French. 
 
 This battle was the result of a collision between our 3d 
 corps (except one brigade absent), and Johnson's division of 
 the enemy, while both were hurrying towards Robertson's 
 Tavern by diverging roads, the one to connect with Warren, 
 the other to reinforce Rodes of the Confederate army. Our 
 skirmishers had run into the rebel ambulance train, sending 
 them back in confusion onto their infantry, Steuart's bri- 
 gade, who at once came forward and engaged our line, drfv- 
 ing it back a short distance, when Prince's division, deployed 
 in line, opened the fight. At the first onset Steuart's men 
 obtained temporary success and tried to capture one of our 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 381 
 
 batteries, but failed. The enemy's loss at this place counted 
 lip neariy 600, some of their regiments suffering severely, 
 including valuable officers. The Union loss was over 800. 
 Warren at Robertson's Tavern encountered Rodes, but con- 
 tented himself with feeling the enemy, with French not up, 
 making a show of strength to prevent an assault; Rodes 
 being apparently of the same mind regarding Johnson. 
 Their respective losses conclusively show this, Warren claim- 
 ing only 50, and the enemy admitting but 20. 
 
 Gen. Meade had intended if possible to strike the enemy 
 on the flanks of his position, as "an attack in front had 
 long been impracticable." But this day's work did not 
 result as he had anticipated. Delays occurred in the move- 
 ments of the 3d corps: First, at- Jacobs' Ford with the pon- 
 toons, and the inability to cross the artillery there, ow^ing 
 to the steep bank opposite, with one pontoon short, necessi- 
 tating a hastily-made trestle to reach the shore, which was 
 too w^eak for the batteries, causing them to be sent around 
 by another ford, only a portion of which came up the next 
 day, "after laboring all night over almost impassable 
 roads, with jaded, unfed horses." Again, on the 27th, for 
 " want of a guide after crossing the ford to conduct the col- 
 umn upon the route which was subsequently followed (but 
 which was not designated on the map furnished for my 
 giddance, the roads marked down there being entirely 
 wrong and calculated to mislead), the imperfect reconnois- 
 sance which caused Jacobs' Ford to be selected as a place of 
 crossing, and the subsequent unavoidable contact with the 
 enemy, resulting in a serious engagement, are the causes to 
 which are attributable the inability of the Third Corps to 
 arrive at Robertson's Tavern sooner than it did," The 
 statement quoted is from Gen. French's answer to Gen. 
 Meade's call for reasons why the 3d corps did not connect 
 with the 2d corps at the time expected. 
 
382 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMIt.HING 
 
 Gen. French contintiing (to MeadeD : Had your, commu- 
 nication beensimply confined :to calling from me this state- 
 ment, my duty vvouid hav^ ended,. but it has been thought 
 proper to state, that: "Through the delays and failures 
 specified, an opportunity was lost of attacking the enemy 
 before he had concentrated, and that this-^ had a powerful 
 influence upon the result of the movements' of this army." 
 Now I assert that without losing aii unnecessary moment 
 the enemy was attacked, and in, very large f9rce, before he 
 had concentrated. That Gen. Warren, vyhom your dispatches 
 to me reported aq in the presence of the enemy during ^hat 
 day, had. the same bpporturiity, while my corps was engag- 
 ing them, to have done thfe gi^ine thing. That during the 
 engagement prisonef s were taken from Rodes'and Johnson's 
 diYisions in niy fronts showing that L was 'fighting two- 
 thirds of Ewell's, corps, and. jth# 'vyiithii^, supporting, distance 
 of Gen. Warren, who was ,withitj, sound of my giiins. Had 
 he thought proper to have niade a. Yigorpus attaclt upon 
 those in front of him,'my opinion is that' ihie result of the 
 movemenis of this afmv'riiight havebeeh entirely different, 
 but that edrifitiitig hitnself to one single idea, rejecting the 
 vicissitudes -of a march resulting from obstacles over which 
 the best generalship ni^y:Soi^^times have ^p control, his 
 mpvaments w^ere.made my objective point regardless of the 
 rules and principles wKichaU experience shpw^s are necessary 
 to success.' 1 claim that ifi-'om ilie moment I met the enemy 
 niy bfder was exi^cuted;' that the' jtmcfipti^Vvith'Gen. Warren 
 was then made, asiritend^d by thieigeneralcommanding the 
 army; >that this.corps fought the enemy and defeated, him, 
 and had t-he battle.beei^ fought by the Second Cprps against 
 those troops in its front, and had it succeeded, as I believe 
 it would, have done (iri conjunction- with the operations of 
 the Sixth Corps kridwh id have b&en within suppbi'tirig dis- 
 tance), the bccasiori for this report would not have arisen. 
 
 Gen. Warren in his report stated that he had, a brisk 
 little, contest along his front, "in which Cpl. Carroll's 
 brigade behaved very handsomely, driving the enemy dowti 
 the turnpike to liis main line of battle, and capturing num- 
 bers of Gordon's brigade of Early's division: Though it 
 was impossible to say how^ much force was near me, the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.^ 383 
 
 piHsoners from two divisions of Bwell'g Go^ps.-and the 
 report that the other, was near, required, caution on my 
 part. Gen. Ewell was. probably as ignorant of my real 
 strength as I of that of his corps opposed to me, else, by 
 rapid concentration, it was in his power to have over- 
 whelmed md and diit our army in two. About -^ p. M. 
 information was receivfed that 'Gen.' French had met and 
 engaged the enemyt and that- his advance was checked, his 
 distance beingstill some, 4 miles frpm me, and his e3?act loca- 
 tion uncertain. About one hojir befpre dark, when I could 
 afford to venture, trusting to nightfall to cover me if I met 
 superior force, I again advanced'my skirmish lifie, strongly 
 supported. Thfe enemy' resisted stubbornly and could be 
 driven but a little way. The woods which he occupied 
 prevented tbe efficient use of lines of battle, concealed his 
 force so as to require caution in advancing, and furnished 
 him the means of rapidly constructing breastworks, which 
 he had done. The day closed without any material change 
 in my position as first; taken up, and without a junction of 
 my force with any other. My loss was about 50 killed and 
 wounded." 
 
 Extracts from Gen. Rodes' report of his position in front 
 of Warren : "A complete examination of the ground devel- 
 oped the fact that. an assault, upon , the enemy's, position 
 would be attended with heavy loss, and must be made in 
 force if at all. Mydivision rem airied in position the remain- 
 der of the day. * * * Ddring the day the enemy fired a 
 few shells at my troOps but.without damage. The casual- 
 ties during the day amounted to about 15 or 20 killed and 
 wounded. * . * * Late in the afternoon, under orders, I 
 sent Gen. Doles' brigade to Gen- Johnson's assistance. 
 
 The preceding reports are given, owing to the blame 
 that was attached to Gen. French by Meade, for not pro- 
 ceeding fasteir, and failing to reach Warren's lines before the 
 enemy came up. It is apparent, however; that the failure 
 of the movement was in a great degree the result of a want 
 of proper information regarding the strange country they 
 were operating in, with its numerous cross-roads— blind 
 
384 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 paths— and dease thickets. But whether any general was 
 to blame or not, no possible fault could be found with the 
 soldiers. The fight of the 3d corps was the only battle of 
 the campaign, and they cannot be held responsible for its 
 failure. For surely, they all suffered enough before it was 
 over. It is but justice, however, to mentipn that Gregg's 
 cavalry on the same day had a spirited engagement at New 
 Hope church, several miles in advance and south of Robert- 
 son's Tavern, in which they drove the rebel cavalry back a 
 mile, unmasking a line of infantry who were also driven off 
 Sy our cavalrymen dismounted, to the cover of a dense 
 woods, and there held until the 5th corps came up and 
 relieved them. In this affair Gen. Gregg's 1st brigade, which 
 did the fighting, lost: Killed, 2 officers, 17 men; wounded, 
 5 officers, 59 men. 
 
 SHARPSHOOTER CASUALTIES — FIRST REGIMENT. 
 
 Co. A. — 1 killed, 3 wounded. 
 . Co. B.— Killed: J. W. F. Chidsey. Wounded: Sergt. 
 Charles E. Graves, Sergt. Philip E. Sands, Privates S. Mc- 
 Neil, James Wiley. 
 
 Co. C— Killed : Travis T. Doty. Wounded : Rascelus 
 S. McClain, Abial D. Richardson, Lewis M. Beebe, Edwin J. 
 Famsworth. 
 
 Co. E.— Wounded: Corp. Clarion H. Kimball, Private 
 Henry A. Sanders. 
 
 Co. F.— Killed : E. S. Hosmer. Wounded : A. C. Cross, 
 Eugene Paine, Sherod Brown, Charles M. Jordan. 
 
 Co. G. — Kilied: Corp. John W. Johnson, Private Frank 
 L. Smith. Wounded: Wesley Armfield, arm, slight; Charles 
 W. Baker, mouth, severe (spit the ball out); George Whit- 
 son, cheek, slight. 
 
 Co. H, — Wounded : James H. Fisk. 
 
 Co. I. — Killed: Leander Ballard. Wounded: James 
 Cramer, Henry Alchin. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 385 
 
 Co. K. — Killed: First Lieut. Thomas Connington, Corp, 
 William E. Showers. Wounded: Corp. Edwin C. Good- 
 speed, left arm ; Louis C. Bitten, shoulder, slight ; and two 
 others unknown. 
 
 The following morning before daybreak the 3a corps 
 moved away from the vicinity of Payne's Farm, marching 
 through a heavy rain to the left, and in the afternoon the 
 First Sharpshooters were sent ahead as skirmishers along 
 with the 68th Pennsylvania and 5th Michigan, to discover 
 the enemy's position, forming a line in front of the one 
 eventually taken up by the corps, east of Mine Run, 
 Nothing transpired the next day, Sunday. 
 
 MINE RUN. 
 
 Not. 30, 1863. 
 
 The enemy at this place were found to be well posted, 
 
 their works presenting a most formidable appearance, with 
 
 a large open plain in front. Gen. Meade had decided on an 
 
 assault, front and flank, "one on the enemy's left flank with 
 
 the 6th and 5th corps, one on the center with the 3d and 1st 
 
 corps, and one on the enemy's right by the force under Gen. 
 
 Warren, consisting of the 2d corps and one division of the 
 
 6th." In front of Birney's division of the 3d corps (the 
 
 2d and 3d divi.sions being detached to support Warren on 
 
 our left), a provisional brigade was formed for this day's 
 
 work, consisting of the First and Second Sharpshooters, 
 
 3d Michigan and 124th New York, under command of Col. 
 
 Pierce of the 3d Michigan. A storming party was ordered, 
 
 Pierce's brigade to go ahead as skirmishers, forming the 
 
 first line. Before daylight they moved down to the Run, "and 
 
 deploying out waited for the signal gi^n which was to b? 
 2=; 
 
386 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 fired at eight o'clock. At this hour the artillery opened ; the 
 Sharpshooters advancing with their connecting regiments, 
 rushed across Mine Run and OTcrthe large opening in front, 
 the Union batteries playing over their heads in the mean- 
 time. Companies B and G were on the left of the First Regi- 
 ment line, having advanced a portion of the way through 
 a thicket of brush and timber, in the dii-ect course of the 
 fire of our batteries. Emerging from the timber on to the 
 plain, they came suddenly on to a rebel force and drove them 
 back to their works, taking a few prisoners. Reaching a 
 position on a slope 300 yards from tbe fortifications which 
 were frowning with cannon, sharp firing occurred on both 
 sides, the rebel artillery being ominously silent. Several of 
 the Union shell fell short among our men, but did no harm. 
 On leaving the little woods, B andGbecame separated, leav- 
 ing quite an interval between them, the first named com- 
 jjany gaining distance to the. left in their hurried advance. 
 Jvieut. Judkins, of Company G, going forward with the New 
 Torkers, got ahead of the line, and took a position behind 
 ;a fence in their front. While here, he became subject to a 
 •fire in the rear, the balls striking the rails about him. Look- 
 ing back he suddenly realized his danger and fell back to the 
 line. His own company to the right had noticed his tall 
 form, and taking him for a "Johnny," gave him a cross-fire 
 at 400 yards, Private George A. Denniston putting in several 
 close shots, until ordered to stop firing in that direction by 
 Lieut. Stevens in command, who justly concluded that our 
 men were mistaken as to the military status of the man, 
 thus no doubt saving his life. After a sharp skirmish for an 
 hour, orders were received to fall back in good order, which 
 movement w^as well executed by the entire line, without 
 hurry, the men keeping up the fire until they were out of 
 range, while the enemy poured in heavily, fortunately with 
 little effect. It was a bitter cold morning, the men's fingers 
 were too benumbed to quickly cap their pieces, and the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 387 
 
 Sharpshooters resorted to the primers, which was seldom 
 done excepting in cases of necessity. The enemy were 
 observed striking their hands across their body after firing, 
 to warm up, and taking considerable time to reload. Russell 
 H. Rarrick, of Company B, was severely wounded, and 
 Alexander J. Dupont, same company, on the left. On the 
 right of the line which connected with the 1st corps, the 
 Sharpshooters drove the enemy out of their rifle pits, doing 
 considerable damage to the foe, taking some prisoners. 
 "While at this point the regiment suffered the loss of the 
 commander, Lieut,-Col. Casper Trepp, who while taking 
 observations of the situation in front, was shot through the 
 head, the btdlet entering at the red diamond on his hat. In 
 his death the Sharpshooter service lost a careful and skillful 
 officer, one who had become well known throughout the 
 corps for his promptness and efficiency in executing move- 
 ments intrusted to him. He had been very active that 
 morning from long before daylight, in the disposition of his 
 command, and w^as very particular to caution his men not 
 to needlessly expose themselves, but when the order was 
 given to go forward, to fail not to obey it. He appeared 
 to me that morning to be unusually anxious, as if he feared 
 dire results to his decimated regiment from this expected 
 assault, w^hatever he may have thought about himself, and 
 he may have had a premonition of his own fate, as he was 
 at times quite restless and nervous. And yet he was the 
 only one killed outright that day in his regiment, if a sure 
 death wound may be called outright, although it was late 
 that night when he finally expired. He was buried thrae 
 times — on the field, on Botts' farm at Brandy Station, and 
 finally at New York city. On the fall of this gallant officer, 
 the command of the regiment devolved on acting field offi- 
 cer Capt. Marble. 
 
 Among the killed was Lieutenant-Colonel Trepp, of the 
 First U. S. Sharpshooters, an officer of the highest merit. 
 
388 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 and one whose militaty knowledge and achievements have 
 long been the admiration of all who knew him.— Col. Egan. 
 
 The Second Sharpshooters were in on the left of the First 
 Regiment, and also met with loss, including their gallant 
 chaplain, Lorenzo Barber, who was severely wounded in 
 the leg while on the skirmish line using a heavy telescope 
 rifle— his favorite weapon. The chaplain was known as the 
 "Fighting Parson," and early earned the title in the most 
 patriotic sense. He had been out with his regiment in line 
 of skirmishers on many occasions, using his rifle with effect, 
 as has been noticed heretofore. He had the sympathy of the 
 members of both regiments in his misfortune. On the fall of 
 the chaplain, Lieut. Foote, of Company B, the left company 
 of the entire Sharpshooter line, could scarcely be restrained 
 from rushing forward, chafing with his men at the delay of 
 the expected attack. They, however, endeavored to get sat- 
 isfaction by keeping up the fire on every foe presenting him- 
 self for a target. 
 
 HIS LAST SHOT. 
 
 When the regiment first got into the line, they found 
 themselves confronted by a rebel battery, off to their left 
 quartering, near a farm house, and the question was asked, 
 "how far it was across the valley to that battery ? " Chap- 
 lain Barber, who had his telescope rifle sights marked for 
 every 50 yards, cried out : " Hold on boys, I'll tell you how 
 far it is." He saw some Virginia razor-back hogs near the 
 farm house. Raising his sights to 650 yards he fired at a 
 hog and wounded it. The men could hear it give a good 
 squeal clear across the valley. Word was at once passed 
 along the regimental line, "650 yards." It was but a few 
 minutes before the Confederate gvinners limbered up and 
 got out of range. This was one of the last shots of Chap- 
 lain Barber as a Sharpshooter, and one of the finest shots 
 in the U. S. army. 
 
CHAPLAIN LORENZO BARBER. 
 (The Fighting Parson.) 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 389 
 
 The order to storm, was countermanded, and the enemy 
 therefore did not have an opportunity to use their artillery 
 at this favorable place to mow down advancing Union 
 troops. Gen. French (3d corps) had been opposed to an 
 assault from his front, and it was finally determined by Gen. 
 Meade to make French's attack dependent on the success of 
 the two flank assaults. French's command on this day con- 
 sisted only of Bimey's division of the 3d,with two divisions 
 of the 1st corps, and even with the prestige of success by the 
 flanking corps, much doubt was entertained of his ability 
 to take the strong w^orks before hira. But it seems Warren 
 failed to go on with his assault, having concluded when he 
 viewed the enemy's position by daylight, that it would be 
 useless. So Meade countermanded the order, eventually 
 deciding to w^ithdraw^ and recross the Rapidan. 
 
 Col. Pierce reported the following losses in his "provis- 
 ional brigade" at Mine Run, killed and wounded: 
 
 *3d Michigan, total 10. 
 
 1st U. S. Sharpshooters, total 6. 
 
 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, total 3. 
 
 *124th New York, total 5. 
 
 ANOTHER TOUGH MARCH. 
 
 The weather had turned very cold, especially at night, 
 the troops were illy prepared to withstand the effects of the 
 same, and perfectly content after their two fruitless fights to 
 wind up this week's campaign in hurrying back to their 
 warm log quarters at Brandy. 
 
 Soon after dark Dec. 1st, the Sharpshooters having been 
 relieved from the picket lines during the morning, retiring to 
 a piece of woods close by to rest and observe the strict 
 orders to remain there quietly concealed from view, the 
 troops began to fall back. It was a stinging cold night, 
 and before getting fairly under way the men were kept 
 
 "A130 12 missing in the two infantry regiments. 
 
390 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Standing for a full hour in the ranks awaiting orders to 
 move on, with nothing to burn but patches of dried grass 
 wherewith to warm their hands and feet, which was fired oi 
 course by some one unknown, although orders were repeat- 
 edly given to put out the same, in tones more vehement than 
 pleasant. But, notwitstanding the rumored necessity of 
 keeping "in the dark," an old log- building suddenly got into 
 a blaze, probably the work of an incendiary, and as the boys 
 moved off the red flames shot high in air, presenting a 
 defiant beacon to the intrenched enemy over the Run. By 
 means of quick marching, however, the men soon warmed 
 up, and kept moving the entire night, arriving at the Rapi- 
 dan at Culpeper Mine Ford, at daybreak^ crossing the same 
 on pontoons. 
 
 When this movement began, two columns of troops 
 pushed on side by side at a rapid pace which soon increased 
 into double quick, making thereverberating sounds firom this 
 heavy step roll off from the plank road through the sur- 
 rounding forest, not unlike the rumblings of heaven's thun- 
 der. Meanwhile, the boys kept up a continuous chatting as 
 they trotted merrily along throwing soldier's slang at each 
 other — seemingly endeavoring to be the first to leave the 
 broad highway on reaching the narrow wood road striking 
 off to the left for the Ford. Each one seemed to understand 
 that they had a hard march before them and that it was nec- 
 essary to cross the river as early as possible, although 
 many soon appeared to have forgotten it through their 
 extreme weariness caused in a great degree by the cold 
 weather, as the sequel will show. 
 
 In fact, it proved to be a night to be long remembered, 
 many sleeping as they marched, and only half awaking 
 when pushed against by those behind. A large number fell 
 out by the roadside, to be soon roused up and started on 
 again by the provost guard who succeeded, more easily than 
 might have been the case but for the aid of a powerful aux- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 391 
 
 iliary, in clearing the woods of— stragglers ! must I call 
 them ? those tired, worn out veterans of many campaigns, 
 too many of them, ah! as successless as this one, whT), 
 benumbed with the extreme cold, fell asleep in the ranks, 
 dropping promiscuously along the road, dragging them- 
 selves from under the feet of those who still kept their place 
 in the line of march, they were fast becoming desperately 
 few, gained the cover of the woods and slept, as none but 
 an old soldier knows how to sleep when, to use a phrase, 
 "played out," too sound, in fact, to be awakened by any- 
 thing short of a drove of cattle forced among them by the 
 said provost. 
 
 The stem orders and loud demands to hurry on, the 
 crash of fallen limbs and down wood, as the heavy cattle 
 came roaring and bellowing on at the point of the bayonet, 
 was too much for even tired if not pretty nigh demoralized 
 soldiers, to withstand ; so on they came cattle and soldiers, 
 in grand confusion, stumbling forward, pitching headlong 
 o'er the uneven surface in the pitchy darkness, without the 
 line of march. 
 
 So it w^as; no regiment, no company, no squad, intact. 
 The w^hole column was thinned out to that extent that in 
 some regiments there were not guns enough on hand to 
 stack arms, w^hen they finally came to a halt over the river. 
 The writer did stick it out, with the untiring Willard Isham 
 by his side. They helped to awake each other from time to 
 time, by sundry shakes not slightly given, but forcibly sud- 
 den. 
 
 The brave Van Buren, who had got ahead among other 
 troops, completed the trio that crossed the bridge together.* 
 
 •Note.— Of the two sergeants above named, and two better soldiers never 
 wore the suit of blue, or in their case the rifle green, both survived the war, 
 but Caleb M. VanBuren, after passing through 30 conflicts unscathed, lived to fall, 
 with another gallant comrade George W. Griflin, who lost his foot in the last fight- 
 ins? before Petersburg, victims to the Indians' scalping knife on the western 
 plains. 
 
392 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 And when they came to stack arms, but two guns bayonet- 
 less, "lost in action," were insufficient to obey the order,, 
 and the men flung themselves to the hard ground in disgust, 
 
 to sleep. 
 
 During the morning of the 2d the troops lay at rest near 
 the Ford, those failing to keep up during the night coming 
 in, in small squads. As they arrived they dropped to the 
 ground and slept. The country they had but lately been 
 through was known as the wilderness, therefore, when at 
 noon, a band struck up the old tune, 
 
 " Oh ! aint you miglity glad to get out of the wilderness ? " 
 
 -the soldiers jumped up, and signified their approval of 
 the same, considering the fatigues they had undergone " over 
 yonder." 
 
 Capt. Marble being now responsible for the First Regi- 
 ment, made every exertion possible to keep the men moving, 
 a trying situation for that officer in the dense darkness, 
 w^ho, however, proved equal to the emergency, he having 
 the satisfaction of reporting his command all present and 
 accounted for, on re-assembling across the Rapidan. 
 
 But their fatigues did not end here. Another hard march 
 was before them, over rough roads, which from the latfe 
 rains had become in many places very wet and muddy, mak- 
 ing the march doubly tiresome to these already tired sol- 
 diers. In the afternoon they moved on, halting three hours 
 at dark in a piece of woods, the troops huddled together, as 
 if anticipating the approach of foes. After which, they 
 pushed on during the rest of the night, splashing through 
 the mud holes, weary and worn, seemingly never to get to 
 their journey's end. Frequently the soldiers would ask of 
 some other soldiers, how far it was to Brandy, and for a 
 long time the answer was only about "four miles," nor did 
 these unsatisfactory replies change until near morning, 
 w^hen some one asserting it was "five miles," the boys kept 
 
.^^^^^^^^TT^a^i/^ 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 393 
 
 still, plodding along in quiet after that — doing their own 
 guessing. Finally at daybreak of the 3d they arrived at 
 their camp on Botts' Farm, where they went into winter 
 quarters after an extremely tough campaign of nearly eight 
 days. 
 
 Mr. Botts didn't like the idea of their cutting off his 
 timber or taking his rails, but it was done nevertheless, 
 stealthily or otherwise. The soldiers thought that if Botts 
 was a Union man, he should be glad to contribute so much 
 for the cause ; if a Confederate, the timber was by all the 
 rights of war their property. But in after years, Gilman K. 
 Crowell, of Company E, takes this considerate view of it: 
 "John M. Botts had one of the finest places I saw while in 
 Virginia. He would not give us any straw to make our 
 beds; and looking at it from mypresent stand-point, I don't 
 think we ought to blame him much, for the enemy had just 
 stole all his grain and part of his stock, and if we had taken 
 his straw he would have nothing for what little stock he 
 had left. They had burned most all his fences, and I remem- 
 ber that we rebuilt some of them for him." 
 
 On the 11th of January, however, they broke camp and 
 moving two miles, near Culpeper, encamped in a fine piece 
 of hard timber where comfortable quarters were soon built, 
 called "Camp Bullock," after a well known Philadelphian 
 who had presented every soldier in Birney's division with a 
 pair of woolen mittens. Log cabins and board shanties 
 with shelter-tent roof, good fire-places with brick and stone 
 chimneys, were erected ; the soldiers adapting themselves to 
 every necessity, soon learning to do such work, to become 
 carpenters and masons. It was not necessary to make 
 details to cut down trees here. Volunteers were plenty, and 
 knowing they had permission to chop for their needs, went 
 at it like so many pioneers, with a will. 
 
 At this encampment some of the Wisconsin men traced a 
 flight of bees to a big tree at the head of their street, close 
 
394 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 behind the officer's tent, which they kept secret, patiently 
 waiting until he became "officer of the day," when after 
 making his rounds at night, being particular not to come 
 that way again, the tree came down, and when the officer 
 returned to his quarters next morning, on being relieved 
 from duty, he found there, his share of the spoils in the 
 shape of a large pan of honey. It proved to be a great bee 
 tree, and several camp kettles full were obtained from it. 
 As for the tree, not a vestige remained at daylight on the 
 spot where it had so long stood, being removed a sufficient 
 distance to escape notice, strict. orders then being in force 
 against cutting oflf any of the camp trees. But with honey 
 in sight, the average old vet would take all the chances of 
 being discovered. When the regimental commander, Capt. 
 Marble, called during the day, on being presented with a 
 pcirtion 'of this' honey, he said: "Stevens, I don't suppose 
 this honey came exactly from Wisconsin, but it is to my 
 notion, just as sweet." 
 
 A new year proposition was made by the government 
 to make veterans of all soldiers who had served two years 
 or more, who would re-enlist, presenting them with $400 
 bounty and a 30-day furlough, the remainder of their 
 original term being cancelled; also allowing regiments 
 having a given proportion of re-enlistments, to go to their 
 respective states and recruit up. But few of the First 
 Sharpshooters accepted this offer, the number of original 
 members being greatly reduced, and many of the recruits 
 not having served two years. The Second Regiment, how- 
 ever, ire-enlisted almost to a man and went home, where 
 they recruited up in their respective states before they returned 
 to the front. They had suffered severely in many hard 
 fought engagements, and deserved a respite, with a chance 
 to breath the free clear air of their northern homes. 
 
 About this time Col. Berdan resigned, the only field 
 officer left in the First Regiment being Major Hastings, who 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 395 
 
 was absent on detached service in Washington^ and did 
 flot forever after return to the regiment. 
 
 On the 6j:h of February at four in the morning, a por- 
 tion of the Sharpshooters moved off with troops to the 
 left towards the Rapidan, but took no part in the fight 
 that occurred at Morton's Ford, they returning the night of 
 the 7th, after another fatiguing march through rain and 
 mud. The enemy had crossed several brigades at the Ford, 
 where our 2d corps after a short engagement repulsed them 
 capturing some of their number and causing their entire 
 force to retreat back to tiae soijth side of the river. During 
 this movement those of the Sharpshooters tiot participat- 
 ing, were out on picket where they were threatened by what 
 were called Scott's Little Fork Rangers, one of whom had 
 sneaked up to one of our cavalrymen, in advance, and shot 
 him through the body. The " murderer" probably wanted 
 his horse but didn't get it. A skirmish followed between 
 our , cavalry squad and the above styled band. The 
 Sharpshooter line under Lieutenant Stevens remained 
 firm, having received special instructions to hold the 
 position at all hazards, but were not attacked. It was an 
 exciting time as the enemy were known to be hovering 
 about, so that our men w^ere kept constantly on the alert. 
 Harrison DeLong, of Company B, a well known staunch 
 comrade writes me: "That was the place where you gave 
 me 'fits' for going to camp after the mail. I took my scold- 
 ing good-naturedly, and the matter was soon ended." The 
 boys used to take chances sometimes, notwithstanding 
 orders were against them. But when a Sharpshooter 
 wouldn't go for his mail when he heard there was a letter 
 "from home," it was because there was no possible chance 
 to do so. 
 
 Again at daybreak of the 28th we moved away with 
 our division (having been preceded the day previous by the 
 troops of the 6th corps, who passed through camp with 
 
396 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 bands playing, moving at a rapid pace), and marching 
 through the town of Culpeper, company front, band play- 
 ing, the weather being fine and roads good, we finally came 
 to a halt at a small place called James City about two p. m., 
 a distance of 14 miles south. Here we remained until the 
 morning of March 2d, having been exposed in the meantime 
 to an unexpected snowstorm,— a big one,— from which we 
 were totally unprotected in the open field, as we were. The 
 6th corps was several miles in our front. Gen. Custer had 
 passed by with a good raiding force of cavalry, and, pen- 
 etrating within the enemy's lines, destroyed a rebel camp 
 engaging them at diiferent points; Kilpatrick pushing on 
 towards Richmond, on the extreme left, where in that 
 vicinity he soon arrived, on the outskirts of the city, — 
 "hung his banners on the outer walls,"— but as Butler's 
 troops from Yorktown had failed to connect, the cavalry 
 was obliged to return without accomplishing the purpose 
 of the expedition— to capture Richmond. Engaged in this 
 daring raid some distance to the right of Gen. Kilpatrick, 
 was a special cavalry foi-ce of 400, under Col.Ulric Dahlgren, 
 who, getting into an ambuscade near Richmond, Dahlgren 
 was slain and his small force demoralized and scattered, 
 many being captured by the enemy. The Sharpshooters 
 returned to their camp the afternoon of the 2d, after an 
 unusually tiresome tramp through slush and mud, enough so 
 indeed to materially dampen their ardor. But they soon got 
 over it and were themselves again. It was such exposures 
 that laid the seed to future and ofben incurable ailments, 
 which in after years helped to swell the government pension 
 list. 
 
 A AIULE RACE. 
 
 During the dull days of the encampment some of the 
 officers took a fancy to horse racing— short dashes. Among 
 them was Capt. "Hank" Garrison, who had come into 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 397 
 
 possession of a pretty fair saddle horse and a good runner 
 known as the "yellow horse" on account of his light buck- 
 skin color, and which had won for the sportive captain a 
 number of five dollar greenbacks. This set him to talking 
 pretty loud about being able to beat any other horse in the 
 brigade, and set some of the other oflBcers to enter into a 
 combination to take him down; so it was really Garrison 
 versus the field. Finally one of the combine took up the 
 captain's $25 challenge, and began to look about for "any 
 good horse" that could be obtained in the brigade. At this 
 juncture Col. Biles of the 99th Pennsylvania, came to his 
 relief by sending over to camp a fine browny. The race 
 occurred at the appointed time, but owing to the rain it was 
 run in the mud. Just before it came oflF, Capt. Marble came 
 to me laughing and said: "Hank paid the browny nigger 
 25 cents to hold the horse back, but Steve has fixed him ; 
 he gave Hank's darky 50 cents to pull in the yellow 
 horse." 
 
 "Then it's a mule race," I said. 
 
 "Just about! " and so it proved, for Hank's darky being 
 the strongest puller, lost the race by a nose, as was finally 
 determined at the finish, for they could scarcely be distin- 
 guished on the go, owing to the mud that completely 
 enveloped them. So Steve won his $25, and Hank stopped 
 his horse talk. 
 
 As spring rolled around, target shooting was again in 
 order, and another match was in contemplation between 
 the First and Second Regiments which, however, did not 
 take place. Their skill was soon to be tried in a more need- 
 ful direction where "gray" or "butternut" covered the 
 human target. On March 27th 1st Sergt. Caleb N. Jacobs, 
 of Company G, was transferred to the non-commissioned 
 staff as sergeant-major of the First Regiment, vice Atwell, 
 commissioned adjutant of the 36th Wisconsin. Sergt. James 
 
398 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 S. Webster was then promoted to first sergeant, and other 
 changes made in the Wisconsin company. 
 
 Gen. U. S. Grant having been placed in command of all 
 the armies of the United States with the rank of lieutenant- 
 general, made his headquarters with the Army of the Poto- 
 mac, a part of which had been transferred to the West, with 
 the five corps reduced in strength remaining, consolidated 
 into three— 2d, 5th and 6th, besides the cavalry. Of the 
 infantry, the old 3d corps (1st and 2d divisions) became the 
 1st and 2d brigades of the 3d division under Biruey, and 
 two brigades of a 4th division under Mott, of the 2d corps 
 commanded by Gen. Hancock ; the Sharpshooters being in 
 Birney's division, the First Regiment in the 2d brigade 
 (Gen.Hays),the Second Regiment under Lt.-Col.Stoughton in 
 the 1st brigade (Gen. Ward). They were, however, allowed 
 to retain their respective "diamond" badges — 1st division 
 red, 2d division white; the badge of a 3d division being 
 blue. The First Regiment was now commanded by Major 
 Mattocks, of the 17th Maine, with Capt. Marble again act- 
 ing as field officer. 
 
 On March 31st they left Camp Bullock, moving across 
 the railroad into an old rebel camp near Brandy Station. 
 Nothing particular transpired while here other than regular 
 routine of duties, until April 2d, when they took part in the 
 grand review by the newly appointed commander-in-chief. 
 Gen. Grant, Gen. Meade commanding Army of the Potomac, 
 and Hancock the 2d corps. On the 27th camp was broken 
 up, the troops removed to fields where they pitched their 
 shelters, under marching orders ; all surplus camp and gar- 
 rispn equipage being turned over to the quartermaster. For 
 some time previous heavy drills took place, six hours a day, 
 while inspections and reviews were frequent. The old sol- 
 diers didn't like it ever so much — thought they didn't 
 require it — but they had to stand it, and soon became in 
 good condition for more rough marches and hard fighting. 
 
IN THE AKMY OF THE POTOMAC, 399 
 
 When Gen. Hays took command of the brigade, he came 
 to us prejudiced against the Sharpshooters, whose fame had 
 reached him, doubting their ability to meet the requirements 
 of leading and successful marksmen, to entitle them to the 
 name and fame acquired throughout the Army of the Poto- 
 mac; and he bluntly told Gen. Birney, who was one of our 
 backers, that "the Sharpshooters were no better shots than 
 ordinary infantry," and he "should therefore employ them 
 in ordinary line of battle." In other words he was one of 
 those old officers who evidently didn't believe in the Sharp- 
 shooter service; and would soon prove to Birney and staff, 
 and other invited guests, that"theSharpshooters were pets, 
 and not particularly expert with the rifle." Of course our reg- 
 iments heard of this, and didn't fancy Hays very much just 
 then, while Capt. Marble in command of the FirstRegiment 
 at once selected a detail "for a particular purpose," of "ten 
 men in light marching order," who were ordered to report 
 to brigade headquarters, with an invitation extended to our 
 officers to "come and w^itness the test shooting determined 
 upon." 
 
 Marble of course was careful to select reliable men, tVe 
 least liable to become disconcerted no matter how difficult 
 the test, as he was determined to guard against the possi- 
 bility of a similar detail from some of Hays' "pets"— in 
 other words he didn't propose to be taken at a disadvan- 
 tage, but was ready to meet all comers on equal terms, in 
 all manner of shooting and at all distances. 
 
 The result was, that Gen. Hays was completely sur- 
 prised, his sour looks at us changed to "sweet smiles," in a 
 speech acknowledging that he was "very much mistaken, 
 and that henceforth he would be a Sharpshooter," at the 
 same time ordering from Quartermaster Marden, a pair of 
 green pants in token of his appreciation of our men's pro- 
 ficiency in the use of the rifle; eventually, too soon after for 
 the good of the cause, being killed with the same green pants 
 on, dying a Sharpshooter at heart and in sentiment. 
 
400 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIEMISHINO 
 
 NINTH CAMPAIGN. 
 UNDER GRANT. 
 
 Major-General Meade was instnicted that Lee's army 
 would be his objective point; that wherever Lee went he 
 w^ould go also. — U. S. Grant. 
 
 On the 3d of May the Sharpshooters packed up in the 
 morning, and participating in the general movement of the 
 army broke camp, the First Regiment with Hays' brigade, 
 the Second with Ward's, and moving off at midnight, march- 
 ing 20 miles, crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford at ten &.. m. the 
 following day. Having rested a sufficient time to allow the 
 rest of the division to come up, they moved on, and after a 
 steady march until towards the close of the afternoon, 
 reached the old battlefield of Chancellorsville of the year 
 previous, where they bivouacked for the night. Whil« here, 
 a number of articles were found formerly belonging to the 
 regimentj among them their lost knapsacks which were 
 mostly burned, strips only of them being left, and pieces of 
 green clothing; also the graves of several of their former 
 comrades. Human skulls and bones vere scattered over 
 the ground — grave reminders of the grim past. It was near 
 the ground where the determined "80" drove back the 
 "Stonewall men," where the Sharpshooters rested for the 
 night. 
 
IN THE ASHY OF THE POTOMAC. 401 
 
 The march was resupied on the morning of the 5th, ovtr 
 regimept being thrown out as flankers, passing through the 
 Cedars, on towards Todd's Tavern, where they came to a 
 halt. Firing being heard on the right, the troops mqved 
 back a short distance to the Brock road, when they were 
 rushed rapidly forward, heavy fighting going on ahead; the 
 din and clamor of which was plainly heard, in such tones of 
 thunder as not to be misunderstood by the approaching 
 columns. 
 
 BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 May 5-6, 1864. 
 
 Arriving at the scene of action in the afternoon where the 
 contending armies were hard at it, the First Sharpshoot- 
 ers deployed in skirmish line on the left of the Brock and 
 Orange roads, and movingforward to ascertain the position 
 of the enemy, soon found them in force mid terrific fire, 
 whereby the right of the line composed of the Swiss and 
 Yermonters suffered considerable loss in a few moments, 
 while the major commanding — C. P. Mattocks, of 17th 
 Maine,-^was taken prisoner. It was a hot reception for the 
 hoys, but they endeavored to pay it back as earnestly. 
 Finally, having accomplished the purpose for which they 
 were sent forward, they were ordered back after a sharp 
 skirmish, and relieved by other troops withdrew to the 
 Brock road, where they remained until night behind rudely 
 constructed breastworks. After dark they crossed the 
 Orange road to the right, the battle for the day being over, 
 and marching considerably about through the dark wood 
 and swamp among the dead and wounded, at a late hour 
 succeeded in rejoining their brigade which had been hotly 
 engaged elsewhere, with the loss among many others, of 
 
402 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 their brave commander, Gen. Alex. Hays, who was instantly 
 killed. We now rested, and poorly, the balance of the night, 
 amid moans and groans in front and around us. Capt. John 
 Wilson senior officer, commanded the regiment, on the cap- 
 ture of Major Mattocks who had been detailed to command 
 us when the campaign opened. Capt. Marble was detailed 
 for staff duty,— acting assistant adjutant general of the bri- 
 gade,— which important position he retained during the 
 balance of his term of service. The contest thus far had 
 been a fierce one ; the small trees and bushes were cut close 
 to the ground by the bullets— mowed right down— but little 
 if any artillery being used. The lines being close together in 
 the thick woods enveloped by the dense smoke, the artillery 
 couldn't be brought into play. Strictly defined, it was an 
 infantry fight ; where both sides struggled as stubbornly for 
 the failing victory. 
 
 It is true, the batteries of the 2d corps, with one or two 
 exceptions, were run up on some high ground on the extreme 
 left of the corps and the Union line of battle, near the cross- 
 ing of the Brock and Catharpin roads, and a portion of 
 another battery (Ricketts') was placed at the Brock road 
 junction with the Orange plank, but generally the artillery 
 on both sides cut little figure in the contest. Ricketts' bat- 
 tery, however, did good service and suffered much, having 
 moved forward with the line of battle behind Getty's divis- 
 ion of the 6th corps, now under Hancock's command, con- 
 necting on the right with Birney. Of this battery Gen. Han- 
 cock said : 
 
 "The section of Ricketts' battery which moved down 
 the plank road when Birney and Getty attacked, suffered 
 severely in men and horses. It was captured at one time 
 during the fight, but was retaken under the direction of 
 Capt. Butterfield, of Col. Carroll's staff, by detachments 
 from the 14th Indiana and 8th Ohio volunteers of Carroll's 
 brigade. It was then withdrawn and replaced by a section 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 403 
 
 of Dow's (Gtli Maine) battery." He also speaks of this last 
 battery, on the following day: "rendering valuable and 
 effective service." 
 
 Gen. Bimey called on the Second Sharpshooters late in 
 the evening for volunteers to retake one of these guns that 
 had been abandoned between the lines down the Orange 
 road, whereupon Capt. Norton, of Company E, and plenty 
 of men, rushed down fighting their way, and not only 
 broiight off the gun but took as well the harness off the dead 
 horses, bringing it along. 
 
 At an early hour on the following morning (May 6), 
 the First Sharpshooters deployed as skirmishers ahead, 
 advancing westerly to the extreme front where they occupied 
 and held an exposed position. The ground passed over con- 
 tained many dead of the day previous ; the wounded having 
 been mostly carried off by the stretcher-bearers at work the 
 entire night, using lighted candles to find the sufferers in 
 that black, grim, dismal w^ood. 
 
 Our regiment finally recrossed the Orange road to the 
 left, taking up a position in advance of the division, in a 
 small opening, obtaining temporary cover behind rude 
 breastworks constructed of half-rotten logs and brush. As 
 the battle progressed, the fiery sun pouring down its hottest 
 rays, the men with great drops of perspiration rolling from 
 their faces, moved hurriedly forward to an advanced posi- 
 tion, firing as rapidly as sight could be obtained through 
 the thick smoke which soon covered the field. We had 
 enough to do in hurried shooting— quick work— it being at 
 the time Hill re-formed and came charging back, with Long- 
 street's corps swinging around on our left, sending in a ter- 
 rific fire on our flank and across our rear. It was terribly 
 hot, the scorching sun, while the air was perfectly blue with 
 bullets. On they came with their rebel yell — the most 
 hideous music imaginable, when you know they 've got you 
 
4.04 SHARPSHOOTIJSG AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 if you don't get up and "get." In such places it is enough- 
 to strike terror to the stoutest hearts. Shrieking shell and 
 . hissing bullets will develop a soldier's fullest senses— his 
 eyes magnify, his ears expand— but unless he is flanked, or 
 caught in the rear, he will hold on. But when they 
 
 Howled in our ears 
 Their hideous cries, 
 
 it required the greatest determination to withstand the 
 effect and meet the onslaught. The Johnnies felt the same 
 way, when we had them on the run. In this respect the 
 Blue and the Gray were very alike. A very natural feeling, 
 which proves that the human voice can on critical occasions, 
 
 Strike more terror to the soul, 
 Than more clamorous somids of war. 
 
 The cry is, "here they come, " and in unknown strength to 
 charge our own weak lines, far to the front — as the Sharp- 
 shooters often were. But the trained soldier rarely gives 
 way without orders, until the last possible moment. In this 
 case we could n't stand the pressure, and were forced hur- 
 riedly back along with the other troops behind us. 
 
 It was during this critical period that the brave and 
 lamented Gen. Wadsworth was killed. His division (5th 
 corps) was on the right of the road, connected with ours of 
 the 2d corps on the left. But he had crossed over, and rid- 
 ing ahead to the Sharpshooter line urged us farther for- 
 ward, although then away ahead of anything on that par- 
 ticular field. In answer to his load demands, his per- 
 emptory orders, for he was excited as he rode the line with 
 waving sword — a noble-looking white haired veteran — we 
 still surged farther ahead, but not to exceed a hundred 
 yards, when we met them, coming with a rush — the balls 
 liissing hot and low. The general then rode into the road. 
 
IN THE ARMY Of THE POTOMAC. 403 
 
 tvhere he was shot and captured, mortally W6ti«d^&d. Thus 
 was lost One of the noblest spirits of the army. 
 
 the rebel General Longstreet was also wounded, in the 
 throat, and carried back to die, but recovered to come at 
 us again in future hot places — one of the Coafederetes' best 
 officers. Geo. Jenkins of the enemy, was at the same time 
 killed in this vicinity. 
 
 The ^cond Sharpshooters went into this morning's 
 fight on the right of the Vermont brigade which overlapped 
 their line resting on the plank road, and fired into them. 
 Capt. Albert Buxton, the tried and faithful commander of 
 Compdny H, received his death wound while gallantly lead- 
 ing his men in. 
 
 Our regiments eventually took up a position behind the 
 \v'Ofks along the Brock road. Hancock's corps went into 
 action at five in the morning, driving Hill's troops a 
 mile and a half before they rallied to return reinforced, 
 assisted by Longstreet's flanking columns. It w^as the 
 opinion of Gen. Hancock that the Confederates Would have 
 met with overwhelming defeat this day had his orders to 
 his left wing been fully carried out. From information 
 received he had apprehended an attack on his exposed extreme 
 left, by way ol the Catharpin rOad, from Longstreet, and it 
 became necessary to keep the flank well guarded to meet 
 any such movement. He says: 
 
 "Barlow's division was placed in -position for that 
 purpose, and my artillery was formed to cover the road 
 leading from the Catharpin to the Brock road, along which 
 it was supposed the enemy would advance. * * * At 
 seven A. M. (6th) I sent a staff officer to Gen. Gibbon, com- 
 manding the left of my line, informing him of our snecess on 
 my right, and directing him to attack the enemy's right with 
 Barlow's division, and to press to the i-ight towards the 
 Orange plank road. This order was only partially carried out. 
 Frank's brigade of Barlow's division, was sent to feel the 
 enemy's right, and after an obstinate contest succeeded in 
 
406 SHARPSHOPTING AND, SKIRMISHING 
 
 forming a connection with the left of Mott's division. I do 
 not know why my order to attack with Barlow's division 
 was not more fullv carried out, but it was probably owing 
 to the apprehended approach of Longstreet's corps on my 
 left about that time; but had my left advanced as directed 
 by me in several orders, I believe the overthrow of the enemy 
 would have been assured. At all events, an attack on the 
 enemy's right by the troops of Barlow's division would 
 have prevented the turning of the left of Mott's division, 
 which occurred later in the day." 
 
 Relative to this desperate flank attack at midday, which 
 eventually forced our corps back to the Brock road, Han- 
 cock said : 
 
 "The enemy now advanced upon Frank's brigade of 
 Barlow's division, which joined the left of Mott's division. 
 That brigade, having been heavily engaged in the earlier 
 part of the day, had nearly exhausted its ammunition, and 
 was compelled to retire before the enemy, whose attack was 
 made with great vehemence. This was Longstreet's attack. 
 Passing over Frank's brigade they struck the left of Mott's 
 division, which in turn was forced back. Some confusion 
 ensuing among the troops of that division, I endeavored 
 to restore order and to re-form my line of battle along the 
 Orange plank road, from its extreme advance to itsjunction 
 with the Brock road, by throwing back my left, in order to 
 hold my advanced position along that road and on its right, 
 but w^as unable to effect this, owing to the partial disorgan- 
 ization of the troops, which was to be attributed to their 
 having been engaged for many hours in a dense forest, under 
 a heavy and murderous musketry fire, w'hen their formation 
 was partly lost. Gen. Birney, who was in command ofthat 
 portion of the line, thought it advisable to withdraw the 
 troops from the wood, where it was almost impossible to 
 adjust our lines, and to re-form them in the breastworks 
 along the Brock road on our original line of battle." 
 
 Late in the day, a desperate and almost successful charge 
 was made by the enemy on to the Brock road works, the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 407 
 
 first line of which they entered, aided by the fire and smoke of 
 the burning woods sweeping down our lines, thus covering 
 their sudden approach ; but the troops rallying, rushed for- 
 ward and drove them back through the brush, the flag of the 
 First Sharpshooters being conspicuously waved outside the 
 works on the heels of the retreating rebs, by the brave 
 color-bearer Sergeant Blakeslee, of Company C ; while Color 
 Sergeant J. Madison Tarbell, of Company E, Second Regi- 
 ment, stood with his colors planted on the breastworks until 
 the rebels stood theirs alongside, and until he received a 
 shot through the arm and had to give up, though he hung 
 to the flag. 
 
 The excitement was intense, and affairs looked desperate 
 for a while; but when our soldiers found they had to do it 
 — recover the lost ground — they did it nobly. It was now 
 the Yanks' turn to shout, and it rose from regiments and 
 brigades, high towards the heavens, a frightful piercing 
 sound of determined valor. 
 
 Carroll's brigade of Gibbon's division, led the counter- 
 charge, by orderofGen. Birney, recapturing the breastworks, 
 the First Sharpshooters being in line to the right, with them. 
 The advance of the enemy checked, the tired troops rested 
 for the night. Thus ended the battle of the Wilderness, 
 proper, an engagement that cost hundreds of lives on both 
 sides; and while the Union troops gained no point in their 
 forward movement, yet as the enemy in this last grand 
 charge had approached stealthily through the brush and' 
 smoke almost to our lines, before they made their sudden 
 dash, they failed to follow up their advantage by forcing 
 the fighting after our men had fallen back over the open 
 plain, and in some places in confusion, but remained at the 
 works (in our immediate front) until our men rallied and 
 easily drove them out and away — out of sight — with little 
 loss, so that what there was of victory, was ours. They 
 lacked the push at the critical moment, and lost the battle. 
 
40'§ SHARPSHOOtlNG AND SK.IRMiSHiN(J 
 
 It always sfeenled sUfprising, coiiiiflg otit bi a, hst tjHttle, 
 hbw matiy were unharmed. With thbiisandg of blillets 
 cOUtiniiail;^ passing through the farikS, the ehartces weffe 
 slitii enough to come out untouched, yet butcompafatiYely 
 asMglli pfopoftion, as a getiefal thing, of those ^hf aged, get 
 hit. it would be impossible to tell how iiiatiy natrow 
 escapes, or "close calls "—as the bOys term it— ecc'ttr. Ifl 
 sUch a fight, a soldiet seldom knows how near he is to death 
 u^til he is stfuck. There are times, howevef , whein thgy 
 had sufficient evidelice that but a Hair's bfeadth separated 
 life and death, and some remarkable instances have been 
 noted. One of this kind occurred in the forenoon before the 
 hot work had fairly commenced. Three line officers stood 
 talkiflg by a saplings on opfposite sideSj the other with hi§ 
 back squarely behind the tree looking to the rear. They 
 were looking to see if our troops were coming forward. 
 The writer was on the south side, Capt. Nash on the north, 
 and while engaged talking in low tones, watching front and 
 rear, a single bullet spanged into the center of the tree, right 
 through it. It was supposed that Lieut. J. L. Rilliet wh& 
 covered the tree behindj was surely struck; but he very 
 coolly replied, "if sO, I don't feel it." Where the ball went, 
 or how it could pass him, was a mystery; nor did we havt 
 a moment's time to solve it, as this apparent signal shot 
 was instantly followed bya rattlingvolley, then the uproar, 
 and the hissing of myriad balls shoWfed the fight hiad 
 
 Gen. Bnrnside, commanding the 9th cOfps, was gUkti" 
 iMg the approaches tO Washington from the Rappahannock 
 north, at the time the Army of the Potomac crossed the 
 Rapidan, when he was ordered ts move up his troops 
 without delay, which was done. Grant referring to Bura^ 
 side's promptness in this important reinforcement says: 
 
 "By six o'clock of the morning of the 6th he (Burnside) 
 was leading his corps into action near the Wilderness 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 409' 
 
 Ta'^efW, gottie of his troops having malrched a distance of 
 OYif 30 miles, crossing both the Rappahannock and Rapidan 
 rivers. Considering that a large proportion (probably 
 t\yo-thirds) of his command was cordposed of new troops,, 
 unaccustomed to marches and carrying the accouterments 
 of a soldier, this was a remarkable ikiat-ch." 
 
 These accouterments consisted of the usual regulation- 
 supply. The Sharpshooters, as noticed at the time, had to- 
 undergo the same trials on leaving Camp of Instruction and' 
 entering on to the Peninsula. Stuffed knapsacks, extra 
 blankets, tentcovers, rubbers and overcoats, all new troops 
 had td endure. 
 
 THE ORANGE ROAD. 
 
 May 7, 1864. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th we were suddenly ordered 
 forward to capture a battery. We were rushed down the 
 Orange road far to the front, under shot and shell as we 
 deployed out, and crossed to the left into a deep wood' 
 close up to the rebel works situated on a hill. Here we 
 were subjected to a severefireof cannon and musketry, doing 
 great damage, with little chance to retaliate, shooting 
 upwards through the trees. The enemy had us in a bad 
 spot^a complete corner where death awaited all. It was 
 otily a question of time, and short time at that. An 
 infantry detachment coming up to our support on our left,, 
 drew away Some of the fire from us into this rash, rushing 
 squad, and down they tumbled. But we had to get out of 
 there. It was a useless attempt. When we went in, they 
 told us we were going to capture a "jackass battery," but 
 the jackass came near capturing us, or rather killing us all 
 off. Men fell to the right and left on all sides, from the louc - 
 
410 SHAEPSHOOTING ANB SKIRMISHING 
 
 mouthed cannon and well aimed nittskets at short range. 
 It seemed a useless slaughter, that might have been avoided 
 by stealthy skirmishing without ^Lttracting attention, and 
 with little ornolossbeensuccessfiarin ascertaining the move- 
 ment afoot by the Confederates at this point, instead of the 
 rush forward— all to capture a jackass battery well posted 
 on a bluff; which with our slini' force we couldn't do by so 
 open an attack. It really required some strategy. If it was 
 the intention to find outwhaitwas in front, we accomplished 
 the purpose, paying dearly for the information. 
 
 The enemy had closed up behind his intrenchments, and 
 ■Gen. Grant reported: "From this it was evident to my mind 
 that the two days' fighting had satisfied him of his inability 
 to further maintain the contest in the open field, notwith- 
 •standing his advantage of position, and that he would 
 Await an attack behind his works." 
 
 We were finally ordered back out of range, forming a 
 line of pickets across the wood, where we remained on the 
 •constant and sharp lookout until night ; our attempts to 
 reach the fatal spot to recover the wounded or recognize 
 the dead being prevented by the as alert enemy. 
 
 After the fight we were informed that the force coming 
 down the road to our left, thus drawing the fire, was one 
 of the "forlorn-hopes," or "straggler brigades," as the 
 boys called them. As the campaigns and big battles 
 increased, the provost guard were generally brought closer 
 to the fighting liiies, where stragglers and all soldiers falling 
 hack to the rear who couldn't "show blood" for a wound, 
 were at once arrested and, formed into battalions, sent for- 
 ward to the farthest front as a sort of forlorn hope, — 
 but without the honors, — w^here they had to face the balls 
 in the thickest of the fight; so that many no doubt fell 
 unknown by name or regiment, which will account for the 
 want of certainty in some cases, by company comrades, as 
 such instanceshave occurred, in which missing men were lost 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THK POTOMAC. 411 
 
 in the described provost battalions. During the Wilderness- 
 Petersburg campaign in all the numerous conflicts, the, 
 provost guard were right behind us, ready to do their duty. 
 in the manner stated, as the "sick and sorry" soldiers— and 
 we had them in every brigade— found out often to their 
 sorrow. 
 
 In this action the Sharpshooters lost a number of as 
 good men in a fight as stood in the Army of the Potomac.; 
 All told not less than a score went down on that reckless 
 advance. Here again were close calls in order. Kirkham 
 had his ear completely packed with the bark of, a tree, 
 causing considerable blood to flow, the bullet having just 
 missed him, and it was some time before he could get it 
 sufficiently cleared out to hear again. While guarding this 
 point during the day, with the battle-lines far behind us, 
 we were occasionally reminded of the enemy in front, by 
 certain whizzing music through the air — of the infernal 
 order — as w^ith a yell they fired ramrods at us. But we 
 kept quiet, and w^atched. 
 
 After dark w^e were ordered to the Orange road on the 
 verge of the fatal field of the previous morning, and stood 
 guard all night, with vedettes in front. It was an ominous 
 looking scene, the enemy known to be near, down the road, 
 the Union army withdrawing and marching off to theleft. 
 A dreadful quiet prevailed during that black night — not a 
 sound to be heard beyond our own w^hispers. We sat 
 around on dead men for logs in the utter darkness, w^hile 
 the stench was suff"ocating. We were in the midst of the 
 dead of the fight of the day before, where Longstreet made 
 his flank charge. At daybreak we were ordered to fall back, 
 being relieved by cavalry, and afterwards protected them 
 as they came away — for the army had gone. Berdan's Sharp- 
 shooters were of the last to leave the Wilderness. 
 
 As we retired from the road, and crossed that fatal field, 
 the ground was discovered completely covered with dead 
 
413 SHASP&fiOOTINS AND SEIRMtSHING 
 
 by the hufldteds; and 6Be rettiatkabk thiiig about tbe 
 appeararice of tbe sildflt deepefS, was that the Northern 
 men had pak faces, while the Sduthernefs were of a choc- 
 olate c&lor. They lay ia all maniieir of positions, intef- 
 mingled, Blu^ and Gray. 
 
 The question has been frequently asked: "How do men 
 fall in battle ?" It has even gone into thecourts on the wit- 
 ness stand, in important criminal cases. My answer to that 
 is, to compare the soldiers on the battle field falling under^ 
 fire, like the pins of a bowling alley when the ball strikes 
 among them. They fall every way— forward, backward, 
 sideways, gently sinking down, hurriedly pitching ahead,, 
 and all regardless of the way they are going, quick or slow,, 
 forward ot backward. That is my answer as to how sol- 
 diers fall in battle. Yda can't tell anything about it. It 
 oftert depends on the manner or the place where thej' are hit. 
 Sometimes they don't fall at all, until pushed over by their 
 still living comrades. Stark in death they stand, as they 
 were struck. It is natural to suppose, however, that when 
 a s&ldier is rutlning or charging forward and is struck dead, 
 that he would pitch forward, but it does flot always hap- 
 pen so. 
 
 The Sharpshooters suffered considerable loss on this bat- 
 tle field. The First Regiment loss is as follows : 
 
 May 5-6. 
 
 Co. A.--1 killed, 2 wounded. 
 
 Co. B.^Wounded: Joseph Marr, mortal. 
 
 Co. C— Killed: Lewis M. Beebe. Wounded: Cyrus W.. 
 Wilcox. Captured : Jacob A. Ege. 
 
 Co, E.-^Killed : Burnice Scales. Captured : G. W. Straw.. 
 
 Cb. F.— Killed: Corp. David M. French, W. J. Domag, 
 E. E.. Trask, Jacob Lacoy, and mortally wounded, A. C. 
 Cross, William Wilson. Wounded ; M. Cunningham, Spaf- 
 ford A. Wright, John C. Page, S. M. Butler, William Mc- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTQMAC. 413 
 
 Keever. Captured: Sergt. Patil M. Thompson, J. H. 
 Guthrie. 
 
 Co. G.— Wounded : First Sergt. James S. Webster, head, 
 slight ; Privates Michael Costelo, leg amputated, mortal ; 
 James Ragin, arm, slight. Captured : Sergt. James Durkee. 
 
 Co. H. — Captured: Corp. Martin Y. Nichols, Private 
 Orrin E. Doty. 
 
 Co. I,— Killed: Albert N. Fineh. Wounded: Samuel 
 Ingling. 
 
 Co. K. — Killed : Sergt. Jasper McBain, shot in six places, 
 died a prisoner two days later; Orville Parker. 
 
 May 7. 
 
 Co. A. — Killed : Corp. Ulrect. Wounded : five. 
 
 Co. C. — Wounded : Sergt. Frank H. Cobb, and a prisoner 
 four months. 
 
 Co. D, — Wounded : John H. Phinney, mortal. 
 
 Co. F.-— Killed: Edward Giddings, Joseph Hagan. 
 Wounded : Lieut. H. E. Kinsman, Dustin R. Bareau, Henry 
 Mattocks, Edward Lyman. 
 
 Co. G.— Killed: Corp. John A. Denniston. Wounded: 
 Sergt. William W. Sweet, arm, severe; Private Israel Ingols- 
 be, leg, mortal, 
 
 Co. H.'-Mortally wounded : Lieut. Michael McGeough. 
 
 Co. I.-^Killed: George R. Merrill. 
 
 As a somewhat remarkable instance of lasting friendship 
 springing up between mortal enemies, and continuing far 
 years after the war, the following case is given: Sergt. 
 Cobb, after he was wounded and left on the field, was picked 
 up by some Alabamians, who recognized him as the Sharp- 
 shooter whom they had met in friendly conversation on 
 picket in front of Fredericksburg in the spring of '63. They 
 belonged to the 11th Alabama, and haying crossed theRap^ 
 pahannock several times exchanging papers and visiting 
 Cobb and other of our boys (although strictly against 
 
414 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 orders either side), became warm friends, at the same time 
 entering into an agreement, that should either of them, 
 through the fortunes of war, fall into the other's hands, 
 they should help them all they could. Sergt. Cobb said : 
 "This meeting of these new-made friends again, on the Wil- 
 derness battle field a year after their first acquaintance, was 
 an affecting scene." They carried him tenderly from the 
 field, and did everything possible to make it easy for him, 
 particularly when the surgeon told them ominously that "it 
 was a question of but a short time with this Yankee at the 
 longest," as his right side was badly shattered (a generally 
 fatal wound), so that whatever was to be done must be 
 then. The Alabama friends left Cobb with the surgeon, bid- 
 ding him a sorrowful good-bye, with hopes for his recovery 
 added, as their army moved off. For one month in the 
 Wilderness hospital, and three months in a Lynchburg 
 tobacco warehouse, did the gallant sergeant suffer with this 
 terrible wound and the deadly gangrene. Then, on to Libby, 
 where he was finally paroled, reaching home the winter fol- 
 lowing. Years after, through the earnest suggestion of his 
 son, the veteran wrote an inquiring letter to a local Ala- 
 bama paper published at the home of those Confederates, 
 whose address he had never forgotten, and hearing from 
 three of the four who had carried him from the battlefield, 
 a correspondence commenced which they have been keeping 
 up as late as 1892, with the intention of arranging for one 
 more meeting, or reunion, after nearly 30 years have passed. 
 Retiring silently through the brush to the Brock road, 
 the Sharpshooters acted as rear guard, and protected the 
 cavalry while* falling back. The main body of the division 
 having preceded them, they followed on as fast as circum- 
 stances would permit, halting and facing to the front from 
 time to time, until the cavalry came up again, w^hen the lat- 
 ter would halt and watch, while our men were pushing on. 
 An important service which the Sharpshooters were fre-. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 415 
 
 quently called on to perform. Skirmisliing in advance, and 
 protecting the retreat, often long distances from the main 
 body, was their principal and hazardous duty. During this 
 time William Wells, of Company F, was wounded and cap- 
 tured, subsequently dying in prison at Florence, S. C. 
 
 As our hard-fought troops marched back, down the 
 Brock road, it was again in order to "swap guesses" as to 
 whether we were to execute another retrograde movement 
 — ^turn to the left at the Chancellorsville road, and recross 
 theRapidan; or if by keeping straight away to the south 
 and along the enemy's lines — always found ready to oppose 
 our advance — Grant was going to try the effect of farther 
 attacks. They soon found out — in fact, before the first 
 month expired they had many opportunities to find it out 
 — ^that he was going to "fight it out on that line, if it took 
 all summer." 
 
 But though knowing full well that a forward movement 
 meant more hard fighting, more killed and wounded, they 
 hurried on with light hearts ready for the w^orst, rather 
 than go the old way. They had crossed the Rapidan for the 
 last time. 
 
 Ofiicial return of Union loss at the Wilderness May 5-7, 
 1864: Killed: 2,246; wounded, 12,037; missing, 3,383; 
 total, 17,666. 
 
 TODDS TAVERN. 
 
 May 8-9, 1064. 
 
 Having rejoined the division at this place about noon, 
 the First Sharpshooters were soon after placed in position 
 on a timbered hill, where log breastworks were being 
 erected. A sharp fight soon after occurred between the 
 advanced lines and the enemy, on the plain below. The lat- 
 
•416 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 teF finally retired and during the night quietnesg prevailed. 
 During the engagement Lieut! Perrin C. Judkins, Compaay 
 'G, acting aid on the brigade staff, while gallajitly galloping 
 to the front to encourage the troops to retain their position, 
 was unhorsed by a rebel shell and thrown heavily on his 
 head to the ground, rendering him insensibly and causing 
 death a few hours after. A. portion of the First Regijtnent 
 had been thrown out across the Catharpin road, where 
 some skirmishing occurred with the enemy's advance. Dur- 
 ing the forenoon a reconnoissance had been ordered by Gen. 
 Hancock, consisting of a brigade of infantry, one of cavalry, 
 and a battery, under Col. Miles, on the Catharpin road 
 south, where they became engaged with the enemy near 
 Corbin's bridge, and later in the day became more seriously 
 ■ engaged w^ith a rebel brigade, repulsing two of their attacks 
 before returning to the main force at Todd's Tavern. On 
 the morning of the 9th the Sharpshooters advanced to the 
 front, and had a skirmish with rebel cavalry coming 
 towards them on the road, the scouts sent out to reconnoi- 
 ter following them as they fell back until ordered to return, 
 when they continued the march to the left. While reconnoi- 
 tering the front, the enemy's camp fires were found burning, 
 thus showing that they had not been lang gone. 
 
 Franklin Viall was sent with a detail of pioneers to bury 
 Lieut. Judkins, and they dug a gi-ave close to a private cem- 
 etery. But while preparing the remains at a house near by, 
 some other soldiers filled the grave with guns and equip- 
 ments, which they were made to remove. Viall looked the 
 unfortunate ofiicer carefully over, but could find no indica- 
 tion of any contusion, bruise or wound. He said : "I under- 
 stand Judkins was swept from his horse by a shell, while 
 leading a regiment out of a place where they were en- 
 trapped and threatened with capture." Thepioneers detailed 
 with Comrade Viall belonged to that regiment, and they 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 417 
 
 declared that Judlcins' conduct was most heroic, and he was 
 hailed as their deliverer from disaster. 
 
 YANKEE METHOD OF ELEVATING SIGHTS. 
 
 Someof the Vermonters tell how they were detached from 
 the regiment for special sharpshooting, as they approached 
 the high ground overlooking the valley of the Po, for 
 the purpose of driving away a rebel signal party — some 
 1,500 yards off— as Gen. Hancock did not wish to have the 
 enemy observe his movements. One of our batteries did 
 open on them, but the distance was too great for canister, 
 w^hile "the saucy rebels only laughed at shell." Our Sharps 
 rifles being sighted for 1,000 yards only, the green-coats 
 resorted to an experiment by cutting and fitting sticks to 
 increase the elevation, when a few expert shots tried what 
 they could do, a staff-officer with his field-glass w^atching 
 the result. It became soon apparent, however, from the 
 way the men in the distant tree top — the improvised signal 
 station — looked down, according to our officer's report, 
 when the bullets began to whistle near them, that our rifle- 
 men were shooting under; so, longer sticks were fitted for 
 sights, and now the rebels began to look above, showing 
 that the balls went over. Cutting the sticks down a little, 
 they were finally sighted about right, when the rebs began 
 to dodge about, according to the officer with the glass, for 
 our men could not distinguish them with the naked eye, but 
 could see the tree and the flags. I'he result was, that as 
 soon as the entire detail got to shooting, the surprised rebs 
 abandoned their station in a hurry— their signaling proved 
 a signal failure. This pleased Gen. Hancock very much, he 
 having watched the shooting with much interest. 
 
 The country we had been in since crossing the Rapidan, 
 was pretty heavily wooded, with but few openings or small 
 fields. Heavy woods and thick underbrush were generally 
 to be found, through which ran narrow roads, making 
 
 27 
 
418 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 oftentimes difficult inarching, especially in hurried move- 
 ments. After leaving Todd's Tavern, we struck a more open 
 country, dotted here and there with farms and some preten- 
 tious residences. 
 
 FIGHTING AT PO RIVER. 
 
 May 9-11, 1864. 
 
 Arriving at the river Po, in the afternoon (May 9), 
 where the artillery were engaged shelling the opposite 
 woods and road on which the rebel trains were moving, we 
 crossed in the evening, w^hen after a crow^ded and very dusty 
 march of acouple of miles only, scarcely seeing the files in front 
 so thick was the dust, the column, worn out with fatigue, 
 came to a halt for the balance of the night, resting under 
 arms. It was in this vicinity in the morning that Gen. 
 Sedgwick, commanding the 6th corps, w^as killed by the 
 enemy's sharpshooters, having boldly exposed himself to 
 their fire while reconnoitering their position. He w^as one 
 of our very best officers, and the army mourned his fall. 
 
 Sharp fighting occurred late in the afternoon by a por- 
 tion of the 2d corps while effecting a crossing of the river, 
 particularly by Brooke's brigade of Barlow's division, and 
 farther along by Birney's leading regiments, who met with 
 considerable resistance from the enemy on the south side, 
 protected as they were by a mill race. But though stoutly 
 defended, our troops finally forced them back. 
 
 Falling in at an early hour of the 10th, after changing 
 front several times we finally moved to the left, where heavy 
 fighting was going on ; and took up a position with the 
 brigade under sharp artilley fire. In the battle in progress 
 our troops met with considerable loss, particularly Gen. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 419 
 
 Barlow's division of the 2d corps, who, however, inflicted 
 heavy blows on the enemy, repulsing his determined assaults 
 twice. Gen. Gibbon's division also had a hand in — the 
 Excelsior brigade, of New York, catching it bad. Gen. War- 
 ren's 5th corps had a hot fight and were forced back; while 
 a special charging column under Col. Upton, sent out from 
 the 6th corps, gained a temporary advantage, capturing a 
 line with a lot of prisoners and a couple of cannon, which 
 latter he was obliged to abandon. During the whole after- 
 noon it was a severe engagement, and our losses were con- 
 siderable; among them, Col. Stoughton, of the Second Sharp- 
 shooters, who while leading his regiment, received a gun- 
 shot wound, breaking two ribs and receiving other injuriep, 
 which compelled his retirement from the field until 
 the 21st of June following. The regiment was in line of 
 battle, the brigade in column of regiments. Col. Stoughton : 
 "Every officer and man in the regiment performed with 
 alacrity every duty in this charge." 
 
 Upton's Charge. — "On the afternoon of the 10th an 
 assault was determined, and a column of 12 regiments was 
 organized, the command of which was assigned to me. The 
 point of attack * * * was at an angle of the enemy's 
 works near the Scott house, about half a mile to the left of 
 theSpottsylvaniaroad. His intrenchmentswereof a formid- 
 able character, with abatis in front and surmounted by heavy 
 logs, underneath which were loop-holes for musketry. In 
 the re-entrant to the right of the house was a battery with 
 traverses between the guns. There were also traverses at 
 intervals along the entire work. About 100 yards to the 
 rear was another line of works, partly completed and 
 occupied by a second line of battle. The position was in an 
 open field about 200 yards from a pine wood. * * * The 
 column of attack was formed in four lines of battle. * * * 
 The pieces of the first line were loaded and capped ; 
 those of the other lines were loaded but not capped; bay- 
 onets were fixed." Shortly after six p. m. "the lines rose, 
 moved noiselessly to the edge of the wood, and tBfen with a 
 
42a SHARPSHOOTIN6 AND SKIRMISHmtJ 
 
 wild cheer-and faces a verted, rushed for the works, f hrough 
 a terrible front and flank fire the column advanced, quickly 
 gaining the parapet. Here occurred a deadly hand-to-hand 
 conflict. The enemy sitting in their pits with pieces upright, 
 loaded, and with hayonets fixed, ready to impale the first 
 who should leap over, absolutely refused to yield the ground. 
 The first of our men who tried to surmount the works fell 
 pierced through the bead, by musket-balls. Others seeing 
 thefate^of their comrades, held their pieces at arm's length 
 and fired downward, while others, poising their pieces 
 vertically, hurled them down upon the enemy, pinning them 
 to the ground. Lieut. Johnson of the 121st New York, 
 feceived a bayonet wound through the thigh. Private 
 O'Donnell, 96th Pennsylvania, was piniled to the parapet, 
 but viras rescued by his comrades. A private of the 5th 
 Maine, having bayoneted a rebel, was fired at by the cap- 
 tain, who missing his aim, in turn shared the same fate. 
 The brave man fell by a shot from the rebel lieutenant. The 
 struggle lasted but a few seconds. Numbers prevailed, and, 
 like a restless wave, the column poured over the works, 
 quickly putting bors de combat those who resisted, and 
 sending to the rear those who surrendered. Pressing for- 
 ward and expanding to the right and left, the second line of 
 intrenchments, its line of battle, and the battery fell into 
 our hands. The column of assault had accomplished its 
 task. The enemy's lines were completely broken, and an 
 opening had been made for the division which was to have 
 supported on our left, but it did not arrive. * * * Our 
 Ibss in this assault was about 1,000 in killed, wounded and 
 missing. Theeriemylost at least 100 in killed at the first 
 intrenchments, while a much heavier loss was sustained in 
 his efforts to regain them. We captured between 1,000 and 
 1,200 prisoners, and several stand of colors." — Emory 
 Upton. 
 
 While at this point. Gen. Meade and staff appeared on 
 an eminence near by, overlooking the scene of operations, 
 and became subjected to a heavyfirefrom therebel batteries. 
 Retaining their position until apparently satisfied regarding 
 the moverSfents before them, they retired. I think it was 
 
;flj THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 421- 
 
 three times they galloped out of view behind the crest of 
 the hill, and came up again, to meet more bursting shells. 
 The third and last tirrie they moved off. It was a dangerous 
 place w^ith their flags flying above them, so they might be 
 excused if they didn't stay long— and they didn't, Gen. 
 Grant was also seen moving about the field behind the lines 
 smoking bis inevitable cigar, but escaped unharmed from the 
 deadly missiles flying over. 
 
 "During the heat of this contest the woods on the right 
 and in rear of our troops took fire. The flames had now 
 approached close to our line, rendering it almost impossible 
 to retain the position longer. The last bloody repulse of the 
 enemy had quieted him for a time, and during this lull iri the 
 fight General Barlow directed Brooke and Brown to aban- 
 don their position and retire to the north bank of the Po. 
 Their right and rear enveloped in the burning wood, their 
 front assailed by overwhelming numbers of the enemj', the- 
 vvithdraw^al of the troops was attended with extreme difii-' 
 culty and peril; but the movement was commenced at once»" 
 the men displaying such coolness and steadiness as arc 
 rarely exhibited in the presence of dangers so appalling. It. 
 seemed, indeed, that these gallant soldiers were devoted to 
 destruction. The enemy, perceiving that our line was retir- 
 ing, again advanced, but were again promptly checked by 
 our troops,- virho fell back through the burning forest with/ 
 admirable order and deliberation, though in doing so many, 
 of them were killed and wounded, numbers of the latter; 
 perishing in the flames. One section of Arnold's battery, 
 had been pushed forward by Captain Arnold during the 
 fight to within a short distance of Brooke's line, where it 
 had done effective service. When ordered to retire the horses" 
 attached to one of the pieces, becoming terrified by the fire 
 and unmanageable, dragged the gun between two trees, 
 where it became so firmly wedged that it could not be, 
 moved. * * * They were compelled to abandon it. This 
 was the first gun ever lost by the Second Corps. * * *' 
 I feel that I can not speak too highly of the bravery, 
 
422 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHINft 
 
 soldierly conduct, and diseipline displayed by Broolje's and 
 Brown's brigades on this occasion, Attacked by an entire' 
 division of the enemy (Heth's) they repeatedly beat him 
 back, holding their ground with unyielding courage until 
 they were ordered to withdraw, when they retired, with 
 such order and steadiness as to merit the highest praise. 
 The enemy regarded this as a coni5iderable victory, and 
 General Heth published a congratulatory order tohistroops, 
 indorsed by General Hill and General Lee, praising them for 
 their valor in drivingus from our intrenched lines. Had not 
 Barlow's fine division (then in full strength) received imper- 
 ative orders to withdraw, Heth's division would have had 
 no cause for congratulation. There were no more than two 
 brigades of Barlow's division engaged at any one time." 
 Gen. Hancock. 
 
 The First Sharpshooters ordered over to the right, ran 
 on to a masked battery which opened on them at a short 
 200 yards with canister, humming right over their heads^ 
 we were just too close to catch it. Another shot would 
 have swept us, when we were ordered behind the hill close 
 by; we being unable to charge it, a deep gully and stream 
 intervening. Under the hill we were soon exposed to a 
 sharp flank fire of shot and shell, rendering necessary 
 another change of position, not being able to respond 
 with any effect — wasting ammunition was not to be 
 thought of. Having fulfilled the duty required of us, guard- 
 ing these different points of approach, we were finally moved 
 to the left again and rested for the night behind rude works ; 
 having been exposed to heavy artillery fire the entire after- 
 noon, with some loss. The Second Sharpshooters suffered 
 considerably this day, the First Regiment havingfew casual- 
 ties. Duringthe day a dispatch was read that Butler and 
 Smith had captured Petersburg; and that Sherman had 
 whipped Johnston at Tunnel Hill and Dalton in Georgia. 
 All of which was encouraging to hear, but all of which 
 wasn't true. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 423 
 
 Early on the morning of the 11th the Sharpshooters were 
 again sent to the front, where they formed in squads around 
 somelDuildings, and in shallow rifle pits hastily dug with 
 bayonets and tin plates, the soil being sandy. As they 
 w^orked like beavers for self protection from their oppo- 
 nents' long-range cannon and concealed sharpshooters in the 
 adjacent thickets, it was not long before they had heaps of 
 dirt dotting the entire plain; but it was a rough place at 
 best. Here they remained in position during the day actively 
 engaged exchanging shots with the enemy, while fighting 
 was going on right and left — principally cannonading, feed- 
 ing each other. A heavy rain fell during the day, making 
 things generally very muddy in places, and uncomfortable to 
 the exposed troops. But notwithstanding the constant ex- 
 posure to many dangerous missiles flying about, w^e suffered 
 little loss ; George W. Wiggins, of the New York Company 
 "H, " and Hiram P. Beede of Company E, being wounded. 
 
 While lying behind some rails, William Clelland, of 
 Company K, asked permission to go after w^ater. Sergt. 
 R. W. Tyler told him that three men had been killed trying 
 to get water from that spring, but if he wanted to take the 
 chances he might. So Clelland crawled down to the spring 
 only 10 rods away, filled his canteen and crawled out of the 
 marsh into an orchard, where from behind a tree he raised 
 up, when a rebel fired at him cutting a limb six inches from 
 his head, but he was unable to return the compliment 
 although he watched long for the opportunity, failing to 
 locate the fellow, which was probably fortunate for the 
 latter, as Clelland was a good shot. In the evening, under 
 orders for "special duty" at division headquarters, the First 
 Regiment wasdetached from their brigade, and, hurrying off, 
 were engaged most of the night on the march over rough, 
 wet roads, through thick woods and brush, rain falling 
 heavily part of the time in straight, wire-like streaks, with 
 naught but the struggling moon finally shining to catch 
 
424 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 glimpses through the general darkness, of their silent but 
 hurried movement. Big, fiery shells occasionally crossed 
 their path, fired at random by distant rebel batteries, seem- 
 ingly anxious to make a noise to let us know they were stili 
 on hand. We didn't need such reminders— we knew too 
 well, that we had to go, as usual, to their well-fortified posi- 
 tions to fight them. 
 
 Proceeding quietly and carefully with the division to 
 the left, we came suddenly to a halt shortly before daylight 
 in a field, the enemy being near by behind a black wood, 
 through which occasional "pop-pops" were heard from their 
 pickets. But they didn't know of our arrival. With strict 
 orders to make no noise, the troops rested a short time on 
 the damp ground, scarcely as much as whispering their 
 thoughts, although they would once in a while have their 
 jokes, their quiet laugh, no matter what they thought 
 was in store for them. The very stillness of the entire move- 
 ment presaged a big fight, and they were there to take it in. 
 And it may seem funny to those not posted, that the boys 
 called it "fun." 
 
 HANCOCKS CHARGE AT SPOTTSYLVANIA. 
 
 May 13, 18C4. 
 
 Before the rising of the sun, the 2d corps approaching 
 quietly the wood in front, made a daring charge on the. 
 enemy's works, (1,200 yards distant,) and so suddenly was 
 it done that the rebels were completely surprised, and 
 although they opened with canister and some sharp mus- 
 ketry, yet the Unionists quickljr closed on them, flanking 
 them on their right, and clubbing them down to a sur- 
 render; capturing one line of earthworks, a salient, 4,000 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 425 
 
 prisoners* meluding Maj.-Gen. Johnson and Brig.-Gen. 
 Steuart, and 20 cannon. The enemy were this time caught 
 napping, rolling out of their tents in great disorder ; the 
 prisoners admitting they had been outwitted, and called it 
 a "regular Stonewall movement." One wounded artillery- 
 man informed Cyrenius Alvord, that: 
 
 "You'uns came so quick, we'uns scarcely had time 
 
 to shoot." , , , 
 
 They did shoot, however, and our regiment, out as 
 flankers on the right, had a number hit. Our troops occu- 
 pied the captured works, the Wisconsin and some other 
 companies advancing a short distance beyond; but finding 
 the enemy in their front apparently well posted, were 
 ordered back behind the line already taken, where thev 
 mixed in promiscuously with the other troops. These 
 works were well made and capable of stout resistance. 
 They left their tents standing, with ordnance and camp 
 equipage, which fell into the hands of the Union foi ces. But 
 the enemy were still in force in our front, and a desperate 
 battle soon commenced; other corps coming up to assist us 
 in the struggle. The captured cannon were turned upon 
 them, the Sharpshooters taking part firing the same, but as 
 they w^ere not used to sighting such ponderous guns, 
 few "center shots" were probably made; yet, with loud 
 hurrahs the pieces were discharged, the shot and shell being 
 sent towards rebeldom, high and low. It was one of those 
 occasions where the fun came in. 
 
 The Union artillery soon getting in position, between 
 the cannon's deep roar and the rattle of musketry, one deaf- 
 ening uproar was kept up the entire day. It was one con? 
 tinual roar from sunrise until sunset, and after a short inter- 
 mission on until midnight. Again and again did the rebels 
 charge the position, coming up like so many fiends, to be 
 hurled back by showers of lead and crashing shell. I 
 
426 SBAKPSHOOriNG AND SKIRMISHIN» 
 
 counted five diflferent charges that day, the enemy rnnning^ 
 towards us at full speed, firing as they ran, and although 
 they often reached the works, they couldn't get over. They 
 fought desperately, running headlong to death and destruc- 
 tion. They had come to us, in this fight, and they certainly 
 did it bravely. Our men would rise quick and fire low, 
 throwing the muzzles do'wnward, then drop back. At one 
 time, on the eight, ±hey^.ained a temporary advantage, but 
 were finally driven away with heavy loss. Their dead and 
 wounded were actually "piled up" — ^the wounded often 
 completely covered by the dead and dying. Although they 
 fought with the greatest determination, they w^ere as deter- 
 minedly resisted. The artillery on both sides was constantly 
 in play, w^ith shell and shot flying murderously about. 
 Mens' heads were knocked to atoms by iron, others were 
 riddled through their bodies with lead. Goodly sized trees 
 were cut oflF, and brush mowed low; altogether, a most 
 bloody carnival occurred. One tree, directly in front of 
 Company G., some two feet through, was shot completely 
 away by bullets alone, leaving but a bare stump full of bat- 
 tered lead. This stump was afterwards taken up and sent 
 to the patent ofiice building at Washington. Notwithstand- 
 ing the enemy strove so hard to regain their old position, 
 they signally failed in so doing— the victory belonged to the 
 Union troops. During the day and night heavy rain wired 
 down again, and the soldiers at the front were hardly to be 
 recognized by their powder-blackened faces, and clothes cov- 
 ered with mud from their caps to their shoes, while their 
 guns soon became dirty and rusty, and at times almost 
 noiseless when they exploded. Heart-rending scenes were 
 on that field— the horrors of war were depicted on all sides. 
 Men lay in all shapes, dying in position. Here, on their 
 knees stifi" and stark— there, another kneeling in the act of 
 loading with Jiis arms spread, shot while ramming the cart- 
 
OILMAN K. CROWELL 
 
IN THE ARMV OF THE POTOMAC. 427 
 
 ridge— on tlieir backs, their faces, every way. A field officer's 
 horse just behind the writer, struck with a piece of shell, was 
 caught quickly by thie officer, who with revolverat the head, 
 sent the wounded animal out of suffering into eternity. A 
 piece of the same shell struck down a Sharpshooter 50 feet 
 in front of us— Lewis E. Crowell, Company E, (N. H.)— a 
 particntaTly sorrowful death. The regiment had fallen back 
 to replenish with ammunition, and while sitting under a tree 
 with Capt. Andrews and others of his company, the unfort- 
 unate comrade was struck under the left shoulder. He was 
 one of three brothers, members of this company, who were 
 ever ready for duty when called upon. Sergt. Wyatt and 
 Oilman K. Crowell, his brother, buried him on the field 
 farther back, in the best possible manner under the circum- 
 stances. These shells were coming on all sides thick and 
 deadly. Such was Spottsylvania — one of the hardest day's 
 fights of the war. 
 
 As an instance of the terrific power of bursting shells : 
 See you, von man slowly limping to the rear? Wounded evi- 
 dently in the thigh. Now he is hidden from view by the 
 great expanse of flame and smoke of that suddenly explod- 
 ing shell. This, however, soon clears away ; but where is 
 the wounded hobbler? That is what no one will ever tell. 
 He is gone, apparently, to atoms — blown up and away into 
 a thousand possible particles, leaving none so large as ever 
 to be found. Not even a button or a shred of his garments. 
 For such is the annihilative power of explosive shells. It 
 does not often happen that men are struck that way — but 
 when they are, they are surely lost in action. 
 
 The conduct of our soldiers in line of battle, was never 
 better than in this day's fight. Every man seemed to be 
 nerved with the same spirit of determination. With the 
 utmost coolness the enlisted men went to work from the 
 start, as if success depended on their individual action. The 
 
428 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 greatest care was giTcn to the proper loading of theic 
 pieces, to aiming, and in firing; and though hurried shots 
 were made, there was no flurry or undue excitement. 
 Rather, a premeditated calculation in making, everything 
 count in our fayor^ There was very little talking, princi- 
 pally of caution, such as: 
 
 "Fire low, boys; don't forget that.-' 
 
 And when they rose to shoot, they j)srked down the .muz- 
 zles as. tliey pulled. They were behind those works to stay 
 that day, not to be driven therefrom — such was the spirit in 
 which they engaged in this fight. 
 
 There w^ere two officers, however, who had imbibed too 
 much, and in consequence, made fools of themselves. One, a 
 Pennsylvania colonel, -who had heretofore stood high with 
 the men, on this occasion when the fighting commenced, 
 rushed wildly on top of the w^orks making an unnecessary 
 and conspicuous target of himself, ordering everybody to 
 follow, — "over and at them." As our orders were to hold 
 our ground, no one followed his lead, despite his frantic yells 
 and oaths — ^his brag. We expected to see him drop, and h^ 
 did get a couple of clips that turned him about, and finally 
 forced him off, slightly wounded. He was trying to distin- 
 guish himself, and as he was put under arrest, he probably 
 got "distinguished," or extinguished, as I don't recollect 
 ever seeing that ofiicer again. 
 
 The other one carried a star, a New York brigadier, who 
 was pretty drunk and cross, for which "example" to the 
 soldiers he paid the penalty of dismissal from the service. 
 Company G did n't weep, as they had some trouble with 
 that fellow before. He was going to "blow hard-tack 
 through (Bill Sweet's) heart," once, when every rifle-ham- 
 mer itt the company cocked ; he heard the click-click, and 
 lowering his revolver, rode off swearing hard at us. No, 
 they didn't weep when they heard he had left us. 
 
IN THE ASMY OF THE POTOMAC. i'J^ 
 
 Enlisted men had no liquor to "revive their spirits," i:p 
 a hot fight, so that their valor was the result of sober hon- 
 est pluck. Instead of taking stimulants to 
 
 "Screw their courage to the sticking point," 
 
 they were obliged to rely on their sense of patriotism 
 to stick and hang together, when facing death and 
 danger. They were more to be depended on free 
 from the effects of liquor, than had they been allowed 
 its use. Whisky rations might do in cases of extreme 
 fatigue, or exposure, or to ward off malaria, to reviv^ foir 
 the time the fainting wounded, or in cases of sickness ; but 
 should not be issued to men going into a fight — that is 
 when the soldier's head wants to be clear. 
 
 Between six and seven in the morning the 6th corps 
 arrived, going into position at the salient on the right of 
 the 2d, and later on became so hard pressed by the enemy, 
 who seemed determined to recapture that part of the wor^s, 
 that Hancock was obliged to reinforce from the 2d corps a 
 part of Wright's command. 
 
 . Again referring to Gen. Hancock's report: "The battle 
 raged furiously and incessantly along the whole line from 
 the right of the 6th corps to the left of Barlow's division. 
 A cold drenching rain descended during this battle, in which 
 the troops were constantly under heavy and destructive 
 musketry fire for almost twenty hours. Our losses in killed 
 and wounded were quite heavy, but we had inflicted a signal 
 defeat upon the enemy. Ewell's corps of infantry was almost 
 destroyed. The celebrated Stonewall brigade was captured 
 nearly entire. The losses of the enemy during the day in 
 killed, wounded and captured must have amounted to 
 at least 10,000 men. On the morning of the 13th of May it 
 was discovered that the enemy had retired to his second 
 line of works, about one half-mile in rear of the line we had 
 carried on the previous day, thus yielding to us the palm of 
 victory. * * * Owing to the losses in action and the 
 expiration of the term of service of many regiments of 
 
.430 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Mott's division (Fourth) it had become so reduced in num- 
 bers that I issued an order on the 13th of May consolidat- 
 ing it into a brigade, and assigned it to Birney's division." 
 
 On the 13th intheevening, they were sent out to establish! 
 new picket lines on the right, which was successfully accom-i 
 plishcd, when the regiment returned to headquarters. Onthe 
 14th, up early going to the front through deep mud. Enter- 
 ing the wood they formed line on the farther side of same and 
 were engaged all day watching the foeandinsharpshooting, 
 again meeting with some loss. During the day heavy can- 
 nonading was carried on all along the lines, some heavy 
 rain also pouring down. At dark they were relieved. On 
 the 15th they moved a short distance at daylight to the 
 left, being again sent to front under sharp fire, taking 
 position in rude rifle pits and behind trees, still engaged as 
 sharpshooters. The enemy opened on them during the day 
 with artillery, causing a force of infantry on picket, to fall 
 back in disorder. The Sharpshooters, however held their 
 position until dark, the relief arriving to find the picket for 
 the day skedaddled ; the Sharpshooters were then ordered 
 back. During the artillery fire which was close, several men 
 were hit by splinters from the logs and trees, while George 
 W. Griffin, a slight but brave youth, had a shell pass 
 through the top of his tall felt hat, one he had picked up 
 and worn in lieu of a cap. This made the boys laugh, yell 
 in derision, but none laughed louder than he. On the after- 
 noon of the 16th both regiments were sent out to retake a 
 line on the right, which had been abandoned. Moving for- 
 ward under fire, they drove the rebels back and obtained 
 possession of the works, which they held until relieved by 
 infantry at nine in the evening. On the next day heavy firing 
 occurred on the right, during the afternoon. We received 
 this day in our corps a considerable number of new troops, 
 said to be 8,000 in all, consisting principally of a division of 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 431 
 
 what was called "heavy artillery," a branch of service 
 which, while ■ it took amazingly in the later enlistments, 
 did not confine their efforts to handling ponderous siege 
 guns in fortifications, but required also, when the service 
 demanded, that they should carry muskets and fight with 
 them, in line of battle. So in this way, these '"heavies" 
 had to help us out ; and they were a great acquisition, some 
 of the regiments numbering as high as 1,800 men. Of course, 
 they brought with them into the field the .full complement 
 of a soldier; as a result, the old boys never looked far for a 
 good blanket or new overcoat when night came around, 
 thrown wide and scattered far by the new men after they 
 got into their first fight. The division was under command' 
 of Gen. Tyler. The "Corcoran Legion" of infantry were 
 with them, going into Gibbon's division. On the 18th "the 
 enemy opened with artillery and musketry on our left, Han-i 
 cock's 1st and 2d divisions being severely engaged for several' 
 hours ; there was also heavy artillery firing on the right 
 during the day. 
 
 "Gibbon's and Barlow's divisions traversed the same 
 ground which w^e had fought so desperately on six days 
 since, and as but a portion of the dead of that day's (12th) 
 contest had been buried, the stench which arose from them 
 was so sickening and terrible that many of the men and 
 officers became deathly sick firom it. The appearance of the 
 dead who had been exposed to the sun so long was horrible 
 in the extreme as we marched past and over them — » sight 
 never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it." — Gen. 
 Hancock. 
 
 About noon the Sharpshooters moved to the right, 
 where they remained in position among the pines until 
 night, when they finally moved off again "to the left," rest- 
 ing at daylight of the 19th in a large open field beyond the 
 Court House, near the river Ny. 
 
4,3'2 SHARTSHGOTIN© AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 HARRIS HOUSE. 
 
 May 19, 1864. 
 
 Late in the afternoon Gen. Tyler's "heavy" division, 
 stationed on the Fredericts'jurg road at a point called 
 "Harris House," was attacked severely by Ewell's corps 
 who continued the fight up to nine p. m., when the enemy 
 were forced to retreat across the Ny ; two brigades of Birney 
 having gone in on the right, with some 5th corps troops on 
 the left of Tyler, assisting greatly in the rebels' repulse. A 
 part of the Second Sharpshooters were engaged in this affair, 
 of which Lieut. Wm. H. Humphrey, of Company E, laconi- 
 cally remarks: "May 19, Gen. Birney gave the company a 
 day off. We were near his headquarters, when up the road 
 in our rear we heard firing, 'fall in, Sharpshooters;' we go 
 on the double-quick and drive back Ewell's rebels — Company 
 E having two wounded, and that is all the rest we got." 
 Birney's brigades captured 500 prisoners, during this even- 
 ing and the morning of the 20th. 
 
 " The loss of the enemy in this action in killed and 
 wounded was severe. About 400 prisoners fell into our 
 hands. This was the first engagement in which the troops 
 of General Tyler's division had participated. They con- 
 ducted themselves handsomely, firmly sustaining the shock 
 ofthe enemy's attack, until the arrival of Birney and the 
 troops ofthe 5th corps."— Hancock. 
 
 The official return of casualties in the Union forces at 
 and around Spottsylvania May 8-21, 1864, show— Killed: 
 2,725; wounded: 13,416; missing 2,258; total: 18,399. 
 
 FIRST SHARPSHOOTERS. 
 
 Co. B.— Wounded : First Sergt. Phillip E. Sands, mor- 
 tal ; Horace A. Seward, severe. 
 
IN THE AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. 433 
 
 Co. C— Killed 
 Co. E.— Killed 
 Co. F.— Killed 
 
 Frank R. Edgerton, Daniel Tillapaugh. 
 Lewis E. Crowell. 
 
 Henry Mattocks, Thomas Brown, John 
 Bo wen. Wounded : Amos A. Smith, J. E. Chase. 
 
 Co. G. — Wounded: Corp. Wesley Armfield, leg, slight; 
 Privates George A. Denniston, head, mortal ; William Mc- 
 Quivey, right arm. 
 
 Co. H. — Wounded: Harvey Mathews. 
 
 Co. K.— Killed: Darius Hall. Wounded: William Clel- 
 land, right hip; Calvin Smith, right breast; George H. 
 Smith, right leg. 
 
 On the 21st the general movement to the left was 
 resumed. Crossing the Richmond & Fredericksburg rail- 
 w^ay they halted for a short time about noon, the day being 
 hot and the men fatigued, having traveled over 20 miles 
 before getting breakfast. Passing Milford Station in the 
 afternoon they came to a halt tw^o miles south, and in the 
 evening our men w^ere sent out to establish the picket lines, 
 where they remained until the next morning, during which 
 time some firing occurred on the right of the line. The 22d 
 they were again in the front on picket, but were relieved at 
 dark, the troops in the rear fortifying. On the 23d they 
 moved on, passing by Chesterfield a couple of miles south, 
 where they took part in another engagement. 
 
 BATTLE OF NORTH ANNA. 
 
 May 2&-26, 1864. 
 
 Companies B and G, First Regiment, were ordered out 
 to support a battery, where they remained until dark under 
 artillery fire from both sides, being in advance of the Union 
 gunners, and making long-range shots with the telescope 
 
434 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 rifle, a few of wWcli were carried in the regiment, and were 
 known by the name of "the heavies." On their right, the 
 2d and 3d brigades, under Cols. Pierce and Egan, became 
 hotly engaged in a charge, driving the enemy back and 
 obtaining a position on the river bank. The progress of 
 this affair was carefully watched from a half-fallen tree by 
 Franklin Yiall, a true and ever-ready soldier, who reported 
 from his high position as follows : 
 
 "Now they're at it ! Halloo ! our men got it that time. 
 But they rally again, and now they are in it hot and heavy. 
 Halloo! there goes a line back. I can't tell which one, the 
 smoke's too thick. But it makes no difference, for either the 
 enemy are falling back, or our men advancing — Hurrah, 
 boys ! it's all right, now ! The stars and stripes wave over 
 the river bank." 
 
 And jumping from his elevated position to the ground, 
 he took his place in the skirmish line. Thef next morning 
 (24th) before daybreak we w^ere placed behind breastworks 
 at the ri-ver, built during the night, the enemy being posted 
 under cover opposite, with a redoubt containing more 
 troops on a rise of ground behind them. Soon after sunrise 
 sharpshooting began, and was kept up at intervals until 
 eight o'clock, when troops began to cross over a bridge the 
 rebels had been unable to destroy, the railway bridge to our 
 left being in flames. The rebel artillery now^ opened from 
 the right furiously, but the crossing was effected with little 
 injury and the redoubt captured under fire, with some artil- 
 lery and several hundred prisoners, the Second Regiment 
 w^ho led the charge meeting w^ith serious casualties. Tke 
 artillery firing during the movement was kept up on both 
 sides without interitiission. The First Sharpshooters soon 
 after crossed and advanced beyond the captured w^orks to 
 a shady gro-ve, near a large and considerably dilapidated 
 mansion known as Fo:x'-s house, which at times w^as under 
 fire from tlie rebel pickets and sharpshooters. To stop this 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 435 
 
 shooting, Capt. John Wilson commanding First Regiment 
 detailed Lieut. Stevens with 40 men, who were sent out on 
 the left of the line of infantry skirmishers and advanced over 
 a large field several hundred yards, under a close and heavy 
 fire from the enemy. Here the lieutenant was ordered to 
 swing his men around and hold some log buildings or quar- 
 ters near the Confederate lines, from whence this persistent 
 firing had been kept up. Rushing forward on double-quick, 
 firing rapidly as they ran, the place was soon occupied on 
 the heels of the retreating foe, and held until late in the day. 
 While here, sharp exchanges took place at distances varying 
 from 300 to l,000yards, resulting in close shooting on both 
 sides. But we had accomplished the purpose for which we 
 were sent out, the stopping of rebel bullets in and around 
 Fox's place. During the day a Union force appeared on the 
 left of our detail, and by a rapid movement put a body of 
 the enemy to flight while trying to cross the railroad which 
 ran along close to the left of our position at the huts, the 
 Johnnies running w^ildly back to the ridge where their bat- 
 teries were planted. Our men getting out of ammunition 
 were finally relieved by another detachment, after repeated 
 signals for aid, w^ith the enemy threatening, and liable at 
 any moment to crowd them out from behind the rude huts; 
 w^hen they fell back under the rebel fire to the regiment at 
 Fox's. 
 
 At this place the ofiicer in charge ran the gauntlet of 
 scores of bullets traversing the open ground, to get three 
 hang-back fellows up to the exact front. As our campaigns 
 increased the orders became more severe, pa>rticularly in 
 regard to straggling; and for which the line ofiicer com- 
 manding the company was held responsible. So that when 
 it came to going back over a battle field under fire, to 
 recover and bring forward one or more of his command, 
 w^ho had dropped out of sight behind a big log or other 
 pretty safe place, if the officer didn't exactly swear at his 
 
4,36 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 luck-and he probably did-he at least gave forcible notice 
 that it was no joke to be made a special target of, by yank- 
 ing tke delinquents out from their snug cover. 
 
 The line officer (who in many cases came from the ranks 
 themselves) incurred the hardships of the enlisted men, 
 besides had the responsibility upon them for the proper per- 
 formance of the duties assigned, and often has it happened 
 that they have been picked off by the enemy, simply because 
 of the double danger encountered, in movements brought 
 about by the failure through carelessness or otherwise of 
 the men, to follow the strict letter of their instructions. 
 This is where the regular soldier was supposed to be 
 superior to the v-olunteer ; not in all cases, or probably very 
 many, but some of the latter were to be found in all organi- 
 zations who knew better than their officers, and as a result, 
 were too decidedly heedless of orders, to be depended on. 
 Such men required watching. On the other hand, there 
 w^ere men in the volunteer service, and I may safely say a 
 large majority, that could not be surpassed in military 
 behavior, under the hottest fires of the hardest battles. 
 
 The enemy had been busily engaged shelling the troops 
 around the Fox grounds, where breastworks were being 
 thrown up in the field by our soldiers. Some of these shells 
 passed through the grove w^here the regimental reserve had 
 remained, and where several noted Union generals had con- 
 gregated. The central figure of the group was Gen. Han- 
 cock, whose tall, handsome and commanding person looked 
 every inch the brave soldier he had long before proven him- 
 self to be. On his left stood honest, though sometime unfort- 
 unate, Burnside; on the right the gallant division com- 
 mander, Birney; while immediately in front facing them 
 was Crittenden. An earnest consultation took place, the 
 rebel shell passing occasionally over their heads as if hunt- 
 ing for somebody. Of course they were closely observed by 
 the green-coated riflemen, w^ho tried to discern from their 
 
CAPT. RICHARD W. TYLER. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 43T 
 
 looks and gestures, rather than to hear their low-toned 
 conversation, what was the coming programme. Finally, 
 they broke up the council and at once repaired to the house 
 preparatory to mounting and away ! — all but Hancock— it 
 was his headquarters. And not a moment too soon did 
 they leave their meeting place, for right there is where these 
 four Union generals just missed being shattered to death, as 
 they had scarcely moved around to the front of the house, 
 when a searching shell passing through a Sharpshooter's 
 knapsack, landed in the exact spot they had a moment 
 before occupied, exploding with terrific force, but luckily 
 harmless. 
 
 This knapsack belonged to Richard W. Tyler, of Com- 
 pany K, who had set it against a tree in the front of the 
 garden, and he looked in vain for the smallest fragment, to 
 say nothing of his lost letters, sundry dagueri'eotypes (we 
 had no photographs then), and other articles of more or lesTs 
 value. All were gone forever. After the startling nature of 
 the explosion and the miraculous escape had passed by, the 
 comrades had a big laugh at Dick and his misfortune. But 
 Sergt. Tyler was soon after placed in a position whereby he 
 did not have to draw another knapsack, on account of the 
 faithful, and I may add gallant, Lieut. C. W. Thorp, being 
 forced to resign on surgeon's certificate the next day, the 
 25th, having previously been seriously sick with typhoid 
 fever, the effects of which no doubt remained ; and Tyler 
 was promoted first lieutenant and assumed commandof the 
 company, in the absence of Capt. Nash, who had been cap- 
 tured by the enemy while acting as staff officer. 
 
 While expecting to receive orders to charge the enemy's 
 position, at about sunset a drenching rain poured down 
 and the wind blew with great violence, causing further oper- 
 ations for the day to cease. On the 25th the First Sharp- 
 shooters rejoined their brigade, remaining quiet in the field 
 behind works that had been hurriedlv built. While here, 
 
43S SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Quartermaster Marden arrived at the front with the regi'- 
 mental teams with provisions and clothing, which was a 
 welcome sight to the command, especially as he brought 
 them letters from home. But he was not wholly unexpected, 
 because the boys knew Marden would come just as soon as 
 it was possible for him to do so — for our quartermaster was 
 a hard worker in the interest of the regiment, and suffered 
 his share of the hardships with the soldiers. 
 
 On the 26th in the afternoon heavy firing occurred right 
 and left; in the evening the Sharpshooters moved quietly off 
 to the right, into a deep wood, relieving Burns ide's men on 
 picket, where they remained until midnight, the darkness 
 being so intense it was with great difficulty they found their 
 way out; and then not until Wilson and Stevens had first 
 traced the way, after almost running on to the rebel lines, 
 made manifest by a low but determined "halt! " which they 
 didn't do, however, but left the puzzled Johnny to discover 
 nothing in his front but fast retreating steps. And there 
 Capt. Wilson for once admitted he was scared, not for him- 
 self but for the regiment, for they were lost. This particu- 
 lar scene of picket duty, in that black, lonely wood, fits so 
 well with the following choice composition illustrative of 
 the trials of the sentinel on picket, the most important 
 duty performed by a soldier, that I borrow it for the occasion 
 from Love's "Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion "—by 
 the way, one of the completest state histories ever written. 
 These worthy lines are supposed to have originated with 
 Lieut. George Bleyer, 24th Wis. Vols., killed at Stone River; 
 and will no doubt prove a most interesting as well as excit- 
 ing description of picket duty; which, however, does not 
 always end so happily. 
 
MAJOR JOHN WILSON. 
 (Captain Jack.) 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 439 
 
 On Picket. 
 
 'Tis midnight; in a lonely strip of wood 
 With darkness draped — a pall of solitude — 
 I walk my beat -with measured step and slow, 
 Then, like a drnnkard, stagger to and fro, 
 Intoxicated by the drugs of sleep ; 
 My eyes are heaTy, yet strict vigils keep ; 
 Imagination fills my drowsy brain 
 With scenes of battles — fields of maimed and slain; 
 The stumps and bushes into phantoms grow, 
 The shadows shape themselves into the foe. 
 There is no moon, and not a star I see, 
 Altho' I know they shine on shrub and tree. 
 By the faint streaks of silvery, wandering light, 
 That now and then bewilder sense and sight. 
 Like the poor felon in his dungeon deep, 
 I pray each beam my company to keep. 
 And light my lone and solitary place. 
 How long will morning screen her rpsy face ? 
 Hark! hear that crash among the bush and leaves- 
 Still, still, my nervous heart, your throbbing heaves ! 
 You flutter Kke some frightened captive bird. 
 Hush ! for your throbs by others may be heard, 
 And thus betray the covert where I stand, 
 Grasping my musket with a firmer hand ; 
 My drowsy eyes open wide and peer 
 Into the gloom. Again the noise I hear ; 
 And now a form of tall, gigantic size. 
 Prom out the earth, as 'twere, I see arise. 
 Slowly it moves, but with its forward strides 
 Into a human form and shape it glides. 
 My heart beats slow again, my speech I've found. 
 My challenge stem the ghostly woods resound ; 
 It proves a "friend," and not a wily foe 
 The secret talisman it whispers low; 
 I let it pass toward the sleepy camp : 
 A soldier Brom a chicken forage tramp. 
 
4,40 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHIKG 
 
 Rejoining tlie command after much difficulty, they fell 
 back and recrossed the river among the last of the Union 
 forces shortly before daylight. The troops in the meantime 
 had been tearing up the Richmond & Fredericksburg railroad 
 for several miles, bending rails, burning ties, etc. At an 
 early hour on the morning of the 27th, the Union army 
 having all recrossed the North Anna, the bridge was burned 
 and the troops moved. off again to the left, laughing at the 
 rebel cheers on the opposite side of the stream as they 
 charged the deserted works. 
 
 The march resumed in the afternoon, the road being 
 lined with dead horses for many miles, the result of some 
 sharp cavalry skirmishing ahead of the advancing columns. 
 The carcasses were tumbled about in all manner of shapes, 
 presenting a sight almost sickening,, even to the veteran 
 soldier; while occasionally dead men w^ere found on either 
 side, covered with dust and dirt to that extent as at times 
 to scarcely distinguish the blue from the gray. After march- 
 ing until midnight, the road crowded with teams and troopr, 
 we rested in field until daylight of the 28th, when, marching 
 again until late in the afternoon, the Sharpshooters crossed 
 the Pamunkey at Hanovertown, halting near by in a field 
 w^here they remained until noon of the following day. 
 Advancing then to cross-roads near Salem Church, halting 
 on the Mechanicsville road some eight miles from the latter 
 place, they commenced fortifying. After building a good 
 line of worts they left them, and chaaging position several 
 times in the evening, finally rested under arms in the field. 
 
 While proceeding on this march, still on the line of the 
 North Anna, a squad of Sharpshooters under Sergt. Eli 
 Cook, of Company I, were called on to operate against the 
 enemy's batteries that had been run on to a favorable posi- 
 tion to enfilade the road. Cook's command took their 
 position in tree tops, behind rocks and stumps, without 
 having been seen. Presently a rifle report from a high tree 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 441 
 
 caused the rebel cannoniers to respond, and the work began 
 from 400 to 600 yards range — close enough for our men to 
 get in good shots. Three full batteries opened on them one 
 round,when Berdan's men had them ranged and sighted. 
 They "wrould try to load their pieces by reaching up under the 
 muzzle, but the boys could send a Sharps rifle ball so com- 
 pletely in the muzzles of their cannon, at this distance, that 
 they cotjld not load. They stuck up one battery flag, and 
 this was at once shot away and our mien just yelled. They 
 tried every possible way to get in a shot, but as the Sharp- 
 shooters had orders not to let them load again, their cannon 
 became subject to the will of Sergt. Cook's force, who kept 
 them quiet until our passing troops had gone on, when the 
 riflemen crawled from view^, and pushing on joined the 
 command. 
 
 THE TOTOPOTOMOY. 
 
 May 30, 31, Jtine 1. 
 
 Falling in before daybreak of the 30th, the First Sharp- 
 shooters were finally posted on the edge of a ravine within 
 300 yards of the rebel works, which position was taken up 
 after daylight. Temporary breastworks of rails were 
 hastily built, under the enemy's fire, and the men were kept 
 busy sharpshooting until late in the afternoon when they 
 were relieved. Considerable fighting occurred during the 
 day, and at night heavy cannonading, our side sending over 
 a number of mortar shells. Late in the evening Brooke's 
 brigade made a dash to our left, carrying a line of the 
 enemy's rifle pits. On the 31st we crossed a small stream 
 known as Swift Run, occupying the enemy's line,— a series 
 of trenches,— the Second Regiment having skirmished ahead. 
 Lieut. Humphrey reports : " We were told by Gen. Grant in 
 
442 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 person, to go across the creek, if we had to surrender when 
 we got there, but we did not surrender; we took 137 of the 
 27th Nortk Carolina prisoners and held the works that 
 night." 
 
 Capt. Wilson galloping up, subject to the enemy's fire firom 
 the woods in front, ordered the First Sharpshooters out of 
 the works, when deploying out over the open field to the left, 
 under heavy fire front and flank, they rapidly advanced in 
 skirmish line, actuaEy running towards the enemy, and 
 reached the position assigned them on the Richmond road 
 capturing several soldiers of Breckinridge's command. Under 
 the severe fire from the woods on their left, while crossing 
 the plain several were bit in the movement, w^hile the ground 
 under their rapid feet and otherwise about them, w^as con- 
 tinually dusted by the hundreds of spattering bullets from 
 the rebel force in the forest. Capt. Wilson gallantly led the 
 the regiment, mounted, receiving a rattling fire about him 
 as he galloped to and fro issuing his orders. Occupyingthis 
 position far down the road in the advance, with a detail 
 under Lieut. Stevens still farther ahead, to the left, clo5< up 
 to the enemy in the woods, within speaking distance, c lus- 
 ing close shooting and much danger,they remained under fire 
 the entire day, and not until eleven o'clock that night were 
 they ordered back to a field in the rear, to sup and rest. A 
 few hours later they moved into a pine wood, where they 
 remained until daylight of June Ist,^ when they were hurried 
 into line owing to the reported advance of the enemy 
 on the right, over the grounds vacated the night 
 before by the 6th corps, which at the time was unoccupied. 
 Skirmishing through the timber they reached the empty 
 breastworks, forming line to the right of the division, 
 having captured a number of unarmed men who had come 
 over they said to get some "fresh beef," which was lying 
 where slaughtered, left by the troops that were withdrawn 
 during the night. In front to our right, in plain view with 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 443 
 
 ^eir flags above them, was observed a small bojiy of tbe. 
 enemy, reported by Capt. Wilson, to be "Billy Mahone's. 
 men," and during the day he was very anxious to move on 
 them to attempt their capture, although he had no orders- 
 to do so, but he finally abandoned the enterprise. Remain- 
 ing w^here they were until dark, with occasional exchange of 
 shots by the vedettes, they then moved off via Salem Cross 
 Roads, arriving at Cold Harbor in the forenoon of June 2d. 
 Capt. Aschmann had a narrow escape on the 30th, by a 
 shot across^his chin, whereby he lost his goatee. He was 
 "awful mad" when hit, for fear the goatee wouldn't grow 
 out again. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. A. — Wounded: Capt. Aschmann, chin, slight. 
 
 Co. B. — Killed: Thaddeus Hadden; Francis Snyder, 
 mortal wound. 
 
 Co. E. — Wounded : Lieut. Isaac Davis, George A. Collins. 
 
 Co. H. — Wounded : John Snyder, mortally. 
 
 Co. K. — Wounded: Lewis C. Bitton, slight, wouldn't 
 leave company. 
 
 BATTLE OF COLD HARBOR. 
 
 Jane 1-5, 1864. 
 
 Heavy fighting at this point had taken place before the 
 Sharpshooters arrived. In fact, Gen. Sheridan's cavalry 
 forces had succeeded in occupying the position here as long 
 back as the 21st of May, after an obstinate fight with the 
 enemy's cavalry and infantry combined, and with orders to 
 hold on, they did so until the morning of June 1st, when a 
 •desperate attack was made to retake the place, the enemy 
 being repulsed, our cavalry fegh ting nobly. The 6th corps 
 
44,4. SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 under Wright, who came into command by the death of 
 Sedgwick, now coming up from the right, and from the left 
 reinforcements from the Army of the James under Baldy 
 Smith— Lee also reinforcing his lines— a severe battle fol- 
 lowed. The attack was made by the two Union corps, and 
 an advanced line taken with several hundred prisoners. 
 Farther, however, they could not go, the interior breast- 
 works being too strong for them. In this assault the Union 
 army lost 2,000 killed and wounded, but the position 
 secured was held. Hancock's corps coming in later, took no 
 part in this day's fight. The next day was occupied in pre- 
 paring for another and still greater attack. On the 3d, 
 when the great battle of the engagement here was fought — 
 a battle that cost us many lives and was .barren of any suc- 
 cessful result farther than to hold our ground— Hancock's 
 corps at daybreak, at the given signal, rushed over their 
 works, for our troops had intrenched, — they had learned to^ 
 fortify on this campaign, — Barlow's division on the left, 
 with Gibbon and Birney, bayonets fixed, ready for a grand 
 charge. Gen. Barlow's troops had a clean sweep at firsts 
 driving everything before them, making some captures — 
 men and guns. But soon they met such disastrous voUies, 
 such a storm of balls, that in 10 minutes time they were 
 beaten, and recoiling under the terrible fire — nothing abat-^ 
 ing — Barlow's line got back behind a ridge, those that 
 could, many lying in front in a depressed roadway unable 
 to get out, but held there for hours — ^till night — ^by the exult- 
 ing enemy. Meanwhile Gibbon's men, supported by Birney, 
 made a gallant effort to cross the rebel works, Gibbon's bri- 
 gades charging close up, almost on top of them. The 
 intrenched enemy behind had the advantage, as we did of 
 them at Spottsylvania, and our men had to fall back. 
 
 Gibbon's line was unfortunately cut in two by a marsh,, 
 which widened as the line, neared the enemy's works. The 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 445 
 
 country over which he advanced ■was cut up by ravines. 
 The line moved gallantly forward, however, until close to 
 the enemy's works, but was not able to advance farther 
 under the destructive fire. — Hancock. 
 
 Col. Smyth, commanding 3d brigade, 2d division, says : 
 "At half past four a. M.June 3d, I was ordered to attack the 
 enemy. I formed my brigade in line of battle and advanced, 
 and charged the enemy's works. When the command 
 arrived at from 60 to 100 yards from the enemy's works the 
 ranks had become so thinned and the fire from the enemy's 
 artillery and musketry was so destructive that the men 
 w^ere compelled to halt and seek such shelter as presented 
 itself. In this position the command soon erected a rude 
 breastw^ork. At nine A. M. Berdan's Sharpshooters and a 
 battalion of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery 
 reported to me. I deployed part of the Sharpshooters in 
 front as skirmishers, and held the battalion of 1st Mass. 
 Heavy Artillery in reserve." 
 
 In closing his report of the 4th epoch of the campaign, 
 Gen. Hancock said of the 2d corps: "The first report of 
 casualties after the action, which was unusually short, 
 hardly an hour in duration, showed a loss of 3,024. Among 
 officers the loss had been without precedent. I had to 
 mourn the loss of those who had hitherto been foremost and 
 most daring and brilliant in action. * * * When it is 
 remembered that I had only my two smallest divisiqns 
 actually engaged, it will be seen that the loss in command- 
 ers was unusually severe. It was a blow to the corps from 
 which it did not soon recover." 
 
 The 6 th corps and Smith's troops also found their brave 
 attacks useless, the principal impression they made was in 
 their own losses. Bumside later on had got a flank move- 
 ment, but before he could execute it. Gen. Meade ordered 
 further operations for the day to cease. A famous writer 
 speaking of this charge, tells how "in the short space of 10 
 minutes, 12,000 Union soldiers lay writhing on the sod." 
 
4,46 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMl&HING 
 
 Particularly was this the case with Barlow's first line, 
 Miles' and Brooke's brigades, who rushed right up to the 
 rebel guns, a new regiment (7th New York Heavy Artillery) 
 J, 600 strong, being the first on the works, capturing 300 
 prisoners, one color- and four cannon; while the second line 
 stopped short behind the sunken road— they quickly sur- 
 veyed it as a death trap and came to a decided halt. The 
 7th heavy artillery regiment lost heavily, while the total 
 loss of both brigades— the first line— was about 1,300, or 
 about 1,500 for Barlow's division. Gibbon's loss on the 
 right, was over 1,600; Birney about 200, making a totality 
 of over 3,000 in the 2d corps; with an official Union loss at 
 Cold Harbor and vicinity, June 2-15, of 12,738: Killed, 
 1,845, wounded 9,077, missing 1,816. Gen. Meade wished 
 to have the attack renewed in the evening, but Gen. Han- 
 cock advised against it as being a useless effort. 
 
 The Confederates occupied the ground held by the 5th 
 corps two years before, at Gaines' Mill, while Meade's 
 troops were now in the rebel places. Then, Porter held his 
 position with half the number of his opponents, in an open 
 fight without breastw^orks — ^little used those days — now, Lee 
 had fortified, and very strongly, so that the battle was but 
 a repetition of loss of life without any perceptible gain to 
 the Union arms except that the Confederates, whose losses 
 were slight as compared to ours, — as lOOis to 1,000, — could 
 less afford to lose men than our side with a great northern 
 reserve still remaining to be draw^n from. 
 
 After the morning's assault of the 3d of June, Birney's 
 division being now^ in reserve, the Sharpshooters were 
 engaged during the day in front of Gen. Gibbon's division 
 fighting the enemy's musketry and artillery, while the 
 troops in their rear were employed in constructing addi- 
 tional breastworks. Some sharp fighting, however, was 
 going on at other points on the line. While on duty here 
 the writer was knocked flat to the ground by a glancing 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 447 
 
 shot across his right shoulder, but as it didn't draw blood 
 the boys of his command yelled: "You can't go back on 
 that, you've got to stay, ' ' and I did stay. In fact, I long ago 
 learned that in such a place as that, the safest place was 
 w^ith the company unless at least, you could "show blood." 
 It w^as only another of those miraculous escapes, for had 
 the ball struck me square in the shoulder I never would 
 have w^ritten these lines. In the evening the Sharpshooters 
 were recalled from the front, and while forming the regiment 
 in a small field were suddenly exposed to a terrible fire of 
 shot and shell, front, flank and rear, the shells exploding 
 close over them, for they lay flat, being caught in a position 
 they could not escape from. It was during the disastrous 
 charge of the enemy on the Union lines at dusk. After it 
 w^as over, thej' retired a short distance to the rear to rest 
 for the night. On the 4th and 5th they were employed on 
 the same dangerous duty, were greatly exposed, suffering 
 more or less loss. On the 4th one of our men, Emery 
 Munsell, carrying a 28 pound telescope rifle, was uncere- 
 moniously knocked head-first into the brush by a retreating 
 horseman, during a sudden and well-directed discharge 
 from the enemy's line. Munsell for a few moments felt as if 
 he was wounded in fifty places, and would liked to have 
 given the runaway some of the same kind of wounds. He 
 didn't swear any— he "didn't have time." 
 
 On the evening of the 5th they moved to the left, through 
 heavy brush and woods in close proximity to the rebel lines, 
 halting late at night 100 yards from the enemy's pickets, 
 near Barker's Mills, remaining under arms till daylight. 
 Surely the situations were trying, for the Sharpshooters 
 had now been more or less under fire, 24 days out of 31. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. C— Killed: John Robinson; W. H. Thompson, 
 mortally wounded. 
 
448 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Co. F.— Killed: Joseph Bickford; Alvin Babcock, 
 mortally wounded, and three others slight. Almon D, 
 GrifEn, wounded on picket June 12. 
 
 Co. G.— Killed: Private Conrad Murat. Wounded 
 Lieut. C. A. Stevens, right shoulder, slight; Corp. Franklin 
 Viall and Private Alvin Shennan, scalp wounds, slight. 
 
 Co. H.— Wounded: Private Aaron H. Fuller. 
 
 Co. I.— Killed r Sergt. Benjamin Shay and James Curtis. 
 Wounded ; Ryon E. Williams. 
 
 Co. K.— Wounded: Lewis C. Bitton, lost right foot by 
 solid shot. 
 
 PUNISHING A LIBELER. 
 
 While halting near Barker's Mills a novel scene occurred 
 on the Sth of June. Anewspaper reporter rode under guard, 
 along the lines, with a hard-tack box strapped on his back 
 bearing this inscription: "Libeller of the Press." A 
 mounted buglerrodein frontsounding the call "Attention!" 
 The reporter, who had been ordered out of the army for 
 saying what he ought not, in his sensational dispatches^ 
 violating existing orders — w^as greeted by the soldiers with 
 enquiries for the "latest news," with a desire to "send him 
 to the front," also w^ith numerous other remarks tending to 
 provoke his deepest disgust. This w^as a case of being 
 retired in disgrace, similar to that of the "poor old soldier" 
 who gets drummed out. The man narrowly escaped being 
 shot by order of Gen. Burnside for some previous act 
 prejudicial to military methods ; and to Gen. Grant, from 
 whom he had stolen by means of sneaking up, the result of 
 private consultations with Meade during the Wilderness 
 battles, this correspondent Swinton, owed his life, and 
 could afford to be extremely thankful for a mitigation of the 
 sentence wherebj"^ he was only to be expelled from the army, 
 -with orders never to return. 
 
PHILIP E. SANDS. JNO. W. KENNY. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 449 
 
 Remaining near Barker's Mills, their old camping 
 ground two years before, until the night of the 12th, dur- 
 ing which time clothes and rations were issued, they finally 
 moved away quietly, still to the left, crossing the Chick- 
 ahominy at Long Bridge early on the 13th, and marching 
 by the old "field" at Charles City Cross Roads (Glendale), 
 reached the Court House at night where they rested till 
 the following day. On the afternoon of the 14th the Sharp- 
 shooters crossed James river by steamboat at Wilcox Land- 
 ing, halting a short distance above in a brushy field for the 
 night, being out of rations. It was now plain to be seen 
 that Grant could not attack Richmond over McClellan's old 
 ground as he "wished to, but would operate south of the 
 rebel capital on the line of the James and Appomattox, 
 with Petersburg (23 miles from Richmond) his chief point 
 of attack. 
 
 It was well understood by both Gens. Butler and 
 Meade before starting on the campaign that it was my 
 intention to put both their armies south of the James river 
 in case of failure to destrov Lee without it. — U. S. Grant. 
 
 SIEGE OF PETERSBURG. 
 
 The fighting around Petersburg comprised many battles 
 and at difiFerent points, extending from the Appomattox 
 river east of the city and southerly four or five miles, and 
 these actions wherein the Sharpshooters were engaged, are 
 principally distinguished by the names given as they 
 occurred. 
 
 On the 15th at eleven A. m. we received orders to march, 
 the expected rations not having arrived, and after a hot, 
 dusty tramp, arrived after dark in the vicinity of Peters- 
 
450 SHAEPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 burg, after the fighting for the day by the troops of the 
 Army of the James was over. 
 
 According to Gen. Grant, it appears that Hancock was 
 uninformed of what he was expected to do on crossing the 
 James, although Gen. Meade had been directed to push him 
 forward to back up Baldy Smith in his attack that day on 
 the works before Petersburg. Thus, the waiting for the 
 necessary rations ordered by Gen. Grant from Bermuda 
 -Hundred which failed to come, kept him back just long 
 enough to be too late. Grant says if Hancock had been 
 notified, he with his usual promptness would have reached 
 Petersburg by four p. m. An unfortunate mistake, which if 
 it had not occurred might have been the saving of many 
 lives in decreased battles. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 16th the Sharpshooters 
 proceeded hurriedly to dispatch their simple breakfast of 
 coffee, their haversacks being short of eatables, with not 
 even a cracker to be had ; they having but four hours sleep 
 following the march from James river and about the works 
 along the front of Petersburg, from eleven a. m. to one a. m. 
 — 14 hours. It was not long before the enemy commenced 
 throwing shell, with little damage. During the past night 
 the rebel troops were heard arriving from the -vicinity of 
 Richmond by railway, so that it was evident they were in 
 force in our front. Had the 2d corps arrived in timetohave 
 taken part in the fighting of the day previous, it ts quite 
 possible that Petersburg would have fallen into Union hands 
 before Lee could have reinforced the place. At an earlv 
 hour of the 16th the division artillery opened with rifled 
 Parrots on the city, which could be seen two miles away, 
 while troops on the right, near the Appomattox, caused 
 the rebel pickets to hurriedly retire over a large field to 
 their lines immediately in front of the city ; the Union 
 forces now occupying lines captured the day previous by 
 the troops under Butler, white and black. 
 
IN THE ARMY OP THE POTOMAC. 451 
 
 HARRISON'S CREEIC 
 
 June 16, 1864. 
 
 The First Sharpshooters, 175 strong uiider command 
 of Capt. John Wilson, while holding a position on a road 
 leading to Petersburg, received orders to double-qiaick 
 down the same to assist in the discomfiture of the retiring 
 Confederates. Obeying promptly, the nien hurried forward 
 until brought in close proximity to the rebel riflemen posted 
 along the small stream above named. At this place they 
 remained until the afternoon guarding the road and having 
 sharp exchanges at short range with the enemy, meeting 
 with some loss on our side. The enemy were finally driven 
 out of their advanced rifle pits at this point after much 
 resistance; the fences and other obstructions being removed 
 by our reserve, the ground was cleared,, ready for any 
 assault that might be determined on by our corps com- 
 mander. One of the first men shot on taking this position 
 was James Heath, of Michigan, who carried a 34-pound 
 telescope rifle, the heaviest in the regiment, and which, as he 
 went down, fell with a heavy blow in the middle of the 
 road. This rifle was immediately turned over to James 
 Ragin, of Wisconsin, who was sent to the rear by Capt. 
 Wilson, to put it in thorough repair before attempting to 
 use it. The giving of these telescopic rifles but few of which 
 were now carried, at this period of our service, was in the 
 nature of a mark of honor, as the Sharpshooter thus armed 
 was considered an independent character, used only fot 
 special service, with the privilege of going to any part of 
 the line where in his own judgment he could do the most 
 
452 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 good. It is therefore sufficient, in naming the men carrying 
 these ponderous rifles, to show that they were among our 
 most trusty soldiers and best shots. A small party of 
 scouts under Lieut; Stevens having been sent out, later on, 
 to the left of the road proceeded under sharp, close fire to 
 the . designated position, but finding the enemy in much 
 greater force close at hand, both in their immediate front 
 and on the flank, from whom they received a warm 
 reception, it was determined to report back the condition of 
 affairs, the detail not' being strong enough to hold their 
 ground any length of time, especially should an advance be 
 made, which was threatened. The officer reporting back in 
 person under a storm of bullets "barking his clothes," for 
 they could see every movement, after a short consultation 
 he received orders to withdraw his party, which was 
 fortunately done without loss. Later in the day, the regi- 
 ment moved to the left of the road, where the detail had 
 previously been, and with this necessary strength, at once 
 established an advanced line at this important point, close 
 up to the rebel works, — not a hundred yards between them, 
 — and about sunset became suddenly subjected to a severe 
 attack. But notwithstanding the hundreds of balls flying 
 about them, they held their ground w^ithout flinching, 
 although their cover was only a small slope of ground. The 
 brigade came up soon after under Col. Macallister, a bold 
 leader, and checked the enemy, the firing being very heavy 
 on both sides until long after night had come upon them, 
 the long lines of flashing guns on either side giving a grand 
 but terrific aspect to the scene. The Sharpshooters after 
 the night fight was over, were sent to the rear to rest, and 
 to procure rations brought up during the afternoon, of 
 which they were greatly in need, the first received since 
 leaving Cold Harbor. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 453 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. B. — Wounded : Sergt. Thomas Smith, in leg, mortal; 
 John W. Kenny, arm; Stephen C. James, right arm; John 
 McCauley. 
 
 Co. C— James Heath, killed. 
 
 Co. F.— Caspar B. Kent, killed. 
 
 On June 17th Companies B, E, and G were sent to the 
 front of Gen. Barlow's division, where they were engaged 
 in sharpshooting until nightfall. Company F was also out 
 further to the left, in hastily prepared intrenchments, where 
 they had hot w^ork Avith the enemy, whose rifle pits were 
 said to be but 50 yards in their front, shooting upwards of 
 100 rounds per man. It proved an exciting day for the 
 Vermonters, who were kept busy dodging the rebel bullets 
 and sending back good shots in return. It w^as close work, 
 and the Sharpshooters had plenty of it before Petersburg. 
 Running out of cartridges, Capt. Merriman sent Sergt. 
 Cassius Peck after more, and twice he passed over the places 
 of danger commanded by rebel guns, getting two haversacks 
 filled, which enabled Company F to hold their greatly 
 threatened position. 
 
 During the afternoon a portion of the 9th corps on the left 
 of the three first named companies, made a daring charge 
 on to the rebel works, but failing, they retired, crowding 
 back over our own works in considerable disorder, leaving 
 their dead and wounded in the cornfields in long rows, to 
 mark their destructive course in their futile attempt. Soon 
 again, however, another assault was ordered, this time by 
 the combined forces of Hancock and Burnside (2d and 9th 
 corps), which resulted in driving the enemy away, capturing 
 their fronting lines; an important gain to our side, although 
 at fearful cost in casualties— over 3,000 killed and wounded. 
 At dark the Sharpshooters were called in, short of ammu- 
 nition, retiring to the field behind the works, where they 
 
4,54, SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 re-formed with the other companies, lying on their arms for 
 the night, exposed to stray bullets which frequently came 
 among them, causing the loss of one killed and several 
 wounded in the regiment. 
 
 The casualties this day were as follows: 
 Sergt.-Major Caleb N. Jacobs, shot in left arm and side. 
 Co. B.— James D. Seward, killed. 
 
 Co. F.— Corp. Charles B. Mead, killed; Henry E. Bar- 
 num, mortally wounded; John Quinlan, wounded. 
 
 Sergeant-Major Jacobs was mortally wounded on the 
 front lines while taking observations. I sent him back in 
 charge of T. A. Kirkham and another man, with a note to 
 the: provost-guard, to let Kirkham pass with Jacobs to the 
 Siirgeon, but they wouldn't allow it, and ordered Kirkham 
 back to his company. During the night Jacobs died, but 
 had lived long enough to send a message to his mother and 
 sister as follows : 
 
 "Tell them I enlisted to save my country, andif need be, 
 to die for my country. Tell them I never regretted that I 
 enlisted. I am glad I have served my country, and do not 
 regret to die for it." 
 
 Such were the last and noble words of one of the best 
 and bravest men we had in the service, and who was in all 
 respects, a true patriot and a splendid soldier, who had 
 worked up gradually from the ranks to the head of the non- 
 commissioned staff. 
 
 On the death of Jacobs, Sergt. Charles J. Buchanan, of 
 Company D, was promoted sergeant-major, and on .August 
 12th was commissioned first lieutenant, he having the high- 
 est testimonials, and, as before indicated, had always been 
 ready for duty when called, was never sick or wounded, and 
 had never missed an action of his company. Here was an 
 illustration of what boys would amount to^ as soldiers; for 
 *'Buck," as he w^as familiarly known and generally called in 
 the regiment, was one of the youngest members, having 
 
-SA.^^^^^^<^- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 455 
 
 enlisted at the tender age of 17. Without ever knowing 
 what hardship was at home, for he had been a law student, 
 he readily broke in to a soldier's life, becoming one of the 
 best marchers, enduring his share of all the hard trials the 
 soldiers were subjected to. They went in "boys," but they 
 soon became men — and men of endurance. And yet, there 
 were not so many boys enlisted, particularly in '61-'62, as 
 some might think. At least, this was the case in Companies 
 D and G; for out of a total in Company D of 64 members, 
 only 16 enlisted under age, 38 were over 21, 8 over 30, and 
 2 over 40, making an average of 24%. years. In Company 
 G, out of a total of 152 enrolled, only 22 enlisted under age, 
 nearly one-half of whom were over 20. While, counting by 
 decades, there were 100 over 21, 25 over 30, and 5 above 
 40. There were 60 between 24 and 30, and but 40 from 21 
 to 23; the average -age being 26 years, which I believe 
 would hold good in the two regiments. 
 
 So, the "boys" were pretty good boys after all, worthy 
 defenders of their country, and "Buck" was one of them. 
 After the war he was offered by Gen. Hancock a commission 
 in the regular army, but respectfully declined, preferring to 
 practice law, -s,vhich he has since done to date. 
 
 Without any wish to disparage in any manner the good 
 qualities of other companies in either regiment, or to appear 
 invidious by comparison, the writer is constrained to 
 remark in this connection— principally on account of the 
 fact that Company D was the smallest company numeric- 
 ally, attaining hardly the minimum requirement, and 
 because of more being said individually or otherwise of 
 other companies— that this company enjoyed the reputation 
 of having a superior lot of men. Though few in numbers 
 they were a host in themselves, who never failed to make 
 good their calling and election to the Sharpshooter service. 
 In every action in which they were engaged, they always 
 did whatever was required of them cheerfully and accepta 
 
456 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 blj, thus contributing materially to the success so nobly 
 earned and so steadfastly maintained by the regiment. 
 
 Company D never received any recruits, which was 
 owing, as Capt. Buchanan has justly said, "largely, to 
 that miserable policy which so generally obtained during 
 most of the war, of raising new and inexperienced battalions 
 instead of filling up. the wasted ranks of veteran organiza- 
 tions. It seemed to be of far more importance that the 
 political favorites at home, though novices in w^ar, should 
 be preferred over those who had won their positions and 
 enviable records by bravery in the face of the enemy. 
 The policy was wrong, as well as disastrous. Plad the 
 armies at the front been kept fully recruited, as they might 
 easily have been," (had it been insisted on), "who shall say 
 that our forces would not have been far more efficient every- 
 where, and consequently, the war brought to an end far 
 more quickly than it was." A policy, however, that has 
 been carried on to a great extent since the war, in the mat- 
 ter of political favors, wherein the poor soldier, who battled 
 at the front, must stand aside for wealth and a false, 
 un-American aristocracy. 
 
 HARE'S FARM. 
 
 June 18-20, 1864. 
 
 On the 18th, advancing from the line of works taken 
 from the enemy the night previous, our Sharpshooters were 
 posted in and around the premises of 0. P. Hare, a noted 
 Virginia turfite, whose race-course and training grounds 
 called "Newmarket" were soon despoiled of all semblance 
 of their former glories by the tramping of armed men, the 
 galloping of war-like steeds, and the wheeling of heavy bat- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. , 457 
 
 teries. Here onr men remained until the night of the 21st, 
 using their rifles faithfully, often within 60 yards of the 
 enemy's rifle pits, at different points along the line. The 
 charge near the Hare House by a Union brigade onthelSth, 
 resulted in disaster, although the Sharpshooters at the 
 house were busily engaged assisting them with their rifles. 
 Casualties with us this day were: 
 
 Wounded: Adjutant E. R. Blakeslee. 
 
 Co. A. — Wounded: Lewis Koester. 
 
 Co. B.— Killed: Daniel Yandebogert. 
 
 Co. F. — Killed : Edward Lyman. 
 
 Co. H.— Killed : William R. Hicks. 
 
 Co. I.— Killed: Robert Sheldon. 
 
 Co. K. — Killed: James Stephens. 
 
 On the 19th Companies E and G occupied a position in 
 and around the bouse, the brigade building a line of works 
 across the garden. Hare's house was evidently left by the 
 late occupants in a hurry, as a large amount of books and 
 papers principally referring to sporting items, furniture of 
 diflferent kinds, carpets, etc., were found scattered about. 
 The w^alls of tbe building were completely perforated with 
 bullet holes, while larger ones were being daily made by 
 round shot and shell. The windows of the carpeted base- 
 ment opened on one side in full view of the rebel pits in 
 front, and as the basement itself made a very comfortable 
 rifle pit, with chairs of mahogany to sit on, a number of the 
 riflemen took possession of the same for the day. Among 
 them was Emery Munsell, who was seated in an arm-chair 
 with his 28-pounder, making long-range shots, several of 
 w^hich were thrown at random towards Petersburg, in hopes 
 of attracting the notice of the editor of the Express while 
 seated in his evidently uneasy chair, where he could have 
 found a truthful item about the Sharpshooters, as an equiva- 
 lent to the lying one he invented on the death of Durkee be- 
 fore Yorktown; as the Union Sharpshooters were actually 
 
458 SHAKPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 established in a "carpeted rifle pit" (but furnished by Ihe 
 enemy) with "comfortable arm-chairs to sit in," and "ma- 
 hogany tables to eat off of; " although the wine cellar which 
 was close at hand, contained naught but empty bottles. 
 
 While the New Hampshire captain (Andrews), and Wis- 
 consin lieutenant (Stevens), were seated at one of Hai-e's 
 tables at half past six o'clock the morning of the 19th, eat- 
 ing their simpk breakfast of hard-tack and coffee, the rebel 
 bullets whizzed through the windows over their heads into 
 the opposite wall, showing conclusively that theyhad range 
 of the place although they did no harm, yet succeeded in 
 raising considerable dnst inside -as irie broken plaster fell to 
 the {floor. The Sharpshooting party, however, silenced them 
 in the course of the morning. 
 
 The shooting between the rebel riflemen and the Sharp- 
 shooters at this place, was carried on at times at extremely 
 short-range, with much determination. , As an Alabama 
 rebel afterwards remarked: "It was only necessary to 
 hald up your hand to receive a furlough." On one occasion, 
 he stated, his comrade did so, and receiving a ball through his 
 arm, started, as he expressed it, "for hum," but soon after 
 leaving the pit he received another shot in the rear, where- 
 upon he wheeled about exclaiming with an oath: "I didn't 
 ask for an extension." 
 
 The rifle pits were generally approached before daylight, 
 and for hours in the hot sun would the rifleman lie watch- 
 ing his antagonist in his front, frequently exchanging shots. 
 After dark they w^ould fall back behind the breastworks for 
 the night. At times an agreement would be entered into 
 between the parties to cease firing, w^hile one of the occu- 
 pants of the pit on either side, would start a small fire and 
 make coffee. Such agreement would be in about the man- 
 ner following:* 
 
 "Well, Yank! Ain't it pretty near breakfast time? 
 We'uns are getting hungry." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE I'UTOMAC. 459 
 
 "All right, Johnny ! Down with your shooting irons." 
 
 Sufficient time having elapsed to obtain the meal, firing 
 would be resumed, giving notice, thus : 
 
 "Hurrah there, Johnny! Time's up!" 
 
 "All right, Yank! pitch in ! " 
 
 And the sharp crack of their rifles would resound as a 
 reminder that business had commenced again. 
 
 ONE WAY TO KILL A JOHNNY. 
 
 On one of these occasions a rebel soldier was rather slow 
 about responding to the call of time. He was in plain view 
 of a Sharpshooter, who saw him seated by a little fire a few 
 feet from the pit, slowly blowing his coffee, and munching 
 his corn cake. 
 
 "I say, you fellow! Get up from the table. You'll eat 
 too much," cried the Sharpshooter. 
 
 "Yes! I'm at my post," responded the lying rebel, 
 unaware of his being seen. 
 
 "Don't lie, you tar-heels!" accompanied by a shot, 
 w^as the rejoinder, as the bullet went spinning into the fire 
 throwing the ashes into the coffee, and causing Johnny to 
 jump into his hole quickly, creating laughter on both sides. 
 But a great struggle and commotion w^as noticed in the pit 
 where soon all was still, when a loud mouthed Johnny 
 rising full length yelled above all the rifles : 
 
 "By jove! You've killed him ! " 
 
 "How's that ! " asked our men. 
 
 "He's choked to death on the corn bread." 
 
 The "telescopic" men were supposed to perform the fine 
 work of the regiment, such as making close shots at long- 
 range, using their telescopes to make objects dim to the 
 naked eye, perfectly plain and distinct, and some exciting 
 specimens of marksmanship was the result. ' While engaged 
 around Hare House, an incident occurred showing how even 
 an old soldier will sometimes become demoralized. James 
 
-3,60 
 
 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Ragin had settled into his position and having obtained 
 range at 300 yards, was closely watching his opponent, who 
 was covered by a tree, and had gradually reduced his shots 
 to about once in a half-hour. Ragin's rifle firmly resting on 
 top of the pit, was sighted for the spot where the rebel 
 showed himself when disposed to try a shot. 
 A movement was discovered, the grayback 
 stepped a little to one side of his tree, 
 bringing down his piece px-eparatory to 
 sending in another round. Now was the 
 time, and Ragin pulled. In an instant his 
 opponent jumped back quickly,flinging his 
 gun from him to the ground. As he shortly 
 after, however, stepped out and picked it 
 up, hurriedly firing a return shot, the 
 Sharpshooter concluded that it was at 
 least a "close call," and that the fellow 
 was badly scared, if not hurt. It was 
 Jim's opinion, that: "That shot must have 
 barked the fellow's clothes, if not actually 
 skinned him," and he just roared at the 
 performance. The following day Ragin got 
 "barked." A rebel rifleman in a pit 400 
 yards off, commenced shooting through a 
 small opening to the great annoyance of 
 the Union soldiers moving about in rear of 
 the breastworks. Ragin getting range on 
 the fellow, a few shots silenced him effect- 
 ually, and for several hours after no shoot- 
 ing was done from that quarter, when Ragin noticed that 
 another man was sent into the pit to take the place of 
 the one he had already "shut up." This fellow proved to 
 be a tough customer, evidently a splendid marksman. 
 The contest soon commenced, and for a long time the Wis- 
 consin man exchanged shots with him, Ragin puttino- his 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 461. 
 
 balls into the opening almost every time, throwing tlie dirt 
 down in the back of the pit, while his opponent dusted 
 Jim frequently. The rebel evidently used a telescope, his 
 bullets aways striking in about the same place on top of 
 the Sharpshooter's pit. Finally, an almost simultaneous 
 exchange took place, Ragin shooting through the opening, 
 and receiving a clip through the hair close to the scalp, 
 inflicting no injury. It was a close shave for the veteran, 
 but he was used to such things, therefore failed to . show" 
 the slightest emotion. His opponent never Bred again, and 
 quietness reigned supreme for the balance of the day in that. 
 pit. 
 
 There were many such episodes occurring almost daily 
 during this siege, the shooting being done often at much 
 greater distances than here given. And that the enemy 
 entertained the greatest respect for the marksmanship of the 
 "Yankee Sharpshooters," the following story is introduced 
 as an illustration : 
 
 KILLED BY A FORCED BALL. 
 
 "The narrowest escape I ever had," said a w^ell-known 
 lieutenant of police the other night, " was in front of Peters- 
 burg. My regiment was in Pickett's division of Longstreet's 
 corps," he continued, " and another fellow and I were in a 
 trench together. We w^ere at the front of the line. The 
 other fellow went by his first name, Dick. The trench was 
 about six feet deep and there was a groove cut in the top of 
 the front, through which we did our shooting at the 
 Yankees. When we wanted to pop away we'd lay the gun- 
 barrel along the groove, get quick sight on the enemy, pull 
 the trigger and then jump down. Dick was a pig-headed 
 sort of a chap. I had told him a dozen times he did n't have 
 sense enough to hold his head on his shoulders. 
 
 " There was a lot of Yankee sharpshooters, in front cf 
 us, and I cautioned Dick to look out how he exposed him- 
 
432' SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 self. I tell you it was dangerous for even so much as a 
 man's ear to get in sightof thosefellows. I heard the bullets 
 whistling lively over our trench, and I knew by the sound 
 that they were, ' forced balls.' A forced ball, you know, is a 
 bullet from a breech-loader. It is a little bigger than the 
 diameter of the gun-barrel, and consequently it goes out 
 with greater force than the ball from a muzzle-loader. 
 The way we could distinguish between the two kinds of 
 guns was that, if it was a breech-loader, the bullet got to 
 you before the report, but if it was a muzzle-loader the 
 report got to you before the ball. Most all of the Yanks 
 used the breech-loaders, and you can just bet your boots we 
 were mighty careful how w^e got in their way. 
 
 "As I was saying, the bullets were whistling pretty lively 
 over our trench. I was loaded ahd was about to put my. 
 gun in the groove and try to pick off a blue coat. Dick 
 was standing in front of the groove putting in a charge: 
 He had his eye at the breech of his gun examining it, and the 
 side of his head was turned toward the groove. While he 
 was standing there — it was not more than half a minute 
 altogether — one of the 'forced' balls came singing through 
 the groove and bored a hole clear through his head as big 
 as a walnut. He fell dead. I stepped across to him, and in 
 doing so passed in front of the groove. Just as I got on the 
 other side of the trench another bullet passed through the 
 groove and buried itself in the rear wall of the treiich. Two 
 other balls followed it and buried themselves in the identical 
 hole made by the first bullet. The sharpshooter who did 
 that neat job was a half mile away." 
 
 "Pretty good shooting," suggested one of the listeners. 
 
 "I should say so," said the lieutenant, with an express- 
 ive shrug of the shoulders. "Some of those Yankee sharp- 
 shooters were marvelous. They had little telescopes on 
 their rifles that would fetch a man up closed until he seemed 
 to be only about 100 yards away from the muzzle. I've 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 463 
 
 seen them pick a man off who was a mile away. They could 
 hit so far you couldn't hear the report of the gun. You 
 wouldn't have any idea anybody was in sight of you, and 
 all of a sudden, with every thing as silent as the grave and 
 not a sound of a gun, here would come skipping along one of 
 those 'forced' balls and cut a hole clear through you. 
 
 "How we used to lay for these sharpshooters, though," 
 he said, chuckling at the remembrance. "We'd keep a 
 look-out for every little puff of smoke. The sharpshooters, 
 you know, mostly climbed trees and hid themselves in the 
 branches. So every time they'd shoot there'd be a tell-tale 
 puff of smoke come out of the tree. Just as soon as we'd 
 see one of those little puffs of smoke the entire battery 
 would rain shot and shell into that tree, and we'd make it 
 so hot for the sharpshooter that he'd eithertumble or crawl 
 out, dead or alive. The best shooters were in the Union 
 army. Most of them came from the west, and many of 
 them had been scouts in the Indian country. They rarely 
 missed a man at a distance of a mile. Indeed, they could 
 hit any object as big as a pie-plate that far away." — Balti- 
 more Herald, (Nov. 3, 1886). 
 
 The lieutenant made at least one slight mistake in say- 
 ing thatmost of our Sharpshooters came from the west. 
 
 On the night of the 20th being relieved by Burnside's 
 men, the Sharpshooters with theirdivision changed position 
 after dark, moving off to the left the following day towards 
 the Weldon railroad, halting for the night in the rough 
 woods near the picket lines. The section we had marched 
 through w^as covered with deep woods, tangled brush, 
 creeks and swamps, making the. movement tedious and 
 unsatisfactory. The position taken up was several miles 
 south of Petersburg, with the intention of cutting the 
 Weldon Road and wresting its possession from the 
 intrenched enemy; for which purpose were brought together 
 -the combined forces of the 2d and 6th corps. 
 
464 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD. 
 
 June 31-22, 186*. 
 
 CoL Stongliton who had been absent on account of 
 wounds received at Po river, had joined his regiment and 
 assumed command the morning of June 21st ; and in the 
 flank movement to cut the Weldon railroad begun that day 
 by Hancock's corps, the Second Sharpshooters became 
 engaged. Col. Stoughton says: "The Second Regiment 
 was put to the front to encounter the described squadron 
 of Fitz Hugh Lee's cavalry. Col. McDougal who com- 
 manded the brigade, and to whom I reported, sent our 
 regiment in and we soon found ourselves largely outnum- 
 bered and reported to Col. McDougal, when he replied : "Go 
 on, there is nothing in your front." So I pushed on. Presently 
 report came from Companies A and B both, that their line 
 was being overlapped, and in danger of being captured. I 
 directed them to break to the rear their respective flanks, 
 and the firing was beginning to be sharp. I heard what I 
 supposed was support coming on my left and rear, and in 
 attempting to adjust and join the line, fell into the hands of 
 the 2d N. C. cavalry, dismounted.^ At the same time the 
 colonel and orderly of the 2d N. C. cavalry were both cap- 
 tured by Lieut. Shoup and some of the men. Five of our 
 regiment were captured besides myself," — among them, Capt. 
 Samuel F. Murray. Col. Stoughton did not return to the 
 regiment, being mustered out seven months thereafter, soon 
 after the end of his imprisonment and parole. 
 
 Sharp firing had occurred in front during the night of 
 the 21st, which was continued in the morning (22d). The 
 6th corps, foil owing the 2d, not getting up in time, a con- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMACi 465 
 
 siderable gap intervening on the left of Barlow's division 
 and tlie right of the 6th, in the afternoon Barlow's lines 
 were severely attacked and successfully flanked, the enemy- 
 having good roads to come in on, thus facilitating quick- 
 movements. The result w^as, we were driven in, the troops 
 doubled up, falling back in confusion, the line of works taken- 
 by the foe with four pieces of artillery, with the other 
 divisions of the 2d corps forced back from their positions^ 
 Tbe corps rallying, retook its original line, driving the Con- 
 federates off. But the mischief had been done in the first 
 attack, and our corps lost heavily, particularly in captured! 
 men, held by the enemy. 
 
 Three companies of the First Sharpshooters, A, F and I, 
 in advance on the extreme left, were obliged to leave with 
 considerable loss, on finding the rebels swinging around in 
 their rear. A special detail of 10 men had been sent out in 
 charge of Sergt. Eli Cook with orders direct from the gen- 
 eral in command of the line to "move your men through 
 that piece of woods and you will be in range of a rebel bat- 
 tery that is sending shell through our ranks causing much 
 annoyance to me." Pushing carefully through the timber 
 Cook's command found four belching cannon 400 yards dis- 
 tant. Getting right down to business the Sharpshooters 
 soon had the big guns quiet — not a living man could stand 
 and load them for a full half-hour. So intent were these 
 riflemen to perform the part in the battle assigned them, 
 that the enemy had swung clear around behind unnoticed, 
 within 15 yards, before our boys knew of their danger. 
 They were completely cut off, but determined not to surren- 
 der without a struggle, they dashed into the scattered rebel 
 line and six out of the eleven breaking through, returned to 
 the regiment. Company F also suffered greatly. Owing to 
 the losses sustained since the commencement of the Wilder- 
 ness campaign, this gallant company had been reduced 
 
 30 
 
436 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 from 47 members to 10 left for duty, 35 having been killed or 
 wounded and two uninjured taken prisoners. 
 
 While this was going on, the other companies were in 
 reserve, but under rapid and close shelling. Immediately 
 behind them on their horses, the Sharpshooters lying on the 
 eround. were several generals with their staff, and it was 
 noticeable that every time a shell came over, most of the 
 aids dodged and ducked as if they were unused to them, 
 while the generals sat perfectly unmoved, except Gen. Grif- 
 fin, who was constantly turning his head and watching 
 where the shell exploded. About sunset these companies 
 were sent forward in skirmish line over a large opening or 
 field to within 100 yards of a thick wood where the enemy 
 were posted, who suddenly opened on them sharply. Our 
 men taking cover in a ditch, from that point briskly 
 responded to the rattling musketry, pouring in thick and 
 fast their bullets closely about them. The left of our line 
 had swung around almost into the timber when the enemy 
 opened, causing them to fa,ll back to the ditch where the 
 right and center had stopped. The fighting was kept up on 
 both sides with much spirit, the Sharpshooters holding their 
 ground until a brigade came up on a charge. As these 
 troops rushed down the sloping field we had a good chance 
 looking back, to see a line of infantry coming at full charge, 
 with their bayonets before them. The interest, however, 
 was soon lost from the startling fact, that some of them 
 were sufficiently excited to cause their pieces to discharge in 
 a rather careless manner. At least, the Sharpshooters in 
 front of them had good cause to think so, as the muskets 
 being pointed high and low, their flashing shots came whiz- 
 zing close over our heads and in the ground behind and at 
 our side; so that our men watching their every movement, 
 their reckless firing, yelled above the noise to "stop that 
 firing, you infernal fools." However, they were soon over 
 us, and gradually forcing the hidden enemy back from the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 467 
 
 edge of the thicket, established an advanced line. The action 
 ceased soon after dark, when the Sharpshooters engaged, 
 assembled in the rear with their regiment. Although the 
 enemy's fire was rapid and at short range, yet but few were 
 hit in the brigade and none in the Sharpshooters. On the 
 following day we moved to the rear of the breastworks, 
 being used by detail for special sharpshooting purposes. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. A.. — Captured : John Fehr, Frederic Teller. 
 
 Co. D. — Wounded: Capt. John E. Hetherington, in 
 hand, severe. 
 
 Co. P.— Killed : Barney Leddy, Peter Lafflin. Wounded : 
 Sergt. L. D. Grover, David Clark, Walter P. Morgan, cap- 
 tured, and died of wound. 
 
 Co. I.— Missing: R. D. Mills and P. Luttes. 
 
 Capt. John E. Hetherington was born Jan. 7, 1840, ia 
 Cherry Valley, N. Y., and was one of the original members 
 of Company D, 1st U. S. S. S. Rising rapidly from the ranks 
 he succeeded to the command of his company at the battle of 
 Gettysburg. It was from no boyish freak that he enlisted, 
 but from a deliberate sense of duty, that he left the most ex- 
 tensive bee business in the United States. His service as a 
 Union soldier comprised all the principal actions of the Army 
 of the Potomac up to the time of receiving this his last 
 wound, before Petersburg; and he had been especially men- 
 tioned to the Secretary of War for "bravery and merito- 
 rious conduct" in the front ranks before the enemy. For two 
 years after his discharge it was a question whether he w^ould 
 live, but he gradually regained a large pairt of his former 
 vigor. As a resident of Cherry Valley, N. Y., he was one of 
 the organizers of the New York Bee-Keepers Association, 
 said to be the oldest of the kind in the country, and of which 
 he was at one period its president. His lectures on Bee- 
 Keeping before farmers' clubs in central New York, made 
 
468 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISIilNG 
 
 him very popular, and had much to do with their success in 
 raising bees, Capt. Hetherington being high authority on 
 everything pertaining to bee culture, and he is credited with 
 being (in 1892) the most extensive bee keeper in the world. 
 He stands high in the Presbj-terian church, of which he and 
 his famil3' are members. His religion is of a practical, work- 
 ing kind, that bears immediate fruit ; that raises the fallen, 
 
 feeds the hungry, cares for the sick. At the same time he 
 believes there is a divine side to religion, with duties beyond 
 those to our fellowmen. He is an active Good Templar and 
 Mason. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 469 
 
 Captain Hetherington's sword was shattered by a bul- 
 let, and a piece of the weapon driven through his hand. The 
 
 engraving shows this piece lying by the broken sword, while 
 the portrait shows the position of the sword and hand. He 
 had thrown his rubber blanket across the hilt of his sword, 
 and that over his shoulder. Providentially the bullet, so 
 well directed, found a lodgment in his sword and hand, 
 instead of his heart, which lay just beneath. A distinguished 
 general of the English arniy on seeing this sword, said he 
 had seen many of the heir-looms of prominent British fami- 
 lies, and the relics sent home from 20 years of active service, 
 and added: "Among them all there are none that I consider 
 as fine a personal relic as this broken sword." Capt. Heth- 
 erington had thrown it away as being of no further use to 
 him; but it was preserved by his men. He commanded the 
 regiment one day in the field, before he was wounded, by 
 request of Capt. Wilson, who was unwell. In personal 
 appearance the captain is tall and commanding, and looks 
 like the accomplished soldier he was so well known to be. 
 
 An order was promulgated to us shortly after this fight, 
 by the peerless Hancock, which I understand was not pub- 
 lished in the newspapers at the time, relative to the 2d corps 
 having acted so badly in the first part of the engagement, 
 which I insert, as it may not be entirely uninteresting to the 
 survivors of the two regiments who remember Hancock as 
 he then was, every inch a soldier, or to that other class who 
 disdain not, but rather love to read rebellion history. It 
 should not be forgotten, however, that the 2d corps at that 
 time, was not the 2d corps of old; as a large proportion of 
 
470 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 the veterans had been lost to service by death and deserved 
 discharge, so that without the accession of latter-day 
 recruits who had never been tinder fire, and many of whom 
 were reputed worthless characters at home, however they 
 may have, and I believe did vindicatethemselves afterwards, 
 thf 2d corps could hardly have existed--for want of num- 
 bers. The order read as follows : 
 
 Headquarters Second Army Corps. 
 Near PETERSsiniG, Ya., June 27, 1864. 
 General Orders \ 
 No. 22. / 
 
 Major-General Hancock resumes command of the 2d 
 corps. In so doing he desires to express his regret that dur- 
 ing his absence from the command it suffered a disaster from 
 the hands of the enemy, which, under the circumstances, 
 seriously tarnished its fame. The abandonment of the line 
 by brigades and regiments without orders and Avithout fir- 
 ing a shot, and the surrender to the enemy of entire regi- 
 ments by their commanders without resistance, was dis- 
 graceful and admits of no defense. It should be recollecte>l 
 that those officers who surrender their commands on the 
 plea of saving the lives of their men, but, in reality to save 
 their own, will be held in contempt by the very men they 
 surrender. A little firmness in defending themselves would 
 have given time to have brought up troops to their assist- 
 ance and would have enabled us to gain a success. The 
 guilty will not be allowed to go unpunished, and those offi- 
 cers who surrendered their commands to the enemy without 
 fighting will be brought to trial when opportunity offers. 
 
 The reputation of the Corps has been deservedly so high 
 in the army, and throughout the country, that it was not 
 deemed possible that such a disaster could occur to it. 
 
 It is necessary that the stigma cast upon it should be 
 removed, and it can be done if the brave officers and soldiers 
 of this command will only do as well as they have 
 habitually done since this eventful campaign commenced. 
 The war is one of endurance. Our numbers are greater 
 than those of the enemy, and it is only required that each 
 one should do his duty in this crisis, when so much is at 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 471 
 
 stake for the future of each individttal, to insure success. 
 It is necessary to be patient and watchful. Each officer and 
 soldier should feel that the fate of the army depends upon 
 his personal vigilance. Hereafter those skulkers who aban- 
 don the field on the plea of carrying off the wounded, which, 
 in action, none but the Ambulance Corps are allowed to do, 
 and those who run away while their comrades are fighting, 
 will be shot down by the Provost Guard, who are required 
 to execute this order. 
 
 By command of Maj. Gen'l Hancock. 
 
 Francis A. Walker, Asst. Adjt. Gen'l. 
 
 On the 24th, the Second Sharpshooters being out on the 
 front line, at an early hour in the morning heavy cannon- 
 ading was heard on the right, and soon after in front in the 
 vicinity of the "Chimneys" on the Jerusalem plankroad. Two 
 companies of Sharpshooters from the First Regiment having 
 been sent for to operate against the rebel artillerists, who 
 were engaged firing into Union regiments that were moving 
 about. Companies G and H, under Lieut. Stevens, were 
 ordered to go, and under instructions from Capt. Wilson, 
 regimental commander, approached carefully the position 
 designated, keeping under cover of the w^oods out of sight 
 of the enemy's pickets, as some of our troops advancing 
 over the open plain to the front lines were subjected to this 
 firing, w^ith considerable loss. Reaching the outer lines close 
 up to the enemy, position was obtained under fire in rifle 
 pits and behind deserted works, with a portion of the 
 detachment in reserve. The rebel battery remained silent 
 for the balance of the day, kept quiet by our men, but 
 occasional exchanges took place from the rifle pits, the 
 Sharpshooters having obtained proper range soon after 
 taking their posts, whereby they could sendin their shots to 
 the rebel pits when occasion required. The position on the 
 lefb of the line having been occupied afterwards by other 
 troops, those of the Sharpshooters placed there were recalled 
 and sent to the reserve near by. One of our men, Corp. 
 
472 SilARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Andrew Kirkham, of Company G, failing to hfear the order, 
 remained at his post all day until found in the evening and 
 brought back ; he having performed good service in silenc- 
 ing the enemy's pits in his front, to the great satisfaction of 
 our infantry moving about in his rear. In the evening the 
 command received orders to withdraw and rejoin the 
 regiment. 
 
 During the morning Ragin had been posted by Capt. 
 Wilson, at the special request of an artillery officer, at his 
 battery a half-mile in rear of the advanced line taken up by 
 the Sharpshooter detachment. This battery had been 
 subjected to considerable artillery fire from the enemy, and 
 it was the wish of the officer in command to witness Ragin's 
 skill in long-range shooting. After firing a few shots, 
 however, the enemy responded with shell and bullets, which 
 did not suit the artilleryman, who thereupon in a profane 
 and excited manner ordered Ragin aw^ay, when the latter 
 instantly followed up and rejoined his company, anything 
 but pleased at the manner in which he had been treated 
 after com plying with the officer's request to "give 'em a few 
 shots." The Sharpshooter was hit twice in this affair, 
 shoulder and breast, slightly, by spent ball and piece of 
 shell. Notwithstanding he felt hurt at the summary man- 
 ner in which he had been ordered off, Ragin could not refrain 
 from laughing at the "scared officer with his red face." 
 
 From this time until July 26th, the men were employed 
 in picket and fatigue duties at different points to which they 
 were from time to time, with their division, moved. The 
 firing in the meantime along the lines, had been keptupwith 
 little intermission night and day, between the opposing 
 pickets, while the artillery was also kept busy, especially 
 when bodies of troops moved about, readily discovered by 
 the clouds of dust, the weather being dry as well as 
 extremely warm. At the date mentioned, participating in 
 the movement of the 2d corps, they broke camp in the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 473 
 
 « 
 
 evening, marching rapidlj' and silently by the City Point 
 road, crossing the Appomattox on pontoons at Point of 
 Rocks near Bermuda Hundred, and pressing steadilj' for- 
 ward, after a fatiguing march of 18 miles crossed the James 
 river also by pontoon bridge, at Jones' Landing near Curl's 
 Neck, at three o'clock the following morning. On this 
 tramp they passed for a long distance through a dense 
 green forest of heavy pines, the darkness being so intense 
 that torches were purposely lit and posted along the route, 
 thereby presenting an illuminated scene both grand and 
 impressive, the whole column forming an extensive as well 
 as novel torch-light procession. The pinus covering on the 
 ground though soft and easy to the now noiseless feet, was 
 at times so slippery as to make it difficult to keep in the 
 ranks, so that unexpected thumps on the head from rifle 
 barrels were not infrequent. After a short rest after their 
 forced march, the men were astir at an early hour of the 
 27th, and the greatly scattered troops collected in their 
 proper places, many having fallen out on the latter part of 
 the march. 
 
 DEEP BOTTOM. 
 
 July 27-28, 1864. 
 
 It was early the morning of July 27th when the artillery 
 opened. Brown's and Sleeper's batteries, which was soon 
 followed by skirmishing across Strawberry Plains where the 
 enemy had taken position. After some sharp fighting. 
 Barlow's division in the lead, the rebels were driven back 
 with the loss of four 20-pound Parrott guns, recaptured 
 Union guns which they had been using against us, an 
 important work and a number of prisoners; during which 
 time the Sharpshooters were held in reserve underthe fire of 
 
474 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 the enemy's guns. In the afternoon they moved across the 
 plains to a deep wood, where they were employed as Sharp- 
 shooters and skirmishers on the right, guarding that flank. 
 Here they were held in position until night-fall when, the 
 firing having ceased, they were assembled and remained 
 under arms in the woods over night. On the next day the 
 gun-boat Mendotawas busily engaged throwing 100-pound 
 shell into the enemy's position with great apparent effect, 
 while the troops were fortifying. In the meantime, a large 
 force of cavalry under Sheridan, were reconnoitering on the 
 right. In the evening the Sharpshooters, with their division 
 now commanded by Gen. Mott, were quietly withdrawn, 
 and recrossing the James, returned by another forced march 
 over the Appomattox, halting at four a.m. of the 29th 
 beyond the City Point railroad, in rear of the right of the 
 line before Petersburg, having marched a distance of 14 
 miles. 
 
 The movement at Deep Bottom w^as a diversion by Gen. 
 Grant, to induce Lee to withdraw a large portion of his 
 Petersburg army to reinforce his reduced force north of the 
 James, to prevent their being cut off, at the same time secure 
 Richmond, 10 miles distant, which was threatened. Han- 
 cock'^s corps and a portion of Butler's troops co-operated 
 in the design, while a large force of cavalry were to destroy 
 railway communications north of Richmond, and otherwise 
 harass the enemy in that vicinity. Besides, there was a 
 mine to be exploded in Burnside's front before Petersburg, 
 therefore to make the succeeding attack more successful, a 
 reduction of the enemy's force in front was a great desidera- 
 tum. But the Deep Bottom affair was not the success hoped 
 for, as Lee could move quicker by rail than the Union troops 
 could afoot. At least, the success was. not apparent to 
 ordinarj' soldiers' minds, however satisfied Grant may have 
 been with the result. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 475 
 
 Resting where they had halted during the day, hid from 
 the view of the enemy behind some sandy hillocks, where 
 they were treated to a visit by Gen. Grant in person, with 
 w^hom the Sharpshooters had an inspiring chat, after dark 
 they approached cautiously to therightof Hare'shouse, and 
 relieving the 19th Wisconsin of the 18th corps, occupied 
 their works. Three companies, B, G, and K, under command 
 of Lieut. Stevens as picket officer, were immediately placed 
 in the rifle pits in front, where they remained within a short 
 distance of the enemy's line until half-past three in the morn- 
 ing, when they were quietly withdrawn behind the breast- 
 works through intricate winding paths in the heavy brush 
 and fallen trees in front of the same ; no firing taking place 
 except the enemy's mortar shells, which could be plainly 
 seen, like a fiery comet, in the darkness, as they rose high in 
 air from Fort Clifton on the opposite bank of the Appomat- 
 tox, situated on high ground in a position commanding the 
 works now occupied by the Sharpshooters and their bri- 
 gade. 
 
 It was a night of great excitement, impressed as were 
 our troops with the certainty of another terrible conflict. 
 The very death-like stillness that was insisted on and which 
 prevailed, presaged too plainly to the veteran soldier's mind 
 something awful to occur. Itwas death in all its horrors 
 pertaining to the battle-field, to many, and who of them 
 watching that fearful night would count among the slain, 
 was a matter of the gravest conjecture. But tired nature's 
 balm, sleep, came to them finally, and with the exception of 
 the watchful sentinels on the front lines, the great army lay 
 in hopeful repose. 
 
476 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIEMISHINO 
 
 BURNSIDE'S MINE, 
 
 AND ASSAULT ON PETEESBUEG. 
 
 July 30, 1864. 
 
 The advanced position held by Burnside's corps was 
 •within 150 yards of the enemy's fort, called Elliott's Salient, 
 located in front of Cemetery Hill, a crest of ground com- 
 manding Petersburg, which Gen. Grant wished to secure. 
 The occupation of this ridge by the Union batteries would 
 have placed Petersburg at, his mercy. Behind Burnside's 
 line was a hollow formation out of sight of the Confederates, 
 Here it was that the mining commenced, the purpose being 
 to dig a tunnel under the level ground intervening to the 
 center of the rebel fort. A Pennsylvania regiment (48th) 
 contained a number of miners, from whom came the sug- 
 gestion that a mine could be successfully laid under the fort. 
 The matter was talked over by the men, until Col. Pleasants, 
 their regimental commander, became interested, also the 
 division general, Potter; finally Bumside took it up, and 
 after laying the matter before his engineers concluded to 
 give it a trial; Gen. Meade consenting with little hope, how- 
 ever, that it would succeed. It was commenced June 25th, 
 and after much difficulty in removing the earth, carrying it 
 away in cracker boxes for wantofsomethingbetter,through 
 the persistent efforts of the tired and worn out miners the 
 -work was completed July 23d. The tunnel was over 500 
 feet in length, the mine being planted directly under the 
 fort. This was charged with 8,000 pounds of powder, to be 
 exploded July 30th before daybreak, with an assault by 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 477 
 
 Bumside's troops in advance, followed by the other corps — 
 in all, a force of not less than 50,000 men. 
 
 It was Gen. Burnside's wish to have Gen. Ferrero's 
 colored division take the lead, they having been trained for 
 weeks previous for this especial service, while the white 
 soldiers had in the meantime been arduously engaged on the 
 front lines, incurring considerable loss. In fact, during the 
 whole time of the mining operations, an incessant firing was 
 kept upon Burnside's front. But Gen.Meadewas opposedto 
 having the colored troops go first, so was Grant, principally 
 because of the charge that would afterwards be made in. 
 case of failure in the enterprise, that they were sent ahead! 
 to be sacrificed. Of course a great howl would bave gone 
 up throughout the north that this was the case — that the 
 negroes were sent into a death trap to save our white 
 troops. The choice was then left to the three white divisions 
 of the 9th corps, to be selected by lot, and it fell upon 
 Ledlie's to take the lead. 
 
 "We had but one division of colored troops in the 
 whole army about Petersburg at that time, and I do not 
 think it would have been proper to put them in front for 
 nothing but success would have justified it." — Grant. 
 
 The mine not exploding at the time expected, it was 
 feared by the oflScers in the rear, at headquarters. Grant, 
 Meade and others, that it was a failure. Over an hour 
 
 passed by, 
 
 And still no earthy sound 
 To qnake the morning air. 
 
 The connecting fuse had been lit, but was finally discovered 
 by a member of the mining regiment, Sergt. Reese, wha 
 coolly volunteered to go in, to have gone out within a short 
 distance of the magazine. Relighting it, he hurried out 
 just as the explosion came, sending Elliott's fort high in the 
 air, leaving a great pit or crater burning in its place. This 
 
478 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 hole measured 150x60 feet, and 30 feet deep. It was the 
 death trap. The mine exploded at twenty minutes to five 
 A. M. with a dull, rumbling sound, shaking everything ani- 
 mate or inanimate far around. Soldiers fell down, others 
 lying prone were shaken upward to fall again, as if perfectly 
 lifeless. Thus were they shocked by this frightful concussion. 
 The stunning effect over, the Union artillery planted along 
 the line, at once opened on Cemetery Hill and beyond, so 
 that between the explosion and the terrific cannonading, 
 the rebels became terror stricken and, those that could, fled 
 wildly to the rear. It is known that 400 of them, -South 
 Carolinians, were lost in the demolished fort, with several 
 cannon. Then Ledlie's men ran forward, the best they 
 could, considering that they had to climb their own works- 
 there being no opening— filing down through the thick 
 abatis in front, crooked trees and sharp sticks, by winding 
 ways, to the plain. The result was it took too much time 
 to get the troops over, then instead of going forward 
 in line of battle, they rushed on by the flank, string- 
 ing along, without formation, headlong into the 
 crater. The white soldiers knew little or nothing 
 about this movement, until they were ordered to 
 go forward after the explosion, and without a clear 
 understanding of what was expected of them, ran 
 ahead, and undoubtedly did the best they could. Some of 
 the troops passing the crater, gained the crest ; among them 
 a portion of the colored division following, by w^hom a few 
 hundred prisoners were taken. But they were so discon- 
 nected, so unsupported, that they were obliged to fall back, 
 and into the crater they went. So much time was lost in 
 getting the troops forward, that the enemy rallied, coming 
 forward in great numbers, and in good order, aided by their 
 artillery trained to play on the opening between the crater 
 and our works behind, whereby they soon swept the ground 
 of all living persons, so that the opportunity was lost and 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 479 
 
 the movement resulted in a lamentable and disastrous 
 failure. Upwards of 4,000 Union soldiers were lost in the 
 assault, killed wounded and captured. The men in the 
 crater were so completely hemmed in they could not escape, 
 preferring rather to remain than to take the chances of a 
 retreat through the fire of the rebel batteries. For a time, 
 a hand-to-hand fight occurred at the crater, the enemy rush- 
 ing down, firing rapidly into the bloody chasm, while the 
 shells from mortars and cannon exploded among our 
 doomed men. Twice indeed the rebels w^ere repulsed in their 
 assaults, but it did no other good than to keep them oflf 
 for the time being. Everywhere was confusion, on all sides 
 death and destruction. Finally, orders were given to recall 
 the troops, to stop the now useless slaughter. . To get back 
 was the difiiculty now, many refusing to attempt it, while 
 of those who did, numbers were shot down in their tracks. 
 The cannonading during this time, for it lasted from about 
 five until noon, was of the most deafening and continuous 
 character. It was like the roll of musketry increased in 
 sound. With the exception of Burnside's troops, but one 
 division, from the 18th corps, went into the fight, who 
 made a gallant struggle to retrieve the fortunes of the day. 
 The same may be said of Potter's and Willcox's divisions 
 of the 9th corps. The other corps were waiting for orders 
 that never came— they simply took the enemy's shell that 
 came over, and watched the result. 
 
 The Second Sharpshooters were deployed in front of the 
 enemy's batteries on the right, keeping them silent, and were 
 complimented by their brigade general therefor. 
 
 The First Sharpshooters were in the meantime under 
 severe fire from the rebel batteries planted at Fort Clifton, 
 which had range of their works, sending long Whitworths 
 amongst them, causing sometimes a resort to the bomb- 
 proofs, while bullets from the front kept the too inquisitive 
 
4,80 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 down, we having no orders to fire back, in fact, the con- 
 trary—we were to keep quiet, and we did. We had orders, 
 however, to be ready to move across the front at any 
 moment. This was countermanded in the afternoon, with 
 notice that further operations for the day would be 
 suspended, when the firing gradually ceased on both sides. 
 The Sharpshooters, notwithstanding, met with some loss 
 in wounded, among them James Ragin of Wisconsin, shot in 
 the left arm. The 34-pound telescope-rifle I then turned 
 over to Frederick H. Johnson, of Company B, another very 
 deserving soldier. Fred was one of the youngest members 
 of Capt. Wilson's company, enlisting from New York city. 
 He was always with his company, did effective service at 
 Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was one of its 
 "reliables," therefor the compliment of the regimental com- 
 mander having turned over to him one of the telescope 
 guns, whichi he invariably used with good effect. 
 
 During the night they left this position, having been 
 relieved, proceeding to the rear of the front lines, where 
 with their division they were held in reserve. On the 
 evening of August 5th they moved suddenly after dark 
 without packing up, but after going three-fourths of a mile 
 returned, excitement abating, which was caused by a Con- 
 federate failure in springing a mine, — ^they having gone into 
 the mining business, — their engineers being several yards 
 too short in their estimate. In fact, their wily generals had 
 a grave suspicion when Burnside's mine was under way, 
 of something of the kind being attempted, and had com- 
 menced one of their own, running a few yards outside the 
 course of the Union tunnel. 
 
 August 12th they again broke camp as part of Han- 
 cock's corps marching to City Point, on the James river, 
 seven miles distant. The dust was heavy, which with the 
 extreme heat of the day, had a weakening effect on the men, 
 many of the soldiers falling out of the ranks, with cases of 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 481 
 
 sunstroke reported. Arrived near the City Point landing 
 during the evening, after much halting on the way, where 
 they remained over night until the afternoon of the 13th. 
 Considerable speculation occurred amongst the officers and 
 men as to where we were going when the steamboats swung 
 around to load on the troops, especially when we steamed 
 down the river. All manner of places were suggested, prin- 
 cipally north. But as we didn't go many miles before com- 
 ing to a stop, raid-stream, it was getting to be looked upon 
 as a ruse, to deceive any lurking enemy on the rebel shore. 
 This was assured when about eight p. M. a tug came along 
 side with orders to start up stream at ten o'clock for Deep 
 Bottom. This w^as done, the troops being landed at day- 
 light the next morning at the scene of our former movement 
 tlie north side of the James. Grant's plan was to threaten 
 Lee on his flanks, either in front of Richmond or south of 
 Petersburg, to prevent his sending reinforcements to Gen. 
 Early in the Shenandoah — soon to be whipped out by Sheri- 
 dan, sent there to command the Union troops. The troops 
 sent across the James to menace Lee's left, consisted of the 
 2d corps, 10th corps and Gregg's cavalry division. 
 
 Not long after the landing was effected, a portion of our 
 troops engaged the enemy in front beyond Strawberry 
 Plains. Our brigade moved forward to the farther side of 
 the plains remaining there during the day and over night; 
 the artillery and musketry plainly to be heard in the battle 
 then raging, in which a part of the 10th corps captured a 
 number of prisoners, several cannon and mortars. 
 
 31 
 
482 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 DEEP RUN, 
 
 OR FOUR-MILE CREKK. 
 August 15-16, 1864. 
 
 The morning of August 15th, the brigade being ordered 
 to report to Gen. Birney now commanding the 10th corps, 
 moved forward to the extreme right, and in the afternoon 
 went into action in the neighborhood of Deep Run or Four- 
 Mile Creek, the First Sharpshooters advancing ahead as 
 skirmishers through small but thick pines, pushing the 
 enemy back over a mile, following them upclosely, eventually 
 obtaining a position on the Charles City road. A line of 
 cavalry skirmishers were on the right, also a regiment of 
 infantry on the left of the Sharpshooter line. On reaching 
 the road, the right of our line were suddenly confronted with 
 a rebel line of infantry who fired a volley into Company A 
 and the dismounted cavalry, inflicting considerable loss, 
 particularly in the cavalry ; while in Company A Capt. 
 Aschmann fell wounded, but the enemy were soon driven 
 off. It was a hot afternoon, and the firing being rapid on 
 both sides, as we advanced the Sharpshooters lost a number 
 of good men, mostly in wounded. Owing to the close 
 growth of the young trees it was almost impossible to dis- 
 tinguish the enemy in the Sharpshooters front, they lying 
 close to the ground and after delivering their well-aimed 
 fire, hustling back to farther favorable positions from 
 which to sight on our men as the latter advanced steadily 
 on them— a perilous adventure bravely accomplished. Dur- 
 ing this sharp disadvantageous skirmish, to the Sharp- 
 ishooters, the regimental colors were gallantly pressed for- 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 483 
 
 ward on to the concealed enemy, in charge of Corp. Andrew 
 Kirkham. 
 
 On the 16th sharp fighting occurred the entire day. In 
 the morning the Sharpshooters were sent out as flankers, 
 passing through a huckleberry swamp where the boys made 
 a faint attempt to enjoy themselves, into heavy timber; 
 thence moving forward through heavy slashing of pine trees 
 and brush, difficult to climb through, they succeeded in cap- 
 turing a line of works on the heels of the retreating foe, 
 where they halted, having captured 25 of the Johnnies. This 
 position the Sharpshooters held for a considerable time, 
 during w^hich sharp exchanges occurred with the enemy, 
 posted behind another line of works beyond an open field in 
 our front. Other troops finally came to them and after some 
 severe fighting, becoming flanked by the enemy in force, they 
 were obliged to fall back from their exposed position, under 
 a very hot fire, through the thick slashing; the Sharp- 
 shooters reopening as they took their place again on the 
 right flank. In this affair they met with more loss, among 
 others, Capt. Andrews and Lieut. Tyler, both severely 
 wounded, and a great loss to the regiment. A portion of 
 the 10th corps, among them some negro troops, were behind 
 the works to the left of the Sharpshooters, and they also 
 fell back. Among the losses in the brigade which were 
 reported heavy in this fight, was the commander of the same, 
 Col. Craig, who was killed. Later in the afternoon we 
 were ordered to report to Gen. Birney for further "special 
 duty." Capt. Wilson soon had the regiment, moving for- 
 ward to the new position, and through the dense smoke of 
 the artillery which settled close to the earth, obtained a 
 position on the crest of ahigh hill in thewoodsneartheRur, 
 where they were employed until dark sharpshooting, when 
 they were withdrawn. Taking no farther part in the 
 fighting still in progress, they left the field on the night of 
 the 18th, and moved back over the James and Appomattox 
 
484, SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 by pontoons, with their division. Gen. Birney gave the 
 Sharpshooters great praise for "gallant and meritorious 
 service" performed while under his command. 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 Co. A.— Wounded: Capt. Rudolph Aschmanti, right 
 leg amputated; also one enlisted man injured, EmilHarmuth. 
 
 Co. C— Wounded: Adjt. E. R. Blakeslee, slight; John 
 M. Booth, captured. 
 
 Co. E.— Wounded: Capt. Wm. G. Andrews, arm, severe; 
 First Sergt. Charles E. Spencer, Sergt. David C. Wyatt. 
 
 Co. G.— Wounded: Private Levi Ingolsbe, mortal. 
 
 Co. I.— Killed: Franklin Dolton. Wounded: ElishaR. 
 Philo. , 
 
 Co. K.— Wounded : First Lieut. Richard W. Tyler, arm 
 amputated; Edwin B. Parks, slight. 
 
 The Second Regiment marched towards Richmond and 
 flanked a four-gun' battery which was taken on a charge in 
 which they were engaged, capturing a lot of prisoners 
 and ammunition. The regiment was kept busy during the 
 entire movement. 
 
 This was the last action in which the First Regiment of 
 Sharpshooters took part, the term of service being about ta 
 expire with several of the companies, so that in a short 
 time the regiment would be virtually disbanded as an 
 organization. But there was yet considerable dutyforthem 
 to perform, principally on the picket lines, before they were 
 mustered out. 
 
 Having got back before Petersburg again, on the morn- 
 ing of the 19th they were posted on picket on the left of the 
 Jerusalem Plank Road at "Fort Hell," near the Chimneys, 
 which latter were now pretty mucn destroyed, where they 
 remained until the 24th, being at the time within 60 yards 
 of the enemy. An agreement had been entered into betw^een 
 the opposing pickets at this place, that no firing should 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 485 
 
 occur unless ordered, then notice should be given. As aeon- 
 sequence of this arrangement the pickets could walk their 
 beats unmolested, instead of being cooped up, or huddled 
 together, in the rifle pits, often half-full of water from fre- 
 quent heavy rains. Artillery firing, however, was kept up, 
 with little intermission. Along these outer lines were bomb- 
 proofs, which w^ere used to protect the troops from the rebel 
 fire, especially the mortar shells. Company F on the 21st, 
 while out in the pits, got into a sharp fight, driving the 
 Johnnies from their pits in front, capturing 40 of them; 
 although there were but 10 of the company to do it. "While 
 at this point heavy fighting had been going on, to our left, 
 in the vicinity of the Weldon railroad way south of Peters- 
 burg, w^ith success to the Union arms, principally of War- 
 ren's corps, who although hard pressed in his almost 
 isolated position, and at times severely flanked by the 
 enraged Confederates whereby he lost quite heavily, bravely 
 held his ground which remained thereafter in his possession; 
 there being at the time but few troops in the rear of the 
 Sharpshooters — a thin far-stretched line — and their division; 
 the balance of the corps having gone under Hancock with a 
 brigade of cavalry some miles south of the Weldon road 
 fight, to Reams' Station,where on the 25th after repulsing the 
 enemy, they were forced back with loss of their line of works 
 and three batteries, one of which was recaptured. During 
 the darkness Hancock withdrew from before the superior 
 forces of the enemy. In this deplorable afi'air, out of 8,000 
 men all told, Hancock lost over 2,400, of which nearly 1,800 
 were "missing; " the most of whom were supposed to have 
 been captured very easily, from the fact that bounty jump- 
 ing recruits hardly relished hard fighting, therefore were 
 incapable of stout resistance to the fierce onslaughts of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Leaving their picket line the Sharpshooters encamped in 
 pine woods on the left of their previous position. A few days 
 
486 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 before, the First Sharpshooters as an organization com- 
 menced breaking up, when the Swiss compan}', "A," a mere 
 squad left (adozen only), were mustered out, August 18th, 
 and departed for their homes. This was followed by the 
 muster out of Company C, Aug. 20th; Lieut. Edwin A. 
 Wilson, their last company commander— and a good one- 
 says "the overwhelming number of five of the original 101 
 who enlisted Aug. 21, 1861," were with him when the day 
 for muster outfinally came. On August 28th the muster out 
 of Company B followed, another handful of battle-scarred 
 men; Lieut. Theodore Wilson commanding, thefirst lieuten- 
 ant Frank S. Wells having been on staff duty for a consider- 
 able time previous, while the captain, John Wilson, had been 
 regimental commander. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 25th the regiment moved to the 
 left again towards Eeams Station, where the fighting above 
 noticed had been going on, and obtained a position for the 
 night on the flank, where they lay guarding the same until 
 the following morning, when they returned to their former 
 place at the pines. The firing in the meantime had been 
 heavy, especially in cannonading. Shortly after, they were 
 posted behind breastworks on the front line where they 
 remained, often subject to severe fire, employed in daily 
 picket duty, the picket lines of the opposing forces being 
 from 60 to 150 yards apart. 
 
 ALL ABOUT A LONG-EARED, LONG-NOSED, LONG-TAILED MULE. 
 
 A series of scenes, w^ith a comical commencement and 
 a tragical ending, occurred at this encampment, wherein a 
 mule was the chief actor. This mule had been confiscated 
 by the officer keeping the same, sometime previous, or rather 
 had strayed over to the officer's quarters, and being captured 
 by his man Friday, was made to earn its hard-tack and 
 such other provender as could be picked up, by carrying 
 blankets, rations, etc., during the many sudden marches 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 487 
 
 that were occurring in this vicinity. It was against orders 
 to allow^ any pack-horse or mule to go beyond a certain 
 point, and the provost guard was pretty sure to stop them. 
 On a certain occasion (1st Deep Bottom), when it came to 
 turning back this mule, our man leading pointing to a couple 
 of telescope-rifles placed on the mule's back for a blind, with 
 an assurance, and I may reasonably add, cheek, almost as 
 great as the mule's, rather demanded that he be not inter- 
 fered with as "them guns must go forward." The provost 
 officer, informed as to the regiment owning "them guns," 
 had no more to say except to tell his men to "let that mule 
 go through — never stop that animal — those rifles are its 
 passport," etc. After that, on similar occasions it was suf- 
 ficient to say; "Sharpshooter Mule!" and it went right 
 along loaded down with "extras" for the boj's, to the very 
 front. The mule was large and very tough, and although 
 fodder was often scarce, muley appeared to have but little 
 appetite. In fact, seemed to accustom itself to the hard 
 times for all stray stock, as no regular rations could be 
 draw^n for horses or mules not on the list of those entitled 
 to keep the same ; therefore the luckless animal picked up by 
 company officers, stood in a fair way to starve if it couldn't 
 accommodate itself to circumstances, satisfied with gnaw- 
 ing hard-tack boxes, and accepting such scraps as the boys 
 would throw in its way. As for fresh grass — none grew 
 under the countless soldiers' feet. But this particular muley 
 would not hunt for more profitable quarters, preferring 
 rather to be around among the boys, especially when the 
 camp-fires were burning, and the coffee and meats cooking 
 over the coals. There muley would stand, right in the way 
 before the fire, its long nose snuffing up the fumes of the 
 broiling meats or steaming coffee, while the curling smoke 
 would circle in blue cloudlets around its ponderous head, 
 but causing muley to flinch?— never! In truth, it would 
 snuff" it all down with as much composure as a Turk would 
 
488 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 inhale the aromatic fragrance from his meerschaum, no mat- 
 ter how thick it came. Occasionally one of those lengthy 
 ears would flap over onto some stooping soldier's head, 
 brushing off hat or cap into the fire, frequently Upsetting the 
 coffee and peppering the meat with ashes. 'T was no use to 
 whip that mule, to beat it, or drive it away. It would be 
 sure to be back to the fire before the soldier, and plant that 
 long nose where the smoke was the thickest. Finally, it 
 was resolved that this particular mule, kind and gentle 
 though it w^as, molesting none except in the comical manner 
 stated, unless an occasional switch of the tail would some- 
 times spread carelessly over some luckless tormentor's face; 
 't was resolved that muley was a nuisance. So, the lieuten- 
 ant taking pity on the poor brute, made arrangements one 
 evening to send it off to City Point, 12 miles distant; and 
 after a formal leave-taking by the company, poor muley 
 departed, although mulish about setting out. The absence 
 of the mule at that evening's supper was favorably noticed 
 by the boys, and a "good riddance to bad rubbage," was 
 the general verdict. City Point, as before stated, was 12 
 miles distant, on James river, the road thereto being crowded 
 more or less by scattering troops, with teamsters and teams 
 without number, running thence through different camps, 
 past patrol guards, amid jostling wagons which generally 
 crowded the roads within the lines night and day, and it 
 was certainly at that time considerable of an undertaking; 
 yet, on that same night, the mule arrived there in due time, 
 after a good feed was loosely corralled, and left to ruminate 
 the balance of the night on the ups and downs in a muley's 
 career. But, on awakening the following morning, the new 
 master was surprised to find his beast of burden vamosed. 
 Just as much surprised as were the members of the Sharp- 
 shooter company, to find, that same next morning, stand- 
 ing at the head of the company street near the cook's tent, 
 their old friend, muley, waiting as was its usual custom, for 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 489 
 
 the fire to be started. No ! muley could n't stand the change 
 in its condition, although it was from a worse to a better 
 one, but must plod its way back to the boys of Company G. 
 So again for awhile did muley hang around, nosing the 
 smoke, flapping its lengthy ears, switching the long tail. 
 Another consultation took place, at which it was decided to 
 take muley some two miles along the lines to an opening in 
 the breastworks, then after passing out to the front towards 
 rebeldom, to move back to a point opposite camp and there 
 let muley go — the breastworks it was thought would prove 
 a barrier to its appearance again. A detail being made, 
 muley once more took its departure amid the congratula- 
 tions of the boys. The programme was carried out to the 
 letter; muley was cast loose about a mile from camp, with 
 a long line of breastworks as a bar to its reappearance. 
 There, the detail left muley, and started back to camp 
 climbing the breastw^orks, takingadirect line to "quarters." 
 Now, how^ 'twas done, is not known, but sure enough when 
 the detail after a hurried march got back to the company, 
 there stood inevitable muley at the head of the company 
 street, having arrived just in time to take itsold accustomed 
 place, w^hen the returning detail appeared entering the foot 
 of the street. But the next day poor muley's fate was ever- 
 lastingly fixed. The company ofiicer being out to the front 
 on the picket. lines, a senior captain at the time in command 
 of the handful of men left to represent what was once one 
 of the fullest regiments in the field, ordered the mule to be 
 taken without the lines, beyond the breastworks, w^here the 
 Sharps rifles finished its career instanter. Unfortunate 
 muley fell a victim to its love for the boys, and the thick 
 smoke of the company camp-fires. 
 
 The army mule took an important part at times in the 
 great battles in progress, impressed in to the heat of the fight, 
 by bringing ammunition to the front ; boxes of cartridges 
 being slung either side the body with one or more on top. 
 
490 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 making a prettj' heavy load. Particularly was this the case 
 in the last half of the war. It was noticeable that great 
 care was observed on reaching that part of the field "under 
 fire," that muley was not struck by shot or blown up by 
 exploding shell, and the cartridges scattered and lost. But 
 as one of the great curiosities in the army was a dead mule, 
 I presume that but few were sacrificed in that way. Mules 
 were also used to carry coils of telegraph wire, which were 
 run out and laid close to the army lines from one bivouac or 
 camp to another, men being on duty for that especial pur- 
 pose, with operators assigned to the different headquarters, 
 particularly corps, who were thus in quick communication 
 with the general commanding. Under Grant, in our last 
 campaigns, this telegraph service kept pace with the differ- 
 ent movements. 
 
 During this time while we were in position behind the 
 works as before stated, heavy artillery practice was almost 
 constantly indulged in on both sides along the lines, while 
 frequent discharges of musketry were heard; the Sharp- 
 shooters being often rolled out under arms, in anticipation 
 of an attack. For awhile the opposing pickets were on very 
 friendly tertns, those of the enemy coming over, trading 
 tobacco for coffee, sugar, etc., and exchanging newspapers. 
 The artillerists having entered into no such agreement, fre- 
 quently blazing forth over their heads the heavy shot and 
 bursting shell. During this period the enemy deserted in 
 large numbers, principally at night, although oftentimes 
 coolly walking over in the daytime, giving themselves up. 
 They were mostly in our front, from the 8th and 9th Ala- 
 bama regiments. Considerable information was furnished 
 by the rebel newspapers, which were daily obtained at the 
 picket lines. Lieut. Stevens, of G, received the Richmond 
 Sentinel from two deserters whom he sent to the rear, one 
 morning while out in charge of a number of posts, dated 
 that day, Sept. 3d, containing the news of the nomination 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 491 
 
 at Chicago the day previous of McClellan for President, in 
 advance of the norljhern papers, which latter arrived that 
 evening confirming the same. The two deserters, on my 
 asking w^hat their officers thought of these desertions, 
 replied very independently: "We don't exactly know, and 
 
 we don't exactly care a , for we came over to stay, and 
 
 with your permission we are going north " — and north they 
 went. 
 
 On this occasion the pickets were on particularly friendly 
 terms, advantage of which was taken to distribute copies of 
 the President's proclamation relative to deserters, which had 
 a good effect. For, as before stated, many desertions from 
 the enemy occurred. There were many, however, who seemed 
 to distrust Lincoln the president, and wanted to hear from 
 Grant the general. If he promised them the same terms, 
 they were ready to come over. So, what purported to be 
 Grant's proclamation was read to them, to their apparent 
 utmost satisfaction. During this friendly spell, jokes and 
 sharp hits were good naturedly indulged in, and the follow- 
 ing episode soon became known along the line : 
 
 HOW A JOHNNY TRICKED A YANK. 
 
 In the forenoon of this day, the extreme post of the 
 Sharpshooter detachment was the scene of considerable 
 amusement at the expense of one of the group, who had 
 got sold in the following rnanner. A rebel from a rifle-pit 
 opposite, ahundred yards distant, had called over to "see 
 the boys " as he expressed it, and having traded sufficiently 
 in hard tobacco — big thick plugs a foot long — for coffee and 
 sugar which he stowed carefully away in a couple of stock- 
 ings — packed full — ^promised to give the Yank in question, 
 "five dollars in gold," if he would go back to the Union 
 sutler and buy him that amount of provisions; which 
 arrangement was agreed to, when the reb made off to his own 
 side of the plain. The northern soldier taking advantage of 
 
492 SHAEPSHOOTINO AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 tHe prevailing quietness, stole away from his post and pro- 
 ceeding to the sutler a mile or more to, the rear, made pur- 
 chases to the extent of a five dollar greenback. With his 
 hands full of canned fruit, condensed milk, butter, cheese, 
 bolognas, etc., he hurried back to the front. According to 
 the agreement with the Confederate, he was to advance 
 half-way over the intervening ground and laying down the 
 supplies, return to his post. After which Mr. Johnny 
 would saunter carelessly along that way, avoiding obser- 
 vation as much as possible from his officers, to prevent 
 being ordered back, and on reaching the spot take posses- 
 sion of the stores, then return to his pit after leaving the 
 gold piece on a chip, which his Yankee friend, calling around 
 soon after, would consign to his pocket. All these little 
 arrangements appeared to be carried out, and the pro- 
 gramme seemed a success. Yank left the sutler stores, 
 Johnny came forward and got them, but when Yank 
 returned to the place again and found on a chip, in place of 
 a five dollar gold piece, a worn out chew of tobacco, he was 
 forced to come to the sage conclusion that he had been 
 badly sold— to pay him for violating existing orders regard- 
 ing furnishing supplies to the enemy. 
 
 The supplies for the Union troops were brought by 
 teams from City Point, two days rations being issued at a 
 time. To facilitate matters the lieutenant-general caused 
 to be built a railroad along the lines from City point land- 
 ing, which was rapidly finished the entire length. It wasn't 
 as broad guaged as a trunk Hne, but it served the purpose 
 for which it was intended. 
 
 On the night of Sept. 4th considerable excitement was 
 occasioned, especially with the enemy, by the firing of a 
 double-shotted salute by the Union batteries, of 100 guns, 
 in honor of the capture of Atlanta by the forces under Gen. 
 Sherman.^ This caused a great commotion among the Con- 
 federates who thought it the commencement of a general 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 493 
 
 assault, and they soon responded with interest, sending 
 over a dozen mortar shells at a time, besides numberless 
 other missiles from their cannon. A network of fiery balls 
 could be plainly seen as they sped through the air, which 
 with the numerous flashes and bright, expansive explosions, 
 presented a scene never to be forgotten. 
 
 The night of the 10th the 1st brigade stationed on the 
 right of the 2d, at Fort Hell, were ordered forward to cap- 
 ture and occupy the enemy's rifle pits, notice having previ- 
 ously been given them to evacuate the same as they were nec- 
 essary to straighten out the Union lines, besides were too 
 close to our works to suit the general in command. Making 
 a sudden dash with the 20th Indiana, the charge w^as success- 
 fully accomplished, the enemy being taken by surprise. A 
 number of prisoners (56) were taken, no firing occurring 
 during the movement. As soon as it became known, how- 
 ever, the enemy opened heavily until daylight of the 11th, and 
 during that day sharp skirmishing followed. The Second 
 Sharpshooters took a prominent part in this afl^air and had 
 two killed, while the First Regiment, with their brigade, were 
 held in readiness to repel any counter-attack that might be 
 made by the enemy in their front. The telescopic rifles, 
 however, were sent to the front during the afternoon of the 
 11th to operate on the rebel gunners. After shooting at 
 each other most of the following day, the pickets by mutual 
 consent ceased firing, when immediately the top of the rifle 
 pits on both sides was covered with soldiers, some smoking, 
 others talking and laughing. Soon after, an ofiicer was 
 observed running along the lines of the enemy, when a rebel 
 soldier standing up in plain view, notified our men that 
 they had received orders to keep up their firing, in this 
 significant manner : 
 
 "Lookout! Lookout! Yank!" 
 
 Down went both parties into their respective holes, 
 when firing was instantly resumed,. and kept up along the 
 
494 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 lines with little intermission during tHe balance of the term 
 of service of the First Sharpshooters as an organization, 
 frequently resulting in casualties among the troops in rear 
 of the works, especially after dark, many being shot in 
 their beds. 
 
 On one occasion several of the companies out in front, 
 were ordered to take possession of a position that had here- 
 tofore been considered neutral on account of a well thereon, 
 where Yank and Johnny had often met unarmed and drank 
 each other's health. Soon after daylight the fracas began, 
 by the Sharpshooters dashing forward and taking the place, 
 capturing 85 of the enemy, and fortifying. For several 
 days efforts were made to retake the ground, on account of 
 this w^ell, but we continued to hold it. 
 
 On the 21st a grand salute of 100 guns was opened by 
 Gen. Butler on our extreme right, for the great victory in 
 the Valley of the Shenandoah by the troops under Phil 
 Sheridan, causing another grand rumpus among the F. F. 
 Y.'s. The next day, Sept. 22d, Company G was mustered 
 out, 12 in number. Previous to this date, during the 
 month, E, F and H, received their honorable discharge; 
 leaving but three companies, D, I and K, First Regiment, 
 whose term had not expired; D being mustered oiit Novem- 
 ber 22d, I and K later. Of the latter companies Eli Cook 
 as first sergeant, and Lieut. Thomas B.Humphrey, who had 
 gradually risen from the ranks to his well deserved position, 
 commanded their respective companies. These remaining 
 companies with the recruits and veterans, formed for awhile 
 a consolidated battalion, until December 3lst, when they 
 were transferred to the Second Regiment, excepting those 
 from Michigan, who went direct to the 5th infantry of that 
 state. Subsequently, the Second Regiment remaining intact 
 until February 20, 1865, a general break up and transfer 
 took place of those whose term had not expired, to some of 
 their respective state regiments : the New Yorkers to the 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 495 
 
 124th New York; Company G, (1st), going to the 36th "Wis- 
 consin; Company A, (2d), to the 1st Minnesota, etc. 
 During this time they took part as sharpshooters and skir- 
 mishers, in several more important affairs : Hatcher's Run, 
 Boydton Road, and a skirmish at or near the Weldon road. 
 So that in all, they were engaged in 65 actions. 
 
 Charles H. Berner, of Company B, speaks particularly 
 of the handsome manner in which they were treated by the 
 officers and men of the 124th New York; and the same may 
 be said of the other state regiments towards other com- 
 panies. 
 
 Misfortune and sorrow seldom comes singly, and this 
 was exemplified during the war in the many cases known to 
 exist where families surrendered the lives of more than one 
 member, as an offering to patriotism and the cause of the 
 Union. Instances could be given almost innumerable. In 
 the writer's company, the aged and crippled widow Dennisr 
 ton of Fox Lake, Wis., lost her three boys, all she had, one 
 killed and two dying eventually from wounds received. The 
 Melvin family lost two by death from fever, with one dis- 
 charged from same cause. Two Ingolsbe brothers were 
 killed — aU Wisconsin men. Also, in many cases, soldiers 
 seemed to be continually getting hit, some of them wounded 
 several times in the course of their term of service, while 
 there were others who escaped entirely in scores of battles. 
 Harrison DeLong, of Hopkins, Mich., (Company B), tells 
 ho w he lost two of his tent mates twice— J. W. Chidsey, 
 who "was a splendid soldier, one of the best in Company 
 B," killed at Locust Grove; and R. H. Rarick, wounded at 
 Mine Run. And again, James D. Seward, killed at Peters- 
 burg, and H. A. Seward, a brother, wounded and "crip- 
 pled" at Spottsylvania. Of course there wasn't anything 
 fair about it, for so many to get more than their share, 
 while others went scot free; except that we fully recognize 
 the claim that all is fair in war. 
 
496 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 In October the Sharpshooters were Ycry, active on the 
 front lines. On the 2d of the month, the Second Regiment 
 while on the skirmish hne had a sharp fight and broke one 
 line of works near Poplar Grove church; later in the month, 
 the 27th, they skirmished all day, capturing 50 prisoners 
 near Stony Creek, as I am informed by Comrade Edwin 
 Aldritt, an old stand-by of Company A, writing from his 
 home on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, in Minnesota- 
 Some of the boys called this daj^'s work the battle of the 
 Bull Pen. On the same day the First Regiment battalion 
 went into the action at Hatcher's Run, deploying as skir- 
 mishers, and advancing through the woods met a brigade 
 of the enemy lying in ambush for our boys. They opened 
 fire on the Sharpshooters, then charged them. A hand-to- 
 hand fight took place, and while a Coiifederate was taking 
 to the rear Norton M. Stannard and John W. Howard, of 
 Company I, who had been captured, Alonzo Woodruff, of 
 the same company, sprang forward and with his Sharps 
 rifle killed the rebel by a blow on the head. In the effort to- 
 get free Howard fell wounded, being left on the field,, 
 the others escaping. Howard was reported killed, but some- 
 years after the war, turned up alive and applied for a pen- 
 sion, and it was a long time before the Department became 
 satisfied he was the right man. In this affair seven recruits- 
 were killed or wounded. 
 
 There were also lost during the siege of Petersburg the 
 following named members of the First Regiment: 
 
 Co. A.— Killed: Adam Friedmann, July 30.- 
 
 Co. B.— Captured at Hatcher's Run : Harrison Frailick, 
 died in rebel prison. 
 
 Co. C— Killed: William H. Thompson, Daniel Tila- 
 paugh. 
 
 Co. E.— Mortal wound : Edwin French. 
 
 Co. F.— Killed: Daniel E. Bessie, Charles Danforth. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 497 
 
 Wounded : Carlos E. Mead, A. W. Bemis, Volney W. Jencks, 
 Jay S. Percy. 
 
 Co. G.— Killed: Wm. McQuivey. Wounded: Geo. W. 
 Griffin, foot amputated, and Charles W. Baker. 
 
 Co. H. — Missing: July ITth, Lewis H. Soule, supposed 
 to have been captured. 
 
 ANOTHER MINE FIZZLE. 
 
 Eli Cook, of Company I, tells the story: "October 31, 
 1864, Berdan's First Sharpshooters (witl) tbe 105th Penn- 
 sylvania and 5th Michigan) were ordered to Fort Davis 
 to do garrison duty. The regiment remained there until Nov. 
 29th. Deserters came in quite frequently, and reported that 
 the enemy were mining one of our large forts near the Jeru- 
 salem plank road. Further reports led to the fact that Fort 
 Sedgwick was the one that was mined. This was the farthest 
 fort in advance on this part of the line. It was located on 
 the right-hand side of the Jerusalem plank road, 25 rods to 
 the right and front of Fort Davis. The rebel rifle pits were 
 15 rods in front of Sedgwick. The rebel fort, Mahone, w^as 
 on the opposite side of the plank road, 40 rods from our 
 lines. Fort Sedgwick was the one known as "Fort Hell," 
 while Mahone opposite was called "Fort Damnation." So 
 close were the rebs that if we showed signs of work on Fort 
 Sedgwick, they would order us down or would fire, and we 
 had to obey their orders. On Nov. 17th orders came to 
 have a detail of Sharpshooters ready to march at three the 
 nest morning. This detail was composed of 14 men from 
 Company I, who were ordered to pack up and march to 
 Fort Sedgwick, there to receive farther orders. On entering 
 this large fort to our surprise there was not a man to be 
 seen in or around it. It was vacant. AU the cannon and 
 munitions had been removed, and our orders were to allow 
 no man to enter the fort without a permit. All kinds of 
 rumors were afloat with us, as to what was to happen 
 
 32 
 
498 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 farther. Now came orders for regular guard-mounting, 
 drill with guns at right shoulder arms— to deceive the enemy 
 —to build 20 or more fires night and morning, and to keep 
 up a general appearance of a strong force. No officer of the 
 day made his appearance, nor did we have to turn out for 
 the grand rounds— there wasn't any rounds to turn out for. 
 The 14- Sharpshooters were the conspicuous figures of this 
 sham show of strength, and we made the most of it, but 
 really had an easy time w^hile there. Finally a small work- 
 ing party made their appearance in the outer trench of Fort 
 Sedgwick, when we were ordered to watch the enemy in our 
 front, very closely night and day, while the working party 
 were sinking three shafts in this outer trench. They went 
 down to the depth of 22 feet; at the bottom of each shaft a 
 tight barrel was placed, the earth tamped solid about the 
 same. The heads of the barrels were removed and a string 
 stretched tight across the top of each barrel so, the miners 
 claimed, they could hear the stroke of the picks by the enemy, 
 by placing their ears to this string, a distance of 16 feet 
 through solid earth. The boys were wild with excitement, 
 some saying: ' To-morrow morning the rebs will spring the 
 mine just as we have our coffee ready, and spill it. Others 
 illustrated how their heels would go up in the air at four in 
 the morning. A report was circulated that our command- 
 ing officer declared that the rebel powder would get damp, 
 flash in the pan, and do no damage to the fort. Then our 
 miners claimed to have cut off the rebel lead, also that one 
 magazine was placed under Fort Sedgwick. But it didn't 
 explode, the attempt was another fizzle. On the 24th the 
 heavy artillery was stationed in the fort, and a mortar bat- 
 tery and a regiment took our place, we returning to our 
 regiment at Fort Davis, when all the Sharpshooters packed 
 up and went with Gen. Warren on the raid to tear up the 
 Weldon railroad." 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 499 
 
 With this I complete my history of the organization 
 known as the Berdan Sharpshooters, an organization com- 
 posed of the most expert riflemen that could be obtained in 
 the Union states, whose skill as marksmen was acknowl- 
 edged to be superior to that of the best troops in the world; 
 proven on the front line in most every battle and skirmish 
 of importance, in which the infantry of the Army of 
 the Potomac w^ere engaged ; who rendered more of the 
 enemy's best troops bors de combat than any other regi- 
 ment in the field. 
 
 In his "Regimental Losses in the Civil War," Col. Fox 
 thus speaks of them: "The unique regiments of the war. 
 Berdan's United States Sharpshooters were the best known 
 of any regiments in the army. It would have been difficult 
 to have raised in any one state a regiment equal to Berdan's 
 requirements. The class of men selected were also of a high 
 grade in physical qualifications and intelligence. They were 
 continually in demand as skirmishers on account of their 
 wonderful proficiency as such, and they undoiibtedly killed 
 more men than any other regiment in the army. In skir- 
 mishing they had no equal." 
 
 On the final disbandment Gen. DeTrobriand issued the 
 following valedictory order : 
 
 Headquarters 3d Div. 2d Army Corps, 
 February 16, 1865. 
 General Order 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 The United States Sharpshooters, including the first and 
 second consolidated battalions, being about to be broken 
 up as a distinct organization in compliance with orders 
 from the War Department, the brigadier-general command- 
 ing the division will not take leave of them without 
 acknowledging their good and efiicient service during about 
 three years in the field. The United States Sharpshooters 
 leave behind them a glorious record in the Army of the 
 Potomac since the first operations against Yorktownin 
 
500 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 1862 up to Hatcher's Run, and few are the battles or 
 engagements where they did not make their mark. The 
 brigadier-general commanding, who had them under his 
 command during most of the campaigns of 1863 and 1864, 
 would be the last to forget their brave deeds during that 
 period, and he feels assured that in the different organiza- 
 tions to which they may belong severally, officers and men 
 will show themselves worthy of their old reputation; with 
 them the past will answer for the future. 
 
 JBy command of Brig. Gen. R. DeTrobriand. 
 
 W. K. Driver, A. A. G. 
 
 It seems certainly proper for me to add here, that 
 Charles N. Race, of Owosso, Mich., of Company K, who 
 wras one of the youngest soldiers in the Union service, having 
 mustered in 1862 at the age of 14, was the only Berdan 
 Sharpshooter of the original members remaining as a sharp- 
 shooter until the end of the war, July 17, 1865. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. ' 501 
 
 THE LAST CAMPAIGN. 
 FROM RICHMOND TO APPOMATTOX. 
 
 The spi-ing of 1 865 found the Union armj^ before Peters- 
 burg ready again for the fray. Their winter's rest, so much 
 needed; broken only by detailed duties on the front lines as 
 pickets,, and by a second fight at Hatcher's Run in February, 
 participated in by the 2d and 5th corps, whereby our lines 
 south of Petersburg were extended farther west, after a 
 sharp conflict lasting two days; had recuperated them, and 
 when the time came for further active operations, they were 
 in a fitting condition for the now l.nal struggle. 
 
 Gen. Sherman, who had made his famous march across 
 the cotton states, was approaching through the Carolinas, 
 driving all opposition away. Sheridan also had again 
 appeared before the Army of the Potomac, after clearing out 
 'the Shenandoah Valley and intervening country north of 
 Richmond to James river. In the meantime Lee was get- 
 ting uneasy; he evidently wished to desert Petersburg and 
 the line of the James, thence retreating southerly to form a 
 junction with Gen. Johnston. This Gen. Grant determined 
 if possible to prevent. In the latter part of Mai-ch he pub- 
 lished an order to his generals to prepare for a combined 
 attack on the Confederate i-ight wing, which rested south- 
 westerly from Petersburg in the vicinity of Five Forks 
 
502 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIKMISHING 
 
 ■where several roads came together, distant six miles from 
 the Union left, held by Warren and his devoted 5th corps. 
 This movement was ordered to be made March 29th. But 
 the wily Confederate commander was anticipating such a 
 move sooner or later, and for the purpose of delaying it 
 until he could get safely away, he detei-mined to hazard the 
 chances of an assault right into Grant's center— on the lines 
 confronting him at Petersburg — hoping thereby to force an 
 abandonment of the extended Union wings to protect our 
 center, which he hoped to penetral£ and thus divide the 
 Union army; then in the confusion following, w^ithdraw^ and 
 evacuate Petersburg before our troops could reach him. 
 
 For this purpose an attack was made by the rebel Gen. 
 Gordon, very early the morning of March 25th, on that 
 part of the 9th corps stationed ait a point called Fort Stead- 
 man, near the scene of Burnside's mine explosion, which for 
 a time succeeded. But Gen. Parke, in command of the Union 
 troops at that point, after a short but severe resistance, 
 aided greatly by his artillery right and left, successfully 
 repulsed all their attempts, to the damage of the Confeder- 
 ates of over 3,000 soldiei's lost, two-thirds of whom were 
 captured. To make matters worse for Lee, later in the day 
 the 2d and 6th corps, which had come up from our left, 
 made a desperate attack on the rebel lines in front, and car- 
 ried them with nearly 1,000 prisoners. It is stated that 
 President LiTicoln was present — a happy witness of the 
 recapture of Foirt Stead man. 
 
 The grand movement by the Army of the Potomac was 
 commenced by Sheridan on the 28th at the head of 10,000 
 cavalry, who quickly passed around Petersburg south and 
 west to Dinwiddle Court House on the Boydton plank road, 
 meeting with little opposition, and that easily overcome. 
 Before daylight on the morning of the 29th, the 5th corps 
 under Warren, composed of over 15,000 troops, moved 
 southwesterly to the Quaker road, thence turning north, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 503 
 
 Griffin's division in advance, met tlie enemy and after a sharp 
 engagement drove him back behind his intrenchments. The 
 2d corps now came up when Lee found himself checkmated, 
 in imminent danger of being cut off from his supplies, or to 
 effect an escape from Petersburg 15 miles from this field of 
 action. Determined to do the best under the circu mstances, he 
 w^ithdre-w his troops from the Petersburg front all but a thin 
 line, and with 17,000 men advanced during the night of the 
 29th to reinforce his position in front of Warren, and take 
 the chances of a general engagement. He was favored in 
 this movement by a heavy rain coming on, which proved to 
 the disadvantage of the Union corps, owing to the swampy 
 nature of the lands they w^ere now in, with the roads con- 
 verted into immense mud puddles, so that they could do but 
 little all day the 30th. This enabled Lee over better ground 
 to get up with his Petersburg columns on the morning of the 
 31st, occupying a. new advanced position, on the White 
 Oak road leading towards Five Forks. On the 31st a sharp 
 fight took place between Warren's corps and the enemy, 
 which was at first in favor of the latter, owing principally 
 to the fact that Gen. Warren could not in that swampy 
 region get his corps together, whereby Ayres' division in 
 firont was forced back behind the others with considerable 
 loss. A part of the 2d corps coming in on the flank, checked 
 the Confederates; later on, Warren attacking with' his 
 whole force, met with great success, taking a number of 
 prisoners, causing the enemy to fall back. 
 
 A more important point in Gen. Lee's mind was to hold 
 Five Forks where Gen. Sheridan's cavalry had obtained a 
 foothold, whipping the rebel cavalry there stationed. To 
 attain this end, so important to him, he took his troops 
 away from, the 5th corps, and reinforced by his cavalry, 
 beat back Sheridan's force after a hard fight towards Din- 
 widdle Court House, where Sheridan made a determined 
 Stand, dismounting his men and stopped the enemy's farther 
 
504 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 pursuit. During a portion of the night they lay close 
 together, towards morning the enemy began to fall back, 
 and at daylight April 1st, when Warren's corps— ordered to 
 report to Sheridan— appeared on their flank, they retreated 
 to their works at the Forks, followed closely by some of 
 our cavalry. Gen. Sheridan now made his preparations for 
 a grand assault on the Confederate position, but it was not 
 until late in the afternoon that the attack began. The fight 
 was opened by Gen. Warren, whose corps — decimated by 
 previous losses — afterahard struggle in woods and openings 
 succeeded in driving the enemj' back, from point to point, 
 capturing meanwhile large numbers of the rebel infantry; 
 one division, Johnson's, being completely swept away, leav- 
 ing but a remnant of Gen. Pickett's to escape the same fate. 
 In this great victory Warren was assisted by the cavalry, 
 particularly in pursuing the fleeing Johnnies. Gen. Warren 
 having captured the position at Five Forks, dashed ahead 
 of his troops, when he was met by a rebel volley unhorsing 
 him, killing the animal, also killing and wounding several 
 of his aids. Warren, more fortunate, escaped. The Con- 
 federates lost 6,000 prisoners in this action, besides a heavy 
 list of killed and wounded. 
 
 The news of the victory having reached Grant, an order 
 was issued for the troops fronting Petersburg; who during 
 the fightingat the Forks had been quiet, making no demon- 
 strations, but watching sharp their front; to be ready for a 
 direct assault on the morning of April 2d, while during the 
 entire night a general cannonading was kept up all around 
 Petersburg by the Union artillery. It was " business " no w, 
 for the Yanks, and desperation for the Johnnies. Both sides 
 felt just that way. It was the beginning of the end to the 
 Confederacy. Things looked dark for Secession, and bright 
 for the Union. The Union army, thus encouraged, were more 
 determined than ever to capture Petersburg. They had 
 tried it many times in the past ten months and had failed, 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 505 
 
 often with heavy losses. Now they felt it must be done. 
 Therefore when the assault commenced at daybreak, the 
 troops' of the 9th corps rushed forward with an ardor 
 unsurpassed by any previous attempts, carrying line after 
 line before them until they got within good artillery range, 
 when, sending their heavy shots into the city, it caused the 
 utmost dismay not onlj' to the citizens, but to the Confeder- 
 ate commanders as well. 
 
 Lee finding our men getting closer with every attack, 
 sent Hill forward to investigate, but he never returned to 
 report. He ran into an ambuscade of blue .coats who to his 
 imperative demand to surrender, shot him down. This was 
 a great loss to the Confederate cause, for Gen. Hill was a 
 thorough fighter. 
 
 Meanwhile the 6th corps to the left of the 9th 
 aided afterwards by a part of the 2d and 18th corps, came 
 up and swept everything before them, taking many prison- 
 ers and penetrating their lines of battle divided the rebel 
 army, their right wingflying across Hatcher's run, northerly, 
 to a point on the Southside railway called Southerland. 
 Sheridan's command during this time was not idle, his 
 cavalry and the 5th corps after destroying railroad com- 
 munications, appearing at Southerland on the flank of the 
 Confederate right. And that evening Miles' division of the 
 2d corps attacked these troops, utterly routing- them with 
 many prisoners taken, driving them off towards the 
 Appomattox over which they succeeded in escaping, after 
 being hard pushed. 
 
 In front of Petersburg three hours' determined fighting 
 had done the work, and Lee must either retreat or give up. 
 This latter alternative he would not do so long as there 
 was one more chance. So he resolved when night came to 
 evacuate Petersburg, likewise Richmond; thus bringing 
 together all his scattered troops, in hopes of being able to 
 
506 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHINS 
 
 tinite his forces with those of Gen. Johnston, now crowded 
 by Sherman. 
 
 When it became known 'that Richmond was lost, the 
 .pei^le-ihereo^ albeit it was Sunday, ran riot. Stores and 
 houses were pillaged, men cra'zedwithJiguor formed in gi-eat 
 mobs, and the hitherto peaceful city in a few short hours 
 was turned into a veritable pandemonium. All night this 
 lasted, mills were burned, arsenals and gun-boats bio wn up, 
 and to add to the fearful excitement a great fire raged 
 burning blocks of buildings, forcing the people back in one 
 dense throng, to escape the stifling smoke and approaching 
 flames. 
 
 In their hurry to get away from Richmond, many things 
 of value to them were lost, including a large stack of Con- 
 federate scrip which they were forced to burn. For some- 
 time back they had sufiered very much for the want of 
 provisions, and it was admitted they had paid as high as 
 $1,500 for a barrel of flour, and $300 for a cord of wood. 
 But this was not the "dollar of their daddies " — the Union 
 dollar — only gray paper unbacked by silver, the best they 
 had. In Love's history the following quoted statement is 
 made: 
 
 One old lady, a relative of John Randolph, who, with her 
 husband, had yielded nearly their all to the Confederacy, 
 said : "Sir, I have suffered with disease more than Job ever 
 did ; my two angel babes went to heaven long ago ; I have 
 taken many sick and wounded Southern soldiers to my house 
 during the war; I have seen the ambulances filled with our 
 wounded men pass by my door after battle, and witnessed 
 the blood streaming down to the ground ; but, sir, in all my 
 sufferings and trials during these thirty years past, I have 
 never shed a tear till last Monday morning. When I saw 
 your Yankee troops pass along our streets, I sat down and 
 wept." 
 
 And yet, many of the whites were glad to see the Blue 
 Coats; they had got tired of the reign of terror under which 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 507 
 
 they had lived; while the darkies were joyful and- happy at 
 the result. 
 
 The Union army before Petersburg was made aware of 
 what was transpiring-:-the retreat of Lee^ong before day- 
 light, by the constant explosions going on, all aia*^ ^ie Jimc 
 of the James, from PeteriS&aig to Ae rebel capitol. At day- 
 light, iic 9& «>>rps advanced without opposition — the 
 enemy had gone — and 'twas not long before the flag of the 
 Union was raised on high, floating over Petersburg. And 
 soon after sunrise, Gen. Weitzel's troops entered Richmond 
 with bands playing, and the stars and stripes waved over 
 the city from the capitol building. 
 
 Thusfar, so good, but Lee was hurrying away and Grant 
 must hurriedly follow him; so the Union army was at once 
 set in motion, the morniiig of the 3d. Lee had the advan- 
 tage of a long start and reasonably hoped to reach Danville 
 without hindrance. The race between the two armies was 
 along the line of the Appomattox river, Lee on the north 
 side. Grant south of the stream. But Lee, after crossing the 
 Appomattox near the Danville railroad, was detained two 
 days at Amelia Court House a few miles west of thecrossing, 
 to forage for rations, ofw^hich he was entirely out, for his 
 now famished troops — ^fatigued and starving. This delay 
 enabled Sheridan's cavalry and the 5th corps, joined after- 
 wards by the 2d, to get ahead of Lee and cut him off" from 
 the route he had intended to take,southwesterly to Danville. 
 Finding Sheridan's troops across his path at Burkesville, 
 intrenched. Gen. L^e changed his course directly west to 
 Appomattox Court House situated hal(-way between the 
 head-wa,ters of the Appomattox and the James river north 
 of it, hoping thereby to reach Lynchburg near the Blue 
 Ridge mountains. In this latter attempt he was foiled. 
 His supply trains were first cut off by our cavalry, some 190 
 w^agons being destroyed including ammunition, with a 
 number of pieces of artillery and some prisoners taken. The 
 
508 SHARPSHOOTINQ AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 next attack was at Sailor's Creek, April 6tli, nearly half- 
 way to Appomattox Court House, where Sheridan's cavalry 
 in force under Crook, Custer and Devin, destroyed several 
 hundred more wagons, cutting off Ewell's corps and the 
 decimated division of Pickett, upon whom soon after came 
 the 2d and the 6th corps, which, with the aid of Custer's 
 division, finally forced the isolated Confederates to sur- 
 render, oflB,cers and men — 7,000 in all. There were other 
 attacks by small forces of the Army of the Potomac, which 
 in several instances failed in their .purpose, the hard-pressed 
 Confederates, like the lion at bay, despite their v^rorn out 
 and demoralized condition — for there were many stragglers 
 — making a surprising and gallant defense. 
 
 But at Appomattox Station on the Southside railroad, 
 Custer's cavalry gained an important victory late at night 
 of the 8th, wherein he succeeded in cutting off a number of 
 cars loaded with provisions, together with 25 field-pieces and 
 a lot' of wagons, besides routing a Confederate brigade 
 found there. 
 
 The next day Lee pushed on, when learning that the 
 Union troops Vvere ahead, he sent Gen. Gordon to recon- 
 noiter. The latter finding a large force' of infantry and 
 cavalry in his front, effectually blocking the farther advance 
 of the Confederate column, sent out a flag of truce to Sher- 
 idan, and reported back to Lee. That ended it. That after- 
 noon—April 9th— Lee surrendered to Grant. At Appomattox 
 Court House the terms as dictated by Gen. Grant, were 
 agreed upon as follows: 
 
 "The rolls of all the officers and men to be made in dupli- 
 cate, one copy to be given to me, the other to be retained by 
 such officers as you may designate. The officers to o-ive 
 their individual paroles not to take up arms against the 
 government of the United States until properly exchanged, 
 and each company or regimental officer to sign a like parole 
 ior the men of their commands. The arms, artillerv and 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 509 
 
 public property to be parked and stacked, and turiiad over 
 to the officers appointed by me to receive them. Thiswillnot 
 embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses 
 or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed 
 to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by the United 
 States authority so long as they observe their paroles and 
 the laws where they may reside." 
 
 The terms of surrender were very lenient, and were so con- 
 sidered by Gen. Lee. And when Gen. Grant afterwards 
 allowed every enlisted man owning a horse to take him 
 home, Lee was greatly pleased, feeling sure such m'agna- 
 nimity would have a most happy eftect on the Confederate 
 soldiers. Three days thereafter, April 12, 1865, just four 
 years from the firing of the first gun of Secession — on Fort 
 Sumter — the Confederate army of Virginia laid down its 
 arms and departed for their homes. And on the 26th of 
 April, Johnston surrendered to Sherman in North Carolina 
 near Raleigh. 
 
 Gen. Grant in his memoirs has this to say of the Army 
 of the Potomac: 
 
 "The Army of the Potomac has every reason to be proud 
 of its four years record in the suppression of the rebellion. 
 The army it had to fight was the protection to the capitol 
 of a people which was attempting to found a nation upon 
 the territory of the United States. Its loss would be the 
 loss of the cause. Every energy, therefore, was put forth by 
 the Confederacy to protect and maintain their capital. 
 Everything else would go if it went. Lee's array had to be 
 strengthened to enable it to maintain its position, no mat- 
 ter what territory was wrested from the South in another 
 quarter." 
 
 And in his official report he pays the following generous 
 compliment to Gen. Meade: 
 
 "I may here state, that in commandingall the armies as 
 I did, I tried, as far as possible, to leave General Meade in 
 independent command of the Army of the Potomac. My 
 
^Art^ruJ'jJ^ 
 
 , ...-if^rCJ^te^S^^-^*' 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 511 
 
 dcspcndent and saw the end. It did not please them. The 
 National army saw the same thing, and were encouraged 
 by it." 
 
 The advantages alluded to were described as follows: 
 "He (Lee) w^as on the defensive, and in a country in which 
 every stream, every road, every obstacletothe movement of 
 troops and every natural defense; was familiar to him and 
 his army. The citizens were all friendly to him and his 
 cause, and could and did furnish him with accurate reports 
 of our every move. Rear guards w^ere not necessary for him, 
 and having always a railroad at his back, large wagon 
 trains w^ere not required. All circumstances considered we 
 did not have any advantage in numbers." 
 
 Exaggeration on behalf of the Confederates and against 
 the Army of the Potomac, kept up on every possible occa- 
 sion by the press and people at home — "up North" — ^it is 
 claimed, had its effect in forcing "good and true officers" 
 out of the service. 
 
512 SHARPSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 REGIMENTAL STATISTICS. 
 
 To give anything like a complete record of the losses of either regiment 
 is seemingly impossible, owing to the failure to obtain the necessary 18 
 completecompany rosters, some of which are not on file in the adjutant- 
 general's offices of their respective states; so that a comparative showing 
 of ratio on losses as between the companies, or as & whole in either regi- 
 ment, I am unable to give. An approximate result is given by taking 
 from the First Regiment one company from the east and west as follow^s: 
 
 Company F (Vermont), killed 18 per cent. 
 
 Company G (Wisconsin), killed 16 per cent. 
 
 In the Second Regiment I find two companies, E and H (Vermont) which 
 average about 13 per cent. 
 
 Col. Fox in his "Regimental Losses " says of our Sharpshooters, whom 
 he classifies among "three hundred fighting regiments" of the service, thus; 
 
 First Regiment, total enrollment, 1,392. 
 
 Killed 153— 10.9 per cent. 
 
 Total killed and wounded, 546'. 
 
 Second Regiment, total enrollment, 1,178. 
 
 Killed 125— 10.6 per cent. 
 
 Total killed and wounded, 462. 
 
 It should also be taken into consideration, that there were quite a 
 number of men in most every company who never saw a day of active 
 service, but were discharged in Washington, or died there, and these should 
 not rightfully be counted in the ratio of any regiment. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 1,3 
 
 ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 
 
 The following is a list of all commissioned officers who were mnstered 
 into the two regiments ; those marked ' discharged ," include resignations 
 or mtister out. 
 
 FIRST REGIMENT. 
 
 FIELD AND STAFF. 
 
 Colonel Hiram Berdan, discharged Jan. 2, 1864. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel Frederick Mears, discharged Nov. .30. 1861. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel William Y. W. Ripley, discharged Aug. 26, 1862. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel Casper Trepp, killed Nov. 30, 1863. 
 
 Major William S. Rowland,' discharged Dec. 1, 1861. 
 
 Major George 6. Hastings, discharged Oct. 31, 1864. 
 
 Adjutant Floyd A. Willett, discharged July 7, 1862. 
 
 Adjutant William H. Horton, discharged Sept. 14, 1863. 
 
 Quartermaster William H. Beebe, discharged July 8, 1862. 
 
 Quartermaster George A. Harden, discharged Sept. 22, 1864. 
 
 Surgeon Guy C. Marshall, died July 25, 1862, a prisoner. 
 
 Surgeon John W. Brennan, discharged Nov. 25, 1863. 
 
 Surgeon George M. Brennan, discharged Nov. 22, 1864, 
 
 Asst. Surg. Charles F. Hall, promoted to Surg. 2d Regt. Oct. 18, 1 861. 
 
 AsSt. Surg. Fred 'k G. Snelling, promoted Surg.U.S. Vols. April 17,1862. 
 
 Chaplain Gurdon S. Coit, discharged Nov. 4, 1862. 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 Amos B. Jones, promoted Dec. 3, 1861, to Major 2d regiment. 
 Benjamin Duesler, discharged Oct. 18, 1861. 
 Stephen Martin, discharged Nov. 15, 1861. 
 Spenper J. Mather, discharged July 7, 1862. 
 Edmund Weston, Jr., discharged Aug. 2, 1862. 
 George S.'Tuckerman, discharged Oct. 2, 1862. 
 John B. Isler, discharged Oct. 15, 1862. 
 . A. Milan Willett, discharged Nov. 1, 1862. 
 Charles W. Seaton, discharged May 14, 1863. 
 Benjamin Giroux, discharged Oct. 15, 1862. 
 William P. Austin, discharged May 16, 1863. 
 James F. Covel, discharged Oct. 15, 1863. 
 Ezbon W. Hindes, discharged Nov. 6, 1863. 
 Gardner B. Clark, discharged Sept. 9, 1864. 
 1 John E. Hetherington, discharged Sept. 20, 186 1-. 
 Edward Drew, killed June 30, 1862. 
 
614 SHARFSHOOTING AND SKIRMISHING 
 
 Cbarles D. McLean, died July 4, 3863. 
 Kudolijh Aschmann, discharged Aug. 19, 18Gt. 
 Jolin Wilson, discharged Aug. 28, 1864. 
 William G. Andvews, discharged Sept. 9, 1864. 
 Charles D. Merrlman, discharged Sept. 12, 1864. 
 William W. Winlihrop, discharged Sept. 16, 1864. 
 Frank E. Marble, discharged Sept. 22, 1864. 
 Henry C. Garrisoin, discharged Oct. 7, 1864. 
 James H. Baker, March 21, 1864. 
 Wm. H. Nash, transferred Dec. 31, 1864. 
 E. W. Robins, transferred Dec. 31, 1864. 
 
 . FIEST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 Frederick Beckh, discharged Feb. 26, 1862. 
 Albert H. Southwell, discharged March 6, 1863. 
 Magnus Falstich, discharged Aug. 6, 1862. 
 William H. Gibbs, discharged Aug. 31, 1862. 
 Charles F. Shepard, discharged Sept. 26, 1862. 
 Peter B. Sanborn, discharged Sept. 27, 1863. 
 Martin V. Bronson, discharged Feb. 21, 1833. 
 John W. Coates, discharged March 7, 1864 
 Jacob Nacher, discharged June 22, 1864. 
 ■Richard W. Tyler, discharged Nov. 9, 1864. 
 Jean L. Rilliet, discharged Aug. 19, 1864. 
 Edwin A. Wilson, discharged Aug. 20, 1864. 
 Frank S. Wells, discharged Aug. 28, 1864. 
 Isaac Davis, discharged Sept. 9, 1864. 
 Henry E. Kinsman, discharged Sept. 12, 1864. 
 Charles A. Stevens, discharged' Sept. 22, 1864. 
 Eliakim R. Blakeslee, discharged Oct. 7, 1864. 
 Eoswell Weston, discharged May 24, 1864. 
 Byron Brewer, killed May 3, 1863. 
 Thomas Connington, killed Nov. 27, 1863. 
 Wm. Steward, transferred Dec. 31, 1864. 
 T. B. Humphrey, transferred Dec. 31, 1864. 
 Charles W. Thorp, discharged May 25, 1864. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 Edward P. Dougherty, discharged Feb. 26, 1863. 
 Thomas H. Kerr, discharged April 1, 1862. 
 Horace Chase, discharged May 25, 1862. 
 Frederick T. Peet, Jr., discharged July 9, 1862. 
 J. Smith Brown, discharged Oct. 3, 1862. 
 Lemuel Saviers, discharged Oct. 4, 1862. 
 William Elmendorf, discharged Oct. 18, 1862. 
 Ezzan H. Benson, discharged Dec. 9, 1862. 
 
IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 515 
 
 John R.Wirts, discharged Feb. 25, 1863. 
 Theodore Wilson, discharged Aug. 28, 1864. 
 Woodard Hodgson, discharged Nov. 22, 186+. 
 Caleb F. Davis, discharged Oct. 11, 1862. 
 Jonathan A. Sprague, discharged Oct. 18, 1862. 
 Albert R. Barrett, discharged Nov. 1, 1862. 
 Benjamin F. Brown, discharged Aug. 18, 1863. 
 Charles A. Gruin, missing Dec. 31. 1861. 
 Cyrus E. Jones, died Aug. 7, 1862. 
 George W. Sheldon, killed July 2, 1 863. 
 Perrin C. Judkins, killed May 8, 1864. 
 Michael McGeough, died May 22, 1864. 
 Charles W.Ford, transferred Dec. 31, 1864. 
 
 SECOND REGIMENT. 
 
 FIELD AND STAFF. 
 
 Colonel Henry A. V. Post, discharged Nov. 18, 1862. 
 Lieut. Colonel Francis Feteler, discharged June 23, 1863. 
 Lieut. Colonel Homer R. Stoughton, discharged Jan. 25, 1865. 
 Major Amos B. Jones, discharged June 4, 1862. 
 Major Edward T. Rowell, discharged Nov. 25, 1864. 
 Major James E. Doughty, discharged Feb. 25, 1865. 
 Adjutant Lewis C. Parmelee, killed Sept. 17, 1862. 
 Quartermaster R. M.Wright, discharged Jan. 28, 1862. 
 Quartermaster Benjamin S. Calef, discharged Dec. 31, 1864. 
 Surgeon A. A. C.Williams, discharged Aug. 11, 1863. 
 Surgeon William B. Reynolds, discharged Jan. 12, 1865. 
 Surgeon Charles F. Hale, dropped Nov. 22, 1862. 
 Asst. Surgeon Oscar Palmer, discharged Oct. 6, 1864. 
 Chaplain Lorenzo Barber, discharged Feb. 18, 1865. 
 
 CAPTA'N . 
 
 James D. Fessenden, discharged Sept. 11, 1862. 
 Andrew B. Stuart, discharged Sept. 25, 1862. 
 John W. Dewey, discharged Feb. 20, 1863. 
 Jacob McClure, discharged April 11, 1864. 
 Abraham Wright, discharged Oct. 6, 1864. 
 Ira J. Northrup, discharged Oct. 21,1864. 
 Harvard P. Smith, discharged Dec. 24, 1864. 
 Benedict Hipler, discharged July 1, 1862. 
 Gilbert Hart, discharged Aug. 31, 1862, 
 William D. McPherson, discharged Oct. 31, 1862. 
 Samuel F. Murry, discharged Dec. 29, 1864. 
 Stephen C. Barker, discharged Jan. 15, 1865. 
 
516 shaepshoovIHing, aisd. skikmisiiin& 
 
 Owen Evans, discharged Feb. 22, 1865. 
 Francis D. Sweetser, discharged Sept. 14, 1863.. 
 Adolphus A. Guest, Oct. 10, 1864. 
 Edgar Crockett, Feb. 9, 1865. 
 Henry M. Caldwell, died July, 1862;. 
 Dudley P. Chase, died May 8, 1863. 
 Albert Buxton, killed May 6, 1864. 
 S. F. Norton, transferred April, 1865. 
 Joseph B. Brown, transferred April, 1865.. 
 Walter W. Smith, transferred April, 1865.. 
 L. J. Blanchard, transferred April, 1865. 
 Asel B. Griggs, transferred April, 1865. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 Henry Herbert, discharged Nov. 24, 1862. 
 James H. Hildreth, discharged Aug. 28, 1863. • 
 Bankson T. Morgan, discharged Dec. 9, 1863. 
 Daniel L. Cummings, discharged March 12, 1864^ 
 Edwm H. Chadwick, discharged April 25. 1864.. 
 John F. Law, discharged Aug. 1, 1864. 
 Charles H. Foote, discharged Oct. 8, 1864. 
 ■William P. Shreve, discharged Dec. 31, 1864. 
 Frederick Spaulding, discharged Sept. 29, 1862.. 
 John A. Moores, discharged Nov. 14, 1862. 
 Silas C. Barker, discharged May 30, 1863. 
 Albert G. Fisher, discharged April 3, 1864. 
 William H. Humphrey, transferred Feb., 1865.. 
 Horace Warner, transferred Feb., 1865. 
 John T. Walker, transferred Feb., 1865. 
 J. E. Follansbee, transferred Feb., 1865. 
 John J. Whitman, died Sept. 18, 1862. 
 James M. Mathews, discharged Feb. 23, 1865, 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 John W. Thompson, killed Sept. 17, 1862. 
 Thomas J. Tarbell, died Oct. 9, 1864. 
 Henry M. Hall, discharged March 13, 1862. 
 Darius C. Calkins, discharged March 29, 1862-, 
 Edward Dow, discharged July 16, 1862. 
 Robert Warner, discharged July 24, 1862. 
 William J. Leahy, discharged Jan. 8, 1 863. 
 George Morton, discharged Dec. 10, 1862. 
 William Newell, discharged Oct. 14, 1864. 
 Samuel Shoup, transferred Feb., 1865. 
 W. H. Fletcher, transferred Feb., 1865. 
 William F. Tilson, transferred Feb., 1865, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 WOUNDED AND A PRISONER. 
 
 The expfrience of James Wiiichell, of Company D, 1st V. S. S. S., while 
 a prisoner of war, after his severe wound received at the battle of Gaines' 
 Mill. A heartrending narrative of suffering, mtich of which conld have been 
 prevented by reasonable care by his captors. 
 
 After stating the fact of his being wounded, as noticed on page 113 of 
 the preceding history. Comrade Winchell proceeds : I was taken prisoner 
 about an hour after being shot, a rifle ball striking my left arm midway . 
 betvreen the elbow and shoulder, passingthrough the bone, splintering it up 
 fine. I walked 100 rods afterwards — had to — carrying my gun, but 
 received a little help the last few steps. The hospital to which I was going 
 was the basement of a brick house about three feet lower than the level 
 ground. A file of Johnnies passed in, asking each one of the prisoners -what 
 was the matter, and those found to be uninjured were walked out and off. 
 While the battle was raging two Union shell struck the house, one passing 
 clear through; the other entered the chimney and came down upon the 
 hearth near vrhere I lay. Balls came clicking through the windows utterly 
 regardless of the hospital flag on top. My pillow was a man's log that 
 was cut off near the hip joint, but the surgeon in charge obliged me by put- 
 ting my haversack in its place, to my great relief. This doctor, after telliiig 
 me my arm would be taken off at the shoulder, and after putting his thumb 
 through the bullet hole, bandaged splints on and went off with a large 
 knife I gave him, which he said he would like to have— said he wasigolng 
 out on the battle field ; this was the last I saw of him. But there were left 
 with us poor fellows, some 500 wounded in all shapes, a Union surgeon. Dr. 
 White, of a Massachusetts regiment, and a student or assistant, a lieuten- 
 ant. I remember one poor fellow shot in the bowels, lying only a few feet 
 from me, the surgeon said : "Young man, you will be dead before to-mor- 
 
520 APPENDIX. 
 
 row mottling ;" he replied : "I shan't, I am not fit to die, and shan't die ;" 
 but the surgeon saying: "You will," passed on. Ere the morning dawned, 
 his upturned glassy eyes proved the doctor had told the truth. All night I 
 could hear the cries of "water, water," and the moans of the weak and 
 dying. The next morning I was carried out of the bloody basement and 
 laid on the ground near the doorway in the sun besidethree dead comrades, 
 and soon was accosted by a rebel oflfcer who said: "Well, we have got 
 you;" I replied "Yes, and that is not much," and to his promise that "by 
 G— we have got McCIellan on the run and will have him in less than three 
 days, or drive his armyinto the James," I said: "If you do, there areplenty 
 in the north that will come, and in less than three months they will have 
 as large an army again." On informing him of the regiment I belonged to 
 and where we were on the field, that we shot officers if they came in oiir 
 front, he said: "By G— , that accounts for so many of our officers being 
 killed, there was one in every four at that point.'' He soon left me, and 
 now, the sun getting rather warm, I crawled into the j'ard to a scrub, oak 
 tree where, picking up some scattering straw and old staves for a pillow, I 
 lay 16 days among vermin, fleas, mosquitos, maggots and flies, and oh! 
 the last mentioned were the worst. I can feel my arm ache yet, so tii'cd 
 was I keeping them away. On the night of the 28th a Johnny who said he 
 was one of Mosby's guerrillas and had just come on from West Virginia, 
 let me have his tent cloth and rubber poncho, which I keptmostof thetime 
 after, while there. One of this reb's stories was as follows : 
 
 "While scouting in West Virginia with their horses all the time going 
 over fences and ditches at a bound, one day they met a lot of Yanks, and 
 daring the fight one of his comrades got on a chase after one of them, and 
 finally killed him ; then dismounting to go through his pockets, he pulled 
 out a picture, and behold ! it was that of his own mother, and looking 
 again saw his brother lie weltering at his side. Nothing would induce him 
 to stay longer with Mosby." 
 
 There was a detail of 20 rebs to care for us, from dififerent regiments. 
 They did not touch a thing of any one ; the only fault I could find with 
 them was that they would not get a drop of water at night, arid they kept 
 telling us they were goingto White House Landing and numerous othergood 
 places ; and at other times they would blurt out : "If you d — d Yanks had 
 not burned Bottom's Bridge you vyould have been sent into your lines;" 
 this kept us all on our mettle, all the while. They talked freely, and many 
 said they would not have been in the Confederate service, but were obliged 
 to, or do worse. 
 
 The days passed slowly by, the booming ofcannon could be heard eacjj 
 •day a little farther off', how we wished it would be nearer. Every time I 
 asked our surgeons to do something for me they would say, "yes, as soon 
 as we get through with a few bad cases." Four days had gone by with 
 nothing done to my vround, and I gave up asking them, losing all hope. 
 Nothing to eat but a small piece ol biscuit, and two or three black rasp- 
 
APPENDIX. 521 
 
 berries. But about noon July 1st, Surgeon White came to me and said: 
 " Young man, are you going to haveyour arm taken off, or are you going to 
 lie here and let the maggots eat you up." I asked if he had any chloroform 
 or quinine or whisky, to which he replied " no, and I have no time to dilly- 
 dally with you. I finally said it was hard, but to go ahead and take itoff. 
 He got hold of my arm, pulled the bandage off, pushed his thumb through 
 the wound and told me to "come on." and helping me up we walked to 
 the amputation table where they were taking off a young man's arm near 
 the elbow. He lay there like a man, and when they had finished,. Surgeon 
 White asked if I could keep as still as he did, that "he is a soldier, every 
 inch of him." I replied that we could tell better when this job wasthrough, 
 They put me on the table, cut off blouse and shirt sleeves filled with mag- 
 gots, and after a lot of preliminary (cruel) poking and careless feeling around 
 my arm and shoulder — ^it appeared rough to me — they made me sit up in a 
 chair, and wanted to hold my legs, but I said '' no, I wont kick you, but 
 steady my shoulders," then set my teeth together and clinched my hand 
 into my hair, and told them to go on. After cutting the top part of my 
 arm and taking out the bone, they wanted me to rest an hour or so ; to 
 w^hich I refused ; as they had mangled my arm I wanted but one job of it, 
 for I -was just as ready, I said, to kick the bucket then as in another hour. 
 To this they replied: "He's pretty spunky, let's make a good jot of it." 
 Then they finished it, while I gasped for breath and the lower jaw dropped 
 in spite of my firm clinch. I was then led away a short distance and left 
 to lie on the hot sand — like a bake oven — and could feel the hairs crawl on 
 my head as large apparently as my fingers. Burning with fitery pain, 
 flushed with the fiery hot bed of sand, I arose wild with the pain; and 
 extreme heat, and began to look for a cooler place to lie down to die, as I 
 then thought I would; went up a stairway near by and entered a room 
 where men were lying on the floor. There was one bed and one man lying 
 on it, and 1 sat on the foot of it pulled off my shoes and crawled beside him. 
 Neither spoke, but if I had just entered into a fiirnace I would not have 
 burned with more pain and fever. I lay here but a few momrCnts)' ■wild and 
 nearly delirious, when I got up and went out, not stopping for my shoes, 
 to the little oak tree and my old straw nest, where I rolled and groaned 
 with burning pains until a captain of the 14th Regulars told me to take a 
 little of his advice, to He down and keep still, that the rolling only made 
 me feel worse. I at first wouldn't be consoled, but cried in my agony that, 
 " I wished to God I never had my arm taken off, I could stand it but a 
 short time longer." He said then : "Young man, I wish I had as- good a 
 chance to get well as you have, for I am shot clear through the body "(the 
 ball passed through his chest going out near his spine), "I can't get any- 
 thing done for me, although I have offered $300 lor a team to take me to 
 Richmond, only nine miles, but I cannot get any one. If I could only get to 
 Richmond 1 think I could get help." How this captain came out I can't 
 say, I presume he died ; and but for his advice I am sure I would. I heeded 
 
522 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 what he said, and in a short ilmc the burning pain had left me, and I 
 could stand straight up and show myself. (The illustration shows how 
 he looked after his wound began t(5 heal ) 
 
APPENDIX. ^S23 
 
 My -wearing apparel was a cro,wn of a straw hat.shitt wasatentcloth, 
 pants a pair of army drawers, shoes I picked up on a deserted battle field, 
 and that would just let my foot in a little over half-way ; I curled the heels 
 down and they did very well. 
 
 It rained three days and nights while I was under that tree and I got 
 ■wet through. Surgeon White praised my spunk, as he called it, and treated 
 me to a half gill of brandy which, considering my wet state, helped me^^ 111 
 about 12 days time teams came and took away the slightly wounded t6 
 Richmond ; and on the 16th day the rest of us -A'ere given a wagon nde 
 seven miles to Savage Station. They drove on a trot over corduroy roads 
 and all, in our wagon at least, which carried a dozen of us, regardless of 
 the poor fellovirs Ijring on their back with thigh bones broken and other 
 helpless injuries; too helpless to resist the unnecessary and cruel jolting; 
 and heedless of the moans and cries begging the driver not to drive so fastv 
 but the hard hearted wretch refused to slacken his pace. 
 
 I shall pass by the sickening details of the rotten meat soups, and other 
 hard experiences, although on one occasion while hunting for an unfortu- 
 nate comrade from a Massachusetts battery who was wounded twice, hip 
 and ankle, but never found again, I ran onto some Johnnies baking pan 
 cakes, and asked if they would not please give me one. They turned one 
 •with a slap onto a plate and handed it to me. I sat down on a box and 
 ate it, and never in my whole life did anything taste so good. -I walked 
 back and said, " will you not please to give me one half of another, that 
 tasted so good," they did not keep me long waiting before it was on the 
 plate. There were two benighted souls from the Emerald Isle dressed in our 
 blue, detailed from Libby prison to look after us— but thank God not all of 
 the same stamp as these precious rascals. Union men though they claimed 
 to be, came from Old Ireland. These two were detailed to help us — or 
 rather to persecute us— the water they had standing in a barrel was thick 
 with flies; here they would fill our canteens half flies every time, so we 
 would shut our teeth and drink, then spit out the old drowned out flies. 
 A week at this station, sick at heart, unable to eat the villainous food,- — 
 ihe soups, — and with daily, hourly witnessing the fresh sand heaps appear- 
 ing over another unfortunate Union soldier ; for death was busy in our 
 midst, and as I looked at the long and increasing row, I asked God to spare 
 me long enough to get where lived His and my people, and where the star 
 spangled banner floated. 
 
 Fromthis place after 14 days' stay, we were conveyed by freight cars to. 
 Richmond, nine miles, jolted on our backs, where the two aforementioned; 
 sons from— not of Erin I am sure — told me I would have to jump out and' 
 walk to another train three blocks ofi", which I at first refused but finally 
 gave in, after seeing a lot of the mangled freight taken off in the direction.- 
 of Libby, where I didn't want to go, so with the help of these two afore- 
 said sons of h I got out of the car and endeavored to walk to the 
 
 " next train." My wearing apparel as before described attracted attention. 
 
.524 APPENDIX. 
 
 -as I plodded through the streets of Kiohmond, and on going past lAhhy 
 prison a number of heads peeped out of the south end second story 
 windows, and they wished me "good luck and lots of it," for which I 
 meekly thanked them and passed on. Another block further I was called 
 across the street, "come over here, Yank," where I met a party of Confed- 
 -erates who asked me "who was it mean enough to send you in this way," 
 to which I answered it was two of our own men that made me walk. 
 They pushed a knapsack along and made me sit down and rest, — these 
 rebels did that, and other kindly acts, showingthey had a heart too, if they 
 were rebs, — swore I should have a conveyance and not walk another step. 
 Then after some chaffing about war prospects in which they seemed to 
 think if they gave up. Uncle Sam would hang them for traitors, which I 
 assured them would not be done — ^that Lincoln's word could be depended 
 ■on every time — and after a boy stepped up and ma9e me a present of a pie, 
 with "never mind if you haven't any money, I don't want any fi-om you," 
 ■for which I thanked him with tears, they lifted me carefully into a wagon 
 and'l was soon on the cars again, regular passenger coaches, where the 
 -conductor allowed me and another one-armed comrade to occupy two seats, 
 to stretch out. Reached Petersburg, 32 miles, changed cars— now freight 
 •cars— to City Point. Hear a Union steamboat came along floating that 
 fairest of the fairest, our glorious Old Flag. Oh, those stars looked like 
 ^pots of gold, and my feelings of joy can better be imagined than described. 
 In all. three boats came up and loaded on the exchanged soldiers. The one I 
 :sailed in was named " Daniel Webster " — heroic statesman — and was runin 
 the interest of the sanitary commission. Clean garments were furnished 
 us the first thing after taking our names, etc. At Fortress Monroe we 
 stopped long enough to take off a number who had died on the way. 
 Arrived at Philadelphia July 30, 1862, and entered the West Philadelphia 
 hospital, if such I could really call it, as this institution was ruil by contract, 
 and I will not tell what I have picked out of rice soup, etc., here; but will 
 -tell what I told a visitor who was very anxious to know whether Stone- 
 wall Jackson would get into the city or not, which was that, with all due 
 gratitude towards the good people of that great loyal city, I would like to 
 have Stonewall get just near enough to throw a few 100-pound shots into 
 -the center of this so-called hospital. He went away shocked, not giving 
 me a chance to tell why. For notwithstanding all the nice things, the 
 dainties sent there for the "poor soldiers," you could see posted conspicu- 
 ously on the walls and doors: "People bringing anything here for the 
 soldiers, are forbidden to give to them, but to give to the charity committee 
 -who will distribute." I never saw any of the Blue Coats get any. Where 
 ■did it go to? Look right in the center of this building under the dome. 
 There are chairs filled with 200 medical students— to learn how army 
 ■doctors practice on Uncle Sarri's boys — and right there is where your fruit 
 has gone, and your nice cakes; and right there is where I wanted Stone- 
 •wall's big- shells to explode, not to harm, however, the big hearted people 
 
APPENDIX. 525 
 
 of Philadelphia. This I can't say for the red taped, big headed, 
 stuck lip fools, that required the poor sick soldiers to come to "Attention! " 
 and rise up every time those practicing army surgeons and their dude- 
 scholars came in to the ward. Sept. 18, 1862, 1 left them, with my honor^ 
 able discharge. 
 
, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 GEN. H. BERDAN. 
 
 The originator of the Sharpshooter organization was born inthetown 
 of Phelps, in Ontario county, and State of New York, Sept. 6, 1824, and 
 was educated practically and scientifically for a mechanical engineer, and 
 became Mvell known through his inventions, some of w'hich are in use in all 
 civilized countries. His military record as a Sharpshooter I have attempted 
 to give impartially in the preceding pages. After the war, he was appointed 
 by President Johnson, by and with the consent of the U. S. Senate, Briga- 
 dier-General of Volunteers by brevet, to rank from March 13, 1865, '"for 
 gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Chancellors ville." Also 
 appointed by the President major-general by brevet for "gallant and 
 meritorious services at the battle of Gettysburg," but it lacked confirma- 
 tion by the senate before the passage of the act against more brevets out of 
 active service. While in service he received an official communication from 
 Gen. Hooker, then commanding the Potomac Army, to reply to one from 
 President Lincoln asking: " Whether or no, it would help or hurt, to order 
 Col. Berdan to take a larger command." To which the latter replied : " It 
 would hurt," fearing the Sharpshooters would be put into another bri- 
 gade in case he accepted, as Secretary Stanton refused to allo'whimto take 
 at least the First Regiment with him. After the war closed, his inventive 
 genius brought forth several important subjects. The breech-loading sys- 
 tem for firearms, having through the success of his Sharpshooters proven 
 to be an important improvement on the old styles, it w^as soon adopted, 
 not only with the rifle but also with shot-guns, by all the manufacturers of 
 the country as well as foreign nations, so that in a few^ years the old muz- 
 zle-loading system became obsolete. Believing that he could improve the 
 system, General Berdan after introducing the Berdan central-fire cartridge 
 with the primer inserted outside, so extensively used since in cartridge 
 shells in all countries, invented a rifle which he took to Europe, the govern- 
 ments of Russia, Germany and others purchasing the same, and arming 
 their troops with this gun — the Berdan rifle. Relative to the first use of 
 
 526 
 
APPENDIX. 527 
 
 breech-loaders, the following from his speech at Gettysburg in 1888 is 
 appropriate here : 
 
 " You are as well known among military me,n in Europe as you are in 
 this country, and you are regarded as the men who taught the world the 
 superiority of breech-loaders over muzzle-loaders. Some of you may not 
 be aware of the fact that the Sharpshooters was the first command that 
 fired breech-loaders at any enemy, because while Prussia had the breech- 
 loader called the needle-gun, yet it had never been tested in action. It was. 
 left for our corps, therefore, to prove the importance of this arm of the 
 service." 
 
 Since his return from Europe to Washington, after some years absence, 
 Gen. Berdan invented a" Range-Finder," which measures distance up to six 
 miles, with 17 deviations, and in less than one minute. Also, the "Mechan- 
 ical Fuse," so constructed as to utilize the rotary motion of the shell when 
 passing through the air, so as to cause the shell to explode when it has 
 made the number of revolutions at which the fuse ha «> been set. This ha 
 been successfully tried by the ordnance department, and reported on favors 
 ably. He met his old command 22 years after the war, on the occasion of 
 the 25th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, on that memorable field, 
 and where arrangements were made for the erection of monuments to the 
 Sharpshooters. It was his wish to have one general monument, but the 
 different states from whence the Sharpshooters came, had already voted 
 ■appropriations to be included among the respective state troops engaged 
 at Gettysburg, and as a result the battlefield" is dotted over with these 
 monuments to the Sharpshooter companies. He again met his command at 
 Boston at the Grand Army Encampment in 1890, where an organization 
 composed of over 200 members from both regiments, was effected, to be 
 known as "The Survivors' Association of Berdan Sharpshooters," with 
 Gen. Berdan as its first president. Major E. T. Rowell vice-president, H. 
 A. Redfield secretary and treasurer, and D. P. Craig assistant secretary. 
 
 HON. DANIEL PERRY, 
 
 Better known while in the Sharpshooters as the "Tall Corporal on the 
 Right," and first corporal of Company F, First Regiment, after the close 
 of the war became a graduate of Albany law school, class of 1867-1868. 
 Removed to Missouri and was Principal of Public Schools at Maysville, 
 that state, in 1880; and from 1881 to 1883 held the office of County Super- 
 intendent of Schools of De Kalb county; Public Administrator of said 
 county 1883 to 1885, and Mayor of Maysville in 1884, where he still 
 resides practicing his profession of lawyer, also abstractor and real estate 
 dealer. 
 
528 APPENDIX. 
 
 GEN. WM. Y. W. RIPLEY. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Ripley of the 1st U. S. Sharpshooters was born in Middle- 
 bury, state of Vermont, December 31, 1832, and was therefore 29 years 
 old at the period of which I write. In 1837 his father removed to Rutland, 
 Vt., which has ever since been Gen. Ripley's home. In 1857 he took an 
 active interest in the reorganization of the. National Guard of Vermont, 
 then in a sad state of decadence, and was commissioned a First Lieutenant 
 in the same,-and shortly after promoted to Captain. When President 
 Lincoln' issued his call for 75,000 troops to serve three months, Capt. 
 Ripley's company was, one of ten selected from the various regiments 
 and consolidated into one to be called the First Vermont Volunteers. He 
 served with his regiment at Fortress Monroe, and was present with them 
 at an armed movement of troops into Virginia on May 23, 1861, which 
 was the first reconnoissance of Union troops on rebel soil — the movement 
 of Ellsworth into Alexandria taking place the next day. Capt. Ripley 
 commanded the first detachment of troops to throw up intrenchments in 
 Virginia at Newport News, on May 27, ,1861. Was present with his com- 
 pany at Great Bethel in the engagement of June 10th, and was mustered 
 out with his regiment August 15th. Immediately after his return to civil 
 life he was ofiered in succession the Lieut. Colonelcy of the First Vermont 
 Cavalry, a Lieutenant Colonelcy in the Regular Army, his choice of various 
 field positions in the infantry regiments then forming in his native state, 
 and the Lieut. Colonelcy of the First United States Sharpshooters. This 
 last suited his inclinations best of all, as he was himself a notably good 
 shot with the rifle, and a firm believer in the efficacy of his favorite weapon 
 in the hands of skillful men. He therefore accepted this appointment, 
 joined the regiment at Camp of Instruction in November 1861, succeeding 
 Col. Mears as Instructor as stated in the history, and which position he 
 retained until we broke camp in March, 1862. Col. Ripley was present at 
 all the battles in which the regimental organization took part on the 
 Peninsula Campaign, as I have described in their proper order, down to 
 the closing hour of the battle of Malvern Hill when he fell severely 
 wounded; and when the army retired from that victorious field. Col. Ripley 
 was left behind at the field hospital, but was brought oiFby a few devoted 
 members at great personal risk, who hearing he had been left behind, 
 returned to his rescue, and safely conveyed him to Harrison's Landing. He 
 was next appointed by the Governor of Vermont to be Colonel of the Tenth 
 Vermont Vols, then organizing and was discharged to accept this position. 
 His wound, however, proved so serious that he was kept on crutches for 
 nearly two years and was unable to assume the active duties of the 
 position. While yet an invalid from his wounds, the State of Vermont, in 
 
APPENDIX. 529 
 
 fluenced partly by the hostile attitude of England, whose Canadian provinces 
 lie adjacent to Vermont on the north, and partly by the desire to be folly 
 prepared for whatever might happen to onr armies in the field, commissioned 
 Col. Ripley a Major General of Volunteers, and authorized him to raise ten 
 regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and two battalions of artillery, 
 Under this authority he raised, armed, completely equipped and thoroughly 
 driUed a force of 10,000 men, who could have been assembled, thoroughly 
 prepared for the field, in twelve hours. Happily, however, their services 
 ■were never required either for offense or defense, and on the closing of the 
 war, no occasion remaining for the maintenance of so large a body of 
 troops, they were disbanded, and General Ripley retired to private life. 
 Since that time he has been extensively engaged in business in Vermont 
 until 1887 when he retired from active business life, but yet retains the 
 position of President of the Rutland County National Bank in Rutland, 
 where he resides. His afiection for the survivors of his gallant regiments 
 is unabated, and none are more welcome visitors than those who caii say: 
 " I belonged to the First Sharpshooters." 
 
 MAJOR JOHN WILSON 
 
 Was bom in Albany, July 11, 1835. In 1849 at the tender age of 14, he 
 w^ent to California, and there met Gen. McPherson, who was then only a 
 snbaltem, but nevertheless attracted young Wilson's attention, and on an 
 occasion there he remarked that if the country ever needed McPherson's 
 services he would not be found wanting; thus showing that young as he 
 ■was. Jack could form pretty correct opinions from personal actions arid 
 appearances. When the late war broke out he was commissioned First 
 Lieutenant Company B, 1st U. S. S. S., being mustered in with his com- 
 pany Aug. 29, 1861, and on the resignation of Capt. Martin, became 
 captain. Served his full three year term, beingmustered outin thefield before 
 Petersburg, August 28,1864-, as regimental commander. He w^as really pro- 
 moted to major of volunteers by the governor of New York Dec. 19, 1863, 
 with rank from Nov. 30, 1863, but could not muster in as such. It is not 
 saying a whit too much, nor is it detrimental to others, for me to endorse 
 the words of a comrade, and from another company, in saying that 
 ■Capt. Jack, as the boys familiarly called him, was one of the best officers 
 in the service. After muster out, Major Wilson was appointed assistant 
 state agent for New York, stationed' at Washington. Was also somewhat 
 active in Albany republican politics, and was a prominent member of the 
 old Knickerbocker Club there, enjoying the friendship of the Hastings 
 family. He lost his health in the service, and died April 22, 1869, in his 
 
 34th year — a voung man, just getting into his prime. 
 34 
 
530 APPBNBIX. 
 
 CAPTAdN RICHARD WOL-^Y TYLER, U. S. ARMY. 
 
 Born in Wayne Coanty, Michigan, January 1st, 1842. Enlisted in 
 Company K.Pirst. Regiment JJ. S. Sliarpshooters at "Detroit, Dec. 26th, 
 1861. Served as duty Sergeant and 1st Sergeant to May 25th, '64. Pro- 
 moted Second Lieutenant May 25th, '64, and 1st Lieutenant Aug. 4th, '64; 
 resigned Nov. 9fh, '64. Appointed 2d Lieutenant Y. R. C. Oct. 25, '64; 
 accepted Nov. 10th, '64; Breveted Captain March 13, '65; mustered ont 
 Oct. 15, '66. 1st Lieutenant 44th U. S. Infantry July 28, '66 ; accepted 
 Octf 15, '66. Unassigned Maj 27, '69. Retired with rank of Captain Bee. 
 15, 'TO, for disability in line of duty and loss of left arm. Was breveted 
 Captain in the Regular Army for gallantry at the battle of D.eep Bottom, 
 and promoted from tTie vohmteer service to a higher, grade in the Regular 
 Army at the close of the war, upon his military record alone, by Gen.U, S. 
 Grant. 
 
 Service: In field (War of the Rebellion) from '61 to '65, with troops, 
 and on special duty at War Department from '65 to '68 ; with troops at 
 Norfolk, Ya., in '69, and again on special duty at War Department in 1870 
 until retired. Was sent by direction of Gen. Grant to inspect Bull Run bat- 
 tle field in 1866, and afterwards in charge of a corps of men to gather up 
 -the remains of the Union dead -there and remove the rsatne to Arlington 
 Na±ional iCemetery,-whiere -th^ iwere pla«ed,in;iteha± is novy known aslhe 
 "Tonlb-oftlie -Unknown." Was detailed fijr special duty between Balti- 
 -moreand Washingtonfor the. apprehension and arrest (if found) of J. Wilkes 
 Bomth, after the assaesiBation of Frssident Lincoln, jaiid afterwards on 
 dnty as Officerfflfthe Day and guard at rthe trial jof the assassins, and.'ialso 
 ;at the trial of " Wirz,"- who was comricted by a Militai^' Commission con- 
 vened at the U..S. Capitol, and hung for cruelty to Union prisoners at 
 Andersonville. Participated m upwards of Ihicty battles and skirmishes 
 in wiich the regiment was aengaged ; Teeeivjed gunrsfaat -wound ■through left 
 leg below the knee (bome-feactU'Eed) at .^cond Bnll ;Run; also gun-shot in 
 left arm at Second Qeep Bottom (Deep Run), Eesulting in antputation at 
 middle third above elbow. Wassent.to Judiciary Squace Hsspital, Wash- 
 ington, after Second Btill Run,,and to Tumer'« Lane Hospital, Philadelphia, 
 after Second Deep floirtam. 
 
 • History: By a suit in his own behalf commenced in 1881, in .whichJie 
 made the principal arguments in -tiie U. S. Court of Claims, also in -the 
 United States Supreme Court, was established the right of officers of the 
 Arany to reckon time after retiuement the same as active serviee, in comput- 
 ing longevity pay. tQiese cases are reported in IBt'h 'C. C. 223 and 105 U. 
 S.S. C. 24S4. , Ee W53s admitted to practice in the U. S. .Supreme Couctin 
 May, 1887, and resides noiw in itheCifcyrafWashingfem, J). C. 
 
APPENDIX. 531 
 
 MAJOR CHARLES J. BUCHANAN. 
 
 Having fulfilled his duty to his country as a Tolxmteer soldier in three 
 years arduous service, Buchanan in 1865 accepted an appointment to a. 
 clerkship in -the Quartermaster-General's office at Washington, and for a 
 while was stationed at Fort Snelling, in Minnesota. He resigned this posi- 
 tion after about a year to complete his academic studies which his enlist- 
 ment had interrupted. In 1867, Gen. Hancock offered him a lieutenancy in 
 the Regular Army, which he declined, as I have before stated. XhiS same 
 year. President Johnson appointed him a Cadet to the V. S. Military, Acad- 
 emy at West Point. Here Buchanan ma.de the most of his time, and repeat, 
 edly declares that his first year at West Point was worth all the other 
 schooling he ever had. In October, 1870, he resigned hip cadetship to 
 resume the study of law, this having been his intention from the first. He 
 at once entered the law office of Smith, Bancroft & Moak at Albany, N. Y., 
 for this purpose. In 1875 he was admitted to membership in this distin- 
 guished firm, which had a large practice in all the courts. Buchanan has 
 been first vice president of the Young Men's Association, a literary institu- 
 tion founded by Amos Dean, and has refused the .presidency of >this organi- 
 zation. He IS a trustee of the Albany Law School, and Secretary of 
 i s Board of Trustees; and is also a Director of the National Saving^ B&nk 
 of Albany. He has been for nine years one of the Commissioners of Wash- 
 ington Park, and is Treasurer of this Commission. Is a njember of the 
 Buchanan and St. Andrew's Societies, and is also Judge Advocate of the 
 Third Brigade of the New York National Guard .with the rank of Major. 
 His home is at Albany, 'wherehe is hard at work in his pro&ssioxud 'ranks, 
 enjoying the fruits of long and fiaithful .service in mihtacy and.civil.'life. 
 
 JOJJN T. SCHERMERHORN, 
 
 Formerly First Sergeant of Company H, 1st U. S. S. S., was bom in the 
 City of Schenectady, N. Y., April 26, 1836. Enlisted as a Sharpshooter Sept. 
 17,1861, wounded at Gettysburg as.iioted,bntstayedbybiscompanytothe 
 end of their term, being.mustered out in the fidd before Petersburg as cfim- 
 pany commander Sept. 16,1864. Resided since then for a number of 
 years in Norfolk, Virginia, engaged in marine engineer building ; and at 
 present (1892^ is in the,egy>!py of the E. f . AUis Qompany at Milw.a'Hkee. 
 
MAJOR GEORGE E. ALBEE. 
 
 A member of the Wisconsin company (G) of Sharpshooters in 1862, who 
 ■was discharged account of wounds received at Second Bnll Run, after the 
 war attained: a national reputatiDn;as an expert martsmen ariadfig Amer- 
 ican riflemen^ as the winner of the Rapidity: and Accuracy contest at Creed-, 
 moor in 1882, distance'200 yards ; having with a Hotchkiss rifle as a single 
 loader fired 19 shots in 60 seconds, making the highest score, 50; 20 shots 
 a, minute, scoring 62; and algain 19 shots, scoring 60, defeating all Com- 
 petitors, with different kinds of rifles, and winning the torillard gold medal. 
 In.l891, Major Albee .made the highest individual score in 2d Reg. Conn. 
 NW. Guard rifle ihatch atNew Haven ■at.200 and 500 yards.' fhus show- 
 ing.that his initiatory lessons in sharpshooting as an active member in the- 
 field of the U; S. Sharpshooters,.attained for him good results in the future, 
 a«he says: "Any success I have had in the profession of arms is due to the-' 
 fact that I was properly started in Company G, 1st U. S. Sharps-hpoters."- 
 Miajor Albee's military record is comprised in the following branches of the- 
 service: • • 
 
 :- Private Co. ".G" 1st U. S. Sharpshooters, 1862. 
 Private 3d Wisconsin Battery, 1863. 
 . 2d Lieut. 36th -Wisconsin Vols., 1864., ; 
 
 -.<; 1st Lieut. 36th Wisconsin Vols., 1865. ' 
 
 ;-; 2d Lieut. 36th U. SV Colored Troops, 1866. .. j' '. 
 
 • 2d. Lieut. 41st U.S. Infantry, 1867. - 
 
 :, .1st Lieut. 41st U. S.Infautry, 1868. - . . i: . . 
 
 :, 1st Lieut. 24th D. S. Infantry, 1869. . r- , .. • ' . 
 
 .■:.'lst Lieut. U. S. Army retired list, 1878. '-■ ■ . : ■' ' 
 
 ,r;'Gaptain National Blues, "D" Co., 2d Regt., C.N. G,, 1891: ■■'■ - 
 
 Major' and Brigade Inspector of Rifle-Practice Conn. Nat. Guard,-i892-.-' 
 While in active service in the Regular Army on our southwestern fron- 
 tier, Lieut. Albee was the recipient of the following testimonials from, his 
 superior officers : 
 
 Capt. H. M. Carroll, .9th Cavalry, commanding scout, under date of Oct. 14, 
 1869, from Port McKavitt, Texas, says : "•!-' would respectfully mention the fol- 
 lowing named commissioned officers for gallant and meritorious conduct during 
 the scout. * * • 1st L-ieut. Goor -E:- AtBEB; 41st Inf., who with two men 
 atta-cked and drove eleven Indians from the hills near camp, on the Middle Fork of 
 the ■Bretzqs-riyer-^ -Texas', dnthe'iiioming; of Sept. 16, 1869, and succeeded in recon-' 
 noitering the country beyond, and in presence of a large- body of Indians." 
 
 ■ -Prom !Port Clark, Texas, Dec. 16, 1869, Capt. John M. Bacon, 9th U. S Cav.^ 
 and- Brevet ^aj or commanding expedition: "It affords me' great ple'asure to" 
 !n.v!te the attention of the Bvt. Brig.-General cfjmmanding the regiment, to ^he con-' 
 spicuous gallantry, ^meritorious and' efficient.services o'f 1st Lieut. Geo. E. At.bbb, 
 24tfi' U., S. Infantry, during an engagement with hpstile Indians on the 28th and 
 29th of October, 18d§, near the.head of the Salt Fori of the Brazos river, Texas, 
 and to request sfict official' recOR&HSon'of his' services as he may d£em proper.^' 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 sas; 
 
 BreTet Major-General J. J. Reynolds, commanding department of Texas, writes 
 from San Antonia, Jan'y 24, 1872: "Lieut. Geo. E. Albbe, 24th Infy, has served 
 ■with me in Texas since the summer of 1867. I can from personal observation bear 
 testimony that he has been among the very foremost in zeal, enterprise and devo- 
 tion to duty, especially conspicaous for the number of Indian expeditions in whic:h 
 be has been engaged. During the last year he has been on duty at Department 
 Headquarters as aide-de-camp, the various duties of which position he has dis- 
 cbarged in the most satisfactory manner. Lieut. Albee is among the most deserv- 
 ing young officers in this 'Department,- As is shown by bis rtcQrd,of services dijring 
 ■and. since the rebellion., . .. ., ; "; 
 
 HON. H. J. PECK. 
 
 Harrison J. Peck, was born in Clarendon, iRutland County, Vermont; 
 on the 236, of November, 1842, and spent the early years of his fife oil his 
 father's farm.- He -was educated at New Hampton Institute,' f'airfax, 
 Vermont. He was attending school there when he enlisted Sept. 11, 1861, 
 in the First Regiment Berd an -Sharpshooters. He attended Albany lyaw^ 
 SchQol, where he graduated. He came to Miunesotain 1865, a:r.d purchased 
 the:Sha.kopee Argus,' which he published until 1866, when he sold the pape* 
 I and, went to Montana.-w^here he remained until the winter of 1868, when 
 he returned to Minnesota.,, Since then he has devoted his entire attention 
 to the practice of his profession, and for yeai-s has been recognized as one 
 of the leading lawyers of the state, and especially as a criminal lawyer. 
 He has held the oflSce of City Attorney, and was for eight years Mayor of 
 the city of Shakopee. He Was County Attorney of his county ' four years 
 and fckr two terms State Senator. He is a member ofithe Grand Lodge of 
 Masons of the state., In politics he is a democrat. 
 
 OILMAN K. CROWELL 
 
 Was bom in Hopkinton,'N. H., Dec. 3, 1838, where he lived and was 
 employed as a farmer, until the breaking out of the rebellion. 'Was one of 
 three brothers who enlisted in Com-pany E, Berdan's First Regiment U. 
 S. SharpshooterSiAug.,28, 1862, as.a recruit. .Served with the company 
 until'Oct. 9; 1864, when he Was discharged as a supernumerary non-com- 
 missioned officer. Was slightly wounded'in the "Battle of the Wilderness, 
 May 6, 1864: In Feb., 1865, agsfin entered the service by' serving in the 
 quartermaitier's department at Nashville, Tenn., and was discharged there- 
 from in May, 1865. At. the close of the wdr he again resumed farming 
 until the-Sprin^ of 1866, when he removed to Concord, N. H., where he 
 entered the^ service of the'Coifcord Railj-ciad as Conductor. He was elected 
 a: member of the City Council in 1888, re-elected in 1890, and for the last 
 two years has held the position bf president of that body. 
 
534 APPENDIX. 
 
 COL. FPIANCIS PETELER. 
 
 Col. Peteler was bofn in BaYaria, in 1828, and canie to the United 
 States when he was but 12 years old and alone, in 18*0. He enlisted in 
 the spring of 1847 in Company A, 8th U. S. Infantry, and serred tinder 
 Scott in the Mexican War. Removed from New York city to Minnesota in 
 1853. Raised the company of Sharpshooters known as Company A, 
 Second Regiment, which were mustered in at Fort Snelling Oct. 5, 1861, 
 and which he commanded until after arrival at Washington, wheri- he 
 became Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. During the time he was absent 
 from his regiment owing to the outbreak of the Indians imder Little Crow, 
 and while yet at Fort Abercroinbie, but on the point of leaving to return 
 to his regiment on the Potomac, he was the recipient of resolutions fronl 
 the officers and soldiers of the garrison, compliirieritary to him as an ener- 
 getic and efficient coinniander, and in recognition of his success in banish- 
 ing from Fort Abercrombie the vice of intemperance — "that fruitful souirce of 
 disorder and insubordinatioii," and for inaugurating it its stead "order, ^ 
 discipline and sobriety;" closing with fervent wishes for success "in his 
 new field of operations against the assassins veho have conspired to des- 
 troy our nationality, and vrith it those free institutions of which we are so 
 justly proud." Since the war. Col. Peteler lived on a farm in Hennepin 
 county, Minnesota, up to 1870, and since then has been a railway con- 
 tractor and manufacturer of railway portable dump cars, etc. He has npw 
 with his sons shops on five acres of ground near Prospect Park, in south- 
 east Minneapolis, and resides in that city. 
 
 PHILIP E. SANDS, 
 
 At the time he enlisted in Company B, 1st U. S. Sharpshooters. July 10, 
 1861, was a locomotive engineer running a passenger on the Harlem road 
 of New York cit J', by trade a machinist and 29 years of age. His father 
 was a provost marshal of the 9th congressional district, later on. Sands 
 was vrounded at Malvern Hill, Gettysburg, Locust Grove and the Wilder- 
 ness, and died at Alexandria from the effects of the Last wound, amputation 
 ofleg, some months after, being buried at Greenwood cemetery. He had 
 been a corporal, a sergeant and finally first sergeant. Was vrell liked by 
 all, and was oiie of Company B's best men. 
 
APPENDIX. 52S, 
 
 COL. HOiWER R. STOUGHTON. 
 
 The militar J- history of this officer has been pretty completely given 
 throughout the work, and these sketches are more for the purpose of show- 
 ing something of'after'army Hfe, whenithe soldier becomes again a citizen. 
 There is one thing,, ho^wever, I ■will mention ■with his soldierls career: thaitis 
 ■when, the regiment re-enlisted as -veterans, -die non-commissioned oifieers and 
 privates presented to Lieut.-Col. Stoaghtou a beaaiitiftil s^word, belt and 
 sasl^ -mth the numerous battles in ■which the regiment had been engaged 
 up to Jan, 1, 1864, inscribed thereon, which bespoke more than words the 
 feelings of the men ■who shot the rifles, to'wards. their commanding officer. 
 CoL Stoughton's civil life since the war has without doubt been a very 
 busy one. Haying entered, the army from a railroad position, he naturally 
 returned to the rail^way service after lea^ving the army, in 1865, on going 
 back to Vermont, his native state, where he became agent at Randolph for 
 the " Central Vermont R. R." from 1865 to 1872. Was postmaster from 
 186B to 1 872, a Republican committee man in to^wn aud county. Was 
 transfefreil in '72 to same position on the "New London Northern,'.' 
 stationed at Palmer, Mass. In April, 1876, he -went to Reading, Mich,, in 
 charge of a vrringfer comjany remaining through 1877, and ■was a member 
 of the city council of that -place. Went back to Palmer beginning of '78 as 
 rail^way agent again until 18S3, ■when he was made freight agent at New 
 London, Conn., until Jan. 1, 1885 ;"then accepted a position with the 
 "Shelby Iron Company" at Shelby, Alabslma, and ■was elected Director 
 and made General Manager in April of that year, arid Vice President in 
 1886, which positions he held until the property changed o^wners in 1890, 
 but continued general manager until April 1, 1891. In May, '91, was made 
 general manager of the " Florence Land Mining and Mfg. Co."at Florence, 
 Ala., which he vacated in M^ay, 1892. At present Col. Stoughton is engaged 
 in the real estate business in Cleveland, Ohio. For a number of years he 
 has been an active ■worker as teacher and superintendent of Sunday schools 
 in the Congregational churches, ■with w^hich he has been connected since 
 1868. The colonel has settled with his family, ■wife and seven children in 
 Oberlin, in the hope of giving all a fine education in the excellent institu- 
 tions there located. 
 
536 APPENDIX. 
 
 CAPT, FRANK E. MARBLE. 
 
 Capt. Marble was among the first who enlisted at Madison, Wis., 
 early in September, '61, at the age of 22 years, in Company G, of the First 
 Regiment of the Sharpshooters, and before leaving Camp Kandall was 
 elected by the company First Lieutenant. On the death of Capt. Drew, 
 Lieut. Marble became captain. His military career has been closely iden- 
 tified throughout the history with the First Regiment, which he for a 
 time commanded. Since the war he has been located at Lynn, Mass., as a 
 U. S. Pension agent. His home, however, is at Syracuse, N. Y. Capt. 
 Marble and family, — wife, son and daughter-^are always glad to see the 
 old soldier comrades, to whom their hospitality is unbounded. The Cap- 
 tain is a member of the Loyal Legion, as well as of the G. A. R. 
 
 JOHN WILLIAM KENNY 
 
 Was born in Albany. Was working with Charles E. Graves and Geort^e 
 Campbell learning the tinsmith trade when the war broke out. Campbell 
 enlisted first, then Graves, then Kenny. During all the campaigns from the 
 Peninsula to Petersburg, Comrade Kenny took a very honorable part. 
 Was slightly wounded at Glendale and at Gettysburg. On June 16, 1864, 
 at Harrison's Creek before Petersburg, he was badly wounded in the left 
 arm, and was sent north to hospital in Rhode Island, where he remained' 
 until discharged Sept. 16, 1864, on surgeon's certificate of disability; and 
 in consequence of his wounds could not do anything for a long time, but 
 went to work at his trade as soon as he could, being unable to enlist again, 
 so went back to the shop he had left when he volunteered. Some 12 years 
 thereafter he became superintendent of the Albany Stamping Works, where 
 he was when this book was issued: He has made a good citizen, just as 
 every Sharpshooter ought to. Has an interesting family of a wife and I 
 believe about three daughters, and a son who is a member of Company B, 
 10th battalion, N. Y. National Guard, one of their team of sharpshooters. 
 Comrade Kenny is also interested in a ph'.-tograph establishment at Bath 
 on the Hudson, and has contributed for this history a number of enlar"-ed 
 proofs from card, photos and old style tintypes, which were well done. 
 
APPENDIX. 53.7 
 
 HON. THOMAS MCCAUL. 
 
 This worthy comrade was bom in New York city Jan. 18, 183M, and 
 lived with his parents for a considerable time prior to the breaking out of 
 Ihe rebellion at Fox Lake, Wis., from which place he enlisted on the fall of 
 Fort Sumter in the Citizens Guard of th.'it town, known as Company A, 
 2d ■Wisconsin, for a three month's' term. In September following (i7th) he 
 joined the rifle company known as Company G, Berdan Sharpshooters, 
 Irving as a private therein until his ilischarge Feb^ 22, 1863, on account 
 of gun shot w^ound in thigh received at 2d Bull Run. His service as a 
 Sharpshooter has been mentioned in the preceding pages; and in recogni- 
 "tion of the same, Goy. Fairchild issued to him a captain's commission "for 
 _gallant service in rallying retreating troops at Charles City Cross Roads." 
 Immediately after the close of the war, he served at Fort Laramie as Forage 
 Master and Master of Transportation, until March, 1866. Married April 
 24, 1866, Miss Agnes H. Williams of Watkins, N. Y. Removed to Tomah, 
 Wis., in 1867, and became a coiisidtrable property holder. Elected to 
 legislature in 1874 as a democrat from a republican district. In 1883 was 
 elected the first mayor of the new city of Tomah. A whole souled, active 
 -citiztn, who forgets not his comrades of the tented field. 
 
 CAPT. FRANCIS D. SWEETSER, 
 
 Formerly of Company E, 2d U. S. S. S. writes from Brentwood, California, 
 -since this history w^as placed in the hands of the printer, and too late to be 
 inserted at the proper places in the work, first: That "California Joe" 
 (Truman Head) died and was buried in the G. A.R. plat at San Francisco, 
 where he had been an Inspector of U. S. Customs, while Capt. Sweetser was 
 U. S. Boarding Officer at that Port. He says: " He was always the same 
 K)ld California Joe, and went by no other name, except upon the pay rolls." 
 Also an incident that occurred on the line of the Rappahannock when 
 Capt. Sweetser was alieutenant and in command of Company E, where a 
 .rebel cavalry officer was caught by Lietit Sweetser and a bugler from 
 another company. The rebel tried to obtain special favors by giving a 
 Masonic sign. To which Lieut. Sweetser replied harshly: "this is a pretty 
 time and place for you to talk about rank, with a lie on your lips at the 
 same time." Capt. Sweetser is Post Commander of the largest Grand Army 
 Post on the Pacific coast, (Lincoln, No. 1), and has frequently been engaged 
 .organizing Posts in other parts of the state. 
 
538 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE ISHAM BROTHERS. 
 
 Albert S. Isham -was born in Hamburg, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1840, and ia 
 1844 went to Wisconsin wiitti ]iis.-parents to live in Dane county on a farm, 
 and -where as he grew up he' was occtftiied until the war broke out, when he 
 enlisted in Company G, of the Sharpshooters Sli^ept. 5, 1861, at Madison, 
 and did effectiTe service in the field with his company^ through the many 
 campaigns and engagements to and including ChancellorSTiile,-*^ -which, 
 battle AS i have stated he was severely wounded ; from the effects of this 
 -wound he was eventually discharged, but was unable to perform manual 
 labor for two years thereafter. Ha-ring married Miss Juliette Park, of 
 Vermont, he bought a farm at Black Earth, Wis., li-ving on it until 1867, 
 when he sold out and removed to Iowa, purchasing 160 acres of prairie 
 which he improved and farmed for nine years, when he again sold out, 
 going back to Wisconsin. Gave up farming, going into the hardware 
 business at Clinton, meeting with success up to the present time. His 
 family consists of hithself, wife and two married daughters. Of course he 
 is a good Grand Army nian, and also a good citizen, as he was a good 
 soldier, as I have testified in the preceding history. 
 
 Willard M. Isham was also born at Hamburg, Sept. 22, 1841, and joined 
 the company (G) Sept. 19, 1861, serving through all manner of hardships 
 until the final muster out Sept. 22, 1864. After the war, one of his first 
 steps was to get married and then settle do-wn to business, his wife being a 
 Miss Arnold, of Blue Mounds, Wis. In 1869 he moved to Iowa where he 
 has resided ever since in different towns in that state, at present being at 
 Des Moines, connected with the mercantile trade. He has two sons. 
 These two Isham brothers, as they were known in war days, served their 
 country faithfully and fearlessly. Of modest, uncomplaining dispositions, 
 clean dress an'd appearance, excellent habits, and always ready to respond 
 for duty, they left the service -with a military record unsurpassed. At 
 {Gettysburg, Willard at great personal risk to himself, voluntarily carried 
 away to a point behind the battle line out of danger, a helplessly wounded 
 comrade, returning immediately to his. place in the front. 
 
APPENDIS. 539 
 
 EUGENE PAINE 
 
 Was born at Broolcfield, Vt., March 6, 1839. Enlisted at Randolph that 
 state Sept. 11, 1861, in Company F., 1st U. S. S. S., and was discharged 
 Sept. 13, 1864. Was wounded at Locust Grove as before shown, When 
 he was sent to hospital at Alexandria. Remo-ved west in 1868, 
 locating at Iowa City, where he engaged in the coal business, with which 
 he has been connected for the past 23 years. He is also a prominent 
 member of the " Comrades of Battlefield " order, and is fully entitled to the 
 honorable distinction of veteran. 
 
 LEWIS J. ALLEN, 
 
 Whose military history has been fairly given herein, was bom on Gull 
 Prairie, Mich., March 4, 1840, during a temporary sojourn of his parents, 
 ■who w^ere Yermonters, and returned to the latter state in 1842, bringing 
 xtp their family amid the Green Mountains. Young Allen, who had been a 
 carpenter by occupation during the previous five years, enlisted at the age 
 of 21 on Sept. 2, 1861, in Company F, of the First Regiment of our Sharp- 
 shooters, and was made one of the Sergeants on its organization and 
 muster-in. Passing through the Peninsula Campaign safely and honor- 
 ably, he was eventually sent on recruiting service to Yermont, as a reward 
 for services at Hanover Court House, rejoining his company after being 
 ■wounded and participating in its last charge in the evening of May 27, 
 1862. Returned from this last service the 10th of October following, 
 •with 47 recruits for his company, and from that time on served steadily 
 and faithfully with company and regiment until his muster-out before 
 Petersburg Oct. 9, 1864, as First Sergeant, although he had Ijeen commis- 
 sioned Second Lieutenant January 22d preceding, when he had become a 
 Veteran Volunteer by re-enlistment, but could not muster owing to the 
 reduced strength of members. Lieut. Allen narrowly escaped instant 
 death at Totopotomoy Creek May 30, 1864, by an exploding shell wrecking 
 his rifle pit, passing through within a few inches of his hip and inflicting 
 injuries that have lasted through life. Since discharge from service he has 
 resided at Battle Creek in the state of Michigan, following the insurance 
 business, a notary public, conveyancer, etc. He also holds a prominent 
 position, being second in command, in the order known as the Comrades 
 of Battle. 
 
540 APPENDIX; 
 
 CHAPLAIN BARBER. 
 
 Lorenzo Barber, who was chaplain of the Second Regiment, w^as, as I 
 Jiave heretofore stated, known, and I may add far and wide, as the Fighting 
 Parson, and likewise as one of the best shots in the armj^. His record as a 
 soldier is inferior to that of no member connected with our especial service. 
 He was a Sharpshooter in fact, and a truer patriot never lived on American 
 soil. What more need be said, additional to what is contained in this 
 history? And yet I will add three incidents, two of which properly 
 belong in the preceding pages but are not there, having come to my 
 knowledge a little too late : At the time of the scattering of the Confeder- 
 ate cavalry at Rappahannock Station by the Second Regiment, as related 
 on page 167, Col. Peteler called for two volunteers to go into the cornfield, 
 whereupon Chaplain Barber, John M. Powers, and I think one of the 
 Livingstons of Company A stepped out and went into the cornfield to the 
 right of the line, and ■when the rebels jumped off their horses into the fieldj 
 the Chaplain, Powers and the other man were all mixed up With the rebels ; 
 at one time two rebs had the Chaplain, at another the Chaplain had two rebs 
 prisoners, and three rebs had Powers prisoner, but they all got away from 
 each other. Pow^ers w^as injured from the run and never rejoined the company,' 
 and the chaplain in retiring simply said " Good Gracious ! " While on the 
 way to Gettysburg the Chaplain, who held the position of regimental mail 
 agent or carrier, was gobbled up at Emmitsburg by the enemy's cavalry,' 
 mail bag and all, but succeeded in effecting his escape, although he lost the 
 mail whichwasrifledinhispresence. Inlieu thereof I understand he brought 
 along with him two prisoners, however he managed to do it. The last and 
 most serious, in fact lamentably fatal incident, or rather accident which it 
 was, occurred some years after the war, whereby Chaplain Barber, while' 
 returning from a hunting expedition (for he w^as a great sportsman), 
 accidentally shot himself, and in a rather careless way too, a charge of 
 shot entering his body, from which he died, I have understood, at his home 
 in Troy, N. Y. Thus ended the life of a most worthy minister, a perfect 
 gentleman, and a truly Christian soldier. 
 
A'FF£NDLs!t 641 
 
 MAJOR WM. P.'SHREVEc- ' 
 
 Entering the service as a member of Company H, Second Regiment U. 
 S. Sharpshooters, froiri the state of Vermont, he became Quartermaster 
 Sergeant of the regiment, but in Dec, '62, was commissioned First Lien- 
 tenant. When Col. Berdan was made Chief of Sharpshooters, Lieut. Shreve, 
 and Lieut. Calef of the S"eC6iid,;Werfe slttdileJon'hig staif. Lieut. Shreve 
 also became Mustering Officer while at Brandy, when the veterans were 
 re-enlisting. lie -was known to be a most conscientious officer, and in 
 every engagement riding over the field carrying^ordprs.reg3.rdlegs pf danger. 
 With him duty was always first. He was' complimented by Gens, Ward an^^ 
 Bimey frequently for his gallant bearing and promptness. Is li'ow engaged 
 in biisiness in Boston in a lairge jewelry establishment. 
 
 ELI COOK. 
 
 This well known member of the Sharpshooters; was born in Richland': 
 county, Ohio, Ang- ' 24, 1842, but' migrated -with his parents to Eaton, 
 county,: Michigan, in 1834 by- '? ox-team <xpressi"-ra.sl6w biit strictly hoil-> 
 est way of traveling, — where they settled on a far'ir. in a. section kn6wn> 
 then as the wilderness. Here the farm was. cleared up,arid Bli helped-'to do' 
 it while growing up tp manhood. His- educa-tion was furnished by 'the' 
 public schools of the counties of the respective states where, h'e lived. ' The' 
 War of the Rebellion 'being fairly under way, Eli attempted at fifstto tolisf 
 in December, '61, in the 1st light artillery of Michigari, but couldn't' getiuV 
 Heard about the Sharpshooters; and borrovving four dollars, started fdn 
 the^front on a forced march of 30 miles to the railroad at Jackson. Had. 
 never seen 'the inside of a car until he took the train from' Jackson to Detroit, ' 
 where he joined Capt. A. Milan Willett's company, afterwards Conipany T 
 of Berdan's regiment; being mustered in, Feb. 16, '62. . Served with honor 
 and distinction every day until Jan. 5, 1866, with the exception of a few- 
 days off duty at Washington with siekness, and left service as First Ser- ' 
 geant of his company, which he frequently commanded. It seemed to be 
 perfectly natural for Comrade Cook to be a good and dutiful soldier, as his 
 great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather- 
 Eli Cook in the war of 1812, and was woutfded at Plattsburgh. On leaving 
 the Sharpshooter service, our soldier comrade went . back to his father's 
 farm in Michigan, but in 1866 tried to find a better, place farther west " 
 
54a APPENDIX. 
 
 Not doing so, returned to fiaton county and has devoted his time since to 
 agricultural pursuits, and been very fortunate, having one of the best 
 farms of 130 acres in that section. Of course he got .married (July3,1867), 
 and to a Miss Elizabeth French, has three children, two daughters and one 
 son. It is one of Eli Cook's greatest pleasures to meet and greet his old 
 comrades of the Sharpshooters. 
 
 CHARLES A. STEVENS. 
 
 Born , in New yark city .Marcli 2,7,1835. Studied law three years in 
 the office of J. Bancroft Steveiis, ^ brother. Director and teacher of Ottig- 
 non's Gymnasium in 1860. Wa^ in "Bleeding IKansas" in 1854, when 
 " Yankee Town" was covered with " anti-waterproof tents," through which 
 rain poured like a sieve. Present at the first election held there. Was the 
 deputy postmaster of Kansas City in the winter and spring of 1855, in sole 
 chatge. Went to Minnesota in Avigust, '56. Lived on a pre-emption claim 
 several years in the big woods of Le Sueur. In Fox Lake, Wis., when Sum- 
 ter was fired on, and enlisted in the Citizens Guard, Capt. Geo. H. Stevens, 
 a brother, which company became " A " of 2d Wisconsin. This was for the 
 ^ort term. Re->enlisted on-Sept. 2, 1861, among the first, in Company G, 
 Berdan Sharpshooters (so known); wasthe first Orderly Sergeant (by vote 
 of company I. Appointed acting lieutenant by Col. Ripley March 27, '62, 
 on Great-Bethel reconnoissance ; and again at the battle of Gaines' Mill by 
 Cols. :Matheson (California Regiment) and by Col. Berdan. Was the first 
 one sent off on secruiting service .from-the regiment, from Harrison's Land- 
 ing. after the Seven Days. Was promoted to Second ^Lieutenant from July 
 4, 'r62, andih October following to 'First Lieutenant, becoming Company 
 Commander when Capt. Marble became Field Ofiicer; was also at times 
 actingjSergeant-Major and Adjutant. Passed safely through 32 actions. 
 Returning to Wisconsin was appointed Captain of Wisconsin Volunteers 
 by,GovernorLc\Kis; and afterwards raising a' company for the state was 
 tendered the ca.ptaincy thereof, but declined, to go into Hancock's Veteran 
 Volunteers where he commanded Company A, 9th Regiment, until the final 
 muster outin April, 1866. Prior thereto had purchased and published the 
 "Fox Lake Record," a weekly newspaper. Returned to Minnesota in sum- 
 mer of 1866, and later on became an eqiploye of the "Milwaukee & St. 
 Paul," and also "Sioux City "Railway companies, in all for a period often 
 years, aselevator and station agent, superintendent of elevators and acting 
 traveling auditor, bookkeeper,. etc. In 1877 began the publication of the 
 " Shakopee Courier," and has been a country editor ever since ; and am also 
 now a country squire. That's me. 
 
SHARPSHOOTER MONUMENTS, 
 
 ON THE FIELD OF GETTYSBURG. 
 
 On this memorable fi€ld are to be found scattered far and Tiride, morni- 
 mentg of every conceivable description, erected to commemorate the service 
 of the difieteat state troops fighting forthe Union, in this battle. And not 
 the least amo|ig them, jn point of conspicuous beauty of finish, and high- 
 to-wering /grandeur, in finest granite and marble designs, are those erected 
 at different important points on the battle field, to the United States 
 Sharpshooters. O- them I here give brief sketches, with liberal extracts 
 relating to the dedication ceremonies. 
 
 THE NEW YORK MONUMENT. 
 
 An organization perfected by the survivors of the fouj- New York Com- 
 panies, A, B, D and H, known as the Veteran Association, with John W, 
 Coates as president, Charles E. Graves vice-president,, Charles J. Buchanan 
 secretary, and Charles Donnelly treasurer, assembled at Gettysburg July 3, 
 1889, to dedicate their monument, costing $1,500, at the .advanced spo;t 
 occupied by Conipanies D, E, F and I, near Pitzer's Run. After prayer by 
 the Chaplain Robert P. Tunnard (Co. B), and appropriate opening address 
 by Vice President Graves, who presided. Comrade Chas. J. Buchanan waS 
 introduced as the orator for the occasion. 
 
 THE ORATION. 
 
 "Can a stronger contrast be.tmagined'than the' quiet and.glow of this 
 midsummer scene and the struggle which- took place on this spot tweaty- 
 Th«9e woods to«daj)r have that calm which' belongs' to tht 
 
 S43 
 
544 APPENDIX. 
 
 earth, but which was denied to them when we first made their acquaint- 
 ance. It hardly seems possible that such a long period has intervened since 
 w^e fought over this ground. In that interval time has wrought marked 
 changes in us, but we who have assembled to dedicate thismonument insist 
 that we are still Sharpshooters, and our hearts beat as lightly now as they 
 did years since w^hen we touched elbows together in our then common 
 cause. We go back, in memory, this morning, to our soldier days, and 
 recur to that patriotic brotheriiood.then formed and cemented, whose ties 
 bound us firmer than we at that time knew or even dreamed. When the 
 sound of artillery reached us at Emmitsburg, from this direction, on the 
 morning of July 1, 1863, it was evident to all who heard it that the battle 
 was at hand which would determine whether freedom or slavery should 
 prevail on this continent. * * * As our feet touched northern sod and 
 we snuffed the breezes fresh from our native hills, our drooping spirits 
 arose as if touched by magic. The very air we breathed seemed laden vrith 
 patriotism and devotion. , Our old-time ardor, and zeal for the.cause to 
 ■which we had pledged our fortunes and perilled our lives came back to us, 
 renewed and invigorated, and nerved us with ten-fold courage. * • » 
 
 Buford's challenge was the first real salutation the Confederates had 
 received from our army since its unfortunate and unexpected defeat at 
 Chancellorsville. As this cannonade shifted and gradually subsided, every 
 one of us knew that, whatever troops of ours had been engaged were 
 w^orsted, forit w^as apparent from the hurried march we made that our 
 immediate presence here w^as necessary and imperative. The fact that our 
 seven army corps were widely scattered, and not within supporting distance 
 of one another, gave us no concern. We soon learned that the rebels were 
 concentrating rapidly and were moving dow^n upon us with clock-like pre- 
 cision from the north. Our only salvation was to unite instanter and pre- 
 sent to them an unbroken front from the south, and we did it with like 
 celerity. When the war began we set our faces southw^ard, but now, for 
 the first time, we had reversed pur direction, and w^ereto receive an attack 
 in a free state and from the north, Our enemy's temerity had enabled him 
 to suddenly put himself between us and our homes. • » * It is matter 
 ■ of record that the legions of Kearny, Hooker and Whipple, composing the 
 old 3d army corps, were hastened hither as soon as it was known that 
 fighting was in progress, w^ithont orders, and, in fact, against orders. 
 Gen. Sickles, though miles away, with the instinct of the true soldier, knew 
 that there was naught to do but for our army to hasten hither, and that 
 the point of concentration was whence the cannonade indicated. The 3d 
 corps reached this field after the first day's battle had ceased, coming most 
 of the distance from Emmitsburg on the double-quick. We went into camp 
 the night of July 1, 1863, near Little Round Top, knowing that the battle 
 here was hardly commenced, and that our opportunity to jparticipate in 
 the fight would be promptly afforded on the morrow. Our course was 
 clear as noonday, and we had been in too many close campaigns to fear 
 
APPENDIX. 545 
 
 or falter at such a crisis. Wearied with our long and teclious march, -we 
 slept as soundly that night as if no conflict awaited us — aiM as if peace, 
 instead of war, was our inheritance. The next day was destined to severely 
 test the mettle of the old 3d corps as it had never before been tried. During 
 the morning of the 2d of July there w^ere busy preparations and hot haste 
 everywhere, but there seemed to be no reliable information as to what were 
 the enemy's strength, dispositions and intentions on the Union left. Gen. 
 Sickles fretted and chafed under the constraint imposed upon him, and, appre- 
 hending the enemy's purpose here, could not long brook this uncertainty in 
 front, and therefore promptly determined to ascertain by whom and how 
 he w^as threatened. It fell to our regiment to obtain this desired informa- 
 tion in a way of which I shall speak in a moment. » * * The recollec- 
 tions of our old coriradeship crowd upon us this morning, and we say to 
 ourselves in all sincerity, thank God that we are permitted to peaceably 
 assemble upon this great battle field after so long a separation, to do 
 honor to those who here fell in their country's cause. What hallowed 
 associations are Jiround us! What glorious memories confront us, recalled 
 by these rocks and woods, these ravines and runs ! We come hither to 
 clasp hands over the remains of comrades fallen here in our great struggle 
 for national existence. 
 
 'Their bones are dust,. 
 Their good swords rust, 
 Their souls are with the saints, we trust.' 
 
 This monument is erected to the brave men of our regiment who fell 
 on this field, but especially to those of our four New^ York companies who 
 heregaveuptheirlives. Thefactthatourgranitememorialisnotupon amore 
 familiar or pretentious part of the battlefield is no objection to its locationt 
 The quiet and seclusion of its site commend themselves to our better judg- 
 ment, and here we may always come to renevr our courage and loyalty to 
 our coxmtry. It will be a continual reminder to those who come after us 
 as well as to the survivors of these four companies, so long as any of them 
 remain, that the great state of New York will never fail to recognize the 
 brave deeds and heroic actions of her sons wheresoever and Ijy whomso- 
 ever of them performed. * * The men who died here that our nation might 
 live belonged to and were elements of that same great cause which solicited 
 and obtained their services voluntarily. Without their aid republican 
 institutions, for the time being, at least, would have perished in America. 
 They never fail who are forced to yield or who die in a conflict for the right. 
 * * * May this monument be a lasting memorial, not of the strife and 
 antagonism of the war, but of the principles thereby settled and of the 
 peace following the same, and may it continue to be an enduring reminder 
 35 
 
546 APPENDIX. 
 
 of a Union saVed and perpetuated to the whole country, north and south, 
 by the valor and patriotism of our volunteer regiments, and be recognized as 
 such thr9ugh all coming generations., * * * The universe looks with 
 admiration upon and approves of our thus honoring those members of 
 bur command who fell at Gettysburg. Would that I could speak in trumpet 
 tones and in more fitting^ language of their great and memorable services. 
 Their honor and patriotisnj.we^e as sraliji as the foundation upon which this 
 monument rests ; their characters andiheroism were as pure as the heaven 
 to. which it points." , ; 
 
 THE NEW HAMPSHIRE MONUMENT. 
 
 This monument is made of Concord granite, and was dedicated July 2, 
 1886. It is located a few^ rods north of the clump of trees near where Gen. 
 Hancock was w^ounded at the time Pickett made his famous charge, July 
 3, 1863. It is the only spot where the three New Hampshire companies 
 were together during that famous battle. It cost $700, the state of New 
 Hampshire appropriating $500, the balance being made up by the surviv- 
 ing comrades. The building committee consisted of one from each com- 
 pany: G. K. Crowell, Company E, (1st), Major E. T. Kowell, Company P, 
 and H. A. Redfield, Company G, (2d). Great credit is due the ones Who- 
 came forward and raised the $200 necessary to complete the monument. 
 
 THE WISCONSIN MONUMENT. 
 
 This bandsomc; monument is placed at the edge of the Emmitsbur<' 
 road in front of the "Rodger House," and 200 yards in rear of where 
 the company, the farthest advanced on that part of the field w^as in line of 
 skirmishers, asindicatedby,,ajStojie marker. The figure of the Sharpshooter 
 is life-size, on gray granjt^^ five feet high. The base is red granite (Wiscon- 
 sin marble), and sits oa a fourcdaiiou.of granite from the battle field. The 
 amount appropriated by the state of Wisconsin for this monument was 
 $500. Thecommittee appointed. to select the site, and superintend the 
 erection and dedication of Company G's monument, was James S.Webster, 
 Joseph K. Hawes and Charles W. Baker. The dedication took place July 
 
APPENDIX. 547 
 
 2 ,1888, Capt. Frank E. Marble of Lynn, Mass., delivering the. oration^ 
 extracts from which are here given : 
 
 " We have assembled here to day, charged with the solemn and impressive 
 duty of dedicating a monument, as a memorial to the valor of Company 
 G. Berdan's First Regiment, U. S. Sharpshooters, to commemorate the 
 death of our comrades who fell on the field of Gettysburg ; to commemorate 
 the death of those who fell on the score of other battle fields in which the 
 company participated; to commemorate the death of those who died of 
 wounds or disease in the cause of liberty and unity during the great 
 struggle of the civil war of 1861, and to commemorate those who survived, 
 to further teach the lessons and enjoy the fruits of that liberty, patriotism 
 and national unity, which their arms had achieved during that firatricidal 
 strife. We are charged vrith the duty, so far as that duty can be accom- 
 plished by our company as an association, of completing and giving a final 
 and lasting tone tp a great principle that had been already proclaimed as 
 a vital principle in the grovrth and prosperity of this great nation; but 
 which had been assailed by an invidious foe, 'who had espoused the opposite 
 beliefthat-was hostile to national unity, and who had declared their ability, 
 their willingness and their determination to defend their faith to the dea .h. 
 This principle had passed the stage of debate— its leaders had closed their 
 eyes to farther reasoning, and had committed their hopes to the wage of 
 battle. The contest had been long begun, when, twenty-five years ago, a 
 struggle between two mighty contending armies began on the fair fields of 
 Gettysburg, which vras burdened w^ith the destinies of a nation, and the 
 result of which made this day, with the vast concourse of people and these 
 ceremonies, possible. The duty assigned me, though it must recall much of 
 hardship and suffering and sadness, is nevertheless a pleasant one; for out 
 of the suffering and sadness comes the rejoicing of one country and one flag. 
 Out of the night of woe come the brightness and hope and joy of the mom- 
 ng. Our mission is that of peace, which has long been blossoming in the 
 full light and warmth of the nation's summer day of prosperity. * » • 
 
 "It remains for me to speak of a portion of the union army, which as an 
 organization and as to numbers was so small in comparison thatbutforits 
 greatness in deeds it could scarcely be recognized as an atom in the great- 
 . ness and extent of our army during that war. And that "atom" fought on 
 this field, and helped by its heroic deeds to make that history about which 
 so many volumes have been written. It is for this, that the monument now 
 before us has been chisled in granite and erected here as a memorial, to 
 teach future generations the value of patriotism as measured by its cost in 
 hardships and blood. I wish I might recall in language such a history of 
 Company G as dwells within my memory — as vrells up in my heart when 
 I close my eyes to the world around me and live over again those days that 
 tried men's souls. * • • Numberless are the scenes that crowd in upon 
 my mind when I go back to 1861 to '65 and live over again the days and 
 scenes of my army life, that became inwrought and changed the whole cur- 
 
APPENDIX. 549 
 
 fecting themselves in the skirmisli drill that made them deservedly famous 
 on every field, — ^for their ability to deploy as skirmishers, at double quick 
 under a galling fire over any kind of open or vyooded country and every 
 man drop into his place in line.five paces apart. Follovring the movements of 
 the company up to this battle, Capt. Marble proceeds: 
 
 "But at the time we made this memorial a possibility to be erected to 
 the valor of Company G, the rebel hosts had left their own soil, — invaded 
 the firee state of Pennsylvania, and as a final incentive — a final struggle, 
 they were to try and vrin a decisive victory away from their homes, on 
 their enemy's soil, .as a. further induceinent for -sympathizing England to 
 acknowledge the independence of the so-called southern confederacy, and 
 thus to make treason respectable and transform it into successful revolu- 
 tion. The clouds of war had hung dark and heavy over our distracted 
 country. The " boys in blue,'' with our green coats interspersed, had been 
 waging battle for long days and months, and the months had crept up to 
 years, under the deep and damning shadow of those clouds, — had taken 
 defeat and disappointment with stoical philosophy, while the clouds grew 
 darker, more grim and more threatening. It was thus we marched to the 
 fields of Gettysburg, — the fields that were fair and bright with the abundance 
 and wealth of the husbandman's toil, — beautifiil as the garden of the Lord 
 with the fruits of His providence, ^iere we received an inspiration to repel 
 an invasion aimed a:t our own homes. Here we were to meet the enemy, 
 and fight within the borders of a state rich in historic recollections of our 
 first congress, and they were fondly cherished. This was soil which we 
 re-consecrated, as it had long before been consecrated by the memories of 
 the Declaration of Independence, which is, as has been well said, "the 
 grandest document that ever heralded the birth of a nation." Here a rift 
 came in. these darkening clouds, made by crashing thunderbolts of mighty 
 battle, and through that rift .beamed the sunlight of victory and liberty 
 and union, whose warming and cheering rays flooded the whole land as by 
 a miraculous power, carrying its resplendent light and warmth to the 
 hearts of a throbbing nation. ',' 
 
 I close Capt. Marble's address with a eulogy on the military character and 
 services of Capt. Edward Drew: "For 13 years he had belonged to one 
 of the finest independent military companies of the United States which had 
 given exhibition drills in the principal cities of the north ; and he assured 
 me that during that time there had never a day passed, except Sundays, 
 but that he had had a sword or a musket in. his hands. for the purpose of 
 drill. With such a captain in command of Company G it is no boast to 
 assert that it stood at the front as being the best drilled company in the 
 regiment. The officers and sergeants of the regiment were for a while placed 
 under his instruction, so that the other companies might have the benefit 
 of his knowledge and experience, and there is no doubt but that the eflS- 
 ciency of the regiment was greatly increased by his presence, ability and 
 skill, which he always exerted for the benefit of all. At Charles City Cross 
 
550 APPENDIX. 
 
 Roads, he gave up his life for his country's cause. His loss was keenly felt 
 by every member of Company C. by whom he was loVed as tenderly as a 
 father. And 
 
 *He loved as Tve loved, yet he parted 
 
 From all that man's spirit can prize ; 
 jL/Cft woman and child broken-hearted 
 
 Staring' up to the pitiless skies ; 
 Left the tumult of youth the sweet p^erdon 
 
 Hope promised to conquer from fate, — 
 Rave all, for the agonized burden 
 
 Of death for the flag and the state.' " 
 
 THE VERMONT MONUMENTS. 
 
 The monument to Company F, First Regiment, was designed and 
 made of Vermont marble, by Ripley & Sons of Rutland, -who contributed 
 heavily towards the expense of it, their special interest in it being due to 
 the fact that the companyformed a portion of the command of Lieut. Col. 
 Wm. Y. W. Ripley of the First U. S. Sharpshooters. It appears that the 
 State Commission had only S500 at their disposal for this monument, and 
 as a better structure was desired, Ripley & Sons agreed to build a monu- 
 ment worth $1,200 for the $500, thus contributing $700, on account of the 
 especial desire of Gen. Ripley to suitably commemorate his old command; 
 which generous offer was accepted. The monument is over 20 feet high, 
 made of the best Rutl.and marble, the only Vermont monument of that 
 material, others being granite or bronze. The monument to Companies E 
 and H, Second Regiment, stands by the roadside near the "Slyder House," 
 and is of rough granite finished upon the face, showing the Vermont coat 
 of arms, the Sharps, and target rifles, and a hornet's nest, representative 
 of the name given the Second Sharpshooters by the assaultingcolumnofthe 
 enemy July 2d. The Michigan Companies, C, I and K, have erected their 
 monument on Little Round Top. 
 
 I will now close the monument services and this book, I think most 
 appropriately, with the following most beautiful poem : 
 
APPENDIX. 551 
 
 GETTYSBURG— 1S63-1889. 
 
 BY JULIA C. K. DORR. 
 
 Brothers, is this the spot ? 
 Let the drums cease to beat : 
 Let the tread of marching feet, 
 With the clash and clang of steel 
 And the trumpet's long appeal, 
 {Cry of joy and sob of pain 
 In its passionate refrain) 
 
 Cease awhile, 
 
 Nor beguile 
 Thoughts that would rehearse the story 
 Of the past's remembered glory: — 
 Thoughts that would revive to-day 
 Stem War's rude, imperious sway,— 
 Waken battle's fiery glow^, 
 With its ardor and its woe, 
 With its wild, exulting thrills, 
 With the rush of mighty wills. 
 And the strength to do and dare: — 
 Bom of passion and of prayer! 
 
 II. 
 
 Let the present fade aviray, 
 And the splendors of to-day; 
 For our hearts within us bum 
 As our glances backward turn. 
 What rare memories awaken 
 As the tree of life is shaken. 
 And its storied branches blow 
 Jn the vyinds of long ago! 
 Do ye not remember, brothers, 
 Ere the war days how t'was said 
 Grand, heroic days were over 
 And proud chivalry was dead ? 
 Still we saw the glittering lances 
 Gleaming through the old romances, 
 Still beheld the watch-fires burning 
 On the cloudy heights of Time; 
 
 And from fields that they had won 
 When the stormy fight was done 
 
552 APPKNDIX. 
 
 Saw victorious knights returning 
 Flushed with triumph's joy sublime ! 
 For the light of song and story 
 Kindled with supernal glory 
 Plains were ancient heroes fought; 
 And illumined, with a splendor 
 Rare and magical and tender, 
 All the mighty deeds they wrought. 
 But we thought the sword of battlo. 
 Long unused, had lost its glow. 
 And the sullen war-gods slumbered 
 Where their altar-fires burned low ! 
 
 III. 
 
 Was the nation dull and sodden, 
 
 Buried in material things ? 
 'Twas the chrysalis awaiting 
 
 The sure stirring of its wings ! 
 For ivhen rang the thrilling war-cry 
 
 Over all the startled land, 
 And the fiery cross of battle. 
 
 Flaming, sped from hand to hnncl, 
 Then how farec! it, O my brothers ? 
 
 Were men false or craven then. 
 Did they falter? 
 Did they palter ? 
 Did they question ■why or whei. ? 
 Oh, the story shall be told 
 Until earth itself is old ; 
 Hovr from mountain and from glen 
 More than thrice ten thousand men 
 Heard the challenge of the Joe, 
 Heard the nation's cry of woe, 
 Heard the summoning to arms, 
 And the battle's loud alarms ! 
 In tumultuous surprise, 
 Lo, their answer rent the skies ; 
 And its quick and strong heart-thrills 
 Rocked the everlasting hills ! 
 Forth from blossoming fields they sped 
 To the fields with carnage red ; 
 Left the plowshare standing still. 
 Left the bench, the forge, the mill, 
 Left the quiet walks of trade 
 And the quarry's marble shade, 
 Left the pulpit and the court. 
 Careless ease and idle sport. 
 Left the student's cloistered halls 
 In the old, gray college walls. 
 Left young love-dreams, dear and sweet, 
 War's stern front, unblenched to ineet ! 
 Oh, the strange and sad amaze 
 Of those unforgotten days. 
 When the boys whom we had guided, 
 Nursed, and loved, caressed and chidcd. 
 
APPENDIX. 553 
 
 Suddenly, as in a night, 
 
 Sprang to manhood's proudest height; 
 
 And with calmly smiling 1 ps, 
 
 As who life's rarest goblet sips. 
 
 Dauntless, with unhurried breath, 
 
 Marched to danger and death! 
 
 IV. 
 
 Soldiers, is this the spot ? 
 Fair the scene is, calm and fair, 
 In this still October air — 
 Far blue hills look gently down 
 On the happy tranquil town, 
 And the ridges nearer by 
 Steeped in autumn sunshine lie. 
 Laden orchards, smiling fields, 
 Kich in all that nature j-ields. 
 Bright streams winding in and out 
 Fertile meadow^s round about. 
 Lowing herds and hum of bee, 
 Birds that flit from tree to tree, 
 Children's voices ringing clear. 
 All we touch or see or hear, 
 — Fruit of gold in silver set — 
 Tell of joy and peace. And yet — 
 
 Soldiers, is this the spot 
 
 That can never be forgot ? 
 Was it here that shot and shell 
 Poured as from the mouth of hell. 
 Drenched the shrinking, trembling plain 
 With a flood of fiery rain ? 
 Was it here the awiul wonder 
 Of the cannon's crashing thunder 
 Shook the affrighted hills, and made 
 Even the stolid rocks afraid ? 
 Was it here an armed host. 
 
 Like two clouds where lightnings play, 
 Or tw^o oceans, tempest tossed. 
 
 Clashed and mingled in the fray ? 
 Here that 'mid the din and smoke. 
 Roar of guns and sabre stroke, 
 Tramp of furious steeds, where moan 
 Horse and rider, both o'erthrown. 
 Lurid fires and battle yell. 
 Forty thousand brave men fell ? 
 
 V. 
 
 O brothers, words are weak ! 
 What tongue shall dare to speak? 
 Even song itself grows dumb 
 In this high presence. — Come 
 Forth, ye whose ashes lie 
 Under this arching sky ! 
 Speak ye in accents clear. 
 Words that we fain would hear! 
 
.554 APPENDIX. 
 
 Tell us when your dim eyes, 
 
 Holy with sacrifice, 
 
 Looked through the battle smoke 
 
 Up to the skies : — 
 Tell us, ye valiant dead. 
 When your souls starward fled, 
 How from the portals far 
 Where the immortals are, 
 Chieftains and vikings old. 
 Heroes and warriors bold, 
 Men whom old Homer sung, 
 Men of each age and tongue. 
 Knights from a thousand fields 
 Bearing their blazoned shields 
 
 Thronged forth to meet y 6u ! 
 Tell us how, floating down, 
 Each with a martyr's crown, 
 They who had kept the faith, 
 Grandly defying death, 
 They who for conscience's salie 
 Felt their firm heartstrings break, 
 They who for truth and right 
 Unshrinking fought the fight, 
 They who through fire and flame 
 Passed on to deathless fame 
 
 Hastened to greet you ! 
 Tell how they w^elcomed you, 
 Hailed and applauded you, 
 Claimed you as comrades true, 
 Brave as the ■world e'er knew ; 
 Xed your-triumphant feet 
 Up to the highest seat, 
 Crowned ye with amaranth. 
 Laurel and palm ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Alas, alas ! They speak not ! 
 
 The silence deep they break not! 
 
 Heaven keep its martyred ones. 
 
 Beyond or moon or suns ; 
 
 And Valhalla keep her braves, — 
 
 Leaving to us their graves ! 
 
 Then let these graves speak for them 
 
 As long as the wind sweeps o'er them ! 
 
 As long as the sentinel ridges 
 
 Keep guard on either hand ; 
 
 As long as the hills they fought for 
 
 Like silent watch-towers stand ! 
 
 VH. 
 
 Vet not of them alone 
 Round each memoria,! stone 
 Shall the proud breezes whisper as they pass, 
 Rustling the faded leaves 
 On chilly autumn eves 
 
Curtis Abbott. 
 
 C. W. Peck. Capt. Chas. D. Merrini 
 
 Cassitts Peck. ) 
 
Major Wm. P. Shreve. 
 
APPENDIX. 555 
 
 And swaying tenderly the sheltering grass ! 
 
 O ye who on this field 
 
 Knew not the joy to yield 
 Your young, glad lives in glorious conflict up, 
 
 Ye who as bravely fought, 
 
 Ye who as grandly wrought, 
 Draining with them w^ar's bitter cup. 
 
 As long as stars endure 
 
 And God and Truth are sure. 
 
 While Love still claims its owti, 
 
 While Honor holds its throne 
 
 And Valor hath a name, 
 
 Still shall these stony pages 
 
 Repeat to all the ages 
 
 The story of your ^mel 
 
 VIII. 
 
 O beautiful one, my Country. 
 Thou fairest daughter of Time, 
 To-day are thine eyes unclouded 
 In the light of faith sublime ! 
 No thunder bflaattle appals thee; 
 From thy woe thou hast found release; 
 From the graves of thy sons steals only 
 This one soft whisper,— " Peace ! " 
 
 THE END.