The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 35

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

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After the adjourninent of the Legislature, meet- ings were held in the cities and towns, at which addresses were given, setting forth the necessity of immediate netion, and appeals made to the nn- failing patriotism of the people. At first the re- sults of Legislative action and of these meetings were meagre and unsatisfactory, but the prospect is improving, and if the full State quota is not ob. cessation of agricultural and some other depart. tained by the 5th of January, there is reason to believe that the number to be drafted (if a draft is ordered) will be materially reduced.

The premiums paid to recruiting agents have called out many who otherwise would have taken no part in the great business of filling our quota. The personal exertions thus brought into the work will have a very beneficial effect.

The appointment of selectmen as recruiting agents does not seem to have produced, thus far, very beneficial results. They place the business of raising the men for their quotas in the hands of an agent who makes application to brokers, gener. ally out of the State, who pursue a course any- thing but honorable, deceiving the volunteer, and pocketing a good share of the bounties which be- long exclusively to the reernit. A fund, in some instances, is raised by subscription in the town de- sirous to fill its quota, which is used to pay the recruiting agent an ad captandam price, the men being obtained in New York and other places where the amount of bounties is less than is paid here.

In Hartford, not much interest is manifested by the citizens in the business of procuring recruits. The towns have been trying various methods A Union meeting has been held, but it has not for obtaining recruits. Few have succeeded well produeed any marked effect. The recruiting agents here are the only ones who seem to take inuel interest in filling the quota. Some of the towns in Hartford and Tolland counties, are mak- ing efforts to procure men by means of agents and extra pecuniary inducements, Stafford, Glas. tenbury, and Marlborough having made unsue- cessful endeavors to lill their quotas by means of | regularly anthorized enlisting officers, in our cities agents. The town of Canton, or rather citizens and towns. of that town, offer the recruiting agent one hun- dred dollars extra per man.

Meetings have been hebl in New London and Windham counties, but the men do not come.

In the connties of Fairfield and Litchfield not expenses of recruiting, and the State will not fail to send her 5,000 men to the field. more than half a dozen men had been reported. There is now every reason, if we fill our quota, November 30th, at the Provost Marshal's office as Most of the towns have, however, now decided to believe that the time of service will be short what course to adopt, and are pushing the matter; and the danger of losing life or limb very small. volunteers. In this district some of the recruiting agents have become discouraged at their want of vigorously. This is proved by the fact that the ; We shall have an army large enough to over- success, and have resorted to brokers, who, by : rate of enlistments since Dec. 1-t has rapidly in- ; whelm the enemy withont long, stubborn and unfair representations, defraud the moon out of a ; creased. Let every town decide at orce on some ; doubtful conflicts.

portion of their bounties. This state of things is ; method of raising her quota. come up to the work ! much to be regrettedl.

It is certain that the hardships incurred by the heartily, and our quota will be raised-the de- itroops in the early part of the war will not now

New Haven is making great exertions to raise mand upon our patriotic State met in the most ; be experienced. The Commissary and Medical a colored regiment and a company for the First honorable and economical manner.

Departments are now well organized and efficient.

Connecticut Cavalry, which promises well. Al-' The effort must be energetic, nnit I and per- Food in all the camps isabundant and of first rate ready (December 1st) thirty white and sixty col- sistent. Let us understand this. Every man and quality; shelter is commotions and comfortable ; ored recruits have been sworn in at the Provost woman must do what they can by stirring or per- teams now transport rations and aromunition; Marshal's office. Great additions are being made suasive words and by peenniory inducement s. " Eight days' rations and sixty rounds" are no daily to this number. The example of New Ha -. And why will not the people work manfully to- longer enfried by the men themselves; spacious ven is worthy of all praise, and should be follow- gether ?

hospitals are built and well supplied at all con- venient points : medical stores are abundant, and now provides for its defenders, in sickness aad in

noble and profitable thing both for a man's self

ed by every city and town in the State. Her Patriotism demands that our quota be filled.' prominent citizens have not been content with The national authorities offer to us the chance of promptly furnished; in short, the Government merely calling and attending Union meetings, obtaining twelve thousand men by dras for the fact where speeches and music appealed to the reason of five thousand volunteers to be raisal by the 5th health, far better than any nation does or ever has and the emotions, but have taken a personal in- of January next. The offer is a good one for the j done. To calist now is, at a small risk, to do n terest in the matter, nad by individual exertions nation as well as for ourselves.

On the whole, though the present aspect of the recruiting service is not so encouraging as could be desired, there is a prospect of improvement. As the day draws near for a draft, it is probable that the number of volunteers offering will be in- creased, but with all the calculations which may be inade upon the approach of winter and the ments of labor, it is exceedingly doubtful if the ! quota of this State can be filled unless the people themselves, and especially citizens of influence and means, take holl of the work and sid recruit- ing agents, who are honestly trying to assist all classes of our citizens by reducing the number to be drafted. DOMINEE.

The Business of To-day.

The preceding article is a statement carefully prepared by a recruiting officer of what had been accomplished up to Nov. 50th, towards raising the quota of our State by volunteering.

exertion. Every man knows that if the quota be not raised he must take the chances of a draft. The popular clamor against the three hundred dol- lar exemption clause of the so-called conscription act has been so great that it will doubtless be re- It is obvious to all that the main part of the pealed or raised to a sum which few can command. The drafted man can obtain none of the large work was at that time yet to be done. Let no one bounties offered to volunteers. No man is cer- however, despond, or suppose for a moment that | tain that work will continue plenty and wages the month has been lost or that the effort to raise the quota is a failure. The month of November was one of preparation-of experiment and sys- temization. The requisition of the Government, the impending draft which is the alternative-the are now clearly defined and well understood.

high. If indeed the war shall be prlonged by failure to raise our quota may we not expect scarcity of work and diminution of wages with still further advance of prices ?

Who then, can say, if we do not raise our quota, quota of each town and the limits of town action that he, if drafted, will be able to remain at home, however necessary it may be ; or if not drafted that he is certain of employment and wages adequate to support himself and his family ?

These may not be pleasant words, but this is a very likely to swindle both towns and seernits and ' time, not for fancies, but for realities.

with the enlistment brokers. The brokers are. satisfy neither. Some towns have succeeded bet-

But on the other hand, if we raise our quota ter by sending trusty agents from their own town ' we shall be relieved of all these risks; increased or vicinity to gather recruits from other States. | confidence in the government will stimulate enter- But the method most available and in the end most prise, angment business, make work plenty and successful is to encourage and co- perate with the | wages high, while the prospect of the speedy close of the war will tend to keep articles ia mar- ket from further advancement in price.

They work earnestly, persistently, and honora. bly, and will in the end accomplish nich. Let ; large bounties-money in hand to ensure the sup- them be cheerfully sustained by puldie fa- : port of their families, or to lay aside and aceminu- vor and furnished with means to pay the necessary , late to a sum sufficient, on their return, to purchase a small home or to commence business.

Those who now enter the army will receive

Patriotism as an enthusiastic. exclamatory im- pulse may have disappeared, but stronger to-day, enlisted. Private letters from that regiment and i we firmly believe, than ever before, in the hearts of the American people, lives patriotism as a vital, invincible and practical principle, stimulating to measureless toil and self-sacrifice.

Patriotism, however, speaks one voice with self- interest. Both alike demand that our quota be raised. The speedy termination of this expensive and sanguinary conflict will incalculably enhance the welfare and prosperity of the whole people, rich and poor ; and as the best means to that most important end the raising of our ynota becomes a most imperative duty.

Besides this we must raise our quota or incur a draft. There is no alternative. The men must be furnished. Let us face the stern necessity of the hour. Every good citizen must desire to avert the suspense, the heart-burnings, the tubu- lence, the many cases of peculiar hardship which attend the tedious but relentless progress of a draft. Then too the eumibrous machinery of a draft ikept in motion for a long period, at great expense, readers this method really much less ceonomical than the payment of large bounties to volunteers. But not merely the general advantage but indi- vidual self-interest should impel us all to vigorous

112

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

DECEMBER,

and for his country. How plain is the dictate of pa. sion that you cannot put a black man to better nse trio:ism and self-interest ; how plain then the duty , than to set him to killing rebels. of every one who can enter the army to enlist ; how . These remarks apply to blacks at the South as manifest the duty of all to promote enlistments by well as at the North. There are ' special reasons. voice and purse, by every respectable means, however, why the enlistment of black regiments Honor, duty, and self-interest combine to stimulate at the North should be encouraged.

us to prompt, united and strenuous exertion. Let

each man and woman say to-day, I will do my part, empt from the duty of defending their country.

First, The colored men have no right to be ex- They were born here. They enjoy most of the Colored Troops. blessings of our institutions. There is no reason why they should be permitted to throw the burden Three classes of people object to the enlistment of the national defense entirely upon the whites. of colored troops :- first, the rebels ; secondly. the friends of the rebels; thirdly, a class of men who are'neither rebels nor friends of rebels, but who To their honor it must be said that they manifest no mewillingness to do their duty in this respect. Nemd'y, We want fresh troops immediately. honestly doubt the wisdom of the policy which Eulstreis among colored men will be rapid. be- the Government has adopted on this subject. To this last class we wish to say a few words.

cause they have not, until now, been drawn upou at all.

We go for killing as many rebels as possible in the quickest possible time, so that this accursed rebel. fon may be put down without delay. This busi- . shops. The colored men, as a chiss, are not me- ness of killing rebels (always, of course, according ' chaude. Every enlisted colored man, therefore, to the laws of war,) is the exact work winch our who is not a skilled mechanic relieves some skilled! white soldiers are set to do. They must continue the work until the rebels disperse and give up drafted into the anny. It is therefore very im- their rebellion. In order that they may do the portant for manufacturers and mechanics at the work thoroughly, our soldiers are well supplied North to encourage the enlistment of colored with bayonets, muskets and other instruments of troops. death. The work is bloo.ly and il sagreeable, but it must be done. When the Rebels accept the in the matarious districts of the South, the physi- President's offer of pardon, and stop killies ont 'eul constitution of the black man especially tits brave boys, our brave boys will have no further him; while the exposure incident to such service occasion to kill them, and will gladly give up the is deadly to the white man. business. Meanwhile, if black men are able and .

Fifthey, Mark soldiers marching through dis- willing to help our white soldiers kill the rebels, triet' ahounding in black slaves will seeure the we are willing and anxions that black men should confidence of the slaves more readily than white the sooner the work will be finished. The more rebels they kill the fewer rebels there will be left with new recruits; and will greatly aid in organ. [ soldiers. for our white sol.liers to kill ; and, (what is quite izing the loyal black part of the southern people as important,) the fewer rebels there will be to ' to heip us fight and punit down the rebellious white kill our white sol liers.

Now will the blacks fight? That is the main , question, after all-will they right !

Men who are really ansions to put down the re- belhon have generally yielded their doubts al- i Whatever doubts may have existed on this point, 'ready to the force of these and similar considera- it seems now to be settled that they will fight.

We do not say that they will fight as well as white men. We express no opinion, one way or Frist and prevent future delays or losses. the other, on this point. But we da say-and the efectivoly employed. We cannot hope to change CZ The attention of our readers is respectfully fact seems generally conceded-that whenever the opinions or to stop the loud outeries of the invited to the advertisement of Messrs. S. M. Ward they have been put into battle they have fought, rebels and their friends against this policy. The & Co., which will be found in another part of this and fonght well. They hate the rebels, and are fact that they protest so furiously against it, is an : paper. We are personally acquainted with the very fond of killing them; and are good at the additional reason, and one of the strongest reasons members of this firm, and ean vonch for their re- business.

why all good men should favor it. These traitors sponsibility in all business arrangements which But it has been suggested that the white sol-' are now driven into a close corner. They see that they may make, as we have a thorough knowledge dier will feel degraded if we send black soldiers if the Government can only get men enough, of their mercantile integrity, and their fall ability to help him. Nothing would induce us tor ony whether white or black, and get them quickly, to to meet all obligations. This notice, of course, is moment to consent to anything which would de- reinforce fully our victorious armies, the rebellion intended for such of our readers as have no ac- grade our white soldiers or wound their pride will soon be crushed. Their prophecies and their quaintance with this firm; to all who know them, Here then is a simple question of fact. Do the hopes have proved false. They are desperate, no recommendation will be necessary.

ment of black soldiers to help them? Does this white soldiers in fhet feel degraded by the employ. They will appred to every prejudice, they will te .. sort to every device, to save their perishing cause. outery against black troops come from our white But they will fail, as they have invariably tailed in '

who hate the white soldiers as well as the Iduck soldiers ? Does it nor come chieily from traitors all their treasonable tricks and schemes. Their and who desire nothing so much as the disgrace out" ery of "ninger, nigger." But one thing is and defeat of our armies and the triumph of the

rebellion? We deny that our white soldiers me every drop of the blood of a black soldier who unwilling to be relieved, reinforced and helped by fights bravely for the old flag, is worth more than black troops. The fact is far otherwise. Ont all the blood of all the rebels at the South and all white soldiers have been, all the while, and are the traitors at the North put together.

now, far in advance of public opinion at the North, on this subject, as cot many others. They . are not such fools as Northern demagogues take them to be ; and when they come home they will prave it to the entire satisfaction of even those demagognes themselves The truth is that our white soldiers are intelligent and in earnest. They mean to put down the rebellion ; and they want all the help they can get. They doubtless have their Connecticut Cavalry, in Union Hall Building, Mart- ford, Coun. As a noble man and an acconydished prejwiices against intimate social connection with a different race of men; But, being have them- whver every one roust wish him success, safety solves, they, like all other brave men. respect abd lamor. Men who en'ist with him will be treated honor- courage wherever found. if the black soldier will tight, the white soldier will respect him, Thus far ablly, kindly and frirly.

Mr. desse 11. Lord, formerly Lieutenant in the Second Connecticut Regiment, and author of the, accurate history of thorough and well written history of The Three bas de cidel again to enter the service of his

Month- Volunteers which appears in our communs from the beginning, and as a whole, will comprise

a complete and anthentie record of the important country. He is now enlisting men for the 1st services in this gigantic struggle, of the heroic sol- diers and the soulo people of our gallant State, This work, no History of the war, and no other pub- hiration is doing, at cuando.

Every intelligent citizen of Connecticut should obtain the War Record for perusal and preservation. Published monthly, at New Haven, Conn., by PECK, WHITE & PACK. Price, $1.00 per anun,

the lack soldier has fought, and therefore the uni- versal testimony of the army is that he deserves BACK NUMBERS-Back numbers which have in advance. respect. We take it as a fact, now fully settled, been lost, may be replaced by sending to " "THE ; Address all letters invariably to THE CONNEC. that our white soldiers have come to the conclu-, CONNECTICUT WAS RECORD, New Haven, Conn."

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

DECEMBER, 1863.

** All communications should be addressed to " THE Cox- NECHICET WAR RECORD."

"Let us twine each thread of the glorions tissue of our country's flag about our heart-strings, and, looking upon our homes, and catching ?the spirit that breathes upon us from the bat:l'-fields of our fathers, let us resolve that, come weal or woe,

Tlerdle. Stilled mechanices and workmen can- we will, in life and in drath, now and forever, stand not well be spared from our factories and work-

by the Stars and Stripes."-Josern HOLT.

DEy" The increasing favor with which each sue- white mechanie from a part of his liability to be | cessive Number of the War Record is received, is both gratifying, and encouraging. The Editor trusts that his generous patrons will find reason to commend the December Number as they did the November Number for marked improvement in Fourthly. For certain kinds of military service arrangement and quality of matter. He will labor with unabated energy and enthusiasm to attain the high ideal which he has formed for his important work.

CP We cordially invite suggestions and criti-

have a chance to do it. The more they help n- ' men could do. Therefore our colored regimentsi cisms from those who earnestly desire to see the will be able to keep their ranks constantly fall. War Record complete and worthy of our noble

maon who now infest that part of our country.

CET Excess of matter has compelled us to defer several communications of value.

CE" Some subscribers may fail to receive the WAR RECORD regularly. Let such inform us im- I tions. Honce it is that the common sense of the | mediately, and we will do all that we can to repair people and of the army cordially supports the pol. ley of using black troops wherever they can be

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD,

A MONTHLY JOURNAL,

only stock in trade now is the miserable, " played Established to collect and preserve, in a permanent artiin-and all true soldiers will say so-it

forin, for perpetual remembrance, the record of the services of Connecticut, in the present great struggle for the Union and Nationality, will con- tain, monthly, fresh and regular correspondence from all Connecticut regiments, and a sketch of what we at home are doing for the war and our gallant sokliers.

It will also contain, in successive numbers, an

EVERY CONNECTICUT REGIMENT,

TICUT WAR RECORD, New Haven, Conz.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

OUR STATE POINTS TO DEEDS, NOT ACRES.

PECK, WHITE & PECK, Publishers.

NEW HAVEN, JANUARY, 1864.

VOL. I. No. 6. ( $1 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.

For the Connecticut War Record.

Record of Events.

Nov. 30. Capturc of Port Caballo, Mata- gorda Bay, Tex.

Dec. 2. Fighting between Foster's and Longstrect's cavalry, at Walker's Ford, East Tenn.

Dec. 3. Siege of Knoxville abandoned by Longstreet.

Dec. 6. Sinking of the Monitor Weehaw- ken off Morris Island, S. C.

Dec. 6. Repulse of the rebels at Moscow, Tenn.

Dee. 7. Capture of the Chesapeake off Cape Cod, by the rebel pirates.

Dec. 7. Occupation of Elizabeth City by Gen. Wild's eolored brigade.

Dec. 10. Immense destruction of salt works at Lake Ocala, Fla.

Dec. 11. Explosion of a magazine in Fort Sumter, killing and wounding 40.

Dee. 13. Repulse of the rebel cavalry at Catlett's Station, Va.

Dce. 14. Brilliant expedition under Gen. Wistar to Charles City Court House, Va.

Dec. 14. Indecisive battle at Bean Sta- tion. Rebel loss 800. Union loss not known.

Dec. 16. Brilliant raid, by Gen. Averill, to Salem, Va. Destruction of a large quan- tity of military stores.

Dec. 17. Recapture of the Chesapeake in Sambro IIarbor, Nova Scotia.

Dec. 20. Raid of Federal cavalry from Fort Smith, Ark., to the Red River.

Dec. 20. Successful expedition up the teries upon Charleston, by way of enliven -! Shenandoah Valley. Capture of 100 pris- oners.

Dec. 22. Successful cavalry raid to Luray, Va.

Dee. 25. 130 shells thrown into the city of Charleston, and a successful naval en- gagement at Stono Inlet, S. C.

Dee. 28. Gen. Wheeler's rebel cavalry de- feated at Charleston, Tenn.

Dee. 28. Rebel cavalry repulsed at Cleveland, Ten.

Dec. 31. Successful skirmish near Wash- ington, N. C.

For the Connecticut War Record.

Review of Events. NUMBER SIX.

The military events of the past month, as compared with those of the preceding month,

are of a very inferior rank, both in their; doubt that our armies will be allowed to en- actual proportions and in their strategical joy that rest which their arduous and success- bearings. Of these, however, the most im- portant is the halt of Gen. Longstreet in the Virginia and East Tennessee valley. When

But while the army is thus recuperating itself, great care and caution should be excr- cised to guard against surprise. A strong and desperate foe, driven to the wall, needs " careful watching. Eternal vigilance is the price of security. The victories of Trenton and Princeton relieved the despondency of the darkest days of the Revolution, and put new life into a despairing country. In a military view, the .Confederate leaders may resolve to emulate such a precedent, though their treason would dishonor such an em- ulation.

For the Connecticut War Record. The Battle of Gettysburgh.

The secrecy which necessarily attends all miles of the railroad thoroughly destroyed. military movements of any magnitude, and On his return, no less than seven different rebel commands were on the road to inter- the infinite variety of circumstances by which they are complicated, will always ren- cept him; but by dodging some, fighting der eotemporaneous accounts imperfect and some and out-marching others, he succeeded | unsatisfactory. Particularly is this true of in bringing his little army safely off, having the great Rebel campaign of last summer, in Maryland and Pennsylvania, the object of

Early on the morning of the 25th ult., which at the time was enveloped in the most Gen. Gilmore opened some of his heavy bat- complete mystery and obscurity.

But it may now be learned from Gen. ing the Christmas celebrations of those "fire- Lee's official report, that this wonderful cam- eating" citizens. Portions of the city were : paign had no definite object, to which it was fired and eontinned burning for some time, thoroughly conseerated ; but that essentially though the extent of the damage is not : it was a grund military experiment, to see if known.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 35

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