USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 4
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General Order 18. of the 13th, directed a salute of 35 guns that day from the Saluting Battery, in honor of Farragut's victory at Mobile.
General Order 119, of the 16th, directed a draft of able-bodied negroes. Deserters from regiments organized in the Department to be pardoned if they return on or before 10 September.
General Order 120, of the 18th, directed (in accordance with Act of Congress) that measures be taken to ascertain who among the colored troops were freemen on or prior to 19 April 1861. All such to have their pay made equal to white soldiers to 1 Jan. 1864, from time of entry into service.
General Order 122, of the 22d, betrayed the fact that the De- partment was overrun with adventurers, etc., of both sexes and colors, and measures for their reduction in numbers was ordered.
Department of the South Statistics for August 1864 are : Total troops, 7,619; cases sick, 1,717; died, 31; cases wounded, 40; died, 3.
The Monthly Return shows : -
Field and Staff
4 men,
7 officers.
Co. A
44
B
46
3
C
43
3
F
53
2
66
F
38 3
G
48
3
I
55 41
1
66
Present aggregate
484
35 32
516 820
Aggregate last report 785
... D
51 2
2 3
K
This falling off in numbers is because the '61 men who did not re-eulist have been mustered out.
Absent sick, wounded, on duty, in arrest, etc. : A, 17; B, 27; C, 19; D, 21; E, 32; F, 21; G, 32; H, 29; 1, 20; K, 20: total, 238.
532
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. [Ang. '64.
Died of disease, 1 (Joseph Ely, Co. C).
No lieutenant-colonel or chaplain : the former killed, the latter mustered out for expiration of term.
Co. D) has no 2d lieutenant ; Co. H has no 1st lieutenant; Co. K has no 1st or 2d lieutenant.
Discharged for disability, 1 (Geo. 1. Ellis, Co. G).
Following is a list of promotions, to positions which were vacated by "expiration of term " : -
Ist Sergt. M. L. Holt of E to Sergeant-Major. Private Geo. B. Bingham " F " Commissary Sergeant. 66 A. D. Scovell " Hospital Steward.
Private Lewis Kimball of F has been promoted out of the regi- ment, to 2d Lieutenant Fourth U. S. Colored Troops.
One man has " joined from desertion " : Peter Pelky of C.
Maj. Randlett is commanding regiment, and is sick in quarters. Dr. Buzzell is detached. Dr. Burnham is sick in quarters. Dr. Kimball is on duty. Adjt. Copp is absent wounded. Quartermaster Hynes is on duty. 1st Lieut. Dodge is Acting Adjutant.
Capt. Dearborn and 1st Lieut. Woodbury are still detached. 20 Lieut. Giddings is detached in Ambulance Corps. Sick in quarters : Capt. Stearns, Capt. Wadsworth, Capt. Kirwin, 1st Lieut. Edgerly, 2d Lieut. Connelly of B, 2d Lieut. Davis, 2d Lieut. McCoy. Absent wounded : Capt. Wadlia (since 16th), Capt. Libby, Jr., 1st Lieut. White (since 16th), 1st Lieut. Eldredge (since 16th). Absent siek : Capt. Maxwell, 1st Lient. Parker of A. Absent on leave (20 days) : Capt. Houghton, 1st Lieut. Hitchcock, 1st Lieut. Hazen. 2d Lieut. Ackerman, commanding Co. G. 2d Lieut. J. S. James, commanding Co. I.
Col. Bedel is taken up on rolls (previously dropped by error). Lieut .- Col. Plimpton, 1st Lieut. Lamprey and 2d Lieut. Atherton were all reported killed in action. The first was actually so; the second lived till the next forenoon, till nearly arrived at Chesapeake Hospital, Hampton ; the third was wounded and taken prisoner (after- wards exchanged).
The ranks are shattered, not only by muster-out, but by battle. Absent with leave: G, 1; H, 2. Prisoners of war: E, 3; H, 1; and Col. Bedel. Absent in arrest : B, 1.
There are 165 men present for duty.
A B C DEF G
Sergeants .
6
4
4
1 5
3 5
4 5
3 5
4 8
4 6
4 3
Musicians
2 1 Wagoners
17 22 14 19 26 13 28 22 16 14 191
For duty Killed in action or died of wounds
3 3 04 13 1 0 1 3
Terms expired
32 30 41 18 24 27 19 15 21 28
255
Deserted . 0
Missing in action 1 2010 1 200
1
1 1 1 10
1 3 11 9
2
1
2
1
1
Absent sick
II I K Totals. 4 3 Corporals 4
0 9 14 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 S 0 and wounded ,
17 8 22 19 13 9 9 23 29 16 165 19
-
SEPTEMBER, 1864.
S per instructions of the last of August, we went into the trenches at 2 A.M. on the 1st, and staid there all day. Musician Griggs was that day appointed mail carrier (to and from Brigade Headquarters). Considerable difficulty was encountered in the making out of muster rolls ; and as nearly as can be determined from references, they were not completed for the regiment and the men actually mus- tered till 1st September, instead of last day of August.
Nothing of importance transpired on the 2d ; but the 3d brought the average np, at least from that day, as our (Hawley's) brigade was all turned out to see John Rowley, Private Co. D, Seventh Con- necticut, hung for murder. It was a sad sight, and need not here be described, as the reader has already been indulged with a recital of the details in a similar case. It was said that this man's crime was that he shot and killed a fellow soldier during the battle of Olustce, Florida, 20 February 1864.
Lieut. Dodge was relieved on the 4th as Acting Adjutant, by Lieut. Edgerly ; and he (Dodge) was then assigned to command of Co. A, which had had no officer for several days, though nominally in charge during that time of Lieut. Dodge. A salute was fired the morning of the 4th from our batteries, presumably for the good news of recent victories elsewhere. The rebels were alarmed, and fired back. This little gun play lasted over an hour. The same day, also, a printed circular was distributed on both sides.
The 5th day of September was a pleasant day -a little better than usual. A bomb-proof was begun for the whole regiment, allow- ing 20 feet to each company and having a company street opposite each " home," as the boys called them.
Notwithstanding the labors of the day on this bomb-proof, the regiment went into the trenches at night, after furnishing a picket detail. Our line of advanced trenches was being straightened and otherwise improved. It looked as if we had .. come to stay." Near us and at our rear two large, new batteries were being built. The military railroad was mentioned by one writer thus : " It is a great affair, branching off from City Point Road, and running to our left - no grading - runs up hill and down - crooked or otherwise, as it happens ; saves horseflesh." Our lines were being constantly ex- tended, principally in the left direction, and were then said to have
(533)
534
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Sept. '64.
been nine miles in extent. The fall of Atlanta, and of Forts Morgan and Gaines (Mobile), were announced to us, and created a deal of enthusiasm. "Now," said we, "is the time for Grant to strike." But Grant evidently knew what he was about, and would strike as his judgment dictated, and not because we wished it. 'T was well. The 6th, 7th and 8th showed no circumstance worthy of note; but on the 9th a diary said we had orders from Grant to cheer all along the line at 7 r.M. and did so, and all because of Atlanta and other victories.
We were somewhat entertained on the 10th by the "drumming out" of a R.R. BRIDGE, NORFOLK & WESTERN R.R. 3d N.H. V. DID PICKET DUTY AT AND NEAR IT AUG .- SEP. 1864. Sixth Connecticut man. who had the significant word, "coward," on a card, attached to his back. Again we were startled by the news that the Sixty-seventh Ohio sutler was to be our sutler, too. Can a man serve two masters? Go to-that is, go to the sutler and buy something. We did; and the very first article was for internal consumption and not for external exposure.
The writer finds mentioned under date of the 12th, that a cer- tain 13-inch mortar, fired by our troops at Petersburg, acquired the honorable title of "The Petersburg Express." The name was very appropriate, as the mortar was expressly used for the benefit of Petersburg inhabitants, military and civil. Our pioneers began a new bomb-proof for themselves on the 12th.
Col. J. C. Abbott of Seventh New Hampshire ( Hawley absent) was in command of our brigade on the 14th; for on that day he appointed Wm. Henderson of Co. E as Brigade Postmaster. Not only were stray bullets getting so thick that "stray" was a strained term, but shells were likewise gently dropping, dropping, all around us -every day.
The drum corps, though usually excused from any duty of a servile nature, were obliged about this time to assist in several ways, and made themselves very useful. Latterly, they had policed our little camp.
We were much pleased about this time to hear that Gen. Terry had been brevetted a Major-General. He was a general favorite, a very efficient officer, and his men would go wherever he said.
The rebels had a splendid range on us and were not bashful about making the most of said range. The usual daily happenings filled in the time. We furnished a fatigue party on the 17th, under Capt. Stearns and Lient. Dodge, of 70 men, to complete a new breast- work in front of our brigades. They had to work rapidly, and were " on one hour, and off one hour," till finished.
535
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Sept. '64.]
A big mortar mounted on a platform car was mentioned in a diary as firing nightly, alternating between a point near us and at another more distant.
Rumors reached us on the 19th that new recruiting parties were to be sent North, and recruiting was to be pushed again with re- newed vigor. Capt. Dow was ordered North and proceeded in that general direction on the 20th, after recruits. He never returned.
Our calls were at this time blown on a bugle, and at night they sounded dismal indeed.
At 5 A.M. on the 21st a salute was fired, almost along the entire line, for recent victories in the Shenandoah Valley. The rebels didn't like those salutes very well, and almost invariably fired back defiantly.
Changes were occurring constantly in our officers, as well as our men. Lieut. Parker returned on the 20th, and assumed com- mand of Co. A, relieving Lieut. Dodge, who had both A and B. Lieut. Kirwin was sick and had gone to hospital. Lieut. James was transferred to D. Quartermaster Hynes had gone on short leave. Capt. Wadsworth had resigned. Lieut. Hitchcock had re- turned. Lieut. Davis had been discharged. Capt. Houghton and Lieut. Hazen had sent certificates of their inability to return at present (they went home with the '61 men). These were the changes and officers' data, all of recent date.
On the morning of the 21st the big mortar fired several times in rapid succession, and then the whole line took it up as if by com- mon consent; and such a banging as followed for about an hour seldom occurs in war, except in actual fighting or a regular bom- bardment. The earth trembled, and so did the Johnnies; for they thought it was simply announcing an intended attack. How they sprang to their guns at the first sign of cessation, and how quickly and fiercely they replied !
Singularly fortunate were we on the night of the 22d - not a man on duty away from camp. It must have been a mistake; but we found no fault. Dr. (Asst. Surgeon) C. A. Burnham got his discharge on the 23d. We had to send fifty men on fatigne, and the rest of us went into the trenches.
We moved camp again on the 24th, baek out of range; and we appreciated it much. "The screeching shell will not now cavort through our camp, and laugh when our fear cometh." Our new position was in the rear of our Corps Headquarters. Another salute by our fiery-mouthed guns for victories. The rebels were not blam- able for getting mad at those frequent salutes. Quartermaster Ilynes got back from leave on the 25th.
A great move was in contemplation, without doubt, as every- thing looked like it; but for some reason the " move" didn't get into motion. A camp story that we were to be paid off soon for six months had a peculiar effect on us. Those who had a little of the needful'left, released the hitherto rigid grasp on it and visited the sutler.
The companies began to drill on the 26th, and new bugles for our musicians came to hand, or rather to mouth. On the 27th, we had squad, company and battalion drill. The companies (only 6)
536
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Sept. '64.
presented an appearance on drill which would hardly strike terror to a rebel. They were of only 10 or 12 files each. The paymaster was at work near us ; but we did not apprehend any danger. The Six- teenth New York Heavy Artillery entertained him the 27th.
We were stirred to our very foundations on the 28th by an order which could not be mistaken, to get ready at once for a move, tak- ing two days' rations. What a pity that we were not permitted to see the paymaster before we went. At 3 p.M. we were off, going to the right and reaching PUTNAM the Appomattox, crossing it at 3 CHATFIELD Broad Landing, and proceeding C SEYMOUR D BARTON to the vicinity of Deep Bottom. We reached there about mid- E PRISON PEN (REBEL OFFICERS) night, having crossed the pon- F STRONG toons, with only three halts since starting. A hard march. C & D ALL MORTARS The following general item will aid the reader to trace move- ments : " 28th Sept., P.M., the D Tenth Army Corps (Birney) moved, and at midnight crossed the James to north side at Deep E Bottom. Gen. Ord, with Eigh- teenth Corps, crossed at Aiken's Landing, eight miles above. WAGNER ATLANTIC OCEAN Both corps ready at daylight next morning."
=
Upper end morris od Sept. 1864
We rested as much as pos- sible till morning, when, having gotten our breakfast, all the troops (there were a lot of 'em) were put in motion.
A diary says: "29 Sept. A-B-F NAMED BY G.O.94 of 63 D.S. C-D NAMED BY G. O. 102 of 63 D.S. 1864. Up early. Broke camp. Went. out into the old road and halted in rear of a ravine, and soon after crossed it - a very rough place, with thick undergrowth and a mill-stream. We then went on the skirmish line, with the Seventh Connecticut, and soon after advanced to the turnpike ; but the John- nies left, and we were glad. The Third continued to advance to the right and up a hill, and found four guns, which the Johnnies had been using ou us, still hot. We captured a team having one man and two women -one of the latter a young woman and with a child. The owner of this turnout was a Mr. Libby, the owner also of a large tobacco buikling in Richmond. We changed positions again, up the road to the left, in a westerly direction, and closed up in columns of regiments by brigades. We lay there a short time only, when we again proceeded against Richmond, our (Second) brigade being ahead and our division following the cavalry. We got within say three and one-half miles of Richmond, then faced about and back to rear
537
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Sept. '64.]
without a halt till well to rear. After resting a little, we were moved to a new line, farther to the right, where we turned in [into what? ] and rested our weary bodies till morning."
There was much fighting during the 29th, but considerably to our left, and by other brigades of our division. We were informed that Chapin's (probably " Chaflin's" ) Bluff and Fort Harrison had been taken, also that the Eighteenth Corps was heavily engaged, and that the colored troops suffered severely. One writer has it that the colored troops protected our flank and were in a charge for that pur- pose. Other histories record the fact that Gen. Butler afterward awarded medals to a large number of colored soldiers for valor shown that day. The Thirteenth New Hampshire Historian says : "Gen. Birney, with the Tenth Corps and a body of colored troops of the Eighteenth Corps, carried everything before him at Deep Bottom before 9 A.M., and before noon swept around upon the New Market Road, advanced and established communication with the right of Gen. Stannard's Division, north of Fort Harrison, as had been ar- ranged. Gen. Birney could not, however, dislodge the enemy on his front, though his troops -especially the colored troops, who made the assault - behaved with great gallantry. Their charge was wit- nessed by us [Thirteenth New Hampshire] from Fort Harrison."
Another writer says we bivouacked at night near Laurel Hill. Still another writer says : " This was the great move on the north of the James River, in which Fort Harrison was captured, etc. The line was about ten miles long, and we [Third New Hampshire] on the extreme right. On our left were the colored troops, and the fighting was very severe and the casualties great; and the same still further to the left. Gen. Donohoe (formerly Capt. Co. C, Third New Hampshire), commanding & brigade, charged and took the fort. He Was wounded; also Gen. Stannard, who lost an arm; and Gen. Burnham was killed. It was in consequence of this latter that Gen. Donohoe commanded the brigade."
This feint on Richmond accomplished its purpose, viz. : to stop Hoke's (rebel) corps from going to Petersburg, as they engaged us instead.
[Gen. Grant to Gen. Halleck. ]
CHAPIN'S FARM, 10.45 A.M .. 29 Sept. 1864. . Ord's corps advanced this morning and carried . . . strongly fortified long lines of intrenchments below Chapin's Farm fifteen pieces artillery and . . . . 200 to 300 prisoners . Ord wounded
Birney advanced at same time from Deep Bottom carried New Mar- ket Road and intrenehments . . . . scattered enemy in every direction captured but few. Birney now marching toward Richmond . .. . whole country filled with field fortifications thus far.
Further information of the operations of the 29th may be gleaned from the report Maj. Randlett made 13 Oct. 1864, as follows : - To Lient. E. L. MOORE, .I. . I .- G., 13 October 1864.
Second Brigade, First Division, Tenth Army Corps.
On Sept. 29th moved at 4 A.M., with Second Brigade, in First Division column, from Deep Bottom toward New Market Road before the Heights. Was ordered by Col. I. C. Abbott, Commanding Brigade, to throw my regi- ment forward to join the Seventh Connectient Volunteers, skirmishing, and command the skirmish line. Advanced about 200 yards across ravine and light woods; came to an opening from which I discovered the enemy's
538
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Sept. '64.
position to be in continual line of breastworks and rifle-pits, at foot of the hills, and running with New Market Road. Col. Abbott instructed me to advance my lines as rapidly as possible, reporting success to him, exercising my own discretion. When in full view of the enemy and his works, 500 yards across the opening, I advanced a light line and drew from the enemy the disposition of his forces. Finding my line flanked on the left by works similar to those in my front, and discovering that he was reinforeing the flank, I ordered my men to lie down, the advantage of the rolling ground being such as to entirely protect them from his infantry, while his artillery ploughed over us into the ravine. I then sent a messenger to Col. Abbott, informing him of the disposition of my command, respectfully suggesting that a force be sent to relieve my left flank. I was informed that Gen. Terry had sent a detachment of colored troops to that duty. As soon as those troops advanced, I pushed forward my first line of skirmishers and. finding but a small force in my front, ordered my whole command to charge. The enemy, discovering the success of the colored troops on my left, gave us their works withont much of a struggle. Finding my way clear, I determined to gain possession of the heights, before the enemy should discover the actual strength of my force. He had already started with his guns. Leaving the Seventh Con- nectient, Capt. Atwell, in charge of the works on the road, I advanced with the Third New Hampshire and took possession of the heights. Immedi- ately pushing out a few skirmishers, they captured a Mr. Libby, owner of the farm we occupied, and said to be of Libby Prison notoriety. This gentleman was in his loaded wagon. started for Richmond. From him and the negroes of the place captured, I learned that the enemy's battery con- sisted of 8 guns. I judged from my own observation of the enemy that his force was about 600 infantry, 200 cavalry and the battery. The cavalry advanced at one time as if to charge; but seeing the remainder of Col. Abbott's command advancing, retired. My own force was less than 300. In this operation, so remarkably successful, I am much indebted to Capt. Atwell and his command (Seventh Connecticut) for the cheerful and gallant manner in which they obeyed my orders, as I am quite positive that had the eneiny discovered my real force, or seen the least spirit other than determined bravery, they would not have given ns the position. Oeenpying this position, in half an hour I received orders to rejoin the brigade. After- noon of saine day marched with First Division on reconnaissance to within two miles of Richmond to our intrenched lines same evening. During the day, the officers and men of my command behaved in a manner creditable to themselves and to my perfect gratification.
Very respectfully, etc., JAMES F. RANDLETT, Maj., Third New Hampshire Vols., Commanding Regiment. "
A hasty breakfast on the morning of the 30th, and we were again on the move. The troops formed in column by divisions. The doings of that day as recorded are not really at variance; but being written from different standpoints, apparently differ. One says : " Marched and countermarched all day, and at last went into the trenches. The rebels came down on our troops on the left, at Fort Harrison, and got whipped three times." Another says : " Considerable skirmishing during the day, and was attacked by enemy about 3 r.M. They were repulsed. They then attacked our cavalry, but were again repulsed. The cavalry captured about 300 prisoners and several battle-flags." Still another says : "Turned out at 4 A.M., and moved into the trenches to the left before noon. The rebels charged our position on the left this afternoon and were repulsed. Rations issued at midnight tonight."
By another diary, it would appear that our regiment was a very slim affair so far as numbers went. This diary says in substance that Capt. Stearns with 75 men went on picket, and grammatically
539
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Sept. '64.]
construed, the writer says that detachment constituted one of the wings of the regiment. If true, then we had about 150 men there. Soon after nightfall it began to rain, and we all had a very un- pleasant night. We were in momentary expectation of an attack, or to be an attacking party ourselves. Not much sleep was possible under snch circumstances.
SUPPLEMENT.
IMPORTANT WAR DEPARTMENT ORDERS. (There appear to be none of special interest. )
IMPORTANT ORDERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTHI.
General Order 131, of the 8th, ordered a salute throughout the Department for Sherman's victories, and the Northern District to fire shotted guns.
General Order 132, of the 8th, announced the establishment of a Depository for soldiers' savings ( ! ), and appointed Paymaster R. J. Stevens in charge. Deposits to be called for at pleasure.
General Order 139, of the 26th, changed the names of certain forts, in honor of fallen and brave officers. The work within the intrenchment at Hilton Head to be called Fort Sherman (after Gen. T. W. Sherman). The work at Mitchellville to be called Fort Howell (after Gen. J. B. Ilowell, formerly Colonel of Eighty-fifth Pennsyl- vania). The work at Beaufort to be called Fort Stevens (after Brig .- Gen. Isaac I. Stevens). The work at Spanish Wells to be called Battery Holbrook (after Lieut. Henry Holbrook, Third Rhode Island) .
Department of the South Statistics for September 1864 are : Total troops, 6,643; cases sick, 1,679; died, 25; cases wounded, 28; died, 4.
The Monthly Return shows :
Field and Staff . Co. A
4 men, 43 66
5 officers.
B
46 ..
41
3
D
49 2
E
F
40 48
..
2
66
Present aggregate
Aggregate last report
58 54 42 476 484
2 3 1 29 32
516 505
The companies are so reduced that they are only having one cook each as a rule. H and I are the only exceptions this month.
Killed in action or died of wounds : C, 1; E, 2; 1, 1 : total. 4. Missing in action : 1 (M. Hennessy of II, since 16 Aug.) Died of disease : (', 1; HI, 1.
51 3
2
G H I K
3 3
C
540
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. [ Sept. '6.
Discharged for disability : 1 (James Webster of D) .
Deserted: A, 1; D, 1; G, 1; H, 1; K, 1 : total, 5.
Gain from " missing in action" : A. E. Jennings of F; Corpl. Edwin Braekett of K.
Gain from "desertion": F, 1; G, 1; K, 1 : total, 3.
The following table will show the duties and whereabouts of the officers of the regiment : - -
C'ol. Bedel
Prisoner of war.
No Lieutenant-Colonel.
Maj. Randlett
Comdg. regiment.
No Chaplain.
Dr. Buzzell
On duty. Special duty at Div. Headquarters.
Absent, wounded, since 16 Aug.
A. Capt. Dearborn 1st Lieut. Parker Acting Regtl. Q.M. and Comdg. Co. A.
2d Lieut. Giddings
Detached.
B. Capt. Dow Recruiting service - New Hampshire.
1st Lieut. Dodge 2d Lieut. Connelly
Comdg. Co. B.
Comdg. Co. C.
Absent, wounded, since 4th.
Detached.
Comdg. Co. E.
Absent, sick, since 13 Ang.
Comdg. Co. F and Acting Adjutant.
E. Capt. Wadlia Absent, wounded, since 16 Aug. Absent, wounded, since 16 Aug.
1st Lient. Eldredge 2d Lient. Atherton
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