USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 5
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The Whig also paid attention to another organ of the same stripe as the Union. It says :
" The Standard, at Concord, one of the largest and vilest of the Secession organs of New England, has the impudence to send us a paper marked, "Please Ex." We would as soon exchange with the Court Journal of His Satanic Majesty, which, we take it, is edited by Judas Iscariet and Benedict Arnold."
Although the regimental officers had found horses in Washing- ton, the Government officials commissioned Messrs. Stanley & Lang to purchase animals, both for the use of cavalrymen and the artillery. Accordingly, Acting Q. M. Gen. John L. Hodsdon in- serted an advertisement, appointing days of purchase at Bangor, Skowhegan and Waterville. Horses must be some color other than white, well shed, sound and kind, etc. Good prices were paid, and many animals went to. the war from this section.
On Thursday evening, June 13th, those who had friends in the Second, were glad to see Assistant Surgeon Hamlin, who came
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home on a ten day's furlough. He reported all the men who were left at Willett's Point as having joined the regiment, and, also brought the sad news of the death in camp of private Lorenzo D. Benner, of Brewer. On the day Surgeon Hamlin arrived home, a dispatch announced the death of Sergeant Charles F. Hall, of the Barger Light Infantry company.
Monday June 24th. five companies before mentioned as being at Camp Washburn, left by mail for Portland, under command of Capt. Brown, of the Brownville company. The Oldtown band accompanied them. and. as was the case when the Second left, the citizens gave them a grand "send (ff." The companies were offi- cered as follows: Company A, (Prownville) Capt. Moses W. Brown ; 1st Lieut., Clas. H. Chandler; Ed Lieut., A. P. Buck. Company B, (Ellsworth) Capt. Isaac Fazer; 1st Lieut., Otis Kent ; 2d Lieut., John D. McFarland. Company C, (Bucksport) Capt. Joseph Snowman; 1st Lieut., Franklin Pierce; 2d Lieut., Virgil P. Wardwell. Company D, (Corinth) Capt. Cyrus Brown; 1st Lieut., J. G. Roberts; 2d Lieut., Geo. Fuller. Company E, (Oldtown) Capt. A. G. Burton ; 1st Lieut., Henry R. Sopher; 2d Lieut., L. H. Stinchfield. Few enlistments were made for a time, although Gen. Stevens received orders to recruit 250 volunteers to bring its standard to 1000 men.
There was a big celebration on the fourth of July, in which the people of the surrounding towns participated. On the sixth, the people had some interesting reading in addition to the account of Independence Day, given them by the press, it being that wonder- ful message of President Lincoln, wherein he show that he, at least, realized the magnitude and power of the Confederacy, and called on the loyal States for four hundred thousand men, and four hundred million dollars. "These are big figures," said a Bangor man that day, "and when weare able to comprehend what they mean,
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we may be able to agree with Hon. A. G. Jewett, who said, at Belfast, the other day, that this war was not for days, nor months, but for years." While the people were considering the proclama- tion, President Lincoln and the Union generals were forwarding the campaign plans, which had been marked out. One misty July night, the citizens living in the outskirts of Washington, were awakened by a heavy jarring, which vibrated through their dwellings. Going to their windows they saw, much to their surprise, solid columns of troops marching by. They uttered no words, gave out no sounds, marched without music, yet in perfect step, and in the fog which had settled over their heads, as though nature was endeavoring to afford them a screen, as they advanced, they looked like huge spectres rather than men. Hour after hour they marched adown the streets, along the low lands and across Long Bridge to Virginia soil, and the morning light brightened the eastern horizon, ere the rear of the army departed. The Second, Third and Fourth Maine, accompanied by the Second and Third Connecticut regiments went over in the order named, and encamped at or near Falls Church. It now looked business like, and, as the boys lay there, knowing that within a few miles of them thousands of rebel troops were encamped, they began to think there was to be fighting after all.
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At this time came news of the burning of the ship "Golden Rocket," built in Bangor in 1858, by James Dunning, and Charles E. Dole, of Brewer, and owned by Moses Giddings. She was captured and fired by the crew of the rebel steamer Sumpter. Her value was 830,000. In addition to this came news of the capture of the brig " Cuba," of Millbridge, brig "Machias," of Machias, and brig " Maria," of Portland. July 11th, the Sixth Maine, Col. Abner Knowles left for the front, and the First Maine, which had much political influence, but little else, was
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orderd home, having, according to the press of the day, "perform- ed no service, gained no honors, and entitled to no particular credit. An unfortunate selection of officers, and a combination of unfavorable circumstances, rather than poor soldiers, have brought about the result." "We presume," said one paper, "that the better portion of the men will re-enlist, return to the war and earn a reputation worthy of Maine troops. The regiment was raised at an enormous expense, poorly uniformed and equipped, and have been unfortunate from the first."
The Sixth Maine, which was intended to replace the First, was really a better representative of Eastern Maine than the Second. With the exception of the Chaplain, every officer resided near the banks of the Penobscot or east of that river. During the war, as will be seen, it gained a wonderful reputation, and few regiments in the regular armies, of this or any other nation, have a grander record. Its officers were :
Colonel, ABNER KNOWLES, Bangor.
Lieut. Colonel, HIRAM BURNHAM, Cherryfield.
Major, FRANK PIERCE, Bucksport.
Adjutant, JOHN D. MCFARLAND, Ellsworth.
Quartermaster, ISAAC STRICKLAND. Bangor.
Surgeon, E. F. SANGER, Bangor.
Asst. Surgeon, JOHN BAKER, East Machias.
Chaplin, ZENAS THOMPSON, Portland.
Quartermaster's Sergeant, PERCIVAL KNOWLES, JR., Bangor. Hospital Steward, CHAS. A. MCQUESTEN, Bangor.
Commisary's Sergeant. J. W. SNOWMAN, Bucksport. Drum Major, Z. BUZZELL, Bueksport.
Fife Major, JOHN WASHBURN, Foxcroft.
Leader of Band, H. S. MOREY, Bangor.
The company officers were :
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COMPANY A.
Capt .- Moses W. Brown. Brownville.
1st Lieut .- Chas. H. Chandler, Foxcrnft.
2d Lieut .- Addison P. Buck, Foxcroft.
Sergeants .- Sewall C. Gray, Exeter; Geo. W. Emerson, Brown- ville : W. G. Morrill, Williamsburg ; Lyman H. Wilkins, Brown- ville ; E. J. Jewett. Sangerville.
COMPANY B.
Capt .- Isaac Frazier, Ellsworth.
1st Lieut .- Otis W. Kent. Ellsworth.
2dl Lieut .- John D. McFarland, Hancock
Sergeants .- Milton Frazier, Albert M. Much, Dan'l G. Meader, . Geo. E. Thomas, A. T. Somerby, all of Ellsworth.
COMPANY C. Capt .- Benj. F. Harris, Machias. 1st Lieut .- John H. Ballinger. Machias.
2dl Lieut .- Chas. F. Stone, Machias.
Sergeants .- Fred A. Hill, Machias; B. A. Campbell, Pembroke ; Win. H. West, Machias; John L. Pierce, Machias; Wm. H. Mc- Cabe, Machias.
COMPANY D. Capt .- Joel A. Haycock, Calais. 1st Lieut .- R. W. Furlong, Calais.
2d Lieut .- H. H. White, Calais.
Sergeants .- L. L. L. Bassford, Geo. W. Mclain, B. F. Waite, Jr., Edward Williams, Geo. P. Blanchard, all of Calais.
COMPANY E. Capt .- Jos. Snowman, Bueksport. 1st Lieut .- Benj. J. Buck, Bucksport.
2dl Lieut .- V. P. Wardwell. Bucksport.
Sergeants .- Fred P. Ginn, Orland : Geo. C. Irvin, Bucksport;
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C. E. Pillsbury, Bucksport; L. P. Abbott, Bucksport; Geo. Snowman, Bucksport.
COMPANY F.
Capt .- Wm. N. Pysell, Pembroke.
1st Lieut .- John M. Lincoln, Pembroke.
2d Lieut .- Simon Pottle, 2d, Pembroke.
Sergeants .- Theo. Lincoln, Jr., Dennysville; J. C. Campbell, Pembroke; Chas. H. Bailey, Pembroke; Wm. H. Lincoln, Perry ; Benj. Leland, Perry.
COMPANY G.
Capt .- Ralph W. Young, Rockland.
1st Lieut .- Frank C. Pierce, Augusta.
2d Lieut .- Hiram B. Sproul, Cherryfield.
Sergeants .- Geo. W. Leighton. Columbia; A. L. Stevens, Steu- ben; L. W. Smith, Steuben; Geo. H. Jacobs, Cherryfield; John McGregor, Eastport.
COMPANY H.
Capt .- Cyrus Brown, Corinth.
1st Lieut .- J. G. Roberts, Corinth.
2d Lieut .- Geo. Fuller, Corinth.
Sergeants .- Alex. Stevens, Bangor; Benj. F. Robinson, Sebec; A. J. Whittier, Corinth; Chas. Fitzgerald, Dexter; William H. Coan, Dexter.
COMPANY I.
Capt .- Albert G. Burton, Oldtown.
1st Lieut .- Henry R. Soper, Oldtown.
2d Lieut .- Wm. H. Stanchfield, Milo.
Sergeants .- D. W. Freeze, Orino; Z. B. Putnam, Oldtown; L. Smith, Oldtown; J. II. Norris, Milford; Jas. S. Lane, Oldtown. COMPANY K.
Capt .- Theo. Carey, Eastport.
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1st Lieut .- Thos. P. Roach, Eastport.
2d Lieut .- Charles Day, Eastport.
Sergrants .- John B. Waid, Eastport; Geo. H. Patterson, East- · port; Chas. T. Witherell, Eastport; Thatcher Vose, Robbinston; S. H. Wheeler, Eastport.
CHAPTER IX.
The Battle of Bull Run-How The News Was Received at Home-Intense Anxiety And Excitement-A Few Telegraph Ileadings-Letters From The Second Maine.
On the morning of July 22d, the people of Bangor were thrown into a state of great excitement by the arrival of news of a battle at Manassas, in which the Union Army was completely routed and had fled towards Washington. It was impossible in those days to get a correct account of a large battle at once, yet enough was at hand to convince our people that the hitherto despised rebels were by no means destitute of fighting ability, and however unholy their cause was, they had been successful, and that Washing- ton was at their mercy. One not an eye witness can hardly realize the feelings of the patriotic sons and daughters of the North, nor can they imagine the suspense with which mothers and wives, sons, daughters and fathers waited to hear from their loved ones. The Second had been in the fight, and had carried themselves in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the old Pine Tree State. Beyond this. little could be learned. In these days one or two wires only were strung to Bangor, and
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consequently the telegraph service was slow and uncertain as compared with the present. Soon caine the news that fourteen or more of the regiment were killed. and about sixty wounded or taken prisoners. This added to the agony, and other news was eagerly awaited, while the citizens, forgetting for a time business, gathered in groups about the city discussing the great calamity. During the day the following despatch was received:
WASHINGTON, JULY 22d, 1861.
" The Field and Staff Officers of the Second Maine Regiment are all safe, except Dr. Allen and his son, of Orono, who are supposed to be prisoners." HON. JOHN H. RICE.
Gradually the news came along, until at last the whole story had been told, and it was known that many of the gallant regiment had given themselves in defense of their .country. As the sur- vivors contemplated their dead heroes, did the words of Vice- President Hamlin, uttered to the regiment in Bangor on the day of their departure, come back to them?
" It matters little when one throws off this mortal coil-but how "and where it is important-and at no time, and in no place, can a " man better die, than when and where he dies for his country and "his race.
There are many survivors of that unfortunate day, and the author has been most kindly met when seeking information, and he presents below letters and reminseences of some of them.
Among our well known citizens, is Mr. Wm. II. S. Lawrence, then Sergeant in Company G, Second Maine. The following letter was written without any expectation of its .ever meeting the public eye, but is nevertheless interesting reading :
ALEXANDRIA. VA., July 23d, 1861.
Dear Sister-I suppose that before this time you have heard about the late fight at Manassas, between our troops and the
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rebels, and that you and the rest of the family are on the "anxious seat" concerning the fate of your humble servant. Well, I am all right, but I will proceed with the particulars.
We left Falls Church last Tuesday afternoon, at two o'clock, and took up our march for Vienna, where we arrived at eight o'clock, the enemy leaving before us. The next morning we started for Fairfax Court House, our brigade consisting of three Connecticut regimeuts, the Second Maine regiment, and Varian's Battery of five pieces. When we got within a mile of German- town, we formed a line of battle ; the Second Connecticut and our regiment on the right, and the other two Connecticut on the left, with Sherman's and Varian's batteries right at the head of the Second Maine. In this manner we started, and after a short distance we came upon the breastworks of the enemy, behind which were concealed about 2.000 men. Sherman opened on them with his battery. After two or three shots they took to their heels and fled. If they had stayed they could have made a good stand. We pursued them all that day, and at night encamped about half way to Centreville. The next morning we overtook the rest of our division which had come in by the way of Fairfax.
The head of the column pressed on and engaged the enemy at Bull Run, about three miles this side of Manassas, but they were so completely concealed that our folks could not make much headway against them. We encamped on this side of Centreville Thursday and Friday. Friday afternoon, our com- pany was detailed to help the sappers and miners, under Capt. Alexander, to build a bridge over Bull Run. We worked that night until dark, and the next morning we turned out at day- break and went at it again. We finished it and loaded our teams by nine o'clock, and then joined the regiment again, which had by this time moved down to where we were.
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About this time heavy fire commenced in front of us, telling us that a fight had commeneed in earnest. We marched down with our brigade and halted about one-half mile from the battlefield. We waited there about an hour, at which time we were ordered to attack the enemy in the rear. To do this we started off to the right of where we were, at double-quiek, which we kept up for a distantce of over three miles. The Second Connecticut were out as skirmishers, while we were held as a reserve. We had not been in line five minutes when we saw the stars and strips raised on one of the enemy's batteries, about one-half mile from us. We then had orders to advance at double quick, which we did, and at the same time the enemy opened on us from behind a fence directly in front, but we gave it to them and in less than five minutes they retreated ; we rallied and followed. They retreated behind a lot of hay stacks when they stopped again, but we gave them all they called for and were driving them fast, when one of the masked batteries, which was to our left, opened on us a most deadly fire. We stood it without flinching until we were ordered by Col. Keyes to left flank into the woods. Capt. Sargent did not hear the order, and we stood there a long time after the rest had left-bound to show that the "Tigers" had grit, and I guess the enemy will remember us, for just as sure as one of them showed his head he was sure not to need his rations the next day. Our boys stood it like veterans. Col. Keyes soon came up and ordered us into the woods, where we went without showing our backs to the enemy at all. I think if we had had another regiment to back us, we would have taken that battery in spite of all the devils in the Southern Army.
We did not take any provisions, as we had orders from Capt. Sargent not to take any ; there were some taken, however. It was an awful day for us. Our regiment was all cut to pieces when we advanced on that masked battery. We have lost a great many
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killed, wounded and taken prisoners. Of our company only scma forty have reported themselves out of eighty.
About the middle of the action, Hemy Holden, who was doing . nobly, was wounded in the leg by a musket ball. It entered about six inches above the knee and passed through the leg, but did not break the bone nor touch the artery, so I think he will recover. The enemy kept up such a firing that it was almost sure death to go out after the wounded. Some of the Connecticut boys, as they were retreating, brought Henry off with them. I told Capt. Sargent I must go and look out for him, but as neither Lieutenants Morse nor Getchell were there with us, he could not spare me, but said he would send some men for him, which he did, sending six men to carry him to the hospital. We were then ordered to join the main body of the troops. I went and saw Henry before we started off; he stood it first rate and did not appear to be in much pain. We then proceeded to join the main body, the enemy keeping up a murderous fire in our rear.
As we were going over the field, I found one of cur men who was wounded, trying to carry another off the field, who had a bad wound in the neck. I took six men, leaving only four with the captain, and started to carry him off with us. Going on we were joined by some of the Castine boys with a wounded man, and a party of the Bangor Light Infantry, carrying Wm. Deane. Deane was shot in the throat and was just alive. I don't think it possible for him to live. After we carried them two miles and a half, we got lost in the woods, and the troops that were passing by told us the enemy's cavahy was in our rear, tak- ing all prisoners they could lay their hands on, and at the same time another body of men were flanking us to cut off our retreat. When we got this news we made all possible speed, being determined, however, not to leave our wounded in their
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hands; but we were well tired out after our day's work. At this time the party that had Holden came in sight, and as we were all beat out, we knew it was of no use to try to go farther, unless we could get assistance, as no one that was passing would as much as turn their hands over to help us. The boys wanted me to find our company and send some fresh men, so I started, but before I had got forty rods away, the enemy's cav- alry came up to them and told them to surrender, which they had to do, only two or three escaping. I did not know of this till afterwards.
I could not see the main body, but kept on till I reached a house that was used as a hospital, where I found Dr. Allen and quite a number of wounded. I told the doctor what I came for, that I wanted him to send an ambulance after the wounded, but ours were all gone, and we could not get another for love nor money-and of the latter we had none. Just then I heard that the cavalry had taken them, so that it was useless to go back after them. The doctor told me the cavalry had been there, and that he had hung out a flag of truce. They told him that if we did not make any fight at the hospital our wounded should be well treated, but if we did they would have to take the con- sequences, and that I had better get all of the men that belonged to our regiment, and get them away as soon as possible, or they would shell the house. He told me that he was going to stay with the boys, and would take good care of Henry. I want you to tell Mrs. Holden this. as she will feel easier if she knows that he is well taken care of ; and I don't think the rebels will dare to use them very roughly, as we have so many of their men prisoners. We cannot tell how much of a loss we have sustained, as our regiment is so scattered.
Of our company, I don't know of one who was killed outright.
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Those that we know are wounded are Henry Holden; Sergeant Quimby, in the breast; Joseph Green, in the shoulder; Wm. Severance and Wm. Lovejoy are also known to be wounded, but have not been seen since the action. Of our company of eighty men there are but nineteen here besides commissioned offi- cers. Capt Jones and one of the lieutenants of Company C. Brewer Artillery, were killed. Lieutenant Richardson, of Capt. Emerson's company, had his leg taken off by a cannon ball. . Sergeant Staples, of Company H, Gymnasium Company, tells me that Fuller Orff was shot in the abdomen and bled internally, and that he was dying when he last saw him. I don't know half -but it is said that one-half of our regiment is killed, wounded and missing.
Our staff officers behaved nobly. I did not see much of any of them except Major Varney ; tell Mr .- that the Major is a brick. I suppose we shall stay here for a day or two, and then we shall go back to Falls Church to recruit up. There is not a man in the regiment-or what there is left of it-that can walk without limping. We marched from Centreville here, the night after the action, without stopping. I think that Sunday and Sunday night we travelled over fifty miles, all on foot. We lost our blankets and rations, and a good many lost their coats; they threw them away on the battle-field, it was so warm.
I will not write more at this time, but the next time I write I will give all the particulars All I wonder at is that there are any of us left; but I did not think of it at the time.
Your affectionate brother,
WILL.
From a letter dated Washington, July 26th, I take the follow ing :
Poor Deane was killed while carrying the magnificent flag pre-
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sented by the ladies of California. The ball struck the flagstaff and passed through his neck. His friends, while they mourn his loss, may derive some consolation in reflecting that he fell in defense of his country, and while clinging to its flag. This flag when poor Deane fell, was caught up by Quimby, an "ex-Tiger." Quimby was knocked down by the fragments of a shell, receiving a slight abrasion of the skin across the breast. He is not danger- ously wounded. It was at this time that the fight commenced, over the flag, which at one moment was in the hands of the enemy, but was immediately recovered.
Young Rich, the son of Dr. Geo. Rich, escaped miraculously. He received a small bullet or buck-shot wound in the right cheek, It struck him obliquely, passing through his check, and out between his teeth, without damaging him in the least, any more than a puncture through the fleshy part of the cheek. His mouth must have been open at the time, as would naturally have been the case, with a person engaged in a conflict of this nature, so the old injunction, that a " closed mouth shows a wise head," does not hold good in all cases.
From another correspondent :
WASHINGTON, JULY 23d, 1861.
The loss of the Maine Second will not, I think, exceed fifty in killed and wounded. From the best information I can get, the killed will not exceed thirty. Capt. Jones of Brewer, was shot through the body. He was carried off the field by Lieutenant Skinner, who refused to leave his captain while alive, and was therefore taken prisoner. He was not wounded. Martin Jose, of Hampden, is spoken of in the highest praise by his felllow soldiers, for his coolness and daring. He fell in the front rank of one of the regiment's terrible charges on a 20 gun battery. Both his legs were shot off. His last words were :- " Have you carried
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the battery? Tell mother I fell fighting for my country." (His mother is a widow). Nearly all our wounded were left behind, and are now in the hands of the enemy ; but doctor Allen is with them. He was taken prisoner with his son, and Dr. Palmer, who afterwards escaped. Dr. Palmer told me Dr. Allen might also have got away, but he said he would stay with the poor fellows and take care of them.
The bravery of our boys is the theme of every one. All fought well, it would seem-so well, it is difficult to particularize. But the boys speak so warmly of the conduct of Lieutenant Garnsey, " Capt. Sargent, Lieutenant Casey and Peter Welch, I know it will give no offence to others to name them. Of young Garnsey the boy's say he is a " little brick." The regiment charged up a hill on a 20 gun battery. At the top of the hill was a Virginia fence, only a few paces from the battery. Garnsey commanded the left wing of his company, and with a revolver in one hand and his sword in the other, he charged up the hill; to the fence, on the top of which he leaped, and waving his sword, cried to his boys to follow him. Twice he led his men to the fence, but the murderous fire caused them to fall back, and throw thems- selves on the ground, behind an eminence to shield themselves from the storm of iron hail. It was by this battery that the Ellsworth Zouaves were cut up. I noticed that young Garnsey's clothes were covered with blood. His right-hand man was shot by his side. "Then," said he "I was mad, and would have reached that battery had we not been ordered back." Peter Welch, I am told, rushed in and took two prisoners, and brought them off, then went back under a terrible fire and brought off some of our wounded.
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