E S S A Y,
DELIVERED BEFORE THE
OF THE
BALTIMORE
PRINTED BY HENRY A. ROBINSON
1865
____________________________________________
Signal Hill, Va., March 10, 1865
MR. H. P. HURD,
Dear Sir:
We have been appointed as a publishing committee in accordance with the action of the Debating Society, by which a vote of thanks was tendered you for the Essay read March 6th, 1865, and a copy requested for publication.
Warren C. STONE,
Allen D. HEVENOR,
William T. FILER.
Committee.
___________________________________
Signal Hill, Va., March 10, 1865
Gentleman of the Committee:
A copy of the Essay is at your service.
Harlan Page HURD
________________________________________
,aaaaaaa
When ? how ? why ? where, what, who, how it came to pass; what we became; where we have been; the songs we have sung, &c., ad libitum ad infinitum, et cetera viz, together with an address to our friends.
5866 years after Adam was banished from the Garden of Eden: 4211 years after the Deluge: 2218 years since the birth of Alexander the Great: 1962 years after Julius Caesar appeared on this terraqueous ball; 47 years after Napoleon Bonaparte was sent to the Island of St Helena; 1969 years after Cicero's eloquent tongue was unloosed; 17 years after the admission of Texas into the Union; 341 years after Cortez entered the Capitol of the Montezuma; nearly two years after Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Presidency for the first term, and two years before Mr. McClellan failed to be elected to said office; 81 years after the surrender of Yorktown by Lord Cornwallis; 1845 years after the death of Ovid; 86 years after the Declaration of Independence of the United States, which Independence was acknowledged about seven (7) years after by Great Britain, which country is comprised of Scotland, Ireland, and "Whales," together with an additional piece of land called "England," 290 years after the massacre of St. Bartholomew; 3353 years after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and 81 cycles of the seasons after the "Battle of the Cowpens," [1] the 17th N.Y.I.V. Battery was organized. "All this at or near" Medina, Orleans Co., State of New York, where they have, since the organization of said Battery, paid large bounties. [2]
Having been collected together for the first time, we went to Lockport where we were received by Capt. Bowen's Sharpshooters [3] with three hearty cheers, which we as heartily returned.
We passed a sanguinary [4] night in the "shed," [5] all were mustered into the U. S. service one night except such as were "down town taking care of Booth." [6] We stayed "some time" [7] at that Camp Church at Lockport. We were patriotic then, had big hats and wore white gloves. T'was there we sang:
The Orleans Battery's going South,
In a few days, a few days,
To try their hands at the cannon's mouth,
Fare you well my boys.
Chorus:
O' we'll have a victory in a few days, a few days,
We'll have a victory on old Virginia's shore.
When we left that place the brass band accompanied us. There were two brass bands in Medina, but the brass band that came with us was the brass band to which Gain Skinner did not belong. This brass band "discoursed" sweet music as we marched through the streets of Canandaigua. [8] We patronized the people and store-keepers of that handsome town to an unknown extent. The inhabitants of Pennsylvania have also reasons to congratulate themselves that we traveled through their State at railroad speed. If any one is to blame it is they, for if their trains had not been so slow, our rations would have held out to the end and we should not have been compelled to seek sustenance in their country. It was necessary for us to have something to eat, or we would have died; in which case our bodies would have been flung by the wayside, and too many such unburied carcasses would have bread a pestilence, besides frightening many a high mettled [9] steed, who running away would thrown his rider and dashed out his brains, thus bringing him to an untimely end.
We reached Baltimore [10]. We marched through the streets singing,
"John Brown's body lies moldering in the grave," &c.
And it came to pass, that after many grevious (sic) delays we reached that great city Washington, and bent our steps toward Capitol Hill, which being interpreted is Camp Barry. [11] Each one of us being weighted down even to the earth by a burden as large as Bunyan's Pilgrim [12] had, were exceedingly rejoiced when we reached that place. There "being in an enemy's country" we were armed to the teeth; at that place we learned much of the military art and became acquainted with "John Minard." [13] We "planted sods," [14] we "threshed," [15] we "stood to horse." [16] And we did several times leave our Camp Barry and go out even into Virginia, where the chivalrous First Families are went to dwell. On our return from one of those venturesome expeditions, certain of our mighty men of war submitted to the ceremony and rite of sprinkling, [17] and that without the profession of faith in any thing or the expression of any desire except to return to camp. At Camp Barry we sang,
"Many and bright are the stars that appear
In the flag by our country unfurled,
And the stripes that are swelling in majesty there
Like a rainbow adorning the world."
Chorus:
"Then up with the flag, that good old flag,
That all the world may know
That millions of freemen are ready to fall,
E're the stars and the stripes shall trail low."
During one of our times of absence from Camp Barry, we pitched our tents at Miner's Hill. [18] There we first fired solid shot [19], stood picket [20], drank Croton Oil [21], rescued a Sutler's goods from devouring flames [22], saw Moseby [23], and borned "our dog." [24] There we learned to sing
"Dearest love do you remember,
When we last did meet,
How you told me that you loved me,
Kneeling at my feet?
O, how proud you stood before me,
In your suit of blue,
When you vowed to me and country,
Ever to be true."
Chorus:
"Weeping, sad and lonely,
Hopes and fears how vain,
When this cruel war is over,
Praying that we meet again.
At Fairfax Seminary [25] a "responsible" [26] man and also the valorous men for whom he was "responsible," were caged in a mule wagon.
At Centreville [27] we had "Shooting matches" [28] and "raffled," [29] got in the habit of "taking all you got," [30] drank lemonade and ate peaches, learned that "the Shelby boys were a leetle ahead," [31] and we were able to harness, hitch and be ready to "take the offensive," [32] in eight minutes. We became "lively." [33]
At Fairfax Court House [34] we "searched the records," [35] had "knapsack drill," [36] "skou skou" baked beans, [37] chickens; the 5th Corps reinforced us and we drilled for the General and the ladies, at which time "the Brigadier was pleased; the Maj. General did not think a Volunteer Battery could do so well, and the ladies were highly delighted."
There we played "muggins" [38] and did "the way they do in the army." [39] There also we had our pictures taken [40] made brick walks and a bath house. We "escorted to Chantilly" via the "Corduroy." [41] We received a number of "recruits," [42] some short, others of abominable length. We sang over our old songs, and learned more of the military art.
We returned to Camp Barry. We were sent to Fort Lyon. [43] There we did not sing. [44]
We returned to Camp Barry again, and in time to fire the salute at a place called "Meridian." [45]
His soldier clothes, and filled his haversack [46]
With what had been supplied by way of food,
Taking a second look to see 'twas good.
On board the boat [47] we made ourselves at ease,
As if familiar with the rolling seas;
Devoured our pork, and took our "hard tack" [48] in,
As used to "rations" [49] and a lack of "tin." [50]
Potomac's waters bore us bravely on,
Potomac's banks ne'er saw a braver sight,
Potomac's Genius said, "God speed the right."
All pleased with the ride, and every man
On deck, to easier catch the coming breeze
That sped on wings from o'er the eastern seas,
And where Potomac widened out doth seek
The silvery shores of old Chesapeake,
To watch the sea-gull in his daring flight,
And schools of porpoise that from morn till night
Their merry gambols 'mong the waves do take
And we, when 'mong them, we with speed do make,
How quickly they plunge 'neath our gallant craft
And continue their gambols away - aft.
Rounding grandly out in the sea-like bay,
We sped adown it 'till the close of day;
Drawing 'round him the curtains of the west
The gorgeous Day-god laid himself to rest,
Leaving his royal vestments on the hills,
Which filled with rainbows all the mountains rills
And tinged the rushing waves that come and go
Along the warlike shores of Fort Monroe. [51]
We rode at anchor through the drowsy night,
We weighed the anchor in the early light,
And e'er the morning dried her dewy brow,
We sought again the now familiar bow
To watch the shores, and learn, perchance, the names
Of crazy landings, rotting in the James. [52]
O'er fields where once the waving harvest bent,
O'er meads where once the peaceful cattle went,
O'er vales once wakeful to the mellow horn
That roused to labor at the blush of morn,
O'er hills with stumps now bristling, where did stand
Primeval forests, tall and dark and grand,
O'er waters where the angler passed the day,
And where the wild duck taught her brood to play,
O'er all where once were smiles and peace and joy
For gray-haired age and for the prattling boy,
Now stand, a terror to rebellious man,
The deadly cannon at Fort Powhattan. [53]
Unmindful of winds, unconscious of tide,
We steamed o'er the murmuring waters wide;
Our trusty pilot, an elderly man.
Who knew those waters e'er the war began,
Maintained the channel through the devious way,
Not windings him, nor shoals, could lead astray.
Heading now east, now north, now west we sailed,
Not once was he in doubt, not once he failed.
Past coves and creeks and tributary rills;
Past quiet glens, where in the friendly shade
The long-legged herons in waters wade,
Past placid shallows where the lilies shed
Their choicest perfumes, and the mirror bed
Reflects alike the splendors of the sky,
And the beautiful lilies closer by.
Thus heaven within this earthly mirror crowds,
And fairy lilies blush among the clouds,
The wary eagle takes his cautious flight,
While worthless crows rang'd on the crowded oak,
Deride our engine's true and steady stroke;
As mean and vile is their outrageous "caw"
As the grave robbed filth of each reeking maw.
On, on, we sped past many a wide estate,
Where vacant fields still for the plowman wait,
Past once fair homes where many a matron weeps,
Where still the wondering dog his watching keeps.
We landed at Broadway. [54] Reached camp near Petersburg. [55] Dodged shells in camp, and went to the "trenches." [56] Participated in the daily fights and became veterans. Had experience with the 18th, with the 9th and with the 2nd Corps.
At last we reached Deep Bottom [57] where we had "experience" in platform making, magazine building, &c. [58] Soon after a part of the Battery came to Signal Hill, [59] expecting a fight, which did not occur. We were not long separated, but re-united near Head-Quarters, when the warriors went to the trenches near Fort Burnham, [60] and the cooks, drivers and camp followers remained at "Camp Cod." That camp is redolent of fish,
There we appropriately sang
(Parody)
Just before this codfish, mother,
I am thinking most of you,
While upon my stool I'm sitting,
With this horrid fish in view.
Comrades brave are round me mouthing,
Filled with thoughts of "cod" and "tack,"
For these they know will on the morrow,
Both their jaws and feeling rack.
Chorus:
Farewell codfish I shall never,
I shall never codfish,
Grind you with my teeth again,
But O, I'll not forget you, codfish,
I will not forget you,
Till I'm numbered with the slain, &c. [61]
After five weeks all returned to Signal Hill. Our experiences here have been pleasant ones. Our "situation" is at least as favorable as we could expect as soldiers. We now see the bright side. The prospect is good for a speedy close of the war. At least for us it is only "five and a few." [62] We are thinking of home. So sing
"'Mid pleasures and palaces," &c.
To Our Friends
Would you rouse a soldier's spirit ?
Would you nerve his stalwart arm ?
Shall he stop the coming foeman ?
Shall he shield your homes from harm ?
Tell him that, if slain in battle,
If he torn and mangled be,
You'll befriend his darling loved ones,
They nor want nor woe shall see,
Oh, call them not the "indigent,"
Call them not "the needy poor,"
Tell him that "the nation's children"
Shall not want nor shall be "poor,"
Then will his duties lighter be,
Then the flag new beauty wear,
Then will he tread the battle field
Braver none, nor truer there.
Horses dead are better far, than
Cowards who are still in sight,
And he who fights the wrong, than he
Who dare only plead for right.
Show us, ye who still are happy
In your homes of cheer and light,
That your hearts are with us ever,
Patriots, though not in the fight.
Show us, too, you're ever wakeful,
That you'll rouse at Freedom's call,
Freedom's fires shall e'er be burning,
All's not lost though we should fall.
And we'll love our land the better,
And we'll think of Freedom more,
We'll stand by the starry-banner,
'Till this "cruel war" is o'er.
Signal Hill, Va., March 6th, 1865
NOTES:
In this case it was used to poke fun at the "pompous" beginnings. Also where indicated the audience would sing along the songs, that they all knew.
Richard Callard
2. The 17th was organized in August 1862. Later much larger bounties began being offered for enlistments.
Tom Taber
3. Captain Bowen's Sharpshooters, Correction: Colonel Hiram Berdan's, First Regiment United States Sharpshooters, New York State Volunteers, their uniforms were green.
Richard Callard
4. "sanguinary" - A polite cussword, (bloody) used in the British sense of the word.
Richard Callard
5. shed - barn. Probably the only large building capable of housing the large number of men.
Richard Callard
6. Private James Booth became ill with Typhoid Fever while at Camp Church, Lockport, Niagara Co., NY and died there 7 October 1862.
Tom Taber
7. They remained at Camp Church until 23 October 1862.
Tom Taber
8. They were in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., New York, on the 24 October 1862.
Tom Taber
9. mettled - spirited. Many of the army mounts (horses) were not broken and it was up to the riders to break them.
Richard Callard
10. Baltimore, (Maryland) - Was a railroad hub that had two stations. One on the north of the city and it would required passing through the city to get to the other station.
Maryland was a divided state, the most influential newspaper, "The Baltimore Sun was pro Southern. There were many southern sympathizers in Baltimore and early during the war there were Pro-Confederate riots.
Richard Callard
11. Camp Barry was one and a half miles east of the Capitol buildings.
Tom Taber
Camp Berry was the Light Artillery Camp, named for Brigadier General W.F. Barry, the
Chief of Artillery in the department of Washington. A number of volunteer batteries were
camped and outfitted there before being sent to the field. The camp was part of the military
district and defenses of Washington.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
12. Bunyan's Pilgrim - Main character in John Bunyan's book "Pilgrim's Progress."
Richard Callard
13. John Minard - This could be an Army or Artillery slang
Any knowledge backed by an authority appreciated.
14. planted sods - firing solid shot, which would turn up divots as the sod by a plow.
Anna Howland
15. threshed - firing of canister. The Canister was a shell made with about 96 iron balls held together by a tin cover. If you fired canister at a field of grass or crops, it would carve out a significant swath in the plants.
The effect further amplified by the fact that gunners trained to aim low, thus 'bouncing the canister off the ground in front of a target, so that more of the rounds would be concentrated in the killing zone. (Think of the field of fire of canister as a large cone. A horizontal band across the middle of that cone is the killing zone. By aiming low, you can flatten that cone pattern into a more deadly swath concentrated in that middle band.)
16. stood to horse - The order for a cavalryman or artillery driver to go to stand at attention by their horse or horses.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
18. The 17th arrived at Miner's Hill near the end of January 1863.
Tom Taber
Miner's Hill - Miner's (or Minor's) Hill was part of the defenses of Washington, located two
miles northeast of Falls Church, Virginia.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
19. solid shot - a solid cannon ball, 3.57" diameter, 6lb. 5oz. or 4.5" diameter, 12 lb. 5 oz. These would be the solid shot used by the 17th New York Battery. They also used other type of projectiles. The round shot was aimed in front of the attacking troops so that it would skip along the ground, causing a number of casualties. (something like skimming a stone across water).
Richard Callard
20. stood picket - A picket was the term for a guard or lookout. The most unpopular duty in the Civil War, Soldier on picket duty, would be the first to fall upon enemy advance.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
21. drank Croton Oil - Croton Oil was an acrid, yellow oil obtained from the crushed and cooked seeds of an Asiatic croton (Croton tiglium) and sold as an elixir. It had a cathartic effect and tended to act as a rapid laxative.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
22. rescued a Sutler's goods from devouring flames - Civilian businessmen, were appointed by the Army to be camp vendors. They often inflated prices and extended credit making each wealthy. Sometimes soldiers would raid their tents and clean them out for such practices.
R. L. Curry, Jackson, Tennessee
23. saw Moseby - John S. Mosby. Confederate Colonel Mosby was known as "The Gray Ghost." Mosby led his Partisan Rangers in guerilla warfare operations that continually confounded Union commanders in the Piedmont region of Virginia.
Richard Callard
24. borned "our dog." - The soldier in the company who was usually assigned to the dirty jobs, extra guard duties, etc.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
25. Posted at Fairfax Seminary late April 1863.
Tom Taber
Fairfax Seminary was a school located at Fairfax Court House, Virginia.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
26. "responsible" man - Officer or person in charge of the fellow Prisoners Of War.
Richard Callard
The term "responsible" refer to any one trusted to handle the job at hand. Also, a soldier
who was either very devout, always did his duty, and /or sent his pay home to his family.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
27. Posted at Centreville around mid July 1863.
Tom Taber
Centreville, Virginia is located on the Manassas Pike between Fairfax Court House and
Manassas, Virginia.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
28. Shooting matches - cannon fire between opposing artillery, that were within range of each other and the winner would be the artillery unit, which were the better shots or had heaver artillery.
Richard Callard
Also, a term for live-fire practice and competitions.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
29. raffled - Held raffles to raise money for the company fund. The company fund was used to get better food and other necessary items.
Richard Callard
30. got in the habit of "taking all you got," - Scavenging, a soldier's term for foraging and for being cleaned out in a card game or other game of chance.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
31. "the Shelby boys were a leetle ahead," - Soldiers who hailed from the town of Shelby, Orleans County, New York, serving in another unit.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
Soldiers from Shelby served in both the Infantry: 90th Regiment, Company I and in the Cavalry: 2nd Mounted Rifles, Company L.
Richard Callard
32. "take the offensive" - Ready to move to another location and engage the enemy.
Richard Callard
33. "lively" - Able to move quickly, this was very important as a Light Artillery unit could be called to move to another part of the battlefield to support other units at anytime.
Richard Callard
34. Posted at Fairfax Court House beginning mid October 1863.
Tom Taber
It was the practice to call the town that was the county seat by the County name and add
Court House. Therefore, "Fairfax Court House" was the official name of the town.
Richard Callard
35. "searched the records" - The Court House records had been ransacked; some soldiers sent home papers signed by George Washington.
Tom Taber
36. "knapsack drill" - Inspection of a soldier's equipment. The knapsack was set at the soldier's feet with everything laid out to be certain that government property was being cared for and that no contraband was being carried.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
Canvas container strapped to a soldiers back, carrying personal belongings. Knapsack, aka, Patent Bureau, Beehive.
National Park Service
37. "skou skou" baked beans - As with many other foods, baked beans of the 1860's were not as sweet as they are today. Civil War soldiers on both sides had baked beans for breakfast when the opportunity arose. They were cooked over or in the campfire all night. It was not often, except during winter, that an army unit could plan to be in the same camp long enough to cook beans fresh during the day, nor would they have been likely to have the saleratus (baking soda) to soften the beans while on the march.
1860's Foods -Union & Confederate, North Collins Historical Society
38. "Muggins" - a game played with dominos.
Tom Taber
39. "the way they do in the army" - An old soldier's gripe that there was only one way to do things in the army, and that was by the book whether it made sense or not.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
40. Most of the surviving photos of members of the 17th were taken by "Wm. Conly, Photographer, Fairfax C. H. Va."
Tom Taber
41. We "escorted to Chantilly" via the "Corduroy." Chantilly is a small town in northern Virginia about 10 miles north of Manassas. The battery marched to Chantilly with a cavalry or infantry escort over a road where logs or split rails were laid across the road to keep loaded wagons from sinking into the mud. This was a called a "corduroy road", a common practice employed by Union engineers to make for solid transportation for wagons and artillery on the poor Virginia roads.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
42. "recruits" - replacements. Raw recruits were known as "fresh fish".
Richard Callard
43. Posted at Fort Lyon at the end of May 1864.
Tom Taber
Fort Lyon was located in Virginia approximately one mile southwest of Alexandria, covering
the Telegraph Road. It was flanked by Fort Weed on the south and Fort Farnsworth on the
southeast side.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
44. "There we did not sing" - they did not fire the guns while at the fort.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
45. "Meridian" - The name of a plantation near Camp Berry.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
46. haversack - small canvas sack used by soldiers to carry their foodstuff. aka, Bread Bag.
National Park Service
47. On board the steamship "Winonah" early July 1864.
Tom Taber
49. "rations" - By definition, a ration is the amount of food authorized for one soldier (or animal) for one day. According to army regulations for camp rations, a Union soldier was entitled to receive daily 12 oz of pork or bacon or 1 lb. 4 oz of fresh or salt beef; 1 lb. 6 oz of soft bread or flour, 1 lb. of hard bread, or 1 lb. 4 oz of cornmeal. Per every 100 rations there was issued 1 peck of beans or peas; 10 lb. of rice or hominy; 10 lb. of green coffee, 8 lb. of roasted and ground coffee, or 1 lb. 8 oz of tea; 15 lb. Of sugar; 1 lb. 4 oz of candles, 4 lb. of soap; 1 qt of molasses. In addition to or as substitutes for other items, desiccated vegetables, dried fruit, pickles, or pickled cabbage might be issued.
The marching ration consisted of 1 lb. of hard bread, 3/4 lb. of salt pork or 1 ¼ lb. of fresh meat, plus the sugar, coffee, and salt. The ration lacked variety but in general the complaints about starvation by the older soldiers was largely exaggerated.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
60. Fort Burnham - Located on the north side of the James River northeast of Chaffin's Bluff, this fort was part of the siege lines overlooking Confederate positions at Chaffin's Buff and Drewry's Bluff on the south side of the James.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
Could not eat that Codfish tail.
Hear the call "Fall for detail"
How it swells upon the air.
O yes! We'll rally to the stable
And we'll rive the shingles there.
Tom Taber
62. "five and a few" - Most of the men had been mustered into the 17th Battery in August 1862, their three-year enlistment would be up in August. Five months and a few days after the Essay was presented.
Tom Taber
Soldier's slang that could mean several things, but usually meant a cheat at cards. Poker was the most common card game and five cards were drawn per player - a few meant that someone had extra cards or someway to cheat the others in the game. Here it may have meant they had cheated death.
John Heiser, Historian, Gettysburg NMP
17th New York Independent Volunteer Battery, Light Artillery
Organized at Lockport, N. Y., and mustered in August 26, 1862.
Left New York State for Washington, D. C., 23 October 1862.
Attached to Military District of Washington to October 1862.
Abercrombie's Division, Defenses of Washington, to February 1863.
Abercrombie's Division, 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington, to April 1863.
Camp Barry, 22nd Army Corps, to July 1863.
Artillery, King's Division, 22nd Army Corps, to March 1864.
Camp Barry, 22nd Army Corps, to May 1864.
2nd Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, to July 1864.
Artillery Brigade, 18th Army Corps, Army of the James, to December 1864.
Artillery Brigade, 24th Army Corps, to June 1865.
SERVICE
Duty at Artillery Camp of Instruction and in the Defenses of Washington, D. C., September, 1862, to July, 1864.
Ordered to join Army of the James in the field at Petersburg, Va. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond 06 July 1864, to 02 April 1865.
Battle of Chaffin's Farm / New Market Heights, 28-30 September 1864.
Duty on north side of the James River before Richmond till March 1865.
Appomattox Campaign 28 March - 09 April.
Fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.
Rice's Station April 6.
Appomattox Court House April 9, Surrender of Lee and his army.
Duty in the Dept. of Virginia till June.
Mustered out June 12, 1865.
Battery lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 16 Enlisted men by disease. Total 17.
MAJOR BATTLES
Chaffin's Farm/New Market Heights (29-30 September 1864) - aka, Combats at New Market Heights, Forts Harrison, Johnson, and Gilmer; Laurel Hill. Located in Henrico County, Virginia. Part of the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler [Union]
Gen. Robert E. Lee and Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell [Confederate]
During the night of 29-30 September, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler's Army of the James crossed James River to assault the Richmond defenses north of the river. The columns attacked at dawn. After initial Union successes at New Market Heights and Fort Harrison, the Confederates rallied and contained the breakthrough. Lee reinforced his lines north of the James and, on September 30, he counterattacked unsuccessfully. The Federals entrenched, and the Confederates erected a new line of works cutting off the captured forts. Union general Burnham was killed. As Grant anticipated, Lee shifted troops to meet the threat against Richmond, weakening his lines at Petersburg.
Estimated Casualties: 4,430 total
Fall of Petersburg (02 April 1865) Location of battle - City of Petersburg, Virginia. Part of the Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [Union]
Gen. Robert E. Lee [Confederate]
With Confederate defeat at Five Forks on 01 April, Grant and Meade ordered a general assault against the Petersburg lines by II, IX, VI and XXIV Corps on 02 April. A heroic defense of Fort Gregg by a handful of Confederates prevented the Federals from entering the city that night. Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill was killed trying to reach his troops in the confusion. After dark, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Grant had achieved one of the major military objectives of the war: the capture of Petersburg, which led to the fall of Richmond, the Capitol of the Confederacy.
Estimated Casualties: 7,750 total (Union 3,500; Confederate 4,250)
Appomattox Court House (09 April 1865). Location of battle - Appomattox County, Virginia.
Part of the Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [Union]
Gen. Robert E. Lee [Confederate]
Early on 09 April, the remnants of John Broun Gordon's corps and Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry formed line of battle at Appomattox Court House. Gen. Robert E. Lee determined to make one last attempt to escape the closing Union pincers and reach his supplies at Lynchburg. At dawn the Confederates advanced, initially gaining ground against Sheridan's cavalry. The arrival of Union infantry, however, stopped the advance in its tracks. Lee's army was now surrounded on three sides. Lee surrendered to Grant on 09 April. This was the final engagement of the war in Virginia.
Estimated Casualties: 700 total (27,805 Confederate soldiers paroled)
National Park Service
Thank you, ROGER BUSCH, great great grandson of Harlan Page HURD, for having the original "HURD ESSAY" and allowing the Orleans County GenWeb Site to publish it.
Thanks all those persons who by contributing their knowledge have added to the understanding of the "HURD ESSAY."
R. L. CURRY, Jackson, TN.
Anna HOWLAND, Orange County, California
National Park Service
North Collins Historical Society, 1860's Foods -Union & Confederate,
Petersburg National Battlefield
Tom TABER
http://pages.prodigy.net/richsim/
Armaments of the 17th New York Battery, Light Artillery,
http://www.civilwarartillery.com
NOTE; Not all Histories are in the Library of Congress, some are in books covering the County history.
Listed: INFANTRY; 21ST, 27TH, 28th, 104th, 154th, 164th.
CAVALRY; 6th, 8th.
ARTILLERY: 8th.
NOTE; be sure to go to "Organization & Drill"
http://www.cwartillery.org/adrill.html
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park