The National tribune., 1884-01-24
MONOCACY,
And the Gallant Stand OF the 106th New York
Against Early.


And the Gallant Stand of the 106th New York
Against Early.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Charles II. Shuclz in THE TRIBUNE of De-
cember 20, wants some member of the 9th corps
to write up the battle of Monocacy, Md, July
g. 1864.
The Sd (Rickett's) division were the only
troops of the 9th corps that were engaged at
Monocacy, the 1st and I'd, divisions reaching
Washington from Petersburg just in time to
repulse General Early's attack on the outer
Notifications of Washington. viii not under
take to write up the battle, but viii give few
facts that came under my observation on the
part of the field occupied by my regiment-the
106th New York, 1st brigade, Sd division, 9th
corps.
On the morning of July 9th, the Sd division
marched from the left of the line in front Of
Petersburg to City Point, where the 106th
embarked for Baltimore Arriving on the
evening Of the 9TH, we went by cars to Fred
erick, reaching there on the forenoon of the
Sth Here General Ricketts, reported his di-
vision to General Wallace, commanding the
department. After maneuvering about Fred
eFick until sHndown, we marched to Monocacy
junction, and went into camp about o'clock
on the morning of the 9th on the south side Of
the railroad near the old stone mill. At early
daylight the enemy opened from one Of their
DdtlSEItS anu 1dDu6d leW SHELLS III UuT
camp. We moved TO the left and deployed in
line of battle, our left resting on the Frederick
and Washington turnpike We remained in
this position until about 10 a. m, when we
were ordered to the left on the double-quick,
and took position on the west side of q wheat
field, where the turnpike turns at right angle
south. The LIST brigade was formed on the left
of the ID brigade, from right to left, as follows
l0lSt and l06th New YoTk, 14th New Jersey,
10th Vermont, and 67th Pennsylvania. Off to the
right of our line toward the Monocacy River,
was a corn-field, On the edge of which the enc
my had skirmish-line which partially emf
laded our line. The 15Ist aud 106th New York,
and the 14th New Jersey made a charge, on a
right-wheel, and captured nearly all of this
skirmish-line My regiment captured enc lieu
tenant-colonel, one captain, two lieutenants,
and twenty privates. If / remember rightly
they belonged to the 18th Virginia mounted
infantry. On questioning the rebel colonel
he informed me that General Early's entire
force of about 10000 infantry, besides cavalry
and artillery, was III our front. This was rather
blue news, as General Wallace's entire force
was less than 6,000 including hundred-days'
men, and we were very deficient IN artillery.
From the position we now occupied we could
plainly see the movements of the enemy, as the
country toward Frederick was open and level.
A GALLANT STAND.
About 2 p. m. the enemy commenced to move
a heavy column of infantry to our left and
into a piece Of woods They soon advanced a
| heavy skirmish-line, closely followed by two
lines of battle, which, making a left-wheel,
threatened our left flank. Their sh1irmishers
commenced enflading our line. and change of
front Of our three regiments became necessary.
The command, !" Rise up, about-face, left-wheel,
donbie-quick, march ~ was given, and this
movement brought US into the same position
we occupied before making the charge above
referred to, with the S1th Pennsylvania and
10th Vermont on our left, near the Thomas
| house. In our front was an open, level field
about 400 yards across AT the further
| side of this field the enemy's skirmish line
halted, and their lines Of battle closed up
1 to the feace. with the evident intention of
charging our line. The order had been passed
/ to our boys not TO fire until the command was
/ given. On came the rebels in two lines of bat
tie, their field officers riding in front of their
! lines
| The command "freo rang out along our
/ line; then lead and fire at WILL . and such a
! fire was kept up that no mortal power could
/ face and cross that field. AT one time [ counted
Z FIVE riderless horses running back and forth in
/ front of the rebel lines. Twice did the rebel
officers reform their lines and advance to face
that banquet Of DEATH and as often were they
repulsed. About this time "A p. m it seems,
orders had been given for the troops to fall
orders we're received by any of the regiments of
the 1st brigade, as far as could learn.
As the line on our right had been with
/ drawn, the enemy moved a force on our right
and rear, and, with the force in our front,
made it rather hot for US. With prospective
view OF Libby and Andersonylle looming up, we
| concluded TO try what virtue there was in legs
| to place ourselves between Early and Baltimore.
In doing so we had to run the gauntlet in
crossing the wheat-field to the old mill and
| thence across the railroad track. up the noun
tain side 10 the Baltimore pike, where we took
up the line of march for Ellieott's Mills We
reached that place on Sunday evening, the
10th, footsore and weary. The loss of my regi-
inent in this battle was eighty-one kilIedS and
wounded and sixty-four missing out of 800
that went into the fight. The loss of the other
regiments of the LIST brigade must have been as
great.
would like TO hear from some of the boys
Of the 57th Pennsylvania and 10th Vermont, as
they had pretty lively times on the left, near
the Thomas house. PETER ROBERTSON,
OGDENsBURG, n. Y. Tooth N Y VI