USA > New York > Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. (Duryee zouaves.) > Part 6
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The special correspondent of the New York Tribune furnished that journal with the following narrative of the sending in of a flag of truce :
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Big Bethel.
OLD POINT COMFORT, June 13, 1861.
Yesterday Captain H. E. Davies, Jr.,* of Company C, in Colonel Duryée's regiment, made a visit with a flag of truce to York- town. Tuesday evening he received orders from General Butler to proceed with a flag of truce to the scene of the recent conflict, to look after the dead, wounded, and missing. Lieutenant C. H. Seaman, of Company C, and Assistant -Surgeon Martin, were detailed to accompany him. Starting early Wednesday morn- ing, they proceeded as far as Newmarket Bridge, which they found partially destroyed, and which they repaired so as to pass over. On arriving within a mile of Big Bethel, they were stopped by a guard commanded by Captain Early,t of the Virginia forces. On learning the object of the visit, Captain Davies was informed that Colonel Magruder,; commander of the Virginia forces, had left and gone back to Yorktown, and that it would be necessary to see him there. Although he was informed that a number of our men were in that vicinity wounded, Captain D. was not per- mitted to see them, but was required to proceed at once to Yorktown, twenty miles further on. An escort of four men and a Sergeant was furnished, and the party immediately set out.
They were not permitted to take the usual route; but after proceeding along the Yorktown road for a mile they struck off into the woods by a by-path, which, at frequent intervals, was defended by barricades of fallen trees and other contrivances. Pursuing this path three or four miles, they took the main road again and proceeded to Yorktown.
About half a mile outside of the fortifications at Yorktown, they were halted at a cavalry camp, where they remained till word was sent to Colonel Magruder of their arrival.
This officer soon came to where they were, and received Cap- tain Davies and his party with politeness and consideration. Colonel Magruder, on hearing that Captain D. purposed an exchange of prisoners, and that he desired an opportunity to see the wounded, said that he would reply by letter to General Butler, but refused to allow Captain D. to visit either the wounded or prisoners, saying that as they were within his lines
. Subsequently Major-General of Cavalry.
1 Subsequently General Early. : Subsequently General Magruder.
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
information might be obtained prejudicial to his intended opera- tions.
Captain Davies remained nearly four hours at the quarters of Colonel Hill's* regiment, where he and his party were hospitably entertained.
Leaving the camp at 4 P.M., under an escort of Captain Phillips and two men, they were conducted by a different route through the woods to the vicinity of Big Bethel, and from thence by the regular route to Newmarket Bridge, which was the limit of the enemy's outposts. Captain Davies and his party then pro- ceeded to Hampton alone, and arrived in camp near midnight.
The opinion of Captain Davies, in which those who accom- panied him coincide, is that the force of the enemy on the day of the battle at Big Bethel was at least three regiments ; that they were reinforced during the day; that their battery was constructed with skill and deliberation ; and that the number of guns in position was at least ten, and that probably it was greater. All information concerning the killed and wounded on their side was studiously withheld from Captain Davies.1
Capt. D. was informed that those of our men who had fallen into the hands of the enemy, wounded and dead, had been prop- erly cared for ; that the wounded, two of the Fifth, as he under- stood, were receiving proper attention, and that the dead, of whom there were two, had been properly buried. Among these was Major Winthrop, who fell gallantly charging on the enemy. Capt. D. was given the spurs, cap, and note-book of the deceased, which, with the watch of the deceased, will be forwarded by Gen. Butler to his friends.
Capt. D.wies very properly abstains from giving any opinion of the strength of the enemy at Yorktown, based on what he saw and heard, as that might be deemed an abuse of the flag of truce.
To-day a flag of truce came in from Col. Magruder, in response to the one sent out yesterday. The bearer was halted at the
* Subsequently General D. H. Hill; he commanded the ist North Carolina Regiment at Big Bethel.
t In a cemetery in the city of Richmond, Va., on a little mound, may be seen a plain tablet ci wood, on which is inscribed : " Here lies the body of young Wyatt, the first martyr of the war. Killed at Dig Bethel, June 10, 1801."
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Big Bethel.
cter pickets at Hampton, and communicated with Gen. Butler > letter, who replied in the same way.
On Wednesday, the 12th of June, at sunset, our comrade, f, vige H. Tiebout, of Company A, was buried. His body - is laid in a cemetery near Hampton. Nearly the whole tugiment, with the officers, followed his remains to the grave, 2id paid the last tribute of respect to their departed com- ¡ anion in arms. All were silent and mournful, and im- pressed with the services in which they were engaged.
The following extract is from the last letter of the de- weused to his friends, which was written on the eve of the little in which he laid down his young life. Long before it " 15 received by those to whom it was addressed, his brave vateer was ended, for he had been honorably " mustered out of the service " in dying for his country. It is as fol- Cows :
CAMP BUTLER, FORTRESS MONROE, June, 9, 1861.
KIND FRIENDS :- I hope you will excuse my tardiness in not uniting before, as I have had but very little time to spare. Be- :wren drilling and scouting, our time is pretty much taken up. i have been quite well so far. Soon after we landed, I had a " tous attack, which lasted about forty-eight hours. I have been n two scouting expeditions, but saw very little of the enemy, od none under arms. . . This morning Col. Duryee went : : ough the entire regiment to find all the sailors, or those who i'd pull an oar. It is reported that we are to move soon-we " . kon Yorktown. Part go by water and part by land, so as to " "u a junction and surround the "bridge-burners," and take " rm by surprise. I see by the papers that there are a number of : se reports about the food. So far, we have had plenty to eat ; for food consisting of pilot bread, salt beef, pork, beans, rice, ! . s. fresh beef. bakers' bread (fresh three times a week), Fre, with sugar in it. We have two teams to carry our Dos, and, in short, I think we are well provided for. There the thing : we have good officers, and they look out for their
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
-¿
men, to see that they are as comfortable as circumstances will permit. We had divine services to-day-preaching this morning and prayer-meeting this afternoon. They were very well at- tended.
Our regiment is called " the red-legged devils," and " the ter- ror of evil-doers." I think I have written quite a long letter for me, and no doubt you are getting tired of this scrawl. Remem- ber me to all the kind friends and tell them to write. Write soon, and believe me to be, as ever, your most obedient,
G. H. TIEBOUT, Company A, 5th Regiment.
The following letter was written by a companion of the deceased :
CAMP HAMILTON, June 10, 1861.
FRIEND SIDNEY :- I would sooner drag a ball and chain for a month than to send this bad news to you. Before this will have reached you, you will read the account of our attacking a battery, and the pluck our boys showed in the fight. Our regi- ment got their orders about seven o'clock last evening to attack a battery about fifteen miles from our camp. As bad luck would have it, there was about seventy of us left behind to guard the camp while the rest of the regiment were away.
But now comes the painful part of my story. As our regiment was advancing to charge on the battery, they opened their fire on us and killed some of our boys. Among the killed was poor George Tiebout. He was shot through the heart by a canister ball as he was advancing on to the charge. The man that stood next to him, and heard his death-cry, said that he died like a man and a soldier, as he was. He was a favorite with his Cap- tain. . ... After the engagement the killed and wounded were brought back to camp in boats, landing opposite the Colonel's house. I was detailed, together with some of the guard, to carry the wounded and dead to the hospital. We had to pass through the Colonel's house to get there. As we were carrying the body of poor George through, the Colonel happened to see him, and at the sight he shed tears.
You must excuse my writing, as I am writing on a shoe-box,
! i
..
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Big Bethel.
by the light of a lantern. I have been on guard forty-eight hours, and I am staying on twenty-four hours longer, as our boys are all fagged out. If it be necessary we will remain on guard twenty-four hours after that. Poor George was the first martyr of our regiment, but he shall and will be avenged. Ac- cept this from one who will fight for the Union.
ROBERT B. TALFOR, Fortress Monroe, Co. F, 5th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.
On the 13th the Adjutant reported the strength of the regiment as follows : Present, 792; absent, officers and men, 11 ; sick, including the wounded, 43. Total, 846.
The regiment's loss was seven killed and sixteen wounded. 4
CHAPTER V.
LIFE AT CAMP HAMILTON.
FORTRESS MONROE-INCIDENTS OF CAMP LIFE-DRUMMED OUT -- ANY PORT IN A STORM-SERIOUS ACCIDENT-HOW TO FIND A HORSE-CONTRABAND WIT-A GRACEFUL DIGGER-MRS. KILPATRICK-NOTES FROM THE JOURNAL-ON GUARD BY MOONLIGHT-HUTS IN THE WOODS-A FEZ STOLEN BY MOSQUITOES-A COMET-HOW WE SPENT INDEPENDENCE DAY-OUR POSTPONED CELEBRATION -A FAIRY SCENE-DONATIONS-DISCHARGES AND RECRUITS-A NEW FLAG- BEAUTIFYING THE CAMP-LOSING BLOOD-A LOST SENTINEL-REPORTS OF THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN-EMBARKING FOR BALTIMORE.
THE eventful months were rapidly moving on, while the active forces of the two great sections of the country were, with equal rapidity, determining the moral as well as the political attitude of the people, and their decision on the question of the fearful conflict that must follow, when the actual encounter of arms should take place. It became very evident that there was a division of sentiment in both sec- tions ; many of the people of the South were unalterably devoted to the Union, while a large proportion of the people of the North, governed by family relations, commercial inter- ests, or subserviency to their party leaders, were either hostile to the Union, or desired to see the overthrow of the constitutionally elected administration, and the substitution of a partisan and revolutionary administration in its place. Whatever were the motives that animated men, it was clearly evident that the time for reason, compromise, and peace was past, and that preparations were making for a collision whose duration could not be foreseen, whose cost could not be computed, and whose consequences could only be unfolded by the actual results of the future. Various opinions were entertained by men of the highest responsibility in the Gov-
(74)
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Life at Camp Hamilton.
einment. So astute and experienced a statesman as Senator W.M. H. SEWARD, in December, 1860, in a spirit of hope and patriotic faith in the loyalty of the people of both sec- tions, had predicted that " it would be a ninety days' won- der." Gen. WINFIELD SCOTT, a Virginian, well acquainted with the animus and the plans of the Southern leaders, quietly, but mournfully said, " It will be a five years' war." The judgment of the latter was the prediction of many of the political leaders of the North who sympathized with the movement ; for it was the purpose of the Southern leaders either to effect a revolution by the aid of Northern allies, and obtain control of the Government by a short and successful war, or to prolong it through the whole four years of the ad- ministration which had been placed in power.
The days and nights were now rapidly massing up the combatants, who were putting on their armor, and from the basy walks of commerce and industry, from the field and mountain sides of every State in the Union, already three- quarters of a million of men had responded to the call to arms, and stood ready on either side of the great issue to decide the " irrepressible conflict" on the field of blood. The country was waiting for the first momentous trial on the battle-field.
We were lying near the shore of Hampton Roads, about one mile and a quarter from Fortress Monroe. It is a not- able structure, and covers about seventy acres of ground. .As one enters the gates the impression is that he is in a Large park. You see trees and brick houses at a distance. As you advance you find large dwelling-houses for the resi- dences of the officers, with gardens laid out, a post-office, Adams Express office, etc. Mounting the parapets, the vis- voor had a commanding view of Hampton Roads, with its ". nerous merchantmen and men-of-war lying at anchor. Inte Rip-Raps lie in range of the guns, where another fort was in course of erection by the Government. On the land
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
side the white tents of the various regiments lying at Camp Hamilton were spread out, looking like toys in the distance, additions to which were constantly made. The guns were placed so as to command the points in all directions, and were numbered in large figures by their side on the wall. The fortress was surrounded by a moat about eighty feet wide, crossed by a draw-bridge, and by pulling down a wooden bridge a short distance from the main entrance, could be ap- proached only by a narrow, low, sandy neck, about sixty feet wide, which was commanded by guns at every angle.
Camp life has its incidents as well as the march and the bat- tle-field, and some of those which broke up the monotony of guard duty, drills, and parades were noted at the time of their occurrence. Among them is an instance of the rigor with which the determination to respect the rights of prop- erty, and the homes of the people of Virginia, was enforced. The Government and the officers of the army were equally animated with a desire to demonstrate to the people in re- bellion that there was no design to do them wrong, either to their property or to their slaves, and thus exert the moral in- fluence of law and order as a pacificator, and thereby secure their return to their allegiance. How vainly this attempt was made, the subsequent events clearly proved. In this spirit, however, on the 13th of June, the extreme penalty of disgrace was inflicted on two men belonging to a regiment from the northern part of the State, who were drummed out of canip, before the entire brigade, for committing depreda- tions in houses in the vicinity. They each had ropes about their necks, and large boards on their backs with the word "Thief" written upon them. It was a humiliating sight.
In contrast with the severity of this occurrence there was more or less of the humorous and the comic to be enjoyed at times.
One evening after supper a drum and fife were heard playing the " Rogue's March." All hands turned out to see
1
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Life at Camp Hamilton.
what was the matter, when it was discovered that some of the boys had caught one of the colored servants, tied a rope found his neck, on which was a placard, and with charged layonets, were drumming him about camp. The men might also be heard at almost any hour of the day, singing dog- Kerel verses of their own composition, describing their mode of life, such as, "Oh ! here comes the cook along with his cracker scouse, etc., on old Virginia shore."
The men soon recovered from the fatigue of the march to Big Bethel, but naturally felt disappointed at the result, and wanted to try their fortunes over again. So far from being afraid of the enemy, they had several skirmishes, in some cases almost single-handed, while out foraging beyond Hamp- ton, on their own responsibility. The Fifth was rapidly growing in favor with the rest of the army collected around this point. The regulars at the fortress, since the affair at Big Bethel, seemed to think there was nothing too good for our boys whenever any of them visited the fort.
Wednesday, June 19 .- The experience of one of the men on guard at night may not be out of place, and as he was one of the whole military family, the reader may sympathize with him and the others of the detail, although the rest of the regiment did not fare much better on that occasion. About the time of guard mount, a tempestuous rain-storm burst upon us. The men not sent immediately on post hurried to the guard-tent, which could hold only about one-half of them, let them squeeze how they might. Our hero being left on the outside, bethought himself of the prisoners' tent, and plunged through the rain to reach it, "any port in a storm" lu:ing as good a motto for a soldier as for a sailor. Some- tanes, when the prisoners are amiable, they will allow an opater shelter in an emergency; but on this particular ": they were not amiable, and he had no sooner entered 'han he was saluted with a shower of tin cups, plates, hard- tack, pieces of pork, and kicks, amid cries of "Bounce
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
him !" "Take his life !" and similar cheerful greetings. Another old proverb-" of two evils choose the least "-was forced upon him. He was not long in coming to a decision, and escaping from his assailants, there was no alternative but to stand up and endure the storm. After being nearly washed away, it stopped raining, and soon after he was sent on post, came off in due time, and partially dried himself at a fire that had been built, and was fortunate enough to find a small space unoccupied in the guard-tent, where he spread his blanket and composed himself for a comfortable rest. He was just congratulating himself on his good fortune when it again commenced to rain in torrents ; the cap of the tent having blown off, the water began to come into the opening and fell on his head. Soon some of the guard began to get uneasy and to twist and turn, while some stood up. It was as dark as Egypt, but when the lightning flashed he could see them occasionally, and congratulated himself on his comparative comfort. At last his feet began to feel very cold, then his legs, and then his back. He thought it was time to see what was the matter. Reaching out his hands, he found that a small river was running under him, when he got up on his feet, and in a little time the water ran over the top of his shoes. In all these difficulties a song was started, and they relieved their discomforts by a spirited chorus, in which could be distinguished something about " hanging Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree." Such was one of the episodes in soldier life on " the sacred soil " of the Old Dominion.
The following day, Thursday, June 20th, the weather was delightful, with a fresh breeze blowing, and it was cool and comfortable. One could look over Hampton Roads, as far as Sewall's Point to the south ; north were the woods; and the fortress, with its great guns, was in plain view about a mile distant. Most of the men were in good health and
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Life at Camp Hamilton.
spirits, but grumbling somewhat about their rations-a natural thing for a soldier or sailor to do.
A serious accident happened previous to the evening , parade. A member of Company G was entering his tent with his musket, which was loaded with one of the new cartridges. This cartridge consisted of three large buck- shot in addition to the ball. The hammer, which was down on the cap, caught on the side of the tent, and the charge immediately went off, passing between two men who were in the tent into the next company street, one of the buck passing through the head of Orderly-Sergeant Dunham, of Company B. He was taken up insensible, and was con- sidered to be mortally wounded, but recovered sufficiently to return to duty as Second Lieutenant some months afterward, but was ultimately obliged to resign, and received an honor- able discharge. A stack of muskets were standing in front of the Orderly's tent ; the buck cut through two straps, and one of them passed obliquely through the stock of one of the muskets.
One of the Captains being ambitious of having a horse to ride, sent for J. G., one of the enlisted men of his company, and told him to take his servant Tommy, an intelligent con- traband, and go out into the country and find one for him. The Captain gave him particular instructions not to steal by any means, but to find one. Thus commissioned, John, in company with the faithful Tommy, being furnished with a pass, wended his way toward Hampton. On arriving there Tommy saw a group of colored gentlemen gathered together, and thought it was a very good opportunity to enlighten his down-trodden brethren as to the course they should pursue, and accordingly opened his battery on them forthwith. In the course of his speech he told them that if they wished to bet- ter their condition in life, they must make the first effort, and not leave it to others. One of them remarked, "that they put their trust in the Lord, and He would help them." " Yes,"
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Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
said Tommy, " but it is written in Shakespeare, that ' the Lord helps them that help themselves.'" This answer appeared to make a great impression upon the dusky audience, and they seemed to be overcome with his superior learning. Being put in mind of his errand by John, he wound up his discourse amid much applause, and they went to find that horse.
After traveling about the country four or five miles, they spied a fine-looking animal grazing in a field. They had provided themselves with a halter, so that all that remained to be done was to catch him, which was done in fine style by Tommy-as John was given strict instructions not to steal one, which he obeyed.
They arrived with him safely at Hampton, and across the creek, when John mounted him, having been lucky enough to "find " an old saddle also, and made very fair time back to camp. He immediately reported to his Captain, who, when he saw the animal, was very much pleased at obtaining such a prize, and at such a low price. "But where is Tom- my ?" asked the Captain. " Oh ! he will be here in a few minutes ; he preferred to walk, and so I left him on the road." " Well, take the horse down to the Quartermaster's," said the Captain, "and tell him it belongs to me." "Yes, sir," said John, which he did, and went to his quarters. Soon after- ward a message was brought that the Captain wanted him. On reaching the Captain's quarters, the first thing he saw was Tommy in a sad plight, covered with mud, having from his appearance evidently been in the hands of the Philistines. He said that as he was passing by the camp of the Ist New York, some unruly members of that organization had fallen upon him, and given him a severe thumping for their own amusement, and as Tommy was a particular favorite of the Captain, John received a severe reprimand for deserting his colored comrade. The next morning the Captain went to take another look at his stallion, and examine his fine points more closely, but great was his astonishment and
:
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Life at Camp Hamilton.
chagrin to find that he had disappeared, and no one could tell how he got away, or where he had gone to; but it was suspected that our great practical joker, the Adjutant, had specific information of the merits of the case.
Tommy, who was an unusually sharp specimen of his class, kindly offered to take care of the Captain's watch, which he hud always greatly admired. Just before the Big Bethel fight, perhaps-we will not say for certain-it entered into his head that possibly he might fall heir to it. One day the Captain threatened to strike him for some misdemeanor, when he looked at him very innocently, and said, " Massa, you told me the other day that all men were brudders." " Yes," replied the Captain, " but what if I did ?" " Nuffin," replied Tommy, "only you wouldn't strike your brudder, would yer ?" His wit saved him on that occasion at least.
The weather was now very hot. Guard duty was assigned about twice every week to each man, and the regiments took their turn on picket duty, which the men enjoyed. The outpost was about six miles from camp.
On the 22d of June, a part of the regiment were occupied in commencing the building of batteries near Hampton, which did not indicate an early advance against the enemy. This earthwork was the first one thrown up in the war, in the path to Richmond on the Peninsula. It was the initiation to the months of labor subsequently expended during MeClellan's and Grant's campaigns. The following extract in reference to it, from the Brooklyn Daily Times, is of in- terest :
HAMPTON, VA., June 23, 1861.
After the plans were laid out, a squad of Duryee's Zouaves came from camp to help dig the trenches. The Zouaves were ; iced in proper order, viz. : Four men with shovels, forming a future, and a man in the center with a pick. The first shovel- :al of. earth was dug by the wife of Captain Kilpatrick, of Daryce's Zouaves, who distinguished himself at the battle of Big
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