Battery L, 1st Artillery Regiment (Light) - George Breck Columns: Chapter 23: “We Bade Goodbye To General Lee’s Army” Mine Run Campaign Nov. 25, 1863 – Dec. 4, 1863

With the Orange and Alexandria Railroad back in operation, and his army fully supplied, Meade determined to move against Lee’s army. The Confederates were dug in on the south bank of the Rapidan River. Meade hoped, by crossing the Rapidan further downstream at Germanna and Culpepper Mine Fords, to turn the right flank of the Confederate army….

Near Rappahannock Station
November 25, 1863
(Appeared Monday, Nov. 30, 1863)

We supposed that it was “contraband” to give publicity to any movements or contemplated movements of the Federal army which might be of benefit to the enemy in any way, enabling him, possibly, to checkmate them, or be fully ready to meet them. You need not be told what the censorship of the press has been in this matter – how some journals have been made to suffer for what was regarded a violation of the prohibitory news measure, and how, on the other hand, for an equal violation, some papers have managed to escape with impunity. The Washington Chronicle of Monday the 23d inst., took time by the forelock, and proclaimed to both friend and foe (the latter no doubt received a copy of the paper before night) that Gen. Meade’s army was under marching orders at daylight that Monday morning, was to leave with ten days’ rations in haversacks and wagons, and then mentioned the Ford where the army would probably cross the Rapidan. This was certainly sounding the notes of alarm to Gen. Lee, and bidding him to be prepared to receive his antagonist, Gen. Meade. Now that the army didn’t move, and the contemplated movement seems to be abandoned for the present, we will venture to write about it.

The army was under marching orders at daybreak yesterday morning, a day later than stated by the Chronicle; and a grand and vigorous advance across the Rapidan and thence down to Fredericksburg had been decided upon. The troops were supplied with ten days’ rations in haversacks and wagons, and at the appointed hour all were in readiness to move. Toward evening on Monday the sky clouded up, and all that night it rained, a drizzling rain, and yesterday morning at the time for starting it was raining still. But what of the rain! No postponement on account of the weather, surely. Not so surely, either, for just as we were about to harness and hitch our horses and were expecting orders how to move out, an orderly came riding up with instructions rescinding the orders to move for the present. They were received with a general shout from the company, and immediately there was a general unpacking of things and repitching of tents. “I told you we wouldn’t move,” remarked Lieut. A. “I knew this rain would upset the affair.” And sure enough, my “chum” proved to be a true prophet. We were informed shortly afterward that orders have been issued from headquarters directing that no movement should be made while it rained or threatened to rain. The character of the movement was to be such that the cautiousness of General Meade would not allow of his running any undue risks in the matter and being baffled in the execution of his plans by the same element that defeated Burnside’s last movement when he had command of the Army of the Potomac, namely, -- Virginia mud. There may have been other reasons for delaying the movement, but this was one, so reported by pretty good authority. Who knows but the Chronicle’s premature report had something to do with capsizing the thing. We surmise as much.

It is bright and clear to-day and the mud is fast drying up under the sun and a strong wind. It is rumored that the army will be in motion to-morrow morning, perhaps to-night.

We have lain here a little over two weeks. The rail-road to Culpepper is in good condition, but that part just reconstructed was not, we think, intended for army purposes all winter. Rather shaky, many portions of it.

The Paymaster has been around again and left us his compliments in a large number of “greybacks.” (1) The Government is certainly rich in paper money. There is a dearth of news, but if the army moves look out for something stirring. G.B.

Near Kelly’s Ford, Va.
Dec. 4, 1863
(Appeared Friday, Dec. 11, 1863)

One week ago yesterday morning, the Army of the Potomac began what may be called its first winter campaign, and to-day it is ended, the army being almost in the same position that it was before the commencement of the campaign. With the exception of the 1st Corps, I think the troops are all occupying their old quarters. Let me give a brief resume of our movements in the short campaign just terminated.

On Thursday morning of last (Nov. 26) we broke camp at Rappahannock Station, crossed the Rappahannock, moved down the river toward Kelly’s Ford, and thence marched to Richardsville and encamped for the night – this side of the Rapidan, near Culpepper Ford, which lies between Ely’s and Germania Fords. The roads were in tolerably good condition, but a little rain would have made them very bad – almost impassable for artillery and wagon trains, so soft and spongy is the nature of Virginia soil. It was certainly wise policy on Gen. Meade’s part delaying army movements till it had cleared off, for a heavy rain storm would have found it stuck in the mud.

Friday morning (Nov. 27) at 4 o’clock we were in motion again, and before the sun had risen we were across the Rapidan and climbing its steep banks for the first time in our life. It was cold and frosty, and we were desirous of getting along as fast as possible to keep warm. We soon struck the plank road and moved with celerity.

Our course took us through what is known as the Wilderness, a dense thicket or copse of trees, mostly oak, and apparently of second growth. It has been called a “tangled wilderness,” and appropriately so. It covers several miles of ground, and through it run the plank and turnpike road, from Fredericksburg to Orange Court House, which are nearly parallel to each other. About noon we halted at Wilderness Tavern for a little while, and then pushed forward in the direction of Orange Court House, but it seemed to us that we went in every direction, so blind and circuitous was our mode of marching. When near Chancellorsville a party of guerillas pounced upon the rear baggage, ammunition and ambulance train of the 5th corps, and captured about thirty wagons and ambulances, cutting the mules and horses loose and destroying the wagons by setting fire to them or breaking the wheel spokes. These guerillas were mounted as horsemen and were dressed in federal uniforms. They decoyed the drivers off the right road, and then attacked them. It was a bold, dare-devil deed, for the 1st corps was moving not far in rear of the 5th corps, and indeed, General Newton and his staff came upon these rebel desperadoes while in the performance of their work, and General Newton narrowly escaped with his life, a guerilla bullet just glancing above his head and lodging in a tree.

During Friday’s march, desultory cannonading could be heard in our front nearly all day, which proved to be a sharp engagement between the 3d corps and some of the rebel forces near Robertson’s Tavern, along the turnpike, resulting in a defeat of the enemy, though attended with considerable loss on our side. – About ten o’clock p.m. we reached the turnpike and bivouacked in the woods this side of Robertson’s Tavern. Early the next morning we advanced to the Tavern, the whole army moving forward in line of battle. Brisk skirmishing ensued about noon, the rebels falling back across Mine Run, a small stream or creek three or four feet wide and running through a ravine about twelve feet in width. The ground on either side of the run is marshy, and rises to quite a height, skirted along the top by thick woods. The turnpike crosses the Run and on the west or south-west side of the stream and on the left of the road is a Virginia town called Old Verdiersville, consisting of a few scattering houses, and near here is a gold smelting work row of white houses and a tall brick chimney, rising from their midst, marking the spot. How extensively the yellow metal has been found in this vicinity I am unable to say. The only kind of metal we encountered was iron; yes, and lead, but not much of that either, not anything like what we expected.

We took position on the left of Robertson’s Tavern, and after the enemy’s skirmishers had retreated across Mine Run, we were ordered forward and assigned a position on the high ridge on the left of the turnpike, and about six or eight hundred yards this side of the Run. It was now raining and raining freely. On arriving at the position we found the rebels drawn up in line and presenting a bold and open front on the opposite ridge of the Run, as if inviting us to attack them, if we dare. This was a new spectacle, this open and seemingly defiant display of the enemy. We have never witnessed such an exhibition of daring before on the part of our foe, and we were inclined to think it was a matter of show more than anything else, to deter Meade from attacking, making him believe, if possible, that he had a strong and formidable force to contend with. They were in a good position, but I saw few entrenchments, though they were probably concealed by the rebels being in front of them. Of course, Meade’s army came to a sudden halt, though it was pressing forward vigorously. A battery in the 2d corps opened on the enemy’s line, and a reply was elicited from a rebel battery almost immediately. Everything indicated an immediate and general engagement. We moved further to the left, took position, and began firing. Action soon ceased on both sides – the rain falling so thick and fast as to interfere with firing and cause the smoke to settle to the ground, intercepting all view of the enemy. The day wore away, night came and the two armies stood confronting each other. Entrenchments had been thrown up on both sides, particularly by the rebels. Gen. Meade appeared in front and rode along our lines two or three times, and we heard him remark that the choice of position was about an equal thing between the two armies, and that he was determined to attack the enemy if he lost half his army in the engagement. The position of our battery was very prominent and in such a locality as made it favorable for observing the enemy’s movements and operations, and as a consequence several of the army’s “notabilities” favored us with their presence. The signal officers of the first corps used one of the embrasures or earthworks we threw up in front of our guns for a post of observation, and one of them, Lieut. Wiggins, a gentleman and a soldier, on the morning following came very near losing his life by a rebel shell which was thrown into the embrasure.

Sunday (Nov. 29) passed away quietly, no firing except picket occurring on either side. It was the calm before the storm, every soldier and officer thought. A terrible battle seemed to be impending, and nothing could prevent it but a retreat on our part, for Lee appeared determined to defend his position. But Meade had come to fight, we believed, and fight he would, bravely and yet cautiously. The rebels continued to strengthen their intrenchments and fortify them with more cannon. About thirty pieces could be counted in our front, extending less than half a mile or thereabouts. Sunday night came, clear and cold, and we lay down on the ground, expecting that before another sun should set a terrible battle would have been fought, as a general attack had been planned to be begun at eight o’clock Monday morning (Nov. 30). Morning arrived, bringing with it a clear sky, a sharp, piercing wind and a freezing cold temperature. The soldiers huddled around their log fires, or ran and jumped about to keep warm, and talked of the coming strife. But what of the cold? There was hot work before us – hot enough to heat and circulate the blood and make us forget the biting cold air. The hour of eight came, and every man was at his post. Pretty soon there was a booming of cannon on our right, from the 6th Corps, then from the 5th, then from our own, the 1st, and so along to the 2d and 3d Corps on our left. Battery “G” kept silent. The other batteries continued to fire, and kept firing for half an hour, but no response from the enemy. All quiet across the way with the exception of two or three shots that were thrown at the 6th corps. The cannonading had almost ceased when the 3d corps skirmishers advanced, driving the rebel skirmishers before them; but in a little while our skirmishers fell back. No attack. Gen. (William H.) French (commander of III Corps) reported the enemy to be in stronger force than was expected. Gen. Meade rides by on his way to the 3d corps. Pretty soon he returns, and there is a rumor that the attack is to be renewed. It is reported that the 1st corps is to storm the works in front. But all is quiet, excepting now and then a few rounds of shot or shell are fired from our batteries. The pickets, or sharp shooters, keep pecking away at one another, and several are wounded and some killed. Men are seen bearing them away on stretchers. Strange sight, brother killing brother with all the coolness and deliberation that a huntsman would bring down his game. And to make the work of death more certain the telescope must assist the eye.

About one o’clock Monday afternoon, the rebel batteries fired a few shots into some of our skirmishers, who were advancing, and a stray twelve pound shell came flying with wicked velocity right across the earth work of Battery L’s right gun, just grazing the top of the parapet, striking the right wheel of the gun carriage, breaking the felloes and snapping off about a foot of the tire as if it had been a pipe stem. (2) Away the shell sped under the horses of the second gun limber, cutting the halter of a horse which was tied to a tree, and severing a limb from the tree. Nobody seriously hurt, though Lieut. Wiggins, the signal officer, just escaped as previously observed. He was stunned by a piece of dirt or gravel, which was thrown from the parapet when the shell struck it, the shell passing above Lieut. W.’s head about three inches. Two or three others stood near him and had almost as close a call. We fired a few rounds to pay for this and with good effect. Monday night was frightfully cold, several of our pickets were frozen stiff, and I was told two or three froze to death.

Tuesday morning (Dec. 1) it was rumored we were going to fall back. We could scarcely believe it, but the ten day’s supplies of rations were becoming exhausted, and forage for the horses would all be gone that afternoon. To attack the enemy now, after he had so strongly entrenched himself, did not appear just the thing. But why not fall back to Fredericksburg Heights? What interfered? The road was open, so it seemed to us at least. But we havn’t time to discuss the matter. We must hasten and close. Tuesday evening, at 6 o’clock, we bade good bye to Mine Run and Gen. Lee’s army, taking good care that he should have no knowledge of the matter. The darkness concealed our retreat. We marched to Germania (Germanna) Ford, and a bitter march it was too, -- very cold and very tedious. All night we marched, till 4 o’clock the next morning, when we halted on the other side of the Ford and lay down for a little rest. At 9 o’clock, Wednesday morning, we were ready to march again. Were ordered to cover the retreat of our troops at the Ford, and so took position on a high hill overlooking the Rapidan, and there remained till noon, when we moved forward to Stevensburg. Encamped there for the night, and the next morning resumed our backward march for Kelly’s Ford.

One brigade of the 2d division of the 1st corps and Battery L were ordered to cross the ford. We did so, fording the Rappahannock – a cold operation for infantry this season of the year. This morning orders came to cross back again and take position on this or the south side of the Rappahannock, so as to cover the ford with our guns, and here we are in position waiting further orders. It is reported that our trains are ordered to Warrenton Junction. Can it be that Lee is trying to turn our flank or get in our rear again? Very doubtful. Our horses were sixty hours without a particle of grain. It is said that Gen. Meade accomplished all that was purposed, namely, made a diversion in favor of Burnside by relieving him of Longstreet. We wonder when the army of the Potomac will begin another offensive campaign, and how it will terminate? (3)

The weather is delightfully mild to-day, but the troops anticipate winter quarters now. G.B.

Transcribed And Donated By Bob MarcotteTranscribed And Donated By Bob Marcotte
​​​​​​​Robert E. Marcotte
Rochester, N.Y.
February 2005