Ream's Station

The Battle of Ream's Station was not a major battle of the Civil War, especially when compared to encounters like Chancellorsville or Gettysburg. Yet, it was one of those fights that illustrated the courage of the typical Civil War artillerist. Men, who stayed at their posts even when all was lost, The Union II Corp, which would be shattered by the Confederate attack, would again perform commendably especially in the Peebles Farm action.

Original piece of the Weldon Railroad

The Battle of Ream's Station was fought on August 25 th 1864 and was part of Union General Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Petersburg. The Union II Corp was ordered south along the Weldon Railroad with orders from Union General George Gordon Meade to destroy the railroad. Thus, creating a permanent break in the Confederate supply line. The II Corp was under the command of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. He had two of his three divisions available for this assignment. These divisions were under the command of Generals John Gibbons and N.A. Miles. Also, the Union force had the support of cavalry under the command of General David Gregg.

The success of the forth-coming Confederate attack did not lie with the forces that it consisted of, instead the Rebel victory was the result of a faulty Union position at Ream's Station. Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered General A.P. Hill's Corp`and two divisions of cavalry to attack the exposed Union II Corp. The flawed Union position were a set of fieldworks that were C-shaped, with the open end on the east.

The Federals had constructed this imperfect defensive position earlier in June. When the first Rebel attack occurred around 2:00pm, it became obvious to the entire Federal command that this was an unsound position. Reinforcements were rushed to help the II Corp, but they would not get there in time.

A second and more determined Confederate attack struck the Union position at the northward bar of the C. Those Yankees holding the southward bar became undone by the effect of shot and shell landing in their backs and many simply crossed over to the other side of the works for their safety. It must be noted that many of Union general John Gibbons men were green and simply not used to this. The Union resistance was stiff, but soon gave way and the breakthrough enfiladed the rest of the Union line along the north of the C while exposing those men to the south to fire in their rear.

While the Union forces attempted to recover from this breach, the Confederate cavalry struck. Gibbon's men, that sought protection outside of the Federal works, were now exposed to a galling cavalry attack that simply broke the Union line. Soon, both divisions of the II Corp divisions were put to flight. When the butcher's bill was tallied up, Federal losses numbered six to seven hundred dead or wounded and two thousand taken prisoner. Also, nine pieces of artillery had been captured (Battery B would have four of its pieces captured), along with their caissons and twelve stands of colors. The Rebels' losses numbered around seven hundred and twenty men.

The II Corp artillery was made up of part of the Tenth Massachusetts Battery, McNight's Twelfth New York Battery, Woerner's Third New Jersey Battery and Battery B First Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Battery had two sections at Ream's Station. One section was under the command of Lieutenant James Chace and the other under Lt. Gideon Spencer. When the Confederates began their assault, these men found themselves exposed to enemy sharpshooters. This resulted in the death of several men and horses.

Lieutenant William Perrin ordered that the enemy lines be shelled to deal with the sharpshooters. Confusion seems to have existed at this time as Battery B received word to cease-fire since they were reportedly firing on their own men. While the order was obeyed, it was clear to see that these were Rebels and another attack was imminent.

Around 5:00 pm the expected Confederate attack occurred with an intense artillery barrage. This was the shelling that would cause the panic among Gibbon's division. Battery B, as well as the other Union artillery units began to return a steady fire against the Confederate position. Both Battery B and the Tenth Massachusetts found themselves in a difficult position since they both occupied low ground that was west of the railroad. In fact, Battery B could get three of its four guns into an effective firing position. As the Union lines gave way, Battery B found itself exposed to the volleys of the enemy and the fire of the sharpshooters. Gradually, more of the Batteries' horses were killed and several men had been wounded.

Lieut. William S. Perrin

The attacking Confederate infantry, comprised of brigades from General Cooke, McRae, Lanes, Scales, and with Anderson in support, crashed upon the Federal works no less than four times. Then, in a moment of panic, the Union infantry gave way and the Confederate's closed in for the kill. Battery B's three serviceable guns fired into the Rebel position, but could not fire near the Union breastworks for fear of killing their own men. As a matter of fact, an aide on Major Hazard's staff asked why Battery B was not firing on the charging column. Lieutenant Spencer promptly answered do to so would expose the Massachusetts Battery to friendly fire. Again, a clear demonstration of the weakness of the Union position.

Imagine if you can the confusion and frustration that is going on within the Union position at this moment. Enemy fire has prevented you from being able to withdraw your guns, the infantry support has given way, and enemy sharpshooters are killing or wounding your men. This was clearly illustrated when Lt. Spencer went to check on his left piece after he noticed it was not firing. There he found only Sergeant Charles Rider and Corporal William Maxcy sitting on the trail; there were no other men to help man the gun. Lt. Spencer managed to obtain some men from the New York Heavy Artillery and kept his guns in service. It was at this point that Lt. Spencer requested help from a colonel in command of an infantry regiment. He insisted that the colonel move his men into the gap and help restore some order to the Union line. The colonel claimed he no such orders and did nothing to help the artillery, or the situation. Lt. Spencer yelled at the man and said, “ To h-ll with orders – march your men in there and cut off the enemy from getting back!” Needless to say, this colonel did not listen to Lt. Spencer and his whole unit were soon captured-nearly 1,400 strong!

Battery "B"s Gun #253, captured during the battle on display at the NPS Musuem.

Lt. Spencer returned to his guns and soon found to his dismay that his right piece had stopped firing due to lack of ammunition as well as the gun had become overheated. Turning towards his left piece, he again saw Sergeant Rider and Corporal Maxcy sitting on the trail- no crew and no more ammunition. Lt. Spencer realized that the situation was hopeless, yet the men remained unflinchingly at their posts and stood up to the enemy. He then ordered them to withdraw in the direction of Lt. Chase's section. This withdrawal was made under intense enemy fire and the survivors of Lt. Spencer's section reached Lt. Chace.

Both Lt. Chace and Spencer discussed the situation. Lt. Chace said he had three rounds of canister in his limber and it was decided to get it and put it to use. At this point, a Rebel major and fifty men demanded the surrender of Battery B. As the major was passing through the entrenchments into the enemy lines, with his prisoners, one of Lt. Chace's guns was fired by some of their own men. The gun, being loaded with canister, cut a great swath into the enemy and killed or wounded a great many Rebels. No doubt, the Confederates were not happy with this turn of events.Yet, the damage was done and all four of Battery B's guns had been captured.

When all was told, this was a costly fight for Battery B. The loss of cannon can hurt any artillery men's pride, but the human loss is far worse.* On that awful August day, Battery B was nearly annihilated and the survivors returned to many a vacant chair. Yet, in this darkest moment, the courage of these men shines forth. The enemy paid dearly for those guns with their own blood and while the battery lost trophies-it did not lose its honor!