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Years in The Army
rounds of ammunition, shouldered
our Rifles and marched down through Georgetown, and Washington, crossed the
Potomac on the long bridge and thence to Alexander where we took a steamer
down the river to Belle Plain landing, from thence through Fredricksburg
to Spotsylvania Court House where we joined the 2nd Army Corps, commanded
by Major General Hancock on the evening of the 16th of May.
On the next day we occupied the rebel works that were captured on the 12th of May by the 2nd corps called the bloody angle. There was a line of battle in front of us in the woods out of our sight and there was continual firing all day, and wounded men were passing through our line all day, and occasionally a shell from the enemy would pass over our heads too close for comfort. Next day we moved to a new position near by and all day long troops were passing going south. The next day was the 19th of May and a day long to be remembered by the 1st Maine Heavy, as it was on this day that we received our baptism of fire and learned the stern duties of a soldier. We were camped in an open field with a heavy growth of pine surrounding. We stacked our guns in the field and lay down under the trees , as it was a very hot day. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon black clouds began to roll up in the northwest with very heavy thunder. Soon it began to rain and it came down in torrents. Firing was heard up on our right and soon a staff officer came dashing up and spoke to our Colonel. In an instant he was mounted on his horse and the order rang out "Fall in First Maine". We knew something was up and in five minutes we were in line and on our double quick towards the firing. We soon arrived on the scene of action and from the top of a hill we discovered the rebel skirmish line down in the meadow and as soon as we came into view they commenced firing on us. Our |