The Long Arm of Lee: The History of the Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia, Volume 2: : Chancellorsville to Appomattox [Illustrated Edition]

 This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – [email protected]

Or on Facebook

Text originally published in 1915 under the same title.

© Pickle Partners Publishing 2014, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

THE LONG ARM OF LEE

OR

THE HISTORY OF THE ARTILLERY OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

With a Brief Account of the Confederate Bureau of Ordnance

BY

JENNINGS CROPPER WISE

ILLUSTRATED

TWO VOLUMES

VOLUME II

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

ILLUSTRATIONS — VOLUME II 10

CHAPTER XXVI  — CHANCELLORSVILLE—SUNDAY, MAY 3D 11

CHAPTER XXVII — CHANCELLORSVILLE, CONTINUED-FREDERICKSBURG AND SALEM CHURCH-MAY 3D 17

CHAPTER XXVIII — CHANCELLORSVILLE-MAY 4 26

CHAPTER XXIX — PREPARATION FOR THE SECOND MARYLAND INVASION-DEATH OF JACKSON-BRANDY STATION 41

CHAPTER XXX — FROM FREDERICKSBURG TO GETTYSBURG 67

CHAPTER XXXI — GETTYSBURG—JULY 1 78

CHAPTER XXXII — GETTYSBURG—JULY 2D 89

CHAPTER XXXIII — GETTYSBURG—JULY 3D 102

CHAPTER XXXIV — GETTYSBURG—THE RETREAT 123

CHAPTER XXXV — REORGANIZATION AFTER GETTYSBURG—THE WINTER OF 1863-64 130

CHAPTER XXXVI — THE ARTILLERY COMMANDERS OF THE ARMY COMPARED 153

CHAPTER XXXVII — THE WILDERNESS 164

CHAPTER XXXVIII — SPOTSYLVANIA 173

CHAPTER XXXIX — THE NORTH ANNA 188

CHAPTER XL — COLD HARBOR 196

CHAPTER XLI — COLD HARBOR TO PETERSBURG 209

CHAPTER XLII — PETERSBURG-THE SIEGE COMMENCES 214

CHAPTER XLIII — THE TRENCHES IN JULY 217

CHAPTER XLIV — THE CRATER 224

CHAPTER XLV — THE SECOND CORPS IN THE VALLEY 236

CHAPTER XLVI — PETERSBURG—THE WINTER OF 1864 247

CHAPTER XLVII — THE BEGINNING OF THE END—1865 262

CHAPTER XLVIII — LE DEBACLE 268

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 289

PORTRAITS 290

MAPS 297

Battle of Brandy Station – 8th June 1863 297

Siege of Vicksburg – 25th May to 4th July 1863 298

Siege of Vicksburg – 19th May 1863 - Assaults 299

Siege of Vicksburg – 22nd May 1863 - Assaults 300

Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 301

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 Overview 302

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 7 A.M. 303

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10 A.M. 304

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10.45 A.M. 305

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 11 A.M. 306

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 12.30 P.M. 307

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 2 P.M. 308

Gettysburg – 2nd to 4th July 1863 309

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Lee’s Plan 310

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Overview 311

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetary Ridge A.M. 312

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Initial Defence 313

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Evening attacks 314

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Hood’s Assaults 315

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard Initial Assaults 316

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard and Cemetary Ridge 317

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Initial Assaults 318

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Second Phase 319

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetery Hill Evening 320

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (1) 321

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (2) 322

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Overview 323

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge 324

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge Detail 325

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Johnson’s Third Attack 326

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Opening Positions 327

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – First Phase 328

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Second Phase 329

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 South Cavalry Field 330

Battle of Gettysburg – Battlefield Overview 331

Fight at Monterey Pass – 4th to 5th July 1863 332

Chickamauga – 19th & 20th September 1863 333

Chickamauga Campaign – Davis’s Crossroads – 11th September 1863 334

Chickamauga Campaign – 18th September 1863 After Dark 335

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Morning 336

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 337

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 338

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. 339

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 11 A.M. to Mid-Afternoon 340

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Mid-Afternoon to Dark 341

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Brigade Details 342

Chattanooga – 23rd to 25th November 1863 343

Chattanooga Campaign – 24th & 25th November 1863 344

Chattanooga Campaign – Federal Supply Lines and Wheeler’s Raid 345

Battle of Missionary Ridge – 25th November 1863 346

Mine Run – 26th to 30th November 1863 347

IV – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1864 348

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 29th to 31st March 1864 348

Wilderness – 5th & 6th May 1864 349

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 – Positions 7 A.M. 350

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 - Actions 351

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 5 A.M. 352

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 6 A.M. 353

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 11 A.M. 354

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 2 P.M. 355

Spotsylvania – 8th to 21st May 1864 356

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 7th & 8th May 1864 - Movements 357

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 8th May 1864 - Actions 358

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 9th May 1864 - Actions 359

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 10th May 1864 - Actions 360

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 12th May 1864 - Actions 361

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 13th May 1864 - Actions 362

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 17th May 1864 - Actions 363

North Anna – 23rd to 26th May 1864 364

Battle of North Anna – 23rd May 1864 365

Battle of North Anna – 24th May 1864 366

Battle of North Anna – 25th May 1864 367

Battle of Haw’s Shop – 28th May 1864 368

Battle of Bethseda Church (1) – 30th May 1864 369

Battle of Bethseda Church (2) – 30th May 1864 370

Cold Harbor – 31st May to 12th June 1864 371

Battle of Cold Harbor – 1st June 1864 372

Battle of Cold Harbor – 3rd June 1864 373

Pickett’s Mills and New Hope Church – 25th to 27th May 1864 374

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain – 27th June 1864 375

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 15th to 18th June 1864 376

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 21st to 22nd June 1864 377

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 30th July 1864 378

Wilson-Kautz Raid – 22nd June to 1st July 1864 379

First Battle of Deep Bottom – 27th to 29th July 1864 380

Second Battle of Deep Bottom – 14th to 20th August 1864 381

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 18th to 19th August 1864 382

Opequon, or Winchester, Va. – 19th September 1864 383

Fisher’s Hill – 22nd September 1864 384

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 27th October 1864 385

Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 386

Battle of Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 5-9 A.M. Confederate Attacks 387

Battle of Spring Hill – 29th November 1864 – Afternoon 388

Battle of Spring Hill – 29th November 1864 – Evening 389

Battle of Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 4-5 P.M. Union Counterattack 390

Franklin – 30th November 1864 391

Battle of Franklin – Hood’s Approach 30th November 1864 392

Battle of Franklin – 30th November 1864 Actions after 4.30 P.M. 393

Nashville – 15th & 16th December 1864 394

V – OVERVIEWS 395

Map of the States that Succeeded – 1860-1861 395

Knoxville Campaign - 1863 396

Tullahoma Campaign – 24th June – 3rd July 1863 397

Gettysburg Campaign – Retreat 5th to 14th July 1863 398

Rosecrans’ Manoeuvre – 20th August to 17th September 1963 399

Bristoe Campaign – 9th October to 9th November 1863 400

Mine Run Campaign – 27th November 1863 – 2nd December 1863 401

Grant’s Overland Campaign – Wilderness to North Anna - 1864 402

Grant’s Overland Campaign – May to June 1864 403

Overland Campaign – 4th  May 1864 404

Overland Campaign – 27th to 29th May 1864 405

Overland Campaign –29th to 30th May 1864 406

Overland Campaign – 1st June 1864 – Afternoon 407

Sheridan’s Richmond Raid – 9th to 14th May 1864 408

Sheridan’s Trevilian Station Raid – 7th to 10th June 1864 409

Sheridan’s Trevilian Station Raid – 7th to 10th June 1864 410

Battle of Trevilian Station Raid – 11th June 1864 411

Battle of Trevilian Station Raid – 12th June 1864 412

Shenandoah Valley Campaign – May to July 1864 413

Operations about Marietta – 14th to 28th June 1864 414

Atlanta Campaign – 7th May to 2nd July 1864 415

Operations about Atlanta – 17th July to 2nd September 1864 416

Richmond-Petersburg Campaign – Position Fall 1864 417

Shenandoah Valley Campaign – 20th August – October 1864 418

Sherman’s March to the Sea 419

Franklin-Nashville Campaign – 21st to 28th November 1864 420

Operations about Petersburg – June 1864 to April 1865 421

Carolinas Campaign – February to April 1865 422

Appomattox Campaign - 1865 423

ILLUSTRATIONS — VOLUME II

SHEPPARD’S VIRGINIA 1864

MAJOR JOHN PELHAM, CHIEF HORSE ARTILLERY

COLONEL ROBERT FRANKLIN BECKHAM, CHIEF HORSE ARTILLERY

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ROBERT PRESTON CHEW, CHIEF HORSE ARTILLERY

MAJOR JAMES BREATHED

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ROBERT ARCHELAUS HARDAWAY

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM THOMAS POAGUE

MAJOR JAMES WALTON THOMSON

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DAVID GREGG MCINTOSH

MAJOR JOSEPH WHITE LATIMER

COLONEL WILFRED EMMET CUTSHAW

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN CHEVES HASKELL

MAJOR DAVID WATSON

CHAPTER XXVI  — CHANCELLORSVILLE—SUNDAY, MAY 3D

WHEN Stuart arrived and took command, he was entirely ignorant of the situation except as to its general features. Rodes’ plan to wait for the morning was approved by him and all activity was postponed until dawn. Stuart then set about making a personal and general reconnaissance and directed Col. Alexander, in his capacity as Chief of Artillery, to examine the ground for artillery positions.

A careful reconnaissance extending throughout the night convinced Alexander that a frontal attack through the dense woods against the enemy’s works and artillery position would prove most costly to the Confederates, even if successful. The Federal infantry in the far edge of the forest not only lay behind exceptionally strong breastworks, with the approaches well protected by abattis, but a powerful artillery was massed behind individual epaulments on the crest of the hill behind and within easy canister range of the woods, through which an attack would have to be made. He soon found that there were but two possible outlets by means of which the Confederate artillery could be brought to the front. The first was the direct route of the Plank Road debouching from the forest beyond the schoolhouse and the junction of that road with the Bullock Road at a point not over 400 yards from the position of the hostile guns, part of which enfiladed the roadway for a long distance towards the woods. In advance of their main artillery position, the enemy had placed three pieces of Dimick’s Battery behind an earthwork across the road and abreast of the infantry line. Even a casual examination of this route was sufficient to convince Alexander of its impracticability for the advance of artillery, which could only move up the narrow road in column of pieces and would, therefore, be destroyed piecemeal before it could be thrown into action. The utmost dash and gallantry of the gunners would simply be sacrificed in such circumstances.

The second outlet was a vista, some 200 yards long, a lane cleared on both sides to a width of 25 yards, which ran parallel to the Plank Road about 400 yards to the south. This vista terminated at its eastern end in the narrow dirt road leading from Hazel Grove to the Plank Road and it was in this clearing that Col. Winn’s men had abandoned the two guns and three caissons, which they had captured from the train of the 3d Corps about 6 P. tit., subsequently recovered by Sickles. It was reached from the Plank Road not only by the dirt road running to Hazel Grove 1,000 yards to the south, over which route Pleasonton had dispatched the regiment of cavalry to Howard’s assistance, but by a second road half a mile to the rear of the Confederate infantry line. Pegram had from the first appreciated the value of the opening, and, as we have seen, had posted Chamberlayne with a section in it the evening of the 2d in support of McGowan’s right, from which position Chamberlayne had been able to deliver a more or less random fire through the woods when Sickles’ left collided with McGowan’s right, about midnight.

At dawn, Alexander posted 17 guns as follows: Capt. E. A. Marye, of Walker’s Battalion, with two Napoleons and two rifles in the clearing about the schoolhouse, at which point Pender’s line crossed the Plank Road, and a short distance in rear, and also on the road, Capt. Brunson with his battery of four rifles, of the same battalion. It was necessary for the latter to fire over Marye’s head, for in no other way could the guns be placed. Capt. R. C. M. Page, of Carter’s Battalion, was placed with three Napoleons in the thin woods some 300 yards south of the Plank Road and on the dirt road leading to Hazel Grove, to fire upon the enemy’s infantry lines until ordered elsewhere. Lieut. Chamberlayne of Walker’s Battalion, with two Napoleons, was masked in the pines at the eastern end of the vista to assist the infantry in its advance and then accompany it, while Maj. Pegram, with Davidson’s and McGraw’s batteries of Walker’s Battalion, took position at the western end of the vista. Placing four Napoleons on a small cleared knoll 400 yards to his rear to fire over the trees at the enemy’s smoke, he held his entire command well in hand to advance down the vista and the dirt road towards Hazel Grove, when circumstances should permit the occupation of that position. Alexander’s, Brown’s, Carter’s, Jones’, and McIntosh’s battalions were held in the rear in column along the Plank Road.

Col. Alexander convinced Stuart that the Hazel Grove position, which commanded Fairview Heights, was the key to the Federal line, and Archer’s Brigade which had come up during the night and formed on McGowan’s right, thus occupying the extreme right of the Confederate line, was ordered at daylight to seize the hill, which Sickles had all but abandoned. Archer at once advanced through the woods, driving the handful of Federal skirmishers before him, and charged about 400 yards across the open fields in front of the Hazel Grove position. Pressing up the slope, his men seized the hill and captured the four pieces of artillery. Within 90 minutes after the attack commenced, Hazel Grove was in possession of the Confederates, its wanton desertion by Sickles having destroyed all chance of a successful resistance by Hooker, in the lines then occupied by his troops.

Stuart was now to reap the benefit of Alexander’s judicious disposition of the artillery, for at 5 A. M. the latter ordered Maj. Pegram to move forward and occupy Hazel Grove, and Col. Carter to move as many of his pieces as possible up to the schoolhouse. Pegram, all in readiness, responded, and before 6 A. M. had placed Chamberlayne’s Battery of his own battalion and Page’s of Carter’s Battalion in position on the forward crest of Hazel Grove. The sight that met his eyes was one to fill the soul of an artilleryman with joy. Less than 1,500 yards to the northeast the enemy’s position lay before him, and his own guns almost completely enfiladed those of the enemy in the road and were able to deliver an oblique fire upon the others on Fairview ridge. Meantime, Col. Carter had moved up to Marye’s position at the schoolhouse, with six pieces of his own battalion. Without hesitating a moment, Pegram opened with his eight pieces upon the enemy, joined by Carter’s group of ten on the road, thus at the outset subjecting the enemy’s guns to a cross fire.

But until the Artillery opened fire, Stuart had not recognized the vast importance of Archer’s capture, and while Pegram and Carter were getting into position, a useless sacrifice of Lane’s and Ramseur’s men had been made by furiously hurling them against Berry’s and -Williams’ intrenchments in the woods, from which the Federals were, however, driven back upon their main line just in front of Fairview. After an hour of desperate fighting, Stuart’s whole line was in turn driven out of the works, and Archer himself was forced to fall back to Hazel Grove, where he took up a position in support of Pegram’s guns. It was clear now that extreme efforts would be required to drive the Federals from their strong position, for Hooker had established the 1st, 2d, and 5th corps on his line, threatening to turn the Confederate left where a desperate conflict was raging.

Meanwhile Stuart had seen the value of Pegram’s position, to which Alexander had, meantime, ordered Moody’s and Woolfolk’s batteries and Parker’s section of his own battalion, with ten guns under Maj. Huger, and Brooke’s, Smith’s, and Watson’s batteries of Brown’s Battalion under Capt. Watson, Lusk’s, and Wooding’s batteries of McIntosh’s Battalion under Maj. Poague, and Tanner’s and Carrington’s batteries of Jones’ Battalion, all of which immediately went into action. McIntosh with a rifled section of Thompson’s Louisiana Battery of Jones’ Battalion moved down the road to Brunson’s position, while Maj. Jones with portions of W. P. Carter’s, Reese’s, and Fry’s batteries of Carter’s Battalion, Tanner’s Battery of his own, and a section of Taylor’s Battery of Alexander’s Battalion, twelve pieces in all, moved further to the front and to the left of the schoolhouse group of ten pieces, now under Maj. Braxton. Col. Carter about this time assumed control of his own, Huger’s, and Poague’s batteries at Hazel Grove and Col. Walker of Brown’s, Pegram’s, and Jones’ batteries at that same point.

Alexander states that perhaps 50 guns were engaged at Hazel Grove, though not over 40 at any one time, as the batteries had to be relieved from time to time to replenish their ammunition. The fire which Pegram, then Walker and Carter, conducted from this point was perhaps for an hour the most continuous and rapid ever delivered by the Confederate Artillery. Every caisson had to be well filled during the night, yet many of them were emptied within the hour, some of the better-served pieces, those under Pegram, firing as rapidly as three rounds a minute, which was an exceptionally rapid rate for the time.

As an artillery position, Hazel Grove was ideal and Alexander’s battalion commanders made the best of it. Somewhat greater in elevation than Fairview, its busby crest all but obscured the Confederate guns, well drawn back from the view of the enemy, whose shells bursting beyond the narrow ridge, or in the depression in front, were quite harmless. Few reached their difficult target, while the Federal position presented an extensive and easy target to the Confederate guns. It is remarkable how the Federal cannoneers managed to maintain their fire against such odds, yet they did so and although severely punished by Alexander’s artillery, their guns formed the rallying point for Hooker’s troops below them in the woods, and they inflicted terrible losses upon Hill’s attacking infantry. Had the Confederates been provided with good ammunition for their guns, it is doubtful if the Federal Artillery could have made the stand it did. An extraordinarily large percentage of the Confederate shells failed to burst, and many were even more ineffective by reason of premature explosions. With the very best ammunition the error of the fuse, and consequently the area of dispersion, is large, but the mean burst is easily ascertained and ranging becomes fairly simple and accurate. On the other hand, ranging with the Confederate ammunition was extremely difficult. The writer has heard this point discussed by numerous Confederate artillery officers, who declared that ranging with them was ordinarily mere guess work, and that frequently a dozen bursts gave them no knowledge whatever of the true range. Indeed it was most discouraging to the Confederate gunners to fire and fire upon a perfectly visible target under the easiest conditions, and see not a sign of effect from their shells, and this is a fact which must be considered by the artillery student of the war.

Soon Anderson united with Stuart’s right, the former moving his left up to Mine Creek from the furnace, while Hardaway followed with three rifles of Jordan’s Battery. Before moving off, Hardaway left Capt. Dance with one rifle of Jordan’s Battery, one Napoleon, and one howitzer of Hupp’s and two howitzers of Hurt’s, with instructions to follow Mahone’s advance along the Plank Road to the east. Dance at once occupied a fine position on a knoll to the right of the road, and about 900 yards from the enemy’s breastworks.

Proceeding along the ravine, Hardaway encountered Gen. Lee, who had selected a position on a wooded hill, which the Major was directed to prepare for his three guns, and from which he opened an active fire upon the Fairview guns, after the axmen with great labor had cut a roadway thereto.

By 9 A. M. the Federal artillery fire had appreciably slackened, many of the guns having exhausted their ammunition since no provision was made to resupply them in spite of the urgent requests of the officers. Besides, the Federal Artillery had suffered severely from the terrible cross fire, which Carter, Pegram, and McIntosh, now reinforced by Hardaway’s guns, had been directing for nearly two hours upon Fairview.

It was at this juncture that the veteran commander of the Richmond Letcher Battery, Capt. Greenlee Davidson, received his mortal wound at the very moment of victory. In the words of Maj. Pegram, he was one of the most gallant, meritorious, and efficient officers in the service.

About this time Col. Walker assumed the active direction of his battalion, of which Pegram had sent Davidson’s and Chamberlayne’s, together with Page’s of Carter’s Battalion, to the rear to replenish their ammunition. Col. Brown also assumed active control of the artillery of the 2d Corps.

Concerning the Federal artillery position and the effect of the Confederate fire, Capt. Clermont L. Best, 4th United States Artillery, Chief of Artillery, 12th Corps, after explaining how his guns had been in-trenched during the night of May 3d, had the following to say: Our position would not have been forced had the flanks of our line of guns been successfully maintained. An important point, an open field about a mile to our left and front, guarded by a brigade of our troops (not of the 12th Corps) and a battery—was seemingly taken by a small force of the enemy and the battery captured and turned on us with fearful effect, blowing up one of our caissons, killing Capt. Hampton, and enfilading Gen. Geary’s line. It was most unfortunate. My line of guns, however, kept to its work manfully until 9 A. M., when, finding our infantry in front withdrawn, our right and left turned, and the enemy’s musketry so advanced as to pick off our men and horses, I was compelled to withdraw my guns to save them. We were also nearly exhausted of ammunition.

The remarks of Capt. Best are much more conclusive of the service rendered by Alexander and his batteries than anything the Confederate gunners themselves might have said. The effect of Alexander’s fire Gen. Hunt also characterized as fearful.

The Federal line of battle was now along the heights below and a short distance west of Fairview. Sickles’ Corps connecting with Slocum’s on the left, occupied this line to the Plank Road and across it. On his right was a portion of the 2d Corps and beyond behind breastworks thrown up during the night along the Ely’s Ford Road, and separated by a small interval from Couch, lay the 1st Corps under Reynolds. On Slocum’s left and facing towards Fredericksburg the 5th Corps opposed McLaws, while the remnants of Howard’s Corps was massing beyond Meade. Thus Hooker still had 60,000 infantry in line while the combined strength of Stuart, Anderson, and McLaws, after the losses of the 1st and 2d, was not over 40,000. But the élan of Stuart’s men had not waned in spite of the unsuccessful attempts of the morning to drive the enemy from their strengthened line, and each minute the efforts of the Confederate Artillery became more telling. There was nothing for Stuart to do but to organize a fresh attack. The spirit of the brave leader as he rode the lines encouraging his men was contagious. Entirely relieved of anxiety for his right flank by the union with Anderson’s line in that quarter, he now massed his infantry on the left to drive the enemy out of the position from which they were threatening his flank, to the support of which Ramseur’s Brigade had been sent. Finally, about 9:30 A. M., a third assault was made and the Federal line was broken by the sheer valour of Jackson’s infantry. The Artillery had meantime crushed the Fairview batteries, the very keystone of the whole structure of resistance.

As the Confederate infantry surged forward through the woods, Carter, Jones, and McIntosh dashed down the road and up the slopes of Fairview to the crest, while the batteries at Hazel Grove crossed the valley in their front, and, joining with the others in action, poured a whirlwind of fire upon the retiring Federals and their batteries, the latter withdrawing to their ammunition trains.

The Federals now endeavored to make a stand near the Chancellorsville house, but without success. Enfiladed from the west by Carter’s group, fired upon from their right front by Pegram’s batteries and from their front by Jordan’s guns, which Hardaway had meantime brought upon the southern edge of the plateau, and entirely without breastworks, their resistance was gallant but brief. At this juncture, Hooker, while standing on the porch of the Chancellor house, was put hors de combat by a fragment of brick torn from a pillar by one of Jordan’s shells, and did not recover for several hours. For a time his defeated army was without a leader.

About 1 A. M., Lee joined Stuart near the Chancellor house and directed that both infantry and artillery replenish ammunition and renew the assault. The enemy having stubbornly fallen back to a line of works prepared by Warren, running along the Ely’s Ford and United States Ford roads, with its apex at the White House, thus covered their avenues of retreat.

When the Federals fell back to their works after being shelled for about an hour, the Confederate batteries at once advanced to the turnpike and threw up hasty intrenchments from which a desultory fire was maintained upon that portion of the line near the White House. About 3 p. M. Colston’s Division, which had been temporarily withdrawn, reformed, and, resupplied with ammunition, was ordered by Gen. Lee to move forward towards the United States Ford for the purpose of developing the enemy’s position. Page’s Morris Battery of Napoleons accompanied Colston. Hardly had Colston’s men been set in motion when the enemy opened upon them with twelve pieces of artillery from a barbette battery on an eminence, and although Page replied to this fire for half an hour or more, nothing serious was attempted and Colston was directed to draw off and intrench. Meanwhile Maj. Hardaway with thirteen rifled pieces, including two of Fry’s, two of Marye’s, and two of W. P. Carter’s, Jordan’s four rifles and three of Hurt’s, was ordered to accompany Gen. Anderson to the river for the purpose of shelling the enemy’s wagon trains on the north bank near Scott’s Dam, about 1 ½ miles below the United States Ford.

The Confederates had before noon practically come to a standstill on the Chancellor plateau, for disquieting news had reached Gen. Lee from the rear. Sedgwick had finally forced Early’s flimsy line and compelled the Confederates opposite Fredericksburg to fall back. Operations about Chancellorsville were perforce suspended while Gen. Lee’s attention was directed to the new danger.

CHAPTER XXVII — CHANCELLORSVILLE, CONTINUED-FREDERICKSBURG AND SALEM CHURCH-MAY 3D

WE left Early and Pendleton on the morning of the 2d disposing their men and guns to oppose as best they could Sedgwick’s advance, the Federals pretty much in the same position and attitude they had assumed the evening before. Before 10 A. M. Gen. Early, however, directed Maj. Andrews to feel the enemy with his guns, and accordingly Maj. Latimer opened with two rifles on that portion of the hostile line near Deep Run, while Graham’s and Brown’s Parrotts on Lee’s Hill directed their fire upon the infantry and batteries massed near the Pratt house, driving them to cover. Latimer drew no fire, but two batteries on the north bank and several on the south side of the river responded with energy to that of Graham’s and Brown’s guns. Soon after this affair, Early rode to the left to confer with Pendleton, who was directing the disposition of Walton’s guns along the Stansbury Hill, with a view to firing upon the enemy’s masses about Falmouth. While the was with Pendleton, Col. Chilton, Gen. Lee’s Adjutant-General, arrived with verbal orders for him, directing that he move at once to Chancellorsville with all his infantry but one brigade, and that Gen. Pendleton should withdraw all the artillery along the Telegraph Road, especially all the heavier pieces, to Chesterfield, except eight or ten guns which were to follow the rest when forced by the enemy to do so. Early and Pendleton both advanced many objections to the withdrawal of their forces at such a time, which in their opinion would only invite the advance of the enemy, but were informed that the commanding general was convinced of the wisdom of crushing Hooker’s force and that, having done so, he could then return to Fredericksburg and drive Sedgwick off if necessary. To do this, all his infantry was needed, but more artillery about Chancellorsville would be superfluous, and the small detaining force was only expected to delay Sedgwick long enough for the Artillery and trains to withdraw. Such was the substance of Chilton’s remarks. The orders as delivered to Gen. Early left him no discretion and, much against their will, he and Pendleton, about noon, set about executing them. Hays’ Brigade was directed to relieve Barksdale’s Regiment in the town and to remain with Pendleton’s artillery force. It was late in the afternoon, however, before the infantry column moved off from Early’s line along the military road from Hamilton’s Crossing to the Telegraph Road, and then along a cross road leading into the Plank Road, followed by Maj. Andrews with his own battalion and Graham’s Battery.

Pendleton had, before noon, ordered Nelson’s Battalion to withdraw first since it was least exposed to the view of the enemy. The three 20-pounder Parrotts of Rhett’s Battery were replaced by the lighter and less valued pieces of Patterson’s and Fraser’s batteries. Lieut. Tunis with the Whitworth moved over from the extreme right and with Rhett’s Battery and Nelson’s Battalion retired along the Telegraph Road while Richardson’s Battery which Walton had detached to Early’s line rejoined its battalion. Col. Cabell also withdrew Carlton’s Battery from Lee’s Hill and moved to the rear in command of the entire column of 22 pieces. Pendleton, therefore, retained in position after noon but 15 guns. Of these six guns of the Washington Artillery and Parker’s two 10-pounder Parrotts were held in position on Marye’s Hill and the ridge to the left, Fraser’s three and one of Patterson’s guns on Lee’s Hill, and three of Patterson’s on the ridge back of the Howison house. During the withdrawal of his batteries, Pendleton resorted to every subterfuge to make it appear to the enemy as if additional guns were being brought into position. After remaining idle the greater part of the afternoon, the Federals at last began to send forward their skirmishers and to mass on the north bank as if to cross. Pendleton now ordered Col. Cabell to return with Carlton’s Battery.

Upon arriving with the head of his column at the Plank Road leading to Chancellorsville just before dark, Early received a note from Gen. Lee saying that he was not expected to withdraw his division from Fredericksburg, if by remaining Sedgwick could be checked, as by neutralizing the 30,000 Federals with his 10,000 men Early could render far greater service than he could at Chancellorsville. Thus had Chilton misunderstood the commanding general’s directions, and led to an all but disastrous movement in Lee’s rear by denying Early and Pendleton all discretion in the execution of the orders he transmitted to them. The incident well illustrates the danger of verbal orders and from orders in any form emanating from one not actually conversant with the conditions in remote quarters of the field of operations. What Gen. Lee had intended for instructions were transmitted as positive orders.

Early had hardly received the message from Gen. Lee when he was informed by Gen. Barksdale through a courier, at the rear of his column, that the enemy had advanced in force against Hays’ weak line, and that both Hays and Pendleton had sent word that all the artillery would be captured, unless they received immediate relief. Meantime Barksdale, with rare good judgment, and in the exercise of that initiative on the part of a subordinate so valuable on such occasions, had retraced his steps with his own. regiments, followed by Gordon’s Brigade. Early at once gave the order for his main column to do the same.

Sedgwick, upon discovering the Confederate withdrawal, had crossed the remainder of his corps about dark, and moved towards the River Road, or Bowling Green Road, below the town, driving Col. Penn’s Regiment of Hays’ Brigade back to the line of the railroad, and then formed line with his main body along the river. Fortunately, he had not seriously attempted to take the town. The heavy masses of the enemy seen at Falmouth, earlier in the day, were the troops of the 1st Corps under Reynolds moving to the left to reinforce Hooker.

Between 10 and 11 P. M. Early’s Division reoccupied its old line and skirmishers were thrown out towards the River Road, Barksdale again occupying the town and Hays moving to Early’s right. Before notice of Early’s decision to return reached Pendleton he had, after deliberate consultation with Hays, withdrawn the Artillery, Walton’s batteries moving off first, followed by those on Lee’s Hill. But Pendleton had scarcely reached the Telegraph Road with the rear batteries, when he met Barksdale returning to the field and was told by him that the orders were to hold Fredericksburg at all hazards. Pendleton, as well as Hays, who was at Marye’s Hill supervising the final preparation for the retirement of his brigade, was naturally much puzzled by the incomprehensible conflict of orders they had received during the day, but was finally assured by Early himself that the confusion had resulted from Chilton’s mistake, and that since Barksdale and Gordon had both returned of their own accord he had thought best to reoccupy his lines so long as it was possible to do so. Pendleton, in complete co-operation with Early, though much perplexed, and weakened by having sent so many of his guns to the rear, promptly directed Walton and Cabell to reoccupy their positions, the former being assigned to the command of the artillery on Marye’s Hill and the latter to that on Lee’s and the Howison Hill. It was 1 P. M. when the 19 guns, including those of Carlton’s Battery, remaining for the defense of so important a position, were re-established in position.

At 11 P. M. Sedgwick received a much belated order from Hooker to march upon Chancellorsville with all haste. Leaving one division to cover his rear and skirmish with the Confederates in its front, he moved his other two divisions up the river towards Fredericksburg. Had Hooker’s orders been duly received, his advance would have been all but unopposed. Even now delays occurred, and although Gen. Warren arrived at 2 A. M. to hasten forward his movement, the head of Sedgwick’s column did not enter the town, but 3 miles from the bridge at Franklin’s Crossing, until daylight. Having detected the movement of the enemy, and believing that Sedgwick’s main effort would be made on the left, Pendleton at once advised Early, who dispatched Hays’ Brigade from his right, to reinforce Barksdale near the town.

Meanwhile, Gibbon had thrown a bridge at the town and crossed over with his division of the 2d Corps. With the Federal advance were several batteries, to engage which Pendleton directed Walton to send a section of artillery to the most advanced works on the left. Meantime Barksdale had directed Maj. Eshleman to move a piece of Miller’s Battery, which commanded the Plank Road leading from the town, to the left front, thus unknown to Pendleton uncovering the most important approach to Marye’s Hill.

To meet the enemy, Early now had 7 companies of Barksdale’s Brigade between the Marye house and the Plank Road, 3 companies on the Telegraph Road at the foot of Marye’s Hill, and 2 regiments on the ridges of Lee’s and Howison’s hills, while one of Hays’ regiments covered Barksdale’s right and 2 occupied the Stansbury ridge. The extreme right was held by Hoke’s and Smith’s brigades with Andrews’ Battalion of artillery and Richardson’s and Graham’s batteries in their old works.

Very shortly after daylight Sedgwick commenced demonstrations at Deep Run as if to turn Hoke’s line, throwing forward his skirmishers up the ravine formed by the stream. In spite of Latimer’s fire, a large body succeeded in reaching the railroad behind which it remained while several Federal batteries played upon Latimer’s guns. Andrews now brought Graham’s and Brown’s batteries from the right to the support of Latimer’s two Napoleons, and also Carpenter’s rifled section, which engaged in a duel with the enemy’s artillery as well as firing upon their infantry. Finally Hoke moved out and drove the enemy from behind the railroad embankment, while Andrews’ batteries played upon the retiring troops.

As soon as the advance division (Newton’s) of Sedgwick’s Corps had entered the town, four regiments were sent forward to attack the Confederate line in rear of it, advancing over the ground made famous in December by the desperate charges of Burnside’s divisions. Once more the brave Federal infantry pressed up to within a few paces of the stone wall and rifle pits at the base of the hills, while Pendleton’s batteries poured shell and canister into their ranks with dreadful effect, and Barksdale’s men, reserving their fire until the last moment, hurled the attacking columns back in a blizzard of musketry fire. Once more the enemy withdrew to cover behind the accidents of the ground, while their batteries in the town poured their fire with unrelenting vigor upon Marye’s Hill. At all points Sedgwick’s men were repulsed, but it was apparent to the defenders that the ever-increasing force in the town was only temporarily balked. The glorious news of Jackson’s victory at Chancellorsville, which had just been received, inspired the gray line to redouble its efforts.

Sedgwick now determined to turn the Confederate position and directed Howe with his rear division, on the left of Hazel Run, against the opposing line, while Gibbon was ordered to move up the river from the town and turn the Confederate left. But Howe found the works in his front and those which extended beyond his left occupied, while the stream on his right deterred him from assaulting Marye’s Hill in flank, and Gibbon’s advance was barred by the canal behind which on the Stansbury Hill were the men of Hays’ Brigade, and the pickets of Wilcox’s Brigade on Taylor House Hill. Information of Gibbon’s movement was at once sent Wilcox, who, leaving one section of Lewis’ Battery and 50 men at Banks’ Ford, had hastened down in person with the other section of the battery under Lieut. Nathan Penick, and threw his guns in action first on the Taylor House Hill, then on the Stansbury ridge. Soon he also brought up Moore’s (Huger’s) Battery, two rifles of which on the Taylor House Hill engaged the enemy’s guns in Falmouth and on the plain below, for about two hours, while the latter sought to prepare for Sedgwick’s final efforts.

When Gibbon and Howe, whose men unable to advance also sought the cover of the ground, reported the impracticability of turning the Confederate position, the resolute Sedgwick determined to storm the opposing works. For this purpose, Newton’s Division in front of the town was to be organized into two columns for the assault of Marye’s Hill, while Howe was to move up Hazel Run and attack Lee’s Hill. Newton’s two columns, of two regiments each, with two regiments in support, moved forward on the right of the Plank Road while Col. Burnham with four regiments in line of battle, to the left of the road, charged directly upon the rifle pits at the base of Marye’s Hill. The works against which these troops charged were now held by but two regiments supported by six guns on the hill above under Walton, who directed a withering fire of canister upon the enemy. As before, the Federals reeled and broke, only to be rallied and led back with the same result. But under a flag of truce for the purpose of allowing the enemy to recover their dead, the fire in this quarter was now suspended. This action by the Confederates was entirely unauthorized by proper authority and was due to the strange good nature of a gallant officer, Col. Griffin of the 18th Mississippi, who received the flag and honored the request in spite of the fact that Howe was actively engaged in attacking Hays’ line only a few hundred yards to his right. Not only did Griffin suspend the fire on his portion of the line, but he allowed his men to show themselves, and when Newton was apprised by his returning officers how weak the line was which had repulsed him, the three columns were ordered forward again upon the termination of the local truce. It was now that the full effect of Chilton’s dreadful blunder, as well as Barksdale’s unwarranted interference with Pendleton’s dispositions, were to be felt. Instead of 37 guns in position to repel the enemy, there remained less than half that number, and the direct approach up the Plank Road instead of being completely dominated by Miller’s guns was exposed only to the fire of the six pieces on the hill, above and behind the stone wall, the few defenders of which finding themselves assailed from every side by superior numbers were unable to check the onset. The Federals dashed on up to and over the works, completely overpowering the Mississippians, most of whom were either killed, wounded or captured in the desperate hand-to-hand conflict which ensued. Thus did Griffin reap the whirlwind which he had sown. It was now 11 A. M., and so rapid had been Newton’s final assault that Hays and Wilcox, the latter having by this time assembled a portion of his brigade on Taylor’s Hill, had not had time to come to Barksdale’s aid. The enemy, after securing the works at its base, swarmed up Marye’s Hill and seized five of Walton’s guns and Parker’s two to their left, before they could be withdrawn, but the gunners kept to their work to the last. Seeing Newton’s success, Pendleton at once caused the guns on Lee’s Hill to be directed on the enemy on Marye’s Hill, and brought up two pieces of Patterson’s Battery from near the Howison house, which opened fire from the brow near the Telegraph Road. Just at this moment Richardson’s Battery arrived at the Howison Hill from the right, from whence it had been dispatched by Early, and was sent by Pendleton to join Walton, who assumed direction of the guns firing upon Marye’s Hill, while Barksdale formed a regiment in line to the left of the Telegraph Road in their support.

The enemy now advanced his batteries on the plain in support of Howe’s column, which vigorously assailed Lee’s Hill. Upon these Carlton’s and Fraser’s batteries under direction of Col. Cabell poured a rapid fire of canister, but they, too, were forced to withdraw as the infantry supports in their front fell back along the Telegraph Road, contesting every foot of ground. In withdrawing, Richardson was compelled to abandon a piece, the horses of which were all shot down. Fraser, in the meantime, had been directing the fire of his left piece upon Marye’s Hill, while his other piece and Carl-ton’s Battery continued to hurl canister upon Howe’s men. Not until the enemy all but reached their guns did Fraser and Carlton withdraw them, the former saving both his guns by substituting a caisson limber for a gun limber which had been blown up. While directing this difficult task under a galling fire, Lieut. F. A. Habersham, of Fraser’s Battery, was struck in the head and killed by a large fragment of shell, but his body was borne from the field on the shoulders of his cannoneers. Cabell now led his two batteries to the rear along the Telegraph Road and formed Carlton’s for action near the pump at the Leach house, while Early hurried up with his troops from near Hamilton’s Crossing and formed them on the line which the remnants of Barksdale’s Brigade was holding in front of the Cox house, about two miles in rear of Lee’s Hill. Walton had been ordered to the rear along the Telegraph Road, and directed to occupy the first favorable position with his remaining guns. Soon the enemy brought a battery into action near the brick house in rear of the Howison house and engaged Carlton, who replied until his ammunition was expended, when Walton was ordered to bring up his ten pieces and relieve Carlton and Fraser, the former having lost one man killed and eight wounded in the duel.

One incident in connection with Carlton’s Battery should here be mentioned, as it illustrates the coolness and heroism of the Confederate gunner. An unexploded shell fell among Carlton’s guns with the fuse still burning. Its explosion would have certainly caused the death of several men. Without pausing an