FOR FUN AND FROLIC.
We were armed with the old Buck and Ball musket, which we were to exchange for the Enfield rifles. Word was given to the different companies to send details for guns. The Company B detail was dispatched. Soon the boxes were brought, and opened. Behold a mistake had been made, and the boys thought on purpose. Instead of the Enfield, the boxes contained the same kind of guns we already had. The men were indignant, and refused to accept them, but finally concluded to use them awhile, as they were new and bright. The guns were distributed, and boxes ordered back, a procession formed a la funeral. An escort, with reversed guns, and music, and every conceivable thing that any noise could be got out of, followed to Quarter master’s depot. A volley was fired over the boxes, and the procession returned to quarters. Soon, a racket was heard in vicinity of Company B. Every other man had a gun sling around his body, and was down on all-fours. The other fellows had a gun thrust between the gun-sling and along the man’s spine, firing blank cartridges. As soon as the gun was fired, the man on the ground would assume a sitting posture, with the muzzle up. Then the gunner would ram cartridge, and the gun would immediately assume the horizontal, again to be fired. There were some 40 of the company engaged in this. That night, after the racket, the 14th New York’s Sutler lost a barrel of whiskey, rolled out from under his tent early in the evening, while the proprietor was engaged in front with a special delegation sent to occupy him and his assistants, while the feat was being performed. It never was found, but you could buy a canteen-full for $5.00 of one who knew where it was. Details were made to hunt for it, but it was never brought to view, but some of the detail were quite drunk when they returned. I will relate an incident that occurred while encamped on Arlington, as stated before in this narrative: while stationed there, we were daily beset by hucksters and traffickers. They would vend their wares to the boys, and go away, apparently happy, but soon return again, seeming to be dissatisfied with what they received for their goods. One day, a pompous Jew drove over from Georgetown, a big wagon-load of goods drawn by four-in-hand. Sales were small until he struck Company B, the writer’s company. Here he cried his wares. Finally a syndicate was formed, and approached the vender of goods, with the proposition to buy his entire stock. They would give so much, provided he had a certain amount of the ardent in his outfit. He seemed to be satisfied with the situation, and answered, he had what they desired. The bargain was closed, and money paid in bills. Our goods were unloaded, and he departed, highly elated. But it was not long. He soon returned, alone, and inquired of the writer for the Colonel’s tent. The writer edged around, as near as possible, to hear what was said. The Jew was swinging his arms, and gesticulating fiercely. The Colonel listened until he got through, then I heard him say, in reply, “you ought to be satisfied with small profits on so large a sale.” He replied: “Colonel, the monish is not good, it is one Erie and Kalamazoo monish.” The Colonel told him the result was as good as the intent, and dismissed him, and we did not see him again. The boys bought him out slick and clean, for 600 dollars, and paid him in new and crisp Michigan Insurance and older bills of Erie and Kalamazoo. I will say, Company B, was made up of one or two doctors, as many lawyers, and one preacher, and the rest were gentlemen. The writer was identified with the latter class.
THE REGIMENT MOVED.
With the advance of the army from Minor’s Hill, and to Fairfax, passed beyond that dilapidated and dingy looking town, historical, much speculation indulged in, in regard to what route would be adopted “On to Richmond.” It was finally decided to take the route via Alexandria down the Potomac to Fort Monroe. Accordingly, the columns were put in motion, and in due time the army arrived at above named place. Our Division passed out beyond Hampton, and went into camp, for a few days, then marched en route to Yorktown, by way of Big Bethel. On our arrival within cannon shot of Rebel fortifications, we were greeted by a general shower of shot and shell, from Rebel Batteries, which went screeching and screaming over our heads. The 4th had the advance at the right, toward the Rebel Left. As we drew nearer, they got our range. Their shot plunged and shells burst in and all around us with but little damage, but made the situation decidedly unpleasant. Our column filed to the right, following a ravine, which extended to extreme left of Rebel Earthworks. General Charles Griffin commanded our Division, and his old battery was on hand, that he had formerly commanded. He immediately ordered it to the front, out in open space, and commenced shelling the Rebel works. Cannonading was lively for a while, on both sides. The Rebels evidently misunderstood the demonstrations, so audaciously made in their front, and expected an immediate assault all along the line. They apparently reserved their fire for closer work, but were disappointed in that. The army settled down to a siege. We were constantly under fire, from time of arrival in front of their works, until evacuation of same, on picket line, bivouac and skirmishing. No let up night and day. Casualties were quite frequent. If a picket guard showed his head it was a target as soon as seen. Picketing was extremely dangerous business. The guard were posted under darkness of night and was relieved the same. In front of Rebel works was an open plain. The boys would dig holes, under cover of darkness, and through the day would burrow like gophers. Hence gopher holes, had dirt piled up in front with a hole at base, for to shoot through. Was death to the man who got his cranium above the obstruction in front of him. A thrilling incident occurred at this time. General Fitz John Porter, who commanded the 5th corps, went up in a balloon to take observations of rebel works. It was controlled by ropes, held by men on the ground. After getting up the right distance, the guy became detached, through some cause, and the balloon floated at will, first over Rebs, then back on our side, swayed by the wind. All this while, Porter could be seen standing up in the car, with spy glass in hand, scanning the Rebel fortifications; and the Johnnies everlastingly yelling, and trying to elevate their guns to reach him, but failed. The elevation was too steep for their gunnery. Finally he descended to our side, amid shouts of the whole army. It was hard telling at one time into what hands he would fall. The siege went on. A heavy water battery of one hundred pounders was placed on York River, at the extreme left of Rebel works. The 4th was stationed at that point. These guns were worked spasmodically. Rebs could not reply to them. York River, at this point, was full of oysters—some the largest I ever saw. We often went in after a supply. It was dangerous business. The Rebel pickets, on opposite side, were alert and invariably fired on any one who had the hardihood to approach the water for them. The writer ventured in one day for some of the bivalves, and was industriously searching for the precious article. I succeeded in exhuming a monster big one, and was looking for more, when zip, pinge, came the warning to get out. I was in such a hurry I forgot to take along my find, and you could not see my coat tail for the water splashing behind me. I did not want any more oysters on that special occasion. Yorktown was evacuated on the night of May 4th and 5th, 1862; our army had been to vast labor, and the government to tremendous expense and worry. A bloody battle was fought at Williamsburg; the 4th were not engaged at that battle. We were sent via West Point, and followed on to Chickahominy. The time occupied between Yorktown and our arrival at the Chickahominy, was marching, and camping under great hardships; mud and heat had to be contended with. When within a few miles of Chickahominy, the 4th was detached from the column, and in a pouring rain, were hustled on to the river. When within half a mile of it we met a squadron of cavalry, which had been to the point, came back full well. We were ordered, “Battalion into line, double quick;” my company being on the left, did some tall running over bogs, ditches and small brush, to get our place in line. We struck the river at New Bridge, and met a sharp fire from opposite side. We were dressed up under this fire. Our first man was killed here, A. M., D. Piper, of Company B. He was shot dead. He was the largest man in the company. I was first sergeant at the time, and touched elbows with him when he fell. The boys named him Elephant, on account of his immense size. Our Colonel, D. A. Woodbury, seeing our disadvantage, rode his horse down to the river and ordered us to cross. At this time the Johnnies were seen to get to the woods beyond. About 20th of May my company plunged into the water, arm-pits deep. Company A crossed over to the right, in a bend of the river. We found 28 dead rebels in our immediate front. We brought over some wounded rebels, and on our return the water was chin deep to the writer, it having rained all this time heavily. There were four or five of my company wounded. The rebels had taken the plank from the bridge, and ranged two pieces of cannon on the same. We held this point as a picket line until battle of Gains Mills. The crossing of Chickahominy occurred on May 24th, 1862.
Here I first saw Custer. He was sent by McClellan to assist our cavalry in conducting the establishment of picket lines at New Bridge. He crossed the river four times, on horseback, to my certain knowledge. He encouraged us boys with the example, and his cheering remarks, such as go in Wolverines, give them h—l, and we did. The Johnnies outnumbered us six to one, but they were deceived in our strength, supposing us to be a regular advance of our army. I am pained to read of the deprecating language of Major Reno, 7th Regiment Cavalry, in regard to the gallant Custer.
This fight caused General McClellan to dispatch to the War Department, the following: “Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the Rebels from Mechanicsville, seven miles from New Bridges. The 4th Michigan about used up the Louisiana Tigers. Fifty prisoners, and fifty killed and wounded.”
Mr. Greeley, in his American Conflict, says: “The first collision on the Chickahominy, between the advance of McClellan’s army and the Rebels, occurred near New Bridge, where the 4th Michigan, Colonel Woodbury, waded the stream and assaulted and drove off a superior force, losing but eight men in all, and taking thirty-seven prisoners, of whom fifteen were wounded.” After establishing line of pickets on or along the river, the regiment went into camp on Gains’ Farm, on left bank of Chickahominy, about one mile from river. Soon after, the battle of Fair Oaks was fought in plain sight of our camp. It continued ’till early in the evening. We could see the flash of bursting shells and vomiting cannon. The excitement among the men of the regiment was very manifest. It is certainly pleasanter, at a distance, to witness a battle, than to participate in one. Distance is more agreeable than being too intimate with the struggle.
An advance from our position, at that time, was contemplated upon Richmond. A heavy rainstorm was raging at the time. The regiment stood in ranks all one day, in this rain—so did the whole army—waiting orders to cross the Chickahominy. The flats each side of the river were flooded from two to four feet deep. Whirling and seething in its course, it was impossible to cross, and had to be abandoned. A howl went up all over the north, because of the failure, but was not attributed to the high water, but to cautiousness or cowardice of the commander. It could not be done in the face of such difficulties. If ever there was an interposition of Providence, it was manifested at that time, for if we had crossed the river with the view of attacking Richmond, I believe the Army of the Potomac would have ceased to exist as an organization. Picketing and camp routine was daily gone through with at this time; but little excitement, and nothing startling occurred. I think, May 27th, a column was marched to Hanover Court House to our right and rear. It was reported the Rebels were threatening our base. The 4th Regiment was a part of the troops composing that movement. We marched to Hanover. The front and rear of the column had a fight with the Johnnies. The 4th was but slightly engaged. The 9th Massachusetts, one of our brigade, had a lively chase after the enemy,—charged them out of a piece of woods, and down a grade, towards a railroad, via Hanover and Richmond. The 44th New York were badly cut up, being the regiment in the rear of the column that the Rebels attacked with great fury. The 44th stood their ground with great bravery and determination until assistance arrived. The enemy was driven off, and the column returned to camp. Company B, of the 4th, acted as flankers on the return to camp, 14 miles away. By the way, the duties of flankers are very tedious and arduous, especially over a rough country, and is attended with a good deal of danger. On our way back, when near camp, the regiment halted in the road, with low hanging trees on one side of the road (the flankers had been called in,) with thick underbush. Some telegraph wires were laying along on the limbs. Some mischievous fellow in the rear drummed with his gun on them, causing a vibration of sound similar to a noise caused by a charging mule team running away. The result was, the road was vacated in two seconds. The writer jumped, and supposed he was jumping up grade, but instead, jumped 20 feet down grade, into a hole. The scare was over, and the column soon made camp. Many lost their caps, the writer among the rest. I distinctly saw the colonel and adjutant’s horses leap a ditch fence on the north side of the road. If I could have known the fellow who caused the stampede, I think I could have mauled him—and think I would, had I caught him. As it is, the friction is now worn off, and he is safe. I will say, the column was marching left in front. That put the writer’s company to the front. Hence the scare at our end of the regiment. The army indulged in a grand review at this place. General Prim, the Spanish Patriot, was present, and, I think, President Lincoln, but am not positive as to the latter being present. The little general humped around after Mac., who was a splendid rider—none were more accomplished than Little Mac. Prim was not used to such rough ground and hard riding, hence his unsteady seat. While in camp, our quartermaster thought to regale us with the luxury of dried apple pies, shortened with bacon grease. He had procured a portable oven, and dispensed his goodies to the boys, at twenty five cents a small section. The writer remembers of being very sick from eating pie, in fact, the only time he remembers of being sick, until subsequently, after being wounded at Gettysburg.