Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

Nov. 1, the Eleventh again took up the line of march to join Col. Blaisdell's brigade at Warrenton Junction. On the 28th of November, it went into camp at Falmouth, and, after twelve days' rest, marched to the Rappahannock, crossed over on the 12th of December, and was detailed to guard the pontoon-bridge at Franklin's Crossing; ordered to the front on the 13th, but was not actively engaged in the battle, and moved back to camp again on the 16th.

Military life here was devoid of any unusual interest until Feb. 5, 1863, when the regiment was ordered to support a cavalry force sent to destroy a bridge over the river. April 29, it crossed the river, and reported to Gen. Hancock. On the 2d and 3d of May, the regiment at Chancellorsville had severe but successful engagements with the enemy, and, for its gallantry in repulsing him, received the thanks of Gen. Hancock. Returning to camp at Falmouth, the regiment remained there until the 11th of June, when it started on the Gettysburg campaign, reaching the battlefield at that place, July 1. In the battles of the 2d and 3d with the rebel invaders, few regiments suffered more than the Eleventh, in proportion to the whole number of men engaged.

In pursuit of the enemy, the regiment again crossed the Potomac, July 15. At Manassas, July 23, preparations were made to attack the enemy in force; but, during the night, he evacuated the position.

The Eleventh reached Beverly Ford, Aug. 1, furnishing details of pickets until the 15th of September; when it commenced the march towards Culpeper, which it reached on the 17th, and encamped. On the 8th of October, it was ordered to James City to support Kilpatrick's cavalry; had frequent skirmishes with the enemy, and, after a series of marches, encamped at Catlett's Station, Oct. 21. The next six weeks were consumed by marches between this point and Mine Run. Nov. 27, encountering the enemy at Locust Grove, a sharp engagement took place. At dark, the division was relieved by the third division, Sixth Corps.

Lieut.-Col. Tripp says,

We were ordered to report to Gen. Warren on the Plank-road, at two o'clock, A.M., the same night we arrived. We reported at four, A.M., formed a line of battle in front of the enemy's works, and were ordered to charge them. The project, however, was abandoned. On the morning of Dec. 1, we were ordered to join Gen. Gregg's cavalry division, and act as rear-guard on the Plank-road.

THE BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS.

211

We performed this duty, and crossed the river on our way back to camp, Dec. 2, 1863. Reached camp Dec. 3, and at once prepared for winter. quarters.

The regiment performed picket and other service near Brandy Station from this date until May 3, 1864, when, breaking camp, it marched by the old battle-field of Chancellorsville to the Wilderness, where, about four o'clock, P.M., of the 5th, the enemy was met advancing in line of battle. The conflict at once opened, and raged until dark, only to be renewed the next day, and to continue until one, P.M., when the flank of the Eleventh was turned by the rebels, and it fell back to a line of breast works. Here the foe in heavy force made another assault on our columns, and was repulsed with severe loss. The regiment remained in the vicinity, on picket-duty and protecting supply-trains, until the 10th, when it took up a position in front of the enemy, a short distance to the right of Spottsylvania. Here a fruitless attempt was made to charge across a swamp, and take the enemy's works. Two days later (the 12th), the regiment shared in a general charge upon the rebel intrenchments. One line of these was carried, and six thousand prisoners taken. The line of works captured from the enemy was soon reversed, and a bloody contest was waged until dark.

On the 21st, the regiment was strengthened by the addition of forty-five veterans and recruits from the First Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers; the term of service of that regiment having expired.

The march to Coal Harbor was attended with skirmishing and a few casualties. June 12, the term of enlistment of fourteen officers and two hundred and ninety enlisted men expired, and they left the front for Boston. The eight remaining commissioned officers, and three hundred and thirty enlisted men, were organized into a battalion of five companies, and immediately commenced its march towards the James River. On the night of the 15th, it bivouacked within two miles of Petersburg.

At sunrise next morning, the summer air was rent with the screaming shell and shot. The men of the Eleventh were exposed for half an hour to the fire, standing in the open field without the least protection. This receiving fire when nothing can be done but watch the fearful missiles is most trying to the nerves of troops.

Skirmishing and picket-duty followed until the 27th, when the

command moved into the works abandoned by the Sixth Corps, which had gone to support cavalry at Ream's Station, on the Weldon Railroad. Just previously to this, Col. Blaisdell, of this battalion, was killed while in command of the Corcoran Legion.

After an addition of two companies from the Massachusetts Sixteenth, the battalion marched to a reserve camp in the rear, where it was employed in various duties until the 26th of July. Marching was renewed, with the variety, however, of mus ketry, shelling, and artillery fire, and relieving the Eighteenth Corps in front of Petersburg. On the 29th, the battalion returned to camp. Aug. 12, it was at Deep Bottom, and, on the 16th, was detached to make a demonstration and learn the enemy's position, and again compelled to stand in an exposed condition until the object of the movement was accomplished.

Two days later, the battalion proceeded by way of Bermuda Hundred to the position held by the Ninth Corps, and were once more under fire. From the middle of August to the middle of December, the battalion was moving about as reserve, furnishing men for fatigue and picket duty in battle, and assisting in the destruction of the Weldon Railroad.

Jan. 1, 1865, the battalion lay in the works in front of Petersburg, Va., until Feb. 5, when it took part in a movement designed to extend the lines.

It assisted in the construction of a line of works until the closing campaign was commenced. March 29, the regiment made a gallant charge on the enemy's line of works, and a number of men, becoming separated from the rest, though they drove the enemy from a portion of his works,-were at length overpowered by superior numbers, and compelled to surrender.

During the pursuit of the enemy, the regiment took an active part in the capture of the enemy's trains, and munitions of war, and was in the advance when the formal surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia took place.

The regiment moved with the rest of the army to the vicinity of Washington, D.C., at the close of the campaign, and performed light duty until orders were received for its discharge at Readville, Mass.; to which place it was transported on the 13th of July, and discharged July 14.

[graphic][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][graphic][graphic][graphic][merged small]
« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »