The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 23

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

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"Take a chair," said the Governor, blandly, at the same time extending one of the handsomest in the parlor.

Col. Mann and the few gentlemen present, at once became interested in the seene, and silently looked on.

"Shortly after the battle of Antietam you were upon that bloody field," said she to the Governor. " I was," replied the Governor, thoughtfully, thus unexpectedly brought to his memory.

"You administered to the wants of the wound- ed and the dying."

" It was my duty as a feeling man."

" You did your duty well. Heaven alone will things, drum and all. They kept us at the fort a reward you, sir, for in this life there is no reward adequately expressive of the merit due you. You, sir, imparted consolation, and revived the hopes of a dying soldier of the 28th Ohio. Ile was bad-

a rebel soldier to get my drum-but an officer ly wounded in the arm ; you lifted bim into an ambulance, and, the blood dripping from him, stained your hands and your clothing. That sol- dier was as dear to me as life itself."?

"A husband ?" said the Governor.

"No, sir."

"A brother, perhaps ?" " No, sir."

"A father ?" " No, sir." "".A son ?" "No, sir." "A lover ?" " No, sir."

The little party around were more interested than ever. If not a husband, father, brother, son, or lover, who, then, could it be ?

Manchester. We have here everything to invite : This is the riag now upon your little finger. Ile the skill and ambition of man: mineral resources told you to wear it, and carefully have you done hardly surpassed. agricultural resources equal to so." any State; all we want is the men.' I asked him for his Autograph. He wrote, 'treason must be enough the letters were there. The Governor pulled the ring off, and sure

" The finger that used to wear that ring will made odions and traitors punished.' Let Tennes. | see be under the popular guidance of such men as . never wear it any more. The hand is dead, but Andy Johnson, and she will soon take her place 'the soldier still lives, thanks to your kind attention among the wealthy and populous country."

" on that bloody field."

The increased regularity and promptness of our correspondents will doubtless enable us to issue the November number much earlier in the month.

" Collector Hollister has received, for con- mutation from drafted persons in the 4th Con- gressional District, $72.000. CE9" Joshua S. Ilill, a member of Co. II. 12th · N. H. Regiment, died Sept. 2d, in Hospital, of chronie diarrhea. IIe belonged in Fryburgh, Maine, where his remains were sent on the after- noon train. When his illness assumed a serious form, his family were notified by telegraph, and the unconscious widow reached the hospital gate at the same moment that the funeral cortege was marching ont.

The Volunteer Engineers at Morris Island have a society among themselves to assist the families of any of their number who are killed or disabled. Thus, the other day $200 was promptly sent to the widow of Sergeant Clark, who was killed. This beneficent institution does not eost the members nearly as much as the glass of beer so thought- lessly purchased by many soldiers.

THE FIFTH LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS .- This Regi- meut is organized, and, according to the New Or- i not know but it was all right. We started for .

leans Era, shows a remarkable proficiency in drill for one so recently recruited. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Warner, of the Thirteenth Connecticut, is in command, and has been highly successful in producing a discipline and efficiency which has se- cured the approbation of all who have witnessed the drill and evolutions of the Regiment.

" My dear madam," said the Governor, at length "I had occasion to call officially on Governor breaking the silence, "this is an enigma to me. Andy Johnson yesterday. As I was leaving his ' Please explain more about the gallant soldier of room, he remarked to me, 'Send out your New ! Ohio." England people; infuse into this State the energy " Well. sir, that soldier gave you a ring-C. E. aud Adj. Deming have resigned ou account of ill- | that has built up a Lowell, a Lawrence, and a'D. were the letters engraved on the interior .--

Col. Wessels of the Coun, 19th, is acting briga- dier, at present, and Lieut, Col. Kellogg is in com- mand of the regiment. Captains Peek-and Bissell, health.

The Portuguese Government has built a gimbont. It has one gun. It is named The Terror of the Sea.

Major General Russell has appointed George H. Larned of New Haven, Division Quarter master, rice Major Alvan P. ITyde, resigned.

a dash out of the woods on our side of the river, one mile in the rear. We were ordered to

we let fly at them and retreated a few rods and made a stand, loaded our guns, and were ready

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[OCTOBER.

The whole scene was yet a problem, that even captured by private Roper Coun-low, Company D. | conducted with an eye single to the honor of the the sagacity of Col .. Mann could not solve.

The Governor was now more interested than ever. " Well, madam," said he. "tell me all about it. Is this ring yours ? Was it given to you by a soldier whom you loved ? "

" I loved him as I loved my life; but he never , Sth Regt. C. V., at the battle of Antietam, should returned that love. He had more love for his be placed upon the record of our State heroism. country than for me; I honor him for it. That ' Imneh regret that I am now moable to give his soldier who placed that ring upon your finger i name. The incident was related by Captain stands before you." So saying, the strange lady : March, of flartford, who commanded Co. F', in arose from her chair, and stood before the Gov- ; the engagement above referred to. The brave fel- ernor.

The seene that now ensned, we leave to the im- fa musket ball. which passed completely through his neck. As the ball passed through the heavy the arteries and bones, the wounded and bleeding

rine E. Davidson, of Sheffield, Ohio. She was engaged to be married, but her future husband . man fired five rounds in that eundition. Finally responded to the call of the President, and she becoming faint, and his neck stiff from the loss of followed him by joining another rechnent. Ile blood, he asked permission to leave the ranks. was killed in the same battle where she fell wound- : His request was immediately granted. But a re- ed. She is alone in the world, her father and action had taken place in his nervous system, and mother having departed this life years ago. she he fell to the ground in his place. fle was car- was the soldier of the 25th Ohio, who had placed . ried from the field and after a painful illness re-

the ring upon the finger of Governor Curtin, for the kind attention given her upon the bloody field of Antietam.

The right arm had been amputated abont half happy homes. The finger of derision and scorn way between the elbow and the shoulder. The ! may be pointed at them now, but their names and

interview finally ended, and having at last seen her fine will live in history, and be cherished by mil- benefactor, she bade him and his friends adien, lions of thankful hearts, long after the memory of taking with her an order, bearing the bold signa- ; the rebellious and disloyal shall have perished. ture of A. G. Curtin, for one of Palmer's patent arms.

We had an interview with the herione. she The London Times on Unity. was modest although she lind led the life of al "bold soldier boy." She was loud in her praise of Governor Cuitin, and is firm in the belief that through his hard-working energy, powers of physical endurance, and great courage, be saved. the lives of ten thousand soldiers, many of whom , the country of Washington and Franklin. The. still live to bless his name as one of the " few im. mortal, not born to die."

General Charles Colesworth Pinckney, a mem. ican Republic might be expected to become in the ber of the South Carolina Convention of 1788, event of Southern success of Northern failure. thus referred to the Declaration of Independence . We should see a Prussia on the Ilud-on, and an in debate:

" The separate independence and individual the South. The result would be precisely the | sovereignty of the several States were never -ame loss of public strength which Germany has thought of by the enlightened band of patrio's long experience !. All the national power would who framed the declaration; the several states were not even mentioned by name in any part of

be consumed at home. For external action the resonrers of the Continent would be next to use- ! anther until the efficiency of the whole would he : neutralized. and united action would be alusust as ;

it, as if it was intended to impress the maxim in his4. One of its divisions would counterbalance . America, that our freedom and independence arose from our union, and that without it we could neither be free or independent. Ist ne jagpossible in America as it is found to be in then consider all attempts to weaken this Union. tiennauy." by maintaining that each State is separately and individually independent, as a special of political heresy which can never benefit us, Unt may bring on us the most serious distresscs."

PROSPECTUS OF

The Connecticut War Record.

PROBABLE ORIGIN OF THE SAYING " DIE IN THE LAST DITCH." -. When Louis the XIV. invaded Holland, carrying fire and sword as he advanced.' overtures were made by Buckingham, one of ... Charles the Second's Ministers, to Prince William pod prive all the valuable facts and statistics, the : Conn. of Nassau, the head of the United Provinces, to interesting experience, the worthy achievements make him king of the residue of the country, after and wich herdie valor of the nearly THIRTY mot France and England, who had agreed to a secret Lech from the State to save the nation. treaty for dismembering the country, had taken of it what they wanted. "Do yon nut sce," said Buckingham, "that the country is lost ?" "} see." sail William, "that it is in great danger : but there is a sure way of never seeing it lost, and . that is, to die in the last ditch."

von fatvi dic sons of Connecticut, who have gone'SCHOOL, BOOK REPOSITORY, No. 346 CHAPEL ST., NEW HAVEN.

The attention of Merchants, Manufacturers, School Committees. Teachers, and others, is in- vited to our extensive stock of Books and Station- ery, which we offer at the lowest prices. Every description of Record and other Blank Books devoting currives to one work, to accomplish : made to order, of the bost materials, at short notice. PECK. WHITE & PECK.

IHINTED BY

T. J. STAFFORD, 236 STATE STREET, (Stafford Building.)

In General Gilmore's marquee are three elegant flags which have been captured on Morris I-land. Two belonged to the Twenty-first South Carolina, one of the old and the other the new style. The ' carried through to its completion in a catholic old one has " Pocotaligo" inscribed on it, and was ; spirit, and by comprehensive agencies. It will be

State, and on principdes of unwavering loyalty.

The Recono will contain monthly letters from able correspondents in the various Connecticut regiments ; stating the location and condition of each, and what cach has enjoyed, suffered. and achieved during the previous month. Thus the people at home, and the members of every regi- ment will have at hand full information concern- ing all the regiments. Descriptions of battles in which Connecticut troops have been engaged, and original and selected articles on other matters per- 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 place in the several regiments. The contributors being in every case connected with the regiments whose experience and exploits they relate, what- fever is communicated will possess peculiar in- terest and reliability, as the testimony of eye witnesses. Note-worthy incidents and commend- able instances of personal valor on the part of our hrave volunteers, will receive honorable mention in the REconD.

It is also designed to publish a succinct but full history of every Connecticut regiment from the date of its organization through its various ex- periences and achievements to the day of its inns- tering out.

Since the war has been in progress. for some time it will be necessary to bring up the past his- tory of our regiments in successive numbers, as space will allow. The disadvantage of history so fragmentary and scattered will be obviated by a enpious index printed in the last number of the year, enabling the reader to turn readily to the pages devoted to each regiment.

THE RECORD will be issued monthly while the war lasts, and so much longer as is necessary to accomplish its objects.

The journal will be published in quarto form, and will contain from sixteen to twenty-four triple- colum pages per month. The volume for the year will be a history of what Connectient 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 vefer- ence, and the whole work will constitute a reposi- tory of useful and interesting information respect- ing the events of this grand ern and crisis in our national destiny, which no intelligent Connectient finiily ean well afford to be without.

The price of the RECORD will be ONE DOLLAR per annum in advance. It is hoped this low figure will enable every Connecticut soldier, every soldier's family, and every friend of the soldier or the sol- dier's canse, to be provided with a copy. Patri- otie citizens are called on to aid this enterprise by liberal subseriptions-not simply for their own benefit, but for additional copies, to be sent to our soldiers in the field.

We shall keep with great care, the list of those who desire the back numbers, and supply them as soon as possible.

CES" The office of the editor is at No. 16 Ex- The o'jeet of this JOURNAL is to preserve in ; Change Building. frm. j.runment and convenient for binding and : addressed. CONNECTIert WAR RECORD, New Haven. " Communications of every kind should be

Ju-the to all Connecticut soldiers, which has not vet bien rendered, honor to the heroes who have flen, Ampchy with the bereaved, gratitude to then who night in our defense, every sentiment of Jesamd'y and patriotismo .- demands that their Rehiny marets should be placed on the historic page. W'e citer on open tight, and will endeavor. by thor mgn'y. faithfully and fairly, what no other! jetrofi- doing or can do. Undertaken neither for 14 salary gain, bor to serve any partisan purpose, The word, established on an ample basis, will be

Sixth Connectient, on the 10th ult., after shooting the rebel color-bearer.

The remarkable courage of a private in Co. F.,

low, after firing several rounds, was wounded by ! taining to the war, will be occasionally printed.

agination of the reader. A happy hour prissed. The girl who thus introduced her-elf was Catha- . museles on the back of the neck without breaking

covered.

Such is the courage of those heroie men who stand between rebel bayonets and our peaceful,

In an article on the disposition towards unity in Germany, the London Times has the following: "The oldest group of states in the world is now impelled to extraordinary action by the very same yearnings and passions which are convulsing Federals are bent upon maintaining political union ; the Germans upon recovering political nuity. What Germany has been for ages, that the Amer-

Austria on the Mississippi, with Hesses and Han- overs perhaps in the Northwest and Badens in

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

OUR STATE POINTS TO DEEDS, NOT ACHES.

PECK, WHITE & PECK, ) Publishers.

NEW HAVEN, NOVEMBER, 1863.

VOL. I. No. 4. { $1 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE,

For the Connecticut War Record. General Lyon.

When the loyal States of this nation were first summoned to arms, there were few who had any, even the faintest, con- ception of the magnitude which the con- test would assume, and the wealth of no- freedom and national independence. His ble blood that inst needs flow before the childhood aud youth were passed in his

more important service of our army up to the moment of his death.

Four months after receiving his com- mission he was ordered to duty, and at onee called to encounter all the most dreaded hardships of the soldiers' pro- fession in that vexatious and inglorious campaign against the Seminole Indians in Florida. But the knowledge and dis- cipline here acquired did much we may believe towards developing those charac- teristics of self-reliance, patience, bold- ness and caution which rendered him ev- er afterwards so efficient an officer in all the various Indian campaigns and expe- ditions entrusted to his conduct. At all events, the confidence and commendation both of his superior officers and of those who served under him was acquired. When, under the leadership of General C. Worth, the tedious war was at length ended, Lientenant Lyon returned to the North and was assigned to more agreca- ble dnty. For nearly four years his mili- tary home was at Sackets Harbor, on Lale Ontario. This welcome season of relief from active service afforded the young offieer an opportunity not only for the recuperation of his health and physi- cal power, but also for what was not less valued by him-the prosceution of an extensive and thorough course of study in various branches of knowledge, some of which were not immediately related was made welcome in a select social cir cle. Some of the friendships formed con- tinned through life, and were a source of

from early youth he evineed for military affairs, was an inheritance derived from / to his chosen profession. Here too he ancestors who served with honor both in the carly colonial wars against the French and Indians, and later in the long strug- gle with the mother country, for civil/ much happiness during after years. The memory of this period was always fresh and pleasant, and while on a visit to the East after the Mexican war he spent ser- cral days at Sackets Harbor in the cu-

native town, and in its humble schools was acquired almost whatever education he could boast until he entered the Uni-[joyment of friendly hospitality.

return of peace. Unused then to the fearful sacrifices demanded by war, we all felt a shudder of horror for each tie- tim who fell. It was while the national heart yet retained all this sensitive, ten- der, and natural susceptibility to grief, that the subject of thissketch, under cir- rumstances of peculiar interest and mo- ment, was slain in the battle of Wilson's Creek.

In 1846 he was ordered to Mexico, and during the whole brilliant campaign in that unfortunate country, rendered faith-

ted States Military Academy at West Point. This was in the fall of 1837, when he was nineteen years of age. lle graduated in 1841-the eleventh in afful and efficient service. He was present [class then numbering over fifty. On the! first of July, the next day after gradna at the storming of Vera Cruz, and joined in the march through the country, taking part in all the battles which marked the progress of our army until it was master tion, he received his commission as Sec- Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon was born in Ashford, Connecticut, July 14th, oud Lientenant in .the Second United States Infantry, and from this time hisjof the City of the Montezumas. Febru- 1518. The disposition and talent which |history is closely connected with all the ary 16th, 1847, he was made First Lieu-

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[NOVEMBER,

tenant by regular promotion, although the fearful and unnecessary strife which the appointment did not reach him until; then raged. Witnessing the outrages President Lincoln, while it was doubtful the 16th of April, while on the march to inflicted with the connivance of the ad-

whether or not it was his purpose to give Mexico, and the day before the battle of ministration by the slave-mongers of up Fort Sumter without a struggle, he Cerro Gordo. Angust 20th, of the same | Missouri on the freedom-loving citizens year, he was made Brevet Captain, for

says : "I have felt deeply mortified by the humiliating attitude of my country of that territory, and dreading least he gallant and meritorious conduct at the might be called to aid in the scheme of toward traitors who could have been battles of Contreras and Cherubuseo. He foreing slavery upon an unwilling people, was not made Captain in full until by

Captain Lyon seriously debated the ques- regular promotion, June 11th, 1851, and tion of resigning his commission in the this was the rank he held in the regular army at the time of his death.

army. This was during the eventful sum- mer of 1856, but, fortunately for himself,

While our army was fighting its way and yet more so for his country, he was through the streets of the City of Mexico, soon ordered into the territory of Ne- Sept. 14th, 1847, Lieut. Lyon received a [braska, and no service was imposed against which his conscience revolted. He was stationed, with his command, to bullet wound in the leg, but it was not of a serions nature.

After the establishment of penee he garrison Fort Lookout, on the Missouri did not remain long inactive. Although |River. In the summer and fall of 1857 he returned to the East, orders shortly he made his last visit to the scenes and friends of his youth. came for him to proceed with his com- mand to California. It was about the

easily put down, and can be now, under proper measures. I do not see how a war is to be avoided. Under quack man- agement it may be long and bloody. Yet I have no apprehensions abont the final triumph of almighty truth, though at the cost of many unnecessary sacrifices. But let them come. I would rather see the country lighted up with the flames of war from the center to its remotest bor- der, than that the great rights and hopes of the human race expire before the arro- gance of secessionists. Of this, however, there is no danger. They are at war with nature and the human heart, and cannot sneceed."*

Returning to duty in December, he re- time when the " gold fever " broke out, Imained at Jefferson Barracks, near St. and the then unsettled condition of that ! Lonis, until the next August. He was These extracts reveal most happily how territory, which was the Mceea of all next stationed at Fort Randall nearly a large and enlightened was the understand-

whom gold could tempt, is well known. year. Then with his company he march- ing which this veteran sollier, whose life had been almost wholly spent in toilsome service on the remote frontiers of civili- The United States troops were expected ed to Prairie Creek, where a post was es- to perform a double service-to preserve tabli hed for the protection of Engineers order and peace among the miners, and on their way to Pike's Peak. Aftewards! zation brought to the consideration of to keep the Indians in check. Lyon's ; he was again at Fort Riley, and from great questions of national and philan- thropic concern. command remained in California a little there went to Fort Scott for the purpose more than four years. Ile himself was i of quelling some disturbance in that vicin- absent from dnty nearly a year at the ity. East. IIis leave of absence was obtained

The time now arrived when he was ealled to an immediate participation in the conflict. Soon after the advent of the new administration, he was placed in

It was about this time that the purpose on account of the illness of his mother. [ of the Southern leaders to take their Filial affection was one of the strongest States out of the Union became evident. command of the St. Louis Arsenal. The sentiments of this brave soldier's charge .. Lyon observed the signs of the times five ensning months witnessed a marvel ter, as it is one of the most honorable in | with the greatest interest. He foresaw of energy and ability-a masterly con- all character, and he no sooner learned of clearly to what the progress of events his mother's rapidly failing health than was tending, and wisely comprehended he undertook the long journey to her the issue at stake. In November. 1860,' · distant home, in order, if possible, to; he wrote the following profoundly signifi- comfort and cheer, by his presence and : cant words:

duct of affairs, in which a whole life's accumulated wisdom and power was de- termined to its last grand work by the sincerest conviction of duty, and fired to action by a now exasperated patriotism, the heat and flame of which made ashes of every meaner motive, and at length, in lisregarded in the pursuits of ambition its ardor, consumed him who nourished

attention, her declining days. This privi-| "There are periods when the dietates lege was, however, denied to him. She'of reason and humanity are so totally passed away before his arrival.

During his service in California hefor pleasure, that nothing but the bitter it. Strange and sad it seems, that one greatly distiugnished himself by the fruits of folly can bring back their devo- who had given all the best years of his skillful and successful conduct of several tees to moderation. Such is now the manhood to the loyal service of his conn- ardnous campaigns against the Indians, . state of the South, which seems bent try against natural foes, savage and for- Among the most important of these was upon a fatuons course that, in its niti- cign, most needs perish in an unnatural that against the Indians of Clear Lake, mate disaster and disgrace, will teach her conflict with his own countrymen-trai- Ilis life at this time was full of hardship people the fatal folly of their presump- tors. The record of those five eventful and exciting personal adventures, in tion. It is a perfectly safe rule, and one months is fresh and familiar. While it which he two or three times narrowly , which has been of service to me in my develops and grandly illustrates the escaped with his life.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 23

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