Part 4

The 84th Regiment was in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the movements of that Army from Fredericksburg, Va., to Emmettsburg, Md. On the morning of the 1st July, the Regiment was detailed by an order from my headquarters to guard the supply train that was then located between Emmettsburg and Gettysburg. The Regiment remained on duty with the train until relieved by another Regiment on the 6th July, when it reported to me for duty while at Williamsport.

The duty performed by the 84th Regiment during the three days' fighting was as essential and important as that of any other Regiment of my command; it was a duty they were ordered to perform over which they had no control, but as good soldiers obeyed the command. When Colonel Opp received the order he sent his Adjutant, Lieutenant Mather, to me with a request to have the order rescinded, which of course was not granted.

The 84th Regiment was one of my best and most reliable commands. The officers and men were always ready and willing to do their duty.

To deprive this Regiment of the recognition it is entitled to, upon that memorable battle field, would in my opinion be a very great injustice.

I would respectfully suggest that the monument be erected at a point near where my headquarters were previous to the second day's engagement. It was near the Emmettsburg road, directly in front of the Roger's house, as you will see upon the map of the field.

The inscription should state the whereabouts of the Regiment on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July, 1863, and the actual duty it was performing.

I am, Very Respectfully, JOSEPH B. CARR.

This statement is a Monument in itself. No Regiment ever received, or could have had, more emphatic endorsement of its service.

The State Commission on Gettysburg Monuments had no doubt of the full right of the 84th to participate with all other Pennsylvania regiments that took part in the Battle of Gettysburg, and promptly said so.

On the night of the 4th, the Regiment was ordered from Westminster to rejoin the Brigade, and reported to General Carr on the 6th.

While at Westminster there was constant apprehension of attack by rebel cavalry, and the picket guards were under strict orders to be continually on the alert to avoid surprise.

During the night of the 13th and the morning of the 14th, Lee crossed his army over the Potomac at Williamsport, closely followed by the Union cavalry, the advance of the Army of the Potomac.

On July 24th, the Regiment took part in clearing the Gap at Wapping Heights, the rebels contesting every step until forced into the Valley, when they went on a run, and we returned through the Gap to rejoin the column.

The return was much like the going, excepting that there was not the necessity for haste, and with this difference of feeling. The rebel army had started North elated by Chancellorsville; it returned depressed by Gettysburg.

The Union Army had not been depressed by Chancellorsville (it never was by any defeat), but was more than pleased with Gettysburg.

The walk did not stop until the Army of the Potomac was again between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan.

* * * * *

July, August, and September having passed by, and October being well under way, Lee, having nothing to gain by remaining quiet, again put his army in motion, this time bound for the road that led to his Country's Capital, but not with patriotic intent.

By this time the Army of the Potomac had become well grounded in the ups and downs which lie between the Rapidan and the Potomac.

Foraging had become a thing of the past in this now agricultural and animal forsaken portion of our Land. In fact, at the time when anything was to be found here, it was not permitted to be taken. It was not until later on that the conclusion was arrived at that Union Armies were not organized and maintained to guard crops for rebel army use and the sustenance of a southern confederacy.

Thousands of Union Soldiers might lie in unknown graves, and tens of thousands might be sent home cripples for life, but not an ear on the stalk, or a grain in the crib, an animal on the hoof, or his parts in the smoke-house, must be taken by the Union Soldier, lest treason might not have abundance.

All that was left of what once had been, were the names of the places along the route--Rappahannock Station, Catlett, Bristoe, Manassas, Thoroughfare, Haymarket, Union Mills.

LEE'S LAST MOVE ON WASHINGTON.

Meade became aware of Lee's purpose too late to make the following a walk, or even an easy run.

It was so closely parallel, at times, that it was not certain which army was in the pursuit, and when at Bristoe Station,

On October 14th, the 2d Corps and a portion of the 5th were attacked, while marching by the flank, by a portion of Hill's Corps under Heth, Warren did a service for the Army of the Potomac, and his Country, which should have avoided the decree of April, 1865, removing him from his Command.

It was the only Infantry engagement of moment in the movement, and had the effect of making this the last in the series of Lee's running campaigns on Washington.

On his way back, starting on the

19th, Lee destroyed the Railroad, which Meade rebuilt as the Army of the Potomac advanced leisurely to the Rappahannock.

On November 7th, Meade forded the river at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford, the battling at both points being severe, and the Army of the Potomac _no more came back until without a foe_.

November 8th, Lee crossed the Rapidan, _and he never came back_.

CAMP AT BRANDY STATION.

Meade's Army went into camp, the 84th to the left of Brandy Station, on land of John Minor Botts, and immediately commenced the erection of Winter quarters.

Picket duty and the ordinary engagements of the camp followed, until

November 25th, when the Army marched the few miles to the Rapidan, crossed over, and the rebels fell back, contesting all the way, until Locust Grove was reached on the

BATTLE OF LOCUST GROVE OR MINE RUN.

27th, where the Regiment was warmly engaged. Here occurred the incident which clearly proved the fastness of the colors of the 84th.

The whole line to the right and left gave way. This forced the Regiment to retire, and there was every indication of a precipitate retreat. The Regiment had gone but its flags were still there. The Adjutant came promptly to the direction of the Colors, and the two flags in the hands of the Bearers, supported by the Color Guard, marched off the field to the ordinary step, and in as orderly manner as when passing from the Parade Ground to Headquarters. The flags might have been captured, and the Adjutant and Guard with them, but it would have been a capture to which no discredit would have attached.

1 officer and 8 men wounded.

From the field of Locust Grove to Mine Run, and a sight of the defences of Lee.

CONTEMPLATED CHARGE AT MINE RUN.

On the night of the 28th, orders were given to charge the enemy's works the next morning at 8 o'clock, and by daylight the Army was in line, awaiting the order to advance. It was well the order of execution was not given. The slaughter that would have ensued would have been without its fellow in the tales of the War.

Pickett at Gettysburg was a thing of Parade compared with what this would have been.

The troops would have gone over a space which thereafter would have been noted as the Field of Death.

Meade thought one way; Warren the other.

Warren was right, and Meade saw, in time, that he, himself, was wrong.

_This act of Warren did not call for what was done him at Five Forks._

BACK AT BRANDY STATION.

The day passed, and in the night, the pickets cautioned to keep the fires going and then left to take care of themselves, Meade had his Army quietly slip away from out of sight of the defences they had only looked upon, and then, without hurry, back to the old camp at Brandy Station, where from the 2d of December, 1863, to May 3d, 1864, the camp life of Winter was unbroken, save for a day or two, taken up by the march to the Rapidan on February 6th, as a caution to Lee, who was somewhat restless to learn what the Army in front of him was doing.

VETERAN RE-ENLISTMENTS.

Also the re-enlistments for the Veteran three years, accompanied by the furlough for thirty days.

But during this time there occurred what was to subject all elements of all the Armies of the Union to harmony of action, and thus, in good time, end the attempt at the destruction of the Union, and thereby cease the struggle for its maintenance.

GRANT IN COMMAND OF ALL THE ARMIES.

By special Act of Congress the rank of Lieutenant-General was revived, and, by the President, conferred on Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, with assignment to the command of all the Armies of the United States, Halleck being relieved as General-in-Chief, and assigned to duty in Washington as Army Chief of Staff.

After the severe experiences of three years, the Executive and Legislative Departments had come to the common agreement, that the rebellion could be put down with one Army, but never with a score, with ten, nor even two. Starting anew, there would be one Captain of the Host.

The Army of the Potomac was now--2d Corps, Hancock; 5th Corps, Warren; 6th Corps, Sedgwick; Cavalry, Sheridan; and Hunt, Chief of Artillery; Meade in command of the whole, but Grant always present.

The 84th was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 4th Division (Mott), 2d Corps (Hancock), and from this on the references to the 2d Corps will be, mainly, our account of the 84th.

GRANT'S CAMPAIGN.

Soon after midnight,

May 3-4, '64, was inaugurated Grant's Campaign--the longest, but the last, of the War.

The Army of the Potomac moved off their five months' camping ground, thereafter to realize that armies could move without regard to seasons.

Pontoons were thrown across the Rapidan, principally at Germania and Ely's Fords.

Passed over the battle ground of just a year before, at Chancellorsville, and came well into the Wilderness on the

5th. At 9 o'clock, Hancock was ordered to the support of Getty's Division, the 2d of the 6th Corps, who had run against the enemy on the Orange Plank and Turnpike Roads.

The woods and narrow roads prevented Hancock from getting into position until 4 o'clock, when he sent Birney's and Mott's Divisions to Getty's support, and saved him from a rout.

Fighting continued until dark.

Grant's disposition of the troops placed Hancock in command of about one-half the Line, and thus located, he was ordered to attack at 4 o'clock the morning of the 6th, subsequently changed, at Meade's suggestion, to 5 o'clock. The movement was prompt, and to the left of the Orange Plank Road.

BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

By the end of the first hour of the desperate fighting of that morning, it was Grant's belief, that "if the country had been such that Hancock and his Command could have seen the confusion and panic in the lines of the enemy, it would have been taken advantage of so effectually, that Lee would not have made another stand outside the Richmond defences."

The enemy got close upon a portion of the 2d Corps before being seen, owing to the density of the woods, and they were so suddenly forced back as to compel the retirement of Mott's Division also to the intrenched position of the morning.

The Battle was kept up from 5 o'clock in the morning until night, and all the time within a width of space averaging not over three-quarters of a mile.

During the night all of Lee's army withdrew within their intrenchments.

Grant said "that more desperate fighting had not been witnessed on this Continent, than that of the 5th and 6th of May."

The 84th was in the very thick of the fight. 9 men killed, 2 officers and 39 men wounded.

The character of this fighting ground is a thing of history. Heavy timber, close, thick underbrush, impossibility of knowing where the enemy was until close at hand, the burning breast-works, all present factors in the fight, gave Grant to know that he had an Army on whom he could rely for the very best of service.

Grant had the faith before he had applied the test, for on the 5th all the bridges over the Rapidan had been taken up, except the one at Germania Ford, showing that he had no thought of necessity for recrossing the river.

DEATH OF COL. OPP.

Among the wounded of the 84th was its Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Opp, shot through the lung. He suffered, and how bravely, until the 9th, when he died. And it but honors every soldier of the Regiment, from the highest in rank to the lowest, when it is said, that with his going out there was made a vacancy in the Regimental household, which we have felt from then to the present, and will ever feel, until we greet him in our Reunion when we gather together in that other time which shall follow upon this.

In the closing weeks of '62 the Regiment had sought and found new life, and with the beginning of '63 had started off anew, cleared of all that might have held it back in the then coming time. Milton Opp was then the Second Officer of the Regiment. He was possessed of an ambition worthy of all the praise that grateful men could well bestow; ambitious, not for himself, but for his Regiment. In command from January, 1863, to the time of his death, the very example of his manner, his bearing, whether with belt on or off, was such, as to bring up the tone of every soldier of the 84th. The lowest in the Regiment was higher, the highest was higher, because of the presence of Milton Opp. No Regimental Headquarters surpassed his in integrity of purpose, firmness without severity of action or sense of duty in everything that was calculated to incline a Regiment of soldiers to be a credit to themselves, and an honor to their State.

How much the situation did for the general tone of the Regiment has, perhaps, been more thought of since than during the time of its service.

Aided from the beginning by a most faithful and altogether most competent Adjutant, Colonel Opp brought the Regiment up to a standard of discipline from which his successors in command never saw it depart, from which, good and able officers that they were, they would not have permitted it to depart. Between their task and his, and it detracts not one whit from them to think it or to say it, there was this difference; he made it the easier for them to carry out well, as they faithfully did, what he had so well provided. He was the most loved by those whose acquaintance with him was the most intimate. A gentleman, a Christian, a man.

How we would all welcome him, could we greet him now. And by none would he have been welcomed among us with more of good, earnest feeling, than by him who so well succeeded to the Command which was left by Milton Opp on the 6th of May, 1864.

* * * * *

The Battle of the Wilderness had been fought. When the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac learned that a drawn battle could be made in its results a great victory, when they learned that Grant not only commanded the masses of the troops, but had firm control of the official elements, and 48 hours was sufficient for the lesson, is it any wonder that "the greatest enthusiasm was manifested by Hancock's troops," when, on the 7th of May, Grant rode behind the 2d Corps, lying on the Brock Road, "inspired," says Grant, "no doubt by the fact that the movement was South."

No more exhibitions of jealousy among Commanders of Corps. Such conduct was now to send a Major-General to the rear as a useless incumbrance.

* * * * *

Early on the morning of the 7th, Grant's order had gone out for a night march to Spottsylvania.

An encounter with Early detained the 2d Corps at Todd's Tavern, and kept it from Spottsylvania on the 8th.

Having got rid of Early, at noon on the 9th Hancock was ordered up from Todd's Tavern, excepting Mott's Division, which followed later in the day.

Sedgwick, commanding the 6th Corps, was killed on the morning of the 9th, by a rebel sharpshooter.

On the 10th, Hancock was ordered to attack with the 2d, 5th and 6th Corps. The assault was made about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, with not altogether satisfactory result. Mott's Division was on the left of the 6th Corps.

On the 11th, the only movement was by Mott's Division, acting under orders to develop a weak spot in the enemy's line. The outcome of this reconnoissance was Grant's order of the 11th, for an assault at precisely 4 A.M. of the 12th, "with all possible vigor, the preparations to be conducted with the utmost secrecy, and veiled entirely from the enemy."

BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA.

The heavy fog delayed the start one hour.

The objective point was the salient, where, after the conflict, lay Lee's soldiers piled one upon another, just as they fell.

The rebel captured numbered 4000, among them Major-General Edward Johnson, Division Commander, and Brigadier-General Stewart, commanding a Brigade; a score of guns, with horses, caissons and ammunition, and several thousand small arms.

Loss to the Regiment, 9 men killed, 1 officer and 27 men wounded.

It was on May 13th, that Grant in a letter to the Secretary of War made use of the memorable words, "I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all Summer."

On the 13th, Grant recommended our old Brigade Commander, Carroll, for promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General.

Mott's Division was reduced to a Brigade, and assigned to Birney's Division.

Whatever further might have been done in pressing Lee at Spottsylvania, was prevented by the heavy rain which commenced on the night of the 13th.

On the 18th, Grant gave orders for the movement by the left flank on to Richmond.

One road from Spottsylvania to Fredericksburg was now open to Lee, and on the

CHANGE OF BASE OF SUPPLIES.

19th, the Base of Supplies was shifted from Fredericksburg to Port Royal.

On the 20th, orders were renewed for the left flank movement to commence after night.

Hancock, having the lead, marched Easterly to Guiney's Station, on the Fredericksburg Railroad, thence Southerly to Bowling Green and Milford, arriving at Milford on the night of the 21st.

On the 22d, the 2d Corps was permitted to rest through the day and night.

AT NORTH ANNA RIVER.

23d, Hancock moved to the Wooden Bridge, West of the Fredericksburg Railroad Bridge, over the North Anna River, the rebel guard being intrenched on the North side. The guard gave way quickly, but so rapid was the move upon the bridge that several of the rebels were forced through the water. Owing to the late hour the Corps did not cross until the next morning.

Regiment had 1 officer and 5 men wounded.

BASE OF SUPPLIES AGAIN CHANGED.

On the 26th, Base of Supplies changed from Port Royal to White House.

All the troops South of the North Anna were crossed back to the North side, and moved under orders to proceed to Hanover, a point within 20 miles of Richmond.

On the 29th, at Hanover.

The 2d Corps moved toward Tolopotomy Creek to discover the whereabouts of the enemy. He was found strongly fortified.

BATTLE OF TOLOPOTOMY.

On May 31st and June 1st, the Regiment was engaged with the enemy at Pleasant Hill, known as the Battle of Tolopotomy.

4 men killed, 3 officers and 13 men wounded.

COLD HARBOR.

From June 1st to 3d, at Cold Harbor.

1 officer and 6 men wounded.

On June 5th, Grant determined upon moving the Army South of the James.

On Evening of the 13th, 2d Corps was at Charles City Court House, on the James River.

CROSSING OF JAMES RIVER.

On the 14th, 2d Corps crossed in the advance, using bridge and boats.

ARRIVED IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG.

On the 15th, arrived after dark in front of Petersburg, and relieved Smith's troops in the trenches.

16th to 18th, continuous fighting.

2 men killed, 3 officers and 11 men wounded.

On the 22d, the 2d Corps was moved to the left to draw the enemy out, or to compel him to remain within his lines. He staid in, and now began the Siege of Petersburg, with the 9th Corps on the Right, then the 5th, 2d Corps next, and then the 6th broken off to the South.

The next movement was not until

DEEP BOTTOM.

July 26th, when the 2d Corps and the Cavalry crossed the James River to Deep Bottom, for the purpose of drawing some of Lee's forces to the North side of the James, pending the Explosion of the Mine which had been worked in front of the 9th Corps, commencing on June 25th, and was now ready to be fired.

On the 29th, the 2d Corps was brought back to the James, and crossed over at night, with orders to proceed to that part of the line where the Mine was located.

EXPLOSION OF MINE.

The Explosion was in itself a success, but history records a complete failure in result.

On August 13th and 14th, to keep Lee from sending troops to the Valley against Sheridan, the 2d Corps, part of the 10th, and Gregg's Division of Cavalry, were crossed over the James, with orders not to bring on a battle.

BATTLE OF CHARLES CITY CROSS ROADS.

It was quite a severe move for the Regiment, an engagement with the rebels at Charles City Cross Roads on the 15th resulting in 2 men killed, 1 officer and 16 men wounded, and several captured, who suffered the horrors of Salisbury for many months, some of them dying for want of food, water and shelter.

On the night of the 20th, withdrew from the North side of the James River, and Hancock and Gregg sent Southward to destroy the Weldon Railroad. Ream's Station fought on the 25th.

MOVEMENT TO EXTREME LEFT.

October 1st, moved with the Corps to Yellow House, and thence to the extreme left of the line. First line of enemy's works charged and carried.

The Regiment was at this time a part of Pierce's Brigade, the 2d, Mott's (3d) Division, 2d Corps.

POPLAR SPRING CHURCH.

On the afternoon of the 2d, the 84th, with other troops, in all not a full regiment in number, with Colonel Zinn in command of the Charging Party, moved upon the second line at a point known as Poplar Spring Church. As soon as the rebel troops became aware of the purpose to charge, there was the disposition to abandon their position, but when they saw the small number of the Charging Party they resumed their places behind their works, and held their musketry fire, keeping up the fire of their guns, until the charging line was within a few feet, when they delivered such a fire, volley upon volley, as threatened to kill, or wound, every soldier of the 84th. As we think of that flood of balls, it seems incredible that none were killed, and only 8 wounded, 2 officers and 6 men.

Colonel Zinn was shot, and would now be going around upon one natural leg, had he not successfully fought the Surgeon's conclusion to take the other off.

October 4th, lay in rear of 9th Corps works, building forts and slashing timber.

5th, Brigade ordered to join the Corps, and marched to our old position near Fort Hayes.

6th, Regiment sent to garrison Fort Bross, on Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, in company with a Section of 14th Massachusetts Battery, 2 guns, under Lieutenant George. No other troops in the vicinity.

* * * * *

13th, Paymaster on hand with six months' arrears.

October 23d, Three years had now elapsed since the organization of the Regiment, and the men who had served during that time, and were not included in the number of Veteran Enlistments, were honorably discharged by reason of expiration of term of service.

25th, Regiment ordered to report to Division as soon as possible. At 1 P.M., left Fort Bross, and joined the Division between the Fort and Jerusalem Plank Road. Lay massed during the day and night.