Buckeyes at the Battle of Fair Oaks


The composition of General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac as it embarked on the Peninsula Campaign has few Ohio connections- no Ohio unit served in his army at that time, and the few Ohioans present were in the ranks of the 59th and 65th New York regiments. However, Ohio's newspapers often carry letters from soldiers serving out of state, and I present today a couple of short accounts of the Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, which was fought May 31-June 1, 1862 on the outskirts of the Confederate capital. Both letters were written by privates of Pennsylvania infantry regiments to the East Liverpool Mercury: Thomas Beardmore of Co. K, 23rd Pennsylvania, and John W. Harsha of Co. K, 102nd Pennsylvania. East Liverpool, Ohio, located along the north shore of the Ohio River at the conjunction of the borders of the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, was at the time of the Civil War a developing center of the pottery industry and had a population of 1,308.

Both regiments formed part of General Darius N. Couch’s First Division of Erasmus D. Keyes’ IV Corps. The 102nd Pennsylvania was part of Brigadier General John J. Peck’s First Brigade (55th and 62nd New York, 93rd and 102nd Pennsylvania) while the 23rd Pennsylvania formed a part of General John J. Abercrombie’s Second Brigade (65th and 67th New York, 23rd and 61st Pennsylvania). Couch’s division formed the second line at Fair Oaks in support of Silas Casey’s division, and was flanked out of its position around 5 pm on May 31st by Colonel Micah Jenkins’ assault on their right flank (Beardmore’s letter describes this in a bit of detail). At the time it was fought, Fair Oaks was second bloodiest battle of the Civil War with total casualties running to over 11,000.

The Battle of Fair Oaks- map courtesy of Hal Jespersen. www.cwmaps.com

In a future post, we will revisit Fair Oaks through the pen of Captain Bernard F. Reid of the 63rd Pennsylvania, who penned a masterful description of the fight to his brother James V. Reid who was editor of the Steubenville Herald.

Private Thomas Beardmore, Co. K, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry

Seven miles from Richmond, Virginia
June 2, 1862
            Dear Mother: I now take the opportunity of writing to you, hoping that you are well. I suppose by this time you have heard all the reports of the late battle before Richmond and the dreadful struggle that has taken place and will hear all kinds of rumors about it. On Saturday morning it showed some signs of rain, but about 10 o’clock it cleared up and we heard our pickets firing some. After a while the firing began a little nearer than picket firing. Two or three shells fell a short distance from our camp. General Keyes went to see what it was (God bless him) and soon came back and ordered out our regiment himself, and said that he wanted us in the field.
General Erasmus D. Keyes, IV Corps
            So we fell into line, leaving all behind us except our rifles and cartridge boxes and started for the scene of action and secured a very good position. But General Couch ordered us to another part of the field, right in the rear of our own regiments, to wait until they fell back, and then to take their place. So we stood in line of battle about 30 minutes. When all of a sudden there came a noise as though all of the fiends of hell broke loose and revealed to us that the enemy was not more than 40 yards distant. They poured a volley into our ranks, keeling our men over like chaff. But we got no order to fire. The enemy was in a thicket so we could not get a shot at them; only three of our companies fired at them. The rest of us could not fire for fear of killing some of our own men. The Rebels sent two more volleys into us in quick succession and cut our men and officers down like straw. Our colonel had his horse shot from under him, our major and adjutant were both severely wounded; our color sergeant was shot and the flag fell but it was soon picked up. One poor fellow, right behind me, was shot through the head, he fell without a groan. I never, as long as God lets me breathe, want to witness such another sight.
            We received orders to fall back, it being useless to contend against such odds. After falling back, the Rebels took possession of our camps and ransacked everything, took the likenesses of yourself and sister that you sent me, I suppose as a Yankee relic. But fresh troops coming up relieved us and we marched to the rear where we have been since yesterday (Sunday). The enemy tried to drive our troops from their position, but were defeated and drove past their own, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. On yesterday afternoon, I went back to our camp to look for the pictures, but could not find them. Such a sight I never want to see again; friend and foe lying side by side in death. I found a Rebel knapsack and it was useful to me as I had no stockings, everything I had being lost.
General Darius N. Couch
            The 61st Pennsylvania was cut up awfully. There is not up to last account more than 200 left of them. The colonel of the 61st was shot and nearly all the officers were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. I do not know how it was that I escaped. The bullets flew around me like hail, but I suppose a mother’s prayers and God’s providence saved me. Our troops are in the advance and expect to be in Richmond tonight. General McClellan passed through the troops yesterday and was cheered on every side and by everyone. I send you enclosed a Secesh envelope and the paper on which I write is also Secesh.
            Your affectionate son,
            Thomas Beardmore

Private John W. Harsha, Co. K, 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry

Hospital Department, Savage’s Station, Virginia
June 5, 1862
            Dear Parents: You will be surprised to see my letter headed in this way. I was detailed to wait on the sick and wounded for three or four days. We have at this place 325 sick and wounded and have sent 20 car loads away. Well we have went through another battle on May 31st and June 1st. On the 31st the enemy attacked Casey’s division with a strong force; the men who were in camp were eating dinner and there was a number out cutting timber at the time of the surprise. General Casey only ran his pickets about ¾ of a mile from his camp and the enemy, taking advantage of the bad weather, came upon them. Our brigade was drawn up near a half mile to the left, but we were soon ordered to reinforce Casey. We came out of the woods to an open field where the enemy had a fair chance at us and they certainly improved it. It was awful how the shot and shells flew.
General Samuel P. Heintzelman
            When we got clear of the woods, the order came “by the left flank, charge bayonets, double quick, march,” and off we went cheering across the field after the enemy who was in the woods. When they saw the charge coming down on them, they almost ceased firing. Just then we were halted by General Heintzelman when the Rebels poured in a very heavy fire. Had we went on, I have not the least doubt but we would have routed the enemy completely but our number in lost would have been greater. Soon after we halted. Our colonel was wounded in the head but not seriously. I did not hear the number of killed and wounded, but it far exceeds that of Williamsburg. Our company came out safe again, only two being wounded and that very slightly. There was heavy firing today (June 5) but I believe there was no general battle. General Peck’s horse was shot from under him and the little fellow got on another. We like him better every day. I hope I can join the regiment in a day or two as I would rather be with it. We sent near 200 sick and wounded away today. I have just heard the regiment lost 12 killed and about 50 wounded and some missing.
            Your affectionate son,
            J.W. Harsha


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