USA > Massachusetts > Record of the service of the Forty-fourth Massachusetts volunteer militia in North Carolina, August 1862 to May 1863 > Part 9
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Another box catalogued by " Corporal" contained tea, coffee, sugar, butter, pepper, salt, capsicum, cheese, gingerbread, confec- tioner's cake, Bologna sausage, condensed milk, smoked halibut, pepper-box, camp-knife, matches, ink, mince-pies, candy, tomato
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catchup, apples, horse-radish, emery-paper, sardines, cigars, smoking-tobacco, candles, soap, newspapers, pictorials, letters, pickles, and cholera mixture. (Perhaps the latter was another name for orange pickle.)
Mr. C. P. Lewis, of the firm of William K. Lewis & Brother, who had some friends in the regiment, was very generous, and kept them well supplied with condensed milk, olives, sardines, and a good assortment of canned meats and vegetables. One
ADAMS EXFRESE
mess, on January 1, 1863, dined off salmon and green peas furnished by this gentleman's liberality. The contents of one more box will perhaps suffice to show the endless variety of articles that were sent us: preserve, tobacco, two boxes cigars, matches, a ream of letter-paper, doughnuts, gingerbread, quills, sticking-plaster, envelopes, "Les Misérables" (sometimes called "Lee's miserables," but which was certainly a misnomer if ap- plied to us) newspapers, apples, lemons, glue, butter, sugar, silk handkerchiefs, gun-rags, chocolate, woollen blanket, maple sugar, rubber boots, one or two packages for comrades of the recipient, some hairpins, shell back combs, and jewelry, for "properties "
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in our dramatic performances and opera; and an old jacket, coat, and hat, which were probably put in for " ballast."
In this connection it may not be inappropriate to allude to a few of the names by which the Forty-fourth was sometimes designated, especially as one of them was deemed of sufficient importance by a candidate for the governorship of Massachusetts, - himself an officer whose reputation is world-wide, -to merit extended mention during the heated campaign of 1883. About the time we went to Readville, one of the Boston newspapers stated that we had in our ranks " the pets of many a household," and from this expression we were called the "pet" regiment. Our men paid more attention to dress and personal appearance than is usual among enlisted men, as they failed to comprehend why the fact of being soldiers should cause them to become lax in this respect; and from this circumstance we were sometimes -referred to as the " kid glove," " patent leather," " white choker," or "gold watch" regiment. But the name by which we were most generally known, and of which the highly distinguished candidate above referred to meanly endeavored to rob us by at- tributing it to the Forty-fifth Massachusetts, was that of " seed- cakes." About Thanksgiving the Forty-fourth received a very large number of boxes from home, - many more than the men of some of our sister regiments thought its fair share. One day quite a knot of soldiers had gathered in the town of New Berne, when one of our men rather exultingly spoke of the large number of packages we had been receiving. "There's nothing surprising in that," retorted one of his evidently envious com- panions; "your boys can't come down to salt horse and hard- tack like the rest of us, and if your folks didn't keep you supplied with seed-cakes, you'd starve to death!"
This joke had just enough foundation in fact to create a hearty laugh, and passed from mouth to mouth, both in the regiment itself and outside, until "the seed-cake regiment " became the principal sobriquet of the Forty-fourth, - a nickname of which the boys are rather proud.
It was much easier to get boxes into the department than it was to get them out. On the arrival of an express steamer packages were rapidly separated, then loaded on the regimental
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wagons, and sent to the various camps for distribution. The guard, and some men specially detailed for that purpose, watched each box as it came from the vessel, and detained only such as they suspected might contain articles " contraband of war." To send a box out of the department, unless some stratagem was used, a provost-marshal's permit was required in every case; and this was about as difficult to get, if it contained anything worth sending home, especially articles obtained while in the service, as. it was for a private to be allowed to sit down in the Gaston House dining-room at any time subsequent to our first morn- ing in New Berne. One of our men found a volume of " Audu- bon's Birds" in a deserted shanty just outside of Williamstown. He carried it on his back during the rest of the expedition, and on reaching New Berne tried to get permission to send it North, but did not succeed. It finally reached his home in Wisconsin, in spite of the provost-marshal. Most of the men who had me- chanical tastes and ingenuity devoted part of their leisure to manufacturing brier or clay pipes, or horn jewelry. Brier-root was found in great plenty in the swamp just beyond our drill- ground. When dug it was very soft, but in drying it was apt to crack, -a trouble that we found with the clay pipes as well. Those who experimented with horn jewelry were more generally successful, and many of our men now have studs, watch-charms, scarf-rings, etc., they made while in North Carolina.
No place in the world will equal a camp for gossip. Rumors seemed to spring spontaneously from the ground, and no matter how improbable one might be it always found believers. One minute the report would come that the regiment was ordered to South Carolina or to the Potomac, followed immediately by the statement, "based on official knowledge," that we were to remain in camp till our muster out; the next hour came news that we were going on picket, and instantly would be circulated a counter report that we were to go on provost. All sorts of stories regard- ing the prominent officers were in the air, - as to what this one was going to do and that one was not going to do; where this one was going and where the other was not going, etc. Did space permit, it would be interesting to give some specimens. One rumor which gained some currency may well be stated,
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especially as it is one of the very few that can be traced from its inception. The morning of the 14th of March, the day of the attack on New Berne, all was excitement. The air was full of authentic statements of what we were going to do, of where we were going, of changes in command, of Rebel successes, of contemplated manœuvres, etc. Davis Howard had been on guard that night and posted in front of the colonel's tent. As soon as the guard was relieved he rushed into the barracks and called for Corporal Haines. The latter was the regular correspondent of the " Boston Herald," and known as such to most of the members of the regiment. Whenever any startling news had been learned, Haines was always the first to whom it was given. "Corporal" was writing to his paper an account of the attack, when Dave came up apparently out of breath. "Corporal, I've just come off duty at the colonel's tent, and have got a piece of news that interests every man in the regiment. ' It's the most important thing that's happened to us for a long time." So many wild and improbable stories had been brought him, that the corporal was incredulous ; but the evident sincerity of Howard's manner was impressive. All the boys within hearing distance anxiously awaited the disclosure. " I've just come from headquarters," repeated Dave. "A little while ago one of Foster's orderlies came into camp with his horse on a run. and handed colonel a letter. Lee wrote something in reply and the orderly went off on a gallop. Just as I was relieved, another one came, and as soon as the colonel read the paper delivered him he seemed very much excited and sent for the lieutenant-colonel and major. I made up my mind it was something very important, and that if I could, I would know what it was about." All of us had seen orderlies riding into the camp and then riding out again, and were ready to believe that some important movements were about tak- ing place. We knew that Howard was a fellow of resources, and that if he could not succeed in getting this information probably others would fail. "I succeeded in overhearing what he told Cabot and Dabney," added Dave, with much apparent earnest- ness, "and find that Pettigrew has sent over a flag of truce de- manding the surrender of New Berne. Foster refused to give up the place. Pettigrew then sent back word that he would
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shell the town immediately, and has ordered the removal of the women and children and the Forty-fourth Massachusetts before he begins, and has given Foster two hours to get us out. The general has asked Lee where he wants the regiment to go to. Colonel told Cabot that he thought it best to let the men vote on the question, so I suppose you will all hear about it quite soon. He says he wants to stay and let them shell." The laugh that followed Dave's disclosure was tremendous, but he had to run for his life. It is difficult to realize the surprise and amuse- ment of our men when they read in the first New York paper that reached them after the raising of the siege of Washington, a full account of the sending and receipt of this flag of truce stated as an absolute fact, only the locality had been transferred to Washington. In this connection it is reported that some years after the war Colonel Lee was travelling in the West, when a gen- tleman whom he met, finding that he had been in command of a regiment, asked him which one. On being told the Forty-fourth Massachusetts, he inquired if that was not the one ordered out of Washington with the women and children. "Yes," replied our colonel. "Well, if I were in your place I should be ashamed to acknowledge the faet," remarked his questioner. "Why so?" said our colonel ; "the Rebels well knew that they could not get into Washington as long as our regiment stayed there, and thought that if they sent such a message Foster might order us out. He was not kind enough to oblige them; the regiment did not go out ; the ' Johnnies' did not get in. I think Hill paid us a high compliment and have always felt proud of it." Whether this conversation ever occurred we do not know. We have been unwilling to ask the colonel, lest he might deny it and so spoil a good story.
Soon after our return from the Goldsboro' expedition it be- came fashionable among the boys to sit for their pictures. A style called " melainotype " was most in vogue, and it was a matter of pride to see who could send home one showing the greatest appearance of dilapidation. A corporal of Company D had one taken which was a great success in this respect. A netted worsted smoking-cap replaced the regulation fatigue arti- cle ; one suspender was visible, the other concealed; one leg of
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the pants was torn off just below the knee, the other showing an enormous hole made by friction of canteen and haversack; the shoes were not mates. The original garments were worn by the owner for the last time when he sat for the picture, as they were immediately presented to one of the numerous contrabands who thronged the camp. Among the corporal's home friends was an elderly aunt, one of the kindest-hearted old ladies that ever lived, who looked at everything from the most charitable view, but was a warm friend of the "boys," and would quickly resent anything that she thought savored of inattention or neglect towards them. On receipt of this picture she was most indignant, and wrote Governor Andrew in very strong terms, requesting him to per- sonally investigate and see that Massachusetts soldiers were pro- vided with suitable clothing. J. J. Wycth, of Company E, sent home one of a similar character. His fond mother gazed at it sadly for some minutes and then remarked, " If John has become as dissipated and reckless as this picture shows him to be I hope he will never return." Little did we imagine such would be the effect of a desire to let our friends realize our appearance "in camp." It took a large amount of correspondence to explain matters.
Most of our time was spent in the open air. Generally the weather was warm, and it was pleasant to sit in front of our barracks after tattoo and listen to the singing, which was one of our daily pleasures. Charley Ewer, till he was wounded at White- hall, was the acknowledged chorister. There were good vocalists in all the companies, and rarely did a pleasant evening pass but " Kingdom Coming," "Louisiana Lowlands," " Rest for the Weary," or some other of the popular airs were heard in the camp. #
The entertainments given on Thanksgiving were so successful that they were followed by others, each more elaborate than those preceding. One was given on New Year's evening, the programme being as follows: ---
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SECOND Dramatic and SHlusical ENTERTAINMENT, BY THE 44TH REGIMENTAL DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION, ON NEW YEAR'S EVENING, JAN. 1, 1863.
PROLOGUE - (Original.)
OVERTURE. RECITATION - (Selected.) SONG. RECITATION. RECITATION - (Humorous.)
Harry T. Reed.
Band. F. D. Wheeler. Quartette Club. C. A. Chase. E. L. Hill.
BAND.
After which the Grand Final Scene from
The
Merchant of Venice.
SHYLOCK, DUKE, ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, PORTIA, SOLANIO,
H. T. Reed. W. Howard. De F. Safford. F. D. Wheeler. J. H. Waterman. L. Millar. F. A. Sayer.
BAND.
To be followed by A GRAND MINSTREL SCENE.
OPENING CHORUS. LOUISIANA LOWLANDS.
DOLLY DAY.
SHELLS OF THE OCEAN.
Company. H. Howard. F. A. Sayer. H. Howard.
SUSIANNA SIMPKINS.
F. A. Sayer.
HAM FAT MAN.
J. H. Myers.
The whole to conclude with A Terrible Cat-ass-trophe on the North Atlantic R.R. CHARACTERS BY THE COMPANY.
Director,.
H. T. REED.
Assistant Manager,.
De F. SAFFORD.
Secretary,.
W. HOWARD.
Treasurer, J. M. WATERMAN. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
F. D. Wheeler, L. MIllar, F. A. Sayer.
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FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
The next affair, which was entirely impromptu, occurred in the barracks of Company D, January 19. One of the boys was play- ing a dancing tune on the flute. The idea of a ball was suggested. No time could be taken to prepare suitable costumes, but it is doubtful if the grandest society ball was more enjoyed by the participants than was this. It was all too brief; so a more elabo- rate one was arranged for the following evening in the same barrack. The card of invitation was as follows: -
GRAND BALL.
SIR, - The pleasure of your company, with ladies, is respectfully solicited at a GRAND BALL, to be held in the Grand Parlor of the FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL, (No. 4 New Berne), on TUESDAY EVENING, January 20, 1863.
MANAGERS.
C. H. DEMERITT, WILLARD HOWARD, J. E. LEIGHTON.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
BENJ. F. BURCHSTED, C. D. NEWELL, W. G. REED, H. D. STANWOOD,
W. E. SAVERY,
F. A. SAYER, F. M. FLANDERS, H. HOWARD,
J. B. GARDNER, JOE SIMONDS, CHARLES ADAMS, G. W. HIGHT.
MUSIC. Quintzelbottom's Grand Quadrille and Serenade Band. (One Violin.)
Tickets $00.03 each, to be had of the Managers.
No Postage Stamps or Sutler's Checks taken in payment.
N. B. - LADIES will be allowed to smoke.
Persons wishing carriages will please apply to LIEUTENANT WHITE, of the Ambulance Corpse.
Persons wishing anything stronger than Water are referred to the "Sanitary."
The following was the order of dances : -
I. SICILIAN CIRCLE,
2. QUADRILLE,
3. POLKA QUADRILLE,
4 QUADRILLE,
March to Tarboro'. New England Guards. Kinston Galop.
Yankee Doodle.
INTERMISSION.
WALTZ, POLKA REDOWA, SCHOTTISCHE.
5. QUADRILLE,
6. LES LANCIERS,
7. QUADRILLE,
8. CONTRA ( V'irgima Reel),
Bloody 44th Quickstep. Connecticut 10th March. Lee's March.
Rebel's Last Skedaddle.
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Shelter-tents, artistically draped, made excellent skirts for the ladies, albeit they were rather short and not over-clean. They were expanded by hoops procured from some of the quarter- master's empty barrels. A blouse with the sleeves cut off at the shoulder and the collar turned down as far as possible made a very respectable waist, although not as low in the neck as many fashionable belles would demand. Evidently the cos- tumes must have been effective, for a member of another com- pany, after glancing in at the door, returned to his own quarters, polished his boots, brushed his hair, donned his dress-coat, and claimed to have tried to find a paper collar before he ventured into the ball-room. "I was n't going in among ladies looking as rough as I did," he afterwards explained. The last call of the " Lancers" was original: - " Promenade to the bar for quinine rations." The barracks were crowded, and the officers enjoyed the novelty no less than the men.
On January 24, Company E, determined not to be outdone, gave a masked ball at its barracks, and extended an invitation to members of other companies. It was wonderful, with the limited means at our disposal, what a variety of costumes were got up at such short notice. Among the characters represented were an old gentleman and lady of '76, attended by their negro servant. The lady wore a real crinoline and wished the specta- tors to know it. There were personifications of " His Satanic Majesty," " Pilgrim Fathers," policemen, farmers, harlequins, clowns, monks, ladies tall and ladies short, ladies stout and ladies slender, ladies white, black, and Indian red. Nearly all the char- acters were admirably sustained. Several of the officers of the Tenth Connecticut were present on invitation and evidently en- joyed the occasion.
The rivalry between Companies D and E not being settled, they agreed to combine efforts, and the result surpassed all pre- vious attempts. The managerial card is here reproduced : -
GRAND MASQUERADE BALL.
SIR, - The pleasure of your company, with ladies, is respectfully solicited at a GRAND BAL MASQUE to be given under the auspices of the 44th Regimental Dramatic Association, at the Barracks of Companies D and E, on
MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 23, 1863.
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FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
The management desire to state that nothing will be left undone to render it the party of the season.
FLOOR MANAGERS.
WILLARD HOWARD,
J. B. RICE, HARRY T. REED.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
SERGEANT G. L. TRIPP, Company D
PRIVATE F. A. SAYER,
Company D
H. A. HOMER, .6
E
H. HOWARD, D
CORPORAL Z. T. HAINES, =
D
J. H. WATERMAN, Jr. " D
J. B. GARDNER, D
A. H. BRADISH,
=
F
J. W. CARTWRIGHT,"
C. H. DEMERITT,
D
M. E. BOYD,
D
D. HOWARD,
D
C. E. TUCKER,
E
= E. L. HILL,
A
In order to defray the expenses, Tickets will be placed at 10 cents each, to be pro- cured of the Managers. No tickets sold at the door. Visitors are expected to appear en costume.
Music by the New Berne Quadrille Band, five pieces.
The Management desire to express their sincere thanks to the Officers of this Regiment for the many favors granted by them in aid of this undertaking. . The hall will be appropriately decorated.
By permission of the officers the partition was removed be- tween the barracks of the two companies, making a large room about thirty-eight by one hundred feet. The decorations were elaborate; and thanks to Charley Wheeler's skilful brush, the walls were adorned with appropriate mottoes. Corporals Rice and Cartwright of Company E, and Willard Howard and Corporal Gardner of Company D, acted as floor managers. Harry Reed attended to other duties equally important. Generals Foster and Wessells were present, as were also a number of field, line, and staff officers. Our regimental band furnished military music, and a string band played for the dancing. The barracks were liter- ally packed. We regret that space forbids giving a full descrip- tion. "Corporal" and one of our diarists wrote home full and glowing accounts.
Just after one of these entertainments the colonel met Willard Howard and congratulated him on its success, adding, "I am proud of what the boys are doing and will help them in any way that I can." This conversation was repeated to one or two of the men, among whom was Corporal Haines. He immediately pro- posed to write the text of an opera if Howard and others would
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CAMP LIFE.
attend to the music and staging. The idea was most favorably received, committees were appointed, and the result was " Il Re- cruitio." No one would confess to a knowledge of Italian, so, as we wished to call the opera " The Recruit," we translated it after the rule given by some humorous author as nearly as we could. This opera was founded upon the imaginary adventures of one of our members, and described his enlistment at Boylston Hall; the hardships and trials endured on his introduction to military life; his perils by sea and by land; recounted in glowing verse his valorous decds in pursuit of personal safety and forage; and finally bade him adieu in Plymouth, a captive to the charms of a pretty "Secesh " maiden, one " Nancy Skittletop."1 Where so many contributed to the success, it would be invidious to particu- larize; but we think none will deny that a large share of the credit belongs to Willard, Davis, and Henry Howard, - the " Howard boys," as they were universally known, - and to our incomparable scenic artist and " Nancy Skittletop," Fred. Sayer. Scenery from the old New Berne theatre was placed at the disposal of the committee, and shelter-tents, flags kindly loaned by different regiments and the Navy, and red and blue shirts and drawers furnished by the hospital department were utilized in the deco- ration. Companies B and F were on picket at Batchelder's Creek, so their barraeks were used for the performances. A stage was erected at the lower end of F's barrack, toward the sutler's. The orchestra, composed mainly of members of our regiment, with Charley Hooke as leader, was reinforced by Captain Daniel of the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York, and Mr. MeCready, a civilian.
The opera was given on Wednesday evening, March II, to an audience composed principally of members of our own regiment. On Thursday evening the performance was complimentary to General Foster and staff, and one diarist notes that by actual count there were twenty-seven ladies present. On Friday even- ing it was given for the third time, to satisfy the demands of those who had failed to gain admission to either of the previous
1 It was intended to reproduce " 11 Recruitio " in the Appendix, but the Committee have decided that, although very amusing a quarter of a century ago, it is not of sufficient interest to warrant reprinting.
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FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.
representations. At the close of the final performance the com- mittee and actors, with the approval of the colonel, who thought they had earned some privileges, adjourned to the quarters of the officers of Company B, where they enjoyed quite a nice supper, the bill of fare being a decided change from the usual regi- mental diet. After our return to Boston, the opera. with but a few changes in the cast, was given at Tremont Temple, and received most favorable comment from dramatic critics.
Another scheme to employ part of our leisure was that of debating clubs. These were formed in several companies, and proved quite attractive to many of our men. Some of the topics discussed were rather abstruse, but at the age we then were that fact did not trouble us, and we settled them all to our entire satis- faction. Another literary enterprise attempted was that of the establishment of a magazine. It was called "The Bay State Forty-fourth," being printed and published in Boston, but edited by DeForest Safford of Company F; the articles, which related wholly to regimental matters, were contributed by different mem- bers. Only one number was published, as various causes pre- vented the continuation of the enterprise.
February 25, General Foster reviewed the corps. The ground on which the review took place was on the other side of the Trent River. The march was short, - we left camp at 8.30 A. M. and returned at 3 P. M., - but it was one of the most fatiguing days in our experience. Colonel Lee was in command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cabot had charge of the regiment. Un- doubtedly it was a fine sight to the spectators, but the men cer- tainly thought " the play was not worth the candle." Colonel Lee told us afterwards that General Foster gave the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts the credit of doing the finest marching of any regiment that participated, but that the general's staff were unanimously of the opinion that none deserved more praise than the Forty-fourth.
Whenever we went off on an expedition there was always a percentage who from illness or other causes were unable to accompany us. These men were styled the " Home Guard." While we were absent their duties were light, camp and police guard being the only ones they were called upon to perform.
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CAMP LIFE.
Once or twice they were alarmed by an attack on the pickets, and were called out for defence of the town, although they saw no actual fighting. On one occasion Harry Hunt, who was act- ing as sutler in absence of his father, bravely shouldered his musket and took a place in the ranks, thus showing his willing- ness to share in the fortunes of the regiment, whatever they might be.
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