Transcriber’s Note
This ebook was transcribed by a native of the state of Ohio.
This book transcription is dedicated to Thadeus “Ted” Slade, also a native Ohioan and the biggest Civil War history buff I know.
Further notes can be found at the end.
LEWIS P. BUCKLEY, LATE COLONEL 29TH O. V. V. I.
JOURNAL HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-NINTH OHIO
Veteran Volunteers,
1861–1865.
ITS VICTORIES AND ITS REVERSES.
And the campaigns and battles of Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, The March to the Sea, and the campaign of the Carolinas, in which it bore an honorable part.
BY
J. HAMP SeCHEVERELL,
(LATE COMPANY B.)
CLEVELAND:
1883.
Comrades and Friends:
On the twentieth anniversary of the organization of the Twenty-ninth regiment Ohio Veteran volunteer infantry, Comrade J. H. SeCheverell was instructed to prepare a history of the same, and the undersigned were appointed a committee to supervise its publication. Comrade SeCheverell, after months of perplexing labor, completed the manuscript which was examined by us in Cleveland, July 19, 1882. It was then decided to issue fifty proof copies of the work to be put into the hands of members of the regiment for such additions or corrections as should be found necessary. This was done, and after the return of the proofs and the incorporation of whatever corrections they contained, Comrade SeCheverell visited Akron, and spent several days with Colonel Schoonover, to whom was intrusted the corrections for that vicinity, and it is with no small degree of satisfaction that we now present the work to the comrades and friends of the regiment with our hearty endorsement, believing it as complete and perfect as it is possible to make it.
| David W. Thomas, | ⎫ | |
| Thomas W. Nash, | ⎪ | |
| Thaddeus E. Hoyt, | ⎬ | Committee. |
| Erwin F. Mason, | ⎪ | |
| Chauncey H. Coon, | ⎭ |
Cleveland, Ohio, February 1, 1883.
AUTHOR’S PREFACE.
In the following pages no attempt at literary gush is made, the design being simply to preserve from oblivion the record of the valiant deeds of this, the bravest of the brave regiments from the Buckeye State, that in the dim, distant future, when each comrade shall have answered to his last earthly roll-call and gone to the “grand review” with the many whose bones now repose in that far away country of the orange and the magnolia, those left behind may not forget the sacrifices made, and the untold dangers endured for that flag, the beautiful, starry emblem of a now united people, whose supremacy preserved for them the blessings of this great country, the best beneath the ethereal vault of heaven.
The data from which the journal portion of the volume is composed was obtained from members of the regiment, who certify to its correctness. Colonel Jonas Schoonover furnished, from Atlanta to Washington.
The reader will mark the entire absence of personal laudation so common in works of this class, and the crowding of a few favored ones to the front to the exclusion of the hundreds of equally brave and meritorious men in perhaps lowly positions. That the fortunes of war brought many forward with flattering prominence is most true, and that thousands who wore the simple blouse of blue and carried the musket were possessed of merit as great is also true. To have been a member of the Twenty-ninth Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteers is glory enough for a lifetime. If you did your duty, it is well; if you failed, printers’ ink will not make a hero of you. Then let each be content with the happy assurance that he did what he could for the flag.
The writer would acknowledge in an especial manner his obligations to L. D. Drum, adjutant-general of the United States army, for the very complete casualty list at the close of the volume; also, to Samuel B. Smith, adjutant-general of Ohio, Hon. E. B. Taylor, Colonel Edward Hayes, Jonas Schoonover, Captain R. H. Baldwin, George W. Holloway; the members of the very efficient revisory committee, Captains D. W. Thomas, T. W. Nash, Lieutenant T. E. Hoyt, Sergeant E. F. Mason, and C. H. Coon; the Ashtabula Sentinel, Jefferson Gazette, and the Akron Daily News, for numerous courtesies extended to him, during the preparation of this work; and to each comrade and friend who has aided him in his labors, to name all of whom would require many pages. He has conscientiously endeavored to make the volume free from errors. If he has succeeded it will be the first of its kind. However, such as it is, it is presented to the regiment and its friends with the belief that it contains much of value.
Jefferson, Ohio, February 1, 1883.
INTRODUCTION.
The author of this volume has honored me with an invitation to write an “Introduction.” A book without a preface would be an anomaly: in other words, out of harmony with established usage; not strictly important, but answering much the same purpose as the “whereas” preceding the resolutions of the convention.
I have not been permitted to read the author’s manuscript, yet I do not hesitate to assure the reader that as he peruses the pages of the book he will find much to entertain and profit. To the veteran who enlisted and fought in the historic “Twenty-ninth Ohio Veteran volunteer infantry” it will be read with especial interest. The eye will moisten, and the heart swell with mingled emotions as he is reminded again of the varying scenes of the camp, the march, and the battle. Others, too young to remember anything of the war, but who have heard the stories of the conflict from their fathers, will read this historic sketch of the old regiment with the greatest avidity.
We well remember the author as “Hamp,” the drummer boy of Company B, his boyish look, with his neatly-fitting suit of blue, and the tenor drum suspended from his neck, while with nimble fingers he plied the ebony sticks in beating the tattoo, reveille, or the “long roll.”
He has done a real and invaluable service to his comrades in gathering up and condensing in neat and durable form so many interesting facts relating to the work of a noble regiment. So much, at least, is saved from oblivion.
In writing the history of any war only a mere outline can be thought of. Anything like a full and detailed account of what happened is out of the question. Neither time nor space would permit.
The multiplied thousands who carried their muskets and knapsacks on foot all over “Dixie,” and who really did the hard work of the conflict, must be massed in history even as in war they were massed against the foe. Their individual deeds of daring and suffering were not a whit behind those of the great Wellingtons, Washingtons, and Grants. The latter were in positions to glide easily into history, and have their heroic deeds emblazoned and read in the books of every nation. The former may have loved their country as well and fought as bravely for her honor, and yet die in obscurity, “to fortune and to fame unknown.”
Dr. SeCheverell has doubtless done his best under the circumstances to do justice to the name of every member of the old Twenty-ninth. It was known as the Giddings’ regiment, in honor of the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings, for twenty consecutive years a member of the lower house of Congress.
Perhaps no man during his time did more than Mr. Giddings to create public opinion in favor of the freedom of the slave. The regiment was raised almost entirely within the bounds of his old district, and it was fitting that it should bear his name. But I remember that when recruiting it a frequent objection to enlistment was that should any member of the regiment be so unfortunate as to be taken prisoner by the “Rebs,” he would be forthwith shot, hung, or burnt at the stake, particularly on Giddings’ account, and that the name would be so odious in the South, and would so advertise the regiment that every member would be especially hunted down and exterminated.
I think “Hamp” has failed utterly to ascertain that any prisoner from the Twenty-ninth was thus punished, although many of the boys were often in rebel hands.
I have ever considered myself fortunate and honored in having been associated with such a regiment.
I was duly appointed and commissioned as the first chaplain, holding the position one year, resigning at the expiration of that time, and receiving an honorable discharge from the service.
Of the officers of the regiment much might be said. Nobody who ever knew Colonel Buckley will ever forget him. A brave man, a great admirer of order and discipline, faultlessly neat and tidy, a confirmed dyspeptic; yet the most ticklish and fun provoking humor often cropped out in his conversation and intercourse with men. One morning, away down between Bull Run and Fredericksburg, when the tired and jaded men were in line for the day’s march, the Colonel was in his saddle with his toes daintily touching the stirrups, his pale, clean shaven face shaded by the visor of his blue cap, from beneath which his practiced eye swept the whole regiment at a glance, while his well-polished sword, firmly gripped, stood perpendicular, resting against the shoulder; with a stentorian voice he published the following order: “Men of the Twenty-ninth, let there be no straggling on the march to-day. But if any of you do straggle take Twenty-ninth off from your caps and put on One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania.”
The joke on the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania was fully appreciated and immensely enjoyed (a regiment noted for straggling). With roars of laughter the boys shouldered their muskets and knapsacks for another hard day’s march through the pine barrens.
Lieutenant-colonel Clark is remembered as a staunch advocate of temperance, whose interests were ever for the men.
Major Clemmer, as a genial, bluff soldier, whose songs often enlivened the dreariness of the camp or bivouac; and Quartermaster Gibbs, as a man of prompt execution, who expected equal promptness from others. Many anecdotes and incidents of them could be narrated by the page, but I remember that the introduction to the volume is not the place for sketches of this kind; and I fear that I have already introduced much that does not strictly belong to this part of the book. I beg pardon for any seeming trespass in this direction.
This introduction, written in the midst of other pressing duties, with frequent interruptions, now most affectionately inscribes this volume to every member of the Twenty-ninth regiment of Ohio Veteran volunteer infantry; to their wives and their children.
I am happy to enjoy this privilege of saying a few words in Dr. SeCheverell’s book to my old comrades. My prayer is that God will bless every surviving member of the regiment, with their families, also the widows and orphans of deceased members, and that when the battle of life is over, we may wear the victor’s crown in heaven.
R. H. Hurlburt, M.D., D.D.,
Late Chaplain Twenty-ninth regiment, O. V. V. I.
Marion, Iowa, July 18, 1882.
CONTENTS.
The South Preparing for War—The Fall of Sumter—The Grand Rally to the Support of the Flag—Formation of the Regiment
The Departure from Camp Giddings—At the Front—Death of Lander—Advance up the Valley—Winchester
The Battle of Winchester—“Stonewall” Jackson Whipped—Congratulatory Orders and Dispatches
Pursuit of Jackson—The “Long” March—Fredericksburg to Front Royal—March to Waynesboro
Battle of Port Republic—The Twenty-ninth nearly Annihilated
Cedar Mountain—Battle at that Point—Severe Loss of Life—Forward to Alexandria
Return to the Front—Monocacy Bridge—Frederick City—Recruits—Dumfries
Battle of Chancellorsville—March to Leesburg—Littletown and Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg—Official Report of General Meade
Move to Washington—Embark for New York—Return—Transferred to the Western Army
Spring Campaign of 1864—Murfreesboro—“Corporal” Greene—The “Mule Brigade”—Congratulatory
Lookout Mountain—The Fight—Complimentary Reports—Re-enlistment
Shelmound—Wauhatchie Valley—Ringgold—Battle of Dug Gap—On the Move
Battle of Resaca—In pursuit of the Fleeing “Chivalry”(?)
Pumpkin Vine Creek—Slight Unpleasantness—Personal
Advance to Pine Knob—The Fight—A Forward Movement
Battle of Culp’s Farm or Kenesaw mountain—The Glorious Fourth—Advance to the Chattahoochie
Battle of Peach Tree Creek—Some of the “Boys” visit Andersonville
Siege of Atlanta—The Capitulation
With Sherman to the Sea—Colonel Schoonover’s Journal
The Campaign of the Carolinas—Washington—Grand Review—Northward, “Good Bye” and “Home Again.”
TWENTY-NINTH O. V. V. I.
CHAPTER I.
The South Preparing for War—The Fall of Sumter—The Grand Rally to the Support of the Flag—Formation of the Regiment.
President Lincoln, in his inaugural address of March 4, 1861, said: “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe that I have no lawful right, and I have no inclination to do so.” The South had apparently decided otherwise, and continued the preparations for secession, begun under the administration of, and so ably seconded by that old imbecile, James Buchanan.
The outlook became so fraught with danger to the Union, that on April 7th a naval expedition sailed from New York to the relief of Fort Sumter. Its arrival off Charleston harbor was followed by a furious bombardment of the fort by the rebel batteries of General Beauregard. The capitulation on April 13th, of the little handful of gallant men who so bravely defended their country’s flag, was followed by an outburst of patriotic indignation perhaps never before witnessed in the history of the world. In an incredibly short space of time the President’s call for seventy-five thousand men was filled by citizens eagerly marching to the defense of the National capital.
The rebels meanwhile were busily engaged in appropriating or destroying the available arms and munitions of war belonging to the Government. At Bull Run, a few miles from Washington, General Beauregard massed his rebel horde, and here, on July 21st, General McDowell gratified the insane “On to Richmond” cry, by giving them battle. The result was the complete overthrow of the Union army, which retreated in the wildest disorder to Washington. This event cast a deep gloom over the entire North (barring the copperhead element). More than twice the time allowed by the knowing(?) ones to crush the Rebellion (sixty days) had elapsed, and yet it was growing stronger every day. The North was not yet awake to the magnitude of the work it had undertaken. The first patriotic outburst was on the wane; the sympathy of England and the encouragement given to the rebels by the “copperheads” in the North, gave a prestige to the Southern cause which, to many, bespoke the final success of treason. In this dark hour of our country’s peril, that brave old hero, Joshua R. Giddings, with B. F. Wade, E. B. Woodbury, and other well known associates, feeling that they had been disappointed in the acts of another regiment, made up in part of soldiers recruited in this district, obtained permission to organize regiment number Twenty-nine, which should be made up as far as possible, of those in political sympathy with the projectors. The report of the soldiers already returned from the three months’ service, and who were generally ready to go again, seemed to indicate who they wished for commanders. Major Lewis P. Buckley, of Akron, educated at West Point, was generally desired as colonel, and Thomas Clark, of Cleveland, formerly a cadet at Norwich university, Vermont, was for the same reason selected to commence the work. He was accordingly appointed major, on the 13th of August. Two days later he was mustered into service, and ordered to report at once to Jefferson, select a suitable location, and organize a camp. On the 17th he arrived at Jefferson, and a couple of days were spent in examining fields offered; at last the grounds of the County Agricultural Society were selected. A part of company A reported on the 19th, and company B in the afternoon of the same day. The camp equipage arrived on the 20th. On the 27th company C reported, and on September 10th, company D, and with this company came Colonel Buckley, who had just completed his service in the Nineteenth regiment.
Following are the companies, in the order they entered the service, with the commanders and the localities from which they were recruited: Company A, Captain William F. Fitch, was recruited in Jefferson and vicinity, and Hartsgrove. Company B, Captain Wilbur F. Stevens, was recruited in Pierpont and vicinity, and Harpersfield. Company C, Captain Edward Hayes, was recruited in Andover and vicinity, Gustavus, Ohio, and Espyville, Pennsylvania. Company D, Captain Pulaski C. Hard, was recruited in Akron, Summit county. Company E, Captain Horatio Luce, was recruited in Conneaut and surrounding townships. Company F, Captain John F. Morse, was recruited in Painesville and Mentor, Lake county, and Montville, Geauga county. Company G, Captain John S. Clemmer, was recruited in Akron and vicinity. (Second Lieutenant W. P. Williamson, of this company, who was shot dead at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, March 23, 1862, was the first man in the regiment to die by rebel hands.) Company H, Captain Jonas Schoonover, was recruited in Akron and vicinity. Company I, Captain Russell B. Smith, was recruited in Medina county, and by transfers, and company K, Captain Alden P. Steele, was recruited from the various townships in Ashtabula county.
The adverse causes before referred to, materially retarded the enlistment of the regiment, and it was not until about December 1st that the different company organizations were completed and the following staff officers elected:
Colonel Lewis P. Buckley, Akron, Summit county.
Lieutenant-colonel Thomas Clark, Cleveland, Cuyahoga county.
Major John S. Clemmer, Mogadore, Summit county.
Adjutant C. T. Chaffee, Jefferson, Ashtabula county.
Quartermaster O. F. Gibbs, Harpersfield, Ashtabula county.
Chaplain R. H. Hurlburt, Hartsgrove, Ashtabula county.
Surgeon A. K. Fifield, M.D., Conneaut, Ashtabula county.
Assistant Surgeon S. S. Burrows, M.D., Geneva, Ashtabula county.
Commissary Henry Wright, Trumbull, Ashtabula county.
Sergeant-major W. P. Williamson, Akron, Summit county.
Quartermaster-sergeant M. D. Norris, Mesopotamia, Trumbull county.
Hospital Steward E. P. Haynes, Atwater, Portage county.
Fife-major Richard Noonan, Hudson, Summit county.
Drum-major Gurley G. Crane, Cuyahoga Falls, Summit county.
Leader regimental band Chauncey Brainard, Gustavus, Trumbull county.
During the interim came the easy days of soldier life. Ah! those happy, golden days of camp life, when, with guard mount, battalion drill, and dress parade, the time passed swiftly away, and each heart beat high with patriotic desire for early marching orders; days looked back to from the dreary bivouac in the snow, tentless, and with clothing in tatters, scarce covering the form from the bitter, cutting winds of winter, or in the drizzling rain on the lonely outpost when sharp-eyed rebels only waited for the opportunity to send the leaden messenger of death whizzing in your direction. Sometimes the “boys” thought the rations were not sufficiently “gilt-edged,” quite too plain in fact, for the savers of the country’s honor, yet how often, while trying, almost in vain, with the half-pint of raw meal to keep the soul and the poor emaciated body together in those hell devised starvation traps—Libby, Belle Isle, Andersonville, and Salisbury—did the brave fellows turn with longing hearts to the bounteous commissary at old Camp Giddings. Fears were oft expressed lest the war would close before the Twenty-ninth should be permitted to add its mite to the support of the flag. How needless they were the rolls show; more than one-third (five hundred and forty) of the one thousand five hundred and thirty-two members of the regiment, were either killed, wounded, or missing in action, and one hundred and fifty-seven died of disease. The colors, too, which waved so grandly in the sharp winter air, that long agone Christmas morning in 1861, are now in shreds, rent and torn by the leaden hail through which they were carried to glorious victories.
This beautiful stand of colors was presented to the regiment on Wednesday, November 27th, by Hon. J. R. Giddings, on behalf of the donors, the ladies of Ashtabula and Summit counties. Mr. Giddings spoke as follows: “Gentlemen, officers and soldiers. Before entering upon the particular duty assigned me on the present occasion, I may be permitted to congratulate you and the country, upon the completion of your regimental organization and the perfection of your preparation for the field. I desire you at all times to bear in mind the causes which led to its formation. The present rebellion has its origin far back in history. Its first overt acts were put forth in Congress by subjecting the people of the free States to gag rules, by striking down the right of petition, by arraigning and publicly censuring Representatives for the faithful discharge of duty, by annexing, unconstitutionally, slave territory, and extending and strengthening the encroachments of slavery. To these violent encroachments upon the constitutional rights of the free States, this Western Reserve has from the first, presented a very general resistance....
“The ladies have prepared a splendid National and regimental stand of colors, and have imposed on me the pleasing duty of presenting them to the regiment. In all past ages civilized nations have gone forth to war under their own banner, on which was inscribed some device, figure, or emblem, peculiar to such nation. Thus each tribe among the Israelites had its particular banner. The early Christians fought under the cross, the Romans under the golden eagle, the Mohammedans under the crescent. The founders of our government selected for their colors a groundwork of blue, representing immutable justice and unlimited power, on which the stars, representing light, are twinkling in the vaulted heavens, while in mid ether the bird of Jove is floating, a fitting representation of the ease and power with which liberty and civilization are gliding over the earth; while the stars and stripes of red and white represent the vital principles and purity of our institutions.
[Addressing Colonel Buckley]: “To you, sir, as commander, I present these beautiful standards, for the use and benefit of the regiment. On behalf of the fair donors I confide these National and regimental standards to the care of yourself, your gallant officers and men. Wherever you go let them be borne aloft and respected as the emblem of universal freedom to all who seek your protection. Preserve them unstained, except by the blood of your enemies. Bear in mind that you go forth to fight the battles of the human race for all coming time; and should the roar of cannon, the rattling of muskets, the clashing of sabres, the din and smoke of battle surround you, remember the cause in which you are engaged, and be assured that if you fall, we who are left will care for your widows and children. Your own heroic deeds shall be enshrined in our memories, recorded in our history, admired by coming generations, and approved by a holy and just God.”
Colonel Buckley replied: “Respected Sir—I receive this stand of colors in behalf of the Twenty-ninth regiment. I return through you to the noble and patriotic ladies of Ashtabula and Summit counties their grateful thanks; and whenever and wherever it is unfurled to the breeze, and we look upon its stars and stripes, may we then remember the generous donors and the vow we this day make. This flag, the flag of our country, which has been our pride and our boast, and which is respected by all civilized nations; this flag, thank God, shall yet wave triumphantly wherever it has been struck down by the ruthless arm of the traitors: and, companions, whenever we look upon this beautiful flag may it inspire us to redouble our energies to do our duty to our beloved country, and if God in his providence permits us to return to home and kindred, may this flag come back with us to bear witness that the Twenty-ninth regiment Ohio volunteers was in the thickest of the fight.
“Sir, you have spoken in high commendation of my command. I can assure you I feel myself honored in having command of such a regiment. It will be my pride and ambition, with my fellow-officers to make it in all things pertaining to a well drilled and well disciplined regiment, one of the best in Ohio. And now, fellow-soldiers, in the presence of this assembly, and before high heaven, we swear upon the altar of our country to defend this flag so long as there shall be one true heart and strong arm to hold it to the breeze.”
At last the “boys’” impatience to go anywhere but here, was gratified by an order to move to Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio, the date December 25th; and right here it may not be amiss to give an extract from an editorial in the Ashtabula Sentinel, as showing what the people of Jefferson thought of the regiment:
“They leave Jefferson with the respect and esteem of our citizens as an orderly and well behaved body of men. They have been over three months within our quiet village, during which time no disturbance has occurred and no depredations have been committed. They have proved themselves honorable men, the best evidence that they will be brave soldiers. When they are heard from in the fight we have no fears of a bad account.”
ORIGINAL REGIMENTAL ROSTER.
Following is the roster of the regiment as given in the issue of the Ashtabula Sentinel, dated December 25, 1861, inserted by request of the committee on revision:
FIELD OFFICERS.
Colonel Lewis P. Buckley, Akron.
Lieutenant-colonel Thomas Clark, Cleveland.
Major J. S. Clemmer, Mogadore.
Adjutant C. T. Chaffee, Jefferson.
Sergeant-major W. P. Williamson, Akron.
Quartermaster O. F. Gibbs, Harpersfield.
Quartermaster-sergeant M. D. Norris, Mesopotamia.
Commissary H. Wright, Trumbull.
Chaplain R. H. Hurlburt, Hartsgrove.
Surgeon A. K. Fifield, Conneaut.
Assistant Surgeon S. S. Burrows, Geneva.
Hospital Steward E. P. Haynes, Atwater.
Fife-major Richard Noonan, Hudson.
Drum-major G. G. Crane, Chagrin Falls.
REGIMENTAL BAND.
Leader Chauncy Brainard.
Fifers—Moses C. Rist, George B. Mason, Henry Beach, Henry H. Ray, Rufus Daniels, Walter St. John, Edward B. Fitts, Charles N. Bancroft, E. P. Hall, William R. Meeker.
Drummers—Albert E. Brainard, Erastus Brainard, John Price, Calvin Crane, Albert Walker, William H. Rawdon, Lucius K. Woodbury, Corwin Spencer, Johnson W. Matterson, Luthur Canfield, Silas H. Kent; Louis Price, bass; Edward B. Woodbury, bass.
Cymbal Buel W. Brainard.
Bugler Edwin N. Devan.
COMPANY A.
Captain William T. Fitch.
First Lieutenant L. Grover.
Second Lieutenant W. S. Crowell.
First Sergeant E. J. Hurlburt.
Third Sergeant C. H. Coon.
Fourth Sergeant W. H. Grant.
Fifth Sergeant S. G. Elliott.
First Corporal N. B. Adams.
Second Corporal A. L. Rickard.
Third Corporal R. M. Gates.
Fourth Corporal T. E. Hoyt.
Fifth Corporal M. F. Roberts.
Sixth Corporal J. B. Dalrymple.
Seventh Corporal H. C. Rood.
Eighth Corporal J. M. Loomis.
Drummer R. Lewis.
Wagoner William Daniels.
PRIVATES.
J. M. Bronson, M. A. Brown, P. B. Broughton, H. G. Clafflin, Charles Covert, M. M. Canfield, F. M. Canfield, L. M. Coon, E. G. Clark, Julius Coleburn, Henry Decker, P. A. Decker, A. L. Dalrymple, G. W. Dudley, Henry Turner, D. Thatcher, H. E. Woodin, W. B. Shearer, Abram Exceen, J. A. Exceen, John Ellis, A. A. Fenton, J. M. Sober, W. A. Thompson, E. P. Young, C. H. Broughton, George Birch, E. O. Brown, W. A. Frisbie, Leonard Grover, R. W. Graham, J. W. Henry, S. Hyde, Cyrus Hendrick, E. W. Herrick, W. B. Hoyt, E. M. Holcomb, John Hague, A. Harley, W. C. Ives, E. C. Joles, G. W. Jones, L. M. Johnson, A. M. Knowlton, W. R. Williams, Elizer Wilder, W. L. Wood, M. St. John, R. E. Woodbury, A. Thompson, J. W. Bartlett, S. C. Buck, A. B. Benjamin, C. C. Bugbee, E. J. Maltby, A. H. Frayer, O. B. Laskey, S. O. Latimer, J. E. March, A. W. McNaughton, G. B. Mowry, F. B. Mowry, F. Potter, E. Richerson, C. Roath, B. L. Roberts, N. W. Simmons, T. W. Simmons, John Sylvester, Wilber Sloat, Theodore Smith, John Shears, Alonzo D. Squires, Pickering Smith, S. R. Thompson, V. Wilson, S. N. Hubbard, A. B. Durfee, N. Wilder.
COMPANY B.
Captain W. F. Stevens.
First Lieutenant A. Bishop.
Second Lieutenant A. Wilson.
First Sergeant B. N. Smith.
Second Sergeant J. E. Tanner.
Third Sergeant F. M. Hewitt.
Fourth Sergeant P. O. Warren.
Fifth Sergeant A. B. Isham.
First Corporal A. J. Langworthy.
Second Corporal O. Fairbrother.
Third Corporal R. Griswold.
Fourth Corporal L. K. Bean.
Fifth Corporal D. B. Peck.
Sixth Corporal F. A. Chapman.
Seventh Corporal E. Potter.
Eighth Corporal A. Bishop.
Fifer G. Miles.
Drummer J. H. SeCheverell.
Wagoner E. P. McArthur.
PRIVATES.
E. T. Allen, L. P. Allen, S. Atkin, F. R. Ackley, S. S. Andrews, D. Ames, H. Beckwith, T. Beckwith, H. Brainard, C. Brainard, J. Brazee, I. Brainard, O. J. Burbank, D. Brown, D. J. Baur, C. F. Baur, J. W. Baur, M. Burgett, A. H. Benham, W. R. Carr, F. Case, H. Clark, S. Chapman, J. Doe, H. Durfee, B. T. Durfee, M. DeWolf, J. C. DeWolf, E. Furman, J. H. Fails, N. A. German, N. Hicks, H. Hicks, N. Hendricks, M. B. Hoskins, F. Hallett, H. O. Holmes, E. C. Holmes, R. Hartwell, B. L. Haskin, C. Hall, W. P. Johnson, V. Jordan, A. A. Kumig, N. Knapp, D. Knapp, J. Kohlar, F. Leonard, J. Mervin, R. McKee, B. A. McArthur, C. W. Matthews, R. McFall, L. Montgomery, R. Wilson, S. B. Wilder, G. McNutt, D. Newcomb, J. Newman, D. Potter, W. Potter, J. Phinney, S. C. Pierce, M. Rowe, G. Rowe, G. Wright, J. Rounds, A. Rogers, J. Rockwell, E. Phillips, R. Sills, H. Smith, S. Stanley, R. Stewart, W. H. Vanscoik, L. Wright.
COMPANY C.
Captain Edward Hayes.
First Lieutenant B. F. Perry.
Second Lieutenant F. T. Stewart.
First Sergeant C. W. Kellogg.
Second Sergeant R. L. Jones.
Third Sergeant D. W. Rolph.
Fourth Sergeant G. W. Beckwith.
Fifth Sergeant G. W. Britton.
Second Corporal C. J. Galpin.
Third Corporal H. M. Ryder.
Fourth Corporal N. H. Bailey.
Fifth Corporal W. A. Baker.
Sixth Corporal G. R. Leonard.
Seventh Corporal C. C. Fitts.
Eighth Corporal W. A. Burwell.
Drummer B. Phelps.
Wagoner T. Kellogg.
PRIVATES.
W. Alger, L. B. Brainard, S. W. Bronson, G. D. Brockett, T. R. Brown, E. Britton, A. H. Beardslee, R. W. Cross, D. V. Chaffee, W. J. Chambers, O. P. Crosby, S. O. Crosby, H. C. Carey, J. Chapell, R. A. Cunningham, R. Churchill, L. Clark, C. W. DeWitt, W. P. Dady, C. E. Dudley, G. Eastlick, G. Enos, J. Williams, A. W. Mann, J. Noble, M. E. Forbes, J. A. Frazier, J. Fleming, J. Grey, E. Gibbs, W. G. Gillett, J. Hall, D. S. Halstead, A. Kingsley, H. Laughlin, F. D. Lane, J. W. Lee, H. Lyons, H. C. Lord, L. O. Lindsley, L. W. Leavit, D. C. Lindsley, J. Leslie, E. F. Mason, M. Maloney, J. W. Matteson, A. L. Monty, J. Winby, A. Mason, W. Yokes, J. Yokes, S. Warren, J. Warren, J. Wenham, D. Thomas, J. Thomas, W. H. Shores, J. C. Shaw, S. G. Strickland, B. F. Sperry, W. Sisley, J. F. Rowley, H. C. Rice, N. J. Merrells, T. J. Merrells, B. Miller, E. O. Miller, D. B. Parker, O. K. Phelps, W. Palmer, J. D. Rea, D. Ryckman, W. H. Runyon.
COMPANY D.
Captain Pulaski C. Hard.
First Lieutenant M. T. Wright.
Second Lieutenant J. H. Grinnell.
First Sergeant G. W. Dice.
Second Sergeant J. H. Knox.
Third Sergeant W. E. Dockrey.
Fourth Sergeant J. C. Ewart.
Fifth Sergeant L. A. McAdams.
First Corporal J. Hile.
Second Corporal L. Robinson.
Third Corporal S. Woolridge.
Fourth Corporal P. Nicholas.
Fifth Corporal G. Welch.
Sixth Corporal L. B. Starks.
Seventh Corporal W. H. Hart.
Eighth Corporal F. C. Remley.
Fifer B. H. Wadsworth.
Drummer W. B. Crane.
Wagoner A. Hunsicker.
PRIVATES.
W. H. Alexander, M. M. Hutchinson, R. Partridge, J. S. Alexander, W. H. Bloomfield, O. Brewster, C. Beck, J. W. Chalfant, N. Cochran, R. T. Chapman, C. Dudley, G. Ellis, N. C. Finney, G. Foust, L. E. Gaylord, A. W. Golden, J. Gardner, J. C. Glass, M. Houghland, W. D. Haynes, E. Hastings, H. H. Heath, H. Haring, J. Hugh, C. G. Tolcott, V. V. Viers, H. F. Waters, E. Hamilton, J. H. Hill, D. Hartigan, S. J. Iles, W. H. Jones, P. B. Jones, J. A. Jones, S. Kissinger, J. Lamberson, N. Leohner, L. Lindsay, W. Medesker, G. Montenyohle, W. Mendleson, H. W. Morill, L. Meriam, H. Niman, A. W. Niman, I. Powlis, S. Parks, J. Parks, A. A. Wolcott, J. Winters, G. J. Young, B. Pontius, H. Ream, A. J. Ream, A. Replogle, E. Randall, J. Rodenbaugh, L. C. Richardson, W. C. Stoughton, W. Shanfelt, N. Smith, P. W. Smith, J. G. Stinehour, J. H. Snyder, C. Sherbonder, D. Schaaf, S. Strecker, L. Squires, E. E. Skinner, J. Steese, L. Standish, H. A. Thompson, J. B. Yohey, J. G. Wait.
COMPANY E.
Captain H. Luce.
First Lieutenant T. S. Winship.
Second Lieutenant E. Howard.
First Sergeant L. G. Bevins.
Second Sergeant T. L. Gould.
Third Sergeant G. Hayward.
Fourth Sergeant H. Andrews.
Fifth Sergeant W. G. Buds.
First Corporal A. Durkee.
Second Corporal N. L. Parmeter.
Third Corporal H. Dewey.
Fourth Corporal C. P. Rhoades.
Fifth Corporal S. J. Rockwell.
Sixth Corporal D. Platt.
Seventh Corporal C. Howard.
Eighth Corporal L. Dean.
Fifer C. Luce.
Drummer J. S. Bellows.
Wagoner H. J. Reaves.
PRIVATES.
J. P. Bagley, A. Bardsley, D. Baringer, A. Blanchard, F. Brown, E. J. Brewer, O. Brewer, H. Bronson, B. Brick, W. L. Carey, C. W. Carey, W. L. Coulburn, I. Conklin, A. Crouch, E. Curtis, L. Culver, F. Culver, W. H. Crawford, I. M. Dalrymple, H. Dalrymple, E. Davis, R. Dewey, P. Vanskoik, H. Warren, W. Ellsworth, N. Gillett, D. Goodwell, J. C. Greenlee, O. Gunn, L. Harper, J. S. Haddock, D. W. Hall, E. Hopkins, H. Hill, W. Holden, W. N. Hill, L. Hill, W. Johnson, O. Jones, J. Jones, G. A. Lilley, F. Lovejoy, T. Marsh, M. Mayhew, D. M. Morley, T. S. McCartney, L. Weber, W. Woodward, I. N. Meeker, D. Platt, Jr., J. O. Phillips, C. Pier, G. J. Putney, P. Proctor, J. Pike, H. Rhodes, G. Ryon, E. Ryon, W. Roberts, I. Roberts, W. A. Robinson, J. Sammon, H. Sly, W. Sterling, A. H. Stirrett, J. A. Sinclair, A. E. Tracy, H. Thornton, S. Tuttle, R. Vanskoik, L. J. Woodard, E. Wilson, Thomas Shultz.
COMPANY F.
Captain John F. Morse.
First Lieutenant H. Gregory.
Second Lieutenant E. Burridge.
First Sergeant L. H. Martindale.
Second Sergeant J. Jerome.
Third Sergeant R. H. Baldwin.
Fourth Sergeant S. Hall.
Fifth Sergeant M. E. Gregory.
First Corporal C. Woodford.
Second Corporal G. Gray.
Third Corporal N. B. Noyes.
Fourth Corporal C. Van Valkenburg.
Fifth Corporal B. Pickett.
Sixth Corporal H. Macumber.
Seventh Corporal N. Harvey.
Eighth Corporal C. N. Hayes.
Fifer O. F. Stickney.
Drummer J. Schofield.
Wagoner J. H. Whitney.
PRIVATES.
D. Auringer, A. Austin, J. Briggs, H. E. Balch, S. E. Balch, J. J. Belknap, J. Broughton, C. Broughton, H. C. Canfield, J. Carson, W. Call, R. Cannon, P. H. Chapin, C. V. Clark, A. Cole, C. Cain, A. Case, F. Dimock, N. P. Durkee, M. Dowling, P. Dowling, T. Dowling, J. Dustin, J. Dodge, E. Ewer, M. Flinn, J. Flood, F. Flood, I. Foss, E. L. Gray, Y. E. Gregory, I. J. Houghkirk, D. D. Hill, A. D. Harroun, A. J. Harroun, F. R. Johnson, J. D. Johnson, P. Joyce, J. King, W. Lindley, M. Malone, J. C. McLean, S. McLean, J. Manly, A. Neil, E. S. Ontis, A. B. Paine, J. B. Pickett, T. Ryne, L. Ryne, J. Shelby, P. Shelby, S. M. Smith, C. Smith, Pomeroy Smith, S. B. Smith, O. F. Stetson, A. E. Sanford, A. Sperry, E. Williams. G. Williams, C. F. Waldron, L. Walker, G. T. Wicks.
COMPANY G.
Captain John S. Clemmer.
Since the above was in type Captain Clemmer has been elected major. Vacancy not filled.
First Lieutenant James Treen.
Second Lieutenant J. J. Wright.
First Sergeant C. H. Russell.
Second Sergeant W. Chamberlain.
Third Sergeant George Treen.
Fourth Sergeant Adam Hart.
Fifth Sergeant E. F. Smith.
First Corporal William Wirt.
Second Corporal Franklin Mest.
Third Corporal M. M. Martin.
Fourth Corporal E. B. Hubbard.
Fifth Corporal A. C. French.
Sixth Corporal T. Caldwell.
Seventh Corporal G. F. Hewett.
Eighth Corporal John W. Wise.
PRIVATES.
Oscar C. Andrews, Edward Alley, C. H. Anderson, A. P. Atchison, Augustus Belden, G. F. Brayington, Lester P. Burke, John Burns, L. D. Clements, William Cline, David Y. Cook, T. Cummins, John Cephus, John Campbell, C. A. Downey, George W. Deam, Noah Downey, Henry H. Ewell, John W. Ewell, William A. Faze, Jacob D. Foster, H. W. Geer, Thomas E. Green, M. Greenwall, John Gross, Albert W. Hall, Robert W. Hall, Eli Harrington, Hiram Hill, Roswell Hoffman, John Huggett, N. P. Humiston, Jehiel Lane, Jehiel Lane, Jr., William C. Lantz, Joseph Limerick, Joseph F. Loomis, John H. Lower, Oliver Lee, T. E. McCain, G. J. McCormick, J. M. McCormick, J. H. McDonald, Isaac Madlem, B. F. Manderbach, C. W. Martin, F. Meztler, William Harrington, William H. Moore, John B. Nowling, C. F. Remley, Uriah Reifsnyder, C. L. Robinson, Jacob Rosenbaum, John Rowland, James W. Smith, E. S. Smith, G. Sherbondy, George Strohl, Ferris Townsend, James B. Treen, John D. Treen, Charles Upham, John Watson, John F. Weidle, S. C. Winkleman, Daniel Wise, Carroll W. Wright, Charles Young, Conrod Zilite, David McIntyre, John Kummer, Mortimer Vanhining.
COMPANY H.
Captain J. Schoonover.
First Lieutenant A. J. Fulkerson.
Second Lieutenant H. Mack.
First Sergeant T. W. Nash.
Second Sergeant O. H. Remington.
Third Sergeant J. B. Storer.
Fourth Sergeant J. L. Ferguson.
Fifth Sergeant H. L. Curtis.
First Corporal L. Wagoner.
Second Corporal W. H. Connell.
Third Corporal D. W. Thomas.
Fourth Corporal T. Davis.
Fifth Corporal C. H. Edgerly.
Sixth Corporal William Leggett.
Seventh Corporal G. B. Myers.
Eighth Corporal M. Humphrey.
Fifer J. Hart.
Drummer M. Smith.
Wagoner J. Miller.
PRIVATES.
J. Ardis, J. Baird, J. Buck, T. G. Boak, F. H. Boyer, L. Bruno, J. Best, John Davis, W. Davis, W. Dennison, W. Demings, J. Ernspranger, J. Fritz, T. Folger, O. C. Field, R. Farnham, C. Fairchild, D. Harbaugh, J. Heffelfinger, L. Harris, J. Harris, J. D. Hall, H. Hazzen, S. W. Hart, A. Hazzen, P. Jones, G. C. Kellogg, C. H. King, A. A. Kellogg, D. Kittinger, F. Morris, G. Nichols, E. Oberholtz, C. H. Paine, L. L. Porter, S. Paine, J. Pierson, A. A. Palmer, W. Peet, C. Rottert, H. Ridder, L. Rodgers, G. Youells, A. Robinson, E. Randerbush, H. Root, W. Robinson, J. Snowbarger, G. Slusser, J. Smith, F. Smith, N. Salsberry, H. H. Scott, J. C. Stall, W. Spears, C. C. Tooker, W. H. Tooker, E. Turner, J. Wilson, H. Wolf, O. O. Wright, R. M. Wilkins, A. Wallace, J. Wells.
COMPANY I.
[Not fully organized.]
Captain R. B. Smith.
First Lieutenant A. A. Philbrick.
Second Lieutenant William J. Hall.
First Sergeant C. C. Lord.
Drummer William Elliott.
Wagoner B. Alderman.
PRIVATES.
N. B. Adams, W. H. Abbott, A. Archer, A. Alderman, J. J. Bair, C. Beach, U. Cook, J. C. Cally, W. H. Cooper, J. Craig, W. Dickinson, J. Everhard, Martin Elliott, W. Eldred, Z. Farnsworth, C. F. Gove, W. Gilbert, J. Grine, T. N. Harrington, A. Holden, P. Hawk, D. N. Hubbard, W. Wildy, C. H. Kinsdig, R. S. Krahl, J. Miller, N. Miller, J. G. Marsh, M. H. Murdock, M. L. Maley, M. McNerny, T. J. Nicholls, H. Newcomb, M. G. Owen, J. R. Polley, J. Perkins, L. Pegg, T. R. Phinney, J. Rupp, H. Rex, G. W. Reed, G. Rorke, E. Rushon, Jackson Roe, Joseph Roe, S. F. Sawyer, A. Squires, J. Sage, J. Sowers, E. M. Suplee, D. C. Stevens, S. Sturdevant, J. H. Freman, A. Thompson, J. A. Walsh, J. Winters, C. L. Welton, E. C. Whitaker, O. O. Wakeman, W. Waterman, S. E. Wilson, A. A. Woodruff, W. N. DeWitt, T. F. Henderson, M. Hendrick, R. Hill.
COMPANY K.
Captain Alden P. Steele.
First Lieutenant D. E. Hurlburt.
Second Lieutenant William Neil.
First Sergeant C. C. Johnson.
Second Sergeant A. O. Benjamin.
Third Sergeant G. C. Judd.
Fourth Sergeant H. H. Fenton.
Fifth Sergeant J. B. Partch.
First Corporal D. Phillips.
Second Corporal E. W. Gray.
Third Corporal G. M. Cowgill.
Fourth Corporal A. D. Eddy.
Fifth Corporal Luther Kinney.
Sixth Corporal Joel Ritter.
Seventh Corporal J. Alexander.
Eighth Corporal Lewis Wrisley.
Drummer H. Wilder.
Wagoner Cooley Griffin.
PRIVATES.
R. W. Alderman, J. Blodgett, H. Davenport, D. W. Fisher, A. N. Alderman, Orlando Clark, G. W. Dean, William Fisher, C. A. Baker, T. Cook, E. E. Durfee, T. J. Fails, F. Burt, F. N. Cutler, F. W. Eggleston, L. Fowler, George Bullis, C. Conrad, William Fletcher, W. Fitzgerald, P. M. Griggs, Hiram Griggs, J. Goldsmith, H. Hammond, J. Hammond, W. S. Hoxter, H. Holcomb, F. Hilliard, Judson Hunt, J. L. Hayward, C. O. Hinkle, F. Johnson, E. A. Johnson, John Jinks, William Knox, F. Love, George Light, William Law (transferred to company G, December 14, 1861), D. Marsh, J. McCloud, J. Mathews, A. F. Mills, O. O. Oliver, S. Pierce, G. Perry, William Pond, G. A. Patchen, M. Ramsey, F. Rounds, William Reed, E. Reed, J. Randell, Solon Squires, J. Spain, J. Swinton, J. St. Clair, J. Sanfield, George Strong, D. Turner, J. Taylor, Jr., James Williams, C. W. Wilson, O. E. Wilson, A. J. Wightman.
CHAPTER II.
The Departure from Camp Giddings—At the Front—Death of Lander—Advance up the Valley—Winchester.
Christmas morning, 1861, dawned clear, with the earth bountifully covered with snow, and soon the busy preparations for this the first march were apparent everywhere. Knapsacks were packed, tents were struck, and the camp equipage snugly put into shape for transportation to Ashtabula, and at 10 o’clock the drums beat off. Then the regiment filed out of the enclosure, bidding a fond good-bye, many for the last time, to the old camp, up through the town, where everybody was waiting to wish the “boys” God speed. “Head of column left,” and the Twenty-ninth regiment was en-route for Ashtabula and the front, followed by the prayers of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and sweethearts, that its every effort might be crowned with success, and that, if heaven so willed, all might return safely to the arms of loved ones, “when the cruel war was over.” How beautiful they looked in their new uniform, and how gaily the bayonets glistened in the bright sunlight as each man kept step to the music.
Arriving at Ashtabula, the regiment took cars, and was soon whirling rapidly towards Columbus, where it arrived the following day.
On disembarking from the cars, a march of four miles on the National pike to the west brought the regiment to Camp Chase, where it was assigned to barracks, and the sweets (?) of soldier life began to be more perceptible. While lying here, the regiment attended the inauguration of David Tod as Governor of Ohio, and perfected itself in the school of the soldier. On the 26th day of January, 1862, the long roll again sounded; the Twenty-ninth regiment fell in, and marched to the depot, a distance of four miles. It took cars, and steamed away for Dixie, passing through Newark and Zanesville, and across the Ohio river at Bellair, thence via the Baltimore & Ohio railroad through the mountains of West Virginia to a point some six miles below Cumberland, Maryland, where it made its first camp in Dixie. There it was assigned to the left flank of the Third brigade (the Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry occupying the right), Colonel E. B. Tyler commanding, and here it may be well to state that from this time until the Seventh regiment was discharged the service (July 8, 1864), the two regiments occupied the same position, engaged in the same battles, and endured an equal amount of the hard service incident to the several campaigns. The Twenty-ninth remained in active service for nearly a year after the discharge of its well-bred friends of the Seventh and until the collapse of the Rebellion. This for the benefit of those who imagine that only one regiment was recruited in Northern Ohio.
On February 5, 1862, a general movement was ordered to entrap the forces of Stonewall Jackson, then occupying Romney. The Twenty-ninth and its brigade took cars to French’s store, and marched some twenty miles to a point between Romney and Winchester to intercept the retreat of the rebels. The attempt was futile, however, as those whom the federals sought had flown ere the designated point was reached. This march was a terrible one, and told heavily on the men, many of whom succumbed to disease incident to exposure to the intense cold, the fording of streams whose icy waters were often waist deep, and the general hardships, were sent to hospital at Cumberland, and never returned to duty. Returning the following day, the regiment bivouacked at a point some eight miles from the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, known as Pine Levels or the Heights of Hampshire. Here it remained some ten days exposed to the intense cold, without tents, few blankets, on short rations, and no cooking utensils. Rude brush enclosures were constructed, which served the same purpose as Artemus Ward’s window sash, sort of “tangle the cold” or “keep out the coarsest.” It was by the greatest effort that the men were kept from freezing. This sort of thing seemed a pretty tough introduction to the “Sunny South,” but hardships of this kind became the normal experience of the Twenty-ninth regiment, and the sunny spots which occasionally intervened were duly appreciated.
The next move was to the eastward to Paw Paw station on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, near which the Twenty-ninth and its brigade went into camp. February 22d, Washington’s birthday, was duly observed. A general review was indulged in. The streets were prettily trimmed with evergreens; and arches, and other pretty devices were numerous. The Twenty-ninth were domiciled in small and nearly worn out wall tents.
On Saturday, March 1st, as the shades of evening were falling, the Twenty-ninth and its command marched with two days’ rations, in the direction of Winchester, Virginia, the object being the capture of that important point. After an all night’s march the command halted, and, in a blinding snow storm, waited for further orders. At 5 o’clock P. M. a counter-march was ordered, and at about midnight the old camp at Paw Paw was reached. The object of this move was to attend the remains of brave General Lander to the cars, which was accomplished on the following day. All the troops in the vicinity were present. At 9 o’clock on the morning of Saturday, March 8th, the command struck tents and marched to the railroad; at night took cars and moved in the direction of Martinsburg, en route for Winchester. Some two or three days were occupied in reaching the former place, as extreme caution was necessary. A burned bridge at Back creek stopped further steam locomotion, and on the 11th the command moved forward through Martinsburg, encamping some two miles out on the Winchester road. Here General James Shields, of some celebrity in the Mexican war, assumed command of the division, and the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania infantry volunteers was added to the brigade. The following morning the column continued the forward movement, under orders to join General Banks, in his attack on Winchester. The rebels retreated, and Shields’ division went into camp to the north of Winchester, some four miles out on the Martinsburg pike.
When the rebels first occupied Virginia General Johnston (commanding the extreme left of Beauregard’s army) took possession of Winchester. Troops from here destroyed the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and constantly harrassed our forces in the direction of Harper’s Ferry and Cumberland. It was of great importance that the Union arms gain and hold possession of this point, hence the concentration of Federal troops in this vicinity.
Skirmishing with the enemy was a daily occurrence, and, on the morning of March 20th, a reconnoissance in force was made up the valley to Strasburg. General Shields, with the Twenty-ninth and its brigade, numbering some six thousand men, moved direct to that point, while Colonel Mason’s brigade advanced on the Front Royal road. At Cedar creek a lively artillery duel transpired, during which the rebels succeeded in burning the bridge. The following morning the entire command fell back to its camp below Winchester. This was a march which tested the men’s power of endurance to its utmost. The rain fell lightly but continuously during the day. For rations the men had barely one cracker each, and yet they made the entire distance—twenty-two miles—in seven hours, halting only a few minutes about noon.
CHAPTER III.
The Battle of Winchester or Kernstown—Stonewall Jackson Whipped.
At Kernstown, some four miles south of Winchester, Jackson’s command, numbering fully fifteen thousand men, was massed, and on March 22d attacked the Union outposts. The citizens of Winchester, who, by the way, were about as thoroughly imbued with treason as at any point within the writer’s knowledge in the whole of the chivalrous (?) South, were in high glee at the prospect of being rid of those odious Lincoln hirelings, and some were so sanguine of success to the Southern arms that they prepared elegant repasts for the victors. However that may be, the rebel horde did not enter Winchester at this time, except, perhaps, a few dead ones carried there for burial.
Soon after the firing began the First and Second brigades of General Shields’ division were moved to the front, and a lively skirmish ensued resulting in the repulse of the enemy. General Shields was wounded quite severely during this brief engagement, and at night, when active hostilities ceased, he retired to Winchester. The dawn of Sunday, March 23d, was heralded by the rapid boom of artillery and the lively rattle of musketry, as the advance of the two armies resumed the skirmishing of the previous afternoon. This was continued during nearly the entire forenoon. About noon the long roll beat throughout our camp; quickly the men fell into line, and in columns of fours, under command of brave Colonel Buckley, marched rapidly, a portion of the distance at a double quick, toward the point of attack. On reaching Winchester the regiment halted, came to a front, loaded their pieces, and remained until the artillery and trains had passed. We then moved on the road leading to Kernstown, some two or three miles, and again halted. After some vexatious delay the regiment again resumed the march and soon reached the scene of the action, which was about seven miles from Winchester. The enemy were under General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall). His right extending across the Pike leading to Strasburg, and his forces on his left masked behind a stone fence, while at the rear for a considerable distance the ground was a gradual ascent covered with stumps and wood which were well used as cover. The Twenty-ninth regiment and its brigade was moved to the extreme right of the line, and, formed in close column, by division, moved forward through the timber to the attack. At close range the rebels opened a heavy fire, but we continued to advance, halting at a small ravine where we deployed in line of battle, and in this position a sharp and determined engagement ensued. The distance between the opposing forces did not exceed sixteen rods. Late in the afternoon an order was given the Third brigade to charge the rebel line. Quick as thought the whole line sprang forward, and with cheers sounding above the roar of the conflict, in the teeth of a murderous fire, swept down over the stone wall and at the bayonet’s point drove the enemy from their chosen position. To the rear they fled until reaching their artillery, where another stand was made and a rally attempted. The Union lead poured into their ranks with such deadly effect that they soon became panic-stricken, and in the greatest disorder retreated in whatever direction best offered an avenue of escape, and Stonewall Jackson, the pride of the South and by many considered the bravest general in the rebel army, was whipped, and that, too, by a force much inferior in numbers, many of whom had never faced death before.
To make the victory still more sure our forces followed the disordered mass of fleeing rebels and captured many prisoners, until darkness closed over all, when our brave boys returned to rest upon their laurels upon the bloody field of carnage, bury the dead and care for the wounded. The result of this battle was a loss to the rebels of the Shenandoah valley, at that time of great importance to them, with casualties amounting to some five hundred men killed, wounded, and left on the field, and three hundred prisoners. The loss of the Twenty-ninth regiment in this action was: Five killed, seven wounded, two missing; aggregate fourteen. See casualties at the close of the volume for names.
CHAPTER IV.
Pursuit of Jackson—The “Long” March—Fredericksburg to Front Royal—March to Waynesboro.
At early dawn on the morning of March 24th the Union army pushed forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. The Twenty-ninth deployed as skirmishes in the advance. Many wounded Confederates were found in private houses along the line of march. About noon the dashing rebel cavalry officer Ashby came from cover and suddenly swooped down upon the regiment with a heavy cavalry force. Rallying by companies and forming squares, a well directed volley soon sent the rebels in haste to the rear. The pursuit of the fleeing rebels was continued until nightfall, when the regiment went into bivouac near Cedar creek. The next morning (25th) our columns again pushed forward until reaching a point a little in advance of Strasburg, where a halt was ordered and a camp (Kimball), established. Here we remained for some time, making frequent raids into the surrounding country and skirmishing almost daily with the enemy.
April 1st the regiment again moved after the retreating army, and about daylight on the following morning indulged in some artillery firing with the rebel rear guards. During the month of April the regiment marched up the valley as far as Newmarket, passing the towns of Woodstock and Mount Jackson. At the latter place a hospital was established, and companies G and E were detailed for provost, and other duties, in and around Mount Jackson, while the remainder of the regiment moved up the valley to Camp Thurburn and continued the usual picket, camp, and guard duties.
May 3d left camp and marched up the valley in the direction of Harrisburg; halted about three miles from town and camped for the night. May 5th, returned from near the town of Harrisburg and went into camp four miles above Newmarket, where the regiment remained until the 12th day of May, when it left the Shenandoah valley at Newmarket on the long march to Fredericksburg, marched to Luray, and encamped for the night (marched eighteen miles). Thirteenth, moved at 7 A. M. The Twenty-ninth, was detailed as rear guard. Fourteenth, marched at 6, reached Front Royal at 3:30 P. M. and camped for the night. Fifteenth, marched at 9 A. M., traveled thirteen miles, and went into camp. Sixteenth, marched at 6:30 A. M., reached Gains’ Cross Road, and camped for the night, (marched ten miles). May 17th, marched at 6 A. M., and reached Warrenton (distance of eighteen miles), and went into camp for the night. Sunday, May 18th, remained in camp. Monday, 19th, marched at 5 o’clock A. M., and at 3 P. M. reached the Orange & Alexandria railroad at Catlet’s Station, and went into camp. Remained until May 21st, when the regiment again marched at 6 A. M., halting at 10:30 P. M. for the night. Twenty-second, marched at 7 A. M., reached Falmouth in the evening, and went into camp. Friday, May 23d, the army under Major-general McDowell was reviewed by Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, with satisfactory results. Sunday, 25th, marched at 6 A. M., and at 4:30 went into camp. Twenty-sixth, marched at 5 A. M., and camped for the night at Catlet’s Station. Twenty-seventh, marched some four miles on the Manassas Gap railroad, and went into camp. Twenty-eighth, marched at 5 A. M. past White Plains; after tramping fifteen miles went into camp. Twenty-ninth, marched at 7 o’clock A. M. in the direction of Front Royal, reached Rectortown at 4 o’clock P. M., and two hours later fell in, in light marching order, and moved forward, leaving the baggage until May 31st, when at 4 o’clock A. M. it moved forward towards Front Royal, reaching Piedmont at 9 A. M., and Markham at 4 P. M.; moved to within six miles of Front Royal, and camped for the night. June 1st, marched to Front Royal, and at 4 P. M. moved forward some three miles on the Luray road, and went into camp. June 2d, marched at 6 A. M., marched thirteen miles, and went into camp. Third, marched at 7 A. M., reached Luray at 12 M., passed through the town on the Newmarket road, some two miles and camped. Fourth, remained in camp all day. Fifth, marched at 5 A. M., marched four miles, halted, put up our tents, and prepared to be comfortable, when at 3 o’clock P. M. we were ordered to move. This was occasioned by the close proximity of the rebel batteries on the opposite side of the river. The regiment marched about one mile and again halted for the night. Sixth, ordered to march at 4 A. M., fell into line at 5, moved two miles, halted, stacked arms, soon fell in and marched about two miles farther, pitched our tents, and at 6 P. M. fell in and marched back to the place the regiment left in the morning, where we arrived at 12 at night, and went into camp. Saturday, 7th, the regiment was up at 4 A. M. and marched at 9 A. M. (the baggage was ordered to Luray and Front Royal; Sergeant C. H. Edgerly and Private Willard Denison, of Company H, were furloughed home for thirty days), marched up the east bank of the Shenandoah river, a distance of fourteen miles, halted at 6 P. M., and went into camp. Eighth, marched at 4 A. M., halted at 6:30 for breakfast, and at 8:15 again moved forward; soon heard the artillery firing at Cross Keys on the west side of the Shenandoah river and mountain. The regiment moved on up the river and about 5 o’clock P. M. were in sight of the rebels, whose ambulances and train were moving rapidly in retreat in the direction of Port Republic from the battle of Cross Keys. The Union forces were under the command of Major-general John C. Fremont, and the Confederate army commanded by Major-general Thomas J. Jackson. The Union army took shelter in a strip of woods at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountain, near Port Republic, Virginia, and bivouacked for the night.
CHAPTER V.
Battle of Port Republic—The Twenty-ninth Suffer Great Loss.
On June 9th, in the dim light of early morning the enemy began to move, and soon our artillery opened a brisk fire on them. The Twenty-ninth regiment, under command of Colonel Buckley, was ordered to fall in, and at 6:45 o’clock marched out of the timber into the open field, and moved forward a short distance, when the men unslung knapsacks and other equipage and, reduced to light marching order, advanced by the right flank, and when near the rebel position came into line on the double quick. While doing so we were obliged to pass a board fence; and at this critical time the rebels opened a heavy fire of musketry, but the regiment moved steadily forward and took position in the open field. The rebels in front of our right wing were behind a strong post and rail fence.
From the base of the mountain to the Shenandoah river was about one-half mile. The extreme left of our line extended into the timber and near the base of the mountain with the right flank extending to the river. The Fifth, Sixty-sixth and Seventh Ohio regiments were on our left, and the Seventh Virginia, Seventh, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Indiana on our right. The Twenty-ninth being about the right center regiment during the battle, and at this time in support of Huntington’s battery, which was belching forth its shot and shell, doing deadly execution in the ranks of the advancing rebels. When in close range the rebels charged. Reserving our fire until they were almost upon us, the order was given, and with a yell the entire line poured its leaden hail into the gray clad columns of the chivalry, producing fearful slaughter, and following with a charge so impetuous that they were forced to retire from their secure position behind the fence, and here, for more than three hours and a half, our brave fellows, though outnumbered ten to one by the enemy and fighting against fate, kept them at bay and held the position. During this charge it is said that Allen Mason, of company C, Twenty-ninth regiment, captured the colors of the Seventh Louisiana Tigers, and Lieutenant Gregory and a part of company F made prisoners of twenty-five of the same regiment. At last the little handful, who had so gallantly contended against such fearful odds, were forced to retire. The Twenty-ninth regiment moved to the rear, perhaps an eighth of a mile, and came to a halt, holding the rebel forces in check until the entire Union forces had passed to the rear. In the meantime the rebels had opened fire upon us with a battery at close range, which did fearful execution in our rapidly decimating ranks. When all our troops had passed, our regiment faced to the right and moved obliquely into the timber; the rebels in the meantime passed down the road and we were nearly surrounded, and now, for a distance of nearly two miles occurred a desperate struggle for freedom. The men fought with the desperation born of despair. Brave old Colonel Buckley (who before beginning the day’s business addressed the regiment, saying: “Aim low, men, and at every shot let a traitor fall!”) on foot, his own and one other horse having been disabled by a shot, rallied the men, and with sword in hand with them succeeded in cutting their way through the cordon of gray devils almost surrounding them, and escaped to the mountains near, where some one hundred men of the different regiments of the Third brigade, with Colonel Buckley at their head, bivouacked for the night. The small remainder of the regiment, except those killed, wounded or captured, succeeded in reaching the main army. Captain Baldwin says that those who reached the main army of the Twenty-ninth regiment numbered only thirteen officers and men.
The night succeeding this eventful day of blood and carnage was spent amid the gloom and darkness of the forest. The men gathered about their brave commander as if to shield him from the damps of night, their thoughts turning meanwhile to the absent comrades, many of whom, how many they knew not, were lying, still and ghastly, upon the bloody field, a sacrifice to the incompetency of the general commanding. The day following, the little band began its weary march to the rear, seeking shelter at night in some unused furnace buildings. The next day they came in sight of the rear guard of the retreating army, where they found the small remnant of the Twenty-ninth, who had escaped death or capture, and who, when they saw their beloved colonel alive and well, fairly rent the very heavens above with their glad shouts of welcome.
The number of the Union army engaged in this battle was some twenty-five hundred, and could form but one line of battle, while Stonewall Jackson’s official report shows his army to have numbered some thirty-four thousand. The Twenty-ninth regiment lost heavily in this battle. The aggregate was: Killed, 12; wounded, 33; captured, 105; total, 150.
After the battle the Twenty-ninth regiment moved down the valley to Luray, where the command encamped for a few days’ rest, then forward to Front Royal, and on to Alexandria, reaching that point on June 27th, encamping on a rise of ground immediately adjacent to the line of fortifications. The Third brigade was now composed of the Seventh, Fifth, Sixty-sixth, and Twenty-ninth Ohio regiments, in the order named. General Shields having resigned by reason of McDowell’s misrepresentations in relation to the ill-advised battle of Port Republic, General Sturgis, who has recently received so much adverse criticism through the press of the country, for his brutal and inhuman treatment of his men, was placed temporarily in command. After lying at this point for nearly one month orders were received to move to the aid of General McClellan on the Peninsula, and we embarked on transports, but the order was countermanded and the Third brigade marched back to its old camp.
July 25th we were ordered to join the force of General Pope, then marching via Warrenton to the Rapidan river. Proceeding by rail to the former point the brigade was reorganized and attached to Banks’ Second corps, afterwards changed to the Twelfth army corps, as the First brigade of General Augur’s Second division. After a few days of “masterly inactivity” we marched in the direction of Luray. Debouching to the left on the road leading southward toward the Rapidan, we soon reached Little Washington and went into camp. While here the troops were reviewed by Generals Pope and Banks, who complimented our brigade very highly upon its perfection in drill and discipline. General Tyler was here ordered to Washington, and Brigadier-general John W. Geary, late colonel of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania infantry volunteers, was placed in command of our brigade. His regiment and Knapp’s battery were also assigned to the brigade. A forward movement in the direction of Culpeper Court House, Virginia (on the Rapidan), was begun on August 8th. Here the Confederates were preparing defences, and at Cedar Mountain, some seven miles to the southwest of our position, they were strongly fortified.
CHAPTER VI.
1862.
Cedar Mountain—Battle—Severe Loss of Life—Forward to Alexandria.
August 8th, the regiment moved at 2 o’clock, advanced to Culpeper Court House, and went into camp; and at 10:40, on the morning of August 9th, moved forward in the direction of Cedar mountain. Halted a short time, and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment was sent to the right on an eminence as signal guard. The remainder of the brigade soon advanced, halting at intervals, as the day was insufferably hot (several men died this day of sunstroke). At last, passing through a piece of timber, we approached the open field with a rolling country in our front, and at 1:30, while making preparations for dinner (near a fine spring of water), skirmishing and artillery firing was heard on our right, which continued at intervals until 3:45, when the rebels appeared in heavy force, ready for battle, and the Union lines were formed without delay. The Twenty-ninth regiment (commanded by Captain W. F. Stevens, of Company B,) was ordered to advance and take position in rear of a battery which had been placed on a ridge. Here the regiment took position, the right resting on the road, and the left extending into the field, covered from the enemy by the hill on which the battery was placed. The Twenty-ninth, with other regiments of the brigade, was about on the right of the left wing of the line in open field, while the right wing extended across the road, and into the timber. The regiment remained in this position, supporting the battery, and receiving a heavy fire from the rebel artillery in our front. Here several men were wounded.
At 5 o’clock P. M., we moved over the crest of the hill, to a cornfield some distance in advance of our previous position. During the advance to this new position a terrific cannonade opened on us, dealing great destruction to our ranks. Apparently every cannon of the enemy was let loose against us, but we never faltered in this march of death, despite the terrible missiles that were tearing through our bleeding ranks. Comrades were falling, and brothers dying. The mangled and bleeding victims of the fury and violence of war were left thick around us, making the ground sacred on which they fell; but we wavered not. Reaching a low piece of ground, we halted, and were ordered to lie down and continue firing. We remained for one hour in the open field, exposed to this furious storm of grape and canister, shot and shell. Comrades gave up their lives so gently that it was scarce possible to tell the living from the dead. The fatal missile struck the victim, leaving the lifeless clay in the same attitude which the living body occupied. During the fatal period death assumed a real character while life seemed but a dream. The engagement had now become general. The brigade of General Prince came up, and formed on the left of our regiment. The Sixty-sixth, Fifth, and Seventh Ohio regiments were formed on our right, in the order named. (The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment was not with us in this engagement.)
At a given signal the brigade arose and, with defiant yells, rushed forward to the charge. Prince’s brigade on the left moved forward with us. A sheet of flame and smoke burst forth from rebel batteries, musketry replied to musketry, bayonet clashed with bayonet, and cheers rang out against cheers, as one side or the other gained the advantage in this deadly conflict. Daring warmed into rashness, and bravery into recklessness. Hurrah! we force them back, their line is broken, a battery is almost within our grasp; when in this moment of seeming certain victory, fresh columns of rebel infantry rush upon us on the double-quick, masked batteries open on us at the same moment a most furious enfilading fire, causing our brave boys to reel and stagger. An order comes for us to retire, when three-fourths of our regiment have been placed out of the fight—dead or wounded. Slowly and sadly the remaining few obey the order, keeping our faces to the foe until fresh troops arrive to take our places, when we resume our position in the reserve near Telegraph hill. Each regiment of the brigade had done nobly, but all alike had suffered a loss so great that the four regiments together could not show a respectable facing front for one regiment. As night settled over the field of carnage and of death our entire army corps withdrew to the position it held early in the day, but our artillery kept up a desultory firing, with but short intervals during the night.
The casualties of this battle were: Killed, 11; wounded, 26; missing, 12. Total, 49.
Private George Williams, company F, came off the field with his third gun—two having been shot from his hands.
During August 10th and 11th skirmishing continued. In the afternoon of the last-named day the 29th regiment was inspected. Adjutant Storer reported eighty-three men only present for duty.
The Union army remained on the field three days, retiring, on August 12th, to Culpeper Court House, where it encamped. Our pickets, going over the battle field on the 13th, reported that dead horses were piled in promiscuous positions; dismounted cannons, wrecked caissons, and broken firearms were everywhere, while the graves of the fallen, singly and in trenches, were scattered over the entire field, only the freshly heaped up earth marking the spots. In one spot were the unburied bodies of a boy in blue and one in gray, their arms interlocked as their brave souls went out to the God who gave them, the one for the right, the other, it is hoped, forgiven for his misguided championship of the wrong.
Twelfth, marched to Culpeper Court House, and went into camp. 13th, put up tents and prepared to live. 14th, and all is quiet. 15th, another inspection and review. There is one consolation if we do have inspection every other day, there are so few men left that but little time is consumed in doing so. 16th, 17th, and 18th, still in camp; was inspected again, and at 6 o’clock on the evening of the latter day, struck tents under orders to march; slept on our arms that night. 19th, marched at 10 A. M., north to the Rappahannock, a distance of eleven miles, and went into camp. Had only a small quantity of green corn to eat. 20th, all quiet in camp. 21st, at 6 A. M. firing began, and was kept up along the line all day; at 7 in the evening the regiment, under command of Captain Schoonover, marched two miles and halted; company H was sent forward to the picket line, and the regiment moved at 6:30 A. M. along the Rappahannock; halted at 9:30; after a brief rest the regiment again fell in, and marched till 12 at noon without breakfast; sharp firing along the line; halted until 6 o’clock P. M.; moved up the Rappahannock river two miles, halted, stacked arms, and remained up nearly all night; (rainy) no tents or blankets, made our bed of rails. Saturday, August 23d, at 6 o’clock A. M. the artillery opened fire, and continued until 11 o’clock P. M.; remained on our arms all day; at 10 o’clock P. M. moved a short distance up the river, and the Twenty-ninth went on picket. 24th, and all is quiet; at 9:30 A. M. the artillery commenced firing, which was kept up continually during the day. 25th, artillery and musketry firing all along the line; at 8 o’clock P. M. the Twenty-ninth with its brigade moved up the river four miles and camped for the night. 26th, no rations for breakfast, but after a short time some green corn was procured, which filled the bill. At 8 A. M. the artillery dueling again commenced and was kept up the remainder of the day. The Twenty-ninth regiment moved one-half mile for shelter, remained here until 9 P. M., when it marched forward until 3 o’clock A. M., of the 27th; halted, moved forward a distance of three miles, and again halted. At 1 o’clock P. M., moved in the direction of Warrenton Junction, and camped for the night (no rations for supper or breakfast). On the morning of the 28th day of August, the regiment moved at 5 A. M., marched three miles and halted, drew rations and moved on in the direction of Bristow station, and camped for the night. Heavy firing in our advance all day. 29th, remained in camp, about two miles above Bristow station. 30th, marched at 6 o’clock A. M. and halted at Bristow station, and remained till 5 o’clock P. M., when the enemy was reported in our rear. The sick and disabled were moved to Alexandria and other points. August 31st, teams and trains containing camp and garrison equipage and other army supplies, were moved in the direction of Fairfax Court House.
During the campaign under Major-general Pope from August 20th until the regiment reached Alexandria on the 2d day of September, 1862, it was one continuous march and counter-march, by day and night, moving up the Rappahannock as far as White Sulphur Springs. On the 29th and 30th of August near the Bull Run battle ground. A very hard battle was fought, in which the Nationals were forced from the field, and again late in the afternoon on the 1st day of September at Chantilly, a short distance from Fairfax Court House, a sanguinary battle was fought, which continued late in the evening. In this last engagement the Nationals held the field at night, and on the 2d the Union army fell back within the fortifications around Washington city. During the last two or three days of the above campaign the Twenty-ninth regiment was completely cut off from the main army, as it had been ordered to guard the quartermaster stores with other government property on the railroad at and near Bristow station, and when ordered to join its brigade it found the enemy in the rear, so that it was only by a circuitous route in the direction of Brintsville, and a forced march that it reached the Chantilly battlefield during the engagement, on September 1st. Here it bivouacked for the night, and on the following day marched to Arlington heights, via Alexandria, where it went into camp.
During the last twelve days of the campaign the Twenty-ninth suffered severely for rations and rest, it being on the march, under fire, and on the skirmish line the entire time. When we reached Fairfax station, on the platform of the depot we found an immense table upon which our wounded boys were being subjected to the ofttimes bungling butchery of ignorant alleged surgeons, a number of whom were busily engaged in depriving the poor fellows under their charge of wounded legs and arms, and in many cases hastening their death thereby. This worse than murder by men, the majority of whom, when at home, had never even witnessed a capital operation, cannot be too highly condemned. (The writer is personally acquainted with professional men of this sort, who came out of the service first-class carvers, but the number of brave fellows sacrificed to bring about this state of proficiency is unknown.) It was now ascertained that the Confederate army of General Lee was making rapid marches towards Maryland. To checkmate this movement our columns were at once ordered on a retrograde movement in the direction of Washington. Reaching Alexandria, we passed up the Potomac, crossing at the long bridge, and moving forward to Georgetown where a halt of one day was made, the command departing the following morning for Frederick City, Maryland, which was said to be occupied by the rebels. A day’s march brought us beyond Rockville, Maryland, where we encamped for the night. At 2 o’clock, on the afternoon of September 5th, the regiment marched to Monocacy Junction, where the rebels had a short time previous destroyed the railroad bridge.
CHAPTER VII.
Frederick City—Recruits—Dumfries.
The regiment remained at Monocacy junction, guarding the immense supply trains which had accumulated here by reason of the burned bridge. Sergeant Baldwin relates that a lot of rebel prisoners passed Monocacy bridge, one of whom claimed to have fired seven shots at Colonel Buckley at the battle of Port Republic, but without effect. About September 13th, the bridge having been replaced, we moved on to Frederick city, Maryland. Here we engaged in camp, picket, and provost duty, and a large number of the men were detailed to care for the wounded from the battlefields of South Mountain and Antietam, September 14th and 17th.
In the meantime we were joined by a large number of recruits, amongst which was a brigade cornet band, composed of the following members: George Shaw, leader; Everett Shaw, assistant leader; J. G. Caskey, Jacob Koplin, Sylvanus Hile, Columbus Ferguson, N. G. Hartman, Christian Hardag, William Kurtz, George Metcalf, James Lyon, “Bige” Nickerson, Benjamin Snyder, George Turney, Micajah Rice, Bennett Wadsworth, Edward White, Frank Waltz, Eli Waltz; Gurley G. Crane, drum major.
November 25th, Colonel Clark says: “Patiently waiting in camp. ‘Dress parade’ to-day, the first many of us have seen since May last. Only about two hundred men in line. Remembering how far our line reached at Camp Giddings, our force looks small indeed.”
November 27th. “Cold and raw. A fierce gale makes our canvas houses rock like cradles. We are now having an easy time; that is all but the men and the mules. Our men go on duty every other day. As to rations, don’t think any of us will get the gout.”
November 27th. “Thanksgiving.—‘Distance lends enchantment,’ etc., to turkeys, chickens, pies, and fixin’s that make good cheer at home. Well, some of us are thankful—that we are here instead of being locked up in those dirty rebel prisons. Nine of our officers and a large number of our men have just been released. This inactivity is irksome to the volunteer who has business at home needing his attention. We hardly think Burnside will reach Richmond via Fredericksburg unless he goes as some of us did—as prisoners.”
On the 10th day of December, 1862, the regiment struck tents at Frederick City, Maryland, and moved by cars in the direction of Harper’s Ferry. At Sandy Hook a halt was made for the night; slept in freight cars; suffered severely from cold. The following day marched at 6 A. M. About noon crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers into Virginia; marched about nine miles and camped for the night. Twelfth, marched at 3 P. M. some nine miles and went into camp. Thirteenth, moved at 6 A. M., marched twelve miles, halted for dinner, passed through Leesburg, and camped for the night. Fourteenth, marched at sunrise, passed through Fairfax Court House to the station, where we encamped. Fifteenth, marched till about 4 P. M., crossed Broad run and encamped for the night. Sixteenth, marched four miles in rain, snow, and mud; at 12 M. halted for dinner; had a fight with a Pennsylvania regiment over some rails that had been collected from the fence. These we used for wood occasionally in preparing our meals.
[It] is perhaps unnecessary to mention that the Twenty-ninth boys enjoyed good fires to-day. In the afternoon the Twenty-ninth went on picket one mile to the rear. Seventeenth, brigade counter-marched to Fairfax station, where it remained until the 19th, when it moved southeast about one and one-half miles to an orchard, where it encamped, and where it remained until the 27th, when it marched at 9 A. M.; reached Broad run late in the evening. On the hill on the south side of the creek was a fort occupied by rebels; the Twenty-ninth crossed the creek, halted, loaded their guns, and advanced, and a red-hot little skirmish ensued at the close of which the rebels fell back. We went into the fort, sending two companies out in the road leading towards Dumfries as skirmishers. The regiment remained on arms all night; cold and frosty. Guns are not very warm bed-fellows. Twenty-eighth, marched at 7:30 A. M., Twenty-ninth in advance of division. About 10 o’clock met some rebel cavalry; the Twenty-ninth regiment deployed into line of battle, a few shots were fired, and the rebels fell back. One man wounded in company A. While in this position Generals Slocum, Geary, and Green came up; a battery was soon in position which sent a few shots after the retreating rebel cavalry. In the afternoon marched through the woods on right of road, in line of battle, while the division moved in the road; skirmishing the balance of the day. At dark we halted three miles from Dumfries and camped for the night. Twenty-ninth, reached Dumfries’ about 10 o’clock A. M., and went into camp on the side hill in the woods north of town.
January 1, 1863, the regiment and its brigade remained at Dumfries, doing camp and picket duty, until January 16th, when it was ordered to march on two hours’ notice, did not march. On the 17th and 18th nothing transpired worthy of note. On the 19th the regiment passed in grand review by Colonel Charles Canby, of the Sixty-sixth Ohio infantry. January 27th, General Geary visited the regiment while on parade, and complimented us on our discipline, neat appearance, and soldierly deportment. February 2nd, Colonel L. P. Buckley, Adjutant T. S. Winship, Captain E. Burridge and Lieutenant Gregory, of company F, resigned and went home. Lieutenant J. B. Storer was made adjutant, and Sergeant H. R. Baldwin, of company F, promoted to captain. February 3d, Companies D and I were detached at Dumfries landing, on the Potomac, about four miles from camp, doing guard duty, unloading army supplies from boats, and loading the Second Division trains.
On the 14th some musketry firing was heard in the direction of Brentsville.
March 9th, Eli Waltz, of Company D, and a member of the brigade band, died.
April 16th, Companies D and I moved from the landing, and joined the regiment.
From the 29th day of December, 1862, the time when the Twenty-ninth regiment entered Dumfries, its duties were severe; the line of pickets was over three miles long, and over one mile from camp; and as the rebel cavalry were hovering around, the main roads entering Dumfries, were patroled at night. Our men suffered severely from cold and the protracted storms. In the meantime five companies were added to the brigade. The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania originally had fifteen companies; five companies were added to the new recruits, and designated the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, with Ario Pardee as colonel. Our first brigade now consists of the Twenty-ninth, Seventh, Fifth, and Sixty-sixth Ohio regiments, and Twenty-eighth and One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania.
The suffering our men endured during our stay at Dumfries from inclemency of the weather, the arduous service, and the scarcity of almost every necessity, cannot be easily over-estimated, and it might with propriety go into history as a counterpart of that much written about, and extensively illustrated affair “Washington at Valley Forge.”
About the 20th day of April, 1863, with Colonel Clark in command, the Twenty-ninth regiment, with its brigade, left Dumfries, Virginia, and marched to Aqua creek, which place it reached two days later, and encamped about one mile from the Potomac river. Aqua creek is sixty miles below Washington on the river; it was used as a base for supplies, and a field hospital was soon established. The regiment with its brigade remained at this place performing the usual camp and garrison duty, building forts and, at the same time, doing its full share of picket duty. We are encamped on the hill overlooking the Potomac. To the north and west is a fine rolling country partly covered with pine timber and tangled undergrowth. All was quiet until orders were received to march; then what a bustle; haversacks were filled, each soldier furnished with sixty rounds of ammunition, and preparations made for “business.” At 7 o’clock A. M., on the 27th day of April, the regiment fell into line and moved forward on the road leading to Kelleys ford via Stafford Court House and Hartwood church, reaching the Rappahannock river at Kelley’s ford late in the afternoon. The enemy was found in small force on the south bank of the river. Late in the evening the Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment crossed the river in a small boat capable of carrying but one company at a time. The regiment deployed as skirmishers, holding the enemy back until the division had all crossed when we bivouacked for the night. The next morning we marched at 5:30 A. M., the Twenty-ninth regiment in advance; passed through a low, level country, with heavy timber; halted at 12 M. for dinner at a fine residence on a large plantation; fell in at 1:30 P. M. and moved in an easterly direction, reaching the Rapidan river late in the afternoon. The bridge had been destroyed, so that a crossing was not effected until in the evening, after which the Twenty-ninth camped for the night. 29th instant,—marched at 7:30 A. M. on the direct road to Chancellorsville. About 10 o’clock A. M. General Slocum came up and orders were received for the Twenty-ninth regiment to send out a line of skirmishers on the right of the road, which was done, the regiment passing through an open field and entering the timber, forcing the enemy back; marched on the flank through the woods and thick undergrowth for several miles, were then ordered to join the brigade. We reached Chancellorsville late in the afternoon of April 30th, where we found a small force of Confederate soldiers who were engaged in throwing up earthworks near the Chancellor house, at a point where the roads crossed, one leading to the United States ford, and the other to Fredericksburg. The Twenty-ninth regiment, with its brigade and division, were the first Union soldiers to enter the place. A number of prisoners were taken, and late in the evening the Twenty-ninth moved a short distance southwest from the main road and the Chancellor house into a piece of timber and bivouacked for the night.
CHAPTER VIII.
1863.
Battle of Chancellorsville—March to Leesburg, Littletown, and Gettysburg.
The morning of May 1st dawned upon a scene of bustle and active preparation for the bloody work which was to follow. Troops had been arriving during the entire night from the direction of the United States ford, and the light of early morning revealed an almost solid mass of blue-coated soldiers filling the open fields and woods in the vicinity of the Chancellor house. They were mainly from the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth corps. At about 8 o’clock A. M. the Twenty-ninth, with its brigade and division, made a reconnoissance in force, and after marching about one-half mile the division formed in line of battle, and in this position was moved about the field until afternoon, when the lines were generally moved to the east through the timber, the right resting on the road. Moving perhaps half a mile we found the enemy in strong force, his artillery masked in the road. During this time some skirmishing and artillery firing was indulged in, and several of the Twenty-ninth were wounded. Late in the afternoon we moved to the rear under a heavy fire from the rebel artillery. Reaching the place we had left in the morning we set to work throwing up breastworks. The rebels advanced and our skirmishers kept up a rattling fire all night, while the regiment worked like beavers preparing the works for the coming conflict. The Second division, commanded by John W. Geary, occupied about the left center in the order of battle.
During the evening of May 1st the Confederate army were charging the right of our lines, and for four hours the artillery firing on both sides was terrific. It continued at intervals the entire night. The air was ablaze and full of deadly missiles dealing destruction all around us; the earth trembled under our feet; the rattle and roar of artillery was like continued bursts of thunder. The heavens seemed on fire, revealing the deadly strife of two grand armies locked in close embrace, fighting with desperate valor. The dense smoke was lightened by rapid flashes of artillery, the bursting of shell, and the unceasing discharges of musketry, making a scene grand and terrible in the extreme. At midnight this deadly combat ceased, the death-like stillness which succeeded being broken only by the cries of the wounded and the dying comrades so recently beside us in deadly combat. About 1 o’clock at night pickets were posted forty yards from the main line. We were so near the rebel pickets we could hear every movement. Here we lay flat on the ground watching for demonstrations of the enemy until the dawning of another day of blood and death. In the first flush of early morning the rebels advanced with columns en masse and at once opened fire on us. This we returned and then quickly retired under a storm of leaden hail. Leaping over the rifle-pits we soon rejoined the command.
The Twenty-ninth regiment now moved in a southwesterly direction along the line of works a short distance, in support of a New York regiment. While supporting this regiment the Twenty-ninth was under artillery fire from the right flank. Colonel Clark was struck by a shell, and rendered unconscious nearly two hours. The regiment again moved into its old position on the road south of the Chancellorsville house, where it remained under heavy fire of artillery and musketry, and in the afternoon our right flank was turned, and the Union army was soon forced back in the direction of the river, at Banks’ ford. When the Twenty-ninth fell back the rebels were in possession of the Chancellor house, and there were not one hundred Union soldiers in sight. The army fell back about one mile and a half, filling the woods and the road leading to Banks’ ford. Here it took a strong position and threw up a line of works and remained until May 6th, when, after being on arms all night, it marched at 6 A. M., crossed the river at Banks’ ford, and camped for the night.
During the three days’ fight the Twenty-ninth regiment lost quite heavily; the killed were four, wounded forty-two, and prisoners twenty-five.
In this action the rebel loss was officially reported in killed, wounded, and missing, as upward of 10,000 men, while the Union loss was about the same. The rebel loss in killed and wounded was greater than ours, in addition to which they lost one of their ablest generals.
May 7th, marched at 6:30 A. M. It rained hard all day. We passed Hartwood church, Staffordshire, and went into camp near Aqua creek, and here it remained until June 3d, when the regiment moved to the south about one mile, and engaged in the construction of two small forts.
Early on the morning of June 13th, we received orders to march. Tents were struck, but it was not until late in the afternoon that we moved, and then marched during the whole night, reaching Dumfries after daylight on the morning of the 14th.
15th, march at 4 A. M. Halted on the north bank of the Occoquan creek for dinner. Resuming the march in the afternoon we passed Fairfax station and Court House on the road leading to Leesburg (marched twenty-five miles). This was a march of much suffering to the men, several of whom died during the day from sunstrokes.
16th. Remained in camp all day.
17th. March in the direction of Leesburg. Halted at 12 M., and camped for the night.
June 18th. Marched to near Leesburg and went into camp. Oh! How it rains!
19th. Remained in camp cleaning up guns and equipage, and all is quiet. In the afternoon the Twelfth army corps were ordered out to witness the shooting of three deserters from the First division of the Twelfth army corps. Following are the names: William McKee, company A, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania; Christopher Krumbart, company A, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania; and William Grover, company B, Thirteenth New Jersey. Lieutenant-colonel Clark left us here badly broken down in health.
Sunday, June 20th. In camp cleaning up for inspection. 21st and 22d in camp. 23d, 24th and 25th, Captain Schoonover, in charge of one hundred and twenty men from the brigade, felling timber, uncovering Ball’s Bluff in front of Fort Beauregard.
26th. The regiment left Leesburg, crossing the Potomac at Edward’s Ferry, passed Poolsville, and encamped for the night at Monocacy aqueduct.
27th. Moved at 4:30 A. M. by way of Point of Rocks, Petersville and Parkersburg, and camped for the night five miles from Harper’s Ferry.
28th. Moved in the forenoon, passing through Harper’s Ferry, then up the tow path of the Baltimore & Ohio canal to Clear Springs, where the Twenty-ninth passed under the canal through a culvert, and moving in the direction of Frederick City, Maryland, went into camp.
29th. Moved through Frederick City in the direction of Pennsylvania, and went into camp. General Hooker was relieved from command of the Army of the Potomac, and General George G. Mead placed in command.
30th. Moved north into Pennsylvania, and late in the afternoon reached Littlestown, where we had a skirmish with the advance guard of the rebel Lee, which falling back toward Gettysburg, we moved north of town; mustered for pay and went into camp for the night.
CHAPTER IX.
Gettysburg.
1863.
July 1, 1863, the Twenty-ninth regiment, under command of Captain Edward Hayes, marched at 6:30 A. M., passed through Littletown and on towards Gettysburg. After moving some five miles, we halted, and while preparing for dinner, first heard the distant artillery firing which seemed to be many miles away.
While resting, troops were passing to the front. Meanwhile some of Company H had advanced to an eminence, from which they soon returned, reporting that the cannonading was not far off, as they could plainly see the shells as they burst above the timber. We were soon on the march, halting occasionally to breathe, as it was excessively hot and dusty. When about two miles from Gettysburg, we met ambulances returning with the wounded of the First and Eleventh corps, which had been engaged. Advancing a short distance, we found still further evidence of the fight in the bodies of those who had been killed in battle, and left beside the road. Late in the afternoon the Twenty-ninth reached the Union lines near Seminary Hill, and here batteries were in position. The troops were moving, and the rapid forming of lines gave evidence that a battle was nigh.
The Twenty-ninth regiment filed to the left of the pike, and advancing about forty rods, took a position in a wheat field, in line of battle, and here remained on arms during the night.
During the day (July 1st) the First corps, commanded by General J. F. Reynolds, had a sharp fight, in which Reynolds was killed. The Eleventh corps (Howard’s) was also engaged. Late in the afternoon the Nationals were pressed back, and took a strong position a short distance from Gettysburg, on Seminary Ridge, which ended the battle for that day.
During the night we could hear the moving of confederate troops and artillery in our front, while at the same time the Nationals were coming onto the field, so that in the morning of July 2d, the open field and woods presented a solid mass of troops, artillery and supply trains.
About 8 o’clock A. M., July 2d, the Twenty-ninth regiment moved back to the pike, and moved with the division to a position in the timber on a hill, near the right of the line. Here breastworks were thrown up, and skirmishing was almost continuous along the line during the forenoon, and until about 3 o’clock P. M., when the struggle was renewed on the left, and gradually extended to the center. About 6 o’clock P. M., there was a lull on the left, and the fight raged with renewed vigor on the extreme right and center, with Howard’s Eleventh and Slocum’s Twelfth corps. Late in the evening the Twenty-ninth, with the brigade, withdrew from the works, and moved back about three-fourths of a mile, where it remained during the forepart of the night, moving back and forth, and constantly skirmishing. The entire army appeared to be in motion the greater part of the night.
July 3, 1863, at the dawn of day, the Twenty-ninth, with the brigade, moved back to, and took position in the works left the night before, and about 4 o’clock A. M. the conflict was renewed.
The rebels who had possession of our works were quickly driven back, and, fifteen minutes after the first gun was fired, the engagement became general along the entire line, and for six hours the musketry was one continued roll, interspersed at intervals by the crash of the artillery. The Twenty-ninth remained in the works except when allowed to retire to secure ammunition, clean pieces, etc. While thus securing ammunition the rebels charged the line on our right, gained possession of the works, and were advancing in force, when that gallant officer, Colonel Hayes, ordered the Twenty-ninth to fall in, fix bayonets, and advance to the charge of the rebels in the rifle pits and advancing on our right. The regiment made a half wheel to the right and advanced double-quick, when the rebels gave way. An eastern shore regiment took position next on our right, holding the rebels in check. A battery was immediately placed in position, a few rounds from which sent the Confederates to the rear, leaving their dead and wounded thick about our line of works.
The Confederates in our front were Ewell’s corps, including our old acquaintance, Stonewall Jackson’s brigade, which fought with desperation. The rattle of the musketry, which extended from the extreme right to the left center of our line, had now become continuous, and about 1 o’clock P. M. General Lee opened a furious fire upon our lines from over one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery, to which more than one hundred National guns quickly responded; some sixty thousand small arms were heard amidst the roar of artillery. This unearthly din continued until late in the afternoon, when the firing ceased except at intervals, and this continued during the entire night.
Brevet Captain George Hayward, of company E, promoted for gallant conduct at Chancellorsville, was killed in this fight. He was daring almost to rashness, always at the front, unmindful of danger, while his tender solicitude for his men endeared him to all who knew him, and his death was sincerely regretted. The rebel who killed him was concealed in the crevice of the rock not more than twenty paces from our line. Upon again exposing his person not less than one hundred rifles were discharged at him; he sprang backward, a shrill cry rang out upon the air, and brave Hayward’s death was avenged.
A little further down the hill lay the dead body of Major Light, assistant adjutant-general on Ewell’s staff, who had perished in the morning assault.
Early on the morning of July 4th the Twenty-ninth regiment advanced in reconnoissance over the battlefield, and for the first time gained a full knowledge of the fearful loss of life the rebels had sustained, full five thousand of whom had answered to their last roll-call. Still the mystery exists how any rebels escaped, as each soldier of the Union army had, in the seven hours’ fight, fired two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition, sufficient to have annihilated the entire Southern army.
We moved forward to the base of Culp’s hill, and thence left, to the creek near Cemetery hill, on the opposite bank of which were posted the gray-coated pickets of the enemy. Rebel troops were moving through the town, while a force was fortified on Seminary ridge. Pickets were thrown out to observe their movements and we retired to the main line.
During the day nearly five thousand stand of rebel arms were collected from the field, in front of Geary’s division alone. Our fallen comrades were tenderly, though rudely, transferred to the kindly embrace of mother earth, while the wounded were collected at convenient points to receive the necessary treatment.
Whoever has followed the phases of the battle of Gettysburg must have been expressed with the stubborn valor displayed on both sides by the common soldiers. The dauntless resolution exhibited in the attacks made it a terribly bloody and destructive conflict, and the unyielding and resolute front of the defence brought victory. But there was no possibility of achieving on either side such sweeping and complete triumphs as are recorded of wars in other countries and in other days, in a contest between two armies where the common soldiers were of such a temper and in such earnest as were these. It is a sad spectacle to see the manhood of two claiming to be Christian peoples thus march out to a field, like trained pugilists, and beat, and gouge, and pummel each other until one or the other from exhaustion must yield. It is revolting and sickening, and it is hoped that the day will come when disputes arising among nations may be settled by compromise, as two reasonable and upright men would decide a difference, governed by the golden rule, instead of resorting to blows where right and justice must be subordinate to brute force. But in a great battle like that which we have been considering it is not the soldiers themselves who are responsible, but the parties who make the quarrel. Hence, while the mind revolts at the scenes of destruction which the field discloses, the immediate actors are not to be held accountable. They go in obedience to the dictates of duty and of patriotism, and while they may indulge no personal hatred toward those who for the time they call enemies, they must in battle inflict the greatest possible injury upon them. In all ages the highest honors have been reserved for those who have fought the battles of their country—and this is right. For if there is any deed in the power of a mortal which can sway the feelings or soften the heart it is that of one man laying down his life for another. The breast heaves and the eye is suffused with tears at the spectacle of Pythias putting his life in jeopardy only for his friend. There is a halo of glory hovering about the profession of arms. It has its seat in the sacrifice of self, which is its ruling spirit.
The man who stands upon the field of battle and faces the storm of death that sweeps along, whether he merely puts his life thus in jeopardy or is actually carried down in death, torn and mangled in the dread fight, is worthy of endless honors, and though we class the deed with the lowest of human acts, prompted by a hardihood which we share with the brutes, and in which the most ignorant and besotted may compete with the loftiest, yet it is an act before which humanity will ever bow and uncover. Who that walked that field of carnage and beheld the maimed and mangled, and him cold in death, could withhold the tribute of honor and respect? For, could he make that dying soldier’s lot his own, or that of his nearest and dearest friend, he would only then justly realize the sacrifice. Our casualties in the fight were: Killed, nine; wounded, thirty-five; missing, one. Total, forty-five.
CHAPTER X.
Return to Washington—Embark for New York—Return—Transferred to the Western Army.
The pursuit of the retreating enemy was commenced by the Twelfth army corps at 1 o’clock P. M., on July 5th. At night we encamped at Littletown, Pennsylvania, and on the following morning moved by the way of Frederick to Antietam creek. On the 7th instant we marched through Frederick, filed to the right, and passed by a rebel spy that was hanging to a limb of a tree. We moved a short distance, and halted, where we remained all night. On the 8th we marched over the mountains in the direction of Sharpsburg. On the 9th we passed over the battlefield, and camped near Fairplay, Maryland. On the 10th we moved through the town, and camped for the night near Falling waters. On the following day we advanced to Fairplay, a small town to the south of St. James’ college, and the Twenty-ninth regiment, with its customary good (?) fortune, was thrown out as skirmishers, and during the day exchanged frequent shots with the enemy’s cavalry, and at night resting in position on the extreme front.
During the night rebel cavalry approached very near our line, but our orders were positive not to fire unless attacked. On the following morning we were relieved and retired to the main line, where we assumed position as support to Knapp’s battery, which was hotly engaged at intervals during the day.
On the morning of the 13th instant we rejoined our brigade, anticipating an attack. Riflepits were thrown up and due preparation made. The enemy are strongly fortified between St. James’ college and Williamsport, some two miles distant, and on the 14th he was reported as falling back across the Potomac. Heavy cannonading is heard towards the river, and the First division of General Williams advances in reconnoissance, the Second acting as support. A dispatch states that Lee’s army, in full retreat, began crossing the river yesterday, continued through the night and to-day. Our troops are hotly engaged with his rear guard, and we remain in position until the morning of the 18th, when we move briskly forward in pursuit of the fleeing chivalry, who were now across the Potomac in Virginia. We marched via Sharpsburg and Antietam.
While passing through the woods three men were shot by Mosby’s cavalry. A march of sixteen miles and we halt within three miles of Harper’s Ferry. At Sandy Hook we remain until the morning of the 19th instant, when we move forward via Harper’s Ferry, to Hillsboro, Virginia.
On the following morning we are early on the move, advancing as far as Snickersville, near the gap of that name, where pickets are thrown out and we bivouac for the night. We remain here for two days, during which time we muster and pass in review. Colonel W. T. Fitch recently promoted, and who has been absent on leave since March 28th, joined us here, and assumed command.
On the morning of the 23d we again moved forward, passing through Upperville and on to Ashby’s gap, where, at a late hour, we go into camp. Having marched thirty miles since morning sleep was sweet that night, with mother earth for a bed, and only heaven’s blue canopy for a cover. At 3 o’clock on the morning of the 24th we march rapidly forward through the villages of Markham and Linden, halting for dinner at Manassas gap, then forward, changing direction by column to the south-southeast, in the direction of White Plains. Marching sixteen miles we halted for the night.
The next day we marched to White Plains, and the next by the way of Thoroughfare gap, Haymarket, and Greenwich, the latter a pretty little village, settled by English people, for whose protection guards were stationed, as they were in fact in many instances for the protection of rebel property. After a brief halt we marched forward via Catlett’s station and Warrenton, where we joined the First and Eleventh corps of our army and encamped for the night, then forward again to Kelley’s Ford, on the Rappahannock, when, after a short visit, the brigade took cars for Alexandria, Virginia, under orders for New York city, to quell the memorable draft riots induced by the Southern sympathizers and copperheads.
On August 23d we embarked on the steamer Baltic and moved down the Potomac. When near its outlet we went fast aground. This action occurred about noon on the 24th, and three days elapsed before we were again on the move. On the 28th, at 9:45 A. M., we round Cape Henry and strike the swells of the Atlantic. A rough sea soon sends many of the command to the rail to—well, if the reader was ever seasick he will appreciate the situation. It is not pleasant to linger long upon this scene; the recollection of it, even now, almost destroys one’s interest in sublunary affairs.
On the 29th we pass the narrows and enter New York harbor, coming to anchor near Governor’s Island at 12 o’clock M.
From our anchorage the view was grandly beautiful with the immense shipping, Brooklyn on the right, New York to the front, and Jersey City on the left. On the left of Governor’s Island Castle William (now used as a magazine) stands out in bold relief. To its right is the fort which protects the harbor. On September 1st we disembarked and went into camp on the island. The men are in fine spirits and delighted with the change.
The troubles in the city having subsided we re-embarked aboard the Baltic, which, on the 8th day of September, heads towards the sea. When passing the narrows the guns of the fort thunder a salute; soon Sandy Hook is passed and we are again in the open sea, all happy at the prospect of going to the front, the inactivity of camp life with nothing to do having become tiresome in the extreme.
On September 10th we came to anchor in Chesapeake Bay, where we remained one day, then passed on again to Alexandria, disembarked, and went into camp to the south of the town. Two days later and we again move forward to Elk creek, where we encamp for the night.
September 16th, marched at 6 A. M., reached the Rappahannock at noon, and here rejoined our old brigade, moved forward to Raccoon ford on the north side of the Rapidan. General Lee’s forces are massed on the opposite shore of the river, and as we came up our ears were greeted with the pleasing sound of rapid musketry firing proceeding from the pickets of the two armies. During the afternoon we witnessed the execution of two deserters from the Seventy-eighth New York.
During the last of September we learned of the defeat of the Western army at Chickamauga, and the Twelfth corps was at once transferred to the Department of the West, and without delay proceeded by rail to Washington, and thence via Wheeling, Columbus, Indianapolis, Nashville, to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where we arrived October 5th.
After a few days’ rest the regiment again resume the march, passing Duck river, Bell Buckle, and Wartrace, when the Seventh Ohio halted, while the Twenty-ninth moved on to Normandy, on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad. Here it remained in camp, with the usual routine of camp and picket duty until late in October, when the regiment and brigade broke camp, took the cars for Bridgeport, Alabama, where it arrived on the 27th, disembarked, and camped for the night. On the morning of October 28th the Twenty-ninth regiment crossed the Tennessee river with the wagon train. Halting at Shellmound for dinner, marched until late in the evening, and halted near White Sides, where all camped for the night. About 11 o’clock P. M. artillery firing, with heavy volleys of musketry, was heard in the direction of Chattanooga, continuing two or three hours.
CHAPTER XI.
Murfreesboro—General Greene—The Mule Brigade—Congratulatory.
While at Murfreesboro scouts reported that Wheeler’s cavalry was in the vicinity, and the Second division (Geary’s) was pushed forward to meet it, the First division remaining to guard the post and railway communication. Geary moved forward in the direction of Bridgeport, encountering Wheeler’s force near the line of the railway. A brief but sharp skirmish ensued, which resulted in the repulse and hasty retreat of the rebels. We then advanced without delay to Bridgeport. October 27th the Second division, Geary commanding, with Creighton and Greene in command of the First and Second brigades, crossed the Tennessee, the object to open communication on the south side of the river by way of Wauhatchie valley and Lookout mountain for the relief of General Thomas at Chattanooga.
Brigadier-general Greene, with three regiments of infantry and four pieces of Knapp’s battery, numbering about fifteen hundred men, with a wagon train of provisions, was sent to the relief of the famishing army at Chattanooga, the balance of our command following as fast as practicable with the immense supply train in charge. After we had encamped for the night the signal corps of General Greene informed us that his command had encamped at Wauhatchie, within six miles of Chattanooga. The knoll occupied by them derived its name from an Indian battle fought there years before. It is situated in the valley not far from the base of Lookout mountain. Knapp’s guns were placed in position facing Lookout, and pickets stationed perhaps fifty yards to the front.
About midnight General Hood’s division came down from the heights of Lookout and quietly surrounded General Greene’s small force, and at once commenced an attack. Greene’s men, aroused from their slumber, hastily formed line under a most deadly fire from all sides, and one of the most desperate struggles on record ensued. We were awakened by the sound of the distant combat, and forming into line hastily advanced to their rescue. When we arrived Hood’s rebels had been routed and were flying in all directions, intent only on reaching their mountain stronghold. There was a regular stampede of the mules, which had broken loose and were braying furiously. This, with loud shouts from our men, must have induced a belief in the valorous rebel horde that a large force of cavalry was charging down upon them, and their fears and flight was indeed a grand burlesque finale to a terrible tragedy.
General Greene had lost one-third of his force, killed and wounded, his ammunition was exhausted, and ordering the mules cut loose, he made a desperate bayonet charge to cut his way to freedom. The mules providentially moved in the same direction, mingling the thunder of their tread and their awful voices with the shouts of Greene’s men, and our own, to let them know that assistance was coming. The effect was to throw Hood’s rebel army into a wild panic and put them to rout. Three hundred prisoners and about one thousand stand of arms were captured. Every man of Knapp’s battery, save one only, was either killed or wounded. Among the former was Lieutenant Geary, son of General John W. Geary. The ground was covered with the dead and injured of both the blue and the gray.
While assisting the wounded and burying the dead, Generals Grant, Hooker, and Thomas, with their respective staffs, arrived from Chattanooga. The former coolly remarked as he surveyed the bloody scene: “Well, boys, you must have had a hot time of it, judging from appearances.” There was silence among the men, who knew that an army was cosily reposing but four miles away, which could easily have averted the terrible bloodshed, but were so completely disheartened by the defeat at Chickamauga that they dare not venture from their stronghold to the relief of gallant “Corporal” Greene, who happily turned defeat into a heroic victory.
The following lines, composed by one of our command, fully relates the grand finale and
CHARGE OF THE MULE BRIGADE.
Half a mile, half a mile,
Half a mile onward,
Right towards the Georgia troops