The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 15

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

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member that the history of great wars has made it almost a military axiom that "a place besieged is a place taken," it is impos-

Connectieut Troops now in the Field, OFFICIAL

Companies A, B, C, D, 2d Regiment Harris' Light Cavalry, Hartwood Church, Va., Aug. 23, 1863. Ist Conn. Cavalry, Baltimore, Md.

Ist Light Battery, Folly Island, S. C., Aug. 1, 1803.

2d do. Middlebury, Md., June 30, 1863, probably now in New York.

1st Artillery, Fort Richardson, Va., July 7, 1863. ath Reg't (Inft'y,) Kelley's Ford, Va., Ang. 81, 1803. Hilton Head, S. C., do. 28, 1863. lorris Island, do. do. 15, 1863.

do. n'r Portsmouth Va., Sept. 1, 1863. New Orleans, La., Ang. 9, 1863.

do. Seabrook Isl., S. C., July 6, 1863. Portsmouth, Va., July 31, 1863 Brashear City, La., Aug. 9, 1863. do. do. de. do. 7, 1863.

do. Uniontown, Md., do. 18, 1863. do. Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 6, 1863.

do do. do. do.

do Brookes' Station, May 1, 18GS.

do. Winchester. Va., June 3, 1803.

do Fort Lyon, Va., Aug. 31, 1803. Kelley's Ford, Aug. 25, 1863.

do. Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 2, 1863.

do Ship Island, La, Aug. 9, 1863,

Chronology of Affairs at Charleston.

The attention of our readers has so often been directed towards this nest of rebeldom that we forbear at the present writing to give a detailed , account of the operations which have from time | the channel of the port.

to time drawn their attention to that quarter. To! May 29 --- The United States frigate Minnesota give a general on line of the history of Charles, ! on the Charleston blockade.

June 2 .- The privateer Savannah captured by

June 2%,-The British ship Trunion, with 20,- Dec. IT, 1800,-The Secession Convention of, 000 stand of arms, captured by the Union, while South Carolina indl at Charleston.

i trying to run the blockade.

Dec. 20 .- The convention at that place passed :

Aug. 9 .- A British steamer loaded with inui- tions of war, ran the blockade

Ang. 21 .- A blockade runner captured by the United States sloop Vandalia off the port. Oct. 10 .- The privateer Sallie runs the blockade. Oct. 12 .- The steamer Theodora, with Mason and Slidell on board, ran the blockade.

Oct. 15 .- The ship Thomas Watson captured

Tin, s. - Praha ra the Tufted States Sub- Nov. 7 .- Capture of Port Royal by Admiral Treasury are not allowed to be paid, and on the Day at, which so alarmed the Charlestonians that same day no farther communication was allowed they deserted the city for several days.

Dr. 9 .- A fleet of gunboats go up to the Northe Jan. 2 .- Batteries on Morris Island fire upon Fdisto and shell out a rebel camp within a few desperate assaults lind almost given us Fort the relief steamer Star of the West.

Jan. 10 .- Batteries manned ready to prevent the entrance of the United States steam sloop of war Brooklyn.

Jan. 14 .- The Brooklyn cruises off and on Charleston Bar.

Feb. I .- Preparations made to lay siege to Fort Sumter.

Feb. 5 .- President Buchanan refuses to surren- der Fort Sumter to the South Carolina rebels.

Feb. 9 .- Sullivan's Island declared under mar- tial law.

Feb. 13 .-- A large cargo of gunpowder intended for Charleston was seized in New York Harbor.

Feb. 22 .- The Collector of Charleston issued a notice that all vessels from States out of the Con- federacy, except Texas, must be entered as foreign vessels.

Feb. 25 .- The iron-elad floating battery launch- ed at Charleston.

April 3 .- A schooner flying the stars and stripes was fired at from the batteries on Morris Island.

April 8 .- Notice was given that vessels which were sent to relieve the garrison of Fort Sumter would not be allowed to enter the harbor, and on the same day the South Cordina forces were or- dered to report immediately at their stations. The floating battery was anchored in position.

April 9,-The Harriet Lane, Baltic, Yankee and Uncle Ben, left New York, and the Pawnee and Pocahontas left the Chesapeake to relieve Fort Sumter.

April 10 .-- Another floating battery anchored near Sullivan's Island.

April 11 .- General Beauregard demands the surrender of Fort Sumter.

April 12 .- The bombardment of Fort Sumter commenced, Fort Johnson firing the first shot a few minutes past four o'clock in the morning.

April 13 -- The firing continued all the morning. At noon Major Auderson surrendered on terms of his own making.

April 14 .- Major Anderson and his command evacuated the Fort and took passage in the Baltic for New York.

May 11 .- Charleston bloekaded by the United States frigate Niagara.

May 12 .- British ships warned off the port of Charleston, and refused permission to enter the port.

May 19 and 20 .- The first stone fleet sunk in

Meanwhile another invasion upon Kon- ton since the rebellion, we propose to give an chi- tucky was attempted by another rebel lead- vene of the most prominent events in and around , the brig l'erry off Charleston bar. er, with the hope of interfering with the that locality : elections, but this also was promptly met and defeated.

While these apparently disconnected events the ordinance of secession by n vote of 169 to 0. were occurring on distant points, and a !! contributing more or less directly to the breaking up of the rebel power, an event of far greater magnitude was preparing on the coast of South Carolina. A large fleet and

Charleston. A boll movement, boldly eve- cuted, gave them possession of two thirds of Morris HanJ-within sight of the rel eliots city and within range of Fort Sumter. Two

!etween the city and Fort Sumter.

miles of Charlestou.

But of all that has befallen the rebel cause since the capture of Port Hudson, no blow has been more fatal to their prestige |sible to doubt the result. than the eapture of the guerrilla Morgan. Cool, sagacious, daring, thoroughly funiliar with the ground, this bold leader had made himself a name, that, in a just cause, would have given him the same hold upon the peo- ple's love which Marion won in the revolu- tion. With a restless activity he was now upon us in one point, now in another, choosing his moment with an almost nnerring instinct, and moving from place to place with a se- cresy that defied detection and a swiftness that eluded pursuit. And now, confident :5th 6th do. from long success, he had planned, in con-isth do. do. cert with Buckner, a great movement, which ; 9th sweeping through Indiana and Ohio, was to | Juth destroy all the railroads by which reinforce- 11th do do. 19th ments would be sent to Kentucky, and then ! 18th joining his forces, fresh-as both fondly : 14th hoped-from the eapture of Louisville, failli 15th with united and irresistible weight mom : bath Cincinnati. But Vicksburgh fell and then : 17th Port Hudson, and Rosecrans movel when Isth no one expected it, and Buckner hal work to . both 1!ith do, which left him no time to think of inva- . 91t do. sion. Messengers were sent in haste to re- 21th call the bold partisan ; but he was already . probably on their way home.

across the Ohio. For a moment there was / wonder and terror, and then the country rose upon him, benning him in on every . side, defeating him and thinning his ranks! in every eneounter, till, having seen his best and most trusted followers killed or taken, he was compelled to give himself up a pris. oner.

Dee. 20,-Fort Moultrie evacuated and Fort ! Sumter occupied by Majer Robert Anderson. Dee. #3 .- Hostmaster at Charleston ordered to ! remit 8 .5,000 due the General Government. Dec. 29,-The Arsenal was seized. Jan. 2. 1542 -Mr. Melutyre. of New York, a gallant army were gathered to the siege of nominated for collector of the post at Charleston. 'and barned by the Flag off Charleston.

4.7

THIE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1863.]

Dec. 12 .- A very large fire in Charleston, which destroyed 476 buildings.

Dee. 20 .- The first rat-hole fleet sunk in Charles- ton harbor.

Jan. 22, 1862 .- The second stone fleet was sunk in the harbor.

Peb. 29 .- Three steamers ran the blockade. June 16 .- The James Island engagement took place this day.

Jan. 31, 1863 .- Two rebel rams made a raid up- on our blockading fleet, erippling two of our ves- sels; but were driven back without any serious disaster. Beauregard declares the blockade raised.

Feb. 10 .- Official denial of the raising of the blockade.

March 27 .- United States troops landed on Coles' Island.

April 5 .- The iron-clad fleet arrive at Charles- ton bar.

April 7 .- The iron-clads under Admiral Du- pont, bombard Fort Sumter and endeavor to run past it, but are obliged to retire. Fort Sumter breached in several places.

April 12 .- The iron-elads leave Charleston har- bor.

June 1 .- James Island evacuated by the Union troops.

June 10 .- The Havelock sunk off Charleston bar.

June 11 .- The Herald destroyed by Union Gun- boats.

June 12 .- Gen. Gilmore relieves Gen. Hunter. On the same day a brisk engagement took place between the Union batteries on Folly Island and those of the rebels on Morris Island.

July 10 .- Gen. Gilmore commenced operations against the Morris Island batteries, and General | United States. This is but one ereditable item of the many of the same character we have received within the current weck."

Strong took possession of several of the rebel works.

July 11 .- A brilliant engagement on Morris Is- .

land. The rebels evacuate all their seward batter- ies, and take shelter in Fort Wagner. General Strong in full possession.

July 18 .- Storming of Fort Wagner.

The remainder of that mouth and the early part of August was employed in erecting siege works and mounting heavy siege guns preparatory to the bombardment of Sumter, as it was found that Wagner could not interfere with our engineer corps in their work.

Aug. 18 .- To-day some of the heavy siege guns were experimented with so as to obtain their range. The few shots which were fired made their marks upon the walls of Sumter, and it was Eid that some of them reached the city of Charleston.

Aug. 20 .- This day the grand general engage- ment commenced, and Fort Sumter demolished.

Ang. 21 .- Fort Moultrie is shelled and silenced.

Ang. 24 .- Gen. Gilmore commences the bom- baardment of the city of Charleston, Non-combat- ants leave the city in one continnous stream. N. Y. Herald.

Mr. Noyes, in his book of "Sketches of czy August 21st, Patrick Barry of Co, H, 21th C. V .. wounded at Port Hudson, while on his way from the Hospital at Baton Rouge to join his regiment at New Orleans, rolled off the deck of the War," tells the best story we have seen of the way " Yankee " coolness pats down female inso- lenee in rebeldom. A splendidly be-silked and be-feathered female of the Jeff. Davis flock, in | the steamer while asleep, and was drowned. He passing one of our soldiers gave the skirts of her | leaves a wife and seven children in Portland, Ct.

dress the usual flirt to show her contempt of the tribe, and the soldier retorted by the following bit of torture :

" Why, marm, how dirty your stockings are !- Just look at 'em !"

Down went female skirts and female pride at the same instant, while a hearty laugh from his comrades winged the sarcastic shaft and sent it well home.

CE" The funeral of Thomas G. Yale, a member of Co. D, 27th C. V., was attended, Sept. 2d, from St. John Street Church, Mr. Vale was seriously wounded at Gettysburg, and died at the Philadel- phia hospital on the 20th ult.

DEATH OF ANOTHER SOLDIER .- John II. Squires, a member of Co. E, 27th C. V., died in this city, Sept. 2d, from the effects of sunstroke, received about two weeks ago. Private Squires served with credit during his term of enlistment, and was one of the most faithful and efficient men of his company. He was -exceedingly popular with his officers, and respected by all who knew him. He belonged in Collinsvile, where his remains were taken for interment.

DESERTING A SINKING SHIP .- The Dayton Jour- nal says : "During the week ending August 8th, over five hundred rebels came into Carthage, Tenn., voluntarily gave themselves np, and took the oath of allegiance to the Government of the

The Eighteenth Connecticut Regiment was ent up, as is known, at Winchester. Part of them were captured and paroled, and part escaped. One squad was reported at Maryland Heights, and another portion, numbering two hundred and thirty-seven, arrived safely at Bloody Run. Of those captured and paroled, Company C reached Annapolis in a very destitute condition, totally stripped of everything. Governor Buchingham immediately sent Mr. H. B. Norton of Norwich, to try and collect the different squads of the regi- ment and provide for those at Annapolis, Mir. Norton telegraphs that " the Government have provided promptly and liberally for all your sol- diers here." The Hartford Press says of Mr. Norton : " No gentleman in the State has been so indefatigable in ltbors of this kind for the com- fort of our soldiers since the war began. He has steadily refused all compensation, or remuneration of his expenses, and is so unostentatious that we fear to annoy him even by this brief and merited mention of his services."

For the Connecticut War Record. Lieut. Col. Henry C. Merwin.

At the commencement of the rebellion, Col. Merwin was a Sergeant in the New Haven Grays, and served in that capacity during the three mouths in the 2d C. V. A year ago, when the call was made for nine months' men, the Grays again volunteered as Company A, in the 27th C. V., with Col. Merwin as their Captain, from which office he was promoted as Lieut. Colonel. Ile soon endeared himself to the whole Regiment by his energy, faithfulness, and soldierly quali- ties. He was in the van at the battle of Freder- icksburg, where the 27th had met the most danger- ous position in making that assault upon the rebels behind the stone-wall, in which the Regiment suffered severely. He was taken prisoner at Chaneellorsville with most of the Regiment, and, after being exchanged, was ordered to take com- mand of it in consequence of Col. Bostwick's absence on account of sickness. While bravely fighting at Gettysburg, July 2d, he was shot through the lungs and expired. His funeral was attended at New Haven, July 8th, with public honors.

Col. Merwin was only 23 years of age at the time of his death, yet he had proved himself weil qualified for the high position which he occupied, while the sterling virtues shown in his private life gave him the heartfelt respect of his fellow citizens.

Lieutenant Colonel Dudley,

Lieutenant Colonel William W. Dudley, who has recently returned home from the war, has had a wide and extensive experience in the ser- vice. Although quite young, he received a com- mission in June, 1861, as Captain of Co. B. 19th Indiana infantry, which regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and has participated in most of its engagements. It has served under Generals MeDowell, Pope, MeClellan, Burnside, Hooker, and Meade, and is now reduced to a mere skeleton. Shortly after the battle of Antietam Captain Dudley was promoted to Mujer, and a few weeks later was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel, which rank he now holds. While in command of Co. B, Captain Dudley was presented with a beautiful fag by the ladies of Richmond, Indiana, which colors he still retains. It bears marks of conflict and carnage, and its tattered ap- pearanee proves its presence in numerous engage- meats. Ilis regiment was attached to the first division, first army corps, commanded by the brave General Reynolds, killed at Gettysburg. Colonel Dudley was present at the death of this distinguished general, and was wounded himself a few hours later. The loss of blood nearly

Major Frederick Hoadly, who was killed while fighting on the rebel side at the siege of Vieks- burg, was a Connectient bred and born boy belong. ing to an old respectable Hartford family. His ; proved fatal and he barely survived the operation grandfather for many years held the honorable position of high sheriff of Hartford County, and

of amputation. Colonel Dudley was captured with many others of our wounded, but speaks fa- ¡ one of his brothers has been for a long time, and i vorably of his treatment while a prisoner. ffe is now, the State Librarian of Councetient. Major loadly went to Little Rock, Arkansas, ten or

returns with one less leg than he carried into the service, but should circumstances unhappily re- quire it, he proposes giving them a chance at the other, when fully recovered.

DE" The Nashville Union states, on the author. ity of refugees, that the rebel conseription officers in East Tennessee are actually going through that afflicted country, stripping white women while at work in the fields, under the pretence of ascer- trining whether or no they were men disguised in fondle garments, to escape conscription.

larry Brainerd, Co. A., 24th C. V., was twelve years since, and was there admitted to killed at Port Hudson.

practice at the bar in that State:

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

ESEPTEMBER.

Major Sanford, Seventh C. V.

vived about an hour and a half, recognizing his Major O. S. Sanford, of the famons Seventh ; friends and desiring that his relations should be Connecticut, Colonel Hawley, was this morning apprised of his decease. A fine, brave young the recipient of a very handsome testimonial on ; man.

These are our only casualties for the week past the part of Company C, of that regiment, which he forinerly commanded, in the shape of an ele. Although we have many men in batteries, yet gant and highly ornamented dress sword, such, we have not suffered so severely as many other and belt. They were presented him by Sergeant regiments. There have been no deaths from dis. Pierce, of Company C, and expressed in a more ease, and though we have considerable sickness, substantial way than by words, the high regard there are no critical or very threatening cases."

and esteem in which his old company held him. Both the presentation remarks and those of Major

CONNECTICUT SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS,- Sanford, in acknowledgment of the gift, were ex -; Governor Buckingham has succeeded in compdet- ceedingly happy. Major Sanford is now detached , ing arrangements for having sick and wounded from the regiment on important duty in the siege ; soldiers of Connecticut regiments brought home works, and he made himself a very valuable all jand cared for, instead of being left to the mercies to its progress .-- Charleston Correspondent of the of senttered hospitals in which they may happen New York Herald.

Well Merited Compliments.

In our last we published an address by the [ ... triotie citizens of Derby to their fellow townsten

CORPORAL STABREY .- Corporal William Starkey in the army. Since then they have shown sub- jof the 9th Connecticut, is evidently quite popn- | State, and oa principles of unwavering loyalty. lar in the Fifth Ward, judging from the reception stantial evidence of their appreciation of the val- iant conduct of two brave officers from that town, Lieut. Col. William B. Wooster, and Lient. A. Fon detached service, having been detailed to take

E. Beardslee, of the 20th C. V., by the presenta- 1 tion of a handsome sword, sash and belt to each of them. These two officers, who were in the hottest of the fight at Chancellorsville, were, by the fortune of war, taken prisoners, and for a while tried the fare of Libby Prison, but were ex. changed in time to participate in the victory of ; ing hale and hearty.

Gettysburg. their enjoyment of which. we opine. i

:B" Theodore W. Sharp, a member of Co. K. was not lessened by personal recollections of rebel, with C. V., aged twenty years, died at the Knight hospitality.

Chancellorsville and Gettysburg prove that the field, and his body was yesterday forwarded to ! being in every case connected with the regiments Hospital, Angust 31st. He belonged ia Spring- : place in the several regiments. The contributors

citizens of Derby have put swords into good, his relatives. It is a noticable fact that of most hands, which will make right use of then.

Cy From Chapdain Wayland we have the fol. . many of them suffering from disease contracted : able instances of personal valor on the part of on lowing items relative to the 7th Regiment, Conn. 'in the Sonth. The sudden change of climate, also, Vols. Under date of Aug. 14, he writes: ji- dangerous to delicate constitutions, and none

" A few days since, Edward C. Hak-love of Co. (can be too careful in guarding against escreves, history of every Connecticut regiment from the A, died in the Hilton Head Hospital of las, and conforming in all things to the change of date of its organization through its various ex- wounds. lle was a fine. intelligent, faithful . Ivaperature.

young man, greatly beloved by his comrades ant officers.

SELF. DAVIS APPEALS TO MOBILE TO STAND BY Since the war has been in progress, for some Him .- A dispatch frein Vicksburg to the Cinein. | time it will be necessary to bring up the past his- " Two days ago private Taylor, of Co. K. was fiti Gazette says: "We hope for tidings from : tory of our regiments in successive mmbers, as shot by a sharpshooter, and died instantly. He Mobile in a few weeks. The citizens are reported Fare will allow. The disadvantage of history so fragmentary and scattered will be obviated by a was a brave, excellent sollier and man; a great to be anxious for a surrender of the place. Jeff regions index printed in the last number of the loss to his company and regiment, and, most of all. Davis has sent a special appeal to the citizens of year, enabling the reader to turn readily to the to his home.

that place to stand by him."

" Private George Neime, of Co. G. was wounded yesterday in the wrist by a fragment of a shell -- not seriously, but severely."

"cequehannab, while attempting to communicate . Under date August 250, Chaplain Wayland writes as follows : through the rebel fine with the beral Meade's head- iguarters at tiefge urs, on Friday last, was top- CASUALTIES IN THE SEVENTH CONNECTICUT, VORBIS tur ley ton Fitz lingh let's rebel cavalry.

ISLAND, FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUG. 23.

:3" Samuel Dich toon, a returned soldier from

Sunday, Aug. 16 .- James Conway, Co. F. shot . Co. A. Steht Vital at Haddan, tt. Sept. 7th. through the heart by a sharpshooter.

-lug 20 .- Patrick Brannan, Co. 1. struck ly a shell on the left side, near lower edge of captil .. . The skin was not broken, but two ribs were frde- tured and the luag contused. The wound was very serious-but, almost past hope, he is doing . very well, and has more than an even chance of recovery.

ACEIOOL ROOK REPOSITORY, No. 315 CHAPEL ST., NEW HAVEN.

Prospectus of the Connecticut War Record. PECK, WHITE & PECK, Publishers, 841 and 316 Chapel Street, New Haven, Ct.

The object of this JornNat is to preserve in form, permanent and convenient for binding and reference, all the valuable facts and statistics, the interesting experience, the worthy achievements, aud high heroie valor of the nearly THIRTY mous- AND patriotic sous of Connecticut, who have gone forth from the State to save the nation.

Justice to all Connecticut soldiers, which has not vet been rendered, honor to the heroes who have fallen, syrajuthy with the bereaved, gratitude to those who fight in our defense, every sentiment of humanity and patriotism,-demands that their achievements should be placed on the historie page. We enter an open field, and will endeavor, by devoting ourselves to one work, to accomplish thoroughily, faithfully and fairly, what no other journal is doing or can do. Undertaken neither for peendiary gain, nor to serve any partisan purpose, the work, established on an ample basis, will be carried through to its completion in a catholic spirit, and by comprehensive agencies. It will be conducted with an eve single to the honor of the

THE Recono will contain monthly letters from

he received Monday evening. He returns home | able correspondents in the various Connecticut

regiments; stating the location and condition of each, and what each has cajoyed, suffered, and achieved during the previous month. Thus the Dale and Lieutenant Coleman were in charge of, people at home, and the members of every regi- the arrangements for welcome, and their success : ment will have at hand full information concern- must have been flattering to the returned soldier. We notice than Captain John Healy, of the same regiment, is also in the city on a short leave, look. on conscripts assigned to his regiment. Captain ing all the regiments. Descriptions of battles in which Connecticut troops have been engaged, and original and selected articles on other matters per- taining to the war, will be occasionally printed. Every number will contain a sketch of the pro- gress of the war, and a review of military affairs for the preceding month, with a list of promotions, resignations, and all changes which have taken whose experience and exploits they relate, what- of the deaths which have lately occurred in the" ever is communicated will possess peculiar in- terest and reliability, as the testimony of eye Hospital, the victims were recently admitted, ; witnesses. Note-worthy incidents and commend- brave volunteers, will receive honorable mention in the REconp.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 15

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