Chapter 6

_Saturday, June 6._--Expiration of our second year of service. Artillery firing going on at intervals between Sedgwick's corps and the rebels. A heavy shower in the evening.

_Sunday, Jane 7._--We got ready to march during the day.

_Tuesday, June 9._--Changed camp again, but moving a short distance only. The Thirty-fourth New York regiment started for home, their time of service having expired. A heavy cavalry fight occurred at Beaver Ford, between Pleasanton, Gregg, and Dufour, and Stuart and Fitz Hugh Lee. The latter was taken prisoner.

_Thursday, June 11._--The rebel batteries opened on Sedgwick's corps.

_Friday, June 12._--The rebels fired at our balloon near Banks' Ford. The Twenty-fourth regiment, New Jersey nine months men, went home to-day, their time being out. We lost five men by it, who were on detached duty in the battery--honest John amongst them.

_Saturday, June 13._--Our army begins to leave the Rappahannock. The supplies at the depot are carried to Aquia Creek with the most possible speed. The First, Third, Fifth, Eleventh and Twelfth corps started towards Warrenton. All the pontoon trains, but General Sedgwick's, have gone. The one hundred pounder Parrott gun was brought in position to-day, and fired once by Major Tompkins, after which the gun rolled off the platform. The Second and Sixth corps comprise all the troops that are left in front of Fredericksburg. At seven o'clock P. M. a heavy shower set in. Our battery was ordered to proceed to the Lacy House. Sedgwick's corps is recrossing the river. We left camp in a heavy rain, at ten o'clock in the night, arrived near the river at twelve, and got in position. The thirty-pounder Parrott gun battery, (Connecticut,) left at once. The one hundred pounder Parrott gun was taken to the railroad. The Sixth corps passed by all night. The pontoon train and heavy artillery left at four o'clock A. M. on

_Sunday, June 14._--Opposite Fredericksburg, in position, behind redoubts. Only the Second corps is remaining yet. The rebels were quite surprised to find our troops across the river. They walked around their rifle-pits in squads, and fired at us and our infantry pickets on the shore; but the general commanding threatened to open on them with artillery, if they did not stop it. During the afternoon the rebel troops lying around St. Mary's heights, marched and countermarched. Towards evening, we could see the cannoniers pull their guns by hand outside of the redoubts, and march off in the direction of Culpepper. We had orders to leave fifteen minutes after dark. A deserter swam across the river into our lines about seven o'clock. Nine o'clock P. M.--leaving the Rappahannock. The guns were limbered up quietly. We started on the telegraph road, crossed Stoneman's Switch, and marched all night.

_Monday, June 15._--Arrived at Stafford Court House about seven o'clock A. M. We found a part of the Sixth corps in line of battle. The Second corps went in line of battle instantly. The balloon went up for the last time, a good sign of better prospects, for the balloon never brought luck to our army. At eleven o'clock, marching was resumed. We crossed Aquia Creek at three o'clock P. M., going in position near by, and remained there for the rest of the day and night. The day was terribly hot,--110° in the shade. Eighteen men died from the effects of the heat. A man of the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts regiment broke his neck, falling over a stump of a tree. We marched seventeen miles since leaving Falmouth. Reports of artillery firing can be heard all day.

_Tuesday, June 16._--The column got in motion at three o'clock in the morning. Heavy cannonade in the direction of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We arrived at Dumfries about ten o'clock A. M. Rations were issued there, and our march resumed at noon. The right section of our battery, under Lieutenant Peter Hunt, was acting rear-guard to-day. We passed Wolf's run at seven o'clock, and went to camp for the night, after having marched twenty miles. The strong fortifications at Wolf Run Shoals, are counted to the defences of Washington.

_Wednesday, June 17._--This morning we marched to Fairfax Station, (six miles,) and formed in line of battle. Our corps numbers not more than eight thousand effective men. The roads leading to Manassas are full of the army trains, coming from Warrenton.

_Thursday, June 18._--Near Fairfax Station, in line of battle.

_Friday, June 19._--Near Fairfax Station. Marched at four o'clock P. M., and arrived at Centreville about six. Went in position in one of the redoubts. A heavy shower in the night.

_Saturday, June 20._--Centreville. Great row between the Tammany regiment, New York, and some of the new troops under General Hayes. We left Centreville at one o'clock P. M., crossed the Cub Run, and marched over the old battle-field of Bull Run at five o'clock, which awoke all the bitter feelings of the troops, especially the sight of the skeletons of so many brave soldiers lying around. It is a shame to the country that the remains of those men, who fell in the two battles, are not better taken care of, as the ground lies within our lines. Arriving at Gainesville, the First and Third divisions, and our battery went to camp. The Second division marched to Thoroughfare Gap in the night.

_Sunday, June 21._--At Gainesville. A battle is going on between Pleasanton's and Stuart's cavalry near Ashby Gap. Our cavalry pickets near Gainesville, were driven in this afternoon. Three companies of infantry, and the right section, got ready for support. About seven o'clock P. M., General Stahl's division of cavalry, with three rifled guns and a four-pound howitzer, taken from Moseby, near Fairfax Court House, two weeks ago, passed through, going to Warrenton. A dangerous experiment was made by John Tyng this evening. Pounding on a round shell, lying there since the second battle of Bull Run, the shell exploded amidst a crowd of the battery, without hurting any one.

_Monday, June 22._--Gainesville. It was read in line that General Pleasanton, supported by Barnard's division of infantry, Fifth corps, gained a victory over Stuart's cavalry at Upperville and Ashby Gap, taking two guns and a quantity of small arms.

_Tuesday, June 23._--Gainesville. Trains came up from Alexandria this morning, bringing supplies. Stahl's cavalry came back from Warrenton.

_Thursday, June 25._--Gainesville. Orders came to pack up. Two trains arrived from Alexandria, bringing supplies, and the news that the telegraph line had been broken and several cars burned, between this place and Fairfax Station, by guerillas. We left Gainesville at noon, crossed the Bull Run, marched on the Winchester and Leesburg turnpike, passed Sudley's church, taking the same route we did under McDowell, going to and coming from the first Bull Run battle, until we turned off to Gum Spring, halting for the night. Marched eighteen miles in all. Battery B, lost a caisson and two men taken prisoners, coming from Thoroughfare Gap.

_Friday, June 26._--Gum Spring. Left at ten o'clock A. M., going to Edward's Ferry, where we arrived by eight o'clock P. M.--ten miles march. Two pontoon bridges are drawn across the Potomac. Troops are going over all the time. We halted for the purpose of camping. Tents were pitched, but the order came at ten o'clock P. M., that all the troops had to cross before daylight. General Hayes' brigade of Heintzelman's corps, consisting of the Thirty-ninth, One Hundred and Eleventh, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York regiments, was attached to the Second corps.

_Saturday, June 27._--Crossed the Potomac at two o'clock in the morning. Went to rest a mile from the river. Remained until two o'clock P. M. Resumed marching. Passed through Poolesville at four, Barnesville at nine, and went to camp at the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain at ten o'clock P. M.

_Sunday, June 28._--Resumed our march at six o'clock A. M., passed through Urbana by one, and came in sight of Frederick at three o'clock P. M. We went in position on a hill, five miles from the city, having marched nine miles. Joe Hooker has been superseded by General Meade in the command of the Army of the Potomac. The rebels occupied Carlisle, in Pennsylvania.

_Monday, June 29._--Marched at eight o'clock. Crossed the Monocacy river. After passing through Frederick, we turned off to the Baltimore road, crossing the Stone Bridge. We went through Mount Pleasant, Liberty, Union Bridge and Uniontown. Cherries are plenty on the road. The people in general are very patriotic, doing anything for the soldiers. This day's march, thirty-five miles, is the longest ever made by the battery, excepting that after the first Bull Run battle. We went to camp at ten o'clock in the night.

_Tuesday, June 30._--Uniontown. Our corps is resting to-day. Whiskey is very abundant round here. We have marched one hundred and thirty-nine miles since the fourteenth of June.

_Wednesday, July 1._--Left Uniontown in the morning, passed through Taneytown, and were two miles from Gettysburg at dark, having marched fifteen miles. The First and Eleventh corps fought a battle to-day, losing the town of Gettysburg. General Reynolds, of the First corps, was killed.

_Thursday, July 2._--Second day's battle of Gettysburg. In line of battle since six o'clock in the morning. The First, Second, Third and Eleventh corps in array. Skirmishers firing briskly. Artillery commenced to play. Nothing of importance was done, until about half-past four, our left wing advanced and opened the battle. The centre and left were soon hotly engaged. Our battery was in action all the afternoon. The Third corps lost ground towards evening, until General Hancock advanced with the First and Second corps and decided the day. The enemy made another demonstration on the right, without success. The battle raged until nine o'clock in the night. One time it seemed as if we were all surrounded. Battery A, Fourth regulars, reversed their pieces ready to fire to the rear. This battery and ours fired canister in the evening. Our fourth piece was disabled early in the action, and sent to the rear in charge of Corporal W. Drape. One of the rear wheels of the fourth caisson, was shot away. When night settled down upon the battle-field, each army rested for the final blow.

_Friday, July 3._--Third day's battle of Gettysburg. The enemy's batteries on his right opened on us before daylight. Three limbers of Battery A, Fourth regulars, were blown up early in the morning. Our caissons were sent after ammunition several times. At eleven o'clock firing ceased, rations were given out, and the men commenced cooking. At one o'clock, all of a sudden, two signal guns were fired by the enemy, followed by the most terrific cannonade of more than a hundred pieces of artillery, playing on our centre. Our reply did not seem to make any impression at all. That dreadful artillery fire seemed to paralyze our whole line for a spell. Suddenly as it commenced it ceased, and three immense lines of infantry advanced to take our almost annihilated batteries. Battery B, Rhode Island, A, Fourth regulars, I, First regulars, and Pettit's New York Battery, were taken, but not held by the rebels. Our battery withdrew their guns with honor, leaving the dead, some of the wounded, and two caissons behind. At the time of our leaving, the battle was at its turning point. The most desperate fighting was done on Cemetery Hill and the Emmettsburg road. The field presented a ghastly appearance. Our officers behaved very well, especially Lieutenant Jacob Lamb, who, being wounded in the hand, refused to leave the field, carried ammunition and encouraged the men. Our loss was: Killed--Patrick Lannegan, first piece, shot in the groin; John Zimmerli, fourth piece, head taken off by a cannon ball; Simon Creamer, sixth piece, skull severed by a shell. Wounded--Lieutenant J. Lamb, hand; Sergeant Benjamin Childs, shoulder; Corporal W. Rider, arm; Corporal W. R. Calder, back; Corporal Shaw, shoulder; Privates--Grady, leg off, died afterwards; Gil. Harrison, foot; Higgins, arm shot away, died afterwards; Markey, shoulder; Curtis, foot, slightly; Googin, arm, slightly; Cargill, leg; Byron Snow, back; Walter Arnold, leg; Wellman, elbow, slightly; Morrissey, leg, badly; Hathaway, shoulder; Shampman, hip; Tuttle, arm; Carlier, slightly; Middleton, leg, slightly; Dawson, slightly; Tomdorf, leg, slightly; Oaks, slightly. Jack Hughes, and Long Clark and his brother, ran away. Our battery went two miles to the rear, in an exhausted condition. The Sixth corps reached the battle-field about three o'clock P. M.

_Saturday, July 4._--Gettysburg. The battle is over. The skirmishers of the two armies are yet still confronting each other. Three men of our battery rode back to the battle-ground to inter our dead; but found them already buried by Battery C, Rhode Island. Lannegan was buried near our camp; also, Lieutenant Cushing, Battery A, Fourth Regulars--this battery is to be consolidated with Battery I, First Regulars. The great artillery assault on our centre, was the last effort of Lee's army to force our lines from Cemetery Hill. The rebels' ammunition must have been nearly expended after that. Our battery used as much as twenty-two hundred rounds of ammunition, during the battle. The town of Gettysburg is occupied by our forces. A heavy shower this evening.

_Sunday, July 5._--Battlefield of Gettysburg. Our army has taken twelve thousand prisoners. The rebels are in full retreat. Pleasanton's cavalry and the Sixth corps are in pursuit. Our battery will be consolidated with Battery B, Rhode Island. We received a new supply of ammunition and marched off on the Baltimore road, by seven o'clock P. M., going in camp near Littletown, six miles from Gettysburg, by nine P. M. It rained during the night.

_Monday, July 6._--Remained in camp near Littletown all day. General French took a pontoon train from the rebels near Williamsport. The Potomac reported to be very high.

_Tuesday, July 7._--Marched to Taneytown, seven miles, and went to camp, on account of the infantry having been without rations for several days. The Twelfth corps passed through this afternoon. The town is under contribution of rations for the troops.

_Wednesday, July 8._--Left Taneytown early. Marched twenty-four miles during a tremendous rain-storm. Passed through Woodsborough and Walkersville, and went to camp in a field of oats, live miles from Frederick City. The news of the surrender of Vicksburg were read in line on the road.

_Thursday, July 9._--Marched at seven o'clock A. M. Passed through Frederick City, which was guarded by the Seventh Regiment, New York militia, and a new battery; Jefferson City and Perkinsville, crossed the South Mountain and went to camp for the night, not far from Sharpsburg. Near Frederick we saw the body of the spy Richardson, hung on a tree by order of General Buford of the cavalry. Marched eighteen miles to-day.

_Friday, July 10._--Marched through Kettysville. The Third corps, General French, was fighting yesterday, and cannonading is going on now. Passed the battle-field of Antietam at twelve o'clock M., going to camp three miles beyond. The Twelfth corps is camping close to us. The different corps are fortifying their positions.

_Saturday, July 11._--Marched four miles. Passed through Tillmington. The enemy was found in front. Our columns formed in line of battle. Skirmishing was kept up briskly. The rebels fell back a little, as our artillery opened on them. The cavalry advanced in a body at half-past four o'clock, gaining some ground. At midnight, the infantry was ordered to advance and take possession of the Hagerstown road. We remained all night. We have marched two hundred and twenty-three miles since the fourteenth of June.

_Sunday, July 12._--We advanced a short distance at eight o'clock A. M. Our infantry is half a mile ahead. Skirmishing was going on all the morning. Artillery is used once in a while. All the artillery of the Fifth corps passed by between four and six o'clock P. M. A heavy shower this afternoon. In the evening, we changed our position, advancing a quarter of a mile nearer to the front.

_Monday, July 13._--Changed position in the morning, going a short distance behind breastworks. Three fortified lines are already formed by our army. A battle is expected. We remained in our new position all day. It rained the whole evening and night.

_Tuesday, July 14._--Advance and reconnoissance of parts of the Second, Fifth and Twelfth corps, cavalry ahead. Our battery marched on the Williamsport turnpike. Cannonading and musketry fire could be heard at mid-day. The roads are very muddy. Rebel caissons, full of ammunition, are frequently found on the roadside. Lee's army is crossing the Potomac at Falling Waters. General Kilpatrick charged through Williamsport, capturing the rear guard, consisting of eight hundred men. On our approach, a short but desperate fight was going on at one of the redoubts, close to the river. A brigade, in command of General Pettigrew, defending the redoubt, hoisted the white flag. Forty men of the Eighth Michigan cavalry, charging, in good faith of their surrender, were all slaughtered after going in the trap. The redoubt was carried by the infantry shortly after; but General Pettigrew and most of his men escaped. We had a heavy shower this evening.

_Wednesday, July 15._--The greater part of the army is marching towards Sharpsburg. Our battery returned to its former position. We were told to rest until one o'clock P. M., as we had to do some marching yet. About three o'clock we started, passed through Sharpsburg at five o'clock, and marched halfway to Maryland Heights, going to camp late at night. The Second and Twelfth corps occupy the place.

_Thursday, July 16._--The battery followed the canal road, passed Harper's Ferry, Sandy Hook, and went to camp in Pleasant Valley. All these places are full of our troops. Marched two hundred and fifty-six miles since the fourteenth of June. The engineers are laying pontoons at Berlin and Harper's Ferry. Iron-clad cars, with a howitzer in each, are running between Washington and Harper's Ferry. News of the surrender of Port Hudson, and the occupation of Morris Island, near Charleston, by our troops.

_Friday, July 17._--Camp in Pleasant Valley. At rest for the day.

_Saturday, July 18._--Left Pleasant Valley at six o'clock A. M. The Second and Third corps crossed the Potomac to Harper's Ferry on pontoons, and the Shenandoah river on the trestlework bridge. Marched eight miles into Loudon Valley, going in camp.

_Sunday, July 19._--Loudon Valley. New clothes were issued to the battery. We started at six o'clock A. M., marching only four miles. The country abounds in delicious blackberries.

_Monday, July 20._--Marched ten miles on the Leesburg turnpike, and camped outside of Bloomfield.

_Tuesday, July 21._--Camp at Bloomfield. Captain McMahon is to be shot to-morrow for killing Captain McManners.

_Wednesday, July 22._--Bloomfield, Virginia. Started by one o'clock P. M. Marched through Upperville by six, and Paris by seven o'clock in the evening, going to camp at the foot of Ashby Gap. Marched eight miles to-day. Captain McMahon's sentence to be shot, has been changed by President Lincoln to ten years in the State Prison. The Fifth Regular cavalry met the rebels at Manassas Gap.

_Thursday, July 23._--Left Ashby Gap early, marching on the mountain road, leading to Front Royal. Arrived at Markham's Station, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, by three o'clock P. M. Passed Linden at five. The Stone Church there is full of our wounded from the engagement two days previous. The Third corps engaged the enemy during the day. We went to park at eight o'clock P. M., in Manassas Gap, near the village of Petersburg. The Fifth corps is ahead of the Second. We marched twelve miles to-day.

_Friday, July 24._--A desperate fight took place on Wapping Heights yesterday. Our infantry under General Spinola charged the enemy three times. Lee's army is marching towards Culpepper Court House. Their long line of trains are visible on the other side of the Shenandoah river. Our troops are in want of rations, and the horses need forage. The army left Manassas Gap at one o'clock P. M. Our corps went to camp outside of Markham's Station, for the night.

_Saturday, July 25._--Started at six o'clock A. M. We had a very difficult march over the mountains, in intensely hot weather. Lost several horses during the day. Passed through Rectortown. Our rear was once attacked by guerillas. Arrived at White Plains by three o'clock P. M. Our battery parked near the woods. Rations were given out. A heavy rain fell this evening.

_Sunday, July 26._--Left White Plains at five o'clock, A. M., taking the course of the Manassas Gap Railroad, turning off to New Baltimore, from there to Warrenton, arriving at noon. The battery rested until half-past one o'clock, and marched to Warrenton Junction. The weather was intensely hot. Dead and dying soldiers were lying along the roadside. Our battery lost six horses. We marched twenty-four miles to-day. The troops camped half a mile from the railroad. A shower fell in the night.

_Monday, July 27._--Camp near Warrenton Junction. We have marched three hundred and thirty-four miles since the fourteenth of June. A heavy fall of rain in the night.

_Tuesday, July 28._--Camp near Warrenton Junction. We remained quiet. A shower in the night.

_Wednesday, July 29._--Camp near Warrenton Junction. Remained quiet. A fall of rain in the evening.

_Thursday, July 30._--Camp near Warrenton Junction. At six o'clock in the evening, we were ordered to march, going only six miles further and went to camp at Elktown.

_Friday, July 31._--Went six miles further, towards Morrisville, going in camp. Clothes were issued this evening.

_Saturday, August 1._--The third division of the Second corps, and our battery, marched back to Elktown. Our camp is very pleasantly situated near the woods.

_Sunday, August 2._--Camp at Elktown. The weather is very hot.

_Monday, August 3._--The battery was paid off for two months service.

_Tuesday, August 4._--Camp at Elktown. Cannonade in the direction of the Rappahannock.

_Friday, August 7._--Battery B drew horses to-day.

_Saturday, August 8._--Elktown. Battery B separated from Battery A, (ours,) getting a new set of guns at Morrisville.

_Thursday, August 13._--A heavy fall of rain to-day.

_Saturday, August 15._--Elktown. Troops are going to Alexandria.

_Thursday, August 20._--The rebels made a demonstration from the vicinity of Dumfries.

_Saturday, August 22._--General Warren took command of the Second corps. He inspected our battery to-day. Hot weather.

_Monday, August 31._--Elktown. Reconnoisance of the Second corps. Intelligence was brought that Wade Hampton's cavalry had crossed over to the northside of the Rappahannock on a raid. Our cavalry is to follow them up, while infantry and artillery are guarding the different fords on the river. We marched by daybreak, going fifteen miles, and went in park one mile from United States Ford.

_Friday, September 4._--Return from the Rappahannock. The battery left at six o'clock P. M., followed by the First division. We did not go back to Elktown, but were ordered to report at Morrisville. Kilpatrick's cavalry returned, having destroyed the gunboat taken by the rebels.

_Wednesday, September 9._--Morrisville. Mounted drill.

_Thursday, September 10._--Mounted drill.

_Friday, September 11._--Cannonading heard in the direction of the Rappahannock.