The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 129

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

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Mr. Editor, if you ever have occasion to get fittack. Said he, "I wish to leave an idea with ap a "rag-shag" procession in New Haven, don't you and it is this: The South is determined on

jindlependeuce, or annihilation, rather than come back into the Union," a repetition of the old last jever since the war began. Then followed a dis- quisition on the superior type of rebel Christian- City, and if we may judge by recent developments, ;it certainly is superior in everything that makes society hideous aud savage. He repeated the old argument, worn threadbare in the service of cop- perheadism, that because the South are nnani- mous in the desire for immdependence, the North ought to respect that unanimity and let them alone. Several endeavored to interpose a few

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398

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[MAY,

verdure of Spring. As we passed one of these residences the proprietor, an old gentleman, and

words in reply. "I don't wish to hear anything large, open lot occupied by the Union prisoner .; , from yon. I nur not talking to yon," were the funrelieved even by a solitary tree. Later in the answers of rebel arrogance. Thus the conversa.' 'lay a 'terriffie thunder shower burst upon ns, ;the women, turned out en masse to view the pro- tion terminated, a good illustration of the mad,, passing at length into a settled storm, bitterly cession. No doubt we did present n rather sorry ness and folly the doctrine of secession has in- fraw and cold, continuing all night and the next aplight; at any rate these high-bred F. F. V's dneed in the minds of men otherwise intelligent .: day with short intervals. The rain poured in flaughed exultingly, and were loud and profuse in their remarks complimentary to Yankees in gen-

While we were near headquarters a General of; ftorrents, flowing in streams across the lot. A: high rank rode up, unattended by his staff, and Indierous sight indeed were the nearly two thou -; jeral and us in particular. "Oh well, you have was received among his soldiers with a style of sand shelterless mien, emphatically squatter sov -; got to Richmond now," serecehed out one of them cheering or yelling peculiar to themselves. The foreigns, scattered about over the field in speech- ¿ with all the impotent ire she could muster. "Next rebel chief scerned lost in deep thought, senreely fless resignation, drenched through and through: 'time we are coming with guns," was the reply. notieing the squad of prisoners or the cheers ot: in the pelting storm, "'Yes, yes," chimed in the old man, "we saw a Thus far, we had subsisted on the seanty re: [lot of you fellows last Summer over there," point- ing with his eaue in the direction of the Chicka- hominy swamps. Thus a running fire of words was kept up all along the line. his men. The signs of care were strongly marked; } upon his iron countenance. Clad in simple garb .: mains of Uncle Sam's rations. " What a fall wa4 with no prominent badge of distinction, calm and- there," when we descended from Joe Hooker's determined in demeanor, stood before us the com.

"lgenerous hospitality to the frugal fare doled out. mander of the " Army of Northern Virginin," they to us by the rebel commissary. A brief residence We could now see in the distance the spires of pearanee General Lee is no ordinary man. His all who are disposed to grumble at army food. qualities as a leader are strikingly apparent in that rough, war worn face, those keen, deep-set. earthworks, with here and there a frowning can- non, commanded the road. Our flattering recep. tion thus far in the villages nlong the route from Guinea's Station led us to expect even greater lemonstrations from the Richmond populace. As attracted by a motley array of rebel soldiery we entered the city it seemed as if all Richmond had turned out to view the Yankee parade. The streets in the suburbs were full of people, men, women and children, whites, negroes, mulattos, all in one confused crowd and swayed for the military pillar of the rebellion. In personal np- jat one of Jef's hotels is an infallible remedy for the rebel capital. Just outside the city, lines of The order is given, fall iu for rations. We had almost concluded that this order would never eyes, and compressed lips. The General hurriedly fugain greet our ears until we should ouce more retires into his quarters, and our attention is, Itand nuder the flag of the Union. Immediately our thoughts reeurred to Camp nenr Falmonth .: marching up the road. Could we have forgotten: fand in imagination floated visions of beef, pork .. the stern realities of our situation, we might well have regarded the display as a military burlesque. On a closer inspection we find the butternut pha. lanx to be composed of tall, lank specimens of "poor white trash," with hats slouched in the beauty and her chivalry," arm in arm, gloated jover the seeue with a kind of fiendish delight. most approved style, and knapsacks of every conceivable variety. The officers were many of i them equipped with swords of a most ancient; description, which hnd already filled a term of service in the olden time. Here is a man with a: very good blanket, and we soon see the letters U. S. displayed under the fold-, while on another bnek is strapped nn old piece of carpet. A more ¡hard tack, fresh bread; in fact Uncle Sam's nrmy ration loomed up iu bolder relief than ever be .: fore. In silent suspense we advance and receive -three pints of flour apiece. The inquiry arose, most part with elamorous exultation ; while "her what shall we do with it ? Our extremely limi- ted culinary facilities soon settled that question. There was but one alternative, and the men imme .. One old woman, raising her nrms in blank aston- Flintely built little fires and were busily engaged in ishment, sercamed out, " Why, nhl Hooker's army cooking up a bill of fare for the march to Rich -; is coming !" We thought to ourselves, she is mond, said bill of fare consisting simply of flour, about right; Hooker's army will be here one of and water mixed together and dried before the athese days, and with guns, too. "What have fire. A New England farmer would regard it n" lyou come down here for ?" demanded one whose personal insult if one should offer such stuff to very countennuee flashed vengeance. "Oh, we

dirty, seedy, ill-favoreil, border ruffian, ignorant. This hogy. Even n swill carrier would indignantly are only Hooker's advance guard, come down to

set of men we lind never met before, and this is! just the material for an efficient army, marshaled in defense of treason and slavery.

Many suggestive sights fed our curiosity. Pro .: some one quietly replied. In his inge he answer- cessions of trains were constantly coming and fed, " if you were not a prisoner, I'd shoot you The preparations were now completed, nnd un-jigoing from the station, transporting supplies for down," "You've got to Richmond in a way you der a strong guard we start off for Spottsylvania Lee's army. Shabby army wagons, regulas didn't expect." "See these Yanks; there's hard- Court House. The roads were full of confed .. Noah's ark's mounted on wheels, horses and mulesilly au honest face among 'em all." " What a hang. erate wounded, moving to the rear. Our route predneed to mere skin and bone, everything foreslog look." These and many other expressions, of erossed a section of the battle field. but all wa -; shadowed the ruin of the confederacy. Thursday jill degrees of refinement, were launched at us. now quiet, only splintered trees and lines of ; morning, May 7th, we began the march for Rich -: It really seemed as if the chivalry had studied breastworks told of the fierce conflicts of the last mond, escorted by the 12th South Carolina, for this very occasion, some vocabulary of Bil- few days. At dusk we entered the now historie. The roads were in an awful condition, in conse- flingsgate, and practiced it beforehand so as to town of Spottsylvanin, and passed the night quence of recent rains. On the route we passed, get it off in the most approved style of grimace within the enclosure of the Court Ilouse. A por -: through Bowling Green, a few miles cast of the and tone. Although Richmond is the Sodom and tion of the regiment remained in the vicinity of ? railroad, and by evening reached Milford station. Gomorrah of treason nud the concentrated essence the battle ground and did not rench the village. (Just beyond the village we were obliged to wade of rebel villainy and venom, we were not left until the following afternoon. On the mornings the Mattapony river, and halted for the night in; entirely to this dark view of the picture. While of May 4th, we resumed our march for Guinea'sa forest near by. After a toilsome march wellwe stood in the street, just before entering Jeff's Station, a small hamlet on the Richmond and bivouacked ou Friday evening, a short distance hotel, a German woman, in the kindness, and I be- Fredericksburg Railroad, important as a depot off. beyond Hanover Station. At this place each man' ffieve, loyalty of her heart, enme hurriedly out supplies for Lee's arwy. Here seemed to be thejfreceived five medium sized crackers and an ouncefffrom a neighboring house with a large loaf of general rendezvous of prisoners, and fifteen hun-Hof bacon. Our gnards were very meommunica- Peake aud divided it up among the eager men. dred had already been assembled previous to our ative, but occasionally sung ant, "git in yer groups, she then went back, but soon returned laden arrival. Near the station was the house where"of fours dar," or ventured an "I reckon," or a with a lot of bread, which she distributed in like Stonewall Jnekson lay wounded and nfterwards "right smart." May 9th, seemed to concentrate wanner. Several other instances of similar char- facter occurred like finches of goldlen sunlight in a dark aud lowering sky. and intensify all previous discomforts. The day was exceedingly hot, and our route lay through a. died, an event which clothed the whole confede racy in mourning. Our stay nt Guinen's was pro .; longed until Thursday, May 7th, three days of' finecession of vile swamps, skirting the Pamunky Wearied by the day's march and its exciting misery, hardly paralleled in nny of the experi- gand Chickahominy rivers, nud extending to with "seenes, and exhausted through want of food, wo ences of the whole nine months campaign. Tues Ein four or five miles of Richmond. Here the Awere now ushered into a tobacco factory belong- day dawned upon us intensely hot. The brolliuglground is somewhat higher, and pleasant vill ing to Crew and Pemberton, nnd situated on rays of the sun seemed to concentrate upon the questle among the trees, now just assuming the Carey street, opposite the infamous Libby prison,

protest.

aet as pall bearers at Stonewall Jackson's funeral,",

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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of which it is a counterpart. In this latter den " there is no rest for the wicked," and passed on. plers of Maryland. Here is the old Capitol were quartere ! the commissioned officers of the, The Petersburg road just beyond Manchester, is building where Washington delivered his farewell 27th, who had preceded the regiment a day or, Intersected by heavy lines of earthworks for address, and among the curiosities a rusty, ill- two by railroad. More than a thousand inen were, the protection of the Capital in that direction .; shaped cannon, brought over by Lord Baltimore, stowed away in Crew and Pemberton's factory .: Branching off to the left is another road leading: fnow lies in one of the halls after a long residence an average of nearly three hundred in each story. "to " Drewry's Bluff Battery." The woody and at the bottom of a neighboring stream. After Two hundred and eighty nine, including the swampy nature of the land for miles in front three days of rest, we start for Alexandria by larger part of the 27th, occupied the upper loft. renders approach to these fortifications extremely, way of Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac, and on Slimhicult.

and when all reelined upon the floor almost every square foot was covered. Many were so thor- oughly exhausted as to be unable to drag them.' selves up stairs withont assistance from their; comrades. The next day was the Sabbath, just .: one week since we fell into rebel hands.

It was the purpose of our escort to coutinurl the march all night, but a thunder storm of sur- passing violence seriously interfered. A dark- ¡ness, so intense that we could not see a foot be. fore us, enveloped the road. Slowly through: 'mud and rain, and darkness, we straggled alongi until near midnight. It was impossible to go.

During this weck we received as rations per man! three pints of flour, five medium sized crackers! and an ouuee or two of bacon. All day Sunday, further. Scattered along the roadside for miles. the men were elamorous for something to cat. The: Wwere hundreds too much exhausted to keep my. guards about the prison were under strict orders with the column, and finally we all dragged our- to prevent the people from selling anything to 'selves into the marshy woods, and lulled to sleep the prisoners, but notwithstanding this, some articles did pass the blockade. At evening, the by the babbling brooks flowing around us in every direction, forgot a while the fatigue of rebels distributed to every four men what pur- the march. At an early hour the next day the ported to be a four ponnd louf of bread and a, weary column again moves on, each inan sustain-

ing his waning strength by frequent halts. Pe- tersburg is passed and ten miles more of mud. At length the waters of the James River glim- mer in the distance; the old flag, floating aproudly at the masthead of the Union transports.

pound of pork. Less than three pounds of bread" would be nearer the truth, making abont ten or twelve ounees for each man, and this with three onnees of pork formed the daily ratiou for one' person. As far as it went it was very good. Every morning the prisou director with the rank, beckons onward. The men attempt to cheer, but of Major, and his clerk, a renegade New Yorker, precious scoundrels both of them, eame into the prison to conut ns over and see if we were all. there. If justice could take its course, these men and others, who have spent the last three years in slowly torturing to death Union prisoners, and: have gloated over their hellish work with mali- eious pleasure, would be thrust into these infer. nal dens and blowu to destruction amid their ruins, while civilization and christianity applaud. ed with an emphatic amen.

it dies on their lips; nature is too much exhanst. 'ed to utter the feelings which swell all hearts. With renewed energy we press forward and soon enter the deserted village of City Point, whose! shattered roofs toll of a former bombardment. That march from Richmond to City Point. stands almost unexampled in the whole experience of the 27th. Many were ready to drop on the ground from utter inability to go further. Behind them frowned the grim, historie walls of Libby : dreary months of incarceration moved by in slow.

Thus affairs continued for several days, the; procession, crowded full with the records of cru- same dull routine of prison life, varied by noth- felty, and starvation, and disease; while forward. O! thon the Christ who wiped the tears, And dost the mourners love, ¡care and protection, written on every fold of the Gnard thon that strieken honsehold band, "Till all shall meet above ; Be with them in this hour of grief, Be with to shield and bless, iug except the contraband reading of Richmond, to freedom and humanity, forward to generon; papers with accounts of Stonewall Jackson's funeral, at which there was great joy in Libby .. fold flag, fired them with new determination to. At length, on Wednesday morning eame the glad, toil on. Once more they stand on a Union deck. announcement that United States' transports were fresolved to strike a heavier blow for country at City Point awaiting our arrival. The rebel, when again they advance to meet her barbaron- And guide them o'er life's lonely way, F. ISABELLE WIXON. With love and tenderness. offieers administered to us the following paroling. Hoes. As soon as the men were aboard the trans. sports a supply of food was distributed to meel oath: "We, the undersigned, do solemnly swear' Noo Haven. and pledge our sacred word that we will not: [their pressing wants The steamers quietly during the existing hostilities between the Uuited; dropped down the beautiful James River, border- Presentation. States and Confederate States of America, aid or ed with high banks, rich in the fresh verdure of CAMP 7TH REGT. CONS. VOLS., Wilmington, N. C., April 14, 1865. EDITOR WAR RECORD :- Captain Wm. II. Pier- abet the enemies of said Confederate States by aSpring, with here and there a handsome vill. arms or otherwise, until regularly and legally peering above the trees. We anchored for the. exchanged or otherwise released. So help mejsnight at Harrison's Landing, an important point pont, Co. D, 7th C. V., who has recently been ap- God. And we do acknowledge our names apdfin the history of the Peninsular campaign. The pointed Assistant Commissary of Mnster, for the pended to the same as though signed by our next forenoon our transports steamed into Hamp.[ District of Wilmington, N. C., was this day pre- selves." At half-past three iu the afternoon, withafton Roads. Hampton, once the Sunner resort of rented with a handsome sword, sash, belt and gladness indescribable, we left those prison wallsthe Virginia chivalry, Newport News, the distant fpair of shoulder straps, by the enlisted men of

to enter upon the march to City Point, a place -pires of Norfolk, the topmast of the Cumberland? Still pointing skyward, the little monitors and.

about thirty-five miles from Richmond. Crossing the James River into Manchester, we took the the Rip-raps, and that grand old sentinel. Fortress. turnpike road to Petersburg, under the escort - Monroe, all crowd on the view as we round to, a: By inserting the above, yon will confer a par- ticular favor upon the regiment, and especially upon MEMBERS OF Co. D. 7Th C. V. chiefly of cavalry. The rebels hurried us for 2Old Point Comfort. A brief stop and we are off ward for miles almost at double quick, withont Sagain for Annapolis, where we arrive on the morn any halt. As Major Turner rode by, apparently Hing of May 16th, and are quartered in barrack. W.M. A. DENSLOW of New Haven, formerly of somewhat under the influence of whiskey, the in the rear of the town. An ancient air sur-the 7th regiment, has been promoted to a Lieut. men ealled to him for a rest. He shouted out, grounds everything in this relic of the early set- Col.

May 21st, are introduced within the narrow pre- cinets of Convaleseent Camp. WINTHROP.

Chaplain Eaton, of the Seventh,

Sweet be thy rest ; life's battle fought, And though we weep thy loss, We know 'twas gain for thee to die, Thou soldier of the Cross ! And so we calmly give thee up, To sleep, till Christ shall come With majesty and glory crowned, To take His children home.

Earnest thy work while here on earth, Grand be thy praise in heav'n; While all eternity shall roll, To thee it shall be giv'n

To see the wondrous things, that thon Didat love so well below, Which heart of man hath ne'er concevied, And none of earth can know.

But 'round the spot where thou art laid, Those stalwart men shall tread, And speak of him who rests benoath, Their best and bravest dead ; And thou shalt live through coming years, Thongh silent thou shalt speak,

Until those heads are silvered o'er, And cold each war-scarred cheek.

But in thy home is left a void, The future may not fill, The dear ones there shall weep in vain, Shall weep and miss thee still ; And sadly gaze with tear-dimmed eyes Where stands a vacaut ehair ;

They'll see thec henceforth but in dreams, And in the honr of prayer.

Co. D, 7th C. V., " as a slight testimonial of our respect, and appreciation of his rare qualities as an officer, soldier, and gentleman."

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[MAY,

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

From the First Artillery.

ORDNANCE OFFICE, SIEGE ARTILLERY, } Broadway Landing, Va., April 21, 1863. 1

Messrs. EDITORS-SIRS :- Having very little to do at present, I will write yon a short letter.

There is nothing of importance transpiring near; here, except the loading of the siege train, which is going on as fast as possible. There are, ot course, a great many rumors as to the probable . destination of the Regiment. The prevailing one is, that we are going to Conn. to be disbanded. but it seems too good to be true. However, we all hope so, and I think our Regiment ought to be the first one discharged, as we were the first three years Regt. from the State. The country around here is infested by guerrillas, who rob; and murder whenever they get a chance. There has beeu three men killed, two being shot, and one beaten to death, sinee the evacuation of Pe- tersburg. One of the men was shot only night

The Regiment left Newbern, N. C., on the 2d; day of March, and went to Core Creek, distant about 18 miles, where we halted, for the purposes lof organizing the Army, and also to have the; before last, only about half or three quarters off railroad built to that point.

an hour after your correspondent passed over the spot, and who also heard the shot fired. It was a soldier who was murdered. He was robbed and partially stripped of his clothing, so that he eould not be identified. His body was left lying in the road. If the authorities would only hang up a few of them, it would be a good warning to the rest.

Another incident which I saw at Headquarters a day or two ago, I will relate. There has been, some six or eight men, residents of the country around here that have been drawing rations fron, our A. C. S., for the support of their destitute families. The other day, one of them came down. as usual, having in his pocket a loaded revolver. which was taken from him and kept by our A. Q. M. This shows what gratitude exists amongt. these professed Union men. I wish I had thee disposal of them, I would give thein their rations; in the shape of Minie balls.

The Regiment occupies the same position, but will probably move in the course of a week of two. If so, you shall be informed as soon as! possible after the movement, and I remain,

Very Respectfully,

Your Obedient Servant, WALTER F. SAGE

The 16th Regiment.

NEWAERN, N. C., April 22d, 1865. Since writing my last letter, we have been. moved from the Provost Guard Station house ?? that we occupied for a time, and are now encamp- ed on a lot on Middle st., near Johnston. The duty now assigned to the regiment is guarding stores, baggage, &c., at the Railroad Depot ; Capts. Burke, Turner and 28 men, exchanged prisoners, captured with the regiment at Ply mouth a year ago, arrived hero lately, and art looking very well, considering the hardships they have undergone while in captivity.

the men who were in at the taking of Plymouth: is bnt slow, and it is evident that the mortality among them has been greater than was first sup

posed. Many reach their bones only to die at there was some artillery firing, and an occasional just of fever or exhaustion, while others are so 'shot exchanged by the skirmishers. The skir- fcrippled from the effects of scurvy that they will, misher's reserves, Co's D ml C, seemed to be hever attempt to join the regiment. "objects of the enemy's particular solieitnde, for Gen. Harland's Brigade Band is in town, as it they shelled us severely, evidently with the hope was the last time we were in Newbern. Jack of driving us from our position. But we were د مصنف Bryan, the cornet player, is still with them, and "put there to stay, and stay we would, as long as by his inimitable playing sustains the reputation? we could. Abont 11 o'clock in the fore-

the has won, reflecting a brighter lustre npon the; town of Waterbury than can be found upon any. of her highest polished buttons.

The bealth of the regiment is fair, but we may soon expect fevers, &c., for the streets of the city are filthy in the extreme. ROANOKE.

The army was designated as the " Army of the (District of Beaufort," and at that time was under the command of Gen. Cox. The 15th C. V. formed a part, and a very large part of the 2d Division. The Division was commanded by Brig. Gen. Carter, and the Brigade by Col. Upham of the 15th C. V. The Regiment was divided into. two battalions, Lieut. Col. Tolles commanding the 1st, and Major Osborn the 2d. Upon the 6th the advance guard of the army encountered the; enemy's piekets, and drove them back to a place known as Wise's Forks, which is about three. miles from South West Creek, our forecs holding the Forks that night. The day following, the enemy were driven nearly to the Creek. A short ¡time before sunset, Co's A and I of the 1st Bat. were ordered out as skirmishers, relieving a por- tion of the 132d New York Vols. The skir- mish line was established, and advanced to within about four hundred yards of the enemy's fline of works; but this was not done without little skirmish, and a few shells from the enemy's battery. The skirmishiers occupied a position immediately in front of the enemy'a line of works,:

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 129

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