October 29, 2025 • 21 mins
At the Battle of Malvern Hill, 1 July 1862, the Union V Corps, reinforced by formations from across the Army of the Potomac, used massed artillery and infantry support against successive waves of Confederate assaults upon their line. Held in reserve and sustaining casualties from Confederate artillery, SGT Bennett and the 22nd Massachusetts relieved the 62nd Pennsylvania’s position in line after expending all of its ammunition. The men from Massachusetts would now face the final assault of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Seven Days Battles.
Sources used for this episode:
Bennett, Edwin C. Musket and Sword, or The Camp, March, and Firing Line in the Army of the Potomac. Coburn Publishing Co., 1900. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044019374651&seq=15.
Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 11, pt. 2: Reports. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077730152&view=1up&seq=3.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
I saw a cannon ball nearly spentin its flight approaching.
It seemed as though it waslooking for me and drawn towards
me as if by a magnet.
I flattened as close to theground as possible and awaited
my fate.
It slipped over me, and killedBenning Wentworth.
Who was lying at my feet.
(00:23):
Lieutenant Field in command ofthat company, moved and brushed
some dust from his clothing.
I asked if he was injured.
He said he was not, but thatWentworth was dead.
That was easily perceived.
His exit was painless unless hehad seen the ball coming and
suffered in anticipation thepatient endurance of effective
(00:48):
artillery fire while remainingpassive is the supreme test of
the fortitude of soldiers.
(01:18):
hi, my name is Bill Coghlan andhost the first person Civil War
podcast.
While the generals of both sidesget most of the recognition, the
Civil War was fought by the menin the ranks, and they told
their stories during and afterthe war.
Follow me as I reveal what thesemen witnessed in the battles of
(01:39):
the Civil War.
Episode 54 is entitled SergeantEdwin c Bennett in the 22nd
Massachusetts at the Battle ofMalvern Hill and relies on his
book Musket and Sword, or theCamp March and Firing Line in
the Army of the Potomac, whichhe published in 1900.
(02:04):
Edwin Clark.
Bennett was born on threeFebruary, 1840 in Somerville,
Massachusetts as one of 12children.
Edwin's family had deep tieswith New England as his
great-grandfather served in theContinental Army and present at
the siege of Boston.
In the summer of 1860.
(02:24):
Edwin joined the Massachusettsmilitia as a private in the
local company, the SummervilleLight Infantry.
At the outbreak of the CivilWar, it re flagged as company I
fifth Massachusetts, a 90 daymilitia regiment clad and their
gray militia uniforms.
Private Bennett in the fifthMassachusetts shipped to
(02:45):
Washington DC and eventuallyfought at the first Battle of
Bull Run.
With their 90 days of serviceexpired private.
Bennett in the fifth,Massachusetts returned home, but
for Edwin, his service in theArmy was only just beginning.
Patriotism had now become apassion with the young men of
(03:08):
the north.
Those who had served threemonths were mastered by it.
Nearly all found that they couldnot be content at home, while
the fate of the country was atstake upon the field of battle.
On 16 September, 1861, EdwinBennett enlisted as a sergeant
in Company G of the 22ndMassachusetts, though a newly
(03:32):
formed company, many of the mencame from the various 90 day
militia regiments, which had, bythis time, returned home.
The first Colonel of the 22ndMassachusetts was its
benefactor, a United Statessenator named Henry Wilson, who
held the honor for about twomonths, fully equipped by him.
(03:53):
The regiment mustered intoservice in late September.
And on eight October receivetheir regimental colors in the
Boston Common.
A beautiful flag was given ushonorable Robert c Winthrop,
speaking for the donors.
His address was able andeloquent and has survived the
(04:14):
war.
It is regarded as a classic.
In cultured circles.
We had also a state flag, butnever took it into action.
One flag or color was enough toguard under fire.
We were fighting for thenational principle and as union
soldiers and we're proud of ourstate, the supremacy of Old
(04:35):
Glory was the object of ourefforts and its presence
inspired us as no other emblemcould.
Sergeant Bennett and the 22ndMassachusetts arrived in
Washington DC on 11 October wentinto winter quarters at Falls
Church, Virginia.
The army of the Potomac was bythis time beginning to take
(04:58):
shape and the 22nd Massachusettsformed a brigade alongside the
second Maine 18th,Massachusetts, the 13th and 25th
New York regiments.
Under the command of BrigadierGeneral John h Martindale, which
was assigned to the third core.
In March of 1862, after monthsof buildup around Washington,
(05:22):
the army of the Potomac beganits movement by water to the
Virginia Peninsula.
Major General McClellan.
The Army's commander desired aquick march on the Confederate
capital at Richmond.
And he believed marching up thepeninsula was a better avenue of
approach compared to advancingSouth from Washington, dc.
(05:44):
By mid-March, the army of thePotomac began its advance up the
peninsula.
In early April the 22nd,Massachusetts as a regiment saw
its first action at the siege ofYorktown.
As the campaign continued up thepeninsula, major General
McClellan reorganized his army,which resulted in the creation
(06:04):
of two New Core, the fifth andsixth.
Incorporating reinforcement sentfrom Washington dc.
The army of the Potomac now hadfive core in total, the second
through sixth.
Sergeant Bennett in the 22nd,Massachusetts witnessed the
reorganization firsthand astheir entire division shifted
(06:25):
commands.
and now marched in BrigadierGeneral John h Martindale's
First Brigade in BrigadierGeneral.
George w Morell's, firstdivision of Brigadier General
Fitz j Porter's fifth Core.
By late May.
The Union Army has successfullymarched to less than 10 miles
(06:46):
from Richmond after retreatingup the peninsula, general Joseph
E.
Johnston, commander of the Armyof Northern Virginia attacked
two Union Corps at the Battle ofSeven Pines.
The battle proved inconclusive,but one of the lasting outcomes
of Seven Pines was the woundingof General Johnston.
On the evening of 31, may.
(07:08):
With a bullet in his rightshoulder and shell fragments in
his chest.
Johnston was unable to retaincommand of the Army of Northern
Virginia the next day.
One June, 1862.
General Robert E.
Lee took command of the Army.
For most of June General, Leereorganized the army of Northern
(07:31):
Virginia and strengtheneddefenses around Richmond while
major General McClellan remainedidle outside the capitol.
Reinforcements from theShenandoah, which was major
General Stonewall Jackson'sdivision arrived and thanks to
reconnaissance provided byBrigadier General Jeb Stewart's
cavalry.
Lee now knew the disposition ofthe army of the Potomac, and
(07:55):
planned an offensive to push itaway from Richmond.
On 25 June, major GeneralMcClellan sent the third core
forward to bring a siegeartillery into range of Richmond
and met a Confederate divisionat the Battle of Oak Grove,
which proved inconclusive, butalso marked the start of what is
(08:16):
known today as the seven daysbattles.
On 26th June Lee began hisoffensive and struck the fifth
core, and Mechanicsville, alsoknown as the Battle of Beaver
Dam Creek.
Where Sergeant Bennett in the22nd, Massachusetts marched to
the support of the PennsylvaniaReserves on the CO's right
(08:36):
flank.
The next day at the Battle ofGaines is Mill Sergeant Bennett
and the 22nd.
Massachusetts suffered itsgreatest loss of the war in
number of casualties.
After holding the reserve line,the regiment moved to the front.
The rebels were within 50 feetof us in the direction that we
(08:57):
were aiming when Noah was struckin the face.
The concussion sounded like ablow given by an open hand.
I turned to the left saying thatNoel was killed and saw that the
line was broken beyond ourregiment.
The enemy were flanking us andgetting into our rear.
(09:17):
I ran the gauntlet with thefleetness of a deer, shunning
the crowd that followed anatural depression or roadway.
The 22nd.
Massachusetts and otherregiments managed to rally with
the reserve artillery, but paida heavy price at Gaines's Mill
of approximately 650 men in theregiment.
(09:40):
71 were killed, including theregimental commander.
31 Wounded and 76 captured acasualty rate of 27%.
Sergeant Bennett and the 22ndMassachusetts were absent from
the fighting for the next threedays.
During that time, the army ofNorthern Virginia continued to
(10:03):
push the army of the Potomacfurther away from Richmond.
On 30 June.
As the battles of Glendale andWhite Oak Swamp unfolded the
entire fifth core occupiedMalvern Hill.
One and a half miles long at thecrest and three quarters of a
mile in width.
It had a gentle slope of onemile in length to an elevation
(10:25):
of 130 feet.
With the entire army of thePotomac retreating toward
Malvern Hill.
The fifth core was reinforced byelements from several core.
An artillery from across thearmy that numbered approximately
208 pieces and placed along theslope and the crest on one July,
(10:46):
1862.
After six days of fighting andstill looking to smash the Union
Army, Lee once again attacked.
This time at Malvern Hill placedin reserve.
At the center of the line wasSergeant Bennett and the 22nd
Massachusetts.
Early in the afternoon.
(11:06):
We moved forward for a shortspace and formed in a column of
five companies at half wheelingdistance.
We lay down covering a verysmall area.
Our position was 50 feet inadvance of a large tree.
There was a slight ascent in thefield in our front for 300
yards.
(11:26):
Then as we afterwards discernedthe descent to a great field was
rapid.
It was skirted by woods in whichthe rebel infantry was disposed.
Artillery was placed at the footof the hill where its shots in
their whole flight would not beover five feet from the earth.
(11:46):
The confederates amassedartillery on the flanks of their
line and attempted toconcentrate their fire.
If successful, the artillerybarrage would give way to an
infantry assault that wouldexploit the weakened union line.
Lying down under the Confederatefire with Sergeant Bennett and
the 22nd Massachusetts.
(12:08):
The enemy had a battery withwhich they were endeavoring to
reach us and must have had thetree for a landmark.
The situation was made verytrying for us.
We lost 50 men from our smallbattalion during the day.
One half of them were injuredwhile we were under this ordeal
where one ball or fragment of ashell would find a victim.
(12:30):
20 of the diabolical thingswould barely miss some of his
comrades.
Shell.
Wounds are ghastly cruel to theinjured and demoralizing to
Beholders, especially to thosewho are in the line of promotion
to another world.
The artillery barrage persistedfor about one hour.
(12:52):
During this time, unionArtillerist successfully
silenced several batteriesacross the battlefield.
As this artillery dual unfolded,Sergeant Bennett had a brush
with death.
I saw a cannon ball nearly spentin its flight approaching.
It seemed as though it waslooking for me and drawn towards
(13:15):
me as if by a magnet.
I flattened as close to theground as possible and awaited
my fate.
It slipped over me, and killedBenning Wentworth.
Who was lying at my feet.
Lieutenant Field in command ofthat company, moved and brushed
some dust from his clothing.
I asked if he was injured.
(13:36):
He said he was not, but thatWentworth was dead.
That was easily perceived.
His exit was painless unless hehad seen the ball coming and
suffered in anticipation thepatient endurance of effective
artillery fire while remainingpassive is the supreme test of
(13:57):
the fortitude of soldiers.
Following the artillery barrage,the confederates began their
assaults upon the union line.
With Sergeant Bennett and the22nd Massachusetts held in their
reserve position.
Brigadier General CharlesGriffin's second brigade, held
the center and repelled severalConfederate advances.
(14:21):
After this, a sharp fire waskept up by skirmishers and
artillery until five 30 when theenemy made his final and fierce
ITT attack on our left.
The artillery continued itseffective fire until the enemy
arrived within a few yards ofour batteries.
When the supporting regiments,fourth, Michigan ninth,
(14:42):
Massachusetts, 62ndPennsylvania, gallantly moved
forward and repulsed him, but afresh force making its
appearance both on the left andright, the regiments were
compelled to fall back.
Five times were the colors ofthe 62nd cut down and as often
(15:03):
determinately raised and rescuedthe last time being picked up by
an officer of the 44th New York.
The 62nd Pennsylvania left thefield with its colors flying.
With regiments from thedivision's.
Third brigade alreadyreinforcing his line.
Brigadier General Griffin neededanother regiment to take the
(15:26):
62nd Pennsylvania's position inline.
It was Sergeant Bennett and the22nd Massachusetts that took its
place.
The 62nd Pennsylvania, havingpractically exhausted its
ammunition faced to the left,and filed to the rear.
We moved forward and took theirplace and dressed our line and
(15:47):
commenced firing using 60 roundseach at least.
One of the Confederates to makethe charge upon the Union Center
was Brigadier General SamuelGarland, who commanded the third
brigade of major general DHHills division and testified to
the ferocity of the artilleryand Musketry, the Union Center
(16:11):
brought down upon them.
The brigade moved forward withalacrity about halfway to the
battery or nearer when theterrible fire of the artillery
and the opening fire of theinfantry induced it to halt
light down and commence firingwithout my orders, and contrary
(16:34):
to them.
After some delay, a brigadeappeared from the woods in my
rear and seemed coming up to mysupport, but their movements
seemed slow and before theyreached me, my men began to give
way and very many ceased torespond to my efforts to hold
them in line and maintain theposition remaining on the spot.
(16:55):
Until in spite of every effort,the men could no longer be held
there.
The brigade fell back to theedge of the woods from which we
had started.
Throughout the afternoon.
The Confederates sent assaultcolumns up Malvern Hill, but
none were successful.
The mass union artillery withplenty of infantry support like
(17:17):
Sergeant Bennett and the 22ndMassachusetts held the line
until nightfall.
The Confederates were repulsedat every point.
The force of their onslaught wasdeclining.
When we relieved the 62ndPennsylvania, we expended all
our ammunition, and theordinance train was on the way
to the rear, but the enemybrought forward no reserves.
(17:40):
We gathered wheat straw from ourfront, an endeavored to sleep.
The groans of the wounded aroselike a chorus.
Occasionally a howitzer would bedischarged and the flash would
penetrate the gloom almost tothe woods.
Men from the ambulance corpsaided by volunteers.
Were searching by the light oflanterns for wounded friends and
(18:01):
comrades, but the great mass ofthe unfortunate were not
relieved that night.
Despite such a success atMalvern Hill, major General
McClellan continued the retreatof his army toward Harrison's
Landing.
Where it enjoyed the protectionof Union gunboats, malvern Hill
marked the end of the seven daysbattles, which produced heavy
(18:24):
casualties on both sides.
General Lee had successfullypushed the Union Army back and
McClellan believing to bewoefully outnumbered, ordered a
retreat down the peninsula andeventually withdrew back to
Washington DC.
Sergeant Bennett in the 22nd,Massachusetts were present at
(18:45):
Antietam, but the entire fifthCore remained in reserve the
entire day by the Battle ofFredericksburg.
Edwin Bennett was a firstlieutenant and wounded in the
jaw and neck.
The 22nd, Massachusetts sawfurther service at Gettysburg,
the Overland campaign, andPetersburg and Mustered out of
service on 17 October, 1864.
(19:09):
And Edwin Bennett ended the waras a Bret Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1900 Edwin Bennett, publishedMusket and Sword, or the Camp
March and Firing Line in thearmy of the Potomac.
In the preface.
Edwin explained why he wrote thebook, which is the same reason
(19:29):
why I host this podcast.
The literature of the Civil Warhas been voluminous in its
descriptions of campaigns and ofthe service of our great
commanders.
It has, however, been deficientin graphic portrayal of the
characteristics of the enlistedmen and their immediate leaders.
(19:50):
The details of practical warfareconstituting the everyday life
of officers and soldiers areworthy of full presentation and
careful study.
I have endeavored to faithfullydepict types of the
representative elements of ourdevoted army, and to record the
opinions current at the frontduring the different stages of
our prolonged contest.
(20:13):
Thank you for listening to the54th episode.
The link to Sergeant Bennett'sbook is now available on the
podcast website.
First person Civil warpodcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, x andLinkedIn.
This week you will find apicture of Edwin Bennett in 1863
(20:34):
and 1900.
Please like, follow andsubscribe to the podcast on
whatever platform you use as ithelps to grow the audience and
in two weeks time.
Private William, a McClendon ofcompany g 15th Alabama provides
(20:55):
next episode's first personaccount at the Battle of Cross
Keys.
My name is Bill Coghlan, andthank you for listening to First
Person Civil War Podcast.
I saw a cannon ball nearly spentin its flight approaching.
It seemed as though it waslooking for me and drawn towards
me as if by a magnet.
I flattened as close to theground as possible and awaited
my fate.
It slipped over me, and killedBenning Wentworth.
Who was lying at my feet.
(00:23):
Lieutenant Field in command ofthat company, moved and brushed
some dust from his clothing.
I asked if he was injured.
He said he was not, but thatWentworth was dead.
That was easily perceived.
His exit was painless unless hehad seen the ball coming and
suffered in anticipation thepatient endurance of effective
(00:48):
artillery fire while remainingpassive is the supreme test of
the fortitude of soldiers.
(01:18):
hi, my name is Bill Coghlan andhost the first person Civil War
podcast.
While the generals of both sidesget most of the recognition, the
Civil War was fought by the menin the ranks, and they told
their stories during and afterthe war.
Follow me as I reveal what thesemen witnessed in the battles of
(01:39):
the Civil War.
Episode 54 is entitled SergeantEdwin c Bennett in the 22nd
Massachusetts at the Battle ofMalvern Hill and relies on his
book Musket and Sword, or theCamp March and Firing Line in
the Army of the Potomac, whichhe published in 1900.
(02:04):
Edwin Clark.
Bennett was born on threeFebruary, 1840 in Somerville,
Massachusetts as one of 12children.
Edwin's family had deep tieswith New England as his
great-grandfather served in theContinental Army and present at
the siege of Boston.
In the summer of 1860.
(02:24):
Edwin joined the Massachusettsmilitia as a private in the
local company, the SummervilleLight Infantry.
At the outbreak of the CivilWar, it re flagged as company I
fifth Massachusetts, a 90 daymilitia regiment clad and their
gray militia uniforms.
Private Bennett in the fifthMassachusetts shipped to
(02:45):
Washington DC and eventuallyfought at the first Battle of
Bull Run.
With their 90 days of serviceexpired private.
Bennett in the fifth,Massachusetts returned home, but
for Edwin, his service in theArmy was only just beginning.
Patriotism had now become apassion with the young men of
(03:08):
the north.
Those who had served threemonths were mastered by it.
Nearly all found that they couldnot be content at home, while
the fate of the country was atstake upon the field of battle.
On 16 September, 1861, EdwinBennett enlisted as a sergeant
in Company G of the 22ndMassachusetts, though a newly
(03:32):
formed company, many of the mencame from the various 90 day
militia regiments, which had, bythis time, returned home.
The first Colonel of the 22ndMassachusetts was its
benefactor, a United Statessenator named Henry Wilson, who
held the honor for about twomonths, fully equipped by him.
(03:53):
The regiment mustered intoservice in late September.
And on eight October receivetheir regimental colors in the
Boston Common.
A beautiful flag was given ushonorable Robert c Winthrop,
speaking for the donors.
His address was able andeloquent and has survived the
(04:14):
war.
It is regarded as a classic.
In cultured circles.
We had also a state flag, butnever took it into action.
One flag or color was enough toguard under fire.
We were fighting for thenational principle and as union
soldiers and we're proud of ourstate, the supremacy of Old
(04:35):
Glory was the object of ourefforts and its presence
inspired us as no other emblemcould.
Sergeant Bennett and the 22ndMassachusetts arrived in
Washington DC on 11 October wentinto winter quarters at Falls
Church, Virginia.
The army of the Potomac was bythis time beginning to take
(04:58):
shape and the 22nd Massachusettsformed a brigade alongside the
second Maine 18th,Massachusetts, the 13th and 25th
New York regiments.
Under the command of BrigadierGeneral John h Martindale, which
was assigned to the third core.
In March of 1862, after monthsof buildup around Washington,
(05:22):
the army of the Potomac beganits movement by water to the
Virginia Peninsula.
Major General McClellan.
The Army's commander desired aquick march on the Confederate
capital at Richmond.
And he believed marching up thepeninsula was a better avenue of
approach compared to advancingSouth from Washington, dc.
(05:44):
By mid-March, the army of thePotomac began its advance up the
peninsula.
In early April the 22nd,Massachusetts as a regiment saw
its first action at the siege ofYorktown.
As the campaign continued up thepeninsula, major General
McClellan reorganized his army,which resulted in the creation
(06:04):
of two New Core, the fifth andsixth.
Incorporating reinforcement sentfrom Washington dc.
The army of the Potomac now hadfive core in total, the second
through sixth.
Sergeant Bennett in the 22nd,Massachusetts witnessed the
reorganization firsthand astheir entire division shifted
(06:25):
commands.
and now marched in BrigadierGeneral John h Martindale's
First Brigade in BrigadierGeneral.
George w Morell's, firstdivision of Brigadier General
Fitz j Porter's fifth Core.
By late May.
The Union Army has successfullymarched to less than 10 miles
(06:46):
from Richmond after retreatingup the peninsula, general Joseph
E.
Johnston, commander of the Armyof Northern Virginia attacked
two Union Corps at the Battle ofSeven Pines.
The battle proved inconclusive,but one of the lasting outcomes
of Seven Pines was the woundingof General Johnston.
On the evening of 31, may.
(07:08):
With a bullet in his rightshoulder and shell fragments in
his chest.
Johnston was unable to retaincommand of the Army of Northern
Virginia the next day.
One June, 1862.
General Robert E.
Lee took command of the Army.
For most of June General, Leereorganized the army of Northern
(07:31):
Virginia and strengtheneddefenses around Richmond while
major General McClellan remainedidle outside the capitol.
Reinforcements from theShenandoah, which was major
General Stonewall Jackson'sdivision arrived and thanks to
reconnaissance provided byBrigadier General Jeb Stewart's
cavalry.
Lee now knew the disposition ofthe army of the Potomac, and
(07:55):
planned an offensive to push itaway from Richmond.
On 25 June, major GeneralMcClellan sent the third core
forward to bring a siegeartillery into range of Richmond
and met a Confederate divisionat the Battle of Oak Grove,
which proved inconclusive, butalso marked the start of what is
(08:16):
known today as the seven daysbattles.
On 26th June Lee began hisoffensive and struck the fifth
core, and Mechanicsville, alsoknown as the Battle of Beaver
Dam Creek.
Where Sergeant Bennett in the22nd, Massachusetts marched to
the support of the PennsylvaniaReserves on the CO's right
(08:36):
flank.
The next day at the Battle ofGaines is Mill Sergeant Bennett
and the 22nd.
Massachusetts suffered itsgreatest loss of the war in
number of casualties.
After holding the reserve line,the regiment moved to the front.
The rebels were within 50 feetof us in the direction that we
(08:57):
were aiming when Noah was struckin the face.
The concussion sounded like ablow given by an open hand.
I turned to the left saying thatNoel was killed and saw that the
line was broken beyond ourregiment.
The enemy were flanking us andgetting into our rear.
(09:17):
I ran the gauntlet with thefleetness of a deer, shunning
the crowd that followed anatural depression or roadway.
The 22nd.
Massachusetts and otherregiments managed to rally with
the reserve artillery, but paida heavy price at Gaines's Mill
of approximately 650 men in theregiment.
(09:40):
71 were killed, including theregimental commander.
31 Wounded and 76 captured acasualty rate of 27%.
Sergeant Bennett and the 22ndMassachusetts were absent from
the fighting for the next threedays.
During that time, the army ofNorthern Virginia continued to
(10:03):
push the army of the Potomacfurther away from Richmond.
On 30 June.
As the battles of Glendale andWhite Oak Swamp unfolded the
entire fifth core occupiedMalvern Hill.
One and a half miles long at thecrest and three quarters of a
mile in width.
It had a gentle slope of onemile in length to an elevation
(10:25):
of 130 feet.
With the entire army of thePotomac retreating toward
Malvern Hill.
The fifth core was reinforced byelements from several core.
An artillery from across thearmy that numbered approximately
208 pieces and placed along theslope and the crest on one July,
(10:46):
1862.
After six days of fighting andstill looking to smash the Union
Army, Lee once again attacked.
This time at Malvern Hill placedin reserve.
At the center of the line wasSergeant Bennett and the 22nd
Massachusetts.
Early in the afternoon.
(11:06):
We moved forward for a shortspace and formed in a column of
five companies at half wheelingdistance.
We lay down covering a verysmall area.
Our position was 50 feet inadvance of a large tree.
There was a slight ascent in thefield in our front for 300
yards.
(11:26):
Then as we afterwards discernedthe descent to a great field was
rapid.
It was skirted by woods in whichthe rebel infantry was disposed.
Artillery was placed at the footof the hill where its shots in
their whole flight would not beover five feet from the earth.
(11:46):
The confederates amassedartillery on the flanks of their
line and attempted toconcentrate their fire.
If successful, the artillerybarrage would give way to an
infantry assault that wouldexploit the weakened union line.
Lying down under the Confederatefire with Sergeant Bennett and
the 22nd Massachusetts.
(12:08):
The enemy had a battery withwhich they were endeavoring to
reach us and must have had thetree for a landmark.
The situation was made verytrying for us.
We lost 50 men from our smallbattalion during the day.
One half of them were injuredwhile we were under this ordeal
where one ball or fragment of ashell would find a victim.
(12:30):
20 of the diabolical thingswould barely miss some of his
comrades.
Shell.
Wounds are ghastly cruel to theinjured and demoralizing to
Beholders, especially to thosewho are in the line of promotion
to another world.
The artillery barrage persistedfor about one hour.
(12:52):
During this time, unionArtillerist successfully
silenced several batteriesacross the battlefield.
As this artillery dual unfolded,Sergeant Bennett had a brush
with death.
I saw a cannon ball nearly spentin its flight approaching.
It seemed as though it waslooking for me and drawn towards
(13:15):
me as if by a magnet.
I flattened as close to theground as possible and awaited
my fate.
It slipped over me, and killedBenning Wentworth.
Who was lying at my feet.
Lieutenant Field in command ofthat company, moved and brushed
some dust from his clothing.
I asked if he was injured.
(13:36):
He said he was not, but thatWentworth was dead.
That was easily perceived.
His exit was painless unless hehad seen the ball coming and
suffered in anticipation thepatient endurance of effective
artillery fire while remainingpassive is the supreme test of
(13:57):
the fortitude of soldiers.
Following the artillery barrage,the confederates began their
assaults upon the union line.
With Sergeant Bennett and the22nd Massachusetts held in their
reserve position.
Brigadier General CharlesGriffin's second brigade, held
the center and repelled severalConfederate advances.
(14:21):
After this, a sharp fire waskept up by skirmishers and
artillery until five 30 when theenemy made his final and fierce
ITT attack on our left.
The artillery continued itseffective fire until the enemy
arrived within a few yards ofour batteries.
When the supporting regiments,fourth, Michigan ninth,
(14:42):
Massachusetts, 62ndPennsylvania, gallantly moved
forward and repulsed him, but afresh force making its
appearance both on the left andright, the regiments were
compelled to fall back.
Five times were the colors ofthe 62nd cut down and as often
(15:03):
determinately raised and rescuedthe last time being picked up by
an officer of the 44th New York.
The 62nd Pennsylvania left thefield with its colors flying.
With regiments from thedivision's.
Third brigade alreadyreinforcing his line.
Brigadier General Griffin neededanother regiment to take the
(15:26):
62nd Pennsylvania's position inline.
It was Sergeant Bennett and the22nd Massachusetts that took its
place.
The 62nd Pennsylvania, havingpractically exhausted its
ammunition faced to the left,and filed to the rear.
We moved forward and took theirplace and dressed our line and
(15:47):
commenced firing using 60 roundseach at least.
One of the Confederates to makethe charge upon the Union Center
was Brigadier General SamuelGarland, who commanded the third
brigade of major general DHHills division and testified to
the ferocity of the artilleryand Musketry, the Union Center
(16:11):
brought down upon them.
The brigade moved forward withalacrity about halfway to the
battery or nearer when theterrible fire of the artillery
and the opening fire of theinfantry induced it to halt
light down and commence firingwithout my orders, and contrary
(16:34):
to them.
After some delay, a brigadeappeared from the woods in my
rear and seemed coming up to mysupport, but their movements
seemed slow and before theyreached me, my men began to give
way and very many ceased torespond to my efforts to hold
them in line and maintain theposition remaining on the spot.
(16:55):
Until in spite of every effort,the men could no longer be held
there.
The brigade fell back to theedge of the woods from which we
had started.
Throughout the afternoon.
The Confederates sent assaultcolumns up Malvern Hill, but
none were successful.
The mass union artillery withplenty of infantry support like
(17:17):
Sergeant Bennett and the 22ndMassachusetts held the line
until nightfall.
The Confederates were repulsedat every point.
The force of their onslaught wasdeclining.
When we relieved the 62ndPennsylvania, we expended all
our ammunition, and theordinance train was on the way
to the rear, but the enemybrought forward no reserves.
(17:40):
We gathered wheat straw from ourfront, an endeavored to sleep.
The groans of the wounded aroselike a chorus.
Occasionally a howitzer would bedischarged and the flash would
penetrate the gloom almost tothe woods.
Men from the ambulance corpsaided by volunteers.
Were searching by the light oflanterns for wounded friends and
(18:01):
comrades, but the great mass ofthe unfortunate were not
relieved that night.
Despite such a success atMalvern Hill, major General
McClellan continued the retreatof his army toward Harrison's
Landing.
Where it enjoyed the protectionof Union gunboats, malvern Hill
marked the end of the seven daysbattles, which produced heavy
(18:24):
casualties on both sides.
General Lee had successfullypushed the Union Army back and
McClellan believing to bewoefully outnumbered, ordered a
retreat down the peninsula andeventually withdrew back to
Washington DC.
Sergeant Bennett in the 22nd,Massachusetts were present at
(18:45):
Antietam, but the entire fifthCore remained in reserve the
entire day by the Battle ofFredericksburg.
Edwin Bennett was a firstlieutenant and wounded in the
jaw and neck.
The 22nd, Massachusetts sawfurther service at Gettysburg,
the Overland campaign, andPetersburg and Mustered out of
service on 17 October, 1864.
(19:09):
And Edwin Bennett ended the waras a Bret Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1900 Edwin Bennett, publishedMusket and Sword, or the Camp
March and Firing Line in thearmy of the Potomac.
In the preface.
Edwin explained why he wrote thebook, which is the same reason
(19:29):
why I host this podcast.
The literature of the Civil Warhas been voluminous in its
descriptions of campaigns and ofthe service of our great
commanders.
It has, however, been deficientin graphic portrayal of the
characteristics of the enlistedmen and their immediate leaders.
(19:50):
The details of practical warfareconstituting the everyday life
of officers and soldiers areworthy of full presentation and
careful study.
I have endeavored to faithfullydepict types of the
representative elements of ourdevoted army, and to record the
opinions current at the frontduring the different stages of
our prolonged contest.
(20:13):
Thank you for listening to the54th episode.
The link to Sergeant Bennett'sbook is now available on the
podcast website.
First person Civil warpodcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, x andLinkedIn.
This week you will find apicture of Edwin Bennett in 1863
(20:34):
and 1900.
Please like, follow andsubscribe to the podcast on
whatever platform you use as ithelps to grow the audience and
in two weeks time.
Private William, a McClendon ofcompany g 15th Alabama provides
(20:55):
next episode's first personaccount at the Battle of Cross
Keys.
My name is Bill Coghlan, andthank you for listening to First
Person Civil War Podcast.
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