USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 36
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WILLIAM F. Fox.
Mr. Fox's " Regimental Losses " gives the following cavalry regi- ments which sustained the heaviest losses in killed in battle :
Officers.
Men.
Total.
First Maine
15
159
174
First Michigan
14
150
164
Fifth Michigan
6
135
141
Sixth Michigan
7
128
I35
First Vermont
IO
124
134
First New York Dragoons
4
!26
130
First New Jersey
12
116
128
Second New York
9
112
121
Eleventh Pennsylvania
II
108
119
LETTER FROM THE CONFEDERATE COMMANDER AT ALDIE.
[The following letter from Gen. Thomas T. Munford, who commanded the Second Virginia Cavalry, and afterwards a brigade of cavalry, who was a brilliant fighter and a brave man. is given because it throws a side-light on the fight at Aldie, and because it has a view of human nature in it that makes all the world akin --- his pride in his old regiment : " I ask no prouder epitaph than to have commanded for three years the Second Virginia Cavalry." --- ED.]
LYNCHBURG, Va., July 19th, IS91.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
My Dear Sir, -- I have to thank you for your letter and the papers connected with your old regiment, which afforded both pleasure and interest. You are correct in supplying me with the language: "I wish I could see my old regiment so supplied." Alas! we are scattered, and if there was a general disposition to gather up the fragments, I doubt the ability of its members to supply the means; those who have given themselves up to money- making are too fond of it to waste it on others. There are bright exceptions, but I found most help from those who had been the heaviest sufferers.
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CONFEDERATE COMMANDER AT ALDIE.
We have had occasional reunions, but it is different with those who have a government in full sympathy and able to assist the needy, and the others who neither expect nor ask such assistance. Many a poor fellow with his armless sleeve or wooden leg is seen toiling as cheer- fully as those who have pensions. I have never seen a confederate soldier asking alms; occasionally we have a call from some com- rade to help a poor devil along, but it is rare. We have a con- federate home at Richmond, where a few are maintained who can- not support themselves, and the State of Virginia has provided for some of the most helpless. The spirit of our people has been to submit to the fate of war and to meet it like men who knew what they undertook. We all favor a pension for the maimed Union soldier. I have never seen a true confederate who was not ready to do anything in his power, consistent with self-respect, to oblige or help a Union soldier.
I thank you for your invitation to write my recollection of some of the engagements in which we crossed sabres with the First Maine. I commanded at Aldie when Colonel Douty of your regi- ment was killed. I saw him when he was shot, and was within forty steps of him. He could not have expected anything but death ; he deliberately rode up to a post and rail fence and fired his pistol at an old, gray-headed fellow in m'y regiment, and ordered him to surrender and come to him, calling him a conscript. But he had unfortunately mistaken his man. He shot him as deliberately as he would have shot a deer in his native hills, walked up to the fence and jumped it. taking his sabre and belt, and spurs, and a flask which was about half full of whiskey. I do not remember who kept the sabre, but believe I could ascertain. Hubbard, who killed Colonel Douty, was afterwards killed at Spottsylvania Court House, seventh of May. The men of his company could tell all about it. I have never seen any report of that fight on the Union side. Stuart, in his report, gives Fitz Lee the credit of it, but Lee was not there. I had four squadrons of the Second Virginia, the Third Virginia, four squadrons of the Fourth Virginia, the First Vir- ginia, and the Fifth Virginia, and two guns of Breathed's battery. The First Virginia was supporting one gun on the Middleburg road and was not engaged, except its sharpshooters. I had a fine posi- tion, was concealed by the formation of the country, and assure you I had no idea of leaving until I had orders from General Stuart (who was back at Upperville after Duffie) to fall back on the pike and await his orders. I have never seen any Federal account of our
40
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
fight at the second battle of Manassas, which was a regular sabre fight.
Lient. Col. I. W. Watts, who commanded the Second Virginia at Aldie, as gallant a cavalryman as ever flashed a blade, was wounded severely by the First Maine, and permanently disabled. I owe them a grudge for depriving me of this "right bower" soon afterwards, though his successor, Major Cary Breckenridge, stepped squarely in his shoes, and his bruised arms and maimed face were ever in the foreground of every conflict where manly bearing could call for his presence; and the color-bearer of the Second Virginia was severely wounded by the First Maine in the same fight.
: Any information that I can give you for any of your men will afford me pleasure, and if any questions are asked that can be rea- sonably ascertained, I can refer to the roster of my old regiment and see where they are and send the question to them to answer. You deserve the best thanks of your men, and I doubt not enjoy their affection. I shall ask no prouder epitaph than to have com- manded for three years the Second Virginia Cavalry.
Do you know of a good working farmer who would like to come South, where he could make a good living with half the toil he has to expend in the cold winters of Maine? I have a plantation (two of them) in Hale County, Alabama; it is just as healthy there as it is in any part of Maine. I have three sons living out there and I go out every winter and spend six or eight weeks at a time. We have a plenty of negro help, and it is first-rate, easily managed and gives no trouble. ' I need a man to farm, make hay and stock- raise, not to plant cotton as every one does out there. I will furnish good, first-class land, stock, house and garden. . We have as good milk and butter there as they can have anywhere.
A man can work every day in the year unless it rains too hard. It is really the finest country in the United States for working peo- ple. Any respectable, working white man can get a good place in that country, and in a little time become a landed proprietor if he saves his means. It is cheap and easy living. Poultry can do better than anywhere.
If you know of any first-rate old cavalry man who would trust his son with an old Second Virginia Cavalry officer, send him to me. No trouble with the negroes-they can make cotton and corn but nothing else ; a good grain farmer could do well out there.
Yours truly, THOMAS T. MUNFORD.
41
GODDARD'S CIRCUS.
GODDARD'S CIRCUS.
Soon after getting into camp at Augusta, in 1861, there enlisted in Company G a man named Moses Y. Richards. He was fresh from the lumber regions, and knew nothing of drill or keeping time or step. The first time he went on drill, his file leader, Charles T. Duley, becoming vexed at having his heels stepped on so frequently, called out to him, "Tangletoes." The name stuck to Richards, who rather liked it and adopted it. During the winter the following lines were circulated about the camp, and created much amusement. Who was the author of them was not known at the time except to the comrades of Company G.
[See p. 572, History.]
GODDARD'S CIRCUS. 'Tis Abraham Lincoln's circus That's pressing on my mind ; So great a show of wisdom You'll seldom ever find. John Goddard for a leader --- A portly looking man ; He was designed for a lumberman, And not for Uncle Sam.
He can't command this regiment Upon a battle-field,
For how can you hone a razor That has the lack of steel? Our officers most all do lack A soldier's drill and courage ; Now, do not think I mean to try To any one discourage.
We have some boys within this camp , Who've travelled in the South ; They've been in the field of battle, And faced a cannon's mouth. We have some privates in the ranks Who'd do better in command ; . This regiment they'd not disgrace, But conquer, sword in hand,
Of our officers I wish to speak, And don't the writer blame, If he is open-hearted, And simply calls their name.
42
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
The captain of Company A, Warren L. Whitney, by name, He cannot do his duty For which his wife's to blame.
You know he's lately married -- It makes his bride feel grand To think how nice it sounds abroa Her husband's in command. Capt Cilley he is worthy To defend our country's cause ; If I say it, it is true, He respects the army laws.
Capt. Dyer I will mention ; It is time he goes the rounds, To attend to others business Lately married from our grounds.
If he wishes to have it plainer, Of M. Y. Richards, I say beware, For to give him Hail Columbia, His mental powers he will not spare.
Of Capt. Smith, what can I say Ofone so brave and truc? There is no praise that I can add, But you'll acknowledge, too. Capt. Putnam is a soldier, You'll observe it in his ways, He reminds me of the heroes That have served in other days.
Capt. Mayhew is a Christian, So his company all say ; I know he takes a fine position When he's officer of the day. Our captain's name is Burbank, From Lewiston he came, He is as fine a looking man As we have here in Maine.
He has a military air and form, Besides, he's brave and kind ; Another so respectable, It would be hard to find. Capt. Summat is a soldier, If there's any to be found, For he's counted the best rider That there is upon the ground.
43
BOWDOIN BOYS IN LABRADOR.
Of our editor, Mr. Cowan, There's nothing that I know,
Only Satan is preparing Him a station down below. Capt. Prince, the " Talma Hunter," Better take his corporal out,
Go over to the hospital, And rouse the sick and lame about,
Of Capt. Brown, there's but little In his favor I can say ; I know there's nothing he likes better Than to be officer of the day.
They say this war is ended I hope it. is not so, But give this First Maine Cavalry A chance some shot to throw. You may think I'm in for fighting, No, I'm only in for fun, For we have many a youngster Who never shot a gun. To sign my name I'm not disposed They sometimes call me "TANGLETOES."
BOWDOIN BOYS IN LABRADOR.
BY A SON OF THE FIRST OF MAINE.
ON BOARD THE " JULIA A. DECKER," Port Hawkesbury, Gut of Canso, July 6th, 1891. )
Here the staunch Julia lies at anchor waiting for a change in the wind and a break in the fog. To-day will be memorable in the an- nals of the "Micmac" Indians, for Prof. Lee has spent his enforced leisure in putting in anthropometric work among them, inducing braves, squaws and papooses of both sexes to mount the trunk that served as a measuring block and go through the ordeal of having their height, standing and sitting, stretch of arms, various diameters of head and peculiarities of the physiognomy taken down. While he with two assistants was thus employed, two of our photographic corps were busily engaged in preserving as many of their odd faces and costumes as possible, making pictures. of their picturesque camp on the side of a hill sloping toward an arm of the Gut, with its round tent covered with birch and fir bark, dogs and children,
44
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
and stacks of logs or wood -from which they make the strips for their chief products, baskets- cows, baggage and all the other ac- companiments of a comparatively permanent camp. They go into the woods and make log huts for winter, but such miserable quarters as these prove to be on closer inspection, with stoves, dirt and chip floor, bedding and food in close proximity to the six or eight in- habitants of each hut, suffice them during warm weather. We found that they elect a chief, who holds the office for life. The present incumbent lives near by St. Peter's Island, and is about forty years old. They hold a grand festival in a few weeks somewhere on the shore of Bras d'Or Lake, at which nearly every Indian on the Island is expected, some two thousand in all, we are informed, and after experiencing our good-fellowship at their camp and on board they invited us one and all to come down, only cautioning us to bring along a present of whiskey for the chief.
The Gut, in this part at least, is beautiful sailing ground, with bold, wooded shores, varied by slight coves and valleys with little hamlets at the shore and fishermen's boats lying off the beach. The lower part we passed in a fog, so we are ignorant of its appearance as though the Julia had not carried us within a hundred miles of it, instead of having knowingly brought us past rock and shoal to this quiet cove, under the red rays of the light on Hawkesbury Point, and opposite Port Mulgrave, with which Hawkesbury is connected by a little two-sailed, double-ended ferry-boat built on a somewhat famous model. It seems that a boat builder of this place, who, by the way, launched a pretty little yacht to-day, sent a fishing boat, whose model and rig was the product of many years' experience as a fisherman, to the London Fisheries' Exhibit of a few years past, and received first medal from among seven thousand five hundred competitors. The Prince of Wales was so pleased with the boat, which was exhibited under full sail with a wax fisherman at the helm, that be purchased it and has since used it. Later, when the United States fish commission schooner Grampus was here with the present assistant commissioner, Capt. Collins, in command, the plans were purchased by our gov- ernment on the condition that no copies were to be made without Mr. Embree's consent. A little later yet, a commissioner from Hol- land and Sweden came over, bought the plans and built a perfect copy of the original, the seaworthy qualities of which has caused its type to entirely displace the old style of small fishing boats in those countries. The boat's abilities in heavy waters have been tested many times, and have never failed to equal her reputation.
1
45
BOWDOIN BOYS IN LABRADOR.
But, meanwhile, the Julia lies quietly at anchor, as if it were mutely reproaching your correspondent with singing another's praises when she has brought us safely and easily thus far, in spite of gales, fog, and headwind, calm, and treacherous tide, and even now is eagerly waiting for the opportunity to carry us straight and swiftly to Battle Harbor in the straits of Belle Isle, where letters and papers from home await us, and then up through the ice fields to Cape Chud- leigh
Our real start was made from Southwest Harbor, Mt. Desert, the Monday after leaving Rockland. Saturday night, after a short sail in the dark and a few tacks up the Thoroughfare to North Haven village, we anchored and rested from the confusion and worry of getting started and trying to forget nothing that would be needed in our two and one-half months' trip. Sunday morning was nearly spent before things were well enough stowed to allow us to get under weigh in safety, and then our bow was turned eastward and, as we thought, pointed for Cape Sable. Going by the hospital on Widow's Island and the new light on Goose Rock nearly opposite it, out into Isle au Haut bay, we found a fresh northeaster, which warned us not to go across the Bay of Fundy if we had no desire for an awful shaking up. In view of all the facts, such as green men, half-stowed supplies and threatening weather, we decided that we must not put our little vessel through her paces that night, and chose the more ignominious, but also more comfortable course of putting into a harbor. ,Consequently after plunging through the rips off Bass Head, and cutting inside the big bell buoy off its en- trance, we ran into Southwest Harbor and came to anchor. In the evening many of the party thought it wise to improve the last op- portunity for several months, as we then supposed, to attend church, and to one who knew the chapel-cutting proclivities of many of our party while at Bowdoin, it would have been amusing to see them solemnly tramp into church, rubber boots and all. It is a fact, however, that every member of our party, with a possible exception, went to church in this place yesterday largely for the same reason.
Our little Julia rewarded our action of the night previous by tak- ing us out by Mt. Desert Rock at a rattling pace Monday morning, bowing very sharply and very often to the lofty spindle-like tower on the rock, as she met the Bay of Fundy chop, and at the same time administered a very effective emetic to all but five or six of the
46
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Bowdoin boys aboard. She is wise as well as bold and strong, and so after nightfall waited under easy canvas for light to reveal Seal Island to our watchful eyes. Shortly after daylight the low coast was made out, the dangerous rocks passed, and Cape Sable well on our quarter. But there it stayed. We made but little progress for two days, and employed the time in laying in a supply of cod, had- dock and pollock, till our bait was exhausted. Then we shot at birds, seals and porpoises whenever they were in sight, and from the success, apparently, at many when they were not in sight; put the finishing touches on our stowage, and kept three of the party constantly employed with our long bamboo-handled dip-net, in fishing up specimens for the professor and his assistants. As the result of this we have a large number of fish eggs which we are watching in the process of hatching, many specimens of crustacea and of sea- wecd. The photographers, in the meanwhile, got themselves into readiness for real work by practicing incessantly upon us.
Thursday, we made Sambro light; soon pilot boat number one hailed us and put a man aboard, whom we neither needed nor wanted, and we were anchored off the market steps at Halifax. The run up the harbor was very pleasant. Bright skies, a fresh breeze off the land, and vessels all about us made many lively ma- rine pictures. The rather unformidable appearing fortification, on account of which Halifax boasts herself the most strongly fortified city of America, together with the flag-ship Bellerophon and two other vessels of the Atlantic squadron, the Canada and the Thrush, the latter vessel until lately having been commanded by Prince George, gave the harbor and town a martial tone that was heightened upon our going ashore and seeing the red coats that throng the streets in the evening. Halifax, with its squat, smoky, irregular streets is well known, and its numerous public buildings, drill barracks, and well kept public gardens, all backed by the frowning citadel, probably need no description from me. After receiving the letters for which we came' in, and sending the courteous United States Consul General, Mr. Frye, and his vice-consul, Mr. King, Colby 'S9, ashore with a series of college yells that rather startled the sleepy old town, we laid a course down the harbor, exchanged salutes with the steamship Caspian, and were soon ploughing along, before a fine south-west breeze for Cape Canso.
While our little vessel is driving ahead with wind well over the quarter, groaning, as it were, at the even greater confusion in the
4.7
BOWDOIN BOYS IN LABRADOR.
1
wardroom than when we left Rockland, owing to the additional supplies purchased at Halifax, it may be well to briefly describe her appearance, when fitted to carry seventeen Bowdoin men in her hold in place of the lime and coal to which she has been accus- tomed. Descending, then, the forward hatch, protected by a plain hatch house, the visitor turns around and facing aft, looks down the two sides of the immense centreboard box that occupies the centre of our wardroom from floor to deck. Fastened to it are the mess tables, nearly always lighted by some four or five great lamps, which serve to warm as well, as the pile of stuff' around and be- neath the after-hatch house cuts off most of the light that would otherwise come down there. On the port side the table runs the whole length of the box; two wooden settles serve for dining chairs and leave about four fect clear space next the "deacon's seat" that runs along in front of the five double-tiered berths. These are can- vas-bottomed, fitted with racks, shelves, and the upper ones with sluts overhead, in which to stow our overflowing traps.
At the after end, on both sides of the wardroom, are large lockers coming nearly to the edge of the hatch, in which. most of the pro- visions are stowed. At the forward end, next the bulkhead that separates us from the galley, are, on the port side, a completely equipped dark room in which many excellent pictures have al- ready been brought to light, and on the starboard side a large rack holding our canned goods, ketchup, lime-juice, etc. Along the bulkhead are the fancy cracker boxes, tempting a man to take one every time he goes below, and under the racks are our kerosene and molasses barrels. Between the line of four double-tier berths on the starboard side and the rack just described is a handy locker for oil clothes and heavy overcoats. Lockers run along under the lower berths, and trunks with a thousand other articles are stowed under the tables. A square hole cut in the bulkhead, just over the galley head, lets heat into the wardroom and assists the lamps in keeping us warm. As yet, in spite of some quite cold weather, we have been perfectly comfortable. Sometimes, however, odors come in as well as heat from the galley, and do not prove so agrecable. If to this description, clothes of various kinds, guns, game bags, boots, fishing tackle and books, should, by the imagination of the reader, be scattered about, promiscuously hung. or laid in every conceivable nook and corner, a fair idea of our floating house could be obtained. On deck we are nearly as badly littered, though in more orderly fash-
0
48
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
ion. Two nests of dories, a row boat, five water tanks, a gunning float, and an exploring boat, partly well fill the Julia's spacious decks. The other exploring boat hangs inside the schooner's yawl at the stern. Add to these two hatch houses, a small pile of lumber, and considerable fire wood snugly stowed between the casks, and you have a fair idea of our anything but clear decks. A yellow painted bust, presumably of our namesake Julia, at the end of fig- ure-head, peers through the fog and leads us in the darkness ; a white stripe relieves the blackness of our sides ; a green rail surmounts all ; and, backed by the forms of nineteen variously attired Bowdoin men, from professor, their tutor, alumnus, to freshmen, complete our description,
Meanwhile the night, clear but windless, has come on, and we drift along the Nova Scotia coast, lying low and blue on our north- ern board. The Fourth dawns rather foggy, but it soon yields to the sun's rays and a good breeze which bowls us along toward the Cape. An elaborate celebration of the day is planned, but only the poem is finally rendered, due probably to increased sea which the brisk breeze raises incapacitating several of the actors for their assigned parts. The poem, by the late editor of 'gt's "BUGLE," is worthy of preservation, but would hardly be understood unless our whole crowd were present to indicate by their roars the good points in it.
At night our constant follower, the fog, shuts in, and the cap- ·tain steering off the Cape, we lay by, jumping and rolling in a north- east sea, waiting for daylight to assist us to Cape Canso Harbor and the Little Ant. About six next morning we form one of a fleet of five or six sail passing the striped lighthouse on Cranberry Island, and with a rush go through the narrow passage lined with rocks and crowded with fishermen. Out into the fog of Chedebucto Bay we soon pass and in the fog we remain, getting but a glimpse of the shore now and then, till we reach Port Hawkesbury.
JONA. P. CILLEY, JR.
49
.
THE ASSEMBLY.
THE ASSEMBLY.
ATTENTION, -- BATTALION !--- On first squadron form close column - MARCH !!
The Reunion at Houlton.
The full report of the reunion at Houlton, on the tenth of last month, will appear in the BUGLE, next July Call, after the reports of the previous reunions have all been printed, so it is only neces- sary to refer to it briefly at this time. This reunion was one of the pleasantest of all, and the promise of Captain Putnam and the com- rades of that vicinity, that if the reunion was held there the com- rades should have a good time was well fulfilled. The attendance was as large as was expected, when the great distance and the fact that the State Fair was held in Lewiston the same weck are considered. Though there may not have been present so many of the comrades from the western part of the State as usual, there were more from the eastern por- tion, and thus the object in hold- ing the reunion in Aroostook county was accomplished. There was the usual number of meetings and greetings of comrades who had not seen each other before since the muster-out; and there was the usual amount of hand shaking, and cordial greetings and.
kind words-yes, more than usual, because there was more time and opportunity for it. The weather was all that could be de- . sired, and the good people of Houlton succeeded admirably in making it very pleasant for the boys. The reception of the con- rades was cordial and hearty, and their treatment was generous and hospitable. The comrades felt at home as soon as they arrived there, and they departed with a sort of " leaving home" feeling. The comrades were pleased with the people, with the town and with the surrounding country, for all had ample opportunities to ride about the country, carriages being at their disposal all the time dur- ing their stay. In short, it was a glorious reunion - as was said in the first place, one of the pleas- antest of all-and its memories will long last with the comrades so fortunate as to be present. Com- rade Gilbert N. Harris, of Boston, was chosen president, and it was voted to holl the reunion next year at Washington, D. C., at the time of the National Encamp- ment, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, with a view to visiting some of
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