Jackson is Seriously Wounded

Saturday, May 2, 1863

After his brilliant and successful flank attack in the afternoon General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson began a reconnaissance along the Orange Plank Road to determine the position of the Union army after their retreat. His reconnaissance met with disaster after dark as he approached a Confederate picket line and shots rang out. Jackson was struck by three bullets, two in his left arm and one in his right hand. He was carried by ambulance to the nearby Ellwood Plantation, where his left arm was amputated.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), 232.

Jackson's Flanking Movement and Attack

Saturday, May 2, 1863

At approximately 5:00 P.M. in the afternoon General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson emerged from the woods after a long march and struck the flank of the Union Army. The Eleventh Corps under the command of General Oliver Howard bore the brunt of the attack. The Union troops retreated in panic toward the Chancellor House.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), 232.

Lee and Jackson's Evening Meeting

Friday, May 1, 1863

In the evening Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson met along the Orange Plank Road to discuss a bold plan to divide the Confederate army once again, with Stonewall leading a force around the flank of the Union army and striking it from the rear as General Lee's main force attacks the Union army from the front. Jackson's plan was bold and risky, as it necessitated another division of the Confederate army. General Lee approved the plan and Jackson began his flanking move.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), 232.

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.

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.

Jackson Recrosses the Potomac

Wednesday, September 10, 1862

As the Twentieth Massachusetts advanced toward Frederick City, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson to recross the Potomac River and surround Harper's Ferry.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 153.

On the March North

Tuesday, August 19, 1862

The Union Army struck camp at Harrison's Landing on Saturday, August 16 to pursue the Confederate Army, nearly two weeks after General George McClellan received orders from President Lincoln to strike camp. General Robert E. Lee ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson north to draw fighting away from Richmond. The Union Army left Harrison's Landing at 8:00 A.M. on Saturday morning, marching about six miles to Charles City. On Sunday the Union soldiers endured an all-day march that covered sixteen miles, making night camp at the mouth of the Chickahominy River. On Monday the Army began their march this morning at 5:30 A.M., crossing the James River at Barrett's Ferry where they enjoyed a bath in the James River and marched another five miles for night camp. This morning the Army struck camp at 7:00 A.M. and marched through the colonial town of Williamsburg, resting briefly before resuming their march. They made camp by nightfall at Fort Magruder.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 142.

Seven Days Battles - Day 7 - Battle of Malvern Hill

Tuesday, July 1, 1862

The Seven Days Battles ended with a Confederate attack at Malvern Hill, the current position of the Union army in their retreat to Harrison’s Landing. The high ground at Malvern Hill afforded the Union army the advantage in the ensuing fight.

General Robert E. Lee planned a frontal assault on the Union line led by General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, with attacks by Generals John Magruder and Benjamin Huger in support. Generals James Longstreet and A.P. Hill, who had been heavily engaged in the previous day’s fight at Glendale, were held in reserve.

Lee’s battle plans were poorly executed again, and the forces of Jackson, Magruder, and Huger were ordered to await the Confederate artillery barrage before attacking. The Union artillery commander, Colonel Henry Hunt, attacked first, disabling most of the Confederate artillery. Regardless of this setback, Lee ordered his infantry units to attack. By nightfall the Confederate attacks had been repulsed with heavy losses on both sides, but the Confederates suffered nearly two-to-one in casualties compared to the Union forces.

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was not engaged at Malvern Hill.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 132-136. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 152.

Seven Days Battles - Day 3 - Battle of Gaines Mill

Friday, June 27, 1862

Confederate General Robert E. Lee, undaunted by the previous day's events, attacked General Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps once again. Porter had repositioned his line from east to west on the north side of the Chickahominy River, near Gaines Mill. Union Commanding General George McClellan ordered Porter to hold his position at all costs.

Lee again ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's division to attack Porter's Fifth Corps, with subsequent attacks by Generals Ambrose Powell Hill, Daniel Harvey Hill, and James Longstreet. For the second time in two days Jackson's division arrived late, and D.H. Hill's division went in to attack, with James Longstreet's division maneuvering for diversion. General Porter's line was reinforced, and the first series of attacks were repulsed. The Confederates resumed the attacks after nightfall and broke Porter's line.

The Confederate breakthrough at Gaines Mills convinced General George McClellan that he must remove the Army of the Potomac from their current position near Richmond to Harrison's Landing on the James River. He was certain that the Confederates outnumbered his forces more than two to one, which was entirely false. The Union forces had the greater strength in numbers. McClellan was unnerved by Lee's aggressiveness and surrendered the offensive initiative.

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, remaining in position behind fortifications near Fair Oaks, was not engaged at Gaines Mill. Their time away from battle was about to change abruptly.¹


References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 108-9. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 137-38.

Seven Days Battles - Day 2 - Battle of Mechanicsville/Beaver Dam Creek

Thursday, June 26, 1862

Confederate General Robert E. Lee took the initiative and the offensive against the Union army for the next six of the Seven Days Battles. Lee's plan at Mechanicsville was to attack the Union Fifth Corps, the right wing of the Union line under the command of General Fitz-John Porter. Lee felt that Porter's Fifth Corps was vulnerable to attack, as it was the only Union corps north of the Chickahominy River.

Lee ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's division to strike the Union line first, followed in sequence by divisions led by Generals Ambrose Powell Hill, Daniel Harvey Hill, and James Longstreet. Lee's battle plans were not followed, as Jackson's men, fatigued by their long march from the Shenandoah Valley, arrived late to the battle. Due to the delay A.P. Hill began his offensive without orders, and General Porter was able to reinforce his line and repulse repeated Confederate attacks. Overall the Battle of Mechanicsville (also known as the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek) was a tactical Union victory.

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was not engaged at Mechanicsville, and remained in position behind fortifications near Fair Oaks.¹


References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 104-8. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 136-37.

Seven Days Battles - Day 1 - Battle of Oak Grove

Wednesday, June 25, 1862

Early in the morning Union General George McClellan began his attack on Richmond, hoping to seize the initiative against the Confederate Army before General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson could deploy his forces as he relocated from the Shenandoah Valley. Union General Samuel Heintzelman's Third Corps attacked Confederate Major General Benjamin Huger's division between the Williamsburg and Charles City Roads in a dense forest near White Oak Swamp known as Oak Grove. In a battle that lasted all day the Union forces held the ground won, nearly four miles from Richmond. Oak Grove would prove to be the only encounter of the Seven Days Battles in which General McClellan took the offensive against General Robert E. Lee.

Most of General Napoleon Dana's brigade, which included the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, was not engaged at the Battle of Oak Grove. The Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment was the only unit from Dana's brigade that took part in the battle, encountering a severe fight with the Confederates to secure the Union flank.¹


References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 104-5. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 136-37.