Monday, September 22, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts broke camp at Antietam at 6:00 A.M. for a thirteen-mile march to Harper's Ferry. By mid-afternoon the regiment reached its destination and made camp at Bolivar Heights, overlooking Harper's Ferry and the Potomac River.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 176.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Macy Returns with New Recruits
Saturday, September 20, 1862
Captain George Macy arrived at Antietam with new recruits for the Twentieth Massachusetts. He was dispatched to Washington to bring up recruits on September 14. He was on the return route during the battle at Antietam and could hear artillery fire from many miles away, but he was not able to rejoin the regiment until today. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 176.
Captain George Macy arrived at Antietam with new recruits for the Twentieth Massachusetts. He was dispatched to Washington to bring up recruits on September 14. He was on the return route during the battle at Antietam and could hear artillery fire from many miles away, but he was not able to rejoin the regiment until today. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 176.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Oliver's Story - Battle of Antietam
Thursday, September 18, 1862
The details of Oliver Stanton Bates’ involvement at Antietam are unknown, except that he took part in the devastating conflict. His military records show no record of wounding at Antietam. He survived yet another hellish battle, and was undoubtedly grateful to God that he was spared again on this day.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.
The details of Oliver Stanton Bates’ involvement at Antietam are unknown, except that he took part in the devastating conflict. His military records show no record of wounding at Antietam. He survived yet another hellish battle, and was undoubtedly grateful to God that he was spared again on this day.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.
Battle of Antietam - Casualties
Thursday, September 18, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had retreated to the Poffenberger farm, which was being used as a hospital for the wounded. Colonel William Lee sent a detail from the Twentieth to assist in removing the wounded and burying the dead from the battlefield.
The battle at Antietam on September 17, 1862 would prove to be the bloodiest day in American history. The Union reported over 12,000 casualties, while the Confederates reported over 10,000. Casualties among the Twentieth were high; the regiment lost one-hundred and fifty men out of four-hundred. Casualties among the officers of the Twentieth were also severe. Colonel Francis Palfrey was wounded by a canister ball to his shoulder. Captain Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received a shattering wound to his left arm. Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, shot in the neck and left for dead on the battlefield, was later revived with a shot of brandy. Sergeant James Spencer was struck by a shell fragment in his leg and was carried from the battlefield by his own men. The most tragic and poignant casualty was the death of Doctor Edward Revere, who was killed while performing field surgery on the wounded. Doctor Nathan Hayward was taken prisoner as he tended the wounded, but was paroled as the Confederates withdrew.
Some of the wounded officers would never return to the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment after the battle of Antietam. Colonel Francis Palfrey never returned to military service. Brothers Edward "Ned" Hallowell and Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received commissions to Massachusetts' first colored regiment, the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteers.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 175-6. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 176-80.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had retreated to the Poffenberger farm, which was being used as a hospital for the wounded. Colonel William Lee sent a detail from the Twentieth to assist in removing the wounded and burying the dead from the battlefield.
The battle at Antietam on September 17, 1862 would prove to be the bloodiest day in American history. The Union reported over 12,000 casualties, while the Confederates reported over 10,000. Casualties among the Twentieth were high; the regiment lost one-hundred and fifty men out of four-hundred. Casualties among the officers of the Twentieth were also severe. Colonel Francis Palfrey was wounded by a canister ball to his shoulder. Captain Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received a shattering wound to his left arm. Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, shot in the neck and left for dead on the battlefield, was later revived with a shot of brandy. Sergeant James Spencer was struck by a shell fragment in his leg and was carried from the battlefield by his own men. The most tragic and poignant casualty was the death of Doctor Edward Revere, who was killed while performing field surgery on the wounded. Doctor Nathan Hayward was taken prisoner as he tended the wounded, but was paroled as the Confederates withdrew.
Some of the wounded officers would never return to the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment after the battle of Antietam. Colonel Francis Palfrey never returned to military service. Brothers Edward "Ned" Hallowell and Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received commissions to Massachusetts' first colored regiment, the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteers.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 175-6. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 176-80.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Battle of Antietam
Wednesday, September 17, 1862
At 7:10 A.M. General Bull Sumner received orders from Union General George McClellan to cross the Antietam Creek and advance westerly across the Cornfield to the West Woods. For the last hour Sumner had watched the advance of Joseph Hooker's First Corps and Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps across the Cornfield and witnessed heavy, brutal fighting which resulted in the death of Twelfth Corps General Joseph Mansfield, who was killed as he prepared his troops for advance. The Second Corps was next in line to cross the Cornfield and drive the Confederates from the West Woods.
General Sumner began the advance with two of his three divisions, leaving General Israel Richardson's division in reserve. As Sumner's troops advanced, they witnessed the carnage from the early morning fight in the Cornfield. Sumner ordered his lines to close and advance quickly across the Cornfield into the West Woods. The close lines would prove to be problematic and would have devastating consequences.
The Twentieth Massachusetts was on the left flank of the second line of battle. As they approached the West Woods, the Thirty-Fourth New York Regiment, immediately in front of the Twentieth, was dispatched south to the Dunker Church for support. The Twentieth now found themselves uncovered in the front and on their left flank.
As the Twentieth entered the West Woods they immediately encountered heavy firing, followed by artillery barrages of grapeshot and canister. As the lines of battle were so close the Twentieth had difficulty returning fire without hitting their own men. The Confederates flanked Sumner's forces on the left, which left the Twentieth exposed to Confederate fire in front as well as on their left. The colors of the Twentieth fell four times within minutes, and Sumner ordered Colonel William Lee to withdraw. In despite of the chaos the Twentieth attempted to withdraw in good order, removing their wounded as they withdrew.
The battle continued for the entire day, with heavy fighting at the Sunken Lane and the bridge across the Antietam Creek later known as the Burnside Bridge. A late arrival by Confederate General A.P. Hill ended the battle, in which neither the Union nor the Confederates could claim a solid victory.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 163-74. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 169-76. James Spencer, "Record of James Spencer," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 64-65, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
At 7:10 A.M. General Bull Sumner received orders from Union General George McClellan to cross the Antietam Creek and advance westerly across the Cornfield to the West Woods. For the last hour Sumner had watched the advance of Joseph Hooker's First Corps and Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps across the Cornfield and witnessed heavy, brutal fighting which resulted in the death of Twelfth Corps General Joseph Mansfield, who was killed as he prepared his troops for advance. The Second Corps was next in line to cross the Cornfield and drive the Confederates from the West Woods.
General Sumner began the advance with two of his three divisions, leaving General Israel Richardson's division in reserve. As Sumner's troops advanced, they witnessed the carnage from the early morning fight in the Cornfield. Sumner ordered his lines to close and advance quickly across the Cornfield into the West Woods. The close lines would prove to be problematic and would have devastating consequences.
The Twentieth Massachusetts was on the left flank of the second line of battle. As they approached the West Woods, the Thirty-Fourth New York Regiment, immediately in front of the Twentieth, was dispatched south to the Dunker Church for support. The Twentieth now found themselves uncovered in the front and on their left flank.
As the Twentieth entered the West Woods they immediately encountered heavy firing, followed by artillery barrages of grapeshot and canister. As the lines of battle were so close the Twentieth had difficulty returning fire without hitting their own men. The Confederates flanked Sumner's forces on the left, which left the Twentieth exposed to Confederate fire in front as well as on their left. The colors of the Twentieth fell four times within minutes, and Sumner ordered Colonel William Lee to withdraw. In despite of the chaos the Twentieth attempted to withdraw in good order, removing their wounded as they withdrew.
The battle continued for the entire day, with heavy fighting at the Sunken Lane and the bridge across the Antietam Creek later known as the Burnside Bridge. A late arrival by Confederate General A.P. Hill ended the battle, in which neither the Union nor the Confederates could claim a solid victory.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 163-74. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 169-76. James Spencer, "Record of James Spencer," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 64-65, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Poised for Battle
Tuesday, September 16, 1862
Union and Confederate armies faced each other across the Antietam. The Confederate line stretched from north to south with its flanks on the Potomac and centering on the town of Sharpsburg. Union General George McClellan prepared for battle. He ordered General Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps to support General Joseph Hooker's First Corps in an early morning attack, with General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Second Corps, including General John Sedgwick's Second Division, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was a part, in reserve but ready to march at daybreak.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 163. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 168.
Union and Confederate armies faced each other across the Antietam. The Confederate line stretched from north to south with its flanks on the Potomac and centering on the town of Sharpsburg. Union General George McClellan prepared for battle. He ordered General Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps to support General Joseph Hooker's First Corps in an early morning attack, with General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Second Corps, including General John Sedgwick's Second Division, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was a part, in reserve but ready to march at daybreak.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 163. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 168.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Arrival at Antietam Creek
Monday, September 15, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts departed from Middletown this morning, arriving at Keedysville and Antietam Creek by evening.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 157.
The Twentieth Massachusetts departed from Middletown this morning, arriving at Keedysville and Antietam Creek by evening.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 157.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Advancing to Antietam
Sunday, September 14, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts departed from Frederick City this morning in pursuit of the Confederate Army which was now concentrating near the town of Sharpsburg at Antietam Creek. By evening the regiment made camp near Middletown. The Second Corps, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts was a part, was not involved in today's Battle of South Mountain, a series of attacks to clear the mountain passes in Maryland for the pursuit of the Confederate Army.
Several officers did not make the journey to Antietam with the regiment. Henry Abbott, recently promoted to Captain on August 29, and Lieutenants James Murphy, and Robert Beckwith remained at Frederick City due to illness. Captain George Macy returned to Washington for additional recruits for the regiment.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 154-5.
The Twentieth Massachusetts departed from Frederick City this morning in pursuit of the Confederate Army which was now concentrating near the town of Sharpsburg at Antietam Creek. By evening the regiment made camp near Middletown. The Second Corps, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts was a part, was not involved in today's Battle of South Mountain, a series of attacks to clear the mountain passes in Maryland for the pursuit of the Confederate Army.
Several officers did not make the journey to Antietam with the regiment. Henry Abbott, recently promoted to Captain on August 29, and Lieutenants James Murphy, and Robert Beckwith remained at Frederick City due to illness. Captain George Macy returned to Washington for additional recruits for the regiment.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 154-5.
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