The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 63

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

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John Hurlburt, S. Ilinsdale,

Ang. 10, 1862. March, 1863. !

Jan. 1, 1862.

June 29, 1843 July 4, 1962.

Captain.

|1st Lieutenant. H.

Charles II. Seabert

The following officers have received commissions who formerly belonged to the Twelfth C. V .: Co. A-Julius Johnson, G. P. Simmons, 22d Corps D'Afrique. Co. B-S. G. Lewis, 2d Corps D'Afrique. Co. C-R. B. Rogers, 2,1 La. ; llenry E. Blakeslee, 4th Corps D'Afrique : Ed. Burnham, 3d Corpa D'Afrique; John Moore, Waiter Ilutchinson, 15th Corps D'Afrique. Co. D-Sorgt. Goff and Sergt. Fred. Grant, 4th Corps D'Afrique; Sergt. J. Turner, 15th Corps D' Afrique. Co. HI-Sergt. Whitin, Sergt. Grant, Sergt. Crane, Corp. Crune, Corps D'Afrique. Co. I-George Ely, A. B. Bartram, Corps D'Afrique. Co. K-S. W. Rice, 4th Corps D'Afrique; Sergt. Maj. Sherman, 13th Corps D' Afrique; Howard L. Hine, Co. B, promoted to be Counnissnry Sergeant, vice Green, discharged; John Mullen, Co, B, promoted to be Sergeant Major, vice Sherman. Stephen Hubbard, Quartermaster Sergeant, vice Hinsdale, promoted.

Yours, J. H. R.

George N. Lewis, Wm. R. Brownell,

Captain Co. A.

Major.

Surgeon.

Jan. 1, 1862.

Jaa. 1, 1862.

2d Asst. Surg. Chaplain.

Feb. 12, 1862. Jan, 1, 1862.

George A. Ilarmount, C. V. R. Pond,

Quartermaster. Private. Captain.

Quartermaster. Major.

October, 1863.

Jan. 31, 1863.

2d Lieutenant.

Ist Lieutenant.

Resigned, July, 1863, Burg. certificate.

ed Lieutenant.

2d Lieutenant.

¡Acting Major from July to November, 1863. Died, June 7, 1862.

We should do injustice and leave this sketch incomplete, if we omit to mention the faithful colored men, who, as cooks and ser- vants, have done immense service to the world, but they will be held in grateful re-

Remarks.

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OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE. amount of food. True, some cavilers hinted that want of money to pay for meals on From the Sixteenth Regiment. board constituted the reason for their absti- nence, but we are well aware that noble con- PLYMORTH, N. C., April 18th, 1864. Editor of Connecticut War Record : duct is always subject to base insinuations. On the third day after starting from New- I have a tale to unfold, and a story to relate, and a yarn to spin. It is a tale of storms, and a story of the sea, and a yarn of the Sixteenth Connecticut. As angels are sup- posed to keep a record of all human suffer- ings, I have no doubt that an angel was de- tailed to attend us on the journey from New- bern to Plymouth. If he would condescend to let me nse his notes, I could give you all the details ; but angels are not so accommo- dating now-a-days as in the times of the bern, the steamer General Berry took the regiment on board and carried us to Ply- mouth, where we went into camp at once. Our suffering's were great during this jour- ney. We lay in dense rows on deck -- " thaes and braes," as the Ilighlanders say- with the storm beating down upon us, for three days; now covered with sharp crystals of snow, then deluged by spray, again frozen over with bail ; sea-sick the first day, in want of food during the rest. There was but one prophets, when they would sometimes ex- consolation in all this, viz. : that, being hibit to human eye their reports to divine jaground, we could not go down. When we headquarters. Besides, my communications, landed at Plymouth, prospects were scarce with regions above are momentarily cut off, improved. A soppy, snow-covered plain, Therefore, oh, War Record ! content ye with | of the consistence of hasty pudding, for a the outlines of my tale, and the skeleton of camping ground ! Those who have been soldiers know what that means ; those who

my story, and the ends of my yarn.

On Sunday, March -- , we were ordered | have not, may immagine.

to embark. It was at seven o'lock in the Lient. Strong and Capt. Barnum have prepared for the men, and then got them down by dozens to eat it. Though, owing to the circumstances, he could do but little, he was the only officer on board who at- tempted to do that little. I myself am in- stood thus : Being home on a leave of ab- debted to him for two potatoes and a cup of coffee. They came in need. evening. Many, following the pious inclina- been relieved from arrest, the sentences of tion of their hearts, had gone to church in the court martial in their case being pro- town. These returned but in time to join | mulgated. Lieut. Strong was found "not the departing column. Everything was on guilty," and honorably acquitted. His case board before twelve-everything except the bedsteads and tables, which, by special or- sence of ten days, he was incautious enough ders, were kindly treated to a bath in the to express a determination to have fifteen I understand just now that one of our com- panies is ordered to Roanoke Islaud. river, and left there, while the desolate own- days, to an enlisted man whom he met at ers made great moan. We steamed downihome. But at the expiration of the ten We have brigade drill every day, General Wessels drilling the four regiments stationed here. the river at midnight. No sooner had we days, his eyes being really in a bad state, he reached the Sound, than a mighty storm |procured a certificate of disability from Sur. LITTLE MARE. arose, agitating the waves of the deep and, geon Jewett, of New Haven, and staid five the stomachs of those on board. Both were , days longer. This formed the basis of the From the Twentieth Regiment. turned. The contents of Pamlico Somal ; charge. It seems that exception is taken to HEADQUARTERS 20TH C. V., ¿ COWAN, Tenn., April 19th, 1864. 5 MR. EDITOR :- If you can think of any word which expresses something all of one and of the stomachs of the Sixteenth Con- Surgeon Jewett's certificates, and promises necticut Volunteers were " thrown up" sim-Texacted not to avail oneself of these means ultaneously, with great violence. The storm [ of extending a leave or furlough. Captain raged fearfully. The boat was packed so ! Barnum's sentence was to be reprimanded. sort better than the word " homogeneous," closely that those on the weather side of the | The charge was " neglect of duty, " I believe. upper deck could not budge, and they were | consequently fully exposed to all the violence | ment on detached duty for over seven months, of the storm and the sharp, driving spray, [ has returned to us. Hle was at different pe- which continually deluged that side of the riods in charge of the 19th Wisconsin Vol- vessel. Very little way was made. The funteers, Examining Surgeon of Recruits at storm raged all day and all of the following, Newbern, and one of the Hospital Surgeons night. At eight o'clock that evening, wefat Morehead City.

please understand that it describes the situa- Dr. N. Nickersen, absent from the regi- tion and life of our regiment for the past few months. We die quietly in our numerous lairs along the line of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, ready to spring up ( and fight if the enemy show a disposition to be aggressive. Should he attempt to burn our bridges, destroy our water-tanks, tear up ran aground not far from Roanoke I-land. The captain gave as reason that the wind had driven great quantities of water out of the Sound. The storm continued all of that | longer, as Captain Co. B. Lieut. Miller, Co. C, has been detailed as day and next night. There was something Lient. Dickerson, who intended to resign and go home as 1st Lieut. Co. HI, has been prevailed upon to crush the rebellion a little our rails, he would be likely to find us in the objective ca-e-a grammatical attitude which we have maintained all through the winter and thus far through the spring. He may come upon us at any time, but so far he very harassing in this delay, as the men enlisting officer for the navy, and many of has certainly behaved very prudently toward were unprovided with rations for so long a four men have applied for transfer to that the Twentieth. We are willing he should service.

time. The officers, with noble sympathy for the sufferings of their men, determined to

Lieut. Waters, for some time in charge of content themselves with an equally small | Co. F, has returned to his own company, C.

My budget would be exhausted but for one laughable event. About the first of this month an order came for a mumber of offi- cers and a number of men, all specified by name, to report at Newbern to an aid of General Butler. As all the men were vo- ters and republicans, and election at hand, the rumor quickly spread that they were going home to vote. Those left behind ac- cordingly grunted, and growled, and howled. Some lifted up their voices and wept aloud. After some five or six days the detachment returned, chopfallen, with dreadful accounts of perils suffered on the vasty deep ; of ship- wreck near Hatteras; of getting aground in the Sound; nothing to eat; nothing to do but growl; and finally of being ordered back. A grin illumined the faces of the "rejected," and all manner of fun was polied at the nnfortunate expeditionists.

Personally and publicly I must thank the Adjutant for his exertions on board the " Thomas Collyier," during the voyage from Newbern to Plymouth. He spent his time in the kitchen, having coffee and potatoes

continue the exercise of such commendable discretion as much longer as he pleases.

I believe the old soldiers like this duty, on

1864.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

195

the whole, better than campaigning, being content to look back to Chancellorsville and Gettysburg for their only reminiscences of battles. This is comparatively casy duty ; but it is just the kind of work in which we soldierly attainment. It also exposes our men to the baneful influence of whisky smugglers, who are sure to find, at some of our several posts, an opportunity to get their liquid mischief into eirculation. No vigilance which a regimental officer can exercise will fully prevent this evil.

And there is another evil to which we are exposed in consequence of our seattered con- dition, far more than would be the ease were we eneamped together or moving in a body. Yon will understand what it is when I quote the remark of Gen. Mitchell, that "the women of Alabama were more destruetive to his army than the men who fought them with bullets." Doubtless the General was right. It is easy to believe it, after one becomes aware of the terrible lack of intelligence and morality which is noticeable on all sides in the Southwest. I think we have suffered less than many regiments circumstanced as we are would have sutlered-for I am con- fident that our standard of morality is high- er than that of many other regiments. But what similar body of tuen, so situated, was ever found in which there were not some who would do well to familiarize them- selves with the seventh chapter of Proverbs ?

Just now the shadow of some coming event falls over us to diversify the monotony of onr uneventful existence. We think we shall move, but, like all good soldiers, we are determined not to go a step toward front or rear till we are ordered so to do. Our old corps organization is broken up. Gen. Slocum, who has so creditably commanded us for the last eighteen months, ealled on ns last week, and gave us his parting address. The star, our eorps badge, a badge we have been proud to wear, must henceforth lose its significance to us. This may seem a little thing to speak about, but, sir, a man who wears a star on his hat through marches and battles, and weary months of soldier duty, comes at last to feel for it an affeetion akin to that which is cherished for that banner where the stars form such a gallant constel- lation. The badge of the corps becomes a thing to be loved and honored. But a truce to astronomy.

We are consolidated with the Eleventh designation of the new organization. But whatever may be our number, one thing is certain : Gen. Hooker is our leader-the gallant, brilliant, Fighting Joe Hooker-who

knows how to feed an army and how to cap- ereate in the number of men. Again, when an ture Lookout Mountain, besides other things attack was made on our outposts near this place, which the country will learn during this opening campaign. in December last, the available force of the regi- ment was at battalion drill below the city. The sound of the long roll aroused not only those who were already equipped, but the weak and exhaus-

We shall probably lose our Colonel, who all grow lazy and lose the perfection of true is, doubtless, to command a brigade in one ted ones in eamp and hospital, giving them new of the new divisions: a position for which strength and energy by its inspiring call; and by his talents and experience amply fit him. In that case, Lieut. Col. Buckingham will com- mand ns, as we have turned over our old Lieut. Col. to the 20th C. V., cordially wish. the time the regiment had reached the eamp on its way from the parade ground to the front, one hundred additional men stood in marching order, ready to fall in and have a part in the expected fray. Said an orderly sergeant the other day, in ing him all joy over his promotion, and all speaking on this point: "There are fourteen of possible success in his new field, feeling con- fident too, that whatever may be true of other eolored regiments, that one will be well commanded. our company on the sick list to-day. Now, from what I know of these men, I venture to say that every one of thein would be on duty if there was a fight before night." When starting towards Tarboro, and again towards Goldsboro, in North Carolina, men who had been some time off duty from sickness, and who really lacked strength for the undertaking, hegged the privilege of going with their companions, and some actually shed tears because they were ordered to stay behind. Not for mouths previous had the regiment turned

We are interested, as soldiers always are, in our prospeets; the change, and what it heralded, have furnished us topics for specu- lation and wonder for several days. Of one thing we all feel pretty sure. General llook- er's new, large corps, will not be kept guard- 'out as many men at any one time as left Newbern in ing railroads very much longer ; he will lead the expedition toward Charleston, in January of last year, when an early fight was confidently an- ticipated, because Gen. Foster was then in com- us toward the front. Such is our conviction. I may write you again from the valley at : mand. the base of Lookout, or possibly, from some point far more advanced. Or, I may not be, ment to bo called "The Fighting Tenth." It is such things as these that entitle this regi- able to write you at all. Campaigning is not favorable to correspondence, and we feel CHAPLAIN. that that is before us. God send it may not be labor lost. F.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Tenth Regiment

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Fourteenth Regiment. CAMP 14TH CONN. VOLUNTEERS, 1 STONY MOUNTAIN, Va., March 28th, 1864. 5 Editor War Record :

It is true, as you doubtless well know, that look where you will, you will find no class of men ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., March, 1861. Connecticut soldiers now alone patrol the streets more cheerful, or more ready to make the most bitter experience distill some drops of pleasure, of this ancient city, and guard its crumbling walls, than the volunteer soldier. Although they have Colonel Otis commands the post, having headquar- ' much to depress them, they uniformly bear up, ters in the Gibbs House, fronting the plaza. Capt. ; and are remarkably light-hearted and joyous, and Engles is Provost Marshal. Lient. Wright Post enter into any amusement which may present it- Adjutant, and Lieut. Palmer Post Quartermaster, self with a zeal which is commendable. Lieut. Colonel Leggett is in command at Fort The 17th of this month (St. Patrick's Day) was, Marion, where the regiment is now quartered. in our camp, a day replete with fun and frolic: Provost, pieket, and garrison duty combined, and it has occurred to me that mayhap it would presses heavily on the men, in the absence of the 'not be mal apropos to indiet a brief summary of veterans; but the work is done cheerfully, and is the numerous acts in the farces then enacted. well done. Recruits are coming in steadily to: The Colonel had kindly given a holiday-ex- swell the muster roll, and there is now reason to emption from drill-for the occasion, and the hope that the regiment may again be a full one. whole regiment were permitted to be spectators The sick list is exceedingly small, as is apt to be ' of the numerous scenes which took place in their the case where there is special call for arduons' proper order, and all of which passed off in a service, it being one of the peenharities of this reg- iment that its men are willing to postpone sickness if there is anything more important to be attend.

`manner highly gratifying to those engaged, as well as to the numerous outsiders. The tablenux, theatricals, de., came off within the spacious lee- ed to. This peculiarity is so marked as to be de- ture room, which sometimes is used as a music serving of special mention. More of the men are hill for our splendid band to practice in, and still to be relied on for a fight than for any holiday less often for the holding of divine service. The performance ; more for a skirmish than for a dress timber for this magnificent edifice was ent and paraile; for a battle than for a review. For in- prepared wholly by the self-sacrificing efforts of stance : at one time on Morris Island, when the , the members of the band, while our accommoda- Corps, and are yet doubtful of the numerical greater part of both officers and men were so ex. ting and generous hearted Quartermaster fur- hausted by the labors of the prolonged siege as to ; nished the necessary mule power by which it was be really unfit for service, only seven ofheers were transported from the woods to the foundation ; unlike one other temple-for at the building

reported for daily duty ; but at a night alarm, when an attack was anticipated, fifteen officers | of that, the timber was floated from Joppa. Wil- were with the regiment, with a proportional in- ling hands in this case framed and roofed it, while

196

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[MAY,

from a deserted secesh house numerous windows found their way.

On the momentous day in question the house was filled with a large and appreciative, as well as attentive, audience. The windows were Editor War Record:

darkened, and the room unlighted save by the nu.

merous tallow dips, which shed a glorious illomi- of our history from the formation of the Battery nation upon the stage. The order of exercises was as follows:

TABLEAUX I .- " Uncas ; or, The Indian Chief." Musie by the Drum Corps-" Hail to the Chief."

TABLEAUX II .- "The Hebrew Children ; or, Isaae and Levi."

Music .- Chorus: " Where, oh! where are the Hebrew Children ?"

This tableaux was exceedingly well received, and the only fault which I noticed was the anach- ronism of Levi wearing a pair of spectacles, the invention of which, if my memory serves me, is of a later date than the time of Levi.

PART II.

I .- "Dialogue between Alexander the Great and & Robber."

Alexander, Henry Lee.

Robber, Mr. Sprenkle.

Although this was ar. old piece, the characters were well represented, and it was received with intended, though we had bnt little fighting.

a storm of applause.

Music by the Band -- " Anvil Chorus."

II .- " Jeff. Davis' Dream."

Jeff. Davis, Mr. D. Sprenkle. Alex. Stephens, Mr. F. Sprenkle. Gen. Bragg, Mr. Coite.

Gen Lee, . Mr. Westover.

A. Lincoln, Mr. Broek.

Horace Greeley, Mr. Tomlinsou. Devil, Mr. Lillebridge.

Attendant imps-George, Ben, Isaae, &c., de.

Uproarous laughter greeted this piece from its commeneement to its very close ; and ns the cur- tain fell, the various actors were time and again ealled before the sereen.

The indoor portion of the entertainment was ! ly the whole line of rebel works which defend the now conelnded, and the assembly took its way to : city. The sight of the shells, with lighted fuse, as the parade ground, keeping step to the mu-ie of we view them at night, in their flight from our the band, as National and " Emerald " airs " float- batteries to the enemy, and from their batteries ed through the circumambient ether," where a toward us, is a spectacle so unique and impressive horse race was soon arranged, under the supervis., as not to be easily forgotten. ion of Mr. Seymour, an adept in snell matters, who A SUBSCRIBER. was appointed judge of the raee. Mr. Westover entered the chestnut horse owned by the Doctor. and known through the regiment as "Quinine," and Mr. Simonds entered the Major's yellow horse. After a few false starts, they got the word "gol" and took a spanking gait, keeping neck '

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Second Connecticut Light Battery. BAASHEAR CITY. La., March 21, 1864. The Battery left New Orleans on the 1st inst., and neck until some one eried out in a stentorian, and crossing the river to Algiers, took the ears for tone, " soundl" when up broke " Quinine," and this place, arriving here the same day. We are yellow came in easily ahead. There is no doubt comfortably quartered on an old sugar planta- but that the raee would have terminated the same ' tion, the mansion house answering for a hospital, low and eold and eheerless on deek. Misery loves had not "Quinine " broken, for the nankeen horse | the overseer's house serving for officers' headquar. of the Major is known through the whole corps ; ters, while for the mien the less pretending cabins as a very remarkable animal.

which the slaves formerly occupied surpass in confort and convenience the best arranged Sibley tent.

Games of foot-ball now were entered upon, in which Messrs. Hurd and Hannah particularly dis- tinguislied themselves, and the afternoon's gayety closed, with no serions result save an accidental black eye for Mr. Seymour, the which he bears with beeoming grace, not unmixed with dignity. Happily yours, E. B.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the First Conn. Light Battery.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY C. V., FOLLY ISLAND, S. C., Feb. 24th, 1864. 5

Your formier correspondent gave you an outline

until we came to this island. We have been here since last July, and have spent the time doing picket duty, drilling, and the usual camp duties incident to a soldier's life.

Forty-seven of the Battery have reenlisted, and perhaps a few more will yet do so. Forty five of those who were furloughed have just returned, after an absence of forty seven days. While they were gone, we had a detail from the infantry to help us. We have received eleven recruits, and are daily expecting about twenty more, which will fill up the Battery to its maximum standard. The Ttli inst. one section of the Battery, two sections of a New York battery, and sixteen regi- ments of infantry from this island, went on an ex- pedition aeros's Hiawahr and Seabrook to John's Island, and were gone five days. The object of the expedition is said to have been to detain or draw rebel troops there, while the Florida expe- dition, which left Hilton Head about the same time, should accomplish its objeet.

We suppose that we accomplished all that was

While lying in camp we try to spend the time as advantageously as possible. We have organ- ized a Lyceum, which promises to be both enter- taining and instructive. We have a library of nearly two hundred volumes, partly the gift of friends, but principally purchased with the com- pany funds, which most of us think a good invest- ment, for, as our Captain remarked to us, we had saved from the stomach to feed the brain.

We have a chapel tent, (thonghi near worn out.) the gift of friends in Connecticut, in which we hold three weekly prayer meetings. The Lord has blessed us in the conversion of several of our company.

From our eamp we can view the fleet in Charles- ton harbor, our works on Morris Island, and near-

discharge properly the duties required of us. We are now required to furnish two small details for picket duty, the troops formerly doing that duty having been sent to the front, where active opera- tions are in progress. The picket duty, however, is not irksome nor disagreeable, and the posts be- ing ove on a bayou and the other on Lake Poloude, where there is good fishing, there are always vol- unteers enough for the detail.

We were roused up at midnight the other night by a report that the rebels had taken Franklin, about twenty-five miles from here. We harnessed and packed knapsacks, waiting till daylight, when it was aseertained that the report hind no real foundation.

The campaign has fairly commeneed in this de- partment, and troops are now moving upon Alex- andria, on the Red river. Our principal duty is to guard this place, which it is necessary to hold as a base of supplies and a means of communica- tion.

UNION.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Eleventh Regiment. WILLIAMSBURG, Va., April 4th, 1864. Dear Editor :-

You have already told your readers of the pleas- ant reception the Eighth and Eleventh received on our way to our homes. Friday, the 15th of Janunry, was a Good Friday for us. New Haven and Hartford were never more pleasant in our eyes. How we passed those thirty days, how we found our old friends, how we made some new ones, how the home cupboard looked and what was in the apple bin, how we invested some of our money and how we squandered more, how we were greeted, and how we said good bye-all this is personal history, and belongs not to a record of publie events. There were some conquests ; alas ! there were some defeats ; but not in that kind of war which you record.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 63

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