The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 70

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

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able to take the field, but he did not allow it knew every inch of the ground and who had to be known until the action was over, and then not reported. Several other officers also will carry the marks of that day's bul- lets, but allow no record on the reports. And more than all, the utter exhaustion of such a day I cannot deseribc. The excite- ment of the fight inspired the men, although just ready to fail before. But when once off the field they seemed dying of fatigue. New men and veterans alike did grandly. The noble Eighth was approved by its Gen-

Owing a turn in the breastworks, the right was so far in advance of the left, eral and cheered by the whole Brigade as it | that a whole regiment might come over returned that night. A rebel Captain who a portion of the breastworks, which was From the First Artillery, First Battalion. unguarded, and completely flank the Eighth fell into Union hands a few days afterwards FIRST BATTERY FIRST C. V. A .. ? was in that fight and wonderingly inquired ! and the whole left. The General saw FORT WARD, VA., May 10th, 1864. what troops those were " in that open field on that it was a weak spot, but replied Saturday who could not be driven by bullets | that it searcely could be expected that the or common balls." Ile declared that full enemy, having evacuated that line of works. alrays true, for garrison duty at the best would attempt to retake it. Accordingly.

two hundred of a South Carolina regiment opposed to the Eighth Coun. were killed or no protection was given to that place or to wounded.

even after such fatigue. Thank God for that Sabbath. Monday morning we again

fog was so dense that a man could not be seen at a distance of ten paces, (I speak what moved on. We were to be "reserve " that I know,) the enemy in mass eame pouring in day ; but the P. M. found us at work. Our at our right. The only alternative seemed to flank companies were deployed as skir- be, fall back or be captured. But for an hour mishers and the whole regiment at night lay our men battled them. Sometimes mixed with the enemy, sometimes driving them, but con- stantly exposed to the enfilading fire and the enemy gaining. At length, to prevent capture, our Lieut. Col. gave the order to fall back. From this order he was at first blamed, and the heroic old Eighth reported as having skedad- dled. That some men straggled in the fog is true. But be it remembered that the regiment was already so flanked that the right was compelled to pass within the breastworks, and go down on the rebel side and then over those works to rejoin the regiment. Only the dense fog which at first covered the enemy now covered us. As it was, over sixty were killed, wounded, or missing, and among them a noble Captain, John Mc- Call, dead. With this loss and four com- panies on the skirmish line, the regiment did seem a shattered band, and suffered reproaches that day. But the truth has become known and its deeds appreciated. When other men were captured the Eighth would not be taken by rebels. As it was, they escaped only by hand to hand combats. on their arms in the front line of battle, where three times during the darkness the pickets before us were driven in by the enemy. We buried one noble man shot at midnight, and watched for daylight. During the A. M. we remained in the same front line under five of the enemy's guns, four companies employed as skirmishers and cov- ering the rear, when in the P. M. the forces all retired. We were badly worn when we reached eamp that night. One day of rest illy sufficed to refresh us; and we moved in the column of Thursday morning, 12th instant, like jaded horses. Officers and men were alike unfit for duty. But the after- noon and night found us again in the front line, watching a wiley foe. The 13th kept us still in the advanee and we bivouaced at night as before, our arms under us, and bullets whistling around us. Saturday morn- ing the whole line advanced to the deserted breast-works on Drury's Bluff before Fort Darling -- and our regiment lay in those trenehes with no relief until Monday morn- ing. The casualties during the four days dur- ing which we were thus on the front, were not great. But such unrelieved watching ut- terly took the heart out of our men. Many could not endire it, and were foreed to leave. Those who remained were badly prepared for what was to follow.

Let me mention two instances. One soldier standing among the last was hailed by a stout rebel from the breastworks right above him to drop his arms and surrender. True to his eause and himself, he raised his piece, shot luis antagonist dead, and escaped uninjured. One of our captains actually dragged a rebel over the breast works by the coat collar, so near were the contending parties. Added to this let me say that the four companies of skirmishers held an advanacd post within four hundred yards of those breastworks for hours after our lines had all fallen back, and did not leave until so ordered at 5 P. M. Other regiments may have a nobler name for that days' efforts than we, but tell me of one from any State that could have endured more persistently than the ever brave noble old Eighth Conn. CHAPLAIN.

Dear Record :- " A soldier's life is always gay," is an old saying, but not is rather irksome, and more especially so to those who have been in active service

our right. But on Monday morning, as the any length of time, as is the case with

One day's rest was all that could be given | right line was being pressed, and while the Co's "B" and "M," of this regi-

Monday morning a dense fog settled down over all the line. The enemy, who been reinforced during the night, seized the opportunity to make a heavy assault upon the right of our army, and succeeded in driv- ing it back. The Eighth Connecticut occu- pied the right of the left eenter and were soon attacked. Our Lieut. Colonel then in command had remarked the day previous to the General commanding our division that the right and left center were not united.

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ment, which have lately returned from | James to the Appamatox river, and is the flourishing business for the rebels, and the front, having been ordered back by strongest line I ever saw. the War Department. During their ab- i Since our arrival we have been very senee from the regiment they have added busy, strengthening carthworks, felling

destroyed it. 1 fine schooner named the Ann C. Davenport, of Plymouth, N. C., was awaiting a load from the four more battles, viz., Fredericksburg trees, &c. The enemy are a short dis- mill, so our fellows kindly loaded her 1st and 2d, Rappahannock Crossing and tance in our front, and have good range Mine Run to the list already on our flag, of our camp, and at times they pour the and we now present as long a list as a; shot and shell into and around the camp majority of our Connectient regiments. in a manner rather disagreeable. A few

The regiment was lately the recipient days ago a shot struck a member of Co. of a splendid State Color, from " Friends D in the limb, tearing and mangling it in Connecticut," and they can rest as- dreadfully, and rendering amputation at sured that it will never be disgraced by, the thigh necessary. The operation was this regiment.

performed by Dr. Skinner, our Brigade

Every Tuesday and Friday we have |Surgeon.

target practice at the different forts, un -; Nearly every night we are awakened der the superintendenee of the Majors of by the piekets firing, and the order " Fall the regiment, all being under the guidance in !" is promptly responded to by those of Col. Abbott. There is a great strife, held in reserve, to which class we belong. between the several gunners, for the best Colonel Abbott is Chief of Artillery along shot gets a pass to Washington for the line, and Col. Lascelles, of the Engi- twenty-four hours.

neer Corps, Chief of Engineering. Major- General Gilmore and Brigadier-General

During the last year many changes have taken place in and around the Fort, Terry are constantly in the saddle, su- the principal of which is its enlargment, perintending the works, and I think if the and when finished it will be the largest " Johnnys" attempt to break through and consequently the strongest fort on the here they will meet with a warm recep- defenses of Washingon. The work is: tion. More anon. TREBOR. fast approaching completion, and is per- formed by the Ist and 2d Regiments Heavy Artillery, the company's being de- For the Connecticut War Record. From the 16th Conn. Vols. tailed in regular order.

If any of our friends at home or Co. II, ROANOKE ISLAND, N. C., 2 May 14th, 1864. abroad think that these two regiments! are doing nothing for their country's! good, let them join us without delay, and Plymouth we hear nothing regarding it they will soon be satisfied.

Colonel Abbott (who is Acting Briga- dier General) is indefatigable in his ef- forts to promote the welfare and happi- ness of his men, and they are ready and willing to follow him through wherever Capt. Pomeroy of Co. I commands what he may be called to lead.

The health of the boys remains good.

From the First Artillery.

HEADQUARTERS IST CONN. ARTILLERY. 1

NEAR BERMUDA HUNDRED, May 20, 1861. 1 Mr. Editor :- The First Regiment pitched tents for the third time. It is Connecticut Artillery left the forts on said that three movings are as bad as a the 11th inst., and embarked on board fire. How lucky that this does not ap- transports at Alexandria, steamed down ply to soldiers !

the river to Fortress Monroe, thence mp Forty men from the 16th and the same the James river to the above named place, number from the 85th N. Y. left here on which is a short distance above City the steamer Rockland, accompanied by a Point. There we disembarked, and gunboat. day before yesterday, returning marched six or seven miles in the hot this morning. They went up the Alliga- sun, with heavy knapsacks on our backs, tor river some forty miles from its mouth, and pitched our camp on the line of landed on the right bank where a saw breastworks, where we remain for the and grist mill was situated, which during present. The line extends from the | the present week even has been doing a lute and comparative; its own distinctive

except that it is at Americus, Georgia, and that the men are well treated. Capt. Barnum of Co. H, is in command of the remnant . of the regiment on this island, which now numbers two companies. ¡we call Co. 2, which is composed of three for four men from each company, IF ex- cepted. They are all men who were not at l'lymouth at the siege, some being absent on recruiting service, some team- sters and some reernits. We have not yet been on the island a month, but have

with four hundred bushels of corn and a quantity of lumber, which will no doubt be found useful if it is inexpensive. The vessel is already unloaded, and lies at the dock here, the observed of all observers. No enemy was found, but had the expe- dition been a week earlier they would have found 100 infantry and a company of cavalry to contend with. The mill was a large steim mill and was the prop- erty, I understand, of a Capt. Simms, a gentleman better known in the vicinity of the saw mill than in army cireles.

ROANOKE.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Fifth Regiment. OFFICERS' HOSPITAL, NASHVILLE, April 22d, 1864. 5

1 Reverend and Dear Sir :

I am indebted to sickness for an opportu- nity to answer your letter of last month. The suitable leisure for a proper acknowledgment was always vanishing from me in the pres- ence of professional duties; and I wished to take more notice of your request than to confess my inability to comply with it.

The present interest and permanent value Since the captuue of the regiment at of the memorials of Connecticut regiments which you are garnishing, cannot be estima- ted too highly. The " Record" must be a very welcome guest in every bome that has a father, or son, or brother, in the army ; and it would be chiefly on account of those anxious and interested homes that I should endeavor to find leisure to write for the " Record," if I were now with the regiment. Some changes of organization in the Cumberland Army have occurred since our return ; and we have been obliged to learn that names almost saered with cherished as- sociations, and titles which every soldier among us had grown proud of, must give way to the " exigencies of the service." The " 12th Corps" was one day snuffed out of existence by an order of the War Depart- mient. To nuderstand how this tonches the feelings of a soldier, it needs to be reinem- bered that the army marches by corps, camps together in corps, and fights by corps. This is the general usage ; to do otherwise is the exception. The corps, in the present organ- ization of the army, is a distinct body, with its own commander, generally an officer of national reputation ; its own history, abso-

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badge, conspicuously worn ; its traditional old soldier does not complain of; but they usages and local gossip. It is, so far as there doubtless go towards the introduction of can be such a thing in the army, a clun, and, physical disabilities, which the soldiers of like a clan, it is very apt to become warmly | this war will feel as the years grow upon attached to its chief, either from his personal them. These discomforts and the confine- qualities or his military reputation, or both. ment of eninp are cheerfully submitted to ; The head of the Army of the Potomac, or; and it is pleasant to see the facility with which the regiment adapts itself to its con- of a western departinent, is too far removed from the individual soldier to win his per-

large school let loose, playing ball, pitching mule shoes, or gathered in a ring around a

the perils that surround us. Instances oceur where a letter from home has awakened a slumbering conscientiousness, and led to thought and inquiry about the welfare of the soul ; and I doubt if there be any so direct method of reaching the soldier's conscience as the welcome letter from home.

Very soon after our return to Tennessee, dition. Shut in by a strict guard, within a! we were made to feel that we had come into sonal attachment. The corps commander four acre patch, it finds ample room for ex- an infected district. There were rumors of stands just at that point between out of sight ercise and sport, and at times looks like a, small pox all along the route after we en- and familiar nearness, which is best suited to secure the devotion of the troops.

When, therefore, we were told that the couple of boxers. Underneath this outburst close by. Precautions are taken to guard of animal life there is much reading and

corps was broken up, that we were no longer to be known as " the 12th," we felt as if the considerable thought. In these low shelter Government had eut a bond of brotherhood tents, where there seems not room enonghi to do anything but sleep, there are in circula- tion over two hundred and fifty books, stand- ard and popular reading, with Harper, the and stripped off' laurels purchased at great cost on the fields of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

tered the department. Quite early our sur- geon was called to treat a case in a battery the regiment. They are drawn up in line one Saturday afternoon, before the door of the hospital tent, and receive on their right arın the "veteran stripe," as they humorous- ly cal' it. We hoped none of ours would take this disease ; hoped so all the more eon- Atlantic, and the Eclectie every month, and ; fidently as there was a ease about a year ago among the colored camp followers, with con- siderable exposure of the regiment, but with- fout the disease spreading at all. But already one was breaking out with it. Sergt. John W. Burley, Co. II, had taken it, no ore knew how or where. It was a severe case of confluent small pox. Singularly, although born in Conn., Sergt. Burley had never been isolate the case, detailed two men to be with him constantly and nurse him, and himself pail close attention to him ; but the disease

weekly religious and secular papers. Among all the tents very few can be found where there is not a comfortable apparatus for wri- ting home. So there is in camp a fair de- gree of mental activity along with the phys- ieal ; and better than either, the affections are kept alive and strengthened by the let- ters coming and going between the camp and the fireside at home. Next to the pray- | vaccinated. The Surgeon took measures to ers of our friends, which we hope are never forgotten, there is no human instrumentality And so the form of the dear old corps was put away, to be no more ours in the war, that does so much to keep us from the bad as the letters we get from home. We fight terminated fatally on the 8th of April. yet always to be kept among our cherished |more perseveringly against Apollyon, and Sergt. Burley's name is mentioned now hate him more, than we have the credit of with great feeling in his company. He doing ; and the blessed words of sympathy

memories. But the star was clung to. Not a man laid it aside. We are now the 20th Corps; but the 12th corps badge is conspic- uous on the hat, flames on the breast, and one sergeant, devoted to the memory of the 12th, exhibits three stars on his uniform. If an order should appear introducing a new badge, I believe the star would only be trans- ferred to the inside of the cap. But there is no danger of this, perhaps. By very good authority we are told that the 11th Corps,

seems to have been thoroughly liked by all, and encouragement and counsel which we and he possessed an uprightness of character get from our friends, are a great cordial when that secured him their respeet. He was in- we are faint, and reassure us when we are . telligent, thoughtful and independent. We inclined to give it all up as a hopeless strng- ; all sympathize with his widowed mother, and gle. To all the relatives and friends of the; the brothers and sisters who had but just regiment, who are asking, every day perhaps, parted with him on his return to the field what you can do for him whom you miss at as a veteran volunteer.

every turn, I commend this simple but pow- erful instrumentality for the welfare of the which is consolidated with the 12th, are peti-[ soldier. You can do no greater service tioning for the star. So this is likely to be than to write us frequent and long letters. the badge of the new 20th Corps.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Second Battery.

BRASHEAR CITY, La., 2 Let them come regularly, whether we write April 20th, 1864. 5 The battery is still encamped at this place, may have no money to buy paper, or there | and is discharging the duties of picket, in

Shortly after our return from veteran fur- or not. We may be on the march, or we lough, we were rejoined at Deeherd by all those whom we left behind at Cowan. These may be none to buy. Let the letters come, addition to its regular duties of guard and came from winter quarters, of the first class and reserve all questions of debt, and credit, drill, Captain Sterling, who had been de- for comfort ; and we had come from the and pinetilio, till the war is over. You may 'tailed for recruiting service, has rejoined the comforts of home. 'fo camp down, squat on 'not know how much good you are aceom- battery, and was warmly congratulated upon the ground, under shelter tents, was some- plishing; you probably will not right away ; his return. Several who have been absent, what like a plunge into a winter's brook. but when the last gun of the war has been sick in hospital (some ever since the battlo The weather was unseasonable for this lati- fired and the regiments return to civil life, sof Gettysburg,) have again reached us, and tude, the nights being eold and windy. you will see the reward of your faithfulness the battery has now its full complement of There was naturally some suffering in conse- in the bearing of your son, or brother, or | members. quence, but it was chiefly in the form of husband, bringing back to your society a colds and rbeumatic pains-trifles that the heart which you have helped to shield from

The troops at this post were recently re- |viewed by Adjutant General Thomas, who

In addition to this, our eorps commander, Gen. Slocum, was detached from the corps. We lost both our name and our leader. This was very generally felt to be a personal loss. Gen. Slocum is a graduate of West Point, an advantage which the volunteer soldier is more apt to think of than to mention, Ile is very modest and unostentatious, Ilis reputation for generalsbip is excellent, hoth in and out of the corps. The soldier com- pares him with Gen. Banks in kindness and ease of intercourse with his command.

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improved the occasion to address the soldiers of the several commands. He was partiet- larly complimentary to the battery, and ap- peared to know its history in Virginia and all through the bloody fight at Gettysburg. It was a pardonable pride if some of the old soldiers grew exultant and enthusiastic over the General's recital of that terrible contest. It was the artillery, said General Thomas, that won the battle.

We were inspected yesterday, and it is thought preparatory to the reception of marching orders. This rumor gains curren- cy from the fact that marching orders were sent to us some time during last month. which became mislaid in the pruvost mar- shal's office at this place. Meanwhile cur commanding officer was telegraphed to know why he had not reported at Franklin. Pend- ing the explanations, another battery had taken our place, and was in the recent fight near Natchitoches.

The weather here is growing wart, and there is but little sickness among us. UNION.

The Sixteenth Regiment at Plymouth. HARTFORD, Coxx., June Ist, 186.4. Editor of Connecticut War Record :

On the 17th of April, nt five P. M., 1 wns chatting in the tent of Major Pasco of our regiment. Dr. Friek of the 103d Penn., and his lady was there also. An orderly galloped to the door, " Major, the Gen- eral sends his compliments, and hns heard that the pieket line has been attacked." The Major, who was officer of the day, at once mounted, nud rode forth to the point attacked. We quietly took an early tea, and thought it was only one of question of how long our ammunition would last ; those dashes made on Plymouth now and then, besides, the left was searee to be defended without gunboats. The ram shelled the town all day on the 19th. Before sunset, the enemy's cavalry was to be seen in all directions, but mostly to the right. Shot and shell from the 85th N. Y. redoubt, d.slodging them from several positions. This redoubt stood

alone at a distance of a half-a-mile from the forti-| from the left Let me here mention that one com- fications of the town.

And now let me give you an idea of the loca- tion : a small town on the Roanoke river, very high | fire a shot in opposition to the enemy, for fear of breast works surround it towards the land. On drawing the fire of the ram. The principal oppo- the right, a swamp, erossed by a single rond, I sition made there was made by Colonel Frank comes to the foot of the breastworks. On the Beach of the Sixteenth C. V., who had two small left, a wide open space extending from the breast. works to a ercek, which empties into the Roanoke.

Napoleon guns bearing on the road, nud who gave the enemy grape and canister until they were In front, the woods cleared away to the distance ; within n hundred paces of his guns. The number of three quarters of a mile. As for the forts, of their wounded on that spot, the horrible nature there was one on the extreme left, between the of the wounds inflicted, and the repented waver- commencement of the breastworks and the river; ing of their column testify to the efficiency of his another in the centre of the front, another on the resistance, which, but for the cowardice of the Mass, battery, had kept the enemy at bay. left, protecting an open road ; a redoubt half-a. mile to the right of the town; and a fort up the river at the spot where the Roanoke divides into several channels.

Once in the town, but feeble resistance was made, except by 'Fort Williams, the fort in the centre of the front, and by the camps of the 16th C. V., and of the 103d Penn. It was n beautiful morning; the sun shone gloriously ; high floated

was pulled down, and tears started to every eye, to see it succumb thus. That moment wns the toughest I have lived to see in this war.

The camp of the Sixteenth Connecticut, our ticut Volunteers was wounded. He was distribn- camp, had resisted until then. When the enemy ting ammunition to his men, and the rebel sharp- shooters fired at him with great pertinacity, but with little success. Finally, when he had distribu- ted his ammunition, the captain returned to his original place, and being full of fight, he swore lustily at the sharpshooters, and waved his hat at them in bold defiance. He being then in full view, walking straight, and at no great distance from them, one succeeded in lodging a ball under bis right shoulder. Let me here remark that the wound proved slight; Captain Burke continued to comumand his company in the following fights. endeavored to enter the neighboring camp of the 103d Penn., Adjutant John B. Clapp of our regi- ment, mustered his color guard, and other volun- teers, and erying, "Come boys, let's drive those fellows out," led them against the column of reb- els, and in less time than I can tell of it, shot two rebel soldiers down with his revolver, whacked n third over the head with his sword, whom he afterwards dragged in, a prisoner, and with his men succeeded in repulsing the attack. More such instanees might be mentioned. Lieut .- Col. Burnham would not surrender until Fort Williams had succumbed, and only then he tied his handker- chief to his sword, and yielded to the overpower- ing masses of the enemy.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 70

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