USA > New Hampshire > A history of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, Volunteer Infantry in the rebellion war, 1861-1865, pt 1 > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
That form divine. the paymaster, made us a call, and disbursed the last payment to us before the opening of the campaign ; but as the money would be of but little or no use where we were soon to go, the most of it was sent home. Overcoats and blankets were boxed up and sent to our homes also, as the day of our departure drew near. Letters were written and forwarded, telling those we loved that ere the white-winged missive could reach them we would once more be marching upon the soil of Old Virginia, where the conflict was soon to be renewed. During the last few days of our stay the camp grew more noisy : work for the great event was rapidly coming to a head. The summoning drum, the shrill fife, and the air-shattering bugle gave dreadful notes of prepara- tion. From reveille until the hour for " taps," the only .
276
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
sound that greeted the ear, save the dashing railway trains that sped past, was
* * the trumpet's clangor from afar, And all the dreadful harmony of war."
The line of dress-parade was beautifully blue, and the polished muskets glittered in the fading sunlight. The forming of the line and the breaking up of the different regiments into companies at the close of the parade was what charmed the many admiring spectators. In just three weeks from that time those bright blue uniforms were smoke-stained and torn in the thickets of the Wil- derness ; and there very many of those brave and fear- less men stacked their shining guns and rested forever. Camp stories were afloat at Annapolis, just as they al- ways had been wherever we had pitched our tents for a few weeks stay. Stories speculative as to when the war would probably end and we would return to our homes had long before passed away. That famous camp story was in its prime while we were at Falmouth : that mem- orable winter was spent in hatching up some kind of a camp rumor every day. A new song was sung while we were at Annapolis, to the effect that a large number of transports were lying near Alexandria waiting to take the Ninth Corps down the Potomac and up the James river, where the first blow would be struck. This was repeated day after day, each repetition adding to it some- thing new, until at last it found its way into the news- papers ; then the Richmond papers published it, as might be expected. and that caused General Lee to surmise that there might be some truth in the report. General Lee was not a little nonplussed as to where General Grant would go when he did move. The rumor was without doubt gotten up on purpose to deceive the enemy, and had the desired effect. General Grant says, in his
1
277
CAMP LIFE AT ANNAPOLIS.
memoirs, that neither the war department nor General Burnside knew to the contrary until the last moment.
There were, no doubt, a large number of transports lying in the vicinity of Alexandria at that time, but for what purpose they were intended I am unable to tell ; but in all probability their mission was to deceive the enemy, as before stated ; for there is "policy in war," and strategy in all its forms is often resorted to.
General Lee was, as may be seen, rather outgeneralled to commence with, before the campaign was opened or the first gun fired, simply by a camp rumor. As he was listening for the sound of General Grant's guns in the direction of Richmond while at Orange Court-House, the first thing he saw was Grant's entire army, with flaming banners, in the dense wood of the Wilderness, not in transports, but upon their feet, in good fighting order ; and for the first time the Confederate chieftain at the head of the army of Northern Virginia, stood before General Ulysses S. Grant at the head of the Fed- erał army.
PART III. ANNAPOLIS TO ALEXANDRIA.
The time approaches. - Macbeth.
They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks .- Bible.
At noon on Saturday, the 29th day of April, the Ninth Corps left their pleasant encampment at Annapolis for the march to Alexandria, a distance of forty miles. We received orders on the afternoon of the day before, which was what we were anticipating : and, notwithstanding the fact that we were once more to be deluged in fire and
278
ELEVENTHI NEW HAMPSHIRE.
blood, we hailed the news gladly,-expressing our im- plicit confidence in General Grant that he would be the conquering hero in the East as he had been in the West. Wild hurrahs were given for " Uncle Sam " and " Presi- dent Lincoln," as we stood in the company streets and on the color line. Very soon an indescribable military air pervaded the camp, as on all such occasions when a vigorous campaign is to succeed that of rest and quiet of the bivouac. Only those who have experienced the glory of a campaign can form any idea of this part of the story.
That night there was a general outburst of revelry. Everything was, for a time, called into requisition that could make a noise, or was pulled to pieces and broken. It was a reminder of the last night we spent at Concord, before leaving our native state for the war. Piles of boxes and barrels were ablaze, producing a grand illu- mination under the dark but star-crowned heavens. Patriotic and mirthful songs were sung, and from camp to camp echoed
" The boisterous, midnight, festive clarion, The kettle-drum, and far heard clarinet."
The encampment at Annapolis was the last one the corps ever saw, when preparing for a campaign, and will, in all probability, be remembered as such by the survivors of that famous old corps. A part of the fore- noon of the 23d was passed in making a noise and in taking down our tents, which we rolled up and left upon the ground to be cared for by men who were employed for that purpose. after we had said good-bye to the encampment that would echo no more to our military step, and know us no more forever. We were provided with three days' rations for the march, and at eleven o'clock we packed our knapsacks, rolled up our blankets
279
BREAKING CAMP.
and strapped them upon the outside. and then sat down and joked, told stories, laughed, and waited for the order calling us to fall into line and tramp on as before. Troops were to be seen in every direction, preparing to leave. The tents were all taken down, and stacks of bright guns glistened in the golden sunlight of the morn- ing. Drums were exceedingly noisy, fifes and bugles screeched their adieu to Annapolis, and patriotic songs were distinctly heard while we were rather impatiently waiting to be off for other green fields and pastures new.
It was the last breaking up of camp ever witnessed by many, for they soon passed to where no marching orders were ever issued. and where the blast of the bugle would nevermore call them into line. It was precisely twelve o'clock when the marching host formed its line of blue stretched out in deep array and dreadful length, and rapidly moved away, presenting a spectacle once seen never to be forgotten. The weather was getting quite warm and summer-like; the forest trees were fast putting forth their leaves, and the apple and peach orchards were beginning to blush with blossoms. The undulating green fields stretched far away, clothed in brilliant green. upon which the feet of neither army had ever trampled. The groves rang with the songs of blithe birds, and nature wore her loveliest garb. Purling brooks. with rushy fringed banks that would have been a precious boon to us when soldiering in the cotton states, babbled along, making joyous music in their flow. Pretty flowers were in bloom in many of the door-yards, that somehow reminded me of what I saw in Kentucky one year before. Rows of variegated tulips that lined the walks leading to the doors were exceed- ingly beautiful. but did not compare with the two lips that smiled upon us from the windows and doorways as we passed. Whether they were loyal smiles or not I did
.
280
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
not know ;- it is safe to predict, however, that only a small portion were.
After resting in camp, as we had been doing the three weeks previous, we were a little out of practice-a little " softened," as we expressed it, and symptoms of spring fever were felt very perceptibly on the march ; but as marching was an old pastime of ours. whereby the corps received the sobriquet of .. Burnside's travelling menage- rie," we had no fears but that we would very soon get used to the work and ready to be tossed about upon the fiery billows of war. The corps was marched at a very moderate step. Probably in all our marches since we first followed arms, which indeed were many, we never marched so leisurely as we did from Annapolis to Wash- ington. Halts by the wayside for rest were given at intervals, and, as L. expressed it, they were “ good- sized ones," and when the sun dropped over the green hills and forests of Maryland a halt was made for the night. The remark was often made during the march that the officers were exceedingly gracious to us all at once ; but without doubt it was an order from General Grant, or, as a " sub" put it, " an order from Grant hisself."
During the march of that lovely April afternoon, the Eleventh New Hampshire, with Colonel Walter Harri- man at their head, led the corps. The position of the regiment in the marching column made it very favorable for them, as every soldier knows; but as they were obliged to fall in the rear of the division the next day. the march was not as easy, but it was by no means tire- some. The overcoats and blankets which were thrown away on that march on account of the warm weather beggar all description, and would have astonished those living remote from the track of an army. A little past noon of the second day's march I saw; an old col- ored man with a horse and wagon gathering the scat-
.
·
281
ON THE MARCH.
tered coats and blankets with the familiar " U. S." in the centre. He had gathered nearly all he could pile on his rickety old wagon, and was wild with excitement over his streak of good luck. As the brigade was halt- ing for rest, I said to him, "You seem to be doing a thriving business to-day, Uncle." "Golly ! yes," was his reply. "Ye see de sojers hab done frowed dese away, and I's a pickin' 'em up, I is. I neber seed de like befo'. De ole woman will hab plenty bedclose now, and lots fur to dress de chil'n ;" and he laughed and chuckled with a great deal of satisfaction over what was to him a mine of wealth. " Why don't you enlist," I inquired, "and join the colored troops who are in our rear?" "Well, massa," he answered, as he cast his eyes upon the ground as if studying the situation, "I 'spects I oughter ; but when I tinks about facin' dem big guns [pointing to ours] wid de peeked tings on de end fur to kill folks wid [bayonets], it somehow or udder takes de courage all out ob me." A shiver passed over him as he uttered these words, which told how he real- ized the danger. A shout went up from the soldiers who were listening, in which the hero of coats and blankets joined. The question was then raised as to whether there were not a good many thousands up North with white faces who entertained about the same idea of the situation that the old darkey did.
The second day of our march was Sunday. We moved very leisurely, and drank in all the beauties of nature, surrounded. as we were, by green fields and pleasant groves, while the warm sunlight and clear, bright skies beaming upon us allured us onward, and seemingly hal- lowed the day to gladness. The day was a calm one indeed, when compared with the many we had seen and were so soon to see again. In a village near which we passed we saw a flame-tipped church spire pricking
282
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
through a grove of trees, the bell calling the faithful to service, and many were wending their way thither. There was no Sunday for us. Our mission was calling us forward to where " life is lost, and victory won."
At ten o'clock in the forenoon of the 25th, the third day of our march, we reached Bladensburgh. We took off our boots and stockings, and with " undressed feet," as General Griffin called it, waded through the creek which flowed through the village, a tributary of the east branch of the Potomac. L. got mad and did some tall swearing because there was no bridge and never had been one ; and, to all appearance. the people of the town were too shiftless to build one. The fear of its being destroyed by the hand of war need not have prevented them from so doing, for the Federal army had no dispo- sition to destroy property in Maryland, and the Confeder- ate army could not penetrate the state at that point. "Sell- ing niggers down South," in ante-bellum days, was of more consequence than making public improvements.
At two o'clock in the afternoon we halted at some distance from Washington, where we were informed that our entrance into and the march through the city was the all-absorbing topic of conversation among the citizens, who were boiling over with enthusiasm in antici- pation of the fine military display they should witness. So wild with excitement were they that they watched anxiously for our coming, long before the hour set for our arrival. Many climbed upon the house-tops. eager to catch the first glimpse of the long line of moving blue, or perchance see the dust rising in the direction of the approaching column,-for an army on the march raises a cloud of dust, and the roads were dry and dusty.
About three o'clock many of the forts that defended the city once more appeared before us, and but very little changed from what we saw them in our " salad
283
ON THE MARCH.
days." Grim cannon looked defiantly through the green tufted embrasures, while over each fort the old flag was gracefully waving its long, bright folds in the warm sunlight of that lovely afternoon. One moment more, and the spacious dome of the national capital, from which flags fluttered, stood in our front, appearing to give us a warm greeting after our long absence. This mag- nificent structure, as well as the city, had long been a target for the Rebel army, as was Richmond for the Federal army. With all the threats it had received from a people enraged by the fury of war, and the many hun- dreds and perhaps thousands of Southern sympathizers who lived almost under its shadow, and who would de- light in seeing it fall into rebel hands or be destroyed .- this black pall of treason hung over it like a huge curtain overshadowing our fair land. Nevertheless, with all the bitter epithets which had been poured upon it. the powder burned, and the lives lost in trying to capture it,
" Still it stands,
A fortress formed to Freedom's hands."
The sight of this noble edifice was the signal for order in the ranks. The long line was quickly straightened. and every step and movement at once toned down like that of a perfect working machine. Each regiment in the column had the appearance of a monster antediluvian reptile with myriads of blue legs. Then burst the Argent revelry, with all the rich panoply of war. The colors of every regiment in the corps, with heaven-born hues and stars that shone never to be erased by traitors' hands, were unfurled, and triumphantly fluttered in the gentle breeze. Already, though far from the enemy's lines, the corps was marshalled for battle, and through the long streets of the city were advancing to the step of soul-inspiring music, rich in steeds and brilliant trap-
-
284
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
pings, with sash, plume, helmets, scarf, shields, and all the blazonry of war. Swords, muskets, and bayonets flashed their silver lightning-flashed to a purpose grand along the bright blue line. Gallant steeds, with dis- tended nostrils, curved necks, and flowing manes, trod proudly on, while puffs of dust were raised as their iron- clad feet were firmly set upon the earth as though they were advancing to battle.
The Capitolian dome, with all its loftiness. cupolas. and shining spires bathed in a flood of mellow sunshine, looked down upon the moving column reverently and compassionately. Liberty, from her enthroned position, bade us take courage, bade us God-speed : we fancied that we caught these words from her lips, "The Union now and forever, one and inseparable." Never in lofty dreams had Fancy's eve dwelt on such a scene of stately pageantry ; the chivalrous magnificence blended in one scene of glory, formed to throw on memory's page a never fading glow. Fair forms lent their gladdest smile, and white hands waved the advancing column on to vic- tory or a glorious tomb.
" The fair of form, the mild of mood. Did honor to the man of blood."
The many torn battle flags, bearing the inscriptions " Antietam," "Fredericksburg." " Vicksburg," and "Jackson," as well as other battles of the war, elicited a storm of cheers from the vast throng of peo- ple who filled the streets. doorways, windows, and covered the 'house-tops. Many of them, anxious for information as to just where we were going, caught hold of us as we marched past, asking, in a hurried and excited manner, "What regiment is this, and where are you going?" The crowding of the people upon the marching column caused the troops to break their step
-
285
IN WASHINGTON.
for a moment, when they (citizens) were ordered to "fall back," but, being wild with excitement, paid but little or no attention to the order. The number of men in the Ninth Corps at that time was a little over twenty thousand-a number indicating that the military parade of that day was no civic procession or Fourth of July affair. The corps entered the city on New York ave- nue, turning at the left into Fourteenth street, thence across Pennsylvania avenue, the great thoroughfare of the city, to the river.
There had been a great many military parades in Washington since the outbreak of the war,.but that of the 25th of April, 1864, far surpassed them all, and was only exceeded by the grand review in that city at the close of the war. On the balcony of Willard's hotel stood President Lincoln, viewing the troops as they passed. His face wore a look of extreme care and anxi- ety, as he steadily gazed upon the marching column- upon that corps of the great army which had responded to his call. Every regiment in turn gave him three rous- ing cheers as they passed. Well did he deserve the cheers that he received. Only one short year, and his soul had flown to meet those who had died in defence of their country, and who were waiting to welcome him upon that distant and silent shore. The knowledge that the army was upon the eve of battle, marching toward the field of action where the waste of human life was once more to be realized and participated in by those who were seen in the ranks on that lovely afternoon, and who had faced death many times before, as their tattered banners indicated, was what drew the vast multitude of people to witness the parade of the Ninth Corps in the streets of Washington that day. Verily,
" When our country's cause provokes to arms, How martial music every bosom warms !"
286
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The soldier in the ranks, too, was proud of his place in the line at such a memorable event, where the pride and pomp of glorious war was made manifest, notwith- standing the fact that grim death was lurking in our front, and that long marches, sleepless nights, hardships, and exposures stared us in the face. The parade of that day was one long to be remembered in the history of the command to which we belonged. It was a parade not only of well disciplined men. with pennon, shield, and lance, and richly caparisoned steeds, but one upon which the eyes of a great nation looked with admiration and esteem-and yet with pity and sorrow, for, accord- ing to the circumstances of war, not many days would elapse before a very large number of those who were on parade that day would pass, amid the thunder of battle, to where "beyond these voices there is peace." Our rapid step soon took us through the thronged city to the river, and very soon we were crossing Long Bridge. The first time we crossed that famous bridge, which was on the afternoon of the 17th of September, 1862, we merrily sang "Dixie ;" it was also sung by us on that afternoon, while many who joined the chorus at the first crossing were sleeping in soldiers' graves far away.
As we again stepped upon the sacred soil of old Vir- ginia, there before us were the forts that formed a part of the defences of Washington. They were very famil- iar to us. as the Eleventh Regiment encamped under their shadow in the early fall of 1862. There was Fort Richardson on the hill, with its two lines of well made abattis in front, and heavy guns pointing their deadly muzzles southward with a defiant look. while the signal flag was waving from its staff on the parapet just as it used to wave. There, too, were forts Albany, Berry, Rey- nolds, Craig. Barnard. McPherson. Scott, and . frowning Runyon : " These outlines marked by many a black
-
.
ON SACRED SOIL AGAIN. 287
columbiad on its trunnion." The sun was now fast sink- ing below the green-wooded hills of the " Old Domin- ion," throwing a mellow light on field, forest, and river, transforming the long moving line of blue to black, kiss- ing the great white dome of the Capitol with a warm good-night.
".And glanced on flowing flag and rippling pennon, And the white sails of ships ; And from the frowning ramparts, the black cannon Hailed it with feverish lips."
Just at nightfall, in a valley south of Fort. Richardson and a short distance north of Alexandria, we encamped for the night, and remained there the next day and night in order to draw rations, and drive the last spike prepar- atory to the march toward the interior of Virginia, and once more and for the last time to shout
" On to Richmond."
CHAPTER IX.
CONTINUATION OF COMRADE EATON'S DESCRIPTION-FROM ALEXAN- DRIA TO FAIRFAX-FAIRFAX TO BRISTOE-BRISTOE TO BEAL- TON-A FORCED MARCH.
PART IV. FROM ALEXANDRIA TO FAIRFAX.
Now as soon as it was day there was no small stir among the sol- diers .- Bible.
* * * from troop to troop. He went through the army cheer- ing up the soldiers .- Richard 3d.
Cry Havoc, and let slip the dogs of war .- Julius Caesar.
Near noon, on the 27th of April, the long line of blue was again formed, and we were once more on the march with our faces turned toward the interior of the state, with Richmond and victory as our watchword. Soon after eight o'clock that morning General Burnside rode through the camp, cheering up the troops. We were not drooping by any means, as my sketches have shown ; but the presence of the commanding general is always encouraging to the troops, especially when on the eve of battle. Every regiment in the corps gave him three hearty cheers as he rode from regiment to regiment bareheaded. there being no time to put on his hat be- tween the cheers. thereby displaying that bald head of his, which we all so well remember. The corps had made this short stop. from the night of the 25th to the morning of the 27th. in order to draw rations, which we did that morning before leaving for the day's march.
From the hour of our departure from Alexandria the great campaign was virtually begun with the Ninth Corps, but the great forward movement of the entire army was not made until the 4th of May. The corps
1
289
ALEXANDRIA TO FAIRFAX.
throughout was in excellent fighting trim. Probably we never fell into line for a march, or at the beginning of a campaign, with better spirits and with surer feeling that success would crown our work at last, than we did on that 'sunny April morning which was fast rounding into summer. We well knew that a long series of des- perate and bloody encounters was soon to be met, in which we were to cut our way out with the weapons of war. It has often been asked how it was that troops could march to meet death and suffering with such light hearts and seemingly so eager for the fray, knowing, as they did, what war was, and what suffering there was on the battle-field. I can answer this in no other way than by quoting the old distich,
" Why should we be melancholy, boys?
Our business 'tis to die."
In the War of the Rebellion, however, the Federal army took strength and courage from the aphorism,
"Thrice armed is he who hath his quarrel just."
As the long line of blue marched up the heights, a little to the west of Alexandria, the eye rested on a pict- ure of exquisite beauty for miles in extent. It was a gigantic panorama of city, town, country, forest, and river, battlemented towers, castle gates, flanking earthworks, and all necessary defences against an assaulting enemy. The fields lay far away clothed in the green of spring- time; the forests were fast putting on their summer attire, fresh from the hand of the Giver; the hills of Maryland and Pennsylvania stood in all their grandeur. leaning against the clear blue sky, and were the last objects we saw on the free side of the North. The spires of Georgetown pointed their golden tips through the new foliage of the trees, and the many forts that
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.