 It baffles me why they went past Tappahannock up to Port Royal. |
While on the march, no fires were permitted after nightfall, consequently very little opportunity to cook any rations. The only exceptions being when some daring soldiers would build a fire, cover it over with shelter tent, blankets and portions of their clothing, to obscure the light therefrom while cooking, doing so at the peril of carrying the "wooden horse" next day if discovered.
On the march from Port Royal to Cold Harbor, over 65 miles, without counting the retrograde movements, there were very few men in the regiment who had not suffered, more or less, from the heat, and on arriving at Cold Harbor were hungry. Nearly every member of the Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery appeared very haggard and worn out. They had had nothing to eat the last two days of the march. Its abilities to go into action that day were far below par.
Nevertheless it formed in line of battle about 12 noon on June 5, and without a murmur, advanced to a position in an open field immediately in front of the enemy, who commenced a terrific cannonade upon it. However, without any serious consequences for the regiment, they were ordered to fall back under cover of a hill, which was done in perfect order and alignment. Here rations were issued to the regiment by Quartermaster Melcher. These were fully appreciated and relished by the men.
A day of a truce (June 7th) took place when some companies from the 2nd PAHA were assigned to collect the dead and wounded at Cold Harbor.
I believe Company F had that assignment. No wonder my great grandfather shot his own hand to get relieved from duty. He did not go on to the future battles. He was sent back to Philadelphia for discharge. If he had stayed, our branch of the family tree might have ended with his death.