Saturday, December 13, 1862
Nathaniel Caverly Jr. was engaged in the night assault of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment and survived the hellish encounter without injury. He undoubtedly was grateful to God that he was spared this day.1
References:
1Compiled service record, Nathaniel Caverly, Pvt., Co. F, 13th New Hampshire Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Battle of Fredericksburg - Day 3
Saturday, December 13, 1862
General Ambrose Burnside ordered General William Franklin's Left Grand Division to strike Confederate Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson south of Fredericksburg, and ordered General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division and General Joseph Hooker's Center Grand Division to assault Confederate General James Longstreet at Marye's Heights.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire was held in reserve along the banks of the Rappahannock River, about a mile away from the combat at Marye's Heights. All day long they could hear the thunderous pounding of artillery and gunfire and were aware that a fierce battle was raging. At 4:00 P.M., a report arose among the men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire that they were next in line for battle. As nighttime was about to fall, many of the men dismissed the report as an idle rumor. Thirty minutes later, the order resounded through their ranks: "Attention! Take Arms, Right Face, March!"
As darkness fell the Thirteenth New Hampshire approached the long, open field in front of Marye's Heights and witnessed the results of the day's terrible battle, a field strewn with the bodies of the dead and wounded. The Thirteenth formed a line of battle near the embankment of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, approximately four-hundred yards southwest of the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights. Major Edward Jardine, commander of the Ninth New York regiment, assisted Colonel Aaron Stevens, the commander of the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment, in leading the charge. Major Jardine, in a clear, strong voice, gave the order to attack: "Thirteenth New Hampshire, you love your country, you are brave men, and you came out here to fight for her – now, go in! Forward!"
The Thirteenth New Hampshire charged in the darkness toward an unseen enemy. Suddenly the flashing of gunfire from the Confederate stronghold at the stone wall illuminated their position. They were within twenty-five yards of the enemy line, so close that they could smell the acrid smoke of the rifles firing upon them and see the strained expressions on the faces of the Confederate soldiers. As the Thirteenth New Hampshire returned fire their position was revealed to the enemy, placing them in extreme peril. They were forced to retreat to avoid the annihilation of their ranks. The Thirteenth New Hampshire reformed their line at the railroad embankment and retreated to their camp along the Rappahannock River.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 45-62.
General Ambrose Burnside ordered General William Franklin's Left Grand Division to strike Confederate Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson south of Fredericksburg, and ordered General Edwin "Bull" Sumner's Right Grand Division and General Joseph Hooker's Center Grand Division to assault Confederate General James Longstreet at Marye's Heights.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire was held in reserve along the banks of the Rappahannock River, about a mile away from the combat at Marye's Heights. All day long they could hear the thunderous pounding of artillery and gunfire and were aware that a fierce battle was raging. At 4:00 P.M., a report arose among the men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire that they were next in line for battle. As nighttime was about to fall, many of the men dismissed the report as an idle rumor. Thirty minutes later, the order resounded through their ranks: "Attention! Take Arms, Right Face, March!"
As darkness fell the Thirteenth New Hampshire approached the long, open field in front of Marye's Heights and witnessed the results of the day's terrible battle, a field strewn with the bodies of the dead and wounded. The Thirteenth formed a line of battle near the embankment of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, approximately four-hundred yards southwest of the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights. Major Edward Jardine, commander of the Ninth New York regiment, assisted Colonel Aaron Stevens, the commander of the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment, in leading the charge. Major Jardine, in a clear, strong voice, gave the order to attack: "Thirteenth New Hampshire, you love your country, you are brave men, and you came out here to fight for her – now, go in! Forward!"
The Thirteenth New Hampshire charged in the darkness toward an unseen enemy. Suddenly the flashing of gunfire from the Confederate stronghold at the stone wall illuminated their position. They were within twenty-five yards of the enemy line, so close that they could smell the acrid smoke of the rifles firing upon them and see the strained expressions on the faces of the Confederate soldiers. As the Thirteenth New Hampshire returned fire their position was revealed to the enemy, placing them in extreme peril. They were forced to retreat to avoid the annihilation of their ranks. The Thirteenth New Hampshire reformed their line at the railroad embankment and retreated to their camp along the Rappahannock River.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 45-62.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Battle of Fredericksburg - Day 2
Friday, December 12, 1862
The Thirteenth New Hampshire bivouacked at Caroline Street during the day and evening, witnessing the destruction of the city from the Union artillery the previous day. The Union Army remained in a vulnerable position, as the men deployed along the streets of Fredericksburg with their backs to the Rappahannock River. During the day Confederate artillery sent barrages of solid shot and railroad rails into the Union line, creating additional damage to the shattered buildings. The Confederate artillery did not utilize shells as ammunition to spare the city further damage by fire.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 41-42.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire bivouacked at Caroline Street during the day and evening, witnessing the destruction of the city from the Union artillery the previous day. The Union Army remained in a vulnerable position, as the men deployed along the streets of Fredericksburg with their backs to the Rappahannock River. During the day Confederate artillery sent barrages of solid shot and railroad rails into the Union line, creating additional damage to the shattered buildings. The Confederate artillery did not utilize shells as ammunition to spare the city further damage by fire.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 41-42.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Battle of Fredericksburg - Day 1
Thursday, December 11, 1862
At 8:30 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire formed a line of battle near the Phillips House, the headquarters of General Edwin Sumner of the Right Grand Division. From this location the Thirteenth New Hampshire witnessed the crossing of the Rappahannock River by the Seventh Michigan and the Twentieth Massachusetts regiments under heavy fire at the Upper Pontoon Crossing. Confederate sharpshooters fired volleys into the advancing Union troops as they crossed. In order to assist the crossing General Ambrose Burnside ordered the artillery to launch barrages on the town. After a long day of hand-to-hand street fighting the roads of Fredericksburg were cleared for the Union advance and the town was under the control of the Federal troops.
At 5:00 P.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire moved at the double-quick as darkness fell along the Falmouth side of the river for a distance of approximately a mile and one-half and crossed the Rappahannock River at the Middle Pontoon Crossing. Around 9:00 P.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire stacks arms and bivouacs on the west side of Caroline Street. Colonel Rush Hawkins First Brigade, of which the Thirteenth New Hampshire is a part, holds the lower part of Fredericksburg for the evening.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 36-39.
At 8:30 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire formed a line of battle near the Phillips House, the headquarters of General Edwin Sumner of the Right Grand Division. From this location the Thirteenth New Hampshire witnessed the crossing of the Rappahannock River by the Seventh Michigan and the Twentieth Massachusetts regiments under heavy fire at the Upper Pontoon Crossing. Confederate sharpshooters fired volleys into the advancing Union troops as they crossed. In order to assist the crossing General Ambrose Burnside ordered the artillery to launch barrages on the town. After a long day of hand-to-hand street fighting the roads of Fredericksburg were cleared for the Union advance and the town was under the control of the Federal troops.
At 5:00 P.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire moved at the double-quick as darkness fell along the Falmouth side of the river for a distance of approximately a mile and one-half and crossed the Rappahannock River at the Middle Pontoon Crossing. Around 9:00 P.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire stacks arms and bivouacs on the west side of Caroline Street. Colonel Rush Hawkins First Brigade, of which the Thirteenth New Hampshire is a part, holds the lower part of Fredericksburg for the evening.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 36-39.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Arrival at Falmouth and Preparation for Battle
Wednesday, December 10, 1862
The Thirteenth New Hampshire resumed their march and at noon arrived at the Phillips House, the headquarters of General Edwin "Bull" Sumner, in Falmouth. The Thirteenth New Hampshire officially joined the Army of the Potomac, assigned to Colonel Rush Hawkins' First Brigade in General George Getty's Third Division of the Ninth Army Corps of General Sumner's Right Grand Division. The afternoon is spent in preparation for battle in the morning. As a consequence of preparation the Thirteenth New Hampshire is supplied with three-days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 32-34.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire resumed their march and at noon arrived at the Phillips House, the headquarters of General Edwin "Bull" Sumner, in Falmouth. The Thirteenth New Hampshire officially joined the Army of the Potomac, assigned to Colonel Rush Hawkins' First Brigade in General George Getty's Third Division of the Ninth Army Corps of General Sumner's Right Grand Division. The afternoon is spent in preparation for battle in the morning. As a consequence of preparation the Thirteenth New Hampshire is supplied with three-days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 32-34.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Resuming their March to Fredericksburg
Tuesday, December 9, 1862
After a delay of two cold, frosty days huddled around campfires at Acquia Landing, the Thirteenth New Hampshire resumed their march to Fredericksburg at 2:00 P.M., advancing six miles and camping at Brooks Station for the evening.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 32-34.
After a delay of two cold, frosty days huddled around campfires at Acquia Landing, the Thirteenth New Hampshire resumed their march to Fredericksburg at 2:00 P.M., advancing six miles and camping at Brooks Station for the evening.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 32-34.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Ferry to Acquia Landing
Saturday, December 6, 1862
The Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment arose this cold and clear morning to find six inches of snow on the ground. They resumed their march at 10:00 A.M. and arrived at Liverpool Point by 11:30 A.M. to await ferry boats for passage across the Potomac River. They waited several hours in the cold before boarding the ferry at 6:00 P.M.. The Thirteenth New Hampshire arrived on the Virginia side of the Potomac at Acquia Landing at 8:30 P.M. and bivouacked for the evening in extremely cold weather. The temperature was so cold that the water in their canteens froze. Many of the men went hungry before retiring for the evening. Years later veterans of the Thirteenth New Hampshire declared that this bivouac was the toughest of the entire war.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 31-32.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment arose this cold and clear morning to find six inches of snow on the ground. They resumed their march at 10:00 A.M. and arrived at Liverpool Point by 11:30 A.M. to await ferry boats for passage across the Potomac River. They waited several hours in the cold before boarding the ferry at 6:00 P.M.. The Thirteenth New Hampshire arrived on the Virginia side of the Potomac at Acquia Landing at 8:30 P.M. and bivouacked for the evening in extremely cold weather. The temperature was so cold that the water in their canteens froze. Many of the men went hungry before retiring for the evening. Years later veterans of the Thirteenth New Hampshire declared that this bivouac was the toughest of the entire war.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 31-32.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
On the Road to Fredericksburg
Friday, December 5, 1862
The Thirteenth New Hampshire marched at 8:30 A.M. in a steady rain which turned to heavy snow by early afternoon. Weather conditions forced the advancing troops to make evening camp near Liverpool Point at 2:00 P.M. The shelter tents afforded insufficient protection from the storm, and many of the men sought shelter in nearby farmhouses and barns.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 29-31.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire marched at 8:30 A.M. in a steady rain which turned to heavy snow by early afternoon. Weather conditions forced the advancing troops to make evening camp near Liverpool Point at 2:00 P.M. The shelter tents afforded insufficient protection from the storm, and many of the men sought shelter in nearby farmhouses and barns.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 29-31.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
On the Road to Fredericksburg
Thursday, December 4, 1862
The Thirteenth New Hampshire commenced to march at 9:30 A.M. and advanced twelve miles for the day, making evening camp by 5:30 P.M. at Cedar Hill, six miles west of Port Tobacco.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company ,1888), 28-29.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire commenced to march at 9:30 A.M. and advanced twelve miles for the day, making evening camp by 5:30 P.M. at Cedar Hill, six miles west of Port Tobacco.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company ,1888), 28-29.
Monday, December 3, 2012
On the Road to Fredericksburg
Wednesday, December 3, 1862
At 10:00 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire began their daily march. Passing through Piscataway they made evening camp six miles north of Port Tobacco by 5:00 P.M.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 28.
At 10:00 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire began their daily march. Passing through Piscataway they made evening camp six miles north of Port Tobacco by 5:00 P.M.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 28.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
On the Road to Fredericksburg
Tuesday, December 2, 1862
At 8:00 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire resumed their march southward. At 6:00 P.M. they bivouacked near Piscataway, again covering fifteen miles for the day.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 28.
At 8:00 A.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire resumed their march southward. At 6:00 P.M. they bivouacked near Piscataway, again covering fifteen miles for the day.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 28.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Farewell to Camp Casey
Monday, December 1, 1862
Along with the First Brigade, the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment broke camp at noon and formed in line. At 2:00 P.M. they marched over the Long Bridge into Washington D.C. and crossed the Potomac River into Maryland. They made camp at Unionville by 7:00 P.M., covering fifteen miles for the day.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 27.
Along with the First Brigade, the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment broke camp at noon and formed in line. At 2:00 P.M. they marched over the Long Bridge into Washington D.C. and crossed the Potomac River into Maryland. They made camp at Unionville by 7:00 P.M., covering fifteen miles for the day.1
References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 27.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)