Waitt, Ernest Linden, History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry , 1861-1865

[305] the ‘Assembly’ at the top of the works) to the breastworks and the regiment was quickly reformed on the opposite side, a little to the left of the previous position. The ‘Rebs’ had captured private Thompson, of Company B.

Behind the breastworks the lines of men were awaiting the enemy with muskets loaded, capped and cocked and bayonets fixed. The regiment lost three killed, nine wounded and seventeen missing.

The rebel line did not reach the position taken by the Nineteenth Massachusetts and the men stood in line and fired from the works until the fight was over. The breastwork caught fire and forced the Nineteenth to occupy the one which, fortunately, had been built as a second line on the other side of the road on the previous day. Color Bearer Benjamin Falls, of Company A, received a painful wound in the arm, but pluckily kept his place, declaring that ‘Some fool will get hold of the color and lose it. I guess I'd better stay by.’

Since early morning on the 5th, the regiment had been continuously in line, either marching, skirmishing or awaiting an attack.

The men of Company C had not slept a minute during the time, having been on picket during the night. It was supposed that these men at least, would be allowed to bivouac where they were but shortly after dark Company C was again sent into the woods in front of the breastworks to do picket duty for another night.

The next three days were days of watchfulness and there were many skirmishes. The regiment was constantly on the move. The men became fatigued, and there were many prostrations by the heat, shifting about as they did in the vicinity of Todd's Tavern and Spottsylvania.

At 2.30 P. M. of the 7th the regiment was ordered out on the skirmish line and after advancing about a mile discovered the enemy posted in a dense thicket and immediately became engaged and after fighting all the afternoon, drove them nearly a mile, and at 9 P. M. returned, under orders, to the works, having nine men wounded. Burnside's corps arrived late that afternoon.