The story of the Thirty Eighth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers

by George Whitefield Powers

The artillery directed a heavy fire upon the fortifications from various points, dismounting cannon, and blowing up caissons; the skirmishers had worked their way up to the ditch in front of the breastworks, and were seen running up the embankment; and the fire from the enemy had almost ceased. It was generally believed that the outer line of works had been abandoned; and the regiment, issuing from the rear of the battery, formed in line of battle, and charged on the double-quick; but, on account of the ravines and fallen timber on each side of the roadway, the line of battle could not be maintained, and the order was given, “by the right flank,” which movement was immediately executed. Another regiment was in advance, and through some misapprehension, did not go forward, causing the two commands to be mixed up, the colors being nearly side by side.

By this time, the breastworks were fully manned, and a volley of musketry met the advancing column; but there was no hesitation, when, to the surprise of the regiment, the order came to “lie down.” Accustomed to obey orders promptly, the men dropped at once, some in the roadway, others in the ravines to the right and left. And now the enemy had it all their own way. Safe behind their works, they took deliberate aim at every man in that exposed position who showed signs of life. Lieut. Col. Rodman, rising to give or receive an order, was struck in the breast by a bullet, and fell lifeless, the command then devolving upon Capt. Wyman, of Co. B. For hours, the men in the roadway remained beneath the scorching sun, suffering for want of water, and knowing that the least movement would be the signal for a death-messenger from the enemy; yet, notwithstanding the constant artillery and musketry fire, men slept soundly at times. During the afternoon, the dry brush and trees in the ravines took fire, adding to the intense heat, and driving portions of the troops to seek new cover. The assault on other portions of the line had been equally unsuccessful, and the casualties still larger, an unusual number of commanding officers being among the killed; but the ground was held; and, before night, the men had acquired such a knowledge of the position, and availed themselves so thoroughly of every advantage afforded by the ravines, that it was unsafe for a rebel to show his head above the breastworks.

The casualties in the Thirty Eighth had been few, considering the severe fire to which it was exposed; and the rebels must have discharged their muskets at random. There had been three killed and fourteen wounded.

The regiment remained on the field through the night, the dead and wounded having been taken to the rear before dark. A few extracts from letters written at the time, may perhaps give a better idea of the events that transpired within the following week, with the impressions of the men, the rumors, etc., than any more formal account:

“Thursday, May, 28.... The rebels opened fire this morning from their batteries, and ours replied, blowing up a caisson of ammunition inside of the works. A flag of truce was put up soon after, and the firing ceased. Both sides have been burying the dead this forenoon; and we have been lying in the ravine, near the works, the sun coming down hot. The truce will be up at two o’clock, I believe, when the battle will probably begin again.

“Friday morning, 29th. The flag of truce was up till seven o’clock last night. There was perfect quiet along the entire line; and officers and men were scattered over the field, looking for the dead and wounded, and gazing at the works in front of us. Two companies of the One Hundred and Sixtieth New York were in the ditch in front of the works; and the rebels occasionally looked over, and chatted with them. We understood that the long truce was on account of some negotiations; the rebels offering to surrender the place if allowed to march out with military honors. These terms were not accepted, and the truce was to terminate at seven. Just before that hour, we received orders to keep under cover, as the battle was to commence as soon as the flags were withdrawn. We watched the little white signals closely. Ours was taken down, and then that of the enemy was withdrawn. In a few minutes, the ball opened on our side, and, for about an hour, the roar of cannon and musketry was continuous. The firing gradually died away, with the exception of a little skirmishing, which was kept up during the night, with an occasional discharge from the batteries, to let them know that we were on the alert. We kept awake all night, ready to drive them back, if they attempted to cut their way through, which it was thought they might possibly do.... There is not much fighting this morning, although a bullet hums by when any one goes for water or shows his head above the level of the hill.

“Saturday morning, May 30.... We remained in the ravines yesterday, the right and left wings of the regiment having changed position. Skirmishing was kept up all day, and the batteries were at work a portion of the time; but the firing was not very heavy. A smart shower passed over toward evening, soaking us through, and we had a prospect of passing a very disagreeable night, for it is quite cool yet without blankets, even when one is dry. Just at dark, however, we were relieved by the Twelfth Maine, and sent into the woods in rear of the batteries.”

This three days’ exposure to alternate heat and moisture broke down many constitutions that had borne up under all the severe marching through the Tèche country; and men were daily sent to the rear, the majority of whom died before, or soon after, reaching Baton Rouge, to which place the sick and wounded men were at first sent. It would be impossible, in the limits of this sketch, to give an extended notice of all who died from hard service during the campaigns of the regiment; but the writer has taken pains to prepare a correct list, which will be found in another place; and the facts will also be appended to each name in its appropriate place in the company.

After reaching the position selected in the woods, the blankets were brought, and, still wet through, the regiment laid down to rest without equipments on, for the first time since the morning of the assault.

Although the batteries kept up an occasional fire through the night, it did not prevent sleep; and even when a stray shell from the other side went wandering carelessly through the forest, making a path among the thick woods, it was scarcely heeded, so exhausted had the men become from the week’s labor.