USA > New Hampshire > History of the Twelfth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 38
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 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
The last marches of any distance that any of the Twelfth boys had to make, were made by the county detachments on their way back from Henry, Pittsylvania. and Patrick court houses to Danville. Captain Ricker's command, starting on the morning of the 11th of June. marched thirty-one miles before midnight, and the remaining seventeen miles the next day, as shown by Sergeant Horner's diary ; but never was so long a march made before by the same men or any others of the regiment with so little complaint or wearisomeness, for it was understood that they
312
History of the Twelfth Regiment
were scuffing Virginia dust for the last time, as their next movements would doubtlessly be by rail and sail, and both in the direction of home.
Captains Bohonon's and Smith's detachments returned from their respective counties about the same time : and on the 13th the regiment left Danville and returned by steam transportation to Manchester. The next morning after arriving in Manchester it marched out three miles to Ruffin's Farm, pitched tents, and went into camp for the last time upon Virginia's soil.
While waiting here for the completion of company and regimental returns, preparatory to its final muster out, Colonel Barker received from Washington, D. C., the following commendatory address. The citizens of Danville, by and in behalf of whom it was written, thought, as will be seen, that the regiment, when it left that place, was to proceed directly home : but not knowing what delays might occur, had wisely sent it to Washington to be forwarded to wherever the regiment, or, if disbanded, its colonel, might be.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE 12TH REGIMENT, NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS.
To Lieut. Col. T. E. BARKER, Commanding :
SIR, - When the order came relieving you from command of this post, it was suggested by citizens that there should be some expression of our appreciation of the proper and gentlemanty bearing of yourself, your officers, and your entire command while on duty here.
The unsettled state of feeling since the war has ended, naturally hinders the free interchange of friendly tokens between those who so lately and so sternly met as enemies in the shock of battle, and time has not yet blunted the keen sense of the failure of hopes we dearly cherished ; but we are not willing you should pass away from among us without some testimonial -valuable, at least, as being no idle compliment, but fairly won by a manly course of consistent courtesy - that may serve to show you and your friends in the far North that southern men can estimate and appreciate worth without heeding lines of separation, whether geographical or political.
It is proper that you, colonel, and the officers and men serving with and under you, should know that you and they possess our respect as soldiers and our esteem as men, for the manner in which you and your command have discharged duties which might have been, in another spirit, painful or annoying to our community ; and we deeply regret your removal from this post while a military occupation is continued. We request you to make known to the men of your command our high appreciation of their uniform good conduct, their quiet and unassuming deportment, and their prompt and efficient service in the protection of private property. In hope that when this reaches you, you and your regi- ment will be once more enjoying the comforts of home and the blessings of peace not soon again to be broken, and believing that we convey to you the common sentiment of this community, we have the honor to subscribe ourselves your friends and fellow citizens.
J. W. WALKER, Mayor. W. D. SUTHERLIN, S. S. BRYANT,
W. T. CLARK, J. W. MCKINNEY, THos. B. DOE, T. J. PATRICK, JOHN F. FECKLEN.
C. W. WATKINS,
313
New Hampshire Volunteers.
When our enemies praise us there can be but little doubt but we deserve it.
As in the commencement of this history * appears the first general order ever issued to the regiment, directing it to proceed from Concord, N. H., to Washington, D. C., on its way to the front, so here, and near its close, will be recorded the last order, general or special, it ever re- ceived while in the service, in obedience to which (and that all were more than glad to obey, the reader will not wonder) it was to leave Richmond, Va., and return home to Concord again.
H'D Q'RS 24THI A. C., RICHMOND, VA., June 21, 1865.
SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 153.
In compliance G. O. No. 94, C. S., from this Department, the 12th Regt. N. II. Vols. will be mustered out of service by By't Capt. W. J. Ladd, A. C. M., 3d Div., 24th A. C., and will at once proceed to Concord. N. H., for final payment and discharge.
All enlisted men whose term of service does not expire previous to Oct. Ist. 1865, will be transferred to the 2d Regt. N. H. Vols.
All surplus ordnance, ordnance stores, quartermaster stores, camp and garrison equipage will, at once. be turned in at the proper depots in Richmond, Va.
The Quartermaster Department will furnish the necessary transportation.
By command of Maj. Gen. JOHN GIBBON.
T. ELLERY LORD,
Maj. and Act'g Ass't Adj't Gen'l.
This was an order which, though daily expected, was none the less joyfully welcomed. "Will be mustered out of service" * * * * " and will at once proceed to Concord, N. II., for final payment and dis- charge." These were words brightly promising to the eye, sweetly sounding to the ear, and filling the whole heart with an inexpressible feeling of gladness. "Concord" meant home, and who better than the soldier, long deprived of its comforts and pleasures, could appreciate the meaning of that often repeated line of John Howard Payne's world- cherished poem.
" Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home."
The Stars and Stripes now floated once more over the capital of every southern state, and a muster-out roll and homeward ride, either on land or water, had been impatiently awaited.
The 22d of June. 1865, was a beautiful day ; and early in the morning the Twelfth, having been mustered out the day before, broke camp for the last time upon Virginia soil, and in company with the Tenth and Thir- teenth regiments, forming a little home-bound brigade about half the size of a full regiment. marched to " The Rocketts," embarked on board the steamer " State of Maine." and started at S A. M. for home.
* Page 16.
314
History of the Twelfth Regimeut
As down the river the boat peacefully glided on that lovely June morn- ing, past dismantled forts which but a short time before were crowded with rebel batteries, through obstructions then impassible, and soon rounded out upon the broader river below its confluence with the Appo- mattox at City Point, there arose in the minds of some a feeling of sadness at leaving behind them so many brave hearts and manly forms, mouldering beneath the crimsoned soil of strife upon which they, the living and the dead, had so often marched side by side for the success and safety of the same cause and country they had so gallantly espoused and valiantly defended.
Though joy was uppermost at the thought that they were homeward bound, yet deep down in the heart, where exist those purest and tender- est emotions of our moral natures that are more often felt than expressed, they sorrowfully regretted that they must leave behind them the silent dust of those once as fond and as hopeful of home and all its endear- ments as themselves, but to which they could never again return.
From the memory of that day's thoughts and scenes the following farewell lines have dropped through pen to paper :
Good-by, Sunny South, now elouded with gloom, We leave thee alone in sadness to rest ; Thy streams have run red, each valley a tomb, But the viper is slain that nursed at thy breast.
Good-by to thy cannon-ploughed fields, where the soil Is stained with the blood of the Blue and the Gray ; We've watched in your trenches of danger and toil, Through the dark night of war to the bright peace of day.
Good-by, " sacred soil," aye, sacred indeed, Where mingles the dust of the brave and the true ; Long, long shall the heart of the poor mother bleed For him who here sleeps "'neath the sod and the dew."
Farewell, comrades dear, with a farewell tear, We leave you to rest till the bugle's last call Shall bid them arise, without danger or fear, Who fell that no star of our Union should fall.
Farewell, patriots dead, though your cause shall survive The ruin and wreck of war's desolation ; Till man 'gainst his brother no longer shall strive, But peace and good-will make the whole world a nation.
For we go to our homes, once more there to live By the bright crystal lakes 'mid mountains that stand As watch-towers of freedom the warning to give, If danger again shall e'er threaten our land.
After an uneventful voyage of two days and one night-nearly the whole of the first day being spent in getting down the river to Fortress Monroe -the steamer dropped anchor at 8 o'clock in New York harbor.
315
New Hampshire Volunteers.
The next morning, after coaling up at a government wharf on the Jersey City side, the boat with its load of human freight left the great metropo- lis for the New England " Hub," where it arrived on the evening of the 25th, which was the first day of the week, the men having spent their first Sabbath since their discharge, upon the ocean. Safe anchorage was secured about 8 o'clock, and less than an hour later the three little battalions were marching through the gas-lighted streets to Faneuil Hall. within whose honored walls they found quarters for the night. The day had been a hot one, but the ocean breeze had made the men comfortable. But the evening was much too warm for an in-door bivouac of old veterans, just from the tented field, and many of them chose to sleep upon the steps and even the entrance-walk, where there was more room and plenty of air. Those lying upon the brick or stone walk were thought, by many of the passers-by, to be drunk ; but some of the citizens. learning the real cause, invited them to their homes, promising a nice. cool room and a soft bed to those who would accept of their invitation. These good and well meaning citizens were thanked for their kindness, but when told that the soft side of a stone was far preferable to the softest feather bed for a soldier to sleep upon, they went their way wondering if the soldiers were not half drunk after all. They would not have won- dered at all at the soldier's choice, had they ever had a full share of his experience.
At 9 o'clock the next morning the Twelfth and other two regiments. filling several cars, left the Lowell depot for New Hampshire. The train reached Nashua before noon, where a cheering reception awaited the returning veterans by the thousands surrounding the depot as the train rolled in. The Thirteenth boys were properly the heroes while the brigade remained in this city, for many of them enlisted there and in surrounding towns, and it was the home of their old colonel. General Stevens, who had been there most of the time after the battle of Fort Harrison. September 29, where he was severely wounded while in command of a brigade including the Tenth and Thirteenth regiments.
The Twelfth remained here with the other regiments through the afternoon and night, the brigade being reviewed in the mean time by General Stevens who, with other prominent citizens, spared no pains to make their stay there a pleasant one. Yet the most of the soldiers thought so much more of being entertained at home than anywhere else. that they took but little pleasure in anything causing unnecessary delay. no matter how agreeably arranged or well intended.
So. after waiting impatiently until 10 o'clock the next morning, they gladly left Nashua for the city of Manchester, where another enthusi- astic reception awaited them. After partaking of a sumptuous dinner. prepared for them beneath the shade of some trees then growing on Merrimack Common, and near where now stands the beautiful monu- ment erected to commemorate their dleeds, and listening to speeches from
316
History of the Twelfth Regiment
Senator Daniel Clark and Col. Thomas J. Whipple, who had once so ardently desired to command the Twelfth, as will be remembered, the brigade marched back to the depot, and 3 o'clock found them again on the rail and starting for Concord.
Manchester had been the central rendezvous of the Tenth Regiment in its organization and the resident city of General Donohoe and many of its members, who would gladly have ended their journey there. But they were not yet quite through with the military order of things, which required them all to report to Gov. Frederick Smith, commander-in-chief of the military forces of New Hampshire, at his headquarters at the Capitol.
The Tenth and Thirteenth regiments could each boast of a brevet gen- eral to lead and a city to welcome them ; but while the Twelfth could claim neither generals nor cities among its honors, yet its fame for valor won on the fields of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Cold Harbor, had, in common with the Second and the Fifth, spread all over the State, and made it welcome everywhere from the mountains to the sea.
Just before reaching Hooksett the train was thrown from the track by means of a broken wheel or axle, but Chaplain Higgens of the Twelfth, who had his leg broken, was the only one who was seriously injured. This was especially unfortunate for the chaplain, who now had the sympathy as he had long had the respect of the whole regiment. Had he not attempted to avoid the pending danger by jumping from the train, he would probably not have been hurt. But though greatly regretting that even one of their number had been badly disabled while so near the end of his journey home, yet all on board felt thankful indeed that no more had been hurt, and that none of their comrades had been fatally injured or killed.
This accident delayed the train so that it did not arrive at Concord until nearly sunset. The delay and its cause had been telegraphed ahead, and not a little anxiety was felt by the large number of relatives and friends of the returning veterans, who had gathered there from almost every part of the State to meet and greet them. As the train rolled into the depot, cheer after cheer went up from the assembled thousands, and the enthusiastic greeting to the surviving heroes of the three regiments. as they marched, with their tattered and shot-rent battle- flags, from the depot to the State House yard, was such an ovation as only the honored recipients could fully appreciate.
Just two years and nine months before-September 27, 1862 -the Twelfth Regiment had marched from its camp of rendezvous upon Con- cord Plains to the same depot, on the morning that it started for the "fearful fields of fame." Then, as now, it was the pride of every beholder, but for different reasons. Then, for its form and force - more than a thousand strong and stalwart men - as a promise of brave and manly action ; now, though but a sad and suffering remnant
317
New Hampshire Volunteers.
of itself, for a record of heroism and valor that it is more easy to envy than equal. The same regiment in name, but its fame had been pur- chased at a terrible sacrifice. The Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers still, and subject to state authority ; but oh. what a change that less than three years has wrought in its ranks !
Brave and battle-scarred defenders of your country's flag, that you have never left nor surrendered upon the field, where are your comrades who return not with you to receive our plaudits of welcome to-day?
Some lie 'neath the sod of the fields where they fell. And some rest in peace where their kindred dwell ; .
But more, many more, from sickness and wounds, Fill graves in the hospital burying grounds.
The brigade was escorted from the depot to the Capitol by the Veteran Reserve Corps, led by a band of music, and, after listening to speeches of welcome by Governor Smith and others. arms were stacked. equip- ments hung thereon, and the men, in lighter marching order of mind and body than ever before, marched to the Eagle and Phenix hotels, where a bountiful supper awaited them.
The few of the Twelfth who did not find lodgings for themselves-for all were at liberty to go where they chose until morning - encamped for the night in the State House yard.
A few days before the arrival of the veteran regiments composing the brigade, Governor Smith received from General Devens the following eulogistic letter :
GOVERNOR, - The return of three regiments so distinguished as the Tentli, Twelfth, and Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, temporarily organized as a provisional brigade under command of Brevet Brig. Gen. M. T. Donohoe, will be to yourself and the patriotic citizens of your State an occasion of extraor- dinary interest.
All these regiments have recently been serving in various brigades of this division, and the high appreciation I have for their gallant and meritorious labors, and the sincere regard and affection I feel for the officers and men of these organizations as friends and comrades, who have been tried and not found wanting in so many desperate conflicts, prompt me to express to you my sincere sympathy in the joy with which. now that the contest is over and the victory won, they will be received in their triumphant return to their native State. Having bravely and honorably borne their part in all the perils and privations of three years of battlefields; having left behind them hundreds of their brave companions whose lives and deaths have testified sadly yet most gloriously of their fidelity to duty, these survivors will receive at your hands all the acelama- tions and honors which gratitude can bestow.
Allow me to recall to your Excellency very hastily and imperfectly the history of these regiments. * * * *
Such is an extremely brief sketch of the achievements of the noble regiments who now return to you. I have not desired to enumerate the minor conflicts
318
History of the Twelfth Regiment
and skirmishes in which they have been engaged, nor have I called your attention to the terrible loss of life they have suffered in these battles which have given them just and well earned renown, and have finally terminated in the complete success of the arms of the Union.
You will see, sir, too clearly by their thinned ranks the terrible ravages war has made, and at what price victory has been purchased. Yet while you remember sadly the brave who have passed away, it will be with just pride that you will recollect how bravely they have conducted, how worthy the names of freemen they have shown themselves to be, and how proudly they have upheld the honor of the State which sent them forth. Their tattered ensigns will recall to you the weary night marches, the wet and dreary bivouacs, and the fierce and desperate conflicts over which they have waved since the regiments were sent forth with these emblems of the state and national sovereignty. But although these men return to you inured to the ragged toils of war and bronzed with the smoke of battle, it will not be found that they have forgotten their duties as citizens any more than their attachments to home. In all their trials the hope of this nation has been present with them, and they will prove worthy of all the honor and regard that await them.
I am, governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES DEVENS, Brig. and Brevet Maj. Gen. U. S. I'., Commanding.
The next forenoon the regiment marched down to "Camp Gilmore," where headquarters were established for a few days until final discharge papers could be prepared, and the men receive what was still due them upon the government pay-rolls : and in the afternoon of the same day a return march to the city was made, and the colors delivered up to the adjutant-general of the State in the presence of Governor Smith, who, in response to a few apt words from Colonel Barker, expressing the hero- ism of their defense and the hope that they would be carefully preserved. pledged the honor of the State, which the undying memory of an ever grateful people would never allow to dim nor tarnish, that the battle-flags of her sons should be kept as her sacred tokens of their patriotism and their valor so long as a single thread of a single stripe or star remained.
Short leaves of absence were now granted to such as desired to go home before the end of a few more days of what seemed unnecessary delay, but most of the "boys"-for such we must still call them - pre- ferred to wait until they could go and stay in spite of any military power or authority to again call them away.
In the mean time they turned in their guns and equipments, quite a number, however, deciding to keep theirs at the price of six dollars, rather than part with them. It was afterward the regret of many that they did not do likewise. They did not then sufficiently consider how valuable, as family relics, the old guns and equipments would sometime become in the hands of their descendants, who would carefully preserve and proudly exhibit them.
319
New Hampshire Volunteers.
On the 3d of July the officers and men of the regiment were paid off in full, so far as dollars and cents could compensate them for their toils. pri- vations, sufferings, and dangers, and then were formed in dress parade line for the last time, to listen to Colonel Barker's farewell address, which fittingly closes this last chapter in the regular line of their history. When Adjutant Gale finished reading the address, it was with moistened eyes and broken utterance, instead of the clear, ringing shout, that three cheers were given for their brave commander, who was himself visibly affected, and then a loud, resounding clap of hands, and the New Hampshire Volunteer Mountaineers had broken ranks once more and forever.
The next day was a happy one indeed for the disbanded veterans of the old Twelfth, for most of them by noon, and all of them before its close, found themselves once more at home, some for the first time since leaving nearly three years before. and there again to live and act as free and independent citizens ; and it was, as never before by them appreci- ated. our great and glorious Independence Day.
FAREWELL ADDRESS.
HEAD QUARTERS 12TH N. H. VOLS., CONCORD, N. H., July 3, 1865.
SOLDIERS, - The day to which we have all looked forward so long and anxiously has at last arrived. The great work in which we engaged almost three years ago is accomplished, and with the knowledge that we have done an honorable part toward crushing the rebellion, saving the union. and restoring peace, we have been permitted to return to our dear old native State, and are about to resume our peaceful avocations.
You have served your country long and nobly. By your deeds you have won a name that shall live forever. From the bloody fields of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Front Royal, Swift Creek. Drury's Bluff. Port Walthal. Cold Harbor, Petersburg. Cemetery Hill, Bermuda Front, and your triumphant entry into Richmond, ages hence will view your deeds, and the generations of centuries to come will honor and bless you for the legacy gained by your valor and bequeathed to them.
Since my connection with you as your commanding officer your conduct everywhere has been a source of pride to me. For bravery in battle you are second to no regiment that New Hampshire has ever sent to the field, and there is no State that can boast of braver troops than our own rock-bound Granite State.
For discipline and drill you have ever excited the admiration of military men. You were once particularly complimented in General Orders by President Lin- coln for your superior soldierly appearance at a review of the Army of the Potomac. At the trial inspection of the past winter, though you were just from one of the most severe campaigns of the war, while your rivals were fresh from provost duty, you surpassed them in every respect, and had the decision been rendered on the merits of the inspection instead of dress coats over blouses, you would have carried off the palm.
320
History of the Twelfth Regiment
While on duty in and around the cities of Manchester and Richmond, Va .. your gentlemanly conduct was remarked by everyone; and at the city of Dan- ville, when flushed with all the victory of our arms. and doing duty among a conquered people, you proved that honor belongs to the brave.
By your ever ready, willing, and cheerful obedience to all orders you have rendered the duties of your commanding officer pleasant, and words are inad- equate to express my appreciation of your services.
We have delivered up to the state authorities our old war-worn and blood- stained colors, which have been made dear to us through toil, danger, and saeri- fice for their preservation. Nobler blood never coursed in the veins of man, or was sacrificed on a country's altar, than has been poured out on many a erim- soned field for them. God bless the noble dead - our comrades still - who have fallen in their defense !
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.