The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-04-20
NUMBER Is.
Sketches of Army Life.
SECOND SERIES. NUMBER THREE.
OUR MARCH TO THE WILDERN ESS.


The spring Of 1864 was memorable period
in the history of the Army Of the Potomac. 1t
was thoroughly reorganized and consolidated,
and the glad intelligence came to us that Lieut.
General Grant was to make his Headquarters
with the Army of the Potomac in the coming
campaign. We had never seen this General.
but we had great faith in the man who had
done such grand service in the south-west and
had often wished that he might lead lis to bat
tie. The army was in good condition, healthy,
wel-fed, and full of enthusiasm. ii was an in
spring scene at Rappahannock station on the
first day of May, when we broke camp and
marched forth to enter upon the spring cam
pagn. Several regiments had been added to
our brigade, which was commanded bv General
Bartlett. Our division was under the command
of General Griffin. while General Warren COM
mantled the corps. Our regiment mustered
three hundred rifles and was commanded by
Major Ellis Spear
1t was beautiful morning. summer seemed
to be we'll advanced. The sun shone warm and
bright from the soft blue sky. The air WIS
warm and balmy. The birds sang their sw ct
est notes, while all nature seemed to smile in
peace and prosperity. But on every hand We're
indications Of a bloody struggle. Bands We're
playing War-Ilke music The Slriil. Keen notes
of the buge were ringing out over the meadows
and through the woodland Long lines of sol
dierS We're forming the RANKS of war. Banners
were flying and soldiers were cheering aS the
general officers rode along the lines cur brig
ade crossed the river on pontoon bridges 1T
Rappahannock station and marched ID u camp
east of Brandy Station. Wherc tile Fifth corps
now composed of thirty thousand men. Was be-
ing concentrated. The army was rapidly mar
shalled. and We knew that desperate battle
was to be fought. The men We're anxious to
open the campaign, hoping that it would be the
last of the war. The fact thIt General Grant
was with Us gave the men such an inspiration
that their zeal was almost irresistible. On the
fourth of May. upon pontoon bridges, We cross
ed the Rapidan dark, swift rolling stream
and entered a huge, dense wilderness of pine
trees 1t was proud and yet a solemn >p"cta-
Gle to see that great army Of one hundred and
fifty thousand men plungng into that dense
wilderness to encounter Il desperate enemy hey
knew not where. On that day VIZ marched
crossed section of tile line Of battle hellby the
rebels ut that time. AZ we passed where rtbai
battery had been stationed. We SAW small piles
of railroad iron cut III pieces Of some twelve
inches in length, which they Frequently fired
from their cannon when their stock ~ She'll
was exhausted. They were grim reminders Of
the probable reception that awaited H. III 4 few
hours, from the hands Of the southern army.
That night we rncamped Oh the Orange and
Fredericksburg turnpike near the Old Wilder
ness tavern. We must now br near thc rebel
army, but not an enemy had been Seen. and not
Il gun had been fired. The sun sank from view.
The picket lines We're established. and the weary
soldiers sank upon the ground to rest. The
dark pines bowed and nodded their heavy
phmc> in the evening brtczc. and a WAS
quiet. III nature wr often observe that calm
is followed hy i storm; and THU. It wu~ with
the storm Of war in the Wilderness.
On the fifth Of May We were awake at an carly
hour. It was i glorious morning md the ri>-
ing sun sent it, RAYS If light down like gold, n
needles through The top~ Of thr pinc trees Lit
tie camp-frc~ We're kindIcd, Our coffee Was
boiled and our breakfast eaten. The mru We're
all i'll excellent spirits, but their different di>po-
stions We're easily recognized. Some We're
laughing and cracking their jokes about hunt
in4 for the 'IohnnieS' through tAr forest. and
the grand times wr should Have marching down
to Richmond and entering the rebel capital. and
M,
Jeff. Davis to the '>olr apple trcc. and then 70
marching home, Another class, more Thought
ful and equally As brave. >at apart. leaning
against the trees, and We're writing letters to
loved ones at home II was well they did, tor
before the sun went down that night, many of
them were cold in death. They were writing
| the last letters, sending the last messages If
love, Others We're lying upon thc ground, II
lent, alone, thoughtful, with compressed lips.
They seemed not TO notice what wa~ tr;nspir-
ing around them. They Were thinking u wives
ana little ones far away IN the North, and won
dering if they would ryer src them again.
About eight O'Clock in the forenoon some cav
airy men came riding back with tho thrilling in
| tcllgence that General Lcc'~ army wa advan,-
inc in full force and With great rapdty. There
was ne time to lose. The line Of battle Selected
stretched IFS length for some six miles through
the dense growth of the pine forest. THE trees
We're all cut down for 4 distance Of some lem
rods i'll front Of the line and their trunks trim
med of all their branches and were piled up for
breastWorks from behind which Wp would give
the enemy warm reception, Building the
brea~tWork> required but h few hours work.
and before twelve o'clock they were completed.
General Warren road along our lines and was
| received with the most enthusiastic cheering.
vt noon we again boiled our coffee and atc our
hartilack. The sixth corps. under the command
of General Sedgwick joined Us on our right.
while our left was to connect with the second
corps, commanded by General Hancock At
| one o'clock in the afternoon our division was
ordered to advance and attract the attention of
the enemy. While the left Of our line Of battle
was fortifying its position. our third brigade
occupied the center Of the division.
This brigade was formed in two lines of bat
tie, our regiment being i'll the second. When
the order was given TO advance the three brig
AIDES forming the division went forward on the
double quick, cheering they charged. We
soon encountered the enemy and pressed his
advanced lines back upon his reserve. The
ground was covered with second growth of
pine trees, >tnnted and covered with limbs,
many of which, dry and dead. came nearly 10
the ground. seldom if ever was a battle fought
under such circumstances The rebels evident
ly knew but little Of our force position and in
tention, and it is safe TO say we knew less Of
theirs; and thus tn" two great masses Of men
We're hurled against each other. The rebels
fought like demons and under cover Of the
dense underbrush poured deadly vollies upon
us. The air was filled With lead. Minnie
bullets went swapping and tearing through the
pine limbs. Splinters flew in every direction.
Trees We're completely riddlcd with bullets in a
moments time. Blood ran in torrents: death
lost its terror, and men for 4 time seemed trans
formed to beings that had no fear. Major
Spear, aided by the field and line officers. gal
lantly led the regiment on. our lines Were
broken. 1t was disorganized battle; every