The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 53

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

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landed they made a reconnoisance back into the country some two miles, and succeeded They then struck across the Peninsula in the direction of Williamsburg, and march- ing only night and keeping concealed days in surprising and capturing a signal station with all its apperaines and appurtenances. Messages deploring the change of sentiment | they thus cluded all pickets and patrols, in North Carolina, and the prospect of its and after three nights of rapid marching- much of the way through deep swamps and tangled woods, with nothing to eat-they ar- frived at Yorktown, bringing in with them return to the old Union ; also the movement of a large force through Richmond to North Carolina, with letters relating to the removal of a large quantity of grain and provisions, three refugees from the rebel army. (now stored on the "Brandon Farm,") to the City of Richmond, were captured, as were the flags, glasses, &c., of the station.

From Yorktown they proceeded by trans- port to Old Point, and returned to the regi- ment at Newport News, where they enter- Having secured their prisoners, and all the tained their comrades with a relation of their valuables that could be removed, the force [ sufferings and adventures. Thus ended the now returned to pay their respects to the

expedition which had proved a complete stores on the farm, which the rebels expect- success, and, if we may believe their own re- looked upon more as a humane institution, ed to transport to Richmond for the use of the Confederate army.

They found the farm in charge of Surgeon | upon both officers and men composing the Ritchie, formerly of the U. S. Navy, whom : expedition. The month of January was fast they made a prisoner, and succeeded in de- | nearing its close, and still enacting the some- stroying bacon, flour, corn, oats and hay, ; what monotonous routine of daily drills, and and other property, to the amount of from growing rapidly fat in the enjoyment of our $250,000 to $300,000. The above being the sweet dreams of peace and the more sub- estimate made by the rebels, it is not likely tantial enjoyment of good living, we had to be over-estimated.

The gunboats had not been lying idle der- ter all it was not so bad a thing to be a sol- ing this time, but had captured a schooner ; dier. How soon those day dreams vanished To us, thus quietly situated at Newport laden with tobacco, and a sloop not loaded. [and gave place to the sterner realities of News, Va., in the best camp we had ever

On board the schooner were Jews, with aisoldier life, after events will clearly show. large amount of money in gold and silver,, It is often remarked that "coming events U. S. Notes and Southern Bank funds, to- cast their shadows before."

gether with a large assortment of jewelry.

To the soldier, however, who, at the dead The vessels were taken to O'ul Point with ! of night, is startled from refreshing slumbers going shadow.

cargo and prisoners, where the flotilla ar-1and pleasant dreams by the sound of the rived Monday evening. The following is a "long roll," or even at mid-day by the less list of the booty brought back by the flo- startling but equally unexpected orders to be distress, and cheeks all pale, which, but an tilla :

ready to march at a moment's notice, the re-

Twenty-two prisoners, one schooner laden mark may well be considered at least a ques- with tobacco, one sloop (light.) ten horses, tionable one, and the originator had evident- Especially was this the case with some of one hundred and fifty-three contrabands, and ly never been a soldier, and knew nothing of the ladies, unused to such a hurried change many other articles of less importance.

" long rolls " or " marching orders."

Hle had never experienced the indeserib- bands and friends.

But this was no time for ceremony, for the steamer S. R. Spaulding was at the dock and we must embark.

Orders came at three o'clock P. M. on the third day of February, and at 8 P. M. we in his bed of army blankets. He never had were nearly all on board, and, after having witnessed the spasmodic awakening of a procured board, lodging, and shelter, for the regiment thus soundly sleeping, or beheld feminine portion of the regiment at what

had, and many of us in the enjoyment of the society of our wives, (the greatest of earth's blessings,) those marching orders came, unexpected and preceded by no fore-

" Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro, and tearful eyes, and murmurings of hour ago, blushed at the praise of their own loveliness "

of base, and such abrupt partings from hus-

By some mistake three men of the Twen- - ty-first were left behind on the return of the able and pleasurable emotions which the expedition. Finding themselves alone in the beating of the " long roll " at midnight, in enemy's country, and anticipating a rather the coldest season of the year, tends to unhealthy reception from the rebels, they [ awaken in the mind of one who, a monient took to the woods, determined to do or die. before, was quietly and composedly sleeping Concealing themselves in the woods until night they then resolved to make an attempt to return to Old Point.

To the spectator, the scene ereated by the " long roll" must be decidedly amusing.

Ilere he sees some starting from their beds with the wildness of the maniac ; others but yet half awake, groping about in the dark- ness for a missing shoe or tugging away at & tight fitting boot, giving expression to all manner of unchristianlike words. Others, taking the matter more cooly, joke and laugh at the expense of those more troubled and excited or less fortunate than them- selves; while the majority, being in no very good humor, very affectionately unite in con- signing the author of the affair to the warm- est portion of his satanic majesty's domin- ions, though I am afraid (judging from the language they make use of on many occa- sions) that they, many of them, will some day find that seats uncomfortably near that fire have been reserved for themselves.

Marching orders in the day time, however, is another and very different affair, and is ports, was a severe blow to the rebels ; and the results accomplished refleet much honor and consequently there is less excitement and a shade less swearing, though there are those in every regiment who seem to think it a duty to swear fluently and profusely at all times and under all circumstances, and it is a lamentable fact that that class of per- sons are daily growing more and more nu- merous in our army, which at the beginning of the war was said to be composed of the almost, many of us, began to think that af- best men, with the best morals of any army in the world.

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was called a hotel, " we left them alone in spiked. The rebels, on taking possession of manner, concluded to remain in possession their glory," with the hope that they might the fort, spiked the cannon and destroyed | of the place, which he did, until the arrival on the morrow return to their homes, where, the carriages and a large quantity of ammu- of the " expedition of discovery," when he nition, cut down the flag-staff and took the immediately sent back a dispatch stating flag. far removed from " war's wild alarms," they might enjoy that rest which is unknown in that he had held the place twenty-four hours, the life of a soldier, and where marehing or- ders may never come.

During the embarking of the regiment a very sad accident occurred, by which one man lost his life, and which east a shade of sadness and melancholy over our whole voy- age.

In passing on board the steamer, Patrick Mulligan of Co. E, owing to the imperfect light near the gang-plank, stepped from the doek into the river, and, the tide at the time running very swiftly, he was carried beyond tending to go there or fight for it.

the reach of assistance before any could be rendered.

A boat was immediately lowered, but the poor man, unable to hold out, threw up his arms, and uttering one wild and piercing shriek sank down into the cold dark waves and was seen no more. A thorough search was made by the boat for his body, but they returned to the steamer with only his knap- sack, from which he had freed himself in his struggles in the water.

At twelve o'clock (midnight) we left the dock and began our voyage to Morehead City, N. C., having a very pleasant voyage until we passed Hatteras, when many of the officers and men began to lose their appetites, which had previously been remarkably good, and soon after many of them might have been seen upon the promenade deck leaning over the side of the ship and throwing them- selves away. It happened very well for some of them, however, that their appetites were poor, for it is a bad place for a hungry man in Morehead City, and bad enough for a man that is not hungry.

We arrived here on the morning of the 5th, and disembarking immediately went on duty in the fortifications of the city. Pre- vious to our arrival here the rebels had made an attack upon Newport Barracks -- ten miles from the city and on the line of the railroad running from the city to Newbern-the bar- racks at the time being occupied by the Ninth Vermont, and succeeded in routing the Ninth, who, having in all probability an ex- aggerated idea of the enemy, made but a

Having remained here until afternoon and : hearing and seeing no signs of an enemy, a company of the Twenty-first were ordered to move cautiously up the railroad towards Newport " on a voyage of discovery," and to immediately report, by given signals, the : state of the country and the practicability of an advance. A telegraph operator also accompanied the " forlorn hope," thus bravely feeble stand, set fire to their barracks, the periling their lives for the safety of their railroad bridge and a large amount of eon- missary stores, and fell back to the city.

until re-enforcements arrived. Upon the re- ceipt of this despatch it was suggested by some one that we make an immediate ad_ vance, and no objection being raised an anendinent was offered that we advance by

On the afternoon of the day we landed, the Twenty-first, the Ninth Vt., a part of the railroad as the quickest way of re-occupying the place. Many of the men being in favor of the amendment, having, as they thought, marched over the road as much as was necessary already, it was unanimously adopt- ed and the cars ordered up.

Arriving at Newport, wo were received the evening, having met with no opposition | by the Surgeon and the discovering party, and seeing no enemy.

and a salute of three guns was fired from a cannon they had found and succeeded in re- moving the spike from and mounting on an oll pair of wheels. They reported having seen no enemy, and we reported the same.

So we took a little something to steady our nerves and again went on pieket, resolved to make a desperate stand if we were at- to the city on the cars, leaving the command | tacked and were not ordered back, and we to Colonel Ripley of the Ninth Vt. In the | did.

Feb. 9th a reeonnoisance was made eight miles beyond Newport in the direction and vicinity of Gale's Creek, led by Col. Jordeau, and composed of the Ninth Vt., One HIun- dred Fifty-eighth N. Y., Twenty-first Conr., part of a battery and a small force of eaval- ry, and still no enemy was found, they hav- ing accomplished all they intended and prob- ably more in their raid upon the barracks of the Ninth Vt., had evidently left as rapidly as they eame. On the 11th we returned to Morehead City, having been abont eight days, days which will be long remembered by the Twenty-first as the most gay, festive and ga- bonious period of our service.

On the 12th we returned to Newport and bivouacked for the night, and on the 13th left for Newbern by railroad, having shaken the dust off our feet, besides washing a large quantity from our faces.

We arrived at Newbern at two P. M., the 13th, and eneamped near the city.

Since our arrival Col. Arthur II. Dutton has been appointed Chief of Staff under Maj. Gen. Peck, who is in command of the forces and defenses of North Carolina.

country. They proceeded cautiously along ! until they arrived at Newport, when they were surprised, but not captured, by Assist- The weather here is very eold; residents ant Surgeon Charles Tennant of the Twenty-isay that it is colder than any weather here first Conn. Vols., who, being asleep when the | last winter.

A fort situated near the barracks and com- manding the railroad bridge, with severa! heavy cannon, one a thirty-two-pounder, was also abandoned by its cecupants with but a forces left to fall back on the city, had, upon | To-day the boys have been skating on a faint show of resistance, the flag being left | awakening and finding himself alone with pond hear the eamp, and they seemed to en- flying on the flag staff' and the cannon un- only an officer's cloak left behind in like joy it highly, it being to them the first ska-

A part of the One Hundred Fifty-eighth [ and thought that he should be able to do so New York regiment and a battery were in charge of the fortifications at the city, Colo- nel Jordeau of the One-Hundred-Fifty-eighth being in command of the sab-district.

One Hundred Fifty-eighth and one section of a battery, with a small force of cavalry, led by Col. Arthur HI. Dutton, of the Twen- ty-first, started for Newport Barracks, in-

We arrived there about nine o'clock in

We found the railroad damaged but little, one bridge only having been burned by them and one by the Ninth Vt. The barracks were one mass of smoking ruins. A train of cars was also run up to the barracks the same evening. We eneamped for the night near by the ruins, and Col. Dutton returned

morning we went on picket, where we re- mained until about two o'clock the next morning, (Feb. 7,) when we received orders from Col. Ripley to fall back to the city, as the enemy had been discovered in our front in large force, and it was feared that they would out flank us and cut off our commu- nication with the city. Accordingly we fell baek a distance of five miles to a place lion- ored with the name of Carolina City, (though the city is one of the things yet to be.) where, at the urgent request of Lieut. Colo- i nel Burpee, commanding the Twenty-first. we made a stand and partially awaited com- ing events.

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[MARCIt,

ting of the season. Night before last we had vain to see you waver. Boys, it was a hot place- quite a large fall of snow.

a hot place. I saw you go where none but brave | for insertion among the correspondence of the last number.

men dare go ; saw you make three successive The health of the regiment is remarkably good, but very few being on the sick list. charges, preserving your line as well as if on dress One ease, thought to be "small pox," is reported to-day. parade; I witnessed it all : I saw you as you broke the first line of rebel infantry and charged up to their batteries, driving away their gunners, still pressing on and breaking their re- DEL. serves. But a third line was too strong for you ; Eighteenth Regiment. MARTINSBURG, Va., Jan. 31, 1864. I knew it was. Only then did you fall back, when your lines were broken and many brave Connceti- eut men lay bleeding on the field. But you only fell back to reform and give them another taste of your steel. I knew it was madness to order you forward again ; it was ordering you to death and annihilation ; yet well knowing you would attempt anything for your General. Boys, I watched you with pride as you charged the third time; but enee in the atmosphere. The cold winds of ; when I saw. your ranks withering and your com-

The soldiers of this department have been blessed with a beautiful Dixie summer for the past month, almost telling us spring has opened. But to day there is quite a differ- the North sweep down the bleak Blue Ridge, minding us that winter has not yet departed .

rades falling, it made my heart grow sad within ine, and I ordered you to fall back. You know bidding us to put on our overcoats, and re- 'the rest. You were surrounded, and there was no escape. But I miss your noble commander, Colo- nel Ely: may he soon return to you. Boys, to

Early this morning we were aroused with : your valor L'owe my safety. You come from a State whose soldiers never disgrace themselves nor their flag. I am proud of you, and ever shall

the tidings that General Milroy was in town. Such was the love, admiration, and respect The'of suell soldiers. borne towards him by all the troops under!

And now accept my wishes for your safe return to your New England homes, when our flag shall his command, that the men regarded him as | wave in triumph over our whole country. Good a father. As if by magie, the news spread | bye, C. H. C., CO. F. that " Daddy " was here, and all thought he had come to command us again. Suddenly For the Connecticut War Record. From the Fifteenth Regiment. from the camps of the Virginia Brigade a wild i shout of enthusiasm rung out upon the air. The other regiments caught up the joyous sound, and cheer upon cheer resounded from one hill to another. But he is not to be our : leader ; though it is the greatest wish of every soldier in this division.

Early in the day, while the General was standing on the porch of the National Hotel, General Averill's flying brigade eame dash- ing past to reinforce our troops at New Creek, as fighting was then going on. As; the head of the line eaught a glimpse of. their old leader, they gave a shout, wild and loud, which was continued along the whole ! line, as they dashed past. General Milroy. with General Olds and staff, visited the va- rious camps to-day, each regiment welcom- ing his arrival with cheers and other demon- strations of joy. He arrived at our camp about noon. The regiment was drawn up in . line, and gave him a hearty round of cheers as he approached. The regiment was then ordered into close column, at half distance, to listen to a speech from the General. The General addressed us as follows : Soldiers of the Eighteenth :

I am glad to see you once more ; I am happy to: regiment did not disembark until the follow- see you looking so hearty and well : happy to ing morning, when we went into barracks. welcome you back again 'neath the folds of your own Stars and Stripes, which you so nobly de- fended during the three days' fight at Winchester.

The right wing, under command of Major E. Walter Osborn, is now doing picket duty, Since I last saw you, you have suffered captivity | three companies at Red House (twelve miles

in rebel prisons. We have been separated since then, but I have come to see you and to : from Newbern, ) and two companies at Beach praise you for your gallantry. I saw you in the Grove, about the same distance from New- second day's fight, as you charge I the enemy from your rifle pits and drove them back upon their : bern, and six miles from Red House. The reserves, holding them in check until night, troops here are at present under command whon yon fell back, but with your face to the foe. of Brigadier General Palmer, who is our Again I saw you the next morning, facing as hot a fire as I ever witnessed in my life. I looked in beau ideal of a soldier. MASKERY.

CS" This excellent letter was received too late

The Tenth Regiment.

St. AUGUSTINE, FLA., ? Feb. let, 1864.

The admirable discipline of the Tenth Regiment was abundantly shown during the prolonged siege of the exterior defenses of Charleston, as many times before. Going on to Morris Island on the 18th of July, it remained there until October 26th. Yet, in all that time, while having a full share of picket, guard, and fatigue duty, under the galling and incessant artillery fire from the rebel works, in face of which regular approaches were made to Forts Wagner and Gregg, not a man of its number was killed, and but one, the Lieut. Colonel, severely wounded.

This remarkable exemption from casualties, while neighboring regiments were such sufferers, was manifestly in consequence of the men keeping their places and obeying orders. They worked briskly and effectively while they could, and when the eall came to "eover," dropped on the in - stant, and thus protected themselves from the fly- ing shot and shell. There was no straggling, no fool.hardiness. Each man stood where he was told, and did as he was commanded; and, as in other cases, the place of duty proved the place of safety.

In some regiments many were killed or wound- ed because they were where they had no right to be, or from their nou-compliance with orders. This difference in regiments was so marked that after a time the very ambulance drivers came to understand it, and would, at one time, say, "The 10th Connecticut and the 24th Massachusetts are at the front to-night. We can go to sleep. There will be no call for us!" And, again, "We shall have a busy time to-night ! The - Regiment is in advance." Such experiences have confirmed our men in respect for discipline, and increased their attachment to the regiment, having so fairly earned a reputation for superiority in this regard. On the 31st of October, the regiment reached this quaint old town of teeming memories and eternal summer, to rest for a season after the un- intermitted labors of the siege and preceding cam- paign, which had told severely on the health of its men. Major Greeley was then in command, being the only field officer present. A few weeks later, Col. Otis, who was for several months in charge of the Conscript Camp at. New Haven, returned, and was right warmly welcomed by officers and men. The next week brought Chaplain Trumbull from his four months confinement in rebel prisons, and the greeting which he received almost atoned for all he had suffered in his prolonged absence. In yet a fortnight more came back Lieut. Colonel Leggett, who lost a leg at Morris Island. He, also, was received most joyously. Thirty six re- cruits have since come in from Connecticut. The sick list has been reduced, the number for duty correspondingly increased, and the regiment be- coming steadily more and more like its former self.

Its camp is outside the city gates, a short dis. tance beyond the old Spanish fort. The location is a good one. New tents of the A pattern have been recently secured, and pitched on handsome and regular streets, being lifted some two and a half feet from the ground and curtained with the canvas of the tents before condemned. Good

RED HOUSE, NEAR NEWBERN, N. C., } February 24th, 1864. During our short stay at Plymouth, N. C., two successful reconnoisances were made. On the 26th January three companies, with small detachments from the three other reg- iments then located at Plymouth, after pro- ceeding a few miles up the river Roanoke, landed, and succeeded in capturing eighteen prisoners, besides destroying a considerable quantity of stores. On January 29th the second reconnoisance was made. The foree consisted of a detail from each company, under command of Lieut. Colonel Samuel Tolles, with a detachment of marines and a company of " Buffaloes." This time the expedition reached Windsor, broke up and destroyed a rebel cavalry camp and stores, captured several prisoners, and considerably dninaged their postal arrangements.

Reinforcements having been sent for from Newbern on the late attack on that place, the Fifteenth again embarked, at 6 P. M. on the 3d February, and arrived at Newbern on the evening of the 4th. The rebel General Pickett having retired with his force, the

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floors and bunks are being made for all, and in many took place on the 24th. It is sufficient to say, we await the issue and hope for the best. cases substantial chimneys are crected of the pe- culiar cochina or shell-marl of the vicinity. Good water is obtained by but little digging, and the wells of the several companies are quite attrac- MARCHING ORDERS. tive, presenting an oriental appearance, with a By a special order from the War Depart- barrel shaft sunk in a large earth basin walled ment, dated the 17th February, 1864, this with turf or china, having wide steps of the same regiment is transferred to the Army of the Potomae, and instrueted to place itself en route to join that army in Virginia. THE DEDICATION. descending from the street level. Much ingenuity is shown in some of the cook-rooms and kitchens, also constructed of turf or cochina, while exquisite taste and real refinement is often displayed in the interior of some of the tents, adorned with the well arranged arms and military equipments, family photographs, home mementocs, bright, golden clusters of oranges, lemons or limes, and fragrant boughs of the abounding jessamine, or bouquets of the rich variety of Southern roses and other flowers of this land of bloom and beauty.

In the February number of the War Ree- ord, mention was made of the praiseworthy enterprise of building a chapel on this camp. We call it praiseworthy, but it is more than praiseworthy. Ungodliness and irreligion are supposed to be fearfully prevalent in the army, and so they are; but here is a regi- ment of soldiers, encamped for a transient period, with their own hands and at their own expense erecting a chapel for the wor- ship of God, and presenting the little sanc- tuary as a humble offering to the Most High. It is a spectacle of moral beauty and grandeur, and a mark of high moral and religious sen- timent, which makes a regiment an honor to itself and the State it represents. The dedi- cation occurred on the third Sabbath in in the week. A third prayer meeting is held at January, and was an occasion of interest to the large number present.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 53

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