One Man's Opinion of the Mine Run Campaign

Today at Brandy Station: December 7, 1863

I have a few letters in my collection for Michael S. Austin, a Lieutenant in the 5th New Jersey Infantry. On this day he wrote to his father thanking him for shipping a box of goods, including butter ("Butter is good – and I am sure most officers would like to mess with me while it lasts.")

But what interested me was his commentary concerning General George Gordon Meade's decision not to continue the fight at Mine Run:

"Much censure is cast upon Gen Mead[e] for the apparent failure of the late campaign. Those who were more closely connected & interested in that affair, are satisfied that it terminated as it should have done, after they saw what they had first to overcome – considering, that there was a chance that the [?] might be repulsed – in which case a rout would, almost, have been a certain thing. Today there are 15,000 men living, & of service, if properly used. In the case contemplated, that number of men would have been lost to the enemy & country, with a great chance of defeat."

...out of the wilderness

Today at Brandy Station: December 3, 1863

The Union army recrosses the Rapidan River today and returns to it's former camps in and around Brandy Station. As they finally settle in for the winter, the First Corps will camp south of the town of Culpeper; the Second Corps will camp in the vicinity of Stevensburg; the Third Corps in and around Brandy Station; The Fifth Corps along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad between Rappahannock Station and the Bull Run and the Sixth Corps along the Hazel River, centered near Farley. The Cavalry will be dispersed, with divisions at Stevensburg and Warrenton.

But the commentary from the soldiers about there return is what today's blog is about:

86th New York: Stayed in camp all day, tired & worn out & rations short. Stragglers coming in all day. Called up in the night to march, did not go.

4th Michigan: Rose early and Packed up and went to the Rappahanock River crossed at Rapp Station and our Brig went on to Bealeton Station where we Camped for the night.

2nd Rhode Island: We moved three miles to this camp. I do not understand the late movements, but I presume General Meade does, and that is sufficient for me.

20th Indiana: Got back to our old camp about daylight. ...left the rapidan about noon, marching a short distance ...stopping for the train to pass, ...we stopped in the woods and were told that we would lay there three hours. About eleven we started again. I never saw worse roads in my life...

111th New York: We have just got Orders, to pack up everything, & be ready to move at a moments notice. Now for a general Sekdaddle, to Washington. It is also reported that Joe Hooker, had Command of the Army again. If this is so, we may be kept pretty busy this winter. You may be sure we are living anything, but Comfortable...

17th Maine: ...we recrossed the Rapidan, thankful to be alive. As soon as we got over, a band near the end of the bridge piped up, “O Ain’t We Glad We’re Out of the Wilderness.” We rather thought we were, and a hearty “Amen!” rose from every throat.

Jed Hotchkiss, mapmaker for General Richard Ewell wrote to his wife today: "...Well, we got back to our old quarters again today, Mr. Meade would not stay & fight, he ran away night before last & recrossed the river, we followed as soon as we saw that he was gone, but he had too much the start & we only succeeded in catching some 300 of the stragglers & rear guard..."

And the Army of the Potomac's Winter Encampment will finally begin.

Mine Run

Today in Orange County: November 28, 1863

The Army of the Potomac has left what many thought was their winter quarters in and around Brandy Station. Today the army finds itself in Orange County, beginning what would be called the Mine Run Campaign.

One of the many writings detailing the Federal march to contact. This is from the diary of George Perkins, Sixth New York Independent Battery. It is from the book "Three Years a Soldier," Edited by Richard N. Griffin.

"Unharnessed at daylight. Commenced to rain...About noon the rain ceased and at the same "boots and saddle" sounded....whole brigade started toward the Rapidan crossing the plank road and following and exceedingly narrow and muddy road which forms an acute angle with the plank road towards the river. The way lay most of the way through thick woods."

Perkins of course had entered the western edge what we all now know as the Wilderness. He crossed at Germanna Ford(other forces crossed at Jacob's Ford), and using modern roads, left route 3 turning down route 601 and moved onto 603 and then to route 611, reaching Robinson's Tavern and the Orange Turnpike. The unit continued on to Parker's Store, where is remained throughout the fight. Perkins and the 6th NY Independent Battery missed the fighting at Payne's Farm, which took place the previous day. They crossed over that portion of the battlefield as they journeyed to Parker's Store