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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
During the evening, by direction of General Foster, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Sprague went upon a reconnoissance towards the river, accompanied by Captain O'Neill, Adjutant Harkness, and ten men.
99
WEARING THE BLUE.
That night the soldiers lay upon their arms on the cold, wet ground, the rain falling incessantly-the soldiers lay there thinking of home and distant friends, while the rain made music in the trec-tops - the weary soldiers bivouaced there under the guns of the enemy awaiting the opening gun of battle !
BATTLE OF NEW BERNE.
On Friday morning March 14th, [1862] the army was upon its feet, and about seven o'clock the battalions forhed into line. Foster's Brigade moved forward, the Twenty-fifth Massachu- setts on the right. The Twenty-fifth, accompanied by the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, Colonel Stevenson, moved to the right of the road, the balance of the brigade taking the left. Reno, with the Second Brigade, moved to the left to attack the enemy's right; while Parke, with the Third Brigade, moved forward on the enemy's centre. Reaching the opening, the intrenchments of the enemy were revealed, as described. The enemy opened fire upon the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, with two shots from a six-pound battery, followed by musketry, and very soon by the guns of Fort Thompson. The First Brigade rapidly formed into line of battle in the fringe of woods skirt- ing the field before the intrenchments. The Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, under Colonel Upton, formed upon the extreme right, a position directly in front of Fort Thompson, the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts having position on its left. The four right companies of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts were thrown back on an angle to prevent any flank movement which the enemy might design. The position of the regiment was soon found to be untenable, not only because Fort Thompson was un- comfortably near, but because the gunboats upon the river were so located as to do the battalion more damage than they could do the enemy. A change of position was determined upon, and Colonel Upton moved the regiment in good order across the turnpike, upon or near which its right rested, thus leaving the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts on the right of the brigade.
-
100
TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
In the new position the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts was formed in column by division and supported a battery. For the First Brigade, the new order of battle line from right to left was as follows : -
Massachusetts Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-third, Fifth Rhode Island and Fourth Rhode Island. This brigade supported all the artillery that had arrived, viz. : a battery of eight boat-howitzers, under the general command of Lieutenant R. L. McCook, of the Stars and Stripes, the guns being under the special charge of Acting Master C. A. Daniels, of the Hetzel, commanding first section ; E. P. Meeker, of Flag Officer Rowan's Staff, second gun ; Acting Master J. B. Hammond, of the Hetzel, second section ; E. C. Garber- don, second gun ; Lieutenant C. G. Tillotson, of the Southfield, third section ; Lieutenant T. W. B. Hughes, of the Hunchback, second gun. Captains E. G. Dayton, of the schooner High- lander, and John W. Bennett, of the Cossack, each had a rifled gun in action, which they volunteered to take from their respective vessels. These guns were manned by marines and a detachment from the Union Coast Guard.
To the First Brigade belongs the credit of engaging the fort and batteries, while the Second and Third Brigades exe- cuted the brilliant manœuvre of flanking the enemy's right. On the charge upon their right front, the Twenty-first Massa- chusetts succeeded in getting fonr companies within their intrenchments ; in attempting to reverse the enemy's guns, these companies were repulsed, but again rallied, supported by the Fifty-first New York and other battalions.
When Reno's Brigade commenced the movement to flank the enemy's right, they discovered not the mere obstacles of swamp and marsh, but also a series of redoubts which defended the vicinity of the railroad. The enemy had massed troops in front of the First Brigade, and the flanking movement on their weakened right took them by surprise, and perhaps caused the panic that ensued.
101
WEARING THE BLUE.
At this time Reno brought up Colonel Harntraft with the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, which gallantly charged the works on the enemy's right. Hearing the cheering on our left, the soldiers of Foster's Brigade, excited beyond control, impetuously moved forward and charged over the enemy's intrenchments.
"The Twenty-fifth Massachusetts sent up a hideous yell and sprang forward in double-quick time, leaped over the breastwork, and drove the enemy out, -our State color being the first on the work. I think there was one United States color on the right before ours. We found five horses attached to one field piece when we entered, some being shot and lying in the mud, and some headed one way and some another, the piece having its pole broken. The horses were probably just being hitched for the purpose of retreating, but they were obliged to leave all." [Letter from Colonel Upton to the " Fitchburg Sentinel."]
Immediately in front of the position held by the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, and where the regiment charged, there were counted forty dead and wounded horses attached to guns and caissons, and all about, the battle-field was strewn with broken wheels, artillery poles and damaged camp and garrison equip- age, showing the damage inflicted upon the enemy.
Sergeant James O'Neill, the regimental color bearer, was the first man of the regiment to mount the intrenchments. Before this charge was made the enemy's artillery firing had very sensibly decreased, and, as our soldiers looked over the enemy's parapets and wished them a very good morning at the point of the bayonet, "them 'uns" in gray immediately de- parted to the rear, standing not upon any sort of order in going, and returning no civil answer to the civil inquiry from the boys in blue. .
As fast as possible our forces pursued the flying enemy. Their flight became a rout. They relieved themselves of all superfluons baggage and made quick time for the bridge span- ning the Trent river at New Berne. The Twenty-fifth Massa-
----
1
102
TWENTY-FIFTHI MASSACHUSETTS.
chusetts moved forward cautiously, for Parke's brigade was on our left and front, and Reno was expected round the enemy's right flank and might also overlap our front. The regiment halted, and the two flank companies, A and H, Captains Pickett and Moulton, were sent out as skirmishers into the woods, to ascertain what was there. Advancing a little, the ·skirmishers discovered that some of the enemy were in the woods, and fire was opened upon them. The regiment joined the skirmishers, a charge was ordered upon the suggestion of Foster, who had just come up, and remarked quietly to Colonel Upton, -"They are in there Colonel : that's just where we want to go! Move right along and clean them out!" The regiment moved in and captured nearly two hundred prisoners, who were placed in charge of Company H, Captain Moulton. The Confederate Colonel, captured at this time, delivered his arms to Colonel Upton. He exhibited a bullet hole through his cap, which just cleared his head, and remarked he had rather it had gone through his head than to have surrendered. That, however, is purely a matter of taste. Captain O'Neill with Company E, took two rebel flags in one of the batteries, upon which they charged with their usual impetuosity.
Soon after the battle of New Berne, a member of Captain O'Neill's Company E, sent home a rhymed letter, published in. some of the newspapers at the time, and which, though unpre- tending and rude as poetry, has such a vein of humor running through it, that we give it a place here, as an interesting relie of the war, worth preservation : --
" This letter will tell you, dear Kitty, That I was not kilt in the fight - My mind is uneasy by dreaming - Of you and the childers all night.
I send you but twenty-five dollars, I dreamed that you wanted some things; I can't keep a rent in my pocket, Because you know money has wings,
$
MICHAEL DONAHUE, of Worcester.
PATEIK DOHERTY,
Serg't PATRICK CURRAN.
Sery't Jous B. MCLASE. Lient, Ist. N. C. U. Vols.
Sery't JAMES MCHANNAN.
COMPANY E.
103-
WEARING THE BLUE.
Some do not send home any money Because they went down in the strife ; If you have a dollar to spare Do give it to Micky B -- 's wife.
You'll read all our loss in the papers, The death of the bravest of men ; I tell you we fought a great battle, And "walloped " the rebels again.
We gave them on Roanoke island A drubbing they'll not soon forget ; We captured two thousand five hundred, And have not got done with them yet.
We paid them a visit at New Berne, A hearty reception we got ; And two or three times in the scrimmage Methought I was in a tight spot.
We stormed a strong battery and took it, Led on by our captain, O'Neill, Not liking cold steel in their bodies The chivalry gave us leg bail.
Their forty-five cannou they left us --- Pell mell they abandoned the post ; They fired the old town in three places, Determined to give us a roast.
They thought to make New Berne like Moscow, Their chief, another Koutousoff, Each rebel, so spiteful, revengeful, Just tried to bite his own nose off.
The negroes are watching our motions Whenever we're out on parade, If they had a Toussaint to lead them How soon would they come to our aid !
If once they should rally for freedom The South to their sorrow might find The blacks in their madness could battle The North and the rebels combined ;
Provided by Nature with mourning, They'd walk in a fun'ral procession, We'll give them a grand invitation To come to the wake of secession."
104
TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
Upon reaching the Trent river, the railroad bridge, nearly two thousand feet in lengthi, was burning, and the city on the other side with its numerous turpentine works, seemed to be all a-blaze. It was claimed that the bridge was accidentally fired by burning turpentine on the water, which was designed to float down the river and burn the fleet. The tide, however, was setting up, and so the burning turpentine floated about the bridge and burned it. We can believe this or not, but there is no doubt whatever, that buildings in the city were fired by the retreating enemy. Only for the prompt efforts of the troops crossing into the city, and aid furnished by the colored people, New Berne would have been destroyed. As it was, most of the town was saved.
The Confederates fled in confusion from New Berne to Tus- carora, a station about fifteen miles west, on the railroad to Kinston and the interior. Seven railroad trains loaded with men, women and children, left New Berne on the day of the battle, and so, when our troops took possession, only about two hundred out of a total population of seven or eight thou- sand white people, remained at their homes. While so few of the white population remained,
THE COLORED PEOPLE
received the troops with the wildest manifestations of joy, and welcomed them as deliverers of a race long held in servitude : for, somehow, without proclamation or general orders, it came to be generally understood that slavery expired wherever the Federal army advanced-it died a natural death wherever the stars and stripes were unfolded, and the moment we entered New Berne, the overjoyed slaves considered themselves free. and they were wildly free ! It required some days, and not a little severe discipline, to teach them how to enjoy and not abuse freedom.
105
WEARING THE BLUE.
LOSSES IN BATTLE.
In the battle of New Berne the Federal army lost one hun- dred killed, and four hundred and ninety-eight wounded.
The loss of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts was four killed and sixteen wounded, Captain V. P. Parkhurst being the only officer among the latter.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED IN THE
BATTLE OF NEW BERNE,
MARCH 14TH, 1862.
Killed.
Corporal Albert A. Marshall, Company C; Private Eli Pike, Company A ; Privates Charles A. Rogers, J. Orson Fiske, of Company B.
Wounded.
Captain V. P. Parkhurst (leg fracture), Company I; Sergeants John Howe (leg), A. A. Messer (neck), of Company C; Corporal Marshall Lee (body), Company C ; Privates L. D. Hadley (arm amputated), D. D. Davenport (arm broken), W. A. Tilton (slight), of Company B; Private James Haverstock (hand), Company C; Private William A. Andrews (head, severe), Company D); Privates John Marterson (hand), James Gunnigill (hand), Maurice Doren (hand), Michael McMahon (left leg), Patrick Lehay (slight), of Company E ; Private Charles W. Blanchard (finger shot off), Company I; Private John L. Mayo (arm amputated), Company K.
THE DEFENCE
made by the Confederates was not what might have been expected. Behind formidable earthworks, with artillery en- filading our position, with numbers equal to the attacking party, they should have held their works more than four hours. If the armies had changed places, it is safe to say that so strong a position could not have been captured in one day at least. If it is true, as was asserted by scores of people after- wards, that General Branch was no nearer the scene of combat than the south end of the railroad bridge at New Berne, the reason why the Confederate troops were so soon demoralized, is quite apparent. The officer commanding the enemy on that day afterwards paid the penalty of his treason with his life on one of the battle fields of Virginia, and we would not do any injus-
14
106
¢ TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
tice to his memory, but the evidence that he was not personally upon the battle field of New Berne is of such a character that we cannot resist the impression of its truthfulness.
THE ENEMY'S LOSS
in men killed and wounded was not large, but they lost some three or four hundred prisoners and all the guns in their works, besides equipage for six thousand men, barracks for four thousand, a large amount of ammunition, four thousand percussion-lock muskets and quartermaster and commissary stores in large quantity. They also lost a side-wheel steamer called the Albemarle, a stern-wheel steamer called the North State, and the steamer Post-Boy, which they ran ashore and burned.
ORDERS.
The day after the battle, Burnside appointed Brigadier Gen- cral Foster, to be military governor of New Berne and its suburbs, and also ordered the churches to be opened on the next day [Sunday] that the chaplains might hold services - the bells to be rung as usual.
Burnside [March 15] in general orders, congratulated the troops upon the victory of the 14th, and directed "with pecu- liar pride, that as a well deserved tribute to valor in this second victory of the expedition, each regiment engaged shall inseribe on its banners, the memorable name " NEW BERNE."
Brigade orders were promulgated as follows : ---
Department of North Carolina, Headquarters, First Brigade. New Berue, March 17th, 1862.
General Orders, { No. 11.
General Foster again congratulates his brigade on the brilliant victory in which they participated, and by their steadiness and valor contributed so much to win, and renews most sincerely his thanks for the endurance of hardship, steadiness, coolness under fire and willing and prompt obedience shown by all from the moment of landing.
The test was more severe than at Roanoke island, and as General Foster judged by their conduct there, what it would be here, it is the highest praise to
107
WEARING THE BLUE.
say that the conduct of the Brigade equalled or surpassed his expectations. He believes and hopes that each successive action will but add to the laurels won already by the Brigade he is proud to command.
By command of
Brigadier-General J. G. FOSTER. SOUTHARD HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant-General.
LIFE IN NEW BERNE.
The Twenty-fifth Massachusetts arriving from the battle field, reached the burning bridge, and were taken, about five o'clock, P. M., to the city by the gunboats that had arrived, and was the first regiment to enter the city. Upon reaching New Berne, the Twenty-fifth was at once detailed for duty as provost guard, Captain Messenger, of the general staff being appointed provost marshal.
Colonel Upton established regimental headquarters in a three-story brick dwelling house very nicely furnished and centrally located on Craven street. The companies occupied houses in various parts of the city.
General Burnside took possession of the old Stanly mansion, - with its elegant grounds, on Middle street, where he established headquarters, and where the department business was for a long time transacted.
A. post-office was established at the corner of Pollock and Craven streets, and some one is to be credited with most ex- cellent judgment in causing the appointment of Corporal John B. Reed of Company C, Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, to the position of post-master. He had just that energy and execu- tive ability fitting him peculiarly for the place.
New Berne is located on the right bauk of the Nouse river, [pronounced Nuse] and on the left bank of the Trent. The Neuse is, after the Cape Fear river, the largest navigable stream in North Carolina. Steamboats find navigation to Waynesboro', over a hundred miles from its mouth. The city is pleasantly located, its streets regularly laid out with beauti- ful shade trees on either side. The houses mostly are well
108
TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS. ·
modeled cottages, though many have pretensions far beyond a cottage. There were five churches, divided among the Bap- tists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians, and two churches for the colored people exclusively. An academy, theatre, two first class hotels [one burned] one bank building, and several other public buildings, were found there, besides many large warehouses, stores and turpentine distilleries.
Located at the confluence of two large rivers, it has a com- modious fresh water harbor, one of the best inland harbors in the United States, and in carlier years was the scene of great commercial activity, as a large foreign trade with England and the West Indies was carried on from that port.
· New Berne is an ancient town. It was settled early in the history of our country [1708] by a colony of Huguenots and Palatines from Europe. In that plentiful country they thrived. The town was named from Berne in Switzerland. In the carly days the government was located there, and the princely palace built by Governor Tryon was the finest edifice on the continent, its building, at great expense, causing much ill feeling among the people. The barn which was attached to the palace still stands upon the original site, and during some of the time of the Federal occupation, was guarded by details of Union sol- diers. The waters of the rivers abound in fish and oysters, but soon after taking possession of the city, the use of the latter was prohibited by military order. Little creeks open into the Neuse on both sides, some of which are navigable for light- draft steamers and small craft. To a traveller on the river, small sailing boats emerging from or entering these creeks, have the appearance of actually gliding through the woods -- the white sails can be seen a long distance through the trees where there is no appearance of water. The "piney woods " are a feature of the country. The pines are the famous turpen- tine tree, growing to a great height. In passing through the country one observes many of these trees cut and the bark removed, a process known as "chipping," the first chipping
-
109
WEARING THE BLUE.
extending some six feet from the ground for a width of fifteen inches. The turpentine oozes and runs from the chipped places, and that portion running into boxes cut in the trees, is known as "dipped turpentine," and that which oozes later in the season, dries upon the chipped part and is removed by scrapers, is known as the " scrapings." The former is the most valuable. A tree is chipped each year in a new place, and this is contin- ued until the tree has been chipped as high as can be reached. A tree will stand this process for from sixteen to twenty years, and then becomes what is called "lightwood." It is then cut down and worked up into sticks about four feet in length, placed in kilns, very much like our charcoal kilns, and slowly burned, the kiln being air tight. A treuch runs from the kiln to a deep vat; into this the tar from the lightwood runs, and is dipped into barrels. Eight days is required to burn a kiln for tar, and a kiln fifty feet in diameter and twenty feet high will turn out about twenty-four barrels of tar. Spirits of tur- pentine is made from distillation of the raw turpentine, either dipped or scraped, six barrels of which will make a barrel of spirits. The war very much enhanced the value of these pro- ducts, and for a considerable time the raw material was worth in New Berne from six to eight dollars per barrel and the spirits eighty dollars per barrel.' The refuse left in the vats after the process of distillation, is known as resin, and was, during the war, worth eight dollars per barrel. In "making turpentine," as it is called, one man can tend ten thousand chipped trees. The business has been profitable, but for a long time, in the carly part of the war, was at a stand-still.
NEW BERNE "PROGRESS" NEWSPAPER.
We have heretofore said that New Berne had a newspaper. It was called " The Progress," though its name very much belied its character while under the Confederate regime. The rebel editor wrote his last item just after our fleet landed at Slocum's creek. Having recorded the news, he ran away,
1
110
TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
not even tarrying to learn the " fate of New Berne." But the boys in blue saw the printing office, and Sergeant Edward L. Davenport and Corporal George Mills Joy, both of the Twenty-third Massachusetts, and Private William E. Murdock of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, were the first practical prin- ters to enter the office. They found the forms of the outside pages of the weekly and inside pages of the daily, for March 13th, lying upon the imposing stone. When these printers found leisure, they put the office in order and prepared for the publication of a daily paper. Sergeant Davenport took the job work, Corporal Joy became editor, and Private Murdock was detailed as printer. "The New Berne Progress" became thereafter a live paper, comely in appearance, and was a scouree of some profit. From time to time the editor received much assistance from officers in the district in preparing papers for his columns, and the news columns were spiced with items of general interest among the troops.
PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS-EDWARD STANLY.
Means of obtaining food by labor both for the whites and colored people were entirely cut off by the conditions of war, and General Foster, as military governor, devoted much time in making provisions for the needy. Mr. Vincent Collyer, a philanthropie citizen of New York, was placed in charge of the poor, and at once organized schools among the colored people. Thus, for the first time during the war the government proved. its beucficence. It furnished food for the body and instruction for the mind - the sword in one hand, the olive branch in the other ! Thus at New Berne, Vincent Collyer was the pioneer in a great work, which, as the war progressed, extended to all points where military possession was held by the government, culminating in the Sanitary and Christian commissions, enter- prises that were fruitful of blessings to the sick and wounded soldiers, and untold good to the poor and needy in the south- ern land.
111
WEARING THE BLUE.
The noble work of Vincent Collyer progressed to the satis- faction of all persons interested, until, unfortunately, the Honor- able Edward Stanly, a native of North Carolina, arrived in New Berne with a commission from the President of the United States as Military Governor.
The propriety of appointing any civilian to act by the side of, and having equal power with the military commandant, may well be questioned - but in this instance, however good the motive might have been, the appointment of a man like Edward Stanly, was a fearful mistake, admitting of no excuse or palliation.
Stanly at once put an end to the good work of Vincent Coll- yer-closed the day schools, and, May 28th, ordered the evening schools for the colored people to be closed. Stanly followed this by an order that all colored people who had entered our lines be returned to their former masters by the military authorities. He provided means for feeding a great part of the disloyal people living beyond our lines. By these and other official acts, which we have not the time or dis- position to enumerate, he proved his utter misconception of the aims and objects of the war, and his personal sympathy with the revolutionary element of his native State. By these acts he aroused the indignation of our soldiers to such an extent, that only a word was needed to fan the flame into open acts'of opposition. Wise discretion prevailed ; wholesome discipline controlled the hour, and, after an experiment of a few months, the President discovered his mistake, whereupon Stanly was recalled.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.