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 19
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There was of course much destitution and suffering among these poor people whom war made destitute. Many poor women with children, were forced to live in small rooms, without bed, table or chairs, subsisting upon the meagre rations furnished by government. These were people who had seen better days, who had been driven from good and happy homes because they would not bend their knees to secession. It cost something to be loyal to the Union in some of the Southern States, and we have thought that the Northern people, too little appreciated the suffering borne by the Union men and women, in localities where secession was the prevailing sentiment. In proportion to the number who espoused the cause of secession, those who remained loyal to the Federal Government were very few. Those few however deserve the highest credit for their devotion to principle.
On the 6th of November, [1863] having spent some very bappy months at little Washington, the writer, under the order of Major-General Peek, reported at New Berne for duty as Provost-Marshal of that place, relieving Captain Sanford of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, and on the 1st day of December, [1863,] was appointed by the same authority, Chief Provost-Marshal of the District of North Carolina, relieving Colonel Horace C. Lee, who was trans- ferred to an important military position at Norfolk, Va. The latter position held by the writer, was in addition to the Marshalship of New Berne -- General Peck though requested,
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declining to relieve him of the latter position. Lieutenant . William C. Hunt of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volun- teers, was the efficient Deputy-Provost for New Berne, whose faithful service and untiring energy alone, made it possible for one officer to discharge the duties of both positions. Lieutenant Oscar C. Doolittle was afterwards appointed an additional deputy, by order of Major-General Butler, com- manding the department, which included the Districts of Virginia and North Carolina. The Provost-Marshals of the sub-districts, reporting to and acting under orders of the Chief Provost, were Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson at Camp Anderson, for east side of the Neuse ; Lieutenant-Colonel Moffit of Gen- eral Wessells' command at Plymouth; Captain T. J. Hoskinson, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, at Washington ; Captain Geo. W. Bartlett, Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, at Beaufort ; Captain Sherman at Newport ; Lieutenant Ripley at Roanoke; Lieutenant Wright at Hatteras, and Lieutenant Mayo at Morehead City.
Lieutenant William O. Brown, Quartermaster Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, was detached and held the position of Post Commissary at New Berne, and was esteemed by all as a most capable and efficient officer. Indeed, it was often remarked that his department was the best managed one in the service.
On the 1st of December, [1863] Colonel Pickett was relieved from duty in command of the sub-district of the Pamlico, by orders from General Butler. We know that General Peck very deeply regretted this change, and his appreciation of the service rendered by Colonel Pickett, may be found in General Orders No. 40, as follows : -
Headquarters Army and District of North Carolina, New Berne, N. C., December Ist, 1863.
General Orders, Į No. 40.
Colonel Josiah Pickett, Twenty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volun- teers, having been, in pursuance of orders from Department Headquarters,
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Major E. A. BROWN, Reg't. Q. M. Sergeant, C. S. U. S. Vols.
Lieut, JOHN SIMONDS, Com'y. Sergeant.
Lieut. WMf. O. BROWN, Reg't. Q. M. Post Commissary. N. C.
Ww. M. WILLIS, Com'y. Sergeant.
DANIEL C. PUTNAM, Q. M. Sergeant.
QUARTERMASTERS' DEPARTMENT.
Heliotype Printing Co., Boston.
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relieved by Colonel J. M. McChesney, First Regiment North Carolina Volun- teers, in the command of the Sub-district of the Pamlico, the commanding general desires to make this expression of his acknowledgments to Colonel Pickett for the vigilance, energy and judgment with which the affairs of his command have been administered.
By command of Major-General PECK. BENJ. B. FOSTER, Assistant Adjutant-General.
TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS LEAVES NORTH CAROLINA.
On the 23rd October, [1863] a Special Order as follows was promulgated : -
Headquarters Army and District of North Carolina, New Berne, N. C., October 23rd, 1863. Special Orders, Į No. 63. The following named regiments and batteries will at once proceed to Elizabeth City without camp and garrison equipage, to which point the Quartermaster's Department will furnish necessary transportation. From Elizabeth City they will march to Norfolk, and upon their arrival, be .reported to Major-General Foster at Fortress Monroe. * * Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, except the company [Company D, Captain Foster] acting as heavy artillery at Fort Gaston.
The camp and garrison equipage will follow by transports. Orders have been issued for the detachments of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers ifow serving in the Sub-district of the Pamlico, to join the column at Elizabeth City.
By command of - Major-General PECK. BENJ. B. FOSTER, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Forces and Defences of New Berne, New Berne, N. C., October 23rd, 1863. [OFFICIAL.] J. A. JUDSON, Assistant Adjutant-General.
The Twenty-third and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volun- teers, and Ninth New Jersey Volunteers, were included in the, order. The Twenty-seventh Massachusetts had been serving as provost guard at New Borne, but were relieved on the 1st October by the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers, which latter regiment performed that duty with great efficiency, during all the time the writer was the Provost-Marshal.
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October 24th, the four companies of the Twenty-fifth Massa- chusetts on duty at the outposts, A, E, G and H, marched to New Berne, and for a brief, last time, occupied old Camp Oliver. At night they took the cars for Morehead City, the movement to Elizabeth City having been countermanded.
Late in the evening of October 23rd, the three companies at Hill's point [B, C and F,] Company I from Rodman's point, and Company K, at Washington, embarked on a transport sent for their conveyance, and proceeded to New Berne, and thence by rail to Morehead City. At this latter point, all the com- panies embarked on board the steamer S. R. Spaulding, and on the 20th, started for Fortress Monroe, but, on account of a severe storm, the steamer was compelled to put back. The next morning, another start was made, and the steamer was compelled to anchor off the light-house, but was able to make a final start in the afternoon, reaching Fortress Monroe October 29th. General Foster in command there, ordered the regiment to go into camp at Newport News. Proceeding there, the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts pitched tents on the banks of the James river. Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton being in command, issued the following order : --
Headquarters Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, Newport News, Virginia, November 2nd, 1863.
General Orders, ¿ No. 88.
In compliment to one who has ever been a true and devoted patriot, who has proved himself a brave, meritorious and faithful officer as well as a kind and beloved commander, the camp of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers is hereby designated Camp Upton.
By order of
O. MOULTON, Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers. J. G. MCCARTER, Lieutenant, Acting-Adjutant.
We may be pardoned, if now, before entering upon the exciting events of the Virginia campaign, we pause a moment to speak very briefly, of two officers of the Twenty-fifth Massa-
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rc O. Moulton
Heliotype Printing Co. Boston.
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chusetts, whose military life commenced with our regiment, both of whom, schooled in the intricate affairs of the Quarter- master's Department, gained distinction and honor in other organizations of the service. We speak first of Major Charles H. Davis of Worcester, the first Sergeant-Major of the Twenty- fifth, who, in that capacity, remained with the regiment until December, 1861. A gentleman highly educated, and having a business capacity that fitted him to assume large responsibili- ties, he was not long permitted to remain upon the non-com- missioned staff, for at the time just mentioned, he was detailed for service in the Quartermaster and Subsistence Department of North Carolina. He remained in that position until (April 21st, 1864) he was commissioned Captain and Commissary of Subsistence. In December, 1864, was appointed disbursing officer of subsistence Twenty-fourth Army Corps. He was chief commissary of the Tenth Army Corps, and, upon the staff of General Terry, accompanied that officer upon the expedition to Fort Fisher, and it is stated, that it was owing to the energy and foresight of Major Davis in providing the troops upon that expedition with rations, that the expedition was saved from disaster. During his active service in the Twenty-fourth and Tenth Corps, he was a popular and efficient officer. His records and accounts with the government, were found to be remarkably accurate, and elicited the highest com- pliments from the auditor. Major Davis was retained in the service until August, 1865. He received June 20th, 1866, a brevet commission as Major. His service of more than four years, while it gained distinction for himself, reflected credit upon his military alma mater, the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts.
The other officer to whom we have referred, is Major Edward A. Brown, who entered service as Quartermaster-Sergeant of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers. He was a resident of Fitchburg and for a long time, was the efficient assistant of his brother, the quartermaster of the regiment. He was dis- tinguished for activity in the discharge of his duties, for his
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promptness in supplying every want, and for his courtesy in official dealings with the officers of the regiment. He was pro- moted [August 21st, 1862] Second Lieutenant Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteers; December, 1862, was commissioned First Lieutenant and Quartermaster Fifty-third Massachusetts Volunteer Militia ; May 28th, 1864, was commissioned Captain and Commissary Subsistence United States Volunteers ; March 16th, 1865, was commissioned Brevet Major, and mustered out October 2nd, 1865. The service of Major Brown was a creditable one, and while we may suppose that some of his success is due to getting a good send-off from the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts and most excellent tutelage from his brother, one of the best quartermasters in the service, we may also believe that considerable of his success was due to his own energy and capacity for the discharge of duties which required the best capacity in the army. We have heard it said, that in the regular army, an officer was not considered fit for a General until he had graduated from the Quartermaster's Department, and the fact that Grant and many other officers of great dis- tinction, formerly served as quartermasters, gives reason to believe the remark may not be very far from the truth. Should there be another war within a decade, the list from which to select generals would be large, and the Massachusetts Twenty- fifth could furnish its full quota.
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CHAPTER XII.
REENLISTMENT - YORKTOWN -- GETTY'S STATION --- - EVENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA -CHAPLAIN DODD-REDUCING OFFICERS TO THE RANKS.
3 N the 23rd day of November, 1863, by Special Orders No. 80, Lieutenant James C. Woodworth, Company H, Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volun- teers, was apppointed recruiting officer, thereby com- plying with Paragraph IV General Orders No. 359, [1863] from the War Department, stating how and in what manner, enlisted men of the regiments in the field may reenlist and become " Veteran Volunteers." Liberal bounties were offered to those reculisting for a second term of three years, and they were to be favored with a furlough for thirty days, to be enjoyed previous to the expiration of the first term of enlistment.
The record of history connected with this matter of reën- listment, has been a subject of serious thought and study -- study to know the truth, and, finding it, to decide exactly how much of it, and in what manner to express it.
The historian does not make history. He finds the facts ready made to his hands, facts he cannot change, however well pleased he might be to do so. Truth should govern the historian. and Truth is an arbitrary master. History is the record of truth, and its mission is not simply to please, for, if the writer of history attempts only that, he loses his character as an impartial recorder of events.
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The National as well as the State government of Massa- chusetts, looked upon the reenlistment of those already in the field, as a means whereby a draft might be avoided. Very many good people at home advised the adoption of the reenlistment policy, because they believed it afforded able-bodied men, busy with their dollars and cents, an oppor- tunity to get rid of a duty which was as much upon them, as those who were in the field -- the duty of going to the front with the musket. It is not impossible that the reasoning was about like this: those soldiers down South are having a good time-they are inured to hardships, have become acclimated, and, having served nearly three years, a little persuasion and such money as we can spare easily from our large profits will influence them to stay longer: thus our quota will be filled, our bodies will be spared from those rebel bullets, and we can remain at our home to make more money, which of course we are ready to spend freely for the poor fellows who are crippled, and for the widow's and orphans of those killed in action, or who die of disease. If that was the home thought, it only illus- trated the patriotism that Artemas Ward boasted of, when he expressed a willingness that all his wife's relations might volunteer for the war.
One serious objection to the policy was, that it divided the regiment. The men had enlisted together, together they had shared privation and hardship, together they had stood in the front line of battle; let them stand together to the end of the term, and when that end came, let them be mustered out together. After that, those who chose to do so might reenlist, and could probably accomplish it under as favorable conditions as those then offered.
During the reenlistment discussion, much was said about a " Veteran Organization: " there was something about that word " veteran " that seemed like a real talisman to honor those who wore it in all the future years. Veteran! as
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if every soldier passing through the ordeal of war for two years and more, or even less, faithful always to his duty, never failing in duty on the battle line, or from any post where superior authority placed him, was not entitled by every established precedent, to bear the title of " veteran," whether he elected to reenlist or not.
The propositions in regard to reenlistment were fully con- sidered, and, December 1st, 1863, thirty-eight had reenlisted; December 17th, one hundred and nine men had reenlisted, and January 2nd, 1864, sixty-four men reënlisted. On the 13th of January, the first detachment of reenlisted men left Newport News upon furlough, accompanied by Captain A. H. Foster, Lieutenants Daly and Upton. On the 17th of the same month, one hundred and seven reenlisted men left on furlough, accompanied by Colonel Pickett, Captain Tucker, Lieutenants Bessey, McCarter, Woodworth and James O'Neill, and this homeward movement of reenlisted men, accompanied by the Colonel and Lieutenant Woodworth, the recruiting officer, would seem to indicate that recruiting had ceased, and further importunity was to end. Colonel Pickett had fully explained the matter of reenlistment, and no attempt had been made or suffered to be made by him, which had the appearance of using undue influence; and we may say, that when the Colonel left Newport News, he supposed that reenlistment had closed. Little and by little, however, the influence of mind apon mind worked up the idea of going home as a . regimental organization. To accomplish this, three-fourths of the regiment must reenlist, and, from the 17th of January, on, official eloquence was plied to bring about the desired result. Undoubtedly, many, if not all who reenlisted, did so from the same pure motive of patriotism that influenced them in the autumn of 1861. They were, or should be free to act their own pleasure. Others were entitled to the same freedom of action, and the purity of their motives should not be questioned. Neither could there
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be any excuse for coercion, or for that military order which came from headquarters at Fortress Monroe, looking very much like coercion, declaring that those who did not reenlist, would be " permanently transferred to other organizations to serve out the balance of their term of enlistment ; non-commis- sioned officers to be reduced to the ranks"-we say there could be no valid excuse for such an order, even if it had the authority of official origin above and beyond Fortress Monroe. It may well be doubted if its immanity can be exceeded in military history. Such an order cannot find . endorsement in military law or be sustained by the logic of legal argument. Its existence illustrates a fact, instances of which, many who served in the army can recall, of men in military circles clothed with authority, whose very natures seemed to be cruelty. "If such men saw mind and soul in a soldier, those were deemed elements to be crushed out of sight.
Soldiers as they average, are like other men as reasoners --- like other men in their likes and dislikes. Massachusetts soldiers, were, as a general rule, far superior to many others, because, educated, their reasoning powers were in higher per- fection and they occupied a higher plane of intelligence than that held by the average soldiers of Europe. Such men will listen to argument - they will turn over any amount of logic, and if they believed they were right, we have seen how they would face the cannon's mouth, fearless of danger. Such men can never be governed by mere brute force, and that was the force that came thundering into Camp Upton -- the " YOU MUST !" of military despotism.
There is no doubt the argument for reenlistment was made very strong, when it was fringed on one side with thirty days at home, and on the other-a march to Yorktown, where men would run the risk of "leaving their bones to bleach in the fields and swamps with MeClellan's horses."
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On the 20th of January, [1864] two hundred men had reënlisted, and orders were promulgated that those who had not reënlisted were to march to
YORKTOWN.
Companies A, G and I, as organizations, together with many of other companies who had not reenlisted, number- ing two hundred and twenty-five men, left Camp Upton at Newport News, [January 21st] in heavy marching order, . for Yorktown. They found themselves without a permanent commissioned officer of the regiment, but Captain Parkhurst kindly accompanied the heroic detachment on the long and tiresome march to the historic fields bordering the York river, and the men felt some satisfaction in finding a regimental captain willing to share the march with them. Arriving at Little Bethel, the detachment halted for the night, taking possession of an old meeting-house known as. Bem's church, which had been divested of its seats. Captain Parkhurst, probably more as a matter of form than necessity, sent ont a small picket. After supper the detachment prepared for a dance. There was a gallery across the end of the building, and upon this the soldiers placed plenty of candles, which illuminated the old structure in fine style. Some of Company G furnished the music, and the dance commenced. The pickets, hearing the sound of revelry, deserted their posts, stood their rifles in a corner, and gaily joined the noisy throng. The Captain, of course, remoustrated, but the cry was, " never mind the pickets ! on with the dance ! let joy be unconfined !" and other words to the same effect, all of which is more fully recorded in some note books we have been permitted to peruse : and the fun went on until the candles had burned low, and darkness came o'er the scene to call most of the dancers to rest, and the balance to their picket posts. We frankly admit, that if there had been an enemy within fifty miles of Bethel, big or little, we would have omitted to tell the
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story about the pickets, but as no harm was done and none intended, there can be no harm in recording the facts.
The next morning, five carts appeared loaded with oysters -- the latter were purchased at a fair price and the teams hired to haul the knapsacks to Yorktown, which place the detachment reached at six o'clock, P. M., January 22nd, (1864) and con- tinned on, passing Lee's Mills and Warwick Court House, making bivouac at two o'clock, A. M., January 23rd, at the junction of Queen's creek and York river. There they formed encampment, known as Camp " Hancock." A sufficient number of men of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts not having reenlisted to allow the regiment to go home as an organization, the camp on Queen's creek was visited by officers from Camp Upton, who, renewing the old arguments, were successful in augment- ing the reenlisted list by two. This however was not sufficient for the purpose named, whereupon a new plan was devised which seemed fruitful of the promised result. Here we quote from a record before us, written at Camp "Hancock "- " Orders were received to examine the men, and if possible, throw out as not fit for duty, some of those who had not reenlisted, in this way, reducing the number of duty men, and giving a greater proportion to those who had reenlisted." We have no information how this resulted, but , about the middle of February, the balance of the regiment left New- port News upon its furlough. In Boston and Worcester, the reenlisted men had warm receptions, and the brief period at home was fully enjoyed by all. Alas! that so many enjoyed the last visit among kindred and friends !
As we have seen, Captain Parkhurst accompanied the detach- ment to Queen's creek. He remained a few days and then returned to Camp Upton, the command being left without a commissioned officer. Very soon however, Major Mulcahy of the One-hundred-and-thirty-uinth New York Volunteers was assigned to the command, and drilled it in battalion movements, and the men commenced picket duty.
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Camp Hancock was broken up [February 4th] and the detachment marched to the camp of the One-hundred-and- thirty-ninth New York Volunteers, Colonel Roberts com- manding. Some of the men were assigned to wooden shanties occupied by companies of the One-hundred-and-thirty-ninth Regiment, and others were sent over to Fort Magruder. The next day at dress parade, the men of the Twenty-fifth Massa- chusetts participating, Colonel Roberts accepted the opportunity of addressing some kind remarks to them, commending them for their soldierly bearing and telling them that they were not permanently transferred, and that the non-commissioned officers would not be reduced. He cordially invited the non-coms to act with those of the same rank in the One-hundred-and- thirty-ninth Regiment, and expected the others would do duty ' by the side of his own men in cordial fraternity, until they should return to their own regiment again. A gleam of light pierced the hearts of men who had felt that they were deserted, who had seemed to see the time-honored flag they had followed disappear forever from their sight, who had felt that the proud old regiment they had loved was no more for them, that the numerical they had cherished above all others, was to be torn from their caps, and thereafter they were to be numbered as convicts are numbered in the penitentiary-to such men, the kind words of Colonel Roberts sent a ray of light into their hearts, and, moved by one impulse, the warrant officers and privates of the Twenty-fifth, threw up their caps and made the welkin ring, and ring again with their hearty cheers. After the exuberance of joy had subsided, Colonel Roberts told the men in line, of a march to be commenced the next morning at daylight : ---
"I expect the march to be a severe one : to the Twenty-fifth men I have nothing to say - they know their duty and I am satisfied they will perform it, though they will march without one of their own officers by their side."
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At daylight [February 6th] the regiment fell into line with four days' rations, to join an expedition to Bottom's bridge. This movement was planned by Butler, who had taken com- mand at Fortress Monroe of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, relieving Foster who had been sent west. The movement was made under the belief that Richmond was with- out a large number of troops and that its capture was possible, and the release of the Union prisoners confined there, probable. The raiding column with which the Twenty-fifth detachment marched, was under command of General Wistar, and con- sisted of fifteen hundred infantry and a body of cavalry. This force pushed rapidly through New Kent Court House, and thence to the Chickahominy, reaching it at Bottom's bridge. Wistar found the bridge blockaded and the defences in the rear quite too strong to make an attack politie, and therefore returned to his starting point. The troops marched eighty miles in fifty-six hours.
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