USA > Connecticut > The old battle flags Veteran soldiers' souvenir. Containing a brief historical sketch of each Connecticut regiment, the various engagements, casualties, etc., during the war of the rebellion > Part 4
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May 15, 1864, it was in the engagement with the enemy at New Market, Va., but was compelled to retreat owing to the superior strength of the enemy. It sustained a total loss of 56 in killed, wounded, and missing. .
June 5th it was in the battle of Piedmont, Va. Major Peale reports that on nearing the main line of the enemy, the regiment was subjected to continuous volleys of musketry, which though considerably depleting their ranks did not cause their line to waver in the least. After hours of severe fighting the enemy was totally routed and nearly 1500 of their number captured, not including the wounded. Its total loss in killed and wounded was 122.
June 18th the regiment again encountered the enemy at Lynchburg, Va., sustaining a loss of 9 men. The command was compelled to fall back, closely followed by the enemy's cavalry. They were almost constantly on the march until July 3d, when they arrived at Camp Pialt, West Va. On this march the sufferings of the men were intense; many having fallen from exhaustion and hunger were taken prisoners.
July 18, 1864, it participated in an engagement with the Rebels that invaded Maryland and Pennsylvania during the early part of July, in which it acted well its part and suffered severely, sustaining a loss of 32 killed and wounded. July 24th it was engaged with the enemy at Winchester, Va.
Sept. 3, 1864, it was in action at Berryville, Va., fortunately with small loss. It continued to serve in the district of West Va. until its final muster-out, June 27, 1865, at Harper's Ferry.
ITS ENGAGEMENTS.
Winchester, Vo., June 13, 14, and 15, 1863; New Market, Va., May 15, 1804; Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864; Lynchburg, Va., June 18, 1864; Snicker's Ford, Va., July 18, 1861; Winchester, Vo., July 24, 1864; Berryville, Va., Sept. 3, 1861.
CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 52; died of wounds, 14; died of disease, 22; discharged prior to muster-out of regiment, 323; missing at muster-out of regiment, 12; Total, 473.
36
ALL THE VETERANS
And all the Patriotic People visiting the Capitol City on the
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37
TWENTIETH REGIMENT.
This regiment left New Haven for Washington Sept. 11, 1862, under com- mand of Col. Samuel Ross, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
May 1st, 2d, and 3d it was engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville, behav. ing most gallantly during the engagement, and was highly complimented for its bravery. Its total loss was 197 men, killed, wounded, and missing.
July 2 and 3, 1863, it participated in the battle of Gettysburg, occupying the right of the line. On the night of the 2d it lay in line of battle in a cornfield, ready at a moment's notice. On the morning of the 3d a portion of the regiment was thrown forward as skirmishers, the whole regiment being hotly engaged with the enemy, and was constantly under arms during the nights of the 3d and 4th. Col. Wooster said, "Each officer and man then with ine seemed intent only on doing his whole duty, cheerfully and promptly executing every order." Total loss in this engagement, 28.
In September, 1863, it was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. It arrived at Bridgeport, Ala., Oct. 3d. It participated in several skirmishes with the enemy during the autumn months. Jan. 20, 1864, while a portion of the regiment was guarding Tracy City, Tenn., the place was attacked by Rebel cavalry, who were repulsed and forced to retreat.
May 15, 1864, it took part in the battle of Resaca, Ga., and on the 19th it was engaged with the enemy at Cassville, Ga .; the aggregate loss in the two engagements being 21 killed and wounded.
It continued its march with Sherman's army, and on July 20th participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga., which was one of unusual severity, the total loss being 55 in killed and wounded.
Again, on the 21st of July, the regiment was engaged with the enemy near Atlanta, with a loss of 10 men.
On the 25th of August it marched to Turner's Ferry, and on the 27th it was engaged in a skirmish with the enemy. Sept. 2d it participated in the cap- ture of Atlanta. It arrived at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 10th. It was engaged in various siege operations against that place until the 21st, when the enemy having evacuated, it entered the city.
March 15, 1865. it encountered the enemy at Silver Run, N. C., and after a short engagement, drove them from their line of works, its loss being 19 in killed and wounded.
On the 19th of the same month it participated in the battle of Bentonville, and fully sustained its courage and valor, which it had already established on many a hard fought battle-field.
During the campaign the regiment marched more than 500 miles, endured wet, cold, hunger, and fatigue without a murmur, and was finally mustered out of service, June 13, 1865, numbering 506, present and absent.
ITS ENGAGEMENTS.
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863: Gettysburg. Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863; Tracy City, Tenn., Jan. 20, 1863; Resten, Ga., May 15, 1864; Cassville, Ga., May 19, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, Go., July 20, 1864; near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 5, 1864; Silver Run, N. C., March 15, 1865; Bentonville, N. C., March 19, 1865; Raleigh, N. C., April 13, 1865.
CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 50
Died of wounds, 37
Died of disease,
Discharged prior to muster out of regiment, 261
Missing at muster out of regiment, 2
Total, 430
38
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39
TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized in August, 1862, Col. Arthur Dutton com- manding. It left Norwich for the seat of war Sept. 11, 1862, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
Its first engagement was at the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, where it sustained a loss of six men wounded. Col. Dutton spoke in the highest terms of the conduct of the regiment in this, its first battle.
In the months of April and May, 1863, it participated in the defense of Suffolk, Va., and engaged the enemy on the Edenton road, meeting with a small loss.
May 2d it was ordered to cross the Nansemond river at Sleepy Hole, to seize Reed's Ferry, and open communication with the Fourth Rhode Island regiment on the left. Gen. Getty, in his report, said: " I cannot suffer to pass unnoticed the services of those who crossed the Nansemond at Sleepy Hole, who drove the enemy's cavalry from Chuckatuc, and seized Reed's Ferry, capturing several prisoners. Such deeds prove the mettle of the men."
Shortly afterwards it was transferred to the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, and was subsequently ordered to Newport News, where it remained nearly six weeks. Feb. 3, 1864, it was ordered to Morehead City, N. C., and after aiding in repelling the enemy at that point, it was sent to Newberne, N. C.
May 16, 1864, the regiment took an active part in the battle of Drury's Bluff, Va., and sustained a loss of 107 killed, wounded, and missing, which fully attests to the fact that brave men were in its ranks, and bravely fighting they fell.
May 25th it was ordered to reconnoiter the enemy's left, but night coming on they returned to camp. The day following it again moved, with orders to push the reconnoissance until stopped by the enemy. After an advance of nearly two miles the enemy was found strongly entrenched. Line of battle was formed, and the skirmishers were becoming engaged, when Col. Dutton was mortaliy wounded. The command devolved on Lieut .- Col. Burpee, who was finally obliged to withdraw his command.
June 3, 1864, the regiment was in the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., receiving well-inerited compliments from division and brigade commanders. It sus- tained a loss of 47 men.
It remained in front of Petersburg until Sept. 3d, performing picket duty and engaged in skirmishes with the enemy. Its loss while thus engaged was 49 men.
Sept. 28th it marched to the James river, crossed on pontoon bridges, and proceeded to the assault on Fort Harrison, and on the day following (20th) the fort, with its garrison and armament of twenty-two pieces of heavy ord- nauce, fell into the hands of the Union forces. The fighting was extremely severe, but the Twenty- first did not fail to add new laurels to its wreath. This was the last general engagement of the regiment. Nothing of import- ance occurred subsequently, and the Twenty-first was mustered out of the service on the 16th day of June, 1865, leaving a decidedly brilliant record.
ITS ENGAGEMENTS.
Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862; Suffolk, Va., April and May, 1863; Drury's Bluff's, Va., May 16, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864; before Petersburg, Va., May 26 to June 19, 1864; before Petersburg, Va., June 19 to Sept. 3, 1864; Fort Harrison, Va., Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 1864.
CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 26: died of wounds, 33; died of disease, 108; discharged prior to muster out of regiment, 313; missing at time of muster out of regi- ment, 2. Total, 482.
40
TWENTY-SECOND REG'T (9 Months).
This regiment was organized in 1862. It received marching orders October 7, 1862, and proceeded to Washington, was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and during the Winter was stationed at Miner's Hill, Va., near Washington. The regiment was recruited for nine months' service.
April 15, 1863, the regiment broke camp and marched to Alexandria, and embarked for Fortress Monroe; from thence to Suffolk, Va., at that time besieged by Gen. Longstreet, of the Rebel forces. In the battle of May 3d, across the Nansemond, it supported the Eighth Conn. and the Eighty-Ninth New York, being ordered out at midnight and constantly under fire.
After the retreat of Longstreet it was ordered with the division to West Point, Va., but on the defeat of Gen. Hooker, were hastily ordered back to Yorktown; from thence it proceedled to Diascomb Bridge, within twenty miles of Richmond. Its term of service having expired it returned to Hart- ford, and was mustered out July 7, 1803.
This regiment was composed of excellent material, was commanded by Col. Geo. S. Burnham, an experienced officer, formerly Col. of the 1st Connecticut regiment (three months), and, had the opportunity been granted it, none can doubt but that it would have won for itself a brilliant record on the field of battle.
ITS CASUALTIES.
Died of disease, 20
Discharged prior to muster-out of regiment, 77
Total, 97
TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT (9 Months).
The 23d regiment was organized in September, 1862, and rendezvoused at Camp Terry, New Haven. It received marching orders Nov. 16, 1862, and proceeded to Camp Buckingham, L. I., where it remained until the following month, when it was assigned to Banks' expedition, and embarked on trans- ports for New Orleans.
The regiment was for most of the time engaged in guarding the New Orleans & Opelousas Railroad.
On the 2d of June, while the greater part of Gen. Banks' army was before Port Hudson, the Rebels made an attack upon the line of the road and suc- ceeded in capturing or destroying a large amount of stores at Brashear City. A number of officers of the regiment who were on duty at that place were captured.
It bore an honorable part in repelling several attacks on the road, but no official report of engagements was received by the Adjutant-General, conse- quently no detailed account of its history can be given.
It returned to New Haven on the expiration of its term of service, and was mustered out Aug. 31, 1863.
ITS CASUALTIES.
Killed, 3; died of wounds, 4; died of disease, 44; discharged prior to muster-out of regiment, 21. Total. ? 2.
41
TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
The Twenty-fourth Regiment was organized in September, 1862. Six companies of this regiment were recruited in Middlesex county, and the four others (three of them Irish) from Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield coun- ties. Col. Samuel M. Marsfield, a Lieutenant in the regular army, was appointed to the command.
This regiment was also assigned to Gen. Banks' expedition, and left its rendezvous at Middletown, Conn., Nov. 18, 1863, with 698 officers and men, for Camp Buckingham, L. I., from whence it proceeded to New Orleans, and from thence to Baton Rouge, La. Soon after it was ordered to join the army before Port Hudson. The following is a summary of its operations :
May 21, 1863, it was landed from transports, and marched to rear of Port Hudson. May 24th it was engaged with the enemy, whom they drove from their rifle pits, and held the border of the woods, within a few yards of the enemy's breast-works, until next morning, when it was relieved, and five companies were sent further to the right as skirmishers. May 27, 1863, the skirmishers were called in, and the regiment moved to support Gen. Weitzel's storming columns ; and on the 31st it was detailed to support batteries on the right.
June 1st it was before Port Hudson, with the reserve of the right wing, until the morning of the 14th, the day of the second assault on Port Hudson, in which the regiment played a conspicuous part. It advanced further to the front, in face of a most galling fire, and held the advanced position for the rest of the month, one-half of the regiment on duty day and night.
July 1, 1863, the regiment was in trenches before the enemy, and was under a brisk fire until the surrender, which took place on the Sth of July.
July 11th it entered the fortress, and embarked on transports to Danielson- ville, and from thence to Carrolton. The loss of the regiment during the siege was quite severe.
The regiment served in the Department of the Gulf nearly ten and a half months, and was finally mustered out of service Sept. 30, 1863' with a most honorable record.
ITS ENGAGEMENTS.
Port Hudson, La., from May 23 to July 11, 1863. Loss in killed, 14 en- listed men; wounded, 6 commissioned officers, 46 enlisted men. Total loss, 66.
CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 14
Died of wounds, 4
Died of disease, 47
Discharged prior to muster out of regiment, 3S
Total, 103
.
42
TRAMP! TRAMP! TRAMP!
(THE PRISONER'S HOPE.)
In the prison cell I sit, thinking, mother dear, of you, And our bright and happy home so far away,
And the tears they fill my eyes, spite of all that I can do, Though I try to cheer my comrades and be gay.
CHORUS.
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching, Cheer up. comrades. they will come, And beneath the starry flag we shall breathe the air again, Of the free-land in our own beloved home.
In the battle front we stood when the fiercest charge they made, And they swept us off a hundred men or more, But before we reached their lines they were beaten back dismayed, And we heard the cry of vict'ry o'er and o'er.
CHORUS. Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching, etc.
So within the prison cell we are waiting for the day That shall come to open wide the iron door, And the hollow eye grows bright, and the poor heart almost gay, As we think of seeing home and friends once more.
CHORUS. Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching, etc.
43
TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
This regiment rendezvoused at Camp Halleck, Hartford, and left for Camp Buckingham, Centerville, L. I., Nov. 14, 1862, Col. Geo. P. Bissell com- manding. It formed a part of Gen. Banks' division, and after a short stay at Centerville, embarked for New Orleans. No official report of its movements prior to the month of March, 1863, were received.
March 13th the regiment advanced toward Port Hudson. That night it bivouacked about eight miles from Baton Rouge. On the 14th it advanced some five miles further and then took a position near the enemy's works. The object of the expedition (attracting the attention of the enemy while the Union fleet passed the batteries, and the marking of a movement on the Clinton road by another portion of the army) having been accomplished, the entire army fell back in a most severe storm, which, while it seriously affected the com- fort of our forces, frustrated the design of the enemy to attack the Union column.
The sufferings of the 25th were reported to be almost unendurable.
March 9, 1863, the regiment marched to Brashear City, where it remained until the 12th, when it commenced skirmishing with the enemy. On the 16th it was thrown to the front and right to skirmish and cover the advance of the main body, and shortly after began the battle of Irish Bend, in which the regiment took an active part, acquitting itself in a most noble manner, and meeting with a total loss of 96, while only one of the whole was reported miss- ing, all the others being killed or wounded. The regiment was commanded by Col. Bissell in person.
From the date of the battle of Irish Bend until May 25th, the regiment was engaged in marches, and was for the most part without communication with its baggage; at one time officers and men being without a change of clothing for a month.
May 24th commenced the investment of the works before Port Hudson, this regiment being assigned the center. The regiment was under command of Major McManus during the battle, Col. Bissell being absent, sick.
That the regiment bore a conspicuous part in this battle is fully attested in the official reports. Some of its men were without rations for some forty hours, and yet they performed their duties without a murmur. It sustained an aggregate loss of 28 officers and men.
Again, on the 14th and 15th of June, it participated in another attack on the enemy's works, and sustained a loss of 18 killed and wounded. After such a long and tedious campaign the regiment became greatly reduced, and on the morning of the 26th of June Adjutant Ward reported but one hundred and forty men fit for duty.
By the bravery displayed on the field of battle, and the patient endurance on the many long marches, the regiment won for itself a high and lasting rep- utation. It continued in active service in the Department of the Gulf until the expiration of its term of service, and was mustered out Aug. 26, 1863.
ITS PRINCIPAL ENGAGEMENTS.
Irish Bend, La., April 14, 1863.
Port Hudson, La., May 25 and 26, 1863.
Port Hudson, La., June 14 and 15, 1863.
ITS CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 14
Died of wounds, 13
Died of disease, 50
Discharged prior to muster-out of regiment, 60
Total, 143
11
TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was recruited in New London and Windham counties, and rendezvoused at Camp Russell, Norwich. It was commanded by Col. Thomas G. Kingsley, and left the State for Camp Buckingham, Centerville, L. I., Nov. 13, 1862, and was attached to Gen. Banks' Army Corps.
Its first general engagement was May 27, 1863, in an assault upon Port Hudson, in which it bore a conspicuous part, and distinguished itself by its energetic action. The regiment occupied the third line in the assault, and was exposed to a murderous fire of shell, shot, grape, and canister, and after an hour's severe fighting the men were compelled to seek shelter behind stumps and logs. Col. Kingsley was wounded in the engagement. Its total loss was 107 in killed, wounded, and missing.
June 13th the regiment, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Selden, participated in a skirmish before Port Hudson, and sustained a loss of eight men in killed and wounded.
Again, on the 14th, it was engaged with the enemy before Port Hudson, and sustained a loss of 59 men killed and wounded.
The records show that when the Twenty-sixth came out of the assault its loss was nearly one-half of the entire brigade. It took into action 235 officers and men, none of whom faltered, but each doing all that was required of him in a heroic manner. That it distinguished itself for bravery, fidelity, and endurance during the entire siege, is conceded by all who witnessed its gallant deeds.
The official reports received from the regiment were very meager, giving only the casualties; consequently a more detailed summary of its services cannot be given.
The regiment returned to Connecticut, and was mustered out of service at Norwich, Aug. 17, 1863.
ITS GENERAL ENGAGEMENTS.
Port Hudson, La., May 27, 1863; Port Hudson, La., June 13 and 14, 1863.
CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 15
Died of wounds, 30
Died of disease, - 72
Discharge prior to muster out of regiment, 52
Total, 169
45
TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized in Sept., 1862, and was recruited wholly from New Haven county. It was commanded by Col. Richard L. Bostwick. It received marching orders Oct. 22, 1862, left its camp at New Haven, and pro- ceeded to Washington with 829 men.
It was assigned to the army of the Potomac, and on the 13th of December, 1862, participated in the battle of Fredericksburg. Fortunately, a portion of the command had been detailed for picket duty at Falmouth, and were not relieved in time to participate in the battle with the regiment, otherwise its loss would have been much more severe. Col. Bostwick, in his report of the battle, said: "Without any attempt to flatter a regiment which I had the honor to command, I can justly say that both officers and men behaved exceedingly well; doing nobly, without flinching, under a severe and galling fire from the enemy, of which the killed and wounded is a criterion." The regiment sustained a total loss of 105 killed, wounded, and missing.
After the battle of Fredericksburg the regiment was engaged in the usual picket duty and skirmishing incident to army life, and on May 3, 1863, it was engaged in the sanguinary battle of Chancellorsville, Va., sustaining an aggregate loss of 202 men, most of whom were captured. The captured were soon exchanged, and the regiment continued its active life on picket and in the skirmish until the 1st of July, when it proceeded to Gettysburg, Pa., and on the 2d and 3d it was engaged in the great battle at that place. Its aggregate loss in that engagement was 39 killed, wounded, and missing.
We quote: "It is to be regretted that no reports of the part taken by the regiment in the last two battles were ever received by the Adjutant-General."
The regiment was mustered out at New Haven July 27, 1863, upon the expiration of its term of service.
Col. Brooks said: "Side by side with the veterans of the army of the Potomac it has fought, and by the gallantry of its conduct won for itself an enviable name and reputation, and which may well in after years cause all who belong to the 27th to point to their record with pride."
ITS ENGAGEMENTS.
Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863.
CASUALTIES.
Killed in action, 28
Died of wounds, 17
Died of disease, 22
Discharged prior to muster out of regiment, 82
Total, 149
46
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47
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The Twenty-eighth regiment was composed of eight companies, recruited in Litchfield and Fairfield counties, and numbered 678 men.
It went into camp at New Haven, where it remained until it received marching orders, Nov. 18, 1862. This regiment was also assigned to Gen. Banks' army corps, making the fifth furnished by Connecticut for this expe- dition. Col. Samuel P. Ferris, its commander, was appointed from the regular army.
During the early part of its services the regiment was reported at Pensacola, Fla. Soon after it received marching orders, joined the army moving upon Port Hudson, and was actively engaged in the assault on that place June 14, 1863. It sustained a loss of 59 in killed and wounded. Among the former were two commissioned officers, Capt. David D. Hoag and Lieut. Charles Durand. No official reports were received by the Adjutant-General, and it is therefore impossible to give a detailed account of its service. The only list of casualties received was contained in the monthly return of June, 1863.
The regiment was present at the fall of Port Hudson, and was ordered inside the works, and formed a part of the garrison until relieved and ordered home.
It was mustered out of the service at New Haven, Conn., Aug. 28, 1863.
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