USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Regiment, M. V. M > Part 3
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66
Drew, . Newton,
May 27, 1862.
The companies, as formed and re-organized, went into camp, at Camp Lancer, Wonham, Mass., and were mus- tered in as follows :
Company A went into camp Sept. 29.
Mustered in Oct. S.
B
C
D
66
66 19.
E
66
66
10.
66 16.
1
23.
G
10.
60
16.
H
6.
66 10.
16.
I
66
10.
16.
K
66
12.
10.
66
66
16. 10.
Sept. 19. 16.
16.
66
66
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
The Field and Staff Officers were ordered into camp, Oct. 1st, and Col. Peirson immediately assumed command of the regiment.
The review which was to have taken place on the next morning, was, in consequence of rainy weather. postponed until the following day, when it passed off in a very cred- itable manner.
On the same day, (Oct. 3.) an order was received from the Governor, for the regiment to proceed to New Berne, N. C., and to report to Major-General Foster, as soon as transportation should be furnished.
Active preparations were at once commenced to hasten forward the arming and equipment of the regiment.
The Field and Staff Officers were mustered in Oct. 8th, and the regiment was accepted for nine months service.
On the 20th, notice was received from the United States Quarter-Master's Department, that transportation had been provided on the Steamer Mississippi, which would leave Boston, Oct. 22d. Two day's rations were immediately cooked and distributed to the men. The horses and baggage were sent to Boston, and placed on board the steamer, the 21st.
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 22d.
The regimental line yas formed at 8 o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of proceeding to Boston, via. the Eastern Rail- road. The colors were escorted to the field by Co. HI, Capt. Drew. Prayer was offered by the Chaplain. The regiment was obliged to wait upwards of an hour for the cars, but at 10 : 20, A. M., the troops were on board the cars, and arrived in Boston at 12: 30, P. M. The line was formed in Canal Street, and the regiment marched through Union, Hanover, Court, State and Commercial streets, to Battery Wharf, where the Mississippi, Capt.
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
Baxter, lay in waiting to take the regiment to Beaufort, North Carolina.
The steamer left the wharf at 5 o'clock, P. M., the wind blowing very strong from the North-west, and, after a very pleasant trip, arrived at Beaufort, N. C., on the 26th. On the 27th, the regiment disembarked at the railroad wharf, in Morehead City, and took the cars for New Berne, 36 miles distant, arriving at the latter place at 1 o'clock, p. M., and went into camp in the vicinity of New Berne, its tents having been nearly all pitched by a detachment of the 25th Regiment, 3 years Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. Upton.
Before the regiment had been forty-eight hours in New Berne, and before its muskets and equipments had arrived. from Morehead City, (the landing-place of the regiment,) orders were received to cook three days' rations, and be prepared to start upon an expedition immediately.
As soon as their rations arrived, the companies com- menced cooking them, and by great labor, continued through the night, the muskets and equipments wore dis- tributed to the men, and the regiment left camp at four o'clock on the following morning, October 30th, and ein- barked on board o: transports for Washington, N. C., which place they rohched on the morning of the 31st. At this place the column was delayed until November 2d, awaiting the arrival of troops from New Berne by the overland route.
At 7 o'clock, Sunday morning, the whole force, under the command of Major-General Foster, took up its line of march for Williamston.
The Fifth Regiment formed a part of the brigade under the command of Colonel Horace C. Lee, of the Twenty- Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, in which it remained during the whole period of its term of service, very much
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA. .
to the satisfaction of the whole regiment, who considered themselves very fortunate, not only in being brigaded with such excellent regiments from Massachusetts, but in having for its brigade commander a thorough tactician, and who, by the superior skill and judgment which he displayed on many occasions while on the field of battle, and the uniform kindness shown to those under his command, won the most exalted opinion of every member of the regiment.
There were some slight skirmishes with the enemy while on the route, but nothing of importance transpired during the time. The roads in many places were very wet and muddy, and the weather, a portion of the time, cold and stormy, yet the regiment marched along with the most lively enthusiasm, and vied with the older regiments in preserving their files, and keeping their places in the col- umn, and were repeatedly complimented by their superior officers for the very excellent manner in which they con- ducted themselves on this, their first expedition.
The regiment returned to camp on the morning of the 13th, having marched about 160 miles.
On the 22d of Nov. 1862, by General Orders, the third brigade of which, the 5th was a part, was made up as follows :
9th New Jersey Volunteers, . . Colonel, C. A. Heckman.
5th Mass. Volunteer Militia, Geo. II. Peirson. 46th
George Bowler. 27th . Lt .- Col., Luke Lyman.
On the 28th of December, 1862, the 9th New Jersey was detached from the third brigade, and the 25th M. V. M., Col. Pickett, was assigned in its place.
From the 13th of November until the 10th of Decem- ber, the regiment labored diligently to perfect themselves . in drilling and the usual routine of camp duty.
HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
On the morning of the 10th, the regiment left its camp to join an expedition to Goldsboro', having for its object the destruction of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. near that place.
The regiment was assigned the second post of honor, the extreme left of the column.
The care of the wagon train was intrusted to the Fifth, and its progress was necessarily very slow, owing to the unusually bad condition of the roads. which generally de- tained them very late on the road, and seldom getting an opportunity to bivouac until midnight, and sometimes later ; and as they were obliged to move with the main column in the morning, their labors were very arduous and fatiguing.
On the 14th, the regiment was detailed to guard the wagon train, and to picket the different roads, to prevent the enemy from making a flank movement. Companies HI, (Captain Drew,) and E, (Captain Kent,) were posted about three miles from regimental head-quarters, on a cross-road leading to Kinston. About 10 o'clock, A. M, they were attacked by a large force of rebel cavalry; the men stood their ; round manfully, and after a very spirited engagement. rep ilsed the enemy and drove them in great disorder towards Kinston.
Company C, (Captain Daniels,) was posted on the Wil- mington road, and by a well-directed volley, dispersed a body of cavalry who were coming up the road, probably with the intention of cutting off some of our wagons.
Companies G, (Captain Grammer.) and F, (Captain Currier.) were detailed to guard a bridge over South-west Creek, on the road to Kinston, and were kept continually on the alert by the enemy, who were seeking an opportu- nity to cross at that place, but who were prevented by the
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
untiring exertions of the officers and men guarding that post.
Company D, (Lieutenant Marden commanding,) was stationed about one mile in the rear, and Companies B, I, and K. in the immediate vicinity of the baggage train, and were obliged to exercise the utmost vigilance to prevent the enemy from destroying the train.
14553
The next morning, December 15th, the regiment re- joined the main column and marched 23 miles, and biv- ouacked within four miles of Whitehall. On the 16th occurred the battle of Whitehall, at the commencement of which the regiment still held the extreme left. After the battle had been raging nearly an hour, Lee's brigade was ordered to the front, and three of the Fifth Regiment were wounded. Passing on, after the battle, they bivou- acked for the night within eight miles of Goldsboro'.
On the moruing of the 17th, the whole column was . again in motion ; Lee's brigade having the advance, and reaching the railroad soon after 12 o'clock, M. The rail- road bridge spanning the Neuse River, and the telegraph wires, were soon destroyed. notwithstanding the great efforts made by the enemy to prevent it. Company D was deployed as skirm shers, and Company II, to protect the party destroying the railroad.
Most of the fighting, while the work of destruction was going on, was on the right of the line, near the railroad bridge.
After the work of demolition had been completed, and the object of the expedition had been accomplished, a re- turn to New Berne was ordered.
The retrograde had already commenced, and the main buddy of the troops was well on its way, leaving Lee's bri- gade, to which the Fifth Regiment was attached, still on the
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
field, when the enemy, who had been reinforced, came out from the cover of the woods to which they had been driven, and advanced, as if to make a charge upon the brigade. Belgier's battery was immediately ordered into position, and the Fifth Regiment ordered to support it.
The rebels advanced rapidly, yelling like fiends, and evidently feeling confident of routing the small force re- maining on the field, and capturing the artillery.
When the rebels had advanced within about five hun- dred yards of our troops, our batteries opened on them a murderous fire of shells and canister, sweeping them down in large numbers, and speedily checking their progress ; a second time they essayed to advance, but when within three hundred yards the heavy cross fire of the batteries and musketry compelled them to retreat in great disorder, seeking shelter behind a rail fence, escaping from thenee to the woods on their left, as they best could ; the firing was kept up on them as they attempted to form in line of battle in the edge of the woods, to renew the charge, mak- ing large gaps in their ranks, and twice bringing their flag to the ground, and they were soon compelled to abandon the field and ag; in seek the cover of the woods.
Just before the final repulse of the rebel infantry, the enemy opened fire upon the brigade from a concealed battery in the woods on our left, seeming to direct their fire principally upon the Fifth Regiment.
For upwards of two hours the shot and shell flew thick and fast around the regiment, and twice were its colors pierced by fragments of shell before the enemy's guns could be silenced.
The courage and steadiness of the regiment were severe- ly tested in the attempted charges by the enemy, and the unexpected fire from the concealed battery, yet not a man
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA. ١
finched, but stood their ground, facing the enemy with- ont faltering, preserving their line, and promptly obeying the orders of their officers as coolly as if on parade.
The officers of Belgier's battery which the Fifth sup- ported, spoke warmly in praise of the conduct of the regi- ment, under the trying circumstances in which they were placed.
When the enemy's fire had been completely silenced, the brigade resumed its march toward New Berne, passing through a brook as they marched off the field, to their arm-pits in water, which had been let on from a mill-pond by the rebels, when they made their desperate but unsuc- cessful attempt to cut off the expected retreat of our troops.
But neither fire nor water could depress the spirits of the men who were conscious of having performed their duty. and although the air was bitter cold, they were obliged to march seven miles to camp in their wet clothes.
The following members of the regiment were wounded during the expedition. At Whitehall, W. W. Anderson of Company B, received a painful contusion just below the left knee, spen / ball ; Peter Conlin, of Company D, ball in the knee; W/m. Eldridge, Company E, seriously, ball lodged in the thigh ; at Goldsboro', G. W. Burroughs, Company B, contusion on left hip, from grape shot; G. W. Barnes, Company B, contusion in leg ; W. A. Hardy, Company D, contusion in back ; David O. Williams, Com- pany D, flesh wound in head ; H. O. Babcock, Company I, contusion in leg.
During the return to New Berne, the regiment acted as the rear-guard.
The regiment reached its camp on Sunday, December 21st. having marched about one hundred and eighty miles
-
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
while absent on the expedition, and having had ten inen wounded.
Shortly after its return, General Foster issued the fol- lowing order :
HEADQUARTERS, 18th Army Corps.
NEW BERNE, N. C., Jan. 15th, 1863. GEN'L ORDER, NO. 18.
In consideration of, and as a reward for their brave deeds at Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro', the Com- manding General directs, that the Regiments and Bat- teries which accompanied the expedition to Goldsboro', inseribe on their banners those three victories :
Kinston, Dec. 14, 1862.
Whitehall,
. Dec. 16, 1862.
Goldsboro',
Dec. 17, 1862.
The Commanding General hopes that all future fields may be so fought, that the records of them may be kept by inscriptions on the Banners of the regiments engaged.
By Command,
MAJOR-GEN'L FOSTER.
S. HOFFMAN, A. s't Adj't-General.
On the 21st of January, orders were received to fortify the camp; the work was commenced immediately, and a detail of one hundred and fifty men was made daily for that purpose, from the regiment, and in two weeks the before unprotected sides of the camp were enclosed in earthworks, nearly thirteen hundred feet in length, and seven feet in height, surrounded with a trench ten feet in depth. Upon the completion of the fortification, General Foster designated the work as Fort Peirson, in compli- ment to the colonel of the Fifth Regiment.
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
On the 21st of February, Company G, (Captain Gram- mer. ) was detailed to garrison Fort Hatteras and Clark, at Hatteras flet, at which place they remained until the return of the regiment to Massachusetts.
Company D, (Captain Howard,) was also detailed for garrison duty at Plymouth, N. C., returning to the regi- ment on the 4th of May.
From the completion of the fort until the 13th of March, the time was occupied in brigade, regimental, and company drills, when, in consequence of the appearance of the enemy at Deep Gully, eight miles from New Berne, Lee's brigade, with two batteries, was ordered out to repel any attack that might be made in that direction, as the enemy had already driven in our pickets ; at 6 o'clock, P. M., just fifteen minutes after the order was received, the regiment was in line and started to join the other regi- ments composing the brigade.
The column under the command of General Palmer marched until 9 o'clock, p. M, when it halted for the night, seven miles from New Berne, where the troops passed a cheerless night, exposed to the cold night air, without fire, and obtaining ver / little sleep. On the morning of the 14th, the annivers: ry of the battle of New Berne, the colamn advanced slo .fly towards Deep Gully, and had just commenced skirmishing with the enemy. when intel- ligence was received that the rebels had commenced their real attack on the north side of New Berne, and the whole force was ordered to return to that place.
The Fifth remained under arms in garrison, until the retreat of the enemy, on the night of the 15th.
On the fourth of April, the regiment with other troops, embarked ou transports for Washington, N. C., for the re- lief of General Foster, and the garrison at that place. The
.
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
fleet proceeded up the Pamlico River, within eight miles of Washington, where formidable rebel batteries were dis- covered, in a commanding position, at Hill's Point. After several ineffectual attempts by the gunboats to destroy the enemy's works, the troops were ordered to return to New Berne.
The regiment reached its camp on the morning of the 7th.
On the following day the regiment joined an expedition to Washington by land, under the command of General Spinola ; on reaching Blount's Creek, 21 miles from New Berne, on the afternoon of the 9th, the enemy were found in strong force intrenched on a hill on the opposite side of the creek, approachable only by a narrow mill-dam com- pletely enfiladed by the enemy's guns.
The nature of the ground, swampy and covered with an impenetrable growth of trees, prevented a flank move- ment by our forces, and after a short engagement, the troops were ordered to return, and the regiment reached its camp late on the night of the 10th.
THURSDAY, April 16th, 1863 .- To-day has been a holi- day in camp, or account of the raising of our new garri- son flag.
At a meeting of the officers, on the 14th inst., the fol- lowing committees were appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the occasion :
Executive Committee : Lt .- Col. Boyd, Major Worcester, Capts. Drew, Daniels, and Crafts.
Committee on Vocal Music : Lieuts. Everett and Har- rington.
Committee on Instrumental Music : Capt. Crafts, and Lieut. Davis.
Master of Ceremonies : Adjt. Eustis.
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
The ceremonies took place at 3 o'clock, P. M. The reg- iment was formed in square around the flagstaff, and the exercises proceeded in the following order :
Prayer, by the Chaplain, William F. Snow.
Song, " America," sung by a choir, selected from the regiment, under the direction of Lieut. Everett.
Chaplain Snow then delivered the following
ADDRESS :
It is no vain ceremony, Fellow Soldiers, that we are now about to perform. It is not merely to add another ornament to our beautiful camping ground, or to set up the recognized sign of another military post, that we are gathered together. It is for more than this. We are about to do a symbolical aet, to recognize a most pregnant emblem.
Let me invite you, then, to consider with me for a few moments, what the flag means.
I. It represents to us our national history. Its colors, distinct yet united, not crossing or blending, yet bound in one harmonious whole, tell us of the composition of sepa- rate and independent States into one grand Union, "E Pluribus Unum." The red flush of morning, the clear light of noon, the quiet , vening sky, all combine in it to symbolize harmony, perf etness, duration.
Its stripes, few in number, fixed and unchanged, remind us of the little band, who united to lay the foundation, the potent spirit of whose institutions throbs, and shall ever throb strongly through the whole nation's frame. Its con- stellation of stars, increasing so rapidly from year to year that we can hardly tell how many belong in it, shows to us the vigorous and quickly growing structure.
II. The flag is the recognized emblem of the National
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
Authority. Wherever it flies, by land or by sea, there. both friends and foes recognize the power of our country. Beneath its folds her citizens ever find protection. be they in the most polished capital of Europe, or amid the rude boatmen of the Nile, or the savage islanders of the Pacific. The first aim of the enemy is to make it fall, for when it ceases to float, then ceases to be felt the nation's authority.
III. The flag betokens our Nation's Glory. Borne through the deadly fight, grimmed with the smoke of bat- tle, torn by shot and shell, dyed a fresher crimson in its bearer's blood, then blazoned with the names of glorious victories, it becomes a most hallowed relic, for every shred tells of some hero's bravery, speaks to us of his undying devotion to his native land. Flying at the mast-head of some noble vessel, waving in defiance, while the battle rages, and in pride when the victory is won. nobly it tells of the triumphs, its every flutter seeming the nation's throb of joy.
IV. The flag is the symbol of the Country's Honor. A blow at it is a blow at the country herself. Disgrace to it, is a disgrace, not to the nation as a whole, merely, but to every man in it.
Each true patriot cherishes his country's honor as his own, and looking to the Flag as the representative of that honor, is ready in its defence to shed his last drop of blood, to expend every energy of his soul.
V. Finally, to the patriot, the national Flag represents all that makes his country dear to him. It is the first object his eye seeks when in a foreign land ; around it his mem- ories of home cluster; to it he points his children as the proud legacy of the fathers ; in it he finds the pledge of his freedom.
It is upon an auspicious day that we are to spread to
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
the breeze this flag of our country. Two years ago this noon, 1,700 men of Massachusetts, springing to arms at the call of their country, to avenge her humbled flag, gathered in the old Cradle of Liberty, in Boston, the first contribution of Massachusetts to the war for the preserva- tion of the Union. A day to be remembered is this 16th of April.
Upon an auspicious day, then, we are gathered to unfurl with military honors, our country's flag within the circle of a fort, raised by our own hands, for the defence of the Union, upon soil redeemed from the grasp of treason.
We all remember how, when the flag of Fort Sumter was lowered to traitors, from every housetop through all the loyal North the Stars and Stripes sprang to the breeze, as if to say that the falling of that flag in Charleston harbor was but the resurrection of patriotism.
We saw then how full of meaning the flag was.
Ere many days, the Massachusetts Fifth, having in its ranks many who stand here to-day, had left home and friends to bear that flag hto the thick tumult of battle, to leave its bearer dead. allen in his place as he bore it toward the foe.
The Fifth has come again. We are proud to serve under one of that noble band who defended Fort Sumter to the last. until faint with hunger, weary with fighting, hopeless of rescue, they were forced to a surrender more honorable than a victory.
Proud are we to serve under him, eager are we to fol- low when Gen. Foster says, come.
I remember how at Whitehall, and at Goldsboro', when we were expecting soon to enter the conflict, you called for the flag to be unfurled, and how, when its glorious folds streamed out in answer, I saw every foot planted
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HISTORY OF THE FIFTH REGIMENT
more firmly, every head raised, every weary frame grow strong again. So shall it ever be.
When, in a few moments, from this staff the Flag shall float upon the air, as we look upon it, let us each renew our vows of devotion to our country, pledging ourselves that never shall this Union be dismembered, and become a prey to traitors, while we can raise a musket or speak a word in its defence.
Then "strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might," hearing His glorious watchword to His people of old, "Be not afraid ; the battle is not yours, but God's," let us go forward to victory.
Then when the victory is won, when our country is re- united in peace beneath the folds of her glorious Flag, may we sit down to rest, speaking to each other of these things all past, and rejoicing that each of us did what we could.
. At the close of the address, Lieut. Everett read the fol- lowing poem. written for the occasion by Private Horace S. Everett, of Co. H :
Fling to the breeze that brave old Flag : Long has it prostrate lain, Against rebellion's vain contempt We will its cause maintain. No star erased, no stripe obscured, Complete in every part, To-day we raise that banner fair, So dear to every heart.
And we, the sons of sires that fought For this same fag of yore, Shall we prove recreant to their trust, Their sacrifice ignore ?
No! rather let us emulate Their virtues and then fame : Prefer to die, than purchase life With our eternal sbame.
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MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
Triumphant let this banner float, To cheer our drooping hearts, Till glorious Union binds in one Our country's severed parts.
Col. Peirson then stepped upon the mound at the foot of the staff, and unfurled the flag amid the vociferous cheering of the regiment and invited guests, the Band playing the "Star Spangled Banner."
The choir then sang the song, " Rally round the Flag," after which the Band played the MeClellan Quickstep, and the exercises were concluded by the choir singing the " Red, White and Blue."
At the close of ceremonies, which passed off very pleas- antly and agreeably to all parties, three hearty cheers were given by the regiment, and the companies were marched to their quarters. The Band continued to play near reg- imental Headquarters, and songs were sung by amateur vocalists until a late hour in the afternoon.
The height of the flagstaff is 96 feet. It was worked from a yellow pine tree obtained from the woods near the Trent road. The following persons were employed, under the direction of Commiss try Serjeant Enoch J. Clark, in working out and finishing the mast, and raising it to its place :
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