Chapter 3

_Saturday, March 22._--We left Harper's Ferry in the morning. During the afternoon, the battery was loaded on railroad cars at Sandy Hook. The train started by seven o'clock in the evening, for Washington.

_Sunday, March 23._--Arrived at Washington by eleven o'clock A. M., and unloaded the battery at once. Marched from the depot to the camp of the New England cavalry. The guns were guarded near the depot. The horses, under charge of Captain Tompkins, and Lieutenant J. G. Hassard, were coming on the country road.

_Monday, March 24._--At Camp "Dunkins." Quiet.

_Tuesday, March 25._--The drivers arrived with the horses. In the afternoon, our James' rifle guns were returned to the Washington Arsenal, and those of Battery I, First United States regulars, given to us. They consist of four Parrott guns and two brass howitzers.

_Wednesday, March 26._--Camp Dunkins. Nothing important.

_Thursday, March 27._--We are to join McClellan's army on the Peninsula. Had battery drill in the afternoon, and directly after that marched to the foot of G street to load the battery. Recruits arrived from Rhode Island,--Joseph Brooks, who was taken prisoner at the Bull Run battle amongst them.

_Friday, March 28._--The guns were loaded on board the propeller Novelty; the horses on the barge Onrust. Those of the right section on the schooner Charmer. The vessels started by twelve o'clock M. Dropped anchor in front of Alexandria at six o'clock in the evening.

_Sunday, March 30._--On board the Onrust. Started again at daylight in tow of the steamer Golden Gate, having four companies of the First Minnesota aboard. Anchored near Port Tobacco in the evening.

_Monday March 31._--Steamed down the Chesapeake Bay, and dropped anchor opposite Fortress Monroe.

_Tuesday, April 1._--Two French men-of-war and the Monitor, close to the Onrust. Eighteen men from the centre section were sent to Hampton Roads in a small boat, in the afternoon, to unload the battery from the Novelty. Some of the other sections arrived there before us. At dark the centre section was sent back to the schooner; but, unable to find it in the dark, had to go aboard of one of the schooners occupied by Battery B.

_Wednesday, April 2._--Returned to Hampton at daylight. The battery and horses were unloaded at once. General Sedgwick ordered the battery to go to camp outside of Hampton, which was done in the afternoon.

_Thursday, April 3._--Hampton Roads. Great concentration of McClellan's army. Our battery has to give up the tents.

_Friday, April 4._--The Second Corps on the move. Started by eight o'clock A. M.; by four o'clock we went into park at Big Bethel, to camp for the night.

_Saturday, April 5._--Marched at daybreak. Cannonading going on in front of Yorktown. General McClellan passed the line amidst great cheering of the troops. Strong intrenchments were found near Howard's Mills. At six o'clock P. M. we went to camp three miles from Yorktown.

_Sunday, April 6._--Great scarcity of food. Our battery went on a reconnoisance with General Burns' brigade. Only the pieces were taken along, with eight horses to each. We are in plain sight of Yorktown. See the rebel flag floating from the parapet. They fire very frequently at our troops. After running suddenly against some of the enemy's batteries, we returned to our former camp, "Winfield Scott."

_Monday, April 7._--Siege of Yorktown. The engineers at work. Heavy ordnance on the way from Fortress Monroe.

_Tuesday, April 8._--All the provisions and forage has to be brought on the backs of mules and horses from Shipping Point and Cheeseman's Creek, the roads being impassable for wagons.

_Friday, April 11._--Our battery at rest since Tuesday. News of the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

_Sunday, April 13._--Governor Sprague, General Barry, and Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds in our camp to-day.

_Wednesday, April 16._--An engagement going on near Warwick Creek. Our division is ordered forward. We advanced to within two miles of the rebels' first line. The battery went to camp. Battery B was in action.

_Thursday, April 17._--Our two howitzers go to the front. Considerable fighting was going on during the night. Our four Parrott guns ready to march at a minute's notice.

_Friday, April 18._--At three o'clock P. M., orders came for our Parrott guns to advance to within a mile of the enemy; when, getting in sight of the rebels, we were saluted by a twelve-pound shot, the only fired at us this day. The sections divided, the guns were unlimbered. We kept up a desultory fire until sunset. The guns were sighted for the night. The order given to fire one gun every thirty minutes at the enemy's works, which was carried out.

_Saturday, April 19._--A brisk cannonade, kept up since daylight from our side, without response from the enemy. By six o'clock P. M. the enemy fired three times at Carlile's battery. Heavy picket firing at ten o'clock in the night.

_Sunday, April 20._--The rebel infantry fired several heavy volleys into our lines, doing no damage however. Generals Sumner, Sedgwick and Gorman inspected the line. Our battery fired steadily all the morning. We were relieved at four o'clock by Battery B, and went back to camp.

_Monday, April 21._--Camp Scott. The Vermont brigade, under General Smith, was defeated at Warwick Creek. Temporary suspension of beating drums, sounding the bugle, and playing of musicians.

_Tuesday, April 22._--At nine o'clock A. M. we went to the front. The enemy fired twice at our arrival. We did not respond. In the evening we fell back to the woods, covered by the Fifteenth Massachusetts regiment. A siege gun was fired during the night.

_Wednesday, April 23._--At the front. The enemy fired twice in the morning, and several times in the evening. Fire returned in both cases. At dark we fell back again, in reserve.

_Thursday, April 24._--At the front. We were relieved at nine o'clock A. M., by Battery B. News arrived of McDowell's occupation of Fredericksburg. Heavy cannonade in the night.

_Saturday, April 26._--Fighting going on. Our battery was ordered to the front. At our arrival, fighting closed, and we went back to camp.

_Monday, April 28._--Going to the front. At ten o'clock P. M., General Sedgwick ordered Captain Tompkins to take his battery to the Redoubt No. 7, to cover the finishing of Battery No. 8. The rebels commenced heavy shelling, to which we replied vigorously. Sections of Batteries B and G were also engaged in it. They returned to their camps at nightfall. We fell back in reserve, supported by the Fifteenth Regiment Massachusetts volunteers.

_Tuesday, April 29._--At daylight we took position in Battery No. 8, supported by one company of telescope-rifle sharp-shooters. The rebels kept up a heavy fire all day. We went back in reserve at dark.

_Wednesday, April 30._--Battery No. 8. We were relieved in the morning by Battery B. Heavy cannonading in the night.

_Thursday, May 1._--News of the capture of New Orleans.

_Friday, May 2._--Camp "Winfield Scott." Steady cannonading all day.

_Saturday, May 3._--The rebels are preparing to evacuate Yorktown. Heavy firing, day and night.

_Sunday, May 4._--Evacuation of Yorktown. Our lines advanced at daybreak, and found the fortifications deserted by the rebels, leaving most of the siege-guns behind. Stoneman's cavalry is following up the enemy's rear-guard. Our whole army ready to march.

_Monday, May 5._--A battle going on at Williamsburgh since morning. Our division marched into Yorktown towards afternoon, under a heavy rain. Explosions of torpedoes very frequent. We commenced to camp inside the fortifications, but we were ordered to march towards Williamsburgh immediately. The column started; halted shortly after on the turnpike road, and remained during the night, under an incessant rain. This was one of the most horrid nights we ever saw in the service. At two o'clock in the morning orders came for us to retire to our camps to rest.

_Tuesday, May 6._--Our battery moved to the river, close to Yorktown, ready to be shipped. General Franklin's corps is embarking already. We loaded ammunition all day.

_Wednesday, May 7._--Our guns were put aboard the steamer Delaware. We started for West Point, at the mouths of the Pamunkey and Mattapony rivers. Arrived there at five o'clock P. M., and dropped anchor for the night. General Franklin's corps had a fight with the enemy's rear-guard.

_Thursday, May 8._--Captain Arnold, of the regular artillery, inspected the unloading of our battery. We camp close to the Pamunkey.

_Saturday, May 10._--West Point. The horses were landed to-day. By five o'clock P. M., we marched two miles, and camped at Elkhorn, on the Pamunkey.

_Sunday, May 11._--General McClellan arrived here to-day. He brought the news of the destruction of the Merrimac.

_Monday, May 12._--At Elkhorn. Inspection of the division.

_Thursday, May 15._--Marched towards New Kent Court House, fifteen miles from Elkhorn. Our camp five miles from Cumberland Landing.

_Friday, May 16._--Camp Stumps, near New Kent Court House.

_Sunday, May 18._--Marched through the last mentioned place, and went to camp after having proceeded two miles. Remained there till

_Wednesday, May 21._--Marched at six o'clock A. M. Passed the Savage House, at the Baltimore cross-roads, (headquarters of McClellan,) St. Peter's Church, where Washington was married to Mrs. Custis, and went to camp a few miles from Bottoms' Bridge. General McClellan issued two rations of whiskey to the soldiers.

_Thursday, May 22._--Remained in camp near Bottoms' Bridge, on the York River Railroad. During the afternoon, a heavy hailstorm occurred. Pieces of ice, two inches in diameter, were found.

_Friday, May 23._--We marched across the railroad to Coal Harbor, to camp. We seem to be held as a reserve corps, ready to reinforce both wings of the army.

_Saturday, May 24._--Camp at Coal Harbor. Fighting is going on near the Chickahominy. The balloon is up.

_Sunday, May 25._--At Coal Harbor. All quiet.

_Monday, May 26._--Orders came to be ready to march. Everything was packed up; but we remained.

_Tuesday, May 27._--Coal Harbor. Fitz John Porter's corps, fighting near Hanover Court House. Great excitement amongst the troops.

_Wednesday, May 28._--The Second corps marched four miles this morning, to support Fitz John Porter's corps, near Mechanicsville. Went in line of battle near New Bridge, and remained there all day.

_Thursday, May 29._--Our corps returned to Coal Harbor by four o'clock P. M. Seven hundred prisoners were brought in.

_Friday, May 30._--Near Coal Harbor. Heavy rain.

_Saturday, May 31._--Commencement of the battles of the Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. At two o'clock P. M., the battle began on the south side of the Chickahominy. The enemy attacked Casey's division. The Second corps got ready immediately, the Second division, General Sedgwick, leading to the Chickahominy. We crossed at Grape Vine Bridge, built by the First Minnesota, Colonel Sully, Battery I, First United States Regulars, being the first artillery to cross, under great difficulties, the guns sinking in up to the axle. Our battery followed next. Great excitement seemed to prevail about getting artillery forward. But for the timely arrival of the Second and Thirty-fourth New York, Fifteenth Massachusetts, and First Minnesota Regiments, the day would have been lost--especially, the two New York regiments, fought with great determination. Not until night set in, the battle ceased. Our battery stood in the middle of the road all night. The order was to be in line of battle by two o'clock A. M.

_Sunday, June 1._--Battle of Fair Oaks. Long before daylight our battery was brought in line of battle in front of the house in which General Sumner afterwards established his headquarters. The First Minnesota supported us. The battle reopened at daylight, with great fury, the enemy having been reinforced all night. Artillery was not used a great deal in this battle, but the musketry fire exceeded any ever heard during the war. In spite of the enemy's efforts, he was completely repulsed by ten o'clock A. M., retreating to Richmond. General McClellan appeared in front of the line of battle, encouraging the troops for the coming struggle.

_Monday, June 2._--Fair Oaks. In line of battle since two o'clock A. M. The First Minnesota is fortifying our position. Cannonading going on near Mechanicsville, in the afternoon. The enemy is shelling our line on the railroad. Trains are arriving at the station with supplies. A heavy shower.

_Tuesday, June 3._--The army is fortifying its line.

_Wednesday, June 4._--Heavy rain storm. All the bridges over the Chickahominy destroyed.

_Thursday, June 5._--Brisk fighting near Mechanicsville all day.

_Friday, June 6._--Fair Oaks. Expiration of our first year in the service. Very quiet on the line.

_Saturday, June 7._--General Burns' brigade made a reconnoisance, in consequence of which a short fight took place.

_Sunday, June 8._--The enemy made a severe attack on our position this morning. Bad conduct of Baxter's Zouaves. Generals Sedgwick and Gorman forced them to return to the front. Visit of General McClellan, Duc de Chartres, the Count of Paris, Prince de Joinville, the Spanish Generals Prim and Milano del Bosch, Senor Justo San Miguel, Colonel Denteure, Colonel Cordazo, Senor de Sales, and Senor Perez Caloo, Spanish historian. They remained fifteen minutes at the headquarters of General Sumner, and made quite a show.

_Monday, June 9._--Fair Oaks. The rebels open on General Gorman's picket line, without inflicting any damage.

_Tuesday, June 10._--Fair Oaks. Heavy rain. The enemy opened with artillery on General Smith's division, towards evening.

_Wednesday, June 11._--Fair Oaks. In line of battle since two o'clock A. M. An attack expected every moment.

_Thursday, June 12._--Fair Oaks. Our whole line is fortifying stronger. Baxter's Zouaves are building breastworks of solid timber. Splendid moon nights.

_Friday, June 13._--Fair Oaks. We are in line of battle since three o'clock A. M. At five o'clock the enemy opened on our line with two Parrott guns, two Napoleons, and a howitzer, killing a man of Company I, First Minnesota, and wounding one of the Thirty-fourth New York Regiment. General McClellan inspected the whole line of Sumner's corps. Orders were given to strengthen the breastworks. Generals Sumner and Sedgwick change their headquarters, their former quarters being too much under fire.

_Saturday, June 14._--Fair Oaks. The First Minnesota were intrenching all day. Very quiet along the line. Great raid of Stuart's cavalry at White House Landing.

_Sunday, June 15._--Fair Oaks. Heavy firing in the direction of Fort Darling.

_Monday, June 16._--Fair Oaks. General Sickles' brigade had a short engagement with the rebels. General McClellan passed the line towards evening. Heavy firing on both wings of the army.

_Tuesday, June 17._--Heavy cannonading in the direction of Fort Darling.

_Wednesday, June 18._--Fair Oaks. General Porter's artillery had quite an engagement. In the afternoon the whole of the Second corps got ready for action. Our battery was harnessed up. The infantry of Richardson's division advanced under cover of two light batteries. The engagement was of short duration. Our loss, one hundred and seventy, killed and wounded, all of Richardson's division. General McClellan was present.

_Thursday, June 19._--Fair Oaks. The enemy lost nearly four hundred men in yesterday's engagement.

_Friday, June 20._--Fair Oaks. Heavy skirmishing along the whole line.

_Saturday, June 21._--Fair Oaks. The whiskey rations are countermanded to-day. During the night we were called under arms five times, the rebels making repeated attacks on the railroad.

_Sunday, June 22._--Quiet along the line.

_Monday, June 23._--Fair Oaks. Short engagement on the railroad. Thunder shower at night.

_Tuesday, June 24._--Fair Oaks. The enemy attacked at two o'clock A. M.

_Wednesday, June 25._--Heavy engagement near Old Church, lasting all day. Heintzleman's corps engaged. Our loss, one thousand men.

_Thursday, June 26._--Fair Oaks. Battle of Gaines' Farm. General Fitz John Porter was attacked on the north side of the Chickahominy this morning. The battle was going on till nine o'clock P. M., with great fury, when General Porter drove the enemy, as could be seen from our position. The peal of artillery was terrible, and the sky at night in a constant blaze. Great cheering along our line at ten o'clock in the night. All the bands playing national airs.

_Friday, June 27._--Fair Oaks. Battle of Gaines' Mills. Stonewall Jackson opened the battle this morning with overpowering numbers against General Porter. We could see from our position how the rebels drove Porter's troops from one position to the other. They are already fighting near Coal Harbor. General McClellan ordered General Sumner to hold his position at all hazards. By twelve o'clock A. M. we were attacked by the rebels with great determination. Four batteries opened on our centre and Smith's division, but were finally repulsed. General Porter is utterly defeated. Meagher's Irish brigade went to cover his retreat. Troops are marching and counter-marching all night. Great cheering within the rebel lines.

_Saturday, June 28._--Fair Oaks. Our centre was attacked again this morning at ten o'clock. The enemy was handsomely repulsed, leaving one hundred and fifty, killed and wounded, inside our lines,--Colonel Lamar, of Georgia, among the latter. Our situation is very critical, our right flank being turned. General Porter lost nine thousand men and twenty-four guns, and is crossing Bottoms' Bridge. The rebels occupy White House Landing. Towards evening, all the baggage teams were sent away, and all surplus ammunition, arms and commissary stores destroyed. The army is preparing to retreat. A part of the Second corps had already left, when orders arrived that our position must be held. A deep gloom is prevailing over the whole army.

_Sunday, June 29._--Evacuation of Fair Oaks. At three o'clock A. M. orders came for us to leave as quick as possible. Smith's division had already fallen back two miles, which movement completely exposed our right flank. The rebels followed at our very heels. After marching a mile, General Sumner hastily formed a line of battle, crossing the railroad. We were not held long in inactivity. The rebels, in command of Magruder, soon attacked with three brigades of infantry and three batteries. This fight bears the name of battle of Peach Orchard. Our battery was in close action, supported by General French's brigade. Pettit's New York eight gun battery, was sent to our assistance towards three o'clock P. M. By General Sumner's skilful manoeuvring we were enabled to fall back to Savage Station, leaving the dead and wounded behind. At the latter place, half of the Potomac army was drawn up in line of battle. The quantity of ammunition and stores at that place was immense. (Who would not remember the great explosion of the railroad train at Bottoms' Bridge.) About five o'clock P. M., the battle of Savage Station commenced, and kept on until late at night with great desperation. Our battery was within dangerous range of the enemy's fire, but not engaged. About nine o'clock, we fell back to the White Oak Swamp, arriving there at midnight.

_Monday, June 30._--Battle of Glendale Farm. This battle is known by five different names: White Oak Swamp, Glendale Farm, Golding's Farm, Turkey Bend, and of Charles City Road. At daybreak we formed in line of battle. The enemy appeared shortly after. The battle opened at different points. (Every one recollects the delay of our retreat on that day, in covering our extensive trains, which occupied seventeen miles length of road.) At three o'clock P. M. the rear of the trains passed by, just in time, as we were attacked immediately after. The battle lasted until night. Sergeant Hammond, Seidlinger, and Slocum were wounded. Battery B, Pennsylvania Artillery, was taken by the rebels, right in our front. The gunboats participated in the battle. We fell back at midnight, leaving our dead and wounded on the field. Our battery carried their wounded off, but left one caisson behind, a lynch-pin giving way. No other could be found during the excitement.

_Tuesday, July 1._--Battle of Malvern Hill. We arrived at that place by two o'clock A. M. The Potomac army occupied a splendid position. Prepared for the expected enemy. The rear-guard came up at daylight, amidst cheering and the playing of the bands. Our battery filled ammunition, but during the whole day had the good fortune to be kept constantly in reserve. Still, we were under fire constantly. Captain Coleman, of Rhode Island, collected letters and moneys from those who wanted to send them to their friends at home, before the battle commenced. Private Cooper was shot in the leg, by one of our own men; also a horse of Captain Tompkins. About ten o'clock the great battle commenced, artillery being used mostly. Never was such heavy cannonading heard on this continent before that. The gunboats threw shells at four miles distance. Weeden's Rhode Island battery lost seven men by one of the gunboat shells. The battle raged until late in the night, ending with the repulse of the rebel army. Every one expected an advance on the enemy the coming morning; but in vain.

_Wednesday, July 2._--Malvern Hill. After a few hours rest, orders were given at two o'clock A. M. to get ready,--to our astonishment,--to fall back to Harrison Landing. The rain fell in torrents. The troops were completely demoralized; every man was going on his own hook. A great many threw away their arms without any reason. Order was given to abandon at once any piece of artillery that should get stuck. Soldiers fired their guns off in all directions. Not less than forty men were killed by such careless practice. Harrison Landing is only six miles from Malvern Hill. The whole army was crowded in a complete mud-hole. The spirit of the men is very low. Our wounded, left in Malvern Hill hospital, had to foot their way to Harrison Landing in the best manner they could. In spite of the mud, we all enjoyed the first good night's rest for some weeks past.

_Thursday, July 3._--Harrison Landing. The enemy brought artillery to bear upon our camps this morning; but their guns were taken by the Fourteenth Indiana, of General Shields' division. At one time, all of our troops were drawn up in line of battle. The gunboats fired some shots.

_Friday, July 4._--The army spread out in different camps this morning. The Second corps moved at least a mile away from the landing. The day was duly celebrated by firing salutes and playing of bands. General McClellan reviewed the troops.

_Monday, July 7._--We changed our location this morning and established a new camp in the woods. The rebel gunboat "Teazer" was captured by the Monitor. President Lincoln visited the army. The troops passed review before him. Kirby's battery fired a salute. Our battery cheered for General Sumner.

_Tuesday, July 8._--Intensely hot weather. The army is fortifying the outer lines, facing towards Malvern Hill.

_Sunday, July 13._--Camp near Harrison Landing. Sergeant Budlong was reduced to the ranks for insubordination and insulting language towards Lieutenant John G. Hassard.

_Monday, July 14._--Near Harrison Landing. Secretary Stanton visited the army.

_Tuesday, July 15._--Near Harrison Landing. Notice was given by the Sanitary Commission to-day to send a number of men to receive the delicacies destined for us, (Battery A,) which was done accordingly. But we never enjoyed the benefit of it, as everything disappeared in the officers' quarters. My comrades in Providence can testify to this statement. Heavy shower in the evening.

_Sunday, July 20._--Near Harrison Landing. Mounted inspection.