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Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies, 1852. (search)
advance, which had now become serious and threatening. It was late in the evening before the regiments were withdrawn from the ground they had held against the Rebel troops. About nine P. M., the Second Corps entered upon its march through White-Oak Swamp. The night was dark and wet, and the narrow road, lighted only by the glare of a few lanterns, was most dismal and gloomy; but the morale of the troops was wonderfully good. Encouraged by the example and voice of their officers, the men trd, without shelter, were summoned to continue their march. An hour or two brought them to Nelson's farm, where they were halted to cover the Quaker road, the main line of communication with James River. Franklin's division had been left at White-Oak Swamp to protect the rear, and about noon had become engaged with the enemy. Two brigades, Dana's and Gorman's of Sedgwick's division, were hastily marched to Franklin's support, but upon a fierce and successful attack of the enemy made in the af
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies, 1858. (search)
dier whatever of virtue there was in him, Patten's gallantry and manliness were so brilliant as to receive special official mention in the report of his commanding officer. In three successive battles, at Gaines's Mill, Savage Station, and White Oak Swamp, Sumner's columns held off the exultant rush of the enemy with stubborn grip, and met each dash of Magruder with an answering blow, till the army and all its trains had safely traversed the swamp. But it was a week of hourly fighting and mauld not be moved, and we had to leave him behind in a hospital, in charge of one of our surgeons. Of course, as we evacuated that night, the enemy has possession of the hospital. The battle was about a mile and a half, I should think, from White Oak Swamp. As Jimmy fell, knowing at once that his wound was fatal, he said to some of his men, who stopped a moment to assist him, Never mind me, men; go forward. . . . . Colonel Palfrey has his sword. They would not let me take it, as it was then
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies, 1860. (search)
attles and skirmishes, without receiving a wound; and the hard activities of army life had the effect to improve his health, and built up his youthful person into the stalwart, sinewy frame of an athletic man. He was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant for gallant conduct while in action on the seven days retreat from Richmond, and assigned to Company C, then under command of Captain Batchelder. He won especial commendation on the part of his commanding officers at the battle of White Oak Swamp. One of his fellow-soldiers thus testifies:— His bravery was so distinguished as to be the general subject of remark among men who were accustomed to regard all dangers as so many trivial things easily forgotten when passed . . . . . At Antietam he won his rank of First Lieutenant; and to have lived through the ordeal of that day was to have come from the very jaws of death. The religious zeal and integrity which had marked him in college characterized also his army life, but
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies, 1862. (search)
soaked with water a great part of the time. . . . . So you see there are some inconveniences of campaigning not down in the books. In fact one has to get over one's old ideas of necessaries and comforts, and finds out how little is really needed for a man to live with. On the 28th of June the army began its retreat towards the James, and in the terrible scenes of the seven days battles the Twentieth Regiment took a prominent part. At Peach Orchard, Allen's Farm, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Nelson's Farm, and Malvern Hill it was either actively engaged or constantly exposed. How it suffered, the lists of killed and wounded will show. At Nelson's Farm alone, seven officers and sixty-three enlisted men were killed or wounded. Half the men in Ropes's company were hit, and two of his sergeants were instantly killed. His hopeful temper and unconquerable spirit never, perhaps, showed to greater advantage than after these reverses. The North was disheartened, stunned by