USA > New York > Chronicles of the One hundred fifty-first regiment New York state volunteer infantry, 1862-1865; > Part 8
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Franklin O. Todd says the line of intrenchments in front of Petersburg extended twelve miles, and was regarded as impass. able. Two or three hundred feet in front of it were " picket posts, which were like little graves dug long enough for four or six soldiers to crouch in out of sight. They often had bonghs of pine stuck in the earth in front of them. Indivi Inal instrue tions were given the troops, that when the signal which was to be a cannon on a gunboat in the James river, seven miles away -- was given, they were to dash for the picket posts without firing."
Phillip Ernst states that when President Lincoln was at City Point, he shook hands with them all. Also, that Gen. lee rode past them after the surrender; and he proposed three cheers for him, which the boys gave.
Jolm W. Lake tells of the destitution of Lec's army at the time of surrender. Even the waste of Union horse feed was gathered, cleaned and parched for officers to eat :
"I was at the surrender of Lee. I saw the remnant of his army march up between two lines of our troops, and stack their arms and colors, and march away to their homes. Some depart- ed on horseback, others on mules, that is those who were for- timate enough to get live animals: Many of the horses and mules were dead in their harness, and there was nothing in their wagons for man or horse to eat. I saw rebel officers gathering up corn out of the mnd where our horses and mmles had been fed, wash it, parch it and eat it themselves.
"They did not have a thing to eat until we divided onr ra- tions with them. I did not hear any of them say ' thank you.' I was right around among them, and conversed with a good many. Some said they were glad it was over, but others said it was not over, for they would join Johnston's army and fight to the bit- ter end. But that was only talk."
CHAPTER XIV
Reminiscences.
We regret that J. J. Dempsey did not elaborate his sugges- tions which follow, as he certainly could have furnished the "Boys" with a good camp fire entertainment :
"If a few of us could get together we could make up man . comical stories. Russell and Todd and Crawford are the best.
"Todd for the killing of the strong flavored boar, Wolcott's boots left on the imaginary picket line at Harpers Ferry, etc. Russell for spoiling my tailless little Sunday coat with our long treasured molasses at Brandy Station, while Crawford, the Sergt. Major burned the rice while reading a novel, so that we did not need to sweeten up in the absence of the New Orleans nigger foot. It has taken Todd and me since Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864, to find the Cap's horse, and we haven't found him yet! The dear old Cap has gone to his long rest, and *how his audit stands, none know save he.' "
D. W. Griffis commanded a brigade of Sharpshooters from July 10, 1864, to February '65. Hle relates his experience when deployed in advance of the army to guard against guerillas, and took the wrong road:
"It will be remembered by all the comrades, that after we were driven from the field at Monocacy, we fell back to Balti- more, marching all night and all the next day (Sunday) reach- ing Ellicott Mills about sundown of the 10th. From there we took the cars to Baltimore. We found the city in much con- fusion, and the Militia (including negroes, male and female) all out in the forts. We remained there only a short time, then went to Washington, where we received two or three months' pay, then started on a campaign, which consisted of marching, camping and skirmishing up to August the 11, when
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we fought a battle at Winchester, then we were engaged again at the Opequon Creek, September 19, then again at Fishers Hill, September 22, then Cedar Creek October 18. The intervals be tween engagements were full of incidents of interest, which, if written, woul I make a very large book. I will relate one, which the Comrades of the 1st Brigade Sharpshooters no doubt will remember.
"About the middle of October, '64, we were on one of those exhaustive marches, very hot and dusty. About 10 a. M. General W'heaton, who had command of the advance, sent an orderly back with an order for the Sharpshooters of both Brigades to report to him af head of column. The 2d Brigade Sharpshooters were commanded by an Indian Lient., and had several Indians in the company. The General told us that his Scouts had reported guerillas ahead, and we were to go ahead of the army abont half a mile, deploy our men on both sides of the road and march in that way. All went well until we came to a road that bore off to the right, then we were puzzled. The Lient. and the writer, held a sort of council of war, and decided to keep straight ahead.
After marching about two miles we came to the end of the road and in our front was the Shenandoah river with very high bluffs on both sides. The army had taken the road to the right, and left us to our fate; and to make matters worse, We could see a plenty of Johnmies on the opposite side. Ahnost directly in front of us was a large stone mill, and that was full of gray backs. It was just good rifle shot across and my boys were arm- ed with Sharps and Spencer rifles and as there was no way the Rebs could get aeross, we didn't worry mmch. It was abont noon when we reached the river, so after dinner we thought we would see what we could do to entertain those JJolumies. There were plenty of good large flat stones on our side and we proceeded to utilize them. In a very short time each man had a very good fort. The Rebs would come down the bank to get water, and then the boys would let them have it. It was fun to see them jmp; but they soon began to return the fire and then it was not so much fun; but we were well protected by the flat stones and none of the men were injured. ' We continue to keep the Rebs busy all the afternoon. We could frequently hear cannonading off to the right, so we knew we did not have the whole Rebel
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army in our front. When night came we fell back a short dis tance, went into camp, placed pickets, the same as though we were the whole army. The next forenoon a staff officer came and piloted us to the main army.
"AAfter the Cedar Creek engagement we soon made our way back to near Winchester, and went into camp, where we remain ed so long that we began to think we would winter there, and many of the boys fixed np quite substantial quarters. I will re late an incident. One of the boys had built a stick and und chimney with a five place in his tent. He had plastered in an old gam barrel to hang kettles on, but unluckily for him he had left the mmzzle sticking through on the outside. Some wag discoy ered the same and chucked in something like a pound of powder, well packed. One day he was cooking his dinner, and when that old gun barrel got hot there was something doing. I was in the next tent, and my first thought was that the Rebs had dropped a hundred pound shell into our camp. The Adjutant General sent for me and wanted to know what was going on down in on camp. I explained matters. He langhed and told me to see to it that discipline was maintained in camp."
Most inhman treatment was given our men while prison ers; it is like medieval reading, and the South will never regain the prestige it once held for hospitality. Undoubtedly a de- pleted treasury was largely responsible, but the crime exists; humane consideration would have freed some of them when doomed to death by starvation. Only Philip Cooke and John Kelly have sent contributions on the subject. Mr. Cooke's fol- lows:
"It was a hungry squad of prisoners that formel to march the morning after the battle of Monocacy, July 10, 1864. The rebel Gen. Jubal Early and his staff passed by our camp in the morning and we were soon called to fall in ranks, and followed along after the rebel army. I found prisoners in our squad from the 106th N. Y., 10th Vt., 14th N. J. and some Ohio one hundred day men.
"That day we passed through Hazelton and Clarksburg. July 11 we marched early in the morning, passing through Janesburg and Rockville, camped for the night near the line of the District of Columbia in an orchard. They gave us a pint of
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flon there, the first food we had received from them since we were captured. The battle was raging all day near Washington and several shells from Fort Stephens passed over our camp. We thought it pretty tough to be kept under fire of our own guns. July 12 we lay still all day. At night we took the back track and marched all night, passed through Rockville at sin rise of the 13th. July 14 we crossed the Potomac river at White Ford. We waded the river. Marchel until noon and camped in a graveyard near Leesburg. July 15, lay still all day. The next day we broke camp at 1 s. M. and marched through Leesburg, across the London valley pass through Upperville and Ashbys Gap, waded through the Shenandoah river about day- light, and stopped the balance of the day at Millwood. We had marched about forty miles since the morning of the 16th with out anything to cat. This day at Millwood was Sunday, and a day of rest to us. We were given a small ration of bread there. July 18 we marched to Winchester. July 20 marched carly in the morning through the valley and camped for the night at Strassburg and stayed there the next day. Are put on short ra tions; only get half a pint of flour a day. July 22 marched through Woodstock and Edinburg, camp for the night at Mt. Jackson. July 24 march through Harrisburg, and camp for the night near Staunton. Next morning we were put on the cars at Staunton and arrive at Charlottsville at night, and have is- sned to us hall' a loaf of bread and a small piece of bacon. Best meal we had had since we were captured. July 26 marched to the depot and took the ears and arrive at Lynchburg at night. S. yel there all the next day and had some good bread for ra- tions. July 28 marched to the depot. As we passed out of the prison there were several men stationed each side of the door, and they grabbed and took from the prisoners, pieces of blan- kets, shelter tents, haversacks and any thing they could pick from them. This was robbery with a vengeance! We were on the cars all day and night and arrived at Danville, Va., the morning of July 29 at sunrise. Little we thought that this was to be our stopping place for the next six months.
Our squad of prisoners was put in prison No. 1, a large brick tobacco warehouse. From the battle of Monocacy until we ar- rived at Staunton, prisoners were added to our numbers, so
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that when placed in prison at Danville there were five hundred men there. The rations that were issued to us on our march from Monocacy up the valley to Staunton was either a pint of flour or a pint of corn meal, and each one had to cook it to suit himself. As most of the men had lost all their cups, tin pails ete., it was a problem for them to cook their rations. I was lucky enough to keep my haversack and quart tin cup, that cup was in great demand. My mode of cooking my flour or meal was to stir it up in cold water, then put it on the fire till it boiled, this made it like gruel. I would drink half of it at night and the bal- ance in the morning. I found this made the most filling and staid with me the longest. Some of the men would mix their flour into dough and roll it around a stick of wood, stand it near the fire until brown, then eat it off the stick. Others put their dough on a chip, or piece of flat rock and cooked it near the fire, as we had no salt all these messes were quite tasteless, but being marche I hard and half fed, we could devour anything that came in our way in the shape of food. We passed through many apple orchards, the fruit was about half grown, and I know I have eaten enough green apples at various times to kill half a dozen men. The rebels that guarded ns on our march treated ns kind- ly and Inimately. But after we arrived at the prison the brave Home gnards that never smelt powder, were a mean and over- bearing lot of ensses. They would not grant us any favors or privileges. A few treated us very nicely and were sociable. Our rations in the prison was generally a piece of corn bread about four inches long, by two inches wide, and two thick. Some times a piece of bacon as large as ones thumb, or a few spoonfuls of black beans and soup, there was no salt in this food and it was a very tasteless mess. We would get this issned once a day. generally about ten A. M. Most of the men would eat it all at once and wait until the next day for their next meal. I usually divided mine in two parts, would eat one when I got it, and the other at night. I kept this up until some one stole my half' ra- tion, then I would eat it all when issued, and it didn't tempt any one to steal.
"We carried onr drinking water from the river Dan, which was several hundred yards from the prison. The men occupied three floors of the prison, and several times a day the guards
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would let out two men from each floor, each with two buckets, and two guards would take them down to the river and return. When the water was clear it was all right, but the rains kept the water roiled up and many times after the water settled there would be one or two inches of mind and sand in the bottom of the buckets. I used to watch my chances and get on the water line as much as I could, for I liked the chance to walk about, and all- other reason was, about half way down to the river there was a large spring in the bank, and some of the guards would let us go to the spring and drink all the water we wanted even if it was against orders. Some would not let us go, but we soon got well enough acquainted with them to know who we could trust, and as soon as we came to the path to the spring we would make a break for a good cold drink.
"In a few weeks, short rations and poor drinking water be- gan to tell on the prisoners. The large strong men could not get enough food to sustain life, and they began to drop off by death, some of the sick were sent to hospitals. It was a horrible life for us, who lived in that prison all winter. Many interesting things conld be written about our prison life at Danville; but this article is getting too long. In conclusion will say that it was a happy lot of men that were ordered to march out of the prison on the morning of February 18, 1865, and marched to the railroad. We were packed in box cars so tight that we could scarcely move, but it was all right, for we were going back to God's country !
"We left Danville at 3 p. M. and arrived at Richmond at noon the next day. We were placed in Pemberton prison, across the street from Libby prison. Several men died on our journey to Richmond, and it was a fearful trip for all of us in our weak condition. We drew our rations at sundown, half a loaf of bread and a small piece of beef. February 20 we drew rations at 9 A. M. and at 3 p. M. Had got up to two meals a day ! At sundown we were paroled. February 21 at 5 A. M. we drew rations and at sunrise left the prison, and marched to the boat on the James river. We soon started down the river and arrived at our lines at 10 A. M. This was a grand march for us, although several men dropped ont and died between the rebel line of works and the Union lines. On our march we passed by a lot of returned
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rebel prisoners, and I carefully noted the difference in their ap- pearance and ours. They were fat and well dressed, clean, and had plenty of baggage, while our poor fellows were ragged and dirty, and so poor that they could scarcely walk.
"How beautiful the old flag looked to us, and we could breathe the air of freedom again!
"In conclusion, I will say that I had the honor of marching into Danville, Va., with our regiment, after Lee's surrender, and took a walk down to the old prison, and got a drink of water out of the spring, as a victorious Yank."
Jolm Kelly writes that the guards were very exasperating in gaining any articles which the prisoners had in their posses- sion ; many had preserved mementoes and necessities, and these were often snatched by the rebels. Before leaving Danville to be exchanged, officers came into the prison to exchange clothing, giving each an opportunity to get a garment which was needed to "cover their nakedness, some pants, others shirts."
When arranging the exchange Mr. Kelly states: "We had a great time, he said he would not allow us to be exchanged until they returned the trinkets they took from our prisoners. They were returned. Next morning we were put on cars for Richmond ; sailing down to Port of exchange where our flag was, and left the bread line."'
John W. Lake witnessed an explosion at City Point, near Gen. Grant's quarters, on July 7, 1864.
"The 6th Corps wagon train was being loaded onto boats to be shipped to Washington, and from there to the Shenandoah Valley, to join the troops, when there was a terrible explosion as they were unloading an ammunition boat. Seventy were kill- ed and 130 wounded, mostly colored men. It was not known at the time what cansed the explosion, but it was afterwards re- ported that a rebel spy went on the boat with an infernal ma- chine, which destroyed the boat with all its cargo and many lives. I never had such a seare before nor since, and the seene of carn- age was worse than battle field sights."
Melvin M. Conklin relates an incident which occurred on the evening of May 15, 1865, at Danville, when they were ordered to guard the wagon train to Richmond, under a new flag just re- ceived :
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"When it was learned that the Regiment was to guard the wagon train, there was a mad lot of boys; they believed that Col. Bogardus had volunteered the service of the Reg., which to us then looked like a long hard march, while the corps took the train. They also felt that the bright new flag did not represent service; they loved the old tattered and torn, battle-scarred flag.
"There were all sorts of epithets, (not at low breath) heap ed upon the Col. who threatened to make arrests. Matters finally quieted down,
"We started next morning rather sullen and ugly. It was not long however, before we found we had made a mistake, that the colonel was not so bad a man after all. It was an easy march, sort of a pic-nic."
Jolm II. Stevens' retrospection is comprehensive in the fol- lowing :
"I assisted in the duties of the Camp and participated in all the movements of the Regiment until Friday, November 27th, where at the battle of Mine Run I was wounded, receiving a bullet in my right thigh. On the 4th of March, 1864, after be- coming able for duty I was transferred from the Hospital at Alexandria, where I had been located, to Baltimore and placed on duty at the Medical Purveyors Store of that city. This store was filled with all kinds of hospital supplies, and my duty was to help fill ont the requisitions that would come from the hos- pitals, get the goods ready and send them off, and we had a very nice place. After leaving the Reg. the morning after I was wounded I did not see my comrades of the Co. again until the following summer.
"About the first of July the confederate Genl. Early invaded the Shenandoah valley, threatening Washington and Baltimore. On the 7th of July the little first brigade of the 3d division of the 6th Any Corps was detached from the lines in front of Petersburg, marched to City Point, there loaded on to trans- ports and brought up to Baltimore, there loaded on to cars and taken out to Frederick City, arriving there on the afternoon or the Sth, just as the confederates were coming through the pass west of the city, and on the 9th occurred that terrible battle of Monocacy, where that little brigade fought four times its mim- ber, meanwhile falling back to the city of Baltimore. On Sun-
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day morning there was great excitement in the city and we at the store were ordered to remove our goods down to a large steamer lying at the dock. We worked hard all that day and on Monday morning I received an order as Sergeant of the guard, to impress all the able men we nec led to assist us in removing those goods from the store; we had a lively day of it, and on Tuesday, after the goods were removed, and having learned that the little brigade had gone into camp near the city, I had an opportunity to go and see the small fragment of my old regi- ment ; it was a sorry sight for me to see how thin had become its ranks, and after looking into the hollow eyes and care worn faces of those old veterans, I had no desire to leave the position I then held and go to the front with the few remaining comrades of my old company. After getting back to the store I was detail. ed to go with the steamer in charge of the goods, out into the bay, where we remained until the excitement in the city was over, then the goods were moved back to the store. I remained at the store until the 15th of September, when I was transferred to Washington and placed on duty at the Medical Bureau of the Provost Marshal Generals Office. My soldier life there was very enjoyable and full of interest, and my duty was such that I don- ned the citizen suit, and visited the public buildings and places of ammsements like a common civilian. My duty was writing, and many times did I think of the remark one of my comrades made to me that morning after I was wounded. I was lying in the ambulance and my company passing by, one of my comrades made the remark, 'Oh Stevens you're a lucky dog,' now I was in Inek, for that wound meant for me, after I became convales- vent, a forty days' furlongh, it meant for me my position in Bal- timore, where I passed the summer of '64 very pleasantly while comrades at the front wore participating in those hard fought battles. It also meant for me my position in Washington.
"Notwithstanding all the pleasure I enjoyed by living in the city of Washington, and receiving the many privileges that did not fall to the lot of a common soldier, I longed for the war to close. How great was our rejoicing on that 3d of April, over the fall of Richmond and then on the morning of the 10th to hear of the surrender of that great rebel chieftain. Every pa- triot's heart was filled with gratitude to God for the successes
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achieved over the enemies of our glorious republic. It was in deed, a magnificent sight to see those large public buildings so brilliantly illuminated and so neatly decorated with the emblems of our country. The crowd of people upon the street was im mense, and every one seemed so joyous over our great victor ies, little suspecting that in a few short hours a crime would be committed that would cause our country to mouth as never a country mourned before. The deed was done and we had to lament the loss of that great and good man who had so nobly and faithfully performed his part while chief magistrate of on com try. I was at the theatre at the time, and was, therefore, an eye witness to that terrible tragedy. Can it be that it was God's providence that the life of Abraham Lincoln should be taken from us by the hand of an assassin and just at the time, too, when that dark cloud was about breaking which had for so long a time been overshadowing our country? \ gloom was cast over our bright prospects and our spirits were aroused with indigna tion. I well remember those exciting times and how silently everybody seemed to move abont, with only one thought and that was, onr President was dead. Those handsomely decorated buildings of the day before were hurriedly transformed into places of mourning. While the remains of our dead President were lying in state I tried in vain, to see them; the crowd being so great I gave it up as impossible. The funeral procession was an imposing sight, an hour and a half passing a given point.
"After the fall of Richmond and the surrender of General Lee, thinking the war nearly over, I applied to the Secretary of War for my discharge and received the following: 'John HI. Stevens, a Sergeant of Company 95 of the 2d Batalion of Vet- eran Reserve Corps, is Hereby discharged from the Army of the United States in consequence of special order No. 219 A. G. (. May 10, 1865. By order of the Provost Marshal General.' I was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps by a Special Order of the Secretary of War."
151st REGIMENT
123
Flag Presented to Company A, by Ladies of Ridgeway.
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FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Colonel,
Quartermaster,
WILLIAM EMERSON.
J. K. MCDONALD.
Lieut-Colonel, Surgeon,
ERWIN A. BOWEN. A. M. LEONARD. Major, Assistant Surgeon
THOMAS M. FAY. DAVID W. ONDERDONK.
Adjutant, Chaplain, E. M. BUCK.
JAMES A. JEWELL.
NON COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Sergeant Major, F. R. DERRICK. CHARLES A. KING.
Commissary Sergeant,
Quartermaster Sergeant,
Hospital Steward,
CHARLES W. WALL. CHARLES A. CARPENTER.
REGISTER OF FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
EMERSON, WILLIAM -Age, 12 years. Enrolled at hock- port to serve three years, and mustered in as Colonel, Oct. 22, 1862; discharged, Dec. 21, 1864. Commissioned Colonel, Novem- ber 10, 1862, with rank from October 22, 1862, original
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