USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 9
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The regiment left Boston at four o'clock that afternoon by Worcester and Springfield, and was greeted with the same unbounded enthusiasm the Sixth received. General Butler accompanied it as commander of the Massachusetts brigade. While the train stopped at Worcester, he spoke a few words to the crowd at the depot. "In this contest," he said, "we banish party differences. We are all Americans. We love our country and its flag ; and it is only by the sword we can have peace, and only in the Union, liberty."
The regiment reached New York on the morning of the 19th, and marched down Broadway amid the congratulations of the vast multitude. This was the second Massachusetts regiment that had marched through that city in advance of all others, while two other regiments were on the seas for Fortress Monroe. After partaking of the generous hospitalities ten- dered them, the regiment crossed to Jersey City, and proceeded by railroad to Philadelphia, which it reached at six o'clock that evening, and first received positive information concerning the attack made upon the Sixth in Baltimore that day.
The field and staff officers of the Fifth Regiment were, Samuel C. Lawrence, of Medford, colonel ; J. Durell Greene, of Cambridge, lieutenant-colonel ; Hamlin W. Keyes, of Boston, major ; Thomas O. Barri, of Cambridge, adjutant ; Joseph E. Billings, of Boston, quartermaster; G. Foster Hodges, of
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MASSACIIUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Roxbury, paymaster ; Samuel H. Hurd, of Charlestova, surgeon ; Henry H. Mitchell, of East Bridgewater, surgeon's mate ; Benjamin F. De Costa, of Charlestown, chaplain ; Henry A. Quiney, of Charlestown, sergeant-major ; Charles Foster, of Charlestown, drum-major.
Several changes occurred while the regiment was in service. Colonel Greene, Major Keyes, and Adjutant Barri were ap- pointed officers in the regular army. To fill these vacancies, Captain Pierson was elected lieutenant-colonel ; Captain John T. Boyd, major ; and Lieutenant John G. Chambers was appointed adjutant. The following is the roster of the companies : -
Company A, "Mechanic Light Infantry," Salem. George H. Pierson, of Salem, captain ; Edward H. Staten and Lewis E. Wentworth, of Salem, lieutenants.
Company B, " Richardson. Light Guard," South Reading. John W. Locke, of South Reading, captain ; Henry D. Degen, Charles H. Shepard, James D. Draper, and George Abbott, all of South Reading, lieutenants.
Company C, " Charlestown Artillery," Charlestown. William R. Swan, of Chelsea, captain : Phineas H. Tibbetts, of Charlestown ; John W. Rose, of South Boston ; Hannibal D. Norton, of Chelsea ; and George H. Marden, Jr., of Charles- town, lieutenants.
Company D, "Light Infantry," Haverhill. Officers : Carlos P. Messer, of Haverhill, captain ; George J. Dean, Daniel F. Smith, Charles H. P. Palmer, and Thomas T. Salter, all of Haverhill, lieutenants.
Company E, "Lawrence Light Guard," Medford. Officers : John Hutchins, of Medford, captain ; John G. Chambers and Perry Colman, of Medford, and William H. Pattee, of West Cambridge ( Arlington), lieutenants.
Company F, " Wardwell Tigers," Boston. Officers : David K. Wardwell, Boston, captain : Jacob H. Sleeper, of Boston ; George G. Stoddard, of Brookline; Horace P. Williams, of Brookline ; and Horatio N. Holbrook, of Boston, lieutenants.
This was a new company, recruited, organized, uniformed, and equipped in two days.
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DEPARTURE OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT.
Company G, "Concord Artillery," Concord. Officers : George L. Prescott, of Concord, captain ; Joseph Derby, . Jr., Humphrey HI. Buttrick, and Charles Bowers, all of Concord, lieutenants.
Company H, "City Guards," Salem. Officers : Henry F. Danforth, of Salem, captain ; Kirk Stark, William F. Sumner, George H. Wiley, and John E. Stone, all of South Danvers, lieutenants.
Company I, " Light Infantry," Somerville. Officers : George O. Brastow, of Somerville, captain ; William E. Robinson and Frederick R. Kinsley, both of Somerville, lieutenants.
Company K, "City Guards," Charlestown. Officers : John T. Boyd, of Charlestown, captain ; John B. Norton, Caleb Drew, and Walter Everett, all of Charlestown, lieutenants.
This regiment did not receive orders to report until Friday, April 19. It was in readiness to go forward the next day, but was detained until Sunday, with headquarters at Faneuil Hall. The line was formed on South Market Street, at five o'clock on Sunday morning, April 21; and the regiment marched to the Worcester Depot. Notwithstanding the early hour and the sabbath day, thousands were on the streets, and at the depot, to witness the departure. Kind greetings met this regiment . everywhere on the route. To state what was said and done would be only a repetition of what has already been said in regard to regiments which had preceded. It reached New York safely on Sunday evening, at eight o'clock. After partaking of a hearty meal at the hotels, the regiment was put on board of two transports ; four companies, under command of Major Keyes, going on board the " Ariel," and six, under command of Colonel Lawrence, on board the " De Soto." The Third Battalion of Massachusetts Rifles, under command of Major Devens, and Major Cook's Light Battery, were placed on board the same vessels ; the former in the "De Soto," and the latter in the " Ariel."
The duties of the week had been incessant day and night at the State House. The attack upon the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore had added to the number of people who crowded in, and intensified the earnest feelings of every one. Late on
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Friday night (the 19th), the Adjutant-General, wearied with the labors of the four preceding days, left the State House with Senator Wilson. They obtained lodging at Young's Coffee House. About four o'clock on Saturday morning, a messenger brought an order to him from Governor Andrew, that a tele- gram had just been received from General Butler, at Philadelphia, to send forward immediately Major Cook's Light Battery. The Governor's orders were to notify the officers at once, that the battery might be ready, and pushed forward that night. The Adjutant-General told the messenger to get a carriage, and he would be ready by the time he returned. Major Cook lived in Somerville, but in what part of it he did not know. The ad- jutant lived in Chester Square, Boston : he ordered the carriage to drive there. The city was asleep; not a human being was on the streets. The silence of the great city appeared more impressive and profound than that of a primeval forest. At Chester Square, he learned that the adjutant had sailed for Europe the week before. He then . was driven to Cambridge Street, where the former commander of the battery, Major Nims, lived. He was aroused from a sound sleep, and informed of the purpose of the errand. He knew where Major Cook lived, and volunteered to carry the orders to him without delay. The orderly sergeant of the company boarded in McLean Place. The Adjutant-General found him also asleep ; but soon aroused him, and ordered him to notify the company. The sergeant said he " knew where every man lived, and they all wanted to go." Early in the forenoon, the company reported with full ranks. The Quartermaster-General succeeding in purchasing horses, and providing ammunition. The field and staff were Asa M. Cook, of Somerville, major ; Frederick A. Heath, of Boston, adjutant ; Thomas J. Foss, of Boston, quartermaster ; John P. Ordway, of Boston, surgeon ; F. Le Baron Monroe, assistant-surgeon ; Josiah, Porter, of North Cambridge ; William H. McCartney, of Boston ; C. C. E. Mortimer, of Boston ; and Robert L. Sawin, of Boston, lieutenants.
The company numbered one hundred and twenty men. The battery had six brass six-pounders. They took with them seventy horses, selected mainly from the stables of the Metropolitan Horse
81
THE RIFLE BATTALION AT WORCESTER.
railroad Company, and ten tons of cartridges of shot and grape. They marched to the Worcester Railroad Depot, be- tween one and two o'clock that afternoon, ready to start; but waited until the next morning for the Fifth Regiment. They went to New York in the same train with the Fifth, and to Anna- polis in the transports with four of the companies of that regiment.
Orders were issued from the State House on Saturday, the 20th of April, for the Third Battalion to go forward to Wash- ington. It consisted then of three companies, with head- quarters in Worcester. They were in line, ready to proceed, at five o'clock that afternoon. The battalion was addressed by Ilon. Isaac Davis, Mayor of Worcester, and by Major Devens, in command. A prayer by Rev. Dr. Hill closed the ceremony. At half-past ten that evening, they took the cars for New York, where they arrived early on the morning of the 21st. While there, they quartered in the armory of the New-York Seventh. During the day, they were visited by Hon. Charles Sumner, who made a short address. ' At eight o'clock, they embarked on board the transport " Ariel " for Annapolis, with a part of the Fifth Regiment, and arrived at Annapolis on the morning of the 24th, where they remained until the 2d of May, when they were ordered to Fort McHenry, in the harbor of Baltimore, which they reached by transport on the morning of the third.
The field and staff of the Third Battalion of Rifles were, Charles Devens, Jr., major ; John M. Goodhue, adjutant ; James E. Estabrook, quartermaster ; Oramel Martin, surgeon ; Nathaniel S. Liscomb, sergeant-major ; George T. White, quartermaster-sergeant, - all of Worcester.
Company A, "City Guards," Worcester. Officers : Augus- tus R. B. Sprague, captain ; Josiah Pickett, George C. Joslin, Orson Moulton, Elijah A. Harkness, lientenants, - all of Worcester.
Company B, "Holden Rifles," Holden. Officers : Joseph HI. Gleason, of Holden, captain : Phineas R. Newell, Holden ; Edward F. Devens, Charlestown ; Samuel F. Woods, Barre ; George Bascom, Holden, lieutenants.
Company C, " Emmet Guards," Worcester. Officers : Mi- chael P. MeConville, captain ; Michael O'Driscoll, Matthew J.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
McCafferty, Thomas O'Neil, and Maurice Melvin, lieutenants, - all of Worcester.
Company D, Boston. Officers : Albert Dodd, captain ; Charles Dodd, Cornelius G. Atwood, George A. Hicks, and Joseph Nason, lieutenants, - all of Boston.
Company D was raised in Boston on the morning of the 19th of April, by the gentlemen who were afterwards commissioned its officers. It was attached to the Third Battalion, and left Bos- ton in the steamer "Cambridge" on the 2d of May for Fortress Monroe, and from thence by the Potomac River to Washing- ton. The vessel sailed from Boston with sealed instructions, which were not opened until outside of Boston Light. In these instructions to Captain Dodd, the Adjutant-General says, " It is the earnest desire of His Excellency the Commander-in- chief, that the ship 'Cambridge' shall reach Washington, and demonstrate that a Massachusetts ship, manned with Massachu- setts men, shall be the first ship to arrive by that route, as our Sixth Regiment was the first to arrive at Washington, through the hostile city of Baltimore." The "Cambridge" arrived safely with the company, and was the first that reached Washington by the Potomac River. After remaining in Washington twelve days, the command was sent to Fort MclIenry, Baltimore harbor, and joined the Battalion.
The Third Battalion completed the number of three-months men called for by the Government, which consisted of five regiments, one battalion, and one battery.
By the constitution and laws of Massachusetts, company officers were elected by the men composing the company, regi- mental officers by the commissioned officers of companies, brigadier-generals by the regimental field-officers of the brigade, and major-generals by the Legislature. The General Statutes of the Commonwealth allowed four lieutenants to each infantry company. In the regular army, only two lieutenants were allowed to a company of infantry. The reader will have observed that some of the companies in the regiments forwarded to the front had two, some three, and some four lieutenants. This was permitted by our laws. The extra lieutenants belong- ing to the two regiments sent to Fortress Monroe were not
83
TIIE CHARACTER OF THE MILITIA.
mustered into the service, the mustering officers refusing to mus- ter them. They had, therefore, either to return home, or join the ranks as enlisted men. In the regiments which were sent to Washington, the extra lieutenants werc mustered in, and served with their companies to the end of their terms. The reason for this distinction has never been given.
The material of these commands was of the best. They were young men who had a taste for military duty. They were from the middle walks of life, and depended upon their health and hands for support. Most of them were mechanics, farmers' sons, and elerks in stores. They bought their own uniforms, and paid company assessments out of their own pockets. They were public-spirited, full of life, and knew their duty. Many of the companies had honorable records, running back to the war of 1812, of which they were proud. They had rivalries and jealousies. They demanded their right position in the regi- mental line, and would have it. They obeyed their officers because they were their officers, and held positions by their votes. They chose the color and style of their own uniforms. If a rival company wore blue, they would have gray or red. The uniforms in a regiment were variegated, like the colors of a rainbow. They were made more for show than use, as active service proved. Yet they cost much money. But it was no one's business but their own, as they paid the bills. They had their pet names, as well as the regimental letter, and they preferred being known by the name they had themselves chosen. Thus there were the N. E. G.'s and B. L. I.'s, the " Tigers," the "Savages," and the "Guards." Each had its friends and followers, and each its enemies and detractors. Yet beneath all these there was a substratum of genuine good feeling, and a soldierly pride. The very opposition they received from those who laughed or sneered at the militia cemented them in closer union, and made them more determined to be militia. Their armories were their own. There they could meet and drill, and talk back at the outside world, free from interruption, as in their own homes. These they adorned with pictures of old generals, photographs of former captains, and fac-similes of the Declaration of Independence. There they talked of bygone
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
musters and sham fights, and of excursions to neighboring cit- ies and States, and of receptions given in return. The dates of prominent events were fixed by the year of such a spring train- ing or fall review. The politics of the members were not of the intense type. Their votes were generally given to men who were friendly to the military, and politicians sometimes made nominations with a view to catch their votes. On public affairs, they were simply friends of their country, with a strong leaning toward liberal legislation and popular rights. They were, of all the community, the least fanatical in religion, and the least dog- matic in politics. They took a broad view of their country and its institutions. They were stronger Union men than they could explain. If the Union was attacked, it was their duty to defend. This they knew, and were ready. There was no hatred in their hearts to any living man. If the mob in Baltimore had known the men they attacked and murdered on the 19th of April, they would have welcomed them with open hands, instead of with death. These were the men who saved Fortress Mon- roc and the city of Washington, as we shall now proceed to show.
We left the Third Regiment on board the transport, bound for Fortress Monroe. The following is its record : -
" At ten o'clock, A.M., April 18, weighed anchor, and steamed out of Boston harbor, bound for Fort Monroe. Arrived at Fort Mon- roe at eight, A.M., April 20, disembarked at cleven, A.M., and marched into the fort, every man for duty. Found the Fourth Regiment there, which had arrived two hours before, and seven companies of United - States artillery in garrison. Colonel Dimick, commanding post, asked Colonel Wardrop 'if he was a minute-man.' He au- swered, ' Yes.' - ' How long will it take to get your regiment ready ?' -' Fifteen minutes.' -' Get it.' In ten minutes, he received the following order : -
44
HEADQUARTERS, FORT MONROE, VA., April 19, 1861.
Order No. 55.
The Colonel of the Third Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers will immediately report for orders to Commodore Paulding, United-States Navy. By order of Colonel Dimick,
(Signed) T. J. HAINES, Adjutant.
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THE THIRD REGIMENT AT NORFOLK NAVY YARD.
" Colonel Wardrop requested to know the object, and was informed that it was to hold possession of Gosport Navy Yard. Colonel Wardrop reported to Captain Paulding, U.S.N., at four o'clock, P.M., and was ordered to embark on board of United-States steamer ' Pawnee,' which was done at once, without a single ration ; Captain Paulding saying he could not wait, and that rations would be obtained at the yard. Left Fort Monroe at five, P.M. At dusk, reached the mouth of the Elizabeth River, and found the enemy had sunk five ves- sels in the channel to obstruct the passage. Between seven and eight, P.M., a river steamer, loaded with passengers, passed us, bound to Nor- folk. Our men were kept out of sight. At nine, P.M., when within about two hundred yards of United-States frigate 'Cumberland,' were hailed by an officer from her. They did not appear to hear our answer, when the officer hailed us again. Same effect. Then we dis- tinetly heard from the deck of the ' Cumberland ' a voice, saying, ' Shall I fire, sir?' At the same moment, we saw six ports opened from United-States ship 'Pennsylvania.' She was lying broadside to us. It was an anxious moment. It seemed as if our friends were intend- ing to do the enemy's work. Another hail from the ' Cumberland,' an answer from us, and the same voice, 'Shall I fire, sir?' A hundred voices yelled ' Pawnee,' and then cheer upon cheer broke from the . ' Cumberland ' and ' Pennsylvania,' and as heartily answered by us, who felt relieved from peril. The regiment immediately disembarked, and marched to a central position in the yard, and ordered to find quarters and rations ; did not succeed in doing either. About eleven, P.M., Captain Paulding informed Colonel Wardrop that he had been ordered to send out the United-States vessels ' Merrimac,' ' Raritan,' ' German- town,' and ' Cumberland,' and destroy all public property that he could not carry away; that he had intended to hold the yard, if possible ; but, from Captain Pendergast's representation, he doubted if he could. Captain Pendergast had felt so sure of this, that he had commenced destroying property during the afternoon, and had scuttled the very ships that he had been ordered to take away. Colonel Wardrop thought the yard might be held, and begged that Captain Paulding would consider the great stake, and try by some means to save the place. Captain Paulding said he would consult again before deciding. Near midnight, Captain Paulding informed Colonel Wardrop, in presence of Captain Pendergast, that he could not hold the yard, but should destroy all the buildings and ships and other property. Colonel Ward- rop remonstrated strongly ; advising that the 'Cumberland' retain her position, while the . Pawnee ' ran up and down the river, preventing the eneiny from sinking any more obstruction, or building batteries on the
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
banks of the river, while his regiment manned the walls, and put the yard in the best state of defence possible. If we were attacked, to threaten a bombardment of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth ; that we could not destroy all the large guns in the yard (variously estimated from one thousand to twenty-five hundred) that night; that together, in his opinion, the place could be held until sufficient re- enforcements arrived ; that the great importance of the place demanded that a great risk should be taken for its preservation. Captain Pen- dergast said the enemy was too strong for us, and that, if we did not get away with the two vessels that night, we never should; and that every moment lessened our chances ; and that the ' Cumberland ' ought to be saved at all hazards, being, in his opinion, more valuable than all else. The two captains then had a private consultation, from which Colonel Wardrop was quietly excluded. Shortly afterwards, Captain Paulding informed the colonel that he should withdraw the two ships, and abandon the yard; and then ordered him to furnish eighty men to assist in undermining the dry dock, another detail to assist in firing the buildings and vessels, and the balance were employed in rolling solid shot overboard. During this time, a mob broke into the yard, but were promptly driven out by the marines and our regiment. About three o'clock, A.M., of the 21st, the regiment embarked on board of the ' Pawnee,' and dropped down the river a short distance. At four, A.M., every thing was fired that would burn. We waited until five o'clock, A.M., before all the men returned by sinall boats, when we found that Captain H. G. Wright, United-States engineer, and Captain John Rodgers, United-States Navy, had been captured by the enemy. The ships were burned to the water's edge, excepting the . United States ;' and she was so old and rotten she would not burn. The public buildings were mostly destroyed. Some, however, were but slightly damaged. After all our trouble with the dry dock, the mine did not explode. We succeeded in knocking off the trunnions of seven guns : the others were useful to the rebels. When we arrived at the month of the Elizabeth River, we found the enemy had almost obstructed the chan- nel. The ' Pawnee' passed through ; the ' Cumberland' did not that afternoon, when they turned one of the sunken vessels, and passed through, and anchored off the fort. We disembarked from the . Paw- nee ' a little after eight o'clock, A.M., and marched into the fort to our quarters, having eaten nothing since the day before. Thus ended the Norfolk expedition.
" April 22, the regiment became a part of the garrison of Fort Mon- roe. April 23, the regiment was properly mustered into the United- States service for three months. Companies I and M joined May 14.
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THE TIIIRD REGIMENT AT NORFOLK NAVY YARD.
Company I, Captain Chamberlain, was raised in Lynn, for three years' service ; company M, Captain Tyler, was raised in Boston, for three years' service. Companies D and E joined the regiment May 22; Company D, Captain Chipman, raised at Sandwich ; Company E. Captain Doten, raised at Plymouth, for three years' service. On this day, Major-General Butler assumed command of the Department of Virginia, North and South Carolina, headquarters at Fort Monroe. May 27, Company G, of Lowell, Captain P. A. Davis, was assigned to the regiment temporarily.
"July 1, the regiment and naval brigade left Fort Monroe early in the morning, crossed Hampton Creek, and occupied the town ; had a slight skirmish with the enemy ; took up quarters in the town, and estab- lished advanced posts on the outskirts. The Fourth Regiment was added to the command, and all placed under Brigadier-General Eben- ezer W. Peirce. The duties on the outposts were arduous and harassing, as the enemy was hovering about the lines, firing upon the sentinels occasionally, and attempting to capture some of the most distant posts ; but, by keeping out beyond our lines' strong bodies of scouts and skirmishing parties, we soon drove them from our vicinity. July 4, at night, a strong body of the enemy, having artillery and cavalry, crossed New-Market Bridge, threatening Hampton. At two o'clock, on the morning of the 5th, Colonel Wardrop, with nine companies of the Third and seven companies of the naval brigade, with four pieces of artillery, marched out, and took up position at the forks of the road, two miles from Hampton. Remained there until an hour after sun- rise, when the scouts brought the intelligence that the enemy had retired beyond the New-Market Bridge. Returned to quarters with- out firing a shot. Immediately sent out fresh scouts, who followed the enemy to Big Bethel. They saw a regiment march from there that night, and followed it to within five miles of Yorktown; then passed over to Lee's Mills, on the James River, crossed the Warwick River, and returned by way of Buck River, without losing a man. This party was commanded by Lieutenant Chamberlin, Company C, and consisted of thirty-five of his own men. They were absent a little over five days. Too much credit cannot be given for the skill, courage, and fidelity displayed by this scouting party. A remarkably correct report of the enemy's position and strength on the Peninsula was made by Lieutenant Chamberlin, which, ten months after, was verified. During all this time, the troops in Hampton were busily engaged in finishing the intrenchments, sending detachments on water expeditions, &c. It was a remarkable fact, that grumbling ccased among the men when the regiment marched out of Fort Monroe.
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