USA > New Jersey > History of the men of Co. F, with description of the marches and battles of the 12th New Jersey Vols. Dedicated to "our dead." > Part 20
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Andersonville, and you have an answer black enough to eter- nally damn any country or people .. We were prohibited from coming near the barred, otherwise open, windows, and the rebel guards instructed accordingly. There was plenty of evi- dence of bullet-marks inside, from shots fired through the win- dows by the guards.
As our confinement continued, the days seemingly grew longer and the nights more tedious, as we were allowed no lights. I remember thinking of the good times at home, the pleasures at some festive occasion, when the tables groaned with full and plenty of the good things of life. I found now I was continually kicking myself, because I did not eat more when I had the opportunity.
As the exchanging of prisoners between the North and South had ceased, owing to the refusal of the South to recog- nize our colored troops as Union soldiers, our chances for get- ting home seemed very remote and quite uncertain, and I had a dread fear lest I should be sent further south for the winter, as our quarters were becoming somewhat crowded by occas- ional fresh arrivals. I feigned sickness successfully and gained removal to another part of the prison, into the officers'. hospital on the first floor and on the east side of the building. Here the cots were provided with straw beds and a pillow, while be- fore I had had the floor for a bed and my shoes and a coat for a pillow. On reaching my new quarters, who should I find as steward of the hospital, but one of our own men, and he a member of our regiment, William H. Bass; and who for cook, but Tom Morris, of Company B. This meant much for me; for instance, at dinner my cup of soup would contain rather more meat and potatoes than those of my neighbors. What became of poor Tom I never knew. For some misconduct on his part he was sent to confinement, and with him went a five- dollar bill I had given him to get exchanged into Confederate money. Previously I had sold a cheap silver watch for forty dollars of their money. My record shows that previous to coming to the hospital, the rations furnished had been much complained of, both as to quantity and quality. The bacon had become so rank and bad that we could not stand it and
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had rebelled. The matter was adjusted by our agreeing to accept fresh beef in lieu of bacon, but in reduced quantities. This change, I see by my diary, occurred on Wednesday, Sep- tember 7, 1864. The amount of meat now received was about the size of two fingers. At the same time our corn bread was changed to wheat. This did not prove so acceptable. Before eating, the bread had to pass through a close examination for white worms, which were numerous and seemingly in a good healthy condition. These are facts and indisputable.
Our quarters were scrubbed out semi-weekly by the darks, who were always our friends and did for us many small favors. on the sly. Through them at different times I succeeded in procuring an old knife, fork and spoon, and felt rich then in merchandise, and could boast of more in this line than three . quarters of my fellow prisoners. Occasionally a few very sick or disabled were sent North under parole. Occupying the cot adjoining mine was Lieutenant C. W. Ostrander, of Syracuse, N. Y. He was permanently disabled by the loss of his leg
below the knee. When he had recovered sufficiently to stand the journey he was notified to be ready the next day to go North. Here was my opportunity to send a letter home. I wrote it on both sides of a leaf from my diary, and encased it in a brass button of his coat. He carried it through the lines safely and on reaching the North mailed it to my home, where I found it upon my return and still have it in my possession. I have since had it copied and it occupies nearly four pages of foolscap paper. I would copy it here, but it would make my already too long story altogether beyond reason. My wound, received in the battle of the Wilderness, continued giving me much trouble at times, and I see by my diary that on Thurs- day, September 29th, another piece of bone came out, making the second since my arrival in Libby. This piece fell from my head, as did the ball, into my throat and from thence was coughed up.
Lieutenant Ostrander left "Hotel de Libby " Saturday, Sep- tember 24, and the following day his cot was occupied by Mr. W. F. Stocking, a hardware merchant of Washington, D. C. He had been down on the lower James River in a vessel, look-
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ing after some wood that he was going to have marketed. The vessel was anchored in a cove and one night, about midnight, they were awakened to find themselves and the vessel the prisoners of Murry's bushwhackers. The captain and crew were to remain prisoners, and the vessel was to be burned. By some secret understanding between himself and the rebels, ar- rangements were entered into whereby, by giving his bond for ten thousand dollars, and he going with them as security for the amount until he could in some way communicate with home and obtain the money, he saved a twenty thousand-dol- lar boat, besides the freedom of the captain and the crew. He had spent a week with his captors, they seemingly being un- able to do enough for him. He was to remain in Libby for the night only, and the following morning was to be taken to the headquarters of the surgeon-in-chief and given the free- dom of the city. Making myself know to him we soon be- came friends, and a lucky acquaintance it subsequently proved for me, for through him and others he met in Richmond, I was enabled to leave Libby and come home on my simple parole. Others captured with me, as I afterwards learned, were sent South to Salisbury, N. C., where they remained all winter and were not exchanged until March. I left Libby Prison Friday morning, October 7, 1864, and from my diary under that date I copy the following : "Restless, sleeping but little during the night. Up bright and early. After breakfast, prepared to leave. Made distribution of what money and effects I had among my fellow-officers, and am now ready to go to the boat in an ambulance for a sail down the James River for home. Let me here add, as a parting salute to old Libby; I bid her a lasting and not loving farewell; should I ever come here again, the reason will be because I am wounded and disabled. The mean, contemptible, lousy, etc., prison, I bid you a long, not loving, but detestable farewell."
At 9 o'clock we left Libby for the flag of truce boat. Before leaving Libby, I made demand upon Turner, through our hos- pital steward, for my twenty-five dollars in greenbacks, threat- ening exposure and what I would do upon my return North. My purpose was to give others left behind the benefit of it. I
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did not succeed in my object, and as I could not allow twenty- ive dollars to stand between me and liberty. I left without the money. Much to my surprise, on nearing the boat-landing I was overtaken and handed a sealed envelope which, upon opening. I found contained twenty-five dollars in United States money. Whether my actions had anything to do with its re- turn or not I never knew: but this I do believe, had I not pro- tested and firmly demanded it. Dick Turner would never have given it up. One Union officer squared accounts with him. on our march back after Lee's surrender. The army halted for one day at Manchester, on the opposite side of the river from Richmond, and none below brigade commanders and staff were allowed to cross the pontoon. Being then on duty as assistant adjutant general at brigade headquarters, a party was made up and we went over. We learned that Turner had been cap- tured and was then himself confined in Libby. Our party rode over there. none more eager under the circumstances than your humble servant. I again went through the place, but under very different circumstances from my previous experience. Turner was in separate confinement, under guard, and the guard instructed to allow no one to see him. Why? Because of his having been nearly killed earlier in the day, by one whom he had previously ill-treated in a reverse situation, who wanted to square accounts with him, and it was said, battered him around most unmercifully.
On reaching the boat we found our homeward-bound party numbered fourteen commissioned officers, besides a few enlisted men brought from Belle Island. The latter were a pitiable sight to see, they seemed so weak and so weary: many, with- out sufficient strength to walk. had to be carried on stretchers. Our ride down the river was without special incident. When we arrived at our own flag of truce boat, and the men once again beheld the "Stars and Stripes." in silent prayer they looked heavenward and said. "God's country "'-it was a sight never to be forgotten by the writer. All preparations had been made for our arrival. Tables were spread in white linen, and ladened with full and plenty. Oh, what a sight! In due season Annapolis, Md., was reached. I made application to the \'ar
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Department for leave of absence to go home and there remain until regularly exchanged, which occurred early in December.
While the recollections of these two months, refreshed by the records kept, are not altogether pleasant in some respects, this experience is something now much cherished, especially so when added to my three years' service as a soldier.
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STRATTON FAMILY.
One of the most remarkably patriotic families of our county, and one very closely identified with the history of our company, was that of Emanuel Stratton, father of Emanuel, Jr., William Henry, Azariah and Charles C. Stratton, all of Company F. Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, who at the time of the war was living on a farm near Swedesboro, N. J. He was a great reader, and close observer of the secession movements, and when he read of the insults offered to our grand old flag, and the firing on the same at Fort Sumter, his patriotic blood was stirred within him, he being willing to sacrifice, if needed. his four stalwart sons to save his country. It was a great trial for the mother and father to give up their youngest boy, Char- lie, only sixteen years of age ; but patriotism triumphed over that grand old American heart, and he spake the words, "If my country demands it, go." And as though it was yet not enough, he demanded of our captain (E. L. Stratton), that if one of his boys should fall, send him word, and he would take his place. Soon the opportunity came : the eldest, Emanuel, Jr., fell at Chancellorsville with a ghastly wound in the shoul- der. The old father heard of it, and begged to be allowed to take his place, but could not be accepted on account of age. His patriotism said "I must have a flag," so he secured the material, which his wife and two daughters made into a flag four by eight feet, which was unfurled to the breeze every morning, until the close of the war, so that none could be mistaken in regard to which side he was on. And that same old flag is to-day a treasured relic in the family of his daughter, Mrs. John F. Meley, and its torn and faded folds are yet strongly charged with patriotism. One day, in the postoffice, when excitement was great, a battle had just been fought, and many slain, a "copperhead " remarked that "it served them right ; they
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have no business down there." The old gentleman walked up to him with his heart full of fire, and said, "If I was in the position my boys are, I would shoot you on the spot." Thus he fought the rebels at home, and lived to witness the success of our arms, the return of but two of his boys, one of them a cripple for life ; the Union triumphant, the old flag restored, and died in February, 1888, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. "The noblest Roman of them all."
The eldest son, Emanuel, Jr., (six feet, one and a half in- ches high) was seriously wounded at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, and left for dead on the battlefield ; but, after fourteen days of terrible suffering in rebel hospitals, with but little care or food, he was exchanged nearer dead than alive, but by care- ful nursing he was restored to his family a cripple for life. William Henry, the second son, was a corporal, faithful in the discharge of every duty, yielded up his life in the charge on the Bliss Barn at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, leaving a widow and two children. Azariah, the third son, filled every office from private to captain, was with the company in every battle, skirmish, march and camp, and escaped without serious wounds. Charles C., the fourth son, sixteen years old, full of the spirit of his father, yielded up his young life in that grand charge at Spottsylvania on May 12, 1864. His body was not recov- ered, and his parents had no knowledge of its resting place ; and that dear old mother watched and waited for the return of her boy, but died without her hopes being realized.
GRISCOM'S DUCK.
One of the first and hardest lessons for us young recruits to learn was the strict obedience to orders without arguing, dis- puting or asking the reason why, but silently and cheerfully obey, and the beautiful promptness with which some of the boys learned this difficult lesson is shown by the following true story : "Soon after reaching Ellicott's Mills, Md., in Sep- tember, 1862, our company was sent out for the first time on picket, this being just about the time of the battle of Antietam. not many miles away, when rebel spies were scouring this part of the country for information of the whereabouts of our lines and troops, and we were given very strict orders as to our duties, etc .; be vigilant, watchful, allow nothing to pass your post ; halt them at proper distance, and if they turn to escape halt twice more, then shoot to kill. George H. Coles and El- wood Griscom were placed on a very responsible post, where the Baltimore pike crossed the Patapsco River, with strict orders to "guard the bridge, allow nothing to pass, etc.," and while Griscom was standing his turn of duty on second relief, a large domestic duck, full of business and-feathers, but painfully ignorant of all military etiquette, canie sailing down the stream, "nor dreamed of war or danger near," yet closely approach- ing our vigilant sentinel, who, full of the importance of his new position and trembling with eagerness at the daring approach of this first rebel, brought his gun up to a "ready " with a sharp "halt !" which caused the startled duck to turn to escape. but "halt ! halt ! ! " and the quick crack of his musket brought the officer of the guard, all in a flurry as to cause of an alarm on picket, and catching sight of the duck, breathing vengeance on a man caught foraging. But Griscom explained it so inno- cently, how he halted three times, then sliot to prevent escape: that he obeyed orders, and was prompted solely by duty-not
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duck-that the officer smilingly praised his vigilance and went back to the reserve post, while George H. Coles skinned the duck (too tedious to pick her). When Griscom came off his post one hour later they had her fried for supper ; his bosom swelling with a proud consciousness of duty well performed.
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A REMINISCENCE.
BY A. STRATTON.
When the regiment was encamped at Ellicott's Mills, two of the boys of Company F were suddenly afflicted with what was called a "fowl stomach." So they thought to satisfy their longing in that direction, and concluded while on picket that night that they would investigate a certain roosting-place. As the night advanced their courage seemed to ebb out, but "time and opportunity " came to brace them up. I think yet, if it had not been that towards daylight the roosters commenced to crow, the two boys would not have fallen so far from grace. One said, "Do you hear that ? " Now these boys were not thieves. Oh, no! But,
"O, opportunity ! thy guilt is great. Thou stand'st the boys where they the chickens may get ; Whoever plottest the sin, thou point'st the season ; 'Tis thou that spurn'st at right, at law, at reason."
These chickens were roosting in a wagon-shed beside the river road, a short distance below camp, near the picket post. (I never did know why it was put so near that wagon-shed.) They stacked their guns and went for them. The chickens were roosting on the joists overhead. Notwithstanding these boys were both of them tall, they could, by standing on tiptoe, only just touch the roosting-place. Each one located his bird, and at a given word was to spring up and catch it by the feet. Now that seemed easy enough, but it was demonstrated on that occasion that it won't work more than half the time. One of the boys miscalculated the distance and struck his bird un- der the after part and sent it flying across the roost, which set the others to squalling; and such squalling was never heard before. (I think some of the boys of the other companies had been there before, as they seemed to be trained to squall on
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sight of a soldier.) They heard a window being pushed up in the adjoining house, when they cut and ran for the post.
Results : First, one chicken among two, smuggled into camp and then a feast. Second, Two boys ! Well, one of them at least, never stole another chicken; cause, lack of opportunity.
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F. F. V.'S.
Colonel F. A. Walker, in his interesting History of the Second Corps, descriptive of the action at Tolopotomy, May 30, 1864. says: "General Hancock, after deciding to attempt the pas- sage of the creek, had instructed me to write to the ladies of the house immediately at the crossing, who, as he had learned were there unprotected, informing them that their place was likely to be the scene of a severe battle next day, and offering them transportation to the rear for safety. This was done, and to save time an ambulance was sent along. In reply to the letter, a courteous appeal was received an hour later from the ladies not to make their house the scene of conflict ; stat- ing one of the members of the household was sick and could not well be moved, and requesting that the Second Corps would take some other route. It being not altogether conven- ient to alter the plans of the Army of the Potomac at so short notice, it was necessary to reply that the Second Corps could not well change its line of march, and if they valued their lives they would retire. I not only sent the ambulance a second time, but requested Dr. Dougherty, medical director of the corps, to go along and see that the sick member suffered no harm. The doctor soon returned and reported the sick member able to be moved without the slightest danger, but his offer to accompany them to the rear was received with indig- nation, not of the speechless variety. The upshot of the mat- ter was that the ladies, sick and well, stayed in the house through the whole fight, most of the time in the cellar. An incident of a curious nature, which was witnessed by several of our company, occurred in the yard of this house. Dur- ing the artillery contest one of the cannon was firing through an opening of about twenty feet between the house and kitchen (much to the terror and annoyance of those sensitive
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ladies), and ammunition getting low they removed the limber- chest to the ground, and while it was being refilled from the caissons, a negro girl crazy with fright (or by orders from her mistress) ran out of the house with a shovelful of hot ashes and coals, which she threw in the chest, causing an explosion " that killed two men and wounded others, while she escaped unhurt to the cellar, and, he adds, in the army it always was the fool doing the mischief who escaped. This house was struck repeatedly by the rebel shells, three of which passed right through, one exploded right at the top of the stairs, another shot striking the stove in front and cutting a nice . round hole clear through it, and passed out the back of the house, with those cranky women 'holding the fort' in the cellar."
STOLEN BACON.
On May 8, 1864, the first day of the battle of Spottsyl- vania, whilst the regiment was halted by the roadside at the Alsop House, making their morning coffee, William P. Haines got mixed up in a raid on the smoke house, and after a terrible scramble he succeeded in escaping from that wild and hungry crowd with a five-pound chunk of smoked bacon concealed in his blouse, which was divided up in the company. The inci- dent was entirely forgotten until May 8, 1884, just twenty years after, when he, in company with a large party of others. whilst visiting this battlefield, called at Alsop's to water the horses, when out came that same lady who fought him so strongly with a broom twenty years before; and there in the corner of the yard stood that same little smoke house, bringing up the memory of that long-forgotten bacon with such start- ling freshness, that he was compelled to give her a number five greenback and ask her forgiveness, which she freely granted, and said she remembered the incident perfectly, but none of the faces, but "I do wish that you had stolen every piece of meat there was in the house."
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A REVERIE.
The hustling, busy life of a soldier was a great change from that of a quiet citizen .; the whole life so different, the diet such a change, the hard-tack such a contrast to the nice hot rolls and home-made bread of our mothers ; the discipline nec- essarily so strict, no more running out at nights or visiting our sweethearts and relations whenever we took the notion, and staying out as late as we wish. Now we must get a pass, sub- ject to good conduct, and be back at camp in time for evening roll-call. The oath of enlistment is so binding-complete sur- render of your own will and mind ; obey your officers, right or wrong; in cheerful silence hold your tongue; no arguing or back talk; obey every order without asking the reason why, even though the officer as a civilian may have been your in- ferior in education, judgment or social position ; he may be passionate, tyrannical, or overbearing ; no matter, he is there to command, you to obey, and though you may often find little ways to vex and make it warm for such an officer, be careful not to carry things too far, or the guard-house, buck and gag or ball and chain will eventually be your portion, and that proud spirit will be checked and broken sure and effectually. The new recruit enlists in happy ignorance of all these things ; he is full of enthusiasm and patriotism. Our country is endangered ! Our flag insulted ! He rushes into this grand assemblage of young patriots with little thought or care of what is before him ; he don't fully realize the extent and nature of the work until experience brings it before him with all its startling fresh- ness. The first suit of blue clothes, with its awkward shape, and uncomfortable fit-the garments seem all cut of one size and shape-no allowance made for your long legs, short arms or corpulent bodies. The blouse hangs in loose, ungainly folds, or binds and shrinks from ample hand and shoulder; the shirts
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and stockings, seem made from whole material, full of knots and splinters, and shrink from washing like a school-boy ; those big, flat shoes-gun-boats, pontoons-roomy and com - fortable, all the the same size, though with different numbers. I have worn sixes and tens with equal comfort. The new knapsack, haversack and canteen were objects of wonder and curiosity, all accepted as a matter of course, with laugh, joke and boyish glee ; but this is not all, the supreme, trying mo- ment is yet in store, when the full significance, the danger, the awful realization of the aim, object and duties of war come on you unexpectedly with all its startling vividness. Fall in for your arms ! and soon, for the first time, you hold in your hands that wicked, murderous musket, with its iron ramrod and triangular bayonet. What is this for? We break ranks without the usual merry laugh and joke, this begins to have a business look, and the serious faces of the boys show evi- dence of thought, of feeling, of realization that we are not go- ing on a picnic or pleasure trip. L, take my gun with a feeling akin to fear, I hold it from me, I sit down in the tent with the gun across my lap, and think and realize in a small measure the awful possibilities of the life and duties before me. I look around and see my comrades similarly engaged ; their sober, earnest faces, those almost tearful eyes fixed on their gun. We turn it over, feel its weight and strength; we study its aw- ful possibilities, its uses and dangers. We hold it aloof, while each man fights that first great battle with his early training. his tender feelings, his conscience ; and, for the rest of the day, a quiet subdued air seems to hang over the company. But soon the struggle is over, the victory won ; we are soldiers. and we'll do our duty ! We clasp the gun to our breast with almost loving embrace, and ever after we cherish and cling to it as our protector, friend and defender. Through mud and dust, through storm and sun, through guard and picket. march or camp, through flashing fires and flying bullets. through bursting shells and the wild swish of the canister. that grand old gun stays right by us; gives us a feeling of strength and security, and obeys our slightest touch.
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