USA > New Hampshire > A history of the Second regiment, New Hampshire volunteer infantry, in the war of the rebellion > Part 26
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General Gilman Marston, the only survivor of the original colo- nels of the brigade, had the proud distinction of commanding it on this day. His staff were representative men, including from the
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SECOND REGIMENT HEADQUARTERS AT WEIRS.
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OLD HOOKER BRIGADE AT BOSTON.
Second, Major Evarts W. Farr and Major Sam. Sayles. The gene- ral himself came in for an ovation from his own men and from the Massachusetts boys. When the old First, in its march to position, caught sight of Marston's familiar form, there was an unmilitary stampede, which for a time left their own colonel without a com- mand. And the scene at the Board of Trade hall, where the Second marched directly from the Lowell depot, and where the men of the First were awaiting them, defies all description.
The Second was commanded by General J. N. Patterson, with Captain Ed. Bean as adjutant. One hundred men were in line-a most unexpected number, as the men are widely scattered.
It was glory enough for one day to march with that tried six hundred, which once took three thousand rifles into battle. They were the same old boys, and the spirit of army days was strong within them. They marched off with the swinging stride of veter- ans, and at every halt astonished the spectators with exhibitions of army pranks and antics. Out from the ranks would waltz a party in a " stag dance " which brought to memory the Virginia camp scenes, or the times when the skirmishers were pegging away at the front, while the brigade was awaiting the order to " go in." But when the bugle sounded, " Fall in " back to line they would swing, and march off with a swing which told plainer than words that they were something more than holiday soldiers.
The history of Hooker's old brigade was a glorious one. At Fredericksburg it made its last fight as the " Old Brigade." In the winter of 1862-3 the Second returned to New Hampshire to recruit its depleted ranks, and never stood in line with it again. Upon its return, in the spring, the Second regiment was assigned to the Second New Jersey Brigade, an organization with which it was an honor to be associated ; but they felt they were not entirely at home. Whenever, upon the march or in battle, the dissevered organizations came together, there was such a greeting as showed how strong were the ties between the four old regiments which had marched and camped and fought together in the early days of the war. To each, there were no regiments like those to which they were bound by the early associations-no boys like those who wore upon their caps the "1," the "2," the "II," or the "26." That
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SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
explains the wild enthusiasm, the heartfelt joy, the brotherly affec- tion with which the survivors of " Hooker's Old Brigade" greeted each other on the seventeenth of September, at Boston.
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT WEIRS.
In a commanding position upon the grounds of the New Hamp- shire Veteran Association, at Weirs, stands the spacious headquarters building of the Second Regiment, embosomed in the native pines, and fronting an unsurpassed view of lake and mountain scenery. To this spot, every year, in the last week of beautiful August, come scores of the old Second men to participate in the festivities attend- ing the annual reunion of the New Hampshire veterans.
This building is their home, for which they are indebted to the munificent generosity of their old comrade, Harriet P. Dame. She it was who caused it to be erected, paid all the bills, and then said to the old boys : " It is yours-take it and enjoy it !"
The accompanying illustration gives a good view of the building and its surroundings. From the piazza one enters directly the great reception room, occupying the entire floor, with the exception of a space at one end which is fitted and furnished for a kitchen. The walls are hung with portraits and pictures and mementoes of especial interest to the Second, and a big fireplace, with andirons of a special military design, is a token of cheer and comfort of a cold evening. On the second floor is the sleeping room, furnished with an abundance of good mattresses, most of which are the prop- erty of the association. The private room of Miss Dame is on this floor, under the tower. It is comfortably, although inexpensively, furnished, and she has never yet failed to occupy it at the annual gatherings.
Even the youngest of the old Second men are now drawing toward the sear and yellow leaf. At every reunion are spoken with sorrow the names of many who have fallen since the last. Still it may be many years before this home at Weirs will be the scene of the last gathering and witness the final hand-shakes of men who followed the flag of " The Gallant Second."
CHAPTER XXII.
SOME RHYMES OF THE SECOND .- " OUR FAMOUS QUARTETTE "-" THE CHARGE OF THE SECOND "-" A SONG FOR THE SECOND "-" HAR- RIET DAME AND STONEWALL."
OUR FAMOUS QUARTETTE.
FROM A POEM BY MARTIN A. HAYNES, READ AT THE SECOND REUNION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE VETERANS, AT WEIRS, AUGUST 13, 14 AND 15, 1878.
W ITH the olden-time mem'ries that cluster to-day, There come thoughts of the time we went marching away- Marching off, at the call, with a thousand in line,
Mid the flower of our manhood, those comrades of mine.
There were youth from the work shops, the schools, and the mills ; There were friends of my boyhood, and memory thrills At the call of the names that are musical yet, And, the proudest in line, marched our Famous Quartette.
Our quartette of sweet singers ! their voices I hear, Floating up from the past, and the listening ear Catches strains of sweet music, and " Bonnie Dundee " Is wafted, a phantom of song, unto me.
O, the home songs they sang, when from far and from near, From the camps the bronzed soldiers would cluster to hear ; For oft, when the night mists lay heavy and wet, There came thousands to list to our Famous Quartette.
I have seen the stern vet'ran, whose heart never quailed When the battle raged fiercest and leaden death hailed- Seen his manly breast heave, and his clear eye grow dim, As their songs brought a vision of loved ones to him.
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SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Martin A. Haynes, Co. I.
And in memory, oft, when the arch overhead With the field of God's great starry banner is spread, As they stood in the gleam of our bivouac fires set, I see them, our singers, our Famous Quartette.
And we marched, and we fought, and the months they rolled on, And the battles were lost, and the battles were won, But the Grim Reaper came, and our pathway was red, Where the on-marching line left its trail of the dead.
I remember a night when the weary brigade By the ford of the river its bivouac had made, When the day's march was ended, the blazing sun set : "T was their last night together-our Famous Quartette.
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" OUR FAMOUS QUARTETTE."
Martin A. Haynes,
On the camp gleamed the stars from the clear southern sky, And in broad, rippling shallows the river swept by ; While like stern giant sentries loomed up through the night Grim old war-seamed Manassas and Centerville Height.
And our singers, that night, O how sweetly they sang ! And how clear o'er the meadows their melodies rang ! For they knew not how soon manly eyes should be wet, When they sang their own dirges, our Famous Quartette.
For the morn brought the battle. At nightfall I stood Where our batteries hurled random shots down through the wood Where a third of our glorious old Second were laid Mid the wreck of that wild charge of Grover's brigade.
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SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
O, say not 't was weakness ! O, scoff not the tear ! When I wept as the mourner who bends o'er the bier ; For silent and cold, where the night dews lay wet In the valley, slept two of our Famous Quartette.
O, the voices we loved, that Death's presence had stilled ! O, the void in the ranks, that could never be filled ! O, the sorrow that came to the soldier that day, When Smiley and Robinson fell by the way !
And again we went marching, with hearts ever true- But a fragment was left of our thousand in blue- Till the smoke-shrouded sun on Cold Harbor's field set, And death claimed the third from our Famous Quartette.
Harry Hayward fell, gasping. They bore him away To the sheltered ravine where our wounded men lay. With a grim smile he answered the pitying eye :- " Yes, it's all up with me, Doc. ; I'll lie down and die."
And he lay mid the dying, with unflinching pride, Till the grim boatman bore him away to the side Where comrades, awaiting, their watch fires had set, And again he was joined with our Famous Quartette.
O, say, were they braver who stood in the pass Where you marshaled your legion, O, Leonidas ? Were they truer to country, those Spartans of old, Than the sons of New Hampshire whose story I've told ?
And the answer comes : "No ! for the patriot call Each answered with sacrifice grandest of all ; And together, in halls of the heroes, we 're met, Where Thermopyla's Greeks greet your Famous Quartette."
O, my native New Hampshire, no braver are known Than those who draw life from thy bosom of stone ; Who breathe Liberty's air in the gales from thy hills, And of Freedom drink deep from thy crystal-clear rills.
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"THE CHARGE OF THE SECOND."
For their heart-strings are knit from the sinewy oak, And their pulses are tuned where the mountain storm broke ; And their eye with the eagle's is trained in its flight, As they tread with proud footstep the grand mountain height.
They have stood, in the past, where the rivers ran red, And their " quota " was full on the roll of the dead ; And it needs but the trumpet call, sounding again, To summons to battle thy stern mountain men.
Let it ring, and again they 'll come marching in lines Like the unbending front of your forest of pines ; And breasting the battle-tide's deadliest shock, You will find the old Granite State's ramparts of rock.
THE CHARGE OF THE SECOND.
BY E. NORMAN GUNNISON.
There was silence for a moment On th' ensanguined field of strife, Where the sons of the Republic Battled for a Nation's life ; And a solemn, deathlike stillness On the scene of carnage fell, When the order, " Forward, Second !" Echoed over hill and dell.
Down they swept upon the foeman,- Brave New Hampshire's granite sons !- With the knell of the Rebellion Ringing from their serried guns, Till the dark lines of the traitors Shrank beneath the bayonet's shock, As the mighty waves of ocean Shrink from off the beetling rock.
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SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Forward still the gallant Second Swept through fire and blood and flame, With their hearts' best life-blood washing From our past its page of shame ; From the flank unto the center, Where the brave old Marston towers, Not a single patriot wavers, Though the death-shot round them showers.
Forward still, though death and carnage Hovered darkly o'er the way, Where the columns of the traitors In their sinful prowess lay, Swept the Second, though environed By a line of triple steel, Till the dead lay thick and gory 'Neath the warrior's trampling heel.
Then they turned, when human valor Could sustain the shock no more, With their bayonets' brilliant gleaming Deadened by the traitors' gore. Back they came, but not the Second Which advanced in power and pride : It was but the shattered remnant Which had stemmed the battle-tide.
Shall it ever be forgotten- The New Hampshire Second's charge ? Will not History engrave it On some sacred page or marge, Where the coming generations May the blood-marked lesson read,
And gain courage by its precept For their darkest hour of need?
4
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THE FLAGS OF THE SECOND.
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SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
For New Hampshire's gallant fallen Be no tear of pity shed ; In the records of our glory Still they live-they are not dead ! And they still shall guard our banner, Till the nations from afar Hail its heaven-united orbits With no lost or fallen star !
A SONG FOR THE SECOND.
BY E. NORMAN GUNNISON.
A song for the Second, that gallant old band, Who through all of this war's desolation, Have fought for their homes and their dear native land, To preserve us a country and nation. Then cheer for the Second ; the flag of the free From its empire no traitor shall sever ; For its folds by our soldiers supported shall be. " The flag of our Union forever and ever, The flag of our Union forever ! "
When the Southrons rose up in their terrible might, To hurl at the Northmen their thunder, The Granite State flag in the thickest of fight Bade the traitorous foe " stand from under"; And at Williamsburg's battle, when dark loomed the day, O'er the field red with carnage and gory, Swept the flag of the Second, through battle array, The ensign of triumph and glory. Then cheer for the Second, etc.
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HARRIET DAME AND STONEWALL.
At the closing Bull Run, when the order to charge Was given, the foemen soon reckoned Their advance had attained to its uttermost marge, For down swept the gallant old Second ; Their ranks by the cannon were shattered and torn, By war's tempest their banner was riven, But still they swept on, though their hope seemed forlorn, For each star was a beacon from heaven.
Then a song for the Second, that gallant old band, With the Granite State flag waving o'er them ; They will strike for their homes and their God-given land, For the flag, and the country which bore them. And ne'er from that flag shall one God-penciled star From its Union's blest firmament sever, For the Second's proud war-cry shall echo afar, " The flag of our Union forever and ever, The flag of our Union forever."
HARRIET DAME AND STONEWALL.
BY ENOCH GEORGE ADAMS.
Give her a niche in the Temple of Fame- Our hospital matron, Harriet Dame ! She left her home in the Granite State, To share with the soldier his lot and fate ; Wherever the Second New Hampshire was called, There was our matron, unappalled. She followed us close to the battle's brink, And never was known to flee or shrink ; Mid danger and death, mid sickness and pain, We never looked for her face in vain. To visit and comfort, to cheer and bless,
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SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
To sorrow appease, and relieve distress, This her ambition and soul's desire, That burned in her breast like a vestal fire.
After the terrible fight was done At the second battle of Bull Run, Our wounded were left in the rebel lines, And she was there, mid the stunted pines, In the midst of the bloodiest field accurst, Bearing water to quench the thirst Of the wounded men, in delirium wild, With the blood and dust of war defiled.
Stonewall Jackson, he found her there, And was filled with respect at her noble air : He said to his surgeons, " Pitch her a tent, This kindly woman of grand intent, In safety her mission to fulfill ; Give her protection-it is my will."
Then the rebel soldiers, first and last, Blessed her and bowed whene'er she passed ; A guard 'round her tent at night they stood, In the kindly feeling of brotherhood. " If such are Yankee women," they said, " No wonder we do not get ahead !"
And when an armistice was arranged, And the wounded men were interchanged, As off the field the last ambulance rolled, And the dead were buried beneath the mold, Stonewall Jackson said to his men, "Convey the lady home again."
Rebels before, and rebels behind, Were a guard of honor, as he designed. Such a shout of joy as our boys upsent, When she rested at home in her own snug tent, Never was heard by the welkin blue. I have told the story ; and what say you?
APPENDIX.
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FAREWELL ORDER TO 17th N. H. V.
HEADQUARTERS 2D N. HAMP. VOLS.,
DISTRICT OF ST. MARY'S, POINT LOOKOUT, MD. September 22, 1563.
GENERAL ORDER, NO. 14.
Soldiers of the Seventeenth New Hampshire Volunteers :
You are about to part with your comrades of the Second for the more peaceful and happier atmosphere of your domestic firesides. Aroused by the necessities of your country, you assembled under a gallant and accomplished leader with justly high hopes to lead with him a brilliant career.
After months of uncertainty, the 17th and 2d N. H. Regiments were consolidated, since which time you have labored patiently and harmoniously. You had no choice in your disposition-you were not electors of place. Yet, though not sent to battle under the most favorable circumstances, you have com- ported yourselves as men should, and have secured the respect and friendship of your companions and officers.
Your term of service, though short, has been eventful. You will return to the quiet of your pleasant homes with the proud satis- faction that your career embraced participation in one of the most arduous campaigns and the hardest fought and most glorious battles, in its results, of any of this war. Called to sustain a part which tested your patiotism and valor, the ordeal prepared for you was the occupancy of the most exposed position ; during that terrible contest you stood firmly, shoulder to shoulder, with the familiars of fifteen battles, fighting as valiantly. *
I thank you for the prompt, brave and efficient performance of duty ; your respect and cheerful obedience to orders, which has been your conduct uniformly during the period I have had the honor to be connected with you in the capacity of a commander. >
ED L. BAILEY,
Col. 2d N. H. V.
JOHN D. COOPER, Adjutant.
22
CAMP CONSTITUTION,
PORTSMOUTH, MAY 22, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER, No. 19.
Order of the Day. -0
THE REVEILLE-will be beat at 5 o'clock A. M. by the drums of the company on guard, and is the signal for the men to rise, and to put themselves and their equipments and quarters in order for the day.
PEAS-UPON-A-TRENCHER-at 7 o'clock A. M., is the signal for breakfast. Companies will march or send details to the kitchen for rations, during to-day, in the following order :-
I, Claremont Volunteers.
2, Milford Volunteers.
3, Lancaster Volunteers.
4, Littleton Volunteers.
5, Cheshire Light Guard.
.
6, Keene Volunteers, Capt. Handerson.
7, Manchester Mechanics' Phalanx.
8, Goodwin Guards.
9, Abbott Guards. IO, Concord Volunteers.
One of the commissioned officers or the Orderly Sergeant of each company will accompany their men, preserve order among them, and dis- patch them to their quarters as rapidly as possible after receiving their rations. At supper the relief guard will receive their rations first. The Sergeant of the Guard will have his men at the kitchen immediately on the call to supper. Officers of companies will see that the dishes and utensils are returned to the kitchen immediately after meals.
THE TROOP-will be beat at 8 o'clock A. M. for the purpose of assembling the men for duty and inspection at guard mounting. The guard will then be relieved, by detail drawn from such company or companies as the officer of the day may direct.
SURGEON'S CALL immediately after Troop. When all the sick will be reported to the Officer of the Day, who will cause them to be escorted to the Ilospital by an orderly detailed for that purpose.
Officers of the Guard will instruct Sentinels to take all green passes from the bearers when they pass in. The Sentinels will return them to the Officer of the Day, who will hand them, on appl catton, to tae Commissioned Officers or Orderly Sergeants of Companies. Standing passes are on a small white card. All others are to be taken up when the bearers pass out from the lines.
Reports are to be presented or sent to Head Quarters at 9 o'clock A. M. At 9 1-2 o'clock Companies will march to the Parade under direction of Regimental Officers for drill.
ROAST BEEF-the signal for dinner, will be beat at 12 o'clock, noon. At 2 1-2 o'clock. Squad and company drill on the Parade Ground,
THE RETREAT-at 5 o'clock P. M. Roll call and evening dress parade, by companies.
SUPPER-at 7 o'clock P. M.
THE TATTOO-at 9 o'clock P. M .- when the lights are to be extinguished, and quarters kept quiet until morning.
Platoon officers are charged with the duty of immediate supervision of the police of their respective divisions. They will encourage their men in all reasonable and proper recreation or amusement, while off duty; but will strictly prohibit, and put stop to, smoking, gambling, or other dangerous and vicious practices, in quarters.
His Excelleney the Commander-in-chief desires notice to be promulgated in Camp, that the quota of New Hampshire Volunteers for service under the Proclamation of the President, of the third of May instant, is one Regiment, of not exceeding 1046 men, to serve for three years, or during the war, unless sooner discharged.
The opportunity to re-enlist for this service is now offered to the men already assembled in this place, giving them the preference over others who are ready to fill the ranks. Officers in temporary commission will carry on the enlistment in their respective companies, as rap- idly as possible. The regiment will probably be ordered to Washington as soon as completed and equipped. Blank enlistment papers will be furnished by the Quartermaster, and are to be returned to him when completed.
Lieut. JOHN S. RAND is hereby appointed Officer of the Day, and is to be respected and obeyed accordingly.
By command of BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE STARK.
O. W. LULL, Aide-de-camp.
TESTIMONIAL TO CHAPLAIN ADAMS.
To Whom it May Concern :
As the subscribers expect soon to be mustered out of service, we desire to express our appreciation of the character and services of our Chaplain, REV. J. W. ADAMS.
It is but justice to him to state that his moral, christian, and - ministerial character is above reproach. His love of country, his practical sympathy for the sick and wounded, his appropriate coun- sels and efficient public ministrations, together with his social qualities, have won for him the respect and affectionate regard of both officers and men.
In every battle in which the regiment has been engaged since he joined it, he has performed his duty with bravery, always having been " under fire," and frequently at the extreme front, assisting the wounded, comforting the dying, and giving to the dead a christ- ian burial. His services in the Hospital as well as the field, deserve mention.
The sick will hold him in grateful remembrance for his religious services, the distribution of reading, the faithful appropriation of comforts furnished by charitable societies, and many offices of kindness.
As the agent of the regiment in holding, disbursing, and trans- mitting many thousand dollars of its funds, the most perfect satisfaction has been given.
In the observance of the Sabbath by regular public religious services, he has been persistent, and, considering the difficulties which are peculiar to army life, he has had very great success.
If in the providence of God we are called to sunder our present relations, we shall carry with us many pleasant memories of our association with him. And wherever in the future he may be called to labor, we unhesitatingly recommend him as worthy of confidence, respect, and support ; and trust he will ever receive that honorable consideration to which he is entitled by periling his life for the welfare of his regiment and the salvation of our country.
JOAB N. PATTERSON, Colonel and But. Brig. Gen.,
and all the other Officers of the Regiment.
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TESTIMONIAL.
To Messrs. J. N. Patterson, But. Brig. Gen., and att the Commis- sioned Officers of the 2d Regiment N. H. Vols.
I hereby acknowledge the reception of the testimonial in which you so unanimously join to honor me for my humble services as your chaplain. To receive such unqualified praise from the intel- ligent men with whom I have been so intimately associated for more than two years past, is more than I could expect ; and any expressions which I may be able to coin are insufficient to convey to you my appreciation of the compliment. I can only say I have tried by a faithful discharge of the multifarious duties of my office to deserve your kind remembrance. To labor in such a cause, to be able to minister to the temporal and spiritual wants of such men, and to be thus commended, will be a satisfaction more precious than gold, and more lasting than the parchment on which you have been pleased to subscribe your names. This roll shall be my talisman, by whose magic power many of the sweetest and most thrilling memories of my past life shall be made perennial ; and from which inspiration shall be taken for the highest aims and for the noblest purposes. May the blessing of God and a grateful people be your recompense ! Though victory perches upon our banners, and our peaceful homes, dearer than ever before, beckon us away, it is not without a tinge of sadness we say at last, farewell ! Farewell to the dear brave boys we have laid in their distant soldier graves ! Farewell to the living brave ! We shall not all of us meet again in time. In Heaven we may. And now, while the parting grasp of friendship is yet warm, shall we not all unite in saying, In Heaven we will ! Most respectfully, &c.,
JOHN W. ADAMS.
LEGISLATIVE THANKS TO GEN. MARSTON.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: That the grateful thanks of the State of New Hampshire are hereby presented to Brig. Gen. Gilman Marston for the patriotic devotion and conspicuous gallantry by which he has won for himself imperishable fame, and reflected honor upon the State of his nativity.
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