The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 135

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

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As we approached Pine Bnrren Creek, on the 24th, some of the rebel piekets were seen to fall back. We had to halt to allow the creek to be bridged, when we crossed over and bivonacked for the night; we were off the next morning by daylight, nnd by nine A. M. our cavalry had come upou the rebel outposts to whom they gnve chase, capturing tive, and immediately dashed forward until they encountered the mnin body of rebels -- n brigade under command of Brig. Gen. Clanton. The cavalry nt once charged, closely followed by sections of. the three batteries. Gen. Clanton was wounded and taken prisoner, nnd the rebel force wus ronted and dispersed, upwards of one hundred and thirty prisoners were tnkeu by the cavalry but the main body of the rebels has- tily retrented across the Escampia River, destroy- ing the bridge after them.

the slope, through the swamp, the let Brigade ou our left, breaks and scatters to the rear like sheep ; we rush in to fill up the gap they leave, then " for- amid the burning of buildings, the explosion of ward," the Colonel shouts, and faster, faster, up the

shells nt the arsennl, which was on fire, and the shouts of welcome that arose from the excited people who awaited our approach.

On the 3d of April, n day long to be remem- pause, nnd nttempted reorganization of our broken bered by ns, we had the proud satisfaction of entering, ns conquerors, that famous city that has to the right, and neross the fields toward the [ for so long n time defied the strength of our forees.

South Side Railroad to the front aud left. Part of the regiment had become detached from the Our entrance nnd march through the city was n perfect ovation. colors and maiu portion, and was following up the enemy along the breast-work to the right. Col. The streets were thronged with citizens, black and white, who shouted, cheered, langhed aud danced with joy at our appearance. Hubbard, with the rest, pursued them directly to the front as far as the railroad, cut the telegraph, The Battery remained in the city ten days, and Wus then ordered to Petersburg. tore up a few rails, and returned to the breast- work. At half-past eight the regiment was for the most part, once more assembled. Our camp was nbout two miles from the latter place. Here we remained until May Sd, when we we are at present very pleasantly encamped on the James. losses, owing to the suddenness of the nttack, and inneenraey of the enemy's fire, proved to be but again moved to the vicinity of City Point, where seven or eight wounded, including Lieut. Colonel Skinner. At ten o'clock we were marched, (tbe Brigade,) down to the support of the 9th Corps, The Artillery Brigade of the 25th Corps is nll here, and the anxious inquiry now is -- " When shall we be mastered out ?" and there seut out neross the plain in front of on own works, which was continually being sprinkled with the bullets of rebel sharp-shooter's, and placed

Report says that all the Volunteer Batteries in the diteh of the captured fort " Mahone." We will soon be discharged, and as the Light Artil- lery is the most expensive' arm of the service, and all that night, standing, many of us, in inud Ins well as the least needed at present, the report

latter Adjutant Vail, nnd Lient. Bates, From this time till the ever memorable 2d of April, we were contiunally on the alert, nnd under orders to be ready for instant work. On the night of April Ist, we were informed that the attack was to be made in the morning, and the plan was devel- oped to ns. At ten o'clock that night our batteries opened along the whole line, and their thunder was deafening. At 12 o'clock we fell in and moved out upon the Brigade Parade. Three quarters of an hour later, and our whole Division having ar- rived, our silent columnu was gliding through the darkness over knolls and across ravines, towards the point of attack, an eighth of a mile to the left of the scene of our last week's. conflict. Here we | out of the city to our old camp, nt the south of it. were formed in the frout line on the extreme right BLUE. of the corps, our Brigade being in two lines, the remainder of the corps being in three, with the From the 1st Conn. Light Battery. NEAR CITY POINT, VA., May loth, 1865. On the afternoon of April 2d, the Army of the James received orders to nttack the enemy's lines near Fort Buchanan, in front of Richmond, nt daybreak the following morning. This movement was designed to co-operate with a similar one on the part of the Army of the Potomac nt Peters- burg. Second Division in the center, the First in cche- lon on its right, and the Third in the same posi- tion on its left, Four o'clock nud the signal guu from the fort near by, wnrued us to be ready for the advance. Half-past four nnd the signal flashed and thundered again, nnd "up," and "forward" was the word. lu the hnzy darkness of the morning the vast black mass moved forward slow- ly nnd steadily. The rebel pickets who had been Early in the evening, however, the plan of nttack wns given up, as it had been discovered that the enemy were intending to abandon the defences of Richmond carly the next morning. firing desultory shots all night, seemed to suspret some mischief just nt that moment, though they could not see us, and the rattle and flashes of their muskets was incessant. Here nud there n man dropped from the ranks with n smothered groan, or hobbled back with n maugled limb. Still the mass swept on down upon the fires of our own pickets, over their breast-work, and then up goes the Yankee shout from fifteen thousand throats. Still moving steadily, squarely forward, firing not a shot, the shout goes up, almost deafening the roar of the rebel artillery just opening. Dowu

Before daylight we were startled by the sight of immense fires, and the sounds of repented and heavy explosions, cimsed, ns we soon learned, by the burning nud blowing up of the rebel iron clads and other gun boats' on the Jnmes near Richmond. The troops were nt onee under nrms -the Batteries nll hitched up and ready for n start. At daylight we advanced through and over the enemy's works, " On to Richmond."

We met with no opposition, and the head of the columu entered the city early in the forcuoon,

495

THIE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1865.]

Pollard was still five miles distant, but we could not cross the river with artillery without having to wait for the bridge to be rebuilt. The railroad bridge was yet standing, and on the next morning a brigade crossed it and marched to Pol- lard, which they found to be evacuated on their arrival. . The telegraph operator there was cap- tured, the railroad destroyed for several miles, and such rebel stores as had been abandoned in their hasty exit.

The defences and defenders of Pollard having been disposed of, our column turned westward and passed around the head of Perdido River, until we struck the stage road leading to Blakely. Forage and rations were becoming scarce, and only half rations were issued, the balance to be made up by foraging. Cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry contributed to the deficiency. In the vicinity of Stockton quite a quantity of corn was secured which we sadly needed for our horses. Our horses stood the march very well, and it is worthy of remark that our battery generally had the advance given us, as we did not hinder the column by allowing our pieces to get mired. We lost but one horse on the entire march.

Ou the morning of the 2d inst. our advance column drove in the rebel skirmishers at Blakely, and followed them until within six or seveu hun- dred yards of their fortifications. From that time until yesterday, when a grand charge was made, capturing all their works, we have been gradually approaching their lines by daily ad- vancing ours. Three of the guns of our own bat- tery were placed in embrasures prepared for them in our front line of rifle pits at different points, and we have shelled them extensively and, according to the story of the prisoners, we dam- aged them not a little. At 5 P. M. yesterday we were ordered to cease firing as a charge would be made along the entire line. The line was three miles in extent, and the rebels had three batteries behind well constructed earthworks. At the ap- pointed time the 96th Ilinois led the advance from the centre, closely pressed by the other regiments of the second brigade. Steadily they charged forward over felled trees and bursting torpedoes, on np the hill in the face of volleys of musketry and double rounds of canister, until they reach the fort, which is instantly black with men, and as the old flag is waved to and fro the air is rent with cheers. The charge was made along the entire line, and past it to the river. The three gunboats there at once surrendered to the infantry. There was no escape for them up the Teresas River, as we held it above our line, and they could not get out at its mouth, as the torpedoes which the rebels had planted to keep back our monitors had been taken up and put down there to prevent their escape to Mobile.

" The loss of the battery is one man, who was killed by a torpedo, after the surrender of the fort, and while in the act of returning to our rifle pits after assisting in bringing off some wounded men. His name was John S. Mills, He was one | sive discourse by our worthy Chaplain, in com- of the old members of the battery, and resided in Bridgeport, where he leaves a family.

We are again under marching orders, and ex- peet to be off in the course of the day. We do not know our destination, but it is probably to sonre point in the rear of Mobile, perhaps to join Thomas, UNION.

From the First Artillery.

ORDNANCE OFFICE, SIEGE ARTILLERY, Ft. Darling, Drury's Bluff, Va., May 14, 1865. MR. JOHN M. MORRIS:

DEAR SIR :- There is very little going on at present. The Battalion has to "Drill" now and then, and " Dress Parade" nearly every night. It is most beautiful weather. We can get straw- berries quite easily, they being brought into camp every day, and fine ones too.

Your corespondent took a ride along the lines between this place and " Depot Semmes," (some three miles down the river,) the other day, and was surprised at the great strength of the works. In that distance there were mounted some ten or fifteen guns of the heaviest enlibre, and two 10- inch seacoast mortars. The most of the guns were Columbiads, although there were some S and 10-inch rifled guns. Among the number, I saw only one, a 11-inch Columbiad, which was spiked. Some of them have been dismounted by our boys, and shipped away. The traverses and bomb- proofs were splendid ones, some of them, bomb. proofs, being at least 25 feet under ground, where no shell could reach. The guns were mounted on centre piatle and front pintle barbette car. riages, and were manned by the C. S. Marine Corps. There is no continuous lino of works, the Batteries not being connected with each other except in a few instances, where there is a small ride pit running from one to another, so the rear was left almost wholly unprotected.

I here visited a house of some interest, it being the one where General Benjamin F. Butler had his Headquarters during the famous battle of Drury's Bluff, in May, 1864. The house was pierced in many places by Minies. It is a fine, large mansion, pleasantly situated in a grove of fine trees, some 25 or 30 yards from the Rich- mond and Petersburg Turnpike. There is a fam- ily residing in it now.

We all feel anxious to get hoine, now that the war is ended, but there does not seem to be umch prospect of it just now. We think that, being the first Regimeat ia the field for " Three Years," from Conn., we are fully entitled to be the first to be discharged. Hoping we may soon be wel- comed to old Conn., I remain,

Very Respectfully,

Your Obedient Servant, W. F. SAGE.

The 11th Regiment, RICHMOND, VA., April 2d, 1865.

EDITOR WAR RECORD :--

We are eneamped just in the edge of the city. Nearly all of the regiments are disposed of in like manner. We find it innch pleasanter than the heart of the city, and were glad to make the | return first, of those who first volunteered, and change.

Yesterday our regiment assembled at the Bap- tist Church, and listened to a solemn and impres. memoration of our " Late Chief Magistrate." He spoke of the carly life of President Lincoln ; of his upward course until he ocenpied the chair of State; of his many virtues-his unselfish devo- tion to his country, to liberty and the true inter- thoroughly " buried," and then "go marching ests of humanity, which had endeared him to the | home."

American people up to the time when he fell by the hand of an assassin. This act he spoke of as characteristic of the Southern people, referring to the time when Charles Summer was assaulted in the U. S. Senate, and also of the attempt to burn New York and Philadelphia, as an instiga- tion of the same sourec.

We have recently visited Hollywood Cemetery. The northern part has been used as a burial place for Sontheru soldiers, who have died in the Rich- mond Hospitals. We saw among them a few graves of the 21st Mass. The southern part has been used for many years as a city yard, and contaias many fine monuments, among them we noticed that of James Monroe, ex-President of the U. S .; that of Gen, Stuart, of cavalry re- nown, and Gen. Hart, who fell at Sharpsburg.

We hope soon to have an opportunity to visit Oak-wood, a Cemetery on the other side of the river, where repose the remains of our brave soldiers, who have died in the Richmond Prisons. More anon, if welcome.

Yours truly, G. BRONSON.

From the 12th Regiment.

HEADQUARTERS, 12TH CONN. VET. INFANTRY, { Summit Point, Va., April 19th, 1865. 5

I amı reminded, as will all the readers of the Record be, as they note the date of my letter, that it is the fourth anniversary of the first con- tribution of the blood of New England to the euuse of the Union, and the perpetuation of Free Government in these days so ponderons in events, and that it is also our great day of mourning for the illustrous quan, the earnest patriot, the honored Chief Magistrate of our nation, so foully inurder- ed by rebel instigation, The scene of to-day in our camps, is but a tithe of the mourning which the nation has put on ; and in the great river of tears which heartfelt sorrow for the nutimely end of our great and good President, causes to flow, is but a drop. As I write. minute guas are being fired, our Bands discourse solemn music, our col- ors are draped, and all the outward manifestations of respect that can be, are being paid to his memory.

The stirring events which have become history, since my last, argue a speedy return of our sol- diers to their homes and friends, and of course create bright anticipations among ns. After four years of absence, exposed to every imaginable danger, with but few of the amenities of civil- ized life to their lot, do not wonder that our brave boys long for peace, and a return to home. That magie word-to write it, even, canses a flood of tender memories and not infrequently a moistening of the eyes, or a thickening of the utterance, to speak. May we not hope that our good Governor will exert himself to obtain the

for the sake of country, were also first to re- enlist ? Bounties, be it recollected, were not with such, the great inducement. But until the time has fully arrived, that our services can be dispensed with, no one of this command, that I know, wishes to go. Having been in so long- having been " ia at the death," also, of this ac- cursed rebellion, we modestly claim to see it

JUNE,

Previous to the surrender of Lee, und anticipa. great as has been the cost of the "Constitution ting a possible attempt by him to march into the | as it now is," it is worth the cost and far more, in Shenandoah Valley, an expedition was organized by Maj .- Gen. Hancock to check the Rebel Chief, and the same rendezvoused at Winchester.

Our Battalion formed n part of it, and moved out of our comfortable winter quarters, where we lind sojourned since last Christmas, and in n weary march joined the main nrmy at Winches. ter, April 4th. After remaining there a few days, with the glorion News from Gen. Grant, and our gallant " Phil. Sheridan," came orders to retrace our steps, and once more we are encamped at Summit Point.

Our enmpaign has been uneventful thus far, and "no enemy is reported in front." We nre the subjects of endless Drills, Reviews, and In. spections," and revel in the luxuries of shelter tents and camp fare. Our nverage sick has been about fire exeused each day-none with serions complaints. The " excused from duty," to-day, were two! out of n "total present for duty" of three hundred and thirty odd.

There have been quite a number of changes in the command since March 1st, as follows:

Sergt. Major Stephen Shipman promoted 2d Lieut. of Co. B.

1st Sergt. Chas. Kelly, to be 2d Lieut. of Co. D. 1 st Sergt. Christopher Goss, to be 2d Lient. of Co. E.

Ist Lieut. and Adjt. John Mullen, to be Captain of Co. C.

Asst. Surgeon J. R. Cumming, to be Surgeon, with rank as Major.

Private William H. Root to be Sergt. Major. Sergt. Emerson D. Babcock to be 1st Sergeant Co. A.

Sergt. Benj. F. Pratt to be Ist Sergt. Co. D.

Corporal Fernando Thayer to be Sergt. Co. D. Private Alfred Perkins to be Corporal Co. D.

Corporal Elbert II. Holt, to be Sergeant Co. A.

Lieut. Col. Lewis, who has been quite n long time absent, sick in Connecticut, has rejoined us, ! and appears quite restored in health. Ile is now in cominand, and relieves our late commander, Mnjor Clark, from the onerons duties of that po- sition. Mnjor Clark is a very able officer, and would grace the " Eagles" of a Coloneley.

I omitted to mention above, that Captain John Brennan has joined the Battalion as Captain of Co. E. Ile is a thorough soldier, and n good officer; besides passing ns a competent " Knight of the trencher."

And now, somewhat questioning that this may - not be in a measure a " Vnledietory," the whirl- igig of time is so hastening our work of pacificn- tion and triumph to a speedy termination of the war, it seems not out of place to record our inea- sure of thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the wonderful issues out of which our country is so grandly and gloriously emerging, and that so many homes will soon be made glad with the return of their brnves. And in all, and through all, the long blnek night of horror and suffering, which nt. times has seemed never to have an end- ing. the bone and sinew and wealth of loyal Con- nectient, have been lavished without stint. Glo- rious indeed is her " Record." Honorable wholly are her sears. True to her historie lovahy. to Free Institutions and Human Liberty, she lins offered a glorious sacrifice of martyrs and heroes to the right.

Thank God for our preserved country ; thank God for Joynl Connecticut; thank God, too, that

that mion this battle fiekl, has it been forever decided that all human beings-irrespective .of race or color-were created to be free. . The down-trodden and oppressed of all the nations will revive their hopes, And the Flag of the Great Republie henceforth is to be to human rights everywhere, the synonym for protection. Verily, these are the hours " that prophets and kings desired to see, but died without the sight." Who is now ashamed to be called " nn American citizen ?"

BRIGHTWOOD, D. C., April 23d, 1865.

The ink was hardly dry upon the last sentence when orders came to move. And on Friday morning, nt the small hour of 2 o'clock, we em- barked on the cars for Washington, where we arrived at 7 P. M. same evening.

Onr camp is now at Brightwood, near Fort Stevens, nbout five miles from Penn. Avenue, Washington, following 7th street directly to our Camp.

We are, therefore, " out of the Valley, and into the world" again, and for the lack of matter to make further readable or interesting communica- tion, I close the sheet. W. H. R.

The address of the Command is now ---

12th Conn. Vet. Infantry,

Washington, D. C.

2d Brig., Dwight's Division.

PERSONAL.

List of Appointments and Promotions in the Connecticut Volunteer Force, for the month of May, 1865,

IST ARTILLERY.

Captain Charles O. Brigham to be Major, vice Cook, discharged. Captain Samuel P. Hatfield to be Major, vice Brooker, discharged

Both with rank from the 13th of May, 1865. Ist Lient. Cornelius Gillette to be Captain, vice Pierce, promoted.

Ist Lient. Frank D. Bangs to be Captain, vice Ilatfield, promoted.

2d Lt. Martin L. Church to be 1st Lt., vice Owens, austered out.

ed Lieut. John E. Tarbell to be Ist Lient., vice Brown, mustered out.

2d Lieut. Azro Drown to be Ist Lieut., vice Jack- son, instered out.

2d Lient. Hobart W. Deming to be Ist Lient., vice Knox, mastered ont 24 Lieut. Wells W. Reed to be 1st Lieut., vice Pratt, mustered out. 2d Lient. Charles W. Filer to be 1st Lient., vice Odell, killed in action

ed Lient. William Atwood to be 1st Lient., vice Truesdell, discharged.

All with rank from the 18th of May, 1865.

10TH REGIMENT.

Captain Francis G. Hiekerson to be Major, vice Hawkins, declined.

1st Lieut. William A. Robbins to be Adjutant, vice Turnbull, declined.

IITII REGIMENT.

1st Lieut. Henry A. Walker to be Captain, vice Lewis, minstered ont.

1st Lient. Ebenezer HI. Foote to be Captain, vice Randall, mustered out,

2d Lient. Robert Thomsoni to be Ist Lieut., vice Enstinan. promoted.

2d Lieut. Charles E. Dibble to be Ist Lient. and Adjt., vice Randall, mustered out

ed Lient. John Dupires to be Ist Lieut., vice Walker, promoted.

2d Lient. Charles W. Winter to be Ist Lient., vice Cady, mustered out. Seret. Maj. Kenyon to be ed Lient, vice Dibble, promoted.

Sergt. Peter W. Ambler to be 2d Lient., vice loyalty to his Heavenly Master.

Thompson, promoted.

Sergt. Albert Anstin, Sth C. V., to be 2d Lient. 11th d. V., view Dupires, promoted

Seret. Chas. Adams 11th C. V., to be 2d Lieut., vice Winters, promoted.

All with rank from the 4th of May, 1865.

12TH BATTALION.

Sergt. Major Win. HI. Root to be Ist Lieut., with rank from the 14th of May. 1865, vice White, com- mission revoked.

13TH BATTALION.

2dl Lient. Win. B. Tooker to be 1st Lieut., with rank from the 16th of Muy, 1565, vice Sterry, pro- mnoted.

17TH REGIMENT.

Major Henry Allen to be Lient. Col. with rank from the 4th day of May, 1865, vice Wilcoxson, deceased.

20TH REGIMENT.

21 Lient. Cecil A. Burleigh to be Captain, vice. Doolittle .- discharged. Sergt. Oliver T. Doolittle to be 1st Lient., vice Doolittle. discharged. Seret. Major Robt C. Usher to be 1st Lieut., vice Jepsou, discharged.

Sergt. Robert E. Prior to be Ist Lieut., vice Barry, died of wounds.

Q. M. Sergt. Henry D. Stanley to be 2d Lient., vice Burleigh, promoted.

Com. Sergt. Charles E. Kellogg to be 2d Lient., vice Clark, resigned. Hospital Steward John II. Nolan, to 2d Lient., vice Fenton, discharged.

Prin, musician Jolin L. North to be 2d Lient., vice Bnekingham, promoted.

Sergt. William II. Corwin to be 2d Lieut., vice Barry, promoted.

Ist Sergt. Jumes M. Stancliff to be 2d Lieut., vice Johnson, promoted. Private Watson C. Hitchcock to be 2d Lient., vice Bonrdman, promoted.

I'rivate George E. Tucker, to be 2d Lieut., vice Broadman, promoted.

All with rank from the 4th of May, 1865.

CASUALTIES.

Myron D. Webster.

Myron D. Webster, son of Stephen P. Webster of North Woodstock, Conn., died at Hampton Hospital, Fortress Monroe, Va., Oct. 1st. 1864. aged 25 years. He enlisted on the 29th of Nov., 1861, in the 11th Regt. Conn. Vols. His health failing, he in January obtained an honorable dis- charge nud returned. He remained at home until the September following, when his health was so thoroughly recovered that he enlisted ngain in Co. D, 21st Regt. C. V. When he had been absent about the same length of time as before, he was taken seriously ill nenr Frede- ricksburg, but Providence so ordered that he gradually recovered, and at length became appa- rently stronger than ever. He was afterward in two engagements of considerable importance, the first on May 16th, 1864, before Petersburg, near Fort Darling. The second at Cold Harbor, when spent ball grazed his head, but doing no injury. After lying a long time in the trenches before Petersburg, he beenmne so worn and feeble that he was detailed to do Provost duty, until he wns so ill as to be removed to the Hospital, where, after a short illness with the chronic chiatrhoca he died. After long effort his friends obtained his remains. Ilis funeral was nttended at West Woodstock on Monday, Nov. 14th, in the Baptist Church. The sermon wns delivered by the pastor, Rev. W. A. Worthington from Ps. 127th, 2d, " For so he giveth his beloved sleep." followed by addresses from Rev. Messrs. Pratt and Hyde.

Mr. Webster wns an nmutable, intelligent, pious young man. He made a pubhe profession of religion, and united with the Baptist Church, at W. Woodstock, when but twelve years of age. Since that period until his death, he has been an exemplary christian, and a much esteemed mem- ber of the church. He was ever ready to bear his part in the cause of Christ at home, and his letters from the army breathed the spirit of truc

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 135

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