Saturday, May 31, 1862
Confederate General Joseph Johnston ordered an attack on the Army of the Potomac to drive the Union lines away from Richmond. Confederate Generals Daniel Harvey Hill and James Longstreet struck Brigadier General Silas Casey’s division of General Darius Couch’s Fourth Corps, driving the Union line back to the Williamsburg Road nearly one-and-a-half miles from Seven Pines Station.
The Twentieth Massachusetts, in General John Sedgwick’s division, was called to arms at 1:00 PM. They encountered their first obstacle at the Grapevine Bridge, whose structure was compromised from rising water due to heavy rains. Sedgwick's division crossed over the bridge safely before the bridge collapsed. The division confronted the enemy lines with fixed bayonets and successfully repulsed the Confederate attack near Fair Oaks Station.
The Confederates suffered heavy casualties among their officers. Brigadier General Wade Hampton was wounded, J. Johnston Pettigrew was wounded and captured, and Robert H. Hatton was killed. Confederate commander Joseph Johnston was severely wounded.
The casualty list for the Twentieth Massachusetts listed five killed and twenty-three wounded.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 90 - 101.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tempestuous Weather near Seven Pines
Friday, May 30, 1862
The day afforded extremely hot weather, followed by violent thundershowers in the evening. The rain fell in torrents, and several of the bridges over the Chickahominy River were nearly swept away. At midnight the regiment heard heavy cannon fire in the direction of Richmond.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 89. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 126.
The day afforded extremely hot weather, followed by violent thundershowers in the evening. The rain fell in torrents, and several of the bridges over the Chickahominy River were nearly swept away. At midnight the regiment heard heavy cannon fire in the direction of Richmond.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 89. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 126.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Victory near Hanover Court House
Wednesday, May 28, 1862
General Fitz-John Porter of the Union Fifth Corps won a victory over a small force of Confederates led by General Lafayette Branch to secure the right flank of General George McClellan's army. During this engagement General John Sedgwick ordered his division, which included the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, to General Porter's former position near New Bridge.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 89.
General Fitz-John Porter of the Union Fifth Corps won a victory over a small force of Confederates led by General Lafayette Branch to secure the right flank of General George McClellan's army. During this engagement General John Sedgwick ordered his division, which included the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, to General Porter's former position near New Bridge.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 89.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Camp Tyler
Friday, May 23, 1862
At 7:30 AM the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment began a fifteen-mile march along the Richmond and York River Railroad with the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania regiment. By nightfall they made camp near the estate of former President John Tyler and named their new camp in his honor.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88-89.
At 7:30 AM the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment began a fifteen-mile march along the Richmond and York River Railroad with the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania regiment. By nightfall they made camp near the estate of former President John Tyler and named their new camp in his honor.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88-89.
Monday, May 21, 2012
On the March toward the Chickahominy
Wednesday, May 21, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts resumed their journey to the Chickahominy River, marching ten miles during the day and camping past Baltimore Cross Roads, three miles from the Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
The Twentieth Massachusetts resumed their journey to the Chickahominy River, marching ten miles during the day and camping past Baltimore Cross Roads, three miles from the Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
Friday, May 18, 2012
On the March toward the Chickahominy
Sunday, May 18, 1862
The regiment broke their camp near Cumberland at seven in the morning, marching past New Kent Court House. In the evening they formed a new camp near White House on their progress to the Chickahominy River.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
The regiment broke their camp near Cumberland at seven in the morning, marching past New Kent Court House. In the evening they formed a new camp near White House on their progress to the Chickahominy River.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward
Saturday, May 17, 1862
In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward reassured his father that no one from the regiment had been wounded during their engagement at Eltham's Landing. He recounted the difficulties in travel due to heavy rains during their marches from Yorktown, noting that the march on May 15 was the most difficult they had encountered. Problems in moving heavy artillery on muddy roads was so severe that horses pulling the artillery died from over-exertion.
Doctor Hayward remarked on the visit of General George McClellan to their camp at Eltham's Landing and that General McClellan met with Colonel William Lee. Colonel Lee was deeply honored and regarded their meeting as "the greatest compliment he ever has received in his life."
Hayward continued to note the excellent mood among the regiment due to the return of Colonel Lee and Major Paul Revere. He expected that the Confederates would make a stand near the Chickahominy River and that the regiment would move in that direction.1
References:
1Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 377-79, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward reassured his father that no one from the regiment had been wounded during their engagement at Eltham's Landing. He recounted the difficulties in travel due to heavy rains during their marches from Yorktown, noting that the march on May 15 was the most difficult they had encountered. Problems in moving heavy artillery on muddy roads was so severe that horses pulling the artillery died from over-exertion.
Doctor Hayward remarked on the visit of General George McClellan to their camp at Eltham's Landing and that General McClellan met with Colonel William Lee. Colonel Lee was deeply honored and regarded their meeting as "the greatest compliment he ever has received in his life."
Hayward continued to note the excellent mood among the regiment due to the return of Colonel Lee and Major Paul Revere. He expected that the Confederates would make a stand near the Chickahominy River and that the regiment would move in that direction.1
References:
1Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 377-79, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
March to Cumberland
Thursday, May 15, 1862
The regiment broke camp at Eltham's Landing. Marching ten miles up the Pamunkey River they made camp by nightfall near Cumberland.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
The regiment broke camp at Eltham's Landing. Marching ten miles up the Pamunkey River they made camp by nightfall near Cumberland.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Momentous News
Sunday, May 11, 1862
During the day two important events affected the activities of the men of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment. The regiment received an important visitor, General George McClellan, who visited the camp at Eltham's Landing. The regiment also received the news that the Confederate ironclad ship Merrimac had been destroyed by the Confederates when they abandoned Norfolk on May 9.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
During the day two important events affected the activities of the men of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment. The regiment received an important visitor, General George McClellan, who visited the camp at Eltham's Landing. The regiment also received the news that the Confederate ironclad ship Merrimac had been destroyed by the Confederates when they abandoned Norfolk on May 9.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Bivouac at Eltham's Landing
Friday, May 9, 1862
After falling into line with the rest of the brigade in the early afternoon the Twentieth Massachusetts marched three miles along the southern side of the Pamunkey River and made camp along the fields of Eltham's Landing.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
After falling into line with the rest of the brigade in the early afternoon the Twentieth Massachusetts marched three miles along the southern side of the Pamunkey River and made camp along the fields of Eltham's Landing.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 88.
Monday, May 7, 2012
On the Move
Wednesday, May 7, 1862
On Monday, May 5, while General Bull Sumner led five divisions of infantry in the Battle of Williamsburg, the Twentieth Massachusetts under General John Sedgwick was ordered to block off the retreat of the Confederates about twenty-five miles northwest of Yorktown at West Point. The Twentieth began their eight-mile march to Yorktown on the 5th but heavy rains delayed their arrival at Yorktown until the early hours of Tuesday, May 6th. On the afternoon of the 6th the Nineteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts Regiments boarded the steamer C. Vanderbilt and began their voyage up the Pamunkey River. Arriving on the morning of May 7, the Twentieth deployed immediately after disembarking the steamer, as they met with enemy fire on the open fields of Eltham's Landing near West Point.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 87-88. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 120-21.
On Monday, May 5, while General Bull Sumner led five divisions of infantry in the Battle of Williamsburg, the Twentieth Massachusetts under General John Sedgwick was ordered to block off the retreat of the Confederates about twenty-five miles northwest of Yorktown at West Point. The Twentieth began their eight-mile march to Yorktown on the 5th but heavy rains delayed their arrival at Yorktown until the early hours of Tuesday, May 6th. On the afternoon of the 6th the Nineteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts Regiments boarded the steamer C. Vanderbilt and began their voyage up the Pamunkey River. Arriving on the morning of May 7, the Twentieth deployed immediately after disembarking the steamer, as they met with enemy fire on the open fields of Eltham's Landing near West Point.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 87-88. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 120-21.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Charging the Works at Yorktown
Sunday, May 4, 1862
Before dawn the regiment was ordered to arms as a result of infantry firing on the right of their line. Colonel William Lee was ordered to advance on the enemy line, as it was reported that the Confederates had evacuated. The regiment advanced through dense woods and crossed a muddy swamp, and just before 8:00 AM Colonel Lee planted the flag of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment on the redoubt, the first United States flag to wave on the enemy works at Yorktown. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85-86.
Before dawn the regiment was ordered to arms as a result of infantry firing on the right of their line. Colonel William Lee was ordered to advance on the enemy line, as it was reported that the Confederates had evacuated. The regiment advanced through dense woods and crossed a muddy swamp, and just before 8:00 AM Colonel Lee planted the flag of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment on the redoubt, the first United States flag to wave on the enemy works at Yorktown. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85-86.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Lee Resumes Command
Saturday, May 3, 1862
In the early hours of the morning Colonel William Lee resumed command of the Twentieth Massachusetts by deploying on the picket line with the regiment.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85.
In the early hours of the morning Colonel William Lee resumed command of the Twentieth Massachusetts by deploying on the picket line with the regiment.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Lee and Revere Brothers Return to Regiment
Friday, May 2, 1862
In the evening, Colonel William Lee, Major Paul Revere, and Dr. Edward Revere returned to the regiment after they successfully received their exchange. This was their first return to military service with the Twentieth Massachusetts since their capture nearly seven months earlier at Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85.
In the evening, Colonel William Lee, Major Paul Revere, and Dr. Edward Revere returned to the regiment after they successfully received their exchange. This was their first return to military service with the Twentieth Massachusetts since their capture nearly seven months earlier at Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85.
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