The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 87

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

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The duty has been of a character which required all the best qualities of the sol- dier, to which must be added an immense outlay of physical strength, in the erect- ing of earthworks, " gopher holes," and all the other means of offense and de- fense, to the construction of which a lib- eral use of pick and shovel is necessary.

The Regiment started upon this cam- paign, with about four hundred and fifty men " for duty," and at this writing, has graves and mutilated limbs answer.

one hundred and thirty; of the first number, nearly two hundred have fallen in battle, and are either buried on the field of battle and victory, suffering with wounds in hospitals, or enjoying the soothing influence of home and its min- istrations.

The particulars of Resacca, Dalloe, Culps Farm, and many skirmishes, are doubtless well known to your readers; therefore I will confine myself to Peach- tree Creek, and its events.

On the morning of July 20th, General Grant crossed the creek and advancing Immediately after the battle of Drury's about half a mile lialted for the purpose of Bluff, Col. Arthur II. Dutton, of the 21st arranging the line and other details inci- Conn. Vols , who had previously occupied dental to a elange of position. The Ist |the position of Chief of Staff, under Maj. Division had no formation for battle, when suddenly, and as unexpectedly as

Gen. Wm. F. Smith, was assigned to the command of the 3d Brigade of the Ist an earthquake, the storm of battle broke Division 18th Army Corps. The Brigade out upon the left, and rolled rapidly down from the 2d Division upon the left, through the 3d and speedily enveloped the 1st in its uproar.

and, as the enemy came shouting and yelling from the woods within twen- ty yards, flaunting their flags in the assu- rance of an easy victory ; the old Divi- sion closed sternly in, and the answer to their yells were union bullets and union cheers. For three hours the battle raged, the enemy being repeatedly repulsed, ind as often returning to the charge, only to find the wall of fire and steel more impenetrable than before, and to lose in- creased numbers of their misguided reg- iment upon the field.

At a little before sunset the battle ceased, and the returns of the 5th Con- nectient exhibited a loss of sixty men killed and wounded out of less than two hundred who went into action; among whom were some, yes, many of the best and most valued men of the Regiment.

Many, in fact most of the killed and wounded were of the number who eompo- sed the rollicking, devil-may-care veterans who left the State in March last, and who then pint off the vaention freedom, and entered anew upon the sterner duties of the soldier; how well they have fulfilled their oath to "support and sustain the country against all enemies and opposers whatever," let the record of nameless

The enemy fell back to the inner line about the long sought city of Atlanta, and to-day our 20 and 32 pounders throw torrents of shell and shot into the beau- tiful place, and doubtless bring to the remaining citizens strange recollections of happy homes and unbroken faith.

It is hoped that before this reaches you, the city will fall, and the tired army find in its shadow the rest and refresh- inent it so much needs. INDEX.

Twenty-First Regiment Conn. Vols.

was composed of the 21st Conn., 5Sth Penn., 188th Penn., and 92d N. Y., and occupied a position near the center of the line of intrenements stretching from

It was almost a complete surprise, but the James to the Appomatax Rivers. the men who formed the line of July!

20th, were too familiar with the rattle of in strengthening the works upon our musketry and odor of powder, to yield front, while nearly every night we were to panic, or flee without being driven, called out to repel some assault of the enemy, who seemed to be using every endeavor to discover the weak points in our line, as well as the strength of the force opposed to them, along our whole front. Nothing, however, of any great importance occurred until the morning of the 25th of May, when Col. Dutton, having received orders fromn Maj. Gen. W'm. F. Smith, to reeonnoitre the right of the enemy's position, he selected the 21st Conn. for the accomplishment of that purpose.

The following official report made by Maj. Hiram B. Crosby, to the Adjt. Gen. of the State of Conn. furnishes a com. plete detail of the affair, in which the country lost one of the most promising officers, the Brigade a most efficient com- mander, and his Regiment a beloved Colonel, and firm friend :

To Brig. Gen, Horace J. Morre, Adjt. Gen, Conn. : HEADQUARTERS 21ST REGT. CONN. VOLS., - SRD BRIGADE, Ist DIVISION 18TH ARMY CORPS, June 6th, 1864. 5

GENERAL .:- On the 25th day of May, Col. Dut- ton commanding the Brigade, having received orders to reconnoitre the right of the enemy's po-ition near our line of intrenehments at Ber- mudu Hundred, designated this Regiment for that purpose.

The Regiment passed outside of our lines and crossed the deep and almost impassable ravine that runs along the left of our works, until it reaches the Appomattox. On the further side of the ravine the left wing was posted in reserve, and the remaining companies were advanced to the front. Our skirmishers swept along the west bank of the ravine and thenee further into the interior, coming well on to the enemy's right flank. But night coming on, Col. Dutton recalled the skirmishers, and the Regiment returned to camp with orders to be ready to continue the reeon- noissance early the next morning.

On the day following, (the 26th,) Col. Dutton again crossed the ravine with his Brigade, con- sisting of the 21st Conn., the 58th Penn., the 18sth Penn., and 92d N. Y., with orders to push the reconnoissance until stopped by the enemy. Gru. Devens' Brigade also moved out on our extreme left, along the Post Wattbul Road, to co- operate with Col. Dutton, who took up the line of march in the direction of Post Watthal. After an alvance of about two miles, through heavy woods, onr akinnish lino came upon the rebels strongly intrenched and almost hid from view by the thick underbrush.

Line of battle was formed at onee, but as our skirmishers were becoming engaged, Col. Dutton, who then as usual, was on the skirmish line, was mortally wounded. The command then devolved upon Lient. Col. Burpee, 21st Conn., who shortly Here we were for several days engaged [ after received orders to retire, as the enemy were

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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thien massing opposite the center of our intrench- ed Jine.

Col. Datton died from the effects of his wound. on the 5th of June. He graduated at West Point in 1861. Kilpatrick, Custar, O'Rouke, Benjamin and Farquhar, being among las classmates. Bold mil chivalrous, with a niee sense of honor, a judgment quick and decisive, an unwavering zeal in his chosen profession, he was in every respect, & thorough soldier.

As an engineer, his talents were of the highest order, and at the time of his death he had attain- ed the rank of Captain of Engineers in the Regn- | throughout the whole engagement, receiving well- lar Army. By his companions in arms, he will never be forgotten, and to them his last re-ting place will be as a shrine commemorating the friendships which not the rude shock of war, nor lapse of time ean blight or destroy.

I. have the honor to be, General,

Very Respectfully, your ob't servant, (Signed)

IIIRAM B. CROSBY. Maj. Commanding 21st Conn. Vols.

On the 29th of May we received marching orders, and procceded to White . Honse Landing, arriving there the 1st day of June. We then proceeded to Cold Harbor, where we participated in the engagement of the 3d of June, par- ticulars of which will be found in the subjoined Report.

To Brig. Gen. Horace J. Morse, Adjt. Gen. Conn. : HEADQUARTERS 21ST CONS. VOLS .. 3RD BRIGADE IST DIVISION 18TH ARMY CORPS. June 12. 1:61.

GENERAL :- I have the honor to submit the fol. lowing Report of the part taken by this Regiment in the battle of Cold Harbor, on the Sd day of June, this duty devolving upon me in consequence of the death of Lient Col. Burpes, who was in command of the Regiment during the engage- meut referred to.

Coal Harbor was evacuated by our forces on the 13th of June, and so silent- ly and secretly was the evacuation con- ducted that the rebels did not learn of At 3 o'clock, on the morning of the 3d, onr Brigade was formed in close cohunn ly division, the 21st Conn, being at the head of the column with fixed bayonets, upon which they were in- structed to place sole reliance in storming the enemy's works. The Brigade of Gen. Marston, also in elose column, hy division, was in the ad. our departure until the light of day re- vealed to their astonished vision the im- preupied works we had so lately hell. Wo embarked on transports at White House Landing, and sailed down the Pamunky and York Rivers, and thence up the James, and Appomattox, landing vance. The two Brigades ut abont daylight made fat Point of Rocks. Here we remained one night, when crossing the Appomat- tox on pontoou bridges, we led the move- ment on Petersburg, and participated in the engagements of those first few days, which resulted in such decided and com- plate success, and gave us possession of some of the most advantageous and im- portant positions of the enemy, besides the capture of a large amount of artillery nad many prisoners. Had the advan- tages thus gained been followed up, as they should have been, and the troops pushed on before re-enforcements could have been called to the defence of the city, the Grand Army of the Potomae would not to-day have been slumbering

an assault on the strongly intrenched live of the enemy, who immediately opened upou the ad- vancing column with such a rapid and effective fire of musketry and artillery, that the Brigade in front was thrown back with heavy loss, and in great confusion, upon the head of our columnn. which, notwithstanding, held its ground with the steadiness of Veterans, The 21st Coan, was now deployed in line of battle on the advanced ground wo then hold, to guard against a threatened az. sault on the part of the enemy. The Regiment was here exposed to a sharp fire of shot and shell, both dircet and enfilading, from the enemy's works, which were barely two hundred yards dis- taut, bat protected partly by the formation of the ground, which gave the men some shelter while lying down; the casualties which otherwise would have been very heavy, were comparatively light.

were then sent to re-enforce Gen Burgham's Bri- gade, in a contemplated charge ppen the anne work, from another point further to the left. Gen. Burnham's Brigade was formed in clos columna, by division, the 8th Coun, to lead the charge, and the 21st Coun, to follow in line of battle with or- ders to rely upon the bayonet alone in currying the enemy's works. The enemy. however, ap- pearing in such force along that portion of their line, against which our assault was to be directed, the order was subsequently countermanded.

The Regiment behaved with great steadiness, merited compliments from Brigade and Divison Counnanders. A list of the casualties is annexed. With profound sorrow I announce the death of Lient. Col. Thomas F. Burpee, who was mortally wounded at daybreak on the 9th of June, while going the rounds as Brigade Officer of the Day. Hle survived only until the evening of the 11th." Lieut, Col. Burpee had borne his part with dis- tinguished valor during the Bermuda Hundred campaign. His coolness and good judgment at the battle of Drury's Bluff, will not soun be for- gutten by his comrades in that hoily contested action. At Cold Harbor, he was equally con- spienous for gallantry. While in command of the Regiment, he was able and efficient, always discharging with promptitude every duty, parti- enlarly if concerning the comfort and welfare of his men, by whom he was much loved and re- spected.

I have the honor to be, General, Very respectfully, your ob't, servant. (Signed)

HIRAM B. CROSBY. Major Commanding.

But the Corps that had been depended upon to support us did not come to our help as was expected, and so delay was occasioned which furnished opportunity for the re-enforcement of the enemy, and Mocked the way for any further advance.

Thus the " Golden Opportunity" was lost, and what would have otherwise been a brilliant movement and an effect- ually and disastrous defeat of the rebels, became in reality a failure. So that, to- day, just two months later, we find our- selves in nearly the same position that we occupied two months ago, confronted by a force that still resist all endeavors made to dislodge them from their strong- hold.

With full confidence in the ability and skill of Gen. Grant, the Army still look for some important movements that will soon change the aspect of affairs here, and I trust that I may soon be able to record the renewal of active and success- ful operations.

Worn down by constant duty and ex- posure in the trenches, the Regiment now numbers only about 200 men fit for duty.

The Regiment is at present commanded by Capt. James F. Brown, Lient. Col. Crosby, and Major Stanton, being at their homes in the North; the former on sick leave, and the latter on account of wounds received at Drury's Bluff during the engagement of May 16th, 1864.

With deep sorrow I record the death of Capt. Frank S. Long, of Co. D, who was instantly killed during the action of July 30, by the bursting of a shell. He was a brave and able officer and greatly beloved by all his companions in arms, and at the time of his death was in com- mand of the Sharpshooters of the Divi- sion. He was just in the prime of life, and full of bright promise. Genial and affable, he won friends among all, and his memory with that of our gallant Colonel Dutton and Burpee, whom he has so soon followed, is deeply graven upon the hearts of his associates, in characters which time can never efface. DEL.

From the Sixteenth Regiment. ROANOKE ISLAND, N. C., { JULY 25th, 1864.

In spite of the heat of a Carolina sun in the month of July, we have daily drills, dress parades, regular guard mounts, &c., any of which would be pretty to see if there was my one to look on and admire-but there is not. The citizens of Roanoke Island, with the

We held this position some three hours, and / in front of the Cockade City.

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exception of the blacks, are few and de- cidedly numilitary, seeming to care little for a view of a handful of heated and tired men going through the man- mal of arms. Lieutenant A. J. Case, who has been on duty in Connecticut for some time, arrived here about the first of the present month, and has taken command of Co. H. He is a good officer, a kind, . pleasant man, and is liked and respected accordingly, not only by his own com- pany but by the whole detachment. Capt. Pomeroy has taken command of Co. D., which is composed of recruits and odd members of nine different com- panies. We have thus a commissioned officer for each company, so that there is no longer need of sergeants to act as Lieutenants in command.

On the 10th inst., 30 men from the 16th, under command of Capt. Pomeroy, 30 men from the 103d Penn., under com- mand of Lient. Case of our regiment, and 45 men from the 85th N. Y., all un- der command of Lt. Col. Clark, of the latter regiment, left here on the steamer "Gen'l Berry" and " Ella Mary," accom- panied by the gunboats "Ceres" and "Whitehead," and steaming up the Seup- perong River to Columbia, Tyrell Co., destroyed the engine of a large saw and gristmill, together with a bridge 300 feet long, over which the rebels were carting large supplies for their army, returning on the morning of the 13th. The suc- cess of this expedition may be attributed to Lt. Col. Clark, aided by officers and a full quota of men from the 16th. Dr. Meyer has left the Island where he stop- ped but a few days. It is reported he takes charge of the Foster Hospital at Newbern. Col. Wardrop, of the 99th N. Y., is in command of this Post; Dr. Frick, of the 103d Penn., Surgeon ; Lientenant Barnes, of the 15th Conn., Quartermaster; and Lientenant Wilson, of the 103d Penn., Provost Marshal for this district. ROANOKE.

From the Second Conn. Light Battery. ALGIERS, LA., July 20th, 1864. At the date of my communication one month ago, the battery was at this place, awaiting transportation to Morganza. We received orders to go there, and af- ter hitching up, striking tents, and strap- ping knapsacks, awaited the arrival of Trueman to be corporal.

We are having warm weather, but

the transport. None came, but instead an order from Gen. Arnold, chief of Ar- there are no indications of the appearance tillery, to go into camp, and await for-

of yellow fever. New Orleans is ther orders. We accordingly went into | model city for cleanliness. UNION.

camp in a large open lot, where we had ample space not only for camp purposes but also for the most extensive evolutions of drill. We had scarcely become well settled in our new quarters before the 19th Army Corps began to make its ap- pearance. Day after day regiments arri- ved, filed passed us, and encamped around u.s. Among those which came were the 12th and 13th Conn., whose pre-ence was warmly welcomed by the battery. Since we have been in the service it has never been our good fortune to be stationed with any Coun. Regiment. On our march to Gettysburg we were fortunately with batteries B and MI of the Ist Conn. Artillery, but with this exception we have never before been quartered near any regiments from our State since we left Bridgeport, where for a while we were encamped with the 17th. The present occasion has been improved on both sides, each telling the other of the battles, fortunes, sieges passed, not for- getting many a tiresome march and cheer- less bivoune. They have gone, and many other regiments with them, some on the promised furlough, and others, it is understood, to Fortress Monroe. Reg- iments are daily leaving as fast as trans- portation can be furnished ; but there are no indications that the battery will be sent anywhere for the present. We have not been assigned to any army corps or brigade, and still report to Gen. Arnold at New Orleans.

During the past month we have had no opportunity to drill, and have hitched up but onee, and that on the 4th of July un- der orders to participate in the celebra- tion of our National Anniversary at New Orleans. We have improved the opportunity, however, in painting our gun carriages, and thoroughly overhaul- ing every thing pertaining to the battery. Since we have been in camp here, a mi-

ber have been sent to the hospital, some of whom are now returning to duty, some have been sent North, but none have died. Lients. Munger and Gray are now in the hospital but are soon expected to rejoin the battery. The following are the only changes which have occured du- ring the past month : corporal Win. E. Francisco to be sergeant, and Fergus

From the Seventeenth Regiment. ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA., Aug. 1st, 1844. FRIEND MORRIS :-- It is passing strange that a Regiment like the Seventeenth Connectient, which has cut some pretty elevated niches in the temple of fame, should be unrepresented in the Record. In such a literary crowd, too, it is singu- . lar that no one has ventured to give you a synopsis of our fortunes, good and bad, . since that atfair at Gettysburg. I have thought I would try and do something in a historical line, but reflection taught patience, and patience patiently waited for some one else.

We arrived off Charleston, from Vir- ginia, Angust 12th, 1863. Three days hard fighting in Pennsylvania, (where I understand every thing but stealing, is laborious,) had reduced on four hundred to a little less than one. The Ohio boys of our brigade, were equally reduced, and take ns all in all, we looked wonder- fully like an enterprising but somewhat demoralized band of horse thieves, just home from a foray which proved more grievous than golden. All unconscious of these doubtful appearances, General Ames, our commander, presented us for inspection, with cahn assurance. Gen. Gilmore rode among us, by ns and around us, looking anything but pleased. Then he rode up to General Ames with the cheerful verdict that we were about as poor a section of ent throats as he ever had the happiness of beholding. Besides, he had sent for and required Regiments, not squads. All the bright expectations of our sanguine General received a decided check by these remarks, and elevating his back he in- formed his charitable superior, that those squads, under his special superintend- ence, could drive any equal number of Regiments present off the I-land. Gen. Gilmore politely declined the delicate challenge, and we heard no more of Ames' squads.

After a due amount of digging and dlodging on Morris Island, we were placed in camp on Folly Island, and were joined soon after by the Chancel- lorsville and Gettysburg prisoners. The winter was passed in picket duty. Feb. 6th we made a raid on John's Island, where, besides getting what we went after, we got a few things we didn't go after-got wet, got cold, got chafed, got. mad. Feb. 23d, we sailed for Jackson-

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ESEPTEMBER,

ville, to help Gen. Seymour redeem the | ont for somewhere, but exactly where, I to fit that foot. From an elevation near Olustee disaster. Reached Jacksonville |am unable to say. The next morning next day, and marched through the early, Cos. A, E, F, and Il, under com- mand of Col. Noble, left here intending to reach and go to Indian river, where it is supposed a large number of cattle and quantity of cotton are hid away. They were accompanied by 30 citizens mounted and armed. We have not yet heard from them. town, which looked as gloomy as a grave- yard in November. The first three or four days of our stay at this place were spent in illustrating in a spirited way, several stragetical movements, such as shifting camp without warning, getting into line of battle with your mouth full of tack and pork, throwing up earth- Major Allen is in command of the Post, and our military affairs are run- works one day, and throwing them down again the next day. Finally, got the jning in a remarkably smooth channel. The old town is quiet and hot, the streets crooked as ever, and the people continue to take after the streets in this particular, with decided success.

place pretty well defended, and having cleared up all the available swamps, were deemed worthy of a rest, and sent to St. Augustine, which, although not the last place on earth, can be made to serve as such. We arrived on the morning of April 17th. Communicated to the boys of the 10th the welcome news that they were relieved, and out of gratitude some of the most intelligent of the aforesaid boys, informed the citizens that we were and vicinity, which we gladly offer to our readers: a set of men accustomed to but little ceremony, had a weakness for "seven up" and "bluff," adored Jack Shepard, and came from an Army, (Potomac.) where every man who hadn't the fortune to have the scurvy, was obliged to catch the iteli. Of course the citizens wel- eomed us with open arms. We had been here about a fortnight, in comparative quiet, when raid No. 1 was agitated. The agitation continued through the night, and in the morning carried us off. This force failed to meet the enemy, but captured a quantity of cotton, sweet po- tatoes and contraband, and returned with the exception of three companies (B, 11. K,) which were left at separate posts on magnificent landscape which lies spread Tout 1800 feet below us, and for hundreds southwest, which is hidden by the ridge running in that direction. Theplace where the St. John's river. May 19th, Co. B. Captain Hobbie, was surrounded by Dixon's guerrillas, and captured. . 1sst. Surgeon Turrell and his aid, Chas, Rhan, were also taken. Total, 45 men. Ileut. | I now sit is the northeastern extremity, Jas, Harvey, and Sergt. Edward Harri- son, of Co. B, were fortunate enough tofment, resting at the south bend of the escape. The next day the Regiment Tennessee river, which here makes a long sweep to the sonthiward and back, inclo- sing a peninsula just the shape of a man's started out again to aid Cos. H, and K. who were supposed to be in peril. That week they all returned. Since that time | foot, and is called Moccasin Point. The the boys have been out on a more exten- [ankle is at the upper part where the river sive affair-striking up the river to Camp Marion, destroying the earthworks, ex- changing shots with the Johnnies, and falling back again to Jacksonville, with-

the toe, not one quarter the height of this, came the shells which troubled the rebels so terribly while they could not depress sufficiently to hit our forces at all. The plains of Lookout Valley on the west, Chattanooga Valley on the east, and Mission Ridge beyond Chatta- nooga, are all in plain sight, as well as the peaks of the Cumberland Mountains, the Pigeon Mountains, Tummell Hill, and the Mountains this side of Atlanta and Rome, and hundreds of less noted peaks. I cannot help thinking that if the rebels gave up this place because they could not hold it, there is no place this side of the Gulf where they can stop. Thereare parts of five States visible from here : lleartily yours, YANKEE. Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Ten- From the 20th Regiment. nessee, and Kentucky. As we were The following extract from an interesting pri- vate letter received some time since from the 20th C. V. 1., was unfortunately overlooked. It con- tainsa pleasant description of Lookout Mountain making our coffee last night, some officers of the signal corps came along, and in- vited us to stay with them last night, and to breakfast this morning. They "The evening before we were to begin our ascent we laid in a supply of rations, and got a night's sleep on some bags of corn, to refresh us, as we had been trav- cling night and day for several days. On Thursday morning, after making coffee, we started, fully equipped and ready to take care of ourselves, as soldiers should always be. We gained the summit at 9} A. M., pretty well used up, as it was very hot, and we had our blankets and rations to carry. The last 50 or 75 feet There is an artist who has a " shanty" are quartered in a house about a half a mile from the point of the mountain, and near the ridge, in a little village called Summerville, and which used to be a summer resort ; it is the best looking vil- lage I have seen South, and there is good water there too. To day we have been having photographs taken of our party in a group, on and about a very singular rock called Table Rock; it stands bal- anced on the very verge of the cliff. we had to ascend by ladders up the face! of the rock. After arriving at the top, we spent the rest of the day resting, right on the point, and has some very fine views of different points and of per- sons of interest. We had the unexpect- viewing, and getting posted up on the ed pleasure of seeing Gen. Butterfield's Division, to which we belong, come out yesterday, and go through with a sham of miles in every direction except to the battle. They had nine regiments of In- fantry and two Batteries of Artillery. They threw ont skirmishers, pretended to find the enemy, changed fronts, and which forms a narrow and bold abut- went at him ; expended a good deal of powder and carried the position-nobody hurt-that is the kind of battle. It was a very fine sight I assure you. *

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 87

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