USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 10
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88
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
The harder the duties, the more contented they seemed to be, like men determined to perform the most disagreeable duties cheerfully, forget- ting self in patriotic desire to benefit their country. On the 16th of July, the regiment, leaving Companies D, E, I, and M, who had enlisted for three years, behind, marched into Fort Monroe, where, by order of General Butler, they gave up their rifled muskets for old smooth- bore muskets, and five rounds of ammunition and four days' rations, embarked on board of steamer ' Cambridge,' at four, P.M., and left for Boston about five, P.M. ; arrived at Long Island, Boston harbor, about daylight. July 19, disembarked at Long Island about ten, A.M. Re- ported to the Adjutant-General of the State. Was mustered out of the service of the United States July 23, 1861."
The Fourth Regiment arrived at Fortress Monroe on the morning of April 20. The adjutant of the regiment writes, " At daybreak, the long low lines of the fort were visible. Anxiously the regiment watched. as the boat lay off and on, until at sunrise they saw the old flag unfolding from the flag- staff. The men were quickly landed, and, amid the cheers of the little garrison, marched into the fort." This was the first loyal regiment in the war that landed upon the " sacred soil of Virginia." The adjutant continues, "Hardly was the regiment well in quarters before their labors commenced. The fort was found to be almost unarmed on the land side, and ill supplied with material of war. For several weeks the men were em- ployed mounting heavy guns, unloading vessels, storing provi- sions, and keeping guard. General Butler arrived about the middle of May, and took command of the Department of Vir- ginia." On the 27th of May, the Fourth Regiment, in conjune- tion with a New-York regiment under Colonel Bendix, and a Vermont regiment under Colonel Phelps, took possession of Newport News, and made an entrenched camp. Here the regi- ment remained, there doing the usual camp duty, until the 9th of June, when " five companies were detailed, with a portion of the Vermont and New-York regiments, to make up a detach- ment to join one from Hampton, to start at one o'clock the next morning to attack Big Bethel, a position held by the enemy about twelve miles from Newport News. Of the battle of Big Bethel it is needless to go into details. Its unfortunate result
89
THE FOURTH REGIMENT THE FIRST IN VIRGINIA.
[says Adjutant Walker] was owing to a variety of causes ; but if other troops had done their duty as well, and gone as far as those from Massachusetts and Vermont, the name of Big Bethel would not have headed a long list of federal repulses." Major Whittemore was the officer who reported to the commander of the fort. In a letter never published before, he says, -
" I was the first to step on shore, and the regiment was reported by myself to the Officer of the Day. I inquired of him who had pos- session of this fort, - the regulars or the rebels? He replied, United- States regulars. He was answered, 'Then the Fourth Regiment, Mas- sachusetts Militia, has come to help you keep it.' On the 22d of April, we were mustered into the United-States service, and were, as I believe, the first troops mustered. We remained at the fort some two or three weeks, engaged in mounting guns, and on the work necessary to put the place in suitable condition for defence. Some time in May, Gen- eral Butler arrived; and one of the first things he did was to send three regiments, of which the Fourth was one, about twelve miles up the river to Newport News. We set to work, as soon as we could obtain tools, at building entrenchments, and were engaged in this work all of the time until our departure in the latter part of June. While here, the affairs at Little Bethel and Great Bethel occurred, which might have had, and ought to have had, and would have had, a very different result.
" Five companies of the Fourth took part in this expedition, and were under my command, and we were all volunteers. The march was commenced at 12g, A.M., and continued until daylight without interruption. Then, unfortunately, Colonel Townsend's regiment of Troy, N.Y., was mistaken for rebels, and a fire was opened between it and our rearguard, composed of a part of Colonel Bendix's New- York volunteers, which resulted in the killing and wounding of eleven men of Townsend's command. Further damage was prevented, and the affair ended, by the major of the Fourth Massachusetts riding out alone in front of his line, and discovering the New-York troops. This mishap made it evident that the object of our expedition, if it had any, had been frustrated; and it was the pretty general opinion, that the best thing to be done was to return to camp. It was decided, however, to go on; and we marched until within gunshot of Big Bethel, when the rebels opened fire with a rifled gun. The troops were immediately put in line for an attack; and the five Massachusetts companies were ordered to turn the enemy's left, in connection with
90
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
1
five companies of the First Vermont. This they proceeded to do, and were gallantly and rapidly succeeding, some of my men being on the very brink of the works, when Colonel Townsend, of New York, peremptorily ordered a retreat. The Massachusetts men retired in good order, having had two men killed and one mortally wounded, and were drawn up on the same line they started from, where I soon reported to General Peirce, expecting to receive orders to go in again. I now learned that General Peirce -as brave a man as I have ever seen in battle * - had not ordered a retreat, nor did he intend to do so; but circumstances beyond his control compelled him to do so, and the five Massachusetts companies brought up the rear on the march back to camp, whither they returned in good order, and marched into Newport News with closed ranks and shouldered arms, feeling that they at least had done their duty, and with no reason to be ashamed of their part in this the first battle of the war.
"Thus the Fourth Massachusetts, under my command, were the first troops from Massachusetts in the first battle of the war. I have been in many actions since ; but never have I seen a hotter fire than that at Great Bethel. After this, until our departure from Newport News, nothing of consequence occurred."
The Fourth remained at Newport News until the 3d of July, when it moved to the village of Hampton. Adjutant Walker writes, "On our arrival at Hampton, we found the quaint old town deserted. Hardly a score of its former white inhabitants remained, although many negroes, especially old and very young ones, were still there. The troops had quarters assigned them in the various houses, and remained there undisturbed until Wednesday, July 11, when we marched over to Fortress Mon- roe, preparatory to embarking for home." Previous to leaving, their Springfield rifled muskets were exchanged for old smooth- bores. On the eve of departure, the regiment was addressed by General Butler and Colonel Dimick. On the 15th of July, it embarked on board the steamer "S. R. Spaulding," and in fifty-six hours arrived in Boston harbor, after an absence of three months. It was mustered out at Long Island, Boston harbor, on the 22d of July.
The Fifth Regiment arrived at Annapolis on the morning of
* Major Whittemore was afterwards major and lieutenant-colonel of the Thirtieth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and served three years.
N
1
MAP OF THE BATTLE FIELD AT BULL RUN. July 21: 1861.
EXPLANATION.
1 Scale of Mfilis. 2
3 1 5
-
AA1 U.S. Camps July 20th AA2 Rebel Camps. U. S. Cohanns. Rebel Columns. Ill 'Batteries.
Rebel Cavalry Charge.
Bull Run
Sudley Springs.
Hunters Div
LAumans ywy
Tylert
Gen Mc Dowels
Cub Run.
1
AAAA AAAAA
Centreville
AAA AAAN To Fairfax
July 21
I AAA(AA
Rebel
Stone Bridge
Bott
Erhardsons Brigade.
July18
Bull
Blackburns Ford.
>Run
2
A 114144
144144
Entrene
11
aments
AAAAA AA AAA 2
-
AAAA
AAAA AAAA 2
Orange and Alexandria R. R.
AAAA
11
AAK
AAAA
2
Manassas Junction.
L
111/111
11=
B
Warrenton Turnpike > Johnstons Advance
BATTLE FIELD
7
Battle
Manassas Gap R. R.
AAA
AA AA
.
91
THE FIFTH REGIMENT AT BULL RUN.
the 24th of April, and landed in the afternoon. The next day, the regiment was ordered to Washington. Only four com- panies could find car accommodation to the Annapolis Junction. The other six, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Greene, marched to that point. The regiment arrived in Washington on the 26th, and was quartered in the Treasury building ; and was mustered into the United-States service on the 1st of May. From that time to the 24th of May, the regiment was exercised in drill. On the 25th, it was ordered to Alexandria, and, marching across the Long Bridge, entered Virginia, and that evening encamped near Alexandria. The regiment had only brought with it the State colors. Several Massachusetts gentle- men in Washington presented it with a handsome national flag. On the 28th, they formed camp near Shuter's Hill, not far from Alexandria, and named it "Camp Andrew," in honor of the Governor of Massachusetts. Nothing of special interest oc- curred until the 25th of June, when Lieutenant-Colonel Greene, Major Keyes, and Adjutant Barri, having been appointed officers in the regular army, took leave of the regiment. This was a grievous loss ; for the gentlemen named were among the very best officers in the volunteer service at that time. The regiment celebrated the Fourth of July in camp. The chaplain read the Declaration of Independence, Colonel Lawrence made a speech, and the " Star-spangled Banner " was sung. On the 16th of July, the regiment was put in General Franklin's brigade, and soon after advanced towards Bull Run. The Fifth bore an honored part in that disastrous battle, which was fought on the 21st of July, exactly three months from the day the regiment left Faneuil HIall. In this battle, Colonel Lawrence was slightly wounded. The regiment left Washington on the 28th of July, and arrived in Boston on the 30th, having been in service three months and seven days. Its reception in Boston was worthy of its military record.
The famous Sixth Regiment arrived at Philadelphia, as we have already stated, on the afternoon of the 18th of April. This regiment has the undisputed honor of having been the first to reach Washington, and the first to sacrifice life in the great war. Its passage through Baltimore, a city of two hundred
92
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
thousand inhabitants, more than half of whom were rebels ; the attack upon it by the mob ; the death of four, and the wound- ing of thirty-six, of its members, on the memorable 19th of April, - sent a thrill through the heart of the nation, and aroused it like a giant to defend its life. This was the anniver- sary of the battle of Lexington, in which, on the soil of Massa- chusetts, the first blood was shed in the struggle for Independence in 1775. This regiment came from the county of Middlesex, in which are " Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill ; " and some of the men who were attacked in Baltimore were the direct descendants of the men who breasted the power of England in those memorable conflicts.
At midnight on the 18th, reports reached Philadelphia, that preparations were being made to dispute the passage of this regiment through Baltimore, and to attack Washington. The long roll was beat ; and the men formed in column, and marched to the depot of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad, and took their places in the cars. At one o'clock in the morning, the train started ; Colonel Jones intending to have his command pass through Baltimore early in the morning, before a force could be gathered to impede its march. Mr. Felton, President of the railroad, says, -
" Before they left Philadelphia, I called the colonel and principal officers into my office, and told them of the dangers they would probably encounter, and advised that each soldier should load his musket before leaving, and be ready for any emergency. We had arranged a cipher, by which messages were sent and received every few moments along the whole road, and from the officers of the Baltimore and Ohio road ; so that we were posted up constantly as to the exact condition of affairs. Just before the starting of the Sixth, I received a message that a part of a Pennsylvania regiment had arrived over the Northern Central road, and passed through Baltimore without any demonstra- tions of hostility, save a few hisses .* This fact I communicated to the Sixth, but, at the same time, advised that they should relax no vigilance on that account. The regiment started; and I stood at the telegraph instrument in Philadelphia, constantly receiving messages of its progress. Finally, it was announced from Baltimore that they were
* This was a regiment without arms.
.
93
THE SIXTH REGIMENT IN BALTIMORE.
in sight; next, that they were received at the station with cheers ; then that ten ear-loads had started for the Camden-street station, and all was right; then that the other four car-loads had started, and turned the corner on to Pratt Street all right ; then, after a few moments, that the track was torn up in front of the last four cars, and they were attacked on Pratt Street. Then the reports subsided into mere rumors, and we could not tell whether the mob was to succeed, or the military was to be triumphant, as guns were being fired by both rioters and military, and the tide of battle was surging, now this way, and now that ; then that the mob had turned upon an unarmed Pennsylvania regiment [Colonel Small's, which had left Philadelphia with the Sixth]; that the mob had mounted tops of the ears, and were breaking them in, and throwing down paving-stones and other missiles upon the heads of the volunteers, and chasing those who had left the ears through the streets of the city. The excitement, anxiety, and oppression that I felt at that moment may be better imagined than described. At this juncture, I received a message from the Mayor of Baltimore and the Police Commissioners as follows in substance : ' Withdraw the troops now in Baltimore, and send no more through Baltimore or Maryland.' An immediate answer was demanded. I,
in order to get time to ascertain more exactly the condition of affairs before deciding what to do, telegraphed to the Mayor and Commis- sioners, that I had received such a message as the above, and asked, ' Is it genuine ?' In the mean time, I ascertained that the bulk of the Sixth had got through Baltimore, and were on their way to Washington; and believing that the mob would murder the unarmed men under Colonel Small if I allowed them to remain where they were exposed to their violence and fury, and believing that our bridges would be at once destroyed, and that some other route must be adopted, I be- thoughit myself of the Seaford and Annapolis scheme before communi- cated to General Scott, and at once telegraphed to the Mayor of Baltimore, ' I will withdraw the troops now in Baltimore, and send no more through the city till I first consult with you.' I made no allusion to sending any through Maryland; but so worded my message that they would rather conclude that no more troops would be. sent, and thus be unprepared to throw any impediment in the way of the Annapolis route."
Persons who have not passed over the railroad from Phila- delphia to Washington may not know that the cars from Philadelphia enter the depot in Baltimore on the north side of the city. Here the locomotive is detached, and the cars for
94
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Washington are drawn by horses about two miles, across the lower part of the city, to the depot of the Baltimore and Washi- ington Railroad, on the south side of the city, where the loco- motive is again attached, and the train taken by steam-power to Washington. It is one hundred miles from Philadelphia to Bal- timore, and about forty from that city to Washington.
Colonel Jones's account is dated " Capitol, Washington, April 22, 1861." He says, -
" After leaving Philadelphia, I received intimation that the pas- sage through the city of Baltimore would be resisted .* I eaused ammunition to be distributed and arms loaded, and went personally through the cars, and issued the following order ; viz., -
"'The regiment will march through Baltimore in columns of sections, arms at will. You will undoubtedly be insulted, abused, and perhaps assaulted, to which you must pay no attention whatever, but march with your faces square to the front, and pay no attention to the mob, even if they throw stones, brieks, or other missiles ; but if you are fired upon, and any one of you are hit, your officers will order you to fire. Do not fire into any promiscuous crowds, but select any man whom you may see aiming at you, and be sure you drop him.'
" Reaching Baltimore, horses were attached the instant that the loco- motive was detached, and the cars were driven at a rapid pace across the city. After the cars containing seven companies had reached the Washington Depot, the track behind them was barricaded, and the cars containing band and the following companies ; viz., Company C, of Lowell, Captain Follansbee; Company D, of Lowell, Captain Hart ; Company I, of Lawrence, Captain Pickering ; and Company L, of Stoneham, Captain Dike, - were vacated by the band ; and they pro- ceeded to march in accordance with orders, and had proceeded but a short distance before they were furiously attacked by a shower of mis- siles, which came faster as they advanced. They increased their step to double-quick, which seemed to infuriate the mob, as it evidently . impressed the mob with the idea that the soldiers dared not fire or had no ammunition ; and pistol-shots were numerously fired into the ranks, and one soldier fell dead. The order, 'Fire,' was given, and it was executed; in consequence, several of the mob fell, and the soldiers again advanced hastily. The Mayor of Baltimore placed himself at the head of the column, beside Captain Follansbee, and proceeded with
* This is an error. The information was received before the regiment left Philadelphia.
95
ATTACK BY THE MOB. - THE FIRST BLOOD SHED.
them a short distance, assuring him that he would protect them, and begging him not to let the men fire; but the Mayor's patience was soon exhausted, and he seized a musket from the hands of one of the men, and killed a man therewith ; and a policeman, who was in advance of the column, also shot a man with a revolver.
"They at last reached the cars, and they started immediately for Washington. On going through the train, found there were about one hundred and thirty missing, including the band and field-music. Our baggage was seized, and we have not as yet been able to recover any of it. I have found it very difficult to get reliable information in regard to the killed and wounded, but believe there were only three killed."
Here follows a list of the killed and wounded, which was incomplete and incorrect.
" As the men went into the cars, I caused the blinds to the cars to be closed, and took every precaution to prevent any shadow of offence to the people of Baltimore; but still the stones flew thick and fast into the train, and it was with the utmost difficulty that I could prevent the troops from leaving the cars, and revenging the death of their com- rades. After a volley of stones, some one of the soldiers fired, and killed a Mr. Davis, who, I ascertained by reliable witnesses, threw a stone into the car. Yet that did not justify the firing at him; but the men were infuriated beyond control. On reaching Washington, we were quartered at the Capitol, in the Senate Chamber, and all are in good health and spirits. I have made, every effort to get possession of the bodies of our comrades, but have not yet succeeded. Should I succeed, I shall forward them to Boston, if practicable ; otherwise, shall avail myself of a kind offer of George Woods, Esq., who has offered me a prominent lot in the Congressional Burying-ground for the purpose of interment. We were this day mustered into the United-States service, and will forward the rolls at first opportunity after verification."
It appears, that, on arriving at the Susquehanna, they over- took a Pennsylvania regiment, called "Small's Brigade," having about a thousand unarmed and ununiformed men, on their way to Washington. These made the train very heavy, and caused a change of the order in which the cars containing the Sixth were arranged when the regiment left Philadelphia. This was not known until afterwards; it interfered with previous orders, and accounts in a degree for the separation of the regiment in
96
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Baltimore. Seven companies went safely through that city to the Washington Depot. Four others, with the band, were in the rear, and those were the companies which bore the brunt of the attack. They are designated in Colonel Jones's report. It was the expectation that the entire regiment would march through Baltimore to the Washington Depot, in conformity with previous orders. The companies in the forward cars were being drawn across the city while those in the rear cars were in the depot, waiting orders to file out. A writer and eye- witness says, -
"No orders came to file out; and, in a few minutes, all the cars forward of the one occupied by Captain Sampson's company disap- peared. We knew nothing of the movements of the balance of the regiment, as no intimation had been transmitted to us of a change of the orders. Meanwhile the mob increased in numbers about the depot. Soon the car moved on. At the first turn of a street, it was thrown from the track. The men were ordered to remain in the car until it was put again on the track. The mob now begun to throw stones and brickbats, some of which entered the car. On Pratt Street, the mob surrounded it; the car was made a complete wreck. Shots were fired by the mob, which were returned by the company, and was kept up with more or less spirit until the company reached the Washington Station, and joined the other seven."
Major Watson was with this company in its perilous passage, and exhibited much coolness and capacity. The other three com- panies, which had been separated from the rest of the command after crossing the Susquehanna, had not yet been heard from. These were the companies commanded by Captains Follansbee, Pickering, and Dike. Before they got from the Baltimore De- pot, the rebels had barricaded the streets, and removed the rails from the track crossing the city, so the cars containing these companies could not move. They had, therefore, either to force their way through the city on foot, retreat, or surrender. They determined to go forward. : In getting out of the cars, cheers were given by the mob for Jeff Davis and South Carolina. Secession flags were flaunted in the faces of the men ; they were told to dig their graves ; that thirty Southern men could whip the whole of the Yankee State of Massachusetts. Our men bore these affronts with silence. They were two hundred men
97
FIGHTS ITS WAY THROUGHI THE CITY.
against ten thousand, in a strange and hostile city. Under com- mand of Captain Follansbee, they begun their march. The mob increased in numbers. Stones, bricks, oyster-shells, and other missiles were thrown at them. Random shots were fired. Shouts of derision and yells of savage hatred rent the air. Still the gallant band moved on. No one skulked; no one thought of looking back. Washington was their goal, and the streets of Baltimore the way to it. Several men were already wounded with pistol-shots ; two were killed ; the time had come for retaliation. They had suffered with closed lips insults and indignities hard for brave men to bear; but, when they saw their dead comrades, they brought their muskets to the shoulder, and fired. Their shots told. Several of the mob fell lifeless on the pavement, and a large number were wounded ; and so for two miles these brave, devoted men fought their way, and joined their comrades at the Washington Depot.
The killed were Addison O. Whitney, Luther C. Ladd, and Charles A. Taylor, of Company D, Lowell, and Sumner H. Needham, Company I, of Lawrence. Thirty-six were wounded, three of whom were Captain Dike, and Leander F. Lynde and James F. Rowe, of the Stoneham company.
The mob howled like wolves around the Southern Depot, where the regiment now was, and threw stones at the ears after the men were seated. Several of the mob were shot by our men from the ears while waiting to start. The regiment reached Washington at five in the afternoon, and was received by the loyal people who surrounded the depot with the wildest en- thusiasm. Soon after, it marched to the Capitol building, and was quartered in the Senate Chamber, and rooms connected with it. Thus, under the roof of the Capitol, were sheltered the men who first marched to save it, and in whose ranks the first blood had been shed, and the first lives sacrificed in its defence.
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