CHAPTER VII.
Continued Arrival of Troops.—Advance of the Army of the Peninsula.—Arrival of the Regiment at Young’s Mills.—An Aged Contraband.—Lee’s Mills.—The Various Companies of the Thirty-third ordered to the Front.—Caisson struck by a rebel Ball.—Continued Firing of the Enemy.—Falling back of the National Forces.—Heavy Rain Storm.—The Beef Brigade.—Enemy’s Fortifications.—Troublesome Insects.—Night Skirmishing.—Celerity of the Paymaster’s Movements.—Evacuation of Yorktown.—Early information of the fact brought to Col. Corning by Contrabands.—The Rebel Works taken possession of.
Troops continued to arrive in large numbers from Washington, and on the 4th of April, the entire army commenced moving in the direction of Yorktown, appearing the next day in front of the enemy’s lines. During the afternoon of the 4th the Thirty-third reached Young’s Mills, which the enemy had left in the morning.
Their position here had been a very strong one; in addition to the natural defences of the place, they had thrown up heavy earthworks, constructed seven rifle pits, and placed four batteries in position. Their quarters, which were taken possession of by our men, consisted of wooden huts, snugly and compactly built. An aged contraband was found running the grist-mill, from which the place took its name. The next day the march was resumed through a heavily timbered region, and over roads very much impaired by recent rains; the division arriving in front of Lee’s Mills at noon.
Skirmishing and artillery firing immediately commenced, and was kept up with but little intermission for several days. In accordance with instructions from Gen. Davidson, Col. Taylor sent, on Saturday, Co. B., to do picket duty on the left. The men advanced to within 150 yards of the enemy, who were found to have three large forts in addition to other fortifications. They remained out all night, keeping up a running fire most of the time, and having three of their number wounded. Co. A relieved them on the following morning. Cos. D, E, F, G, H, I, and K, were likewise posted as pickets, and to C was assigned the duty of supporting sections of Wheeler’s and Cowan’s batteries.
While so employed, one of the enemy’s cannon balls, which were falling in every direction, struck a caisson and exploded several of the shells in rapid succession. At this juncture, an artilleryman, running up, dashed a bucket of water over the remainder, thereby preventing their explosion, to the great relief of the cannoniers, as well as of the supporting party. The artillery firing of the rebels, which was kept up at intervals along the whole line, killed but few of our men, though occasioning some uneasiness by its terrible execution among the forest trees. Saplings were snapped asunder like pipe stems, while huge limbs severed from the tall oaks were falling in every direction. Many trees of large growth were completely perforated with solid shot, or shattered by shell.
During this time Capts. Cole and Guion, with a Volunteer force, made an important reconnoissance beyond our picket lines, advancing very near to the rebel works, from which they were fired upon.
In order to avoid the artillery and picket firing, it was decided to have the forces of Gen. Smith fall back for a short distance, where they would threaten the enemy full as much, and at the same time be less exposed. After the removal of the batteries the various Companies of the Thirty-third withdrew to the distance of a mile, being the last to leave the front, where they had retained their respective positions under the hottest of the enemy’s fire, for a period of fifty-four hours, and lost in wounded Lieut. Gale, Co. G, and several privates.
Exhausted from the want of sleep and sufficient rations, the men sank down on the moist ground that night, with no protection from the falling rain, save that afforded by a few boughs and leaves. Officers and privates were alike drenched through to the skin, long before the dawn of day. They remained here some three or four days.
Owing to the condition of the roads, it was found impossible to bring up the supply trains. Two hundred and fifty men were accordingly detailed to proceed back and obtain rations. After several hours’ absence they returned, each one bearing upon his fixed bayonet a goodly piece of meat, and obeying the facetious orders of the Lieut. Colonel to “shoulder beef, present beef,” etc. Six barrels of meat were thus brought into camp. The men were not so exhausted but that they indulged in a hearty laugh over this circumstance, and the detail was ever afterwards known as the “Beef Brigade.”
On the 11th of April, the Brigade moved one mile and a half nearer Yorktown, encamping directly in front of the enemy’s fortifications, which consisted, in addition to numerous other earthworks, of a chain of forts, extending across the Peninsula to James River. The time was employed here in building corduroy roads, “slashing” timber, etc. An innumerable army of insects, known under the general appellation of wood-ticks, were very annoying. They would burrow in the flesh of both man and beast, and, regardless of the consequences, “pinch” and pull away with all the tenacity of the horse leech. One of the officers amused himself in making a large collection of these troublesome creatures, which he has brought home with him.
On the day that Gen. Smith made the unsuccessful attempt to cross the Warwick River with the Vermont troops, Davidson’s Brigade moved a mile and a half further to the right, where it remained until the evacuation of and advance upon Yorktown. While here, frequent reconnoissances were made by the Regiment. Parties detailed from the various commands were employed every night in constructing rifle-pits and other earthworks.
On the evening prior to the evacuation, a portion of the Thirty-third assisted in the completion of a large mortar-bed, and mounting of two heavy mortars, which completely commanded the enemy’s works directly opposite. Had they remained, these two powerful engines of war would have made fearful havoc among the rebels. This night-work was attended with more or less firing on the part of the enemy, which, however, produced but little effect, in addition to the frequent turning out of the Regiments. The Thirty-third was ordered under arms three times during one night, when a heavy storm was prevailing.
The Paymaster again made his appearance here, and emptied his money bags in a remarkably short space of time. Perhaps a remark he made to one of the officers had some connection with his celerity of movement: “Well, isn’t this a mighty exposed condition.” It was indeed an exposed condition, the enemy constantly tossing shells into our camp by way of amusement, and to “stir us up,” as they expressed it.
Troops had now arrived, to the number of a hundred and twenty-five thousand, and the siege was being conducted successfully, both on the right and left. All the necessary preparations for the storming of the rebel stronghold were nearly completed, when, on the morning of Sunday, the 4th of May, the game, much to the chagrin and mortification of our Generals, was discovered to have flown.
The intelligence was first brought to the left wing of the army by two contrabands. The fugitives bringing the news came to the officer of the picket line, the Lieut. Colonel of the Thirty-third, before daylight, and stated that on the Thursday evening previous the artillery had been removed; on Friday the wagon-trains and a portion of the troops, and that that night “they had all been leaving.” They were immediately conveyed to General Hancock’s quarters.
Men of straw were posted as sentinels on the ramparts, and “Quaker Guns” had supplanted the formidable artillery, which for weeks had rained down its iron hail on the besiegers.
Not long after, the various Regiments commenced crossing, and by noon the entire Division was over. At the same time other portions of the army were crossing at various points on the right, and General Stoneman, with his cavalry and flying artillery, was started in pursuit of the enemy. General Hooker followed at supporting distance, with his Division. Generals Sumner, Heintzelman and Keys’ corps, to which Smith’s Division belonged, were also pushed forward.
CHAPTER VIII.
BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG,
FOUGHT MONDAY, MAY 5.
After crossing Warwick Creek, Sunday, May 4th, Smith’s Division immediately pushed forward in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The Thirty-third was ordered to halt near one of the rebel works, and, owing to the forgetfulness of an Aid, did not resume the march again until 5 o’clock P.M. Darkness coming on, and not being able to ascertain the whereabouts of the Division, the Regiment bivouaced for the night seven miles east of Williamsburg.
Several months before, the enemy had constructed a line of defence across the Peninsula, about two miles back of this city, consisting of a very extended entrenchment, called Fort Magruder, which covered the high road from Yorktown, at a narrow and easily defended point, and of five heavy square earthworks on the north side, and two others on the south.
On retreating from Yorktown, the rebels left several thousand men in these works to check our pursuit, and enable the bulk of their army to get across the Chickahominy. Smith’s Division came up Sunday evening, as likewise did Hooker’s, and other troops of Heintzelman’s Corps, which was further to the left.
BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.
As our troops drew near the forts, Monday morning, a heavy artillery fire was poured upon them, followed by musketry. The Thirty-third overtook the Division while it was progressing. Meanwhile General Hooker, who was advancing further to the left, fiercely engaged the enemy, who came out on the plain to meet him, and being pressed by overwhelming numbers, was obliged to fall back to the support of General Peck’s Brigade. About eleven o’clock, General Hancock, who was now temporarily commanding the Third Brigade, with his own, was ordered further to the right of the Division, to turn the enemy’s position. The Thirty-third, which had been marching since daylight, Fifth Wisconsin, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, and Sixth and Seventh Maine, were assigned to this duty. After proceeding about two miles to the right, and in view of York River, they changed their course to the left, and crossed King’s Creek, on a high dam built by the enemy to “back up” the water, and thereby render the stream unfordable. The overflow or pond thus made, extended nearly a mile, and in front of a portion of their entrenchments. Situated upon the high land at the western extremity of it, was one of the earthworks previously mentioned, strongly built, and with deep broad moats in front. Further back, and towards the York, were two others constructed, on a still higher rise of ground, and surrounded with numerous rifle-pits. They were, however, now all deserted. Just before reaching the dam, the three left Companies of the Thirty-third—B, Capt. White, G, Capt. Hamilton, and K, Capt. McGraw, were left, under Lieut. Col. Corning, to guard the forks of the road. After the force crossed, they were ordered forward, and took possession of the first fort, Major Platner being left in command of them.
General Hancock continued to move forward, and having advanced half a mile to the left, halted in the field, a short distance from the enemy, and near by an abandoned redoubt. Lieut. Col. Corning was now ordered to take Cos. A, Capt. Guion, D, Lieut. Brown, commanding, and F, Capt. McNair, Regimental Colors and Color Guard, occupy and hold the fort. This was quickly done, and the beautiful banner soon waved from the battlements, where it remained through the fierce conflict which ensued, torn and tattered for the first time by shell and bullets. A few moments later, Colonel Taylor proceeded with the remaining Companies of the Regiment, C, E, H and I, to a body of woods to the right and front, and deployed them as skirmishers.
Wheeler and Cowan’s Batteries moved forward five hundred yards, directly in front of the redoubt and commenced shelling Fort Magruder, in which the enemy were posted. They were supported by the Fifth Wisconsin, whose skirmishers connected with those of the Thirty-third on the right, and Sixth Maine and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania on the left. From the redoubt, occupied by Cos. A, D and F, the ground descended slightly for a few rods, and then became a level plain, extending to Fort Magruder, and presenting but few obstacles to the advance of infantry.
Our artillery kept up a vigorous fire until two o’clock in the afternoon, and then ceased, in accordance, as it was understood, with orders from General McClellan, who had arrived on the opposite side of the creek.
A lull of several hours followed, but the heavy firing from the direction of our left, indicated that a severe engagement was going on there. No other troops had arrived to reinforce Hancock, and he held his position on the enemy’s left flank all day with the small force previously designated. Night was approaching, and the men began to consider what further dispositions were to be made of them, when suddenly the rebels were discovered approaching from the direction of Williamsburg, and rapidly forming two lines of battle, which extended entirely across the plain in front. It required but a glance to divine their object. With overwhelming numbers they expected to press down upon the small force and capture it entire, or drive it pell mell into the creek. General Hancock immediately sent word to the batteries and infantry supports to fall back quickly, which they did, engaging the enemy as they retired. The three Companies of the Thirty-third were ordered out of the redoubt into line of battle, but the Color Sergeant and Guard remained to defend and keep unfurled the banner. The Seventh Maine was likewise posted in line of battle at the right.
On came the swarthy rebels, shouting Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff, their lines unbroken and unchecked, while our guns and the Fifth Wisconsin, Sixth Maine and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, hastily receded, forming on the left of the Thirty-third, as they fell back. The enemy’s flying artillery also moved forward, and discharged shot and shell in quick succession, which fell all around the redoubt. It was a most trying situation—the foe was steadily bearing down upon us, and no reinforcements, were they to be had, could cross the narrow mill-dam in time to render assistance. Still the men faltered not, but nerved themselves for the shock, determined that many of the enemy should bite the dust before they would surrender.
As the rebels drew nearer and nearer, the men fired rapidly, but failed to make any impression upon their lines, which swept over the plain in most perfect order. They had now arrived within seventy yards of the redoubt. Lieutenant Brown and many other brave fellows had fallen mortally wounded. The cannoniers with their guns, and members of other Regiments, were hurrying back to the dam to escape. The right and left of the line were wavering, and it seemed as if all was lost.
At this critical juncture, the Lieutenant Colonel, turning to Colonel Taylor, who had just arrived from the skirmish line, remarked, “Nothing but a charge can check them.” “A charge it shall be,” he replied, and instantly waving his sword in the air, shouted, “Forward, men,” “Charge bayonets,” added Lieut. Colonel Corning, and the brave fellows, to a man, sprang forward on the double quick, and were soon lost in the cloud of smoke which enveloped the plain. Incited by this gallant example of three Companies charging a whole Division, other Regiments followed. Alarmed at this sudden counter charge, and doubtless fearing that they had underrated our force, the enemy broke and ran in confusion. In vain the commanding officer attempted to rally them. Sauve qui peut became the order of the day. The Thirty-third, which was close on the front line when it broke, halted, and discharged volley after volley upon the gray-backs, as they scampered over the plain. The other regiments now joined them, and for several moments a most murderous fire was poured upon the panic stricken fugitives, who never stopped until they reached their entrenchments. Many tumbled over on their backs and feigned death, while others ran towards us with uplifted hands, imploring that we would spare their lives.
More than two hundred of them lay dead and wounded on the field, including the Lieut. Colonel and Major of the Twenty-fourth Virginia, and a Captain on Magruder’s Staff.
It was a most daring and brilliant exploit, deciding the fortunes of the day, and turning what was, up to this time, a defeat on the left, into a substantial victory.
The four Companies deployed as skirmishers on the left, to prevent a flank movement, were not idle during this time. Colonel Taylor had posted them just beyond a small creek, nearly on a parallel with the first position occupied by the batteries, as follows: Co. C, Capt. Cole, right; H, Capt. Drake, centre; E, Capt. Warford, left, and I, Capt. Root, in rear and reserve. On his departure, Capt. Warford was placed in command of the line.
After they had been in position a short time, Lieutenant Gummer, of Co. E, was sent with ten of Captain Cole’s men one hundred and fifty yards in front, as a party of observation. Having made a proper survey of the vicinity, he returned and reported to headquarters. Firing now commenced between the skirmishers on the left, and Captain Warford ordered Captain Root forward to strengthen the line. Soon after, the enemy’s charging column made its appearance from the direction of Williamsburg, and dashing into the woods, struck the skirmish line on the right of Co. E. Brisk firing ensued, our skirmishers falling back into the forest, and the enemy pushing on to the open fields at the left.
Owing to the confusion resulting from the sudden turn of affairs, Captain Root was unable to find the skirmish line, and consequently placed in an awkward position, the enemy being all around him. His men were not dismayed, however, but after receding two hundred yards, halted. A small party of rebels who had broke away from the main force, now approached, and when within a short distance were fired upon. Taking them to be friends they cried out, “Don’t fire, you are shooting your own men.” At this Captain R. ordered them to advance and surrender; and they were, much to their surprise and chagrin, made prisoners. One of the officers attempted to escape, but the Captain made after him and compelled him to deliver up his sword. Other prisoners were afterwards taken, and when the number was swelled to forty, Captain R, concluding that he had his hands full, left the woods, and marched them off to the redoubt with his Company of twenty-seven men.
Not knowing that the wavering in the line was occasioned by the attack of the enemy’s storming column, Captain Warford attempted to rally it instead of ordering it to retreat. While doing so, he was informed that some stragglers wished to give themselves up, but seeing nothing of them, started back to a small support in the rear. On the way, an officer approached him and said, “We are falling back,” mistaking him for a fellow rebel. The Captain immediately captured him. The enemy had now been routed, and numerous stragglers ran into the woods, and were taken by the Captain’s men. Frequent shots were exchanged, and several of Cos. E and H wounded. He was himself repeatedly shot at, but escaped without a scratch.
When the enemy’s column advanced into the woods, it passed through Captain Drake’s Company (H), which was in the centre of the skirmish line, and captured several of his men. After it had gone by, a body of fifty stragglers returned and suddenly attacked him in the rear. Being thus surrounded on all sides he, together with several more of his men, were compelled to surrender. On being ordered to give up his sword to a non-commissioned officer, he refused, but presented it to a rebel Lieutenant, who soon after came up. He and twenty of his men were hurried off to Williamsburg, and a few days later taken to Richmond. After being confined there and at Salsbury, N.C., several months, he was exchanged and rejoined the Regiment in Maryland.
Capt. Cole’s Company took thirty-seven prisoners, who were dispatched to headquarters, under charge of Lieut. Brett. Wm. Moran (private), not satisfied with halting and compelling them to deliver up their arms, made the prisoners get down on their knees and “surrender unconditionally.” “Down on your knays, d—n you,” was the order which he administered to every one he found. He and others of the Company were afterwards complimented in a Special Order for their conduct on this occasion.
Separated, and each one fighting on their “own hook,” it was marvellous that all of these four Companies were not captured by the enemy. But owing to the heavy rain which prevailed, and thick underbrush concealing their strength and movements, they not only effected their escape, but brought away nearly as many prisoners as they numbered men. This constituted a fitting sequel to the operations of the other portion of the Regiment.
Thus terminated the Battle of Williamsburg, in which the Thirty-third captured alone one hundred and fifty prisoners, and won the plaudits of the whole army for its gallant charge. During the following night the enemy evacuated the city, and its surrounding works, retreating back to the Chickahominy. The Thirty-third slept on their arms, and on the following day encamped near York River.
On the evening of the 7th, Gen. McClellan rode into camp on his favorite bay charger, and the Regiment being drawn up in line, he addressed them as follows:
Officers and Soldiers of the Thirty-third:
“I have come to thank you in person for gallant conduct on the field of battle on the 5th instant. I will say to you what I have said to other Regiments engaged with you. All did well—did all I could expect. But you did more; you behaved like Veterans. You are Veterans—Veterans of a hundred battles could not have done better! Those on your left fought well; but you won the day! You were at the right point, did the right thing, and at the right time. You shall have Williamsburg inscribed on your Banner.”
This brief speech from the Commanding General occasioned the wildest enthusiasm among the men, and as “Little Mac” rode away, followed by his Staff, cheer after cheer rent the air. During the same evening a beautiful roan horse was presented to Adj. Sutton by the Regiment.