USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > North Brookfield > History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of old Quabaug, Indian and English occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783 > Part 38
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Regiment, broke camp near midnight, May 3, 1864, and moved south to the Rapidan, which was successfully crossed with little opposition, and the whole army, before sunset on the fourth, was in the rough and woody sec- tion south of the Rapidan, familiarly known as the Wilderness, while the Confederate army under Gen. Lee was facing it, only a little distance south. On the fifth, the Fifth Army Corps of Gen. Meade's Army met the ad- vance of Lee's Army, and a fierce encounter ensued between some 25,000 men, opening this bloody campaign. The evening of the fifth found the opposing armies face to face, with a momentous conflict im- pending on the morrow. At dawn of day, May 6, the battle was renewed all along the lines, and continued with unabated fierceness and great loss of life, until darkness closed the day, with no apparent advantage gained by either army, and each holding substantially the same position as on the night before. On the seventh, both armies were behind intrenched lines, and each too much exhausted to renew the fight. Gen. Meade, with the advice of Gen. Grant, determined to move to the left, and, if possible, to secure a flank movement on the right of Lee's Army, but Gen. Lee anticipated and prevented it. The engagements known as the Spottsylvania battles followed, from May 8 to May 21, and were san- guinary conflicts attended with great losses. Here fell three of our own men, George L. Sherman, Louis D. Winslow, and William Bates, whose names are inscribed on our Soldiers' Monument, and whose noble deeds, and heroic death, will ever be remembered and honored. The Battles of North Anna River were fought May 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30, and were severe and bloody engagements, resulting in the success of the Union forces. On May 31, Gen. Sheridan, with a Federal force, occupied Cold Harbor, driving the Confederates from the place; but while in these battles the Union army was victorious, they were attended with fearful losses, and our hearts are saddened at the thought of the thousands of brave and heroic men who sacrificed their lives, and of other thousands who were maimed and crippled for life, in those terrible conflicts. Gen. Meade reported his losses in the 26 days in the Wilderness, from May 5 to May 31, at 41,398 men (of whom 33,948 were killed and wounded), not including the loss in Burnside's corps, which did not join Gen. Meade's command until May 24th.
Although the advance forces of Grant's Army under Gen. Sheridan had on May 31 driven the Confederates from Cold Harbor and occupied the place, Lee was determined to retake it. He strongly intrenched his army for that purpose, and on June 3 was fought the memorable battle of Cold Harbor, one of the bloodiest and most desperately contested battles of the war, and although the fight continued only about half an hour, Gen. Grant's loss was officially reported at not less than 7,000 men. No victory was won by either army, but each stubbornly holding its
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ground, they remained confronting each other until June 12, when Gen. Grant, having decided on another plan, by a rapid movement crossed the Chickahominy and James rivers, below City Point, and on June 15th and 16th made formidable assaults on Petersburg, 23 miles south of Rich- mond, which were repulsed with a loss to the Union forces, as reported by Gen. Grant, of 10,268 men. He then decided to invest the city, and the siege began June 19, 1864, and was continued until April 3, 1865, when, after a week's bombardment by Grant's army, Gen. Lee evacuated the city, and his surrender at Appomattox, only six days after, terminated the war.
The 15th Regiment when it entered the service numbered more than 1,000 strong, and recruits had joined it from time to time while in the field, so that, in all, it embraced 1,428 men, but its losses in killed, wounded, sick and prisoners, in the severe campaigns of 1861-3, had so depleted it that a field return on May 1, 1864, gives the entire strength of the Regiment, officers and men, at only about three hundred. On June 1, after the Battles of the Wilderness, it had lost in killed and wounded one-half its numbers, and on the 22d of June, when it con- fronted the enemy on the Jerusalem plank road before Petersburg, it had dwindled to 5 officers and about 70 men. At this time and place, a break or gap in the line of battle allowed the enemy to throw a force on the flank and in the rear of the second division of the second corps, in which was the little remnant of the Fifteenth, and the first intimation of the position of affairs was a demand for surrender. Taken by sur- prise and overwhelmed by numbers, there was no alternative, and the Union boys were marched off prisoners. In the number were 4 officers of the 15th, and 65 men. One officer and 5 or 6 men escaped ; after- wards the officer was wounded. The 5 men, with a few convalescents who arrived from hospital, were placed for a few days in another com- mand, until officers of the Regiment, who had been wounded in the campaign, arrived from hospital ; when, on July 12, 1864, the little rem- nant of the Fifteenth was ordered to proceed to the city of Worcester, to be mustered out of service, its term of 3 years having expired. One company not mustered in till August 5, 1861, was left in the field, and some had also re-enlisted for another term of three years; these were transferred to the 20th Regiment Mass. Vols., but the rest of the Regi- ment, including all who had been on detached service, and the sick and wounded from the hospitals who were able to travel, joyfully obeying the order, started for Worcester and "home, sweet home." The Regiment entered Worcester, officers and men, the well and strong, the sick and feeble, the wounded and crippled, numbering, all told, only about 150 men, their whole appearance in sad and marked contrast with the grand old Fifteenth Regiment, with its full companies and ranks of healthy,
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robust, hopeful men, which marched out from Worcester August 8, 1861. But the splendid reception and hearty welcome which these brave men received will never be forgotten by them. His Excellency Gov. Andrew, His Honor Mayor Lincoln of Worcester, and the city authorities of Bos- ton were present, and welcomed them home, thanking them in eloquent words, in behalf of the State and country, for all the sacrifices they had made, and the heroic service they had rendered, and alluding with great- est respect and tearful sympathy to their fallen comrades, who, in giving their service in defence of the Union and the flag, had sacrificed their lives upon their country's altar. Both city and State were represented in the military escort and procession. The buildings gayly decorated, the stars and stripes waving in the breeze, the crowded streets, the loud huzzas and welcoming shouts of the multitude, all gave proof of the dis- tinguished honor bestowed upon these noble men by a grateful people.
TWENTIETH REGIMENT.
The 20th Regiment was recruited at Camp Massasoit, Readville, Mass., and was organized under command of Col. William Raymond Lee, of Roxbury. Mustered into the service of the United States, August 28, 1861, and left the State September 4, 1861, to join the Army of the Potomac. This Regiment had a most honorable record, and did much heavy marching and fighting, sustaining great losses in some of the most severe conflicts of the war. It was in many battles with the Fifteenth, and its courage and bravery were not surpassed even by that gallant fighting Regiment, and it deserves equal praise, gratitude and honor. It was in the closing battles of the war at Petersburg and around Richmond, pushing the enemy in the immediate vicinity of Appomattox at Lee's surrender, April 9, 1865. On its return home, it passed in re- view before Gens. Meade and Halleck, in Richmond, and before the President at Washington. The Regiment consisted of only 17 officers and 380 enlisted men, when mustered out at Readville, Mass., July 20, 1865. It was in the following battles, viz. : Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, West Point, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station, Boydtown Road, Vaughan Road and Farmville.
TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was recruited by Col. Thomas G. Stevenson, of Boston, at Camp Meigs, Readville. It was mustered into the service of the United States December 6, 1861, and left the State December 9, 1861,
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for Annapolis, Md., where it was encamped till January 6, 1862. It then embarked on board transports as a part of Burnside's Expedition. The efficient and distinguished service of this Regiment cannot be better expressed than by the words of His Excellency Gov. Bullock, in his address of welcome, on its return home, January 27, 1866 :
" The limitations of this occasion will not permit me to recall to those who are in attendance to witness the closing scene, your long and emi- nent services. Since you left the State more than four years ago, the eyes of our citizens have followed you : - with Burnside to Roanoke Island, Newbern, Kinston and Goldsboro, in North Carolina ; into South Carolina to the assault on Fort Wagner and the siege of Charleston ; to Florida, and back to South Carolina; to the Army of the James, en- gaged at Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, and in the battles of the siege of Richmond ; and retained among the last, to crown the triumphs of the field with peaceful guarantees. I welcome you home. But all have not returned. Eight officers of the line and 210 enlisted men have fallen in battle, and by the casualties of war. The soldier's bed has been made for them, but their names shall be treasured in the official rolls, and in the heart of the State, and they themselves shall live in immortal fame."
After complimenting the Regiment for its patriotism, its discipline, and the re-enlistment of 420 of its men, and a brief eulogy upon its dead Brig. Gen. Stevenson, the Governor said : "It only remains that I should now transfer your colors to the great companionship in which they shall henceforth be preserved, and that in behalf of a grateful people I should greet and honor your return." After the reception of the colors, the Regiment marched to Faneuil Hall and partook of a collation provided by the city of Boston. Speeches were made by His Honor Mayor Lincoln, Gen. Gordon, Gen. B. F. Edmands, Rev. Mr. Gaylord, and many others prominent in military and civic circles. The men then separated to return to their homes, to engage once more in the peaceful avocations of life.
TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
The Twenty-Fifth Regiment, under command of Col. Edwin Upton of Fitchburg, was recruited in Worcester County, and went into Camp Lincoln on the Agricultural Grounds, in Worcester, September 26, 1861, although the full number of men had not then been recruited. On the 7th of October, and daily thereafter, till the duty was performed, the Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, by com- panies. By order of His Excellency John A. Andrew, the Regiment left Worcester, October 31, and proceeded to Annapolis, Md., where they reported for service to Gen. A. E. Burnside. The Regiment went
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into Camp Hicks, at that place, and remained there, drilling and per- fecting itself in the school of the soldier, until January 6, 1862, when it embarked and sailed with the fleet composing Burnside's North Carolina Expedition, and was engaged in all the principal battles in that part of the army, viz : Roanoke, Newbern, Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsboro', Port Walthal Junction, Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and other battles before Richmond ; Wise's Forks and many less important battles and skirmishes. No truer or braver men honored our State in the grand army for the defence of the Union, than composed this Regi- ment. Col. Upton resigned October 28, 1862, in consequence of dis- ability, and the Regiment was subsequently commanded successively by Col. Josiah Pickett of Worcester and Col. James Tucker of Boston. Of this Regiment no higher commendation can be given than to say that during their whole service, in camp, in hospital, on the long and tiresome march, and in the heat and smoke of battle, its record was at all times and everywhere worthy of the brave and noble men who composed it. Those men whose term of service had expired were mustered out Octo- ber 20, 1864. The remainder, composed of re-enlisted men and recruits with unexpired terms, were consolidated into a battalion of four com- panies, which was mustered out July 13, 1865. The Adjutant General's Reports from 1862-5, give a full record of their efficient services, from which is quoted as follows : "This closes the record of the Twenty-Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Infantry Veteran Volunteers ; a Regiment that has always and everywhere sustained the high character with which it left the State, and has vindicated the honor of Massachusetts. Its colors have never been yielded to the enemy."
THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
This Regiment, in which North Brookfield was represented by thirteen men, seems to have been raised in Worcester County, but its members represented all parts of the State. It was under command of Col. George D. Wells of Boston, was mustered into the service of the United States August 13, 1862, and left the State August 15, 1862. During 1862, and until July 7, 1863, the Regiment was stationed near Washing- ton and Alexandria, doing garrison, guard and escort duty, as ordered from time to time. It gained in Washington a high reputation for the neatness, quiet, and tasteful arrangement of its quarters, the elegance of its muskets, its soldierly bearing and discipline, its proficiency in drill, and the excellence of its band. Its dress parades were especially ad- mired, and drew large crowds of spectators, and were very highly com- plimented by the press. July 9, 1863, the Regiment was ordered to Harper's Ferry, then in possession of the Rebels. Col. Wells moved his command the same day to Maryland Heights, near Harper's Ferry, and
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there encamped. He was at the same time assigned to the command of the Second Brigade in the division of Gen. Nagle. July 14, 1863, Col. Wells crossed the Potomac in boats, and took possession of Harper's Ferry, the enemy retiring on the " double quick." Col. Wells advanced, the Regiment occupied the town, and encamped on Camp Hill. The artillery of Col. Wells' Brigade from Maryland Heights, shelled the enemy during the passage of the river. Although engaged in no important battle during the campaign of 1863, it performed long and fatiguing marches and re-marches, skirmishing, and driving the enemy from place to place, and doing efficient and valuable service until the close of the year, when it was again in camp at Harper's Ferry. In February, 1864, commenced the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of that eventful year, and on May 14 and 15 the Thirty-fourth was in its first great fight-the Battle of Newmarket, and, although they fought like tigers, they were overcome by the overwhelming odds of the enemy. They went in with about 500 men, and, in the fight of 30 minutes, lost I officer and 27 men killed, 8 officers and 166 men wounded, and 2 officers and 16 men taken prisoners ; total loss 220- nearly one-half of the whole number. In the Adjutant General's Report of the fight it is said that the Regiment could only be stopped when commanded to retreat, by Col. Wells laying hold of the color bearer and holding him by main force. June 9 they were engaged in the Battle of Piedmont, where they charged upon the enemy, who were behind rail breastworks, and drove them, capturing more than 1,000 prisoners, but the loss of the Regiment was very heavy. Space forbids a full account of the splendid service rendered by this Regiment, the sanguinary conflicts in which it was engaged, and its faithful devotion and heroic conduct till final victory crowned the Union Arms. Col. Wells was mortally wounded in battle near Cedar Creek, Va., October 13, 1864. He fell into the hands of the enemy, and was taken to Strasburg, Va., where he died the same evening. He was as brave and gallant an officer as ever went from this State, and greatly beloved by all the officers and men of his command. When he was wounded an officer was sent to assist him from his horse, but he would not be carried to the rear, saying, “ Gentle- men, it is of no use ; save yourselves." After his death, Lieut. Col. William S. Lincoln, of Worcester, was promoted to Colonel of the Regiment. The more important battles in which the Regiment was engaged were Newmarket, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Snicker's Gap, Mar- tinsburg, Halltown, Berryville, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Hatcher's Run and Petersburg. They were also engaged with and closely pressing the enemy near Appomattox, on the morning of April 9, 1865, when, at 9 o'clock, they were ordered to cease firing, and in the afternoon the joyful news came that Lee had surrendered. From this
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time the Regiment performed such service as circumstances required, until June 16, 1865, when such original members as were present with the command were mustered out of the service, at the capital of the late Rebel Government ; those whose terms of service did not expire until after October 1, following, being transferred to the 24th Mass. Infantry, then Provost Guard of the city of Richmond, under command of Col. George B. Macomber, of Oakham, Mass., and Lieut. Jerre Horton. The Regiment broke camp at early dawn the next day, June 17, and took up their march for home. They went by boat, via Balti- more, to Philadelphia, where they received a joyous welcome and a bountiful breakfast, Sunday morning, June 19. On the evening of that day they arrived at New York, where they received a hearty welcome and were feasted on strawberries by the military agent of that State ; Col. Frank E. Howe, our own faithful and devoted State Agent, being absent, but on his return he was indefatigable in his attentions. Under his escort, in the fading beauty of the next day's sun, through gayly decorated streets, thronged with welcoming citizens, and roar of artillery. the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts commenced the last stage of its home- ward route. Reaching Readville the next day, the public property was turned over to the proper authorities, and, on July 6, having completed within 25 days their period of enlistment, the men received their pay and final discharge. At the Battle of Cedar Creek, when in the early dawn of the morning, under cover of a dense fog, the Rebel Army had passed undiscovered around our left, and came thundering down upon the flank and rear of the Union forces, the Thirty-fourth alone of all the Army of West Virginia, preserved its formation entire. A brother officer of a sister State, but of a different arm of the service, says of this Regi- ment : " It was always first to advance, and last to retreat, maintaining its organization unbroken under all circumstances." Col. Lincoln, on returning the white flag of the State, said : "I return it with the proud satisfaction that no act of ours has stained its purity. It is endeared to us by the memory of our common trials and privations, of our mutual services and dangers ; and is made sacred to our hearts by the blood of the gallant men who have breathed out their spirits beneath its folds."
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
North Brookfield was represented in this Regiment by fourteen men. It was recruited in Worcester County, organized at Worcester in Camp Wool, and mustered into the service of the United States August 30, 1862. September 2, their friends in Worcester having procured a beautful na- tional flag, the same was presented to the Regiment by Hon. P. Emory Aldrich, Mayor, in eloquent and appropriate words. The Regiment left
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the State the same day to join the Army of the Potomac. Its history is an eventful and honorable one. It seems to have suffered quite as much from its long and weary marches and short rations as in the field. In November, 1862, while at Carter's Road, Va., their supply train having been cut off, two ears of corn and a small piece of fresh meat daily were all the rations received for about a week. It was at the Battle of Fred- ericksburg, December 13, 1862, but was held in reserve on the bank of the river, and lost only two men, wounded by shell. In February, 1863, it went to Newport News, and passed six weeks in drill and camp duty ; when it proceeded by boat and rail to Lexington, Ky., where it arrived March 29. Here it encamped one week, and then by special order from Gen. Burnside, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to guard the polls at the city election, which passing off quietly, the services of the Regiment were not required. It next went into Camp "Dick Robinson," thirty miles south of Lexington, where it arrived April 9. In the latter part of May, the Regiment, with other forces, was ordered to march in pursuit of Morgan's guerrillas ; they captured twenty-five prisoners, and returned without loss. June 1, Col. Bowman was promoted to the command of a brigade, consisting of the Thirty-Sixth and three other regiments. After some successful fighting with the guerrillas, by which some more were captured, the brigade went by rail and boat to Milldale, ten miles in rear of Vicksburg, where it took up a position to prevent the rebel Gen. Joe Johnston from raising the siege. Vicksburg falling July 4, the brigade pursued Johnston in his retreat, doing him much damage; but these skirmishes and the return march were badly managed, and resulted in the loss of several men of the Thirty-Sixth. Without rations, under a Mississippi sun, they were marched till some dropped dead in the ranks, and large numbers fell out exhausted. They returned to their old camp at Milldale, which they reached about July 25, and nearly half the division went into hospital. July 27, Col. Bowman was discharged, and, on the 30th, Col. Norton was also relieved. On the 31st, Arthur A. Goodell of Worcester was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, and took command of the Regiment. August 5, the Regiment embarked on the Hiawatha, for Cairo, Ill .; here they took cars for Cincinnati, where they arrived August 12, crossed the Ohio River to Covington, Ky., and went into barracks. The Mississippi campaign was a severe one for the Thirty-Sixth ; causing a loss of full fifty of its men by death, and nearly 100 more by discharge. August 17, the Regiment left Covington, going by rail to Nicholasville, Ky., and thence marched thirty-five miles to Crab Orchard ; many being left sick at various points in Kentucky. September 10, the remnant of the first division left Crab Orchard for East Tennessee. The Thirty-sixth at this time numbered only 198 guns, out of nearly 800 enlisted men. September 22, the Regiment arrived
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at Morristown, Tenn., having marched 140 miles. It was next detailed as guard for a wagon train going to Gen. Burnside's Army, then oper- ating in the vicinity of Bristol, Tenn. ; but after marching ten miles, the train was ordered back, and the Regiment went into camp at Knoxville. After being there only six days, they were ordered to march to meet the Rebels advancing from Virginia, under Gen. Jones ; they fought and defeated them October 10, at Blue Springs. The Thirty-sixth lost in this battle three officers and three men wounded, one man fatally. Lieut. Col. Goodell was severely wounded by a piece of shell. The enemy was pursued twenty miles, and many prisoners were taken. The Regiment then returned to Knoxville. It next marched south, thirty miles, to Loudon, Tenn., where the Rebels were threatening our position ; remained there five days, but did not meet them. October 29, the Regi- ment went into camp at Lenoir's, and the men were notified that they would winter there, and the next fortnight was spent in constructing winter quarters. When these were nearly completed, on November 14, orders were received to move, as Longstreet was reported to be approach- ing. The teams of this brigade were away, and as no others could be obtained, nearly all the regimental baggage was abandoned and destroyed. After the discharge of Col. Bowman, the Thirty-Sixth was attached to Col. Morrison's brigade, consisting of this and three other Regiments, the Forty-Fifth Pennsylvania, the Eighth Michigan, and the Seventy- Ninth New York. This brigade was sent out on the Kinston road to prevent the advance of the enemy, and did most efficient and valuable service. Here, November 16, 1863, was fought the Battle of Campbell's Station, sixteen miles southwest from Knoxville. The Regiment lost in this battle, one officer and three enlisted men killed, three officers and fourteen men wounded, and three men missing. After repulsing the Rebels the brigade returned to Knoxville, and was assigned a position among the forces stationed there for the defence of the city against Gen. Longstreet's army. November 29, Longstreet's forces made a fierce attack on the defences of the city, determined to capture it ; but after suffering terrible loss, and a complete defeat, he was compelled to retire, and the shouts of victory rang through the Union forces. The Regiment remained in Tennessee till the close of 1863, marching, as ordered, from time to time, and from place to place, performing faithfully and bravely every duty, and bearing patiently their privations and hardships ; suffer- ing much from cold, hunger, want of clothing, insufficient sleep, and other causes. In January, 1864, the Regiment was encamped at Straw- berry Plains, Tenn., where they were in great destitution, and continued to suffer from cold and hunger; their rations at this time being only about one spoonful of flour per day, and what corn could be picked up from under the feet of the mules and horses. The Regiment continued in
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