History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 12

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 12

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Educated at West Point, skilled in the art of war, his frontier life peculiarly fitting him for skirmish and reconnoitering duty, possessed of a warm heart, striet in discipline, but acting as a father to all in his command, while officers and men rejoiced at his well- earned and deserved advancement, they sincerely mourned his loss. He rose from the command of a brigade to a division commander, and his worth can- not be better portrayed than the remark heard by the writer from Gen. Phil H. Sheridan's lips, when he was being carried by on a stretcher unconscious and mortally wounded at the battle of Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864: "Revenge for Russell ! Revenge for Russell ! No better officer ever slung a sword in the army !" Gen. Russell's remains were carried to Sa- lem, N. Y., where they were buried with military and civic honors. United States forts, Grand Army posts, and soldiers' children bear his name, and the name of David A. Russell will ever be revered by officers or privates whose good fortune it was to be in his command as long as a hand is left to deck the grave with choice flowers of a comrade.

From Dec. 18, 1862, to Jan. 20, 1863, remained in camp, when they participated in Burnsides' mud march till Feb. 2, 1863, when they returned to old eamp at White Oak Swamp. From then to May 2, 1863, remained in winter-quarters, doing camp and picket duty.

May 2, 1863, crossed Rappahannock River into Fredericksburg at 10 P.M. May 3d, a beautiful Sabbath morn, the regiment was detached from the brigade and took position in line of battle to assist in holding the city against an attack of the enemy which was imminent, and were held in readiness to lead the assaulting column on Marye's Heights. Directly west, ont of the town of Fredericksburg, was a road which finally reaches Chancellorsville, just in the outskirts of the town, less than a mile from the main street. This road ascends a hill that, while

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

it is sufficiently steep to render the ascent toilsome, is not so steep as to render any less effective the fire of artillery and musketry. This is Marye's Hill, and at the summit of this hill is Marye's house. Near the hill a road leaves the Chancellorsville road, runs to- ward the south, across the front and right of the hill at its base ; the latter road had a substantial stone wall on each side of it, and these roads, with a little assistance from the spade. had been converted into excellent breastworks by the enemy. No artillery fire could touch those walls, for it was a sunken road, and though the walls were four feet high in the road, their tops were level with the surface. Behind the second line of pits rises the hill, and around its whole crest runs a well-constructed earthwork, in which was one howitzer. At the ascent of the hill it is a mere gulch, broken and stony, and an awful place for men to be packed in under a plunging fire of grape and canister in addition to musketry fire. Such was the position the gallant Seventh was to lead the assault against.

The regiment, after crossing over a small bridge, instead of being ordered to deploy and charge the enemy, were allowed to charge by the flank, and the enemy, bewildered by such a movement, reserved their fire until the regiment were in close quarters, when with artillery and musketry from rifle-pits and honses they dealt death-blows until the regiment faltered, which was only for a moment. As fast as men were słain the depleted ranks would be filled, and those who escaped fairly waded through fire and gore, re- sisted by the Confederates as our men clambered over the walls and planted their colors on the crest of the hill. Col. Thomas D. Johns, who succeeded Gen. Russell, was wounded here, which was conceded by his command as a just punishment for attempting such a charge by the flank instead of deploying his men as he should. The Seventh here captured two pieces of the famous rebel Washington Artillery. The regiment, with Gen. Sedgwick's corps, pursued the enemy to Salem Heights, a distance of four miles, when from four o'clock till darkness they were severely engaged, sleeping on the field that night. May 4th, was again engaged, and was obliged, owing to the enemy flanking the corps and again occupying their works, on the evening of May 4th, to retreat to Banks' Ford, where they recrossed the Rappahannock. Tues- day morning, May 5th, the well-earned victory had been turned to defeat, and the result of the 3d of May carnage carried mourning into many homes in Bristol County. With a force of less than five hundred men, the loss of this regiment in this bloody field was two officers and twenty-one men killed, nine officers and one hundred and five men wounded ; Company F, on the right of the command, losing of that number two sergeants, one corporal, and four privates killed, and three commissioned officers, five corporals, and seven privates wounded. May 8th, returned to old camp near Falmouth. June 6th, again crossed the Rappa- hannock, and were left as rear-guard while the army

were marching to Pennsylvania. June 11th to July 2d, marched towards Washington, into Maryland, and made forced marches from Frederick City, Md., to Gettysburg battle-field, where they arrived at 6 P.M. ; immediately took position in support of extreme left of line. July 3d, was moving from left to right and right to left, subjected to the terrific artillery fire of that memorable day ; here it was that Lieut .- Col. F. P. Harlow, who stood next to Gen. Russell in the es- teem of the men of the Seventh, displayed his usual good judgment and bravery by scattering his men while subjected to showers of shot and shell.

On the morning of the glorious 4th of July, 1863, which was the end of a hard-contested but well-earned victory of our nation's defenders, the regiment was ordered into position in the front line and remained until noon, when they threw up a line of rifle-pits and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 5th, the retreat of the enemy was followed about six miles as advance-gnard, where they were ordered on picket duty. July 6th to 14th, marched to Funks- town, Md., formed line of battle, and were in time to see the abandoned wagon-trains of the enemy at Williamsport, Md. Continued the march to Warren- ton, Va., where the regiment encamped until Septem- ber, when they marched to Culpeper, returning to Warrenton. Nov. 7, 1863, the regiment with the Sixth Corps moved from Warrenton to Rappahannock Station, where it was under fire supporting the attack on that fort by their old commander, Gen. Russell, who carried it by storm, capturing one hundred and thirty-two officers, fifteen hundred men, four guns, four caissons, and eight battle-flags ; from there they marched to Brandy Station, Va., where winter-quar- ters were established. At this camp a large number of men re-enlisted for three years more. November 26th, broke camp and marched to Mine Run, Va., where the regiment was engaged in front line. De- cember 1st, returned to old camp at Brandy Station.

Feb. 27, 1864, the regiment was with the Sixth Corps ordered to support a cavalry movement to Char- lottesville, and after severe marches returned again to Brandy Station, where it remained, performing routine of camp and picket duty, until May 3, 1864, when camp was broken, and it marched to Germama Ford and Old Wilderness Tavern. May 5th, marched to plank-road in the Wilderness; in the afternoon were placed in front line of battle, and engaged the enemy till nearly dusk, casualties numbering eighty-five. At daybreak May 6th was attacked by the enemy, Long- street's corps. The fighting was in a dense thicket and was indecisive, both lines of the armies swaying hither and thither with the shifting fortunes of the fight. After repeated charges and retreats the Sev- enth were relieved and ordered to the right of the line to resist a threatening attack of the enemy. At dark moved through the Wilderness to the left, marching all night. May 7th, moved to North Anna River. May 8th, the regiment with the Sixth Corps marched to

MILITARY HISTORY.

Spottsylvania Court-House, formed a line of battle, and at dusk charged the enemy, who was strongly posted, broke their line of battle, and captured the color- standard, color-gnard, and thirty-two men of a Georgia regiment, losing one killed, four wounded, and two prisoners. The latter were recaptured while on the way to Richmond. They held' the position gained, and bivouacked on the field. May 9th, our beloved commander, Gen. or " Uncle" John Sedgwick, was killed by a rebel sharpshooter, one of the ablest and oldest commanders of the Army of the Potomac. Both men and officers had entire confidence in his judgment and skill. May 10th, employed digging rifle-pits. May 11th, were ordered to the front on the skirmish line, where remained two days on constant duty. On the 13th rejoined brigade; rested till 2 A.M. May 14th, when marched five miles, formed line of battle left of Fifth Corps. 15th and 16th, digging rifle-pits. 17th, marched all night towards right of the army, and at daybreak May 18th charged the enemy, which was unsuccessful ; renewed the assault, but owing to strength of enemy was obliged to re- tire. May 19th, crossed the Ny River and encamped. Loss the 18th, six wounded. May 25th, on picket at Noal's Station. May 26th, was ordered to the ex- treme front near Little River; with other regiments covered the withdrawal of the Sixth Corps, crossed North Anna River, and marched to Chesterfield Sta- tion on Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad. May 28th, crossed Pamunkey River; 29th, marched to Hanover Court-House; four miles from there threw up rifle-pits, May 31st, near Tolopotomy Creek, from where the regiment marched at dark all night to Cold Harbor, where it arrived at 2 P.M., deployed into line, and at once engaged the enemy with success, driving them from behind rifle-pits, and occupied the field for the night. From June 3d to June 14th the Seventh were on constant duty, losing men daily under the constant fire of the enemy, and when re- lieved on the last day of their term of service, being then in the extreme front line, a member of Company G was instantly killed.

Having been reduced in numbers by the serious casualties of the campaign, their duties being unnsu- ally arduous, they presented a sad sight of the havoc war can make of a regiment which left Massachusetts with one thousand strong. On the afternoon of the 14th marched to Chickahominy, thence to Charles City Court-House, and finally bivouacked on the banks of the James, May 15th. Their term of service having expired, it was relieved from further duty and ordered to Massachusetts, to be mustered out of ser- vice by special orders, headquarters Sixth Army Corps, and the following was read to the command :

" HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, " June 14, 1864.

colonel commanding the brigade deems it a duty as well as a pleasure to testify to the soldierly bearing, bravery, and efficiency of the regiment up to the last day of their stay. The colonel commanding has witnessed with satisfaction the coolness and steadiness under fire of both officers and men ; the long marches, exposure, and the many hardships they have undergone since the opening of the campaign have been borne without a murmur, and has more fully established the reputation they have previously won as a regiment that could always be relied upon. They go back to Massachusetts with thinned ranks and tattered colors, but with the feeling and the assurance that they have nobly served the cause of their country in its most trying hour.

"By order of

"O. EDWARDS, " Col. Commanding Brigade. " T. G. COLT, " First Lieut. and A.A.A.G."

On the morning of the 16th the regiment embarked from Wilson's Landing, James River, Va., in the dis- patch steamer "Keyport," for Washington, D. C., and on following day took special train for New York ; reached Taunton June 20, 1864, and was warmly wel- comed back by the citizens, who turned out en masse. June 27, 1864, the regiment was mustered out of ser- vice, and the gallant Seventh, with its laurels won on many a hard-contested field, passed into history. Herewith will be found a recapitulation of the regi- ment :

Killed and died

145

Deserted

143

Transferred ..

Rejected recruits

Promoted

Discharged.

470

929

Mustered ont.

407

Total. 1329

The surviving members of the Seventh have formed an association called the "Seventh Massachusetts Veteran Association," which meets June 15th yearly. It has some eighty members, and affords the "boys" of 1861, now gray-haired men, much pleasure to unite and rehearse war scenes of camp and battle life. Any information-as long as he is living-can be ob- tained of one of its youngest surviving members, H. A. Cushman, secretary of the association.

MAJ .- GEN. DARIUS N. COUCH .- The Seventh Regi- ment of Massachusetts Volunteers was recruited by Col. Darius N. Couch, of Taunton, who was a native of New York. He graduated at West Point in the class of 1846, and was assigned a second lieutenant to the Fourth United States Artillery. He served under Gen. Taylor in the Mexican war, and was breveted first lieutenant for gallantry at the battle of Buena Vista in 1847. He subsequently was assigned to a command in the Seminole war of 1853, and made a scientific tour in Mexico, the result of which was published. In 1855 he resigned his position in the United States army, and in 1859 became a resident of Taunton, having married the daughter of Hon. Samuel L. Crocker. At the outbreak of the war in 1861, Lieut. Crouch tendered his services to Governor Andrew, and was commissioned to raise a regiment at the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five

" Circular :

" As the term of service of the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers is drawing to a close, and as it is expected to return to Massachusetts, the | thousand men to suppress the Rebellion. He re-

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

cruited the Seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Vol- unteers, headquarters at Taunton, and was elected colonel. He left with his regiment for the seat of war (Virginia) in June, 1861, and joined the Army of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan, who was a class- mate.

On their departure from Taunton in July, 1861, the following letter was received by Col. Couch from Governor Andrew :

" COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, " EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, " BOSTON, July 16, 1861. " To COL. D. N. Coucu,

" Commanding Seventh Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers :

" Colonel,-I wish to express warmly and sincerely my regret that I could not make an opportunity to exchange greetings with you and your fine regiment before you left the commonwealth for the seat of war.

" My reluctance to permit any regiment to depart from Massachusetts without a chance to bid it God-speed was so great that I was even in- clined to delay you for a day or two in order to secure such an oppor- tunity, but on reflection it seemed to me unwise to postpone for a mere sentiment your call to active duty.

"I beg now to assure you that you and your command are held by the official representatives of the commonwealth in no less affectionate regard than other regiments which, by reason of their proximity to the capital, afford easier opportunities for personal interviews and acquaintances ; that we shall watch your career and rejoice in your successes with no less eager interest than that with which we follow those regiments which preceded you and those which tread in your footsteps. And to you, personally, I wish to express my thanks for the quiet, considerate, judicious conduct which characterized your whole action in the organi- zation of your command.

" I hope I shall hear often from you. Any support which I can afford to the regiment under its national auspices I shall be glad to extend, and I beg you never to hesitate to call back to Massachusetts whenever you need for sympathy and aid.

"I am faithfully and respectfully, " Your friend and servant, " JOHN A. ANDREW."

In August, 1861, Col. Couch, having evinced rare ability in disciplining his command, was promoted brigadier-general. On the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac he was assigned to the command of a division in Maj .- Gen. Keyes' corps, and distin- guished himself in the battles of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, and Williamsburg, and for his bravery and gal- lantry was promoted major-general of volunteers, July, 1862. He participated in the battles in command of a division. At Antietam was assigned the command of the late Gen. Sumner's corps. He afterwards distin- guished himself at the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, under Maj .- Gen. Hooker. He was assigned to the command of the Department of the Susquehannah in 1863; was also in command of a division in the defeat of Gen. Hood at Nashville. He resigned at the close of the war in 1865, and was appointed collector of the port of Boston. He has resided in Norwalk, Conn., about twelve years, and for several years has held the office of adjutant-gen- eral of that State.

The adjutant-general of Massachusetts, in his re- port of 1862, referred to the Seventh Regiment as follows :

" This regiment is composed in great part of Bristol County men, recruited by Col. (now Brig .- Gen.) Couch, and is composed of very excellent material."

The following letter from Gen. Couch to the mem- bers of his old regiment at their reunion in 1874 will be read with interest :

" NORWALK, CONN., June 12, 1874. " To the Association of Seventh Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers :

"GENTLEMEN,-Seeing in a Taunton paper that the 'Seventh' is to have a reunion on the anniversary of its muster into the service of the United States, it occurred that I might add a trifle to the interest of the meeting by writing a few items of history pertaining to the regimental organization.

"Your regiment, though not the very first one organized for three years' service, had a beginning, I fancy, prior to that of any other from Massachusetts.

"The 31st of December, 1860, I wrote a letter to the adjutant-general of the State to the effect that a conflict with the South was inevitable, and tendering my services to the State. Gen. Schonler answered Feb. 1,1861.

" On the 20th of April, 1861, Hon. Samuel L. Crocker introduced me to Governor Andrew, at the State-House, vouching for my services in the Mexican war. The Governor, after hearing my views, referred me to Col. Sargeant, of his staff, when the first official steps were taken to raise troops in Bristol County.

" Yon, the old members, all know of the enthusiasm shown in the various county towns, the squad-drills by night, and the encouragement given us by patriotic gentlemen, military committees, etc.

" Well, we succeeded in organizing ten companies, which, in a special order of his Excellency the Governor, were named respectively as con- stituting the Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry, First Division. The order was of date May 21, 1861.

" An order of the same date from headquarters, First Division, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia, directed the company officers to assemble at the Parker House May 21, 1861, and to elect field-officers for the regi- ment. Orders from the same headquarters, May 29, 1861, stated that officers were elected, commissioned, and qualified, as follows :

" Colonel, Darius N. Couch, of Taunton.

" Lieutenant-Colonel, Chester W. Green, of Fall River.

" Major, David E. Holman, of Attleborough.

" It was thus a regiment of militia.

" General Order, No. 12. of the Governor, May 22d, cited the President's proclamation for the raising of three years' troops, and that the quota of Massachusetts was six regiments, the Fifteenth Regiment Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia being accepted by the Governor, after some delay, as the Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and went into Camp Old Colony to fill up the ranks and get ready for active service.

"We were soon after changed to the Seventh, an unsullied name borne in a protracted struggle of four years, consisting of long marches, hard bivouacks, closely-contested battles, and retreats.

" May you long live, my gallant comrades, to enjoy your nobly-earned bonor is the sincere wish of your friend, " D. N. COUCH."

The Eighteenth Regiment was recruited mainly from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties. It was mustered into the service Aug. 27, 1861, and left for Washington on the following day, under command of Col. James Barnes. This regiment participated in the battles of Gaines' Mills, Second Bull Run, Shep- ardston, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad. The regiment, after a service which was distinguished for bravery and good discipline, was mustered out Sept. 2, 1864, and those soldiers whose term of service had not expired were transferred to the Thirty-second Regiment.

The Twenty-third Regiment had a few men from Bristol County. This regiment left the State Nov. 11, 1861, and encamped for a time at Annapolis, MId. It formed a part of the Burnside expedition, and en- gaged in the following battles : Roanoke, Newberne,

Ebenezer "W Peirce,

MILITARY HISTORY.

Ranle's Mills, Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro', Wil- cox's Bridge, Winton, Smithfield, Heckman's Farm, Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and other battles before Richmond, and Kingston, Second Bull Run. Mustered out Sept. 14, 1864. Remustered men and recruits remained in the service under the same designation until June 25, 1865.

The Twenty-sixth Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States Oct. 18, 1861, and was mustered out Aug. 26, 1865. It had about one company from Bristol County. This regiment was a legitimate offspring of the old Sixth Regiment, which was mobbed in Baltimore. It participated in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill.

The Twenty-ninth Regiment .- Seven companies of this regiment were among the first three years' men that left the State. They were sent to Fortress Monroe to fill up the ranks of the Third and Fourth Militia Regiments, three months' men, and when the terms of the above regiments had expired, the seven companies became known as the First Battalion of Massachusetts Volunteers. Subsequently three new companies were organized and attached to this bat- talion and it was made the Twenty-ninth Regiment, and Brig .- Gen. E. W. Peirce, of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, was appointed colonel.

The regiment participated in the battles before Richmond, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicks- burg, Jackson, Blue Springs, Campbell's Station, siege of Knoxville, Cold Harbor.

This was not a Bristol County regiment, but Col. Peirce, its commander, was and still is a Bristol County man. In one of Maj. O'Neill's reports, in re- ferring to Gen. Peirce, he says, "Col. Ebenezer W. Peirce, who lost an arm in the battle of White Oak Swamp, has my sympathy, and in so soon rejoining his regiment for duty proved his readiness to be where a soldier should be, at the head of his regiment." It may be remarked here that Gen. Peirce rejoined his regiment and took command only sixty days after his arm had been shot off at White Oak Swamp.

Nov. 12, 1862, Col. E. W. Peirce was detailed upon recruiting service, and ordered to report to Col. Day at Boston, where he remained until relieved, and immediately resumed command of his regiment at Newport News, March 21, 1863, accompanying it to Paris, Ky., when he was, by order of Gen. Burnside, placed in command of all the Federal forces at that post, and so remained until July 20th, when he was detailed to organize the First Provisional Regiment of Massachusetts, eneamped on Long Island, Boston Harbor, and returning to his regiment at Nicholas- ville, Ky., August 28th, was immediately placed in command of the brigade to which this regiment was attached, and commanded the brigade in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and while in Tennessee was for a time in command of the First Division of the Ninth Corps.

EBENEZER W. PEIRCE was born at Assonet vil- lage, in Freetown, April 5, 1822, and is a lineal de- seendant in the sixth generation from Abraham Peirce, who emigrated to America and settled at Ply- mouth in 1623, and died at Duxbury in or near 1673. Isaac, a son of Abraham Peirce, performed military service for Plymouth Colony in King Philip's war (1675 and 1676), for which he was awarded a land grant. Isaac Peirce died in what was then Middle- borough, now Lakeville, Feb. 28, 1732, aged about seventy-one years.

Isaac Peirce left sons Thomas and Isaac, Jr. The latter, becoming a Quaker, had a family of four sons, all of whom save one left the religious faith and prac- tice of their father ; and the oldest of these ( Ebenezer by name) sent three sons into the army in the French and Indian war (1755 to 1783), and six into the pa- triot army of the American Revolution (1775 to 1782), of which six four became captains in that service, and one lost his life before having time to attain pro- motion. Of these six sons was Capt. Job Peirce, who served in both the French and Indian war and the Revolution, and who had one son in active service in the coast-guard as a major, and another as a captain in the last war with England (1812 to 1815). Capt. Job Peirce was the founder or donor of the Peirce Acad- emy, in Middleborough, and paternal grandfather to the subject of this sketch, who upon the maternal side is of the sixth generation from Lieut. Samuel Gardi- ner, who distinguished himself in King William's war (1689 to 1692), and is the earliest town clerk and treasurer of Freetown of whom there remains a record, and was a principal proprietor of what is still known as Gardiner's Neck, in Swansea. The mother of Ebenezer W. Peirce was a daughter of Col. Benjamin Weaver, of Freetown, an officer in patriot army of Revolution, and a stanch upholder of the govern- ment in the Shay's war, or Shay's rebellion, so called, in 1786, and for some thirty years justice of a court, and distinguished for considerable scholastic attain- ments.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 12

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1818

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818