The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 94

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

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picket line quite a distance. We continued firing during the passage of the fleet, sending several shells directly into the fort, and greatly embar- rassing their pickets. The loss in the Fort and among their pickets during the engagement, was

reported at 10 killed, and 30 wounded. We did light reach the Relay Ionse ;- and all the long. not lose a man in the battery, nor were any hot Sabbath, wind our way up among the Mary. wounded. Only one of the entire land foree was land hills to Monorasy Junction -- pitch our tents on the battle field of few weeks previons, Fences leveled, old muskets, here and there a rifle pit, and in one corner of a corn field, a number of killed during the siege. The guns from the Fort fired 24 and 32-pounder shells at ns, none of which did any damage, and but few of them explode.l. One of their shells passed about two feet over one | graves mark the place which, as Gen. Emory says, of our guns.

After the fleet had passed both Forts, we sus- pended fire, as did also the Fort. Then followed the most interesting naval engagement of which history gives us any account. The sight was worth n year's campaigning, and the interest

During the night of the 5th, Fort Powell, in Grant's Pass, was blown up and evacuated. Fort Gaines being thus invested, with all supplies cut off, without the remotest prospect of eseape, and exposed to the merey of the feet and to our fire in the rear, surrendered unconditionally to Admi. ral Farragut, in conjunction with the land forces, on the Sth inst. The Fort was garrisoned by the 21st Alabama Regiment, commanded by Colonel Anderson. The land force comprised six regi- ments, two companies of heavy artillery, and our battery. The heavy artillery had just got in readiness to open fire when the flag of truce was sent in.

Only a very few meu are sick in hospital, and As the land forres approached the fort on the morning of the surrender, the band played " Yan- kee Doodle." and on being drawn up in Fine, the 21st Alabama marched out of the fort fronting them. The officers delivered up their swords; the men stacked arms ; the rebel ensiga was run with those of the 13th C. V., who did not re-en list, we have a long line. Dr. Brownell is Medi- cal Director of the 19th Army Corps. Lieut. I'leteher, recently promoted, has charge of brigado Ambulances. Capt. L. Dickinson, is A. A. A. G. of the 2d Brigade. Lient. O'Neil, we hope, is on down, and the Stars and Stripes raised, while the |his way up from New Orleans, with the stores,

guns from the Fort thundered forth a salute. UNION.

From the Twelfth Regiment. HEADQUARTERS lath C. V., Near CHARLESTOWN, VA., Aug. Soth, 18G4. 5 MR. EDITOR :-- The summer is almost ended. It has been one of activity with us, and the autumn promises to be almost as much so. Since our last communication, the Twelfth has moved from Bermuda Hundred six miles to the frout, when

is " a good one for n large force to whip a small one." The Regiment end the Sabbath by a ten mile march without a mouthful of provisions, to meet the wagon train from Washington.

march over 'to Halltown, Va., and remam until the luth of August, which day will be reinem- the contributions of the jewels which had adorned | bered by seven hundred men of the 12th C. V., . the fair ladies of " Seeessia," was not to allow as one of terrible heat. As the march continued hour after hour in the middle of the day, the line melted away as if of wax. Men in squads, blind- ly staggering, sought the shade, or finding water, would drink as if dying for thirst. victory to be snatched thus casily. Steaming towards the fleet, she was evidently aiming to strike the Hartford amidships. The monitors closed in and commenced a circuit around the ram, thundering against her sides their heaviest metal. After a brief contest, the terrine cannona- ding suddenly ceased, the smoke lifted, and the ram with her sinoke-stack gone, and her rndder disabled, displayed the white dag. The day was ours !

It was a strange, heart-sickening sight, but the sin did not " stand still," as of old, and the shade of night refreshed the over-heated men so that four o'clock next morning found nearly full ranks in line of battle. Advancing by the flank in regi- ments, through cora-fields, over walls and fences, for five miles of hill, grove and valley, we were prepared to meet an enemy if one should con- front us; but Gen. Early did not wait. Avoiding Winchester we bivouacked near Cedar Creek, where we could distinctly hear the guns of the cavalry who were fighting at Front Royal.

Opposed by a superior force, we march mostly by night, back to Halltown, which is fortified, and we determined to give battle if desired. The twelfth are in reserve, with three days rations on hand constantly, are hourly expecting to go into battle, but after a day or two the enemy fall back, and we march up the Shenandoah again.

baggage, de., of our Brigade. We shall greet our trunks as old friends, for we left the Department of the Gulf, with only what we could carry on our backs, and some of these cool nights our flan- nel clothing is rather thin.

From the 21st Regiment.

CAMP 21ST CONS. VOLS., IN THE FIELD, VA , Sept. 20th, 1804.

EDITOR OF CONN. WAR RECORD-SIR :- Those ¡ brave defenders of our country's flag, who fall in its defense, cannot be too highly honored, or too long remembered. Yet, it is with feelings of sadness that we think of the loss of our gallant officer, Captain Isaac I. Kenyon, of Co. B, who was mortally wounded while at his post in the trenches before Petersburg. Aug. 18th, 1864. Hle most deservedly possessed the respect and esteem of his brother viiicers. Possessing a large fund of anecdote and pleasantry, he was ever the life of the circle around the bivouac fire, and always Welcome in every tebt. Nor was he less welcome

August Ith, nhout noon. we received orders to " fall in, with three days rations, in haversacks, manifestod by the spectators from the land forcos in ton minutes"-wait till midnight, mount a | ou account of his personal worth. He was noble

The old John Brown jail, in Charlestown, hard by, reminds us we are "marching on," and by night and day marching, throwing up breast- works, felling trees, making three days rations of hard bread and coffee last four, we are trying to do what we enn to end this infernal rebeliion, and ran some distance towards the Fort, followed by ! after an hour, which was occupied in pitching j overthrow a power that protects those who com- yells from our pickets who thus advanced their | camp and preparing supper, we countermarched ; unit most revolting outrages. So ends the sum- and took the Catawba for Washington,-encamped | her. Yours, J. 1I. B. two days near Chain Bridge,-received the first mail in five weeks,-Saturday night's march to the railroad depot, and in the course of the night are loaded on a long freight train, and by day-

294.

THIE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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and generous-hearted ; brave, and noflinching in battle, prompt and evergetie in the performance of duty. We miss his cheerful countenance and hearty jest. But he died a noble death, and his name is en-hrined mion our memories as one of our Country's Heroes. One of his last wishes was that he might be buried in his nalitary suit. and that his coffin should be wrapped in the American Flag. " That flag for which he left his home and friends, and died defending."

After lingering for two weeks, he died at the 18th Corps Hospital, Sept. lat, 1864, attended by his wife and brother, who had been summoned to his side. His body was embalmed and taken to his home. L.

Peace.

Every patriot longs for peace. Every true heart responds with alacrity and sincerity to any honest expression of real desire for peace. And whenever authoritative propositions for an honorable peace are definitely made, the whole nation at home and in the field, will demand that they be at once received, and acted npon in a proper spirit.

The people were electrified, recently, by the rumor that aceredited commissioners were await. ing permission to visit Washington and offer terms of peace. But they were doomed to disap- pointment. Neither the rebel visitors at Niagara nor the Union visitors at Richmond, represented any body but themselecs.

Mr. Lineolu and Mr. Davis have each a natural desire to know exactly what terms the other might be induced to accept-but they both re- present contending parties not yet in an attitude favorable to peace. The Richmond Examiner claims thus to express the sentiments of the rebel leaders:

" It is for those who have unjustly and wantonly invaded our country to offer us prace ; and when they do, they will still offer it in vain until their armed men are withdrwen from the soul of these Confederate States, and THE FELON FLAG OF STRIPES is headed down from every fort within our borders. After that, it will be time enough to prate about prace. Now, the very word is nonsense." * 4

The extravagance and malignity of expression indicates bitter feeling as well as determined pur. pose.

Our own people are not ready for peace on the terms of the rebels. These are the facts obvious to all. To wish them otherwise will not make them so.

believe that there will be peace through the eu- forced submission of the rebels to just authority. Let us hope for peace, and be ever ready to yield anything we can honorably give up for the sake of peace. But let us also be prepared for war- protracted and fierce war. Let the recruiting go be deluded into no relaxation of effort that shall in any degree weaken the army or diminish our war resources. AA wary foe may take advantage of any such state of feeling-may conceive new hopes of triumph-and deny to our apparent weakness the munesty, which proffered iu ros-

When best prepared to fight we are best situated to secure an early and advantageons peace.

Present Prospects.

The unparalleled achievements of the patriot army and navy, under Sherman, Farragut, and! Sheridan, have gladdened and strengthened every true heart in the nation. Onr brave defenders have made an immense stride towards the long desired triumph and peace. If we at home do our duty promptly, the end, the glorious end is not far distant.

Gen. Grant asks 100.000 fresh men from the present call-and with them promises to finish up his part of the great task. This is no boastful or umnearing promise. If we bnt sustain and recruit ! the army, it will be fulfilled. Let us follow up our immense advantages and make them quickly decisive. Continue to recruit the army. Send the best men that en be found. An excellent ! class of men are now enlisting all over the State, and the country. In this there is sure and cheer- ing promise. Let us take heart and stand by our noble friends in the field. Say one to another everywhere-

While the people are exulting over the victory in Mobile Bay, and we are singing deserved praises to the gallant old anilor who won it, let them not forget to honor the skill, the industry, the patience of the Navy Department in the or- ganization of the means by which success was achieved Partisan newspapers and hasty and incompetent editors, have made Mr. Secretary WELLES a favorite victim of their ridienle. Mean- while, he has quietly continued in the perform- *

HOME DEPARTMENT.

Connecticut Agency in New York.

In September, 1861, the Governor appointed John H. Almy, a merchant of New York, but a native, or former resident of Norwich, Connecti- cut, as an agent of the State, to attend to the wants and requirements of Connecticut regiments on their passage through New York City, and to exercise a care and oversight for those volunteers or their friends from this State, who found them- selves in that great eity needing advice and as- sistance. The large number of our volunteers who were compelled to pass through the city, and often to remain there for a period, made this appointment a necessity.

Many of our readers have undoubtedly queried what could be the amount and nature of the busi- ness which should require the service of a special agent in New York. It seemed to us at one time as though all the protection necessary for our i troops, and the facilities needed could be afforded and secured by some arrangement with the ofil- eers of lines of travel, and the police department "Oh! for Gol and duty stand, Heart to heart, and hand to hand. Round the old graves of the land. of the metropolis; but a few hours spent in the office of Col. Alny a short time ago, dispelled this allusion, and convinced us that his position is one of great responsibility and usefulness. Whoso shirks or falters now, Whoso to the yoke would how, Braud the eraven on his brow. Among his multifurious duties is, the reception of regiments either going to or returning from the war, providing meals and lodging, procuring Perish party-perish clan ; Strike together while you can, Like the strong arm of one man !" transportation, and furnishing them, either as or- ganizations, or individuals, with whatever is ne- cessary to their comfort and usefulness. Pack- ages, boxes, barrels, de., containing provisions The Navy Department. and stores for the soldiers from towns, societies and individuals, are forwarded mainly through the ageney of Col. Almy. Procuring the return of deserters, collecting the pay of discharged soldiers, getting the discharges of soldiers con- fined in hospitals who are unfit for active duty, obtaining and forwarding to friends, the bodies of deceased vohinteers from every department of the country, and the procuring of facilities for | relatives to visit sick and wounded friends in the army, all are but a part of Col. Almy's duties. ance of his duties, adapting his department to ' On an average he is visited by at least one hun- the necessities of a vast and newly created navy, until it has become perhaps, the most systematic for assistance. During the year ending April Ist, department of the Goverment .- Army and Navy Journal. dred and fifty persons per day, requiring advice the answers to correspondents required the wri- ting of between 5,000 and 6,000 letters, and the number of visitors at his rooms amounted to nearly 40,000, all of whom required aid of some sort, either advice, direction, personal effort,

relation of one or two incidents, It may be proper to state that although Col. Almy is the We before | agent for Connectient and Rhode Island alone, he does not confine his assistance to soldiers and their friends from these States.

A short time ago, a boy about eighteen years old, belonging to a Massachusetts regiment, had received a furlongh and was on his way home to uce his mother, a widow, who lived in Boston. At the depot in New York city he sat down wait- ing for the train, when he was accosted by an apparently respectable gentleman, who by lead-

John II. Osgood. of Pomfret has been appointed ing questions, ascertained the young man's ante- leedents, and pretending he was well acquainted

First Lieut. J. C. Kinney, Co. 1, Thirteenth We cannot hope for negotiations if we desire | Regiment, has been transferred to the Signal them, until the present campaign is ended. What ! Corps. During the entrance of the fleet into | money or influence. But the nature and variety may subsequently occur we will not predict. We | Mobile Bay, and through the whole fight. he was [ of his duties will be better understood by the Signal Officer, on the flag ship Hartford, and sat on the eross trees of the fore-top-mast. To escape uninjured is certainly good fortune. knew that he was brave and efficient.

on vigorously in view of future quotas. Let us ladlien to an naited and affectionate people, and

Rev. C. N. Lyman, of Canton, recently bade enlisted ns a private in the 13th Coun. Infantry. lle is at present detailed to net as Chaplain at the . Draft Rendezvous, at tirapevine Point. He enters on his new field with patriotie enthusiasm and christian zeal.

olute strength, ho might deem it wise to neeept, I Captain in the 16th Regiment, U. S. C. T.

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THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

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with his mother. thoroughly ingratiated Himself ; before, and His Honor the Mayor very justly re- . State that, three years ago, intrusted her honor into the lad's confidence. As an hour or two ; fused to issue another. The prevention of frauds . to your keeping, and whose honor you have kept would elapse before the train started, the new [upon the soldiers, and the detection and punish- spotless :- the warlike little state which, for more found friend proposed a walk, and cautioning the ment of those who wrong our volunteers, is one than two hundred years, ever since she first man against pickpockets, ascertained that he had ; of the mo-t arduous and delicate duties of Col. [ sjeimg into life with the declaration of her trust just forty dollars in his pocket. They passed up i Ahny's position. He ineurs the emuity of the ; in Gol npon her lips, has ever been ready, at the street, and, on a plen that he had a bill to pay ' associations of knaves who infest New York, but call of duty, to pour forth her blood like water: which would delay him but a moment, the pleas- ; his services are appreciated by hundreds of brave | the little State which, not needing the stimulus ant companion left the volunteer on a stairway fellows whose grateful letters are the best testi- | of invasion, has fought her battles, not upon her aud passed up higher, presently returning, how- monial to the value of his labors, which are off own soil, but upon distant fields :- the little State ever, with a $100 nott which he said his ereditor the most arduons and exacting kind, allowing no could not change, and requesting (as the amount | rest, but making Sunday a dny of closer applica- tion rather than a season of repase. For these

which, ever ready to fight for the sake of her honor, and ever ready to maintain by arms her faith plighted to other communities, has sent services Col. Almy receives a salary wholly inad- forth her brave legions from year to year and equate to their demands upon his time and atten- from generation to generation to protect her sis- tion, and which is issued with no unsparing hand | ter commonwealth- and to defend the nation :- to relieve cases of individual hardship. The es-

the little State whose children's bones rest be- tablishment of this ageney is an honor to the | neath the sod at Louisburg, at Quebee, at Havana, State; and its management by Col. Almy, is pro- ductive of the most beneficial results, which can be adequately understood only by a personal in- vestigation, or by a day's observation in his office.

Our Veterans.

NUMBER SEVEN.

On the bright autumn evening of Thurs- day September 16th, the steamer Nashua entered the harbor of New Haven, bring- ing a noble and happy band of four hun- dred returning veterans. Brief notice of their coming had been passed from mouth to month along the streets, and the whole city was alive. The militia were nearly all absent in camp at Waterbury and the only escort which could be furnished were the Veteran Reserve Corps from the Knight Hospital, with the New Haven Band-but this was quickly and gladly provided. The citizens turned out in [dense crowds to give spontaneous and route of procession, ringing of bells, roar of cannon, beautiful display of the Star Spangled Banner, was once more repeat- ed with unabated satisfaction and enthu- siasm. The majority of displays grow familiar and excite no interest : but the public expressions of proud welcome to our nation's defenders will not lose their freshness or charm, while the great con-

Another feature which has an abiding and substantial popularity is the bounti- ful repast provided as usual by the skill and energy of Major B. F. Mansfield.

Tyler, and then listened to an eloquent ADDRESS OF HON. HENRY B. HARRISON. had neglected to obtain a renewal of his license ; Soldiers of the Sixth and Seventh Connecticut :- 09 a taverner, which had expired about a week |

at Bunker Hill, at Ticonderoga, at Fort George, at Saratoga, at Lundy's Lane, and now upon a hundred battle-fields of the far South. Proudly the brave little State welcomes you home.

Soldiers! it is not enough for me to say that you have preserved untarnished the military renown of your State. By your valor you have added to the ancient lustre of that renown.

But, soldiers, I do not speak to you simply as sokliers of the State. The State is your home; it is not your country. I salute you as soldiers of the Republic, one and indivisible.

With your brave companions from Minnesota, from Ilinois, from Vermont, from Pennsylvania, from Kentucky, from New York, from Maine, from Louisiana, from Tennessee, and from every part of this great continental empire, you have, for three years, been fighting, side by side, under the starry flag of the Rpublic. Therefore, to you as soldiers of the great Republie, we pay our homage.

Soldiers ! what a flag to fight for is the flag of the Republie !

It is the flag of peace :- when that flag is not insulted. the sun in all his course shines not upon a nation so peaceful as that which dwell in this blessed land of ours ; peaceful because happy and free.

It is the flag of war. The fiereest fights that ever were fought upon the sea were fought under the flag of the Republic. The deadliest battles ever won upon the land, were won under the flag of the Republic.

It is the flag of liberty. It is the flag of hope to all nations. There is not upon the earth one maan bowed down and crashed by tyranny, whose face does not beam with hope and joy whenever the dear. old flag shines upon him.

It is the ting to fight for, and, if need be, to die for; and because you have fought for it and were ready to die for it, we pay you this poor honor to-day.

Soldiers! I do not undertake to recount your leeds. We remember how yon fought at Poco- talico under the brave Terry. We heard of your valor at Olustee, under the noble Hawley-God bless him ! We remember your intrepid actions on James Island and Morris Island. under the gal- lant Rodman and the heroic Chatfield. We havo not forgotten how Chatfield, mortally wounded, thought less of himself than of the flag; and how The little State welcomes you home :- the little | he asked if the colors were safe, and being told

of the bill was just fifty dollars, and he had a ton dollar note.) the loan of the lad's forty dollars for a few moments to make change, until they got into the street, where his $100 bill could be broken and the loan refunded. He passed up the stairs again with the borrowed forty dollars and did not return. It was afterward ascertained that the stairway led to an adjoining building, by which one could pass into another street. The lad came to Col. Almy weeping, and told his tale, deserib- ing the appearance of the man. He was induced to remain in New York a few days to give an op- portunity to regain his money. A detective was set on the track of the swindler and a man was stationed at the stairway, which had been so con- venient for the seamps operation, and which it was ascertained, had been used for similar pur- poses before. After several days of thorough search, during which time the young soldier was disguised in civilians dress so as not to alarm the villain or any of his fraternity, who might know the circumstances, the swindling confidence rann was caught aud made to disgorge, paying twenty dollars and pawning his watch to raise the other twenty dollars.

A volunteer belonging to the 13th C. V., quite an old man, came home from the department of the Gulf, discharged for disability, with $1.87 in cash. On the arrival of the steamer at the wharf in New York, he was approached by the driver of an express wagon, who inquired if he had any baggage and where he intended to stop. He told him he had a trunk and knapsack but no money [ rousing welcome. The usual form and to pay for riding or board. The driver offered to take him and the baggage for nothing to a boarding house where discharged solders were taken care of gratuitously. He gladly accepted the kind offer of his thoughtful and benevolent friend, who on arriving at the boarding hon-e de- manded two dollars for the ride. The old man paid the $1.87 and the keeper of the place seized his baggage and kept the poor soldier locked into a room without food until next morning. with a design to extort money from him by means of letters or some other communication with his | flict rages.

friends. Ilis jailers allowed him, however, to go out the next day to try to raise some money. He ! called on Col. Almy and told his story. Taking two police officers, Col. A. went to the house in- dicated. but as soon as he mentioned his business, some twelve or fourteen burly fellows appeared and declared that the baggage should not be given

When seated around the tables at the State House, the veterans were briefly up. A re-enforcement of police, however, sue- fand appropriately welcomed by Mayor ceeded in securing the volunteer's property, and the proprietor of the house. On a hearing before ; the Mayor, it was ascertained that the landlord

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 94

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