SERVICE WITH THE FORTY-FOURTH N. Y. VOLS. IN 1864.
On the 7th day of February, 1864, I reported for duty to Major Knox, commanding the Forty-fourth Regiment N. Y. Vols., at Alexandria, Va., after an absence of two years, on detached service in the Signal Corps. On February 9th I was mustered into the service as Captain by Capt. W. T. Gentry, and on the next day was assigned to the command of Company C.
The regiment had an excellent camp, nicely trimmed with evergreens, on a hillside in the outskirts of Alexandria, and was doing guard duty on trains, running to Brandy Station, where the army of the Potomac was occupying winter quarters. The trains consisted of heavily loaded freight cars, and as neither officers or men were allowed inside of the cars on the outward trip, they were often exposed to the rain and snow, and as the details were very frequent, and generally at night, the duty was much more fatiguing than ordinary guard or picket duty.
On February 26th I was transferred to the command of Company E, and remained in command until the regiment returned home to be mustered out of the service.
On the 19th. of March there was a report that some of the enemy's cavalry had penetrated our lines, and would make an attack on Alexandria. Our regiment was, accordingly, placed in line of battle in front of the wooden barracks between our camp and the city. Being "Officer of the Day," I was left in charge of the camp with a guard of thirty men, but no attack was made.
On April 8th, Capt. Nash, who had returned to the regiment from acting as Inspector General on Gen. Chamberlain's staff, and myself, commenced messing together, and so continued until he was wounded at Bethesda Church.
On April 27th, Sergeant Newton of Company E, an excellent young man, died suddenly of fever. I had the body embalmed at Alexandria to await arrival of N. Newton from Hopewell Centre, Ontario Co., N. Y.
At 11 A. M., April 29th, the regiment left Alexandria to rejoin the army, and camped near Rappahannock at 5 P. M.
On May 1st marched at 8 A. M. and camped at 2 P.M. about one mile East of Brandy Station.
On May 3d marched to within two miles of Culpeper and rested. Started again at 11 P. M., crossing Rapidan on pontoons at 9 A. M. May 4th, and bivouacked near the intersection of the pike and plank roads from Fredericksburg to Orange Court House, not far from Old Tavern.
On May 5th the regiment was in line of battle in the Wilderness soon after daylight, and about ir A. M. commenced throwing up breastworks about 100 yards in front of camp occupied during the night. This work was afterwards countermanded, and the regiment moved forward a short distance and halted, with right resting on road. The infantry in front of us had a severe engagement with the enemy during the morning. At about 1 P. M. we again moved forward a short distance, relieving the regiment fighting in the edge of a wood in our front, and remained under fire about half an hour, when we were relieved, having used up nearly all our ammunition. The rebels charged upon our lines twice and were twice driven back. At first their fire was very heavy and we all laid down, but afterwards rose up. When the order was given to fall back I misunderstood it, and as the rebels were retreating, gave the command to charge. My own Company and some men on our right and left went forward some distance, firing into the retreating rebels, but seeing the balance of the regiment did not come, but were moving off to the right, I gave the command to fall back again and join them. Sergeant McBlain, who was in advance firing away, would have been left, if I had not gone to him and touched his arm. The regiment returned to the line of breastworks it had commenced to build in the morning, completed them, and remained there the following night. During the fight Privates Burroughs and Richards of Company E were mortally wounded. Corporals Oliver and Swan seriously, and Privates Eldred, Rowe and Campbell, slightly. Capt. Johnson was killed and many men of the other Companies were killed and wounded whom I do not remember but believe all were taken from the field. A short time before, Private Burroughs had appeared before a Board of Examination for a commission as Lieutenant in the Colored Troops, which was afterwards received for him and forwarded to his father.
On May 6th reveille sounded at 3 A. M. and soon after we were placed in line of battle on right of road, near the same line occupied the day before. We remained here all day, without being attacked by infantry, 11 men in the regiment being wounded by sharpshooters and shells. We returned to breastworks at dusk. The next morning the enemy advanced on our line but were driven back without loss to us. At 10 o'clock P. M. on the 7th we withdrew from the Wilderness and marched towards Spottsylvania. We marched slowly during the night, making frequent halts, just long enough for some of the men to drop asleep, when they had to be roused up to continue the march. In the morning of May 8th we marched by large bodies of our troops, halted near the road, passing General Rice, our former Colonel, standing by the roadside, who spoke kindly to many of our regiment whom he recognized. Two days after he fell mortally wounded. The regiment halted in the edge of a wood, and not knowing how long we would remain, I told my First Sergeant to call the roll, and was just preparing to take a little breakfast from my haversack, when our regiment and the 83d Penn. were ordered forward. Generals Griffin and Bartlett met us, and pointing to a little hill in an open field some distance in front, the former said: "Boys, I want you to take the crest of that hill. There is nothing there but dismounted cavalry; see them run," and looking in that direction we did see two or three cavalrymen disappearing in the distance, but they were mounted. We charged to within about forty yards of the top of the hill, when we received a heavy volley of musketry from a long line of infantry, far outnumbering us, who were concealed by a slight breastwork of fence rails and brush. Our men immediately laid down and for some time returned their fire. Seeing Col. Conner urging our men to go forward, I rose up, and giving the command, "Forward!" went ahead a few yards but as the men did not follow, I laid down again, and they fired over me. Not long after I heard firing some distance in the rear, and at first thought we were being reinforced, but looking to the left saw a man running to the rear with the colors. I then thought we were being surrounded and the regiment was falling back, and, rising up, started after it, the bullets striking all around me, but keeping a little too far to the left, in order to gain the shelter of some brush. I ran across three rebels, who, pointing their guns at my breast, said "Get back thar," and having only my sword in my hand I saw that I was a prisoner. They made me enter their lines, which were only a few yards distant, the officers restraining their men from shooting me, which they seemed very anxious to do. I recognized some other prisoners behind their lines, who had just been captured, and was directed to join them as they were being taken to the Provost Marshal's Guard. I soon noticed the rebel soldiers relieving some of our officers and men of their possessions, and one approached me, and pointing to my haversack said, "What have you in there?" Hoping to delay him, I replied, "Oh, nothing but a little dried beef and a few crackers; you are welcome to them," and taking my haversack off I handed it to him and started toward a road where I saw an officer on horseback, whom I addressed and asked if their men were permitted to rob us. "Certainly not," he replied, and pointing down the road to some troops, said: "If you will report to the officer in command he will see that you are properly treated!" Hastening on I soon found a large number of prisoners in charge of the Provost Guard, and reporting to the officer in command, Major Ryals, was assured that our personal effects would not be interfered with. Here I found Lieuts. Bennett and Munger and 22 men of the Forty-fourth, and Lieut. Montgomery of the 83d Penn. I afterwards learned that the Forty-fourth N. Y. and the 83d Penn. had been especially selected from our brigade and sent forward about half a mile in advance of the main body of troops to develop the strength of the enemy, who were found to be in much larger force than had been supposed. While we were lying down and returning their fire, they outflanked us, and attacked us in the rear. Company E lost Private Crawford killed; Corporal Woodworth and Private Gardner missing and probably killed; wounded, Privates Claus, Madden, Rowley, Riley, McDuffee, Thompson, Shearer; prisoners, beside their Captain, Sergeant Prud'hom, Corporal Tooker and Private Hocknell, Lieut. Col.Conner, Major Knox and Capt. Fox were wounded and there were many others killed and wounded whose names I did not hear. Many reported missing were no doubt killed, as they were never heard of again. As the prisoners had been for a long time without rest or food, I asked Major Ryals if he had any rations for us. He said he had nothing for himself except what his men gave him, but promised to give us plenty to eat when we should reach Beaver Dam Station, where the provisions were stored. He kindly gave me a small piece of smoked ham, which I shared with others of our regiment, who gave me a few crackers which they had saved in their haversacks. We rested all that day, which was the Sabbath and the next morning started for Beaver Dam Station, where we were to take the cars for Richmond. General Lee rode by us on the Sabbath with only one or two attendants and we had a good opportunity to see him. He appeared to be a large, strongly built man, was plainly dressed, had on top boots and was mounted on a large fine looking gray horse. He wore a full gray beard, neatly trimmed, and had piercing black eyes, which I thought looked upon us prisoners with little favor. On May 9th, while on the march, I induced one of our guards to go to a farm house and buy me some bacon and cornbread, which proved very acceptable. I offered him in payment a two dollar greenback, which he said was no good, but finally concluded to accept it. I think it was this same guard who afterwards offered me his horse to ride, but I persuaded him to lend it to a wounded Colonel, who needed it much more than I did. While we were resting for a short time at noon, one of our officers took from his pocket a map and I was looking over it with him to find out where we were, when Major Ryals stepped up to us and took it away, perhaps thinking we were plotting to, escape. Towards evening, as we were descending into a ravine, I noticed one of the guard ride up from the rear and whisper something to Major Ryals, and then began to suspect that some of our troops were near. Soon after another of the guard came galloping up, exclaiming: "the Yanks are coming! the Yanks are coming!" Looking back we saw some mounted men in blue coats, coming out of the woods about half a mile distant, and soon after a long line of cavalry. Our guards gave the command "Double-quick" which we did not obey but stood on one side of the road. Without trying to enforce the order, they plunged the spurs in their horses and soon disappeared. Our cavalry came charging after them, an Orderly of Gen. Custer in advance, firing his revolver into the retreating rebels, a few of whom, were wounded and taken prisoners, but most of them escaped. As our men went galloping by we gave them hearty cheers, and some of them threw us their haversacks full of provisions. About 400 prisoners, who were captured in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, were thus rescued. We were very near Beaver Dam Station, and had previously heard the locomotives whistling for us to hurry up. At that Station our cavalry captured and burned three trains of cars and an immense supply of provisions for Lee's army. General Sheridan being near, I inquired of one of his staff what we should do, and he thought some of us could ride in the ambulances. As it was now time for supper, some of our number went into a warehouse, where among the hospital stores we found a ham, some eggs and crackers and soon after had a better meal than we had enjoyed for many days. A little later, having found an ambulance, Lieut. Munger and myself entered it to sleep for the night, but before we could get to sleep it was wanted for the wounded, so we concluded we would have to take care of ourselves the best way we could and accordingly made our bed on the ground and as the weather was warm and dry we did not suffer. The next morning, making some inquiries of Capt. Taylor, of the 2d Penn. Cavalry, when he learned my condition, he very kindly loaned me a horse and also gave one to Lieut. Munger of our regiment. We rode with the 2d Penn. Cavalry that day and bivouacked with them during the night. To secure our horses we tied them near us while we slept, but Lieut. Munger's horse, unfortunately, was stolen during the night, so for the next two days we took turns in riding the horse which had been loaned to me.
On May 11th there was heavy skirmishing all day. We marched rapidly all night, sometimes on the trot, and at early dawn had entered the outskirts of Richmond, and could see some iron fences along the road.
On the morning of the 12th there was a severe fight with the rebels who had rallied for the defense of Richmond, but General Gregg, leading them on to his guns, which he had massed together, opened upon them with canister and drove them back in confusion. After this we withdrew and passing through Mechanicsville about 2 P. M. camped in woods near Walnut Grove. Having met on the march Capt.. Tremaine, then A. A. General on the staff of General Davis, with whom I was acquainted, he very kindly insisted on my remaining with him while accompanying the cavalry and General Davis also invited me to remain at his headquarters, saying, that I should act as one of his aides.
On the 13th we marched to Bottom Bridge, which we found broken, and camped on the North side of the Chickahominy.
On May 14th we reached the James River. Our own gunboats, mistaking us for rebels, fired a few shells at us before we could open Communication with them.
On May 15th the rescued prisoners embarked at Bermuda Hundreds for Fortress Monroe, which was reached at 8 P. M.
On the 16th, after drawing rations, we started for Alexandria at 11 A. M. Stopping for four hours during the night, we passed Acquia Creek at 10 A. M. on the 17th and arrived at Alexandria at 3 P. M. On the 18th, at noon, we reported at Camp Distribution. May 20th I was assigned to the command of the 1st Company, 2d Corps and ordered to receipt for muskets and equipments and at 3 P. M. we embarked on steamboat for Belle Plain, where we went into camp with a large number of troops who were expecting orders to rejoin the Army of the Potomac. On the 21st, at my request, by special order, I left Belle Plain with Lieuts. Munger and Bennett of the Forty-fourth and my Company for Fredericksburg in charge of four wagons loaded with entrenching tools. Marching all night we reached Fredericksburg at 6 A. M. and reported to Col. Schryver. While here I visited the hospitals and saw Lieut. Hardenburg and Privates Claus, Thompson, Swan and others of the Forty-fourth. On the 23d started with wagon train for Bowling Green. Passed on to Milford on the 24th and crossed the North Anna on the 25th and bivouacked near army headquarters. Turned over my Company to the Provost Marshal and reported for duty to Capt. Allen in command of the Forty-fourth at noon on the 26th, the regiment being in line on railroad track near the North Anna River. Company E now had only 19 men for duty, having lost 20 since leaving Alexandria on April 25th. The regiment withdrew at dark on May the 26th, marched all that night and most of the following day. The men straggled very badly on the 27th, only one man from Company E keeping up when we went into camp, being much exhausted from want of rest and the excessive heat. May 28th we crossed the Pamunkey on pontoons about 11 A. M., and rested in line on a hill about a mile from the river. On the 29th we marched about six miles, passing the 9th and 2d corps, forming line in edge of woods, where we remained for the night. On the 30th we moved forward slowly and about 2 P. M. formed line in a ploughed field, under fire of sharpshooters, not far from Bethesda Church. Capt. Nash was badly wounded this day while standing in front of the regiment. Had charge of brigade pickets during night and not relieved until noon of the 3Ist. On June 1st we moved forward a short distance in neighborhood of Cold Harbor, and threw up breastworks. Skirmishers were thrown out but were driven in just before dark and our line attacked by a strong force. Our position was a good one and we repelled the rebels without much loss to us. During the fight some large branches of trees were broken off by the enemy's shells and fell across our line but were cleared away with cheers. The 3d Del. crowding into the right of our line, shot two of our men by mistake and one of its own lieutenants. After dark the woods caught fire in our front and some of the wounded were burned. On June 2d there was severe skirmishing during the day. At 4 P. M. we fell back about one mile in second line of works. The rebels charged the first line and were driven back by the 9th corps, which retired during the night. In the morning of June 3d the 9th corps charged across the open field and retook first line. Our regiment advanced on a rebel battery but found them too strongly posted and retired in good order to edge of a wood, where we built breastworks. Thorn, of Company E was wounded in the head by a piece of shell, and Capt. Kimberly by a sharpshooter. The skirmishing and shelling were severe this day. On picket duty during night and I made connection across open field in front of rebel battery with 9th corps. On the morning of June 4th we found the enemy had withdrawn from our front and in the afternoon our regiment was moved to the left. On the 5th there was a little skirmishing in our front, but heavy musketry and artillery firing on our left. At 11 P. M., June 5th, we withdrew and marched one mile beyond Allen's Mills where shoes were issued to the regiment. On June 6th, Lieut. Zeilman returned to the regiment. On the 7th we reached the Chickahominy and camped in a wood. We remained here several days and had clothing issued to the regiment which was very much needed. Our pickets were close to those of the enemy but there was an understanding not to fire, and some frequent exchanges of tobacco and provisions were made. Here a deserter from a North Carolina regiment came into our tines. On June 12th we started for Long Bridge after dark and crossed the Chickahominy at daylight on the 13th. Marching again at night we reached Wilcox Landing on the James River on the 14th and relieved a regiment of heavy artillery in the breastworks. On June 16th we crossed the James River at io A. M. and marched to within two miles of Petersburg. On June 18th our brigade acted as support to troops which were to storm a fort after dark. The assaulting column moved cautiously towards the fort but by the careless discharge of a musket their presence was disclosed to the enemy, who opened a heavy fire upon them and the attack was abandoned. On this day Sergeant Harris was wounded in the left thigh. Our brigade now took position in front and during the night erected a slight breastwork on crest of hill close to fort. At daybreak, on the 19th., as soon as our line was seen by the enemy, we received a severe fire of musketry and artillery. Corporal Darling of Company E was shot through the head and instantly killed as he was looking over the breastwork. As he was the tallest Corporal in the Company I had marched many miles by his side, He was a brave and excellent soldier and his loss was severely felt in the Company. The ground occupied by the rebels was a little higher than that occupied by us, so that many of our men were wounded while necessarily moving about. A brass Cohorn mortar was placed in the line of our regiment, which caused the enemy much annoyance and drew fire from several of their batteries. From the bottom of a ravine behind us the mine was started by the 48th Penn. which was afterwards exploded with such disastrous results to the enemy and to the 9th corps. On June 20th our regiment was relieved, moving further to the left, where we took up a new position and threw up entrenchments. On the 22d there was a sharp engagement on our left between the 2d corps and the enemy. On this day Capt. Danks returned to the regiment. After this we had a quiet time for nearly a month. The pickets in our front were peaceful and the few shells and bombs which came over our lines did us no damage. The bombs, had, however, caused some destruction to the troops on our right, so that on July 4th some of our officers and men built bombproofs. On July 7th Major Knox returned to duty and on the 21st Captains Nash and Kimberly. Early in the morning of July 30th the mine laid by the 9th corps was successfully exploded and the rebel fort blown into the air with its guns and garrison. Our troops had been under arms all night and immediately opened fire all along the line. Directly in our front there was no reply, and we thought we could have taken the enemy)s works with very little loss if the order had been given for the 5th corps to charge. On August 14th, Capt. Fox returned to the regiment and on the 5th Lieut. Col. Conner. August 16th our division was relieved by General Porter's division and we bivouacked in the woods about a mile in the rear. On August 18th we marched to Reams Station. This was a hard march, passing through a dense swamp to the Weldon R. R. expecting every moment to come on the enemy. On reaching the track the rails were torn up for a long distance, heated in a fire made from the ties, and twisted so they could not be relaid. The 2d division, on our right, had a brisk fight in the afternoon. We took position on the West side of railroad and threw up breastworks. On the 19th. the 2d division was attacked in the afternoon and driven back some distance, losing many prisoners. Being reinforced they rallied, regained their position and took some prisoners from the enemy. Our regiment was moved to the right on the double-quick as support, but we were not needed and returned to our former position. As there were some woods in our front the rebels did not seem to be aware of the extent of our line of entrenchments, and on the 21st a brigade of infantry suddenly made its appearance under our guns, no doubt thinking they had outflanked some of our troops which had been advanced on our right, and were separated from us by a short interval. They found out their mistake when it was too late and were nearly all captured. On the 22d Private Gregory of Company E was missing from picket duty and probably captured. On August 29th Lieut. Hoes returned to camp. On the 30th our regiment was detailed to work on a fort. On September 6th the officers of the Forty-fourth gave a supper to the officers of the 83d Penn., whose term of service had nearly expired. When the Forty-fourth joined the army in the fall of 1861, the regiment was received with great kindness by the 83d Penn., which provided a supper and rendered assistance in pitching tents. Ever since that time there had been the warmest friendship between the two regiments and officers and men now parted as volunteer soldiers with many feelings of regret. On September 7th, 207 recruits joined the regiment. On September 24th the Forty-fourth N. Y. Vols. left the army for City Point and was soon after mustered out of service at Albany, N. Y., having completed its term of service. The recruits and reenlisted men were organized into four Companies, constituting the Forty-fourth Battalion N. Y. Vols. under my command, with the following additional officers: Capt. A. N. Husted and First Lieutenants, O. L. Munger, Theodore Hoes and Edward Bennett.
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