Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-23
AT SP0TTSILV ANA.
INTERESTING EXTRACTS FROM THE
DIARY OF GEN. suTTERFlELD.

Z Quiet March In the Night-A SingI,
RoIT'-s Surprise and u Capture-The
LOSSES of One Brigade.
Gen F W Butterficld had very com
plete and Interesting diRry of the operations
of a portion Of Gen. HancoCks CORPS the
Second in that memorable campaign under
Gen. Grant toward Richmond. 1t is a faith
full record. written down every day-some-
times after II desperate hattie, while yet on
the bloody field; sometimes after long and
weary marches. II is a record of almost one
continuous. hlondy hattie of tifty-one days
duration, the corps being under the enemy's
fire every day of the fifty-one excepting two.
Following we give extracts which are Of
thrilling interest:
May 1.-The two armies have been grOwl-
ing at each other all day, the lines being only
seventy-five or eighty yards apart, but con
cealed in thick second growth timber. re-
ceived orders from Cen. Hancock to place
sixg battery III position, on the front line
of hattie. | selected dens, growth of small
pines where we could work without being
observed by the eremy. Got the battery in
trenched and dragged the guns in by hand.
Sharpshooters busy all along the line, with
heavy cannOnadnG on our right.
MAY l2-At l. o'clock last night we left
our position and marched around TO the eI-
treme left. After dumping our knapsacks
and everything that would make the least
noise, we quietly and slowly marched through
thick woods, brush and weeds until all order
came along the line in low tone tn halt:
make no noise; be as quiet as po~Sihle.n The
corps numbered then nearly, if not quite,
5000 men, and 50 quiet were they during the
march that one would scarcely have thought
that there was more than one regiment in
motion Every soldier knew that there was
fun ahead for the morning, and that to make
the fun more interesting it was absolutely
necessary to keep perfectly still, in order to
give lis the advantage, and we always liked
to have the advantage in a fight where our
lives were at stake, and we all knew they
would I've in a few hours
Gen. Carroll commanded the First brigade
of the Third division of the Second corps. AS
soon as our men were brought to halt, and
just as Gen. Carroll and staff had diSmounted,
Gen. Hancock and staff rode up and they.
too. diSmounted Our men were all in posi-
ton. The moon had gone down and the stars
were shining brightly. All put in the time as
best they could waiting for the signal at break
of day. Some tried to sleep, some were crack
ing jokes, and others discussing the situation;
but all spoke in voice scarcely above a
whisper
AT THE DAWN OF DAY.
when the first streak of light appeared in
the eastern horizon Gen. Hancock, who was
wide awake as to what was about to trans
pire, asked one of his staff officers for the
time. On being told that il was 3:45. he told
Gen. Carroll that he better have his men fall
in, and at the same time sent word to other
commanders TO do the same Our horses
stood ready, having stood saddled all night
We mounted and Gen. Carroll, in rather a
stentorian voice, forgetting himself for the
moment, called out TO his men: Fall inr'
Gen. Hancock spoke up quickly and said:
please don't inform the enemy that we are
coming, Gen Carroll Soon the men were
in line, and the order was given to move for
ward as slowly and silently rs possible
The lines of skIrmishers were fifteen PAGES
in front of US Slowly steadily, but firmly,
we moved on, each soldier carrying eighty
rounds Of ammunition. Occasionally an off
Ger could be heard to calculate in a low but
emphatic voice: STEADY there, boys; not so
fast; keep quiet Finally the suspense is
broken, a single shot is fired The enemy's
outpost has discovered one Of our skirTnishers
through the gray morning light, and has fired
at him and retreated in hot haste. Our skir-
mish line halts for a moment. Our first line
of battle comes up with and joins them An
other and another shot is fired and then the
line of battle is ordered TO move forward
double quick Then several of the enemy's
outposts are gobbled in; great confusion Is
heard in our immediate front; the ..long roll"
is being beaten; the bugle is sounding ito
arms in the enemy's camp
OVER THE LINE OF BREAsTwoRKs.
But it is too late. The boys in blue have
been ordered to charge with fixed bayonets.
Over the first line of breastworks they scram-
bled, and are in the midst of the enemy's
camp; they are right among their tents. The
surprise is most complete. Some of the enemy
are only half dressed: some not that, but the
whole camp, some 7,OO0 in all, are prisoners
Of war, including Gen. Johnston, one Of Gen
Early's division commanders. Many resisted
capture, only TO he bayoneted or shot Sew
eral batteries of artillery also fell into our
hands
met Gen. Johnston as he was passing over
his own Notifications on his way to our rear
a prisoner ana he asked me whose troops
these were. | told him they were Gen Han
cocks, and he said: 1T was the most gallant
charge | ever saw" replied: YES, it was
rather gallant affair"
Gen Carrolrs brigade took two stands of
cOloTs-glory enough for one day The enemy,
much chagrned at the inglorious surprise in
this quarter, soon came upon us in great
force; but we held our position all day 1t
was right here, in our front that trees, which
were about foot in diameter, were com
pletely cut down by musket balls Such was
the terrible fire from the enemy.
May l3-We laid on the battle ground all
night. had charge of the skirmish line, and
at O'Clock this morning received orders to
move slowly forward, supported by Gen. Car
roll. We drove the enemy several hundred
yards, capturing several stands of colors and
two pieces Of artillery. Gen. Carroll was
wounded-elhow broken.
Carroll's brigade has lost in this campaign
since May ), or only ten days. ,2+5 men
and officers. Yesterdays and to-day's fight
ing is called the battle Of Spottsylvania-
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