USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.1 > Part 4
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Feb. 2, 1861, Saturday, the commissioners left Washing- ton. At the President street station they passed a long train, with pieces of artillery, caissons, horses, and the equipage of a light battery, followed by three cars full of soldiers. This was the West Point battery, which had left the Military Academy the day before, commanded by Lieut. Charles Griffin, afterwards a Division and Corps commander often mentioned in these pages. The orders of which Mr. Stanton had spoken had been executed with military promptness.
In a New York newspaper which they obtained at Tren- ton, Mr. Clifford read what caused him to exclaim "Our letter has reached Boston." Then he read that by request of Governor Andrew, the legislature of Massachusetts went the day before into secret session, in consequence of alarm- ing news from Washington, and placed an emergency fund of $100,000 at the disposal of the Governor.
In New York Mr. Phillips met Jolin Bigelow, then con- nected with the New York Evening Post, who urged him in go to Albany to see Governor Morgan which the Mas- sachusetts gentlemen refused to do. Mr. Bigelow called, bringing Mr. W. C. Bryant and a friend of the Governor,
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but Phillips earnestly exhorted them to persuade Gov. Mor- gan to send some officer of the National Guard to confer at Washington with General Scott and the secretary of war, [Ex-Postmaster General Joseph Holt of Kentucky an hon- orable and patriotic Democrat, was then Secretary of War], and this timely warning in New York no doubt resulted in the readiness of the N. Y. 7th Regiment to go to Washing- ton the following April. The commissioners reached Bos- ton at II o'clock p. m. Monday Feb. 4th, going to the Tremont House, where they met more friends anxious for news. They seemed to be preparing for the worst, which simply meant war.
Mr. Phillips went to the State House at an carly hour, and was cordially welcomed by Governor Andrew, who spoke of their Ictter as acceptable, not because it contained anything unexpected, but because it was the first responsi- ble and compact statement which he could show to others.
Everything was bustle about the Governor's room. Mili- tary preparations were universal.
Later in the day, after Mr. Clifford's call on the Govern- or. Colonel Harrison Ritchie was ordered to proceed to Washington at once, to be in communication with Mr. Stanton and General Scott according to Clifford's advice.
In a sketch of Governor Andrew by Albert G. Browne Jr. military secretary to the Governor during the war, pub- lished in 1868, is the following in relation to the route to Washington by sca :---
"General Scott and Governor Andrew in consultation had provided in anticipation of obstruction of their route overland, that they should proceed by sea and be disembarked cither under cover of the guns of Fort McHenry at Baltimore, or else at Annapolis Md .. and steamers were kept for weeks in readiness at his (the Governor's) bidding, to transport them to the chesapeake."
This in point of time was January and February, 1861. Fort Mellenry was built in the form of a star, the guns
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being placed on the projections. Towards the city of Balti- more there were open and level grounds affording an op- portunity for 50,000 men to manœuvre. The walls were earth embankments, not more than six to eight feet iu height. Mr. Phillips thus refers in his article to what occurred in March and April :-
"During the inauguration of President Lincoln, it was thought pru- dent to display a strong military force and to conceal a stronger one. All the avenues and approaches to the Capitol and even the roofs of buildings were guarded by armed men and artillery posted to sweep the streets. Little more than a month later, in consequence of the attack on Fort Sumter, the new President appealed to the country and 5,500 men of Massachusetts and 1,coo from Rhode Island with Governor Sprague at their head, moved almost at the tap of the drum."
LINCOLN'S CABINET.
1755413 President Lincoln's Cabinet consisted of William H. Seward Secretary of State, Simon Cameron Secretary of War, Gideon Welles Secretary of the Navy, Salmon P. Chase Secretary of the Treasury, Edward Bates Attorney General. The Department of the Interior was in charge of Caleb Smith and the Post Office Department had Mont- gomery Blair at its head. These counsellors of the Presi- dent exercised a marked influence on the conduct of the War in its earliest years.
March 9. 1861, the Confederate Congress passed an Act for the organization of an army, and the Confederate Sec- retary of War prophesied that the Confederate flag would float over the Capitol at Washington before the Ist of May, and it might float eventually over Fancuil Hall itself.
April 12, 1861, the attack was made by the Confeder- ates on Fort Sumter, South Carolina. and 30,000,000 peo- ple, it was said, watched the contest by telegraph.
April 15. 1861, Abraham Lincoln President of the United States issued a proclamation calling for 75.000
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THE ROADS TO WASHINGTON.
The railroad bridges of the Northern and Central Penn- sylvania and the Philadelphia and Baltimore Railway, crossed several rivers within the boundaries, and on the night of the 19th of April, 1861, after the Massachusetts 6th Reg't. Infantry, had fought its way through the riot- ous city of Baltimore, the bridges over them were destroyed by the order of the authorities of the city.
Besides the route from the north to Washington through Baltimore, there were two other routes viz., one by the Potomac River, and the other by way of Annapolis. The route adopted by the New York 7th Regiment Infantry was followed for months by all succeeding regiments from the North. From Philadelphia there were two ways to Annap- olis, one down the Delaware River, passing the capes of Chesapeake Bay, through the Bay and up the Severn River to the harbor of Annapolis, the other was to go to Havre de Grace, from Philadelphia, and from there to Annapolis. The N. Y. 7th took the latter route. All the rails were up from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction, and communica- tion between Washington and the North by rail and wire, was destroyed. Telegraphing direct from Washington to New York, was suspended for nine days.
At this time Charles A. Phillips a younger brother of the Attorney General and afterwards captain of the Bat- tery, having graduated from Harvard College class of 1860, at the age of 10, was studying law in a lawyer's of- fice in New York. The following is an extract from his Journal.
New York. Monday, April 22, 1861: "I start on Wednesday to join Salem Zouaves-uniform ordered-re- volver purchased and all ready. I am just packing this book away."
The Salem three months men were passing through
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New York bound South. The next day he wrote home, "I am off for. Washington. I have stood it as long as I couldl and can't keep away: I was asked to join the 9th Regiment here but I prefer to join the Salem Zouaves, so I am going on to join them and see if they will not take nie. I shall start at the earliest opportunity, probably on Wednesday or Thursday, with the 9th Regiment. Mas- sachusetts is doing nobly and exciting the admiration of all here."
Still in New York on April 24th he wrote to one of his brothers :- "I want to get on to Washington and join the Salem Light Infantry, but find I may have some difficulty in getting on. Can't you get me some certificate or some- thing of the sort from the authorities in Massachusetts, that will put me through? I have no doubt Captain Devereaux will take me.
Can't you get a note from Gov. Andrew passing me on to Washington as a recruit to the S. L. I .? They are rather short of men, only 64, and ought to be glad to get me. I am determined to go, somehow, and if you can get me something of the sort I can get an opportunity to leave with the 9th Reg't. which will leave here no earlier than Friday afternoon, and probably not before Saturday. Miss- ing these, I can probably get a chance very soon. I pre- fer a Massachusetts regiment. Please see what you can do for me."
The advice he received from his brother was that if he was to join the Salem Zouaves, or Light Infantry, he must go home and start from Massachusetts. Another brother Edward W. Phillips afterwards lieutenant in the 50th Mas- sachusetts Infantry, had joined the Fourth Battalion. The New York Seventh Regiment arrived in Washington at noon of April 25th and were cheered by the Sixth Mas- sachusetts outside the Capitol as they approached the sta- tion. For five days Washington had been isolated from the
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rest of the world, defended only by a small force of Regu- lars and District Militia, the Massachusetts Sixth Regi- ment, and citizens, including congressmen from the west- ern states; not more than five thousand men under arms, The windows of the public buildings by order of General Scott were barricaded and earthworks were thrown up. The principal passage ways of the Treasury and the Capi- tol were defended by howitzers which raked their length. Breastworks were set up in the Capitol made of the iron plates cast for the dome supported by barrels of cement and heaps of stone and timber. The basement of the building was used as a kitchen and bakery, and after communication with the North was resumed, troops bivouacked in the ro- trinda, and the chambers of the Senate and House were turned into barracks.
A large proportion of the incumbents of the public offi- ces in all the Departments, had been retained by the in- coming administration, and it was well known that among them were many spies and traitors, ready to give aid and encouragement to the enemy in the destruction of the Gov- ernment to which they had taken the oath of allegiance. The Confederacy had a considerable force the whole linc, from the Chesapeake Bay to Edward's Ferry, about 30 miles above the capital. Maryland was then mainly in hostile possession. Baltimore and Ashland Md. were in the hands of the insurgents. The White House and Treas- ury building might be destroyed by long range cannon aimed from Arlington Heights two miles away.
The number of troops then reported at Richmond under command of the rebel general Beauregard was 27,000 men, in addition to the Virginia troops in the vicinity of Wash- ington.
The Long Bridge had been secured by General Scott. and the bridge at Georgetown had been rendered useless.
If taken, the capital could not have been retained against superior numbers, but the capture would have placed the
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archives in the hands of the enemies of the Union. Washi- ington was, however, in the words of President Lincoln, considered "safe for the country and the Constitution," after the Mass. 6th Regiment via Baltimore, and the New York 7th via Annapolis had arrived, although there was "great need of reinforcements."
PRIVATE OF MARINES.
C. A. Phillips instead of going to Washington as he pro- posed in his New York letters, went to Salem and as he recorded in his Journal of July 27th, 1861, "got a place as private of marines on board the Propeller 'Cambridge' owned by the State of Massachusetts and the underwriters of Boston.
Sergeant of Marines JOHN DOVE. Corporal CHAS. J. LEE." There were other Salem young men on this transport.
FOUR LETTERS OF C. A. PHILLIPS.
(BOSTON, MASS. ) "PROPELLER CAMBRIDGE T WHARF. Wednesday Evening, May 1, 1861.
We got on board here about two hours ago. and are just sitting down. Yesterday we did nothing but drill a little, get caps etc. About 5 o'clock we were dismissed for the night, and I went out to Cambridge and spent the night . with Fox and Scott. Fox was keeping guard at the Ar- senal in the rain till 9 o'clock this morning. We reported at 9 o'clock, and after loafing round a little while, we signed a receipt for equipments etc. and then the Articles, and took an oath of allegiance. After this we were dismissed till 3. and Huntington and I went over to Jamaica Plain; our uniforms passing us over the road free. At half past two we got our uniforms, and started for Roxbury with the Sergeant. Our uniform consists of a dark blue fatigue
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cap with a bugle in front, dark blue frock coat with brass buttons and yellow trimmings, and light blue pants, alto- gether a snug looking uniform. After standing in the rain some time we got into a car and started for Roxbury. Ar- riving at the Sergeant's we stumbled into the middle of an Irish picnic party and a good many small boys. The Ser- geant-John Dove-has a pretty little house and quite a large estate, into which we marched and paraded for a little time, after which we marched into the house, stacked our arms in the back parlor, and then marched into the front parlor to be introduced to the notabilities. Here we found quite a crowd gathered to receive us, particularly young ladies. After a short interval of conversation, we adjourned to the dining-room and prepared to pitch in. The Sergeant had prepared quite a little collation of oys- ters, ham, corned beef, salad, coffee, lemonade etc. to which you may be assured we did ample justice, particular- ly as I had had no dinner. After this we returned imme- diately to our quarters and were ordered to prepare to go on board. Accordingly we shouldered our knapsacks and haversacks, took our revolvers, formed, and marched down State Street.
Here we got our first taste of glory.
The small boys hurrahed, the people stood still and looked, and for a short time we were the centre of attrac- tion. Our men are pretty good looking, and a pretty good set of fellows. Their names are Sergeant John Dove, Cor- poral C. J. Lce. Privates James Turner, Andrew Miller, Albert Upton. Arnold, Ben Nichols, C. E. Pond.
Cutler. - --- Henry, Frank Pope, W. D. Huntington, C. A. Phillips.
When we got to the wharf we found the 'Cambridge' lying ready to take in ber guns, which were on the wharf: two 8 in. to go forward, one small brass to go on the quar- ter deck, another ditto to go forward. We are quartered in the state rooms,-3 in a room-opening into the cabin.
السطرمة
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Huntington, Lee and I are in one room. Our state rooms are first rate and our accommodations excellent. At this moment we are most of us sitting around the cabin table. 78 bunks have been fitted up amidships to carry two men in each. recruits. We shall sail tomorrow for Fort Monroe and Annapolis. Our Articles bind us for 30 days unless sooner discharged."
"PROPELLER CAMBRIDGE OFF CAPE COD May 2, 1861.
As I shall get a chance to send a letter at Holmes Hole by William Lee I have come down from deck to write a little. To continue my journal which I sent by Mr. Hunt- ington :- Last evening we turned into our state rooms and enjoyed a good night's rest till about 7 o'clock. As the cook had neglected to provide for us we went on shore to get breakfast. At half past nine having returned to the boat, we were put on guard at the gangways and on the wharf, while we took on board our guns :- two 8 in. for- ward. one 12 pounder brass gun on the forecastle, and one 12 pound rifled brass gun on the quarter deck. From 9 and one half to Ir and one half, I was keeping guard on the wharf, my musket gaining weight very rapidly. At II and one half we cast off, and steamed down the harbor, saluting Fort Independence as we passed. We were too far off, however, to distinguish any faces.
At noon our duties proper commenced, and so far consist in mounting guard three at a time, two at the after com- panion way, and prevent any but officers, marines, etc. irom passing, and one on the lower deck over the forward hatchway, to prevent any smoking, fire etc., the powder Laing stored below. The last guard carries a cutlass, and the post is not considered a very desirable one, as it helps on sea-sickness very much. The weather was very rough coming out. the number stretched out on deck was very
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large, and I fared like the rest, but having now cast up my account and eaten a good dinner I feel all right. We dine in the cabin, faring like the officers on roast beef, ham, potatoes etc. Owing to the number of officers on board we have been crammed a little, 6 being quartered in each state room : but as we shall keep watch and watch, this will not trouble us much. The watches will. be set tonight at 8 o'clock." There are two watches of six each, four hours apiece, two at the companion way, two at the powder hatch, and two on deck. We have a number of troops on board. I do not know how many, bunked amidships. We shall stop at Fort Monroe, then at Annapolis, and thence, nobody knows where."
"WASHINGTON May 9. 1861. 4 o'clock P. M.
My last letter left me at Fort Monroe, Saturday night. Sunday morning we hauled up to the wharf and landed about a hundred troops, and then took in six eight inch Columbiads and 1200 shells to carry to Washington. This was quite a job as there were no machines for handling the heavy guns. The shells were passed in quite easily, a string of riflemen forming, and passing them from hand to hand. During the day we got two hours leave of absence, and visited the Fort. This is a tremendous fort and a very pleasant place. The grounds are planted with apple trees and the officers' quarters are surrounded with gardens full of roses and flowers of all kinds, in full bloom. After exploring the Fort thoroughly we went down to see the big gun which stands out on the point on a concrete plat- form, solitary and alone. They say they won't allow it to be fired. because it breaks all the windows in the Fort. After getting in a part of our cargo, we hauled into the stream and lay there over night, keeping a strict guard, to guard against any attack. In the morning we found the steamer 'Roanoke' lying alongside, and while speculating
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as to her character and passengers, her boat came alongside with Capt. Devereaux and Lieut. Putnam of the Salem Zouaves, who were going to Washington in the 'Roa- noke.' By this time we could see the fellows on the quarter (leck getting leave of absence. We started in the ship's hat for the 'Roanoke.' The wind was blowing heavily, and I had a tremendous long oar, but Cambridge training showed itself. and very soon we arrived. We met quite a cordial reception on deck, and had quite a jolly time till our leave expired and we reluctantly rowed back. Luckily, however, we did not part here: the 'Roanoke' wanted to go up the Potomac, and having no guns hardly dared to go alone, not knowing how many batteries might have been erected along the shore.
As we were armed and our new Captain not unwilling to try our guns, we changed our destination and agreed to go as a convoy.
About 11.30 Monday morning, having got all our cargo on board, we steamed off up Chesapeake Bay in company with the 'Roanoke.' The weather was squally and un- pleasant, but nevertheless we contrived to enjoy the sail. About 8.30 we arrived in the mouth of the Potomac and anchored for the night.
About 20 of Dodd's Rifles turned out to assist us in the watch, and we began to realize that we were in an enemy's country. We were armed with rifles and revolvers loaded and capped. and had ten rounds of ball cartridge in our boxes. Our orders were not to allow any boat to approach the ship, but to hail it and to fire if they did not sheer off, and, as the Captain observed. to fire very quick.
However, we were not molested, as the secessionists evidently did not care to attempt to cut out an armed steamer.
The rifle which we carry on night watch, is a very pretty une. with a large bore and rather heavy, but very neat and serviceable.
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Early in the morning we started up the Potomac, the 'Roanoke' ahead with a pilot. The day was lovely, and we had a splendid sail up the river. We saw nothing of the batteries thrown up along the river and we think they must be somewhere else. However, we were all ready for them; our guns were shotted and run out, and all of us, who were not on duty, were ordered to be between decks to serve the big guns.
Acquia Creek was the point where we apprehended an attack, and as we approached it, the Captain told the gun- ners to get ready to be fired into. Our 8 inch gun on the port bow was cleared for action, the tackle run out, sight adjusted, and all the preparations made. As we approached the critical point the 'Roanoke' dropped back to give us the first chance, and we steamed ahead, expecting the battle to begin, every moment. All our hopes, however, were dis- appointed : our peaceful voyage was not interrupted, and we steamed past Fort Washington and Alexandria, where the secession flags have all disappeared, and made fast to the Arsenal wharf, after colliding with another propeller, which carried away the starboard fore shrouds.
The next day we commenced to unload, and as we were of no use we went into the city.
Ist to the Capitol, where we found the Salem Zouaves quartered in the rear of the left wing behind the House of Representatives. The House was full of soldiers, writing letters. Lang Ward was at one desk, John Hodges at an- other, and by invitation of the Salem Zouaves we stopped to dinner and had a jolly time.
The dining room is very high studded, being the area on the side of the Capitol steps. Our dinner consisted of minced fish, bread, crackers, and coffee, and though not very luxurious fare we had a pleasant time, and a jollier crowd was never seen. We spent about the pleasantest time we have had since we left. We returned, according to orders, about six o'clock, just in time to see the 'Cambridge'
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steaming up the river and passing through the bridge. In- quiring I found she had gone up to G street, so chartering an omnibus we started, and arrived on board at 8 o'clock; luckily finding the steamer, as we should have been locked up if found out after 9.30. This regulation is quite strict, a man was shot last night for not answering the post. It was about 2 o'clock in my watch, only a quarter of a mile off. I saw the flash and heard the report.
This morning I was up at the Capitol, then went down to the National Hotel to get a bath and some dinner. Washington is quite warlike, regiments parading, all round, and almost every other house being used as barracks. Colonel Ellsworth's regiment is very ubiquitous, and you see them everywhere. They keep guard at the Capitol, where, however, our uniforms pass us everywhere, and last night they turned out to put out a fire at Willard's. They entirely took the shine off the Washington firemen. This morning they were pulling down the wall as we passed. The 5th Mass. Regiment is quartered at the Treasury Department.
We are lying at the foot of G street, discharging and repairing. We shall probably sait in 4 or 5 days, though there is some talk of selling the ship to the Government and discharging the crew. I don't think however, this amounts to anything."
Fort Washington mentioned in this letter was on the Potomac River six miles below Alexandria. It was a mere water battery, intended for offensive action against' the river side.
This trip on the "Cambridge" lasted ten days, and Phillips went back to the study of law which he continued in Boston in the office of his brother Hon. Stephen H. Phillips. From there he wrote the following letter :---
"BOSTON, June 10, 1861.
I think the Government has shown great energy, and the
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movements of the Army seem to be well planned and emi- nently successful. Of course such dashing exploits as the ride through Fairfax C. H. appear to display more energy than the advance of a large army, but like the charge of Balaklava they do not decide the event of a war. It is only an army of inferior strength that needs to try such experiments. Scott's policy, I take it. is to use to the ut- most the advantages he has in numbers and position, and never to allow the enemy a chance to fight except at a dis- advantage. Such appears to be the plan at Harper's Ferry.
Our forces are advancing from every direction, in over- whelming numbers, and the Southerners, if they remain, must inevitably be surrounded and starved ont, or fight Scott on his own ground.
So with Richmond, a strong column will soon move down from the North on this city. while Butler will co- operate on the South. If the rebels, therefore, take posi- tion on either side of the city for its defense, they will be answered by the advance of the column on the other side. They will thus be unable to check the march of either col- umn at a distance from the city, and must take up a position near Richmond and fight it out. This, I have no doubt, is the way in which the first battle will be fought, and Scott is not the cautious general we think him, if he loses it. Of the success of this plan I have no doubt, but its success depends much on careful preparation, which may account for the apparent sluggishness of the movements. But still, the advance goes on: day after day we hear of military movenients, small in themselves, but in a week amounting to a great deal. Now it is the attack of a company on Fair- fax Court House, to be followed by a regiment in a day or two: now a regiment attacks Philippi and in three days 10,000 men occupy the town: or General Butler occupies the point of Newport News, and in a week we find 5000 men advanced 10 or 15 miles into the country. So the movement goes on. The first attack attracts people's atten-
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