[
376]
Chapter 18:
November 1, 1864, to march 25, 1865.
- Fort Stevenson
-- Fort Welch
-- exit Hancock, enter Humphreys
-- to the left and back
-- forts Emory and Siebert
-- shingling a stable
-- by the left flank
-- the battle of Armstrong's Farm
-- the Fifth Corps badly used
-- the Second Corps Helps them out— Battery E
-- Resignation and departure of Major Sleeper—‘at it on the right’
-- Fort Steadman
-- advance and captures of the Second Corps.
Fort Stevenson, in which we were now located, was the largest fort in the rear line of works before
Petersburg.
In a day or two the left section of the
Battery was detached to Fort Blaisdell, a smaller work in the same line further east.
Captain (now
Major)
Sleeper1 returned from leave of absence, and resumed command of the
Battery.
New quarters were built and the usual careful preparations made to stay.
On the 26th of November
Lieut. Milbrey Green reported at the
Battery for duty to succeed
Lieut. Smith deceased.
His military record was an unusual one and worthy extended notice.
2
[
377]
[
378]
[
379]
It is a record of which to be proud and while some of the company believed the
Captain was unjust to his own command in filling vacancies from outside yet, since he had chosen to do so, we were glad to adopt into our membership one every way so worthy.
Time passed monotonously enough at this station nothing occurring worthy of note for four weeks; but November 29th brought a change, when we were ordered down to the extreme left to take position in Fort Welch, relieving there a Ninth Corps
[
380]
battery.
3 Headquarters were with the caissons near Fort Wheaton.
We were in the front line again, with the
Rebel works in full view, but a truce existed between the opposing pickets, so that we walked unconcernedly both in and outside the works, the
Rebels doing the same.
The difference in this respect between the present position and that at Battery XIV, was due to the greater distance between the lines at this point, the opinion prevailing on both sides at the former position seeming to be that eternal vigilance was the price of safety.
On the 5th of December,
Lieut. Adams returned to the
Battery from detached service, and past
Sergt. George H. Day, who had been commissioned
Junior Second Lieutenant the 1st of November, reported for duty in that capacity.
November 26th
Gen. Hancock was taken from his command and sent north to raise a new corps.
This was a matter of much regret to us, for while we had seen hard service under him, had been ‘shoved,’ as the expressive army slang had it, we were none the less anxious for him to retain command of the old Second Corps, whose renown was so indissolubly connected with his name, till the end. But the ‘powers’ had ordered otherwise, and the same day that he left us
Major Gen. A. A. Humphreys, late
Gen. Meade's chief-of-staff, took command of the corps.
4
Thursday, December 8th, we were relieved by the Eleventh New York Battery, and ordered to take the position vacated by them in the rear line, about a mile distant, and south of
Poplar Spring (Grove?)
[
381]
Church.
This exchange was said to have been made to enable us to participate in a projected movement.
So we took what we hoped was temporary possession of barn-like quarters left by our predecessors, to pass the night and await the next turn of the wheel.
It came the ensuing day in the shape of orders to join the First Division of the Sixth Corps at dusk.
5 With the inception of this movement the weather changed from mild to stormy.
We went perhaps two miles and a half and halted near an old hut in the woods, where having spent the night and a part of the subsequent day in the last degrees of wretchedness, shivering about a camp-fire in the cold and sleet, we returned to our starting-point Saturday afternoon. Not to Fort Welch as we had fondly desired, for we had left superior quarters there; and the hopes we had entertained of a return thither were soon dissipated by orders to place our guns in forts Emory and Siebert, near the extreme left of the rear line.
At headquarters camp, which had remained undisturbed by this brief movement, all was bustle and activity, for, in addition to remodelling the shabby stockade in which their lot was cast
6 the men were engaged in building and shingling a stable for the horses — a work of considerable magnitude, and, as they felt, of questionable profit, considering the uneasy state in which the army then was.
[
382]
The shingles were rifted from sections of huge pine logs, cut in the neighborhood, and sawed into three-foot lengths—all this by hand.
After a month's labor the stable was about two-thirds covered with these, and would soon be ready for use, when marching orders were received, and shortly after daylight of Sunday the 5th (Has any one thought how many of the movements and battles of this army took place on the Sabbath?) we reported to the Second Division, now commanded by
Gen. Smythe.
The movement included but two divisions of our corps, the Second and Third, (
Gen. Miles having been left in the intrenchments,) and two batteries, Battery K and the Tenth Massachusetts,
7 and was only another reaching out around the
Confederate right, in the direction of the Southside Railroad, which, if we beat the enemy, we should advance upon.
By mid-afternoon we halted, and were ordered into position; but let
Lieut. Adams' report to the
Adjutant-General give one view of the story:
8
I have the honor to report that on the 5th inst., at 6 A. M., I reported with the Battery to Brig. Gen. Smythe, commanding Second Division, Second Army Corps, and marched with that division on the Vaughan Road to near Hatcher's Run, and went into position; the Right Section, commanded by Lieut. Day, near the Tucker House, the Left Section, commanded by Lieut. Green, near young Armstrong's ,house, covering the front and right of Gen. Smythe's Division; and the Centre Section, commanded by First Sergeant Townsend, under my own immediate supervision, near Gen. Smythe's headquarters, covering a ford and Gen. Smythe's left flank.
About 4.30 P. M., the enemy in strong force
[383]
[384]
[385]
attacked the right of Gen. Smythe's Division, and attempted to turn his flank.
Lieut. Green changed the position of his section, and opened an enfilading fire within three hundred yards of the right of the enemy's line of battle.
The centre section changed front and fired to the rear, having an oblique fire on the centre and left of the enemy's line of battle.
After a hard fight of an hour or more, in which we expended nearly three hundred rounds of ammunition, doing good execution, the enemy withdrew.
The right section was not engaged . . . .
That
Lieut. Adams is modest in his statement of the part the
Battery had in this action, further testimony will show.
The following is an extract from a letter written by
Gen. McAllister to a friend in
New Jersey.
The General commanded a brigade of
Mott's (Third) Division, and tool the brunt of the
Rebel assault.
He says:
The distance now between my Brigade and Gen. Smythe's First Brigade on my left across the swamp, was at least three hundred yards; through this the enemy might sweep with their heavy columns. . . . To prevent the enemy from passing into and through the open space, Adams' Battery (centre section) crossed my Seventh New Jersey (infantry) fire at nearly right angles, while Lieut. Green's Battery (section) had considerably more of an enfilade . . . The Rebels recoiled under our deadly fire, and the firing ceased in a measure.
This gave our boys courage.
In a few moments more the well-known Rebel yell rolled out on the evening breeze, and on rushed their massed columns.
My line now opened a most destructive fire, . . . again the enemy were repulsed.
The fire slackening some, I rode along the lines encouraging the men to stand firm and the day would be ours.
They all struck up the song “Rally around the flag, boys.”
The Rebels replied, “We will rally around your flag, boys!”
The heavy firing had now ceased for the time being, but the pause was of short duration.
The Rebel Mahone with his famous fighting division made a rush for the gap in our lines, . . . but our boys were ready for them, and as the darkness of the night had closed in upon us, the discharge of musketry and burning, flashing powder, illuminating the battle-scene, . . . and the loud thundering of the artillery, made the scene one of more than ordinary grandeur.
We then rolled back the Rebel columns for the last time. . . . Cheer after cheer resounded along our lines.
The battle was over, and victory perched on our banners.
[
386]
Following is a short extract from
Maj. Gen. Mc-Allister's official report to
Gen. Humphreys:
Had it not been for this and the aid of the artillery commanded by Lieuts. Adams and Green of the Tenth Massachusetts Battery, who were throwing their tire across the swamp at a right angle with my enfilading fire, all would have been lost.
These artillery officers deserve great credit, and I have the pleasure to mention them favorably.
I may preface the following extract from a letter written me by
Gen. McAllister, by saying that
Gen. Gordon, commander of the
Rebel Second Corps, was in command of the enemy.
In a conversation with Gen. Gordon, relative to this 5th of February Hatcher's Run battle, I asked him how many troops he had charging against us. “Three divisions, and I was never more certain of victory.
I expected to gobble you up, and don't know why I did not succeed,” was his answer.
He then asked me, “How many troops had you in the fight?”
I replied, “One brigade, assisted by a part of a Massachusetts battery on the other side of a swamp or low ground.”
He was astonished when ,he learned this fact.
He advanced in three lines, division-front, making three separate charges, each of which we rolled back as they came up.
He expected the right of his divisions to turn my left, and was thus pushing for the gap between the Second Division and my Brigade.
Lieuts. Adams and Green of your Tenth Massachusetts Battery, seeing this, turned their guns on the advancing Rebels; at the same time I ordered Col. Price, of the Seventh New Jersey Regiment, to oblique his fire, which he did handsomely, crossing your battery fire at right angles, and thus doing its deadly work.
Some of your shots came up to our breastworks, but with no injury to us.
You can now see what I owe to your officers and men who thus assisted me in that hard-fought and successful battle.
So much for official testimony.
Little remains to be said except to tell the story in brief from a batteryman's standpoint.
Two sections of the
Battery had taken position as
[
387]
Lieut. Adams' report indicates, covering either flank of
Gen. Smythe's (Second) Division, which was facing generally westward.
Running nearly at right angles with this division, with a kind of swamp or marsh intervening, was
Gen. McAllister's Brigade of the Third Division, facing northward.
Our guns were on
Smythe's side of the marsh, and had been engaging a Rebel battery, firing over his line, and anticipating an attack from that quarter, when, with hardly a premonition in the way of skirmishing, the enemy came out of the woods in
McAllister's front, evidently having discovered the interval between his left and
Smythe's right, and bent on penetrating it. The Tenth was the only battery on the field, and this was its opportunity.
Lieut. Green at once directed his guns to fire to the rear, and being exactly on the
Rebels' flank, every shot enfiladed their advancing lines.
Lieut. Adams also turned his guns upon the triple line.
His fire was oblique to the enemy's front and did great execution.
Never did shells do more effective work than did those fired by these two sections.
Their opportunity was a rare one, and most rarely did they improve it. The Rebel advance first appeared to view in a somewhat scattered tract of woods, mainly pines and oaks, and amid these the havoc was greatest.
Five men were afterwards found lying dead near a tree, killed by a shell which, singuarly enough, first passed completely through the trunk of the tree, exploding on the further side.
Our assistance was invaluable in rolling back the three successive charges made by the three Rebel divisions to break through our lines.
The enemy had evidently maneuvered to bring about another such result as that which confused and demoralized
[
388]
the corps on the
Boydton Plank Road in October; but although the weight of numbers was on their side, the God of Battles was on ours, and in this the last important tilt between the old Second Corps and
Lee's army before the final break-up, Victory perched on the
Union banners.
At one time, owing to the peculiar situation of the lines, the shells from
Lieut. Green's guns dropped among
Ramsey's Brigade (4th, of First Division), which had taken post at the right of
McAllister, whereat
Ramsey at once sent word to headquarters that his line was being enfiladed by a Rebel battery.
At the conclusion of the battle
Gen. Smythe rode up to the lieutenants and handsomely complimented the
Battery for its services, stating that but for it his division must have been flanked or captured, perhaps both.
Gen. McAllister, too, admitted his inability to have held his post unaided by our guns.
We were also mentioned favorably by the
Chief of Artillery and by
Gen. Humphreys in his congratulatory order.
Our casualties were three horses shot.
The total loss of the corps was one hundred and twenty-five men killed and wounded.
This insignificant loss is due to the fact of our troops being, in the main, protected by intrenchments.
It fairly illustrated the difference between charging earthworks as our army had done from the
Wilderness to
Petersburg, and defending them from assault.
The Confederate loss was heavy, but is not known.
This battle is known both by the name of
Hatcher's Runand
Armstrong's Farm,though the former more properly belongs to the action of the Fifth Corps further to the left, the next day. We usually call it the
Second Hatcher's Run.
The weather, so mild a few days before, now
[
389]
[
390]
[
391]
changed to piercing cold, and February 6th gave us a driving storm of sleet, which froze as it fell, covering everything with a coating of ice. Bivouacking under shelters of brush and tarpaulins stretched against the storm, we shivered through the day and night.
During the afternoon the Fifth Corps, having connected with the left of the Second, was reaching forward with its left to strike the
Boydton Plank Road.
Everything was progressing finely, —Crawford, in command of the left, having advanced and driven the enemy from Dabney's Mill.
But the
Rebels putting into practice their old game of sending a force by a. wide detour to the rear while they engaged attention in front, fell first upon
Gregg's cavalry, driving it before them, then upon
Ayres' Division of the Fifth Corps while in column going to
Crawford's assistance, driving it back, and finally striking
Crawford's Division, repulsing it with heavy loss.
Here fell the
Rebel General William J. Pegram, the ‘Boy Artillerist,’ as his Confederate associates called him.
9 The discomfited men of the
Maltese Cross now fell back pell-mell upon the position held by the Second Corps on
Hatcher's Run.
Elated with their easy victory, the
Rebels burst from the wood two hundred yards distant, eagerly following up, when Battery K, which seemed to possess the faculty of being in the right place at the right time, and the supporting infantry of
Mott's (Third) Division (
De Trobriand's Brigade), —both posted at the crossing of the
Vaughan Road over the
Run,—gave them such a warm reception that they hastily retired.
[
392]
Early next morning reconnoissances were sent out, which advanced some distance, finally coming upon the enemy's pickets and driving them into the main line.
10 There was some skirmishing during the day, and one section of our guns apparently silenced some Rebel guns, which had, at intervals, sent shells among us, killing one horse.
But the fighting was now over, and preparations were making to hold the ground we had taken, by constructing a line of fortifications connecting with the former extreme left at Fort Gregg.
As this position had been taken by the Second Corps, so now it was to retain it in possession, and Battery E was built for our guns,
11 some six hundred yards to the rear of the field on which we had shattered the
Rebel line, and in it the pieces were placed on the morning of the 11th.
Not much farther to the rear, in the edge of a piece of woods, Battery headquarters were established, where we applied all our previous experience in building the neatest and cosiest quarters we had ever erected, and all the longer to be remembered because the last of their kind.
Thus the whole of this newly acquired territory was in a sort time dotted with the white-roofed huts of the soldiery, and what we found a comparative solitude transformed into the stir and bustle of town life.
Its sloughs were soon ribbed with corduroy, and in a few days
Grant's modern marvel, the military railroad, was extended along the new lines, having its terminus a few rods in rear of our camp.
The truce already mentioned as existing between the lines at Fort Welch was unbroken here, and the only firing heard was that of Rebel pickets directed
[
393]
[
394]
[
395]
at members of their own side deserting to the
Union army.
Every night especially dark, brought squads of these men in, whom we saw marched past to corps headquarters, but with whom we rarely had opportunity to converse.
Five or six weeks wore quietly away in this camp with little, save a call from the paymaster, to vary their monotony.
On the 27th of February
Maj. Sleeper severed his connection with the
Company, and in a short speech, delivered with illy suppressed emotion, turned us over to
Lieut. Adams.
He told us that if we ever came to
Boston he should feel slighted if we did not give him a call; that anything he could do for us would be cheerfully done, and concluded by wishing us all a safe return home.
Lieut. Adams was at once promoted to the Captaincy, and
first sergeant George M. Townsend was commissioned junior second lieutenant, to fill the vacancy created by promotions.
The following letter was received by the
Major just after his discharge:
Major,—Sincerely regretting that you should have been induced to resign the command of your Battery I hope that you will always remember that you carry with you the very best wishes of all with whom you have been connected for four years. Intimately acquainted with you for the whole period of your services I congratulate you upon your military record with the hope of seeing you at no distant day giving a practical helping hand to those who are still striving to put down the
Rebellion.
Sincerely your friend,
Alexr.
S. Webb, Bv't
Major General,
Chief of Staff, A. P.
About the middle of March orders came to be ready to move at short notice, and to turn in one section of the
Battery.
[
396]
March 24th a corps review was held, and sutlers and non-combatants generally were ordered to
City Point.
We were now on the tiptoe of expectation.
Sherman was marching northward by rapid stages, and great events were discernible in the near future.
We did not look forward to the opening of the spring campaign with so much dread as we felt a year before, for two reasons,—first, because we had since become thoroughly seasoned by what was indisputably the hardest year's campaigning of the war; and second, because we knew the terrible strait to which our foe had been reduced in numbers and
morale.We did not expect any more hard fighting.
Everything during the winter had betokened a rapid wasting away of the so-called Confederacy, and we felt the end to be near.
We were aroused from our slumbers one morning (March 25) by the roar of artillery from the front of
Petersburg, and soon came orders to pack up and be ready to move at once.
It was occasioned by the
Rebels assaulting
Fort Stedman at daylight, carrying it with almost no opposition; but not following up their success, they were served much as was the assaulting column at the
Elliott Salient the memorable 30th of July previous.
This fact we, of course, did not learn until later.
We heard simply that
Fort Stedman had been captured, but as the firing died away, and no enemy appeared sweeping down on our flank, and as preparations were now making for an attack in our front, we became convinced that their advantage must have been short-lived.
When everything was in readiness the infantry advanced along our front and captured the enemy's fortified picket line, during which we employed our
[
397]
time at intervals in shelling what seemed vulnerable places, expending about ninety rounds in this operation.
12
Several hundred prisoners and deserters were a part of the fruit of this move, and it was diverting to us to hear the conversation taking place among a somewhat jolly crowd of them confined in a ‘bull ring’ (
i. e. a cordon of sentries), as new accessions to their company were received; such as ‘Hallo!
is that you, Sam?’
‘How are you, Old One-eye?
How did you get away?’
‘Here's another of 'em, boys!’
And at last one with stentorian voice bellows out, ‘Well, Cap'n, I guess you may as well call the roll of Company A.’
And, sure enough, here was one entire company of an Alabama regiment that had come in one by one, and seemed nothing loth to call their roll under the old flag.
Morning reports.
1864.
Nov. 1.
Lieut. H. H. Granger died at City Point Hospital, Va., Oct. 30, of wounds received in action Oct. 27.
Nov. 2.
Received notice of the following enlisted men missing since Aug. 25, being at
Annapolis, Md.; Serg't
A. B. Parker,
Corp. F. M. Howes,
privates J. S. Bailey, Jr.,
Richard Martin,
O. F. Glidden,
W. E. Endicott and
John E. Mugford.
Nov. 3.
Private P. A. Terbriggen sent to brigade hospital.
Sergeant G. M. Townsend promoted First
Sergeant.
Corporals Parker and
Currant promoted sergeants.
Private Allard promoted sergeant.
[
398]
Privates Goldsmith,
John E. Mugford (?),
O. F. Glidden (?),
W. E. Endicott (?), Ellis (?) and
Carr (?) promoted corporals (?).
Private Estee Lance Corporal to date from Dec. 1.
[The above record is a sad jumble of fact and fancy.
Mugford,
Glidden,
Endicott, Ellis (whoever this may mean) and
Carr were
notpromoted.
Estee,
Leverett Pierce and
John D. Billings were made Lance corporals.]
Nov. 4.
Privates William Allen and
Thomas Smith returned to duty from general hospital.
Nov. 6.
Notice received of
Corp. G. A. Smith and
privates Wm. Rawson,
Thos. Cusick,
G. W. Stetson,
L. W. Adams and
J. P. Brown being at
Camp Parole, Md., as paroled prisoners.
Nov. 7.
Notice received of
private C. D. Thompson at hospital,
Annapolis, Md.
Nov. 8. Four horses turned over to
Capt. Strang by order of
Lieut. E. L. Smith Battery K, 4th U. S. Art'y, A. A. I. Officer.
Nov. 11.
Private H. Orcutt reported to quarters.
Nov. 12.
Private Baxter reported to quarters.
Nov. 13.
Notice received of the death from wounds received in action on Aug. 25, 1864, of
Private George K. Putnam Nov. 2, 1864.
Private C. A. Mason dropped from the rolls having been mortally wounded and left on the field at Reams Station, Va., Aug. 25, 1864.
Private information received of his death.
Nov. 14.
Private C. D. Thompson at Div. 1, U. S. General Hospital,
Annapolis, Md. Notice received.
One horse died—worn out.
Nov. 16.
Notice received of the discharge of James Peach, private, by
Maj. Gen. Augur, on surgeon's certificate of disability Nov. 10, 1864.
Monthly inspection of Battery by
C. A. Clark,
1st Lieut. and A. I. G., Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps.
[
399]
Nov. 18.
John Maynard, a recruit received from Draft Rendezvous, Galloup's Island, Mass.
Private Henry Murphy returned to duty from Galloup's Island, agreeably to a letter A. G. O.,
Washington, D. C., Oct. 12, 1864.
Nov. 19.
Privates Thayer and
H. Orcutt excused from duty.
Privates Terbriggen and
Quimby in brigade hospital.
Nov. 20.
Private H. Orcutt reported to duty.
J. L. Thayer and
J. F. Baxter excused from duty.
Nov. 21. One horse died—stoppage.
Nov. 23. One horse died—fit.
Private Baxter reported to duty.
Nov. 24.
Private Thayer reported to duty.
Nov. 25. One horse died—Blind
Staggers.
Private Thayer excused from duty.
Corp'ls
J. H. Stevens and
R. Goldsmith and
Private J. L. Schwartz absent without leave.
Milbrey Green reported for duty as
2nd Lieut., vice
Smith deceased.
Commissioned Oct. 28, 1864.
Nov. 26.
Corp'ls
J. H. Stevens and
R. Goldsmith and
Private Schwartz returned to duty from absence without leave.
Private Thayer reported to quarters.
Nov. 27.
Private Thayer reported to quarters.
Nov. 28.
Private Thayer reported to quarters.
Private M. M. Pierce returned to duty from general hospital.
Nov. 29. Eighteen horses received from
Capt. Fisher.
Received marching orders at 12.20 A. M. Moved out of camp at 9 A. M. and relieved the 11th Mass. Battery in Fort Welch at 2 P. M. Left Section occupies Fort Gregg.
Nov. 30.
Moved the caisson camp to Fort Wheaton.
Left section rejoins the Right and Centre in Fort Welch.
[
400]
Dec. 1.
Private Hiram B. Oliver injured in foot by axe. Sent to brigade hospital.
Dec. 2.
Corp. Leverett Pierce reported to quarters.
Dec. 3.
Notice received of the death of
Private Henry L. Ewell at
Lincoln General Hospitals,
Washington, D. C., of Pyaemia, Nov. 21, 1864.
Corp'l
Pierce reported to duty.
Private Thayer to quarters.
Sixteen horses received from
Capt. Fisher.
Dec. 4.
Corp. Geo. A. Pease returned to duty from general hospital.
Lieut. J. W. Adams returned to duty from detached service having been absent since Sept. 24, 1864.
Dec. 5.
Corp. Pease and
Private Thayer reported to quarters.
Serg't
George H. Day discharged the service, for promotion agreeably to Special Order 312 Headquarters 2nd Corps, Dec. 4, 1864, and mustered into service Dec. 5, 1864 as
2nd Lieut. 10th Mass. Battery.
2nd Lieut. Wm. G. Rollins commissioned 1st Lieut.
and mustered as
1st Lieut. Dec. 4, 1864.
Dec. 6.
Notice received of the discharge of
Private Elisha T. Quimby for epilepsy, Nov. 11, 1864.
Private S. H. Foster returned to duty from general hospital.
Two horses shot by order
Lieut. Clark, A. T. G. Art'y Brig. Second Corps.—Glanders and Lameness.
Dec. 7.
Corp. G. A. Pease sent to Brigade Hospital.
Lance
Sergeant L. L. Estabrook promoted full
Sergeant.
Lance
Corporal Estee full corporal.
Corp. J. H. Stevens and
Private W. S. Roundy promoted Lance
Sergeant and Corporal respectively from Dec. 5, 1864.
Dec. 8.
Right and Centre Sections placed in Fort Emory; Left Section in Fort Siebert.
Private E. J. Wilson released from confinement and returned to duty as
Orderly at Headquarters Art'y Brigade, 2nd Corps.
[
401]
Dec. 9.
Right and Centre sections march at 6 o'clock P. M. with 1st Division, Sixth Corps.
Advanced to within one mile of
Hatcher's Run and remained in park till next P. M.
Dec. 10.
Notice received of transfer to general hospital of
Corp. G. A. Pease, and
Private H. B. Oliver.
Private J. Edwards sick in quarters.
Right and Centre Sections returned.
Pieces of Right Section placed in Fort Emory at 4 P. M.
Dec. 11.
Privates Jos. Edwards and
J. L. W. Thayer reported to quarters.
Dec. 13.
Private Jos. Edwards sent to brigade hospital.
Privates J. T. Goodwin,
C. E. Prince,
Thomas Ellworth returned to duty from general hospital.
Dec. 14.
Privates J. L. W. Thayer and
Henry Orcutt reported to quarters.
Private A. C. Billings returned to duty from general hospital.
Monthly inspection by
Lieut. Clark A. I. G. Art'y Brigade.
Dec. 15. One horse died—Stoppage.
Thirteen (13) horses turned over to
Capt. Strang by order of
Lieut. Clark, A. I. G. Art'y Brig.
Private information received of the death of
Judson Stevens at
East Boston while on furlough, Aug. 31, 1864.
Lieut. Geo. H. Day on leave of absence of 15 days to
Boston.
Dec. 16. Nine recruits received from Draft Rendezvous, Mass.;
Wm. H. Clark,
Francis A. Cook,
Michael Foley,
Joseph Lear,
George Nichols,
Chas. F. Clark,
Patrick Foran,
Samuel Otis,
Moses Mercier.
Dec. 17.
First Lieut. Wm. G. Rollins temporarily detailed on special service at Headquarters Art'y Brigade, Second Corps, agreeably to Special Orders 213, Headquarters Art'y Brigade.
Dec. 18.
Private J. L. W. Thayer sent to brigade hospital.
One horse died.—Glanders.
Dec. 19.
Privates H. Orcutt,
E. C. Jewell, T.
[
402]
Herlehy,
S. A. Atwood on detailed duty with Q. M. Dept.
Art'y Brigade, agreeably to S. O. 215 Headquarters Art'y Brigade.
Corp. G. A. Smith and
Privates J. S. Bailey, Jr.,
J. P. Brown,
J. Millett and
Thos. Cusick returned to duty from
Camp Parole, Md. Privates Pierce,
Orcutt and
Lucas reported to quarters.
Dec. 20.
Brevet Major J. Henry Sleeper absent with leave on court-martial.
Privates J. A. Lucas and
Samuel Otis reported to quarters.
Dec. 21.
Major J. Henry Sleeper returned from absence with leave.
Private Samuel Otis reported to quarters.
Dec. 22.
Private M. M. Pierce reported to quarters.
Private Samuel Otis returned to duty.
Dec. 23.
Private Hiram Warburton returned to duty from general hospital.
Private M. M. Pierce reported to quarters
Dec. 25.
Privates F. A. Cook and
M. M. Pierce reported to quarters.
Dec. 26.
Private Jos. Edwards returned to light duty from brigade hospital.
Private Pierce reported to quarters.
Corp. A. F. Richardson (?) absent on furlough of fifteen days dated from Dec. 27.
(The name is omitted in the
Morning Report Book.)
Dec. 28.
Notice received of the presence of
Alvin Thompson, private, at general hospital,
Annapolis, Md., as paroled prisoner; also of
C. D. Thompson at same place.
Private M. M. Pierce reported to quarters.
Dec. 29.
Privates Ham,
Pierce (?) and
Gross excused from duty.
Dec. 30.
Lieut. George H. Day returned to duty from 15 days leave of absence.
Privates Ham and
Pierce reported to quarters.
Dec. 31.
Privates L. Ham and
F. A. Cook sent to brigade hospital.
Private M. M. Pierce reported to quarters.
[
403]
1865.
Jan. 2.
Serg't
Stevens and
privates Pierce and
Mercier reported to quarters.
Jan. 3.
Private M. Mercier sent to brigade hospital.
Privates McAllister and
Pierce (?) reported to quarters.
Corp. G. A. Pease returned to duty from general hospital.
Notice received of discharge of
Private W. E. Hooper on surgeon's certificate of disability Dec. 30, 1864.
Jan. 4.
Privates Ellsworth, (?)
Southworth and
McAllister reported to quarters.
Corp. F. M. Howes and
Private Richard Martin returned to duty from
Camp Parole, Md., Paroled (exchanged?) prisoners.
Jan. 5.
Corp. Geo. A. Pease excused from duty.
Jan. 6.
Corp. Pease and
privates McAllister and
Campbell reported to quarters.
Private F. A. Cook reported from brigade hospital.
Privates J. P. Brown,
T. Ellworth,
D. C. Blackmer,
M. Campbell,
James A. Lucas,
H. N. Bemis on detached duty at Q. M. Dept., Art'y Brig. 2nd Corps.
Jan. 7.
Corp. Pease reported to quarters:
Jan. 8.
Lieut. J. Webb Adams on furlough of 20 days.
Corp. G. A. Pease reported to quarters.
Jan. 9.
Corp. G. A. Pease reported to quarters.
Jan. 10.
Corp. Pease,
privates Floytrop and
Otis reported to quarters.
One horse died—farcy.
Jan. 11.
Corp. Pease reported to quarters.
Private L. Ham returned to duty from brigade hospital.
Jan. 12.
Corp. A. F. Richardson absent without leave.
Private Hiram P. Ring a furlough of 15 days to
Millbury, Mass., and to
Maine.
Jan. 13.
Private M. Campbell returned to duty from Q. M. Dept.
Corp. A. F. Richardson absent without leave.
Jan. 14.
Corp. Pease and
Private Ham reported
[
404]
to quarters.
Priv.
Chas. D. Thompson returned to duty from absence with leave.
Paroled prisoner.
Jan. 15.
Private L. Ham reported to quarters;
Corp. G. A. Pease and
Private J. A. Lucas sent to brigade hospital from Q. M. Dept.
Art'y Brig. 2nd Corps.
Lieut. W. G. Rollins detached to
Q. M. Dep't as A. A. Q. M., by S. O. No. 4, Jan. 6, 1865, Headquarters Art'y Brig. 2nd Corps.
Monthly inspection by
Lieut. C. A. Cla * * A. A. G. Art'y Brig. 2nd Corps.
Jan. 16.
Serg't
Lewis R. Allard and
Corp. Tobias Beck reduced to the ranks agreeably to
Special Orders No. 1, Headquarters Tenth Mass. Battery,
Privates James S. Bailey promoted sergeant and
Corporal G. W. Blair,
Gunner.
Corporal W. B. Lemmon assigned to the Fifth Detachment.
Private (?)
L. Pierce * * * days furlough to
Mass.
Jan. 17.
Private Moses Mercier returned to duty from
Brig. Hospital.
Private L. Ham reported to quarters.
Jan. 18.
Recruits
John Riley,
Daniel Keefe,
Edwin A. Hill and
James Gallagher joined the
Battery.
Private J. M. Ramsdell returned to duty from general hospital.
Corporal B. C. Clark and
L. Ham reported to quarters.
Jan. 19.
Private L. Ham reported to quarters.
Jan. 20.
Private Michael Campbell on furlough of 15 days to
Boston, Mass. Private J. L. W. Thayer returned to duty from brigade hospital;
Private E. A. Hill sent to brigade hospital;
Corp. Clark and
Private Ham excused.
Private A. L. Gowell on pass of 48 hours to 54th (?) Corps.
Jan. 22. Two horses received from
Capt. Ellsworth, A. Q. M. Art'y Brigade, 2nd Corps.
Corp. B. C. Clark reported to quarters.
Jan. 23.
Private J. L. W. Thayer sent to brigade
[
405]
hospital.
Private L. Ham reported to quarters.
Private A. L. Gowell returned from absence with leave.
Eight horses received from
Capt. Ellsworth A. Q. M. Art'y Brig. 2nd Corps.
Jan. 25.
Privates G. H. Nichols and
L. E. Hunt reported to quarters.
Jan. 26.
Corp. G. A. Pease reported to duty from.
brigade hospital.
Privates Hunt,
Cook and
Woodis reported to quarters.
One horse shot—order of
Lieut. W. L. Bull, Ass't Inspector Art'y Brigade— Glanders.
Jan. 27.
Privates Hunt and
Woodis reported to quarters.
Jan. 28.
Privates Hunt and
Woodis reported to quarters.
Jan. 29.
Private D. R. Stowell detailed as mechanic in
Q. M. Dep't., Art'y Brigade.
Private E. C. Jewell returned to duty from Art'y Brigade,
Q. M. Dep't 2nd Corps.
Privates Woodis,
Hunt and
Bacon and
Serg't
Bailey reported to quarters.
Private Hiram P. Ring returned from furlough.
Lieut. J. W. Adams absent without leave.
Jan. 30.
Lieut. J. W. Adams returned from absence without leave.
Unavoidable detention.
Privates Bacon,
Hunt and
Woodis reported to quarters.
Jan. 31.
Private Jas. L. Schwartz detailed as attendant at Art'y Brigade Hospital.
Private Hunt reported to quarters.
Feb. 1.
Maj. J. Henry Sleeper on leave and
Private Joseph Cross on furlough of 20 days each.
Feb. 2. One recruit,
Timothy Devine received.
Private L. E. Hunt reported to quarters.
Notice received of transfer to general hospital Feb. 1, 1863, of
privates James A. Lucas,
Edwin A. Hill,
J. L. W. Thayer and
P. Terbriggen.
Feb. 3.
Private L. E. Hunt reported to quarters.
[
406]
Feb. 4.
Private L. W. Temple on furlough of 20 days to
Boston, Mass.
Feb. 5.
Corporal Leverett Pierce and
Private John Campbell returned from furlough and reported for duty.
Battery moved out of camp at 8 o'clock A. M., and arrived at Armstrong's Farm about four miles to the left where the left and centre sections were engaged, right section three-fourths of a mile on the right.
One horse shot and killed and one wounded.
Feb. 6.
Private Francis Mins on furlough of 20 days to
Barre, Mass. One horse died of wounds.
Feb. 7. One horse died; exhaustion.
Feb. 9.
Privates P. T. Hill and
L. E. Hunt reported to quarters.
Feb. 10.
Privates E. D. Thresher,
J. D. Smith,
P. Terbriggen and
J. L. W. Thayer returned to duty from hospital.
Privates L. E. Hunt and
J. P. Allen reported to quarters.
Feb. 11.
Private F. A. Cook sent to brigade hospital.
Feb. 13.
Serg't
Charles W. Doe sent to brigade hospital.
Serg't
James S. Bailey and
Private Hunt reported to quarters.
Feb. 14. One horse died, worn out; 9 horses turned over to
Capt. Ellsworth, A. Q. M. Art'y Brigade.
Serg't
Bailey,
Corp. Pease,
privates Hunt,
Pierce,
Hill and
Handlin reported to quarters.
Feb. 15.
Private D. C. Blackmer returned to duty from Q. M. Dept.
Private Wm. B. Nichols temporarily detailed in
Q. M. Dep't Art'y Brigade Second Corps, agreeably to
Special Orders No. 30, Headquarters Art'y Brigade.
Feb. 16.
Corporal Billings,
Privates Jewell,
Hunt,
Handlin and
Devine sick in quarters.
Feb. 17.
Private Patrick E. Neagle absent without
[
407]
leave since April 29, 1864, returned (under arrest) Feb. 6, 1865.
Serg't
Chas. W. Doe to duty from brigade hospital.
Corp. G. A. Pease reported to quarters.
Feb. 18.
Monthly inspection (foot) by
Lieut. W. S. Bull A. I. G. Art'y Brigade.
Corp. G. A. Pease reported to quarters also
James Lee.
Feb. 19.
Private Charles Slack on furlough of 20 days to New York City.
Private James Lee reported to quarters.
Feb. 20.
Privates .
Wm. Rawson and
Alvin Thompson from
Camp Parole (Exchanged Prisoners).
Private B. H. Phillips returned to duty from General Hospital.
Feb. 21.
Private E. J. Wilson returned to duty from brigade headquarters.
Private T. W. Strand detailed as orderly at brigade headquarters.
Private Joseph Cross returned to duty from furlough.
One horse died; exhaustion.
Feb. 22.
Maj. J. Henry Sleeper returned to duty from leave of absence.
Feb. 23.
Privates Harry Chase and
Thresher sick in quarters.
Feb. 24.
Privates H. Chase and
Thresher sick in quarters.
Second Lieut. Milbrey Green on leave and
Private James Dwight on furlough to Mass.
of 20 days each.
Eight horses received from Q. M. D., Art'y Brigade 2nd Corps.
Feb. 25.
Privates M. Orcutt and
H. Chase, excused.
Feb. 26.
Privates M. Orcutt and
H. Chase reported to quarters.
Private L. W. Temple returned from furlough.
Brevet Major J. Henry Sleeper mustered out of
United States service agreeably to provisions of circular 75, War Dep't, Sept. 22nd, 1864.
Battery commanded by
Lieut. J. Webb Adams.
[
408]
Feb. 27.
Lance
Corporal Chas. E. Osborne promoted corporal vice
Beck reduced, to date from Jan. 16, 1865.
Privates Wilson,
Orcutt and
Chase reported to quarters;
Private Francis Mins reported to duty from absence on furlough.
Feb. 28.
Privates J. W. Wilson,
M. Orcutt,
H. Chase, and
F. Mins, excused from duty.
Notice received of the transfer to general hospital of
Private J. A. Lucas.
March 1.
Privates H. Chase,
J. W. Wilson and
M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
March 3.
Privates F. Mins,
M. Orcutt and
J. M. Ramsdell reported to quarters.
Q. M. Serg't
W. H. Fitzpatrick and
Private Timothy Nowell on furlough of 20 days each to
Boston.
One horse died, worn out.
March 4.
Private James A. Lucas reported for duty from general hospital;
F. Mins,
H. Chase,
M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
March 5.
Serg't
A. B. Parker and
Bugler J. E. Mugford, exchanged prisoners, returned from absence with leave to duty.
March 6.
Privates M. Orcutt,
H. Chase,
F. Mins and
S. Otis reported to quarters.
March 7.
Serg't
B. F. Parker on furlough of 20 days to Mass.
Privates H. Chase,
F. Mins and
M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
March 8.
Private Ellis A. Friend returned from General Hospital.
Artificer Gross and
Privates H. Chase and
Orcutt (?) reported to quarters.
March 9.
Private Geo. H. Putnam on furlough of 20 days to
Boston, Mass. Privates H. Chase,
F. Mins and
M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
March 10.
Private Chas. Slack returned to duty from furlough.
Privates Otis,
Chase and
Orcutt reported to quarters.
Two horses died; glanders and worn out.
[
409]
March 11.
Privates H. B. Beal and
H. P. Ring detailed in Brigade
Q. M. Dep't. Notice received of absence on furlough of
D. R. Stowell, mechanic in Brigade Q. M. train.
Private Charles Fiske sent to Brigade Hospital.
Privates Orcutt,
Chase and
Otis reported to quarters.
Bugler J. T. Sullivan sick in quarters.
March 12.
Private F. A. Chase detailed to Brigade
Q. M. Dep't.
Privates Chase and
Orcutt (?) reported to quarters.
March 13.
Private H. Chase reported to quarters.
One horse died of exhaustion.
March 14.
Private M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
March 15.
Privates Orcutt and
Fales reported to quarters.
March 16.
Monthly inspection (mounted) by
Lieut. W. S. Bull. One recruit,
Thos. J. Pratt (?), received.
Private M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
Notice received of the transfer to General Hospital from brigade of
Privates F. A. Cook and
Charles Fiske.
March 17.
First Lt. J. Webb Adams mustered out and re-mustered as
Captain, agreeably to circular A. G. O.,
State of Mass. Private M. Orcutt reported to quarters.
Two horses died; exhaustion.
March 18.
Second Lt. Milbrey Green and
Private James Dwight returned from leave of absence and furlough.
March 19.
First Sergeant Geo. M. Townsend mustered out and mustered in as
Second Lieutenant.
Reviewed by
Maj. Gen. Humphreys.
Lieut. Green mustered in as
1st Lieut. Sergt. J. S. Bailey, Jr., promoted to
Orderly Sergeant.
March 20. One horse died of exhaustion.
