Roebling Report

Report of the Operations of the 5th Corps, A.P. in Genl. Grant's Campaign from Culpeper to Petersburg, as seen by W.A. Roebling, Maj. A.D.C. 1864

Wednesday May 4

The four divisions of the 5th Corps left their different camps at precisely 12 M. in the night taking up the line of march for Germanna Ford. General Griffin's Division took the lead, followed by General Crawford, Robinson and Wadsworth. The pontoon trains had been ordered from Rappahannock Station the day before. The Cavalry having crossed before 6 o'clock, the pontoon trains were laid by 6 ½ A.M. The large wooden boats up stream, and the canvas boats lower down; at the same time, 3 roads were prepared on the other side, so as to have no delay in ascending the hill on the opposite bank. (Our column [Page 2] of troops was plainly seen by daylight from the enemy's signal station on Clark's Mt. and they had a large signal fire burning).

At 7 ½ a.m. the head of the 1st Div. commenced to cross followed by the artillery and other divisions. By 4 P.M. everything was in camp about the Lacy house.

The general understanding that night was that we were to attack the enemy in the morning advancing westward; it was supposed that our line of battle would reach from the pike to the plank road, with the 2nd Corps on our left and the 6th on our right.

Thursday May 5

At daybreak Genl. Crawford's Div. started for Parker's store by a little wood road, narrow, and but little used. Pioneers were sent ahead from the 3rd and 4th Divs; three bridges were built over [Page 3] the western branches of the Wilderness run, and the road was cut to a width of 20 feet. Gen. Wadsworth's Div. followed, and then Gen. Robinson's. When we arrived at Tuning's field brisk firing was heard at Parker's store. This field was a commanding plateau overlooking the ground to the north and west and connecting with the plank road by two good roads, one leading to Parker's store, and the other to a point a mile east of the store. It became evident at once that it would be of the utmost importance to hold that field, as its possession would divide Lee's army in two parts if he attempted operations down the plank road and pike at the same time; and if he attempted to pass us and attack the 2nd Corps further down the plank road we could fall upon his rear; again it was the best fighting ground in the whole neighborhood. The 3rd Div. was therefore at once put in position with its two batteries, one brigade facing west and the other south; while they were intrenching themselves, I went [Page 4] forward to Parker's store. I there found a battalion of Wilson's Cavalry skirmishing with the enemy's infantry; the officers informed me that he could hold on perhaps 15 minutes longer: too little time to put the 3rd Div. in line of battle across the plank road, especially as there was but little open ground around the store. When I returned to Gen. Crawford he had already deployed a skirmish line which was advancing towards the plank road and also in a S.W. direction. By the time they arrived within 200 yards of the plank road, the cavalry had already given way, retiring rapidly towards Chancellorsville, and the skirmishers became engaged with the flankers of an infantry column moving steadily down the plank road. The enemy seemed to be unaware of the 3rd Div. being on their flanks, but kept steadily on; some of their flankers came down the S.E. road before mentioned, and fired into the rear of the right wing, but were quickly dislodged. Communication being opened [Page 5] with the Lacy house by signals, the situation of affairs was explained by Gen. Crawford and instructions asked for; no definite answer was received as Gen. Warren was making arrangements to attack or meet the attack of Gen. Ewell coming down the pike. I rode down towards the lacy house, passing the 4th and part of the 2nd Divs. In line of battle on the road, the 4th Div. on the left, its left resting on the Wilderness run in a small open field; the orders they had were to advance due west, keep closed up to the right and attack the enemy when found; they had to advance through an exceedingly thick growth of small pines and underbrush where a man could not be seen 20 feet off. I do not remember whether I fund Gen. Warren or not; at any rate I returned at once to the 3rd Div.; as I passed along the line commenced to move; this was sometime between 9 and 10. I found Gen. Crawford had orders to join in the main attack and form on the left of Wadsworth. As the 4th Div. had already moved, the Brigade of Col. McCandless was placed [Page 6] in such a position as to strike the left of the 4th Div. if they went far enough into the woods. The enemy was still moving down the plank road evidently in very large force. The firing now commenced, it was very heavy for at least half an hour. Returning to the Lacy house, I found the little road crowded with stragglers and large crowds of soldiers pouring out of the woods in great confusion and almost panic stricken; some said they were flanked, others that they had suddenly come upon the Rebs lying concealed in two lines of battle in the thick underbrush, and that our men had broke and run after the first volley. Cutler's Brig. Came back in pretty good order, bringing a number of prisoners. The 2nd Div. (Baxter's Brig.) came back in much less confusion. The stragglers mostly halted in the meadow bottoms around the Lacy house; I saw no part of Gen. Griffin's line and can't say how they fared; their attack was however repulsed, and they claim it was the first time they were ever beaten. As the enemy was reported to be pursuing there was danger [Page 7] of Crawford's being cut off, so he was ordered back at once and took position about 1 mile S.W. of the Lacy house, facing towards Parker's store; the Brigade of McAndless had been handled even worse than the rest being almost surrounded and losing about two whole regiments by capture. The enemy did not follow as far as the road that day. Gen. Wadsworth was much chagrined at the conduct of his men. The cause of the repulse is easily accounted for; it will be seen that the course of the middle part of the road from Lacy's to Tuning's runs almost parallel with the pike; Wadsworth's line started facing N.W. in place of going due W. Ewell's line was at right angles with the pike behind or in a road running S.E. from Spottswood's, so that by the time our line of battle passed the Ligorson house, the 4th Div. almost faced the pike directly and the first fire of the enemy came square upon its flank: the thick wood prevented any change of the line on the spot, and by running back, the men did about the best thing they could.
*A noble spirited brave soldier. G.K.Warren

[Page 8] McAndless' Brig. Never joined Wadsworth's left, and being a small isolated force were easily beaten. One section of Winslow's battery was lost. Ayres' Brig. On the right of the road was driven back across the pike, the guns remaining in the hands of the enemy for a short time, and although driven back afterwards, the guns could not be hauled off, and remained between the two lines, the enemy getting them ultimately. Capt. Winslow was severely wounded: there are the only guns lost by the Corps during the campaign.

About 1 o'clock Gen. Crawford's Div. was placed in position about a mile from the Lacy house, guarding the road from Tuning's. Griffin's line was also straightened out. Heavy firing was heard on the Brock road where the 2nd Corps was in position. A column of the enemy was seen moving past Tuning's house towards Hancock; thy came on a little wood road past a small block-house west of Tuning's.

Genls. Grant and Meade arrived at our Headquarters at the Lacy house about 2 ½ o'clock.
*The responsibility of sending this section of Artillery with the advance, rests upon me. [Page 9] The firing of the 2nd Corps was exceedingly heavy at this time. Gen. Grant ordered a diversion to be made in their favor by attacking the enemy in the rear. The troops designated for this purpose were Baxter's Brig. Of the 2nd and the 4th Divs. All the stragglers had been collected by this time, and the men rested. Gen. Wadsworth in particular was anxious to retrieve the repulse of the morning. His orders were to advance towards the firing which was at the intersection of the plank road and Brock road; by following this direction he was expected to strike the enemy attacking Hancock on their left flank and rear. The column under command of Gen. Wadsworth moved about 4 o'clock; after entering the woods S.E. of Lacy's, line of battle was formed. The woods were very thick and full of under-brush. The troops were formed in two lines, the 4th Div. in front and Brig. Of the 2nd on the 2nd line, more to the right. After proceeding half a mile, the skirmish line of the enemy was driven in and steadily pushed until it was too dark to see. [Page 10] when the troops halted in line of battle for the night; the resistance of the enemy had not been very severe; the line had gradually swung around so as to be facing more nearly South, between the Wid. Tap's field and the Brock road, the left being perhaps a mile from the Brock road. The prisoners taken stated they belonged to Hill's Corps and had only been posted there 10 minutes previous. They belonged to the column which had been observed during the day marching past the Tuning house. It had been hoped that we would form connection with the 2nd Corps that evening, but darkness came on too soon.

I returned to the Lacy house at 9 P.M. and at 11 P.M. went to Grant's HdQrs. to see Col. Comstock in relation to the movement of the 9th Corps for the coming day. Two options presented themselves—either to go and join Wadsworth by daylight, or else obtain possession of the heights at Tuning's and fall upon the enemy's rear by that route; if successful in carrying these heights the latter plan promised the [Page 11] greatest results; if not, it would fail altogether. Then again it was thought that when Gen. Wadsworth joined the 2nd Corps the two together would be sufficient to drive the enemy. Gen. Grant therefore decided that the 9th Corps should go to Tuning's, and I prepared to accompany them at 4 o'clock in the morning.

No general officer was killed this day. Gen. Bartlett was wounded slightly. Great hopes were entertained for the movement in the morning.

[Also numbered Page 11] From Col. W.A. Roebling's narrative.

Friday, May 6th

Before 5 o'clock the musketry commenced on Gen. Wadsworth's front. Capt. Cope was sent there at sunrise, and reports the following as the condition of affairs:

"When I arrived at the Widow Tap's field I found Rice's Brig. Coming back; they had just charged across a little hill in the filed, driving the rebels across it to the plank road; here a battery of the enemy suddenly opened on them, enfilading their line and driving them back. This battery [Page 12] of the enemy's was located on the plank road, 1 ½ miles E. of Parker's store where the road from Tuning's comes in.

About 7 o'clock the line of Gen. Wadsworth was formed across the plank road about ¾ m. from the Brock road, he had 4 regiments on each side of the road, and the line of battle was 2 to 3 lines deep. While he was fighting there in front of the 2nd Corps with varying success, his line swaying back and forward, and receiving the brunt of the enemy's attack, the greater part of the 2nd Corps was lying in the Brock road, part of it entrenched. A portion of Rice's Brig. When driven from Tap's field retired towards Lacy's.

Gen. Wadsworth maintained this unequal contest the whole morning, keeping his ground until he was killed at 2 P.M. He was struck in the head by a musket ball while standing on the plank road and fell into the enemy's hands." He died next day at a house near Robertson's tavern.

[Page 13] After his death the command fell back behind the 2nd Corps line. Gen. Robinson took position with his Div. Lyle's Brig. and the Md. Brig. on the right of the 2nd Corps, on the Brock road about 3 o'clock and remained there. Gen. Cutler collected the remainder of the 4th Div. and returned in course of the day to near the Lacy house. Gen. Baxter was wounded in the leg, Col. Coulter taking command. This Brig. of Coulter's crossed the entire front of the 2nd Corps and finally came around their left; having stopped at the Lacy House they were again ordered to the 2nd Corps when the Rebs broke their line in the latter part of the afternoon, but the emergency having passed by they halted alongside the Germanna plank road east of the Wilderness run.

To return now to morning, I will give my experience with the 9th Corps.

The head of their column passed the Lacy house at daybreak; nothing was encountered until reaching the field this side of Wilderness run; here the flankers on the right became engaged [Page 14] with the enemy's skirmishers. As soon as the head of the column emerged into the field a rebel battery at tuning's opened on them, some fifty shots were fired but no one was hurt; the column halted, a strong skirmish line advanced across the run up the slope covered with thick pines, and as soon as they showed themselves in the edge of Tuning's field they received a musketry fire, and fell back; perhaps one Div. of the 9th Corps was deployed in line of battle on the left of the road in a hollow. A long consultation now ensued between Genls. Burnside and Parke and Col. Comstock. No one liked the idea of taking the hill by assault, and the reluctance was increased by an occasional cannon ball coming down among the party. The idea was entertained that Gen. Crawford was to advance and join on the right of the 9th Corps but I explained that if Crawford advanced at all he would close on the left of Griffin and advance up the pike away from the 9th Corps. More than an hour was lost doing nothing, while the firing [Page 15] over by Wadsworth grew very heavy; they finally concluded to abandon this route, and move further to the left, arriving at a point half way between Tuning's and Tap's; the Corps became engaged there about noon, with no decisive result, and fell back towards evening and intrenched.

At daybreak already the enemy opened with several batteries on the left and front of Griffin's line; the woods prevented their seeing anything directly, yet their fire was quite effective. Two of our batteries replied, firing at the smoke; these guns of ours were situated a quarter of a mile south of the pike behind the line of breastworks which had been marked out that morning; they are indicated on Capt. Cope's map. The disposable reserves of Griffin were engaged all the morning building these breastworks, aided by the battalion of regular Engineers, and on the left by the heavy Artillery Brigade of Col. Kitching who reported that morning. The latter part of the day Kitching's Brig. occupied the 2nd line behind the breastworks on the left of Griffin; they had been in a little [Page 16] fight in the morning over by the 2nd Corps, losing some 60 or 70 men. On their left the Penna Reserves took up the line of embankments connecting still further to the left with the 9th Corps. As evening came on there was a prospect for a quiet night: suddenly the report spread around that the whole 6th Corps had been captured including "Uncle John;" they were on our right somewhat in advance, and only had two Divs., Getty being over with Hancock. The report of Gen. Sedgwick's Staff officers only increased the stampede and both Gen. Grant's and Gen. Meade's Hd Qrs. were in the greatest possible state of excitement. The nearest troops at hand were at once seized upon to go to the rescue, comprising Crawford's Div. and Coulter's Brig. lying on the Germanna plankroad. I took Crawford's Div. over there; as we came upon the Germanna road, we found it filled with an excited crowd of soldier's apparently scared to death; they amounted in number to almost a division, and not a single one could tell why he was running; not a shot could [Page 17] be heard, and as we moved towards Germanna ford the stragglers quickly ceased. Our column halted about a mile from Spotswood's and riding forward we found the hospitals at that point perfectly quiet, and no enemy had made his appearance there. We therefore turned the left, and went up a little road, following the north bank of a small stream which runs past the sawmill; in course of half a mile word came in that Gen. Sedgwick was not taken, and that a part of his line was still in position; everything being quiet Gen. Crawford returned to his old place at 11 o'clock. I was subsequently informed by the Col. Of the 33rd Pa. who was lying with his regt. in front of Griffin's right, that the rebels halted their line for the night within 100 yds. of his front, and that they spent most of the night hunting for water, and congratulating themselves upon the way in which they had made the Yankees run.

Saturday. May 7th

This was a quiet day. The forenoon was [Page 18] spent in strengthening the lines along Griffin's and Crawford's front; considerable timber was slashed. The enemy sent an occasional shell at Griffin's left; picket firing was kept up on the pike; during the night the enemy was heard cutting timber, and it was evident that he was fortifying himself just as we were. During the day sounds were heard towards the west resembling explosions, from which it was surmised that the enemy were abandoning their depot at Orange C.H. About noon orders were issued for a movement towards Spottsylvania C.H., the 5th Corps to take the advance. The afternoon was accordingly spent in making the necessary preparations; getting off the wagons and wounded; the ambulance trains did not move until the last moment; 500 wounded were left owing to want of transportation; they were recovered a week afterwards together with those at Robertson's tavern, under a flag of truce.

After sunset, the Corps started in the [Page 19] following order: Gen. Cutler with the 4th Div., 2nd Div. under Gen. Robinson, next Penna Reserves, followed by Gen. Griffin bringing up the rear. The picket line was to be relieved at 8 o'clock in the morning. The night was very dark, no moonlight. Some little delay was caused by the 2nd Corps lying in the road behind their entrenchments; behind the left of the 2nd Corps the road was very muddy, causing the men to straggle very much.

As this ends the operations in the Wilderness, it is the proper place to give approximately the losses.

[none given here]
[Page 20]
May 8.
Sunday.

At 1 A.M. the head of the column reached Todd's tavern where Gen. Meade was halting. At this point the cavalry filled the road, and some time was lost to get them out of it. Gen. Merritt, with the main body of the Cavalry was about two miles ahead. Gen. Warren was told by Gen. Meade that the Cavalry would be kept out of the way, and leave us to take the advance on the main road. Moving on we reached Merritt's Hd Qrs. about 3 o'clock, and found that he had just received an order from Gen. Meade directing him to take the advance and clear the way; he stated that he had been fighting and driving Stuart's cavalry up to a late hour the previous evening. At 3 ½ A.M. the Cavalry moved on, and our own Divs. as fast as they came up were camped along side the road in columns of regiments, and rested. They were very tired.

Gen. Merritt became engaged at once; after fighting for over an hour, and driving the enemy perhaps a mile, it became evident that his progress was too slow. Gen. Robinson now moved on with his Div; it was about 6 o'clock and broad daylight. He deployed about two brigades in line of battle with skirmish line, the rest of the troops following column; numerous barricades were encountered before reaching Alsop's farm, and trees were felled across the road; considerable loss occurred in removing the barricades, several pioneers were killed and wounded while chopping; their artillery fire from two guns at the Alsop house was pretty much at random and did not do much damage. The troops were very much hurried and excited, in fact really frightened from some inexplicable cause; the tendency to stampede was so great that Gen. Warren himself had to go to the front of the leading brigade.

About 8 ½ A.M. the brigade of Gen. Robinson emerged from the woods into the open fields at Alsop's and made a dash at the section behind the house coming within an ace of capturing it; this section opened fire again up on the hill behind the blacksmith shop.

As the road strikes Alsop's, it forks, the two forks uniting again a mile further on. Robinson advanced along the left fork with his Div. moving rapidly. Coulter's Brig. was on the left, Lyle on the right, and the Md Brig. further to the left, and somewhat to the rear. They advanced up to the point of woods where Sedgwick was afterwards killed, without much fighting; here they halted for 10 minutes to take breath; the line was reformed in column of regiments with a strong skirmish line and commenced to advance over the field toward the B.S. shop. Up to this time we thought we were fighting cavalry. When half way across the field and on the point of rising the crest, the enemy opened with sharp musketry on the front and right; the fire was unexpected and threw the two Brigades into confusion; they presently broke and ran and could not be rallied until they reached the woods north of Alsop's. Gen. Robinson was struck in the knee at the first fire, which left the men without their commander at a critical moment. The enemy's fire was not heavy enough to justify the breaking of the men, it was chiefly owing to their being excited, somewhat scared, and hurried entirely too much. The pursuit of the enemy was not vigorous, and was met in the front piece of woods by the Md. Brig. who checked them.

Prisoners stated that they had two Brigades of Longstreet's, one of them was Barksdale's old Miss. Brig. and Cavalry in addition: they were posted around the intersection of the Buchanan road; their entrenchments did not amount to much. From what I could ascertain, I should judge that these brigades had been there some little time, and that they were not sent there as a direct consequence of our leaving the Wilderness the previous night. Longstreet's advance however commenced arriving soon after.

While this was going on the rest of the Corps kept coming up. Griffin who had passed Crawford on the way took the right fork, forming Bartlett in line of battle in the ravine below Alsop's, he advanced with Ayres and Sweitzer marching on the road; when Bartlett got half way across the field he received the same fire that had driven back Robinson, the greater part of his Brigade staggered, and finally commenced to run back; it so happened that Ayres' men in the road had good cover, the road being sunken about 3 feet below the level; they held their ground, thus affording a rallying point for Bartlett's men, and in a short time the line was re-established through the personal exertions of Genls. Griffin, Ayres, and Bartlett; they advanced a little way farther and held the line our Corps occupied while north of Spottsylvania.

During the episode, Crawford had come up following Robinson's track, he drove the enemy out of the woods on Griffin's left, and formed line in the further edge of the timber. One of our rifled batteries had taken position near Alsop's and opened, soon silencing the enemy's section, and burning the shop and house; the enemy then opened from a 12 pdr battery on the Buchanan road; their shot fell south of Alsop's, and did not do much damage. Col. Wainwright now placed two light 12 batteries on the road between Griffin and Crawford under a lively musketry fire; they did great execution, driving the enemy back into the woods so that Griffin's skirmishers could advance into the orchard around the burnt house. It was becoming evident that the enemy was being reinforced; he commenced to push through the pines on Griffin's right, with the evident intention of turning his right flank.

Gen. Cutler had now come up; his men had had several hours rest, and were in good condition; he was formed in the ravine and faced so as to drive the enemy out of the woods on Griffin's right; he advanced in fine style, all his bands playing, drove the enemy through the woods without halting, establishing his line so as to connect with Griffin. The enemy still kept up fire from two pieces, doing us considerable damage, they were located in a sunken road, so that our guns could not get at them; they fired all day.

It was now 2 o'clock and matters were becoming more settled; the men commenced entrenching themselves of their own accord; the 2nd Div. was getting into shape again; but little could be expected any more that day of the 1st and 4th Divs. as they had fought pretty heavily and lost considerable. The Penna Reserves were in better condition than the other three Divs.

The pickets of Genls. Griffin and Crawford had now come in from the Wilderness, and after resting half an hour, were turned over to Gen. Crawford in a body, there being no time to distribute them among their regiments just then.

For several hours past the enemy's wagon train was seen moving on the Catharpin road.

Later in the afternoon two Divs. of the 6th Corps came up on our left where Crawford was; they were to push forward yet that evening and assault the enemy.

After considerable delay, a Jersey Brigade of Gen. Neale's Div. advanced up the road, towards the burnt house; they were speedily repulsed by the enemy without much loss. It was growing dark and Gen. Crawford's troops now advanced on the left, passing into the woods beyond the open ground in our front; it so happened that a body of troops belonging to Ewell were marching towards us by the flank, coming upon Crawford unexpectedly, they were driven back by our men for ¾ of a mile in confusion; nearly a hundred prisoners were taken; after nightfall Crawford fell back, leaving a skirmish line well out; this attack demonstrated that they had no entrenchments in our immediate left front, although some of the men on Crawford's right obtained possession of some rifle pits for a short time, but were soon driven out again. Had the attack been made in stronger force as was originally intended, it would under the circumstances have doubtless been successful. During the night everything was quiet. One flag was taken from Ewell.

May 9th. Monday.

Quiet in the morning. Wagon trains of the enemy moving on the Buchanan road. Completed entrenchments along Griffin's and Cutler's front, and put 3 more batteries in position there. As Sedgwick's troops came up they went in line on our left and commenced to entrench, Crawford falling back behind them.
About 11 o'clock saw a small squad of Rebel Cavalry at Pritchard's house in the fields on our right. Sent a Brig. from the 2nd Div. over there driving them off; this brigade deployed a very long picket line making a kind of connection between our right and Griffin's Div.2nd Corps who were coming down on our right from Todd's tavern with the intention of crossing the Po river; they moved very slowly and opened a battery on the wagons about noon scattering them and the attendant Cavalry escort. Gibbon's skirmishers crossed the Po before evening.
In the afternoon Crawford moved to the right of Cutler forming line along a little brook running into the big bend of the Po, and throwing out skirmishers.
By order of Gen. Meade, Gen. Sedgwick was placed in command of the line, embracing his Corps and the greater part of ours, say the 1st and 4th Divs. The enemy had opened from some additional batteries during the day, enfilading part of Cutler's line, and doing considerable damage by their random firing; sharpshooters were very active, one of their victims being Gen. Sedgwick sitting on a cracker box at the time up at what was known then as the salient. Orders were received to advance Crawford's skirmishers; they did so at 6 P.M. going a considerable distance towards the block-house which was plainly seen from a point to the right of Pritchard's. This block-house (Gen. Lee's HdQrs. on the 8th) was situated on the Buchanan road, a little over half a mile east of the covered bridge across the Po. Our men got within 1/3 of a mile of it, and then fell back at nightfall, contrary to Gen. Warren's orders and those of Gen. Crawford. They were under the impression that a line of battle was advancing on them, and did not stop long enough to fire on them and find out for certain. It was too late to advance them again that night. There was at this time a gap of 1/3 m. between Crawford's right prolonged, and the bend of the Po. No apprehension was entertained of the enemy's coming around there, as the high ground at Pritchard's held by us, controlled it. I mention this distance of 1/3 mile because there was plenty of room for the greater part of Gibbon's Div. to have moved in there the next morning and thus saved itself the delay of crossing the Po river twice, losing half a day. This fact was known to us at the time, and moreover that evening the enemy were not yet entrenched.

May 10th
Tuesday

In the morning the enemy was observed building breastworks to resist both our attack and the threatened one of the 2nd Corps: two batteries were posted ½ mile west of Pritchard's; they opened fire on all the working parties in sight, and drove them away; the rebels replied from the neighborhood of the block-house, and also east of it, 2ith 20 pdr Parrotts.

One of the Brigades of the 2nd Div. was moved further to the right so as to connect more directly with Gibbon's left. After the cannonade was over I went over to the 2nd Corps to see what they were doing. By 10 o'clock Gen. Gibbon was across the Po connecting with Barlow who had come down on the other side of the river. The Po at Graves' crossing is a sluggish stream, 75 feet wide, and from 4 to 8 feet deep, with steep banks 12 feet high; two bridges were built to pass over the Art. and troops. In the bend of the Po three 2nd Corps batteries were placed; these to some extent enfiladed the enemy's position in Crawford's front; skirmishing was going on along the river bank near the county bridge. The rebel side was lower than ours, a large open meadow giving them but little protection; Barlow was south of the Buchanan road, extending down to Talley's mill on Glady run. Below the bridge the river made a small horse-shoe bend to the west; here some of Barlow's men had crossed on trees lying across. It was an ugly stream to cross under fire, unless the movement was made along both banks simultaneously. Several attempts were made from Gibbon's guns to make a diversion in favor of Crawford, but had to be given up, as the balls would sometimes fly over into Cutler's line, and often fall into the skirmish line of Crawford. Seeing no preparations going on to force a crossing, I returned to our Corps. At noon Gen. Gibbon had withdrawn his Div. to the north side of the Po again, and Barlow was preparing to follow him. In consequence of this the enemy's skirmishers on Crawford's right became more active, making it unsafe to appear on the open ground near Pritchard's.

The enemy under Heth followed Barlow and brisk fighting ensued; after it was over Barlow commenced to entrench a line North and N.W. of Pritchard's which ultimately connected with the breastwork built by the Md. Brig. on our right.

In the afternoon Gibbon and Birney got into line behind Crawford and Cutler to help us make an assault at 5 P.M. As it was necessary for us to advance our line a little so as to get room to form our lines of battle far enough forward, Crawford and Cutler made an advance about 3 P.M. they did not succeed in this object but were repulsed with heavy loss; the enemy were well entrenched with plenty of Artillery in position, enfilading both Cutler's and Crawford's line. Some of Crawford's men claim that the enemy ran out of their breastworks—a doubtful statement—which is often made after an attack has proved a failure. This preliminary attack showed that the enemy was all set for us, and that the subsequent attack would have but little chance. Nevertheless the 2 Divs. of Gibbon and Birney made a charge about 6 o'clock and were repulsed even more disastrously; in fact Birney's men became scared and ran back a quarter of a mile behind some old breastworks. The loss in these two attacks was at least 2000 and it is doubtful whether the enemy lost over 200. Before dark Crawford's line was pretty well entrenched, with the right thrown back.

May 11th
Wednesday

This was a quiet day comparatively speaking. During the day preparations were made to enable us to move the 2nd Corps to the left and assault the next day at day break. Barlow's Div. was moved away from our right. Bartlett's Brig. going over there; the pickets however of the 2nd Corps remained yet; nothing special occurred on their main line. In the afternoon a small body of rebel infantry made their way around the left of the 6th Corps, penetrating almost up to our ammunition trains. Lt. McKenzie with 2 N.J. Regts. of the 6th Corps drove them across the swamp back to their Cavalry line; here a picket line was left. Several companies of heavy artillery were then posted around our trains and hospital so as to guard against a repetition of the affair.

Upton's Brig. 6th Corps captured part of the enemy's line in moving but could not hold them. Gen. Hancock made his HdQrs. at Alsop's, near us that night.

May 12th
Thursday

At 3 A.M. I went over to the camp of Kitching's Heavy Art. Brig. lying near Army HdQrs. on the Todd's tavern road, and brought them over to where the 2nd Corps had been, on our right; we arrived in the grey of the morning; Bartlett's Brig. was already leaving, and the 2nd Corps pickets had been withdrawn; it became light before the pickets were re-established, considerable skirmishing taking place, especially on the left of the Heavys where Col. Bankhead placed the Md. Brig. in line. The enemy opened on us with several batteries, but showed no infantry force this side of the Po except skirmishers. The news of Hancock's successful assault was received at this time, and created much enthusiasm among the troops, a cheer being given for every captured piece.

It was now 6 A.M. and all the batteries in our line opened so as to create a diversion in favor of the 2nd Corps, with what success could not be ascertained, at 7 A.M. the 6th Corps on our left made preparations to attack the enemy as a diversion, when it was discovered that the enemy was preparing a demonstration on their right; Bartlett's Brig. was therefore sent to their support, and took position between Griffin's left and the right of the 6th Corps. The enemy's attack there amounted to nothing. Bartlett had been turned over to Gen. Meade temporarily. At 8 A.M. peremptory and reiterated orders came from Gen. Meade for us to attack along our whole line; skirmishing was going on as usual and we had no evidence that the enemy was weakened in our front.

The attack was made by us at 8:15 A.M. and quickly repulsed as was anticipated; it was the 4th or 5th unsuccessful assault made by our men, and it was not a matter of surprise that they had lost all spirit for that kind of work; many of them positively refused to go forward as their previous experience had taught them that to do so was certain death on that front.

Contingent orders having been received in the event of a failure to move to the support of Hancock steps were at once taken to do so, and before 12 M. Cutler's Div. was on the march; he took along Lyle's Brig. of the 2nd Div. Griffin followed him but did not become engaged that day; the Md. Brig. started but was ordered back. Gen. Crawford with the addition of Col. Kitching's command and Coulter's Brig. 2nd Div. held the entire line.

Cutler's Div. went in at once as soon as they arrived; the 2nd Corps was very much disorganized, a large portion of it being huddled together in one angle of the captured works and firing almost at random. It was intended that as soon as our Corps had joined the 2nd that the two were to advance and follow up the enemy, but it soon became apparent that we would do well if we held the captured line and carried off the guns; the enemy still held on firmly opposite the left of the 6th and on the right of the 2nd. At 6 P.M. the enemy made an attempt to regain their line, but were repulsed. The firing on the part of Cutler's men continued most of the night. Late in the afternoon Gen. Rice received his mortal wound; our principal losses there were from artillery fire.

The 5th Corps now consisted of Crawford's Div. and the Heavy Art; it commenced to rain heavily towards evening, changing the country into a sea of mud. We made our HdQrs for the night at a sawmill N.E. of Laurel hill. Great apprehensions were entertained as to the ability of Crawford to hold his line if the enemy attacked him in the morning. The cavalry being all gone, there was nothing to give us any warning on our right flank.

May 13th
Friday

Went over to Crawford's at daybreak, nothing going on for several hours, waiting for orders. The rain ceased, but the mud increased, as there was no drying wind. At 6 A.M. we received notice that the enemy had left the immediate front of the 2nd and 6th Corps, and that they were feeling out to find where he was. Deserters reported that he had fallen back to a new line two miles further to the rear. At 7 A.M. Crawford's skirmishers pushed out to see whether the enemy was still in our front; found him in full force, rather stronger, if anything, than the day before. Towards noon Griffin's Div. returned, and afterwards Cutler. Lyle's Brig. of Cutler's Div. was sent to support Gen. Ricketts on the right of the 6th Corps. Gen. Ricketts held the abandoned line of the enemy and was skirmishing with him at the junction of his new line, with his old line in our front. Hopes were entertained during the day that the enemy would come out and attack the 2nd and 6th Corps, but they were not realized.

In the afternoon the Heavy Art. Brig. was withdrawn from the extreme right, and took up a new line to the west and north of Alsop's, which they entrenched; this was done to protect our rear. All quiet in the afternoon. At 5 P.M. received orders to be ready to move to the left during the night with our entire command. Towards evening had another shower. At 8 P.M. orders were issued for the move. The Art. Brig. was to move past Army HdQrs. and the troops along a road to be indicated by Capt. Paine. At 10 P.M. Gen. Griffin's Div. started; according to our orders we were expected to march all night, get into position on the left of Burnside's in an unknown country, in the midst of an Egyptian darkness, up to our knees in mud, and assault the enemy's position which we had never seen, at 4 o'clock in the morning, in conjunction with the 9th Corps who had been whipped the day before, and felt in fine spirits for such work.

Col. Bates was left behind in charge of the pickets.

May 14th
Saturday

The route of march was past the Landron house, then across the fields through an orchard and a narrow muddy road to the Ny river; this was knee deep and had to be waded; across the Ny the route of march followed no road, but went across the fields through a piece of woods where a track had been cut. Near the Fredericksburg pike the route led across some large open fields, here a dense fog began to settle, so that not even the numerous fires that had been built to guide the column could be seen. The men were very tired wading through the mud and fell asleep all along the way. By 2 o'clock I went ahead to find Gen. Burnside and try to ascertain something about the locality; found him after half an hour's search, dark as pitch all the time. Neither he nor Gen. Parke could give me any information, and Col. Marshall had to be sent for; he went along to the head of our column which had halted near the Beverly house. It was now 4 o'clock and day light was approaching; the only troops on hand were 1200 fagged out men of Griffin's Div. and it was fully 7 o'clock before Gen. Cutler got 1300 of his men together. We found that Col. Marshall was holding the road and the Beverly house with a skirmish line of his dismounted men. As fast as our men came up they were placed in line behind a breastwork across the road, which the 9th Corps had thrown up after their repulse from Spotts. C.H. At 6 A.M. skirmishing commenced, the enemy's skirmishers having pushed out to see whether any one was there. It was light enough to see the enemy's position near the C.H. They were entrenched along the whole front. Off to the S.E. of the Beverly house was a high hill, the Jet house; it became apparent that as long as the enemy held it with Artillery our position around the Beverly house would be untenable; accordingly a few hundred men (regulars) under Lt. Col. Otis, was sent to take it; Only a few cavalrymen were seen through our glasses and while he was going up the place was shelled from the Beverly house. Hampton's Cavalry retired from it, after some little resistance. Otis commenced to entrench around the house, and while doing so col. Upton's Brig. 6th Corps came up and relieved him, having been sent by Gen. Meade himself. Before Upton was fairly established a large force of the enemy's infantry moved against him, coming from the C.H., they made him clear out pell mell and came near catching the Genl. Cmdg. the A.P. himself. The balance of the 6th Corps had now come up, and massed around the Anderson house. Gen. Meade ordered them to retake the place and ordered us to support them by a battery and a brigade. Gen. Wright opened fire from two batteries near the Anderson at 6 ½ P.M., and as soon as they had expended their ammunition Gen. Ayres moved up and occupied the place, the enemy having left it in the afternoon; the two brigades of Gen. Wright came up subsequently; that night the place was entrenched and was not again attacked. Our troops this evening were in the following position. Gen. Griffin on the left of the pike, Gen. Cutler on the right connecting with the 9th Corps, and Crawford in reserve near Beverly's. Our pickets came in towards evening, not having been attacked as long as they remained on the right. Our artillery was in good position, including one 20 pdr battery on the pike. The enemy's troops in our front were Hill's Corps.

May 15th
Sunday

The day was spent getting everything in order, collecting stragglers etc., two roads were cut through the woods so as to have communication with Jet's house without crossing the Ny river. Heavy thunderstorm in the afternoon. Owing to the muddy condition of the roads, thereby delaying the trains we were short of forage and rations for officers that days. Late in the afternoon the 9th Corps became apprehensive of an attack, we were therefore ordered to attack the enemy's breastworks, full of men as soon as the attack on the 9th commenced. Troops stood under arms from 5 o'clock until 9 P.M. in fact they remained that way all night; making themselves as comfortable as possible.

May 16th
Monday

Weather fine in the morning. Nothing particular occurred in the forenoon. Orders were received at 12:30 to advance our pickets in Griffin's front over the open field, as close to their entrenched line as possible. This order was subsequently rescinded or rather modified; no advance took place on Griffin's right where the enemy would have inflicted great loss upon us, but towards evening Bartlett's Brig. on the left advanced their pickets some distance, taking possession of an abandoned rifle pit of the enemy; Gen. Ayres' pickets who connected with the 6th Corps likewise advanced in conjunction with them for nearly half a mile. By the advance at this point we came in possession of the spur of a ridge running N.E. and S.W., behind which a number of batteries could be placed to enfilade a part of the enemy's line near Dabney's house opposite Cutler's Div. and part of the 9th Corps. After explaining the matter at HdQrs. it was determined to avail ourselves of this shelter; accordingly during the night roads were cut through the woods and two bridges built so as to make the point accessible. Another place was prepared for batteries in rear of Bartlett, but was not used. During the afternoon there was a slight artillery duel between the 9th Corps and the enemy at the C.H. causing the latter to pack up and get into line. Places for 18 pieces were prepared on the spur above mentioned.

May 17th
Tuesday

No fighting today. By the shifting about of the different corps, it became our lot again to hold the right flank of the army; a new line was selected and entrenched. The left of Griffin was thrown forward out of the woods. Cutler's line was entrenched from the pike to the Ny, and thrown back some distance; the entrenched line was then continued across the Ny, not continuous but only at the most prominent points, following the banks of a stream from ½ to 1 m. N.W. of the Fredericksburg pike. Towards evening a new position on our left was marked out fro Crawford's Div. which he took up during the night entrenching it; he protected the left flank of the row of batteries on the ridge, his left was about 1 mile N of the Myers or Jet house.

That night we held about the entire front of our army, the 2nd, 6th, and 9th Corps having gone around to our extreme right somewhere near the Landron house to see whether they could not catch the rebels a napping. They had at least one eye open and were protected by acres of impenetrable slashing; the expedition was unsuccessful.

May 18th
Wednesday

At daylight took the Md. Brig. up to the Myers house to reestablish the picket line vacated by the 6th Corps and make a connection with Crawford's left; no opposition. Our batteries opened along our entire line and fired for several hours, the enemy not replying at first; the only apparent effect was to drive them out of their camps behind their breastworks; at 7½ they opened with more vigor keeping it up for 15 minutes; they showed a new battery on the left in a point of woods near an old meeting house.

At 9 o'clock a part of Kitching's command was sent to the Myers house; the rest remained at Anderson's.

The enemy opened again in the afternoon, many of the shots reaching the Ny below the Beverly house; the Art. fire continued until sunset; for a time our batteries were silenced, especially Taft's 20 pdr. battery, upon which the enemy's fire was concentrated; but few were killed. All this Artillery firing amounted in the end to nothing more than an immense waste of ammunition. Late in the afternoon the 6th Corps returned relieving the Md. Brig. and Kitching's command at the Myers house; the former encamped near the Myers house, and the latter went across the Ny river, taking position near the Harris house together with a battery. Towards dusk the enemy drove in Crawford's pickets, but not attacking his main line; the line was re-established without much fighting, Col. Coulter being wounded in the ribs.

May 19th
Thursday

In the morning everything was quiet; the enemy made no further demonstration on Crawford’s left, and showed no great force there. The balance of the 9th Corps withdrew from Cutler’s right, whose skirmishers became engaged with theirs following some movements in the main body of the enemy’s infantry were also observed from Cutler’s front, which would indicate that they were moving to our left. The Heavy Art. Command of Gen. Tyler assigned to the 2nd Corps at the time, were in part posted near Kitching, and came in reserve. Abut 5 o’clock heavy firing was heard at the Harris house. I went over to see what was the matter. Found Kitching heavily engaged, also the battery. Gen. Tyler was then forming that portion of his command, which had been in reserve, in the pike near the open field south of Harris.’ A small body of our cavalry came running down the pike in great confusion, likewise wagons at the top of their speed, many without drivers. A few musket shots were fired from the right of the pike, showing that the enemy’s skirmishers must have crossed it; the Heavy Art. Was now moving into the woods, taking a direction which would bring them to the right of Kitching; they moved on in fine style two ranks deep; the officers much excited; I saw two prisoners representing two divisions of Ewell’s Corps—Gordon and Early. The attack being plainly made in force, I hastened back to the Beverly house, and brought up the Md. Brig.; orders were also dispatched to Gen. Crawford on the extreme left, to bring his Div. to the right. When the Md. Brig. Arrived the Heavy’s were still holding their ground, many wounded were being brought to the rear; Col. Bankhead went into action with the Md. Brig.; it so happened that the 1st Md. Vet. Regt. was coming from Fredericksburg on its return from furlough; finding the enemy across the road, they at once pitched in, without waiting for orders, driving him off, and effecting a junction with the Md. Brig. Gen. Birney coming up at this time, I assisted him to get his large division into position. By the time they got in line with the rest of the troops, it was dark, and the fight pretty well over. I scarcely think they fired a shot, especially as the Md. Brig. was principally in their front; the teams of two wagons were shot in the road, but no wagons were lost. Tyler’s command had never been in action before, but they were drilled; the fighting was done as if on parade, and loss correspondingly heavy; the idea of fighting under cover seemed to be unknown. The whole line, perfectly dressed stood unprotected in an open field, and fired as if on drill, scores of men falling all the time, ten yards in their rear was a fence in a little raised bank which would have given them very good cover and enabled them to do the same execution; I think however that this unbroken front of Heavys with new muskets and uniforms, taking the rebel front without flinching scared back the rebels as much as the musketry fire. A thick cloud of powder smoke hung over everything, especially in the ravine between the two lines and I am sure that many of our men were killed by our own fire. Gen. Hunt and I myself were fired at in that way. Gen. Crawford arrived at dark, going in position behind Kitching but not becoming engaged.

The whole affair reflected great credit upon the Heavy Artillery, and the honors belong exclusively to them and the Md. Brig. Loss perhaps 1300 killed and wounded. To aid Ewell’s attack Hill made a demonstration on Cutler, but without effect.