Chapter 4

_Tuesday, July 22._--Near Harrison Landing. Great review of the Second corps by General McClellan. The troops presented a splendid appearance, considering the hardships endured. Our battery fired a salute.

_Wednesday, July 23._--Harrison Landing. We changed camp again, inside of the woods.

_Thursday, July 24._--Harrison Landing. Very severe heat.

_Friday, July 25._--Our battery was taken to the James River, to clean the carriages.

_Saturday, July 26._--Harrison Landing. Heavy shower.

_Sunday, July 27._--Harrison Landing. Mounted inspection.

_Monday, July 28._--Harrison Landing. Our two howitzers were exchanged for Parrott guns from Battery G, New York volunteers, Captain Frank.

_Tuesday, July 29._--Harrison Landing. Jimmy Nutts was disabled while dismounting from a limber-chest.

_Friday, August 1._--The rebels opened on us with a battery last night, from the south side of the James River, killing seven men, and damaging several transports. Our gunboats silenced them soon after.

_Monday, August 4._--Harrison Landing. Reconnoisance in force. Sedgwick's and Richardson's divisions, besides other bodies of troops, cavalry, and horse artillery, under command of General Joe Hooker, assembled by four o'clock P. M., and left our line of fortifications at sunset. We marched all night, in the direction of Charles City Court House. About one o'clock in the night the column halted.

_Tuesday, August 5._--About four o'clock A. M., our column advanced, throwing out skirmishers. By five o'clock the gunboats were heard firing in the direction of Malvern Hill. At this time we were marching in the neighborhood of the White Oak Swamp, on the Charles City road, the same one we retreated by after the seven days' battles. General Hooker's force, amounting to twenty thousand men, advanced rapidly on to Malvern Hill. A small engagement took place between our cavalry and horse artillery, and the enemy. But the plan of capturing the rebel force, consisting of but twelve hundred men, failed entirely. They escaped, leaving only two dead and fifty prisoners in our hands. Our loss was four killed and twelve wounded. Captain Benson, of the regular horse artillery, was killed. The Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighth Illinois cavalry, mortally wounded. The cause of the enemy's escape was attributed to Brigadier General Frank Patterson, son of General Patterson of Bull Run notoriety. General McClellan appeared in the afternoon, in high glee. We remained on the spot all day. In the evening our battery was brought in position, facing White Oak Swamp. Beautiful moon night. We slept once more on the great battle-field.

_Wednesday, August 6._--On Malvern Hill. Stayed all day, and expected to stay all night. Tents were pitched, with a view to remain longer; but about nine o'clock P. M., picket firing commenced, and at midnight, very suddenly, orders were given to get ready to march back to Harrison Landing. The report circulated that the enemy was advancing with superior numbers. About half ways, we were met by the greater part of the Army of the Potomac, covering our retreat.

_Thursday, August 7._--Arrived at Harrison Landing at three and a half o'clock A. M., and went back to our old camp.

_Friday, August 8._--Harrison Landing. The rebels occupy Malvern Hill again. Intensely hot weather--113° in the shade.

_Saturday, August 9._--Our battery was cleaned to-day. Splendid moon night.

_Monday, August 11._--Harrison Landing. Preparations to evacuate the place. All the baggage to be sent away by transports, and rations for six days to be kept on hand.

_Tuesday, August 12._--Harrison Landing. Fitz John Porter's corps started to-day.

_Wednesday, August 13._--Harrison Landing. News of General Pope's battle at Cedar Mountain.

_Friday, August 15._--Harrison Landing. Everything is packed, and the battery hitched up. Troops were marching by all night. Sumner's corps to be the rear-guard.

_Saturday, August 16._--Left Harrison Landing at three o'clock A. M. Marched on the river road and halted at dark, in line of battle.

_Sunday, August 17._--March through Charles City Court House. To-day's march was one of the most disagreeable ever made, being very hot, and so dusty as to make all the trees look white. Plenty of dead horses and mules on the road. Arrived at the Chickahominy river at midnight. All the artillery crossed over the large pontoon bridge, of ninety-seven boats, during the night.

_Monday, August 18._--The infantry crossed since daybreak, followed by the cavalry and horse artillery. One gunboat is close to the bridge. The rebels showed themselves, without molesting our rear-guard. One of our batteries opened on them. By ten o'clock we resumed our march. Our corps went to camp in the afternoon.

_Tuesday, August 19._--March through Williamsburg. Some dismounted guns, from the battle in May, were still standing in the streets. We passed Fort Magruder, and went to camp two miles from the latter.

_Wednesday, August 20._--Marched at six o'clock A. M., and went to camp a mile from Yorktown.

_Thursday, August 21._--Tedious march through Yorktown, Howard's Mills, over Shipping Point to Hampton Roads, where we arrived by five o'clock P. M., having marched twenty-two miles to-day. The infantry has gone to Newport News.

_Friday, August 22._--Hampton Roads. Heavy rain.

_Saturday, August 23._--Hampton Roads. Troops are continuously shipped.

_Sunday, August 24._--Hampton Roads. Heavy rain. Kirby's and our battery marched to the landing. Both batteries were loaded on board the ferry-boat Jefferson. Men and horses remained ashore for the night.

_Tuesday, August 26._--Hampton Roads. Men and horses were shipped on board the schooners Buena Vista and Clara Belle. The schooners were taken by tug-boat to Fortress Monroe, waiting for further orders. At six o'clock P. M., the steamer "Forrest City," having the Second United States cavalry on board, attached our schooner in tow, and started for Alexandria. In consideration of having the troops rested from their tedious marching across the Peninsula, contrabands were engaged by the government to load the vessels. An overseer of such a working party reported to our battery. But Lieutenant J. Hassard suggested that he would rather have the men of the battery do the work, as they had not done anything lately. I owe it to the members of Battery A, to mention those facts.

_Wednesday, August 27._--In sight of Aquia Creek. Received orders to proceed to Alexandria the next morning.

_Thursday, August 28._--Left Aquia Creek at four o'clock A. M. Passed Mount Vernon by seven, Fort Washington by eight, and arrived at Alexandria by ten o'clock. Both batteries, horses and all, were unloaded by five o'clock P. M. Marched through Alexandria at once, and went to camp outside the city.

_Friday, August 29._--Alexandria. Our battery, accompanied by the Seventh Michigan Regiment, and Fifty-ninth New York, left this morning, going towards the Chain Bridge, on which an attack was anticipated. We passed through Fort Runyon, on the road leading to Manassas, turning off to Fort Ethan Allen, covering the Chain Bridge. The fort was occupied by the One Hundred and Twenty-third Pennsylvania, Seventy-first New York, and Eleventh New Jersey regiments. We took position one mile in front of it.

_Saturday, August 30._--Near Fort Ethan Allen. Heavy cannonading in the direction of Manassas Junction. Two regiments of cavalry are making a reconnoissance towards Leesburg. At five o'clock P. M. we went to Fort Ethan Allen, crossed the Potomac over Chain Bridge, and marched until eight o'clock. Coming up to General Dana's brigade, we halted for the night.

_Sunday, August 31._--At three o'clock in the morning, all the troops of our corps marched through Georgetown, crossed the Potomac, over the Aqueduct Bridge, and proceeded on the road to Fairfax Court House. After sunrise it commenced to rain. Paroled prisoners, captured from Stonewall Jackson, passing us on the road, gave us no bright picture of the second battle of Bull Run. We halted at one o'clock, about four miles from the Court House. About seven o'clock P. M., order arrived from General Sedgwick, to take up our march. After various marching and counter-marching, we arrived at the Court House by one o'clock in the night.

_Monday, September 1._--Fairfax Court House. At seven o'clock A. M. we proceeded to Germantown, going in position, facing Chantilly. Troops were coming in from Centreville all day. General McDowell's corps, who lost nearly all their artillery, amongst them. An engagement, lasting from five o'clock P. M. till dark, was going on at Chantilly amidst a heavy thunder shower. Generals Kearney and Stevens were killed. About six o'clock P. M. we fell back to Fairfax Court House, camping on the same spot we occupied a year ago, while under Captain Reynolds, previous to the first battle of Bull Run.

_Tuesday, September 2._--Fairfax Court House. During the whole night, troops were marching to the defences of Washington. Pope's and McClellan's armies are rapidly falling back, Sumner's corps covering the retreat, as usual. We left the Court House at eight o'clock A. M., forming a line of battle on Flint Hill. Heavy clouds of dust, from the rebel columns, marching towards the Potomac, could be seen in the distance. Not being attacked, our line of march was resumed; but shortly afterwards, a rebel battery opened on our rear, directly from the town. General Sumner ordered one section of our battery, and the First Minnesota infantry, to take position, planting the two guns of the right section, one on each side of the road. Shortly after dark the enemy appeared. We could hear the unlimbering of the artillery. At that moment we opened lively with shell and canister, while Colonel Sully threw his regiment across the road, and kept up a brisk musketry fire on the advancing cavalry of the enemy. Being unable to use their artillery, the rebels retreated instantly. Seven men of the First Minnesota were killed and wounded. One of our limber-chests was upset, the pole being broken by the horses, injuring John Setton, driver, and one horse. Colonel Sully, anxious to fall back, advised Captain Tompkins not to lose any time, and if needs be, to abandon the gun. Captain Tompkins replied, he would carry the gun along or share the fate of it. We all went to work, tying the two guns and limbers together with ropes and straps. In the vicinity of Vienna, a body of cavalry made a charge on our column, firing at us with pistols and carbines. The First Maryland Cavalry, and Company I, First Minnesota, left us without offering any resistance to them. The greatest excitement prevailed for some time. General Sumner gave credit to our battery for not having left the guns. Some said the charge was made by a party of our own cavalry by mistake; but the dead and wounded, found in rebel uniform, contradicted that. After a weary march, we arrived near Fort Ethan Allen, at three o'clock A. M.

_Wednesday, September 3._--Sumner's corps marched across the Chain Bridge to Tenallytown, and went to camp.

_Thursday, September 4._--Tenallytown, Maryland. Heavy cannonade on the upper Potomac.

_Friday, September 5._--Tenallytown. The rebel army has crossed the Potomac. We left Tenallytown this morning. Marched to Rockville, twelve miles from Washington, and went to camp three miles from that place. New clothes were issued to-night.

_Saturday, September 6._--Near Rockville. This morning the cavalry and our battery advanced several miles, going in position on a hill. Thirty cavalrymen were captured last night. Scouts coming in the afternoon informed of the enemy's presence, only four miles from us. We fell back until, to our surprise, we found the whole of the Second corps in line of battle. Our battery took position immediately. The whole road was covered by our artillery.

_Sunday, September 7._--Near Rockville. The rebel army occupies Frederick City. Our cavalry dashed into Poolesville. We marched only six miles to-day.

_Tuesday, September 9._--We started by ten o'clock, A. M., and marched seven miles. Our cavalry had a fight at Barnesville.

_Wednesday, September 10._--March to Clarksburg. Our advance is getting very slow.

_Thursday, September 11._--March to Hyattstown, eight miles from Frederick. We formed in line of battle on a hill in front of the town. Our skirmishers advanced, but could not find the enemy.

_Friday, September 12._--Left Hyattstown at nine o'clock A. M., marched only five miles and went to camp. Eight thousand men, cavalry and horse artillery, passed by this afternoon. Signal lights can be seen on Sugar Loaf Mountain.

_Saturday, September 13._--Early in the morning, we marched through Urbana. General McClellan passed by at ten o'clock, crossing the Monocacy river. Triumphant entrance into Frederick City. The houses and inhabitants of the city presented a good appearance. Flags were floating all over. General McClellan was surrounded by all of his corps and division commanders, on the roadside. The troops cheered while marching by. Our cavalry and horse artillery drove the rebel rear-guard out of the city, and are chasing them up the South Mountain Pass, the smoke of the artillery is plainly to be seen. The engine house in Frederick City is full of prisoners.

_Sunday, September 14._--Battle of South Mountain. General Burnside, marching all of last night, attacked the enemy, near Berkley, early this morning. Our corps left Frederick by eight o'clock A. M., marching towards the mountain. Considerable time was lost by getting on the wrong road. We arrived on the top of the first range of mountains by three o'clock P. M., and witnessed one of the grandest scenes ever seen during the war,--the contest for the possession of South Mountain Pass. At five o'clock P. M. the pass was forced on the point of the bayonet, by the troops under General Reno, who fell during the charge. We arrived at Berkley by ten o'clock at night.

_Monday, September 15._--March through South Mountain Pass. The battle-field gives evidence of the desperate fighting of yesterday. Our advance guard is pressing the rear of the enemy through Boonesboro, where we passed through at eleven o'clock A. M. The church and barns are full of wounded and rebel prisoners. The inhabitants seem to be elated at our entrance. After going two miles further, we halted four hours. Skirmishing was going on near Kettysville. After dark we marched through the town.

_Tuesday, September 16._--Battle of Antietam. The battle commenced about eight o'clock, opening with heavy cannonading. Our division changed position during the afternoon, going from the centre to the right, passing through Kettysville, and crossed Antietam Creek before dark. We were not engaged to-day.

_Wednesday, September 17._--Battle of Antietam and Sharpsburg. Since four o'clock A. M., the battle is raging furiously. Joe Hooker gained some ground early in the morning, but was wounded soon after the beginning. Our battery was ordered to take position close to Hooker's line. The battle-field wore a terrific aspect, at our arrival. Before reaching the designated position, we had to pass through the enemy's artillery fire for nearly a mile. Two men of our battery, Fred. Phillips and Patrick Larkins, were wounded, before getting in position. Marching through a cornfield, we saw one of our batteries, entirely demolished, and hundreds of dead and wounded lying around. Crossing the fields, we were heartily cheered by our famous old Sedgwick's division, which was advancing on the enemy like veterans. We took our position near a cemetery and in front of a burning farm-house, a place already fought for all the morning, as could be seen by the dead and wounded strewn around. We relieved a battery of Hooker's command, and were supported by but two companies of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania infantry, commanded by a sergeant. Here we fought, repeatedly against artillery and infantry, for four hours and a half. At one time our situation was very critical. The enemy, after driving Gorman's brigade, on our right, came charging from that direction. We used double charges of canister. There was a time when half of the battery was compelled to cease firing. The order, "limber to the rear," was given; but, fortunately, not heard, as it would have resulted in the certain capture of the battery. At that critical turn, Captain Tompkins called on our infantry support to advance and do their duty, which they did, enabling us to load again. The enemy, after failing to take the battery, retreated slowly, leaving his battle-flag behind, which, by right, should have been given to the battery, as it fell before the infantry support advanced. Our ammunition giving away, Captain Tompkins sent word to be relieved. John Leech deserves due mentioning here, for carrying notice through the hottest fire, regardless of his personal safety, to bring rescue to his comrades. Shortly afterwards, Battery G, Rhode Island, came to relieve us. We left the field under a heavy fire of the enemy's batteries, leaving our dead and wounded behind. Battery G fired only a few rounds, and left the position we held for four hours and a half. The ground was taken by the enemy. We returned to our former rendezvous, near Hoffman's farm, and received a written compliment from General Sumner for our good behavior. Our loss was: Killed--Sergeant Reed, John Lawrence, Joe Bosworth, Stone. Wounded--Budlong, John Church, Robert Raynor, F. C. Preston, Sherman Larkin, Zimmerli, Corporal Childs, Fred. Phillips, Francis Phillips, Cargill, Abner Wilder, and Theodore Reichardt. We lost nine horses. During the afternoon, we loaded ammunition. The battle raged till night set in, principally near Sharpsburg. Colonel Miles surrendered Harper's Ferry, with eleven thousand five hundred men, to Stonewall Jackson.

_Thursday, September 18._--Antietam. Both armies are skirmishing briskly since daylight. Our battery left Hoffman's farm in the morning, and went a little nearer to the battle-field. Lieutenant Jeffrey Hassard started, with eight selected men, to obtain the bodies of our dead, but was not able to accomplish it, the enemy's sharpshooters firing on our approach. During the afternoon a truce was concluded between the two armies, for the purpose of burying the fallen. The remains of Sergeant Reed, John Lawrence, Joe Bosworth and Ed. Stone, were recovered in a mutilated state, and interred in the evening in the presence of the battery.

_Friday, September 19._--The enemy has fallen back to the Potomac. Thousands of dead are covering the field yet. We remained quiet all day.

_Saturday, September 20._--Antietam. We exchanged three guns with Pettit's New York battery. Our battery marched back to Boonsboro, close to McClellan's headquarters, in the afternoon. Having settled down for the night, we were suddenly aroused and ordered to march immediately to Sharpsburg. An engagement was going on at Shepardstown, close to the Potomac, ending to our disadvantage. We passed through Sharpsburg at two o'clock in the night, and went into park outside of the town.

_Sunday, September 21._--Sharpsburg, McClellan's headquarters. Cannonading still sounding from the Potomac. There is scarcely a house in Sharpsburg, which shows no marks of our artillery fire. The inhabitants admit that General Burnside gave them a right smart shelling.

_Monday, September 22._--Sharpsburg, headquarters of McClellan. Sumner's corps marched to Harper's Ferry to-day; but we remained, receiving a new battery of three-inch rifle guns.

_Tuesday, September 23._--Sharpsburg. We left the place at two o'clock P. M. Crossed the Antietam, and marched to the foot of Maryland Heights, going to camp for the night.

_Wednesday, September 24._--We arrived at Harper's Ferry at ten o'clock A. M., and went to camp on Bolivar Heights.

_Sunday, September 28._--Bolivar. Mounted inspection.

_Wednesday, October 1._--President Lincoln visited the Army of the Potomac. Our battery fired a salute of twenty-one guns.

_Friday, October 3._--Bolivar. Mounted inspection.

_Sunday, October 5._--Bolivar. Mounted inspection. The Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island infantry, arrived at Sandy Hook, Maryland.

_Thursday, October 9._--Bolivar. We were paid off for five months service.

_Thursday, October 16._--Bolivar. Reconnoisance in force. Ten thousand men started early in the morning under command of General Hancock. The enemy was found near Charlestown, opening on us with artillery. Battery A, Fourth Regular Artillery, went into action. Our battery supported the Fourth regulars, and the enemy's battery left soon. Battery A, Fourth regulars, had a caisson blown up, one man killed and four wounded. We occupied Charlestown, going in position outside of the town, pointing to Berryville and Smithfield. Heavy rain in the evening. The cars were running between Harper's Ferry and Charlestown all night, carrying off grain from the latter place to Harper's Ferry. The troops were in line of battle during the night.

_Friday, October 17._--Charlestown, Virginia. In position. We left Charlestown at two o'clock P. M. Marched back to Halltown. At that place General Hancock formed a line of battle, an attack of the rebels being anticipated. All the artillery went in position on high ground, while the infantry formed below. We remained on the hill all night. It was very cold during the night.

_Saturday, October 18._--We returned to Bolivar Heights early in the morning, and went back to camp.

_Tuesday, October 21._--Battery drill in the morning.

_Sunday, October 26._--Captain Tompkins went off on a furlough.

_Monday, October 27._--Bolivar. General Burnside has crossed the Potomac at Berlin.

_Wednesday, October 29._--Bolivar. We are under marching orders.

_Thursday, October 30._--Bolivar. Troops are crossing the Shenandoah river all day. Our battery left Bolivar at two o'clock P. M. Marched through Harper's Ferry and crossed the Shenandoah by way of pontoons. Advanced on the Leesburg turnpike six miles. After sunset we went to camp for the night.

_Friday, October 31._--Loudon Valley. We were mustered in for two months pay; after that, changed camp, and remained quiet for the rest of the day. Troops are passing by all day.

_Saturday, November 1._--Loudon Valley. We commenced marching at ten o'clock in the direction of Snicker's Gap, passed Snickersville, and formed in line of battle in the evening, near Wood Grove. Marched ten miles to-day. A number of pigs were killed during the night.

_Sunday, November 2._--Wood Grove. Commenced marching at eight o'clock A. M. A fight was in progress between Burnside's corps and the rebels. We could see the firing of guns. Camped at seven o'clock P. M. Cold and rainy weather.

_Monday, November 3._--Marched at ten o'clock A. M., towards Union and Upperville. Firing was heard in the afternoon. Shortly afterwards we could see Pleasanton's cavalry running close after the enemy's. We went to camp. Splendid moon night. Great slaughter amongst pigs, sheep, and chickens.

_Tuesday, November 4._--Loudon Valley, Virginia. We marched through Upperville about 1 o'clock P. M. General Burnside and staff passed by. At three o'clock we came through Paris, at the foot of Ashby Gap. Occupied the heights of Ashby Gap and went in position. A most splendid view presented itself to our eyes. The whole Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, Berryville, Bunker Hill, and other places could distinctly be seen. The enemy's camp fires were visible on the other side of the Shenandoah river. The weather is very cold.

_Wednesday, November 5._--Ashby Gap. Remained in position all day. Some of us had quite a time, killing a young bull. A fearful cold night. Some snow fell.

_Thursday, November 6._--We left Ashby Gap at eight o'clock A. M. Marched seven miles, and went to camp near Cubb run.