USA > Massachusetts > Reminiscences of military service in the Forty-third regiment, Massachusetts infantry, during the great Civil war, 1862-63 > Part 2
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SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE.
We are coming, Father Abraham, six hundred thousand more, - From Mississippi's winding stream, and from New England's shore; We leave our ploughis and workshops, our wives and children dear, With hearts too full for utterance, with but a silent tear; We dare not look behind us, but steadfastly before:
We are coming, Father Abraham, - six hundred thousand more.
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THE ENLISTMENT, AND THE CAMP AT READVILLE.
If you look across the hilltops that meet the northern sky, Long moving lines of rising dust your vision may descry ; And now the wind an instant tears the cloudy veil aside, And floats aloft our spangled flag in glory and in pride ; And bayonets in the sunlight gleam, and bands brave music pour : We are coming, Father Abraham, - six hundred thousand more.
If you look all up our valleys, where the glowing harvests shine, You may see our sturdy farmer-boys fast falling into line; And children from their mother's knees are pulling at the weeds, And learning how to reap and sow against their country's needs ; And a farewell group stands weeping at every cottage-door :
We are coming, Father Abraham, - six hundred thousand more.
You have called us, and we're coming by Richmond's bloody tide, To lay us down for freedom's sake our brothers' bones beside,
Or from foul treason's savage grasp to wreuch the murderous blade, And in the face of foreign foes its fragments to parade. Five hundred thousand loyal men and trne have gone before : We are coming, Father Abraham, - six hundred thousand more.
Some time during the first week in September, the company met for the choice of officers, resulting in the election of Messrs. George B. Hanover as captain, and William Brad- bury and D. C. Colesworthy, jun., as first and second lieuten- ants. Mr. John Edmunds, jun., was appointed first sergeant, or orderly, with four other sergeants and eight corporals. On Tuesday the 9th, we met at the armory of the Chelsea Light Infantry, in Gerrish's Building, and made our first march over the ferry and across the city, past the State House, to the Providence Depot, taking the cars for Camp Meigs at Readville, about nine miles from Boston.
As we passed over Beacon Hill, the body of Col. Fletcher Webster of the Massachusetts Twelfth, who had been re- cently slain at the head of his regiment, was being borne to its last resting-place at Marshfield, within our hearing; and the mournful notes of the "Dead March " which fell upon our ears were not calculated to elevate our spirits. But the day was pleasant ; we were hopeful as well as patriotic; our situation had the charm of novelty : so gloomy thoughts were soon dissipated, and we arrived at camp, where we found matters as introduced in the following note : -
18
HISTORY OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, M.V.M.
IN CAMP, READVILLE, MASS.,
Sept. 10, 1862, 38th Birthday. - ---- , I am glad that I am able to write my first note to you in such good spirits and such favorable circumstances. We reached our camp about one o'clock ; and after feeling the first re- straint of the soldier's life, in being kept in line half an hour before our dinner was ready - on account of the tendency to straggle - we had the liberty of the camp, or rather one of them (for there are five distinct ones), the others being occupied by the Forty-second, the Forty-fourth, and the Forty-fifth Infantry Regiments, with the Eleventh Battery. During the afternoon our rubber and woollen blankets were delivered to us, and at nine p.M. we were mustered in line, and the roll was called. At half-past nine the lights in the tents were ordered out, and we retired. There was plenty of straw ; but I am obliged to say that we all had rather an uncomfortable night : the reason lay partly in our inexperience, and partly in a very piercing valley mist, which soaked our tents, - they were old and thin, - and reduced the temperature. We feel more hopeful for to-night.
As to eating - some of our meals are very good ; but coffee and tea are poor. I am to-day put in uniform. . . . There were about sixty-three of our company came out ; but they are coming and going all the time, averaging about twenty-five present. This is written in the centre of my tent, which will accommodate about twenty men. I am surrounded by a group of talkative young fellows. It is late, and I must bid you good-night.
The camp to which we had come was first occupied by the Boston companies, on the 27th of August, and it was already known as that of the Forty-third Regiment, which was being recruited on the Boston Light Infantry - Second Battalion - as a base. This was an old organization long known under the appellation of " Tigers ;" which term the new regiment appropriated. Several companies were on the grounds, which presented a scene of activity new to most of us. Our own company had been filled nearly to its maxi- mum, and on Sept. 20 we were inspected and sworn in by Capt. N. B. MeLaughlin of the regular army, afterwards in command of our friends of Company H, First Regiment. I noticed that all the recruits of advanced years appeared to
- -
19
THE ENLISTMENT, AND THE CAMP AT READVILLE.
have stopped in their growth at the age of forty-five: the reason was obvious. One man admitted that he was older, - and was immediately rejected. When the officer came to any one who was evidently older, but who would not admit it, he cross-questioned him sharply. If the age was persisted in, and the man appeared reasonably vigorous, he was passed.
I quote here the full roster of the company, from the report of the adjutant-general of the State, appending, also, a memorial of the dead. Ninety-three are given as residing in Chelsea, but this is an error. The word " quota " should be used instead of "residence." A very large majority, how- ever, were citizens of Chelsea.
The company was homogeneous and harmonious. We were all of American birth and parentage, with the exception of six, who were English or Scotch, with one French Cana- dian, - all of them acceptable as comrades.
ROSTER OF COMPANY H, FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
NAMES.
Rank.
Age.
Residence.
George B. Hanover .
Captain
42
Chelsea.
William Bradbury
First Lieutenant
88
66
John Edmunds, jun.
First Sergeant
23
Charles G. Butts.
Sergeant
33
66
John H. Perry
28
Horace P. Eldridge
26
Daniel P. Illsley .
66
23
Charles T. Adams
Corporal
20
Thomas King, jun. .
33
Southworth Bryant .
28
Charles M. Coburn .
19
John T. Pitman .
Franklin O. Barnes.
21
66
George E. Colesworthy
18
Charles L. Humphrey .
Musician
18
Norman Wilson
66
18
Samuel P. Wilkinson
Wagoner
24
Charles R. Fisher
Armorer
38
Adams, Sylvester R.
Private
24
Bryant, William B. .
66
4-4
Banter, Gilbert .
22
Blutichard, Edwin B.
1S
66
Beatly, Charles S.
23
66
Alfred M. S. Butler .
21
66
Adams, Jonathan S.
41
66
26
D. C. Colesworthy, jun.
Second Lieutenant .
20
HISTORY OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, M.V.M.
ROSTER OF COMPANY H. - Continued.
NAMES.
Rank.
Age.
Residence.
Bassett. Charles Z.
Private
19
Chelsea.
Burtt, Joseph A. .
Butts, Edwin H.
66
35
Benner, Edwin
66
22
Bettis, Jonas A.
45
Carruth, Isaac S.
22
Colesworthy, Charles J.
22
Cao, William
Dade, David B.
66
32
Emerson, George H.
66
18
Evans, Frank S.
19
Folsom, William J.
18
66
Farley, James A. .
66
30
66
Gooding, George
42
Goodwin. Clement F.
33
Giliing, William F.
30
Chelsea.
Geary, George W.
27
..
Giraghty, John F.
66
19
Harlow, Dexter
66
45
Hall, Charles W. .
66
18
Winthrop.
Harrison, John L.
18
Chelsea.
Hemmenway, George S.
29
66
Haney, Thomas
23
66
Hoyt, Charles HI.
66
27
66
Jones, John T.
21
16
Johnson, Samuel W.
66
1S
Chelsea.
Lombard, George E.
6.
18
Le Blane, Remi
26
Lovejoy, Joseph T.
22
Loach, James W. .
22
Lord, George F.
18
Mcintyre, James .
24
MaKenzie, William
Maynard, Cornelius D.
42
66
Morrill, George E.
1S
6.
Mason, Walter
66
18
Mears, George.
27
66
Merritt, Martin
66
21
66
Patrick, Albert E.
66
21
Perry, Almon
33
Pierce, George F.
19
Malden.
Parker, Merritt
18
Boston.
Perkins, Charles W.
30
Chelsea.
Pratt, George W. .
19
Pickford, Henry
31
66
Hayden, John .
66
22
Malden.
Judkins, Hiram
24
Weston.
. Kimball, James H.
Knowles, Henry F. .
66
18
..
.
.
21
Andover.
18
Chelsea.
Ballsdon, George .
Evans, Thomas H.
23
Boston.
Fracker, John W. Forrest, Henry
21
Chelsea.
21
Andover. Chelsea.
33
20
Hopkins, John P.
Andover. Chelsea.
26
6
21
THE ENLISTMENT, AND THE CAMP AT READVILLE.
ROSTER OF COMPANY H. - Concluded.
NAMES.
Rank.
Age.
Residence.
Richardson, Zanoni A. .
Private
18
Racklif, Benjamin
Rogers, Edward H. .
66
38
Stanwood, William E.
40
Spaulding, William A.
21
Malden.
Sinclair, John G. .
21
Chelsea.
Spooner, John F. .
18
Swords, Edward K.
25
Swett, Cyrus E.
18
Scott, Frank J.
19
Thompson, Henry F.
24
Twombly, Charles W.
18
Tilden, Colman, jun.
22
Tufts, John.
34
Teel, Abner G.
26 .
Weston. Chelsea.
Whittemore, Thomas, jun.
24
Whitford, Reuben
29
Whiting, Edward .
16
19
Watson, John A. .
66
44
66
White, William R.
16
26
66
Waters, John
66
28
66
Young, George W.
39
NOTE. - Cao, Forrest, and Waters deserted at Readville; Judkins and Swett were discharged for disability in March, 1863.
NECROLOGY OF THE COMPANY.
Died.
Lieut. William Bradbury . 1874
John Hayden
1367
Lieut. D. C. Colesworthy, jun. 1867
Hiram Judkins .
1866
Corporal Charles T. Adams
James H. Kimball .
Musician Chas, L. Humphrey .
George E. Lombard
1872
Musician Norman Wilson
186-1
James W. Loach .
William B. Bryant .
1866
William E. Stanwood .
1866
Jonas A. Bettis .
1878
John F. Spooner
1867
Isaac S. Carruth
1SS2
Edward K. Swords.
1877
David B. Dade
Abner G. Teel
Thomas HI. Evans
1881
William R. White
James A. Farley
1880
Joseph A. Wood
1866
44
Warren, Theodore B.
19
Wilson, Henry
Wylie, Isaac
39
42
Wood, Joseph A. .
40
Winchester. Chelsea.
66
The above includes only the names of those who are known to have passed away. The date, in some cases, is conjectural.
Here, then, amid the beautiful scenery of the southern suburbs of Boston, at the base of the Blue Hills, was to be our home for nearly two months. The three-years regiments
Died.
22
HISTORY OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, M.V.M.
immediately preceding us had been hurried to the front without the instruction necessary to enable them to manoeu- vre under fire, and it was understood that Gov. Andrew was unwilling that we should leave the State until we were thor- oughly drilled. To this end the movements of the squad, company, and battalion, with the daily dress-parade and guard-mounting, were pursued with diligence. The perfec- tion of our movements, however, was much impeded by the fact that our arms (Springfield rifles) were not furnished to us until the eve of our departure. We made several marches into the country, and on one or two occasions the regiment visited the city : during one of them we were provided with a bountiful collation on Beacon-street Mall at the expense of the city of Boston. A short time before our departure, the Chelsea members of the company, which comprised a large part of our number, came home in a body, being met at the Providence Depot by the Chelsea Rifles, and escorted to the Square by the way of the ferry : here we were dismissed to our homes. During the evening we again assembled under the following circumstances : --
MILITARY OVATION.
" A pleasant re-union of friends, a mingling of partially dis- severed households, took place at the City Hall on Wednesday evening. Capt. Hanover and his company (Fourth Company Chelsea Volunteers) - II, Forty-Third Regiment, attached to Col. Holbrook's ' Tigers,' and encamped at Readville - visited the city of their homes on invitation of the Chelsea Rifle Corps, citizens and friends co-operating to make the reception worthy of the occasion.
"The company arrived at Providence Depot in Boston at five o'clock, where they were received by the Rifles. Capt. Hilbourn, fifty guns, with the Chelsea Band. Under this escort the Tigers reached Chelsea by the ferry, the band playing 'Sweet Home' with the quick movements of a march as they passed through our streets to the armory, where they were dismissed till eight o'clock. at which hour they marched to the City Hall under the same escort. The hall was flanked with richly spread and brilliantly decorated tables, and made attractive with kindling eyes. . . . Capt. Hil-
23
THE ENLISTMENT, AND THE CAMP AT READVILLE.
bourn delivered a reception-speech to his guests, which was re- sponded to by Capt. Hanover with ardent brevity. The Tigers then filed round the tables, and commenced to fill with rations of palatable viands not common to soldiers' haversacks. Meanwhile the band discoursed melodious strains.
"After the repast, W. R. Pearmain, Esq., in behalf of the ladies, presented Capt. Hanover with a magnificent bouquet, and to the other officers and non-commissioned officers similar floral favors. These bouquets, for the most part, were very choice, and were sup- plied for the occasion by Mrs. Isaac Stebbins and other ladies.
" After a period of social conversational intercourse, the music indulged in livelier and more impulsive measures, terminating in the dance. . . . Next day, at two o'clock p.M., they re-assembled at the armory, and returned to Camp Meigs, highly delighted with their visit." - PIONEER, Oct. 18, 1862.
Among the incidents of our stay at Readville, one, in which Lieut. Bradbury was the principal actor, deserves recording. One of the younger members of the company was somewhat free with his tongue while on duty, and the lieutenant was aggravated by it to such an extent as to cause him to lose command of his temper. Catching the offender by the coat-collar, he sat him down quite suddenly in a mud-puddle. The incident caused some feeling among the men, and also in Chelsea. The lieutenant, learning of it, took the first opportunity to make a handsome public apology to the whole company; and justice to his memory calls upon me to say that his conduct throughout the whole term of service amply vindicated his sincerity.
Having said this, I will add that all our officers were "gentlemen." Just how much is comprised in this term no one can tell until he has been under the strict control neces- sary in military affairs. I am justified in saying that there was not an angry altercation or word between any of us and our officers, commissioned or non-commissioned, during the whole time of service; nor was there any harsh or severe treatment experienced by us at their hands.
A short time before our final departure, the Hon. Frank B. Fay made us a visit, and addressed the company assembled
-
24
HISTORY OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, M. V.M.
in line in our street. I recall enough of his speech to know that it was characteristic of the man, - both sensible and practical. We listened with profound attention to the advice which he, by his familiar intercourse with the army, was so well qualified to give to us. He complimented our appear- ance, and expressed his confidence in our ability to establish a good record; he urged us to take good care of our health, not to drink too much coffee, never to sleep on the bare ground if it could possibly be avoided, - to get a fence-rail, or a barrel-stave, or a bunch of weeds under our back-bones to protect us from moisture, -to be sure to mark our names on our knapsacks, clothes, etc. In concluding, he warned us to expect to be treated unjustly.
Some time during the autumn the regiment had quite a sensation, coming in the shape of what appeared to be an accident to a member of the Abington company. He was engaged in splitting wood, during which he cut off one of his great toes, exciting much sympathy, until, on looking at his boot, it was found to be chalked at the spot where the axe had passed through it, thus proving that the mutilation was intentional. From all that could be learned, homesick- ness, instead of cowardice, seemed to be the impelling motive of the deed.
Our stay at Roadville was enlivencd by the daily presence of a Boston band, hired by the regiment, and also by the frequent visits of our families and friends. We had our full share of the exuberance of spirits natural to men released from the dull and engrossing routine of daily labor, and many were the pranks that were played. As I recall them, I wonder that we had not broken some of our necks. On one occasion I saw a sutler's building, that must have been at least fifteen feet by twenty-five, taken off its foundation by as many men as could get under it, and moved several hundred feet, to a more appropriate location than its original one, with the most side-splitting scenes of laughter. After it was set upon its new base. it was broken open, and the contents of pastry, etc., were tumultuously scrambled for. and eaten. Rather rough on the owner, the reader will
1
THE ENLISTMENT, AND THE CAMP AT READVILLE. 25
think. In some respects it was; in others, not. It would have cost him something in money to have moved the build- ing himself, so that his cakes were not an entire loss to him ; then the transaction was an open one, done in the broad light of mid-day; it was impromptu, and without malice, and it passed off without any further notice.
At another time, as I was standing in our company's street early one evening, I noticed one of the tallest and liveliest of our men, whom I shall speak of as " the deacon," coming quietly along past me, having with him six or eight of the fun-lovers of our number. I saw by their manner that some- thing was up, and kept my eyes upon them. They passed up to the head of the street, and stopped opposite the sergeant's quarters, -- a low A tent large enough for four men. It was closed ; but it was apparent shortly afterwards, that our or- derly was in it, engaged in writing, and one or two of his associates were also with him. Absolute stillness prevailed. As quick as the tent was reached, and without any talk or even signs. the "deacon " laid himself down flat upon his face, on the ground ; his comrades in mischief ranged them- selves on either side, and placed their hands under his body, raising him about eighteen inches ; they then swayed him to and fro, still preserving perfect quiet, until, at a final word of command, he was hurled head first into the tent, and, as the flap was not fastened, he disappeared completely from our sight. The effect was very observable. The group of aston- ished sergeants put in an appearance on the street as soon as they could pick themselves up, and get out of the fallen tent. It was soon apparent to them that the world had not come to an end, after which an explanation was in order: this was made in such circumstances of uproarious merriment from all concerned, as to render anger out of the question. " Jolin " thought that it was rather "steep," hoped. in his courteous manner, that they " wouldn't do so again," and the incident passed off without serious consequences, either phy sical or moral.
There was often a strange blending of the grave and the comic in connection with our countersigns: these were
26
HISTORY OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, M. V.M.
usually taken from the scene of war, - Antietam, etc .; and on one occasion a German recruit, who had hardly acquired the ordinary use of our language, challenged the grand rounds "to advance the 'South Mountain,' and give the countersign."
A pleasant memory of Readville recurs in chronicling the fact that the neighboring residents on several occasions made us the honored sharers of their crops of fruit, bringing them into camp by loads, and emptying them upon the ground in onr streets.
Finally, during the last of October, various floating ru- mors as to our departure and destination took definite form in an order, dated Oct. 24, to our colonel, to go on board of the steamer " Merrimac," at Boston, and on arrival at New- bern, N.C., to report to Gen. John G. Foster, commanding the Eighteenth Army Corps.
The preparations necessary for our departure delayed us until Wednesday, Nov. 5, when we took the cars for Boston. Several regiments besides our own were in motion on that day, destined for North Carolina and Louisiana ; so that our progress was slow, and we did not reach the parade-ground on the Common until late in the afternoon. We here re- ceived our colors from the hands of the Hon. Robert C. Win- throp, accompanied by a lengthy and interesting historical address, the closing words of which I give, as follows, with Col. Holbrook's reply : --
"Sir. I may detain you no longer. These historical reminis- cenees and allusions, which I should hardly have been pardoned for omitting on such an occasion, have left me no time for dwell- ing on the circumstances under which you have been called forth, or of the cause in which you are engaged. But the banner at my side will more than supply all such deficiencies. Indeed, however precious and however sacred may be the freedom of opinion and of discussion to the citizen at home, to the soldier in the field, the order of his commander and the flag of his country are the only and all-sufficient chart and compass of his duty. I will make no vain effort to give a new glory, or even a new gloss, to that tlag. All that could be done to invest it with the charms of elo-
27
THE ENLISTMENT, AND THE CAMP AT READVILLE.
quence and poetry has already and long ago been done. The genius of our land has inwoven itself upon every tint and thread and fibre of its hallowed texture. Yet its own majestic presence is more eloquent and more inspiring than all that ever has been or can be said of it. It is the flag of our fathers, the flag of Washington, the flag of the Union. It is the symbol of no party less comprehensive than the whole people, of no policy less broad and general than the whole constitution, of no region or territory or district or section less extensive and wide-spread than our whole country. The stars are all there, shining out from its field of blue and red, like the glory of those who first unfurled it from the fields of their wounds and blood - the stars are all there : we count them wistfully day by day, and hail each one of them still and always as the cherished emblem of a sister-state. And most fervently do we hope and pray, that, by the blessing of God, the day may again soon return when each one of them may again be hailed as the emblem of a loving and loyal sister, when a spirit of reconciliation may have been poured out effectually over all those alienated hearts, and when the blessed radiance of our whole glorious constellation may once more illuminate the path- way of constitutional liberty for all the nations of the earth.
" It only remains for me, sir, to present to yon, as I now do, the standard which has been prepared for you. In the name of the Boston Light Infantry Association and of the friends of your regiment who are gathered around me, I commit it to the sacred guardianship of the regiment under your command. And may the blessing of God attend you whenever and wherever you may be called on to display it or defend it ; and not upon you only, but upon all your gallant compeers who have been your associates in . yonder camp, and who go forth with you this day to a common field of duty and of danger. God bless and prosper and protect them all !"
This eloquent address was listened to with earnest atten- tion, and was frequently applauded.
Col. Holbrook, in behalf of the regiment, responded as fol- lows : -
" MR. WINTHROP, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOSTON LIGHT INFANTRY ASSOCIATION, -The fatigues of the camp this morning have completely unfitted me for making any remarks, and beside
28
HISTORY OF THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, M.V.M.
your own. I feel that there is nothing for me to say further than that, without making any promises or pledges of what we shall accomplish, we shall endeavor to do our duty to the best of our- ability. And, sir, from the knowledge I have of the officers and mnen under my command, I have no hesitation in saying that what- ever I call upon them to do, and whatever dangers they may be called on to brave, they will nobly sustain their part with honor to themselves and members of the Boston Light Infantry Associa- tion.
"I thank you, sir, and through you the members of the Boston Light Infantry, for this beautiful flag. It will not only serve to remind us of the present moment and of friends at home; but it will ever remind us of the motto of our noble corps : 'Death, or an honorable life.' "'
It was nearly dark before we were allowed to take leave of our friends. They had been patiently waiting, for long wearisome hours, for the final parting, upon the dear, familiar grounds where most of us had been accustomed from our boyhood to scenes of patriotic rejoicing and festivity upon our national anniversary. It was so late, that but a few moments could be allowed us for this purpose, after which we formed column.
" With hearts too full for utterance, But with a silent tear, We dared not look behind us, But steadfastly before, For farewell groups stood weeping "
as we moved past the State House, down School, Wash- ington. State, and Commercial Streets, to Battery Wharf at the North End. Here occurred one of those tedious delays which formed so marked a feature of military life, and it was late in the evening before we were fairly on board, and mov- ing down the harbor.
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