Battle of Bristoe Station

Wednesday, October 14, 1863

The Twentieth Massachusetts arose at 3:00 A.M in thick fog in response to reconnaissance that Confederate forces were advancing rapidly. General Governeur K. Warren, commanding the Second Corps, wasted no time in advancing to Catlett Station, as Confederate General James Ewell "J.E.B." Stuart's horse artillery fired upon their position. As the Second Corps approached Catlett Station General Warren received a communication from General Andrew Humphreys that the road to Bristoe Station, nearly six miles away, was clear, and that the Fifth Corps would support them as they advanced. General Warren advanced rapidly to Bristoe Station, protecting the Second Corps with coverage on all sides during the advance.

As the Second Corps neared Bristoe Station they observed a large band of Confederates pursuing the Fifth Corps. The Third Brigade of General Alexander Webb's Second Division, commanded by Colonel James Mallon of the Tammany Regiment, observed a looming railroad embankment ahead of them. Perceiving this high ground as a strategic advantage Colonel Mallon raced his Third Brigade, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts was a part, to the embankment.

Major Henry Abbott was concerned that the untested conscript recruits would break during their first encounter under fire. At 3:00 P.M. the Confederates neared the position held by the Twentieth Massachusetts, who received the order to load and fire at will. The Twentieth Massachusetts poured a blistering fire into the Confederates, who rapidly retreated. Major Abbott later reported that the new conscripts behaved as well as seasoned veterans.

As the Confederates retreated Colonel James Mallon arose from his position for observation and was wounded in the abdomen. Tragically, he died later in the afternoon in a field hospital. Colonel Mallon's death was a great blow to the Third Brigade. He was widely respected among his peers, and particularly by his friend Major Henry Abbott.

After nightfall the battlefield became silent. At 9:00 P.M. the Twentieth Massachusetts received orders to withdraw and began an eight-mile march to nearby Bull Run. The weary men of the Twentieth Massachusetts arrived at their destination at 4:00 A.M. Casualties from the battle were exceedingly light, with the Twentieth Massachusetts reporting one man killed and six men wounded. 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), 294-302.

Second Corps Advances to Auburn

Tuesday, October 13, 1863

In response to Confederate troop movements the Second Corps remained only one hour in Fayettesville before Union General George Meade ordered another march to his exhausted troops. The Twentieth Massachusetts marched all day as the Second Corps advanced with cavalry to Auburn, arriving at 9:00 P.M.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), 294.

Night March to Fayettesville

Monday, October 12, 1863

In response to Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance across the Rappahannock River Union General George Meade ordered the Second Corps, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts was a part, across the Rappahannock River again in a grueling night march to Fayettesville. The men were exhausted and hungry, as their rations had been depleted.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), 293.

Dangerous Retreat from Culpeper

Sunday, October 11, 1863

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had been deployed near Culpeper since October 5, and at 3:00 this morning had received orders from General Meade to fall back to the Rappahannock River. The retreat proved to be a dangerous one, as the men stumbled in the darkness, falling into ditches soaked with mud and water from recent rains. In order to find their way they lit torches and bonfires which erupted into spontaneous flames in the woods. They eventually found their way back to rejoin the Second Corps near Bealton Station, enduring a treacherous forced march covering eighteen miles in thirteen hours.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), 292.

Front Lines along the Rappahannock River

Saturday, October 10, 1863

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment remained encamped along the Rappahannock River since the end of July, and during this time events had been quiet, but not so in Tennessee. On September 19 and 20 Union General William Rosecrans and Confederate General Braxton Bragg clashed at Chickamauga, Tennessee, resulting in a decisive Confederate victory. As a result the Twentieth Massachusetts was deployed south of the Rappahannock along the Rapidan River from September 18. Today Union General Meade ordered the Twentieth Massachusetts to fall back to the Rappahannock River.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), 291-92.