Episode 29: 1LT Lemuel A. Abbott and the 10th Vermont at the Third Battle of Winchester

At the Third Battle of Winchester, 19 September 1864, 1LT Lemuel A. Abbott and the 10th Vermont, form as part of a two Corps advance upon the first Confederate position east of the town of Winchester Virginia. By virtue of rugged terrain and a fierce cannonade, the assaulting force fractures and 1LT Abbott’s Brigade faces the Confederates alone.

Sources used for this episode:

Abbott, Lemuel A. Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary 1864. Burlington: Free Press Printing Co. Printers, Binders, Stationers, 1908. https://www.loc.gov/item/08034279/.

Davis, George B. Perry, Leslie J. and Kirkley, Joseph W. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 43, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1893. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924080776929&view=1up&seq=3.

Transcript

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Hello everyone. My name is bill Caughlin and welcome to first person civil war podcast, which retails the stories of the soldiers and officers on the ground in the battles of the civil war. Episode 29 is entitled. First Lieutenant Lemuel, a Abbott and the 10th Vermont at the third battle of Winchester. And relies on his book. Personal recollections and civil war diary, 1864. Which he published in 1904. Let. Well, Abijah Abbott lived in Barre. Vermont went on 28, July, 1862. He enlisted in the army at 22 years old. On one, September, 1862, he was mustered into service as the first Sergeant of company B 10th, Vermont. The regiment March to Washington, DC, and served in the defenses around the Capitol for the rest of 1862. Until July, 1863. Following the defeat of the army of Northern Virginia at the battle of Gettysburg. The 10th Vermont was assigned to the third core of the army of the Potomac. Until March of 1864. When it was transferred to the sixth core. The 10th Vermont was present at the battles of the Overland campaign. It was at Petersburg when the entire Corps was diverted to Washington, DC. In the spring of 1864, the Shenandoah valley as part of Lieutenant general grants, wider, advanced and took veteran held territory. Became the scene of several engagements. As both armies settled into C J operations at Petersburg, Virginia general Robert E. Lee sent Lieutenant general. Jubal early and his core to the Shenandoah in June with orders to engage union forces there. And if possible, threatened Washington DC. Lem mule, a Abbott by June of 1864 was the first Lieutenant. And commander of company E in the 10th, Vermont. And on nine July fought at the battle of Monocacy. Though a Confederate victory, it delayed their advance upon the Capitol. And allowed a substantial union force to repel Lieutenant general Earley's army at the battle of Fort Stevens. By September of that year, the regiment was assigned to Colonel William Emerson's first brigade. In Brigadier general, James Ricketts, third division. Of major general Horacio rights, sixth core. In the army of the Shenandoah. Commanded by major general Philip Sheridan. Sheridan had by mid September fought a series of battles that slowly pushed Lieutenant general Earley's army of the valley further south. Having discovered that a portion of the Confederate army had departed the valley. Major general Sheridan decided to strike Lieutenant general earliest camp outside of the town of Winchester, Virginia. At 2:00 AM on 19 September, 1864. First Lieutenant Abbott and the 10th Vermont. Began their March on the Berryville turnpike. Toward the Eastern outskirts of Winchester. By daylight. The regiment along with the rest of the first brigade were making their way through the Berryville canyon. When first Lieutenant Abbott spotted major general Sheridan on horseback. We were on the Eve of the most brilliant, spectacular battle of the war. At any rate that I had seen. And my ideal genius developed by the great civil war Sheridan was to lead us. And the valor of the renowned sixth core, his pet of all the splendid core of as grand and Valiant an army has ever existed. The army of the Potomac. Was about being placed by him at the most important point in the line of battle, ready to do and die for him. The 10th Vermont formed with the five regiment first brigade, just north of the Berryville turnpike on the Eastern bank of an Abraham Creek tributary. In front of them was terrain pockmarked with Hills canyons and creeks. The Confederates of Ram sewers division. We're in a line of battle behind a Creek that formed a semicircle with a sloping ravine about 50 feet deep by first Lieutenant Abbott's estimation. The union first line of battle consisted of the 10th Vermont and the third division in the center and directly facing the Confederates. The second division on the left flank. Which had to cross a steeper ravine of about 90 feet south of the turnpike. And the 19th core on the right flank. Which to its immediate front we're dense woods. At about 11:40 AM on 19 September the 16th and 19th cores began their advance against the Confederate division of major general Ram soar. And almost immediately. Lost its cohesion. If the historian hereafter accuses the third division of breaking in this assault. It will be, but fair to state the extenuating circumstances. For a portion of the first brigade was similarly situated and we got no direct, effective flank help from our critics on either flank during the fight. The second division, having nothing in its immediate front in the ravine. Oh, obliqued to the left to attack it. Meaning a separate Confederate force. Which was what caused that division to pull away from the third divisions left. At the same time, the 19th core pulled away from our right. Causing two wide gaps. Despite having both flanks uncovered first Lieutenant Abbott's the 10th Vermont. And the two brigades of the third division continued their advance into an intense artillery fire. At noon in the midst of a perfect Bedlam caused by the roar of artillery. Shrieking bursting hurdling shells. And the voices of many officers pitched high. So as to be heard above the din giving orders, the assault was made through the thin strip of timber in our front toward Winchester. When we briefly halted and laid on the ground. And then across an open field, beyond the wood in all about 250 yards where I was midst a perfect storm of solid shot and shell. Rattling musketry on my right and front and whizzing many balls without being able to fire a rifle at first. So, well, was the enemy in front protected by the lay of the ground. And it's rail breast works. We persistently advanced though. But it took a great deal of nerve and willpower to do it in an open field. Without the slightest cover. All the time, midst a perfect storm of iron and lead inhale, and the cries of the wounded and dying, which were disconcerting. No first attended Abbot the 10th Vermont, and the first brigade managed to brave the heavy artillery fire from the Confederates in their front. The second brigade of the third division on their right. Suffered heavily from the artillery and to flank attack. Under this pressure, they broke for the rear. The first brigade was now on its own. Major general, right? Commander of the sixth core witnessed the dire situation. And sent the first division, which was in reserve. To form on the right of the beleaguered third division. The two cores moved handsomely to the front, driving for a time, everything before them. After a considerable advance of the infantry and artillery. Uh, most determined charge of the enemy was made on the left of the 19th core. Crowding it back. And then turning the flank of the third division sixth core. Threatened a disaster to the day. It was too early in the battle to choose, to put in the reserve of the sixth core. But seeing that the fate of the day depended on the employment of this force. I had once sent it in. As first Lieutenant Abbot recognize the precarious situation of the 10th Vermont and the remainder of the third division. He spotted Brigadier general David Allen, Russell commander of the first division. Personally leading his men into position. On the third divisions, right? Flank. The appearance of his column greatly relieved us as it drew the concentrated artillery fire from our column by the enemy, largely to his. The whole battle scene at this moment at this point. Was one of appalling grand juror. One, which no beholders could ever forget. Provided they could keep their nerve well enough to preserve their presence of mind sufficiently. To take in the situation, MITs, the screeching shells and appalling musketry fire. The splendid appearance of general Russell's division elicited a cry of admiration from all who saw it. It was the Supreme moment or turning point in the great tide of battle. It was the grandest best and most welcome site. I ever saw in a tight space in battle. Justice first Lieutenant Abbott witnessed the arrival of the first division to their right. The Confederate line fired their last shots from their first position. And he received two wounds around his mouth. Which he initially thought we're mortal. It was the enemy's last folly when it saw our reserved coming at them. So determinately that put a stop to my fighting for several months. And, but for our reserve coming on the field, just as it did. I would have been worse riddled than I was by the enemy and killed even lying on the ground. Wounded. As I was wholly exposed where I lay close on their works, not a rod away. The ground sloping towards them. The first division's arrival managed to break Confederate resistance in their first position. But the overall cost was heavy for the sixth core. Brigadier general Russel was killed in the act of placing his men. And captain Lucius T hunt who took command of the 10th Vermont during the assault summed up the state of the third division. The fire of the enemy's artillery while in the woods was sufficiently hot and accurate to try the best discipline of the troops. The regiment suffered there. It's heaviest loss. The greatest being it's Gallant commander, major Edwin Dillingham. The general alignment of the line was a good bit disturbed, but the advance was not checked. He talks about the men of the 10th Vermont advancing on the Confederate artillery. Which was hastily withdrawn. And continues. Halting and rectifying my line. I was informed by a staff officer that the troops were retiring. And therefore with drew my command at first in good order. But afterward being involved among other troops, it shared the general confusion, which then occurred for a time in consequence of disorder on our right. And a flank fire in that direction. After committing his reserve major general, right? Commented on the end of the six cores assault upon the first Confederate position. The first division moved admirably on the enemy. And the batteries with canister opened upon them with murderous effect. The two meaning the first and third divisions driving them back in much disorder. This was the turning point of the conflict. Getty on the left. Meaning the second division with part of Rick it's division, not involved in the brake. Maintain their front and fell back only to secure their lines and preserve their connection with the right. From noon to 4:00 PM. The third division, reorganize themselves as the union army, continue to push the Confederates closer to the town of Winchester. By 5:00 PM. Rickets division, including the 10th Vermont. Participated in the final assault until dark. When the Confederate army retreated. First Lieutenant Abbott due to his severe wounds. I did not participate in the evenings fight. And would be in a hospital for several months in recovery. He eventually returned to the 10th Vermont and by December of 1864 was promoted to captain. Let me will a Abbott decided to write his book. Personal recollections and civil war diary, 1864. After he happened to find his diary and an old chest 38 years after the war ended. Having continued service in the U S army after the war out west now, major Abbott. Though there were several reasons. He published his book. Sought to correct what he saw was wrong with contemporary scholarship. Finally what decided the author to publish this diary now? At once. Old age being upon him was to try to correct false history in connection with the first assault at Sheridan's battle of Winchester, Virginia. Besides this. He was requested to publish his personal observations in July, 1908. Just before leaving Washington, DC. Of every battle he was in during the civil war. By the librarian of the war department. While Lem, you will, a Abbott did disagree with some parts of a previous history of the 10th Vermont published by the regimental chaplain, Edwin M Haines. Most of the issues with the description of the third battle of Winchester concern, the terrain. Which he had a firm grasp of while serving in the post civil war, us army. For nearly a score of years while in the sixth, us cavalry. I, as well as other officers had to map the wild country over which we scouted for the hostile Indians on the Plains between the Mississippi river and the Rocky mountains. We use the prismatic compass, bearings and odometer measurements. At the same time sketching, the country passed over. Showing all Springs, rivulets and streams. They're bank formations, all divides, Buttes mountains, et cetera. With elaborate notes from which all public maps have since been made of that country now, largely in use. Let mule a Abbott, took it upon himself to apply his almost 20 years of experience in typography and produce an exhaustive picture of the terrain on the east side of Winchester, Virginia, on the day of battle, 19, September, 1864. Not only that he also toward the battlefield and hired a photographer who took 11 pictures of the ground. He advanced across with the 10th Vermont. And included it in his book. Thank you for listening to the 29th episode. The link to first Lieutenant Abbot's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn this week. He will find a picture of Lemuel, a Abbott. At the rank of major sometime around the turn of the century. Links to all social media accounts are located at the top of each webpage. So give the podcast to follow. And if you enjoy the content, that first person, civil war podcast provides. Please give a review on your app of choice. In two weeks time, second Lieutenant lot D young of company H fourth, Kentucky Confederate. Provides next episodes, first person accounts at the battle. Of Dallas. My name is bill Conklin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.