The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 88

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

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D. From the Twentieth Regiment.

starts to come this way, and after flow- Extracts from a private letter from D. W. Gra- ing around the toe and heel, a distance ham, of Portland. of four or five miles, returns to within a IN THE BREASTWORKS BEFORE ATLANTA, GA., } July 24th, 1864. 1 half a mile of the first course. I think ont the loss of a man, and thence home it is considered over a mile from toe to DEAR MOTHER :- The siege of Atlanta has conl- menced. As we are lying in the second line of by way of boat. On the 21st of last heel, so you see it would require some- breastworks, with everything quiet, except now thing more than Uncle Sam's largest size | and then bullets from pickets, or a shell will pass

month, (July,) Cos. C, D, and K, started

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over our heads, I thought I would just write a few lines to let you know that I came out of the fight of last Thursday, which was pretty warm for nbont four hours. As we were advancing to the open field, the Miss. rebel Brigade came charging upon us, but with little trouble we re- pulsed them, and ndvanced to a rail fence which they had intended to fall back upon, but we re- pulsed them so easily, and followed them so close- ly, that they had no time to stop; they kept on down behind the next rail fence and attempted to charge upon us, but we minde it so hot for them, that they could not stand it; they then fell back, except a skirmish line, and these lay quiet through the night. Saturday morning, they came ont and fell back to the inner works of Atlanta. We advanced our line within about n mile of their brenstworks and commeneed to fortify, and now we lie behind Breastworks-shot-proof. So let them play nway with their artillery as much as they please. Four from our company were wounded. Capt. C. R. Post, who died on the afternoon of the 21st. After we had fallen back, under cover of the hill, to rest nwhile, he snid he would go back and get his blanket, which was behind a stump-he was struck and fell, throwing up his hands. Ile was soon carried off the field.

Edward F. Pelton, of Portland, was wounded in the left breast-is still alive. Corp. R. I. Glad- win, in the left temple, he is also alive. The other, Patt Seanlin, not very severely, by n buek- shot in the right wrist. He enme up to us to-day. The rest of the boys are all well, and in good spirits.

Our Paymaster has not been around for six months. For three days rations, I get only three table-spoonfulls of sugar, nnd about the same of coffee; but I will not complain, for you are so kind, ns to send me money with which I get many things for iny com fort.

I will now close by saying our little Brigade of thirteen hundred, captured three stands of colors, one of thent being a division flag.

I would say good bye for this time. From your dear son, D. W. GRAHAM. Co. D, 20th Reg. C. V., 3d Div., 3d Brig., 20th Army Corps.

From the Fifteenth Regiment.

CASIP OF 15TH C. V., NEWBERN, Aug. 16, '64.

Mr. EDITOR :- As you seem to have had no correspondent of late, with this Regiment, I will endenvor to supply the deficiency, and give you an occasional record of incidents as they occur among us. The duty of n provost gnard is in many respects decidedly dull and monotonous. Such has been the work of the 15th during the five or six months just past. Hence we can report very little of as thrilling interest, or hervie nd- venture, as ean those who have been enlled to participate in the dangers of an active campaign, or the glory of a dearly won field. But while we enjoy our good fortune here, we are equally ready to bear our part in the fortunes of the field. And I amn contident that should the Lyon Regiment be called to the field, it would demonstrate anew the legitimacy of its title to that namne.

On Saturday nud Sundny last, the usual monot- ony was broken in myon by the mournful novelty of a military execution ; the first that has occur-

red in this district. Six of them -- there were ; ers' request, spent nearly the whole of Saturday seven in all-were executed on Sunday, nt sun- |night with them. Two were Catholies. The rise, on the broad plnin to the north of Fort Totten, others, with a single exception, seemed to set Sixty men from the 15th, under command of about the work of preparation for death, in Lieut. Geo. C. Merriam, constituted the shooting solemn earnest. And, while I have very little eon- detail. fidence in death-bed repentance, I do earnestly

The names of the doomed inen were-John | hope that most of them died Christians. Clark, Daly, alins Duffy, Co. C, 5th R. I. ; Jas. Simmons, in particular, gave good evidence of being born Co. C, 5th R. I. ; Robt. E. Dunenn, Co. HI, 99th ; again. Ife desired me to remain with him till N. Y. ; Robt. E. Clark, Co. E. 15th C. V .; Joseph Collins, Co. E, 15th C. V. ; Geo. Berry, Co. B, 15th C. V. the end, and "let the last word which I hear be Jesus." But for this hope, I am sure he would have given way before the execution. As it wns, The last three, you will perceive, belonged to he and all the rest marched with firm tread, to our Regiment. They were recruits and bounty jumpers. death, and niet their fate with remarkable cour- nge. I hope never again to be ealled to witness such a scene; one is enough in n lifetime.

There is nothing occurring now among us worthy of special note. Quite a good many are sick with slight fevers, which lay them by for a week or ten days; fever and ague is also getting to be quite fashionable. But these are owing to the warin climate, and the atmosphere from the marshes. Cooler weather will bring henlth, we trust. So far as I know, none of our sick nre considered in danger. Sinee I joined the Regi- ment, July 19th, we buried three, making ten in all, since the Regiment came to Newbern.

On Aug. 2d, died in Regimentnl Hospital, Oscar O. Olinsted, of Co G, ; disease, diarrhoca. Mon- day, Ang. 8th, died of typhoid fever, J. Edmund Ilawley, Co. B, of Brookfield, Conn.

In my next I will endeavor to complete the list. Yours, very truly, CHAPLAIN.

First Regiment Conn. Cavalry.

IN THE FIELD, NEAR WINCHESTER, Va., } Aug. 16th, 1864. 5

Without alluding now to our operntions in the were placed in position, and the prisoners seated, ; campaign opening in Western Va., I resume our cach astride of his own. One of the Chaplains | record where it was left in your last. The expce- then offered prayer ; the prisoners were blind- ; tation we so confidently cherished that after the folded; bosoms bared to the shirt ; the handentfs i battle at Ashland, June Ist, our Regiment would removed; the indictment read. At the distance [ have rest, proved a vain hope, for they had of about twenty feet sixty muskets stood ready scarcely halted and indulged in a few hours of to do their mournful duty. Ready ; aim; fire- un-atisfying sleep, when the order came for ano- and the deserters have paid the penalty of their ther move. On Thursday, June 2d, they were crimes. All the forees in this vicinity were pres- | busy with skirmishing work, starting at night on ent to witness the execution, and were marched'a march for Newcastle Ferry. In this vicinity, in long procession past the lifeless remains, that ' near the old site of l'atrick Henry's farm, along all might see nnd take warning. The fickl was , the bank of the stream where tradition says soon elcared, nnd the Pioneer Corps proceeded to , he used to tish, they picketed on the extreme complete the sentence. Deserters are, by the right of the Army, till the 12th, when they rules of war, denied the benefit of a Christian ! marched vin Long Bridge, and Charles City C. burial. The graves are filled and leveled, nor is 'Il. to White Oak Swamp, arriving there on nny monument allowed to mark their resting place.

the 15th. in season for the engagement which occurred with a strong force of rebel infantry.

Such, in brief, is the ceremony of a military After hard skirmishing for several days, some of excention. In reference to its propriety. I have the time dismounted, they reached Wilcox Land- nothing to say at present. These prisoners were ing. on the James; crossed the river on the 17th, allowed by Gen. Butler, but forty-eight hours' 'as the extreme rear guard of the army in its notice of their sentence; a short period wherein ! change of base. The horror of such n position in to settle their worldly affairs, and make prepara- A movement that will be remembered in the tion for death But, to complniu, is not my pro- record of strategy, compensated for all the hard- vince, or intention. here. ship it involved. The ISth found them in eamp

As part of the men belonged to this Rregiment. 'enjoying, at last, a senson of repose. Very sweet it of course devolved upon me to attend npon' to men who had been for eight days almost con- them and minister to their spiritual wants. Instantly in the saddle. About one o'clock on this I was assisted by Rev. -- Rounds, of the the morning of June 22d, our Division, the 3d, Methodist and Lovell, of the Baptist Churches. ijoined by four or five Regiments of Gen. Kautz I was frequently in their cell, and nt the prison- ; Cavalry, the whole force under our Division Gen-

At the appointed hour, 5 A. M., the escort, consisting of the shooting party, nnd two compa- nies of Infantry, arrived nt the Crawn st. Jail, where the prisoners were confined. When the sergt. entered the cell to notify them that the hour for execution had eome, each, in turn, pre- sented himself, nnd without opposition, submitted to being handenffed. Then, with the Chaplains in attendance, three in number, they marched to the entrance, and, at the word from Maj. Lawson, Provost Marshal, took seats in two ambulances which were provided for that purpose. The pro- cession then formed in nearly the following order: 1st, the Band; 2d, the shooting detail; 3d. a wngon containing six coffins; 4th, the prisoners ; 5th, the company escorts. Thus they marched, to the entrance of Fort Totten. Here the coffins were unloaded, and placed in order, ench upon the shoulders of four inen. The prisoners alight- ed, and following their coffins, marched in front of the whole line of troops to where the six open graves indicated that they were to rest. The | ground had beforehand been staked off; the cotlins

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eral, started southward, on what might be ealled planees filled with wounded, were drawn up and haps others whose names have not been mention . a Railroad tour. To tell the whole story of this left by the roadside, but many of the poor fellows were afterwards re-captured, I am told, by the 6th expeditiou, as it has been told to me, would fill a paper even of more liberal dimensions than the | Corps. War Record, and it will be possible to indicate merely its general direction and result, with some of its more prominent features, especially as regards the Ist Conn.

Gun carriages and caissons, army wagons load- ed, some with anmunition and stores, some with headquarters property, vehicles of every deserip- tion confiscated on the march, all were gathered in a field and fired. A large number of contra-

In the absence of Col. Blakeslee, who was wounded at the head of his men, in the hard fight | bands, men, women and children, had to be left

at Ashland, the Regiment was led during this ex- pedition, gallantly and well by Major George O. Marey.

The force marched vin Reams's Station, on the Petersburg and Weldon R. R., stopping near Ford Ist Conn., and held by them till the Nottoway Station, oo the Lynchburg Road. On the 23d, they reached Nottoway C. H., where there was an engagement during the night, of the 22d. picket- Regiment, but were soon driven back. During

ed Nottoway River. Ou the 24th moved to Meherrin Station, and thenec to Keysville, at both of which places, there was great destruction of Railroad property. Arriving on the 25th at Roanoke Station, a severe struggle was expected in destroying the bridge over the Staunton River, and Capt. Morehouse, Co. H, of our Regiment, with seventy-five men, were selected to perform the task, but, finding it would cost too large a sacri- fice of life it was nbandoned. Ou the night of the 25th, Gen. Wilson, finding himself in a preca- . rious sitnation, from which there must be inmue- diate escape, moved his whole command at mid- night, through a ravine within five or six hundred yards of the enemy's guns, planted upon bluffs on either side. The movement from its very anda- city, was not suspected nor discovered till our

the rush our colors were in danger of capture, but Sergt. llawley. of Co. K, and Corp. Drake, of Co. F, tore the flags from the standards, hid them be- neath their jackets, and bore them to a place of safety. The retreat wns contiuned not always in the best order, across Stony Creek, the Nottoway and the Blackwater, into the Army of the l'oto- mae. So, the raid which wns glorious in the work it accomplished, especially in the destrue- tion of more than sixty miles of Railroad, came to rather an inglorious end. Our own loss in the affair was sixty-two killed, wounded and missing, which. though about twenty per cent. of our whole fighting force, was yet small in view of the experiences endured. Soone of the time there was keen suffering from hunger. Five days' rations issued at the start, could not be comforta- forces were well out of the emergency, started [ bly stretched over ten days. Not more than in the directed of Black's and White's Station. once was permission formally given to unsaddle and make coffee, though it was possible to oib- ble at hard tack and salt pork, at odd moments of On the morning of the 26th, the Ist Conn, was ordered forward to hold the bridge over the Me- herrin River, which they did effectually till the | halting, or in the saddle. All suffered, too, very main column came np carly on the 27th, when much, from want of rest. During the ten days, the march was resumed to Nottoway River, and | not more than two hours out of the twenty-four, thence to Stony Creek. Gen, Wilson, finding a lon an average, could be nfforded for uninterrupted large body of rebel Cavalry and Infantry at this sleep. One of the chief Surgeons in the Division, latter point, waiting to dispute his passage, deter. told me he had not at one time slept at all in mined to hold them back, with breastworks has- I seventy-two hours, and his whole nervous system tily thrown up, while Kautz Division, with the | by the fatigue and excitement, was alnost entire- wagon trains, went towards Roanoke Station. ly prostrated. It was his opinion that the greater This Division succeeded in making its way portion of the missing had fallen out from ex- through to our lines, but was obliged to leave be. hind, the traias. The force at Stony Creek was

| hanstion, and were captured. Yet it was when the command were in this condition, that they

ed to me, were three or four days within the reb- el lines, hid in the woods, living on berries, with an occasional bite of hoe cake, furnished by friendly negroes, and with the assistance of negro scouts finally got safely back. Wm. F. Clark, of Co. A, a Hartford boy, only about seventeen years old, had a pretty rough experience. Hlav- ing gone at one point on the march across the fields, to save uunecessary steps, he found him- self half a mile in advance of the Regiment, but thought he would go on till they overtook him. Before proceeding far he was halted by six or eight guerrillas, who emphasized their summons by leveling their muskets at his head. They hid him till the column bad passed, then captured two others, a member of the 5th N Y., and a col- ored servaot, and took them all, ns they said, towards some prison, but on reaching a very thick place in the woods, they shot the three and left them for dead. Two were killed instantly, but Clark, pierced with eight shots, fell, faiuted, and dropt into a profound sleep. Awaking the next morning, he crawled away in search of water, and after bathing his wounds, and taking a refreshing drink, he managed to mount an old horse that had strolled to the brook, using for a bridle a pair of suspenders, and rode him within protection of Fort Powhattan. It was several days before all came in. Major Marcy, on return- ing to camp, went North on furlough, leaving the Regimeut in command of Maj. Brayton Ives, whose soldierly skill and energy had an ample field in gathering the fragments and reorganizing the command.

We have a very small effective force now, com- pared with numbers accredited to ns. Over one hundred rebel deserters, who had joined our Regiment, were detached from us at the begin- niog of the Spring Campaign, as it was not thought best to put them in the front. Besides these, and besides more than two hundred new recruits, not yet borne on our rolls, we number eight hundred and eighty-two. But this includes one hundred and fifty prisoners. And besides so many are physically disabled by the campaign, or sick, or dismounted, or on detached duty, or shirk- ing somewhere, that the number of effective men at present with the Regiment to-day, is but little greater than two hundred.

Gen. Wilson nppears to appreciate Conn, mate-

attacked with great impetuosity twice during the Istarted from Reams' Station on their march of a [ rial, if anything can be judged from the fact that night, at 9 o'clock, and at half after one. In the | hundred miles. It is n wouder that, pursued he has chosen from our Regiment, n prominent number of his staff. Capt. E. W. Whitaker, the cominaading officer, of his escort, Lieut. W. C. Spellinan, and in fact the whole escort itself, con- sisting of sixty men. second fight, the 1st Conn, and Ist Vt. bearing ! sharply as they were, so large a proportion the whole brunt, the other Regiments having fol- should have returned in safety. Very many of lowed Gen. Kantz. Arriving at Reams' Station, I the horses became worn ont, having beeu ahnost Gen. Wilson found hiouself surrounded with troops | constantly saddled, marching over three hundred dispatched from Lee's army, which was but a few miles, kept on short forage, going sometimes for miles distant. It was here that Capt. E. W. Wbita- f forty eight hours without a drop of water. Then ker, of our Regiment, on the General's Staff, was i to appreciate these sufferings, of horses and men, ordered to attempt, with forty men, the perilous it needs to be remembered that the ten days con- suraed by the expedition embraced the very hot- test of the hot weather, for which this summer is becoming somewhat marked, and during all the time there was but a single shower, not enough to lay the dust. Some of the men who had been dismounted were fortunate enough, or sharp enough to avoid Libby Prison.

We have been reduced greatly this summer, by the casunlties of battle. Some of our best soldiers nre at home or in hospitals, recovering from wounds. Some are bearing patiently the hard continentent of Southern Prisons. Many of our noblest have fallen. We have had but twa offi- cer* killed, Capt. A. G. Framer, of Co. I, from l'utnam, and Capt. Joseph Backus, of Co. K, from llebron. It would be difficult to name two others whose loss would have occasioned more sorrow. Though differing in many personal qual- ities, they were as soldiers very much alike. They

Sergt. F. A. Lamb, of Co. B, Peter Miller, of as speedily as possible. A long lino of ambu- | Co. F, and John Cunningham, of Co. 1, with per- ] were both singularly cheerful in bearing the

task of opening communication with our lufantry, to the left of l'etersburg. He dashed through seve- ral bodies of rebel cavalry nnd infantry, arriving safely with half of his command at Gen. Meade's Headquarters. A portion of the 6th Corps, was sent as reinforcements to Gen. Wilson, but they were so much delayed that before their nrrival he was obliged to abandon bis trains, and fall back

to the mercy of the enemy.

When the command started for Reams' Station, hotly pressed by the enemy, the responsible aud difficult position of rear guard was assigned to the River was crossed. At one time the rebel enval- ry in strong force, dashed through our thinned

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hardships and performing the duties of the ser- vice; always ready when their time came for the and np weut hearts if not hats, and gladly, and, lute foc. Though the Regiment was in the front with such delighting anticipations of the future, rank and this was its first experience under fire, severer tasks of cavalry work, never complaining, | we all turned in again. Soon, however, were our it neither broke nor faltered, but did its part to never driven from the post of duty by the worst ; anticipations to be blighted, for before one hand . the satisfaction of the Brigade Commander, who of peril-but brave, both of them to a degree | fallen asleep, a revoking order came that we were ! was with his command, and by whom the Regi- that won the admiration of their comrades, and to follow the Brigade. ment was afterwards praised, as doing all that could be asked. Que after another, by seores, nien were shot down from its rauks ;- its Colonel and then fierce beyond description ; still it kept on, and part of the regiment took possession of a portion of the inner line of rifle pits. The ene- my was on either side of them, but they held it should secure to their memory the best of love The latter part of Sabbath P. M., we embarked; sailed from City Point to Washington : marched and respect. We mourn, with deepest sorrow, their and other losses our Regiment have sustain- ed, nnd would mingle our grief with that of the mnny afflicted hearts of loving relatives and friends. God help them to.bear their heavy bur- den. God help us to imitate the virtues of the noble dead. II.

Second Conn. Artillery.

This Regiment left the fortifications of Wash- ington, for the field. May 17th. On the 15th it was ordered to relieve the Mass. Ist, and the N. Y. 2d, and went into cleven forts, in which it had hardly counted the guns before it had marching orders, and followed those regiments, by way of Belleplain, to the Army of the Potomac. Well and long will that day, May 15th, be remembered by the Regiment, when it landed there in a hard rain, lugged these heavy boxes of ammunition through deep mud, made its way to the top of that long and steep hill on which it encamped for the night, and from which it started at day-light the next day, loaded down with six days' rations, and one hundred round of cartridges, besides blankets, dress coats and a variety of notions, then thoughit too valuable and endeared to part with. Excessive was their load even for experi- enced field soldiers, very much more so for those unaccustomed to marching, and to such burden- bearing. Consequently it was not long before one thing after another, even dress coats, blankets nnd overcoats, were thrown away, marking its line of march to Fredericksburg. Many thou- sands of cartridges were lost to Government on that march, when the men would not make pack- mules of themselves to carry ammunition to the front. We reached Fredericksburg that after- noon and encamped on the side hill where so many Union soldiers fell in the unsuccessful charge under Gen. Burnside, a charge remember- ed and talked about. Early the next morning we were on our way from that desolate city, then one vnst Hospital for the front. Reporting at Gen. Grant's Headquarters, Spottsylvania, we were assigned to the 6th Corps, Ist Division, 2d Brigade, then as now, commanded respectively by Gens. Wright, Russell, and Upton. Since that time the Regiment has been with that Corps and army, in the march of the latter toward Richmond, and on to Petersburg.

Saturday July 9th, very unexpectedly, about 9 o'clock P. M., the dreaded pack up call was sound- ed, and we were soon on our way to City Point ; for what, we know not, but conjectured for a Maryland campaign. Two companies were de- tailed to act as Heavy Artillery, and reported at Division Headquarters. Soon they returned,

to the "front," as the region of Fort Stevens, the had fallen ; murderous was the fire it faced,-now scene of conflict, was then called; and the second day after reaching Washington, N. C., commenced following the retreating rebels on through Poole- ville aud Leesburgh, to near Berrytown, Va. From that point, we retraced our steps via Drainesville, | until relieved in the morning. In this charge Louisville, and Chain Bridge, to Washington.

the regiment took some two or three hundred prisoners, and intent upon pressing onward, passed them to a regiment in the rear, who took them to army headquarters, and unjustly received the praise of their captain in a published Order. In this the regiment feels it was wronged.

Another little circumstance is worthy of men- tion. A member of Co. L, observed a rebel ban- ner leaning over a rifle pit ;- he stole along and seized it ; but the rebels observed its disappear- ance, and then commenced n struggle, he to secure it, they to save it. The brave fellow succeeded in capturing a part of it, but even that, some un- known mounted officer took from him, except the tassel. which he still retained.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 88

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