The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 6

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

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dents occurred which sometime provoke laughter to have order and cleanliness to demur at his de .! At one o'clock, Saturday morning, May 23d, the from a saint. As near as I can judge, we had been mannds. I fell under his displeasure once, and in ' sergeant came into prison with a lantern, and an- locked up about two minutes, when I saw in the five minutes I found myself on "extra duty." col- nounced that fifty of the one hundred and fifteen corner four of our party busily engaged in the ex fleeting tobacco ends and cigar stumps, and mop. foffleers in our room, would leave in thirty minutes, ring my suspicious stains myon the floor. I had and as it was uncertain which would go or which become interested in a book, when I was detailed would stay, they had better all get ready. We

eiting pastime of draw poker. From that moment to the day we left, I think this quartette never left their seats only to draw rations. It is fair to pre. i to " watch the beans" boiling on the stove. As thought so too, and I think sixty seconds found sume that they occasionally indulged in sleep, but often as once every hour during the forenoon. ] every man in marching order, and huddled about I never saw them neglect their business for any left my book and took a look at the beans, which the door. Nothing was said, for there was an air such luxury. My latest glimmerings of conscious. : vegetaldes appeared to be all there and doing well, of uncertainty hanging about us that was terribly ness at night, were associated with draw poker, ' so I continued my reading. At noon they were oppressive. Soon the gingling of keys was heard, and my earliest waking saw then still dealing cards found to be so badly burned, that they were thrown, and the clerk entered with his long roll of names, and drawing in Confederate serip. But it is diffi- out of the window. My name was suggested as and every one's heart was in his mouth. As each cult to describe prison life, for the very good responsible for the disaster. The Colonel thought name was called, the happy owner darted through reason that there is nothing to describe. Every. Ihad been negligent, and hence the extra duty. the door, and formed in line as directed in the next thing comes under the head of monotony, and one In vain I assured him that I had misunderstood the room. I am positive that the most rigid diseijdine day's programme answers for all. We appointed duty assigned me; that I supposed the order to can never form a company in two ranks quicker as Commissary, Capt. - , of the 14th C. V., and . .. watch the beans" was to see that none of them than those officers got in that night. I can never he superintended the distribution of all rations, 'made their escape, which business I had performed be made to lecheve that there was any unnecessary He also inaugurated evening prayer meetings, and to a dot, as they were all safe in the kettle, where delay in getting through that door-way, when my early twilight found a large portion of the officers they had been put in the morning.

assembled in one end of the room. In silence.

' name was called, and I am of the opinion that the One idght we had to sit at the windows about other officers were equally prompt. In their hurry, they gathered around the Christian captain, whose two hours, and laugh. The Tredegar Works, several left articles of clothing that they really prayers went up for his fellow prisemers and their where they cast their great guns, were burning, wanted, but rather than venture back for them, absent friends. With gratitude they listened to and also a large wooden mill, where they manufac. they would have marched to City Point in a eoffee the cheering words of hope and consolation, and tured Blankets Generally, one is anything but sack. We filed down the stairway, and for the with earnestness sang God's praises as if freedom pleased to see large massive buildings on fire, the first time since being in prison we saw our field were everywhere. I have often been impressed flames leaping from window ta window, and from 'otheers. By squads we were taken into the office with the deep solemnity of the Rowish Cathedral, one story to another, and shooting high up in the and administered the parole. Hanging in this and have admired the beantifnl service of the air. through the tall chimneys. But we enjoyed it room were several of our colors taken in battle. Episcopal Church, but I have never witnessed a very much, and were even anxious that other They bore marks of shot and shell, and doubtless more solemn scene than that assemblage of rough buildings adjoining the establishment, might set- ; many a noble color- bearer gave up his life before soldiers gathered in one end of that dimly lighted tle in a sindlar manner.

prison, bowing in silent reverence to the teachings of their captain.

he gave these stars and stripes into rebel hands. The odd fat Quartermaster of the prism used to Again we were loaded in freight cars, and were visit us occasionally, and though he was a rabid on our way to respectable soil. We were hungry,

In a few days about one half the officers in our old rebel, we rather liked him. He wasn't what and could have eaten with a relish, had we any- room were sent North, and though this left us we could call a good provider, by any means, but thing to eat, and we wanted water-but what was more room, it still left us on the wrong side of he was inturnse on distributing consolation. When food and drink to freedom ? We were heading for prison walls. And then the rebel officers took any improvement in rations was suggested, he the Union lines, and had the distance been twice great delight in telling us that we were to have a would conedde us, reminding the prisoners that he as great, and the weather twice as hot, we should chance in a lottery. We were to have all the ad- did not send for them, and that they must always have been content to live on the remembrance of vantages of an honest drawing, and they thought bear in mind that they were suffering for their what we could eat when fairly out of their clutches. surely we ought to be satisfied. The prizes were country ! The bacon he gave us looked as if eu! Ronnding the curve ut City Point, we saw the old that the two winners were to be treated to a pub- front the side of a hug about two weeks old, and banner flying from the flag staff of the State of lie hanging, preceding which, they would be pro. tasted as if the deceased had known no other diet Maine, while forward floated the white emblem of vided with the best rations the Commissary could but granulated pebble stones and black ink. With ipence. Soon we were on board, and soon after

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1868.]

transferred to the propeller John Rice; shortly after which we were stemming down James River, en route for Fortress Monroe. I have heard the cheers of ten thousand lungs which greeted the entry to New York of the Prince of Wales, and I have witnessed the entimisiastie applause which welcomed Kossuth to the City Ilall, but I have never heard more noise at any one time than when the steamner Jolin Rice left City Poiut on the after- noon of May 23, 1863. Nothing of interest trans- pired until about midnight on the 24th. While steaming up the Chesepcake, a full rigged brig un. dertook to make two ships out of our one, but sig- nally failed. She strnek us amidships on the lar- board side, and stove iu a hole as large as a small barn. The stateroom occupied by Col. Bostwick and others were knocked into pi, and these officers were thrown upon the floor. The shock was ter- rible, and there was a general distribution of live matter about the cabin. It was very dark, and blowing quite hard, and there was some confusion for a few moments, until its was aseertained that tlie damage was above the water line. We arrived at Annapolis on the morning of the 25th, and that night-for the first time since leaving home- we lay down to pleasant dreams in a genuine feather bed.

Yours, D. S. T.

For the Connecticut War Record. The Copperhead.

A few days ago in-no matter where, A Copperhead sat in his office chair, A cigar in his mouth, with the World in his hand, And reading the news from the rebel land. " Vicksburg is fallen "-so in Richmond they say, And so my doubts may no longer delay. But that was besieged, or it never would yield ; 'Twas not like a battle in an open field. Sneli a distant small spot could hardly help fall ; 'Tis n't much of a victory, after all.

From a Richmond paper here's news of Lee, And now not mere rumor but truth I shall see : " Beaten is Meade, aud his army dispersed ; God's vengeance falls hard on the Yankees ac- enrsed :

Rich trophies of war from the Federals' retreat- Forty thousand of prisoners, the triumph complete." Good ! said the Copperhead, gulping it quick ; Then, shaking his noddle, It's rather too thick. Bnt, generous fellows, they never would lie, As honest as daylight, as pure as the sky; There is something in it, I do not doubt, And not Lee, but Meade has experienced a rout. I knew 'twould be so, -those chivalrie braves Contend for their rights, their homes, and their- slaves.

Constitutional men, with them is the tide, And Providence surely is on their side.

O this awful war that Old Abe has made! And these heavy taxes upon us laid ; And all for what ?- to free the nigger, And make the Abolition party bigger; The Constitution break down, the P'ress restrain, Arrest and imprison the purest of men.

I'm for peace-for the Union as it was, For the Constitution and all the laws, Save those that were passed by Republicans Black,

And why should they ride in the Government back ? | The arms of the Union triumphant o'er all, They've no business to rule for a single hour, And sit in the seats of office and power. See what they've done in a two years' reign- Made war on the South and multitudes slain, Confisented goods of those high-minded braves, And made proclamations for freeing their slaves. () deeds most atrocious, despotie, satanic,

Constitutions juvading, and systems organic; Euch State is a Sovereign ; coereing is sin; It she wants to go ont, we can't keep ber in. But I am for Peace, for Union and Peace, For the conflict to stop, and blood-shedding cease. No trouble we'd had, no war in our day, If we'd still let the South had its chosen way. Ilow foolish men are to stand up and coutend, When they know that a warfare is sure to impend. More than half of the mischief's made by the preachers,

The routing harangues of the Cheevers and Beechers ; Political Parsons, disturbing the peace, Making division und strife to inercase ;

With prayers for the President polluting their breath,

For the war to succeed and for slavery's death ; Defending the niggers as though they were whites, Appealing to God and to us for their rights. Hasn't Taney declared, in language direct, That rights they have none, we are bound to respect ?

Was'nt Canaan enrsed, and his race enslaved, A pious contrivance for the blacks to be saved ? How much better to leave things " just as they was," And not to be looking for higher lows ! The preachers are fools-how peaceful their life, If they'd always avoid what tendeth to strife ; Only preach the pure Gospel, and nothing else add, The sweet harmless message would make us all glad ;

Let polities be, and never touch sin, What golden opinions from many they'd win !

Ilow pleasant their course ! how tranquil they'd livel

No conscience disturb, no offenses e'er give ! Sueli a preacher I've heard of-I wish he were here, I'd subscribe to give him two thousand a year ; But now from the elinrches I carefully stay, And to pestilent priests not a red will I pay.

O yes, Mr. Copperhead, how niee it would be, If all of God's servants with you should agree ! How grand the mistakes they have always made ! What a heap of sins on their heads is laid ! Meek Moses for Freedom kept stirring up strife, And brought ruin on Egypt with great loss of life ; If Korah's rebellion he'd not tried to stop,

Who knows if the ground would have swallowed them up ?

If Judah had only let Benjamin be, From n war, so destructive, both had been free ; If Daniel and the worthies were prudent and wise,

The den and the furnace had not greeted their eyes ; | The offscouring upstarts of West und North,

If John, the forerunner, had let Herod alone, Ifis forfeited head might have still been his own ; If Jesus himself had displeased not the Jews, HIe ne'er would have suffered from them such abuse ; If He never had preached against >in and evil, They would not have called Him wine bibber and devil ;

If with them Ile'd agreed in cach notion and whit, They ne'er would have thought to crucify Inn. If apostles bad only been wise in their time, And had never rebuked any wrong and crime, How free they had been from the malice and wrath. Persecution and death that followed their path ! How holy, how blameless-all free from complaints- The soul-soothing patterns for Copperhead saints !

A day or two later he sat in his chair, Conning over the news with an earnest stare. Ife saw that the rebels were every where beat, In the South, in the North-General Lee in retreat ;

And the bozus Confederacy 'bout ready to fall. He was truly alenmed at the state of his friends, And his sympathies ran to his fingers' ends. lle seratehed his head, and he muttered away, What now can be done these triumphs to stay ? If over the South they should chance to be known, Disheartened, the people their loss will bemoan;

If onward to Europe they rapidly go, Confederate stock must soon fall very low ; Compromises and Peace will be here at an end, And there recognition no further extend. And worst of it all, 'tis the chief of my fear, That the strength of our party will disappear ; The " institution peenliar," if that and its friends Are not saved to help us, our greatness all ends.

As he mused on the prospect, and then, in his way, Began for his brethren profanely to pray, A rap at his door, and a form coming through, A friend from New York was revealed to his view. Of business they talked, of politics spoke,

And the silence that followed was cautiously broke. The war was then canvassed-Grant's victories weighed,

And the doom of the great Pennsylvania raid.

They had never believed that the high-minded South

Could become iu this war rather "down in the mouth."

It looked very much like it, it must be confessed ; But how shall the Chivalry's wrongs be redressed ? 'Twill be done ! said the Gothamite, whispering low ; Yon may well be surprised, when the way yon shall know.

A rebellion's at hand, and a fire in the rear ;

The mine is well laid-the explosion you'll hear. From great Federal triumphs the mind will be turned,

And different lessons be speedily learned ; We'll show the black Lincolnites what can be done, As soon as the despots the draft have began. The scheme is matured, and the burden well shared ; The Wood is all ready, and the WORLD is prepared ; The denouement the NEWS will haste to review,

And by the EXPRESS 'twill come rapidly through. We long ago promised our friends to sustain,

And this aid in the North will their courage main- tain ; And this shall fly quickly across the wide sea, And the French and the English will langh in their glee ;

" We knew," they will say, "that the proud Yan- kee suob Was nanght but a swelling and riotons mob; Their Republic's played out, let's now intervene, Stop the shedding of blood, and end the sad scene. (Sweet innoceut ereatures, they never shed blood ; They never for National nnity stood ! )

Oh dear, dear ! the slaveholding gentry we cherish, If longer we're nentral will certainly perish ;

Will drive from the land all the Southerners forth, And then, as vast and warlike and strong they ap- pear, We kingdoms of Europe their greatness may fear." " Good day," said the Yorker; nolonger he stayed ; And the Copperhead thought on the words he had said. lle was comforted over the rebel reverse,

And looked with strange joy for the new coming curse ;

But when in his paper he read how it came, Iu murder, und plunder, and arson's red flame, In a savage brutality Indians would scoru, Iu a spirit and purpose entirely hell-born, Ile thought who his friends were, and made of what stuff,

And he said to himself-it is more than enough ! =

In the assault on Port Hudson, made June 11th, the Connectient Twenty-Eighth lost heavily. Cap- thin Brown writes that fifty-nine were killed, wounded or missing. Captain Hoag. Lieutenant Durand and Lieutenant Taylor are reported killed ; Lieutenant Mitchell wounded in four places. Cap- tain Iloag was Clerk of the State Senate in 1860, and belonged in New Milford.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[AlGusr,

For the Connectiont War Record.

Outline Sketch of the Twenty-fourth C. V. of Port Hudson. The whole army stood npon the |

Field Officers.

S. W. MANSFIELD, Colouel.

J. D. ALLIsos, Lieutenant Colonel.

P. MAnEn, Major.

A historical sketch of this Regiment ean most clearly be presented by looking at the leading characteristic of the service in which it has been employed. The period of aeclimation was spent at Baton Rogue; the period of marching was spent mostly west of the Mississippi River; the ; period of fighting ombraces the siege of Port Hudson.

Period of Drill and Acclimation.

The Regiment arrived at Baton Rouge on the The men were heavily laden with stuffed knap.

morning of December 17th, and there remained i sacks, blankets, guns and accoutrements, with twenty rounds of extra entridges ; the weather was till March 13th, occupied with the usual routine of camp-life-reveille, taps, drills, inspections. " warin till a Louisianian rain storm set in, inaugu- aud reviews. The raising of the National Flag rated with high wind and terrible thunder and from the summit of the State House, in the bright lightning. The road became ankle- deep with mind streaming sunshine, while the troops were landing : where it was not entirely overflowed ; night emme under cover of the smoking guns of the iron-ciad'on like the falling of a curtain; onward pressed

Essex, at our first arrival, was a spectacle of rare

the eager column. A marsh, strewn with bram-

beauty. Asits proud folds rose upon the buoyant bles and rotting logs, where upturned stumps over. sir and seemed to kiss the pure sky, the men on looked the puddles, welcomed the men and officers ship-hoard greeted it with cheers, which made the to moist beds. The glare of a willerness of camp- shores of the Mississippi send back answering fires, which served to make darkness visible, dis. shouts which seemed to say, "Success to the closed groups of uncomfortable men in all atti- Expedition." The rebel garrison fled from the ' tudes, standing, leaning, sitting, reclining, smok- shells which sereamed and thundred behind ing, swearing, drinking, sleeping, and trying to them ;- resident traitors dodged from sight and | sleep. It was a night to be remembered a life looked slily forth from their hiding places, while timo; the discomforts which could not be avoided populous villages of tents sprung up ou the grounds ! were laughed at ; and when the next day's sun of the United States Arsenal, and in the open : emerged from the dispersing clouds, the men seem- places of the city. The Twenty-fourth Competi- ed as little harmed by their exposure ns this celes- cut, the Forty-first and Fifty-second Massachu- tial luminary by the storm. About one mile from setts, and the Thirteenth Connecticut, temporarily | their stopping place the bank of the Mississippi is attached, constituted the Second Brigade of elevated; the ground is comparatively dry. A Grover's Division, which was commanded at first flat promontory protected in the rear by the by Colonel Birge of the Thirteenth Coanectient ; waters of an encircling bayou, and in front by the subsequently the Ninety-first New York took the river itself, presented an inviting camp ground, to place of the Thirteenth Conncetient, and Colonel which Grover's Division was conducted. The Vanzant commanded the Brigade. The Twenty- iperiod of inaction was short. On Tuesday, the

fourth Regiment suffered less mortal loss in accli- mation than many others.

line of march towards Port Ihud-on was resumed. Tedious was the heavy laden march ; bloodless was the battle; valuable the fruits of the victory :

Two Captains and eight L'entenants have been discharged upon their resignation ; Companies G fifteen hundred bales of cotton were taken prison- and E have been consolidated with I and K, and or. ! The Twenty-fourth Regiment returned to the Regiment reduced to eight Companies. Of Baton Rogue, and for a few days encamped luxn. the Second Lieutenants who came ont with the : riou-ly in the new Sibley tents which had been re. Regiment, three have been promoted to the first ceived, and were now for the first time pitched. rank, and five new Lieutenants' commissions have

been issued. These changes took place before : the " Morning Light" and moved down the Mis. the Regimeut took the field of active service.

March 28th, the Regiment embarked on board sisippa. We landed at Donaldsonville, the Key

in which they were posted, several miles cast Indian Bend, April 1 1th, the Twenty-fourth march- ed gallantly to the front in their turn, but the verge of battle; but no battle was fought. The | enemy were retreating. No shots were exchanged. roar of the guns of the ascending fleet on the river was distinctly heard, but its meaning was un. known ; the light of the burning Mississippi, cast- ing a lurid radiance over half the visible heavens, www gazed at with inquisitive wonder. but brought no intelligence of coming events; the terrible ex- plosion which ont sounded thunder and extin- quished the gloomy radiance, awakened only fear- ful apprehensions in those who were watching by night the progress of events. Sunday afternoon a retrograde movement towards Baton Rogue be- gan. The march was orderly but rapid, the men moving like ill-bred horses fastest toward home.

To detail the series of long marches by which the fleeing enemy was pursued, would weary the read- er. New Iberia was reached on the evening of April 16th, and Opelousas on the 20th, and Ba- nee's landing on the 26th. At Banee's landing, on Bayou Costableau, eight miles from Opelousas, the Regiment remained till the long-looked for Pay- master arrived, May 4th, and the next day re- sumed its march towards Alexandria; passed Cheneyville on the morning of the Sth, and ar- rived at Wells' plantation ou the 11th. From this point the line of march turned towards the Missis- sippi; passing through Moreanville, which had one flower garden beautiful enough to make it famous, the Regiment, weary and dusty, arrived at Simmesport on Sabbath afternoon of May 17th. Period of Fighting.

This is the climax of this Regiment's reeord. It was in the ndvance at the approach of Port Hudson, May 25th; it was in the assault on June 1.4th, and is the only Regiment which hekdl its position or remained on the field, and is now eu- gaged sapping the enemy's works.

List of the killed in the Twenty-fourth Regiment C. V., before Port Hudson.

May 25th, William Bray, Company A, from Mid- dletown.

June 14th, Amos G. Miller, Company A, from Mid- dletown. June 14th, Charles Rigby, Company D, from Cromwell. May 24th, Selleck Seot, Company D, from Mid- dletown. June 16th, Johu Barry, Company F, from Mid- dletown. June 14th, Charles Carroll, Company HI, from Ilartford. June 14th, Edwin Eaton, Company HI, from Hartford. June 14th, John McCarthy, Company H, from Hartford.

June 14th, Harvey Merriman, Company I, from Ilamden. June 14th, Edgar Ives, Company I, from Handen. June 14th, Robert Smith, Company I, from Mid- alletown. May 24th, John F. Carroll, Company K, from Hartford.

Incidents and Position of the Twenty-fourth Regi- ment at the Second Assault of Port Hudson, on June 14th, and the following week.

Period of Marching. The duty assigned the Twenty-fourth Regiment, of Lafouch District, where there is a sturdy little / Colonel Mansfield, was that of forwarding the From March 13th to May 21st, the character- fort in process of construction. Though teuts ! cotton bales, which were to fill up the meat and

istic duty of the Twenty fourth was marching, ! were here pitched as if our stay were to be some- This Regiment, in company with the Division to what permanent, on the morning of March 31st, fmann in our rear.

form n passage for the speedy advance of the col-

which it belonged, took part in the armed recon. iwe started on the road which leads along the noisance of Port Hudson, which proved to be one Bayou towards Thilodeaux, through a delightful With their guns slung upon their backs, and to each man two bags of cotton, this inexperienced, of the severesty tests of the power of the men to ' country, by fruitful tells aud pleasant seats till | small, and somewhat tired body of men, close to endure hardships which they have experienced. pa-sing Thibodeaux, when thousands of loyal the heels of the two Regiments of skirmishers As a trial trip to the troops it was damaging; as a people greeted us with smiles and pleasant looks, I who had before faced and fought the enemy, pushed feint to deceive the enemy and initiato active ope-'we arrived at Terra Bonne Station in the afternoon forward. rations, it was a magnificent success. The Twenty-of Ajeil 2d. The Regiment was now rested of Our skirmishers having failed to accomplish fourth left their camp ground about 3 P. M., and leg-wearine-s by a ride upon the cars of twenty their object, and falling like leaves in autumn, joined in the mighty procession, and before dark miles or thereshouts to Bayou Boeuf; thener rendered our service in the duty assigned us reached a ploughed held abont eight miles distant, marched. April 9th, to Brashier City, and the impossible ; but not to turn our backs we pushed where they stayed till morning, and some slept. | next day embaried on board the St. Mary's to f ourselves und bags to the crest of a hill to within Very carly the march was renewed, and before ascend the Atchafulya and the lakes through less than a hundred yards of the enemy's strong. sunset the weary troops reached the corn-field | which it flows. On the morning of the battle of fest works, and relieving ourselves of these incum-

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 6

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