CHAPTER XV

 

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL • MARCH TO HARRISON'S LANDING • CRUELTY TO OUR WOUNDED • HUNTING GREYBACKS • WHITE GLOVES AND RAGGED CLOTHES • VISIT OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN

 

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL, July 1st -At Malvern Hill was collected the whole Army of the Potomac with all its artillery, to give battle once more to the vigilant foe, who, though defeated in every battle of the seven days' fight except one (Gaines' Mills), were victo­rious in the campaign. Flushed with the knowledge of our retreating, the sight of our dead, the capture of many of our wounded, and the spoils of the field, they in spite of their terrible losses, almost looked upon it as a triumphant march, and believing they had driven us to the water's edge, they considered our capture or annihilation as certain, and so confident were they of this, that Jefferson Davis, accompanied by the officials of his Government, visited the army to receive the sword of McClellan.

Malvern Hill is an elevated plateau, about a mile and a half by three-fourths of a mile in area, mostly clear of timber, and with several converging roads crossing it. In front were numerous ravines, and the ground sloped gradually towards the north and east to a heavy woods, giving clear range for artillery in those directions. Towards the northwest the plateau falls off more abruptly into a ravine, which extends to James River. Upon this hill the left and centre of our line rested, while the right curved backwards through a wooded country towards a point below Haxall's on the James River.

The left of the line was held by the Fifth Corps, General Porter, consisting of the divisions of Sykes and Morell, of Warren's, Buchanan's and Chapman's brigades, and Griffin's, Martindale's and Butterfield's brigades. The artillery of the two divisions was advan­tageously posted, and the artillery of the reserve so disposed on the high ground that a concentrated fire of some sixty guns could be brought to bear on any point in its front or left. Colonel Tyler had

 

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also succeeded in getting ten of his siege guns in position on the highest point of the hill. Couch's division was placed on the right of Porter; next came Kearney and Hooker; next Sedgwick and Richardson; next Smith and Slocum; then the remainder of Keyes' corps, extended by a backward curve nearly to the river. The Pennsylvania Reserves were held in reserve, and stationed behind Porter's and Couch's position. One brigade of Porter's was thrown to the left on the low ground to protect that flank from any movement direct from the Richmond Road. The line was very strong along the whole front of the open plateau, but from thence to the extreme right, the troops were more deployed. This formation was imperative, as from the position of the enemy his most obvious line of attack would come from the direction of Richmond and White Oak Swamp, and would almost necessarily strike upon the left wing. Commodore Rogers, commanding the flotilla on James River, placed his gunboats so as to protect this flank, and to command the approaches from Richmond. The right wing was rendered as secure as possible by slashing the timber and by barricading the roads. There was posted upon different parts of the field, and in some places tier above tier, about two hundred and fifty pieces of artillery.

About ten o'clock A.M., the enemy emerged from the woods on the opposite side of the plain and commenced feeling along the whole left wing, with his artillery and skirmishers, which was promptly responded to by our artillery, and in about one hour the firing on both sides nearly ceased. An ominous stillness, indicating the manoeuvering and placing in position of troops, now followed, pre­paratory to the terrific struggle that was soon to take place. About two o'clock a column of the enemy was observed moving towards our right, within the skirt of woods in front beyond the range of our artillery. Although the column was long, occupying more than two hours in passing, it disappeared, and was not again heard of. It probably returned by the rear, and participated in the attack afterwards made on the left.

During this long silence, our troops lay quietly upon the field, eating their scanty rations, and enjoying the rest they had not known for so long. Thus the day wore on with but little animation until about three o'clock, when a heavy fire of artillery was opened on Kearney's left and Couch's division, near the centre of the line, followed by a brisk attack of infantry on Couch's front. This was immediately responded to by our artillery, but Couch's infantry remained lying on the ground until the enemy had advanced within musketry range, when they sprang to their feet and poured in a deadly volley that broke and drove them back with considerable slaughter. They

 

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were followed for nearly half a mile, where our line halted and occupied a much stronger position, resting upon a thick clump of trees.

This affair occupied about one hour, when the fire ceased over the whole field, and the enemy evinced neither a disposition to at­tack or withdraw. About six o'clock, the enemy suddenly opened upon Couch and Porter with the whole strength of his artillery, and at once began pushing forward his columns of attack to carry the hill. Now opened one of the most desperate and sanguinary battles ever fought upon this continent. Brigade after brigade, formed under cover of the woods, started at a run to cross the open space and charge our batteries, but the heavy fire of our guns, with the cool and steady volleys of the infantry, in every case sent them reeling back to shelter, and covered the ground with their dead and wounded. But fresh lines were again hurled forward with a desperation and reckless­ness seldom witnessed before. No troops ever acted with more des­peration courage than the enemy did upon that occasion, but like the storm-lashed ocean, madly dashing its billows against a rock­bound shore, they were hurled back broken and confused, but to unite and return again to the assault. From batteries upon batteries were vomited forth sheets of flame and smoke, whose storms of grape and canister mowed down the columns of advancing valor, leaving vast gaps, that were filled up by the mad and infuriated masses. To add to the terror of the slaughter, the gunboats in the river opened with their 11-inch guns throwing their elongated shells into the woods which were densely packed with the enemy, tearing into splinters the largest trees, and destroying whole companies at once.    

 About seven o'clock, as fresh troops were being pushed in by the enemy, Meagher and Sickles were sent in with their brigades to relieve such regiments as had expended their ammunition, and batteries from the reserve were pushed forward to replace those whose boxes were empty. Until dark the enemy persisted in his efforts to take the positions so tenaciously defended; but despite his vastly superior numbers, his repeated and desperate attacks were repulsed with fearful loss. The sun went down, but the carnage did not cease, for though the musketry closed, the fiery messengers of death coursed their swift-winged path through the skies, dealing destruction among the enemy, who but feebly replied. It was after nine o'clock before all firing ceased. Never was a repulse more signal, the confused masses of the enemy's infantry, artillery, and cavalry, all struggling together, choking the roads and crossing the fields in every direction. So com­plete was the confusion, that one or two days elapsed before the men of the different regiments and commands could be collected together and put in shape, and it has been ascertained upon competent au­-

 

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thority, that with twenty thousand fresh troops McClellan could have marched into Richmond.

As the army in its movement from the Chickahominy to Harrison's Landing was continually occupied in marching by night and fighting by day, its commanders found no time or opportunity for collecting data, which could enable them to give exact returns of casualties in each engagement. The aggregate of our entire losses, from the 26th of June to the 1st of July, inclusive, was ascertained, after arrival at Harrison's Landing, to be as follows:

Return of the killed, wounded, and missing in the Army of the Potomac, from the 26th day of June to the 1st of July, 1862, inclusive.

Killed   Wounded         Missing             Aggregate

First, McCall's division......        253      1240                1581                           3074*

Second, Sumner's...............      187      1076                848                              2,111

Third, Heintzelman's.........         189      1051                833                              2,073

Fourth, Keyes'....................      69        507                  201                              777

Fifth, Porter's.....................       620      2460                1198                            4,278

Sixth, Franklin's................        245      1313                1179                            2,737

Engineers...........................       -           2                      21                                23

Cavalry................................    19        60                    97                                176

Total                                        1582    7709                5958                            15,249

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*General McCall in his official report states the loss of the Reserves to be 3,180.

 

It will be observed that the division of Pennsylvania Reserves lost more than any corps, excepting the Fifth, and more than Sumner's and Keyes' or Heintzelman's and Keyes' combined.

Although the result of the battle of Malvern Hill was a com­plete victory, it was, nevertheless, necessary to fall back to a posi­tion below City Point, as the channel there was so near the southern shore that it would not be possible to bring up the transports, should the enemy occupy it. Besides, the line of defence was too extended to be maintained by our weakened forces, and the supplies of food, forage and ammunition, being exhausted it was imperatively necessary to reach the transports immediately.

The greater portion of the transportation of the army having been started for Harrison's Landing during the night of the 30th of June and the 1st of July, the order for the troops was at once issued for the final repulse of the enemy at Malvern Hill. About eleven o'clock that night the sleepy boys were woke up and put in motion, and passing by Haxall's house we slowly wound our way down the

 

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hill to the river road, along which we marched, passing over Turkey Bridge. The night was extremely dark, but the road, which for a long distance was exceedingly bad, was lit up by thousands of candles placed in the trees, and bright fires burning upon the wayside which were continually replenished by the guard stationed at them. At daybreak we entered a fine field of standing wheat, where we laid down and rested for an hour and then moved or.. It soon commenced raining, turning the deep dust into heavy mud, and in an incredible short time the artillery, wagons, cavalry and infantry rendered the road almost impassable. But onward the column pressed until it crossed Herring Run and debouched into the open plain of Harrison Landing.

The Reserves were here put into a heavy pine woods to the right of the road, and by building bough arbours somewhat sheltered them­selves. During the day and night, the rain descended in torrents, rendering the kindling of fires almost impossible, but, as the boys had but little to cook, it did not matter much. The withdrawal which was conducted by General Keyes was most skillfully effected, and with no other loss than the few wagons that broke down upon the road. The rear guard, consisting of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, a brigade of infantry and one battery, under the command of Colonel Averill, did not leave the field until ten o'clock on the 2d of July, and the last of the wagons reached Harrison's Landing on the 3d.

On the morning of the 3d a small force of the enemy having followed up the rear guard and taken an advantageous position, opened with shell, to which our guns responded. The Reserves were drawn up about nine o'clock in an open field where they stood in the mud up to their knees with shells bursting and round shot whistling over their heads until three in the afternoon, when they were marched to a neighboring field, and bivouacked on the banks of Herring Creek.

While this change of base from the Pamunky to the James River was progressing, White House was successfully evacuated with comparatively a trifling loss of stores, etc. No less than seven hundred vessels were in the river at the time, all of which were successfully removed. The last of our wagons left under guard of General Stoneman's cavalry, not a man or contraband being left behind.The Telegraphic communication with General McClellan was not severed till one o'clock P.M., on the 28th, and at seven o'clock the enemy made their appearance in the neighborhood of White House, where they were welcomed with shell and grape from three gun­boats in the river.

 

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Thus ended the "Seven Days' Battles," which will ever be viewed by military men, as one of the greatest feats of the war. Never did such a change of base, involving a retrograde movement, and under incessant attacks from a most determined and vastly more numerous foe, partake so little of disorder. The immense artillery and wagon train, the latter if stretched out in one line, extending nearly forty miles, the Commissary and Quartermaster's stores, the ammunition, a drove of twenty-five hundred cattle; in fact, the army and its entire material, horse, foot and dragoon, bag and baggage, was transferred successfully with an incredibly small loss of material. The movement was conducted with perfect order. There was no trepidation or haste, no smashing up of wagons by careless or fast driving, yet there was no moment for repose, no opportunity scarcely to properly care for the wounded; and the dead, excepting at Mechanicsville, were left unburied. The enemy closely watched every movement, and with an army more than double that of our own, had the ability to constantly launch fresh troops upon our rear, an advantage which they were quick to discover, and remorseless in improving. Their perfect knowledge of the roads, paths and bridges, the topography of the country which took us time to learn, placed an immense advantage in their hands, yet they were, excepting in one instance, unable by their utmost efforts to drive us from any field.

Our army regarded the movement as the carrying out of a necessary plan, and the only dissatisfaction expressed being at the leaving behind of so many of the wounded. We have no hesitation in asserting, and without the least fear of contradiction, that upon the arrival of the army at Harrison's Landing, the morale of it was al­most as good as ever, and that the men had such unbounded confidence in McClellan that they would fearlessly have followed him at any time if he had assumed the aggressive.

While an advancing army loses nothing in men and material by capture, it is necessarily the reverse with a retreating one, besides, though it may be successful in every battle, it loses the advantages of following up its victories, which are transferred to the enemy. Though this naturally has the tendency of weakening the morale of an army, such did not appear to be the case with ours, for the men went into every one of the many and protracted battles in most excellent spirits, and with full confidence of victory.

Throughout the whole struggle the Union and Confederate troops displayed upon every field the most desperate bravery and indomitable courage, and learned by the noble qualities they discovered, to respect each other. Never upon the field did we see an act of cruelty done, and the testimony of our wounded, and the surgeons

 

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who remained with them, was to the universally kind treatment they received from the privates of the enemy. It is to be regretted that the same cannot be said of their officers, and all unite in attest­ing to the bitter animosity and heartlessness shown by the non-com­batants and civilians.

After the battle of Glendale, Doctor E. Donnelly, the surgeon of our regiment, among others, volunteered to remain behind and take charge of our wounded, and from him we subsequently learned many interesting facts in regard to their treatment and condition. He was placed in charge of a hospital improvised upon the battlefield near Nelson's house, where were collected our wounded in the outbuild­ings and on the surrounding lawn. The only assistance he had was from young Hartman, Company K, and some Confederate privates, who volunteered to help. These men carried in the wounded, or moved them into the shade, brought them water, and divided their scanty rations among them. They spoke and acted towards them with the greatest kindness, but the sufferings of the poor boys were great. With no medicine or stimulants, with a scanty supply of rags and water, and the help of Hartman and these men, the doctor amputated the limbs and dressed the wounds of hundreds, who were sink­ing from the loss of blood, and the want of food. But no medicine, liquor, food or assistance could be obtained from the officials, one of whom deliberately stole the doctor's case of instruments while he was performing an operation.

On the day of the battle of Malvern Hill a large number of citizens from Richmond visited the battlefield of New Market cross­roads, anticipating the pleasure of seeing our army surrender. None of them, however, showed the least disposition to assist our wounded, though to satisfy their curiosity they walked among them, and were very inquisitive and rude in their inquiries, and some of them were shameless enough even to steal their canteens and cups - articles that then were worth more than gold to the helpless fellows, who lay for days afterwards upon the field, burning with fever and without a mouthful of water to quench their thirst. One man, and we are sorry to say that he was a minister of the Gospel, so far forgot the precepts of his Master, the Prince of Mercy, and the better feelings of his heart - if he ever had any - in his bitter hatred of Union soldiers, as to commence upbraiding as "mercenaries" and "hirelings," the poor wounded sufferers, some of whom had lost their limbs, and others, from whose wounds maggots were crawling. When suffering all the anguish that mortals are heir to, when faint with the loss of blood and nervous excitement, this paroled prisoner of h_ll, clothed in the sacred garb of. religion, taunted and denounced these poor creatures

 

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over whom the guardian angels of heaven were weeping. It is, though with unfeigned pleasure, that we contrast with this the conduct of

Doctor Hill Carter, a most worthy and estimable gentleman, whose house was also used as a hospital for our wounded. Doctor Carter, though a secessionist, not only put all he had at the disposal of our surgeons, but he and his family assisted, to the utmost of their ability, to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, and their kindness will ever be remembered with gratitude by those whose sufferings they alleviated. All the wounded were subsequently removed to Richmond, though some of them not until a week afterwards, they lying upon the field during that time exposed to the burning rays of the sun of the day, and the cold dews of the night. Some of these, whose wounds were undressed, died on the road, and one relates the fiend­ish expression of an ambulance driver, "that corduroy roads were bully to haul wounded Yankees over."

Upon their arrival they were stowed away in Libby Prison, a loathesome hole, foul with the stench of two water closets and the putrefaction of the bodies in the dead house underneath, which were exposed to their sight through a large open grating in the floor of their apartment. A little medicine, and that stolen from our surgeons, was doled out to them. A pittance of tainted beef and hard crackers was given each day, without a change of clothing, or blankets to cover themselves with at night, or water to wash with in the morning, they were huddled together by hundreds, and this was the treatment they received from the Government. But the treatment they received from the soldiers was universally kind. When we say soldiers, we do not mean the guards around the prison, who had never been upon the field, but the men who had fought them, and had learned to respect a brave foe.With these they were all right. On the field, when we drove them from positions formerly held by us, we found in many cases our wounded had been supplied with water and sometimes placed behind logs or trees in sheltered positions, and at Glendale, when several of the enemy were taken prisoners and were being sent to the rear, although they were under a heavy fire, they picked up and carried off a wounded Union soldier. Many other acts of kindness were frequently displayed upon the field, that showed there was not felt the bitter animosity and vindictiveness shown by civilians and politicians.

At Malvern Hill, the morning after the battle, both parties had pickets stationed upon the field, and the enemy were permitted to remove their wounded, but they fired upon our men when they ap­proached for the same purpose. This may have seemed cruel, but it was a military precaution on their part, that doubtless was deemed

 

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justifiable, as it was of vital importance to them to conceal from us the extent of their disaster, the demoralization and position of their troops.

The position now occupied by our army was a line of heights, some three miles long and about two miles from the James, and the plain extended from them to the river. As these heights commanded the whole position, it would have been necessary to have maintained them to the last. Both flanks were well supported by the gunboats. The position though remarkably strong, and one that could only be carried by overwhelming numbers, was by no means impregnable, especially as a morass extended between the heights and the river, from the centre to our right. In the broad area or plain of Harrison's Landing, Evelington Heights, or West Over, were collected an im­mense amount of army stores and ammunition, and vast numbers of siege guns, mortars, etc.; removed from the former line occupied by the army. Here also was encamped a considerable portion of the army, while the balance occupied the heights. The Landing presented a most interesting scene, the river bank, for along distance, being lined with canal boats and barges from three to ten and twelve deep, most of which, having been emptied of their vast amount of stores, served as wharves for the large transports to unload at. Schooners, brigs, and ships innumerable, were here at anchor, through which steamers of all sizes and descriptions were continually winding their way, presenting a scene of animation and life seldom witnessed.

Colonel Hays, Eighth Reserves, being the senior officer of the brigade, assumed command of it, upon the death of Colonel Simmons, of the Fifth, but on account of indisposition he turned it over to Colonel McNeill, of the "Bucktails." On the 4th, the Eighth Regiment was transferred to the Second Brigade, and the Sixth Regiment trans­ferred to ours, which placed Colonel Sinclair in command of it.

The anniversary of our national birthday was duly celebrated, by the firing of salutes and the display of flags, among the most conspicuous of which were those captured from the enemy by the different regiments. On dress parade the following address was read at the head of each regiment, which was received with the most enthusiastic cheering from the men:

 

"Headquarters, Army of the Potomac

Camp near Harrison's Landing,

July 4th, 1862.

 

"SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: - Your achievements of the last ten days have illustrated the valor and en-­

 

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durance of the American soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and without hope of reinforcements, you have succeeded in changing your base of operations by a flank movement, always regarded as the most hazardous of military expedients. You have saved all your material, all your trains, and all your guns, except a few lost in battle, taking in return guns and colors from the enemy. Upon your march, you have been assailed day after day with desperate fury, by men of the same race and nation, skilfully massed and led. Under every disadvantage of number, and necessarily of position also, you have in every conflict beaten back your foes with enormous slaughter. Your conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies of history. No one will now question that each of you may always with pride say: `I belong to the Army of the Potomac.'You have reached the new base, complete in organization and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy may at any moment attack you. We are prepared to meet them. I have personally established your lines. Let them come, and we will con­vert their repulse into a final defeat. Your Government is strengthening you with the resources of a great people. On this our Nation's birthday, we declare to our foes, who are rebels against the best interests of mankind, that this army shall enter the capital of the so-called Confederacy; that our national Constitution shall prevail, and that the Union,which can alone insure internal peace and external security to each State, `must and shall be preserved,' cost what it may in time, treasure, and blood.

GEORGE B. McCLELLAN."

 

As soon as circumstances permitted after our arrival, means were taken to reorganize, equip and put the army into fighting order again. The stragglers soon found their regiments. Upon inspecting the arms, it was found that in the various regiments were collected every calibre and pattern known in the service, the Harper's Ferry, Springfield, Sharpe's, Maynard's, Burnside, Enfield, Tower, Belgium, Richmond, Palmetto, etc.; all mixed promiscuously together among the men, who having lost their own, appropriated their neighbors'. These when not of the calibre of the regiment, were turned in, assorted and reissued, so that each regiment, brigade and division, if possible, would be armed alike. Accoutrements, ammunition and clothing were likewise distributed, as fast as received, and in an incredibly short time the whole army was in as good condition as ever it was to meet the foe, and their morale increased by the consciousness of what they had achieved. To General Seymour was accorded the honor of being the first to get his division into proper trim.

 

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While these matters were occupying the serious attention of the general officers of the army, the great question that agitated the public mind, was the getting rid of the "greybacks," who, there was every reason to suppose, had domiciled themselves upon the per­sons of the patriots and held them in a ticklish position. As we had destroyed all our clothing except what we stood in, and as soap was an article that could neither be procured "for love or money," and as clothing was issued by piece meal, it was a task easier undertaken than accomplished. But by dint of washing, scrubbing, scouring and constant vigilance, the feat was accomplished, and the boys came out in their new uniforms as clean and bright as new dollars. It is a matter of impossibility for an army to pass through what we did in the summer without being overrun with vermin, and among soldiers one is not blamed for having them on, but for keeping them. So universal where they at that time, that no one thought of being ashamed of them, and we have even heard the boys declare that they knew all the bugle calls, and had become so expert in drill as to go through the battalion movements quite accurately, and to have their regular guard mountings and dress parades. If any of our delicate readers should feel shocked at this exposure of our private af­fairs, we must remind them that part of our task is to show up soldier life in its true light.

A rather amusing incident occurred about this time, that was in strange contrast with the foregoing. Some months previous white gloves had been ordered for the men, out of the regimental fund, and when the boys were in the greatest need of underclothing, and even shoes and blouses, they arrived, and just in time to be distrib­uted prior to the regiment going out on a general review of the division. The remarks of our friends of the other regiments in regard to the strange contrast in our clothing was quite amusing.

On the 8th, His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, arrive from Wash­ington on a visit to the army, and in the afternoon he rode along the lines of the different divisions who were drawn up to receive him. He was most enthusiastically received by the troops, who honored and respected the chief who had sworn to preserve and perpetuate the nation, at any cost or sacrifice.

On the 10th, Captain William D. Reitzel's new company, raised in Lancaster County and Philadelphia, arrived in camp and was assigned letter "G." They were a fine set of young men and num­bered sixty-eight rank and file. The Lieutenants were, First, John L. Rhoads, and Second, Max Wimpfheimer. This made our ninth company, though one was detached from us. On the same day the promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel William McCandless to a full

 

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Colonelcy, to date from November 1st, 1861, was received. This was in acknowledgment of his gallantry during the last battles, more

particularly at Mechanicsville, where he was honorably mentioned in the official report of General McCall.

On the morning of the 14th, we moved our camp about two miles down the creek to Evlington Heights on the right of our line. Here we occupied a broad open plain near the creek where the men could enjoy most excellent bathing. As good water was scarce, every regiment dug a fine deep well, from which they obtained a bountiful supply of good water. Sibley tents were issued, and our rations brought up to the full standard, with cabbage, beets, onions and other vegetables in addition. Division guard mounting, company and battalion drills, and dress parades were ordered. Several reviews by Generals McClellan and Seymour took place. The sutlers also ar­rived, and letters and newspapers were received daily.

While here the United States truce steamer Louisiana came down the river with a load of paroled Union prisoners from Richmond, among whom were Major Woodward, Captains J. Orr Finnie, P l. Smith, and Horace Neide, and Lieutenant Hugh P Kennedy, of our regiment, all wounded. Also a large number of our boys, most of whom were sent north to the hospitals. Doctor Donnelly, our efficient surgeon, who had remained with the wounded, also came and was welcomed. All bore testimony to the kindness of the privates and cruelty of the officials of the Confederate Government. Towards the latter part of the month orders were issued to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice, with arms, accoutrements and blankets only. The balloons made daily reconnaissances. This was probably occasioned by Generals Hill and Longstreet crossing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge on a reconnaissance in force

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