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 6
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NINE MONTHS' MEN.
finement for some eight months. Soon after his return to his regiment, in May, 1864, having meanwhile been promoted Lieutenant-colonel, he resigned his commission, and was honorably discharged, with the record of a brave and spir- ited officer, admirably adapted to this arm of the service.
In the spring of 1864 the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and assigned to the cavalry brigade of General Davies, under Kilpatrick. It now entered upon arduous duty, opening the battle of Spottsylvania, and fighting with marked courage, part of the time dismounted, and then again in the saddle.
In August of this year it was transferred to the army of the Shenandoah, and won, while with General Sheridan, the reputation of being " second to no other cavalry regi- ment." In the vicinity of Winchester, while with General Wilson's cavalry division, a squadron under Captain Rogers, assisted by detachments from the Third New York and Second Ohio, surrounded and captured an entire regiment of South Carolina infantry, with their colors. Lieutenant Henry T. Phillips, just prior to the battle of Ashland Sta- tion, May, 1864, was of marked service in securing ammu- nition for the regiment, boldly accomplishing that which had twice been ineffectually attempted by other officers. The regiment had a most laborious service during the last two years of the war, fighting now on the skirmish line, dismounted, then leading in the charge upon the ad- vanced forces of the enemy, and at all times recognized as reliable and brave. The varied experiences of the regi- ment, its losses and desperate encounters, its long raids and dashing charges, make up a story such as only a cav- alry regiment of trusty mettle could furnish. It had a very prominent part in the final advance on Richmond, and led in the pursuit and capture of Lee's army. It was the last regiment to leave the renowned cavalry corps of Gen-
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
cral Sheridan, being detained in Washington on account of its high repute and soldierly appearance. Its muster-rolls bore the names of two thousand six hundred and eleven men. On August fifth, 1865, it returned to New Haven and was there mustered out.
On the rolls of the First Light Battery appears the name of Alfred P. Rockwell, as Captain, the only Norwich officer. In the battle of James Island his command re- sponded to the enemy's fire with great effect, pouring per- cussion shells into the rebels with telling rapidity and accu- racy .of aim. In the second engagement on this island, in 1863, the battery again took a prominent part. At the battle of Walthall Junction the rebels charged upon the battery and were handsomely repulsed. At Fort Darling, May 1864, Captain Rockwell had a position on the left of the line, where again the guns of his battery were admirably served and made the enemy respect them. Subsequently promoted Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, he led the latter in the engagements at Bermuda Hundred, Deep Run, Va., and Fort Fisher, N. C., proving himself a skillful officer, and receiving the appointment of brevet Brigadier-general, for his gallantry in the campaign of 1864.
Seven additional regiments of nine months' men were now called for from Connecticut, and Norwich took vigor- ous measures to furnish promptly its quota. Another great war meeting was held in Breed Hall, Wednesday evening, August twenty-seventh, presided over by his honor Mayor Greene, where again the spirit and enthusiasm of the peo- ple ' were aroused. The war committee announced that the town bounty would be increased to one hundred dollars.
On Saturday, August thirtieth, the citizens were warned to assemble in Town Hall. The highest pitch of popular feeling during the war was on this occasion reached in a meeting of thrilling interest. After ratifying the action
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NINE MONTHS' MEN.
of the war committee, raising the bounty of the nine months' men to the amount above named, the assem- blage, now overwhelmingly thronged, and wrought up with intense excitement, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to obtain volunteers. Hon. John T. Wait was conducted to the chair, when individual offers to those who would enlist followed, marked by unprecedented liberality, and awakening the greatest enthusiasm. Hon. H. H. Starkweather, whose practical wisdom and earnest, devoted patriotism had placed him foremost among the more serviceable of our citizens, led off in a tender of one hundred dollars to the first ten men that volunteered. Lewis Edwards promptly made a like offer. Fifty dollars was next proffered by D. A. Delanoy for the third ten that would enlist. H. L. Maples responded with a pledge of twenty-five dollars for the next five recruits. Spear & Brothers joined the bidders, with a promise of fifty dollars for the next five enlisting. J. M. Huntington then added an offer of ten dollars apiece for the first sixty volunteers, Hon. L. Black- stone continued the same generous pledge for the next twenty, and L. H. Chester offered fifty dollars for ten more. A spirit of noble emulation seemed to animate all present, while those who were unable to join in these money proffers came forward, and did what was better, offered themselves.
William P. Greene, Esq., ever mindful of the families to be left by those volunteering, with his accustomed consider- ateness and liberality, amid the heartiest applause, made his tender of one thousand dollars for their benefit. This turned the current of citizen benevolence only in another direction, and at once Hon. James Lloyd Greene followed with his offer of five hundred dollars, while next to him came Henry Bill, with a promise of one hundred dollars. Dr. R. Tracy joined the new advance with fifty dollars, Jedediah Leavens with fifty dollars, and A. P. Sturtevant
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
brought up the rear with a round one hundred dollar sub- scription. These offers followed each other rapidly, while equally generous private pledges to the committee, were made after the eventful meeting adjourned, Governor Buck- ingham adding five hundred dollars to the fund for soldiers' families.
The kindled enthusiasm of this gathering seemed to demand, after a short nooning, a second session, which was held in Franklin Square, where telling speeches were made, interspersed with yet further proffers of pecuniary aid or of personal service. Altogether it was a most memorable meeting, and brought out into sublimest expres- sion the liberality and patriotism of the citizens of Norwich. This splendid action of the town averted the necessity of a draft, and placed at the service of the government more than its assigned quota.
The impetus given to recruiting by these recent war-meet- ings, contributed to the rapid filling up of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, which was a New London County organization. It was ordered to rendezvous at Norwich, and had a large representation from the town, both as officers and men. Among the former, Norwich furnished, -
Lieutenant-colonel.
JOSEPH SELDEN.
Adjutant,
STEPHEN B. MEECH.
Quartermaster.
BENJAMIN F. TRACY.
Assistant Surgeon. ELISHA PHINNEY.
NINE MONTHS' MEN. 85
COMPANY B.
Captain.
CLARKE HARRINGTON.
Second Lieutenant. JAMES S. MAPLES.
COMPANY D. Captain. SAMUEL T. HUNTOON.
First Lieutenant. TIMOTHY W. TRACY.
COMPANY F.
Captain.
LOREN A. GALLUP.
First Lieutenant. EDWARD W. EELS.
Second Lieutenant. HERVEY F. JACOBS.
COMPANY G.
Captain. JOHN L. STANTON.
Second Lieutenant. PLINY BREWER.
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
On the regimental rolls appear the names of one hundred and twenty-five privates hailing from this town. On the fourteenth of November, the regiment broke camp, and marching through the city, where it was greeted by every demonstration of good-will, it embarked on the steamer, en route for New York, amidst the farewells of those who crowded the wharf to look their last look, and speak their last adicus.
The band struck up the conventional " good-by " air, " The Girl I left behind me," as the boat moved off, which carried away the last regiment Norwich and the adjoining towns were called on to raise. The Twenty-sixth was or- dered first to New Orleans, and remained for a while at Camp Parapet, drilling, doing guard duty, and on detached service. Soon after General Banks' arrival, it was put in motion to join his command in the projected assault upon Port Hudson. Here, after the investment of this stronghold was completed, the regiment participated in the three sev- eral attacks made upon it, serving in General Neal Dow's Brigade. In the first of these, on May twenty-seventh, its position was on the extreme left wing, the advance of which immediately exposed it to a concentrated fire from the enemy. Colonel Kingsley was wounded in the early part of the action, when Lieutenant-colonel Selden took the com- mand, leading the regiment in person, and handling it with courage and skill. Its bearing in this first engagement in which it came under fire, was highly creditable, the men and officers conducting with decided gallantry and coolness, proving that nine months' regiments were equal to any emergency. Captain John L. Stanton, a brave officer, es- teemed by his comrades, and tenderly loved by his friends, was shot dead in this assault. The total loss of the regi- ment was reported as one hundred and seven.
On the long-to-be-remembered fourteenth of June, the
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NINE MONTHS' MEN.
regiment led the advance, pushing its way under the lead of the Lieutenant-colonel to within three hundred yards of the enemy's works, under a raking fire. Here, in a ravine obstructing its further movement, it held its own, under a broiling sun, until night-fall, suffering terribly from the rebel guns. For its courageous and veteran-like conduct on this occasion, the regiment was complimented by a spe- cial order from General Dwight. In this action, Lieutenant Hervey F. Jacobs was fatally wounded, and by his subse- quent death added another to the swelling list of those who had gone forth from Norwich and sacrificed life to the cause they had with noble patriotism espoused. The reg- iment was again honored by being selected as one of the ten to enter and receive the formal surrender of Port Hud- son, July ninth, 1863, occupying, in the performance of this duty, the second post of honor. The history of the Twenty-sixth was in every respect a noble one.
Its active service in the siege of Port Hudson covered about forty-five days, - days they were in which its courage and military prowess won their meed of well-deserved re- nown. Returning with depleted ranks, with torn and black- ened colors, it received a public welcome such as testified to the appreciation of those who had fondly watched its service in the field.
On the entrance to the Little Plain where a bountiful col- lation had been prepared, was hung the motto, "Welcome ! Twenty-sixth," while the words "Port Hudson," appropri- ately decorated the stand occupied by the Governor, Mayor, City Council, Colonel Kingsley, and others. After the regi- ment and its escort had taken their places at the tables, bountifully supplied, and beautifully decorated, Mayor Greene greeted them in these words : -
" Colonel Kingsley, officers and privates of the Twenty- sixth Regiment, it is my pleasure, as it is my duty on this
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
occasion, in the name and by the order of the city of Nor- wich, to welcome you home to old Connecticut. Some who left in your ranks have not returned ; they will return no more ; their dust mingles with Southern soil, but their lives were not given in vain ; and if it is most noble to live for others, and not for ourselves, then ยท certainly no death can be more noble than that which is in defense of the liberties of our country, and for the protection and preservation of the best interests and hopes of all men. . . . Soldiers, during your nine months of service, you have endured the privations and hardship of the camp and the march, you have faced the perils of sickness, and have braved wounds, mutilation, and death, on the field of battle you have nobly upheld the honor of the State, and have proved, in common with all Connecticut regiments, that though our State is small in size, she is preeminent in the valor and manhood of her sons."
Colonel Kingsley briefly responded, alluding to the suf- ferings and achievements of the regiment, to the praise it had won for its brief but valuable service from its com- manding Generals. The regiment mustered about five hundred and fifty, seven of their number having been buried along the banks of the Mississippi, a few, unable to be moved, were left in Western hospitals, one died within sight of home, and seven were too feeble to be present and participate in the festivities of the occasion. One hundred and sixty-seven are its reported losses in total. This tells substantially the story of the regiment, whose annals are hereafter part of the history of our town.
The city authorities, as well as the military and fire de- partment, shared in this cordial home-reception, and acted as escort to these young heroes of siege and battle.
On the twenty-second of September, 1862, appeared the great proclamation of President Lincoln, declaring, "That
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NINE MONTIIS' MEN.
on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State, or any designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be thenceforward and forever free, and the government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities, will recognize and maintain the free- dom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom."
The wisdom of this great act was by the loyal masses of the North deemed unquestionable, while its necessity had long been held to be imperative by leading men throughout the country. Almost unheralded, its appearance debarred that angry discussion which might have followed the an- nouncement of its forthcoming.
At a meeting, September twenty-ninth, in Washington, D. C., composed of the governors of loyal States, an address to Mr. Lincoln was drawn up and presented, which, after pledging to the President their most loyal support, added, in reference to his great act : " We hail with heartfelt grati- tude, and encouraged hope, the proclamation, issued on the twenty-second instant, declaring emancipated from their bondage all persons held to service or labor as slaves in the rebel States whose rebellion shall last until the first day of January next ensuing. ... To have continued indefinitely the most efficient cause, the support and stay of the rebel- lion, would have been in our opinion unjust to the loyal people whose treasures and lives are made a willing sacri- fice on the altar of patriotism, would have discriminated against the wife, who is compelled to surrender her hus- band, against the parent who is to surrender his child to the hardships of camp, and the perils of battle, and in favor of rebel-masters permitted to retain their slaves. It would
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
have been a final decision alike against humanity, justice, the rights and dignity of the government, and against a wise national policy. The decision of the President to strike at the root of the rebellion, will lend new vigor to the efforts, and new life and hope to the hearts of the people.
" Cordially tendering to the President our respectful as- surances of personal and official confidence, we trust and believe that the policy now inaugurated will be crowned with success, will give speedy and triumphant victories over our enemies, and secure to this nation and to this people the blessings and favor of Almighty God."
The address was the work of Massachusetts' distinguished " war-governor," - the eloquent and patriotic John A. An- drew. The general verdict of the press of the country was in favor of the grand edict, with which Abraham Lincoln's name will be forever associated. He himself realized the magnitude of the deed, when in proclaiming the act in force on the first of January, 1863, he with that reverent divine faith which so often lifted him far above the mere petty feel- ings of political expediency, solemnly concluded with these words : " And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution upon military neces- sity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God."
Governor Andrew, in his annual Message to the Massa- chusetts Legislature, bore this graceful and earnest tribute to the great act of the age : " Supporting always the Govern- ment without conditions as to its policy, we rejoice with un- utterable joy, that its policy is that of human nature, and not that of human sophistry ; and we hail the returning day of civic virtues which our national departure from the prac- tice of justice and the principles of our fathers have dis- couraged in the North, and have overthrown in the South."
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NINE MONTHS' MEN.
Before sunset on that memorable twenty-second of Sep- tember, the proclamation had been telegraphed to every portion of the Republic. It was hailed by a large majority of the loyal men of the nation with unfeigned joy and grat- itude. Bells rang out their joyous peals not only through- out New England, and the teeming cities of the Empire State, but over the broader States of the West, and clear on to those that skirt the base of the Rocky Mountains. Ten States were enumerated as in rebellion, and three million of slaves were set free. After the issue of the proclama- tion, Mr. Lincoln said, " Now that we have got the harpoon fairly into the monster slavery, we must take care that in his extremity he does not shipwreck the country."
In the House of Representatives, on motion of Mr. Fes- senden, of Maine, the following vote was passed by a large majority : " Resolved, That the proclamation of the Presi- dent of the United States of the date of September twenty- second, 1862, is warranted by the Constitution ; that the policy of emancipation, as indicated in that proclamation, is well adapted to hasten the restoration of peace, was well chosen as a war-measure, and is an exercise of power with proper regard for the rights of the States, and the prosperity of free government."
The citizens of Norwich were not indifferent to this edict of liberty, emancipating an enslaved race, and they gave to it at once their heartfelt approval, and outspoken support. Accordingly, on the day when the proclamation went into effect, January first, 1863, Hon. James Lloyd Greene, the patriotic mayor of the city, whose sympathy with the cause of human freedom, and earnest support of the war from its very beginning had won him a high regard amongst our citizens, ordered a salute to be fired, the city flags to be dis- played, and the church bells rung.
In thus doing public honor to the act which made the
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
year forever memorable, he "had the advice and consent of all the members of the common council whom he could find, being a majority of the whole number." It was fit thus to no- tice this signal event, and every gun fired gave expression to the feelings that thrilled with joy the hearts of all loyal people. When the bill was presented to the city treasurer for payment, after an appropriation therefor had been unan- imously made by the common council, he was restrained by an injunction issued by the Superior court, from paying the same. The honorable tribute to the edict in question was, however, shorn of none of its significance, when the un- daunted mayor promptly relieved the city of all expense, or litigation, and in outspoken words given to the public, in which the facts of the case were plainly stated, and the items of the bill presented, he with genuine quaintness of expres- sion, thus concluded : " And now, upon my soul, I do exult and rejoice that I, James Lloyd Greene, am the man who ordered and paid for the first emancipation salute ever fired in the State of Connecticut."
Concerning this same event, thus wrote the sweet Quaker poet, J. G. Whittier : -
" ( dark sad millions, patiently and dumb Waiting for God, your hour at last has come, And freedom's song Breaks the long silence of your night of wrong !
" Arise and flee ! Shake off the vile restraint Of ages ! but like Ballymena's saint The oppressor spare ; Heap only on his head the coals of prayer.
" Go forth, like him, like him return again, To bless the land whereon in bitter pain Ye toiled at first, And heal with freedom, what your slavery cursed !"
VI.
1863.
" All hail the land where Freedom dwells, and lifts her starry shield ! Here gaze all nations, bond and free - this is their battle-field ! Humanity and Liberty throughout the struggling world, Proclaim her cause their own, and cry, Our Flag shall stay unfurled ! Our Flag shall stay unfurled ! Our Flag shall stay unfurled !
Though Freedom's foes may plot her death, Yet while a patriot holds his breath, Our Flag shall stay unfurled !"
WEISHAMPEL.
T TP to this time there had been but slow progress made by our armies, though the expenditure, both of blood and treasure, had been very great. The hopes of the in- surgents were still confident, and our forces had sustained enough repulses to seriously discourage the people. Now opened the year, which was the test one of the conflict. It opened well, for it chronicled the fact, that liberty to all was now for the first time inscribed upon our national ban- ners.
The campaign commenced with great vigor in the West, under General Grant, and by the middle of summer Vicks- burg had fallen before his persevering skill and valor, and soon after, Port Hudson surrendered to General Banks, thus securing for our possession the great river of the continent, and thereby severing in twain the territory of the Confed- eracy. About the same time in the East, the gallant Poto-
7
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
mac Army endured another defeat under Hooker at Chan- cellorsville, which led to the bold advance of Lee into Pennsylvania, he venturing to assume again the offensive. The command of our troops was transferred to General Meade, who met the enemy at Gettysburg, and fought him, in a most obstinate and bloody battle, lasting three days, at the end.of which our army remained in possession of the field, having inflicted so damaging a defeat on the rebels, that they were compelled to retreat. The tidings of this victory were announced to the country July fourth, which, with the brilliant triumphs of our arms in the West, added new fervor to the popular celebration peculiar to that day. Modestly and reverently Mr. Lincoln anticipated the fuller telegraphic news, which was published on the morning of our national holiday by issuing the following bulletin : "The President of the United States announces to the country, that the news from the army of the Potomac, up to ten P. M. of the third, is such as to cover the army with the highest honor, - to promise great success to the cause of the Union, - and to claim the condolence of all for the many gallant fallen ; and that for this, he especially desires that on this day, ' He whose will, not ours, should be done,' be everywhere remembered, and reverenced with the pro- foundest gratitude."
A few weeks had effected a complete change in the con- dition of affairs. In a little more than a month's time, through the numbers killed, wounded, or taken prisoners, over eighty thousand men were lost to the rebel armies. Our losses had been heavy, but the substantial victories gained, inspirited the whole nation, and revived public confidence at home and abroad in the ultimate success of the Union causc. President Lincoln, in view of the recent events, which reflected such lustre upon our arms, appointed August sixth as a day for national thanksgiving, praise, and prayer,
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PROCLAMATIONS OF LINCOLN AND DAVIS.
inviting " the people of the United States to assemble on that occasion in their customary places of worship, and in the forms approved by their own conscience, render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the nation's behalf, and invoke the influence of his Holy Spirit to subdue the anger which has produced, and so long sustained a needless and cruel re- bellion ; and to change the hearts of the insurgents, to guide the counsels of the government with wisdom adequate to so great a national emergency, and to visit with tender care and consolation throughout the length and breadth of our land, all those who, through the vicissitudes of marches, voyages, battles, and sieges, have been brought to suffer in mind, body, or estate, and family ; to lead the whole nation, through paths of repentance, and submission to the Divine Will, back to the perfect enjoyment of Union and fraternal peace."
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