USA > New York > Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. (Duryee zouaves.) > Part 10
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Sunday, Dec. 1 .-- Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) was cel- ebrated by firing a grand salute of thirty-four guns with the thirty-two-pounders, which made the hill shake, while the
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concussion broke all the windows of the houses in the vicin- ity of the fort. After the salute the band played several na- tional airs. The surgeon supplied all the men with oysters as a present from himself, and the sutler gave out cigars, so all were happy. Saturday a Volunteer Union Company of thirty-five boys, dressed in Zouave uniform, visited camp, drilled and went through different maneuvers very creditably, and in the evening at dress parade drew up opposite the bat- talion, after which they marched away.
A remarkable event of camp life which occurred just at this time, was described by a Baltimore journal as follows :
AN ELOPEMENT. Marriage of a Zouave-Exciting Affair.
THE greatest excitement of the season transpired in East Baltimore shortly after four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the par- ticulars of which we will give in as brief a manner as possible : Connected with the 5th New York Zouave Regiment, encamped on Federal Hill, is a handsome and brave volunteer, who in a few weeks after visiting our city fell in love with a sweet young lady residing on the Hill, but whose father is secesh to the back-bone. The daughter, however, entertained different opinions, and boldly declared that if ever she became a wife, a bold soldier boy should be her husband.
The Zouave, upon learning the sentiments of the old man, was sorely troubled, but nerved himself with the assurance that "Faint heart never won fair lady," and resolved to press his suit and carry off the prize despite the threats of the enraged parent.
For a while all went along smoothly, when red breeches learned that the father of his loved one had issued a proclamation that his daughter should wed a chap who was in heart as great a coward as ever lived, and in principle so mean that a clock would pot tick while he was in the room.
The young girl, like a true heroine, detested him, and informed her Zouave beau how matters stood. The latter managed a stolen interview on Saturday morning, which resulted in the dear
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girl giving her hand to her sweetheart and agreeing to an elope- ment. The time named was half-past three o'clock Sunday aft- ernoon at the house of a friend. The time arrived, and so did our hero with a horse and buggy. In a twinkling the loving couple were rattling over the cobble-stones at a merry rate in search of a minister to tie the Gordian knot. Up one street and down another the horse sped until the corner of Lombard Street and Broadway was reached. At this point the Zouave jumped from his buggy and inquired of a gentleman where a minister could be found that would render happy at short notice a couple anxious to get married. The gentleman could not impart the desired information, when our hero again sprang into the buggy and drove to the corner of Pratt Street, where his beating heart was quieted by John Randolph, Esq., who informed the Zouave that the Rev. Mr. Thomas, pastor of the Broadway Baptist church, would perform the ceremony. To the church sped the party (including the horse and buggy), and in a short time the blushing damsel and her companion were closeted with the minister.
By this time it became noised about that an elopeinent was on hand, and such an outpouring of marriageable ladies was never before witnessed on Broadway. Young ladies crowded about the church doors in great numbers, while the windows of adja- cent dwellings were thronged with older persons, all anxious to catch a glimpse of the wedded pair as they emerged from the sacred edifice ; and when they did appear, many were the well wishes for their future welfare that greeted them on all sides. Forcing their way through the crowd, the happy couple seated themselves in the buggy and passed rapidly up Broadway. Vive la Zouave ! Vive la Elopement !
CHAPTER VII.
THE EASTERN SHORE-LIFE AT BALTIMORE.
THE EASTERN SHORE-OBJECTS OF THE EXPEDITION-A PROCLAMATION BY GEN- ERAL DIX-" MARCHING ALONG !"-A SURPRISED ZOUAVE-REBEL SPIRIT AND REBEL SPIRITS-A SOLDIERS' REUNION-REBEL VISITORS SINGING THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER-RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION-RESULTS-A SOCIABLE PA- RADE - REBEL FLAG REVERSED - RECRUITING - OPENING THE BARRACKS - " FORT FEDERAL HILL "-SECOND YEAR OF THE WAR-OUR SURGEON-A SUR- GICAL DUELIST - RUNNING THE GUARD-" THE ZOUAVE HOUSE "-A MUSICAL MASKED BATTERY - FLAG PRESENTATION BY THE LADIES OF SOUTH BAL- MIMORE - ADDRESS BY JOHN WILLIS, ESQ. - COLONEL WARREN'S REPLY -A GRAND BALL AT HEADQUARTERS-FORT MARSHALL-WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY - AN INDIGNANT ZOUAVE - GRAND CITY BALL - A MILITARY EXECUTION - ATTACK THREATENED -THE MERRIMAC-CHANGE OF BASE-HO FOR FORTRESS MONROE ! - FAREWELL TO BALTIMORE -OUR FAREWELL ENTERTAINMENT - RELIEVED BY THE THIRD NEW YORK-FALLING INTO LINE-MARCH THROUGH BALTIMORE-EXCITING SCENES-FAREWELL SONG.
ON Tuesday, the 12th day of November, 186r. six com- panies, A, B, C, D, E, F, of the 5th Regiment, who were to act in concert with other troops, in all about five thousand men, left Baltimore on the steamer Pocahontas, for the purpose of invading Accomac and Northampton Counties, Virginia, the former Congressional district of Ex Governor Wise, his country seat being near Onancook, Accomac County.
There were many Union people in the two counties, but they had been overawed by the secessionists, who were in the majority, and had been actively recruiting many young men from the ranks of the inhabitants for the Confederate army.
The two counties comprised about eight hundred square miles, with a population, including negroes, of about twenty thousand. There were about three thousand militia, who
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had assembled together in a camp, under a Colonel Smith, of the Confederate army, and batteries were being built to resist any advance of Federal troops into this territory. It was the object of General Dix to send such a large force against them as to either capture this body of men, or to over- awe and disband them. Many of them were Unionists, but were compelled to enter the Confederate ranks by threats of personal danger and destruction of property ; and it was anticipated that if troops were sent to their aid, and a firm, yet conciliatory po icy was adopted, the secession element would become demoralized, and the Unionists would not only be protected, but would remain firm adherents to the loyal cause. The command of the expedition was intrusted to General Lockwood, of Delaware, and consisted of de- tachments of the 17th Massachusetts, 5th New York, 21st Indiana, 6th Michigan, 4th Wisconsin, Nims' Battery, Troop of Cavalry, 2d Delaware Home Guards, and Purnell Legion.
On Wednesday, the 13th, the steamer on which the Fifth had embarked entered Pocomoke Sound and River, and got aground. The men were taken off the next day at 9 o'clock, by the steamer Star, and at Io A.M. landed at Newton, Worcester County, Md., just above the Virginia line, and encamped. From this place General Lockwood sent a messenger under a flag of truce across the line into Vir- ginia, and circulated a printed proclamation to the inhabit- ants, issued by General Dix, which called upon all in arms against the Government to lay down their arms and dis- perse, promising protection to the Unionists, and the penal- ties of the law against the disunionists if they continued in their treasonable acts, etc.
Upon receiving the proclamation, the Union people were wild with delight. and the camp of the secessionists began to melt away. On Sunday, the 17th, the troops crossed the boundary line into Virginia, the cavalry in advance, the 5th New York leading the infantry, and encamped. after a march
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of twelve miles, at Oak Hall. During the march they en- countered many obstructions, designed to impede their advance ; bridges had been burned, and trees were thrown across the roads, some of which it was necessary to remove, and deserted earthworks were found at Oak Hall.
November 18 .- The cavalry advanced by a forced march to Drummondtown, and raised the Stars and Stripes on the pole on which the day before the Confederate flag had been flying.
November 20 .- Marched to Knappsville, eight miles, and encamped.
November 21 .- Marched fifteen miles, to a point seven miles from Drummondtown, and encamped. During this march we discovered another battery, mounting eight guns, almost new, of which we took possession. During the night rain set in, and the companies remained in this camp until Sunday, the 24th. Up to this time nine guns and one hundred flint-lock muskets had been seized. Colonel Smith, who commanded the troops at the earthworks, escaped ; but we made prisoners of one Captain and two Lieutenants.
November 22 .- During the night Captain Partridge, of Company A, and a squad of men, went in search of arnis, and found a number of sabres and equipments which had been hidden in the woods, and Sergeant Pike captured a large Confederate flag.
November 24 .- We marched to Eastville and encamped, being seventy-seven miles from Newton, from which place the expedition had started. A number of the 21st Indiana were put under arrest for foraging and committing depre- dations.
General Lockwood, before the expedition started, had issued an order that any one caught out of camp should be put in irons ; but notwithstanding the imperative nature of the order, and the severity of the threatened punishment, some of the men of the various regiments could not resist the temptation to wander out of the lines.
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One night after the regiment had gone into camp, one of the Zouaves ventured on a private errand as provider. He went to a house near by, and, without ado, approached and knocked on the door. "Come in," cried a manly voice. He thought it an encouraging summons, and forth- with opened the door; but much to his astonishment, he saw Colonel Warren and Captain Partridge warming themselves over the fire. If he ever disobeyed an order of his com- manding officer during his two years' service, it was on this particular occasion. He not only refused to obey, but rudely closed the door and beat a hasty and disorderly retreat around the corner of the house. Seeing a cellar-door open, his first impulse was to disappear down that way ; but luckily for his second thought, he did better by tumbling head over heels into a pig-sty conveniently near, regardless of pigs or mire. Out rushed the officers, who saw the cellar-door open, and concluded that the rascal had gone below. The Captain rushed back to get a light, while the Colonel stood guard, saying that he would cut the scoundrel down if he attempted to dash by him. Soon the Captain appeared with the light, and while they were looking into the cellar, " Phil " got out of the other side of the sty and made extraordinary time back to camp, thanking his stars for his narrow escape. " Phil" is now one of the shining lights of the New York Bar.
Two men, who afterward confessed that they had been officers in the Confederate army, after drinking freely, inet some unarmed Zouaves out of camp, drew their pistols and pointed at them. They were arrested, and taken be- fore Colonel Warren, confined for the night in comfortable quarters, and supplied with substantial meals from his own table ; blankets were also furnished, and a good fire made for them. In the morning, when they were sober and pen- itent, and ashamed of their conduct, the Colonel explained to them the principles and the cause he was fighting for, and
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the madness and folly of their own false position, serenaded them with the "Star Spangled Banner," and dismissed them.
Wednesday, November 27 .- Colonel Warren invited a number of gentlemen known to be bitter secessionists, some of whom were formerly rebel officers, to witness a drill and parade of the Fifth, and afterward join him in a soldier's supper. At the appointed hour they came in fine equipages, for they belonged to the wealthy and influential classes.
The Zouaves were encamped in a dense pine forest near the village of Eastville, adjoining which was a large and level meadow, which made an admirable parade-ground. The movements were performed under the order of the Colonel, in a most successful manner, and the gentlemen were astonished, never having witnessed anything like it be- fore ; afterward they had a splendid supper around a roar- ing fire. They were stretched in a semicircle about it, sit- ting and reclining on red blankets laid upon pine boughs, from which they could see the Zouaves flitting about their camp-fires in the pine woods across the meadow. The scene in the dusk of evening was enchanting and like a vision of fairy-land. After the bountiful repast, the Colonel sent for some fine singers of the regiment, and they were entertained for an hour by their performance. They then sung " The Red, White, and Blue," and the finale was the "Star Spangled Banner," in which all joined with great effect. The secession visitors got excited, and sang louder than any of them, swinging their hats in the air ; after which they declared that, after all, they had an interest in the old flag-that one-half of it belonged to the South, and it was a shame to divide it. They wound up by proposing, and joining in, cheers for the flag, for the 5th New York, and for the Union.
Tattoo, with " Yankee Doodle," played with fife and drum,
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cut short the entertainment. This little incident did more to overcome the secessionists, in spite of themselves, than a hard battle would have done.
Col. Warren invited Gen. Lockwood to witness a d-ill of the Fifth a few days afterward, as he did not seem to entertain very cordial feelings toward the Zouaves. But whether the question, " Who stole that goose?" which became prover- bial in the regiment, had anything to do with it, has never been determined.
The regiment went through the movements with automatic precision in quick and double-quick time. The General was astonished, and said that he had never seen anything like it in the whole of " Delaware," and that it could not be excelled.
Monday, Dec. 2 .- Marched to within seven miles of Pona- teague, covering twenty-one miles, where more deserted in- trenchments and obstructed roads were discovered.
Tuesday, Dec. 3. - Left the camping ground, and reached the steamer Star, lying at Ponateague, on the Chesapeake Bay, about noon.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 .-- Started about 6 A.M. on board the steamer Star, for Federal Hill, arriving at the fort on the morning of the 5th, after an absence of twenty-three days.
The companies had marched on this expedition over 160 miles, in heavy marching order, besides having severe drills while lying in camp. They found the majority of the peo- ple to be poor and ignorant, many of the women having neither shoes nor stockings, with their dresses unfashionably short. The negroes were allowed one coat, one pair of shoes, two shirts, and one pair of trousers for the year, and some of their clothes were so much patched that they looked like bed-quilts. At first the negroes were very much alarm- ed. and kept aloof, but having caught one, and given him a Union drill, by tossing him in a blanket, they soon had their hands full. They said that their masters had told them that
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the Yankees would cut their arms and legs off. They were greatly surprised and gratified to find that instead of being treated in that way, they were welcomed with " Union drills."
To sum up, the expedition seized ten cannon, eight of which were new, a thousand stand of arms, flags, etc., be- sides disbanding the drafted militia, restoring confidence to the Unionists, and demoralizing the secessionists.
Colonel Warren was much opposed to the policy of delay pursued by General Lockwood at first, and offered to take his battalion and Nims' battery, and push through to the end of the Peninsula. Had he been allowed to do so, there can be little doubt that Colonel Smith, the Confederate leader, would have veen captured.
On the evening of Friday, Dec. 6th, the officers being again "at home," had a " sociable," in the Colonel's quar- ters, which were in a brick building, formerly used as a hotel, which was allowed to remain when the fort was built, and was situated inside the works, near the western embank- ment. The men also had an improvised concert, the band played at intervals, cheers were given for Colonel Warren, and expressions not very complimentary to General Lock- wood or his military sagacity, were indulged. Altogether the entertainment was worthy of the occasion.
The following day, the weather being propitiously beauti- ful, all of the command that could be spared, marched out for a parade through the city, bearing the Confederate flag that was seized on the late expedition, upside down. .
It was publicly presented to General Dix, at his head- quarters in the city, after which the men gave three tre- mendous cheers for General Dix and the American Union. Doubtless the rebels growled and gnashed their teeth at the disgrace of their flag.
On Friday, Dec. 13th, several of the officers and a few of the men were sent to New York to obtain recruits.
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It may seem strange, that regiments in the service, when they have not lost many men in battle, are obliged to recruit so often. The reasons are, that all comparatively new or- ganizations lose many men, who, when first enlisted, pass a medical examination, but have not the stamina to endure the hardships and exposure to which they are subject. In addi- tion to this, many desert. It is a hard school, and puts to the test all that there is in a man in the way of fortitude, pa- tience, endurance, and all the hardier qualities, as well as mor- al courage. After the weaker ones are sifted out, there remains a body of strong, enduring soldiers, who can perform any duty, and submit to any hardship, who do the hard fighting in a battle, and are "mustered out" either by death on the field of battle, or with honor at the end of their .. erm.
The attendance at divine service on Sundays was small, seldom exceeding over twenty; last Sunday quite a large number assembled, on account of some remarks made by Colonel Warren on the subject, and the men were drawn together at his request.
A few evenings since the men gave a concert, in one of the nearly finished barracks. A stage was erected at one end, and decorated as tastefully as the means at their com- mand would allow ; seats of plain boards were arranged for the audience, with camp-stools, borrowed for the occasion, to accommodate the officers. There were recitations and scenes from " Macbeth," etc., which were acted out in the most tragic manner. The Drum-Major gave an exhibition of his skill on the drum, and he made it speak in his hands. The good voices selected from members of the regiment, gave some very harmonious music, and the Colonel and officers were very much entertained and gratified.
On Monday, the 23d, the men struck tents, and moved into the barracks, "They were large and roomy, two stories high, with double verandas, supported by slight pillars, and facing inward toward the square. They occupied three
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sides of the quadrilateral, within the high embankments, and upon the fourth are situated a neat cottage of brick, com- monly called the Colonel's quarters ; a guard-house, and an unimposing building which affords ample accommodation for the commissary and quartermaster's departments.
" One building is occupied by the officers, and the others are divided into rooms ninety feet in length, each division furnishing ample accommodation for one hundred men. Three tiers of bunks occupy each side of the company quarters, and are arranged in the most convenient and ap- proved manner. Company kitchens also occupy the ends of the large center building, and there are rooms in the same building for the band and the sutler. The buildings inclose a large parade-ground, sufficient in extent for ordinary military purposes ; and the square is ornamented with native trees, which please the eye and afford an agreeable shade."
The company rooms were each heated by two stoves, which stood at either end, and the comfort of these quarters contrasted favorably with that of the cold and crowded tents. The day before moving was dreary and rainy ; the wind blew a gale, and the tents appeared to lie in a morass of mud and water. It is needless to say that the change was immensely for the advantage of the men for health as well as comfort. The boys enjoyed themselves extremely in their new quarters, and after camping out so long, we felt somewhat domesticated in our new surroundings.
Thursday, December 26 .- Our works have been named and are to be made historical by the title of " Fort Federal Hill." The armament of the fort is six 8-inch columbiads ; two ro-inch mortars ; two 8-inch S. C. howitzers ; twenty- three 32-pound guns ; five 24-pound howitzers (dank de- fense), and several 6-pound brass pieces. Stored in the three magazines were 10,000 pounds of cannon powder and 1,000 hand grenades. In addition there was in the fort over 4,000 solid shot, shell, grape and canister shot.
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The Confederate flag captured in the late expedition to the eastern shore of Virginia, and presented to General Dix, was sent by him to the Mayor of the city of New York. The following is from the New York Times of December 27, 1861 :
MAYOR'S OFFICE, December 26, 1861.
TO THE HONORABLE THE COMMON COUNCIL :
GENTLEMEN :- I have received a communication from Major- General Dix (a copy of which is annexed), accompanying a se- cession flag, captured in Virginia by the 5th Regiment of New York Volunteers (Duryée's Zouaves), under his command.
In compliance with the desire of Major-General Dix, it be- comes my pleasant duty to transmit this trophy of a New York regiment to the appropriate custody of the municipal authorities of the city to which this gallant corps belongs. New York will preserve this relic with pious care, as a proof of the courage of her sons and their patriotic devotion to the cause of the Union. Let us receive it as an auspicious token, and as an earnest of the restoration of peace and the triumph of that Constitution which is the only safeguard of the true glory and happiness of our coun- try. I recommend that the Common Council, in receiving the flag, pass resolutions congratulating the regiment of New York Zouaves for their gallant spirit, and thanking General Dix for his kindly remembrance of the city.
FERNANDO WOOD, Mayor.
On the receipt of the above message, the Common Coun- cil adopted a resolution returning the thanks of the city to the Fifth Regiment for the flag.
Friday Jan. 3, 1862 .- With the opening of the new year winter had fully set in, and in the morning the air was very keen. The season was cold, and in addition we had the full force of the north winds on the elevated position we occu- pied. The surgeon, or "Opium Pills," as the men called him, whatever may have been his scientific attainments, was not fortunate as an officer or a humanitarian. He was tyranni- cal and cruel. It was his custom when the sick came before
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him, to commence business by asking his steward to bring him " some of those bitters," which was evidently nothing less than about five fingers of raw whisky. His loaded re- volver was laid on the table at his side, and for some imagi- nary provocation he would fly into a towering passion, bring his fist down on the table with an oath, upsetting the ink and everything else, and either kick some poor fellow out of the room, or seize his revolver and threaten to blow somebody's brains out.' One of the officers, Quartermaster Wells, took him at his word one day, much to the joy of the men. There had been some trivial dispute between them, and the surgeon (V.) challenged the Quartermaster. But he found that he had a new patient to deal with, and not a list of sick privates who could not resist his brutality. The challenge was accepted, the Quartermaster being a dead shot, and ac- customed to making his fire tell, and the imperious surgeon was obliged to retire his challenge, and retire himself, by resigning his commission.
Passes to the city are again restricted, only one for each company being allowed every twenty-four hours. In conse- quence some of the men resume their guard-running prac- tices, with the risk of being fired at by the sentries, besides being court-martialed when caught, or if they missed a roll call.
No harm will come now to any one to tell where the run- aways often spent their time, and where the guard could have made a good capture not very far from the fort. The " Zouave House " will never be forgotten by the Fifth. A convenient trap-door led down into a dark cellar, where the carousers found refuge when their pickets gave the alarm ; the trap was then covered over with the carpet, and a piano stood over the spot. It was a long time before this cover was discovered and our musical masked battery was aban- doned.
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