The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 103

Author: Morris, John M., ed
Publication date: 1863
Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck
Number of Pages: 886

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Escape of Prisoners.

Quite a number of officers and men who have broken out of Southern prisons have already reached the Union lines and stand again with tear-glistening eyes and grateful hearts beneath the " dear old flag." Many more have doubtless es- caped during the sudden removal of prisoners to new localities, which Gen, Sherman has so nn- ceremoniously compelled the rebels to make. We may expect daily to hear of new arrivals at the New England homes, now more than ever deemed dear and worthy of defense.

We are happy to publish the record of a some- what unique experience, communicated to us by one of the party, an officer of the 16th C. V. I.

pected made our way to the woods. We kept slow-

The light of Friday morning. Nov. 11th, reveal- ed to us the spars of a ship, which we soon made out to be one of the U. S. blockade. Three of us immediately embarked in our best boat and paddled for the ship. When but a short distance from her, and about eight miles from shore, the ship not having seen us, put to sen, and we were compelled to pull for shore, to avoid a storm which was fast coming up. We reached the morning. At sunrise we were again upon our way to the ship, which we succeeded in reaching chor. Captain Harrison, commanding the Can- andaigua, received us kindly and hospitably ; sent a boat ashore and brought off our comrades, and when all were safe upon the deck of the ship and secured a hiding place for onr boats and ourselves, ! under the protection of the " Star Spangled Ban- and devoted the day to cooking and sleep. Darkness again found us upon the river, and we soon passed the bridge of the South Carolina railroad, which was guarded by sentries, pad- dled all night and again secured ourselves for the day. While engaged, somte in cooking, others in sleep, our attention was attracted by loud talking. and soon we discovered a boat below us upon the river, being poled up the river by negroes. One of our party posted himself upon the bank of the river where he could hail the boat without discovering the presence of the rest of the party, aud hailing the negro in charge of the boat in- formed hin that he was in want of provisions. The negro replied that he had no time to stop,

all entreaty failed, the Captain told him that he was a " Yankee" officer escaped from rebel prison, making his way North, and needed provisions and information regarding obstructions in the river. The negro no sooner learned his true character than he immediately landed, secured his boat, staid with us all day, cooking rations and giving very valuable information. He claim- ed in return for his service, a sight of the rest of the party, whom he had instinctive shrewdness to know were concealed close by. Night again found us upon the river, and after a few hours *ail, we landed at a farm of which we had been informed by the negroes, where we succeeded in capturing a goat which supplied us with meat to our journey's end.

of our negro friends, and proceeded down the ly through the woods until we were safely beyond river, passed the battery in safety, and landing the reach of the rebels. Night coming on we waited for the darkness of the night to finish our traveled through the fields and woods until we f journey to the coast. Thursday night, full of struck a road which ran parallel with the Conga- | hope, we again took to our boats and meeting no ree river and traveled southward about 12 miles We then left the publie road and traveled interference, reached the coast safely. through the woods toward the river, which was about eight miles distant. Upon the afternoon of the fourth, we fell in with five other of our es- caped prisoners from the same camp, who eseaped two nights previous to ourselves, by bribing the guard. They had been in the swamp two days, and had made an arrangement with the negroes for provisions and information where two boats could be found. We joined our parties, and in | shore in safety and determined to persevere in the the evening the negroes met us and furnished us with the promised necessaries. Proceeding to the river, which was about two miles distant, we in about two hours and a half, while yet at an- found the boats which accommodated all of us. At about eleven o'clock, all things being ready, we embarked in our boats and paddled down the river. Early in the morning we landed, having

ner," our hardships ended and pleasure took the sway. Our feeling of joy when safe in the pro- teetion of our Government, can be conceived only by those who have been called upon to undergo similar privations and hardship, and who beheld ¡ the dawn of Freedom upon their toilsome efforts. The "Flambean" having arrived with dispatches and mail, Capt. Harrison directed us to report upon her to Admiral Dahlgren,at Hilton Head. Ar- riving at Hilton Head, Monday, Nov. 14th, were directed by Admiral Dahlgren to report to Major | Gen. Foster, who received ns kindly, and ordered passage given us in the steamer Fulton. We ar. rived in New York as is known, Friday, Nov. 18th. safe from the hands of our enemies, and happy and persisted in keeping on his course. When |in being once more able to meet our friends. Respectfully Yours,

ONE OF THE PARTY.

From the 12th Regiment.

HEAD-QUARTERA 12Th C. V., CAMP Ressent, VA., Nov, 26, 1864. 5

MR. EDITOR :- Three years ago this month, we were just going into winter quarters at Camp Lyon, two miles out of Hartford. Our quarters there were Sibley tents, with convenient stoves, and were very comfortable during the long se- vere months of Northern snow and ice. Trans- ferred into the Gulf Department in the spring of '62, we hardly needed and never had winter quar- ters, but here in Western Virginia, where the cold winds and snow have begun to sweep over these hills and through these valleys thus early, we need, and are now building log houses for winter. Not that we are to remain here, we do not know that, but we are bound to be comforta- ble if possible while we do stay. Our usual luck attends us this winter ; we are on the front line, and must keep one eye open that no foe may ap- pronch us unseen,

Monday and Tuesday nights nothing occurred to delay our progress toward the desired goal. HARTFORD, Nov. 26th, 1864. Wednesday evening we were again upon our way Jown the river but a short time, when we reached MR. EDITOR :- Thinking your readers will be interested in an account of our escape from a con- federate prison, I give you the following brief narrative : Upon the evening of the 3d of Nov .. a large number of officers were paroled for the purpose of bringing wood for cooking and build- ing purposes. Three of us, Capts. Thomas A Burke, T. B. Robinson and myself, of the 16th Regt. Conn. Vols., finished getting wood, saw our paroles destroyed, returned to camp, and after a a ferry, where we made the acquaintance of four negroes, who furnished us with a large quantity of sweet potatoes, salt and ment. Upon parting with them they bade us God speed and a safe journey. Elated and happy with our success we The order eame yesterday to have inseribed on our glorious banner, in addition to "Georgia Landing. Oct. 27th, 1863; Cotton, Jan. 14th, 1863; Bisland, April 12th and 13th, 1863: Port Hudson, May 24th aud 27th ; June 14th, July 7th, kept steadily forward and soon after we landed to again consult the negroes who told us we were but five miles from a battery mounting two pi-ces, upon the right bank of the river, guarded by rebel soldiers. After receiving other information short time re-crossed the guard line, and unsus- f and provisions, we parted company with the last | 1863," which are now shining there, the follow.

1864.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

323

ing: " Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864 ; Fisher's Hill Sept. 22d, 1864; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19. 1864."

If any regiment in the army of the Shenan- doah has earned those names, the 12th have, for in the short course of the month ending, Oet. 19th, we lost in battle two hundred and forty men. The list of casualties for Sept. 19th, has already appeared in your columns, the longer lists for Oct. 19th will be forwarded with this.

We had returned from Harrisonburg to Cedar Creek, and established our line in good communi- cation with the water, and in a good defensive po- sition. Along portions of the line, works had been thrown up which would afford partial pro- teetion. The 19th Corps occupied the center, the 2d Brigade a reserve position.

On the 13th of Oet. the Rebs. came up appa. rently thinking our force weakened so that they could carry our position, but after a few hours cannonading and some sharp infantry firing by a division of the 8th Corps that was sent out to as- certain their strength, they withdrew, so that when on Saturday morning, Oct. 15th, the 12th went out as far as Strasburg, no enemy was in sight. Sharp pieket firing before daylight on the morning of the 19th was heard, and the 2d Brig. consisting of the 8th V. V., 12th Coun., 160th N. Y., and 47th Penn. regiments, were ordered out, leaving everything in eamp, under the temporary command of Lieut. Col. Geo. N. Lewis, of the 12th Conn., and formed a line on the left flank, just over the pike which separated the 19th from the 8th Corps. A ravine was just in front par- tially wooded, and another elevation a few rods in advance. Col. Thomas, 8th V. V., who com- manded the brigade on that day, came in from the picket line where some audacious rebel had commanded him to surrender, but he replied that it was " too early in the morning," and rode away. He relieved Lieut. Col. Lewis, and ordered the Brigade across the ravine into the next mound, It was scarcely daylight and very foggy. The rebels iu double lines were forcing their way up among the trees just in front of our line. The 8th Corps had already been routed, and the rebel line closed around both flanks of the 2d Brigade, and they losing half their men, were obliged to give way or be taken entire. The 12th was the last to leave that perilous apot, the balls rattling around them like bail. They had never retreated under fire, and did not understand that movement. The rebel line was upon them, some fought hand to hand, friends and foes were mingled. One Lieut. was ordered to surrender at the rear of his Company, by some one whom he supposed to be one of our men, and had rebuked for firing the wrong way. The rebel ball, however, missed him and he escaped. One Captain said: "boys, form where the last line was, as quick as possi- ble." There was a ravine with a deep diteh to eross, and a mound to ascend, raked both ways by rebel fire, and the wonder is how any one of the 12th eseaped alive. Nearly twenty bodies were afterwards brought out of that place and buried near the old eamp. Ninety prisoners were taken, ten of them wounded, five of whom after- wards escaped, the others, several of whom had expected to return to their homes in a few weeks, having served faithfully their three years, were hurried to the rear.

All was now confusion; the men and officers who had escaped, formed a temporary line on the pike, but were obliged to fall back, and for a quar- ter of a mile passing through what had just been a peaceful camp, the balls and shot from our own batteries, which had been captured and turned upon them, came in from both flanks. Retreat- ing past Gen. Sheridan's Headquarters, several times the men were gathered into line, but did not succeed in checking the enemy until the line was half way from Middletown to Newtown, nearly four miles from the camp.

The men of the 12th who had become very much scattered, formed about the colors, and at length the Brigade, wocfully diminished, was re- formed, and had the post of honor on the extreme right, and turned the enemy's left; then com- menced the glorious advance, which turned the rout into a victory so decisive. Gen. Sheridan had arrived from Winchester, and with enthusi- asm unbounded, our army rushed upon the rebel hosts and drove them pell-mell on past the camp, over hills and ravines, through the village of Strasburg, nearly four miles from the line of the morning. The 12th, hungry and faiut, rested be- fond the village that night, and as they gathered in groups to talk over the events of the day, many a face was sad at the loss of a comrade. The cavalry pursuing, captured nearly all the en- cmies' artillery, and hundreds of prisoners.

In three days the regiment was back on the old ground, but the shortened line showed how sadly they had fared. In the course of a few days the bodies of all who had fallen on the field, were collected and decently buried within a neat little enclosure. A substantial head-board at each grave, the whole sodded smoothly and enclosed by a cedar rail fence, and a little later by young trees planted along the fence. We could do no more for them. That little mound has been visit. ed by thousands attracted to the spot to honor pany is represented there, a monument to the valor and courage of the 12th Conn .- two officers and twenty inen-who heroically gave their lives or their country.

the regiment that honor their dead. Every Com- ing, but only where duty seemed to him to re-

Plan of 12th Conn. Burying Ground, at Cedar Creek, Va., where Twenty-two, killed in action, Oct. 19th, 1864, lie buried.

Co. F. Gilbert Heffion.

Co. F. Joseph Everts. -

Co. G. Co. F.

Daniel Sullivan. 1 | Daniel H. Spencer. |

Co. E. Co. F.

| John HI. Chadwick. | | Francisco Battallano | Co. D. Co. F.

1 Ferdinand Stoll. | 1 Geo. W. Beckley. -

Co. C. Co. G. B. D. Smith. 1

* Co. B.

Co. G.

1 Geo. H. Nash. 1

Co. B. Co. G.

1 C. R. MeCorney. 1 R. A. McGann.

Co. I.

J. Bevans.

Co. 4.

Co. K.

J. D. Sheldou. 1 | Chas. W. Sherman. |

Co. C.

1 Lt. I. E. Phelps. } Co. H.

Co. K. ¡ Sergt. Amos Bray. | Co. K.

| Capt. J. P. Lowell.

John G. Ball. I

·Cedar Trees. (FRONT.)

After the battle of Cedar Creek, Paymasters paid the regiment for four months, The last pay. ment was made in New Orleans. We came on without baggage and without money. What necessity there is for the U. S. to be so slack in paying off troops, we cannot tell. Necessary suf- fering we can willingly endure, but, why officers should be compelled to shiver for twenty-four hours, while the only shirt they have is washed, is beyond our comprehension.

Lient. George M. Benton had his leg amputa- ted and died soon after at Winchester. Com. Sergt. HI. S. Hline, took his remaius to Connecti- cut, where they are buried.

. Our band have obtained a uearly complete set of new instruments, which enables them corres- pondingly to improve their music.

The original terin of service is nearly out, and several officers with the non-veterans, return home. We trust those who remain will not be wanted long. We know they will be good sol- diers. Yours, J. H. B.

Lieut. Col. Wm. C. Moegling.

Lieut, Col. Mocgling was born in Wurtemburg, came when a mere boy to America, and grew up with intense love for his adopted country and her free institutions. He enlisted from Danbury for three months in the Wooster Guards, of the First Connecticut Regiment, and was made Sergeant. Hle here evinced his capacity and acquired his taste for military life. Soon after his return to Connecticut he set himself enthusiastically at work to raise a German Company in New Haven and vicinity. His energy and ardor were erown- ed with success, and he entered the 11th C. V. I. as Captain of this large and excellent company. As a line officer, he was faithful, just, brave and efficient. Sometimes apparently harsh and exaet- quire sternness.

Hle was promoted to be Major, July 17th, 1862, and Lieut. Col Sept. 17th, 1862, date of the bat- tle of Antietam, in which he behaved with great gallantry. As Lieut. Col. he has commanded his well disciplined regiment mneh of the time. He was rarely absent from his post for any reason. During the winter of 1864 he was in Connectieut on recruiting service. His labors with those of Capt. Suckett, Lieut. Diekinson and others, secu- red full ranks to the veteran 11th. He was three times wounded, at Antictam severely, at Cold Harbor, June 2d, by accident slightly, and Aug. 5th by a shell, slightly.

Ile incurred peril with dauntless courage, endured hardship with smiling fortitude, but weighty earo and wounds, and long exposure at last prostrated him with fever. Not even the tender care and reviving associations of home could stay the pro- gress of disease. Ile breathed his last in Danbu- ry. Oct. 26th. He is the third and last of the field officers of the 11th, who have given their lives during the present campaign, for the saered cause of Freedom and the Union, They and the gallant men of the unflinching 11th, who have fallen with them, will be honored by the Ameri- ean people, to the latcet generation.

" Freemen ! we fight, roused in our might,

For Justier and FREEDOM, for God and the RIasy."

1 Wm. Putnam.

1 L. A. Smith.

Co. A. J. H. Stecle. 1

324

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[DECEMBER,

REGIMENTAL.

The 10th and 18th Corps are consolidated to form the 24th Corps, to be commanded by Major Gen. Ord.

The 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 21st regiments will thus belong to the same Corps, in the

ARMY OF THE JAMES.

The 6th, 7th and 10th will probably belong to Terry's Division, -the 8th, 11th and 21st to Stannard's. The Ist Conn. Light Battery will also belong to this large and effective Corps.

Several brief communications from these regi- ments are necessarily omitted from this- number. The 10th has received 330 pairs of gloves and 100 of mittens, from merchants of Hartford. They were collected fromn these liberal gentlemen, in a single forenoon, by Mrs. Cowan.

The 8th hns been on duty at Corps Headquar- zation of the new Corps.

A long letter from the 11th, comes a day too late for insertion.

The visit of the 6th, 7th and 10th to New York, has as yet received no chronicler for the WAR RECORD.

TUE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

The 14th is the sole representation at present, of Connecticut, in that magnificent army. In the recent engagement at Boynton's Road, the 14th proved itself equal to any emergency of attack or defenec. We hope for minuter details ere long.

A Corps d'Afrique, called the 25th, is to be formed from the colored troops of the 0th, 10th and 18th Corps. It will be commanded by Gen. Weitzel. In this Corps will be found the 29th Conn. and the detachment of the 30th merged in the 31st U. S. C. T. Both have proved them- selves second to none in catup or in the field. The 25th Corps will probably bo assigned to the Army of the Potomne.

ARMY OF THE SHENANDOAH.

The 9th and 12th regiments are consolidated into battalions of six companies each, to be eom- manded by Lient. Colonels.

The 13th retains its regimental organization. The first Cavalry still retains its position in the Cav. Corps-daily gnining health and strength.

ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.

The 5th and 20th are "Marching on," with the invincible Sherman.

The detaelunent of the 16th at Roanoke Island, is quietly doing duty and building winter quar- ters. It is commanded by Capt. Barnum. They took creditable part in the recent successful expe- dition to Plymouth The letter from them must be passed over this month.

The 15th-the long agony of fever gone by -- is lying quietly in its eamp. The men and officers showed genuiuc fortitude through the long and font delay. gloomy period of infectious disease. They are now receiving a large number of recruits, and generally of a better class than the average now enlisted.

The 17th is still scattered at St. Angustine, , Picolata and elsewhere, with good benltb, and constant, tedious dnty.

2D LIGHT BATTERY.

A eoununication was received too late for in- sertion, dated Montgomery Point, Arkansas, Nov. 224, 1864.

3D HEAVY BATTERY

Is stationed at City Point, with pleasant and comfortable quarters. It garrisons four redoubts with Headquarters nt Fort Lewis.

Recruiting for the Battery is pushed at New Haven quite briskly by Sorgt. Crane. It is a most capital opportunity for any who desire to enlist, and we have no doubt that the full com- pliment of men will soon be obtained.

The Artillery arin of the servico is very desira- ble, and the officers of the Battery are efficient, kind and careful to see the men well provided for.

The Enrollment.

The 10th has also received n batch of recruits, for the most part, of the usual sort. There is great activity throughout Conneetient, in providing substitutes against a future draft. During the month of November 1,863 men were ters, and will probably be retained on the organi- credited to Connectient. This number added to

the 1.481 before eredited, gives to our little State on the first day of Dee, an exeess of 3,344, over all ealls. Volunteering and the procuring of sub- stitutes is proceeding with grent rapidity.

It is believed that another draft will be ordered in season to fill the ranks for the spring campaign. If so no time should be lost in perfecting the eu- rollment lists, and unless patriotic citizens volun- tarily assist the Selectmen of the several towns, the work will be very imperfectly performed.

Every town should furnish its just proportion of recruits reckoned according to an enrollment exnetly correct.

Every wame struck from the enrollment list diminishes the number to be furnished by each town. Henee the namo of every man exempt from any cause, should be immediately stricken off the list The recognized canses for exemption are the following:

Over 45, or under 20 years of age. Being an alien, and never having voted. Having furnished a substitute in anticipation of the draft. Having been drafted and furnished a substitute. Having been drafted and paid eomnmutation. Having been drafted and received a certificate of perina- nent physical disability. Being permanently physically disqualified. Having served two years in the army or navy during the present war, and been honorably discharged.

It is equally important for the interest of every enrolled man to stand only his fair chance of be- ing drafted, and therefore to have added to the lists the names of those who have become twenty, or who have hecome residents of a new sub-dis- triet, and of all foreigners who have been made electors or declared their intentions. And this work, also, cannot be perfectly done by the Seleet- men alone, and must be attended to by others who have an interest in the completeness of the lists. Let it be done, and thoroughly done, with-

The Thanksgiving Dinner.

ry man-even the humblest was made glad Ly receiving " something nice" from home. Much that was sent was somewhat injured by rough usage on the passage. Some paid liberal toll to the hands it passed through-but, certain it is, that never did an equal quantity of edibles get through to its actual destination-the enlisted men of the army. The quartermasters and com- missaries deserve great credit for the vigorous exertion which, in most cases, they made to expe- dite transportation and equitable distribution. The officers of regiments and companies, with some dishonorable exceptions, used their position not as they too often do, to sponge or plunder the men, but to secure to them equitably what loving hearts and patriotic hands had, at great expense, provided. Almost every man received some- thing-enough to remind him of home and nssure him of hearty and generous sympathy froin those for whom he suffers and fights. There is not on record in history such a vast voluntary effort to cheer and comfort immense armies. The daring, the patriotism, the intelligence of American sol- diers is nowhere paralleled-the thoughtful, self- denying generosity of the American people is mateliless-soldiers and people alike peerless. I thank God that I am an American.

Letters for Prisoners of War.

The regulations as forwarded recently from Fort Monroe, may not be in all particulars under- stood, and we will try to make them in one or two points more explicit.

1. The letter must not exceed one letter page of matter, purely domestic, signed by the writer's name, with P. O. address in full.

2. The letter must be inelosed in an unsealed envelope, on which the address of the prisoner is plainly written.

3. The letter thus unscaled must be inclosed in a scaled envelope, and addressed

To the COMMANDINO GENERAL of the Department of Va, and N. C., Fortress Monroe, Va.

FOR FLAG OF TRUCE.

4. Five cents must be inclosed to pay rebel postage to Richmond-ten for points beyond.

It is well to inelose an envelope with a blank sheet of paper and a U. S. postage stamp, to fur- nish means to the prisoner to reply. Money may be inelosed at the risk of the sender. Letters for- warded strictly in accordance with these rules. will be sent through the rebel lines, and, in some cases at least, will reach those to whom they are nddressed.

Soldiers' Votes.

We had hoped to give the exact number of bal- lots east by Connecticut soldiers for each of the candidates, But many voted at home, many did not vote. Some votes wero rejected ou election day for various informalities, and in some cases neither the exact number or proportion of the vote is known. Probably not moro than 2500 votes were actually east, and of these at least three- fourths were for Abrabant Lincoln.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 103

Author: Morris, John M., ed Publication date: 1863 Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck Number of Pages: 886

Author: Morris, John M., ed
Publication date: 1863
Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck
Number of Pages: 886