USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The Melrose memorial : the annals of Melrose, county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, in the great rebellion of 1861-'65 > Part 15
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231
NAVAL VICTORY AT MOBILE.
steamer to tow her off. I arrived on board the " Cuyler " at 3.30, with my seven prisoners, and was warmly congratulated by Cap- tain Jouett and my fellow officers. She was the rebel schooner " Isabel "with two hundred bales of cotton and about one hun- dred barrels turpentine, quite a valuable cargo if it could have been saved.
FARRAGUT'S GREAT NAVAL VICTORY AT MOBILE -PAS- SAGE OF FORTS "MORGAN" AND "GAINES."
The following is Lieutenant Dyer's interesting account of the terrific fight and complete victory of our navy, in passing Forts "Morgan " and "Gaines." Dyer was, at the time of this writing, Acting Master ; and for some months previous to this action, had been in command of the steamer "Eugenie."
U. S. S. " METACOMET," Inside Mobile Bay, Aug. 5, 1864.
Our fleet, consisting of fourteen wooden vessels and four iron-clads, successfully passed Forts "Morgan" and "Gaines " this morning at 8 o'clock, whipping the Rebel fleet, and is at this moment in complete possession of Mobile Bay. I wish you could just be on board this, or any other vessel here for a few minutes and witness the scene. We are all now lying quietly at anchor in the Bay, with the Star Spangled Banner floating from every gaff and mast-head in the fleet, and in our midst the famous ram " Tennessee," Admiral Buchanan, and the Confederate gun- boat " Selma," both of which struck their colors to our victo- rious flag. Our loss has been the heaviest of any naval fight of the war by far. This ship was struck about twenty times, but strange to say we have lost but one killed and two wounded. In all we have about fifty killed and seventy-five wounded, not including the monitor "Tecumseh," which was blown up by a
232
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
torpedo, and all hands sank with her except twelve or fourteen - ten of whom were picked up by a boat from this ship. But to give you something of an idea of the fight, I will inclose a diagram of our position at the time the "Tecumseh " blew up. I have placed the ships in the position they were at the decisive moment of the fight, the time that the "Tecumseh " blew up. As you will see, the line was formed as follows : - " Brooklyn," with the "Oetorora " alongside ; " Hartford " - Flag-Ship, - with the " Metacomet "; "Richmond " and " Port Royal "; " Lackawanna " and " Kennebec "; " Ossipee " and " Seminole "; " Monongahela " and " Itasca," and the "Oneida " and "Galena "; the "Tecumseh " was to the right of the "Brook- lyn," the "Manhattan " to the right of the "Hartford," the " Winnebago " to the right of the " Richmond," and the " Chickasaw" to the right of the "Lackawanna," the four last being monitors.
At 6.30 our line was formed, and we advanced to the con- flict, - with an ensign at every mast-head and gaff in the fleet. And in the light of an August morning's sun the bright hues of our banners seemed to inspire every one with courage and hope, notwithstanding many, no doubt, with myself, felt the momentous importance of the moment; and with an inward prayer for victory, nerved themselves for the fight. At seven o'clock "Fort Morgan " opened fire, which was at once returned from the " Brooklyn's " forecastle gun, and soon after, by a broadside from the "Brooklyn " and " Hartford," when the fight became general with the leading ships. From this time until 7.45 the firing was rapid. The rebel fleet had come out from behind the point and lay directly ahead of our line delivering a raking fire upon us, which we could not return. About this time the " Brooklyn " discovered a torpedo ahead, and backing to clear it, the " Hartford " and this ship took the lead, and at eight o'clock were in the position described by the diagram. At 8.05 the " Tecumseh " blew up, close on our starboard beam - and the firing now was terrific. To attempt a deseription is impossi-
*
233
NAVAL FIGHT IN MOBILE BAY.
ble. Forts " Morgan " and "Gaines " upon either side - four gun- boats ahead raking us, and the " Tecumseh " going down before our eyes. We sent a boat to pick up the floating. The Admiral then steamed with the " Hartford " close in to the Fort, within two hundred yards of the beach, closely followed by the " Brook- lyn," and poured broadside after broadside of grape and can- ister into them, steaming slowly ahead all the time. As soon as we had passed out of range of their grape, we cut loose from the " Hartford " and steamed off on our own hook for the three gun-boats ahead ; they at once headed up the bay, fighting us at the same time. We engaged the whole of them, leaving the " Tennessee " to the tender mercies of the fleet. We soon succeeded in crippling the "Gaines," and we then had the "Morgan " on one bow and the " Selma " on the other. Soon the " Morgan " turned her tail, and after a running fight of fifty minutes the "Selma" struck her colors and I was ordered on board to take charge. I did so, and found five men killed and ten wounded, three of whom have since died. Transferred pris- oners to our ship, buried the dead, hoisted the Stars and Stripes and steamed down to the Admiral. We were about seven miles from our fleet when she surrendered. As the "Metacomet " is to go to Pensacola with the wounded, myself with my prize crew have just returned to our ship, having been relieved, and the wounded on both sides are now coming on board. The " Ten- nessee " surrendered to the fleet after a desperate fight. She did not fulfil the boast of Admiral Buchanan, C. S. Navy, of " whipping the whole Yankee fleet in one hour " quite ! though she is a most formidable vessel ; and nothing but a determina- tion to destroy her, or be destroyed, effected her capture. Admiral Buchanan, commanding the rebel fleet, is now on board wounded in the leg. The officers of the " Selma " and " Ten- nessee," so far as I have seen, take it quite coolly, though evidently much chagrined at the result ; they are gentlemen, and I think have no fault to find with their treatment so far. I am deeply thankful for my escape thus far and I hope I may be equally fortunate still.
30
234
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
PENSACOLA, Aug. 6.
At daylight this morning got under weigh from our anchorage and ran down to " Fort Morgan " with all the wounded on board. I was sent to communicate with the Fort, under a flag of truce, and delivered the bodies of two officers, killed on board the "Selma," and received permission to take the wounded to this place, where we arrived at 2 P. M. We have delivered the wounded to the hospital, and to-morrow morning start again for Mobile Bay, having come out with the express understanding that we were to return and report to the Fort as soon as possible. The only outlet is by the same way we entered, and therefore, until we effect the capture of one of the three forts, we are vir- tually blockaded, our communications cut off, etc. " Fort Powell" is the smallest and weakest fort, and without doubt we shall have that within a day or two, when we can work at our leisure, as their communications are as effectually cut off as ours. With five thousand troops all three forts would be in our possession in less than a fortnight, in my opinion, and I think we shall have that number soon. Already our forces occupy a portion of Dauphin Island, on which " Fort Gaines " is situated, and are operating against it, under command of General Granger.
A short extract from another of Lieutenant Dyer's letters, written five days later, is interesting as giving an idea of the sentiments of the people in and about Mobile at that time.
. You are doubtless looking for the fall of Mobile City . . daily, but be not impatient ; when we get ready then the thing will be accomplished. "Fort Powell," commanding "Grant's Pass," has been blown up and abandoned, and ." Fort Gaines " has surrendered to the Navy, with its garrison of eight hundred and fifty men, and our flag now waves over both forts. "Fort Morgan" still holds out, but its surrender is but a question of time. Our fleet is all around it, that is, have complete control of
*
SCENES ABOUT MOBILE BAY.
235
its water approaches, and the army is within four hundred yards of its walls on the land. . To-day we have been up the Bay on a reconnoissance, to within five miles of the city, and have had a grand view of the town and its water defences. About three and a half miles below the town is what is called Dog River Bar, where they have made extensive preparations to receive us. The channel is sealed up by sunken vessels, piles, etc. ; and then above them they have three rams and two iron- clad floating batteries, besides batteries upon the shore both sides up to the city. About eight miles below the city I landed with a party, and visited several houses in the vicinity. Saw one woman who left the city this morning ; she says the greatest excitement exists in Mobile, but that there are very few troops there. There is not an able-bodied man, nor boy over twelve years of age, on either side of the Bay ; every one is con- scripted, or fled to the woods to escape it. Those that I saw, most of them, are manifestly glad to see us, but dare not say all they wish till they are sure that we will remain. One very pretty young lady remarked to me, in answer to my question, as to whether there were any Union people about, " If we only were certain of your stopping here, you could find nothing but Union people, and real Union people, too ; but if it should be known that we gave you any information, they would take us to town and put us in the common jail." Consequently when we wanted to purchase some chickens or peaches, they would take no money, but told us to take them, and then they could say we took them by force. They seemed anxious to hurry us off, for they momentarily expected a company of cavalry from town. I established a code of signals with one woman there, by which I can tell hereafter whether there are any troops in the vicinity, before landing.
INCIDENTS.
The following incidents are here introduced from "Carle- ton's " "Four Years of Fighting," because they happened in connection with the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment,
236
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
in which we had a goodly number of "boys in blue," and relate so closely to him who was our friend and neighbor, the brave and lamented Colonel-then Major - J. Parker Gould, of Stoneham.1 Colonel Gould represented our district in the Legislature during the winter of 1858-9. He led his Regiment, -the Fifty-Ninth Massachusetts, -into the last campaign, and was then assigned to the command of First Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army Corps ; and when before Petersburg, he was severely wounded. While at Philadelphia, on his way home, he died. He was a noble man, loved and respected for his heroic qualities and Christian virtues, by all who knew him ; and by none more so than by those who served under him during the war.2
1 The Thirteenth Regiment furnished many officers for other organizations. Our Lieutenant Dyer, now in the U. S. Navy, Captain Simonds of the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, and Lieutenant Morse, killed at " Battle of Spottsyl- vania," all rose from its ranks. In recommending men in the service for appointments, Governor Andrew said of the Thirteenth : - " Batchelder is not needed there. That regiment could furnish officers for a whole regiment outside of itself, and be no more weakened than is a bird by laying its eggs. It is remarkable for its excellence of material."
Several poems were written complimentary to this regiment. One entitled " Song of the Thirteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Rifles." Another "The Gallant Thirteenth," written just after the fights of "Bolivar Heights " and " Harper's Ferry," two stanzas of which are as follows :
Tried, and found not wanting ! valiant, firm, and true, Boston fathers' flowing hearts send greeting back to you ; Tears were dried in loving pride, when first you marched away, How proudly now lifts every brow, that you have won the day ! *
* * * * * * And now, all question put aside, they know you as you are, The heroes who set at nought at Heights of Bolivar ! And Harper's Ferry, names which hence, long as Potomac roll, Emblazoned, shine along the line, on the gallant Thirteenth's scroll I
2 The following extract from a letter to one of our citizens, written just before the Peninsula campaign of 1862, shows his hopeful spirit : "I think I have seen most all the varieties in the bill of warfare, from the common duties to
237
THE INTELLIGENT SLAVE.
These incidents happened while a detachment of the Thirteenth Regiment, under Major Gould, was stationed at Hancock, Md., and in the winter of 1861-2. And it must be remembered that at that time slaves were returned to their so-called loyal masters, and the Hutchinsons had been expelled, by order of General McClellan, from the camps of our soldier boys, where they had been singing, because they sang abolition songs, and it was feared the soldiers' minds would be poisoned thereby. But a change was gradually taking place in public opinion, on these matters.
A negro slave, belonging in Winchester, came into the lines. He was intelligent, cautious, shrewd, and loyal. Major Gould did not return him to his master, but asked him if he would go back and ascertain the whereabouts of Stonewall Jackson; the negro readily assented. He was supplied with packages of medicine, needles, thread, and other light articles greatly needed in the South. With these he easily passed the Rebel pickets : " Been out to get 'em for massa," was his answer, when questioned by the rebels.
the smart skirmish. Yet I wish to see it out, for no man can see the service that I have seen, without leaning to warlike feelings. The rebels must be taught one everlasting lesson. I predict that the Union forces will succeed, and if so, slavery is a dead letter. Though slavery is not the question in the contest, it will die away naturally, and perforce Union is the question, and it is the only necessary question now, and it is going to be decided in the affirmative. I thought some time ago that most of the fighting would be over by June, so that perhaps we should be ordered home by July - but now I think it may possibly take longer. If the coming battles at Yorktown and Corinth must decide the hard fate of the war so far as large battles are concerned, - still, from the character of the people, there will probably be much guerilla fighting. But the Southern people have become singularly educated, and they are singu- larly ignorant." In the spring of 1864, when Colonel of the 59th Regiment, and just before the final campaign, the same cheerful and hopeful spirit animated him, he then predicting, in conversation, certain successes, and that by the following Christmas.
238
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
Thus he passed repeatedly into the rebel lines, obtaining information which was transmitted to Washington. He had great influence with the slaves.
" They are becoming restless," said he, "but I tells 'em that they must be quiet. I says to 'em keep yer eyes wide open and pray for de good time comin'. I tells 'em if de Souf whip, it is all night wid yer; but if de Norf whip it is all day wid yer." "Do they believe it?" Major Gould asked. "Yes, massa, all believe it. The black men am all wid yer, only some of 'em isn't bery well informed ; but dey is all wid yer. Massa tinks dey isn't wid yer, but dey is."
How sublime the picture !- a slave counselling his fellow-bondmen to keep quiet and wait till God should give them deliverance.
Among the many rebel ministers who had done what they could to precipitate the Rebellion, was a Presbyterian minister in the vicinity of Charlestown, Va. It was his custom, after closing his sermon, to invite the young men to enlist in the regiments then forming. On one of these occasions he made an address in which he gave utterance to the following sentiment :
" If it is necessary to defend Southern institutions and South- ern rights, I will wade up to my shoulders in blood !"
This was brave ; but the time came when the chivalry of the parson was put to the test. When the rebels were routed at Bolivar, he, not being mounted on so fleet a horse as those of his flock who had given heed to his counsels and joined the cavalry, found himself left behind. A bullet lodged in the body of his horse prevented escape. He then tried his own legs, but soon found himself in the hands of the soldiers, who brought him to head-quarters.
239
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.
He at once claimed protection of Major Gould on the most extraordinary grounds. He had read the poems of Hannah Gould, and presumed that Major Gould, hailing from Massachusetts, must be her kinsman. When confronted with the Major he promptly exclaimed,
" Major, I have read the poems of Miss Hannah Gould, and admire them ; presuming that she is a relative of yours, I claim your protection and consideration."
The Major replied that he had not the honor to be a relative of that gifted lady, but that he should accord him all the consideration due to those who had rebelled against the peace and dignity of the United States, and had been taken with arms in their hands. He was marched off with the others, and placed under guard.
ARTICLES EXCHANGED.
In a letter to the writer, from Lieutenant George C. Kaulback, of the Tenth Massachusetts Regiment, written after the battle of "Fredericksburg," while lying on the banks of the Rappahannock, is described the manner in which articles of daily use were frequently exchanged between the rebels and our troops. This was done by means of slips of wood, two or three feet long, cut into the form of boats, and sent across with little sails. The following letter came over in this way, tied to the mast of one of these boats :
OUTPOST, Feb. 9, 1863.
Gents. on U. S. Duty : We have received the small cargo of coffee. Accept our sincere thanks. In return we send you a small quantity of tobacco. We regret it is so small. In regard to Abe's negro proclamation - we suppose you all cordially
240
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
endorse this last great act. Abe says " he cannot escape history." But he need not be alarmed. He is not known out- side of his own dominions as anybody but Abe Lincoln, a perjured villain. How does he and you reconcile to your vile consciences his oath he took on the 4th of March, 1861, when he pledged his honor as a dog, that he had no intention to inter- fere with the institution of slavery where it existed, and to sup- port the Constitution of the United States, as made by our forefathers.
We are, gents, Yours truly, REBELS.
P. S. How long before your army of observation will make another "On to Richmond !"
-
XVII.
LIST OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS FROM MELROSE.
Names.
Date of commission. BREVET COLONEL.
ARCHIBALD BOGLE. Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment Infantry and Thirty-Fifth U. S. C. Troops. Second Lieutenant, Aug. 21, 1861 ; First Lieutenant, May 28, 1862. Major, May 20, 1863 ; Brevet Lieu- tenant - Colonel, March 13, 1864; Brevet Colonel, March 13, 1865 ; Commissioned First Lieutenant in United States Army, and assigned to Thirty-Ninth U. S. Infantry at New Orleans, March, 1868.
MAJOR.
J. SPENCER DRAYTON.1 Thirty-Fifth U. S. Colored Troops. First Lieutenant and Quartermaster, April 28, 1863 ; Captain, July 14, 1863; on General Wild's Staff, from July 14, 1863, until June 28, 1864, when discharged for disability ; Com- missioned Paymaster for State of Massachusetts, with rank of Major, July 23, 1864, and ordered to New Berne, N. C. Remained until April, 1865. Discharged Dec. 31, 1866.
1 When Rebellion broke out was resident in Dedham, and enlisted in Second Massachusetts Battery ; discharged for disability ; re-enlisted Feb.
31
242
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
CAPTAINS.
JOSEPH R. SIMONDS. Seventeenth Massachusetts Regi- ment Infantry, Aug. 21, 1861.
JOSEPH F. SIMONDS. Third Massachusetts Cavalry. Second Lieutenant, Sept. 20, 1864 ; First Lieutenant, May 28, 1865 ; Captain, Oct. 5, 1865. FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
GEORGE W. BATCHELDER. Thirty-Second Massachusetts Regiment Infantry. Second Lieu- tenant, Dec. 4, 1864; First Lieuten- ant, April 1, 1865. J. WESLEY JONES. Twelfth U. S. Infantry. May 14, 1861. GEORGE T. MARTIN. Thirty-Eighth Massachusetts Regi- ment Infantry and Fourth Heavy Artillery. Second Lieutenant, Aug. 16, 1862 ; First Lieutenant, April 14, 1863 ; Senior First Lieutenant, Aug. 16, 1864.
GEORGE J. MORSE. Second U. S. Colored Troops and Fifty-Ninth Massachusetts Regiment Infantry. Second Lieutenant, March 2, 1863; Second Lieutenant Fifty- Ninth Regiment, Oct. 22, 1863 ; First Lieutenant, March 4, 1864.
GEORGE G. NICHOLS. Seventh Unattached Company Infantry. First Lieutenant, May 6, 1864. Fourth Heavy Artillery. First Lieutenant, Aug. 18, 1864.
21, 1862, in Co. A, First Ileavy Artillery ; appointed Quartermaster-Ser- geant March 1, 1862 ; detached in August, and ordered to report to Colonel J. Dimmock, commanding First U. S. Artillery at Fort Warren, as Commis- sary-Sergeant.
2.43
LIST OF OFFICERS.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
GEORGE A. CHIPMAN. Sixth Massachusetts. July 20, 1864.
JACOB M. ELLIS. Second Massachusetts Battery. Jan. 8, 1865.
GURDON MCKAY. Twenty - Second Massachusetts Regiment Infantry. Oct. I, 1861. CHARLES H. STEVENS. First Massachusetts Cavalry. Jan. 2, 1864. BREVET LIEUTENANTS.
EDWARD W. KENDALL. Seventeenth Massachusetts Regi- ment. Brevet First Lieutenant, Sept. 2, 1864.
GEORGE W. LYNDE. Seventeenth Massachusetts Regi- ment. Brevet Second Lieutenant, Dec. 31, 1864. ASSISTANT SURGEON. SAMUEL INGALLS, M. D. Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry. Jan. II, 1864.1 OFFICERS IN THE NAVY.
N. MAYO DYER. Acting Master's Matc. May 2, 1862 ; Acting Ensign, May 20, 1863 ; Act- ing Master, Jan. 12, 1864; Acting Lieutenant, April 22, 1865 ; Licuten- ant in Regular Navy, March 12, 1868. EDWARD A. SMALL. Acting Ensign, June 16, 1862; Acting Master, Feb. 22, 1865. JAMES F. PERKINS. Acting Ensign, Nov. 14, 1862. WILLIAM A. FULLER. Third Assistant Engineer, March 23, 1864.
' Was Acting Assistant-Surgcon U. S. A. in Lincoln General Hospital, Washington, D. C., and U. S. General Hospital, at Portsmouth Grove, R. I., from Dec. 1862 to Jan. 1, 1864.
.
244
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
ALPHABETICAL ROLL OF
Names.
Regiment.
Company.
Rank.
A.
Aldridge, William H. .
59
Private.
Anderson, John H. L.
8
E
Andrews, Edwin A.
Arnold, Charles H.
44 2d Bat. 15
A
Corporal. Private.
B.
Barnard, John M., Jr. .
42
G
Private.
Barrett, Charles
42
G
Barrett, Charles L.
42
G
Barron, Elliot F. Barron, Henry
22
G
Wagon'r.
Barry, Garrette
28
A
Private.
Barry, John
59
A
"
Barry, Royal P.
45
D
Serge'nt.
Barry, William F.
I3
A
Private.
Beaman, William
Navy
Seaman.
Bickford, Nelson W.
38
I
Private.
Batchelder, George W.
22
G
Serge'nt.
Boardman, Charles
42
G
Private. 66
Bodwell, Henry A. .
Navy
I7
I
2d Lieut.
Bogle, Archibald
35 U. S. C. T.
Bvt. Col.
Bosson, Samuel .
Navy
Seaman.
Boyd, Robert
19
A
Private.
5
B
32
C
Ist Lieut.
22
G
Seaman.
Anderson, Leonard B. .
50
E
245
ROLL OF SOLDIERS.
SOLDIERS FROM MELROSE.
Term of Enlistment.
Discharged.
Remarks.
Three years. One hundred days. Nine months. Three years.
Expiration of service. With Regiment.
Non-resident.
Expiration of service. 66
Non-resident.
-
Nine months.
With Regiment.
Prisoner, Texas.
Three years.
Expiration of service. 66
Non-resident. "
Nine months. Three years,
With Regiment.
Expiration of service.
Killed,Antietam Sept. 17, 1862. Substitute for Geo. W. Heath.
Three months. Three years.
Close of war. With Regiment.
Re-enlisted. Prisoner, Libby. Re-enlisted. Prisoner, Texas. Re-enlisted.
Nine months. Three years.
Expiration of service. For promotion. Close of war.
Wd. Pris., Ander- sonville. Now in U. S. Army.
Expiration of service. Non-resident.
Three years.
Disability. With Regiment.
246
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
Names.
Regiment.
Company.
Rank.
Brand, Nathan H. .
9th Bat.
Private.
Brandon, Edward A.
2d Cav.
I
Bridges, Henry
42
G
Brierly, James
5th U.S. Cav. IIth U. S. I.
B
66
Brown, George
Brown, Jonas G.
50
E
Brown, Robert
II
Brown, Thomas
5th U.S. Cav.
I
Bryant, Thomas O.
42 Vet. R. C.
G
66
Buffum, Adelbert A.
24
B
Corporal. Privatc.
Burnham, Oliver R.
2d Cav. 6
A
Burnham, Paschal E.
42
G
Burns, Francis
39
I
Burtwell, Thomas
19
Bush, Henry .
54
Buttrick, John W.
42
G
Corporal.
C.
Carlisle, John .
18
E
Private.
Chambers John. .
28
Chandler, Roswell W. .
Ist Cav.
G
Chapin, Joseph A.
9th Bat.
66
Chase, Ede K.
5 3d H. Art. 5th U.S. Cav.
A
66
Cheever, Augustus L.
C
66
Chipman, George A.
45
D
6
A
2d Licut.
Buckley, James .
Burke, Patrick
D
66
Cherain, Charles
Brimmer, Daniel
247
ROLL OF SOLDIERS.
Term of Enlistment.
Discharged.
Remarks.
Three years.
Nine months. Three years.
Expiration of service. Expiration of service.
Died at Wash- ington, D. C., March 6, 1864. Non-resident. Non-res. des'tr. Non-resident.
Nine months.
Three years. «
Expiration of service.
Sub. J.C. Howes. Died at Baton Rouge, La., June 18, 1863. Non-resident.
Nine months. Three years.
With Regiment. Expiration of service.
Prisoner, Texas. Non-resident.
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