Thursday, May 19.—Corps started by 4 A.M. Drew in my pickets by 4.20 without any trouble. None of them were fired at. The corps marched three or four miles to the left, and took up its position on the left of the Sixth Corps, in front of Anderson’s house. We began to in-trench late in the evening. Had quite a strong position. Day pleasant. Saw Henry Dalton and breakfasted with him and General Russell. Heard of General Sedgwick’s death.[1]
[1] He was killed at Spottsylvania on May 9.
Wednesday, May 18. —I was sent for by General Ledlie at 3 A.M. Saw General L. and General Crittenden. Received orders to move forward into the woods in my front, with the 56th, the 35th Massachusetts acting as the support, and charge the rebel rifle-pits. Moved forward at 4 A. M. When within about 100 yards of the abattis, I ordered a charge, and going on the double-quick we reached the abattis, a very thick one. Here we were under a very heavy cross fire of canister and musketry, and it was impossible to get the men forward. I could not blame them much, for the limbs, and even trees, were cut down like grass, and the place was most decidedly uncomfortable. I sent the sergeant major to General Ledlie with the information that we could not take the works. He returned, but could get no instructions. I ordered the men forward again in vain, and in endeavoring to get up the 35th as a support, they ran away, for which I did not blame them. I then ordered the men to fall back, which they did, forming in front of the rifle-pits. We were ordered into the woods again, and the men ordered to lie down. We were soon ordered into the breastworks again. The 57th Massachusetts and 4th and loth Regulars were ordered in, but got no farther than we did. We lost 37 wounded, 2 killed, and 10 missing. Two officers were wounded, Lieutenants Maylone and Littlefield. Lieutenant McArdle seriously wounded in the head by a sharpshooter. General Crittenden sent for me in the evening and told me to take charge of the corps picket, as we were to withdraw and take up a new position.
Tuesday, May 17. — Day pleasant. Major Jarves came up to see us. He goes home on a twenty-days’ leave of absence, to get his wooden leg repaired. Sent home a letter by one of the Sanitary Commission to Father. Heard that we were to move over to the left to support the Sixth Corps in the attack to be made to-morrow. Got my blankets from James. Late in the evening found that the plan of attack was changed, and that we were to charge the battery in our front. The change is not very agreeable to me, as we shall get particular Tophet if we go in on our front.
Monday, May 16. — Remained in the same position as yesterday. Barnard came over with a Boston paper of May 11. Corporal Sherman of A Company slightly wounded by a sharpshooter. We sent out our pickets to feel the enemy this morning. They advanced to within 100 yards of the rebel pits, where they were driven back. The Regulars afterwards went out and lost six or seven men. The enemy were found in force. Orders came for all calls to be sounded as usual, and for all bands to be sent to the front. Had my horses sent to brigade headquarters. Heard of Waldo Merriam’s death. Rainy in the morning and pleasant in the afternoon.
Sunday, May 15. — Little more sharpshooting than usual. A man from E Company was killed by a sharpshooter while standing by a line in rear of headquarters. George Barnard and Davis were over here to see me this morning. Heard that we formed the extreme right, the Second Corps having moved to our left. Rained a good part of the day. Threw up traverses.
Wednesday, September 14. — Dr. Marks called to see me and said he had received a letter from Father. Lent me $200 in Confederate money. Had an agreeable call from him.
Friday, May 13. — Our men finished building their rifle-pits. Sharpshooters popping away at us all day. About 4 P.M. the enemy fired a volley at us, and another at 9.30 P.M. We were notified that two army corps were to pass in our rear during the night, and form on our left.
Thursday, May 12. — General Crittenden arrived last evening and took command of our division this morning. Our whole corps advanced at 4 A.M., Potter’s division leading and Crittenden’s following. The 1st Brigade of Crittenden’s division had the advance of the division. We moved up the Spottsylvania road, swinging our left around so that it was nearly at right angles to the road. We advanced about a mile from the road before we were engaged with the enemy. The movement turned out to be one to connect with Meade’s army. I thought that the enemy had retreated, and that we were following him, and had no idea that we were going right into a fight. Potter was soon briskly engaged, and as they were trying to flank him, I threw forward my right, making almost a right angle with his line. Potter carried the first line of the enemy’s pits. I had the 59th and 57th detached, the former to report to Potter and the later to Lesure, leaving me with the 56th. Soon the Regulars joined me, and were posted on the left of three brass guns, with the 56th on the right. Skirmishers and sharpshooters soon began to annoy, and the battery cleared out. About 3 P.M. an order was received from General Grant, ordering the corps to charge the enemy’s works. M y brigade was out of ammunition, but the 56th advanced, misunderstanding the order. Artillery and infantry soon opened on them, and for some time shells were plenty. Our men were repulsed. Major Jarves was wounded in the heel. Likewise Lieutenant Galucia. Captain Putnam ordered them to fall back slowly. Two thirds of them obeyed, but the remainder ran. I rallied about 80 of them and put them in the front again. We had brisk skirmishing all day. In the night, as we had not formed a junction with Hancock, it was proposed to fall back, but it was effected without falling back. On the right we were very successful, Hancock capturing several thousand men. Rained in the afternoon and night. Had to lie down on a bank without anything but a rubber coat. Felt cold and miserable all night.
Wednesday, May 11. — Quiet most of the day except skirmishing. All the troops were withdrawn from the heights beyond Nye River, at 8.30 P.M., and moved to the rear, to connect with the Army of the Potomac. We immediately moved back again into our old position without any opposition. We were ordered to move at 4 A.M. against the enemy. Rained in the afternoon. Tom Stevenson’s body was sent home to-day. John Jones went with it. It made me feel blue enough to lose such a fellow as he was.
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