The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 48

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

USA > Connecticut > The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865 > Part 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Their brawny strength, their manliness and their "The boys" looked sturdy, hearty and noble. real patriotism, evoke the honest pride, revivi- | They deserved every note of welcome, and more. fy the patriotism, and make perfect the faith of The men were first marched into Music Ifall. The galleries were already filled with ladies. The main floor was quickly packed with citizens. throughout the State. They are recruiting their | Mayor TYLER gave the following appropriate greet

J. McCuaker, 9th,

The plan is cordially recommended by Generalsi the road. But the people resolved that these Burnside, Meade, Melellan, Casey, Heintzleman I citizen veterans should have a rousing welcome. and many other prominent and competent ariny officers.

The Common Conneil met immediately and voted $1000 to pay the expenses of the reception. Al- Col. Rowland's order gives further and more special information. : derman Marble and Conncilmen Quintard, Pardce, Merwin, McGinn and Tucker were appointed a com- mittee of arrangements. A stirring committee of Having been assigned by His Excellency, the ; influential cirizeus, Maj. F. Wayland, Jr., Maj. B. organizing the Volunteer Rifle corps of this State, I earnestly appeal to the young men of Com.ecti- cut to come forward and enroll themselves under F. Mansfield, Capt. R. P. Cowles, Chas. W. Allen, Henry E. Pardee, Chas T. Grilley and John G. North were appointed to co operate with the Com- the Militia Law. The system under which the | mon Council committee. These excellent. com- Corps will be organized offers inducements of no ordinary character, making duty a pleasure, seenr- ing to every member of the Corps a knowledge, the benefit of which will be incalculable, creating an esprit du corps without which military bodies can never attain that efficiency which is essential to vitality. The organization of the Corps will be inittees went to work with a will. The citizens reported with hearty alacrity. Everything was made ready in "first-rate style" and in a mar- velously short time. The regiment arrived at Delle dock, in New Haven, at about three o'clock, on the 20th day of January. They quickly dis - cinbaiked and were received in the usual manner at the foot of Chapel street.

150

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[FEBRUARY,

We bring back to-day the flag of our Common-

OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE SEVENTH C. V. :- , this regiment had, not only in the bombardment, In behalf of the citizens of New Haven, I tender bat in the foregoing labor, was testified when the wealth. It is pierced by the bullets of the eneroy. to yon our hearty welcome to our city and its honor of ocenpying the captured fort was assigned As its fellow, the flag of the Republic, the stais hospitalities, and we welcome and congratulate , to the Seventh Connectient. The taking of Fort ' and stripes, was held with unfaltering hand before von upon your return to the soil of the State ! Pulaski was a feat unprecedented in the history , the battery on Jataes Island. A grape shot sev. whose houor yon have so gloriously defended for of war. Before it was attempted it had been ered the flag-staff in two, but. thank God, though the two and a half years that you have been in pronounced, on the highest military authority, an torn with violence, its folds have never been the service. Gentlemen, we do not receive yon impossibility. But it was done. The same kind stained by dishonor, and we are glad and proud, simply as New Haveners, but we receive and of work hefore Charleston has not only reduced as you assure us to-day. that the honor of Con- honor you as returned CONNECTICUT VETERANS, and Fort Sumter to a heap of rains, and made Charles- i necticut has not suffered in our hands.

in doing so, we do but a small part of what it is ton it-elf a very unideasant place to live in, but .

As we look over these ranks feelings of sadness

our duty to do, and we trust, gentlemen, that the ' has made the entire destruction of that foul nest ; oppresses us as we remember that all are not here day may never dawn when it will not be the of treason and rebellion, at no distant day,'a cer- whom we took with us from the State. Some, in pleasure of every true lover of his country to tainty. These facts have been talked of round consequence of wounds and sickness incurred in honor the men that have sacrificed the comforts the world, and have made the name of General the service, were deemed by the medical examin- of home, and have borne the hardship of the Gilmore forever memorable in military history. camp and the dangers of the field, and have con-

er unfit to bear the toils of another term of ser- Fellow-citizens, these men of our Seventh Regi- I vice. Others, alas, are languishing in the dun- tributed to build that living nell that has been ment know what war is. They have endured its geons of the capital of the enemy's country. Others thrown around the loyal States, and have pro- hardships. They have faced its perils. Some of ; are no more. They lie all along the Southern coast. teeted those of us who have been permitted to them bear upon their persons the scars of battle. They crowd the slope of Fort Wagner, they sleep remain at home, from the torch and sword of the Yet these men, three hundred and thirty in num- under the pines of Milton Ilead and the live oaks iovader and the traitor. Again, gentlemen, I bid ber, after two years and four months of severe of St. Helena and beaufort. The waves on lone you welcome.

. experience - knowing what military hardship is, | Tybee murmur near their gaves. They sleep in

He was followed by Rev. Dr. LEONARD BACON and what the fiery front of battle is -- knowing | the modest enclosure under the captured walls of full well that war is not. as many thought before : Fort Pulaski. They repose at Fernandina. At the first battle of Bull Rna, a picnic on a grand St. Angnstine. they lie in the military burying .zale -- have enlisted for another term of three ; ground, beside the dead of the old Florida war, years. Intelligently and deliberately they have | cuuseerating anew that spet of time honored and patriotic memories.

determined to see the end of the war, and to see the country saved. Not to honor them would be di-honor to ourselves. Such a spirit in our vet- 'erans shows us- and all other signs continue to show us -- that the end of this great conflict for our national Efe is drawing near, and that before the period for which these veterans have re-en- listed shall expire, peace will return with pros. Petity in its train, and our liberty, our Union, om Constitution, will stand firm on the immovable foundation of egnal and universal justice.

We cannot forget that some who went have not And let us hope that when next they are per- mitted to return to their home. it may please God, returned and never will return. Some have fallen ! that it be not for a brief visit only, but that on the bloody field. Some have died by disease. they return erowned with the honors of a lasting I will not attempt to name them or any of them. | peace, to enjoy the security. the prosperity, and the happiness of the Republic, which they and their fellow soldiers have preserved.

The speaking concluded, " the boys" repaired Amid the hearty enthusiasm of "the boys," Chaplain Wayland responded as follows: with alnerity to the spacious room below, and there mnade valiant and persistent assault upon the substantials. They did nobly, but for the first with whom it has been the great honor of my life to time they were really vanquished. The eatables stand shoulder to shoulder for the past two years were too many for them.

The four companies of the Invalid Corps eame gallantly to their support and ere long small frag- and prodigions deeds of the hungry veterans. The soldiers were satisfied and everybody was gratified.

While passing into the hall the soldiers caught

The veterans of the Seventh who return num- ber 333 enlisted men, two field and staff, and eight

colliery of New Haven, and the youths who al- line officers. The following are the officers : ready aspire to engage in the conflicts of real war : I shall not attempt to repeat the story of what you have done, or of what you have suffered. The story is fresh in your memory and fresh in ours. But I may say that we honer you not only extending to us this welcome. And we thank the ! atal yet more, our noble invalid soldiers, who. Major OLIVER S. SANFORD. Acting Adjutant EDWARD S. PERRY. LINE OFFICERS. Captain THEODORE. BACON. for the strenuous courage yon have shown in battle Captain S. S. ATWELL .. Captain J. B. DENNIS. First Lieut. T.C. WILDMAN. worn and seurred by war. have forgotten their ! wounds and their fatigue that they might aid in ! rothers and wives and sweethearts who show by | on Tybee, on James Island, at l'oentaligo, and in their presence that the sons of Councetient who the assault on Fort Wagner - but. also, and no have endeavored to do their duty will not fail to less, for your strenuons and persevering labor, receive reward and honor frem their mother.

The history of this regiment is the history of a The gentleman who has just addressed us bas First Lieut. C. C. GREEN. First Lient. IRA E. HIcks. Second Lieut. C. E. BANKER. Second Lient. W. S. MARDLE. revolution in the art and science of war. I was'alluded to the fact that these members of the regi- labor - exhausting, depressing, and long contin. : ment have just reinlisted in the service of the : ved -patient labor in silence under the dim moon- ' country for a second period of three years. How ! light -labor, weel; after week, within the range often, in the hours of our deepest national de- ! of the enemy's guns - the laber of digging pression. when every mail from the North brought; trenches and throwing up ensbankments, and the tidings of fresh disasters to our arms, have I heard ; been enthusiastically welcomed, remain in the de- far severer labor of dragging these huge guns these noble men exclaim, "as soon as my three throngh sands and swamps to their position -- it years are out I am going to enlist again for three was the labor of getting ready for the bombard. ! years more, and so on till the war is over." They inent of Fort Pulaski, which made that bombard- i have shown von that these words were not idle ment possible and ensured its sucress. What part ; nor nnmeaning,

Col. Hawley and several officers who would have partment of the South in command of the remain- der of the regiment, consisting of recent recruits and the few who preferred not to enlist. The men all receive furloughs which expire Feb. 19th.

in the address of welcome.

OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE SEVENTH C. V. :- I know not that I can add anything to the few . words in which the Chief Magistrate of the City has expressed the exultation and the pride with which the people hail your return to-day. The Seventh has always been pre-eminently a New Haven regiment. Its first Colonel was one of our own young men, justly a favorite among the young men of the city. And when a well earned jeo. motion raised him to a higher rank. and the regi- ment came under the immediate command of Col. Hawley, it lost nothing of its efficiency and noth- ing of its holl upon our confidence and our pride. While we rejoiced in the advanerment of our townsman and friend, and in the expectation, which we still cherish, of seeing him in a still higher position of command, we did not cease to recognize the regiment as onrs. Ever since it marched along our streets to its embarkation on the 18th of September, 1861, we have followed it. with our affectionate remembrance, and with our tribute of honor. in all its labors and in all its battles and perils.

To me personally -- pardon the egotism of the Reverend Sir, and Mr. Mayor and fellow-citizens allusion --- it is a matter of pride and joy that two of New Haven : -- At the request of my comrades,

of my own sons have served their country. at this crisis of its history, in your regiment, and that they have not dishonored the glorious flag and a half, I rise to assure you that we are not in -

that has waved over them, nor the blessed mem. ory of the mother that bore them. I say this and fathers, ilre sisters and brother-, the wives or sweethearts of a thousand men frel in their hearts in the trenches, working the batteries under the to-day. It is our pride, and will be till our dying iron hail of Pulaski, and standing before the withering volleys of Fort Wagner; and who. while garrisoning for a short time the towns held

day, to have had son or brother, husband or lover. in this regiment, which has added new Insite to

the ancient honors of Connecticut atul to the by our forees, have met with looks and words thati a glimpse of their former Lieut. Col., Geo. F. history of the Great Republic. Not only will it told that the inhabitants were the enemies of the Gardner, and greeted him with hearty cheers. be your pride, io your later years, that you served Republie and of her sons.

We thank you, sir, and the other gentlemen of after you, and their children in a later generation, official station, we thank our brothers, the citizen

in the Seventh Connecticut, but your chiviren will keep the memory of that fact as a precious heirloom.

sensible to the honor of the reception with which you have greeted us. Ilow truly we appreciate beeanse in saying it I utter just what the mothers this. those only who like us have spent twenty- ments alone were left to tell of the valorous charge eight months amid the sands of the South, toiling

Hach name has its record. ever to be guarded gratefully, tenderly and proudly, till memory and love shall die.

As I think of these, of llitchcock, a son of New Haven, of others not less worthy of honor, I would God they were here to-day, to witness and to share this greeting. Indeed they are not altogether absent. In behalf of these, muy fellow soldiers who are present, and in behalf of those who are in the prisons of the enemy ; and in behalf of our honored dead, whose memory we cherish, I thank you for this reception.

1:64.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

151

We subjoin a poetic welcome from the Journal diligence and energy with which he has labored two years and a half seem long, and your num- and the personal sacrifice which he has cheetfully "WELCOME THE SEVENTH." incurred to make these receptions worthy of the State and the occasion.

and Courier.

DEDICATED TO MAJOR B. F. SKINNER.

Welcome them home from fort and field, Trom sunny Sonthern Isles!

Those sun-browned men, with greetings true, And earnest heart-bright smiles. Gather with cheers upon the streets, While peals each joyous bell, Fling to the breeze onr starry flag, Whose folds they love so well.

Long months have passed since they went forth, To mingle in the strife,

But some of those who left ns then Have given country, lije : Upon the far off Southern soil, Their noble blood flowed free, And now they are lying quietly, Down by the dark blue sea.

Then welcome our returning brave, Lond let the cannon roar, But mention not the gallant dead, Who sleep upon the shore,

With wreaths of laurel erown their brows, Let cheer on cheer be given, While every heart, in thankfulness, Is upward raised to heaven. F. ISABELLA WIXON.

THE SIXTH REGIMENT.

We had hoped to welcome the noble veterans of the Sixth with those of the Seventh. But they did not arrive until the next afternoon, and they too came near surprising us. The same prepara- tions as for the Seventh were quickly and gladly made. The escort and route were the same as al- ready described in the case of the Seventh Regi- ment. It was decided to give to the Sixth a mid- night reception. There was bnt brief notice, yet the hearty good will of the patriotie citizens of New Haven made their minds suggestive and their fingers nimble. Along the whole route illuminated windows, festooned with the national colors and decorated with tasteful and appropriate devices, dispensed a cheerful and heart-stirring welcome. Ja the brilliant light the countless flags seemed pe- enliaily beautiful and graceful in their undulating, almost audible greeting. Tenderly and proudly the old flag waves over her choicest sous-our matchless veteran volunteers. The streets were crowded. The people cheered and shouted, the fireworks flashed and spluttered, yet good natured- ly, bells did their best, the cannon roared them- selves well nigh hoarse-in fact, the jovial uproar rivaled the stunning welcome of the Seventh.

No demonstration in New Haven ever exceeded this in real beauty of display, or in the affectionate enthusiasm of the people. At the end of the march the sturdy veterans were introduced at once to the substantiils, abundantly arranged on the long tables beneath Music Hall. The boys of the Sixth, at this critical hour, fully sustained the reputation of previous veteran regiments, and we make no doubt that they will remember their achievements with hearty satisfaction. The hall was neatly decorated with the stars and stripes and evergreens, fitting and suggestive associates. Across the lower endl was stretched a flag with the truthful motto " we honor you."

both Committees deserve also great commendation and cordial thanks.

Major B. F. Mansfield and the other members of' ings, connted not by miles, but by thousands of miles; of your sufferings and endurance in cold and weariness and fever ; and of your heroism in . the shock of battle-we welcome you, veterans, as our protectors, our saviors-early in the contest to

and repeated cheers.

The returning veterans of the Sixth comprise But as we follow the track of your campaign, like the track of the milky-way it is studded with Mais. We remember Stone and Blake, and Smith two hundred and thirty enlisted men and four line officers. Capt. Chas, Nichols, (commanding the battalion, ) Capt. S. C. Peek, Lieut. II. D. Haton, and Dutton, and scores of others, who, with sword and Lieut. John P. King. The other officers are and mu-ket, caught death and glory with the same detained on duty with the remainder of the regi- ment, as was the case in the Seventh

futtering breath-patriot soldiers, patriot martyrs. And we are grat fully conscious, too, of a thon- sand brave deeds, unregistered, which have found, perhaps may find. no place on recorded history, but glow again in the records which lose no single impulse of noblences.

The speaker thanked them for the promise of their future, and again welcomed them to their homes.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Leek, three rou-ing cheers given for " Good old Connecticut captured. Nor shall we forget the splendid gal- ; aud c-pecially Hartford," and Col. Burnham called lantry of their fierce assault on Fort Wagner, and upon them to " go in " manfully and they " went the honor so dearly purchased with the loss of ill," and six long groaning tables were quickly re- their heroic and beloved commander.

lieved of savory burdens of coll turkey, tongue,

This receptiun is but the first of many proofs of pastry, hot coffee and other appetite provoking the profound respect and sincere affection of the edibles. The old hall was finely decorated. people of Connecticut.

THE FIFTH REGIMENT.

The veterans of the Fifth, numbering three hin- dred and fifteen men, under command of Colonel W. W. Packer, arrived by mail, in Hartford, ou Monday the 25th inst. They were received in the same manner as the other regiments, with undi- minished crowds und unabated enthusiasm,

The escort and order of march were. .

Col. Geo. S. Burnham.

The Fifth left Hartford, writes the Hartford Aid. Marshal. _Aid. Press, July 9th, 1861, one thousand strong, under Col. O. S. Ferry, and were brigaded under Col. Lient. John S. Ives, Lieut. Col. D. A. Rood. First Company Governor's Horse Guard, Major James Waters. First Company Governor's Foot Guard, Major L. E. Huht. Battalion Invalid Corps, Major George A. Washburn. Hartford City Guard, Captain Juo. K. Williams Battalion of Conn. Fifth Regiment, Col. W. W. Packer. Thomas, now Major General Thomas, in command at Chattanooga. Subsequently Col. Ferry was promoted to be a Brigadier, and Col. Geo. D. Chapunan, of this city, succeeded to the command. Under Col. Chapman it acquired its high reputa- tion for discipline, drill, activity, bravery and en- durance. They marched over all that portion of Maryland several times -- traveling more than fifteen hundred miles, and at one time marching for fif- teen conseentive days, and once making forty-five The route was up High Street to Main, down miles in one day. The Fifth acquired from these Main to Sonth Green, countermarch up Main to frequent and rapid marches, the sobriquets of the Central Row, down Central Row to Market Street, " Bally Marchers," and the " Foot Cavalry," and through Market Street to the City Hall. rebel officers captured, confronted by the Fifth At the hall they were thus handsomely welcomed Connecticut at every point, inquired, with empha- by II. C. Robinson, Esq. :-- sis, how many Conn. Fifth Regiments Gen. Banks Col. Parker. Ofces and Soldiers of the Fifth hand in his little army.

Regiment :- In behalf of the citizens of Hartford. Of the 25th of May, 1842, they were in the sharp fight of Winchester, Va., where they lost a mtimber of men in wounded and prisoners, Ou I extend to you a cordial and grateful welcome. When we look back to the midsummer's day, dusty and warm, when you marched through our sttrets eleven hundred strong, at the commencement of the 9th of Ang. following, Col. Chapman led eight companies of the Fifth into the terribly severe bat- tle of Cedar Mountain, in which the Colonel was taken prisoner, Lieut. Col. Stone was mortally wantedled, Major Blake, Adjutant Smith, and Lient. After the repast Mayor Tyler addressed to the men a few appropriate words of grateful and hearty welcome. The sincere gratitude of all our citizens and of all friends of these gallant regi- Dutton were killed-in fact, every commissioned officer engaged, except three, was either killed, wounded or taken prisoner ; and ont of the eight your service, bridging the interval with our miem- ories, it seems but yesterday. When we follow your footsteps, one by one, with thought, from the valley of the Connectient to the valley of the Shenandoah ; from the grain covered hills and fields of New England, to the seathed and devast- ated fields and bills of Virginia and Maryland; when we go with you to Edward's Ferry, to Win- elrester, to Front Royal, to Cedar Mountain, of bloodstained history; to the Rappahannock, to companies, one hundred and fifty-eight were either monts is due to Alderman Marble for the untiring | Chancellorsville, and to victorious Gettysburg, the i killed, wounded or captured by the rebels.

bers, reduced to one-third, tell us the months have been eventful, And as we think of your fidelity to the trust- committed to you by the State, whose honor yon have made glorious ; of your march.

Lient. Col. Speidel, formerly Lieut. Col. of the Sixth, was honored by "the boys" with hearty offer your manly prrrsons, a sea of life, to guard the shores of our national honor, true and brave in every action.

The gallant Sixth has from the first been in the Department of the South. It has participated in every engagement which lias there taken place, and has always done honor to itself and the State. We shall not forget that the Sixth was chosen by Gen. Gillmore to make the landing on Morris Island, nor how steadily and grandly the ; regiment fought on till ten rebel batteries were

The boys looked hardy and powerful, and moved with steady step, ercet form, and an air of con- scious manliness anI worth. It will be recollected that the regiment was started by the late Colonel Sim. Colt. He proposed to form a regiment of grenadiers, of large standard height and physical power. The plan proposed was abandoned but there are many stalwart fellows that the eye rests on with admiration as it passes along the sun-browned anl sturdy ranks.

152

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[FEBRUARY.

Col. Chapman was exchanged after a long im-[ .And this can be done if the patriotic citizens each prisonment, but soon resigned on account of ill | in his owa neighborhood will do his duty. health, and Col. Warren W. Packer of New Lon- Many men who cannot themselves go to the don is now in command, under whom the regimer.t field earnestly desire to be represented there by fonght bravely at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

Jan able bodied soldier. Let such satisfy them- After the first battle of Chattanooga, the Fifth | selves and aid the common noble cause by paying a sumi additional to the state bounty and securing thuis a representative. Many are doing this with

was among the regiments sent from the army of the Potomae to aid Gen, Rosecrans, and for several months past it has been doing guard duty on Gen. [ the best effects throughout the state. This roll of Grant's lines of communication in Edat Tenn. It |honorable names should be a long one. A name can be added at almost any of the recruiting centres.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 48

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