Life
on Campaign
he
life of the Civil War soldier has been described as being characterized
by long months of boring fatigue duties, strict discipline in the ranks,
and frequent repetitive drilling, interspersed with brief interludes
of terrifying, immensely bloody encounters with the enemy.
Yet
for even the most seasoned veterans, the month-and-a-half-long Overland
Campaign of late spring 1864 was unusual in both duration and intensity.
For weeks on end, the Army of the Potomac was run ragged by almost nightly
marches and exhausting fatigue duty - troops building earthworks and
destroying rail lines - all the while exposed to constant sniping from
and frequent battles with Confederate forces.
Hardships
were many and compounded by a lack of adequate supplies. For much of
the fast- moving campaign, the Union army's horse-drawn wagon trains
struggled to keep up with the advancing troops. As often as not, they
fell into the hands of the rebels or got lost on the back-country roads
of Virginia.
The
Overland Campaign was a grueling struggle even for battle-tested veteran
regiments like the 28th Massachusetts, with heavy casualties taking
an enormous toll. Departing for the front on May 3, 1864, with 505 men
of all ranks, the hard-fighting Irishmen of the 28th would lose 286
men killed, wounded, and missing, or nearly 60 percent, by June 15.
Most of these losses (225) came in the first three weeks of May at the
Wilderness and Spotsylvania.
One
can only marvel at the stubborn determination and amazing esprit de
corps these men continued to show in the face of grievous losses; many
of their dear comrades long since gone, replaced by a mixed collection
of late-war volunteers and conscripts. Capt. James Fleming was of the
opinion that "great credit is due both the officers and men in
this regiment for the energy displayed, bravery and labor obtained from
them under great fatigue and difficulties."
The
excerpts that follow are taken from the reports of Capt. Fleming, then
commanding the 28th Massachusetts in the absence of any higher officer,
and describe the activities and whereabouts of the regiment during the
Overland Campaign. They are directly quoted from the Official Records
(Series I, Volume 36, Chapter 48), with spelling and punctuation as
in the original.
Skirmishers
in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 4-9, 1864
"The
Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment broke camp at Stevensburg,
Va., at dark on the evening of May 3, 1864, and marched at night, under
the command of Lieut. Col. George W. Cartwright, with 485 enlisted men,
2 field officers, and 18 line officers, in company with the Sixty-third,
Sixty-ninth, Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers, and the One hundred
and sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, composing the Second Brigade
of the First Division, Second Army Corps, the brigade being commanded
by Col. Thomas A. Smyth, First Delaware Volunteers, the division by
Brig. General (Francis) Barlow, and the corps by Maj. Gen. W.S. Hancock.
Crossed the Rapidan near daylight at Ely's Ford on pontoon, and reached
Chancellorsville at about 3 p.m. May 4, 1864. Bivouacked that night
on the old Chancellorsville battleground. From thence at daylight on
the morning of May 5, 1864, marched again, this regiment deployed on
the left flank of the column as flankers. In
the afternoon marched to the right of Todd's Tavern, crossing the plank
road, and went into the battle of the Wilderness. This regiment being
the only one in the Second Brigade who were armed with rifles, it was
constantly acting as skirmishers, while the brigade was at work throwing
up their intrenchments of logs and earth. Were engaged again on the
6th, 7th, and 8th of May, suffering much in loss of officers and men,
fatigue, etc.
The
regiment performed the duties assigned them in a very creditable manner,
although laboring under formidable disadvantages. In this epoch he regiment
lost in killed, wounded, and missing as follows: Killed, 2 commissioned
officers, 18 enlisted men; wounded, 3 commissioned officers, 85 enlisted
men; missing, 18 enlisted men. Left Wilderness night of May 8, 1864."
Charge
and Other Actions at the River Po, May 9-22, 1864
"Marched
nights of May 8, 9, and 10, and skirmishing most of the time. Engaged
at River Po and vicinity, changing front several times under enemy's
artillery fire; threw up intrenchments and supported a regular battery;
fell back across Po River; sent out scouting parties; destroyed small
bridges, etc. On the night of May 11, 1864, we marched several miles,
passing through the camp of the Sixth Army Corps, and pushed forward
until about 1 or 2 o'clock on the morning of May 12, 1864. Here we massed
the Second Corps, the First and Third Divisions in advance, and balance
of corps in reserve. At daylight May 12, made the great charge on the
enemy's position, and assisted in carrying their works, capturing artillery
and many prisoners, 1 general officer being captured in his tent by
a private in this regiment.
The
regiment in this engagement suffered much, but acted with their usual
bravery and spirit, losing from May 9 to May 12: enlisted men, 4 killed,
5 wounded and 1 missing. In the charge May 12, 1864, we lost as follows:
enlisted men: killed 10, wounded 39, and 4 missing, 1 officer wounded.
From the 12th of May until the night of the 17th of May the regiment
was either skirmishing, fighting, or changing position almost constantly.
On the night of May 17 we again formed en masse, and early on the morning
of May 18, 1864, again charged the enemy's intrenched position near
Spotsylvania Court-House. In the charge, the regiment held the left
of the enemy's line, which was taken, but again suffered greatly, especially
among its gallant officers.
Here
fell the brave Maj. Andrew J. Lawler, commanding the regiment, the accomplished
Capt. James Magner, the lamented Capt. William F. Cochrane, all killed;
also Capt. Covenay, Capt. Fleming, Capt. Bailey, Lt. Armand, wounded.
Casualties may 18: killed, 3 officers, 8 men; wounded, 4 officers, 25
enlisted men; and 16 missing. The regiment held the left of the enemy's
line all day, exposed to an enfilading fire of grape and canister from
enemy's battery, and were relieved at 5 p.m., losing many of its best
officers and soldiers.
The
casualties of this (second) epoch as follows: 3 officers and 22 enlisted
men killed, 5 officers and 71 enlisted men wounded, 20 enlisted men
missing, and 1 prisoner."
Fighting
and Exhaustion Near North Anna River, May 23-27, 1864
"Moved
from the vicinity of Spotsylvania Court-House May 22, 1864; had a long,
weary, dusty march, the men suffering greatly for water, which was very
scarce, and the roads were very heavy with dust. Tuesday, May 24, crossed
the North Anna River. Heavy artillery firing commenced. The enemy falls
back. Our regiment lay all day in open field, exposed to the blistering
sun without shelter.Third Division storm enemy's work, and meet with
success, but lost heavily; made heavy detail for picket duty and lost
2 men. Wednesday, May 25, regiment lay on their arms all night in a
drenching rain. The men suffered much, having had no rest for past three
days, and their rations having run short, long marches, constant duty,
etc.; the officers sharing alike with them in the fatigue, exposure,
and short rations. Enemy fell back from our immediate front during last
night; fresh beef issued very often. The Ninth Corps, on our right,
are at work all day with heavy Parrotts. Enemy in full sight, throwing
up earthworks. Bivouacked in open field all night. Thursday, May 26,
to arms at 3:30 a.m. Men still short of rations; principle cause, extra
duty, and labor, etc.; 2:30 p.m., still lay in reserve. Trains and cattle
which had crossed to south side are recrossed, and we are prepared to
fall back. Supply train arrives, and rations are issued to men and officers
at 8 p.m. At 10 p.m. we fall back and recross the North Anna.
Casualties
in this epoch (third) as follows: 2 enlisted men killed, 8 enlisted
men wounded, and 1 enlisted man missing. Closed this epoch tearing up
rails and destroying railroad."
Continual
Fighting Near Gaines Mill, May 28-June 3, 1864
"Bivouacked
night of May 27 in the mud from 1 a.m. until 8 a.m., when the regiment
deployed on railroad right and left of cross-road, burned cross-ties,
warping the rails, and throwing them down embankment. Marched from 10:30
a.m. until 4 p.m., a long and rapid march with alternate rain and intense
heat; halted half an hour; pushed forward all day and all night toward
Pamunkey River, marched 18 miles; Bowling Green, Guiney's Station, Milford;
drove enemy from bridge, and halted about 1 o'clock morning May 29 on
bank of Pamunkey. The soldiers, notwithstanding their fatigue, were
cheerful and spirited; many straggled and fell out on this march. Water
being scarce the men suffered greatly. Crossed river near New Castle.
Saturday,
May 29-- packed up at 11 a.m. Marched until 2:30. Halted at Hazelbone's
old tavern. This placed is an old homestead of over fifty years' standing,
said to be 6 miles to Gaines' Mill; rested until 5:30 p.m. and pushed
forward; built new works for defense. During the march we passed 8 or
10 dead rebel soldiers unburied, apparently dismounted cavalry; appearances
of heavy cavalry fight here. Halted in open field. This regiment acts
in support of a section of artillery to protect flank. Enemy open on
front and right flank. marched off to the right; threw up earthworks
until 6:30 a.m. on 30th. Sunday, May 30-- pushed forward at 9 a.m. Fourth
Brigade in advance, this regiment in support, and the fight commences.
Heavy shelling on both sides, and a severe fight in front. Col. Richard
Byrnes commands the brigade. Moved back to intrenchments at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 1-- artillery opens at 9 a.m. and advanced at 10 a.m.;
heavy skirmishing until 7 p.m.; 1 man killed and 2 wounded. Occupied
breast-works build by Brooke's brigade; carried three lines of enemy's
works. Sleeper's Tenth Massachusetts Battery in position on our left
do good execution on enemy's pits in front. Ordered to be in readiness
to move at 5:30 p.m. Started at 10:30 p.m.; had a long, weary, rapid
march; the dust lay very heavy. This was the most severe march of the
campaign, marching ten and one-half hours until June 2; halted. Sixth
Corps bring in some 800 prisoners from our right. Bivouac in open field;
push on until 4 p.m.; rest half an hour, men very much fatigued and
many fall out from utter exhaustion and effects of heat. halted at 5:30
p.m., and again intrenched ourselves, and although much fatigued the
men worked with great willingness and spirit. On Friday, the 3rd day
of June, the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment suffered much in the
loss of officers and men without having the satisfaction of punishing
the enemy in return. We formed in line and charged the enemy over the
earth-works, and our men fell in heaps. Forward we went to the second
hill, which was reached and held until nearly dark, when we fell back
to the old position badly used. In this charge the regiment lost its
gallant colonel, Richard Byrnes, commanding brigade, and Lieut. James
B. West in killed, and Lieutenants Trainor and O'Brien, wounded. Regiment
fell back to original position with but 3 lieutenants and 66 men on
duty. During the night many stragglers came up. During this epoch great
credit is due both the officers and men in this regiment for the energy
displayed, bravery and labor obtained from them under great fatigue
and difficulties.
In
this epoch the regiment met the following casualties May 31 to June
13: killed, 2 officers and 8 enlisted men; wounded, 2 officers and 44
enlisted men; missing, 1 enlisted man."