Part 5

At dark the regiment was stationed in a pine woods on the river until ten o'clock, when we were ordered to cross, having supported a battery during the day, continually shelling the woods on the opposite shore; crossed at Kelly's Ford, encamping on the banks of the river. At four o'clock on Sunday morning the bugle sounded the reveille, and the men were soon up packing their knapsacks, some making fires, others filling canteens with water. Lieut. Tingly, of Co. E, in the darkness stumbled over a man, as he supposed, still sleeping; turning around to awaken him, he found a dead rebel sergeant who had been killed by one of our shells. The rebels in their haste had left their dead without burial; but little time was given to bury them, the pioneers covering them with dirt. At seven o'clock the troops moved in line of battle, marching eight miles, the artillery continually shelling their rear guard, advancing as far as Brandy Station, the rebels placing four pieces of artillery on a hill, shelling in return, killing two men and wounding several in the 138th Pennsylvania. The 1st brigade was ordered to charge the hill, and preparations were made, batteries were placed in position and the hill shelled, when the rebels left in haste, our men taking possession without opposition. The 14th was again fortunate, having as yet lost not one man by battle. The troops now marched on a double quick, the flying rebels discerned in the distance retreating in haste, leaving a vast amount of ammunition and baggage in our hands. During the afternoon the troops were massed in force at Brandy Station. The Potomac army now composed of five corps, 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 6th, the 11th and 12th having been sent to the army of the Cumberland after the battle of Gettysburg, and formed in one corps commanded by Major Gen. Hooker. The 1st corps was commanded by Gen. Franklin, the 2d by the brave Warren, the 3d by Gen. French, the 5th by Sykes, the 6th by Sedgwick. The cavalry divisions under Kilpatrick and Buford, were all under the command of Major Gen. Meade. The 3d corps now halted in line of battle in a dense woods, remaining until the ensuing night, when the troops were routed out at nine o'clock, and ordered to fall in. It was supposed that Lee was about to attack, having halted his retreating army on the banks of the Rapidan; remaining in line in the cold two hours; marched two miles, crossing the railroad at Brandy Station, halting for the night near a small stream; lying in line of battle sleeping on our arms; we were encamped on an open plain; there was scarcely any wood, the men suffering very much from the cold. Lee, finding our men ready, fell back; he had hoped to surprise Meade, but as vigilant as ever, he was not to be caught napping. The men were ordered to lay down and be ready to fall in at a moment's notice. The next morning three days' rations were issued, and the troops ordered into camp, tents placed on a line, remaining in camp five days, the men receiving two months' pay. The camp had been occupied by the rebels, some of them having up winter quarters. The men now supposed the army had halted for the winter; to make themselves comfortable the men built chimneys of sod on one corner of the tent, and built fires in them. A soldier can always make himself comfortable; with his shelter pitched on sticks, a sod chimney built, and the cracks of his tent filled with mud, he is then as happy as a lord, and cares not for anything. Occasionally home was thought of as something that had once been a pleasure, but now at war there seemed as if there was no such thing as home; with no kind and loving friends near, he submits to his lot without murmuring, caring not for the future. The men were now very comfortable, and supposed they were to remain some time. On the afternoon of the 14th the 1st brigade was ordered to move to Culpepper, four miles distant. At four o'clock the brigade started, marching several miles out of the way, the rain falling heavily, wetting the men to the skin. The night was very dark, the officers being unable to find the road, wandering around in the woods, marching in swamps and ditches, sometimes up to their knees in mud; occasionally a man fell down and was pulled out by his comrades; marching on an old corduroy road, that for some time had been useless; the rain poured in torrents; each man marching for himself and on his own hook. At midnight Culpepper was reached, having marched twelve miles, the correct distance being but four miles; the men halted in the woods, building fires of brush to keep warm and to dry themselves. In the morning the sun shone in all its splendor, the men presenting a sorry plight covered with mud and water; the remainder of the army lying quietly at Brandy Station; changed position during the morning; tents placed on a line in regimental order. More than one-half the men had fallen out, and now came straggling in; the brigade was sent to guard Culpepper and the vicinity. The village of Culpepper is situated four miles from Brandy Station and is quite a pretty place, of some two thousand inhabitants, containing four churches, court house and county jail; but few towns are on the railroad, Culpepper being the largest.

Two companies were detailed for picket each day, the remaining companies drilling brigade drill. Gen. Morris, having written a series of tactics, was desirous of practicing, and ordered brigade drill each day. Winter quarters were again the topic of conversation, as the cold was almost unendurable. Nothing was now seen of the enemy, as they lay in their old position on the Rapidan, and not very anxious to advance again, having learned a lesson from us, although surprised and compelled to fall back before it was more of an advantage to Meade than to Lee. The terrible lesson they learned at Bristoe was not to be forgotten very soon, nor our advance on the Rappahannock. But few men were lost on our side, the enemy losing heavily in men and munitions of war. During our stay at Culpepper two men were arrested as spies and sent to Washington; they were dressed in the United States uniform and belonged to the guerilla Mosby's command. Succeeding in eluding our pickets they entered our lines with the intention of returning as speedily as possible, and inform the rebels that there was but one brigade lying at Culpepper easily accessible to them; frustrated in their plans, they were arrested and subsequently met their fate as spies, being hung at Alexandria. Efforts were made to save them, but of no avail, the rules of civilized warfare demanded their execution, and the just deserts were meted out to them to the fullest extent of the law.

The brigade remained at Culpepper ten days, until the night of the 23d, when orders were given to be ready to move at daylight. Although late in the season, an advance was determined on and five days' rations issued the men. Commencing to rain the order was countermanded, the brigade leaving Culpepper and rejoining the division at Brandy Station, marching four miles; lying in the mud near the railroad until Thursday, Nov. 26, when the order to again advance was given, starting from Brandy Station at 7 a. m. The troops in three columns moved towards the Rapidan, crossing at different fords on pontoons; the enemy, not expecting an advance, were as yet unprepared, reaching the river at five o'clock, the 3d corps crossing at Jacobs' Mill Ford, the trains following in the rear; a force was left at Brandy Station to guard the railroad. After marching fifteen miles the river was reached and crossed before dark; nothing was seen of the enemy, their frowning breast works were empty. Had they been manned by a sufficient force our crossing would not have been so easy, as they had a splendid position for their artillery and a raking fire from their batteries upon our advance. The troops were soon over and formed in line of battle, throwing out heavy pickets, halting in the woods near the river until routed out the next morning. The column had advanced the evening previous until near the enemy, countermarching and encamping for the night. Every preparation was made for the ensuing day, as the enemy were moving, being aware of our advance. The morning of the 27th was cold and dreary. It was Thanksgiving Day at home, but to the poor soldier it was war, and many that entered the fight that day lived not to see the morrow's sun; they had spent their last Thanksgiving Day on earth, and now fill a soldier's grave.

Gen. French was sent in advance with the 3d corps, the 3rd division on the lead, they overtaking the enemy at Locust Grove, a dense forest of pine trees; the enemy were strongly posted. Our division had always lain along the railroad, and thus far had never engaged in battle. We were called by the other divisions of the corps, Gen. French's pets, as they thought he favored us more than the rest, he being the former commander of the 3rd division. The 1st division, commanded by Gen. Birney, was in the rear of the 3d division. When they were told we were to charge the enemy, the men of the 1st division exclaimed, "What! send French's pets in there? they can't fight." The General hearing them, in his blunt manner remarked, "We'll see if they can't fight. Move forward, boys." Skirmishers from the 122nd Ohio regiment were immediately sent out. The 1st brigade being on the advance, was for the first time engaged with the enemy, and for four hours was under fire, the men fighting bravely until darkness ended the contest, standing their ground like veterans; making a brilliant charge and driving the rebels from their position, capturing several prisoners. The whole corps was by this time hotly engaged, maintaining their ground, neither side gaining any material advantage. Gen. Carr and staff were everywhere conspicuous, and supported by the 6th corps, there was no such word as fail. The old 3d corps had long established its reputation, which was never to be lost. Ever since the organization of the Potomac army had the 3d corps been foremost in the fight; commanded by a fighting man, Major Gen. Sickles, it never wavered, always the first to enter and the last to leave. Thousands had lost their lives in the seven days' fight before Richmond, at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh, and thousands more were to lose their lives in the brave old 3d. Each corps was ordered to have a mark, designating it from the rest, the 3d corps choosing the diamond, an emblem of worth. This originated from Gen. Kearney, commanding the New Jersey brigade; in order to distinguish his men from the rest, he ordered them to wear a red cross; the other commanders taking it in hand until each corps had a mark and a corps flag; each division red, white and blue. Of the corps in the Potomac army, the 1st was full moon; 2nd club; 3d diamond; 5th Maltese cross, and 6th Roman cross. At Locust Grove the red and blue patches of the different divisions were plainly seen. The woods were so thick that artillery could not be used; the roar of musketry as it vibrated among the trees was awful and sublime, sounding as if the wind with all its force was rushing on moved by some irresistible power.

The officers and men of the 14th fought nobly, knowing that their reputation depended on this, their first battle. Co's B and K being on the extreme left of the line, became separated from the regiment, and did not hear the order to fall back when relieved, remaining in one hour after the regiment, not leaving until their ammunition was exhausted. The regiment lost sixteen killed and fifty-eight wounded, having been in the service sixteen months without engaging in battle, the other regiments losing in proportion. Gen. Morris rode to the front, congratulating the men for their bravery. In a few words he told them that as new troops, a brigade never fought better; that they had accomplished all that was desired of them. At dark the enemy retreated, leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. All night long the surgeons were busy dressing the wounds of our men, the cries of the poor wounded fellows as they lay writhing under the knife were heart-rending; the groans of the dying as they lay on the field were heard throughout the night. The battle was now over, the enemy had fallen back, and the troops remained on the field lying on their arms until morning. The enemy had now fallen back in their old position at Mine Run awaiting our approach; the weather very cold and mud knee deep; marched five miles, halting near Robinson's Tavern; in a pine wood in front of the enemy's breastworks, which were very strong. All Saturday and Sunday Gen. Meade and his corps commanders were engaged in devising means to force the enemy from their position on the western slope of Mine Run, being too strongly posted to warrant making a direct assault upon their works, although our forces outnumbered them two to one. Mine Run is a small stream about ten feet wide, but very deep; on each side is a low marsh, miry and reed grown. About one mile back from either side there were cultivated patches of pine trees. On the south side the Potomac army lay in line of battle all day Sunday, the 29th; none but the 3d corps had thus far been engaged, the 3d division, the heaviest. The enemy had moved out of their position to meet us, and at Locust Grove had encountered our advance. After being defeated and driven back by the 3d corps, they awaited our approach, having fortified the western slope by a strong earthwork of felled trees, shrubbery and brush, forming an almost impenetrable abattis. They had also dug a succession of rifle pits within easy musket range of the creek, manned by sharpshooters, to pick off our advance skirmishers, their line of defense extending from what was called Clark's Mountain, on the plank road, to the mouth of the stream, and was fully supported by artillery, and by our generals was considered as strong as Fredericksburg. The artillery was brought forward and placed in position in front of their batteries. Not a shot had yet been exchanged since the battle of Locust Grove, each side waiting for the other, the infantry being hidden from view by a thick woods. In order to move them forward it was found necessary to bridge the streams and morasses in various places, a work both difficult and dangerous; this was done by the 1st division of the 3d corps. Sunday passed, and at dark nothing had yet been done; thus far we had not accomplished anything; with one corps we had met their advance, and after a hard battle had driven them back a few miles in a strong position not easily flanked, with severe loss on both sides. On Sunday night the troops were massed and formed as follows: the 2d corps on the extreme left at Clark's Mountain; the left centre was held by the 3d corps; the centre by two divisions of the 1st, and the right by the 5th and 6th corps. Gen. Warren with the 2nd corps was to attack Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and, if possible, turn the enemy's right wing; the 5th and 6th corps, under Sykes and Sedgwick, were at the same time to attack their left, while the 1st and 3d moved on the centre. The reserve artillery had all been brought forward ready for action, but for some reason the infantry failed to connect, and night slipped upon us all drawn up in line of battle. That night a change was made in the programme. Gen. Warren did not deem his force adequate to the task of turning the enemy's right, so he was still re-enforced by the 1st and 3d divisions of the 3d corps, marching at two o'clock Monday morning five miles; the 3d division placed on the extreme left in the most dangerous position, while Birney with his division was to support the artillery. The army was now placed in their respective positions, and 8 o'clock Monday morning was then set by Gen. Meade for the great battle to open. The men lay down wrapped in their blankets on the frozen ground, to rest and to dream of home. The night of Sunday was the coldest we had yet experienced; ice formed in streams an inch in thickness. Several of the men froze their limbs, and one or two lost their lives while on picket. The enemy's sharpshooters were found frozen in their rifle pits, as a great many of them had no overcoats or blankets. At 8 o'clock on Monday the artillery began to play upon the enemy, and for an hour was as heavy as ever was witnessed; the shells, as they flew shrieking through the air, were plainly seen. The enemy replied feebly, not wishing to disclose their position. The infantry did not make any demonstration whatever, and after making a great deal of noise and wasting a large amount of ammunition, the artillery was silenced by an order from headquarters. The men were already in line with knapsacks unslung, the 3d division to lead and charge their extreme right. Gen. Meade rode to the front, examined their works with his glass, and then countermanded the order, as a fearful loss of life would ensue; the weather being so cold the wounded would die if left uncared for. The 3d division remained on the left until 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, when they returned to their old position in the center with the balance of the corps. Nothing more was done during the day but to form some other plan; but the wisest plan our generals could agree on was to go back to our line on the Rappahannock and take a fresh start. Accordingly the trains were all ordered back across the Rapidan, the troops still in line watching the enemy until the trains were all safe across. General Francis Meagher was a guest at headquarters, and moved with the troops, engaging in battle with the Irish Brigade, and narrowly escaped capture at Locust Grove. Being dressed in citizen's dress, he was taken by the enemy to be a reporter and no exertion was made to capture him. Had they known that he was a distinguished general, and the leader of the old 69th New York that gave them such reception at Bull Run, they would have captured him certain; as it was, he escaped by spurring his horse out of their reach.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1863, the troops were ordered to fall back, as nothing could be accomplished. The roads were in a terrible condition, almost impassable; it was with difficulty that supplies could be sent to the men by wagons over the route of thirty or forty miles. Our wounded were suffering considerably; the most of them were compelled to walk, as transportation could not be furnished; only those that had lost a limb were allowed to ride. At dark pickets were placed as usual, the main body of the army falling back, marching all night on a double quick on the Fredericksburg plank road, the weather each hour growing colder. All night long the troops moved in solid columns, a brilliant moon lighting us on our way. The trains were all safe across, and were on their way to Brandy Station, to be filled with supplies for the men. On their return the boys set the woods on fire, and they were soon burning in all directions. The pickets were relieved at 3 o'clock, when Lee discovered the retreat; his army was soon in motion, but too late to do any good. By daylight the army was all safe across the Rapidan, having marched, or rather run twenty miles; several of the men were unable to keep up and were captured. The troops crossed at Germania Ford, on two pontoon bridges, which were taken up at 6 o'clock, and our batteries placed on a hill ready for action. The rebel cavalry made their appearance on the opposite side but were soon driven back by a few shells, retiring suddenly with the few prisoners they had captured. The pursuit was now abandoned, and the men, foot sore and weary, threw themselves upon the ground and were soon buried in slumber. Rations were scarce, the men having nothing to eat, and we were yet some distance from Brandy Station, our base of supplies. The troops were allowed to rest until noon. The men had become scattered during the march, and were now joining their commands. Meade halted on the banks of the river, hoping Lee would give battle. The men were in fine spirits and were now anxious to fight the rebel army away from their entrenchments in an open field; but Lee declined to give battle, and after exchanging a few shots with the rear guard of our army, both armies retired from the river, Lee moving back to Mine Run, the Potomac army to Brandy Station, to enter winter quarters. At noon the column again moved, marching but five miles, halting in a dense woods, with nothing to eat until two o'clock the next morning, when the column again moved, marching nine miles, and arriving at Brandy Station at 10 o'clock, the troops occupying their old quarters near the railroad; the camp was welcomed with joy; weary, hungry and nearly tired out, after an absence of eight days, returned, having crossed the Rapidan, accomplishing but little. Fighting two days on slim rations; recrossed again, having lost about two thousand men in killed, wounded and missing. Again the people north were clamorous for the removal of Meade; why did he not attack Lee in his entrenchments? was the cry; Richmond must be taken, and all such remarks. It was rumored that Hooker was again to take command, and we were to return immediately to Mine Run; but the military men of the Potomac army knew that the fortifications at Mine Run never could be taken by the Potomac army, especially at this time of the year. If Lee was driven out of his works, the success could not be followed up, as the cold was too intense to permit a campaign of long duration.