USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > The Norwich memorial; the annals of Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, in the great rebellion of 1861-65 > Part 10
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NORWICH, June 12, 1837.
MY DEAR SIR, - Not having forgotten the pleasure I promised myself some years since, on your entering the United States Navy (January first, 1825), of presenting to you a sword on your receiving a commission, I seized the earliest convenient opportu- nity after learning the fact, to procure one, which I should have presented ere this, had not my frequent absence from home, and your infrequent visits to your friends prevented. I learnt on in- quiry that I was not at liberty to indulge my taste, but must be governed by the rules and regulations of the Navy Department in the selection.
Will you please accept the accompanying sword and belt, which I trust will only be used in self-defense, and in the defense of your country, and receive assurances of regard, with which I have the pleasure to be,
Your friend and obedient servant,
G. L. PERKINS.
Lieutenant JOSEPH LANMAN, U. S. Navy.
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To this note the youthful Lieutenant replied with that courteousness of speech and manner which through all these years of service have characterized his intercourse with his fellow officers and men, as well as with those whom he met at home and abroad :-
NORWICH, CONN., 13 June, 1837.
DEAR SIR, - Your very friendly note of yesterday, together with the sword and belt, I have duly received. For these valued testi- monials of your esteem be pleased to receive my unfeigned thanks. Should our common country call me to duty in its defense, be assured, my dear sir, that the recollection of the terms of your very flattering note will inspire a confidence and zeal in the service of no ordinary cast. I need not assure you that a sword presented by a friend and fellow townsman will not be suffered to tarnish while in the possession of your
Obedient servant,
JOSEPH LANMAN, U. S. Navy.
COL. G. L. PERKINS, Norwich.
That sword is still a valued memento of a friendship yet green, and has not been more sacredly kept, than the honor and loyalty, which so long ago plighted, have now been tested by almost fifty years' service to the country. We have here the promise of the young officer, with life and its experiences before him, and its fulfillment, as seen in the completed record of the Rear-admiral, and both are mat- ters in which Norwich has no ordinary interest.
Naval officers have not a choice of where, or how they shall serve, and to some, even in time of war, it falls to do duty where it is not publicly noticed, and where there is opportunity for little more than fidelity, and the patient ac- complishment of what is ordered.
The second attack on Fort Fisher afforded a signal proof that the man who would do his duty well, whether it was of
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a conspicuous nature or not, could bear himself with dis- tinction, where the service brought him under the more immediate notice of the people.
In this great naval engagement, the most brilliant one of the whole war, Admiral (then Commodore) Lanman was selected to lead the second line in his flag-ship, “Minne- sota."
The fleet and land forces on transports arrived off the fort, January thirteenth, 1865, and the next day, under cover of the guns of the former, the troops effected a landing. On the fifteenth the combined attack by land and sea was made. At nine A. M., the squadron was signaled to attack in three lines, and by eleven all the vessels were in posi- tion. Each had opened fire as it took its place in line, and the bombardment was kept up furiously all day. By three o'clock the troops were in readiness, and the signal to change the direction of the firing was given, when the guns were turned on the upper batteries away from the point where the assault was to be made.
All the steam whistles were blown, when the troops and sailors and marines dashed ahead, nobly vying with each other to reach the parapet. The sailors were armed with cutlasses and pistols, and were expected to treat the fort as a vessel, and board it. They went forward promptly on the sea-side, pushing boldly up to the fort, until checked by a murderous fire of grape and canister. Notwithstanding this hot fire, officers and men in the lead rushed on ; some even reached the parapet, a larger number got as far as the ditch. While the assault on this side was stayed, Terry with his troops came up on the other side, and as the attention of the rebels was diverted, effected a lodgment in the fort, gaining two traverses. The latter are immense bomb- proofs, about sixty feet long, fifty feet wide, and twenty feet high, numbering seventeen in all. Here our men, as Porter
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in his official report says, "fought like lions," fighting their way inch by inch, chasing the rebels from traverse to tra- verse, and continuing this hand-to-hand conflict till far into the night. When the capture was signaled to the fleet, the men on the various vessels joined in making the welkin ring with their repeated and hearty cheers. Thus ended one of the most remarkable battles on record, resulting in the cap- ture of Fort Fisher, pronounced stronger than the Malakoff tower, which defied so long the combined power of England and France. Seventy-five guns, some of them superb rifle pieces of very heavy calibre, fell into our hands, with twen- ty-five hundred prisoners, including two rebel generals.
It was on the whole the most decisive coup-de-main of the war, brilliantly executed, and of immense practical ad- vantage. In no other engagement did the army and navy cooperate so harmoniously, while the fourteen hundred sail- ors and marines bore themselves with dauntless courage, losing three hundred and nine, in killed, wounded, and miss- ing. The forty-four vessels poured an incessant fire on the fort, delivering hot shot and shell at the rate of four a min- ute for eight hours, expending in the entire bombardment fifty thousand shell.
Taking into account the character and number of the vessels, the size and calibre of their guns, and number of men, it was the greatest naval armament ever brought to- gether, and the result was the grandest ever achieved by the combined forces of army and navy.
In this action Commodore Lanman detailed from his vessel two hundred and forty officers and men to join the assaulting column ; and reported, concerning those remaining, " every one performed his duty to the utmost of his ability ; the work- ing and practice of the guns could not have been better, and many excellent shots were made." He also superintended the firing of his vessels, witnessing how they were man-
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aged during the engagement, and personally directed the force under him. It was a most fearful bombardment, and at its close Commodore Lanman's beard, hair and clothes were completely covered over with saltpetre.
Admiral Porter, in his official report, thus speaks of Commodore Lanman : "Commodore Joseph Lanman was selected to lead the line, consequently he led into action. I was much pleased with the way in which he handled his ship, and fired throughout the action ; the whole affair on his part being conducted with admirable judgment and coolness. I recommend him to the consideration of the Department, as one on whom they can place the utmost reliance, place him in any position." In addition to this public notice of his bearing in this battle, Admiral Porter addressed to him the following private letter, expressing his personal appre- ciation of his gallant conduct in this engagement, and acknowledging his indebtedness to him for so efficiently seconding him in the arduous service assigned to him, the successful issue of which reflected such glory on the whole fleet.
The letter is published here, after special application to Admiral Porter had been made for this liberty. He cor- dially assented to the request of the committee soliciting the favor, stating in his reply to the latter, "The compliments I paid Admiral Lanman were very sincere on my part, and well deserved on his. It affords me great satisfaction to know that his fellow citizens take an interest in his reputa- tion. I think the navy generally has received very little credit for the part it took in the events which have such a bearing on our present and future happiness."
IO
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
ADMIRAL PORTER'S LETTER TO COMMODORE LANMAN.
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, U. S. FLAG-SHIP " MALVERN," OFF FORT FISHER, January 17, 1865.
COMMODORE : You will proceed to Hampton Roads with your ship, and assume charge of the vessels stationed at that point, regulating the guard vessels according to the orders heretofore issued.
Your authority will extend no further than to the Magazine near Norfolk ; that, the Receiving, Ordnance, and School vessels being within the Navy Yard jurisdiction. You will also take charge of the vessels in York River, and inquire into their effi- ciency, and how they have conducted matters in my absence.
Permit me to express to you on this occasion the high apprecia- tion I feel for your services in reducing this formidable work, and the gallant manner in which you with your ship have on several occasions led the fleet into action.
I well appreciate all such matters. I am not one to forget them, or to lose an opportunity of bringing them before the notice of the government.
I thank you at the same time for the kind personal feeling you have always displayed towards myself, and the readiness in which your ship has always been kept for any service required of you.
I hope soon to see you in Hampton Roads, - from whence you will report your arrival to the Honorable the Secretary of the Navy.
It may be thought desirable to keep your ship in thorough re- pair, and I think she ought to go into dock as soon as possible. Very respectfully yours,
DAVID D. PORTER, Rear-admiral.
To Commodore JOSEPHI LANMAN, Comd'g U. S. S. " Minnesota."
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CHARLES C. ADAMS. Appointed Acting Assistant Pay- master, May 6, 1861, and ordered to the U. S. Steamer " Dawn," Commander William Chandler. She was sta- tioned on York River, Va., for blockade duty. While here, Mr. Adams had his suspicions roused concerning the loyalty of the commander. The evidence of this fact increasing, he at once preferred charges against Commander Chandler, which were sustained before a Court of Inquiry, and the officer "disgracefully dismissed from the United States Ser- vice, October 26, 1861." Mr. Adams was soon after de- tached from the "Dawn" and ordered to join the "De Soto," commanded by W. W. Walker, and doing blockade service in the West Gulf Squadron, from the S. W. Pass of the Mississippi River to the Rio Grande.
The following extract from a letter written while on the " De Soto," will give an idea of the nature of the blockad- ing service. The writer, after detailing some of the hard- ships of the latter, gives the following interesting narrative :
" On the morning of the eleventh (January, 1863), a large lugger was discovered inside of Vine Island, but soon disappeared. At ten A. M. she was again seen moving slowly to the eastward. At eleven A. M., Acting Master G. W. Ward, of New Haven, volun- teered to catch her. Our commander told him to take his boat and do as he pleased. At 12.30 P. M. Ward was in full chase. At 4 P. M. the lugger hove in sight, and at 6 P. M. was an- chored as a prize near our ship, and the prisoners brought on board. She has certainly proved to be a very valuable prize, as she has been the means of making valuable captures since. The day after her capture, she was fitted out and manned with a crew of twelve men, under the command of Acting Master Mar- tin, and Master's Mate Portinger, both active and enterprising young officers. They returned in eight days, having captured four boats and eight prisoners, with small arms, having also gained very valuable information in regard to vessels expected from
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Havana bound to Grand Caillou Bayou, with contraband goods. On the 19th two vessels were fitted out for an expedition to cap- ture vessels from Havana, trying to run cargoes under English colors, to the most convenient port in Louisiana,- the " Phenix " commanded by Captain Ward, the " St. Joseph " by Mr. Martin. During the 24th, Mr. Ward captured three boats and ten prison- ers ; Mr. Martin four boats and one prisoner, all armed with double guns, pistols, bowie knives, etc. ; all of which, of course, were confiscated. Nothing of material importance occurred, if we might except the taking of a few boats, and boarding one of our own men-of-war, supposing her to be an enemy, till the 27th, when a schooner was discovered to the eastward of Grand Cail- lou Bayou. We waited till she was in the position we wanted her, and at 3 P. M. gave chase. At 5 P. M. we ran alongside the schooner, making her a prize. It was a daring act, and well performed, for the vessel was expected by the troops stationed there, and a small gunboat was cruising in the neighborhood to protect her. You must bear in mind, they were close under the land, and in very shallow water. They must have been seen by the troops, and had they possessed a particle of pluck, would have annihilated our boats. She proved to be the notorious schooner " Major Barbour," from Havana, trying to get to New Orleans with a cargo of coffee, powder, salt, sulphur, leather, acids, quinine, and seventy thousand cigars, first quality.
We took a number of prisoners, among them one who claims to be a Mexican vice-consul at Charleston, who has been engaged in the laudable business of shipping cargoes of coffee from Rio de Janeiro to Savannah, being on his return from the former place when captured. The cigars are good. I smoke several for you every day.
Our prize leaves for the North to-day, under charge of Acting Master Ward, with her officers and prisoners. Her passengers we send by the steamer " Connecticut," now in sight."
In 1863 he was ordered to join the " Conemaugh " at Win- gaw Bay, S. C., under Commander Real Worden. The latter being relieved on account of ill health, by Commander Shu-
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feldt of Connecticut, the vessel participated in the attack on Wagner and other forts. Shufeldt and his officers and crew were complimented for their gallantry by Admiral Dahlgren, in presence of the commanding officers of the fleet. In December, 1863, he was transferred to the " Proteus" of the East Gulf Squadron, which had orders to cruise about the Bahamas and coast of Cuba, in search of the rebel priva- teer " Florida." After four years of active duty, Mr. Ad- ams was detached May 5, 1865, and on October 1, 1865, resigned.
"When I entered the service, I fully and uncompromisingly determined, let the result be what it might, to do all in my power to destroy the institution of slavery, and bring before the proper authority, any persons giving aid, comfort, or sympathy to the enemy. I succeeded in leading many slaves to liberty, but hap- pily for the service, there were few rebel sympathizers in the navy."
WM. A. AIKEN. Commissioned Acting Assistant Pay- master, U. S. N., August 10, 1861, and shortly after ordered to the steam gunboat "Curlew," at Charlestown Navy Yard. Resigned to accept the appointment of Quartermas- ter-general of Connecticut (with rank of Brigadier-general), July 10, 1862. The following is his account of the first naval expedition of the government, in which he, together with Commander J. W. Bentley, and other Norwich men participated.
" Our first port of destination was New York. Soon after ar- rival there the vessel was ordered in pursuit of the steamer which had just previously started for Europe, with the rebel commis- sioners, Mason and Slidel on board.
"The cruise was ineffectual. We next put into Hampton Roads, and for some days awaited the arrival, one by one, of the fleet of war vessels and transports, intended for an expedition against the Southern Coast, at some point then unknown.
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"The mystery of our destination added spice to the excitement of preparation.
" The daily arrival of frigates, sloops of war, gunboats and steam transports filled with troops, made our season of delay one of cumulative interest. The desire to get right down to the busi- ness of real war, however, made all impatient of detention.
' On Tuesday, October 29th, 1861, at 5.30 A. M., the signal gun was fired from the flag ship "Wabash," and the fleet got under way, bound no one knew where, except the powers in com- mand, until revealed by the opening of the sealed orders given to every commander of a vessel. These orders indicated Port Royal, S. C., as the objective point.
" The fleet encountered a severe gale a little south of Hatteras, which scattered the vessels and caused much solicitude on the part of the officers for the safety of the smaller vessels of the squadron.
"On Monday, November 4th, six days out, Port Royal was sighted. During the day most of the fleet arrived; the effects of the gale being quite perceptible on several of them.
" At 3.35 P. M., the advance shoreward commenced. Some of the vessels of heavy draft struck upon the bar at the harbor entrance and remained fast for some time ; none, however, receiv- ing serious damage.
" About 5 o'clock P. M., four rebel steamers hove in sight from the arm of the sea behind the island bordering the coast. They advanced within long range of our gunboats, which now occupied positions a mile nearer shore than the transports. For half an hour shots were actively exchanged without serious effect, when the rebel gunboats retired.
" The night was quiet. At sunrise next morning the rebel gunboats put in a second appearance. The gunboats "Ottawa," " Seneca," and "Curlew," advanced to meet them. About two hours were passed in active practice at long range. Before the skirmish was concluded we got within range of the heavy guns of the forts on Hilton Head and Bay Point, the former command- ing the entrance to the port from the south, the latter from the
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north. As nothing was to be gained by a further advance until preparations were completed for the general attack, our gun- boats returned to the squadron.
" Wednesday, November 6th, was passed in active prepara- tions for the event which all were awaiting with impatience. On the following morning about nine o'clock the signal 'up anchor' was hoisted, and all were soon under way to take position in line of battle. The squadron was divided into two parallel sections in the advance. To the Paymaster was assigned the duties of signal officer, together with that of noting the current incidents of the action as a basis for the official report. At 10 A. M. the engagement was opened from the guns of Fort Walker, Hilton Head, followed instantly by the fort on Bay Point opposite. The flagship promptly responded, and each vessel as it moved within range took up the strain. As we advanced, the rebel steamers, now increased in number to eight, retired.
" For about an hour and a half, during which time the squad- ron was slowly moving towards the forts, an incessant fire was kept up on both sides, the ponderous missiles filling the air with that direful screech which tries the nerves more than the deafen- ing roar of the heaviest ordnance.
" From eleven A. M. to about one P. M. the squadron moved in a circle or ellipse, alternately engaging at close range Bay Point, then Hilton Head.
" Notwithstanding the effect of the tremendous hail of iron descending upon the devoted forts, they replied with wonderful activity. At half past one their fire began to slacken. 'The gunboats then took position very close to Fort Walker, pouring into it a hot flanking fire. At about two o'clock the batteries ceased firing and the occupying troops could be seen moving in disorderly retreat into the country on the 'double quick.'
" At about three o'clock the line of battle which had been broken up during the engagement, was again formed above the forts, and the squadron moved slowly down abreast of them.
" When opposite, ' All hands on deck !' was called, and officers and men sent up ringing cheers for the victory.
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" Within fifteen minutes the Stars and Stripes replaced the stars and bars on the flagstaff of Fort Walker.
" Letters, captured in the forts, indicated that the intended destination of the expedition had been fully known by the rebels and that they felt confident of their ability to repel any attack.
" The great fleet of transports, containing the army of occupa- tion, being signaled to advance, now came up, and the spectacle became exciting beyond description as the thousands of men covering their decks rent the air with their enthusiastic cheers.
" Thus ended the first naval engagement of magnitude during the war."
JOHN W. BENTLEY, was commissioned May 24, 1861, as First Acting Master in the volunteer navy, and ordered to join the U. S. S. "Wabash." In October fol- lowing he was transferred to the steam sloop " Pawnee," which was one of the vessels in Admiral Dupont's Squad- ron, engaged in the cayture of Port Royal, S. C. In August 1862 he joined the steamer "Connecticut," on which he served, until ordered to the steamer " Shenandoah," June, 1863. Promoted Commander, March, 1864, he was assigned to the steamer " Banshee," and was preparing to put to sea, when he was taken sick and died at his residence in this city, May 27, 1864.
WARRINGTON D. ROATII, was appointed Acting Master in the navy, 1861, serving on the gunboat " New London," under Commander Read. Promoted Acting Volunteer Lieutenant. July, 1863, he was assigned to the command of the U. S. brig " Bohio," afterward to the " Brignonia," of the North Atlantic Squadron, Rear-admiral Porter com- manding. Resigned March 7, 1865.
LEWIS G. COOK. Commissioned Acting Master, Decem- ber 19, 1861, and assigned to steamer " Virginia," of West Gulf Squadron, under command of Admiral Farragut. Sub-
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sequently transferred to the Potomac flotilla, he was honor- ably discharged - 1865.
GEORGE E. MARTIN. Appointed Paymaster's Clerk De- cember 30, 1861, and served on U. S. steamers " Norwich " and " Mendota." Commissioned Acting Assistant Paymas- ter, November, 1864, and ordered to steamer " Adela." Hon- orably discharged August, 1865. Reappointed Paymaster's Clerk, August, 1865, and joined U. S. ship "Supply," sailing for Hong Kong, where he died of cholera, August 6, 1867.
GEORGE W. HUNTINGTON, was commissioned Acting Assistant Paymaster, U. S. N., October, 1863. Assigned to duty in the South Atlantic Squadron, and joined the steam gunboat " Ottawa." Engaged mostly in blockade duty, he was present with his vessel in attacks on various rebel fortifications along Southern rivers, and was the first to open communication with Gen. Sherman on his great march to the sea. The vessel participated in the recapture of Fort Sumter, in February, 1865, and also in a combined military and naval attack on some important batteries, twenty miles north of Charleston, S. C. While the " Ot- tawa " engaged the batteries in front, the soldiers landed below, and prepared to advance on the rebels. The troops hardly landed, when it was known in Charleston, and they hastened to escape from the latter, before General Gilmore should surround them. " It is a great satisfaction to us, that we have had a part in one of the great achievements of the war, but it is a greater satisfaction to know that, whatever may be its immediate cause, the thing is a fact, Charleston is ours. But a few more such facts are needed to solve the peace problem, and we can afford to wait for them." Hon- orably discharged November, 1865.
AMOS D. ALLEN. Appointed Paymaster's Clerk, Novem- ber 9, 1863, commissioned Acting Assistant Paymaster, October 21, 1864, and ordered to join steamer " Western
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World," of North Atlantic Squadron. Honorably dis- charged, September 5, 1865.
CHARLES H. COLE, Jr. Appointed Paymaster's Clerk October 31, 1864, and attached to U. S. steamer " Western World." Honorably discharged, June, 1865.
FRANK H. ARMS. Commissioned Acting Assistant Pay- master, April 14, 1864, and ordered to join U. S. steamer "Memphis." Still in service.
FRANCIS S. WELLS. Commissioned Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, May 7, 1863, assigned to command of U. S. steamer " Daylight," North Atlantic Squadron. Trans- ferred subsequently to command of U. S. steamer " Aries." Honorably discharged, 1865.
JAMES H. NASH. Commissioned Acting Ensign, January 20, 1863, and ordered to join store-ship " Brandywine " at Norfolk Navy Yard ; afterwards attached to the North At- lantic Blockading Squadron. Honorably discharged, 1865.
ROBERT B. SMITH, Commissioned Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, December 3, 1863, was assigned to the com- mand of the steamer "Nita," East Gulf Squadron, Acting Rear-admiral Theodore Bailey, commanding. Honorably discharged, 1865.
JOHN T. PERKINS, entered the navy, September 4, 1861, as landsman. Promoted to Paymaster's Steward, he served in the " Stars and Stripes " the first year in the North At- lantic Blockading Squadron, and took part in the engage- ments at Roanoke Island and Newbern. The next two years were spent in the East Gulf Squadron. He was hon- orably discharged, November 4, 1864.
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