The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 68

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

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But a few extraets from the annual report of the Hartford society will give a better idea of the Aid Societies of the country than any general de- seription.' The report alluded to says :

"Our work has been both general and special. Under the first division, we have contributed libe- rally to the stores of the Sanitary Connnission, through their ageney in New York, in the full con- fidenee that all supplies thus sent would be wisely distributed among the soldiers of the Union, of whatever State and seetion. In pursuance of the same general object, we have sent contributions of clothing, &e., to no less than nine U. S. hospitals "The last, but by no means the least impor- tant branch of special relief, pertains to our duties in different cities and towns, always at the request of some reliable official, and always with the un. derstanding that the articles so sent should be di- do not deem it wise or expedient to send supplies to them without an application from the surgeon, vided among all needy soldiers. During the year (1863) we have sent boxes of supplies to four relief ; the chaplain, or some reliable officer, our hearts associations-the Connecticut Soldiers' Relief As-

" Under the head of special relief, we have re- cently undertaken, in a very limited measure, to strengthen the arms of our men in the field by caring for their families at home. Many who en- listed in the days of small bounties, are now com- pelled to pay exorbitant prices for the absolute necessaries of life; and as cases of this kind have come to our knowledge, we have placed at the dis- posal of our city missionary, Mr. Hawley, a spe- cific sum to be applied to their relief. Ile reports that he has already visited and assisted twenty- eight such families, and we hope to be enabled to do more in this direction. Nor have our gifts been limited to the city, but soldiers' families from

"All these articles have been made gratuitously other portions of the State have gratefully shared by individuals and sewing societies, or by poor our ministry.

to Connecticut regiments in the field. While we to be made by their members."

and our stores are always open to them, and in no sociation, of Washington ; the New England case will we fail to furnish whatever they may re- Rooms, New York city, and the two I'nion Relief | quire-whether medicines, delicacies for the sick, Associations of Baltimore. The oljeet of the for- bedding, or hospital clothing. We hereby inrite mer has been to aid Connecticut soldiers in the all surgeons on duty with our regiments to make known their wants in this department, promising to give prompt attention to their requests. It will hospitals and camps of Washington, and since no great battles have recently occurred in that vicini- ty, the number of men requiring its assistance is ' surprise those who have been told that all our sup- now very small. It was otherwise a year ago, and their annual report shows that a large amount

The fear, which three years ago apppeared to have some foundation, that the increase of the means and appliances of luxury and the absorbing dominion of fashion had tended to enervate and render frivolous the character of our American women, would seem to be effectually dissipated by the records of these noble charities. The wo- men of the free States have compelled a new respect for themselves by the exhibition of the harder and sterner virtues generally claimed by the other sex as a monopoly. The courage and heroism of our volunteer soldiery in the history of this rebellion will be fitly matched by the self-de- sisters and sweethearts.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

OUR STATE POINTS TO DEEDS, NOT ACRES.

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

NEW HAVEN, JUNE, 1864. - VOL. I. No. 11. $1 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

For the Connecticut War Record.

Record of Events.

Apr. 22. Gen. Steele loses a supply train and three hundred men near Camden, Ar- kansas.

April 23. Loss of the gunboat Petrel on the Yazoo river, Miss. Rebels defeated at Morritt's Bluff, on the Cane river, La.

May 12. General Kantz returns to City Apr. 25. Loss of a large supply train Point from his successful raid upon the Pe- and its escort of 1500 men near Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

April 28. Evacuation of Little Wash- ington, N. C. Rebels repulsed at Alexan- dria, La.

April 30. Kirby Smith severely re- pulsed by Steele at Jenkins' Ford, Sabine River, Ark.

May 2. Gen. Sturgis defeats Forrest near Bolivar, Tenn.

May 3 and 4. Army of the Potomac crosses the Rapidau.

May 5. Gen. Butler lands at City Point, Va. Raid of colored cavalry across the May 15. The rebel Shelby repulsed at Chiekahominy. The rebel ram Albermarle Lewisburgh, Ark. Sigel repulsed at driven up the Roanoke river, N. C.

May 5-13. The great eight days' battle of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. Gen. Lee defeated : 8000 prison- ers, 18 guns and 22 colors captured.

May 6. The gunboat Commodore Jones blown up by a torpedo at Turkey Bend, James River. Rebels defeated by Butler near Port Walthall, Va. Demonstration of the enemy against Newbern, N. C., re- pulsed. Rebel iron-clad North Carolina beaten off Wilmington, N. C.

May 6-7. Severe cavalry fighting be tween Sheridan and Stuart, at Tod's Tay- ern, Va.

May 7. Sherman occupies Tunnel Hill, Ga. Explosion of the gunboat Shoshonee in the James River. Butler destroys a por- tion of the Richmond and Petersburg Rail- road.

May 8. Explosion of the gunboat Brews- ter in the Appomatox river. Unsuccess- ful assault at Rocky Faced Ridge, Ga.

May 9. Butler defeats the enemy and occupies the Richmond and Petersburg May 24. Rebels repulsed at Wilson's Railroad. Death of Gen. Sedgwick. Sheri- | Wharf, on the James river. Gillmore re- be able to engage the forces of Grant in connoiters in front of Butler's lines. Vir- dan destroys Beaver Dam Station, Va.

May 9-11. Admiral Porter's gunboats | ginia Central Railroad torn up by Grant's pass the Falls of the Red River.

cavalry.

May 27-28. General Grant crosses the Pamunky at Hanovertown.

May 28. Rebels defeated by Me Pher- son near Dallas, Ga., with a loss of 2800 killed, wounded and captured. Our loss 300. Severe fight at Hawes' Shop, south of the Pamunky. Rebels driven from the field.

May 30-31. Enemy repulsed by Gen. Grant on the south side of the Pamunky. May 30. Artillery duel between But- ler and Beauregard at Bermuda Hun- dred.

May 31. General Sherman defeats the enemy, and occupies Marietta, Ga.

For the Connecticut War Record. Review of Events.

NUMBER ELEVEN.

On the 3d of May the army of the Potomae broke its camp at Culpepper, and before daybreak of the next morning commenced the crossing of the Rapidan, marching in a southeasterly direction and turning the right flank of Gen. Lee's position. The crossing was completed by the evening of the 4th, and on the

May 17. Gen. Kantz returns from his morning of the 5th, as the several corps successful raid npon the Richmond and | were moving into position, the enemy Danville Railroad.

May 18. Unsuccessful assault upon the rebel position at Spottsylvania Court |rection at right angles to our line of House. Gen. A. J. Smith defeats the rebels at Yellow Bayou, La. Sherman ment was discovered, the army of the occupies Kingston, Ga. march. At the time when this move- Potomac was not well concentrated. May 19. Capture of Dardanelle, Ark., by the rebel Shelby. Ewell repulsed while endeavoring to turn the right of Grant's army. The Second corps, commanded by Han- cock, was at a considerable distance to the east and south of the Fifth and Sixth corps, commanded respectively by Warren and Sedgwick; besides, Burn- side's Ninth corps, being the reserves, had not as yet crossed the Rapidan.

May 20. Butler repulses Beauregard with great slaughter at Bermuda Hun- ared.

May 22. Reconnoissance in front of Butler's lines by Gen. W. F. Smith.

May 23. Gen. Grant crosses the North Anna, defeating the enemy and capturing 1000 prisoners.

This lack of concentration inspired the method of Lee's attack. If he could thrust his army between Hancock's corps, and those of Warren and Sedg- wick, or along the river between Burn- side and the rest of the army, he would detail. To attain these ends, Gen. Lee followed his favorite poliey of massing his troops and hurling them solidly upon

May 10. Johnston outilanked and chiven from Buzzard Roost, Ga.

May 10-13. Averill destroys the South- western Railroad between Wytheville and Christianburg, West Virginia.

May 11. Sheridan captures Ashland Station, defeats Stuart at Yellow Tavern, and enters the outer works of Richmond.

tersburg and Weldon Railroad. Butler fighting bis way towards Fort Darling.

May 13. Sherman occupies Dalton, Ga. Victory of General Crooks near Newbern, West Virginia : 300 rebels captured ; rail- road bridges destroyed.

May 13-14. Butler carries the exte- rior lines of Fort Darling.

May 13-16. Bombardment of Fort Sumter and Charleston.

May 14-15. General Sherman defeats Jolinston at Resaca, Ga., and captures 1000 prisoners and 8 gains.

Newmarket, Va. ; 5 cannon lost.

May 16. Butler repulsed at Fort Dar- ling and retreats to Bermuda Hun- dred.

came up in strong force from his base at Orange Court House, advancing in a di-

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[JENE,

the coveted position. However, by dint of energetic action. Hancock was able to form on the left of Warren, who held the centre, while Sedgwick, on the right, maintained the connection of the army with the river intact.

The battle was fought in a tract off enemy, and had finally rested with neither country known as the Wilderness, which side. is covered with a dense growth of trees

At daybreak, on the morning of Satur- , and underbrush, and where the use off day, the 7th, battle was offered by Grant, field artillery is absolutely impossible. whose batteries, erected on the right And so among the tangled paths of this during the night, commenced shelling forest, amid a thick and deadly storm of | bullets, these two huge armies fought each other till far into the night. what had been the rebel position. It soon became evident, however, that Lee had abandoned the field and was retreat- On the next day, both armies were re- enforced-the Rebels by Longstreet's ing, though in perfeet order, towards Spottsylvania Court House. The army corps, and the Union army by Burn-ide's [ of the Potomae was at once put in pur- suit by a different road, and on Sunday evening the heads of the opposing forces encountered each other a few miles to the north of the Court House. A severe contest ensned, in which it was proved that the enemy was in front in full force. Our advance was therefore obliged to wait until the balance of our forces had arrived. The forenoon of Monday, the 9th, was mainly spent in securing posi- tions, and in reconnoitering those of the

reserves. Both sides were eager for the affray. Grant had ordered a general ad- vanee at 5 A. M. But the enemy had anticipated him by some fifteen minutes, and began the battle by attacking Gen. Sedgwick, on the right, with great fury. and renewing the attack at intervals till half past ten in the forenoon. However, they gained no ground. In fact. our own line on the right was pushed forward a few hundred yards. Promptly at 5 A. opposing lines of the enemy, forcing him back for nearly two miles, till he was re- enforced by the arrival of Longstreet. From then to the middle of the after- noon, the battle went on along the left with shifting and varying success. At one time the enemy had poured his masses ! around the extreme left of the line. At another time he had almost pierced the junction of the left with the centre. But

Haneoek would then gather up his forces and hurl them with irresistible might against the advance of his enterprising antagonist. In the space intervening he- tween the hostile lines, the dead and wounded lay as thickly as the trees and brush with which the ground was cover- darkness the enemy withdrew to a short- er line, and immediately began to strengthen it with earthworks, abattis ed. At length, toward evening, there eame a Full which lasted till just before ling to the concavity of our own lines, dark, when the enemy, bold and active and well protected by breastworks and | and rifle-pits. Meanwhile a violent storm still, broke with great fury npon the os-fritle-pits. Along both lines batteries had occurred, and the mobility of our army treme right of Sedgwick, scattering it j heen located, and the battle opened with was destroyed by the mud. Further hostilities necessarily ecased. like chaff before a whirlwind and captur- ja magnificent artillery prelude. Burn- ing the greater part of two brigades. - ide then advanced cautiously on the For a moment the army was in immi-[ left, while Warren was ordered to attack nent peril. But the rebels manifested no: the rebel centre. This attack was made indication of following up the advantage i in the most gallant style, but the position they bad won, and darkness soon settled of the enemy being well nigh impregna- down upon the exhausted troops of both ; ble, Warren was obliged to retire. This armies.

failure created the necessity of withdraw- The results of the two days fighting ing Hancock's men across the Po, which were obviously indecisive. The losses | was effected in good order. Towards

on both sides were about equal. Each in turn had repulsed the several advances of its opponent. Each had stoutly main- tained the posssession of the ground on which it had so bravely fought. Victory

evening a general assault was made along the whole line. On the left a division of Wright's corps succeeded in scaling the enemy's works, capturing a thousand prisoners and several guns. But finding had been now with us, and then with the itself far in advance of the rest of the army, it was compelled to fall back. As heretofore night put an end to an obsti- nate and bloody contest.

Wednesday, the seventh day of fight- ing, was occupied. principally with can- nonading the enemy's position, and in re- erniting the strength of the army. Just after midnight, however, Hancock was withdrawn from the extreme right and placed between Burnside and Wright on the left, so that our line from right to left now ran as follows: Warren, Wright, Hancock and Burnside. On Thursday, at dawn of day, Hancock pushed his men npon the enemy's works, taking them by complete surprise and capturing three thousand prisoners and eighteen guns. Besides, he had inserted himself into an important angle of the enemy's line, and Lee was forced to drive him therefrom or to retreat. He attempted the former, and at once began to concentrate his troops to recover the lost position. As soon as Hancock's snecess had become known other portions of our army had been sent to his support, and where the success of the morning had been won, a most terrific battle ensued, lasting for fourteen hours. The enemy made five determined but unsuccessful assaults to expel our troops. No more terrifie fight- ing has occurred during the war; the bayonets of the opposing forces often interlocked. The hostile banners waved by the side of each other, while the roar of artillery reminded the combatants of the heights of Gettysburgh. At length night came and found our soldiers the indisputable masters- of the field they

Tuesday morning saw these vast armies preparing for another murderous contest. Our lines were in a semicircular shape, with the wings pushed forward, while the centre was somewhat refused. The forees were distributed from the right, which lay across the Po, to the left, as follows : Ilancock, Warren, Wright (com- manding the 6th eorps after the death of had so dearly won. Under cover of the Sedgwick) and Burnside. The enemy held an interior position, eurved accord-

Thus, for eight days, these two large armies had dashed themselves against each other with relentless, unwearying fury. Indeed, the last day had been the most murderous of all, and had not the storm intervened, Grant would probably have renewed the battle on the following morning. The results of these various battles were of the most gratifying

M., Hancock, on the left, assaulted the enemy. It was at this time that the

lamented Sedgwick fell, while personally locating a battery at the extreme front. Towards evening a general advance was ordered, in which Hancock, now on the right, threw a strong body of men across the Po, and, after obstinate fighting, main- tained his new position.

1864. ]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

209

character. The enemy had been steadily his army was detached and sent to Gen. tion on the 8th of May, and, after several and constantly driven before the de- Grant by way of the York river. days skirmishing, found to his satisface-

termined, irresistible advance of the In these various operations the cavalry ! tion that to carry it was next to impossi- Union army, and Lee, the ablest soldier have played a very important part. Gen. bility. Meanwhile Gen. MePherson had of the Confederacy, had been pitted Sheridan, commanding the cavalry of Gen. made a successful march by the enemy's against Grant and been beaten. Grant, penetrated to the rear of Lee, de- left flank, fifteen miles southward to

The mud prevented the recurrenee of stroyed his railroad communications, rout- Snake Gap, near Resaca, and was soon active operations till the morning of the ed the rebel cavalry, killed the famous J. followed by Sherman with the main body 18th, when another attack was made up- E. B. Stuart, and cut through the outer of the army. Gen. Johnson however at on the enemy's lines. But it was found works of Richmond. Gen. Kantz com-| onee evaenated his stronghold at Buzzard that his new position could not be car- manding the cavalry of Gen. Butler, has Roost, and fell baek to Resaca, in time to concentrate his troops before Sherman was prepared to assault the works by which the town had been fortified. ried, save by an enormous sacrifice of ridden over the rebel territory in the most life. Gen. Grant, therefore, determined to flank it, by moving his army to the southeast. On the next day, however, Ewell attacked our rear and right flank, and though he was readily repulsed, yet the affair eaused a delay of the flank rest of the Confederacy. lawless manner, destroying several large bridges on the Petersburg and Weldon The Union army was drawn up in Sugar Valley, on the west side of Resa- railroad, and on the Richmond and Dan- ville railroad, and thus breaking up the connections of the rebel capital with the ca, with the right under MePherson rest- ing on Oostanaula river, below the town,

Simultaneous with the advance of the centre under Thomas, facing it, and Grant, a column under the command of the left under Schofield, ou the river Gen. Sigel, marched np the Shenandoah above it. The line was seven miles in length and formed a semicircle around the enemy's position.

Skirmishing along the whole front be- gim early on the morning of the 14th the two armies, in which the rebels were | loss of five guns, and compelled to re- ult. At the left centre, a tremendous treat. This disaster, however, does not effort was made to carry the rebel lines seriously interfere with the prosecution by storm. The storming columns reach- of the movement towards Richmond. ed a hill, opposite to which there was Gen. Sigel was immediately removed and 'another hill where the enemy was thor- HIunter appointed in his place.

oughly fortified. Between the two ran Another expedition in West Virginia, a deep and narrow creek, whose banks under command of Gen. Crooks, designed to operate against the Virginia and East were thickly lined with bushes. Our troops rushed down the side of the first Tennessee railroad, was more successful. hill and endeavored to break through the North Anna and marched to Hanover It ascended the Kanawha Valley, ent the brush and cross the brook. But they railroad just mentioned, burned bridges, were exposed to a murderous, plunging depots and supplies, defeated the enemy ; fire of artillery and infantry, to which in several battles and fully accomplished they were utterly unable to reply. Their the object for which it had been organ- ized.

formation was soon broken and they were obliged to retire. During the day the fortunes of the battle shifted hither and

Simultancons with the stirring events in Virginia, and upon a seale well nigh | thither, neither side winning any decisive as grand, Gen. Sherman has commenced | advantages. Towards sunset the enemy

made a most determined onslaught upon Ilis our left centre. The front line was borne army is much superior to the enemy, and | back in considerable confusion, but re-en- is ably commanded. Ilis advance at first i forcements soon arriving, the rebels were consisted of efforts to get upon the flank | checked and compelled to retreat to their or into the rear of the enemy, who held intrenchments. On our right, Melher- such strong positions in the mountains, son effected a partial lodgment within that to attack them in front would be | the enemy's lines, and with this the day's But on the morning of the 16th ult., the sheer absurdity. The first of these posi- fighting ended.

tions was at Buzzard Roost, which lies! On the next morning it was again re-

rebels under cover of a thick fog, fell upon Butler's advance, threw it into great |at the southern outlet of a valley, sitna- solved to storm the rebel works, which confusion, and obliged him to retreat be- hind his intrenehments at Bermuda Hun- ted a few miles north of Dalton. It is a had caused so much trouble on the left deep, narrow and rugged mountain pass, centre. The performance of this busi- dred. His portion of the campaign has ; from the sides of which the rebel artil-Iness was assigned to Gen. Hooker. He lery could rake the valley in every direc.

been only in part successful. To what cause the failure is to be ascribed, cannot | tion, and the approaches to which were be now said with certainty. After his return to Bermuda Hundred, one half of

defended by rifle pits and breast works. Sherman arrived in front of this posi-

gallantly carried his men across the space intervening between the lines, and lodged them in front of one of the enemy's strongest positions, where they were

badly worsted, with the loss of one thou- sand prisoners. However, the main army of Gen. Lee had ocenpied a very strong position between the North and South Anna rivers, and so, after several gallant reconnoissances, Grant determined again to flank the new and formidable lines of his opponent. The army of the Potomac accordingly reerossed the town on the Pamunky river, which place it reached on the 27th. On that and the following day the army crossed the river and by the latest advices, was at Cold Harbor within ten miles of Richmond.

Subordinate to this grand advance of the army of the Potomae, was the move- ment of Gen. Butler up the James river to| City Point. It was probably designed his campaign in Northern Georgia, with that Butler should hold the line of the Atlanta for his objective point. Petersburgh and Richmond railroad, and make serions demonstrations against the rebel capital. Accordingly he advanced his army, seized the railroad, approached Drury's Bluff, on which Fort Darling is situated, and was proceeding to invest it.

movement till the night of the 20th. Our army then advanced in a line corre- sponding to that of the Richmond and Fredericksburgh railroad, and reached Valley, with the design of eutting the Gordonsville and Lynchburgh railroad. But at Newmarket he met the enemy the North Anna on the 23d. The river was crossed the same day, and severe battles took place between portions of under Breckenridge, was defeated, with

210

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[JUNE,

sheltered from his fire. Hooker was ful ly supported by other portions of the army and successfully resisted a furious endeavor of the enemy to recover the lost ground.

During the night, Johnston, fearful of being surrounded, evacuated Resaca, and | 224 of June, when we again received " marchi- retreated towards Atlanta. Our army at |ing orders." once pursued, till it reached Kingston, Leaving Bowers Hill in light marching order, we proceeded to Portsmouth, Va., to where a halt was ordered for the purpose

of bringing up supplies and reinforce- ; take part in the " White House Expedition," ments. On the 23d nlt., the advance was now more familiarly known as the " Black- renewed. Johnston, however, did not; berry Raid." We embarked on transports choose to await battle, but adhered to and proceeded to Yorktown, Va., where we his poliey of retreating. It is doubtful if he makes a decided stand till he ar- rives at Atlanta.

disembarked and remained three days, when We again took transport to White House Landing, Va., arriving there the 26th. Here we pitched our shelter tents near by the site of the White House.

Major Hiram B. Crosby, then in command of the regiment, was appointed Provost Mar-

On the 5th day of May-the next day | shal and the regiment was assigned to duty after our return from the Chnekatuck expe-jat the Landing as Provost Guard, on which dition -- we were ordered to " Battery Ste -! duty we remained until the return of the vens," about eight miles below Suffolk, on the

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 68

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