USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 13
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CHAPTER XXXI.
A THIRD ASSAULT ON WAGNER WAS ORDERED. - THE REBELS HAD EVACUATED. - THE FORTS AND ISLAND OURS. - THE FORTS TO BE REBUILT. - GEN. GILLMORE CONGRATULATES IN GENERAL ORDERS. - HIE IS COM- MISSIONED AS MAJOR GENERAL. - DETAILS FOR DUTY ON PICKET AND FATIGUE ARE CONSTANT AND REGU- LAR. - WEATHER COOL AND DISAGREEABLE. - ARRI- VAL OF RECRUITS. - THE USUAL ROUTINE OF CAMP DUTIES.
A third assault on Wagner was ordered. The time to be 9 o'clock on Monday morning, September the Tth. the fiftieth day of the siege. The details were arranged. Large numbers of troop> had arrived from the army of the Potomac. We had erowned the counterscarp of the ditch, and had reached the pali- -....-. The trenches were widened for the easy pas- -age of troops. A strong calcium light was thrown upwon the fort by night, to expose the enemy's opera- For forty hours previous to the time fixed for Toassault, the land batteries were opened on Wagner. all at the same time the Ironsides moved up within
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a thousand yards and poured her broadsides into the fort, while the monitors added their eleven and fifteen- inch shells. The watchfulness of an increased number of sharpshooters, added to the continued explosion of shells in, above and around the fort, drove every rebel within the impenetrable bomb-proofs. The sand that covered them, was piled in the openings, mak- ing suffocation imminent. The time had come to en- act a third, and perhaps bloodier, drama upon the parapets of Wagner. Long before dawn the troops formed on the beach, waiting the command forward. Officers and men had written their wishes to friends, that if lost in the charge, some few words of remem- brance might be found as the last on earth. The One Hundredth New York, a portion of Stephenson's bri- gade, were to move by the fort and assault in the rear. The Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania and Third New Hampshire were the two storming regiments in front to clear the sinall space, to leap the ditch and scale the parapets, while the supports were steadily ad- rancing.
The order was given, and slowly and silently we moved forward. Closer and closer we approached the sand walls of that rebel strongholdl. The silence was ominous. Not a man to be seen, or sound of life to be heard. All hearts were lightened, as the report flew along the unbroken ranks. Wagner is evacuated. That body of men was expanded into light-hearted- ness, that a few moments before was sinking with leaden depression and expected death. On to Gregg in
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time to secure nearly seventy prisoners. The island and its forts were ours, while thousands of hearts were filled with joy unspeakable and indescribable. Our work was not ended. The forts were to be rebuilt, and additional batteries to be constructed, as Charles- ton could be reached with ease, since the fall of Wag- ner and Gregg. Night and day under fire the work went on.
The bombardment of Sumter, Wagner and Gregg by our fleet, particularly the New Ironsides and moni- tors, as well as our land batteries, will stand in the history of wars above all. We fought the science of Europe, as well as our own. Foreign nations, in rebel hands, had on trial the best ordnance they could pro- duce, but the indomitable Yankee smashed through them all on sea and land, and now has his specimens of floating batteries on exhibition around the globe. The war of iron hail went on ; midnight messengers. with tongues of fire, were sent nightly into that doomed city, appalling the hearts of its people, and often adding death to the work of general destruction.
The duties of camp to the elose of August were regular and imperative. The details to the front must be furnished. When the casualties were frequent the men at one time manifested a disposition to dis- obey, which was promptly met, and in the case of non- commissioned officers they were reduced to the ranks. Regiment was mustered for pay. The weather con- finned warm. After the subjugation of the island, camp lite became monotonous. The work on the forts was
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pushed with energy through the months of September and October, and on the 17th day of November nine- teen shells were thrown into Charleston from Battery Gregg, and the following day a one-hundred-pounder Parrott gun threw fourteen shells into that fated town.
In the meantime promotions were made in the regi- ment to meet the seanty needs of officers. Capt. Michael Bailey was discharged and left for the North. Sergeants Fied. Sandrock, William Evans, Myron P. Pierson, Edward Pratt, James H. French, Benjamin F. Hughson, were commissioned second lieutenants. Wayne Vogdes, a son of Gen. Vogdes, had been com- inissioned previously, and joined the regiment, and assigned to Co. " I." Edwin Nichols, of Co. ". C.," had been commissioned as second lieutenant. Second Lieuts. Edward S. Peck, Cornelius B. Adriance and George II. Stowits were commissioned as first lieutenants. During the building of the forts the Sani- tary and Christian commissions had so systematized their work that the men on the island enjoyed many needed provisions of a sanitary character.
Admiral Dahlgren demanded the surrender of Fort Suinter. The demand was refused. A force of four hundred sailors and marines was organized to take it by assault. The night was fixed, and the boats moved to the attack. The enemy were fully prepared to meet it. The attempt was a failure. A number landed, some scaled the walls, but all were killed or captured. Our loss was one hundred and fifty. The
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details for fatigue and pieket were regular. In turn a emupany would be sent on board a gunboat in the in- let. Then the regiment would be ordered into the trenches before Wagner for provision against attack. Again a company at the Beacon House, a detail at Fort Gregg, and one to assist in the construction of Battery Chatfield, east of Fort Gregg. Now a large number would be sent on Black island as a fatigne Dirty. Then, at times, part of the regiment would be ordered into Wagner, and suffer the chills of night or the assaults of pestiferons fleas within the bomb proofs "f that famous fort. The rebuilding of Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg, the erection of Battery Chatfield and the planting later of heavy mortars, all required Jorge details, which told heavily upon the men. The ycketing of Cummings' Point, Gregg and Wagner was a regular duty, and often, when the enemy was in " fit for shelling, it was sadly dangerous. Fatigue parties during the day were much exposed and lost :ambers of men in killed and wounded. For several weeks after the fall of Wagner the enemy kept up a lively fire on our working parties, and men were killed ' wounded daily and nightly. Nevertheless they worked cheerfully and without complaint. At times The accuracy of the enemy's fire was wonderful, when w. consider the distance. In one period of twenty- For hours, out of two hundred and thirty-five shells D. A at Wagner, one hundred and eighty-five burst tide the fort, killing and wounding sixteen men. vother day one hundred and fifty shells struck 10*
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inside the same work. Now, when we consider that the guns which fired these shells were at a distance of about two miles, and the area into which they were dropped, less than an acre, the shooting was remark- able. Gen. Gillmore had just issued, in general orders, words of commendation to the troops for their valor, courage, and patient labor in the reduction of Wagner and Gregg. Subsequently he received a com- mission as major general, which was made the oc- casion of a grand review on the beach at low tide: a spot unequaled on the earth's surface for military display. The regiment had been paid in the interini. and friends at home were not forgotten, and even the sutler in some instances was remembered. The ser- eral companies of the regiment were saving and allow- ing the value of their just rations to accumulate in funds for blacking, white gloves, and other necessarie- found to be needed during our stay on the island. The weather toward the last of October and from that date on into winter, or the winter months, became cool. Stoves were put into the tents of officers, and not a few of the men provided the luxury in addition to the kit- chen fire. Quartermaster Sergeant George G. Bar- num was indefatigable in providing for the wants of the camp in wood, and the distribution of quarter- master stores. Fresh bread was issued daily from : bakery near, and run by details of experienced baker- found in the regiment. At this date the health of the regiment was good and in a prosperous condition, all things considered.
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CAMP 100 !! REG: N.Y.S. VOLS. MORRIS ISLAND. S C
One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers. 227
October 31st. The regiment mustered for pay. Land batteries and navy shelling Sumter. Through the instrumentality of the Board of Trade, a large number of recruits, conscripts and substitutes arrived in camp, and were assigned to the several companies as their number demanded. They were regularly drilled, and soon became unnoticed as recruits, and took the duties of a soldier as though bred to the work. Occasionally a company would be sent to picket "Payne's Dock," so called from the landing of Capt. Payne at that spot, when out scouting near the enemy's lines. This duty was often a cold and dis- agreeable one, when the nights were wet and chilly.
Lieut. Fred. Sandrock, of the boat infantry, generally accompanied the detail, as he, with boat and men, was on the ground. At this time a large hospital tent was procured, and the Chaplain held service on Sabbath, which disturbed the usual monotony of Sab- bath life. Sunday in camp is a day of cleaning, inspec- tions and reviews, as well as of battles. The inspec- tion of the quarters of the men, their clothing, arms and accoutrements, all helped to prove that golden truth, that cleanliness is next to godliness. A regi- ment to be efficient must be in health. To keep healthy it must keep clean, and it will not be done without order, and its persistent enforcement.
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CHAPTER XXXII.
REGIMENT STILL ON MORRIS ISLAND. - MAJOR D. D. NASII RETURNED TO REGIMENT. - BATTERIES OPEN ON CHARLESTON. - EXECUTION OF A DESERTER. - WORDS ABOUT NEGRO TROOPS. - THEIR MORALE AND MERIT AS SOLDIERS. - DESERTERS FROM CHARLESTON. - DI- PARTURE OF COL. DANDY AND RECRUITING PARTY FOR BUFFALO .- RE-ENLISTED VETERANS ARRIVED .- THEIL: RECEPTION BY THE LADIES OF THE GREAT CENTRAL. FAIR, MAYOR, MILITARY AND CITIZENS.
While stationed on Morris island, the regiment was regularly paid, and what was not spent for real needs. and in some instances for luxuries, was sent to friends and families at home. At this time Lient. C. B. Adri- ance brought from Hilton Head a large amount. or number of boxes, of express matter, containing remem- brances from friends in the way of clothing, and daintie -. such as was not common in camp life.
November 10th. Maj. D. D. Nash returned from the North. having been absent since the charge on Wagner, where he received a severe wound in the thigh, from which he had suffered much and long.
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Lient. Carlos H. Richmond was discharged the ser- vice, and left for home.
November closed with the usual routine. A portion of the regiment was sent nightly, with a complement of officers, to the Beacon House, Fort Wagner, now Fort Strong, Battery Chatfield, Gregg, and for pieket duty between Strong and Gregg.
December opened with high chilly winds. The -und drifted like snow. The tide was ploughing its way close up to the tents of regiments near the line of the highest tide. A few were obliged to remove camp. The passage from camp to the head of the island was lithicult, as the tide in some places swept across into the swamp. The camp of the " Provost Guard," near the beach, was removed to higher ground. The nights were very chilly, hence duty at the front without fire was intensely uncomfortable to the men.
Our batteries were trained on the city from Strong. Chatfield and Gregg. and admonitory signals were went into Charleston to keep the citizens informed of our proximity and vigilance, to let no occasion pass that we still held in remembrance the shelling of Maj. Anderson and his little band of eighty men within the walls of Sumter.
December 17th, a private of the Third New Hamp- -hire was shot for desertion. He had joined the regi- mont as a drafted recruit. He attempted to cross the warsh and give himself up to the rebel -. He failed, sul came into our lines as a deserter from the enemy, und was recognized as one of the late recruits. He
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was tried, and shot in presence of all the troops on the island. The sight was painful at a distance, but to render the example effective the whole command was required to march, as in review, by the lifeless and bleeding body of that victim of military law.
We should have mentioned that on the 6th of De- cember, the monitor Wechawken foundered in a gale at her anchorage off Morris Island, carrying down to a watery grave twenty officers and seamen. The cause was never satisfactorily known.
A few words relative to negro troops. We have said that they took to soldiering naturally. The history of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts is well known. They were encamped a few rods from the left flank of the One Hundredth. Their dress pa-
rades were models of perfection. Their sergeant ma- jor was the son of Frederick Douglass, who was subse- quently commissioned in a colored Rhode Island bat- tery. Their company cooks exceeded ours, of course, in all the arts and cleanliness of culinary operations. Two more regiments arrived earlier in the campaign from the North, from Massachusetts and North Caro- lina, the former commanded by a brother of Henry Ward Beecher. Two regiments, commanded respec- tively by Cols. Higginson and Montgomery, composed of negro troops, were also encamped near our quarter -. Their jolly songs and cheerful manners, as we passed them to the front on duty while they were returning. had the effect of completely disarming the men from that bitterness, and even hate. they had entertained
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toward them. They helped, largely, to perform the heavy work with cheerful hearts, evincing by their manner toward us, the white troops, that they had come to lighten our labors, and should do it in the -quirit of willingness and content. A grand review was had at this time, and then it was seen by veterans what the negro troops could do in the way of marching. Natural musicians, their time was usually correct, and hence their marching could not be surpassed, and only in few instances equaled.
Deserters kept us informed, from time to time, of the injury our shells did the city. Everybody who could get away went into the country, and only the poorer classes remained in town. They removed to the upper portion to avoid our shells, leaving that part below Jolin and Calhoun streets nearly depopu- lated. A number of public and private buildings
were destroyed and others damaged. The Mills House had several shells through it. The debris from the ruined buildings obstructed the streets, and by spring this beautiful city wore a very dilapidated appearance. It suffered terribly for the political crime of its inhab- itants. The poor people who remained must have had a very hard winter of it. With bacon at four dollars per pound, corn eighteen to twenty dollars per bushel, and flour one hundred and fifty dollars a barrel, all prime necessaries of life, it is a wonder that they lived at all.
Dec. 20th. Col. G. B. Dandy, Capt. Topping, and Lieuts. Stowits, Sandrock and Vogdes, with the re-
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quisite sergeants, corporals and privates, were sent North to Buffalo, on recruiting service for the regi- ment. The party left on the steamer Fulton from Hilton Head and soon began to experience the change in climate as they neared New York city and assem- bled in the city of Buffalo, the place of their military labor for the rest of the winter and a portion of the coming spring. The Board of Trade added a small fee to recruiting agents, which, in addition to the large bounties paid, secured a fair number of recruits to the regiment, as well as amply affording opportunities for bounty brokers, so willing to serve the government when self was enriched. to make large sums of money. which was well known to officers and men engaged in the service of recruiting. With the leeches at the national treasury, and the leeches at the pockets of the producers of the country. it is wonderful that the" life blood of the nation was not entirely exhausted. and its energies so crippled that years of prosperity would be required to heal the wounds of avarice and national recklessness.
In the absence of Col. Dandy, the command of the regiment was in the hands of Maj. Nash, and, there being no lieutenant colonel, as Capt. L. S. Payne, who was promoted to that position was a prisoner in the hands of the rebels, his duties were responsible and onerous.
From this time till the regiment was ordered North. in April, its duties were heavy and steady. The force on the island had been decreased, the casualties were
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few, and camp life was oppressively monotonous. Pro- visions were made for re-enlistment into what was formed the " veteran corps," with furloughs to such as complied with the order. Lieut. C. B. Adriance was appointed recruiting officer, and at once entered upon the discharge of his duties. Lieut. E. Spooner was di-missed the service, and the disability was subse- quently removed, and he was restored to the standing of other discharged officers.
January 10th, 1864. At dress parade the regiment { rmed in hollow square, and a magnificent stand of colors was received by the regiment at the hands of Chaplain J. B. Linn, as the munificent gift of the Board of Trade of Buffalo. They were admired by all, and .jects of interest to officers and men of neighboring ramps. Maj. Nash responded in neat, appropriate and Otting terms to the remarks of the Chaplain, and the · rasion was one of pleasure and gratification. The brigade band was in attendance, and the time was en- javed as though at home and not on a sandy and deso- Lite i-le.
Near the elose of January, Lient. Adriance had re- . listed about fifty men as veterans, completed the : Il. and forwarded them to headquarters. Capt. Evert and Lient. Adriance lett camp with fifty-one . teran volunteers on furlough, February 23d, for Hil- ! . Head, and arrived in Buffalo by the way of Fort- - Monroe and New York city, March 2d, 1-04.
The veterans were received at the depot and es- sorted to St. James Hall by Miller's Brass Band, ofhi-
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cers of the Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth Regiment, in two platoons. The Board of Trade, headed by Mayor Fargo and Col. Dandy, were followed by the vete- rans of the One Hundredth Regiment. The ladies of the Great Central Fair, being held at the Hall. did the. honors at the reception. The assemblage was called to order by his Honor, Mayor Fargo, who introduced the Rev. Dr. Heacock, who welcomed the veterans in an appropriate and eloquent speech. The Doctor re- viewed the honored career of the regiment, dwelt upon their glorious record, and concluded by saying "That the hearts and homes of this city are open to you; its beauty, its pride and its wealth come out to greet and welcome you."
The speech was listened to with the most respectful attention. At its coneInsion the soldiers and officers. together with a number of those in attendance, sat down at the tables, while the ladies and gentlemen connected with the fair acted as waiters, and minis- tered to the wants of the visitors. Miller's Band, the while, lent additional attractiveness to the scene by playing a number of beautiful airs. At the conclu - sion of the repast, Dr. Heacock, on behalf of Col. Dandy, thanked the ladies for the hospitable manner in which the veterans of the One Hundredth had been received and entertained. Mrs. Fargo, the president of the fair, was especially remembered, and three lusty cheers were given for that lady. The Buffdi. Board of Trade, the Ladies of Buffalo, Col. Dandy and others were subsequently cheered. As an ending to
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..... entertainment, Lient. G. H. Stowits presented two cautiful swords, the gift of the veterans, to Capt. Leopold Evert and First Lieut. Cornelius B. Adriance, 1. officers in charge, and with whom the veterans had de the journey from Hilton Head to Buffalo. 1.5 ut. Stowits made a few pertinent remarks to the fcers, and subsequently on their behalf returned thanks to the donors.
The veterans were free for a month, spent their time and money, and with reluctance turned their backs upon their homes, and headed for the South and the camp of the regiment.
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
THIE SPRING CAMPAIGN OF 1864. - TRANSFER OF THE ONE HUNDREDTII REGIMENT FROM MORRIS ISLAND TO GLOI . CESTER POINT .- THE RELATION OF SUCCESSIVE EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF SUMTER TILL ITS RESTORATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. - THE STATE AND CONDITION O! CHARLESTON. - THE QUENCHING OF FIRES BY OUR SOLDIERY. - THE RETREAT OF GEN. HARDEE'S ARMY.
The spring, with new plans and movements, Wal- opening. Gen. Grant had sole control of all combi- nations of army affairs. He held the reins of govern- ment in all departments. Subordinates were waiting the order from his working brain.
On Morris island the troops managed to pass the winter in comparative comfort. Rations were abun- dant and good, and there was a plentiful supply of clothing. The weather was not unpleasant, except when the high east winds prevailed. During the equinoctial storin of two weeks, the sea encroached upon the island twenty feet.
Gen. Gillmore had been ordered in April to reiu- force the army of the James under Butler, to operate
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aminst Richmond. The One Hundredth Regiment turned its back upon its sandy camp, which for nearly nine months had been its home, through the storms of .ot and shell, the terrors of disease, the weighty labors of fatigue, in trench and fort, and the daily longings for home, friends and the comforts of social life. As :hey left the desert shores of that sea and swamp-girt Hle relief was apparent, but then came that oft-repeated wonder, " What's the order ?" "Where ordered ?" I'll: beach at Gloucester Point greeted them, from which they had sailed sixteen months before. The ! are number of troops there assembled was proof that ut important movement was in progress.
Since, in the course of this narration, we have fol- lower the fate of Suinter, from its first suffering : rough Maj. Anderson and his little band of brave "wn, we will briefly relate its history of restoration to .... " old flag " and the Union.
From the time of the opening of the batteries of Wagner, Chatfield and Gregg, until the evacuation of " uarleston by the flank and rear movements of Sher- . Han's army, they continued to throw at intervals " irty and one-hundred-pound shells into the city. "e thirty-pounder Parrott, at an elevation of forty- 'x. degrees, had thrown four thousand six hundred aol fifteen shells into the town, and burst from the Costant and continuous strain.
å the operations before Charleston, twenty-
guns of the larger calibre had exploded. One . ".re-hundred-pounder, five two-hundred-pounders,
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and seventeen one-hundred-pounders. The entire lower part of the city was substantially destroyed.
What with the great fire of 1861, and the ruins in range of our shells, the lower portion of Charleston was inhabited only by the winged tribes, safely perched upon its crumbling debris, while the rank grass in the streets, as seen by our entering soldiery, filled all. hearts with the loneliness and desolation of the scene.
From the time of the completion of our batterie- till the close of the rebellion, but little of interest transpired before Charleston. At intervals the enemy would open his guns and bombard our works for hours, only to be silenced for his temerity. have seen the miserable apology of a flag staff, stick- ing in the brick and mortar of Sumter's walls, shot down three times in a day by a three-hundred-pounder Parrott gun from Battery Chatfield on Cummings Point.
Expeditions were sent to " Bull's Bay," on James island, and up Stono river, to keep the enemy informed of our activity and strength. Troops were changed from the island, as their sanitary condition demanded. and all was done that could be done to make their condition livable, and keep them in heart to endure fatigue and exposure incident to duty on that sandy isle.
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