History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 42

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 42

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So far as we can ascertain from military records, the three Connecticut River counties only furnished six men to the three months' service, of whom three were from Hampden, two from Hampshire, and one from Franklin Counties. It is claimed, however, that a suthcient number of men from the four western counties of the State (impatient at the delay of the government) crossed over the border and enlisted in other State organizations to have formed at least half of a full regi- ment.

At length the long-looked-for order from the War Depart- ment at Washington was issued on the 15th of May, 1861, calling for six three years' regiments in addition to the two three months' regiments already in the field.

Under this call one regiment was assigned to the four west- 'ern counties, and the following companies were chosen to form its complement : Springfield City Guard, Capt. Hosea C. Lom- bard ; Capt. Fred. Barton's company, then in camp at Hamp- den Park, Springfield ; the company made up from Holyoke and West Springfield, under Capt. John II. Clifford; the West- field company, Capt. Lucius B. Walkley ; the Northampton company, Capt. William R. Marsh ; the Shelburne company, Capt. Ozro Miller ; the Greenfield company, Capt. E. E. Day ; the Pittsfield company, Capt. Thomas W. Clapp; the Adams company, Capt. Elisha Smart ; and the company from Great Barrington, Capt. Ralph O. Ives. The company of Capt. Oliver Edwards, encamped on the park, and the Coleraine company, Capt. Nelson, were broken up and divided among the others.

On the 31st of May the company from Great Barrington arrived and went into camp at Hampden Park, making three companies then on the ground.

On the 9th of June, it being Sunday, the three companies, accompanied by the Springfield Guards, attended divine ser- vice at the First Church, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion.

By orders from headquarters of the State government, the len companies composing the regiment were directed to ren- dezvous at Hampden Park, Springfield, on the 14th of June, there to remain until equipped for the field. All the compa- nies reported promptly, except the l'ittsfield company, which, by a mistake in mailing the orders, did not arrive until the 15th.

The companies were sworn into the United States service on the 21st of June by Capt. Marshall, of the regular army.

The following is the roster of the regiment as at first orga- nized : Colonel, Henry S. Briggs, of Pittsfield ; Lieutenant- Colonel, Jefford M. Decker, of Lawrence; Major, James S. Grinnell, of Greenfield (Mr. Grinnell declined the appoint- ment, and Capt. William R. Marsh, of Northampton, was commissioned in his stead) ; Surgeon, Dr. C. N. Chamberlain, of Northampton ; Assistant Surgeon, Dr. William Holbrook, of Palmer ; Adjutant, Oliver Edwards, of Springfield; Quar- termaster, John W. Howland, of North Adams ; Chaplain, Frederick A. Barton, of Springfield ; Sergeant-Major, Edward K. Wilcox, of Springfield ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Elihu B. Whittlesey, of Pittsfield ; Commissary-Sergeant, Frank Jones Childs; Hospital Steward, Charles C. Wells .*

Company _1 .- Captain, Ralph O. Ives; First Lieutenant, James L. Bacon ; Second Lieutenant, Henry L. Wilcox.

Company B .- Captain, Elisha Smart; First Lieutenant, F. C. Traver ; Second Lieutenant, John Goddard.

Company C .- Captain, Wm. R. Marsh ; First Lieutenant, Joseph B. Parsons; Second Lieutenant, Flavel Shurtleff.t

Company D .- Captain, Thomas W. Clapp; First Lieu- tenant, Charles Wheeler; Second Lieutenant, George E. Hagar.

Company E .- Captain, Fred. Barton; First Lieutenant, Byron Porter ; Second Lieutenant, Wallace A. Putnam.

Company F .- Captain, Hosea C. Lombard ; First Lieu- tenant, Iliram A. Keith; Second Lieutenant, George W. Bigelow.

Company G .- Captain, Edwin E. Day; First Lieutenant, George Pierce; Second Lieutenant, L. M. Remington.

Company H .- Captain, Ozro Miller; First Lieutenant, C. J. Woodward ; Second Lieutenant, B. F. Leland.

Company I .- Captain, John Il. Clifford ; First Lieutenant, Joseph K. Newell; Second Lieutenant, James P. Brooks.

Company K .- Captain, Lucius B. Walkley; First Lieu- tenant, Pliny Wood ; Second Lieutenant, David M. Chase.

On the same day Capt. Marsh, of Co. C, was appointed major in place of James S. Grinnell, declined, and this made other changes in the company officers, Lieut. J. B. Parsons being promoted to captain, James II. Weatherell to first, and Flavel Shurtleff to second lieutenant.

Under the State militia law each company was entitled to four lieutenants, and several of them were fully officered ; but in the United States service only two lieutenants were provided for, and the surplus officers were consequently thrown out. James P. Brooks, who had been elected as second lieutenant of Co. I, was set aside, and Joseph H. Bennett substituted in his place. Changes were also made in Co. K.

Commanders of companies took their positions according to seniority of rank, the right company being the first post of honor, the left the second, the color-company the third, etc., alternately. This arrangement was continued through- out the war. In some portions of the volunteer army the regulation order was kept up without regard to seniority of commission.

The regiment remained at Camp Hampden until the 16th of July, during which interval the men were initiated into the business of a soldier's life so far as is practiced in camp. They were regularly drilled each day in company movements and in the manual of arms and practiced in guard-mounting, and on the anniversaries of the battle of Bunker Hill and the Declaration of American Independence took part in the local celebrations.

On the 2d of July the regiment marched to the United States armory, where they were furnished with muskets of the pattern of 1842, which they retained until the 5th of the same month, when they were exchanged for the English En- field rifle, which in turn was eventually supplanted by the improved Springfield rifled musket, at that time the best infantry arm in use.

In the commencement of the war it was deemed essential that nearly every regiment of infantry should be provided with a regimental band, and the 10th was no exception to the rule. The band, which was from North Adams, under the leadership of William D. Hodge, joined the regiment on the 9th of July. Subsequently nearly all the regimental bands were mustered out under orders from the War Department, and thenceforward about one band to each division was allowed with the active army.

On the HOth of July the regiment was reviewed and in- spected by Gov. Andrew and staff. During his stay the Gov-

* The commissions were not all received at the same time, and some of the non-commissioned staff were not appointed nutil a subsequent date. In the course of the war they were all liable to change from casualties, promotions, etc.

t See farther on.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

ernor visited the armory, where he was received with much attention and complimented with a national salute.

From the 11th to the 13th the men were granted leave of absence to visit families and friends, preparatory to departing for the seat of war.

On the 15th of the month a stand of elegant and costly colors was presented to the regiment by Mrs. James Barnes, on behalf of the women of Springfield. Col. James M. Thompson presided on the occasion, which drew together a large concourse of spectators. The colors were the exclusive gift of the ladies of the eity, and were procured at an expense oť $275.

Among other presentations by friends were a splendid chest- nut horse to Adjt. Edwards, a fine pair of pistols to Capt. Lombard, a revolver each to Capt. Clifford and Lieut. Ben- nett, a gold chain and signet-ring to Lieut. Newell, and a sash and epaulettes to Lieut. Geo. W. Bigelow.

On Tuesday, July 16, 1861, the regiment abandoned their camp at Hampden Park, and, with the Springfield Cadets and Union Guard as escort, moved to the railway depot, where they bade adieu to families and friends, and, filling seventeen passenger-cars, which slowly pulled out from the station, they departed for Boston amid the waving of handkerchiefs and banners and the tears and acclamations of the assembled spectators, many of them destined never to look upon the old familiar places again in this life. The story of the departure of every regiment which went into the field during the dark years of the Rebellion is almost identical,-the same sad hand- shakings and tearful adieus, the same " Good-by ! God bless you !"

Never was a nation more thoroughly stirred to its deepest depths, and never in the history of the world, perhaps, has there been such a spontaneous burst of patriotism,-such a vast offering of the blood and treasure of a people voluntarily upon the altars of Freedom and Humanity. The feeling and uprising of the Southern people were probably in a similar degree, and it is for the pen of the impartial historian of the future to weigh well the underlying causes of the " Great Civil War" and assign to each belligerent in the gigantic struggle its proper position in the history of the human race.

The passage of the train through the numerous towns and stations lying between Springfield and Boston was the occa- sion of patriotic demonstrations. The regiment arrived in Boston without accident about five o'clock, and was imme- diately escorted by the Second Battalion of Infantry, under Maj .- Gen. Samuel Andrews, va Bunker Hill, to their new camp in Medford.

At this place-which was named "Camp Adams," from the fact that John Quincy Adams once owned the land-the regi- ment remained until the 25th of July, perfecting its discipline and getting ready for active service.

On the 22d the regiment was provided with twenty-five baggage-wagons, five ambulances, two hospital-wagons, and one hundred and twenty-three horses, delivered to the quarter- master at Cambridge Arsenal. This amount of transportation was no doubt considered necessary, but when in the course of the war it was reduced to two wagons and a hospital-wagon and one ambulance, divided between two regiments, it began to be understood how cumbersome were the trains in the be- ginning of the contest.

The regiment was visited by Capt. Marshall on the 23d, who administered the oath of allegiance to about one hundred inen who had not been sworn. Among those mustered was Master Myron P. Walker, the drummer-boy of Co. C, from Belchertown.

At Medford village, on the 25th, the regiment was addressed by llon. George N. Briggs, father of the colonel, and formerly Governor of the State.

At three P.M. the train took the regiment to Boston, where it was formed in line, and, escorted by the police, marched

through the city to Central Wharf, receiving a perfect ovation all along its course. Ilere the regiment was divided, and Cos. C, K, B, D, and G went on board the steamer " S. R. Spaul- ding," accompanied by the colonel, major, adjutant, surgeon, and regimental band. Cos. A, H, E, F, and I embarked on the steamer " Ben De Ford," accompanied by the lieutenant- colonel, quartermaster, and assistant surgeon.

The two steamers were completely filled by this one regi- ment and its transportation and baggage, but at the close of the war two or three regiments were amply accommodated, with all their paraphernalia, on board a single vessel.

Salutes were fired by Fort Independence and the steamers as the ships passed down the harbor, and soon they were on the heaving waters of the Atlantic. They arrived at the en- trance to Chesapeake Bay on the afternoon of the 27th, and about four o'clock P.M. of the 28th reached the wharf in Washington, D. C.

On the afternoon of the 29th the regiment marched to Kalorama Heights, about two and a half miles north of the Capitol, where a temporary camp was occupied in the midst of a heavy rain until the next day, when another was pro- vided.

On Sunday, August 4th, the regiment was supplied with new uniforms,-gray pants and blue blouses. On the 6th of August the camp was again exchanged for one on the Seventh Street road, about four miles from the Capitol, where the regiment was brigaded with the 7th Massachusetts, 2d Rhode Island, and 36th New York.

On the 9th the camp was once more exchanged for a more eligible and much more healthful one at Brightwood, near the residence of Francis P. Blair, Sr. Ilere the regiment began to experience the usual results of camp-life, and measles were among the troubles that visited the men.

Gen. McClellan visited the regiment on the 12th, took a good survey of the men, complimented them on their soldierly appearance, and said he should soon need their services.

Religious services were usually held on Sunday, Chaplain Barton officiating. On the 25th of August he preached to them, and the music was furnished by a choir extemporized from among the members of the regiment, assisted by the band. On Sunday, Sept. 1st, religious exercises were omitted, as the entire regiment was detailed to work on the fortifica- tions.

On the 2d of September the brigade was reviewed by Gen. McClellan, and on the 3d orders were received to be ready to move at a moment's notice.

On the 13th the regiment was paid off for the first time, receiving gold or treasury-notes, at each man's option. On the same day Col. Briggs left for Massachusetts to visit his venerable father, who had met with a serious accident, from which he expired before his son reached home.

On the 14th occurred the first funeral in the regiment,-that of private John C. Squires, of Co. 1, who died of camp-fever on the 13th. This sad occasion brought many sober looks to faces which in after-days looked upon death as upon any other common occurrence.

The regiment was reviewed and inspected again on the 15th by Maj .- Gen. Don Carlos Buell, division commander. The day was intensely warm, and some of the men were overcome by the heat.

On the 17th a valuable addition was made to the regiment in the persons of Mrs. Solyman Merrick, of Springfield, and Miss Helen Wolcott, of Agawam, who came to offer their services as nurses for the regimental hospital. The same day Lieut. Remington arrived with fifty recruits for the regiment.

Considerable sickness prevailed, and on the 15th of October forty men were in the hospital, and about seventy-five were unable to do duty. On the 17th, Governor Andrew visited the camp of the regiment.

During the stay of the regiment in the vicinity of Wash-

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ington the friends at home collected and forwarded at different times large quantities of necessaries, comforts, and even luxu- ries, for the benefit of the members. On the 20th of November Co. I received three large boxes filled with all manner of good things,-clothing, blankets, provisions, ete. A liberal supply of reading-matter was also sent on and distributed among the men.

Co. E also received a welcome donation of similar articles, and most of the other companies were also remembered.

On the 12th of December the Soldiers' Aid Society, of Hol- yoke, forwarded for the use of the regiment another invoice of clothing, blankets, towels, and many other things which were exceedingly acceptable and highly appreciated.

On the 15th another instalment of similar comforts was received and distributed. On the 26th of December, Surgeon Chamberlain sent a letter of acknowledgment to the Spring- field Republican for publication.

In December the regiment built themselves wooden huts, or barracks, which during the cold weather were much more com- fortable than tents. They were also more commodious, and were warmed by small sheet-iron stoves, which the men paid for out of their wages. A number of the officers' wives visited the camp, and some of them remained through the winter.

In January, 1862, a case of small-pox occurred, and the whole regiment was vaccinated to prevent the spreading of the disease. On the 8th of January, Col. Briggs returned from Massachusetts, where he had been to attend the obsequies of his father. On the 13th the regiment was paid off for two months' service. On the 6th of February private Carter, of Co. K, while on duty with the provost-guard, shot a member of Co. D, 7th Massachusetts, for attempting to run the line. He was badly wounded, but not killed, and the occurrence created considerable excitement for a time.

On the 10th of February, Dr. George Jewett, of Fitch- burg, arrived to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Dr. Holbrook to be surgeon of the 18th Massachusetts.

February 12th news of Burnside's success at Roanoke Island was received with music and general rejoicings. At this date the health of the men was reported as excellent.

On the 15th a new excitement visited the camp. The regi- ment was ordered to fall in line, a hollow square was formed, and then the colonel read an order from headquarters calling for volunteers for the gunboat service in the Western waters. Over 200 of the men at once volunteered, but, the number being restricted to ten from each regiment, a good many were disappointed. The following were finally selected: From Co. B, Corp. N. O. Blinn and private John Boyle; Frank Boise, Co. C; Joseph A. Winn, Co. I; William Levy, Co. A; John H. Ross, Co. D; Henry L. Copley, Co. K ; Benj. F. Brady, Co. F; Peter Bard, Co. H. The men left for their new field on the 17th with the blessings and hearty good-bys of their companions. On the same day news was received of the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, with 15,000 prison- ers, by Gen. Grant, which was hailed with the greatest en- thusiasm. This was the first important victory of the war, and forced the rebels entirely from the States of Kentucky and Tennessee by flanking the strong positions of Columbus, Bowling Green, Nashville, and Memphis. The Confederate commanders were compelled to fall back upon the lines of Corinth, and the south bank of the Tennessee River beyond Tuscumbia.

Washington's natal-day was duly celebrated hy a dress- parade in the morning, the reading of his Farewell Address, and target-shooting. On the 27th an order was received to be ready for an important expedition at two o'clock the next morning, with four days' rations, one hundred rounds of ball- cartridge, a blanket, a change of clothing, and an extra pair of shoes. Preparations were made, and the chaplain made a feeling address to the men, but at eight p.M. the orders were countermanded.

The question of slavery and the return of contrabands to their masters were hotly discussed, pro and con., and not a little feeling was manifested on both sides.

On March 1st six Maryland planters came into the camp looking for contrabands. Matters speedily developed a crisis, and the slave-hunters were glad to get away with their lives.

On the same night, by some unacountable means, a majority of the enlisted men of the regiment were found to be missing. The explanation was this : Some one had propounded the query whether it would not be a good thing to visit " my Maryland" and administer the oath of allegiance to a few of the planters in that benighted region. A short discussion ended in a unan- imous decision in the affirmative, whereupon a secret expedi- tion stealthily left the camp and marched about eight miles to the house of one Nolan, where the skirmish-line, consisting of the negro pilot, got into difficulty with the " missus," which brought the soldiers at once to the spot, and two stalwart gen- tlemen of the Nolan family had the oath administered to them on their bended knees. The soldiers outside, meantime, had trouble with the poultry, and the whole ended with the return of the " expedition" to camp accompanied by a generous del- egation of the feathered tribe.

When the discovery of the movement was made in camp " there was mounting in hot haste," and the foragers were in- tercepted on their return " from the field of their fame fresh and gory," disarmed, reprimanded, and sent to their quarters, and only the early demand for the services of the regiment in the field prevented a severer punishment.

On the 10th of March the regiment started on a movement into Virginia, which was pushed only a few miles toward Manassas, when intelligence was received that the enemy had evacuated that strong position and fallen back toward Rich- mond. After a stay of a couple of days, orders were received to return to Chain Bridge, where a halt was made during about twenty-four hours, when orders were given to return to their old camps north of the city.

On the 22d of March orders were issued for the army to pre- pare for an immediate movement. Baggage was reduced to the minimum and all surplus stored in an outbuilding, which was the last seen of it.

The 10th broke camp on the 25th and moved toward the city, expecting to take passage for Fortress Monroe; but at nightfall it was ordered to return to camp at Brightwood for the night.

On the 26th the regiment bade adieu to their old camp, joined the brigade, and marched to the foot of Sixth Street, where transports were in readiness to convey the troops south- ward. The 10th numbered at that time about 1000 men. The day was occupied in getting on board the transports, and the regiment was divided and quartered in detachments on three different vessels, to wit : the "Sea-Shore," the " Donaldson," and the " Ariel." The remainder of the brigade was embarked partly on these vessels and partly on the " Daniel Webster," while the sutlers' wagons, etc., were stowed on board the " Mystic."

At nine o'clock P.M. the squadron was under way, and on the 28th reached Fortress Monroe, where it was detained for orders. On the 29th the troops landed, and encamped until the 4th of April, when, at seven in the morning, the column started on the march toward Yorktown. From this time until the 5th of May there was a gradual advance toward the rebel capital, and the 10th was engaged on picket and fatigue duty, varied occasionally by formning line of battle when ap- proaching a belt of timber, while the skirmish-line was pushed to the front and the field-guns unlimbered and put in position for battle. There was a little occasional skirmishing, but no serious fighting until the army approached Williamsburg , where the enemy was found in force and strongly posted be- hind formidable fortifications, above which floated defiantly the " Stars and Bars" of the Southern Confederacy.

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About noon on the 5th the sound of heavy firing came booming over the level country around them, and the troops were hurried forward as fast as possible through the sticky mud,-infantry, cavalry, artillery, and trains all pusbing toward the dread sound of battle in the front, where Hooker was hotly engaged.

As the division rapidly advanced, about five P.M., to the sup- port of Hooker, the dead and wounded were being borne to the rear on the bloody stretchers, whose first sight to a soldier is something indescribable. Orders were given to load, which was done with the assurance that at last they were in the presence of the enemy and the trying hour had come.

As the division deployed in line of battle and advanced, an orderly dashed up from the front with a request from Gen. Hancock that reinforcements be sent him, as he was being fiercely assailed ; and the statement was fully confirmed by the terrible crash of musketry and artillery in front. The 10th Massachusetts was immediately ordered forward to the assist- ance of Hancock, but when it arrived the enemy had already been repulsed by a skillful movement of that officer. The 10th was placed in the front line, and remained through the night.

A little in advance was an unfinished field-work, into which the enemy had carried many of their wounded, and their groans and cries through the night were anything but pleas- ant to the ears of raw troops. Under cover of night the enemy fell back toward Richmond, and in the morning their works were found abandoned.

On the 6th the army moved forward over the rebel works, and encamped near Williamsburg. The principal work of the enemy was known as Fort Magruder, named for the rebel Gen. John B. Magruder. On the same day the Union gun- boats the " Galena," " Monitor," and " Naugatuck," moved up the river, while the rebel gunboats retreated before them beyond Fort Darling.

The 10th remained in camp until the 9th, when it again moved forward to James City, and the next day to Barbams- ville, where it remained until the 13th, when it again moved toward Richmond, and halted at New Kent Court-House.

On the 14th the entire regiment was detailed on picket duty, and was out through the day and night in a hard rain.

It was remarked by the Union troops that every house along the road had its " flag of truce" displayed in some con- spicuous place, and nobody was found at home but women, children, and old men. Everybody professed loyalty, even while their husbands, sons, and fathers were in the rebel army.

On the 16th and 17th the regiment advanced a few miles, and went into camp at Crump's Cross-Roads, on ground re- cently occupied by Cobb's Georgia Legion. Here it remained until the 19th, when it was advanced three miles to the rail- way running from Richmond to West Point. Ilere the men went into camp in a fine grove close to the enemy's picket- line.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 42

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700