The National tribune., 1898-03-17
rs RECRUITS AND VETERANS.
The Sd N. Y.'s Experience at Big Bethel
and Drewry's Bluff. /"


Fort Monroe, the Sd \. Y, on June 8, 1861,
was ordered to move at II O'Clock p. m,
carrying go rounds of ball cartridges and two
DAYS rations We had only been i'll camp
four days and this was our first experience
The excitement of the occasion and some other
reasons prevented our leaving on time, and
the consequence will be presented later on.
When all was ready the regiment was
formed on the parade ground, Col. Fred
Townsend in command, and the band in
position on the right of the regiment. You
would have thought we were going on pic
nic instead of looking for the .Johnnies. The
command was given Right face-Right
shoulder -Forward-March :" and
away we went to Hampton Creek, passing
over the bridge to Hampton, and so we went
along. We tried to make up our lateness by
going quick and double-quick. As we reached
the road running through to Hampton from
Newport News we were met with terrible
fire from musketry and heavy piece of ar
tilery.
We were thrown into confusion; very
much surprised. Our Colonel and staff were
mounted and in the advance, with the band
between them and Co. A. Everybody was
wondering who our assailants were; but re-
treating short distance and daylight appear
ing greit mistake was discovered. The 7th
n. Y. t|teuben Regiment). from Newport
News, had mistaken us for rebels and given US
our initiation. The 9Th n. Y. (Duryea Iou-
aves), who had preceded us some time, came
back on the double-quick, expecting to find
the rebels in their rear. ~
Explanations soon set things right, and the
march was taken up Rsain We soon arrived
at place called Big: Bethel. Then there was
hurry and scurfy a battery came plungins
down the road moving up to the supposed
front. Some troops were moving over to the
right. But Co. A auh the Sd moved i'll line
ofbattle to the left, with the 9th \. Y. going
down by the fahk. AS we neared the front
the Johnnies began to send over their COM
pljments, but as we, advanced they shot too
high.
There seemed to be no knowledge f9tlie
position of the enemy, and each regiment
acted on its OWE. accsunt. As our regiment
advanced the bullets began to sing. by the
command of the Colonel we about faced and
retreated, leaving bne of Go. AS men
wounded, who wa. aiierward taken prisoner,
Martin Richie, of Williamsburg, l.. |.
When we reached the road, well out of
danger, the various regiments broke up. and
all seemed TO be going home as you please.
So we returned, reaching Hampton about
] O'Clock, completely broken mp We had
had march of ID miles out and ID miles re-
turning, with almost two nights without
sleep; so you can imagine what tired crowd
we were the next morning. The Colonel let
MS rest all that day But the next-oh, my
battalion drill morning and afternoon
double-qu.ck from right to left-every move
ment was double-quick, and was hot work
So this was on. initiation to war. There
was no head to the movement 1t looked to
nc as my first experience as march up the
hill, get few shots and return in good order;
no skirmishers were thrown out, and no one
| seemed TO know what was what.
| Now for an action in the latter part of the
| war at Drewry's Bluff In camp at Bermuda
| Hundred, OH or about May 8, 1864, we were
| enjoying ourselves with camp life and duties
| when we were ordered to prepare for
| movement to the front
! Passing out through our works we found
| We were headin. toward Richmond Going
| along the turnpike we halted in rear Of the
Bluff and prepared for work. We arrived
there Saturday morning, May II, and adj
! vanced with our skirmislIers until we un-
| covered the ercmy's lines; then we halted for
| further developments. Company A was well
to the front.
i Late in the afternoon report reached US
/ that the enemy were retreating, and without
instructions the men commenced to move
forward. The officers, taking in the situa-
! ton, and anxious to be first. moved with
them, hoping that the report was true.
But after arriving well up to the enemy's
works, and almost looking into them, we
found hornets nest The works were we'll
lined with troops The order was given to
get back without delay.
After returning to our original line the
4.
the rear to rest On Monday, May 16 the
show orened in earnest. Firing commenced
lightly on our right, and the regiment was
ordered into line, Co. A on the right.
I fog was hanging so thick that the mem
bers Of Co A could not see the colors. Soon
we heard a horseman coming near US, and
| finally he reached Co. A. Where's the
| Col mel, +" lie cried. Front of the coors was
| answered, and away he went
| Soon we heard the command to march.
' Co. A led the way toward the firing but
suddenly the regiment went into line-of- battle
| and we advanced to 9the charge The most
remarkable thing wa9 the lifting of that fog,
| as it were, like a curtain before an audience
| in theater We saw one OF our regiments
| breaking way ifom the front in rather
| demoialized condition.
| We kept on Until we reached low fence
| III front OF piece 6i woods. In passing
over the field capt. II. l.. Couch was shot,
| and lost his ariii. and shortly after reaching
| the fence, Lieut. Col f. G. Floyd was shot III
| the leg. Capt Alex MANN, from Newburg,
| then took command.
| Co. A was on the extreme right of the
/ regiment, being in most dangerous position.
/ The l42lN. Y, Col u. NJ. Curtis, came to our
right, which gave us some protection.
| 1t was not long before the enemy broke
/ through our lines in front OF Gen Hickman's
| Brigade, and for some reason or Other the
lf2d was withdrawn, leaving the 3ds flank
| fully exposed. After waiting considerable
| time for orders, and seeing the enemy pass
! ing to our flank, Co. A concluded that rs the
| Captain commanding was near the colors, we
! had better git So / ordered them to rise
| and about face The whole regiment fol-
| lowed suit. 1t was well that we all retired.
/ When TIE Johnnies saw they were going TO
! lose US they opened fire. After reaching
| cover Gen. Gilmore ordered Us to move by
| the flank When we reached the turnpike
we were deployed as sllirnisher5 across the
! turnpike, facing Richmond. and ordered to
drive the rebels back at all hazards. This
WAS promptly doae and continued until all
/ the sick and wounded were secured and
safely beyond darecr "A. ID. LMBERGEE,
| Creednloor, Long Island. n. Y.