USA > New Hampshire > History of the Twelfth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 8
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Nothing seemed to be looked after as it should have been, but every- thing was left to care for itself and drift undirected, except as here and there, generals of divisions and brigades would try to bring order out of chaos in their respective commands.
But worse than all was the miserable and shameful condition of the medical and sanitary department of the army.
Thousands died in the hospitals - many in their quarters where they
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New Hampshire Volunteers.
were allowed to remain, with only such aid and attention as their com- rades could give, until death released them - in want of proper care and necessary food and medicines, for the lack of which there was no reason or excuse whatever.
Such a condition of things could not, of course, last long, and have any army left. Already had the work of disintegration commenced, and was making rapid progress, as well from active but dishonorable, as from passive and honorable means of diminution.
Desertions. encouraged and aided by letters and citizens' clothing from relatives or acquaintances at home, were becoming every day more numerous - as many as three hundred, as stated upon good authority, being marked " absent without leave " in a single day.
At the same time, as already referred to, the list of mortality, considering the season and locality, was almost startling to contemplate.
One morning, seven of the Twelfth lay dead outside of the regimental hospital, and another died therein an hour or two later, before the others were buried, making eight, or almost one for every hour, that had been " mustered out" during the night, and whose cold and motionless forms awaited the parting salute by their sad and sorrowing comrades who had reason to be thankful that they were still among the living. and with strength enough left to bury their own dead.
Because so many who had started home on furloughs decided not to stop until they got to Canada the granting of furloughs was cut off entirely. so that no matter how urgent the necessity it was useless to apply for one.
Yet the deserter, when apprehended, was punished as for some minor offence, or not at all : and thus was sorrowfully exemplified the truth of the saying that " mercy to the guilty is injustice to the innocent."
Had the first soldier who, without palliation or excuse, deserted the flag of his country, been shot, as he ought to have been, and all others who dared to follow his example been served in the same way, how great would have been the beneficial effect upon the army, and how many noble and useful lives might have been saved.
If the reader could but realize what the sick and suffering soldier then so keenly felt, and not only the sick but others who knew that those. dearer to them than their own lives, were lying on beds of languishing and death without being allowed the privilege of administering to their comfort or of ever receiving their last farewell, then would this page be wet with many a tear.
Some died in camp or hospital of little or nothing more than home- sickness. Yet let no one accuse them of want of courage, for had they lived they might have shown no want of it on the field of battle.
" Hope deferred makes the heart sick," but hope abandoned is an open grave.
And when, after long waiting the chance to return for a few days to
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History of the Twelfth Regiment
the dearest spot on earth to them, there came, instead of the leave of absence so ardently desired and so anxiously looked for, an order that no more furloughs would be granted, it froze up the blood valves of the heart ; and the often heard roll of the muffled drum told how many were being thus needlessly sacrificed.
Some, stung to madness at the thought of home and the sick and dying loved ones there, heedless of every risk and consequence, answered not at the morning roll-call because already on their way without leave to that home in obedience, as they felt, to a Higher Power.
For those who performed their mission of love and affection and immediately returned, it was well; but others who had not the moral courage to return and abide the result were obliged to keep hidden and disguised or go out of the country until allowed to return, as most of them did under President Lincoln's proclamation of pardon for all deserters who would return to their commands within a certain time.
But those dark and never-to-be-forgotten days of the Government and army passed slowly and sadly away, and soon after General Hooker became commander-in-chief hope revived, confidence was restored, and the long cold
- " Winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York."
From the commissary came less whiskey for the officers, and better rations, including vegetables, for the men. Hospitals were renovated, new ones built, drunken surgeons discharged, sanitary supplies furnished, and the sick no longer left to suffer and die without proper care and attention.
Officers and men who from incompetence or disability could be of no further use to the service, were allowed to resign or were discharged, and those who were playing sick in hospitals were sent to their regiments for duty. A limited number of furloughs were also granted to the sick and deserving.
In a word, a new order of things was established, and new life infused into every department of the army. The cavalry, hitherto only such in name, was reorganized, and made one of the most effective arms of the service.
With a commander thus prompt and efficient, it is not strange that the Army of the Potomac quickly had a potential existence once more, and was soon ready for the field again.
During the interim between the "mud march" and active field opera- tions under General Hooker, a period of little more than three months, but little of importance to the Twelfth occurred, and its history for that time will be correspondingly brief.
Every two weeks the regiment went out from three to five miles on picket, remaining out as many days.
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New Hampshire Volunteers.
The varied and sometimes severe experiences of picket duty on the Rappahannock during the winter of 1862-3 would fill a small volume of interesting reading by itself: but anything like a full history of the experiences of any one regiment would necessarily demand too large a share of the total quantity to allow the author to attempt it here. One or two incidents, however, will be written hereafter.
When winter quarters were first established at Falmouth there seemed no lack of the necessary material to build and warm them. for it was in the midst of a vast forest of cedar and pine. But before spring the men wished they had been more sparing at first, being obliged to " tote " their wood a long way, or cut up the stumps and roots - some of the ground was cut over two or three times - that were left nearer camp.
In February, at date given. General Whipple, commanding the divis- ion, issued the following order :
HD. QRS. 3D DIV. 3D A. C. CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, Va., Feb. 19, 1863.
General Orders, No. 17 :
The following organization of Brigades is hereby announced, to continue in force until further orders :
Ist Brigade. 86 Regt. N. Y. Vols. 122
Penn.
124 N. Y. "
St .. Penn.
2d Brigade.
Ist Regt. U. S. Sharpshooters.
2d
.. ..
110 66 Penn. Vols.
12
.. N. H.
The ranking officers in each brigade will assume command thereof.
By Com'd of
BRIG. GEN. WHIPPLE.
(Signed) HENRY R. DALTON, A. A. G.
Before the battle of Chancellorsville the division was reorganized - the two battalions of United States Sharpshooters forming a third brigade. and the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment being changed from the First to the Second Brigade.
The Twelfth until now had never been regularly brigaded, but had continued to be an independent command- a brigade by itself - and subject to no orders from any single-starred general unless acting as major-general commanding the division, as General Whipple - an old regular army officer and friend of Colonel Potter - was at this time.
Because of this fortunate fact being taken advantage of by Colonel Potter. the regiment was probably saved from useless sacrifice at Freder- icksburg.
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History of the Twelfth Regiment
One of the brigade commanders who had been ordered to assault the enemy's works requested, more as a command than an invitation, that Colonel Potter join him with his .. New Hampshire Mountaineers."
The colonel, looking sternly through his glasses, replied : " I take my orders from General Whipple, sir; and I don't propose to needlessly sacrifice my men while I have the power to avoid it."
This sensible reply, indicative of the true soldier, was overheard by some of his men, and by repetition from one to another, it soon came to be understood and believed that Colonel Potter had actually been ordered forward by proper authority and refused to go. And there are some who believe it even to this day.
The tide having turned in the colonel's favor, as referred to in the preceding chapter, it rose higher and higher until the little brooklet became a river, and lip praise around the camp changed, as will be seen, into something more tangible and lasting.
But the men and officers having learned to like Colonel Potter, be- gun to question among themselves whether they had not done great injustice to Governor Berry by their manifestations of ill feeling and disrespect, for appointing him ; and as serious reflection is the first step toward sincere repentance, the result was that a very respectful letter, signed by all the line officers, was sent to the Governor, " earnestly and cordially" inviting him to visit the regiment at his "earliest possible convenience."
In reply to this letter was received the following noble and patriotic response :
CONCORD, March 20, 1863.
To the Line and Staff Officers of the 12th Regt. N. H. Volunteers :
GENTLEMEN, -I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your very interesting communication of the 12th inst. with the gratifying invitation to visit your Regt.
I can assure you that were it in my power consistently to comply with that invitation it would give me great pleasure ; and if I can arrange my business to enable me to do so, I will visit you at the earliest possible opportunity. In view of all the circumstances connected with the raising and organizing of your Regi- ment, your hardships, sufferings, and privations since you left your homes, with all their associations, and your native State, in all of which I have been anxiously interested and have deeply sympathized with you in all your movements and his- tory, all which strengthen my anxiety to meet you.
I have mourned the loss of those noble men who have fallen from your ranks by death, as if they were " bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh."
Their lives have been offered a sacrifice on the altar of their country, for the rights and liberties of men. History will record their names, and their sacrifices are never to be forgotten. You, gentlemen, with the men of your noble regi- ment, and the many thousands engaged with you, are bravely trying to put down the most wicked and powerful rebellion ever known in the history of the world ; and that to destroy the best government ever instituted by any nation on earth.
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New Hampshire Volunteers.
I am aware that in the performance of your duties, as privates and soldiers, you must suffer the hardships of the camp and breast the perils of the battlefield. But be of good cheer, " endure hardness as good soldiers," and I have no doubt that victory ere long will crown your efforts; our nation will be redeemed; the rebellion will be crushed ; and union, peace, and prosperity again bless our now distracted and bleeding country.
You are now writing history for generations yet unborn, who will rise up to call you blessed.
A united North, with a vigorous prosecution of the war, would very soon end the strife. But a divided North with rebel sympathizers in our midst will protract the struggle and add to the sacrifice of life. But I most devotedly believe a glorious future awaits the end of the war, and eternal disgrace and infamy awaits those dastardly rebel sympathizers and deserters of their country's flag in this her hour of peril and need.
Could the sun of my life go back twenty-five years, I would be in your ranks to aid you in the great struggle. But the sands of my life are too far run to aid you with my physical energy. My heart and sympathy, are with you ; and my con- stant prayer to Almighty God is for your health and prosperity and salvation through the war, and your eternal salvation in that better land where war is known no more.
With my kind regards for all the officers and soldiers of your regiment, I am, gentlemen, with great respect,
Your obedient servant, N. S. BERRY. To Capt. Thomas E. Barker and other officers of the Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers, at Camp Falmouth, Va.
Eight days later, Governor Berry was a welcome guest in the camp of the Twelfth ; and his reception must have been in pleasing contrast to those given him at Concord and Jersey City a few months before.
Lieutenant Durgin, whose tongue was always as ready and as keen as his sword, welcomed him with a short speech, quickly seconded by three hearty cheers by the men, who were now as ready to grasp the Governor's hand, as most of them did, as they once were to curse him, as many of them had.
During his visit he was invited by General Whipple to a review of his division, and the regiment appearing on that occasion in new hats and pants and white leggins, made a splendid appearance and were highly complimented by Generals Whipple and Bowman ; the latter remarking that it was the finest looking regiment he ever saw. After the review was over, both of these generals and many of their staff officers, visited the camp of the Twelfth, and General Bowman delivered a very finely written address, eulogistic of the regiment, the State of New Hampshire and its honored and patriotic Governor, to which Governor Berry responded for the State, and Lieutenant Durgin for the regiment.
It is to be regretted that General Bowman's address was not procured and kept for the use that might now be made of it in this connection.
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History of the Twelfth Regiment
But the visit of the venerable War Governor of the Granite State - who is still living, though nearly five score years of age, in comparatively good health and strength of body and mind - was but the precursor of another visit to the army, a few days later, of one as warmly welcomed by General Hooker and the whole army, as he had been by Colonel Potter and the regiment - ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
April 6th there was, about a mile from camp, a grand review by the President, of all the cavalry. There were from fifteen to twenty thousand horsemen and six or seven batteries, and the tramp of the horses through the mud sounded something like the sound of a distant waterfall. It was a splendid sight to see ; but most noticeable of all was the tall form of the commander-in-chief of the army riding on the right of General Hooker, with little " Tad " by his side.
The day following, the President, with General Hooker and a company of lancers for a body guard, rode through the different encampments. As he passed through the parade-ground of the Twelfth, already formed in line to receive him, it presented arms, and the salute was acknowledged and returned by the raising of his hat and a bow, while a half smile lighted up his sad and care-worn countenance.
In a complimentary order issued by General Hooker to the army by direction of the President, the Twelfth New Hampshire, the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York, and the United States Sharpshooters were mentioned as " deserving special praise for the clean and orderly condi- tion of their camps, and the soldierly appearance and conduct of the men."
On the third day of his visit there was a grand review of the whole Army of the Potomac, excepting the cavalry, lasting nearly all day. It took place on a large plain in sight of Fredericksburg, and was said to have caused quite an excitement in that city. Although each battalion marched in close order by division, at half distance, it was more than three hours before the rear one had passed the reviewing stand.
It was at this review, as now remembered, that a movement unexpected and out of the regular order occurred. At the firing of the artillery salute the horses and mules hitched to some of the baggage-wagons became frightened and ran away, smashing and clashing into each other, in spite of every effort of their drivers to hold or control them. Many of the men and horses were more or less seriously injured, and among them Levi Whitney, of Company G, who had his leg broken.
About this time Colonel Potter was made the happy recipient of a splendid horse, presented to him by the line officers as a useful token of their love and respect.
But the men of the musket were not to be outdone by a few shoulder- straps ; and so each orderly sergeant held secret conference with his company, and soon the amount of $253 was raised to buy a saddle and bridle for the new horse, and Sergeant Seavey, of Company K, was
63
New Hampshire Volunteers.
selected to go to Washington and procure it. To get a furlough, even for three days, when the army was just ready to move was next to impossible. But the sergeant, bound to receive no denial unless from the lips of General Hooker himself, quickly presented himself before that officer, who, after hearing his case, decided in his favor. His instructions were to buy a saddle worth not less than $200 ; but such a one could not be found in the city, nor anything a quarter as good as he wanted.
Disappointed but not discouraged, he at last found a saddler who engaged for the sum of $200 to make him a saddle worth the money, although he only had two days and one night in which to have it ready.
With one more hard struggle, which nearly ended in a fight, he suc- ceeded in getting on board the boat with his saddle and bridle and a score of other things that the boys had sent for - among which was a bass drum for the drum corps, and a tenor drum for Walter Libbey, to replace the one that the boys had long joked him about throwing away when the shells struck the regiment at Fredericksburg - and before light the next morning he was back to camp, ready to deliver and report. That evening, just after dress parade, there was a large gathering around the colonel's quarters, and so well had the secret been kept that the other officers were as much taken by surprise as the colonel when Sergeant Dinsmore, of Company E, " in behalf of the rank and file of the regi- ment," presented him with a saddle and bridle which cost nearly as much as the horse they were bought to adorn.
The colonel was much affected, and when called upon for a speech could only say, with tears in his eyes, "You know I can't talk, boys, but from the bottom of my heart I thank you." The horse was now led out, all bridled and saddled, and the colonel was lifted into his seat, and requested to show himself. As the horse, thus richly caparisoned, proudly bore his grateful rider up and down the parade-ground, his bright silver trimmings reflecting the rays of the setting sun as he pranced at the loud cheers of the men, it was a picture which, could it have a lifelike repro- duction now, the survivors of that hour would go a long way to see.
Sunday, April 26, the members of the Twelfth present had the pleasure of listening to an eloquent discourse by Elder John Chamberlain, from New Hampshire, his text being the first verse of the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. He had a voice of remarkable clearness and power, and was gifted as a singer as well as an orator. He was the author of the cele- brated " Railroad Hymn," which he sang on this occasion with fine effect.
But camp life was near its end, for Hooker was making ready for a move, and there was soon to be a different kind of music in the air.
CHAPTER V.
CHANCELLORSVILLE.
Of this great battle it may be truthfully asserted, that, notwithstanding all that has been said and written, it still remains a mystery.
No two of the principal actors seem to be of the same opinion, as to the primary causes of the unfortunate result, though all admit that the breaking of the Eleventh Corps was accidentally the chief ; nor do they agree upon some of the essential particulars, without which no correct opinion can be formed. And even the committee, appointed by Congress for the special purpose of investigation, did little more than decide, that the chief actor in this sad and bloody drama was not drunk, as had been charged against him.
It is greatly to be regretted that General Hooker, who had intended to give his own detailed account of this battle, with the reasons for his fail- ure, died before the work was little more than in the expectation of his friends, who impatiently awaited it.
General Howard wrote a long magazine article that has been exten- sively published and read, but it is quite evident that he designed it more in justification of himself than as an explanation for others. And had Hooker lived to write his own history of that campaign, it is probable that the same criticism would apply, so natural it is to defend our own cause and course, especially when both are momentous, and the result disastrous ; for few have sufficient moral courage to say with Frederick the Great, "I have lost a battle but the fault is all my own." But with every word a jewel of truth, and self secondary, no statement or descrip- tion, however lucid and comprehensive, from the pen of General Hooker himself, could have satisfactorily accounted for his defeat on that sangui- nary field.
The same mysterious Providence that humbled him by defeat there, but saved his army, by the death of Jackson, to save the country a few weeks later at Gettysburg, can alone answer the question why Hooker tried and failed at Chancellorsville.
" As Fate commands, our actions turn."
It said, " Thus far, but no farther," to the great Napoleon at Water- loo, and with the same unmistakable emphasis, " Not yet," to the heroic and impetuous Hooker at Chancellorsville.
65
New Hampshire Volunteers.
As stated in the preceding chapter, it was evident that some important move of the army was about to be made, and this was now confirmed by an order to turn over all surplus baggage and clothing (including the woolen blankets of the men, and allowing officers only twenty-five pounds each to be carried on the teams) to the quartermaster to be sent to Norfolk for storage, and to be ready to move, in heavy marching order, with sixty rounds of ammunition, and eight days rations - three cooked, in haversack, and five raw, in knapsack - to every man of the rank and file.
The men had already seen service enough to take in the full import of this order, but the dull routine of camp life had become irksome, and they were getting half impatient for something less monotonous and more exciting, even though the work and risk be correspondingly greater. And hence the order, suggestive and significant as it was of what was to follow, when led by " Fighting Joe Hooker," who had issued it, found but few grumblers in the camps of the army, excepting some of the officers who did not like to be denied the privilege of transporting all the unnecessary baggage with which they had previously so loaded down the teams, that no sick soldier could get a chance to ride, no matter how desirous to keep along with his regiment, or how unable to do so without assistance.
Mindful of the loved ones left far behind, and of the dangers evidently but just before them, many of the more thoughtful improved the oppor- tunity, the last perhaps they would ever have, to write letters home, telling of what was being done, and what was expected, while others purposely withheld such news or refrained from writing at all, lest it might cause unnecessary anxiety.
Alas ! in how many homes of the North to-day is carefully preserved the last missive of love and affection from a father, brother, husband, or son, dated " Falmouth, Va."
On the 28th of April, at the hour of 2 o'clock in the afternoon, orders came to strike tents, and soon the regiment was forming in line, while the drum corps, at the suggestion of the sergeant-major - for it seemed like leaving home - played the tune of " The Girl I Left Behind Me."
In less than an hour all is ready, and the colonel, riding to the centre- front, gives the command : " Shoulder arms ; right face ; right-shoulder- shift arms ; forward, route step, march," and "we are off for Richmond or the grave," as the boys expressed themselves.
After quite a long march, continuing into the night, the regiment halted and bivouacked near the river, and some four or five miles below Fredericksburg.
The next morning, before it was fairly light, the army awoke to a reveille of musketry, accompanied at intervals by a heavy artillery base, in the direction of Fredericksburg. A thick fog hung over the city and stretched along the valley of the Rappahannock.
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