Episode 15: 1LT William Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia at the Third Battle of Petersburg
Apr 03, 2024
William Coghlan
At the Third Battle of Petersburg, 2 April 1865, 1LT William Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia were tasked with assaulting Fort Gregg, immediately following The Army of the Potomac's VI Corps assault and breakthrough against Confederate positions around Hatcher's Run.
The first assault upon Fort Gregg was unsuccessful, and 1LT Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia were tasked with supporting the second attempt to capture it. The Regiment advanced about 500 yards to Fort Gregg and engaged the Confederates, mostly North Carolinians from BG James Lane's Brigade. After several color bearers were killed or wounded, 1LT Curtis rescued the Regimental Colors which had fallen into the fort, alongside two other color bearers: CPL Apple and PVT McCauslin. The West Virginian's were the first regiment to plant their colors in Fort Gregg, and PVT Reeder captured a flag from one of the North Carolina regiments.
For their actions during the assault on Fort Gregg, 1LT Curtis, CPL Apple, PVT McCauslin and PVT Reeder all received the Medal of Honor.
Davies, George B. Perry, Leslie J. and Kirkley, Joesph W. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Ser. 1, Vol. 46, Pt. 1, Sec. 2. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1894. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079575340&view=1up&seq=7.
At the Third Battle of Petersburg, 2 April 1865, 1LT William Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia were tasked with assaulting Fort Gregg, immediately following The Army of the Potomac's VI Corps assault and breakthrough against Confederate positions around Hatcher's Run.
The first assault upon Fort Gregg was unsuccessful, and 1LT Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia were tasked with supporting the second attempt to capture it. The Regiment advanced about 500 yards to Fort Gregg and engaged the Confederates, mostly North Carolinians from BG James Lane's Brigade. After several color bearers were killed or wounded, 1LT Curtis rescued the Regimental Colors which had fallen into the fort, alongside two other color bearers: CPL Apple and PVT McCauslin. The West Virginian's were the first regiment to plant their colors in Fort Gregg, and PVT Reeder captured a flag from one of the North Carolina regiments.
For their actions during the assault on Fort Gregg, 1LT Curtis, CPL Apple, PVT McCauslin and PVT Reeder all received the Medal of Honor.
Davies, George B. Perry, Leslie J. and Kirkley, Joesph W. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Ser. 1, Vol. 46, Pt. 1, Sec. 2. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1894. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079575340&view=1up&seq=7.
Hello. My name is bill Coughlin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retails the stories of the soldiers and officers. On the ground in the battles of the civil war. Episode 15 is entitled first Lieutenant William Pewitt and the 12th West Virginia at the third battle of Petersburg. And relies on his book history of the 12th West Virginia volunteer infantry. The part, it took in the war of the rebellion 1861 to 1865. Which William Hewitt published in 1892. At the beginning of the civil war, William Hewitt lived in the grant district of Hancock county, Virginia. Which is today West Virginia. It is the Northern most tip of the state. Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. If you look at a map. Is approximately 45 miles and generally east of this district. The 12th West Virginia mustered into service in the town of wheeling. On 30 August, 1862. The men of the regiment came from Marshall, Ohio, Harrison, Marion Taylor Hancock. And Brooke counties. All seven counties are situated in the Northern most region of the state. William Hewitt mustered into the union army as a Sergeant. And summed up the soldiers of the regiment. Which illustrated just how torn apart the Western part of Virginia was at the time. The 12th was made up of exceptionally good material. The men were mainly American born and native Virginians. He talks about them being farmers or mountaineers. And then continues. They enlisted under trying and embarrassing circumstances. And in great measure from patriotic impulses. Their surroundings and circumstances in many cases, tending to lead them, to join their fortunes with the rebel. Cause it was a common thing for a West Virginia union soldier to have friends and relatives in the rebel army. And in some cases for brother to fight against brother. Keep in mind that the state of West Virginia was not admitted into the union until 30 June, 1863. So William Hewitt's remark here about trying and embarrassing circumstances. And their surroundings. Highlights how the war actually tore families apart in this part of Virginia. And just for an example, Uh, son decided to enlist in the 12th west, Virginia. And informed his parents and we're shocked as they expected him to enlist in a Confederate regiment. The 12th West Virginia saw service in the Shenandoah valley. And fought in battles such as the second battle of Winchester. And the battle of new market before it was transferred to the army of the James on 19 December. 1864. By one, April, 1865. The 12th West Virginia occupied a position in the Petersburg trenches. Around Hatcher's run. And Colonel William B Curtis's second brigade. Of major general John w Turner's independent division. Of the 24th core. Commanded by major general John Gibbon. The Confederate army around Petersburg by this time had already suffered the defeat at Fort Stedman. And at five forks and the pressure of the union armies continue to increase that night. Lieutenant Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia prepared for the impending assault the next morning. As the rebels lay behind their entrenchments that night, it may be that they regarded this thundering and lightning of uncle Sam siege, guns. As per tokening his vengeful wrath. And they're impending doom. And he continues. The 12th, took a position and lay close up to the enemies lines that night. Fully expecting to have to attack his entrenchments in the morning. But fortunately did not have to do this. On two, April, 1865, the army of the Potomac six core. Which was on the immediate right of the 12th west, Virginia. Assaulted and smashed through the Confederate defenses around Hatcher's run. First Lieutenant Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia marched toward the newly carried Confederate works. The sixth core, having broken the lines in its front. The rebel soon thereafter evacuated their works in our front. Our brigade then moved to the right toward Petersburg arriving near the city a little after noon. By this time, all the enemies works. Southwest of the city had fallen into our hands except three fourths near it. And several thousand prisoners besides. One of these fortifications was Fort Gregg, which was a stronghold east of the breakthrough and was ordered to be carried. First Lieutenant Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia. Arranged for their assault as the first attempt to take the Fort failed. Our brigade was marched up and halted in line on high ground facing toward Fort Gregg to the north. All was quiet as yet. There being no firing. When we reached this ground, we could see some of our troops, a part of the first division of our core. A little to the right of a direct line from us to the Fort and pretty close up to it. They were in a wavering condition having failed to enter the Fort. Despite a deteriorating defensive position, the Confederates holding Fort Gregg would not relinquish it without a fight. First Lieutenant Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia soon received orders to advance. A little later an aid wrote up to Colonel Curtis, evidently giving an order. The Colonel looked a little pale, but unflinching and almost before we had time to think. And without any announcement of what we had to do. The order of attention, second brigade, shoulder arms, right shoulder shift, arms forward, double quick March. Was given. The boys seemed to know by a common understanding what was wanted. And giving a yell, a sort of rebel yell. They started on the charge running like mad, their very best. Seeming to realize that the sooner they got to the Fort. The fewer of them would get killed. The aid that first Lieutenant Hewitt saw speaking with Colonel Curtis was most likely from major general Turner's staff. The first and second brigades of the independent division. We're assigned to support their sister division of the 24th core in the assault. And first Lieutenant Hewitt, the 12th West Virginia, and the rest of their brigade. We're now on the left flank of this advance. The distance to be charged was perhaps 500 yards down a slope and up a slope. In the hollow or foot of the slopes, something less than halfway to the Fort. There was some low swamp brush. When this was reached, the enemy opened on our men, apparently with grape or canister. The balls could be heard striking in the mud and passing through the brush and he continues. The men rushed rapidly on their ranks necessarily much broken by their passing through the low swamp brush. There are different capabilities as runners. And they're all rushing toward the one point the Fort. First Lieutenant Hewitt credits that the light casualties of the advance. Was due to their speed. And more importantly, the first divisions renewed advance. Once the regiment was at the base of the Fort. However, the Confederate fire began to concentrate on them. First Lieutenant Hewitt and the 12th West Virginia continued to advance into Fort Gregg. When the order to charge was given private J w Caldwell of company D took off his hat and swinging it over his head shouted. That's our forte, that's our forte, but the Gallant boy falling dead upon the field failed to witness its capture. At this point, first Lieutenant Hewitt pauses the narrative to discuss an order. The brigade received. To withdraw from Fort Gregg. But there seems to be debate even in 1892, whether the men of the brigade heard this order and ignored it, or even heard it at all. Regardless first Lieutenant Hewitt and the regiment continued to advance. When within 50 yards of the Fort Sergeant Adams of company D fell wounded the colors were picked up and bravely carry forward. By private Logston. And continues at length as a movement toward entering the Fort. The gallon Logston undertook to plant the flag of the 12th upon the pair of pit and was killed. Falling back into the ditch. The colors were then seized by Lieutenant Caldwell of company a who leapt upon the parapet and in attempting to plant the colors there was killed. Falling also into the ditch. The flag fell inside of the Fort. Then the brave boys of the 12th rushed to the parapet to recover their flag. Among the men of the regiment was second Lieutenant Josiah, M Curtis, who personally recovered the regimental flag. Alongside two other color bearers, corporal Andrew O apple and a private Joseph McCasslin. The 12th West Virginia at three colors during this assault as their regimental commander was also the brigade commander. Which warranted his own stand of colors. First Lieutenant, he would witness these men rush forward. They were joined by comrades of the rest of their brigade. Pouring a volley into the rebels, the boys of the 12th, leaped into the Fort and planted their flag on the parapets. The first colors on the rebel works. The Fort and its brave defenders were soon hours. All the troops present, joining in the capture. As the 12th West Virginia seized Fort Gregg, private Charles a reader personally captured a flag of one of the Confederate regiments within the Fort. It is not know which regimental flag he captured. But according to Brigadier general, James H. Lane, Fort Greg's commander. The honor of the Gallant defense of Fort Gregg is due to my brigade, choose battery. And Walker's supernumerary, artillerist armed as infantry and not to Harris's brigade. And he continues. The enemy after crowding the para pit amid the wildest cheering and waving of numerous flags. Fire down upon our men inside the works. My men were on the right and center. The supernumerary artillery lists on the left. And choose battery was in the center. So as to give the pieces, the widest possible range of fire. By the end of the day, the siege of Petersburg was over. The assault costs, the union 715 killed and wounded. And first Lieutenant Hewitt, lamented that this didn't need to happen. But it was still a pivotal moment for the 12th west, Virginia. After events seem to show conclusively that this great sacrifice was unnecessary. For the Fort would have been evacuated the following night without it. But it was here that the 12th one it's Eagle, meaning a captured a flag. And Colonel Curtis his star. For men from the 12th West Virginia received metals of honor for their actions in the assault. The first three awarded on 12 may, 1865. First Lieutenant Josiah. M Curtis's citation rates. sees the colors of his regiment after two color bearers had fallen, bore them gallantly and was among the first to gain a foothold with his flag. Inside the enemy's works. The citations of corporal Andrew O apple and private Joseph reads. Conspicuous gallantry. as color bearer in the assault on Fort Gregg. Private Charles a reader received his medal of honor. On three, April, 1867, his citation reads. Capture a flag. Because this involved someone wrestling control of the flag from an enemy color bearer. A medal of honor for this effort was common in the civil war. First Lieutenant William Hewitt returned to Hancock county West Virginia. After the civil war. And regularly attended the regimental reunions. In 1889 and 1890. The veterans of the 12th West Virginia. Desired a regimental history written by one of their own. And ask William Hewitt to write it. He initially believed that he was inappropriate for the task. But in 1890, he agreed to write. History of the 12th West Virginia volunteer infantry. The part, it took in the war of the rebellion. 1861 to 1865. Which he published in 1892. I almost upgraded this episode to a special episode as I used Brigadier general, James H Lane's booklet. Entitled defense of Fort Gregg official report. Published in 1877. But I chose not to. While this booklet does contain his point of view of the assault. It just did not contain enough information as I saw it. To include it in the episode. But I will give Brigadier general lane, uh, mentioned here. The purpose of the booklet was to correct what he and his subordinates saw as an incorrect report that our brigade of Mississippians held Fort Gregg on two April, 1865. Brigadier general lane, along with the Colonel and three lieutenants from the 33rd North Carolina. As well as one Lieutenant from the 37th North Carolina. Both regiments from Lane's brigade. Wrote letters to corroborate that though, there were some Mississippians in the Fort. That amount paled in comparison to that of the north Carolinians. Though Brigadier general, Nathan H Harris's Mississippi brigade was in the same area. Most of those men were in Fort Whitworth, which was just to the north and itself under attack at the same time. This means the captured flag belong to either the 18th. 28th 30, third or 37th, North Carolina regiments. Thank you for listening to the 15th episode. The link to William Hewitt's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn this week. You will find a picture of William Hewitt in 1860. A drawing of the 24th Corps assault on Fort Gregg. And all four metal of honor winners. First, Lieutenant Curtis, corporal, apple, private McCasslin and private reader. Please. follow like and leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Corporal Preston L Ledford of company B. 14th, North Carolina. Provides next week's first person accounts. At the battle of Cedar Creek. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.
