USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > History of the town of Douglas, (Massachusetts,) from the earliest period to the close of 1878 > Part 22
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I give and devise unto the male children of my brothers, Peter, Benjamin and Joseph, all the rest, residue and remainder of all the Real Estate above devised to said Elbridge (in case said In- habitants do not accept of the devise to them as aforesaid), to be equally divided between them, except Dexter Wallis and Mason Wallis, sons of my brother Joseph, who it is my will shall take nothing by this devise. And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my brother, Benjamin Wallis, sole Executor of this my. last will and testament.
In witness whereof I, Moses Wallis, have hereunto set my hand and seal, and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, this sixteenth day of November in A. D. 1841.
The words, " in my north chamber," interlined between the 24th and 25th lines from the top on page 3, and the erasure between the last word on page 4 and the first word "given" on page 5, and the word " s'd," interlined between the 14th and 15th lines from the top on page 6, and the words " no one," interlined between the 26th and 27th lines of page 6, and the erasure directly under said. words " no one," in line 27 on page 6, and the erasure of the first word in line 28 of page 6, from the top, were all made before: signing and sealing of this instrument.
MOSES WALLIS, (L. s.)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Moses Wallis, as his last will and testament, in the presence of us who, in his presence and at his request, have hereunto set our names as witnesses.
AMOS HUMES, ELIJAH BIGLOW, WARREN HUMES.
A copy, .
Attest, CHAS. G. PRENTISS, Reg.
APPENDIX.
HAVING already stated the action taken by our town in the suppression of the War of the Rebellion, and placed on record the names of Douglas men who had the courage to fight, and to die if need be, in the defense of their country, it seems but fitting, in a work of this kind, to make a permanent record of their army ex- periences during the four years' struggle. For this purpose we have gathered and prepared from various sources the following sketches of the several regiments, endeavoring to bring out the prominent points in the history of each, more particularly those in which our town was largely represented.
By way of introduction we will make a brief allusion to the early Massachusetts regiments answering the first call of the President for three months' men, to aid in suppressing the Rebel- lion. The assault upon Fort Sumpter was made April 12, 1861, and on the 15th of April Governor Andrew received, through Sen- ator Henry Wilson, a telegram from Washington asking for twenty companies of volunteers to be sent on immediately. In the course of the day formal requisitions were received from the Secretary of War and the Adjutant-General of the army for two full regiments, upon receipt of which Governor Andrew caused a special order to be immediately issued by Adjutant-General Schouler requiring the commanding officers of the Third, Fourth, Sixth and Eighth Militia to muster the regiments under their command in uniform on Boston Common forthwith, in answer to the call made by the President, the troops to go to Washington.
On the morning of the following day the troops began to arrive in Boston from the towns where they were located in different sec- tions of the State, the Third Regiment coming from New Bed- ford, the Fourth from Quincy, the Sixth from Pepperell, and the
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HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
Eighth from Lynn. Before night every company that had received its orders in time had reported at headquarters for duty.
The question as to who can claim the honor of first reaching Boston has since occasioned some controversy among military men, but is conceded by Adjutant-General Schouler to the three companies of the Eighth Regiment belonging to Marblehead.
While the troops were making their way to Boston, with all possible dispatch, another telegram was received from Senator Wilson, stating that Massachusetts was to furnish four regiments. Accordingly the Fifth Regiment was ordered to report, and Briga- dier-General Benjamin F. Butler was, on the 17th, detailed to command the troops (which were designated as the Massachusetts Brigade), and established his temporary headquarters at the State House.
On the afternoon of the 16th the Third, Fourth and Sixth Regiments were ready to proceed, and the following day the Sixth started for Washington, passing through New York on the 18th, and carly on the morning of the 19th proceeded in company with a portion of the Seventh Pennsylvania, on that memorable march through the City of Baltimore, in which they were assailed by an infuriated mob of 8,000 people, resulting in the killing of three and wounding of thirty-eight of their number.
On the 3d of May the President issued his first call for volun- teers to serve for three years, or during the war. On the 4th of May the Secretary of War issued an order stating the number of regiments to be raised, and the way in which they were to be or- ganized. It was, however, more than a fortnight after the Presi- dent's call before the necessary authority was granted for muster -. ing them into the service. Nearly ten thousand were already en- listed as militia. At last, on the 22d of May, Governor Andrew received a letter from Secretary Cameron, permitting Massachusetts to furnish six regiments of three years' men.
The plan of organization of regiments, as prescribed in the or- der issued under this call, was as follows : Each regiment was to be composed of ten companies, each company to have a captain, two lieutenants and ninety-eight enlisted men. The staff and field officers of a regiment were to consist of a colonel, lieutenant- colonel, major, adjutant, quartermaster, assistant surgeon, ser- geant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, commissary-sergeant, hospi-
319>
APPENDIX.
tal steward, two principal musicians, and a band of twenty-four musicians. This plan of organizing regiments was kept up dur- ing the war, excepting that the regimental bands were discon- tinued.
In order that there might not be a repetition in numbering the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth (three months' regiments) were al- lowed to retain their own designations, and the next three years' regi- ment was called the Seventh. It was recruited by Colonel Couch at " Camp Old Colony," near Taunton. The First and Second Regiments were included in the six selected to complete the requi- sition of the Secretary of War. The First was from Camp Cam- eron, in North Cambridge, and left for Washington June 15, passing through Baltimore June 17, and was the first three years' regiment that reached Washington.
The Second was recruited by Colonel Gordon and officers under his command, establishing themselves at "Camp Andrew " in West Roxbury, leaving for the seat of war on the 8th of July, 1861.
The Eighth was a three months' regiment, and retained its orig- inal number, and the next three years' regiment was called the Ninth. It was composed almost entirely of men of Irish birth, and was recruited by Colonel Thomas Case on Long Island, in Boston harbor, and left for Washington on the twenty-fourth of June.
The Tenth was recruited in the western part of the State, was in camp near Springfield for a time, until completely organized, when it was transferred to Medford, remaining there until July 25, when it was ordered to Washington.
ELEVENTHI REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was organized May 9, 1861, at Fort Warren, and mustered into the service of the United States June 13, marched to Camp Cameron, North Cambridge, June 15, and left for Washington June 24. The Eleventh was engaged in the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and during the year 1862 at the battles on the Peninsula and before Richmond, second Bull Run, and Fredericksburg. It left the State under the command of Colonel George Clark, Jr., who resigned October 11, 1861, and was succeeded by Colonel William Blaisdell. The following nar-
320
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
rative, furnished by Lieutenant-Colonel Tripp, gives a history of its services during the year 1863 : -
" On the morning of the 11th of December, 1862, in obedience to orders from superior headquarters, our regiment marched towards the Rappahannock river, crossed the river at Franklin's Crossing on the night of the 12th, and was detailed to guard the pontoon bridge at that point ; performed this dnty until the night of the 13th instant, when we were ordered to the front ; remained at the front until the night of the 16th instant, when we recrossed the river, and marched back to the old camp. During this cam- paign the regiment did not become actively engaged with the enemy ; the only casualties were two men slightly wounded.
"On the 20th of Jannary, 1863, we again moved, and after marching about six miles in a drenching rain-storm we were com- pelled to halt, owing to the bad state of the roads, it being found impossible to move the trains. We remained here building and repairing roads until the 23d instant, when we marched back to camp. Nothing of importance transpired until the 5th of Febru- ary, when we were ordered to support a force of cavalry which was sent to destroy a bridge across the Rappahannock at the station above United States Ford. Marched to United States Ford, a distance of seventeen miles, and after the object for which we were sent out was accomplished we returned to camp, where we arrived on the 7th.
" We remained in camp until the morning of the 29th of April, when we marched to Franklin's Crossing, on the Rappahannock, and from there to United States Ford, where we crossed the river and marched to Chancellorsville. The regiment was ordered to report to General Hancock for duty ; reported on the morning of the 2d of May, and were ordered to reconnoitre and feel the enemy's position on the left of our line of battle, and on the plank road. The regiment became hotly engaged with the enemy early in the day, and though the enemy's force was greater than ours we succeeded in repulsing them four times from attacks which they made on our position on the plank road. General Hancock thanked the regiment for the gallantry it displayed on that occa- sion. Next morning at two o'clock joined the division, became hotly engaged with the enemy early on the morning of the 3d instant, suffering considerable loss ; we remained on the south side
321
APPENDIX.
of the river until the 6th instant, when we recrossed and proceeded to our old camp. The distance marched during this campaign was about forty-two miles.
Remained in camp until the afternoon of the 11th of June, 1863, when we were ordered to march. Marched to Hartwood Church, and halted for the night. Marched to Beverly Ford on the Rappahannock, and after remaining here one day, and at Gum Springs five days, crossed the Potomac into Maryland at Edward's Ferry. Moved by way of Poolesville, Burkittsville, Middleton, Frederick, Taneytown, and Emmettsburg, reaching Gettysburg on the afternoon of July 1st. Was engaged with the enemy during the 2d and 3d instants, with a very heavy loss (over one-half of what was engaged). Remained at Gettysburg until the morning of the 7th instant, when we took up the line of march towards Wil- liamsport, moving by way of Emmettsburg, Mechanicstown, Frederick, and Middleton. Crossed South Mountain to Antietam Creek near Keedysville, and arrived at Williamsport on the 14th instant. Here we found the enemy had retreated across the river. Started again on the 15th of July, moving in the direction of Harper's Ferry. Crossed the Potomac into Virginia at this point, and moved to Upperville, near Ashby's Gap. Here we remained until the 22d instant, when we again started, and reached Manassas Gap about noon on the 23d instant. Here the enemy was found in force, and dispositions made for a battle. This regiment was held in reserve, and did not become engaged.
During the night the enemy evacuated, and in the morning we were started in pursuit, chasing him as far as Front Royal, where we found he had crossed the river. Marched back through the Gap, and halted for the night at Markham's Station on the Manas- sas Gap Railroad. Next morning took up the line of march for Warrenton, where we arrived on the 26th instant, and went into camp. Remained here until the morning of the 1st of August, when we marched to Beverly Ford. Arrived there the same night, and went into camp. During this campaign the regiment marched four hundred and ten miles in a hot summer's sun, and participated in one of the hardest contested battles of the war.
Remained in camp near Beverly Ford, furnishing daily details for picket and other duties, until the 15th of September, when we marched to Culpepper, crossing the Rappahannock river at Free-
21
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HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
man's Ford, arriving at Culpepper on the morning of the 17th in- stant, and went into camp. We remained in this camp until the morning of Oct. 8, when we were ordered to march to James City and support Kilpatrick's cavalry division. Reached cavalry head- quarters early in the day, and remained here supporting the cav- alry, who had frequent skirmishes with the enemy, until the night of the 10th instant, when we marched back to Culpepper. Left Culpepper next morning, and recrossed the river at Freeman's Ford on the night of the 12th instant. Remained picketing Bev- erly and other fords on that river till such time as the army had fallen back. The enemy's cavalry made their appearance near Beverly's Ford, but did not attempt to cross. Ordered to join the division on the morning of the 14th instant. After marching all day and night, arrived at Greenwich at 4 o'clock A. M. on the 15th instant. Started again at daybreak, and arrived at Centreville Heights on the night of the 15th instant. Moved to Union Mills, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and went into camp at that place on the afternoon of the 16th instant. Distance marched, since leaving Culpepper, fifty-one miles. Broke up camp at Union Mills on the morning of the 19th of October, and moved up the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to Bristow's Station, where we halted for the night. Next morning marched through Greenwich towards Catlett's Station, and halted for the night about four miles from the latter place. Arrived at Catlett's Station on the after- noon of the 21st instant, and went into camp. The regiment was detailed to guard a supply-train to the depot at Bristow's Station and back to camp. Marched twenty-two miles.
Broke camp on the 30th instant, and marched to within three miles of Bealton Station, where we encamped. Remained here until the morning of the 7th of November, when we marched to Kelley's Ford on the Rappahannock. Arrived there about 3 o'clock P. M. Found the First Division of this corps engaged with the enemy. We did not become engaged. Crossed the river and moved to Brandy Station, where we went into camp on the evening of the 8th instant, having marched twenty-three miles since leav- ing camp near Bealton Station.
Remained in camp near Brandy Station until the morning of the 26th of November, when we marched to Jacob's Mills Ford, on the Rapidan. Crossed the river at this point, and bivouacked
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APPENDIX.
for the night about three miles from the Ford, having marched dur- ing the day seventeen miles. Next morning we started (after some delay in finding the right road), and encountered the enemy at a place called Locust Grove. We became engaged with the enemy early in the afternoon, and after a brisk engagement, which lasted till dark, we were relieved by the Third Division, Sixth Corps. Lay on our arms during the night, about fifty yards from the bat- tle-field. Moved next morning to Robinson's Tavern, and the same night moved up to a position near " Mine Run," where the enemy was found in an intrenched position. After marching and countermarching through the woods during the entire day of the 29th instant we went into camp for the night. We were ordered to report to General Warren, on the plank road, at 2 o'clock A. M. the same night. Reported at 4 o'clock A. M., and formed line of battle in front of the enemy's works. We were in the line of stormers that were ordered to charge the enemy's line of fortifica- tions. The project of storming the works was abandoned. On the morning of Dec. 1 we were ordered to join Gregg's cavalry division, and act as rear-guard on the plank road. Performed this duty, and crossed the river, on our way back to camp, near Brandy Station, Dec. 2, 1863. Reached camp on the afternoon of the 3d of December, and at once made preparations for winter quarters.
REPORT OF CASUALTIES.
Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, 1862 : -
Enlisted men - Wounded,
. 2
.
Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1863 :
Commissioned officers - Killed, .
2
Wounded,
5
Enlisted men - Killed,
9
Wounded, .
52
Missing,
. 11
Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863 : -
Commissioned officers - Killed,
1
Wounded,
·
5
Missing, 2 .
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HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
Enlisted men - Killed,
25
Wounded,
88
Missing, . 8
Battle of Locust Grove, Va., November 27, 1863 : -
Commissioned officers - Wounded,
Enlisted men - Killed,
4
Wounded,
15
Missing,
8
One commissioned officer and eleven enlisted men died of wounds received in action who are reported wounded in the above report.
In the spring of 1864 General Grant, having been called to. the command of the Union forces, and the campaign against Richmond, being planned, the Eleventh was again brought into. active service, and suffered severely in the bloody battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, before Petersburg, and at Hatches' Run, Va., where the fighting and courage exceeded anything we have recorded in previous campaigns.
On the 1st of January, 1865, the battalion lay in the works in front of Petersburg, attached to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, performing picket and fatigue duty until the 5th of February, when it took part in a movement and action designed to extend the lines. The regiment assisted in the con- struction of a new line of works, and occupied a portion of them until March 26. On the 29th the regiment made a gallant charge on the enemy's main line of works, in which Captain Bennett and Lieutenant Harrington, with a number of men, becoming separated from the rest of the command, were overpowered and captured.
During the retreat of the enemy, which soon followed, the Eleventh took an active part in the capture of their trains and. munitions of war, and was in the advance when the forinal surren- der of the " Army of Northern Virginia " took place. The regi- ment then moved to the vicinity of Washington, D. C., and per- formed light guard duty until orders were received for its discharge at Readville, Mass., to which place it was transported and dis- charged July 14.
The Eleventh took part in the following engagements : First. Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station,
325
APPENDIX.
Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bristoe Station, Second Bull Run, Chan- tilly, Fredericksburg, Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopo- tomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Poplar Spring Church, and Boydton Road.
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was recruited in Worcester county, fourteen of its men being from Douglas. It was mustered into the service of the United States June 12th, 1861, under the command of Col. Charles Devens, Jr. The regiment, during the process of recruit- ing, organizing and drilling, was encamped at Camp Scott in the
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PLAN OF THE BATTLE-FIELD AT BALL'S BLUFF.
city of Worcester, from which place they left for Washington Aug. 8th, 1861. The Fifteenth was first engaged at the battle of Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21st, 1861, which made it one of the marked regiments of Massachusetts. The loss sustained was heavy in, killed, wounded and missing. The forces engaged were unskill- fully handled, pressed into needless danger, surrounded and slaugh- ered. The following account of the tragedy is given by one who; witnessed the scene, but fortunately escaped by swimming the river after being wounded : -
" About 1 o'clock on the morning of October 21st Colonel Dev- ens crossed the Potomac river with his regiment to the Virginia shore,
326
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
and ascended the heights known as Ball's Bluff, a steep embank- ment rising nearly a hundred and fifty feet above the river to a level with the adjacent country. By daylight he had formed his men on the summit of the bluff. A company of the Twentieth, under command of Colonel Lee, also crossed and took up its position near by. Scouts were sent out to learn the position of the rebels, but discovered no traces of them. Upon advancing towards Lees- burg they were met by a body of rebel infantry, and soon after rebel cavalry appeared in the road leading to Leesburg, whereupon Colonel Devens fell back to the bluff, where he remained until noon. The men were formed in a field of five or six acres, surrounded on three sides by woods, being attacked by the enemy who had sta- tioned themselves in the woods for that purpose. He fell back again to the very edge of the bluff, where he was reinforced by a California regiment, Colonel Baker, who assumed command of the forces, nearly two thousand men in all.
The battle was now fairly begun, and for more than two hours was kept up, our men fighting desperately and with great loss of life by reason of the unprotected position they occupied. About 5 o'clock Colonel Baker fell, shot through the head. His successor, Colonel Cogswell, made an attempt to cut his way through the enemy's lines to Edward's Ferry, where the Union forces were sta- tioned, but was overpowered, and under a most destructive fire retreated down the embankment. The enemy gathered on the bluff, pouring volley after volley into the helpless mass below. Many were shot on the bank, or in the water while attempting to swim across. The boats were overcrowded and sunk, and many were carried down by the current. and drowned ; others were fortunate enough to escape in the darkness unobserved, and reach the Union lines safely."
It is estimated that at least one-half the men engaged in this battle on the Union side were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.
The Fifteenth was next engaged at the battles on the Peninsula, and afterwards at Antietam and Fredericksburg. Colonel Devens was promoted Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and left the regi- ment to take command of a brigade at Yorktown. He was suc- ceeded by Colonel (then Lieutenant-Colonel) George H. Ward.
·
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APPENDIX.
The regiment went into winter quarters near Falmouth, Va., on the same ground occupied by it previous to the battle of Fredericksburg, about the 20th of December, 1862.
On the 5th of February, 1863, Colonel Ward joined the regi- ment, having been absent (suffering from the loss of a leg) since the battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21st, 1861. The regiment was subjected to a heavy detail for picket duty during the winter and spring, nothing worthy of note occurring until the spring cam- paign, under General Hooker, commenced.
On the 28th day of April the First and Third Divisions of the Second Corps moved towards Kelly's Ford, leaving the Second Division - of which the Fifteenth regiment formed a part-to picket the line formerly occupied by the corps.
On Saturday, the 2d of May, orders came to the Fifteenth reg- iment about 12 o'clock (midnight) to move. The regiment marched to the Lacy House, and at a little before sunrise the Second Division crossed the Rappahannock on pontoon bridges - at the same point where the Second Corps crossed in December, 1862-with little or no opposition, the rebel pickets having been principally withdrawn from the city to the first line of works. The Fifteenth was soon after directed to take a position on the extreme right of the First Brigade, and commenced moving to a point on the right of the city, and at the same moment the enemy's batteries opened from three different points with solid shot and shell, which they kept up while the regiment was going the distance of half a mile. At the same time this movement was going on the enemy were hurrying up their infantry at double- quick, and filling the rifle-pits on the crest of the hill in our front, almost in rifle range. It was our good fortune to have a slight embankment for a cover, where we remained for two hours, until the position known as Mary's Heights, in rear of the famous bank-wall rifle-pit - where so many brave men laid down their lives at the first battle of Fredericksburg - was flanked by Gen- eral Sedgwick's Sixth Corps, and the enemy in our front began to fall back. A canal, some thirty feet wide, and too deep to ford, prevented our advancing directly in front, and we were obliged to return to the city before doing so. During the time we had remained there the enemy had placed two guns in such a position on the bluff, on the south side of the river, that they had an enfi-
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