Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Friday, July 29th.

Very quiet in front of the Fifth Corps, which is now on the extreme left, but firing is brisk in front of the Ninth. While “on fatigue” again to-day in command of the Second Battalion, I was ordered to camp to take charge of a battery of four and a half inch rifled siege guns in front of the Fifth Corps, with my Own Co. H, and a detail from Co. F, for I did not have men enough left in my company to man and work a six-gun battery. At three o’clock in the afternoon I reported in person to General Warren at his Headquarters for instructions, and there met the General, his Chief of Staff, Col. Locke, and his Chief of Artillery, Col. Wainwright. The General at the moment of my arrival was experimenting with some new kind of shells which the enemy had fired at his Headquarters, and was exploding them in a hole in the ground, but he at once took me into the house which he was occupying, and spreading on a table a large map showing the position of the various works on both sides in front of his Corps, and to the right as far as the salient under which was the mine, gave me the whole plan of attack for the following morning, including not only the part which my battery was to take but also the part which each of the Corps was to take. Indeed, so full and accurate were his descriptions of situation, distance and direction, that although I could see but a small part of the enemy’s line the next morning, I had no difficulty in dropping my heavy shells just where the General desired and avoiding our own charging columns at and near the Crater.

At five o’clock that afternoon, my First Lieutenant, Edmonston, conducted my company, with the detail from Company F, to Fort Sedgwick, which was called “Fort Hell” by the soldiers, a large earthwork in front of, and connected with, the breastworks of the Fifth Corps, and located on the Jerusalem Plank Road running into Petersburg, where I joined the command soon afterwards. About nine o’clock at night the six heavy “ordnance guns,” as they were called, all apparently new and resting in their traveling beds, with even their trunnion sights removed, drawn by mules and accompanied by ammunition wagons, all in charge of a drunken wagon-master, arrived at the foot of the “covered way” which zig-zagged up to our fort from a hollow in the rear. My men were perfectly familiar with these guns, even to the minutest details, and taking charge of them at once, by dint of hard work we had each piece in position, shifted from its traveling to its trunnion bed, its sights adjusted, a charge rammed home, its gunners at their posts, and the lanyard ready to hook to its friction primer, and the whole battery in every respect ready for business, just as the mine was exploded at about half-past four o’clock in the morning of the 30th. Five of the guns bore directly on the rebel work which was to be blown up, and the works between it and my fort, while No. 6 stood in an angle and bore on the rebel fort Mahone, or “Fort Damnation,” as it was called.

July 29 — This morning we left our camp on the Nottoway and moved in the direction of Ream’s Station. When we arrived near Ream’s we turned to the left, away from the railroad, and are camped this evening about four miles west of Ream’s Station, and on the Rowanty, a little winding stream formed by Hatcher’s Run and Gravelly Run. We crossed Stony Creek today, a small stream in Dinwiddie County; it empties into the Nottoway River about two miles southeast of Stony Creek Station.

Ream’s Station is on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, about ten miles south of Petersburg. Stony Creek Station is ten miles below Ream’s.

July 29th. Layed in the woods all day (the 3rd div.), at night relieved; some of the 18th corps in the trenches. Rebs began shelling us. The siege of Petersburg has begun in earnest.

One and three-quarter miles southwest of Atlanta,

July 29, 1864.

On the evening of the 26th, Adj. Frank Lermond sent me word that the Army of the Tennessee was going to evacuate its position, the movement to commence at 12 p.m. When the lines are so close together the skirmish line is a ticklish place.

The parties can tell by hearing artillery move, etc., nearly what is going on, and in evacuation generally make a dash for the skirmish line or rear guard. At nearly every position Johnston has fortified we caught his skirmish line when he evacuated. Luckily our line got off about 4 a.m. on the 27th though they shelled us right lively.

That day our three corps moved along in the rear of the 23d, 4th, 14th and 20th, the intention being, I think, to extend the line to the right, if possible, to the Montgomery and Atlanta railroad and thus destroy another line of communication. We have thoroughly destroyed 50 miles of the Augusta and Atlanta railroad. The 16th Corps formed its line on the right of the 14th, and the 17th joined on the 16th, and on the morning of the 28th, we moved out to extend the line still further. At 12 m. we had just got into position and thrown a few rails along our line, when Hood’s Rebel corps came down on Morgan L’s and our divisions like an avalanche. Our two divisions did about all the fighting, and it lasted until 5 p.m.

We whipped them awfully. Their dead they left almost in line of battle along our entire front of two divisions.

It was the toughest fight of the campaign, but not a foot of our line gave way, and our loss is not one-twentieth of theirs. The rails saved us. I am tired of seeing such butchery but if they will charge us that way once a day for a week, this corps will end the war in this section.

Our loss in the regiment was 17 out of 150 we had in the fight, and the brigade loss will not exceed 100. I never saw so many Rebels dead. We are in excellent spirits, and propose to take Atlanta whenever Sherman wants it.

Camp Near Halltown, Virginia, Four Miles South Of

Harpers Ferry, July 29, 1864.

Dearest: — A fine day in a pleasant shady camp, resting. That sentence contains a world of comfort to our weary, wornout men. All are clothed and shod again, and general good feeling prevails.

We are joined by a large force under General Wright, who commands the whole army. It looks as if we would move up the Valley of Virginia again. If so the papers will inform you of our movements and doings.

I sent you a dispatch and letter after our return from the reverse at Winchester, but am not certain that either was forwarded.

I can only repeat what I have written so often, my love and esteem for my darling and my wish that she may be as happy as she has always made me. — Love to the boys and all the dear ones.

Affectionately ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

July 29—There are at present some 3,000 prisoners here. I like this place better than Point Lookout. We are fenced in by a high fence, in, I judge, a 200acre lot. There is an observatory outside, and some Yankee is making money, as he charges ten cents for every one that wishes to see the rebels.

Etowah Bridge, Friday, July 29. A very hot day. Hauled load after load of water in the morning, afterwards went to town with E. F. H. to spend the day. Saw General Kilpatrick, a young officer. Fighting Joe Hooker sent to the rear with his staff on a “dinky”. They go to “Washington. Hope they’ll give him a chance to work.

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 29, ’64.

Dear Father, —We are now in the front line of works, having moved there last night. Being in the front line may save us from being in a charge, which I think will take place to-morrow. I think that the mine will be exploded to-morrow morning early. We have expected it to come off for the two past mornings, as the powder has been placed in it, and the thing is ready to be lighted. To-day General Burnside has had all his division generals up at headquarters, making preparations, I suppose, for to-morrow.

You remember that man that I had to shoot at Annapolis. He threatened, so I was told, all sorts of things. I paid no attention to them, but called the man up, and gave him a talking to. He is naturally a smart man, and has had a very good education. I treated him just the same as I did the other men, and tried to reform him, by showing that I had confidence in him, and that I was not going to help pull him down. He behaved very well, and rose to be first sergeant, until a few days ago, when he got hold of some whiskey, and began to fall into his old ways again. I had to reduce him to the ranks again, which made him feel very badly. I send you a note which he wrote me yesterday, marked private. Please have it filed away, and don’t let any one see it, as I wish to keep it among my papers. I think that he will keep his word, and will not touch anything while in the regiment.

I am still on court-martial and have to go every morning to division headquarters.

My health is good, as usual, much better even than when I am at home. I only feel the need of a little rest, from the constant wear and tear on one’s nerves, which every one feels here.

Please send me some stamps in your next letter, as I am entirely out of them.

General Hancock has moved to the other side of the James River, where he captured four cannon, and several prisoners. The cavalry have also gone out, no one knows where, but I imagine to get in rear of the rebels who are now in the Valley. . . .

Friday, July 29. — Charlie Amory came as brigade adjutant-general. We were called up to General Bartlett’s headquarters and told that the mine was to be sprung, and our division was to lead in the charge. We were told that we were to press on through the mine to the hill beyond, called Cemetery Hill. We were relieved about 10 P.M. by colored troops from the Eighteenth Corps, and moved to the rear. About 2 A.M. we moved to the front through Willcox’s covered way, and got into position about 4 A.M.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 29TH. —Clear and warm.

            The local troops did not march until this morning, and no one supposesRichmond is seriously menaced by Grant. I believe the object of the demonstration on the part of the enemy is to draw our forces away from the vicinity ofWashington.

            The Chief of the Signal Corps reports, on information supposed by him to be reliable, that Gen. Early’s captures in Maryland were worth $12,000,000—consisting of some 10,000 horses, 10,000 cattle, 7000 hogs, 4000 sheep, 200,000 barrels of flour, and a large amount of bacon, etc. Also, that he got between 2000 and 3000 recruits. All this doubtful.

            Mr. G. W. Lamar,Augusta,Ga., writes the Secretary of War that he knows, personally, over one hundred men who have bought exemptions, and that they are bought and sold every day at a certain price. Now will the Secretary order an investigation? Mr. L. has, or had, nine sons in the army, and he says he could have bought exemptions for all, as he is rich. And yet a poor ensigncy is refused one of his sons.