As the New Year began the 4th Maine found itself camped at Louden's Hill, near Fort Lyon, Virginia. This is located about 2 1/2 miles from Alexandria.

The Regiment was well supplied with tents, clothing and food and the old smoothbore Windsor muskets, issued in Maine, were replaced with Austrian muskets on 10 January. Most of the 4th Maine soldiers became very good marksmen with these.

On the 24th of January Maj Walker was detailed to make a reconnaissance to the Ocoquan. Maj Walker commanded 250 men and a company of cavalry, guided by a loyal citizen who lived several miles outside of the 4th Maine lines. Travelling through woods for about 10 miles, they arrived at a point where they expected to find enemy pickets.

The Reb pickets had been discovered by 4th Maine advance scouts and were supposed to be about 50 rods in front of the concealed force of Maj Walker. He gave the command to charge and the Federals burst out of the woods, led by Capt Smith, of the 4th Maine, on a swift horse. Quickly overrunning the Rebel camp, the charging men found that the camp had been abandoned earlier that day. The only people left in the camp were an old man and woman, a cripple and a fool.

After stopping to see his wife and children, the guide took Maj Walker two miles down the river where the 37th New York was protecting a crossroads to prevent Maj Walker's force from being cut off by the enemy. Upon arriving at the 37th camp Maj Walker found it in frenzy. Several of the 37th soldiers had been wounded and two were missing. The unfortunate men had been away from their companies and were attacked by either Reb guerillas or scouts.

The colonel of the 37th sent a panicked message to Col Berry that he had been attacked and feared that the scouting force was in danger of being cut off and captured. Col Berry immediately telegraphed BG Heintzelman, who called out the entire division to save his scouts. When Maj Walker arrived he found the entire division on the move to save him, and he had not seen a single Reb soldier all day.

Foraging had become a way of life for the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, even when Army commanders tried to prevent it. BG Sedgwick would often inspect the regimental camps, looking for a few stolen members of the feathered tribe (turkey and chickens). In the 4th Maine the inspections rarely turned up any evidence of the constant foraging, but if the middle of beef barrels had ever been checked the searchers may have found a few stray turkeys and chickens.

Some members of the 4th Maine volunteered on 4 February for gunboat duty in the western theater. Several men volunteered for this duty. They were kept on the rolls of the 4th Maine and accounted for, but Col Walker does not recall that they ever returned to the 4th Maine.

From 22 to 25 February the Regiment is once again on three-day picket duty. During this period one of the few amusing events during the war took place. Col Berry, his staff, color sergeant and color guard took up residence in a building partly used by a man and his wife. The wife was a very good cook and sold meals to the men with Col Berry for 25 cents each. The man was fat and lazy but provided the unexpected guests with hours of relief through his story telling. Maj Walker was usually at one of the outpost but would visit the house once in awhile for a warming drink, often on the losing end of story-telling contest with the man.

Capt Carver was the best storyteller in the Regiment but was away from the Regiment on court-martial duty. Col Berry did not like being outdone by his host and told him that he knew of a man that could match him story for story. The man accepted the challenge and declared, "Bring on your man, I never was beaten in that line." Col Berry sent a message to BG Heintzelman and asked for Capt Carver to be released back to the Regiment for a day, which BG Heintzelman granted.

When Capt Carver arrived he was introduced to the host and the two measured each other up for the next 15 minutes. Then the story telling began. The telling was hotly contested and by 11:00pm Capt Carver had beaten his opponent. The next morning Maj Walker made his way back from the outpost for a warm breakfast to find all sitting around the table but the host had not made an appearance yet. The landlady poured generous amounts of coffee for all, especially Capt Carver.

Shortly after this the lady tapped Capt Carver on his shoulder and asked his name. He told her and then she asked where he was from. He again told her and she wrote his name and residence in white chalk on one of the room walls. The lady once again tapped Capt Carver on the shoulder and, pointing to the writing on the wall, declared, "You have vanquished my husband, who was, I thought, the greatest liar living, and he has taken his defeat to heart and may die. If he should I desire to marry you." Capt Carver was speechless and never did answer the lady.

During the evening of 9 March the first signs of Rebs evacuating their lines at Manassas and Occoquan was obtained by pickets from Reb fugitives and on 10 March a recon made to village of Occoquan in the morning. Recon and further news from Reb deserters entering 4th Maine lines, confirmed that the Rebs were evacuating their positions around Manassas. This information was promptly sent to Division headquarters.

Early in the morning of 11 March, about 1:00am, an outpost picket heard a noise somewhere to his front and issued a challenge. The reply was an unexpected one when a woman called out of the darkness, "I am a woman; don't shoot me." She came forward where the picket could see her, accompanied by a 12-14 year old boy. The picket turned the two over to Capt Carver. He two were both scantily dressed, as they had lost pieces of their clothing fording a river and travelling through the woods at night. Allowing the woman to first repair her clothing, and make herself presentable, Carver took her to Col Berry.

At Col Berry's she told him that she had risked the life of her and her son to inform the Union Army that the Rebels were retreating from Ocoquan. Col Berry had a telegraph connection with BG Heintzelman and no more than 10 minutes after the woman entered Col Berry's tent, MG McClellan knew that the Rebs were retreating.

Col Berry ordered Maj Walker, with 250 men, to scout the Reb positions near Ocoquan to determine the ladies truth or not. No more than a mile or two from where they had started from, an advance scout heard a noise to his front and issued a challenge to it. From out of the gloom a negro voice was heard, "Don' shoot massa! Tis me, don' shoot." At this out stepped a large muscular black man. He told a tale of being chased by dogs, but "Dey no get me!" Maj Walker immediately began to use him as a guide and he provided "great service" to the scouts. As Maj Walker made his way to the Ocoquan he picked up two more contrabands and all stood on the bank of the Ocoquan as daylight began to make its appearance.

On 17 March, at 10:30am, the 4th Maine broke camp and, after an early dinner, formed in line and marched to the 40th New York's camp. Here the Brigade was formed and marched to Alexandria where they embarked onto waiting steamers with rest of Division. BG Hamilton now commanded the Division. The steamers set sail on 18 March and arrived at Fortress Monroe in the afternoon and the troops began to land. However, the 4th Maine did not begin to disembark their steamer until 20 March. The Brigade camped in a regular order of Regiments and Companies at Camp Hamilton, located between Fort Monroe and Hampton. They remained here for several days, filling most of the time with drill. Here the Regiment had a chance to meet some of the Rockland men who had joined the Navy.

On 24 March the 4th Maine moved 2 miles to the plains beyond Hampton, staying here until 4 April. The Regiment was called together for a parade, where a communication from Col Berry was read. He stated that he had been ordered to report to MG McClellen for orders and that he had to resign the command of the 4th Maine. Col Berry was being promoted to Brigadier General and would assume command of a brigade. Maj Walker also addressed the Regiment, as the senior field officer, to assume command of the 4th Maine.

A few days later Maj Walker was confirmed as the new Colonel while Capt L. D. Carver was appointed LTC and Capt Smith was appointed Major. Capt Smith declined his appointment and followed BG Berry, as his Assistant Adjutant General.

In shows of gratitude and affection, the officers of the Regiment presented Col Berry with an especially made sword for the occasion, while the men presented him with an especially made silver service. Upon his promotion to Regiment commander, the men in Company B presented Col Walker with a sword and a belt, which he cherished for the rest of his life.

On 4 April Berry was promoted to Brig Gen. Later that day the 4th Maine departed their camp for the general advance towards Yorktown.

On 5 April the 4th Maine arrived at Yorktown, where they remained until 4 May. During this period the Regiment was busy with picket duty and working on the fortifications and roads in the area. This work was hard and went on night and day. The entire area was an unhealthy one for the men and the 4th Maine was greatly reduced by disease.

One afternoon two soldiers rode into Camp Knox alarmed and afraid. They said that the picket line had been attacked and their captain ordered the men to fall back. Col Walker was convinced that there was trouble at the outpost so he ordered the adjutant to form the regimental line and then went to see BG Birney at his tent. Birney was lying down on a couch where he, without even rising, accused Col Walker of letting some cowardly soldiers frighten him. This angered Col Walker and he told the general that the day he was frightened of something the general would not be there to see it. He then took his leave and left the tent.

As Col Walker was leaving the tent, Adjutant General Sawyer, of division, came racing up and asked if the general was in. Col Walker stuck his head back into the tent and delivered Sawyer's message. Birney rose and came out of his tent. Sawyer relayed the order from BG Hamilton to have the brigade formed at once and prepare to go to the aid of the picket line. Birney's demeanor changed and he ordered Col Walker to form his regiment. Col Walker, still stinging from Birney's rebuke replied, "We are all formed, general, and not much frightened or scared."

The 4th Maine assisted in driving the enemy back but this marked the beginning of many troubles between Birney and Col Walker and led to an incident in 1864 that had a regular army officer lie about the condition of the 4th Maine during an inspection of the regiment. In his manuscript Col Walker wrote, "Gen. Birney was brave as a lion, when in a safe place, but in danger he wilted."

When the men of the 4th Maine woke in the morning of 4 May they heard rumors that the Rebs had evacuated Yorktown. A short time later the rumor was proven to be true when the Army of the Potomac was ordered to the march. The 4th Maine left their camp at 3:00pm, marching through Reb fortifications, 2 miles out on the Williamsburg Road. Here the 4th Maine camped for the night.

By 5 May Hiram Berry was now leading a brigade in Kearny's division. As Kearny was approaching the battlefield he detached one of Berry's regiments to reinforce Emory's cavalry. Then the 5th Michigan was deployed to the left of the road with the 37th New York to the left of the 5th.

The 4th Maine began moving towards Williamsburg at 8:00am. Federal forces were engaged with Rebel forces near Williamsburg. The march was humid and very tiring due to falling rain, making the mud very deep.

At 4:00pm the 4th Maine was within three miles of the battlefield. Hearing the sound of battle to their front, the regiment was ordered to halt and to ground their knapsacks and all other excess equipment. The 3rd and 4th Maine was detached from Birney, at Heintzelman's orders, and Birney was to move on with the 38th and 40th New York Regiments.

The 3rd and 4th Maine was then attached to BG Emory. Col Walker marched the 4th Maine to the left and joined the 63rd Pennsylvania and 3rd Michigan in an open field to support an artillery battery and to defend against any flanking movement by the Rebs. Remaining in the open for about 30 minutes the three Regiments were marched through some woods to the scene of fighting. Before going into battle the senior colonel of the three regiments was given command of all three. Saying that he was fatigued, he asked BG Emory if he could rest a few minutes. The general immediately gave the command over to Col Walker and the two went to look over the ground. The general determined that it would not be safe to make the movement and released the 4th Maine back to its brigade.

After this the two Maine units were released back to Birney. BG Kearny ordered the 4th Maine to camp in the woods on the right of the road. During the night the 3rd and 4th Maine rejoined Birney's Brigade. Birney then moved them to the front to relieve the 38th and 40th New York Regiments. The night was one of hardship, as the men of the 4th Maine did not have any blankets, overcoats or other protection against the rain.

On the morning of 6 May MG Kearny sent for the 4th Maine adjutant and requested him to bring BG Birney to him. Together with Col Walker, the adjutant went to Birney where they all went to Kearny's tent. In not so kind words, Kearny ordered Birney to take the 3rd and 4th Maine and advance, attacking the enemy if they were found. Kearny also ordered Birney not to leave the two regiments. Both regiments were soon on the move, with orders to the 4th Maine not to move into the open field.

The 4th Maine advanced to the edge of woods, where Col Walker could see Reb cavalry departing a fort to their front. He sent Carver and Libby to find Birney but they were unsuccessful. In the meantime Generals, Kearny, Heintzelman, Jameson and Berry rode to up to the 4th Maine position. Col Walker asked BG Berry if the he should advance. BG Berry replied, "Yes! Forward, Fourth Maine."

Expecting to meet opposition, the 4th Maine emerged from the woods and advanced upon the fortress, about a quarter of a mile distant. As the 4th Maine entered the fort from one point, Rebel cavalry could be seen leaving from another. Once inside the 4th Maine found 5 dead Rebs and, in searching a smaller works, 3 more wounded and 2-3 others dead. The 4th Maine also found a Rebel banner of blue silk, 3-foot square, bordered by crimson fringe. This was from a South Carolina unit called Pickens Sentinels.

Birney finally arrived with the rest of his force, but not before the 4th Maine banner was posted atop the fort. The 4th Maine suffered only 1 wounded enlisted man during the battle for Williamsburg. At noon the 4th Maine marched to Williamsburg, where it encamped.

By morning of 30 May Kearny's division had moved nearly a mile closer to the front and at 10:00am another advance was made by Kearny. At 12:30pm Casey's division was surprised, as Kearny had predicted, and the camp was quickly overrun. Casey's "...men were shot and killed while sitting eating their dinner."

The 3rd Corps sent reinforcements on 31 May. Kearny ordered Berry's Brigade off into the swamp to flank and attack the Rebel line. Berry got his men into the swamp and followed it to the open area near Couch, although Berry thought this was Casey's position. The Rebs sent men to confront Berry's threat but the terrain did not allow a full battle until 1800.

At about 3:00pm Birney received orders to move up to the railroad and report to BG Keyes.

3:10pm the column moved out, led by the 4th Maine, followed by the 40th New York, 3rd Maine and the rest of the 38th New York. Kearny saw this movement, and knowing that it held potential danger for the division, rode up and ordered the movement halted. This was only about 3:15pm. Kearny then ordered Birney to the rear, to the Williamsburg/Richmond road, and to man a line of rifle pits, called Kearny's "second line".

Kearny next ordered the 4th Maine to the right of the 40th New York, into the woods. As the 4th Maine advanced in line of battle in the woods they came to a clearing where the home of Miss Susan Allen stood. Here they took up a position along a fence on the edge of the woods.

5:00pm Birney was again ordered up the railroad to support Keyes. When Birney moved out this time the 3rd Maine was in the lead and he sent aides to the 4th Maine and 40th New York with orders to follow the Brigade.

While moving up the rail road the Brigade came under fire and the Brigade formed in the next open field, with the 3rd Maine and 38th New York on the rail road to the right and the 4th Maine and 40th New York on the right and left of the road as skirmishers. Orders were then received to fall back to the rifle pits again.

At about 9:00pm the 4th Maine was ordered to send out 4 Companies out as pickets with orders not to provoke the Rebs. Col Walker sent Companies G, H, I and K, under Capt William L. Pitcher.

As day was breaking, on 1 June, preparations were made to repel any enemy attack. The 4th Maine was stationed to the right of the railroad in an advanced field. Pitcher then took up a position to the left of the New York Regiment.

Soon after daylight Col Walker moved the remaining 6 Companies to the railroad and sent out scouts. Things remained peaceful until about 7:00-7:30am, when reports began to come in. The scouts from Walker came back with reports that Rebs were filing through the woods on the left. Col Walker immediately set out to inform Capt Pitcher and BG Ward. When he reached Pitcher's men he found them with stacked arms and brewing up some coffee. Not being too kind in his words, Col Walker immediately had the men take position behind a hedge fence. Col Walker was on his way to inform Ward of the enemy movements when firing broke out. Col Walker immediately returned to the 4th Maine to get them ready for an expected attack.

Howard's command was attacked and his left regiment broke, "...and came back like a flock of sheep with a pack of dogs after them, the enemy following...." The men from the retreating regiment were soon running past Pitcher and his 4 Companies. Seeing this, Capt Pitcher advanced to a position in the rear of a rail fence, a short distance to the front, and opened fire.

About 8:00am BG Hooker was seen in front of the 4th Maine positions, skirting the woods between the skirmishers and the main body of the Regiment. Soon after BG Hooker disappeared into some woods heavy fighting broke out on the left lasting about 30 minutes. This suddenly ceased and firing began on the right. BG Ward immediately changed his front to face this new firing in the woods. As 5 Reb Regiments advanced, BG Ward gave the order to "fire" and then "charge", with less than 700 men. The Rebs were driven back by the 3rd Maine, 38th New York and 40th New York, right into the 4th Maine, who had 450 men, and the 7th Massachusetts, who were positioned on the right flank. This fire devastated the Rebel lines, "...when a volley from our Austrian rifles put a stop to their further advance...." Ward later commended Col Walker, for his actions, in his official report.

It was later determined that Pitcher's 4 Companies fired an average of 45 rounds per man while the rest of the 4th Maine fired 10 rounds per man. The 4th Maine suffered 2 dead, 7 wounded and 1 missing. The entire battle lasted for about 3 1/2 hours.

On 27 June, at 8:30am, Walker was visited by Berry, who told him that the troops on the right had been severely beaten and a retreat ordered. Heintzelman wanted Jordon's Ford found and prepared for the crossing of the army. Kearny did not want Berry to leave him at this point so Berry recommended that Walker, and the 4th Maine, be given the assignment and that Walker was wanted at Kearny's tent.

When Walker arrived to see Kearny, the general again told him of the retreat order and that Berry expressed his confidence that the 4th Maine could find the ford and get it ready to support a retreating army. Kearny instructed Walker to find the report, report its condition, how long it would take to prepare it for passage and to accept no orders from anyone except Berry or him.

The men were ordered to take his clothing, a shelter tent, 100 rounds of ammunition and 3 days ration. Half of the 4th Maine was given axes, picks and shovels and then moved out about 2 miles in the direction that Walker thought the ford was in. During the course of the march the regiment came upon a local man, who they forced, with a threat to his life, to take them to Jordon's Ford on the quickest and best road possible. After marching a further 4 miles from camp, the ford was finally reached and an examination begun by Walker. After the examination Walker sent a message to Kearny and informed him that he could have the ford ready for travel in 24 hours, and immediately began work on the road.

At 3:00pm a messenger arrived at the ford with to stop all work on the ford. Receiving this, Walker went to Kearny personally, arriving at his tent at 5:00pm and asked him to come look over the ford with him.

Kearny arrived at the ford on the morning of 28 June and examined it with Walker. The two crossed the ford and, after a thorough inspection of the surrounding ground, ordered Walker to proceed with the work. A corduroy, about 250 feet in length, was built leading to the bridge and the work continued throughout the day.

The work was completed on 29 June and at 12:00pm Walker reported this to Kearny. At 1:00pm he received another order from Kearny to go to Fisher's Ford, inspect that for possible crossing use and tell him how long it would take to complete the work. Walker personally inspected the new location and sent back a message telling Kearny that he could have the ford ready 3 hours after receiving the order to begin. The order came at 3:00pm and Walker took 1/3 of the 4th Maine to the new ford and left them under the command of LTC Carver.

Now the division was in full retreat, with the 4th Maine guarding the two fords. No team had been supplied to the 4th Maine so when an ammunition team came by Walker grabbed it. Removing 6 cases of ammunition from the wagon, he loaded the wagon with 6 sick men and some hospital stores. Under the care of Surgeon Libby, Walker sent the wagon forward with the rest of the retreating division.

Berry sent Lieutenant Greenhalgh to Walker to ask which was the best ford for his brigade to use. Walker decided that Fisher's Ford would be the best one, as it would help to prevent the Rebels from cutting off the 4th Maine from the rest of the army.

The other two brigades retreated over Jordon's Ford. When the two brigades ran into advancing Reb infantry and artillery a sharp fight ensued, forcing the brigades back and to find another ford several miles down the swamp where the wagons were being crossed.

When Kearny arrived at Jordon's Ford a misunderstanding arose between him and Walker, causing Walker to be arrested. After Kearny looked around, he came back to Walker and extended his one good hand, said that he was wrong and offered his apologies to Walker. From this point on the two were warm friends. If anyone complained to Kearny that the 4th Maine was inferior to any other unit in the division, that person would have the "Kearny blessing, vehemently bestowed upon him.

Kearny told Walker that he was going to recross the swamp someplace farther down and he wanted the 4th Maine to hold this ford at all costs. Once all of the troops were crossed over the bridge, the 4th Maine was to destroy it and catch up to the division as best as it could.

The 4th Maine now acted as the "extreme rear guard" as the Army of the Potomac retreated to the James River. When the remaining troops had finished crossing over the bridge the corduroy bed was torn up and burned. Walker then instructed his men to take only the guns and ammunition, plus whatever they had to eat. Walker sent 7 of his companies ahead, keeping three to destroy the bridge.

Walker and his three remaining companies marched throughout the dark night. The guide they had to tell them that they were going in the right direction were the dead and wounded that littered the road. One of the men they found wounded was a member of the 3rd Maine, who had been left by his comrades. After giving the man some comfort, Walker was obliged to leave him as well. Stopping to rest at 11:00pm for only a short time, Walker kept the men moving until they caught up with the other 7 companies just before daylight.

The 4th Maine was the last unit to cross White Oak Swamp 0n the morning of 30 June.

At 2:30am the 4th Maine was called into line with the rest of the Brigade and marched to a position near Charles City Crossroads. The Brigade was to hold a guard at the rear of the Army of the Potomac and defend it against the pursuing Rebel army. The 4th Maine was sent forward as a skirmish line to protect the army against approaching rebel forces.

Walker and Berry spent most of the day looking over the ground, to decide which places were best to block against artillery movement. Near noon the advance Rebel guard began to appear in front of the Brigade and skirmishing began. About 1:30pm Walker and Berry found a road a distance from the left of the Union line that Berry liked. He told Walker, "This is the place they will endeavor to get through. I will have my brigade and Thompson's battery here at once."

Berry departed and Walker returned to the 4th Maine, then being driven back to the main line. Unable to move up their artillery, the rebs only succeeded in driving back the skirmish line.

After a period of light skirmishing and maneuvering by both sides, the fighting became a battle in the middle of the afternoon. Berry arrived back at the spot he had scouted earlier with his brigade and the battery. Checking the rebel advance, Berry's brigade was joined by the other brigades of Kearny's division. BG Kearny had placed the 4th Maine at their positions fully expecting it to be "hotly contested by the Rebels". The 4th Maine was assigned to the right of Birney's line, joining the left of Berry's brigade. This put the 4th Maine into an excellent spot to see the fighting put up by Magruder's troops against Berry. The battle was hard fought but the Rebs did not press an attack on the 4th Maine lines and the 4th Maine did not have many casualties.

The fighting had stopped by 9:00pm and the 4th Maine remained in the field, as the rear guard of the Army, until 2:00am, 1 July. The 4th Maine was the last to leave the field during the night.

On 3 July the regiment arrived at Harrison's Landing about 2:00pm. Moving into a wheatfield, the tired men sank down where they stood and slept the sleep of the just. After a few hours sleep, Walker had a count taken of what equipment the regiment possessed. The count was not very encouraging, as it only revealed 15 tin dippers, 12 shelter tents and 4 rubber blankets. In the afternoon the Brigade was marched to their new defensive positions and the 4th Maine began constructing a log breast work that evening. The 4th Maine remained in this position for the next two weeks, improving and strengthening the breast works.

On 11 August the 4th Maine received its orders to pack their knapsacks with all but their tents and blankets and be ready to move out in light marching order at 2:00pm. Then nothing happened, except that the knapsacks were taken to Harrison's Landing for loading onto barges. The Regiment stayed in this state until 15 August. The sick were loaded onto transports on the 12th and sent away on the same transports that the men's knapsacks and property had been loaded onto. When the equipment came up missing later one rumor said that the barges conveying them were deliberately sunk to keep them away from the enemy.

On 15 August the 4th Maine received orders to move and at 4:00am began marching towards Yorktown. Walker brought in the last picket line and a huge bonfire was built with the material that could not be carried. That night the Regiment encamped at James Bridge, on the Chickahominy.

The 4th Maine arrived at Yorktown in the evening, at 7:00pm, on 19 August. On the 20th the 4th Maine embarked at Yorktown on the steamship "Merrimac". Four other Regiments were crammed onto the steamer, leaving little room for the men.

The "Merrimac" arrived at Alexandria on the 22nd and the 4th Maine disembarked and encamped that night 1 to 2 miles outside of the city. On 23 August the 4th Maine, along with the rest of the division, was loaded onto cars of the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road and taken to Warrenton Junction. As soon as they disembarked they were marched to within 2 miles of Bealton Station, on foot. The Regiment was then posted on the extreme front as the advance guard of the Division, continuing to do so during the advance to the lines on the Rappahannock, reaching the river on the 26th.

Part of Federal plan called for the 4th Maine to march five miles to the front of the Army to Rappahannock Station. Sent without rations, the unit was to be a "blind" to draw the Rebel forces to them. The 20th Indiana followed a half-mile back, meant to come to the aid of the 4th Maine, if needed. They were even to be captured, if the situation needed it. Through hard marching the 4th Maine freed itself from its situation but a few soldiers fell into the hands of the Rebs, through exhaustion. These men were stripped of their outer clothing and paroled back to the Regiment.

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1863

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The Road to Glory - Continued

At midnight, on 27 August, 6 cavalrymen and 3 aides arrived at the 4th Maine camp with orders to rejoin to the division at once. Walker called in the pickets and began moving in the direction of Bealton.

At 9:00am the 4th Maine received orders to move immediately to the rear and rejoin the Brigade, at Catlett's Station. The Regiment marched back along the railroad and arrived near Catlett's Station in the evening, finally stopping at 9:00pm.

On the 28th, at 3:00am, the 4th Maine began moving along the railroad again. As daylight was coming the regiment arrived at a residence where a great breakfast was being served. A chicken meal was being prepared inside, in which Walker joined, while the men gathered up the remaining chickens in the yard for them to eat. The owner was forced to charge their price to the government. After breakfast the regiment resumed the march and finally caught up with the brigade at Bristow Station, much to the surprise of their comrades, who had assumed that the 4th Maine had been captured by the rebs.

On the 29th the 4th Maine began moving forward at 6:00am and advanced on Bull Run, arriving on the battlefield around 9:30am.

BG Kearny placed his Division on the extreme right of the battle line about 9:00am. The 4th Maine was grouped with the 40th and 101st New York Regiments.

At about 10:30am the three regiments were ordered forward to engage the Rebs. As the 3 regiments advanced up the brow of a hill it drove back the Reb skirmishers. During the 4th Maine advance they captured several ambulances. Suddenly they met a battery of artillery, supported by infantry posted in the ravine between the 4th Maine and the battery. This made it impossible for the 4th Maine to take the battery.

The battery immediately opened fire with grape and shell, forcing the Regiment to retire by the left flank to a position in the woods, almost becoming cut off. Seeing the situation, Birney suddenly had somewhere else to be and left.

From here the 4th Maine fought for 1 1/2 hours, until receiving orders to retire to the rear. The regiment was nearly surrounded and the rebs recaptured the ambulances and their guards. It was only through "…hard and determined fighting…" that the regiment escaped. Kearny later gave Birney one of his blessings for his move.

The 4th Maine remained in this rear area until 3:30pm, when Col Walker was ordered to report to BG Robertson, then engaging Reb forces to his front. Two companies, I and K, were left under LTC Carver to support Randolph's battery, while the remainder of the regiment followed Walker. The 40th and 101st New York was later sent to also support Robertson.

Robertson ordered Walker to the left of his brigade. Reb infantry began to advance under the covering fire of a battery on a hill to the right. This created such an enfilade fire that the 4th Maine was forced back a bit. In just a few minutes the Reb forces then engaged the 4th Maine, succeeding in flanking the Regiment on the 4th Maine left. After being able to fire only a few rounds, the 4th Maine was forced back, until it was met the advancing 40th and 101st New York Regiments. Once joined the 3 Regiments then began to force their way back towards the Rebs again, forcing them back across the railroad cut.

The Rebs were themselves reinforced by a second Brigade and turned the left flank again. The other two Regiments had retired so the 4th Maine was compelled to follow, or be cut off. The Regiment accomplished this in an orderly manner. It was almost dark and the fighting ended for the day.

The 4th Maine remained in the rear until 5:00pm. The Regiment moved to the rear of the centerline, where it came under fire from Reb artillery. After dark the Regiment moved farther to the left, facing a large Reb force. Col Walker posted a line of vedettes about 300 yards to the front. After 1 1/2 hours the Regiment was ordered to move to the rear again. Crossing Bull Run Creek, the Regiment moved along the main road to Centreville, reaching the town about midnight.

For most of the day on the 30th Kearny's division was held in reserve with the rest of the division but was deployed at 3:00pm. The fighting was severe to their left front and the men could tell from the sound that McDowell was being forced back. The division had occupied a small field that was surrounded by thick bushes. Rebs completely surprised the pickets to the front and were preparing to enter the same field. Kearny quickly formed his line and placed the division between McDowell's troops and the Rebs.

Then the fighting came to a stop and the Union forces began to retreat. This took the remainder of the day, with the 4th Maine and the 40th New York the last regiments to leave the field, about 10:00pm. .

On the first day of September the 4th Maine engaged the Rebs at Chantilly, about a mile to the left of the road and 3 miles from Centreville. The 4th Maine was part of relief force to BG Steven's division, which had been holding back the Rebs with severe losses.

Sent by BG Kearny to open the attack, the 4th Maine was the lead regiment into the cornfield, followed by the 101st New York, 3rd Maine, 40th New York and 1st New York. All soon found themselves in the middle of a furious battle. The cornfield became a nightmare of mud, bodies and trampled corn stalks. Units fired point-blank into the faces of their foes. Bayonets and swinging rifle stocks became weapons. The cornfield changed hands several times in the course of minutes.

During the fighting the 4th Maine was met with heavy fire and was forced to retire to a more advantageous position a few rods to the rear. From here the 4th Maine kept up a wall of fire for 1 1/2 hours, until the Regiment was almost out of ammunition. The Regiment then retired in good order, bringing back its wounded, being replaced by another Regiment. By nightfall the fighting had stopped.

During the night the 4th Maine remained on guard on the battlefield. The night proved unbearable as the men of the Regiment were soaked from two hours of heavy rain during the battle and no fires were allowed during the clear, cold night.

The 4th Maine finally departed the battlefield, on 2 September, at about 2:30am. The Regiment traveled back to the Centreville Turnpike and then to Fair Fax Court House, arriving at sunrise. In the afternoon the Regiment moved to Fairfax Station and Pohick Church on the way back to Alexandria.

On the 8th of October the 4th Maine moved 12 miles down river to Conrad's Ferry and joined the rest of the Brigade.

On the 11th of October the 4th Maine was encamped near Conrad's Ferry when BG Stoneman, who was the senior commander in the area, rode up about 5:00pm. He told Walker that the rebs, under Jeb Stuart, had about 1500 to 2000 cavalry troops in the area, raiding towns and homes in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Stoneman thought that they would cross the Potomac at the mouth of the Monocacy and ordered Walker to march there.

The 4th Maine arrived at the Monocacy about 8:00pm and the 3rd Maine arrived about 9:00pm. Walker set out pickets at every place that could possibly be used to observe and hinder the Reb cavalry. When the 3rd Maine arrived, LTC Carver, of the 4th Maine, ordered that 2 Companies be detailed to guard the ford and the bridge at the crossing between Barnesville and Frederick. The rest of the 3rd Maine bivouacked 1/2 mile back towards Barnesville. Once the pickets were posted the rest of the command bedded down for the night.

At about midnight, on 12 October, BG Ward arrived at Walker's headquarters. Fresh from army headquarters. Ward brought news that Stuart was not expected to cross in this area. Instead, he would try an end run around the army's right.

By 8:00am Walker was sure that Ward's news from the night before was correct when a mounted cavalryman arrived saying that Pleasanton's force of 1500 and 2 rifled guns, were in the area. They had been riding the entire night up and down the river to prevent Stuart from making a crossing. Walker asked, "How many of the enemy are there?" The scout replied, "I laid secreted by the side of the road last night, as they passed, and counted eighteen hundred."

Hearing this Walker sent Pitcher, with 150 men, to extend the line on the Poolsville Road and another 50 to a spot near the ford, where they could observe, and fire upon, the Reb cavalry as they waded through the river. This left Walker with about 350 men.

Stuart showed up and headed for the river at a point three miles below from where the 4th Maine was positioned. The 4th Maine pickets discovered the Rebs, and at about 9:00am opened fire on the pickets along the Poolesville Road. Col Walker then ordered 2 Companies of the 3rd Maine forward, as skirmishers, on the right of the road.

When the Union cavalry arrived there firing could be heard from the direction of Pitcher and the Poolsville Road. Those with Walker stripped off all of their excess equipment and prepared to meet the Reb cavalry. These men were already advancing when BG Pleasanton arrived, approached Walker and asked who was in command. Walker said that he was. Pleasanton next asked how many men Walker had. Not knowing Pleasanton by sight, and being cautious, Walker asked, "Who are you?" The general replied, "Don't you know me? I am Gen. Pleasanton." He then opened up his outer coat to show Walker the star on his shoulder. Pleasanton then stated, "The fighting has commenced and I assume command."

Walker then told Pleasanton that he had about 600 men and that they were at his service. Pleasanton asked if Walker had any artillery. When he was told no, he told Walker that he wanted 250 men to support the battery that he had brought with him. Walker was "confounded" at this order but obeyed. Pitcher's pickets had been driven back and the major was not on foot, as his horse had been shot out from under him.

At a distance of a ½ mile Pleasanton had his guns trade shots with those of the rebs. Soon the artillery from both sides opened up and engaged in a duel. In this the rebs must have been the better because the rounds from Pleasanton's guns fell 20 rods short of their target. While the duel was going on Walker went to Pleasanton to try and tell him that the rebs would probably cross at White's Ford without opposition. Pleasanton did not heed Walker's advice.

Walker approached Pleasanton a second time and urged him to send his force to White's Ford and prevent some of the rebs from crossing. Finally, after a few minutes thought, Pleasanton called over one of his officers and said that he should take a force to the ford. The officer then formed about 300 men and rode off, not in too much of a hurry. He later returned and said that he arrived just as the last of the rebs had crossed the river.

After the artillery duel had lasted about 30 minutes Walker gathered a few of his men and began to advance. When the rebs saw this they vacated the area with most crossing a road and then a field, heading towards the river. Three or four of their rear guard had their horses shot and were captured by the 4th Maine.

In the meantime Pitcher was bringing up his force but was still a mile away. Pleasanton was convinced that these men were rebs and would have fired upon them if Walker had not sent an officer to verify the truth to the general.

The Rebs quickly retired in the direction of White's Ford, placing a gun 3/4-mile from the road to enfilade the 4th Maine skirmishers as they exited the woods. Col Walker ordered another halt and informed BG Pleasanton of the situation, suggesting the Federal artillery section be brought forward. By the time BG Pleasanton arrived the Rebs had gone, towards the river.

Pleasanton suddenly found his bravery and ordered an advance to the ford. Col Walker proceeded across a field, right to White's Ford. Upon reaching the ford he found that the Rebs had already crossed, placing their artillery in position across the river to hold off the Federals. These guns fired a few rounds and then departed their position on the river. When Pleasanton arrived he had his guns fire a few useless rounds at the fleeing rebs.

On the 28th of October Col Walker departed for Maine to recruit new members for the Regiment. Walker rejoined the 4th Maine on 18 November, after chasing them for a few days after his arrival back in Washington. He found them in good health and spirit but sadly lacking in clothing. Many were barefoot, while others only wore the poorest excuse for shoes. Walker immediately set out to refit his men.

On 3 December the 4th Maine received orders to report to BG Woodbury for fatigue duty, with 4 days rations. The Regiment then moved down the river about 7 miles. At this point the Regiment, now numbering 375 men, was joined by the 120th New York, numbering about 800 men, being newly called into service. Both regiments were to cut enough wood to load 300 teams with logs for corduroy or bridging.

During the evening of 8 December Col Walker received orders from Woodbury to make the teams ready to move out the next morning. He was instructed to move 10 miles down river with the 300 teams and construct a corduroy road 24 feet wide across a swamp, 1100 feet long and grade the approach to the road for 200 feet. An officer from Woodbury's staff was to act as guide to take them to their destination. All efforts were to be made to make this movement unobserved.

The morning of 9 December was clear and cold, with a heavy chill in the air. At 9:00am a staff officer from the engineer corps arrived with orders for Walker to move out with the teams to their assigned destination and wait for darkness. Walker moved out and arrived within 1/2 mile of their destination by 3:30 pm. The combined command then waited for darkness to conceal their movements.

At 4:00pm Col Walker received orders, directly from Burnside, to park the teams, provide 3 days rations for all and await further orders. Col Walker immediately sent for rations, blankets and shelter tents. The night proved to be one of the coldest Walker ever spent in Virginia and he and the regiment suffered throughout the night.

The requested supplies arrived during the morning of the 10th and the day was spent in preparing sleeping quarters for the night. As night was beginning to fall, the men were preparing to retire for the night for a well-earned rest. However, this plan was disrupted when, at 4:30pm, Col Walker received orders to complete the assigned work. Under the guidance of LTC Carver, a ships carpenter by profession, the work went quickly. At 9:00pm the teams were unloaded and the construction begun on the road, while Maj Pitcher, in charge of the pickets, ensured that the two regiments were unmolested.

By 4:00am, on the 11th, the work on the road was complete. Orders were then received for the 4th Maine to rejoin the Brigade. Many books give credit for this work to Maine lumberjacks but in truth, it was hearty men from the coast of Maine and New York State that worked so hard to try and fool the Rebels.

After a rest of two hours the 4th Maine marched out. The roads had become muddy, as the day had warmed up. This, coupled with the men's lack of sleep, made the march hard.

The 4th Maine arrived back at its camp at noon. Col Walker was going to let his men rest until the morning but when he visited the quartermaster he found that there was a second order to join the Brigade immediately. Col Walker started to headquarters to "comply" with this second order, with the 4th Maine resting in place, when he met one of the General's aides with written orders to rejoin the Brigade without delay.

For the first time as a soldier Col Walker considered disobeying this order and giving his men the rest they deserved and needed. Col Walker returned to the 4th Maine and stayed until 3:30pm. When the Regiment did move out 36 men were left behind, completely worn out from their exertions on the road construction.

The day had been warm and the roads were very muddy. During the day the Brigade moved and the 4th Maine had not caught up to them by the time night fell. The 4th Maine stopped for the night but did not have any shelter or fires, as wood could not be obtained in the immediate area.

The 4th Maine finally caught up with the Brigade during the morning of 12 December. The regiment rejoined the Brigade with 22 officers and 253 men. One officer and 30 men were immediately detailed to Prof. Lowe and his balloonist, as support. At 4:30pm the 4th Maine was on the move again and finally encamped at 11:00pm for the night.

At 5:00am, on the 13th, the 4th Maine moved out again, crossing the river between 9:00 and 10:00am. Ward's brigade was ordered into the breach left by Meade's division and was the first in its division to advance. The Brigade formed into two lines and marched to within 600 yards of the Rebel lines. The 40th New York, on the left, led off, followed by the 38th New York, 4th Maine, 3rd Maine, and 55th Pennsylvania. Each regiment marched 100 yards to the rear of its neighbor on the left.

During this movement, the 4th Maine moved about two miles to the left and front, finding themselves "...in a place where shot and shell were falling thick and fast." The Brigade was then ordered to support the attack to its front.

Federal troops began to advance in the front and right of the battle line. Only 10 minutes after entering the woods these troops began to stream back in great disorder and confusion. BG Birney then ordered BG Ward to send two Regiments forward to repulse the advancing Rebs.

BG Ward ordered the 38th and 40th New York forward to the attack, meeting troops in full retreat. These troops met the advancing New York troops, holding up their hands and imploring them to "Go back! Go back!" Still, the New York Regiments advanced.

The Rebels were advancing as well and marched to within 300 yards of the Randolph Battery. Col Walker then received orders to follow the 38th and 40th New York, who were about to charge to take possession of the railroad. These two Regiments were about 25 rods in front of the 4th Maine. The 4th Maine then moved through a field, in line of battle, arriving at a wooded area. The 4th Maine fell in on the right flank. This line was at an acute right angle of 25 degrees and the 4th Maine was the furthest from the road. As the 3 Regiments continued to push forward they met a great volume of fire from Rebels partially hidden in a ditch.

The ditch did not prove to be very good cover and the 3 Federal Regiments soon had the Rebs falling back, pursued by charging and shouting men in blue. The Rebs, now in great disorder, were forced over a second ditch but finally checked the advance of the 3 Regiments. During this rush the 3 Regiments suffered 200 casualties, out of a force of 800 men.

The Regiment that first came to the road saw the Rebel line facing it and became panic-stricken and both New York Regiments retreated, leaving the 4th Maine behind. The 4th Maine stood its ground in the face of the advancing rebs until the rebs began to fight hand to hand with the men from Maine. Officers had to use their pistols and the men their bayonets, to fend off the rebs. Seeing the mass of rebs facing the 4th Maine, the 3rd Maine and 55th Pennsylvania did not advance. Combined with the withdrawal of the two New York regiments, this left both 4th Maine flanks exposed.

Col Walker tried to bring the Regiment off by the left flank but when he gave his order his right flank was driving the Rebs back and "...was so hotly engaged that the order was not understood." The left flank had moved a few rods farther left so Col Walker stopped them to hold the Regiments position, or face the loss of the troops on the right flank. By this time the Regiment was being flank on the right and in danger of being cut off from the Federal lines. The 4th Maine left flank held firmly, holding up the Reb force that had routed both New York Regiments. When the right flank was able to join with the rest of the Regiment Col Walker gave the order to retire, bringing off many of the wounded.

The advancing Rebs followed closely and threatened to overwhelm the 4th Maine until BG Berry saw his old Regiment in danger. He brought his whole Brigade forward, punishing the Rebs severely and saving the 4th Maine. Old loyalties die hard. The 4th Maine fell back to its former positions and remained there until the next morning.

All of the officers in the 4th Maine had bullet holes in their uniforms, as well as most of the men. LTC Carver fought extremely well and Maj Pitcher fell during this battle. His body was carried across the river, embalmed and sent home to Bangor for burial. To honor his bravery BG Birney ordered that the Division camp would be known as Camp Pitcher. The 4th Maine also changed the name of Camp Knox to Camp Pitcher.

The 14th was quiet and the pickets from both sides were posted in an open field not more than 200 yards apart. Both agreed not to fire at one another unless ordered to advance. Then the first to fire would aim high. Not a shot was fired along the 3rd Corps picket line. Walker would salute his counterpart on the other side, as they passed each other in the open.

On the 15th both sides agreed to an armistice and they began In the evening the 4th Maine recrossed the river. Col Walker was Division officer of the day. It fell on him to remain behind and bring in the Division pickets. This was done without incident but was not a pleasant duty. Walker had two cavalry orderlies with him and all were kept busy keeping the fires going in order to deceive the enemy about the Union retreat. This duty lasted seven hours and was finally ended when Capt Bristow, from the engineers, came with orders to fall back.

Walker dismounted and walked the entire line to tell each man to fall back onto the road and assemble to march. The night was made darker by the low cloud cover and a person could not see more than 10 feet in front of himself. The men were able to gather without problems and they followed Capt Bristow back to the river to cross over the pontoon bridge.

Walker was in charge of 2 small regiments, one of 200 men and the other of 400 men. When he reached the pontoon bridge Walker dismounted to make sure that all of his command crossed the bridge. He was dismayed to find that the smaller regiment had not yet arrived so Walker set out to find them. Only a ½ mile back from the bridge he found them huddled together, ready to give up. Walker forced them to move to the bridge and over it. As daylight was breaking Walker was the last man over the pontoon bridge. The battle of Fredericksburg was over.

Burnside had set up his tent only 50 rods from the river. Lying near a bright fire lay Capt Bristow. He was on the bare ground with a blanket wrapped about him the captain was a large man, 6'3" barefooted, and always kept a flask in his pocket. Walker knew this, and not wanting to disturb his sleep, reached into Bristow's pocket to remove the flask. When the captain had offered him a drink at the picket line Walker had refused, but now he was ready for one. Walker drank the flask dry.

It began to rain and Walker found the 4th Maine on the other side of the road. They had been disturbed by the rain and were trying to put up tents. Walker was now showing the effects of the drink, not enough food and no sleep for five days. The boys in the 4th saw this, built a shelter for Walker to sleep in, and allowed him to sleep for 4 hours without disturbing him. This was greatly needed by Walker and he awoke refreshed and ready to continue doing his duty.