NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

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rilSTORY*

OF THE ■ J ^1

SeYenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

IN THE WAR OF THE

REBELLION OE THE SOUTHERN STATES

AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

1861-1865.

DESCRIPTION OF BATTLES, AEMY MOVEMENTS, HOSPITAL

LIFE, AND INCIDENTS OF THE CAMP, BY

OFFICEES AND PRIVATES;

AND A

COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION OF THE MORAL AND POLITICAL

FORCES WHICH PRECIPITATED THE WAR OF SECESSION

UPON THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

BY THE AUTHOR,

NELSON V. HUTCHINSON.

TAUNTON, MASS. :

PUBLISHED BY AUTIIOKITY OF THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION. 18 9 0.

/ V J

TIB NB^'? ^0».; Pf BUG UBKAaY

j2?061 6B

(Ho i\)t Brace illcn

WHO GAVE UP THEIR OPPORTUNITIES IN CIVIL LIFE;

TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED

WHO DIED IN FIELD AND GENERAL HOSPITALS ;

TO THOSE WHO DIED UPON THE FIELD OF HONOR

TO SUSTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNION ; IS THIS WORK

Corlnglg Hfbicatcb

BY THE AUTHOR.

W0«20JUN'34

EBRATA.

Page 7, and elsewhere, read "Z. Boylston Adams" instead of "Z. Bogelston

Adams."

Page 8, read "Tillson" for "Tillston," and "Whiting" for "Whitney." Page 12. first line, read "Sergts. Gurney and Whiting," instead of "Sergt.

Gnmey Whitney."

Page 46, line 21, read '^light artillery" for ^^heavy artillery."

Page 129, read "Whiting" for "Whitney" also "Lieut. John G. Bosworth,

Comijany A."

Page 130, read "Co. F— Killed— Lloyd W. Pratt" for "Loyal W. Pratt." Page 131, read "and as all were worthy of record" instead of "and also all

were daring of record."

Page 158. last paragraph, read, "W^e were now on same line of advance

that McClellan made — under one of his most trusted lieutenants."

Page 171, line 17, for "piece" read "victory"; line 19, for "laugh" read

"carp" ; line 32, read, "«« the right and left hand of Mars." Page 175, line 32, read "enemy" for "army."

Page 176, next to last line, read, "on th*; right flank of the armj'." Page 179, line 10, read "ensanguined" for "ensanguine." Page 208, read, "Major-General Newton retired from the command of a

division in the Sixth Corps."

Page 223, next to last line, read "^antiseptic''' for ''a7iti.septis."

COPYRIGHT APPLIED FOR.

APOLOGY.

TN presenting the History of the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry to the public, the author makes no pretension or claim to literary ability, but has essayed to give, in a plain and concise manner, the history of the Regiment, to record its sacrifices, its hardships, and the valor and endurance of its men who participated in the work of saving the Union as a Confederation of States, and establishing the principles of national unity, and also as a memorial of them, that their children and the generations to come vi^ho know- not of their sacrifices by personal experience, may be taught the great lessons of patriotism which swelled the hearts of their fathers, the volunteers of 1861.

Shortly after the formation of the Regimental Association an effort was made to secure a Regimental History, and as it was a much more propitious time then than at the present, (it being in the seventies, shortly after the regiment left the service,) it is to be much regretted that it was not carried to a successful issue at that time. A committee was appointed, of which Capt. George Reed, of Co. K, was president ; but shortly after its formation Capt. Reed was seized with a very severe sickness, from which he has never fully recovered.

At the seventeenth annual reunion of the Regimental Association a paper was read by the author, setting forth the advantages of a Regimental History, and after an animated discussion the following committee was chosen to collect and forward data to the historian, who had been chosen at the aforesaid meeting. That committee

vi APOLOGY.

consisted of one member from each Company, with Col. F. P. Har- low as an additional committeeman at large. The following is the committee as appointed at the annual reunion : Company A, Walter S. Goss; Company B, James G. Chm-ch ; Company C, Charles Staples; Company D, Henry H. Codding; Company E, Henry Tollman ; Company F, Lieut. Harrie A. Cushman ; Company G, Lieut. A. W. Lothrop ; Company H, Hiram B. Reed; Company I, Lieut. William AYade ; Company K, Nelson V. Hutchinson ; Band, William M. Bowles.

Under the labors of tliis committee and the historian, the subject matter was collected and revised, and edited by the historian. It slowly grew into shape, and after being authorized by the Regimen- tal Association, a contract was closed with Rand, Avery & Co., of Boston ; but they subsequently suffered a perfect collapse, and were petitioned into insolvency, after having completed about one hundred and fifty pages of manuscript for five hundred volumes.

In closing up the affairs of the firm under the assignee appointed by the court for Suffolk county, the greater part of the manuscript was lost, necessitating the re-writing of that portion of the history. When the historian had completed that task, he entered into com- munication with Lieut. Charles B. Hathaway, of Taunton, Mass., formerly of Co. F, Seventh Massachusetts, and secured a very favorable contract from him for the completion of the history, he having sub-let the printing to the old and reliable printer, Ezra Davol. of Taunton, under whose contract the book was completed in every way the equal of the first contract, — Mr. Davol as printer and Mr. Hathaway as binder being among the oldest and most reli- able firms of the state or country.

The historian is under very great and lasting obligations to the following named gentlemen, who very kindly did all in their power to aid him in obtaining the necessary data and material : Maj.-Gen. D. N. Couch, the former commander of the regiment; Maj.-Gen.

APOLOGY. vii

Schofield, commanding the Atlantic Division ; the Hon. William P^ndicott, Secretary of War; Lieut. -Gen. Sheridan; Brig. -Gen. Nelson H. Davis (retired) ; Maj.-Gen. Don Carlos Buell ; Maj.- Gen. Charles Devens ; ex-Gov. John D. Long ; the Hon. Secretary of State, Henry B. Peirce, who very kindly forwarded documents from Washington, obtained at the War Department and at the State House, Boston, (Mr. Peirce assisting by his own personal labor in looking up facts) ; Lieut. -Col. F. P. Harlow ; Capt. Zeba F. Bliss ; Capt. Gurney ; William G. Litchfield and Corp. William Litch- field; Alfred Seaverns of Co. E; Harrie A. Cushman of Co. F. The historian would extend his heartfelt thanks to one and all for the very material assistance he has received in the compilation of this history. N. v. h.

X

D

SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRV.

1861.

CHAPTER I.

CAUSES OF THE REBELLION OF STATES FROM CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY,

IN presenting the history of the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry to the public, it may be well to state the moral and political reasons and principles of civil polity held by the different sections of the country, the agitation of which led to the secession of States, whereby one of the greatest wars of modern or ancient times was precipitated upon the people of the different sections. The Slave States, so called, were inhabited by an agricultural people principally,' who were hampered by the institution of slavery, handed down to them as a legacy by their ancestors; while the North-Eastern and North-Western States were peopled by a commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural people, in the older sections of which slave labor had been found unprofitable, and had therefore been abol- ished on or about the beginning of the present century. The slave question is, in the minds of many, the cause of the great Rebellion ; but to the moral philosopher other and deeper reasons appear to the mind as the controlling power which forced this most unhappy strife upon the people of the United States so called. And, to state the question fairly,

2 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

it may be said it was the clashing of two great and distinct civilizations, — one the advanced Christian mind, the other the pagan and Mosaic. The first, in its onward sweep of progress and moral enlightenment of the human race, found no law or place for their enslavement ; while the pagan and Mosaic civilizations in their civil politics upheld and de- fended the principles of slavery. And to-day in pagan and semi-civilized countries only is it permitted for one people to enslave another people or nation.

The South, blessed by fertile plains, and valleys rich in all natural products, with cotton as king, waxed strong and haughty; and, as she increased in wealth, her white peoj^le became very aristocratic and overbearing, — the legitimate results of a moneyed aristocracy, be it North or South. And as wealth grew upon them, the greed of gold ate up the greater moral principles of the declaratioii of the con- federative Constitution, '•' That all men are born free and equal, and possessed of certain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ; '" and they soon grew to brook no interference by legislative enactments by federal power in its efforts to confine the institution of slavery to the original Colonies or States.

Contrariwise the North had grown great in science, litera- ture, and the arts ; her villages, the products of her civili- zation, crowned a thousand hills ; free labor was respected, education was upheld and supported by State and people ; and a noble educational and Christian civilization had crowned the efforts of Pilgrim and Puritan to found a nation of freemen. And as the people of the North became more and more enlightened under the onward march of her civil- ization, the hideousness of slavery became more and more apparent ; and by the agitation of the anti-slaver}^ polity by her great moral statesmen, her people determined that it should not be allowed with its blighting influences to en- croach any farther upon the principles of democratic gov- ernment.

CAUSES OF THE REBELLION OF STATES. 6

And the South, seeing the inevitable results of the progress of the Northern mind towards the true meaning of the con- federative principles embodied in the Constitution, became alarmed, and by the machination of her leading men was forced to raise the red hand of rebellion against the Federal Union, and sought by the wage of internecine strife to disrupt the union of States, and to establish an empire whose corner-stone should be slavery. But ere the first shot had hurled the brick from Sumter's walls, a million of freemen stood ready to fight, and die if need be, for the perpetuity of the Union and Constitution. There were many make- shifts and compromises enacted to pacify the South ; but as her jDower grew, she became more and more arrogant. The South had enough allies at the North previous to the opening of the Rebellion to enact the following laws to pacify and lull both North and South until she was ready for separation. First I will mention the Wilmot Proviso, Mason and Dixon's Line enactment, Dred Scott decision, Supreme Court, and others, pro and con.

The animus of this Southern cabal had shown itself as early as 1832, at the time of Jackson's administration, in the nullification schemes of South Carolina, led by that father of traitors, John C Calhoun, who was also the father of the Southern Rebellion ; for, by his treasonable construction and interpretation of the Constitution in its relation to the sep- arate States, he laid the seed of the greatest rebellion the world ever knew, and one for which the historian can find the fewest excuses. The several agitations by the different contendants led to the border warfare in Kansas, and the John Brown emeute at Harper's Ferry in the year 1859, and finally took the form of secession of the Southern States when Abraham Lincoln, the nominee of the Republican party, was elected President in 1860. The Democratic party had become hopelessly divided, and the key of power was wrested from them, to return only after more than a quarter of a cen- tury had passed away.

4 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Soon from threats the seceders proceeded to overt acts of treason. Sumter was assaulted and fell. Lincoln then issued his call for 75,000 three-months' troops ; then 43,000 (3d of May), and very soon again for 300,000. Bull Run had been fought, and the Great Rebellion was opened, which was only to close when the shackles had been struck from 4,000,000 of slaves, and the armies of the North had trav- ersed a continent in their victorious advance, after rivers of blood had been shed, and countless treasure lost and expended, which results were inevitable from the moral and progressive strides of modern civilization.

But the South was smitten not to die, but to be purified ; and she has risen from her furnace of affliction, a noble sister in the strife for a higher civilization, and is now hand in hand with the onward march of the nineteenth century, — a noble people in a beautiful land, —

•' A land of supernatural powers, — Their lakes adorned with flowers; Like seas their rivers run;"

and will soon be the home of a people noted for their educa- tion and loyalty, — a people of kindness and wealth, the results of a great moral and civil revolution.

And the North can find many lessons of instruction, and much to profit by, as we look back and review the causes of the great rebellion ; the same principles of revolution being found in the huge corporations and monopolies raised up since the rebellion, and which corrupt the halls of legislation.

Thus I have set as a frontispiece to the opening page of the Regimental History these preliminary remarks on the great moral, political, and revolutionary causes which have made such a history possible ; the fruitage of which will be found in the succeeding pages a monument to the Volunteers of 1861.

DARIUS N. COUCH, Colonel.

CHAPTER II.

ORGANIZATION AND MOVEMENT TO WASHINGTON,

THE Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was recruited and organized at Taunton, Mass., by Col., now Major-Gen., Couch, and was a Bristol-County regiment ; " all except E and K Companies " having been recruited in that county. It was sworn into the United-States ser- vice, June 15, 1861. Eight companies were recruited in Fall River, Taunton, Raynham, Easton, Mansfield, Attleborough, Dighton ; while Companies E and K were recruited in Abington and Dorchester. It remained in camp at Taunton until the twelfth day of July, when it proceeded to Wash- ington by order of Secretary of War. While at Taunton it was prepared for active service in field by Col. Couch, aided by a corps of able and zealous oJEficers.

On the fourth day of July, 1861, the regiment paraded, and marched to Taunton, and there took part in the celebra- tion of the Declaration of Independence by the citizens of Taunton ; Col. Couch, Hon. Samuel Crocker, the mayor of the city, and others, making very powerful and eloquent speeches in favor of the suppression of the rebellion, and in support of the Constitution and laws of the land. After a bountiful collation had been partaken of, the regiment returned to camp, where they were engaged in drilling and guard-duty, until they were ordered to Washington. On the morning of July 12, the regiment was ordered to break camp, and form line in heavy marching order, to take the cars to proceed to Washington. The day was most

6 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

beautiful, a strong breeze relieving the heat of a July sun. Shortly after noon we filed aboard the cars waiting for us, and amid the waving of handkerchiefs, and tearful adieus, we moved off on our way to Washington. Oh, how many of that regiment, who in the full pride of 3'outhful manhood went forth to battle for their country's life, never more returned to gladden the friends of their once happy homes, or ever more kissed a fond mother's careworn brow, — the mothers of our Northern homes, zealous and faithful through much sorrow and gloom, and death of many a hus- band and son I Many, many, sleep the sleep that knows no waking. They rest in death's peaceful slumbers on many a field and plain, — some beside the placid waters of Old Potomac's gently moving tides; others beneath the murky heights of Fredericksburg ; some on the James's fever-laden banks ; others still beneath the tangled thickets of the Wilderness, and in the blood}' lines of Spotsylvania; and others yet on Cold Harbor's battle-stained plains, — never more to live, only in the tender remembrance of friends and comrades, until God, the Giver of life, shall call all men to .life eternal on the resurrection morn. They died for their coun- try in manhood's early days, and offered their lives a sacrifice on the altar of their country, that the Union and Constitution might be preserved, and our national life rescued from the clutch of traitors' hands, and that our noble land might be restored to its pristine vigor and life, the home of free men, and a pledge of progressive civilization to all mankind.

Major-Gen. Couch, the first commander of the regiment, graduated from West Point in 1846, when he was promoted to brevet second lieutenant. Fourth Artillery ; served in the war with Mexico, 1846-48, being engaged in the battle of Buena Vista, Mex., as second lieutenant of Capt. Washing- ton's Battery Light Artillery, and was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct ; was in the Seminole war in Florida, 1850-51. He married, in 1854, a daughter of the Hon. Samuel S. Crocker of Taunton, Mass. At the breaking

ORGANIZATION AND MOVEMENT TO WASHINGTON. 7

out of the Rebellion he was in Taunton, Mass., where he recruited and organized the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry ; was promoted brigadier-general in August follow- ing, the brigades of Couch, Graham, and Peck forming a division commanded by Gen. Don Carlos Buell, then by Gen. Keys, commander of Fourth Corps on the Peninsula, then by Couch who succeeded him. He held the line on the left at the siege of Yorktown, and bore a very honorable part in all the battles of that campaign ; was promoted to com- mand of the Second Corps after the battle of Antietam ; was a very gallant and meritorious officer, whose history is so interwoven with all that appertains to the great strife and campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, that it is needless to further recite his achievements in that army. He now resides in Norwalk, Conn., enjoying a restful ease after a life of great activit}^ and honor, in both a civil and military capacity, beloved by all the men he ever commanded, a true soldier, a noble citizen, an educated gentleman, a noble product of the energy and educational influences of the Christian civilization of the nineteenth century.

He had as his staff, while in command of the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, — as adjutant, Othniel Gilmore ; quartermaster, Daniel Edson ; surgeon, S. Atherton Holman ; assistant surgeon, Z. Bogleston Adams ; as field- officers, Chester W. Green of Fall River; David E. Holman, Attleborough. He had as line-officers the following able and efficient captains, who proved themselves to be men of the right mould in the right place : —

Company A of Fall River, Commantled by Capt. David H Dyer.

" " John Gushing.

'' " Charles T. Robinson.

" " Joseph B. Leonard.

" " Horace Fox.

" ZibaF. Bliss.

" " Ward L. Foster.

" " John R. Whitcomb.

" John F. Ashley.

" " Franklin P. Harlow.

B C		Raynham,
D		Taunton,
E		Dorchester,
F		Taunton,
G		Easton,
H I		Mansfield, Attleborough,
K	u	Abington ,

8 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Many lieutenants rose to grade of captain, and bore an honorable part in all the achievements of the regiment, who will be more especially mentioned as the History pro- ceeds. They were men who were in earnest in the cause of constitutional libertv, and gave up their positions in civil life that the nation's life might be preserved. Bullock and Tillston and Mitchell and Whitney yielded up their lives in the fore-front of battle, zealous patriots, lojul and true, the pride of the companies which they commanded, beloved by all.

After the regiment had filed aboard the cars, and were seated, we moved off on the Mansfield branch through to main line of Providence Railroad, thence through to Provi- dence, thence to Stonington in Connecticut, where we took the steamer " Commonwealth " up the Sound to New York. Arrived in New York about five o'clock, July 13, 1861. As we passed down East River on that early summer morning, we were greeted by a sight given to a very few men to see in a lifetime. The wharves and piers of East and North Rivers were literally packed with shipping. As far as the eye could see, huge three-masted square-riggers lined the wharves, — some from India and Europe, some from China, Japan, and the far-off isles of the sea, loading and unloading ; for at that time the United States was mistress of the carrying-trade of the world : but when the regiment returned, after three years of service, the whole scene was changed. England had usurped the carrying-trade, helped by her own privateers under Confederate colors, and the piers and wharves were largely deserted. We lay at the wharf some six or eight hours, and while there many friends of the regiment visited the men and officers. I remember well George Beal, the principal of Scituate High School, visited his old acquaintances and scholars from Scituate, who were enlisted in Company K. While lying at the wharf, one of Company K's men (Darling by name) received a severe bavonet-wound in the arm, the first serious casualtv of the

OEGANIZATION AND MOVEMENT TO WASHINGTON. 9

campaign thus far. In the early part of the afternoon we steamed quickly down New- York Harbor to take the cars at Elizabethport on the New-Jersey Central Railroad. The train Avas soon made up ; and here we first beheld the beauti- ful red clay so difficult of extraction from the heel of one's stocking after a brisk rain has set its liquid properties in motion. To the men of Massachusetts the engines of this road were a marvel, being two story, and four driving-wheels on a side, built expressly to draw heavy loads of coal ; the seacoast terminal of which road is Elizabethport, a great coal-trade centre. At about three o'clock we were safely ensconced in our box-cars, and moved off on the road to Harrisburg through the centre of the State of New Jersey. And such beautiful scenery ! fields of wheat as far as the eye could see, and immense peach-orchards interspersed with hill and dale, gave to the scenerj^ under the glowing sun a fulness and beauty seldom seen, and which, with many remarks from officers and men, gave to the trip a varied and exciting zest, which old soldiers can fully enjoy in reminiscence to-day. Without any serious accident, only the separation of the train in the mountain grades, we steamed into Harrisburg about eleven o'clock at night. The scenery on this part of the road through the Alleghany Mountains is magnificent beyond conception, and, to be fully appreciated, should be seen in a palace-car, rather than in a box-car running thirty miles an hour, while one is packed like sardines in a box. We were obliged to run at an exceedingly fast rate of speed to clear the track for an express-train which would have the right of way. The train was very long and heavily laden ; every company having a team consisting of four horses, an army-wagon, and driver, but which luxury became sadly depleted after the Peninsula campaign. We lay quietly side-tracked in Harrisburg that night and part of next day, when we steamed down the road to Baltimore. When we had arrived to within about five miles from Baltimore we filed out of the cars, and loaded our rifles ; Col. Couch having

10 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

no idea of being caught napping, as was the " Old Sixth " when they passed through Baltimore in the April preceding. And well do we remember how the old regiment looked as we marched through Baltimore, one thousand and ten strong, led by our gallant commander. Col. (now Major- Gen.) Couch. Company K was the leading company, its captain being the senior captain of the regiment, which position was held by military usage. After a quiet march led by the mayor of the city, we arrived at the depot of the Baltimore and Washington Railroad. After being ordered aboard train, we had not long to wait, but proceeded very slowly, as the bridges were not in the best of repair. We arrived in Washington July 15, 1861. We had a very brisk welcome all along the route from the troops of Butler's command. We reached Washington about half-past six o'clock P.M. As we had prepared rations, we were not long in taking a lunch, after which we were ordered to fall in, and march to the Capitol, in which magnificent building we were quartered until we took up our march to Kalorama.

Hon. 'JAMES BUFFINTON, Private Co. "A."

CHAPTER III.

CAMP KALOEAMA AND CAMP BKIGHTWOOD, — MOVEMENT AROUND WASHINGTON.

THE regiment was much indebted to the Hon. James BufSngton, "the able Representative of the Fifth Rep- resentative District in Congress from Fall River, Mass., a refined and genial man," for much of its comforts while encamped in Washington. The streets of Washington at that time (early in 1861) were very wide, without pavements, and were used as runs for cattle and pigs, and were very muddy and in very poor repair. We soon marched to Kalorama Heights, where we encamped. The camp lay upon the left side of Rock Creek, a babbling, noisy brook, whose banks were fringed with growth of woods and briers, blackberry bushes and brambles. This camp was high and healthy. We were soon in good order, our tents having been pitched, and camp-kitchens erected. As soon as the camp had been properly established, we were set to drilling, and fitting ourselves for the duties of a soldier's life ; Col. Couch being a very strict disciplinarian, firm and just. On Sunday, the 21st of July, 1861, as a large number of the regiment were attending divine service under our worthy chaplain, Joseph Carver, in the grove to right rear of camp, there came to the ears of the men who had not forgotten the religious principles of their home life, the sullen boom of field-artillery from across the river. Prominent among the worshippers on that eventful day were our gallant colonel, Capt. Harlow, Capt. Bliss, Capt. Dyer, Lieut. Reed, Lieut-

CHAPTER III.

CAMP KALOKAMA AND CAMP BRIGHIWOOD. WASHINGTON.

.OVEMENT ARODNB

rr^IIE regiment was much indebted 1 the Hon. James -L BufiBngton, -the able Representativ of the Fifth Rep- resentative District in Congress from ill Riter, Mass.. a refined and genial man," for much ofits comforts while encamped in Washington. The streetsof Washington at that time (early in 1861) were very wide.vithout pavements, and were used as runs for cattle and jgs, and were very muddy and in very poor repair. We soon marched to Kalorama Heights, where we encampe. The camp lay upon the left side of Rock Creek, a babling. noisy brook, whose banks were fringed with growth o woods and briei-s, blackberry Inishes and brambles. This amp was high and healthy. We were soon in good ordei our tents having been pitched, and camp-kitchens erecte* As soon as the camp had been properly established, we "ere set to drilling, and fitting ourselves for the duties of : soldier's life; Col. Couch being a very strict disciplinann, firm and just. On Sunday, °he 21st of July, 1861, as a Jrge number of the reo-iment were attending divine service under our worthy chlplain, Joseph Carver, in the grove to ight rear of camp, there came to the ears of the men who b.1 not forgotten the religious principles of their home life, he sullen boom of field-artillery from across the river. P)minent among the worshippers^ on that eventful day were ur gallant coUme'. Capt. Harlow, Capt. Bliss, Capt. Dyer Lieut. Reed, Lieu:

12 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Mayhew, and Sergeant Gurney Whitney of Company I, and others too numerous to mention. We doubt if the words of the chaplain, after the first half-hour of the cannonade, reached many hearts or ea7-s, for all was suppressed excitement. After the chaplain had closed the services, the officers drew around the colonel ; and soon all were at their quarters waiting for the long roll, — that tap of drum which has called so many soldiers to a speedy death. They had not long to wait. Soon its ominous sounds were heard reverberating through the camp, and the stern order "Fall in I " was given from com- p)any officers by command of Col. Couch. After standing in line an hour or more, we were dismissed, and sent to quarters under orders to be ready to fall in again at a moment's notice.

But no call came. The regimental ambulances were sent across the river to help bring in from the roadsides and fields the wounded and exhausted of that wild retreat, caused by the sinister influences of political carpers, who had broken down even Scott's great moral force of mind, and induced him to order an advance before the troops were fitted for such a movement, and who still later caused untold misery and distress to the army by their Satanic meddling. The regiment remained in camp at Kalorama until we were removed to Camp Brightwood, at junction of Seventh and Fourteenth Streets, some five miles from Washington. Com- pany K had been detailed to serve as guard to tete-de-pont on the Virginia side of Long Bridge, but was ordered back to camp, it having been a mistake by some staff-officers. We lay here in camp trying to keep comfortable, — it being very hot and sultry, — drill being almost dispensed with on account of extreme heat ; guard-mounting and dress-parade being the principal military work. While lying at this camp, President Lincoln, accompanied by Gen. Scott, reviewed the regiment. Charles Sumner visited us at this camp. But Gov. Andrew found no time, as his Suffolk-county regiments absorbed all his attention while visiting the Capitol. — a

CAMP KALORAMA AND CAMP BRIGHTWOOD. 13

slio^ht the men of the Seventh Massachusetts never forgot nor forgave ; and whenever they speak of Gov. Andrew, '• some may think him near perfection ; but the men of Bris- tol and other counties think he was very human, and could show preference to a marked degree in his official intercourse with people."

Aug. 6, 1861, we were moved to Camp Briglrtwood, — a high and healthy location on the left of Fourteenth Street, leading from the city, where we had an abundance of pure water, and ample scope for drill and military manoeuvring. The day was very hot ; and many men were prostrated from the heat, and from the effects of loading themselves down with a huge knapsack, generally stuffed with a family Bible, shaving-kit, and extra shirts, blankets, Hardee's " Tactics," and several mementos of the campaign thus far, — some stone work, or iron work, or other heavy material, which served to make the load almost unendurable, — a freak of greenness we paid a high penalty for in our first marches, and for which ignorance the officers were to be held account- able in a degree, as well as the privates.

We marched up towards Brightwood some four miles, and filed into a field upon the right of the road, where we encamped a few days, Avhen we moved into the permanent camp of Brightwood. While in this camp, Lieut.-Col. Green held command ; and we were inspected by Gen. Don Carlos Buell, that splendid and efficient officer. We were very highly complimented by him. Previous to this inspection, we had been reviewed by Major-Gen. McClellan. And to this day he has a warm place in the hearts of all his old soldiers, — so soldierly, so gallant, so considerate of all. He was the idol of the old Army of the Potomac ; and the feeling only changed in a degree when Halleck's Western Napoleons and Stanton's " On to Richmond," never-mind- the-cost generals took command of the soldiers who were recruited later, and who never knew his greatness or goodness.

14 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

While at'this camp, the following letter was sent to the paper herein mentioned ; and as it is quite amusing, we insert it.

[Written for The Fall-Rlrer Journal.']

1861. WAR CORRESPONDENCE.

CHRONICLES I. BY pp;ter the patriotic.

Now it came to pass, that when Abraham was made chief ruler of the land, there arose a great tumult among the Southern brethren. And all of that part of the land gathered together, and murmured among them- selves, saying. What manner of man is this who would rule over us? Surely, he may be great among flat-boatmen, and a mighty splitter of rails ; but we verily believe that he cannot keep a hotel. And they chose unto themselves a chief, even Jeff Davis, the bosom-friend of one Floyd, who was noted for his pickings from the public crib, and forthwith declared war against Abraham and his people. When Abraham heard of these things, he was sorely vexed, and sent unto all the rulers of the loyal States, saying. Gather together all thy valorous men of war, even the patriotic, and come down and help us to defend the stars and stripes; for the Philistines are upon us, and surely will lay waste the great city of the rulers, and swallow us up with a gulf, if the fighting-men come not. And it came to pass that when John, who ruled over that part of the land inherited by the Pilgrim stock, heard of these things, he was greatly exercised in mind, and bestirred himself corporally. And he sent unto all his chief men of war, even unto one Darius, who dwelt in the laud which lieth on the river called Taunton. Now it was said of Darius that he was a mighty man in battle, having fought valiantly under one Zachary, who slew the ISIexicans with exceeding great slaughter.

And John, the ruler, spoke unto Darius, the man of war, saying. Get thee together a regiment, even one thousand strong; and I will make thee ruler over them. And Darius did as he was bid. And he tarried a short time in the land of the Puritans; and when spring was nearly ended, he and his valorous men of war journeyed toward the South ; and when they were come nigh, even unto the great city of the rulers, they pitched their tents, and encamped nigh unto the gates thereof.

And as they encamped on the borders of the city, Darius found great favor in the eyes of the ruler; and they spake unto him, saying. Thou hast

KDWARI) r. MARVKl Private Co. " A."

CAMP KALORAMA AND CAMP BRIGHTWOOD. 15

been faithful over a thousand, therefore thou shalt be made ruler over four thousand. Darius departed to take command of the four thousand; and the second ruler, one Chester, a dweller in the city of spindles, com- manded in his stead. Xow, Chester was a man of peace, and not skilful in the cunning tactics of warfare ; but whatsoever he lacketh in knowl- edge, he essayeth to amend with great zeal. When he would utter words of wisdom, his tongue cleaveth to the roof of his mouth. He openeth his mouth, and wisdom bubbleth not forth.

After sojourning a few days nigh unto the great city, Chester, the ruler, commandeth to remove from thence farther into the wilderness, and nigh unto the borders of Maryland, there to meet the enemy, who dwelleth in the land of Jeff. They tarried long in the land of Bright- wood, where none appeared to molest or make afraid.

They builded unto themselves hillocks of sand, and called them forts, and mounted thereon ordnances of iron, which burneth much powder, and niaketh a mighty noise, like unto the rushing of many waters. After this they rested from their labors, and grew very fat by devouring much rations. And they made unto themselves a commandment that they might dwell together in peace, respect their rulers, and depart not from the paths of rectitude. These commandments are written in tliese chronicles, and are as follows: —

1st, Thou shalt have no other man to rule over thee, save Old Abe, and such of his friends as he chooses, to carry out his ordinances. Thou shalt not cast thine eye wishfully toward the land of Jeff, nor sigh for the flesh-pots of thy Northern brethren. Thou shalt bow submissively to those appointed over thee; for they are vigilant rulers, visiting the iniquities of your shortcomings with guard-house visions, even unto bucking all them that hate them.

2d, Thou shalt not make use of intemperate language, nor " cuss " excessively in the officers' presence; for the wages of thy sin is a shilling a swear.

3d, Remember the sabbath day and the inspection thereon, that thy brasses may shine with great lustre, and every thing about thy person rejoice in cleanliness.

4th, Six days shall thou drill, and do whatsoever thou art commanded.

5th, Honor them that rule over thee, that thy days may pass pleasantly in the land of " Secesh."

6th, Thou shalt not slay thy friends, but thine enemies slay with great slaughter, even with a two-edged sword, as it is written in the articles of war, sect. 9990.

7th, Thou shalt not adulterate thy water with whiskey; for it will surely bring thee to the horizontal pole, even unto the straddling thereof; for it might cause a soreness in the regions of thy vertebra?.

16 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

8th, Thou shalt not, iiuder any mistake, seize or take thy neighbor's blanket, nor his knapsack, nor any thing contained therein ; for on a long march, it might exceedingly weary thee.

9th, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy fellow-soldier, for it appertaineth not unto patriotism.

10th, Thou shalt not covet thy corporal's stripes; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's "salt junks." his "hard-tack," nor his "soft-tack," nor his knife, nor his spoon, nor his fork, nor his cup; for if thou hast neither, thou canst get a quill.

xNELSON H. DAVIS, Colonel.

CHAPTER IV.

THE EEaiMENT UNDER COL. DAVIS, CAMP BRIGHTWOOD,

SEPT. 4, 1861, Col. Couch having been promoted brigadier- general of volunteers, Col. Nelson H. Davis took com- mand of the regiment. His services, told in the succeeding pages, fith' portray the character and influence of this sound and efficient commander. He came to us unknown ; but soon his great military knowledge left its imprint on officers and men.

In an extract from Cullum's " West-Point Biography," I find the following recorded in relation to Col. Davis's con- nection with the army of the United States : —

" Col. Nelson H. Davis was a graduate of West-Point Mili- tary Academy ; was born in Massachusetts, and appointed a cadet United-States Military Academy, July 1, 1841, to July 1, 1846, when he graduated ; promoted in army brevet second lieutenant Third Infantry from July 1, 1846 ; served in the war with Mexico, 1846 to 1848, being engaged in siege of Vera Cruz, battle of Cerro Gordo, at Contreras and Churu- busco ; also in the assault and capture of city of Mexico; brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco ; on duty in vari- ous portions of the United States, and acting against the Indians in the West ; captain Second Regular Infantry from 1853 to 1855 ; served during the Rebellion ; battle of Bull Run ; appointed colonel Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Sept. 4, 1861 ; served in that capacity until Nov. 12, 1861 ; major and assistant inspector-general, Nov. 12,

18 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANlTiV.

1861 ; served in the Peninsular campaigns in several battles ; in campaign of Army Potomac in Maryland, 1862 : Rap- paliannock campaign, battles of Chancellorsville and Gettys- burg ; brevet lieutenant-colonel, Jul}- 3, for gallant and meri- torious services July 3, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg; commander of Department of New Mexico, 1863 and 1865; brevet colonel for gallant and meritorious services in action with Apache Indians, Arizona, May 29, 1864; is now re- tired, having become inspector-general of the United-States Army."

Col. Davis was a very firm and strict disciplinarian, and soon the effects of his work became apparent in the better knowledge of officers and men in their respective military duties. Battalion and company drills came thick and fast, guard-duty and inspections being required in regular armv style. To this thorough training was due much of the steadiness of the men in action, and the regiment felt the benefit of their colonel's early discipline in its later hours of need and trial. Reviews b}'' brigade and division were in order. Brigade and division drills throuoh the fall were often ordered at Meridian Hill, near Washington, under Don Carlos Buell and Gen. Kej's. The Seventh Massachusetts obtained the right of the brigade, and the brigade the right of the division, from the superior proficiency shown by the regiment while on battalion and brigade drill. Gen. ]Mc- Clellan reviewed the division several times, and was much pleased with the ability shown by the Seventh Massachu- setts ; and the regiment received his compliments for its excellent marching and soldierly bearing. We were drilled almost constantly in battalion, skirmish, and brigade drill.

Col. Green having resigned Nov. 22, Lieut.-Col. Charles Raymond, of Plymouth, Mass., was appointed to be lieu- tenant-colonel of the regiment. It was with many misgivings we saw a man from civil life appointed over our faithful Major F. P. Harlow, especially as there were officers in the

CHKSrKR \\. (IRKKNi:,

Lieutenant C'cjlonel.

THE REGIMENT UNDER COL. DAVIS. 19

regiment who were well qualified to hold the position. But we were ever loyal to orders and the best interests of our State, and were bound to obey no matter who commanded, provided he had the proper authority. Lieut.-Col. Raymond was a fine man personally, and obtained the respect and love of the officers and men ; and this did mucli to cover his short- comings in military life. He was a yevy fine man in civil life, but not competent to handle masses of men in action; he was highly esteemed as a citizen, but we never appreciated him as a soldier, he having been selected by Gov. Andrew through political influence.

While Col. Couch, Lieut.-Cols. Green and Raymond, held command, Forts Stevens and Slocum were built, which was hard and laborious work ; certain companies being detailed from the regiment, and others of the brigade, to work cer- tain hours in a day. It was hard digging, and the weather was extremely hot. Many of the boys were suffering from climatic changes, and consequently were weak, and easily exhausted by any unusual work.

And so the summer wore away. Rock Creek and Seventh and Fourteenth Streets were picketed, and a very close scru- tiny exercised over all passing ; a good school for both officers and men, although nothing serious occurred except the arrest of a few suspicious characters, and the wounding of a melon- patch or two, or the capture of contraband whiskey while it was being conveyed through the lines. The boys constructed very comfortable booths, in which the guards were quartered. It was more discomfort to stand the heat and mosquitoes than the work of guard-duty.

Nov. 24, 1861, Col. Davis left us, having been promoted, as herein stated ; and Joseph Wheelock took command. He was a West-Point graduate, having entered that institution from Massachusetts, July 1, 1840, and graduating July 1, 1850. He was bre vetted second lieutenant of artillery, July 1, 1850 ; served in the Seminole war in Florida ; on sick leave

20 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

during the year 1856 ; assistant professor Military Academy, 1851 to 1855 ; first lieutenant Fourth Artillery, Jan. 13, 1856 ; resigned March 1, 1857 ; his civil history unknown ; served in the wav of the Rebellion ; appointed colonel of Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Nov. 20, 1861 ; resigned Jan. 31, 1862 ; died at Washington, D.C., aged thirty-three years. A very fine man mentally, but whose habits were not of the best ; one of Gov. Andrew's selections without per- sonal knowledge of the man.

The weather had begun to change, and " Frosty weather " became the by-word. Some of the citizens would come and stand by our fires, if allowed through the lines, and say, " It's right smart cold, — it's right smart frosty," and shiver as though a cyclone had struck them. We would often ask, " How far is it to Frederick City, up to the north-west? " and then they would reply, " One look, two looks, and a right smart distance ; " or, " How far to a certain place ? " — " Oh, right smart distance I " — a fair sample of the majority of the rank and file of the Southern array coerced into rebellion by their political leaders.

The evenings of early fall were spent in whiling the time awa}^ in various ways, some playing checkers or chess, some playing bluff straight, five-cent chips, or ten-cent straddle, and as much higher as the skill and wishes of the players required ; while others studied tactics and army regulations, endeavoring to perfect themselves for the duties of higher j)Ositions in the service. Such fond hopes in many cases blossomed, but never bore fruit. So the early fall wore away; and "All quiet on the Potomac " being the battle-cry, preparations for winter-quarters were begun. Details were made from each company to go into the woods to fell the trees with ^\•]lich to build the log houses that were to shelter us through the winter, Cottonwood was the timber largely used, which is easily riven or split. The quarters were about Lwenty-five feet long, and about ten feet wide, with three tiers of bunks on sides and end. The head of the company

THE REGIMENT UNDER COL. DAVIS. ' 21

faced the west, and the wisdom of the first platoon were on the westerly end of the houses. They were very comfortable, and were mentioned in the Adjutant-General's Report for Massachusetts as such, on his return from the Army of tlie Potomac in fall of 1861.

CHAPTER V.

REGIMENT UNDER COL, RUSSELL, — CAMP BRIGHTWOOD, AND MOVEMENT TO MANASSAS JUNCTION, — SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, AND BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.

/^OL. WHEELOCK having resigned Jan. 31, 1862, Capt. ^-^ David A. Russell, Fourth Regiment of Infantry, took command of the regiment. Would that my feeble pen could give an adequate description of that sterling officer and man ! It is given to but few organizations to have the good fortune to be commanded by such an efficient officer. Firm, just, and temperate, he ruled his men more by the weight of his character than by the stern require- ments of militar}- law, impressing upon his officers and men that duty fully j^erformed is the quickest way to fame and glory. He soon commanded the unbounded love and respect of both men and officers, who felt that their colonel would never needlessly sacrifice them. Being ever careful and prudent, he proved himself a very superior officer, who never risked a man's life that he might be promoted for the gallantry displayed in shedding other men's blood, but rather husbanded the strength of his command to await the supreme moment in action, when the science of his blows was irresist- ible.

His bravery and efficiency in battle were well shown at Rappahannock Station, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the sad but ever memorable field of Opequan, where he fell at the head of his division in the hour of his glory and victory. Having previously been wounded in the side by a minie

DAVID A. RUSSKLL, Colonel.

REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 23

ball, he still kept his saddle, and urged on his troops, though suffering terribly. As he saw the battle trembling in the balance, and victory was almost assured, a piece of shell pierced his heart, and he fell, one of nature's noblemen, to rise no more. He died upon the field of honor, Sept. 19, 1864 ; and his fall left a vacancy in the Sixth Corps never to be filled. It has been said of him, that, as a colonel, he had no equal ; as a leader of a brigade, he was superb ; and, as a division commander, brilliant and almost unequalled. He met his death at the early age of forty-two. Beloved by all, his memory is revered as a chevalier pur et sans reproclie. — Requiescat in pace.

In Gen. Sheridan's report of that battle, we find the fol- lowing testimony to the faithful and efficient services of David A. Russell : —

" At this juncture, Russell's division of the Sixth Corps splendidly improved a golden opportunity. [See Valley Campaign Reports, by Sheridan.] Ordered at once to move up into the front line now needing re-enforcements, this change brought it into the gap created by the Confederate charge, and, continuing its advance, it struck the flank of the hostile force which was sweeping away the Union right, and aided by the Fifth Maine Battery, which enfiladed the enemy's line with canister, at once turned the tide. The eueni}^ retreated, but Russell had fallen." "His death," said Sheridan, "brought sadness to every heart in the army." For further eulogies, the reader is referred to the reports of the Valley Campaign.

During the winter, guard-duty, drill, and Sunday-morning inspections, formed the principal work of the regiment.

March 11, 1862, the regiment marched to Prospect Hill, Va., on the Manassas campaign ; and a more muddy and dreary march could not be had. Rain, rain, rain, a good precursor of the campaign soon co follow. After camping out some three days, we took up our return march back to Camp Brightwood. After staying in our old camp something

24 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

like a week, marched to embark on the steamer '' Daniel Webster," for Fortress Monroe, Va. After being fonr days on the steamer, we disembarked on the 29th, and marched seven miles, and went into camp at Camp W. F. Smith, Va. ; and now the grand old Army of the Potomac was launched upon that historic campaign, which, from inex- perience of the commanding officers, and lack of moral and material support at Washington, was destined to defeat from the first, and, while rich in deeds of heroism and valor, was to end in the tactical defeat of the Union forces, although it inflicted upon the enemy great slaughter, from which they never fully recovered. The Seventh Massachusetts bore a very conspicuous and honorable part in the Peninsular cam- paign. Always in front, sometimes so far that it was often taken for the enemy, it held a very prominent position with the rest of Gen. Devens's brigade, he having been pro- moted from the Fifteenth Massachusetts to take command of Couch's old brigade. April 4 the regiment marched eight miles, and encamped ; April 5 marched ten miles, and encamped near Warwick Court-House, Va., at Camp Winfield Scott, where the regiment did its full share of work in the siege of Yorktown. After the fall of Yorktown. it marched, May 4, eight miles towards Williamsburg, and encamped for the night. On the otli of May, the regiment marched on to the field of Williamsburg at half-past two o'clock P.M., much exhausted and fatigued, after flounder- ing through seas of mud and thousands of troops. The regi- ment was subjected to a very severe artillery-fire ; but, under the leadership of Col. Russell, they stood their first baptism of fire like veterans, and marched with steady ranks and proud bearing to the support of Gen. Peck's exhausted troops. At nightfall the regiment relieved the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers of Peck's brigade, and, without blankets or fires, stood by their arms in a drenching storm of wind and rain. Company K, having been detailed as skirmishers, advanced, under Capt. Reed, with a detach-

EEGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 25

nient of Gen. Davidson's brigade, and occupied Fort Ma- gruder at daylight. The casualties were, one killed (Andrew S. Lawton, a private of Company A, killed by a projectile from Fort Magruder), and two wounded. While the boys were marching on to the battle-field, a regiment broke, and ran through the ranks ; but the Old Seventh discipline held them firm with the knowledge that the eyes of Massachusetts were upon them to uphold the honor of the Old Bay State. Military readers will know how trying to new troops is the breaking of the front lines, and the rush to the rear is generally very demoralizing ; but Col. Russell was there, a born leader ; and the regiment marched steadil}^ to the front under a very heavy fire, and bore a most honorable part in this its first engagement.

The next day the regiment commenced its toilsome march up the muddy road that led to Richmond as its terminal, and which many a poor boy of the Old Seventh was destined to never see, except as prisoner of war, or as a visitor after the city had capitulated to the last general who attempted to take it. The sun came out hot and muggy after the battle, mud was knee-deep about all the way on the line of march, and many were the jokes cast off in army lore about the condi- tion of all Rebeldom if this was a fair sample of their would-be confederacy. Capts. Reed, Foster, and others were rather fleshy for such tramping ; and Lieut. Mayhew of Company K kept up a string of jokes characteristic of himself, being a warm-hearted, whole-souled fellow, possessed of a fund of humor which the technical part of a soldier's life could not subdue. After floundering through the mud for about nine miles, we were ordered to halt, and rest for the night, and find, if possible, a dry spot to build our little fires, and make the soldier's sterling cup of good cheer, — a full pint of good old Government coffee, — which used to so warm the tired and weary soldier while in active service. The next day, 10th of May, marched seven miles, and camped near Roper's Church, one of the gospel hospitals, where the good divines

26 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

of the Old Dominion poured into willing ears the story of the Bible bondmen and the holy sacredness of their dear institution, which furnished them and their families bread at the expense of the sweat from other men's brows.

Haa'ING received from Sergeant Walter S. Goss of Com- pany A the following communication written by him for "The Woonsocket Patriot," on the battle of Williamsburg, I here insert it as a very valuable contribution to this History in relation to the Peninsular campaign.

" When it was discovered that Yorktown was evacuated by the enemy, Gen. Stoneman with his cavalry and artillery followed them up. The Confederates had strong earthworks in front of Williamsburg, thirteen in all, Fort jNIagruder being the central and strongest, an earthwork with bastion front. It was a good half-mile in extent, and surrounded by a deep, wide ditch, full of water. The other earthworks were open redoubts. These works were nearl}^ two miles from Williamsburg. When Stoneman approached their lines, he was met by the enemy's cavalry ; and then the heavy guns of Fort Magruder opened upon him. So he called a halt, and then fell back four miles, and waited for the infantry to come up and do the fighting. The most the cavalry did on the Peninsula was to fall back : " it was their best hold.' Hooker, who then commanded a division in Heintzelman's Third Corps, was anxious for a fight. He found the road ahead of him blocked by the troops of Smith's division, so he obtained permission to push over from the Yorktown road to the Lee's-Mill road. He marched until midnight, when he bivouacked. Rain was falling, and the roads were so muddy they were nearly impassable. But at early dawn Hooker's men were up again and away, pushing for the front. At half-past seven he ordered an attack, sending in four regiments as skirmishers. In a short time Hooker had

REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 27

planned out a pretty stiff fight. Gen. Johnston, who had left only a rear guard here, while the bulk of his army was pressing on towards the Chickahominy, deemed it expedient to recall them ; so that, by eleven o'clock. Hooker had all his reserves in the front lines, and was calling upon Sumner and Heintzelman for re-enforcements without getting a response from either. The troops were out of ammunition, and had to rely on that taken from the cartridge-boxes of the dead and wounded.

" Patterson's New-Jersey brigade, the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth, probably did some of the heaviest fighting of the day, and at times it was most desperate. Their dead literally covered the ground, which they stubbornly held against massed Confederates. Hooker fought nearl}^ nine consecu- tive hours, with no help except Peck's and Devens's brigades of Couch's division, who arrived early in the afternoon, and took a position on his right, and held back the enemy at that point. Thirty thousand troops lay within an hour's march of the battle-field. Why Sumner, who was in command of the advance, allowed Hooker to fight this battle unaided, is to this day unexplained. To be sure, he detached Hancock, and sent him to the extreme right, where he took possession of two detached redoubts, thereby calling Johnston's attention to them, as he did not know before of their existence. After Hancock had secured his flank position, he failed to hold it for lack of re-enforcements, which he called for with great earnestness, as he saw it was the key to the whole battle-field. At the break of day the division of Phil Kearney is at York- town, twelve miles away, while Hooker is struggling against heavy odds. Kearney's men are pushing for the front, strug- gling with the mud which besets them wherever they set their feet. At a little past four they began to arrive on the field, where they take the front, while Hooker's men fall back as reserves. The fighting, which had languished and nearly petered out, now began to crackle and roar under the direction of the gallant and tempestuous Phil, who imme-

28 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

cliately took the offensive, and began to push the enemy from their rifle-pits. The two other brigades of Couch's division are now on the field; and in the mean time jNIcClellan has come up to the front, and ordered Hancock to be re-enforced. The Confederates are hard pressed, and seek shelter behind their main line of works, when darkness settles down upon the bloody tragedy, and its sable mantle wraps in its foggy embrace the silent dead who are scattered through the woodland and glen on this field of fratricidal strife.

" I have here given a brief account of the leading points of the battle, and will now fall Ijuck and bring up the troops in which I am most interested.

" We lay during the night in an old wheat-field, and many of us managed to make our beds in the old dead furrows. During the night there was a copious downfall of water, and a flooded field was the result. Then, in the morning, there was a general wringing out of blankets and overcoats, which were thoroughly soaked with aqika. It was nearly nine o'clock when we received the orders to fall in, and then the tug of war commenced. The roads of Virginia are bad enough at the best ; but when an army has passed over them, with its ponderous artillery and heavy trains, there are not enough hard words in the English language to emphasize their condition. Horses and mules appear to swim in their pasty depths, while the cannons' mouths drink in their fill of mud. But we give very little attention to the roads this day, for away ahead we hear the suppressed thud and roar of the bull-dogs of war ; and with our sodden packs weighing us down, and driving us under like pile-drivers, we are racing for the front. But it is a slow race, hurry it as we may, for the roads are blocked with bemired artillery and sloughed-in trains ; drivers are lashing and cursing their poor beasts with very little apparent effect ; while the troops take to the fields, on through newly ploughed ground, slough- holes, and stubble, over ravines, raging torrents, and swollen brooks. How the mud sucks in those ' little o^unboat '

REGIMENT UXDEK COL. EUSSELL. 29

brogans ! It is a question of time whether the mud will take off the ' brogans,' or the ' brogans ' will take off the mud. The brogan usually takes the mud, and our pedal extremities are assuming gigantic proportions under the adhesive qualities of the sacred soil of Old Virginia. Ike Plunkins said, that, ' Betwixt the knapsack and the mud, I am loaded at both ends. But I'll be hanged if I am aroinsr off very fast.' Lossing, in his ' Pictorial Field-Book,' says the whole Army of the Potomac was but four-hours' march away from the Williamsburg battle-field, which statement would be true were the roads and weather in fine condition ; but with the rairi and mud combined, as it was at that time, it is one of his many historical romances. Several thousand troops were pushed forward that day for all they Avere worth ; and none made the distance in less than six hours, nor was it possible for a loaded man or mule to make it in less time. It is easy to march and fight battles in the abstract ; but, when we come down to the concrete, the racy historian, who fights his battles with type metals, might find that his metal was of that type which lags behind in the race. At that time we were not experienced in road- marches ; and this was a long stretch for men new at the business, even had the roads been in good condition. A collection of men marching under orders, and carrying a load of seventy pounds or more, as we did at the time, cannot be compared to a pedestrian who goes alone and at his own will. A regiment may meet an obstruction, and undouble files to single file, which will retard the rear so that they are strung out half a mile ; and, when the closing-up process is to be gone through Avith, there is a long run to be made to double up again ; and none know what that means except old soldiers.

" In ni}^ struggle with the mud on that forced march, it seemed as though I should have to give it up, and nothing but the sullen boom of the big guns ahead held me up to the work ; so we pulled wearily along, and yet the gunnery

30 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

appeared as far off in sound as it had five hours before. I finally became demoralized, and sat down. Seeing a comrade straggling along in another company, I called upon him to come, and sit upon the log with me, remarking I wasn't going another inch until I had got a rest ; whereupon the captain of that company, who was in light marching order, shouted, ' Cowards, cowards, come on I no skulking I ' to which I replied, ' Oh I you carry my knapsack, and I"ll go with you.' The captain was brave, but he couldn't screw his courage up to the bigness of that knapsack, and he passed.

" Shortly after, one of the general's orderlies came riding back from the direction of the battle-field ; and I asked him how far it was to where the fighting was, to which he replied, ' About a mile," and then asked what regiment we belonged to. Our reply brought out the remark that it was going right into the fight. ' Well.' said I, ' this won't do, for we have got to be there.' And we got up, and trotted — yes, we just trotted — past the brave caj^tain who, a few moments before, had pronounced us cowards ; and we saluted him as we passed by.

" The regiment was coming in on right by file into line, and we are ' there ' on the nick of time to file into our places by regimental front. We go forward, and the sight that greets us is two men with a stretcher, bearing off the field a wounded man who was gory. He raised his head as they passed, and j^elled, ' Give them hell I ' We go forward to a rail-fence, halt, unsling knapsacks, and pile them in a stack. ' Load at will ' is the next order, and it begins to look like business. Col. Russell climbs the fence to go into the woods ahead, when he is met by Capt. Titus, a staff-officer, who remarked with numerous oaths, ' For God's sake, colonel, don't go in there I the woods are chock full of rebels.' — ' Oh, well ! I've got a little wood-lot in there 1 want to look over ; ' and he disappeared in the woods, while the captain sat on the fence indulging in a profusion of profanity to keep up his reputation as the champion swearer of the army. The

NATHANIEL S. (iERRY, Private Co. " A."

REGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 31

captain was afterwards the colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, who joined our division at Antietam. His nickname among the men was " Dare-Devil Dick.'

" The colonel soon returned, and told us not to fire, as the First Massachusetts were in ahead of us as skirmishers. We did not hold this position long, as it was too tame ; so we climbed the fence, and, by the right flank, skirted the roads, then came to a front behind a gun stationed on the Yorktown road.

" My company. A, rests across the road immediately behind the field-piece. I am near the left, on the side of the road, and standing on the butt of a log apparently pulled out of the road where it was placed to obstruct. I observe that a man is at the muzzle of the cannon, in the act of loading, while another stands with a rammer in position to ram home the cartridge, when there comes a shell tearing its way through the woods. It is so near the ground that it almost seems to roll. I see it coming, and it is a big spheroid. How slowly it seems to move compared to my thoughts, which are working with electric speed ! Just before it reached the piece, it exploded with a bang, scattering deadly missiles in our ranks. The man with the cartridge is killed, the one with the rammer is picked up with both feet hanging limp, and I find myself dreamily wondering what has become of his shoes, when I am aroused by being jerked backwards off the log, and an excited voice exclaiming, ' You son of a gun, come and help me take Lawton to the rear ! ' My

reply, so I was told, was, ' To with Lawton ! Where are

the stretcher-bearers ? ' I look about me, and see two men of my company borne to the rear. Both were mortally wounded. Lawton lived but a few moments, and died regretting that he could not have been spared long enough to have got just one shot at the enemy before he died ; while the other, genial Nathaniel S. Gerry, lingered a week or more. But the shells are howling ; and, as I turn again to the front, not

32 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

an artillery-man is in sight, or to be seen, except a major, who is excitedly begging and imploring some one 'for God's sake ' to man his artillery. We give him little heed, as the colonel gives the order, ' By the right flank, march ; ' then, ' By the front, march.' The shells are still coming for us ; and the colonel cries out, ' Spread out, men I don't let one of these shells take a dozen of you.' We spread apart like a heavy skirmishing line, and it was a pretty good shell that could take more than two of us at a time. We are moving slowly to the front by flank, and then by front. Gen. Couch is riding close on our rear, smoking a cigar, and switching a little riding- whip which he was hardly ever without ; and I found myself wishing that I felt as cool and comfortable as Couch appeared to be, but I wasn't. I had filled my pipe, and lighted it as soon as I had loaded my rifle, resolved to take the thing coolly, calmly, and collectedl}^ ; but the first shell stupefied me. I obeyed orders in a benumbed and struck kind of way. My pipe was gone : where and when it went, was more than I could tell. I found it afterwards in my pocket, where I had mechanically put it. I found myself continually getting ahead of the line, and had hard work to hold myself back. Others were like me in that respect, and, out of curiosity, I asked one of them what was his hurry. He replied, with a ghastly smile that would befit a ghost, ' I want to get where them thundering things come from ! ' That was what I felt like, and it is the uppermost thought in all soldiers' minds when under a destructive artillery-fire ; and the}^ will charge into their very mouths, fighting like devils, actuated by the idea that they want to stop the thundering things. An} thing is better than taking it passivel}^ as it comes.

" Brig.-Gen. Devens rode by the side of Couch ; and he remarked in a loud voice, — no doubt for encouragement, — ' See how these men go in like regulars.' — ' Of course they do,' replied Couch, in a matter-of-iact way. Of course we did what we were there for. What had we been drilling for all

KEGIMENT UNDER COL. RUSSELL. 33

these months if it was not to be as steady under fire as any resrnlars that walked the earth? The volunteers were not the kind to run away under the first fire, if they had a head they could depend upon. And we hud one in Russell, under whom we never flinched ; for we believed in him and his judgments, which is more than we could say of some of the generals. Here we are under the shadow of Fort Magruder, which, with its heavy guns, is sending its compliments over us. In front of us, and separating us from the fort, is a 'slashing,' a perfect whirl and tangle of trees, felled with a view to obstruct travel : it looks like a chaotic jumble, but there is a method and system to it. Here we bivouac for the night, tired, wet, worn, weary, and hungry. Our knapsacks are to the rear ; and we lie as we drop, rifles in hand, ready for immediate use. I crawled in behind a supposed log, where I lay with chattering teeth, whether from cold or fear I couldn't tell, but probably a little of both mixed. My log, I found in the morning, was simply punk, and was no shelter at all, except to my mind, and it answered that purpose as well as a log. During the night I was called up, and posted out as a watch to keep track of the rebel movements. I leaned against a tree, and soon became interested in the movements within the fort. The officers of the fort are turning out their men, and falling them in ; hammers are going, knocking things to pieces, or boxing them up ; little fires are blazing, lighting up the interior of the fort. I have my doubts about giving an}^ alarm, and am studying the situation intently, when a heavy hand fell upon my shoulder from the rear, and gave me a sudden start. ' Well, my man, how are things at the fort?' I recognize the colonel's voice, and reply, that, in my opinion, the rebs are vacating. ' Don't get that idea in your head, for we have got to do some hard fighting in the morning,' said Russell. Then I explained to him all I had heard, and told him, that, if the enemy were not leaving, we were in for a fight before morning, for they were surely moving. He staid by me a quarter of an hour or more.

34 SEVENTH MASSACHCTSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

listening to the signs, when he remarked that he thought I was right, but to keep a sharp lookout, and give the alarm at the least sign of danger. He then disappeared. Shortly after, things became quiet at the fort ; and, when I was relieved, I lay down with the consciousness that the morrow would not bring forth a fight. I was willing the enemy should leave, as I had no particular use for them. We had but struck the ragged edge of the battle of Williamsburg, and my curiosity had been apj)eased. I had seen all the shells I cared to see, and, although I had not had a very big- taste of fighting, I was satisfied to let my war record end right here ; for between the mud and rain, the discouraging march, the human gore, patriotism had fled, and a supreme disgust for the heroics of battle had filled the void."

/\^

"•"'^s??*^'^'^"''"^'^^i^^S4-sf5f^^5?5^5S5'^>'S'^'S5''^'^

Surgeon.

CHAPTER VI.

ON THE CHICKAHOMINY.

"TTTE remained two days in camp at Roper's Church. The W regiment drew rations, had regimental inspection, and, on the 13th, marched thirteen miles to New Kent Court-House, where we remained two days more in camp, it raining almost constantly. Having had occasion to speak of the condition of the " terreian " upon which the Army of the Potomac was called to move, and fight its battles, it will be well to give a slight description of the same.

The Peninsula of Virginia, as it is called by geographers, is a tongue of land commencing at the city of Richmond on the James, and at West Point on the Pamunkey, — a tribu- tary of the York, — and runs in a south-easterly direction, constantly narrowing until it comes to a point in the tide- waters of Chesapeake Bay and James River confluence. At its extreme point is Fortress Monroe.

At the time of which we write, this was the largest and strongest fortress in the United States, mounting some one thousand guns when fully armed and equipped. The imme- diate vicinity of the fort is sandy, the waters of the bay and river laving its foundations.

As you progress up the peninsula, it widens ; and there are fine plantations, producing peaches, corn, and wheat, which, under slave-workmen, were in a good state of cultivation before the war.

Passinof Warwick Court-House, the river of that name takes its run to the north and west of Yorktown, and was the first

36 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

real obstacle the army encountered, except the weather. The river runs through a sluggish morass, and empties into the James, giving to an enemy holding a position bound by its lines a formidable defence, if his flanks are protected by proper works, strengthened by gunboats in the James and York ; otherwise he is liable to be turned on both flanks.

As you jDress on farther, this strip of country widens, and is interspersed witli dense forests, and a few open places where houses are built and plantations are operated by slave-workers. Tlie soil is a spongy clay, stiff as common mortar when once worked up b}^ the tramp of men and rush of artillery and wagons. Truly, a slough of despondency and fear ; and many a poor soldier-boy has had to make an extra requisition on the quartermaster for shoes or boots, having left his own in its loving infoldment. As you strike the Chickahominy River, it is lined with morasses and timber-lands, whose bottoms are subject to sudden overflows in the spring of the year from the waters of the adjoining tributaries and the table-lands in the direction of Richmond.

The regiment on the 16th of May made an armed recon- noissance, and succeeded in driving the rebel cavalry back towards the Chickahominy, encamping at Baltimore Cross- Roads for the night. The 17th we made a reconnoissance of six miles, and encamped three miles from Bottom's Bridge. We threw out a strong cordon of pickets towards the river, so as to be prepared against a sudden dash of rebel cav- alry or infantry, of which there was a very strong force in the immediate vicinity. After roll-call the boys turned in, it being rainy, and all around one sea of mud.

On the morning of the 18th our pickets and the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry took possession of the Richmond and West-Point Railroad to within about one mile of the bridge crossing the Chickahominy River. The 19th we marched one mile, and encamped on the bank of the river near the rail- road, being well secured on our flank, and secreted from rebel observation. A detachment of those sterlinsf com-

ON THE CHICK AHOMINV. 37

panies, B and G, made a move up to the bridge, and found the left bank of tlie river evacuated.

On the 20th a detachment of Company C, under command of Major Harlow and Capt. Holman, were engaged in an examination of the bridge, and had a very brisk skirmish before Bottom's Bridge. On the 21st, Company F (Capt. Bliss) and Company A — the one at the railroad-bridge, the other at the plank road crossing the river — had a very lively skirmish, and succeeded in driving away the rebels, and cross- ing the river, the regiment losing two men wounded, and one sergeant taken prisoner. After crossing, a detachment from the remainder of the regiment made a reconnoissance ot over two miles in the direction of Richmond, but found no heavy force of rebels, Gen. Johnston having taken up a position well under the fortifications of the city. John- ston's object was to entice McClellan to divide and sepa- rate his several corps, so that he could fall upon them in detail, and destroy such portions as had crossed the river and become detached from the right wing of the Union army. Encamped on the banks of the river.

The following interesting account was written b}^ Walter S. Goss, and published in " The Woonsocket Patriot," April 30, 1S86: —

" We have made our camp on the high land overlooking the Chickahominy River. The Chickahominy is a sluggish stream, margined by swamps and low, marshy land. It has a disposition to overflow its banks at the slightest apology for a shower. The regiment is an outpost on this line, as the rest of the troops are three or four miles at the rear of us. On our left front, about a quarter of a mile away, is Bottom's Bridge ; and on our front equidistant stand the piers of a destroyed railroad-bridge. Half a mile at the rear on the railroad, is a saw-mill with its piles of boards. Col. Russell confidentially informed our orderly that there was a flat car on the brink of the bridge, and a half-dozen men might steal it quietly away under cover of the night. The hint is taken ;

38 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

and at early evening that car is trundled, down the track, and the boards were soon on the move camp ward. It was a lazy man who did not have his tent floored before another sun had set.

" For nearly a week the river barrier was the scene of skirmish, picket, and exchange of shot. There were very few casualties, however. I remember one night another man and myself were lying behind a fence near the margin of the water, when a bullet struck the rail near our heads, and the other fellow told me he believed his eye was shot out ; so he went crawling to the rear, up to a house near by where the captain had his quarters. He came back later with the soothing intelligence that his eye was not out, but that the ball threw rotten wood into it. Poor fellow ! he afterwards laid down his young life on an ensanguined battle-field.

" The Sunday evening following our encampment here, a farmer-looking citizen might have been seen strolling along by the river's side in an apparently languid, leisurely manner, leading by the hand a small girl. That old farmer was our Col. Russell. He had borrowed a suit of clothes and the little child for that special occasion, and was studying the condition of things on the other side. He arrived at a con- clusion, and decided to try the bridge. During the evening he visited the captain of Compan}' A, who are on the picket- line, and told him to make an attempt to cross over Bottom's Bridge at daylight in the morning. He thought that there was but a small force there ; yet there might be a large one 'playing possum.' We get the news, and have time to think it over. The bridge had been partially destroyed ; but the stringers were left, and were passable for pedestrians. There were two men to a picket-post, and about forty posts of our men strung along the river. Toward morning, ' Toodles,' who was on duty near the bridge, conceives the brilliant idea that it is the better part of strategy to surprise the bridge, the rebs, and the regimental commanders, by effecting a crossing before daj^light. He came down to my

ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 39

post, which was next to his, loaded with his important decis- ion, and we immediately agreed to it. Then each post was visited, and a signal adopted for a grand rally, near the bridge, on double-quick time.

" The eastern horizon begins to show signs of approaching day while we await the signal to start on what may be a perilous adventure.

" Hark ! There goes the signal, a low whistle, which is sent down the line ; a few moments of breathless suspense, and then there is heard a subdued tramp of hurried feet. Away we go in a long, trailing line for the bridge, — yes, and right over it with our acquired momentum, where we rally in line, and are ready to fight any foe who dare to put in an appearance. The boys are in the humor for a free fight, for their enthusiasm is at fever-heat. There are no officers to interfere with them, and each man is his own captain and commander-in-chief. On the rising ground a few rods beyond us is a house ; and in the dusky morning light, forms are seen flitting about.

" ' Toodles,' who hardly ever opened his mouth without putting his foot into it, hailed with, ' What regiment is that ? ' And the reply came back, ' The Tenth.' — ' The Tenth, hey ! ' says Toodles. ' I didn't know that you got over here ahead of us.' He had addled his brain over the Tenth Massachusetts. 'What regiment is that? ' now came from the whole rebel side. ' The 199th,' the answer. ' 199th what? ' — ' The 199th Massachusetts.' — ' Ha, ha ! just the condemned sons of dogs we are after ! ' and with the exclamation came a pattering volley from rebeldom, shot wildly into the thin air, and about as random a volley was returned ; that is, our guns were pointed somewhere in their direction.

" This shooting in the dark, squinting ovej' invisible sights, is not conducive to good marksmanship. After emptying our 'pieces' a gallant charge was made with a rush for the Johnnies ; but there was ' mounting in hot haste,' a

40 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

clatter of hoofs, and the foe is up and away for Richmond to spread the news that the ' Yanks ' have crossed the Chickahominy in heavy force. The discharge of musketr}* on the resonant morning atmosphere has stirred up the captain ; and he comes over, rubbing his eyes in a bewildered manner, more surprised at our temerity than the rebs themselves. When he became thoroughly awake, and had recovered from his astonishment, he sent a man to apprise the colonel of the doings of the privates of Company A. Russell soon put in an appearance, and there was not a sleepy indication about his person. There was not a more pleased man in the whole Army of the Potomac. He im- mediately sent for the regimental colors, and planted them on the position we had so nobly taken in a bloodless charge : then he made a speech to us, complimenting us upon our bravery and dash. I have often wondered since what he would have said to the survivors had we run our noses into a snag, or fell into a trap, and had suffered a terrible loss, as we were liable to do had there been a large body of the enemy lurking in the vicinity. No doubt, the bril- liancy of the foolhardy movement would have been dimmed by blood, and nothing gained thereby. But in war it is the foolhardy movements, when successful, that win the applause of men, and another laurel is added to the science of so-called military strategy. But if failure stamps it with its iron hoof of fate, the fool in it bulges into such prominence that there are none so low but feel above its contempt. Russell's triumph was of but a few hours' duration ; for at about noon of that day, May 24, Naglee's brigade of Casej^'s division crossed over the river, and made a movement toward Fair Oaks, met the enemy's outpost, and had a little skirmish. Russell was in a towering passion at having the front, won by his men, so ruthlessly wrested from his grasp ; and he sought the headquarters of Gen. Keyes. After an hour's absence he came back, all smiles again.

ON THE CHICKAHOMINY.

^1

" He said, ' They tried to take the front away from us after we had earned the position, but they didn't do it, and Gen. Naglee is ordered back to the rear ; so we have the front again, the position of honor, which we may well feel proud of.'

" Well, we were not the ' leastest ' mite proud ; and honors get mighty thin and easy by the time they are filtered through to the privates, so we were not very enthusiastic in spirit, or great sticklers over the proprieties of military etiquette : but in order to be in harmony with the commander, the boys strove to look pleased, and essayed a feeble cheer. Men learn fast in the fires of battle ; and they had already learned that the road to military honor was crimsoned with blood, and paved with dead and mutilated humanity. I have given in full the particulars of what is called the ' battle of Bottom's Bridge.' There was no battle about it, and it can scarcely be lifted to the dignity of a skirmish.

"After the crossing of Bottom's Bridge had become an established fact, the troops of the army were pushed over the Chickahominy to establish their lines. Casey's division, the greenest troops of Keyes's corps, were given the front. They were given a position a half a mile or more in advance of what was called the Seven Pines, while Couch's division lay within supporting distance at Seven Pines. Heintzelman's corps were still farther to the rear ; Kearney's division was near Savage Station, and Hooker's guarding White- Oak Swamp.

" We were in camp on the Williamsburg road in an open field surrounded by woods. Each company was allowed but two camp-kettles wherein to cook their coffee, beans, or rice, so that our courses were few and far between. Ever}^ morn- ing teams came over and brought a day's ration of grub, and then hurried away as though they were expected to be lit upon and gobbled up by the enemy. Near where we were located, the rebs had an encampment of board shanties ; and when we arrived, there was a grabbing of boards for flooring

42 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

of tents: and the men who had grabbed the most boards, grabbed with them a prize that was destined to thrive and stick to him through his entire term of service in tlie army.

" I give the readers fair warning, that if they are inclined to be squeamish, or have fastidious tastes, they had better not go an}^ farther with me in this paper. No picture of army life M'ould be complete without giving a hasty touch, at least, on this subject. I have had them ; and the remembrance of them inclines me even now, to stop scratcliing with the pen, and use tlie finger-tips as assiduously as of yore. The gray- backs, as the soldiers on both sides came to call them, first made themselves felt in Couch's division at Seven Pines. It was there they introduced themselves to us, with the understanding that they had come to stay. Victory or de- feat, rain or shine, did not deter them from doing what they had marked out as their duty ; and they did it nobly, if there was any thing noble in sticking to a fellow who didn't want their attentions.

My first experience with the ' critters ' v/as humiliating. I was the happy possessor of two ' brand new ' warranted all-wool shirts ; but there came a time when one of them appeared to have become possessed of devils, and ' I felt the awful sense of something crawling 'round me.' Shame overcame me : and a lonely guilt so bore me down that I crept into my tent, and surreptitiousl}^ tucked my other shirt under my blouse, and skulked away into the woods, into its innermost recess; and there I exchanged the gar- ments, and cast the inhabited one into the solitude of the bushes, to multiply and replenish at other expense than mine. When I returned to the camp, I found that the profound secret which each man had locked within his own breast, and carried around in his shirt, had become an open one ; and it had leaked out that every man, from general to private, was guilty of secretly supporting a body-guard. Gen. Couch's headquarters were placarded with a legend which read, ' All

ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 43

persons carrying nncles or aunts about their person are requested to keep away from this tent.'

" The colonel was inquiring for the whereabouts of a sut- ler. He wanted to buy a shirt, as he had thrown his away ; and he said it wasn't ragged nor dirty either. After hearing all this, I concluded that I had been hasty in my action ; and so I rushed into the woods in search of the discarded gar- ment, but could not find it. Some one less squeamish than I had picked it up, or it had crawled away beyond my find. All manner of schemes and devices were resorted to in order to get the better of the pests. In camp, where time and opportunity gave a inan an even show in the war of exter- mination, a camp-kettle and boiling water was all-sufficient. But some ' shiftless cuss ' managed to retain a stock that on a campaign would spread and multiply beyond the needs of practical utility. Ike Plunkins said, ' The best wa}^ to fix the varmints is to turn your shirt wrong side out, and it gives them a day's march to outflank the position.' An- other way that was in common use was the singeing process : a man would hold his shirt over a fire, and singe it as people do poultry. Whether it amounted to any thing, is more than any one could tell ; but there was satisfaction in it, at least, when in imagination you pictured the tortures of the writhing victim ; and the thoughts of the good old doctrine preached from home-pulpits, that once wrung our youthful hearts with woe, would well up in our minds, and we were happy as parsons who roast and toast sinners over their fervid theological coals.

" Soap was my hobby ; and I kept the seams of all my garments well supplied with the requisite every day (if the rush of business did not interpose), and thereby thought that I retarded the multiplication of the ever present re- minder that man was not born to walk the earth alone. But why dwell longer on the subject ? Every old soldier knows how it is himself, while those who have never stood in line at riafid attention can never know what a blood-curdlinsf sen-

4i SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

sation tingles the very fibres of the soul as marshalled hosts creep insidiously over their flesh. Ugh I with array life a cruel dream where nightmare lurked fading out of life's horizon, let us bid the puny pests of the past a lasting fare- well, I hope forever."

DAVID H. 1)Y1:R, Captain Co. " A."

CHAPTER VII.

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS.

ON the 24tli marched five miles towards Richmond, and encamped ; and on the 25th marched three miles, and encamped near Fair Oaks, where we were engaged with the rest of the brigade in building rifle-pits, which were so use- ful in the battle soon after fought. The battle of Fair Oaks was fought under great disadvantages on the part of the Fourth Corps, its poorest and weakest division being in the advance under a superannuated general, whose personal magnetism and bearing amounted to but very little as a factor in holding green and undiscij^lined troops ujj to the work in severe action. On Saturday and Sunda}' the Fourth Corps was in position as indicated by the accompanying dia- gram of that battle. Gen. Casey's division being in front, with Couch's division in rear as support about one mile off, and Hooker and Kearney's division being in support on the left rear.

About two o'clock on May 31 the rebels moved up to the attack in overwhelming numbers, brushing away the skir- mishers of Casey's division as a broom sweeps cobwebs from a ceiling, and soon struck Naglee's brigade, which, after a brisk fire, was forced back upon the reserves. On came the rebels in magnificent style ; and soon Casey's division, or the largest portion of it, was routed by superior numbers, some parts of it doing excellent fighting, while others were alto- gether too active in getting away from the roaring shot and shell, and whistling ^j>m_^ of the minie. Presently portions

46 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

of Couch's division were ordered up to stay the on-rushiug line of rebels, but to little purpose ; and as Gen. Couch took his old brigade in hand to ward off an impending blow upon the right flank of the corps, he was forced into a position to the extreme right, and separated from the rest of his division. He found it a useless task to try to cut his way through the rebel lines, and withdrew towards Fair- Oaks Station on the York-river Railroad, and nine-mile road to Richmond, where he secured a very strong position, to which he clung with great tenacity, until relieved by the welcome troops of Sumner's Second Corps. This corps had come up as fast as legs could carry them through the seas of mud and water; and by their timely assistance, Couch's rem- nant was saved from destruction.

The Seventh Massachusetts, with the rest of the brigade under Gen. Devens, was actively engaged in this battle ; but our casualties were few in number, owing to Col. Russell keeping his men under cover, — and when did this com- mander ever commit an error in saving the lives of his men ? — our loss being four men wounded, the regiment having been used as a support to a battery of heavy artillery.

The following description of the battle of Fair Oaks, written by Comrade Goss for " The Woonsocket Patriot," is here inserted as being of interest to the readers of this history : —

" The Arm}^ of the Potomac is in a bad situation. Four divisions of it are across the Chickahominy widely scattered, while their nearest support is Sumner's corps, separated from them by a river that was flooded by a freshet. Gen. Sum- ner's troops arrived at the river on the 24th of May. In view of the situation of the advauce of the army on the Richmond side, he came to the conclusion that his services might be needed across the river at any moment. On the 25th he sent for Col. E. E. Cross of the Fifth New Hamp- shire, and requested him to construct a bridge over the stream. The New-Hampshire boys, with the aid of a small

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 47

detail from the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-ninth New-York regiments, built a bridge eight}'' rods in length, through a swamp and over the river, in a little over four days, having it all completed on the night of the 30th. This bridge was composed of good solid logs, many of them cut half a mile up the stream, and floated down by wading and swim- ming men. It was bound together and anchored with grape- vines, from which it took its name of the ' Grapevine Bridge.' The work was well done by the hardy sons of the ' Granite State,' who shortly after proved their fighting qualities on the Fair-Oaks battle-field; and at the end of the war their record was second to none, and equalled only by a select few. Col. Cross, who laid down his life at Gettys- burg, is one of the few names of his rank that will live in our nation's history as a grateful remembrance of heroic service rendered in its hour of peril.

" When the bridge was finished. Col. Cross rode over it and back on a gallop, to show its compactness. The 'Grape- vine Bridge ' proved an important factor in the Fair-Oaks bat- tles, and one that was overlooked by the rebel general, Johnson, as he thought to crush and annihilate the forces of Keyes and Heintzelman before re-enforcements could reach them. It is an easy task to plan a battle if the enemy will only do as is expected of them, which they ' most always don't.' A battle-plan supposes that every part of the army will work like a perfect machine, and will be in its place in the nick of time, which hardly ever comes to pass in the best disciplined arm3^ In Johnson's plan, Sumner's troops were left out of his calculations ; and Huger's, whom he had sent around White-Oak swamp to flank our left, he had counted in, which was quite a balance in our favor : and we were in need of the whole balance in order to hold our lines.

" Gen. Johnson intended to made us an early call ; but on account of the heavy roads, he did not get along until near noon. On the morning of May 31, the teams came up, and donated us a ration of beans ; and I was detailed to cook the

48 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

company's dinner. The two kettles of beans were over a fire, boiling, and anxious men were calling around at times to see if ' them are beans were done.' I see that all the his- torians of the battle fix the time of its opening after the dinner-hour ; either they are mistaken in the time, or we were late with dinner that day, which, I think, we were not. At about half-past eleven, as I remember the time, from the front was heard a spluttering, scattering fire of musketry detonated by a bass-drum-like chorus from a piece of artil- lery. There was an immediate getting on of equipments by all the men, and a falling into company lines without an order being uttered. I fell in with the rest of the boys, leav- insT the beans to go it alone. The lieutenant in command ordered me out of the ranks, telling me that it was nothing but a skirmish, and that I must stay to look after the camp, and have dinner ready for them when they came back ; so I fell back on the support of the beans, and looked, and listened to the fight. I watched the regimental line form, and saw it depart for the front on the 'double quick,' urged on by a general's aid. The spluttering fire of skirmishers has increased to volleys, then to a sullen, continuous roar, above which could be heard the pounding of the cannon. Gen. Naglee has, with his brigade, advanced, and met the enemy ; but he is outflanked and brushed aside, yet he makes a valiant fight against fearful odds. Casey is flanked by the enemy on his left, and falls back upon Couch, who now stubbornly contests the ground inch by inch, but is outnumbered three to one. The division is broken up, and regiments sent in different directions to strive to hold the line. Casey's troops, many of them, fight on with fearful loss ; while others break up, and go to the rear like sheep struck with a panic. From my post of observation I watch the procession ; first come trailing to the rear coatless men by twenties and by fifties, with picks and shovels ; they had been disobeying Gen. Mc- Clellan's order, which specified that each man working on intrenchments should wear his full equipments, while a com-

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 49

rade should stand near and hold his gun while he worked. After the trenchers had passed, the men who were holding guns came trooping bj^ : at any rate, they had guns, and were not putting them to a very good use in this hour of need. This being in the rear of a battle is enough to diive out all the faith one has in the heroic devotion of man to his coun- try. If you ask one of these skedaddlers where his regiment is, he will pull down his chin, and mournfully swear that ' it is all cut to pieces,' and he is the only survivor. The plot thickens : the wounded are being brought along ; a captain of the Tenth Massachusetts, very badly wounded, is lying under cover of the hill that makes my cook-stand a place of safety. Shells begin to shriek out their warning cry that death is carried within them ; and the leaden bullets are be- ginning to buzz about our ears, admonishing us that our rear position is getting well up towards the front. The wounded were taken farther to the rear, and soon ' Sampy ' — my aid — and I are left alone. The right of our line has crumbled and gone to pieces under the heavy pressure of the rebels' flanking movement. The Tenth Massachusetts, after the breaking up of Casey's troops, endeavored to stem the storm of battle on the right, and were broken up and re-formed three times on a new rear line, only to be outflanked again on their new line ; but in spite of their defeats and terrible losses, they struggled heroically, like old veterans of a hundred battles. Other regiments were doing the same heroic duty as the Tenth, which was only a specimen of the tenacious grip of the Northern soldier when his fighting blood was up. Col. Russell and his regiment stood by the Tenth in the earlier part of the fight, but were, with the Sixty-second New York, ' Anderson's Zouaves,' and another regiment, — the Fifty-fifth New York, I think, — ordered off to the extreme right, near Fair Oaks, to check a movement of rebel troops under the command of Gen. Gusta- vus W. Smith, who was striving to wedge in between the river and our line of retreat towards Bottom's Bridge. This move-

50 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

ment transferred the final battle-field from Seven Pines on the Williamsburg road to a point a mile farther north and across the railroad below Fair-Oaks station. My narrative, by a devious route, will convey me there also. As I before re- marked, ' Sampy ' and I appeared to be left alone. ' Sampy ' was anxious to leave, and kept saying, ' Let's go.' Sampy was the nickname of a j'oung fellow of about twenty years, who was any thing rather than a soldier : he would forage, steal, bum, beat, or cook better than he could fight. I was in no hurry to leave a position apparently free from danger, and so hung on, crawling up the little eminence at times to ofet an observation of the surroundings. At last I discovered a rebel line of battle in the edge of the woods on the oppo- site side of the camp, looking for some one or more to shoot at. I held up my cap invitingly, while I lay low, and the bullets began to whistle, and whisper ' zip.' So I * skun * down the hill, dumped the beans, packed up, and pre- pared to toddle. But which way ? was now the question for us to solve. Shells were screaming over us, and bursting in the swamp in our rear ; and our only path of retreat appeared to be in that direction, but we were a ' little bit ' afraid of those shells. Sampy was, at any rate, so there is no need of giving myself away ; and to please him, I concluded we had better try the Williamsburg road. We had gone but a short dis- tance in that direction when we met a wounded man, who told us not to go there, as the shot was coming like hail down the road. The wounded man had a broken-handle shovel in his hand, which he had held against his head in his retreat, to ward off the leaden hail.

" This young man chanced to have been a schoolmate of mine in days gone by ; and here we meet on the battle-field, after years of separation, and here we renew old acquaint- ance amid the rattle of musketry and the artillery's thunder- ous roar. He had become a carpenter, and had drifted down into the State of Mississippi to ply his trade. When the war had become a foregone conclusion, he hurried North-

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 51

wai'd. On arriving in Pennsylvania, he saw a chance to enlist : and his loyalty for the old flag was so intense, that he was afraid, if he went back to his old home, the fighting positions would all be filled, and that he would be left out in the cold ; so he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, and again set his face Southward without visiting his relatives and friends. Here is a specimen of patriotism for croakers to chew upon. The army was well supplied with such men in the ranks, and the word ' fail ' never appeared upon their banners. The generals often got whipped, but the army never.

" We concluded to try the swamp route. I carried a gun with a full set of equipments, a knapsack, an axe, and one end of a pole, whereon were strung the camp-kettles. Never did cooks make a more orderly or leisurely retreat. Leisurely, because, in the promiscuous fighting, it was a question as to which way the rear was. There was a rebel line near the Williamsburg road ; and they were banging away for all they were worth, apparently to hear themselves make a noise, as there were no troops to oppose them within a mile, except a few stragglers like myself; for by this time Casey's and most of Couch's men had pulled out of range of the rebel fire. A few regiments of Couch's division were down below Fair'Oaks station, cut off from the main body, and they were hard pressed. The rebel lines about Seven Pines seemed to be satisfied with their victory, as they made no attempt to advance farther, but contented themselves with random shots in the woods on their front. When we reached the open ground, after playing hide and seek in the woods, dodging the range of shells, we joined forces with a colonel, who was leading his horse to the rear. Whether he had left his command, or his command had left him, was more than I was able to find out, as he was not in a talking mood. He appeared to be willing to be guided by my judgment as to the safest line of retreat ; but I finally lost sight of him in a belt of woods which the rebs were so intent upon

52 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

shelling that I backed out of them, and made tracks for the railroad. When we found the railroad, we also found Gen. Berry with his brigade, which was part of Kearny's division, his advance guard in fact. Gen. Berry was fooling around there, marching and countermarching his regiments for a long time, and he personally refused to let us pass to the rear of him ; so we sat on the bank, and watched what I should call his red-tape manceuvres. While we are waiting for Berr}"- to move on, I will describe a battle-field scene which is inscribed so vividly upon the tablets of my memory that it will never be erased therefrom. About an eighth of a mile to the rear of our camp, within a clear space in the surrounding woods, was a little white cottage embowered in a mass of roses of all the hues ever assumed by that queen of flowers. Its occupants were apparently mother and daughter, of about twenty and forty years of age. In my retreat, either solicitude or curiosity prompted me to look in upon them, and see how they were getting along. The older lady was a consumptive, and confined to her bed. The picture that greeted me was worthy of a master, to be preserved on canvas. The daughter sat by the bedside, her countenance calm and unmoved by the terrible din of battle which raged all around them. Hurtling shot and shell hissed and shrieked about them, while volleys roared, and cannon thundered ; yet there she sat, with not a tremor of fear apparent, clasping the hand of the mother, who lay with closed eyes, overshadowed by a pallid, death-like hue. I seemed to hear the flutter of the wings of the death-angel ; so I turned, closed the door softly, and stole away. The participants in the raging tumult of war outside were in- truders in that room of quiet peace.

" But Berry has solved his problem to his satisfaction, and has moved on : so we take to the road, but in order to push to the rear ; but a guard is stationed there, and we are ordered off, with the information that the rebs have planted a battery, and are going to sweep the road clean ; so we

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 63

compromise by keeping the bank, and reach a point near Savage Station in safety. Here I leave Sampy in charge of the camp property, and begin to look for the regiment. One of the Tenth men told me that it was all cut into pieces, and scattered, as he saw them go in where the firing was hot, and the fighting terrible. I finally find the surgeon, and he gives me a back-handed blessing for skulking at the rear ; and I retort in about the same strain. He condescends at last to give me the desired information, — that they are up the railroad, and on the right of it: then I depart for the front like a little hero, leaving the doctor in a frame of mind that seemed to intimate that he would like to saw my leg off. The doctor and I never came together without a brush ; for there was no love between us, and all on account of my refusal to swallow his dirty drugs when I was under the weather, and he pronounced me sick, and then he swore I wasn't sick. He was a very irritable man, anyway, and suffered from dyspepsia very severely.

CHAPTER VIII.

MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES,

WALTER S. GOSS thus describes the movement to the James in " The Woonsocket Patriot " of June 4, 1886: —

" We are now entering upon a season of blood-letting that gave the fighting-men of the army their fill. Gen. Robert E. Lee had taken the command of the Confederate army ; and while Gen. McClellan was felicitating himself and the Wash- ington authorities with despatches, that he had his army just where he wanted them, Lee was forging a thunderbolt to be launched upon him, that would send him and his army, that ' was never checked ' in the vigor of a fighting flight, to the sheltering banks of the River James. Jackson had cut loose from Gens. Shields and Banks, and had re-enforced Lee. The initiatory movement was made on the 25th of June on Hooker's front, which was a line a little in advance of Casey's old position prior to the Ijattle of Seven Pines.

" I remember that on the morning of the 25th that I had charge of the first relief of the regimental camp-guard. My guard had not been posted over fifteen minutes when orders came to me to double-quick around the camp, and order the guard to report to their companies immediately, and then pack up, and fall into m}- own company I made a flying run around that camp ; and before I got back to my quarters, tlie regiment was off on a run. To pack up the few duds in my possession was not a hard task ; and that done, I headed up the Williamsburg pike, trailing after the guard, which looked

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MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 55

like the tail to the regimental kite. Ha I that was a hard run of two miles. The weather was hot, and the perspiration streamed from every pore.

" We hove to in front of a redoubt, and stood there in line long enougli to have walked slowly over the track : we had come under the pressure of a hasty call. We had thought that the fate of the Republic was hanging on our being there ; but it wasn't — it was only a military spasm of some one in authority, who told us to ' git up and git,' and that is why we dusted in such a hurry. The fort was located on the crest of a gentle declivity.

" The artillery stationed at the fort was throwing case-shot and shell over our heads into the woods beyond. It is not a comfortable position to stand in front of shooting artillery- men, even if they do belong to the friendly side. Experience had taught us that missiles were not to be depended on to reach the enemy's lives at all times, and this time was not an exception ; for a flying fragment from one of the guns struck the first lieutenant of Company B in the side, and killed him instantly. My ambition was not to die for my country, and, least of all, by the friendly hands of a gunner. It was an act of careless murder, and hundi'eds of men lost their lives during the war by the reckless carelessness of those whose business it was to waste all such ammunition on the enemy.

" We soon leave the dangerous rear behind, and, with regimental front, go plunging into the thick brush. Here we walk over a recumbent line of men, and the order came to halt. Russell, who always appeared to be more afraid of the troops in his rear than those on his front, sent in his usual challenge of, ' What regiment is that ? ' A stout, florid man, with whiskers of a sunset hue, assumed the perpendicular, and promptly announced that it was the , New- York Excelsior Brigade, commanded by Gen. Sickles. ' This regiment,' said he, ' is the Second Excelsior, and I am Gen. Sickles.' The information did not appear to weigh

56 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

very heavily on the mind of our valiant colonel, as he replied, ' Well, I want you to remember that I am in front of you ; and if your men fire into my regiment, 1 will about face, and fight you, dem ya ! '

"It was the first time that I had seen the much-noted man ; but several months later, when he had but one leg, I acted as his orderly a few hours, when he was on a tour of inspection, and was not feeling very proud over it either, as I had to take the place of his minus leg every time he moved, and felt more than relieved when I helped hiia into his car- riage, and saw him ride away.

"After the colonel had relieved his pent-up thougiits on the valiant, robust general, he gave the order to forward; and as we advanced, the enemy fell back. It was not a part of their programme to make or bring on a fight at this point, and the prol)abilities were that the line on our front were the only troops there : at any ]-ate, they were willing to keep quiet if we would let them. This battle-field is known by the name of Oak Grove ; but I saw no grove, unless the scrub-oaks, that were not high enough to hide a man's head from the reb sharpshooters, can be termed a grove, by applying the Cape- Cod theory that ' two huckleberry bushes and a mullein-stalk make a grove.' The figliting is not very ferocious along our part of the line, as we are simply watching each other : now and then volleys of musketry thunder along the line, and the enemy's sharpshooters keep up a continual sputtering ; for wherever they see a head, they are bound to hit it. They became so troublesome that the colonel called for two volun- teers to creep up and pick them off. I was a volunteer, but was told that my services were not wanted. The colonel picked out his men, two of the worst ones in the company, and they crept away to the rear: if they got any nearer to the enemy than they were when they started, it was a mistake on their part. They are now l)oth borne on the regimental rolls as deserters.

" Those sharpshooters soon taught us to keep our heads

MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 57

down if we wished to keep them intact. The day wore slowly away, as we lay there upon our bellies, and munched hard-tack, with eyes and ears open to catch the first signs of hostilities. We were so near Richmond that the city- clocks could be heard announcing the time of day during the intervals of oppressive silence.

" On a quiet summer's day, there are lulls in the most hardly contested battles where the silence becomes oppres- sive, from the fact that every combatant is in momentary expectancy: for like a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky, comes the shock of battle ; it rolls along the line, and dies away like pattering raindrops after a shower ; then suddenly, like a flash of blinding light, it leaps forth witli a maddening, tumultuous crash that seems to make the earth quake ; while weak, sensitive humanity shrivels, and shrinklingly crawls into its boots. There is no doubt that the fellow who wanted swords beaten into ploughshares, and the spears into pruning-hooks, had been there. But if he had been so un- fortunate as to have lived in the days of gunpowder detona- tion, he would have prayed that the thundering cannon might be ground into G. A. R. badges and sewing-machines, and placed under the peaceful footing of blessed, non-com- batant women.

" As the sun dips below the western horizon, the reb plucks up courage under the conviction that our quiet demeanor proves that we have left the field clear for him to post his pickets near where our lines had been ; so he advances with two pieces of artillery, one throwing shells, the other shrapnel. They kept advancing and firing until they came so near our lines that we could distinctly hear the orders to load and fire, and hear the percussion snap before the explosion of the piece. We had orders to keep quiet and hold our ground at all hazards : and as they trimmed the scrub-oaks over us, I did my share of holding that ground ■down; for I pressed the bosom of old mother earth with all the avoirdupois of my weightiness. I really believe that

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58 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

the impression of my body can be found iu that scrub-oak, even unto this day. One of the hardest things in war is to lie quiescent, and let the other fellows do all the shooting. I never felt so much like going for any thing — no, not even a square meal — as I did for those guns ; but we must obey orders if it took a leg.

" The big guns had met with no response from our side, so we heard the Johnnies coming in to establish their picket line. Somehow the idea had become impressed upon my mind that the average reb did not know what fear was ; but we soon learned that the fear principle was as deeply graven on the rebel heart as it was on ours, and that fact aided our courage materially. The Johnnies on our front were very reluctant to advance, and needed a large amount of urging to 2:et them alono" : we could hear their officers tell them to 'Come along! what are you afraid of? The Yanks have all gone.' The men didn't appear to believe their officers ; and we knew they lied, althoug'h we did not tell them so — from motives of policy. They commenced to put out their picket-posts ; and so near were they to our lines, that a lieu- tenant with thiee men nearly stumbled over us ; as we raise up with bayonets charged, he softly remarked, ' Put those guns down, boys : I am afraid of them.* He and his men stepped over us as coolly as though they were on dress-parade, and they were taken to the rear.

" That was a long, sleepless night for us ; it was dark : the mist settled down upon that low ground, and made every thing miserable, except the blackness of night. Our lines are so near together, that the breaking of a twig or dry stick would elicit a sheet of flame all along our line. One who has never experienced a fight in the dark can have no idea of the lurid sight : suddenly, like a lightning flash, a dazzling sheet of flame leaps out of the inky darkness, and roaring volleys pierce the midnight silence ; then its echoes die away, and silence reigns supreme, while aching, overstrained ears in imagination hear the advancing tramp of hostile feet ; and

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MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES.

59

again the ruddy flame lights up the scene, leaving behind a black pall that can be felt as well as seen.

" Russell does not appear to like his position : the other troops have fallen back to the intrenchments, and we are in an exposed situation. To the rear of us, probably twenty rods away, is a road ; and back of this road the colonel orders his regiment, a company at a time. The company to which I belong has the right of the line : next us is Company G. As that company starts to fall back, the rebs catch on to them, and open up a sprightly little fire. Both sides are getting panicky, and the shooting is lively : our men, at the rear, are having a hack with the rebs in musketry duelling, while we lay between the two fires quietly, wishing they would stop that kind of fun. When the shooting at one another's flashes subsides, we also go out to the road. Some one has been sent to the rear, and a shovel or two for each company has been procured. A rail-fence was pulled down, and the rails packed atop one another, and mud was thrown over them, so that we had a shelter to lay behind ; and yet we keep the shovels busy until we have quite a respectable breastworks.

" My job was an order to keep two men out a rod in advance of the rifle-pit. I think it was the hardest task that I ever undertook. In the first place, it was almost impos- sible to induce a man to go out across the road ; and then, when the shooting opened, in would run my brave men. Persuasion and threats were thrown away on such men : the unseen was more than their brains were able to cope with. It was useless to try to beat it into their heads tliat the rebs were as scared as they were ; that they could not be hired to advance an inch. No, it appeared impossible to them that a reb could get as cowardly as they felt just at that time. They did not say as much, but they acted it. Men who were brave to rashness in daylight were completely unnerved by this night's fitful blaze. They did not think or reason on the matter. Had they, the coming morn

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58 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

the impression of my body can be found in that scrub-oak,, even unto this day. One of the hardest things in war is to lie quiescent, and let the other fellows do all the shooting. I never felt so much like going for any thing — no, not even a square meal — as I did for those guns ; but we must obey orders if it took a leg.

" The big guns had met with no response from our side, so we heard the Johnnies coming in to establish their picket line. Somehow the idea had become impressed upon my mind that the average reb did not know what fear was ; but we soon learned that the fear principle was as deeply graven on the rebel heart as it was on ours, and that fact aided our courage materially. The Johnnies on our front were very reluctant to advance, and needed a large amount of urging to get them along : we could hear their officers tell them to 'Come along! what are you afraid of? The Yanks have all gone.' The men didn't appear to believe their officers ; and we knew they lied, althoug'h we did not tell them so — from motives of policy. They commenced to put out their picket-posts ; and so near were they to our lines, that a lieu- tenant with thiee men nearly stumbled over us ; as we raise- up with bayonets charged, he softly remarked, ^ Put those guns down, boys : I am afraid of them.' He and his men stepped over us as coolly as though they were on dress-parade, and they were taken to the rear.

" That was a long, sleepless night for us ; it was dark : the mist settled down upon that low ground, and made every thing miserable, except the blackness of night. Our lines are so near together, that the breaking of a twig or dry stick would elicit a sheet of flame all along our line. One who has never experienced a fight in the dark can have no idea of the lurid sight : suddenly, like a lightning flash, a dazzling sheet of flame leaps out of the inky darkness, and roaring volleys pierce the midnight silence ; then its echoes die away, and silence reigns supreme, while aching, overstrained ears in imagination hear the advancing tramp of hostile feet ; and

MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 59

again the ruddy flame lights up the scene, leaving behind a black pall that can be felt as well as seen.

" Russell does not appear to like his position : the other troops have fallen back to the intrenchments, and we are in an exposed situation. To the rear of us, probably twenty rods away, is a road ; and back of this road the colonel orders his regiment, a company at a time. The company to which I belong has the right of the line : next us is Company G. As that company starts to fall back, the rebs catch on to them, and open up a sprightly little fire. Both sides are getting panicky, and the shooting is lively: our men, at the rear, are having a hack with the rebs in musketry duelling, while we lay between the two fires quietly, wishing they would stop that kind of fun. When the shooting at one another's flashes subsides, we also go out to the road. Some one has been sent to the rear, and a shovel or two for each company has been procured. A rail-fence was pulled down, and the rails packed atop one another, and mud was thrown over them, so that we had a shelter to lay behind ; and yet we keep the shovels busy until we have quite a respectable breastworks.

" My job was an order to keep two men out a rod in advance of the rifle-pit. I think it was the hardest task that I ever undertook. In the first place, it was almost impos- sible to induce a man to go out across the road ; and then, when the shooting opened, in would run my brave men. Persuasion and threats were thrown away on such men : the unseen was more than their brains were able to cope with. It was useless to try to beat it into their heads that the rebs were as scared as they were ; that they could not be hired to advance an inch. No, it appeared impossible to them that a reb could get as cowardly as they felt just at that time. They did not say as much, but they acted it. Men who were brave to rashness in daylight were completely unnerved by this night's fitful blaze. They did not think or reason on the matter. Had they, the coming morn

60 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

would have haunted them more than the present darkness; for all the danger of the situation lay in the movements of the enemy when the sun got up to throw his light upon the subject.

" But when the day peeped out of the night, the demon- strations of our rebel neighbors ceased; and as their (and our) courage increased, gentle peace settled down upon our banners. Then we got out of the wilderness of a night of panic (not of the running kind), and steered straight back to our camp.

" A fifteen hours' mental strain makes sad inroads upon a man's nervous system. When the excitement that has held him up has passed away, then the whole man relaxes, and tumbles to pieces physically, and he becomes as limp as a wet dish-rag : at least, that is the way I felt the next day, and I was not alone in that wav of feeling."

CHAPTER IX.

FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING.

A FTER the battle, details were sent out to bury the dead, -^-^ and to burn the dead horses. The regiment was sent, June 2, to Golding's Farm, two miles to right front, where they intrenched. On the 5th supported a battery at the farm, lying in line of battle for two days ; were then ordered to Savage Station, where we remained performing picket duty until the forced reconnoissance of j)arts of the First and Fourth Corps. In the advance ordered by Gen. McClellan preparatory to the attack ordered to be made on the Nine-mile Road, he says, in his general orders, " for the advance of the army, and attack on Richmond." This attack of June 25 was for the purpose of securing additional ground, so as to deploy and advance sufficient force for a determined attack upon the fortifications of Richmond. The resistance was very stubborn, and the Union forces suffered severely. The Seventh Massachusetts was engaged, losing quite a number of brave men, sixteen being killed and wounded. It was the severest engagement the regiment had been in, as related to direct casualties.

Gen. McClellan says, in his report of the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsula, —

" On the 25th of June, our bridges and intrenchments being at last completed, an advance of our picket-line on the left was ordered, preparatory to a general forward movement. Immediately in front of the most advanced redoubt on the Williamsburg road was a large, open field ; beyond that, a

62 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

swampy belt of timber some five hundred yards wide, which had been disputed ground for many days. Fartlier in advance was an open field crossed by tlie Williamsburg road and the railroad, and commanded by a redoubt and rifle-pits of the enemy. It was decided, to push our lines to the other side of these woods in order to enable us to ascertain the nature of the ground, and to place Gens. Heintzelman and Sumner iu position to support the attack intended to be made on the Old Tavern on the 26th or 27th by Gen. Franklin assault- ing that position in the rear. Between eight and nine o'clock on the morning of the 25th, the advance was begun by Gen. Heintzelman's corps. The enemy was found to be in strong force all along the line, and contested the advance stubbornly ; but by sunset our object was accomplished. The troops engaged in this affair were the whole of Heintzelman's corps, Palmer's brigade of Couch's division of Keyes's corps, and a part of Richardson's division of Sumner's corps."

Also the Seventh Massachusetts of Couch's division, Dev- ens's brigade, Keyes's corps, but which is omitted by Gen. McClellan in his report. But the Seventh was in that fight, losing sixteen men, all told, out of the five hundred and six- teen lost by the troops engaged, supposed to be some twenty- five thousand in all. Quite a respectable number for the smallest organization to lose !

On the 26 th and 27th, Lee and Jackson commenced the historical movement around McClellan's right flank, which necessitated the raising of the siege of Richmond, and his retreat, or change of base, to the James River, — a move- ment which was only accomplished after rivers of blood had been shed, and an immense amount of material destroyed.

The Seventh Massachusetts and Couch's division on the 27th marched eight miles towards Malvern Hill, and camped for the night on the Charles-city Road, Gen. Keyes's corps having been ordered to cross White-Oak Swamp to cover the reserve artillery and baggage-train in advance of the grand move towards the James River.

FROM FAIR OAKS TO HAERISON'S LANDING. 63

On the 28th marched five miles and encamped, and on the ■29th had a skirmish with the enemy's cavalry. This cavalry force belonged to Gen. Holmes's division on the river-road, and were roughly handled a day or two afterwards by Tay- lor's reserve artillery from the heights of Malvern and Turkey- Island Bridge. When we halted for the night, we had marched ten miles towards the James River.

Sergeant Walter S. Goss, in " The Woonsocket Patriot " of June 11, sjieaks of the situation as follows : —

" Gen. McClellan was crying aloud to the powers in Wash- ington for heavy re-enforcements ; and on the supposition that he was to receive them, he had stretched the right of his line to Mechanicsville in order to form a junction with the corps of McDowell. But he received only the small division of Mc- Call's Pennsylvania reserves. The Northern arm}' which was occupying Virginia was peculiarly situated. Fremont had an army in the mountainous regions ; Banks occupied, or tried to, the Shenandoah Valley ; and McDowell held the line of the Rappahannock, while McClellan was thundering at the gates of Richmond, and each was acting independently of the other commands, and each at last resolved the;nselves into forces of observation and defence, in place of " pooling their issues " by the concentration of their armies, and hurling them upon the enemy's front and flanks to crush him by the weight of their superior numbers. The armies for the defence of Washington had not even interested themselves in the whereabouts of Stonewall Jackson, the only army con- fronting them and menacing the capital, but re-enacted the part of Patterson, of Bull-Run notoriety, by loosing him from their grasp, that he might throw his force upon the long- drawn-out and thin lines of McClellan's right flank.

" On the 26th of June, Confederates from the Richmond side of the Chickahominy crossed the river above Meadow Bridge, and at noon of that day attacked and drove in the Union pickets. The engagement is known as the battle of Mechanicsville, although it was fought on the left bank of

64 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,

the Beaver Dam Creek, the left of the line resting upon the Chickahomin}^ while the right was inclined to be "■ in the aii-," and was in thick woods beyond a road that lay between Mechanicsville and Cold Harbor.

" The position was naturally a strong one for defence, and had been rendered more so by the careful preparation of the rifle-pits and filled timber. It was impracticable for the ad- vancement of offensive artillery, except by two roads — the upper and lower — where at different times the severest strug- gles raged. McCall's troops held the front lines, and were supported by the brigades of Mardndale and Griffin of Mor- riirs division. The massed troops of the evening assailed the position savagely, and were repulsed, onh^ to re-form, and like dashing waves to again break and shatter against the serial lines of the determined defenders who held the outposts of the position. The attack was made by A. P. Hill's division^ which, according to the Richmond papers, got a severe pum- melling and sustained heavy losses, particularly among the officers ; the Fortj'-fourth Georgia and the First North Caro- lina were nearly annihilated in theii- first charge. At 9 p.m. the firing ceased, the enemy fell back, and the little san- guinary battle of Beaver-Dam Creek was at an end after six hours struggle.

'• McClellan had decided to abandon his exposed base of supplies, and remove it to the James River ; and Gen. Lee was an important factor in deciding him on that course, although Lee did not intend to let him go undisturbed, neither did he mean to let him get there.

'' In order to save his army, its heavy trains, and provide for his line of retreat, it was a necessity that McClellan should hold the left of the Chickahominy until he could gain time to provide and secure a new base of supplies upon the James.

" For this purpose the Fifth Corps was withdrawn from its extended right position, and concentrated in and about the vicinity of Gaines's Mills, holding within its embrace the bridges over the River Chickahominy and within supporting

FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 65

distance of the army on the Richmond side. Before day- light of the morning of the 27th, Porter had removed his trains and most of the heavy guns across the river, also per- formed the delicate task of extricating the force at Beaver- Dam Creek from its perilous position, and was ready for the developments of the enemy's progress for the day.

" The Confederate forces began to show themselves about noon, and at two o'clock p.m. the ball opened lively. At three o'clock the fighting had become so terrific that Porter had merged his supporting lines and all his reserves into the foremost line of battle, and called for re-enforcements. Never in the history of strife was more desperate, long-sustained fighting done. Porter's army of about twenty-five thousand men were holding in check the troops of Hill, Longstreet, and Jackson, who were assaulting them in front and in flank with an army of sixty thousand men.

" Slocum's division arrived on the ground at half-past three, and were immediately broken into fragments, and sent to the weak spots in the line by brigades and regiments. For a season victory appeared to perch upon the Union banners. Porter's men had repulsed the assaults of the enemy all along their line. The fighting grows fierce and desperate as the day wanes. The Confederates bring up their reserves, and hurl them with crushing force against the weak points of the Union line; every available man is now brought forward by the rebs, and massed columns are thrown with tremendous force in rapid and successive charges against the wavering Federal lines. Jackson finally gathers up the divisions of Whiting and Jackson, and throws them upon the Union left with furious assault, when Butterfi eld's brigade, which has for over an hour been gallantly holding back the enemy's furious onslaught, gives way before the heavy attack on front and flank, and goes scudding to the rear. The line begins to crumble and dissolve into fragments, and the day appears to have been lost by crushing defeat. Porter has again called tor help, and the brigades of Meagher and

Q(5 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

French are on the way to re-enforce him. Meantime chaos reigns all along his line : his men are discouraged, and are giving up the fight. The troops are breaking to the rear in confused masses, when two horsemen appear on the scene. Their steeds are white with foam as they furiously ride upon the field, brandishing their swords, and calling upon the men to form a line : they ride forward, and make a stand. Like magic the war-worn, disheartened men gather new courage under the leadership of these two officers, Gen. Porter and Col. Berdan, and form a defensive line half a mile or more at the rear of their old position. The men fell into line without regard to organization, as there was a curious mixture of States. Massachusetts men fought that day by the side of the heroic men of Michigan : it was a question of national importance, above all doctrines of State rights. Those men who that night rallied on the line with the heroic Porter and gallant Berdan deserve to go down to history as heroes, tlie example of which it would have been well for several well- known generals to have followed. I have written 'heroic Porter' with a vivid understanding of the meaning of the term. I care nothing for the verdict of a packed court-mar- tial to create a scapegoat that the tottering fortunes of others might be propped up thereby. As an interested participant in that bloody seven-days' fray, I write ' heroic ' above the names of Porter, Berdan, and that rallying band of warriors who formed their lines in the face of an humiliating defeat ; that long, straggling line that sent up cheer upon cheer, and stayed with palsied fear the onward course of that rebel horde, who believed that that little band were re-enforcements from over the river ; and when, shortly, after the famous Irish brigade combined with French's sailed into their midst with dashing charge, they were confirmed in that opinion, and fell back with discretion to bivouac for the night, while Porter with all his re-enforcements pulled himself together, and crossed over the Chickahominy, after which the bridges were destroyed.

FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARETSON'S LANDING. 67

'' The rebels in Richmond were jubilant that night, but there was a particle of alloy mixed with their exhilaration. The pulverizing process was not quite so thorough as they had hoped or anticipated. Their loss had been terrible, if we can believe their own accounts. Again, they expected that McClellan would pull up stakes, re-cross the river, and strike a bee-line for Fortress Monroe ; but his movements did not point in that direction, and they were a little puzzled over their programme for the future.

" On our side of the river we were not idle that day. The rebs on our front were uneasy, and given to getting up demonstrations. They did not care to fight; but it would have been better for us, had we forced them into one on a grand scale. Their apparent uneasiness had its desired effect ; for our generals were anxious to retain their men, and leave Porter to go it alone, and that was what Lee was playing for.

" In the forenoon of the 27th, we were ordered down to Savage Station ; what for, is more than I was able to fathom, as we did nothing except stand around, and try to steal something ; but the guard was too much for us in that line. The army stores at White-House Landing were being trans- ported by rail to Savage Station ; and there were heaps and stacks of grub and ammunition there, — yes, and whiske}^ by the cask, and the boys tried all manner of strategy in order to get a seductive nip.

" The red tape of war is something wonderful to behold. A pile of eatables larger than a dozen Virginia court-houses was stacked up, and finally consumed by the devouring fire, while a guard presided over it ; and hungry soldiers with empty haversacks, and bellies to match, trudged, fought, bled, died, during those weary days and gloomy nights, suffering the tortures of the damned in heroic endeavor to uphold the integrity of the Federal Government.

" We are again ordered back to camp from the station, and spend the rest of the day in packing up for a move in the early morning. We hear the sullen roar of battle upon the

68 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

right; and ansiet}^ is depicted upon the countenances of all, as the rumors flj through the camp that Porter is in a criti- cal position. The movement of army supplies to our side of the river, and the sudden stoppage of the same, tell us that a storm is brewing, and that a forced move of the army may become a necessit}-.

" The morning of the 28th of June finds us on the move in the direction of the White-Oak Swamp, to cover the retreat of the army. At noon we have crossed the bridge over the stream that flows through the swamp, and takes its name therefrom, and have taken a position upon the higher lands beyond. Here we hold our position until relieved by Slocum's division, when we again move on to new scenes of action."

The 30th of June marched two miles, and encamped near Turkey-Island Bend. July 1, 1862, we marched about one mile to the woods near Malvern Hill, and went on picket. On the 2d marched nine miles, and encamped near Harrison's Landing. The 3d marched out on the front lines about three miles, and encamped. The casualties of the Seventh Massa- chusetts in this movement were very small, but this was none of their choosing; and only the lucky chances of war saved them from the mortality usually attending so danger- ous a movement.

While Couch's division, of which his old brigade was an integral part, was earning imperishable renown, and by great good fortune as a part of that brigade the Tenth Massachu- setts, and that gallant and efficient regiment, the Thirty- sixth New York, were winning honors never to fade as long as historj' lasts, the Seventh Massachusetts and Second Rhode Island, a part of the same brigade, were ordered to a certain part of the field, which the general commanding was in fear would be forced, and told to hold it at all hazards. But b}'' the fortunes of war these regiments were not called upon to make the heroic sacrifices which the Tenth and Thirty-sixth were so Jiobly making on the heights of Malvern.

FEOIM FAIR OAKS TO HAREISON'S LANDING. 69

Gen. Couch, in his eloquent address delivered at the re- union of his old brigade at Oakland Garden in the summer of 1884, in speaking of the work of his old command at Malvern, said, —

" While the Tenth and Thirty-sixth were earning immor- tal renown on the heights, where were you of the Second Rhode Island and Seventh Massachusetts? Early in the day I received an order to detach two of my most efficient regiments to hold a certain point in our line of battle, upon which was expected an overwhelming attack of the enemy. And who could I send to their deaths better than the Seventh Massachusetts and the Second Rhode Island? and only by the fickle chances of war were you saved from a glorious death or heroic sacrifice."

In the " Woonsocket Patriot " of July 2, was the follow- ing letter from Sergeant Walter S. Goss, and which I take pleasure in presenting to my readers : —

" Harrison's Landing was the centre of gravitation for the Array of the Potomac. We had found a lodgement in what had been, the year before, a field of corn ; but mud is now the chief product of that soil. Around us in every direction, so far as the eye could view, were garnered wheat-sheaves in shocks or stooks. But I was not thinking of wheat-straw just at that time, but on coffee was intent. I had taken a look at the river, and that was running yellow with mud ; the puddles were severely afflicted with earthy matter ; but near was a grass-plat, over which mules had travelled and left the impression of their cloven hoofs. I followed their footsteps, and dipped water and hayseed from their tracks, a spoonful at a time, until a full ration was gathered. Then I went at the wet corn stubble, and tried to coax a blaze out of them ; and while I was wiping my weeping eyes, I caught a glimpse of travelling wheat-bundles, and for fear of being left out in the wet mud over night, I forsook all, and struck out on a brisk walk for my share of straw.

" The whole army appeared to be after straw, and to have

70 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

got the start of me, as the wheat-shocks became disrupted and travelled away faster than I could walk : so I quickened my pace to a lively run. But it was like chasing a mirage ; when I got where the straw was, it wasn't there. I had to give up the chase. It was the most curious sight I ever saw ; the stooks disappeared like magic, and they resolved them- selves into a tangled mass of moving sheaves of straw. My mind reverted to the moving green of ' great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill.' But I got a bundle of straw ; for my tent-mate Tom, who rushed with the first crowd, had such a game of scrabbling and dodging from one shock to another before securing the coveted prize, he concluded to gobble two sheaves, and wait for my coming; and I found him sitting on them, patiently waiting.

" During the evening Hill, the champion coffee-kicker, who was among the missing, turned up ; and he had a doleful story to tell. It appeared that he crawled off into the bushes for an undisturbed night's sleep, and when we came away he was not found to be awakened, so he slept 'like a warrior taking his rest,' until the ponderous rain-drops baptized him into a fresh morning start ; then he shook himself like a big dog, rubbed his eyes with amazed stupidity, turned around a few times to add to his confusion, then started to look up his regiment. He had not proceeded far before he was con- fronted by a challenge to halt, from the rebel picket-line. He politely invited them to go to a region notorious for its theological torridity, and about-faced, leaving tracks with his heels toward the enem}^, while a shower of bullets whistled harmless about his ears. The rebel cavalry followed him up, when he took to the woods, running and stumbling for miles, and struck our picket-lines, when he was ordered to halt, and was again fired upon because he told them to join the rebs he had consigned to Hades.

" He was taken a prisoner, and passed along to his regi- ment to be identified. In telling his adventure, he remarked that he would never try that exploit over again, as it was

FROM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 71

the hardest job he ever did. Hill was one of the best sol- diers in the army ; he knew no fear, and was always anxious to charge, knowing that his heavy weight would carry him through, while his dimensions made a good target for bullets. Fifty thousand men like Hill, with his charging proclivities, would have proved a terror to any enemy. But the valiant Hill, with many another good man, went down in death in tlie blind and bloody tangles of the Wilderness.

" In the morning we moved out again to get our new lines of defence. A little incident illustrates the ease with which troops assume to be veterans. While moving out, we halted opposite a Pennsylvania regiment, of high numbers, who were marching in. They wore their blankets in rolls swung over their shoulders, while we had hung to our knapsacks, think- ing them much better than rolls. Members of the Penn- sylvania battalion asked what regiment we were, and were answered, ' A Down East regiment, by golly.' — ' Just out, are you?' — 'Yes,' was the reply. 'Well, I thought so: you won't carry them knapsacks wlien you have been out here as long as we have.' Some one asked the State and number of our regiment, and, when told, turned to the spokesman of his party, and said, ' Shut up, you fool : that regiment was out here before you thought of enlisting, they were the ones that passed through Baltimore.' He was mistaken. We passed through that city, but Gen. B. F. Butler was there at the time : it was the Sixth militia the men had mixed up with us.

" Our company was pushed out well'at the front again ; and then the colonel was not satisfied, as there was a long gap in the picket-line, and he wanted three good men placed out as a post of observation, and the lot fell upon the three men on the left of the company ; that meant Sergeant Brightman, another man, and myself. We took orders from the colonel, and went to our duty. We pulled through the woods, and came to a high fence, beyond which was a rod-wide streak of scrubby oaks, and then an open field a quarter of a mile long, in the centre of which was a house with outbuildings. On

72 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

our right, at the extreme end of the field, was a line of Con- federate cavalry, while confronting them on our left were our horsemen : they were watching one another's movements.

" Brightman instructed me to skirt along the fence at the right, and find our pickets, while the other man went to the left on a like errand.

'' I followed along the fence cautiously, listening for friend or foe : as Russell had told us to be careful, as the woods were full of rejbs. I heard men talking at last, and crept over the fence, and crawled up until I saw that they wore the blue, when I confronted them with the querj^ ' "What regiment do you belong to?' They all three grasped their guns, and came to an aim, and demanded my business, which I ex- plained so they were satisfied. They told me they belonged to the Forty-ninth New- York Infantry. On my way back I started up an old sow with a litter of little pigs, and one of those little fellows appeared to be just the size to ' fill a long- felt want ' that raged within : so, heedless of all things else, I gave chase to infantile pork.

" Well, we rushed like a whirlwind, through the bushes, until I saw Brightman — who had ' clomb ' the fence, and come to the front — fleeing before our charge like a startled pig, as he leaped the fence like a frightened deer, and then he about-faced, and pointed his shooting-iron square at me ; then I yelled for him to stop it. We came to a mutual under- standing ; but the pork had slipped my greedy grasp, and its economic scarcity value had gone up a peg. Brightman declared, when I asked him what made him run so, that we made such a noise rushing through the bushes, that the rebel cavalry, he thought, were charging down upon him, but he didn't intend to investigate until he was safely over the fence.

" We established our post, and watched the horsemen on either side of our front. I was very anxious to see a cavalry chai'ge right on that field in front ; but there appeared to be no fight in either crowd, and they did not deem it expe-

FEOM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 73

client to give an exhibition of their valor to appease the morbid curiosity of ns lonely footmen. In an hour or so the rebs quietly withdrew within the shadow of the woods, and shortly after our men retired beneath the cooling shade of the adjoining foliage. Then Col, Russell boldly took the road, and rode across towards the opposite woodland ; but he soon came cantering back with two rebel horsemen trailing at his rear. They showed Jio disposition to shoot at him, although they were within pistol-shot of him ; and the brave officer appeared to be in no hurry, as he was simply trying to draw them in, and they to capture him. They came near enough our post to make an easy shot for us ; but Russell made no motion to indicate any such a desire, and we were too well trained to interfere with the business ; but the pickets away down on the left opened upon them, so they relinquished their chase, turned tail, and got. Then Russell was mad. He drew his sword, and rode down to that picket front ; and, judging by his motions, he poured out the vials of his choice pulpit invectives upon them for their well- meant simplicity.

" I was left alone by the other men of the post, and a cannonading at the rear of me made me nervously inclined. The colonel came up to visit me, to see what was going on at the front ; and I saluted him with the question, ' What does all this shooting at the rear mean ? Have the rebs got there ? ' Laconically he answered, ' Fourth of July dam- phools.' I hadn't thought of it. The glorious day of inde- pendence might have passed by unremerabered by me, had the patriots at the rear been satisfied with the gunpowder explosions of the past few days. But they were not. There is an intensely patriotic streak in the average Northerner ; and it runs to noise, from the small boy with his toy pistol up to the grown-up old boy with his booming cannon. We heard, nor heard of, no noise from the other side ; for they saved their powder to prop up an institution dearer to them than any Fourth of July. In spite of her Washington, Jefferson,

74 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Patrick Henry, and her old-time Lees, Virginia was wor- shipping at the shrine of a traitor to whom the shibboleth of libert}' was a continual menace to the fabric of his would- be government.

" During the day Gen. Couch came up to the post to get an observation. I was standing at the edge of the bush when he came up ; and he pulled me in, and told me to be careful and not show myself, or I would get shot. I thought differently, and pointed out a man at the house in front, who appeared to have on a red shirt without a coat : he was running about like one possessed of seventeen devils, but was so far away that I couldn't make out what he was up to, only by a rough estimate. ' Well, who is he ? ' said the general. ' One of our cavalry, I think, as there is a squadron of them over in that wood on the left.' — ' Well, what takes him there ? ' — ' His appetite, I reckon,' was my reply, as I began to think that my appetite would take me ten miles if there was only a square meal at the end of it. ' What do you mean by that ? ' asked Couch. And I told him that it looked to me as though the man were racing after pigs or poultry on an empty stomach.

" The gallant general brought the focus of his field-glass to bear upon him, uttered an emphatic ' Humph ! ' and walked away. Now, what made me discover, with unaided vision, what the general could not see through without the aid of his field-glass ? Simply this : Observation had taught me that no soldier ever exercised himself so vigorously, of his own volition, as that man was doing, unless there was some- thing to eat in the concluding exercises."

July 12 the writer of this History joined his regiment, in company with some ten or twelve others who had been sick in hospitals at Washington. I found the boys encamped on the outer line, worn out with marching, and ragged and dirty from their terrible labors for the past two months. I was welcomed back most cordially by Capt. Reed, Lieuts. May- hew and Gurney, and all the boys : but I never, to this day, really knew whether or not it was for the reason that picket

FEOM FAIR OAKS TO HARRISON'S LANDING. 75

and guard duty would come a little easier; 'twould be hard to say. I am sure, however, that the razor I brought with me did much to smooth my reception ; for it was in constant demand for a week, by which time the boys had cleaned up, and recovered their old-time elasticity of spirits, which had been considerably lowered by the terrible strain of the last week of battles.

I made my home with some Scituate boys, — Charles, Hosea D., Nott, and Joseph O. Marsh, — good boys, every one of them, whole-hearted and true. The tent was pitched over four crotched sticks, two at each end, with long ones running lengthwise, and resting on tlie short ones at head and foot. At this time of the year, at that particular place in Old Virginia, a bed raised from off the ground was very essential to comfort, as we were subjected to very severe thunder-storms, the water from the skies coming not only in drops, but in sheets ; and soon every thing was afloat. The gulches became roaring torrents, which had only to be dis- turbed to become a rushing stream of mud.

The weather was intensely hot, and good drinking-water scarce, unless we went to the river-springs, or outside the lines about a mile and a half, or three miles to the river. The surface-water which collected upon the sub-stratum of marl was very fatal to the men who were too feeble to go to the springs, and were obliged to drink this "lime-water," thus laying the foundation for chronic diarrh(]ea, from which many never recovered. Corp. Benjamin F. Hutchinson con- tracted the disease here, and died in Craney-Island Hospital oft Norfolk, Va. I^iay also mention Frederick Cook of Company K, who was taken ill with the disease at this camp, and died while we were encamped at Downsville, Md. ; also, Richardson of Company I, who died 'in hospital at Washington.

CHAPTER X.

LETTER BY CAPT. REED.

HAVING received a very interesting narrative from Capt. George Reed, formerly commander of Company K, of the regiment's participation in the Seven Days' Fight, and of his own company's part in that engagement, which was published in " The Abington Standard " at Abington, Mass., Sept. 6, 1862, I take the liberty of inserting it as a part of this history : —

" On Wednesday, June 25, early in the morning, a smart firing commenced on our right from Hooker's pickets. It soon increased ; and in a little while the heavy boom of can- non broke upon our ears, which showed it was something more serious than mere picket skirmishing. I had hardly reached camp when I received orders to have my company in readiness to march at a moment's notice. Cartridges were issued, haversacks filled, canteens replenished, and shortly the order came to " Fall in ; " and in a very few moments the Seventh were marching with full ranks in the direction of the firing. We proceeded to the front of our lines, stacked arms, and waited some three hours, whi];;^ the firing sensibly slackened.

" Gens. Couch, Kearny, Hooker, Keyes, Palmer, Grover, and others were in consultation on our left, and our brigade finally received orders to advance. We proceeded at the double-quick some two miles, and were posted in front of De Russy's battery as a support. The batteries were firing shell very rapidly ; and we had been in position but a few

LETTER BY CAPT. EEED. 77

moments when the casing of one of the shells hit Lieut. Bullock of Fall River on the left hip, cutting his sword in two, and inflicting an awful and mortal wound. We then moved about a hundred yards to the right, and were ordered to advance, which we did, passing over dead horses, broken gun-carriages, and cut-up roads, to the extreme front of the line. We were posted across an open field, some eight hun- dred yards from thick woods where the rebels were stationed, with the right and left of our regiment under cover of a swamp.

"My company being in the centre of the regiment, we were in a very exposed position, and soon were made aware of the presence of sharpshooters by the whistling of bullets in very uncomfortable proximity to our ears. Major Harlow was selected by them as a mark ; but though they shot all around him, they did not succeed in hitting him. We were ordered to lie down when we took our position, and this made it extremely difficult to hit us. But one rebel in a large oak fired very accurately, and, selecting Capt. Bliss of Company F as his mark, sent a ball crashing through the brain of John White, who was lying by the captain's side. The rebel did not exult long in his deed, as one of our skirmishers, who had been watching for him, shot him as he exposed himself to fire ; and he came rushing down into the fork of the tree ere the report of his rifle had ceased to echo in the surrounding woods.

" At this time word was passed down the line for our men to lie close as possible, as the rebels were moving artillery to the front. In a few minutes they opened upon us with a sharp fire of shell, which was exceedingly well directed, and in good range, the shell bursting over in front and in rear of us ; and it seemed as if half of the regiment would be disabled ; but, singular to relate, not a man of our regiment was injured, while the Second Rhode Island, which lay right in our rear, lost a good many. They then commenced a terrible fire of grape and canister, which swept over us in

78 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

a fearful manner some fifteen minutes, cutting shrubs as clean as with a scythe, and striking all around us without injuring a man. At dusk their firing ceased, and their artillery lim- bered up and retired. We seized the opportunity given us in the darkness to eat a few hard bread (or, as the men say, reduce a few squares), as we had eaten nothing since morn- ing, and were getting faint and exhausted from our uncom- fortable position.

" The enemy had been driven about a mile, and we were an advance picket with orders to hold the position. As the evening advanced, it became evident that we should have great odds to encounter, as we could hear regiment after regi- ment march up in front of us; hear the word of command of the officers to halt, right dress, order arms, and even heard old Magruder order one Capt. Nolen to have their dead near the old oak-tree removed for burial, our skirmishers having piled them up there to some purpose.

" About nine in the evening. Adjt. Packard came along the line with orders from the colonel to have the men in readiness to move in good order, and in perfect silence, a short distance to the rear. The men were formed in line, faced by the rear rank, and were moving silently away, when Company C got into some disorder, and the colonel halted the line. Some of Company K halted before I heard the order, while the rest of the company were some two rods in advance. I had just gone to the left to move them up inio line, when a most severe and galling fire of musketry was opened within two hundred yards of our line from, I should think, a whole brigade. The suddenness of the attack, and the men being out of their accustomed places, threw them into some confusion ; and some of the men who were in the advance faced about and fired right into our faces. The Second Rhode Island upon our right also commenced firing, without waiting to see whether tliey were firing upon friend or foe. Company K was in the centre of this converging fire ; and never before was it my fortune to stand where the

LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 79^

bullets flew so thick and fast as they did for some ten min- utes on this eventful night. The night was very dark ; and nothing could look so pretty, and at the same time so fearful, as the sheet of fire which blazed from the unseen foe in our front. Company K soon got into order, and returned the fire with interest ; and nothing was heard for a time but the short, sharp commands of the officers, and the rapid crack of the rifles of the combatants.

"In the height of the fire, Private Augustine Fullerton — a braver and a better soldier I have not got in my company — came up to me, and said, 'Captain, I am shot badly.' — ' Where ? ' I asked him. ' Right through here,' he said, placing his hand upon his right breast ; and the poor boy's voice quivered with emotion as he thought of his home and friends. I sent him to the rear in charge of Private J. E. Josselyn ; and he had hardly started, when Private Sylvester Edmund of Scituate came up with, ' Captain, they have hit me right here in the shoulder.' I sent him to the rear also. These two, withP rivate T. H. Cook who had accidentally shot himself in the foot in the afternoon, were all the casu- alties I had in my company.

" In a short time we had the satisfaction of finding the fire of the enemy slackening, and soon it had ceased. Our men were then ordered to go to work digging rifle-pits ; and though weak and exhausted, they set to work with a right good will, and in the hardest digging ever seen. They had worked about three hours when another fierce attack was made by the rebels ; but the men laid down their shovels, grasped their rifles without the slightest confusion, and poured a steady and well-directed fire into the flash of the enemy's rifles till they retired. The men then fell to work again, and labored until about thi-ee o'clock a.m. ; the colonel moving along the lines, and encouraging the troops, exhort- ing them, telling them their salvation depended upon their labors.

" We were indeed in a fearful position, having been

80 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

ordered to hold it at all hazards, — and Col. Russell was not the man to draw back without an order, — while the rebels could bring heav}'- odds against us. The Rhode-Island regi- ment had been withdrawn ; and the New- York regiment on our left was completely demoralized, their colonel being intemperate, their lieutenant-colonel being too timid to take command, and most of their officers having left, together with several hundred of the men. We had certainly a brigade to contend with, and probabh^ a larger force was being concentrated on the rebel side. Daylight was looked for with deep anxiety ; but we had determined to give a good account of the Seventh, and defend our position to the last. Just before daylight we had an order to fall back to the rifle-pits, a little more than a mile in our rear: and the men were quietly withdrawn.

" In the whole affair the bearing of Company K was very gratifying to me ; and I think it was owing to the coolness and example of Lieuts. Mayhew and Gurney, who rendered me valuable assistance, as indeed they have on all occasions when we have been called upon to encounter the enemy.

" We now took our position in Casey's rifle-pits, and remained there until noon, or very near that time, when we returned to camp, and ate for the first time that day. It had been an exceedingly hard spell for us, as my company had been on picket-duty the night previous, so we had no sleep for two nights, with scarcel}^ a mouthful to eat for over twenty-four hours, and at work all night — the second night — after a very fatiguing march during the day. We had hardly reached camp when a tremendous cannonading broke out on our extreme right, and continued without intermis- sion until nine in the evening. We were ordered to be ready to march at any moment, but were not ordered out during the afternoon.

" The next morning, Friday, the cannonading was resumed with great fury, and soon we had orders to fall in and march ; but, instead of moving to the right, we marched to the rear.

LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 81

past Savage Station, nearly to the Chickahominy, and then set our faces towards the James River. We rested after a very long and fatiguing march, 'mid the dust and heat of a sultry day, through the camp of Peck's division on the extreme left of our line.

" In the morning we were routed out at four, and ordered to fall in as soon as we had made our coffee ; but before the order could be carried out. Company K was detailed for duty, and had to leave without breakfast. We were marched to White-Oak-Swamp Creek, and went to work to repair the road, and build a bridge across the creek. The men having had no breakfast, and nearly beaten out by the duties of the last few days, were employed some two hours in carrying huge logs and laying them across the stream.

" When our regiment came up, we were ordered to fall in, and proceeded on our march. We were now on a new route in the enemy's country, and leading the advance, a position which, while one of honor, is by no means one of ease. We marched a few miles, halted, and learned we were to remain there twenty-four hours as pickets. Our line was formed in an open piece of woods with a large field of wheat in our front. We stacked arms, masked them with green boughs, posted sentries, and lay down to obtain some rest. We could have no fires near the front, and the men who wanted coffee had to proceed some distance to the rear to make it. A battery of six-pound guns was placed at the fence between the wood and the wheat-field, and masked so that the most acute scout could not have told, at a distance of a hundred yards, whether it was any thing but underbrush. We had to be on the watch all night for fear of an attack, but the day dawned without any thing of moment occurring.

"The forenoon passed off very quietly, the men employing the time, as a general thing, in trying to sleep. Just after one P.M., I was lying near our stack of arms, almost asleep, when I was suddenly aroused b}^ the tramp of horses and the yell of rebel cavalry right in our lines. Our men were

82 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

lying in all shapes, without their equipments; but in an incredibly short time we were in line, and eager for the fight.

"It was a surprise to us, as they had driven in our cavalry scouts, and came in so mixed up with them, that our sentries dared not fire for fear of killing our own men. The rebs rushed up to the wood, and wheeled into line ; but before they formed, Ave poured such a fire into them that they broke in confusion, with the loss of their major commanding, two captains, and nine men killed, and some twenty-five prisoners. As th^ey were skedaddling down the road, our battery opened on them, overturning horses and men to their evident consternation. They supposed they were attacking a small cavalry picket, and, with their five companies of cavalry, rushed confidently on to a regiment of Massachu- setts infantry. We took sabres of the United-States pattern, stolen by Floyd, Sharp's carbine rifles, double-barrelled guns, and some valuable horses. Indeed, their major, though mor- tally wounded, thought more about his horse than any thing else ; for he said he had paid two hundred dollars for him only a few days before.

^ In the afternoon we were relieved by the Sixth Maine, and received orders to cross White-Oak Swamp in advance, and in the night. This was regarded as rather tough, as we had no sleep the night previous, to speak of, had been exposed to a heavy rain, and had not got our blankets dry, which made knapsacks hang rather heavy. We had been on short allowance of food ; had scarcely any chance to make coffee, — that sheet-anchor of the soldier, — and were nearly worn out by fatigue and exposure.

" Speaking of food, the officers are sometimes placed in very unpleasant circumstances with regard to rations. Not drawing any thing from Government, and the brigade com- missary being miles in the rear, on protracted raarclies they frequently find themselves blessed with a good apjDctite, and nothing to eat. As this only happens when the men are

LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 83

nearly out, it becomes a grave question of ways and means as to the manner of supplying our internal economy. Lieut. Gurney and myself started on this march with half a hard- bread between us, and with no knowledge as to how or when we should obtain more. However, orders must be obeyed, and we started in good spirits for our long and dangerous march.

" We reached the edge of the swamp at dark, when every man had orders to cap his piece, carry it at the shoulder, not to fire without orders, not to light a match, or suffer his dipper to rattle, to preserve the most perfect silence, and to keep closed up at all hazards. We then plunged into the recesses of the swamp, and so dark was it that 1 could not see the man before me, although ray hand was on his knap- sack. For eight long hours we were in this horrible hole ; wading streams, stumbling over fallen trees, halting when- ever we approached a more than ordinarily dangerous place, until the ground had been felt over before the main body of the regiment proceeded on their way. Durign one of these halts, I fell asleep standing at the head of my company, and did not wake until the leading file nearly stumbled over me. We had a battery with us of six rifled guns, two Parrotts, two three-inch rifled, and two brass twelve-pounders. Once we were halted, and the artillery ordered to the front. I concluded we were in for it; but at three A.M. we reached the James River, and the welcome words, ' Break ranks,' greeted our ears. At five a.m. we were aroused, and with- out any breakfast, put in motion over an exceedingly dusty road at a very quick pace ; and some of the men grumbled, as they had no supper the night before.

'• Think of it, you who live at home and think the soldier is more than paid for his services. Think of those who have endured such privations and hardships amid the swamps of the Old Dominion ; and if any poor fellow gets his discharge from the service, do not pursue him with imputations of cowardice until you have been through a tithe of what he

84 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

has. You can have no idea of what is sacrificed and endured by the volunteer who has left home and friends to fight his and your enemy, and restore the stars and stripes to their old position as the flag of a united and happy people.

"But to return. We were marched two or three miles, halted, and waited two hours in the hot sun for further orders. We then marched into a large wheat-field where the golden grain had just been harvested, and lay in huge stacks for acres and acres. Cherry-trees loaded with their tempting fruit were scattered around ; and an orchard of apple-trees, with apples nearly ripe, was discovered by our boys. After we had stacked arms and been dismissed, away rushed the men, some for water, some for the fruit, some for straw, and some soon spied a field of potatoes, which were uprooted ; and for a little while we revelled in all the luxu- ries of the season. Six hours after our entrance, there was a contrast in the appearance of the place to what it was when we arrived. The whole of Porter's division had entered the same field, and between their boys and ours every thing was stripped. The huge stacks of wheat had disappeared, fruit- trees were despoiled, the potatoes were all dug, and the men were sighing for new fields to conquer.

" In the afternoon the enemy attacked our left, and soon a furious cannonading was in progress. The ' Galena ' and ' Monitor' were lying within a half-mile of us ; and in a few minutes after the firing commenced, a signal-officer mounted the chimney of a large house in the field where we lay, and signalled to the boats. A thundering roar soon announced that the terrible gunboats had opened upon the rebel hordes. Their 155-pound shell flew with an unearthly scream over our heads; and we could hear them burst some two miles to the front, to the great terror of the rebels, and the corre- sponding joy of our forces. We were not ordered out that afternoon, but lay there watching the ceaseless stream of bag- gage-wagons and troops which continued to pour in till far into the night. The battle had ceased at dark ; but once in

LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 85

a while the deep roar of a gun was heard, with an occasional report from a musket or rifle. Finally all was hushed save the continuous rattle of our baggage-train.

" Tuesday morning all was quiet until ten o'clock, when the ball again opened. We were soon called into line, and after standing a half-hour stacked arms, and were dismissed with orders to commanders of companies to keep their men ready for a call. In about an hour it came, and we moved once more for tbe field of battle. Choked with dust, the perspiration streaming down their faces, the men soon pre- sented an uncouth and strange appearance ; but they toiled on, lightening their way with jokes and sarcasms upon the appearance of the various regiments, or such general officers as they passed. We met the wounded by scores ; some in ambulances, some on stretchers, and some on foot wending their way to the rear.

" When we reached the battle-field, a grand spectacle was spread out before us. Imagine a high ridge of land where we stood, falling off gradually to a stream of water some half- mile to the front, then rising as gradually on the other side of the stream to a thick wood where the rebels were posted. The length of this opening was three miles, and its width one mile. In this amphitheatre, line after line of our batteries could be seen with their supports of infantry extending for miles. Some two hundi-ed pieces of artillejy were thus dis- posed in various commanding positions from right to left, as far as the eye could discern.

"■ We entered upon the left centi'e, halted, formed line, and stacked arms, and the men given a chance to rest. While we were v^atching the scene, a puff of smoke, followed by the screaming of a shell, from the edge of the wood opposite, showed that the rebels were commencing fire again. In a few moments battery after battery on our side opened in reply, and the air was filled with shells, hissing and scream- ing ; some bursting in mid-air, others falling among the dense masses of the enemy before they exploded, and still others

86 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

plunging far over the wood, scattering their shower of frag- ments harmlessly around. lu the midst of this terrific lire, an aid rode up to Col. Russell with, ' Is this the Massa- chusetts Seventh ? ' — ' Yes,' said the colonel. ' You are ordered to report to Gen. Hancock on extreme right, as the enemy are concentrating troops there, and he must hold his position.' — ' Fall in,' was the word ; and we were again on the march, traversing the field of battle from left to right, through woods and wheat-fields and over creeks, till at dark we reached our position. Two companies were detailed for picket-duty, when there was found to be a misunderstanding of the line by the regiment posted on our left, and on the line being re-organized by Major Harlow of the Seventh, it threw my company out; and we returned to the regiment, getting lost in the thick woods, and floundering around in the dark for an hour before we found it. The men had permis- sion to lie down with equipments on, ready to start at a moment's notice.

" In the middle of the night we were aroused ; and I was ordered to have my company fall in silently and rapidly, and to move forward when the left of the regiment started. The first sound that struck my ear was the rumble of artillery in every direction, mingled with the roll of baggage-wagons, and the indescribable sound produced by the tread of many thousand men. I knew at once some very important move- ment was in progress. The men were soon in line, and we commenced our march ; but it was difficult to move the regi- ment in a thick wood, with a dark night and no path, and it required all our attention not to get stra3'ed from the main bod}'. After groping among roots, brambles, and fallen trees, slipping into holes, and falling over prostrate timl)er, we emerged from the pathless wood, upon the main road, and joined the living stream that was flowing to the rear. Innu- merable baggage-wagons mixed up with the artillery blocked the road for miles ; while regiment after regiment passed, some at double-quick, others at rout-step.

LETTER BY CAPT. REED. 87

" While we were halted, awaiting orders, the colonel had the quartermaster issue what rations he had on hand. Six hard-bread were given to each man, with the caution to be saving of them, as there was no knowing when we could obtain any more. After waiting for an hour, we received our orders. The colonel sent for the officers, and said our regi- ment had been detailed as the extreme rear-guard ; that it was a position of great danger and responsibility, and he relied on their efforts to encourage the men, and hold the enemy in check ; that the}'^ had better communicate the fact to the men, so that they could act understandingly. This was done ; our pieces were loaded, and officers and men resigned themselves to the almost certain fact of death or a prison, which seemed inevitable under the circumstances.

" Thus we remained for an hour or more, watching the dif- ferent regiments as they filed past, and commenting on the terrified appearance of the great majority of the wagoners, as with oaths and execrations, and frantic lashing of the mules, they urged their heavily loaded teams over the muddy road. They had been passing for eight hours when our men were ordered to fall in ; and we proceeded at the double-quick over a road where deep mud was the best travelling, crowding by the enormous number of wagons that filled the way, until half of the men fell behind from sheer exhaustion. We at length reached our designated position, and formed in divis- ions on a large hill near the James River, covered with splen- did wheat all ready for the harvest. We remained an hour or more at this place ; but the rebels not appearing, the word was again ' Forward.' The men wallowed through the wheat, — or what was the wheat-field, for after the passage of an army over such a place it would take a shrewd man to guess or determine what green thing had ever grown there, — and rushed with their dippers to dip up the mingled clay and rain-water which ran down the gullies, and quench their raging thirst. I drank it repeatedly ; and never water tasted sweeter, though it was liquid mud. After an exhausting

88 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

march we reached James River at noon on Wednesday, July 2, 1862, making eight days of hardship, exposure, and fatigue, that will challenge comparison with any campaign of this most unhappy war. The men were thoroughly worn out. It had been the battle, march, and picket, for eight days, with scarcely any food, insufficient water, no rest, and harassed in mind and body. Friends were missing on every side, no one knowing whetlier they were numbered with the slain or held as prisoners by the enemy. Gloom and depression pervaded ever}^ countenance as we formed our line and stacked arms in a magnificent wheat-field on the bank of the river, and then came the welcome order to ' break ranks.' The field, soaked by the heavy rain, trodden by thousands of men and animals, and cut up by the artillery and wagons, was a deep bed of mud ; but officers and men spread their blankets, and were soon wrapped in slumber, dreaming of their own happy firesides, the war and its attendant horrors forgotten."

l.\Mi:S I'. CAl.l.AC.HKR, Private Co. " ('■•"

CHAPTER XI.

OPERATIONS AT HARRISON'S LANDING, — MOVEMENT TO FAIRFAX COURT- HOUSE. — RETREAT DOWN THE PENINSULA. — MARCH TO ANTIETAM,

THE regiment made a reconnoissance to Turkey-Island Bend, Aug. 5, 1862. After marching all night, or at least moving a short distance at a time, the general found himself lost; and we returned to camp, a tired and disgusted set of men. On the 8th made another reconnoissance to Haxall's Station ; also marched over Malvern Hill, where the battle of that name was fought.

It was on this move that Hospital Steward Gallagher was bitten bv a copperhead snake. In a short time he was swollen almost beyond recognition; but by the use of good old commissary whiskey and gunpowder, under the direction of Surgeon Holman, his life was saved, although it incapaci- tated him for further duties in the army. He is remembered by all the regiment as a very faithful and competent nurse and steward, many a brave boy's life having been saved by his faithfulness rather than by the surgeons.

Soon rumors were rife that we were to be removed from the Peninsula, and march to support some of Pope and Halleck's unique schemes of defeating Lee in his aggressive movements, notwithstanding the earnest protest of Mc- Clellan, — the one great strategist of the war. So on the 16th we broke camp, and marched nineteen miles down the Peninsula to re-enforce Pope, and encamped near Charles City Court-House. It was dusty and fearful hot. On the 17th marched twenty-five miles, and crossed the Chickahominy

90 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

River, resting on its banks that night. It was a grand treat for the boys to bathe their blistered feet, and remove the dust and dirt in the cooling waters of the river, after such long and arduous marching under a broiling sun. On the 18th marched eighteen miles through the battle-field of Williamsburg, and bivouacked five miles beyond the city. Rested one day in camp here ; and on the 20th we marched eight miles, passing through Yorktown, and encamped two miles from the town on the Big Bethel Road. We were located in an immense peach-orchard ; and the men spent their time while here in fishing for oysters in the neighboring creeks and bayous, from whose beds of mud they took many of the succulent bivalves, thus materially lengthening their scanty rations.

In the mean time the regiment had been paid off; and on the twenty-ninth day of August we marched to Yorktown, and embarked on the bark " Texas " for Alexandria, where we arrived Aug. 31. We had a very fine sail up the Chesa- peake Bay and Potomac River. On the 1st of September, disembarked, and marched fifteen miles towards Fairfax Court-House. The field-officers had left their horses at Alex- andria ; aud, not being used to marching, it is said that some of them took to the transportation teams as a means of loco- motion After we had tramjDed the fifteen miles on the road towards Fairfax Court-House, we were ordered back to the fortifications of Washington, Pope having received a disas- trous defeat on the old Bull Run battle-field. We returned to within four miles of Chain Bridge, formed line of battle, and encamped.

The previous night we had a very severe rain, the usual result of a hard battle. All was gloom and despondency; but, as soon as it was known that Gen. INIcClellan had been re-instated, the spirits and morale of the troops began to improve. The men never had any faith in Halleck or Stanton ; for, as their orders would leak out, it was apparent to all, that, as commanders and strategists, they were most

OPERATIONS AT HAKEISON'kS LANDING. 91

lamentable failures ; and to them, and them alone, were attributed the most of our disasters.

But to return to the narrative. The 5th of September, crossed Chain Bridge, and marched through Tenallytown, about nine miles. We were now once more on loyal ground and among loyal people, and were marching through a very picturesque part of Maryland. Sixth of September, marched to Orfutt's Cross-Roads, Md. Here we halted, and rested two days. We were holding the left flank of the Army of the Potomac ; Couch's division being the extreme left, and Gen. Devens's brigade being the left of the division. Sept. 9, marched eight miles, and bivouacked near Seneca Mills. While here. Companies K and H were detailed to guard the fords and rivei'-front while the rest of the regiment proceeded towards the South-Mountain range. On the 10th, 12th, and 13th marched twenty-five miles over the mountains, through Jefferson, and bivouacked near Burkettsville. On the 14th marched through Burkettsville and South-Mountain Gap, or Crampton Pass, into Pleasant Valley. On the 17th marched eight miles up South Mountain through Rohrersville, and biv- ouacked for the night. On the 18th marched for the battle- field of Antietam ; and, while passing through Turner's Gap in the South Mountain, Companies H and K, commanded by Capt. Whitcomb of Company H, rejoined the regiment. These companies had previously passed over Crampton's Gap, where Franklin had made his successful charge the day before, the debris of the fight being thickly strewn upon the declivity and the top of the mountain. By hard marching, they had come up with the regiment in hopes to be in time to engage in the battle impending. Arriving at the battle- field, we formed line of battle in rear of Porter's corps, where we rested a few hours, then crossed Antietam River, and were placed upon skirmish-line. About six o'clock p.m. a flag of truce was displayed upon the lines, and our wounded were brought in. There was active skirmishing all along the line, but the regiment was not severely engaged.

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Early in the morning, Acljt. Dan Packard of the Seventh came along the reserve line, and awakened the men ; for we were massed for a grand rush on Lee's lines. But the wily rebel had stolen away in the darkness of the night, his army crippled by the loss of more than thirty thousand men in killed, wounded, and stragglers. He was a defeated and out- generalled man ; and by this battle, as Gen. Longstreet has well said in his articles in " The Century Magazine," pub- lished by Scribners, " The key-stone to the Confederate arch was sprung." By the loss of so many of his noble soldiers, Lee never recovered his former prestige or prowess. The South could ill afford the loss of so many men, while the North was as strong as ever by natural accessions.

CHAPTER XII.

FROM BULL RUN TO ANTIETAM.

THE following account of the events mentioned in the preceding chapter was written by Sergt. Walter S. Goss for " The Woonsocket Patriot," and is presented here as being of particular interest to the men of the Seventh Massachusetts : —

" After two or three hours' halt at Chantilly, we are up again and away. The whole array is getting back on the lines about Washington. Our field and staff are all afoot, and are getting a sample of foot-soldiering. The rank and file are well aware of that fact ; and, when the head of the column is pointed Washingtonward, the word is passed down the line to march in close order, and stretch out for a home gait. Well, there was never better marching put on record. Without halt or straggle we make quick time over that fif- teen miles or more of road, and rest when we get back on the knapsack base. About a half an hour after, the first dis- mounted officer comes limping feebly along, and is saluted by a volley from the ranks of ' Close up there ! close up there ! ' which the valiant lieutenant-colonel took up and repeated. He saw the point ; as he had often before, when the boys were trudging along weary and foot-sore, exasperated them with the infernal refrain of 'Close up there ! ' until for- bearance seemed no longer a virtue. It was over an hour before all our stragglers — official ones — came in; and then we shouldered our little trunks, and went up over the hills and down into a little vale, and hid up. But the respite was

94 skvi:nth Massachusetts volunteer infantry.

not long ; for shortl}^ a mounted orderly came down upon the colonel with ' I have been looking for you over an hour, colonel.' — ' Well, you have found me, but I did not mean for you to,' responded Russell.

" Then we got orders to go to Chain Bridge. The colonel and staff were completely played out, so an old farmer was found with a rickety ' carryall ' who for pelf took on the dis- mounted officials ; and the line of march was now to follow the team. Either through ignorance of the road or a pur- pose mistake that old farmer carted his cargo of officers into our picket-line away up to Ball's Cross-Roads, and a straggling few of the foot-men had followed on, while the rest of the regiment had fallen out, and bivouacked by the wayside. The first question the colonel asked the picket was, ' Is there any water here ? ' — ' Yes, plenty.' — ' Then we'll stay here to- nis'ht.' In fact, it was so dark that we mio-ht have blundered about all night without getting any nearer our destination. Since leaving the ship, about tliirty hours before, we had marched about fifty-two miles, — that is, the less than a hun- dred men who stacked arms that night as a regiment ; and tired and sleepy would but weakly express our feelings.

" In the morning we made tracks for Chain Bridge, and found the better part of the regiment there. We encamped on nearly the same ground where we got such a taste of sol- diering earl}' in the spring. Since we left here, and have gained in experience and cheek, we are ready to play all manner of pranks on the newly recruited regiments, who set us down as roughs, and think themselves the beau-ideal sol- diers because they sport paper collars and white gloves ; but we are not on our parade just at this time, as we have passed that point.

"One little experience with new troops I will narrate before we push on to new fields. Lying near us here was a Penn- sylvania r:ginient which had just come out. They kept a guard around their camp ; and, although they allowed their men to go out and in at their pleasure, no outsiders were

FROM BULL RUN TO ANTIETAM. 95

admitted within. But they had a sutler who had a good stock of tobacco and good things which we were anxious to purchase, but it was no go. I kept my eye on that camp- guard, and tried to study up a plan to get around them. Eureka ! I have solved the problem ! The scalding noon-day sun has knocked out the new recruits. A new relief has gone on, some without their coats, and others without equipments. I called together a few of my chums, and invited them to go with me to the sutler's, to which the}' agreed if I would do the bluffing. Well, we walked straight over the guarded line. The sentry ordered us to halt, and I asked him for his authority. He said he was a guard, and I told him that old soldiers did not recognize a man in his shirt-sleeves and with- out equipments as a general thing. That staggered him, and he cried lustily for the corporal of the guard; but he, luckily for us, came without a coat, and we refused to notice him. Well, we kicked up the Devil's own row in that regiment, and brought the officer of the day down on us. He pomp- ously demanded what we meant by running over his guard, to which we replied that we hadn't seen any guard ; that if he would consult the rules and regulations, he would find that his camp-guard must be armed and equipped and in uniform. We carried the point; and the sequel of the matter was, that the whole guard was taken off, and marched to their quarters ; and, when they came back, they were in full dress, white gloves and all ; but they had orders to let old sol- diers pass to the sutler's, so he was made happy, and we lived fat the rest of the day. And 1 think the officers of that regiment will never forget how the old soldiers disciplined them for the poor privilege of patronizing their sutler.

" Our tarry near Chain Bridge is short, as the army is push- ing into Maryland to look up and head off Lee. The col- umns spread over a large section of country, trying to cover Washington and the enemy at the same time. We take the river-road. Sept. 4 we stop near Tenallytown ; on the 6th are at Offent's Cross- Road. The 9th finds us at the mouth of

96 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

the Seneca. On the night of the 10th we arrive at Poolville, and stop there over the 11th. I remember Poolville, and a night's lodging which I tried to put in there, which narration will show how low the soldier fell in his estimate of comforts. We halted at Poolville near evening : the weather was low- ery, and foreboded a rain. The orderly-sergeant came to me, and confidentially imparted the information that he had found a first-rate place to sleep : he told me to take my knapsack, and hurry up before the place was pre-empted. I hurried, and found the house with its ample yard was vacant. We crawled into the snug little house, and found it well littered with fine straw. We spread our blankets, and prepared to put in a good solid night's snooze, which we didn't ; for in less than an hour every square inch of our bodies was ting- ling and quivering under the agony of ten thousand bites. It was no miracle when we took up our beds, and walked : it was fleas that drove us forth. ' The wicked flee when no man pursueth,' but it is a pretty good man who can pursue a flea with success. We carried away a young million of those fleas out into a pelting storm, where we chose to take our chances with those we had captured rather than with those we left behind. I had always thought that it was a hog's nature to rub and scratch, but I learned that his sur- roundings made the process an urgent necessity. Those wicked fleas clung to us, and made life miserable for three days, when one evening we went up into the shade of ' Sugar- loaf Mountain, disrobed, laid our clothes on the ground, and beat them with a bush until the last flea fled. Then we registered an oath to consort with hogs and their abiding- places no more.

" Our division threw off regiments all along the route to guard the crossing of the Potomac ; also single companies were left. Then we would halt long enough for them to overtake us. The 12th, we are at Barnesville for the night; and the 13th, at Lickville. Here, I think it was, a detail was thrown out upon a road, with instructions to let no one

HKXRY H. l^KNNK'rr,

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pass without finding out all about their business. I was on post three from the outer one. About midnight there is a clatter of hoofs and a rattle of sabres, then the challenge, ' Halt ! ' On they come again, and are again halted ; then the man on our post takes up the ' Halt,' to a dozen or so horsemen. ' Well, I'll be danged ! what does all this mean?' inquired the leader; and when told what the orders were, he replied, 'You've got a d d sweet time ahead! I am Gen. Stone- man, and I have ten thousand cavalrymen coming in.' We let them come without any more questioning.

" One night about an hour before sunset we were halted in a field enclosed with a high snake-fence on the outskirts of the aristocratic town of Jefferson. Col. Russell told us that we would stop here a short time, and march all night. ' So make your little fires, and cook your little coffee, men, but don't touch the rail-fence.' The fence was all the available wood in sight, so some of the men propounded the conun- drum to the commander. ' Well,' said he, 'you can take the top rail.' When I got around to the fence, the top rails, and more, were gone ; and while I was weighing the probabilities of getting snubbed if I filched, another rail, a man stepped up, and took one off. ' Here ! here ! ' said the colonel, who was standing near, ' didn't I tell you to take onl}^ the top rail ? ' With the utmost nonchalance the man put the rail back, then stepped away, and struck an attitude with both arms spread out, and exclaimed, ' There, colonel ! isn't that the top rail?' The official was outflanked, and replied with a wavering voice, ' Oh, take it away, dem ya ! you would take the bottom rail, and then swear it was the top one.' Then I took a ration of rail ; and, when we got through with that fence, the bottom rails were the top ones.

" To show the bias of the upper classes who dwelt in ' my Maryland,' I give this little incident : I was detailed to take out a squad to fill the canteens of the company, and we picked out a brick mansion that supported a wooden pump in the yard. There was a bucket by the side of the pump,

98 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

which we used to fill from. The woman of the house came to the door, and said to a negro, ' Sam, bring that pail in here.' We iilled the pail, and gave it to Sam, when we were saluted with, ' Throw the water out, Sam. I don't want any Yankee slobberings.' Then I ordered Sam to bring the pail back, while she threatened him with dire calamity if he did not obey her; but I carried the day, as soldiers always did with darkeys. ' Madam, I suppose you would not let us have the water if you could stop us,' said I. 'You may be sure that I would not,' was her reply ; and she looked it.

" I bid her a polite good-evening, which she did not con- descend to notice, then left her to enjoy her own company^ if such a thing were possible.

"At nine o'clock we are again on the march, and swing off through the town to the tune of 'Old John Brown,' sung by five hundred voices. We trail on, up over the mountain road in a splendid moonlight niglit. On the side of this mountain, in a shanty, old John Brown had his first head- quarters in Maryland, and that is why we gave the inhabit- ants of Jefferson City our parting shot ; and they stood at their doors, and listened, while not a comment from them reached our ears.

"This part of the State through which the arni}^ passed on its way to Antietam is pastoral and beautiful, — mountain ridges with farms on their table-lands, and perfect gems of fruitful valleys. This is the impression which I brought away with me. The reason ma}^ be, that I was favorably im- pressed, because we got a plenty to eat, as bread was but ten cents for a big loaf, and butter ten cents a pound if we did not locate, which, if we did, the demand drove up the price. When we first got to Poolville, sugar could be bought for six cents per pound : and before we left, the price went up to twenty-five cents. A trader is a sharper the world over ; and there is no limit to his conscience or price, only the ability of his patrons to pay, and hold out in the race.

" We are passing on in support of Franklin, who is at

FROM BULL RUN TO ANTIETAM. 99

Burkettsville, and is fighting the battle of Crampton Pass. There is but one street passing through Burkettsville, as I remember it, and that goes straight over the mountain ridge. It was on the Burkettsville side of the mountain, and on the crest, where the enemy made their last stand behind a stone wall, that the fighting was done. The enemy were Howell Cobb's Georgia troops ; and the best part of the fighting on our side was done by the First Jersey brigade, commanded by Gen. John Newton. They scaled the heights on the left of the road, or pass, and drove the enemy before them ; and how they did such an act in the face of a heavy fire, was a clincher to me when I went over their tracks shortly after. The side of the mountain was so near to the perpendicular in places, that I had to pull myself up by the aid of the shrubbery which clothed its ledge sides. And they left their dead strewn to mark their tracks. To me it seemed hard to die in such a place, where bushes were all that held them in posi- tion, and kept them from rolling down to the valley below.

" About four hundred prisoners, from seventeen different organizations, were taken here ; and I was there to witness the formalities of paroling the officers, and saw two of them nudging each other, and express their satisfaction that they were well out of the coming fight. They were intelligent- looking young men ; but they did not love fighting, it ap- peared, any better than a fellow who stood near them that I could easily put my finger upon.

"There was but one church in the neat little village of Burkettsville, and it was filled with the wounded Union men. The inhabitants were intensely loyal, and were anxious to aid in the care of the suffering soldiers ; and it was the onlj'" scene of that description that I saw during the war, for the women were trotting around with little dishes filled with dainties, hurrying and hovering about the church. It was a busy day for the people of that village, and everybody seemed to be on the tiptoe of excitement ; while the soldiers, tough sinners, hardened and of sterner stuff, lolled around uncon-

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100 SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

cerned of the present, knowing that this small fight was but the precursor of an event where