USA > New York > History and personal sketches of Company I, 103 N.Y.S.V., 1862-1864 > Part 3
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On February 27, 1863, there were of Company I, pres- ent for duty, 40 men; present sick, S; absent sick in hos- pitals, 10; on detached service, 1. Total, 59; besides 3 commissioned officers. Of those present there were 23 of the original number who left Elmira. Newport News was a place of rendezvous, a military post. There was noth- ing in particular to do, but guards were maintained and the regiment perfected in drill. On Tuesday, March 10. 2d Lieutenant DeWitt C. Wilbur resigned and went home. On March 12 Major Ringold came to the regiment with his commission as Colonel and took command. On March 14th, in obedience to orders, the 103d Regiment hoarded the steamer Charles Rice, came to Norfolk. Va., and from thence br rail to Suffolk, Va., on the Nansemond river. Daly the 3d Division of the 9th army corps made this move Suffolk was menaced by a large force of Confeder- ate troops, and our duty there was somewhat arduous- iving in rifle pits, on picket duty, marching here and
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there, back and forth, standing under arms fearing an at- tack, and keeping a constant watch on the entire line. Skirmishes with the enemy were of almost daily occur- rence during the latter part of April. On Sunday, May 3d, 1863, the 89th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and the 103d Regiment went out on the Providence Church road, the 103d deploying as skirmishers on the right of the road to the river, our support being the 25th Regi- ment, New Jersey Volunteers.
We soon drove in the rebel picket line, which fell back to their reserves at the edge of the wood to our left, and there opened fire on our line. We ran forward to a deep ravine, just in our front, and climbing through the tan- gled wood and brush, gained the opposite bank. Then commenced as warm a skirmish or sharpshooting fight as is often the lot of men. In the field in our front were many small stumps, and now and then a larger one. Be- hind these stumps both sides were partially concealed, each one picking his man and deliberately firing with as much precision as possible. Minie balls whistled uncom- fortably close, and any exposure of person was sure to draw the fire. The 103d continued to advance, running from stump to stump, while the enemy fell back in the same way. The fight was thus carried on from morning 'til afternoon, when a charge was made and the rebels driven back through the woods till we came to a reserve line of rifle pits and fortifications and were ordered back. Here we were fired into by a Connecticut regiment, who were sent to relieve us, but who mistook us for rebels. We, however, finally made them understand the situa- tion, were relieved. and marched out of the immediate scene of the conflict, as we were entirely out of ammuni- tion. After resting about two hours we started in agam with sixty rounds of cartridges and was moving along a branch road to the right, when a sharp volley from the breastworks of the enemy compelled us to cover along
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the fence by the road. Colonel Ringold at the time was riding at the rear of this regiment, and putting spurs to his horse he attempted to reach a brick house still further to our right, but fell from his horse, pierced with rebel bullets. He was immediately placed on a blanket and carried from the field. He died that night.
Here we lay till after dark, shelled by the rebel batteries in our front and as well by the United States Gunboat Smith Briggs in the river behind us, whose shells, not having proper range, exploded in our midst. After dark we were ordered back, and came to our old camp. Not, however, till the rebel battery in our front was blown up by a shot from our artillery. This battle closed the siege of Suffolk, the whole force of the enemy retreating across the Blackwater. In this day's conflict the 103d sus- tained a loss of 20 officers and men.
On May 10 the regiment marched about 5 miles easter- ly towards Portsmouth, Va., and encamped in a grove. This we called "Woodtick Camp" on account of the abundance of these troublesome pests. They annoyed us exceedingly. On the 15th company I was detached and stationed at a battery on the banks of the Nansemond river still farther towards Portsmouth. This we dubbed "Fort Crosby" in honor to our captain. Here company I enjoyed being by themselves, While we were in this camp Col. William Heine came to the regiment and as- sumed command. On May 27 Company I joined the regiment, marched about two miles to the railroad, ( Roanoke & Seaboard). boarded the train, and after riding 12 miles marched about 5 miles to a point on the Elizabeth river, near the mouth of the Dismal Swamp canal, three miles from Portsmouth, Va. This was known as Camp Getty's Point in honor of Gen. Getty, our Division commander. Here we began to build an earthwork, named Fort Ringold, in honor of the late Col Ringold. The men did light guard duty. (camp guard ),
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and heavy fatigue duty on the fort. It was understood that this was a part of an inner line of defense around Norfolk, Fortress Monroe, &c. After fairly getting set- tled in camp and the work on foot well started, we re- ceived light marching orders and on Monday, June 22d, marched to Portsmouth, Va., took the steamer "Hero" at 7 o'clock A, M. and passing Fortress Monroe, arrived at Yorktown about 2 o'clock P. M. Landing, we march- ed through the little town and stuck up our shelter tents near the tree under which Lord Cornwallis surrendered his army to Gen. Washington; also the scene of Gen. Mc- Clellan's siege. On the 26th we again "struck tents,' boarded the steam transport "Thomas A. Morgan," steamed up York river past West Point, and up the crooked, sluggish Pamunky river to White House Land- ing, where arrived in the afternoon and encamped near the landing. Capt. Crosby says in his diary on this date, "Company I has thirty men in the field, one-fourth of them left in camp at Getty's Point." July 1st we broke camp and marched up the Pamunky river, touched at Lanesville and Jerusalem Church and eneamped for the night one mile from King William Court House. Again up at daylight and on to camp near Brandywine Mills, and the next day by a hard march through Mechanics- ville and Enfield to a place called Taylor's farm to en, camp, a very fine plantation. The next morning, July 4- ( 1863); the command marched again, leaving the bag- gage train, a battery and those unable to march at this place. Of company I left were Sergeant Kimball, Musi- cian Carey, Stage, Eils, Blumed and Kopstrup. The regi- ment and the line marched at 10 o'clock A. M., encounter- ing small bands of rebels on the way, reached Hanover Court House at 5 o'clock p.M. From there the 103d was sent to Hanover Station and on the railroad nine (9) miles from the Junction as picket guard in thedestruction of the railroad and stores, and returned the next day to
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Hanover Court House. The same day the column marched back to Taylor's Farm and after a short rest started the same evening for White House Landing, marching till nearly morning. After two hours' rest the march was resumed till we reached camp six miles from White House Landing, and on the 7th again camped in the same place we had left on the 1st The men were all foot-sore; many were almost tired out. Shoes had been worn from the feet and some had march with pieces of blanket tied on their feet.
On the Sth of July in a drenching rain we started on our march down the Pamunky river, the whole surface of the ground covered with water, the streams over- flowing and a forty mile march before us. At night we bivouacked in the rain, using our shelter tents to cover us as best we could, wet to the skin with the continued downpour, we pass Kent County Court House, Slaters- ville, Williamsburg, reaching Yorktown on the 9th at 3 u'clock P. M. Here we lay the next day while we were getting some shoes, (received nine pairs on a requisition for seventeen pairs), marched on to Big Bethel, and on Sunday the 12th marched to Hampton, Va., before 8 o'clock A. M. On the 13th we came back to our old camp at Getty's Point.
While at Yorktown on the 11th we received a new stand of colors, presented by the Common Council of the city of New York. Work was resumed on the earthwork at Getty's Point, also the routine of camp duties. On Monday, July 27th, 1863, Captain Crosby, having been ordered on detached service, started for New York. About this time some changes were made in Company I. 1 st Lieutenant Jones was promoted Captain and assigned : Company B. Orderly Sergeant Julius Johns was pro- moted to 2d Lieutenant of Company I, Sergeant Kimball Liking his place as Orderly Sergeant. Lieutenant Geor-
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gie was assigned to Company H, and Lieutenant Gust Fambach was assigned to Company B.
We were again under heavy marching orders, and on the 29th marched to Portsmouth, Va. At night went on board the Steamer United States, and steamed south the next morning. August 2d we sighted Fort Sumpter. square and symmetrical, rising out of the water at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. We had never looked on its walls before, and it is no wonder every one was inter- ested. How we strained our eyes? How closely we scanned its flag. At first, in the distance, it looked like a white flag.
It seems but yesterday since we first sighted Sumpter. We passed the monitors and the other warships in turn, vigilantly watching on the outposts of this hot-bed of secession and rebellion. In the afternoon of the same day we were piloted into Light House Inlet and landed on Folly Island, a long, narrow strip of sandy land, ly- ing just south of Morris Island. We marched up the beach and stuck up our shelter tents on the sand banks among the palmettos. The island was quite narrow here, the ocean washing one shore, while on the other lay the sluggish, swampy Folly river. The weather was very warm, and we missed, sadly missed, good water. In fact water of any kind. except the brine of the Atlantic ocean, was hard to find. What water we had was pro- cured by sinking a barrel in the sand, and into the bot- tom of this would settle water as dark in color as coffee There were no springs here. The next day a detail of one hundred men was ordered for guard and fatigueduty. This was the commencement of our heavy duty as a regi- ment in the way of constant service. It was three days in the intrenchments on Morris Island in front of Fort Wagner, one night in camp, then picket duty on Folly Island, or fatigue dutv, making gabins for use at the front.
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DRUM CORPS OF THE 103rd REGT. N. Y. S. VOLS., At Folley Island, S. C. (Sketch by Poil,)
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This was about the routine of our duty without much variation for some time. Rations were cooked in camp and carried to the detail, no fires being allowed there. These details were made from the duty men, and gener- ally included all of them, musicians, orderly sergeants, cooks, and siek men being left in camp. These gabins were made on Folly Island, where an undergrowth of brush and saplings could be found and were perhaps four feet high. These, when filled with sand, were rolled on an angle towards the fort. Behind each one being two men with shovels, digging a trench, and one or two with rifles as sharpshooters. The fortifications were approached in this manner until the gunners on the parapet were not only unable to work their pieces but were driven to their bomb-proofs. Battery Wagner, which had so obstinately resisted all attempts at capture, was taken by assault on September 7th, 1863.
On the morning of September 20, 1863, a large detail from the 103d Regiment was ordered to do picket duty on Long Island (or Little Folly Island. ). The detail from Company I consisted of Orderly Sergeant Kimball, four corporals, and eighteen privates. The same day the regi- ilent moved camp, a short distance only. The duty on Long Island ( which lies between Folly Island and James Island ) was a regular picket duty. Rations of whisky were issued to the men every morning; no fires or lights in tents were allowed after dark, as we were at all times in sight of the enemy on James Island, only being hidden by a medium growth of trees and brush. Being sur- rounded by swamps and stagnant water on all sides, mosquitoes and gnats were well nigh unbearable. We remained here on picket till Friday, October 23d, when we were relieved by Company A of the 103d Regi- Ment, together with a detail from the 3d Regiment, New York Volunteers. We rejoined the regiment in camp on Folly Island, leaving Corporal Lormore detailed on the
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pass boat, Private Hoffman on the Dispatch Boat, and Private Curtis on the water boat. The duty in camp was somewhat different, though it was arduous. The regiment was often called out in the evening, and was under arms until daylight. When this was not done a large detail was on reserve picket all night at stations along Folly river, fearing an attack from the direction of James Is- land, against which every precaution was taken.
On Monday, October 26, 1863, Private Michael Powers was absent from the company all day without leave, giving as an excuse the next morning that he met. some old comrades at the sutler's up the Island and took too much drink. The next day it was repeated, but with a reprimand from the Orderly Sergeant he promised not to be absent again and was excused this time also The third day he was again missing all day long, not answer- ing to roll call, nor had he put in an appearance at "taps." But this time there was no chance for repri- mand or punishment, as our comrade, just as our boys were returning from picket duty in the gray dawn of the morning, after adjusting a string to his toe, tied it to the trigger of his loaded musket, laid himself on his bunk. put the muzzle in his mouth and discharged his piece. Death was instantaneous. Corporal Lucius L. Flower, in whose tent Mike was, very soon came in from picket and discovered the suicide. After a proper investigation, poor Mike was carried out and buried. There was some mys- ters connected with the affair that was not known in the company, some trouble that no doubt antedated his en- listment in the 103d Regiment. He left no letters or any- thing by which we could trace a relative or friend to notify them of his sad death. He was a good soldier. atl, as far as we know, served his country faithfully. He was enlisted in New York December 17th, 1862, by Lien- tenant George A. Hussey; was born in Ireland, was a spar-cutter by trade, and gave his age as 2S.
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Capt. Crosby returned to the regiment October 31, only for two or three days, (leaving November 2nd) he having been sent to Hilton Head, S. E. from New York with a detachment of recruits.
The routine duty of the regiment continued with slight variations but was exacting. Guard duty, picket, re- serve picket, inspection and drill by squads, company, regimental, brigade and division drill, all added to make the lives of our boys busy ones. Some furloughs were granted about this time, to a very limited extent, how- ever.
Sunday, November 29th Col. Heine ordered all the men of the regiment on fatigue duty to clear off the brush in the rear of the cook houses. After they were in line the men refused to do so. Threats being of no avail the Colonel said he would order out the battery of light artillery lying next to our camp and compel them. This also proved useless and the men were ordered to their quarters. That afternoon Quarter Master Fox was or- dered to issue a ration of whisky to each man. Decem- her 8, 1863, there was an examination of the men of the regiment by the regimental surgeon to ascertain whether or not they were able to double quick a mile or more. lle gave to the boys of company I the recommend of be- ing a good company physically.
In January and February 1864, the enlisted men who had served two years, began to discuss the matter of re- enlisting under General Orders, War Department for three years more. There was no urging on the part of the Government, the offer was made and the men were left to do as they thought best. Those choosing to do so were to receive all back pay and allowances, bounty lue, etc., the same as at final discharge, and were again mustered into the service. In addition each re-enlisted man was to have a furlough of thirty days. The follow-
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ing named members of Company I, re-enlisted during the winter, viz:
Fernando Wescott, Nathan Wood, Emerson F. Orvis, William J. Sutherland, Frank Smith, Orville S. Kimball, Clark H. Stage, George W. Bennett, James W. Burnham, Joseph Wade, Narcisse Pail, Geo. L. Ostrander and J. Wilbur Curtis.
On April 10th 1864 the re-enlisted men (about one hun- dred from the 103rd regiment) were provided with fur- loughs, went from Long Island, took the steamer Dic- tator at Stono Inlet, steamed to Hilton Head, S. C., and on the 13th, went on board the steamer Louisa Moore and steamed for New York where we arrived on the 18th. On Wednesday the 20th we were tendered a reception as a veteran regiment by the City of New York, the 6th Regiment National Guard acting as escort. A grand banquet was given, ( three hundred covers were laid. ) with speeches and a general good time all around. The boys were back again from their homes on May 19th, and on the 22nd took the steamer Fulton for Hilton Head, S. C., where we arrived on the 26th. The same day we took the steamer Neptune and came to Stono Inlet and our old camp where we again resumed our duties. Outpost picket on Long Island was maintained with force and also what was termed as grand guard on Folly Island. The regiments in camp were often "turned out" before daylight to stand under arms till sunrise. Capt. Crosby returned from detached service at New York Har- bor on Sunday. June 12th, 1864, and again resumed command of company I. He made this entry in his diary that day: "I inspected the company and find everything in as good order as could possibly be ex- pected."
On the 30th day of June, 1864, the 103d was under orders to march with three days' cooked rations in hav- ersack, rubber blankets only, eighty rounds of cartridges
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each man. We crossed Folly river to Long Island, lay atroand the stockade till night of July 1st; after dark we cross from the south end of the island in pontoon boats to Tiger Island, land in the mud knee deep and flounder to land; some got fast in the mud and had to be pulled out. Before daylight we cross a morass knee deep, en- countered the rebel pickets on James Island and moved Capt. Crosby was ordered to skirmish to the right with ten men from the right of company I and if possible capture some cavalry pickets that were heading in around a point of water. As there was no other commissioned of- ticer present with the company, Orderly Sergt. Kimball was ordered to deploy the remainder of thecompany as skirm- ishers and move in advance. The skirmish line moved for- ward through a swampy field. A short distance in front was a hedge of brush with a ditch. Behind this hedge was concealed a battery of two brass twelve-pounder cannon and as the line came within short range they opened with sinister double-shotted Several charges were fired in rapid succession, making havoc in the skirmish line and ' the regiment. They soon rallied from the temporary confusion, and with the 55th Regt. Mass. Vols. (colored ) on our left charged across the field, in the face of a terri- Me fire, captured the battery and turned the guns on the fying enemy. Capt. Crosby with his ten men returned after the commencement of the fight, double-quick, and took their places in the line of battle. Two prisoners were captured with the battery and the colored troops were determined to bayonet them on the spot. They were restrained only by the efforts of Capt. Crosby and others who stepped between them with drawn sword commanding them to desist. Their cry was "Captain re- sauber Fort Pillow; blood for blood." While this short riey was going on the prisoners were hustled away out of their reach. From this point the regiment reformed . 1 harried across the next field towards Fort Lamar,
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forming in line at the second brush hedge. Here the regi- ment lay all day, covering themselves as best theycould behind banks of earth which was hastily thrown up as a protection against a blank fire from a rebel battery on our left.
When Fort Lamar opened on us with solid shot and shell we hugged the ditches and lay quiet. At night we were ordered to fall back without speaking a word, and reached a line of rifle pits near the south end of James Island. Here we lay on our arms till the 10th, skirmish- ing and picketing, the rebel line in plain view. Heavy firing between our gunboats and the batteries on Johns Island was kept up all the time.
In the engagement of July 2d our regiment lost 25 men. Two men of company I were killed in front of the bat- tery, viz: Nareisse Pail, well known in the company as "Frenchy," and John Read. "Frenchy" was shot through the right breast, a ball of canister passing through him. He was laid on a stretcher and carried to the lower end of James Island, where he died in the afternoon. Orderly Sergeant Kimball, while in command of the skirmish line, had the entire sole of his boot torn off by a can- ister shot striking the toe just low enough to miss the foot. He was stunned by the force of the shot and was reported killed until hecame to the line half an hour later.
On the 10th of July, preparations having been pre- viously made to evacuate the Island by moving the heavy ordnance, etc., the order to march came after dark. the troops crossed to Battery Island, the next day to John's Island, the camp of the 74th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, on to Stono Inlet, and crossed to our old camp on Folly Island. It seemed like getting home again. August 9th. 1863, Springfield rifles, model of 1863, were given to the men in the 103d Regiment in ex- change for the Austrian rifles we had used-a very much
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nicer looking rifle and much easier to keep in order for in- spection, which was an item with the soldier.
On August 12th Captain Crosby having resigned, bid adieu to the company and regiment, and went home. On August 17th the 103d went to Hilton Head, S. C., and next day took the steamer transport Arago (same vessel on which Captain Crosby went home) and came north, was transferred at Fortress Monroe to the Steamer C. N. Thomas, and the next day landed at Washington, D. C., marched up Pennsylvania Avenue, through George- town, across Long Bridge to Fort Richardson, Arlington Heights. Here we lay for a little time, scattered among the small fortifications in the vicinity of Fort Reynolds. Fort Wood, etc. On September 23d we again marched to Washington and took the cars for Harper's Ferry, and on the 27th marched out with a long train of provisions anistores for General Sheridan's army up the Shenandoah Valley. All trains had to be guarded up the valley, as the rebel General Mosby was operating in that section with a band of guerillas, not to fight pitched battles, but to prowl around, pick up stragglers, capture provision wagons, or do any damage at any time or anywhere he could to the Union cause. His men were hardly ever in sight, but on the alert-regular bushwhackers. They seemed almost to come out of the ground anywhere there was an opportunity to make a capture.
Our brigade was called the Provisional Brigade. We marched as far as Harrisonburg, Va., where we found General Sheridan's army. After a few days' picket guard and skirmish duty we marched back down the valley. and October 14th camped near Middleton, Va., and on the 17th was ordered to proceed to Martinsburg, Va., with a train of wagons and. rebel prisoners. On the 20th we left Martinsburg for the front and went into camp a little south of Winchester, Va., where we stayed till the
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25th; then marched again to our former camp south of Middletown.
During the time we had been away the battle of Cedar Creek had been fought, lost, and won, of which we saw evidences all around us. On the 2Sth we again camped just south of Winchester, and lay there until November 10th. Here it was rumored we would go into winter quarters, but we were soon undeceived. Our march was toward Harper's Ferry along the line of railroad, camp- ing this time near Charlestown, Va. Our duty was to guard the railroad from any disturbance. For this pur- pose picket posts were established at intervals along the track, near enough to communicate with each other by patrols during the night time. These posts were made up of a non-commissioned officer and generally three men, who pitched their tents and were not relieved. They, how- ever, kept a vidette out at night, which they relieved every two hours. These details were made from the duty men, while the orderly sergeants, musicians, sick, etc., were left in the regimental camp. Some of our men were sent out as safeguards to the residences in the vicinity. Mosby's band was very active, and embraced every op- portunity to gobble up our men or destroy any property of the United States. This made the duty all the more exacting, and required close vigilance on the part of the pickets.
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