The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-26
MARCH AND BATTLE.
Story of the 111th n. Y. from Culpeper +
the Wilderness

1
| 1864, that this particular diary was begun
| At that time the Army of the Potomac was
preparing to break camp for the Wilderness
campaign. Already the monotony of oui
| long Winter encampment had been sup
| planted by the activity and excitement
preparatory to the anticipated advance Of
the army, and with renewed patriotism and
| confidence In our new commander (Gen
! Grant, we were anxious for the start.
Yet the thought of TaziDg our little log
huts to the ground and applying the torch
to the same brought tinge of regret to our
hearts, for beneath their sheltering roofs
and in thenarrow confines of the old camp
we had for several months enjoyed army life
as well as it was possible for soldiers TO do
We had the usual varied assortment OF
characters in our regiment. Every CON-
pany had its Lengthy and Shorty" its
"Slimmy "and Fatty" etc. They had also
| the poet, the orator; the sober, sedate,
prayerfu1, man; the comical genius, the
dead beat" and the champion liar. The
SLOUGH that had to be scrubbed and its
dapper pink of perfection of military style
and bearing" were there also, the chronic
grumbler, the happy -go-lucky, and the poor
home-sick fellow, who was really to be
pitied.
Wrestling, boxing, foot-racing, and jump
ing had been our principal camp sports, but
card playing, song singing, and story telling
came In mostly for pastime together
And practical jokes? Many ration was
missed on account of the blank cartridge
slyly placed in the fire or hid in the ashes.
Old blankets or boxes placed over the
chimney of course sent the draft in the
wrong direction, and invariably smoked the
inmates of such quarters out. What soldier
has not awaked some chilly night, shivering,
minus his blanket, that was keeping some
other cuss warm; and what could he do but
to go out and steal another? Or who, while
writing that tender epistle home, by the
Pickering glimmer of q tallow-dip, with his
legs beneath cracker-box for desk, has
not witnessed the light, candle and all, 90
out mysteriously, never TO come back
again?
But / see under date of May Q, ave break
camp tonight" The month of April had
given plenty of indications of an early cam
palgn. Immense quantities of supplies had
been brought forward and our numbers had
been augmented by recruits to nearly every
regiment in the field, and also by the Ninth
Corps and thousands of troops from the de-
lenses at Washington.
nation of the new man at the helm. The
day of pomp and display was now TO give
place to downright, hard, persistent fighting.
No more grand reviews or mastery retreats.
1t was now to be the iDterlocking of the
horns of mighty military giants, with battle
To the finish for the supremacy.
The Sd of May, 1864, witnessed the last on
to Richmond march of the grand old Army
OF the Potomac. Before the break of day
our quarters had been leveled to the ground,
and, iully-equipped, in heavy marching order,
we were ready to take position in line.
As the suns first rays began TO shine in
The east, with our c0lors waving in the
morning breeze, we gaily moved out and
babe farewell to our old camp forever.
Brigades, divisions, and corps were soon
in motion, and in three grand divisions
started toward the Rapidan. The vast army
was magnificent spectacle to behold on
that bright morning with its thousands Of
banners flying and muskets cleaning IN the
sunlight. Gaily-uniformed Aids dashed to
and fro as the silver nole5 of the bugles
rang out the signals of command; and long
lines Of infantry, artillery, and cavalry were
soon moving in column toward the different
fords.
The hoarse commands of officers, the
murmur Of voices, the tramping Of feet, the
neighing Of horses and braying of mules,
made IL truly an animated scene. In the
rear came the ambulance, pontoOn, and inn
mense supply-trains. adding to the Babel of
noises and the picturesque panorama. Little
this mighty host dreamed of the bloody
conflicts 1t was destined to pass through,
and the horrors it must confront Yet the
excitement incident to the occasion seemed
TO have a charm for the old veteran, and
tendency to drive away all thought of fear.
To the rank and file nothing was definite
ly known of the plans of the new COM
but under such leader we knew
it meant business ahead, and all were pre-
pared TO meet it and do their duty. One
thing was clear to our minds that Grants
objective point was the Army of Northern
Virginia, wherever he should find it, aud he
had taken the initiative to that end.
The first days march toward the Wilder
ness, where Gen. Robert T. Lee had taken
up his position to oppose us, was a trying
one for the recruits and fresh regiments in
the field. Loaded down with ponderous
and surplus clothing which the
veterans had learned TO discard before start
ing on such march, they soon became ex-
hausted and fell out of the ranks, or painfully
dragged themselves along until forced to un-
load portion or all of their beloved extra
luggage.
Thus the main thorOughfares leading to
Germania and Ely's Fords from Culpeper
was literally carpeted with army blankets
and clothing of every description, thrown
away because it could not be carried further
by these inexperienced soldiers.
The Second Corps was 10 cross the Rapi- |
dan at Ely's Ford, and after many short |
halts on account of the excessive heat. and |
TO give opportunity for the pOntoon train |
and cavalry to pass, we came up 10 and was |
ready 10 cross the ford the morning of May4. |
Our passage of the river being undisputed |
by Lee, we pushed ahead and reached and |
camped for the night on the old Chancellors-
Vile battlefield.
Here the uninitiated troops and recruits |
beheld sight that was a forcible reminder |
Of the terribleness of war and the possible |
fate that confronted them. The results of |
the terrible battle fought upon the field |
where we lay just year before was plainly |
noticeable. Debris of all kinds-guns old |
exploded shells and portions of |
seen upon all sides, and in |
many shallow trenches the elements had |
washed away the covering, and the chastity |
sight of rows Of grinniDg skulls met the |
gaze.
Early on the morning Of the 9Th our SUM
bers were disturbed by the sound of distant
artillery, and soon the Headquarters bugles
sound the advance. and the corps, in column
by tours, with fankers on either flank,
pushed forward to the very limit of its en-