CHAPTER V.
Battery H with the Ninth Corps Moves towards Fairfax Court House—March to the Rapidan—Battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania—Battery Ordered to Washington—Fort Richardson.
As our battery had now joined its fortunes for a time with a corps that had won a well-earned reputation for valor shown on many hard contested fields, it was but natural we should realize that we were leaving behind us the comparative quiet of a defensive position to enter upon the more exciting scenes of aggressive warfare. What the future had in store for us we could only conjecture, but we were desirous of performing our share of labor and privation if we could but hasten the final overthrow of the fratricidal strife now waging so fiercely in our land.
April 27th. At eight A. M. the battery moved with the corps on the road towards Fairfax Court House. Our division led the advance. Camped that night at the above named place.
April 28th. Marched to Bristoe Station, arriving there at eight P. M., and encamped for the night.
April 29th. At seven A. M. moved with our brigade and division to Catletts’ Station; reached there about two P. M. First Sergt. Charles E. Bonn left us to-day, he having received a commission as second lieutenant in Battery D, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. We bade him “good bye” with regret, as he had proved himself an efficient soldier and worthy comrade.
May 1st. No forward movement of our corps this beautiful Sabbath day, and we are enjoying ourselves by remaining quiet in camp. In the night a severe rain storm came on, which made our situation anything but agreeable, and was a strange contrast to the earlier part of the day.
May 2d. We received to-day twenty-five attached men from the Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery. It was a welcome accession as our battery was greatly reduced in numbers. One of the Fourteenth shot himself severely in the hand, which will probably disable him for future service in the army.
May 4th. Moved at 7.30 A. M. Our battery and brigade took the advance. Marched as far as Brandy Station, where, after a brief halt, we again started on our way toward Rappahannock Station, and encamped on the same ground occupied by our right section one year ago, when it was performing picket duty on the Rappahannock River.
May 5th. Moved at 5.45 A. M. and crossed the Rapidan. The Army of the Potomac was now about to begin a campaign which was to finally result in crushing out the Rebellion. Upon the advance of the army soon after midnight, May 3d and 4th, from its position north of the Rapidan, the Ninth Corps, which had been guarding the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Bull Run moved forward to preserve control of it in case the crossing of the Union army should be long delayed. On receiving word that the army had safely crossed the Rapidan, Burnside moved across with his corps and found our troops hotly engaged with the enemy. And now began the sanguinary battle of the Wilderness. The country into which the Union army had advanced was heavily wooded and covered with dwarf pines, cedars and scrub oaks, and presented serious obstacles for the movement of infantry, while it was wholly unfit for the use of cavalry or artillery. Our battery encamped that night near the Rapidan, and we were ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice.
On the morning of the 6th of May Hancock with his corps was ordered by General Grant to make an assault in his front at five o’clock. General Burnside, who was approaching with his two divisions (the other, the colored division, having been sent to guard the wagon train,) was directed to move in between Wadsworth’s division of Warren’s corps, which was on the right of Hancock, and the remainder of Warren’s corps, which was still further to the right. Burnside was ordered, if he should succeed in breaking the enemy’s centre, to swing around to the left and envelop the right of Lee’s army. He arrived at the Wilderness Tavern at 6.50 A. M., and at that time was directed to send a division to the support of Hancock, but to continue with the remainder of his command in the execution of his previous order. Burnside had great difficulty in making his way through the dense forests which retarded his progress, but he finally succeeded in getting into the position assigned him.
Our battery marched at four A. M. to near Chancellorsville, where we heard heavy firing at the front. As we approached the Wilderness we passed many of the wounded going to the rear. We moved towards Yellow Pine Church and joined the artillery reserve of the Ninth Corps, commanded by Capt. John Edwards, Jr. Here we saw our infantry charging and driving the enemy across Mine Run. The Confederates reformed charged in return, forcing our troops back, to be driven themselves again in turn. This was repeated three times until our men finally held the ground and the enemy retired. The battery went into position near Yellow Pine Church, well advanced, remaining in position till nearly dark, then changed position and moved to the left and halted near Chancellorsville. After a brief stay here we marched a few miles and halted in the vicinity of Marysville, remaining in the saddle all night. We learned that our troops had taken 2,000 prisoners and forty-two pieces of artillery during the day. Thus ended the battle of the Wilderness. Our losses were severe. Those of the enemy were even more so.
On the evening of May 7th the army commenced its march towards Spottsylvania Court House. General Grant’s object in moving to this place was to prevent Lee from returning to Richmond in time to attempt to crush Butler, who was at City Point. By accident Lee obtained possession of Spottsylvania before our troops arrived. He had ordered Longstreet’s corps, now commanded by Anderson, to move in the morning (the 8th), but the woods being still on fire Anderson could not go into bivouac and marched directly to Spottsylvania that night. Some fortifications had already been thrown up here, and the Confederates immediately began to extend them, while a force was sent out to delay the advance of the Federal army. General Warren’s corps, after marching all night, reached a point about three miles from Spottsylvania Court House early Sunday morning, May 8th. As General Warren’s troops advanced the enemy’s artillery commenced to throw shells at it, but their cavalry and infantry fell back without offering much resistance. It soon appeared that they had selected a better position for battle. As the Union troops reached a large clearing the artillery of the rebels was found posted there with infantry supports. Beyond these was other infantry supports. General Warren immediately made preparations for battle. The Union troops were soon engaged and an obstinate combat ensued. The losses were large and many officers fell, and regiments that went into the contest two or three hundred strong returned with a mere handful of men. General Warren, however, steadily gained ground in spite of the efforts of the enemy to drive him back, and in the afternoon, being reinforced by a brigade from General Sedgwick’s corps, he succeeded in driving the enemy back to their intrenched line. The battle then ceased till the other corps should arrive and get into position. On the morning of May 7th, we find Battery H moving towards Mary’s Cross Roads, where it halted and awaited orders.
May 8th, the battery marched at seven A. M., crossed the Po River and halted near Spottsylvania Court House. We could hear heavy cannonading on our extreme front.
On the 9th Battery H occupied the same position as the day before, opposite the court house. It was a great boon to our men to be allowed to obtain some needed rest, as they were very tired, and our horses had not been unharnessed for three days and nights. Most of this day was occupied by the Federal troops (nearly all of which arrived during the night and on that morning) in manœuvring to obtain good positions for further operations and in throwing up breastworks. It was while posting his forces and superintending the mounting of some artillery that the intrepid commander of the Sixth Corps, the lamented Sedgwick, was killed by one of the sharpshooters of the enemy. He was remonstrated with for exposing himself unnecessarily, for the bullets were whizzing through the air uncomfortably close to those standing near the general. “Why,” said Sedgwick, “they cannot hit an elephant at this distance.” Hardly had these words been uttered when the bullet of the sharpshooter struck him, and he fell into the arms of his attendant officer. He was one of the ablest soldiers in the army. He was modest, manly and courageous. General Grant says of him: “His loss was a severe one to the Army of the Potomac and to the nation.” He was beloved by the soldiers of the Sixth Corps, who regarded him as a father.
May 10th. At ten A. M. the march of our battery was reversed to Mary’s Cross Roads. Marched a few miles and camped for the night. We found the roads very muddy. Our base of supplies having been changed to Aquia Creek, we were ordered to join General Abercrombie’s forces at that place.
We learn that in the fight at Spottsylvania to-day the commander of our division in the Ninth Corps, Brig.-Gen. Thomas G. Stevenson, was killed. He was a brave and fearless soldier. Woodbury, in his Burnside and the Ninth Corps, says of him: “But the Ninth Corps suffered a severe loss in the death of General Stevenson, the commander of the First Division. He was killed early in the day by one of the enemy’s riflemen, while near his headquarters.” He further says: “He was the son of Hon. J. Thomas Stevenson (of Boston), well known as an able lawyer and a sagacious man of affairs. He was educated in the best schools of Boston, and at an early age he entered the counting-room of one of the most active merchants of that city. There by his faithfulness in duty, his promptness, and his generosity of disposition, he secured the entire confidence and love of his principal and the high esteem of the business community, and a brilliant commercial career opened before him. But when his country called him he could not neglect her summons. The parting words of his father to himself and his younger brother when they left home for the field well express the appreciation in which his domestic virtues were held: ‘Be as good soldiers as you have been sons. Your country can ask no more than that of you, and God will bless you.’
“In the spring of 1861 he was orderly sergeant of the New England Guards, and, upon the formation of the Fourth battalion of Massachusetts infantry he was chosen captain of one of its companies. On the 25th of April the battalion was sent to garrison Fort Independence, in Boston Harbor, and, on the 4th of May, Captain Stevenson was promoted to the rank of major. In this position he was distinguished for an excellent faculty for discipline and organization, which were subsequently of great benefit to him. On the first of August he received authority to raise and organize a regiment of infantry for a term of three years, and on the 7th of September he went into camp at Readville with twenty men. On the 9th of December he left the State of Massachusetts with the Twenty-fourth regiment—one of the finest and best drilled, organized, equipped and disciplined body of troops that Massachusetts had yet sent to the war. His regiment was assigned to General Foster’s brigade in the North Carolina expedition, and he soon gained the respect and friendship of his superior officers.
“The conduct of the Twenty-fourth regiment and its commander in North Carolina has already been made a matter of record. When Colonel Stevenson was assigned to the command of a brigade, in April, 1862, the choice was unanimously approved by his companions-in-arms. General Burnside regarded him as one of his best officers. ‘He has shown great courage and skill,’ once wrote the general, ‘and in organization and discipline he has no superior.’ General Foster was enthusiastic in his commendation. ‘He stands as high as any officer or soldier in the army of the United States,’ said he, ‘on the list of noble, loyal and devoted men.’ On the 27th of December he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and, on the 14th of March, 1863, he was confirmed and commissioned to that grade. In February, 1863, he accompanied General Foster to South Carolina, where his brigade was attached to the Tenth Corps, and where he served with great fidelity and zeal throughout the year under Generals Foster, Hunter and Gillmore. In April, 1864, he reported to General Burnside at Annapolis, and was assigned to the command of the First Division.”
May 11th. Early this morning 9,000 rebel prisoners taken at the battle of Spottsylvania passed our camp going to the rear under guard.
May 12th. The men were given permission to view forty-two pieces of artillery taken from the enemy at Spottsylvania, as they were parked in the vicinity of our camp. Marched at seven A. M. to Oak Hill and camped for the night. Here we found batteries D and G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, the Third New Jersey, Second Maine, Eleventh Massachusetts, and Twenty-second New York batteries, and the First Rhode Island Cavalry, besides three regiments of the infantry of the Invalid Corps.
May 13th. Marched at seven A. M. for Marye’s Heights, where we encamped for the night.
May 14th. Although yesterday was stormy, this morning it cleared off and the weather was very pleasant, giving the men an opportunity to dry their clothing. About eleven P. M. we were routed out, ordered to hitch up and prepare to move at a moment’s notice.
May 15th. At four A. M. made preparations to move, but did not get started until six A. M., when we marched as far as Belle Fonte and encamped.
May 16th. At eight A. M. our battery moved into Fredericksburg and went into camp on the west side of the city. While here permission was given our men to visit the place and observe the effects of the destruction made by the shot and shell of Burnside’s army in 1862. Some of the churches and houses were badly riddled. Our corps commander, General Abercrombie, is waiting for the Eighth Corps to pass through the city to the front; then we will cross the Rappahannock River and march to Aquia Creek Landing to guard the base of supplies.
May 17th. Marched at 7.30 A. M. through Fredericksburg, crossing the Rappahannock River on pontoons, and encamped near Falmouth for the night.
May 18th. Again on the move towards Aquia Creek Landing. On arriving there went into camp on high land near the Landing.
May 19th. It is raining this morning and our boys are out on a foraging expedition, searching for hard tack and salt pork, for we are very short of rations, being allowanced to three hard tack a day until our supplies are brought down the river. There was a regiment of heavy artillery breaking camp near us and they left a number of boxes of hard bread and some salt pork, which our men brought into camp, and it proved a welcome addition to our stock of rations until our supplies can be forwarded to us.
May 20th. During the day four hundred rebel prisoners passed our camp going to the Landing to take the boat north.
May 24th. At seven A. M. we marched to White Oak Barn, reporting to Major Cowan, chief of artillery. Waited in line three hours for the Third New Jersey Battery, which was lost somewhere on the road. When they came up our chief of artillery rode out to meet the captain. The major said: “Captain, where have you been?” “I have been trying to find the ‘white oak barn’ all the morning,” replied the Jerseyman. The major then said: “Here is the ‘White Oak Barn,’ captain, right here.” After a hearty laugh at the expense of the Jerseyman, the whole command moved to and through Fredericksburg and encamped a few miles beyond the city, and were guarded by the First Rhode Island Cavalry. Towards morning we marched to Westmoreland Plain.
May 25th. Moved at 7.30 A. M. towards Port Royal, Va. One squadron of the First Rhode Island Cavalry acted as advance guard, with squadrons on our right and left flanks as a precautionary measure against a surprise. Our battery followed the advance guard of the First Rhode Island Cavalry. During the day the Third New Jersey Battery again lost its way. The column arrived at Port Conway about 4.30 P. M. Here we found the Third New Jersey in position with their guns trained on the woods beyond the river. At seven P. M. the battery crossed the river on pontoons to Port Royal and encamped a mile and a half from the landing on Dr. Judd’s farm, a short distance from the barn where, in the following year, the assassinator of President Lincoln (Booth) was shot by Sergt. (Boston) Corbett.
May 28th. We are expecting to move with the troops here by transports to protect the capital from an attack by Gen. Jubal Early’s forces who have been detached from Lee’s army and are now moving in the direction of Washington.
Sunday, May 29th. Our battery was put aboard the transport St. Nicholas. We moved out on the river in tow of the steamer General Hooker, having for our protection and escort three gunboats.
May 30th. Steamed down the Rappahannock River at five A. M., under the escort of the gunboats, and anchored opposite Port Tappahannock.
May 31st. Moved again this morning down the river and anchored at nightfall.
June 2d. Arrived at the Sixth Street wharf in Washington at ten P. M., but did not disembark.
June 3d. This morning the battery disembarked, and marched to the Arsenal and turned our pieces over to the authorities in charge there. We then proceeded to the general corral and turned in our horses, as it is rumored that we are to go on duty acting as heavy artillery to garrison the forts in the defenses of Washington. From the corral we marched to the Soldiers Rest, where we were quartered for the night.
June 4th. At ten A. M. marched out of the Soldiers Rest, through Washington over Long Bridge to Fort Richardson, where we are to perform garrison duty for awhile.
First Sergt. George Messinger.