The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 16

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

USA > Connecticut > The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865 > Part 16

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

It is also designed to publish a succinct but full

periences and achievements to the day of its mus- tering out.

pages devoted to each regiment.

THE RECORD will be issued montlily while the 27 - Major S Herbert Lanrey, of Middletown, war lasts, and so much longer as is necessary to vaiunteer aid to Gen. Ewen, of the nimy of the secondish its objects.

The journal will be published in quarto form, and will contain from sixteen totwenty-four triple- culmin pages per month. The volume for the year will be a history of what Connecticut has done during that period in the war, in a form con- Venient for preservation -- valuable not only for its present interest, but still more for future refer- ence, and the whole work will constitute a reposi- tury of useful and interesting information respect- ing the events of this grand era and eri-is in our national destiny, which no intelligent Connecticut family ran weil afford to be withont.

The wordion of Mere'in, Manufa "mrers inalde every Councetient soldier, every soldier's The price of the Recoup will be ONE DOLLAR per ammann in advance. It is hoped this low figure will Should critters, Tranches, and etters, is in- site to ricevi tebe stock of Bank - and Station. ers, when we offer at the Love! prima. Every Aug. 22-Charles S. Keith, Co F, struck by a Assigning of Bed and other Blank Find family, and every friend of the soldier or the sol- dier's canse, to be provided with a copy. Patri- ofir citizens are called on to ald this enterprise by l'oral stareriptions -- not singdy for their own fragment of shell, laying open the abdomen and made trusler, of the best materials, at short notice. benefit, fast for additional copies, to be sent to our PER. WHITE & PECK. . soldiers in the field.

right thigh, cutting the femoral artery. He sur ..

to fall. Officers in Connecticut Regiments are or- dered to report to the Adjutant General the names of siek or wounded sokliers left on the rood or in hospital, in accordance with this plan.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

OUR STATE POINTS TO DEEDS, NOT ACHES.

PECK, WHITE & PECK, ) Publishers. -

NEW HAVEN, OCTOBER, 1863.

VOL. I. No. 3. { $1 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.

Record of Events.

Ang. 25. Gen. Bhint defeats Gen. Coop- er at Perryville, Ark.

Ang. 25. Confederates defeated at Brownsville, Ark., by the cavalry of Gen. Steele.

Aug. 26. Capture of the Rifle pits and of 75 rebels, in front of Fort Wagner.

Aug. 26, 27. Cavalry fight at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, between Jones. Federals obliged to retire. Loss- es about equal.

Gen. Averill and the Confederate Gen. of operations, the movements of Gen.

Blunt have been remarkably brilliant and

Ang. 28. Rebels defeated with severe hundred and fifty miles, fought two bat- tles, and, by the capture of Fort Smith, compelled the evacuation of Northwest. ern Arkansas.

loss, at Bayou Metaire, Ark., by General Steele.

Sept. 1. Col. Cloud, of Blunt's army, defeats Gen. Cobell, and captures Fort Smith, Ark.

Sept. 2. Destruction of the Satellite and Reliance, on the Rappahannock, by General Kilpatrick.

.they knew that a momentous period had After a sharp and decisive engagement . arrived, and fairness compels us to admit at Bayou Metaire, the Confederates, de- that their efforts to redeem themselves Sept. 2. Occupation of Kingston, Tenu., by Gen. Burnside. feated with severe loss, disheartened and i were worthy of an infinitely better cause. demoralized, abandoned their capital and Sept. 3, 4 and 5. Utter defeat of the retreated to Arkadelphia. Thus, by the From the army of Lee, Longstreet's corps Indians, at White Stone Hills, Dacotah operations of these two officers, the whole was put in motion on the very day that Territory, by Gen. Sully.

Sept. 4. Occupation of Knoxville by Gen. Burnside.

On the 16th of last August Gen. Rose- Sept. 5, 6. Terrible bombardment of crans broke up his camp at Winchester; word of honor, ten thousand of Pember- Forts Wagner and Gregg, followed by

and again advanced to seek the enemy. ton's army were declared exchanged and their evacuation ; 36 guns found in the Two of his corps, commanded by Me- ordered to report to Bragg. Reinforce- forts, and 75 rebels taken prisoners.

Cook and Thomas, proceeded to Steven- ment> came also from Mobile and possibly Sept. 7, 8. Heavy firing between the forts in Charleston Harbor and the iron- clads. Explosion of a magazine in Fort son, Ala., while the third, under Critten- from Charleston. In short, from the At- den, striking off more to the eastward, lantic to the Mississippi river, and from marched directly upon Chattanooga. The the Rappahannock to the Gulf of Mexico Moultrie. Unsuccessful attack by the design seems to have been this: MeCook every available soldier was hurried on to marines of the fleet on Fort Sumter. and Thomas, with the bulk of the army, Bragg, while the entire Federal army, Sept. S. Repulse of Gen. Franklin at Sabine Pass, La. by marching to the west and south of ignorant of, or doubting the movement Chattanooga, were to flank that position, of the enemy, remained comparatively while Crittenden, with the remainder of motionless.

Sept. 9. Occupation of Chattanooga by Gen. Rosecrans.

Sept. 9. Surrender of Cumberland Gap, with 2000 men and 14 guns, to Gen. Burnside.

Ark., by Gen. Steele.

Sept. 13. Defeat of the Confederatej Cavalry at Culpepper Court House., Va., with loss of 3 guns and 40 prisoners.

Sept. 19, 20. Defeat of Gen. Rosecrans at Chickamauga. Loss in killed, wound- el and missing, 13,800; Confederate loss full as heavy.

Sept. 28. Defeat of Rebel Cavalry at diately occupied the town, and pushing MeMinnville, Tenn., by the forces of Gen. forward, effected a junction with MeCook Burnside.

Sept. 30. Occupation of Camp Bisland, La., by Gen. Franklin.

and Thomas, not far from the now his- torical Chickamanga river.

Meanwhile the Confederate leaders had not been inattentive. They saw that the For the Connecticut War Record. Review of Events. blow which Rosecrans aimed at them would, if successful, sever the Atlantic from the Gulf States of the Confederacy. NUMBER THREE. In the right zone of our vast theatre Their great Southwestern Railway was already lost. Should Atlanta, with its network of railroad connections, be cap- snecessful. Iu nine days he marched two, tured, their position in Virginia would be as effectually turned as it had been at Columbus by the surrender of Fort Don- elson. Richmond, which they had forti- fiel with so much care and defended with As successful too, though less dashing, such prodigal waste of blood, would be was the movement of Gen. Steele against no longer of any strategie value. Well Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas.

Buckner had already joined Bragg. Chattanooga was evacuated. Portions of Johnston's army were sent up from Mississippi. In violation of their pledged

the army, holding off to the left, yet Gen. Rosecrans, aware that he was within concentrating distance, was to | outnumbered, took up a strong defensive threaten it in front. It is also extremely position along the Chickamauga, Gen. probable that Gen. Rosecrans contem -! Thomas holding the left, Crittenden the Sept. 10. Occupation of Little Rock, plated not only a battle with Gen. Bragg, 'center, and MeCook the right. About in which, as the armies then were, he felt eleven o'clock in the. forenoon of the 19th confident of snecess, but also a further ; nlt., the Confederates, without skirmish. advance upon Atlanta, into the very heart ling, fell upon Gen. Thomas with over- of Georgia.

whelming force and were pushing him The wager of battle thins offered to the back. This officer, however, soon rallied Confederate General was declined, and his men, and in turn drove the rebels back he retreated from Chattanooga, while yet with fearful slaughter. From this time his retreat was sure. Crittenden imme-| the battle raged till dark, closing with a

-------

of Northern Arkansas is forever lost to the Confederacy.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

LOCTOBER,

substantial success to our arms, Near if disasters have been sustained, they mental compact," or a "confederation," ten o'clock on the morning of the next have been compensated by substantial or a "league," or anything else but a day it was renewed with great fury, snecesses. Constitution, In one sense it was the result of a "compact." So is your house. The Constitution. NUMBER TWO. The mason and the joiner entered into a " compact" with you, to build the house. Thomas again bearing the brunt of the attaek. To reinforce him two divisions were ordered from the centre, whose places were to be filled by two divisions In our first unmber we begged yon to So the makers of the Constitution entered into a "compact" with each other to from the right. This order was either a read the Constitution for yourself. Per- bad one or it was badly executed. The haps we may undertake to read some build the Constitution. Yet your house, enemy, perceiving this change of posi- parts of it with you in future numbers of as it stands there, is not a " compact," tion, made a furious attack npon the | this " War Reeord." Our present pur- but a house. And the Constitution, as it right and center before they had been pose, however, is to tell you how to read stands there, is not a " compact," but a fairly brought into line, breaking them it. Constitution. As we may tell the parts Eramine it in the light of common Nonse. and qualities of the house-pointing out its materials, its color and its shape-so Away with the theories of the philoso- we may tell the parts and qualities of the of Thomas prevented it from causing a phers. Away with the quibbles of the Constitution --- pointing ont its frame- lawyers. Away with the sophistries of| work, its foundations and its seope. Still the politicians. Remember always that | the house remains, as its builders left it, the Constitution is a plain, honest doen-ia house, and nothing else. So the Con- ment, written in plain, honest English. stitution remains, as its builders left it. a Constitution, and nothing else. Whether you can give a correct definition of a. and hurling them back upon the moun- tains. This was the disaster of the day, and nothing but the splendid generalship rout. By his heroic efforts the left wing was preserved intact till darkness termi- nated the confliet, and then was with- drawn safely and in good order. This repulse, however, did not compel Rose- for plain, honest people to read and m- derstand. There is no mystery in it. You can understand it as easily as you house or not, you know what it is ; and can understand the Lord's Prayer. crans to retire from the naturally strong position of Chattanooga, and since then heavy reinforcements have reached him both from Vicksburg and from the Po- tomac.

In the first place remember that it is a Beware then of admitting, in argu- ment, or of believing or assuming in your own mind, that the Constitution is a " compaet" or anything else but a Con- Simultaneous with the advance of Rose: crans, was the rapid and successful move- ment of Gen. Burnside into East Tennes- Constitution and nothing else. Let no- body persuade you to call it anything else. If you are indneed to do so, you are made the victim of a trick. The sec. Kingston, Knoxville, and Cumber- commonest trick of demagognes, who land Gap fell into his hands without a , seek to deceive you about the meaning of stitution, Stick to that good word, struggle. His army is now co-operating the Constitution, is to make you start : knowing that you understand it well with the idea that the Constitution is not

with that of Rosecrans,

nongh for all practical purposes. Do

tionary-maker, or statesman, or lawyer; but when yon read the Constitution ex- amine it in the light of sound common sense, and its meaning will be as clear to

In the Department of the South, Gen. jdo not understand and which they offer your mind as pure spring water is to your Gilmore has accomplished result, which f to explain to your benightened minds. eye. have astonished the world. At a mean ; By this very trick these raseals have Inun- range of four thousand yards he has de- bugged niltitudes of honest and sensi- The Constitution. NUMBER THREE. molished the massive walls of Fort Sum -; ble men into the belief that there is some ter, and that too by firing directly over great mystery about the Constitution,

In our first number we begged you to Forts Wagner and Gregg. Besides, byl mnd that a common, nulearned man must read the Constitution for yourself. In a series of skillful approaches he has not expect to understand it without help

our second we advised you to examine it compelled the evacuation of these latter :from lawyers or statesmen or philoso- in the light of common sense, and to forts and of the remainder of Morris phers. Down with these tricksters and trust your own conclusions in regard to Island, where for nearly a month he has, their tricks. Hold fast to that good word its meaning, without consulting politi- been erecting new and powerful batteries. " " Constitution," which is an honest, in- cians, philosophers or lawyers. We as- When these shall open, the fate of the 'telligible word. It needs no definition, ' sured you also that in the light of com- Palmetto City will be sealed.

Do not undertake to give a definition mon sense you would find the Constitu-

During the first part of September, an of it. Do not accept a definition of it tion a perfectly plain, honest, intelligible expedition was sent from New Orleans to from any body. There is not a word or thing. In that light we propose, in this Sabine Pass, under the command of Gen.' sentence in the English language which'and future members, to examine it a little Franklin. Owing to unexpected and for- will answer as a till and safe definition' with you. Take nothing on our authori- midable opposition, it was obliged to re- of it. Yet you can understand it ; much ty. Read and think for yourself as we turn without accomplishing its object. better, too, without a pretended definition go along, and if you find us talking com.

On the whole, the results of the past of it than with one. The Constitution is mon sense, agree with us; if not, not. mouth are encouraging. AAlmost every- [ not a " compact," ora " federal compact,"; In order to know what the Constitu- where our armies have been active, and / or a "constitutional compact," or a "funda- tion is, let us then, like men of sense,

whether you can give a correct definition of a Constitution or not, yon know what. it is.

The army of the Potomac has solvanced a Constitution but a "compact," or a not muidertake to be a philosopher, or dic- to Culpepper, but with the exception of "federal compact," or a "constitutional successful cavalry fights and of enforcing ; compact." or a " fundamental compact," the draft in New York City, has other- for a " confederation," or a " league," or wise been inactive.

something or other which they think you

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1-63.]

look inside of it, instead of listening to the will of that nation and npon nothing States, declaring in artiele 6th, that random talk outside of it. And let ns else. The Constitution does not pretend: "this Constitution and the laws of the begin at the beginning. The very first to be a bargain, a leagne, a "compact," United States which shall be made in sentence of the Constitution, like an il- between different nations. It has no pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, Inminated open gateway, pours a flood of other foundation and professes to have or which shall be made under the author- light into the interior of the noble edifice, no other foundation than this simple de- ity of the United States, shall be the su- so that he who is not naturally or willful- claration of the nation which created it preme law of the lund; and the judges -" We, the People of the United States,

ly blind, will see, in the steady brilliance of that light, as he advances, all parts of do ordain and establish this Constitution." the structure in their true proportions, |If there is no such nation then there is no and in their full symmetry. Constitution.

" We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfeet Union, establish justice, insure domestic tran- quillity, provide for the common defense,

Yet there are professed expounders of the Constitution who tell you that there is no such nation, and that the Constitu- tion is not what it says it is -- a real Con- promote the general welfare, and seeure stitution ordained and established by one the blessings of liberty to ourselves and nation -- but merely a written contract our posterity, do ordain and establish this between several different nations. Test Constitution for the United States of this nonsense by your common sense. America."

You know that before the revolution In some respects this is the most im- every man, woman and child in this portant sentence of the Constitution, for country was a member of the British na- it helps us to understand all the rest. It tion. By the revolution all these people so helps us by telling ns positively, at the were ent off' from the British nation. start, who made the Constitution and They became a new nation, having all what it was made for. Thus your mind the elements of one nation. Nothing but a mere " compact" or bargain, be- short of the wildest and most unnatural tween thirteen or more different nations, may possibly be a very ingenious petti- fogger or a very profound philosopher, subdivided into counties and States, was but he has not got common sense-or, if

is let into the mind of the creator of the Constitution, so that yon know in the be- violence could have split them up into ginning who that ereator is and what | different nations. Their country, though that creator's designs are; and thereby your mind is enabled to go along with geographically one conutry. The People the mind of that creator, and to feel and of that one conntry were everywhere comprehend the working out of the plan substantially of one and the same breed all along through. -a raee almost entirely of British blood,

Who then is the creator, the ordainer, with a slight mixture of blood from the the establisher of the Constitution ? Let continent of Europe. They spoke one the first words of that first sentence an- swer. " We, the People of the United

and the same language; and, as every man of common sense knows, no one States." Any man of common sense can thing more clearly distinguishes nations imderstand this answer. And yet dema- from each other than difference of lan- gognes, theorizers and pretended states- guage. They were all of one religion, men have been doing their best for sex- Christians, and with extremely few ex- enty-six years, and are still doing their ceptions, were all Protestants. They best-or rather, worst-to puzzle you were one in all their habits, enstoms and and me upon the simple question-who laws-which, throughout their country, made the Constitution ?-- a question | were almost identically the same. There- which, as you see, the Constitution fore, although they inhabited a country answers for itself so plainly that human | which was divided by imaginary lines in- language cannot make the answer plainer. | to districts called States, these People Observe. "We, the People of the United States,"-not "we, the thirteen were one nation and they knew it ; and that is the reason why, in the first line of States," -- not "we, the Legislatures of the Constitution, they assume to be one the thirteen States," --- not " we, the nation-" the People."

thirteen peoples of the States,"-but You will see, as you read farther, that " We, the People " -- one People-" the, throughout the Constitution this "Peo- People"-of that country which is called ple" speaks as one undivided and indi- " the United States."

visible nation, dietating its will to States Thus the Constitution starts with the , and State-goverments, so called, as im- assumption that there is one nation, peratively as to individuals, and, at last. as known to itself and to the world as if to anticipate and trample into the dust " the People of the United States;" and, the theories of modern demagogues abont as we see, the Constitution stands upon | the pretended "sovereignty" of the

in every State shall be bound thereby ;- anything in the Constitution of laws of any State to the contrary notwithstand- ing."

Trusting your common sense alone then, you look upon your country and you see with your own eyes that it is one great country, inhabited by one great "People " or Nation. Then looking into the Constitution, you see, just as elearly, by the help of that same common sense, that the Constitution was made by that same single, indivisible Nation, and that it is really and truly what it pretends to be, a Constitution, "ordained and estab- lished" by the will of that Nation, as the " supreme law of the land." IIe who tells you that it is not a Constitution,

he has, he thinks that you have not, and means to humbug you.

God save the State. Tune-"AMERICA," God save our native land : Firm may she ever stand, Through storm and night; When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do thou our country save By thy great might.

For her our prayer shall rise To God. above the skies; On Him we wait : . Thon who art ever nigh, . Guarding with watchful eye, To Thee aloud we cry, God save the State.

The Conscript's Song.

Do you ask me, fellows, how I feel, Since my name came out of the drafting wheel ? Ask, if you please, the dear old flag Which Jeff insults with his rebel rag- Whether it feels its stars to thank, Or whether it thinks it has drawn a blank.

. Let flag and country never fear,

This conscript's heart is a volunteer, And though this seems but an awkward hand, It shall try with a will the battle band ; And well may the toads of rebels feel The dread they do of the drafting wheel ! Boston Transcript.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[OCTOBER,

For the Connecticut War Record.

to participate in engagements and to held, at which whole companies were en- The Three Months' Volunteers. share in victories affecting vitally the listed, no reservations being made by the The three months troops were raised in interests of the country and tending di- volunteers, and no conditions looking to an emergency. A crisis had occurred; rectly to the suppression of the rebellion, position imposed. Young men freely which, though not entirely unforeseen, that to have been one of those who first ! gave up the golden promises and alluring was startling in its suddenness and im- sprang to arms, has almost ceased to be a prospects of a successful career ; middle portance. No nation had ever been so, matter of pride. When, however, this aged men kit wife and children confident rudely awakened from a long dream of atrocious rebellion shall have been crush- in the good faith of their fellow-citizens, peace. For a period of more than eighty , ed, and peace shall have allayed excite- years the people had been devoted to ment and enabled us to take a compre- the development of the resources of the hensive view of the great struggle, they country, to commerce, agriculture, and

will be awarded no inferior place among the arts. No preparation had been made the soldiers of the Republic.

by the loyal States for war, either foreign or domestie. Of the Eastern States prob- ably none was so illy prepared as Cou- necticut. Adjoining States possessed a

During the winter of 1860-1, the ex-finay be found in almost every town and citement among the people in consequence ! of the threats and menaces of those who afterwards became the avowed leaders of the Republic.

A glance at the list of residences of

militia well drilled and efficient, while a and directors of the rebellion, was most system of organization, merely, withont . intense. Enhanced by the successive se -; those composing the three first regi- men sufficient for a respectable regimental cession of the Southern States, it reached ments, will show how generally diffused parade, comprised all that Connecticut its climax when the news of the firing | was this spirit all over the State. Almost

conld boast as a nucleus for an army.

upon the flag of the Republic, borne by every town. and hamlet, and neighbor-

But the patriotism of the people proved an unarmed steamer in the harbor of hood. sent its representatives to Hartford superior to these disadvantages. Adju- Charleston, S. C, followed by the attack! or New Haven, the centres of the State. tant General J. D. Williams, in his re- and surrender of Fort Sumter, was re-, No one place can claim preeminence for ceived. Party prejudices were renoun- promptness in answering the call of the

port for 1861, says :

"Under these circumstances a eall for feed. social distinctions swept aside, and executive. Men coming in from the volunteers was promptly made, appending personal animosities forgotten in the country begged the privilege of entering to the patriotism of the people, and it was [ overwhelming rush of aroused patriot -! company ranks which were already filled. as promptly responded to by the immedi- 'ism. Men, whose interests, tastes, and When a man judged physically unfit was ate tender of a sufficient number of com- business engagements apparently forbade rejectedl, a dozen stood elamoring for his panies to organize a regiment, and within any change in their pursuits, forgot inter- place, while the rejected subject begged three days from the date of the orders est. laid aside preferences of taste, left hard to be retained. All supposed that they were at the rendezvous at New business engagements to fulfill them- the force called for-seventy-five thous- Haven."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 16

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