Orvey S. Barrett

“ Finally, the awful noise died away; news was brought by an aide-de-camp “that the enemy had hauled off.” These men who were dying would raise themselves to a sitting posture, and utter one hurrah! Lay down and die! The work of death ceased. The rebels retreated. Thus ended the three days battle of Gettysburg. The 4th ranks were badly depleted. So was the whole army. The sanitary commission was on hand, and rendered great service, in the care of the wounded. One poor fellow of our regiment, a Company D man, was shot in the head. ”

“ A short time before first Bull Run fight, the 4th Michigan, with other regiments, were in camp at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia, about 5 miles out from Alexandria, towards Fairfax Court House. Our pickets were well extended out, in above named direction. One day the writer, with about 20 of the Regiment were out towards Fairfax. We seen a small column of cavalry approaching with a flag of truce hoisted. As they drew near, it proved to be an escort of the famous Black Horse Cavalry. We were ranged all along the road as they passed. They were conducting a man and woman to our lines. ”

“ The Rebel guns threw railroad iron at us. They fired high. The missiles went to our rear. As these pieces of iron struck the mud, caused the slush to mount high in air, and in sheets. A New York regiment had just arrived by boat, (a new regiment.) They were moved to our front. I noticed the officers had hand satchels, and had paper collars around their necks. Our fellows cried, “Soft bread,” “Fresh fish,” and other appellations. The poor devils passed on into the woods, but the Rebels were in full retreat. Hooker had gone out with a brigade, and took them in flank. ”

“ The pilot house was sheeted over with iron, and when the musket balls came in contact with the iron, it caused a terrible racket. At one place, a bend in the river, they had thrown up a redoubt, and had two pieces of cannon ranged on the river. But our little turtle wiggled up, (gun boat,) and hurled a few shells at them; causing them to limber up and skedaddle very sudden. We arrived all right at the Fort, took steamer for Baltimore, and to God’s country. Recruiting was slow, for the old regiment men feared to enlist for it, as they would be pushed immediately to the front. ”

“ If ever there was an interposition of Providence, it was manifested at that time, for if we had crossed the river with the view of attacking Richmond, I believe the Army of the Potomac would have ceased to exist as [Pg 15] an organization. Picketing and camp routine was daily gone through with at this time; but little excitement, and nothing startling occurred. I think, May 27th, a column was marched to Hanover Court House to our right and rear. It was reported the Rebels were threatening our base. The 4th Regiment was a part of the troops composing that movement. ”

“ I advise all who hanker after persimmons, to wait until they are thoroughly ripe; for unless they are matured, they will pucker up any vacuum that they put their grip upon; but they are delicious when ripe.
INCIDENT NO. 8.
While the regiment lay at Kelly’s Ford, before the Gettysburg campaign, we were paid off. Being in arrear of pay, we received quite a boodle of money. The communication between our army and Washington, by way of Aquia Creek, was temporary and somewhat uncertain. Trains of forage, and ambulances, were sent through attended by a heavy guard. ”

“ The regiment and army settled down to camp life. While here, the Rebels made a night attack, from south side James River. Our [Pg 18] heavy batteries and gun boats in the river soon knocked them out of the box. The day following, the 4th and 16th Michigan were ferried over the river to see about it. Found debris of caissons, dead horses, and evidence of demoralization. Staid over all day. Some captures were made. Among the trophies, were a considerable amount of geese. The regiments returned to north bank of stream and went into camp. The rebels did not attack again. ”

“ They needed no urging; they fought like demons. Our colonel was killed—shot and then bayoneted. A brave man was killed by the hand of a traitor,—and many others, too, who were simple privates, but heroes for all that; every one of them who fell doing his duty, or imposed duty.
We had to fall back. The writer was here wounded, and the battle surged beyond him. Soon the enemy came, tearing back in retreat. They had struck the brave old 6th Army Corps, just arrived, and in time to save the day. The Rebels went back flying, with the 6th Corps men close after them. ”

“ At this time the Johnnies were seen to get to the woods beyond. About 20th of May my company plunged into the water, arm-pits deep. Company A crossed over to the right, in a bend of the river. We found 28 dead rebels in our immediate front. We brought over some wounded rebels, and on our return the water was chin deep to the writer, it having rained all this time heavily. There were four or five of my company wounded. The rebels had taken the plank from the bridge, and ranged two pieces of cannon on the same. We held this point as a picket line until battle of Gains Mills. ”

“ In the spring of 1863, just before the Gettysburg campaign, the 4th Michigan was doing guard duty on the Rappahannock river, at Kelly’s Ford, Virginia. The writer’s company was detached for picket duty. We were stationed at Mountain Run Ford, down the river from Kelly’s Ford, some three miles. The river at this place was shallow. We guarded against cavalry, had to be constantly on the alert. We also patrolled the river some three miles down. At the end of our patrol route, lived an old Rebel cuss. ”

“ The 4th was soon on the way to Washington. We returned to our old camp, on Meridian Hill. Early in fall of ’61, the Regiment built fort Woodbury, on Arlington, and done picket duty. Later on, we were moved out to Minor’s Hill, Virginia, and built winter quarters, and remained there during the winter 1861-2. The Regiment, with 14th New York, 9th Massachusetts, and 62nd Pennsylvania, formed 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, commanded by Fitz John Porter, a brave and skilfull officer, who was afterwards much abused; for I believe we had no more loyal officer in the field ”

“ The Rebels evidently misunderstood the demonstrations, so audaciously made in their front, and expected an immediate assault all along the line. They apparently reserved their fire for closer work, but were disappointed in that. The army settled down to a siege. We were constantly under fire, from time of arrival in front of their works, until evacuation of same, on picket line, bivouac and skirmishing. No let up night and day. Casualties were quite frequent. If a picket guard showed his head it was a target as soon as seen. Picketing was extremely dangerous business. ”

“ Fifty prisoners, and fifty killed and wounded.”
Mr. Greeley, in his American Conflict, says: “The first collision on the Chickahominy, between the advance of McClellan’s army and the Rebels, occurred near New Bridge, where the 4th Michigan, Colonel Woodbury, waded the stream and assaulted and drove off a superior force, losing but eight men in all, and taking thirty-seven prisoners, of whom fifteen were wounded.” After establishing line of pickets on or along the river, the regiment went into camp on Gains’ Farm, on left bank of Chickahominy, about one mile from river. ”

“ The Rebels soon [Pg 17] took possession of our deserted camp, rioted awhile on what was left,—whiskey, hard-tack, and other commodities. About ten A. M. they came down on us without skirmishers, with guns at a right shoulder arms, and drunk. They came to be slaughtered, and they got it, then and there. The carnage was terrible. The battle raged all day, until dark. Men, of human form divine, became demons, fought like wild beasts, and with not much more intelligence on the traitors’ side. Many of the regiment went down. ”

“ The regiment stood under fire at least a half hour before it became engaged, getting a large share of spent balls from the front. Soon the general commanding Division, Brown, said: “Boys, I want you to put in a few licks for Pennsylvania; the Buck-tails will go in on your left. Forward.” It was a relief to hear the order, “March.” We advanced into the maelstrom of Rebel bullets. By some oversight our right was exposed, and we had to contend with three to one. We held them until they made a fierce charge, charging our right and doubling it to the rear of our left. ”

“ Soon, a racket was heard in vicinity of Company B. Every other man had a gun sling around his body, and was down on all-fours. The other fellows had a gun thrust between the gun-sling and along the man’s spine, firing blank cartridges. As soon as the gun was fired, the man on the ground would assume a sitting posture, with the muzzle up. ”

“ General Fitz John Porter, who commanded the 5th corps, went up in a balloon to take observations of rebel works. It was controlled by ropes, held by men on the ground. After getting up the right distance, the guy became detached, through some cause, and the balloon floated at will, first over Rebs, then back on our side, swayed by the wind. All this while, Porter could be seen standing up in the car, [Pg 12] with spy glass in hand, scanning the Rebel fortifications; and the Johnnies everlastingly yelling, and trying to elevate their guns to reach him, but failed. ”

“ The writer was a file-closer and in rear of rear platoon, and saw the movement. Had that pistol been discharged, the result would have been a terrible indiscriminate slaughter. My gun was on a line with the act in less time than it would take to pull a trigger. Somebody would have been hurt. Men hissed and jeered, but the column moved on to Washington Depot, where the Regiment was embarked on cars for Washington. Just before reaching the Relay House, the train was stopped and we were told that Rebels were in our front. We were formed in line of battle. ”

“ On the 3d it marched out to and beyond Chancellorsville, proper, and formed the extreme left of the army, 1st division, 5th corps. The division was cut off from the rest of its corps, at this time. We maneuvered around, for a while. Finally it was decided to try and support the brave Sedgwick, commanding 6th corps, who was battling with the Johnnies at Fredericksburg. The column was put in motion, left in front, 4th Michigan in the lead—the writer’s Company out as flankers. We soon heard the familiar Rebel yell, in our front. It put a stop to the movement. ”

“ The Regiment left its Rendezvous June 25th, for Washington, numbering on its rolls 1025, officers and men. In his orders for the movement, Colonel Woodbury said: “Let each man remember that he has the honor of Michigan in his keeping.” ”

“ His reply was prompt, “We uns don’t wear our best clothes when we go to kill hogs.” Our Alick subsided. This man was shot soon after. It was a cowardly deed. The Regiment participated in the long and fatigueing march to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On the way, at Aldie and Middleburg, it was detained in support of cavalry.
We passed on and across the Potomac ferry, at Edwards. On the way we saw plenty of evidence of the cavalry advance,—dead horses, accoutrements belonging to cavalry outfit. We arrived at Hanover, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of July 1st. Rested and fed; then on to Gettysburg. ”

“ This encroachment on their premises, made the Johnnies mad; they kept up a continual fusillade during the day.
Later on, after going into camp, at Minor’s Hill, the Rebels tried to locate a battery about two miles to the west of our camp, and in plain view, a valley between. Two guns of a battery near our head quarters were unlimbered, and proceeded to sling shell over among them. Our fellows greeted them so lively, that the Johnnies were fain to limber up and steal away. ”

“ The front and rear of the column had a fight with the Johnnies. The 4th was but slightly engaged. The 9th Massachusetts, one of our brigade, had a lively chase after the enemy,—charged them out of a piece of woods, and down a grade, towards a railroad, via Hanover and Richmond. ”

“ On the next day the Regiment was engaged as skirmishers, and on the 19th took part in the engagement of that date, loosing 8 killed and wounded. During the engagements from Nov. 1st, 1863, to June 19th, 1864, the Regiment lost 3 officers and 37 men, killed or died of wounds, with 6 missing in action. Although this loss seems small, yet it was about 15 per cent. of its whole strength. The term of service for which the Regiment had been mustered in expired June 19th, 1864. It was accordingly relieved, and on the 20th it embarked on transports at City Point for Washington. ”

“ It totally demolished the tent, and nearly severed the flag-staff near by—so much so it fell over. But, strange to relate, nobody was hurt. They supposed they had got all the powder out. Moral—do not play cards after taps, nor use a shell for a candlestick, unless you are positive it is not loaded. ”