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 3
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News, the iron monster crawled back leisurely to her mooring as a glutted lion would to her lair.
The day was one of intense excitement. The men watched the progress of the fight with painful sus- pense. After dark, the light of the burning ship was distinctly seen in camp, and, at midnight, the fire having reached her magazine, she was blown up. The earth shook from the effects of the explosion. The burning fragments were thrown to a great dis- tance in the air, and cast a lurid glare upon the earth. Then all was dark, silent and sad as the grave. To the Confederates the day closed with glory, (?) to us with gloom. Such are the fortunes and contrasts of war. One rejoices and another weeps over the same scene. Whilst the conquered and bereaved bow in shame and sorrow, or burn with indignation and the spirit of revenge, the vic- tors walk with haughtier tread and talk of the de- struction of life and property they have wrought with malignant satisfaction.
Who knew what the next day would bring forth ? The Confederate General, Magruder, with a large land force was expected to co-operate with the new naval engine of destruction. To the Confederates the suc- cess of Saturday, the Sth, was a harbinger of greater results on Sunday, the 9th.
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The day, commemorative of the Saviour's resur- rection, which should be spent in "praying for the peace of Jerusalem," was to be spent in dealing de- struction and death to every living and moving thing in the harbor. Even General Wool, it is said, talked gloomily of the fate of the Fortress on the morrow. It might become necessary to abandon the Fortress. The Minnesota, being aground, would be an easy prey to the huge monster. She could then easily compel the surrender of all smaller vessels-perhaps, running under the guns of the Fortress, ascend the Potomac, bombard Washington, and drive the Presi- dent and his Cabinet from the seat of government. In view of these possible, if not probable, results, the stoutest hearts beat with fearful apprehensions. Escape for the infantry seemed impossible if attacked by the combined land and naval forces of the enemy.
At 9 o'clock, Sunday morning, the 9th, the Merrimac again came down the Elizabeth River, and steamed straight for the Minnesota, which occupied her position of the previous day, being yet aground. She was attended by a large side-wheel steamer filled with eager friends of both sexes, to witness the cap- ture or destruction of every opposing force at Old Point. Sewell's Point and the shores of Craney
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Island were crowded with anxious spectators. At Old Point and Camp Hamilton there was equal anxiety of interested witnesses. Every high place was occupied, that a good view of the coming engage- ment might be obtained. The long roll was beat, and the men were kept under arms the whole day prepared for the approach of the Confederate in- fantry, if they should come to cooperate with their navy. What better success could we hope for than we had on the previous day ? How could the wooden walls of our beautiful men-of-war resist the concus- sion of the iron prow of the great monster? How little effect would their shells have upon the iron plating of their formidable foc? Keeping out of range of the Union gun at the Fortress, and of " Long Tom" on the Rip-Raps, she could clear the water of every wooden vessel that floated. There was a rumor in camp that the Monitor had arrived, but no one could see any object of a warlike kind, or that was likely to be at all efficient in a contest with the Merrimac, until the Merrimac approached the Minnesota. Then we saw a boat of more novel appearance and singular construction than the Merrimac herself, slipping down quietly from the direction of Newport News, and boldly approaching the great giant. It was the Monitor ! Considering her size and appear-
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ance at a distance, we wondered at her boldness. The Merrimac seemed to pause, and, wondering what it was, and what it meant, opened fire upon her. Still the little craft kept on her way, but in silence, till she came within her chosen distance. Then she announced herself as a champion of the stars and stripes, and accepted the challenge of the Confederate Goliath, as David, the shepherd boy of Israel, ac- cepted that of the proud Philistine. A thrill of joy ran through our ranks, and shouts rent the air. The Philistine disdained the ruddy youth of Israel, and boasted that if he would come to him he would give the flesh of David to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field for food. Vain boast ! So, too, the Verrimac may have thought that she would soon despatch the little craft, and send her to the bottom for the fish to play about, or bear her off as a trophy and a toy. They closed for the fight, and for several hours the contest, for courage and despe- ration, was such as had, probably, never been wit- nessed in a naval engagement. 'The clouds of smoke soon covered the water, and both were concealed from view, and their position could only be known by the lightning-like fire that belched from the months of their guns. They fought side by side.
At length the Merrimae finding that she could
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not penetrate the plating of the Monitor, ran off a short distance ; for what purpose was soon developed, for after a few moments she turned upon the Moni- tor and ran at full speed upon her, evidently intend- ing to run her down; but though she ran her prow upon the little craft, she glided from under her unhurt, and as she thus fell back, poured shell from both her guns upon the side of her powerful enemy. It became evident that neither could penetrate the iron plating of the other, and each attempted to fire into the port holes of the other. This expedient failed, and the Monitor began to run round the Mer- rimac and fire into her most vulnerable parts. It became evident that the Merrimac had met her match. The Monitor was as invulnerable as her- self, and much more manageable. Moving back -. wards and forwards, with equal ease, she seemed to dodge the shell of her foe, and yet, with her revolv- ing turret, was always in position. The men laughed and shouted to see the little thing fight. We felt that our cause was safe. The contest ended by the withdrawal of the Merrimac. The Monitor followed for a mile, running round her and firing all the time. The sidewheel steamer from Norfolk which had accompanied the Merrimce in the morning preceded her in the evening --- having received orders to leave
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in the form of a shell which the Monitor sent across her bow as she followed her foe. The Roads was cleared of the Confederate Navy, and there was a sense of relief and victory when the Merrimac retired. The Monitor had fairly fought and driven back to ler moorings the most formidable naval engine of destruction that had ever appeared in American waters. The Confederate spectators must have re- turned to Norfolk with very different feclings from those with which they came out in the morning. The result was not what they had hoped for.
But the contest was not given up. On the 9th of May she again appeared off Craney Island. On that day there was another naval engagement in which the Monitor and other vessels of war co-operated with Fort Wool (Rip-Raps) in shelling Sewell's Point and other Rebel strongholds. Whilst this engagement was in progress our infantry were marching on Norfolk, having crossed over from Old Point to Ocean View the previous night. The Rebel batteries on Sewell's Point were silenced, and all their works abandoned when they discovered that they were flanked, and our men marched with little opposition upon the city.
A part of my leisure time was spent visiting the wounded at the Hygeia Hospital at Old Point and
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Camp Hamilton. At the Hygeia there were several hundred ; some of whom had been wounded at the first Bull Run battle, and others at Yorktown. One of these, a Bostonian, had stepped on a concealed torpedo, and his foot was so shattered by its explo- sion that amputation became necessary. I asked him whether he regretted entering the service since he had lost his foot. "No," he said; "if it were practicable and necessary I. would go in again and part with the other in so just a cause." He asked me to write to his brother who was at the front, and to charge him, in his name, to stand up for the flag, and to acquit himself like a man and a soldier. Yet there was no bitterness. The absence of it was re- markable.
After the battles at Yorktown and Williamsburg more than two hundred wounded were brought into the Mill Creek Hospital in one night. They were all upon one floor, and could be seen at a glance by one entering the door. It was my first view of the effects of war. Though each was on a separate and clean bed, and as comfortable as could be expected, the sight was a terrible one to a novice as I then was. There were many whose wounds precluded all hope of their recovery; and others whose injuries did not prevent them from moving about.
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Federal and Confederate soldiers sat together, talking like old or newly found friends about the engagement in which they had met as foes. The Federal soldiers were not Abolitionists, which sur- prised the Confederates, and the Confederates were not Secessionists, which equally surprised the Fede- ral soldiers. Why then did they fight? It was a common remark that there were two classes -- one at the North, the Abolitionists, and the other at the South, the fire-eaters-who ought to fight these battles to the bitter end, even to the extermination of one or both parties. But who does not now know that each of these parties had backers who would not stand aloof and see them beaten by the other ? Whatever may have been meant originally by the author of the declaration that there is an irrepressible conflict between slavery and freedom, the historic events of the war establish its prophetic verity. They are incompatible; as much so as light with darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness; and ultimately, everywhere the world over, slavery will disappear before the progress of truth, knowledge, and religion, as the clouds roll up the mountain side before the rising glories of a summer's morn. May God speed the day !*
* 18th December. 1865. That day has come. The constitu. tional amendment is adopted. Slavery is abolished.
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CHAPTER IV.
CAPTURE OF NORFOLK.
. ON the 10th (May, 1862,) Norfolk surrendered to General Wool, and our troops marched into the city. At dark the Merrimac was still seen lying off Craney Island. A little after midnight there was seen, by the sentry who walked his beat at Camp Hamilton, a pillar of fire rising, as it were, out of the water near the shore of the island. As it rose the sea trembled, and the earth and houses on shore shook as if by some violent convulsion of nature. Instantly there was a terrific explosion. Fire had been applied to the Merrimac, and gradually extending, reached her magazine. She was torn into fragments and buried in the depths. The darkness and gloom of death seemed to gather around the spot where she lay. At the North, everywhere, there was joy and glad- ness-at Norfolk, chagrin and alarm.
The march of the Regiment from Ocean View wag the first long one they made. Like other inex -. . perienced soldiers, they packed their knapsacks to
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their utmost capacity; but before midday the clouds of dust, burning sun, and heated air, confined by the thick pine woods on either side of the road, caused them to loosen their straps and lighten their burdens. Each man was ambitious to keep up and enter the city with the Regiment. There were but three stragglers, and they were sick men, two of whom had left the hospital rather than be left behind. The Sixteenth Massachusetts led the column on the march, and the First Delaware followed next in their rear. Our Regiment entered the fortifications with full ranks, whilst less than half of the other went in with their colors. The distance marched was seven- teen miles-marching time, six hours. The fortifi- cations were extensive and well built. They might have been held with a force much smaller than ours, and they would have been, we were told, if the enemy had known our real strength. For two days previously to the embarkation the troops were marched and countermarched between Camp Hamil- ton and Old Point, and embarked and landed several times before they finally crossed over. This ma- nœuvre may have conveyed the impression to the Rebels that we were receiving reinforcements, which, it was said, was General Wool's design. The Regi- ment remained one night in the entrenchments,
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which were three miles from the city, and then marched in and became the provost guard. After becoming acquainted with the Regiment the citizens were pleased with their conduct, and expressed the wish that they might be kept there whilst it was necessary for any Federal troops to be kept in the city.
A chaplain, who called occasionally at a small shop kept by females, had several controversies with them about the war. They were quite free *in censuring the Government and abusing the Yankees. On one occasion they asked him why the Unionists always moved in so strong force. To which he replied, " that we had so often heard that one Southerner could whip five Yankees, we thought, as we had them to spare, we had better . bring them along."
The military conduct of the officers and men whilst on duty there was commendable, but the morals of the Regiment were not improved by associating with the people, and the colonel was anxious to have them removed from the city.
There are in Norfolk beautiful streets and many handsome residences, which give evidence of wealth, cultivation, and refinement. The soil and climate seems especially adapted to the cultivation of flowers
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and choice plants. The magnolia abounds in the yards and fills the evening air with its sweet per- fumo.
The glowing descriptions, given by newspaper correspondents, of the Union sentiment found in the city, were, to any honest and candid observer, whose wish was not father to the thought, simply false. The Unionists were powerless. The wealthy and more influential classes were, almost to a man, so far as we could learn, Secessionists. The mayor would not hold his courts in the City Hall because the flag of the Union floated over it. On their part there was no open or violent resistance offered to the Federal Government; nor any manifes- tations of secession proclivities made, but it was undoubtedly because it would have been useless if not dangerous to do so. It was easy to be seen that there was a latent and cordial hatred of the old Government and preference for the new, with a determination to cling to the latter, hoping that the time would yet come when they would be delivered from the power of their captors. It was amusing to see what slender threads they hung their hopes upon. They looked for the yellow and typhoid fevers, to the measles, and even mosquitoes, as auxili- aries to drive us off.
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A schoolmaster, whose academy had been taken for a hospital, said, with a view of intimidating me, that Norfolk was a very sickly place. I told him it had not that reputation before the war. But, said he, the yellow fever here is very fatal, and the fly, which always. preceded it, had already made its appearance in the country, and began to tell of its dreadful ravages in 1855. I took occasion to re- mind him of the large sums of money and the assistance rendered to them by Northerners, the States north of the Potomac having contributed more than twice as much for the relief of the sufferers as all the Southern States, and that many of the nurses and physicians died of the disease. He admitted the fact, but evidently with reluctance. I further told him I had seen a pamphlet in which it was argued and proved that the yellow fever had been introduced by a ship from a foreign port. He then said the measles had been very fatal to their soldiers, and if once attacked by the same disease, our soldiers would be carried off very rapidly. I told him we had had sixty-two cases of measles in camp and had not lost a patient. He then told of the mosquitoes-they were terrible -- there was no comfort on account of them. To. this I replied, that having come from Delaware we
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were used to them and did not fear either their songs or stings. He had nothing more to say and walked off.
On the first Sabbath after the occupation of the city, I attended the Presbyterian Church, of which the Rev. Dr. Armstrong was pastor, and whom Gen- eral Butler afterwards sent South. The congrega- tion was composed principally of ladies, there being a much smaller proportion of men present than usual. The large number of ladies in mourning gave rise to sad reflections on the fearful ravages of war. From what family has not the demon snatched a member? It has opened the fountains of grief in every class of society. Who hath not lost a friend in this cruel war? How many firesides have been made desolate by its ravages? Widows, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends mingle their tears over the graves of the slain, and their lamen- tations are heard in every portion of the land. In the services Dr. Armstrong made no allusion to the state of the country except in the prayer. In it he praved God to bless those who rightfully rule over us, and to bring this bloody war to a righteous con- clusion.
In this prayer I could heartily join, for, according to my belief, Mr. Lincoln was our rightful ruler.
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tapir. bei;
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The preacher and the congregation, I have no doubt, thought they were praying for Mr. Davis. I should at no time have objected to such a prayer from any one. It was quite explicit and loyal enough for me. God knows who our rightful rulers are, and when we pray for such, in times like the past, leaving the · decision of the question to Him who cannot be de- ceived, and will not be mocked, we pray aright. "Thy will be done " is an essential element in prayer. Such prayers have been and will be answered. The pretender and his armies have been overthrown. The " bloody war " has been brought to a "righteous conclusion." Christian people everywhere, since they appealed to God as the judge between us in this protracted and fierce contest, should accept the result as ordered of Him, and submit to his decision. The contest has been long and carnest, and as fairly and honorably conducted as wars usually are.
An old friend and former ministerial neighbor of Delaware was residing in Portsmouth as pastor of one of the churches there. I embraced an early opportunity to call on him. He received me cor- dially but was greatly surprised to see me. He asked me, in a suppressed tone, as if fearing we might be overheard, and in manner implying thas our interview must be secret, " Where I came from ?"
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I replied, " from Norfolk."
" From Norfolk ?" said he.
"Yes, sir."
" But how did you get here ?"
"I came over on the ferry boat," said I.
"But how did you get to Norfolk ?" he asked.
" With my Regiment."
" Your Regiment ! What Regiment ?"
"The First Delaware."
" The First Delaware !" he repeated, with evident surprise and doubt as to its character. At this point of the conversation my cape slipped from my shoulder and he saw that I was a Federal officer, and a chap- lain in the Union army. He seemed bewildered.
"Why," said he, " you did not use to be an Aboli- tionist ?"
"Not a bit of it," said I.
"But how came you to be in such a crowd ?" he asked.
" What ails the company ?" said I.
"Why, of Abolitionists." i
" We are not Abolitionists, we are Unionists."
" Well," said he, "I suppose your Regiment is composed of recruits from other States?"
"In that you are mistaken," said I; "of the nine
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hundred men in the Regiment, there are less than fifty who do not hail from Delaware."
" You amaze me! We have been told that all you in Delaware and Maryland wanted is help to throw off the Lincoln yoke, and persons have escaped hither from Delaware and the eastern shore of Mary- land and Virginia in skiffs, or in whatever way they conld, suffering everything but death to join us."
He had apparently mistaken me at first as a refugee. I assured him he had been misinformed in reference to the sentiment of Delaware. That though · we loved the South we loved the Union more. That two regiments from the State were already in the field, and a third was forming. He too loved the Union once, and could have shed tears when he saw the old flag lowered and a new one raised in its. stead. But now he was fully identified with the Confederacy, and had, with his own hands, worked on the fortifications on the Sabbath. This gentleman was subsequently imprisoned in Fort Delaware for several months.
There was in Norfolk an unoccupied Bethel chapel, and, having no convenient place for preaching, I made application to one of the trustees for it for our regimental services. He could not take the respon- sibility of granting the request without the consent
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of the other members of the board, but went with me to see another and a permanent member of the board. He came into the parlor where we were with the manner and affability of a gentleman, but. upon see- ing that I was a Federal officer, though a minister, his manner changed. Neither could he, nor both together, grant the request without consulting the others. In a few days I received a note stating that at a meeting of the trustees it was "resolved that the use of the Bethel Chapel should be granted to Chaplain Murphey of the First Delaware Regiment, on condition that it be used for the purpose for which it was built-namely, for the preaching of the gospel, and not for the purpose of holding political meetings, or making abolition lectures." I took no notice of the note, nor did I accept the favor. Another and a better church was offered me without conditions or dictation as to the use I should make of it. I said to the gentleman who handed me the note, that I was not a politician ; that I had never made a politi- cal speech, or abolition lecture in my life; and that our soldiers did not read political harangues on the state of the country, and that I could find more im- portant themes on which to address them.
The females of Norfolk were as bitter in their feelings towards the soldiers and Government of the
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Union as the men. Their attempts to annoy and insult the soldiers failed, and were resented in a way that made themselves the sufferers. The members of Company F had a handsome flag hung over the door of their headquarters which was an offence to the Secessionists. Some of them would not pass under it, but turned off the pavement and walked round it in the middle of the street, or crossed over to the other side. The boys observing this, stretched a cord across the street, and so arranged it that the flag could be slipped forward or backward at plea- sure, and when any one attempted to flank the flag in this way, they slipped it along, lowering it at the same time so as to touch their bonnets as they passed. It became an amusing pastime to the men for which they were wholly indebted to the ladies, for if, as occasion required them to pass that way, they had gone by without making this demonstration of feeling they would not have thought of the game.
When our troops first entered the city it seemed deserted by its former inhabitants. The doors and windows of most of the houses were closed, and but few of the citizens were seen in the street. Thus it was for several days. At length they appeared on the streets, and children began to play around the. quarters of the soldiers without fear, and with a feeling of security.
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CHAPTER V.
THE FRUITS OF WAR.
WHILST the First Delaware was on duty at Nor- folk and Portsmouth, the Army of the Potomac was fighting on the Peninsula between Yorktown and Richmond. From the battles there fought the hos- pitals at Fortress Monroe, Camp Hamilton, Ports- mouth, and other places were filled with the wounded. One day a large steamer landed at the wharf of the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth several hundred wounded Union and Confederate soldiers. At the time of their arrival there was an inadequate number of surgeons and attendants. The building itself, as to arrangements, furniture, and situation, was all that any sick or wounded men could expect or desire. But there was not one surgeon for each one hundred wounded men, and Surgeon Maull and I volunteered our services.
The first object that met my eye on entering the hall door was a Pennsylvania soldier. Ho was
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