USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 30
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"The paymaster arrived at headquarters yesterday. We are all happy to see him, having heard nothing from him since the 1st of January.
" The country here is full of shin-plasters, from three cents up- wards. They pass quite readily between our soldiers and the cit- izens, but our sutlers, who procure their goods from the North' ' can't see it' if we offer it to them.
" From the Potomac to way south of Winchester, the country is now well supplied with coffee, salt, sugar, and in fact all groce- ries, as well as cotton and woollen goods, which one month ago the inhabitants were suffering for. All the necessaries and luxu- ries of life are pouring, like a fast-rising tide, into the western portion of the State, following up the line of blockade, as it moves steadily and surely onward to meet its counterpart extended along the gulf.
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"The weather for the past week has been quite mild and pleas- ant. The peach and appletrees are budded, the meadows look fresh and green, and the lazy languor with which we lounge around, in the warm, sunny days, under the trees and along the grassy banks of the winding Shenandoah, makes us feel that Spring has really come again. Our thoughts wander back to where we were a year ago. How much we would have then given to have known where we were to be this Spring. And Oh! how we would like to know beside what streams we shall roam a year from now. A waggish tent-mate, peering over my shoulder at what I am writing, suggests that very likely some of us will be going up Salt River .- Shouldn't wonder a bit if we were.
" We expect that in a day or two, "Head of column, forward!" will rouse us from our listless life in camp, to again resume, for the weary march, our knapsacks and three days' rations, which last, with a poor fellow who is gifted with a good appetite, is no small consideration in way of freight.
" Ashby, with his rebel cavalry and some light batteries of ar- tillery, is continually showing himself along our advanced lines. More than once have our workmen on the bridge been surprised by a shower of bullets whistling among them from a heavily- wooded knoll, just a good rifle shot in front of them. Fre- quently are they startled by the demon screech of a spherical shell, drawing most uncomfortably near, from some flying battery which our wiley foe has stealthily drawn up and opened upon them. Fortunately, scarcely any of the secesh shells burst-not more than one in a dozen .- They are some purchased from English agents, so I am informed. I guess that shells are not the only English things that the C. S. A. are taken in on.
" There goes the dinner signal, and as I am habitually prompt in responding to all noises of the kind, and as I have some scru- ples in regard to being late to dinner, I must close by remember- ing all the boys to you, and hoping you will not forget your inten- tion of visiting us.
Truly yours,
G. STOCKMAN.
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" CAMP AT WILLIAMSPORT, MARYLAND, May 29th, 1862.
"FRIEND COTHREN :- I suppose you are anxiously waiting for a word from us, to learn what part your Valley Rifles bore in the stirring incidents which have transpired in this department during the past few days. In the first place let me dispel any concern you may have for our welfare. I am happy to be able to state that out of the eighty men lost from the regiment by the battle and retreat from Winchester, none of the Woodbury boys are numbered. With the more general details of the battle you are undoubtedly well acquainted, through the official reports which have been published; but believing that a short chapter of par- ticulars will not be uninteresting, I will describe a few scenes in which the 5th bore a part.
"Saturday morning, May 24th, at daybreak, the bustle and stir of breaking up camp was over, and the reduced but gallant body of troops under the immediate command of Gen. Banks, were on the road towards Winchester. The efforts made to hurry us up, the anxious appearing countenances of Gen Banks and staff, as they dashed by us on to the head of the column, and the sad fate of the First Maryland Regiment, one of the four composing our brigade, caused a depression to hang over our spirits, ominous of we knew not what. One thing was evident-the rebel Gen. Ewell, after utterly annihilating the force at Fort Royal, was making his way, fast as possible, to reach Winchester before Banks, thereby cutting off our retreat.
" It was, therefore, a race for life-our legs were our only sal- vation. Fortunately we were a little in advance, and about 8 o'clock in the evening we arrived at Winchester. Our brigade was stationed that night about a half a mile outside the city, on the Front Royal road .- Gordon's brigade took up a position in line of battle horizontal to the road leading to Strasburg. Our regiment filed into a clover field-we stacked our arms, and with the rest, wearied out, I lay down, and praying, as I heard the rat- tling musketry of the distant pickets, and gave one last glance at the Southern sky, all aglow with the blazing camp-fires of the enemy, that we might not be called up before morning. With the whole earth for a bed, and the star-studded heavens for a cov- ering, I fell into the welcome sleep that ever awaits the tired soldier.
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"Sunday morning dawned serenely bright and beautiful, seem- ing to invite man, by its calm peacefulness, to partake of its spirit and desist from making it a day of blood. I was startled from my slumber, under the lea of a stonewall, by the terrific screech of a shell as it passed over my head and burst a rod or two from me, in the center of the field in which we were bivouaced. Not half the regiment were awake, but this early intruder, and his dozen quick successors that followed, plunging into the ground all around and among us, making the dirt and stones fly in clouds' started them, and such a getting up never was beat. Our battery had opened its return fire, from a hill just in our rear, and the whizzing, banging, and thundering going on over and around us, was truly terrific ; added to all this was the terror in hearing from one to another the report that the enemy were advancing up the other side of the hill, in line of battle-rather trying circum- stances for a regiment that had never been under fire to get into line under. But we did it, just did it, when Major stone shouted -" Look out, boys-look out here-they are right on to us!" I just had time to glance up (we were just under the brow of a hill,) and see the top of the hill swarming with the devils coming on a " double- quick." The order was given to lie down. Down we went into the high grass, just in time to escape a few scattering shots that were sent for us.
"The 46th Pennsylvania, which was posted on our right, on a higher piece of ground, drew their fire and promptly returned it, but did not check them. A moment more and they would have been on top of us, when Major Stone jumped up and shouted- " Now is your time, boys ! Up and give it to them !" Up sprang every man, with his rifle leveled-along our line blazed a sheet of flame, and down like ten-pins went the front ranks of the rebels,- They returned our volley with fearful effect, particularly on the right of our regiment, which was nearer to them than the left. Our fire was rapid and steady-theirs slackened not-and for a moment or two it was doubtful which would whip, the 25th North Carolina or the 5th Connectieut. But our boys, true to their Northern natures, were growing cool, and many, realizing the value of every shot, were stepping to the front to take more de- liberate aim and obtain better shots. All of a sudden the rebels turned and broke for a stonewall abont a rod in their rear. Our boys, wide awake to seize every advantage, held their fire for an instant, until the rebels were on the wall. Many of them went
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over that wall with the impetus of a bullet in the rear. The sur. vivors left for down the hill, and we fell back behind a stonewall, where we waited fifteen minutes for another regiment to try us. But the intention seemed to be to shell us out, for we were under- going a regular bombardment. Gen. Williams, who was watching us, said-"Look at that 5th Connecticut-they are the boys to fight !" Since the fight I have heard many speak of the gallantry of our regiment.
" We now heard along our right wing a furious cheering-not the three distinct hearty cheers of our Northern boys, but a con- fused mingle of hoots and yells, which was all we wanted to in. form us that the enemy had succeeded in forcing back our right wing. And according to instructions we withdrew from the field and commenced our retreat, passing in good order through the town, though a murderous fire was kept up upon us from doors, windows, and behind corners and fences, by the citizens, and in many cases women were seen shooting down our wounded as they staggered out of the ranks. It was hard treatment to receive at the hands of those we had tried so hard to please. We shall re- member you, Winchester. Our retreat was well conducted-Gor- don's Brigade crossing the river at Williamsport and Donnelly's at Dam No. 4, six miles below. The march was a tough one- over forty miles-but we are now recruited and ready for another.
" Hoping that the next time we are in the field we may have an enemy only twice our own number.
I remain as ever yours, GARDNER STOCKMAN."
" NEWBERN, N. C., March 18, 1862.
" MY DEAR FRIEND :- I wrote you hastily just before we left Roanoke, that our regiment was to accompany the next expedi- tion. Since then stirring events have taken place about us. I have but little time at present, and can give you but a brief ac- count of what has transpired during the interval. The fleet set sail on the morning of the 11th, I think. Our steamer, the Loui- siana, got aground, through the carelessness of her Captain. He has previously caused a great deal of trouble, both at Old Point
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and Hatteras, and, at the latter place, his steamer was aground for a long time. He is strongly suspected of disloyalty. It took as . many as a half dozen small steamers to pull it off. General Burn- side came alongside on the Alice Price, and ordered him in irons. Once afloat, and our voyage was delightful ; it seemed more like a pleasure excursion than a military expedition. We came to an- chor on the 12th iust., several miles below Newbern. The next morning, the troops began to land, many of them in small boats. The morning was beautiful, and the sight was most magnificent. It reminded me of pictures of the evacuation of Boston by the British. The gun-boats began shelling the woods along the shores of the Neuse, early in the morning. The last of our regiment land- ed about the middle of the afternoon, and before we slept, we had marched a distance of thirteen miles. The roads were in an exceedingly bad state ; in some places the mud was almost knee- deep. The first object of interest we passed was some rebel bar- racks, but recently deserted by a company of Cavalry. We reach- cd the railroad about dark. Here the rebels had erected extensive earthworks. They were incomplete, however, and if occupied at all, were soon abandoned, on our approach. During the after- noon, the weather had become damp, and it was now raining, but on we went, with commendable zeal and good spirits, little dream- ing of the journey we were performing. Quite late in the eve- ning, we came up with the main body of troops, and bivouaced in a piece of wood only a mile and a half from the battle-ground. I am told that a company of cavalry lay within a few hundred yards of us all night. I eat a cracker and an orange; then, lame, wet and exhausted, folded myself in a blanket, and slept until morning. We were ordered to fall in, early next morning, and relieve the 51st Pennsylvania, in dragging howitzers. Our men took hold of it with a hearty good will. Soon after we started the firing commenced-at first, by only driving in the enemy's picket, but soon after, the roar and boom of musketry and artil- lery, which indicated that the action had commenced in good ear- nest. By the time we arrived, the firing had become terrific. The right wing advanced with the howitzers, and planted them to bear upon the enemy, under the direction of the marines, who worked the guns. Then, by order of Gen. Parke, the companies joined the 24th Massachusetts and other regiments, which were then under heavy fire, but soon after joined the rest of us. The left wing filed to the left, into a piece of woods directly in front of
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the enemies' works. As we were advancing, a canon ball struck just ahead of our company, taking off a man's head-a second af- ter, one struck a few feet behind us, and took off a man's leg. Shortly after, Capt. Lee, Co. D, was killed, and several of his men wounded, by a shell. The firing countinued about four or five hours-only one of our company was wounded. The stars and stripes were planted on the enemies' breastwork about 11} o'clock. And then, Oh! such cheering and shouting! I shall never forget it. It must have penetrated even further than the roar and din of battle had, but a few moments before. The rebels fled in great confusion and haste; in some of their camps food was still cook- ing, or spread upon the tables. They burnt the bridge command- ing the approach to Newbern, and set the city on fire. Their force must have been about 12,000 men. All their camp equipage, baggage, &c., &e., was left. Their works about Newbern are im- mense. They have been worked upon for twelve months. In point of numbers engaged on our side, and the position of the en- emy, I consider this battle second only to Donaldson, in the glo. rious achievements of the war. Onr killed and wounded were as follows :- 91 killed, 463 wounded. Of the wounded, some twenty are mortally so. I know nothing of the loss of the enemy ; pre. sume it was equally as heavy. We have taken quite a number of prisoners ; among them are some important persons. The rank and file are the most wretched looking set of men I ever saw- regular tar burners-their clothes were very ragged, and of all the colors and styles you can imagine. Some carried old bits of carpets for blankets. A large number of the rebel killed were shot through the head-showing the deadly aim of our men. Our men, with a few individual exceptions, acted nobly in the fight. I can hardly say enough in praise of the brave men-they lay down when not firing, otherwise, many would have been killed. I am told by persons who have been over the ground since the action, that the trees all around the place we lay are filled full of shot. I am now enjoying the satisfaction of having done my duty, and wiped out Bull-Run. The country for miles around us is almost entirely deserted. The boys were busy for a day or two in secur_ ing prizes, &c, I can assure you. One of our men has a splendid gold watch and pencil. I have a splendid, genuine secession 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 ?- The men have been allowed to go out a foraging
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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. Several splendid horses have been brought in. I went out with a squad, and brought in quite a fine carriage, a set of silver plated harnesses, two bushels of sweet potatoes, twenty-five Ibs. of honey, a pot of lard, three hens, and a splendid hair matrass. I took them all from the house of a secesh Captain, named Netherby, I think. Among other things which have come into our possession, is a large number of letters, which have amused us very greatly. Some of them are love matters, of the most exquisite nature. You may expect to see some of them in the Connecticut papers.
" The slaves here seem overjoyed at our success, and avow that they never shall call any man master again. I presume one hund- red of them have come into our camp. I visited Newbern to-day ; it is a very pretty place. It looks more like home than anything I have seen since I left Connecticut. I enclose some C. S. A. stamps. They may be a curiosity to you. Excuse my envelope ; it is secesh and the only one I have. .
Yours affectionately,
SAMUEL C. BARNUM.
To. P. M. Trowbridge, Esq.""
" HEAD QUARTERS 5TII CONN. VOLS., - Culpepper Court House, Va., Aug. 13th, 1862. )
" DEAR FATHER :- I hasten to improve this, the first opportu- nity since the excitement and confusion of the battle of Saturday, to drop you a line, assuring you of my safety, as well as that of Ames. Poor Alvord is missing. He was in the charge, and was last seen in the woods, fighting like a good fellow. I think he is a prisoner-many of our men were taken. I was on the field, helping take care of the wounded and bury the dead. I looked along the track of our regiment, but could not find his body. Our brigade, (Crawford's,) it is conceded by all, made a more desperate charge than has hitherto been recorded in the war. Our regiment is all cut to pieces. Col. Chapman is wounded, and a prisoner. Major Blake is dead. Adjutant Smith was shot
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through the head. The Quartermaster is wounded, and a prisoner. Most all of the line officers are either killed, wounded, or prison- ers. Lieut. Daniels was shot through the hip. Lient. Dutton, old Gov. D.'s son, was killed instantly. Co. A. lost twenty-three men-went into the battle with forty. I had several very narrow escapes. A shell burst close beside me, wounding a friend seri- ously in the head.
Yours affectionately, GARDNER STOCKMAN."
" WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 6, 1862.
"DEAR FRIEND :- Our regiment arrived here night before last, at midnight. We are bivouacing on the very identical spot upon which the 2d Conn. were encamped. How curious the coinci- dence! and how little I thought when I left it, over one year ago, to advance into Va., that after a year of marching, voyages, bat- tles, privations, &c., &c., I should come back to the old camp ground, to begin anew-for it seems that our forces are but little advanced, comparatively, of what they were at that time. Still I have hope that all will yet be well. We evacuated Fredericks- burg on the 31st of August, burning the bridge behind us. Our regiment was a part of the rear guard, and did not arrive at Ac- quia Creek, until the morning of the 3d. We then embarked, and came to Alexandria, where we arrived the same day. On the 4th, we marched from Alexandria to this place, arriving here on the 4th, at midnight. The men are all well and in good spirits. Do not know how long 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. Rod Freeman is my servant, and a most faithful fellow he is, too. He wishes to be remembered to all the friends in Woodbury. I am rejoiced to hear that the North are at last wide awake. My love to all. Please write me soon. Direct to Washington. Excuse blunders. Yours affectionately, SAMUEL C. BARNUM.
To P. M. Trowbridge."
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" FREDERICK Crrr, Md, Dec. 2d, 1862.
" DEAR SIR :- On my return from duty at " Monocaey June- tion," where I was sent some days ago-and since which time I have received no mail-I found your kind letter of November 20th, inquiring about the Woodbury boys. It was necessary for me to make some inquiry in regard to the persons you mentioned, before I could give you the desired information. I have lost no time in doing so, and proceed to give you the result.
"Albert Winton, Myron Bishop, Edwin Bishop, Henry M. Daw- son. Richard Spring, and James Warner, are with the regiment, and well.
" George McCann was wounded at Cedar Mountain-how se- verely I do not know. The last time I heard from him, he was in hospital in Alexandria. I understood, at the time, that his wounds were in the foot, and not serious-probably his friends have heard from him before this time.
" John Ledger was detailed on signal service some time since, and is now, probably, with the advance.
" The complimentary manner in which you speak of our behay- ior is duly appreciated by all the boys, and we hope still to merit your approbation. We have tried, so far, to do our duty manfully, and whether we are permitted to remain in our present compara- tively comfortable quarters, or are ordered to our old place in the battle front, Woodbury shall have no occasion to complain of HER boys.
" In regard to your kindly proffer of assistance. I would say, that a pair or two of woolen socks would not come amiss to any of the boys, as they are an article not to be obtained here for money. even if we were supplied with that : bnt, owing to the dilatori- ness of the Paymaster, neither "green-backs" or postage- stamps are very plentiful just at present.
" In behalf of the boys and myself. I beg you to accept our heartfelt thanks for the kindly interest manifested in our welfare, and assure you that it will not be forgotten when we have the op- portunity to show our appreciation of it. Our regiment is at present quartered in the city of Frederick, and there is a proba- bility of our remaining here for some time.
" I am too busy just now to give you further particulars in re- gard to our situation, but circumstances permitting, (which must always be a consideration in a soldier's promise. ) I will write our
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mutual friend, Cothren, to-morrow, and he will of course give you the benefit of any information I may be able to furnish him.
"Hoping that this hurried answer to your kind letter may not discourage you from writing again, I remain
Yours truly, GARDNER STOCKMAN.
P. M. Trowbridge, Esq., Woodbury, Conn."
" BELLE PLAIN, Dec. 2d, 1862.
" Mr. TROWBRIDGE-Dear Sir :- Your letter of the 18th was re- ceived one week ago, and, I assure you, I was glad to hear from you. It was just such a letter as I like to get now-a little sym- pathy, a little encouragement, and a considerable news. I was sorry to learn that so many of our Woodbury boys are sick, but do not think it strange. I saw a man to-day who left the hospital at Harper's Ferry last Tuesday. He says Seth is doing well-that my brother-in-law from Waterbury had been to see him. I had learned from him that he had started to see him, and would try to procure him a furlough. But, since Seth was at the hospital Fri- day, I conclude he did not succeed in getting him one. I am sorry, for I doubt if he will be able to do much duty this winter. Our brigade was detached from the division the next day after we arrived opposite Fredericksburg, and sent to this place, which is on Potomac Creek, a small bay on the Virginia side of the Poto- mac, and is about six miles from Acquia Creek and twelve from Fredericksburg. Supplies for the army are landed here, and we act as guard, and also unload the boats. I think we shall stay here a while longer, but it is nothing certain. The army at Fred- ericksburg seems to have come to another stand still, but I hope Burnside knows what he is abont. I have considerable confidence in him, and presume he has good reasons for delay. He has been down here several times, and goes away on the boat to Washing- ton, I think.
Yours truly, F. J. PERCY."
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" CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, Wednesday, Dec. 24th, 1862.
" Mr. TROWBRIDGE-Dear Sir :- I have received two very wel- come letters from you since I wrote you last. One I received on Monday, and as we were changing our camp that day, and yester- day we were fixing our tents and on extra duty, I could not find time to answer it until to day. I was very glad to hear from you, as I always am, for you write such cheering news, and show such a spirit of confidence in Ged to support our arms, that it does me good, especially after getting defeated, as we did in the battle at Fredericksburg.
Our army suffered terribly in that battle and did not accomplish a great deal after all. The papers try to smooth it over now, but I tell you it was manslaughter in earnest. Our men were mown down in heaps, and many a home is now left desolate, and many a heart left broken and sad to mourn for loved ones now moulder- ing in a soldier's grave.
"Perhaps it was best to attack them here, where they were so strongly fortified ; God only knows. But all is for the best. Our regiment was not in immediate action, but we lay under fire, more or less, for four days and nights. But one has died from wounds, but some were wounded slightly from stray bullets and shells that burst in our ranks. I came near losing my head, but God in his mercy spared me. I wish I could write you a full detail of the battle, but time will not permit to-day.
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