The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-14
THE SPOTTSYLVANIA FIGHT.
The Great Struggle for the Union Where
General Hancock Became Immortal.
A Pen Picture Drawn by an Eyewitness
Gen. Hancocks Superb Gallantry and Genius
Carrying the Confederate Works.

Written for the Journal by Lieut. Harry 8. Wells.
OF the hundreds of thousands who saw Win
field Scott Hancock last summer riding at the
head Of the military escort at General Grants
funeral, few thought that it would be his last
appearance in public. Advancing years had not
,sfaced the manly beauty that made him in his
prime the handsomest man in the army. and he
bore himself bravely during the long and weari-
some ride through the interminable city streets.
His horse, in fact. gave out before he did, and
the old soldier was compelled to finish his last
snarch in the effeminate luxury Of carriage,
concession to the force of circumstances, no
doubt physically grateful, however repugnant it
may have been to the pluck Of a tried campaign
Or.
To many veteran Of the Second Corps, who
then looked his last upon General Hancock,
the memory came back Of the day
down the lines at Gettysburg just before Long
streets corps made its last memorable charge; of
the disastrous day at Charlottesville, Of the
ganguinarY conflict in the Wilderness, and last,
fbut not least of the brilliant feat of arms at
Epottsylvania Courthouse.
General Hancock was identified with the Army
Of the Potomac from the first and served with
honor and distinction under all its different COM
manders. In defeat and in victory, he was al
ways the same daring prudent soldier, COM
manding the respect alike of his superiors and
Of his subordnates.
General Grant knew his man when be selected
Hancock and the Second Corps to carry the ad-
vanced works of the confederate position at
Spottsylvania.
On page 453 of Campaigns Of the Army Of
the Potomac" by William Swinton, I find the
following concerning the fight at Spottsylvania
Courthouse:
"Of all the struggles of the war this was. per-
haps, the fercest and most deadly. Frequently
throughout the conflict. close was the contest
that the rival standards were planted on opposite
sides OF the breastworks. The enemy's most
savage salies were directed to retake the famous
salient, which was now become an angle of death,
and presented spectacle CHASTITY and terrible.
On the confederate side Of the works lay many
corpses Of those who had been bayoneted by
Hancccks men when they first leaped the il
trenchments. To these were constantly added
the brayest of those who, in the assaults to re-
capture the position, fell at the margin of the
works. till the ground was literally covered with
piles of dead, and the woods in front of the ga
nent were one hdeouS Golgotha At midnight,
after twenty hours of combat Lee drew back his
bleeding lnee and reformed them on his interior
position. The loss on the Union side this day
was above 5000, and on the confederate side
much greater. It had an excellent moral effect
upon the Union army"
In at least one Of the many war sketches
have written for the newspapers / said that
had been in but one battle that afforded me any
enjoyment or which, amid the stirring incidents
of the stubborn and bloody combat, almost all
sense of danger was forgotten. It was this bat
tie, on the 18th of May. 1864. referred to in the
scrap of history quoted, that I had in my mind.
No other battle of the many in which partici-
pated with the Army of the Potomac left behind
such an fndelible impress upon my memory,
many OF the incidents of which are just as fresh
to-day, over twenty-one years after, as on the
day they occurred. AS rule in all the battles
Of our civil war, the men engaged in conflict
scarcely saw their opponents. There were bay
onet fights and actual personal encounters,
but they were few and far between.
When they did occur, it was with blind fury,
whom crossed bayonets, dubbed muskets,
throwing of stones and even the fists were
brought into play. In this particular fight
which shall essay to describe. the champion
pucilist, John L. Sullivan, had ha been present
might have figured to great advantage and at
tanned more lasting personal glory than he ever
achieved IN the prize ring. AT one moment of
the battle it was simple knock down and drag
out fight. somewhat after the style of big sa-
loon row among drunken men: and one must
needs experience q certain savage joy, provided
he was on the winning side. l would at any
time run quicker from drunken row, seeming
more danger, than from an enemy with guns in
their hands, in legitimate warfare. This is, no
doubt. owing to my bringing up | never found
any place in army life which tried my nerves so
much, which called for higher order of
bravery. cool, calm and deliberate courage than
on the skirmish or picket line when in active
campaign. There it was much like two men
about to engage in a duel. When on the Skin
mish line, preliminary to a general engagement,
each soldier acts as it were, on his own individ-
nal responsibility. without the excitement of a
battle to make him forget the dangers of the sit
uation. AT the same time the danger is greater,
for each bullet speeds on it's mission of death
aimed at and intended to hurt somebody.
The Army of the Potomac had just emerged
from the Wilderness country. where for three
days it had a smuggling match" with the Army of
Northern Virginia, under General Lee The two
armies confronted each other near Spottsylvania
Courthouse, the enemy being well intrenched
behind most excellent improvised breastworks.
Cutting loose from the rear, the Union army had
no base of supplies until after the Wilderness
fighting. when base was established at Fred
ericksburg, on the Rappahannock river. / recol-
lece right we'll that our corps 1.-THE Second)
eeived generous supply OF rations on the l1th
of May, including ration of whisky men,
sion this issue of ''commissary" in particular for
3 verify believe it had much to do with the
laring charge and many of the reckless feats of
9he next day. 1t was resolved to make sudden
eally against the right center Of the rebel army
The confederate line was at this point advanced
so as to form a salient To penetrate this salient
with sudden and brilliant charge would be like
driving wedge between the right and center of
the enemy. and rift asunder the formidable
breastworks behind which they lay ensconsed
IN apparent security. The Second Corps, COM
manded by Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, was
selected to make the charge upon which so much
depended.
Every man in the corps had presentiment of
what was coming when we fell into line and be-
gan moving about in the Zimmerman darkness
about midnight There was light fall of rain.
enough to make the earth muddy and slippery,
and dark. heavy clouds hung down to the tree.