Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.., Part 22

Author: Stanley, Ruel H; Hall, George O., jt. auth
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Bangor, Me., R. H. Stanley & Co.
Number of Pages: 828


USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 22


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The news of Lee's surrender, was brought from Bangor by


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Albert Smith, of that city, who, at once, on learning of it, set out with his team, to spread the good word. During the day a procession was formed, and headed by the band, marched all about the town.


When the awful news of the death of Lincoln reached the city, it caused the profoundest sorrow. Measures were at once taken that a fitting ceremony should take place, and it was decided that exercises should be held in Rev. Dr. Tenny's church. This was done, and on that day. not a store was open in the city. Houses and business buildings alike were draped, and flags hung at half- mast throughout the entire city.


Soon the soldiers began to come home, and scenes of joy, (as friend once more met friend), and of the sorrow and anguish of the mother, wife or sweetheart, (when she saw comrades of her loved one arrive, and knew that her hearts love could never come), cannot be told by living pen. In this respect the story of one city, is the story of all, and sad and bitter enough was it at the time, so that at this late day we need not seek to tell it over. We only know that if any are entitled to a " home beyond," these noble patriots, who freely gave up their lives that their fellow-men might live in freedom, surely shall fill the very highest places in that " Haven of Rest."


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CHAPTER XXXIV.


The Second Cavalry-Its Formation-The First Detachment At New Orleans --- Its Battles-Arrival Of The Main Regiment -- To Florida -Raids And Skir- mishes -- Return To Augusta-The Thirty-First Regiment -- Its Organization --- Its Battles --- Tolopotomoy Creek --- Cold Harbor -- Bethesda Church --- Weldon Railroad --- In Front of Petersburg -- Arrival Home.


THE SECOND MAINE CAVALRY.


This regiment was organized at Augusta, from November 30th, 1863, to January 2d, 1864; and January 11th, having been assign- ed to the Department of the Gulf, commenced leaving Augus- ta for Portland, for the purpose of embarking on transports, for New Orleans, La. Companies A and D, and about half of G, being the only portion of the regiment which had arrived at New Orleans, were, on the 16th of April, ordered to proceed to Alexandria, La., where they arrived on the morning of the 21st, and being assigned to duty with the Third Cavalry Brigade, par- ticipated in the engagements at Cherryville Cross Roads, Marks- ville, Avoyelle's Prairie and Yellow Bayou, and rejoined the regiment at Thibodeaux, June 1st.


The main body of the regiment arrived at New Orleans, in de- tachments on the 18th, 19th, 22d and 23d of April. On the 9th of August the regiment embarked at New Orleans, for Pensacola, Fla., arrived on the 11th, and encamped near Barrancas, being employed in fatigue duty, besides taking part in quite a num-


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ber of raids, to Marianna, in September. and to Pollard, Ala., in December.


During the year, the regiment lost by death, one officer, and two hundred and seventy-eight enlisted men. On the 23d of February, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Spurling, with three hundred men, attacked the enemy in considerable force, at Milton, Fla., and after a sharp encounter, completely routed them. On the 19th of March, the regiment joined General Steele's command, concentrated at Pensacola. preparatory to the movement which resulted in the capture of Mobile, and the opening of the State of Alabama, to the advance of the Federal troops. During the whole campaign, the regiment rendered efficient service, had sev- eral encounters with the enemy, destroyed a large amount of railroad, and other property. besides opening communication with General Canby. besieging Spanish Fort, and capturing a large number of the enemy.


After the fall of Mobile, a detatchment of the regiment was as- signed to the Sixteenth Army Corps, being the only Cavalry with that body of thirty thousand men. The detatchment did efficient duty during a long march of nearly two hundred miles, to the city of Montgomery, Ala. In August the detatchment was ordered to return to Florida, and rejoined the regiment at Barrancas. The regiment was then broken up and small detatchments were station- ed at various points, throughout Western Florida, to preserve har- mony and suppress any insurrectionary movements that might take place. By the 1st of December, the entire regiment was concentrated at Barrancas, and mustered out of the U. S. Service, on the 6th, by Lieutenant Schryver, Assistant Commissary of Mus- ters. Twenty-five commissioned officers, and about one-hundred and sixteen enlisted men were mustered out in Florida, to become residents of the South, making oath of their intention to remain


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there, and receiving from the Government mileage in lieu of trans- portation The remainder of the regiment, comprising fourteen officers, and five-hundred enlisted men, embarked on the 8th, for Augusta, Maine, where they were paid and finally discharged, on the 21st.


THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.


This regiment was organized in Augusta, Maine, in March and April, 1864, to serve three years, and left April 18th, for Wash- ington, D. C. Upon their arrival at Alexandria, Va., they were assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, and immediately marched to Bristow Station, Va., where they remained a few days.


On the morning of May 4th, they broke camp and on the 6th participated in the battle of the Wilderness, in which they lost heavily in killed and wounded. On the 12th, they were engaged with the enemy at Spottsylvania Court House, losing in the en- gagment twelve killed, seventy-five wounded and one hundred and eight missing. On the 24th, they crossed the North Anna River, under a heavy fire from the enemy. During the night of the 26th, they recrossed the North Anna River, and in two days reached the Pamunkey River, where they skirmished with the en- emy on the 29th and 30th.


On the 31st of May, and 1st of June, they were engaged with the enemy at Tolopotomoy Creek, and on the 3d, partici- pated in the engagement at Bethesda Church, losing fifteen killed, and thirty-nine wounded. On the 4th, they marched to Cold Harbor, and remained under fire in frequent skirmishes, until the 12th, suffering greatly from the shelling and sharpshooters of the enemy. On the 12th, they commenced a long, weary march across the Chickahominy and the James rivers, and on the 16th, skirmished with the enemy in front of Petersburg. On the 17th,


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they participated in the assault and capture of the enemy's works, and from that date until the great battle of July 30th, they re- mained constantly under fire, losing largely in officers and men.


In the battle of July 30th, celebrated by the explosion of the rebel fort, they were assigned to an important position, and were the first to enter the rebel's works. They lost, on that day, ten killed, thirty-one wounded. and forty-seven prisoners From this time until the battle of Weldon Road, August 18th, they remained .. under fire before Petersburg, doing picket duty. On August 18th, they went to the support of the Fifth Corps, in taking the Weldon Railroad, remaining in the front lines until September 14th, when they were relieved and allowed a few days of compara- tive rest. On September 30th, in the battle of Popular Spring Church, they rendered most effective services, and lost on that day, five killed, fifteen wounded, and sixteen taken prisoners. From the 1st until the 27th of October, they were engaged mainly in drilling, and on picket duty. At the grand onward movement on the 27th of October, they were ordered to Fort Fisher, which they occupied and garrisoned, until the 29th of November, being meanwhile strengthened by the Fourth and Sixth companies of unassigned infantry, organized at Augusta, Me., on the 4th and 18th of October, 1864, to serve one year, and which were assigned as companies L and M, respectively.


On the 29th of November, the Ninth corps was ordered to re- leive the Second corps, and the regiment was assigned to garrison Fort Davis, on the Jerusalem Plank Road, in front of Petersburg. During the mouth of December, the regiment received an acces- sion of fifteen officers and four hundred and seventy enlisted men by the consolidation with it of the Thirty-Second Maine Volum- teers. They remained at Fort Davis until February 11th, 1865, when they were ordered to the left. and encamped near Parke


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Station, on the Army Line and City Point Railroad, where they remained until the 2d of April, on which day they were engaged in the assault upon the enemy's works, and suffered severely. On the 3d of April, they marched through Petersburg on the South Side Railroad, in pursuit of the enemy, arriving at Nottaway Court House. on the 6th. On the 8th, they proceeded with a detachment of prisoners to Ford's Station, where they arrived on the 11th. de- livered up their charge and at once returned to Burksville Junction. On the 20th of April, they proceeded to City Point, and there em- barked for Alexandria, Va., arriving at that city on the 27th. On the 15th of July, the regiment was mustered out of the U. S. Ser- vice, near Alexandria, Va., by Lieutenant E Rose, A. C. M., and arrived on the 19th, at Bangor, where the men were paid, and fin- ally discharged on the 27th.


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


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MAJOR GEN. HIRAM G. BERRY,


was born in East Thomaston, now Rockland, August 27, 1824. . On reaching manhood, he was regarded as one of the most useful and enterprising citizens in that section, and was honored by being sent to the Legislature to represent his native place. After Rockland became a city, he was elected its second Mayor. While engaged in pursuing the peaceful callings of civil life, his attention was turned to matters of a military nature, in which he displayed ability of a high order, from the outset. His efforts originated the Rockland Guards, which he commanded for several years. On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was among the first to offer his services in his country's defence. Enlisting with his company in the Fourth Regiment, he was commissioned Colonel of that corps. which, while under his command, was considered one of the best disciplined and most efficient regiments in the army; a reputation it has ever since maintained.


At the first battle of Bull Run, he developed a military genius, which gave evidence of a brilliant career, and made him a marked man. He was the first to discover the retreat of the enemy, which fact he immediately caused to be telegraphed to President Lincoln.


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In March, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier Gener- al, and assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Third Corps. He entered at once upon the discharge of his duties with his char- acteristic energy, and at the Siege of Yorktown, which shortly followed, he distinguished himself both in the trenches and in the field. At the battle of Williamsburg, he was awarded the honor of having saved the day. By a rapid movement, on that occasion, he hastened to Hooker's relief in the front, during a pelting rain storm, and by his skillful manœuvring, drove the foe to his rifle- pits, and ended the fight by driving him thence, capturing a large. number of prisoners, and retaking all our artillery that had been lost. By his timely arrival with his command, Gen. Heintzleman acknowledged that Hooker's division was saved from defeat, and the battle turned in our favor. At the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31st, he hurled back the enemy, who had repulsed Casey's and Couch's divisions, retaking all the ground that had been lost, and holding his position untit reinforced. When moving to support the front, pressing on with his brigade through the mass of de- feated Federal troops, who were flying in all directions, he was met by Gen. Kearney, who asked him if he "was not afraid to take his men through such a rabble," when he quickly replied : "No sir, not if I march at their head." This gallant reply was char- acteristic of the man. He never demanded of his men the perform- ance of a duty, that he was not willing to undertake, even at the hazard of his life. The next day when the enemy was routed one of the regiments of his brigade, Third Michigan, drove four rebel brigades in succession from the woods.


General Berry was foremost in the fight, having three of his Staff killed, and his own hat and clothes pierced with shot. In a report of the battle, Prince de Joinville, who was an eye witness, states : "As at Williamsburg, Kearney anives in good time to re-


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establish the fight. Berry's brigade of this division, composed of Michigan regiments and an Irish battalion, advances as firm as a wall into the midst of the discordant mass, which wander over the battle field, and does more by its example than the most pow- erful reinforcements." Generals MeClellan, Hooker, Kearney and Heintzleman, also complimented him for his skill and undaunted bravery. The latter officer in his report, speaking of his troops says: "They most gallantly kept their position on the rebels right flank and kept up such a deadly fire that no effort the enemy made could dislodge them. He remained until dark. firing away sixty rounds of ammunition to each man, and then supplying themselves with cartridges from the dead and wounded. Their fire complete- ly commanded the open space in their front, and not a mounted man succeeded in passing under their fire." After this battle he was ordered to erect fortifications, and to establish a picket-line, the right resting on Hooker's left, and running below White Oak Swamp, connecting with the Second corps, a distance of about five miles. The position of this picket line being in the advance, was an exposed one. For nearly a month there was picket fighting almost every day, besides three severe engagements which occured. The line was however, maintained at all hazards according to his orders, his men fighting immediately under his eye. Faithful to his trust notwithstanding his life was at one time briefly threatened by dis- ease occasioned by his arduous labors, care and exposure, he re- mained at his post.


The battle of Gaines' Mill, resulted in our army being driven, and all communications with White House Landing, our base of operations, cut. A new base having been decided upon, Gen. Berry, after being consulted in regard to the crossing of White Oak Swamp, was ordered to build roads immediately for the pas- sage of the army; which work he accomplished in twenty four


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hours. The army then commenced its movement toward the James river, Gen. Berry covering the retreat, skirmishing with the enemy on the way. Two days afterward, was fought the bat- tle of Glen Dale. While the battle was raging, Gen. Kearney being unwell, the command of his division was turned over to Gen. Berry, his brigade remaining in the reserve. The attack of the enemy, in full force, caused a portion of the reserve to aban- don his position, whereupon, Gen. Berry immediately filled up the gap by placing his brigade in the opening, and sending for rein - forcements. For three hours the battle raged fearfully, our army losing heavily. Every assault of the enemy was repulsed. Dur- ing the battle Gen. Berry was slightly wounded by a musket ball, which cut into his sword belt. The battle of Malvern Hill follow- ed, which was fought on our side mostly by artillery. His brigade was on the right of the line, engaged in supporting batteries in an exposed position, until the enemy was repulsed, and left us at night masters of the field. On the arrival of the army at Harris- on's Landing, his brigade was assigned a position on the center of the front line. In consequence of its great loss in men and offi- cers, and the large amount of service it had performed during the retrograde movement, it was excused from performing any fatigue duty The hardships and privations of the Peninsula Campaign, together with a severe cold, caught on his arrival at Harrison's Landing, so affected Gen. Berry's health, that he returned. for the first time since his departure, to his home. During the brief per- iod he remained at Rockland, the most lavish ovations were paid him by his fellow townsmen, as a token of their appreciation of his noble and gallant conduct. Notwithstanding his health was not fully restored, his convictions of duty were such that he felt he could be absent no longer, and before three weeks had expired he returned to his command.


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During the Maryland campaign he was assigned to duty in the fortifications at Upton's Hill. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th, after crossing the Rappahannock, and moving down the plain under a terrible fire, he supported with his brigade four batteries of artillery. On the repulse of General Franklin, the enemy pursued that officer's command through Gen. Berry's lines, when the latter opened on the enemy with grape and musketry, driving him back with heavy loss. It is related that Gen. A. P. Hill, the Confederate general commanding the division opposed to Gen. Derry, took occasion, under a flag of truce, to compliment him for his generalship; the only instance of the kind, we believe, that occurred during the war. In March, 1863, the rank of Major General was conferred on Gen Berry, and he was assigned to the command of the Second Division, Third Corps, which had been so long under the command of Gen. Hooker, and was acknowl- edged to be one of the best in the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Chancellorsville, the heroic Berry gave his life to his country and mankind When Gen. Hooker commenced opera- tions, Gen. Berry was ordered with his division down the river, as a feint, to cover the real move intended upon the right. As soon, however, as Gen. Hcoker had got well across the river above Fredericksburg, Gen. Berry was ordered to rejoin his corps at Chancellorsville, which he did with his usual promptness. A cor- respondent states that when the Eleventh Corps commenced com- ing, panie stricken, down the road toward headquarters, it was a critical situation, and brought out the superb resources of Gen Hooker. Whom, of all others, should he send in at this fearfully critical moment but the darling child of his own creation, his own corps, now commanded by Gen. Berry. "General," shouted the commander, "throw your men into the breach ; receive the enemy on your bayonets; don't fire a shot ; they can't see you."


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. At the double quick that glorious band rushed to the rescue, pressing up in their horrid array of glittering steel, the enemy's advance was quickly checked, and he had to withdraw to the line of breastworks just vacated by the Eleventh Corps. In an account of this last and greatest success of Gen. Berry's, Gen. How- ard, in a letter to Adj. Gen. Hodsdon, says: "I met him, (Gen. Berry), close by his line of battle, on Saturday, May 2d, near the plank road, south of Chancellorsville. He had drawn up his di- vision of veteran troops perpendicular to, and on both sides of the road, to cover the retreat of the Twelfth Corps, and check any further advance of the enemy in that direction. Hle met me with great cordiality, consulted as to where the line would be hardest pressed, and in answer to my suggestion that the chief difficulty · would be upon his right, said, "well General, if you will take care of the left here, I will go to the right,' and he went in that direc- tion. Upon this he put himself at the head of his brave men, and with an irresistible charge. they drove back the rebels, and retook the ground which the latter had won."


The next morning General Berry fell. The circumstances at- tending his death are related by Captain J. B. Greenhalgh, a mem- ber of his staff, as follows: Turning to Captain G., General Berry directed him to ride to General Hooker's headquarters, and inquire for orders as to whether he should hold his position or not. Captain G. at once started, and General Berry, and the remainder . of his staff dismounted, General Berry saying that he would walk across the plank road-only a few rods-and communicate with General Mott, the senior officer of his division. One of his aids remonstrated against his going. and offered to go in his stead, but the General replied that he himself would go. He started, went across the road, saw General Mott, gave him his orders, turned and was coming back, and when but a short distance from the spot


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where the members of his staff stood, a minnie rifle ball struck him in the arm close to the shoulder. passed downward through his vitals, and lodged in his lip, killing him almost immediately. His aids saw him fall, and instantly started for him. Lieutenant Freeman knelt by his side. "I am dying," said the General, "carry me to the rear." The Lieutenant asked him if he had any wish to express. By a feeble shake of the head he indicated that he had none, and the next moment his spirit had gone forever. The body was at once raised and carried to the Chancellor House, where General Hooker stood. When it was laid before him he burst into tears and kneeling down kissed the cold forehead, and then exclaimed, " My God, Berry, why was this to happen ? Why was the man on whom I relied so much, to be taken away in this manner."


After General Hooker had paid this tribute to the lifeless form of General Berry, he ordered it to be carried to the rear at once, where it rested Sunday night in the same room which the General had occupied previous to the late move of the army. While on the way, a squad of the Fourth Maine Regiment, learning that the body of their former commander was being carried by, desired to have it laid down, and each one of the brave fellows came for- ward and kissed the cold brow of the man they loved, and had just followed into the battle-field, and then silently and tearfully took their places in the ranks.


In making a record of Gen. Berry's character. one who had . been an intimate friend during the two last years of his life, says: "Gen. Berry was a man of marked ability, which distinguished him in every position he filled. Under the guidance of a benig- nant Providence he was the architect of his own fortune. His own ability and industry raised him from the more humble condi- tion of his early life. to the eminence he reached. In all the im-


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portant issues of his life, it may be truly said he never failed. He surprised men by what he accomplished; he never disappointed them by his failure. Although he enjoyed no advantages for literary culture, beyond those which are possessed by nearly every young man in the State, yet he acquired a degree of culture that could fairly characterize him as an educated man; and those who have a right to judge, affirm that his official reports and corres- pondence were rarely excelled in perspicuity and accuracy, by any of our public . men ... He never spent a day in a Military School, and yet he was thoroughly versed in the art of war. He knew his own strength, and was confident in it, and knew how to use it. He quietly formed his own plans, and depending on him- self, entered upon their performance; but men knew little of them till their completion announced them. He was a man of untiring energy. During the latter years of his life, he maintained an almost ceaseless struggle with disease, and yet his record is what could be expected only of a man of iron frame and perfect health. While in the army he often issued his orders from a sick bed, or rose from that sick bed to lead his soldiers. When his friends and superior officers urged him to suspend his active labors, he remained at his post, performing the duties of camp and field, when he seemed more properly a subject for the sur- geon's care. His whole military career attests the great resources, the strength of will, and the power of execution, which were never measured by what other men could do. He was faithful to the trust committed to him by his country. He held the perform- ance of his duty a sacred obligation. Ile never refused to do all that his duty demanded, even those details which are felt to be irksome or repulsive. While other officers sought the comforts and luxuries of the metropolis; from the day he left the State with his regiment, till his last battle was fought, he shared the


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camp, the watch, the painful march, and the deadly struggle with his men. His life was a sacrifice to his fidelity. To those who knew him little, his conduct in the battle in which he lost his life may seem like rashness, but he would not commit to another what he felt could be done better by himself. His soldiers fought immedi- ately under his eye and by his side. By his personal presence, he held his men to their position.




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