USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 20
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" Well Aunt. President Lincoln has been shot."
For a second only, there was a bright gleam in the old lady's eye, and then she hesitated, but not long. Reaching her ample arms down under her equally ample apron she brought it up, cov- ering her face and head, and cried.
"Oh dear! Don't, don't tell me that! Has our dear, good President really gone?"
For a moment the man looked at her thunderstruck, and then, seeing that the old lady had them. shook his fist in her face, and said :
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"You d-d old she devil, we'll pay you for this." and then de- parted. It was some time before they were allowed to forget the hayrack trip to the suburbs.
CHAPTER.XXX.
The History Of The Twenty-Second Regiment-To Fortress Monroe-Newport News-New Orleans-Up The Mississippi-Baton Rouge-Disease And Death -Donaldson-Irish Bend-Quelling Negro Insurrections-A Gallant Charge- Port Hudson-Jerrard In Command-He Is Placed Under Arrest-Banks Again Displays His Dislike Of Maine Officers-Capture Of Port Hudson-Return Of The Regiment-The Twenty-Sixth-An Extensive Tour-A Little Fighting -- Some Guard Duty --- Returning Home --- The Third Battery --- The Twenty-Eighth -Account Of The Formation -- Sleeping In Beecher's Church -- To The Front -- Regimental History.
The Twenty-Second Regiment left Camp John Pope, Bangor, October 21st,:1862, and arrived at Washington on the 24th. On the following day it was ordered to Arlington Heights, and placed temporarily in the Third Brigade, Casey's Division, Reserved Army Corps, commanded by Colonel Fessenden, of the Twenty- fifth Maine. Here they remained until November 3d, employed principally in drilling. On that day they received orders to pro- ceed to Fortress Monroe. November 5th, they embarked in the "S. R. Spaulding." and moved down the Potomac, reaching their des- tination on the 7th. It was the first regiment of the famous Banks expediton, to rendezvous at Fortress Monroe. Not being premit- ted to land at the fort, the regiment proceeded to Newport News, where comfortable barracks were provided. Remaining here un-
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til the 2d of December, the regiment embarked for New Orleans, arriving there on the 15th. On the 16th they moved up the river, reaching Baton Rouge at daylight in the morning, where they landed without opposition, being the first regiment to land and oc- cupy the works. Here they suffered much from sickness and death; and it was only after the regiment entered more active service that the prevalence of disease abated. Here died, among others, First Lieutenant W. Prince Hersey.
On the 26th of March, the regiment, together with the rest of Grover's Division, boarded river steamers, went to Donaldson, thence marched to Prashear City, reaching that place April 11th. Previous to leaving, Col. Jerrard was taken ill and the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Putnam. The object of this movement was to get possession of Western Louisiana, then held by the rebel forces.
On the 13th, a portion of the Division, including seven compan- ies of the Twenty-Second, proceeded to Irish Bend in the rear of Franklin, and encamped for the night. Early on the next morn- ing the force was moved towards Franklin, the Third Brigade to the front; followed by the First. A fight took place in an exten- sive cane field, in which the enemy were repulsed and driven.
From this time until June 9th, the Twenty-Second were moved from point to point, doing guard duty, suppressing negro insurrec- tions, etc. On that day Col. Jerrard was informed that in one hour Grover's Division would make an assault. This was at Port Hudson. Col. Jerrard was ordered to advance on the works in front of the batteries, and if possible to carry them. The skirmish line was called in, and at the appointed hour the regiment was moving forward. The ground over which the charge was to be made was naturally rough, and to further impede the progress of the assailing forces the "rebs" had covered it with fallen timber.
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The Ninetieth and One Hundred Thirty-first New York regiments were on the right and left respectively, and these, becoming en- gaged, so attracted the attention of the enemy that the Twenty- Second was enabled to work forward unmolested, and apparently unobserved, until the skirmish line had nearly reached the outer works. A portion of the advance, being separated from their comrades, entered the works, driving the enemy, but, being unsup- ported failed to maintain their position. Capt. Gilman and Lieuts. Anson and Knowles were in command, Anson being taken prisor er ... At this time the New York regiments were repulsed, the enemy immediately tuming their attention to the Twenty-Second, driving them back to their former position. In this attack Capt. Henry Crosby fell mortally wounded.
Still bent on reducing Port Hudson, the commanding officer ap- pointed June 14th as the day for another, and the third assault, which, like the previous ones, resulted in defeat. Col. Halcom was shot dead while attempting to rally his brigade, and the com- mand devolved upon Col. Jerrard.
In this fight, after Jerrard had assumed command, he attempted to arouse the skulking One Hundred Thirty-First New York, and persuaded them to charge, but the men refused duty, and the only available troops were the few remaining officers and men of the Twenty Second, who stood bravely by their commander. Know- ing that any attempt to carry the works with this handful of men was useless, and believing that neither duty to country nor to the . men required of him any further attempts in that line, Jerraid withdrew. The next day, on representations made against him by Col. Morgan, Col. Jeriard was placed under arrest, but no charges were preferred. On the 22d an order from Gen. Banks was re- ceived, dismissing him from the service, on the charge "of using discouraging and insubordinate language in the presence of a num-
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ber of officers and men while forming the Brigade for the charge." July 8th Port Hudson surrendered, and on the 24th the regiment left for Bangor, where it was mustered out August 16th.
The Twenty-sixth Maine left Bangor October 23d, 1862, for Washington, thence to Alexandria, Fortress Monroe, Newport . News, New Orleans, where they quarantined on account of the small-pox ; thence to Port Hudson, where they participated in the same battles as did the Twenty-Second, and after the capture of that place were employed on guard duty. They were not afforded such opportunities as were given Maine regiments in Virginia. to distinguish themselves, but did such duty as was put upon them, well. They returned to Bangor August 9th, and were mustered . out on the 17th.
The Third Battery, Captain James G. Swett, left Augusta, March 19th, 1862, for Portland, where they remained in barracks at Island Park until April 1st, when they left for Washington, arriving there on the 3d. They remained in camp on Capitol Hill until the fourteenth, when they were ordered under General Me- Dowell, to act as Pontooniers. On November 7th the pontoon trains were ordered to the Engineer's Department, and went to Fort Lincoln, where they engaged in building " Battery Maine."
March 28th '63, the Third battery was transferred to the First Heavy, and with them remained in defence of Washington. Cap- tain Swett was discharged May 14th, and First Lieutenant E. R. Mayo promoted to the captaincy. From this time to the disband- ment of the Heavy Artillery, the history of the battery is identi- cal with that of the First Heavy. After December 11th, '63, the original members were eligible for re-enlistment as veteran volun- teers, and by the 5d of January, '64, seventy-two men had re- enlisted as veterans. The battery then being a veteran organiza- tion, was entitled to furlough.
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On January 18th, '64, Captain Mayo, with two officers and the re-enlisted men, left Fort Sumner for Augusta, Maine, for veteran furlough and re-organization. A detachment of twenty-four men, not veterans. remained at Fort Summer, under command of Lieu- tenant S. J. Oaks. On February 22d, Captain Mayo (then at Au- gusta), received a telegram from Washington, ordering the Third battery to be detatched from the regiment, and to report at Camp Barry, D. C., as light artillery. They reached Camp Bany on the 28th, and were joined by the detatchment left at Fort Sumner. and by some recruits. Owing to some delay, the equipments did not ariive till the last of April. They consisted of six three-inch rifles, and the usual small arms, etc. On the 5th of July, the bat- tery left Washington for City Point, from there to the front of Petersburg, arriving July 9th, and were then assigned to the Third Division. Ninth army corps, and took up a position before the rebel works on Cemetery Hill. Hore they remained till August 19th, being engaged almost daily. On the 22d, the battery went into position in Fort Rice. The Third division, Ninth corps, hav- ing been consolidated with the First division, the battery was trans- ferred to the Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, August 30th, but still retained its position in Fort Rice. On the 25th of October they were withdrawn from Fort Rice, and sent to the de- fences of City Point. Here they remained till May 3d, '65, when they took up the march to Washington, and went into camp near Fairfax Seminary, where they remained until the 2d of June, when the start for Augusta was made. The battery was mustered out at Augusta on the 17th of June, and finally paid on the 22d. . Owing to its position at City Point, the battery was not actively engaged at the final operations about Petersburg, but during the campaign performed as arduous duty as any, and by its vigilant and watchful work earned the highest praise from the Chief of Artillery.
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The Twenty-Eighth Regiment, nine months men, was recruited from various parts of the State, three companies coming from Washington, one from Lincoln, one from Knox, and one from Hancock Counties. Four of the companies were made up at Camp John Pope, Bangor, the balance at Augusta. . They left the latter place October 26th, 1862, the first of the nine months men to leave the State, although the last mustered in, proceeding by rail and boat to New York. On reaching Jersey City, the regiment was ordered to occupy Fort Schuyler. New York bay. Here they exchanged their Austin guus for new Enfield rifles, and on No- vember 26th they were ordered to East New York, a suburb of Brooklyn, on Long Island. As they landed at the ferry in Brook- lyn, they were met by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, who chatted with the officers and men, remarking at one time on the neat, clean appearance of the men. Later on he invited them into the church, to pass the night. As the men approached the entrance, each one, without orders, took off his muddy boots at the door, and the most critical examination in the morning failed to find a book disturbed or a particle of dirt upon the rich carpets and cushions. Mr. Beecher congratulated them on their manliness, and, at his request, some wealthy members of the church cared for some sick men then with the regiment.
In January, the 17th being the day the regiment sailed for New Orleans via Fortress Monroe, which place they reached January 29th. Here they were moved from point to point by the much over-rated Banks, and like the other Maine regiments under the command of that politician, were required to do much hard work that was useless, and were needlessly subjected to exposure and disease. Companies were detached from the regiment from time to time and did, whenever they were given an opportunity, good service, and were equal in every way to the Maine men in Vir- ginia, who, under able leaders, distinguished themselves.
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After much service and hard work, the regiment proceeded up the Mississippi river to Cairo, Ill., and thence by cars via the N. Y. Central Railroad, etc., to Augusta, having made a complete circuit of the Confederate States, save Texas. August 31st they were mustered out, after having served nearly one year.
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Eighth Regiment-Its Organization -- The Capture Of Hilton Head-Colonel Strickland Resigns-Capture Of Fort Pulaski-The First Emancipation Procla- mation-Capture Of Jacksonville, Fla .- The Furlough-Presentation To Colonel Rust-Again At The Front-Drury's Bluff-Cold Harbor-In Front Of Peters- burg -- Bermuda Hundred-Forts Gregg and Baldwin-Appomattox C. H .- Killed And Wounded-Return Of The Regiment.
The organization of the Eighth Regiment was as follows:
Company A, Captain WOODMAN, Wilton.
Company B, Captain TWITCHELL, Patten.
Company C, Captain STRICKLAND, Livermore.
Company D. Captain BOYNTON. Detroit.
Company E. Captain HUTCHINGS, New Portland.
Company F. Captain HEMINGWAY, Sanford.
Company G, Captain Rice, Ellsworth. Company H. Captain Rust, Camden. Company I, Captain MCARTHUR, Limmington. Company K, Captain CONANT, Oldtown.
The Field officers, were elected by ballot from the Line officers, and were commissioned by the Governor. The regiment was
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BREVET BRIG .- GEN. J. D. RUST.
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mustered into the U. S. service, at Augusta, on September 7th, 1861, by Captain Thomas Hight, U. S. A.
The original roll of Field and Staff officers, at the organization of the regiment. was as following:
Colonel, LEE STRICKLAND, Livermore.
Lieut. Col., JOHN D. REST, Camden.
Major, Jos. S. RICE, Ellsworth.
Adjutant, JAMES DINGLEY, JR., Auburn.
Quartermaster. A. H. STRICKLAND, Livermore.
Surgeon, PATE'M. FISHER, Corinna.
Asst. Surgeon, JNo. S. HOUGHTON, Solon.
Chaplain. HENRY C. HENRIES, Lincoln.
Sergeant Major, EDGAR G. PERRY, Rockland.
Quartermaster Sergt., JOHN M. ROBBINS, Greene.
Commissary Sergt .. FRANKLIN GRAY, Skowhegan.
Hospital Steward, W. W. WEST, Waterville.
The regiment had barely time to select their clothing, after being mustered into service, and left on the ninth of September for Washington. They reported to Gen. Egbert L. Viele, of the U. S. Army, at Hampstead, Long Island, and were merged into his brigade, and immediately moved to Washington.
From Washington they reported at Fortress Monroe, and then rendezvoused at Annapolis, from which place they left on the steamer 'Ariel,' for Hilton Head, S. C. After a voyage of twenty- two days, encountering heavy gales and storms, they reached the place of destination. Soon after, the bombardment commenced, resulting in the capture of Hilton Head and Port Royal. The "Wabash," of the navy, and smaller naval vessels, all opened upon the defences of Hilton Head. Much credit is due the " Wabash," and her brave officers, as well as the other gunboats engaged in the bombardment. The " Wabash." notwithstanding being a
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wooden vessel, encountered the batteries on the shore, and opened on them with terrific effect, and at times, doing great execution, and nearly silencing the fort, until at last it was believed that the in- fantry could capture the enemy's works. They landed under the protection of the fleet, and immediately took possession of the works.
The Eighth Maine was one of the first regiments to set foot on Southern soil. They were armed with flint-lock guns, re-vamped over, and right well did they use them, until finally they were furnished with arms of a more modern pattern.
The Sth of November, 1861, finds Col. Rust with his command at Hilton Head, S. C., Col. Strickland having resigned on account of ill health, being unable to withstand the malaria of the Southern climate, from which disease he suffered until his death. The va- cancies caused by Col. Rust's promotion were filled by Capts. Woodman, Twitchell, and Hemingway.
Col. Rust's regiment was for months constantly engaged in' throwing up breast-works, and erecting needed fortifications, for the extraordinary exigencies of the service ; still remaining in the Brigade of Gen. Viele, at Hilton Head.
General Viele, was from New York State, from the regular army, and one of the finest officers and best drilled disciplinarians in the service. He published a "Hand Book," for the use of the army, which was adopted by Congress, and very generally used for the government of the army in the field, in the Department of the South.
The Eighth Maine took a prominent part in the capture of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, on the Savannah river. It was found nec- essay, in order to reduce Fort Pulaski, to cut off the retreat and capture the garrison, to ereet batteries on Jones' Island, at the edge of the Savannah river, between Savammah and Fort Pulaski. In
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order to accomplish this work, a road was built for a long distance with sand bags. These were carried by soldiers and at the end near the river, a mound high enough to protect the batteries from the rising of the water, was built. At low water the guns were taken along this road and mounted on the elevation of earth made by sand bags. If the soldiers were overtaken by the tide, they were forced to climb trees, and remain aloft until the tide ebbed. This battery proved to be a valuable ally in the reduction of Fort Pulaski. «
On. Tybee Island were numerous batteries, planted behind natu- ral earth-works of sand, thrown up, perhaps, centuries ago, with breaches in them at occasional intervals. Behind these elevations of sand, the Union batteries were erected at night, and in short range of the fort, unknown to the garrison. A corduroy road from Tybee Island, most of the way to these works, was built. This was made of small trees, inverted and bound together with withes and laid upon the marsh. The batteries and mortars were trans- ported over this road to localities where they were mounted. One heavy mortar slipped off the carriage on which it was being moved, and fell outside the road into the marsh, and sunk so rap- idly that it was impossible to extricate it. When all preparations were ready for the reduction of the fort, the batteries were opened and Col. Rust placed in command of the forces. Several detach- ments of the Eighth were detailed to man the guns, and several companies of the same regiment were intrenched near the river, to be ready in case of attack in the rear. The second day it was discovered that a breach had been made in the fort, and the fire was concentrated on this point, until the aperture was sufficiently large to permit soldiers to enter. Preparations were made to storm the fort that night. but before the sun had gone down a white fag was raised on the fort, and in obedience to it, Col. Rust
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and Gen. Gilmore went to the fort and received the formal surren- der. Gen'ls. Hunter and Benham decided that the flag of the Eighth Maine should be raised on the walls of Fort Pulaski, in token of the gallantry of Col. Rust and his regiment.
Maj. Gen. Hunter, who commanded the Department of the South, was of the regular army. He served with distinction in the Mexican War, and was a most gallant soldier. He issued the first Emancipation Proclamation in the South, he seeing the results of the momentous crisis, which demanded the freedom of the bonds- meirs notwithstanding, the President deemed the order premature, and caused it to be rescinded. It will, however, be remembered that the President, within a few months, issued a similar order, which was greeted with joy and thanksgiving throughout the North.
After the surrender, Colonel Rust was placed in command of the post at Tybee, but owing to the bad health of the men, they returned to Hilton Head. Much credit is due to Captain McAr- thur and the officers of Company I, and Captain True and the offi cers of Company H, for the bravery of themselves and of their commands, in working the batteries during the bombardment; as well as to all the other officers and soldiers of the Eighth Maine.
The regiment remained at Hilton Head, until the spring of 1863. They were employed in guard duty both at that place and at Beau- fort, S. C., Colonel Rust being in command of the post. On the 19th of March, they were ordered to Jacksonville, Fla. They land- ed under the fire of the enemy, and the gun boats "Norwich" and "John Adams," were ordered to open fire in support of the troops. The enemy soon retired, and Colonel Rust, with his command oc- cupied the city, with Colonel Rust in command of the force, and Captain Henry Boynton, Acting Provost Marshal. On the 25th. Colonel Rust ordered a reconnaissance in force, with the Eighth
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Maine on the right. and drove the enemy's pickets, being under a hot fire all the while. The lines being satisfactorily established, on ground previously occupied by the rebels, Colonel Rust's com- mand retired, with trifling loss.
March 29th, Colonel Rust received peremptory orders from General Hunter, to evacuate Jacksonville, and proceed to Beau- fort with his command, to make preparations to assist in the con- templated attack on Charleston. They embarked for Stone River, where they lay on transports during the bombardment of Foit Sumpter, after which they returned to Beaufort. Subsequently they received orders to proceed to Charleston, but owing to a sev- ere gale and storm, this attempt was abandoned, and they were obliged to return to Hilton Head, where they were engaged in do- ing guard and picket duty. While here the regiment re-enlisted for three years, and the veterans returned to Augusta. While in Augusta they presented Colonel Rust with a colonel's uniform, complete, including an elegant gold mounted sword, spurs and a very elaborate horse equipage, as a token of their high esteem of their commander. During their furlough, Colonel Rust made a successful application, through the Governor, for his regiment's transfer from the Department of the South, to the Army of the Potomac; the regiment having suffered intensely from sickness and debility, and being much reduced in vitality. 1
The soldiers who composed the Department of the South, had, not only the enemy to contend with, but also the yellow fever, small pox. swamp fever, malaria and other life destroying agencies, which reduced the ranks more speedily and effectively than did the Southern Confederacy. Gen. Mitchell, who was sent to take command of this department, died of the yellow-fever soon after his arrival, and his case was but one of the many. Gen. Mitchell
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was a very fine officer, and his death was greatly regretted by the entire command.
On the 17th of April, 1864, the regiment was ordered to Wash- ington, and then to Alexandria, where Col. Rust was placed in command of the Second Provisional Brigade, Third Division. On the 25th of April, Col. Rust was ordered, by Maj. Gen. Casey, to report to Maj. Gen. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, and subsequently to Gen. Ames, at Bermuda Hundred. On the 30th, Col. Rust was placed in command of the Second Division of the Army of the James.
The remainder of the regiment continued at Beaufort, until April 13th, 1864, when they were ordered to join the regiment in the Army of the James, at Bermuda. Hundred, where they took part in all the active operations of that body. On the 16th of May, they participated in the engagement at Drury's Bluff, losing three men killed, sixty-four wounded, and twenty-nine taken pris- oners. On the 27th of May, they proceeded to White House Landing, and from thence, on the 31st, to Cold Harbor. In the meantime they had been assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Eighteenth Corps.
On the morning of June 3d, they took part in the assault of the enemy's lines, losing during the day, ten men killed, fifty-three wounded and sixteen taken prisoners. On June 12th, they marched to White House Landing, and from there to Petersburg, where on the 15th. 16th and 17th, they were engaged with the en- emy. On the 18th, they made a successful attack, and carried a portion of the enemy's lines, losing eleven men killed, and thirty-nine wounded. From this time until August 25th, they remained in the trenches, in front of Petersburg, under constant fire, and en- gaged on duties of the most exhaustive character. On that day, they moved to the opposite side of the Appomattox, going into
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works before Bermuda Hundred. On the night of September 28th, they crossed to the north side of the James river, with the Eighteenth and Tenth Corps, and were engaged in the successful assault of the following morning, on the enemy's works, near Chap- in's Farm. October 27th, they took part in the assault on the enemy's line, near the old battle-field of Fair Oaks, and here the regiment lost heavily. The next day they returned to the trenches near Chapin's Farm.
On December 5th, upon the re-organization of the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps, this regiment was assigned to the Fourth Bri- gade, First Division, Twenty-Fourth Corps, and moved to near Deep Bottom, taking position in the fort at Spring Hill.
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