The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 44

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

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Capt. Charles N. Coit, Sth Connecticut. In the second story of this large huilding are Capt. George E. Hutchinson, 10th Ohio Cavalry. the white recruits, numbering at present only one here are in the colored regimeuts-the Twenty-

Resigned.

F. and S. |Sergt. Major.

Spalding. John L.

Mass. Regiment. Captain.

Norwich.

Private.

Mayne, Geo. A.

Ist Louisiana. 2d Lieutenant.

Bridgeport.

2d Lieutenant. [Windsor Locks.

F. and S. Surgeon.

Stearns, Henry P.

New York Regt :2d Lieutenant.

Waterbury.

Private.

Lord, Frederick C.

By my count we have (now or lately) in service battle, hearing some one near him regret his hard (officers and enlisted men) from the First, 495; fate and hope he might yet survive, he expressed . Second, 452; Third, 451 ;- in all 1.398 out of himself' as perfectly satisfied, and as desiring no ' 2,340-this without counting those enlisted out of nobler death than that of a soldier.

the State or since the raising of the nine months'

I notice, by the way, that of the above num-

Capt. William Spittle, 21st Connectient.

Capt. George N. Bliss, Ist Rhode Island Cay. alry. Capt. Mareus Waterbury. 17th Connecticut. Capt. Jacob Rogers, Ist Connecticut Cavalry. Lieut. John E. Doolittle, 20th Connecticut. Lieut. Jolin Stottler, 6th Connecticut.

leave for the field without suffering loss, greater or less, on the way. In one respect, though, this class of men have been the innocent occasion of much good. Some weeks since an order was pub-

"Conseript" is hardly the adjeetive to be ap. eruits to the various Connecticut regiments in the lished confiseating all money found on gambling several military departments.

139

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[FEBRUARY,

ninth and Thirtieth. Recruiting of the Twenty- ninth was begnu in November last, under the su- pervision of Col. Berj. S. Pardee, who has been specially active and efficient in organizing and filling the regiment. It now numbers nine hun- dred and sixty nine officers and men. About five hundred of the mnen are from Connectient ; the rest represent almost every loyal state and seve- ral States at the South. A considerable number are refugees from from bondage. The regiment attracts general attention for its fine soldierly ap- pearance, and is as noble a body of troops as have been gathered during the war. They have clear views of their own concerning the issues of the war; the most of them have sacrificed com- fortable homes to enlist, solely from a conviction of duty to aid in saving the country and in libe- rating their race from slavery. Some of them have children and wives now in bondage, whom they hope to see one of these days enjoying the blessings of freedom, won, in part, by their sacri- fiec. All who have any acquaintance with the regiment, are confident it will do effective service in the field.

The Twenty-ninth has a corps of officers, passed through the fiery ordeal at Washington, of which any regiment might be prond. Several are yet . Geo. Young. Joseph Butler, Joshua Hodge, Allen to be appointed for the line, and none of the field Banks, Lewis Hazzard. officers have yet been appointed. Capt, Chas. L. COMPANY I1. Sergeants -- Daniel A. Peck, John W. Hall, Solo- Norton, commanding the regiment, and to whom is specially due the credit of its present fine con- mon N. Howard, Geo. E. Brown, Jacob Van der- dition in discipline and drill, has been promoted to the command of a colored regiment in Lou- Corporals-Samuel Place, W'm. N. Sidney. John 11. Addams, James Smith, Cæsar Ilall, Jacob Thompson, Edward Ditermus, Jacob Young. isiana. His removal from the Twenty-ninth will be deeply regretted not only by the officers and men of his regiment, but by all who came in con- taet with him at the camp.

OFFICERS OF THE TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. Capt. Charles L. Norton-just relieved.

Capt. II. C. Ward, commanding Regiment. Capt. David Torrance. Capt. Fred. E. Camp.

Capt. Wm. J. Ross.

Capt. E. W. Bacon. Capt. E. A. Thorp.

Lieut. John L. Spalding, Acting Adjutant. Lieut. James C. Sweetland.

Lieut. G. W. Stewart. Lieut. Thomas MeKinley. Lieut. John Bishop. Lieut. D. Mortimer Lec.

Lieut. Edward Coe. Lieut, William H. Bevin. Lieut. E. S. Bristol. Lieut., Ransom Kenyon. Lieut. J. A. Tracy. Lieut. Joel W. Ilyde. Lieut. James R. MeDonough. Lieut. S. G. Bennett. Lieut. E. P. Rogers.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Sergeant. Major-Horace N. London. Quartermaster Sergeant -- Daniel S. Lathrop. Commissary Sergeant-Joseph Cassell. Hospital Steward ---

COMPANY A.

Sergeants-George Green, Jacob Kellis, James V. Cromwell, Loyd Fuller.

Corporals-Nelson Howard, James Whitfield, Knight Hospital-is under the direction of the College at New Haven, who have, at a great deal William N. Martin, Needham Simmonds, Charles Post Surgeon, Dr. Blake, who is always attentive, 'of personal sacrifice, volunteered for this special Bentley, Ferdinand Fromville, Thomas Griffing. . kind, and skillful, and is assisted by accomplished service. Through influences started from this John Jackson.

COMPANY F.

Sergeants-Jeremiah Kelley, Charles Richards, Miles Jackson, William Ricks.

Corporals-Cornelins Nash. James II. Green.

Isaac Garull, Henry West, William Pine.

COMPANY C. Sergeants -- Archie Hurd, Jr., Samuel Jones, George Phillips, William Dixon, Josiah Starr.

Corporals-Henry Mitchel, Andrew Nash, Empson Brown, George W. Richards, Thomas Davis, Lewis Starr.

COMPANY D. Sergeants-Jacob K. Spencer, Thos. M. Thomp-

A raised walk of plank has been built on the son, Chauncey Richmond, Shadwick Morris, Allen |lower side of the camp, for the camp-guard, which Garver.

males their bent dry and comfortable. A large Corporals-Samnel Howard, Hiram L. Brown, Junius MeIntire, George T. Porter, Charles II. C'oe, John Weston, James Drake, John Stevens. quantity of oyster shells are being brought to fill up the low ground and make it everywhere level and dry. Other repairs and improvements are COMPANY E. Sergeants-Loyd G. Seymour, Alexander II. Newton, Ilenry Il. Williams, Benjamin Thomp- sun, Sammel R. Brown. begun, which will render the rendezvons a inneh inore comfortable place of abode. Capt. Sears, as well as Gen. Hunt, have, we can but feel, been un. ter, "Charles. A. Porter, Thomas II. Paul, Alfred | justly censured in regard to the cook room of the

Corporals-Cornelius 8. Gross, Christopher Por- Powers, Charles H. Weeden, Geo. H. Latimore, Geo. Hendnek.

COMPANY F. Sergeants-John Session, Geo. H. May, John L. Maston, Thos. Cooper, George E. Carpenter.

Corporals -- Geo. Sprywood, Edward Voorhies, James Prime, Almon Wheeler, Henry JI. Fitch, Henry Robberts, Richard It. Watson.

COMPANY G.

Sergeants-Wm. Il. Jeffry, James A. Payne, Joseph Haynes, Cornelius Strong, Matthias Blake. Corporals-Wm. II. Freeman, Geo. Freeman,

COMPANY 1. Sergeants-Ira P. Layton, Win. Haucock, Fleet- wood Anthony. W. E. L. Morrison.

Corporals-Horace Freeman, Geo, Gibson, Wiu. II. Terryek, Amos C. Brewster, Simon Green, Jo- siah Geiger, James W. Brewster.

COMPANY K.

Sergeants-John J. Sawyer, Wm. Sinelare, Samuel Costello, Henry Somerlot, Richard M. Cox.

Corporals-Morton V. Talman, Albert D. White, management. Jerome D. Nallis, De Witt Harrison, Joseph J. Reed, Samuel Duncan, Thomas Blackson, Lewis A. C'leggett.

THE CHAPEL.

THE THIRTIETH REGIMENT. About two months ago a Chapel was erected near the main entrance. It was built not by the The Thirtieth Regiment was begun a month i Government, but entirely by the contributions of ago, and numbersat present two hundred and nine individuals anxious for the sokliers' good.

men. It is commanded by Lient N. Willey. Lieut. I

Though designed especially for Sabbath services Willey and Lieut. O. C. Case are the only com- it is made useful in other ways. It is opened missioned officers yet appointed for this regiment, | during the day as a quiet place, where men can It is receiving fresh accessions all the while, and come to read and write. Desks are provided for promises to equal, before long, the Twenty-ninth writing, and about a dozen newspapers are kept on in size and efficiency.

file. A library is also started. The building is in The special attention devoted by the War De- use every evening for concerts, exhibitions, lee- partment to officering these colored regiments, en- tures, prayer-meetings, singing schools and other courages the belief that they may be designed to constitute a part of the regular army.

gatherings, secular and religious, to draw the soldiers away from their barracks. Two evenings in the week a reading school is held, where one

of the eamp is, in general, good. The hospital hundred and fifty of the colored men are learning used both for the white and colored men-though to read. The teachers in this school are fifteen many of the latter have recently been sent to gentlemen from the Theological Seminary, and the

nurses. The room is comfortable, and it is doubt- building, and by other means employed, much is ful if anywhere in the army the sick are more being done to counteract the demoralizing tenden- faithfully attended to. Dr. Fisher of Norwich, cy of camp life-inch to make better men, and late Surgeon of the Twenty-ninth, was obliged to . therefore better soldiers.

James Smith, George B. Thomas, Abram Johnson i leave ou account of ill health, and is relieved by | There is much which Christian liberality and Dr. Stephenson of Boston.

sympathy ean yet furnish to aid in this good work.

Under the energetie supervision of Cajaain Scars, the present efficient commander of the Post, the special Post fund above mentioned, is being ex- pended very judiciously. Valuable improvements are inaugurated and are being vigorously prose- euted.

Invalid Corps. It is true that the room was far from being neat and agreeable. Yet, under the circumstances, it was as good as could be pro- vided. The room was too small-but it was the only one available. The cooking ranges and uten- sils were as many and as large as could be used conveniently in the space. The camp, at that time, was a mass of well poached mud-and to keep a floor trodden by hundreds of feet fresh from the outside, in any tolerable state of cleanli- ness, was simply impossible. The improvements now in process in the camp, already render it possible to make the cook room neater and more comfortable. The men who eat there no longer complain. They say that the food is ample and well cooked, that the room is kept in good order, and that they are satisfied.

The inspection of last Saturday is an event well worthy of mention. The whole garrison was called out and formed in line. A thorough exami- nation of arms, equipments, and clothing followed. A neater and better display is rarely seen. The inspection of quarters was very satisfactory. I have never seen barracks where equal neatness and order were exhibited.

In fact, everything about the rendezvous gives gratifying indications of energetie and progressive

THE SANITARY CONDITION

139

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1864.]

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

For the Connecticut War Record. The Second Connecticut Artillery. Jan. 5th, 1864.

Garrison life, so far from the scene of contest as the defenses of Washington, can note but few stirring or strange events.

As with November, so with Decem- ber; drill and study have occupied the us, which is nearly filled up, and has time, and the routine of the one month made very rapid progress under the in- has been nearly that of the other. In structions of Philip Stoball of Co. E. It almost nightly entertains us with music. II. this we have been neither behind nor before the age, as possibly some may have thought when in your last they read Jan. 29, 1864. that we were studying Roberts' Evolu- tions of the Line. If my pen did not write, the types should have read-for have types any right to promulgate er- ror ?- that the non-commissioned officers were studying Roberts' Hand-book of Artillery, and that the commissioned officers were studying Casey's Taeties, Evolutions of the Linc, (brigade.) I know the printer's rule is to follow his like inducement. As we have received a larger copy though it is out of the window; but error had better go out the window, ing character that we are known and appreciated ; copy and all, than into print.

Our new numerical designation, conse- quent upon our change from infantry to artillery, as expected, is the Second Con- nectient. Many were somewhat relue- tant to part with the old number, nine- tecn, for as was remarked, it had been to us a fortunate number from the first. However, since men and regiments are greatly the architeets of their fortune, we hope and intend to make our present designation equally if not more fortu- nate.

During a night some while since, pri- vate C. U. Jackson of Co. HI, of New Milford, one of the hospital guard, per- ceived an unusual fire in the valley, half! or three-quarters of a mile distant. Sns- pecting all was not right, he stealthily and aloue reconnoitered, and found one of the bridges of the Alexandria and Orange Railroad on fire. After kindling a fire on the track to arrest the trains, tions, and soon the men will be well housed.

he applied himself to save the bridge. As he had nothing but his shoe to dip with, he off with it and went to work. Still the fire made headway ; so he off; with his overcoat, and by splashing it into the stream and then upon the fire, he succeeded in extinguishing it, to the ruin, however, of his coat. His deed canie to the knowledge of the Secretary of War; he inquired, and being certified of its truth, rewarded Jackson with alterest of late.

furlough of ten days. The fire is sup-| A flag staff, towering better than seventy feet, posed to have been the work of guer- of tasty workmanship and rig, has been ereeted rillas.

jat Fort Williams, and last month one was erected at our new headquarters. 11.

For the Connecticut War Record. First Connecticut Cavalry. BALTIMORE, Jan 4th, 1864. ANOTHER BAID

From Harper's Ferry, in the direction of Staunton, has been reported in the papers. It occurred simultaneously and in connection with the late movement by Gen. Averill, and by occupying the at- tention of the rebel forces in the She- nandoah Valley, it aided in no small de- gree the accomplishment of his daring and renowned exploits. The force en-

of Col. Wells of the Thirty-fourth Mas- sachusetts, and Co. B of the First Con- Companies A and E were attached to the

accession of recruits than any other regiment from cavalry brigade under Col. Boyd, and the State, we have evidence of the most convine. took the advanee. I am not prepared to "give a detailed account of the part which -- an appreciation we purpose to be worthy of to the end. This purpose is evineed in the number : our boys performed in this difficult and of hours (five) given daily to drill; and very en-, dangerous expedition, but I am faithfully couraging is the improvement of the recruits, informed that the little fragment of Con- manifest at the weekly inspection, that we shall 'nectieut Cavalry faltered not during the soon show the same profieieney as in former months.

fifteen days and nights of constant toil and severe exposure, and when they re-

For a while after the organization of the regi- ment, some of the baser sort deserted, and already ; turned to their camp weary, cold, wet a few of the recruits have shown themselves to be and hungry, it was with the glorious sat- mere " bounty jumpers." On one occasion, when isfaction that they had done their duty the regiment was assembling to drum one out of in another movement against the enemy, camp for desertion, some soldiers from the front were heard to say one to the other, that any one and endared its privations and dangers with a noble fortitude. who would desert from such a regiment deserved his punishment. The mass of the new men, it is

Very strong indications appear that believed from appearances, will be good and faith- the rebels, provoked at the bold and sne- fnl soldiers. Should deserters who have received cessful invasion by our troops, intend to the present liberal bounties be arrested. but little mercy will probably be shown thein -- at least such repay the visit, and are marching to- wards Charlestown and Harper's Ferry. Our boys are under marching orders, pre- seems to be the existing feeling. Accordingly numerous executions may be expected. May our regiment be saved the necessity of witnessing such | pared to welcome them. The event will a seene among ns.

doubtless transpire very soon.

THE PRISONERS OF WAR.

We learn by recent letters from Libby Prison and Belle Island, that Maj. Farns- worth and his boys are well. We are making arrangements to forward a large box of provisions to our nufortunate com-

There have died from the regiment during Jan- uary, Charles L. Thomas, Co. I, on the 17th ; Sergt. Matthew H. Huxley of Goshen, Co. C, 27th rades, as a token of our regard and sym- inst., and Julius Woodford of Winsted, Co. E. 27th pathy. It is possible that some of them inst. Seemingly from exposure before arriving, a were included in the recent. exchange, number of new recruits have sickened and filled the hospital, but none have as yet died. but we have no assurance that such is the case. At last accounts the list of The religious meetings at the different posts have considerably increased in attendance and in. prisoners from our regiment was as fol- lows: Major Chas. Farnsworth ; Ser-

During the month new and very comfortable barracks have been built at each of our fortifica. :

Edward Coc, a private of Co. A after examin- ation has been promoted to office in the U. S. colored troops.

The horse which is said to have led the famous charge of Gen. Fremont's body-guard upon Springfield, Mo., has been purchased by Maj. Hubbard, and is one object of interest and beauty among us.

A Band has lately been started among

Receiving, allotting, and especially drilling re- cruits, have broken the monotony of garrison life ! among us the past month. Some seven hundred gaged in this expedition, comprising cav- have been added to the regiment during that time. , alry, artillery and infantry, the greater Two new companies are now to be formed to fill part of the First Division, Department the regiment up to eighteen hundred. Should of West Virginia, was under the command any eity, town or county of our State furnish the requisite number of men for one or both, they will ; be allowed their own officers. This is the only . Connecticut artillery regiment which ean offer a hectient Cavalry acted as his body-guard.

100

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[FEBRUARY,

geants W. Ferris and F. Monroe; Cor- day, and turning to me with an anxious; exists and prospers. Many of those who porals Bradley, Phelps and Rntter; Pri- look, he said : "How I wish I could were members at first are not with ns vates A. M. Christie, E. Bishop, T. Holt, ; hear from my mother !"

T. Carver, P. Clarey, E. Warren, J. Mit- ler, D. Miller, J. Loof, F. Huntley, and Gutterman.

VETERANS AND RECRUITS.

The United States may depend upon this regiment for three years more of service. Many members of the original battalion have reenlisted as veterans, and the recruits are enlisted for three years. so that the number of men to be inus- tered out of service next October, if the war continues beyond that time, will be very small.

Our number has increased to ten com- panies of volunteers, and still they come. The new reernits furnish nearly all the names for our sick list, on account, as we ; suppose, of the sudden change in their manner of living, as well as necessary and unnecessary exposures.

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A change having taken place in the command of this Department early in December, Col. Fish resigned his posi- tion as Military Provost Marshal of Bal- timore and took commaud of the regi- ment. He remained with us one day only, and was reappointed Provost Mar- shal under Gen. Lockwood, the new com- mander. The Colonel is regarded by the Union people of this city as " the right man in the right place." He pursues an uncompromising and consistent course in dealing with the rebels of Baltimore, and performs the various duties of his office with extraordinary promptness and abil- ity.

Capt. French and Adj. Walker have been relieved from duty at the Provost Marshal's office and have returned to their respective positions in the regiment. Capt. Marey aud Lieut. Baekns are em- ployed in their stead. Capt. French and -Adj. Walker have borne an honorable

now. Some have gone to their rest. Many others, on account of sickness, have been discharged and returned to their homes. I think of some of our praying company standing this dreary night at some picket post in the Sheuan- doah Valley, and others stretched upon the sands of Belle Island and dreaming of homes they perhaps will never see again. Those there are who commenced their army life with pious principles and good resolutions, and have fallen from their integrity ; but while some have fal- tered many others have come forward to take their places. A neat little Chapel which is built by contributions from the officers and soldiers of the regiment will soon be completed. Then we shall have a convenient and permanent place of worship.

A deeply affecting scene transpired during our religious service three Sab- Our friends have some curiosity to know how the Southern recruits conduct themselves among us. Two or three have deserted, and one or two others, under some provocation, have exhibited; part in conducting the military affairs of remains of their old rebellion, and their this city during the past eventful year, the former having acted as Provost Mar- shal for considerable time in the absence of Col. Fish. speech has betrayed them, but we have not been able to detect sneh a spirit in many instances. Yesterday a Tennes- sean, after expressing some doubt of the Capt. Morehouse was greeted with three rousing cheers the other morning as he took command of his company. gennine loyalty of one of his comrades, said, " I think he and all of us poor reb- els ought to be mighty thankful to Unele: The Captain has been employed in charge Sam for allowing us to leave onr prison of military prisoners in connection with and enter the ranks of his oldl soldiers.", the Provost Marshal's department since Most of these men I honor and respect. his return from Richmond. When I consider the tender connections Maj. Blakeslee and Capt. Rogers came which some of them have severed, I cannot ; to Baltimore with recruits, a few days regard them as sane and sensible men and donbt their professions of loyalty. Their attachments to home and kindred are very strong, but they have come over to us, bidding farewell to their homes and their loved ones, since, and hastened back to Connectient for more inen, I suppose. baths ago. After an excellent sermon by Chaplain De La Matyr of the Eighth New York Artillery, we engaged in cele- brating the Lord's Supper. Invitation was given to all the friends of the Sa- viour present to join in the solemn Sa- crament, and a goodly number came for- ward and bowed at the rongh benches in the presence of their comrades. There were pious veterans whom the Lord of Hosts had defended in many a battle and shielded in many a fierce temptation. Others kuelt by their side who had lately volunteered for Christ, and some who had recently abandoned a course of re- bellion against the highest human and divine authority. Snch seasons are pe- culiarly interesting in the army because they come not often, and they are so nn- like the common scenes of soldier life. Daniel B. Winchester of Co. A, was killed at Charlestown, Va., on the 7th of December, by the falling of a tree upon the tent in which he was sitting. huge limb of a tree struck him on the head, and he survived the blow only a few hours. We rejoice to know that the crucified Redeemer who endured unmitigated cru- jelty at the hands of soldiers in the days Alof his flesh, now listens to the voice of prayer and Christian song as it ascends " It may be for years, And it may be forever." from many thousand camps along the Now and then the Connectient soldier Another member of Co. A, Sergt. W. P. Tragansa, (erroneously printed Fra -; gansa in the December number of the! War Record.) died in the Jarvis U. S. Hospital of Baltimore, on the 21st of De- cember. His fellow soldiers procured a good cofliu and sent the body home to Connectient. obtains a furlough, and a few hours' ride. brings him to his father's door ; but the Union soldier whose home is in North Carolina, Texas, or Alabama, is obliged to forego that pleasure. The mail comes every day to camp and makes our North- ern boys clap their hands for joy, but no letters come for the poor refugees and deserters. A young sollier whose RELIGIOUS ITEMS. friends are in Alabama, saw his comrade lines of our great, loyal army. Eighteen centuries ago the Saviour wore a crown of thorns ; soldiers plaited it and placed it on his brow. He listened to the most provoking insult; soldiers' lips nttered the impions mockery. Blow after blow sent color to his pale check; it was a soldier's hand that smote him. His garments lay at the foot of the cross, and while he was dying, while the mother The Regimeutal Church which wejof our Lord was standing by, soldiers reading a letter from his home the other | formed more than two years ago, still |cast lots for his raiment. When he hung

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 44

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