The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 62

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

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had the banks of the river well lighted by bonfires, so that the ram could not have passed down without being seen. But upon the navy rested the chief responsibility of maintaining communications with Plymouth, and this disaster is therefore attributable ei- ther to the misfortune or lack of foresight of the Navy Departinent.

were we not holding our breath, as it were, not. In a moment the artillery opened upon her, and taught her, by many a shot crashing through her woodwork, she must be off or sink. We slept that night in a canefield, in the extreme advance. It was bitter cold, and a moderate rain added not a little to For the Connecticut War Record. The Twelfth --- (Regimental History.) (Continued.) our discomfort. Our rations that day were fraw pork and bard bread, but food never tasted better. By daylight next morning we saw the bright fire made by the burning of the saucy gunboat. She was so disabled the rebels concluded to fire her, and she lays in the Teche a charred, unsightly mass. The object of our expedition being accom- plished, we returned, and before the next morning were all landed in Brashear City, and next night arrived at our old camp in Thibodeaux, to find all our floors and lum- ber gone, so we slept on the ground. We have spent winters in Vermont, Massachu- setts, and Connecticut, among the hills, along the streams, and by the sea shore, but we never suffered more from cold than on this expedition. Twice had the Twelfth done their duty on the battle field, and, as good soldiers, endured the hardships inci- dent to the expedition without complaint.

In February we moved to Brashear, and remained in Camp Reno and at Bayou Boeuf until the first of April, when we joined the grand expedition through Western Louis- iana, ending with the capture of Port IIud- son. In March, Co. A was detailed with a company from the 160th N. Y. to go as sharpshooters on board the gunboat Diana, on a reconnoisance into Grand Lake. Capt. Peirson, thinking he could run the gauntlet of the forces along the Teche, came out through the Achapalaya, and the rebels opened upon them so severely with artillery and sharpshooters that they were obliged to surrender. Capt. Peirson was killed at the first shot, and nearly every officer wounded. Lieut. Francis, who had volunteered on the

the stoutest cane, so that it was almost im- possible to go in line of battle. That morn- ing's march of five miles will be remembered by those engaged in it. Before noon, the boat, was shot through the body. He had just returned to the regiment, having been taken prisoner at Labadeville, and, after a few weeks on corn meal in several of the Confederate prisons, was exchanged. Lients. Bulkley and Laure, with Sergt. Maj. Chas. tured. One private was killed, and several wounded. In a few days they were paroled, except the officers, and sent back. They fought well as long as there was any chance. Co. A's revolving rifle, a present from Col. Colt of IIartford, was fired while the amniu- nition lasted, and then taken apart and thrown into the bayou in different places.

[after some of her men were shot by our sharpshooters along the bank, and under a Precautions should have been taken to have [terrible fire from our artillery, she backed off Sherman and thirty men of Co. A, were cap- around a bend in the bayou. Her armament was powerful, and she used it well while she could. The obstructions prevented our gunboats ascending the bayou. We ad- vanced a little more, and formed for a severe battle in case she came down again. The Twelfth were on the left of the advance. After a few hours her black smoke was seen

About the first of April we crossed the

The year has thus far opened unfavorably, at the bend in the bayou, and all eyes were and doubtless our ears would be deafeued turned up the river as her shot ploughed up bay, the advance brigade of the Nineteenth with clamors against the Administration, I the ground around us; but our line wavered Army Corps. At Bisland, on the exact

191

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1864.]

ground where we had fought the steamer day. On this very severe march the men crashing was terrific. Large trees were eut Cotton, the rebels had erected a line of forti- suffered from blistered feet. Friday changed off and came smashing to the ground, and fications, extending from the bayou to the swamp. On Sunday, April 12th, we at- tacked the place, and all day the roar of ar- tillery and the crash of small arms told how fearfully the contest raged. The Twelfth supported a battery on the left, and were under fire nearly all day, but at night with- drew out of range, but still in the front, watched and slept alternately, often alarmed by picket firing. Monday morning we sup- ported the Indiana Parrots, and in the after- noon advanced through the canefield to the extreme front, while the bullets from the front and from the woods ou the left zip through the cane continually. The Twelfth skirmislied and supported a battery, and for hours every shot from the enemy and from our own guns passed over their heads. Maj. Lewis lost his horse, two men were killed, and Lieut. Taintor, of Co. C, wounded by a sbot from our own batteries.

t was a fearful day. Scarcely four hundred yards from the enemy's batte- ries, our brave boys lay concealed by a plantation diteb, and saw the grape and can- nister sweep along just over their heads. The regiment remained under fire until dark, when they were withdrawn and allowed a night of rest, a little in the rear of the front line. General Weitzel expected the enemy would evacuate that night, but as the pick- ets failed to inform him that they were going, we did not pursue until morning. The columnn was early set in motion, and that night rested a few miles beyond Franklin. The force sent around by Irish Bend failed to prevent the escape of the rebels, and, ex- cept stragglers that were picked up, we ob- tained no prisoners. Our loss at Bisland was two killed and thirteen wounded, some of whom afterwards died. The army moved on to Opelusas, 110 miles from Brashear, and

our camp to a grove on the bank of the Red the solid shot would pass apparently a quar- river, about two miles above Alexandria. Sat- ter of a mile through the tops of the trees, whistling and erashing, and then bury them- selves in the earth. urday night inarched six miles, slept few hours in a cornfield, and Sunday marcbed twenty- After passing the third and last line of battle, the Twelfth were ordered to skirmish in front of the division, and if possible drive away the artillerists, by sharpshooters, from the rebel guns, so that our artillery could get in position. Just as they were filing off to execute this order, Major Lewis falls, struck by a grape-shot, making a ghastly wound near the collar bone on the right side. Sev- eight miles up Red river. Monday afternoon marched six miles further, to the pine woods, where we found beach, oak, and pine trees, that looked like home. We returned to our eamp same night, and next day to our posi- tion on the river above Alexandria. Thurs- day, May -14th, relieve the Sixth N. Y. at Alexandria, who go home. Sunday the whole force evacuate the place and march twenty-five miles. Monday, 18th, Twelfth eral others are wounded, and every one on picket duty. It was getting very hot, wonders that any one can live ; a man's life is worth nothing apparently, so many are falling on every side. The Twelfth are sent out deployed, covering a large space, and drive the gunners away from four pieces, which gave rise to the story that the Twelfth had taken fonr pieces of artillery. Our ar- tillery is not long in getting a position from which they dismount these troublesome pieces of the rebels. The skirmishers eross the terrible ravine, filled with fallen trees and rubbish, and stand on one side, the rebel parapet only a few feet from them. Capt. Brennan received a ball in the arm while skirmishing. and our water was of the poorest kind, ob- tained from a small bayou where men batired and horses drank. Moved camp several times, and onee, when some cavalry were captured, we marched several miles in advance and returned, in one of the most severe dusts ever raised. That night at 11 P. M. we marched silently away, and by 12 M. made twenty-five miles. The heat, dust, and hunger made this our most severe day. Next day reached Simsport, on the Achaf I- laya. Sunday, after all the train and about three thousand negroes had crossed, we em. barked on the " Laurel Hill." Our pickets were the last to leave. We sailed up to the Now was the golden opportunity. It was Mississippi and down to Bayon Sara, where, hardly 10 o'clock, and one more advance landing Monday morning, May 25th, we marched to the rear of Port Hudson, some eigliteen miles. A large well there supplied water about one hour, when it was com- pletely dried. Tuesday moved forward and occupied ground where our troops had driven

would give us their works. Will it be made ? The other regiments of the Reserve Brigade fought splendidly, drove the enemy from the ravines, taking some prisoners, and occupying a position of safety and strength scarce two hundred yards from the rebel away the rebels that day, in line of battle. |rifle pits. No further advance is made. One People in civil life might think that at such ; brigade could not do it alone-brokeu, torn,

a time there would be a great deal of solem- nity. We were face to free with a terrible

and mangled, hundreds having been killed and wounded-and as support did not come fortress, and many, we knew not who, must ! up, the brave men rested where they were. there rested a few weeks. A large amount be mangled and die in its capture ; the mo-| All day the Twelfth skirmished, three com- of cotton and sugar was taken out of this ment was approaching when the word " for- ward" would be given, and no matter what dangers were encountered, they must be braved ; but we noticed no per- country. While at Opelusas the force was reviewed by General Banks. The Twelfth was on picket four days and nights in sueces- sion. The band which had been formed from the regiment in March and were left to practice at Brashear, joined us and were present at dress parade.

panies at a time, until their ammunition was exhausted, and then their places were sup- plied by others. Never did men behave better : never did the officers have more per- ceptible difference in the appearance of fect control over the men, or men spring to the inen, so habituated do they become to execute orders more promptly, than in this danger. The Twelfth lay there in line as terrible ravine, dealing death to many a calmly as if awaiting transportation in Hart- rebel, and dealing with death themselves. On Monday afternoon, May 4th, formed ford. Wednesday morning came, and at 6: The companies as they returned brought line and marched on through Washington, where we halted a short time to repair a bridge, and then marehed till 2 A. M. At 7g the line was again in motion. General the ground would allow, the line entered and passed on in the woods; then, marching by the flank, we passed two brigades in line, Dwight's brigade had seven miles the start of us. Thursday night, just at his rear, about 10 P. M., we marehed into Alexan- o'clock we were ready to go through the | their wounded with them, but left their woods which lay between us and the rebel idead, as they could not be brought off. Af- earthworks. As straight as the nature of ; ter dark, the cooks who had prepared coffee and meat, brought in to the tired men who picketed the ravine that night. So blind was the way that one of our cooks came and now the shell and round shot began to near carrying his hot coffee to the rebels, dria, having made thirty-four miles the last eut through the trees ; but on we go. The | but, when challenged by their sentries on

192

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[MAY,

the parapet, coneluded he was too far in of Confederates, with several batteries, block- About the Ist of September the regimeut

advance, and withdrew a little.

aded the river within sixty miles of New Or- were ordered to Algiers, to go on the expe-

The next day the regiment joined their | leans, and had overrun all the country which ; dition to Sabine Pass, but, by the merest brigade in- a very small ravine, which was nearly a year before we had wrested from accident, were left behind, and possibly es- when the power of man failed, the Almighty appeared for our salvation. Vicksburg fell, April, they slept under canvas, having ob- tained shelter tents for the men and "A" and l'ort Hudson was out of provisions. The tents for the officers, such as are allowed coru, eattle, and most of the mules, had been | servants. Sickness, principally ehills and eaten, and no hope from outside appearing, they surrendered ; and on that day, long to exposed to a flauk fire. A flag of truce from them by the battle of Labadieville. But eaped capture. Here, for the first time since 2 P. M. until 7 enabled us to bury our dead, but as soon as it was withdrawn, such a ter- rifie fire from large and small arms is seldom heard. Crashi went the shell from multitudes of death-dealing cannon, and the "zip" " zip" of Minie balls just over our heads was fever, spread rapidly, and when the regiment were ordered again to Brashear, to go on the be remembered-the 9th of July-we great expedition into Western Louisiana, marched into the place and past the six thousand prisoners drawn up to surrender. they mustered not more than two hundred rifles. The Twelfth is an intelligent regi- ment, as is proved from their correspondenee and from the thorough manner in which the library was read before its capture at Bra- shear City. The fighting foree of the Twelfth has been diminished by detail very much ; sometimes our list of "absent on duty " has reached two hundred. Col. Deming was twice sent North, then four months Mayor long siege, onee more breathe freely. The of New Orleans. Col. Colburn for nearly a work is not done yet, however. The Reserve Brigade immediately took boats, and the next morning landed at Donaldson- ville. We were fired into by some rebels on the bank, but no one of the Twelfth injured. What looking men ! After a march of three hundred miles aud an imprisonment of forty- two days, the regiment, less the one hundred and eight men killed and wounded in that constant for an hour. Our boys got the bet- ter of them, and after a while the fire slack- ened. Putting up logs with rifle embrasures, they were posted as sharpshooters. In this ravine, hardly one hundred and fifty yards from the enemy, the Twelfth lay day and night unrelieved-except for three days, when we were sent out to capture some rebels that troubled our rear-from this time (May 28th) until July 9th, when we marched tri- umphant from our dens into Port Hudson. Almost daily some one was killed or wound. ed ; but, with ouly dirty water from a brook to drink, with food all brought in, cooked

The rebels had taken Brashear City, the more than a mile to the rear, losing strength, Opelusas Railroad for nearly fifty miles, and losiug faith, losing life, they stuck to their post. | held all LaFourche district except the inem-

year was in charge of the Opelusas Railroad, building transports and other work at New Orleans, assisted materially by Sergt. C. W. Greene, Secretary of the Opelusas Railroad and afterwards Asst. Superintendent, and A.

In two attaeks they participated. On the ! orable little fort at Donaldsonville, whereone 10th of June, when Cos. A, B, and K passed | hundred fought one thousand, and won the S. Greene, Secretary of the Jackson. Dr. over into the terrible ravine on our left, where a man could hardly go in the day battle. After two weeks' stay on the river bank at Donaldsonville, the Twelfth and time, and because orders were not earried | Thirteenth C. V., under command of Lieut. out by the cther troops, they drew the ene- | Col. Peck, on the steamer Creseent, passed my's concentrated fire, and seventeen out of thirty-four of Co. B were killed and wound- ed. Captains Granniss, Clarke, and Roach

Brownell was on Gen. Butler's Stat, then in eharge some months of St. James Hospital. Drs. Leavenworth, Cummings, and Lines have been on duty in the eity. Capts. Lewis, Clark, Frankau, Lieuts. Brennan, Buckley, Lowell, Clark, Cornwall, Potter, and Har- mount, have acted as Provost Marshals. Lieut. Hanks, later Colonel, has been super- intendent of contrabands on General Banks' Staff, assisted by a corps of members of the Twelfth. Lieut. O'Neil was Ordnance Offi- eer about a year on Gen. Weitzel's Staff. Large numbers have obtained commissions in uew regiments raised in Louisiana, while ish, and no wonder that in one month one the Twelfth has furnished quartermaster and commissary elerks, telegraph operators, fever. A train of sixty cars had been burned wagon masters, blacksmiths, butlers, herds- on the track, and all the bridges down to men, secretaries and elerks, hospital stew- ards, nurses ; in faet, every department of fifteen miles from New Orleans met the same| gether and entered the ditch leading up to the | fate. A detachment from the Twelfth and military life has drawn on the Twelfth for Thirteenth, under Lieut. McCall, eleared off material.

down the river and around to Brashear City. We found our gunboats there, but the rebels had fled. All our baggage, camp equipage, were wounded and taken to the hospital in i papers, books, library, and everything that! the rear, together with more than thirty men. belonged to the regiment, except what they Co. G were ordered ont to cover the return | had with them, was gone. With the boards of the others. The 14th of June will long! and timber left in that now desolate place, the men made themselves bunks, and a little protection from the sun, but none from the mosquitoes. The water was very brack- be remembered by the brave army besieging Port Hudson. About 12 o'clock, midnight, the Twelfth left their position. It was in- tensely dark. The guide who was sent to direet them lost his way ; au aid of General , hundred men were sick with intermittent Weitzel, who came to his reseue, lost his way ; the regiment got separated by flanks, but, after considerable wandering, came to. parapet where the assault was to be made before daylight. The place could not be the rubbish, relaid the rails, and rebuilt a carried, at least on that Sabbath day, and there our men lay in the ravines and behind stumps and logs, in the boiling sun, without goodly number of officers and men.

The drum corps, which at one time was long bridge over Bayou Ramus. They worked one of the finest in the department, are not the last night until morning, and finished the all as true as steel, and have given place in a job in season to meet the railroad hands ; measure to the fine band raised in the regi- food and drink, until night, wben, weaker from the city at Bayou Boeuf. Capt. Low- ment, which lately entertain and inspire us and more discouraged, they returned to their | ell, of Co. II, by eight hours' labor put one with their musie. Lieut. James Smith, with old watch. Our loss in that charge was railroad engine in running order, which the his provost guard selected from the Twelfth about twenty-five. When the storming col- rebels thought they had entirely disabled. In . at Port Hudson, was of immense service in umn was formed, the Twelfth furnished a a few days, connection was again complete keeping men up to the front. In the first to the city, and the paymaster, ever wel- four days he reports finding only one man The days from the 1st of July until the come, now doubly so, paid us from Ist of from the Twelfth shirking duty. We have surrender were dark indeed. A large foree Jaunary to Ist of July.

our black list also of meu who have left ns.

1864.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

193

We trust God will forgive them for desert- ing their country in time of peril ; we cannot.

Twelfth. Willing to labor, often abused in membrance by many a soldier to whom they words, they have shown themselves worthy have done a kindness in the first two years of the freedom which we trust this war will of our military life.

[ensure to them. The Toms, Sams, Jerrys, : Subjoined is a list of the changes and pro- Georges, &c., may never be known to the motions in two years :

RANK.

COMPANY.

DATE OF COMMISSIONS.

NAME.

First.

Second.

From.

First.

Second.

HI. C. Deming,

Colonel.

Resigned Jan. 31, 1863.

Ledvard Colburn,

Lieut. Colonel.

Colonel.

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

Jan. 31, 1863. Jan. 31, 1863.

F. 11. Peek,

Major.

Lient. Colonel.

Feb., 1862.

Jan. 1, 1862.

Jan. 31, 1863.

Wounded at Port Hudson.

M. C. Leavenworth, John Welch,

Ist Asst. Burg. 2d Asst. Surg.

Died, December, 1862. Died, March, 1862.

James R. Cummings, Jarius F. Lines,

2d Asst. Surg.

Ist Asst. Surg.

Jan. 1, 1802. June, 1862.

Dec., 1863.

James H. Bradford, S. B. Ives,

Adjutant.

Resigned, December, 1862.

Ist Lieut. Co. E. Adjutant.

April, 1863.

Resigned, December, 1862.

Henry C. Tutttle, George N. Lewis, John Brennan,

Ist Lieutenant.

Captain.

1I.

Jau. 1, 1862. JAN. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

July 7, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, April 1, 1863. Prisoner from March, 1863, in Texas.

William S. Buekley, Charles Laurie, Samuel 1I. Granniss, Charles O'Neil, J. L. Francis,

Ist Lieutenant. Sergeant Major.

2d Lieutenant.

June 11, 1862. : ( Promoted to Ist Lieut. Co. K, August, 1862,

wounded Mar. 1863, died Nov., 1863, at Vicksb.

Frank Smith, L. A. Diekinson, William Berry,

Ord. Sergeant.

ed Lieutenant.

Jan. 1, 1862.

June 11, 1862. Oct. 1, 1863.

I. S. Taintor.

2d Lieutenant.

Oct. 1, 1863.

Dismissed U. S. service, Nov. 19, 1862.

Horace E. Phelps, Nathan Frankau, H. F. Chappell, James E. Smith,

1st Lieutenant. 2d Lieutenant.

Ist Lieutenant. G.

Jan, 1, 1862.

Nov. 19, 1863. 1 Nov. 19, 1862. Feb. 4, 1863.

Acting Adjutant from September, 1862. Resigned, surg. certificate, Feb. 4, 1863.

2d Lieuteuaut. Corporal. Captain.

2d Lieutenant. I.

Captain.

Oct. 1, 1863.

Resigned, March, 1862. - Resigned, June 11, 1862. 'Adj. Apr. 1862, Lt. Col. 4th La. Eng., Sept., 1863. Prisoner from March, 1863, in Texas.

George A. Harmount, Charles Laurie, J. Crossman, S. E. Clark,

2d Lieutenant. 2d Lieutenant. Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

2d Lieutenant.

Wounded at Port Hudson.

Theodore Clark, E. W. Bushnell,

2d Lieutenant. Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

Ist Lieutenant. ed Lieutenant.

April 1, 1563. Sent North for conscripts, August, 1863. Sent North for couseripts, August, 1863.

L. E. Braley, A. D. MeCall,

Ist Lientenant. 2d Lieutenant. Com. Sergeant.

2d Lieutenant.

June 6, 1502.

U. S. Navy, Aug. 9, 1862.

James E. Smith,

2d Lieutenant. C.

Joseph Troy,

Ist Lieutenant. Ist Lieutenant.

Captain. Captain.

JI.

II.

= 1I.

11.

June 24, 1863. 1

Charles O. Roome, J. M. Deforest,

Ist Lieutenant. 2d Lieutenant. Ord. Sergeant. Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

2d Lieutenant, 11.

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

June 11. 1862. June 11, 1862.

Acting Q. M. from April to September, 1863. Promoted to 1st Lient. Co. A, October 1, 1803. Resigned, August 20, 1862.

James 1). Roach,

Ist Lieutenant. 2d Lieutenant.

Captain. 1st Lieutenant. B.

Sept. 20, 1562. Wounded nt l'ort Hudson.

James L. Francis, Stanton Allen.

2d Lieutenant.

Jan. 1, 1862.

Died, August, 1863.

Jan., 1862.

Wounded, April, 1862; resigned, surg. certificate.

Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

Captain.

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

George D. Potter, II. J. Fletcher, S. D. Byxbee, A. C. Ilendricks, Gilbert Bogart, Ed. Nearing.

Ist Lieutenant. 1st Lieutenant.

2d Lieutenant.

1st Lieutenant. 1st Lieutenant.

E E.

June 11. 1962. Oct., 1863. Mny, 1862.

April 1, 1863.

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

Resigned, surg. cert., June 6, 1862. ( Resigned to accept Paymaster's commission in

George W. Stedman,

Ord. Sergeant. Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

Wounded at Port Hudson. Died, June, 1862.

A. T. Ashmead, John Brennan, J. P. Lowell, George Il. IIanks,

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1662. Jan. 1, 1862.

April 2, 1863.

Rosigoed, surg. certificate. Jnne 29, 1862. Transferred to Co. A. April 2, 1863. Acting Adjutant from Sept. 28. Disch. to be Col. 15th Corps D'Afrique, Aug., 1863. Di-charged, surg. certificate, April, 1863.

Charles Cornwall, Stephen Ball,

William Berry,

Ist Lieutenant. 2d Lieutenant. Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

Ist Lieutenant. 2d Lieutenant.

E. K. Abbott,

Jnn. 1, 1862. Jan. 1. 1862.

June 11, 1862. Sept. 20, 1862. Wounded March, 1863, died November, 1863.

July 7, 1862. July 7, 1862.

Promoted to 1st Lieut. Co. E, October, 1863. Wounded at Port Hudson.

Ord. Sergeant. Captain.

2d Lientenant.

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

Ord. Officer on Gen. Weitzel's Staff.

Sept. 20, 1862. Sent North for conscripts, August, 1863.

Captain.

2d Lieutenant.

1st Lieutenant. I.

D. Jan. 1, 1802. Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

Jan. 1, 1862. Jan. 1, 1862.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 62

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