THE JASPER GRAYS
THE VETERAN'S STORY CHAPTER 4 After the battle of Chancellorsville, we went into camp near Fredericksburg, resting for some time. About the middle of June, we broke camp and commenced moving North. As we passed by Chancellorsville, we saw how the timber had been riddled all around us in that great fight. A long wagon train was ahead of us. We were among the last troops leaving Fredericksburg and were marching slowly. On reaching the old battle field, we halted an went all over it. The old breast-works were powerful. It was a wonder to us Rebels how we had driven them out of such strong fortifications. The enfilading firing of Pegrim's guns, assisted by the infantry, made old Joe Hooker move out in great disorder. The grape vine dispatches were circulated all through the army as to our destination. Some thought that we were going to flank Meade, who had superseded Hooker. Others thought we were going to Culpepper Court House to prevent Meade form flanking us on the left. But we continued moving north until we passed the Blue Ridge Mountains at Swift Run Gap. As we entered the valley of Virginia, it was rumored that we were going to Washington. We crossed the Shenandoah River at Front Royal, there we took the road to Winchester. From Winchester, we went to Martinsburg and there crossed the Potomac River. When we crossed, our band played, "Maryland, my Maryland", and finished up with "Dixie", then the Rebel Yell was given by the boys. From there we went to Sharpsburg. The route had been familiar, so far, but after leaving Sharpsburg, all was strange to us. After passing through Hagerstown, Md., we took the dirt road to Chambersburg, Pa., passing several small towns on the way. I don't remember their names; on, however, was called Germantown. The inhabitants were engaged in truck farming, their principal crop being onions, which were very tempting to a hungry Rebel, but we had positive orders form Gen. Lee not to disturb anything, There was one old "Reb" who could not stand to see so many fine onions without trying some of them. So he lifted a picket from the fence, crawled in, and stooped down to pull up a very large onion. About this time, an old Dutch lady whacked him on the head with a long handled broom; he beat a hasty retreat with the old lady close on his heels, whacking him every step. Finally he reached the place where he went in. As he went to crawl out, she hit him with the broom handle, but he held on to the onion and brought it out with him. Reaching Chambersburg, we marched through the principal street, our band playing "Dixie". There were a few small Confederate flags displayed. They were thrown out from windows and pulled back in a hurry. When our band played "Yankee Doodle", the Stars and Stripes could be seen floating from nearly every window in town. We moved out a mile from town and camped till the first day of July. Then we were ordered to move to Gettysburg, where our army was concentrating. On entering the valley, some five miles from the town, the booming of cannon was heard. Being ordered to hurry up, we knew what was on hand. Lee had found the Yanks at last. Going up to Heath's division drawn up in line, with their skirmishers deployed, ready to advance, we formed upon his left, threw out skirmishers and moved forward. Heath's men drove the Yankees through the town while we supported his left. Night was now coming on and we halted. On the second day, Heath's division advanced again and drove the enemy form the hills beyond the town. About this time, the whole army was coming up. Lat in the evening, there was a general advance along our whole front and the Yankees were pushed back some two miles. We were now in possession of Seminary Ridge. Gen. Longstreet's men came up about this time. They were ordered to storm Seminary Ridge and hold it, but they failed to do so. We were ordered to rest upon our arms. During the night, the Federal army was heard coming up and forming their lines, getting ready to receive us the next day. All knew that a great battle was to be fought. Early on the morning of the third day, we were advanced to the front and kept up a rapid skirmish fire till 10 o'clock, when we were relieved by Joe Davis' Mississippi brigade of Heath's Division. We moved back behind our batteries to support them and as a reserve to be carried to any part of the line when needed. We crawled on top of the ridge and peeped over. The ridge in our front was lined with Federal batteries, also heavy bodies of infantry. In fact, the whole Federal army was there. We crawled back, threw up breast- works and got behind them. For, we knew pretty soon we'd catch shot and shell hat and heavy. Our assaulting column had gotten in position when the signal gun fired. When the firing commenced, what a tumult it was.! The whole earth seemed to tremble. One of our boys was completely buried alive, from a shell striking our works. We scratched him out in time to save his life. When the cannonading ceased, our assaulting column moved forward. They were not gone long and returned badly demoralized. We were ordered to the front to check the enemy if they should advance, but they did not come. Our army remained on the field until next morning, the fourth day, when we were sent out on the skirmish line. The Yanks were still there, but not anxious to renew the battle. About noon, one Yank said: "Hello! Johnnie, have you got any butter?" "No", said Johnnie, "Why?" "Because", said the Yank, "You will need it to slide back into the Union on. Vicksburg is done up and Lee's army will be before he gets out of Pennsylvania." "Go to the Devil, you numbskull Yank", replied the Reb. "Gen. Lee just bit off more that he could chaw, but he will carry his army out all right; you will see." And sure enough he did. He brought us up at Hagerstown, Md., and stopped for a few days, till our wagon trains and beef cattle could be crossed over the Potomac in safety. They our army started out for "Dixieland". We made the trip without being molested, moved up near Winchester, Va., and went into camp to await the movements of the Federal army. About the first of September, we were ordered to get ready to move. Leaving Winchester and crossing the Shenandoah River at Front Royal, we passed through Swift Run Gap and turned down the Rappahannock river, near Culpepper Court House, and went into camp to await further developments of the Union Army, which was camped on the other side of the river. In a few days, Gen. Lee drew his army back to the Rapidan River. The Federal army advanced near the river and halted. Lee had a very strong position, but did not expect the enemy to attack him there. His object was to draw them as far as possible from their base of operations and then turn Meade's flank, beat him to Manassas Junction, capt ure his suplies and give him battle again on the historic plains of Manassas. Meade was sharp enough to get out in time to save his bacon and "hard tack". We struck his rear guard at Bristo Station, had a sharp fight with them, but as soon as dark came, they went off, leaving us in possession of the battlefield. Gen. Posey was killed in this fight. Col. Harris of the 19th Mississippi was made Brigadier General and placed in command of our brigade and continued in command till the close of the war. Next morning, we moved out into an old field. While marching along, up jumped a rabbit. They boys raised the Rebel Yell and it out after it. It was soon caught. Then up jumped another one. Away went the boys after it, yelling as if they were making a grand charge. The march was turned into a general rabbit hunt. After capturing them, we fell into line and move out into the woods, camping till the next day; then we marched back to our old camp near Orange Court House. When Meade found that Lee had retired, he moved back near Culpepper Court House. It was Meade's time then to steal a march on Lee. So, he threw his army across the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford, on our right flank, but when he left the river to go to Richmond, he found Lee's army firmly planted in his front, on a small stream called Mine Run. Some little skirmish fighting occurred during the day. That night, Meade crossed the river, going back to his old camp. The next day, we went back to our old camp ground, went into winter quarters, remaining there till the next spring about the first of May. Lee was preparing to meet the advance of the Federal army, now under the leadership of Gen. U. S. Grant. On the fifth of May, Grant threw his forces across the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford and headed for Richmond. He found Lee's army in his front in the Wilderness. The fighting opened up pretty lively on the 5th, and on the 6th, the battle raged furiously all day long. Grant's army was held in check. It was expected that the battle would be renewed next day, but Grant had enough of the Wilderness. He moved to his left and headed his column towards Richmond, but Lee was across his path at Spotsylvania Court House. On the 12th of May, Grant assaulted and broke through, capturing Gen. Ed. Johnson and part of his division. "Old Tige" threw forward one or two brigades of his division and recaptured our works. Grant was not disposed to renew the battle. In a few days, he made another side move. When he turned towards Richmond, Lee was across his path awaiting him at Cold Harbor. From the first to the twelfth of June, they were handsomely repulsed with heavy loss. Our loss was small. It was here that Grant decided to fight it out if it took all summer. He drew his army back from our front and tried to beat us to Petersburg, but the Confederate line was there ready for him. He assaulted our lines several times, but was repulsed with heavy loss at every point. He was convinced by this time that he could not get to Richmond and Petersburg by side movements. He commenced gradually moving his lines nearer to our front. We were continually firing at each other, day and night. During the siege of Petersburg, Gen. Anderson was sent South and Gen. Mahone was made Major-General and place in command of our division and continued in command till the close of the war.
|
