"The Irish Ninth in Bivouac and Battle"
by Michael H. Macnamara
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Bealton Station. -- Winter Duties. -- Mosby's Guerrillas. -- Black Horse Cavalry. -- Cutting Railroads. -- Vigilance and Valor. -- A March. -- The coming Wilderness. -- The Battle of the Wilderness. -- Irish Heroism. -- Spottsylvania. -- Bethesda Church. -- Shady Oak. -- Cold Harbor. -- The Dead. -- Home and Muster-out.
THE Ninth remained encamped at Bealton Station until the 30th day of April, 1864*, guarding that portion of the Alexandria and Orange Railroad lying between Licking Run and Bealton, and also picketing a portion of the line from Freedman's Ford, on the Rappahannock, to Warrenton Junction.
The duties performed during these winter months were very arduous, and required the greatest vigilance, in consequence of the frequent raids of Mosby's guerrillas, and also of the notorious company of "Black Horse Cavalry." The latter force consisted principally of the flower of Fauquier County, and was the first company of cavalry mustered into the service of the Confederate States. It took the name from the fact that its first captain rode a splendid black charger; and the company was always known, even prior to the war, as the Black Horse Cavalry, and formed part of the Virginia militia.
Several attempts to cut the railroad and burn the bridge at Licking Run were foiled by the vigilance and valor of the Ninth Regiment, and its services were appreciated by the division commander in an appropriate order.
On the 30th of April, early in the morning, the Ninth broke camp, and at night bivouacked near Freeman's Ford. On the morning of the 1st of May, the regiment crossed to the south side of the Rappahannock, and encamped near Brandy Station. From thence they marched to Culpepper; and on the morning of the 4th, shortly after daybreak, our weary veterans crossed the Rapidan, without opposition, and bivouacked the same night in the ever-memorable Wilderness.
Here we would fain rest our pen, leaving others to write the sad, but glorious remainder of our story -- to tell the sacrifice of our young braves, the true and trusty, who dashed into battle in the light of our stars, and with visions of home before them, fell in the front of victory !
But history, which is not written for to-day, but for all time, does not allow the exercise of useless regrets or vain sorrowings. It demands a consistent following of the record, even if, to pen it, the wounds reopen, and the old sorrows return afresh.
On the morning of May 5, the enemy was reported moving on our lines, and the line of battle was formed, breastworks of logs were thrown up, and about one o'clock in the afternoon heavy skirmishing commenced. Shortly after, the regiment was ordered to leave the works and support the first line, then advancing to charge the enemy's position. The advance was through a dense wood, from which the enemy was driven into a small plain. Beyond this plain was another piece of woods, where the enemy was found to be intrenched. In the advance the gallant conduct of the Ninth Regiment was splendidly apparent. The officers, cool and fearless, fell fast, cheering their men on in their heroic work, careless of life and only wishing for a victory. Upon reaching the plain, the enemy were found to be in possession of a section of artillery; and Lieutenant-Colonel Hanley, then commanding the regiment, in the absence of Colonel Guiney, -- who, terribly wounded by a minie ball in the left eye, which was totally destroyed, had been carried to the rear, -- ordered a charge to recover possession of it; and for some time the conflict raged desperately. But the enemy were finally driven to their works, from which they poured a most destructive fire of musketry on our still advancing line.
By some mistake of orders, the regiment on our right did not move to our support; and being thus exposed to a flank fire, Lieutenant-Colonel Hanley ordered the regiment to fall back to the edge of the woods, which was done in good order, and the line re-formed. The enemy again advanced to repossess themselves of the plain, but they were once more driven to seek the shelter of their works, and the disputed ground was held by the regiment until orders came from General griffin to fall back to the line of breastworks. The fierce battles of the 6th and 7th of May followed, and the Ninth regiment, with its usual fortune, was constantly in the front line; but the nature of the ground was better, affording more protection, and the loss was, consequently, slight.
On the 8th day of May, after marching all night, and without halting to partake of food, the regiment opened the battle of Laurel Hill, which lasted from twelve o'clock (noon) until dark, resulting in a substantial victory, as the enemy were driven a mile and a half, and the coming of night alone prevented their complete defeat.
The final efforts of our noble regiment at Spottsylvania, the Rivers Po and North Anna, Bethesda Church, Shady Oak, and Cold Harbor, sustained its past reputation for valor and fidelity to the cause of the Union, and completed a record of Irish martial valor worthy of a people who in every age were distinguished for their warlike attributes.
The following named officers fell in that fierce and decisive campaign: --
These are the names of the gallant men chosen to attest, by their valor, the devotion of their regiment to the cause of freedom and the proud emblem they ever gallantly and gloriously upheld.
JAMES W. MACNAMARA, Captain. WILLIAM A. PHELAN, " NICHOLAS C. FLAHERTY, Lieutenant. JAMES O'NEILL, " ARCHIBALD SIMPSON, " CHARLES B. MCGINNISKIN, " Their best monument is the commemoration of history. In going to death they bravely aided in delivering a race from bondage.
HOME AND MUSTER-OUT.
On the 10th day of June, 1864, the term of service of the Ninth Regiment having expired, it broke camp at daylight, and marched from Bottom Bridge, where the regiment had been under heavy fire, to White House Landing, on the Pamunkey River, and on the 11th took transports for Washington, where it arrived Sunday, June 12. June 13, the Ninth took cars for New York, in which city the regiment encamped on the 14th. At Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York we were received with the greatest kindness, and collations served, and other hospitalities tendered.
On the morning of the 15th day of June, we arrived at Boston, and met a cordial and hearty reception. If the citizens who so generously received and entertained us experienced joy at the return of their regiment, it would be scarcely more than a tithe of the feelings of gratitude which the soldiers of the Irish Ninth felt for the noble honors which were done them, after the many glorious campaigns through which they had passed.
A company of the State militia formed the escort, and twenty-three civic associations joined in the procession. All the public buildings, and many private dwellings and stores, displayed the national colors, and were gayly decorated with bunting. A salute was fired on Boston Common, by Captain Cummings' Battery of light artillery, and at Faneuil Hall a splendid collation was served by the city of Boston. In the afternoon and evening the regiment was entertained in a becoming manner by the generous and patriotic members of the Columbian Association, and on the 21st day of June was mustered out of the service of the United States.
Thus the military history of the Irish Ninth was ended; its reception a fit conclusion to a glorious military career.
* From Major J. W. Mahan's record in Adjutant-General's Report.Return to Text.
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