Saturday, December 27, 1862
Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a letter to his father from Fredericksburg, the first letter he was able to compose since the battle. He explained that he was operating on wounded soldiers from morning until after dark every day for nearly two weeks. He worked in concert with other doctors and surgeons, consulting with them for the best course of treatment and operation. He relayed that he is currently the acting surgeon for his brigade.
Doctor Hayward stated that the newspaper reports of the battle at Fredericksburg was laughable and exaggerated. He hoped that the disaster at Fredericksburg will bring about the restoration of General George McClellan. He relayed that the soldiers are dissatisfied and dispirited since the removal of McClellan and that they entered Fredericksburg expecting defeat and slaughter. Hayward spoke highly of McClellan, stating that “no other man can command the confidence of his veterans.” Hayward felt that General Ambrose Burnside is affable and a gentleman, but he remarked that these qualities do not make a great General. “The army knows full well that affectional qualities are not what it requires, but intellect in a special department, and that the only man who has displayed great intellect in this specialty has been most foolishly, almost madly, removed.”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. 401-403, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas at Falmouth
Thursday, December 25, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts celebrated Christmas at their winter camp in Falmouth. The men were delighted to receive shipments of cooked turkeys, chickens, and geese for their holiday meal.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 232-33.
The Twentieth Massachusetts celebrated Christmas at their winter camp in Falmouth. The men were delighted to receive shipments of cooked turkeys, chickens, and geese for their holiday meal.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 232-33.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Retreat Across the Rappahannock River
Monday, December 15, 1862
The three Grand Divisions of the Army of the Potomac retreated across the Rappahannock River and removed the pontoon bridges at the three river crossing locations. 1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 215.
The three Grand Divisions of the Army of the Potomac retreated across the Rappahannock River and removed the pontoon bridges at the three river crossing locations. 1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 215.
Friday, December 14, 2012
General Howard Praises the Twentieth Massachusetts
Sunday, December 14, 1862
General Oliver Howard, commander of the division, praised the Twentieth Massachusetts for their splendid service during the three-day battle at Fredericksburg. General Howard approached Captain George Macy and proclaimed, "Capt. Macy, I have come to thank you and your Regiment for your noble conduct in the late battles. You have done nobly, the Regiment has done nobly. Massachusetts men always do nobly."1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 216.
General Oliver Howard, commander of the division, praised the Twentieth Massachusetts for their splendid service during the three-day battle at Fredericksburg. General Howard approached Captain George Macy and proclaimed, "Capt. Macy, I have come to thank you and your Regiment for your noble conduct in the late battles. You have done nobly, the Regiment has done nobly. Massachusetts men always do nobly."1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 216.
Cease Fire at Fredericksburg
Sunday, December 14, 1862
During the early hours of the morning the Fourth United States Infantry relieved the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment from their entrenched position along William Street. The exhausted Twentieth withdrew to the city of Fredericksburg. In light of the slaughter of the previous day General Edwin "Bull" Sumner convinced General Ambrose Burnside to abandon additional assaults by all three Grand Divisions. 1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 215.
During the early hours of the morning the Fourth United States Infantry relieved the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment from their entrenched position along William Street. The exhausted Twentieth withdrew to the city of Fredericksburg. In light of the slaughter of the previous day General Edwin "Bull" Sumner convinced General Ambrose Burnside to abandon additional assaults by all three Grand Divisions. 1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 215.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Oliver's Story - Battle of Fredericksburg
Saturday, December 13, 1862
Oliver Stanton Bates survived another hellish battle during the three day siege at Fredericksburg. Oliver was heavily engaged in the street fighting on December 11, as Company A, one of the leading companies in the advance along Hawke Street, sealed the right flank of the intersection at Hawke and Caroline Streets in a maelstrom of gunfire. On December 13 Oliver was injured during the attack on Marye's Heights, very likely during the second attempt to take the Heights. Captain Henry Abbott of Company I reported that sixty-three men were killed or wounded in a matter of minutes during this assault. The severity of Oliver's wounding is not stated on his military service record, but he was present for muster rolls in January 1863.1
References:
1Compiled service record, Oliver S. Bates, Pvt., Co. A, 20th Massachusetts Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 202. Francis Augustin O'Reilly, The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 2003), 331.
Oliver Stanton Bates survived another hellish battle during the three day siege at Fredericksburg. Oliver was heavily engaged in the street fighting on December 11, as Company A, one of the leading companies in the advance along Hawke Street, sealed the right flank of the intersection at Hawke and Caroline Streets in a maelstrom of gunfire. On December 13 Oliver was injured during the attack on Marye's Heights, very likely during the second attempt to take the Heights. Captain Henry Abbott of Company I reported that sixty-three men were killed or wounded in a matter of minutes during this assault. The severity of Oliver's wounding is not stated on his military service record, but he was present for muster rolls in January 1863.1
References:
1Compiled service record, Oliver S. Bates, Pvt., Co. A, 20th Massachusetts Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 202. Francis Augustin O'Reilly, The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 2003), 331.
Battle of Fredericksburg - Day 3
Saturday, December 13, 1862
General Ambrose Burnside ordered General William Franklin's Left Grand Division to strike Confederate Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson south of Fredericksburg, and ordered General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division and General Joseph Hooker's Center Grand Division to assault Confederate General James Longstreet at Marye's Heights.
Around 1:00 P.M. General Oliver Howard's division, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was a part, formed a line of battle and prepared for an assault on Marye's Heights. They witnessed the failed attempts of General William French and General Winfield Hancock's division during the late morning and early afternoon and were aware of the terrible carnage that befell these two divisions. They knew that their attack would be a desperate and futile attempt on a well-fortified position. Confederate artillery was securely positioned atop Marye's Heights, and the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights afforded protection for Confederate rifleman lined behind the wall. The Twentieth Massachusetts had a slight advantage in that their division planned to attack north of the well-fortified stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment advanced along William Street toward the northern end of Marye's Heights. As they neared their objective they came under blistering rifle fire from Confederate infantry units that spanned William Street and were exposed to artillery fire from Confederate batteries atop Marye's Heights. Both exacted casualties in the Twentieth Massachusetts, who formed a line to return fire. Colonel Norman Hall realized the futility of the attack, but reformed his division for another assault which proved likewise futile. At their advanced position the Twentieth Massachusetts could not retreat but were forced to lie down on the ground and seek cover. As darkness fell they remained entrenched along William Street on their stomachs to avoid Confederate rifle and artillery fire as well as friendly fire from their own men positioned behind them.
Casualties were heavy among the Twentieth Massachusetts for the two days of battle at Fredericksburg. On December 11 and December 13 the regiment suffered one-third of its available strength in casualties. Among the wounded on December 13 was Private Oliver Stanton Bates of Company A.1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 208-216. George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 221.
General Ambrose Burnside ordered General William Franklin's Left Grand Division to strike Confederate Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson south of Fredericksburg, and ordered General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division and General Joseph Hooker's Center Grand Division to assault Confederate General James Longstreet at Marye's Heights.
Around 1:00 P.M. General Oliver Howard's division, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was a part, formed a line of battle and prepared for an assault on Marye's Heights. They witnessed the failed attempts of General William French and General Winfield Hancock's division during the late morning and early afternoon and were aware of the terrible carnage that befell these two divisions. They knew that their attack would be a desperate and futile attempt on a well-fortified position. Confederate artillery was securely positioned atop Marye's Heights, and the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights afforded protection for Confederate rifleman lined behind the wall. The Twentieth Massachusetts had a slight advantage in that their division planned to attack north of the well-fortified stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment advanced along William Street toward the northern end of Marye's Heights. As they neared their objective they came under blistering rifle fire from Confederate infantry units that spanned William Street and were exposed to artillery fire from Confederate batteries atop Marye's Heights. Both exacted casualties in the Twentieth Massachusetts, who formed a line to return fire. Colonel Norman Hall realized the futility of the attack, but reformed his division for another assault which proved likewise futile. At their advanced position the Twentieth Massachusetts could not retreat but were forced to lie down on the ground and seek cover. As darkness fell they remained entrenched along William Street on their stomachs to avoid Confederate rifle and artillery fire as well as friendly fire from their own men positioned behind them.
Casualties were heavy among the Twentieth Massachusetts for the two days of battle at Fredericksburg. On December 11 and December 13 the regiment suffered one-third of its available strength in casualties. Among the wounded on December 13 was Private Oliver Stanton Bates of Company A.1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 208-216. George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 221.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Battle of Fredericksburg - Day 2
Friday, December 12, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment witnessed the destruction of Fredericksburg wrought by Union artillery the previous day. The savagery of the street fighting to capture the city led many Union soldiers, including some from the Twentieth Massachusetts, to sack and loot the city. The commanding officers made feeble attempts to restrain their men, but to little avail.1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 206-208.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment witnessed the destruction of Fredericksburg wrought by Union artillery the previous day. The savagery of the street fighting to capture the city led many Union soldiers, including some from the Twentieth Massachusetts, to sack and loot the city. The commanding officers made feeble attempts to restrain their men, but to little avail.1
References:
1Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 206-208.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Battle of Fredericksburg - Day 1
Thursday, December 11, 1862
At 3:00 A.M. the engineers began deployment of the pontoon bridges at each of the three stations along the Rappahannock River. The Confederates were well-prepared for the crossing. General William Barksdale ordered companies from his brigade to cover each of the pontoon crossings, deploying his men in the houses along the riverbank. As soon as the engineers began their work they were met with a hailstorm of rifle fire which killed many of the engineers. General Henry Hunt, chief of artillery, suggested sending the army across the river in pontoon boats and supporting the crossing with artillery fire on Fredericksburg to drive the Confederate snipers away from the river. The Second Corps was to lead the army across the Rappahannock, and the Third Brigade of the Second Division, commanded by Colonel Norman Hall, was selected as the lead unit to cross the river at the Upper Pontoon Crossing. Colonel Hall chose the Twentieth Massachusetts as the lead regiment in his brigade.
Around noon the artillery barrage began. Union artillery rained heavy fire on Fredericksburg for over two hours. At 2:30 P.M. Colonel Hall began to send his brigade across the river in pontoon boats. The Seventh Michigan was first to cross the Rappahannock, followed by the Nineteenth Massachusetts and the Twentieth Massachusetts. After the Twentieth Massachusetts crossed the river the engineers began to resume construction of the pontoon bridges so that the remaining regiments may cross the river on foot. As Hall's brigade ascended the slope of the bank and entered Sophia Street, they began to encounter rifle fire from General Barksdale's Confederates still deployed in and around the houses. At 4:15 P.M. the Twentieth Massachusetts entered Sophia Street to reinforce the Seventh Michigan and the Nineteenth Massachusetts and to push the lead units into the city. The firing became deadly as they pushed along Hawke Street toward Caroline Street. The Seventh Michigan refused to enter the intersection of Hawke and Caroline Streets, proclaiming that "no man could live around that corner." Captain Henry Abbott coolly led Company I of the Twentieth Massachusetts into the intersection of Hawke and Caroline Streets and met an intense storm of bullets. Company K of the Twentieth Massachusetts followed and sealed off the left flank of the intersection, and Companies A and F of the Twentieth sealed off the right flank of the intersection. Company I continued to push forward along Hawke Street as other regiments began to follow. With stubborn persistence the Twentieth Massachusetts held their ground. Around 7:00 P.M. General Barksdale withdrew his forces from the streets of Fredericksburg to a stone wall at the foot of Marye's Heights. The city of Fredericksburg was under the control of the Union Army.
The Twentieth Massachusetts sustained heavy casualties during the street fighting but also gained praise and respect for their bravery in action. Ninety-seven officers and men of the Twentieth Massachusetts were reported killed or wounded.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 195-203. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 197-206.
At 3:00 A.M. the engineers began deployment of the pontoon bridges at each of the three stations along the Rappahannock River. The Confederates were well-prepared for the crossing. General William Barksdale ordered companies from his brigade to cover each of the pontoon crossings, deploying his men in the houses along the riverbank. As soon as the engineers began their work they were met with a hailstorm of rifle fire which killed many of the engineers. General Henry Hunt, chief of artillery, suggested sending the army across the river in pontoon boats and supporting the crossing with artillery fire on Fredericksburg to drive the Confederate snipers away from the river. The Second Corps was to lead the army across the Rappahannock, and the Third Brigade of the Second Division, commanded by Colonel Norman Hall, was selected as the lead unit to cross the river at the Upper Pontoon Crossing. Colonel Hall chose the Twentieth Massachusetts as the lead regiment in his brigade.
Around noon the artillery barrage began. Union artillery rained heavy fire on Fredericksburg for over two hours. At 2:30 P.M. Colonel Hall began to send his brigade across the river in pontoon boats. The Seventh Michigan was first to cross the Rappahannock, followed by the Nineteenth Massachusetts and the Twentieth Massachusetts. After the Twentieth Massachusetts crossed the river the engineers began to resume construction of the pontoon bridges so that the remaining regiments may cross the river on foot. As Hall's brigade ascended the slope of the bank and entered Sophia Street, they began to encounter rifle fire from General Barksdale's Confederates still deployed in and around the houses. At 4:15 P.M. the Twentieth Massachusetts entered Sophia Street to reinforce the Seventh Michigan and the Nineteenth Massachusetts and to push the lead units into the city. The firing became deadly as they pushed along Hawke Street toward Caroline Street. The Seventh Michigan refused to enter the intersection of Hawke and Caroline Streets, proclaiming that "no man could live around that corner." Captain Henry Abbott coolly led Company I of the Twentieth Massachusetts into the intersection of Hawke and Caroline Streets and met an intense storm of bullets. Company K of the Twentieth Massachusetts followed and sealed off the left flank of the intersection, and Companies A and F of the Twentieth sealed off the right flank of the intersection. Company I continued to push forward along Hawke Street as other regiments began to follow. With stubborn persistence the Twentieth Massachusetts held their ground. Around 7:00 P.M. General Barksdale withdrew his forces from the streets of Fredericksburg to a stone wall at the foot of Marye's Heights. The city of Fredericksburg was under the control of the Union Army.
The Twentieth Massachusetts sustained heavy casualties during the street fighting but also gained praise and respect for their bravery in action. Ninety-seven officers and men of the Twentieth Massachusetts were reported killed or wounded.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 195-203. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 197-206.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Pontoon Bridges Arrive at Falmouth
Wednesday, December 10, 1862
General Ambrose Burnside ordered a concentration of the army for the following morning in preparation for crossing the Rappahannock River into Fredericksburg. The engineer brigade had finally arrived with the pontoon bridges and had orders to deploy the bridges at three crossing stations along the river: one near the rope-ferry at the upper end of the city; another near the steamboat landing at the lower end of the city; and a third near the mouth of Deep Run a mile south of the second crossing. These three locations would be known respectively as the Upper Pontoon Crossing, the Middle Pontoon Crossing, and the Lower Pontoon Crossing. The Upper Pontoon Crossing had two bridges, while the other two crossings had one bridge each.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 190-195.
General Ambrose Burnside ordered a concentration of the army for the following morning in preparation for crossing the Rappahannock River into Fredericksburg. The engineer brigade had finally arrived with the pontoon bridges and had orders to deploy the bridges at three crossing stations along the river: one near the rope-ferry at the upper end of the city; another near the steamboat landing at the lower end of the city; and a third near the mouth of Deep Run a mile south of the second crossing. These three locations would be known respectively as the Upper Pontoon Crossing, the Middle Pontoon Crossing, and the Lower Pontoon Crossing. The Upper Pontoon Crossing had two bridges, while the other two crossings had one bridge each.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 190-195.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)