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 8
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This all showed the advance of public opinion, and relief was experienced, doubtless, by many nervous persons, when it was found that the world stood firm, even after these un- precedented and radical measures had been resorted to in this State, which rather bore the palm of being the steadiest in the " land of steady habits."
Governor Buckingham at once issued his call for colored volunteers for the Twenty-ninth Regiment, to serve for two years, or less. The bounty offered was six hundred dollars, and the pay and uniform the same as that of other soldiers. Each one of these items had been fought over in Congress, and our own General Assembly, and it was only after long and earnest discussion, to which the logic of events sup- plied some very convincing points, that a colored soldier was put on a par with any other, and treated as a citizen, and respected for his patriotism - a patriotism which in the service he was now invited to enter, exposed him to far greater risks and sufferings than it did his more favored brothers in arms. Candidates for commissions in this regi- ment were required to pass a severe examination before a board appointed by the War Department.
Norwich was represented in this regiment by David Tor- rance, Captain Company A, afterwards Lieutenant-colonel, and M. L. Leonard, First Lieutenant ; E. P. Rogers, First Lieutenant Company F : C. H. Carpenter, First Lieutenant Company K, and not far from twenty privates. The regi- ment first joined the Ninth Army Corps, proceeding to Hilton Head and Beaufort, S. C. ; thence was ordered North into the Tenth Corps.
The regiment was put into the trenches in front of Peters- burg, where it continued for a month, doing hard service, when ordered to the rear only for rest, and the replenishing
8
1IO
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
of its wardrobe. After a few days' quiet, it was again in motion, and was engaged in reconnoisances and skirmishes until November nineteenth, when it was stationed for gar- rison duty in certain detached forts on the New Market road, which were considered of great importance. In March, 1865, the Twenty-ninth was ordered to Fort Harri- son, and appointed to watch the enemy's movements in its immediate front. On Saturday, April second, it witnessed the last rebel parade, and carly the next day led in the ad- vance on Richmond, Companies G and C, without doubt, entering the city before any other Union troops. The ser- vice it was from the first called to render was a tribute to its valor and efficiency.
Lieutenant-colonel Torrance, who was himself a capable and bold officer, has set forth in his report some of the trials of the regiment, wherein he claims for it the highest merit. "The poor rights of a soldier were denied to its members. Their actions were narrowly watched, and the slightest faults severely commented upon. In spite of all this, the negro soldier fought willingly and bravely; and with his rifle alone he has vindicated his manhood, and stands to-day as second in bravery to none." Such were the words in which Colonel Torrance bore his testimony to what he knew from his own experience.
In the Thirtieth Regiment, also colored volunteers, Nor- wich had as officers, First Lieutenants, Albert Latham, George Greenman (afterwards promoted Captain), De Laroo Wilson, Quartermaster, and about thirty privates. It was never filled to its maximum, four companies only being com- pleted and organized. These were finally consolidated into the Thirty-first U. S. C. T. The regiment had a good record, and served with credit in many a hard engage- ment.
CORPS D'AFRIQUE. GRANT'S NEW COMMISSION. III
General Banks had, prior to this time, directed the re- cruitment of a Corps d'Afrique in his department, which was the earliest successful effort of the kind. In the First Regiment of this corps, Norwich had George R. Case, who was commissioned as Lieutenant, and rose to be Captain. He is said to have been the first Northern man to accept position as a line officer in a colored regiment. C. W. Con- verse was commissioned as Lieutenant in the Third Regi- ment of the same corps, and B. B. Blackman and Jesse Wilkinson were appointed to a Captaincy in the Forty-third Regiment U. S. C. T.
On the first of February of this year, the President mod- ified his call of October, 1863, increasing the number of men asked for from three hundred thousand to five hundred thousand. The quota of the district was eighteen hundred and forty-three men ; that of the town three hundred and twenty-nine. The latter, through surplus enlistments al- ready credited, had but comparatively few more to furnish, and promptly met this apportionment.
On March ninth, President Lincoln presented to General Grant his commission as Lieutenant-general. The cere- mony took place in the Cabinet Chamber, in the presence of many distinguished personages. On General Grant's entrance into the room, Mr. Lincoln rose and addressed him thus : -
"GENERAL GRANT : The nation's appreciation of what you have done, and its reliance upon you for what there remains to do in the existing great struggle, are now presented with this commis- sion of a Lieutenant-general in the Army of the United States. With this high honor devolves upon you also a corresponding re- sponsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so under God it will sustain you. I scarcely need to add, that with what I have spoken for the nation goes my own hearty personal concurrence."
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
To which General Grant responded : --
"MR. PRESIDENT : I accept this high commission with gratitude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the noble armies that have fought on so many fields for our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your expectations. I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me, and I know that if they are met, it will be due to those armies, and above all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men."
This appointment was made in accordance with an act of Congress creating the office of Lieutenant-general, and cor- dially approved by President Lincoln, he nominating Gen- eral Grant for the position, and the Senate promptly con- firming the nomination. On March seventeenth, General Grant assumed command of the Armies of the United States, and after a brief time spent in massing his troops, appointing new army corps commanders, the long-antici- pated spring campaign opened. Henceforth there was unity of purpose, each army cooperating and acting under one supreme far-seeing leader, and among the tried and devoted generals under Grant, there were no rivalries or mean jealousies. "Where the first blow will fall," said the " Richmond Examiner," " when the two armies of North- ern Virginia will meet each other face to face ; how Grant will try to hold his own against the master-spirit Lee, we cannot even surmise." The fighting was of unparalleled severity, and our advance was against great odds, but re- sistless.
On July eighteenth, Mr. Lincoln issued his proclamation for five hundred thousand more troops. The general ad- vance of all our armies, and the sanguinary campaign which General Grant had opened, and was pushing with such a steady resistless determination, made it imperative on the
THE WILDERNESS BATTLES. NEW CALL FOR TROOPS. 113
government to keep the ranks full. The last grapple with the forces of rebellion had begun, and on the part of the new Commanding General there was an inflexible purpose to fight it through on the line on which he had begun. The call for troops was felt by all to be warranted by the military situation, and the public mind shared in the excitement which the splendid fighting along our eastern battle front had occasioned. Those wilderness engagements, among the most terrific and deadly struggles in the history of warfare, had stirred the whole nation. The stubborn strength of the Confederacy never showed itself so impressively as when it slowly gave way before the persistent onset of the reën- forced Potomac Army hurled with crushing power upon the rebel force under Lee.
The quota of the district under this last call was sixteen hundred and one, and that of the town two hundred and seventy-three. At a town meeting held August twenty- third, it was unanimously voted -
" That the Selectmen of this town be and they are hereby au- thorized and instructed to employ persons to aid them in filling the quota of this town, under the last call of the President for volunteers, and to draw orders on the town treasurer for the pay- ment of expenses."
The resurrection of the peace-men, and the discussions their plans gave rise to, had affected Norwich but little. Our citizens were never to any large extent equivocal in their support of the government, and now that the sternest fight- ing of the war was going on, they took hold heartily to see that the demands upon the town, in the way of recruits for the advancing armies, were complied with.
Norwich again succeeded in raising the quota, and the draft, which was to be the alternative, was made unneces- sary. The assignment to the entire State was more than
114
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
met, so that there was a credit to the latter large enough to release from any apportionment under the final call for three hundred thousand troops. It is but just to say that a large number of the substitutes furnished by those liable to be drafted, were not Connecticut residents, so that the disgrace attaching to the conduct of many of them does not belong to citizens of the State. The inducements held out for sub- stitutes created a professional class under that name ; who, attracted by the bounties, found their way into Connecticut, and were mustered into service from the State, reflecting, in many instances, by their cowardice and unmilitary bear- ing, anything but honor on the Commonwealth.
How far Norwich was open to the impeachment of being affected by "the reckless quota-filling madness " that had become so rife, can hardly be determined. Her Selectmen and War Committee sought to secure only worthy men, and few, if any, conspicuous instances of their furnish- ing any others are now on record. The Provost-mar- shal, Captain I. H. Bromley, and his successor, Captain Theodore C. Kibbe, both did what they could to keep up the morale of the latest recruits provided by the town. The former, on resigning his office, hinted, in his characteristic vein, at some of the perplexities of the position, in the fol- lowing pithy lines : " The retiring officer has had the satis- faction of knowing, that in the discharge of duties eminently calculated to 'make everybody hate you,' he has met with the most cheering success. Without a pang of regret, he bids an official but affectionate adieu to the gentlemanly substitute-brokers, who have always 'two or three first-rate men, of good moral character,' they want to get in ; to the patriotic selectmen and town agents, who would like to look over the lists, to see if James Henry Alexander's name is down ;' to the short-haired substitutes with a complica- tion of diseases, 'who swear they are tough enough to stand
EXTENSION OF ELECTIVE FRANCHISE TO SOLDIERS. 115
marching and fighting ;' to the timid young gentlemen from the rural districts, who have 'the rheumatism very bad in wet weather,' and have never been well since the war broke out ; to the anxious parties who have for the past three or four weeks waylaid him in the streets, and opened their at- tack with a dreadful series of 'sposens ;' to the aliens from Ireland, and the aliens from Germany, and the aliens who would be willing to swear they were aliens ; to the mild- mannered men who 'couldn't understand it;' and those rough-spoken people ' who knew all about it ; ' to those, and to all of them, he bids a fond and affectionate farewell. He presumes they are all pleased with the change. He cer- tainly is."
In the spring session of the General Assembly, the con- stitutional amendment providing for the extension of the elective franchise to the soldiers was passed. The amend- ment was in August following submitted to popular vote, and ratified by a large majority. New London County en- dorsed the measure by the emphatic vote of twenty-eight hundred and eight, to eleven hundred and eight, and the town vote of Norwich was equally pronounced in favor of this just and patriotic measure, standing seven hundred and fifty-three, to one hundred and fifty-six. Governor Buck- ingham had tersely presented the subject in his message, declaring, " that freemen who sustain and protect a govern- ment, by baring their bosoms to the deadly shafts of its enemies, should have an opportunity to express an opinion in respect to its policy, and the character and qualifications of its officers." Of course, a bitter opposition was made to the project, and all sorts of direful calamities prophesied in consequence of allowing the soldiers the right of suffrage. It was well added by one of the newspapers of the State, " Perhaps we are prejudiced, but it seems to us that a man who does nothing worse than shed his blood for the old flag,
II6
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
ought not, for so small an offense as that, to be disfranchised like a common thief."
To the excitement which had been produced by the un- paralleled fighting kept up with a coolness and nerve which showed that a man of iron will was in command, was now superadded that occasioned by a vigorous and unusually bitter election campaign. Americans seem unable to live without the spice and venom of an occasional political con- test, in which men turn into pepper-cruets, and the whole country becomes involved in a sort of domestic wrangle. To have one precipitated on the country at this juncture of affairs, was extremely unfortunate. There was little time or strength that could be spared for the ordinary tactics of such an important political election, as this one approaching undoubtedly was. Still the gravity of the interests involved made it necessary to act with wisdom and firmness, and the re-appearance of the, to loyal citizens, ever-provoking " peace-men," put a new earnestness into those who had at heart the success of the government in its yet pending conflict.
Fortunately all the attempted peace projects proved abor- tive, and the battle at the polls was decisively fought out in November of this year, resulting in the overwhelming re- election of Mr. Lincoln. Norwich stood true to the Union cause, giving a majority of nearly three hundred.
The President, in his message to the thirty-eighth Con- gress, alluded in these words to the issues thus settled by the suffrages of the people: "Judging by the recent can- vass and its result, the purpose of the people within the loyal States to maintain the integrity of the Union, was never more firm, nor more nearly unanimous than now. The extraordinary calmness and good order with which the millions of voters met, and mingled at the polls, give strong assurance of this. Not only all those who supported the
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THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Union ticket, so called, but a great majority of the opposing party also, may be fairly claimed to entertain, and to be ac- tuated by, the same purpose. It is an unanswerable argu- ment to this effect, that no candidate for any office whatever, high or low, has ventured to seek votes on the avowal that he was for giving up the Union. There have been much impugning of motives, and much heated controversy as to the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause ; but, on the distinct issue of Union or no Union, the politicians have shown their instinctive knowledge that there is no diversity among the people. In affording the people the fair opportunity of showing to one another, and to the world, this firmness, and unanimity of purpose. the election has been of vast value to the national cause."
Throughout the canvass Mr. Lincoln had sought to dis- guise not the fact that the war was for Liberty and Union. At this time he stated there were nearly two hundred thousand colored men under arms. "There are men base enough to propose to me to return to slavery our black warriors of Port Hudson and Olustee. Should I do so," said he, with indignation glowing in every feature of his sad resolute face, " I should deserve to be damned in time and eternity. Come what may, I will keep faith with the black man."
We have spoken of the encouragement the rebels took in looking forward to this year's campaign, founded on the anticipated depletion of our armies through the expiration of the term of service for which large numbers were en- listed. This was holding Northern patriotism at a low rate, and miscalculated the purpose of these very soldiers to "see the war through." Provost-marshal-general Fry returned figures that must have surprised those who had thus pre- dicted a thinning out of our ranks. From May first, 1863, to January first, 1864, according to his report, our army was reënforced with forty thousand men from the draft. Up to
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
February of this year, two hundred and sixty-eight thousand volunteers were enlisted, one hundred thousand veterans re- enlisted, and twenty-five thousand men organized into an invalid corps, releasing that number of. able-bodied men from camp and garrison duty, for the more important ser- vice in the field.
The veteran reenlistments, which kept up the strength and character of the Connecticut Regiments in the field, amounted during the year to three thousand six hundred and forty-seven. These were secured through recruiting agents sent to the various organizations, with authority to offer the veteran's bounty of seven hundred and two dol- lars, and a furlough. The continuance in the ranks of those who had come to understand somewhat of the art of war, was a proof of their patriotism, adding immensely to the effectiveness of the forces in the service of the government. The regiments in this way kept up the high repute which had gained for them a particular celebrity, and made them justly proud of the position they had attained. Colonel Selden and Captain Gallup were detailed by the Governor to visit the Connecticut Regiments in and about New Or- leans for this purpose, where they succeeded in reënlisting a large proportion of those hitherto connected with them.
On the return of these veteran regiments to the State for their promised furlough, they were received with overwhelm- ing demonstrations of rejoicing and affection. Public re- ceptions were awarded them, and welcoming addresses from prominent citizens, only voiced the popular admiration for these heroes of many a hard fought fight. They were greeted with an enthusiasm, which the fact that they were home for a brief respite, only served to deepen. Our people had become accustomed to exhibitions of popular feeling on witnessing departing regiments ; but it was a new expe- rience this of welcoming home those whose tattered ban-
RECEPTION OF FURLOUGHED REGIMENTS. 119
ners and bronzed faces told the pathetic story of their suf- ferings and achievements.
" I saw the soldiers come to-day From battle-fields afar ; No conqueror rode before their way On his triumphal car ; But captains like themselves on foot, And banners sadly torn ; All grandly eloquent, though mute, In pride and glory borne."
The Governor, in paying a well-deserved tribute to the veterans of the renowned Thirteenth, gave expression to the feelings of all patriot hearts, when he said, " Let me tell you that so long as this heart beats, it will beat with love and gratitude for the men who have offered themselves as a bulwark to the nation. We know the dangers which you have braved have not dampened your ardor, nor quenched your patriotism. . . . Those at home appreciate your ser- vices and your devotion." There was something truly grand in the popular enthusiasm these regiments awakened in the people, and on returning to take part in what was felt to be the death-grapple with the rebellion, they were strengthened anew for their sacrificial service by the benediction of their fellow-citizens, and the grasp of loving hands.
Norwich had a share in the welcome extended to these furloughed regiments. On March twenty-ninth, the Eight- eenth, mustering about six hundred strong, under Major Peale, came home for a short visit. In consequence of de- lay at New York, it did not reach the city till near midnight, but even at that unseasonable hour was warmly received by the waiting crowd, and having been escorted to the hall, where a bountiful collation had been provided, was formally welcomed by Mayor Greene. The regiment had seen hard service, and borne with steadfast courage the reverses that
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THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
had attended our arms in the Shenandoah Valley. The casualties of battle had thinned its ranks, and many of its members were still in prison ; but this only added to the interest with which our citizens regarded the splendid regi- ment they had sent out amid such proud rejoicings, two years before. The city had watched with deepest solicitude its varying fortunes, and when it took its departure for the field again, it was greeted with every expression of the people's good-will. Halting before the residence of the Governor, the latter made a short address, congratulating Major Peale on the good service which the regiment had rendered while under his command, and expressing the hope that the imprisoned officers might soon rejoin their comrades, and share in the conflicts that awaited them.
Norwich had given to the war its best blood, and while many a brave citizen was brought back for the last rites of sepulture, this was the only returning regiment it had been permitted publicly to welcome. It was with special grati- tude too, and joy, that it greeted the return of many officers and privates, who held honored positions in the veteran regiments Hartford and New Haven had publicly received. All our citizens could join in the words addressed by one of the speakers to these furloughed veterans : " We hoped for great things from you, and I proclaim before you, that our hopes have not been disappointed. We are proud of you."
The year closed with a most decided gain on the part of the Union Armies. Grant's campaign had been the most sanguinary of any thus far, but it had accomplished in the main his end. He aimed to overpower and crush by sheer force the rebel army, and he had effectually done it. He had forced it back, at great cost of life 'tis true, and made it take the position of an army defending the rebel capital. The power of the Confederates never received such damag-
RESULTS OF THE YEAR'S CAMPAIGN.
ing blows, as in this campaign, which began on the Rapi- dan, and ended in front of Petersburg, and across the Weldon Railroad.
Some idea of what our armies accomplished in the last ten months of the campaign, will throw some light on the losses of the rebels : -
Guns captured, three hundred and fifty-four.
Total number of prisoners taken, forty-four thousand nine hundred and seventy-three.
Rebel generals put hors du combat, twenty-five, not in- cluding those wounded in connection with Lee's army.
" Our late reverses have done much towards preparing our people for extreme sacrifices," said the "Richmond Sentinel," indicating the despair that had settled upon the Confederate leaders. At the close of 1864, there was no longer any doubt of the speedy and successful issue of the war. The year had been one of hard fighting, but of great material successes. Norwich had lost some brave officers in the Virginia campaign, and the regiments of the State had held advanced positions in the Potomac Army, suffer- ing in consequence quite severely. The year, however, de- parted, leaving all full of hope, and the signs of the long prayed for termination seemed at hand.
VIII.
1861-1865.
T HE whole number of men furnished by Connecticut during the war, for the service of the United States, for the several terms of service, of all arms, and inclusive of army and navy, was fifty-four thousand eight hundred and eighty-two. The following is the summary, according to careful count of the rosters of the various regiments and organizations, and represents the actual number of men in service from the State.
Three Months' Service.
Three Regiments, Infantry, 2,402
Nine Months' Service.
One (Third) Independent Battery, Light Artillery, I37
Six Regiments Infantry (22d, 23d, 25th, 26th,
27th, 28th), 5,602
Three Years' Service.
One (Ist) Squadron of Cavalry, 166
One (Ist) Regiment of Cavalry, 2,61 I
Two (Ist and 2d) Regiments Heavy Artillery, 6,086
Two (Ist and 2d) Batteries, Light Artillery, 516
Seventeen Regiments Infantry (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st), . 23,727
CONNECTICUT'S CONTRIBUTION TO UNION ARMIES. 123
Two Years' Service, or less.
Two Regiments Infantry, C. T. (29th and 30th), 1,690
Veterans. Reënlistment in the field, . 3,647
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