USA > Massachusetts > Wearing the blue in the Twenty-fifth Mass. volunteer infantry, with Burnside's coast division, 18th army corps, and Army of the James > Part 15
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always thought that the admirable calmness displayed by these four companies during this backward movement, saved us from disaster. The enemy undoubtedly reasoned that these soldiers would not display such a bold front and careless manner, unless they had a large support in the rear. Had these soldiers become demoralized, and, panic-stricken, fled the field, nothing could have saved them from death or captivity. As it was, only one of our number, Private William C. Wiswell of Com- pany G, fell into the hands of the enemy. He explained to us after his exchange, a year from that time, that he " stubbed his toe and fell, and that before he could gather himself up, one of the Johnnies had him fast."
Reaching the large opening at the Grape Vine house, the five companies of the Third New York Cavalry formed on our left, and here we waited the onslaught of the enemy, and here too, from a native citizen living on the road beyond our lines, who had flanked the enemy and reached us in safety, we learned what the enemy was in our front. It comprised the division of General D. H. Hill with eighteen pieces of artillery. There was considerable cavalry, and our informant said he counted eleven regimental flags.
Here we remained in line of battle, occasionally indulging in a little firing until seven and one-half o'clock, P. M. - a long, dreary waiting. We all felt very anxious for the result, fearing the enemy might reach the Red house and flank us, and, while we watched carefully in that direction, the force was too small to permit its division for the purpose of protecting the flank. At the hour named, we received succor -our comrades of the Twenty-fifth ! They were the first to reach the scene of action, though not the nearest. They came up the road at a double- quick, and only seemed anxious to travel faster. They had marched nine miles in little more than an hour and a half.
On the morning of that day, Corporal Edward Townsend of Company C, with fifteen men, was stationed on the left of the gully earthworks, as a picket --- with the usual orders to hold
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WEARING THE BLUE.
his position until relieved. As he did not report himself, it was concluded he had been captured. We sent several scouts to find him, but none succeeded in reaching his position. Finally, the morning after the action at the gully, a Lieutenant of the Third New York Cavalry [we regret that his name is forgotten] volunteered to take our orders to Corporal Town- send, and said he would not return until he either saw the corporal or found he was not at his post. The lieutenant found Townsend and all his men at their post of duty. During the night they had been surrounded by the enemy, knew that we had retreated, because the enemy held the gully position and the firing came from his rear. Yet he clung to his post, allowed no fires and no match to be lighted, and no talking above a whisper. That afternoon, scouting down 'the left bank of the Trent, he brought all his party into camp. Cor- poral Townsend received afterwards, a lieutenancy for his bravery.
We here append the official report of Colonel Pickett, which gives the story of Deep Gully where we left it :
Headquarters Twenty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Camp Oliver, New Berne, N. C., March 15th, 1863.
To Captain GEO. W. BARTLETT, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General,
Second Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps.
Sir- I have the honor to report that on the 13th instant, at five and one-half o'clock, p. M., I started with six companies of my regiment for the outposts near "Deep Gully," that place being attacked by the enemy and held by the other four companies of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts with a part of the Third New York Cavalry. I arrived at the disputed grounds soon after dark and learned that the enemy were in strong force in our front, with infantry, cavalry and artillery, at a distance of one-half of a mile. By order of Colonel Lee, commanding brigade, I divided my regiment, placing a wing on either side of the Trent road, throwing out a strong picket to guard against surprise, and remained on our arms until morning. At daybreak I moved forward Company K, Lieutenant Forbes, commanding, as skirmishers, and they immediately engaged the enemy's line. General Palmer taking command, I was ordered forward, supported by the Fifth and Forty-sixth Massachusetts Regiments with a section of Riggs' and one piece of Belger's Batteries. Musketry firing was continued for nearly three hours.
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The city being attacked in our rear, the regiments supporting me were with- drawn for its defence, and I was left with the regiment and two pieces of artillery to take care of the enemy the best I could, with special orders from General Palmer uot to expose the pieces. I blockaded the road and fell back to a better position at the Jackson house, and awaited their advance. They soon began to shell the woods and kept it up at intervals during the day, but did not advance. At four o'clock, P. M., I seut out Company H under command of Captain Harrington, to observe the movements and position of the enemy, if possible. He went as far as "Deep Gully" and found them falling back. Exchanging shots with them at that place, he returned. I was relieved by the Forty-third Massachusetts Regiment at six o'clock, P. M., on the 14th, and returned to camp at New Berne with a loss of one man wounded and one missing.
Respectfully submitted,
J. PICKETT, Colonel Twenty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.
The attack upon New Berne referred to in Colonel Pickett's report and which caused the withdrawal of all the force near Deep Gully except the Twenty-fifth Regiment and two pieces of artillery, as stated, was the attack of General Pettigrew's Brigade with twelve guns, upon Fort Anderson on the easterly side of the Neuse, opposite New Berne. This position was held by Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson and some four hundred and fifty men of the Ninety-second New York Volunteers. Surrounding the place, Pettigrew sent a summons to Anderson to surrender. The latter asked for time to consider, and Pettigrew granted thirty minutes, which gave Anderson time to communicate with New Berne and to request aid from the gunboats. At the expiration of the time, Anderson sent a message to Pettigrew as follows : " My orders are to hold this place, and I shall never surrender it." While Anderson was waiting to consider, Pettigrew put his guns in position forming his infantry in three lines behind them, and when he received Anderson's answer, he opened a rapid and terrific fire-but the shell, canister and grape went over the fort and fell like hailstones in the waters of the Neuse, while the garrison closely hugged the sand walls, waiting for a charge.
As soon as the naval commandant was notified of the danger threatening Camp Anderson, the United States gunboat Shor-
WEARING THE BLUE. 179
sheen under command of Captain Henry A. Phelon was ordered to the rescue. The Shawsheen had arrived from Plymouth the night previous, and in coming up the river had ran into one of the sunken piles at the old blockade, suffering the loss of her rudder, but, being the only light-draft vessel in the harbor could be' made particularly serviceable in the defence. She was therefore taken in tow by a tug-boat, and towed into position very near the fort. At this time General Foster crossed the river to the fort, protected in crossing, by the guns of the Shawsheen. The Hetzel, Commander Davenport, and the Hunchback, took part in the engagement, and, at a longer range than that of the Shawsheen, damaged the Confederates very seriously. The Revenue Cutter went down the river and came up inside the bar, doing good service. While the fight was on, a deserter from the enemy, stood at the point of land making into the river above the fort, waving a piece of white cloth. General Foster saw him and requested Phelon to send some men in a boat and take him off. Phelon said he would go himself. In a boat, with a few men at the oars, he pro- ceeded to the point and brought the man away : as the deserter entered the boat he said-" hurry up-for the woods are full of rebels and they will get me if they can." Phelon hastened off and moved under a hot fire from a party of the enemy at that moment coming out of the woods.
As the fight continued, the gunboats made music with their guns. Up to this time, a schooner armed with one gun and manned by negroes, had done execution against the enemy, the colored men going into the fight with great gusto; but when the gunboats were well at work, there was a general consterna- tion among Pettigrew's elans, and the great leader was not long in making up his mind to get away, which he did immediately, leaving some of his guns and a number of his dead as a memento of his visit. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson and his regiment, as well as the gunboats, received credit for their brave defence.
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
A force of the enemy appeared at the same time in the vicinity of our lines at Bachellors' creek, driving in the ad- vanced pickets. The cars were kept running all night within our lines, and tattoo was beaten at various points to give the enemy an exaggerated idea of our strength, and no attack was made.
On the 14th of March, the ten companies of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, after a long separation, were together again at Camp Oliver, and the writer had Lieutenant Scales' company pay-rolls in his undisputed possession.
On March 16th the following complimentary order was read at dress parade : --
Headquarters Twenty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Camp Oliver, New Berne, N. C., March 16th, 1863.
Special Orders, Į No. 90.
The commanding officer of this regiment thanks the four companies under command of Captain Denny on the outpost, for their unflinching valor in repelling and holding at bay the enemy for seven hours at Deep Gully, on the 13th instant. He also deems the conduct of Corporal Townsend and fifteen men who so resolutely stood on their posts in obedience to orders, and so close to the enemy -- worthy of special mention. He also thanks the six companies at Camp Oliver for the promptness and eagerness with which they marched forward to assist their comrades, when called upon to do so. He feels proud to have command of such a regiment.
By order of Colonel JOSIAH PICKETT. J. M. DRENNAN, Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant.
GRAND REVIEW.
During the month of February, [1863] General Foster, in consideration of the fact that he had an army reaching to nearly thirty thousand men, of all arms, determined upon a grand review.
Taken together, the regiments and batteries contained a remarkably fine body of men, and, without an exception that we can now think of, were thoroughly drilled. The brigades were made up of the old three years' regiments and the regi-
Corp'I G. F. STEARNS.
AVos E. STEARNS.
WM. E. HOLMAN.
HALK WESSON.
HIRAM STAPLES.
COMPANY A.
Hellotype Printing Co., Boston.
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WEARING THE BLUE.
ments mustered for nine months' service indiscriminately, and the latter, a little envious that the old troops wanted all the glory, were constantly on their mettle, determined to make a good appearance and not be distanced by their comrades longer in the service. This fostered a healthy rivalry, and the old troops were forced to "put in their best licks" in order to keep the lead they had gained by a longer service.
The south side of the Trent river was fixed as the place for the " Grand Review." The day was superb, the ground in good condition, and from early dawn the bustle of preparation was scen among all the camps and forts. The formation in each brigade was in column by regiments, with the artillery and cav- alry on the left of the line. It was a grand sight as each organ- ization wheeled into column by company and passed successively before the reviewing officers, who were posted on a little knoll opposite the centre of the line. Among so many splendid battal- ions, particularly among so many regiments from Massachusetts, we don't propose to say that the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts was the best drilled and best appearing regiment upon that field where so many were contending honorably for superiority ; we simply say that the men of the Twenty-fifth appeared with equipments and muskets polished to a dazzling brightness and everything was exactly in its place. More than this: every man was doing his best, and that was good enough for anybody. When it came the turn of the Twenty-fifth to move, there was quite a long march to be made before the change of direction : as the regiment wheeled into column, Colonel Pickett gave the order-" Right shoulder shift-arms !" Nearing the review- ing officer, the regiment passed up a slight elevation, and, as the order came to shoulder arms, the execution of it was like clock-work and the movement of every man in the regiment was plainly seen from the reviewing stand. Such precision of motion-such superb marching, could only be equalled, it could not be excelled. After the review, the troops marched to quarters. A short time after the review Colonel H. C. Lee,
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
commanding our brigade, called upon Colonel Pickett and said-" Colonel, I have called to congratulate you :" " For what ?" asked Colonel Pickett: " Why," said Colonel Lee, " I have just come from General Foster's headquarters and the General is overflowing with admiration for the manner in which the Twenty-fifth passed in review to-day. He says your regi- ment made by far the best appearance and marched better than any other on the field, and," added the Colonel, "I am happy to say that I concur with the General: your regiment did splendidly."
If the Twenty-fifth excelled in anything, it was in march- ing: this was one of the things in which they could not be beaten. The marching of the regiment in line of battle was always superb, marching with such a perfect alignment that not even a waver could be discovered along the extended line. It is easy to keep a good company alignment, but when that is extended to a linc of ten companies, each company having from sixty to seventy men, and that battle line marches with perfect alignment, it is something that any regimental com- mander may be proud of, and every officer and man of the battalion may remember and boast of for aye.
CHAPTER X.
A CAMP FIELD DAY -PLYMOUTH-UP THE CHOWAN -- EDENTON -- WINFIELD-SIEGE OF WASHINGTON-FORT WILLIAMS.
HIE anniversary of the capture of New Berne was to have been celebrated by the Twenty-fifth Massachu- setts on the 14th of March, [1863] but circumstances prevented, and on the 17th, the fete intended for the previous date took place upon the parade ground of Camp Oliver. Running in sacks, catching the greased pig, foot races, wheeling a barrow blindfolded, sparring between Captain O'Neill and his brother James, etc., occupied the time until two o'clock, P. M. The regiment was honored with the presence of Major-General Foster and staff, Brigadier-General Palmer and staff, and the officers and men of the Fifth, Forty-sixth and other Massachusetts regiments. This was a field day for the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts-a day when all care was dropped for the nonce and duty was laid aside for pleasure and social enjoyment. Camp Oliver, usually so high toned in all things military, was upon this occasion toned down far below the concert pitch ; red tape was abandoned, army regulations were sealed, and the boxer, and climber and swift- footed runner were enthroned in the hearts of all who visited Camp Oliver that day. It proved to be the last hours of pleasure in that camp, for the next day, before dark, the
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TWENTY-FIFTHI MASSACHUSETTS.
tents at Camp Oliver were struck, and seven companies were on board the steamer Escort, en route for Plymouth. Companies A, E and H were left at New Berne to follow at another time.
The band of the Fifth Massachusetts, whose music had solaced many an hour at Camp Oliver, volunteered its ser- vice, and escorted the Twenty-fifth Regiment to the wharf. We reached Plymouth at five o'clock, P. M., of March 20th, making the voyage in a severe storm of wind and rain. The garrison at Plymouth consisted of Companies G, Captain Swift, and H, Captain Sanford, of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, Company D, Captain Thomas F. Howard, of the Fifth Massa- chusetts, and Company C, Captain Cliff, of the First North Carolina Union Volunteers, and a small company of North Carolina Cavalry, all under command of Major Walter G. Bartholomew. Twenty-five hundred of the enemy were encamped some four miles outside the town, but as they were protecting a foraging expedition to the lower counties, it was not expected that they would disturb us, and we were in no force to disturb them. Upon reaching Plymouth, Colonel Pickett assumed command of the post, and Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton the command of the Twenty-fifth Regiment.
On the 22nd of March, an expedition composed of companies F, Captain Foss, I, Lieutenant Forbes, and K, Lieutenant Tew, of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, and Company H, Captain Sanford, of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, with a boat howitzer manned by marines, went on board the steamer John Ferrin at five o'clock, P. M., and immediately left for the Chowan river. This expedition was under the command of the writer, General Foster, however, being on board the steamer. In the evening, the map of the country easterly of the Chowan was studied, the roads to be traversed pointed out, and the object of the movement stated, which was to intercept a body of the cuemy which had attacked our garrison at Winfield, commanded by Lieutenant James J. MeLane, and
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WEARING THE BLUE. 185
had been very handsomely repulsed. Lieutenant McLane entered the service as a Sergeant of Company A of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, and had been promoted to a Lieu- tenancy in the First North Carolina Union Regiment. He was stationed in command of a very small garrison at Winfield, four miles above Holly's landing on the Chowan, and proved
his capacity and his bravery by defeating and driving away a
very much superior force of the enemy. Some eighty of this force had been unable to cross the river in consequence of the presence of our gunboats, and were supposed to be somewhere
casterly bank of the Chowan. That landing we reached, and, with the euphonic name and Holly's landing on the left or in the vicinity of Rocky-hock creek, or between that water at daylight Sunday morning, moved rapidly towards Rocky- hock creek, arriving there at eight o'clock, Learning that the enemy had just previously crossed over in small boats, a negro · with a canoe was impressed into service, by whose aid a few men crossed over the creek, which was very wide at that point. They found two boats with which the enemy had just crossed, and these were taken for the use of our troops. Company I, under command of Lieutenant Forbes, was ordered to proceed to a mill some distance on our left, which was the point of the crossing of a road, and which was falsely stated to be the only means of escape our foc would have. Alas! for the imperfections of maps and the lying tongues of men who were thoroughly pumped for information. The white men questioned would not tell the truth and the poor negroes did not dare to. They were all false alike at this particular time.
Captain Sanford was first sent over the creck, directed not to move forward after crossing until most of the balance of the force had joined hin. Captain Foss, with Company F, fol- lowed Sanford, then Company K, under Lieutenant Tew, with the howitzer in charge, crossed over. Unfortunately, Sanford, immediately upon landing, sent forward a sergeant with a few men, probably with the idea of reconnoitring the position.
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TWENTY-FIFTHI MASSACHUSETTS.
This little advance party drew the fire of the enemy, one man of the squad being killed by the first volley. Captain Foss moved instantly to assist Sanford, and when a sufficient number had crossed, an advance was ordered, the howitzer brought into action and the woods shelled. But the enemy fled precipi- tately. Pursuit was made, the advance frequently exchanging shots with small parties of the enemy. Some prisoners were captured, among whom was one wounded lieutenant, and others of the enemy wounded, all of whom were paroled by General Potter, Chief of Staff, who joined us after crossing the creek. The enemy made their way over good roads to the swamps and afterwards crossed the Chowan in small boats as opportunity presented.
That afternoon our force marched gaily into Edenton, a . pretty little town on a bay of that name, near the mouth of the Chowan river. The town, save when visited by rebel guer- rillas, was generally peaceful, its citizens maintaining a sort of neutral position. Possibly, when the guerrillas were in the town the people leaned towards secesh, and leaned quite as much towards Unionisin when the boys in blue promenaded their streets. We found the Mayor, James Norcum, a down- right Union man. Undoubtedly he was politie in his conduct and did not by rash words, give the secesh occasion to shoot him at sight. He was, however, a true Union man. Ile furnished barracks, very commodious warehouses on the wharf, for the use of the troops, and rendered every facility in his power to make our stay pleasant. Sending out pickets upon the roads, the troops remained through the night, and the next day returned to Plymouth, excepting Company I, which was left at the crossing by the mill. There was no opportunity to get word to Lieutenant Forbes, and he was forced to act upon his own discretion, which did not usually fail him. Finding himself' alone in the woods and left to his own resources, he withdrew the company to Winfield, joining Lieutenant MeLaue at that place.
Capt. JAMES B. MCLANE.
Sorg't. Maj. SAM'L H. PUTNAM.
Lieut. T. M. WARD.
Serg't. CALVIN A. WESSON.
Serg't. FRANK L. R. Cozs.
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COMPANY A.
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WEARING THE BLUE.
On the 26th of March, companies A, E and H arrived at Plymouth, and, with the exception of Company I, which still remained at Winfield, our regiment was together again. Cap- tain Parkhurst having returned to duty soon after, joined his company there, relieving Licutenant Forbes who rejoined the · regiment at Plymouth. Parkhurst found his time occupied in making preparations for such defence of the position as it was possible to make with so small a garrison. This garrison consisted of the company under command of Lieu- tenant McLane, forty men, and Company I of sixty men, one hundred in all, Parkhurst being in command. McLane had caused the erection of a long line of earthworks, inside of which were three block-houses with necessary port-holes, one of which was supplied with a piece of artillery. If McLane had been a brigadier of the engineer corps he could not have arranged a better line of defence, but, to defend such a line, he should have been a full brigadier with the complement of men for such a commander. Parkhurst gave attention to strengthening some parts of the line and preparing a plan of defence which would enable the garrison to keep at bay, for a short time at least, such number of the enemy as might probably visit them.
While engaged in strengthening the position, the garrison was not idle in other matters. Upon one occasion a portion of Company I captured a large lot of lard, more than a ton, which was in transitu to the rebel lines. This merchandise was turned over by Parkhurst to the government. Squads of men were frequently sent out upon foraging expeditions and such articles as corn, bacon and sweet potatoes were returned in abundance for the use of the garrison. We have heard it said that Com- pany I had a great fancy for horse-flesh and that the command might have mounted itself, if life at Winfield had continued a month longer: as it was, some twenty horses neighed within the Winfield lines, while one or two yoke of oxen were used for hauling purposes and an innumerable number of porkey grunters supplied acceptable food for the tin mess plates.
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
Upon oue occasion a " secesh woman" came within the lines with her bundles of luggage, desiring permission to pass into Dixie. Captain Parkhurst found that her luggage was contraband of war and refused to permit her to transfer her " dry goods " to the possession of the enemy, but "allowed " that she might go as soon as her pleasure permitted. The woman satisfied to leave her goods if she could go without them, requested to be furnished with means of crossing the Chowan and an escort. The gallant captain not being proof against woman's eloquent appeals, consented to comply with her wishes and detailed Sergeant Lyman S. Wheeler and Private Marcus H. Ward both of Company I, with a couple of negro oarsmen, to convey the woman up the river and deliver her to the nearest Confederate outpost. At the enemy's outpost the woman was delivered up and then the Confederates seized Wheeler and Ward as prisoners of war! Company I lost two good men and two muskets, and the colored men lost their liberty, for a time at least. Wheeler and Ward were exchanged a long time afterwards.
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