The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 19

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

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The present officers of the brigade are : Brig. Gen. Edward Harland. Capt. II. P. Gates, A. A. G. Lieut. C. J. Arms, A. D. C. Lieut. Alfred Goddard, A. D. C. Lieut. N. P. Ives, Brig. Com. Lieut. Stuart Barnes, Brig. Q. M. Surgeon Melanethon Storrs, Sth C. V.

hopping about the beach till I fairly pity the of drummers and fifers subsided, practice thousands who are compelled to put up at almost ceased, attempts at martial music | Sachem's Head, Watch Hill, Nahant, etc. became infrequent and so excruciating that No! this is a subject I will not mention. It might harrow up your feelings. we wi-hed them still more infrequent. We felt keenly the want of music, and it was determined by several regiments to raise and support small bands at their own expense. The spirit of musicians again revived, they practised diligently, and they deserve great credit, under the circumstances, both for their performances and their rapid progress. They are still improving.

I won't tell you in what corps, or under what General I am, for, judging by the past, the whole programme will be changed before this can reach you. I think that, to-day, Gen. Foster commands the department, and Gen. Naglee the corps. Mutato nonime, and you will probably have the situation of things next week.' The principal military move- We have recently been delighted by the arrival and excellent music of a brigade band. This, too, is supported chiefly by the ments in this vicinity consist in daily raids on Maltby's ice cream saloon in Norfolk. Mr. M. is a New Haven man, and of course liberal contributions of the officers of the understands his biz. We are blessed with brigade, many of them contributing largely

any quantity of ladies now, who have come to the support both of a regimental and a down to minister to the necessities of their brigade band.

soldier friends. They keep coming in, and I haven't heard of the departure of a single at 5 P. M. daily. This is the great event of one. All of which reminds me that I must the day. The details for guard spend hours in preparing their clothing, guns and equip- ments for the display. And well they may,

We have now a brigade gnard mounting

not forget to tell you what, when I began this letter, I resolved to remember, viz .: to give you an account of a sailing party quorum for to the spectacle throng soldiers and citi- pars fui. "It was a lovely summer morn," zens, and many fair ones are there to admire and commend. The inspection and review passes off' with life and precision, rendered especially attractive by tunes at once delicious and stirring. The guard presents truly a splendid appearance, almost spotless in array and faultless in movement. The guard mounting over, we saunter back from the parade ground to the camps cheerful, chatty and well sati fied.

For the Connecticut War Record.

Private Letter from Headquarters.

The fortune of war is various, and has sometimes a pleasant side for those who can see it, as witness this extract from a private letter :

GEN. HARLAND'S BRIGADE, } PORTSMOUTH, Va. 5

MY DEAR --:- I have the honor to report that just at the present time I am suffering a good deal of bodily comfort. This letter shall not, therefore, be filled with expressions of disgust at army life or groan- ings over personal ills, but rather sing praise- to the fortune which has at last given us a soft thing.

etc. The ambulance is ready. All aboard. Six o'clock A. M. Unheard of hour for ris- ing. Jolt down to the Portsmouth dock. "C. P. Smith " in readiness. Polite and efficient captain. All aboard again. Fine breeze and consequently heavy sea. Two or three ladies seriously affected. Several chil- Iren ditto. Brandy bottle freely circulated to check the epidemic. Go ashore at Old Point. Inspect the fortress. Scale the ram- parts. Fine band of music. Right arm quite lame from frequent acknowledgment of salutes. Dine at the IIygeia. Embark once more. Go alongside gunboat Roanoke. Three turrets and six guns. Crawl into tur- ret and revolve with the same. Thank obliging captain for universal kindness, and gracefully withdraw. Visit wreck of the Congress, witness preparations for raising the Cumberland, and listen to anecdotes of heroism connected with both. Head home- ward. Pass the stake and little white flag which indicate the present status of the Merrimac. Five o'clock P. M., safely landed. "Good evening, ladies." Jolt back to camp and retire at an early hour, a wearied and copper-colored man.

We are now elegantly encamped on the Western Branch (of the Elizabeth river,) Yours, for a vigorous prosecution, &c., J. and " all we ask is to be let alone." I will not be unkind enough to tell you, who are sneezing through the dust of New Haven, For the Connecticut War Record. The Eighth C. V. that no Northern watering-place can com- The Sth C. V. is now located in its place pare in coolness, romance, and facilities for bathing, fishing, and sailing, with this very with the brigade about four miles from Ports-

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[OCTOBER,

mouth. Our camp is inside an incompletefand German regulars, who came to this our own regiment, which came to this camp earthwork, which has been abandoned.

country for the purpose of enlisting. They ; on the 25th of August, is in excellent health The health of the regiment is compara- have taken the substitute money and entered : as regards malarious diseases. Our hospital is tively good. When we reflect on the situ- the army at better wages than they ever |almost empty. It is worthy of record that ation and climate, it is a wonder that fever | before received. They esteem their bargain ; the number in hospital to-day is reduced to a good one, and intend to do good service. two. And it is right that this fact should I have talked with many of this class, as, bear witness to the faithfulness of our sur- well as my limited knowledge of German geon in charge, which other and neighboring would admit, and find them apparently relia -; troops have been glad to acknowledge.

and ague, dysentery, and similar disorders. do not prostrate the men by scores. Much is due to the unwearied sympathy and inde- fatigable efforts of Dr. Stocking, our self- denying surgeon, in charge. Hle not only man and every part of the camp. IIe en- forees eleanliness of person and tent, an ! takes care that the rations are well cooke.l. He has the satisfaction of doing his whole duty, and is rewarded by the respect and af- fection of the whole regiment.

ble and honorable men. They express them-[ If regular occupation is conducive to cares for the sick, but his eye is on every | solves much better pleased with our service , health, perhaps our work in felling trees and than with that of the European armies, 'throwing up breastworks has been healthy Many of them save their money, and thou-'for us. They are designed for death to the sands of dollars have been sent to New York 'enemy. But if in war the shovel and the and elsewhere by them since their arrival. musket are in inverse ratio, there will not be From what we had heard, we dreaded much fighting here. Weeds, coarse grass and their advent. We are agreeably surprised. the cane may take possession of these works ; We have also been very kindly and ef- ficiently assisted by munificent and exactly suitable donations from the Hartford Soldiers' There are, it is true, quite a number of very ; the rebels will hardly attempt it. This regi- tricky and vicious men. There are others ment is perhaps more famous for fighting who are ever on the alert to escape, but will than for digging. Yet I ean, from obserya- Aid Society. Both their judicious gifts and ! use no violence, and are in other respects'tion, testify that it does the latter well. their kind sympathy have cheered and bene-[ quiet and obedient. These two elaisses, as is This daily fatigue duty, this weary round fited the sick. They too shall have their 'often the case, have given to the whole mass of digging and slashing. yes, the very dirt reward. " God bless the ladies of Hartford." ! an ill reputation which they do not deserve. of the swamp, carries off the fire of patriot- ism as insensibly, perhaps, but as surely as York City and Brooklyn. They are, in! the dust of the prime conductor discharges is the hearty desire of many a war-scarred | The men were chiefly collected from New veteran now feeble and languishing.

Weare occupied, like the other regiments. general, large, stout, and apparently healthy. and dissipates its supply of electricity. That in digging and slashing at the rifle-pits and They are, for the most part, easily managed, needs a new turn at the erank of the electri- forts. We have, however, one duty which |and try, by generosity and obe lience, to win i cal machine.

other Connecticut regiments at this post have the good will of the officers and men of the ! Our army needs a constant communication, not-to guard our recruits. They arrived | 8th. They have aheady learned our proud through the golden chain of sympathy, with on the morning of September 9th. Their record, and begin to enter into the spirit of home. We need more letters, more tokens coming necessitated a change of camp to the regiment. After one month's drill 1. of regard, more books, more comforts, more the larger and more convenient spot above have no fear that they will disgrace us. "good things. We need to be charged, from mentioned. Previous to their arrival, our Many ludierons scenes occur, and some quite time to time, with the true New England camp guard did not often exceed a dozen serious ones, but both of these will diminish | fire --- the fire of patriotism-and the glow of men, or, rather, we had no camp guard. and we shall soon be ready for effective work. love. For these were stationed at the commissary J. M. M. For the next month, I trust a sketch of the 11th may be ready, beginning with its For the Connecticut War Record. From the Eleventh Regiment. PonrsMourn, Va., Oct. 2d, 1863. formation as a regiment. II. S. DE F. and sutler's tents and at regimental head -! quarters. The men were allowed to go and : come freely, the officers trusting to their . honor, and almost never did they abuse their The 11th C. V left Portsmouth on Sunday, the 4th of October, to take part in the expedition of For the last month the 11th C. V. has . Gen. Wistar into Matthews Co. By some unpleas- ant arrangement they were left at Gloucester Point to do picket duty in that vicinity. They still remain at Gloucester Point, but expect orders to return to Portsmouth. Letters directed via Fort. Monroe will reach them. privilege. But as soon as the conscripts ar- rived a elose camp guard was necessary, and been in the rear of Portsmouth, about three sixty-four men were detailed daily. No man very long miles from it, and hardly twice as was allowed to step out or into the camp fir from the northern boundary of the Dis- without a pass, and then only at the entran.e. mail Swamp. Our camp ground is neither Our veteran volunteers felt this necessary beautiful nor healthy, but it was chosen on restriction keenly, but grumbled very lit. account of its nearness to our work. To one tle, as the officers were quite indulgent in lately from New Haven, and beginning an For the Connecticut War Record. " A Member of the 15th C. V." writes : CAMP NEAR PORTSMOUTH, Va., { Oct. 5th, 1863. granting passes to them. As we have be- acquaintance with army hte, this particular come acquainted with the recruits our guard part of the Old Dominion is far from charm- is diminished, and the former strictness ing. It is not evi.tly a swamp, but it is somewhat relaxed.

'near and marvelously like one, and that the

We have now been something over thir- The conscripts themselves, or, rather, the Dismal. A low stretch of pine and gum substitutes-for there is hardly a drafted man trees makes a gool leal of slashing but a have seen less of hard fighting and have lost among them-truly comprise "all sorts and poor landscape. The gum tree is plenty. conditions of men." We have Ellsworth's It seems designed to meet the demands made and Hawkins' Zouaves, as well as Billy Wil-, in materia medica by the howel complaint of still had a fair share of experience in the life son's. Full half the consignment have served this region. Whether there is here any teen months in the service, and though we less men by the " casualties of war" than some other Connecticut regiments, we have of soldiers. It is true that when we first before in our own or in the European armies, specific for the fever and ague or not, I do came to Virginia we were equipped with We have quite a number of English, Irish : not know ; but surely it is needed. Still | "shoulder scales and white gloves," and were,

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

in consequence, styled the "white glove' reorganizing itself; and which, finally, at | ance of which his Lord gave so grand an ex- regiment," the "bandbox soldiers," etc. Newport News, did gather the stray ends ample, and which should rest on each belicv- er's soul as the light of heaven's starry cross and there, and had hung on those pointed sleeps on the blue bosom of Southern waters. And now for a picture of our social life. There is a good deal of fun going on amongst But since the 1st of December, 1862, at and loose waifs that had been detached here which time we left the vicinity of Fairfax Seminary for the scene of hostilities at cliffs yelept post hospitals for months ; and Fredericksburg, we have had our share of which, with its four hundred and fifty men, the roughness of soldier life.

has since won high honor on the Elenton ! us. Every company has a few funny men, We remained at Falmouth (opposite Fredericksburg) from the middle of Decem- near Suffolk, Va. Well, let me give you. ber till the early part of February, when we road and the Providence Church expedition, and more precious than a bunk in some dry, nicely stockaded tent is a sleeping place then, a little sketch of our present state and | beside one of these wags. They have their removed to Newport News, and shortly after location in a military, religious, and social circle of admirers, and-common fate of to Suffolk. We were present, and under | point of view. human excellence-their antagonists. But

fire, at the battle of Fredericksburg, and during the investment, by the rebels, of Suf- folk, lasting some three weeks, we bore our part in whatever was done to defend the place and keep the enemy in check.

14th till June 20th, when we removed our camp to near Portsmouth, and started imme- diately on the " blackberry raid," as we call it, np the " l'eninsula." Since we returned from that expedition we have been in this vicinity, doing picket duty and working on fortifications.

The regiment has lost some men by death (from disease) and some by discharge, and doubtless there are more who might as well be discharged, but I do not believe it would suffer in comparison with any other regiment in the field from Connecticut or any other State, in point of efficiency, discipline, neat- ness, or soldierly bearing.

But three men have been killed or died of wounds received in battle, and though seve- ral have been wounded, only one, I believe, is seriously maimed. In this respect the regiment has been very fortunate thus far.

A MEMBER OF THE 15TH C. V.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Sixteenth Regiment. CAMP 16TH CONN. VOLS., NEAR PORTSMOUTH, V.A., Oct. 2d, 1863. 5 EDITORS CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD :

The most important points of the fortifi- the sly joke and well told anecdote are not cations of Norfolk and Portsmouth, planned and erected by Brig. Gen. Getty, are manned by Connecticut regiments. Our peculiar station is at Fort Griswold. The site of the

¡the only attractions that congregate the tired diggers or pickets in and around some tent in the company street. Music exercises its legitimate sway. Guitars alone, and guitars accompanying voices, seud their melodious tinkle forth. The horn and clarionet, and fife and bugle, that together with an artisti- cally beaten drum, compose a make-believe regimental band, play also independent of each other, and screech and bray up and down the gamut to the great admiration of all in the secret. An accordeon, which was the property of a very indifferent player, so and notwithstanding their mole-work, they afflicted the camp that at last the officers present as bright guns and more glittering contributed money towards buying it, and it buttons and accoutrements than I have seen | was smashed with great ceremony, to our elsewhere. White gloves do inneh to en- infinite relief.

We have of late had quite a number of ladies visiting us, and the effect on our men has been very good. Whereas you formerly could hear an oath now and then from an and neatness, who could wear a dusty or aggravated individual, now no such impre- dirty coat and dull brasses with white gloves. We have an occasional review and daily cations sully the air. The utmost respect is exhibited towards those " fair " that have guard mounting, also dress parade when the . pleased to visit " the brave." Let me here weather is fair; all, I suppose, to remind the | mention the incalculable services rendered to poor fellows that throw shovelfull after shovel- 'our sick by Mrs. Burnham, mother of Lieut. full of dirt all day long that they belong to; Col. John H. Burnham. Almost seventy the glorious profession of arms.

years old, this . grand old lady displays a

In a religious point of view, I am glad to vigor and tenderness, a discrimination and report that the home influence is strong with ' practical kindness in her attentions to the us, and that the principles of honor, trust, sick, that have gone far to help us through a And so you want to know something of and faith, inculcated in old Connecticut, dreadful epidemic of diphtheria and of re- the 16th Connecticut-of the regiment that have, with ns, stood the blasts of many a mittent fever, with the loss of only three left Hartford a little more than a year ago, Virginian storm and the allurements of many : men. She is constantly engaged in prepar- with the flower of the clerks, and mechanics an army life temptation-as only doctrines ing those nice home tit-bits so dear to the of that county in its ranks ; of the regiment grown into the innermost marrow of the soul'siek soldiers. Not satisfied with preparing that was hurried to Washington and on to! can stand them, and bend and writhe but them, she administers them, talking all the Antietam, and before its first drill had been | never break. We have class meetings, and time to the delighted men as only a great, hell, ere the men knew how to handle a gun, ! prayer meetings, and regular service. Those good woman of that age and such motherly was precipitated on the rebel ranks, and re- who do not participate, have the good taste feelings can talk.

coiled from the fire of their batteries and the to regard with reverence, at least, what their | Lieut. Col. Burnham, formerly the Adju- masketry of their flanking columns only companions deem sacred. Mr. Dixon, the tant of the regiment-and he who has done when it was reduced to a mere fragment-a Chaplain, is certainly one of those quiet and most to organize it, to console the men wreck ; that regiment which, prostrated by earnest workers in the vineyard of the Lord under their afflictions, to make soldiers of the diseases of Pleasant Valley and the un -; that prove most efficient in the end. He has them in spirit, appearance and action, and n'customed fatigues of the Virginia march, successfully combatted many prejudices which yet not let them forget that they are moral Wirrowel contentedly in the mud-holes of his advent called forth, by opposing to them | New England men-is at present in com- Falmouth, in the hope of regenerating and naught but the quiet piety and sweet endur-|mand. He has, with little interruption,

We remained in that vicinity from March | camp is a flat, sandy plain to the left of the fort. Our men are partially employed on picket duty, and partially in digging trenches and erecting earthworks. The latter duties do much to demoralize them as far as sol- dierly spirit is concerned. Yet they work cheerfully, and the joke and jest and merry laugh are not wanting to sweeten their toils. Our men have an innate love for cleanliness,

hanee their uniform and partly compel them to keep the rest of their clothes scrupulously clean. For, truly, that man must be lost to all sense of shame, to all influence of beauty

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[OCTOBER.,

commuaded the regiment since last January, but just as we spoke, there came a sheet ; But there was more work to be accom- and is regarded with as much love as can of flame, and the next moment all was| plished yet. Battery Gregg lay half a find room beside the respect due to a regi- mental commander. The present Adjutant is the brightest, gayest, and one of the most

confusion. No man could stand that mile beyond, but was, with the advan- heavy fire; they gained the parapet and tage we had, an easy prey. So, pressing silenced all but one gun, and we could jon, we soon came within sight of the efficient little officers in the service. Inofhi- hear the brave fellows call for officers to; fort. Ilere they greeted us with a charge cially, he is every man's friend and pet ; cfli- lead them ; but all were either killed or of grape and canister, but as soon as we cially, none so stately as he. There is a firm wounded. After fighting for over an saw the flash, down we went, and the stratum of noble manliness under all his | hour and a half they were forced to fall musical little rascals went far over our youthful exuberance. The Surgeon is no great shakes, but tries to do as well as he Fort Wagner. After the battle the 10th can. back, and the rebel flag still floats over heads, doing no harm except wounding one man. We were in the battery before Connecticut regiment took the lead for they had a chance to fire another charge, The health of the regiment, which has weather comes on. During the recent epi demie the ladies of the Hartford Soldiers' Aid Society have liberally supplied us with all the necessaries, and we bless them for it, and hope the people at home will support the Society with sufficient liberality to enable them to continue in the good work. that night, and all the next day lay with- ! and had the fort and cighty-five prisoners. been very bad, is steadily improving, as cool in twenty-five yards of the rebel work -. This was enough for one night's job. On Sunday there was an armistice grant- ed, and both sides mingled freely togeth- er, engaged in burying their dead, which took nearly all that day. The "rebs " were freely supplied with whiskey, and many of them deserted and came over on our side. We are now under fire of

Leaving a small garrison, we turned our wearied bodies in the direction of eamp, and it was morning before we got out of range of the rebel batteries. With the first streaks of dawn the James Island batteries, with Sullivan's, opened on us with solid shot and shell, wounding none, three different rebel forts, but they fire as we were well protected by rifle pits. wild and hurt few. It is great fun to see tlie boys starting for their holes as soon as a shell is heard whizzing along.

There were some, however, wounded and killed by torpedoes. One poor fellow whom I saw as he sprang forward to pick We came near being taken prisoners. up an officer's belt which was lying out- but were saved by the 54th Massachusetts side of the fort, was blown into the air (colored) regiment ; and afterwards I went out in my shirt sleeves, with no weapon but a field glass, and took a pris- oner, a big, strapping fellow, one that could have eaten me up. He told the General that if he had known that I was

made him believe the field glass I had | ploded four or five hundred pounds of was a revolver, and he surrendered im- [ powder. This would have been done if mediately. When I marched him into the bodies of the "rebs" had been dis- camp the whole regiment cheered me.

turbed. A guard was placed over them, and no one allowed to go near them ex- cept the engineers, who soon had things the "rebs " had been killed and buried riglit in the fort, and our heavy shot and shell had unearthed them. The stench was almost intolerable.

DEAR PARENTS :-- As I have two hours fixed in that quarter. A great many of " Well, drummer, on hand again, heh ! before tattoo, I think I cannot improve Well, get those legs ready for a good them better than by writing to you. run, for it is a charge we are on now.", You have heard of the fall of Forts " All right," says I, "my legs will be Wagner and Gregg. Stevenson's bri- there if the cowardly things do not run gade (of which our regiment forms a away with me." The Colonel langhed part) took the advance, and had the honor and turned away. The next time I saw of first planting the Stars and Stripes that noble man, he was stretched upon a over the battery that had stood a six table, with his right leg taken off below ; wecks' siege. We crept within sixty the knee by a solid shot.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 19

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