USA > Delaware > Four years in the war. The history of the First Regiment of Delaware Veteran Volunteers, (Infantry,) containing an account of marches, battles, incidents, promotions. The names of all the officers and men who have been connected with the regiment from its organization in 1861, to the close of the war in 1865 > Part 1
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REYNOIRE HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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FOUR YEARS IN THE WAR.
THE HISTORY 100 OF THE FIRST REGIMENT OF DELAWARE VETERAN VOLUNTEERS, (INFANTRY.)
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF MARCHES, BATTLES, INCIDENIS, PROMOTIONS. THE NAMES OF ALL THE OFFICERS AND MEN WHO HAVE BEEN CONNECTED WITH THE REGIMENT FROM ITS ORGANIZATION IN 1861, TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR, LY 1865.
.
BY THE REV. THOMAS G. MURPHEY, CHAPLAIN OF THE REGIMENT.
PHILADELPHIA: JAMES S. CLAXTON, SUCCESSOR TO WM. S. & ALFRED MARIIES, NO. 606 CHESTNUT STREET, 1SC6.
7 .
.: .4
Murphey, Thomas G.
Four years in the war. The history of the First rogi- ment of Delaware veteran volunteers, (infantry,) con- taining an account of marches, battles, incidents, promo- tions. The names of all the officers and men who have been connected with the regiment from its organization in 1861, to the close of the war in 1865. By the Rev. Thomas G. Murphey, chaplain ...
Philadelphia, J. S. Claxton, 1866.
SHELF CARD viii, 191-315 p. fold. maps. 19cm.
1. Delaware infantry. Ist regt., 1861-1865. 2. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war- Regimental histories-Del. inf .- 1st. 1. Title.
2-12791
₹ 4796 Library of Congress
E500.5.1st In A
FCSI DOROVAX
F 8349 1 1.07
19
.
TO
THE SURVIVING OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS
OF THE
First Regiment of Delaware Volunteers,
Who, prompted by Patriotism, offered their services to their Country, in the dark days of the Rebellion against her rightful authority, imperilling their lives through the bloody battles in defence of our National Union, This Volume is, in admiration of their valor 1 and in memory of the fallen, Dedicated by their late Chaplain,
THE AUTHOR.
--
PREFATORY.
A WORD of apology is due for the delay in publishing this History. The most of it was written on the field, during active operations of the army, and would have been published soon after the Regiment was discharged, but for unavoidable circumstances which required it to be laid aside. What value or interest it possesses is due to the rolls and glorious records of the services of the men who were connected with the Regiment. In future years, these will be a matter of interest to Delawarians generally, and especially to their friends who may, with just pride, refer to them without reference to the time of publication or party name.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I .- ORIGIN.
Sunday Morning Inspection at Bristorburg -- 19th April in Baltimore-The Three Months' Men -- The Second Regiment of Delaware-Camp Andrews-Newport-Embarkation -- The "Front." 9
CHAPTER II .- ORGANIZATION.
Fortress Monroe-Camping Ground-Military Discipline- Field and Staff Officers -- Hampton-Picketing -- Amuse- ments-Articles of War-Religious Exercises-Soldiers' Christian Association -- Theatre -- Sickness and Death .... 21
CHAPTER III .-- NAVAL BATTLE.
The Merrimac-The burning Ship -- Excitement in Camp -- Fearful Apprehensions -- The Long Roll-Second Appear- ance of the Merrimac-The Monitor -- Joy on Shore-Our Victory-Third Appearance of the Merrimac-The Wound- ed at the Hospitals 44
CHAPTER IV .- CAPTURE OF NORFOLK.
The Last Appearance of the Merrimac-Our First March -- Appearance of Norfolk-Unionism-Vain Hopes-A Con- federate Prayer-An Old Friend -- The Bethel Chapel- Insult returned with Interest 54
1*
.
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V .- FRUITS OF WAR.
Naval Hospital at Portsmouth-Pennsylvania Soldiers-A Happy Death-A Hopeless Death-Supplies from Home for the Wounded-The "Sisters "-Protestant Ladies- Norfolk Ladies 65
CHAPTER VI .- SUFFOLK.
Change of Opinion on Slavery-Join the Army of the Poto- mac-Arrival at Antietam-Rations Declined-The Battle . - Colonel Andrews' Report-Our Losses --- Harper's Ferry -Appearance of the Army after Antietam-Warrenton- Falmouth 74
CHAPTER VII .- FREDERICKSBURG.
March upon Fredericksburg -- Bombardment of the City- Death of Chaplain Fuller, Sixteenth Massachusetts-Dep- redations in the City-Waiting Orders-The Battle Opened -Scenes at the Hospital-Colonel Andrews' Report-The Loss of our Army-Attempted Surprise-Army stuck in the Mud. 84
CHAPTER VIII .- CHANCELLORVILLE.
Crossing the Rappahannock -- General Hooker's Congratula- tory Order-The Enemy met sooner than Expected-The Trap-Panic-A Trick that Failed-Colonel Smyth's Re- port-Enlisted Men commended for Gallant Conduct ... 100
vii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX .- THE LONG MARCH.
Exciting Rumor-The March-Stafford Court-House- Aquia Creek-Dumfries-Occoquan-Fairfax Station- Gainesville-Rebel Cavalry in our rear -- Gum Springs- Bull Run Battlefield-Edward's Ferry-Poolesville-Barn- ville -- Sugar-Loaf Mountain-Urbana-Monocacy-Fred- erick City- Mount Pleasant- Liberty - Union Town - Taneytown-Gettysburg. 112
CHAPTER X .- THE GREAT BATTLE.
Position of the Regiment-Captain Ellegood-Victory- Pursuit of the Enemy-Hospital Scenes. 116 CHAPTER XI .- BRISTORBURG.
The Slave-Culpeper-Military Execution-Re-cross the Rappahannock-Auburn-Bristoe's Station-Bull Run- Rebel Retreat-Pursuit-Mountain Run-Robinson's Tay- ern-Mine Run-Re-cross the Rapidan-Stevensburg- Re-enlistment-Swift Judgment. 120
CHAPTER XII .- VETERANS.
Reception at Wilmington-Morton's Ford-Return to the Front-Stony Mountain-The Log Chapel-Sergeant J. M. Crossley's death-The Lord's Supper in Camp. ...... 150
CHAPTER XIII .-- THE GREAT CAMPAIGN.
The Army Moves-Two Armies Meet-General Carroll- Sergeant Riggs-General Grant's Despatch-General Meade's Congratulatory Address-General Lee's Despatch -Our Losses -- General Hancock's Despatch. 157
viii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIV .- COAL HARBOR.
The Third of June-Lieutenant B. Y. Draper-Fredericks- burg Hospital-The Army in Motion-Surgeon Plum -- A Panic-Death Makes no Distinction-The White Handkerchief -- Pride Goeth before a Fall-A Contrast .. 167 CHAPTER XV .- DEEP BOTTOM.
Strategy-The Mine-General Smyth's Report. 173
CHAPTER XVI .- SECOND DEEP BOTTOM.
False Conjectures -- Unacceptable Salute -- Reams' Station- Prince George Court-House-Breastworks-Negro Logic -Hatcher's Run-Major W. F. Smith-The Hospital --- The Dying Boy 191
CHAPTER XVII .-- THE LAST CAMPAIGN.
General Grant's Despatch-Prisoners-Last Things-General Grant's Report-General T. A. Smyth-Homeward March -Last Camp-Final Discharge ,202
.
5
HISTORY
Of the First Regiment
DELAWARE VETERAN VOLUNTEERS.
CHAPTER I.
ORIGIN.
ON the 16th of August, 1863, I was standing be- neath the beautiful forest trees which shade the stone church at Bristorburg, Virginia, to witness for the first time after the battle of Gettysburg, the Sunday morning inspection of the First Regiment of Dela- ware volunteers. Each company filed out from their quarters and formed into line. One sergeant led a solitary man, who was the only one of his company present; and, all told, there were less than one hun- dred men. I could not suppress a sigh, and tho fountains of tears were unsealed as my eye scanned
- the dwindled companies and shortened line of a brave and gallant regiment. A portion of each
-
10
HISTORY OF THE
company was present, but, alas ! we asked ourselves, where are the officers and men who once formed that line? True, some were on picket, and others on detached duty, but that did not answer the question. The sequel shall show. I looked for the flag, -- " the dear old flag." It was there. Yes, thank God, we still had our State and National colors. But oh! how changed were they. Just one year before I had taken them as a present from the citizens of Dela- ware to Colonel J. W. Andrews, then commanding the Regiment at Suffolk, and when unfurled they were new and beautiful, without a spot, wrinkle, or rent,-now, soiled, pierced and tattered, they, droop- ing, hugged the staff as if in mourning for the braves who had fallen beneath them, and in their defence.
The color sergeant, whose fellow had fallen on the bloody field of Gettysburg, looked like one who felt that he should see his brother's face no more, nor hear his voice again.
Whilst witnessing the review my mind ran through the events of the past two years, and the thought occurred to me that a history of the Regiment might be an acceptable and useful one. It cannot, in many parts, bo otherwise than sad, and, to some, it must be only sad. But the record is a bright one
11
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
and should not be lost. I would that it might be full and complete, but who shall essay to write a full history of one man? Much less shall any one at- tempt to write the history of a thousand men.
1
. See you yon gallant ship riding on the blue waves of the rolling sea? To tell whence she came and whither she is bound, who mans and who commands her, is one thing; but to tell whence her timbers came and who hewed them, who forged her bolts and who her architects were, who fastened her ropes, and who hung her sails, who have her helmsmen been, and who her pilots, what precious freight sho has borne, what climes visited, what storms encoun- tered, and what dangers escaped, is another and more difficult task.
The Regiment had its origin in patriotism and loyalty to the Government and not in partisanship. Patriotism was awakened when the first shot was fired across the bow of the " Star of the West," sailing into Charleston harbor to reinforce and pro- vision the little garrison in Fort Sumpter. It was fully aroused when that fort fell into the hands of the Secessionists.
The call of the President for seventy-five thousand men to defend our Capital, and to " retake, hold and possess the public property " which had been seized
12
HISTORY OF THE.
by the Rebels, called them together. They came from workshops and farms, from counting-houses and seminaries of learning. Mothers gave their sons, wives their husbands, and sisters their brothers to their country's service. It seemed to one knowing these men that they had not thought of any party but that which was on the side of their country and its constitution. Each man decided for himself whether he belonged to that class.
The excitement was intense. A disruption of the nation had been predicted and threatened. Yet who believed it would ever occur. Such a monstrosity had not been seriously anticipated. The country had not been prepared for its inception. One State after another at the South had passed an ordinance of secession-that we knew. But what of it? We saw batteries building around Fort Sumpter, but we had not believed they would ever open upon that fortification, which was built with its port holes towards the sea to defend Charleston from foreign foes. A domestic enemy mad enough, and bad enough, to attack it, we thought, did not and could not exist. In this we were mistaken. The batteries
opened. The little garrison fought well-bravely fought-but Fort Sumpter fell! The South shouted for joy. At the North tears fell like rain. Hearts
13
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
burned with indignation. The blood boiled with wrath. Arms were nerved for a desperate struggle, and men rushed to the Capital for its defence. Be- fore they reached it, however, the first blood of pa- triots in the great rebellion was shed in the streets of Baltimore.
1
On the 19th of April, just eighty-six years from the first battle in the Revolutionary struggle, the Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts, marching to Wash- ington, was attacked in Baltimore and several of its members were murdered. The bridges of the Phila- delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad were burned, and thus the communication of Washington with the Northern States was interrupted. It was enough-too much. Massachusetts announced that for every one of her sons who was killed in the contest for the government of their fathers, ten should arise to avenge their death. The fire which had but just been kindled now burst into a flame. The whole North awoke to the dreadful realities of actual war.
In answer to the call of the President for troops . to defend Washington, Delaware was among the first of the States to send out her three months' men. The duty assigned them was to guard the Philadel- . phia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad from
2
14
HISTORY OF THE
Elkton, Maryland, to Gunpowder River, and to keep open the communication between Washington and the North.
Though an important duty, it proved not to be a difficult or dangerous one, and ample time was given for the discipline and drill of the troops by its accomplished commander, Colonel H. H. Lockwood, who afterwards became a brigadier- general of volunteers. When the regiment was - afterwards re-organized, and entered the service of the United States, for three years or the war, the officers and men who had been under his in- struction gave good proof of the ability and faith- fulness of that accomplished army officer.
The following is a list of the officers of the "Three Months' Regiment " :-
Colonel, H. H. Lockwood.
Lieutenant-Colonel, J. W. Andrews.
Major, Robert Lamott.
Surgeon, R. W. Johnson.
Assistant-Surgeon, James Knight. Adjutant, Lieutenant W. P. Seville. Quartermaster, II. Alderdice.
Captain, Evans Watson,
Company A.
First Lieutenant, E. C. Alexander, Second Lieutenant, F. Houseman,
-
1.
--
15
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
Captain, Charles Lamott, Company B. First Lieutenant, - Plunket,
Second Lieutenant, A. Vandever,
Captain, James Bare, C.
First Lieutenant, W. C. McKaig,
Second Lieutenant,
Captain, James Green,
D.
Second Lieutenant, S. Simpson,
Captain, Robert Mulligan,
E.
First Lieutenant, B. Nields,
Second Lieutenant, L. Wales,
Captain, Thomas Crossley, F.
First Lieutenant, Richard Duncan,
Second Lieutenant, W. Plunkett, =
Captain, J. Rodney Layton,
G.
First Lieutenant, D. W. Maull, (M.D.)
Second Lieutenant, W. Y. Swigget,
Captain, S. HI. Jenkins, H.
First Lieutenant, J. H. Knight,
Second Lieutenant, Daniel Woodall,
1 Captain, James Leonard, I.
First Lieutenant, - ,
.
Second Lieutenant,
Captain, - Smith, K
-
First Lieutenant, E. Joy Smithers,
16
HISTORY OF THE
First Lieutenant, Charles Bird, Company K. Second Lieutenant, W. H. Cleader,
These officers, and the men under their commands, having served their term, were mustered out and discharged, in the city of Wilmington, in August.
But the rebellion had not been suppressed. Disasters to our arms having occurred at Bull Run, in July, the rebellion assumed larger proportions than was anticipated. The exigencies of our country required a larger army, and for a longer term of service. Another call was made for three hundred thousand men, to serve for three years or the war; and a second regiment in the State had began to be formed before the expiration of the term of the three months' men. But that, when raised to the maximum, would not fill the State's quota called for by the Government, and the re-organiza- tion of the first regiment was commenced in August, 1861, and in September it was full, having nine hundred and sixty men.
Fully armed and equipped, the Regiment struck tents, at Camp Andrews, near Hare's Corner, New Castle Co., Delaware, where they had been en- . camped, at sunrise, on Sunday, October 20th, 1861, and marched to Newport. From this point they were transported in cars to Baltimore, and thence
17
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
by steamboat, to Fortress Monroe, where we arrived on the next day.
At Newport, a large crowd of relatives and friends assembled to witness the departure of the troops from the State, and to take leave of husbands, sons, brothers and friends. It was a sad day to many a heart. The war though terrible had been distant, now it seemed to come near and to carry off from the hearthstone and the domestic circle the stay and idol of the family. But it was, too, a day of pride. There were few, probably, in all that com- pany who would have recalled an officer or soldier from the ranks. They were going, most of them at least, from a sense of duty which they owed the Government to defend the time honored flag of the country against the assaults of unreasonable and wicked men, who, disappointed in obtaining posses- sion of the Government in the legitimate and con- stitutional manner, at the ballot-box, were now essaying to seize it by force of arms. If their candidate for the Presidency had been elected, there would have been no war, unless some of the North- ern States had rebelled. In that case, they who asked to be "let alone," in their attempts to divide the country, would, probably, have fought to enforce the constitution and the laws over the whole land as
2*
-
1
18
HISTORY OF THE
in duty bound to do. Our soldiers asked not who they were who had assailed the flag. It was enough for them to know that the flag had been fired upon, and an attempt was made to overthrow the govern- ment. They would as readily have marched to Vermont as to Virginia to resent the insult, and they were the exponents of the sentiments of the people who were proud of their soldiers for volun- teering so promptly to defend their country. Well they might be. For a more patriotic regiment has not been in the field, nor one who has performed their duties better, or for less pecuniary advantage. It was not large bounties which were offered and paid that called those nine hundred and sixty men from their homes. They accepted the ordinary monthly pay of the soldier, and went forth glowing with a love of their country. Not waiting to see if others would go, they sprang nobly to the rescue.
Who does not remember how England was moved, when her people heard that Captain Wilkes had fired a shot across the bow of the " Trent," sailing under British colors, with Mason and Slidell on board? Immediately she began to prepare for war with America, and spent many millions of dollars before the affair was adjusted between the two
19
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
countries. Is the flag of Great Britain dearer to Englishmen than are the stars and stripes to us ? Neither Great Britain, or any other power on earth, would have allowed a portion of their domain to be wrested from them without an effort to sustain it. And why should the United States suffer a portion of her territory to be separated from the rest and organized into a foreign, rival, and hostile nation. Florida, the key of the Gulf of Mexico, had been purchased from Spain, and Louisiana, holding the mouths of the Mississippi-God's great highway to the ocean for the Northwestern States and Terri- tories-had been bought from France, that neither might be held by a foreign government.
Our interests and our honor at home and abroad were involved. Our national existence in its integ- rity was at stake. To refuse or hesitate to strike for our country would have been cowardly and base. What if they were our countrymen who were at- tempting to wrest a portion of our heritage from us, has not One greater than Cæsar said, our "foes shall be of our own household? We should have been humbled in our own eyes and before the nations of the earth. Our temple of liberty and the republican constitutional government would have been under-
----
20
HISTORY OF THE
mined and its fall inevitable, if we had not struggled for and established our nationality.
Remove one block from the arch of liberty, and is it not insecure ? Will it not yield to the rude storm, and be thrown to the ground ? What could save it ? Take from the monument to Washington, on the bank of the Potomac, one of those granite blocks which the States have furnished, and of which it is con- structed, and how long will it be before the whole superstructure will tottle and fall ? So of our po- litical and national structure. Admit the right of secession and our national fabric is like a house built upon the sand, or without cement or adhesion. The political storms which so often sweep over our people must unavoidably dash it to the ground, and bury beneath it for ever the hopes of the world for a free republican form of government. In union only, for us, is there strength or safety. Divided we must fall. There was no alternative left us. The war had been forced upon us. For these reasons and in such a crisis we felt, as did Patrick Henry in the days of the Revolution, that we must fight.
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT. 21
CHAPTER II ..
ORGANIZATION.
The following is a list of the officers of the Regi- ment, when organized for three years or the war, October 1st, 1861 :-
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Colonel, J. W. Andrews. Lieutenant-Colonel, O. Hopkinson. Major, T. A. Smyth. Surgeon, D. W. Maull.
Chaplain, T. G. Murphey.
Assistant-Surgeon, S. D. Marshall. First Lieutenant and Adjutant, W. P. Saville. First Lieutenant and Quartermaster, T. Y. England.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Frank Wilson, Quartermaster's Sergeant. Charles S. Schoffer, Commissary Sergeant. Archibald D. O'Mera, Hospital Steward. James Lewis, Sergeant-Major. Patrick Dooley, Drum-Major.
5
22
HISTORY OF THE
LINE OFFICERS.
Captain, Evans S. Watson,
Company A.
" James Leonard, B.
Neal Ward, C.
Captain, Enoch J. Smithers,
Company D.
Edward P. Harris,
E.
Daniel Woodall, F. -
Allen Shortledge,
G.
John B. Tanner,
H.
Charles Lesper,
I.
K.
First Lieutenant, J. Park Pastles,
A.
James A. Oats,
B.
Frank McCloskey,
C.
David S. Yardley,
D.
W. Y. Swiggett,
=
E.
Benjamin E. Adams,
F.
Alfred Gawthrop,
G.
=
John R. Vauloun,
H.
=
Thomas B. Hizar, =
I.
William C. Inhoff,
K.
Second Lieutenant, Frank Houseman,
" A.
James Rickards,
¥ B.
Hugh Sweeney,
C.
Thomas Crassley,
.
23
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
Second Lieutenant, William F. Smith,
D.
Albert S. Philips, E.
John W. Williams, 1
F.
John L. Sparks, * G.
.
Ezekiel C. Alexander, H.
Isaac Vantramp, Company I. Henry H. Burton, " K.
The Regiment arrived at. Fortress Monroe, on the 21st of October, 1861. During our trip, from Baltimore to Old Point, nothing occurred more than usual on a rough and stormy passage on the Chesa- peake.
Having reported, according to orders, to General J. E. Wool, Colonel Andrews led his men beyond the bridge across Mill Creek, which separates Old Point from the mainland; and encamped them about a mile from the Fortress, on the north side of the road leading to Hampton. Here we became connected with the Twentieth New York, (German,) Sixteenth Massachusetts, Ninety-Ninth New York, and the Fortieth Pennsylvania Regiments, and with them formed General Mansfield's Brigade.
The rain was falling fast when we came to our . camping ground, which was low, and, for that reason had been abandoned by another regiment. In less time than one who had not witnessed it
24
HISTORY OF THE
would suppose, a canvas village, regularly laid out with streets and avenues, sprang into existence, with a population of nearly one thousand men.
Hundreds of men were seen going to the woods and fields, or returning with arms full of boughs or grass, for beds. But these did not suffice to keep them dry; and the next morning many awoke in several inches of water. Yet it was taken in the best humor and rather as a joke.
It became necessary for some of the companies to change their position. The only available spot was ou a family burying-ground adjoining the camp. Instead of this being an objection, there was a con- test as to who should pitch their tents on the graves, and thus be sure to be above high water mark. The unsuccessful competitors, in retaliation, disturbed the repose of their comrades, who were congratu- lating themselves on account of their position, by suggesting what a time they would have if there should be a resurrection of the dead that night. As may be supposed, the idea of a stirring among the dry bones beneath them did not contribute to their peaceful repose.
This state of things did not, however, long con- tinue. Colonel Andrews, being not only a military man, but also of experience and practical business
1
25
FIRST DELAWARE REGIMENT.
habits, and having a care for the comfort of his men, soon changed the appearance and condition of the camp. It was ditched and drained, and the streets and avenues graded and sanded, so that in a few days it was equal to the best in point of comfort and appear- ance. Then and there commenced that system of military drill and discipline which gave to the Regi- ment the character which it so well sustained to the close of the war -- of being among the best in the service.
Though informal, social, and free with his officers, and accessible to his men, when off duty, Colonel Andrews was a strict disciplinarian, and suffered no order to be infringed with impunity. In a little while our dress parades, on account of the soldierly appearance of the men, attracted much attention and elicited the praise of all who witnessed them. On other duties they were trustworthy and reliable. Few complaints were brought against any of the men on account of pillaging or depredations upon the country. This practice received no countenance from the commander at the Fortress.
On one occasion I went over to attend religious service on Sunday morning in a neighboring regi- Mint. As I approached I saw a number of men with chairs, tables, and various other articles of furniture 3
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