Search

Search using this query type:



Advanced Search (Items only)

The Battle of Chancellorsville

ExcerptApril 30—“A few minutes ago, there was heavy cannonading upon our left…Two balloons were up yesterday near Falmouth, I should judge…7.20 P.M.—There has been hard shellings for more than an hour. The shells struchkall around us, and exploded over our heads. A captain, Lieut. And private were killed and a Corporal mortally wounded by a shot which struck in the Re. next to us, in our rear, the 13th Mass. There was quite a commotion among our troops, and after awhile they fell back a short distance behind embankments, and to the road where we lay a while yesterday. We now lie at the side of this road, and are somewhat sheltered. The firing continues, several shots a minute. The distance from here to the rebel batteries is estimated to be about 2 miles and a half. I have just been timing the flight of the shells by the match. The time between the flash of the guns, and the whistle of the shells seems to average about 10 seconds, and the sound of the shells is heard at least there seconds before they pass over us, which shows that the sound travels considerably faster than the shells. As the shot strikes here and there, the dirt is thrown up to a great height…And the sound and rush at each discharge is almost deafening. It is now 8 o’clock and is becoming so dark that I can hardl see to write, so I must put up my book for tonight. The morrow may be pregnant with important events.”

Rush Diary pg. 81

Rush Cady's Diary, April 30, 1863

The 97th NY was a part of the First Corps (Reynolds), Second Division, Third Brigade. 

First stationed south of the town of Fredericksburg, Cady wrote about facing some Alabama troops (part of Early's Division). While most of the fighting was going on in "The Wilderness," Rush did have an active day on May 1st. After a tense night, Hooker ordered Reynolds to join the battle in the Wilderness, requiring the First Corps to retreat across the Rappahannock. Those same Alabama troops followed, captured the pontoon bridges (visible on the map), and attempted to rout the Union troops, only to be turned back by the Union cannon. Here is Rush's decription of May 1st:

"May 1—“Last night I went up the hill and saw the batteries. So damage had been done then, though a many good many shots had struck near the guns, plowing up the ground…We did not put up tents at night, but spread them across and blankets upon the ground. A heavy dew fell, as it was quite cool."

“Heard that soon after we started for the right, the 1st Div. 1st AL fell back across the River, taking up the Pontoon bridges, and following after us. The rebs attempted to rout our troops, in the act of erasing, but our batteries opened upon them and repulsed them with great lass."

“we could hear the cannonading upon our right distinctly, we knew that a hard battle was in progress.”

Map of Chancellorsville May 1

The Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1st

Reynolds' First Corps was ordered to fall back across the river and march to the battlefield about five miles to their west along the east and north bank of the Rappahannock. It was a long, circuitous route, and at the end of the day, the 97th NY was positioned on the right flank of the Union army in the Wilderness. Here is Rush's description of the march:

"orders came to pack up and be ready to march immediately. The order was obeyed with wonderful alacrity, considering the circumstances. It was a beautiful moonlight evening reminding one of that after the battle of Cedar Mountain. It was about 5 miles to the battlefield and nearly all the time, while we were passing over this distance the cannonading was continued. Having came about three miles, we heard the musketry firing, which opened suddenly. The vallies were tremendous and the cannonading, terrific. It was evident that the battle had burst forth anew and was raging desperately. It was but a short distance from us. Have since ascertained that the rebs made three successive charges upon our men, but were gallantly and successfully repulsed each time."

The Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2

The Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2nd

Rush did not see much fighting for the rest of the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Union right was largely spared from Rebel attacks. However, his diary revealed that he believed that the Union had won the battle. Though he soon learned of the "true status of affairs," he looked past the defeat, remarking that the Confederates lost more men than did the Union. The Union did, in fact, have more casualties in the battle, mainly because of the high number of soldiers captured, but more Confederates died. And Rush touched on an important fact of the war: that the Union had far more men and resources to outlast the Rebels. So a wise Rush Cady stated that Chancellorsville simply was just not a "decisive victory" for the Union.

The Battle of Chancellorsville, May 4-6

The Battle of Chancellorsville, May 4-6

Excerpt: "It seemed to be the general impression that Gen. Hookers plans had proved completely successful; that..."

Rush Diary pg. 105, May 6, 1863

Rush Cady's Diary, May 6, 1863

Excerpt: "...our troops still held the heights of Fredericksburg, and we were about to join them. It caused us deep disappointment when we ascertained the true status of affairs. We felt nothing like discouragement however, well knowing that we had inflicted a heavy loss upon the rebels, at a much smaller sacrifice to ourselves, and that we had only failed of achieving a decisive victory, Thro the blunders of some of our Gen.s. The spirit, determination and efficiency of the Army is not impaired, beyond the losses by causalities in battle.”

Rush Diary, pg. 106-7, May 6, 1863

Rush Cady's Diary, May 6, 1863

 

Rush's experience with slavery in the South

Excerpt: “Every farmhouse, however small, has nigger huts....."

Rush Diary pg. 120-1

Rush Cady's Diary, May 18, 1863

 

Excerpt: "...and from the numbers of slavewomen and children of all ages, from babies up, I inferred that their peoples of this section had been mainly devoted to the breeding of slaves for the southern markets.”

Rush Diary pg. 122, May 18, 1863

Rush Cady's Diary, May 18, 1863

Soldiers
Rush Cady
The Battle of Chancellorsville