Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

[Charles Heath]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Portraying the 1st U.S.S.S. circa July 1862 has always been my dream impression.

After doing a little piddling with dug relics, and realizing not too many folks were wearing hard rubber US eagle buttons back then, I was hoping there would be some modicum of interest for this impression amongst the scattered Berdan tribe. I've poked Marc Riddell with a sharp stick over on another forum, and if memory serves me his group does the 2nd USSS, but may have some interest in the 1st on the actual ground. That is if you guys don't mind two days of interpretive duties. ;)

We have a lot to do on the trip to OP3 and back this weekend, and some of it involves paring down the candidate regiments, and at the same time trying to remember who can speak to where their ancestors were on during those two days. At the 2nd Bull Run NPS LH we had the potential for an interesting gathering of Brawner's Farm descendants, and maybe even moreso for this particular weekend. There is something special about having the great- and great-great-grandsons of people who were trying so hard to kill each other 140+ years ago struggling side by side to save that very ground from development.

To build on what Doug said, paying off the CWPT purchase price for this battlefield property is going to be more difficult than the Fredericksburg (Slaugther Pen) land, because, being within the NPS boundary, this acreage is doesn't qualify for certain generous funding opportunities which typically leverage our donations (aka local match). With the bill for Fredericksburg half paid off in one of the most pleasantly aggressive preservation moves yet enjoyed, we living history hobbyists have an opportunity to provide a little help for Glendale in April 2008 and redouble our own efforts in October 2008 for the Slaughter Pen.

[Coatsy]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Well Chawls, if they get the acronym correct I guess some parched corn from Kiev would be a nice prize.

Hopefully the event will work out for all interested parties. I might be willing to make the trip north....

[Charles Heath]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

I hope there are no tobacco barns nearby.

While Varina is darn close, real coffee at Selma is not only distant, but nearly 3 years away. Let's bury the dead and speak no more of it, to coin a phrase.

General McCall had a few things to say about the battle:

"On Friday evening, June 27th, after the battle of Gaines' Mills, my division crossed the Chickahominy at Trent's hill, where it remained on picket duty till eight o'clock, P. ll., on the 28th. At that hour I received your [Porter's]orders to move in the direction of White Oak creek, and to take with me Hunt's reserve artillery, consisting of thirteen batteries. As this would extend my column many miles in length, and as my flank would constantly be exposed to attack, I placed the whole of the Third brigade, by regiments, between the batteries, to afford them support. This movement, owing to narrow and bad roads, was necessarily slow, and my division, after being all night on the march, did not reach the crossing of White Oak creek until near noon on the 29th. Having crossed the creek, I was ordered by the general-in-chief to put nay division in position to repel any attack by the enemy from the direction of Richmond. This I did, and I remained in position till five o'clock, P. M. At that hour the march was resumed and continued by my command till I reached the Quaker road crossing of the New Market road, at midnight. My orders were to take a position here to repel an attack from Richmond. Having selected my position and established the First and Second brigades, and sent to the front a regiment of infantry and a battery, and a strong picket in advance of them, I kept the Third brigade in reserve, and awaited the result till near daylight, when I was ordered to return. I marched back, left in front, and reached the point where the Turkey bridge road turns off from the was ordered to halt till the whole of the immense supply trains of the Army of the Potomac, then slowly advancing from white Oak creek, had passed toward the James river, and to repel any attack that the enemy might make on it. At nine o'clock, commenced the heavy can¬nonade, caused by the enemy attempting to force the passage of the creek, and it continued with little interruption till noon.

It was a determined artillery duel, but as I did not apprehend their ability to effect a passage, I at once came, to the conclusion that any attack on myself must come from the direction of Richmond, on my right flank. I had thrown out a cavalry picket in that direction, and on afterward detecting indications of an advance of the enemy, moved out a regiment of infantry to strengthen the picket.

Having examined the country around me, I made the disposition of my troops, facing to the right flank, as follows : Meade 's brigade on the right, Seymour's on the left, and held Reynolds' brigade, non' com¬manded by Colonel Seneca G. Simmons, of the Fifth, in reserve. The artillery I established in front of the line, Randall's (regular) battery on the right, Cooper's and Kern's opposite the centre, and two German batteries, (accidentally with my division,) of four twenty-pound Parrott guns each, commanded by Captains Dietrich and Kennerheim, on the left of the infantry line.

The Fourth regiment Pennsylvania cavalry, Colonel Childs, was drawn up on the left and rear, but not being called into action, was subsequently ordered to fall back.

The country on my new front was open, embracing a large farm, intersected toward the right by the New Market road and a small strip of timber parallel to it; the open front was eight hundred yards, its depth at least one thousand yards. It was a beautiful battle-field, but too large for my force, the lands on either flank being open. My disposition having been made, I calmly awaited the approach of the enemy.

About half-past two o'clock, P. M., my picket8, after skirmishing, were driven in by a strong advance, but without loss on our side. At three o'clock, the enemy sent forward a regiment on my left centre, and immediately afterward another on my right centre, to feel for a weak point. They were under cover of a shower of shell, and advanced boldly, but were both driven back, the former by the Third regiment, Colonel Sickel, and the latter by the Seventh regiment, Colonel Harvey. After this, I rode forward with the First Rifles, a0d placed them in a narrow skirt of timber on the left and in front. Soon after this, a very heavy column moved to the left of my line, and threatened to take me in flank. I at once changed front on that flank, sending Colonel Simmons with two regiments of the First brigade to reinforce that quarter. This movement was promptly executed, but not a moment too soon, for a furious attack with artillery and infantry was almost immediately made on that flank. I, at the same time, directed Captain Biddle, assistant adjutant-general, to ride to the left and change the direction of fire of the two German batteries from the front to the left. This order was gallantly executed, but it is with deep grief that I have to state that this brave and valuable officer fell here mortally wounded.

For nearly two hours the battle raged fiercely, the enemy throwing in a perfect storm of shot and shell, and making several attempts to force my position. Always checked by the steadiness of my brave Reserves, he at last retired for a time, driven back by the well-directed fire of musketry. During this attack, the gallant and lamented Colonel Simmons fell, also mortally wounded.

It must not be imagined that the enemy was inactive along the centre and right of my line during all this time. Cooper's and Kern's batteries, in front of the centre, were boldly charged upon, each time a regiment dashing up to within fifty or forty yards. They were then hurled back by a storm of canister and the deliberate fire of the First regiment, Colonel Roberts, whom I had placed immediately in rear of Bern's, and the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, in rear of Cooper's. The contest was severe, and put the steadiness of these regiments to the test;
both suffered heavy loss, but particularly the First regiment, whose gallant lieutenant-colonel (McIntyre) was severely wounded.

Some time after this, the most determined charge of the day was made upon Randall's battery, by a full brigade, advancing in wedge shape, without order, but with a wild recklessness that I never saw equalled. Somewhat similar charges had, as I have stated, been previously made on Cooper's and on Kern's batteries, by single regiments, without success, the Confederates having been driven back with heavy loss. A like result appears to have been anticipated by Randall's company; and the Fourth regiment (as was subsequently reported to me) was requested not to advance between the guns, as I had ordered, as it interfered with the cannoniers, but to let the battery deal with them. Its gallant commander did not doubt, I am satisfied, his ability to repel the attack, and his guns fairly opened lanes in the advancing host. These gaps were, however, immediately closed, and the enemy came on, with arms trailed, at a run, to the very muzzles of his guns, where they pistoled or bayoneted the cannoniers. Two guns were limbered, and were in the act of wheeling to the rear when the horses were shot, the guns were both overturned, and presented one confused heap of men, horses and carriages. Over all these the men of the Eleventh Alabama regiment dashed in, a perfect torrent of men, and I am sorry to say the greater part of the Fourth regiment gave way. The left company, Captain Conrad, of that regiment, however, stood its ground, and with some fifty or eighty men of other companies met the Alabamians.

I had ridden into the regiment and endeavored to check them; but, as is Seen, with only partial success. It was here, however, my fortune to witness between those of my men who stood their ground and the rebels who advanced, one of the fiercest bayonet fights that perhaps ever occurred on this continent. Bayonets were crossed and locked in the. struggle; bayonet wounds were freely given and received. I saw skulls crushed by the heavy blow of the butt of the musket, and, in short, the desperate thrusts and parries of a life-and-death encounter, proving, indeed, that Greek had met Greek when the Alabama boys fell upon the sons of Pennsylvania.
My last reserve regiment I had previously sent to support Cooper, and I had not now a man to bring forward. My men were bodily home off the ground by superior numbers. A thick wood was immediately in rear, and the Confederates did not follow my men into the thicket. It was at this moment, on witnessing the scene I have described, that I bitterly felt that my division ought to have been reinforced.

My force had been reduced, by the battles of the 26th and 27th, to less than six thousand, and on this occasion I had to contend with the divisions of Longstreet anal A. P. Hill, estimated amongst the strongest and best of the Confederate army, and numbering that day from eighteen to twenty thousand. The centre was at this time still engaged and I could not withdraw any troops from it. The Alabama troops did not attempt to enfilade my line, and leaving the guns on the ground, (the horses having, during the fight, been either killed or dispersed,) they retired to the woods on my right.

It was now near sunset, and the heat of battle had greatly subsided. I now rode to the rear to rally and collect the stragglers. At a short distance I came upon two regiments of Kearny's division. I requested them to move forward, but was informed their orders were to await the arrival of General Kearny. I moved on and set some officers at work to form the stragglers of my own regiments into line. On my return I found General Kearny. He put his regiments in motion and moved to the front and on the right of my line. As he rode away, he said to me: " If you can bring forward another line in a few minutes, we can stop them." By this time the sun had set, and the desultory firing was confined to the extreme right.

In a short time Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, Third regiment, came up and reported to me that he had collected about five hundred men, with whom he was then advancing. I rode on with him at the head of the column, in a direction to bring this force up on Kearny's left.

On arriving near the ground where Randall's battery stood, I halted Thompson's command, wishing to ascertain whether any of my men were still in front of me. I had left Captain Conrad’s company about one hundred yards in advance, but it was now so dark I could scarcely distinguish a man at ten paces. The battle, in fact, was now over; the firing on the left and centre had ceased, and there was only a desultory firing between Kearny's men and the enemy, some distance to my right. I rode forward to look for Conrad, and on the ground where I left him I rode into the enemy's picket, the Forty-seventh Virginia, Colonel Mayo, resting under some trees, and before I knew in whose presence I was, I was taken prisoner. Unfortunately for myself, I had no staff officer with me, or I should have sent him forward to examine the ground, instead of going myself; but my adjutant-general, the valiant Captain Henry J. Biddle, had been mortally wounded; Lieutenant Sheetz had his horse killed, and was injured by the fall; my chief of ordnance, the gallant Beatty, had been severely wounded at my side, and only left me when I had insisted on his doing so; my excellent orderly, Sergeant Simeon Dunn, Fourth Pennsylvania cavalry, was also fatally wounded.at my side, and out of my escort of a captain and twenty men of the Fourth cavalry, but one corporal (the brave King) and one private remained with me; these two men were made prisoners with myself. About the time I was taken prisoner, the desultory firing on my right died away.

The conduct of the Pennsylvania Reserves on this hard fought field is worthy of all praise, as is fully attested by their stubborn resistance and their heavy loss in killed and wounded. Besides the officers I have already named, I am greatly indebted to the gallant commander of the Second brigade, General George G. Meade, who rendered me efficient aid until his wounds compelled him to leave the field. My thanks are likewise due to Colonel Roberts, commanding First regiment; Colonel Sickel, commanding Third regiment; Colonel Hays, commanding Eighth regiment; Colonel Jackson and Captain Cuthbertson, of the Ninth regiment, and other brave officers not commanding regiments, of whom Lieutenant-Colonel McIntyre, Major George A. Woodward and Major Woolworth are among the many wounded. I must also name as entitled to. favorable notice, Acting Division Surgeon Stocker, who accompanied me in the early part of the day, and assisted in communicating my orders until slightly wounded in the wrist by the fragment of a shell. Indeed, to all are my best thanks and praises due for bravely contributing to the important results, namely, the defence of the immense supply train while passing that point, and the holding the enemy in check upon the New Market road, where he strove desperately to cut in two the retiring column of the Army of the Potomac.

The trophies of the day were three stands of colors captured, and about two hundred prisoners. The loss of the division in killed, wounded, and prisoners, in the three battles of the 26th, 27th and 30th of June, was three thousand one hundred and eighty, the killed and wounded amounting to one thousand six hundred and fifty, out of about seven thousand who went into battle at Mechanicsville on the 26th of June.

I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GEORGE A. McCALL."

An excerpt from Sypher, J.R., History of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, Lancaster, PA: Elias Barr and Co., 1865

[Coatsy]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Point taken.......

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Charles,

My old USSS living history group is still around, so are guys from my old Ohio group. Mike Fahle and his boys in the greater Sandusky region seem to have been sticking to streamer events in Ohio but they've all got incredible impressions. In a way, it seems I'm the only guy in both groups who is still a vocal advocate for getting out to decent events. You and everyone else knows there is little opportunity for an authentic Berdan's impression....but this event sounds like there might be room at least for some interpretation.

If the organizers decide to allow a 1st USSS impression at this event (the only Berdan's unit there, historically), please contact me. I'd be more than happy to sound the call!

[ley74]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Site photos




Possible Union infantry camp Friday night.



Malvern Hill - Showing deforestation




North orientation - Nelson Field - CWPT



Nelson Field - CWPT

[marine05]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

We've talked about this with NPS people and others. We are seriously considering being one of the artillery units.

Please contact myself, Randy Gilbert or Mike Martorelli

[ley74]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Merry Christmas!

A couple of updates. Our meeting with the NPS and CWPT went extremely well. While the preliminary package impressed both groups, we are working through a few environmental concerns with the NPS.

Having walked the proposed routes no less than three times, the area will impress all who attend. We hope to have final approval in late January, opening registration as soon as possible after this.

For those who received the CWPT appeal for Glendale, the map did not connect well with the NPS Malvern Hill unit. The attached map, supplied by the CWPT, indicates more clearly the property we are working with.

Since many at the NPS are working with "use-it-or-loose-it" vacation days (just as I am), we will be meeting with their representatives just after the first of the year.

If you have an artillery impression, please contact Charles Heath (private message on the board works well) and let him know. We are looking for four guns and, if we can work a deal for a wheel, we have a preliminary committment for two.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

bumpity bump bump bump bump;)

[Son of Eire]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Frock coats?

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Regarding US jackets, I'm going to guess that the preference for a 4th Pennsylvania Reserves portrayal will be sack coats.

[Malingerer]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Regarding US jackets, I'm going to guess that the preference for a 4th Pennsylvania Reserves portrayal will be sack coats.

I believe there are a bunch of us waiting (with a mere 2.5 months to go) for an issuance of standards and an opportunity to register. No pressure though.

[Moose]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Kevin would be correct. Federal standards will be pretty basic to 1862 and no need for special items. Confederate stadards will be flexable, and should be fun. There is a lot of good info out there folks, stay tunned!

Cheers,
Joe Caridi
Glendale-Malvern Hill Resreach Head

[Jimmayo]

Glendale's bounty.

The power lines shown in the Nelson field view run West toward Long Bridge Road and tranverse some woods (since logged) where the South Carolinia toops attacked some Michigan soldiers. I had permission to hunt much of that land in the late 70s. In the Springtime just before we gave up hunting for the summer, some one dumped several dump trucks of sewage plant sludge under that section of power lines in the woods. Upon returning in the early fall we found that each sludge pile was covered with tomato vines and they were full of tomatoes of all types. Of course we picked many of them and gave them out to special friends not telling them of the source until they had tried them. They were some of the best tasting tomatoes I have ever had.

[MD_Independent]

Re: Glendale-Malvern Hill - 18-20 April 2008

Looks to be a great event... Last spring, my rifle was stolen, and, after a blow like that, the urge to go to events seems to be temporarily lost. Well, after almost a year of doing absolutely nothing event wise, this seems like it's bringing me out of my lethargic mentality. As the descentdent of a man who was wounded and captured at Glendale as a member of Co. K, 4th PA Reserves, I'd love to do this one. Count me in. Thanks.
Bill Birney