USA > Connecticut > The story of the Twenty-first Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. 1861-1865 > Part 19
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" Perhaps you would like to know how I felt in the fight. I can only say that the difficulty of keeping back the enemy and extricating the regiment from its perilous position occu- pied all my mind, and not until every other regiment had left the line and we had covered the ground in front with rebel dead did we retire, fighting as we went, compelling them to keep at a respectful distance. Our men are in the best of spirits and happy as ever. *
* We have but very few sick men. I think it is their pluck that keeps them up."
Under date of May 24th, he writes: "The chaplain was with us in the battle of Monday and worked faithfully. In the midst of the action he prayed with two of our men who desired him to do so. Just as he closed, a shell exploded almost in his lap, but did not injure him. Afterwards he was slightly wounded in the arm by a fragment of a shell, but not so as to disable him. There were seven regiments under the command of General Heckman on that day, among them the Twenty-first, and we fought four times as long as any other regiment in his command that I have heard of, yet we are not mentioned in the newspaper accounts at all, which is of no consequence, only showing that newspaper reporters don't know everything. Some regiments which have been highly praised for their conduct were scarcely engaged. * God has mercifully preserved us, and if I can discharge my duty acceptably to him, fighting in his name, what others may say or think is of little moment."
The last letter was written in the trenches at Cold Harbor, with the enemy close by. Its spirit is like that of the others. He says : " It is appointed unto men once to die; and it mat-
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
ters little when or where, if we are prepared and engaged in duty."
On June 8, 1864, he made his regular report to the Adju- tant General, beginning with the wounding of Colonel Arthur H. Dutton, May 26, and giving the casualties of June 2d. To it, on June 9th, Adjutant F. C Jeffrey added : " Lieutenant- Colonel Thomas F. Burpee was severely wounded this morning by sharpshooters. He died at the Eighteenth Army Corps General Hospital, White House, Va., two days later.
In his report to the Adjutant General, June 12th, Major Hiram B. Crosby, commanding, wrote, " With profound sor- row I announce the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas F Burpee, who was mortally wounded at daybreak on the 9th of June, while going the rounds as brigade officer-of-the-day. He survived only till the evening of the eleventh. Lieuten- ant-Colonel Burpee had borne his part with distinguished valor during the Bermuda Hundred campaign. His coolness and good judgment at the battle of Drewry's Bluff will not soon be forgotten by his comrades in that hotly contested action. At Cold Harbor he was equally conspicuous for gallantry. While in command of the regiment (which had been a good share of the time, Colonel Dutton acting as brigade commander), he was able and efficient, always dis- charging with promptitude every duty, particularly if con- cerning the comfort and welfare of his men, by whom he was much loved and respected."
Colonel Burpee was appointed Colonel with rank from June 8th, the day before he was wounded. Owing to the fact that the regiment had been decimated in battle and because of one of those remarkable acts of Congress, providing that a regi- ment to have a colonel to be recognized as such by the national government must have a practically full quota, his name to-day does not appear on the records at Washington with rank of Colonel. His commission is in the possession of his family.
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Battle of Cold Harbor.
Under date of October 2, 1866, Governor Buckingham wrote from Norwich to Colonel Thayer, of Windermere (Ellington): " Make my kind regards to Mrs. Burpee and say that from the time her honored husband entered the service to this hour I have never entertained any other than a high respect for his ability and fidelity as an officer as well as for his personal character; that he is one of the few officers against whom I never heard a complaint. I sympa- thize with her in her affliction, but doubt not that so pure an offering, presented in the name of human liberty upon the altar of our country, is accepted by him who said that 'inas- much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'"
He then added this epitaph, which was engraved on the monument which Mrs. Burpee had erected at the grave in Grove Hill Cemetery, Rockville: " In the hour of national peril he gave his life to his country, leaving this testimony- that he was a pure patriot, a faithful soldier and a sincere Christian."
THE COMMISSARY'S QUARTERS IN WINTER CAMP.
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE TRENCHES.
(JULY, 1864.)
From the Ist to the 29th of July very little occurred to break the monotony of life in the trenches at Petersburg, save the frequent artillery duel, which generally subsides after creating a vast amount of noise and smoke, with no particular damage to either side. But the greatest praise is due our noble soldiers for the patience and fortitude with which they endured the almost intolerable heat during this period. The line held by the regiment, being in the open field, was fully exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, which poured down with the utmost intensity. The men were obliged to lie under ground, as it were, where no circulation of the air could be obtained, and one could do naught but lie still and swelter in the sultry air. Any appearance of a head above the breastwork was sure to secure attention of some hard- hearted southron, with a crack and a whistling ball by no means pleasant to hear. Day after day dragged slowly by, each one like its predecessor. Some spent the days in sleep, some in conversation, and some taking sly shots at the rebel line.
The advent of the company cooks was always hailed with delight, not only on account of the " grub " they brought, but as forming a break in the vast monotony. And no sooner
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In the Trenches.
did a cook " heave in sight " than a commotion was at once visible. Tin cups joined in a lively chorus, and hungry stomachs began to grow ravenous. The usual amount of grumbling must be bestowed upon these devoted sons of the cuisine, who finally retired from the field abashed, ducking their heads around each corner, calling forth roars of laugh- ter, and then the usual quiet resumed its sway. At this time the regiment remained in the trenches two or three, and often four days at a time, being occasionally relieved for the pur- pose of washing clothes and cleaning up generally. But the close confinement and want of exercise, together with the heat, exceedingly debilitated both officers and men, and the sick list was accordingly larger.
On the 11th of July, the whole brigade being in camp, was ordered to relieve a brigade in the trenches that night. Our road to the front ran directly past a number of the enemy's heaviest batteries planted on the opposite bank of the Appo- mattox River, and within easy range. The troops, however, were habitually relieved in the night time, so that they were undisturbed in passing to and fro. But by some mistake this night, the brigade was ordered out before dark. The men well knew what would be the result, but, like true soldiers, faltered not, but marched steadily under the very mouths as it were of these frowning guns, which of course immediately opened with a terrific fire, and not the less appalling from the fact that we were defenseless, and must take it as it came. But then did our brave boys show their mettle. Although the shot ploughed up the ground on every side, and the air seemed thick with fragments of bursting shells, they marched steadily on, scarcely quickening their step. And the Twenty- first, at the head of the column, proved themselves fully entitled to the name of veterans. A few cowards there were, and for the sake of their brave companions behind whom they skulked, we give them passing notice. But, for the honor of the regiment, be it said, they were few. The mem- bers of the Twenty-first, as a whole, were not men to show
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
their backs to the enemy, as several bloody fields can testify. Yet, by a merciful Providence, not a man was injured under the fiery test just described, though many a wonderful and narrow escape occurred.
On the evening of the twenty-ninth we were again relieved from our position on the right of the line by the Second Corps, and the Eighteenth Corps, to which we belonged, was moved just after dark farther to the left, and in the rear of the line held by the Ninth Corps, where we were allowed to obtain a little repose such as soldiers obtain while lying on their arins and the bare ground. After a short nap, however, we were called up and moved into the trenches, relieving the Ninth Corps, which was then massed just in our rear, prepara- tory to a charge. And then we found we were in the vicinity of the celebrated mine under the enemy's forts, of which we had heard rumor after rumor, and that it was in fact a reality, and was to be sprung that morning, and the explosion was to be the signal for a grand attack. Slowly the night wore away. The gray dawn crept up the eastern horizon. The morning beams were just darting across the heavens all unconscious of the carnage they heralded, when suddenly the earth shook and heaved as with an earthquake. And though we were expecting it, still the shock was so sudden, and so much nearer than we supposed, that every man was startled and leaped to the breastwork, when a fearful sight met the eye. A huge mass like a mountain was thrown hundreds of feet in the air, while a blue sulphurous flame issued from every crevice and fissure, and the vast mass of earth curled over like the crest of a huge wave, appearing in the uncertain light as though it would entomb our whole line. Every man was in his place, and then along our whole front from right to left with deafening roar, " far flashed the red artillery." Volley after volley of musketry was also hurled at the foe, who, startled and terrified, wildly rushed to and fro, appalled at the awful fate of their brethren in the fort. And then with a
27 1
In the Trenches.
shout the Ninth Corps rushed into the breach and the Stars and Stripes waved over the rebel stronghold.
The Twenty-first, forming part of the supports, was engaged in holding our line of works, and in attracting the attention of the enemy from the assaulting party, by keeping up a continual fire of musketry. And nobly did they perform the task assigned them, though one of the enemy's batteries en- filaded our line, and their shot frequently swept down inside the rifle pit, through its whole length. The sun, too, poured down with such intensity as it rose higher, as to render it almost impossible to keep the works manned. Many received severe sunstrokes. So rapid was the firing also, that the gun barrels became so heated as to scorch the hands of the men. Yet they stood nobly to their work while required. The regiment there lost three men killed and twelve wounded. One of its bravest officers there sacrificed his life upon the altar of his country, Captain Francis S. Long, of Willimantic, Conn. Being in command of a corps of sharpshooters, he was on the extreme front directing their movements, entirely neglectful of self, when a piece of shell pierced his neck, kill- ing him instantly. Many a heart felt sad when his death was announced. No better tribute can be given him than to say he died loved and respected by all who knew him.
The fatal results of the day so auspiciously begun are known to all. After lying in the hot sun all day, we were at night relieved and marched to the rear, where we were allowed to obtain the rest we so much needed. And throw- ing ourselves again on the bare ground, we soon forgot the fearful scenes just passed through.
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
From the Connecticut War Record, November, 186 ;.
A JUST AND AGREEABLE ORDER.
General Butler has, with whatever fault he may be charged, a happy faculty of saying and doing a great many appropriate and telling things. He has, among others, kept an eye on the manliest and bravest of the non-commissioned officers and men under his command, and recently issued an order recommending for promotion a large number of noble fellows, who have performed deeds of mmusual excellence or daring. This ought long ago to have been the uniform practice throughout the army. Our brave boys have too often felt, and with good reason, that high merit of conspicuous courage did not secure just advancement. We trust that day is past, and that this good example will become the established rule.
The brave boys from Connecticut who have won recom- mendation and promotion are: First Lieutenant C. W. Cook, Twenty-first. Connecticut, acting aid to Brigadier-General Stannard, has special mention for distinguished gallantry, and is recommended to His Excellency, the Governor of Connecti- . cut, for promotion. Acting Adjutant Walter P. Long, Twenty- first Connecticut Volunteers, is recommended to His Excel- lency, the Governor of Connecticut, for promotion for gal- lantly planting his colors among the first on the rebel fortifi- cation. Corporal F. Clarence Buck, Company A, Twenty-first Connecticut Sharpshooter Batallion, is recommended to the Secretary of War for a medal for courage. Although wounded in the arm, he refused to leave the field until the engagement closed. In addition, he will have his warrant as Sergeant.
AN INCIDENT OF THE SIEGE.
During the siege of Petersburg, Va., our regiment occupied the rifle pits at the front, and it was usual to relieve the regi- Inents doing duty there, once a week or oftener, as the
-
1
CORPORAL CHARLES F. CHAPEL. PRIVATE TIMOTHY HODGE.
PRIVATE JOHN A. BROWN. PRIVATE CHARLES R NEWELL.
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In the Trenches.
necessities of the case demanded. The rifle pits were made by digging trenches in the ground about three feet deep, four feet wide, and the dirt as it was dug out was thrown up in front, forming a protection against infantry fire. In some cases sand-bags were piled on top of this dirt, making, with the dirt thrown up together with the ditch, a barricade behind which a man could stand nearly erect, without expos- ing himself to the shots of the enemy. The rifle pits were reached from the rear by the same kind of trenches, dug at right angles to the main line, in which persons coming up to the front could, by stooping, avoid being exposed to the fire of sharpshooters.
An incident showing the immunity of a drunken man from harm and his disregard of all danger was witnessed by the regiment one afternoon. The company cooks prepared the rations back in the rear, where the danger from shot and shell was not particularly great, and was, when prepared, brought by the way of the aforesaid trenches to the regiments in the rifle pits. Any other way of coming to the front than by the trenches would not be attempted by any one in his right mind, and if attempted would result in his either being wounded or killed.
One of the company cooks, having filled up with fire water, and feeling that he was " monarch of all," concluded to make a forced march to the front, and do it immediately, so he started under " sealed orders" and proceeded by the left flank and some of the time in column by division, and in other formations not found in the tactics. Having arrived in sight of the enemy and after the astonishment at seeing him moving over ground where the foot of man dared not tread, they greeted him with a shower of bullets, which soon increased to a leaden storm that seemed to have no more effect on the cook than a light snow squall. He had now attracted the attention of the troops on both sides, and while the rebels were doing their best to fill him with Confederate bullets, those on the Union side were watching with astonishment the
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
reckless daring of the man, prepared to witness the tragic end. He had advanced more than half the distance, and the increasing storm of shot had been without effect, and he continued on the even tenor of his way, amid the renewed and increasing fire of the enemy, and still he lived. He approached the rifle pits. Will he reach them safely? No, he cannot. No man can pass through that terrible shower of leaden rain unscathed. And still he neared the end of his journey, and the storm continues, and if possible is harder than ever. A few more steps and he will be safe. A terrible tension is on both the rebel and the Union troops, and look ! he is safe, and as he steps down into the friendly rifle pits, both the blue and the gray break forth into the wildest cheers.
After the cheering subsided, down comes the order from the Commander : " Put that man under arrest," which was en- tirely proper, for company cooks, even when drunk, must not be disorderly to the extent of risking their valuable lives.
"GOT ANY PIES FOR SALE, AUNTY?"
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Eighteenth Army Corps.
CHAPTER XVII.
-
REPORT OF OPERATIONS OF FIRST DIVISION, EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
September 29th and. 30th, 1864.
In pursuance to verbal orders received from Major-General Ord, commanding Corps, this division moved from its late camp on the line between the Appomattox and James Rivers at g r. M. on the night of September 28th, and marched with- out noise in the direction of Aikens' Landing on the James River.
At 3 A. M., on the twenty-ninth, in obedience to written orders received at that hour, the division, with Brigadier- General Burnham's (Second) Brigade, leading, crossed the James River near Aikens' Landing on a pontoon bridge, and taking the road to the left, moved in the direction of the enemy's works at Chapin's Farm.
Previous to breaking camp on the night of the twenty-eighth, two regiments of infantry, forming a part of Brigadier-General Burnham's brigade, had, under orders to that effect, exchanged the arms heretofore in use for the Spencer repeating rifle. These two regiments, viz., the Tenth New Hampshire, com- manded by Colonel M. T. Donahue, and the One Hundred
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
and Eighteenth New York by Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols, were at once, on reaching the north bank of the river, thrown out as skirmishers and flankers, the whole line being under command of the senior officer above named.
The remainder of the command, having been disposed in column by division, at once moved forward on the road running parallel to the course of the river, and at a few moments after daybreak encountered the enemy's pickets, which were driven in on the run. After pushing them back on their reserves, we continued to drive them at a brisk trot through dense woods for a distance of two or three miles with few casualties on our side, when we emerged into open ground.
Just before debouching from the woods, Brigadier-General Burnham reported to me a strong line of earthworks in his front mounting heavy guns, which I at once directed him to carry by assault.
My First Brigade, commanded by Colonel A. F. Stevens, Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, was on the left, and my Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel S. H. Roberts, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth New York Volunteers, on the right of the road, each in column by division and within easy supporting distance. These I immediately pushed forward to the support of General Burnham, whose two remaining regi- ments moved directly up the road.
The enemy now opened furiously from a powerful battery situated at the crest of a hill in my front, and from other guns mounted in smaller redoubts situated at various points along the line of works, which extended on his right to the river. The column here left the road and inclining to the left, moved directly across a heavy-ploughed field towards the principal work. The distance was about fourteen hundred yards, and while traversing this space, my command, with the exception of my skirmishers, not having as yet discharged a musket, was exposed to a plunging fire of artillery and musketry galling in the extreme and causing them to become somewhat
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Eighteentli Army Corps.
broken. The column, however, pushed gallantly forward until it reached the base of the hill upon which the battery was situated, when it came to a halt from sheer exhaustion. The enemy were now moving up from their left with considerable re-enforcements, and fearing that the assault would fail by reason of delay, I sent Captain Kent, Acting Assistant Adju- tant-General of the division, to move the column at once to the assault. It was owing to his efforts, and, he reports, to the assistance of Colonel Donahue, that a few moments later, the head of the column gallantly mounted the parapet of Bat- tery Harrison, drove the enemy from his guns, and planted the Stars and Stripes on one of its massive traverses. Our captures included sixteen pieces of artillery of various calibres and about fifty prisoners, including a Lieutenant-Colonel in command of the works.
My loss in officers and men was quite heavy. Captain D. H. Rix, Eighty first New York Volunteers, a very meritorious young officer, was killed just previous to emerging upon the open ground. The column had scarcely entered the works when the brave Brigadier-General Burnham was mortally wounded by a musket ball in the bowels; he survived but a few moments.
During the events of the morning, I had lost from my staff Captain M. B. Bessey, Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Acting Assistant Inspector-General, by shell wound in leg ; Captain L. N. Converse, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, Acting Assistant Paymaster, musket ball in mouth; and Lieutenant N. J. Ladd, Thirteenth New Hamp- shire Volunteers, musket ball in neck.
Moving with my Second Brigade, now commanded by Colonel M. T. Donahue, and my Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel E. M. Cullen, Ninety-sixth New York Volunteers -- Colonel Roberts having been relieved on account of severe illness-we drove the enemy successfully from two lunettes which were thrown out from their main line of works at inter- vals of about six hundred yards, and compelled him to retire
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Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
to his third and last remaining line of defense in this line of works. My First Brigade meanwhile, now under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Ralston, Eighty-first New York Volunteers-Colonel Stevens having been severely wounded in the leg while leading his brigade in the assault-and I would here respectfully recommend, that this officer be pro- moted for bravery and efficiency on the battle-field-remained in the captured work, throwing out a strong line of skirmish- ers towards the enemy's inner line of works and to which his main body had retreated.
The work which the enemy now held in his first line was situated directly on the river bank and was covered by the fire of one of his gunboats, as well as by a field battery, so stationed as to be able to take the work in reverse, should it be captured. The work itself mounted three heavy guns, and in view of the serious loss which must follow an attempt to dislodge the party holding it and the impossibility of holding it when captured, I withdrew my troops. The enemy, seeing the movement, which occurred just before sunset, followed up his supposed advantage until I opened upon him from the battery on the hill, with a half battery of light twelves belong- ing to the Third Regiment, New York Light Artillery. A few rounds of cannister sent the pursuing party quickly to cover, and my troops were quietly withdrawn to Battery Har- rison for better defense during the night. During the move- ment Colonel Donahue, Tenth New Hampshire, command- ing Brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols, One Hundred and Eighteenth New York, were both severely wounded, and here I have the honor to ask that these officers may receive promotion for highly meritorious conduct.
My casualties during the day's operations were heavy in proportion to the strength of the command. My field return for the 28th of September gave three thousand one hundred and fifteen men for duty; one regiment, Fifth Maryland Volunteers, had been left in camp, reducing this number by two hundred and sixty men. Of these, I lost as follows :
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Eighteenth Army Corps.
Officers killed, -
-
8
Wounded, -
- 36
Enlisted men killed,
- S4
Wounded, -
- 466
Total,
- 92
-
Total,
- 502
Three hundred and thirty men were also reported missing, but as the enemy had made no captures from my command, and the command became somewhat mixed up during and immediately succeeding the assault, I think this number will be materially reduced, if not quite cancelled. Lists by name of the killed and wounded have been duly forwarded to the proper authority.
A strong picket, consisting of about one-half my command, was thrown out immediately after sunset and the remainder of the divisions occupied the line extending across the rear of Battery Harrison, until about 9 P. M., when I was relieved by the Third Division Colored Troops, commanded by Briga- dier General Paine, and under orders from Brigadier-General Heckman, commanding Corps, Major-General Ord having been obliged to leave the field in consequence of a severe wound. I took a new position, facing the river with my right resting on Battery Harrison and outside that work, and my left reserved. No attempt was made by the enemy during the night to dislodge me from this position, and about 8 A. M. of the thirtieth I was directed to resume my former position inside the battery, relieving in turn Brigadier-General Paine, of the Third Division. Nothing of importance occurred during the forenoon ; the enemy were evidently heavily re- enforced and appeared to be manœuvering for a favorable position from which to make an assault. The enemy's gun- boats continued to shell our position from guns throwing nine inch shell, with however but slight effect. When about mid- day, I discovered the enemy's preparations for an assault on my right, I hastily moved the larger portion of my First Brigade from the left to the extrenie right of my position, which was my weakest point.
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