The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 4

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

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The rebels had cautiously advanced to a slight ry videttes and reserve came dashing by in elevation Dear the bank of the Nansemond river, wild confusion, some bestride their galloping and reoccupied Fort Huger, an old, but un- noticed work of theirs, refitting it, and planting five splendid brass guns-four 12-pounder howitzers, and one 21-pounder.

steeds without saddle or bridle, shonting, "the rebs are coming, the rebs are coming moted to the command of the Battalion. [at the double quick, in heavy columns," &c. ; The fortification was so located at a bend, as to ITis foree and energy infused new spirit | " You had better fall back," said an officer. swerp the stream for quite a distance, annoying throughout the entire command, and reining up his horse to Capt. (now Lieut. our gunboats exceedingly, and rendering all oper- when they were required to march as a portion of Sigel's Reserve Corps to the | was the brief reply, " when I get orders." vicinity of Fredericksburg, they were in Col.) Smith, of the 8th. "I shall fall back," ations near that point, quite perilous. It was . thought best to dislodge the rebels. Late in the afternoon, six companies of the 8th C. V., with We remained at our posts ; the rebels ; six companies of the 89th New York, two hundred better condition for effective service than | eame up, halted, reconnoitered, did not seem | men commanded by Col. John E. Ward, of the

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[AUGUST,

Sth C. V., were embarked on boord the guntwoal Stepping Stones. Their orders from Gen. Getty. 'and injured comrades, we con but rejoice that the were, "when the brat tonobes land, get off at casualties are so few. The 8th lost one killed and once. Do not stop to call the roll or form a live, [ six wounded.

but let each officer rally all the meu he can ; push right forward and take the battery." After these | discovered that we had retaken four 12-pounders orders, the gunboat steamed up the river as if to previously captured by them.

ron past the battery, and the rebels made ready to fire. They waited for her to come past a sinall bluff which sheltered the bank for a short dis- tance from the view and the fire of the rneiny. Instead of passing, she quickly turned, and made for shore. As she struck, the gang planks were shoved off; the boat swung ronud with the eur-

rent, making the gang planks useless, but the men road. Our works, unlike those aributed to

leaped into the water np to their arm-pits, ru-bed along the side of the friendly bluff, and into A small ravine which led around past the fear of the entrenehments. Companies and regiments were now hopelessly interspersed and commingled. Pausing a moment, they rallied around the officers indiscriminately, then started at fall run along the ravine, np the banks, over the rifle- pits, and into the enemy's works without firing a shot. "We cave! " screamed the astonished rebels, " We cave, don't fire ; dou't fire !" and the boys did not, for the victory was won.

But our task was not ended. "Work quickly boys," was the word. The prisoners-112 in | from the peak.

number --- were marched on board the gunboat, and the howitzers were rolled out of the works aeross a plonghed field, and drawn to the beach, within fifteen minutes after the first man, Capit. MeCall of the 8th, leapeil on shore.

gunbout to the bank, and then dragged thein to the bluff. They too opened on the rebels nt the edge of the woods and in the woods with won- derful rapidity and accuracy.

The rebels fell back. By this time reinforce- ments began to he ferried over-pickets were thrown ont one-fourth of a mile, and the whole leaving our pretty camp. We arrived about remaining force were set at work vigoron-ly dig. ging riffe-pits in the rear of the entrenchments. The pickets were once driven in, but soon rallied and again took their position.

sailed for Yorktown, where we now are. We

For the Connectiont War Record. The Fifth Connecticut Volunteers.

In commencing a history of this Regi- ment, it is necessary that we take a retro- >pective view of its experience from Cedar Mountain, August 9th, 1862, down to the present date.

After the above named battle, the Fifth On the night of May 3d, the enemy aban- Connecticut, with diminished numbers but doned the siege, and evacuated their works. mifaltering courage, participated in that ter- rible series of disasters collectively known as l'ope's retreat, still commanded by General Banks, who, to-day, occupies a place in the memories of his old command that can never be filled by another ; they were often faint with hunger ; kept continually upon the move-now upon one flank-now upon the other-ragged, worn and sick, still marching-patiently enduring all hardships from hunger and the weather, lying down at night in dew and rain alike, picking up particles of hard bread from the road -- mond." One morning a flag staff appeared which, with now and then an ear of green in camp with a well made gabion suspended eorn which had escaped those who preceded them, constituted for days their sole food, this Regiment marched and countermarched to Alexandria, where it arrived in September, 1862.

Halting briefly here the mareh was re- anywhere, was now pitched in a quiet grove sumed in the direction of Maryland, and eontinued until Frederick City was reached, where the Fifth was detached for duty as Provost Guard of the city, under Colonel Allen, then Provost Marshal.

Ilere the Regiment remained, maintaining an unrivaled reputation for orderly conduct and discipline, until the 10th of December, when it was ordered to rejoin the First Division of the Twelfth Corps, Major Gen- eral Slocum commanding, and at once com- plied with the order, being then under the command of Major (now Colonel) Warren

Major Packer reported his command at

The grubcats were of priceless value in pre- fare in shelter tents with no baggage; ready Harper's Ferry, and the day following, in venting, by constant firing. the advance of the for long marches or for sterner work. We common with the rest of the corps, took up rebels in force. do not expect to remain here long, nor after the line of march in the direction of Fairfax the marks of historie interest are noted, is Station and Fredericksburg, the former hav- there anything inviting us to stay.

jing been but just evacuated by General The regiment is in good health. Our Sigel, who had moved on to the support of hospital is and has for a long time been al- Burnside in his first attempt upon the latter

The coolness, fearlessness, and intrepidity of most empty. We have, however, quite a! place.

Col. Ward, have won him anew, what he well knows how to prize-the enthusiasdie admitation and abuiding confidence of the gallant veterans whom he so grandly led.

Much as I love to praise Connectiont boys, Ican say that they were oidy side by side with the brave bardy boys of the 89th New York, Moved by one purpose along one path, they da-bed into the works together, and the two old standards. torn and piereed by bullets in muiny battles, were planted on the breastworks at one moment, in triumph.

While we think sadly and proudly of our lost

Our exultation was almost unbounded when we

We also obtained 3,000 rounds of prime ammi- nition of English manufacture.

For about two weeks we were kept busy at making gabions, and building a conluroy good men, will not probably live after us. As we failed to feel the importance of build- ing the road, and did not think that a repu- tation for great mechanical skill would be for our advantage while in the field, we took care not to earn such a reputation, The boys styled themselves, after the manner of "yellow covered " authors, " Peck's Aven- gers, or the Basket Makers of the Nanse-

But these unsoldierly and unwelcome la- bors past, we lay in emmp for some weeks at leisure, except from rather frequent picket duty. Our eamp, which had been almost

Hardly were the prisoners secured, when the rebels were seen swarming from the adjacant of young pines, about three quarters of a inile east of the village, near the Portsmouth Railroad. The location was excellent ; wa- woods to retake the battery. The guns just cap- tured, were ranged as by magic, around the bluff, and turned upon them with deadly effect. Mean. while the marines bad, with amazing labor and | ter good ; rations plentiful ; dust and mos- celerity, transferred several howitzers from the quitoes unknown. Our situation was more pleasant than at any time since encamped at Newbern last June on the shady bank of the languid but beautiful Neuse.

On Saturday, June 20th, we bade good. bye to Suffolk without reluctance, save at

smhiset at Portsmouth. On Monday morn- ing at one o'clock we left our bivouac, and : W. Packer.

To capture a strong battery with two hundred men, while thousands of rebel troops were within a mile, is no common achievement, and the men who accomplished the feat, are ju-tly proud and jubilant.

number unfit for severe duty. The regimenti At Fairfax Station the Regiment, after numbers now about 350 effective men. Af- marching nearly to Dumfries, and counter- ter the battle of Fredericksburg, we were marching as usual, was finally halted and reduced below 200.

went into camp, remaining until the 19th of Sure that I shall have no occasion to re- January, when the Twelfth Corps, in mud cord discreditable conduct, I hope soon to and rain, moved on in the direction of Fred- add to our history, deeds honorable alike to ! erick-butg, stopping at Stafford Court House, ourselves, and to the good old commonwealth. and remaining twelve weeks without inci- J. M. M. dent, except now and then getting up rather YORKTOWN, VA., June 23J, 1863. early in the morning and stacking arms in

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1863.]

the expectation that Stuart or some other the, line was reformed some two hundred While we were at this Post, Co's i and Confederate dragoon would pay them a visit. yards in rear of the old position in the K garrisoned Fort Clinch, and Co. C This brings us down to the 27th of April. works, and advaneed for the purpose of re- 1863, upon which day the Chancellorville ; occupying them, but found them vacated by campaign commenced. the enemy.

The enemy then succeeded in again flank- in contact or in sight of the ememy, save

On the morning above aliuded to, the Fifth occupying its proper position in the line, ing us, when the Regiment commenced mnoved in the direction of Kelly's Ford upon the Rappahannock, reaching that point upon the 29th, and crossing upon poutoons the 30th. Upon the evening of the fatter day the Rapidan was reached.

It was here found that, owing to the de- struction of the bridge and the swiftness of the current, it would be impossible to carry the ammunition across upon the mules ; in view of which Companies A and H were

moving off by the left-flank, in so doing re- ceiving a volley from the enemy in the rear. At this time, being outnumbered and com- pletely overpowered, the order was given to make its way out in the best manner possi- ble; it was here that several enlisted men were made prisoners by the enemy.

The members of the Regiment rennited and reformed upon a hill in the rear, and then were ordered forward to a ravine, where detailed and promptly commenced and the night was passed, it being about one accomplished the task of transporting the o'clock. same across by means of a narrow foot Remained in this position until about the bridge. This was no inconsiderable under- middle of the forenoon, when the Fifth taking, as any one who has ever tested the weight of a thousand rounds will readily

moved off to the left and formed a portion of the third line lying in a very exposed po- concede. Eueamping upon the bank of the sition and where many were wounded-one river the march was resumed upon the fol- lowing morning, and night found the Fifth in its position in the line of battle formed by the First Brigade, First Division, Twelfth Corps, near Chancellorville, Va., and ready for events.

At 12 o'clock, the Regiment being upon the right of the Brigade, the command was advanced two miles and enagaged the skir- mishers. Ilere the Regiment halted and lay under a shell-fire for about three hours, when orders were received to fall back to the first position, which was done, and the erection of breast works immediately com- meneed and continued all night and the fol- lowing day.

At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, May 2d, the Regiment having the advance of the Brigade again advanced some two miles, and the skirmishers, under Captain Daboll, were promptly engaged ; desultory firing eoutin- ued about half an hour, when the order was given to the Fifth to commence firing, which was done, front and rear rank alternating with good effect, and continued for some twenty minutes, when orders were given to fall back in the direction of the breast- work, firing as they moved.

tagion. We reached there just in time

acted as provost guard. There was but little of startling incident to diversify our residence there. We were not at all when we communicated with them by flag of truee. As the result of one flag of truce, the major of the regiment, aided and abetted by the chaplain, surrendered at discretion, and without any expecta- tion of release or exchange. He has not, however, been known to complain of his captivity.

The health of the regiment was good, while at Fernandina, only one death oc- curing in four months.

Toward the close of March, Col. Ilaw- ley was ordered to take five companies and proceed to Hilton Head. It was ex- pected that this force would participate in the siege of Charleston, and many an- ticipated with emotions of mingled hope- fullness and soheitude, renewing the at- tek on the city whose fortifications baf- fied us in the preceding summer. But the five companies only acted as a part of the garrison of Hilton Head, at which Post Col. Hawley was placed in com- mand, during the absence of Gen. Terry on the Charleston expedition. That ex- pedition having fallen through, the troops returned to Fernandina.

A few days after their return, orders came that Major Rodman, with the two flank companies, A and B, should proceed at once to Hilton Ilead. They have ever since remained there, and in addition to pieket duty, they participated in the raid upon the main land, in which Blufton was burned.

On the 5th of May, the regiment was Oct., 1862, the day after the battle at ordered to relieve the 7th N. II. at St. Pocotalligo, the Seventh Connecticut re-| Angustine. And in this quaint, strange mained at Camp Hitchcock, ( just outside old town we still remain, with F and D the entrenchments,) until the evening of garrisoning Fort Macon, and the other Oct. 30th. The yellow fever had appeared, companies occupying the barracks.

and threatened to extend its ravages, and To-day, companies D and K are to set the regiment was ordered to Beaufort, out for Hilton Head, to form part of All- that it might be removed from the con- jor Rodman's detachment.

The regiment has now been in sole of- to witness the funeral of Gen. Mitchell, 'cupaney of a Post here or at Fernandina, Upon arriving within some twenty yards enemy who had succeeded in occupying them in the absence of the Regiment. It was un- The new camp established at Beanfort. for the past six months, and it is not too of the works, a volley was received from the was named Camp Palmer, after the la- much to say that their conduct under mented captain of Co. E. While station- these circumstances has been most credit- ed at Beanfort, the regiment gained in able. Heretofore, the regiment has dis- avoidable under these circumstances that the ; health very perceptibly. On the sth Jan. played a capacity for continued patient Regiment should be. thrown into some con- it was again ordered to Hilton Head, and toil, aml for valor in battle. It has more fusion, and it was while endeavoring to | resumed its former encampment ; but for | recently exhibited the quality of self-con- remedy the evil that Colonel Packer andja short term only. On the 12th, orders trol. There have been very few com- five other officers, were made prisoners. were received to start for Fernandina, plaints of injury to property, or of rob- Upon getting through the enemy's line, [Fla., to relieve the 9th Maine. bery. Without designing any compari-

St. Augustine, Fla., June 25, 1863. Returning to Hilton Head on the 23d

Captain, George S. Benton, of Company F, being killed, a loss deeply felt by the entire Regiment, to whom his kindly disposition and long association with the Regiment had much endeared him.

Later in the day orders were received to fall back to the river where the Fifth was employed under General Patrick, Provost Marshal of the army, in guarding the pon- toon bridge until the 6th of May, when the old position at Stafford Court House was re. occupied. A further history will be given in our next communication. Co. . 1.

For the Connecticut War Record. The Seventh Connecticut.

TITE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[AUGUST,

son injurious to other regiments, it may [ slightly as not to be disabled from .ser- be said that the loyal inhabitants of the vice at the guns, and one, E. B. Platt,

was laid up for only a few days. We tioned at New Orleans.

two Posts which we have garrisoned, have expressed the utmost gratification lost three horses killed and one caisson in the security which they felt under the exploded by a shell from the enemy. protection of this regiment.

Several of our men lost their knapsacks I have often been reminded of the re- mark made by a negro, near Port Royal I have been thus explicit in this that Ferry, when the regiment was out on and clothing. A number of our horses were used up on the long and tedious marches, and our men were generally pieket at that point : "I can let my [jaded and weary after the fight. The you might understand the position of the chickens run out now, and leave them battery left Gettysburg with the Reserve out all night ; I never could before." The Colonel very truly said that the regiment ! on' the 7th, where it was ordered to re- had never received a higher compliment than this.

on the 5th inst., and arrived at Frederick port to Colonel Lefferts of the 7th New York State Militia, in command of the post at that place. On the Isth inst. or-

lery camp of instruction and is com- manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Monroe, but abont twenty-three miles in running an officer who fully understands the "ar- singular success, administered justice, re- my regulations" and strictly enjoins pressed violenec, protected property, and secured the rights of all. DIXWELL.

It would be unjust not to add that Col. Hawley has shown a remarkable ca- ders were received to report at Camp pacity and adaptation for discharging Barry, Washington, where we arrived the difficult and responsible duties of on the 20th inst. This post is an artil- Post Commandant. Fitted alike by his previous legal attainments, and by super- added military promptness, he has, with

their obedience. UNION.

For the Connecticut War Record. The Ninth Regiment. PASS MANCHAC, La., ¿ June 18, 1803. S

This post being the dividing line be- tween America and Rebeldom, of course is somewhat exposed to visits of the ene- my now and then, but they have learned

MI :. EDITOR :- Your's of the 20th inst. caution, and except when coming in as has just been received, and I will en- The battery left Wolf Ruu Shoals on the Oeoquan River, on the 25th of June! last, under orders to report to General dleavor to comply with your request and keep you posted monthly. The time, "refugees " or " contrabands " preserve a respectful distance and modest deport- ment ; sometimes even imitating the however, noir, is so short, that I will; manner of the Turks in their low obeis- Tyler, commanding the artillery reserve ; have to defer until next month any mat- ance upon the track when coming down of the army of the Potomac, and joined ; ters of interest I might have to commun- to make a reconnoisance. the reserve at Edward's Ferry. At that icate concerning the 9th, or the war. date the Army of the Potomac was in

Refugees come in daily-sometimes as Since the last report by the Adjutant ! many as a dozen at a time-men, women pursuit of Lee in his invasion into Mary- General, the headquarters of the Ninth and children; ragged, half starved, and land and Pennsylvania. From Edward's; have been at New Orleans : but the regi- Ferry we marched rig Frederick and Tan-I ment itself has been completely dismem- worn down with fatigue. What some of those females with babes in their arms eytown to Gettysburg and participated in bered-two companies guarding the Mex- suffer, is beyond imagination. Think of that memorable battle. Our battery was in fican Gulf' Raihond and mouth of the Mis- 'a mother and child (alone) two days and position for fifty-six hours without being issippi ; one company at Algiers, opposite ; nights in a swamp knee deep, with noth- New Orleans : four companies doing pro- ing to eat ; where snakes, among them the deadly water moccasin, abound;

relieved, and a portion of the time under the hottest fire of the enemy's artillery. It was our first engagement in a pitched

vost guard duty at New Orleans ; and three companies stationed at Pass Man- where in the day time the heat is insuf- battle, but the conduct of our men and chae, abont thirty-eight miles above New ferable, and at night chilly-losing her the courage and coolness of our officers mendations from experienced field officers New Orleans." and old veterans in the ranks. It was an excellent opportunity to test the ile- (the James' rifle,) and the result was em- Orleans, at the water communication be- i way, struggling through, and amid all was such as to elicit complimentary com- tween Lakes Pontchartrain and Manse- | more afraid of falling again into the ene- jas, the onter limit of "the Defen-es of my's hands than of the surrounding dan- gers. Think of this and you have but an Colonel Cahill is Acting Brigadier Gen-fevery day occurrence; and oh! with curacy and destructiveness of our guns, feral of Second Brigade. Second Division, | what heartfelt joy she smiles and nestles Nineteenth Army Corps, Brigadier Gen-Fup her child when she falls in with a inently satisfactory. Our post was on eral Emory commanding the Division. Yankee picket. Not so, however, with the left of the centre, where, on the af- This Brigade is composed of the Ninth many a female in New Orleans and other ternoon of Friday, the enemy made an Conuertient and Twenty-sixth Massachu- places, who know and see but little of ineffectual attempt to break through our sets, as old veterans, and the Fortysee the sorrow and suffering of their own line. Amid such fearful carnage weland and Forty-seventh Massachusetts, as sex : and many of whom having neither providentally escaped without the loss of new regiments, with cavalry and artil- kith nor kin of their own in the war, and a man ; three only were wounded, twoso lery.

led on only by their own evil passions or

Lieutenant Colonel Fitz Gibbons com- mands the Ninth Regiment, and is sta-

Major Frye commands Pass Manchac and Fort Stephens, at that place, with the three companies of the Ninth and a portion of the Twenty-first Indiana (ar- tillery) regiment.

regiment. In my next I will give you a description of this place, with some sketches and incidents. Fort Stephens lins been built here to command the lakes and the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad, which runs by There, and which has been so successfully employed heretofore by the enemy against us, but which now of its entire length of one hundred and seventy-five miles has

order, from Jackson to Canton, John- son's headquarters-thanks to Grant, Grierson and some lesser stars, but as good patriots, at this end.

For the Connecticut War Record. Second Connecticut Light Battery. SECOND CONNECTICUT LIGHT BATTERY, CAMP BARRY, WASHINGTON, D. C., July 23d, 1863.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1863.]

love of excitement, goad on many a one ; over and appropriated the contents of the ; ous-fit concomitants of a rotten rebellion, Glad- against his better judgment, and open- man's haversack, consisting of "hardily would we have visited you with the bountiful comforts of home, and we have rejoiced when the " bonds of iniquity" in which yon were bound were broken. ly, in public, spurn a soldier of the Uni- tack," to his own use. Walking back ted States. Such kind of women should leisurely he seated himself on top of one of his howitzers and enjoyed his frugal And now we would renew to you the assurance of our symyathy, and pledge you again our cor- dial support. We would have you feel that the fire of patriotism still burns in our souls ; and that we are not only ready to lift up your hands and encourage your hearts, but, if need be, to come and stand by your side, and with you carry on this great contest, till the glorious Union of our fathers is restored, and traitors are no more. repast. be taken to the outposts and started on foot to the enemy's lines, that they may see the result of their folly aud wicked- ness. One man we picked up the other day, had subsisted in the swamp for two days, eating raw bullfrogs, and he was so weak he would have died in twenty-four hours longer there.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 4

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