Chapter 80 - THE BATTLE OF NEW HOPE CHURCH

CHAPTER LXXX

THE BATTLE OF NEW HOPE CHURCH

The brigade was ordered to fall in, Col. Candy ordered the 147^th, which was moving in the rear having been in the advance on the previous day, to take the head of the column and move to the front at once.  This order occasioned considerable growling in our ranks, as it was not the first time Colonel Candy had attempted to rush our regiment into danger when it was not its place to go.

Colonel Pardee riding at the head of the regiment ordered the boys to move along briskly.  A short march brought us in sight of Pumpkin Vine Creek and the bridge which spanned the creek having been fired by the enemy we crossed over the same while it was burning.  General Hooker’s staff officers and escort were busy at work extinguishing the fire.

As soon as the regiment got across the bridge it filed right and moved into line of battle, facing the enemy.  As fast as the remaining regiments of the Brigade and Division crossed they formed on our left, giving our regiment the right of the line.

The enemy’s skirmishers could plainly be seen advancing on us directly in our front, but when within a short distance from our line of skirmishers they made a right half wheel and moved upon the center and left of our line.

Advancing rapidly, and strongly supported by Stevenson’s Division of Hood’s troops, they soon struck the skirmishers of the 5^th Ohio, and the battle of New Hope Church was commenced.

The rebel skirmishers delivered their fire and then awaited the advance of their support which was moved up promptly, and then the union skirmishers fell back and the engagement at ­once became general.

The gallant Colonel Patrick of the 5^th, mounted on his bay charger, ordered his regiment to charge on the ad­vancing column, and supported by the 7^th Ohio, the regiments moved gallantly forward Lt. Colonel McClellan riding in the rear of the center of his regiment upon his prancing gray steed.  Suddenly old mother earth trembled with the concussion of a terrible rebel volley, the brave Ohioans, Colonel Patrick among the number, fell like grass before the mower’s scythe.  Col. Pardee desiring to charge front, in order to get an enfilading fire on the enemy had ordered the four companies on the left to about-face, and at the same time gave the remainder of the regiment orders to make a left half wheel.  The command was just being executed when the volley fell.  The left of the regiment became somewhat excited and started towards the rear rather lively.  Lt. Col. Craig ordered the boys to “halt, about-face, steady forward!”  The latter command had the effect of bringing us up in file order and just in time to pour a disastrous fire into the unprotected flank of the enemy, and which soon had the effect of driving him back in confusion, thus probably saving the gallant Ohio boys from being captured.

The entire command advanced upon the enemy in-line of battle, and on gaining a gentle rise, the order was given to halt and put up temporary works.  This we proceeded hastily to do and in less than twenty minutes we had tolerable fair works, constructed out of logs, stumps, stones, and all manner of material.

No sooner were the works completed than the sharp-shooters, two out of each company in the Brigade, were ordered out in rear of the skirmishers, with orders to remain out until the skirmishers should fall back, in case of an attack from the enemy.  Wm. S. Keller and the writer were detailed to represent Company G and with the other men detailed were soon over the works and placed in position.  We did not have to wait for an opportunity to try a shot on the Johnnies as they were pushing a strong column forward, and with their hats drawn down over their faces, commenced an advance on us.

­We opened a strong fire on them which they did not stop to answer but pressed steadily forward.  Soon the skirmish line was falling back and now the sharp-shooters commenced on the enemy, who with a yell advanced on them, soon they break and retreat to their works, but not until twenty of the number lie stretched in death.  The enemy advances in closed column; now he is within easy range of our breastworks and at the command of our Col. a sheet of flame and smoke burst forth. carrying death and dismay into the ranks of the foe, who nothing daunted, filled up the gaps in their ranks, dressed their ranks towards their colors, and advanced on our works on a double quick, but they were again received, but at closer quarters, and consequently with more disastrous results.  They waver, the officers draw their swords and endeavor to force them to advance, but again, we pour another volley into them and the rout becomes complete.

As they fall back our sharpshooters are sent out again.  This time they are warmly received.  Almost every tree is covered by the rifles of the enemy and our brave boys are shot down almost as fast as they advance.

At about 4 o’clock, p. m., the 1^st Division of our Corps advanced, supported by General Butterfield’s 3^rd Division, and the fighting became desperate, the enemy being slowly driven back into his entrenchments.

We remained in our old position until about 5 o’clock, p. m. a large number of wounded being brought back to us, attesting the severity of the engagement, at which time we were ordered to move forward in line of battle.

The enemy had been driven into his line of works, and our Division having rested several hours was selected to storm them.  Forward we moved, thro’ brush, thickets, briars and brambles, coming up to the first line of our men lying on the ground, we passed over them and pressed forward.  Soon the second and last line was reached, and by this time we were in full sight of the enemy and his works, when suddenly he opened on us with artillery and musketry, the very earth trembling with the con­cussion.  One shell disabled W. E. Fausnacht, William E. Seesholtz, and wounding Ellis Noll, Ed. Fisher and Luther Parks of our company and six men of B Company. At his critical moment General Geary come riding up and in a voice sounding above the din of battle, said:

“First Brigade, fix bayonets and charge on that battery!”

Instantly the clinking of the bayonets were heard and the brave boys of the First Brigade moved forward.  But they could not accomplish impossibilities.  The outer line of the abattis was reached.  We were so near the enemy’s lines that we could feel, the heat occasioned by the discharge of his artillery.  Here we were ordered to lie down, this we did and then we began to fire on the artillerists and soon had the satisfaction of driving them away and thus quieting their guns.

At about 8 o’clock, p. m., the last shot was fired, and the first day’s battle over, and quietness settled over the field.  During the night both sides attended to their wounded and making a distribution of their troops for the morrow’s battle.