USA > Maine > History of the Fifth regiment Maine volunteers, comprising brief descriptions of its marches, engagements, and general services from the date of its muster in, June 24, 1861, to the time of its muster out, July 27, 1864 > Part 4
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Thompson was followed by Major Hamilton, who ex- pressed regret that he must leave the Fifth; but he could not remain under the newly-appointed colonel. He should serve in the army during the war, he said, if it was only as a private. He was succeeded by Colonel Ilsley, who informed us that his resignation had been accepted, and that he should soon leave us. His remarks were constantly interrupted by cries from the men, such as, " You are the man for us," " we won't have anybody but you;" "no Jackson can come here;" " down with politics;" " bound for Alexandria jail to- morrow;" etc. But finally he requested all to quietly retire to their quarters, which they did after giving three rousing cheers for the three speeches, and with high anticipations of fun to-morrow.
Upon the following day new scenes were enacted. Men refused duty; papers were drawn up antagonis- tieal to Colonel Jackson, receiving signature after sig- nature, while a general spirit of mutiny pervaded the camp. The hour of dress parade finally came, and such parade was never before or since witnessed. Every company was turned out with full ranks, and when the line was formed, they presented more the appearance of a band of ragamuffins than of a regiment of soldiers. Many were in their shirt-sleeves, some bare-footed, others smoking their pipes, some hatless, in fine, they appeared in every conceivable shape and dress. Pres- ยท antly the new adjutant appears, and such a sight or : caption methinks, he never saw or met with before. Colonel Ilsley, to the mortification of the men, who
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were arrayed to receive the new commander, took charge of the parade, though he told us it was the last. For the time being it was quiet, though it is impos- sible to say to what lengths the men might have gone had it not have been for his presence. But when the companies were dismissed, then the spirit of insubor- dination manifested itself. The most hideous groans and hisses rent the air. Crowds walked in front of head-quarters, yelling " send Jackson home." Canteens and bottles were filled with powder, then thrown into the fire, exploding with terrible noise. The camp for an hour was almost a pandemonium; all order was destroyed. How long these actions might have con- tinned no one can tell; but soon after General Slocum sent over an aid to ascertain the cause, and at once to suppress the noise. Threats of Tortugas from the general had the desired effect; and the line officers, finding who they had to deal with, were then ready to use their authority, at that late hour, to restore quiet, in which they succeeded after a dint of hard labor. So the troops retired to rest, convinced that N. J. Jackson was and would be their colonel, that Geo. W. Graffim was and would be the adjutant, until they resigned, and that privates might as well capitulate at once, and en- deavor to become good and sensible soldiers.
So ended the intiny in the Fifth Maine, nor was a second ever attempted. Under Colonel Jackson the regiment grew : a strict discipline was inaugurated, special care was given to the comfort and welfare of the troops, and but a few weeks rolled by before we
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were as proud of our battalion as we were ashamed be- fore. Colonel Ilsley afterward served in the Twelfth Maine as adjutant, under Colonel, afterwards General Shepley. Captain Thompson also reentered the ser- vice, and served with considerable distinction as com- mander of the First Maine Battery.
Quiet and order restored, the power of the ring- leaders destroyed, we proceeded to the regular duties of the camp. None were punished, a fact which served to render Jackson popular at once.
CHAPTER VII.
Hereive our first pay as soldiers. Peddlers, etc., in camp. Inci- dents. Change of camp. Work on Fort Lyon. Routine of duty arduous. Advantages taken of certain restricting orders. An amusing picket incident.
WE were paid off as soldiers in the service of Unele Sam, for the first time, on the twelfth of September, having been in his employ nearly three months. There had been, previously, a great amount of grumbling be- cause the men had received no funds; reasoning that inasmuch as they were expected and required to be prompt in the performance of their duty, government might not to be dilatory in her pecuniary obligations. Bat pay-day came. The paymaster was upon the Ground; we had seen the gold and the silver (not a ! ink-unte there), the real, genuine article, and methinks it would have been interesting to any outsider to have
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witnessed the wonderful change in the countenance of cach soldier as his name was called, and he received into his hand those twenty-six dollars and twenty-four cents. For weeks many had been without a penny. They affirmed that they did not even know the color of gold ; and one would almost believe the assertion to be true were they to see the men grasp with heartfelt satisfaction upon those pieces of precious metal. Why, we seemed to feel richer then than at any day we had ever seen in our lives. Twenty-six dollars ! What a lot of little necessities it would buy; how gloriously we could now live for a short season, if no more ! Each one seemed to seek seclusion, that he might gloat over his treasure in solitude. And lo, now upon the ground appeared a small regiment of camp followers, bringing baskets laden with every conceivable catable. Old women and young, boys and girls, white and black. all are especially desirons of waiting the pleasure of the " bold sojers." Fruit and cakes, pies so hard and tough that the jaws had to set twice before they could get a portion ; biscuit, a little the worse for age, and having the appearance of being handled many times; coffee, sugared and duly milked; tea, which was made upon the strict temperance principle of much water; while some, not having the fear of military law before their eyes, had secreted in their pockets several bottles of " kill-at-forty-yards" whiskey, which they gave to the boys for a consideration. Like bees we clustered aronud these venders of luxuries, investing here and there a dime or a quarter for choice morsels, thinking that we must enjoy the day as it passes.
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"How much for this water-melon ?" we ask, taking up a small green one. "Only fifty cents; very cheap; sell like hot cakes," was the reply.
Now we knew that they sold in the city for six or eight cents ; but we could not go to the city, and hence, if temptation prevailed, we parted with the fifty cents and take the melon, in nine cases ont of ten throwing the peel at the vender, and calling him or her fifty cents worth of hard names.
"What have you got in your basket?" sternly in- quires the officer of the guard to some ragged cake- vender, as he tries to elude vigilance and get out of camp. "Oh, nothing, your honor." "Let us see," re- plies the shonkler-strap ; and, removing the lid, behold secreted a package of sugar, some salt, bread, etc., given him for some dried-up cakes. In an instant a crowd is assembled ; no one doubts but he had stolen the articles, and the consequence was a general eontis- cation of personal effects, for the benefit of those who were the smartest in obtaining them. Day after day the camp was surrounded by these miserable cheats add swindlers; as long as the money lasted, and then no more was seen of them until the next pay-day. Cheerfully for a season we extended our patronage to the regimental sutler, who, though he charges us from two to live hundred per cent. profit, does not eut into our limited capital in such wholesale styles as these semi-union-semi-secesh vagabonds from Alexandria are wont.
For the fitteenth time since we left Portland, we
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changed our encampment the following day, moving about one mile, and pitching our tents near the pro- posed site of a new contemplated fort. This was a most beautiful location, upon a high eminence, and overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery we had yet gazed upon. Besides, it was convenient to wood and water, and though somewhat exposed to the sun, yet a cool breeze was almost constantly passing over us. We had hardly become settled in our new quar- ters, when orders were issued that every available man must commence fatigue duty upon the new fortifica- tions, to be erected near our eamp; and though it seemed rather hard to many of our boys to take up the shovel and the piek, yet we can now look back, perhaps with some pride, and say that we were among the first who ever did any work upon the doubly strong and noble fortification, named in honor of one of the bravest and most courageous martyrs to the cause of our country, Fort Lyons. I have not definite statistics at my command, but I have the impression that the fort, with its immediate surroundings, covers an area of some fifteen aeres, and calenlated to mount two hun- dred guns. It has all the appointments to a first-class earth-work, and is one of the strongest fortifications in the vicinity of Washington and AAlexandria. During our stay in this camp our duties were ardnons. The rontine was completed once in four days. The first day every available man was sent out on picket. re- turning the second, in the afternoon of which we had two or three hours of battalion and company drill.
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On the third and fourth days all, save those who were on camp guard, were required to labor eight hours each day on the fort. This continued for several weeks, until at last we were relieved by Pennsylvania troops, and again changed our encampment near to Fairfax Seminary, three miles from Alexandria, which latter place, known as Camp Franklin, proved to be our win- ter-quarters.
It was curious to note, in our early camp life, the methods which some would employ to evade the letter of the law, where it conflicted with their special en- joyments. For instance: at one time gambling was carried on to a great extent among the men; and some of the officers were desirous of checking the evil, as many were fast becoming engaged in it who could ill afford to squander their hard-earned wages. So a strict order was issued against playing any game what- over for money, under penalty of severe punishment. For a brief season all went well ; but in a few days, on entering some tent, one might there see four or five engaged in card-playing, using beans and peas as stakes. Those, of course, were not money, but the knowing ones were well aware that a bean was worth ten cents, and represente l that sum, but still it was no disobedience of the law. What if one did say, " I chip two beans;" or another, "I go one pea better; " or a third, " I go three beans blind," -- all that was not gam- bling for money, and so they escaped punishment. I believe no bean order was ever issued.
A picket incident may not be out of place here. We
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were, at this season, doing picket duty within about one mile of Mount Vernon, and some five miles from camp. One day an out-post, consisting of some twelve men, commanded by a sergeant, had taken the position assigned them, and where they were to remain until the following morning. Soon they had all of their ar- rangements perfected for an easy and comfortable sea- son. It was indeed a beautiful location, vastly prefer- able to the hot and disagreeable camp.
Several of the men constructed a rude hut, in the form of an Indian wigwam, which was styled the " head-quarters." The weather being excessively hot, the men were lounging lazily about, ordinary vigilance only being required. Toward evening, orders came that the picket-line must be unusually active; that a heavy boly of the enemy was expected to make an attack in the night ; that they were not far away, and that at least one-half the entire force must be awake during the night. Posts were doubled, and every pre- caution taken to prevent surprise.
The force above alluded to was stationed near the main road in the woods, but of course divided into small posts, in close proximity to each other. About ten o'clock r. M. orders came that only two men would be allowed to sleep at once; the remainder must be watchful. The sergeant, who had but recently been appointed. feeling sensitively the responsibility resting upon him, and anxious to have all duties of the men under him faithfully performed, acquainted each one with the instructions, and received the most solemn
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assurances from each one that all would go well. About midnight, it being then his turn, the sergeant lay down on the ground to take his nap. He had slept about two hours, when waking, found no one very near him, but did find the sentry, who should have called him, sitting by a tree fast asleep. He at once rose very quietly, and with as little noise as possible, made the rounds. Out of that whole detachment of men, there was not one awake; all fast asleep. Some were reelining on the ground with muskets in hand, others sitting, while others were leaning against the fences. Certainly, it was the most amusing disobedience of or- ders any one ever witnessed. The moon was shining brightly, and, having satisfied himself that they were actually asleep, he determined to play a sort of prac- tical joke upon his comrades. Among the men was one whom we will call " Mully," who had been for a long time denouncing those soldiers who, by fatigne or accident, fell asleep on duty. "Mully" claimed to have served in British wars, and was constantly boast- ing of his watchfulness. This night he held an impor- taut place, and the sergeant was curious to ascertain if he practiced as well as preached. Carefully he ap- proached him, calling his name in a low tone. No an- swer. "Mully" was sound asleep. Successful with lim, the sergeant determined to play the joke on all. So, noiselessly, he visited all the sleepers, gently disen- rage the musket from one, picked up that of another. till finally he had obtained every musket, and conveyed them a short distance and stacke I them in the shade
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of the trees, where they could not readily be discerned. From their position, he could look ont in front for a long distance, and he knew he was comparatively safe, as there could be no surprise then, though, undoubt- edly, the action would not have been indorsed at head-quarters had it been known. Having arranged matters to his satisfaction, and perceiving they all yet slept, he stepped out into the road, passed down to the front a little way, and then, as if he had discov- ered something, turned suddenly, and at onee sounded the alarm, accompanied by the command, "Fall in quick." The first word brought every man to. his feet. But how can the next moment be described. Unobserved, he had passed from the front to the rear, so that by the time the poor fellows had their eyes open, he was hastening toward their posts. Such thunderstruck men never were seen, as they looked about them for their guns. For a moment they could not speak,-then all was confusion. "Fall in quick," was repeated. How he must have wanted to langh, as he beheld their frightened, almost woe-begone countenances. " Where is my musket ?" tremblingly asks one, while a second feverishly exclaims, " where in thunder is my gun." To increase the confusion, orders were given to fall back under cover of the woods, and upon reaching that point, had they not readily have obeyed the command to " halt," the affair might have proved more serious than was intended. " Where are your guns ?" was asked gravely. No one spoke, but looked at each other in almost speechless
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amazement. But having sufficiently enjoyed their discomfiture, the sergeant says, "well, boys, I guess you've been asleep. There is no danger, but we will have an understanding." For some minutes they could scarcely comprehend their position, but finally perceiving that they were really caught napping, they had not a word to say. Poor " Mally," he acted like a wild man, swore soundly that he was not asleep, that he dropped his musket and some one by his side took it, and that he didn't want to create any alarm ; all of which appeared very ridiculous to the sergeant, when he remembered that he obtained his gun with the greatest difficulty of any of them, his hand firmly grasping the stock; but notwithstanding all this, the poor fellow will swear to-day, if he is alive, that he was not asleep ; that he never closed his eyes in his life on picket-duty, bat always kept a "right smart watch out on the innemy." Having sufficiently en- joyed their chagrin and discomfiture, their muskets were restored, and the matter was compromised by an agreement that the sergeant would not report any of them to the commanding officer, provided they did not report him, for this last neglect of orders, in not reporting them. Methinks that sergeant never had sleepy sentinels afterwards.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Camp Franklin. Preparations for winter-quarters. Picket du- ties. Romantie head-quarters. Correct view of Southern Unionists. Severe picket tour. Mode of punishing trans- gressors of the law. Musical ceremonies at divine service. Novel method to secure a good congregation. Displays of character. Thoughts upon influence of army life. The soldier.
OUR routine of camp and picket, alternating with fatigue-duty, continued without any special events of note, save now and then interrupted by orders to be ready to move at once, upon some hoax that the enemy was advancing, until the day when we moved to Camp Franklin.
It was at this camp that a thorough organization was ifude. We were attached to General W. B. Franklin's Division. General Henry W. Slocum, who served with so much distinction in Sherman's army, was our brigadier. He inspired us with confidence and ambition, and, schooled and drilled by Jackson. we ourselves scarcely recognized in the Fifth Maine Regiment of the winter of 1861-62, the once ragged Fifth of the previous fall. But let our aets, not our words, speak for us.
Camp Franklin was destined to be the place of our abode for many months, and, in the outset, the best
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preparations were made to render our encampment comfortable and pleasant. While, of course, there were many rumors that we should not tarry there but a few weeks at most, yet the men set to work with a will to fit up winter-quarters. And it was well they did, for it was not until into the spring of 1862 that we struck tents for our final departure. The fall and winter were passed in camp instruction, in company and battalion drills, reviews, inspections, and the more disagreeable duties of picket.
Yet all these were highly essential, and though at seasons there was much grumbling among the men because we did not move, fight, have the matter settled, and then be sent home, yet we perceived, in after-time, the importance of a thorough knowledge of those duties pertaining to camp-life, to drills, etc., which could, perhaps, be only acquired when hostilities were suspended, and which we so sincerely appre- ciated afterward.
From this eamp we were detailed about once in three or four weeks, to do picket-duty. This would have been all very well, had it not been for the knyth, of each tour,-comprising from four to six days. We -were thrown out on the Alexandria and Fairfax turn- pike some five miles, and in the vicinity of Anna- dale, a little village consisting of a saw and grist-mill (or, in other words, the ruins of one), and two or three houses. As the weather grew colder, small lo- hat- were created near the outposts, for the better protection of the sentinels, especially from the winds
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and storms. Small port-holes in each wall enabled the sentry on duty to see ont on all sides, and at the same time have the benefit of a shelter.
During the greater part of these seasons, our head- quarters were in an oldl building, one and a half sto- ries high, almost in the last stages of ruin. The rooms were covered with rough boards, thickly white- washed, and from the ceiling hung innumerable cob- webs, while the whole was covered with dust and dirt.
Every pane of glass in the whole building was gone ; but a few blankets hung up answered very well for blinds. Here we passed many pleasant evenings, chatting about home and friends, relating stories and anecdotes, while a big fire in the spacious fire-place, threw a glow of light all around. Upon the walls hung our swords, pistols, etc., upon which we could lay our hands at a moment's notice ; and with the floor for a bed, a stone with a piece of board placed over it, or a pair of boots for our pillows, a single blanket to cover our forms, we would sleep sweetly and soundly, thankful for as good accommodations as we had. Who that has pieketed at the old Anadale tavern does not remember the many festive scenes which would occur in spite of storm, or calm, or even the supposed proximity of the "Johnnies." The cav- alry support often lent their musical genius to adorn the occasion, when a fiddle and a fite and a pair of clappers, and other musical instruments, made fun for the wakeful ones, and rendered night hideous for the lazy and the sleepy ones. A neighbor, near by, used
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to supply pure Virginia corn-cakes at a quarter apiece, probably making twenty-four cents clear profit. I know the papers used to talk a great deal about Union people in Virginia, and their love for their country and our soldiers. It never happened to be our fortune to see any of those exceptions to Southern character, but we were duly impressed with the truth, that their love consisted chiefly in swindling the soldiers out of their money, and getting a shot at them at night. Possibly this may seem a hard statement, but it is not so hard as was the reality.
Occasionally, however, we would take up an ad- vanced position. Then all the shelter afforded would be huts made of bushes or boughs, though it was al- most wonderful to witness with what rapidity a small village of brush huts would spring into sight. I re- member one tour of picket- Inty in January, 1862, par- ticularly. Companies II., K., and I. were bivouacked upon a hill, some distance from much wood,-a cold andI bleak position. It had commenced raining before we left camp, rendering the roads almost impassable, and by the time we reached our destination, it was pouring in torrents. Though wet to the skin, upon our arrival we at once commeneed to ereet our brush houses. Quite a number were built in a circle, open toward the center, where fires were built to cook, warm, and dry by. But these afforded but little pro- tretion. The wind whistled through, and the rain poured through. For six days we remained on that hill, during which time the sun was not once seen,
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but the rain, snow, and hail came down almost un- ceasingly. Never was a body of troops more rejoiced than was that one, when finally they saw the relief coming, and they received orders to go back to camp. In all camp and picket experience, methinks we suf- fered the greatest from cold and exposure those six days, than any dozen other tours combined.
In military, as well as in the civil relations, we had our offenders against the established law and regula- tions. And I cannot say that our regiment was ex- empt from some of these offenders. While our discipline was striet, yet it was by no means arbitrary, and hence the misdemeanors among the men were usually of minor natures, such as absence from drill or camp without permission. Punishment for offenders usually consisted in causing the culprit to stand on the bottom of a barrel inverted, for a certain number of hours. Of course, standing in one position any length of time soon wearied the body, and, most generally, before half the time of the sentinel elapsed, the victim would promise better fashions, and sue for a release. Others would be compelled to walk a beat, under the eye of a sentinel, carrying with him a log of wood weighing twenty pounds. He would be compelled to walk two hours, then rest two hours,- this routine day and night. At the commencement, the log would seem light, but before a day had down past, it would seem to increase in weight every moment, until one could not carry it without much difficulty. This mode of punishment was the most effective of
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any in service. Tying men up by the thumbs, bnck- ing and gagging, and scores of similar barbarous pun- ishments were not resorted to, save in its early days; and I believe the discipline in the Fifth Maine was equal, if not better, than that in those regiments where such modes were adopted. There were men who were never anybody at home, and as soon as they got a little authority, used it in some such way. Those officers were seldom seen in a fight, though they were bullies in camp.
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