October 20th. At sunrise again on the march over the well known ground near Auburn Mills, and encamped on Coffee Hill; marched twenty-two miles to-day.
Diary of a Young Officer–Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)
October 19th, 1863. The enemy having withdrawn, preparations were made to recross the stream, and at 6 A. M. our division crossed and marched to Manassas Junction, where they halted for dinner, then continued the march to Bristoe Station, arriving at 5 P. M. and went into bivouac. We found the railroad destroyed, rails were taken up, heated, and twisted, telegraph wires torn down, and the bridge across Broad Run destroyed.
October 16th. The enemy not showing up, a brigade of cavalry was sent across the run to investigate, and did not return until late at night. We remained in the same position all day. I suffered agonies from the eczema, which troubled me on account of the dampness and exposure, and the surgeon of the division directed me to apply for a sick leave, which I did the following day, October 17th, and for the first time in the history of the division I shall not participate in its movements; but I made arrangements with one of my clerks to continue the daily noting of events, so that I can preserve the continuity of the campaign. The following order was issued on the sixteenth:
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac.
October 15, 1863.
General Order No. 96: The Major-General commanding announces to the army that the rear guard, consisting of the Second corps, were attacked yesterday while marching by the flank. The enemy after a spirited contest, was repulsed, losing a battery of five guns, two colors, and four hundred and fifty prisoners. The skill and promptitude of Major General Warren and the gallantry and bearing of the officers and soldiers of the Second corps are entitled to high commendation.
By Command of Major-general Meade.
S. Williams, A. A. General.
October 14th. The command sprang to arms without orders, at break of day, on hearing heavy picket firing on the right and rear, which we supposed entirely safe. We formed on the road, prepared to face either way, but presently moved forward, crossed the mill stream and formed in order of battle on the high open ground on that side of the stream. Here we had abundance of room, and open ground sloping gradually to the rear, for over a thousand yards where the woods interrupted the view. Arms were stacked and the troops dismissed for breakfast. An apple tree afforded the general an eligible spot to rest, and beneath its tangled moss grown branches we stretched ourselves upon the ground, watching the preparations for breakfast.
In the course of a few minutes the place was dotted with innumerable little camp fires, surrounded by picturesque groups of soldiers, and scores of pack and saddle horses turned loose to help themselves to grass. The crimson tinted foliage of an early October morn framed in the open ground, completely enclosing a glorious picture of an army en bivouac. The graceful groups of men bending over the little fires, whose curling smoke ascended almost perpendiculary, the animals grazing in the fields, and the general appearance of contentment and ease made a picture not to be forgotten.
The general was so impressed by the scene that for a time he refused to take his breakfast. He christened the place Coffee Hill, and by this name our fellows will recognize it. As we lay on the grass, peacefully enjoying the situation, suddenly a couple of shells came rushing through the air directly from the front, and burst amongst the men; one of them exploded directly over a little fire, killing the four men outright who composed the group about it. Upon looking towards the front, we saw a couple of field guns blazing away with the utmost vigor. On the explosion of the shells, the pack and saddle horses took fright, and the serene, calm picture of a moment before was instantly metamorphosed into one of confusion. Luckily the position was entirely surrounded by a close picket line, which soon captured the flying horses and turned them back.
Without loss of time the general ordered the Fifty-seventh and Sixty-sixth New York regiments, under Colonel A. B. Chapman, to try and capture the enemy’s guns and on the double quick they crossed the field, but the rebels limbered up on their appearance and galloped off. They were a small cavalry force not exceeding fifty men, and had opened fire, probably out of pure deviltry. After this little disturbance, a detachment of pioneers buried the unfortunate four, and we finished our breakfast in peace and comfort.
Our corps constitutes the rear guard of the army, and the First division the rear guard of the corps, consequently we are subject to the movements of the troops ahead. The rebels are making strenuous efforts to get in between us and the Bull Run stream, and the object of the army of the Potomac is to prevent them from doing so. Shortly after breakfast the enemy attacked the picket line, first in rear, then on our right, finally by a general fusilade from all sides, but it did not amount to anything and we easily drove them off. At 9 A. M. the division fell in and continued the march towards Bull Run, passing Cattlet’s Station; here the troops took to the railroad, the wagons and artillery keeping the ordinary road, which runs nearly parallel to it. Both flanks were covered by cavalry and a sharp lookout kept in every direction. As we neared Bristoe Station, artillery fire suddenly broke out directly in front, indicating that some of them at least, had got across our route. The general promptly ordered the column to close up, and taking the batteries of the division with him, rode to the front to take in the situation. I was directed to remain in rear and take charge of affairs there. In a few minutes aides came galloping over the fields, directed us to hurry forward, and two of our brigades at once moved on the double quick to the support of the Second division, then engaged. As we neared Bristoe Station, the ground in front became open, disclosing the whole situation. Along the railroad embankment lay our second division, in rear of them at a considerable distance, the Third division was in line, with one of its brigades across the tracks, the artillery occupying fine high ground in rear of all. From the left of the Second division for a considerable distance, reaching to the wooded country, the railway is carried over a depression on a high embankment, along which our division marched, and on the side of which it immediately formed in line of battle as soon as it connected with the men of the Second division, thus making a continuous line, reaching on the right to Broad Run, where it rested. Heavy fighting was going on in front of the Third division and the batteries were firing over the men’s heads at the rebel batteries, which were shelling our troops. From the frequent shifting of the rebel batteries we concluded they did not like our practice. Very shortly after this, the enemy deployed a brigade of infantry, which, giving the characteristic rebel yell, charged our line; they were met with a volley that completely disconcerted them and they broke and ran away, leaving a great many of their men on the ground, General Hayes, whose brigade lay nearest them, immediately made a counter charge, capturing four hundred prisoners and five guns, his men drawing the latter to the rear, the rebel gunners having managed to get away with their horses. I sat on horseback on the track, just at the edge of the woods, the extreme left of the division, watching the fighting ahead, while waiting for the pack horses, servants and doctors to pass below the embankment out of sight, when I suddenly noticed a regiment of rebel infantry standing in line of battle at an acute angle to the track, not more than a couple of hundred yards from where I stood. Very much surprised, I took out my glasses and concluded there were about six hundred of them. Evidently they did not see me and so I immediately rode down the embankment out of sight, and galloped over to the general, who was amongst the batteries, and telling him of the situation, asked for a section of guns to blow them up with, to which he consented, ordering Captain McClellan to detail them; we moved to the edge of the woods under cover of the embankment, then through them so as not to be observed, and took a position close to the track exactly in line with the rebel regiment, which still stood in the same position. Both guns were loaded with cannister, carefully sighted and discharged at once. What a collapse! the quiet line of a moment before now flying in every direction. Many of them were killed and a number came into our line and were made prisoners; we were jubilant and the enemy disgusted. Soon after the capture of the guns, the enemy disappeared entirely, but our division remained in line till after dark, then continued the march, crossing Broad Run at 8 P. M. and the historic Bull Run at 3 A. M. in a dreadful rain storm, which lasted throughout the night and following day. The staff were worked excessively and after many hours in arranging the position, met together in the dripping woods, without shelter of any kind, the wagons of course having been sent ahead. After examining the ground ruefully enough, we finally lay down, getting as close together as posisble, for warmth, wrapped only in our rubber clothes. At daylight, when we turned out, the depression in the mud where I slept was full of water, and we were a sorry looking crowd; however our servants made some coffee, begged a little hard tack from the men, and so, refreshing ourselves, were again ready for duty.
October 12th. 11 A. M. The division marched to the river, recrossed, and formed in line of battle on its north side; the Third and Sixth corps also formed in line. The enemy followed us, demonstrating in a threatening manner, so a cavalry force, supported by infantry, advanced and hustled them back in fine style to Brandy Station, giving them more fight than they expected. After dark the division bivouacked for the night, but at 1 A.M. received orders to fall back on Auburn Mills. It seems the enemy are trying their utmost to get in rear of us, hence the necessity for prompt action. All the troops on the north side of the river rapidly crossed over, and the bridges were taken up. Our division marched out on the Fayettsville road, halting at its junction with the road running to Sulphur Springs for rest at noon. The enemy showed himself in force on both flanks, as well as rear, and we were frequently obliged to stop and drive him back; the very head of the column, a brigade of the Third division, was fired into by a squadron of cavalry, so it is necessary to keep the trains surrounded by troops, and everything well in hand; arrived near Auburn Mills at sunset after a weary march of over twenty hours, and bivouacked alongside the road in the woods, the troops being too fatigued to form in regular order and the general thinking it just as well to occupy the road.
A few hundred yards ahead the road descends a ravine near the mill, crosses the small stream, and mounts a very steep hill. Pickets were thrown out surrounding the entire force, but we did not look for any serious disturbance during the night.
As soon as arms were stacked the troops prepared their supper, and soon afterwards were asleep. For once the general and staff slept right amongst the men for safety; as the enemy were apparently ubiquitous, the general thought this a case where discretion was the better part of valor.
About 10 P. M. it commenced raining, soaking us pretty well before we realized the condition of things; when once awake, however, we soon arranged our rubber blankets for shelter and then turned in again.
October 9th. At 6 A. M., October 6th, we broke camp and fell back by the way of Culpeper. At 12 M. halted about a mile and a half on the north side of the town, with headquarters on a high bluff on the edge of a piece of woods, the view from which is magnificent; weather, roads, and temperature all to our liking. The troops are carrying eight days’ rations, wagons are packed, and everything indicates an early move. The enemy is in motion, closely watched by our signal officers, and there is no doubt we shall hear from them soon. While the court was in session this morning, waiting for a belated member, orders were received to march at once, and so we adjourned the court sine die.
Very curiously there are no general officers in the division now, except its commander. The first brigade, formerly Howard’s and Caldwell’s, is now commanded by Colonel Miles. The Second brigade, formerly Meagher’s Irish brigade, has long been commanded by the senior colonel present for duty. The Third, too, since Zook’s death, falls to the lot of the senior regimental commander, for the time being, and the Fourth is still commanded by Brooke, for whom it was created. It seems strange some of these officers are not promoted, so that they may enjoy the rank and pay to which their actual commands entitle them. So, too, it is with almost all of the staff; they are simply acting staff officers, performing the duties but not receiving the pay, and by retaining their regimental rank deprive other officers of promotion, who must do their duty. I suppose the Government finds the war expensive and intends carrying it on as economically as possible.
About noon tents were struck and the command marched some four miles to the rear, leaving Culpeper to the left, the enemy following and making considerable demonstration. We found the bulk of the army massed here, and were just about putting up our tents, when the whole command was ordered to fall back on Bealton Station, where we arrived at 5 P. M. and bivouacked for the night. From present indications it looks as though we were going to fall back over the old historic Bull Run ground and avoid a general engagement; possibly it is strategy, and we may come out ahead. Weather cool and roads in fine order; marched in all about fifteen miles to-day.
October 5th. Weather improved and roads drying up. A division of the Sixth corps is to relieve us to-day, and we retire to the rear. There is considerable activity on the part of the enemy, and the signal officer reports long trains of wagons moving to the rear, which may indicate a fall campaign.
October 2d. What a dismal day it has been. It commenced raining last night and has poured down in torrents ever since. No drills in this camp, nor reviews so far. It seemed very strange to me when I first joined this staff to have so little to do with the troops; the higher one goes the less he has to do with the men.
September 24th. The weather has greatly improved and is now superb. Derrickson and I availed ourselves of it this morning, and started in for a great treat. We found in the barn attached to the house an old Rockaway carriage and set of double harness, and conceived the brilliant idea of taking a drive. After slight repairs made to the wagon by a battery blacksmith, we hitched up Derrickson’s sorrel and my gray, and to the envy of the whole command, started off. My horse had evidently not been used to harness, or had forgotten all about it in his long military career, and jumped and reared and danced, much to the amusement of the crowd. By a good deal of management we finally got started, and for half a mile or more sped over the ground in great style, when the gray made a sudden bolt, upset the wagon, and pitched us both out. The wagon was broken, so we had to lead the horses home and send our men to fetch the wagon. We concluded in the future to go on horseback, and leave wagons for civilians, countrymen and women.
My general court is in session every day; a hospital tent furnishes the accommodation, and from ten till two o’clock daily justice is dispensed without fear, favor, or prejudice.
Two cases of desertion have been tried since we have been here, one of them attracting much attention on account of the prisoner’s youth. Private Adam Smally, Company E, Sixty-sixth New York, deserted just before the battle of Gettysburg. After his capture he admited his guilt, but seemed to think nothing of it. My court tried him and found him guilty and sentenced him to death. He pleaded guilty, nevertheless I introduced evidence to prove conclusively his guilt, and subsequently, at my request, the general appointed a board of surgeons to consider his mental condition. I was disappointed when they declared him responsible, for he is so young it seems a pity to shoot him. I am sorry now I did not use my influence with the court to modify the sentence.
September 22d. General Caldwell took us all along and climbed Clark’s Peak this morning, and from the signal station we saw a very pretty cavalry skirmish. There was some artillery firing, which in the mountains makes a thousand echoes. During the evening two deserters from the enemy were brought in to headquarters, a sergeant and a private. They declared themselves sick of the Confederacy and war, and wished to be sent to the rear.
