USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > History of the town of Douglas, (Massachusetts,) from the earliest period to the close of 1878 > Part 24
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Benjamin R. Elliott and William Oakes were also wounded at Antietam. Harlan Fairbanks, corporal, acting sergeant, was badly wounded in the leg and foot at the battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines, near Richmond ; was brought home to Douglas, where he gradually recovered from his wounds. Sylvester Oakes was killed by a cannon-ball at Fredericksburg. His brother, Charles H. Oakes (enlisted from Grafton,) was in the same company and was by his side when he fell.
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EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was from Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties, recruited at;" Camp Brigham," Readville, and left for Washington August 24, 1861.
It took part in the following engagements : Battles of the Peninsula, Second Bull Run, Shepardstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahanock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad. The regiment was mustered out of service Sept. 2, 1864. Those :soldiers whose term of service had not expired at that date were transferred to the Thirty-second regiment.
TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This was known as Senator Wilson's regiment, was organized at " Camp Schouler," Lynnfield, and left the State on the 8th of October, 1861, for Washington. It was recruited under the direc- tion of Hon. Henry Wilson, who was commissioned Colonel. Colonel Wilson having resigned Oct. 29, 1861, he was succeeded by Col. Jesse A. Gove, who was killed before Richmond June 27, 1862. Colonel Gove was succeeded by Col. Charles E. Griswold, who subsequently resigned.
The regiment was engaged in the following battles during the war: Battles before Richmond, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahanock Station, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford, Little River, Tolpotony, Bethesda Church, Shady Grove Church, and Petersburg.
The regiment was mustered out Oct. 17, 1864, with the excep- tion of Company E, which was mustered out Oct. 20, 1864. Those men whose terms of service had not expired were transferred to the Thirty-second regiment.
TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was known as the "New England Guards Regi- ment." It was recruited by Col. Thomas G. Stephenson at " Camp Massasoit," Readville, and left for Annapolis on the 9th of No- vember, 1861.
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TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was recruited in Worcester county, the town of Douglas being well represented.
The regiment left the camp in Worcester for Annapolis, Mary- land, Oct. 31, 1861, where they joined the Burnside expedition, and proceeded to North Carolina. They took part in all the prin- cipal engagements in that State, including Roanoke Island and. Newbern. The other engagements in which the Twenty-fifth bore a part were Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro', Port Walthal, Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and at other battles before Richmond, and Wise's Forks.
The casualties to Douglas men in the Twenty-fifth were as fol- lows : Lambert B. Simmons, died at Newbern, N. C., and was the first soldier brought home and buried with military honors.
Nathaniel C. Putnam died of consumption brought on by expos- ure.
Joseph Albee died of congestive chills at Newbern, N. C., and. Jerrie E. Luther at the same place of congestion of the brain.
Thomas M. Magee, wounded in the side by a grape-shot while charging the enemy at Roanoke Island ; re-enlisted in the Third. Rhode Island Cavalry.
Timothy Magary killed in the battle before Petersburg. Allen R. Hough, died of typhoid fever. James O. and Nathan S. Bart- lett, killed at Cold Harbor. Orlando Carpenter died from wounds received at Cold Harbor, and in the same battle George A. Glea- son wounded severely ; returned home and gradually recovered.
Adjutant-General Schouler, in his report for 1865, speaks of this regiment as one that has "always and everywhere sustained. the high character with which it left the State, and has vindicated the honor of Massachusetts. Its colors have never been yielded to, the enemy."
TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was raised in the western part of the State, and was mustered into the service of the United States Sept. 20, 1861. They left the State November 2d, same year, and proceeded to. Annapolis, where they remained in camp until Jan. 6, 1862, when they sailed for North Carolina as a part of the Burnside expedition. The regiment took part in the principal engagements
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in North Carolina, including the capture of Roanoke Island and Newbern, also the battles at Washington, Gum Swamp, Walthal, Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and other battles before Richmond, and Southwest Creek. The main part of the regiment was mustered out at the expiration of their term of ser- vice, Sept. 27, 1864, while the balance, composed of re-enlisted men and recruits whose terms had not expired, were retained, and were finally mustered out June 26, 1865.
Dr. Franklin L. Hunt, Assistant Surgeon in the Twenty- seventh, was killed by guerrillas near Little Washington, N. C., Nov. 18, 1862, while riding in a carriage outside the picket lines. Dr. Hunt was the son of Otis W. Hunt, was a native and for sev- eral years a resident of Douglas, although credited on the quota -of West Boylston.
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment, composed mostly of men of Irish birth, left Camp Cameron, Massachusetts, Jan. 11, 1862, and proceeded to Fort Columbus, New York Harbor. On the 14th of February they left for Hilton Head, S. C. The regiment was first engaged at Fort Johnson, James Island, S. C. They evacuated James Island July 14. On the 3d of August, 1862, the Twenty-eighth sailed from Hilton Head, and arrived at Aquia Creek August 6, where they joined the army of the Potomac.
They afterwards took part in the following-named engagements : Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder- icksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe's Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, Tolopotony, Cold Har- bor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Reams' Station, Petersburg, and South Side Railroad.
The five who enlisted from Douglas in the Twenty-eighth were members of the Douglas Band, and enlisted as musicians in the Regimental Band, twenty-four pieces, Samuel Cary, Leader.
THIRTIETH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was mustered into the service Jan. 4, 1862, and left the State Jan. 13, 1862. It was engaged in the following-named battles : Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Plains Store, Port Hudson, Donaldsonville, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill.
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HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
This was the last Massachusetts regiment to return from the seat of war.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was mustered into the service of the United' States Aug. 13, 1862, and was mustered out June 11, 1865.
It took part in the following-named battles : Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the battles of Sherman's campaign.
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was mustered into the service Aug. 30, 1862,. and mustered out June 8, 1865.
Its battles were as follows : Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jack- son, Blue Springs, Campbell Station, Siege of Knoxville, Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Pop- lar Spring Church, and Hatcher's Run.
The following were the casualties to Douglas men : Leonard A. Chapman, instantly killed at the battle before Petersburg July 9, 1864. In a battle at the same place Oct. 2d, 1864, Daniel A. Burton was severely wounded by a shell and died of his injuries ... In the same battle Matthew Hudson was instantly killed by the bursting of a shell, which also killed three others and wounded William Mowry, another Douglas man. A piece of this same shell' struck another man in such a manner as to strip off his coat, tear- ing it in shreds, but leaving him uninjured.
FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment, commanded by Col. A. B. R. Sprague, was: recruited at " Camp Wool," Worcester.
The regiment embarked at Boston on the afternoon of Nov. 25, 1862, on board United States transport steamer Merrimac, with orders to report to Major-General Foster at Newbern, N. C. Went to sea the evening of embarcation, and after a rough voyage arrived at Beaufort, N. C., on the afternoon of Sunday, November 30, and thence by rail to Newbern, and went into quar- ters in the unfinished barracks on the south side of the Trent river. Upon arrival were assigned to the brigade commanded by Col. T.
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J. C. Amory. Commenced the issue of arms and the instruction of the men in their use on the 5th of December.
In obedience to Department General Order No. 77, and Bri- gade General Order No. 31, the regiment took its place in line at daylight on the morning of December 11, and formed a part of the column in what is known as the expedition to Goldsboro'. For a detailed report of the duties performed during that ten days' march reference may be had to the official report of the com- manding officer, as published in the report of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts for the year 1862.
The first death in the regiment occurred on the 11th of January, of the disease known in medical works as " Cerebro Spinal Menin- gitis." This singularly fatal malady during the two months fol- lowing consigned to the grave about twenty from among the hardiest and best soldiers.
In conformity to Department General Order No. 18, of Jan. 15, 1863, the names " Kinston," " Whitehall " and " Goldsboro'" were inscribed on the colors of the regiment.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, FOSTER BARRACKS, Jan. 21, 1863.
Lieutenant E. T. Parkinson, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, Department of North Carolina.
On the 17th inst., in conformity to Special Brigade Order No. 14, joining a portion of the First Brigade, and a detachment of artillery and the Third New York Cavalry, I marched with seven companies of my command (Companies F, E and G being on detached service) by Brice's Creek, and the south side of the Trent river, to Pollockville, about thirteen miles distant. Arrived at 5 P. M., and went into bivouac for the night. On the morning of the 18th two companies, under the command of Major Harkness, marched with the main column towards Trenton, while I was ordered with the five remaining companies and a detachment of cavalry to guard the approaches, and hold Pollockville till the return of the main force. This was successfully accomplished, and upon the return of the main body at noon of the 19th inst. I received instructions to move five companies to Young's Cross-roads, and hold that point till the arrival of the main column. Without a guide we passed the spot known as Young's Cross-roads (about seven miles from Pollockville), and coming suddenly upon White Oak creek my advance guard received the fire of the enemy's outposts on the other side of the river, the bridge having been destroyed and a breastwork of logs formed for their protec- tion. The advance, under the direct command of Lieutenant-Colonel Studley, returned the fire, and the enemy retired. In obedience to in-
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strnetions we bivonacked at the Cross-roads, and at evening were joined by the Third New York Cavalry. Soon after daylight, 20th inst., crossed White Oak river with a detachment, and established an outpost on the Jacksonville road, to guard the approaches while the bridge over the creek was being rebuilt. The main force, under Colonel Amory, arrived, and a portion of the cavalry pressed forward to a point near Jacksonville, and reported the enemy in force at that place. The object of the expe- dition accomplished, we left "Smith's Mill " on the morning of the 21st, passing through Pollockville, and arrived at Newbern in the evening. A heavy rain during the preceding night made muddy roads and over- flowing streams. William P. Kent, of Company I, who marched in appar- ent good health, was taken suddenly ill, and died in an ambulance on the route.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. R. SPRAGUE, Colonel Fifty-first Massachusetts Regiment.
On the 20th of February, the regiment suffering severely from a steadily increasing sick-list and frequent deaths, six companies were moved from the barracks to Deep Gully, an outpost eight miles out on the Trent road, as a sanitary measure. The weather being unfavorable, and the shelter tents proving quite insufficient for the comfort of men suffering from malaria, the regiment returned to barracks February 27th.
In conformity to Special Order No. 46, " that Colonel Sprague, commanding Fifty-first Massachusetts, with his regiment, relieve the companies stationed at different points along the railroad between Newbern and Morehead City, also those at Morehead City, Beaufort and Evans' Mills," on the 2d and 3d of March the regiment was distributed as follows : -
Company G, Captain T. D. Kimball, remaining at Brice's Ferry. Company K, Captain D. W. Kimball, Evans' Mills. Companies D, Captain Prouty ; H, Captain Hobbs ; B, Captain Bascom ; and I, Captain Thayer, Newport - Lieutenant-Colonel Studley. Companies A, Captain Wood, and C, Captain Goodell, Morehead City. Companies E, Captain Wheeler, and F, Captain Baldwin, Beaufort ; headquarters at Beaufort. Major E. A. Harkness was designated as Provost-Marshal of Beaufort. and Morehead City.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FIRST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, BEAUFORT, N. C., May 11, 1863.
COLONEL: In obedience to instructions from Department Headquar- ters I left Newport Barracks on the morning of the 7th instant, with
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Companies B, C, D, H and I of my regiment, a section of Lee's Battery, Lieutenant Cady, and Captain Moshelle's company Third New York Cav- alry. Passing through the "pecosin " around the head of Big Broad Creek, we arrived at Cedar Point, opposite Swansboro', some eighteen miles from Newport, about 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the 7th. The steamer Wilson did not make her appearance at the mouth of White Oak river as arranged, and, as no other transportation could be procured to cross the river, about one and one-half miles wide at this place, the troops encamped in the woods at Cedar Point.
On the morning of the 8th, the Wilson not having arrived, I accom- panied Captain Moshelle's company of cavalry on a reconnoisance up the east side of White Oak river, to a point called Dorton's Ferry (about sixteen miles from Cedar Point by road), about six miles from Smith's Mills or Young's. We returned to Cedar Point, reaching camp soon after dark.
On the morning of the 9th communicated with Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, who had reached Swansboro', coming down the other side of the river with a detachment of Third New York Cavalry.
At 6 o'clock A. M., 10th instant, left Cedar Point and returned to Newport barracks. I saw nothing of the enemy during our advance and absence, and am convinced that they do not cross White Oak river in force, and that Swansboro' has only been occupied by some fifteen or twenty of the enemy as an outpost.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. B. R. SPRAGUE,
Colonel Fifty-first Massachusetts Regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel S. Hoffman, Assistant Adjutant-General, Eighteenth Army Corps.
March 25th Lieutenant Sanderson and twenty-two men were ordered to man the gunboat Hussar, lying in Beaufort Harbor, and were instructed in naval gunnery.
By Special Order No. 93, from Department Headquarters, dated March 30th, in addition to his other duties, Colonel Sprague assumed command of the post of Fort Macon, and Company C, Captain Goodell, was added to the garrison, one company of the Forty-fifth Massachusetts being relieved. On the 4th of May the regiment returned to Newbern, greatly improved in health, and reoccupied their old quarters in Foster barracks on the Trent. The regiment left the barracks on the 22d of May, and selecting a spot near the junction of the Trent and Neuse, it was designated Camp Wellington.
Some misapprehensions having arisen concerning the time of the expiration of the term of service of the nine months' men, the
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commissary of musters for the Eighteenth Corps issued a circular, and after stating the rule adopted by the goverment concludes. as follows : " Its fairness and liberality can hardly be questioned by any, save those whose patriotism is of so weak a nature as to begrudge to their country a short period additional to their speci- fied nine months. In order, however, that no possible ground of complaint may exist, the General commanding authorizes me to state that any company in this department will, on application of its captain, approved by the Colonel commanding the regiment, be furnished with transportation, and allowed to proceed home in time to reach it in nine months from the time of its muster into service."
This circular was read to the regiment at the evening parade of the 10th of June, together with the following : -
HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FIKST MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, CAMP WELLINGTON, NEWBERN, N. C., June 10, 1863.
I have caused to be read to the whole command a circular which was drawn out by dissatisfaction with the direction of the War Department, in regard to the time of mustering out the nine months' men.
Without entering upon an argument in regard to the justice or equity of this decision of the War Department, I rely upon the good judgment, the patriotism and intelligence of the officers and soldiers of this regi- ment who entered the service, and have stood together unflinchingly in the line of duty, to take no action which will compromise them in the eyes of the country and their friends. Rather let us be overzealous in the service than be relieved one moment too soon by our own action.
A. B. R. SPRAGUE, Colonel Fifty-first Massachusetts.
No company of the regiment signified a desire to avail them- selves of the offer in the foregoing circular.
It being understood that while the rebel army under Lee was pressing northward into Maryland and Pennsylvania General Dix would move upon Richmond by way of White House, on the Pamunky, this regiment, together with others, was offered to Gen- eral Dix, and on the 24th of June received orders from Major- General Foster to report at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and with the exception of one hundred and eighty-three sick men, who remained behind, on the afternoon of that day embarked on steamer Thomas Collyer and schooner A. P. Howe. Arrived at
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Fortress Monroe on the morning of the 27th, the commanding officer reported to the senior officer at that post, who directed the regiment to proceed to Cumberland, Virginia, on the Pamunky. Leaving the sick and all surplus baggage at the fortress, all embarked on the Collyer and proceeded up the York river. While en route received orders to proceed to White House, and arrived about midnight.
Early on the morning of the 28th reported to General Dix, whose whole force was in camp at White House. Upon learning that the regiment was in light marching order, without camp equipage, and the term of service of the regiment having nearly expired, General Dix ordered that the regiment return to Fortress Monroe, and there make requisition upon the quartermaster for transportation to Massachusetts, to be mustered out of service.
Arrived back at Fortress Monroe evening of the 28th, and while awaiting transportation learning the critical condition of affairs in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the colonel commanding authorized General Naglee to offer the service of the regiment for the emer- gency, and after communicating with Washington by telegraph they were accepted, and orders received from General Halleck for . the regiment to report to General Schenck at Baltimore, who was. in command of the Middle Department. Arrived in Baltimore on the 1st of July, and were ordered to occupy Belger barracks, near the line of defenses of Baltimore, in process of construction, where they remained till the 6th of July. Sunday, 5th July, six companies, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Studley, were detailed to .. escort two thousand three hundred rebel prisoners, taken at Gettys- burg, from the railroad station to Fort McHenry.
On the 4th of July the regiment received the honor of being detailed to search the houses of the citizens of Baltimore for arms, in conjunction with the city police, and successfully and creditably performed this delicate duty. Thousands of arms of various kinds were seized, and deposited at the office of the city marshal.
In obedience to orders, at 6 o'clock on the morning of the 6th instant, the regiment in light marching order reported to Brig- adier-General Briggs, to whose brigade it had temporarily been assigned, at the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with three days' rations and sixty rounds of cartridges. Proceeded as far as Monocacy Junction, where the regiment remained in the
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cars till the morning of the 7th. Late in the afternoon of this day arrived at Sandy Hook, Maryland, from whence the rebels had just fled, but still held Harper's Ferry and the opposite bank of the Potomac. About 9 o'clock P. M. were ordered to proceed to Maryland Heights. The rain was steadily falling, and the night was dark. The Eighth, Forty-sixth and Fifty-first Massachusetts regiments, with a Pennsylvania battery, all under command of Colonel Sprague, of the Fifty-first, commenced the ascent. After hours of delay and weary marching the column arrived at Fort Duncan, on the heights, about 4 o'clock, morning of the 8th.
The regiment here remained doing outpost duty on the Potomac and on the Sharpsburg road till the 12th of July, when orders were received " to procure three days' rations and proceed to Boonsboro', Maryland, to join the army of the Potomac," which was in that vicinity endeavoring to intercept the retreat of the rebel General Lee.
The brigade of General Briggs, consisting of the Eighth, Thirty- ninth, Forty-sixth and Fifty-first Massachusetts regiments, left Maryland Heights by Sharpsburg road at 9 o'clock P. M. Sun- day, July 12th, marching all night. Arrived at the front about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the 13th, having marched about twenty-seven miles.
Surcharged with malaria contracted in the swamps of North Carolina, without camp equipage, kettles, or a change of clothing in wet weather, the men were poorly prepared to endure the fatigue, and large numbers became sick, and were sent back to Baltimore from Sandy Hook and Maryland Heights, so that when it arrived at the front there was present for duty an aggregate of only two hundred and seventy-five men. The brigade was immediately assigned to the Second Division, First Corps, of the Army of the Potomac, and second line of battle.
The enemy disappeared from our front during the night, and on the morning of the 14th the army was in motion in pursuit of the retiring rebels. The Fifty-first marched with the main body, and proceeded to Williamsport, where it was evident the enemy had effected a crossing.
Encamped at Williamsport, and 15th instant marched back through Funkstown and Antietam to a point near Berlin, Maryland, where a pontoon across the Potomac had been thrown for the passage. of our troops into Virginia.
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The enemy having disappeared from our front, recrossed the Potomac, and in full retreat, the regiment received orders from Corps Headquarters, on the 17th of July, to return to Massachusetts, to be mustered out of the service of the United States. Reached Balti- more on the morning of the 18th, and arrived at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, on the 21st day of July.
A furlough was granted to the men until the 27th instant, when they were mustered out of service by Captain Lawrence of the Fourth Infantry, U. S. A., having served nearly ten months.
The sick left at Newbern at the departure of the regiment under charge of Assistant-Surgeon Garvin arrived home before the regi- ment, and were mustered out with the rest at Worcester, Massa- chusetts.
Company I of this regiment was composed largely of men from Douglas and the neighboring town of Upton. Its officers were William Hunt, captain ; Harrison F. Bradish, of Upton, first lieu- tenant ; Lucius M. Thayer second lieutenant, and Ezekiel Pack- ard first sergeant.
Upon the resignation of Captain Hunt Feb. 7, 1863, Lucius; M. Thayer was promoted captain, and Ezekiel Packard second lieutenant. May 23, 1863, Lieutenant Bradish resigned and Ezekiel Packard succeeded him as first lieutenant ; Charles W. Moore was commissioned second lieutenant.
The casualties to Douglas men were as follows : Marcus M. Mitchell (a Douglas man, enlisted in Milford,) died at Newbern, N. C., Jan. 28, 1863. Francis L. Moore also died in hospital at Newbern, and John N. Gaskell killed near Spottsylvania Court- house, Va. Philetus Buffum was honorably discharged at the ex- piration of his term of service ; died July 3, 1867, and was buried in the East Douglas cemetery. The name of Dr. J. Homer Dar- ling, assistant surgeon of the Fifty-first regiment, was omitted from the list on page 117. He was enlisted at Douglas and returned home, at the expiration of his term of service, July 27, 1863.
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