USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 16
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I beg leave to further say that, in my opinion, too much credit cannot be given Capt. Edgerly and Lieut. Ackerman, for their conduct throughout the day, though I believe all did their duty.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, War. H. TRICKEY,
Captain, Third New Hampshire Vols. Commanding Regiment.
We were relieved from our picket duty by the Fourth New Hampshire about 10 A.M. of the 12th, and to our regret were marched down the beach about a mile and directed to establish camp with our brigade. This was probably a ruse. At night - everything having been quiet during the day - the Twenty-third Corps moved forward as if for action ; but soon after returned.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Feb. '65.
The same day, the Twenty-fourth Corps, in Virginia, including the boys we left behind of course, had a review on the New Market Road, Generals Ord and Gibbons looking them over a little to see what force they had.
At night we got orders to move over to the left and into the woods, in the main line of works, and did so, relieving some colored troops on duty there. The change was a pleasant one.
We drew rations again on the 13th -several hadn't a single "hard-tack " left -and rested. We were within a quarter of a mile of the enemy's works, and everybody expected an advance.
On the 14th our men, finding no advance ordered, began to fix up the camp ; but later in the day this work was stopped, as we got orders to march on the morrow at daylight with three days' cooked rations. There was a movement of the troops up the beach during the evening, but without result. Probably the idea was to be in an advanced position for early work on the following day. A storm was rapidly approaching, and we feared it might delay the expected movement.
.. . E An item of news from our old Department said Gen. Sherman was at Medway on the 7th, on the railroad between Augusta and Branchville, and was to break up 50 miles of railroad toward Au- gusta ; that Slocum's wing was not yet up. Roads so bad by freshets he (Sherman) might have to turn on Charleston, and asked Gillmore to go up the Edisto (for a demonstration, probably).
The expected storm arrived during the night of the 14th : rain- ing very hard and delaying operations. It afterward appeared that the contemplated movement embraced the use of one or more pontoon bridges. The storm made the water of Cape Fear River too rough for pontoon laying, and the proposed movement was temporarily abandoned.
The rain continued nearly all day of the 15th, and we had nothing to do but wait. We kept onr household furniture packed. however, ready to be moved at a moment's notice.
The 16th was nearly a repetition of the 15th, excepting that we heard Schofield was moving his left wing (it was his right wing that moved the other night without result) on pontoons across the river. On the same day our hearts were gladdened by the report that our regimental baggage and the boys from Virginia had arrived and would be with us on the morrow. It and they arrived as expected. reaching us about night of the 17th. Lieut .- Col Randlett came in charge, but no Col. Bedel. We were now a united regiment again, in one sense. This arrival was of about 300 in all, by the Steamer California. Other officers (not heretofore named) with them were Lieuts. James and Mellish (the latter newly-commissioned, though not mustered), and our newly-appointed Adjutant, L. N. Jackman. The arrival included the recruits we left behind in Virginia, then unarmed (see 18th).
The 17th marked a turning point in the history of the city of Charleston. The people of that famous city decided it to be best for them and Charleston to part company. Acting upon that decision,
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FORT SUMTER: View of the South-western Angle and the Gorge, February, 1865. (The shoal in the foreground is covered at high water.)
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
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the people got themselves out. There was no mistaking the reason. Sherman, who had marched " From Atlanta to the Sea," was uncom- fortably near the doomed city.
An officer, Lieut. C. II. Williams, of the Third Rhode Island Artillery, on duty this day in Fort Strong ( formerly Wagner), thus writes of the " Last Tour of Duty at the Siege of Charleston" : -
[ Estract.] 17 Feb. 1865.
Fort Strong ( formerly Wagner) had a garrison of a single company of the Third Rhode Island Artillery. There was a stockade on Morris Island. in which had been Confederate prisoners, guarded by the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored). A few days prior to above date, a battery of 11-inch Dahlgren guns had been planted in the open space between Wagner and Cumming's Point. Fire opened from all our Morris Island batteries at about 8 P.M. (17th), to which the rebels replied a little before midnight. About that time a fire was seen in the city which increased rapidly ; and soon seven distinct fires were visible, and one ship was burned. This was followed by a terrific explosion, heard on Morris Island. The next morn- ing (18th), about 5 o'clock, Battery Bee, on Sullivan's Island, blew up. The rebels evaenated. Then came a race between two of our boats for Moultrie : Lieut. Hackett, Third Rhode Island Artillery, with crew from Wagner; and the other boat from a monitor. Lient. Hackett arrived first, and pulled down the flag, ran ours up, and put out the fuse left to blow up the magazine.
Fort Anderson, up the river, midway between Fort Fisher and Wilmington, was the special object of our gunboats. Porter's fleet (i.e., the part sent into the river) bombarded, and it was expected Schofield's troops would charge it ; but for some reason not apparent that movement did not occur.
During the day we got a renewal of marching orders. We were moved a little rearward on the 18th, to a dryer spot, and pitched our camp. The fighting by the fleet and Twenty-third Corps continued all day; but it was across the river from us. It must be borne in mind that the Third New Hampshire and the brigade, and substan- tially all of the troops that came with Terry, were yet on the east side .of the Cape Fear River.
Our recruits received arms and equipments on the evening of the 18th, and were then ready to do some service. Charleston was occupied that day by our troops, after so many long and weary months of waiting and watching. The Canonicus fired two shots in the morning at Fort Moultrie - the last shots of the siege. No reply, the garrison having evacuated during the night. At 9 A.M. the old flag was again flying over Suinter !
To return to North Carolina. Fort Anderson was reported as having ceased to fire about 3 r.M. and at night was abandoned. The bombardment ceased about 3 A.M. of the 19th. A little after 8 A.M. we were set in motion, and soon found the enemy's works on our front evacuated ; and we lay there inactive for about an hour. Soon after dinner we marched down the Masonboro Sound Road, and the colored troops took the military road, thus beginning our onward march for our objective pomt, Wilmington. We marched about six miles, meeting no opposition and seeing no enemy. Halted and bivouacked for the night. We were then said to have been about nine miles from the city. That nine miles might cost many a fellow his life; but traverse it we must, as we had no balloons.
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Feb. '65.]
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
A diary of the 20th says : " The Second Division crossed the river last night to reinforce us. We marched about two or three miles further on the Sound Road, and then crossed over to the Mili- tary Road, and marched in rear of the Second Division. The colored troops (in the advance) had a little encounter with the rebels' rear guard. About two miles more, and we halted and bivouacked in the woods. Our advance got shelled a little just before sunset." We were then within about three miles of the prize. Would we obtain it with, or without, bloodshed? Time alone would tell. Admiral Ammen's book says : " The rebels sent down the river tonight about 200 floating torpedoes, to destroy our gunboats." No record appears of any being blown up; therefore it is proper to say they all miracu- lously escaped destruction.
The 21st dawned upon us, pleasant but rather windy. We got news of the evacuation of Charleston. Didn't we cheer and shout, and didn't we dance about? Only those persons who were present and now alive ean testify on that point. About 9 A.M. we were put forward into the trenches, which had been hastily constructed during the night at the extreme front, relieving the Second Division ; and we staid there all day. The Second Division on being relieved were sent to the left and across the river. Several of our regiment were sent out scouting to find the enemy. They found them and reported them alive and numerous. The few shots from their artillery settled the only remaining question, as to exact location.
In Virginia that day, they had a good time all along our lines, firing salutes, cheering, etc., over the victory at Charleston. The navy stretched fish nets across Cape Fear River to catch torpedoes.
The 22d, Washington's Birthday, arrived. Fitting day to capture Wilmington. At Concord, N. H., at the camp there, a salute of 34 guns was fired in honor of the restoration of the old flag to Sumter. Little did they know what was then transpiring in North Carolina, which would be worthy of another such salute. It was a day of value to every Third New Hampshire man, surely. The tale of the day's doings is of thrilling interest. The following, by Sergt .- Maj. Holt, is presented to the reader as being one of the best deseriptions obtainable by the writer : -
Col. Randlett went out this morning, and came back with word that the enemy had evacuated. Fell in and marched to the front, the Third New Hampshire in advance. Marched without opposition over the nearer line of works around Wilmington. Assembled the skirmishers, and took the advance through the city. Halted an hour and then marched down the pike. Skirmished with the enemy about two miles, and ended the day's work by saving the pontoon over the North River. Was bivouacked inside our works within about four miles of the city, the morning of the 22d. At daylight. Col. Randlett ( Lient .- Col., commanding regiment) went out scouting, and we lay quietly inside the works preparing our breakfast. Soon the Colonel came back as fast as his horse would carry him, and re- ported that the enemy had gone, and ordered us to get ready to follow them. Weleft our breakfast and were soon on the trail. We marched over the first line of works. then deployed 40 men as skirmishers, and advanced without hahing to a pond just outside their main line of works. We then marched by the left flank and crossed this pond, over a road, and then skirmished up to the works. Our colors were up and were soon floating
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[ Feb. '65.
over this almost impregnable line of works. At this time Gen. Terry came up and ordered our skirmishers assembled, which was done; and led by Gen. Terry and Staff, were marched through the city of Wilmington, bearing the tattered colors, beneath which so many brave inen have fallen ..
The Third New Hampshire was the first to enter the city. Many inci- dents occurred while marching through the city worthy of notice. . . . A lady, on seeing our column approach. rushed into the house and brought out a new American flag [see plan. - D). E. ], at the sight of which the regi- ment cheered, and each regiment in turn . . . . when nearly through the city [this point was really beyond the thickly settled portion of the city - really the suburbs ; see plan. - D. E. ], one of our escaped Union prisoners came rushing out of a cotton barn, having lain hidden in the cotton nearly two days . . . . at this time we saw coming towards ns Tom Entwistle of Co. D, who was captured at Drewry's Bluff, 16 May 1864. He also had escaped, and luckily fell in with his own regiment. The joy of these men was inexpressible. [See his story. - D. E.]
After marching through the city and halting about an hour, firing commenced on the skirmish line, when we fell in and took up line of march . . . . our skirmishers had discovered the enemy's rear gnard on a bridge [Smith's Creek. - D). E.] and attempting to burn it. They were driven off. We then rushed on the bridge to save it, and had to tear up burning planks, and crossed through the flames. The men then put out the fire with their tin cnps. The bridge was of no small valne. Had it been destroyed, considerable time would have been lost in constructing another.
We then went a quarter of a mile beyond and lay there two hours: and advanced, our regiment still in the skirmish line. Had advanced but a few rods when I, while carrying orders to the right of the line, fell in with five of our prisoners secreted in the swamp, where they had lain for two days, receiving rations from a negro who lived near by. These men would hardly believe they were once more with friends. I then went with them to the rear, with Gen. Terry. Returning to the regiment, found that the skirmish line had been relieved by the Sixth Connecticut and Seventh New Hampshire. Several rebel stragglers were picked up and a horse confiscated. About 8 miles from the city our skirmishers fell in with the enemy's rear gnard, of about 50 cavalry. Fifteen men of Third New Hampshire were sent to reinforce the skirmish line. Our Spencers soon told on them, and we again advanced, skirmishing all the way for about two miles, when we succeeded in driving them across the North [Fast. - D. E. ] River, and sav- ing a new pontoon, which had, however, been cut loose from our side of the river and swung over to the other side [see plan], and tied there. Skirmishing was kept np till 9 P.M., . ... ,when we bivouacked. Our loss [Third New Hampshire] today, one man wounded.
Tom Entwistle was known to everybody in the regiment. Some men are built that way : others are hardly known beyond the company to which they belong. Everybody knew Tom ; and it is probably true that, in 1889, everybody in Portsmouth, N.H., knew this same Tom. When he aud the regiment fell in sight of each other, after almost a year of separation, the scene immediately following cannot be fully described, The boys cried -actually cried ( " weeping" is too tame a word and sounds too funereal)-and danced and fell on one another's necks, and all that sort of thing. The writer deemed it judicious to get Tom's story while he yet lived (the story of his captivity), and here it is :-
During the foggy morning of the 16th of May 1864. I was struck with a spent ball in my right leg. completely benumbing it, so I could not walk; and while being helped from the field by Hugh MeGroty of my company. we were both captured by the enemy and taken to Richmond. We were placed in Libby Prison. after being searched. I had a nice pair of boots, having just returned from a veteran furlough. They took them, and I went
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Feb. '65.]
barefooted. We were kept there about three weeks, when they started about five or six hundred of us off for Andersonville, arriving there about the 1sthof Jone. {He doesn't mention McGroty again. - D. E.] Remained there about seven months. Our food consisted of a pint of corn meal each day. The water we had to cook with ran through the center of the stockade and was perfectly filthy. During the months of July and August there were between 30,000 and 40,000 prisoners in the pen, covering a 16-acre lot, with no shelter but the heavens; and the death rate was fearful. While there, a comrade of the Sixteenth Connecticut Band and one of the Twelfth New York and myself timelled ont. We got about ten miles from the pen, when we were recaptured by the hounds and a few cavalry and returned to the old pen. We left Andersonville about the last of December. for purposes of exchange,- so the Johnnies told us. - and went to Florence, S. C. Staid there about six weeks, then started for Wilmington, N. C. OD the way several of us jumped from the cars and escaped, taking to the woods. We were nearly naked and quite exhausted. We travelled alto- gether by night, invariably obtaining our food from the colored people, who proved to be our friends indeed.
Upon reaching Wilmington, three of us secreted ourselves under a barn with a couple of hogs, and there remained till the 22d February. A colored man came to feed the hogs. I spoke to him about something to eat. He secreted a large corn-cake for us, and I tell you it tasted good, having been without food for 24 hours. He told us the Yankees had been bombarding Fort Fisher. and they (the rebels) were going to retreat and leave the city. This was joyful news to us. We remained secreted till our troops came into the city; and when we saw the Union troops marching up, we came ont. Strange to say, the first regiment we met was my own regiment, the Third New Hampshire; and it seemed as if the boys wonld eat me.
THOS. ENTWISTLE.
The diary of Hospital Steward A. D. Scovell discloses a good story of the 22d and also furnishes additional items : -
Wednesday, 22 Feb. 1865.
The old Third skirmished up to outer works of Wilmington, and found the city was evacuated and the white flag hoisted. The Third headed the column through the city, colors flying and band playing. Found the govern- ment property all in ashes. The Third continued to advance as skirmishers, and found a small force of the enemy at a bridge which they attempted to burn; but the fire was soon extinguished and the bridge repaired, when the line of march again commenced, the Third New Hampshire in advance as skirmishers. No great resistance was made till about dark and ten miles ont from the city, between the railroad and river. The enemy was driven across the river, when our boys intrenched themselves on this side. Only one man wounded in the Third, though we did the most of the fighting. Great praise is due Col. Randlett for his condnet of the skirmish line.
He adds, later, and without date, the following : -
A flag of trnee was received -to exchange prisoners, which begun on the 26th : 10,000 in all. Their condition, treatment and suffering is beyond the power of man to picture, unless the pen be dipped in blood and written on paremment made of human flesh.
The diary of Drummer W. II. Mills says : " As we marched into the city the Sixth Connectient drum corps was playing. Our brigade were the first troops to enter the city, and the Third New Hampshire was at the head of the column."
Here is a rather frigid statement : "The Third New Hampshire occupied the city after it had been evacuated by the rebels. After passing through the city, had a running fight to North East Ferry. saving a bridge and capturing a pontoon ten miles from the city. Went into camp at North East Ferry." Surely there is no poetry in the man who wrote that.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Feb. '65.
Here is another with a little poetry and a few more details : " Flag of truce by the Mayor and other citizens. Rebels left by opposite end of the city as the Federals marched in. Rebels set fire to a railroad bridge. Capt. Edgerly, with the Third New Hampshire, charged and saved it."
The writer, and Lients. Bowen and Parker, visited Wilmington in Sep- tember 1892, and passed over the same ground that the regiment did in February 1865. The " pond " mentioned in Holt's diary was really a creek leading into the Cape Fear River. The battery he mentions next was (as SMITHS ENHY it looked in 1892) a two-gun battery. The battery at entrance to the city was well tilled at the time with ne- groes, mostly women, ( GRIDGE PARTIALLY BURNED BY REBELS-SMITHS CREEK) in a state bordering upon frenzy, and shout- ing the glad tidings of HY HALT - ENTWISTLE JOINED " Massa Linkum's so- jers come!" The par- WILMINGTON, N.C. 22 FEB. ticular bridge over which the regiment crossed the railroad 1865 is now extinct. The city beyond, then very sparsely settled, is now covered with houses, so much so that the CAPE FEAR RIVER spot where the regi- HOSPITAL ment halted to rest G A SMALL STREAM . and Entwistle joined, B 2-GUN BATTERY (DESERTED) could not be satis- factorily determined. C LT. BOWEN CALLED IN HIS SKIRMISHERS. We kept on as far as Smith's Creek (see D DESERTED WORK COR. WOOSTER AND FRONT STS. (NEGROES IN IT) plan ), where we found a new iron bridge. very nearly in the Zet 3 WH G F . MAYOR SURRENDERED CITY TO GEN. TERRY COR. FRONT & MARKET STS. MARINE HOSPITAL E FIRST US FLAG SHOWN. same location as that saved from the fire by the regiment in 1865. The old abut- ments of the bridge of 1865 are by the side C H HALT TO REST. of the new one of 1892. The site of the ENTRY B U.S. FORCES 3+À NH.V AT HEAD 3NAY of COLUMN of old camp was found, including regimental headquarters, the old Marine Hospital and other places of inter- est. The writer made A a few sketches . and plans, which he hopes will not offend the reader by their inartistic qualities. -q While in Wilmington the writer visited the reading-room of the -
Historical Society on Market Street, and found a file of The Wilmington Daily Journal. An examination showed that the issning of that sheet was cut off 22 February 1965, though the last paper issued was actually dated the 20th. It has this in pencil on its margin : "This was the last paper issued at the Journal office, on the morning of the evacuation of the city by our
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
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troops and the entrance of our enemies." It really required about two or three days to get out a paper in those troublous times. An editorial in the same paper said : . The circumstances under which we labor now renders it necessary that we should say as little as possible. Our readers will there- fore excuse the lack of editorial matter in today's Journal."
The writer felt impelled to examine still farther, and did find a few more points worth inserting here. On 20 Jannary 1865 the editor said : "The port of Wilmington is already gone. That has gone cheap. The Confederacy has lost its best port. The men of Wilmington must now de- fend their homes. We think they can do so. We think they will do so. Let us all try. The truth is. every tolerably decent white man who does not want to be a slave must take his position, willing to give up his life for the cause in which he is engaged . .
On 23 January 1865, the Mayor had an " ad." on the first page : " It is important that every place should be kept open at which provisions are for sale, as the urgent necessities of our citizens must be supplied. - JOHN DAWSON, Mayor."
The same paper said editorially : "We learn that news-boys get one dollar each for our paper ; and it is an imposition. Fifty cents is the price until further orders." On 30 January 1865 the paper gives a complete list of the Confederate officers captured at Fort Fisher - 159 in all, noting those who were wounded.
The Wilmington Daily Journal resumed publication 28 September 1865.
The fleet off Charleston celebrated the Birthday of Washington by flying all their flags during the entire day and a fireworks display in the evening. They were doubly inspired, of course, by the recent event of so much importance in their immediate vicinity.
We arose from our beds (?) on the 23d somewhat refreshed ; and no sooner had we got the breakfast dishes fairly cleaned up, when we were directed to intrench ourselves. That meant work. It meant pick and shovel, and much else - not expresseil, but implied. We were near the river.
N
RTH EAST BRANCH
DINORTH EAST
N
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TO WILMINGTON.
3NHV 22 FEB. 65
SCENE OF THE
0
LAST ENGAGEMENT OF THE 31ª Regì. N.H.Vols. 222FEB.65.
We were told that an extensive exchange of prison- ers was to be effected at once; and the men were to come near us, and there were to be ten thousand. Ten thousand! just think for a moment what these two words meant. That number of men who have been in rebel hands, the Lord knows how long, were to be liberated- were to come back to their own again. By a diary the writer opines that our hospital was established in a convenient church, hard by.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Feb. '65.
The rebels came with a flag of truce from Gen. Bragg (23d) desiring to exchange prisoners. Gen. Terry declined. An hour later, a deserter came in and reported the rebels had left (see end of this month). Then some of our men went across in a boat, hitched a rope to the end of the pontoon and hauled it over to our side of the river and fixed it so our pickets could go over. This pontoon had been swung over to their side of the river; but all this was changed. The conditions, too, had changed.
A diary of the 25th says: " Policing camp. Guard mount. 135 gone on picket. Pontoon train arrived this afternoon, and a company of Engineers has gone across logging "
A diary of the 26th says: "The rebel cars fetched our pris- oners (for parole) down from Goldsborough. They marched by our camp. The sick ones went down by steamer. They are in the most deplorable condition."
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