davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
Thu WILDERNESS.
One of the Great Battles Of the
Civil War.

Grant in virglnia-First Encounter Be
tween tho New Leader and Robert f..
Lec-A Grand Movement Against Rich
mond Checked by Lees Remarkable
iActivitv-TcrribIe Drawn Battle in the
Swampv 1hickct-The Undauntcd Union
Army Withdrawn to Another Field.
The famous contest in the "Wildcrness"
was decided by events that came to pass at
about o'clock on the morning Of May G,
1854, the second day Of the fighting on that
field and virtually the last day of the battle.
1t was decided in favor OF the ConGederates by
the arrival of Longstrect's corps on the CEN
ter of Lees line where the right columns of
the Union army under Gen. Hancock had
broken through and disrupted the Confedcr
ate right wing. That point was Parsers
Store and the control OF the roads meeting
there. Hancock was pressing toward it, and
be had driven out lromSher bre1stworks the
troops of \. P. Hill. The troops Of the Con-
iulerltc LETT wing Under Gen. Ewcll, were on
The north ailo Of the road, and, with some
Gtl4ilp' l'idlittu ga E4t,u eip'lll COMMENCING
The road. woro trying to stay Hancock's adj
vance But these men Of Ewel wcro already
engaged on their own front, because all along
the ridge between the plank road and tho
turnpike end beyond, the Union troops Of
Warren and SedTwick were taking up the
battle. Besides this, the Union corps of
burnside, which hsd made forced march
during the night and reached the held at
daylight, was working It's way into the gap
between WaTen's lcft and lIaucock's right,
and was threatening to do for Ewolls right
flank above the plank road what Hancock
was doing for Hills left flank south of that
road, namely, roll it up and widen the dis
lance between the wings of Lees army. Lea
had stood all the morning by those guns on
the plank road. Shortly before the decisive
moment he sent messengers in hot haste to
meet Long 'treet back on the plank road and
ui-c hilI forward.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

out, Hancock had ell his troops M. and
he sent ont Birncy's and Motifs divisions on
Gcttys icit. and in a few moments the roat
OF muSketrv Gre incessant and deadly. told
that The ba 10 Of the Wilderness had herln
y section Ci Ricketts, Pennsylvania battery.
from 1Ianc0Cks corps. accompanied Getty on
tho plank road and did good service it was
captured By the enemy and rataken by n deS-
perate charge. Brewster's brigade of Motifs
division was outfonked and driven in. maxi
ing n break in tho line Gen. Alexander
Hays, of Brnoys division, was killed at tho
head of HIS brigade, and re-enforcements--
Owens and CAROLS brigades of Gibbons
divisicn--coming up to Gctty's aid the attack
was pushed onward until dark Col Carroll
was wounded, but kept the field. and the
fight was made with such vigor that the lines
of Heth's division we're broken, and even tho
troops Of Wilcox, that had hastily come to
The aid Of Heth, were beaten back in disorder.
In conjunction with this attack the Irish
brigade and the brigade of Brooke, of Bar
lows division, on Hancock's extreme left.
made a desperate attack and held their
ground. OF on the extreme right Sed~-
wick's men advanced and gained some ground
and secured good positions for artillery.
Wadsworth's division, OF Warren's CORPS.
luttu SOulnWaru toward inc plank road and,
guided by the sound Of Hancock's battle. at
tempted to reach his right flank on the plank
road, but, becoming involved in the deep
woods in the darkness his men passed tho
night within a few rods Of the eneiny's lines.
Troops OF both armies wandered into the op-
posing lines during the night
Gen. Lee now sent orders to Ioncstreet TO
move over TO the plank road and reach
Parkers Store to the aid of Hill. Thus, at
dark on the 9th, both were ranked for the
next day. Burnsidos Union corps was hasten
ing to Wilderness Tavern, to 60 in wherever
the breach should be found. Anderson's di-
vision Of Hills corps was also ordered I'D
from the rear to move in concert with Long
streets two divisions Fields and Kersbaw's
Lees movements show that he knew that
llancocks corps was in front of Hill, and
prisoners taken from the Confcderates stated
that Longstrect was coming up with 1900
men for duty in the morning Gen. Grant
now gave his first battle order to the armies
in the cast. 1t was the beginning of a STRANGE
system of tactics, revival of one long ago
abandoned by modern generals
Modern battles have been conducted ON the
plan Of asssiling one flank so as TO turn the
enemy out of strong position or by mass
ing heavily and striking for a KEY p,gition ",
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
LEADERS SHOT DOWN.

II was now about half past Go'clccl1 when
Hancock's line, under Brncy, had boan
checked 10y the Confederate re-anforcemrnts.
that B.rnoy halted III ia, attack to rcorgan-
ile, Hancock at once informed Meade of
Longstreet arrival on his front. and WAS
told that Stevens division Of burnside,
corps was at hand 10 support the Second
corps. The other divisions of Burnside. lIndrr
Wilcox and Stevenson, were already in mo-
ton trying 10 thread the swnmpy thicket that
covered all tho ground between tho Iacv
house and Chowuings farm, where they had
been sent Ill at daylight without guides and
without n reconnaissance Hancock of
course, waited in vain to hear their guns
sounding TO his aid. Wilcox's division. On
the north, was virtually mired and was
obliged to withdraw and seek a pathway on
solid ground, nearer the plank rood.
Meanwhile Hancock had drawn Webb's
brigade away from Gibbons line ON the left
aud sent it TO rolievo Getty's worn out men.
Webb went out and found Confederate line
Of battle where Getty was supposed TO he.
and calling to his aid some % Stevenson's
Ninth corps men, he succeeded in forming o
line. Just now Gen. Wordsworth, who ranked
both Webb and Stevenson, assumed COM
mand on the plank road ordered the line
forward against Longstrcet's mon aud soon
fell, fatally wounded, leading the charge.
On Ndncock's LETT there was no advance
Sheridan and Stuart were now fighting at
Todd's Tavern, and some dismounted cavalry
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
THE Grand ASSAULT

When O'Clock Caro all vero ready ex-
ceptiHg Burnside The head of his corps
reached Wilderness Tavern during the night,
hut ono brigade of his lelding division este.
vcnSon'S' was sent TO support Hancock and
the remaining brigade were held for re.
serve. The divisions Of WILCOX and Potter
starting from their camps on the night Of the
4th, with q march of over thirty miles 10
make on roads already crowded with wagon
trains. arrived at the front as the battle be-
gan. On the front limo the troops of Sedc-
wick's advanced division, under Wright.
went forward callcntly and found Ewells
men well irtronchcd and the whole line guard
eli with artillery, sweeping the open ground
in their front The assault was repeated by
Wright and he was again repeled From
Sadgwicks front the battle rolled along to
Warren position, where successive attac
were made on Ewel' ght flank, but without
result Warren had but three Of his four Iii.
visions in hand, because Wordsworth. who had
stroyod off southwark in the darkness the
night before, had been or ercd to face his
line toward the plank road and go straight
through WadsUorth did as he had been or
dered and at very critical time reached the
Junction Of the Brock road, where Hancock
was fercoly engaged.
good one for general assault. Tho left
flank rested on the Brock road, a few rods
north of the bed Of an unfinished railroad,
extending east and weSl, parallel to the blank
road and leading in from the direction where,
at this time, Longstreet was known to be APP
preaching. Just before Hancock moved
Wadsworth started through tho woods north
west Of Birncy and joined his right as he
pushed out on the road. Gen. Francis A
Walker of the Second corps, in his Second
Army Corps History" describes this assault
as follows; Promptly at 3 o'clock the divis-
ions Of Birney and Mott, with Getty's divis-
ion Of the Sixth, and CAROLS and Owens
brigados of Gibbons division, all under the
command of BlInGy, threw themselves flIri-
ously upon the Confederate intrcnchments.
which crossed the plank road. The attack
and tho defense were alike of the .lo,t des-
perate nature. The impetus Of that well pre-
pared assault could not be resisted: Hills
troops gave way. llancock's men leaped,
first, log intrenchment, and then, three or
four hundred yards further back. u line Of
rife pits in less than an hour tho Confed-
crate right was routed and in flight, colors
and prisoners were taken, aud for the mo-
mont all presaged complete victory for tho
Union arms.
"The Confedoratcs had beon driven moro
than a mile through tho forest, almost to
their wagon trains Tho Confederate gen
eral-in-chief, who had from the first made
his headquarters with Hill, threw himself
among the troops and used every exertion to
rally broken brigGies which had recoiled
from that terrible assault. But now three
causes were combining TO relieve the pressure
upon the Confederate right and to give the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

the south side of
the pike, advanced,
and very soon pre-
scented its flank TO
the enemy and met
with q heavy loss,
while Crawford's
division, the next
in line south Of
Wadsworth, turn
ed to the southwest
and was thrown Off
alone, fortunately
v here there was no
enemy. On War
rfDs vipht. north
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

As soon as it was light enough to see what little
could be seen in that dRrk forest Hancock troops
swept forward to the attack. The blow fell with
greatest force upon Wilcoxs troops, south OF tho
Orange plank road. They made whnt front they
could and renewed the fight, until the ATTACKING
column overlapping the right wing, il gave way
and tho whole line was rolled up from the right
and retired in disorder along the plank road as
far as the position Of ProgIes artillery which
now opened upon the attacking force. Tho Fed
erals pressed their advantage and were soon
abreast CO the artillery on the opposite side their
bullets tying across the road among the guns
where Gen Lee himself stood For n while mat
tiers looked very serious for the Confederates
Gen. Lee, after sending messenger to hasten tAe
march OF ICngstreets troops, and another 70
prepare tho trains for movement to the rear
WAS assisting In rlllyinc the djsord"rnd troops cnl
directing tho fire Of tho artillery. when the head
Of Long5treet's corps appeared in double column.
swinging down the Orange plank road at a trot.
In perfect order, ranks well closed aud no
strlgglCrs, those splendid troops came on Kor-
shaw's division took the right Of the road, and
coming into line under n heavy FIRE, moved OBJ.
liquely 10 the right (south) to meet the Federal
lett which he'd swung around in that direction.
The Federas were checked ia t,eir sweeping a.l-
vance and thrown back upon their front line OF
bT2astworks, where they uncdc stubborn stand.
But EeTshaw, urged on sy Iongstreet charged
his whole command, swept his front and carturrl
the works. Nearly at the s1mo r.orlent Fields
division took the left &C tho road with Grec-s
brigade in front. Bennngs behind it, Laws nevt
and jenkins fol owing As tho Texans in the
front luu swept past the batteries where Gen
Lee was standing, they gave a rous.ng cheer for
"Nlarse Robert. " who spurrnd his horse forward
and followed them in the charge When the
mon became aware that he was going in with
them they called loudly 70 him to 20 hack; "IVo
wont 80 On unless yon 20 back" was the
general cry. one of the men drDuDol D
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

roads, there were several small streams with
swampy borders. Along the whole limo there
were impenctrable y-,ods, barring the prog
ress Of the assailing for ,es These woods con
sisted of heavy th"kets of low lilnbed, scraggy
pines, scrub oak and hazel saplings
The attack ordered By Warren along the
turnpike WINS delayed the whole forenoon by
the impossible nature Of the ground The
limo had TO be an EXTENDED one, and must
necessarily have support on the right flank.
Some Of the brigade went forward, but they
soon found themselves facing north or south
instead Of wost. WadsWorth's division. on
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
TNE BATTLE on Tl4E PLANK ROAD.

THE BATTLE ON THE PLANK ROAD.
During these movements by Warren, Han
cocks meu were slowly but steadily pressing
on up the Brock road, and their leader was
frequently informed by souriers of the situa-
ton at the front About O'Clock hancock
was told that Warren hal been rcpulsed and
that Getty had been orGcrel to attack and
that ho Qiancock) must support him. Han
cock in person joined Getty, and as soon as
his leading division under Birnoy arrived, he
placed il along the Brock road adj joining the
plank road, south Of Getty. Getty reported
to Hancock thai two divisions of Hil's corps
were in front of him and preparing to attack
bis line, In fact, only Heths division was
there at that hour, for Wilcox was still to
the north, looking for Ewell. 1t was now
known at Meades headquarters that Long
street had not reached tho field. Grant had
reached the front, and Getty Was ordered To
60 on with his movement up the plank road
As fast as Hanoock's troor,s came up on the
Brock road be had intrenchments of logs put
w. ~ the tlme Getty was ready to move
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

the confer so as 10
disrupt the euouy's
g on tinuous line.
Grants orders for
the 9th were, that
Burnside, who was
10 arrive during
the night, should
get into position
between Warrcn's
left and Hancock S
right, fill out that
broad gap around
t h e Lacy house,
where " adsyvorth
was resting blind
{ O ! Il q d in t h O
.t.....fl- ,,yl Ill,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

But Just when it was a turn of the hand
whether or not the Confedorates must retro
in disorder LopTstreet's troops in two lines
kershaw's division on the right Of the road
and Fields formerly Hoods on the left
came steadily trotting to the field of blood.
The columns swung into line of battle on
either side of the road and, moving down,
crushed out all opposition, swept Hancock's
men outof Hills intrenchments and redeemed
the day. Following Lopgstreet came Ander-
sons division Of HIS corps that had also
been left hehind. Nth this reinforcement
Hill rallied his me ID efToctually checked
Burnsides advance In of the plank road,
and tho hard work Of the battle was over.
This battle on Grants part was brought
about by accident The situation of the
Union ermy when spring oponcd could give
rise TO but two movements threatening to
Lee. The Consederates were posted on two
sides of an obtuse angle, the one side running
along tho Rapidan from Mine Run northwest
ward beyond the railroad, and the other ex-
tending from tho RapidaD southwark to Cor
louisville, covering Orange Court House.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
A NIGHT SURPRISE.

On the whole right Of the army the general
assault had boon made by firing from the
positions already held by the men. Ewells
corps held its Ground. but could not assume
the offensive because Burnsidss movements,
announced by continual skrmishng and
artillery fire. Threatened his r 5ht flank.
After dark, however, Rnrlys division, COM
posed principally Of tie oil Stonowau jack
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

flank and draw him away from bis tortifica-
tions SO that he could be put at disadvan
tage. In moving by the leit flank Of his own
army, the Union commander kept within
reach Of water transportation, and just as
soop as he was free from tho Rapidan no
made his base Of supplies on Potomac creek,
an inlet from the Potomac river east Of
Fredericksburr
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

ern along the Catharpin road Bnt Hancock
had rouc two miles hcvoad Told's Tavern
ond did not receive tao cGl anil o o'clo--
Turning about, he vas unt by oWers 20
move up on the I}roca rocd To the peny road
nearer the scene Of action.
By O'Clock Griffin on thc turnpike aud
Crawford, south OF il, were ordered 20 move
out and attack and Crawford was brought
TO a halt at Chowning's farm, and ordered
TO take up position and send a brigade TO
help Wadsworth in his uttack By this tiino
Sod~wicli had brought up Wright's division
end ono brigade of Gettys division of his
Sixth corps, and he was ordered to take his
place on Grhin's right and join in the fore
ward movement. The enemy moving on the
plank road now showed themselves east of
Parltcr's store, and Getty's division of the
Sixth corps was sent down to the junction of
the Brock road with the plank road to at
tack and move out abreast Of Crawford on
Warren's left flank. Thus by 10 O'Clock tho
two Union corps Of Warren and Sedgwick
were in line TO move out on both tho turn
pike and plank roads and fight their way
westward, and IIanrock's corps was moving
to their aid.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

attacked Barlow's
division On Han
cocks left. Al of
thi,, occurred while
the line on tho
plank ronl was
moving on the
chcs~e in W hich
WgdsWorth feIl.
.Aft = W Gdsy0rth >
fall his line fell
back, and at tho
same moment Bar
low, on the lait,
called FOR rcrl-
t1rcourit-. aGl
Hancoci, Suspended
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

OF the turnpike, Grifllns division made head
way at first, meeting and driving back Ew-
ell, advance brigade, under Gen j. VI. Jones.
and killing the commander. But Ewen
brought up his reserve division, under Early,
aud then Warren was compelled TO halt his
whole line,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15


,9'"I'r' Oh ne" AoIN' 'omnandlag the right
81 81 'e'N'' soy ,'ou' Dfi%aHe' on tne ielt OF
'9'4''-1i vas 'iI'' Iou,''F nuHuled' anu oey-
nou, WIS captured me reader OF the ASSAULT
~i t''0 '',eo'ralo Slie was 'en' John D.
I'ruoh' brigade commander IN Early 8
INV I'I'n' ana 'po't VINO on several occa-
SONS 9''l U'u inc mon army WIN tAe bold
ta1'I'S Oh MS GA irador' Jackson. harIys
M. e'hci'' on nc "hoIe' was Il iallure, and
nc ",e' p''N g. ii5 on p'>iuoh' Inns ended
ire oa'de OF the Wilderness On the main
hLys'
Inc 'PPr"'i'!!S OIL we cavalry on inc Otn
were t'l'ihh' 10 the lIo'rolI'h Of the mans
aII ,'e IcI0 oil h1ncoc1 iAe. ina DIVISIONS
VI l"i 90, ana gre - we're oo,h al olahcei-
, ,. 'I'' 'lI ni'r'lI"s Oh '4i0 day ana Ten:
=, - u',''' WIN ms own "hd IaVih orlSades or
lo'D'r' ulNlai0h moved "est" ward TO con-
Hcct win hahcocN on the SOUTH Gregg
Wv l'.'" moved OUT lStahe' aoulh abreast OF
u''4r' custer me, --anp;oHs cavalry and
" ~, '1,erel ''1hu IL Lee at 1oHdS
I'''IH' "1 Coi'l cI'r'i'-' at '"aNeu 'A' - mon
C"''"9 ~, "'," P,"tl9 anu Were iePUlss1'
al" soon ,''eW on ''N t2o 'o''n WIN tAe up
parent Intention OF slrlNils mo Cnion rear
"'' '"' I''fP"''nI"'N' '"'I-Hnn no" Will
are" ms troops To I'd"' Tavern ana re-
NAMED On tho defensive for the day.
On tho morning 81 tcc 'th the Confederate
positions were examined by the Union officers,
and 1t was found that Lee had posted his ar
tiiler, 50 rs to sweep I'll the aorr7a. he, and
that hi, whole front was covered br o t,rrlad
forest Thoorlor WINS tbo, ,,i,.or + ,-,,,,,r,t,,oa
- ,,o,.o,,,a,,. ~, ,ia Ie+ a,i' ~ a,,. 49,
d Inv oii'enI ~ 'ne l''' nui'h at d'rH tnaO
hlsilt WIN the intention OF reaching NpotlSyl-
wanna Court House and securing the eight
miles Of road between the Wilderness and
that point during the first night, march,
The Union los.a, in Tn. Wi'd7ruc,. we're:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

mont. II was now 10 o'clock. Sedgwic aud
Warren were ordered to suspend also Burn
sides left division, under Potter, was moving
up north of the plank road, ans crowding
tLe --s-- loosely,
On tho Confederate side, as soon as Ham
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

LONGSTREET TURNS THE TIDE.
II was at the moment Of confusion aud in.
decision in The midst Of great success on tho
Union side, that LOagstreet came up to do
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
A DEADLOCK IN TIE THIcKET.

NrhHIOCV iN TIE rLtrDr
~, ~ O"-''
~. .i oo''''u'." 'e' were also Drawing near
!? ,''' sum l'oIh,S III IoFCG rivers TWO On
'''i,''9 uuu'' "on,.9"h uiu roueS were paced
i,o' VI ~ So",u Vi 'u' turnpike so - 10 con
rom .o.u 7eus WI SI,, ana warren Inc lead-
A's u, 4I''i VI mn corps uhuer heth
i.aNle't "ihei H,oie on vi morning OF th7
Y I an" Ioalnius from 'he cavalry mat the
y mon ihiuh'Fy was near al mana IN lorcc'
iie',i ''N s,vIu co"u'o"aly uo"n 'he plank
iolu 'oN'iiu 'ne Junction oi BROCK ROAD inc
90 ,1a'i ny LUIS nor n"ese ana south-
e,ls'' . o'S9 'uv pi''nH ro"u ana ln'ersects the
i,,''iilu VI ", io1H i'ne oslo" "lluer
- ue Juiac''olis Oh ahc'e roads
i'i ',i'u hoy 10 ,"o !oiO OIL tne mon army.
r, -A,C't non I1elu men pressing on, met
49, 'i,A lux '.'sP luhc'i"hs ileth
iu 'Vco'.ou oi'i,i9 ',0V 90 l'rnS on oa'tle
u,..,' co. 9iiouiu atilNe' hVo otnart
''..'u ,1 Hoo"'"lS lar sonth' hal seen ana re-
po' go ii''Li''' presence OH 'Ie CatharPin
,o'1'', 'ii"' 'No Lcri u Aohgs.reet column
H'' 0'e,i ',ii ncu Oh 70 the South 10 meet NM
~ """',ei' m"' ft'uFIe"' ana was
NV my ~ " 'he bI och Ioau 10 rcach the
ll'nN i"'u NvNer'heieSs, hongstrec1 closed
up MS cor p'' "nu al IlgH'ial OF inc ON WIS
i'V "i'''9 ''i" US " llueiheNs Whle ms an
'"7'il'V' iiohS'Nh' WAS on INC ground ready
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

tho whole army, from right to left, Sedg-
wick, Warren, Burnside and Hancock, should
move at > O'Clock in the morning in a com
bined assault all along the line.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15

Wadsworth's division followed him, and
Griffin, who was LAST and was on the extreme
right, was moving out on tho turnpike to
convenient cross road to Join tho column.
Griffin met Walkers Confederates and re-
ported the fact back TO headquarters nj the
tavern. Meade and Warren were LOOKING
over tho ground, and at 1880 courier was
sent down the German ma road south to meet
Hancock, who was moving westward from
charlottesville by tho way Of Todd's tsv-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-15
eide the issue at that point and in reality for
ba vvho1a 0o1J

che whole fold.
It seems that in going forward Brncy's
line had become bowed by tho troops in the
center advancing more slowly than those on
che rightland left tanks. Opposite this center
there was cleared ground, ans upon this tho
artillery Of Hill was massed. Tho reception
OF Hancock's assault at this point hes been
told by participant, Gen. E. NJ. Law, com
handing a brigade in Longstreet's corps,
who describes it as follows in The Century
for June 1887: