USA > Connecticut > The story of the Twenty-first Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. 1861-1865 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
Another marked feature of our experience while opposite Fredericksburg, and following the battle there fought, was the general feeling of discouragement. But in this we only shared in the general demoralization of the whole army. Says Mr. Swinton in his history of the Army of the Potomac : " That the morale of the Army of the Potomac became seriously impaired after the disaster of Fredericksburg was only too manifest. Indeed it would be impossible to imagine a graver, or gloomier, or more sombre, or unmusical body of men than the Army of the Potomac a month after the battle. As the days went by, despondency, discontent, and all evil inspirations with their natural consequences seemed to in- crease rather than diminish, until, for the first time, the Army of the Potomac could be said to be really demoralized."
The cause could not be concealed. It was lack of confi- dence in the commander. General Sumner said in his testi- mony before the war committee: " It is difficult to describe the state of the army in any other way than by saying. ' There is a good deal too much croaking ; there is not suffi- cient confidence,'" Says General de Trobriand : " The com-
94
Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
plaints against Burnside were repeated in sympathetic echocs, as well under officers' tents and around bivouac fires."
It could not be otherwise then that our regiment should partake of the common spirit of the army, though perhaps the common cause of discontent was not so apparent as in some of the older regiments that had more pronounced opinions respecting the merits of the commanding-general. Within our own camp it was a common saying often heard, " Who would not enlist and get the bounty ?" One of the officers made bold to express his mind freely respecting the inefficiency of the commanding-general, and those in authority in Washington as well, closing his complaint with the words, " Well, my patriotism is played out." But soon after leaving, he returned to caution the one who had listened. "Better not say anything about this at headquarters." This disaffected officer soon afterward resigned. Could each of the enlisted men have had the same privilege, doubtless they would have left by the score. But to their honor be it said, that scarcely any deserted. Considering the privations suffered in the midst of defeat, accompanied as it was by excessive sickness and death, it is not a matter of surprise that many had the " blues."
Another feature worthy of mention was the attempted movement of Burnside, frustrated by a storm about January 20th. This time he resolved to cross the river six miles above the city. As all points were well guarded by the enemy, he would deceive his adversary by making attempts at several points. Accordingly new roads were cut through the woods and cavalry demonstrations were made along the line.
The month had until then been favorable for army move- ments and the roads had been excellent. On the 19th of January the columns were put in motion. Franklin and Hooker ascended the river by parallel roads and at night en- camped in the woods at convenient distances from the ford. Couch's corps was moved from below Fredericksburg. Prep-
95
Falmouth and Newport News.
arations for crossing were hastened on the twentieth. Posi- tions for artillery were selected, guns were brought up, pon- toons were within reach, and all was in readiness for the following day. But during the night a terrible storm arose, and then, as Sumner affirms, each man felt that the move- ment was virtually ended. The stormn was very severe, yet brave work was done. The clayey roads became impassable by reason of the rain and mud. Yet Burnside, loath to give up this attempt, persisted in pushing forward the movement. The teams were doubled and trebled ; moreover, ropes were added and the teams were re-enforced by one hundred and fifty men, but all in vain.
General Lee discovered the attempted movement and has- tened to meet it. The rebel pickets at the river bank, observ- ing the position of the enemy, jokingly informed the "Yanks" that to-morrow they would come over and help them. Mean- while the storm continued; artillery, baggage-wagons and ambulances were mixed together on the impassable roads. It soon became apparent even to Burnside that the question now was, not how to go forward, but how to get back to camp. Thus, to the chagrin of the brave and well-meaning leader, the movement was abandoned. He thought he saw a lack of cooperation on the part of his subordinates and hastened to Washington with a demand that many of his leading generals be removed from the army. But the Presi- dent refused to comply. Then Burnside resigned his position as commander of the Army of the Potomac.
But while there are movements that pertain to the army as a whole, we find that each regiment has a history all its own, a wheel within a wheel. Perhaps the following extract from a letter written January 24th may give some idea of our posi- tion and movements :
" When I last wrote, January 16th, we were under marching orders, expecting to move in a day or two. In fact, it would be difficult to tell all the orders we have received. However, I will relate what we have accom-
96
Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
plished. On the following morning, January 17th, we early packed all our possessions, rolled up our blankets, struck our tents, and were ready for the march. But we did not move. That evening Mr. P. came to remove the body of his deceased son to Connecticut ; next day we removed it from the grave and had it transported to the station. On this day also orders were repeated to be ready to march, and so we spent the day in waiting. Before night W. died, and as we expected to move immediately he had to be buried at once. "On the following day we had the same orders and still were kept waiting. The day was cold and cloudy, threaten- ing a severe storm. We turned in for the night under the same conditions as on the two preceding nights, to hold our- selves in readiness to move at a moment's notice. About ten o'clock the Colonel's orderly put his head through the door of our tent and directed us to be ready to march by four o'clock in the morning. It was now raining very hard. In a little while he came round again saying that the drum would beat at three o'clock in the morning, and we must take our breakfast and be ready to march at any time. Well, we obeyed orders, took our morning meal at the appointed time, and as it was raining very hard and our regiment was not called into line, I lay down on my bunk and slept until nine o'clock. Then the orders of the previous day were repeated, and at night we had them reiterated. 'Be ready to move at a moment's notice.' These were the last orders we received. I have packed and unpacked what little I have three or four times."
This letter may give some idea of the uncertainty and un- fulfilled expectations of the soldier's life. Seldom does he know where he is expected to go or what plans are being matured at the headquarters of the army. He is never called into consultation, his advice is never sought; only this is required, that he hold himself in readiness to obey orders. Yet he is not without some general idea of what is to be attempted. He knows that the anticipated movement is
47 15
BREVET-MAJOR W. S. HUBBELL.
99
Falmouth and Newport News.
against the enemy somewhere, and in proportion to his confi- dence in his commanding general does he obey his orders with trust and courage of victory, or with questionings and forebodings of defeat.
When at Falmouth we were required to take our turn at picket duty along the bank of the river separating us from the enemy. Across this line conversation would sometimes arisc. "Say, Yank, when are ye gwine to Richmond?"-the hail from a Confederate. "We'll get there, Johnny Reb, you bet,"-the reply. In our last camp at this place we saw, alinost daily, the ascension of Professor Low's balloon. Rising to as great a height as the length of the ropes would admit, a good view was gained of the enemy's camps.
About January roth a new brigade was added to our division, and our own Colonel, A. H. Dutton, was appointed commander. Thenceforth we were to be known as the Third Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps.
Among the days longed for by the soldier, none is more welcome than "pay-day." The first of these after leaving the state, came January 31, 1863, when we received our pay from September 5th to October 31st. This event was an occasion for a boom in the sutler's business, as he received pay for debts previously contracted, and found increasing quantity of goods passing over his counter.
Fortunately for the soldier, a change of location often brings new hopes, and opens a way whereby he may escape the despondency of past failures. This good fortune now awaited our regiment. One writes under date of February 6th : " We have good news, marching orders again. The ex- pectation is that we go to Fortress Monroe and from thence to some place in North Carolina. Only the Ninth Army Corps is to leave. Many of the regiments have already left and we expect soon to follow-have been ready all day." The prediction of the writer was not far out of the way, for the Ninth Corps was under marching orders to go into camp at Newport News, and there await further developments. Lieu-
100
Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
tenant-Colonel Burpee was at Washington, sick, and the major was absent on detached service, leaving the command for a brief time to the senior captain.
We took our leave of Falmouth, February 7th, marched one mile in the mud three to six inches deep, found transpor- tation to Acquia Creek in box cars, where we arrived about six P. M. Before midnight we found quarters on board trans- ports, and by one o'clock next day set sail for Fortress Monroe. By sunrise next morning we lay at anchor at Hampton Roads, and before night found ourselves at New- port News. We had a beautiful place for a camp, everyone agreeing that it was the best we had had since leaving Con- necticut. The ground was level and sandy, consequently there was no mud. The weather was warm and pleasant, in- dicating the approaching spring. The beach was but a few rods from our camp, while a short distance from the shore, and in plain sight of our quarters, lay the wrecks of the ill- fated warships, Congress and Cumberland, which less than a year before had been sunk by the rebel ironclad, Virginia (Merrimac). But if these wrecks seemed to humble us, we could look to the eastward and see the place where the Monitor met and defeated the rebel ironclad, and sent her back to Portsmouth never to appear again.
.
It is difficult for one not having passed through such an experience, to realize the changed spirits of the men caused by our new environment. The sick seemed to revive and all to move with more life. The tone of the men was more cheerful, and of our five weeks' stay at this place, the soldiers carried away nothing but delightful memories. Here we found ourselves in communication with the city of Norfolk, to which some paid occasional visits.
During our stay at Newport News there occurred the resignation of four officers : Surgeon Soule and Lieutenants Leonard, Brand and Marble. Each of the last three had re- ceived promotion from the rank of sergeant since leaving Connecticut. But while these left us, we welcomed one des-
101
Falmouth and Newport News.
tined to fill an important place in our subsequent history, Lieutenant William S. Hubbell, promoted from a nine months' regiment. He was a graduate of Yale in the class of 1858, and a personal friend of Colonel Dutton.
While in camp at this place we found barracks in place of tents for our abode. In these there was greater protection from the severity of the weather, but whether they were more desirable may be questioned, as huddled together in close quarters, the soldier loses the retirement and quiet of " family life," enjoyed when a smaller number occupy separate tents. The line officers occupied two buildings, one for each wing of the regiment.
Everywhere there is some pest. No place is free. If we here escaped the lice afterwards found in the "pits," or the mud so annoying at Falmouth, we can never forget the rats of Newport News. Especially did they frequent the building occupied by the officers of the right wing, running over the faces of sleepers at night, and otherwise rioting at all times. After some deliberation a plan was matured whereby a cam- paign was waged against them ; search was made, and every place, save one, where they gained access to the building, was closed. Arrangements were made for closing this entrance at short notice. At night one of the officers was detailed to stand guard while the others slept. He received orders to close the opening when he thought the invaders had entered in force, then give the alarm, whereupon candles were lighted and warfare began. As a result of this night attack, many rats were slain with no casualties among the officers.
But, as in many other places, our pleasant abode in this delightful camp came suddenly to an end. While plans were maturing for better quarters, and the day was spent by some in transporting timber from the forests to the camp for im- provement in buildings, lo! that very night at eleven o'clock there came the unwelcome order to be ready to march next day with two days' rations.
102
Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
CHAPTER IX.
THE SIEGE OF SUFFOLK.
April-May, 1863.
While separated from the Army of the Potomac, till we should again rejoin it at Cold Harbor in June of the following year, we were assigned to the duty of guarding the territory already captured along the Atlantic coast in Virginia and North Carolina. Among the fruits of Mcclellan's campaign of the previous year, we had remaining in our possession Williamsburg and Yorktown on the peninsula, also Norfolk and Portsmouth south of the James. These places, with the surrounding territory, were held by the Fourth Corps under command of General Keyes. The defense of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, with Suffolk as an outpost, was assigned to General Peck's division of the Fourth Corps, some nine thousand strong. Suffolk was situated some twenty miles from these two cities on the railroad which con- nected them with Petersburg and Richmond, and seemed to be their most available defense.
On the previous September, a few weeks after Mcclellan had left the peninsula, General Peck, with his division, occu- pied Suffolk, and commenced at once to strengthen the place against any attack of the enemy. This was an easy task, as bis right was defended by the Nansemond, a deep and narrow though crooked stream, while a few miles to the left was the
103
The Siege of Suffolk.
Dismal Swamp. Where rivers did not protect, strong forti- cations we.e erected, and by the following spring the twin cities of the coast had here a strong outpost. Meanwhile the Confederates, encouraged by their victory at Fredericksburg, began to cast their eyes over the territory already taken from them, with the desire to have it again in their own hands.
Very naturally they first turned their attention to the twin cities on the Elizabeth. Once masters of Suffolk, Norfolk and Portsmouth must fall. Holding these places, they might again close the navigation of James River, the most direct route to Richmond.
To secure this, General Longstreet was detached from General Lee's army, taking with him the divisions of Ander- son, Pickett and Hood. A new department was created for him with headquarters at Petersburg. He consolidated the scattered troops that he found in his new department, making a new division, with General French as commander. General D. H. Hill was sent into North Carolina to reorganize the militia and threaten Newburn and Little Washington, while working in cooperation with Longstreet. And yet the one point of attack toward which these combined forces were headed was the lone outpost, Suffolk, held by only nine thou- sand men before they were re-enforced by our division.
General Longstreet, in his account of the war, says that primarily his move in this direction was made for the sake of gathering provisions along the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina. His attack on Suffolk was due to the report of certain scouts sent out from Richmond. They recommended this movement, as they thought Suffolk could be turned and captured with little loss.
It was at this time, when Longstreet was beginning to con- centrate his men on the banks of the Blackstone, some twenty miles from our outposts, and there to throw up a line of defense as a precautionary measure in case of defeat, that the vigilant commander of Suffolk called for re-enforcements. General Dix sent an order to the commander of the ninth
104
Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
corps to forward immediately the First division to the support of General Peck. By chance, it happened that General Sedg- wick, in command of the corps, was for the day absent in Baltimore, leaving his command with General Wilcox, com- manding the First division. Not wishing to take his own men to Suffolk, he assumed the responsibility of changing the order and substituting the Third for the First division. By this, apparently chance event, the whole subsequent history of our regiment was changed, for being severed from the ninth corps, we found our field of action after this in the east, thus escaping the expedition to Tennessee, upon which the rest of the ninth corps was soon ordered.
The command to leave Newport News came to our regi- ment, as has been stated, late at night. We were required to take with us two days' cooked rations. All night the cooks were busy, and in early morning of March 13th we were in line and embarked upon the steamer City of Hudson. We soon reached Norfolk, where we left the boat for platform or box cars, and a little before night arrived at Suffolk. We encamped near the railroad about a mile from the village, which we found to contain about three thousand inhabitants. Here we remained for the rest of the month, waiting the approach of the enemy. But with twenty miles between us, we anticipated little danger, and the time was occupied for the most part in guard and picket-duty. Though it was now spring, yet " Falmouth weather " seemed to reappear. Snow fell four inches deep, followed by rain and mud. We did little or no drilling. We were provided with "A" tents. The newsboys regularly visited the camp with New York papers a day old.
Rumors of future movements circulated among the men to the effect that we were to be sent west with the old ninth corps now on the way. While we were in this camp we had forty cases of measles in the regiment, only one of which ter- minated fatally. Being in close proximity to the village, we again felt the touch of civil life as we once more walked the
Brook
RICHMOND
7
Meade
FREDERIC
VINIONIA
Tury
"BURD
.R.
Mechanicsville
e Bridge
on the York Riter
MICHNONO
GRANVILLE
H. H.
HANCKETTS
Bottom's Er.
+
Turnpike
R
R
Turnpike
Roud
PETERSBURG
Long Bridge
Watkins"
CRURY'S BLUFF
ALVERN HILL
BATTERY
Friend BROOKS
Malvern House ·Turkey Bridge
Halfway' House
UNORH'
EATTERY SEMY
BATTERY WOOD.
RICHMOND and Vicinity
Engraved connally for Batary Mist Seg. C. V.
To West Point
Pik. Id.
RICHMOND
MANCHESTER
Despatch Sta.
Brunch
Bridge
CENTRAL
A. N+
Brook
CENTRAL
Meadow Bridye
"ur
apik
#Mechanicsville Br.
FREDERIC
VINIDNIA
Turnpike)
CHICKAHON
New Bridge
R.R.
Creighton
Bridge
Road
Nine
1 Road
Bridge'
€
HMOND
MICHA ON2
DANVILLE
Williamsburg
Seven Pines
2
Bottom's Br.
Dathylgun
Charles City
MrVauglian
Road
Turnpike
Rou
Vill
Watkins"
ET. GILMER
HARPISON
BURNHAM
CHAPIN'S
DRURY'S BLUFF BLUFF
Deep Bogom
River Road
Ponton Mia
MALVERN HILL
Kingsland Road
BATTERY
Malvern House Turkey Bridge
' Friend BROOKS
Torpedo Hotise
HARtway House
VARINA
UN
CATTERY!SEMMES"
Dutch Gap Cunal
BATTERY WOOD
FARRAR'S ISLANO
RICHMOND and Vicinity
BERMUDA
FORT DUTTON
HUNDRED
Engrstof .. jesially for Letury dlu Begt. C. V.
on the York River
Fair Oaks Sta.
YORK RIVER
Savage Sta.
Despatch Sta.
R. R.
ROCKETTS
MANCHESTER
White Oak
11
Baptist Ch.
DARBYTOWN
Bridge
Roud
Luny Bridy.
DUMSM3L3J
Quitter Bond
Surna Road
Landing
Howlett's.
Sept. 28, *6:
n's
BURG
liesthamn
Pik. Rd.
Grapevine Bridge
To West Point
Road
New Market
GREVE NA
RICHMOND
Roads
105
The Siege of Suffolk.
streets, visited stores and conversed with men not in uniform. Here was given the opportunity of attending church, the first we had had for six months.
Says one in writing home Sunday, March 15th: "I attended church to-day for the first time since leaving home. It was with the Methodists in a fine building, where I found a full house made up mostly of soldiers of all ranks from colonel to private. As the minister entered, I fell in love with him from the first. He was somewhat advanced in years, with long white hair and swallow-tail coat. Neither was I mistaken. As he commenced the services, his prayer convinced me that he was a man of God and desired to save men. His sermon was not what some would call classical, but better by far than this-he told the simple truth in a direct way that could not fail to do good. Eight or ten ladies were present and joined in singing. It certainly seemed good to hear their voices again."
Though we failed in the usual time given to drill, yet guard duty was enjoined with precision. The Grand Rounds were made as regulations prescribed both on the picket-line and in the camp. The following extract is from a letter writ- ten by the officer-of-the-guard : "I am occupying a tent put up for the officer-of-the-guard and not permitted to leave till my time is out. The sergeant of the guard is with me read- ing. I have in charge four prisoners, a smaller number than usual. One was put in for drunkenness while on duty, and has for a punishment to wear a board twenty-four inches long by cight wide in front of the guard headquarters four hours per day, with the words clearly written thereon, " This man was drunk while on duty" The other prisoners are in for desertion. I have them at work making bunks for them- selves. One poor fellow put in with the rest of the deserters has died from exposure due to sleeping on the damp ground. Two weeks ago while I was on guard this same prisoner was at work about the camp, but I excused him, as he complained
106
Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.
of back-ache. Poor fellow, it is hard work to disobey orders and attempt to escape."
For the purpose of guarding against any attempt to cross the river below Suffolk, some defenses were put up on the south bank of the Nansemond. Along with other defenses on this line, it was decided to build a fort near the river some five or six miles below the village. Our regiment was chosen for this purpose. The announcement of the project was re- ceived with much satisfaction on the part of the men, as it was thought we should have steady employment somewhat akin to the work given to the artillery regiments about Waslı- ington, who had, as we thought, an easy time. Consequently, on April ist we broke camp and marched some four miles to our new destination. The pleasing impression received upon the announcement of the order to build was considerably in- creased when we saw the place chosen for the location of the fort. It was on a projecting piece of land situated in a curve of the river whereby it commanded the stream both above and below. Here was a beautiful place for our camp -- a level tract of land thirty rods wide fronting the river and bordered on either side by a grove of small pines. Within the grove east of the field were the officers' tents; to the west were the privates', while between was the parade-ground, extending some distance to the south. The fort was to be seventy paces long on the front side, the walls to be eight feet high, the whole to be surrounded with a ditch five paces wide and from eight to ten feet deep.
In the estimation of many, if not all, we never occupied a camp that seemed so inviting. Being somewhat isolated we should have more independence. The open field, the pine grove, the river flowing close by the camp, combined to make the place attractive. We resolved at the first to fit up our quarters for a prolonged stay. The following extract from a letter throws some light upon the ways and means for attain- ing our end:
107
The Siege of Suffolk.
"I went out to a place not far from camp owned by a secessionist, where I found other officers helping themselves to boards as they could find them. I saw a good pine board fourteen fect long and as many inches wide attached to the barn, which with some difficulty I procured and transported to camp. We were all well satisfied with the material for making our quarters comfortable, more so, indeed, than the former owner, who, in place of submitting to the loss, ap- peared in camp and entered a protest against our acts. It was decided that the boards should be carried back, but not till we had a good floor for our tent and a table for use You know that our motto is, "Down with the rebellion,' and as this man had a son in the rebel army, we thought it no more than right that we, who have left our homes with their comforts to endure the hardships of army life for the purpose of preserving the very country he was trying to destroy, should at least be allowed the privilege of taking so much as a few boards to aid in making our quarters more comfort- able."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.