The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 33

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

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by the non arrival of the pontoons the delay was cecasioned, which proved fatal to the object of the expedition.

Nov. 20, camps were laid out upon a very level portion of ground just in sight of the city. The Twenty-first had never yet re- ceived tents, not even shelter tents, and con- sequently had to construct rude and misera- ble shelters by the use of blankets, &c., as they had always done during the long march from Maryland to Fredericksburgh.

Nov. 21, a tremendous storm of rain fell and continued, without any relaxation, until the morning of the 23d. Our men laid down at night under their rudely constructed shel- ters to awake in the night to find the water rapidly rising around them, and pouring piteously down upon them.

In the morning it was nearly ankle deep, and the soil had become so soft and muddy that it was useless to attempt to lie down anywhere in the camp; and so the men, anything could be proenred for several days. ; without shelter, passed two as miserable While stopping here, we were one evening ; days as they had ever known, some standing ordered about two miles in the direction of with blankets over their heads as a protec- Waterloo, to sustain Pleasanton's Cavalry 'tion to the merciless storm, while some who had came up with the enemy and were ; walked back and forth through the rud and being driven back. The rebels finding that ! rain endeavoring to thus pass away the wea- Pleasanton was being re-enforced, fell back ! with a loss of some fifty head of cattle and some dozen prisoners. We remained under

ry hours, while others sat silent upon their knapsacks, longing for the storm to pass by. And pass it did ; but ereit had passed away, arms during the night, and as the enemy it had sown widely and freely the seeds of had fallen back, we returned to Camp Star- vation.

disease and death in many of the bravest and strongest in the regiment. After the

. The Twenty-first Connecticut was organ- ized at Norwich, Conn., during the month of . August, 1863, and mustered into the service of the United States Sept. 5, and is com- posed, as it was, to a remarkable degree, of men of good moral character and high standing in society, men who, in tendering Gen. Burnside having now been assigned storm the men were allowed to go away in- to the command of the Army of the Poto- to the woods to dry themselves by fires made mac, we were again ordered forward, leaving there, as the only place free from mud ; and Camp Starvation Nov. 15, arriving within'on the 27th day of November, while Thanks- regiments which the State had raised, and ten miles of Fairfax, when Benjamin's Bat- giving was being celebrated in our native tery came upon a small force of the enemy. State, our boys were busy in moving camp A slight skirmish ensued, in which the enemy ; to some more appropriate ground. The pre- fell back, three of their guns being silenced vious camp was ever afterwards known as by the first round fired at a distance of one : " Camp Death," from the fact of many hav- mile, and one at the second round, a distance ing lost their lives there from the effects of of two miles. their services to their country, had done so from a firm conviction of duty. It was pro. nounced by all as one of the most promising with the confidence of all those who had visited us while in camp at Norwich, as well as of those who had been instrumental in its formation, that it would prove an honor to the State, and aid very materially in sus- taining the cause of liberty and humanity. the storm, and been laid tenderly to rest be- neath the unfriendly soil of Virginia. It was ordered on board the cars at Norwich Nov. 16. left-camp near Fairfax, arriving at Warrenton Junction after a long march, on the 11th day of September, and we, bid- The remainder of the month passed away ding adieu to our many friends, proceeded in which we had gone nine miles out of our while the regiment was daily perfecting it- to thie seat of war.

way.

self in drill. December came with its cold

Nov. 6, left Oak Hill, arriving at Orleans. Nov. 7, left Orleans, arriving at what was designated as camp near Warrenton, but afterwards most appropriately named " Camp Starvation," from the fact that our Commis- sary Department pretty much played out liere, so much so that " Hard Tack " soll readily at twenty-five cents each, and scarcely

. Nov. 1, left Wheatland, arriving at Union- ville.

Nov. 3, left Unionville, arriving at Ash- by's Gap.

Nov. 5, left Ashby's Gap, arriving at Oak IFill.

Oct. 28, left Pleasant Valley with the Army of the Potomac under Gen. MeClellan, and crossed the Potomae at Berlin to " For- ward on Richmond," via Fredericksburgh.

Oct. 30, left Lovetsville, arriving at Wheatland.

Nov. 17, left camp at Warrenton Junction,

Nov. 18, left Cedar Grove, arriving within

106

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[DECEMBER,

winds and storms, and was fast passing away, ' were ordered to the front, and again march- country's rights and liberty. It also carried and no attack had yet been made upon the : ing up into the city we formed in line of bat-[ us back to those days gone by, when we rebellious city, and some had come to doubt : tle and proceeded to the field, while the mus- were wont to gather around the festive board which was loaded with the fattened poultry to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, and around which might be seen the smiling faces of whether an attack would be made ; but the ket balls fell thickly among us, killing one morning of the 11th of December the roar man and wounding several. Arrived near of cannon rang out among the hills and val -! the battle-field we were ordered to halt and leys, rousing us from our slumbers, as the : lie down until wanted, to escape the musket friends near and dear to us. But then comes very earth trembled and shook. The storm : balls which fell fast among us, and had just | the saddening thought how many there are had began, and was now raging with stead- halted, when Col. Custis, of the 4th Rhode on this day whose hearts are torn with an- guish as they look around the table and miss the familiar face of a father, son, brother or husband, who will never again fill their wont- ed places ! ily increasing fury. It was no mild warning Island, immediately on our left, and in our of the elements, but a storm of " leaden rain ! brigade, (the 2d,) was shot from his horse, and iron hail," vomited forth from the months ! and his clarion voice hushed forever in the of hundreds of eannon ou both sides of the silence of death. The firing soon ceased as river, and shaking the old hills with their the darkness of night closed over the seene, thunders, as ceho after echo came and went, and we lay upon the field until the next telling the inhabitants for miles around that . morning, when hostilities having for the the battle of Fredericksburgh had opened, present, at least, censed, we returned to the and was being waged with terrible energy.

Some of the companies in the regiment were fortunate enough to have a genuine Thanksgiving supper. Company K was highly favored in that respeet, and here let city. It was expected that this day, (Sun- fine express their thanks, through your col- uns, to Mr. Lemuel Curtis, of Meriden, for

The pontoon bridges were being built ; dar, the 14th, ) would witness a still more amid the deadly fire of the enemy, who were : desperate battle, it being the purpose of his generous and welcome gift of six turkeys. using their utmost endeavors to prevent their ! Gen. Burnside to charge the enemy's works, being thrown across to the opposite shore. Hle will always be remembered by them for and, if possible, take them, The battle would But brave hearts and steady and deter- mined hands had begun the work and could ty-first had been designated to lead the ad- not be deterred, though many perished in the work by the enemy's sharpshooters con- cealed in the buildings on the shore. Nobly they accomplished their work, and the cross- ing commeneed, and regiments, brigades and divisions, with colors flying, and brist- ling bayonets refleeting the sunbeams from their glittering points, marched gallantly over into the traitorous city. be a desperate one, all knew it. The Twen- yance on the center. The attack was to commence at 10 o'clock, A. M. Ten o'clock came and passed, and so did the day. No movements were made, the attack having been declared too hazardous to attempt. Monday the 15th passed, and as darkness enme on we were ordered to the front, again expecting to attack the enemy's work under cover of the darkness. We marched out near the field of battle, and silently awaited the order to move on their works. After about two hours or more of waiting, we were ordered to march as silently as possible to the river, and now for the first time learned | quick step, and forined into a hollow square, that a large portion of the army had recrossed while we had been making a show in front to deceive the enemy. .... his untiring efforts to promote their comfort while on a visit amongst them. Thanks to the late visit of the Paymaster ; some of the other companies were able to provide them- selves with some of the luxuries that are not found in the Commissary Department, and which are to be found in the vicinity of Portsmouth and Norfolk. Some of the men passed the day agreeably by playing ball. About dark an order was given for the regi- ¡ment to fall in. Immediately every one was on the qui vive. What does it mean ? fell from every lip. Soon loud cheering was heard from the camp of the 15th Regiment, which is close by. The regiment was marched out on to the parade ground at a double and a dispatch was read. Great news from Chattanooga. Bragg's army defeated; 5000 The 2d Brigade now recrossed, and we re -. turned to our old camp worn and weary from the fatiques of the battle, while the nation momnel the failure to obtain the Heights, : and the loss of many of its noblest and bra- vest sons. DEL. prisoners taken. Probably one whole corps ent off by Hooker, &c. As soon as the de- spatch had been read, cheer after cheer rent the air, which was kept up at intervals till late in the evening. There is some excite- meut here about the re-enlistment of veteran troops. I think there are a good many who will re-enlist. We are quite comfortably situated here, as we have good log huts.

At the opening of the battle, the Twenty- first, with most of the other troops, were or- dered under arms, and towards night of the first day of the battle were marched down near the river ready to cross. We did not.' however, cross until the second day, (Friday,) when we marched over into the city just at night and stacked arms in the street, and slept in unoccupied buildings and stores. No infantry of any account had as yet been engaged, the battle thus far having been be- tween artillery, the sharpshooters doing what : little they could to help it along. On the morn- ing of the 13th, the day which was to close on a dark and bloody field strewn with thou- sands of dead and dying, we were ordered ! down to the banks of the river where we lay during most of the day, the shot and shell of the enemy passing over us, and often ex- ploding among us, and severely wounding several of our own men.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Eighth Regiment. CAMP OF THE 8TH C. V., ? November, 1863. y

Our camp is graced with the presence of a few ladies, who have come on to visit their friends in the regiment. Their presence goes DEAR EDITOR :- Some of your many read- . a great ways to cheer and enliven our some- ers will like to know how the Eighth spent what monotonous life in camp. Our regi-

The battle had now commence l in earnest, Thanksgiving Day. The night previous, an mental band made their debut on dress pa- and the rattle of musketry mingled with the forder was read on Dress Parade from Gen. rade this evening, and thanks to the untir- roar of cannon, told that the impatient com- Butler, stating that all duties that could beting efforts of their leader, William Kerr, batants were hotly contesting the ground, dispensed with on that day should be sus-[they are doing themselves credit. They while the wounded and dying being borne ; pendel. The day was a fine one and a pleas- | have had many difficulties to overcome, but to the rear and across the river, tell that ant one to us, for it carried us back in imag- many a poor patriot was fighting his last

they have bravely surmounted them, aud are now enjoying the benefits of it. We have

fination to the pleasant firesides which we fight Night was now coming on, when we |left behind us to go forth and battle for our |lost one man by death sinee I last wrote you.

1863.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

107

Ilis name was Elihu Bissell of company B. so fat. There never was such milk punch. ITis complaint was uleeration of the bowels. Mild as mother's milk, and sweet as a intoxicated, not a man disorderly. This There are a goodly number of furlonghs grant- maiden's kiss, don't begin to describe it, speaks for itself. When an extra issue ' ed to the regiment now, and many are avail- | and not a man intoxicated. of the Portsmouth Dominion came into ing themselves of the chance to visit their! And so all round. Every company /camp late in the evening. bringing the friends at home. Capt. Hoyt is in command of had a feast, and the boys on picket had news of Grant's recent success, cheer after cheer rent the air, closing the day the regiment at present, during the absence of little feasts on their own hook, and rivn- Lieut. Col. Smith. Your paper is looked lets of milk punch, and beer, and whiskey. in an appropriate manner.

for here with a great deal of interest by the

. troops, as it is the only paper which gives us

the condition and general news of our State! throats ont there; and there was wailing troops in the field. The general health of in the poultry yards.

the regiment is good, although the heavy rains which have commeneed may occasion more or less sickness. G. W. F.

For the Connecticut War Record.

From the Sixteenth Regiment.

CAMP 16TH REGIMENT, CONN. VOLUNTEERS, } Near Portsmouth, Va., Nov. 27th, 1863. 5

EDITOR WAR RECORD,-Was there ever such a Thanksgiving day ? And of stories. The sicker boys were kept up all places in the world, was there ever before such a thanksgiving in camp? I just escaped from the jaws of death-a doubt it. Take my arm, dear Chaplain, now Editor of the War Record, and let us look into the company kitchens, as we stroll through camp. We have slept in each other's arms, under a piece of car- pet, on the night after Antietam; we have hobnobbed many a time over hard tack and coffee sans sugar and milk, on the Virginia march. We know the fare of Falmouth's mud holes, and Freder- icksburgh's streets. We can therefore appreciate what we shall see.

Here's Company F's kitchen. They have gone into chickens and geese, milk punch, too, turnips, onions, potatoes, pies and cakes with a rather compressed look about the edges. "Where do they come

They come from old Connecticut ! Yes, ago, they came out on parade, and, since indeed. Mothers and sisters have pack- ed them, in the far away homes, and guard mounting, giving us very good here, with tender memories and a musty smell floating around them, they grace the thanksgiving feast of the soldier boys.

ren who are toiling to secure cur firesides' We did not come to the rescue of our country for then, have attended every parade and money. It was our duty to come, to rescue free- ¡ dom, which was lost. We don't ask colored men to stay at home and grumble about our pay, but music of the kind, and playing with a to come down here and see. Their talk seems to correctness that is truly surprising when me like an empty cask, which makes more noise than a full one." we consider that no leader, and only a In your list of casnaltses, (November No .. ) at , Bristow, in our regiment, I notice the omission of mutual agreement to keep time, sways the sounds of these thirteen instruments. the name of Lieut. J. S. Scranton, of Madison, who was wounded by my side as we charged over . the railroad. and is now at his home in Madison,

Adjutant J. B. Clapp, under whose pro- hope will soon be able to return to his reganent to .serve as faithfully as an officer, as he has done for fifteen months as an enlisted man. S. F.

tecting wings this band has been hatch- and, oh goodness, 'a barrel of beer and! ed from the unpromising eggs of a: several canteens of whiskey. Gloria in dilapidated drum corps, takes great credit excelsis. Den- "et Spiritus Frumenti, unto himself, and looks consciously proud, militibus bone roluntatis," a mischiey- whenever its strains are heard. The thousand were colored.

Adjutant holds his thanksgiving in

classic poet would say, but we cannot concede to him that he has passed a mer-

Note this fact. There was not a man

Drills are to recommence next Monday.

were diverted from the general stream, and found their way to those thirty Lieut. Col. Burnham has been detailed on Court Martial, and e msequently he will searcely be able to drill the regiment in person. This is one of the disappoint- ments in having an officer generally

And in the hospital, contrary to cus- tom, according to which each patient re- ceives his dinner, and cats it sitting on esteemed for his good sense, high honor, his bed, a table was laid, and such a and just views. They make him preside spread! The time honored turkey, of at no end of Court Martials, and the course, and pudding, and all sorts of' regiment misses him. Our Quarter- vegetables ; porter to drink, milk punch afterwards, toasts and laughter, good

by pillows. Among them, two, who had | has returned to the regiment. As for typhoid and a diphtheria case. Concern- former allusions to heart. and has re-

master takes good care of us, and few troops are so well provided for the winter. Dr. Pease, the able Assistant Surgeon, our Surgeon, he seems to have taken my formed in many ways. Let us hope that he will succeed in his endeavors to im- prove. He needs it.

Good bye for the present, and believe

Yours truly, HORSE JOHN.

CE" We regret to say that several communica- tions arrived too late for insertion.

THE SPIRIT OF COLORED TROOPS .-- The follow- ing is an extract from a letter written by a private

enee. Each man has procured his instru-[ of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment:

ment. In half hours stolen from the ocenpations of the day, they have prac- tised their pieces. They begged and "I hear that my colored brethren have held a meeting in Boston to discuss our pay. We, as men, don't want any such thing. It is easy for men to talk, walking up and down Cambridge street. If they have any patriotism about them borrowed their music, and, as yet, they they will say to each other. 'men, let's go down from, boys ?" What, the pies and cakes ? [have no leader; still, some two weeks into Egypt, shoulder to shoulder with our breth-

There's Company II. Four turkeys ! Stick to the old style, boys! Twelve They have the appreciation of the regi- chickens attending the turkeys, as a staff ment and the gratitude of the officers. recovering from his wound (in the foot.) and we attends general officers. Plum puddings, with no stint of plumbs, mince pies, too;

Since January 1862, one hundred and ten thou- sand men have been mustered into the United States service. Of Thise. sixty thousand were vol- unteers and fifty thousand were drafted. Forty

Rev. Mr. Walker, of Putnam, has offered his

" Whethersfieldlean groves," as some; services to Gov. Buckingham, in any capacity, un- der the new call for troops.

A war meeting was held in Brooklyn, and 14 volunteers secured. This number is more than half the quota of the town.

ons friend suggests.

Turkeys and chickens also for Compa- ny I. Milk punch for them. Goodies from home. There never were such turkeys, so well done, so brown, so juicy, frier day than we.

ing the latter his father had telegraphed, "Send his body home." There he sat, pale, but beyond danger, giving thanks to Ilim who is above the stars, with his still living heart beating a te deum lauda- me, 2722/S.

In the evening the band played several pieces with great success, and they mani- fested their deliency and feeling by also serenading the hospital. This band has struggled long and arduously for exist-

108

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[DECEMBER,

REGIMENTAL.

'bull; Sorgt. Almer A. Bevin; Corporals F. C. !

Sergeant Lucius F. Norton, of Co. F, to be 2d Bnek, Wm. Gardiner, Willis D. Ronse, C. J. ' Lient, of Co. F. with rank from Nov. 16, 1863, vice Humphrey, Thomas M. Newbury ; Privates Paul, Tibbitts, discharged.

II, Hillard, Edward C. Arnold, L. M. Maynards. To be stationed at New London.

PERSONAL.

Appointments and Promotions in the Connecticut Volunteer Forer during the month of November, 1863. (OFFICIAL.)

IST CAVALRY .- Corporal _Allen F. Phillips, of Co. A, to be 2 1 Lieut, of Co. B, with rank from November 5, 1543, vire Morshouse, promoted.

5Th REGIMENT .- 1st Lieut. Elward K. Carley, iof Co. A, to be Regimental Quarterinaster, with the rank of Ist Lieut., from April 1, 1863, vice . Preston, resigned.

ed Lient. Edgar .1. Stratton. of Co. A, to be 1st Lieut. of Co. A, with rank from Nov. 16, 1863, vie- Curley, promoted.

Ist Sergeant Addison M. Whitlock, of Co. A, to be 24 Lient, of Co. A, with rank from Nov. 16, ' 1543, vice Strutton, promoted.

Sergeant Harlan P. Rugg, of Co. I, to be 20 Liem. of Co. F. with rank from Nov. 16, 1863, vice C'arter, promoted.

6Th REGIMENE .- Lieut. Col. Daniel C. Rodman, i of the 7th Regiment, to be Colonel of the 6th Re- giment, with rank from Nov. 9, 1863, vice Chat- field, decreased.

Quartermaster Sergeant Clovis E. Hammond, to be 2. Lieut. of Co. G, with rank from Oct. 20, 1863, vice Fitch, promoted.

Commissary Sergeant Dwight A. Woodruff, to by 2d Lieut. of Ch. C, with rank from Sept. 22, Ises, vice Prov. disinissed.

. Ist Sergeant George Soder, of Co. HI, to be 1st Lieut. of Co. F. with rank from Oct. 24, 1863, vice Pork, promoted.

Lient. Col. Redfield Durgee, to be Colonel, with rank from Nov. 27, 1863, vice Rodman, who de- elines commission.

Major Lorcaro Mecker, to be Lieut. Col., with rank from Nov. 27, 186%, vice Duryce, promoted. Captain Daniel Kbin, of Co. C, to be Major, with tank from Nov. 27, 1863, vice Meeker, pro- motel. Prit REGIMENT .- 1st. Lient. Addis E. Payne, of of Co HI, to be Captain of Co. F, with rank from Nov. 21, 1862, vice Palmer, resigned.

The following officers and men have been re- sergeant Major Thomas L. Wilson, to be 24 cently detached on recruiting service for their Lient. of Co. D, with rank from Nov. 21, 1863, vice several regiments. These regiments are all in Cahill, promoted.

confortable quarters, and will probably remunin for | the winter.

Ist Sergent Thomas Connor, of Co. A, to be 2d I.ient. of Co. H. with rank from Nov. 21, 1863, vice

Second Connecticut Light Battery .- Capt. Juba Curtis, promoted. W. Sterling; Sergt. Wm J. Gould; Corp. Edw. . BRmn KrGivesT .- Lient. Col. Charles D. Blinn, A. Holt ; Privates Wellis II. Stillman, David Ster- 'to be Colonel, with rank from Nov. 5, 1863, vice ling. To be stationed at Bridgeport. Bier, promoted.

Eighth Regiment .- 2 Lient. Charles N. Irwin : Major Homer B. Sprague, to be Lieut. Col., with Sergt. Samuel Lord, Co. A: Private Walter ' rank from Nov. 5. 1505, vice Blian, promoted. Smithson, B; Corp. Albert Seymour, C: Sire : Captain Apellas Comstock, of Co. B. to be Major, Henry D. Rose. D; Sere Soth F. Plumb. 1; with rank from Nov. 5, 1-63, vice Sprague, pro- Serg. George A. Ronse. F : Corp. Charles 11. Cul- 'moted.

ver. G; Sergt. Jacob Bishop, II; Corp. Jos. B. 11TH REGIMENT-Ist Lient. James R. Nichols, of Weed. I; Corp. Win. Dudley. K.

Co. K. to by Captain of Co. 1, with rank from Nov. Eleventh Regiment .- Lieut. Cloud Mocgling, 5, 1865, vice Bronson, killed in action.

with Sergeants F. Blackman, Bush. John Adams. . 2d Lient, Ilary W. Wadhams, of Co. D, to be Smith, L. Gilbert, S. Bushnell. Burley. Butler, : Ist Lent, of Co. K. with rank from Nov. 5, 1863, Humphrey, and Knowles Il. Taylor .- Stationed in , vice Nichols, promoted. Hartford.

2 Lieut. Frederick M. Shalk, of Co. A, to be 1st. Lient. of Co. F. with rank from Nov. 5, 1863, vice Daten, promoted.

Fifteenth Regiment .- Ist Lieut. Herman B. French; Sergt. Marens M. Linsley, Co. A; Corp. Robert Agnew, B; Sorgt. Robert Latta, C; Corp. Courad Christniller, D ; Corp. Paul S. Allen, E; , Lient, of Co. A, with rank from Nov. 5, 1563, vire Private Edwin C. Pinks, F: Sorgt. Joseph Kerri. : Shock, promoted. meyer, G; Private George W. Sendecker, 11 ; ist Sergeant George A. Slocking, of Co. C. to be vice Wishamis, promoted. Sorgt. Win. Il. JJones, I: Seret. John H. Hall, K. ,2d Lieut. of Co. D, with rank from Nov. 5, 1863, To be stationed in New Haven. Sixteenth Regiment .- Lieut. G. Miller: Serets. Ist Lient. William H. Harley, of Co. D, to be Samuel M. Fenu, Win. H. Helyen, Chas. A. Roys, Captain of Co. K. with rank from Nov. 16, 1863, Wini. P. Amidon, Merritt S Strong; Corp. John ; vice Colt, promoted. Geminill; Privates W. W. Case, John Good, B. C. ! Ray, Samuel Wetmore. Stationed at Hartford. Twenty- first Regiment .- 1-t Lient. John F. Trum- | vice Hawley, promoted.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 33

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