The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 116

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

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Gen, Grant keeps his own counsel.

Gen. Terry was summoned to the Headquarters of Gen. Grant. The Lieut .- Gen placed in his hand written orders to take charge of certain specified troops, get them with cooked rations on board transports at the earliest possible moment, and report at Savannah to Gen. Sherman. Just as the last regiment was going on board, Gen. Grant requested Gen. Terry to go down the James River with him on his dispatch boat, and in the cabin of that boat, after the whole expedition was on its way, Gen. Terry first knew that he had been eho- sen to command an expedition against Fort Fisher. Ilis instructions were TO TAKE THE FORT by assault if within the limits of possibility, otherwise by siege.

The Heroes of Fort Fisher.

The morning after the victory, an officer sha- king bands with Gen. Terry, heartily congratula- ted him as "The hero of Fort Fisher." General Terry expressed his gratifieation at the wurm congratulations of his friend-but, said he, point- iug to the troops stretching their weary limbs along the sand, or quietly cooking their pork aud bard taek, "yonder, sir, are the heroes of Fort Fisher." Leader aud troops are worthy each other.

Captain Wm. H, Sackett.

Killed iu a charge made by a part of the 18th and oth Army Corps, upon the enemy's lines, be- fore Petersburg, on the afternoon of June 18th, 1864,

CAPT. WE. II. SACKETT,

! of the 11th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers,

Capt. Wm. Il. Sackett, whose remains were brought to Hartford, and buried on June 30th, was a native of this city, and the yonagest son of Loren Sackett, formerly a resident of Hartford. Three years of the best part of his young life were devoted to his country's service. When the rebellion broke out, Capt. Sackett enlisted as a private in Co. A, Sd Regiment, C. V., and parti- cipated in the battle of Bull Run. In December, 1661, he received the appointment of 2d Lieut. in the 11th Regiment, C. V. and was present at the battle of Newbern. In June, 1862, he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and with his regiment fought bravely at South Mountain, and at Antietam. By his own merit he rose to the position of Captain, which commission bears date of the latter battle, September 17th, 1842. Under Gen. Burnside, he took part in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, remaining with bis regiment until the following summer, when he was appointed on a military commission, sitting at Norfolk, Va. In January last, a majority of his regiment re- enlisted for three years, and with them he return- ed home. Ile was subsequently detailed on a recruiting service, and afterwards placed in command of the recruits at Fort Trumbull; thenee he was sent to take charge of the Con- script Campt, New Haven.

Three weeks before his death, he was ordered to join his regiment, then in active service before l'etersburg. In the fight of Friday, June 17th, he received a wound in his right arm, "and though, (as he says in a letter to a friend,) suffer- ing much from it, I shall not allow it to keep me from the command of my company. I will do my duty, and hope to come ont all right."

Saturday, the 15th. Gen. Martindale's and Gen. Dink's Division of the 18th Corps, and General MeNiel's Division of the Gti Corps, were ordered forward, (the 11th Conn. forming the skirmish line,) and after a charge of five hours on the ene- my's line, our forces succeeded in taking the

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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Recollections of Army Life in the 27th Connecticut. III.

red lines tell where the rebel earthworks lie, and , which some argus-eyed soldier has observed und little specks of white in the background, disclose quietly confiscated. the enemy's camps. Just under the edge of the blutf to our right and concealed from view, is the village of Fahnouth, a mongrel collection of honses arranged along dirty, unpaved streets.

Our huts are now nearly completed, and it is with no little satisfaction that we survey their rough architecture, pork barrel chimneys, and Although intimations were thrown out that the cracker box doors, feeling that though the winds may blow and the rainy season pour down its army would now go into winter quarters, yet it floods, we are prepared to endure it patiently. was nearly two weeks before our meu couldl dis- possess themselves of the idea that some fine morning the old stereotyped order, " strike tents

The failure at Fredericksburg, considered by itself, and especially in connection with its causes, was well calculated to produce much discourage- ment throughout the entire army. On the 11th of December the troops streamed forth from their camps, confident in their ability to drive the for When the army has just completed its prepara- tions for a comfortable time, it is safe to prophecy marching orders within three days there- and pack knapsacks," would scatter to the winds | after. So it proved in the present instance. their plans of personal comfort. from Marye's Heights and hurl him back to Rich- mond. On the 16th they returned, baffled and dispirited, having lost ten thousand men in fruit- less efforts to overcome the natural and artincial At dress parade, on the 16th of Jannary, an or- As soon as it was evident that no further move- ments would be made, the men vigorously applied themselves to the work of building hints, devoting the mornings to this labor, while Brigade drill ; g"de Commisary's, after rations, and in good sea- der was rend for the regiment to be ready to march on the next day with three days' ratious. Details were dispatched at midnight to the Bri- sou on the 17th, we were ready to start, but no thirty log houses of our little regimental village, was embraced an amount of comfort wholly in- conceivable by those who know nothing of the numerous contrivances a soldier's ingenuity can snygest to supply the place of ordinary couve- final orders came, and it was bruited about that Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, while roving around Dum- fries and Alexandria with his rebel cavalry, in the absence of Gen. Burnside in Washington, had telegraphed an order as if from him, for the army to be ready to move. This is of a piece with a unite their mechanical resources. A pine forest. joke Stuart perpetrated on another occasion, within reasonable distance, au axe and shovel, ; when in the name of a Union General, he tele- one of Uncle Sam's mule teams, and a moderate |graphed to Washington for certain stores, and is degree of ingenuity, constitute the only capital of ; reported to have received them in good order. these camp carpenters. Ilaving secured a favor- On the Isth, Generals Burnside and Sumner able site ten hy seven, these comrades in bunk reviewed our Army Corps. In the afternoon of sally forth to the neighboring grove, and before advantages of the rebel position. The fearful scenes of a battle may well impress the veterans of many conflicts ; but when for the first time a regiment meets the enemy with every advantage in favor of the latter, and when the list of killed occupied the afternoon. In the hundred and and wounded swells to unusual proportions, and nothing is accomplished by this expense of life and energy, it is no sign of weakness that despon- dency and gloom for a time prevail. Such a feeling, resulting from failure in the campaign, and from the loss of a large number of our most nienecs. Generally, four congenial minds would esteemed officers and men, pervaded the 27th in common with the rest of the army. The loss of such men as Capts, Schweizer and Taylor, Sergts. Barrett and Fowler, Corporals Minnae and Al. ling, and many others, men of high character, who went to the field purely from a sense of duty ; such men in their death could not fail to leave the 20th, an order was read, announcing that the their sturdy blows the old pines come crashing, army was " about to meet the enemy once more. down, are split into slabs of the required length, behind, among their fellow soldiers, a universal sorrow reaching to the very depths of the heart. The anspicions moment had arrived to strike a gain that decisive victory due to the country." The memory of those who fell on the 13th of and in due time reach their destination in camp. : great and mortal blow to the rebellion, and to After smoothing the ground and emefully remor. ing stumps, the logs are hewn out and placed oue : The plan was for Hooker and Franklin to cross December, and many of whom lie in unknown graves back of Fredericksburg, will never lose its freshiness, but rather grow in strength as the his- [ above another, with the euds dove-tailed together. . at Bank's Ford, six miles above Falmonth, and tory of future years adds significance to the con- fliet of the present.

or set upright side by side in trenches, and soon : capture Taylor's Hill, the key of the position, the huts assume their full proportions. Every

Fortunately for the success of Burnside's plan mau now lecomes a mason. The surrounding of evacuation, his operations were concealed in region is ransacked for stone and brick with the darkness of a severe storm, which had not which to construct a fire-place at the front end. terminated when we arrived in our former camp | While this important work is going on, nuother is on the morning of the 16th. In the afternoon the two hundred and fifty men of the 27th, who | ing up the fissures with clay, on the principle had been picketing along the Rappahannock for the previons six days, rejoined us, many of them | mod. Shut in over head by thin shelter tent -. much exhausted by their uunsually prolonged let us see what our cabinet maker has been doing. duties. Expecting to be absent from the regi- | At the further end are two bunks, one above the resulted from the inetheiency of Franklin's dank ment only a day, the ordinary limit of picket du-

other, and as the upholsterer has not performed ty at one time, the party took with them only | his part and very likely never will, we must con -! one day's ration, and in the confusion attending the movement of troops and the battle, rations for the additional time could be procured but ir- regularly and in insufficient quantities.

According to orders, the camp was uow moved to a strip of pine woods skirting the west side of boards elevated on three pronged crotchets ent the Division parade ground-but this was not to in the woods. In winter quarters it is very dest- were in motion on the 20th, while impetuons be our permanent location-and after manonvring rable to have a liberal supply of culinary furui- ture. The man whose fireplace is adorned with un iron frying pan, is an object of envy to all his for several days from one place to another, we at length encamped in the edge of a forest, only a few rods from where we first pitched our tents, on the line of the Rappahannock. An elevated If the weather continues favorable the morrow will bring to our ears the boom of a hundred and fifty eaunon. plain stretched away between us and the river, and above a slight depression the clustered spires of Fredericksburg rose to view, from whose bel- But one of those strange events beyond man's freys of a Sabbath morning, we could sometimes hear the summons to the house of God. A walk of a few rods bringa us in full view of the city,

tent ourselves with the soft side of pine zlal < ; proposed to ire two Corps in the preliminary On one side of the hut is a rack for the reception of guns and equipments, while on the other n table swings on leather hinges, which fasten it to the wall. In the way of seats, we have square ; rebels hal been engaged in strengthening and extending their works. Hoaker and Franklin Sumner waited in his camps to hear the signal which should suuunon his veteran legions to the conflict. For several days, artillery and pontoons comrades, and is universally agreed to have had been passing enmp en route for Banks' Ford. reached the neme of comfort. However, the halves of old eauteens fitted with handles, auswer very well in its place. In many of the buts, tele- graph wire might be found doing service in the shape of a gridiron, upon which un occasional understanding, di-concerts the whole plan. In- steak is broiled. Very likely, in its appropriate

stead of the roar of artillery the unwelcome place is a coffee pot, perhaps of the phintation ; sound of rain saltes our cars the next morning, sitting in calm quiet among the hills, while long Istyle, two feet high and large in proportion, fand continues for several days. Impassable

from which they could advance in the rear of Fredericksburg and turn the enemy's flank. This being done, Sumner with his Grand Division, to which the 27th belonged, was to cross directly in front of the city at the old place, and take the vigorously plying his wooden trowel, in plaster , batteries which had baffled our efforts in the bat- tle of Dee. 13th. The p'an was substantially the that nothing is without its uses, even Virginia Anne as the previous one, except that the flank movement was to be made upon the rebel left wing instead of his right. The failure of December demonstration, which allowed the enemy to mass his forces in front of Sumner. But now it was movement, and provided they were successful in taking Taylor's Hill, Summer's snecess would be assured, notwithstanding for a month past the

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[TEURVARY,

roads, guns and pontoons fast in the mud, men toiling slowly along, or pulling at the boats, add a new page to the long chapter of misfortune which had followed the noble Army of the Poto- mae. The rebels briefly summed up this last ad- vanee in those laconic words, " Burnside stuck in the nmd," which they impudently displayed from their pieket line. The rainy season had now set in in good earnest, and the wearied troops return- ed to their camps to await the advent of Spring.

The progress of events had already foreshad- owed a change of commanders, and on the 29th general orders were rend aunonneing that Gen. Burnside had been relieved, and the accession of Joe looker. The brieftwo months of Burnside's command had secured for him the sincere respect of the whole army. Ilis honesty of purpose could not be impeached, and none felt more keen- ly than himself the ill success which had attend- ed him. History in summing up his campaign, will assign no small significance to the fact that Burnside did not receive the hearty co- operation of his subordinate commanders. He possessed an excessive self-distrust, and it was creditable to his eandor to confess it, and yet it is a question whether this distrust did not react unfavorablys upon the officers and men of his command. Con- demn it as we may, the boastful self confidence of Hooker had no little influence in reinspiring the army with that self-reliance which forms au im- portant item in the calculations of succe-s.

The advent of Gen. Hooker was signalized by the abolition of the Grand Divisions and a return to the simpler organization of Corps D'AArmee. And what was of more consequence to the sol- diers, an order was published direeting the issue of four rations of fresh bread and fresh beef, and two rations of potatoes per week, with an occa- sional supply of other vegetables. This measure went right to the hearts of the army. for it must March 5th, Gen, Hooker reviewed the 2d Army Corps on a large plain near Hancock's Headquar- ters. The Corps was drawn up in nine lines by be coufessed, and it is nothing to their disgrace. that the hearts of our soldiers are very near, if not actually, in their stomachs. For an army is | Brigade, in all, nearly fifteen thousand men. a great physical machine, expending a vast amount of animal power, and requiring careful attention to its animal wants to secure the highest moral efficiency.

From the battle of Fredericksburg to Hooker's move in the spring of '63, the 27th was engaged in picket duty along the Rappahannock, whose banks are as familiar to the men almost as the walks of childhood. Every other day at seven iu the morning, our quota of the Division picket, I their banners.

equipped with blankets and one day's ration. The midd advance of Spring, and Hooker's known determination to move on the enemy at the earliest possible moment, led to much speen- lation as to the plan of the new campaign. Be- fore the close of March intimations were thrown out that the army umst expect to take the field soon. Daily balloon ascensions were made at several points on the river in order to ascertain the position of the rebels. As an illustration of "Fighting Joe's" cool assurance, it was currently formed in front of the Colonel's tent. and after in- spection, marched a mile to General Hancock's Headquarters to undergo another inspection, after which a march of two or three miles brought them to the line of the river. The fact that three fourths of the time it was either rainy, or snow- ing, or cold and blustering, will give some idea of the ardnous character of pieket duty. By mutual agreement the enstom of picket firing, so annoying and useless, was discontinued, and friendly inter- course was no uncommon event, harmless in itself and yet so liable to trouble that it was prohibited | ously notified the commandant that any molesta- by special order. Frequently the rebels launched tion would meet with condign punishment from out on the river their diminutive craft laden with tobacco and the latest Richmond papers, and

States," requesting an interchange of commodi- ties.

February 19th, the long expected Paymaster at length arrived, and the companies were paraded for pay, notwithstanding the intensely disagreea- ble weather. After supper we made a trip to Headquarters and the Ambulance Corps to notify detailed men to appear for pay. The falling rain, melting snow, the uncertain ground giving way beneath the feet, holes full of mud and water into which the unwary traveller would suddenly fall, all this was certainly quite different from a New Haven pavement and the shelter of an um- brella. But yet we would gladly have repeated the walk that same night could we have been favored with the company of the army of fault- finders, who sit in their comfortable houses, reading the New York papers, their heels eleva- ted to a level with their heads, and suap and snarl because the Army of the Potomae still re. mains in camp. We could take them where they would sink out of sight, and perhaps the country would be better for it; at any rate, they would know why the Army of the Potomae does not move.

Feb. 22d, we experienced the severest snow storm of the season. At noon through the thick inist of snow-flakes, comes the deep boom of can- non swelling into a loud chorus, from the adjacent batteries, answered by the low, muffled murnmir of the distant discharge. In every direction salutes were being fired in honor of Washington's birthday. The time and place gave additional interest to this demonstration of respect for the Father of his Country, for this region is intimate- ly connected with his history. Here he lived and here are his descendents to this day, while on the other side of the Rappahannock a simple tomb mark's his mother's resting place.

Generals Hooker and Couch, the then Corps Com- mander, with their brilliant and numerous staffs, rode rapidly up and down the several lines while the men presented arms. Then taking position in front, the Brigades marched by in column by company. Nothing was more impressive than the sight of the many regiments reduced to a mere fragment of their former strength, a silent- ly eloquent commentary on the inscriptions of

probability that we should have to cross in front of the city in any future movement, whetted our curiosity. The rebels had been actively engaged all winter, in strengthening their position, and now dark lines of rifle pits and earthworks frown- ed from the bluffs for miles up and down the banks, commanding every available crossing. As may well be imagined, the prospect was by no means inviting.

March 17th, we heard heavy firing from up the river. It afterwards appeared that a large body of Union cavalry had effected a lodgment on the rebel side, as a starting point for a future raid.

Although prevented from participation in the approaching Connecticut Election, no little inter- est in its result was felt among us. On the day of election after the reading of an address pre- pared by a Committee of Officers, a vote was taken sustaining our present worthy Governor, by an overwhelming majority. And, when the news came of his success, we felt encouraged by the belief that, notwithstanding previous disaster, the army would still have the sympathy and co- operation of the people in its support, to crush out treason and traitors.

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE,

From the 21st Regiment.

CAMP 21ST CONN. VOLS, }

In the field, Va., Jan, Ist, 1865. $ Editor Conn. War Record :

After the battle of July 30th, the regiment re- sumed its old place in the trenches ou the right of the line at Petersburg, and every thing about us resumed its usual quiet. The days became hotter still, and the pits more sultry, till the 13th of August, when a heavy shower of rain cooled the air, but as though fates were re- solved to make it unpleasant for us, we were as much troubled with the mud as we had been with the heat. An outsider unacquainted with our warlike character. might easily have taken us all for brick makers, so completely were we plastered with the " sacred soil of Virginia." However, after two or three days scrubbing and scraping, we contrived to get the outer coating off, with which we felt quite well satisfied.

The 18th of Aug. dawned upou us, dark and lowering. Fit surrounding for the sad tragedy which then deprived us of another of our gallant officers. "A curse upon the traitor who fired that shot," echoed many a heart, when Capt. Kenyon's breast received the fatal ball, We bore him from the field. Every possible care and attention was bestowed, but all in vain. The thrend of life was snapped asunder, and after lingering two weeks, he slept the sleep which knoweth no waking, and our list of martyrs received oue more honored name.

Fatigue and exposure still told fearfully upon the regiment, so that we now frequently had but few over a hundred men for duty 4 often

reported that one day he sent his balloon dircetly | but three officers And at this time we remained over the city of Fredericksburg, having previ-

in the pits for eleven days in succession without relief; and a part of the time the mud was up to one knees. The writer occasionally casts a sly glance with his mind's eye, back to a certain spot where lie entombed, (he would not dare say how

his batteries. The comparative nearness of our camp to the river afforded good opportunities for bearing a note to "Gentlemen of the United | observing any change on the rebel side and the deep,) a pair of " Uncle Sam's Pontoons" sacri-

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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feed to the tenacious hold of the "sacred soil." Poor old Pontoons. Cahn aud penceful be your rest, until the war is endel, and the sword trans- formed into the ploughshare, when some fortu- rate swain striking deep with his plough, lustily endeavoring to reclaim the barren tract from the desolation of war, may disturb your sweet reposc, and wake you to usefulness again.

well calculated to strike terror to the stoutest heart. But steadily that little band pushed on, unsterrified, undismayed by the pitiless storm, till weak and exhausted, they halted just at the foot of the slope and partially under cover, to rest and reform. But our work was not yet donc. And after a short pause, with one fierce shout, nud more determined effort, they dashed through the leaden rain waiting to receive them, on to victory. The day was won. And the chi- blem of liberty waved over the stronghold of rebellion. Although the greater part of the reg- iment were nobly doing their duty nt another portion of the line, yet the three small compa- nies with the nssaulting column, proved them- selves veterans. Aml while all did well, yet a few deserve special mention for their devotion to their colors, which they closely followed into the fort and proudly unfurled to the breeze.

Among the first then, Corporal Howard Camp of Co. 1, although severely wounded before reach- ing the summit, stood by the flag he enrried till safely transferred to Corporal Rix of Co. G, who bore it on till just as we were sealing the parapet, he too, wns wounded, but careful to see it again safe in other hands. Lieut. now Captain E. I' Packard, of Co. G, while gallantly leading his Division in the charge, was seriously wounded in the head by a fragment of shell, and fell senseless a short distance from the fort.

At Inst, however, the welcome news reached ns that we were to be relieved And with lighter hearts than we had enjoyed for many a day, we bade a glad farewell to Petersburg the evening of the 26th of August, and the next morning at day- light, after a tedious march nearly the whole night, found ourselves behind Butler's intreneh- ments, at Bermuda Hundred. Here we went into camp, and free from the continual whizzing of Minie balls and the shriek of bursting shells, we straightened our backs once more, inhaled deep dranghits of the pure air, and wandered leisurely about with none to molest or make ns afraid. The relief from the extreme fatigue we had under- gone was great. And our thinned ranks soon began to fill, and those of us who had weathered the storm, felt new life and vigor eont ing through onr veius. Thus passed the time with nothing of moment to relate, till the 28th of September. when just at dark we received orders to be ready to move in " in light marching order," and at nine o'clock were on our way. Every one was on the " qui vive," to know our destination, But that Sergt. Geo. P. Edwards of Co. A, received a serious wound in the arm just as he leaped over the parapet. And then a little band of nine ral- lied round the dear old flag in the moment of victory. Curtis, of Co. C,; Coon, Wilcox, Tucker, and Colgrove, of G,; Maynard and Fardon of I, ; and Rouse of K, were the first inside the fort. A gallant color guard, and worthy of their colors. was not given us to know till we reached it. Yet I think the regiment never started off in better spirits or fighting trim. We marched that even- ing to Aiken's Landing, on the James, where We erossed on a pontoon bridge laid during the night, threw ont onr skirmishers in advance, and just as the grey streaks of dawn crept up the eastern sky, by Brigades in column, the gallant 1st Divi- But little more remains to relate. The regi- ment was not again engaged during the day, thoughi subjected all the afternoon to a terrific shelling from the enemy's gun boats, which had been brought to bear upon our line, in the course of which several men were slightly wounded. But night stopped the months of the dogs of war. intrenehments. Just at dark, however, in with- drawing from an advanced position on the left, to our unain line, the enemy inade a sudden dash ally accelerating our speed towards the main body, by a severe fire of mu-ketry in our rear. Aud here again we are called upon to shed a tear over the death wound of another gallant officer. Lieut. W. R. Jennings of Co. E. A fatal ball crashed through his lung. and after weeks of what we thought n slow recovery, he, too, lay a still, white sacrifice upon the altar of his coun- try. But his memory we shall ever cherish. sion of the 18th Corps, swept up the hill which brought them in contact with the enemy's skir- mishers. These, however, were pressed steadily back about four miles, to their main line of works thrown up along the erest of a hill, a strong position by nature, where they had a large square fort mounting about eight guns, and sar- | and we went busily to work reversing the enemy's rounded by a ditch ten feet deep with perpeudie- ular sides. From this on either side, stretchel a heavy rifle pit intersected with small redoubts, mounting one or two guns, and which enfiladed upon us, capturing some prisoners and mab ri- our npproach in every direction. Just before our line of battle was formed, seven companies of the regiment, with our commanding othcer, then Captain, now Lieut. Col. J. F. Brown, were sent oat as skirmishers on the left of the line, where gallantly led by Captain Brown, they pressed the enemy back in the face of a heavy fire even to their stronghold. The remaining three com- panies with our colors kept on with the column:n. Soon we saw the black mouths of the enemy's Surely we are doing our part in this war. On every field some noble form is lutid. 21sT. guns frowning upon us from the crest of the hi l. But without ha' " to look around us or to give the enemy time .. concentrate, one regiment was immediately deployed in line of battle, and close- From the 10th Regiment. ly followed by the rest of the Brigade, da-hed IN FRONT OF BU IMOND, VA., Jannary -, 1:65. over the field. It was a fearful distance, and the white clouds of smoke from that frowning crest as the iron demons belched forth their destrue. tion upon our advancing column, with the sure

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 116

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