The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 77

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

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lloyt. Senior Captain, is detailed upon our Brig- ade General's staff; and the command bas devolved upon Captain Charles M. Coit. We are happy to

Sunday, June 12th, we again received mnreling orders. The 18th Corps returned to the White; say that he has faithfully and honorably led us du. House, nnd on Monday morning again embarked. Tuesday P'. M. brought us back to Bermuda Hun- dred. Wednesday morning, June 13th, we crossed the Appomattox, at Point of Rocks, and moved towards Petersburg. Gen. Smith's command ac- complished honorable work that diy. Sixteen

ring these most trying days. We are able to take only nbout two hundred men into the field, and but ten officers. We have lost since we left York- town, fifty per cent. of our figliting strength. But thanks be to God, our spirits are not broken, our hearts are strong. If necessary we will fight in pieces of artillery, four hundred prisoners, and a ! this compaign until another fifty per cent. shull posi ion commanding Petersburg, were captured. fill. Nor will the veteran Eighth be dead then. Of those wounded iu the first battle, some are al- ready rejoining us. We trust that God will re. store very many others. We expect that He will sustain our Army. For as verily as Hle reigns. freedom and law shall triumph over all oppression Iu this result the Eighth Connecticut bore no in- significant part. After the capture of the outer line of rebel works by General Hinck's D vision, (colored,)-all agree that they did nobly-our Division moved to the front ; and about 10 A M .. our regiment deployed as skirmishets. The rebels and rebellion. As ever, Yours for Christ and the country, CHAPLAIN. retired befure our rifles until we were confronted by their second line of works, about three quarters of a mile from their first. Our men held even a part of their liue of rifle pits and prevented the For the Councetient War Record. Twenty-First Conn. Volunteers. use of at least one of their guns During the P' M. the skirmish line was strengthened by the 13th New Hampshire, and a detachment of the 118th

The long period of quiet which had prevailed New York, both belonging to our Brigade. Abont : previous to the writing of my last letter at Wash- five o'clock it was supported by a heavy line of , ington, N. C., was at last broken by the attack and battle and ordered to advance. To eross the open ground, de-cend into the ravine in front of the works, and then attempt to enter a well built and. as was supposed, a well manned Fort, seemed cer- tain death. But strange to tell, as the line ad- capture of Plymouth, N. C., 28 miles distant ; and the threatening of Washington immediately after. Preparations were soon made to repel any attack whielt might be made against the town, breast- works were strengthened. nnd guns mounted, and vaneed few men fell, and the skirmishers alone jour force strengthened by the arrival of detach- charged up the embaakment, leaped over the par- ments of the 15th Conn. and 17th Mass. Regi- ments. All the troops were assigned plices in the works, and at S o'clock ench morning were called out into the breastworks in readiness for action. where we remained until morning. Pickot lines apet, and captured guns, colors, men and all be- fore the line of battle could come up. We are told that General Smith, as he saw the result from an emineneo near by, leaped nnd shouted for joy ;

adding that he felt like giving a commission to the i were strengthened, and every precaution taken to whole regiment that lund done that gallant, deed guard against surprise, and to iusare protection to

Our casualties that day were, two killed and the town, and provide for its defense.

Gen. Harland, ever active, superintended the arrangements for defense of the town in person, and by his activity and energy did much to in- spire the soldiers under his command with confi- dence and courage.

Rumors of all kinds were in circulation in the town regarding the approach of large forces of the enemy, and considerable excitement prevailed among the citizens and other non-combatinns of the place. The removal of the women and children to Newbern gave rise to rumors of evacuation and caused considerable fluttering among the sutlers and others who had well stocked stores with nu "visible means" of removing or disposing of their stock.

quently disembarked and returned to their position in the " Rifle l'its." We were again ordered to embark, and returned to the boat for that porpose. Arriving at the wharf we found that through some misunderstanding of the Quartermaster, the "John Farren," which was laden with all our baggage, had been completely loaded down with negroes and their baggage. The way those darkies and effects were transferred from the boat to the shore " was a eaution" to the " poor emancipated Afri- cans." After the negroes were all disembarked our men were ordered on board to unload the bag- gage, and mounting the hurricane deck, where it had been packed away, they charged upon the con- fused mass of African possessions and commenced transferring them in a very unceremonions manner to the wharf. The seenc which followed buffles description-and I doubt if the history of the whole war can present a like seene, or the Eman- cipation Proclamation of Father Abraham ever called forth another such sight. Feather beds fell like snow flakes, only rather more forcibly, upon the heads of the frantie searchers for " their own" household goods. Bedding, clothing, all manner of domestic goods, filled the air and fell like rain in one confused and inextricable mass. wenches displayed the pluck and muscle of n Iler- eules in giving punishment to some Inekless dar- key, who in her fruitless search for her undiscov- ered property had invaded the rights of another.

Hooped skirts were hurled gracefully from the deck to come down enveloping some corpulent weneh, and adding to her wrath, already ram- pant. Some were erying, some laughing, some fighting, and all wrongled amid the shower of " bag and baggage," which " mingling fell." And thus we left them. to be subsequently conveyed to Nes- hern, but if they ever live to sort that baggage they will exceed the nverage length of African longevity.

We left Washington, N. C., just after dark and proceded down the river to " llills' Point," where we took on board Co. E and B, which had been stationed there. Hills' Point had been the rendez- vous of the negroes until transportation could be had to remove them to a more congenial clime. About 2000 had been sent there and as we were waiting, the camp fires on the shore and along the eoast. reflected by the clear water, presented a very

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

j'te-que sight. During their stay there, (less than twenty-four hours,) nine souls were ndded to their number by birth, and if the Government is short of transportation, and this thing is to be con- 1 ::. ued, it would be for the interest of the Govern- went to furnish it immediately, for when a family is born in a day, few days may bring forth a nation.

Leaving Hills' Point we proceeded to Fort Mon. roc, where we arrived after a very pleasant voyage the Ist day of May. We lay in Hampton Roads until May 2d, and received orders to report to Gen. Shepley, nnd were by him ordered to encamp at Portsmouth. Hampton Roads presented a very beautiful sight upon our arrival there. Hundreds of steamboats nnd transports of all kinds were steaming back and forth, busy in preparations for the forthcoming campaigns, and troops were com- ing and going in all directions and everything had the appearance of decisive work in some di- rection. No one professed to know where, but all believed to some purpose, and in same direction where Rebellion would receive a thrust which would prove effective and hasten its end. Land- ing at Portsmouth we went into camp about half a mile beyond the City at Oak Grove.

Again nud again they hurled their forces upon us, but were met by the firm and desperate resist- ance of unflinching columns nud the murderous fire of opposing and determined men. The Sth We remained at Portsmouth until the 9th of May, when we received orders to re-embark and join Gen. Butler's forces at Bermuda IIundred. where we arrived the morning of the 10tb, and marched 7 miles and encamped at Gen. Butler's Headquarters, where we remained as bodyguard to the General until the 13th, when we joined Gen. Ames' Division near Port Walthall. Oa the 15th moved up to the front near Proctor's Creek and took up a position with " Heckman's Brig- ade " in front of the enemy's works. While here the enemy in the Fort immediately in our front were unable to work their guns, as our men kept up a continual fire, and thereby prevented them from manning them. Our position was in a thick- Maine now fell back nnd the 21st Conn, were left to breast the battle alone, At this junction an " Aid" came dashing up and said "that if we could hold the enemy in check one-half hour Gen. Smith would have reinforcements to re-establish the right of the line, and wished us to hold the po- sition nt all hazard." Inspired with this hope we determined to hold our position and with renewed energy continued the battle, which every moment increased in fury. Charging through the thick woods and marsh we delivered volley after volley into the maddened enemy until through the thick smoke which enveloped us we could only distinguish the flash of the enemy's muskets, as they furiously returned our fire. The battle was now at its ly wooded patch of small timber, and the land was height, and assumed the character of an " Indian swampy, both in the front where our skirmishers lay and where the regiment was stationed. A rude and basty breastwork of logs had been thrown up in our front, which were but small protection to our position, but which served to shelter the regiment from sharpshooters. warfare," while with the enemy nearly surround- ing us, we fought to hold our position with the ene- my of desperation, and in many instances it was a hand to hand fight, but ever terrible and awfully fierce. Finding that we were being fast surrounded and overpowered, the Col. very reluctantly gave the order to fall back slowly, as no re enforcements had appeared and we were suffering terribly in killed and wounded. (We afrerwards learned that no re- enforcements were ordered out, ns we were as- sured by the Aid-de-Camp there should be.)

The night passed away very quietly, and as it was very foggy we were obliged to exercise the utmost vigilance to guard against surprise. Soon the faint light of coming day began to tell us that the dawn was nigh Alas! 10 many a poor sol- dier it told of the last dar-dawn he would ever behold. For hardly hnd the increasing light made it evident that the night was almost spent, when the brisk firing of the skirmishers startled us to arms.

The fog was still thick and hung heavily about us, making it impossible to see what was the cause of the alarm ; but it soon became evident that the enemy were making a dash upon our lines, and with no small force, as the firing was very heavy.

cht. Favored by the fog they sneceeded in get. ḷ^^^ strong position on nnd in rear of the right Ask of our lines, and then nt once threw a large ! :: e upon us in front.

The battle now opened in earnest, and raged was at this time that in answer to the question, with terrible energy by both assailant and assailed. " Where is the 21st Chun. ? " Gen. Weitzelreplied, Charge succeeded charge, volley returned volley, " they are in the woods fighting like Hell."

repulse followed repulse, back ward and forward surged the mighty waves of battle tide, hished into fury by the desperate struggles of the infuriated combatants. Nobly did our forces breast the ter- rible storm which assailed them. Regiments lie-

We were finally ordered from the woods, and the whole force were drawn back to a position near the " Ilalf Way House," and about three fourthis mile from the battle ground. Here we lay until towards night, when the expedition withdrew to the

Did time and space nHow, I should be glad to record the many cases of individual bravery and heroisin exhibited during the battle by both men and officers, but I will only notice n few of these which came under my own observation. Capts. Staaton and Shepard, both of whom were in charge of the skirmishers at the time of the attack, dis- played great courage and bravery. Capt. Stanton by every effort endeavored to resist the enemy in their attack upon the skirmishers, and bravely contended with them, contesting their advance un- til wounded in the arm, when he was forcibly led from the field. Capt. Shepard was also taken from the field with a broken leg, (since amputated.)

Lieut. Col. Thomas F. Burpee, commanding the regiment, exhibited great coolness thoughout the battle, as did Major Hiram B. Croshy and all the staff officers. The Chaplain, Thomas G. Brown, was on the field during the entire engagement, min- istering to the wounded, and praying and giving consolation to the dying. He was slightly wound- ed in the arm by a piece of shell, and had several very narrow cseapes.

The list of casualties I am unable to send you at present, as we are so situated that I am unable to obtain them. The whole number of killed, wound- ed and mi-sing is probably about 123. 1 shall for- ward a correct list of casualties as soon as possi- ble.

DELE.

For the Connecticut Wl'ar Record. From The Eleventh Regiment. 11TH Cosy. Vous, June 30th, 1864. 2 FIELD NEAR PETERSBURG, VA. Y

MR. EDITOR :- You have not space to print, nor have I opportunity to write anything like a histo. ry of what we have done and endared in the month closing to-day.

Yesterday, it was eight weeks since we left Wil- liamsburg-a veteran regiment filled up with young blood, nearly a thousand strong. Since then we have been at Swift's Creek and Drury Slowly and contesting the ground at every step were ehelling us furiously, nnd finally entered the open field beyond the woods, where we found the remaining troops apparently awaiting the result of our fighting, we being the last regiment to leave Bluffs. We have been down the James again and we fell back, while the guns from the enemy's Fort |up the York and Pamunkey to Cold Harbor, its disastrous charge, nnd its work in the trenches, under rebel fire. We have sailed again down the Pamonkey nnd York and up the James to Bermu- ,la IInndied. We have crossed the Appomattox, the field, having obstinately maintained our posi -! and are now, a few of us, half sick, lying in a tion for more than five hours in the face of superi. | trench nlong the roadside close to, but outside or forces.

of Petersburg. We have been under fire twenty- five days, and have lost in all forr hundred meu und two thirds of our officers. But what idea

Arrived at the open field beyond the woods we again formed line of battle and advanced into the woods and once more opened a brisk fire upon the | does this give of those eight weeks crowded right The skirmishers stood their ground firmly, nnd resisted every assault of the enemy nobly, notwith- "'a.dling the severe fire which wns directed against them. Soon however, it became evident that they and day with daring nnd exploit. with suffering. with patience, with victory, with death. enemy, and never did men face a foe with more ap- parent indifference or coolness than in this last en- gagement. Not a man flinched or held back, but. were mas-ing their forces for an attack upon the boldly confronting the death dealing missiles of Half a line tells of our sailing up and down the James, Jait to know what transports are, one should see our brave meu, whose living bodies munke the wall of defense nround our Liberties, hddled in the foul hole. breathing the contnmi- the enemy, they returned fire for fire with the ile- termination of men who with a strong faith in the justice of the canse they were defending were ready to snerifice their lives for it if need be. It nated nir, and glad to boil their little black coffee

overpowered by the unequal strife the right at last were compelled to give way, and were forced back, after having held their position for more than an honr against the tide of overpowering numbers. The 9th N. J., and the 27th Mass., lost many ta- ken prisoners in this assault, and retiring from the field left the right of the 21st exposed, so that the 21st Conn. and 8th Maine men were compelled to form line of battle at a right angle to the works, where they received again the shock of battle, now waged against us with increased fury by the whis- key maddened forces of the enemy.

roically repelled the assault of Brigades, and for n'entrenchments abont four miles from Bermuda time successfully maintained their position, but | Hundred,

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[JULY,

cups on the eoals raked from the ship's furnace | was Lieutenant Horn, wounded in the shoulder ; at fifty cents a chance. Ile should see these men | and on the same rubber blanket Lient, Pray, hit by trying to sleep, when there'is not room to stretch oneself, and how in walking to the cabin, some boot- heel with a long spur, passes down and rasps the side, which but lately was encircled by a mother's arın. A few moments of observation, a

a ball, partly spent-one who had got inerey in its inission of denth. Just below, on the same terri- ble side hill, under little roofs of shelter tents, are two or three tiers of men of the 11th. They asked for blankets, in the cold and dampness of few .friendly talks will give a juster view of trans- the night before, but we had none. That old ports and soldiers' life ou board fleets, than the | man, with his son of the same company at his grandest description of some correspondent well sile, who breathes with such diffienlty, is wound. fed, and fed to some purpose, at the Commanding ; ed in the Inngs. Across the path is one wounded General's mess.

in the abdomen. That noble, manly Sergeant, was George Covell, and in his death, which soon follow. ed, we lo-t one of the best and truest and firmest pa- | in the fieldl. triuts. For him the Chaplain mourns. If there was a Sabbath service or a meeting for prayer

Friday, the 3d inst. at Cold Harbor was a day of blood. How our loved ones and our mighty fell in battle ! The heroie and accomplished Ma- jor Converse, foremost in danger, most trusted of the Staff Officers of General Martindale, was mor- j and song, Sergeant Covell was there. With him tally wounded at the first volley in thit terrible would be Sergeant James Sonter, his friend and ours, who fell so heroically and was left on the field charge. He was mounted and had just carried from the General orders to Colonel St. dman. Compan ions at the bivouac fire, at our once fnnous Field and Staff mess ; companions too in many a hard fought battle, they then shook hands for the last time. The one fell at his post ; the other has been strangly preserved at his. In that charge many of our bravest and best were eut down. It was but a few moments. The point was not carried. The

That morning Colonel Stedman was found weary with three days and nights of watching and fight- ing. No Aid or Orderly was there, no General had been there. Ile had advaneed the line du- ring the night, and bayonets and coffee cups had made a loyal breastwork in the rebel sand. For himself there was a half-knee deep rifle pit scooped fire was murderous, a perfect hail storm of lead ; ! out near the line. He was alone ; accommodations a tempest of bull-rain. In that charge we lost in ; are limited, but I was glad to be invited to share them, such as they were. Burrowing as best I could, I shared two or three half sheets of suiled

tant Barnum in the leg. He was Colonel Sted. | paper, and while they were being filled passed to the regiment.

mia's Adjutant General, always at his side, and therefore nlways in danger, if duty became dan- gerous, We thought it would prove not a perma.

neat injury, nor lead to amputation. Ifis patient paign, had slid to the left. In the gray of the endurance deceived us ! For his fortitude in endu ring was not surpased by his bravery in receiving the wound. But we now mourn him also, for we hear from Washington that a tardy amputation was followed by a speedy death. He died among his friends, who nttended him in those last days, but he always had friends, wherever he had ac. quaintaaces. Thus another of that little eircle Further on were the survivors of yesterday's charge, lying weary, worn and hungry in the trench, while just behind the new line were sev. eral of the dead, on the ground where they fell, for it was death to attempt to remove them. which are known as the Field and Staff of the 11th Connecticut Volunteers, has become a mar- tyr of Liberty. Let their names go down to pos. terity with others. Add the name of Captain W. H. Sackett, who so long was on duty at the Con- The week that followed in the trenches, our charges and trench life at Petersburg, our suffer- ings from heat and dust, have been wearisome in the extreme, but I will not weary you with the re- cital. seript Camp. New Haven, who joined us at White House, who fought so gallantly and lived so heroi- cally till he too fell in a charge at l'etersburg on the 14th, dying without a struggle, in the arms of & brother officer. Let such names be household

Let the long list of officers and men who have words, going down from generation to generation. . suffered and died in battle, who have joined the

I would that those who love to honor such conla : number of martyrs of Liberty, tell what we have lone in the National eause. H. DE Y.

have a view of the unwritten suffering, could have gone through the Hospitals of the loth corps that Friday night, could hear the faint voiees call- For the Connecticut War Record. ing out for help to the man with a light, could see the various forms of mangling, and from all this . From the First Connecticut Heavy Artil- untold misery learn what Liberty and Guvern- lery. ment are worth.

HEADQUARTERS IST CONNECTICUT ARTILLERY, Near POINT OF ROCKS, Va., July 12th, 1864.

Burke, following Virgil, says, "From one learn all." A picture of Saturday, the 4th, would give an idea of the days we have passed. I wascarly at the MR. Ertror :- Probably most of your readers recollect that during MeClellan's Peninsula cam paign this regiment was in charge of the ouly front, asking Colonel Stedman if possible to come for one-half hour to the ho-pital. There Major Coaverse was dying. By his side was the Adju- | Siege Train ever used on this continent, and won tant smiling, without a groan or murmur, but I great praise from the commanding general. The pale. Not far way, but on the open hill side. | regiment is ngain placed in charge of the same, and wbere the morning sun was striking, lay Captain Allen, his wound for hours undressed. Near bin

30-pound l'arrotts, and 32-pound Rodman guns, be- ing the heaviest yet brought into requisition. Our battle-line now shows a front of something over twenty-five miles, and our batteries are scattered here and there along the line, wherever a good position can be secured.

This regiment is probably of more service to the goverment than our friends at home are aware, for long practice enables our splendid gunners to make every shot tell.

The Journal of Commerce, the other day, spoke very highly of this regiment, and said it had been of more service to the government than any other

The siege of Petersburg bids fair to be long and tedious, made more so by the extreme heat. Many weeks may elapse ere we change our position.

It appears, upon reference to history, that this is not the first siege of this doomed city. In April, 1781, General Phillips, of the British army, march- ed against the place with 24,000 men, and ocenpied the town, destroying large quantities of tobacco and other articles, and soon after Lafayette laid siege to the place from Archer's Hill, but was soon compelled to retire. But I trust General Grant will not prove a second Lafayette in this case.

Point of Rocks, also, a short distance above here, is worthy a passing remark as the place where " Pocahontas" saved the life of Capt. Smith. Although not much of a place, yet it is noted in history.

Our friends at home are performing noble deeds in sending vegetables. de., to the army, through the Sanitary, but they should be careful that the articles sent fall into responsible hands upon their arrival here, for in many cases they never reach those at the front.

The extremely hot weather and the bad water is the cause of considerable sickness, but nothing serious.

TREBOR.

For the Connecticut War Record. From the Seventh Regiment.

CAMP OF THE SEVENTH CONNECTICUT VOLS .. ) Near BERMUDA HUNDRED, VA., Jane loth, 1864. )

On Wednesday evening, June Sth, our regiment received orders to march with two days' rations. We left camp at Il o'clock P. M., and after march. ing two miles on the direct road to Bermuda Landing, turned to the right, which led us to conclude that we should eress the Appointtox river near Point of Rocks. We took a circuitous and unfrequented route, keeping well to the rear of our entrenchments, thereby giving the enemy no idea of our movement.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 77

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