The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 138

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

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I should have mentioned, at nn earlier period, that there being some misunderstanding regard- ing the Surgeoney of the regiment, Doctor Wil- liam II. Tremaine, of Hartford, came on with the regiment, and remained with us, a faithful and acceptable physician, until the arrival of Doctor Curtis.

On the twenty-second of October the regiment marched to Miuer's ITill, some three miles from Fort Ethan Allen and Chain Bridge, and six miles from Georgetown. We became a part of the Sec- ond (Brig .- Gen. Robert Condiu) Brigade, in Aber- crombie's Division, Defences of Washington .--- Brigaded with us also wns the 11th Rhode Island Volunteers, (nine months), the 40th Massachusetts Volunteers, and 141st New York Volunteers .- The regiment remained here until the twelfth dny of February, drilling in Company nnd Battalion movements, and performing picket duty. During this time we were twice reviewed by General Condin, and onee by the Division Commander, Brig .- Gen. J. J. Abercrombie.

On the sixteenth of December, the day before the battle of Fredericksburg, the regiment was in linc-of-battle, under marching orders, -- and a train on the Alexandria and Loudon Railroad was at Falls Church to carry ns to the front. But af- ter waiting two hours, the order was counter- manded, and the First Brigade of the Division, (in which was the 27th Conn.,) were ordered to advanee in our stend.

On the night of the twenty-ninth of December, the brignde was called up, by the long roll, and marched eight miles over the worst road in that part of the country, mud n great part of the way ankle-deep, to Mills's Cross Roads, in order to in- tereept Stuart's cavalry. Here we remained twenty-four hours, when, hearing that famous raider had made a mnsterly retreat in an unex- pected direction, we were escorted back to our winter quarters.

During the month of November, the Wooden- Nutmeg boys, in order to distance, nnd nt the same time be a little more nristoeratie than their compeers of the Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island regiments, determined to live in wooden rather than their eanvass houses. It wns a good iden, for while it promised entirely, in its fulfillment, to keep ont n deal of cold air, a mud- thatched log-cabin was likely to keep in an im- measurable amount of the warmer element. Be-

1865.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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eides, all play and no work was likely to make many a poor dolt. So, with the permission of General Condin and General Abercrombie, the cabins were commenced on the tenth of Novem- drilling alternately. We were at this time only ber, the land requiring to be first cleared by cut- | about twelve miles from Richmond, with less than ting down the pines that cumbered it-the stumps eight thousand men and two batteries-on the identical ground where, only a year previously, the army of Fitz-Jolin Porter was wiped out and from the rebel Capitol. At last, General Dix be- gan to realize that West Point was not just the place for a little handful of men, aud recordingly, on the night of the 31st of May, a convoy of transports took the command silently on board, and steamed down to Yorktown, there to disem- bark the following morning. to be pulled, and the roots dug up and carted away to one side. This enormous undertaking was accomplished in sixteen days-and on the seventeenth, a general, universal "moving" took place. Yes, in sixteen days, the ground was not only eleared, but the logs of which to construct the eabins were eut, and one linndred and thir- teen cabins, ten by fourteen feet, were completed and occupied, all uniform in size and style, alike provided with doors and windows, mud-thatebed, ventilated, and comfortably warmed by means of the convenient portable camp stove. Andall this was accomplished with only the most indispensa. ble of tools-the saw, axe, and hammer. Subse. quently, all the streets of the new eity (which was named "Camp Burnham,") were corduroyed, and a large Chapel was commenced and partly completed.

On the 12th of February, (npon the arrival of the Pennsylvania Reserves on their returu from Fredericksburg), we were ordered to Hunter's Chapel, near Fort Richardson, and about five miles from Long Bridge. Ilere we remained un- til the 15th of April, digging in trenches and rifle pits, and working on the groundworks of Forts Craig, MeDowell, and MeClellan. Our regiment broke ground for the latter fortification on the 30th of March. It is situated on Arlington Ilights, and is the largest and most important on the line of the Washington Defenses. Its arma- ment, wheu made up, will consist of some eighty pieces, and the fort commands Craig, Tillinghast, DeKalb, Corcoran, Bennet, and the four-gun bat- tery at Aqueduet Bridge.

While at Hunter's Chapel, also, this regiment for a time guarded Long Bridge, until General Condin was relieved, and Colonel Porter took command of the brigade.

On the 15th of April, on a chilly and stormy day, long before sunrise, the regiment was called up, with orders to report immediately at Alexan- dria. We broke eamp at 63 o'clock, marched to Alexandria, at which place we took the transport awaiting transports.

Mary Washington for Fortress Monroe and Nor- The regiment left Yorktown on Friday, June 26th, with seven hundred and cleven enlisted men and thirty-seven officers, for Baltimore, taking the stemmer City of Albany. The regiment renched Baltimore Saturday morning, and were at Philadelphia the same night, where it met with n magnificent reception, refreshments being pro- vided at the Soldiers' Home. Leaving Philadel- phia at midnight, the regiment reached Jersey City Sunday morning, and remained in the depot till the boat arrived to carry them to Hartford. During their stay in Jersey City, the regiment was properly cared for under the direction of of Connecticut. folk. At Norfolk we took cars for Suffolk, at which eity we arrived on the morning of the 17th inst. We were now in General Getty's Division. At Suffolk, this regiment took part in several skirmishes, worked on Fort Connecticut, and sev- eral sand batteries on the Nansemond-construet- ed some three miles of rifle pits, besides doing picket duty incessantly. It was here that the regiment experienced the most severe distress. and underwent the greatest privations. On the 3d of May, occurred the battle of the Nanse. mond. Captain Preston's company ( E), and Cap- tuin Riggs's company (C), having the honor of Col. J. Il. Aliny, Agent at New York for the State supporting the Wisconsin battery, which did so- rions exeention on the occasion.

On the 5th of May, the regiment returned to Norfolk, taking transports to Hampton Roads, and afterwards to West Point, where we formed a part of an expedition under General George H. Gordou. Here we remained until the SIst inst.,

working incessantly on riffe pits, breast works, forts,-building military roads, constructing bomb- proofs and magazines-doing picket duty and were scattered about into a pretty well confused mass. At the arrival of the boat a salute was fired-soon the regiment disembarked and formed in line-but such a line-for the " reception" had commenced-and such a reception-in every case varied, according to the temperament of the in- dividual. The " so glad to see you," with some, was only rendered complete by a protracted hug, swallowed np by an overpowering force sent down [ and a not very brief kiss in others. Then the battalion was ordered to " shoulder arms," "right face," " forward march," and was escorted through the principal streets of the town in the following order :

Our first eamping ground at Yorktown was on the memorable battle-field of the Revolution- the seeue of Lord Cornwallis's surrender ; and our last, beside the famous nine-gun battery construct- ed by the First Artillery for their siege guns, brought to bear upon Fort Yorktown, in MeClel- lan's Peninsular Campaign. On the ninth of June our regiment formed part of a grand recon- noissance in force, and on the warmest day of the season, with packed knapsaeks, marehed twelve miles to Fort Magruder, (the scene of the terrible slaughter under General Hooker), near Williams- burg.

Two days afterwards we started up the Penin- sula, marching the first day twenty miles, and bivouacking at night near Chickahominy Church. Advaneed the next duy to Diaseomb Bridge, where the brigade headquarters was established "in the field," and seouting parties penetrated the country in all directions.

On the night of the 14th, a member of Captain Riggs's company was shot, while the company was guarding the fork of the road near Barhams- ville. This was the only man killed by the ene- my during the entire term of service of the regi- ment.

The service of the regiment expiring on the 20th of June, at twelve o'clock on the night of the 17th, the regiment took up line of march in retreat, arriving at Williamsburg early next morn- ing, and arriving at Yorktown the day following Ilere the regiment was detained until the 26th,

On the arrival of the regiment at Hartford, a crowd began to gather on the wharf at the foot of State street, and in a short time there was a perfect jam of humanity. Scores of women, anxious to behold their long-absent husbands, and children running abont erying " Papa is coming !''

Governor's Guard Band. Governor's Foot Guard. Union Ilose Company. Colt's Armory Band. Phoenix Steam Fire Engine Company. Colonel Burnham and Staff. Regimental Band. Twenty-Second Regiment Connceticut Vols.

On State street, Messrs. P. Jewell & Son pro- vided refreshments for the soldiers, and Ex-Mayor Seymour, of the Foot Guard, extended the same hospitality at the South Green.

All along the route of the procession flags were displayed, and there was a great deal of en- thusiasın.

The Twenty-Second Regiment returned to Con- neetient among the fortunate regiments of the war. It had never been in an engagement, but had always been ready and willing, and would, had an opportunity been presented done itself credit, as all Conneetieut regiments have done when called upon. But obeying implicitly orders, fortune favored the corps whose history and ser- viees we have here briefly recounted, and kept it out of battle. But that fact renders its officers and its men none the less gallant-none the less courageous. R.

Lieutenant EDWIN J. MERRIAM, died at. Chesa- peake Hospital, near Fortress Monroe, October 5th, 1864. While leading his Company at Deep Bottom-a part of the strategy which secured our hold upon the Weldon Railroad-he was severely wounded below the knee. Rallying bis men and bidding them stand together and fight for the old fing, he was left behind. He was too weak to allow the amputation of his limb, and consequently from first to last his sufferings were extreme. By his Surgeon and all who met hin in the hospital, he was regarded as a marvel of patience and endurance. The same spirit of Di- vine Grace which made him in the camp and on the battle-field, a true, manly Christian, Patriot and Soldier, sustained him through indescribable entferings; and without a murmur or a complaint the bowed himself to the Divine will.

lle was a member of the First Congregational Church'of Meriden, and right manfully has he sus- tained that profession and witnessed to the power of " the Faith onee delivered to the Saints."

A Christian Hero has fallen ! God has honor- ed us by calling ns to make one of the noblest sneritices of this war. His name will be fragrant in our memory ; the cause will be dearer to our hearts for the love he bore it, and the consecra- tion of life he gave to it.

Ilis funeral was attended from the Center Con- gregational church, by the Rev. Hiram C. Ilaydo, the exercises being participated in by Rev. Jacob Eaton, Chaplain of his regiment, (the Seventh Conn. Vol. Infantry.) The Union Guard per- formed military escort, and buried the deceased with a sohlier's honors. A large coneonrse of citizens followed the remains to the grave in tho West Meriden Cemetery .-- Meriden Recorder.

504-

THIE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[JULY,

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

From the First Artillery. ORD. OFFICE, SIEGE ARTILLERY, Fort Darling, Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 31st, 1865.

JOHN M. MORRIS, EsQ:

DEAR SIR :- Onee more I communicate with you through the medium of the pen. The regi- ment is still in its old position, and no material changes have been made. I have to inform you of two quite severe accidents, however, to meu of Co. M, of this regiment. While on detail on the 20th, private John Feeny was kicked in the faee quite severely by one of the horses. It oe- curred in the following manner: the detail were at work drawing a heavy gun from one of the batteries near here, when the horses got stalled. Feeney struck one of the horses to make it pull, when it kieked him as above stated. Ilis face was eut very badly, and his nose nearly cut off. I understand it is nothing dangerous, but very painful.

Private Jacob Dietrich, on the 30th, while on In closing up the public record of this Battery, detail, had his leg broken by the whippletree of it would, perhaps, be well to notice the engage- the sling eart, which is a very large and heavy Iments in which it has borne an hoaorable part. They are as follows, viz: one. It broke, nnd one piece struck hita on the thigh or leg. Ilis leg will probably be saved.

We are having various kinds of weather, rain and sunshine nearly every day; quite warm in the day-time and the opposite in the night-time. We have had several severe thunder storms, one very heavy one. I think the North eannot pro- duce such.

The all-important question now is, "when will tho regiment be discharged ?" which is very diffi- cult to answer. The majority of the inen are married, and of course are very anxious to get home to their families. Some dissatisfaction is felt as the men think that some officers are trying to keep the regiment ia the field as long as pos- sible.

There is very little sickness ia the regiment I believe. The guns in the batteries near here are being loaded on vessels to be transported to Fort Monroe or Washington. I think the guns in this Fort will not be removed at present.

We are very pleasantly situated here-have a good library, uuder charge of the Chaplain, Mr. Jarvis, and have services in tho chapel every Sabbath, which are generally well attended.

But one thing more before I close. Will you be kind enough to ask the friends of the soldier to send more Conn. papers to ns ? It is seldom we see one here, and believe me to be

Very Respectfully,

Your Obodient Servant, W. F. SAGE.

First Conn. Light Battery.

NEW HAVEN, CONN., July 1st, 1865.

Ilone at last I After nearly four years of ser- vice, during which time we have lad defeats as well as vietories to make up our record as a Bat- tery, we are again permitted to returu to eivil life.

Our last battle with treason has been fought and the victory is ours. We have had the prond satisfaction of being among the first of the vieto- rions troops to enter the rebel capital, and the

glad experience of being the first of the veteran soldiers of our State, to return to the peaceful pursnits of home.

On Sunday, the 11th day of June, the Battery was mustered out of the service of the United States at Richmond, Va., and on Monday morn- ing started for Connectient.

Our guas, horses, and all equipments pertain- ing to the Battery were turned over to the Gov- ernment officers at Richmond, before starting for home.

On Wednesday morning we arrived in New HIaven, where we were honored with a reception which showed us that, though years had passed since we marched through the streets of New Haven, on our way to the " wars," we were still remembered by the people of that noble city.

We heartily thauk our friends for their kind- ness on this occasion. Among the memories of the past, this manifestation of their good will, and their appreciation of our services will be one of the brightest and most enduring.

James Island, S. C., June 3d, 4th, 15th, and 16th, 1802.

Willtown, S. C., July 10th, 1863.

James Island, S. C. July 16th, 1863. John's Island, S. C., Feb. 10th, 1861.

Chester Station, Va., May 9th and 10th, 1864. On Richmond Turnpike, May 12th, 1864. Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14th aad 15th, 1864. Drury's Bluff, Va., May 16th, 1861. Intrenchments at Bermuda Huadred, Va., May 17th to June 27th, 1804.

Weir Bottom Church, Va., Juue 16th, 1864. Strawberry Plain, Va., July 26th, 1864. Grover's House, Va., July 27th, 1864. Four Miles Creek, Va., Aug. 14th, 1864. Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 25th, 1861.

Before. Petersburg, Va., Aug. 27th to Sept. 25th, 1864.

Chapin's Bluff, Va., Oet. 7th, 1864.

Johnson's Farm, Va., Oct. 13th, 27th and 28th, 1864.

Intreachments before Richmond, Oet. 1864 to April, 1865.

Of the two hundred and sixty-seven men wbo have been connected with this organization, only one offieer and one man have been killed in action. Que man died from wonnds received in action.

Truly a remarkable record, when we consider the large number of battles in which the uien have participated.

Many, however, have died of disease, aad their bones repose in the soil of the Sunny South. Although they were not permitted to fall in battle, their memories should be honored uone the less, for the sacrifice they made for the Re- public was as noble as that of the soldier who dies on the field of battle.

: From the 2d Conn. Light Battery. Monte, Ana., May 15th, 1865.

The battle at Blakely, on the 9th ult., resulting in the capture of the enemy's works, appears to have been one of the last decisive battles of the war. In point of time it is the last, although it was fought on both sides withont knowledge of the evacuation of Richmond, or of the fate of Lec's army. The surreader of Mobile followed immediately, and the federal troops entered the last chief seaport of the late rebel confederacy, escorted by the Mayor of the city, who came out to meet thein. The following order explains itself:

General Field Orders, No. 32.

IlEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIV. WEST MISS., } Mobile, Ala., April 22, 1865.

The Major-General commanding thinks it prop- er to announce ns the general results of the ope- rations around this city: the capture of the ene- my's works at Spanish Fort and Blakely ; the surreader of Mobile; the capture of more than five thousand prisoners, twelve flags, nearly three hundred pieces of artillery, several thousand stand of small arias, and large stores of ammuni- tion and other materials of war.

It is his province to report results; that of a higher authority to bestow appropriate com- mendations and rewards; but it is not improper to express his personal thanks to the officers and men of this army, for their zeal, energy and gal- lantry, and to the officers and mea of the Navy, for the hearty and zealous co-operation ia the work that has been accomplished. Ile begs that the Sabbath uext casuing the receipt of this order, may be made the occasion of thanksgiving for the past, and prayer for the future; and that all will unite with him in the earnest petitioa that God in His merey will deal tenderly with the relatives and friends of our wounded comrades.

By order of

MAJ .- GEN. E. R. S. CANBY, C. T. CHRISTENSEN, Lient. Col. and Asst. Adjt. Gen.

The 2d Division of the 13th Army Corps, to which the battery had been assigned. together with a Brigade of colored troops, left Blakely on transports, ou the 20th ult., for Selma and Mont- gomery. On reaching Mobile, where we anchored for the night, we first heard the terrible news of the assassination of President Lincoln. . His death caused the most profound sorrow in the army, where he was universally honored and beloved.

On the evening of the 21st nlt., the fleet, con- sisting of sixteen vessels, left Mobile, and after proceeding a few miles up Mobile river, halted until daylight the next morning, when we again got under way and came to anchor for the night at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers. On the 25d we reached Choctaw Bluff's ; on the 24th Claiborne ; on the 25th Clifton; on 26th went to within six miles of Cahaba, and reached Selma on the afternoon of the 27th. During the passage the fleet was fired upon two or three times, by guerrillas, and one man was

ascertained that the leader of the guerrilla baud lived in one of the most magnificent mansions on the Alabama river, and this was immediately burned by order of Maj .- Gen, Steele, who coal- Let ns then, who are spared to see the close of killed, beloaging to an infantry regiment, It was the great rebellion, and the return of peace, remember with grateful hearts those brave spirits who freely gave their precious lives for the cause of Freedom and humanity. T.

1883.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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manded the expedition. At every plantation we reached, the negroes were wild with delight, and danced for joy.

Our destination was supposed to be Montgom- ery, but on reaching Selma the 2d Division dis- embarked. Gen. Steele proceeded to Montgomery with a portion of the troops, leaving General Andrews in command at Selma. It is but justice to say that Gen. C. C. Andrews stands high in the estimation of every soldier composing the 2d . Division of the 13th Army Corps. He was eonspieuous for his gallantry at the battle of Blakely nnd followed the standard bearer of the 97th Illinois regiment, which was the first to plant the Stars and Stripes npon the rebel ramparts. Ilis zeal and conrage, and valor in .the field are only equaled by his administrative abilities as a disciplinarian in camp.

Selma was captured by Wilson's cavalry, on the 2d of April, and the rebel government works Of this number, four are now absent sick in there, which were very extensive, consisting of hospital, leaving the number present for duty 137, foundries, rolling mills, an arsenal, machine shop, &c., were totally destroyed.

During our stay at Selma, which was agreeable both as regards camp conveniences and the treat- ment shown us by the citizens, we saw daily hun- dreds of rebel soldiers paroled, and plodding to- wards their homes. They came freely into the camps of our soldiers, who received them in no spirit of exultation but rather of pity, and shared | with them their last " hard tack." Without arms, witliont money, foot sore and weary they were winding their way homewards, never again to take up arms against the United States. We left Selma on the 12th inst,, and reached Mobile the next afternoon where we disembarked and went into camp about three miles ont of the city. We suppose we are "homeward bound." although Kirby Smith still holds out in Texas. The pay-

master has just made his appearance; we have the battle of Gettysburg. On being assigned to not scen him before for eight months.

UNION.

From the 2d Conn. Light Battery.

MOBILE, ALA., June leth, 1865.

Since the date of my last letter to the WAR RECORD, the rebel army of trans-Mississippi has surrendered, and with it disappears the last ves- tige of armed resistance to the National Anthor- ity. We have been quietly and patiently waiting for a month for orders to muster us out of service. Orders preliminary thereto have been received, and just at the tiute we expected the order to be mustered out, we received instead an order to hold ourselves in readiness to embark at an hour's notice, with four day's cooked rations. Our des- tination was understood to be Galveston, Texas. The orders to be in rendiness to embark embraced the entire 2d Division of the 13th Army Corps, and was received on the 12th inst. It is unnecessary to say that the receipt of this order produced a sensation in camp. It appeared to be in conflict with orders already promul- gated, and inconsistent with the idea that peace had been virtually declared by the release of all deserters. Nevertheless, the order has been obeyed, and we hold ourselves in readiness to embark at the shortest notice, but not without sotue murmuring, which is a thing so unusual in

During the past month seven enlisted men have been discharged, four of which were absent siek in hospital and three were discharged hero on the Surgeon's certificate of disability.

As this will probably be my last letter to the RECORD, it will not be improper to recapitulate somne general faets. The whole number who have belonged to the battery from its first organiza- tion and muster to the present time, with the changes that have occurred, will appear from the following table:

Whole number of enlisted men, 221

¥ Transferred, 6

= Discharged, 36

Died, 19

Deserted, 19

Present number of entlisted men, 141

together with five commissioned officers, which makes the aggregate effective force present for duty 142 men.

It is a circumstance worthy of remark that we still have the identical harness with which we were furnished by the State, before leaving it for service ; nor have we drawn even a new bridle. There are not many, if any batteries, which have traveled six thousand miles, that can show a bet. ter record in this respect, and the credit is dne to our commanding officers who have taken good care of public property intrusted to them, and also in a good measure to the judgment and skill of our practical saddler, Daniel W. Ilawley, who knows how to keep a harness in good condition, and who has always taken the article in time.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 138

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