On the 18th of August the Confederates in heavy force, under Mahone, made a desperate attempt to dislodge the Federals from a strong position at Ream’s Station, on the Weldon railroad. The battle was a terrific one, and the Confederate General gained a complete victory, driving the Federals before him with heavy loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners.
He was attacked in turn next day by a large force, and after making a brave and determined stand, was compelled to fall back, leaving the enemy in possession of the road.
The loss on both sides was dreadful; and here again the Second Maryland proved of what material it was made. Disdaining to retreat without the command, when all others were seeking safety in flight, they stood to their post to the last. Again and again were they assaulted, but again and again they drove their assailants back with heavy loss. At length in overwhelming numbers the enemy came upon them and reached the breastworks. But there that little band remained for a time as firm as the rocks of Gibraltar. But the enemy crossed the breastworks, and the struggle was hand to hand. Desperately the bayonet was thrust, and the butts of muskets crushed through human skulls. But this unequal struggle could not be of long duration, and surrounded and overwhelmed, the survivors sought to fight their way out. Many succeeded, but one-third of that gallant band lay dead and wounded, or were prisoners in the hands of the foe.
Many were the noble spirits who fell, and among the number the brave and chivalrous Adjutant J. Winder Laird. The author had served with him in the First, and then in the Second Maryland, in both of which, by his kind and affable disposition, he had won the love of his companions; and but ashort time before his death he had been promoted to the rank of Adjutant, as an evidence of their esteem. Gentle as a woman in his daily intercourse with men, upon the battle-field his whole nature underwent a change. Ever foremost in the fight, his splendid figure towering above his companions, with eyes flashing, nostrils dilated, and his features all animating, he became as fierce as an unchained lion, and by his reckless exposure of person and daring courage made himself the target for many a bullet. Here at Ream’s Station, in the full tide of victory, and whilst cheering his men on in the pursuit, he was struck in the forehead and fell dead without a groan. Alas, the fatal bullet that pierced the brain of Winder Laird went straight to the heart of a fond, doting mother, who did not long survive the death of her darling, and they now rest side by side in the little churchyard at Cambridge, Md.
The following is the loss sustained by the battalion in killed, wounded, and prisoners:
Battle of Weldon Railroad.—Captain J. Parran Crane commanding, who received a severe contusion.
Field and staff.—Killed, Adjutant J. Winder Laird.
Company A, First Lieutenant Clapham Murray commanding.—Killed, private Jacob W. Davis; wounded, Lieutenant Wm. P. Zollinger, slightly; Corporal Willis Brannock, slightly; privates J. E. Fitzgerald, slightly; John C. Henry, severely; N.Heenan, severely; D. Ridgely Howard, severely; George W. Marden, slightly; Somerville Sollers, slightly; Richard C. Tilghman, severely; Joseph I. Joy, severely; captured, First Lieutenant Clapham Murray, First Sergeant James F. Pearson, Sergeant James W. Thomas; privates, William Adair, Charles S. Brannock, J. R. Phelps, Theophilus N. Deale, William J. Edelin, H. L. Gallagher, James S. Raley.
Company B, First Sergeant C. Craig Page commanding.—Killed, First Sergeant C. Craig Page; wounded, Sergeant P. T. Reeder, slightly; Corporal J. Z. Downing, severely; privates Dyonisius Ball, severely; John H. Chum, slightly; J. J. Delozier, slightly; J. Marion Freeman, slightly; Washington Page, severely; Henry Turner, slightly; captured, Sergeant F. Z. Freeman, Corporal W. F. Wheatley, private James F. Keech.
Company C, First Lieutenant Charles W. Hodges commanding.—Killed, Sergeant Robert T. Hodges; wounded, privates Daniel Duvall, severely; H. H. Crawford, slightly; John G. White, slightly; captured, Corporal Edward A. Welch; privates Theodore Cooksey, W. C. Gibson, John C. Miller, Robert H. Welch.
Company D, First Lieutenant James S. Franklin commanding.—Wounded, privates John Johnson, slightly; C. C. Leitch, slightly; Philip Lipscomb, slightly; Thomas Macready, slightly; captured,First Lieutenant James S. Franklin, Sergeant William Jenkins, privates John Lynch, William Killman.
Company E, First Lieutenant William R. Byus commanding.—Wounded, First Lieutenant Wm. R. Byus, severely; privates S. M. Byus, slightly; Thomas McLaughlin, severely; James Hanley, severely; Elisha Butler, severely; captured, Sergeant George L. Ross, Corporal John Cain, privates James Lamates, John L. Stansbury, John Cantrell, John Grant, James Applegarth.
Company F, First Lieutenant John W. Polk commanding.—Wounded, private Josiah T. Boswell, severely; captured, Sergeant Joseph L. Wagner, Corporal J. T. Brown, James H. Dixon.
Company G, Lieutenant G. G. Guillette commanding.—Killed, John D. Edelen; wounded, private Martin L. Rider, slightly; captured, Lieutenant G. G. Guillette, Sergeants Daniel A. Fenton, George W. Manning, Algernon Henry, Corporal Benjamin F. Twilly, privates William L. Brannock, W. L. Etchison, Levi Wheatley.
Company H, Captain J. T. Bussey commanding. Wounded, Captain J. T. Bussey, severely; private William Hargy, slightly.
CHAPTER XI.
On the 30th of September Heth’s division again encountered the enemy at Pegram’s farm. It was a desperate engagement, in which the Confederate arms gained a decided victory. As in every preceding battle, the Second Maryland took a conspicuous part and covered itself with glory, but losing fearfully in killed and wounded. Out of one hundred and forty-nine men that went into the fight forty-three were killed and wounded, as follows:
Battle of Pegram’s Farm, Captain Ferdinand Duvall commanding.—Wounded, Captain Ferdinand Duvall, severely.
Company A, Captain George Thomas commanding.—Killed, Corporal S. Pinckney Gill, George Deatore; wounded, Captain George Thomas, severely; Second Lieutenant Win. F. Zollinger, slightly; privates John Goodwin, severely; Frederick Huster, severely; Wm. A. Hance, slightly; missing, private Wm. H. Hubbard, supposed killed.
Company B, Second Lieutenant Charles B. Wise commanding.—Killed, private John H. Junger; wounded, Sergeants John G. Barber, slightly; Whittingham Hammett, slightly; privates Robert Beal, severely; Charles J. Foxwell, slightly.
Company C, Sergeant George Roberts commanding.—Killed, private Richard T. Onion; wounded, Sergeant George Roberts, slightly; privates Wm.Grace, severely; Thomas L. Mitchell, severely; captured, private John T. White.
Company D, Sergeant Isaac Sherwood commanding.—Wounded, privates David Hammett, slightly; W. Beale Owings, severely; John Spence, severely; missing, Philip Lipscomb.
Company E, Sergeant Wm. Heaphy commanding.—Wounded, Corporal Benjamin F. Amos, severely; privates John Keppleman, severely; Michael Noonan, severely; captured, private Martin O’Hallon.
Company F, Captain A. J. Gwynne commanding.—Killed, private Abel Hurley, wounded, Captain A. J. Gwynne, slightly; privates John H. Claggett, severely; John W. Claggett, slightly; Thomas J. Webb, severely; Hillary Cretin, severely.
Company G, Second Lieutenant George. Brighthaupt commanding.—Wounded, Lieutenant George Brighthaupt, mortally; Corporal William Lord, severely; private Robert Mumford, slightly; captured, Sergeant Michael Hallohan, privates Jesse Waters, Michael Eligett.
Company H, Corporal Patrick Heenan commanding.—Killed, Corporal Patrick Heenan; wounded, private Edward Welch, severely.
On the next day, October 1st, 1864, they again encountered the enemy on the Squirrel Level Road, and repulsed them after a sharp engagement. The loss of the Marylanders in this affair was as follows:
Battle of Squirrel Level Road, Captain John W. Torsch commanding.
Company A, Sergeant Charles E. Maguire, commanding.—Wounded, private William T. Bailey, severely.
Company B, Second Lieutenant Charles B. Wise, commanding.—Wounded, private Wm. Herbert, mortally.
Company C, Corporal C. M. Clayton commanding.—Wounded, privates John W. Blumendeur, severely; Charles Hammond, severely; Frank Wheatley, mortally.
Company D, Sergeant Isaac Sherwood, commanding.—Wounded, Sergeant Isaac Sherwood, severely.
Company E, Sergeant Samuel Kirk commanding.—Wounded, privates John Brown, severely; Wm. Gwynn, slightly.
Company F, Sergeant John W. Polk commanding.—Wounded, Charles A. Hoge, mortally.
Company H.—Wounded, private James Powers, slightly.
For a long while after the battle of Squirrel Level Road, the Second Maryland remained in the trenches, or were engaged in picketing along their front. It had been reduced to about one hundred men, and still these men were compelled to do the duty of a battalion. So numerous were the desertions in the brigade to which they belonged that it at last became necessary to keep the Marylanders almost constantly on picket, for as sure as this duty was entrusted to other troops just so sure were they to find deserted posts in the morning.
And still these brave men never complained of what was imposed upon them. Throughout that dreary fall and the long, cold winter, nearly naked and half fed, they silently did their duty, whilst thousands were proving recreant to the cause. Elegant and refined gentlemen, who at home never knew what it was to want for a single comfort, were in rags and tatters, sleeping in mud and filth, and when the bleak winds of December pierced many a rent in their wretched garments they only drew their sorry blanket the closer around their gaunt and shivering limbs, and cheerfully responded to the call for any duty. Was it a wonder, then, that after the battle of Cold Harbor General Breckinridge should have exclaimed, “What could not be done with a hundred thousand such men.”
I shall again resort to a diary in my possession:
December 19th.—To-day to the great surprise and joy of all, Colonel James E. Herbert, who was left in a supposed dying condition upon the field of Gettysburg, appeared in camp and was enthusiastically received. The Colonel had endured a long imprisonment at Johnson’s Island, and looked anything but well.
January 8th, 1865.—Just as had been expected, to-day Colonel Herbert, much to the regret of all, was compelled to relinquish the command of the battalion and go to the hospital. His loss was deeply felt, for the command was sadly in need of his valuable services.
February 5th.—About 10 o’clock to-day the brigade received marching orders, and moving to the right was joined by heavy bodies of troops, when the whole crossed the breastworks and marched quietly along between the two picket lines some distance, when the Federal skirmishers were attacked and driven in, and an assault made upon their works, and although maintained with great vigor, it was repulsed with heavy loss. Two other charges by fresh troops met with no better success, when the Confederates retired, leaving most of their dead and wounded on the field.
In this severe fight the Second Maryland took a conspicuous part, and, as usual, suffered severely. Among the killed was Lieutenant Charles Hodges, of Company C. The noble fellow, in the midst of the storm of bullets, halted for an instant to unbuckle the belt of one of his command who had fallen wounded, when he was struck in the head and fell dead.
In his death the command lost one of its most valuable officers, and the cause an ardent supporter. His was a character not found in every-day life, but when encountered, like a pearl, was to be prized and treasured by all who loved that which is pure and unblemished. A gallant soldier, a devout Christian, he was beloved by all who knew his worth.
February 24th.—At this time the number of desertions from the brigade and division to which the battalion belongs are very numerous, the menleaving their posts on picket in great numbers. Much dissatisfaction exists, and truly not without cause. For months they have been in the trenches with scarcely a sufficiency of food to sustain life, and almost in a state of nudity, whilst the weather has been intensely cold. To the honor of the Second Maryland, however, be it said that as yet but one desertion has taken place, that of Porter of Company A. Nor is it likely there will be another, for the men seem determined to bear their sufferings uncomplainingly whilst life lasts.
March 27.—Fighting has been going on for the past two days along our front south of Petersburg, and it is evident the crisis is fast approaching. In the series of engagements the enemy have been successful, attacking our thin line with heavy columns, and all our rifle pits between Hatcher’s Run and the Weldon Railroad are in his possession. They are now within seventy-five yards of the position this division occupies, and an attack is hourly expected.
March 29th.—The line was changed last night, but an attack is momentarily expected. Heavy firing on the right.
April 3d.—Last night about dark Captain Torsch received the following order from General McComb:
Headquarters McComb’s Brigade,April 2d, 1865.
Headquarters McComb’s Brigade,April 2d, 1865.
Headquarters McComb’s Brigade,April 2d, 1865.
Headquarters McComb’s Brigade,April 2d, 1865.
Captain:
Captain:
Captain:
Captain:
You will report with your Battalion,under arms, at once, at theChapelofGen. Cook’sbrigade.
By command ofBrig. Gen. Wm. McComb.
By command ofBrig. Gen. Wm. McComb.
By command ofBrig. Gen. Wm. McComb.
By command ofBrig. Gen. Wm. McComb.
John Allen, A. A. A. G.CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Maryland Battalion.
John Allen, A. A. A. G.CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Maryland Battalion.
John Allen, A. A. A. G.CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Maryland Battalion.
John Allen, A. A. A. G.
CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Maryland Battalion.
The battalion promptly repaired to the point designated, where it found three battalions in readiness to assault the trenches lost a few evenings before. The troops then moved to the attack in gallant Style, but the Second Maryland alone performed the work assigned them, the troops on the right and left having given way, which leaves the battalion in a precarious situation. Although the enemy are in their works in force, and but twenty yards in our front, they do not venture to attack. Capt. Torsch (who has been in command of the battalion for some months) declared it as his intention to fight them to the last, in which resolve he is most heartily seconded by the little command.
April 5th.—Before daylight on the morning of the 4th we succeeded, after twenty-four hours of intense anxiety, in extricating ourselves from the perilous position we had gotten into the preceding night. Captain Torsch then threw out skirmishers in front, under Captain Duvall, and the remainder of the battalion he formed behind a line of works at intervals of thirty paces.
At daylight the enemy made two spirited attacks about a mile on our left, both of which were repulsed, but a third proved successful. Moving then to the right and left they carried everything before them. Captain Torsch, finding his left flank attacked, formed his men perpendicularly to the rear, and taking position behind some logs, repulsed and drove back two attacking columns in succession.McComb meanwhile endeavored to reinforce Torsch on the right. At this instant the enemy attacked on what had been Torsch’s front, but now his right flank, when McComb, finding himself almost surrounded, gave orders for the whole brigade to fall back to Hatcher’s Run, though contesting every foot of ground, but losing heavily in prisoners.
Captain Ferd. Duvall, in command of the skirmish line, finding himself hard pressed, and his further retreat cut off, with a handful of men threw himself into a small interior work, resolved upon making a last determined stand. Again and again did the enemy attempt to dislodge this devoted little band, but they were as often hurled back with heavy loss. At length by hundreds they swarmed over the breastworks and gained the interior of the works, and then, and not until then, did they surrender.
The officers taken here were as follows:
Captain Ferd. Duvall, Lieutenants Zollinger, Tolson, Polk, Byus and Wise.
Captain Torsch, with the remnant of the battalion, had in the meantime fallen back to Hatcher’s Run, where finding the Boydton plank road bridge in the hands of the enemy, they plunged into the stream and swam to the opposite bank, and joined the forces on that side.
The rest is soon told. In the retreat of the army which followed, the handful of men left of the battalion assisted in bringing up the rear. Theprivations endured until the army reached Appomattox Court House are too well known to repeat, and by none were they borne more uncomplainingly than by Captain Torsch and his men; and when, on the 9th of April, 1865, they laid down their arms in obedience to the last command they were ever to receive from their beloved Lee, it was with feelings not easily imagined. As an organization the Second Maryland Infantry here ceased to exist, but it has left a heritage to its posterity and to its State of which they may be justly proud.
Captain Torsch, on whom the unpleasant duty devolved, surrendered upon this occasion the following officers and men, who can point to the record and proudly say, “We were of the first, and were the last.”
List of officers and men of the Second Maryland Infantry surrendered at Appomattox Court House, April 9th, 1865:
John W. Torsch, Captain commanding; William R. McCullough, Adjutant; Dewilton Snowden, Assistant Surgeon; Edwin James, Q. M. Sergeant; Frank Dement, Sergeant Major; F. L. Higdon, Ordnance Sergeant; M. A. Quinn, Chief Musician; Charles F. Drewry, Joseph E. Smith, Musicians.
Company A.—Corporal H. Tilliard Smith. Privates, William J. Edelin, Bernard Freeman, Henry Holliday, John J. Hunter, William H. Laird, William E. Lowe, N. L. Lowe, John W. McDaniel, Alex. Murray, Edward O’Donovan, James A. Peregoy, Andrew T. Miller.
Company B.—Sergeant Phillip T. Reeder. Privates Henry Ford, Thomas Magill, William G. Matthews, John C. Mills, A. W. Neale, F. X. Semmes, James A. Wills, Walter Wood.
Company C.—Corporal B. D. Mulliken. Privates, Evans Duvall, Franklin Duvall, J. N. Blumenar, William H. Claggett, William Grace, Thomas Mitchell, James R. Moog, Peter Orr, Joshua Watts.
Company D.—Sergeants, Thomas C. Butler, Isaac N. Sherwood. Privates, Samuel B. Dove, R. H. Shepherd.
Company E.—Sergeant Wilbur Rutter. Privates, William Gavin, Edward Lawn, Joseph Ridgel, William Unkel, William F. Brawner, James Gardner, Elisha Rutter.
Company F.—Privates, G. W. Claggett, G. N. Guy, John O. Hill, A. V. Keepers.
Company G.—Sergeant Daniel A. Fenton. Privates, John Callahan, William Pickel, Joseph Manly, William R. Mumford.
Company H.—John Parker.
The following General Order from General Lee, issued the succeeding day, and distributed to the commanders of corps, divisions, brigades, regiments and battalions, explains itself:
Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, }Appomattox C. H., April 10, 1865. }
Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, }Appomattox C. H., April 10, 1865. }
Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, }Appomattox C. H., April 10, 1865. }
Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, }
Appomattox C. H., April 10, 1865. }
General Orders No. 9.
General Orders No. 9.
General Orders No. 9.
General Orders No. 9.
After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.
I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them, but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate for the loss that must have attended a continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.
By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection.
With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.
Signed, R. E. LEE,General.
Signed, R. E. LEE,General.
Signed, R. E. LEE,General.
Signed, R. E. LEE,General.
Official:Signed,O. Latrobe, Lt. Col. & A. A. G.“R. H. Finney, A. A. G.“P. G. Johnson, A. A. A. G.To CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Sec. Md. Inf.
Official:Signed,O. Latrobe, Lt. Col. & A. A. G.“R. H. Finney, A. A. G.“P. G. Johnson, A. A. A. G.To CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Sec. Md. Inf.
Official:Signed,O. Latrobe, Lt. Col. & A. A. G.“R. H. Finney, A. A. G.“P. G. Johnson, A. A. A. G.
Official:
Signed,O. Latrobe, Lt. Col. & A. A. G.
“R. H. Finney, A. A. G.
“P. G. Johnson, A. A. A. G.
To CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Sec. Md. Inf.
To CaptainJohn W. Torsch, Comd’g Sec. Md. Inf.
Lt. Col. RIDGELY BROWN.
Lt. Col. RIDGELY BROWN.
Lt. Col. RIDGELY BROWN.