ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

CAMP OF THE 138^TH P[ENNSYLVANIA]. V[OLUNTEERS]. IN THE FIELD,
15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PETERSBURG, VA,
April 4, 1865.

DEAR ———:

I will inform you that there was a great battle fought on Sunday the 2^nd inst[ant] [April 2, 1865].¹ I know that the news of the fight has reached Bedford ere this, but in order to relieve those that have friends in the army and are anxious to hear how things went, I will give you a brief account of it.

On Saturday evening [April 1, 1865] the orders came to pack up and be ready to move, which was done in a short time. At dark [on April 1, 1865] we were ordered to move in front of the works, and at seven o’clock [P.M.], the artillery opened all along the line, from City Point to the extreme left. The roar of the guns was almost deafening, and the earth appeared to rock beneath our feet. This terrible cannonade was kept up till about twelve or one o’clock [on the morning of April 2, 1865], when it died away all along the lines. The troops were all massed along the front in three lines of battle, and lay in this position till four o’clock [A.M.] when the signal gun was fired to make the attack. At this moment every man sprang to his feet, and the order, “Forward,” sped along the lines as quick as lightning. A yell was given, and the troops dashed forward like tigers, upon the rebel works. The lines were first pierced by our [Third] division [3/VI/AotP], and the Second Division of our Corps [2/VI/AotP], and in less than ten minutes the entire [Sixth] Corps [VI/AotP] was through the rebel lines, and swung around on their flank. By this time it was daylight and the Sixth Corps [VI/AotP] charged sweeping everything before it. The rebel column became panic stricken and a complete stampede ensued.

Our troops are almost wild with enthusiasm and the greatest joy prevails throughout the army. But while we rejoice over our victories we lament the loss of our brave companions who have fallen in battle. Our loss is very slight. I had no men killed, and only two wounded. Sgt. Slack was wounded slightly across the right shoulder and Sgt. Geo. W. Gray was wounded in the right side severely, while he was attempting to pull down the Rebel flag in one of the forts. He deserves great credit for his gallant conduct. The loss in the other Bedford Companies is very slight. Elias Stuckey is wounded in the ankle.

I am yours truly,

SIMON DICKERHOFF.²

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Roy Gustrowsky.

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Source/Notes:

Acting Master Newell Graham filed this report of his ship’s action against Confederate land batteries near White House Landing, Va. on June 20, 1864. (MOLLUS MA Images)

[Report of Acting Master N. Graham, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Cactus, of cooperative engagements in Pamunkey River, June 20, 1864]

[Subenclosure A.]

U. S. S. Cactus,
White House, June 20, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to report that at 9 o’clock, by your order, I commenced firing my rifled 30-pounder upon the rebel batteries that were attacking our land forces at this place. I expended 28 30-pounder shell with 15-second fuzes, and 3 12-pound percussion shell, at an elevation of 10 degrees. At 11 o’clock I proceeded down the [Pamunkey| River to Cumberland Heights, as directed, to give notice to the U. S. S. Shokokon. At 12:30 o’clock started for White House again. On my way up I expended 3 30-pounder shell, 5, 10, and 15 second fuzes, upon a body of cavalry. At 3 o’clock came to anchor at White House.

Amount of ammunition expended: 31 30-pounder shell, 3 12-pounder percussion shell, 29 15-second, 1 10-second, 1 5-second fuzes, 31 3 ¼ -pound cartridges, 3 1-pound cartridges.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N[ewell]. Graham,
Acting Master, Commanding Cactus.

Lieutenant-Commander C[harles]. A. Babcock,
Commanding U. S. S. Morse, Senior Officer Present.¹

Source:

SOPO Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Kelly Goodwin, who sent me this reminiscence of her ancestor from her family’s private collection.  Reuben P. H. Morris was only 16 ½ years old when he wrote this reminiscence of “[his] first battle” in October 1864.  And what a first battle it was!  Young Reuben had lied about his age and used his birth parents’ last name of Jones to enlist in the 2nd Michigan in 1864.  He had the singular misfortune of experiencing his first major battle in one of the nastiest fights  of the entire war at the Crater on July 30, 1864.  Morris had just turned 16 when the battle was fought.  He and the rest of Ledlie’s Division went through a maelstrom of hell on earth that day.  Fortunately for young Morris (and us!) he came out fine on the other end and lived to write this account.  As far as I and Kelly know this truly amazing reminiscence has never before been seen outside of the family. Read on to find out what Reuben thought of his first battle of the war…

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No. 2

My First Battle

Reuben Morris and his fellow Ninth Corps soldiers went through hell on Earth at the Crater, July 30, 1864. (John Adams Elder)

During the month of July, 1864, General Burnside, commanding the 9th Army Corps [IX/AotP] , had been engaged in working a mine under one of the Rebel forts in front of Petersburg, Va.¹ It was only about three hundred yards from our lines. He thought by blowing it up that fort, we could take the City by assault. The mine was finished about the 28th and the 30th [of July 1864] appointed for the day of Battle.²

Our Division [3/IX/AotP] had been doing picket duty for a few days on the extreme left near the Weldon R[ail]. R[oad]. about ten miles from the horse shoe as it was called, when the assault was to be made.  So about 4 o’clock P.M. of the 29th [of July, 1864] every man received four days rations and sixty rounds of cartridges, and and told to strike back and be ready to march by dark. We started at eight o’clock [P.M. on the night of July 29, 1864], all loud talking and rattling of firearms strictly prohibited and to march as still quietly as possible, to keep the Rebels from noticing anything unusual.

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We arrived at the horseshoe about twelve o’clock that night [midnight on the night of July 29-30, 1864] took our place in the second line of battle, boiled some coffee and [?] eat our supper, then laid ourselves down to sleep till four o’clock [on the morning of July 30, 1864], wondering who would bite the dust before another night.

At four we were roused up, had our breakfast, ordered to put our knapsacks in pile so we would have nothing to impede our movements. Forty extra rounds of cartridges given us, then moved forward to a ravine, about a quarter of a mile from the first line of battle.

It was now time for the explosion, but it seems the fuze went out. It was soon fixed and lighted again. It was now daylight, a beautiful, quiet, summer morning. But the stillness was soon to be broken by the dreadful carnage of battle. Little did those men in the Rebel fort know or think it was the last morning they would see.

All at once we saw a great cloud

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of earth and smoke rise suddenly rise up about two hundred feet in the air, [proved?] seeming to hang there a moment, then as it began to settle came the crack, and at the same moment two hundred cannon opened their Iron mouths and sent their missiles of death into the Rebel line. It was like an earthquake, the ground shook so we could hardly stand.

Then the first Brigade [1/3/IX/AotP] was ordered to charge over the works they went with a shout, the 27th Mich[igan] leading the way. Then we [2/3/IX/AotP] were ordered forward to support them – and for two hours we lay on the ground under the hottest fire I ever saw. Then Col. [Charles V.] DeLand of E[ast]. Sag[inaw]., commanding the First Mich[igan] sharpsooters was ordered to take the second Brig., consisting of the 1st [Michigan Sharpshooters], 2nd [Michigan], + 20[th] Mich[igan], 60th Ohio, 49th [Massachusetts] + 52nd Mass[achusetts] Reg[imen]ts³ and take the hill on the right of the fort.⁴ Just as we started one of the men in the 20th Mich[igan] was struck in the back with one of our own shell which burst as it struck. I was about five feet from him, and the

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concussion knocked me over. I lay there a moment then got up and felt of myself all over to see if I was hit, but found I was all right, only a little nervous.⁵

We formed behind our works fixed bayonets and over the works we went yelling like demons, but the Rebels poured in such a storm of leaden hail, we fell back turned to the left and entered the ruins of the fort that had been blown up, but they soon made it too hot for us there and charged us, and we had to get out of that place pretty lively. I believe any one could have ridden on my coat tail and where + when I got back inside of our own works I could only find about a dozen of our Reg[imen]t there the Negro Div[ision] [Ferrero’s Fourth Division, Ninth Corps, Army of the Potomac] which had been held in reserve was ordered in but they soon came back, cut all to pieces, the fight was kept up until dark, but we made nothing of it and Petersburg didn’t

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fall that day. That night I went hunting up my Reg[imen]t and only found thirty seven and what made us feel worse, we lost our Colors, as also did the First [Michigan] + Twentieth Mich[igan] Reg[imen]ts, one of the Captains who had carried the flag through more than twenty engagements cried like a babe.

The next morning [July 31, 1864] what a sight met our gaze[.] [F]rom our lines to the Rebel works the ground was covered with the Dead and wounded. They lay so thick I believe I could have walked across on the bodies. The wounded would wave their hands and cry for water. We soon had out a flag of truce, and both sides turned in to bury the Dead and care for the wounded.

A Battle had been fought—some four thousand killed and wounded and nothing gained. Our [2nd Michigan] Reg[imen]t lost forty three (43) out of 140. The 30th of July 1864 will long be remembered by me.

Reuben P. H. Morris. Oct 13th 1864. Wabash College⁶

*****

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Source/Notes:

[Report of Lieutenant-Commander Charles A. Babcock, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Morse, of cooperative engagements in Pamunkey River and Move to Yorktown, June 20-24, 1864]

[Enclosure.]

U. S. S. Morse,
Off Yorktown, Va., June 25, 1864.

Lieutenant-Commander Charles A. Babcock filed this report shortly after the engagements of June 20-21, 1864 on the Pamunkey River. (MOLLUS Vol. 109, Page 5623)

Sir: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 20th instant, while lying off White House, Pamunkey River, during a thick fog, at 6:30 a. m., some firing was occasionally heard on shore, at some distance off from this vessel, but after a short time ceased. At 9 a. m., the fog clearing up, three rebel batteries intrenched at the edge of the woods opened a brisk artillery fire on our wagon trains on shore, also on this vessel and Cactus. At once took position with this vessel and Cactus, opening fire on them, and by noon succeeded in driving them entirely from their position out of range of our guns. The wagon trains retreated slowly across the river. Made excellent shots both from this vessel and Cactus, and was informed afterwards from accounts of prisoners who were taken that Fitzhugh Lee and Wade Hampton’s Legion, consisting of 10,000 rebel cavalry, were intending to make an attack on our wagon trains, and that had it not been for the gunboats they would certainly have accomplished their purpose. At 5 p. m. General Sheridan’s command arrived, and at once followed up the rebel cavalry.

Expended from this vessel the following ammunition: One 40-second, 1 30-second, and 35 20-second shell from 100-pounders; 30 20-second shell from IX-inch Dahlgrens; 37 10-pound cartridges for 100-pounder Parrotts; 30 10-pound cartridges for IX-inch Dahlgrens.

On the morning of the 21st instant a party of these rebel cavalry fired on the transport steamer Eliza Hancox off Cumberland Point, but the Shokokon succeeded in driving them handsomely.

On the morning of the 23d instant, at 10 a. m., White House being entirely evacuated by our forces, gave orders to get underway and proceed down the river, bringing up the rear with this vessel. When down to West Point stopped there a short time and found that all our forces had left that place also; proceeded to Yorktown and arrived safely at 1 a. m. yesterday morning. At 9 a. m. dispatched the Shokokon, Cactus, Henry Brinker, and Cohasset to Hampton Roads with order to report to Captain Guert Gansevoort for further orders.

During the firing from this vessel on the morning of the 20th instant, at the second fire of my after 100-pounder Parrott, the socket of the elevating screw broke; afterwards worked the gun bed and quoin. The breeching of the 100-pounder Parrott parted, but caused no accident whatever.

Too much praise can not be given to the commanding officers of the Shokokon, Cactus, Henry Brinker, and Cohasset for the very efficient aid and support they afforded me at all times. Their officers and crews behaved well, also the officers and crew of this vessel.

I respectfully forward you the enclosed reports from the Shokokon and Cactus, also a copy of a letter received by me from General Abercrombie, who commanded the land forces at White House during the attack of the 20th instant, before the arrival of General Sheridan.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Cha[rle]s. A. Babcock,
Lieutenant-Commander and Senior Officer Present.

Acting Rear-Admiral S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, James River.¹

Source:

ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

BEFORE PETERSBURG VA.,
March 25^th, 1865.

The Pennsylvania “high number” regiments quickly recaptured Fort Stedman on March 25, 1865, taking many Confederates prisoner in the process. (Harper’s Weekly)

MR. EDITOR: I write in haste to give you a brief statement of a severe engagement that took place today [March 25, 1865] in front of this Division [3/IX/AotP]. About four o’clock this morning the Rebels made a bold attempt to break through the Union lines which they actually accomplished, capturing one fort [Fort Stedman] and deploying their skirmishers inside of our lines; the alarm was immediately given, and at daylight the action commenced terrifically. The First Brigade [1/3/IX/AotP], composed of the 208^th [Pennsylvania], 209^th [Pennsylvania] and 200^th Pennsylvania Regiments led the charge on the intruders, and drove them back to their own lines, and before nine o’clock our forces reoccupied their lines as before, capturing about twenty-five hundred prisoners. The Rebel loss in killed and wounded is very heavy and that of the Union forces very small.¹ I can only give you the casualties of Company K, 208^th [Pennsylvania Regiment].

KILLED.

Eli Chamberlain.

WOUNDED.

1^st Sgt. Jas. R. O’Neal-flesh wound-thigh.

Corporal Samuel W. Williams-heel.

Private Phillip Hollar -heel.

Private Daniel Ritchey-flesh wound-thigh.

Captain Weaverling and Lieut. Sparks are all right. Lieut. Bessor was acting on Brigade officer’s staff and is also unharmed.

Very Respectfully Yours,

JOHN E. SATTERFIELD.²

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Roy Gustrowsky.

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Article Image

Source/Notes:

Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, transmitting reports of cooperative engagements in Pamunkey River, June 20-21, 1864.

Flagship North Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
James River, June 29, [1864].

Sir: On the 29th of May, Lieutenant-Commander Babcock, U. S. S. Morse, by General Smith’s request, proceeded to White House with the Morse, Shokokon, and Cohasset to cover the landing of supplies and protect the army communications. I subsequently sent the Cactus and Henry Brinker to his support. These vessels remained at White House until its evacuation on the 23d instant, rendering most efficient service, and then returned to Yorktown, convoying the transports.

I enclose a report from Lieutenant-Commander Babcock of 25th instant, of an engagement on the 20th instant, with three rebel batteries near White House, which had been posted on the edge of the wood during a thick fog, and on its lifting opened fire on the wagon trains. The fire from the Morse and Cactus dislodged them in about three hours. Deserters afterwards reported that a force estimated at 10,000 of Wade Hampton’s and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry intended attacking our trains, but were deterred from the attempt by the fire of the gunboats. On the 21st a party of rebel cavalry fired on the transport Eliza Hancox, but were driven off by the Shokokon’s fire.

The Union Navy defended White House Landing, shown here in an 1862 photograph, from Confederate Cavalry attacks on June 20-21, 1864. (Library of Congress)

Lieutenant-Commander Babcock encloses the following reports, etc.:

(A) June 20th, Acting Master Graham, commanding Cactus, reports engagement of 20th.

(B) Copy of General Abercrombie’s General Orders, No. 10, of 20th, instant, tendering his thanks to Lieutenant-Commander Babcock and the officers of the Navy for the efficient aid and support rendered in the engagement of the 20th.

(C) June 21st, Acting Master Sheldon, commanding Shokokon, reporting engagement of 21st.

(D) June 24th, Acting Master Sheldon, general report of his movements since arriving at White House.

I should not fail to call attention to the hearty, efficient, and successful service which Lieutenant-Commander Babcock has rendered to the army in opening and protecting its communications and in repelling the assaults of the enemy. He is a modest and meritorious officer and deserves the especial notice of the Department.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.¹

Source:

SOPO Editor’s Note: The Civil War diary of Orlando P. Benson of the 92nd New York was found and published in The Courier and Freeman (Potsdam, NY).  I’ve chosen to publish the portion of the diary covering Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Salisbury prison, and his postwar experiences through the end of the diary.   Check out this installment below, and be sure to look over the other installments as they are published.  I’ve included a list of all published installments at the bottom of this and every post. MANY thanks to Jack Phend for transcribing this entire diary for me.  It appears here solely due to his help. Are you interested in first person accounts at the Siege of Petersburg?  Check out our Letters and Diaries page for more!

BENSON CAPTIVE IN REBEL PRISON

DESCRIBES THE HORRORS OF THE PEN AT ANDERSONVILLE [sic, SALISBURY]

The Courier and Freeman this week presents the 12^th installment of the diary kept by the late Orlando P. Benson, of Massena [New York], while he was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. In this installment he tells of the falling to pieces of the old 92^nd [New York] by men being mustered out. [Army of the James commander] General Butler allows the colors to be kept, however. An attack is made upon the rebel works at Fair Oakes [on October 27, 1864] and nearly all the Union soldiers are killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Sergeant Benson, with many others, is taken to Pemberton prison at Richmond, Va., later being transferred to Salisbury prison, Salisbury, N.C. He describes the terrible life in prison.¹

October 1^st, 1864—Go to fortifying amid cold and drenching rain. Terrible muddy. Have two men wounded. Bring in wounded and bury dead. Build a bombproof.²

2^nd—Clears off somewhat. We are still fortifying. Have a terrible cramp after dark. It lasts about two hours. The same as I had once before at White Oak swamp.³

3^rd—Rains in the afternoon. Captain Bice [sic, Augustus G. Brice] joins the regiment. Feel rather unwell. Our prisoners bury the rebel dead.⁴ Pits ankle deep with mud. Get fresh supply of rations for my own use in the shape of biscuits and cheese through Alick’s kindness.⁵

4^th—All quiet. We are very busily engaged in fortifying. Men work both day and night. Weather fair.

5^th—Weather still fair. Our troops all in the best of spirits. God only knows how soon we shall be called to see more blood shed. I am sick of it and long for peace.

6^th—All still quiet. Captain B[r]ice and Lieutenant Thompson go to camp and return. Send in to headquarters a complete list of casualties since the 29^th inst. Total loss in the regiment in killed and wounded 34.

7^th—After dark all hands turn out and level down the works in front of Fort Harrison. Move off to the right about twelve miles and camp for the night near the First Pennsylvania Battery. Enemy shell us with four mortars in the morning, doing but little damage. Peter Morrison, Company A, killed.⁶

8^th—Weather cool and chilly. Lines very quiet. Busily engaged in building abutments and strengthening the works. Alick sends up some codfish balls.

9^th—Lines very quiet. Weather quite cool. See frost for the first time this year Get a letter from Emma. General [Gilman] Marstin [sic, Marston] relieves General Carr in command of the division. Lieut.-Col. Th[o]mas E. Barker, of the Second [sic, Twelfth] New Hampshire Volunteers, takes command of the brigade. He is a splendid man and is rising rapidly.⁷

10^th—Three years ago tonight spent my first night in old Camp Union as a soldier. What changes since then. Dangers have surrounded me on all sides since then but still God has spared me to experience new scenes and dangers. See Captain Garvin. C.P. Gray and I over to the 142nd New York.⁸

11^th—Promotions in the regiment numerous. Colonel [Newton M.] Curtis [of the 142nd New York, commanding 1/2/X/AotJ] comes over to see about getting us veterans into his regiment. Some are in favor of going while some choose light artillery. Captain [Harry C.] Fay sees General Butler’s adjutant-general but gets no information as to when, where or how the regiment is to be mustered out.⁹

12^th—Receive orders about 3:00 p.m. to get ready to march. Start at once. Move off to the right and relieve the Tenth corps to make a demonstration on the left. They meet a flag of truce and turn back to wait for morning. Commences to rain about sundown. Spend a cold night.

13^th—Early in the morning the Tenth Corps moves out and soon the sharp rattle of musketry is heard. Fighting more or less going on all day. At dark all the troops begin to return. Nothing more or less than a reconnaissance in force. Little loss on our side.¹⁰

14^th—Move back to our old ground in the line. See Captain Garvin and show him Fort Harrison. Alick comes up and stays all night with Frank and me.

15^th—Very pleasant. Colonel [Newton M.] Curtis [commanding 1/2/X/AotJ] comes over in the evening with his brigade band to serenade us, doubtless with the object of gaining our good graces. No sign of being relieved. Muster out papers will to be made out on the field. Rather difficult.

16^th—Weather very pleasant. Prisoners come in daily. Lines very quiet. The boys are all in good spirits.

17^th—Captain [Harry C.] Fay goes to depot headquarters and learns that there is no chance of our retaining our organization. We all hope we may. Draw clothing, two pair of pants and one shirt.

18^th—Dr. Mansfield gives us some Union votes. Had we got them sooner we could have carried the regiment unanimously for old Father Abe. General Butler and family visit the front. The band plays “Hail to the Chief.” Some hopes now of the regiment being kept up.

20^th—Prospects still for the regiment to be kept up. Glorious news from Sheridan in the valley. Have a sa[lu]te fired along the entire lines. Rebels dare not reply. The joy of the troops knows no bound. Our corps reviewed by regiments. Dare not spare more than one regiment at a time from the breastworks.

21^st—Go with Sergeant Hawley and visit Butler’s [Dutch Gap] canal. Get some choice relics of petrified wood and clay of a peculiar kind. It is well worth one’s trouble. Additional news from Sheridan. Troops being reviewed throughout the army.¹¹

22^nd—Our troops reviewed by brigades. Weather cold and showery. General [Gilman] Marstin [sic, Marston] reviews the division. General Grant and staff pass along the lines. Hear him speak. Looks much better than when I saw him last. There was an old man along with him which I think must have been his father.

23^rd—Service by chaplain. He comments upon the parable in the 13^th chapter of Matthew. Captain Fay returns to camp. Sergeant Hawley receives appointment as [S]e[c]ond Lieutenant from General Butler in the Fifth United States colored regiment.

24^th—Move to the left and occupy the ground vacated by the Eighth Connecticut in the Second brigade [2/1/XVIII/AotJ]. New light thrown at last upon the regiment’s being mustered out. They are to leave tomorrow.

25^th—Forty-three of our brave comrades start for home. We are now left without an officer. Lieutenant [Myron N.] Dickinson, of the 118^th New York Volunteers, assigned to the command of the detachment temporarily. We still hold the colors and our organization. We all find it hard to part with our old chums.¹²

26^th—March at 6:00 a.m. about two miles to the rear and cook rations. Know nothing of what we are to do. [New Second Brigade commander] Colonel [Edgar M.] Cullins [sic, Cullen] tries to take our colors from us. Sergeant Pierce takes them to General Butler, who tells us that we can keep them at present. Hear bad news from Alick. Drunkeness.

27^th—Take up the line of march at 4:30 a.m. and about 3:00 p.m. form a line of battle just through the woods of Fair Oakes [sic, Oaks] and charge upon the rebel works under galling fire. The charge fails and we are nearly all killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Twenty-six of my regiment taken. March to Richmond at once. About 300 taken from our corps.¹³

Orlando Benson and other members of the 92nd NY were captured at Second Fair Oaks, Oct. 27, 1864. (Drawing by A. R. Waud. Library of Congress.)

28^th—Our names are taken on the upper floor of the Pemberton prison, where we are to be lodged for the present. Our greenbacks and canteens are also taken. Get rations at 10:00 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. They consist of a small piece of corn cake (or corn meal and water) and a very small piece of meat for breakfast, piece of brown and a half pint of bean soup for supper. Just about half enough to quench hunger.

29^th—A few prisoners put into our building. Several squads are lodged in Libby [prison in Richmond] during the day. Some of our keepers begin to show some of their fiendish Southern natures by kicking four innocent men and then drawing their revolvers on them for remonstrating.

30^th—Take charge of the room and of distributing the rations. All quiet so far in our prison. Busy ourselves by looking down upon the almost desolate streets of Richmond. The sick are examined about 12:00 m. A call is made for shoemakers and mechanics of all kinds.

31^st—Have 205 men on our floor. Things the same from day to day. All we can do is to walk the floor and form new acquaintances. Many of the men are coming down with the chills. Imprisonment is hard where one is shut up in a room like hogs in a pen.

November 1^st—Feel rather unwell. Have a little hubbub about the rations. Adopt a more stringent rule about issuing. Have heard no grumbling since. The boys feel well generally and are in much better spirits than one could expect.

2^nd—About 6:00 p.m. draw two days’ rations and lay down to rest as best we can to await the motion of our royal keepers. Anything for a change, although for the worse, is almost desirable. Most of the boys keep up excellent spirits. We expect to go south.

3^rd—Rou[s]ted about 2:00 a.m. and hustled out into the streets. March at once to the cars and pile in, 62 into a car. Crowded almost to suffocation. Get under way bout 4:00 a.m. and ride all day. Never saw such railroading before. Two guards at the door and some upon the top of the cars.

4^th—Still aboard of these horrible cars. Run out of rations. The codfish makes us all very thirsty. Prices along the route tremendously high. It takes a basketful of money to get a pocketful of grub. Remain all night in an open field near Green[s]borough [in North Carolina]. Suffer terribly for it is very cold. Very hungry.

Orlando P. Benson and other Union soldiers captured at Second Fair Oaks soon experienced the horrors of Salisbury POW camp. (North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library)

5^th—Take the cars early and resume our tedious journey. This is our second day without rations of any kind. Reach Salisbury [North Carolina] about 5:00 p.m. and enter the [Salisbury Prisoner of War] pen at dark. Cold and rainy. Hear terrible stories of our new home. Robbing and plundering going on all night. Blankets and cups stolen.

6th—Organize the men into squads of 100 each. We are the Tenth division. I have charge. Sergeants of divisions have plenty to eat and were it not for the human suffering outside one might enjoy themselves hugely. Draw the first rations for four days.

7^th—It is absolutely horrible to witness the dead cart with its load of dead piled up in tiers like wood. They are taken out and piled into a large hole. Thousands are already just upon the brink of the grave.

8^th—It is dreadful to hear the coughing these cold, rainy nights. Only three men from a squad are allowed to go at once for wood, so the poor fellows suffer dreadfully for fires. Some have no shoes nor stockings, without cap or coat.

9^th—No pen can write or tongue express the suffering in this camp. The men are actually starved to death. But little pains is taken to clean the camp, The tents are insufficient to acco[m]modate all. Some make mud houses while others, too weak, crawl under houses.

10^th—The men are being fed better now than previous. It is uncertain how long it will last. Saw one man whose head was literally covered with scabs and every hair standing on end covered completely with nits and lice.

11^th—Our soup is made with rice and water without salt. There is but little nourishment in it. Draw rice once for my division, ten pints for a hundred men. If the men had salt they could make better soup than they draw.

(To Be Continued)¹⁴

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jack Phend.

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Other Posts from Orlando P. Benson’s Diary While at the Siege of Petersburg:

• Diary of Orlando P. Benson, 92nd New York
• NP: February 11, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 1
• NP: February 18, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 2
• NP: February 25, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 3
• NP: March 4, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 4

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Source/Notes:

IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG.

From General GRANT’s army we have news, through the despatch of the Secretary of War, to half-past three o’clock on Monday [June 27, 1864]. At that time there was no firing at the front except from our guns, which were playing upon the bridge across the Appomattox at Petersburg, a distance of two thousand yards.¹

Through other sources we are advised of the particulars of the successful Rebel assault of Wednesday last [June 22, 1864] on two of the divisions of the Second Corps [1/II/AotP and 3/II/AotP]. It seems that General GRANT had determined to extend the left of his line so as to cross the Weldon Railroad, and with a view to the execution of this purpose the Second Corps, under command of Gen. [DAVID B.] BIRNEY, the Sixth [Corps], under General [HORATIO G.] WRIGHT, and the Eighteenth [Corps], under General W[ILLIAM]. F. (“Baldy”) SMITH, were set in motion on the afternoon of the 22nd inst [June 22, 1864]. The Sixth and Second were to move forward towards the railroad, while the Eighteenth, being brought down from Bermuda Hundred, was to fill the gap thus left in the intrenched line.²

The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, June 22, 1864 as sketched by John Willian, Division commander Gershom Mott’s Assistant Inspector General.

But the movement was very soon discovered, and, as it turned out, was unfortunately too well watched by the enemy. Our line was under closer observation by the adverse Generals than by our own commanders. At one stage of the movement, BARLOW’s [1/II/AotP] and GIBBON’s [sic, Mott’s 3/II/AotP] Divisions, which should have been closed up against each other, got separated by a distance great enough to afford the vigilant Rebels in their vicinity a very tempting opportunity, which they very quickly improved. By a rapid march the Rebels interposed a column between these two Divisions, and struck both of them in flank and rear. The blow seems to have been as stunning as it was sudden. Both of our Divisions fell back in confusion, losing heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners.³

Of the extent of these losses we have conflicting accounts, and strange to say the statements from our own side make our losses in captured heavier than the Rebels claim for themselves. The letters from some of the correspondents of the Northern newspapers estimate our captured men at two thousand. On the other hand, the correspondent of the Richmond Examiner, writing from the field after the captives were brought into the Rebel lines, sets the whole number down at sixteen hundred. This is bad enough, but by no means so great a misfortune as some of our well-meaning but nervously apprehensive citizens feared, and nothing like the calamity which our industrious disseminators of bad news made it out.⁴

We lost about a brigade of men, and a battery of four guns. The troops were New England veterans, and the battery was [George F.] MCKNIGHT’s [12th New York Battery]. So far as the Rebels may have intended this assault as an offset to HANCOCK’s surprise of [EDWARD “Allegheny”] JOHNSON’s Division at Spottsylvania, it does not come up to the mark. In that affair the spoils gathered in by the Second Corps were four thousand prisoners, eighteen guns, and two generals. In the latter case the Rebels got but sixteen hundred men and four guns. The Second Corps is, therefore, down to date, a long way ahead of the enemy.⁵

As soon as the break in our line was discovered, reinforcements were brought up from the Fifth and Sixth Corps, the gap was filled, the Rebels expelled, and the expedition to the railroad went forward on the following day, Thursday [June 23, 1864]. They reached the road, tore up several hundred yards of the track, but were so fiercely assaulted by the Rebels that they had to give it up, or risk a general engagement at a distance from their supports, which they were under instructions not to do. The affair occurred at a point about two miles below Petersburg.⁶

This is the whole length and breadth of a matter that has been greatly magnified and very industriously used to damage our cause at home by those interested in such work, and in “[boiling?]” the gold market. It is merely a failure for the present of a side movement, and will have no more influence on the great campaign than if it had never occurred at all.⁷ All those who have been indulging in gloomy forebodings on this account should bear in mind that General GRANT in his Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia campaigns, survived, overcame and was successful in spite of scores of checks of far greater magnitude than this. And they should remember, too, that both the President and Assistant Secretary of War DANA, who have but lately returned from Petersburg, report General GRANT’s army in splendid condition, and ample force for the work before it; and that its able, persistent and resolute commander expresses his perfect and unabated confidence in his ability to take the Rebel Capital.⁸

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Source/Notes:

Report of Commander Beaumont, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mackinaw, regarding transport duty performed by that vessel.

U. S. S. Mackinaw,
Off Wilcox’s Wharf, James River, June 18, 1864.

The USS Mackinaw spent June 17-18, 1864 escorting Union transport vessels as well as overseeing Grant’s Crossing of the James River.

Sir: I respectfully report that I left my anchorage abreast the headquarters of the commanding general before sunset last evening to convoy the transports past a point on the river from which the enemy had fired into one, after which I returned to my old anchorage to cover the crossing of the rear guard of the army. By midnight the troops had all crossed to the right side of the river. At daylight I took up my present position to see the fleet of transports safely by. After the fleet has passed I shall proceed to City Point to ascertain where this vessel is most required, and await further orders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J[ohn]. C. Beaumont,
Commander.

Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, James River.¹

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