January 1863 ~April 1863

On the 23d returned to our old camp at Belle Plains, marching about seventeen miles. So ended Burnside's famous mud campaign, auspiciously begun, as the roads on the morning of the 20th were in good condition, and the weather clear and cold, with every indication of a continuance of favorable weather.

From this time until February 24th, 1863, the regiment followed the routine of ordinary camp life. A very gratifying departure form its monotony occurred on this date. Mr. Luckey, of Brooklyn, arrived in camp, having been delegated by a number of prominent ladies of that city to present a handsome stand of colors to the regiment, consisting of national flag, State flag, and two guidons. The eulogistic address which accompanied the beautiful gift could not but be flattering to every member of the regiment, and served as a fresh incentive in the path of honor. In the presentation Mr. Luckey made a very appropriate address, which was responded to on behalf of the regiment by Col. Fowler.

After this episode we relapsed into the old routine, which was not disturbed until March 3d, when a detachment from the regiment, of about seventy-five non-commissioned officers and men, under command of Capt. Gill and Lieut. Vilet, with other detachments from the brigade, together with one of cavalry, under command of Capt. Craig Wadsworth (all under command of Col. Phelps), left camp with seven days' rations ; embarked on barges in tow of a steam tug at "Belle Plaines Landing," and proceeded down the river, and disembarked at Cowes' Point on the 4th, and marched to Heath's Point. Foraging parties were sent out in every direction, returning with corn, cattle, sixty horses and mules. Bivouacked for the night at this point, pickets were thrown out, and every precaution taken in case of an attack.

On the 5th parties were again sent out, and during the day the whole detachment re-embarked with the fruits of the foragers ; some twenty head of cattle, sixty horses and mules, and one thousand bushels of corn. A large number of contrabands followed, and were taken aboard. The visit of the Union troops to this section of the country occasioned a hegira among the contraband population. Men, women and children, with as much household property as they could stagger under, flocked to the barges and begged to be taken on board. At 11 A.M. anchored in the bay at Cowes' Point.

Weighed under anchor on the following morning, the 6th, but was obliged to run into St. George's harbor, on account of a severe gale of wind which sprung up shortly after starting. While in harbor a party was sent on shore to procure water, the supply having run out, owing to the addition of the contrabands to our number. After considerable difficulty a supply was obtained. Remained here until the morning of the 7th, when the wind having gone down, we again weighed anchor, and arrived at "Belle Plaines Landing," at about midday.

April 9th - The corps under General Reynolds was received by President Lincoln, and on this occasion the regiment was highly complimented on its neat appearance and excellent marching.

On the 19th received orders to move on the 20th, in heavy marching order, and with eight days' rations on our persons. This was intended as an experimental march, and the endurance of the men was to be tested in a division drill. Line was formed on the 20th, but owing to a heavy rain which occurred at about 9 A.M., the drill was countermanded.

On the 22d received orders to march at once, with three days' rations, and without knapsacks. Left camp at 1 P.M.. We were joined on the road by the Twenty-fourth Michigan, with one field piece and wagons containing canvas boats. The latter addition to our train was an intimation that the river was to be crossed. After marching about three hours the command halted, and we received orders to furnish six officers and one hundred and twenty men from the regiment. Volunteers were called for, and Captains McNeill and Elcock, and Lieutenants Cardona, Manderville, Henderson and Mitchell, with the requisite number of men, volunteering, the detachment from the regiment was made up, continuing the march until we arrived at Port Conway, opposite Port Royal, on the Rappahannock, at about 11 P.M. The object of the expedition was here partially revealed. The volunteer detachment was to cross at daylight, under command of Col. Morrow, senior officer of the expedition. At 3 A.M. the following morning, the rain falling in torrents, the men were aroused, and the work of putting the boats together commenced. After some delay they were launched and manned, and pushed for the opposite bank. This was a moment full of suspense and anxiety. Three days before, the crossing had been attempted by a division, and had signally failed, the enemy being in strong force, and well posted in rifle pits, which lined for a considerable distance that part of the shore which we were now approaching. It was clearly evident that, for some object at this time unknown, the crossing was to be effected regardless of the loss ; a "forlorn hope" in every sense of the term.

Scanning closely the rifle pits towards which we slowly pushed, every heart beat anxiously, the soft whisper of command to those who handled the oars the only spoken word ; expecting every moment to see the heads of the enemy rising above the rifle pits, and feel the withering fire which, in our crowded condition on board the boats, would have been fearful in its effect. In this agony of suspense we approached nearer and nearer, until we touched the shore, and rapidly disembarking, charges up the bank and over the pits, to find them tenantless, the enemy's pickets having fallen back without a shot, as the boats left the opposite shore. Passing through the town we searched houses and stores, capturing a mail which had just arrived, containing valuable information, and burning some army wagons.

As the crossing was intended only as a feint to draw the enemy from Fredericksburg, and as this object was attained, the enemy moving down towards Port Royal, we re-embarked and joined our respective regiments ; commenced the return march, the enemy reaching the southern bank as our last wagon disappeared. The rain continuing made our march a most toilsome one, and we reached camp about 8 P.M.. thoroughly exhausted, having marched thirty-six miles inside of twenty-four hours.

Received general order from corps head-quarters complimenting the regiment upon the success of the expedition, and commending the service, and praising the endurance of the men shown by this march during such inclement weather.

On the 27th orders were received to march on the following morning with eight days' rations ; struck tents on the 28th ; marched and halted near the "Fitzhugh" house ; at 10 P. M. marched to within a short distance of the river and rested for the night.

At 5 A.M. next morning the right wing of the regiment was deployed along the bank of the river as skirmishers. As soon as the fog arose, so that the banks on either side could be seen, the skirmishers opened fire - artillery from both sides opened at the same time. The enemy occupied a position on high ground, and in rifle pits, covering our whole line of skirmishers. In the absence of any shelter on our side our loss was proportionably larger than that of the enemy. Having exhausted our ammunition the line was relieved by the left wing. During this time the pontoon corps was endeavoring to lay the bridge ; but their efforts were unsuccessful, owing to the volleys poured into the engineers whenever an attempt was made to launch a boat. In this emergency Gen. Wadsworth called upon the Fourteenth to accomplish this undertaking. In response to this call the right wing manned the trucks bearing the boats, and at a given signal, with a wild hurrah, the trucks were rolled to the water's edge ; and in less time than is consumed by the recital of the event, the boats were launched, and the Sixth Wisconsin and Twenty-fourth Michigan, held in reserve for this movement, advanced from under cover at a "double-quick," jumped into the boats, pushed for the opposite shore stormed the rifle pits, drove the enemy pell-mell back to their reserves, and captured about 120 prisoners. In the enthusiasm of the moment many of the Fourteenth unarmed, crossed with the troops, and, at least, offered a moral support to the assault, by vociferous yelling.

Our loss was, killed and wounded, twenty-three, including two officers wounded, one of whom died shortly afterwards (Lieutenant Bloomfield).

Line was established at once on the southern bank, and the bridges laid, and the division crossed about mid-day.

On the following day the enemy opened with shot and shell, our batteries replying. No advance was made from either side. Under cover of night, entrenchments were thrown up along the line, and preparations made for the next day's operation.