The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 45

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

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1834.1

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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dead upon the cross a glittering weapon of the honor of bearing a part in mm- pierced his side ; it was a soldier's spear. ning the batteries and urging forward A strong guard was stationed around the | the siege of Charleston.

tomb and vainly strove to hold the buried About the middle of October the regi- Redeemer there; those heaven-defying ment received orders to embark for St. who had recently escaped from imprison- men were soldiers in the Roman army. But that day has passed, and the time has come when throngs of soldiers come and worship at the feet of Him whom tunity for rest and reinvigoration, and ploughs as an award for meritorious ser- soldiers crucified. ED. RINER.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Seventh Regiment.

ST. HELENA ISLAND, January, 1864. Let me make haste to correct an error for which I know not whether some lapse of my pen or of your types was re- responsible. In the enumeration of the batteries manned by members of our regiment on Morris Island during the operations of the siege, there was no mention made of a battery of three thirty-pounder rifles commanded by Capt. S. S. Atwell of Co. C, and manned by our men. Some of the most aceurate shooting was done from this battery. This would make in all seven batteries entrusted either wholly or in part to our officers and men.

My last communication brought the history of the Seventh Connectieut up to about the close of September. There was not a great deal of startling or inte- resting incident in the weeks succeeding . the evacuation of Forts Gregg and Wag- ner. But the labor of conducting the siege was by no means diminished, nor were the perils lessened. The toil and the exposure involved in the reeonstrue- tion of the forts just named, and in the ercetion of other forts on the island, were perhaps as great as had been en- dured at any period of the operations. All of these toils, with the various hard- ships and privations to which the men were subject, greatly reduced the strength of the regiment, so that at one time out of six hundred and seventy-nine men and officers in camp not less than two hundred and forty-four were upon the siek list.

It was upon the 16th of October that we quitted Morris Island, a spot which

In this connection I may mention a eirenmstance which speaks for the spirit of the regiment. Immediately after the i had become the centre of interest and ex. fall of the forts (Sept. 7th) the sick list pectation to the whole nation, which had of the regiment increased. This effect, been to the regiment a scene of hardship, incomprehensible at first sight, was due | peril and triumph, and whose sands cov- to the fact that many men, really sick and hardly able to go on duty, had con- cealed their illness and had omitted to

ered the remains of some of the bravest and noblest of our number. The events of our lives while upon that barren saud apply to the Surgeon lest they should bar will certainly never be forgotten by be put on the siek list and thus deprived | any who participated in them.

Just before we left Morris Island, four- teen of the enlisted men received fur- loughs to return home for thirty days. Among these fourteen were the three Helena Island. The object of this move-| ment in Richmond, whose safe return to ment was two-fold; toafford the wearied onr lines was chronieled in your October number. The remainder received fur- vices rendered in the field during the siege. men a change of location and an oppor- also to enable them to perfect themselves in the use of a new arm and in a new class of duties. Of the precise nature of these and of other facts of interest and importance relating to the regiment and its movements, it will perhaps best accord with military propriety not to this I err on the side of excessive cau- tion. But it is quite impossible for one who has not remarked it personally, to

On the evening of the 16th we arrived at St. Helena. This island lies on Port Royal harbor, nearly opposite Ililton Head. The water along the shore is very bold, and a wharf three hundred feet speak at present in detail. Perhaps in; long gives accommodation at low tide to vessels drawing eighteen feet. No one can enter the magnificent harbor of Port Royal (the best on the coast south of conceive of the evil that is done and of; Hampton Roads) and examine its capa- the obstacles interposed to our military progress by the injudicious and prema- ture publication of items of military in- telligence. To cite one instance of this : After our occupation of Wagner and bilities without receiving a lesson npon the blighting influence of slavery. Here is an nnequaled harbor, giving admit- tance to the largest vessels that float, while on the inland side the inlets afford Gregg, the enemy maintained a moderate passage for light draft steamers; here is cannonading against onr men engaged on a cluster of islands, having had the mo- those works. This canonade of course nopoly of the long staple cotton, and yet how has slavery succeeded in rendering all these advantages of no avail ! Under the inspiration of liberty these waters would have reflected the flags of every nation, and these shores would have been hindered onr men in their labor, and caused some casualties. After a week or so appeared this item in one of the New York papers, communicated by some rabid correspondent or reporter : " Our men still are at work on Cummings lined with wharfs on which the wealth of Point, though much endangered by the remote continents would have been glad- fire from Fort Johnson and Sullivan's ly exchanged for the products of the Sea Island." This item was eagerly repub- ; Islands and of the Uplands. lished in the Charleston papers, and mpon ;

After remaining in camp for two weeks, the day succeeding its appearance in the regiment received orders to start at them a most furious shelling was main- onee for Folly Island, in light marching tained all day upon our men who were; order, leaving behind knapsacks, tents, on fatigue, and many casualties ocentred the sick, and all save the necessaries of and some lives were lost. For all these | daily life. They remained bivouaced on casualties, and for the interruption to Folly Island for about two weeks, (hav- ing an opportunity once during that pe- our progress, the injudicious communi. entiveness of the reporter was responsi-fried to repair to the camp on St. Helena ble. Possibly he wonkl have written for a change of clothes,) all the while ex- with less freedom had he been expecting pecting from hour to hour to be sum- to be in the trenches himself to perecive the effect of his paragraph

moned to an assault more desperate than had been recorded in the annals of the war. But without being called to this attempt, the regiment returned to their encampment on St. Helena, where we still remain.

During the bivonac upon Folly, there was opportunity for remarking the capa- city to provide for themselves which the men have acquired during the experience of two years' service. Without tents, or floors, or stoves, or eamp equipage, they yet succeeded in making themselves

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comfortable, and met every privation with ness has pervaded many hearts among Windham County boys rarely fail to be lighthearted cheerfulness. us on account of the death of one of our worthy men and good soldiers.

On the same day that the regiment re- most esteemed and beloved comrades, During the bivonae on Folly, and sinee turned to St. Helena, a body of one hun- Frederick O. Bulkley of Co. C. He was our return to St. IIclena, the religious dred and sixteen men, the fruit of thel from Avon, and joined the regiment a meetings have been of peculiar interest draft, arrived to reeruit the ranks redneed : year ago last October. During the year and solemnity, and a number have ex- by battle and disease to less than the! that he passed among us, his purity of pressed a resolve to lead a Christian life. minimum. This welcome reinforcement . character, his conscientiousness in the | Will not all the good throughout our discharge of every duty, and his elevated State pray that the erring among us may religious principle, gained universal re- be reclaimed, and that morality and piety may prevail in our ranks. brought up the number to about nine hundred and sixty. These men, what- ever the antecedents of some of them, gard and esteem. The exposures of Mor- are settling down into good and faithful, ris Island proved too severe for him, and DIXWELL. soldiers. Indeed, experience seems to in September he was prostrated by gas- show that although all men do not by ! tric fever, which was succeeded, as al- For the Connecticut War Record. any means make equally good soldiers, most any severe attack of whatever kind Twenty-First Connectieut Volunteers. CHAPTER SECOND. yet a competent commander ean make is liable to be, by diarrhea. Under this he gradually sunk till the afternoon of good soldiers out of anything.

The smoke of the battle rose slowly up So on St. Helena we remain at pres- Thursday, the 26th, (Thanksgiving day,) from the hard-fought field of Fredericksburg,

ent. Of what changes, of what move-| when he died. During his entire sick- ments, of what perils, of what losses, ness he was exceedingly patient, but as another letter may tell yon, who can he approached the close he was pervaded say ?

revealing to the contending armies "the mighty wreck of ruin they had wrought."

The wounded and dying were conveyed by a peace more complete and perfeet to northern hospitals, there to receive the

Mindful of our New England origin, than I had ever witnessed. He had felt kind care and sympathy of friends, and we celebrated to the best of our ability jan intense longing to see his widowed the dead were laid tenderly to rest beneath the unfriendly soil of old Virginia. the day set apart by national and State [ mother once more. "Pray," he said, authority for Thanksgiving. Divine ser- " that I may live to see my mother again. vice was held in the forenoon, under the ; Imust see my mother. The sight of her

Quietly the "Grand Army " settled down onee more, upon the banks of the Rappa- open air. The proelamations of the' would be an inspiration to me." But hannock, and daily drills became the order President and of Gov. Buckingham were this,longing ceased to trouble him, and of the day. read, excellent singing was provided by he was able to say. " I am perfectly con- We of the 21st were with the 25th New the Glee Club, and some of the mercies tent. It is all well." When I had prayed Jersey, the 13th New Hampshire, and the of the year were recounted and made with him, two days before his death, he the occasion of thanksgiving and praise. added the prayer. " Now I lay me down

4th Rhode Island, formed into a new brig- ade, under command of Col. Arthur H. Each of the companies sat down to as to sleep," ac., repeating those sweet Dutton, of the 21st C. V., and designated good a dinner as the island eoukl furnish, lines, and abling, " how often my mother the 3d Brigade, of the 3d Division, of the in which the beef of the West, the ap- has taught me to repeat that verse.". He 9th Army Corps; thus leaving the regiment ples of New England, and the oranges had intended, if he survived the war, to in command of Lieut. Col. Burpee. Gen. .and sweet potatoes of South Carolina devote himself to the ministry of the united to remind the sons of Connecticut Gospel, He was certainly one of the of the good cheer with which the festi- most pure-minded,' lovely, Christian val has always been celebrated.

Burnside having determined upon agnin at- tacking the enemy's works, marching orders were again issued to the army, and the vonng men I ever saw. In view of his troops which were to act upon the extreme There has just transpired among us death, we feel anew, as we have done so an event almost without a parallel. I be- often before, the hardship and inhnmani- lieve, in the history of the war: a pro- ty mot intentional. of course. but real.) motion declined. Lient. Col. D. C. Rod. of the regulations (from whomever they right, had moved several miles up the river, when a severe storm eame on, lasting several days, and so completely sofrening the ground as to render it utterly impossible to move man received from his Excellency Gos. 'proceed) which hinder the removal of artillery and it was with great difficulty that infantry could be made of any a.lvantage. Consequently, the attack was abandoned, and, worn out and exhausted, the troops again returned to camp, and once more rested

Buckingham a commission as Colonel of such cases of disease to the North in the Sixth Conneetient. He declined the time to afford them relief and recovery. offered advancement on the ground that According to all human appearance Bulk- in view of his long continued connection ley might have been saved by a timely with the Seventh he thought that he could removal to a Northern elimate. I hope from their labors.

serve the country most effectively by re- that all who are interested in the welfare Gen. Burnside was now, by his own re- maining with them, and also that in view of our Connecticut sokliers will never quest, relieved from the command of the of his yet unhealed wound. Wo fch that his ' cease to press the matter till a stop shall army by Gen. Hooker, and "all was quiet health was hardly adequate to the cares be put to the needless sacrifice of our along the lines" once more. And thus qui- and labors which the proposed position men from diseases which are incurable etly the time passed on, with only the old would involve. This decision on his here, but which readily yield to treat- daily routine of duty; and nothing of im- part has enhanced the regard in which ment at the North. portance to vary the sameness of our soldier- he is held by all of his comrades in arms. Also, on Saturday, November 21st, life, except that now and then the muffled and has reminded them that valor andidied in the General Hospital at Hilton drum sounded out the departure of a com- modesty are near of kin.

Head, Private A. Benson, Co. K, a wor-| rade to another life. Marching orders, how- Within the past week a feeling of sad- thy man and faithful soldier. Indeed the ever, soon startled us from the comparative

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quiet into which we had settled, and on the became more and more familiar, and might

to the wounded, and still moved on, expect- 7th day of February, the 9th Army Corps often be seen conversing together from the ing soon to come up with a larger force. bade adien to the "Grand Army of the banks of the river, and in some instances Potomac," and proceeded to Aquia Creek, they swam the river and shook hands, and with orders to report to Gen. Dix, at Fort- |after a friendly chat together would return tion with Col. Dutton's foree, whoin we now ress Monroe.

to their camps, with a more friendly feeling towards the " nasty Yankees," who in many

We arrived by railroad at Aquia Creek on the evening of the 7th, and embarked on instances supplied them with " good old board transports, where we remained until plug," which they had long been withont. back, and the same was the case with all of noon of the 8th. Precisely at 12 M. the This friendly intercourse and converse was the force before named. None had effected a crossing and hell their position but the Twenty-First C. V., and they were now alone and unsupported six miles in the enemy's country, endeavoring and expecting to make signal for our departure sounded, and the however, soon forbidden by the commanders of both parties, and during the latter part of our duty there, they hell only stolen interviews, which were quite frequent. anchors were weighed, and the steamers turned their prows to the winding channel and steamed gracefully down the peaceful Potomac to the Chesapeake, and thence to Fort Monroe, where we arrived on the rifle-pits, we were called upon to take part in the advance determined upon by the commanding general. morning of the 9th, and reported for orders. At about noon, orders were received to proceed to Newport News, Va., where we disembarked and pitched our tents.

By the plan of attack or advance proposed, Gen. Getty with a heavy torce was to eross the river at Suffolk or a little below the city,

At the expiration of twelve days in the | a junction with the 3d Brigade. Hlad they known their position and the danger they were in they would have succeeded but poorly in the assault soon to be made against them, and towards which they were now uneconsciously marching, for having arrived near the point where we had expected to join the Brigade, we were sudddenly saluted with a sharp fire from the enemy, and though it came upon ns unexpectedly and from a concealed foc, no one seemed sur- prised, and the men moved up splendidly to the support of the skirmishers, who were holding their ground in good style. The enemy being under cover of the woods, their number could not be very correctly esti-

Accompanying the Twenty-First was one section of a Wisconsin Battery and twelvel mated. One of the cannon was moved into inounted riflemen from the First New York.

We left camp at 11 P. M., and marched to " Sleepy Hlole," where we crossed the river board the gunboat " Stepping Stones." Ar- rived on the opposite side of the river, we halted for daylight, and for rest, as we had marched very fast. Daylight came, and sending out skirmishers in the front. we to surrender. Some 18 thus came forward began slowly to push into the enemy's coun- fand gave themselves up, and the remainder, (about 20 more.) made good their escape.

position, and commenced shelling the woods, white four companies of the regiment with the skirmishers, poured a rapid fire into the rebel ambush, and, with such effect, that in a very short time, they finding their position growing uncomfortably warm, began to show themselves, and intimate by waving of hand- kerchiefs and other signs, their willingness

camp use. We also laid out a fort. called Fort Connecticut, and worked upon it daily until it was nearly completed, when the siege of Suffolk having commenced, we left our fort, yet unfinished, on the 11th day of

Our loss was one man killed and two wounded. The enemy were closely followed, We pushed steadily and carefully along but succeeded in swimming a creek and es- for one or two hours before we enme upon | caping. The prisoners stated that they were any obstacles, when the skirmishers came April, and proceeded to the defense of the upon the village of "Chuckatuck," where we were informed by the people that there idle, without shelter or food, after which we were rebel cavalry ahead.

completely taken by surprise, not expecting that we were on their side of the river. We now fell back to the banks of the river near Reed's Ferry, and throwing up riffe-pits in our front to protect us in case of an attack, we encamped for the night, the gunboats coming up and taking position so as to aid us in holding our position until we could reeross the river. We remained here un-

city. Here we were for a day or two lying were placed on the banks of the Nansemond Still onward we went through the village, in the rifle-pits to do "pieket duty," where ' and just beyond it we were startled by rapid we remained without relief for 12 days. At, firing by the line of skirmishers and mount- the time of our going on duty there, picket ed riflemen. The regiment was immedi- firing was carried on with much zest, and | ately formed in line of battle. and the can- some of our men were wounded by the non trained on the roads. The firing soon molested by the enemy until the evening of ceasing the riflemen returned, and reported : the next day, when we recrossed on the gun- boats and returned to camp, feeling that we expedition.

they having come suddenly upon a squad of had at least accomplished our part of the their pieces and fled. (To be continued.)

Wo halted to bury the killed and attend

Car Against passion we must oppose reason.

rebel piekets, and it was considered at least imprudent for a person to expose himself| one of their number killed and one wounded, unnecessarily to their fire. After a day or two, however, they seemed to abandon the rebel cavalrymen in ambush, who discharged practice by mutual agreement, and soon began to converse together. Each day they !

We proceedeil some distance farther, and finding no force, proceeded to form a june- supposed to be on our left, but who had been unable to hold his position after cross- ing the river and had been compelled to fall

Here we passed another month of daily drilling, with nothing transpiring worthy of while Col. Dutton with his Brigade (except- record, until on the 13th of March we left ing the Twenty-First C. V.) were to cross at Newport News, Va., on board transports, the same time several miles below at " Reed's and proceeded to Norfolk, Va., and thenee | Ferry," and the Twenty-First, under com- mand of Maj. H. B. Crosby, were to cross still further down the river at "Sleepy Hole," and the whole force to press their way into by railroad to Suffolk, Va., arriving there the evening of the same day, and cneamping near the city. Here the programme was very materially changed, and instead of daily | the enemy's country. drills with the musket we were exercised in the use of the "Shovel and the Iloc," and other agricultural implements, in the hand- ling of which we soon became so well skilled that we could perform almost any exercise, in a style to honor a native of the at the appointed hour (3 o'clock A. M.) on Emerald Isle. This fact may account for our soon being ordered about six miles be- low Suffolk upon the Nansemond river to build a fort. Here we laid out a splendid camp, and much Yankee ingenuity was dis- played in the construction of rustic seats and chairs, and other articles of furniture for try, intending to keep within supporting distance of the forces next on our left under Col. Dutton.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[ FEBRUARY,

For the Connecticut War Record.

From the Tenth Regiment.

CAMP TENTH REGIMENT CONN. VOLS., } ST AUGUSTINE, FLA., Dee. 22, 1863.

MESSRS. EDITORS :-

Our regiment is still quietly eneamped here, and the men are rapidly improving in health, every day adding several to the ranks who have for some time been under the doctor's care. While we remain here, how- ever, we shall not be able to relate to you anything of very thrilling interest in the way of brilliant achievements, daring exploits. and hair breadth eseapes, for we are pretty snugly eseonsed out of harm's way just now. In faet, I may say that our position and con- dition are, in many respects, just the opposite to what they were throughout the spring and summer of last year.

On the 17th, the Steamer "Mapleleaf," after a trip to Hilton Head, again returned, bringing the U. S. Paymaster, who favored the regiments with two months pay, including the 31st of October. This was a very agree- able and welcome visit, and we hope the echoes of Major Porter's stentorian tones may be heard round many a Connecticut fireside this winter.

But the arrival of a steamer, which is almost a weekly occurrence, is a subject of great interest and mueh importance to us. While rough weather prevails we do not look for an arrival, but should it be delayed one, two or three days after good weather has set in, our anxiety inereases in proportion to the delay. On the 10th nlt. the steamer " Maple Leaf" arrived, bringing our com- mander, Col. Otis, who had for some months We are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of another steamer. The latest papers we have ing the U. S. rendezvous at New Haven. fseen were of the 6th, and we would like to hear from other parts oeeasionally. previous been on detached service command- The joyous feelings resulting from this hap- py reunion, were made manifest at the first Before elosing this letter let me make a few remarks on the zoology of this District. The horse is here represented by a tribe of marsh ponies, of diminutive size and dejected appearance, and of a semi-amphibious na- ture. They may be seen in squads standing deep in the water during a whole tide, mo- tionless, contemplating the scene in a most grave and meditative manner. The eattle are wild and brought in after being run down by mounted men sent out for that pur- pose. They are small, but produce good beef unless the steaks are taken off very dress parade. Ah ! Messrs. Editors, I wish you could have witnessed that parade. It was-well, I will not try to describe it, or you will be putting yourselves to the trouble of coming to see ns on parade, and so long a trip might be too expensive for Elitors. But there was more joy in store for us, for, behold, on the 14th, the Steamer Cosmo- politan arrived and restored to us our be- loved Chaplain, the Rev. H. C. Trumbull. For the Connecticut War Record. From the Ninth Regiment. NEW ORLEANS, LA. Of course the officers, and all the men who could obtain leave from camp, were at the wharf to welcome him. We were all glad , elose to the horns, which too often happens. and happy to see him again with us, and Game is abundant in the marshes, and especially to see liim looking so much better | now and then, by the energy of the medieal Vols., in consequence of waiting for a de- than we had expected after so long and bitter ; department, rare specimens find their way experience in rebeldom. On Saturday last into town. But only very occasionally he favored us, as well as many civilians and snakes are abundant enough to please the officers from other regiments, with an out- door oration, in front of our Regimental time since succeeded in taking from one Hospital, which was a reeital of his experi-| hole, a possum, two skunks, and a rattle-

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 45

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