The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 90

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

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Co. II-Sergts. N. Stone, thigh, slightly ; G. N. Cheney, foot, slightly ; Private John Young, Ist, died 21st.

Co. I-James Tuttle, face, slightly ; James Me- Cabe, head, slightly ; II. Schaffer, slightly.

Co. K-Privates Philip Fisher, died 21st ; Wm. Cordner, leg, slightly,

Missing. Co. C-Robert Tilo, ou skirmish line.

LIST OF CASUALTIES IN THE OTH CONS. VOLS., DURING ENGAGEMENTS AT DEEP RUN, VA., FROM AUGUST 1 1TH 1864, TO AUGUST 1ST, 1864, INCLUSIVE.

Killed.

Co. C-Private Gustave Fritehe. Co. D- Edward M. Harting.

Co. F .. Patrick Doling.

Co. 1- 4 Charles Perley.

Co, K- 4 Nicholas Weiss; Amos A. Bun- nell.

Wounded.

Co. B-Catain Bennett S. Lewis, side, severely ; ed Lient. John Waters, arm, slight.

Co. C-Captain John, Stotlar, leg; Ist Lieut.

Co. D)-224 Lieut. George Bellows, leg.

Co. E .- Capt. Dwight A. Woodruff, arm.

Co. A-Sorgt. Israel B. Winslow, lung, severe- lv : Corp. Henry J. Bemis, leg; Privates Charles

leg; Calvin Perry, severely; Johu Callahan,

Co. B, Corp. Wm. Ehrsam, left shoulder ; Privates

Co. C-l'eter Senring, foot; Anthony Puff, urm : Michael Prehm.

Co. D-Privates Alfred Lawrence, groin; Oli- seriously wounded; Lambert W. Skele, Co. 1, verW. Verbal, month ; Henry Schofield, leg ; Clar- died of wounds received July 14th, 1561.

enice E. Searles, arm.

Co. E-Sergt. Luzern Baldwin, amm ; Corporal Aaron C. Sanford, foot; Privates John Flanagan, arın; Horace Moulthrop, leg; Wm Pritchard, arni; Charles E. Stebbins, arm.

Co. F-Corp. Mark Bassett, side ; Privates Ran. dolph Hall, leg; Chas. W. Hill, leg ; Jas, P. Me- Cue, leg.

Co. G-Sergts. John P. Conell, knee; James P. Mckinney, side; Corps. Edward Alpress, arm ; Edward A. Stone, head; Privates, Lneius D. Leonard, abdomen and arm ; Terrence Mulloy, neck; Jolin Wyer, hip; Patrick K. Fitzgerald, side.

Co. II. Sergt. Zimmerman, arm ; Corps. Lonis Vogel, foot; Chas. Graham, hip ; Privates Julius Lehman, leg; George Pfister, leg ; Chias. New- man, hip and arm; John Hamburger, shoulder ; Gottieb Stoll, hand; Philip Shiller, leg; Rudolph Kombst, severely.

Co. 1-Sergt. Samuel C. Thomas, side, severe- ly; Corp. Alfred B. Beers, arin : Privates Chas. II. Burritt, side and arm ; Jacob Brolowich, arm ; Dennis MeCarty, hand; Win. Salar, side.

Co. K-Corp. Wm. II. Brown, leg ; Privates John Smith, both legs; Wm. M. Clark, head ; Chas. Greeu, hand; James Morris, mouth.

Missing in Action.

Co. A-Privates Ambrose B. Seymour, Frank E. Morse.

Co. D-Corps. John E. Clark, Chas. E. Provost. Privates Roper Hounslow, Richard II. Rogue, John D. Ward.

Co. G-Corporal John Brand; Private Charles Bishop.

Co. I-Corp. George W. Huckings; Private Jacob Beck.

CASUALTIES, 10TH C. V. DEEP BOTTOM, VA., AUGUST 1sr, 1864. Wounded. Co. K-Edgar Beccher, mortally, since died ; James J. Cleveland, severely, right shoulder.

Co. A-Chas. B. Shepard, slightly, leg.

CASUALTIES IN 10TH C. V., IN ENGAGEMENT OF JULY 26TH AND 27TH, AT DEEP BOTTOM, VA. Wounded.

Lieut. James II. Linsley, head, severe.

Co. A-Private Howard G. Ford. fuee, severe. Co. C-Private James E. Crosley, arm, flesh wound.

Co. D-Private Wm. Evans, left leg.

Co. E-Clarence Wood, face, slight.

Co. F-Privates Chas. Harvey, thigh, flesli wound; Lewis N. Hawkins, head. slight. Co. I-Private Wm. Lowrey, shoulder and arm, severe.

Co. K -- Private Jolin E. Gness. leg, slight.

CASUALTIES IN 11TH REGT. CONN. VOLS. DURING MONTH OF JULY, 1864, BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA. Killed. Co. A-Privates George Buckingham, July 4 ; Homer Barnum, July 12.

Co. C-Jean Paul, July 30. Wounded.

Co. F-Private Henry MeMahon, July 1, arm, slightly.

Co. G-Private John MeBay, July 1, head, slightly ; Drummer Wm. II. II. George, July 1, foot, slightly.

Co. C-Private Gabriel Labons, July 4, body, mortally, (since died.) Co. B-Private MeMahon, July 12, arm, seri- ously.

Co. F-Private Joseph Morris, July 26, head, mortally, (since died.)

Co. C-Privates John Kelly, July 30, leg, mor-

Ang. 6-Private Elizur H. Harrison, Co. F. : Win. II. Harrison, hand; George Dennis, back ; ; tally, (since died) ; l'ierre Poinot, July 50, leg, John A. Young, left shoulder ; Abner W. Mitch- | severely ; J. Jackson, July So, head, severely; wonuded in leg.

J. Dommermuth, July 30, leg, slightly; Sergt. Jolin Hoelles, July 31, arm and leg, slightly.

Co. A-Private Jeremiah Brady, July 30, neck, mortally, (since died. )

Co. D-Corp. Moses Danks, July 30, shoulder, severely.

Ang. 19-Sergt. Wells W. Reed, Co. D, wound. Bi-hop, lee; Myron DeForest, leg: John Bruce, ed face and eyes.

1864.]

CASUALTIES OCCURRING ON THE 5TH OF AtG. 1864, IN IITH C. V., BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA.

Colonel Griffin A. Stedman, wounded in breast, mortally, and since died, ( Aug. 5, 1864,) Comdg. 2d Brig. 2d Div., 18th Army Corps.

Lieut. Col. Wm. C. Mocgling, wounded, foot, slightly, (shell.)

Co. II-Sergt. W. II. Bottom, contusion, shoul- der, (shell.)

LIST OF CASUALTIES 14TH CONN. VOLS. FROM JUNE 3D, TO JUNE 20TH, 1864. Killed.

Co. A-Private Wm. Bradshaw.

Co. C-Private Charles A. Becbe.

Co. F-Privates Win. C. Brown, Ovid P. Shaw. Wounded.

Co. A-Privates John Ridley, June 4; James Ringwood and Chas. Sullivan, June 7; John H. Fountain, June 19.

Co. B-Privates James Ilays, Ist, June 20; John Doyle, June 17.

Čo. D-Ist Sergt. Elbert F. Hyde, June 17; Corporals Wm. II. Corbitt, June 17; James B. Shepard, June 17,-(since died ;) John II. Bilson, June 23.

Co. E-Private Francis Gallagher, June 15.

Co. G-Private Benjamin Stevens, June 5. Co. K-Private Peter Gray, June 20.

Missing.

Co. G-Private Peter Inghes. Co. K-Private John Smith.

Hartford, Aug. 10th, 1864.

General-I have the honor to report that the 16th Regiment formed part of the garrison at Plymouth, N. C., which was captured by the rebels in April last. * * * *

* * The casualties are as follows : *

Killed. Co. F-Ralph Allen. Wounded.

Co. A-Capt. Thomas F. Burke, right shoulder. Co. B-Chas. W. Squires, left leg amputated ; A. P. Forbes, flesh wound, thigh; Geo. N. Lam- phere, left elbow.

Co. C-C. C. Drew, skull.

Co. E-A. L. Cook, scalp, (since died, May 9 ;) John Laurence, right wrist; Corp. Mills, thigh, (since died, April 28th.)

Co. F-J. E. Martin, flesh wound, thigh.

Co. K-Lawrence Shane, right shoulder ; Sergt. Norton, right forearm ; Sergt Robinson, left side. Corp. A. N. Bosworth, Co. D, died at Ander- sonville, Ga., on the 20th of June.

1 am, Sir, Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, JOHN II. BURNIIAM, Lient. Col 16th C. V.

LIST OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDEn IN TUE ISTII C. V., AT THE BATTLE OF LYNCHBURG, V.L., JUNE ISTU, 1864.

Col. Wm. G. Ely, in throat, slightly.

Co. A-Sergt. Samnel J. Lee, in face, slightly ; privates Wm. C. Mitchell, arm, slightly ; Dan Carney, hand, slightly.

Co. B-Privates Edwin R. Wood, leg amputa- ted; Albert Hibbard, slightly.

Co. II-Sergt. C. A. Tourtelotte, leg amputated ; private Amos Crandall, leg, slightly.

Co. K-Private Otis S. Wade, head, slightly.

LIST OF KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING IN THE ISTH C. V., AT THE BATTLE OF SNICKER'S FERRY, JULY 18TH, IS61.

Killed.

Co. A-Corp. G. B. Hartford, and privates John Delaney and Daniel Carney. Co. G-Private Jno. Carney. Co. K-Private James M. Smith.

Wounded. Co. A-Privates James Deming, thigh ; Dan. II. Johnson, leg.

Co. B-Private Elmer D. Cook, nose. Co. C-Sergt. George E. Cormine, thigh and breast; private R. Corey, ankle.

Co. D-Lieut. F. G. Bixby, side; Corp. James Matthewson, thigh and breast ; privates Nathan Chase, leg ; Thomas J. Leonard, thigh ; Patrick Clark, leg ; Geo. C. Johnson, thigh.

Co. E-Privates N. G. Gardner, head; Jno. Jones, side.

Co. I-Private Chas. J. Miller, elbow.

Co. F-Private Orrin Cook, arm-amputated. Co. G-Privates Wm. W. Comins, right leg ; Juo. H. Wilcox, thigh.

Co. Il-Privates Henry Tracey, arm; E. W. Bingham, breast ; Jos. A. Tracey, scalp; Jos. Kenwortby, arm and breast.

Co. I-Lieut. M. Y. B. Tiffany, both ankles; Sergt. Geo. S. Coggswell, thigh.

Thomas T. Bates, back.

Missing. Co. F-Private Geo. Tuft.

REPORT OF CASUALTIES IN 20TR C. V., AT BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK, ON JULY 20TH, 1864. Killed.

Co. B-Privates Nathan Davidson, and Win. Brown. Co. F-Sergt. Geo. V. Buskirk, Corp. Timothy F. Taft. Co. II-Privates Andrew J. Lord, and James White.

Co. 1-Corp. James Fawcett, and Private Win. Darwin.

Wounded.

Co. A-Private George Benham, leg, slightly. Co. B-Ist Sergt. Edward Root, arm, slightly. Co. C-Corp. Abner C. Smith, fice, slightly ; privates Uriah T. Wells, neck, (since died: ) Chas. Starkey, arm, amputated ; Samuel G. Jagger, arm, amputated; Wilbur S. Churchill, shoulder, se- verely.

Co, D-Capt. Oliver R. Post, abdomen, (-ince died ;) Corp. Revirah J. Gladwin, head ; privates Edward F. Pelbon, side; Patrick Seanlan, arm, slightly.

Co. E-Corp. Win. HI. Slate, arm ; private Wm. Loveland, foot, severely.

Co. F- Capt. Horace G. HI. Tarr. shoulder. flesh wound ; 2d Lient. Ebenezer B. Fenton, foot : Corp. Frederick G. Aldis, breast, slightly : privates Orrin L. North, face, slightly ; Walter R. Bishop, head; John Kelly, Ist, leg; Timothy Hancock, shoulder; Jeremiah Coleman, arm, slightly.

Co. II-1st Lieut. Theodore Jepson, hend, se- verely; Corp. Charles French, arin; private Da- vid Carman, back, slightly.

ard T. Ives, head, severely ; Corporals Geo. M. Clark, head, slightly ; Curtis Tuttle, head ; pri- vates Peter MeKenaugh, breast, slightly ; John F. Bradley, back, slightly.

Co. K-2d Lient. Wellington Barry. arm, slight flesh wound ; Ist Sergt, Edward J. Murray, log, slightly ; Corp. James White, thigh ; privates Robert J. Allison, thigh, severely ; Thomas stan- brook, jaw; Wm. MeCarty, arm ; Lewis Curtis, breast.

LIST OF CASUALTIES IN 20TH C. V. FROM JULY 21ST TO AUG. 7TH, 1864. Killed.

Co. B-Privates Robert Martindale, July 23 ; Geo. Tomlinson, July 25.

Co. C-lat Sergt. Albert Pratt, Aug. 6. Wounded.

Co. A-Privates Jacques Ferrari, July 22, arm amputated ; John Bolan, July 22, hand amputa- ted. Co. B-Private Wm. Baldwin, July 25, arm, slightly. Co. E-Private Lewis Ilitehoek, July 21st. hand. Co. I -Corporal Wmn. IL. Welch, July 28th, leg, slightly.

Missing in Action.

Co. C-Corp. Frederick A. Chapman, July 22; supposed prisoner.

Co. HI-Private Edward T. Abbott, July 22 ; supposed prisoner.

RECAPITULATION.

Killed-enlisted men, . 11

Wounded-commissioned officers, 6

enlisted inen, 46

Missing -- enlisted men. .

Total,

IN MEMORY OF

Henry L., and Edward C. Blakeslee.

" To the rescue ! arouse ye and come !"

When the Northinen by thousands to conquer or die, Rush'd to battle from many a home,-

These brothers-and none were more ready than they And none were more loyal and brave,

Went forth to the conflict ; they fell ; and to-day

They are at rest in the soldier's grave.

The spirit of one with a single bound,

Leap'd across the dread oecan of pain ;

In the front of the battle his body was found,

And the stranger has buried the slain.

In that fearful charge of the "gallant seventh,"

Over "Wagner's" terrible wall,

In that desperate charge in the face of death,

'Twas the fate of the other to fall.

There the ground grew red where the stout hearted trod,

And many a volunteer's head

Was pillowed that night on the slippery sod,

While the pale moon looked down on the dead.

They planted our flag that day with cheers,

On the stronghold of the foe,

But the shouts of the victors were mingled with tears

As they look'd on the carnage below.

For out of the mouth of those terrible guns,

Destruction had issued forth,

And reap'd like a sickle among the sons,

The lion-like sons of the North.

Oh. traitors ! look down on the sickening sod,

See the blood you have caused to flow,

And Jook for the righteous curse of God,

Avenging the Nation's woc.

Co. I-Capt. Ezra D. Dickerman, heal, severe ; Sergts. David Thorneroft, arm, severely ; Brain- i Oh, Liberty ! what a fearful price

Our country is paying for thee,

But however costly the sacrifice,

We will it-tearfully.

Rest in peace valant soldiers, the battles ye've fought Are inscribed on the record of fame ;

And posterity bless'd by the freedom ye bonght,

Shall be proud of cach glistening name. Terryville, Conn., 1:61.

George A. Hoyt was born in Plymouth, Dee. 27, 1 -43, son of George and Sophia Hoyt. He en. listed in the 19th Reg. C. V., in the fall of 1862, and became one of the musicians of Co. K. He died at the hospital near Alexandria on the 6th of June, 1863, of typhoid fever, having acquitted himself well during his short time of service. His remains were brought home, and buried with appropriate services, by Rev. Benjamin Eastwood, at St. Peter's Church. He left a good name among his friends and acquaintances.

Died, in hospital, at Baltimore, Md., June 2d, 1864, private Robert Mayne, of Co. K, Sixth Reg- innent. Vermont Infantry Vols., of wounds re- ceive l at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5th. He was formerly a member of the 3d Coan. Vols. Bridgeport papers please copy.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

275

Co. K-Privates Oliver W. Chaplain, chest ; When our country imperil'd sent up the lond ery,

276

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[SEPTEMBER,

OBITUARY,

The Wadhams Brothers.

Three stalwart, healthy, and manly fellows, were the three sons of Edwin Wadhams, Esq., of Litchfield. All enlisted for three years in this great struggle for nationality and freedom. Of all, we now must write, with a reluctant haud,

"KILLED IN BATTLE."

Orderly Sergt. Edward Wadhams, was born in April, 1837, eulisted in Co. E, of the 8th Regi- ment, in September, of 1860. Ilis uniform cheer- fulness and good health enabled him to be at his post constantly. Through all the battles and hard- ships of his sturdy and dashing Regiment he LIEUT. HENBY WADHAMS passed honorably, and till May 16th, unhurt. lu Was born Aug. 14, 1831. He culisted as a the fog and confusion of that disastrous morning, : private in the 14th Regiment, July 4th, 1862,- he was struck by the fatal bullet. Captain Shef- field this writea:

"I did not see him when he was hit. A mo- ment before, he came to me to show his rifle. The ramrod had been struck by a musket ball, while he was loading, and so bent as to reuder the rifle useless. I obtained another rifle for him and he went forward a few steps to fire. I turn- ed to attend to the rest of the company. When I looked again for him, I was informed that he was shot. I immediately went to him, raised him up, laid him from under fire, beside a tree- cut off his equipments, bared huis breast and ex- amined his wound. The bullet evidently struck hint when he was stooping. It entered just below the shoulder blade, passing downward and proba- bly penetrated the heart, killing han almost in- stantly. The fire was so heavy that it was impos- sible to remove the body without further sacrifice of life. I remained with him for some time-way the last to leave him-and when I retired, they carefully covered the body with boughs."

every man mourns. To me the loss is irrepara- fatal bullet pierced his body near the eentre, im-

" His loss is as severely felt in the Regimeut as that of any man could be. The line officers of the Regiment wish me to inform his friends that they all deeply regret his fall. lu his company ble. When I took command of the company, I was, as it were, a stranger. The men kuew me | only as the former commander of another com- pany. Upon him I placed my whole dependence. giving him full authority. A great part of the ever faithful to the trust, and I can truly say that ! no man in the Regiment was more justly entitled than he to a commission."

time he was netually in command. I found him fered intensely-yet murmured not.

Love in him overcame exerutiating pain, for forgetting his suffering, he kept saying: "Oh, my The commission to which he had long been justly entitled, WOULD soon have been received. poor wife and child." And thus he manifested him-elf truly. Ilis wus a nature peculiarly domestic. Few men loved or had the capacity A brave and trusty comrade with true, genuine emotion, says : to love home, wife and child as he did. Few, in enlisting, snerificed feeling so deep and tender as "For more than two years he has held the post of 1st Sergeant in his Company, and he was look- ed npon by all its members as their real hend. beeanse the Company officers have been con- ; When duty bade him go, he enlisted at once, as a stantly changing within that time. By his con- sistent character, unvarying couduet, and fidelity to duty, he won the respect of all who knew him, and now his Company grieve for their loss as those that have lost more than a friend. his. Yet, that modest, industrious, home-loving man had too much character to shirk duty. private. His gentle wife, though it was as sever- ing her heart strings, opposed him not. Ile thanked her. And now she remembers him as her gift-offering to our conatry, and bears the Ilis record as a soldier is surpassed by none in the 8th Regiment. He has participated in every engagement in which it has been, and has always by his acts and words battled mantully for his irreparable loss in a manner truly worthy a brave inan's widow. Equal tribute might I pay to the stricken yet brave hearted widow of Capt. Wad- country and the righteous cause in which it is ; hams. These modest ladies will regret that I engaged."

have mentioned thiem beenuse they shriuk from

obey him. Patriotism was an inbred and ab- | women of our land are well worthy our bravest sorbing emotion-an abiding principle. In him tien. it was stronger than selfishness. When his merits Lieut. Wadhams was brought to the north side of the river, died about 113 o'clock, and was there looked, he set the noble example of uncomplaining buried by rough hands, with tender hearts, "as decently as circumstances would admit." were in the view of his comrades, nujustly over- submission and unabated fidelity and devotion to duty. He never faltered, never doubted the triumphant issue of the high and holy struggle in which he was gladly enlisted.

The common hardship and frequent common peril of severe service, has, united oflieers and men of the 14th, in no ordinary friendship, and their words of sincere regard and deep regret express bat half they feel.

"I have known him long and well," writes Capt. Hawley, "and ean truly sny that he was al- ways faithful in the discharge of his duties- always brave and trustworthy-always careful of lia men and mindful of their wants." "IIe had," is the testimony of Quartermaster Dibble, "from long association endeared himself to us all, and by his noble and gallant bearing ou the field, where he fought his last fight, made all that be- longed to him precious to us." And one of the faithful soldiers who helped at great risk, to bear him from the field, says: "Sacred will be his memory, because he was as good as he was brave."

" Ile sleeps where the blest of our glorions dead Were left on the sacred land ; Where the daring deeds, ere his spirit fled, Ile led with a bold command."

After what I have written concerning the two brothers, I can but feel as I proceed to write of the third, that some may say-The editor eulogizes, marking excellencies, passing by deficiencies in those who fall, in this great struggle. I ean only say, I record what I find ;- no more, no less. The noblest and the best of this generation have gone to the field-and, alas, that so many will never return to graee society and ennoble their associ- ates.

CAPT. LUMAN WADHAMS.

Capt, Luman Wadhams, Co. A, 2d Conn. Artil- raged. After dark he was borne by Sergt. Good- lery, was a native of Goshen, Ct., although his

father's family many years since, removed to Litchfield. At the outbreak of the rebellion, he served with the three months volunteers, aud was at the first battle of Bull Run.

Returning after three months, he re-enlisted with his brother Edward, in the Sth Regiment, and accompanied the Burnside expedition as Lieu- teuant. Ill health and the dictates of military eti- quette, Capt. Mason informs us, impelled him to resign his commission, and return to his home. A few months later, the 19th Conn. was raised, and hearing that his okl friends and neighbors were generally enlisting, Wadhams felt that his time had again come. Ile joined us at Camp Dutton, Litch- fieldl, and wasmade Ist Lient. and assigned to Co. A. Within the year succeeding he wns pro- noted to be Captain of the same company.

Captain Wadhams was one of the few officers in the service, who did not feel that his epaulettes male him a great man. He loved his men and associated with them.

The rigors of military law were unknown in Co. A, and some judged that it was undisciplined, who afterwards discovered that by mutual affee- tion and esteem it was splendidly governed. On a field day, nud while on duty, Capt. Wadhams

mateliless in heroism. Yet I can not refrain from mentioning them and bilding our many readers and strict in discipline, yet kind, judicions and ; to look upon like cases in their own midet, and | was the officer, at other times the friend of his helpful. The men of his company hastened tu | confess as they may, with truthful pride, that the | men.

As one who knew him in camp and in battle, l' notoriety, and because I might justly say similar too must add iny brief tribute. Sergt. Wadliams words of a thousand delicate American women was a man of sterling common sense, and sound, whom these days of sorrow have proved to be moral, and religious convictions. Ilis life was never stained by evil word or deed. He was firm

In battle he was cool, fearless, prompt nud effi- cient. As a christian gentleman, a devoied patriot and a thorough soldier, the memory of him will ever be treasured among my most pre- cious recollections.

was inade Sergt. Ang. 13-promoted to be 2d Lieut. Dec. 25tl, 1862-to be Ist Lieut. Nov. 5th, 1863.

Ilis service, like that of his brother, had been arduous and continnous, yet cheerfully and faith- fully performed. No Regiment has fought better or suffered more than the 14th, and he shared it all-and through all passed unharmed, until May 26th. On the 26th, ten days after Edward had fallen, he was called to lead his last charge. All day he had felt. dismal forebodings which no effort could expel from his mind. Yet he advaneed with alnerity to participate in the hazardous task of a charge with four small companies, on an an- gle of the enemy's works, upon the south side of the North Anna River. The little band advanced about 74 P. MI., fought their way steadily and bravely, capturing the exterior line of works. Lient. Wadhams led on his men, stimulating them by cheering words and gallant example. Just " before eight o'clock, while still advancing, the

wwwliately below the ribs. He fell within the enemy's works and my there while the battle win, and Thomas Hannah, to our lines, He suf-

1864.]

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

277

Captain Wadhams seldom punished his men. | vaneed with his company, on the first day of June, He believed that harsh and publie punishment ;in the charge on the enemy's stronghold, at Cold destroyed self-respect, which he labored to Harbor. strengthen. A gentleman from Litchfield, while "I can never," writes Capt. Mason, " forget his bearing as he led us to the charge. His com- manding figure, his determined step and electric glance, told that he was nerved to his responsi- ble work, and his men emulated his example." visiting the 20 C. V. A,-remarked to Captain Wadhams-" I find none of your men in the guard honse, and the boys say that it is always so. Ilow do you manage ?" "I talk to MY boys," was the reply.

A single instance will suffice. A new recruit in Co. A, who had several times made trouble, was about to be taken to the Guard house. Capt. W. said, "Stillson, just come to my quarters, and I will have a talk with you." IIe came. IIe went away with a higher idea of a soldier's duty and a soldier's honor. Ile became an obedient and faitbful man, subsequently having at target prae- tice, made the best shot in the company. He has- tened to the Captain, his face beaming with honest pride, and told him with enthusiasm what he had done, adding with evident emotion -- "I never should have done it, if they had put me in the guard house. I was discouraged then- now I have beaten them all." The noble boy fought like a hero at Cold Harbor, and by the side of liis Captain, fell.

Captain Wadhams was always at his post, and always watchful to promote the comfort, and the moral as well as the physical welfare of his men. While stationed near Washington, he had but three passes to visit the city, during six months. " I came here," he was wont to say, " not to lounge abont Washington, but to do my duty." IIe was thus at once the faithful commander and sincere friend of his men. They in turn felt for him the most enthusiastic affection, and found many ways by which to testify their high appreciation. On one occasion they presented to him a beautiful sword. In speaking of the gift Capt. Wadhams said: " That was given me when I had been with the boys a year and a half, when they knew me and I knew them well. For that reason I prize it."

When the regiment was ordered to Fort Craig, he said to his commanding officer -- " I regret only that it is not to the front." Two days later that order came. He was ready, yet regretful thoughts of separation from his dearest friend would rise unbidden, and with playful, loving frankness he said : "I thought it easy to go to the front, but I find the old story still true-' I have married a wife and cannot eome.'"

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 90

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