The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 61

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

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The quota of the State under nll calls is filled, Unt still the recruits flow steadily in.

By a recent order, two hundred thousand men more are called for. Yet the quotn of the State is announced by the Adjutant General ns filled, including the requisition under this last call. To' Adjutant General Morse the people are largely in-

Bnt, a few facts and a little reflection will con vince even these doubters, and serve to allay much of the anxiety which troubles many sincere lovers of the country. The spagnodie efforts of excited | debted for this result. By his persistence the communities, moved by a powerful patriotic im- | National Government bas at last yielded a right pulse, are known no more ; but instead, we have . tardily-tardily, but all the more welcome that it an established system of netion, infinitely more : was so long waited for. Two years ago and more effective, though less demonstrative. The grand ; the Governor allowed the enlistment of a squad- Union meetings are no longer held ; for those who ron of cavalry for a regiment to be recruited from before attended to arouse or be aronsed, are not, the New England States and New York, each only awake, but working. Proffers publicly made ; State to be credited with the men enlisted fromn of money have been succeeded by a steady flow fits inhabitants. After the regiment had been of contributions through organizations whose . innstered in, a subsequent order transferred the branches reach every family, receiving the mite whole organization to the State furnishing the of the widow and the princely benefactions of the largest tomber of men. According to this order, wealthy. The spectacle of whole regiments of re. ; the whole regiment was credited to New York. enlisted veterans, and the smoked and tattered Connecticut, therefore, while furnishing the regular flags they proudly bear, has displaced the exhibi- State assistance to the families of the men of the tion of the banner draped hall, and speeches and regiment belonging here, has been deprived of music. The people everywhere, however out. their credit on her quota. This is now corrected. wardly absorbed in business and money-making. Notwithstanding the announcement that the State's quota is filled, as many recruits are offered as before. Many towns avail themselves of the list, and are either filling their own quotas or ac- are at work with a determination of will ned an earnestness of purpose in regar.l to this rebellion which only a righteous cause and a deep seated . facilities offered by the general disposition to en- confidence in ultimate success could inspire.

Without mentioning those gigantic organiza -: eumulating a surplus to their credit in case of any tions of benevolent aid to the soldier, and conse- future call. This is a very encouraging and favor- quently support to the Government, the Sanitary ! alle sign. There is no reason for despondeney. Commission and the Soldiers' Aid Societies, which Connecticut has always borne her share of the are supported wholly by the voluntary contriby. , burdens of war, and her people will not fail now. tions of the people on a senle of magnificence in . Let the work of recruiting go on. Continually is extent and resonrees never exhibited by the ben. , disease and casualty encroaching on the ranks efaction of any Government institution, the steady . of the defenders of the country, and the true poli- flow of recruits into the army is of itself sufficient cy is to as constantly replenish, and if possible to dissipate all doubts of the ultimate snecess of hicren-e the numbers of our men in the field, not the Government, and to exonerate the prople from only as a means of disheartening the managers of any charge of Inkewarmness. During the four the rebellion and rendering powerless their syn- months ending March Ist, nearly six thousand pathizers in the North, but to cheer and sustain inen volanteered and were mustered into the I'ni. those who have borne the "burden and heat of the ted States service, equal to a regiment nud a half day." A steady "continuance in well doing" ench month. When, after the first uprising of the seems to be an essential element of the nation's people, linve we by popular enthusiasm raised six success.

THE QUOTA OF THE STATE.

Steady, daily increase is being made to the num- In the four weeks of February, fourteen hundred ber of Connectient volunteers in the field. Through and fifty-six men voluntarily enlisted and were . the offices of the District Provost Marshals, and mastered. The flow of recruits is so regular that the regular recruiting stations, the number of re- at auy provost marshal's office the number of eruits added each month to our force is over one each week to come can be estimated with almost thousand. Since the recruiting under the present unfailing exactness; and ns the source from end- system was begun, last fall, the number enlisted Igration appears to be almost inexhaustible, there in the State, up to March Ist, is 5,956, to which

regiments in four months? Yet it has been done during these winter months of apparent apathy.

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[Artn.

add the number for March, 1,023, and we have a total of 6,979, or, in round numbers, 7.000 men in about five months. So the State has actually raised seven entire regiments during the last five months. It is a good record; and what makes it more encouraging is the fact that although the announcement was made some weeks ago that the quota of the State was filled under all calls, yet the falling off in the number enlisted the past month is searcely noticeable, when the approach of spring and the increasing demand for labor at nusually high wages is taken into consideration.

It may be safely stated that the number required of Connecticut by the National Government has been furnished, with a handsome surplus in re-erve, to apply on any future requisition. But the work should not stop. No efforts should be spared to place the people of the State beyond the contin- geney of a draft. What may be the future re- quirements of the public service for men cannot be foreseen, and it is the dictate of sound polier as well as true patriotism to forestall the demands of the government.

credit of the State through the exertions of Adjutant General Morse. For a long time there had been a difference between the rolls in the Adjutant General's office here and those in the corresponding department in Washington. This difference has been adjusted, and the State is now credited with 1,586 men not before counted for Connecticut. Of this number are 162 men com- posing the Connecticut squadron of the Harris | I am well qualified for the experience which will Light Cavalry, 57 men not betore credited on account of difference in muster-in rolls, and 1,867 recruits.

The work of recruiting will proceed during the present month with somewhat less of success them | me from the purpose to live, or else die, for the heretofore, for the requirements of every branch , glorious flag of our Union.

Yours truly, E. M. L.

The members of Co. D. Thirtieth C. V., recently presented to Lieutenant John E. Wheelock an ele- gant sword, sash, and belt. The affair occurred in the chapel at the Conscript Camp, Fair Haven. An opening speech was made by T. Jones, and the ! to our request.

presentation speech by Orderly Sergeant Win. J. Whipple. Both speeches were well worded and delivered, and reflect eredit on the soldiers who tunde them. Lieutenant Wheelock responded briefly, but handsomely.

Military Schools.

The rapid increase of military schools is eliar- service of the United States, whether said di abil. ; actori-tie of the age. The value of early military ity is the result of wounds or disease, are entitled ' training, in forming the bearing and character of to receive pensions during the continuance of such 'men, is now clearly felt and appreciated. disability. " Widows. minor children under six- Among this class of schools, it gives us pleasure teen years of age, mothers dependent for support . upon persons who have been engaged in the sto notice one recently established by C. W. Petti. military or naval service, and have died of bone, in a beautiful and healthy location in Win- contracted disability therein which has resulted chester, Conn.

in death, and orphan si-ters dependent in like. only one full pension being granted on necount of

Mr. Pettibone was Colonel of the "fighting manner, are also entitled to receive pensions- Tenth C. V." but his health failing him he resign- such deceased person. A bounty of $loo is due, ed, and has now opened this select military school. the following parties, viz. Soldiers who have been Col. Pettibone is a finished scholar and a man honorably discharged from any canse after a of high character. His school will be unsurpassed service of two years, or those who have been dis- in educational advantages, and afford also oppor- tunies for military training. charged in consequence of wounds received in battle without regard to term of service. Rela- tives of deceased soldiers are entitled to bounty in the following order, viz, widows, children, fathers. mothers, brothers and sisters-n mother of a de- ceased soldier is entitled to the Stan bounty though the father may be living, if the latter has abandoned the support of his family. Parties

One of the neatest inventions of the day is the nne Magie Button Key, just brought into market by Camp & St. John of New Haven, It is simple and reliable, and will save for the soldiers, espe- having claims for pensions, bounty, and arrears | eially, many stitches and the loss of many buttons.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD

APRIL, 1864.

** All communications should be addressed to "THE Cox- NECMICUT WAR RECORD," Neio llaren, Conn.

One of the most serious mistakes of those who are not versed in liberty, is to imagine that liberty consists in withholding the necessary power from government. FRANCIS LIEBER.

At the risk of ineurring the charge of vanity and self-adulation, we print two or three of many unsought expressions of commendation from our gallant subscribers in the field. One soldier writes, "The War Record is an excellent paper, just what we soldiers want, and its appearance is hailed every month with joy." Another writes, "We become more and more interested every month in the War Record. It seems to be improved in every number." That is just what we aim to do. Still another writes us, "The boys begin alinost with the month to ask for the War Records, anxious to have them arrive."

We are compelled to postpone the record of the reception of the Tenth Regiment-also the flag presentation and departure of the Twenty-ninth Regiment-an excellent account of the battle of Olustee, with several other matters of value. Our readers shall have all these as rapidly as wo can crowd them into our coluunns.

In our last issue, we adverted to the dilatoriness of our city carrier with some severity. He pleads in extenuation that he was quite ill, aud could not do better. We desire to do no one injustice, and cheerfully give him the benefit of his explanation.

In our February mimber we expressed a desire to know and thank the donor of that sturdy and tireless Union sheet, "The Knoxville Whig and Rebel Ventilator." We venture to print the reply

CINCINNATI, O., March 11th, 1864. Editor of " Connecticut War Record."

DEAR SIR :- The seventh number of your excel- lent paper reached us this morning. After reading it nearly through, we came upon your inquiry as to who sent yon the Whig. By this note you shall know his name. An unconditional Union East Tennesseean, General Agent for the paper in all the loyal States. The North knows nothing of the value of this Union, or the cost of it by expe- rience. We have lost everything, suffered every- thing, endured every threat, menace, and invec- tive, every irjury at the hands of the rebels-our tormentors and persecutors-are financially ruin- ed, and everything gone but character, honor, lore of our country, and the emblem of our Na- tion's honor. These remain inviolate, and -- thank God !-- as unshaken as the mountains that begirt the Eastern section of our beautiful State.

I must close, and in so doing I have the honor to subscribe myself,

Yours truly, A. E. BLUNT, General Agent of Knoxville Whig. C. S. Hubbard of New Haven, is the author- ized agent for the Whig in New England, except Massachusetts.

Back Numbers 10 cents per copy.

Pensions, Bounties, and Arrears of Pay.

We have been kindly furnished with the fol. lowing important facts by lleury Roger-, 14q .. of this city, who thoroughly understands these matters, and has been very successful in the prese. cution and collection of claims in the different de- ; partments during the past year.

Officers and soldiers who have resigned or have been honorably discharged in consequence of disability contracted in the military or naval

of pay, should intrust them to a competent .Attor. ney, and thereby save needless expense and delay. Owing to the numerous claims filed in the differ- ent departments, some delay is unavoidable.

The following is an extraet front a letter written by Captain E. M. Lee, formerly of Guilford, Con- necticut. IIe belonged to the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, aud was taken prisoner during a charge on Stuart's cavalry, near Warrenton, October 19, 1863:

LIBBY PRISON, Dee. 20, 1863.

* *

* * To-day, the sunlight of a beauti. ful Sabbath streams with unwouted brightness through the narrow prisou windows, reminding us that God bestows it alike on all, and that only man places a screen between it and ns.

My little household (one member) is located in a room with three hundred other inen, of every grade of commission in the service. Four other roonis in the prison are occupied by officers, ina- king a total of between eleven and twelve hun- dred. The authorities here have ceased to receive

Quite a number have been recently added to the | stores from associations or private individuals at the North, so I am now reduced to the inconsider- able rations issued by the South to its soldiers and prisoners. Hunger stares us in the face, but does not frigliten me. Better men than I have suffered-better men than I have died. The last fate may not necessarily be mine, however, for the rations suplied will keep soul and body to- gether. My health, too, is excellent ; so you see go to make up a part of the great problem of life we are all trying to solve. Never believe that I am disheartened, for " none of these things mnove me." No human misfortune can swerve

of mechanical business, and especially agriculture, will attract many to eivil pursuits who otherwise would enter the field.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

OUR STATE POINTS TO DEEDS, NOT ACHES.

JOHN M. MORRIS, Editor. HORACE C. PECK, Publisher. S

NEW HAVEN, MAY, 1864.

VOL. I. No. 10. $1 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

For the Connecticut War Record. Record of Events.

March 28. Rebels defeated at the month of Cane River, La .; 500 prisoners taken. Capture of Eagle Pass, 400 miles above Brownsville, Texas.

March 29. Colonel Clayton defeats the rebels at Longview, Ark., taking 320 pris- oners.

March 30. Unsuccessful cavalry skirmish with Forrest at Somerville, Tenn. Colonel Clayton defeats the enemy at Monticello, Ark.

April 2. Skirmish between Grierson and Forrest near Somerville, Tenn. Enemy's cavalry repulsed by Steele's rear guard in Southwestern Arkansas.

it was impossible for the fire from the fort road cach corps was immediately followed to reach its bottom. Under cover of this by its own transportation. The result of this

ravine the rebels formed for the final assault.

April 4. Successful cavalry fight under Steele on the south side of the Little Missou- ri River, Ark. arrangement was, that the army became They were successful only by reason of their stretched along a line of fifteen miles or superior numbers. The negroes did not fail- more from front to rear, and that, too, with ter or flinch till it was evident they were but a single road to bring up the troops from April 8. National troops under Banks defeated at Sabine Cross Roads, La. overpowered. Then they broke and ran to- the rear to the front, and that road, too, wards the river. Thereupon ensued a scene blocked up with transportation wagons. Such April 9. Rebels defeated at Pleasant Hill, La., by Gen. Banks ; 600 prisoners taken. of horrible barbarity that beggars description. la method is exactly adapted for an army on Whether wounded or not, the negro soldiers . the march which does not expect to give or of the Republic were indiscriminately butch- receive battle; but for fighting it is danger- April 11. Rebel cavalry repulsed at Rose- ville, on the Ark. River. ered in cold blood. No distinction was paid ous. If the head of the column be attacked to age or sex. Negro children and negro the remainder cannot be brought up in time April 12. Rebels capture Fort Pillow, Tenn., and massacre the garrison. Gunboats women were alike slaughtered. Every mark to save it from being crushed ; and this was of incarnate hate and deviltry was displayed. the fact in the present instance. Besides, silence the rebel batteries on the Red River Eveu the dead had no right to Christian . the transportation, immediately following above Grand Encore, killing and wounding 500. Rebel cavalry defeated at Paintsville, Ky. treatment. Their bodies were piled together 'the leading divisions, not only chokes up the and burned. Several wounded negro sol- . road, but also is in great danger of being diers were buried alive. Que of these was lost ; and this, too, was the fact in this in- compelled to help in digging his own grave. stance.

April 13. Successful raid to Smithfield, Va., by Gen. Graham.

April 14. Rebels surprised at Half Moun- tain, Ky. ; 70 prisoners taken. Evacuation of Pilatka, Fla., by the Federals. -

April 19. Gunboat Southfield sunk by a rebel ram at Plymouth, N. C.

April 22. Rebels capture Plymouth, N. C .; loss of 1500 men (among them the 16th Conn.) and 20 guns. Successful naval expe- dition up the Rappahannock.

April 23. Surprise and capture of 30 Federal pickets at Nickajack Gap, Ga.

Wyoming could have been no more atro- cious. Here is the doctrine that "the negro ry, the extreme advance, was attacked by the has no rights that the white man is bound to 'enemy in overwhelming force at Sabine Cross respect" with a vengeance. Nor were the Roads, at 2 P. M. of the 8th ult., and, after white officers commanding these negroes, or obstinate fighting, was routed, losing all its the native white Tennesseeans, exempt from transportation and twenty guns. The 19th the slaughter. No quarter was designed to Corps succeeded in checking the pursuit of have been given them, and but few escaped. the enemy, though the battle raged with Unmistakably this daring outrage calls down great fury till darkne-s terminated it. Dur- upon the head of the so-called confederacy 'ing the night Banks withdrew his advance the unmitigated curse of mo lern civilization, 'to Pleasant Hill, where Gen. Smith, after in- and demands at the hands of our Govern. . finite difficulty, had brought up his com- j mand. The Union army, two-thirds of

ment an immediate and terrible retaliation.

For the Connecticut War Record. Review of Events.

NUMBER TEN.

mouth, in North Carolina, constitute the a portion of the army, on board the trans- principal military events of the past month. ; ports, and the gunboats, were directed to as-

The massacre of the brave garrison at cend still further to Springfield Landing, Fort Pillow, after they had surrendered, was ; while the main body of the army was to an act of such savage ferocity and brutality . march overland to the same place. The ad- that the world would hesitate to believe it of vance by land from Grand Ecore began on men professing to be civilized, were not the ; the 6th ult. Two cavalry brigades were in fact as patent as the sun in heaven. The the extreme front. Then followed the 13th garrison consisted of two hundred white Corps. Then came an interminable train of troops and four hundred negrocs. From sun- wagons, containing ammunition and subsist- rise till 4 P. M. this little band had held at ence. Behind these was the 19th Corps. bay three or four thousand of the rebels uu- Last of all were the troops of that noble sol- der Forrest. Finally the enemy succeeded dier, Andrew Jackson Smith. There does

in reaching a deep ravine about thirty yards from the fort, whose sides were so steep that

not seem to have been but one road on which the army was thus marching, and along this

The 13th Corps, forming, with the caval-

After Franklin had reached Alexandria by [ which had just been beaten in detail, was way of the Teche and had there united with now concentrated, and on the next day had the victorious division of Smith, the com- ! a fair chance to show what it could do when bined expeditionary force, under the person- properly handled. The 19th Corps was drawn up in front, and behind it, concealed

The three disasters, at Fort Pillow, on the al direction of Gen. Banks, ascended the Red upper waters of the Red River, and at Ply- River as far as Grand Ecore. At this point by the nature of the ground, were the vete-

190

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[MAY,

rans of Smith, in two lines, with artillery bristling along their whole extent. The in expectation of the terrible storin of war rebels, exultant and confident of victory, wbich will soon 'break with appalling fury dasbed with great fury against the 19th over the fields of the Old Dominion.

Corps, which, fighting bravely and inflicting severe loss upon the enemy. slowly fell back and passed through Smith's lines. Thinking that they had won the day, the rebels pressed on with great vigor till they reached a posi- tion completely commanded by the artillery and rifles of Smith's division. The order to fire was at once given, and it is reported that wounded by this single discharge. Sinith at once followed up his advantage, and cleared the field with the bayonet, taking six hun- dred prisoners. Thus ended the fighting of the day, with a substantial victory for the national army. Why this vietory was not followed up by Gen. Banks, is not positively known. But large quantities of his supplies, ammunition and transportation had been captured, and without these it was difficult to advance. Besides, he had lost some four thousand men in these engagemements, and though the enemy had probably suffered as severely, yet these, and perbaps other rea- sons, induced bim to fall back to Grand Ecore, to which place also the gunboats were ! have the most perfect confidence in him. obliged to return.

A permanent camp was made on Burton's plantation, one mile below Tibodeauxville. one thousand of the enemy were killed and This was a very strong secesh country. Gens, Bragg and Polk, Col. Burton and Major Potts, and many other prominent se- cessionists, owned plantations about Tibo- deauxville. After about two weeks without tents, our camp equipage eame by the Ope- lusas Railroad, and we remained in this mud most of the winter. Lieutenant Colonel Colburn was appointed Superintendent of the New Orleans and Opelusas Railroad, and Commissary Sergeant C. W. Greene Secre- tary of the road. Major Peek took command of the Twelfth. They were thoroughly ex- ercised in bayonet practice, and all eamp du- ties strictly observed. General Weitzel was a great favorite, and the men seemed to The Reserve Brigade went on an expedition up the Teche, to destroy the gunboat J. A. Cotton, in January, 1863. The cavalry were

Of the circumstances attending the sur- render of the forts at Plymouth and their garrison of fifteen hundred men, it is known transported with the batteries across the that these forts sustained an attack of four Achafalaya, to go by land, and the infantry, under General Weitzel, preceded by several gunboats, under Commodore Buchanan, passed up and landed at Patersonville, and, marching a mile or two beyond the village, formed line of battle, and there slept in a cornfield. No rebels appeared in force, and days' duration, and that at last they were taken only by storm, after five distinct and terrible repulses ; and it is reported, on good authority, that the loss of the rebels was sey- enteen hundred killed and wounded. If this be so, the national troops fought most hero- ically, selling themselves more than man for | next morning we went on through some of man, and the rebels purchased the glory of a victory at a frightful sacrifice of life.

The primary cause of the disaster was the fact that a rebel ram succeeded in running down the Roanoke river, destroying some | huge boat, with her rebel flag, was in plain gunboats, and eluding, under cover of dark- [ view, and, being aground, she remained ness, the heavy guns of the forts. Once be- until we were quite abreast of her, when, low Plymouth, the ram effeetnally prevented reinforcements to the beleaguered garrison.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 61

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