THE SEVENTH AT WORK.

195

the neighborhood of Clear Springs. Marching over North Mountain on the 20th, and changing camp from Hancock to Cherry Run, Williamsport, Robertsville, and Berlin, they crossed into Virginia.

Dec. 11, they started at daylight, and marched to the Rappahannock about one mile below Fredericksburg; halted until five, P.M.; then crossed that river under a severe fire from the enemy. The regiment was the second to cross, and, acting as support to the skirmish-line, advanced about half a mile from the river, driving the enemy in front. The troops remained in this position during the night, on picket; their brigade being the only troops across the river at this point.

From Dec. 12 till the last days of January, with brief encampments, the regiment was marching; sometimes on the left of our line, under fire, and then the rear-guard of the army. They were in camp the greater part of the winter, at White-oak Church.

Leaving this spot April 28, the rain beating upon their ranks, the brave men moved towards the Rappahannock, bivouacked for the night, and at dawn of day, advancing nearer to the stream, deployed into line of battle.

July 3, they acted as support, moving from right to left, almost continually under fire. On the 4th, before dawn, they were in the front; and at noon fell back, and threw up rifle-pits.

From that memorable day till the last of October, the troops were on picket, their tramp echoing on the midnight air, and their bivouac on the wild summit of South Mountain; followed by the close pursuit of the enemy with its excitement, and the line of battle with its awful pause. Rifle-pits bristled at intervals along their way, thrown up by their strong hands; and from the mountain-top, crested by their arms on the 7th of July, they moved towards the Potomac, encamping at Warrenton, Stonehouse Mountain, Bristow Station. Nearly two hundred and fifty miles had been travelled to the neighborhood of Warrenton, and well-nigh the entire programme of war experienced by the uncomplaining troops.

October and November brought the usual variety of marches, skirmishes, and encampments along the Rappahannock and the Rapidan.

Nov. 7, the regiment was detached from the second brigade, and sent forward in line of battle to strengthen the First; and, on the 29th, joined the Second Corps, and again took the front.

Dec. 3, the Seventh marched to Brandy Station, and pitched

tents on the same camping-ground left on the last Thanksgiving Day.

Col. Johns, its last commander, has written an account of subsequent operations:

The regiment remained at Camp Sedgwick, which is near Brandy Station, Va., between the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers, performing the usual routine of camp and picket duty, until Feb. 27, 1864. On that day, we moved with the Sixth Corps to cover and support the cavalry movement in the direction of Charlottesville, Va.; marched fifteen miles, through Culpeper, towards Madison Court House, and bivouacked for the night near Jamestown, Va.; and, the 28th, reached the south bank of Robertson's River, and took position in line of battle, where we remained until the night of March 1 in the midst of a severe rain and snow storm. The cavalry having returned, we recrossed the river, and bivouacked one mile from the north bank, the storm still continuing. The objects of the movement having been completed, March 2, marched twenty-two miles back to our old camp near Brandy Station, and resumed camp-duties. Nothing unusual occurred until the night of May 3, when we received orders to break camp at three, A.M., the next morning, and hold ourselves in readiness to move.

We started at four, A.M., May 4; marched fourteen miles, crossing the Rapidan about one o'clock, and bivouacked for the night four miles from the river. The day following, marched to the left, and took position on the left of the Third Corps. We formed in line of battle; and about four, P.M., the advance to attack was sounded, and the enemy was successfully engaged until dark, when we occupied the field, and slept on our arms for the night. Casualties in this engagement, eighty-five. At daybreak we advanced again to the attack; and continued to be engaged, with wavering success, during the greater portion of the day. The casualties this day were thirty-five. We bivouacked on the field for the night, and on the 7th were ordered to the right to resist a threatened attack of the enemy in that direction. We commenced throwing up rifle-pits, which were not occupied, and at dark moved through the Wilderness to the left; being on the march during the whole night. Eight miles on the road leading to Spottsylvania Court House, the enemy made a stand. We formed with the Sixth Corps in line of battle, and at dark charged on the enemy, who was in a strong position on elevated ground. Their line was broken, and the Seventh Massachusetts captured the colorstandard, color-guard, and thirty-two men, of a Georgia regiment, losing but one man killed, four wounded, and two prisoners; the latter having been recaptured while on the way to Richmond. We held the position gained, and bivouacked on the field. The next two days we were engaged in throwing up rifle-pits, with more or less firing on both sides. On the 11th, we were ordered to the front in skirmish-line, remaining on constant duty till the 13th, when we rejoined the main body, and rested until two, A.M., of the 14th; then marched five miles, and formed in line of battle on the left of the Firth Corps. At dark, on the 17th, we marched all night towards the right

ON CONSTANT DUTY.

197 of the army, and at daybreak charged with our division on the enemy's works, which were not carried. The attempt was renewed: we were subjected to a severe artillery-fire until eleven, A. M.; when we were ordered to retire, and fell back to our own rifle-pits. Towards dark, we moved farther back to the same position we left on the night of the 17th, crossed the Ni River, threw out pickets, and bivouacked for the night. The casualties this day were six. Marched two miles to the left on the 19th, and threw up rifle-pits.

In the evening of the 21st, at nine o'clock, we commenced a night-march of fifteen miles towards North Anna River; crossed it, and threw up riflepits. On picket-duty, near Noel's Station, May 25. The regiment, on the 26th, was thrown on the extreme left, where the enemy was in formidable position. With other regiments, the Seventh covered the withdrawal of the Sixth Corps; recrossed North Anna River, and thence over the Pamunkey, throwing up rifle-pits at Hanover Court House, on the 29th; and, the 31st, acting as pickets to cover movements from that position.

June 1, we marched fifteen miles to Cold Harbor, which we reached at two, P.M. The enemy was found in position, and were immediately engaged by the Sixth Corps with success, and driven back; we occupying the ground for the night. The Seventh was on constant duty at this point from this date until June 12; being engaged in several assaults by day and night, constantly exposed to the enemy's fire, and losing men daily. Having been reduced in numbers by the serious casualties of the campaign thus far, the duties of the regiment were unusually arduous, the necessities of the position requiring almost constant duty in the front line. The 13th, having marched twenty-five miles, we crossed the Chickahominy, and bivouacked for the night; and, next day, marched four miles to near Charles-City Court House, where we saw the waters of the James River. On the 15th, we bivouacked on the banks of the James. The term of three years' service of the Seventh expiring this day, it was relieved from duty, and ordered to Massachusetts to be mustered out of service. In Special Order from division and brigade commanders, the regiment was thanked for the gallant and efficient service they had performed. On the morning of the 16th, it embarked from Wilson's Landing, James River, Va., in the despatch steamer "Keyport," for Washington; and on the 17th, at six, P.M., took special train for New York. At Philadelphia, we met with a flattering reception and a hospitable entertainment, by the citizens, at the Soldiers' Home. At New York, we were comfortably quartered and provided for at the Park barracks; and, on the evening of the 19th, took special train for Taunton, Mass., the point at which the regiment was organized three years ago. Reached Taunton, June 20; and the regiment was warmly welcomed back by the citizens, who turned out en masse. The men were furloughed until July 4, when they paraded, and assisted the citizens of Taunton in the celebration of the anniversary of our national independence. July 5, the regiment, which had lost in action and by disease sixty-five men, was formally mustered out of service, and the men were furnished transportation to their homes.

CHAPTER VIII.

NINTH AND TENTH REGIMENTS.

Run. Wilderness.

Ninth Regiment. - Composition of the Regiment. Col. Cass.- Roster of Officers.Movements in Virginia. - Peninsular Campaign.- March into Maryland. - Battle of Fredericksburg. - Chancellors ville. Gettysburg. Rappahannock Station. - Mine Return Home. - Discharge. - Tenth Regiment. - Its Origin.Its Roster of Officers.-In Maryland. - In Virginia. - At Yorktown.- Peninsular Campaign. Antietam. — Fredericksburg. — St. Mary's Heights. — At Gettysburg. — Pursuit of the Enemy. - Campaign of the Wilderness. - Crossing the James. Before Petersburg. Return Home. - Mustered out.

TH

THE NINTH REGIMENT.

HE energetic and enthusiastic Col. Thomas Cass was the "life and soul" of the gallant Ninth, which was com. posed of Irishmen by birth or descent, almost to a man, accustomed to military drill. Among the first three-years' regiments, it became, by discipline and heroism, one of the most efficient that left the State for the seat of war.

It was ordered into camp at Long Island, Boston Harbor, May 3, 1861; from which place, some weeks later, it was transported in the steamer" Ben De Ford" to Washington. The brave Col. Cass fell, mortally wounded, before Richmond, in the battle of June 27, 1862. He was succeeded in command by Col. Patrick R. Guiney, a brave and accomplished officer, who has furnished a brief narrative, which will follow this roll of officers:

Upon arriving at Washington, June 29, we encamped about one mile from the city. Left this camp, July 28; crossed the Potomac, and encamped on Arlington Heights, Va., where we remained until the 29th of September, when we left to participate in the grand forward movement of the Army of the Potomac, and arrived at Miner's Hill, Va.; which place we occupied until

BATTLES OF GAINES'S MILLS, MALVERN HILL, ETC. 199

March 10, 1862, when we marched to Fairfax Court House, where we re mained one week. From thence we moved to Alexandria, and embarked for Fortress Monroe the latter part of this month, and encamped near Hampton.

Our regiment formed a part of the reconnoissance toward Yorktown, driving the enemy from their works at Big Bethel. On the 4th of April, we advanced to Yorktown, participating in the battle before that town the following day, also in the subsequent siege. On the evacuation of Yorktown by the enemy, the Ninth joined in the pursuit; arriving at Gaines's Mills, on the Chickahominy, May 25. Formed a part of Gen. Fitz John Porter's corps at the battle of Hanover Court House, May 27. June 26, marched to Mechanicsville, and participated in the battle near that place.

We remained in position during the night, and, the following morning, marched to, and fought the battle of, Gaines's Mills, alone; losing, during the engagement, six killed, twenty wounded, and one missing. The same day (June 26), participated in the battle of the Chickahominy, where our loss amounted to fifty-two killed, a hundred and thirty wounded, and fifteen missing. The following morning, we crossed the Chickahominy, and bivouacked on the banks of the river; where we remained till the following day, when we marched towards Malvern Hill. On the afternoon of July 1, we took an active part in the battle fought at that place; our loss being eleven killed, a hundred and forty-seven wounded, and twenty-two missing. The following morning, we marched to Harrison's Landing, on the banks of the James River; where we remained encamped until Aug. 14, 1862. From thence we marched down the Peninsula, arriving at Fortress Monroe after a march of five days.

We reached Acquia Creek Aug. 21. Here we were transported by rail to Fredericksburg, where we encamped, and remained some two or three days. On the 24th of August, we marched to Ellis's Ford, on the Rappahannock; where we remained a few days only, then marched to Warrenton Junction. From thence we marched to Manassas, and were present at all the engagements near that place; our loss being only five wounded. We marched from Manassas, via Vienna, to Chain Bridge, on the Potomac; whence we returned next day to our old camp-ground at Miner's Hill, after an absence of nearly six months. Left this camp Sept. 12, and marched to Frederick, Md., where we arrived the 14th inst. On the following day, we marched to Boonsborough, and were present at the battle of Antietam. The next day, we followed the retreating enemy to the banks of the Potomac, where we encamped. We were present at the battle of Botler's Mill; also formed part of the reconnoissance towards Charlestown, Va., Oct. 22, under command of Gen. Humphrey; loss, one wounded. On the 30th of October, marched to Harper's Ferry, Va.; from thence to Snicker's Gap, where we remained three days. Nov. 5, we left Snicker's Gap, and marched to Warreuton, where we arrived Nov. 10.