MILITARY: One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Second Regiment, Bucktail Brigade, Chapter 17 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB & JP Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm Table of contents for the book with graphics, may be found at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/military/cw/150-bucktails/150-bucktails.htm ________________________________________________ HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, SECOND REGIMENT, BUCKTAIL BRIGADE. BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THOMAS CHAMBERLIN, HISTORIAN OF THE SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION. REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION, WITH COMPLETE ROSTER. PHILADELPHIA: F. McMANUS, JR. & CO., PRINTERS, 1905. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS CHAPTER XVII. FROM CENTREVILLE BACK TO THE "OLD STAMPING GROUND" - WARRENTON JUNCTION - MINE RUN - PAOLI MILLS. THWARTED in his effort to take Meade at a disadvantage and deliver an effective blow on his flank somewhere between the Rappahannock and Manassas Junction - a region whose multitude of roads had more than once before furnished opportunities of successful attack by means of rapid circuitous marches, - Lee soon retraced his steps and led his army back to the neighborhood of Culpeper. The Union forces were promptly in motion in the same direction. On the 19th of October the First Corps left Centreville and advanced to Haymarket, over roads which had been rendered very heavy by recent rains. Next day the column passed through Thoroughfare Gap and encamped about a mile from Bull Run Mountain. Before the 150th and the other regiments of the brigade had fairly relieved themselves of their knapsacks, on the evening of the 19th, a considerable body of cavalry, which had pushed forward some miles to reconnoitre, came back in headlong gallop, closely pursued by a superior force of rebel horse, who in the gathering darkness rode into the very midst of the infantry before perceiving their danger, and only by a helter-skelter retreat escaped capture. On the afternoon of the 22d Major Chamberlin returned and resumed the command of the regiment, which had moved its camp close to the mountain. Two days later the division retired through the gap to Gainesville Station, and' thence to Bristoe, the Bucktail Brigade acting as rear-guard, and covering the wagon trains, which moved with difficulty on account 178 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH of the miry condition of the roads. Soon after leaving Gainesville heavy firing of small-arms was heard some distance in the rear, and as it was supposed that Stuart's cavalry was playing some prank with Kilpatrick, the brigade quickly took position to receive the enemy. Mounted couriers soon reported that Kilpatrick's command was emptying its carbines preparatory to cleaning them, and the march was resumed and completed without further alarm. At Broad Run there was no bridge, and wagons and men forded the stream in water over two feet deep. Reaching Bristoe at ten P.M. thoroughly basted with mud, the troops passed an uncomfortable night, the temperature having fallen almost to the freezing-point. Here the 150th remained a week or more, improving each fair day by a full measure of company and battalion drill. Captain Jones and Lieutenant Bell, who had been in Philadelphia on recruiting service, rejoined their companies about the 23d, leaving Lieutenant Kilgore to make further efforts in behalf of the regiment. Sergeant-Major Lyon returned on the 24th, having been absent since the battle of Gettysburg. On the 27th the 143d Pennsylvania was sent to Manassas Junction to guard the railroad. Lieutenant Fisher returned from the ambulance train to duty with his company on the 30th. In the early part of November a general movement of the army began. The First and Second Divisions of the First Corps advanced to Catlett Station, November 5th, and on the 6th continued the march towards the Rappahannock. On the latter day the Second Brigade, Third Division, moved from Bristoe to Warrenton Junction. The Mine Run diversion had begun. A pleasing incident, on the 6th of November, was the unexpected appearance at regimental headquarters of Private Dennis Buckley, of Company H, 6th Michigan Cavalry, who had borne a gallant part with the 150th at Gettysburg. He PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 179 was warmly welcomed by all who had witnessed his admirable conduct in that engagement. "Sure, I had lots of fun after that", he said; and he told, among other things, how his regiment had swept over some rifle-pits near Williamsport, where, with his own hand, he had collared a rebel colonel and brought him back a prisoner. "He was mad as a blind bull, the uppish grayback; but I swung my sabre in a promiscuous manner, and he came along without further coaxing". Dennis was a born soldier, who saw only the agreeable side of campaigning, and never murmured at hard work as long as he could shake a ration out of his haversack. On the 7th the Second, Third and a portion of the First Corps (First and Second Divisions) took the direction of Kelly's Ford, while the Fifth and Sixth moved towards Rappahannock Station. At Warrenton Junction the sound of cannonading could be distinctly heard from the latter point during the afternoon, but nothing was known of what occurred until the following morning, when news was received of the storming of the rebel redoubts near the railroad bridge, at nightfall, and the capture of a large part of Hoke's and Hays's brigades, with several stands of colors and a battery of guns. The prisoners were marched back to Warrenton Junction on the 8th, and sent by train to Washington. The beginning of Meade's movement was as brilliant as its end was disappointing. As the Third Division of the First Corps had no part in the Mine Run affair, except to insure the safety of the army supplies in transit, it is unnecessary to follow the operations of the troops in that brief and unsuccessful campaign. For the protection of the railroad, the several brigades of the division were at first distributed as follows: the Third (Marylanders) at Bristoe Station; the First at Catlett; the Second (Bucktails) at Warrenton Junction, at which last-named point General Kenly established his headquarters. This assignment 180 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH was soon modified, the 143d and 149th Pennsylvania being sent to Bristoe and Manassas Junction and the Maryland brigade transferred to Warrenton Junction. The latter station was regarded of such importance, on account of the heavy supply trains which frequently rested upon the "Y", that in addition to the 150th and the Maryland brigade (which in numbers equalled the other two combined), General Kenly posted two batteries of artillery near his headquarters, and kept a squadron or two of cavalry within hail. As Mosby's independent command of mounted bushwhackers was known to be in the rear of the Union army, a sharp lookout was kept for him all along the line, involving the maintenance of an extended circle of pickets around each station, with heavy patrols in almost constant motion up and down the railroad track. While the Marylanders remained, the duty at Warrenton Junction was not excessive; but about the 23d of November General Kenly received orders to change his headquarters to Rappahannock Station, and on the following morning departed, taking with him the entire Maryland brigade, the two batteries of artillery, and the cavalry. This left the 150th, with an added detail of about one hundred men (chiefly conscripts, newly arrived) from the 143d and 149th, to guard a post which had previously required the services of at least two thousand troops of all arms. Major Chamberlin, who was left in command, at once found it necessary to contract the picket line and reduce the strength of the patrols; but with the best dispositions that could possibly be made, at least one-half of his force of three hundred men was on active duty each day. To better insure the safety of the halted trains, he withdrew from the edge of the pleasant grove, some distance back from the railroad, in which the camp had originally been pitched by General Kenly's orders, and located the regiment on a knoll immediately overlooking the junction. Snow having fallen on November 9th and 10th, giving promise of an early winter, snug quarters were erected as PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 181 rapidly as the exacting demands of the service permitted, and a line of rifle-pits was prepared encircling the entire camp. Here the men felt more secure than before, but the details for picket and patrol purposes were necessarily as heavy as ever, and almost nightly alarms occurring at one point or another, from the attempts of guerillas to penetrate the lines, the nervous tension finally became such that not a member of the command but would gladly have exchanged places with the troops confronting the enemy at Mine Run. Near Catlett and other stations along the railroad the bushwhacking element was active, and several men who had gone a short distance from their camps to cut wood or wash their clothes were shot down in cold blood and stripped to the skin. This state of affairs at last became intolerable, and Colonel Biddle, commanding the First Brigade, sent out details of cavalry and infantry with instructions to scour the country for several miles on each side of the railroad, and arrest and bring to his headquarters, at Catlett, every male citizen who could be found. Quite a number were "rounded up" in a few hours,-a longhaired, brigandish-looking set, in "butternut" suits,-every one of whom probably belonged to Mosby's "Irregulars"; but being well provided with properly signed passes, as well as certificates to the effect that they had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States government, nothing was to be done with them but to let them go. A few, whose papers were defective or who lacked written evidence of their loyalty, were sent to Old Capitol Prison at Washington. Among others who were arrested was Dr. Catlett-a gentleman well advanced in years-whose comparatively young and handsome wife came to Colonel Biddle to plead for her husband's release. Arrayed in the remains of ante-bellum finery, with gown and hat of a departed fashion, her appearance at a social gathering anywhere north of the Potomac would doubtless have provoked a smile; but to the war-worn 182 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH soldier, confined by his calling to this ravaged and hoof-beaten strip of the Old Dominion, she was a most picturesque and pleasing figure. The colonel was a paragon of severity in manner and feature, cool and passionless as an icicle; but the tears and entreaties of this admirable woman did their perfect work, and her aged husband was permitted to return to his home. Such was the feeling in the ranks towards the long-haired gentry near the railroad, who by day were "inoffensive farmers", but were with reason suspected to be guerillas by night, that when, in the course of the same afternoon, two of the lank and hated tribe, who had been released at Catlett, passed near the camp of the 150th, appeals were made to the commanding officer by several of the men for permission to go outside and waylay them. Of course he could not countenance such a procedure, though persuaded in his own mind that a little shooting and hanging, and a judicious application of the torch to the farm-houses and barns on either side of the railroad, would save the Union army a world of annoyance. One bright afternoon, just before Thanksgiving Day, a rickety wagon, drawn by two melancholy looking horses whose frame-work was sharply outlined against their hides, and whose harness was a complicated blending of leather and hemp, drew up in close proximity to the camp. In it sat an old couple who seemed to have fared as meagrely as their "critters"; but they were bright and chirrupy, and had brought an assorted load of "country produce" from Brentsville, to exchange at fair prices for greenbacks. Such an arrival was a godsend, and in a moment the wagon was surrounded by an eager crowd of purchasers, clamorous for bargains. Chickens, eggs, potatoes, turnips and other supplies were handed out as fast as change could be made, and were carried off to quarters in triumph. A dainty morsel, in the shape of a pair of fine young ducks, was coveted by many of the men; but the three dollars PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 183 at which they were held seemed to spoil their market, and though often caressingly handled, they invariably found their way back into the wagon. The roguish element is never wanting in a regiment. A fair-haired, beardless youth, of Company E, found in the ducks an irresistible temptation. Watching his opportunity, he slipped them from under the very noses of the old couple, without detection, and, hiding them under his blouse, walked coolly to his tent. The theft was soon discovered and the air filled with lamentations by the old woman, who vowed she would stop all transactions then and there. They were Union people, she said, who since the beginning of the war had suffered much persecution from rebel neighbors, and had had a hard struggle for existence. And to have her beautiful ducks stolen by Union soldiers, - it was too much! And she refused to be comforted, even by the thought of the goodly roll of bills which she had already pocketed. The regimental commander, who from a distance had looked on and enjoyed the scene, was cognizant of the rape of the clucks, and felt that it was time to intervene. His desire was to encourage the bringing of wholesome vegetables and other supplies to the camp. He accordingly ordered the ducks to be restored to their owners, which was done, and the old couple drove away in their creaking vehicle in great contentment. The health of the regiment at this time was excellent, and Dr. Strauss, the only medical officer present, was easily able to do justice to all his patients. Dr. Quinan, for reasons best known to himself, failed to rejoin the command after the battle of Gettysburg, and on the 23d of November was dismissed the service, thus making way for the promotion of Dr. Strauss. Shortly before this (November 15) Henry M. Kieffer,* a fair-haired drummer-boy of Company D, in the absence of a *Rev. Henry M. Kieffer, D.D., is best known by his "Recollections of a Drummer-Boy", which first appeared in St. Nicholas, and since, in book form, have given pleasure to many thousands of readers. 184 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH hospital steward, was promoted to that position. Being a bright, intelligent youth, of good education, and a general favorite in the regiment, his appointment gave great satisfaction, though in its reduced condition the drum-corps keenly felt his withdrawal. Expressions of regret were often heard at the fact that Adjutant Ashhurst's services were lost to the command, that accomplished officer having retired from the army on the 10th of September, on surgeon's certificate of disability. Highly educated, polished in his manners, of a genial disposition, conscientious and untiring in the discharge of his countless duties, patriotic, brave and always gentlemanly, he was sorely missed in the detail work of the regiment, and his absence left a void in the headquarters mess which it was impossible to fill. Corporal William H. Hirst, of Company I, was wounded in the thigh, near Catlett Station, on or about November 25th, while assisting to repel an attack on an ammunition train by a portion of Mosby's command. On the morning of November 30th, Lieutenant W.L. Wilson, acting assistant adjutant-general, First Brigade, brought an order from Colonel Biddle (to whose command the 150th was temporarily assigned) to send a sergeant and twenty-one men for permanent duty at Licking Run Bridge, about two miles west of Warrenton Junction. Major Chamberlin, wondering if the colonel had gone entirely daft, immediately mounted his horse and rode to Catlett, hoping to have the order countermanded. Colonel Biddle assured him that it had come down from division headquarters and was imperative. "But, colonel, you know as well as I do that Mosby's men are in our neighborhood, and that placing so small a force at that distant post is simply inviting its capture. It would not be surprising if the men were all gobbled up the very first night." PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 185 "I know it", said the colonel; "but there is no alternative, and you are absolved in advance from all responsibility for the consequences." The detail was sent out about noon, and fixed its camp at the foot of the high embankment, on the farther side of the stream, a few yards from the bridge. That night, about eleven o'clock, firing was heard in the direction of Licking Run, and twenty minutes later one of the men of the detail came in breathless, stating that the post had been attacked by Mosby and several of the guards captured. A mounted orderly was sent in hot haste to Colonel Biddle to report the disaster and request that a squadron or two of cavalry be despatched to the scene. Four companies of the 150th had been instructed to sleep with their accoutrements on, and these were promptly called out and marched with the utmost rapidity towards the bridge. The cavalry passed them on the way, but failed to encounter Mosby, who had had ample time to reach a place of safety. On arriving at the bridge, the infantry found the guards at their posts, and quickly learned the details of the attack, which was less disastrous in its results than it might have been. The force of the enemy was variously estimated at from fifty to a hundred, and had come down quietly on the little camp, in the darkness, evidently with a full knowledge of its exact location and the number of men with whom they had to deal. The sentinels on duty gave the alarm as soon as the enemy's approach was discovered, but it was too late, and seven men were picked up before they could get out of their tents. The rest escaped across the run and opened a vigorous fire, which doubtless had much to do with the hasty disappearance of the attacking party, who made no effort to fire the bridge. Strengthening the guard, and leaving a reliable commissioned officer in charge, the major led the four companies back to camp. A few days later a Richmond paper, which in some way had come through the lines, reported the arrival of [sic, some text apparently omitted.] 188 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH A few days later (December 19) he writes, "The major has gone off on a ten days' leave. Wise man, not to stay where he is not needed! One field-officer is all that our small brood needs to keep it in order, and then four eyes would see more rebel property disappear than two eyes, which would be harsh towards men fighting for their country. Our men, one night on the march, had to give up nine horses. When they moved in the morning they had fifteen more. Self-preservation is a commendable trait in soldiers". Speaking of horses, the entire region from Manassas to the Rapidan abounded in these animals, many of which had been disabled in battle, while others had broken down in the transportation service and had been turned loose to die at their leisure. Rest and abundant pasture in many instances restored the suffering beasts to a fair condition of health and strength, and such were speedily utilized by the infantry officers in conveying their baggage from one camping ground to another. On one occasion, "Rody", of Company B, came into camp leading by an improvised rope halter a wretched mule, which had been discharged for disability and with difficulty was going on three legs. On its back he had packed a mass of camp-kettles, knapsacks and miscellaneous articles, which completely masked the animal's body, and rose like a mountain in the centre. Addressing his company commander, he said, "Captain, I've brought you a horse to carry your baggage". "But what are you doing with that house-furnishing stock on his back ?" "Well, you see, captain, the d-d beast kicks like h-l, and I had to load him down to keep him from kicking." At that moment the offended mule began to give a practical exhibition of his attainments as a kicker, and never ceased until he had relieved himself of the entire burden of what "Rody" was pleased to call his "equipperments". PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 189 It is needless to add that the captain declined the proffered pack-horse. On the 14th of December, Lieutenant-Colonel Huidekoper writes, "Colonel Wister made a capture of some hundred sheep a few days ago, and has still a few left, which Rittenhouse prepares for us when we want mutton. . . .Leaves of absence and furloughs are being granted to the number of eight to a regiment at one time, and I am thronged by worthy applicants. As a rule, I give preference to the married men, and the boys laughingly ask permission to go home to get married". On the 21st, in another letter, he says, "Thanks for the stockings for the men, which were distributed immediately to the most needy, as requested. Colonel Wister advised, when he heard I had stockings for the men, to give them away at guard-mounting. The man who saluted me worst yesterday, and who was evidently the most needy, had a pair promised him as soon as he should learn to salute properly, which he soon did. I was almost tempted to keep one of the fine pairs for myself, but it went to a Germantown boy . . . .Our cook, Nelson, who is nearly sixty years of age, will not allow the `boys' to do anything for me. He receives at my hands a ration of whiskey a day, saying, 'Massa, I need it; I'se getting old' ". Winter had now fairly set in, but the regiment was provided with comfortable quarters and looked forward to weeks, if not months, of profound inactivity. With much labor they had constructed huts of young pine timber, with generous fireplaces and approved chimneys, and hoped to be allowed to enjoy them until the opening of spring should summon them to fresh campaigns. In this they were disappointed. On the 23d of December the ground was covered with snow and the air was clear and crisp, making the atmosphere of the well-built quarters doubly enjoyable. Before night orders came to be ready to move, and on the 24th the division broke 190 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH camp and marched, over roads that would have been almost impassable but for a foundation of recently laid corduroy, to Culpeper Court-House, which was reached about four P. M. Here the regiment bivouacked just outside of the upper end of the town, in a grove of young pines, not far from a large frame dwelling which had been selected by General Kenly as his headquarters. The 143d and 149th went into the oak timber half a mile beyond, on the property of a Mrs. Green-a comely widow of most lady-like manners and still in the freshness of her womanhood -a part of whose delightful old mansion was occupied by Colonel Wister and the brigade staff.