1863. Nov. 27. Nov. 28. Nov. 29. Dec. 1. Dec. 2. Part of the Third Corps made a wrong move, and so delayed the army, that, instead of surprising Lee by concentrating at Robertson's Tavern and Parker's store, the day was occupied in passing the Rapidan. The First Corps marched at six A.M., reaching Robertson's Tavern at eleven A.M., and finding Warren engaged with the enemy. Our division crossed the plank-road to re-enforce Warren, whereupon the rebs retreated to a strong position on the west bank of Mine Run. At daybreak moved a half-mile, and relieved Hay's division. Marched two miles more, and formed line of battle near Mine Run, where Lee was concentrated and intrenched. At a little after dark the Twelfth went on picket. The line of battle was six miles in length, and consisted of the Second and Sixth Corps, two divisions of the First Corps, and part of the Third Corps. At eight A.M. The regiment lay on its arms all day. Meade announced his plan of battle. Warren was to assail the right: one hour later Sedgwick was to attack the left, while the First and Third Corps were to assault the centre. The artillery promptly opened; the skirmishers in the centre dashed forward; Sedgwick. was all ready; but Warren, after a careful examination, pronounced the scheme hopeless; and Meade acquiesced in Warren's opinion. In the morning the Twelfth shifted to the left of the turnpike, and at four P.M. started for Germania Ford, where it bivouacked, after a ten-mile march. Crossed the Rapidan at five A.м. on pontoons; marched three-quarters of a mile and stacked arms. At ten A.M. were sent to support a battery. At noon marched, and bivouacked to the right of Brandy Station after a twelvemile journey. The campaigning of 1863 was over. Since crossing the Potomac, on July 18, the regiment had marched nearly three hundred miles; and, though not actually engaged with the enemy to any great extent, it had borne its full share of hardship and privation. When we recollect the duties of an army commissary, the following story Dec. 2. 1863. told by the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers is certainly a vivid commentary on how the men in the ranks must have fared. In speaking of the Mine-Run campaign, the historian of the Eleventh Pennsylvania says, "Even the brigade commissary was on short allowance, as the novel mode to which he resorted to supply himself will fully attest. Riding off some distance from the troops to a fine-looking residence, he represented himself to the family as an officer of Stuart's cavalry, disguised in Yankee uniform the better to watch the movements of the Yankee army. Without a question he was taken into their confidence. All the information they had was readily communicated, and — better still for the captain preparations were at once made for dinner. An old colored woman who overheard the conversation, unperceived by the family, started off in all haste for the nearest body of soldiers. She was not long in finding some one to listen to her story, and a lieutenant and a squad of men were despatched to make the arrest. The squad arrived at the house as the officer was sitting down to the table. Expostulation was useless; they had no time for delay; and he yielded himself a prisoner to the guard. Taken before the corps commander, of course he was recognized as Capt. Bucklin, commissary of the second brigade; but it was Capt. Bucklin without his dinner.”1 1 Story of the Regiment, p. 311. 1863. Dec. 3. Dec. 4. Dec. 5. Dec. 6. Dec. 10. Dec. 12. Dec. 14. Dec. 20. Dec. 23. Dec. 24. A CHAPTER X. THE LAST WINTER. T nine A.M. marched without rations, crossed Mountain Run, and waded Kelly's Ford - water waist deep. Camped on the north side of the river. Re-crossed, and camped on the south side. The Ninth New York, in their regimental history, say of this, "The object in fording the river twice in twenty-four hours through the dead of winter was a mystery; but the supposition was, that it was the ebullition of angry feelings from the one that ordered it. However, it was uncalled for." General at two P.M.; after getting all packed up, the recall sounded at six P.M. New clothing arrived. At night the rebels fired on our pickets. Thirty-three conscripts joined. Ordered to get ready for winter quarters. Formally ordered into winter quarters. The men having been working on their houses since the 5th, on this day completed and occupied them. Clear and cold. Mud knee-deep. An orderly brought to the camp news of rebel cavalry lurking in the vicinity. Cars from Washington passed through to Brandy Station for the first time in six days. Received marching orders. Reveille at four A.M.; marched at seven A.M. Major Cook left for home sick; and Capt. Hastings took command of the regiment. Marched fifteen miles, and camped near Cedar Run. 1 P. 174. 1863. Dec. 25. After a hard day's work, got into the second winter 1864. quarters. Jan. 1. Jan. 2. Jan. 5. Jan. 6. Jan. 10. Jan. 11. Jan. 12. Jan. 21. Jan. 25. Jan. 27. Jan. 29. Jan. 30. Jan. 31. Feb. 1. Feb. 4. Ordered to Cedar Mountain. In a driving snow-storm, marched at six A.M. Ordered to Culpeper, which place was reached at dark. Capt. D. D. Jones, quartermaster, assigned the regiment to some buildings on corner of Davis and Commerce Streets. They had formerly been used as warehouses by the Adams Express Company. From their resemblance to the historic prison at Richmond, these quarters were promptly nicknamed "The Libby." The Twelfth Massachusetts and Eighty-eighth and Ninetieth Pennsylvania were assigned to provost duty, relieving the Fourteenth Brooklyn. Capt. Hastings left for home on ten days' leave of absence; Capt. Hazel in command of the regiment. Sunday. Several reb deserters came in. began to be granted. Six volunteers joined regiment. Furloughs One of the brigade ambulances was seized by Virginia cavalry, and taken to Richmond. Gen. Newton's family arrived. At night our pickets heard some firing along the reb line. In the morning thirty-eight reb deserters came in. The firing heard on the night of the 25th was caused by the rebs endeavoring to resist the departure of ninety-eight of their comrades. Moved on the Sperryville pike, one and a half miles from town, and built the third winter quarters. The rest of the brigade arrived, bringing two plagues, the enrolment officer and the small-pox. A few were persuaded to re-enlist. The month closed with a snow-storm: there were but two pleasant days in it. Rain. One hundred and three reb deserters came in at night. In the evening a delegation attended a concert in Culpeper, given by the Fourteenth Brooklyn. At eleven P.M. received marching orders. 1864. Feb. 5. Feb. 7. Feb. 9. Feb. 13. Feb. 20. Feb. 22. Feb. 24. Feb. 29. Marched at 6.30 A.M. Firing heard in direction of Raccoon Ford. The rebs were plainly visible, and now and then a shot from their batteries went over our heads. The batteries with us made no reply, orders being not to bring on an engagement. The violent rain made the road a sea of mud, through which we floundered till nightfall, when the regiment bivouacked in a field near Raccoon Ford. The rebel artillery fire grew so hot that at seven A.M. the regiment shifted camp. During the day we changed camp three times. Twice the rebs tried to break our picket-line, but failed. At 5.30 P.M. we started back for Culpeper, distant nine miles. The roads were frightful. Often the artillery had to double up, and the infantry help pull the guns. During the day the regiment marched twenty miles, reaching Culpeper at nine P.M. We found our old camp untouched, but the troops in Culpeper were all packed up and waiting orders. The paymaster arrived, and the concerts of the Fourteenth Brooklyn were well patronized. One volunteer joined the regiment. Cold, with many cases of frost-bite. The first and second divisions were reviewed. Major Cook returned from sick-leave, and resumed command. A violent rain-storm raged for thirty-eight hours. Fourteen reb deserters came in. Gen. Newton reviewed the corps. The Third and Sixth Corps passed camp. At eleven P.M. received orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Furious rain-storm. At noon one of Company H died in hospital. His body was sent home to Massachusetts. |