None of the Field Officers left, the Adjutant gone, and not one of the original Captains of companies remaining.Of the five Line Officers remaining, Opp, Bryan andIngram had entered the service as First Lieutenants, and Zinn and Peterman as Second Lieutenants.Opp obtained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, in command of the Regiment, and was mortally wounded at the Wilderness. Bryan became Major, and Zinn rose to the rank of Colonel, with the Brevet of Brigadier-General. Peterman became Captain and was killed at Chancellorsville. Ingram resigned in the early part of 1863.Of all the original Officers, Field, Staff and Line, only two, Zinn and Bryan, served with the Regiment until the close of the War, and they are still among us.Of the after Line Officers, 32 were promotions from the ranks, and also two of the three Adjutants.Fribley to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain of the 84th, and Colonel 8th U. S. Colored Troops.Dougherty, Steinman, Farley, Nixon, Sampson and Rissel, to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain.Delehunt and Lamberton, to Second Lieutenant and Captain.Thornton to First Lieutenant and Captain.Mather to Adjutant.Merchant to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant, with the Brevet of Captain.Mummey, Wells, and Larish to First Lieutenant.Smith, Mitchell, Lewis, Taylor, Jury and Ferguson to Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant.Gwinn, Wingate, Piper, Moore, Hays, McMaster, Wolf, Hursh, Wilson, Weidensall and Davidson, to Second Lieutenant.As newly organized, "C" Co. was consolidated with A, and the new Company from Westmoreland County, Captain Logan and Lieutenant Wirsing, took the place of the original C Co.B Co. received recruits under Lieutenant Young.D Co. received recruits under Lieutenant Hunter.Lieutenant Zinn, B Co., was commissioned Captain of D.A Company of about 70 men, under Captain Dobbins and Lieutenant Johnson, was added to E, Lieutenant Steinman, of the old organization, remaining.F Co. was added to by recruits under Lieutenant Forrester.G Co. received recruits under Captain Platt and Lieutenant Brindle.H Co. received recruits under Lieutenant Jackson.Many of the old men of I Co. were transferred to K, and I Co. reorganized by a large detachment under Captain Comfort and Lieutenant Ross.K Co. was materially strengthened by the transfers from I.Assigned to Whipple's Division.In the latter part of October, the Regiment left its camp at Arlington Heights, and joined the Army under McClellan at Berlin, still constituting a part of Carroll's Brigade, which had been assigned to Whipple's Independent Division.On November 7th, by order from the War Department, McClellan was relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and succeeded by Major-General Burnside.At Falmouth.On November 17th, the advance of the Army arrived at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, and again the whole Army was confronting Lee.On December 11th, Fredericksburg was subjected to a heavy artillery fire, to cover the laying of a Pontoon bridge.Battle of Fredericksburg.The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought on the 13th, the rebel troops having been forced out of the town to their fortifications on the Heights in the rear.The Regiment was severely engaged. General Griffin called on Whipple for Carroll's Brigade, and it waspromptly moved up through the town under fire of shot and shell. Stopping in a cut of the Richmond Railroad, then climbing the steep embankment, the Brigade rushed on and was soon at the very front. Two Companies went on in advance of the line of battle and had to be recalled. During the night the enemy attempted to force the part of the line occupied by the 84th and 110th Pa., but was repulsed.7 men killed and 24 wounded.Colonel Bowman, 84th, and Lieutenant Crowther, 110th, were specially mentioned in the Brigade Commander's report.After the battle, the Regiment went into Camp at Stoneman's Switch, on the Falmouth and Acquia Creek Railroad, about 2 miles from Falmouth.In the meantime, on the 1st of October, 1862, Captain Opp had been promoted Major, and, on December 23d, Lieutenant-Colonel, Barrett and Craig having both resigned.Captain Zinn was promoted Major, October 2d.On January 18th, 1863, Sergeant Mather, B Co., was promoted Adjutant.On January 19th, Burnside started the Army for a second attempt on Fredericksburg, but the heavy rain converted the movement into a "Mud March," and it was abandoned.The outcome of December 13th and January 19th, was the removal of Burnside, on January 26th, from the command of the Army, and the substitution of Major-General Hooker.These were experimental days, and rotation in office of Corps and Army Commanders largely practised, but the experiments were harsh indeed to the boys who did the tramping and the fighting.On February 5th, by order of General Hooker, the Army of the Potomac was reorganized, and Reynolds assigned to the command of the 1st Corps; Couch, the 2d; Sickles, the 3d; Meade, the 5th; Sedgwick, the 6th; Sigel, the 11th; and Slocum, the 12th; the Cavalry under Stoneman.The 84th and 110th Pa. and 12th New Hampshire, constituted the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Corps, with Bowman Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel Opp in command of the Regiment.Picketing along the Rappahannock, by details of Regiments, was the principal duty from January toBattle of Chancellorsville.April 29th, when the Army broke camp and started on a campaign intended to be brief, but sharp and decisive, fruitful of great and important results.It was Hooker's plan, most intelligently conceived and thorough in its details. Without Jackson on the other side, it would have gone down in history as the battle of the War, and Hooker would have been the Lieutenant-General. No rebel army would thereafter have crossed the Potomac to make a Gettysburg. The Gettysburg of the War would have been on Southern soil.The Regiment participated in the feint to the left of Fredericksburg, and on the1st of May, moved toward Chancellorsville, the place of the campaign, crossing the Rappahannock at United States Ford.On the 2d, late in the afternoon, Sickles was ordered to send two Divisions, the 2d and 3d, in the direction of the Old Furnace, to cut off the march of rebel troops toward the right of our line. Jackson, however, as was his custom, had already passed by and out of the way, excepting a regiment, which was captured.While two-thirds of Sickles' Corps was in this exposed position, Jackson literally fell on the 11th Corps, away to the right of the Union line, at a time when the whole of that Corps was lying in supposed security, doubled it up, and in this way substituted the Field plan of Lee for the Camp study of Hooker; andChancellorsville was become a ground to fight on but not a place of victory.In the words of that memorable Order, the "Enemy was in a bag." But where was the string?However, there was virtue in the situation, in that it furnished the grandest test that could have been presented to the Army of the Potomac. Most fully defeated, yet not alarmed. Line broken, yet not pursued.Hooker's Army was a body of positive soldiery, who knew not on that 2d of May, nor until well back on sure ground, how nearly Lee had gained what Hooker started out to accomplish.Back from the Old Furnace came the two Divisions of Sickles', while Keenan, with his Battalion of Cavalry, held the whole rebel force, to make time for the planting of the guns, and lessen the time for the falling of the night, which was to be the safeguard of our Army.The next morning found our Brigade too far out, and where it would not have remained through the night had its position and number been known to the occupants of the woods along the line of which it was posted.The Brigade was drawn back in the direction of the Chancellor House, and put behind a short line oflight breast-works, in an isolated position, without any support to the right or left. We had been closely followed in our withdrawal of the morning, and were now hard pressed by the enemy forcing in upon our front, while a large force could be seen moving some distance on our left, which, within a half-hour, coming through the woods and over the rise to our rear, were immediately at our back before their coming was known.For some time, such of the Union troops as could be seen from the position occupied by the Regiment, had been giving way and falling back to the protection of the numerous guns posted in front of the Chancellor House, and which had not yet opened fire.The Union line did not seem to be holding anywhere.The killed and wounded of the Regiment had been added to at every fire.Pressed to the front and rear by forces too large to contend with, with one flank closed and the other nearly so, it was now only the question of escape, or capture.When the colors of the Regiment were planted behind the inner works, twice the fingers of the hands counted the total of the officers and men who stood with them.Out of 391, 1 officer, Peterman, then Captain of KCo., and 5 men had been killed; 5 officers and 54 men wounded, and 154 captured and missing.General Whipple was killed just to the right of the Regiment, on the 4th.On the night of the 4th, rain came down in a flood, so that the Rappahannock was much swollen. About midnight, Hooker's Army commenced crossing to the North side, and, by the night of the 5th, all were back on the old camp ground.Many of the dead had been left on the field where they fell, and many of the wounded left to rebel care. Death had come to some of the wounded from the fire in the woods, caused by the shelling on the 3d. The great loss to the rebel side came a few days after, in the death of Jackson, who had been mortally wounded on the night of the 2d.Following on Chancellorsville, owing to the death of Whipple and the numerous casualties, the Division was broken up and the regiments assigned to other commands.Parted from the 110th.The 84th and 110th had been together up to this time, but from now on were to be parted. The 84th went to the 1st Brigade (Carr's), 2d Division (Humphrey's),and the 110th to the 3d Brigade, 1st Division.Gettysburg Campaign.In the early part of June, it became clear that the officials of the confederacy were so much encouraged by the result of Hooker's campaign, that they had determined upon sending Lee into Pennsylvania.A reconnoissance by the Cavalry under Buford and Gregg, south of the Rappahannock, delayed Lee for a few days.As soon as it was known that Lee was on the way, the people of Pennsylvania felt what the consequencecouldbe, and feared what itmightbe. The State was divided into two Military Districts. The Department of the Monongahela, west of the Laurel Ridge Mountains, was commanded by General Brooks, Headquarters, Pittsburg; and the Department of the Susquehanna by General Couch, Headquarters, Chambersburg.On June 14th, Milroy was forced out of Winchester, leaving behind siege guns, 8 field pieces, 6000 muskets, ammunition and stores.June 15th, the President called on Maryland and West Virginia for 10,000 militia, each; Ohio for 30,000, and Pennsylvania for 50,000, for six months' service.June 16th, Jenkins' rebel cavalry, 950 strong, occupied Chambersburg, and withdrew on the 18th.19th, portion of Rhodes' rebel cavalry entered McConnelsburg and sacked the town.21st, Pleasanton drove Stuart beyond Middletown, through Upperville and Ashby's Gap.23d, rebel forces again occupied Chambersburg, the Union troops in the town falling back.26th, rebel advance reached Carlisle, the militia under General Knipe retiring.Lee's forces were well under way down the Valley, when Hooker took down his tents opposite Fredericksburg.From the start to the finish it was a race, but not from the foe. There were no obstacles worth the mention for Lee to encounter, none for Hooker.Lee went upon that side of the mountain, Hooker upon this. Across the Potomac went Lee, and across the Potomac came Hooker—at different points.The Army of the Potomac had marched before, but never before, nor after, as it did through the night after crossing into Maryland. Along the tow-path, dark, wet and slippery; strength all gone, and the muscles expanding simply to get rid of the contraction.Such was the character of the march, that at times the nearest comrade on the walk would not be within ten paces to the front or rear.What had been lost at the start must now be made up, for Lee was well on toward every Pennsylvania soldier's home.On June 27th, at Frederick, Maryland, the order was promulgated assigning Major-General Meade to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and Hooker thereby relieved.On the night of June 30th, at Taneytown, came the order detailing the Regiment to guard the Supply Train.The next morning, Colonel Opp, knowing that his men were averse to such duty, made special request of the Brigade Commander to revoke the order, but without success.July 1st, started with the train, which was then moving with the Column from Taneytown on the road to Emmettsburg, and while on the way word came that the Cavalry and the 1st Corps had encountered Lee at Gettysburg, and that Reynolds had been killed.Immediately following this announcement came the order for the Supply Trains to report at Westminster.The Supply Trains were an important factor in army organization. They did good service in the camp, along the march, and on the field. Without them even Gettysburg would not have been a Field of Monuments. At least twenty regiments of the Army of the Potomac did guard duty with the trains on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of July, 1863. That duty was quite as necessary of performance, fully as important, carrying with it as much of possible danger, as was actually encountered by regiments engaged on the field, and as much of actual danger as did not fall to the lot of several of the regiments who were no more on the field than were the troops with the trains, and which regiments wrote Gettysburg on their battle flags without a question as to its being rightly there.When the State of Pennsylvania placed upon her Statute Books the Act that gave to every Pennsylvania Command having a part in the Battle of Gettysburg a Memorial Stone, I had no doubt as to the 84th coming within the terms of the Act, and no doubt as to the duty of its Soldiers to see that its Monument was placed.The Regiment had been, from the time of its entry into the service, a part of the Army of the Potomac, even before all the troops in Virginia were so designated, and continued to be till the end of the War. Failureof recognition under this Law of the Commonwealth, as a part of the Army of the Potomac, would have left the Regiment unrecorded to the world as of any army up to and including the time of Gettysburg.But comment of our own is unnecessary. The statement of General Carr, the Brigade Commander, covers all points, and coming from an individual thoroughly competent to pass judgment, and yet free from the slightest degree of interest that might possibly induce bias, ought to, and does, answer all question and resolve all doubt.(The following letter was written by General Carr in response to a communication asking simply for a statement by him of the duty on which the Regiment was ordered in connection with the Battle of Gettysburg.The tribute thus tendered to the Regiment not only evidences the high regard had by General Carr for the officers and men of the 84th, but is indicative of the feeling entertained and expressed by Shields, Carroll, Ricketts, Whipple, Pierce, Mott, and other General Officers, in whose immediate command the Regiment was placed between October, '61, and July, '65.)Office of American Chain Cable Works,Troy, N. Y., October 28, 1887.General John P. Taylor, President,Board of Commissioners Gettysburg Monuments,Philadelphia, Pa.Sir:—I have the honor to present the following statement, in reference to the part taken by the 84th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Gettysburg Campaign.The 84th Regiment was in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the movements of that Army from Fredericksburg, Va., to Emmettsburg, Md. On the morning of the 1st July, the Regiment was detailed by an order from my headquarters to guard the supply train that was then located between Emmettsburg and Gettysburg. The Regiment remained on duty with the train until relieved by another Regiment on the 6th July, when it reported to me for duty while at Williamsport.The duty performed by the 84th Regiment during the three days' fighting was as essential and important as that of any other Regiment of my command; it was a duty they were ordered to perform over which they had no control, but as good soldiers obeyed the command. When Colonel Opp received the order he sent his Adjutant, Lieutenant Mather, to me with a request to have the order rescinded, which of course was not granted.The 84th Regiment was one of my best and most reliable commands. The officers and men were always ready and willing to do their duty.To deprive this Regiment of the recognition it is entitled to,upon that memorable battle field, would in my opinion be a very great injustice.I would respectfully suggest that the monument be erected at a point near where my headquarters were previous to the second day's engagement. It was near the Emmettsburg road, directly in front of the Roger's house, as you will see upon the map of the field.The inscription should state the whereabouts of the Regiment on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July, 1863, and the actual duty it was performing.I am, Very Respectfully,JOSEPH B. CARR.This statement is a Monument in itself. No Regiment ever received, or could have had, more emphatic endorsement of its service.The State Commission on Gettysburg Monuments had no doubt of the full right of the 84th to participate with all other Pennsylvania regiments that took part in the Battle of Gettysburg, and promptly said so.On the night of the 4th, the Regiment was ordered from Westminster to rejoin the Brigade, and reported to General Carr on the 6th.While at Westminster there was constant apprehension of attack by rebel cavalry, and the picket guards were under strict orders to be continually on the alert to avoid surprise.During the night of the 13th and the morning of the 14th, Lee crossed his army over the Potomac at Williamsport, closely followed by the Union cavalry, the advance of the Army of the Potomac.On July 24th, the Regiment took part in clearing the Gap at Wapping Heights, the rebels contesting every step until forced into the Valley, when they went on a run, and we returned through the Gap to rejoin the column.The return was much like the going, excepting that there was not the necessity for haste, and with this difference of feeling. The rebel army had started North elated by Chancellorsville; it returned depressed by Gettysburg.The Union Army had not been depressed by Chancellorsville (it never was by any defeat), but was more than pleased with Gettysburg.The walk did not stop until the Army of the Potomac was again between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan.July, August, and September having passed by, and October being well under way, Lee, having nothing to gain by remaining quiet, again put his army in motion, this time bound for the road that led to his Country's Capital, but not with patriotic intent.By this time the Army of the Potomac had become well grounded in the ups and downs which lie between the Rapidan and the Potomac.Foraging had become a thing of the past in this now agricultural and animal forsaken portion of our Land. In fact, at the time when anything was to be found here, it was not permitted to be taken. It was not until later on that the conclusion was arrived at that Union Armies were not organized and maintained to guard crops for rebel army use and the sustenance of a southern confederacy.Thousands of Union Soldiers might lie in unknown graves, and tens of thousands might be sent home cripples for life, but not an ear on the stalk, or a grain in the crib, an animal on the hoof, or his parts in the smoke-house, must be taken by the Union Soldier, lest treason might not have abundance.All that was left of what once had been, were the names of the places along the route—Rappahannock Station, Catlett, Bristoe, Manassas, Thoroughfare, Haymarket, Union Mills.Lee's Last Move on Washington.Meade became aware of Lee's purpose too late to make the following a walk, or even an easy run.It was so closely parallel, at times, that it was not certain which army was in the pursuit, and when at Bristoe Station,On October 14th, the 2d Corps and a portion of the 5th were attacked, while marching by the flank, by a portion of Hill's Corps under Heth, Warren did a service for the Army of the Potomac, and his Country, which should have avoided the decree of April, 1865, removing him from his Command.It was the only Infantry engagement of moment in the movement, and had the effect of making this the last in the series of Lee's running campaigns on Washington.On his way back, starting on the19th, Lee destroyed the Railroad, which Meade rebuilt as the Army of the Potomac advanced leisurely to the Rappahannock.On November 7th, Meade forded the river at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford, the battling at both points being severe, and the Army of the Potomacno more came back until without a foe.November 8th, Lee crossed the Rapidan,and he never came back.Camp at Brandy Station.Meade's Army went into camp, the 84th to the left of Brandy Station, on land of John Minor Botts, andimmediately commenced the erection of Winter quarters.Picket duty and the ordinary engagements of the camp followed, untilNovember 25th, when the Army marched the few miles to the Rapidan, crossed over, and the rebels fell back, contesting all the way, until Locust Grove was reached on theBattle of Locust Grove or Mine Run.27th, where the Regiment was warmly engaged. Here occurred the incident which clearly proved the fastness of the colors of the 84th.The whole line to the right and left gave way. This forced the Regiment to retire, and there was every indication of a precipitate retreat. The Regiment had gone but its flags were still there. The Adjutant came promptly to the direction of the Colors, and the two flags in the hands of the Bearers, supported by the Color Guard, marched off the field to the ordinary step, and in as orderly manner as when passing from the Parade Ground to Headquarters. The flags might have been captured, and the Adjutant and Guard with them, but it would have been a capture to which no discredit would have attached.1 officer and 8 men wounded.From the field of Locust Grove to Mine Run, and a sight of the defences of Lee.Contemplated Charge at Mine Run.On the night of the 28th, orders were given to charge the enemy's works the next morning at 8 o'clock, and by daylight the Army was in line, awaiting the order to advance. It was well the order of execution was not given. The slaughter that would have ensued would have been without its fellow in the tales of the War.Pickett at Gettysburg was a thing of Parade compared with what this would have been.The troops would have gone over a space which thereafter would have been noted as the Field of Death.Meade thought one way; Warren the other.Warren was right, and Meade saw, in time, that he, himself, was wrong.This act of Warren did not call for what was done him at Five Forks.Back at Brandy Station.The day passed, and in the night, the pickets cautioned to keep the fires going and then left to take care of themselves, Meade had his Army quietly slip awayfrom out of sight of the defences they had only looked upon, and then, without hurry, back to the old camp at Brandy Station, where from the 2d of December, 1863, to May 3d, 1864, the camp life of Winter was unbroken, save for a day or two, taken up by the march to the Rapidan on February 6th, as a caution to Lee, who was somewhat restless to learn what the Army in front of him was doing.Veteran Re-Enlistments.Also the re-enlistments for the Veteran three years, accompanied by the furlough for thirty days.But during this time there occurred what was to subject all elements of all the Armies of the Union to harmony of action, and thus, in good time, end the attempt at the destruction of the Union, and thereby cease the struggle for its maintenance.Grant in Command of all the Armies.By special Act of Congress the rank of Lieutenant-General was revived, and, by the President, conferred on Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, with assignment to the command of all the Armies of the United States, Halleck being relieved as General-in-Chief, and assigned to duty in Washington as Army Chief of Staff.After the severe experiences of three years, the Executive and Legislative Departments had come to the common agreement, that the rebellion could be put down with one Army, but never with a score, with ten, nor even two. Starting anew, there would be one Captain of the Host.The Army of the Potomac was now—2d Corps, Hancock; 5th Corps, Warren; 6th Corps, Sedgwick; Cavalry, Sheridan; and Hunt, Chief of Artillery; Meade in command of the whole, but Grant always present.The 84th was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 4th Division (Mott), 2d Corps (Hancock), and from this on the references to the 2d Corps will be, mainly, our account of the 84th.Grant's Campaign.Soon after midnight,May 3-4, '64, was inaugurated Grant's Campaign—the longest, but the last, of the War.The Army of the Potomac moved off their five months' camping ground, thereafter to realize that armies could move without regard to seasons.Pontoons were thrown across the Rapidan, principally at Germania and Ely's Fords.Passed over the battle ground of just a year before,at Chancellorsville, and came well into the Wilderness on the5th. At 9 o'clock, Hancock was ordered to the support of Getty's Division, the 2d of the 6th Corps, who had run against the enemy on the Orange Plank and Turnpike Roads.The woods and narrow roads prevented Hancock from getting into position until 4 o'clock, when he sent Birney's and Mott's Divisions to Getty's support, and saved him from a rout.Fighting continued until dark.Grant's disposition of the troops placed Hancock in command of about one-half the Line, and thus located, he was ordered to attack at 4 o'clock the morning of the 6th, subsequently changed, at Meade's suggestion, to 5 o'clock. The movement was prompt, and to the left of the Orange Plank Road.Battle of the Wilderness.By the end of the first hour of the desperate fighting of that morning, it was Grant's belief, that "if the country had been such that Hancock and his Command could have seen the confusion and panic in the lines of the enemy, it would have been taken advantage of so effectually, that Lee would not have made another stand outside the Richmond defences."The enemy got close upon a portion of the 2d Corps before being seen, owing to the density of the woods, and they were so suddenly forced back as to compel the retirement of Mott's Division also to the intrenched position of the morning.The Battle was kept up from 5 o'clock in the morning until night, and all the time within a width of space averaging not over three-quarters of a mile.During the night all of Lee's army withdrew within their intrenchments.Grant said "that more desperate fighting had not been witnessed on this Continent, than that of the 5th and 6th of May."The 84th was in the very thick of the fight. 9 men killed, 2 officers and 39 men wounded.The character of this fighting ground is a thing of history. Heavy timber, close, thick underbrush, impossibility of knowing where the enemy was until close at hand, the burning breast-works, all present factors in the fight, gave Grant to know that he had an Army on whom he could rely for the very best of service.Grant had the faith before he had applied the test, for on the 5th all the bridges over the Rapidan had been taken up, except the one at Germania Ford, showing that he had no thought of necessity for recrossing the river.Death of Col. Opp.Among the wounded of the 84th was its Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Opp, shot through the lung. He suffered, and how bravely, until the 9th, when he died. And it but honors every soldier of the Regiment, from the highest in rank to the lowest, when it is said, that with his going out there was made a vacancy in the Regimental household, which we have felt from then to the present, and will ever feel, until we greet him in our Reunion when we gather together in that other time which shall follow upon this.In the closing weeks of '62 the Regiment had sought and found new life, and with the beginning of '63 had started off anew, cleared of all that might have held it back in the then coming time. Milton Opp was then the Second Officer of the Regiment. He was possessed of an ambition worthy of all the praise that grateful men could well bestow; ambitious, not for himself, but for his Regiment. In command from January, 1863, to the time of his death, the very example of his manner, his bearing, whether with belt on or off, was such, as to bring up the tone of every soldier of the 84th. The lowest in the Regiment was higher, the highest was higher, because of the presence of Milton Opp. No Regimental Headquarters surpassed his in integrity of purpose, firmness without severity of actionor sense of duty in everything that was calculated to incline a Regiment of soldiers to be a credit to themselves, and an honor to their State.How much the situation did for the general tone of the Regiment has, perhaps, been more thought of since than during the time of its service.Aided from the beginning by a most faithful and altogether most competent Adjutant, Colonel Opp brought the Regiment up to a standard of discipline from which his successors in command never saw it depart, from which, good and able officers that they were, they would not have permitted it to depart. Between their task and his, and it detracts not one whit from them to think it or to say it, there was this difference; he made it the easier for them to carry out well, as they faithfully did, what he had so well provided. He was the most loved by those whose acquaintance with him was the most intimate. A gentleman, a Christian, a man.How we would all welcome him, could we greet him now. And by none would he have been welcomed among us with more of good, earnest feeling, than by him who so well succeeded to the Command which was left by Milton Opp on the 6th of May, 1864.The Battle of the Wilderness had been fought. Whenthe soldiers of the Army of the Potomac learned that a drawn battle could be made in its results a great victory, when they learned that Grant not only commanded the masses of the troops, but had firm control of the official elements, and 48 hours was sufficient for the lesson, is it any wonder that "the greatest enthusiasm was manifested by Hancock's troops," when, on the 7th of May, Grant rode behind the 2d Corps, lying on the Brock Road, "inspired," says Grant, "no doubt by the fact that the movement was South."No more exhibitions of jealousy among Commanders of Corps. Such conduct was now to send a Major-General to the rear as a useless incumbrance.Early on the morning of the 7th, Grant's order had gone out for a night march to Spottsylvania.An encounter with Early detained the 2d Corps at Todd's Tavern, and kept it from Spottsylvania on the 8th.Having got rid of Early, at noon on the 9th Hancock was ordered up from Todd's Tavern, excepting Mott's Division, which followed later in the day.Sedgwick, commanding the 6th Corps, was killed on the morning of the 9th, by a rebel sharpshooter.On the 10th, Hancock was ordered to attack with the 2d, 5th and 6th Corps. The assault was madeabout 4 o'clock in the afternoon, with not altogether satisfactory result. Mott's Division was on the left of the 6th Corps.On the 11th, the only movement was by Mott's Division, acting under orders to develop a weak spot in the enemy's line. The outcome of this reconnoissance was Grant's order of the 11th, for an assault at precisely 4a.m.of the 12th, "with all possible vigor, the preparations to be conducted with the utmost secrecy, and veiled entirely from the enemy."Battle of Spottsylvania.The heavy fog delayed the start one hour.The objective point was the salient, where, after the conflict, lay Lee's soldiers piled one upon another, just as they fell.The rebel captured numbered 4000, among them Major-General Edward Johnson, Division Commander, and Brigadier-General Stewart, commanding a Brigade; a score of guns, with horses, caissons and ammunition, and several thousand small arms.Loss to the Regiment, 9 men killed, 1 officer and 27 men wounded.It was on May 13th, that Grant in a letter to the Secretary of War made use of the memorable words,"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all Summer."On the 13th, Grant recommended our old Brigade Commander, Carroll, for promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General.Mott's Division was reduced to a Brigade, and assigned to Birney's Division.Whatever further might have been done in pressing Lee at Spottsylvania, was prevented by the heavy rain which commenced on the night of the 13th.On the 18th, Grant gave orders for the movement by the left flank on to Richmond.One road from Spottsylvania to Fredericksburg was now open to Lee, and on theChange of Base of Supplies.19th, the Base of Supplies was shifted from Fredericksburg to Port Royal.On the 20th, orders were renewed for the left flank movement to commence after night.Hancock, having the lead, marched Easterly to Guiney's Station, on the Fredericksburg Railroad, thence Southerly to Bowling Green and Milford, arriving at Milford on the night of the 21st.On the 22d, the 2d Corps was permitted to rest through the day and night.At North Anna River.23d, Hancock moved to the Wooden Bridge, West of the Fredericksburg Railroad Bridge, over the North Anna River, the rebel guard being intrenched on the North side. The guard gave way quickly, but so rapid was the move upon the bridge that several of the rebels were forced through the water. Owing to the late hour the Corps did not cross until the next morning.Regiment had 1 officer and 5 men wounded.Base of Supplies again Changed.On the 26th, Base of Supplies changed from Port Royal to White House.All the troops South of the North Anna were crossed back to the North side, and moved under orders to proceed to Hanover, a point within 20 miles of Richmond.On the 29th, at Hanover.The 2d Corps moved toward Tolopotomy Creek to discover the whereabouts of the enemy. He was found strongly fortified.Battle of Tolopotomy.On May 31st and June 1st, the Regiment was engaged with the enemy at Pleasant Hill, known as the Battle of Tolopotomy.4 men killed, 3 officers and 13 men wounded.Cold Harbor.From June 1st to 3d, at Cold Harbor.1 officer and 6 men wounded.On June 5th, Grant determined upon moving the Army South of the James.On Evening of the 13th, 2d Corps was at Charles City Court House, on the James River.Crossing of James River.On the 14th, 2d Corps crossed in the advance, using bridge and boats.Arrived in Front of Petersburg.On the 15th, arrived after dark in front of Petersburg, and relieved Smith's troops in the trenches.16th to 18th, continuous fighting.2 men killed, 3 officers and 11 men wounded.On the 22d, the 2d Corps was moved to the left to draw the enemy out, or to compel him to remain within his lines. He staid in, and now began the Siege of Petersburg, with the 9th Corps on the Right, then the 5th, 2d Corps next, and then the 6th broken off to the South.The next movement was not untilDeep Bottom.July 26th, when the 2d Corps and the Cavalry crossed the James River to Deep Bottom, for the purpose of drawing some of Lee's forces to the North side of the James, pending the Explosion of the Mine which had been worked in front of the 9th Corps, commencing on June 25th, and was now ready to be fired.On the 29th, the 2d Corps was brought back to the James, and crossed over at night, with orders to proceed to that part of the line where the Mine was located.Explosion of Mine.The Explosion was in itself a success, but history records a complete failure in result.On August 13th and 14th, to keep Lee from sending troops to the Valley against Sheridan, the 2d Corps, part of the 10th, and Gregg's Division of Cavalry, were crossed over the James, with orders not to bring on a battle.Battle of Charles City Cross Roads.It was quite a severe move for the Regiment, an engagement with the rebels at Charles City CrossRoads on the 15th resulting in 2 men killed, 1 officer and 16 men wounded, and several captured, who suffered the horrors of Salisbury for many months, some of them dying for want of food, water and shelter.On the night of the 20th, withdrew from the North side of the James River, and Hancock and Gregg sent Southward to destroy the Weldon Railroad. Ream's Station fought on the 25th.Movement to Extreme Left.October 1st, moved with the Corps to Yellow House, and thence to the extreme left of the line. First line of enemy's works charged and carried.The Regiment was at this time a part of Pierce's Brigade, the 2d, Mott's (3d) Division, 2d Corps.Poplar Spring Church.On the afternoon of the 2d, the 84th, with other troops, in all not a full regiment in number, with Colonel Zinn in command of the Charging Party, moved upon the second line at a point known as Poplar Spring Church. As soon as the rebel troops became aware of the purpose to charge, there was the disposition to abandon their position, but when they saw the small number of the Charging Party they resumed theirplaces behind their works, and held their musketry fire, keeping up the fire of their guns, until the charging line was within a few feet, when they delivered such a fire, volley upon volley, as threatened to kill, or wound, every soldier of the 84th. As we think of that flood of balls, it seems incredible that none were killed, and only 8 wounded, 2 officers and 6 men.Colonel Zinn was shot, and would now be going around upon one natural leg, had he not successfully fought the Surgeon's conclusion to take the other off.October 4th, lay in rear of 9th Corps works, building forts and slashing timber.5th, Brigade ordered to join the Corps, and marched to our old position near Fort Hayes.6th, Regiment sent to garrison Fort Bross, on Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, in company with a Section of 14th Massachusetts Battery, 2 guns, under Lieutenant George. No other troops in the vicinity.13th, Paymaster on hand with six months' arrears.October 23d, Three years had now elapsed since the organization of the Regiment, and the men who had served during that time, and were not included in the number of Veteran Enlistments, were honorably discharged by reason of expiration of term of service.25th, Regiment ordered to report to Division as soon as possible. At 1p.m., left Fort Bross, and joined the Division between the Fort and Jerusalem Plank Road. Lay massed during the day and night.26th, Moved to the left, passing the Gurley House, in rear of our rear line of works. Struck the Weldon Railroad a mile from the Yellow House. Remained here until 4 o'clock the next morning, when the march was continued toward the South Side Railroad, moving along a narrow road and through woods until we arrived about 2p.m.near Hatcher's Run and the Boydton Plank Road.During the last 5 miles the rebel cavalry continually engaged our own, working around to our rear as we advanced, fighting at the Saw Mill shortly after we had passed.Battle of Hatcher's Run.Formed line of battle in open field. A break in the line to the right, owing to a separation of Divisions, was promptly noted by the enemy, who marched in by the flank between Pierce's and McAllister's Brigades, the latter having been advanced about half a mile to the front of Mott's Division, until his right rested on the Boydton Plank Road.It was an ill advised move on the rebel side. Assoon as noticed by McAllister, he faced his Brigade to the rear, charged, and took several hundred prisoners. Pierce's Brigade re-took the two guns which had been picked up by the enemy at the Plank Road.The Regiment had 4 men wounded and 1 missing. 6 men were taken prisoners, but escaped.After dark, threw up light works at right angles with the Plank Road, being in such position that the shells from our rear reached where we lay, some going beyond and others exploding at our line. The enemy was both to the front and rear, accounted for by the fact that we were stretching out his extreme right.At 10p.m., marched back to the old position between Fort Bross and Jerusalem Plank Road, arriving at 5p.m.on the 28th.29th, Moved to left and rear of Fort Hayes.30th, 9p.m., Deployed along the works between Forts Hayes and Davis, the enemy having relieved, very quietly, about 300 men on our picket line, the pickets supposing they were being regularly relieved.The mistake was discovered in time to avoid any disadvantage therefrom.Regiment back in quarters before morning.November 1st, Changed position to right of Fort Hayes, and put up tents along main line of works.5th, 12p.m., Rebel dash on picket line, with no success, but with loss of 40 of their men captured.Quiet until the 18th, when orders were received to be ready to move, but prevented by heavy rain.Thanksgiving Dinner.25th, Memorable as the day when the whole Army was treated to a Thanksgiving Dinner, supplied by the people North.29th, Orders received to move at dark. 6p.m., moved to near Southall House.30th, 7a.m., Marched along rear line of works, about 5 miles, to between Forts Emory and Seibert, and commenced putting up quarters.December 1st, Ordered to change camp, andOn the 2d, moved about a mile, and commenced the erection of Winter Quarters.4th, A, C, E and K Companies mustered out as company organizations, having completed three years' service.6th, Ordered to march at daylight of the 7th.It was now quite evident that the Winter of '64-5 was not to be as other Winters had been.Destruction of Weldon Railroad.On the 7th, Mott's Division marched out with the 5th Corps and the Cavalry, the whole under command of Warren, under orders to destroy as much as possible of the Weldon Railroad. Went by way of the Jerusalem Plank Road, crossed the Nottoway River at dark, and bivouacked on the South side, 20 miles.8th, Marched at daylight, passed through Sussex Court House and Coman's Well, 12 miles, and bivouacked for the night within 2 miles of the Weldon Railroad.9th, Daylight, marched 2 miles, striking the Weldon Railroad near Jarrett's Station. From this point Southward to Bellefield, a distance of 11 miles, the Railroad was effectually destroyed.10th, The object of the Expedition having been accomplished, Warren started backward toward Petersburg, marched 18 miles, and bivouacked for the night 4 miles South of Sussex Court House.11th, Started at daylight, again passed through Sussex Court House, recrossed the Nottoway River, stopping for the night 4 miles beyond, 11 miles.12th, Off again at daylight, the Regiment deployed as flankers, and back at our lines at 2p.m., 16 miles.There were no casualties, except as will be stated, no rebel force having been encountered.On the way back it was discovered that several Union soldiers had been murdered by guerillas, their bodies having been found in the woods, off the line of march, horribly mutilated.On the way down they had strayed from the road to lie down, being overcome by too free indulgence in the discovery made at one of the houses, not knowing its powerful after-effect. It was a terrible sequel to the over-taking of the seeming harmlessness of Apple Jack, to one not acquainted with its ardent qualities.The result of the discovery of the bodies was the order given to burn every house and other building anywhere near the line of march.13th, Moved into the woods and took position in line for the purpose of laying out camp and putting up quarters.14th, Erection of Winter Quarters.22d, Expiration of three years since muster of the Regiment into the Service of the United States.23d, Division paraded to witness the execution of John E. Dixon, Private 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, for desertion. Dixon had made a break for the rebel line, but not noticing the direction of the twolines, ran into our own line without knowing it, when it was learned from his words and manner that he supposed he was on the other side, and that his purpose had been to desert.31st, Regiment consolidated into Battalion of 4 Companies.Consolidation of the 84th and 57th Pa.This formation was preparatory to the consolidation of the Regiment with the 57th Pennsylvania, which had been made a Battalion of 6 Companies.The consolidation took place on January 13th, 1865.The consolidation was not a merger, save as to number. The 57th composed the Right 6 Companies and the 84th the Left 4 Companies.I will venture what I think the explanation of the dropping of the number 84 and the retention of the number 57, notwithstanding it was known that the Colonel, Major and Adjutant of the Consolidated Regiment would be from the 84th. But it was also known that the retention of the number 84 would work great injustice to officers who had earned further promotion, and therefore the natural course of the command of the Regiment determining the number, must give way to the necessity which justice prompted.Colonel Bowman was still borne on the rolls of the 84th, though his service in the field was less than a year, and only half that time directly with the Regiment, and then on permanent Detached Service at Washington since June, 1863. It was known that he would not return to Field Service.With the number 57, Lieutenant-Colonel Zinn was promoted Colonel; Captain Bryan, Major; and Captain Perkins, of the old 57th, Lieutenant-Colonel.Captain Bryan had been commissioned Major of the 84th in May, '64, nearly a year before, but could not be mustered as such for want of the minimum number admitting of 3 Field Officers, although there was not the 1 Field Officer doing duty with the Regiment.Colonel Bowman continued to rank as of the 84th until the middle of May, when he was mustered out, a month after the close of the War.That portion of the Inscription on the Monument which brings the 84th down to the date of the muster out of the 57th, was conceded only after months of earnest contention.The 57th continued in Pierce's Brigade.Second Hatcher's Run.February 5th, 7a.m., marched from camp and alongVaughan Road, crossing the picket line about 3 miles to North side of Hatcher's Run, and put up works. 6p.m., moved a mile to the right, took position under very heavy fire on left of the 3d Brigade, and put up works.6th, Ordered to support of 5th Corps. While on the way order countermanded and returned to works.7th and 10th, Slashing timber in front of line.11th, Line to our left abandoned during the night. 5a.m., moved within new line and encamped.12th, Slashing timber in front of works.13th, Again putting up Winter Quarters, the heavy timbers of some of the tents being moved from the old camp.Beyond Picket Line.25th, Daylight, heavy firing at Fort Steadman. 6a.m., ordered to be packed up. 4p.m., advanced outside of picket line. Put up slight breast-works. Rebel charge repulsed. Took about 200 prisoners. 26th, 1a.m., returned to camp and again put up tents.27th, 10a.m., on picket. Advanced picket posts to within 150 yards of enemy's line. No firing.28th, Received orders to be ready to move at 6a.m., the 29th.The Last Move.On the day that Lee arranged the assault intended to compel Grant to abandon his Petersburg Line, and thus raise the Siege of Petersburg, Grant issued the order for the movement of the 29th. Had Lee met with success on the 25th, Grant's program to end the War at this time would have failed.29th, 6a.m., left camp near Humphrey's Station, marched along Vaughan Road 3 miles, and formed line on right of the road. Advanced 2 miles and bivouacked for the night.30th, 7a.m., advanced in line of battle 1 mile and put up works.31st, 1a.m., moved 1 mile to left, and bivouacked for the night on Battle Field of 27th of November last.April 1st, 6p.m., portion of Regiment detailed for picket duty.Evacuation of Petersburg.2d, 9a.m., passed through main line of rebel works and marched 7 miles, to within a half mile of Petersburg, and formed in line.70 prisoners captured by the Regiment. 4 men wounded.Pursuit of Lee.3d, 8a.m., marched Westward on road to Burk's Station in pursuit of Lee, 20 miles.4th, 7a.m., in same direction, 8 miles. 6p.m., bivouacked.5th, 1.30a.m., in same direction. Crossed Richmond and Danville Railroad, and bivouacked 1 mile North of the Road, 12 miles.6th, 7a.m., in close pursuit of Lee.Portion of Regiment on Skirmish Line, continually running into Lee's rear guard skirmishers, capturing prisoners, and toward night took part in the capture of rebel train of 200 wagons hastening on to Lynchburg.Prisoners captured, 90, and 1 color.Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins and 15 men wounded.7th, 7a.m., continued the pursuit. Passed the Richmond and Danville Railroad at the High Bridge, which had been fired by the rebels and partly burned. Met the enemy in force after marching about 8 miles. 2 men wounded.8th, passed through Coal Land, marching 17 miles. Took 40 prisoners.For the last three days broken-down rebel wagons, gun carriages and soldiers were a common sight.Surrender of Lee's Army.April 9th, the Last Day.Still in close pursuit. Went 5 miles, driving the enemy. 12 o'clock, ordered to halt until 2. 2 o'clock, ordered to halt until 4, before which hour Lee had surrendered to Grant the Army of Northern Virginia.The Regiment was with the advance, and about 4 miles East of Appomattox Court House.Who would attempt to word the feeling following upon the announcement of the surrender that Sunday afternoon, April 9th, 1865?April 11th, 10a.m., journeyed back 12 miles to New Store, away from what had been Lee's Army, and without seeing it.No Pickets Out.—No Guards On.From two things we knew the surrender had been made. The fact of the announcement and the other fact—there had been no pickets out, no guard on, since the 9th. But there had been no parading of a vanquished foe to meet the gaze of a triumphant Army. Grant had saved them that humiliation.12th, 6a.m., 15 miles, passed through Curville, and then on to Farmville.13th, 6a.m., 17 miles, to near Burks Station, and went into camp.Assassination of the President.15th, 10p.m., received official dispatch of the assassination of President Lincoln on the night of the 14th, and his death at 7.22 o'clock on the morning of the 15th.He had lived to the last day of a labor which none but himself could know how hard it had been to bear. But now how absolute his rest. The very Heaven his immediate reward for the saving, under God, of a Nation.16th, Moved one-third of a mile to change camp.19th, Ordered that all unnecessary work be suspended on the day of the President's funeral.25th, Regiment paraded to hear orders relative to the assassination. Officers directed to wear crape for six months and Colors to be draped for the same period.Surrender of Johnston's Army.28th, dispatch received announcing the surrender ofJohnston, and then the most doubtful knew that the War was over.May 2d, marched at 1p.m., 11 miles, to Gettyville.3d, 6a.m., to and across the Appomattox, passing through Five Forks, Amelia Court House and Scott's Store, 17 miles.4th, 6a.m., marched 18 miles.5th, 5a.m., to Manchester, opposite Richmond, arriving at 11a.m., 10 miles.Through Richmond.6th, 10.30a.m., passed through Manchester, crossed the Pontoon Bridge over the James River, marched through Richmond with Colors flying and Bands playing, passing Libby Prison on the way. Crossed the Chickahominy River and bivouacked 4-1/2 miles North of Richmond, on the Fredericksburg Pike, 8 miles.7th, 6a.m., through Hanover Court House and across the Pamunky River, 16 miles.8th, 6a.m., 16 miles.9th, 6a.m., 17 miles, to within one-half mile of Po River.Through Fredericksburg.10th, 6a.m., crossed the Rappahannock, through Fredericksburg, with Colors flying and Bands playing,and bivouacked near our old picket line of '63, and within 2-1/2 miles of the old camp ground at Stoneman's Switch, 17 miles.11th, 6a.m., crossed head waters of Acquia Creek, 16 miles.12th, 6a.m., 14 miles, to near Wolf Run Shoals and Aquequon River.13th, 5a.m., crossed the Aquequon, and then the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, 16 miles.Final Field Camp.15th, 6a.m., 6 miles, to Four Mile Run, being that distance from Washington, and went into final Field camp.Review of the Army of the Potomac.June 23d, review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington by President Johnson.Review of Sherman's Army.24th, Review of Sherman's Army.The two days as one, and what a turn-out of Veterans; a sight the like of which never had been witnessed, and we think never will be again.From the Review, back over the Potomac for the last time, and but for a few days, and then theOrder for Muster-Out.29th, on which day was read on Dress Parade the Order that made, as other citizens, save in the service they had completed for their Country, the Soldiers who comprised the Field Survivors of the 84th and 57th Regiments Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers.Back to Harrisburg.From camp near Washington to Harrisburg, there a closing of accounts with the Government that had, with the loss of 400,000 Loyal Lives and the crippling of 300,000 Union Soldiers, and the agonies of the sorrows which never could be told off, been made altogether free.
None of the Field Officers left, the Adjutant gone, and not one of the original Captains of companies remaining.
Of the five Line Officers remaining, Opp, Bryan andIngram had entered the service as First Lieutenants, and Zinn and Peterman as Second Lieutenants.
Opp obtained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, in command of the Regiment, and was mortally wounded at the Wilderness. Bryan became Major, and Zinn rose to the rank of Colonel, with the Brevet of Brigadier-General. Peterman became Captain and was killed at Chancellorsville. Ingram resigned in the early part of 1863.
Of all the original Officers, Field, Staff and Line, only two, Zinn and Bryan, served with the Regiment until the close of the War, and they are still among us.
Of the after Line Officers, 32 were promotions from the ranks, and also two of the three Adjutants.
Fribley to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain of the 84th, and Colonel 8th U. S. Colored Troops.
Dougherty, Steinman, Farley, Nixon, Sampson and Rissel, to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain.
Delehunt and Lamberton, to Second Lieutenant and Captain.
Thornton to First Lieutenant and Captain.
Mather to Adjutant.
Merchant to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant, with the Brevet of Captain.
Mummey, Wells, and Larish to First Lieutenant.
Smith, Mitchell, Lewis, Taylor, Jury and Ferguson to Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant.
Gwinn, Wingate, Piper, Moore, Hays, McMaster, Wolf, Hursh, Wilson, Weidensall and Davidson, to Second Lieutenant.
As newly organized, "C" Co. was consolidated with A, and the new Company from Westmoreland County, Captain Logan and Lieutenant Wirsing, took the place of the original C Co.
B Co. received recruits under Lieutenant Young.
D Co. received recruits under Lieutenant Hunter.
Lieutenant Zinn, B Co., was commissioned Captain of D.
A Company of about 70 men, under Captain Dobbins and Lieutenant Johnson, was added to E, Lieutenant Steinman, of the old organization, remaining.
F Co. was added to by recruits under Lieutenant Forrester.
G Co. received recruits under Captain Platt and Lieutenant Brindle.
H Co. received recruits under Lieutenant Jackson.
Many of the old men of I Co. were transferred to K, and I Co. reorganized by a large detachment under Captain Comfort and Lieutenant Ross.
K Co. was materially strengthened by the transfers from I.
Assigned to Whipple's Division.
In the latter part of October, the Regiment left its camp at Arlington Heights, and joined the Army under McClellan at Berlin, still constituting a part of Carroll's Brigade, which had been assigned to Whipple's Independent Division.
On November 7th, by order from the War Department, McClellan was relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and succeeded by Major-General Burnside.
At Falmouth.
On November 17th, the advance of the Army arrived at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, and again the whole Army was confronting Lee.
On December 11th, Fredericksburg was subjected to a heavy artillery fire, to cover the laying of a Pontoon bridge.
Battle of Fredericksburg.
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought on the 13th, the rebel troops having been forced out of the town to their fortifications on the Heights in the rear.
The Regiment was severely engaged. General Griffin called on Whipple for Carroll's Brigade, and it waspromptly moved up through the town under fire of shot and shell. Stopping in a cut of the Richmond Railroad, then climbing the steep embankment, the Brigade rushed on and was soon at the very front. Two Companies went on in advance of the line of battle and had to be recalled. During the night the enemy attempted to force the part of the line occupied by the 84th and 110th Pa., but was repulsed.
7 men killed and 24 wounded.
Colonel Bowman, 84th, and Lieutenant Crowther, 110th, were specially mentioned in the Brigade Commander's report.
After the battle, the Regiment went into Camp at Stoneman's Switch, on the Falmouth and Acquia Creek Railroad, about 2 miles from Falmouth.
In the meantime, on the 1st of October, 1862, Captain Opp had been promoted Major, and, on December 23d, Lieutenant-Colonel, Barrett and Craig having both resigned.
Captain Zinn was promoted Major, October 2d.
On January 18th, 1863, Sergeant Mather, B Co., was promoted Adjutant.
On January 19th, Burnside started the Army for a second attempt on Fredericksburg, but the heavy rain converted the movement into a "Mud March," and it was abandoned.
The outcome of December 13th and January 19th, was the removal of Burnside, on January 26th, from the command of the Army, and the substitution of Major-General Hooker.
These were experimental days, and rotation in office of Corps and Army Commanders largely practised, but the experiments were harsh indeed to the boys who did the tramping and the fighting.
On February 5th, by order of General Hooker, the Army of the Potomac was reorganized, and Reynolds assigned to the command of the 1st Corps; Couch, the 2d; Sickles, the 3d; Meade, the 5th; Sedgwick, the 6th; Sigel, the 11th; and Slocum, the 12th; the Cavalry under Stoneman.
The 84th and 110th Pa. and 12th New Hampshire, constituted the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Corps, with Bowman Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel Opp in command of the Regiment.
Picketing along the Rappahannock, by details of Regiments, was the principal duty from January to
Battle of Chancellorsville.
April 29th, when the Army broke camp and started on a campaign intended to be brief, but sharp and decisive, fruitful of great and important results.
It was Hooker's plan, most intelligently conceived and thorough in its details. Without Jackson on the other side, it would have gone down in history as the battle of the War, and Hooker would have been the Lieutenant-General. No rebel army would thereafter have crossed the Potomac to make a Gettysburg. The Gettysburg of the War would have been on Southern soil.
The Regiment participated in the feint to the left of Fredericksburg, and on the
1st of May, moved toward Chancellorsville, the place of the campaign, crossing the Rappahannock at United States Ford.
On the 2d, late in the afternoon, Sickles was ordered to send two Divisions, the 2d and 3d, in the direction of the Old Furnace, to cut off the march of rebel troops toward the right of our line. Jackson, however, as was his custom, had already passed by and out of the way, excepting a regiment, which was captured.
While two-thirds of Sickles' Corps was in this exposed position, Jackson literally fell on the 11th Corps, away to the right of the Union line, at a time when the whole of that Corps was lying in supposed security, doubled it up, and in this way substituted the Field plan of Lee for the Camp study of Hooker; andChancellorsville was become a ground to fight on but not a place of victory.
In the words of that memorable Order, the "Enemy was in a bag." But where was the string?
However, there was virtue in the situation, in that it furnished the grandest test that could have been presented to the Army of the Potomac. Most fully defeated, yet not alarmed. Line broken, yet not pursued.
Hooker's Army was a body of positive soldiery, who knew not on that 2d of May, nor until well back on sure ground, how nearly Lee had gained what Hooker started out to accomplish.
Back from the Old Furnace came the two Divisions of Sickles', while Keenan, with his Battalion of Cavalry, held the whole rebel force, to make time for the planting of the guns, and lessen the time for the falling of the night, which was to be the safeguard of our Army.
The next morning found our Brigade too far out, and where it would not have remained through the night had its position and number been known to the occupants of the woods along the line of which it was posted.
The Brigade was drawn back in the direction of the Chancellor House, and put behind a short line oflight breast-works, in an isolated position, without any support to the right or left. We had been closely followed in our withdrawal of the morning, and were now hard pressed by the enemy forcing in upon our front, while a large force could be seen moving some distance on our left, which, within a half-hour, coming through the woods and over the rise to our rear, were immediately at our back before their coming was known.
For some time, such of the Union troops as could be seen from the position occupied by the Regiment, had been giving way and falling back to the protection of the numerous guns posted in front of the Chancellor House, and which had not yet opened fire.
The Union line did not seem to be holding anywhere.
The killed and wounded of the Regiment had been added to at every fire.
Pressed to the front and rear by forces too large to contend with, with one flank closed and the other nearly so, it was now only the question of escape, or capture.
When the colors of the Regiment were planted behind the inner works, twice the fingers of the hands counted the total of the officers and men who stood with them.
Out of 391, 1 officer, Peterman, then Captain of KCo., and 5 men had been killed; 5 officers and 54 men wounded, and 154 captured and missing.
General Whipple was killed just to the right of the Regiment, on the 4th.
On the night of the 4th, rain came down in a flood, so that the Rappahannock was much swollen. About midnight, Hooker's Army commenced crossing to the North side, and, by the night of the 5th, all were back on the old camp ground.
Many of the dead had been left on the field where they fell, and many of the wounded left to rebel care. Death had come to some of the wounded from the fire in the woods, caused by the shelling on the 3d. The great loss to the rebel side came a few days after, in the death of Jackson, who had been mortally wounded on the night of the 2d.
Following on Chancellorsville, owing to the death of Whipple and the numerous casualties, the Division was broken up and the regiments assigned to other commands.
Parted from the 110th.
The 84th and 110th had been together up to this time, but from now on were to be parted. The 84th went to the 1st Brigade (Carr's), 2d Division (Humphrey's),and the 110th to the 3d Brigade, 1st Division.
Gettysburg Campaign.
In the early part of June, it became clear that the officials of the confederacy were so much encouraged by the result of Hooker's campaign, that they had determined upon sending Lee into Pennsylvania.
A reconnoissance by the Cavalry under Buford and Gregg, south of the Rappahannock, delayed Lee for a few days.
As soon as it was known that Lee was on the way, the people of Pennsylvania felt what the consequencecouldbe, and feared what itmightbe. The State was divided into two Military Districts. The Department of the Monongahela, west of the Laurel Ridge Mountains, was commanded by General Brooks, Headquarters, Pittsburg; and the Department of the Susquehanna by General Couch, Headquarters, Chambersburg.
On June 14th, Milroy was forced out of Winchester, leaving behind siege guns, 8 field pieces, 6000 muskets, ammunition and stores.
June 15th, the President called on Maryland and West Virginia for 10,000 militia, each; Ohio for 30,000, and Pennsylvania for 50,000, for six months' service.
June 16th, Jenkins' rebel cavalry, 950 strong, occupied Chambersburg, and withdrew on the 18th.
19th, portion of Rhodes' rebel cavalry entered McConnelsburg and sacked the town.
21st, Pleasanton drove Stuart beyond Middletown, through Upperville and Ashby's Gap.
23d, rebel forces again occupied Chambersburg, the Union troops in the town falling back.
26th, rebel advance reached Carlisle, the militia under General Knipe retiring.
Lee's forces were well under way down the Valley, when Hooker took down his tents opposite Fredericksburg.
From the start to the finish it was a race, but not from the foe. There were no obstacles worth the mention for Lee to encounter, none for Hooker.
Lee went upon that side of the mountain, Hooker upon this. Across the Potomac went Lee, and across the Potomac came Hooker—at different points.
The Army of the Potomac had marched before, but never before, nor after, as it did through the night after crossing into Maryland. Along the tow-path, dark, wet and slippery; strength all gone, and the muscles expanding simply to get rid of the contraction.
Such was the character of the march, that at times the nearest comrade on the walk would not be within ten paces to the front or rear.
What had been lost at the start must now be made up, for Lee was well on toward every Pennsylvania soldier's home.
On June 27th, at Frederick, Maryland, the order was promulgated assigning Major-General Meade to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and Hooker thereby relieved.
On the night of June 30th, at Taneytown, came the order detailing the Regiment to guard the Supply Train.
The next morning, Colonel Opp, knowing that his men were averse to such duty, made special request of the Brigade Commander to revoke the order, but without success.
July 1st, started with the train, which was then moving with the Column from Taneytown on the road to Emmettsburg, and while on the way word came that the Cavalry and the 1st Corps had encountered Lee at Gettysburg, and that Reynolds had been killed.
Immediately following this announcement came the order for the Supply Trains to report at Westminster.
The Supply Trains were an important factor in army organization. They did good service in the camp, along the march, and on the field. Without them even Gettysburg would not have been a Field of Monuments. At least twenty regiments of the Army of the Potomac did guard duty with the trains on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of July, 1863. That duty was quite as necessary of performance, fully as important, carrying with it as much of possible danger, as was actually encountered by regiments engaged on the field, and as much of actual danger as did not fall to the lot of several of the regiments who were no more on the field than were the troops with the trains, and which regiments wrote Gettysburg on their battle flags without a question as to its being rightly there.
When the State of Pennsylvania placed upon her Statute Books the Act that gave to every Pennsylvania Command having a part in the Battle of Gettysburg a Memorial Stone, I had no doubt as to the 84th coming within the terms of the Act, and no doubt as to the duty of its Soldiers to see that its Monument was placed.
The Regiment had been, from the time of its entry into the service, a part of the Army of the Potomac, even before all the troops in Virginia were so designated, and continued to be till the end of the War. Failureof recognition under this Law of the Commonwealth, as a part of the Army of the Potomac, would have left the Regiment unrecorded to the world as of any army up to and including the time of Gettysburg.
But comment of our own is unnecessary. The statement of General Carr, the Brigade Commander, covers all points, and coming from an individual thoroughly competent to pass judgment, and yet free from the slightest degree of interest that might possibly induce bias, ought to, and does, answer all question and resolve all doubt.
(The following letter was written by General Carr in response to a communication asking simply for a statement by him of the duty on which the Regiment was ordered in connection with the Battle of Gettysburg.
The tribute thus tendered to the Regiment not only evidences the high regard had by General Carr for the officers and men of the 84th, but is indicative of the feeling entertained and expressed by Shields, Carroll, Ricketts, Whipple, Pierce, Mott, and other General Officers, in whose immediate command the Regiment was placed between October, '61, and July, '65.)
Office of American Chain Cable Works,Troy, N. Y., October 28, 1887.General John P. Taylor, President,Board of Commissioners Gettysburg Monuments,Philadelphia, Pa.
Office of American Chain Cable Works,
Troy, N. Y., October 28, 1887.
General John P. Taylor, President,
Board of Commissioners Gettysburg Monuments,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Sir:—I have the honor to present the following statement, in reference to the part taken by the 84th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Gettysburg Campaign.
The 84th Regiment was in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the movements of that Army from Fredericksburg, Va., to Emmettsburg, Md. On the morning of the 1st July, the Regiment was detailed by an order from my headquarters to guard the supply train that was then located between Emmettsburg and Gettysburg. The Regiment remained on duty with the train until relieved by another Regiment on the 6th July, when it reported to me for duty while at Williamsport.
The duty performed by the 84th Regiment during the three days' fighting was as essential and important as that of any other Regiment of my command; it was a duty they were ordered to perform over which they had no control, but as good soldiers obeyed the command. When Colonel Opp received the order he sent his Adjutant, Lieutenant Mather, to me with a request to have the order rescinded, which of course was not granted.
The 84th Regiment was one of my best and most reliable commands. The officers and men were always ready and willing to do their duty.
To deprive this Regiment of the recognition it is entitled to,upon that memorable battle field, would in my opinion be a very great injustice.
I would respectfully suggest that the monument be erected at a point near where my headquarters were previous to the second day's engagement. It was near the Emmettsburg road, directly in front of the Roger's house, as you will see upon the map of the field.
The inscription should state the whereabouts of the Regiment on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July, 1863, and the actual duty it was performing.
I am, Very Respectfully,
JOSEPH B. CARR.
This statement is a Monument in itself. No Regiment ever received, or could have had, more emphatic endorsement of its service.
The State Commission on Gettysburg Monuments had no doubt of the full right of the 84th to participate with all other Pennsylvania regiments that took part in the Battle of Gettysburg, and promptly said so.
On the night of the 4th, the Regiment was ordered from Westminster to rejoin the Brigade, and reported to General Carr on the 6th.
While at Westminster there was constant apprehension of attack by rebel cavalry, and the picket guards were under strict orders to be continually on the alert to avoid surprise.
During the night of the 13th and the morning of the 14th, Lee crossed his army over the Potomac at Williamsport, closely followed by the Union cavalry, the advance of the Army of the Potomac.
On July 24th, the Regiment took part in clearing the Gap at Wapping Heights, the rebels contesting every step until forced into the Valley, when they went on a run, and we returned through the Gap to rejoin the column.
The return was much like the going, excepting that there was not the necessity for haste, and with this difference of feeling. The rebel army had started North elated by Chancellorsville; it returned depressed by Gettysburg.
The Union Army had not been depressed by Chancellorsville (it never was by any defeat), but was more than pleased with Gettysburg.
The walk did not stop until the Army of the Potomac was again between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan.
July, August, and September having passed by, and October being well under way, Lee, having nothing to gain by remaining quiet, again put his army in motion, this time bound for the road that led to his Country's Capital, but not with patriotic intent.
By this time the Army of the Potomac had become well grounded in the ups and downs which lie between the Rapidan and the Potomac.
Foraging had become a thing of the past in this now agricultural and animal forsaken portion of our Land. In fact, at the time when anything was to be found here, it was not permitted to be taken. It was not until later on that the conclusion was arrived at that Union Armies were not organized and maintained to guard crops for rebel army use and the sustenance of a southern confederacy.
Thousands of Union Soldiers might lie in unknown graves, and tens of thousands might be sent home cripples for life, but not an ear on the stalk, or a grain in the crib, an animal on the hoof, or his parts in the smoke-house, must be taken by the Union Soldier, lest treason might not have abundance.
All that was left of what once had been, were the names of the places along the route—Rappahannock Station, Catlett, Bristoe, Manassas, Thoroughfare, Haymarket, Union Mills.
Lee's Last Move on Washington.
Meade became aware of Lee's purpose too late to make the following a walk, or even an easy run.
It was so closely parallel, at times, that it was not certain which army was in the pursuit, and when at Bristoe Station,
On October 14th, the 2d Corps and a portion of the 5th were attacked, while marching by the flank, by a portion of Hill's Corps under Heth, Warren did a service for the Army of the Potomac, and his Country, which should have avoided the decree of April, 1865, removing him from his Command.
It was the only Infantry engagement of moment in the movement, and had the effect of making this the last in the series of Lee's running campaigns on Washington.
On his way back, starting on the
19th, Lee destroyed the Railroad, which Meade rebuilt as the Army of the Potomac advanced leisurely to the Rappahannock.
On November 7th, Meade forded the river at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford, the battling at both points being severe, and the Army of the Potomacno more came back until without a foe.
November 8th, Lee crossed the Rapidan,and he never came back.
Camp at Brandy Station.
Meade's Army went into camp, the 84th to the left of Brandy Station, on land of John Minor Botts, andimmediately commenced the erection of Winter quarters.
Picket duty and the ordinary engagements of the camp followed, until
November 25th, when the Army marched the few miles to the Rapidan, crossed over, and the rebels fell back, contesting all the way, until Locust Grove was reached on the
Battle of Locust Grove or Mine Run.
27th, where the Regiment was warmly engaged. Here occurred the incident which clearly proved the fastness of the colors of the 84th.
The whole line to the right and left gave way. This forced the Regiment to retire, and there was every indication of a precipitate retreat. The Regiment had gone but its flags were still there. The Adjutant came promptly to the direction of the Colors, and the two flags in the hands of the Bearers, supported by the Color Guard, marched off the field to the ordinary step, and in as orderly manner as when passing from the Parade Ground to Headquarters. The flags might have been captured, and the Adjutant and Guard with them, but it would have been a capture to which no discredit would have attached.
1 officer and 8 men wounded.
From the field of Locust Grove to Mine Run, and a sight of the defences of Lee.
Contemplated Charge at Mine Run.
On the night of the 28th, orders were given to charge the enemy's works the next morning at 8 o'clock, and by daylight the Army was in line, awaiting the order to advance. It was well the order of execution was not given. The slaughter that would have ensued would have been without its fellow in the tales of the War.
Pickett at Gettysburg was a thing of Parade compared with what this would have been.
The troops would have gone over a space which thereafter would have been noted as the Field of Death.
Meade thought one way; Warren the other.
Warren was right, and Meade saw, in time, that he, himself, was wrong.
This act of Warren did not call for what was done him at Five Forks.
Back at Brandy Station.
The day passed, and in the night, the pickets cautioned to keep the fires going and then left to take care of themselves, Meade had his Army quietly slip awayfrom out of sight of the defences they had only looked upon, and then, without hurry, back to the old camp at Brandy Station, where from the 2d of December, 1863, to May 3d, 1864, the camp life of Winter was unbroken, save for a day or two, taken up by the march to the Rapidan on February 6th, as a caution to Lee, who was somewhat restless to learn what the Army in front of him was doing.
Veteran Re-Enlistments.
Also the re-enlistments for the Veteran three years, accompanied by the furlough for thirty days.
But during this time there occurred what was to subject all elements of all the Armies of the Union to harmony of action, and thus, in good time, end the attempt at the destruction of the Union, and thereby cease the struggle for its maintenance.
Grant in Command of all the Armies.
By special Act of Congress the rank of Lieutenant-General was revived, and, by the President, conferred on Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, with assignment to the command of all the Armies of the United States, Halleck being relieved as General-in-Chief, and assigned to duty in Washington as Army Chief of Staff.
After the severe experiences of three years, the Executive and Legislative Departments had come to the common agreement, that the rebellion could be put down with one Army, but never with a score, with ten, nor even two. Starting anew, there would be one Captain of the Host.
The Army of the Potomac was now—2d Corps, Hancock; 5th Corps, Warren; 6th Corps, Sedgwick; Cavalry, Sheridan; and Hunt, Chief of Artillery; Meade in command of the whole, but Grant always present.
The 84th was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 4th Division (Mott), 2d Corps (Hancock), and from this on the references to the 2d Corps will be, mainly, our account of the 84th.
Grant's Campaign.
Soon after midnight,
May 3-4, '64, was inaugurated Grant's Campaign—the longest, but the last, of the War.
The Army of the Potomac moved off their five months' camping ground, thereafter to realize that armies could move without regard to seasons.
Pontoons were thrown across the Rapidan, principally at Germania and Ely's Fords.
Passed over the battle ground of just a year before,at Chancellorsville, and came well into the Wilderness on the
5th. At 9 o'clock, Hancock was ordered to the support of Getty's Division, the 2d of the 6th Corps, who had run against the enemy on the Orange Plank and Turnpike Roads.
The woods and narrow roads prevented Hancock from getting into position until 4 o'clock, when he sent Birney's and Mott's Divisions to Getty's support, and saved him from a rout.
Fighting continued until dark.
Grant's disposition of the troops placed Hancock in command of about one-half the Line, and thus located, he was ordered to attack at 4 o'clock the morning of the 6th, subsequently changed, at Meade's suggestion, to 5 o'clock. The movement was prompt, and to the left of the Orange Plank Road.
Battle of the Wilderness.
By the end of the first hour of the desperate fighting of that morning, it was Grant's belief, that "if the country had been such that Hancock and his Command could have seen the confusion and panic in the lines of the enemy, it would have been taken advantage of so effectually, that Lee would not have made another stand outside the Richmond defences."
The enemy got close upon a portion of the 2d Corps before being seen, owing to the density of the woods, and they were so suddenly forced back as to compel the retirement of Mott's Division also to the intrenched position of the morning.
The Battle was kept up from 5 o'clock in the morning until night, and all the time within a width of space averaging not over three-quarters of a mile.
During the night all of Lee's army withdrew within their intrenchments.
Grant said "that more desperate fighting had not been witnessed on this Continent, than that of the 5th and 6th of May."
The 84th was in the very thick of the fight. 9 men killed, 2 officers and 39 men wounded.
The character of this fighting ground is a thing of history. Heavy timber, close, thick underbrush, impossibility of knowing where the enemy was until close at hand, the burning breast-works, all present factors in the fight, gave Grant to know that he had an Army on whom he could rely for the very best of service.
Grant had the faith before he had applied the test, for on the 5th all the bridges over the Rapidan had been taken up, except the one at Germania Ford, showing that he had no thought of necessity for recrossing the river.
Death of Col. Opp.
Among the wounded of the 84th was its Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Opp, shot through the lung. He suffered, and how bravely, until the 9th, when he died. And it but honors every soldier of the Regiment, from the highest in rank to the lowest, when it is said, that with his going out there was made a vacancy in the Regimental household, which we have felt from then to the present, and will ever feel, until we greet him in our Reunion when we gather together in that other time which shall follow upon this.
In the closing weeks of '62 the Regiment had sought and found new life, and with the beginning of '63 had started off anew, cleared of all that might have held it back in the then coming time. Milton Opp was then the Second Officer of the Regiment. He was possessed of an ambition worthy of all the praise that grateful men could well bestow; ambitious, not for himself, but for his Regiment. In command from January, 1863, to the time of his death, the very example of his manner, his bearing, whether with belt on or off, was such, as to bring up the tone of every soldier of the 84th. The lowest in the Regiment was higher, the highest was higher, because of the presence of Milton Opp. No Regimental Headquarters surpassed his in integrity of purpose, firmness without severity of actionor sense of duty in everything that was calculated to incline a Regiment of soldiers to be a credit to themselves, and an honor to their State.
How much the situation did for the general tone of the Regiment has, perhaps, been more thought of since than during the time of its service.
Aided from the beginning by a most faithful and altogether most competent Adjutant, Colonel Opp brought the Regiment up to a standard of discipline from which his successors in command never saw it depart, from which, good and able officers that they were, they would not have permitted it to depart. Between their task and his, and it detracts not one whit from them to think it or to say it, there was this difference; he made it the easier for them to carry out well, as they faithfully did, what he had so well provided. He was the most loved by those whose acquaintance with him was the most intimate. A gentleman, a Christian, a man.
How we would all welcome him, could we greet him now. And by none would he have been welcomed among us with more of good, earnest feeling, than by him who so well succeeded to the Command which was left by Milton Opp on the 6th of May, 1864.
The Battle of the Wilderness had been fought. Whenthe soldiers of the Army of the Potomac learned that a drawn battle could be made in its results a great victory, when they learned that Grant not only commanded the masses of the troops, but had firm control of the official elements, and 48 hours was sufficient for the lesson, is it any wonder that "the greatest enthusiasm was manifested by Hancock's troops," when, on the 7th of May, Grant rode behind the 2d Corps, lying on the Brock Road, "inspired," says Grant, "no doubt by the fact that the movement was South."
No more exhibitions of jealousy among Commanders of Corps. Such conduct was now to send a Major-General to the rear as a useless incumbrance.
Early on the morning of the 7th, Grant's order had gone out for a night march to Spottsylvania.
An encounter with Early detained the 2d Corps at Todd's Tavern, and kept it from Spottsylvania on the 8th.
Having got rid of Early, at noon on the 9th Hancock was ordered up from Todd's Tavern, excepting Mott's Division, which followed later in the day.
Sedgwick, commanding the 6th Corps, was killed on the morning of the 9th, by a rebel sharpshooter.
On the 10th, Hancock was ordered to attack with the 2d, 5th and 6th Corps. The assault was madeabout 4 o'clock in the afternoon, with not altogether satisfactory result. Mott's Division was on the left of the 6th Corps.
On the 11th, the only movement was by Mott's Division, acting under orders to develop a weak spot in the enemy's line. The outcome of this reconnoissance was Grant's order of the 11th, for an assault at precisely 4a.m.of the 12th, "with all possible vigor, the preparations to be conducted with the utmost secrecy, and veiled entirely from the enemy."
Battle of Spottsylvania.
The heavy fog delayed the start one hour.
The objective point was the salient, where, after the conflict, lay Lee's soldiers piled one upon another, just as they fell.
The rebel captured numbered 4000, among them Major-General Edward Johnson, Division Commander, and Brigadier-General Stewart, commanding a Brigade; a score of guns, with horses, caissons and ammunition, and several thousand small arms.
Loss to the Regiment, 9 men killed, 1 officer and 27 men wounded.
It was on May 13th, that Grant in a letter to the Secretary of War made use of the memorable words,"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all Summer."
On the 13th, Grant recommended our old Brigade Commander, Carroll, for promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General.
Mott's Division was reduced to a Brigade, and assigned to Birney's Division.
Whatever further might have been done in pressing Lee at Spottsylvania, was prevented by the heavy rain which commenced on the night of the 13th.
On the 18th, Grant gave orders for the movement by the left flank on to Richmond.
One road from Spottsylvania to Fredericksburg was now open to Lee, and on the
Change of Base of Supplies.
19th, the Base of Supplies was shifted from Fredericksburg to Port Royal.
On the 20th, orders were renewed for the left flank movement to commence after night.
Hancock, having the lead, marched Easterly to Guiney's Station, on the Fredericksburg Railroad, thence Southerly to Bowling Green and Milford, arriving at Milford on the night of the 21st.
On the 22d, the 2d Corps was permitted to rest through the day and night.
At North Anna River.
23d, Hancock moved to the Wooden Bridge, West of the Fredericksburg Railroad Bridge, over the North Anna River, the rebel guard being intrenched on the North side. The guard gave way quickly, but so rapid was the move upon the bridge that several of the rebels were forced through the water. Owing to the late hour the Corps did not cross until the next morning.
Regiment had 1 officer and 5 men wounded.
Base of Supplies again Changed.
On the 26th, Base of Supplies changed from Port Royal to White House.
All the troops South of the North Anna were crossed back to the North side, and moved under orders to proceed to Hanover, a point within 20 miles of Richmond.
On the 29th, at Hanover.
The 2d Corps moved toward Tolopotomy Creek to discover the whereabouts of the enemy. He was found strongly fortified.
Battle of Tolopotomy.
On May 31st and June 1st, the Regiment was engaged with the enemy at Pleasant Hill, known as the Battle of Tolopotomy.
4 men killed, 3 officers and 13 men wounded.
Cold Harbor.
From June 1st to 3d, at Cold Harbor.
1 officer and 6 men wounded.
On June 5th, Grant determined upon moving the Army South of the James.
On Evening of the 13th, 2d Corps was at Charles City Court House, on the James River.
Crossing of James River.
On the 14th, 2d Corps crossed in the advance, using bridge and boats.
Arrived in Front of Petersburg.
On the 15th, arrived after dark in front of Petersburg, and relieved Smith's troops in the trenches.
16th to 18th, continuous fighting.
2 men killed, 3 officers and 11 men wounded.
On the 22d, the 2d Corps was moved to the left to draw the enemy out, or to compel him to remain within his lines. He staid in, and now began the Siege of Petersburg, with the 9th Corps on the Right, then the 5th, 2d Corps next, and then the 6th broken off to the South.
The next movement was not until
Deep Bottom.
July 26th, when the 2d Corps and the Cavalry crossed the James River to Deep Bottom, for the purpose of drawing some of Lee's forces to the North side of the James, pending the Explosion of the Mine which had been worked in front of the 9th Corps, commencing on June 25th, and was now ready to be fired.
On the 29th, the 2d Corps was brought back to the James, and crossed over at night, with orders to proceed to that part of the line where the Mine was located.
Explosion of Mine.
The Explosion was in itself a success, but history records a complete failure in result.
On August 13th and 14th, to keep Lee from sending troops to the Valley against Sheridan, the 2d Corps, part of the 10th, and Gregg's Division of Cavalry, were crossed over the James, with orders not to bring on a battle.
Battle of Charles City Cross Roads.
It was quite a severe move for the Regiment, an engagement with the rebels at Charles City CrossRoads on the 15th resulting in 2 men killed, 1 officer and 16 men wounded, and several captured, who suffered the horrors of Salisbury for many months, some of them dying for want of food, water and shelter.
On the night of the 20th, withdrew from the North side of the James River, and Hancock and Gregg sent Southward to destroy the Weldon Railroad. Ream's Station fought on the 25th.
Movement to Extreme Left.
October 1st, moved with the Corps to Yellow House, and thence to the extreme left of the line. First line of enemy's works charged and carried.
The Regiment was at this time a part of Pierce's Brigade, the 2d, Mott's (3d) Division, 2d Corps.
Poplar Spring Church.
On the afternoon of the 2d, the 84th, with other troops, in all not a full regiment in number, with Colonel Zinn in command of the Charging Party, moved upon the second line at a point known as Poplar Spring Church. As soon as the rebel troops became aware of the purpose to charge, there was the disposition to abandon their position, but when they saw the small number of the Charging Party they resumed theirplaces behind their works, and held their musketry fire, keeping up the fire of their guns, until the charging line was within a few feet, when they delivered such a fire, volley upon volley, as threatened to kill, or wound, every soldier of the 84th. As we think of that flood of balls, it seems incredible that none were killed, and only 8 wounded, 2 officers and 6 men.
Colonel Zinn was shot, and would now be going around upon one natural leg, had he not successfully fought the Surgeon's conclusion to take the other off.
October 4th, lay in rear of 9th Corps works, building forts and slashing timber.
5th, Brigade ordered to join the Corps, and marched to our old position near Fort Hayes.
6th, Regiment sent to garrison Fort Bross, on Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, in company with a Section of 14th Massachusetts Battery, 2 guns, under Lieutenant George. No other troops in the vicinity.
13th, Paymaster on hand with six months' arrears.
October 23d, Three years had now elapsed since the organization of the Regiment, and the men who had served during that time, and were not included in the number of Veteran Enlistments, were honorably discharged by reason of expiration of term of service.
25th, Regiment ordered to report to Division as soon as possible. At 1p.m., left Fort Bross, and joined the Division between the Fort and Jerusalem Plank Road. Lay massed during the day and night.
26th, Moved to the left, passing the Gurley House, in rear of our rear line of works. Struck the Weldon Railroad a mile from the Yellow House. Remained here until 4 o'clock the next morning, when the march was continued toward the South Side Railroad, moving along a narrow road and through woods until we arrived about 2p.m.near Hatcher's Run and the Boydton Plank Road.
During the last 5 miles the rebel cavalry continually engaged our own, working around to our rear as we advanced, fighting at the Saw Mill shortly after we had passed.
Battle of Hatcher's Run.
Formed line of battle in open field. A break in the line to the right, owing to a separation of Divisions, was promptly noted by the enemy, who marched in by the flank between Pierce's and McAllister's Brigades, the latter having been advanced about half a mile to the front of Mott's Division, until his right rested on the Boydton Plank Road.
It was an ill advised move on the rebel side. Assoon as noticed by McAllister, he faced his Brigade to the rear, charged, and took several hundred prisoners. Pierce's Brigade re-took the two guns which had been picked up by the enemy at the Plank Road.
The Regiment had 4 men wounded and 1 missing. 6 men were taken prisoners, but escaped.
After dark, threw up light works at right angles with the Plank Road, being in such position that the shells from our rear reached where we lay, some going beyond and others exploding at our line. The enemy was both to the front and rear, accounted for by the fact that we were stretching out his extreme right.
At 10p.m., marched back to the old position between Fort Bross and Jerusalem Plank Road, arriving at 5p.m.on the 28th.
29th, Moved to left and rear of Fort Hayes.
30th, 9p.m., Deployed along the works between Forts Hayes and Davis, the enemy having relieved, very quietly, about 300 men on our picket line, the pickets supposing they were being regularly relieved.
The mistake was discovered in time to avoid any disadvantage therefrom.
Regiment back in quarters before morning.
November 1st, Changed position to right of Fort Hayes, and put up tents along main line of works.
5th, 12p.m., Rebel dash on picket line, with no success, but with loss of 40 of their men captured.
Quiet until the 18th, when orders were received to be ready to move, but prevented by heavy rain.
Thanksgiving Dinner.
25th, Memorable as the day when the whole Army was treated to a Thanksgiving Dinner, supplied by the people North.
29th, Orders received to move at dark. 6p.m., moved to near Southall House.
30th, 7a.m., Marched along rear line of works, about 5 miles, to between Forts Emory and Seibert, and commenced putting up quarters.
December 1st, Ordered to change camp, and
On the 2d, moved about a mile, and commenced the erection of Winter Quarters.
4th, A, C, E and K Companies mustered out as company organizations, having completed three years' service.
6th, Ordered to march at daylight of the 7th.
It was now quite evident that the Winter of '64-5 was not to be as other Winters had been.
Destruction of Weldon Railroad.
On the 7th, Mott's Division marched out with the 5th Corps and the Cavalry, the whole under command of Warren, under orders to destroy as much as possible of the Weldon Railroad. Went by way of the Jerusalem Plank Road, crossed the Nottoway River at dark, and bivouacked on the South side, 20 miles.
8th, Marched at daylight, passed through Sussex Court House and Coman's Well, 12 miles, and bivouacked for the night within 2 miles of the Weldon Railroad.
9th, Daylight, marched 2 miles, striking the Weldon Railroad near Jarrett's Station. From this point Southward to Bellefield, a distance of 11 miles, the Railroad was effectually destroyed.
10th, The object of the Expedition having been accomplished, Warren started backward toward Petersburg, marched 18 miles, and bivouacked for the night 4 miles South of Sussex Court House.
11th, Started at daylight, again passed through Sussex Court House, recrossed the Nottoway River, stopping for the night 4 miles beyond, 11 miles.
12th, Off again at daylight, the Regiment deployed as flankers, and back at our lines at 2p.m., 16 miles.
There were no casualties, except as will be stated, no rebel force having been encountered.
On the way back it was discovered that several Union soldiers had been murdered by guerillas, their bodies having been found in the woods, off the line of march, horribly mutilated.
On the way down they had strayed from the road to lie down, being overcome by too free indulgence in the discovery made at one of the houses, not knowing its powerful after-effect. It was a terrible sequel to the over-taking of the seeming harmlessness of Apple Jack, to one not acquainted with its ardent qualities.
The result of the discovery of the bodies was the order given to burn every house and other building anywhere near the line of march.
13th, Moved into the woods and took position in line for the purpose of laying out camp and putting up quarters.
14th, Erection of Winter Quarters.
22d, Expiration of three years since muster of the Regiment into the Service of the United States.
23d, Division paraded to witness the execution of John E. Dixon, Private 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, for desertion. Dixon had made a break for the rebel line, but not noticing the direction of the twolines, ran into our own line without knowing it, when it was learned from his words and manner that he supposed he was on the other side, and that his purpose had been to desert.
31st, Regiment consolidated into Battalion of 4 Companies.
Consolidation of the 84th and 57th Pa.
This formation was preparatory to the consolidation of the Regiment with the 57th Pennsylvania, which had been made a Battalion of 6 Companies.
The consolidation took place on January 13th, 1865.
The consolidation was not a merger, save as to number. The 57th composed the Right 6 Companies and the 84th the Left 4 Companies.
I will venture what I think the explanation of the dropping of the number 84 and the retention of the number 57, notwithstanding it was known that the Colonel, Major and Adjutant of the Consolidated Regiment would be from the 84th. But it was also known that the retention of the number 84 would work great injustice to officers who had earned further promotion, and therefore the natural course of the command of the Regiment determining the number, must give way to the necessity which justice prompted.
Colonel Bowman was still borne on the rolls of the 84th, though his service in the field was less than a year, and only half that time directly with the Regiment, and then on permanent Detached Service at Washington since June, 1863. It was known that he would not return to Field Service.
With the number 57, Lieutenant-Colonel Zinn was promoted Colonel; Captain Bryan, Major; and Captain Perkins, of the old 57th, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Captain Bryan had been commissioned Major of the 84th in May, '64, nearly a year before, but could not be mustered as such for want of the minimum number admitting of 3 Field Officers, although there was not the 1 Field Officer doing duty with the Regiment.
Colonel Bowman continued to rank as of the 84th until the middle of May, when he was mustered out, a month after the close of the War.
That portion of the Inscription on the Monument which brings the 84th down to the date of the muster out of the 57th, was conceded only after months of earnest contention.
The 57th continued in Pierce's Brigade.
Second Hatcher's Run.
February 5th, 7a.m., marched from camp and alongVaughan Road, crossing the picket line about 3 miles to North side of Hatcher's Run, and put up works. 6p.m., moved a mile to the right, took position under very heavy fire on left of the 3d Brigade, and put up works.
6th, Ordered to support of 5th Corps. While on the way order countermanded and returned to works.
7th and 10th, Slashing timber in front of line.
11th, Line to our left abandoned during the night. 5a.m., moved within new line and encamped.
12th, Slashing timber in front of works.
13th, Again putting up Winter Quarters, the heavy timbers of some of the tents being moved from the old camp.
Beyond Picket Line.
25th, Daylight, heavy firing at Fort Steadman. 6a.m., ordered to be packed up. 4p.m., advanced outside of picket line. Put up slight breast-works. Rebel charge repulsed. Took about 200 prisoners. 26th, 1a.m., returned to camp and again put up tents.
27th, 10a.m., on picket. Advanced picket posts to within 150 yards of enemy's line. No firing.
28th, Received orders to be ready to move at 6a.m., the 29th.
The Last Move.
On the day that Lee arranged the assault intended to compel Grant to abandon his Petersburg Line, and thus raise the Siege of Petersburg, Grant issued the order for the movement of the 29th. Had Lee met with success on the 25th, Grant's program to end the War at this time would have failed.
29th, 6a.m., left camp near Humphrey's Station, marched along Vaughan Road 3 miles, and formed line on right of the road. Advanced 2 miles and bivouacked for the night.
30th, 7a.m., advanced in line of battle 1 mile and put up works.
31st, 1a.m., moved 1 mile to left, and bivouacked for the night on Battle Field of 27th of November last.
April 1st, 6p.m., portion of Regiment detailed for picket duty.
Evacuation of Petersburg.
2d, 9a.m., passed through main line of rebel works and marched 7 miles, to within a half mile of Petersburg, and formed in line.
70 prisoners captured by the Regiment. 4 men wounded.
Pursuit of Lee.
3d, 8a.m., marched Westward on road to Burk's Station in pursuit of Lee, 20 miles.
4th, 7a.m., in same direction, 8 miles. 6p.m., bivouacked.
5th, 1.30a.m., in same direction. Crossed Richmond and Danville Railroad, and bivouacked 1 mile North of the Road, 12 miles.
6th, 7a.m., in close pursuit of Lee.
Portion of Regiment on Skirmish Line, continually running into Lee's rear guard skirmishers, capturing prisoners, and toward night took part in the capture of rebel train of 200 wagons hastening on to Lynchburg.
Prisoners captured, 90, and 1 color.
Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins and 15 men wounded.
7th, 7a.m., continued the pursuit. Passed the Richmond and Danville Railroad at the High Bridge, which had been fired by the rebels and partly burned. Met the enemy in force after marching about 8 miles. 2 men wounded.
8th, passed through Coal Land, marching 17 miles. Took 40 prisoners.
For the last three days broken-down rebel wagons, gun carriages and soldiers were a common sight.
Surrender of Lee's Army.
April 9th, the Last Day.
Still in close pursuit. Went 5 miles, driving the enemy. 12 o'clock, ordered to halt until 2. 2 o'clock, ordered to halt until 4, before which hour Lee had surrendered to Grant the Army of Northern Virginia.
The Regiment was with the advance, and about 4 miles East of Appomattox Court House.
Who would attempt to word the feeling following upon the announcement of the surrender that Sunday afternoon, April 9th, 1865?
April 11th, 10a.m., journeyed back 12 miles to New Store, away from what had been Lee's Army, and without seeing it.
No Pickets Out.—No Guards On.
From two things we knew the surrender had been made. The fact of the announcement and the other fact—there had been no pickets out, no guard on, since the 9th. But there had been no parading of a vanquished foe to meet the gaze of a triumphant Army. Grant had saved them that humiliation.
12th, 6a.m., 15 miles, passed through Curville, and then on to Farmville.
13th, 6a.m., 17 miles, to near Burks Station, and went into camp.
Assassination of the President.
15th, 10p.m., received official dispatch of the assassination of President Lincoln on the night of the 14th, and his death at 7.22 o'clock on the morning of the 15th.
He had lived to the last day of a labor which none but himself could know how hard it had been to bear. But now how absolute his rest. The very Heaven his immediate reward for the saving, under God, of a Nation.
16th, Moved one-third of a mile to change camp.
19th, Ordered that all unnecessary work be suspended on the day of the President's funeral.
25th, Regiment paraded to hear orders relative to the assassination. Officers directed to wear crape for six months and Colors to be draped for the same period.
Surrender of Johnston's Army.
28th, dispatch received announcing the surrender ofJohnston, and then the most doubtful knew that the War was over.
May 2d, marched at 1p.m., 11 miles, to Gettyville.
3d, 6a.m., to and across the Appomattox, passing through Five Forks, Amelia Court House and Scott's Store, 17 miles.
4th, 6a.m., marched 18 miles.
5th, 5a.m., to Manchester, opposite Richmond, arriving at 11a.m., 10 miles.
Through Richmond.
6th, 10.30a.m., passed through Manchester, crossed the Pontoon Bridge over the James River, marched through Richmond with Colors flying and Bands playing, passing Libby Prison on the way. Crossed the Chickahominy River and bivouacked 4-1/2 miles North of Richmond, on the Fredericksburg Pike, 8 miles.
7th, 6a.m., through Hanover Court House and across the Pamunky River, 16 miles.
8th, 6a.m., 16 miles.
9th, 6a.m., 17 miles, to within one-half mile of Po River.
Through Fredericksburg.
10th, 6a.m., crossed the Rappahannock, through Fredericksburg, with Colors flying and Bands playing,and bivouacked near our old picket line of '63, and within 2-1/2 miles of the old camp ground at Stoneman's Switch, 17 miles.
11th, 6a.m., crossed head waters of Acquia Creek, 16 miles.
12th, 6a.m., 14 miles, to near Wolf Run Shoals and Aquequon River.
13th, 5a.m., crossed the Aquequon, and then the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, 16 miles.
Final Field Camp.
15th, 6a.m., 6 miles, to Four Mile Run, being that distance from Washington, and went into final Field camp.
Review of the Army of the Potomac.
June 23d, review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington by President Johnson.
Review of Sherman's Army.
24th, Review of Sherman's Army.
The two days as one, and what a turn-out of Veterans; a sight the like of which never had been witnessed, and we think never will be again.
From the Review, back over the Potomac for the last time, and but for a few days, and then the
Order for Muster-Out.
29th, on which day was read on Dress Parade the Order that made, as other citizens, save in the service they had completed for their Country, the Soldiers who comprised the Field Survivors of the 84th and 57th Regiments Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers.
Back to Harrisburg.
From camp near Washington to Harrisburg, there a closing of accounts with the Government that had, with the loss of 400,000 Loyal Lives and the crippling of 300,000 Union Soldiers, and the agonies of the sorrows which never could be told off, been made altogether free.