Wednesday, November 19, 1862
Captains Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and Henry Abbott rejoined the regiment today. Both men had been absent from the regiment since the Battle of Antietam. Holmes was wounded at Antietam and had fully recovered from his injuries. Abbott had taken ill shortly before Antietam and had been on sick leave since September 14. Doctor Nathan Hayward, who had been taken prisoner at Antietam, was rapidly exchanged after his capture and rejoined the regiment on November 12.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181. Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 397-8, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Union and Confederate Troop Movements around Fredericksburg
Wednesday, November 19, 1862
The units of the Army of the Potomac began deployment around Fredericksburg. The Left Grand Division under General William Franklin arrived at Stafford Court House on Tuesday. Today the Center Grand Division under General Joseph Hooker arrived at Hartwood.
In anticipation of a Union attack on Fredericksburg Confederate General Robert E. Lee deployed divisions under General Lafayette McLaws and General Robert Ransom at Fredericksburg, with General James Longstreet's division to follow. He ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson to remain in the Shenandoah Valley with discretionary authority to move at will.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 183, 186.
The units of the Army of the Potomac began deployment around Fredericksburg. The Left Grand Division under General William Franklin arrived at Stafford Court House on Tuesday. Today the Center Grand Division under General Joseph Hooker arrived at Hartwood.
In anticipation of a Union attack on Fredericksburg Confederate General Robert E. Lee deployed divisions under General Lafayette McLaws and General Robert Ransom at Fredericksburg, with General James Longstreet's division to follow. He ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson to remain in the Shenandoah Valley with discretionary authority to move at will.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 183, 186.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Sumner's Division Arrives at Falmouth
Monday, November 17, 1862
After an all-day march on Sunday, General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division resumed their march to Falmouth, arriving at 2:30 in the afternoon.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181, 183.
After an all-day march on Sunday, General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division resumed their march to Falmouth, arriving at 2:30 in the afternoon.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181, 183.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Progress of Sumner's Division
Saturday, November 15, 1862
General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division began their march to Falmouth shortly after dawn this morning. The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was one of the lead regiments in the march. Advancing several miles they made evening camp at Warrenton Junction.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181, 183.
General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division began their march to Falmouth shortly after dawn this morning. The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was one of the lead regiments in the march. Advancing several miles they made evening camp at Warrenton Junction.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181, 183.
General Burnside's Pivotal Decision
Saturday, November 15, 1862
On the same day that General Sumner began his advance toward Falmouth, General Ambrose Burnside received a telegraph from Washington informing him that the pontoon bridges necessary to cross the Rappahannock River from Falmouth to Fredericksburg would not be ready for transport until Sunday or Monday, and that only one pontoon bridge would be sent. Other bridges would be transported at a later time upon request by General Burnside. Although General Burnside realized that his army would arrive at Falmouth before the pontoon bridges would be available, and that the arrival of the Army of the Potomac on the Falmouth side of the Rappahannock River would telegraph his intentions to the Confederate Army, he made a pivotal decision to allow his army to continue their advance to Falmouth.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 185-6.
On the same day that General Sumner began his advance toward Falmouth, General Ambrose Burnside received a telegraph from Washington informing him that the pontoon bridges necessary to cross the Rappahannock River from Falmouth to Fredericksburg would not be ready for transport until Sunday or Monday, and that only one pontoon bridge would be sent. Other bridges would be transported at a later time upon request by General Burnside. Although General Burnside realized that his army would arrive at Falmouth before the pontoon bridges would be available, and that the arrival of the Army of the Potomac on the Falmouth side of the Rappahannock River would telegraph his intentions to the Confederate Army, he made a pivotal decision to allow his army to continue their advance to Falmouth.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 185-6.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Advancing toward Fredericksburg
Friday, November 14, 1862
General-In-Chief Henry Halleck returned to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to confer with President Abraham Lincoln about General Ambrose Burnside's plans to attack Fredericksburg as a prelude to an attack on Richmond. President Lincoln approved General Burnside's plan, and General Halleck sent a telegraph of approval to General Burnside at Warrenton. Immediately General Burnside ordered the Army of the Potomac to advance toward Falmouth along the left bank of the Rappahannock River.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 183.
General-In-Chief Henry Halleck returned to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to confer with President Abraham Lincoln about General Ambrose Burnside's plans to attack Fredericksburg as a prelude to an attack on Richmond. President Lincoln approved General Burnside's plan, and General Halleck sent a telegraph of approval to General Burnside at Warrenton. Immediately General Burnside ordered the Army of the Potomac to advance toward Falmouth along the left bank of the Rappahannock River.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 183.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Author's Message
On this observance of Veterans Day, please take some time today to remember and honor veterans of all wars. Thank you.
General Halleck meets with General Burnside
Tuesday, November 11, 1862
General-in-Chief Henry Halleck arrived in Warrenton today to discuss General Ambrose Burnside's plan to attack Fredericksburg. General Halleck was not pleased with the details of Burnside's plan and believed a meeting with Burnside was vital before any plan was put into place.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 183.
General-in-Chief Henry Halleck arrived in Warrenton today to discuss General Ambrose Burnside's plan to attack Fredericksburg. General Halleck was not pleased with the details of Burnside's plan and believed a meeting with Burnside was vital before any plan was put into place.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 183.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
McClellan Leaves the Army of the Potomac
Monday, November 10, 1862
General George McClellan left the Army of the Potomac, much to the regret of his men, who admired and respected him.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
General George McClellan left the Army of the Potomac, much to the regret of his men, who admired and respected him.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Burnside Takes Command
Sunday, November 9, 1862
General Ambrose Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac. He planned to concentrate the Army around Warrenton and feint a move toward Culpeper or Gordonsville while driving toward Fredericksburg and Richmond. He communicated his intentions to General-in-Chief Henry Halleck in Washington. General Burnside partioned the Army of the Potomac into three divisions, placing General Edwin "Bull" Sumner in charge of the Right Grand Division, General Joseph Hooker in charge of the Center Grand Division, and General William Franklin in charge of the Left Grand Division.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
General Ambrose Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac. He planned to concentrate the Army around Warrenton and feint a move toward Culpeper or Gordonsville while driving toward Fredericksburg and Richmond. He communicated his intentions to General-in-Chief Henry Halleck in Washington. General Burnside partioned the Army of the Potomac into three divisions, placing General Edwin "Bull" Sumner in charge of the Right Grand Division, General Joseph Hooker in charge of the Center Grand Division, and General William Franklin in charge of the Left Grand Division.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
Arrival at Warrenton
Sunday, November 9, 1862
After marching from Rectortown and evening camp at Salem on Saturday, the regiment reached their destination at Warrenton by early afternoon.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
After marching from Rectortown and evening camp at Salem on Saturday, the regiment reached their destination at Warrenton by early afternoon.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
McClellan Relieved of Command
Friday, November 7, 1862
The beautiful summerlike weather ended abruptly with the arrival of a blinding northeast snowstorm that dropped several inches of snow on Rectortown. In addition to the weather a storm of a different kind reached the camp. General George McClellan received orders from President Abraham Lincoln that relieved him of command of the Army of the Potomac and replaced him with General Ambrose Burnside.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
The beautiful summerlike weather ended abruptly with the arrival of a blinding northeast snowstorm that dropped several inches of snow on Rectortown. In addition to the weather a storm of a different kind reached the camp. General George McClellan received orders from President Abraham Lincoln that relieved him of command of the Army of the Potomac and replaced him with General Ambrose Burnside.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 181.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Camp at Rectortown
Thursday, November 6, 1862
The regiment advanced six miles in their progress today, marching through Paris to Rectortown and making camp by early afternoon.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
The regiment advanced six miles in their progress today, marching through Paris to Rectortown and making camp by early afternoon.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
March to Berry's Gap
Tuesday, November 4, 1862
At 1:00 PM the regiment departed from Ashby's Gap and began a four-mile march to Berry's Gap, near Paris, arriving before nightfall.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
At 1:00 PM the regiment departed from Ashby's Gap and began a four-mile march to Berry's Gap, near Paris, arriving before nightfall.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Bivouac at Ashby Gap
Monday, November 3, 1862
The Twentieth left Bloomfield early in the morning and arrived at Ashby Gap by noon to the sounds of heavy artillery fire. The regiment immediately formed a line of battle and remained in formation for the rest of the day without incident.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
The Twentieth left Bloomfield early in the morning and arrived at Ashby Gap by noon to the sounds of heavy artillery fire. The regiment immediately formed a line of battle and remained in formation for the rest of the day without incident.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
Friday, November 2, 2012
March to Bloomfield
Sunday, November 2, 1862
At 8:00 A.M. the Twentieth departed from Wood Grove and began a thirteen-mile march to Bloomfield, near Snicker's Gap, where they camped for the evening, enjoying summerlike weather.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
At 8:00 A.M. the Twentieth departed from Wood Grove and began a thirteen-mile march to Bloomfield, near Snicker's Gap, where they camped for the evening, enjoying summerlike weather.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 180.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
March to Wood Grove
Saturday, November 1, 1862
At 11:00 A.M. the Twentieth struck camp at Hillsborough and began another eight mile march to Wood Grove, sixteen miles from Harper's Ferry and twelve miles from Leesburg.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179-80.
At 11:00 A.M. the Twentieth struck camp at Hillsborough and began another eight mile march to Wood Grove, sixteen miles from Harper's Ferry and twelve miles from Leesburg.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179-80.
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