The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 92

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

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that they should have their place on the roll of mimber is the name of him whose noble services the morning of the fatnl battle of Ball's Bluff. Here they remained for some months in camp, drilling constantly with their guns, which they and death we propose now to commemorate. Captain William Wheeler, of the 13th N. Y. I | Independent Battery, was born in New York city | had not had before, during which time he wes

"I received yours of the 16th, this morning. ; But there are others too, who ennoble her by with much joy. You say " Go, and God be with their faithful service or heroic deaths, yet do not you." Mny God bless you, my darling wife, for ; tand on the rolls of her regiments, and so their that. It gives me unspeakable joy to know that"tterits are not commonly set down to her account. you are resigned to leave every thing in the ; Some, ns Lyon, Mansfield, Sedgwick, Foote, are hands of God, and trust Ilim for the result. As raised so high in rank that their position in the you say, "He can take care of the as well Love as , army is sufficient by itself, and we speak of them in Portsmouth." And He has heard your prayers, independently of State names. Others, many and brought me out of deadly pril unharised. doubtless in our regiments from the remoter and the blessed assurance that you have comunit- | West, have gone out from her hills and valleys, ted me to His keeping, makes me lighthearted, and made themselves citizens of new cominon- O how I bless you for your prayers. When in ; wealths, by whose names they are registered in battle my constant prayer was, " God lhes my thearmy, while still they owe to their Connecticut dear wife and children." < ." The paper- do ; training the basis of character and principle not give anything like a correct account of the ; which makes them volunteer and do their work figlit on Monday. The 21st was at that time ; well in the field. Others, a smaller number, who assigned to lleekman's Brigade, and although we gh bing to Connectient by choice of residence, are The Battery was made up Inrgely of Germans, and Lieut. Wheeler's great familiarity with their langnage was of much value to him now, ena- bling him to win the respect and confidence of both officers and men, by his integrity and manli- Muss. In October, the Battery was mustered into the service, and went into enmp near Poolesville, fought for five hours in one of the most difficult 1. 1 by birth or other circumstances to enter the situations in which a regintent can be placed, we ' arny in organizations bearing the name of other are not mentioned at all in the published arevant. States, In these last cases, too, a share of the But this is of no consegnate, except as it shows hunor they earn is the right of their adopted the incorrectness of reporters. If I can discharge | home, and the friends they have here claim justly my duty acreptally to Him, what others may sny or think, is of little taoment. Some officers ! the "Coxverrierr WAR RECORD." Among this | in Maryland, being reviewed by Col. Baker on go so far as to say that the stubborn fight inade by the 21st in the fog and obscurity of the woods. saved the entire Corps from destruction on that ! morning, Bat how that may be I know not.

already quoted.

"It is appointed unto inen," he says, "once to die; and it matters little when, or where, if we are prepared, aud engaged in duty."

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prostrated for cone Weeks, by a severe richness, In De ber, 1968, Howard's (the Jithy Corps, It was in the battle of tuip's Farm, neat Marietta, the only one during his teri of service. In the. was soldealy ordered west to join Sherman's a minor engagement, on June zed, that he fell. spring they were sent into Western Virginia, na- . army, andin it went the 13th N. Y. Battery. They In our line of battle there was a vacant space der Gen. Framout, and were under hre first at arrived there just too late to participate in the between the 1st and ed Divisions of the Corps, the battle of Cross Keys, June 5th, 1361. Soon battle of Lochout Mount.sin, and in that of ME sion 's. 1 Cup !. Wheeler seeing the gap that must be these forces, now under Gen. Sigel, were with- ; Ridge were stationed in guard of a bridge threat- filled, moved up his battery to hold it. General drawn to join the army collected under Gen. Pope, Tened by the enemy. While they were in Chatta- Geary, commanding the 2d Division, at once sent and during August, 1502, this battery was in nooga. the question of re-enlistment came up. 'him word that he could spare no infantry to sop- almost every battle and skirmish in that disas- Capt. Wheeler hil himself decided to leave the poort him, "Very well, then," was His character- trous retreat, ("twenty days of tough marching, mimy when his terin shoubl be out, in October, istic reply, "I will support myself." Not many and ten of almost continuons fighting," as he 1564, thinking that by that time the greater part minutes after, as he was sighting a gun, a rifle wroto ; beginning after the fight at Cedar Monn- of the work would have been done. But when ball from a rebel sharpshooter pierced his heart, tain, and ending with the second Bull Run, he stated the terins of re-enlistment to his mnen, and he died instantly, without a groan, Thus They were so weakened by this hard service that and asked them their purpose, he found that they were sacrificed in the case of our country, a life they returned' to Washington to re-fit and rest, | were all (except two) willing to re-enlist, but only . fall of the most refived pleasures and inspiring and performed garrison duty there for some time. Ion condition that he should promise to stay with prospects, a mind active, brilliant, and richly During the fall and winter of '62-'63, they were | them, He decided at once to retain his commis-, stored, a heart glowing with enthusiasm and nifee- posted successively at Brooks' Station, Fairfax C. ; sion, and thus secure so many more men to the tion, loving God and seeking after holiness. They HI., Aldie, Chantilly, and Stafford C. IL, guard- service of his country. Accordingly, in Pebroa. 'were not sacrificed in vain, and we who have lost ing raffroads and on picket duty, and were back ry, 1801, they came East to reernit in their fur- him, rejoice on his necount, as well as our eoun- again at Brooks' Station in April, 1868. From : bough of so days, aml this was the last visit that , try's, to see the cause for which he died advancing there they were ordered. to swell the force with | he paid to his loved home. At the end of the so near to it> grand trimph. P.

which Hooker was advancing against Lee mt . furlough, some of his friends in New York gave Chancellorsville, and suffered severely in that bat- tle, being in the 11th Corps, which, in lino of

a dinner to the battery, and entrusted to thein a new fag, in place of the old one which they humul battle, was attacked on an undefended flank by : | rough home tattered and worn to shreds, The the enemy in column, and rolled up like paper. Imen took the opportunity to present to their Here Lieut. Wheeler, having got four of his guus ! young Captain, with the warmest expressions of out of the danger, went back to try to save the respect and love, a handsome sword, which he ! wore until his death. other seetion, and remained there on foot until he was " the ouly man unlairt on the spot," when, to

We come now to his last campaign, and the avoid capture, he joined the retreating infantry, sudden close of his bright career. On returning picking up a musket and fighting as he went, to the field, he found that the battery had After the battle, he writes thus to a friend :-

been supplied during his absence, as he ev. " Every defeat of ours puts the end farther off, peeled, with a new set of brass 12-pounders, Na- but makes one work more sure and thorough, and I poleun gens, which he soon began almost to love the final peace more sleep and noble; the longer ; and to work so that they did good service. They we work upon the laying of our foundation stones, were al o in the re organization of the army, pat the more pains we take with the selection of our into the 2inch Corps, under Maj. Gen. Honker's site and the nature of the ground we build upan, commeund, and at the time of his death he was the more beautiful and lasting will be our edifice, Chief of Artillery of the ed Division of that which we ean then entrust to the religion of com- ; Corps In a letter a few months carlier, he wrote ing centuries to complete, and it will shine from of him, " General Hooker i, a splendid soblier. its rocky bnse to the pilgrims of the future, astand is enthusiastically admired by his small force the Parthenon did to us five years ago, beautiful, | from the Army of the Potoinse; there is a super- golden, as we sailed up to the Pireus."

abundant vitality about hita which affeets all that The next action of importance in the East come near him, and makes me almost believe in 1 at enormous prices, and build shops and machine-

was that of Gettysburg, and in it, too, his bat- some subtle magnetic or ebetrie influence. On try ami in thein make army to supply the demand. tery was actively engaged, on ench of the three the march he is continually among the troops, las days. On the second aud third days it was sta- ' always a friendly nod for the men, a kind word tioned " on the crest of Cemetery Hill," at the for the officers, and is to be seen at the toughest curve in our convex line, where the hardest fight- spots with alvice and encouragement. He has ing took joace. He did his duty bravely there. I such a fine physique, and seems to take such a and well deserved his share of the honor of that "pride and delight in sollering, that it is a right Waterloo-like struggle. At length his long and pleasant event in a day's experience to pass his

They have built docks and in them built ships, equipped them-enlisted and trained seamen and gunners, until they now possess a navy larger and by far the most efficient in the world. They have built foundries aud ca-t and prepared cannon which surpass any in the world Thus beginning with nothing, the United States have, at enor- faithful service began to be recognized by his su- ; Hendlquarters, and see him standing in front of his mons expense, made themselves a nation better periors in command. Already before this, in May, soon after the battle of Chancellorsville, his name i bis regular position." It is pleasant to find that of the globe. tent by the fire, with his hands behind his back, equipped for war on land or sea, than any other this feeling was not all on one side, and to bring had been sent by Maj. Gen. Howard to Governor Secondly, the United States, have in their ser- 1 Seymour, with a recommendation for appoint -; into connection with these words the remark vice, a much larger number of soldiers and sailors ment to the Captaincy of his Battery, nud now made by Gen. Hooker to one of his staff, when than England ever had. on the 19th of Angust, he received his well-earned : he saw Capt. Wheeler riding by, a few weeks Thirdly-The United States expend for each commission. There was justice in this promotion, ; before his death: " There goes one of the finest soldier more than twice as much as any nation for he had been the only steady, reliable, hard- artilleriets in the service, and he is a splendid on the globe for each of theirs They pay higher working officer in the Battery, from the begin- , man," It is unnecessary to go into the still fre-le wages-give larger bounties-provide better and ning. He wrote home about it, that, while natn. , details of the advance of Sherman's army, or to more albumlant rations -- supply three times the rally glad to be promoted, he was conscions that ' describe the fort which this battery took in its amount of meiheat stores and attention. that feeling wns overborne in lum by the desire ; contests. They are still at work there, resting When all these circumstances are taken into to render his Battery more valuable and effective, ; now, with abundant honors, after the great sne- consideration, and thus fair comparison made, it which he hoped tu bo nble, by this welevine in- jeess at. Atlanta,-but their Captain is with them : will be found that in economy of expenditure our no longer. He has gone to a higher, a final rest ' government has actually surpassed more experi.

erease of authority, to accomplish.

Not Yet. " Oh country, marvel of the Earth ! Oh realen to smulden greatness grown, The age that gloried in thy birth, Shall it behold thee overthrown ? Shall traitor- lay that greatness low ? No, land of Hope and Blessing, No!'

War Expenditures.

Those who seek to inake our people disheart- pened frequently assert that our average expendi- tures are mineht greater than those of England or other nations, in time of war. From this nnques- tioned fact, they would enforce the conclusion that vast stuns of money have been extravagantly expended or villainously pilfered-and thus weaken publie confidence in our chosen chiefs. . But they do not reason fairly. England, when- ever she has entered on a war, has had an army ail navy in existence and ready for efficient ser- vice. But the United States were destitute. They had not arms enough to supply the first levy of 75,000 men. They were compelled to buy arms

288

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[Остовая,

enced administrations in other nations. There has been waste and fraud but we are confident less than usually attends the prosecution of war I-land, be bolilly advanced upon the ene- in other nations. At all events, we proudly point to the conclusion. drawn from a fair comparison. that our national Bothoririss have managed these | Morris Island, supposing his (Terry's) to vast concerns at least as economically as shnilar matters in other nations have ever been mall- aged.

be the main attack. With his small force he confronted the enemy, and without risking an engagement, which would Major General Alfred H. Terry. have annihilated his little army, with the greatest skill he held his attention nntil our troops had quietly established them- selves on Morris Island, when he safely withdrew his men in boats, almost from under the guns of the enemy. This affair attracted little public attention, but upon here, but we cannot too often call to mind fits successful execution the whole opera- what they have done for us, who during tions depended.

' This accomplished sollier has, after three years and a half of faithful service on many fields, been promoted to the rank he justly deserves and has gallantly won. The events in which he has borne a conspicuous part, are familiar to us all

three and a half long years have stood between the enemies of our country, and our own peaceful and prospered homes.

Immediately upon the first call of the President in 1861, Gen. Terry was com-

missioned by the Governor, Cohome! of column. The enemy, however, suddenly the 2d Conn. Vols. Accepting the re- sponsible trust, he gave to the cause his whole heart, both as a soldier and a man,

evaenated the fort in the night, and our men quietly took possession. Gen. Gil- more appreciating his services, recom- and led to the first battle of the war, a mended him for further promotion. The regiment so well disciplined, that they came off from that unfortunate field with honor.

Returning home at the expiration of In May last, he went with his com- mandl to Bermuda Hundred. In skir- mishes, battles, marches and sieges, he has toiled through the long summer with his brave boys. three months service, he was again im- mediately commissioned Colonel of the 7th Conn. Vols. As soon as the regiment was full, they departed for Washington, and soon sailed from Annapolis to Port Royal, as part of the first great sea-coast expedition under Admiral Dupont and Gen. W. T. Sherman. Col. Terry was the first to land with his regiment atter the reduction of the forts. The siege and capture of Fort Pulaski was the first and Hawley's in support, and Craig's of conspicuous event which followed the the ed Corps on the right. The country establishment of our army ou the coast. I was very much broken, and the men had Through the long and tedions labors ofja hot march through ravine and jungle. the siege, Col. Terry and his regiment , At length, the enemy's picket line was bore the severest part, and received from Idriven into its works, and a brisk artil- Gen. Gilmore, the most honorable menellery duel opened, under cover of which tion, and were assigned to garrison the . Birney advanced and captured some fort after its surrender. This event slight works and 40 or 50 prisoners. The marked a new era in the conduct of siczes, troops were now re-formed. Pond's bri- and Col. Terry was promoted to be areade then charged the enemy's main line Brig. General immediately afterward.

lin handsome style, and, supported by

cate task was assigned to Gen. Terry. Isevere. This was the principal contest Landing with a small force on James ; of the day."

A correspondent of the New York my, and caused him to withdraw from : Times states that Gen. Terry led the charge in person with great gallantry. He eonunanded all the troops engaged in this affair.

This attack covered the attack on the Weldon R. R. and seenred its success. General Grant, who was personally pres- ent near the scene of this fight, recom- mended him for promotion, and he speed- ily received a Maj. General's commission -won as a soldier would wish to win it. We cannot close this brief and imper- fect sketch, without speaking of General Terry's personal character. He was born to be a soldier. His old friends remem- ber with what ardor he studied the art of war and the great campaigns of Eu- rope, during the peaceful days of ten years ago, and especially, how closely he traced the conduet of the war in the Crimea and in Italy. He had become very familiar with tactics. He told the writer of this, after two years' service in the army, that he could maneuvre a regi- ment as well when he first went ont as ever he could.

The great events in which he has taken part, have given full scope to the tastes and talents with which he was endowed. Ilis spotless character, his tried and un- questioned courage, his wide and varied accomplishments and conspicuous abili- ties, combined with a gentleness and refinement rare in one so resolute, make sons of Connecticut will ever delight to A. D. O.

Connecticut Chaplains.

However justly fault may, be found with many Chaplains in the army, it is certain that the Chap- lains of our Connecticut regiments are almost without exception, noble, brave, judicious, inde- fatigable and very useful men. They are almost universally honored and beloved by the soldiers, and those who meet our brave fellows wounded in the fierce battles of this summer are often grat- ified by the tender and grateful words of affec. tionate appreciation with which they speak of the several Chaplains.

Union Sentiment.

At the battle of Pocotaligo in the fol- Hawley and some colored troops, carried A soldier asked a contraband, recently escaped to our lines, what his sentiments were. "Strong Secessionist, Massa," was the reply, "till I got away." The mass of the Southern people, we believe, will be strong secessionists until the armies of Jeff Davis are defeated, and his power lowing summer, he was second in com- the entrenchments after a long struggle, mand, and conspienous for gallantry on and captured 200 prisoners and some the field, and devotion to the wounded colors. The fire was very hot, and for after the battle. In the operations which | an hour the fighting was close and hard, led to the capture of Morris Island and it being at short range in the dense | broken. Then they will be in fact what they are Fort Wagner, the most difficult and deli-| woods. The loss on both sides was very in licart, Union men.

Ile soon took command of all the troops on Morris Island, and when the approaches to Fort Wagner were ad- vanced sufficiently for the final assault, he was assigned to lead the storming

fiercer fights on other fields attracted more attention, and made more vacancies, and he did not then receive it.

On the 16th of Angust, he fought the battle of Deep Run. This battle is thus described in the Army and Navy Journal: him one of those true men whom the

"Terry's Division of the 10th Corps were the first to attack the enemy, with | honor. Foster's Brigade in advance, and Pond's

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OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

From the First Conn. Cavalry.

CAMP OF IST CONN. CAVALBY. IN THE FIELD, } NEAR CHARLESTOWN, VA., Aug. 30, 1864. 5

Our regiment, after a brief rest from the " Wilson's Raid," were again on du- ty, pieketing and scouting on the left of the line in front of Petersburg, with the prospect of a month or two of compara- tive quiet. But no sooner had we begun to manufacture summer quarters, than

our tents and boughs, and evergreens ; our rear, who would see to it that the work was finished.

woven into so many forms of grateful shade and shelter, had to be torn down or abandoned. When the order came to move, we almost wished for the moment -it was a rash thought-that we were a part of the Infantry around us in their quiet camps, instead of Cavalry, always on the wing. Yet we were glad to go, in spite of Angust heat and dust, when it was whispered the column was headed northward. If our rebel friends were meditating a summer tour on Union soil, we wished to be on hand to aid in giving them a proper reception. Aug. 5th, our Division marched to City Point, embark- ed there on the 6th and arrived on the 8th at Gisboro' Point, on the Potomac, a few miles from Washington, where is the chief dismounted eamp, and the prin- cipal depot of horses in the country. Our passage there was much pleasanter than such trips are ordinarily said to be. Instead of being jammed into impossible quarters, we had the steamship " Victor," large, clean, and every way comfortable. But our poor horses had a hard time of it. To be lifted in so rude a style, from terra firma, to sprawl and kick in mid air, and then to be lowered into the bow- els of the ship, was eruel enough ; but worse than this-more really hurtful, if

us had seen any thing approaching to; ticular care, as though it might be worth civilization. It was very grateful, too, remembering, when the war was done. to receive along the route, so many ex- Certainly, they were not tobe blamed, for pressions, waved from windows and so rare a blossom of beauty and loyalty ought not to waste its sweetness on rebel air.

doorsteps, or shouted in cheers, of earn- est welcome. At one corner a crowd of boys swung energetically their little flags, singing with spirit, "The Union forever-Ihurrah boys, hurrah !" though assuring us that if by any chance

On approaching Winchester, we were surprised to meet large bodies of troops moving North, but soon learned that as Early's extensive reinforcement had com- we should fail in thoroughly crushing the ! pelled General Sheridan to retire from rebellion, there was a generation just in Strasburg to a seenrer base. So we our- selves, instead of going farther South as we had confidently expected, were to fol- Marching on through Georgetown. along the river, over a country always beautiful, but especially enchanting that brilliant night, we crossed at Chain Bridge, and encamped a few miles from the Potomac. A pleasant ride of six hours, the next day, brought ns to the town of Drainesville; where we spent a quiet Sabbath, enjoying the rare privi- lege of a morning service in the woods. low the Infantry-first stopping there long enough to cover the retreat. Our batteries were posted upon the eminence at the southern edge of the city, a very commanding position, while a large por- tion of the Division-the Ist Conn. with others-was dismounted and engaged the enemy in the woods. There was very sharp skirmishing during the after- noon, with considerable artillery firing, On the morning of the 15th, reville disturbed our dreams at three o'clock, and at four we were in motion. Fording Goose Creek about 9 o'clock, we halted several hours on the edge of Leesburg, some of us being fortunate enough to enjoy for a moment, the glorious view from the eminence west of the city, after which, we were in the saddle, with but little rest for the next twenty-four hours. Marching through Leesburg, Hamilton, Snicker's Gap, Perryville, and White but about dark the main line of rebel infantry came up, when we were ordered to retire. We marched till about two o'clock, then lay down in the rain and slept till four, when we moved again to a little place called Summit, a station on the Winchester R. R., to await the arri- val of the enemy. We waited for them in vain. till the morning of Sunday, the 21st, then they suddenly made their ap- pearance. One battalion of our regi- ment being out on pieket, the rest Post, arriving at Winchester about noon of us were preparing for religious ser- of Wednesday. the 17th.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 92

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