History of the 3d U.S. Inf.

The army remained in and around the City of Mexico until the following June 1848, when the treaty of peace having been ratified by the United States Senate, the evacuation commenced. The Third Infantry left the city on the Morning of the 5^th, and arrived at Vera Cruz July 3. Left Vera Cruz on the 9^th on the ship Masconomo, and arrived at Camp Jefferson Davis, East Pascagoula, Miss., July 21, 1848,

In October and November Headquarters and Companies A, B, C, E, I and K, were transferred to Texas, taking station at Camp Salado, four miles from San Antonio; and Companies D, F, G and H, to Jefferson Barracks, where they remained until the following April when they were sent to Fort Leavenworth.

On the 1^st of June, 1849, the six companies in Texas under Major Van Horne were sent to El Paso del Norte; arriving at camp five miles below El Paso September 8, a distance of about 670 miles. Companies D, F, G and H, under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander (who was also commanding the regiment), left Fort Leavenworth about the middle of May for Santa Fé, where they arrived July 22. The entire regiment was now in New Mexico, headquarters and three companies being at Santa Fé; two companies at the post opposite El Paso; and the others scattered along the Rio Grande as far north as Taos, N. M.

The regiment remained in New Mexico until 1860, and the returns show the different companies to have been almost continuously on the march (while not engaged in building new posts) changing stations, escorting trains over hundreds of miles of trackless wilderness infested with hostile Indians, on exploring expeditions, scouts, and campaigns against Indians. The following is a list of the engagements with Indians, and some of the more important expeditions in which portions of the regiment took part during this time:

1849.

August 16 to September, 26; expedition against Navajo Indians; Companies D, F, G and H. October 17 to November 12; expedition against Apache Indians; Company E.

1852.

February 6; engagement with Apaches near Fort Webster; Company K; three men killed. February 19 to March 31; expedition against Apaches on Gila River; Company B. June 6; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel L. S. Craig was shot and killed by two deserters from Fort Yuma, while in command of the International Boundary Line Survey escort, of which his company (A) formed part.

1854.

April 6 to June 15; expedition against the Jicarilla Apaches; Company G. April 14 to May 11; scout into the White Mountains against Mescalero Apaches; Company C. June 18 to August 15; expedition against Mescalero

442

Apaches near head of Rio Yula; Companies A. E and I. June 30, Lieutenant J. E. Maxwell killed in action with Jicarilla Apaches near Moro River, 40 miles south of Fort Union, while in command of a detachment of the Second Dragoons.

1856.

March; expedition against Gila and Mogollan Apaches; Companies A and I, which marched between 500 and 600 miles during the month and engaged the enemy at Sierra Almagre on the 21^st, and near Rio Meimbris on the 29^th. March 2o; engagement with Apaches, Fort Thorn; detachments of D, F and I.

1857.

January 31 to February 5; expedition to Cañon Medera against Apaches; Company I. April to September; expedition against the Gila and Mogollon Apaches, under Colonel Bonneville; Companies B, C, I and K and detachment of E, with following engagements:
May 24, Cañon de los Muertos Carneros, B and detachment E; June 2, Mogollon Mountains, C and detachment F; June 27, Gila River with Coyotero Apaches, C and detachments of F and K; one officer and three men wounded with arrows.

1858.

January 1 to February 11; scout against Kiowa Indians in neighborhood of Manzana; Company F. March to September; Mormon expedition into Utah; Companies A, E and F. May 30; engagement with Navajo Indians at Ewell’s hay camp near Fort Defiance; detachments of B and G. September, October and November; campaign against Navajos; engagements:
September 19 to 24, Cañon de Chelly, Company G; September 25, Laguna Negra, Company B; October 1, Bear Springs, Company B; October 10, Ranchos de los Anagones, Company G; November 9, near Fort Defiance, Company F.

1859.

January 27 to February 5; scouts into the Pueblo Indian country near Zuni; Company B. July 18 to August 17; Scout to Moqui villages and region south and west of Fort Defiance; Company K. August and September; scouts into the Navajo country; Companies C, D, E and K. November 1 to 12; campaign against Tuni-Cha Navajos; Companies B, C and G. November 14; engagement with Tuni-Cha Navajo Indians near Fort Defiance; detachments of B, C, E and G.

1860.

January 17; engagement with Navajos near Fort Defiance; detachments of B, C, E and G. January 18 to 22; engagements with Navajos near Fort Defiance and Sixteen Mile Pond; detachments of B, C, E, F and G. February 8; engagement with Navajos near Fort Defiance; detachments of B, C, E and G. April 5; engagement with Navajos near Fort Defiance; detachment of B. April 30; attack on Fort Defiance by Navajos;* Companies B, C and E.

During the summer and fall of 1860 the regiment was transferred from the Department of New Mexico to that of Texas, where the companies were distributed as follows:—Headquarters and Companies B, D, G, H and K, at Fort Clark, Colonel Bonneville commanding; Companies A, C and E, at Ringgold Barracks, Lieutenant-Colonel Electus Backus commanding; Companies F and I at Fort McIntosh, Major C. C. Sibley commanding. These were the stations of the different companies at the close of the year 1860.

As the mighty war clouds which hovered over the country were then fast lowering, the regular troops stationed in Texas were ordered to evacuate that State by way of the coast. Headquarters and Companies B, D, G, H and K, under Brevet Major O. L. Shepherd (Colonel Bonneville on leave), left Fort Clark March 19, 1861, and arrived at Indianola on the 7^th of April. The line of march took them through the city of San Antonio, just before reaching which instructions were received from Colonel Waite (who had relieved General Twiggs of the command of the Department), that, as there was some excitement among the citizens of the place, it would be well if the command marched around the city.

“However, the old regiment was not in the habit of sneaking around by the by-ways when the main road was open, and Major Shepherd called a council of the officers; the matter was laid before them, and without a dissenting voice it was determined that the trunks and boxes should be opened and full dress uniform gotten out and put on, band instruments unpacked, and the regimental flags removed from their cases; and that we should march through San Antonio with everything that we possessed flying, blowing and beating; so that for awhile everything was in confusion, and the leeward side of every wagon in the train became an extemporized dressing-room.”

Thus they entered and passed through the town with “colors flying, band playing, and every man and officer as fine as brass and bullion could make him.”

At Indianola the command embarked for New York Harbor, where it arrived April 25.

Companies C and E had embarked for Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Harbor, the month before. From there they were sent to Fort Pickens, Florida, where they arrived April 16, and participated in the following engagements before joining the headquarters of the regiment the ensuing year: Santa Rosa Island, October 9; bombardment of Fort Pickens, November 22 and 23; Fort Barrancas, January 1; and Fort Pickens, May 9 to 12. The companies lost two men killed and seven wounded.

Companies A, F and I, less fortunate, were compelled to surrender to an overwhelming force of Confederates under Colonel Van Dorn, at Matagorda Bay, near Indianola, April 26, the men and officers being paroled until such time as they could be exchanged. They rejoined the headquarters of the regiment the following year, every enlisted man being reported “present or accounted for,” although many had received tempting offers of commissions in the Confederate service.

The headquarters and battalion of five companies left Fort Hamilton for Washington May 9, and in the early part of June the battalion was ordered to reinforce General Patterson’s command. It went by rail to Carlisle, Pa., and marched to and forded the Potomac near Williamsport, making part of one day’s march toward the enemy, when it was recalled to Washington, making a forced march while returning which rivalled—at least in the amount of fatigue it imposed—the famous retreat from Bull Run, the command being on their feet and marching for twenty hours out of twenty-four.

On the 4^th of July the battalion was transferred from Washington to Arlington Heights where it remained until the 16^th, when, with two companies of the Second and one of the Eighth Infantry, all formed into one battalion under Major George Sykes, it took its place in the column starting out on that short and memorable campaign ending in the disastrous battle of Bull Run. This “small but incomparable body of infantry,” the only regular infantry in the column, formed part of the First Brigade (Porter’s), Second Division (Hunter’s).

It is impossible in the limits of this sketch to give more than the briefest outline of the part taken by the regiment in this campaign or in any of the campaigns and battles which followed, but it is not necessary to do more, as that part is a portion of the written history of our country. Its gallant conduct in this, the first great battle of the war, its unflinching steadfastness and perfect order in covering the flight of the panic stricken army, was but a presage of that which was to distinguish it throughout the war. The regiment lost in this battle five men killed, 26 missing, and four wounded; also two officers wounded and taken prisoners.

After the battle of Bull Run the battalion returned to Washington and there formed part of the Provost Guard. A few days after its return it was reviewed by President Lincoln accompanied by General McDowell. “In their passage down the line they drew rein in front of the colors, when the general, turning to Mr. Lincoln, said, ‘Mr. President, there are the men who saved your army at Bull Run.’ The President, looking up and down the line, replied, ‘I’ve heard of them.’”

During the winter of 1861-62 the battalion of the regiment, brigaded with the Tenth Infantry, remained encamped at Franklin Square. Two of the paroled companies (F and I) having been exchanged, joined during the winter from Fort Hamilton. Companies C and E joined from Florida the following June in time to participate in the seven day’s fight on the Peninsula. Company A did not join until the following fall when the whole regiment was once more united.

In March, 1862, the Third left Washington for Fortress Monroe to join McClellan’s army previous to its advance to Yorktown. It was commanded by Major N. B. Rossell (Colonel Charles F. Smith, who had succeeded Colonel Bonneville upon his retirement in September, 1861, being on detached service as major general of volunteers) and formed part of the Regular Brigade, commanded by General Sykes. The regiment participated in the siege of Yorktown and in the Seven Days’ Fight, taking a very conspicuous and gallant part in the battle of Gaines’ Mill, June 27, when its commanding officer and six men were killed, 19 men wounded, and 19 missing; and of Malvern Hill, June 30 and July 2, in which Lieutenant McGuire and four men were killed, 11 men wounded and 9 missing.

From the Peninsula the regiment, with its division (now become Sykes’ Division of Regulars) was transferred to the Army of Virginia under General Pope—joining in time to participate in the second battle of Bull Run, in which no regiment played a more prominent rôle than the 3d Infantry.

It arrived on the old battle-field about 7 o’clock on the morning of the 30^th. A short time afterwards its brigade was formed in line of battle in front of the Dogan House, and the regiment ordered forward, as skirmishers, to occupy the crest of the hill in their front, their left resting on the Alexandria and Warrenton turnpike. It remained in this position about three hours when orders were received to advance the line. This was promptly and gallantly done, driving the enemy from some houses in front of their left—several men of the regiment being killed and wounded here. But it was later in the day that the regiment and brigade was to conspicuously distinguish themselves—when the division to which they belonged was to make a charge and cover a retreat destined to become historical for the steadfastness and intrepidity of the participants in it. It “saved the army,” and drew, on the field of battle, from General MacDowell, the memorable exclamation, “God bless the regulars!” The regiment’s losses in this battle were two officers and fourteen men wounded and thirty-one men missing, total fifty-two.

At Antietam the division was held in reserve at least most of the time, and did not, therefore, take as prominent a part as usual in the battle. It left Middletown on the morning of the 15^th of September, crossed South Mountain, and reaching the east bank of Antietam River, took position behind some hills on the left of the turnpike leading direct to Sharpsburg. The Third Infantry was at once thrown out as skirmishers and occupied the crest of the river bank to the right and left of the bridge. It remained in this position all night and until relieved by the 4^th Infantry, about 10 o’clock next morning. During the 16^th and 17^th, it remained in reserve, although exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy’s artillery. On the 19^th the regiment moved forward, with its division, in pursuit of the retreating enemy, passed through Sharpsburg, and on the 20^th bivouacked near the Potomac opposite Blackford’s Fort. Skirmishers were here thrown out in front of each brigade and a desultory fire maintained with those of the enemy on the Virginia side.

At the battle of Fredericksburg, which came next, the division of regulars first acted as support to the attack on Marye’s Hill. It left its bivouac at Falmouth on the afternoon of the 13^th, and moved towards the upper pontoon bridge, the 3d leading the advance. The moment the head of the column showed itself, the enemy opened fire upon it with shot and shell, and, while awaiting an opportunity to cross, the regiment lost three men wounded—one mortally. After effecting a crossing, the regiment, depositing their knapsacks in the street, moved hurriedly towards the scene of action, arriving at the southern edge of the city at the moment the attack on the enemy’s outworks was repulsed, and encountering part of the fire of the enemy, by which several men were wounded. The regiment was then ordered to the right and took position in the cemetery. About midnight it advanced out on the plank road, relieved a portion of Humphries’ Division, and with the 4^th Infantry took position behind a tannery. Skirmishers were thrown out some three hundred yards to the right. At daybreak the enemy’s pickets and sharpshooters opened a brisk fire upon them, from their intrenchments, but a stone’s throw away, when they were withdrawn, but not until some were killed and several wounded. They still remained under constant front and enfilading fire from the enemy, within one hundred yards, securely sheltered behind stone walls and rifle pits, and, as General Sykes said in his report of the battle, “could offer no resistance only the moral effect of that hardihood and bravery which would not yield one foot of the line they were required to protect. No better test of the qualities of troops could be shown than that displayed by these brigades. Patience, endurance, discipline and courage were conspicuous.”

About 11 A. M., the 3d and 4^th effected an entrance into the tannery with their bayonets, through the brick walls. They soon after loopholed the walls and from these and the windows they succeeded in driving the enemy from the houses and rifle- pits on the right, relieving the brigade, in great measure, from the fire of the sharpshooters during the remainder of the day. At 12 o’clock that night the regiment was relieved, having held the position 24 hours, and proceeded to the city and bivouacked near St. George’s Church. During the evening of the 15^th it changed position three times. Toward morning it was placed in front and nearest the enemy, where it remained until the whole army had crossed safely to the northern banks of the Rappahannock, when it received orders to fall back, being the last to recross the river. The losses in this battle were three men killed and 12 wounded.

Shortly after this, while in camp at Henry House, the regiment was reorganized. Its strength present having been reduced to 12 officers and 408 enlisted men, Companies A, D, E and H were broken up, the men transferred and the officers attached to other companies. It remained a six company organization until the close of the war.

The regiment took part in Burnside’s famous “Mud March,” and, later, in the battles of Dowall’s Tavern and Chancellorsville. In the latter it moved with the attacking column and participated in the engagements of May 1^st. On the 2d, 3d, 4^th and 5^th, it held its position in the line of battle. It also assisted here in driving back to the field of battle some of the fugitives of the Eleventh Corps. The losses in this battle were four men wounded and four missing.

Gettysburg came next. As part of the First Brigade of Regulars it arrived on the battle-field early in the morning of July 2, having on the three consecutive days previous marched over 62 miles. It first acted as reserve for the right and centre, but during the afternoon was hastily sent to the left, where it participated in the fierce fighting around the Round Tops and near Devil’s Den, where the slaughter of the regular infantry was so fearful. But they “once more justified their old reputation; not a single man left the ranks, and they allowed themselves to be decimated without flinching. Eleven hundred combatants only out of an effective force of 2000 are left standing.” Captain Freedly, who commanded the regiment, was so seriously wounded in the knee that he never rejoined the regiment and was ultimately retired. Lieutenants Butler, Parker and Morton were wounded, 8 men were killed, 61 wounded, six mortally, and two were missing, making a total loss of 75 out of an effective strength of less than 300.

The remnants of the regiment, now under Captain Lay, remained in line of battle all day during the 3d. On the 4^th it was sent out on reconnoissance and had a brisk skirmish with the enemy, after which it returned to its station below Little Round Top, but was immediately sent out again on the front line of pickets. It remained on picket that night and until the pursuit of the enemy commenced the next day.

During the summer of 1863 the regiment was sent to New York, where it arrived August 21, to assist in suppressing the Draft Riots. Leaving New York September 14 it again took the field and participated in the operations which led up to, and was engaged in, the battle of Rappahannock Station, November 7, one man being wounded.

It took part in the Mine Run campaign, November 26 to December 2, after which it was again sent to New York Harbor where it remained, stationed at Forts Richmond, Hamilton and Columbus, until October, 1864, when it was transferred to Washington and stationed at Camp Relief in the northern outskirts of the city.

In February, 1865, the regiment, with a total strength present of only 11 officers and 212 men, was again sent to the Army of the Potomac. It joined at Petersburg, and was stationed from that time until the end of the war at General Meade’s headquarters, participating in all the subsequent engagements of the Army of the Potomac until the final surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox. Thus ended the war, the Third having borne a meritorious part in 21 battles and sieges, losing in killed, wounded and missing a total of 267 men,—a number equal to its average strength present during the war.

In the celebrated race between Sherman and Meade after the surrender of the Confederate armies, when both strove to reach the city of Washington the first, the Third marched (by odometer) 82½ miles in three days, and this a greater part of the time in rain and mud. In the grand review of the armies before President Lincoln, the Third, as part of the Provost Guard, was the leading infantry regiment of the column. On the 4^th of July the regiment, with the 10^th Infantry, was ordered in haste to General Wright’s headquarters, a few miles away, to quell the threatened mutiny in the Provisional Corps, or proposed “Corps of Observation.” It remained on duty there until the 27^th, when it was transferred to the barracks at Washington Arsenal.