USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Norfolk > History of Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, 1744-1900 > Part 27
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Edward Carman. Mustered in Nov. 20, '61; transferred to Co. M, 3rd Reg., U. S. Artillery; discharged Nov. 14, '64.
Devantry Celestian. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; re-enlisted vet- eran Dec. 13, '63; mustered out Dec. 21, '65.
Xavier Chalton. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; transferred to Co. E, 2d Reg., U. S. Cavalry; re-enlisted veteran Feb. 25, '64; discharged May 19, '65.
James Clark. Mustered in Nov. 20, '61; discharged, disability, Feb. 6, '63.
Hiram Clemens. Mustered in Dec. 2, '63; wounded at Peters- burg, Va., June 22, '64; mustered out Dec. 21, '65; served also in 9th Reg., Co. I, Oct. 6 to Jan., '63.
Peter Demars. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability, June 28, '62.
Willard Evans. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died Jan. 12, '62.
Joachin Filieau. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability, Oct. 1, '62.
Michael Flaherty. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged Oct. 27, '64.
Moses J. Hall. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; wounded at Antietam Sept. 17, '62; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 13, '63; wounded June 3, '64, at Cold Harbor, Va .; deserted Oct. 25, '64.
Edward J. Humphrey. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died April 22, '62.
Isaac M. Knapp. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; transferred to Co. I; discharged Feb. 28, '63.
John Laber. Mustered in Nov. 14, '61; re-enlisted veteran; wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 15, '64; discharged Sept. 16, '65.
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Theodore Parrett. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; killed at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, '62.
Charles Spellman. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died May 22, '62.
John Sughrue. Mustered in Nov. 23, '61; died April 20, '62.
Lucius Watrous. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability, March 3, '62.
Charles Root. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; re-enlisted veteran Apr. 23, '64; deserted July 23, '65.
John O'Brien. Mustered in Nov. 23, '61; discharged April 29, '64.
Halsey Roberts. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died Feb. 6, '62, at Annapolis, Md.
In Fourteenth Regiment Infantry, Co. I, was James Hearty. Mustered in Aug 23, '62; wounded Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, '62; transferred to 3d Co., 2d Batt., V. R. C .; discharged June 12. '65.
NINE MONTHS' SERVICE - TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY.
Company F. George Barden. Mustered in Nov. 15, '62; wound- ed June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La .; died June 15, '63.
Martin Green. Mustered in Nov. 15, '62; mustered out Aug. 28, '63.
Schuyler B. Pendleton, Co. F. Mustered in Nov. 15, '62; died Sept. 3, '63.
1
Charles N. Hollister, Co. F. Enlisted Sept. 9, '62; discharged Aug. 28, '63.
TWENTY-NINTH (COLORED) REGIMENT, INFANTRY.
In Co A. Alanson Freeman. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; mus- tered out Oct. 24, '65.
Henry Freeman. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; mustered out Oct. 24, '65.
In Co. G. Ensign Prince. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; died April 17, '65.
In Co. K. Samuel Smith Musician. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; mustered out Oct. 24, '65.
In Co. C., 29th Reg., Corporal Joseph Prime. Enlisted Dec. 23, '63; discharged Oct. 24, '65.
In Co. F, 29th Reg., James Prime. Enlisted Dec. 23, '63; dis- charged Oct. 24, '65.
Chauncey Crossley and Edward Hine, of this town, colored men, served in the 49th Massachusetts Regiment nearly two years.
Eugene Murphy. Mustered into Co. B, 37th Mass. Infantry, Aug. 30, '62; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, '64.
Joseph P. Nettleton. Mustered into Co. G, 59th Mass. Infantry, Feb. 22, '64; transferred to 57th Mass. Infantry June 1, '65; dis- charged July 31, '65.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
Another Norfolk boy who served his country and lost his life in the War of the Rebellion was Edward J. Ryan, as he was known in town and among his schoolmates, many of whom still remember him. He was John Barlow, the son of Levi Barlow, mentioned else- where; was adopted by Mr. Edward E. Ryan and given the name in baptism of Edward John Ryan.
He enlisted in Co. B, 3d Regiment, Conn. Vols., as John Barlow, and at the end of the three months' service was discharged. The following year he enlisted from Milan, N. Y., in Co. C, 128th N. Y. Vols. He went in the expedition to New Orleans under Gen. Banks, and there with others of his Regiment joined Company E, Capt. Yeaton, First Louisiana Cavalry. He was an orderly for Gen. Augur at the siege of Port Hudson. Later he was detailed as orderly to Col. Birge, 13th Conn. Vols. He was drowned in the Mississippi River at Carrollton, La., August 1, 1863."
Col. Birge wrote Miss Barlow under date of Sept. 10, 1863, from Thibodeaux, La., as follows:
"I am pained to be obliged to confirm the report which has reached you of your brother's death. . . I sympathize with you in your sad bereavement. Though your brother had been with me but a short time I had become much interested in him. He was correct in his habits, prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duty, and a good soldier. I wish he could have been spared for his country and for you. Efforts to recover his body were un- successful.
Your obedient servant, HENRY W. BIRGE, Col."
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
A few years after the close of the war of the rebellion a desire was generally felt in this community to have some suitable monument erected to the memory of those who from this town gave up their lives in the great struggle for the preservation of our government. The place decided upon was near the centre of the park, in front of the Con- gregational Church. The town voted $750 toward the ex- pense of the monument, the remainder being raised by pri- vate subscription. The monument was designed and built by William A. Burdick, the agent of the "Westerly quar- ries," from the celebrated granite of Westerly, Rhode Island. The whole cost of the monument was $2,200. It stands in a fine location and is an ornament as well as an honor to the town, being, as it is, a permanent recognition
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of the great sacrifice of the noble young men from this town who gave their lives in order that "a government of the people, by the people and for the people should not perish from the earth."
The monument has two bases, a die, a plinth and a shaft. The lower base is six feet square, the second base four and a half feet square, and the die three feet nine inches square and three and a half feet high. The entire height of the monument is 24 feet and a little more. Upon the west side is the inscription, "To the memory of the soldiers from this town who gave their lives to their coun- try in the War of the Rebellion." Upon the four sides the names of thirty-five of those who gave their lives in the war are carved. 'The monument is simple, effective, grand; in its silent massiveness eloquent of the story it shall tell to all posterity of the steadfastness, even unto death, of those whose glorious deeds it commemorates, and whose memory it preserves.' The names of the soldiers upon the monu- ment are:
Adjutant Samuel C. Barnum; died June 15, 1864.
Lieutenant Hiram D. Gaylord; died Nov. 18, 1863.
Corporal Theodore S. Bates; died Sept. 17, 1862.
Corporal Damon S. Pendleton; died March 24, 1864. Corporal George H. Pendleton; died Oct. 11, 1864.
Schuyler B. Pendleton; died Sept. 3, 1863.
Sherman A. Apley; died June 1, 1864.
Edward J. Humphrey; died April 22, 1862. Edward Hine; died July 18, 1864.
Charles E. Keyes; died Dec. 22, 1862.
Elizur Maltbie; died July 2, 1864.
Samuel J. Mills; died Sept. 5, 1861. Russell A. Murphy; died 1864. Theodore Parrett; died Sept. 17, 1862.
John W. Peck; died Feb. 9, 1862. George N. Andrus; died June 22, 1864. Albert H. Bailey; died April 7, 1862. George Barden; died June 15, 1863. Benjamin J. Beach; died Sept. 17, 1862. Christian Bejornson; died June 18, 1864. Leander Campbell; died June 3, 1864. George W. Cobb; died Oct. 23, 1862.
J. H. P. STEVENS, M.D.
ADJUTANT SAMUEL C. BARNUM.
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Michael Donahue; died Dec. 13, 1864. Willard Evans; died June 12, 1862.
Joseph Robinson; died Sept. 17, 1864. Halsey Roberts; died Feb. 6, 1862. Timothy Ryan; died Aug. 2, 1862. Edward B. Sage; died May 4, 1864. John Sughrue; died April 20, 1862. Charles Spellman; died May 25, 1862. Sergeant Willis H. Tyrrell; died Aug. 25, 1863.
Francis Steck; died 1865.
Auguste Didier; died (no date).
Bowden E. Knapp; died (no date).
Ensign Prince; died (no date).
ADJUTANT SAMUEL C. BARNUM, MORTALLY WOUNDED AT COLD HARBOR, VA.
One of the noble men who gave his life freely, conscien- tiously and willingly for his country was Samuel C. Bar- num, whose record as a soldier is mentioned briefly above. Fortunately among the public records, and in the posses- sion of friends, who remember and recall him with great affection and tenderness, facts and material are to be found for a brief sketch of his life.
Samuel Carter Barnum was born at Brookfield, Connecti- cut, in 1838. When he was about eight years old his mother died, leaving a large family of young children, and as his father did not feel equal to the task of properly caring for and training all his motherless children, homes were found for some of them, and for the little boy Samuel a home was offered by Mr. and Mrs. Philo M. Trowbridge of Wood- bury. When told that he was to go and have a home with Mr. Trowbridge, in his enthusiasm, which was a marked characteristic with him through his brief life, he threw up his hat and called out "three cheers" in his childish zeal. Few boys are as fortunately and happily placed in homes of their own parents as was he in the Christian home of Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, the latter being a native of Nor- folk, Miss Sarah Aiken, daughter of Mr. Lemuel Aiken, a well known and life long resident of this town. Surrounded by the best of Christian home influences and training, with
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good school advantages, grateful for and appreciative of all the kindness shown him and the advantages given him, he spent the years of his youth in Mr. Trowbridge's family . When about fifteen years of age, from close and intense application to his studies, there seemed danger of his health being seriously impaired, and the family physician advised that he, for at least a time, should be relieved from his studies and placed in some dif- ferent position. Just the right place for the boy, now coming into manhood, opened up for him in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Curtiss of this town, the latter being a sister of Mrs. Trowbridge. Here he was given a position as clerk in Mr. Curtiss' store, and never was boy or young man more faithful and attentive to his duties than was he, and with his happy home life and most excellent Christian influences he was again most pleasantly and favorably situated. With the same degree of truthfulness could it have been said of him during his life in Norfolk, as when in the army: "Wherever he had acquaintances he had friends." After some five years' experience in Mr. Curtiss' store he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Norfolk Hosiery Company, and in that position he remained until his country's call "to arms" was sounded, when, upon Presi- dent Lincoln's first call for volunteers for three months, the name of Samuel C. Barnum was one of the very first en- rolled from this town. He served as a private during that three months' campaign, being present and taking part in the first battle at Bull Run, and it is safe to say that no soldier in the army or citizen at home felt more chagrin, disappointment and humiliation at that disastrous defeat than did he. At the close of the three months for which he had enlisted he returned to his home in Norfolk for a few days, his mind being fully made up to again enter the service, and shortly afterward he enlisted for three years in the Eleventh Connecticut Regiment. He was every inch a soldier, as will appear by some extracts from letters which he wrote when at the front, addressed to his foster father and ever dear friend, Mr. P. M. Trowbridge, and
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which are found in full in the "History of Woodbury."
He entered the service in the Eleventh Connecticut in November, 1861. His first letter, which was preserved, was dated Newbern, N. C., March 18, 1862, in which he men- tions his Regiment going in an expedition to Newbern, and describes the battle at that place: "The firing continued about four or five hours. The stars and stripes were plant- ed on the enemies' breastwork about 11.30 o'clock, and then such cheering and shouting. It must have penetrated even further than the roar and din of battle had, but a few minutes before. The rebels fled in great confusion and haste. In some of their camps food was still cooking, or spread upon the tables. They burnt the bridge command- ing the approach to Newbern, and set the city on fire. Our loss was 91 killed, 463 wounded, and of the wounded some 20 mortally so. Our men, with a few individual exceptions, acted nobly in the fight. I can hardly say enough in praise of the brave men. The boys were busy for a day or two in securing prizes. I have a splendid genuine seces- sion flag, which I would not swap for all the rest. I intend to send it to Norfolk the first opportunity I have. Won't it excite a sensation there, though?"
That "genuine secession flag" is still in the possession of Mrs. Peter Curtiss.
"The country for miles around is almost entirely de- serted. The men have been allowed to go out foraging quite freely. It would amuse you to see them come in. Some will have a pig or sheep slung over his shoulder, and some come with a mule or horse loaded down with poultry. . The slaves here seem overjoyed at our success, and avow that they never shall call any man master again. I am now enjoying the satisfaction of having done my duty, and wiped out Bull Run."
Yours affectionately,
SAMUEL C. BARNUM.
To P. M. Trowbridge, Esq."
He wrote from Washington, D. C., Sept. 6, 1862, to Mr. Trowbridge, as follows: "Our regiment arrived here night
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before last. We are now bivouacking on the very identical spot upon which the Second Connecticut were encamped. How curious the coincidence, and how little I thought when I left it, over one year ago, to advance into Virginia, that after a year of marching, voyages, battles, privations, etc., I should come back to the old camp ground, to begin anew; for it seems that our forces are but little advanced, comparatively, from what they were at that time. Still I have hope that all will yet be well. We evacuated Fred- ericksburg on the 31st of August, burning the bridge be- hind us. Our regiment was a part of the rear guard, and did not arrive at Acquia Creek until the morning of the 3d. The men are all well and in good spirits. We shall remain here probably not long, as we are under marching orders. I do not know where we are going. I am still in command of Co. K, alone. I am rejoiced to hear that the North are at last wide awake."
Again he wrote:
"Camp of 11th Connecticut Volunteers,
Opposite Fredericksburg, Va., Nov. 27, 1862."
My Dear Friend: "It is Thanksgiving in Conn. today, and I have been thinking of you constantly, and I need not say how often I have wished I were with you to enjoy it. There are so many pleasing associations clustering about the day that it has always seemed to me one of the happiest of the year. Bright visions of your festivities have flitted before me today, until I have almost imagined myself there in reality. And thus it is I often derive great satisfaction in the thought of the happiness of friends at home. You must not imagine, however, that I am wanting in the com- forts of life. On the contrary I have enjoyed a sumptuous dinner today, prepared by the cook of our mess, and at which Col. Harland, our Brigadier, and Surgeon Warner of the Sixteenth were guests. I enjoyed it, but felt almost guilty at the thought that the men of the regiment had nothing but hard crackers and "salt junk." The rank and file are the ones who make the greatest sacrifices, after all. You wish me to tell what position I occupy, etc. I am at
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present acting as Adjutant. The Adjutancy is a staff ap- pointment and a very desirable situation. His business is to make all reports, etc., of the regiment, write, publish and copy all orders, attend to the officers' correspondence, and in the field to form the regiment and assist in maneu- vering it; also to mount the guard. I am entitled to a horse and many other privileges which I could not otherwise have. Besides I very much enjoy the society with which it brings me in contact. Col. Stedman has told me that he should be pleased to have me remain where I am, but at any time I wish to go in the line I can have a captaincy. My present rank is that of First Lieutenant."
Yours affectionately,
SAMUEL C. BARNUM." "To P. M. Trowbridge, Esq."
He wrote again Dec. 10, 1862: "I am still with the field and staff, and enjoy it very much, not only as it is just in my line of business, writing, but it brings me into a very refined circle of society, under the influences of which I feel that I am improving. It is announced this afternoon that the troops will move tomorrow morning at daylight. Stirring scenes are ahead. While I write the rumbling of wagons, etc., betokens preparation for the coming contest. We may awake tomorrow morning to the music of cannon. The battle may be severe and critical. I am inclined to think it will be. This seems to me a critical period. Great events may be hanging on the issues of the next few days. God grant that our cause may triumph this time. Maybe you would like to know what my feelings are in regard to the prospect of a fight. I assure you they are none of those ever described as "spoiling for a fight." I would much rather the thing be accomplished without the shedding of a single drop of blood; but if it is to be otherwise, I desire to meet it squarely, cooly and bravely. The experiences of Newbern, South Mountain and Antietam have taught me that there is an awful reality to be sternly met."
The evening of December 11th he wrote again, in part
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as follows: "Just as I predicted last night, we awoke this morning to the music of cannon. At precisely five o'clock A. M. the sullen boom of a heavy gun sounded out upon the morning air, and opened the ball. Our troops are in Fred- ericksburg, and the city is in ruins and burning." A few days later he wrote again to Mr. Trowbridge, giving quite a vivid report of the terrible battle at Fredericksburg on the 12th and 13th. "On the morning of the 13th we were detailed to support the pickets in front of the 3d division, which were stationed just beyond the outskirts of the city.
At about 10 A. M. the engagement became gen- eral. The picket headquarters were at a small house on an eminence, considerably to our left, and within 800 yards of the rebel breastworks. From this position we could ob- serve every movement on each side .. The position of the enemy was one of great strength, not only by nature but by all the appliances of military science. . As soon as our men emerged from the city they were opened upon with shell, and as they came nearer, by the infantry. The shell made awful havoc among them. The first to advance was Couch's corps, Hancock's division. We could see the men fall, and flags go down and come up again, and count the dead and wounded behind them, as they swept on, by dozens. On the night of the 15th we recrossed the river and reached our old camp, which had been left standing, before midnight.
I am rejoiced to see that the public do not blame our be- loved General Burnside, for we think that he did every- thing that lay in his power, and that, too, with a vigilance, promptness and gallantry which reflect great honor upon him. It is said that he did not want to advance at the time he did, and thought that to do so would result only in slaughter, but he was ordered to do so. The sequel proved his superior wisdom. For my part I am tired of this useless sacrifice of life. I feel a strong devotion to my country. I am willing to undergo any privation or sacrifice, even to that of my life, to establish its union and maintain its honor, but I do not like to throw my life away
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at the caprice of those who do not understand the move- ments and welfare of any army."
Yours affectionately,
SAMUEL C. BARNUM." To P. M. Trowbridge, Esq."
In "Cothren's History of Woodbury," in the "List of Woodbury Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion," is the following: "Samuel C. Barnum enlisted in the three months' troops May 7th, 1861, and was in the battle of Bull Run. Enlisted the second time in Co. E, Eleventh Conn. Volunteers, November 27th, 1861. For good con- duct in battle he was promoted successively to be Second Lieu- tenant, and First Lieutenant and Adjutant June 16th, 1862. For a time he acted as A. A. A. G. of Brigade. He was wounded at Cold Harbor June 3d, 1864, and died of secondary hemorrhage at Wash- ington, D. C., June 19th, 1864. He sent for his foster-father, Deacon P. M. Trowbridge, to attend him, and he was with him when he died. He was very cheerful under his sufferings, endured them with great fortitude, and finally died almost instantly, a true Christian patriot."
From "History of Connecticut During the Rebellion."
"Colonel Stedman led his brigade bravely in the terrible onset for the possession of Cold Harbor, on the night of June 2, 1864. In a private letter written at the time Col. Stedman said: "We formed in the woods in solid columns. I gave the command For- ward. We started with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. I was the first to enter the open field and see the enemy's lines,-a curve. I bade farewell to all I loved. It seemed impossible to survive that fire, but I was spared, while the officers of my staff who followed me closely were struck down. We reached a point within thirty yards of the enemy's main works, but the fire was too murderous and my men were repulsed. We left the works with two thousand men; in five minutes we returned six hundred less."
The "Eleventh" had lost nine killed and seventy-five wounded. The Colonel escaped with several bullet holes through his coat. Major Converse, Capt. Amos S. Allen and Adjutant Samuel C. Barnum were mortally wounded, and soon died."
"From History of Connecticut During the Rebellion."
June 24, 1864, Col. Stedman wrote: "One thing makes me sad,-the loss of so many friends. Yesterday I learned that Adjutant Barnum's leg had been amputated, and to-day that he is dead. I loved him very dearly. Always cheerful and happy, he was a most efficient officer, and a perfect gentleman. I do not
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think I ever heard him utter a word that he might not say to ladies, and I once told him I consider that the best rule for one's guidance is, never to say or do among men what would be improper before mother or sister."
The following is from the "Connecticut War Record" of July, 1864, in their correspondence by the Chaplain of the Regiment:
"From the Eleventh Regiment,"
"Field near Petersburg, Va., June 30, 1864.
Friday, the 3d inst., at Cold Harbor was a day of blood. How our loved ones and our mighty fell in battle. The heroic and accomplished Major Converse, foremost in danger, most trusted of the staff officers of General Martindale, was mortally wounded at the first volley in that terrible charge . .
. In that charge many of our bravest and best were cut down. It was but a few moments. The point was not carried. The fire was murderous; a perfect hail-storm of lead; a tempest of ball rain. In that charge we lost one hundred men. An hour or two afterwards on that bloody morning a minnie ball struck Adjutant Barnum in the leg. He was Colonel Stedman's Adjutant General; always at his side and therefore always in danger, if duty became dangerous. We thought it would prove not a permanent injury, nor lead to amputa- tion. His patient endurance deceived us, for his fortitude in endur- ing was not surpassed by his bravery in receiving the wound. But we now mourn him also, for we hear from Washington that a tardy amputation was followed by a speedy death. He died among his friends, who attended him in those last days; but he always had friends wherever he had acquaintances. Thus another of that little circle which are known as the Field and Staff of the 11th Connec- ticut Volunteers has become a martyr of liberty. Let their names go down to posterity with others. . . . A picture of Saturday the 4th would give an idea of the days we have passed. I was early at the front, asking Colonel Stedman if possible to come for one- half hour to the hospital. There Major Converse was dying. By his side was the Adjutant, Barnum, smiling, without a groan or murmur, but pale. . . . Let the long list of officers and men who have suffered and died in battle,-who have joined the number of martyrs of Liberty, tell what we have done in the National cause."
(By Chaplain H. C. DeForest.)
When Adjutant Barnum was first wounded in that ter- rible battle at Cold Harbor, he would not believe that he was permanently disabled, that he could do no more, and at first refused to be taken from the field, thinking that after a little he should be able to mount his horse again and do
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