The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 80

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

USA > Connecticut > The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865 > Part 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

New England Contributors to the Relief of East Tennessee.

As a representative of East Tennessee, we are requested to express the gratitude of thousands, who have been inade the recipients of your prompt PROSPECTUS OF and most liberal contributions for their relief Nothing could have been more timely, humane or even providential than the speedy assistance yon sent us, in this the gloomiest hour and saddest time VOLUME SECOND. 0- of our life. Friends gone, homes demolishel, pro. perty of all kinds destroyed, you may imagine our condition at the arrival of the supplies sent, and our joy on receiving them. We cannot say too The war continues and the patriotie sons of Con- nectieut are still battling with machless valor to save our splendid nation. The ever lengthening and brightening chapter of their heroic achieve- ments must be recorded faithfully and in perma- nent form. Justice to our gallant State and sym- pathy with the bereaved demand also that the names and deeds of our fallen heroes be carefully gathered and placed proudly and tenderly upon the historie page. much in praise of such generosity, such liberal. disinterested and, in many cases, self-sacrificing efforts. Could all speak to their benefactors, there would be an expression of the most real and heartfelt gratitude and blessings bestowed npon thein .. The appeal to you for this relief met such a ready and cordial response that no one failed to appreciate every effort. Hon. N. G. Taylor of East Tennessee went out in December on this Mission of Charity, demanding relief for the widow and starving child, in the name of justice and human- ity and not beggary, thongh hundreds are beggar- ed and still utterly destitute, barely existing, and This is the noble mission of the WAR RECORD, and the adequate reason for its continuance through another year. not really living in their onee happy and plentiful but now ruined and impoverished homes. His efforts suceceded beyond the most sanguine expee- tations of all. His first endeavor to raise funds The Popularity of the War Record. was made in Philadelphia, the result of which has Orr immense and steadily increasing list of sub. been reported. His next step was to visit Boston, where he and all he said were endorsed by General : seribers and the frequent letters of approval which Burnside, the hero of East Tennessee, and others. | we receive, are incontestible proof that the people The noble citizens welcomed him, most deeply value the WAR RECORD highly, and will cheerfully sustain us for another year. sympathizing with the suffering people whom he represented, pouring out their liberal donations to their relief. The Hon. Edward Everett voluntari We shall therefore continue to publish at ly offered his services to receive all contributions One Dollar a Ycar. the people felt willing to seud in. Up to this date more than one hundred thousand dollars have been received from New England, aud more still com. iug in.

More than two thirds of this amount has al- ready been wisely expended in the purchase of necessaries, such as flour, bacon, de., and for- | do the work.

warded to Knoxville, where an Agent from each County of East Tennessee receives bis portion. which he distributed to the best possible advan- tage. More than four hundred tons of supplies | improve our journal.

have been sent forward and no one can esti. mate the good such efforts have done; how many lives saved, and what suffering has been relieved! We can assure all who are interested in the re- lief of East Tennessee, that every dollar it expend. ed by good men to best possible advantage. All the supplies purchased up to this thne have reach. ed their destination and have been properly dis tributed among all needy citizens, regardless of dis- tinetion. A. A. BLUNT,

General Agent for Brownlow's Whig, de.

Regimental.

The Tenth Regiment will be, we trust, justly dealt with in the August number. Our corres- pondents have failed to send us a word eoneerning their splendid achievements during the past month.

The Twelfth and Thirteenth regiments are said to be now on the road to Washington. We hope that the Thirteenth will receive the long promised furlough of thirty days.

The Fourteenth is still at its post in the gallant. Second Corps. No regiment has suffered more or fonght better and none, of equal numbers, ean to. day do better service.

The Fifteenth Regiment are still lying quietly at Newbern. The monotony of their life has been broken by a hard march and some petty skirmishes. We cannot make room at present for the details. It is not the fault of the Fifteenth that they wore not in the severe fighting of May and June. They

have done their duty, and whether in the battle front or in garrison, they will always do it man- fully and well.

The Sixteenth Regiment. The officers are at Macon, the majority of the men at Andersonville, Georgia.

The Seventeenth Regiment still has its head- quarters at St. Augustine, Fla. The meu have more guard duty than they can comfortably per- form. Colonel Noble is mueh respected for his efficiency and courtesy in his arduous duties.

The Eighteenth Regiment has (with General Hunter) done hard marching and splendid fighting. Accurate details have not yet been forwarded.

The Twenty ninth Regiment is at Beaufort, S. C. They have been on several small expeditions- enough to prove the mettle and discipline of the meu. The meu were recently paid seven dollars a month. They received it with deep feeling, but with no outward murmur. They wait for justice. resolved at least to deserve well of the nation and the friends of liberty.

CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

number more extended and complete information from every regiment. We shall soon commence a description of all the battles in which the Connec- ticut regiments have been engaged, and the pre- eise part of each in the several engagements.

Regimental Histories.

We entered on our important work with the purpose of writing, by chapters, a complete his- tory of every Connecticut regiment. We shall carry out this plan.

We have published a thorough history of " The Three Months' Volunteers." We have printed much concerning the Seventh, Twelfth, Seven- teenth, Twenty-first and Twenty-fourth regiments, the Second Artillery, the First and Second Light Batteries and the First Cavalry.

We have advanced somewhat in the histories of the Eighth, Eleventh and Thirteenth regiments. The other regiments have been but slightly noticed. None have yet a full record. But all will in due time have a fair, coneise and complete history printed in our pages. When the war slaekens we can proceed rapidly to finish all the histories.

Advertisements.

The rapid advance in the cost of labor and paper compelled us to print advertisements or fail to pay our expenses. We sball continue so to do with the assuranee to our readers that neither quantity nor quality of reading matter will be im- paired. Did we not print advertisements we should be obliged to print a smaller sheet.

To the People of Connecticut.

Labor and material has advanced greatly in We enter on the new year with earnest purpose price. We have not advaneed our price, but to deserve your support, and with confidence that trust to a still greater increase of our large sub- scription list for a fair compensation to those who you will cordially give it. We know that we in- terest and cheer our brave soldier friends, while we are writing the only enduring record of their Progress Our Watchword. splendid courage and lofty heroisin. We trust, that as last year, many publie spirited citizens will sub- While we do not advance our price we shall seribe for additional copies to be sent to the soldiers and their friends.

The August number will eoutain an excellent portrait of Major General John Sedgwick.

Subscriptions may be handed to our agents or sent by mail to

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD, NEW HAVEN, Conn.

Terms, (in advance,) . $1.00 a year.

At the end of three months, . 1.25

We have been often gratified by the assurance in letters of our patrons of visible improvement in ench successive number. We shall labor in Volume Second enthusiastically and indefatigably to merit similar commendation. The experience of a year and competent assistauce in the office will greatly facilitate the accomplishment of our worthy par- pose.

Especial effort will be made to give in every |

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

OUR STATE POINTS TO DEEDS, NOT ACRES.

Office, 2 Glebe Building.

ORRIS & BENHAM, Publishers. S

NEW HAVEN, AUGUST, 1864.

For the Connecticut War Record. Major General John Sedgwick. BY REV. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

John Sedgwick, was born in Cornwall Hollow, Litchfield County, Connectient, on the 13th of September, 1813. ITis lineage was illustrions, for he was the child of patriots and of christians. His father, his grand-father, and his great- grand-father were each prominent in his day, for intelligence, probity, and ener- gy, each commanding the esteem of the community and doing with his might, whatever he undertook. The grand- father of John served as an officer in the ; revolutionary war. A more remote an-

struck such sturdy blows for human rights. His merits raised him, among that band of heroes, to the rank of major general. Honesty, manliness, great strength of will and depth of character have been marked characteristics of the line of Sedgwick. "Hereditary rank," says Washington Irving, "may be an illusion: but hereditary virtne gives a patent of innate nobleness."

war against the tyrannieal Charles I. Americans are not fond of tracing gene- alogie lines. We may, however, briefly mention that William, son of Robert, married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Sammel Stone, of Hartford. Samuel, their son, settled on the road between Hartford and Farmington. His son Stephen, born in 1701, married Mary Harris. Their son Benjamin, married Ann Thompson of Wallingford, and re- moved to Cornwall, where he died in 1756. He left four sons, all marked men. His eldest son John, "General John," left also several sons, one of whom, Ben- jamin, was the father of Major General John Sedgwick, the subject of the pres- ent brief sketch, and whose name will henceforth ocenpy a prominent page in American history.

It was in the year 1748, that Deacon Benjamin Sedgwick, the great grand- father of Major General John Sedgwick, took possession of a large tract of land at Cornwall Hollow. For more than a hundred years, and during four genera- tions, this land has now been in posses- sion of the family-quite a remarkable fact in migratory New England. At the time deacon Sedgwick took possession of his farm, there were but few inhabitants in the town, clustered in the warm val- lies, while dense forests spread over all the hills. But the stout heart and the strong arm of the puritan were enlisted to subdne the wilderness, and the work was effectually accomplished.

Ilis son, "General John," grandfather of our own illustrious General John, in- herited the sterling virtues of his sire. He served as major in the armies of the revolution. He was one of that band of heroes, never surpassed in ancient story, "'Tis not my boast that Laddove my birth. From loins of kings, and rulers of the earth; By higher far my proud pretensions rise, The child of parents passed into the skies." who, through storm and despair, for a dreary winter, stood firm at Valley Forge. The tories burnt General John's The first of the Sedgwick family who house as soon as he left for the army.

cinigrated to this country, was Robert, of whom we have spoken. He settled 'erected for him a new house. So inspi- The patriot neighbors of General John, cester, Robert Sedgwick, was one of in Charleston, Mass, about the year ring was their zeal, that working day those noble old puritans who, marching under the banner of Oliver Cromwell,

1636. Soon after, however, he returned j and night, the frame was put up, and the to England to take a heroic part in the house rendered inhabitable for his family

1 VOL. 11. NO. I. { $1 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

:2-1-1

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

in three days. Returning Victorious from the glorious war which scoured our inde- pendence, he was made Generd of Mili- tis, and for several successive years represented his town in the State Legis- latare. A kind providence favored his son Benjamin, with a peaceful life on his ancestral aeres. Benjamin's son John, was a vigorous, manly, generous boy. Though modest and unassuming he seem- portion of major Ringold's renowned ed born to control others. He was by nature a leader, not a follower.

At the age of 20, John Selgwick en- tered the military academy at West Point. He graduated in the year 1837, and was appointed lieutenant of artillery. For two years lieutenant Sedgwick was engaged in the deplorable war with the Indians, in the everglades of Florida, into which the slaveholders of the Sonth so inhumanly planged our nation. The poor savages, stung to desperation, per- petrated outrages from which it was an imperious duty of the Government to protect the helpless settlers on these remote frontiers. In this inglorious war lieutenant Sedgwick had but little oppor- tunity of distinguishing himself. He was doubtless glad when his regiment was recalled from the gloomy morasses of the peninsula, to watch over the northern frontier during the Canadian rebellion.

Soon the slaveholders plugel us into another war with Mexico. Their object was to wrest territory from Mexico, which they could cut up into slavehokl- derness, with a body of troops and ing States, and thus equalize their repre-i laborers, to construct Fort Wise, in the sentation in the Senate with the free vicinity of Pike's Peak. It is supposed States of the North. The nation was | that one object of the treacherous admin- thus dragged into another bloody war. fistration, then in power, in sending him Lieutenant Sedgwick was sent to Mexico. with his command there, was to have him as far as possible ont of the way, in pre- Here his native intrepidity and military genius began to develop themselves. In paration for the accomplishment of their many a heavy fight his gallentry was conspiracy to overthrow our free consti- conspicnons. At Contrevas, and Chera- tution, and to reconstruct the government busco and Chepaltopee, he obtained the on the basis no longer of the equal rights reputation of the bravest of the brave, of man, but of the exclusive privileges Rapidly promotion followed merit. In : of an aristocratie class

the free republie of America. Foul trea- |The sparkling water and the bracing son was even then plotting to tear this empire down, and to rear, in its stead, winds of the mountains, invigorated his constitution, and gave to his tendons the toughness and tenacity of steel. the meanest and the vilest of despotisms. But providence was also raising up and educating defenders to protect our land from the dagger thrusts of treason. Lieutenant Sedgwick, raised to the rank of Captain, was placed in command of a battery of light artillery. The splendid service he here performed, gave him daily that increasing fame, for which he seem- Ted to care nothing.

At one time, when in the wilderness, he was separated from his supplies for twenty days. During this time he was compelled to subsist upon such spoil as he could take from the stream or the prairie-fresh meat, without salt or vege- tables, His own buoyant, cheerful spirit, animated his men, and they all bore their hardships without a murmur. Adversity is a stern, rough teacher, but he teaches many noble lessons. It was in this school that Gen. Sedgwick was trained for the distinguished service heafterwards was enabled to render his country and humanity.

As soon as the 'flag of rebellion was raised, and treason opened her shotted guns against Fort Sinter, Captain Sedg- wick, true to his principles of Christian democracy, girded himself, with all the enthusiasm of his nature, for a struggle, if need be, unto death, against the des- ¡ potism which threatened the subjugation of our free institutions. He was a mem- ber of the old democratic party. In his sincere, honest soul, democracy meant His soul loathed that hypocritical dem- eracy, which unfurls a false banner, beneath which to fight the battles of the most despicable aristocracy and despot- ism.

Returning from the fields of Mexico, and from a triumphant entrance into the [ democracy-equal rights for all men. halls of the Montezumas, Major Sedg- wiek served, for some time, on our Western frontier, protecting the remote settlers from Indian raids. In the autumn of 1860, he was sent far off into the wil-

Ile was almost immediately in 1861, made Colonel .of the 4th Cavalry, suc- ceeding, as we believe. the traitor Col. Lee, who, unmindful of a soldier's honor, abandoned the service of his country and deserted to the flag of treason, to become the military chieftain of the rebellion, which has deluged our once happy land in blood. Until this time Sedgwick and Lee had been personal friends ; but henceforth friends no more. The patriot may pity, but he must abhor, the rebel. Col. Sedgwick had hardly received his commission ere, in August, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier Gene-

1955 he obtained the rank of Major in 1st United States Cavalry. As God in the school of discipline. trial, bandship, prepared Moses for his Lieutenant Sedgwick went to Mexico, 'mission, so did he prepare John Sedgwick |ral of Volunteers. on the body guard of Gen. Scott. He for the heroje work into which he had Almost immediately Gen. Sedgwick rose to a position of national fame. Ile infused his indomitable spirit and restless energy into every man under his eout- mand. In the carliest history of the Army of the Potomne, amidst disasters took an active part in the capture of appointed him. In the wild wilderness, Vera Cruz, and was engaged in all the where dangers ever threatened, he was battles of the valley. Providence lad thrown on his own resources. Necessity placed him in a school to prepare him to , made bim inventive in expedients, take a prominent part in the greatest prompt in judgment, decisive in action. strife of all the ages. Earth has never He became inured to want and privation, (and humiliations, " Sedgwick's Brigade" seeu an empire more full of promise than 'to coarse fare and an unsheltered couch, 'achieved a brilliant record. From this

One morning, before one of those ter- rible conflicts in the Valley of Mexico, Capt. Sedgwick, with four of his com- rades, sat down to breakfast together. They were all healthy, buoyant with youthful vigor and hope. A battle was

itupending. Girding themselves, they went out into the storm of thunder, fame, blood. Night came. Captain Sedgwick returned to his tent from the smothering sulphurous canopy of battle- alone. His four comrades, torn and tram- pled, were cold in death. Such is life in the army. One grows old fast amidst such experiences.

2.15

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1864.]

time mitil his death, he was ever where blows fell heaviest and fastest, and where! danger was most imminent. According to the statement of the Prince de Joinville and of Gen. Richardson, the skill, energy and bravery of Gen, Sedgwick, then briga- dier general, was mainly instrumental in rescuing victoriously and with glory, our army imperilled by a false position at Fair Oaks.

Three divisions had been thrown across the Chicahominy. A fearful storm then arose, converting the sluggish stream into a torrent and sweeping away the bridges, and flooding the adjacent swamps into expanded, fathomless sheets of water. Bnt one narrow bridge was left connecting the two armies thus iso- lated, and that bridge was in danger every hour of being torn away. The eagle-eyed enemy, in great force at Ricli- mond, seized the opportunity to attempt to annihilate the divisions, scarcely six thousand strong, which lind crossed the stream. In massed and solid columns sixty thousand in number, they emerged from behind their ramparts, in Richmond, and fell impetuously npon the advance lines of Gen. Casey.

To resist such number, was impossible. The heroie little band fought with energy which has entitled them to a nation's gratitude. Utterly overpowered by num- bers and in danger of being surrounded and captured, they retired in confusion. Couch and Heintzelman advanced to the assistance of Casey. Though they did all that mortal valor could accomplish, they were quite unable to stem the tor- rent, and were swept before its erested billow of flame.

Gen. Sedgwick, impetuously anticipa- the Stars and Stripes, now the traitor Gen. Lee, who was striving to trample in the dust of dishonor, that banner which he had sworn to defend against all assail- ants. ting the order to eross the river, had every man in readiness for the command to move. Like hounds springing from the leash they leaped forward. In breath- less haste they ran for miles, planted At the bloody battle of Antietam, Gen. Sedgwick was in the thickest of the fight. Twice he was wounded while attempting their batteries of 24 guns, which Gen. Sedgwick had already learned well bow to use, and opened a deadly, unintermit-[to rally his troops and hold them firm where bullets and grape swept their ranks like hail stones. Faint from loss of blood, he was at length borne, in

" In half an hour more," says General. But his heart was in the war, the great, Richardson, "our columnm would have sublime war for national existence, for been cut in two, which would have ' human rights the wide world over. His secured the defeat of our army. The; wounds were seareely healed, ere he was danger was imminent. But the division again in the saddle and on the field. The of Gen. Sedgwick, advancing at quick shouts of his troops welcomed their be- time, came up at the critical moment, and loved conunander back to the campaign formed in line of battle in the edge of of Chancellorsville. Gen. Hooker knew the wood, at the skirt of a large open tield. At this point, commencing a fire of canister shot upon the head of the well whom to trust for any adventure which required the bravery ot despera- tion, and the prudence of the coolest colunm, from his 24 pieces, he staggered i brain. To him and his renowned com- It -- and the division, then moving down in line of battle, swept the field, recur- ering much of our lost gromd."

jmand the 6th Corps, was assigned the part to storm and hold, the heights of Fredericksburg. Heroically the gallant It was a heroic deed, heroically per- fermed. None but a tried soldier would have dared to attempt it, or could have accomplished it. Over a fomming torrent whose swaying bridge, threatened to fall beneath their tread, engalphing those upon it, and cutting off those who had passed from all possibilities of succor or retreat -through swamps waist deep with mud and water and all hideons entanglements upon the bristling bayonets and belching exploit was achieved. It makes one's pulse leap to contemplate, the gallant ascent of those heights, marching with bare bosoms upon bristling ramparts, reckless of death, inspired by that pure patriotism, which gives enthusiasm which nothing but true religion can rival -- pressing on-straight on, over every diffi- enlty, through every danger for six miles, every inch of which was a deadly battle - witil meeting with an overwhelming guns of a foe many times their number, force which they could not break through, and flushed with vietory-they rushed on, they retired cahnly and in perfect order not to the destruction and death which

to a position where they could bid defi- seemed inevitable, bat one of the most lance to their foes. As Gen. Sedgwick glorious of our victories.

entered upon this, one of the most heroic adventures of the war, in brief but tell- ing words he said to his men:

After the close of the disastrous eam- paign of the Chicahominy, he returned, with MeClellan's army to Alexandria. " Sokliers, the occasion demands that Such bravery and military ability as Gen, jeach regiment should perform the work Sedgwick had displayed could not escape | of a brigade."

recognition. On the 4th of July, 1861, at

Ilis men were worthy of their leader. Alexandria, Gen. Sedgwick received his ! They knew how to appreciate their gen- commission as Major General. Soon feral, who was every inch a soldier. Ilis after, he marched to meet, on the field of courage, his quick eye, his prompt judg- battle, his old comrade and friend under [ment, his energetie action, his sympathy for his men, and the self-sacrifice with which he shared their toils and hardships, won for him that strongest of ahnost all earthly love, a soldier's heart. -

When our armies were encamped near Washington, and when the Capitol was crowded with idle officers wasting their [ time in dissipation and sensual indul- grence, Gen. Sedgwick was not known on a ted, point blane fire, of grape, of cannis- ter, of shot, of shell, into the very bosoms of the exulting, yelling ourushing masses of the foe. In a moment the ranks were broken-huge gaps appeared-the lines wavered, recoiled, the yells grew fainter, he was compelled to submit to a briet the ground was covered with the dead and with bleeding, mangled, writhing single occasion, to visit the city for pleasure. He was with his troops, en- couraging them by his presence, training ahost a senseless condition, from the fand disciplining them, securing their field. Ilis wounds were so severe, that iaffection and confidence by countless deeds of kindness, and thus preparing respite from the toils of war, and to seek 'both Himself and them for any emergence those healing virtues which could be j which might arise. When the hour of formis, biting the dust in their agony. found only in the midst of the quietude trial came, the troops knew their leader The army was saved.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 80

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