USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 7
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
-
558
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Vor. '64.
slaves be employed in the army; but not as soldiers, except as a last extremity, and that after the war they be emancipated. This proposition was strongly denounced by the Richmond Examiner.
THE ELECTION EXCITEMENT.
On the morrow (the 8th) was to be the Presidential election in New York. And now that we are on the eve of it, we may investi- gate a little to ascertain why we were there, as a part of an armed force, ready to be ordered ashore. We find the following facts : Gen. Dix, Commanding Department of the East, with Headquarters in New York, issued his order on the 4th (his General Order 86), saying that Gen. Butler had been assigned to duty in his Depart- ment, and would take command of the troops arriving and to arrive, all for duty in the State of New York, to meet existing emergencies. This order was followed next day (5th) by Butler's general order, saying that in obedience to ARMY WAGON orders of the President, he as- sumed command of the troops arriving, etc. He then went on to say : "To correct mis- apprehension ; to soothe the fears of the weak and timid, the nervousness of the ill-ad- vised ; to silence all false ru- mors circulated by bad men for wicked purposes, and to contradict once and for all false statements adapted to injure the Government in the respect and confidence of the people - the Commanding General takes occasion to declare that troops have been detailed for duty in this district sufficient to preserve the peace of the United States, to protect public property, to prevent incursions into our borders and insure calm quiet. . . The soldiers of the United States are specially to see to it that there is no interference with the election unless the civil authorities are overcome with force by bad men . . . They can be a terror to evil doers . . ." He then went on to promise protection to every man in voting as his conscience dictated.
This is why we were there. It was surmised and practically expected that there would be rioting in New York and the election interfered with. The precaution, although an extraordinary move, of sending troops for use in case of necessity, was a wise one. They were kept in the background, however; and that means, we were kept on our vessels, ready to be landed at once if circumstances so required ; but the exigency did not arise.
Why were we there? We were on the eve of a Presidential elec- tion. The two candidates for the people to choose from were Lin- coln and Mcclellan. We were in the midst of war. Each candidate was surrounded by his admirers and supporters, The coming contest was a bitter one. There were many who believed Lincoln to be just a little too forbearing in his attitude toward the erring ones on the
-
559
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Nor. '64.]
other side, and thought he ought to "brace up" at once or give way to some other man. Scarcely one could be found who doubted his sincerity or honesty of purpose ; but they wanted more vigor and wanted it right off. On the other hand, MeClellan had many admirers ; and a very large class of what might be termed " sym- pathizers," who, still remembering that he had been removed from the command of the army, when in their opinion he ought not to have been, thought to place him in the Presidential chair as a sort of vindication or reward for his valor; and this, too, without considering his fitness for the position. The war between these factions waxed hot, and friends were pitted against each other. It was "my candidate " - none others to be considered. The sol- diers' vote, too, was to be a factor. They were permitted to vote in the field, through State Commissioners. Those on furlough, or offi- cers on leave, had their furloughs and leaves extended to cover election day. Those in hospital were granted furloughs, and their transportation, both ways, was furnished by the Quartermaster's Department. The way to fraud, and the temptation to do such, was an inviting one. The agents representing New York State got into some kind of difficulty, either by themselves or through some sub- agent, as there were charges of fraud (bogus votes) and arrests. A military commission in Washington (Gen. Doubleday, President) began the trial on 3d November of the implicated parties. The State Commissioners asked in vain to have the seized votes turned over to them; and failing in that they also petitioned in vain for a postponement of the trial till after election.
Another phase of the times was a threatened incursion into our borders, or rather a series of them. One, the " St. Albans raid," had already taken place, and others were threatened. It was this Gen. Butler meant in using the word " incursion" in his order assuming command in New York. Among the other points so threatened were Detroit, Mich. ; Cleveland, O. ; Buffalo and Ogdensburg, N. Y .; Castine, Me., and other important points on and near the border. As a sample of the despatches sent over the country, one will suffice here : -
OGDENSBURG, N. Y., 5 P.M., 3 Nov. 1864.
Threatened raid. A large number of armed men are on the island above and below the place. Many strangers have been in town all day. A raid on the town is feared. Business has been suspended. Everybody is arming. A tug has gone to reconnoitre. Three men have been arrested for firing in the streets. Men and arms have been sent for.
This sort of thing was keeping the people constantly stirred up. Still another cruel rumor was that on election day the principal cities of the North were to be simultaneously fired and destroyed, and that an armed force was coming over the border to release all the rebel prisoners in our hands, notably at Fort Johnson. The Secretary of State telegraphed Mayor Gunther of New York, as follows : -
WASHINGTON. 2 Nov. 1864.
This department has received information from the British Provinces to the effect that there is a conspiracy on foot to set on fire the principal cities in the Northern States on the day of the Presidential election. It is my duty to communicate this to you.
560
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. [Vor. '64.
To this the Mayor replied that he had no fears, but would take precautions ; and if Federal assistance was necessary, he would in- voke it without delay. On that same day Gov. Seymour of New York issued a proclamation, saying "There are no well-grounded fears that the rights of the citizens of New York will be trampled upon at the polls . . . . the power of the State is ample . . .. it is the duty of the sheriffs that no military or other organized forces shall be allowed to show themselves in the vicinity of the polls with any view of menacing or intimidating citizens in attendance."
Does the reader again ask why we were there? Again, let us see another phase of the election. On the 1st of November there was held an immense mass meeting of War Democrats in the Cooper Institute, New York, at noon. Gens. Dix and Sickles were present and participated to the extent of making speeches. Still another and final sample showing the troublous times : "29 Nov. 1864. U.S.S. Onondaga, James River." In a letter thus dated, Lieut .- Comdr. Cushing said he objected to the Navy being used by either party as a political measure. He said commissioners for votes had been on board, but representing only one political party - the Union party ; and if the Democrats had not voted, it was because their party had not given them (the sailors) equal facilities. That quite recently, however, the Democrats had sent their agents on board with ballots ; but the latter were printed on the outside, "Union Soldiers' Vote."
Why were the troops at New York? The writer has attempted to tell why, but possibly hasn't made it clear, and perhaps hasn't done it in a way to avoid offence ; but, like Lincoln, he has " malice toward none."
Having gotten back to our base again, after an absence of 15 days, we on the 18th began anew to fix up camp; and as it seemed to be generally understood that we were to stay there during the winter, measures were, instituted at once for getting logs and lumber, to build semi-houses for ourselves. These measures meant labor, and a deal of it too, and continued for several days.
The War Department ordered on the 22d (reaching ns probably three or four days later) that officers in the field be permitted to dis- pense with shoulder straps - the designation of rank, however, such as stars, eagles, leaves and bars to be worn ; and they were also per- mitted to wear overcoats like enlisted men. On the night of the same day (Ugh ! it makes one shiver to recall it) water froze to the depth of half an inch. and we had a snow squall !
Thanksgiving arrived (24th - one ordered by the President, for mercies) ; but no celebration for or by us. Work, work ; chop, chop (strictly American chops, served on axes) ; build, build ; - and the day passed and was gone. Every man who was able to go, was sent out at night on picket. We had anticipated something out of the usual course during the day for our stomachs; but fate was against us. The " goodies " arrived next day (25th), and we ate turkey meat and chicken ditto, and fruit, and so on on the 26th. It is hardly necessary to state that these good things were sent us by friends at the Northi.
561
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Nor. '64.]
The Ninth Maine, near us, had a shooting match, on the 25th ; but the shooting was done in a very methodical manner, resulting in the death of a member of that regiment, who had been sentenced thus by a court-martial.
.
A diary says : " Sunday (27th) : rain; in the woods getting out logs for our house."
Had we been able to see as far as Folly Island on the 28th, our risibilities would have been on an ascending scale. Fact is, we should have laughed, and all over, too. The sailors and marines - a detail from the naval squadron - scampered over the sand hills and through the underbrush, " on drill." They were practicing in anticipation of real service of the same kind soon to take place, per- haps. Troops embarked at Hilton Head, and a movement up Broad River was on the tapis ; but a fog nearly spoiled the whole project. They went up the river, however, on the 29th, and landed at Boyd's Neck, the object being to cut the railroad at Pocotaligo (as was also attempted 22 Oct. 1862, the Third New Hampshire being present). The scheme was partially successful. The engagement took place on the 30th at Honey Hill, and the battle takes that name. Honey Hill is about three miles from Grahamville. The troops were the Thirty-second, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth and One Hundred and Second U. S. Colored Troops; Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massa- chusetts (colored) ; Fifty-sixth, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh, One Hundred and Forty-fourth and One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York ; Twenty-fifth Ohio; 2 companies Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry ; 2 batteries of Third New York Artillery. The navy fur- nished boats, boat-howitzers, sailors, marines, etc., forming a naval brigade.
Confederate papers say our force was 5,000 and 16 pieces artil- lery. The known loss was 710 killed, wounded and missing. Lieut. S. M. Smith, formerly of the Third New Hampshire, was an officer in the Thirty-second U. S. Colored Troops. Full particulars of this battle may be found in the Army and Navy Journal of 10th and 17th December 1864. Gen. John G. Foster was in command of the Department.
The only incident worthy of mention, ere we part with Novem- ber, was the receipt of new drums on the 30th; and no doubt they got a beating soon after.
38
562
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[Vor.'64.
SUPPLEMENT.
IMPORTANT WAR DEPARTMENT ORDERS.
General Order 279, of the 10th, directed that all leaves of absence and furloughs (the order called both " furloughs ") expire on the 14th, and all holding such to report at nearest Draft Rendezvous ; and the Provost Marshal-General was directed to enforce the order.
General Order 282, of the 11th (of historic value), was the acceptance, by the President, of Gen. MeClellan's resignation of the 8th (and received the 10th), as of the 8th. [It will be noted that the date ". Sth " is same date as the Presidential election. - D.E. ] The same order appointed Gen. Sheridan as Major-General (as of the Sth), for gallantry, etc., of himself and troops at Cedar Run 19 Oct.
General Order 286, of the 22d, permitted officers in the field to dispense with shoulder straps and wear in place of them the par- ticular marks of rank; and to wear the overcoats (like) of enlisted men, and no ornament required on hat, overcoat, or forage eap; and may dispense with sashes and epaulettes.
IMPORTANT ORDERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.
General Order 152, of the 5th, made the following changes : Brig .- Gen. E. P. Seammon, from Hilton Head District to District of Florida ; Brig .- Gen. J. P. Hatch, from District of Florida to North- ern District; Brig .- Gen. E. E. Potter, from Northern District to Hilton Ilead District.
General Order 153, of the 7th, appears to be the result of an investigation as to the conduct of an unsuccessful expedition on the 3d of the previous July, having for its object the capture of Forts Johnson and Simkins. The forces were : The Fifty-second Pennsylvania, Col. Hoyt ; the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York, Maj. Little ; and 60 men of the Third Rhode Island Artillery. The censure of the Commanding General ( Foster) fell heaviest on the Fifty-second Pennsylvania. Col. Gurney, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York, was commanding at Morris Island at the time and had charge of getting up the expedition. (The order is too lengthy for insertion. )
General Order 154, of the 9th, ordered a census of all persons in the Department. and revoked the prophylactic doses of whiskey and quinine (General Order 108).
General Order 155, of the 11th. established a free market for the sale of fruit and vegetables at each post, and a guard to be in attendance to keep order. The sales to be from boats and wagons.
General Order 157, of the 15th. authorized the building of huts, size of wall tents, for the troops during the coming winter, and to be covered with rough split shingles or old canvas or shelter tents.
563
Nor. '64.] THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Department of the South Statistics for November 1864 are : Total troops, 7,535; cases sick, 1,972; died, 19; cases wounded, 314; died, 0.
The Monthly Return shows : -
Field and Staff
4 men, 5 officers.
Co. A B
30
66
1 1
66
C
D
F
F
G
40
1 2
I
50 51
2
66
K
31 408
66
1 23
431
Aggregate last report 442
26
468
No recruits during the month.
Gain from "missing in action," 1 (D. S. Webster of G, now a prisoner of war).
Joined from desertion : 2 (E, 1; F, 1).
Capt. Geo. Stearns and 1st Lieut. Parker have been discharged on account of expiration of term.
2d Lieut. Burbank has been dropped (as an officer), there having been no official information of his muster.
Promotions : 2d Lieut. J. S. James of Co. I, to 1st Lieutenant (H) ; 2d Lieut. J. Ackerman of Co. F, to 1st Lieutenant (B).
The following table will show the duties and whereabouts of the officers of the regiment : -
Col. Bedel Still a prisoner of war.
Lieut .- Col. Randlett
Comdg. regiment.
Dr. Buzzell
Detached.
Dr. Kimball
On duty.
Adjt. Copp
Absent, wounded.
A. Capt. Dearborn .
Detached.
B. No Captain.
1st Lient. J. Ackerman Comdg. Co. G.
No 2d Lieutenant.
C. Capt. Triekey Act'g Major.
1st Lient. Woodbury Detached.
2d Lient. Douley Comdg. Co. E.
D. Capt. Maxwell Detached.
1st Lient. McCoy No 2d Lieutenant.
Acting Adjutant.
E. Capt. Wadlia Absent. wounded.
Ist Lient. Eldredge 2d Lient. Atherton
Absent, wounded.
Absent. prisoner of war.
F. Capt. Edgerly Absent, on leave.
1-t Lieut. Hazen No 2d Lieutenant.
Sick. in quarters.
G. No Captain.
Ist Lieut. White No 2d Lieutenant.
39
35
3
2
44 49 35
3 2
60
Present aggregate
No Ist Lieutenant. No 2d Lientenant.
Absent, wounded.
564
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[Nor. '64.
H. Capt. Kirwin
Absent, sick. 1st Lieut. James (J. S.)
No 2d Lieutenant.
I. Capt. Houghton Ist Lieut. Hitchcock No 2d Lieutenant.
Absent, sick (beyond his leave). Comdg. company.
K. No Captain. Ist Lieut. Giddings
Comdg. Co. B.
[NOTE .- No data shows K to have any officer in command of it, unless, by inference, Giddings; and no officer commanding A, even by inference .- D.E.]
A B C D
F
GH IK Totals.
Sergeants
3
4
4
5
3
1
3
4 6
4 4
Corporals
4
3
0
4
4
4
0
2
1
1
Wagoners
Deserted 3
Discharged for disability 0
Killed or died of wounds 0 1
Absent in arrest 0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0 0 0
1 5 2
Prisoners of war 0
0
0
0
0
1
9
0
1
Absent sick or wounded . 14 18
21
9 26 20 12 16 178
All others absent 4 6 3
8 4 8 8 6
56
1
4
1
1
1
0
0 1
0 1
1 0
0 2
0 0
1 2
1 9 28
0 1
1
1
1 1
Daring 63%
1
2
2
1 1
5 3 0 2 2 1 0 3 0 25 4 E
1
Musicians
2
1
1
DECEMBER, 1864.
ECEMBER did not make much of a mark on its initial day. Simply a mail : only this, and nothing more. Our houses ( ! ) were quite well advanced, - in fact, nearly completed; and there being no special resting- time for a truly willing soldier, we begun to have dress parades and all that sort of thing.
The Tenth and Eighteenth Corps were ordered discon- tinned on the 3d; but we didn't get the order till the 5th, when we found the Tenth (our) Corps merged into the Twenty-fourth, a new corps; and the Twenty-fourth on the extreme right of the line. (See General Order discontinuing Tenth and Eighteenth Corps. )
Gen. Butler did not mean that the morals of the officers should fall off. On the 5th he ordered that no officer should borrow money of an enlisted man, and that all such debts be paid at next pay day ; and furthermore, should a new offence be committed, it would probably result in his dismissal. The idea of abridging any man's right to borrow money ! Why not say, " He has no rights at all - to breathe, to swear, to trade, to think"? The writer has in mind now an officer of the Third New Hampshire, who, when with that noble body, said to one of his men, who tremblingly said, " I think " so and so: " Think : think ! ! why, man alive, what right have you to think? I am hired expressly to think for you !" We'll return to our story. The borrowing went right on just the same, only more covertly.
Our regimental baggage arrived from Norfolk on the 6th (prob- ably what was sent there when we started on our Virginia campaign, in May last) .
In the Department of the South, on the 6th and 7th, further efforts were made to cut the railroad communications ; and there ap- pears to have been an action at Tulifiny Cross Roads; but it was almost wholly a naval movement.
On the 7th, also. was received the first intimation of the approach of Sherman. Admiral Dahlgren, in his Memoirs, says : "Cut the bridge, and can see and hear cars. Rockets seen last night, in the direction of Savannah, and hope it was Sherman answering rockets sent up."
We got orders to move on the 7th, with two days' rations, in light marching order. Those of us who were not on picket on the previous night had to go on that duty at night.
(65)
566
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
[ Dec. '64.
On the 10th we had a novelty for a sensation. Corpl. Gam- mon of Co. K captured, alive, a rebel lieutenant, who had accidentally wandered into our lines while scouting. For this piece of gallantry, Gammon was permitted to keep the crestfallen rebel's sword and belt. The enemy pressed our lines all day and drove in the cavalry. Our regiment was in the trenches, ready to fight or run, as occasion required.
The writer finds himself irresistibly drawn toward the Depart- ment of the South, looking after Sherman; and at the risk of the reader's censure, will again fly South. A message received the 12th, from the right wing of Sherman's army, signed by Gen. O. O. Howard, and written in pencil on a scrap of paper, dated the 9th, near Savannah Canal, said: "We have met with perfect success thus far. Troops in fine spirits, and near by." This was received by Gen. Foster and Admiral Dahlgren, in Foster's steamer, a little while after breakfast. One can hardly write of these matters and be calm. Sherman came. Fort McAllister was captured on the 13th.
We must hasten back to the red soil of Virginia. On the 13th is found the first mention of a Fort Fisher movement. Under that date the Thirteenth New Hampshire Historian says : "Gen. Butler is on his way, with Gen. Weitzel in immediate command, to attack Fort Fisher . . . . by some considered the strongest fort the enemy has . . . . the Army of the James furnished . . . . Gen. Ames' division of the Twenty-fourth Corps, and Gen. Paine's division of the Twenty-fifth Corps (colored), or 6,500 in all. Admiral Porter goes with 37 vessels,-500 guns, -the most formidable fleet as- sembled for any special expedition during the war." This refers to the first attack, an account of which is given elsewhere.
Let us fly again to the Department of the South, and see what's going on there. At & A.M. on the 14th, Admiral Dahlgren received the following : -
U.S.S. DANDELION, OGEECHEE RIVER, 10.30 P.M., 13 Dec.
We carried Fort Mc Allister by assault this 5 p.M., and I came down to this boat expecting to meet you. I want the army rations sent up Ogeechee to Kings Bridge, and will try to meet you before assaulting Savannah. I have possession of all roads and the river above the city, and Savannah is our game. I want ten 50-pounder Parrotts and ammunition, good charts, and Gen. Foster to simply prevent the escape of the garrison and inhabitants of Savannah from getting away. If occasion offers, let the anthorities know that my army is fat and happy and in fine order, having eaten all the turkeys, chickens, sweet potatoes, etc., in Georgia. We have lost only a few and have some 700 prisoners. All well. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.
Dahlgren, Foster and Sherman met the same day. An inspec- tion of Fort McAllister was made on the 15th, and shells were found in front of it, buried in the ground and made into torpedoes. Several men were killed thereby. Sherman made the rebels dig up their own mechanisms.
Again we return to Virginia. The fleet sailed on the 18th for its rendezvous, 25 miles east of Fort Fisher. Same day Capt. Trickey caught a deserter (James F. Brown of G), who was once of our regiment, was an original man, and then named James Blanchard.
567
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Dec. '64.]
He was discharged in May 1862 for deafness (supposably feigned), and 21 Dec. 1863 came to the regiment at Morris Island as a substi- tute recruit. He was known at once. He deserted at Wilcox Land- ing, Va., 25 June 1864, while on detail after water. IIe was dis- covered to have again enlisted, and in the Forty-seventh New York, where he was found.
South Carolina again. Sherman and Dahlgren conferred as to pushing Foster to the railroad, while the navy pitched into Savannah. There were five men shot for desertion on the 21st, in our Corps ; but we are glad to record, not of our regiment. They were shot simultaneously, and were buried where they fell, and without coffins. This is war; but we are fortunately nearing its close. The grip that Sherman had got was causing a choking sensation, and was the be- ginning of the end.
Our forces in South Carolina again were considerably shaken up on the 21st, by a painful rumor that the rebel Commodore Tatnall (we heard of him in Nov. 1861 at Port Royal) was to attempt to run out from Savannah. There was a gale blowing ; but the Nantucket, Purnee and Winona were sent into the Savannah River. As Dahl- gren's flagship, the Harvest Moon. had got into the mud in Warsaw Sound, Dahlgren and Sherman took barge to Ossabaw Sound, there meeting a tng with dispatches -Savannah abandoned.
Again Virginia. Lieut .- Col. Randlett, with a few men to assist, went to where the body of Lient .- Col. Plimpton was first buried. and took it up. IIe started North with the body on the evening of the 25th, leaving Capt. Triekey in command of the regiment.
Admiral Dahlgren went up the Savannah River with the Wissa- hickon and Winon and the tugs, and anchored near and below the obstructions, about 4 p.M. on the 22d. On the 23d they went up to the city in a tug, Sherman having entered promptly with troops. Sherman was at the private house of a Mr. Green.
On Christmas Day we were visited by Gen. Natt Head, Adjutant- General of New Hampshire ; and glad we were to see him. He was a very popular man with all New Hampshire soldiers. He was accompanied by Geo. Hutchins and others of Concord. Our camp was near the New Market Road. The order of several days ago, to be ready to move, was undoubtedly in anticipation of sending us with the expedition to Fort Fisher. We had no special celebration of Christmas, but did have a very pleasant time with our Concord visitors. One diary has it that this party was the " Governor's Staff."
The deserter referred to the 18th was shot for the offence on the 26th. Brown was his name ; an account of his crime, etc., will be found elsewhere.
The glorious news of the fall of Savannah reached us the 26th ; and such shouting, such anties, such cap-throwing, etc., never was before heard or seen.
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.