As the sun moved into the western sky Jackson and his thousands (specify) prepared to attack the open right flank of Hooker, the 11th corps under the command of O.O. Howard rested as the grey legions began the assault.
Abe Heed of company A , reported to Colonel Richardson that a large body of troops has passed our front to the right…Richardson reported this fact immediately to General McLean who conveyed the information to General Devens
“I guess Colonel Richardson is somewhat scared; you had better order him to his regiment.”
With such insulting neglect, Colonel Richardson returned to his regiment, and although it was early in the afternoon, he ordered the company cooks to immediately prepare supper, privately conversed with his officers as to what they should do under certain circumstances, and in fact prepared them for a surprise which he knew would overwhelm the division.
Edward Culp 25th Ohio Infantry, Devins Division 11th Corps
On the eve of battle jokes were played; laughter and jest were as common as if we had been a party of picnickers instead of armed men waiting the onslaught of thousands in deadly conflict. Morning was of the densest fog. The 12th corps breakfasted, as on every morning during the operations, before daylight and as a battle seemed inevitable. They were ordered to strike the few tents and have everything packed for a movement to clear the front. By sunrise the whole front was covered by a very good breastworks of logs.
Col. Dixon, 107th New York, Rugar’s Brigade, Williams Division, 12th Corps
About noon a column of the Rebel troops could be seen with a glass moving along the pike westward. For three hours this column could be seen, and it was well known what it meant. They were allowed to go on unmolested, save not and then a shell from a single gun from our side.
Van R. Willard, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, Ruger’s Brigade Williams Division, 12th Corps
As yet not a gun had been fired; everything was still and quiet; the troops were tired and moved about noiselessly; there were thick woods and underbrush on each side of the road, with the occasional field or farm while resting in this position a courier came to us, who was acquainted with some of our boys and said we were in the rear of the Yankees.
John O Casler, 33rd Virginia
We formed line battle in woods in front line and lay down to rest while two other lines formed in rear of us to support us. When everything was ready about 6pm which was so late that some began to thing we might not make the attack till morning.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama
Their fires were kindled for cooking supper, and dressed beeves were ready for distribution among the companies. They fled before us, strewing the ground with muskets, knapsacks and other accouterments. On the way we crossed a little farm and as I passed the dwelling I saw several ladies who were wildly rejoicing.
Captain Wayland Fuller Dunaway, 40th Virginia Infantry, Brockenbraugh’s Brigade, Heth’s Division
We came out of the woods, which had been concealing our movements, into an open field expecting every moment to engage the enemy, but they were so much taken by surprise that our pickets had driven their whole line. We continued driving their rear, lying down behind their breastworks, we intended waiting until morning to renew the fight but the enemy thinking to retrieve himself made a night attack which they partially succeeded in capturing one our batteries, but soon we were in line again and recaptured our battery together with quite a number of prisoners.
Ted Barclay 4th Virginia, (Paxton’s Stonewall) Brigade
The first thing you know a shell passes near you like lightning, you can’t see it, but you have a faint idea that it is not far off and that the next one will take your head off. They nearly deafen me. Then there is the little fellows (bullets) they are more to be dreaded that the large ones. We had issued to us a musket shell before we went on this late march and I found the rebels were not behind us in that line either for I could hear them bursting all the time, they crack like a pistol. Some times burst inside a person. One m an in our regiment had one burst in his arm, it tore it all to pieces.
Oscar Ladley, 75th Ohio Infantry, McLeans Brigade, Devens Division, 11th Corps
The men ran like frightened deer, not knowing whither. A battery near us opened fire on them, thinking that they the rebels had broken through. The stampede of the 11th Corps was something curious and wonderful to behold. I have seen horses and cattle stampeded on the plains, blinded apparently by fright, rushing over wagons, rocks, streams or any obstacle in the way, but never before or since have I seen thousands of men actuated seemingly by the same unreasoning fear that takes possession of a herd of cattle.
As the crowd of fugitives ran by the Chancellors house, the greatest effort was made to check them, but only those stopped were knockec down by eh swords of staff offiecers or the sponge staffs of Kirby’s battery.
Jacob Cole 57th New York, Zook’s Brigade, Hancock’s Division, 2nd Corps
Never saw so much confusion in my life- men scattered and mixed up every way. It was a running fight and the difficulty was to keep near enough to the Yankees to shoot them. They shot at us very little- only when they’d have a little breastwork. 1st redoubt we advanced on the artillery stuck out pretty well and threw grape and canister like hail- a good many of us in the edge of a pine thicket lay down a minute or two but on went oru men and a shout told of the Yanks were driven on.
Some excited fellows were firing wildly over the heads of us who were ahead and really there seemed at times as great danger of being killed by our men as by Yankees and several times wed stop and wait for them to get up in line with us. Some fired without taking sight up in the air and I noticed balls striking the ground just in front of us. Some of our men were wounded by our own side.
Noticed a large Newfoundland dog- in the agonies of death with a ball hole through him.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama
Friday, December 23, 2011
LEE/JACKSON MEETING (6)
This site denotes where Lee and Jackson had their fateful meeting. From here Jackson and Lee met for the last time. This also is an excellent venue to think about the men of Jackson’s corps as they passed this spot on their way to the federal right flank.
At daylight on the morning of the 2nd of May we were relieved and went to the rear about one mile to where the roads forked, her were Generals Lee, Jackson, AP Hill, Stuart, and many major generals holding a council of war and planning our attack. Generals Lee and Jackson seemed to be very busily engaged in laying and arranging some broom straws on one end of the box where some bacon and crackers were place for their breakfast. At last General Lee gave the straws a stroke and knocked them all off. Rising to his feet and shaking hands with General Jacksons, AP Hill and some others, he sat down to eat his breakfasts, after asking a blessing. General Jackson, I supposed had already eaten, for he immediately mounted his horse and uttering a few words to some of his aids, rod off up the road. In a few moments Jackson’s Corps was in motion
William Norman, 2nd North Carolina, Ramsuer’s Brigade, Rodes Division, Jackson’s Corps
Allowed to sleep later than expected after day light. Went to branch and took a good wash and made feel fresh. Resumed the march passing a good many troops lying along the road. We heard Yanks cheering in their formal still way and some boys wished Jackson would come along that we might raise a cheer.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama
Three divisions of our corps under Jackson started on the march and moved south for awhile and we could hear skirmishing on our right. We could not imagine where we were going. We continued marching through fields and woods until about 3 o’clock in the after noon. The day was hot and w marched fast- the men throwing away their overcoats and blankets.
Joseph O. Casler 33rd Virginia
In a little while the wood was passed up lines to give way to left and there came Glorious Old Stonewall at a sweeping gallop- hat in hand on his sorrel horse followed by aids and couriers. Could only see he was a younger looking man than I expected to see and not so stout but apparently well make- black hair and beard and a little bald pot on back head that showed plainly after passing.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama
At daylight on the morning of the 2nd of May we were relieved and went to the rear about one mile to where the roads forked, her were Generals Lee, Jackson, AP Hill, Stuart, and many major generals holding a council of war and planning our attack. Generals Lee and Jackson seemed to be very busily engaged in laying and arranging some broom straws on one end of the box where some bacon and crackers were place for their breakfast. At last General Lee gave the straws a stroke and knocked them all off. Rising to his feet and shaking hands with General Jacksons, AP Hill and some others, he sat down to eat his breakfasts, after asking a blessing. General Jackson, I supposed had already eaten, for he immediately mounted his horse and uttering a few words to some of his aids, rod off up the road. In a few moments Jackson’s Corps was in motion
William Norman, 2nd North Carolina, Ramsuer’s Brigade, Rodes Division, Jackson’s Corps
Allowed to sleep later than expected after day light. Went to branch and took a good wash and made feel fresh. Resumed the march passing a good many troops lying along the road. We heard Yanks cheering in their formal still way and some boys wished Jackson would come along that we might raise a cheer.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama
Three divisions of our corps under Jackson started on the march and moved south for awhile and we could hear skirmishing on our right. We could not imagine where we were going. We continued marching through fields and woods until about 3 o’clock in the after noon. The day was hot and w marched fast- the men throwing away their overcoats and blankets.
Joseph O. Casler 33rd Virginia
In a little while the wood was passed up lines to give way to left and there came Glorious Old Stonewall at a sweeping gallop- hat in hand on his sorrel horse followed by aids and couriers. Could only see he was a younger looking man than I expected to see and not so stout but apparently well make- black hair and beard and a little bald pot on back head that showed plainly after passing.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama
Thursday, December 15, 2011
THE FORDS (4) of Chancellorsville
Ely’s Germanna and United States Fords all saw federal troops pass over them on those fateful days in early May. U.S. Ford is on private property and Germanna Ford is a few miles from the battlefield so I conglomerated the various ford experiences with the recommendation that the reader of this sit at Ely’s Ford, as seen on the park map.
The first part of March we moved camp to what is known as United States Mine Ford. This is where people did got out gold long time ago. We remained here until April 28th when we had t evacuate this place in a hurry on account of a large force of the enemy came on all of the sudden.
James E. Phillips Company G, 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s division
The enemy took advantage of the bridge which we had just completed over the Rapidan River at what is known as Germanna Ford. (Lee was planning an offensive move north via the Germanna Ford thus the 12th built a bridge to help the army cross the river.) Captain J.E. Tyler had been in charge of a detail to do this job. Just as he had it completed and about to return to camp gathering up tools, etc., the enemy came up and captured nearly the whole guard. Some few escaped and gave us warning of the enemy coming on us with a large force.
James E. Phillips Company G, 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s division
They were at work building a bridge across the river, and all together, the workmen and guards, they numbered a little over a hundred men. They had made good calculations for defense but very poor ones for a retreat. They had a high bank to shelter them from out side of the river, and a few men might have held the ford against a large force. The river is narrow, not over seven hundred yards wide. They had the advantage of us in position, as we had nothing whatever to shelter us. But they chose not to fight, and to run away was out of the question. A few tried the latter plan, however, and paid for it with their lives, as every one that attempted it was shot down. After a few shots had been exchanged, they threw down their arms and came over to us. We took at this place ninety-six prisoners, among which was one captain, two lieutenants and a major.
Van R. Willard, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, Ruger’s Brigade, Williams Division, 12th Corps
Crossed the river at the U.S. Ford on a pontoon bridge, we passed the rebel works that lined the banks and halted for a short rest. The mule train that was used in lieu of regular wagon train to carry our provision passed us on their way to the front.
In the early part of the night word was passed round that if any man wished to write home, he had about ten minutes to do it, as the mail carrier would be around about that teem to take them. As with would probably be the last time that I would have a chance to write, as a big battle was expected, I threw myself flat on the grass and wrote a short letter home by the light o the moon, getting it finished just the latter carrier came round..
Private Alfred Bellard, 5th New Jersey, 2nd division Berry, 3rd brigade 3rd Corps
The retreat over the river began on the night of the fifth. Up to our knees in slush we sought to find or way to the fords, it frequently happened that men striking their feet against the covered stumps stumbled forward into the slough, covering themselves with mud. It was a horrid night. The men were disheartened and worn out, but could not help laughing, as man after man dove under and came up with his new uniform of soft mother earth. A battery passed, on the caisson of which sat a man covered in a tarpaulin, and lo, he was singing to himself such familiar tunes and melodies as “Home Sweet Home.” It seemed supremely ridiculous that nay one should sing under such circumstances, so the boys hooted and jeered him, crying “Catch him,” “Stop Him,” and the line but still the song under the tarpaulin went on.
Lieutenant Clay McCauley, 126th Pennsylvania, Tyler’s brigade, Humphrey’s division, 2nd corps
The first part of March we moved camp to what is known as United States Mine Ford. This is where people did got out gold long time ago. We remained here until April 28th when we had t evacuate this place in a hurry on account of a large force of the enemy came on all of the sudden.
James E. Phillips Company G, 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s division
The enemy took advantage of the bridge which we had just completed over the Rapidan River at what is known as Germanna Ford. (Lee was planning an offensive move north via the Germanna Ford thus the 12th built a bridge to help the army cross the river.) Captain J.E. Tyler had been in charge of a detail to do this job. Just as he had it completed and about to return to camp gathering up tools, etc., the enemy came up and captured nearly the whole guard. Some few escaped and gave us warning of the enemy coming on us with a large force.
James E. Phillips Company G, 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s division
They were at work building a bridge across the river, and all together, the workmen and guards, they numbered a little over a hundred men. They had made good calculations for defense but very poor ones for a retreat. They had a high bank to shelter them from out side of the river, and a few men might have held the ford against a large force. The river is narrow, not over seven hundred yards wide. They had the advantage of us in position, as we had nothing whatever to shelter us. But they chose not to fight, and to run away was out of the question. A few tried the latter plan, however, and paid for it with their lives, as every one that attempted it was shot down. After a few shots had been exchanged, they threw down their arms and came over to us. We took at this place ninety-six prisoners, among which was one captain, two lieutenants and a major.
Van R. Willard, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, Ruger’s Brigade, Williams Division, 12th Corps
Crossed the river at the U.S. Ford on a pontoon bridge, we passed the rebel works that lined the banks and halted for a short rest. The mule train that was used in lieu of regular wagon train to carry our provision passed us on their way to the front.
In the early part of the night word was passed round that if any man wished to write home, he had about ten minutes to do it, as the mail carrier would be around about that teem to take them. As with would probably be the last time that I would have a chance to write, as a big battle was expected, I threw myself flat on the grass and wrote a short letter home by the light o the moon, getting it finished just the latter carrier came round..
Private Alfred Bellard, 5th New Jersey, 2nd division Berry, 3rd brigade 3rd Corps
The retreat over the river began on the night of the fifth. Up to our knees in slush we sought to find or way to the fords, it frequently happened that men striking their feet against the covered stumps stumbled forward into the slough, covering themselves with mud. It was a horrid night. The men were disheartened and worn out, but could not help laughing, as man after man dove under and came up with his new uniform of soft mother earth. A battery passed, on the caisson of which sat a man covered in a tarpaulin, and lo, he was singing to himself such familiar tunes and melodies as “Home Sweet Home.” It seemed supremely ridiculous that nay one should sing under such circumstances, so the boys hooted and jeered him, crying “Catch him,” “Stop Him,” and the line but still the song under the tarpaulin went on.
Lieutenant Clay McCauley, 126th Pennsylvania, Tyler’s brigade, Humphrey’s division, 2nd corps
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