Wednesday, June 1, 1864
On Saturday, May 28 the Twentieth Massachusetts crossed the Pamunkey River and formed a four-mile line facing west toward Totopotomoy Creek. The Second Corps was ordered to an advanced position along the creek and discovered the Confederate line along the south bank of the creek between the Virginia Central Railroad and Pole Green Church. On Tuesday, May 31, the Twentieth Massachusetts, whose brigade was now under the command of Colonel Henry B. McKeen due to the wounding of General Alexander Webb at Spotsylvania, crossed the Totopotomoy. Confederate sharpshooters began to fire on McKeen's brigade but the brigade prevailed and overcame the sharpshooters. As McKeen's men took the position they came under enfilade fire from Confederate cannon on their left and right flanks. A continuing advance by the Second Corps revealed that the main Confederate position was one-half mile away, securely behind entrenchments and well-protected by infantry and artillery. Today General Winfield S. Hancock determined that the position could not be taken without heavy losses. At 9:00 P.M. this evening General George Meade ordered the Second Corps to rejoin the main body of Grant's army at Cold Harbor as soon as possible.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), 374-76.
Showing posts with label George Meade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George Meade. Show all posts
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Monday, December 2, 2013
Army of Potomac Returns to Camp
Wednesday, December 2, 1863
Union General George Meade ordered his forces to withdraw from Mine Run on Tuesday. After crossing the Rapidan River in an all-day march, the weary Army of the Potomac reached camp before nightfall. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 323.
Union General George Meade ordered his forces to withdraw from Mine Run on Tuesday. After crossing the Rapidan River in an all-day march, the weary Army of the Potomac reached camp before nightfall. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 323.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Battle of Mine Run
Monday, November 30, 1863
Army of the Potomac commander General George Meade planned to move against the Confederates by crossing the Rapidan River in three columns, with the Third and Sixth Corps crossing at Jacob’s Ford, the Second Corps crossing at Germanna Ford, and the the First and Fifth Corps crossing at Culpeper Mine Ford. General Meade planned to maneuver around the Confederate entrenchments and to attack General Richard Ewell before General Ambrose Powell "A.P." Hill could assist. Although Meade had planned to commence the march on November 26, General William French, commander of the Third Corps, delayed in assembling his forces, and Meade subsequently began the march on November 27.
The Union plan was further hindered when General French took the wrong route and engaged in battle with the Confederates, delaying the concentration of the Army of the Potomac until the morning of Saturday, November 28. During this time, General Robert E. Lee was following Union troop movements, and repositioned his army so that any element of surprise was eliminated. The two armies deployed in heavy rain along Mine Run, facing each other on opposite sides of the river along a ravine. On Sunday, November 29, the Union army spent the entire day studying the position of both armies to determine the optimal points of attack. Although Union General George Meade planned an attack for early Monday morning, he cancelled the attack, believing in limited success due to poor positioning and extreme weather. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 319-23.
Army of the Potomac commander General George Meade planned to move against the Confederates by crossing the Rapidan River in three columns, with the Third and Sixth Corps crossing at Jacob’s Ford, the Second Corps crossing at Germanna Ford, and the the First and Fifth Corps crossing at Culpeper Mine Ford. General Meade planned to maneuver around the Confederate entrenchments and to attack General Richard Ewell before General Ambrose Powell "A.P." Hill could assist. Although Meade had planned to commence the march on November 26, General William French, commander of the Third Corps, delayed in assembling his forces, and Meade subsequently began the march on November 27.
The Union plan was further hindered when General French took the wrong route and engaged in battle with the Confederates, delaying the concentration of the Army of the Potomac until the morning of Saturday, November 28. During this time, General Robert E. Lee was following Union troop movements, and repositioned his army so that any element of surprise was eliminated. The two armies deployed in heavy rain along Mine Run, facing each other on opposite sides of the river along a ravine. On Sunday, November 29, the Union army spent the entire day studying the position of both armies to determine the optimal points of attack. Although Union General George Meade planned an attack for early Monday morning, he cancelled the attack, believing in limited success due to poor positioning and extreme weather. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 319-23.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Meade Launches a New Offensive
Saturday, November 7, 1863
Under pressure from President Abraham Lincoln to pursue Confederate General Robert E. Lee Army of the Potomac commander George Meade planned a new offensive movement to strike the Confederates near Brandy Station. Early this morning the Army of the Potomac began a march to cross the Rappahannock River, with the Second Corps crossing at Kelly's Ford. General Robert E. Lee, however, declined to meet Meade near Brandy Station, and withdrew to a position on the south side of the Rapidan River. General Meade decided to relocate the Army of the Potomac for winter quarters positioned between the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers near Stevensburg.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), 304-5.
Under pressure from President Abraham Lincoln to pursue Confederate General Robert E. Lee Army of the Potomac commander George Meade planned a new offensive movement to strike the Confederates near Brandy Station. Early this morning the Army of the Potomac began a march to cross the Rappahannock River, with the Second Corps crossing at Kelly's Ford. General Robert E. Lee, however, declined to meet Meade near Brandy Station, and withdrew to a position on the south side of the Rapidan River. General Meade decided to relocate the Army of the Potomac for winter quarters positioned between the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers near Stevensburg.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), 304-5.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Battle of Gettysburg - Day 2
Thursday, July 2, 1863
The Twentieth Massachusetts arose early and marched to their position for the day in the center of the Union line that stretched from Cemetery Hill at the north to the Round Tops at the south. Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered General James Longstreet to attack the left flank of the Union line for possession of the Round Tops, which were undefended as the day begun. In the afternoon Union General Daniel Sickles of the Third Corps moved his men to hold the higher ground at the Peach Orchard. This salient movement produced gaps in the Union line, and the Confederates immediately seized the opportunity to strike. Generals George Meade and Winfield Scott Hancock ordered Union regiments to plug the gaps in their line and to hold the high ground of the Round Tops. A series of fierce contests ensued during the afternoon at Devil's Den at the base of the Round Tops, at the Wheatfield, at the Round Tops, and along the Emmitsburg Road to roll up the left flank of the Union line. By nightfall the Round Tops were in solid possession of the Union. Although severely battered the Union line held strong. Both sides suffered heavy casualties for the day in some of the severest fighting of the entire war.
The Twentieth Massachusetts, with the exception of Company G, was not engaged in battle during July 2, but was subject to casualties from heavy artillery and rifle fire at their position in the Union center. Company G was engaged in picket duty along the Emmitsburg Road near the Codori Barn. Captain Henry Patten and Lieutenant Charles Cowgill were wounded during the battle, but were able to round up their men and return to the regiment. Sergeant Gustave Magnitzky was wounded and was technically a prisoner of the Confederates, but after nightfall he crawled to the Codori Barn and subsequently returned to the regiment. During the afternoon the regiment suffered heavily when their commander, Colonel Paul Revere, was mortally wounded by artillery fire. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 273-84. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 258-62.
The Twentieth Massachusetts arose early and marched to their position for the day in the center of the Union line that stretched from Cemetery Hill at the north to the Round Tops at the south. Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered General James Longstreet to attack the left flank of the Union line for possession of the Round Tops, which were undefended as the day begun. In the afternoon Union General Daniel Sickles of the Third Corps moved his men to hold the higher ground at the Peach Orchard. This salient movement produced gaps in the Union line, and the Confederates immediately seized the opportunity to strike. Generals George Meade and Winfield Scott Hancock ordered Union regiments to plug the gaps in their line and to hold the high ground of the Round Tops. A series of fierce contests ensued during the afternoon at Devil's Den at the base of the Round Tops, at the Wheatfield, at the Round Tops, and along the Emmitsburg Road to roll up the left flank of the Union line. By nightfall the Round Tops were in solid possession of the Union. Although severely battered the Union line held strong. Both sides suffered heavy casualties for the day in some of the severest fighting of the entire war.
The Twentieth Massachusetts, with the exception of Company G, was not engaged in battle during July 2, but was subject to casualties from heavy artillery and rifle fire at their position in the Union center. Company G was engaged in picket duty along the Emmitsburg Road near the Codori Barn. Captain Henry Patten and Lieutenant Charles Cowgill were wounded during the battle, but were able to round up their men and return to the regiment. Sergeant Gustave Magnitzky was wounded and was technically a prisoner of the Confederates, but after nightfall he crawled to the Codori Barn and subsequently returned to the regiment. During the afternoon the regiment suffered heavily when their commander, Colonel Paul Revere, was mortally wounded by artillery fire. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 273-84. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 258-62.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Battle of Gettysburg - Day 1
Wednesday, July 1, 1863
After resting one day at Uniontown the Second Corps was rushed to Taneytown, Maryland, where they heard the news of the wounding of Union General John Reynolds, commander of the First Corps, at Gettysburg. General George Meade dispatched Second Corps Commander Winfield Scott Hancock to Gettysburg and placed General John Gibbon in temporary command of the Second Corps. As the Twentieth Massachusetts approached Gettysburg they heard artillery fire and knew that a fierce battle was in progress. The Second Corps formed a close marching column and no one was allowed to fall out of rank for any reason. By nightfall the Second Corps arrived at Gettysburg, where the men learned of the events of the day. General John Reynolds had been killed just west of Gettysburg in the morning as he led the Iron Brigade of the First Corps into battle. The First and Eleventh Corps fought desperately until the afternoon, when the Union line collapsed and the Confederates rushed into Gettysburg. General Winfield Scott Hancock rushed to the newly-formed Union line on Cemetery Hill and ordered the men to hold this line at all costs. The Confederates rushed Cemetery Hill but were beaten back by the Union forces. Although the day was viewed as a Confederate victory the Union forces held the high ground around Gettysburg and were in a superior position for a renewed contest. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 268-73.
After resting one day at Uniontown the Second Corps was rushed to Taneytown, Maryland, where they heard the news of the wounding of Union General John Reynolds, commander of the First Corps, at Gettysburg. General George Meade dispatched Second Corps Commander Winfield Scott Hancock to Gettysburg and placed General John Gibbon in temporary command of the Second Corps. As the Twentieth Massachusetts approached Gettysburg they heard artillery fire and knew that a fierce battle was in progress. The Second Corps formed a close marching column and no one was allowed to fall out of rank for any reason. By nightfall the Second Corps arrived at Gettysburg, where the men learned of the events of the day. General John Reynolds had been killed just west of Gettysburg in the morning as he led the Iron Brigade of the First Corps into battle. The First and Eleventh Corps fought desperately until the afternoon, when the Union line collapsed and the Confederates rushed into Gettysburg. General Winfield Scott Hancock rushed to the newly-formed Union line on Cemetery Hill and ordered the men to hold this line at all costs. The Confederates rushed Cemetery Hill but were beaten back by the Union forces. Although the day was viewed as a Confederate victory the Union forces held the high ground around Gettysburg and were in a superior position for a renewed contest. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 268-73.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Longest Day March to Uniontown
Monday, June 29, 1863
As General George Meade assumed command he ordered all Union Corps into rapid motion. This morning the Second Corps departed Monocacy Junction and marched over thirty-two miles to Uniontown in their longest single-day march during the Civil War. Although the day was hot only fifteen men were overtaken by the heat, as two men dropped from the ranks and thirteen needed transport by ambulance.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 266-7.
As General George Meade assumed command he ordered all Union Corps into rapid motion. This morning the Second Corps departed Monocacy Junction and marched over thirty-two miles to Uniontown in their longest single-day march during the Civil War. Although the day was hot only fifteen men were overtaken by the heat, as two men dropped from the ranks and thirteen needed transport by ambulance.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 266-7.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Meade Assumes Command
Sunday, June 28, 1863
Continuing their rapid northward advance the Second Corps arrived at Monocacy Junction in Maryland, where they received news of a change in command of the Union Army. General George Meade, leader of the Fifth Corps, replaced General Joseph Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. As this news reached the Second Corps Confederate Cavalry General James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart continued his raid in the rear of the Union Army, capturing a large supply train and causing panic in Washington, D.C.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 264-5.
Continuing their rapid northward advance the Second Corps arrived at Monocacy Junction in Maryland, where they received news of a change in command of the Union Army. General George Meade, leader of the Fifth Corps, replaced General Joseph Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. As this news reached the Second Corps Confederate Cavalry General James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart continued his raid in the rear of the Union Army, capturing a large supply train and causing panic in Washington, D.C.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 264-5.
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