USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 23
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He was a leader and a favorite in the political party which op- posed the administration that governed the country at the begining of the war; but when he had girded on his sword in his country's cause, he buried all party prejudices, sectional ties, and political preferences, and knew first and only, his country. He loved the flag of his country, and followed with all who loved it wherever it led. He fought beneath it, and, though it were tattered and rent by the storms of a hundred battles, he clung to it still; clung to it until death. He was a noble and brave officer. We know not but his daring courage amounted to an utter disregard of his own life. He was never more calm than when the storm of battle raged around him. He served in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, and more than once his command was the last to leave the field. Men fell around him like autumn leaves, officers of his staff fell dead by his side, and the iron hail pierced the uniform he wore. For two years he was as familiar with death as with an as- sociate, and met him often face to face, but never trembled or grew pale in his presence; nor was his an animal courage, that was fearless because insensible. With the lion's heart, he joined the utmost gentleness and considerateness He would never ask a soldier to go where he feared himself to go. He could weep over a fallen comrade, but his eagle eye never quailed before the foc. And thus it was to the closing scene. A weaker nature might have been living to-day. But his was one that would not accept life
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at the price of falling back one step from his post. His brave and gentle nature made him the object, not only of admiration, but of the warm affection of his associates in arms. His soldiers loved him, therefore followed unhesitatingly wherever he led, and stood in their position so long as his commanding form was with them. Blessings shall be upon his memory, and the nation's song shall perpetuate his fame."
MAJOR WHITING S. CLARK,
Left the senior class of Colby University, in June, 1862, for the . purpose of raising a company for the Eighteenth Maine Infantry Volunteers. This he speedily accomplished, and was commission- ed captain in that regiment. In November, of that year, he was assigned, with his company to the charge of batteries Vermont and Kemble, in the defences of Washington. He remained there till June, 1863, when he rejoined his regiment at Fort Sumner, D. C.
On the 19th of May, 1864, when Ewell's Corps attempted to cut off our supply trains, Captain Clark, was first actively engag- ed. With what spirit the enemy was encountered, may be inferred from the fact that he lost two lieutenants and seventy men, in killed and wounded, being a greater loss than that of any other company in the regiment. After the battle he advanced with the remnant that he had left, and captured a rebel captain and about twenty men.
He participated in the battles of North Anna, Hanovertown, Cold Harbor, and the other engagments that occurred in the ad- vance on Petersburg. At Petersburg he distinguished himself by taking the third battalion, (which he commanded), to an advanc- ed position beyond the entrenchments, capturing a number of rebel skirmishers, and holding his position under a heavy fire and alone,
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for nearly an hour, before communication was established with the troops on his right and left.
On the evening of the same day, while leading the battalion to the desperate encounter in which the regiment lost two thirds of its numbers, he was himself shot down and carried from the field, in what was thought to be a dying condition, having received no less than three bad wounds. Shortly after this action, he received a Major's commission, but did not recover from his injuries in season to rejoin his regiment.
Major Clark was one of four brothers, who held commissions in Maine regiments during the war. All of them were severely wounded, one of them'dying of his injuries. Like the Horatii of antiquity, these brothers united their efforts against the foes of their country ; and though they may not hope, like their proto- types, to become heroes of classic tradition, yet in a peculiar degree are entitled to the gratitude and appreciative remembrance of their fellow-citizens.
CAPTAIN BENJ. F. HUNTER,
Of Hodgdon, entered the service in 1861, as a private in Company A, Seventh Maine Volunteers. Conspicuous for his bravery in every battle, and several times wounded, a late promotion found him serving as First Sergeant in the First Maine Veterans, in the Shenandoah Valley, in the fall of 1864. On the first engagement in the ensuing and last campaign of the war, he was killed in the abattis of the enemy's works, in the extreme advance of a charge made by Col. Hyde's Brigade, on the Squirrel Level Road. The warrant for his first promotion bore the words, "for especial gal- lantry at Antietam."
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BRIG. GEN. THOMAS W. HYDE. .
We need say nothing of the bravery and gallantry of Gen. Hyde, as that is so well known throughout the entire State, that no words of ours could add to its brightness.
Every school-boy knows of the glorious deeds performed by Gen. Hyde, and his name is in every household. We can only say that no braver soldier ever went out to do battle for any. country, and the people of this State truly understand his real merit and worth.
LIEUT. WMr. R. NEWENHAM,
Was born in Cherryfield, and spent the earlier years of his life in that town, usually engaged in the lumber business. For three or four years prior to entering the service, he had given his whole attention to hunting in the extensive forests of that portion of the State, often spending whole weeks alone. He entered the service in the latter part of July, 1862, as Second Lieutenant, in Company H, Eighteenth Maine Volunteers, afterwards First Heavy Artil- lery.
When the regiment was reorganized as Heavy Artillery, he was promoted First Lieutenant. After the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, he participated in the battles of Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, and at Petersburg the 16th and 17th of June, and was mortally wounded on the 18th, in that fatal charge, when so many of the regiment were sacrificed. He died at Portsmouth Grove Hospital, July 9th, 1864, aged thirty-four years.
He was a brave, intelligent and trustworthy officer. Ilis earlier life had fitted him for a soldier. As an officer, he readily acquain- ted himself with his duties, and was classed among the best sold- iers of the regiment.
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BREVET BRIG. GEN. LLEWELLYN G. ESTES,
Of Oldtown, entered the First Maine Cavalry, as a private, Sep- tember 21st, '61, and was made Orderly Sergeant September 30th, and served as such until May, 1862, when he was promoted to be First Lieutenant. He was taken prisoner at Warrentown, Va., in August following, and returned to Bell Plain after being exchang- ed. He was immediately detailed as Aid-de-Camp, on the Staff of Gen. Kilpatrick, and took part in the Stoneman raid around the rebel army. During this raid he was dispatched with ten men to go through the rebel lines from Richmond, and communicate with Gen. Hooker, then fighting the battle of Chancellorsville. On the route he captured an officer and sixteen men. Lieut. Estes was himself afterward taken prisoner, and started for Richmond, but in turn captured the party that had him in charge, and conveyed them within our lines; a feat full of romance, and worthy of the best days of chivalry. In March, 1804, he was promoted to be Captain of Company A, First Cavalry, and at the same time, Cap- tain and Assistant Adjutant General; when he resigned his posi- tion in the regiment, and was assigned to duty as A. A. G., Third Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, Gen. Kilpatrick com- manding. In April, he was relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac, at the request of Gen. Kilpatrick, and assigned to duty as Adjutant General of Cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi, and as such, served through all of the Georgia and Carolina campaigns. He was promoted to be Major, in September, 1861, and Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, by brevet, in March, 1865. From March to September 30th. 1805, he was Adjutant General of Western North Carolina, comprising forty-one counties. Ile was further promoted to be Brigadier General, by brevit, Sep- tember 30th, when he resigned his position in the army. He also received the very strong recommendation of Generals Sherman
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and Kilpatrick, for a full Brigadier Generalship, in March, 1865, which he would have received but for the discontinuance of the war. Gen. Kilpatrick, on whose Staff he was during most of his career, and who appreciated his manly character and heroic deeds, wrote of him: "To Major Estes, my Adjutant General, I am greatly indebted for my success in the raid around Atlanta, and in the campaigns through Georgia and the Carolinas. He deserves, and should be made a Brigadier General;" and Gen. Sherman added as his testimony: "This officer I recommend for great gal- lantry and skill in battle." The career of Gen. Estes was indeed remarkable. In the short space of less than three years, through his own skill and bravery, without the aid of powerful, political friends. he advanced from the position of a private in the ranks to that of a Brigadier General, before he had reached the twenty- fourth year of his age. He was made prisoner three times, wounded, and participated in no less than one hundred and twenty- . one engagements.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL GEORGE FULLER.
This officer enlisted as a private on the 24th of April, 1861, in a company raised in Corinth, of which he was elected Second Lieu- tenant, and which became Company H, Sixth Regiment. He was subsequently elected Captain, and was mustered in with his regi- ment, July 15th, 1861. The command soon after proceeded to Washington and joined the Army of the Potomac, in which the regiment served until mustered out, August 15th, 1864.
The record of Lieut. Col. Fuller is identified with that of the regiment with which he was always on duty. He therefore partic- ipated in the battles of Warwick Creek, Lee's Mills, Williamsburg. Garnett's Farm, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp. Crampton
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Pass, Anteitam, First Fredericksburg, St. Mary's Heights, or Sec- ond Fredericksburg. Bank's Ford, Kelly's Ford, Gettysburg, Rappa- hannock Station, Locust Grove, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. In the four last of these he was in command of the regiment, after the fall of Lieut. Col. Harris.
On the 22d of May, 1863, Captain Fuller, was commissioned Major of the regiment, and on April 24th, 1864, was further pro- moted Lieutenant Colonel. :
Lieutenant Colonel Fuller did not pass through the war without experiencing some of its most painful vicissitudes. In the battle of Garnett's Farm he was struck in the breast by a spent ball. At Rappahannock Station, his horse was killed under him, his sword shot off and his clothes pierced ; and at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, when of the two hundred men of the regiment who went into the charge on May 10th, 1864, one hundred and sixty were killed and wounded, Colonel Fuller was also shot and carried off the field. On the 1st of July, he rejoined his regiment, at Washington, then on its way to Maine, to be mustered out, but was retained by General Russell, commanding the division. Sub- sequent to the consolidation of a remnant of the regiment with the First Veterans, Colonel Fuller tendered his resignation, and was honorably mustered out, July 28th. 1864, having been in the ser- vice thirty-nine months, and earned for himself a soldierly reputa- tion of which he may well be proud.
BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN D. RUST.
Brevet Brigadier General John D. Rust, late Colonel of the Eighth Maine Regiment, war of 1861-'66, commenced his mili- tary career in 1858, as Aid-de-Camp, upon Governor Lot M. Morrill's staff, with the rank of colonel. He was one of the
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reviewing officers, at the Brigade Review at Belfast, Maine, in which Hon. Jefferson Davis, late President of the Southern Con- federacy, was present, and reviewed the troops. It is said that Mr. Davis, at that time, made the remark in the hearing of Colonel Rust, that one Southern soldier could successfully cope with half a dozen Yankees, to which Colonel Rust took vigor- ous exceptions.
At the commencement of hostilities in 1861, the lamented Governor Washburn had sufficient confidence in Colonel Rust, as in many others, to confer with him upon matters pertaining to the raising of troops, for the suppression of the rebellion.
At this time, Colonel Rust made strong endeavors, which were, successful, to harmonize the two prominent political parties, in his section, and in that behalf, succeeded in securing the nominations of Hon. E. K. Smart, of Camden, and N. A. Farwell, of Rockland, as State Senators, on the Union ticket, the former a Democrat, and the latter a Republican, both being triumphantly elected. The result of this election, did much towards harmonizing the two political parties. Soon after this. Governor Washburn ~~ + to Colonel Rust, through Adjutant General Hodsdon, the requisite papers for enlisting a company of infantry for the Eighth Maine. Colonel Rust immediately enlisted Company H., and enrolled his name as a private therein, and later was elected and com- missioned Captain, and subsequently, thereat, was made Lieu- tenant Colonel of the regiment. He soon became Colonel, by the resignation of Colonel Lee Strickland. The record of this gallant commander, and of his brave and patriotic troops, in active service from September 3d, 1861, constitutes a bright page in the annals of our Civil war. Colonel Rust's patriot- ism was of that practical and unselfish character, which ren- dered him not only willing, but eager to serve his country in
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any military capacity, in which our Government was pleased to place him. His military history exhibits him commissioned as Captain, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and also Brigadier Gen- eral by Brevet, by the President; an honorable rank, worthily bestowed.
In an interview with General John L. Hodsdon, ex-officio Adj- utant General, Quartermaster General and Paymaster General of 'Maine, relative to General Rust's service, he said:
" I had the pleasure of meeting Colonel J. D. Rust, at Belfast, in 185S, he being on Govornor Morrill's staff, and I in command of the Bangor Light Infantry. I have been intimately acquainted with General Rust since, and know he served with gallantry and great credit in the war of '61-'66, in suppressing the rebellion in which his bearing and skill as an officer was most apparent and distinguished. Colonel Rust was ever laboring for the good of the service and his regiment, and when he was at home on sick leave of absence, he was always striving for the good of the service, enlisting men for his own, or other commands. His great desire was to put down the rebellion at the earliest possible moment and save the Union from division and destruction."
Ex-Governor Washburn, writing to Secretary of War, Stan- ton, said : " When at home, a year ago, such was Colonel Rust's interest in his regiment and the service, that he gave every hour, that the condition of his health would permit, to the work of raising recruits, and such was his success, owing in good part to his earnestness and capacity, that when he returned he had procured an addition to his numbers, of between two and three hundred men. In the State House, at Augusta, is the' flag of the Eighth Regiment, which was raised upon the walls of Fort Pulaski, by order of the Commanding General, after the surren- der, in token of the gallantry of Colonel Rust and his regiment, on that occasion."
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The following letter from Representative to Congress, Egbert L. Viele, will be appreciated, when it is known that General Rust does a large business, shipping ice and lumber to the South. He writes to General Rust as follows:
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 1st, 1886.
" My Dear Colonel :
I was very glad indeed, to receive your kind letter, and to hear from one of my oldl soldiers. I remember you with a great deal of pleasure, as one of the most earnest and zealous of my command. I remember the evening your regiment reported to me at Hempstead, Long Island. They were all unused to war, but all of them true, and earnest men. I was in Portland a year ago last summer, at the Grand Army encampment, and I hoped to meet some of the 'Old Eighth,' but was not so fortunate.
They were worked to death without any necessity, on Port Roy- al Island, at that absurd stockade of Gilmore's. If we had gone direct to Charleston and Savannah, there would have been less sickness, and fewer lives lost. But the war is all over, and I am glad to see by your business card that you are engaged in active business. You are literally sending cold comfort to the South, but they are more grateful for it than for what they received in '61. You have an excellent delegation of men from Maine in Congress, although of course I should not object if more of them were Dem- ocrats. You have my best wishes, and warm remembrances of your manly and soldierly qualities."
Yours with regards,
EGBERT L. VIELE.
The original of the following is in the War Department at Washington.
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[Extract of letter from General W. H. Benham.]
HEADQUARTERS ENGINEER BRIGADE. CITY POINT, VA., SEPTEMBER, 2d, 1863. Lieut. Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, Commander U. S. Army :
General :- I called yesterday to present to you Colonel J. D. Rust, of the Eighth Maine Volunteers. I would desire to say in favor of Col. Rust, that he had a most excellent regiment when I had command of the division, which is now the Department of the South. That I knew him well, to be faithful, honest and a good duty soldier, anxious always to do his every duty to the best of his ability.
Most respectfully and truly your obedient servant,
W. H. BENHAM. (Signed)
The following was written in 1863, the original being in possess- ion of the author.
BEAUFORT, S. C., APRIL 16th, 1863.
Major General D. Hunter, Commanding Dep't of the South :
General :- In parting with Colonel Rust, Eighth Maine, it gives me great pleasure to state that my relations with him have been of the most friendly character. He has ever per- formed, in good faith any duty which I have required of him, and I consider his regiment one of the best I have seen in the service. I am, General, with great respect, your obedient servant, RUFUS SAXTON,
Brigadier General and Military Governor.
The author, also, has possession of the original of the follow- ing letter:
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 30th, 1864.
Colonel John D. Rust, commanding the Eighth Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry, served under my immediate orders at the capture of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, and during the whole
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of my service in the Department of the South, to my entire satisfaction. I always considered him a first rate officer.
D. HUNTER, Major General.
Colonel Rust, re-enlisted at the end of two years, and, after a furlough, succeeded in getting his regiment transferred to the Army of the Potomac. Later he was promoted to the command of the Second Provisional Brigade, and later, reporting to General Butler at Fortress Monroe, was placed in command of the Second Division of the Army of the James. On August 19th, 1864, he resigned, and was honorably discharged for physical disability. General Rust is now a leading citizen and successful business man in Rockport, Maine.
CAPTAIN JOHN H. BALLINGER.
Captain John H. Ballinger entered the service of his country in the early days of the rebellion, having enlisted as a private in the first company formed at Machias, where he resided, as early as the middle of April, 1861. On the organization of his-company, he was First Lieutenant. The company was assigned to the Sixth Maine Volunteers, as Company C, and with the regiment left the State for the seat of the war, about the middle of July.
Lieutenant Ballinger was a most useful man to the regiment, as he had served several years in the English army. In March, '62, on the very day that the Army of the Potomac broke camp to commence active operations against the enemy, Lieutenant Ballinger was promoted to the command of his company. With it, he landed at Old Point Comfort, the latter part of the month, and marched up the Peninsula. He fought during the siege of Yorktown, and participated in the battles of Lee's Mills and Williamsburg, leading his company, with ability and gallantry. He led it up the Peninsula, in the advance on Richmond, took
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part in the principal operations of the army, in that vicinity, and during the "seven days battles," fought with it at Garnett's Farm, Savage's Station, and White Oak Swamp. When the tide of war surged into Maryland, Captain Ballinger fought at the head of his company at Sugar Loaf Mountain, Crampton's Pass and Antietam. Late in the autumn, he again marched into . Virginia, and fought with his men at Fredericksburg. In the spring of 1863, Captain Ballinger, with his men, took part in the preliminary operations about Fredericksburg, being on the skirmish line, and hotly engaged with the enemy, near Franklin's Crossing, May 2d. He led his company in the assault upon the Heights of St. Mary. cheering them with unusual gallantry. When half way up the heights, however, and just as he entered the first rifle pit. a minnie ball crashed through his brain, instantly terminating his patriotic and heroic career. After the enemy was routed and the works captured, his comrades buried him where he had fallen, on the slope made sacred by his blood, and that of many of his brave followers. The- memory of his heroic deeds will be gratefully cherished, by the loyal hearts of a redeemed nation.
SURGEON JOHN BENSON.
Dr. Benson, of Newport, was first commissioned as Surgeon in the Eighth Regiment, but declined. . He was subsequently, January 23d, 1863, commissioned as Surgeon in the Twentieth Regiment, and occupied that position until August 27th, 1863, when, owing to ill health, he was obliged to resign. That he fulfilled his severe and arduous duties promptly and efficiently. is unequivocally de- clared in the testimonials of the surgeons in chief, under whom he served. Lieut. Col. Gilmore, said of him: "His kindness and discrimination, and the unusual assiduity with which he applied
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himself to his duties, rendered him exceedingly useful and popular with the regiment, while his marked ability, gave him at once a ยท high reputation among the other surgeons of the army."
ASSISTANT SURGEON WILLIAM R. BENSON.
Dr. William Roscoe Benson. of Bangor, was commissioned as Assistant Surgeon in the Fourth Maine Infantry, May 14th, 1862, but being soon afterwards attacked with camp-fever, he returned to his home and resigned. His sickness was protracted and seven. On his recovery, however, desiring to re-enter the service, he was, April 13th, 1863, appointed to the Second Regiment, filling his position as Assistant Surgeon, until mustered out, June 9th, 1863. On the 15th of August. he was appointed to the Eighth Regi- ment, where he remained until within two months of his decease, having been discharged for disability, January 4th, 1865. He died, aged twenty-six years, at Newport, at the residence of his father, Dr. John Benson. The lamented deceased was greatly loved by the medical staff with which he was connected, all bearing testi- mony to his amiable qualities and his skill as an operator. He was also universally popular with the men of his regiment, the survivors of which will never fail to remember his kindly care and profes- sional aid.
CAPTAIN BILLINGS BRASTOW.
Billings Brastow, of Brewer, enlisted into the U. S. Service, as Second Lieutenant, of Company I. Ninth Infantry, and was subsequently promoted First Lieutenant, and then Captain, of the same command. When his regiment was in General Gilmore's department, his name was often rendered conspicuous for valor. and especially for the gallantry of his command in the charges,
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and capture of battle flags, at Fort Wagner. Whilst a lieuten- ant, he was for a large part of the time, acting adjutant and captain, and whilst captain, acting colonel. He participated in every battle, in which his regiment was engaged, excepting one -making, in all, nearly thirty actions. Captain Brastow was in command of the regiment. at the taking of St. Mary's, and at Morris Island; with one hundred and twenty-five men, he attacked the Twenty-First South Carolina Regiment, number- . ing six hundred men, driving them from their rifle-pits, and taking some thirty prisoners, and two stands of colors. At the bat- tle of Deep Bottom. his regiment was out-flanked, on the right and left, but by a bold and rapid movement. he pierced the enemy's lines, and in the midst of a most deadly fire, carried his command to the Union lines, with the loss of thirty-nine men, and all the officers then on duty, who were either killed. wounded, or otherwise disabled. He also led the attack on the enemy, at the time that General Weitzel was in danger of los- ing his right. and driving the enemy nearly a mile over almost im- passable barriers. Captain Brastow never asked his men to go where he was not in readiness to lead them in person. After the fatal attack on Battery Gilmore, the command of the regiment again devolved upon Captain Brastow, when, leading his men against the enemy, at Laurel Hill Church, September 29th, 1864, he was instantly killed. He was a noble young man ; none braver ever drew a sword.
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